[63]TheCordeliersdistrict。（BuchezetRoux，IV。，27。）AssemblymeetingoftheCordeliersdistrict，November11th，1789，tosanctionDanton’spermanentpresidency。Heisalwaysre—elected，andunanimously。Thisisthefirstsignofhisascendancy，althoughsometimes，tosavetheappearanceofhisdictatorship，hehashischiefclerkParéelected，whomhesubsequentlymademinister。
[64]BuchezetRoux，IV。，295，298，401；V。，140。
[65]Ibid。，VIII。，28（October，1790）。
[66]Ibid。，IX。，408:X。，144，234，297，417。—Lafayette"Mémoires，"
I。，359，366。ImmediatelyafterMirabeau’sdeath（April，1791）
Danton’splansareapparent，andhisinitiativeisofthehighestimportance。
[67]"TheRevolution，"II。，238（Note）and283。—Garat，309:"Afterthe20thofJuneeverybodymademischiefatthechateau；thepowerofwhichwasdailyincreasing。Dantonarrangedthe10thofAugustandthechateauwasthunderstruck。"—Robinet:"LeProcèsdesDantonistes，"224，229。（"JournaldelaSocietédesamisdelaConstitution，"No。214，June5，1792。）Dantonproposes"thelawofValeriusPublicola，passedinRomeaftertheexpulsionoftheTarquins，permittingeverycitizentokillanymanconvictedofhavingexpressedopinionsopposedtothelawoftheState，exceptincaseofproofofthecrime。"（Ibid。，Nos。230and231，July13，1792。）Dantoninducesthefederalspresent"toswearthattheywillnotleavethecapitaluntillibertyisestablished，andbeforethewillofthedepartmentismadeknownonthefateoftheexecutivepower。"Sucharetheprinciplesandtheinstruments，of"August10th"and"September2nd。"
[68]Garat，314。"HewaspresentforamomentonthecommitteeofPublicSafety。TheoutbreaksofMay31standJune2ndoccurred；hewastheauthorofboththesedays。"
[69]DecreesofApril6and7，1793。
[70]DecreeofSeptember5，1793。
[71]DecreeofMarch10，1793。
[72]August1and12，1793。
[73]See"TheRevolution，"vol。III。，ch。I。—BuchezetRoux，XXV。，285。（MeetingofNov。26，1793。）—Moniteur，XIX。，726。Danton（March16，1794）securesthepassingofadecreethat"hereafterproseonlyshallbeheardattherostrumofthehouse。"
[74]ArchivesNationales，PapersofthecommitteeofGeneralSecurity，No134。—LetterofDelacroixtoDanton，Lille，March25，1793，onthesituationinBelgium，andtheretreatofDumouriez……"MyletterissolongIfearthatyouwillnotreadittotheend……Obligemebyforgettingyourusualindolence。"——LetterofChabottoDanton，Frimaire12，yearII。"Iknowyourgenius，mydearcolleague，andconsequentlyyournaturalindolentdisposition。IwasafraidthatyouwouldnotreadmethroughifIwrotealongletter。
NeverthelessIrelyonyourfriendshiptomakeanexceptioninmyfavor。"
[75]Lagrange，themathematician，andsenatorundertheempire，wasaskedhowitwasthathevotedfortheterribleannualconscriptions。
"Ithadnosensibleeffectonthetablesofmortality，"hereplied。
[76]Garat，305，310，313。"Hisfriendsalmostworshippedhim。"
[77]Ibid。，317。—Thibeaudeau，"Mémoires，"I。，59。
[78]Quinet，"LaRévolution，"II。，304。（AccordingtotheunpublishedmemoirsofBaudot。）TheseexpressionsbyDanton’sfriendsallbearthemarkofDantonhimself。Atalleventstheyexpressexactlyhisideas。
[79]Riouffe，67。
[80]MiotdeMelito，"Mémoires，"I。，40，42。—Michelet，"HistoiredelaRévolutionFran？aise，"VI。，34；V。178，184。（OnthesecondmarriageofDantoninJune，1793，toayounggirlofsixteen。OnhisjourneytoArcis，March，1794。）—Riouffe，68。Inprison"Hetalkedconstantlyabouttrees，thecountryandnature。"
[81]Wecantracetheeffectofhisattitudeonthepublicinthepolicereports，especiallyattheendof1793，andbeginningoftheyear1794。（ArchivesNationales，F7，31167reportofCharmont，Niv？se6，yearII。）"Robespierregainssingularlyinpublicestimation，especiallysincehisspeechintheConvention，callingonhiscolleaguestorallyandcrushoutthemonstersintheinterior，alsoinwhichhecallsonalltosupportthenewrevolutionarygovernmentwiththeirintelligenceandtalents……IhavetostatethatIhaveeverywhereheardhisnamementionedwithadmiration。
TheywoundupbysayingthatitwouldbewellforallmembersoftheConventiontoadoptthemeasurespresentedbyRobespierre。"—（ReportofRobin，Niv？se8。）"CitizenRobespierreishonoredeverywhere，inallgroupesandinthecafe’s。AttheCaféManouriitwasgivenoutthathisviewsofthegovernmentweretheonlyoneswhich，likethemagnet，wouldattractallcitizenstotheRevolution。ItisnotthesamewithcitizenBillaud—Varennes。"（ReportofthePurveyor，Niv？se9。）"IncertainclubsandgroupsthereisarumorthatRobespierreistobeappointeddictator……Thepeopledojusticetohisausterevirtues；itisnoticedthathehasneverchangedhisopinionssincetheRevolutionbegan。"
[82]"Souvenirsd’undéporté。"byP。Villiers，（Robespierre’ssecretaryforsevenmonthsin1790，）p。2。"Ofpainstakingcleanliness。"—BuchezetRoux，XXXIV。，94。DescriptionofRobespierre，publishedinthenewspapersafterhisdeath:"Hisclotheswereexquisitelycleanandhishairalwayscarefullybrushed。"
[83]D’Hericault，"LaRevolutiondu9Thermidor，"（asstatedbyDaunou）。—Meillan，"Mémoires，"p。4。"Hiseloquencewasnothingbutdiffusivedeclamationwithoutorderormethod，andespeciallywithnoconclusions。Everytimehespokewewereobligedtoaskhimwhathewasdrivingat……Neverdidheproposeanyremedy。Heleftthetaskoffindingexpedientstoothers，andespeciallytoDanton。"
[84]BuchezetRoux，XXXIII。，437，438，440，442。（SpeechbyRobespierre，Thermidor8，yearII。）
[85]Ibid。，XXX。，225，226，227，228（Speech，Nov。17，1793），andXXXI。，255（Speech，Jan。26，’794）。"ThepolicyoftheLondonCabinetlargelycontributedtothefirstmovementofourRevolution……
Takingadvantageofpoliticaltempests（thecabinet）aimedtoeffectinexhaustedanddismemberedFranceachangeofdynastyandtoplacetkeDukeofYorkonthethroneofLouisXVI……Pitt……isanimbecile，whatevermaybesaidofareputationthathasbeenmuchtoogreatlypuffedup。Amanwho，abusingtheinfluenceacquiredbyhimonanislandplacedhaphazardintheocean，isdesirousofcontendingwiththeFrenchpeople，couldnothaveconceivedofsuchanabsurdplanelsewherethaninamadhouse。"—Cf。Ibid。，XXX。，465。
[86]Ibid。，XXVI。，433，441，（SpeechontheConstitution，May10，1793）；XXXI。，275。"Goodnessconsistsinthepeoplepreferringitselftowhatisnotitself；themagistrate，tobegood，mustsacrificehimselftothepeople。"……"Letthismaximbefirstadoptedthatthepeoplearegoodandthatitsdelegatesarecorruptible。"……XXX。，464。（Speech，Dec。25，1793）:"Thevirtuesaretheappanagesoftheunfortunateandthepatrimonyofthepeople。"
[87]Cf。passim，Hamel，"HistoiredeRobespierre，"3vols。Anelaboratepanegyricfullofdetails。Althougheightyyearshaveelapsed，Robespierrestillmakesdupesofpeoplethroughhisattitudesandrhetoricalflourishes。M。HameltwiceintimateshisresemblancetoJesusChrist。Theresemblance，indeed，isthatofPascal’sJesuitstotheJesusoftheGospel。
[88]"TheAncientRegime，"p。262。
[89]Garat，"Mémoires，"84。Garatwhoishimselfanideologist，notes"hiseternaltwadleabouttherightsofman，thesovereigntyofthepeople，andotherprincipleswhichhewasalwaystalkingabout，andonwhichhenevergaveutterancetoonepreciseorfreshidea。"
[90]Readespeciallyhisspeechontheconstitution，（May10，1793），hisreportontheprinciplesofRepublicanGovernment，（Dec。15，1793），hisspeechontherelationshipbetweenreligiousandnationalideasandrepublicanprinciples（May7，1794）andspeechofThermidor8。—
Carnot:"Memoires，"II。，512。"Inalldeliberationsonaffairshecontributednothingbutvaguegeneralities。"
