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diff --git a/11996-h/11996-h.htm b/11996-h/11996-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3b76397 --- /dev/null +++ b/11996-h/11996-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,50859 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Residence in France, + </title> + <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd7; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11996 ***</div> + <p> + <a name="longs" id="longs"></a><br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="cover (83K)" src="images/cover.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + A RESIDENCE IN FRANCE,<br /> <br /> DURING THE YEARS<br /> <br /> 1792, 1793, + 1794, and 1795 + </h1> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + DESCRIBED IN A SERIES OF LETTERS<br /> FROM AN ENGLISH LADY;<br /> With + General And Incidental Remarks<br /> On The French Character And Manners. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h4> + Prepared for the Press<br /> By John Gifford, Esq.<br /> <br /> <br /> + </h4> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="4"> + <tr> + <td> + <p> + <b>TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:</b> The original 1797 volumes used the long-S + which is difficult for us to read. In this html file the long-S has + been retained. <a href="#shorts"><b>The main html file with the + long-S converted to a normal small-s may be viewed by clicking on + this line.</b></a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Second Edition. + </h3> + <h4> + <br /> <br /> <i>Plus je vis l'Etranger plus j'aimai ma Patrie.</i><br /> + --Du Belloy.<br /> <br /> London: Printed for T. N. Longman, Paternoster + Row. 1797. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </h4> + <h2> + SAMPLE PAGES FROM THE SECOND VOLUME + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="title (50K)" src="images/title.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="p2-1 (65K)" src="images/p2-1.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="p2-119 (153K)" src="images/p2-119.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="p2-291 (163K)" src="images/p2-291.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_1">PRELIMINARY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_3">DEDICATION</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkPRE4">PREFACE</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_5"><b>A RESIDENCE IN FRANCE.</b></a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_6">May 10, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_7">May, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_8">June 10, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_9">June 24, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_10">July 24, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_11">August 4, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_12">August 15.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_13">August 22, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_14">Hesdin.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_15">Arras, August, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_16">Lisle, August, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_17">Lisle.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_18">Lisle, Saturday.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_19">Arras, September 1, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_20">Arras, September.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_21">Arras.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_22">Arras.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_23">September 2, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_24">September 4.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_25">Arras, September, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_26">Arras, September 14, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_27">St. Omer, September, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_28">September, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_29">Amiens, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_30">Abbeville, September, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_31">October, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_32">Amiens, October, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_33">Amiens, November, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link_4_34">December, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_1">Amiens, January, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_2">Amiens, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_3">Amiens, January 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_4">Amiens, February 15, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_5">Amiens, Feb. 25, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_6">Amiens, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_7">March 23, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_8">Rouen, March 31, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_9">Amiens, April 7, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_10">April 20, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_11">May 18, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_12">June 3, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_13">June 20, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_14">June 30, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_15">Amiens, July 5, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_16">July 14, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_17">July 23, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_18">Peronne, July 29, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_19">August 1, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_20">Soissons, August 4, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_21">Peronne, August, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_22">Peronne, August 24, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_23">Peronne, August 29, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_24">Peronne, Sept. 7, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_25">Maison d'Arret, Arras, Oct. 15, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_26">Maison d'Arret, Arras, Oct. 17, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_27">Oct. 18.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_28">Oct. 19.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_29">Oct. 20.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_30">Arras, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_31">Oct. 21.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_32">Oct. 22.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_33">Oct. 25.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_34">Oct. 27.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_35">Oct. 30.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_36">Bicetre at Amiens, Nov. 18, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_37">November 19, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_38">Nov. 20.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_39">December.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_40">Amiens, Providence, Dec. 10, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_41">[Beginning of Volume II. Of The Printed Books]</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link3_4_42">Providence, Dec. 20, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_2">January 6, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_3">January, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_4">Providence, Jan. 29.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_5">February 2, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_6">February 12, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_7">[No date given.]</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_8">March 1, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_9">March, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_10">March 5, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_11">March 17, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_12">Providence, April 15, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_13">April 22, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_14">April 30, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_15">June 3, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_16">June 11, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_17">Providence, Aug. 11, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_18">August 12.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_19">Providence, Aug. 13, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_20">Providence, Aug. 14, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_21">Providence, Aug. 15, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_22">August, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_23">[No Date Given]</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_24">Amiens, Sept. 30, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_25">Amiens, October 4, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_26">October 6, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_27">[No Date or Place Given.]</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_28">Amiens, Oct. 24, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_29">Amiens, Nov. 2, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_30">Basse-ville, Arras, Nov. 6, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_31">Amiens, Nov. 26, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_32">Amiens, Nov. 29, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_33">Amiens. [No date given.]</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_34">Amiens, Dec. 10, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_35">Amiens, Dec. 16, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_36">December 24, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link4_4_37">December 27, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link5_4_1">Amiens, Jan. 23, 1795.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link5_4_2">Amiens, Jan. 30, 1795.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link5_4_3">Beauvais, March 13, 1795.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link5_4_4">Amiens, May 9, 1795.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link5_4_5">Amiens, May 26, 1795.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link5_4_6">Paris, June 3, 1795.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link5_4_7">Paris, June 6, 1795.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link5_4_8">Paris, June 8, 1795.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link5_4_9">Paris, June 15, 1795.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link5_4_10">Amiens, June 18, 1795.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link5_4_11">Havre, June 22, 1795.</a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link_4_1" id="link_4_1"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + PRELIMINARY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR. + </h2> + <p> + The following Letters were ſubmitted to my inſpection and + judgement by the Author, of whoſe principles and abilities I had reaſon + to entertain a very high opinion. How far my judgement has been exerciſed + to advantage in enforcing the propriety of introducing them to the public, + that public muſt decide. To me, I confeſs, it appeared, that a + ſeries of important facts, tending to throw a ſtrong light on + the internal ſtate of France, during the moſt important period + of the Revolution, could neither prove unintereſting to the general + reader, nor indifferent to the future hiſtorian of that momentous + epoch; and I conceived, that the oppoſite and judicious reflections + of a well-formed and well-cultivated mind, naturally ariſing out of + events within the immediate ſcope of its own obſervation, could + not in the ſmalleſt degree diminiſh the intereſt + which, in my apprehenſion, they are calculated to excite. My advice + upon this occaſion was farther influenced by another conſideration. + Having traced, with minute attention, the progreſs of the revolution, + and the conduct of its advocates, I had remarked the extreme affiduity + employed (as well by tranſlations of the moſt violent + productions of the Gallic preſs, as by original compoſitions,) + to introduce and propagate, in foreign countries, thoſe pernicious + principles which have already ſapped the foundation of ſocial + order, deſtroyed the happineſs of millions, and ſpread deſolation + and ruin over the fineſt country in Europe. I had particularly obſerved + the incredible efforts exerted in England, and, I am ſorry to ſay, + with too much ſucceſs, for the baſe purpoſe of giving + a falſe colour to every action of the perſons exerciſing + the powers of government in France; and I had marked, with indignation, + the atrociouſ attempt to ſtrip vice of its deformity, to dreſs + crime in the garb of virtue, to decorate ſlavery with the ſymbols + of freedom, and give to folly the attributes of wiſdom. I had ſeen, + with extreme concern, men, whom the lenity, miſtaken lenity, I muſt + call it, of our government had reſcued from puniſhment, if not + from ruin, buſily engaged in thiſ ſcandalous traffic, and, + availing themſelves of their extenſive connections to diffuſe, + by an infinite variety of channels, the poiſon of democracy over + their native land. In ſhort, I had ſeen the Britiſh preſs, + the grand palladium of Britiſh liberty, devoted to the cauſe of + Gallic licentiouſneſs, that mortal enemy of all freedom, and + even the pure ſtream of Britiſh criticiſm diverted from its + natural courſe, and polluted by the peſtilential vapours of + Gallic republicaniſm. I therefore deemed it eſſential, by + an exhibition of well-authenticated facts, to correct, as far as might be, + the evil effects of miſrepreſentation and error, and to defend + the empire of truth, which had been aſſailed by a hoſt of + foes. + </p> + <p> + My opinion of the principles on which the preſent ſyſtem of + government in France was founded, and the war to which thoſe + principles gave riſe, have been long ſince ſubmitted to the + public. Subſequent events, far from invalidating, have ſtrongly + confirmed it. In all the public declarationſ of the Directory, in + their domeſtic polity, in their conduct to foreign powers, I plainly + trace the prevalence of the ſame principles, the ſame contempt + for the rights and happineſs of the people, the ſame ſpirit + of aggreſſion and aggrandizement, the ſame eagerneſs + to overturn the exiſting inſtitutions of neighbouring ſtates, + and the ſame deſire to promote "the univerſal revolution of + Europe," which marked the conduct of BRISSOT, LE BRUN, DESMOULINS, + ROBESPIERRE, and their diſciples. Indeed, what ſtronger inſtance + need be adduced of the continued prevalence of theſe principles, than + the promotion to the ſupreme rank in the ſtate, of two men who + took an active part in the moſt atrocious proceedings of the + Convention at the cloſe of 1792, and at the commencement of the + following year? + </p> + <p> + In all the various conſtitutions which have been ſucceſſively + adopted in that devoted country, the welfare of the people has been wholly + diſregarded, and while they have been amuſed with the ſhadow + of liberty, they have been cruelly deſpoiled of the ſubſtance. + Even on the eſtabliſhment of the preſent conſtitution, + the one which bore the neareſt reſemblance to a rational ſyſtem, + the freedom of election, which had been frequently proclaimed as the very + corner-ſtone of liberty, was ſhamefully violated by the legiſlative + body, who, in their eagerneſs to perpetuate their own power, did not + ſcruple to deſtroy the principle on which it waſ founded. + Nor is this the only violation of their own principles. A French writer + has aptly obſerved, that "En revolution comme en morale, ce n'eſt + que le premier pas qui coute:" thus the executive, in imitation of the + legiſlative body, ſeem diſpoſed to render their power + perpetual. For though it be expreſſly declared by the 137th + article of the 6th title of their preſent conſtitutional code, + that the "Directory ſhall be partially renewed by the election of a + new member every year," no ſtep towards ſuch election has been + taken, although the time preſcribed by the law iſ elapſed.—In + a private letter from Paris now before me, written within theſe few + days, is the following obſervation on this very circumſtance: + "The conſtitution has received another blow. The month of Vendemiaire + iſ paſt, and our Directors ſtill remain the ſame. + Hence we begin to drop the appalation of Directory, and ſubſtitute + that of the Cinqvir, who are more to be dreaded for their power, and more + to be deteſted for their crimes, than the Decemvir of ancient Rome." + The ſame letter alſo contains a brief abſtract of the + ſtate of the metropolis of the French republic, which is wonderfully + characteriſtic of the attention of the government to the welfare and + happineſs of its inhabitantſ! + </p> + <p> + "The reign of miſery and of crime ſeems to be perpetuated in thiſ + diſtracted capital: ſuicides, pillage, and aſſaſſinations, + are daily committed, and are ſtill ſuffered to paſs + unnoticed. But what renderſ our ſituation ſtill more + deplorable, is the exiſtence of an innumerable band of ſpies, + who infeſt all public places, and all private ſocieties. More + than a hundred thouſand of theſe men are regiſtered on the + books of the modern SARTINE; and as the population of Paris, at moſt, + does not exceed ſix hundred thouſand ſouls, we are ſure + to find in ſix individualſ one ſpy. This conſideration + makes me ſhudder, and, accordingly, all confidence, and all the + ſweets of ſocial intercourſe, are baniſhed from among + us. People ſalute each other, look at each other, betray mutual + ſuſpicions, obſerve a profound ſilence, and part. + This, in few words, iſ an exact deſcription of our modern + republican parties. It is ſaid, that poverty has compelled many reſpectable + perſons, and even ſtate-creditors, to enliſt under the + ſtandard of COCHON, (the Police Miniſter,) becauſe ſuch + is the honourable conduct of our ſovereigns, that they pay their + ſpies in ſpecie—and their ſoldiers, and the creditors + of the ſtate, in paper.—Such is the morality, ſuch the juſtice, + ſuch are the republican virtues, ſo loudly vaunted by our good + and deareſt friends, our penſionerſ—the Gazetteers of + England and Germany!" + </p> + <p> + There is not a ſingle abuſe, which the modern reformers + reprobated ſo loudly under the ancient ſyſtem, that is not + magnified, in an infinite degree, under the preſent eſtabliſhment. + For one Lettre de Cachet iſſued during the mild reign of LOUIS + the Sixteenth, a thouſand Mandats d'Arret have been granted by the + tyrannical demagogues of the revolution; for one Baſtile which exiſted + under the Monarchy, a thouſand Maiſons de Detention have been eſtabliſhed + by the Republic. In ſhort, crimes of every denomination, and acts of + tyranny and injuſtice, of every kind, have multiplied, ſince the + abolition of royalty, in a proportion which ſetſ all the powers + of calculation at defiance. + </p> + <p> + It is ſcarcely poſſible to notice the preſent ſituation + of France, without adverting to the circumſtances of the WAR, and to + the attempt now making, through the medium of negotiation, to bring it to + a ſpeedy concluſion. Since the publication of my Letter to a + Noble Earl, now deſtined to chew the cud of diſappointment in + the vale of obſcurity, I have been aſtoniſhed to hear the + ſame aſſertions advance, by the memberſ and advocates + of that party whoſe merit is ſaid to conſiſt in the + violence of their oppoſition to the meaſures of government, on + the origin of the war, which had experienced the moſt ample + confutation, without the aſſiſtance of any additional reaſon, + and without the ſmalleſt attempt to expoſe the invalidity + of thoſe proofs which, in my conception, amounted nearly to + mathematical demonſtration, and which I had dared them, in terms the + moſt pointed, to invalidate. The queſtion of aggreſſion + before ſtood on ſuch high ground, that I had not the preſumption + to ſuppoſe it could derive an acceſſion of ſtrength + from any arguments which I could ſupply; but I was confident, that + the authentic documents which I offered to the public would remove every + intervening object that tended to obſtruct the fight of inattentive + obſervers, and reflect on it ſuch an additional light as would + flaſh inſtant conviction on the minds of all. It ſeems, I + have been deceived; but I muſt be permitted to ſuggeſt, + that men who perſiſt in the renewal of aſſertions, + without a ſingle effort to controvert the proofs which have been + adduced to demonſtrate their fallacy, cannot have for their object + the eſtabliſhment of truth—which ought, excluſively, + to influence the conduct of public characters, whether writers or orators. + </p> + <p> + With regard to the negotiation, I can derive not the ſmalleſt + hopes of ſucceſs from a contemplation of the paſt conduct, + or of the preſent principles, of the government of France. When I + compare the projects of aggrandizement openly avowed by the French rulers, + previous to the declaration of war againſt this country, with the + exorbitant pretenſionſ advanced in the arrogant reply of the + Executive Directory to the note preſented by the Britiſh Envoy + at Baſil in the month of February, 1796, and with the more recent obſervations + contained in their official note of the 19th of September laſt, I + cannot think it probable that they will accede to any terms of peace that + are compatible with the intereſt and ſafety of the Allies. Their + object is not ſo much the eſtabliſhment aſ the extenſion + of their republic. + </p> + <p> + As to the danger to be incurred by a treaty of peace with the republic of + France, though it has been conſiderably diminiſhed by the events + of the war, it is ſtill unqueſtionably great. This danger + principally ariſeſ from a pertinacious adherence, on the part of + the Directory, to thoſe very principles which were adopted by the + original promoters of the abolition of Monarchy in France. No greater + proof of ſuch adherence need be required than their refuſal to + repeal thoſe obnoxious decrees (paſſed in the months of + November and December, 1792,) which created ſo general and ſo juſt + an alarm throughout Europe, and which excited the reprobation even of that + party in England, which was willing to admit the equivocal interpretation + given to them by the Executive Council of the day. I proved, in the Letter + to a Noble Earl before alluded to, from the very teſtimony of the + members of that Council themſelves, as exhibited in their official inſtructions + to one of their confidential agents, that the interpretation which they + had aſſigned to thoſe decrees, in their communications with + the Britiſh Miniſtry, was a baſe interpretation, and that + they really intended to enforce the decrees, to the utmoſt extent of + their poſſible operation, and, by a literal conſtruction + thereof, to encourage rebellion in every ſtate, within the reach of + their arms or their principles. Nor have the preſent government + merely forborne to repeal thoſe deſtructive lawſ—they + have imitated the conduct of their predeceſſors, have actually + put them in execution wherever they had the ability to do ſo, and + have, in all reſpects, as far as related to thoſe decrees, + adopted the preciſe ſpirit and principles of the faction which + declared war againſt England. Let any man read the inſtructions + of the Executive Council to PUBLICOLA CHAUSSARD, their Commiſſary + in the Netherlands, in 1792 and 1793, and an account of the proceedings in + the Low Countries conſequent thereon, and then examine the conduct of + the republican General, BOUNAPARTE, in Italy—who muſt neceſſarily + act from the inſtructions of the Executive Directory——and + he will be compelled to acknowledge the juſtice of my remark, and to + admit that the latter actuated by the ſame pernicious deſire to + overturn the ſettled order of ſociety, which invariably marked + the conduct of the former. + </p> + <p> + "It is an acknowledged fact, that every revolution requires a proviſional + power to regulate its diſorganizing movements, and to direct the + methodical demolition of every part of the ancient ſocial conſtitution.— + Such ought to be the revolutionary power. + </p> + <p> + "To whom can ſuch power belong, but to the French, in thoſe + countrieſ into which they may carry their arms? Can they with ſafety + ſuffer it to be exerciſed by any other perſons? It becomes + the French republic, then, to aſſume this kind of guardianſhip + over the people whom ſhe awakens to Liberty!*" + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * <i>Conſiderations Generales fur l'Eſprit et les Principes du + Decret du 15 Decembre</i>. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Such were the Lacedaemonian principles avowed by the French government in + 1792, and ſuch is the Lacedaimonian policy* purſued by the + French government in 1796! It cannot then, I conceive, be contended, that + a treaty with a government ſtill profeſſing principles + which have been repeatedly proved to be ſubverſive of all ſocial + order, which have been acknowledged by their parents to have for their + object the methodical demolition of exiſting conſtitutions, can + be concluded without danger or riſk. That danger, I admit, is greatly + diminiſhed, becauſe the power which was deſtined to carry + into execution thoſe gigantic projects which conſtituted its + object, has, by the operations of the war, been conſiderably + curtailed. They well may exiſt in equal force, but the ability is no + longer the ſame. + </p> + <p> + MACHIAVEL juſtly obſerves, that it was the narrow policy of the + Lacedaemonians always to deſtroy the ancient conſtitution, and eſtabliſh + their own form of government, in the counties and cities which they ſubdued. + </p> + <p> + But though I maintain the exiſtence of danger in a Treaty with the + Republic of France, unleſs ſhe previouſly repeal the + decrees to which I have adverted, and abrogate the acts to which they have + given birth, I by no means contend that it exiſts in ſuch a + degree as to juſtify a determination, on the part of the Britiſh + government, to make its removal the ſine qua non of negotiation, or + peace. Greatly as I admire the brilliant endowments of Mr. BURKE, and + highly as I reſpect and eſteem him for the manly and deciſive + part which he has taken, in oppoſition to the deſtructive + anarchy of republican France, and in defence of the conſtitutional + freedom of Britain; I cannot either agree with him on thiſ point, or + concur with him in the idea that the reſtoration of the Monarchy of + France was ever the object of the war. That the Britiſh Miniſters + ardently deſired that event, and were earneſt in their + endeavours to promote it, is certain; not becauſe it was the object + of the war, but becauſe they conſidered it as the beſt + means of promoting the object of the war, which was, and is, the eſtabliſhment + of the ſafety and tranquillity of Europe, on a ſolid and + permanent baſis. If that object can be attained, and the republic exiſt, + there is nothing in the paſt conduct and profeſſions of the + Britiſh Miniſters, that can interpoſe an obſtacle to + the concluſion of peace. Indeed, in my apprehenſion, it would be + highly impolitic in any Miniſter, at the commencement of a war, to + advance any ſpecific object, that attainment of which ſhould be + declared to be the ſine qua non of peace. If mortals could arrogate + to themſelves the attributes of the Deity, if they could direct the + courſe of events, and controul the chances of war, ſuch conduct + would be juſtifiable; but on no other principle, I think, can its + defence be undertaken. It is, I grant, much to be lamented, that the + protection offered to the friends of monarchy in France, by the + declaration of the 29th of October, 1793, could not be rendered effectual: + as far as the offer went it was certainly obligatory on the party who made + it; but it was merely conditional—reſtricted, as all ſimilar + offers neceſſarily muſt be, by the ability to fulfil the + obligation incurred. + </p> + <p> + In paying this tribute to truth, it is not my intention to retract, in the + ſmalleſt degree, the opinion I have ever profeſſed, + that the reſtoration of the ancient monarchy of France would be the + beſt poſſible means not only of ſecuring the different + ſtates of Europe from the dangers of republican anarchy, but of + promoting the real intereſts, welfare, and happineſs of the + French people themſelves. The reaſons on which this opinion is + founded I have long ſince explained; and the intelligence which I + have ſince received from France, at different times, has convinced me + that a very great proportion of her inhabitants concur in the ſentiment. + </p> + <p> + The miſeries reſulting from the eſtabliſhment of a + republican ſyſtem of government have been ſeverely felt, + and deeply deplored; and I am fully perſuaded, that the ſubjects + and tributaries of France will cordially ſubſcribe to the + following obſervation on republican freedom, advanced by a writer who + had deeply ſtudied the genius of republics: <i>"Di tutte le fervitu + dure, quella e duriſſima, che ti ſottomette ad una + republica; l'una, perche e la piu durabile, e manco ſi puo ſperarne + d'ufare: L'altra perche il fine della republica e enervare ed indebolire, + debolire, per accreſcere il corpo ſuo, tutti gli altri corpi.</i>*" + </p> + <p> + JOHN GIFFORD. London, Nov. 12, 1796. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * <i>Diſcorſi di Nicoli Machiavelli,</i> Lib. ii. p. 88. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + P.S. Since I wrote the preceding remarks, I have been given to underſtand, + that by a decree, ſubſequent to the completion of the conſtitutional + code, the firſt partial renewal of the Executive Directory was + deferred till the month of March, 1979; and that, therefore, in thiſ + inſtance, the preſent Directory cannot be accuſed of having + violated the conſtitution. But the guilt is only to be tranſferred + from the Directory to the Convention, who paſſed that decree, as + well as ſome others, in contradiction to a poſitive conſtitutional + law.——-Indeed, the Directory themſelves betrayed no + greater delicacy with regard to the obſervance of the conſtitution, + or M. BARRAS would never have taken his ſeat among them; for the conſtitution + expreſſly ſays, (and this poſitive proviſion was + not even modified by any ſubſequent mandate of the Convention,) + that no man ſhall be elected a member of the Directory who has not + completed his fortieth year—whereas it is notorious that Barras had + not thiſ requiſite qualification, having been born in the year + 1758! + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + I avail myſelf of the opportunity afforded me by the publication of a + Second Edition to notice ſome inſinuations which have been + thrown out, tending to queſtion the authenticity of the work. The + motives which have induced the author to withhold from theſe Letters + the ſanction of her name, relate not to herſelf, but to ſome + friends ſtill remaining in France, whoſe ſafety ſhe juſtly + conceives might be affected by the diſcloſure. Acceding to the + force and propriety of theſe motives, yet aware of the ſuſpicions + to which a recital of important facts, by an anonymous writer, would + naturally be expoſed, and ſenſible, alſo, that a + certain deſcription of critics would gladly avail themſelves of + any opportunity for diſcouraging the circulation of a work which + contained principles hoſtile to their own; I determined to prefix my + name to the publication. By ſo doing, I conceived that I ſtood + pledged for itſ authenticity; and the matter has certainly been put + in a proper light by an able and reſpectable critic, who has obſerved + that "Mr. GIFFORD ſtandſ between the writer and the public," and + that "his name and character are the guarantees for the authenticity of + the Letters." + </p> + <p> + This is preciſely the ſituation in which I meant to place myſelf— + preciſely the pledge which I meant to give. The Letters are exactly + what they profeſs to be; the production of a Lady's pen, and written + in the very ſituations which they deſcribe.—The public can + have no grounds for ſuſpecting my veracity on a point in which I + can have no poſſible intereſt in deceiving them; and thoſe + who know me will do me the juſtice to acknowledge, that I have a mind + ſuperior to the arts of deception, and that I am incapable of ſanctioning + an impoſition, for any purpoſe, or from any motives whatever. + Thus much I deemed it neceſſary to ſay, aſ well from a + regard for my own character, and from a due attention to the public, as + from a wiſh to prevent the circulation of the work from being ſubjected + to the impediments ariſing from the prevalence of a groundleſſ + ſuſpicion. + </p> + <p> + I naturally expected, that ſome of the preceding remarks would excite + the reſentment and draw down the vengeance of thoſe perſons + to whom they evidently applied. The contents of every publication are + certainly a fair ſubject for criticiſm; and to the fair comments + of real critics, however repugnant to the ſentiments I entertain, or + the doctrine I ſeek to inculcate, I ſhall ever ſubmit + without murmur or reproach. But, when men, aſſuming that reſpectable + office, openly violate all the dutieſ attached to it, and, ſinking + the critic in the partizan, make a wanton attack on my veracity, it + becomes proper to repel the injuriouſ imputation; and the ſame + ſpirit which dictates ſubmiſſion to the candid award + of an impartial judge, preſcribes indignation and ſcorn at the + cowardly attacks of a ſecret aſſaſſin. + </p> + <p> + April 14, 1797. