text: --It is even now a torrent--what can prevent it from being a lake? what hand of man can prevent that lake from being an ocean? or what power of human council can say to that ocean in its rage--Thus far shalt thou go?" "But the great institutions of France will they not form a barrier? Is not their ancient firmness proof against the loose and desultory assaults of a populace like that of Paris?" "I shall answer by an image which occurred to me on my late tour of inspection to the ports in the west