[91]DuringthiscenturyallimportantJacobinleaders，Hitler，Mussolini，Lenin，Stalin，Castroetc。haveintheirturnfollowedrobespierre’sexampleandboredtheircaptiveaudienceswiththeirinterminablespeeches。（SR）。
[92]BuchezetRoux，XXXIII。，406。（SpeechdeliveredThermidor8th。）
Theprintedcopyofthemanuscriptwithcorrectionsanderasures。
[93]Ibid。，420，422，427。
[94]Ibid。，428，435，436。"Odayforeverblessed！Whatasighttobehold，theentireFrenchpeopleassembledtogetherandrenderingtotheauthorofnaturetheonlyhomageworthyofhim！Howaffectingeachobjectthatenchantstheeyeandtouchestheheartofman！Ohonoredoldage！Ogenerousardoroftheyoungofourcountry！Otheinnocent，purejoyofyouthfulcitizens！Otheexquisitetearsoftendermothers！Othedivinecharmsofinnocenceandbeauty！Whatmajestyinagreatpeoplehappyinitsstrength，powerandvirtue！"—"No，Charmette，No，deathisnotthesleepofeternity！"—"Remember，O，People，thatinarepublic，etc。"—"Ifsuchtruthsmustbedissembledthenbringmethehemlock！"
[95]Speech，May7，1794。（Onmoralandreligiousideasinrelationtorepublicanprinciples。）
[96]Personifications。FromGreektomakepersons。（SR）。
[97]BuchezetRoux，XXXIII。，436。"TheverresandCatilinesofourcountry。"（SpeechofThermidor8th。）—NoteespeciallythespeechdeliveredMarch7，1794，crammedfullofclassicalreminiscences。
[98]Ibid。，XXXIII。，421。"Truthhastouchingandterribleaccentswhichreverberatepowerfullyinpureheartsasinguiltyconsciences，andwhichfalsehoodcannomorecounterfeitthanSalomecancounterfeitthethundersofheaven。"—437:"Whydothosewhoyesterdaypredictedsuchfrightfultempestsnowgazeonlyonthefleeciestclouds？Whydothosewhobutlatelyexclaimed’Iaffirmthatwearetreadingonavolcano’nowbeholdthemselvessleepingonabedofroses？"
[99]Ibid。，XXXII。，360，361。（PortraitsoftheencyclopaedistsandHébertists。）
[100]Ibid。，XXXIII。，408。"Here，Ihavetoopenmyheart。"—XXXII。，475—478，theconcludingpart。
[101]Hamel:"HistoiredeRobespierre，"I。，34—76。Anattorneyat23，amemberoftheRosaticlubatArrasat24，amemberoftheArrasAcademyat25。TheRoyalSocietyofMetzawardedhimasecondprizeforhisdiscourseagainsttheprejudicewhichregardstherelativesofcondemnedcriminalsasinfamous。HiseulogyofGressetisnotcrownedbytheAmiensAcademy。HereadsbeforetheAcademyofArrasadiscourseagainstthecivilincapacitiesofillegitimatechildren，andthenanotheronreformsincriminaljurisprudence。In1789，heispresidentoftheArrasAcademy，andpublishesaneulogyofDupatyandanaddresstothepeoplefromArtoisonthequalitiesnecessaryforfuturedeputies。
[102]SeehiseulogyofRousseauinthespeechofMay7，1794。
（BuchezetRoux，XXXII。，369。—Garat，85。"IhopedthathisselectionofRousseauforamodelofstyleandtheconstantreadingofhisworkswouldexertsomegoodinfluenceonhischaracter。"
[103]Fievée，"correspondance"（introduction）。Fievée，whoheardhimattheJacobinClub，saidthatheresembleda"tailoroftheancientregime。"LaRéeveillère—Lepeaux，′"Mmoires。"—BuchezetRoux，XXXIV。，94。—Malouet，"Mémoires，"II。，135。（SessionofMay31，1791，afterthedeliveryofAbbéRaynal’saddress。）"ThisisthefirstandonlytimeIfoundRobespierreclearandeveneloquent……Hespunouthisopeningphrasesasusual，whichcontainedthespiritofhisdiscourse，andwhich，inspiteofhisaccustomedrigmarole，producedtheeffectheintended。"
[104]CourrierdeProvence，III。，No。52，（Oct。7and8，1789）。—
BuchezetRoux，VI。，372。（SessionofJuly10，1790。）AnothersimilarblunderwascommittedbyhimontheoccasionofanAmericandeputation。Thepresidenthadmadehisresponse，whichwas"unanimouslyapplauded。"RobespierrewantedtohavehissaynotwithstandingtheobjectionsoftheAssembly，impatientathisverbiage，andwhichfinallyputhimdown。Amidstthelaughter，"M。
l’AbbéMaurydemandsironicallytheprintingofM。Robespierre’sdiscourse。"
[105]L。Villiers，2。
[106]Cf。hisprincipalspeechesintheconstituentAssembly；——
againstmartiallaw；againsttheveto，evensuspensive；againstthequalificationofthesilvermarcandinfavorofuniversalsuffrage；
infavorofadmittingintotheNationalGuardnon—actingcitizens；ofthemarriageofpriests；oftheabolitionofthedeathpenalty；ofgrantingpoliticalrightstocoloredmen；ofinterdictingthefatherfromfavoringanyoneofhischildren；ofdeclaringthe"Constituants"
ineligibletotheLegislativeAssembly，etc。Onroyalty:"TheKingisnottherepresentativebuttheclerkofthenation。"Onthedangerofallowingpoliticalrightstocoloredmen:"Letthecoloniesperishiftheycostyouyourhonor，yourglory，yourliberty！"
[107]Hamel，I。，76。77，（March，1789）。"MyheartisanhonestoneandIstandfirm；Ihaveneverbowedbeneaththeyokeofbasenessandcorruption。"HeenumeratesthevirtuesthatarepresentativeoftheThirdEstateshouldpossess（26，83）。Healreadyshowshisblubberingcapacityandhisdispositiontoregardhimselfasavictim:"Theyundertakemakingmartyrsofthepeople’sdefenders。Hadtheythepowertodeprivemeoftheadvantagestheyenvy，couldtheysnatchfrommemysoulandtheconsciousnessofthebenefitsIdesiretoconferonthem。"
[108]BuchezetRoux，XXXIII。"WhoamIthatamthusaccused？Theslaveoffreedom，alivingmartyrtotheRepublic，atoncethevictimandtheenemyofcrime！"Seethisspeechinfull。
[109]EspeciallyinhisaddresstotheFrenchpeople，（Aug。，1791），which，inajustificatoryform，ishisapotheosis。—Cf。Hamel，II。，212；SpeechintheJacobinclub，（April27，1792）。
[110]Hamel，I。，517，532，559；II。，5。
[111]Laréveillère—Lepeaux，"Mémoires。"—Barbaroux，"Mémoires，"358。
（Both，afteravisittohim。）
[112]Robespierre’sdevoteesconstantlyattendattheJacobinclubandintheconventiontohearhimspeakandapplaudhim，andarecalled，fromtheirconditionanddress，"thefatpetticoats。"
[113]BuchezetRoux，XX。，197。（MeetingofNov。I，1792。）—
"ChroniquedeParis，"Nov。9，1792，articlebyCondorcet。Withthekeeninsightofthemanoftheworld，hesawclearlyintoRobespierre’scharacter。"Robespierrepreaches，Robespierrecensures；
heisanimated，grave，melancholy，deliberatelyenthusiasticandsystematicinhisideas，andconduct。Hethundersagainsttherichandthegreat；helivesonnothingandhasnophysicalnecessities。
Hissolemissionistotalk，andthishedoesalmostconstantly……
Hischaracteristicsarenotthoseofareligiousreformer，butofthechiefofasect。Hehaswonareputationforausterityapproachingsanctity。HejumpsuponabenchandtalksaboutGodandProvidence。
Hestyleshimselfthefriendofthepoor；heattractsaroundhimacrowdofwomenand’thepoorinspirit，andgravelyacceptstheirhomageandworship……Robespierreisapriestandneverwillbeanythingelse。"AmongRobespierre’sdevoteesMadamedeChalabremustbementioned，（Hamel，I。，525），ayoungwidow（Hamel，III。，524），whooffershimherhandwithanincomeoffortythousandfrancs。
"Thouartmysupremedeity，"shewritestohim，"andIknownootheronthisearth！Iregardtheeasmyguardianangel，andwouldliveonlyunderthylaws。"
[114]Fievée，"Correspondance，"（introduction）。
[115]ReportofCourtoisonthepapersfoundinRobespierre’sdomicile。JustificatorydocumentsNo。20，letteroftheSecretaryoftheCommitteeofSurveillanceofSaintCalais，Niv？se15，yearII。
[116]Ibid。，No。18。LetterofV———，formerinspectorof"droitsreservés，"Feb。5，1792。
[117]Ibid。，No。8。LetterofP。Brincourt，Sedan，Aug。29，1793。
[118]Ibid。，No。I。LetterofBesson，withanaddressofthepopularclubofMenosque，Prairial23，yearII
[119]Ibid。，No。14。LetterofD———，memberoftheCordeliersClub，andformermercer，Jan。31，1792