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_2" id="link_4_2"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + RESIDENCE IN FRANCE + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link_4_3" id="link_4_3"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + DEDICATION + </h2> + <p> + To The RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. + </p> + <p> + SIR, + </p> + <p> + It is with extreme diffidence that I offer the following pages to Your + notice; yet as they deſcribe circumſtances which more than juſtify + Your own prophetic reflections, and are ſubmitted to the public eye + from no other motive than a love of truth and my country, I may, perhaps, + be excuſed for preſuming them to be not altogether unworthy of + ſuch a diſtinction. + </p> + <p> + While Your puny opponents, if opponents they may be called, are either + ſunk into oblivion, or remembered only as aſſociated with + the degrading cauſe they attempted to ſupport, every true friend + of mankind, anticipating the judgement of poſterity, views with eſteem + and veneration the unvarying Moraliſt, the profound Politician, the + indefatigable Servant of the Public, and the warm Promoter of his + country's happineſs. + </p> + <p> + To this univerſal teſtimony of the great and good, permit me, + Sir, to join my humble tribute; being, with the utmoſt reſpect, + </p> + <p> + SIR, + </p> + <p> + Your obedient Servant, THE AUTHOR. Sept. 12, 1796. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkPRE4" id="linkPRE4"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + PREFACE + </h2> + <p> + After having, more than once, in the following Letters, expreſſed + opinions decidedly unfavourable to female authorſhip, when not juſtified + by ſuperior talents, I may, by now producing them to the public, + ſubject myſelf to the imputation either of vanity or inconſiſtency; + and I acknowledge that a great ſhare of candour and indulgence muſt + be poſſeſſed by readers who attend to the apologies uſually + made on ſuch occaſions: yet I may with the ſtricteſt + truth alledge, that I ſhould never have ventured to offer any + production of mine to the world, had I not conceived it poſſible + that information and reflections collected and made on the ſpot, + during a period when France exhibited a ſtate, of which there is no + example in the annals of mankind, might gratify curioſity without the + aid of literary embelliſhment; and an adherence to truth, I flattered + myſelf, might, on a ſubject of this nature, be more acceptable + than brilliancy of thought, or elegance of language. The eruption of a + volcano may be more ſcientifically deſcribed and accounted for + by the philoſopher; but the relation of the illiterate peaſant + who beheld it, and ſuffered from its effects, may not be leſs + intereſting to the common hearer. + </p> + <p> + Above all, I was actuated by the deſire of conveying to my countrymen + a juſt idea of that revolution which they have been incited to + imitate, and of that government by which it has been propoſed to + model our own. + </p> + <p> + Since theſe pages were written, the Convention has nominally been diſſolved, + and a new conſtitution and government have ſucceeded, but no + real change of principle or actors has taken place; and the ſyſtem, + of which I have endeavoured to trace the progreſs, muſt ſtill + be conſidered as exiſting, with no other variations than ſuch + as have been neceſſarily produced by the difference of time and + circumſtances. The people grew tired of maſſacres en maſſe, + and executions en detail: even the national fickleneſs operated in + favour of humanity; and it was alſo diſcovered, that however a + ſpirit of royaliſm might be ſubdued to temporary inaction, + it was not to be eradicated, and that the ſufferings of its martyrs + only tended to propagate and confirm it. Hence the ſcaffolds flow leſſ + frequently with blood, and the barbarous prudence of CAMILLE DESMOULINS' + guillotine economique has been adopted. But exaction and oppreſſion + are ſtill practiſed in every ſhape, and juſtice is not + leſs violated, nor iſ property more ſecure, than when the + former was adminiſtered by revolutionary tribunals, and the latter + was at the diſpoſition of revolutionary armies. + </p> + <p> + The error of ſuppoſing that the various parties which have uſurped + the government of France have differed eſſentially from each + other is pretty general; and it is common enough to hear the revolutionary + tyranny excluſively aſſociated with the perſon of + ROBESPIERRE, and the thirty-firſt of May, 1793, conſidered as + the epoch of its introduction. Yet whoever examines attentively the ſituation + and politics of France, from the ſubverſion of the Monarchy, + will be convinced that all the principles of this monſtrous + government were eſtabliſhed during the adminiſtration of + the Briſſotins, and that the factions which ſucceeded, from + Danton and Robeſpierre to Sieyes and Barras, have only developed + them, and reduced them to practice. The revolution of the thirty-firſt + of May, 1793, was not a conteſt for ſyſtem but for power—that + of July the twenty-eighth, 1794, (9th Thermidor,) was merely a ſtruggle + which of two parties ſhould ſacrifice the other—that of + October the fifth, 1795, (13th Vendemiaire,) a war of the government againſt + the people. But in all theſe convulſions, the primitive + doctrines of tyranny and injuſtice were watched like the ſacred + fire, and have never for a moment been ſuffered to languiſh. + </p> + <p> + It may appear incredible to thoſe who have not perſonally witneſſed + thiſ phoenomenon, that a government deteſted and deſpiſed + by an immenſe majority of the nation, ſhould have been able not + only to reſiſt the efforts of ſo many powers combined againſt + it, but even to proceed from defence to conqueſt, and to mingle + ſurprize and terror with thoſe ſentiments of contempt and + abhorrence which it originally excited. + </p> + <p> + That wiſdom or talents are not the ſources of this ſucceſs, + may be deduced from the ſituation of France itſelf. The armies + of the republic have, indeed, invaded the territories of its enemies, but + the deſolation of their own country ſeems to increaſe with + every triumph—the genius of the French government appears powerful + only in deſtruction, and inventive only in oppreſſion—and, + while it is endowed with the faculty of ſpreading univerſal + ruin, it is incapable of promoting the happineſs of the ſmalleſt + diſtrict under its protection. The unreſtrained pillage of the + conquered countries has not ſaved France from multiplied + bankruptcies, nor her ſtate-creditors from dying through want; and + the French, in the midſt of their external proſperity, are often + diſtinguiſhed from the people whom their armies have been ſubjugated, + only by a ſuperior degree of wretchedneſs, and a more irregular + deſpotiſm. + </p> + <p> + With a power exceſſive and unlimited, and ſurpaſſing + what has hitherto been poſſeſſed by any Sovereign, it + would be difficult to prove that theſe democratic deſpots have + effected any thing either uſeful or beneficent. Whatever has the + appearance of being ſo will be found, on examination, to have for its + object ſome purpoſe of individual intereſt or perſonal + vanity. They manage the armies, they embelliſh Paris, they purchaſe + the friendſhip of ſome ſtates and the neutrality of others; + but if there be any real patriots in France, how little do they appreciate + theſe uſeleſs triumphs, theſe pilfered muſeums, + and theſe fallaciouſ negotiations, when they behold the + population of their country diminiſhed, its commerce annihilated, its + wealth diſſipated, its moralſ corrupted, and its liberty deſtroyed— + </p> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Thus, on deceitful Aetna's Flow'ry ſide + Unfading verdure glads the roving eye, + While ſecret flames with unextinguiſh'd rage + Inſatiate on her wafted entrails prey, + And melt her treach'rous beauties into ruin." +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + Thoſe efforts which the partizans of republicaniſm admire, and + which even well-diſpoſed perſons regard as prodigies, are + the ſimple and natural reſult of an unprincipled deſpotiſm, + acting upon, and diſpoſing of, all the reſources of a rich, + populous, and enſlaved nation. <i>"Il devient aiſe d'etre habile + lorſqu'on ſ'eſt delivre des ſcrupules et des loix, de + tout honneur et de toute juſtice, des droits de ſes ſemblables, + et des devoirſ de l'autorite—a ce degre d'independence la + plupart des obſtacles qui modifient l'activite humaine diſparaiſſent; + l'on parait avoir du talent lorſqu'on n'a que de l'impudence, et + l'abus de la force paſſe pour energie.</i>*" + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "Exertions of ability become eaſy, when men have releaſed + themſelves from the ſcruples of conſcience, the reſtraints + of law, the ties of honour, the bonds of juſtice, the claims of + their fellow creatures, and obedience to their ſuperiors:—at + this point of independence, moſt of the obſtacles which modify + human activity diſappear; impudence is miſtaken for talents; + and the abuſe of power paſſes for energy." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The operations of all other governments muſt, in a great meaſure, + be reſtrained by the will of the people, and by eſtabliſhed + laws; with them, phyſical and political force are neceſſarily + ſeparate conſiderations: they have not only to calculate what + can be borne, but what will be ſubmitted to; and perhaps France is + the firſt country that has been compelled to an exertion of its whole + ſtrength, without regard to any obſtacle, natural, moral, or + divine. It is for want of ſufficiently inveſtigating and + allowing for this moral and political latitudinarianiſm of our + enemies, that we are apt to be too precipitate in cenſuring the + conduct of the war; and, in our eſtimation of what has been done, we + pay too little regard to the principles by which we have been directed. An + honeſt man could ſcarcely imagine the means we have had to oppoſe, + and an Engliſhman ſtill leſs conceive that they would have + been ſubmitted to: for the ſame reaſon that the Romans had + no law againſt parricide, till experience had evinced the poſſibility + of the crime. + </p> + <p> + In a war like the preſent, advantage is not altogether to be + appreciated by military ſuperiority. If, as there is juſt ground + for believing, our external hoſtilities have averted an internal + revolution, what we have eſcaped is of infinitely more importance to + us than what we could acquire. Commerce and conqueſt, compared to + this, are ſecondary objects; and the preſervation of our + liberties and our conſtitution is a more ſolid bleſſing + than the commerce of both the Indies, or the conqueſt of nations. + </p> + <p> + Should the following pages contribute to impreſs this ſalutary + truth on my countrymen, my utmoſt ambition will be gratified; perſuaded, + that a ſenſe of the miſeries they have avoided, and of the + happineſs they enjoy, will be their beſt incentive, whether they + may have to oppoſe the arms of the enemy in a continuance of the war, + or their more dangerouſ machinations on the reſtoration of + peace. + </p> + <p> + I cannot conclude without noticing my obligations to the Gentleman whoſe + name is prefixed to theſe volumes; and I think it at the ſame + time incumbent on me to avow, that, in having aſſiſted the + author, he muſt not be conſidered as ſanctioning the + literary imperfections of the work. When the ſubject was firſt + mentioned to him, he did me the juſtice of ſuppoſing, that + I was not likely to have written any thing, the general tendency of which + he might diſapprove; and when, on peruſing the manuſcript, + he found it contain ſentiments diſſimilar to his own, he waſ + too liberal to require a ſacrifice of them as the condition of hiſ + ſervices.—I confeſs that previous to my arrival in France + in 1792, I entertained opinions ſomewhat more favourable to the + principle of the revolution than thoſe which I was led to adopt at a + ſubſequent period. Accuſtomed to regard with great juſtice + the Britiſh conſtitution as the ſtandard of known political + excellence, I hardly conceived it poſſible that freedom or + happineſs could exiſt under any other: and I am not ſingular + in having ſuffered this prepoſſeſſion to + invalidate even the evidence of my ſenſes. I was, therefore, + naturally partial to whatever profeſſed to approach the object + of my veneration. I forgot that governments are not to be founded on + imitations or theories, and that they are perfect only as adapted to the + genius, manners, and diſpoſition of the people who are ſubject + to them. Experience and maturer judgement have corrected my error, and I + am perfectly convinced, that the old monarchical conſtitution of + France, with very ſlight meliorations, waſ every way better + calculated for the national character than a more popular form of + government. + </p> + <p> + A critic, though not very ſevere, will diſcover many faults of + ſtyle, even where the matter may not be exceptionable. Beſides + my other deficiencies, the habit of writing is not eaſily ſupplied, + and, as I deſpaired of attaining excellence, and was not ſolicitous + about degreeſ of mediocrity, I determined on conveying to the public + ſuch information as I was poſſeſſed of, without + alteration or ornament. Moſt of theſe Letters were written + exactly in the ſituation they deſcribe, and remain in their + original ſtate; the reſt were arranged according aſ + opportunities were favourable, from notes and diaries kept when "the times + were hot and feveriſh," and when it would have been dangerous to + attempt more method. I forbear to deſcribe how they were concealed + either in France or at my departure, becauſe I might give riſe + to the perſecution and oppreſſion of others. But, that I + may not attribute to myſelf courage which I do not poſſeſs, + nor create doubts of my veracity, I muſt obſerve, that I ſeldom + ventured to write till I was aſſured of ſome certain means + of conveying my papers to a perſon who could ſafely diſpoſe + of them. + </p> + <p> + As a conſiderable period has elapſed ſince my return, it + may not be improper to add, that I took ſome ſteps for the + publication of theſe Letters ſo early as July, 1795. Certain + difficulties, however, ariſing, of which I was not aware, I relinquiſhed + my deſign, and ſhould not have been tempted to reſume it, + but for the kindneſs of the Gentleman whoſe name appears as the + Editor. + </p> + <p> + Sept. 12, 1796. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_5" id="link_4_5"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + A RESIDENCE IN FRANCE. + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link_4_6" id="link_4_6"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + May 10, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + I am every day more confirmed in the opinion I communicated to you on my + arrival, that the firſt ardour of the revolution is abated.—The + bridal days are indeed paſt, and I think I perceive ſomething + like indifference approaching. Perhaps the French themſelves are not + ſenſible of thiſ change; but I who have been abſent + two years, and have made as it were a ſudden tranſition from + enthuſiaſm to coldneſs, without paſſing through + the intermediate gradations, am forcibly ſtruck with it. When I was + here in 1790, parties could be ſcarcely ſaid to exiſt—the + popular triumph waſ too complete and too recent for intolerance and + perſecution, and the Nobleſſe and Clergy either ſubmitted + in ſilence, or appeared to rejoice in their own defeat. In fact, it + was the confuſion of a deciſive conqueſt—the victors + and the vanquiſhed were mingled together; and the one had not leiſure + to exerciſe cruelty, nor the other to meditate revenge. Politics had + not yet divided ſociety; nor the weakneſs and pride of the + great, with the malice and inſolence of the little, thinned the + public places. The politics of the women went no farther than a few + couplets in praiſe of liberty, and the patriotiſm of the men was + confined to an habit de garde nationale, the device of a button, or a + nocturnal revel, which they called mounting guard.—Money was yet + plenty, at leaſt ſilver, (for the gold had already begun to diſappear,) + commerce in itſ uſual train, and, in ſhort, to one who obſerves + no deeper than myſelf, every thing ſeemed gay and flouriſhing—the + people were perſuaded they were happier; and, amidſt ſuch + an appearance of content, one muſt have been a cold politician to + have examined too ſtrictly into the future. But all this, my good + brother, is in a great meaſure ſubſided; and the diſparity + is ſo evident, that I almoſt imagine myſelf one of the + ſeven ſleeperſ—and, like them too, the coin I offer + is become rare, and regarded more as medals than money. The playful diſtinctions + of Ariſtocrate and Democrate are degenerated into the opprobium and + bitterneſs of Party—political diſſenſions + pervade and chill the common intercourſe of life—the people are + become groſs and arbitrary, and the higher claſſes (from a + pride which thoſe who conſider the frailty of human nature will + allow for) deſert the public amuſements, where they cannot + appear but at the riſk of being the marked objects of inſult.—The + politics of the women are no longer innoxiouſ—their political + principleſ form the leading trait of their characters; and as you + know we are often apt to ſupply by zeal what we want in power, the + ladies are far from being the moſt tolerant partizans on either + ſide.—The national uniform, which contributed ſo much to + the ſucceſs of the revolution, and ſtimulated the patriotiſm + of the young men, is become general; and the taſk of mounting guard, + to which it ſubjects the wearer, is now a ſeriouſ and + troubleſome duty.—To finiſh my obſervations, and my + contraſt, no Specie whatever is to be ſeen; and the people, if + they ſtill idolize their new form of government, do it at preſent + with great ſobriety—the Vive la nation! ſeems now rather + the effect of habit than of feeling; and one ſeldom hears any thing + like the ſpontaneous and enthuſiaſtic ſounds I + formerly remarked. + </p> + <p> + I have not yet been here long enough to diſcover the cauſes of + thiſ change; perhaps they may lie too deep for ſuch an obſerver + as myſelf: but if (as the cauſes of important effects ſometimes + do) they lie on the ſurface, they will be leſs liable to eſcape + me, than an obſerver of more pretentions. Whatever my remarks are, I + will not fail to communicate them—the employment will at leaſt + be agreeable to me, though the reſult ſhould not be ſatiſfactory + to you; and as I ſhall never venture on any reflection, without + relating the occurrence that gave riſe to it, your own judgement will + enable you to correct the errors of mine. + </p> + <p> + I was preſent yeſterday at a funeral ſervice, performed in + honour of General Dillon. This kind of ſervice is common in Catholic + countries, and conſiſts in erecting a cenotaph, ornamented with + numerous lights, flowers, croſſes, &c. The church is hung + with black, and the maſs iſ performed the ſame as if the + body were preſent. On account of General Dillon's profeſſion, + the maſs yeſterday was a military one. It muſt always, I + imagine, ſound ſtrange to the ears of a Proteſtant, to hear + nothing but theatrical muſic on theſe occaſions, and indeed + I could never reconcile myſelf to it; for if we allow any effect to + muſic at all, the train of thought which ſhould inſpire us + with reſpect for the dead, and reflections on mortality, is not + likely to be produced by the ſtrains in which Dido bewails Eneas, or + in which Armida aſſails the virtue of Rinaldo.—I fear, + that in general the air of an opera reminds the belle of the Theatre where + ſhe heard it—and, by a natural tranſition, of the beau who + attended her, and the dreſs of herſelf and her neighbours. I + confeſs, this was nearly my own caſe yeſterday, on hearing + an air from "Sargines;" and had not the funeral oration reminded me, I + ſhould have forgotten the unfortunate event we were celebrating, and + which, for ſome days before, when undiſtracted by this pious + ceremony, I had dwelt on with pity and horror.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * At the firſt ſkirmiſh between the French and Auſtrians + near Liſle, a general panic ſeized the former, and they + retreated in diſorder to Liſle, crying _"Sauve qui peut, & + nous fomnes (ſic) trahis."_--"Let every one ſhift for himſelf—we + are betrayed." The General, after in vain endeavouring to rally them, + was maſſacred at his return on the great ſquare.—My + pen faulters, and refuſes to deſcribe the barbarities + committed on the lifeleſs hero. Let it ſuffice, perhapſ + more than ſuffice, to ſay, that his mutilated remains were + thrown on a fire, which theſe ſavages danced round, with yells + expreſſive of their execrable feſtivity. A young Engliſhman, + who was ſo unfortunate as to be near the ſpot, was compelled + to join in thiſ outrage to humanity.—The ſame day a + gentleman, the intimate friend of our acquaintance, Mad. _____, was + walking (unconſcious what had happened) without the gate which + leads to Douay, and was met by the flying ruffians on their return; + immediately on ſeeing him they ſhouted, <i>"Voila encore un + Ariſtocrate!"</i> and maſſacred him on the ſpot. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Independent of any regret for the fate of Dillon, who is ſaid + to have been a brave and good officer, I am ſorry that the firſt + event of thiſ war ſhould be marked by cruelty and licentiouſneſs.—Military + diſcipline has been much relaxed ſince the revolution, and from + the length of time ſince the French have been engaged in a land war, + many of the troops muſt be without that kind of courage which is the + effect of habit. The danger, therefore, of ſuffering them to alledge + that they are betrayed, whenever they do not chooſe to fight, and to + excuſe their own cowardice by aſcribing treachery to their + leaders, is incalculable.—Above all, every infraction of the laws in + a country juſt ſuppoſing itſelf become free, cannot be + too ſeverely repreſſed. The National Aſſembly + have done all that humanity could ſuggeſt—they have + ordered the puniſhment of the aſſaſſins, and have + penſioned and adopted the General's children. The orator expatiated + both on the horror of the act and its conſequences, aſ I ſhould + have thought, with ſome ingenuity, had I not been aſſured + by a brother orator that the whole was "execrable." But I frequently + remark, that though a Frenchman may ſuppoſe the merit of his + countrymen to be collectively ſuperior to that of the whole world, he + ſeldom allows any individual of them to have ſo large a portion + as himſelf.—Adieu: I have already written enough to convince + you I have neither acquired the Gallomania, nor forgotten my friends in + England; and I conclude with a wiſh <i>a propoſ</i> to my ſubject—that + they may long enjoy the rational liberty they poſſeſs and + ſo well deſerve.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_7" id="link_4_7"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + May, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + You, my dear _____, who live in a land of pounds, ſhillings, and + pence, can ſcarcely form an idea of our embarraſſments + through the want of them. 'Tis true, theſe are petty evils; but when + you conſider that they happen every day, and every hour, and that, if + they are not very ſerious, they are very frequent, you will rejoice + in the ſplendour of your national credit, which procures you all the + accommodation of paper currency, without diminiſhing the circulation + of ſpecie. Our only currency here conſiſts of aſſignats + of 5 livres, 50, 100, 200, and upwards: therefore in making purchaſes, + you muſt accommodate your wants to the value of your aſſignat, + or you muſt owe the ſhopkeeper, or the ſhopkeeper muſt + owe you; and, in ſhort, as an old woman aſſured me to-day, + "C'eſt de quoi faire perdre la tete," and, if it laſted long, it + would be the death of her. Within theſe few days, however, the + municipalities have attempted to remedy the inconvenience, by creating + ſmall paper of five, ten, fifteen, and twenty ſols, which they + give in exchange for aſſignats of five livres; but the number + they are allowed to iſſue is limited, and the demand for them + ſo great, that the accommodation is inadequate to the difficulty of + procuring it. On the days on which this paper (which iſ called + billets de confiance) is iſſued, the Hotel de Ville is beſieged + by a hoſt of women collected from all parts of the diſtrict—Peaſants, + ſmall ſhopkeepers, fervant maids, and though laſt, not leaſt + formidable— fiſhwomen. They uſually take their ſtand + two or three hours before the time of delivery, and the interval is + employed in diſcuſſing the news, and execrating paper + money. But when once the door is opened, a ſcene takes place which + bids defiance to language, and calls for the pencil of a Hogarth. Babel + was, I dare ſay, comparatively to this, a place of retreat and ſilence. + Clamours, revilings, contentions, tearing of hair, and breaking of heads, + generally conclude the buſineſs; and, after the loſs of + half a day's time, ſome part of their clothes, and the expence of a + few bruiſes, the combatants retire with ſmall bills to the value + of five, or perhaps ten livres, as the whole reſource to carry on + their little commerce for the enſuing week. I doubt not but the paper + may have had ſome ſhare in alienating the minds of the people + from the revolution. Whenever I want to purchaſe any thing, the + vender uſually anſwers my queſtion by another, and with a + rueful kind of tone inquires, "En papier, madame?"—and the bargain + concludes with a melancholy reflection on the hardneſs of the times. + </p> + <p> + The decrees relative to the prieſts have likewiſe occaſioned + much diſſenſion; and it ſeems to me impolitic thus to + have made religion the ſtandard of party. The high maſs, which + is celebrated by a prieſt who has taken the oaths, is frequented by a + numerous, but, it muſt be confeſſed, an ill-dreſt and + ill-ſcented congregation; while the low maſs, which is later, + and which is allowed the nonjuring clergy, has a gayer audience, but is + much leſs crouded.—By the way, I believe many who formerly did + not much diſturb themſelves about religious tenets, have become + rigid Papiſts ſince an adherence to the holy ſee has become + a criterion of political opinion. But if theſe ſeparatiſts + are bigoted and obſtinate, the conventionaliſts on their ſide + are ignorant and intolerant. + </p> + <p> + I enquired my way to-day to the Rue de l'Hopital. The woman I ſpoke + to aſked me, in a menacing tone, what I wanted there. I replied, + which waſ true, that I merely wanted to paſs through the ſtreet + as my neareſt way home; upon which ſhe lowered her voice, and + conducted me very civilly.—I mentioned the circumſtance on my + return, and found that the nuns of the hoſpital had their maſs + performed by a prieſt who had not taken the oaths, and that thoſe + who were ſuſpected of going to attend it were inſulted, and + ſometimes ill treated. A poor woman, ſome little time ago, who + conceived perhaps that her ſalvation might depend on exerciſing + her religion in the way ſhe had been accuſtomed to, perſiſted + in going, and was uſed by the populace with ſuch a mixture of + barbarity and indecency, that her life was deſpaired of. Yet this is + the age and the country of Philoſophers.—Perhaps you will begin + to think Swift's ſages, who only amuſed themſelves with + endeavouring to propagate ſheep without wool, not ſo + contemptible. I am almoſt convinced myſelf, that when a man once + piques himſelf on being a philoſopher, if he does no miſchief + you ought to be ſatiſfied with him. + </p> + <p> + We paſſed laſt Sunday with Mr. de ____'s tenants in the + country. Nothing can equal the avidity of theſe people for news. We + ſat down after dinner under ſome trees in the village, and Mr. + de _____ began reading the Gazette to the farmers who were about us. In a + few minutes every thing that could hear (for I leave underſtanding + the pedantry of a French newſpaper out of the queſtion) were his + auditors. A party at quoits in one field, and a dancing party in another, + quitted their amuſements, and liſtened with undivided attention. + I believe in general the farmers are the people moſt contented with + the revolution, and indeed they have reaſon to be ſo; for at preſent + they refuſe to ſell their corn unleſs for money, while they + pay their rent in aſſignats; and farms being for the moſt + part on leaſes, the objections of the landlord to this kind of + payment are of no avail. Great encouragement is likewiſe held out to + them to purchaſe national property, which I am informed they do to an + extent that may for ſome time be injurious to agriculture; for in + their eagerneſs to acquire land, the deprive themſelves of + cultivating it. They do not, like our cruſading anceſtors, "ſell + the paſture to buy the horſe," but the horſe to buy the paſture; + ſo that we may expect to ſee in many places large farms in the + hands of thoſe who are obliged to neglect them. + </p> + <p> + A great change has happened within the laſt year, with regard to + landed property—ſo much has been ſold, that many farmers + have had the opportunity of becoming proprietors. The rage of emigration, + which the approach of war, pride, timidity, and vanity are daily increaſing, + haſ occaſioned many of the Nobleſſe to ſell their + eſtates, which, with thoſe of the Crown and the Clergy, form a + large maſs of property, thrown as it were into general circulation. + This may in future be beneficial to the country, but the preſent + generation will perhaps have to purchaſe (and not cheaply) advantages + they cannot enjoy. A philanthropiſt may not think of this with + regret; and yet I know not why one race is preferable to another, or why + an evil ſhould be endured by thoſe who exiſt now, in order + that thoſe who ſucceed may be free from it.—I would + willingly plant a million of acorns, that another age might be ſupplied + with oaks; but I confeſs, I do not think it quite ſo pleaſant + for us to want bread, in order that our deſcendants may have a ſuperfluity. + </p> + <p> + I am half aſhamed of theſe ſelfiſh arguments; but + really I have been led to them through mere apprehenſion of what I + fear the people may have yet to endure, in conſequence of the + revolution. + </p> + <p> + I have frequently obſerved how little taſte the French have for + the country, and I believe all my companions, except Mr. de _____, who + took (as one always does) an intereſt in ſurveying his property, + were heartily ennuyes with our little excurſion.—Mad. De _____, + on her arrival, took her poſt by the farmer's fire-ſide, and was + out of humour the whole day, inaſmuch as our fare was homely, and + there was nothing but ruſtics to ſee or be ſeen by. That a + plain dinner ſhould be a ſerious affair, you may not wonder; but + the laſt cauſe of diſtreſs, perhaps you will not + conclude quite ſo natural at her years. All that can be ſaid + about it is, that ſhe is a French woman, who rouges, and wears lilac + ribbons, at ſeventy-four. I hope, in my zeal to obey you, my + reflections will not be too voluminous.—For the preſent I will + be warned by my conſcience, and add only, that I am, Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_8" id="link_4_8"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + June 10, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + You obſerve, with ſome ſurprize, that I make no mention of + the Jacobinſ— the fact is, that until now I have heard very + little about them. Your Engliſh partizans of the revolution have, by + publiſhing their correſpondence with theſe ſocieties, + attributed a conſequence to them infinitely beyond what they have had + pretenſions to:—a prophet, it iſ ſaid, is not + honoured in his own country—I am ſure a Jacobin is not. In + provincial towns theſe clubs are generally compoſed of a few of + the loweſt tradeſmen, who have ſo diſintereſted a + patriotiſm, as to beſtow more attention on the ſtate than + on their own ſhops; and as a man may be an excellent patriot without + the ariſtocratic talents of reading and writing, they uſually + provide a ſecretary or preſident, who can ſupply theſe + deficiencieſ—a country attorney, a <i>Pere de l'oratoire,</i> + or a diſbanded capuchin, is in moſt places the candidate for + this office. The clubs often aſſemble only to read the newſpapers; + but where they are ſufficiently in force, they make motions for + "fetes," cenſure the municipalities, and endeavour to influence the + elections of the memberſ who compoſe them.