Well may _energy_ or _will_ stand in the place of goodness with Mr Carlyle, since we find him making in another place this strange paradoxical statement: "_Bad_ is by its nature negative, and can do _nothing_; whatsoever enables us to _do_ any thing is by its very nature _good_." So that such a thing as a _bad deed_ cannot exist, and such an expression is without meaning. Accordingly, not only is energy applauded, but that energy applauded most that _does most_. Those who exercised their power, and the utmost resolution of mind, in the attempt to restrain the Revolution, are not to be put in comparison with those who _did something_--who carried forward the revolutionary movement. With what contempt he always mentions Lafayette--a man of limited views, it is true; and whose views at the time were wide enough? or to whom would the widest views have afforded a practical guidance?--but a man of honour and of patriotic intentions! It is "Lafayette--thin, constitutional pedant; clear, thin, inflexible, as water turned to thin ice." And how are the whole party of the Gironde treated with slight and derision, because, at a period of what proved to be irremediable confusion--when nothing but the whirlwind was to be reaped--they were incessantly striving to realize for their country some definite and permanent institutions! But though their attempt we see was futile, could they do other than make the attempt? Mr Carlyle describes the position of affairs very ably in the following passage:-- "This huge insurrectionary movement, which we liken to a breaking out of Tophet and the abyss, has swept away royalty, aristocracy, and a king's life. The question is, what will it next do? how will it henceforth shape itself? Settle down into a reign of law and liberty, according as the habits, persuasions, and endeavours of the educated, monied, respectable class prescribe? That is to say, the volcanic lava-flood, bursting up in the manner described, will explode, and flow according to Girondine formula and pre-established rule of philosophy? If so, for our Girondine friends it will be well.