[120]Ibid。，No。12。LetterbyC————，ChateauThierry，Prairial30，yearII。
[121]Hamel，III。，682。（CopiedfromBillaud—Varennes’manuscripts，intheArchivesNationales）。
[122]Moniteur，XXII。，’75。（SessionofVendémiairei8，yearIII。
SpeechbyLaignelot。）"Robespierrehadallthepopularclubsunderhisthumb。"
[123]Garat，85。"ThemostconspicuoussentimentwithRobespierre，andone，indeed，ofwhichhemadenomystery，wasthatthedefenderofthepeoplecouldneverseeamiss。—（Bailleul，quotedinCarnot’sMemoirs，I。516。）"Heregardedhimselfasaprivilegedbeing，destinedtobecomethepeople’sregeneratorandinstructor。"
[124]SpeechofMay16，1794，andofThermidor8，yearII。
[125]BuchezetRoux，X。，295，296。（SessionJune22，1791，oftheJacobinClub。）—Ibid。，294。—Maratspokeinthesamevein:"IhavemademyselfacurseforallgoodpeopleinFrance。"Hewrites，thesamedate:"Writersinbehalfofthepeoplewillbedraggedtodungeons。’Thefriendofthepeople，’whoselastsighisgivenforhiscountry，andwhosefaithfulvoicestillsummonsyoutofreedom，istofindhisgraveinafieryfurnace。"Thelastexpressionshowsthedifferenceintheirimaginations。
[126]Hamel，II。，122。（MeetingoftheJacobinClub，Feb。10，1792。）
"Toobtaindeathatthehandsoftyrantsisnotenough—onemustdeservedeath。Ifitbetruethattheearliestdefendersoflibertybecameitsmartyrstheyshouldnotsufferdeathwithoutbearingtyrannyalongwiththemintothegrave。"—Cf。，ibid。，II。，215。
（MeetingofApril27，1792。）
[127]Hamel，II。，513。（SpeechintheConvention，Prairial7，yearII。）
[128]BuchezetRoux，XXXIII。，422，445，447，457。（SpeechintheConvention，Thermidor8，yearII。）
[129]BuchezetRoux，XX。，11，18。（MeetingoftheJacobinClub，Oct。29，1792。）SpeechonLafayette，theFeuillantsandGirondists。
XXXI。，360，363。（MeetingoftheConvention，May7，1794。）OnLafayette，theGirondists，DantonistsandHébertists。—XXXIII。，427。
（SpeechofThermidor8，yearII。）
[130]Garat，"Mémoires，"87，88。
[131]BuchezetRoux，XXI。，107。（SpeechofPétiononthechargesmadeagainsthimbyRobespierre。）Petionjustlyobjectsthat"BrunswickwouldbethefirsttocutoffBrissot’shead，andBrissotisnotfoolenoughtodoubtit。"
[132]Garat，94。（AftertheKing’sdeathandalittlebeforethe10thofMarch，1793。）
[133]Ibid。，97。In1789RobespierreassuredGaratthatNeckerwasplunderingtheTreasury，andthatpeoplehadseenmulesloadedwiththegoldandsilverhewassendingoffbymillionstoGeneva。—
Carnot，"Mémoires，"I。512。"Robespierre，"sayCarnotandPrieur，"paidverylittleattentiontopublicbusiness，butagooddealtopublicofficers；hemadehimselfintolerablewithhisperpetualmistrustofthese，neverseeinganybuttraitorsandconspirators。"
[134]BuchezetRoux，XXXIII。，417。（SpeechofThermidor8，yearII。）
[135]Ibid。，XXXII。，361，（SpeechMay7，’794，）and359。"Immoralityisthebasisofdespotism，asvirtueistheessenceoftheRepublic。"
[136]Ibid。，371。
[137]BuchezetRoux，XXXIII。，195。（ReportofCouthonanddecreeinconformitytherewith，Prairial22，yearII。）"Therevolutionarytribunalisorganisedforthepunishmentofthepeople’senemies……Thepenaltyforalloffenceswithinitsjurisdictionisdeath。
Thoseareheldtobeenemiesofthepeoplewhoshallhavemisledthepeople，ortherepresentativesofthepeople，intomeasuresopposedtotheinterestsofliberty；thosewhoshallhavesoughttocreatediscouragementbyfavoringtheundertakingsoftyrantsleaguedagainsttheRepublic；thosewhoshallhavespreadfalsereportstodivideordisturbthepeople；thosewhoshallhavesoughttomisdirectopinionandimpedepopularinstruction，producedepravityandcorruptthepublicconscience，diminishtheenergyandpurityofrevolutionaryandrepublicanprinciples，orstaytheirprogressThosewho，chargedwithpublicfunctions，abusethemtoservetheenemiesoftheRevolution，vexpatriots，oppressthepeople，etc。"
[138]BuchezetRoux，XXXV。，290。（"Institutions，"bySaint—Just。）
"TheRevolutionischilled。Principleshavelosttheirvigor。
Nothingremainsbutred—capswornbyintrigue。"—ReportbyCourtois，"Piècesjustificatives"No。20。（LetterofPaysandRompillon，presidentandsecretaryofthecommitteeofSurveillanceofSaint—
Calais，toRobespierre，Niv？se15，yearII。）"TheMountainhereiscomposedofonlyadozenorfifteenmenonwhomyoucanrelyasonyourself；therestareeitherdeceived，seduced，corruptedorenticedaway。Publicopinionisdebauchedbythegoldandintriguesofhonestfolks。"
[139]ReportbyCourtois，N。43。—Cf。Hamel，III。，43，71。—（ThefollowingimportantdocumentisonfileintheArchivesNationales，F
7，4446，andconsistsoftwonoteswrittenbyRobespierreinJuneandJuly，1793）:"Whoareourenemies？Theviciousandtherich……
Howmaythecivilwarbestopped？Punishtraitorsandconspirators，especiallyguiltydeputiesandadministrators……maketerribleexamples……proscribeperfidiouswritersandanti—
revolutionaries……Internaldangercomesfromthebourgeois；
toovercomethebourgeois，rallythepeople。Thepresentinsurrectionmustbekeptup……Theinsurrectionshouldgraduallycontinuetospreadout……Thesans—culottesshouldbepaidandremaininthetowns。Theyoughttobearmed，workedup，taught。"
[140]ThecommitteeofPublicSafety，andRobespierreespecially，knewofandcommandedthedrowningsofNantes，aswellastheprincipalmassacresbyCarrier，Turreau，etc。（DeMartel，"EtudesurFouché，"
257—265。）—Ibid。，（"Typesrevolutionnaires，"41—49。）—BuchezetRoux，XXXIII。，101（May26，1794。）ReportbyBarèreanddecreeoftheconventionorderingthat"NoEnglishprisonersshouldbetaken。"
Robespierreafterwardsspeaksinthesamesense。Ibid。，458。AfterthecaptureofNewport，wheretheytookfivethousandEnglishprisoners，theFrenchsoldierswereunwillingtoexecutetheconvention’sdecree，onwhichRobespierre（speechofThermidor8）
said:"IwarnyouthatyourdecreeagainsttheEnglishhasconstantlybeenviolated；England，soill—treatedinourspeeches，issparedbyourarms。"
[141]OntheGirondists，Cf。"TheRevolution，"II。，216。
[142]BuchezetRoux，XXX。，157。SketchofaspeechontheFabred’Eglantinefactim。—Ibid。，336，SpeechattheJacobinClubagainstClootz。—XXXII。，abstractofareportontheChabotaffair，18。—
Ibid。，69，SpeechonmaintainingDanton’sarrest。
[143]Ibid。，XXX。，378。（Dec。10，1793。）WithrespecttothewomenwhocrowdtheConventioninordertosecurethelibertyoftheirhusbands:
"Shouldtherepubicanwomenforgettheirvirtuesascitizenswhenevertheyrememberingthattheyarewives？"
[144]Hamel，III。，196。—Michelet，V。，394，abstractofthejudicialdebatesonthedispositionoftheGirondists:"TheminutesofthisdecreearefoundinRobespierre’shandwriting。"
[145]DeMartel，"Typesrevolutionnaires，"44。TheinstructionssenttotheRevolutionaryTribunalatOrangeareinRobespierre’shandwriting。—（ArchivesNationales，F74439。）
[146]MerlindeThionville。
[147]BuchezetRoux，XXXII。，71。（OnDanton。）"Beforethedayisoverweshallseewhethertheconventionwillshatteranidolalongtimerotten……InwhatrespectisDantonsuperiortohisfellow—citizens？……Isaythatthemanwhonowhesitatesisguilty……Thedebate，justbegun，isadangertothecountry。"—Alsothespeechinfull，againstClootz。
[148]Ibid。，XXX。，338。"Alas，sufferingpatriots，whatcanwedo，surroundedbyenemiesfightinginourownranks！……Letuswatch，forthefallofourcountryisnotfaroff，"etc。—Thesecantatas，withtheaccompanimentsofthecelestialharp，areterribleifweconsiderthecircumstances。Forinstance，onthe3rdofSeptember，1792，intheelectoralassemblywhilethemassacresaregoingon:"M。Robespierreclimbsuponthetribuneanddeclaresthathewillcalmlyfacethesteeloftheenemiesofpublicgood，andcarrywithhimtohisgravethesatisfactionofhavingservedhiscountry，thecertaintyofFrancehavingpreserveditsliberty"。—（ArchivesNationales，C。II。，58—76。）