—That of Paris + is ſuppoſed to conſiſt of about ſix thouſand + members; but I am told their number and influence are daily increaſing, + and that the National Aſſembly is more ſubſervient to + them than it is willing to acknowledge—yet, I believe, the people at + large are equally adverſe to the Jacobins, who are ſaid to + entertain the chimerical project of forming a republic, and to the Ariſtocrates, + who wiſh to reſtore the ancient government. The party in oppoſition + to both theſe, who are called the Feuillans,* have the real voice of + the people with them, and knowing this, they employ leſs art than + their opponents, have no point of union, and perhaps may finally be + undermined by intrigue, or even ſubdued by violence. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *They derive this appellation, as the Jacobins do theirs, from the + convent at which they hold their meetings. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + You ſeem not to comprehend why I include vanity among the cauſes + of emigration, and yet I aſſure you it has had no ſmall + ſhare in many of them. The gentry of the provinces, by thus imitating + the higher nobleſſe, imagine they have formed a kind of a common + cauſe, which may hereafter tend to equalize the difference of ranks, + and aſſociate them with thoſe they have been accuſtomed + to look up to as their ſuperiors. It is a kind of ton among the + women, particularly to talk of their emigrated relations, with an accent + more expreſſive of pride than regret, and which ſeems to + lay claim to diſtinction rather than pity. + </p> + <p> + I muſt now leave you to contemplate the boaſted miſfortunes + of theſe belles, that I may join the card party which forms their + alleviation.— Adieu. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_9" id="link_4_9"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + June 24, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + You have doubtleſs learned from the public papers the late outrage of + the Jacobins, in order to force the King to conſent to the formation + of an army at Paris, and to ſign the decree for baniſhing the + nonjuring Clergy. The newſpapers will deſcribe to you the proceſſion + of the Sans-Culottes, the indecency of their banners, and the diſorders + which were the reſult— but it is impoſſible for + either them or me to convey an idea of the general indignation excited by + theſe atrocities. Every well-meaning perſon is grieved for the + preſent, and apprehenſive for the future: and I am not without + hope, that this open avowal of the deſigns of the Jacobins, will + unite the Conſtitutionaliſts and Ariſtocrates, and that + they will join their efforts in defence of the Crown, as the only meanſ + of ſaving both from being overwhelmed by a faction, who are now + become too daring to be deſpiſed. Many of the municipalities and + departmentſ are preparing to addreſs they King, on the fortitude + he diſplayed in thiſ hour of inſult and peril.—I know + not why, but the people have been taught to entertain a mean opinion of + his perſonal courage; and the late violence will at leaſt have + the good effect of undeceiving them. It iſ certain, that he behaved + on this occaſion with the utmoſt coolneſs; and the Garde + Nationale, whoſe hand he placed on his heart, atteſted that it + had no unuſual palpitation. + </p> + <p> + That the King ſhould be unwilling to ſanction the raiſing + an army under the immediate auſpice of the avowed enemies of himſelf, + and of the conſtitution he has ſworn to protect, cannot be much + wondered at; and thoſe who know the Catholic religion, and conſider + that this Prince iſ devout, and that he has reaſon to ſuſpect + the fidelity of all who approach him, will wonder ſtill leſs + that he refuſes to baniſh a claſs of men, whoſe + influence is extenſive, and whoſe intereſt it is to preſerve + their attachment to him. + </p> + <p> + Theſe events have thrown a gloom over private ſocieties; and + public amuſements, as I obſerved in a former letter, are little + frequented; ſo that, on the whole, time paſſes heavily with + a people who, generally ſpeaking, have few reſources in themſelves. + Before the revolution, France was at this ſeaſon a ſcene of + much gaiety. Every village had alternately a ſort of Fete, which + nearly anſwers to our Wake—but with this difference, that it + was numerouſly attended by all ranks, and the amuſement was + dancing, inſtead of wreſtling and drinking. Several ſmall + fields, or different parts of a large one, were provided with muſic, + diſtinguiſhed by flags, and appropriated to the ſeveral claſſes + of dancerſ—one for the peaſants, another for the + bourgeois, and a third for the higher orders. The young people danced + beneath the ardour of a July ſun, while the old looked on and regaled + themſelves with beer, cyder, and gingerbread. I was always much pleaſed + with this village feſtivity: it gratified my mind more than ſelect + and expenſive amuſements, becauſe it was general, and + within the power of all who choſe to partake of it; and the little diſtinction + of rank which was preſerved, far from diminiſhing the pleaſure + of any, added, I am certain, to the freedom of all. By mixing with thoſe + only of her own claſs, the Payſanne* was ſpared the + temptation of envying the pink ribbons of the Bourgeoiſe, who in her + turn was not diſturbed by an immediate rivalſhip with the ſaſh + and plumes of the provincial belle. But this cuſtom is now much on + the decline. The young women avoid occaſions where an inebriated + ſoldier may offer himſelf as her partner in the dance, and her + refuſal be attended with inſult to herſelf, and danger to + thoſe who protect her; and as this licence iſ nearly as offenſive + to the decent Bourgeoiſe as to the female of higher condition, this + ſort of fete will moſt probably be entirely abandoned. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *The head-dreſs of the French <i>Payſanne</i> is uniformly a + ſmall cap, without ribbon or ornament of any kind, except in that + part of Normandy which is called the <i>Pays de Caux,</i> where the Payſanneſ + wear a particular kind of head dreſs, ornamented with ſilver. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The people here all dance much better than thoſe of the ſame + rank in England; but this national accompliſhment is not inſtinctive: + for though few of the laborious claſs have been taught to read, there + are ſcarcely any ſo poor as not to beſtow three livres for + a quarter's inſtruction from a dancing maſter; and with this + three monthſ' noviciate they become qualified to dance through the reſt + of their lives. + </p> + <p> + The rage for emigration, and the approach of the Auſtrians, have occaſioned + many reſtrictions on travelling, eſpecially near the ſeacoaſt + of frontiers. No perſon can paſs through a town without a paſſport + from the municipality he reſides in, ſpecifying his age, the + place of hiſ birth, his deſtination, the height of his perſon, + and the features of hiſ face. The Marquis de C____ entered the town + yeſterday, and at the gate preſented his paſſport as uſual; + the guard looked at the paſſport, and in a high tone demanded + his name, whence he came, and where he was going. M. de C____ referred him + to the paſſport, and ſuſpecting the man could not + read, perſiſted in refuſing to give a verbal account of himſelf, + but with much civility preſſed the peruſal of the paſſport; + adding, that if it was informal, Monſieur might write to the + municipality that granted it. The man, however, did not approve of the jeſt, + and took the Marquiſ before the municipality, who ſentenced him + to a month's impriſonment for his pleaſantry. + </p> + <p> + The French are becoming very grave, and a bon-mot will not now, aſ + formerly, ſave a man's life.—I do not remember to have ſeen + in any Engliſh print an anecdote on this ſubject, which at once + marks the levity of the Pariſians, and the wit and preſence of + mind of the Abbe Maury.—At the beginning of the revolution, when the + people were very much incenſed againſt the Abbe, he was one day, + on quitting the Aſſembly, ſurrounded by an enraged mob, who + ſeized on him, and were hurrying him away to execution, amidſt + the univerſal cry of <i>a la lanterne! a la lanterne!</i> The Abbe, + with much coolneſs and good humour, turned to thoſe neareſt + him, <i>"Eh bien mes amis et quand je ſerois a la lanterne, en + verriez vous pluſ clair?"</i> Thoſe who held him were diſarmed, + the bon-mot flew through the croud, and the Abbe eſcaped while they + were applauding it.—I have nothing to offer after this trait which + is worthy of ſucceeding it, but will add that I am always Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_10" id="link_4_10"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + July 24, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + Our revolution aera has paſſed tranquilly in the provinces, and + with leſſ turbulence at Paris than was expected. I conſign + to the Gazette-writerſ thoſe long deſcriptions that deſcribe + nothing, and leave the mind aſ unſatiſfied as the eye. I + content myſelf with obſerving only, that the ceremony here was + gay, impreſſive, and animating. I indeed have often remarked, + that the works of nature are better deſcribed than thoſe of art. + The ſcenes of nature, though varied, are uniform; while the + productions of art are ſubject to the caprices of whim, and the viciſſitudes + of taſte. A rock, a wood, or a valley, however the ſcenery may + be diverſified, always conveys a perfect and diſtinct image to + the mind; but a temple, an altar, a palace, or a pavilion, requires a + detail, minute even to tediouſneſs, and which, after all, gives + but an imperfect notion of the object. I have as often read deſcriptions + of the Vatican, as of the Bay of Naples; yet I recollect little of the + former, while the latter ſeems almoſt familiar to me.—Many + are ſtrongly impreſſed with the ſcenery of Milton's + Paradiſe, who have but confuſed ideas of the ſplendour of + Pandemonium. The deſcriptions, however, are equally minute, and the + poetry of both is beautiful. + </p> + <p> + But to return to this country, which is not abſolutely a Paradiſe, + and I hope will not become a Pandemonium—the ceremony I have been + alluding to, though really intereſting, is by no means to be conſidered + as a proof that the ardour for liberty increaſes: on the contrary, in + proportion aſ theſe fetes become more frequent, the enthuſiaſm + which they excite ſeemſ to diminiſh. "For ever mark, + Lucilius, when Love begins to ſicken and decline, it uſeth an + enforced ceremony." When there were no foederations, the people were more + united. The planting trees of liberty ſeems to have damped the ſpirit + of freedom; and ſince there has been a decree for wearing the + national colours, they are more the marks of obedience than proofs of + affection.—I cannot pretend to decide whether the leaders of the + people find their followers leſs warm than they were, and think it + neceſſary to ſtimulate them by theſe ſhows, or + whether the ſhows themſelves, by too frequent repetition, have + rendered the people indifferent about the objects of them.—Perhaps + both theſe ſuppoſitionſ are true. The French are + volatile and material; they are not very capable of attachment to + principles. External objects are requiſite for them, even in a ſlight + degree; and the momentary enthuſiaſm that iſ obtained by + affecting their ſenſes ſubſides with the concluſion + of a favourite air, or the end of a gaudy proceſſion. + </p> + <p> + The Jacobin party are daily gaining ground; and ſince they have + forced a miniſtry of their own on the King, their triumph has become + ſtill more inſolent and deciſive.—A ſtorm is + ſaid to be hovering over us, which I think of with dread, and cannot + communicate with ſafety—"Heaven ſquare the trial of thoſe + who are implicated, to their proportioned ſtrength!"— Adieu. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_11" id="link_4_11"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Auguſt 4, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + I muſt repeat to you, that I have no talent for deſcription; + and, having ſeldom been able to profit by the deſcriptions of + others, I am modeſt enough not willingly to attempt one myſelf. + But, as you obſerve, the ceremony of a foederation, though familiar + to me, is not ſo to my Engliſh friends; I therefore obey your + commands, though certain of not ſucceeding ſo as to gratify your + curioſity in the manner you too partially expect. + </p> + <p> + The temple where the ceremony was performed, was erected in an open ſpace, + well choſen both for convenience and effect. In a large circle on + this ſpot, twelve poſts, between fifty and ſixty feet high, + were placed at equal diſtances, except one larger, opening in front + by way of entrance. On each alternate poſt were faſtened ivy, + laurel, &c. ſo as to form a thick body which entirely hid the + ſupport. Theſe greens were then ſhorn (in the manner you + ſee in old faſhioned gardens) into the form of Doric columns, of + dimenſions proportioned to their height. The intervening poſts + were covered with white cloth, which was ſo artificially folded, as + exactly to reſemble fluted pillarſ—from the baſes of + which aſcended ſpiral wreaths of flowers. The whole waſ + connected at top by a bold feſtoon of foliage, and the capital of + each column was ſurmounted by a vaſe of white lilies. In the + middle of thiſ temple was placed an altar, hung round with lilies, + and on it was depoſed the book of the conſtitution. The approach + to the altar was by a large flight of ſteps, covered with beautiful + tapeſtry. + </p> + <p> + All this having been arranged and decorated, (a work of ſeveral + days,) the important aera was uſhered in by the firing of cannon, + ringing of bells, and an appearance of buſtle and hilarity not to be + ſeen on any other occaſion. About ten, the members of the diſtrict, + the municipality, and the judges in their habits of ceremony, met at the + great church, and from thence proceeded to the altar of liberty. The + troops of the line, the Garde Nationale of the town, and of all the ſurrounding + communes, then arrived, with each their reſpective muſic and + colours, which (reſerving one only of the latter to diſtinguiſh + them in the ranks) they planted round the altar. This done, they retired, + and forming a circle round the temple, left a large intermediate ſpace + free. A maſs was then celebrated with the moſt perfect order and + decency, and at the concluſion were read the rights of man and the + conſtitution. The troops, Garde Nationale, &c. were then addreſſed + by their reſpective officers, the oath to be faithful to the nation, + the law, and the King, was adminiſtered: every ſword was drawn, + and every hat waved in the air; while all the bands of muſic joined + in the favorite ſtrain of ca ira.— This was followed by + crowning, with the civic wreaths hung round the altar, a number of people, + who during the year had been inſtrumental in ſaving the lives of + their fellow-citizens that had been endangered by drowning or other + accidents. This honorary reward was accompanied by a pecuniary one, and a + fraternal embrace from all the conſtituted bodies. But this was not + the graveſt part of the ceremony. The magiſtrates, however + upright, were not all graceful, and the people, though they underſtood + the value of the money, did not that of the civic wreaths, or the + embraces; they therefore looked vacant enough during this part of the buſineſs, + and grinned moſt facetiouſly when they began to examine the + appearance of each other in their oaken crowns, and, I dare ſay, + thought the whole comical enough.—This is one trait of national + pedantry. Becauſe the Romans awarded a civic wreath for an act of + humanity, the French have adopted the cuſtom; and decorate thus a + ſoldier or a ſailor, who never heard of the Romans in his life, + except in extracts from the New Teſtament at maſs. + </p> + <p> + But to return to our fete, of which I have only to add, that the magiſtrates + departed in the order they obſerved in coming, and the troopſ + and Garde Nationale filed off with their hats in the air, and with univerſal + acclamations, to the ſound of ca ira.—Things of this kind are + not ſuſceptible of deſcription. The detail may be unintereſting, + while the general effect may have been impreſſive. The ſpirit + of the ſcene I have been endeavouring to recall ſeems to have + evaporated under my pen; yet to the ſpectator it was gay, elegant, + and impoſing. The day waſ fine, a brilliant ſun glittered + on the banners, and a gentle breeze gave them motion; while the ſatiſfied + countenances of the people added ſpirit and animation to the whole. + </p> + <p> + I muſt remark to you, that devots, and determined ariſtocrates, + ever attend on theſe occaſions. The piety of the one is ſhocked + at a maſs by a prieſt who has taken the oaths, and the pride of + the other is not yet reconciled to confuſion of ranks and popular feſtivities. + I aſked a woman who brings us fruit every day, why ſhe had not + come on the fourteenth as uſual. She told me ſhe did not come to + the town, <i>"a cauſe de la foederation"—"Vous etes ariſtocrate + donc?"—"Ah, mon Dieu non—ce n'eſt pas que je ſuis + ariſtocrate, ou democrate, mais que je ſuiſ Chretienne.</i>*" + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *"On account of the foederation."—"You are an ariſtocrate + then, I ſuppoſe?"—"Lord, no! It is not becauſe I am + an ariſtocrate, or a democrate, but becauſe I am a Chriſtian." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + This is an inſtance, among many others I could produce, that our legiſlators + have been wrong, in connecting any change of the national religion with + the revolution. I am every day convinced, that this and the aſſignats + are the great cauſes of the alienation viſible in many who were + once the warmeſt patriots.—Adieu: do not envy us our fetes and + ceremonies, while you enjoy a conſtitution which requires no oath to + make you cheriſh it: and a national liberty, which is felt and valued + without the aid of extrinſic decoration.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_12" id="link_4_12"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Auguſt 15. + </h2> + <p> + The conſternation and horror of which I have been partaker, will more + than apologize for my ſilence. It is impoſſible for any + one, however unconnected with the country, not to feel an intereſt in + its preſent calamities, and to regret them. I have little courage to + write even now, and you muſt pardon me if my letter ſhould bear + marks of the general depreſſion. All but the faction are grieved + and indignant at the King'ſ depoſition; but this grief is + without energy, and this indignation ſilent. The partizans of the old + government, and the friends of the new, are equally enraged; but they have + no union, are ſuſpicious of each other, and are ſinking + under the ſtupor of deſpair, when they ſhould be preparing + for revenge.—It would not be eaſy to deſcribe our ſituation + during the laſt week. The ineffectual efforts of La Fayette, and the + violences occaſioned by them, had prepared us for ſomething + ſtill more ſerious. On the ninth, we had a letter from one of + the repreſentativeſ for this department, ſtrongly expreſſive + of his apprehenſions for the morrow, but promiſing to write if + he ſurvived it. The day, on which we expected news, came, but no poſt, + no papers, no diligence, nor any meanſ of information. The ſucceeding + night we ſat up, expecting letters by the poſt: ſtill, + however, none arrived; and the courier only paſſed haſtily + through, giving no detail, but that Paris was <i>a feu et a ſang</i>.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * All fire and ſlaughter. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + At length, after paſſing two days and nights in this dreadful + ſuſpence, we received certain intelligence which even exceeded + our fears.—It iſ needleſs to repeat the horrors that have + been perpetrated. The accountſ muſt, ere now, have reached you. + Our repreſentative, as he ſeemed to expect, was ſo ill + treated as to be unable to write: he was one of thoſe who had voted + the approval of La Fayette's conduct—all of whom were either maſſacred, + wounded, or intimidated; and, by this means, a majority was procured to + vote the depoſition of the King. The party allow, by their own + accounts, eight thouſand perſons to have periſhed on thiſ + occaſion; but the number is ſuppoſed to be much more conſiderable. + No papers are publiſhed at preſent except thoſe whoſe + editors, being memberſ of the Aſſembly, and either agents + or inſtigators of the maſſacres, are, of courſe, + intereſted in concealing or palliating them.—-Mr. De _____ has + juſt now taken up one of theſe atrocious journals, and exclaims, + with tears ſtarting from his eyes, <i>"On a abattu la ſtatue + d'Henri quatre!*"</i> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *"They have deſtroyed the ſtatue of Henry the Fourth." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The ſacking of Rome by the Goths offers no picture equal to the + licentiouſneſs and barbarity committed in a country which calls + itſelf the moſt enlightened in Europe.—But, inſtead + of recording theſe horrors, I will fill up my paper with the Choeur + Bearnais. + </p> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + <i>Choeur Bearnais. + + "Un troubadour Bearnais, + "Le yeux inoudes de larmes, + "A ſes montagnardſ + "Chantoit ce refrein ſource d'alarmeſ— + "Louis le fils d'Henri + "Eſt priſonnier dans Pariſ! + "Il a tremble pour les jourſ + "De ſa compagne cherie + "Qui n'a troube de ſecourſ + "Que dans ſa propre energie; + "Elle ſuit le fils d'Henri + "Dans les priſons de Paris. + + "Quel crime ont ils donc commiſ + "Pour etre enchaines de meme? + "Du peuple ils ſont les amis, + "Le peuple veut il qu'on l'aime, + "Quand il met le fils d'Henri + "Dans les priſons de Paris? + + "Le Dauphin, ce fils cheri, + "Qui ſeul fait notre eſperance, + "De pleurs ſera donc nourri; + "Les Berceaux qu'on donne en France + "Aux enfans de notre Henri + "Sont les priſons de Paris. + + "Il a vu couler le ſang + "De ce garde fidele, + "Qui vient d'offrir en mourant + "Aux Francais un beau modele; + Mais Louis le fils d'Henri + "Eſt priſonnier dans Paris. + + "Il n'eſt ſi triſte appareil + "Qui du reſpect nous degage, + "Les feux ardens du Soleil + "Savent percer le nuage: + "Le priſonnier de Pariſ + "Eſt toujours le fils d'Henri. + + "Francais, trop ingrats Francaiſ + "Rendez le Roi a ſa compagne; + "C'eſt le bien du Bearnais, + "C'eſt l'enfant de la Montagne: + "Le bonheur qu' avoit Henri + "Nous l'affarons a Louis. + + "Chez vouz l'homme a de ſes droitſ + "Recouvre le noble uſage, + "Et vous opprimez vos rois, + "Ah! quel injuſte partage! + "Le peuple eſt libre, et Louiſ + "Eſt priſonnier dans Paris. + + "Au pied de ce monument + "Ou le bon Henri reſpire + "Pourquoi l'airain foudroyant? + "Ah l'on veut qu' Henri conſpire + "Lui meme contre ſon filſ + "Dans les priſons de Paris."</i> + + +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + It was publiſhed ſome time ago in a periodical work, (written + with great ſpirit and talents,) called "The Acts of the Apoſtles," + and, I believe, has not yet appeared in England. The ſituation of the + King gives a peculiar intereſt to theſe ſtanzas, which, + merely as a poetical compoſition, are very beautiful. I have often + attempted to tranſlate them, but have always found it impoſſible + to preſerve the effect and ſimplicity of the original. They are + ſet to a little plaintive air, very happily characteriſtic of + the words. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps I ſhall not write to you again from hence, as we depart for + A_____ on Tueſday next. A change of ſcene will diſſipate + a little the ſeriouſneſs we have contracted during the late + events. If I were determined to indulge grief or melancholy, I would never + remove from the ſpot where I had formed the reſolution. Man is a + proud animal even when oppreſſed by miſfortune. He ſeeks + for his tranquility in reaſon and reflection; whereas, a poſt-chaiſe + and four, or even a hard-trotting horſe, is worth all the philoſophy + in the world.—But, if, as I obſerved before, a man be + determined to reſiſt conſolation, he cannot do better than + ſtay at home, and reaſon and phoſophize. + </p> + <p> + Adieu:—the ſituation of my friends in this country makes me + think of England with pleaſure and reſpect; and I ſhall + conclude with a very homely couplet, which, after all the faſhionable + liberality of modern travellers, contains a great deal of truth: + </p> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + "Amongſt mankind + "We ne'er ſhall find + "The worth we left at home." +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_13" id="link_4_13"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Auguſt 22, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + The hour is paſt, in which, if the King's friends had exerted themſelves, + they might have procured a movement in his favour. The people were at firſt + amazed, then grieved; but the national philoſophy already begins to + operate, and they will ſink into indifference, till again awakened by + ſome new calamity. The leaders of the faction do not, however, + entirely depend either on the ſupineneſs of their adverſaries, + or the ſubmiſſion of the people. Money is diſtributed + amongſt the idle and indigent, and agents are nightly employed in the + public houſes to comment on newſpapers, written for the purpoſe + to blacken the King and exalt the patriotiſm of the party who have + dethroned him. Much uſe has likewiſe been made of the advances + of the Pruſſians towards Champagne, and the uſual mummery + of ceremony has not been wanting. Robeſpierre, in a burſt of + extemporary energy, previouſly ſtudied, has declared the country + in danger. The declaration has been echoed by all the departments, and + proclaimed to the people with much ſolemnity. We were not behind hand + in the ceremonial of the buſineſs, though, ſomehow, the + effect was not ſo ſerious and impoſing as one could have wiſhed + on ſuch an occaſion. A ſmart flag, with the words + "Citizens, the country is in danger," waſ prepared; the judges and + the municipality were in their coſtume, the troops and Garde + Nationale under arms, and an orator, ſurrounded by hiſ cortege, + harangued in the principal parts of the town on the text of the banner + which waved before him. + </p> + <p> + All this was very well; but, unfortunately, in order to diſtinguiſh + the orator amidſt the croud, it was determined he ſhould + harangue on horſeback. Now here aroſe a difficulty which all the + ardour of patriotiſm was not able to ſurmount. The French are in + general but indifferent equeſtrians; and it ſo happened that, in + our municipality, thoſe who could ſpeak could not ride, and thoſe + who could ride could not ſpeak. At length, however, after much + debating, it was determined that arms ſhould yield to the gown, or + rather, the horſe to the orator—with this precaution, that the + monture ſhould be properly ſecured, by an attendant to hold the + bridle. Under this ſafeguard, the rhetorician iſſued forth, + and the firſt part of the ſpeech was performed without accident; + but when, by way of relieving the declaimer, the whole military band began + to flouriſh ca ira, the horſe, even more patriotic than hiſ + rider, curvetted and twiſted with ſo much animation, that + however the ſpectators might be delighted, the orator was far from + participating in their ſatiſfaction. After all this, the ſpeech + was to be finiſhed, and the ſilence of the muſic did not + immediately tranquillize the animal. The orator's eye wandered from the + paper that contained his ſpeech, with wiſtful glances toward the + mane; the fervor of his indignation againſt the Auſtrians was + frequently calmed by the involuntary ſtrikings he waſ obliged to + ſubmit to; and at the very criſis of the emphatic declaration, + he ſeemed much leſs occupied by his country's danger than his + own. The people, who were highly amuſed, I dare ſay, conceived + the whole ceremony to be a rejoicing, and at every repetition that the + country was in danger, joined with great glee in the chorus of <i>ca ira</i>.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *The oration conſiſted of ſeveral parts, each ending with + a kind of burden of <i>"Citoyens, la patri eſt en danger;"</i> and + the arrangers of the ceremony had not ſelected appropriate muſic: + ſo that the band, who had been accuſtomed to play nothing elſe + on public occaſions, ſtruck up <i>ca ira</i> at every + declaration that the country was in danger! + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Many of the ſpectators, I believe, had for ſome time been + convinced of the danger that threatened the country, and did not ſuppoſe + it much increaſed by the events of the war; others were pleaſed + with a ſhow, without troubling themſelves about the occaſion + of it; and the maſs, except when rouzed to attention by their + favourite air, or the exhibitions of the equeſtrian orator, looked on + with vacant ſtupidity. —This tremendous flag is now ſuſpended + from a window of the Hotel de Ville, where it is to remain until the inſcription + it wears ſhall no longer be true; and I heartily wiſh, the diſtreſſes + of the country may not be more durable than the texture on which they are + proclaimed. + </p> + <p> + Our journey is fixed for to-morrow, and all the morning has been paſſed + in attendance for our paſſports.—This affair is not ſo + quickly diſpatched as you may imagine. The French are, indeed, ſaid + to be a very lively people, but we miſtake their volubility for + vivacity; for in their public offices, their ſhops, and in any tranſaction + of buſineſs, no people on earth can be more tediouſ—they + are ſlow, irregular, and loquacious; and a retail Engliſh + Quaker, with all his formalities, would diſpoſe of half his + ſtock in leſs time than you can purchaſe a three ſolſ + ſtamp from a briſk French Commis. You may therefore conceive, + that thiſ official portraiture of ſo many females was a work of + time, and not very pleaſant to the originals. The delicacy of an + Engliſhman may be ſhocked at the idea of examining and regiſtering + a lady's features one after another, like the articles of a bill of + lading; but the cold and ſyſtematic gallantry of a Frenchman is + not ſo ſcrupulous.—The officer, however, who is employed + for this purpoſe here, is civil, and I ſuſpected the + infinity of my noſe, and the acuteneſs of Mad. de ____'s chin, + might have diſconcerted him; but he extricated himſelf very + decently. My noſe is enrolled in the order of aquilines, and the old + lady's chin pared off to a <i>"menton un peu pointu."</i>—[A longiſh + chin.] + </p> + <p> + The carriages are ordered for ſeven to-morrow. Recollect, that ſeven + females, with all their appointments, are to occupy them, and then + calculate the hour I ſhall begin increaſing my diſtance + from England and my friends. I ſhall not do it without regret; yet + perhaps you will be leſs inclined to pity me than the unfortunate + wights who are to eſcort us. A journey of an hundred miles, with + French horſes, French carriages, French harneſs, and ſuch + an unreaſonable female charge, is, I confeſs, in great humility, + not to be ventured on without a moſt determined patience.—I + ſhall write to you on our arrival at Arras; and am, till then, at all + times, and in all places, Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_14" id="link_4_14"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Heſdin. + </h2> + <p> + We arrived here laſt night, notwithſtanding the difficulties of + our firſt ſetting out, in tolerable time; but I have gained + ſo little in point of repoſe, that I might as well have + continued my journey. We are lodged at an inn which, though large and the + beſt in the town, is ſo diſguſtingly filthy, that I + could not determine to undreſs myſelf, and am now up and ſcribbling, + till my companions ſhall be ready. Our embarkation will, I foreſee, + be a work of time and labour; for my friend, Mad. de ____, beſides + the uſual attendants on a French woman, a femme de chambre and a + lap-dog, travels with ſeveral cages of canary-birds, ſome pots + of curiouſ exotics, and a favourite cat; all of which muſt be diſpoſed + of ſo as to produce no interſtine commotions during the journey. + Now if you conſider the nature of theſe fellow-travellers, you + will allow it not ſo eaſy a matter as may at firſt be + ſuppoſed, eſpecially as their fair miſtreſſ + will not allow any of them to be placed in any other carriage than her + own.