ses ébats, his sports, his frolics

1. 26. peuple-roi, the sovereign people : cf. above, p. 12, 1. 3, "l'Europe France," and a still doser parallel in "préfets-rois," p. 30, 1.14.

P. 86, 1. 3. Bavus, for Bavius, a wretched Latin poet : "Qui Bavium non odit, amet tua carmina, Msevi." (Virg. Ed. 3.) 1. 7. importune, wearies (them), viz. my friends, and therefore receives no attention.

Conseils au peuple.

1. 9. nous is hère the dative case z.{itr permis. 1. 12. orateurs boun-eaux : cf. above, p. 85, 1. 26, note. se nomment vos amis. The newspaper of the notorious Marat (Jean Paul, 1744 — 1793) was called Vami du peuple.

1.16. La pensée est livrée.... Compare the following amusing epigram on the freedom of the press during the révolution : "Autrefois la raillerie Était permise à la cour.

Doit-on bannir en ce jour Jusqu'à la plaisanterie ?

Ah ! si ce peuple important, Qui semble avoir peur de rire, Méritait moins la satire, Il ne la craindrait pas tant !"

NOTES. 12 s

tortures: because they "tortured" words into meanings that would expose the writer to a charge of treason.

1. 19. Ils vont forgeant, they go on providing, provide without ceasing.

pâtures, food.