[149]BuchezetRoux，XXXII。，360，371。（SpeechofMay7，1794。）
"Danton1themostdangerous，ifhehadnotbeenthemostcowardly，oftheenemiesofhiscountry……Danton，thecoldest，themostindifferent，duringhiscountry’sgreatestperil。"
[150]Ibid。，XXXIV。，——Cf。thedescriptionofhimbyFievée，whosawhiminthetribuneattheJacobinClub。
[151]MerlindeThionville"Avague，painfulanxiety，duetohistemperament，wasthesolesourceofhisactivity。"
[152]Barère，"Mémoires。""HewantedtoruleFranceinfluentiallyratherthandirectly。"—BuchezetRoux，XIV。，188。（ArticlebyMarat。）DuringtheearlysessionsoftheLegislativeAssembly，MaratsawRobespierreononeoccasion，andexplainedtohimhisplansforexcitingpopularoutbreaks，andforhispurifyingmassacres。
"Robespierrelistenedtomewithdismay，turnedpaleandkeptsilentforsomemoments。ThisinterviewconfirmedmeintheideaIalwayshadofhim，thathecombinedtheenlightenmentofawisesenatorwiththeuprightnessofagenuinegoodmanandthezealofatruepatriot，butthatheequallylackedtheviewsandboldnessofastatesman。"—
Thibaudeau，"Mémoires，"58。—HewastheonlymemberofthecommitteeofPublicSafetywhodidnotjointhedepartmentmissions。
[153]Someoneis"grandisonian"whenheislikethenovelistRichardson’shero，SirWalterGrandison，beneficient，politeandchivalrous。（SR）。
[154]BuchezetRouxXX。，198。（SpeechofRobespierreintheConvention，November5，1792。）
[155]AllthesestatementsbyRobespierreareopposedtothetruth。—
（"Procés—verbauxdesSéancesdelaCommunedeParis。"）Sep。1，1792，Robespierrespeakstwiceattheeveningsession。—Thetestimonyoftwopersons，bothagreeing，indicate，moreover，thathespokeatthemorningsession，thenamesofthespeakersnotbeinggiven。"Thequestion，"saysPétion（BuchezetRoux，XXI。，103），"wasthedecreeopeningthebarriers。"ThisdecreeisunderdiscussionattheCommuneatthemorningsessionofSeptember1:"Robespierre，onthisquestion，spokeinthemostanimatedmanner，wanderingoffinsombreflightsofimagination；hesawprecipicesathisfeetandplotsofliberticides；
hedesignatedthepretendedconspirators。"—Louvet（ibid。，130），assignsthesamedate，（exceptthathetakestheeveningforthemorningsession），forRobespierre’sfirstdenunciationoftheGirondists:"Nobody，then，"saysRobespierre，"darenamethetraitors？
Verywell，Idenouncethem。Idenouncethemforthesecurityofthepeople。IdenouncetheliberticideBrissot，theGirondistfaction，thevillainouscommitteeoftwenty—oneintheNationalAssembly。I
denouncethemforhavingsoldFrancetoBrunswickandforhavingreceivedpayinadvancefortheirbaseness。"—Sep。2，（"ProcèsverbauxdelaCommune，"eveningsession），"MM。Billaud—VarennesandRobespierre，indevelopingtheircivicsentiments，……denouncetotheConseil—GénéraltheconspiratorsinfavoroftheDukeofBrunswick，whomapowerfulpartywanttoputonthethroneofFrance。"
—September3，at6o’clockinthemorning，（BuchezetRoux，16，132，letterofLouvet），commissionersoftheCommunepresentthemselvesatBrissot’shousewithanordertoinspecthispapers；oneofthemsaystoBrissotthathehaseightsimilarordersagainsttheGirondedeputiesandthatheistobeginwithGuadet。（LetterofBrissotcomplainingofthisvisit，Monitur，Sep。7，1792。）Thissameday，Sep。31RobespierrepresidesattheCommune。（GranierdeCassagnac，"LesGirondins"II。，63。）ItisherethatadeputationoftheMauconseilsectioncomestofindhim，andheischargedbythe"Conseil"withacommissionattheTemple。—Sept。4（BuchezetRoux，XXI。，106，SpeechofPetion），theCommuneissuesawarrantofarrestagainstRoland；DantoncomestotheMayoraltywithRobespierreandhasthewarrantrevoked；RobespierreendsbytellingPetion:"I
believethatBrissotbelongstoBrunswick。"—Ibid。，506。
"Robespierre（beforeSept。2），tooktheleadintheConseil"—Ibid。，107。"Robespierre，"Isaid，"youaremakingagooddealofmischief。
Yourdenunciations，yourfears，hatredsandsuspicions，excitethepeople。"
[156]Garat，86。—Cf。Hamel，I。，264。（Speech，June9，1791。）
[157]"TheRevolution，"II。，338，339。（Speech。Aug。3，1792。）
[158]BuchezetRoux，XXXIII。，420。（Speech，Thermidor8。）
[159]Ibid。，XXXII。，71。（SpeechagainstDanton。）"Whathaveyoudonethatyouhavenotdonefreely？"
[160]Ibid。，XXXIII。，199and221。（SpeechonthelawofPrairial22。）
[161]MirabeausaidofRobespierre:"Whateverthatmanhassaid，hebelievesinit。—Robespierre，Duplay’sguest，dinedeverydaywithDuplay，ajurymanintherevolutionarytribunalandco—operatorfortheguillotine，ateighteenfrancsaday。Thetalkatthetableprobablyturnedonthecurrentabstractions；buttheremusthavebeenfrequentallusionstothecondemnationsoftheday，and，evenwhennotmentioned，theywereintheirminds。OnlyRobertBrowning，atthepresentday，couldimagineandrevivewhatwasspokenandthoughtinthoseeveningconversationsbeforethemotheranddaughters。
[162]Today，morethan100yearslater，wherearewe？Isitpossiblethatmancanthuslietohimselfandhencetoothers？RobertWright，inhisbook"TheMoralAnimal"，describing"TheNewScienceofEvolutionaryPsychology"，writes（page280）:"Thepropositionhereisthatthehumanbrainis，inlargepart，amachineforwinningarguments，amachineforconvincingothersthatitsownerisintheright—andthusamachineforconvincingitsownerofthesamething。
Thebrainislikeagoodlawyer:givenanysetofintereststodefend，itssetsaboutconvincingtheworldoftheirmoralandlogicalworth，regardlessofwhethertheyinfacthaveanyofeither。Likealawyer，itissometimesmoreadmirableforskillthanforvirtue。"（SR）。
[163]BuchezetRoux，XXXIII。，151。—Cf……Dauban，"Parisen1794，"
p。386（engraving）and392，Fêtedel’êtreSuprêmeàSceaux，"accordingtotheprogrammedrawnupbythepatriotPalloy。"Allcitizensarerequestedtobeattheirwindowsordoors，eventhoseoccupyingtherearpartofthemainbuildings。"—Ibid。，399。"Youthfulcitizenswillstrewflowersateachstation，fatherswillembracetheirchildrenandmothersturntheireyesupwardtoheaven。"—Moniteur，XXX。，653。"PlanofthefêteinhonoroftheSupremeBeing，drawnupbyDavid，anddecreedbytheNationalConvention。"
[164]BuchezetRoux，XXXIII。，176。（NarrativebyValate。）
[165]Hamel，III。，541。
[166]BuchezetRoux，XXVIII。，178，180。
[167]Ibid。，177（NarrativebyVilate。）Ibid。，170，NotesbyRobespierreonBourdon（del’Oise）417。PassageserasedbyRobespierreinthemanuscriptofhisspeechofThermidor8。—249。
Analogouspassagesinhisspeechasdelivered，—alltheseindicationsenableustotracethedepthsofhisresentment。
[168]Ibid。，183。MemoirsofBillaud—Varennes，Collotd’Herbois，VadierandBarère。"ThenextdayafterPrairial22，atthemorningsession（ofthecommitteeofPublicSafety）……Inowsee，saysRobespierre，thatIstandalone，withnobodytosupportme，and，gettingviolentlyexcited，helaunchedoutagainstthemembersofthecommitteewhohadconspiredagainsthim。HeshoutedsoloudastocollecttogetheranumberofcitizensontheTuileriesterrace。"
Finally，"hepushedhypocrisysofarastoshedtears。"Thenervousmachine，Iimagine，brokedown。—Anothermemberofthecommittee，Prieur，（Carnot，"Mémoires，"II。，525），relatesthat，inthemonthofFloréal，afteranotherequallylongandviolentsession，"Robespierre，exhausted，becameill。"