—A fray happened yeſterday between the cat and the dog, + during which the birds were overſet, and the plants broken. Poor M. + de ____, with a ſort of rueful good nature, ſeparated the + combatants, reſtored order, and was obliged to purchaſe peace by + charging himſelf with the care of the aggreſſor. + </p> + <p> + I ſhould not have dwelt ſo long on theſe trifling + occurrences, but that they are characteriſtic. In England, this paſſion + for animals is chiefly confined to old maids, but here it is general. Almoſt + every woman, however numerous her family, has a nurſery of birds, an + angola, and two or three lap-dogs, who ſhare her cares with her huſband + and children. The dogs have all romantic names, and are enquired after + with ſo much ſolicitude when they do not make one in a viſit, + that it was ſome time before I diſcovered that Nina and Roſine + were not the young ladies of the family. I do not remember to have ſeen + any huſband, however maſter of his houſe in other reſpects, + daring enough to diſplace a favourite animal, even though it occupied + the only vacant fauteuil. + </p> + <p> + The entrance into Artois from Picardy, though confounded by the new diviſion, + is ſufficiently marked by a higher cultivation, and a more fertile + ſoil. The whole country we have paſſed is agreeable, but + uniform; the roads are good, and planted on each ſide with trees, moſtly + elms, except here and there ſome rows of poplar or apple. The land iſ + all open, and ſown in diviſions of corn, carrots, potatoes, + tobacco, and poppies of which laſt they make a coarſe kind of + oil for the uſe of painters. The country is entirely flat, and the + view every where bounded by woods interſperſed with villages, + whoſe little ſpires peeping through the trees have a very pleaſing + effect. + </p> + <p> + The people of Artois are ſaid to be highly ſuperſtitious, + and we have already paſſed a number of ſmall chapels and + croſſes, erected by the road ſide, and ſurrounded by + tufts of trees. Theſe are the inventions of a miſtaken piety; + yet they are not entirely without their uſe, and I cannot help + regarding them with more complacence than a rigid Proteſtant might + think allowable. The weary traveller here finds ſhelter from a + mid-day ſun, and ſolaces his mind while he repoſes his + body. The glittering equipage rolls by—he recalls the painful ſteps + he has paſt, anticipateſ thoſe which yet remain, and + perhaps is tempted to repine; but when he turns his eye on the croſs + of Him who has promiſed a recompence to the ſufferers of this + world, he checks the ſigh of envy, forgets the luxury which excited + it, and purſues his way with reſignation. The Proteſtant + religion proſcribes, and the character of the Engliſh renderſ + unneceſſary, theſe ſenſible objects of devotion; + but I have always been of opinion, that the levity of the French in + general would make them incapable of perſevering in a form of worſhip + equally abſtracted and rational. The Spaniards, and even the + Italians, might aboliſh their croſſes and images, and yet + preſerve their Chriſtianity; but if the French ceaſed to be + bigots, they would become atheiſts. + </p> + <p> + This is a ſmall fortified town, though not of ſtrength to offer + any reſiſtance to artillery. Its proximity to the frontier, and + the dread of the Auſtrians, make the inhabitants very patriotic. We + were ſurrounded by a great croud of people on our arrival, who had + ſome ſuſpicion that we were emigrating; however, as ſoon + as our paſſports were examined and declared legal, they retired + very peaceably. + </p> + <p> + The approach of the enemy keeps up the ſpirit of the people, and, + notwithſtanding their diſſatiſfaction at the late + events, they have not yet felt the change of their government ſufficiently + to deſire the invaſion of an Auſtrian army.—Every + village, every cottage, hailed uſ with the cry of Vive la nation! The + cabaret invites you to drink beer a la nation, and offers you lodging a la + nation—the chandler's ſhop ſellſ you ſnuff and + hair powder a la nation—and there are even patriotic barbers whoſe + ſigns inform you, that you may be ſhaved and have your teeth + drawn a la nation! Theſe are acts of patriotiſm one cannot reaſonably + object to; but the frequent and tedious examination of one'ſ paſſports + by people who can't read, is not quite ſo inoffenſive, and I + ſometimes loſe my patience. A very vigilant <i>Garde Nationale</i> + yeſterday, after ſpelling my paſſport over for ten + minutes, objected that it was not a good one. I maintained that it was; + and feeling a momentary importance at the recollection of my country, + added, in an aſſuring tone, <i>"Et d'ailleurs je ſuis + Anglaiſe et par conſequent libre d'aller ou bon me ſemble.</i>*" + The man ſtared, but admitted my argument, and we paſſed on. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *"Beſides, I am a native of England, and, conſequently, have a + right to go where I pleaſe." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + My room door is half open, and gives me a proſpect into that of Mad. + de L____, which is on the oppoſite ſide of the paſſage. + She has not yet put on her cap, but her grey hair is profuſely + powdered; and, with no other garments than a ſhort under petticoat + and a corſet, ſhe ſtands for the edification of all who paſs, + putting on her rouge with a ſtick and a bundle of cotton tied to the + end of it.—All travellers agree in deſcribing great indelicacy + to the French women; yet I have ſeen no accounts which exaggerate it, + and ſcarce any that have not been more favourable than a ſtrict + adherence to truth might juſtify. Thiſ inattractive part of the + female national character is not confined to the lower or middling claſſes + of life; and an Engliſh woman is as likely to be put to the bluſh + in the boudoir of a Marquiſe, as in the ſhop of the Griſette, + which ſerves alſo for her dreſſing-room. + </p> + <p> + If I am not too idle, or too much amuſed, you will ſoon be + informed of my arrival at Arras; but though I ſhould neglect to + write, be perſuaded I ſhall never ceaſe to be, with + affection and eſteem, Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_15" id="link_4_15"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Arras, Auguſt, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + The appearance of Arras is not buſy in proportion to its population, + becauſe its population is not equal to its extent; and as it is a + large, without being a commercial, town, it rather offers a view of the + tranquil enjoyment of wealth, than of the buſtle and activity by + which it iſ procured. The ſtreets are moſtly narrow and ill + paved, and the ſhopſ look heavy and mean; but the hotels, which + chiefly occupy the low town, are large and numerous. What is called la + Petite Place, is really very large, and ſmall only in compariſon + with the great one, which, I believe, is the largeſt in France. It + is, indeed, an immenſe quadrangle—the houſes are in the + Spaniſh form, and it has an arcade all round it. The Spaniards, by + whom it was built, forgot, probably, that this kind of ſhelter would + not be ſo deſirable here as in their own climate. The + manufacture of tapeſtry, which a ſingle line of Shakeſpeare + haſ immortalized, and aſſociated with the mirthful image of + his fat Knight, has fallen into decay. The manufacturers of linen and + woollen are but inconſiderable; and one, which exiſted till + lately, of a very durable porcelain, is totally neglected. The principal + article of commerce iſ lace, which is made here in great quantities. + The people of all ages, from five years old to ſeventy, are employed + in this delicate fabrick. In fine weather you will ſee whole ſtreets + lined with females, each with her cuſhion on her lap. The people of + Arras are uncommonly dirty, and the lacemakers do not in this matter + differ from their fellow-citizens; yet at the door of a houſe, which, + but for the ſurrounding ones, you would ſuppoſe the common + receptacle of all the filth in the vicinage, iſ often ſeated a + female artizan, whoſe fingers are forming a point of unblemiſhed + whiteneſs. It is inconceivable how faſt the bobbins move under + their hands; and they ſeem to beſtow ſo little attention on + their work, that it looks more like the amuſement of idleneſs + than an effort of induſtry. I am no judge of the arguments of philoſophers + and politicianſ for and againſt the uſe of luxury in a + ſtate; but if it be allowable at all, much may be ſaid in favour + of this pleaſing article of it. Children may be taught to make it at + a very early age, and they can work at home under the inſpection of + their parents, which is certainly preferable to crouding them together in + manufactories, where their health is injured, and their morals are + corrupted. + </p> + <p> + By requiring no more implements than about five ſhillings will purchaſe, + a lacemaker is not dependent on the ſhopkeeper, nor the head of a + manufactory. All who chooſe to work have it in their own power, and + can diſpoſe of the produce of their labour, without being at the + mercy of an avaricious employer; for though a tolerable good workwoman can + gain a decent livelihood by ſelling to the ſhops, yet the profit + of the retailer is ſo great, that if he rejected a piece of lace, or + refuſed to give a reaſonable price for it, a certain ſale + would be found with the individual conſumer: and it is a proof of the + independence of thiſ employ, that no one will at preſent diſpoſe + of their work for paper, and it ſtill continues to be paid for in + money. Another argument in favour of encouraging lace-making is, that it + cannot be uſurped by men: you may have men-milliners, + men-mantuamakers, and even ladieſ' valets, but you cannot well faſhion + the clumſy and inflexible fingers of man to lace-making. We import + great quantities of lace from this country, yet I imagine we might, by + attention, be enabled to ſupply other countries, inſtead of + purchaſing abroad ourſelves. The art of ſpinning is daily + improving in England; and if thread ſufficiently fine can be + manufactured, there is no reaſon why we ſhould not equal our + neighbourſ in the beauty of this article. The hands of Engliſh + women are more delicate than thoſe of the French; and our climate is + much the ſame aſ that of Bruſſels, Arras, Liſle, + &c. where the fineſt lace is made. + </p> + <p> + The population of Arras is eſtimated at about twenty-five thouſand + ſouls, though many people tell me it is greater. It has, however, + been lately much thinned by emigration, ſuppreſſion of + convents, and the decline of trade, occaſioned by the abſence of + ſo many rich inhabitants.—The Jacobins are here become very + formidable: they have taken poſſeſſion of a church for + their meetings, and, from being the ridicule, are become the terror of all + moderate people. + </p> + <p> + Yeſterday was appointed for taking the new oath of liberty and + equality. I did not ſee the ceremony, as the town was in much confuſion, + and it waſ deemed unſafe to be from home. I underſtand it + was attended only by the very refuſe of the people, and that, as a + gallanterie analogue, the Preſident of the department gave his arm to + Madame Duchene, who ſellſ apples in a cellar, and is Preſidente + of the Jacobin club. It is, however, reported to-day, that ſhe is in + diſgrace with the ſociety for her condeſcenſion; and + her parading the town with a man of forty thouſand livres a year is + thought to be too great a compliment to the ariſtocracy of riches; + ſo that Mons. Le Preſident's political gallantry has availed him + nothing. He has debaſed and made himſelf the ridicule of the Ariſtocrates + and Conſtitutionaliſts, without paying his court, as he + intended, to the popular faction. I would always wiſh it to happen + ſo to thoſe who offer up incenſe to the mob. As human + beings, as one's fellow creatures, the poor and uninformed have a claim to + our affection and benevolence, but when they become legiſlators, they + are abſurd and contemptible tyrants.—<i>A propoſ</i>—we + were obliged to acknowledge this new ſovereignty by illuminating the + houſe on the occaſion; and this was not ordered by nocturnal + vociferation as in England, but by a regular command from an officer + deputed for that purpoſe. + </p> + <p> + I am concerned to ſee the people accuſtomed to take a number of + incompatible oaths with indifference: it neither will nor can come to any + good; and I am ready to exclaim with Juliet—"Swear not at all." Or, + if ye muſt ſwear, quarrel not with the Pope, that your conſciences + may at leaſt be relieved by diſpenſations and indulgences. + </p> + <p> + To-morrow we go to Liſle, notwithſtanding the report that it has + already been ſummoned to ſurrender. You will ſcarcely + ſuppoſe it poſſible, yet we find it difficult to learn + the certainty of this, at the diſtance of only thirty miles: but + communication is much leſs frequent and eaſy here than in + England. I am not one of thoſe "unfortunate women who delight in + war;" and, perhaps, the ſight of this place, ſo famous for itſ + fortifications, will not be very amuſing to me, nor furniſh much + matter of communication for my friends; but I ſhall write, if it be + only to aſſure you that I am not made prize of by the Auſtrians. + Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_16" id="link_4_16"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Liſle, Auguſt, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + You reſtleſs iſlanders, who are continually racking + imagination to perfect the art of moving from one place to another, and + who can drop aſleep in a carriage and wake at an hundred mile diſtance, + have no notion of all the difficulties of a day's journey here. In the firſt + place, all the horſes of private perſons have been taken for the + uſe of the army, and thoſe for hire are conſtantly employed + in going to the camp—hence, there is a difficulty in procuring horſes. + Then a French carriage iſ never in order, and in France a job is not + to be done juſt when you want it—ſo that there is often a + difficulty in finding vehicles. Then there is the difficulty of paſſports, + and the difficulty of gates, if you want to depart early. Then the + difficulties of patching harneſs on the road, and, above all, the + inflexible <i>ſang froid</i> of drivers. All theſe thingſ + conſidered, you will not wonder that we came here a day after we + intended, and arrived at night, when we ought to have arrived at noon. + —The carriage wanted a trifling repair, and we could get neither paſſports + nor horſes. The horſes were gone to the army—the + municipality to the club—and the blackſmith was employed at the + barracks in making a patriotic harangue to the ſoldiers.—But we + at length ſurmounted all theſe obſtacles, and reached this + place laſt night. + </p> + <p> + The road between Arras and Liſle is equally rich with that we before + paſſed, but is much more diverſified. The plain of Lens is + not ſuch a ſcene of fertility, that one forgets it has once been + that of war and carnage. We endeavoured to learn in the town whereabouts + the column waſ erected that commemmorates that famous battle, [1648.] + but no one ſeemed to know any thing of the matter. One who, we + flattered ourſelves, looked more intelligent than the reſt, and + whom we ſuppoſed might be an attorney, upon being aſked for + this ſpot,—(where, added Mr. de ____, by way of aſſiſting + his memory, <i>"le Prince de Conde ſ'eſt battu ſi bien,"</i>) + —replied, <i>"Pour la bataille je n'en ſais rien, mais pour le + Prince de Conde il y a deja quelque tems qu'il eſt emigre—on le + dit a Coblentz."</i>* After this we thought it in vain to make any farther + enquiry, and continued our walk about the town. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *"Where the Prince of Conde fought ſo gallantly."—"As to the + battle I know nothing about the matter; but for the Prince of Conde he + emigrated ſome time ſince—they ſay he is at + Coblentz." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Mr. P____, who, according to French cuſtom, had not breakfaſted, + took a fancy to ſtop at a baker's ſhop and buy a roll. The man + beſtowed ſo much more civility on us than our two ſols were + worth, that I obſerved, on quitting the ſhop, I was ſure he + muſt be an Ariſtocrate. Mr. P____, who is a warm Conſtitutionaliſt, + diſputed the juſtice of my inference, and we agreed to return, + and learn the baker's political principles. After aſking for more + rolls, we accoſted him with the uſual phraſe, "Et vous, Monſieur, + vous etes bon patriote?"—<i>"Ah, mon Dieu, oui,</i> (replied he,) <i>il + faut bien l'etre a preſent."</i>* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *"And you, Sir, are without doubt, a good patriot?"—"Oh Lord, Sir, + yes; one's obliged to be ſo, now-a-days." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Mr. P____ admitted the man's tone of voice and countenance as good + evidence, and acknowledged I was right.—It is certain that the + French have taken it into their heads, that coarſeneſs of + manners is a neceſſary conſequence of liberty, and that + there is a kind of leze nation in being too civil; ſo that, in + general, I think I can diſcover the principles of ſhopkeepers, + even without the indications of a melancholy mien at the aſſignats, + or lamentations on the times. + </p> + <p> + The new doctrine of primeval equality has already made ſome progreſs. + At a ſmall inn at Carvin, where, upon the aſſurance that + they had every thing in the world, we ſtopped to dine, on my obſerving + they had laid more covers than were neceſſary, the woman anſwered, + "Et les domeſtiques, ne dinent ils pas?"—"And, pray, are the + ſervants to have no dinner?" + </p> + <p> + We told her not with us, and the plates were taken away; but we heard her + muttering in the kitchen, that ſhe believed we were ariſtocrates + going to emigrate. She might imagine alſo that we were difficult to + ſatiſfy, for we found it impoſſible to dine, and left + the houſe hungry, notwithſtanding there was "every thing in the + world" in it. + </p> + <p> + On the road between Carvin and Liſle we ſaw Dumouriez, who is + going to take the command of the army, and has now been viſiting the + camp of Maulde. He appears to be under the middle ſize, about fifty + years of age, with a brown complexion, dark eyes, and an animated + countenance. He was not originally diſtinguiſhed either by birth + or fortune, and haſ arrived at his preſent ſituation by a + concurrence of fortuitouſ circumſtances, by great and various + talents, much addreſs, and a ſpirit of intrigue. He is now + ſupported by the prevailing party; and, I confeſs, I could not + regard with much complacence a man, whom the machinations of the Jacobins + had forced into the miniſtry, and whoſe hypocritical and + affected reſignation has contributed to deceive the people, and ruin + the King. + </p> + <p> + Liſle has all the air of a great town, and the mixture of commercial + induſtry and military occupation gives it a very gay and populouſ + appearance. The Lillois are highly patriotic, highly incenſed againſt + the Auſtrians, and regard the approaching ſiege with more + contempt than apprehenſion. I aſked the ſervant who was + making my bed this morning, how far the enemy was off. <i>"Une lieue et + demie, ou deux lieues, a moinſ qu'ils ne ſoient plus avances + depuis hier,"</i>* repled ſhe, with the utmoſt indifference.—I + own, I did not much approve of ſuch a vicinage, and a view of the + fortifications (which did not make the leſs impreſſion, + becauſe I did not underſtand them,) was abſolutely neceſſary + to raiſe my drooping courage. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *"A league and a half, or two leagues; unleſs, indeed, they have + advanced ſince yeſterday." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + This morning was dedicated to viſiting the churches, citadel, and + Colliſee (a place of amuſement in the manner of our Vauxhall); + but all theſe things have been ſo often deſcribed by much + abler pens, that I cannot modeſtly pretend to add any thing on the + ſubject. + </p> + <p> + In the evening we were at the theatre, which is large and handſome; + and the conſtant reſidence of a numerous garriſon enables + it to entertain a very good ſet of performers:—their operas in + particular are extremely well got up. I ſaw Zemire et Azor given + better than at Drury Lane.—In the farce, which was called Le + Francois a Londres, was introduced a character they called that of an + Engliſhman, (Jack Roaſtbeef,) who payſ his addreſſes + to a nobleman's daughter, in a box coate, a large hat ſlouched over + his eyes, and an oaken trowel in his hand—in ſhort, the whole + figure exactly reſembling that of a watchman. His converſation iſ + groſs and ſarcaſtic, interlarded with oaths, or relieved by + fits of ſullen taciturnity—ſuch a lover as one may ſuppoſe, + though rich, and the choice of the lady's father, makes no impreſſion; + and the author haſ flattered the national vanity by making the + heroine give the preference to a French marquis. Now there is no doubt but + nine-tenths of the audience thought this a good portraiture of the Engliſh + character, and enjoyed it with all the ſatiſfaction of conſcious + ſuperiority.—The ignorance that prevails with regard to our + manners and cuſtoms, among a people ſo near us, is ſurprizing. + It is true, that the nobleſſe who have viſited England with + proper recommendations, and have been introduced to the beſt ſociety, + do us juſtice: the men of letters alſo, who, from party motives, + extol every thing Engliſh, have done us perhaps more than juſtice. + But I ſpeak of the French in general; not the lower claſſeſ + only, but the gentry of the provinces, and even thoſe who in other reſpects + have pretenſions to information. The fact is, living in England is + expenſive: a Frenchman, whoſe income here ſupports him as a + gentleman, goes over and finds all his habits of oeconomy inſufficient + to keep him from exceeding the limits he had preſcribed to himſelf. + His decent lodging alone coſts him a great part of his revenue, and + obliges him to be ſtrictly parſimonious of the reſt. This + drives him to aſſociate chiefly with his own countrymen, to dine + at obſcure coffee-houſes, and pay his court to opera-dancers. He + ſees, indeed, our theatres, our public walks, the outſide of our + palaces, and the inſide of churches: but this gives him no idea of + the manners of the people in ſuperior life, or even of eaſy + fortune. Thus he goes home, and aſſerts to his untravelled + countrymen, that our King and nobility are ill lodged, our churches mean, + and that the Engliſh are barbarians, who dine without ſoup, uſe + no napkin, and eat with their knives.—I have heard a gentleman of + ſome reſpectability here obſerve, that our uſual + dinner was an immenſe joint of meat half dreſt, and a diſh + of vegetables ſcarcely dreſt at all.—Upon queſtioning + him, I diſcovered he had lodged in St. Martin's Lane, had likewiſe + boarded at a country attorney's of the loweſt claſs, and dined + at an ordinary at Margate. + </p> + <p> + Some few weeks ago the Marquis de P____ ſet out from Paris in the + diligence, and accompanied by his ſervant, with a deſign of + emigrating. Their only fellow-traveller was an Engliſhman, whom they + frequently addreſſed, and endeavoured to enter into converſation + with; but he either remained ſilent, or gave them to underſtand + he was entirely ignorant of the language. Under this perſuaſion + the Marquis and his valet freely diſcuſſed their affairs, + arranged their plan of emigration, and expreſſed, with little + ceremony, their political opinions.—At the end of their journey they + were denounced by their companion, and conducted to priſon. The magiſtrate + who took the information mentioned the circumſtance when I happened + to be preſent. Indignant at ſuch an act in an Engliſhman, I + enquired his name. You will judge of my ſurprize, when he aſſured + me it was the Engliſh Ambaſſador. I obſerved to him, + that it was not common for our Ambaſſadors to travel in ſtage-coaches: + this, he ſaid, he knew; but that having reaſon to ſuſpect + the Marquis, Monſieur l'Ambaſſadeur had had the goodneſs + to have him watched, and had taken this journey on purpoſe to detect + him. It was not without much reaſoning, and the evidence of a lady + who had been in England long enough to know the impoſſibility of + ſuch a thing, that I would juſtify Lord G____ from this piece of + complaiſance to the Jacobins, and convince the worthy magiſtrate + he had been impoſed upon: yet this man is the Profeſſor of + Eloquence at a college, is the oracle of the Jacobin ſociety; and may + perhaps become a member of the Convention. This ſeems ſo almoſt + incredibly abſurd, that I ſhould fear to repeat it, were it not + known to many beſides myſelf; but I think I may venture to + pronounce, from my own obſervation, and that of others, whoſe + judgement, and occaſions of exerciſing it, give weight to their + opinions, that the generality of the French who have read a little are + mere pedants, nearly unacquainted with modern nations, their commercial + and political relation, their internal laws, characters, or manners. Their + ſtudies are chiefly confined to Rollin and Plutarch, the deiſtical + works of Voltaire, and the viſionary politics of Jean Jaques. Hence + they amuſe their hearers with alluſionſ to Caeſar and + Lycurgus, the Rubicon, and Thermopylae. Hence they pretend to be too + enlightened for belief, and deſpiſe all governments not founded + on the Contrat Social, or the Profeſſion de Foi.—They are + an age removed from the uſeful literature and general information of + the middle claſſeſ in their own country—they talk + familiarly of Sparta and Lacedemon, and have about the ſame idea of + Ruſſia as they have of Caffraria. Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_17" id="link_4_17"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Liſle. + </h2> + <p> + "Married to another, and that before thoſe ſhoes were old with + which ſhe followed my poor father to the grave."—There is + ſcarcely any circumſtance, or ſituation, in which, if one's + memory were good, one ſhould not be mentally quoting Shakeſpeare. + I have juſt now been whiſpering the above, as I paſſed + the altar of liberty, which ſtill remains on the Grande Place. But "a + month, a little month," ago, on thiſ altar the French ſwore to + maintain the conſtitution, and to be faithful to the law and the + King; yet this conſtitution is no more, the laws are violated, the + King is dethroned, and the altar is now only a monument of levity and + perjury, which they have not feeling enough to remove. + </p> + <p> + The Auſtrians are daily expected to beſiege this place, and they + may deſtroy, but they will not take it. I do not, as you may ſuppoſe, + venture to ſpeak ſo deciſively in a military point of view—I + know aſ little as poſſible of the excellencies of Vauban, + or the adequacy of the garriſon; but I draw my inference from the + ſpirit of enthuſiaſm which prevails among the inhabitants + of every claſſ—every individual ſeems to partake of + it: the ſtreets reſound with patriotic acclamations, patriotic + ſongs, war, and defiance.—Nothing can be more animating than + the theatre. Every alluſion to the Auſtrians, every ſong or + ſentence, expreſſive of determined reſiſtance, is + followed by burſts of aſſent, eaſily diſtinguiſhable + not to be the effort of party, but the ſentiment of the people in + general. There are, doubtleſs, here, as in all other places, party diſſenſions; + but the threatened ſiege ſeems at leaſt to have united all + for their common defence: they know that a bomb makes no diſtinction + between Feuillans, Jacobins, or Ariſtocrates, and neither are ſo + anxious to deſtroy the other, when it is only to be done at ſuch + a riſk to themſelves. I am even willing to hope that ſomething + better than mere ſelfiſhneſs has a ſhare in their + uniting to preſerve one of the fineſt, and, in every ſenſe, + one of the moſt intereſting, towns in France. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_18" id="link_4_18"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Liſle, Saturday. + </h2> + <p> + We are juſt on our departure for Arras, where, I fear, we ſhall + ſcarcely arrive before the gates are ſhut. We have been detained + here much beyond our time, by a circumſtance infinitely ſhocking, + though, in fact, not properly a ſubject of regret. One of the aſſaſſins + of General Dillon waſ this morning guillotined before the hotel where + we are lodged.—I did not, as you will conclude, ſee the + operation; but the mere circumſtance of knowing the moment it was + performed, and being ſo near it, has much unhinged me. The man, + however, deſerved his fate, and ſuch an example was particularly + neceſſary at this time, when we are without a government, and + the laws are relaxed. The mere privation of life is, perhaps, more quickly + effected by this inſtrument than by any other means; but when we + recollect that the preparation for, and apprehenſion of, death, conſtitute + its greateſt terrors; that a human hand muſt give motion to the + Guillotine as well as to the axe; and that either accuſtomſ a + people, already ſanguinary, to the ſight of blood, I think + little iſ gained by the invention. It was imagined by a Mons. + Guillotin, a phyſician of Paris, and member of the Conſtituent Aſſembly. + The original deſign ſeems not ſo much to ſpare pain to + the criminal, as obloquy to the executioner. I, however, perceive little + difference between a man'ſ directing a Guillotine, or tying a rope; + and I believe the people are of the ſame opinion. They will never + ſee any thing but a <i>bourreau</i> [executioner] in the man whoſe + province it is to execute the ſentence of the laws, whatever name he + may be called by, or whatever inſtrument he may make uſe of.—I + have concluded this letter with a very unpleaſant ſubject, but + my pen is guided by circumſtances, and I do not invent, but + communicate.—Adieu. Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_19" id="link_4_19"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Arras, September 1, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + Had I been accompanied by an antiquary this morning, his ſenſibility + would have been ſeverely exerciſed; for even I, whoſe reſpect + for antiquity is not ſcientific, could not help lamenting the modern + rage for devaſtation which has ſeized the French. They are + removing all "the time-honoured figureſ" of the cathedral, and + painting its maſſive ſupporters in the ſtyle of a + ball-room. The elaborate uncouthneſs of ancient ſculpture is + not, indeed, very beautiful; yet I have often fancied there was ſomething + more ſimply pathetic in the aukward effigy of an hero kneeling amidſt + his trophies, or a regal pair with their ſupplicating hands and + ſurrounding offſpring, than in the graceful figures and poetic + allegories of the modern artiſt. The humble intreaty to the reader to + "praye for the ſoule of the departed," is not very elegant—yet + it is better calculated to recall the wanderings of morality, than the + flattering epitaph, a Fame hovering in the air, or the ſuſpended + wreath of the remunerating angel.—But I moralize in vain—the + rage of theſe new Goths is inexorable: they ſeem ſolicitous + to deſtroy every veſtige of civilization, leſt the people + ſhould remember they have not always been barbarians. + </p> + <p> + After obtaining an order from the municipality, we went to ſee the + gardens and palace of the Biſhop, who has emigrated. The garden haſ + nothing very remarkable, but is large and well laid out, according to the + old ſtyle. It forms a very agreeable walk, and, when the Biſhop + poſſeſt it, was open for the enjoyment of the inhabitants, + but it is now ſhut up and in diſorder. The houſe is plain, + and ſubſtantially furniſhed, and exhibits no appearance of + unbecoming luxury. The whole is now the property of the nation, and will + ſoon be diſpoſed of.—I could not help feeling a + ſenſation of melancholy as we walked over the apartments. Every + thing is marked in an inventory, juſt as left; and an air of + arrangement and reſidence leads one to reflect, that the owner did + not imagine at his departure he was quitting it perhaps for ever. I am not + partial to the original emigrants, yet much may be ſaid for the Biſhop + of Arras. He was purſued by ingratitude, and marked for perſecution. + The Robeſpierres were young men whom he had taken from a mean ſtate, + had educated, and patronized. The revolution gave them an opportunity of + diſplaying their talents, and their talents procured them popularity. + They became enemies to the clergy, becauſe their patron was a Biſhop; + and endeavoured to render their benefactor odious, becauſe the world + could not forget, nor they forgive, how much they were indebted to him.—Vice + is not often paſſive; nor is there often a medium between + gratitude for benefits, and hatred to the author of them. A little mind is + hurt by the remembrance of obligation—begins by forgetting, and, not + uncommonly, ends by perſecuting. + </p> + <p> + We dined and paſſed the afternoon from home to-day. After dinner + our hoſteſs, as uſual, propoſed cards; and, as uſual + in French ſocieties, every one aſſented: we waited, + however, ſome time, and no cards came— till, at length, converſation-parties + were formed, and they were no longer thought of. I have ſince + learned, from one of the young women of the houſe, that the butler + and two footmen had all betaken themſelves to clubs and Guinguettes,* + and the cards, counters, &c. could not be obtained. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Small public houſes in the vicinity of large towns, where the + common people go on Sundays and feſtivals to dance and make merry. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + This is another evil ariſing from the circumſtances of the + times. All people of property have begun to bury their money and plate, + and as the ſervants are often unavoidably privy to it, they are + become idle and impertinent—they make a kind of commutation of + diligence for fidelity, and imagine that the obſervance of the one + exempts them from the neceſſity of the other. The clubs are a + conſtant receptacle for idleneſs; and ſervants who think + proper to frequent them do it with very little ceremony, knowing that few + whom they ſerve would be imprudent enough to diſcharge them for + their patriotiſm in attending a Jacobin ſociety. Even ſervants + who are not converts to the new principle cannot reſiſt the + temptation of abuſing a little the power which they acquire from a + knowledge of family affairs. Perhaps the effect of the revolution has not, + on the whole, been favourable to the morals of the lower claſſ + of people; but this ſhall be the ſubject of diſcuſſion + at ſome future period, when I ſhall have had farther + opportunities of judging. + </p> + <p> + We yeſterday viſited the Oratoire, a ſeminary for + education, which is now ſuppreſſed. The building is immenſe, + and admirably calculated for the purpoſe, but is already in a ſtate + of dilapidation; ſo that, I fear, by the time the legiſlature + has determined what ſyſtem of inſtruction ſhall be + ſubſtituted for that which has been aboliſhed, the children + (as the French are fond of examples from the ancients) will take their leſſons, + like the Greeks, in the open air; and, in the mean while, become expert in + lying and thieving, like the Spartans. + </p> + <p> + The Superior of the houſe is an immoderate revolutioniſt, ſpeaks + Engliſh very well, and is a great admirer of our party writers. In + his room I obſerved a vaſt quantity of Engliſh books, and + on his chimney ſtood what he called a patriotic clock, the dial of + which was placed between two pyramids, on which were inſcribed the + names of republican authors, and on the top of one was that of our + countryman, Mr. Thomas Paine—whom, by the way, I underſtand you + intended to exhibit in a much more conſpicuous and leſs tranquil + ſituation. I aſſure you, though you are ungrateful on your + ſide of the water, he is in high repute here—his works are tranſlated— + all the Jacobins who can read quote, and all who can't, admire him; and poſſibly, + at the very moment you are ſentencing him to an inſtallment in + the pillory, we may be awarding him a triumph.—Perhaps we are both + right. He deſerves the pillory, from you for having endeavoured to deſtroy + a good conſtitution—and the French may with equal reaſon + grant him a triumph, as their conſtitution is likely to be ſo + bad, that even Mr. Thomas Paine's writings may make it better! + </p> + <p> + Our houſe is ſituated within view of a very pleaſant public + walk, where I am daily amuſed with a ſight of the recruits at + their exerciſe. This iſ not quite ſo regular a buſineſs + as the drill in the Park. The exerciſe is often interrupted by diſputes + between the officer and his eleveſ—ſome are for turning to + the right, others to the left, and the matter is not unfrequently adjuſted + by each going the way that ſeemeth beſt unto himſelf. The + author of the <i>"Actes des Apotreſ"</i> [The Acts of the Apoſtles] + cites a Colonel who reprimanded one of his corps for walking ill—<i>"Eh + Dicentre,</i> (replied the man,) <i>comment veux tu que je marche bien + quand tu as fait mes ſouliers trop etroits."</i>* but this is no + longer a pleaſantry—ſuch circumſtances are very + common. A Colonel may often be tailor to his own regiment, and a Captain + operated on the heads of hiſ whole company, in his civil capacity, + before he commands them in hiſ military one. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *"And how the deuce can you expect me to march well, when you have made + my ſhoes too tight?" + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The walks I have juſt mentioned have been extremely beautiful, but a + great part of the trees have been cut down, and the ornamental partſ + deſtroyed, ſince the revolution—I know not why, as they + were open to the poor as well as the rich, and were a great embelliſhment + to the low town. You may think it ſtrange that I ſhould be + continually dating ſome deſtruction from the aera of the + revolution—that I ſpeak of every thing demoliſhed, and of + nothing replaced. But it is not my fault—"If freedom grows deſtructive, + I muſt paint it:" though I ſhould tell you, that in many ſtreets + where convents have been ſold, houſes are building with the + materials on the ſame ſite.—This is, however, not a work + of the nation, but of individuals, who have made their purchaſes + cheap, and are haſtening to change the form of their property, leſt + ſome new revolution ſhould deprive them of it.—Yours, + &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_20" id="link_4_20"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Arras, September. + </h2> + <p> + Nothing more powerfully excites the attention of a ſtranger on his + firſt arrival, than the number and wretchedneſs of the poor at + Arras. In all places poverty claims compulſion, but here compaſſion + is accompanied by horror—one dares not contemplate the object one + commiſerates, and charity relieves with an averted eye. Perhaps with + Him, who regardſ equally the forlorn beggar ſtretched on the + threſhold, conſumed by filth and diſeaſe, and the + blooming beauty who avoids while ſhe ſuccours him, the offering + of humanity ſcarcely expiates the involuntary diſguſt; yet + ſuch is the weakneſs of our nature, that there exiſts a + degree of miſery againſt which one's ſenſes are not + proof, and benevolence itſelf revoltſ at the appearance of the + poor of Arras.—Theſe are not the cold and faſtidious + reflections of an unfeeling mind—they are not made without pain: nor + have I often felt the want of riches and conſequence ſo much aſ + in my incapacity to promote ſome means of permanent and ſubſtantial + remedy for the evils I have been deſcribing. I have frequently + enquired the cauſe of this ſingular miſery, but can only + learn that it always haſ been ſo. I fear it is, that the poor + are without energy, and the rich without generoſity. The decay of + manufactures ſince the laſt century muſt have reduced many + families to indigence. Theſe have been able to ſubſiſt + on the refuſe of luxury, but, too ſupine for exertion, they have + ſought for nothing more; while the great, diſcharging their conſcienceſ + with the ſuperfluity of what adminiſtered to their pride, foſtered + the evil, inſtead of endeavouring to remedy it. But the benevolence + of the French is not often active, nor extenſive; it is more + frequently a religious duty than a ſentiment. They content themſelves + with affording a mere exiſtence to wretchedneſs; and are almoſt + ſtrangers to thoſe enlightened and generous efforts which act + beyond the moment, and ſeek not only to relieve poverty, but to baniſh + it. Thus, through the frigid and indolent charity of the rich, the miſery + which was at firſt accidental is perpetuated, beggary and idleneſs + become habitual, and are tranſmitted, like more fortunate + inheritances, from one generation to another.—This is not a mere + conjecture—I have liſtened to the hiſtorieſ of many + of theſe unhappy outcaſts, who were more than thirty years old, + and they have all told me, they were born in the ſtate in which I + beheld them, and that they did not remember to have heard that their + parentſ were in any other. The National Aſſembly profeſs + to effectuate an entire regeneration of the country, and to eradicate all + evils, moral, phyſical, and political. I heartily wiſh the + numerous and miſerable poor, with which Arras abounds, may become one + of the firſt objects of reform; and that a nation which boaſts + itſelf the moſt poliſhed, the moſt powerful, and the + moſt philoſophic in the world, may not offer to the view ſo + many objects ſhocking to humanity. + </p> + <p> + The citadel of Arras is very ſtrong, and, as I am told, the chef + d'oeuvre of Vauban; but placed with ſo little judgement, that the + military call it <i>la belle inutile</i> [the uſeleſs beauty]. + It is now uninhabited, and wears an appearance of deſolation—the + commandant and all the officers of the ancient government having been + forced to abandon it; their houſeſ alſo are much damaged, + and the gardens entirely deſtroyed.—I never heard that this + popular commotion had any other motive than the general war of the new + doctrines on the old. + </p> + <p> + I am ſorry to ſee that moſt of the volunteers who go to + join the army are either old men or boys, tempted by extraordinary pay and + ſcarcity of employ. A cobler who has been uſed to rear + canary-birds for Mad. de ____, brought us this morning all the birds he + was poſſeſſed of, and told us he was going to-morrow + to the frontiers. We aſked him why, at hiſ age, he ſhould + think of joining the army. He ſaid, he had already ſerved, and + that there were a few months unexpired of the time that would entitle him + to his penſion.—"Yes; but in the mean while you may get killed; + and then of what ſervice will your claim to a penſion be?"— + <i>"N'ayez pas peur, Madame—Je me menagerai bien—on ne ſe + bat pas pour ceſ gueux la comme pour ſon Roi."</i>* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "No fear of that, Madam—I'll take good care of myſelf: a + man doeſ not fight for ſuch beggarly raſcals as theſe + as he would for hiſ King." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + M. de ____ is juſt returned from the camp of Maulde, where he has + been to ſee his ſon. He ſays, there is great diſorder + and want of diſcipline, and that by ſome means or other the + common ſoldiers abound more in money, and game higher, than their + officers. There are two young women, inhabitants of the town of St. Amand, + who go conſtantly out on all ſkirmiſhing parties, exerciſe + daily with the men, and have killed ſeveral of the enemy. They are + both pretty—one only ſixteen, the other a year or two older. + Mr. de ____ ſaw them as they were juſt returning from a + reconnoitring party. Perhaps I ought to have been aſhamed after thiſ + recital to decline an invitation from Mr. de R___'s ſon to dine with + him at the camp; but I cannot but feel that I am an extreme coward, and + that I ſhould eat with no appetite in ſight of an Auſtrian + army. The very idea of theſe modern Camillas terrifies me—their + creation ſeems an error of nature.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Their name was Fernig; they were natives of St. Amand, and of no + remarkable origin. They followed Dumouriez into Flanders, where they + ſignalized themſelves greatly, and became Aides-de-Camp to + that General. At the time of his defection, one of them was ſhot by + a ſoldier, whoſe regiment ſhe was endeavouring to gain + over. Their houſe having been razed by the Auſtrians at the + beginning of the war, was rebuilt at the expence of the nation; but, + upon their participation in Dumouriez' treachery, a ſecond decree + of the Aſſembly again levelled it with the ground. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Our hoſt, whoſe politeneſs is indefatigable, accompanied us + a few dayſ ago to St. Eloy, a large and magnificent abbey, about + ſix miles from Arras. It is built on a terrace, which commands the + ſurrounding country as far as Douay; and I think I counted an hundred + and fifty ſteps from the houſe to the bottom of the garden, + which is on a level with the road. The cloiſters are paved with + marble, and the church neat and beautiful beyond deſcription. The + iron work of the choir imitates flowers and foliage with ſo much taſte + and delicacy, that (but for the colour) one would rather ſuppoſe + it to be ſoil, than any durable material.—The monkſ ſtill + remain, and although the decree has paſſed for their ſuppreſſion, + they cannot ſuppoſe it will take place. They are moſtly old + men, and, though I am no friend to theſe inſtitutions, they were + ſo polite and hoſpitable that I could not help wiſhing they + were permitted, according to the deſign of the firſt Aſſembly, + to die in their habitationſ— eſpecially as the ſituation + of St. Eloy renders the building uſeleſs for any other purpoſe.—A + friend of Mr. de ____ has a charming country-houſe near the abbey, + which he has been obliged to deny himſelf the enjoyment of, during + the greateſt part of the ſummer; for whenever the family return + to Arras, their perſons and their carriage are ſearched at the + gate, as ſtrictly as though they were ſmugglers juſt + arrived from the coaſt, under the pretence that they may aſſiſt + the religious of St. Eloy in ſecuring ſome of their property, + previous to the final ſeizure. + </p> + <p> + I obſerve, in walking the ſtreets here, that the common people + ſtill retain much of the Spaniſh caſt of features: the + women are remarkably plain, and appear ſtill more ſo by wearing + faals. The faal is about two ells of black ſilk or ſtuff, which + is hung, without taſte or form, on the head, and is extremely + unbecoming: but it is worn only by the lower claſs, or by the aged + and devotees. + </p> + <p> + I am a very voluminous correſpondent, but if I tire you, it is a + proper puniſhment for your inſincerity in deſiring me to + continue ſo. I have heard of a governor of one of our Weſt India + iſlands who was univerſally deteſted by its inhabitants, + but who, on going to England, found no difficulty in procuring addreſſes + expreſſive of approbation and eſteem. The conſequence + was, he came back and continued governor for life.—Do you make the + application of my anecdote, and I ſhall perſevere in ſcribbling.—Every + Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_21" id="link_4_21"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Arras. + </h2> + <p> + It is not faſhionable at preſent to frequent any public place; + but as we are ſtrangers, and of no party, we often paſs our + evenings at the theatre. I am fond of it—not ſo much on account + of the repreſentation, as of the opportunity which it affords for obſerving + the diſpoſitions of the people, and the bias intended to be + given them. The ſtage is now become a kind of political ſchool, + where the people are taught hatred to Kings, Nobility, and Clergy, + according as the perſecution of the moment requires; and, I think, + one may often judge from new pieces the meditated ſacrifice. A year + ago, all the ſad catalogue of human errors were perſonified in + Counts and Marquiſſes; they were not repreſented aſ + individuals whom wealth and power had made ſomething too proud, and + much too luxurious, but as an order of monſters, whoſe exiſtence, + independently of their characters, was a crime, and whoſe hereditary + poſſeſſions alone implied a guilt, not to be expiated + but by the forfeiture of them. This, you will ſay, was not very + judicious; and that by eſtabliſhing a ſort of + incompatibility of virtue with titular diſtinctions, the odium was + tranſferred from the living to the dead—from thoſe who poſſeſſed + theſe diſtinctions to thoſe who inſtituted them. But, + unfortunately, the French were diſpoſed to find their nobleſſe + culpable, and to reject every thing which tended to excuſe or favour + them. The hauteur of the nobleſſe acted as a fatal equivalent to + every other crime; and many, who did not credit other imputations, + rejoiced in the humiliation of their pride. The people, the rich + merchants, and even the leſſer gentry, all eagerly concurred in + the deſtruction of an order that had diſdained or excluded them; + and, perhaps, of all the innovationſ which have taken place, the + abolition of rank has excited the leaſt intereſt. + </p> + <p> + It is now leſs neceſſary to blacken the nobleſſe, + and the compoſitions of the day are directed againſt the Throne, + the Clergy, and Monaſtic Orders. All the tyrants of paſt ages + are brought from the ſhelves of faction and pedantry, and aſſimilated + to the mild and circumſcribed monarchs of modern Europe. The doctrine + of popular ſovereignty is artfully inſtilled, and the people are + ſtimulated to exert a power which they muſt implicitly delegate + to thoſe who have duped and miſled them. The frenzy of a mob is + repreſented as the ſublimeſt effort of patriotiſm; and + ambition and revenge, uſurping the title of national juſtice, + immolate their victims with applauſe. The tendency of ſuch + pieces is too obvious; and they may, perhaps, ſucceed in + familiarizing the minds of the people to events which, a few months ago, + would have filled them with horror. There are alſo numerous + theatrical exhibitions, preparatory to the removal of the nuns from their + convents, and to the baniſhment of the prieſts. Ancient + prejudices are not yet obliterated, and I believe ſome pains have + been taken to juſtify theſe perſecutions by calumny. The hiſtory + of our diſſolution of the monaſteries has been ranſacked + for ſcandal, and the bigotry and biaſes of all countries are + reduced into abſtracts, and expoſed on the ſtage. The moſt + implacable revenge, the moſt refined malice, the extremes of avarice + and cruelty, are wrought into tragedies, and diſplayed as acting + under the maſk of religion and the impunity of a cloiſter; while + operas and farces, with ridicule ſtill more ſucceſſful, + exhibit convents as the abode of licentiouſneſs, intrigue, and + ſuperſtition. + </p> + <p> + Theſe efforts have been ſufficiently ſucceſſful—not + from the merit of the pieces, but from the novelty of the ſubject. + The people in general were ſtrangers to the interior of convents: + they beheld them with that kind of reſpect which is uſually + produced in uninformed minds by myſtery and prohibition. Even the + monaſtic habit was ſacred from dramatic uſes; ſo that + a repreſentation of cloiſters, monks, and nuns, their coſtumeſ + and manners, never fails to attract the multitude.—But the ſame + cauſe which renders them curious, makes them credulous. Thoſe + who have ſeen no farther than the Grille, and thoſe who have + been educated in convents, are equally unqualified to judge of the lives + of the religious; and their minds, having no internal conviction or + knowledge of the truth, eaſily become the converts of ſlander + and falſehood. + </p> + <p> + I cannot help thinking, that there is ſomething mean and cruel in thiſ + procedure. If policy demand the ſacrifice, it does not require that + the victims ſhould be rendered odious; and if it be neceſſary + to diſpoſſeſſ them of their habitations, they + ought not, at the moment they are thrown upon the world, to be painted as + monſters unworthy of its pity or protection. It is the cowardice of + the aſſaſſin, who murders before he dares to rob. + </p> + <p> + This cuſtom of making public amuſements ſubſervient to + party, has, I doubt not, much contributed to the deſtruction of all + againſt whom it haſ been employed; and theatrical calumny ſeems + to be always the harbinger of approaching ruin to its object; yet this is + not the greateſt evil which may ariſe from theſe inſidious + politicſ—they are equally unfavourable both to the morals and + taſte of the people; the firſt are injured beyond calculation, + and the latter corrupted beyond amendment. The orders of ſociety, + which formerly inſpired reſpect or veneration, are now debaſed + and exploded; and mankind, once taught to ſee nothing but vice and + hypocriſy in thoſe whom they had been accuſtomed to regard + as models of virtue, are eaſily led to doubt the very exiſtence + of virtue itſelf: they know not where to turn for either inſtruction + or example; no proſpect iſ offered to them but the dreary and + uncomfortable view of general depravity; and the individual is no longer + encouraged to ſtruggle with vicious propenſities, when he + concludes them irreſiſtibly inherent in hiſ nature. Perhaps + it was not poſſible to imagine principles at once ſo ſeductive + and ruinous as thoſe now diſſeminated. How are the morals + of the people to reſiſt a doctrine which teaches them that the + rich only can be criminal, and that poverty is a ſubſtitute for + virtue—that wealth iſ holden by the ſufferance of thoſe + who do not poſſeſs it—and that he who is the + frequenter of a club, or the applauder of a party, is exempt from the + duties of his ſtation, and has a right to inſult and oppreſs + hiſ fellow citizens? All the weakneſſes of humanity are + flattered and called to the aid of this pernicious ſyſtem of + revolutionary ethics; and if France yet continue in a ſtate of + civilization, it is becauſe Providence has not yet abandoned her to + the influence of ſuch a ſyſtem. + </p> + <p> + Taſte is, I repeat it, as little a gainer by the revolution as + morals. The pieces which were beſt calculated to form and refine the + minds of the people, all abound with maxims of loyalty, with reſpect + for religion, and the ſubordinations of civil ſociety. Theſe + are all prohibited; and are replaced by fuſtian declamations, tending + to promote anarchy and diſcord —by vulgar and immoral farces, + and inſidious and flattering panegyricſ on the vices of low + life. No drama can ſucceed that is not ſupported by the faction; + and this ſupport is to be procured only by vilifying the Throne, the + Clergy, and Nobleſſe. This is a ſuccedaneum for literary + merit, and thoſe who diſapprove are menaced into ſilence; + while the multitude, who do not judge but imitate, applaud with their + leaderſ—and thus all their ideas become vitiated, and imbibe + the corruption of their favourite amuſement. + </p> + <p> + I have dwelt on this ſubject longer than I intended; but as I would + not be ſuppoſed prejudiced nor precipitate in my aſſertions, + I will, by the firſt occaſion, ſend you ſome of the moſt + popular farces and tragedies: you may then decide yourſelf upon the + tendency; and, by comparing the diſpoſitions of the French + before, and within, the laſt two years, you may alſo determine + whether or not my concluſions are warranted by fact. Adieu.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_22" id="link_4_22"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Arras. + </h2> + <p> + Our countrymen who viſit France for the firſt time—their + imaginationſ filled with the epithets which the vanity of one nation + has appropriated, and the indulgence of the other ſanctioned—are + aſtoniſhed to find thiſ "land of elegance," this refined + people, extremely inferior to the Engliſh in all the arts that miniſter + to the comfort and accommodation of life. They are ſurprized to feel + themſelves ſtarved by the intruſion of all the winds of + heaven, or ſmothered by volumes of ſmoke—that no lock will + either open or ſhut—that the drawers are all immoveable—and + that neither chairs nor tables can be preſerved in equilibrium. In + vain do they inquire for a thouſand conveniences which to them ſeem + indiſpenſible; they are not to be procured, or even their uſe + is unknown: till at length, after a reſidence in a ſcore of houſes, + in all of which they obſerve the ſame deficiencies, they begin + to grow ſceptical, to doubt the pretended ſuperiority of France, + and, perhaps for the firſt time, do juſtice to their own unaſſuming + country. It muſt however, be confeſſed, that if the + chimnies ſmoke, they are uſually ſurrounded by marble—that + the unſtable chair is often covered with ſilk—and that if + a room be cold, it is plentifully decked with gilding, pictures, and glaſſes.—In + ſhort, a French houſe is generally more ſhowy than + convenient, and ſeldom conveys that idea of domeſtic comfort + which conſtitutes the luxury of an Engliſhman. + </p> + <p> + I obſerve, that the moſt prevailing ornaments here are family + portraits: almoſt every dwelling, even among the lower kind of tradeſmen, + is peopled with theſe enſigns of vanity; and the painters + employed on theſe occaſions, however deficient in other requiſites + of their art, ſeem to have an unfortunate knack at preſerving + likeneſſes. Heads powdered even whiter than the originals, laced + waiſtcoats, enormous lappets, and countenances all ingeniouſly + diſpoſed ſo as to ſmile at each other, encumber the + wainſcot, and diſtreſs the unlucky viſitor, who is + obliged to bear teſtimony to the reſemblance. When one ſees + whole rooms filled with theſe figures, one cannot help reflecting on + the goodneſs of Providence, which thus diſtributes ſelf-love, + in proportion as it denieſ thoſe gifts that excite the + admiration of others. + </p> + <p> + You muſt not underſtand what I have ſaid on the furniture + of French houſes as applying to thoſe of the nobility or people + of extraordinary fortunes, becauſe they are enabled to add the + conveniences of other countries to the luxuries of their own. Yet even theſe, + in my opinion, have not the uniform elegance of an Engliſh + habitation: there is alwayſ ſome diſparity between the + workmanſhip and the materialſ—ſome mixture of ſplendour + and clumſineſs, and a want of what the painters call keeping; + but the houſes of the gentry, the leſſer nobleſſe, + and merchants, are, for the moſt part, as I have deſcribed—-abounding + in ſilk, marble, glaſſes, and pictures; but ill finiſhed, + dirty, and deficient in articleſ of real uſe.—I ſhould, + however, notice, that genteel people are cleaner here than in the interior + parts of the kingdom. The floors are in general of oak, or ſometimes + of brick; but they are always rubbed bright, and have not that filthy + appearance which ſo often diſguſts one in French houſes. + </p> + <p> + The heads of the lower claſſes of people are much diſturbed + by theſe new principles of univerſal equality. We enquired of a + man we ſaw near a coach this morning if it was hired. "Monſieur—(quoth + he—then checking himſelf ſuddenly,)—no, I forgot, I + ought not to ſay Monſieur, for they tell me I am equal to any + body in the world: yet, after all, I know not well if this may be true; + and as I have drunk out all I am worth, I believe I had better go home and + begin work again to-morrow." This new diſciple of equality had, + indeed, all the appearance of having ſacrificed to the ſucceſs + of the cauſe, and was then recovering from a dream of greatneſs + which he told us had laſted two days. + </p> + <p> + Since the day of taking the new oath we have met many equally elevated, + though leſs civil. Some are undoubtedly paid, but others will diſtreſſ + their families for weeks by this celebration of their new diſcoveries, + and muſt, after all, like our intoxicated philoſopher, be + obliged to return "to work again to-morrow." + </p> + <p> + I muſt now bid you adieu—and, in doing ſo, naturally turn + my thoughts to that country where the rights of the people conſiſt + not of ſterile and metaphyſic declarations, but of real defence + and protection. May they for ever remain uninterrupted by the devaſtating + chimeras of their neighbours; and if they ſeek reform, may it be + moderate and permanent, acceded to reaſon, and not extorted by + violence!—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_23" id="link_4_23"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + September 2, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + We were ſo much alarmed at the theatre on Thurſday, that I + believe we ſhall not venture again to amuſe ourſelves at + the riſk of a ſimilar occurrence. About the middle of the piece, + a violent outcry began from all parts of the houſe, and ſeemed + to be directed againſt our box; and I perceived Madame Duchene, the + Preſidente of the Jacobins, heading the legions of Paradiſe with + peculiar animation. You may imagine we were not a little terrified. I + anxiouſly examined the dreſs of myſelf and my companions, + and obſerving nothing that could offend the affected ſimplicity + of the times, prepared to quit the houſe. A friendly voice, however, + exerting itſelf above the clamour, informed us that the offenſive + objects were a cloak and a ſhawl which hung over the front of the + box.—You will ſcarcely ſuppoſe ſuch groſſneſs + poſſible among a civilized people; but the fact is, our friends + are of the proſcribed claſs, and we were inſulted becauſe + in their ſociety.—I have before noticed, that the guards which + were ſtationed in the theatre before the revolution are now removed, + and a municipal officer, made conſpicuous by his ſcarf, is + placed in the middle front box, and, in caſe of any tumult, is + empowered to call in the military to his aſſiſtance. + </p> + <p> + We have this morning been viſiting two objects, which exhibit thiſ + country in very different points of view—as the ſeat of wealth, + and the abode of poverty. The firſt is the abbey of St. Vaaſt, a + moſt ſuperb pile, now inhabited by monks of various orders, but + who are preparing to quit it, in obedience to the late decrees. Nothing + impreſſes one with a ſtronger idea of the influence of the + Clergy, than theſe ſplendid edifices. We ſee them reared + amidſt the ſolitude of deſerts, and in the gaiety and miſery + of cities; and while they cheer the one and embelliſh the other, they + exhibit, in both, monuments of indefatigable labour and immenſe + wealth.—The facade of St. Vaaſt is ſimple and ſtriking, + and the cloiſters and every other part of the building are extremely + handſome. The library is ſuppoſed to be the fineſt in + France, except the King's, but is now under the ſeal of the nation. A + young monk, who was our Cicerone, told us he was ſorry it was not in + his power to ſhow it. <i>"Et nous, Monſieur, nous ſommes + faches auſſi."</i>—["And we are not leſs ſorry + than yourſelf, Sir."] + </p> + <p> + Thus, with the aid of ſignificant looks, and geſtures of diſapprobation, + an exchange of ſentiments took place, without a ſingle expreſſion + of treaſonable import: both parties underſtood perfectly well, + that in regretting that the library was inacceſſible, each + included all the circumſtances which attended it.—A new church + was building in a ſtyle worthy of the convent—I think, near + four hundred feet long; but it waſ diſcontinued at the ſuppreſſion + of the religious orders, and will now, of courſe, never be finiſhed. + </p> + <p> + From this abode of learned caſe and pious indolence Mr. de ____ + conducted us to the Mont de Piete, a national inſtitution for lending + money to the poor on pledges, (at a moderate intereſt,) which, if not + redeemed within a year, are ſold by auction, and the overplus, if + there remain any, after deducting the intereſt, is given to the owner + of the pledge. Thouſandſ of ſmall packets are depoſited + here, which, to the eye of affluence, might ſeem the very refuſe + of beggary itſelf.—I could not reflect without an heart-ache, + on the diſtreſs of the individual, thus driven to relinquiſh + his laſt covering, braving cold to ſatiſfy hunger, and + accumulating wretchedneſs by momentary relief. I ſaw, in a lower + room, groupes of unfortunate beings, depriving themſelves of + different parts of their apparel, and watching with ſolicitude the + arbitrary valuations; others exchanging ſome article of neceſſity + for one of a ſtill greater— ſome in a ſtate of + intoxication, uttering execrations of deſpair; and all exhibiting a + picture of human nature depraved and miſerable.—While I waſ + viewing this ſcene, I recalled the magnificent building we had juſt + left, and my firſt emotions were thoſe of regret and cenſure. + When we only feel, and have not leiſure to reflect, we are indignant + that vaſt ſumſ ſhould be expended on ſumptuous + edifices, and that the poor ſhould live in vice and want; yet the + erection of St. Vaaſt muſt have maintained great numbers of induſtrious + hands; and perhaps the revenues of the abbey may not, under its new poſſeſſors, + be ſo well employed. When the offerings and the tributes to religion + are the ſupport of the induſtriouſ poor, it is their beſt + appropriation; and he who gives labour for a day, is a more uſeful + benefactor than he who maintains in idleneſs for two. —I could + not help wiſhing that the poor might no longer be tempted by the + facility of a reſource, which perhaps, in moſt inſtances, + only increaſes their diſtreſs.—It is an injudicious + expedient to palliate an evil, which great national works, and the + encouragement of induſtry and manufactures, might eradicate.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * In times of public commotion people frequently ſend their + valuable effects to the Mont de Piete, not only as being ſecure by + itſ ſtrength, but as it is reſpected by the people, who + are intereſted in its preſervation. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —With theſe reflections I concluded mental peace with the monks + of St. Vaaſt, and would, had it depended upon me, have readily + comprized the finiſhing their great church in the treaty. + </p> + <p> + The Primary Aſſemblies have already taken place in this + department. We happened to enter a church while the young Robeſpierre + was haranguing to an audience, very little reſpectable either in + numbers or appearance. They were, however, ſufficiently unanimous, + and made up in noiſy applauſe what they wanted in other reſpects. + If the electors and elected of other departments be of the ſame + complexion with thoſe of Arras, the new Aſſembly will not, + in any reſpect, be preferable to the old one. I have reproached many + of the people of this place, who, from their education and property, have + a right to take an intereſt in the public affairs, with thus ſuffering + themſelves to be repreſented by the moſt deſperate and + worthleſs individuals of the town. Their defence is, that they are inſulted + and overpowered if they attend the popular meetings, and by electing <i>"les + gueux et les ſcelerats pour deputes,"</i>* they ſend them to + Paris, and ſecure their own local tranquillity. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The ſcrubs and ſcoundrels for deputies. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The firſt of theſe aſſertions is but too true, + yet I cannot but think the ſecond a very dangerous experiment. They + remove theſe turbulent and needy adventurers from the direction of a + club to that of government, and procure a partial relief by contributing + to the general ruin. + </p> + <p> + Paris is ſaid to be in extreme fermentation, and we are in ſome + anxiety for our friend M. P____, who was to go there from Montmorency laſt + week. I ſhall not cloſe my letter till I have heard from him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_24" id="link_4_24"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + September 4. + </h2> + <p> + I reſume my pen after a ſleepleſs night, and with an oppreſſion + of mind not to be deſcribed. Paris is the ſcene of proſcription + and maſſacres. The priſoners, the clergy, the nobleſſe, + all that are ſuppoſed inimical to public faction, or the objects + of private revenge, are ſacrificed without mercy. We are here in the + utmoſt terror and conſternation—we know not the end nor + the extent of theſe horrors, and every one iſ anxious for himſelf + or his friends. Our ſociety conſiſts moſtly of + females, and we do not venture out, but hover together like the fowls of + heaven, when warned by a vague yet inſtinctive dread of the + approaching ſtorm. We tremble at the ſound of voices in the + ſtreet, and cry, with the agitation of Macbeth, "there's knocking at + the gate." I do not indeed envy, but I moſt ſincerely regret, + the peace and ſafety of England.—I have no courage to add more, + but will encloſe a haſty tranſlation of the letter we + received from M. P____, by laſt night'ſ poſt. Humanity + cannot comment upon it without ſhuddering.—Ever Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + "Rue St. Honore, Sept. 2, 1792. + </p> + <p> + "In a moment like this, I ſhould be eaſily excuſed a breach + of promiſe in not writing; yet when I recollect the apprehenſion + which the kindneſs of my amiable friends will feel on my account, I + determine, even amidſt the danger and deſolation that ſurround + me, to relieve them.—Would to Heaven I had nothing more alarming to + communicate than my own ſituation! I may indeed ſuffer by + accident; but thouſands of wretched victims are at thiſ moment + marked for ſacrifice, and are maſſacred with an execrable + imitation of rule and order: a ferocious and cruel multitude, headed by + choſen aſſaſſins, are attacking the priſons, + forcing the houſes of the nobleſſe and prieſts, and, + after a horrid mockery of judicial condemnation, execute them on the + ſpot. The tocſin is rung, alarm gunſ are fired, the ſtreets + reſound with fearful ſhrieks, and an undefinable ſenſation + of terror ſeizes on one's heart. I feel that I have committed an + imprudence in venturing to Paris; but the barriers are now ſhut, and + I muſt abide the event. I know not to what theſe proſcriptions + tend, or if all who are not their advocates are to be their victims; but + an ungovernable rage animates the people: many of them have papers in + their hands that ſeem to direct them to their objects, to whom they + hurry in crouds with an eager and ſavage fury.—I have juſt + been obliged to quit my pen. A cart had ſtopped near my lodgings, and + my ears were aſſailed by the groans of anguiſh, and the + ſhouts of frantic exultation. Uncertain whether to deſcend or + remain, I, after a moment's deliberation, concluded it would be better to + have ſhown myſelf than to have appeared to avoid it, in caſe + the people ſhould enter the houſe, and therefore went down with + the beſt ſhow of courage I could aſſume.—I will + draw a veil over the ſcene that preſented itſelf—nature + revolts, and my fair friends would ſhudder at the detail. Suffice it + to ſay, that I ſaw cars, loaded with the dead and dying, and + driven by their yet enſanguined murderers; one of whom, in a tone of + exultation, cried, 'Here is a glorious day for France!' I endeavoured to aſſent, + though with a faultering voice, and, as ſoon as they were paſſed + eſcaped to my room. You may imagine I ſhall not eaſily + recover the ſhock I received.—At thiſ moment they ſay, + the enemy are retreating from Verdun. At any other time this would have + been deſirable, but at preſent one knows not what to wiſh + for. Moſt probably, the report is only ſpread with the humane + hope of appeaſing the mob. They have already twice attacked the + Temple; and I tremble leſt this aſylum of fallen majeſty + ſhould ere morning, be violated. + </p> + <p> + "Adieu—I know not if the courier will be permitted to depart; but, + as I believe the ſtreets are not more unſafe than the houſes, + I ſhall make an attempt to ſend this. I will write again in a + few days. If to-morrow ſhould prove calm, I ſhall be engaged in + enquiring after the fate of my friends.—I beg my reſpects to + Mons. And Mad. de ____; and entreat you all to be as tranquil as ſuch + circumſtances will permit.—You may be certain of hearing any + news that can give you pleaſure immediately. I have the honour to + be," &c. &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_25" id="link_4_25"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Arras, September, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + You will in future, I believe, find me but a dull correſpondent. The + natural timidity of my diſpoſition, added to the dread which a + native of England has of any violation of domeſtic ſecurity, + renders me unfit for the ſcenes I am engaged in. I am become ſtupid + and melancholy, and my letters will partake of the oppreſſion of + my mind. + </p> + <p> + At Paris, the maſſacres at the priſons are now over, but + thoſe in the ſtreets and in private houſes ſtill + continue. Scarcely a poſt arriveſ that does not inform M. de + ____ of ſome friend or acquaintance being ſacrificed. Heaven + knows where this is to end! + </p> + <p> + We had, for two days, notice that, purſuant to a decree of the Aſſembly, + commiſſioners were expected here at night, and that the tocſin + would be rung for every body to deliver up their arms. We did not dare go + to bed on either of theſe nights, but merely lay down in our robes de + chambre, without attempting to ſleep. This dreaded buſineſs + is, however, paſt. Parties of the Jacobins paraded the ſtreets + yeſterday morning, and diſarmed all they thought proper. I obſerved + they had liſts in their hands, and only went to ſuch houſes + as have an external appearance of property. Mr. de ____, who has been in + the ſervice thirty years, delivered his arms to a boy, who behaved to + him with the utmoſt inſolence, whilſt we ſat trembling + and almoſt ſenſeleſs with fear the whole time they + remained in the houſe; and could I give you an idea of their + appearance, you would think my terror very juſtifiable. It is, + indeed, ſtrange and alarming, that all who have property ſhould + be deprived of the means of defending either that or their lives, at a + moment when Paris is giving an example of tumult and aſſaſſination + to every other part of the kingdom. Knowing no good reaſon for ſuch + procedure, it is very natural to ſuſpect a bad one.—I + think, on many accounts, we are more expoſed here than at ____, and + as ſoon as we can procure horſes we ſhall depart.—The + following is the tranſlation of our laſt letter from Mr. P____. + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + "I promiſed my kind friends to write as ſoon as I ſhould + have any thing ſatiſfactory to communicate: but, alaſ! I + have no hope of being the harbinger of any thing but circumſtances of + a very different tendency. I can only give you details of the horrors I + have already generally deſcribed. Carnage has not yet ceaſed; + and is only become more cool and more diſcriminating. All the mild + characteriſtics annihilated; and a frantic cruelty, which is + dignified with the name of patriotiſm, haſ uſurped ever + faculty, and baniſhed both reaſon and mercy. + </p> + <p> + "Mons. ____, whom I have hitherto known by reputation, as an upright, and + even humane man, had a brother ſhut up, with a number of other prieſts, + at the Carmes; and, by his ſituation and connections, he has ſuch + influence as might, if exerted, have preſerved the latter. The + unfortunate brother knowing this, found means, while hourly expecting hiſ + fate, to convey a note to Mr. ____, begging he would immediately releaſe, + and procure him an aſylum. The meſſenger returned with an + anſwer, that Mons. ____ had no relations in the enemies of his + country! + </p> + <p> + "A few hours after, the maſſacres at the Carmes took place.—One + Panis,* who is in the Comite de Surveillance, had, a few days previous to + theſe dreadful events, become, I know not on what occaſion, the + depoſitary of a large ſum of money belonging to a gentleman of + his ſection. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Panis has ſince figured on various occaſions. He is a member + of the Convention, and was openly accuſed of having been an + accomplice in the robbery of the Garde Meuble. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + "A ſecret and frivolous denunciation was made the pretext for + throwing the owner of the money into priſon, where he remained till + September, when his friends, recollecting his danger, flew to the + Committee and applied for his diſcharge. Unfortunately, the only + member of the Committee preſent was Panis. He promiſed to take + meaſures for an immediate releaſe.—Perhaps he kept his + word, but the releaſe was cruel and final—the priſon was + attacked, and the victim heard of no more.—You will not be ſurprized + at ſuch occurrences when I tell you that G____,* whom you muſt + remember to have heard of as a Jacobin at ____, iſ Preſident of + the Committee above mentioned—yes, an aſſaſſin + is now the protector of the public ſafety, and the commune of Paris + the patron of a criminal who has merited the gibbet. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * G____ was afterwards elected (doubtleſs by a recommendation of + the Jacobins) Deputy for the department of Finiſterre, to which he + waſ ſent Commiſſioner by the Convention. On account + of ſome unwarrantable proceedings, and of ſome words that eſcaped + him, which gave riſe to a ſuſpicion that he was privy to + the robbery of the Garde Meuble, he was arreſted by the + municipality of Quimper Corentin, of which place he is a native. The + Jacobins applied for his diſcharge, and for the puniſhment of + the municipality; but the Convention, who at that time rarely took any + deciſive meaſures, ordered G____ to be liberated, but evaded + the other part of the petition which tended to revenge him. The affair + of the Garde Meuble, was, however, again brought forward; but, moſt + probably, many of the members had reaſons for not diſcuſſing + too nearly the accuſation againſt G____; and thoſe who + were not intereſted in ſuppreſſing it, were too weak + or too timid to purſue it farther. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + "—I know not if we are yet arrived at the climax of woe and + iniquity, but Briſſot, Condorcet, Rolland, &c. and all thoſe + whoſe principles you have reprobated as violent and dangerous, will + now form the moderate ſide of the Aſſembly. Perhaps even + thoſe who are now the party moſt dreaded, may one day give place + to yet more deſperate leaders, and become in their turn our beſt + alternative. What will then be the ſituation of France? Who can + reflect without trembling at the proſpect?—It is not yet ſafe + to walk the ſtreets decently dreſſed; and I have been + obliged to ſupply myſelf with trowſers, a jacket, coloured + neckcloths, and coarſe linen, which I take care to ſoil before I + venture out. + </p> + <p> + "The Agrarian law is now the moral of Paris, and I had nearly loſt my + life yeſterday by tearing a placard written in ſupport of it. I + did it imprudently, not ſuppoſing I was obſerved; and had + not ſome people, known as Jacobins, come up and interfered in my + behalf, the conſequence might have been fatal.—It would be + difficult, and even impoſſible, to attempt a deſcription of + the manners of the people of Paris at this moment: the licentiouſneſs + common to great cities is decency compared with what prevails in this; it + has features of a peculiar and ſtriking deſcription, and the + general expreſſion is that of a monſtrous union of oppoſite + vices. Alternately diſſolute and cruel, gay and vindictive, the + Pariſian vaunts amidſt debauchery the triumph of aſſaſſination, + and enlivens hiſ midnight orgies by recounting the ſufferings of + the maſſacred ariſtocrates: women, whoſe profeſſion + it is to pleaſe, aſſume the <i>bonnet rouge</i> [red cap], + and affect, as a means of ſeduction, an intrepid and ferocious + courage.—I cannot yet learn if Mons. S____'s ſiſter be + alive; her ſituation about the Queen makes it too doubtful; but + endeavour to give him hope—many may have eſcaped whoſe + fears ſtill detain them in concealment. People of the firſt rank + now inhabit garrets and cellars, and thoſe who appear are diſguiſed + beyond recollection; ſo that I do not deſpair of the ſafety + of ſome, who are now thought to have periſhed.— I am, as + you may ſuppoſe, in haſte to leave this place, and I hope + to return to Montmorency tomorrow; but every body is ſoliciting paſſports. + The Hotel de Ville is beſieged, and I have already attended two dayſ + without ſucceſs.—I beg my reſpectful homage to Monſieur + and Madame de ____; and I have the honour to be, with eſteem, the + affectionate ſervant of my friends in general. + </p> + <p> + "L____." + </p> + <p> + You will read M. L____'s letter with all the grief and indignation we have + already felt, and I will make no comment on it, but to give you a ſlight + ſketch of the hiſtory of Guermeur, whom he mentions as being Preſident + of the Committee of Surveillance.—In the abſence of a man, whom + he called his friend, he ſeduced his wife, and eloped with her: the + huſband overtook them, and fell in the diſpute which inſued; + when Guermeur, to avoid being taken by the officers of juſtice, + abandoned hiſ companion to her fate, and eſcaped alone. After a + variety of adventures, he at length enliſted himſelf as a + grenadier in the regiment of Dillon. With much aſſurance, and + talents cultivated above the ſituation in which he appeared, he + became popular amongſt his fellow-ſoldiers, and the military + impunity, which is one effect of the revolution, caſt a veil over his + former guilt, or rather indeed enabled him to defy the puniſhment + annexed to it. When the regiment was quartered at ____, he frequented and + harangued at the Jacobin club, perverted the minds of the ſoldiers by + ſeditious addreſſes, till at length he was deemed qualified + to quit the character of a ſubordinate incendiary, and figure amongſt + the aſſaſſins at Paris. He had hitherto, I believe, + acted without pay, for he was deeply in debt, and without money or + clothes; but a few dayſ previous to the tenth of Auguſt, a + leader of the Jacobins ſupplied him with both, paid his debts, + procured his diſcharge, and ſent him to Paris. What intermediate + gradations he may have paſſed through, I know not; but it is not + difficult to imagine the ſervices that have advanced him to hiſ + preſent ſituation.—It would be unſafe to riſk + this letter by the poſt, and I cloſe it haſtily to avail myſelf + of a preſent conveyance.—I remain, Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_26" id="link_4_26"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Arras, September 14, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + The camp of Maulde is broken up, and we deferred our journey, that we + might paſs a day at Douay with M. de ____'s ſon. The road within + ſome miles of that place is covered with corn and forage, the + immediate environs are begun to be inundated, and every thing wears the + appearance of impending hoſtility. The town is ſo full of + troops, that without the intereſt of our military friends we ſhould + ſcarcely have procured a lodging. All was buſtle and confuſion, + the enemy are very near, and the French are preparing to form a camp under + the walls. Amidſt all this, we found it difficult to ſatiſfy + our curioſity in viewing the churches and pictures: ſome of the + former are ſhut, and the latter concealed; we therefore contented ourſelves + with ſeeing the principal ones. + </p> + <p> + The town-houſe is a very handſome building, where the Parliament + waſ holden previous to the revolution, and where all the buſineſs + of the department of the North is now tranſacted.—In the + council-chamber, which is very elegantly carved, was alſo a picture + of the preſent King. They were, at the very moment of our entrance, + in the act of diſplacing it. We aſked the reaſon, and were + told it was to be cut in pieces, and portions ſent to the different + popular ſocieties.—I know not if our features betrayed the + indignation we feared to expreſs, but the man who ſeemed to have + directed this diſpoſal of the portrait, told us we were not + Engliſh if we ſaw it with regret. I was not much delighted with + ſuch a compliment to our country, and was glad to eſcape without + farther comment. + </p> + <p> + The manners of the people ſeem every where much changed, and are + becoming groſs and inhuman. While we were walking on the ramparts, I + happened to have occaſion to take down an addreſs, and with the + paper and pencil in my hand turned out of the direct path to obſerve + a chapel on one ſide of it. In a moment I was alarmed by the cries of + my companions, and beheld the muſquet of the centinel pointed at me, + and M. de ____ expoſtulating with him. I am not certain if he ſuppoſed + I was taking a plan of the fortifications, and meant really more than a + threat; but I waſ ſufficiently frightened, and ſhall not + again approach a town wall with pencils and paper. + </p> + <p> + M. de ____ is one of the only ſix officers of his regiment who have + not emigrated. With an indignation heated by the works of modern philoſophers + into an enthuſiaſtic love of republican governments, and + irritated by the contempt and oppoſition he has met with from thoſe + of this own claſs who entertain different principles, he is now + become almoſt a fanatic. What at firſt was only a political + opinion is now a religious tenet; and the moderate ſectary has + acquired the obſtinacy of a martyr, and, perhaps, the ſpirit of + perſecution. At the beginning of the revolution, the neceſſity + of deciding, a youthful ardour for liberty, and the deſire of preſerving + his fortune, probably determined him to become a patriot; and pride and reſentment + have given ſtability to notions which might otherwiſe have + fluctuated with circumſtances, or yielded to time. This is but too + general the caſe: the friends of rational reform, and the ſupporters + of the ancient monarchy, have too deeply offended each other for pardon or + confidence; and the country perhaps will be ſacrificed by the mutual + deſertions of thoſe moſt concerned in its preſervation. + Actuated only by ſelfiſhneſs and revenge, each party + willingly conſentſ to the ruin of its opponents. The Clergy, + already divided among themſelves, are abandoned by the Nobleſſe—the + Nobleſſe are perſecuted by the commercial intereſt—and, + in ſhort, the only union is amongſt the Jacobins; that is, amongſt + a few weak perſons who are deceived, and a banditti who betray and + profit by their "patriotiſm." + </p> + <p> + I was led to theſe reflections by my converſation with Mr. de + L____ and his companions. I believe they do not approve of the preſent + extremes, yet they expreſſed themſelves with the utmoſt + virulence againſt the ariſtocrates, and would hear neither of + reconcilement nor palliation. On the other hand, theſe diſpoſitions + were not altogether unprovoked—the young men had been perſecuted + by their relations, and baniſhed the ſociety of their + acquaintance; and their political opinions had acted aſ an univerſal + proſcription. There were even ſome againſt whom the doorſ + of the parental habitation were ſhut.—Theſe party + violences are terrible; and I was happy to perceive that the reciprocal + claims of duty and affection were not diminiſhed by them, either in + M. de ____, or hiſ ſon. He, however, at firſt refuſed + to come to A____, becauſe he ſuſpected the patriotiſm + of our ſociety. I pleaded, as an inducement, the beauty of Mad. + G____, but he told me ſhe was an ariſtocrate. It waſ at + length, however, determined, that he ſhould dine with us laſt + Sunday, and that all viſitors ſhould be excluded. He was + prevented coming by being ordered out with a party the day we left him; + and he has written to us in high ſpirits, to ſay, that, beſides + fulfilling his object, he had returned with fifty priſoners. + </p> + <p> + We had a very narrow eſcape in coming home—the Hulans were at + the village of ____, an hour after we paſſed through it, and + treated the poor inhabitants, as they uſually do, with great + inhumanity.—Nothing haſ alienated the minds of the people + ſo much as the cruelties of theſe troopſ—they plunder + and ill treat all they encounter; and their avarice is even leſs inſatiable + than their barbarity. How hard is it, that the ambition of the Chiefs, and + the wickedneſs of faction, ſhould thus fall upon the innocent + cottager, who perhaps is equally a ſtranger to the names of the one, + and the principles of the other! + </p> + <p> + The public papers will now inform you, that the French are at liberty to + obtain a divorce on almoſt any pretext, or even on no pretext at all, + except what many may think a very good one—mutual agreement. A lady + of our acquaintance here is become a republican in conſequence of the + decree, and probably will very ſoon avail herſelf of it; but thiſ + conduct, I conceive, will not be very general. + </p> + <p> + Much has been ſaid of the gallantry of the French ladies, and not + entirely without reaſon; yet, though ſometimes inconſtant + wives, they are, for the moſt part, faithful friendſ—they + ſacrifice the huſband without forſaking him, and their + common intereſt is always promoted with as much zeal as the moſt + inviolable attachment could inſpire. Mad. de C____, whom we often + meet in company, is the wife of an emigrant, and iſ ſaid not to + be abſolutely diſconſolate at his abſence; yet ſhe + iſ indefatigable in her efforts to ſupply him with money: ſhe + even riſks her ſafety by her ſolicitude, and has juſt + now prevailed on her favourite admirer to haſten his departure for + the frontiers, in order to convey a ſum ſhe has with much + difficulty been raiſing. Such inſtances are, I believe, not very + rare; and as a Frenchman uſually prefers his intereſt to every + thing elſe, and is not quite ſo unaccommodating as an Engliſhman, + an amicable arrangement takes place, and one ſeldom hears of a ſeparation. + </p> + <p> + The inhabitants of Arras, with all their patriotiſm, are extremely + averſe from the aſſignats; and it is with great reluctance + that they conſent to receive them at two-thirds of their nominal + value. This diſcredit of the paper money has been now two months at a + ſtand, and its riſe or fall will be determined by the ſucceſs + of the campaign.—I bid you adieu for the laſt time from hence. + We have already exceeded the propoſed length of our viſit, and + ſhall ſet out for St. Omer to-morrow.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_27" id="link_4_27"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + St. Omer, September, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + I am confined to my room by a ſlight indiſpoſition, and, inſtead + of accompanying my friends, have taken up my pen to inform you that we are + thus far ſafe on our journey.—Do not, becauſe you are + ſurrounded by a protecting element, ſmile at the idea of + travelling forty or fifty mileſ in ſafety. The light troops of + the Auſtrian army penetrate ſo far, that none of the roads on + the frontier are entirely free from danger. My female companions were + alarmed the whole day—the young for their baggage, and the old for + themſelves. + </p> + <p> + The country between this and Arras has the appearance of a garden + cultivated for the common uſe of its inhabitants, and has all the + fertility and beauty of which a flat ſurface is ſuſceptible. + Bethune and Aire I ſhould ſuppoſe ſtrongly fortified. + I did not fail, in paſſing through the former, to recollect with + veneration the faithful miniſter of Henry the Fourth. The miſfortunes + of the deſcendant of Henry, whom Sully* loved, and the ſtate of + the kingdom he ſo much cheriſhed, made a ſtronger impreſſion + on me than uſual, and I mingled with the tribute of reſpect a + ſentiment of indignation. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Maximilien de Bethune, Duc de Sully. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + What perverſe and malignant influence can have excited the people + either to incur or to ſuffer their preſent ſituation? Were + we not well acquainted with the arts of factions, the activity of bad men, + and the effect of their union, I ſhould be almoſt tempted to + believe this change in the French ſupernatural. Leſs than three + years ago, the name of Henri Quatre was not uttered without enthuſiaſm. + The piece that tranſmitted the ſlighteſt anecdotes of his + life was certain of ſucceſſ—the air that celebrated + him was liſtened to with delight—and the decorations of beauty, + when aſſociated with the idea of this gallant Monarch, became + more irreſiſtible.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * At this time it was the prevailing faſhion to call any new + inventions of female dreſs after his name, and to decorate the + ornamental parts of furniture with his reſemblance. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Yet Henry the Fourth is now a tyrant—his pictures and ſtatues + are deſtroyed, and his memory is execrated!—Thoſe who have + reduced the French to this are, doubtleſs, baſe and deſigning + intriguers; yet I cannot acquit the people, who are thus wrought on, of + unfeelingneſs and levity.—England has had its revolutions; but + the names of Henry the Fifth and Elizabeth were ſtill revered: and + the regal monuments, which ſtill exiſt, after all the viciſſitudes + of our political principles, atteſt the mildneſs of the Engliſh + republicans. + </p> + <p> + The laſt days of our ſtay at Arras were embittered by the diſtreſs + of our neighbour and acquaintance, Madame de B____. She has loſt two + ſons under circumſtances ſo affecting, that I think you + will be intereſted in the relation.—The two young men were in + the army, and quartered at Perpignan, at a time when ſome effort of + counter-revolution was ſaid to be intended. One of them was arreſted + as being concerned, and the other ſurrendered himſelf priſoner + to accompany his brother.—When the High Court at Orleans was inſtituted + for trying ſtate-priſoners, thoſe of Perpignan were ordered + to be conducted there, and the two B____'s, chained together, were taken + with the reſt. On their arrival at Orleans, their gaoler had miſlaid + the key that unlocked their fetters, and, not finding it immediately, the + young men produced one, which anſwered the purpoſe, and releaſed + themſelves. The gaoler looked at them with ſurprize, and aſked + why, with ſuch a means in their power, they had not eſcaped in + the night, or on the road. They replied, becauſe they were not + culpable, and had no reaſon for avoiding a trial that would manifeſt + their innocence. Their heroiſm was fatal. They were brought, by a + decree of the Convention, from Orleans to Verſailles, (on their way + to Paris,) where they were met by the mob, and maſſacred. + </p> + <p> + Their unfortunate mother is yet ignorant of their fate; but we left her in + a ſtate little preferable to that which will be the effect of + certainty. She ſaw the decree for tranſporting the priſoners + from Orleans, and all accounts of the reſult have been carefully + concealed from her; yet her anxious and enquiring looks at all who + approach her, indicate but too well her ſuſpicion of the truth.—Mons. + de ____'ſ ſituation is indeſcribable. Informed of the death + of his ſons, he is yet obliged to conceal his ſufferings, and + wear an appearance of tranquillity in the preſence of his wife. + Sometimes he eſcapes, when unable to contain his emotions any longer, + and remains at M. de ____'s till he recovers himſelf. He takes no + notice of the ſubject of his grief, and we reſpect it too much + to attempt to conſole him. The laſt time I aſked him after + Madame de ____, he told me her ſpirits were ſomething better, + and, added he, in a voice almoſt ſuffocated, "She is amuſing + herſelf with working neckcloths for her ſonſ!"—When + you reflect that the maſſacres at Paris took place on the ſecond + and third of September, and that the decree was paſſed to bring + the priſoners from Orleans (where they were in ſafety) on the + tenth, I can ſay nothing that will add to the horror of this tranſaction, + or to your deteſtation of its cauſe. Sixty-two, moſtly + people of high rank, fell victims to this barbarous policy: they were + brought in a fort of covered waggons, and were murdered in heaps without + being taken out.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Perhaps the reader will be pleaſed at a diſcovery, which it + would have been unſafe to mention when made, or in the courſe + of thiſ correſpondence. The two young men here alluded to + arrived at Verſailles, chained together, with their fellow-priſoners. + Surprize, perhaps admiration, had diverted the gaoler's attention from + demanding the key that opened their padlock, and it was ſtill in + their poſſeſſion. On entering Verſailles, and + obſerving the crowd preparing to attack them, they diveſted + themſelves of their fetters, and of every other incumbrance. In a + few moments their carriages were ſurrounded, their companions at + one end were already murdered, and themſelves ſlightly + wounded; but the confuſion increaſing, they darted amidſt + the croud, and were in a moment undiſtinguiſhable. They were + afterwards taken under the protection of an humane magiſtrate, who + concealed them for ſome time, and they are now in perfect ſecurity. + They were the only two of the whole number that eſcaped. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="link_4_28" id="link_4_28"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + September, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + We paſſed a country ſo barren and unintereſting yeſterday, + that even a profeſſional traveller could not have made a ſingle + page of it. It was, in every thing, a perfect contraſt to the rich + plains of Artoiſ— unfertile, neglected vallies and hills, miſerable + farms, ſtill more miſerable cottages, and ſcarcely any + appearance of population. The only place where we could refreſh the + horſes was a ſmall houſe, over the door of which was the + pompous deſignation of Hotel d'Angleterre. I know not if this be + intended as a ridicule on our country, or as an attraction to our + countrymen, but I, however, found ſomething beſides the + appellation which reminded me of England, and which one does not often + find in houſeſ of a better outſide; for though the rooms + were ſmall, and only two in number, they were very clean, and the hoſteſs + was neat and civil. The Hotel d'Angleterre, indeed, was not luxuriouſly + ſupplied, and the whole of our repaſt was eggs and tea, which we + had brought with us.—In the next room to that we occupied were two + priſoners chained, whom the officers were conveying to Arras, for the + purpoſe of better ſecurity. The ſecret hiſtory of this + buſineſs is worth relating, as it marks the character of the + moment, and the aſcendancy which the Jacobins are daily acquiring. + </p> + <p> + Theſe men were apprehended as ſmugglers, under circumſtances + of peculiar atrocity, and committed to the gaol at ____. A few days after, + a young girl, of bad character, who has much influence at the club, made a + motion, that the people, in a body, ſhould demand the releaſe of + the priſoners. The motion was carried, and the Hotel de Ville aſſailed + by a formidable troop of ſailors, fiſh-women, &c.—The + municipality refuſed to comply, the Garde Nationale was called out, + and, on the mob perſiſting, fired over their heads, wounded a + few, and the reſt diſperſed of themſelves.—Now + you muſt underſtand, the latent motive of all this waſ two + thouſand livres promiſed to one of the Jacobin leaders, if he + ſucceeded in procuring the men their liberty.—I do not advance + thiſ merely on conjecture. The fact is well known to the + municipality; and the decent part of it would willingly have expelled this + man, who is one of their members, but that they found themſelves too + weak to engage in a ſerious quarrel with the Jacobins.—One + cannot reflect, without apprehenſion, that any ſociety ſhould + exiſt which can oppoſe the execution of the laws with impunity, + or that a people, who are little ſenſible of realities, ſhould + be thus abuſed by names. They ſuffer, with unfeeling patience, a + thouſand enormitieſ—yet blindly riſk their liberties + and lives to promote the deſigns of an adventurer, becauſe he + harangues at a club, and calls himſelf a patriot.—I have juſt + received advice that my friends have left Lauſanne, and are on their + way to Paris. Our firſt plan of paſſing the winter there + will be imprudent, if not impracticable, and we have concluded to take a + houſe for the winter ſix months at Amiens, Chantilly, or ſome + place which has the reputation of being quiet. I have already ordered + enquiries to be made, and ſhall ſet out with Mrs. ____ in a day + or two for Amiens. I may, perhaps, not write till our return; but ſhall + not ceaſe to be, with great truth.