Thus by an involuntary selection, the faction which constitutes itself a public power is composed of nothing but violent minds and violent hands.

Spontaneously and without previous concert dangerous fanatics are joined with dangerous brutes, and in the increasing discord between the legal authorities this is the illegal league which is certain to overthrow all.
When a commanding general sits in council with his staff-officers and his counselors, and discusses the plan of a campaign, the chief public interest is that discipline should remain intact, and that intruders, soldiers, or menials, should not throw the weight of their turbulence and thoughtlessness into the scales which have to be cautiously and firmly held by their chiefs.

This was the express demand of the Government;[1230] but the demand was not regarded; and against the persistent usurpation of the multitude nothing is left to it but the employment of force.

But force itself is slipping from its hands, while growing disobedience, like a contagion, after having gained the people is spreading among the troops .-- From the 23rd of June,[1231] two companies of the French Guards refused to do duty.

Confined to their barracks, they on the 27th break out, and henceforth "they are seen every evening entering the Palais-Royal, marching in double file." They know the place well; it is the general rendezvous of the abandoned women whose lovers and parasites they are.[1232] "The patriots all gather around them, treat them to ice cream and wine, and debauch them in the face of their officers."-- To this, moreover, must be added the fact that their colonel, M.du Chatelet, has long been odious to them, that he has fatigued them with forced drills, worried them and diminished the number of their sergeants; that he suppressed the school for the education of the children of their musicians; that he uses the stick in punishing the men, and picks quarrels with them about their appearance, their board, and their clothing.