[169]Carnot，"Mémoires，"II。526。"Ashisbureauwasinaseparateplace，wherenoneofussetfoot，hecouldretiretoitwithoutcomingincontactwithanyofus，asineffect，hedid。Heevenmadeapretenceofpassingthroughthecommitteerooms，afterthesessionwasover，andhesignedsomepapers；buthereallyneglectednothing，exceptourcommondiscussions。Heheldfrequentconferencesinhishousewiththepresidentsoftherevolutionarytribunals，overwhichhisinfluencewasgreaterthanever。"
[170]Dauban，"Parisen1794，"563。—ArchivesNationales，AF。II。，58。ThesignatureofRobespierre，inhisownhandwriting，isfoundaffixedtomanyoftheresolutionsoftheCommitteeofPublicSafety，passedThermidor5and7，andthoseofSt。JustandCouthonafterthis，uptoThermidor3，6and7。OntheregisteroftheminutesoftheCommitteeofPublicSafety，RobespierreisalwaysrecordedaspresentatallmeetingsbetweenMessidor1andThermidor8，inclusive。
[171]ArchivesNationales，F。7，4438。ReporttotheCommitteeofPublicSafetybyHerman，CommissionerofthecivilandPoliceadministrationsandoftheCourts，Messidor3，yearII。"Thecommitteechargedwithageneralsurpervisionoftheprisons，andobligedtorecognizethatalltherascalsmostlyconcernedwithliberticideplotsare……stillintheprisons，formingabandapart，andrenderingsurveillanceverytroublesome；theyareaconstantsourceofdisorder，alwaysgettingupattemptstoescape，beingadailyassemblageofpersonsdevotingthemselveswhollytoimprecationsagainstlibertyanditsdefenders……Itwouldbeeasytopointoutineachprison，thosewhohaveserved，andaretoserve，thediversefactions，thediverseconspiracies……Itmaybenecessary，perhaps，topurgetheprisonsatonceandfreethesoiloflibertyoftheirfilth，therefuseofhumanity。"TheCommitteeofPublicSafetyconsequently"chargesthecommissiontoascertainintheprisonsofParis……whohavebeenmorespeciallyconcernedinthediversefactionsandconspiraciesthattheNationalconventionhasdestroyed。"Theword"approved"appearsatthefootoftheresolutioninRobespierre’shandwriting，thenthesignatureofRobespierre，andlowerdown，thoseofBillaudandBarère。Asimilarresolutionprovidingforthe7thofMessidor，signedbythesamepartiesandfiveothers，isdispatchedthesameday。（M。deMartelcameacrossandmadeuseofthisconclusivedocumentbeforeIdid，mostofitbeingquotedin"LesTypesRevolutionnaires。"）
[172]BuchezetRoux，XXXIII。，434。
CHAPTERII。THERULERSOFTHECOUNTRY。
Letusfollowtheoperationsofthenewgovernmentfromtoptobottom，fromthoseofitsrulingbodiesandleaders，toitsassemblies，committees，delegates，administratorsandunderlingsofeverykindanddegree。Likelivingfleshstampedwithared—hotiron，sowillthesituationputonetheirbrowsthetwomarks，eachwithitsowndifferentdepthanddiscoloration。Invaindothey，too，strivetoconcealtheirscars:wedetectunderthecrownsandtitlestheyassumethebrandoftheslaveorthemarkofthetyrant。
I。TheConvention。
TheConvention。—The"Plain。"—The"Mountain。"—DegradationofSouls。—ParadeswhichtheConventionisobligatedtomake。
AttheTuileries，theomnipotentConventionsitsenthronedinthetheater，convertedintoanAssemblyroom。Itcarriesonitsdeliberationsdaily，ingrandstyle。Itsdecrees，receivedwithblindobedience，startleFranceandupsetallEurope。Atadistance，itsmajestyisimposing，moreaugustthanthatoftheRepublicansenateinRome。Nearby，theeffectisquiteotherwise；theseundisputedsovereignsareserfswholiveintrances，andjustlyso，for，nowhere，eveninprison，istheremoreconstraintandlesssecuritythanontheirbenches。Afterthe2ndofJune，1793，theirinviolableprecincts，thegrandofficialreservoirfromwhichlegalauthorityflows，becomesasortoftank，intowhichtherevolutionarynetplungesandsuccessfullybringsoutitschoicestfish，singlyorbythedozen，andsometimesinvastnumbers；atfirst，thesixty—sevenGirondistdeputies，whoareexecutedorproscribed；then，theseventy—
threemembersofthe"Right，"sweptoffinonedayandlodgedintheprisonofLaForce；next，theprominentJacobins:
Osselin，arrestedonthe19thofBrumaire，Bazire，Chabot，andDelaunay，accusedbydecreeonthe24thBrumaire，Fabred’Eglantine，arrestedonthe24thofNiv？se，Bernard，guillotinedonthe3rdofPluvi？se，AnacharsisClootzguillotinedonthe4thofGerminal，HéraultdeSéchelles，Lacroix，Philippeaux，CamilleDesmoulinsandDanton，guillotinedwithfourothersonthe10thofGerminal，Simon，guillotinedonthe24thofGerminal，andOsselin，guillotinedonthe8thofMessidor。—Naturally，theotherstakewarningandarecareful。Attheopeningofthesessiontheyareseenenteringthehall，lookinguneasy，fullofdistrust，"[1]likeanimalsdrivenintoapenandsuspiciousofatrap。
"Each，"writesaneye—witness，"actedandspokewithcircumspection，forfearofbeingchargedwithsomecrime:ineffect，nothingwasunimportant，theseatonetook，aglanceoftheeye，agesture，amurmur，asmile。"
Hence，theyflockinstinctivelytothesidewhichisbestsheltered，theleftside。
"ThetideflowedtowardsthesummitoftheMountain；therightsidewasdeserted……Manytooknosideatall，and，duringthesession，oftenchangedtheirseats，thinkingthattheymightthuseludethespybydonningamixedhueandkeepingongoodtermswitheverybody。Themostprudentneversatdown；theykeptoffthebenches，atthefootofthetribune，and，onmattersgettingtobeserious，slippedquietlyoutofthehall。"
Mostofthemtookrefugeintheircommittee—rooms；eachtriestobeover—looked，tobeobscure，toappearinsignificantorabsent。[2]
Duringthefourmonthsfollowingthe2ndofJune，thehalloftheConventionishalforthree—quartersempty；theelectionofapresidentdoesnotbringouttwohundredandfiftyvoters；[3]onlytwohundred，onehundred，fiftyvotes，electtheCommitteesofPublicSafetyandGeneralSecurity；aboutfiftyvoteselectthejudgesoftheRevolutionaryTribunal；lessthantenvoteselecttheirsubstitutes；[4]notonevoteiscastfortheadoptionofthedecreeindictingthedeputy，Dulaure；[5]"nomemberrisesfororagainstit；
thereisnovote；"thepresident，nevertheless，pronouncestheactpassedandtheMaraisletsthingstaketheircourse。"—"Maraisfrogs"[6]istheappellationbestowedonthembeforethe2ndofJune，when，amongstthedregsofthe"Center，"they"broke"withthe"Mountain；"now，theystillnumberfourhundredandfifty，threetimesasmanyasthe"Montagnards；"buttheypurposelykeepquiet；theiroldname"rendersthem，sotosay，soft；theirearsringwitheternalmenaces；theirheartsshrivelupwithterror；[7]whiletheirtongues，paralyzedbyhabitualsilence，remainasifgluedtotheroofsoftheirmouths。Invaindotheykeepintheback—ground，consenttoeverything，asknothingforthemselvesbutpersonalsafety，andsurrenderallelse，theirvotes，theirwillsandtheirconsciences；
theyfeelthattheirlifehangsbyathread。Thegreatestmuteamongthemall，Siéyès，denouncedintheJacobinClub，barelyescapes，andthroughtheprotectionofhisshoemaker，whorisesandexclaims:
"ThatSiéyès！Iknowhim。Hedon’tmeddlewithpolitics。Hedoesnothingbutreadhisbook。Imakehisshoesandwillanswerforhim。"[8]
