It is in January 1790 that the mood of contemplation begins to give place to one of action. A letter written to an unknown, probably in the latter half of that months‡ seems to register within itself the transition. In that letter he is more philosophical, or teleological, about the situation in France than he is ever to be again: ‘Man is a gregarious animal. He will by degrees provide some convenience suitable to this his natural disposition; and this strange thing may some time or other, assume a more habitable form.
