The atmosphere in France grows day by day more electric,
till observers can hardly rid themselves of the idea that soon a bolt must fall. The attempt to assassinate Maitre Labori, described below ; the revelation of a ser ions plot in Paris; the scenes in the Court at Rennes, where General after General is "Mowed to make lengthy speeches against the prisoner ; the slowly deepening doubt whether an acquittal is after all so certain in spite of the absence of any evidence of guilt, even
the semi-farcical conflict between M. Gn6rin and the Paris police,—all help to reveal the raging passions which now threaten order. Still, it may be preserved. General de Galliffet is a very strong man, he has removed General after General without creating resistance, and while it is difficult to imagine a French Army in mutiny, it is still more difficult to imagine successful resistance to the soldiery if they obey. The storm may therefore pass off, but for the present the outlook is very black indeed. France exactly realises the phrase of the old theologians. She is "left to herself," and her native impulses are not good. She would be delighted to hear that Dreyfus had been shot.