Ofcourse，previoustothe9thofThermidor，noneofthemopentheirmouths；itisonlythe"Montagnards"whomakespeeches，andonthecountersignbeinggiven。IfLegendre，theadmirer，discipleandconfidentialfriendofDanton，daresatonetimeinterfereinrelationtothedecreewhichsendshisfriendtothescaffold，askingthathemayfirstbeheard，itisonlytoretractimmediately；thatveryevening，attheJacobinclub，forgreatersecurity，"hewallowsinthemud；"[9]hedeclares"thathesubmitstothejudgmentoftherevolutionaryTribunal，"andswearstodenounce"whoevershallopposeanyobstacletotheexecutionofthedecree。"[10]HasnotRobespierretaughthimalesson，andinhismostpedanticmanner？Whatismorebeautiful，saysthegreatmoralist，moresublime，thananAssemblywhichpurgesitself？[11]—Thus，notonlyisthenetwhichhasalreadydraggedoutsomanypalpitatingvictimsstillintact，butitisenlargedandsetagain，only，thefisharenowcaughtonthe"Left"aswellasonthe"Right，"andpreferablyonthetopmostbenchesofthe"Mountain。"[12]Andbetterstill，throughthelawofPrairial22，itsmeshesarereducedinsizeanditswidthincreased；withsuchadmirablecontraption，thefishpondcouldnotfailtobeexhausted。A
littlebeforethe9thofThermidor，David，whowasoneofRobespierre’sdevotedadherents，himselfexclaimed:"WilltwentyofusbeleftontheMountain？"Aboutthesametime，Legendic，Thuriot，LéonardBourdon，Tallien，Bourdondel’Oise，andothers，eachhasaspyalldaylongathisheels。Therearethirtydeputiestobeproscribedandtheirnamesarewhisperedabout；whereupon，sixtystayoutallnight，convincedthattheywillbeseizedthenextmorningbeforetheycangetup。[13]
Subjecttosuchasystem，prolongedforsomanymonths，peoplesinkdownandbecomediscouraged。"Everybodymadethemselvessmallsoastopassbeneaththepopularyoke。[14]Everybodybecameoneofthelowclass……Clothes，manners，refinement，cleanliness，theconveniencesoflife，civilityandpolitenesswereallrenounced。"—
Peopleweartheirclothesindecentlyandcurseandswear；theytrytoresemblethesans—culottesMontagnards"whoareprofaneanddressthemselveslikesomanydock—loafers；"[15]atArmonville，thecarder，whopresides（atameeting）wearsawoolencap，andsimilarlyatCusset，agauze—workman，whoisalwaysdrunk。OnlyRobespierredaresappearinneatattire；amongtheothers，whodonothavehisinfluence，amongthedemi—suspectswithapot—belly，sucharesidueoftheancientrégimemightbecomedangerous；theydowellnottoattracttheattentionofthefoul—mouthedspywhocannotspell；[16]especiallyisitimportantatameetingtobeoneofthecrowdandremainunnoticedbythepaidclaqueurs，drunkenswaggerersand"fatpetticoats"ofthetribunes。Itisevenessentialtoshoutinharmonywiththemandjoinintheirbar—roomdances。Thedeputationsofthepopularclubscomeforfourteenmonthstothebarofthehouseandrecitetheircommon—placeorbombastictirades，andtheConventionisforcedtoapplaudthem。Forninemonths，[17]streetballad—singersandcoffee—houserantersattendinfullsessionandsingtherhymesoftheday，whiletheConventionisobligedtojoininthechorus。Forsixweeks，[18]theprofanersofchurchescometothehallanddisplaytheirdance—housebuffooneries，andtheConventionhasnotonlytoputupwiththese，butalsototakepartinthem。—Never，eveninimperialRome，underNeroandHeliogabalus，didasenatedescendsolow。
II。
Howtheparadesarecarriedout。—Itsslaveryandservility—Itsparticipationincrime。
Observeoneoftheirparades，thatofBrumaire20th，22ndor30th，whichmasqueradeoftenoccursseveraltimesaweekandisalwaysthesame，withscarcelyanyvariation。—Maleandfemalewretchesmarchinprocessiontothedoorsofthedeputies’hall，still"drunkwiththewineimbibedfromchalices，aftereatingmackerelbroiledinpatens，"besidesrefreshingthemselvesontheway。"Mountedastrideofasseswhichtheyhaveriggedoutinchasubleandwhichtheyguidewithastole，"theyhaltateachlowsmoking—den，holdingadrinkingcupintheirhand；thebartender，withamuginhishand，fillsit，and，ateachstation，theytossofftheirbumpers，oneaftertheother，inimitationoftheMass，andwhichtheyrepeatinthestreetintheirownfashion。—Onfinishingthis，theydoncopes，chasublesanddalmatica，and，intwolonglines，filebeforethebenchesoftheConvention。Someofthembearonhand—barrowsorinbaskets，candelabra，chalices，goldandsilversalvers，monstrances，andreliquaries；othersholdaloftbanners，crossesandotherecclesiasticalspoils。Inthemeantime"bandsplaytheairofthecarmagnoleand’Malbrook。’……Ontheentryofthedais，theystrikeup’Ah！lebeloiseau；’"[19]allatoncethemasqueradersthrowofftheirdisguise，and，mitres，stoles，chasublesflungintheair，"disclosetoviewthedefendersofthecountryinthenationaluniform。"Pealsoflaughter，shoutsandenthusiasm，whiletheinstrumentaldinbecomeslouder！Theprocession，nowinfullblast，demandsthecarmagnole，andtheConventionconsents；evensomeofthedeputiesdescendfromtheirbenchesandcutthepigeon—wingwiththemerryprostitutes。—Towindup，theConventiondecreesthatitwillattendthateveningthefêteofReasonand，infact，theygoinabody。Behindanactressinshortpetticoatswearingaredcap，representingLibertyorReason，marchthedeputies，likewiseinredcaps，shoutingandsinginguntiltheyreachthenewtemple，whichisbuiltofplanksandpasteboardinthechoirofNotreDame。Theytaketheirseatsinthefrontrows，whiletheGoddess，anoldfrequenterofthesuppersoftheDucdeSoubise，alongwith"alltheprettydamesoftheOpera，"displaybeforethemtheiroperaticgraces。[20]Theysingthe"HymntoLiberty，"and，sincetheConventionhasthatmorningdecreedthatitmustsing，Isupposethatitalsojoinedin。[21]Afterthistherefollowsdancing；but，unfortunately，theauthoritiesarewantingforstatingwhethertheConventiondancedornot。Inanyevent，itispresentatthedance，andthusconsecratesanuniqueorgy，notRubens’"Kermesse"intheopenair，racyandhealthy，butanocturnalboulevard—jollification，a"Mardi—gras"composedofleanandhaggardscapegraces。—InthegreatnaveoftheCathedral，"thedancers，almostnaked，withbarenecksandbreasts，andstockingsdownattheheel，"writheandstamp，"howlingthecarmagnole。"Inthesidechapels，whichare"shutoffbyhightapestries，prostituteswithshrillvoices"pursuetheiravocation。[22]—Todescendtothislowlevelsobarefacedly，tofraternisewithbarriersots，andwenches，toenduretheirembracesandhiccoughs，isbadenough，evenfordociledeputies。Morethanonehalfofthemloatheditbeforehandandremainedathome；afterthistheydonotfeeldisposedtoattendtheConvention。[23]—Butthe"Mountainsendsforthem，andanofficerbringsthemback；"itisnecessarythattheyshouldco—operatethroughtheirpresenceandfelicitationsintheprofanationsandapostasieswhichfollow；[24]itisnecessarythattheyshouldapproveofanddecreethatwhichtheyholdinhorror，notalonefollyandnonsense，butcrime，themurderofinnocentpeople，andthatoftheirfriends。
—Allthisisdone。"Unanimously，andwiththeloudestapplause，"
theLeft，unitedwiththeRight，sendsDantontothescaffold，itsnaturalchieftain，thegreatpromoterandleaderoftheRevolution。[25]"Unanimously，andwiththeloudestapplause，"theRight，unitedwiththeLeft，votestheworsedecreesoftheRevolutionarygovernment。[26]"Unanimously，"withapprovingandenthusiasticcheers，manifestingthewarmestsympathyforCollotd’Herbois，Couthon，andRobespierre，[27]theConvention，throughmultipliedandspontaneousre—elections，maintainsthehomicidalgovernmentwhichthePlaindetests，becauseitishomicidal，andwhichtheMountaindetests，becauseitisdecimatedbyit。PlainandMountain，byvirtueofterror，majorityaftermajority，endinconsentingtoandbringingabouttheirownsuicide:onthe22ndofPrairial，theentireConventionhasstretchedoutitsneck；[28]onthe8thofThermidor，foraquarterofanhourafterRobespierre’sspeech，[29]ithasagainstretchedthisout，andwouldprobablyhavesuccumbed，hadnotfiveorsixofthem，whomRobespierredesignatedornamed，Bourdondel’Oise，Vadier，Cambon，BillaudandPanis，stimulatedbytheanimalinstinctofself—preservation，raisedtheirarmstowardofftheknife。Nothingbutimminent，personal，mortaldangercould，intheseprostratedbeings，supplantlong—continuedfearwithstillgreaterfear。Lateron，Siéyès，onbeingaskedhowheactedinthesetimes，replied，"Ilived。"Ineffect，heandothersarereducedtothat；theysucceededindoingthis，atallcosts，andatwhataprice！[30]Hissecretnotes，hismostprivatesketchesconfirmthis[31]……
"OntheCommitteeofMarch20，"Paillasse，halfdrunk，givesadissertationonthewaytocarryonthewar，andinterrogatesandcensurestheMinister。ThepoorMinisterevadeshisquestionswithcafégossipandareviewofcampaigns。ThesearethemenplacedattheheadofthegovernmenttosavetheRepublic！"—"H……，inhisdistraction，hadtheairofaslyfoxinwardlysmilingathisownknavishthoughts。Ruitirrevocabilevulgus……JusqueDatumsceleri。"—"Areyoukeepingsilent？"—"Ofwhatuseismyglassofwineinthistorrentofardentspirits？"—
Allthisisverywell，buthedidnotmerelykeepsilentandabstain。
Hevoted，legislatedanddecreed，alongwiththeunanimousConvention；
hewasacollaborator，notonlypassively，throughhispresence，butalsothroughhisactiveparticipationintheactsofthegovernmentwhichheelectedandenthroned，re—electedtwelvetimes，cheeredeveryweek，andflattereddaily，authorizingandkeepingontotheenditsworkofspoliationandmassacre。
"Everybodyisguiltyhere，"saidCarrierintheConvention，"eventothepresident’sbell。"
Invaindotheyconstantlyrepeattothemselvesthattheywereforcedtoobeyunderpenaltyofdeath:theconscienceofthepurestamongthem，ifhehasany，replies:
"Youtoo，inspiteofyourself，Iadmit；lessthanothers，ifyouplease，butyouwereaterrorist，thatistosay，abrigandandanassassin。"[32]
III。TheCommitteeofPublicSafety。
TheMenwhodothework。—Carnot，Prieurde—la—C？ted’Or，JeanBonSaintAndré，RobertLindet。
Onamanbecomingaslave，saidoldHomer，theGodstakeawaythehalfofhissoul；thesameistrueofamanwhobecomesatyrant。—InthePaviliondeFlore，alongsideofandabovetheenslavedConvention，sitthetwelvekingsithasenthroned，twiceaday，[33]rulingoveritaswellasoverFrance。[34]Ofcourse，someguaranteeisrequiredfromthosewhofillthisplace；thereisnotoneofthemwhoisnotarevolutionaryoflongstanding，animpenitentregicide，afanaticinessenceandadespotthroughprinciple；butthefumesofomnipotencehavenotintoxicatedthemalltothesamedegree。—Threeorfourofthem，RobertLindet，JeanBonSt。André，PrieurdelaC？te—d’OrandCarnot，confinethemselvestousefulandsecondaryduties；thissufficestokeepthempartiallysafe。Asspecialists，chargedwithanimportantservice，theirfirstobjectistodothiswell，andhencetheysubordinatetheresttothis，eventheoreticalexigenciesandtheoutcriesoftheclubs。
Lindet’sprimeobjectistofeedthedepartmentsthatarewithoutwheat，andthetownsthataresoontobeshortofbread。
Prieur’sbusinessistoseethatbiscuits，brandy，clothes，shoes，gunpowderandarmsaremanufactured。[35]
JeanBon，thatvesselsareequippedandcrewsdrilled。
Carnot，todrawupcampaignplansanddirectthemarchofarmies:thedispatchofsomanybagsofgrainduringthecomingfortnighttothisorthattown，orwarehouseinthisorthatdistrict；themakingupofsomanyweeklyrations，tobedeportedduringthemonthtocertainplacesonthefrontier；thetransformationofsomanyfishermenintoartillerymenormarines，andtosetafloatsomanyvesselsinthreemonths；toexpeditecertainCorpsofCavalry，infantryandartillery，soastoarrivebysuchandsuchroadsatthisorthatpass—
Theseareprecisecombinationswhichpurgethebrainofdogmaticphrases，whichforcerevolutionaryjargonintothebackgroundandkeepamansensibleandpractical；andallthemorebecausethreeofthem，JeanBon，formercaptainofamerchantman，PrieurandCarnot，engineeringofficers，areprofessionalmenandgotothefronttoputtheirshoulderstothewheelonthespot。JeanBon，alwaysvisitingthecoasts，goesonboardavesselofthefleetleavingBresttosavethegreatAmericanconvoy；Carnot，atWatignies，ordersJourdantomakeadecisivemove，and，shoulderinghismusket，marchesalongwiththeattackingcolumn。[36]Naturally，theyhavenoleisureforspeechmakingintheJacobinclub，orforintriguesintheConvention:
Carnotlivesinhisownofficeandinthecommittee—room；hedoesnotallowhimselftimeenoughtoeatwithhiswife，dinesonacrustofbreadandaglassoflemonade，andworkssixteenandeighteenhoursaday；[37]Lindet，moreovertaskedthananybodyelse，becausehungerwillnotwait，readseveryreporthimself，andpassesdaysandnightsatit；"[38]JeanBon，inwoodenshoesandwoolenvest，withabitofcoarsebreadandaglassofbadbeer，[39]writesanddictatesuntilhisstrengthfailshim，andhehastoliedownandsleeponamattressonthefloor。—Naturally，again，wheninterferedwith，andthetoolsintheirhandsarebroken，theyaredissatisfied；theyknowwelltheworthofagoodinstrument，andfortheservice，astheycomprehendit，goodtoolsareessential，competent，faithfulemployees，regularinattendanceattheiroffices，andnotattheclub。Whentheyhaveasubordinateofthiskindtheydefendhim，oftenattheriskoftheirlives，eventoincurringtheenmityofRobespierre。Cambon，[40]who，onhisfinancialcommittee，isalsoasortofsovereign，retainsattheTreasuryfiveorsixhundredemployeesunabletoprocuretheircertificateofcivism，andwhomtheJacobinsincessantlydenouncesoastogettheirplaces。Carnotsavesandemployseminentengineers，D’Arcon，deMontalembert，d’Obenheim，allofthemnobles，andoneofthemananti—Jacobin，withoutcountinganumberofaccusedofficerswhomhejustifies，replaces，ormaintains。[41]—Throughthesecourageousandhumaneacts，theysolacethemselvesfortheirscruples，atleastpartiallyandforthetimebeing；moreover，theyarestatesmenonlybecausetheoccasionandsuperiorforcemakesitimperative，moreledbyothersthanleading，terroriststhroughaccidentandnecessity，ratherthanthroughsystemandinstinct。If，inconcertwithtenothers，PrieurandCarnotorderwholesalerobberyandmurder，iftheysignordersbytwentiesandhundreds，amountingtoassassinations，itisowingtotheirformingpartofabody。Whenthewholecommitteedeliberates，theyarebound，inimportantdecrees，tosubmittothepreponderatingopinionofthemajority，aftervotinginthenegative。Inrelationtosecondarydecrees，inwhichtherehasbeennopreliminarydiscussionincommon，theonlyresponsiblememberistheonewhosesignaturestandsfirst；thefollowingsignaturesaffixed，withoutreadingthedocument，aresimplya"formalitywhichthelawrequires，"merelyavisa，necessarilymechanical；with"fourorfivehundredbusinessmatterstoattendtodaily，"itisimpossibletodootherwise。Toreadallandvoteineverycase，wouldbe"aphysicalimpossibility。"[42]—Finally，asthingsare，"isnotthegeneralwill，atleasttheapparentgeneralwill，thataloneonwhichthegovernmentcandecide，itselfultra—revolutionary？"[43]Inotherwords，shouldnotthefiveorsixrascalsinaStatewhovociferate，belistenedto，ratherthanahundredhonestfolkswhokeeptheirmouthsshut？Withthissophism，grossasitis，butofpureJacobinmanufacture，Carnotendsbyhoodwinkinghishonorandhisconscience；
otherwiseintact，andfarmoresothanhiscolleagues，helikewiseundergoesmoralandmentalmutilation；constrainedbythedutiesofhispostandtheillusionsofhiscreed，hesucceededinaninwarddecapitationofthetwonoblestofhumanfaculties，common—sense，themostuseful，andthemoralsense，themostexaltedofall。
IV。TheStatesmen。
Billaud—Varennes，Collotd’Herbois，Robespierre，CouthonandSaint—
Just。—Conditionsofthisrule。—Dangerstowhichtheyaresubject。—Theirdissensions。—PressureofFearandTheory。
Ifsucharetheravageswhicharemadeinanupright，firmandhealthypersonality，whatmustbethehavocincorruptorweaknatures，inwhichbadinstinctsalreadypredominate！—Andnotethattheyarewithouttheprotectionprovidedbyapursuitofsomespecificandusefulobjective。Theyare"governmentmen，"also"revolutionaries"
or"thepeopleintotalcontrol；"[44]theyareinactualfactmenwithanoverallconceptofthings，alsodirectthese。Thecreation，organizationandapplicationofTerrorbelongswhollytothem；theyaretheconstructors，regulatorsandengineersofthemachine，[45]therecognizedheadsoftheparty，ofthesectandofthegovernment，especiallyBillaudandRobespierre，whoneverserveonmissions，[46]
norrelaxtheirholdforamomentonthecentralmotor。Theformer，anactivepolitician，withCollotforhissecond，ischargedwithurgingontheconstitutedauthorities，thedistricts，themunicipalities，thenationalagents，therevolutionarycommittees，andtherepresentativesonmissionintheinterior。[47]Thelatter，atheologian，moralist，titulardoctorandpreacher，ischargedwithrulingtheConventionandindoctrinatingtheJacobinswithsoundprinciples；behindhimstandsCouthon，hislieutenant，withSaint—
Just，hisdiscipleandexecutorofworksofgreatimportance；intheirmidst，Barère，theCommittee’smouthpiece，ismerelyatool，butindispensable，convenientlyathandandalwaysreadytostartwhateverdrum—beatingisrequiredonanygiventhemeinhonorofthepartywhichstuffshisbrain。BelowthesecomestheCommitteeofGeneralSecurity，Vadier，Amar，Vouland，Guffroy，Panis，David，Jagotandtherest，thosewhoundertook，reportedon，andactedinbehalfofuniversalproscription。Allthesebeartheimprintoftheirservice；
theycouldberecognizedby"theirpallidhue，hollowandbloodshoteyes，"[48]habitsofomnipotencestamped"ontheirbrows，andontheirdeportment，somethingindescribablyhaughtyanddisdainful。TheCommitteeofGeneralSecurityremindedoneoftheformerlieutenantsofpolice，andtheCommitteeofPublicSafety，oftheformerministersofstate。"IntheConvention，"itisconsideredanhonortotalkwiththem，andaprivilegetoshakehandswiththem；oneseemstoreadone’sdutyontheirbrows。"Onthedaysonwhichtheirordersaretobeconvertedintolaws"themembersoftheCommitteeandthereporterofthebill，keeppeoplewaiting，thesameastheheadsandrepresentativesoftheformersovereignpower；ontheirwaytotheAssemblyhall，theyareprecededbyagroupofcourtierswhoseemtoannouncethemastersoftheworld。"[49]—Infact，theyreign—butobserveonwhatconditions。
"Makenocomplaints，"saidBarère，[50]tothecomposerofanopera，theperformanceofwhichhadjustbeensuspended:"astimesgo，youmustnotattractpublicattention。Dowenotallstandatthefootoftheguillotine，all，beginningwithmyself？"Again，twentyyearslater，inaprivateconversation，onbeinginterrogatedastotheveritableobject，thesecretmotiveoftheCommitteeofPublicSafety，hereplied:
"Aswewereanimatedbybutonesentiment，[51]mydearsir，thatofself—preservation，wehadbutonedesire，thatofmaintaininganexistencewhicheachofusbelievedtobemenaced。Youhadyourneighborguillotinedtopreventyourneighborfromguillotiningyou。"[52]
Thesameapprehensionexistsinstoutersouls，althoughtheremayhavebeen，alongwithfear，motivesofalessdebasedorder。
"Howmanytimes，"saysCarnot，[53]"weundertooksomeworkthatrequiredtime，withtheconvictionthatweshouldnotbeallowedtocompleteit！"—"Itwasuncertain[54]whether，thenexttimetheclockstruckthehour，weshouldnotbestandingbeforetherevolutionaryTribunalonourwaytothescaffoldwithout，perhaps，havinghadtimetobidadieutoourfamilies……Wepursuedourdailytasksoasnottoletthemachinestandstill，asifalonglifewerebeforeus，whenitwasprobablethatweshouldnotseethenextday’ssun。"
Itisimpossibletocountonone’slife，orthatofanother，fortwenty—fourhours；shouldtheironhandwhichholdsonebythethroattightenitsgrasp，allwillbeoverthatevening。
"Therewerecertaindayssodifficultthatonecouldseenowaytocontrolcircumstances；thosewhoweredirectlymenacedresignedthemselveswhollytochance。"[55]—"Thedecisionsforwhichwearesomuchblamed，"saysanother，[56]"werenotgenerallythoughtoftwodays，oroneday，beforehand；theysprungoutofthecrisisofthemoment。Wedidnotdesiretokillforthesakeofkilling……
buttoconqueratallhazards，remainmasters，andensuretheswayofourprinciples。"—Thatistrue，—theyaresubjectsaswellasdespots。AttheCommitteetable，duringtheirnocturnalsessions，theirsovereignpresides，aformidablefigure，therevolutionaryIdeawhichconfersonthemtherighttoslay，onconditionofexercisingitagainsteverybody，andthereforeonthemselves。Towardstwoo’clock，orthreeo’clockinthemorning，exhausted，outofwordsandideas，notknowingwheretoslay，ontherightorontheleft，theyanxiouslyturntothisfigureandtrytoreaditswillinitsfixedeyes。
"Whoshallfallto—morrow？"—
Everthesamereplysteadilyexpressedonthefeaturesoftheimpassablephantom:"thecounter—revolutionaries，"underwhichnameiscomprisedallwhobyact，speech，thoughtorinmostsentiment，eitherthroughirritationorcarelessness，throughhumanityormoderation，throughegoismornonchalance，throughpassive，neutralorindifferentfeeling，servewellorilltheRevolution。[57]—Allthatremainsistoaddnamestothishorriblycomprehensivedecree。ShallBillauddoit？ShallRobespierredoit？WillBillaudputdownRobespierre’sname，orRobespierreputdownBillaud’s，oreachthenameoftheother，withthosehechoosestoselectfromamongthetwoCommittees？Osselin，Chabot，Bazire，JuliendeToulouse，Lacroix，Danton，wereonthem，andwhentheyleft，theirheadsfell。[58]Hérault—Séchelles，again，wasonthem，maintainedinofficewithhonorthroughtherecentapprobationoftheConvention，[59]oneofthetitulartwelve，andondutywhenanorderissuedbytheotherelevensuddenlyhandedhimovertotherevolutionaryTribunalforexecution。—Whoseturnisitnowamongtheeleven？Seizedunawares，thedocileConventionunanimouslyapplauding，afterthreedaysofajudicialfarce，thecartwillbearhimtothePlacedelaRévolution；Samsonwilltiehimfast，shoutersatthirtysousadaywillclaptheirhands，and，onthefollowingmorning，thepopularpoliticianswillcongratulateeachotheronseeingthenameofagreattraitoronthebulletinoftheguillotined。[60]Tothisend，toenablethisorthatkingofthedaytopassfromthenationalAlmanactothemortuarylist，merelyrequiredanunderstandingamonghiscolleagues，and，perhaps，thisisalreadyarrivedat。Amongwhomandagainstwhom？—Itiscertainthat，asthisideaoccurstotheeleven，seatedaroundthetable，theyeyeeachotherwithashuddertheycalculatethechancesandturnthingsoverintheirminds；wordshavebeenutteredthatarenotforgotten。CarnotoftenmadethischargeagainstSaint—Just:"YouandRobespierreareafteradictatorship。"[61]RobespierrerepliedtoCarnot:"Iamreadyforyouonthefirstdefeat。"[62]Onanotheroccasion，Robespierre，inarage，exclaimed:"TheCommitteeisconspiringagainstme！"and，turningtoBillaud，"Iknowyou，now！"