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_29" id="link_4_29"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + The departement de la Somme has the reputation of being a little ariſtocratic. + I know not how far this be merited, but the people are certainly not enthuſiaſts. + The villages we paſſed on our road hither were very different + from thoſe on the frontierſ—we were hailed by no popular + ſounds, no cries of Vive la nation! except from here and there ſome + ragged boy in a red cap, who, from habit, aſſociated this ſalutation + with the appearance of a carriage. In every place where there are half a + dozen houſes is planted an unthriving tree of liberty, which ſeems + to wither under the baneful influence of the <i>bonnet rouge</i>. [The red + cap.] This Jacobin attribute is made of materials to reſiſt the + weather, and may laſt ſome time; but the trees of liberty, being + planted unſeaſonably, are already dead. I hope this will not + prove emblematic, and that the power of the Jacobins may not outlive the + freedom of the people. + </p> + <p> + The Convention begin their labours under diſagreeable auſpices. + A general terror ſeems to have ſeized on the Pariſians, the + roads are covered with carriages, and the inns filled with travellers. A + new regulation has juſt taken place, apparently intended to check thiſ + reſtleſs ſpirit. At Abbeville, though we arrived late and + were fatigued, we were taken to the municipality, our paſſports + collated with our perſons, and at the inn we were obliged to inſert + in a book our names, the place of our birth, from whence we came, and + where we were going. This, you will ſay, has more the features of a + mature Inquiſition, than a new-born Republic; but the French have + different notions of liberty from yours, and take theſe things very + quietly.—At Flixecourt we eat out of pewter ſpoons, and the + people told us, with much inquietude, that they had ſold their plate, + in expectation of a decree of the Convention to take it from them. This + decree, however, has not paſſed, but the alarm is univerſal, + and does not imply any great confidence in the new government. + </p> + <p> + I have had much difficulty in executing my commiſſion, and have + at laſt fixed upon a houſe, of which I fear my friends will not + approve; but the panic which depopulates Paris, the bombardment of Liſle, + and the tranquillity which has hitherto prevailed here, has filled the + town, and rendered every kind of habitation ſcarce, and extravagantly + dear: for you muſt remark, that though the Amienois are all ariſtocrates, + yet when an intimidated ſufferer of the ſame party flies from + Paris, and ſeeks an aſylum amongſt them, they calculate + with much exactitude what they ſuppoſe neceſſity may + compel him to give, and will not take a livre leſs.—The rent of + houſes and lodgings, like the national funds, riſeſ and + falls with the public diſtreſſes, and, like them, is an + object of ſpeculation: ſeveral perſons to whom we were + addreſſed were extremely indifferent about letting their houſes, + alledging as a reaſon, that if the diſorders of Paris ſhould + increaſe, they had no doubt of letting them to much greater + advantage. + </p> + <p> + We were at the theatre laſt night—it was opened for the firſt + time ſince France has been declared a republic, and the Jacobins + vociferated loudly to have the fleur de lys, ad other regal emblems, + effaced. Obedience waſ no ſooner promiſed to this command, + than it was ſucceeded by another not quite ſo eaſily + complied with—they inſiſted on having the Marſelloiſ + Hymn ſung. In vain did the manager, with a ludicrous ſort of + terror, declare, that there were none of his company who had any voice, or + who knew either the words of the muſic of the hymn in queſtion. + <i>"C'eſt egal, il faut chanter,"</i> ["No matter for that, they muſt + ſing."] reſounded from all the patriots in the houſe. At laſt, + finding the thing impoſſible, they agreed to a compromiſe; + and one of the actors promiſed to ſing it on the morrow, as well + as the trifling impediment of having no voice would permit him.—You + think your galleries deſpotic when they call for an epilogue that is + forgotten, and the actreſs who ſhould ſpeak it iſ + undreſt; or when they inſiſt upon enlivening the laſt + acts of Jane Shore with Roaſt Beef! What would you think if they + would not diſpenſe with a hornpipe on the tight-rope by Mrs. + Webb? Yet, bating the danger, I aſſure you, the audience of + Amiens was equally unreaſonable. But liberty at preſent ſeems + to be in an undefined ſtate; and until our rulers ſhall have + determined what it is, the matter will continue to be ſettled as it + is now—by each man uſurping as large a portion of tyranny as hiſ + ſituation will admit of. He who ſubmits without repining to hiſ + diſtrict, to his municipality, or even to the club, domineers at the + theatre, or exerciſes in the ſtreet a manual cenſure on ariſtocratic + apparel.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *It was common at this time to inſult women in the ſtreets if + dreſſed too well, or in colours the people choſe to call + ariſtocratic. I was myſelf nearly thrown down for having on a + ſtraw bonnet with green ribbons. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Our embarraſſment for ſmall change is renewed: many of the + communes who had iſſued bills of five, ten, and fifteen ſols, + repayable in aſſignats, are become bankrupts, which circumſtance + has thrown ſuch a diſcredit on all this kind of nominal money, + that the bills of one town will not paſſ at another. The + original creation of theſe bills was ſo limited, that no town + had half the number requiſite for the circulation of itſ + neighbourhood; and this decreaſe, with the diſtruſt that + ariſes from the occaſion of it, greatly adds to the general + inconvenience. + </p> + <p> + The retreat of the Pruſſian army excites more ſurprize than + intereſt, and the people talk of it with as much indifference as they + would of an event that had happened beyond the Ganges. The ſiege of + Liſle takes off all attention from the relief of Thionville—not + on account of itſ importance, but on account of its novelty.—I + remain, Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_30" id="link_4_30"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Abbeville, September, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + We left Amiens early yeſterday morning, but were ſo much delayed + by the number of volunteers on the road, that it was late before we + reached Abbeville. I was at firſt ſomewhat alarmed at finding + ourſelveſ ſurrounded by ſo formidable a cortege; they + however only exacted a declaration of our political principles, and we + purchaſed our ſafety by a few ſmiles, and exclamations of + vive la nation! There were ſome hundredſ of theſe recruits + much under twenty; but the poor fellows, exhilarated by their new uniform + and large pay, were going gaily to decide their fate by that hazard which + puts youth and age on a level, and ſcatters with indiſcriminating + hand the cypreſs and the laurel. + </p> + <p> + At Abbeville all the former precautions were renewed—we underwent + another ſolemn identification of our perſons at the Hotel de + Ville, and an abſtract of our hiſtory was again enregiſtered + at the inn. One would really ſuppoſe that the town was under + apprehenſions of a ſiege, or, at leaſt, of the plague. My + "paper face" was examined as ſuſpiciouſly aſ though I + had had the appearance of a traveſtied Achilles; and M____'s, which + has as little expreſſion as a Chineſe painting, was + elaborately ſcrutinized by a Dogberry in ſpectacles, who, + perhaps, fancied ſhe had the features of a female Machiavel. All this + was done with an air of importance ſufficiently ludicrous, when + contraſted with the object; but we met with no incivility, and had + nothing to complain of but a little additional fatigue, and the delay of + our dinner. + </p> + <p> + We ſtopped to change horſes at Bernay, and I ſoon perceived + our landlady was a very ardent patriot. In a room, to which we waded at + great riſk of our clothes, was a repreſentation of the ſiege + of the Baſtille, and prints of half a dozen American Generals, headed + by Mr. Thomas Paine. On deſcending, we found out hoſteſs + exhibiting a ſtill more forcible picture of curioſity than Shakſpeare's + blackſmith. The half-demoliſhed repaſt was cooling on the + table, whilſt our poſtilion retailed the Gazette, and the pigs + and ducks were amicably grazing together on whatever the kitchen produced. + The affairs of the Pruſſians and Auſtrians were diſcuſſed + with entire unanimity, but when theſe politicians, as is often the caſe, + came to adjuſt their own particular account, the conference was much + leſſ harmonious. The poſtilion offered a ten ſols + billet, which the landlady refuſed: one perſiſted in its + validity, the other in rejecting it—till, at laſt, the patriotiſm + of neither could endure this proof, and peace waſ concluded by a + joint execration of thoſe who invented this fichu papier— + "Sorry paper." + </p> + <p> + At ____ we met our friend, Mad. de ____, with part of her family and an + immenſe quantity of baggage. I was both ſurprized and alarmed at + ſuch an apparition, and found, on enquiry, that they thought themſelves + unſafe at Arras, and were going to reſide near M. de ____'s eſtate, + where they were better known. I really began to doubt the prudence of our + eſtabliſhing ourſelves here for the winter. Every one who + has it in his power endeavours to emigrate, even thoſe who till now + have been zealouſ ſupporters of the revolution.—Diſtruſt + and apprehenſion ſeem to have taken poſſeſſion + of every mind. Thoſe who are in towns fly to the country, while the + inhabitant of the iſolated chateau takes refuge in the neighbouring + town. Flocks of both ariſtocrates and patriots are trembling and + fluttering at the foreboding ſtorm, yet prefer to abide itſ + fury, rather than ſeek ſhelter and defence together. I, however, + flatter myſelf, that the new government will not juſtify this + fear; and as I am certain my friends will not return to England at this + ſeaſon, I ſhall not endeavour to intimidate or diſcourage + them from their preſent arrangement. We ſhall, at leaſt, be + enabled to form ſome idea of a republican conſtitution, and I do + not, on reflection, conceive that any poſſible harm can happen + to us. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_31" id="link_4_31"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + October, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + I ſhall not date from this place again, intending to quit it as + ſoon aſ poſſible. It is diſturbed by the crouds + from the camps, which are broken up, and the ſoldiers are extremely + brutal and inſolent. So much are the people already familiarized with + the unnatural depravity of manners that begins to prevail, that the wife + of the Colonel of a battalion now here walks the ſtreets in a red + cap, with piſtols at her girdle, boaſting of the numbers ſhe + has deſtroyed at the maſſacres in Auguſt and + September. + </p> + <p> + The Convention talk of the King's trial as a decided meaſure; yet no + one ſeems to admit even the poſſibility that ſuch an + act can be ever intended. A few believe him culpable, many think him miſled, + and many acquit him totally: but all agree, that any violation of his perſon + would be an atrocity diſgraceful to the nation at large.—The + fate of Princeſ is often diſaſtrous in proportion to their + virtues. The vanity, ſelfiſhneſs, and bigotry of Louis the + Fourteenth were flattered while he lived, and procured him the appellation + of Great after his death. The greateſt military talents that France + has given birth to ſeemed created to earn laurels, not for themſelves, + but for the brow of that vain-glorious Monarch. Induſtry and Science + toiled but for hiſ gratification, and Genius, forgetting its dignity, + willingly received from his award the ſame it has ſince beſtowed. + </p> + <p> + Louis the Fifteenth, who corrupted the people by his example, and ruined + them by his expence, knew no diminution of the loyalty, whatever he might + of the affection, of his people, and ended his days in the practice of the + ſame vices, and ſurrounded by the ſame luxury, in which he + had paſſed them. + </p> + <p> + Louis the Sixteenth, to whom ſcarcely his enemies aſcribe any + vices, for its outrages againſt whom faction finds no excuſe but + in the facility of his nature—whoſe devotion is at once + exemplary and tolerant—who, in an age of licentiouſneſs, + is remarkable for the ſimplicity of his mannerſ— whoſe + amuſements were liberal or inoffenſive—and whoſe + conceſſions to his people form a ſtriking contraſt + with the exactions of hiſ predeceſſors.—Yes, the + Monarch I have been deſcribing, and, I think, not partially, has been + overwhelmed with ſorrow and indignitieſ—his perſon + has been degraded, that he might be deſpoiled of his crown, and + perhapſ the ſacrifice of his crown may be followed by that of + his life. When we thus ſee the puniſhment of guilt accumulated + on the head of him who haſ not participated in it, and vice triumph + in the ſecurity that ſhould ſeem the lot of innocence, we + can only adduce new motives to fortify ourſelveſ in this great + truth of our religion—that the chaſtiſement of the one, + and reward of the other, muſt be looked for beyond the inflictions or + enjoyments of our preſent exiſtence. + </p> + <p> + I do not often moralize on paper, but there are moments when one deriveſ + one's beſt conſolation from ſo moralizing; and this eaſy + and ſimple juſtification of Providence, which refers all that + appears inconſiſtent here to the retribution of a future ſtate, + is pointed out leſs as the duty than the happineſs of mankind. + This ſingle argument of religion ſolves every difficulty, and + leaves the mind in fortitude and peace; whilſt the pride of ſceptical + philoſophy traces whole volumes, only to eſtabliſh the + doubts, and nouriſh the deſpair, of its diſciples. + </p> + <p> + Adieu. I cannot conclude better than with theſe reflections, at a + time when diſbelief is ſomething too faſhionable even amongſt + our countrymen.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_32" id="link_4_32"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, October, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + I arrived here the day on which a ball was given to celebrate the return + of the volunteers who had gone to the aſſiſtance of Liſle.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *The bombardment of Liſle commenced on the twenty-ninth of + September, at three o'clock in the afternoon, and continued, almoſt + without interruption, until the ſixth of October. Many of the + public buildings, and whole quarters of the town, were ſo much + damaged or deſtroyed, that the ſituation of the ſtreets + were ſcarcely diſtinguiſhable. The houſes which the + fire obliged their inhabitants to abandon, were pillaged by barbarians, + more mercileſſ than the Auſtrians themſelves. Yet, + amidſt theſe accumulated horrors, the Lillois not only preſerved + their courage, but their preſence of mind: the rich incited and + encouraged the poor; thoſe who were unable to aſſiſt + with their labour, rewarded with their wealth: the men were employed in + endeavouring to extinguiſh the fire of the buildings, or in preſerving + their effects; while women and children ſnatched the opportunity of + extinguiſhing the fuzes of the bombs as ſoon as they fell, at + which they became very daring and dexterous. During the whole of this + dreadful period, not one murmur, not one propoſition to ſurrender, + was heard from any party. —The Convention decreed, amidſt the + wildeſt enthuſiaſm of applauſe, that Liſle had + deſerved well of the country. —Forty-two thouſand five + hundred balls were fired, and the damageſ were eſtimated at + forty millions of livres. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The French, indeed, never refuſe to rejoice when they are ordered; + but aſ theſe feſtivities are not ſpontaneous effuſions, + but official ordinances, and regulated with the ſame method as a tax + or recruitment, they are of courſe languid and unintereſting. + The whole of their hilarity ſeems to conſiſt in the + movement of the dance, in which they are by not meanſ animated; and I + have ſeen, even among the common people, a cotillion performed as + gravely and as mechanically as the ceremonies of a Chineſe court.—I + have always thought, with Sterne, that we were miſtaken in ſuppoſing + the French a gay nation. It is true, they laugh much, have great geſticulation, + and are extravagantly fond of dancing: but the laugh is the effect of + habit, and not of a riſible ſenſation; the geſture iſ + not the agitation of the mind operating upon the body, but conſtitutional + volatility; and their love of dancing is merely the effect of a happy + climate, (which, though mild, does not enervate,) and that love of action + which uſually accompanies mental vacancy, when it is not counteracted + by heat, or other phyſical cauſes. + </p> + <p> + I know ſuch an opinion, if publicly avowed, would be combated as falſe + and ſingular; yet I appeal to thoſe who have at all ſtudied + the French character, not as travellers, but by a reſidence amongſt + them, for the ſupport of my opinion. Every one who underſtands + the language, and haſ mixed much in ſociety, muſt have made + the ſame obſervations.—See two Frenchmen at a diſtance, + and the vehemence of their action, and the expreſſion of their + features, ſhall make you conclude they are diſcuſſing + ſome ſubject, which not only intereſts, but delights them. + Enquire, and you will find they were talking of the weather, or the price + of a waiſtcoat!—In England you would be tempted to call in a + peace-officer at the loud tone and menacing attitudes with which two + people here very amicably adjuſt a bargain for five livres.—In + ſhort, we miſtake that for a mental quality which, in fact, is + but a corporeal one; and, though the French may have many good and + agreeable points of character, I do not include gaiety among the number. + </p> + <p> + I doubt very much of my friends will approve of their habitation. I confeſs + I am by no means ſatiſfied with it myſelf; and, with regard + to pecuniary conſideration, my engagement is not an advantageous one. + —Madame Dorval, of whom I have taken the houſe, is a character + very common in France, and over which I was little calculated to have the + aſcendant. Officiouſly polite in her manners, and inflexibly + attentive to her intereſt, ſhe ſeemingly acquieſces in + every thing you propoſe. You would even fancy ſhe was ſolicitous + to ſerve you; yet, after a thouſand gracious ſentiments, + and as many implied eulogiums on her liberality and generoſity, you + find her return, with unrelenting perſeverance, to ſome paltry + propoſition, by which ſhe is to gain a few livres; and all this + ſo civilly, ſo ſentimentally, and ſo determinedly, + that you find yourſelf obliged to yield, and are duped without being + deceived. + </p> + <p> + The lower claſs have here, as well as on your ſide of the water, + the cuſtom of attributing to Miniſters and Governments ſome + connection with, or controul over, the operations of nature. I remarked to + a woman who brings me fruit, that the grapes were bad and dear this year—<i>"Ah! + mon Dieu, oui, ils ne murriſſent pas. Il me ſemble que tout + va mal depuiſ qu'on a invente la nation."</i> ["Ah! Lord, they don't + ripen now.—For my part, I think nothing has gone well ſince the + nation was firſt invented."] + </p> + <p> + I cannot, like the imitators of Sterne, tranſlate a chapter of ſentiment + from every incident that occurs, or from every phyſiognomy I + encounter; yet, in circumſtances like the preſent, the mind, not + uſually obſerving, is tempted to comment.—I was in a + milliner's ſhop to-day, and took notice on my entering, that its miſtreſs + was, whilſt at her work, learning the <i>Marſeilloiſ</i> + Hymn. [A patriotic air, at this time highly popular.] Before I had + concluded my purchaſe, an officer came in to prepare her for the + reception of four volunteers, whom ſhe was to lodge the two enſuing + nights. She aſſented, indeed, very graciouſly, (for a + French woman never loſes the command of her features,) but a moment + after, the Marſeillois, which lay on the counter, was thrown aſide + in a pet, and I dare ſay ſhe will not reſume her patriotic + taſte, nor be reconciled to the revolution, until ſome days + after the volunteers ſhall have changed their quarters. + </p> + <p> + This quartering of troops in private houſes appears to me the moſt + grievous and impolitic of all taxes; it adds embarraſſment to + expence, invades domeſtic comfort, and conveys ſuch an idea of + military ſubjection, that I wonder any people ever ſubmits to + it, or any government ever ventures to impoſe it. + </p> + <p> + I know not if the Engliſh are conſcious of their own importance + at thiſ moment, but it is certain they are the centre of the hopes + and fears of all parties, I might ſay of all Europe. The ariſtocrates + wait with anxiety and ſolicitude a declaration of war, whilſt + their opponentſ regard ſuch an event as pregnant with diſtreſs, + and even as the ſignal of their ruin. The body of the people of both + parties are averſe from increaſing the number of their enemies; + but as the Convention may be directed by other motives than the public wiſh, + it is impoſſible to form any concluſion on the ſubject. + I am, of courſe, deſirous of peace, and ſhould be ſo + from ſelfiſhneſs, if I were not from philanthropy, as a ceſſation + of it at this time would diſconcert all our plans, and oblige us to + ſeek refuge at ____, which has juſt all that is neceſſary + for our happineſs, except what is moſt deſirable—a + mild and dry atmoſphere.— Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_33" id="link_4_33"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, November, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + The arrival of my friends has occaſioned a ſhort ſuſpenſion + of my correſpondence: but though I have been negligent, I aſſure + you, my dear brother, I have not been forgetful; and this temporary + preference of the ties of friendſhip to thoſe of nature, will be + excuſed, when you conſider our long ſeparation. + </p> + <p> + My intimacy with Mrs. D____ began when I firſt came to this country, + and at every ſubſequent viſit to the continent it has been + renewed and increaſed into that rational kind of attachment, which + your ſex ſeldom allow in ours, though you yourſelves do not + abound in examples of it. Mrs. D____ is one of thoſe characters which + are oftener loved than admired—more agreeable than handſome—good-natured, + humane, and unaſſuming—and with no mental pretenſions + beyond common ſenſe tolerably well cultivated. The ſhades + of this portraiture are an extreme of delicacy, bordering on faſtidiouſneſſ—a + trifle of hauteur, not in manners, but diſpoſition—and, + perhaps, a tincture of affectation. Theſe foibles are, however, in a + great degree, conſtitutional: ſhe is more an invalid than myſelf; + and ill health naturally increaſes irritability, and renders the mind + leſs diſpoſed to bear with inconveniencies; we avoid + company at firſt, through a ſenſe of our infirmities, till + this timidity becomes habitual, and ſettles almoſt into averſion.—The + valetudinarian, who is obliged to fly the world, in time fancies herſelf + above it, and ends by ſuppoſing there is ſome ſuperiority + in differing from other people. Mr. D____ is one of the beſt men exiſting—well + bred and well informed; yet, without its appearing to the common obſerver, + he is of a very ſingular and original turn of mind. He is moſt + exceedingly nervous, and this effect of his phyſical conſtruction + has rendered him ſo ſuſceptible, that he is continually + agitated and hurt by circumſtanceſ which others paſs by + unnoticed. In other reſpects he is a great lover of exerciſe, + fond of domeſtic life, reads much, and has an averſion from buſtle + of all kind. + </p> + <p> + The baniſhment of the Prieſts, which in many inſtances was + attended with circumſtances of peculiar atrocity, has not yet + produced thoſe effectſ which were expected from it, and which + the promoters of the meaſure employed as a pretext for its adoption. + There are indeed now no maſſeſ ſaid but by the Conſtitutional + Clergy; but as the people are uſually aſ ingenious in evading + laws as legiſlators are in forming them, many perſons, inſtead + of attending the churches, which they think profaned by prieſts who + have taken the oaths, flock to church-yards, chapels, or other places, + once appropriated to religious worſhip, but in diſuſe + ſince the revolution, and of courſe not violated by conſtitutional + maſſes. The cemetery of St. Denis, at Amiens, though large, is + on Sundays and holidays ſo crouded, that it is almoſt difficult + to enter it. Here the devotees flock in all weathers, ſay their maſs, + and return with the double ſatiſfaction of having preſerved + their allegiance to the Pope, and riſked perſecution in a cauſe + they deem meritorious. To ſay truth, it iſ not very ſurprizing + that numbers ſhould be prejudiced againſt the conſtitutional + clergy. Many of them are, I doubt not, liberal and well-meaning men, who + have preferred peace and ſubmiſſion to theological warfare, + and who might not think themſelves juſtified in oppoſing + their opinion to a national deciſion: yet are there alſo many of + profligate lives, who were never educated for the profeſſion, + and whom the circumſtances of the times have tempted to embrace it as + a trade, which offered ſubſiſtence without labour, and + influence without wealth, and which at once ſupplied a veil for + licentiouſneſs, and the means of practiſing it. Such paſtors, + it muſt be confeſſed, have little claim to the confidence + or reſpect of the people; and that there are ſuch, I do not aſſert, + but on the moſt credible information. I will only cite two inſtances + out of many within my own knowledge. + </p> + <p> + P____n, biſhop of St. Omer, was originally a prieſt of Arras, of + viciouſ character, and many of his ordinations have been ſuch as + might be expected from ſuch a patron.—A man of Arras, who was + only known for hiſ vicious purſuits, and who had the reputation + of having accelerated the death of his wife by ill treatment, applied to + P____n to marry him a ſecond time. The good Biſhop, preferring + the intereſt of his friend to the ſalvation of his flock, adviſed + him to relinquiſh the project of taking a wife, and offered to give + him a cure. The propoſal was accepted on the ſpot, and this + pious aſſociate of the Reverend P____n waſ immediately inveſted + with the direction of the conſciences, and the care of the morals, of + an extenſive pariſh. + </p> + <p> + Acts of this nature, it is to be imagined, were purſued by cenſure + and ridicule; but the latter was not often more ſucceſſful + than on the following occaſion:—Two young men, whoſe perſons + were unknown to the biſhop, one day procured an audience, and requeſted + he would recommend them to ſome employment that would procure them + the means of ſubſiſtence. This was juſt a time when + the numerous vacancies that had taken place were not yet ſupplied, + and many livings were unfilled for want of candidates. The Biſhop, + who was unwilling that the nonjuring prieſtſ ſhould have + the triumph of ſeeing their benefices remain vacant, fell into the + ſnare, and propoſed their taking orders. The young men expreſſed + their joy at the offer; but, after looking confuſedly on each other, + with ſome difficulty and diffidence, confeſſed their lives + had been ſuch as to preclude them from the profeſſion, + which, but for thiſ impediment, would have ſatiſfied them + beyond their hopes. The Biſhop very complaiſantly endeavoured to + obviate theſſe objections, while they continued to accuſe + themſelves of all the ſins in the decalogue; but the Prelate at + length obſerving he had ordained many worſe, the young men + ſmiled contemptuouſly, and, turning on their heels, replied, + that if prieſts were made of worſe men than they had deſcribed + themſelves to be, they begged to be excuſed from aſſociating + with ſuch company. + </p> + <p> + Dumouriez, Cuſtine, Biron, Dillon, &c. are doing wonders, in + ſpite of the ſeaſon; but the laurel is an ever-green, and + theſe heroes gather it equally among the ſnows of the Alps, and + the fogs of Belgium. If we may credit the French papers too, what they + call the cauſe of liberty is not leſs ſucceſſfully + propagated by the pen than the ſword. England is ſaid to be on + the eve of a revolution, and all its inhabitants, except the King and Mr. + Pitt, become Jacobins. If I did not believe "the wiſh waſ father + to the thought," I ſhould read theſe aſſertions with + much inquietude, as I have not yet diſcovered the excellencies of a + republican form of government ſufficiently to make me wiſh it + ſubſtituted for our own.—It ſhould ſeem that the + Temple of Liberty, as well as the Temple of Virtue, is placed on an aſcent, + and that as many inflexions and retrogradations occur in endeavouring to + attain it. In the ardour of reaching theſe difficult acclivities, a + fall ſometimes leaves us lower than the ſituation we firſt + ſet out from; or, to ſpeak without a figure, ſo much power + is exerciſed by our leaders, and ſo much ſubmiſſion + exacted from the people, that the French are in danger of becoming + habituated to a deſpotiſm which almoſt ſanctifies the + errors of their ancient monarchy, while they ſuppoſe themſelves + in the purſuit of a degree of freedom more ſublime and more abſolute + than has been enjoyed by any other nation.— Attempts at political as + well as moral perfection, when carried beyond the limits compatible with a + ſocial ſtate, or the weakneſs of our natures, are likely to + end in a depravity which moderate governments and rational ethics would + have prevented. + </p> + <p> + The debates of the Convention are violent and acrimonious. Robeſpierre + has been accuſed of aſpiring to the Dictatorſhip, and his + defence was by no means calculated to exonerate him from the charge. All + the chiefſ reproach each other with being the authors of the late maſſacres, + and each ſucceeds better in fixing the imputation on his neighbour, + than in removing it from himſelf. General reprobation, perſonal + invectives, and long ſpeeches, are not wanting; but every thing which + tends to examination and enquiry is treated with much more delicacy and + compoſure: ſo that I fear theſe firſt legiſlators + of the republic muſt, for the preſent, be content with the + reputation they have aſſigned each other, and rank amongſt + thoſe who have all the guilt, but want the courage, of aſſaſſins. + </p> + <p> + I ſubjoin an extract from a newſpaper, which has lately + appeared.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *Extract from <i>The Courier de l'Egalite,</i> November, 1792: "There + are diſcontented people who ſtill venture to obtrude their + ſentiments on the public. One of them, in a public print, thuſ + expreſſes himſelf— 'I aſſert, that the + newſpapers are ſold and devoted to falſehood. At this + price they purchaſe the liberty of appearing; and the excluſive + privilege they enjoy, as well as the contradictory and lying aſſertions + they all contain, prove the truth of what I advance. They are all + preachers of liberty, yet never was liberty ſo ſhamefully + outraged—of reſpect for property, and property was at no time + ſo little held ſacred—of perſonal ſecurity, + yet when were there committed ſo many maſſacres? and, at + the very moment I am writing, new ones are premeditated. They call + vehemently for ſubmiſſion, and obedience to the laws, but + the laws had never leſſ influence; and while our compliance + with ſuch as we are even ignorant of is exacted, it is accounted a + crime to execute thoſe in force. Every municipality has its own + arbitrary code—every battalion, every private ſoldier, exerciſes + a ſovereignty, a moſt abſolute deſpotiſm; and + yet the Gazettes do not ceaſe to boaſt the excellence of + ſuch a government. They have, one and all, attributed the maſſacres + of the tenth of Auguſt and the ſecond of September, and the + days following each, to a popular fermentation. The monſterſ! + they have been careful not to tell us, that each of theſe horrid + ſcenes (at the priſons, at La Force, at the Abbaye, &c. + &c.) was preſided by municipal officers in their ſcarfs, + who pointed out the victims, and gave the ſignal for the aſſaſſination. + It waſ (continue the Journals) the error of an irritated people—and + yet their magiſtrates were at the head of it: it was a momentary + error; yet this error of a moment continued during ſix whole days + of the cooleſt reflection—it was only at the cloſe of + the ſeventh that Petion made his appearance, and affected to perſuade + the people to deſiſt. The aſſaſſins left + off only from fatigue, and at thiſ moment they are preparing to + begin again. The Journals do not tell us that the chief of theſe <i>Sceleratſ</i> + [We have no term in the Engliſh language that conveys an adequate + meaning for this word—it ſeems to expreſs the extreme of + human wickedneſs and atrocity.] employed ſubordinate aſſaſſins, + whom they cauſed to be clandeſtinely murdered in their turn, + as though they hoped to deſtroy the proof of their crime, and eſcape + the vengeance that awaits them. But the people themſelves were + accomplices in the deed, for the Garde Nationale gave their aſſiſtance,'" + &c. &c. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + In ſpite of the murder of ſo many journaliſts, and the deſtruction + of the printing-offices, it treats the September buſineſs ſo + freely, that the editor will doubtleſs ſoon be ſilenced. + Admitting theſe accuſations to be unfounded, what ideas muſt + the people have of their magiſtrates, when they are credited? It is + the prepoſſeſſion of the hearer that giveſ + authenticity to fiction; and ſuch atrocities would neither be imputed + to, nor believed of, men not already bad.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link_4_34" id="link_4_34"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + December, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + Dear Brother, + </p> + <p> + All the public prints ſtill continue ſtrongly to inſinuate, + that England is prepared for an inſurrection, and Scotland already in + actual rebellion: but I know the character of our countrymen too well to + be perſuaded that they have adopted new principles as eaſily as + they would adopt a new mode, or that the viſionary anarchiſts of + the French government can have made many proſelytes among an humane + and rational people. For many years we were content to let France remain + the arbitreſs of the lighter departments of taſte: lately ſhe + has ceded thiſ province to us, and England has dictated with unconteſted + ſuperiority. This I cannot think very ſtrange; for the eye in + time becomes fatigued by elaborate finery, and requires only the + introduction of ſimple elegance to be attracted by it. But if, while + we export faſhions to this country, we ſhould receive in + exchange her republican ſyſtems, it would be a ſtrange + revolution indeed; and I think, in ſuch a commerce, we ſhould be + far from finding the balance in our favour. I have, in fact, little ſolicitude + about theſe diurnal falſehoods, though I am not altogether free + from alarm as to their tendency. I cannot help ſuſpecting it is + to influence the people to a belief that ſuch diſpoſitions + exiſt in England as preclude the danger of a war, in caſe it + ſhould be thought neceſſary to ſacrifice the King. + </p> + <p> + I am more confirmed in this opinion, from the recent diſcovery, with + the circumſtances attending it, of a ſecret iron cheſt at + the Tuilleries. The man who had been employed to conſtruct this receſs, + informs the miniſter, Rolland; who, inſtead of communicating the + matter to the Convention, as it was very natural he ſhould do on an + occaſion of ſo much importance, and requiring it to be opened in + the preſence of proper witneſſes, goes privately himſelf, + takes the papers found into his own poſſeſſion, and + then makes an application for a committee to examine them. Under theſe + ſuſpicious and myſterious appearances, we are told that + many letters, &c. are found, which inculpate the King; and perhapſ + the fate of this unfortunate Monarch is to be decided by evidence not admiſſible + with juſtice in the caſe of the obſcureſt malefactor. + Yet Rolland is the hero of a party who call him, par excellence, the + virtuouſ Rolland! Perhaps you will think, with me, that this epithet + iſ miſapplied to a man who has riſen, from an obſcure + ſituation to that of firſt Miniſter, without being poſſeſſed + of talents of that brilliant or prominent claſs which ſometimes + force themſelves into notice, without the aid of wealth or the ſupport + of patronage. + </p> + <p> + Rolland was inſpector of manufactories in this place, and afterwards + at Lyons; and I do not go too far in advancing, that a man of very rigid + virtue could not, from ſuch a ſtation, have attained ſo + ſuddenly the one he now poſſeſſes. Virtue is of + an unvarying and inflexible nature: it diſdains as much to be the + flatterer of mobs, as the adulator of Princes: yet how often muſt he, + who riſes ſo far above his equals, have ſtooped below them? + How often muſt he have ſacrificed both his reaſon and hiſ + principles? How often have yielded to the little, and oppoſed the + great, not from conviction, but intereſt? For in this the meaneſt + of mankind reſemble the moſt exalted; he beſtows not his + confidence on him who reſiſts his will, nor ſubſcribes + to the advancement of one whom he doeſ not hope to influence.—I + may almoſt venture to add, that more diſſimulation, meaner + conceſſions, and more tortuous policy, are requiſite to + become the idol of the people, than are practiſed to acquire and preſerve + the favour of the moſt potent Monarch in Europe. The French, however, + do not argue in this manner, and Rolland is at preſent very popular, + and his popularity is ſaid to be greatly ſupported by the + literary talents of his wife. + </p> + <p> + I know not if you rightly underſtand theſe party diſtinctions + among a ſet of men whom you muſt regard as united in the common + cauſe of eſtabliſhing a republic in France, but you have + ſometimes had occaſion to remark in England, that many may + amicably concur in the accompliſhment of a work, who differ extremely + about the participation of its advantages; and thiſ is already the caſe + with the Convention. Thoſe who at preſent poſſeſſ + all the power, and are infinitely the ſtrongeſt, are wits, + moraliſts, and philoſophers by profeſſion, having Briſſot, + Rolland, Petion, Concorcet, &c. at their head; their opponents are + adventurers of a more deſperate caſt, who make up by violence + what they want in numbers, and are led by Robeſpierre, Danton, + Chabot, &c. &c. The only diſtinction of theſe parties + is, I believe, that the firſt are vain and ſyſtematical + hypocrites, who have originally corrupted the minds of the people by viſionary + and inſidious doctrines, and now maintain their ſuperiority by + artifice and intrigue: their opponents, equally wicked, and more daring, + juſtify that turpitude which the others ſeek to diſguiſe, + and appear almoſt as bad as they are. The credulous people are duped + by both; while the cunning of the one, and the vehemence of the other, + alternately prevail.—But ſomething too much of politics, as my + deſign is in general rather to mark their effect on the people, than + to enter on more immediate diſcuſſions. + </p> + <p> + Having been at the Criminal Tribunal to-day, I now recollect that I have + never yet deſcribed to you the coſtume of the French Judges.—Perhapſ + when I have before had occaſion to ſpeak of it, your imagination + may have glided to Weſtminſter Hall, and depicted to you the + ſcarlet robes and voluminous wigs of its reſpectable magiſtrates: + but if you would form an idea of a magiſtrate here, you muſt + bring your mind to the abſtraction of Crambo, and figure to yourſelf + a Judge without either gown, wig, or any of thoſe venerable + appendages. Nothing indeed can be more becoming or gallant, than this + judicial accoutrement—it is black, with a ſilk cloak of the + ſame colour, in the Spaniſh form, and a round hat, turned up + before, with a large plume of black feathers. This, when the magiſtrate + happens to be young, has a very theatrical and romantic appearance; but + when it is worn by a figure a little Eſopian, or with a large buſhy + perriwig, as I have ſometimes ſeen it, the effect is ſtill + leſs awful; and a ſtranger, on ſeeing ſuch an + apparition in the ſtreet, is tempted to ſuppoſe it a period + of jubilee, and that the inhabitants are in maſquerade. + </p> + <p> + It is now the cuſtom for all people to addreſs each other by the + appellation of Citizen; and whether you are a citizen or not—whether + you inhabit Paris, or are a native of Peru—ſtill it is an + indication of ariſtocracy, either to exact, or to uſe, any other + title. This is all congruous with the ſyſtem of the day: the abuſes + are real, the reform iſ imaginary. The people are flattered with + ſounds, while they are loſing in eſſentials. And the + permiſſion to apply the appellation of Citizen to its members, + is but a poor compenſation for the deſpotiſm of a + department or a municipality. + </p> + <p> + In vain are the people flattered with a chimerical equality—it + cannot exiſt in a civilized ſtate, and if it could exiſt + any where, it would not be in France. The French are habituated to ſubordination—they + naturally look up to ſomething ſuperior—and when one claſs + is degraded, it is only to give place to another. + </p> + <p> + —The pride of the nobleſſe is ſucceeded by the pride + of the merchant— the influence of wealth is again realized by cheap + purchaſes of the national domainſ—the abandoned abbey + becomes the delight of the opulent trader, and replaces the demoliſhed + chateau of the feudal inſtitution. Full of the importance which the + commercial intereſt is to acquire under a republic, the wealthy man + of buſineſs is eaſily reconciled to the oppreſſion + of the ſuperior claſſes, and enjoys, with great dignity, hiſ + new elevation. The counting-houſe of a manufacturer of woollen cloth + iſ as inacceſſible as the boudoir of a Marquis; while the + flowered brocade gown and well-powdered curls of the former offer a much + more impoſing exterior than the chintz robe de chambre and diſhevelled + locks of the more affable man of faſhion. + </p> + <p> + I have read, in ſome French author, a maxim to this effect:—"Act + with your friends as though they ſhould one day be your enemies;" and + the exiſting government ſeems amply to have profited by the + admonition of their country-man: for notwithſtanding they affirm, + that all France ſupports, and all England admires them, this does not + prevent their exerciſing a moſt vigilant inquiſition over + the inhabitants of both countries.—It is already ſagaciouſly + hinted, that Mr. Thomas Paine may be a ſpy, and every houſeholder + who receives a lodger or viſitor, and every proprietor who lets a houſe, + is obliged to regiſter the names of thoſe he entertains, or who + are his tenants, and to become reſponſible for their conduct. + This is done at the municipality, and all who thuſ venture to change + their reſidence, of whatever age, ſex, or condition, muſt + preſent themſelves, and ſubmit to an examination. The power + of the municipalities is indeed very great; and as they are chiefly ſelected + from the lower claſs of ſhop-keepers, you may conclude that + their authority is not exerciſed with much politeneſs or + moderation. + </p> + <p> + The timid or indolent inhabitant of London, whoſe head has been + filled with the Baſtilles and police of the ancient government, and + who would aſ ſoon have ventured to Conſtantinople as to + Paris, reads, in the debateſ of the Convention, that France is now + the freeeſt country in the world, and that ſtrangers from all + corners of it flock to offer their adorationſ in this new Temple of + Liberty. Allured by theſe deſcriptions, he reſolves on the + journey, willing, for once in his life, to enjoy a taſte of the bleſſing + in ſublimate, which he now learns has hitherto been allowed him only + in the groſs element.—He experiences a thouſand impoſitions + on landing with his baggage at Calais, but he ſubmits to them without + murmuring, becauſe his countrymen at Dover had, on hiſ + embarkation, already kindly initiated him into this ſcience of taxing + the inquiſitive ſpirit of travellers. After inſcribing his + name, and rewarding the cuſtom-houſe officers for rummaging his + portmanteau, he determines to amuſe himſelf with a walk about + the town. The firſt centinel he encounters ſtops him, becauſe + he has no cockade: he purchaſeſ one at the next ſhop, + (paying according to the exigency of the caſe,) and is ſuffered + to paſs on. When he has ſettled his bill at the Auberge "a + l'Angloiſe," and emagines he has nothing to do but to purſue his + journey, he finds he has yet to procure himſelf a paſſport. + He waits an hour and an half for an officer, who at length appears, and + with a rule in one hand, and a pen in the other, begins to meaſure + the height, and take an inventory of the features of the aſtoniſhed + ſtranger. By the time thiſ ceremony is finiſhed, the gates + are ſhut, and he can proceed no farther, till the morrow. He departs + early, and is awakened twice on the road to Boulogne to produce his paſſport: + ſtill, however, he keeps his temper, concluding, that the new light + has not yet made its way to the frontiers, and that theſe troubleſome + precautions may be neceſſary near a port. He continues his + route, and, by degrees, becomes habituated to this regimen of liberty; + till, perhaps, on the ſecond day, the validity of hiſ paſſport + is diſputed, the municipality who granted it have the reputation of + ariſtocracy, or the whole is informal, and he muſt be content to + wait while a meſſenger is diſpatched to have it rectified, + and the officerſ eſtabliſh the ſeverity of their + patriotiſm at the expence of the ſtranger. + </p> + <p> + Our traveller, at length, permitted to depart, feels his patience + wonderfully diminiſhed, execrates the regulations of the coaſt, + and the ignorance of ſmall towns, and determines to ſtop a few + days and obſerve the progreſs of freedom at Ameins. Being a + large commercial place, he here expects to behold all the happy effects of + the new conſtitution; he congratulates himſelf on travelling at + a period when he can procure information, and diſcuſs his + political opinions, unannoyed by fears of ſtate priſons, and + ſpies of the police. His landlord, however, acquaintſ him, that + his appearance at the Town Houſe cannot be diſpenſed with—he + attends three or four different hours of appointment, and is each time + ſent away, (after waiting half an hour with the valets de ville in + the antichamber,) and told that the municipal officers are engaged. As an + Engliſhman, he has little reliſh for theſe ſubordinate + ſovereigns, and difficult audienceſ—he hints at the next + coffee-houſe that he had imagined a ſtranger might have reſted + two days in a free country, without being meaſured, and queſtioned, + and without detailing his hiſtory, aſ though he were ſuſpected + of deſertion; and ventures on ſome implied compariſon + between the ancient "Monſieur le Commandant," and the modern "Citoyen + Maire."—To his utter aſtoniſhment he finds, that though + there are no longer emiſſaries of the police, there are Jacobin + informers; hiſ diſcourſe is reported to the municipality, + his buſineſs in the town becomes the ſubject of conjecture, + he is concluded to be <i>"un homme ſanſ aveu,"</i> [One that + can't give a good account of himſelf.] and arreſted aſ "ſuſpect;" + and it is not without the interference of the people to whom he may have + been recommended at Paris, that he is releaſed, and enabled to + continue his journey. + </p> + <p> + At Paris he lives in perpetual alarm. One night he is diſturbed by a + viſite domiciliaire, another by a riot—one day the people are + in inſurrection for bread, and the next murdering each other at a + public feſtival; and our country-man, even after making every + allowance for the confuſion of a recent change, thinks himſelf + very fortunate if he reacheſ England in ſafety, and will, for + the reſt of his life, be ſatiſfied with ſuch a degree + of liberty as is ſecured to him by the conſtitution of hiſ + own country. + </p> + <p> + You ſee I have no deſign of tempting you to pay us a viſit; + and, to ſpeak the truth, I think thoſe who are in England will + ſhow their wiſdom by remaining there. Nothing but the ſtate + of Mrs. D____'s health, and her dread of the ſea at this time of the + year, detains us; for every day ſubtracts from my courage, and adds + to my apprehenſions. + </p> + <p> + —Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + A RESIDENCE IN FRANCE,<br /> <br /> DURING THE YEARS<br /> <br /> 1792, 1793, + 1794, and 1795 + </h1> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + DESCRIBED IN A SERIES OF LETTERS<br /> FROM AN ENGLISH LADY;<br /> With + General And Incidental Remarkſ<br /> On The French Character And + Manners. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h4> + Prepared for the Preſſ<br /> By John Gifford, Eſq.<br /> + <br /> Second Edition.<br /> <br /> _Plus je vis l'Etranger plus j'aimai ma + Patrie._<br /> --Du Belloy.<br /> <br /> London: Printed for T. N. Longman, + Paternoſter Row. 1797. + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + 1793 + </h1> + <hr /> + <h2> + Contentſ + </h2> + <table> + <tr> + <td> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_1">Amiens, January, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_2">Amiens, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_3">Amiens, January 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_4">Amiens, February 15, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_5">Amiens, Feb. 25, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_6">Amiens, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_7">March 23, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_8">Rouen, March 31, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_9">Amiens, April 7, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_10">April 20, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_11">May 18, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_12">June 3, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_13">June 20, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_14">June 30, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_15">Amiens, July 5, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_16">July 14, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_17">July 23, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_18">Peronne, July 29, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_19">Auguſt 1, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_20">Soiſſons, Auguſt 4, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_21">Peronne, Auguſt, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_22">Peronne, Auguſt 24, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_23">Peronne, Auguſt 29, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_24">Peronne, Sept. 7, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_25">Maiſon d'Arret, Arras, Oct. 15, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_26">Maiſon d'Arret, Arras, Oct. 17, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_27">Oct. 18.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_28">Oct. 19.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_29">Oct. 20.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_30">Arras, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_31">Oct. 21.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_32">Oct. 22.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_33">Oct. 25.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_34">Oct. 27.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_35">Oct. 30.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_36">Bicetre at Amiens, Nov. 18, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_37">November 19, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_38">Nov. 20.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_39">December.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_40">Amiens, Providence, Dec. 10, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_41">[Beginning of Volume II. Of The Printed Books]</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link3_4_42">Providence, Dec. 20, 1793.</a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_1" id="link3_4_1"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, January, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + Vanity, I believe, my dear brother, is not ſo innoxious a quality as + we are deſirous of ſuppoſing. As it is the moſt + general of all human failings, ſo is it regarded with the moſt + indulgence: a latent conſciouſneſs averts the cenſure + of the weak; and the wiſe, who flatter themſelves with being + exempt from it, plead in its favour, by ranking it as a foible too light + for ſerious condemnation, or too inoffenſive for puniſhment. + Yet, if vanity be not an actual vice, it is certainly a potential one—it + often leads us to ſeek reputation rather than virtue, to ſubſtitute + appearances for realities, and to prefer the eulogiums of the world to the + approbation of our own minds. When it takes poſſeſſion + of an uninformed or an ill-conſtituted mind, it becomes the ſource + of a thouſand errors, and a thouſand abſurdities. Hence, + youth ſeeks a preeminence in vice, and age in folly; hence, many boaſt + of errors they would not commit, or claim diſtinction by inveſting + themſelves with an imputation of exceſs in ſome popular abſurdity—duels + are courted by the daring, and vaunted by the coward—he who trembles + at the idea of death and a future ſtate when alone, proclaims himſelf + an atheiſt or a free-thinker in public—the water-drinker, who + ſuffers the penitence of a week for a ſupernumerary glaſs, + recounts the wonders of hiſ intemperance—and he who does not + mount the gentleſt animal without trepidation, plumes himſelf on + breaking down horſes, and his perils in the chace. In ſhort, + whatever order of mankind we contemplate, we ſhall perceive that the + portion of vanity allotted us by nature, when it iſ not corrected by + a ſound judgement, and rendered ſubſervient to uſeful + purpoſes, is ſure either to degrade or miſlead us. + </p> + <p> + I was led into this train of reflection by the conduct of our + Anglo-Gallican legiſlator, Mr. Thomas Paine. He has lately compoſed + a ſpeech, which was tranſlated and read in his preſence, + (doubtleſs to hiſ great ſatiſfaction,) in which he inſiſts + with much vehemence on the neceſſity of trying the King; and he + even, with little credit to hiſ humanity, gives intimations of preſumed + guilt. Yet I do not ſuſpect Mr. Paine to be of a cruel or + unmerciful nature; and, moſt probably, vanity alone has inſtigated + him to a proceeding which, one would wiſh to believe, his heart diſapproves. + Tired of the part he was playing, and which, it muſt be confeſſed, + was not calculated to flatter the cenſurer of Kings and the reformer + of conſtitutions, he determined to ſit no longer for whole hours + in colloquy with his interpreter, or in mute contemplation, like the + Chancellor in the Critic; and the ſpeech to which I have alluded was + compoſed. Knowing that lenient opinions would meet no applauſe + from the tribunes, he inliſts himſelf on the ſide of ſeverity, + accuſes all the Princes in the world as the accomplices of Louis the + Sixteenth, expreſſes his deſire for an univerſal + revolution, and, after previouſly aſſuring the Convention + the King is guilty, recommends that they may inſtantly proceed to his + trial. But, after all this tremendous eloquence, perhaps Mr. Paine had no + malice in his heart: he may only be ſolicitous to preſerve his + reputation from decay, and to indulge his ſelf-importance by aſſiſting + at the trial of a Monarch whom he may not wiſh to ſuffer.—I + think, therefore, I am not wrong in aſſerting, that Vanity is a + very miſchievous counſellor. + </p> + <p> + The little diſtreſſes I formerly complained of, as ariſing + from the paper currency, are nearly removed by a plentiful emiſſion + of ſmall aſſignats, and we have now pompous aſſignments + on the national domains for ten ſols: we have, likewiſe, pieces + coined from the church bells in circulation, but moſt of theſe + diſappear as ſoon as iſſued. You would ſcarcely + imagine that this copper is deemed worthy to be hoarded; yet ſuch is + the people's averſion from the paper, and ſuch their miſtruſt + of the government, that not an houſewife will part with one of theſe + pieceſ while ſhe has an aſſignat in her poſſeſſion; + and thoſe who are rich enough to keep a few livres by them, amaſs + and bury this copper treaſure with the utmoſt ſolicitude + and ſecreſy. + </p> + <p> + A tolerably accurate ſcale of the national confidence might be made, + by marking the progreſs of theſe ſuſpicious + interments. Under the firſt Aſſembly, people began to hide + their gold; during the reign of the ſecond they took the ſame + affectionate care of their ſilver; and, ſince the meeting of the + Convention, they ſeem equally anxious to hide any metal they can get. + If one were to deſcribe the preſent age, one might, as far as + regards France, call it, both literally and metaphorically, the Iron Age; + for it is certain, the character of the times would juſtify the + metaphoric application, and the diſappearance of every other metal + the literal one. As the French are fond of claſſic examples, I + ſhall not be ſurprized to ſee an iron coinage, in imitation + of Sparta, though they ſeem in the way of having one reaſon leſs + for ſuch a meaſure than the Spartans had, for they are already + in a ſtate to defy corruption; and if they were not, I think a war + with England would ſecure the purity of their morals from being + endangered by too much commercial intercourſe. + </p> + <p> + I cannot be diſpleaſed with the civil things you ſay of my + letters, nor at your valuing them ſo much as to preſerve them; + though, I aſſure you, this fraternal gallantry is not neceſſary, + on the account you intimate, nor will our countrymen ſuffer, in my + opinion, by any compariſons I can make here. Your ideas of French + gallantry are, indeed, very erroneouſ— it may differ in the + manner from that practiſed in England, but is far from having any + claim to ſuperiority. Perhaps I cannot define the pretenſions of + the two nations in this reſpect better than by ſaying, that the + gallantry of an Engliſhman is a ſentiment—that of a + Frenchman a ſyſtem. The firſt, if a lady happen to be old + or plain, or indifferent to him, is apt to limit his attentions to reſpect, + or utility—now the latter never troubles himſelf with theſe + diſtinctions: he is repulſed by no extremity of years, nor + deformity of feature; he adores, with equal ardour, both young and old, + nor is either often ſhocked by his viſible preference of the + other. I have ſeen a youthful beau kiſs, with perfect devotion, + a ball of cotton dropped from the hand of a lady who waſ knitting + ſtockings for her grand-children. Another pays his court to a belle + in her climacteric, by bringing <i>gimbletteſ</i> [A ſort of + gingerbread.] to the favourite lap-dog, or attending, with great aſſiduity, + the egreſſes and regreſſes of her angola, who paces + ſlowly out of the room ten times in an hour, while the door is held + open by the complaiſant Frenchman with a moſt reſpectful + gravity. + </p> + <p> + Thus, you ſee, France is to the old what a maſquerade is to the + ugly —the one confounds the diſparity of age as the other does + that of perſon; but indiſcriminate adoration is no compliment to + youth, nor is a maſk any privilege to beauty. We may therefore + conclude, that though France may be the Elyſium of old women, England + is that of the young. When I firſt came into this country, it + reminded me of an iſland I had read of in the Arabian Tales, where + the ladies were not deemed in their bloom till they verged towards ſeventy; + and I conceived the project of inviting all the belles, who had been half + a century out of faſhion in England, to croſs the Channel, and + begin a new career of admiration!— Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_2" id="link3_4_2"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + Dear Brother, + </p> + <p> + I have thought it hitherto a ſelf evident propoſition—that + of all the principles which can be inculcated in the human mind, that of + liberty iſ leaſt ſuſceptible of propagation by force. + Yet a Council of Philoſopherſ (diſciples of Rouſſeau + and Voltaire) have ſent forth Dumouriez, at the head of an hundred + thouſand men, to inſtruct the people of Flanders in the doctrine + of freedom. Such a miſſionary is indeed invincible, and the + defenceleſs towns of the Low Countries have been converted and + pillaged [By the civil agents of the executive power.] by a benevolent cruſade + of the philanthropic aſſertors of the rights of man. Theſe + warlike Propagandiſtes, however, do not always convince without + experiencing reſiſtance, and ignorance ſometimes oppoſes, + with great obſtinacy, the progreſs of truth. The logic of + Dumouriez did not enforce conviction at Gemappe, but at the expence of + fifteen thouſand of his own army, and, doubtleſs, a + proportionate number of the unconverted. + </p> + <p> + Here let me forbear every expreſſion tending to levity: the + heart recoilſ at ſuch a ſlaughter of human victims; and, if + a momentary ſmile be excited by theſe Quixotiſms, it is + checked by horror at their conſequenceſ!—Humanity will + lament ſuch deſtruction; but it will likewiſe be indignant + to learn, that, in the official account of thiſ battle, the killed + were eſtimated at three hundred, and the wounded at ſix!—But, + if the people be ſacrificed, they are not deceived. The diſabled + ſufferers, who are returning to their homes in different partſ + of the republic, betray the turpitude of the government, and expoſe + the fallacy of theſe bloodleſs victories of the gazettes. The + pedants of the Convention are not unlearned in the hiſtory of the + Praetorian Bands and the omnipotence of armies; and an offenſive war + is undertaken to give occupation to the ſoldiers, whoſe + inactivity might produce reflection, or whoſe diſcontent might + prove fatal to the new order of things.—Attemptſ are made to + divert the public mind from the real miſery experienced at home, by + relations of uſeleſs conqueſts abroad; the ſubſtantial + loſſes, which are the price of theſe imaginary benefits, + are palliated or concealed; and the circumſtances of an engagement is + known but by individual communication, and when ſubſequent + events have nearly effaced the remembrance of it.—By theſe + artifices, and from motives at leaſt not better, and, perhaps, worſe + than thoſe I have mentioned, will population be diminiſhed, and + agriculture impeded: France will be involved in preſent diſtreſs, + and conſigned to future want; and the deluded people be puniſhed + in the miſeries of their own country, becauſe their unprincipled + rulers have judged it expedient to carry war and devaſtation into + another. + </p> + <p> + One of the diſtinguiſhing features in the French character is <i>ſang + froid</i> —ſcarcely a day paſſes that it does not + force itſelf on one'ſ obſervation. It is not confined to + the thinking part of the people, who know that paſſion and + irritability avail nothing; nor to thoſe who, not thinking at all, + are, of courſe, not moved by any thing: but is equally poſſeſſed + by every rank and condition, whether you claſs them by their mental + endowments, or their temporal poſſeſſions. They not + only (as, it muſt be confeſſed, is too commonly the caſe + in all countries,) bear the calamities of their friends with great philoſophy, + but are nearly aſ reaſonable under the preſſure of + their own. The grief of a Frenchman, at leaſt, partakes of his + imputed national complaiſance, and, far from intruding itſelf on + ſociety, is always ready to accept of conſolation, and join in + amuſement. If you ſay your wife or relations are dead, they + replay coldly, <i>"Il faut ſe conſoler:"</i> or if they viſit + you in an illneſs, <i>"Il faut prendre patience."</i> Or tell them + you are ruined, and their features then become ſomething more + attenuated, the ſhoulderſ ſomething more elevated, and a + more commiſerating tone confeſſes, <i>"C'eſt bien mal + beureux—Mai enfin que voulez vous?"</i> ["It's unlucky, but what can + be ſaid in ſuch caſes?"] and in the ſame inſtant + they ill recount ſome good fortune at a card party, or expatiate on + the excellence of a ragout.—Yet, to do them juſtice, they only + offer for your comfort the ſame arguments they would have found + efficacious in promoting their own. + </p> + <p> + This diſpoſition, which preſerves the tranquillity of the + rich, indurateſ the ſenſe of wretchedneſs in the poor; + it ſupplies the place of fortitude in the one, and that of patience + in the other; and, while it enables both to endure their own particular diſtreſſes, + it makes them ſubmit quietly to a weight and exceſs of public + evils, which any nation but their own would ſink under, or reſiſt. + Amongſt ſhopkeepers, ſervants, &c. without incurring + perſonal odium, it has the effect of what would be deemed in England + impenetrable aſſurance. It forces pertinaceouſly an article + not wanted, and preſerves the inflexibility of the features at a + detected impoſition: it inſpires ſervants with arguments in + defence of every miſdemeanour in the whole domeſtic catalogue; + it renders them inſenſible either of their negligences or the + conſequences of them; and endows them with a happy facility of + contradicting with the moſt obſequiouſ politeneſs. + </p> + <p> + A gentleman of our acquaintances dined at a table d'Hote, where the + company were annoyed by a very uncommon and offenſive ſmell. On + cutting up a fowl, they diſcovered the ſmell to have been occaſioned + by its being dreſſed with out any other preparation than that of + depluming. They immediately ſent for the hoſt, and told him, + that the fowl had been dreſſed without having been drawn: but, + far from appearing diſconcerted, as one might expect, he only + replied, <i>"Cela ſe pourroit bien, Monſieur."</i> ["'Tis very + poſſible, Sir."] Now an Engliſh Boniface, even though he + had already made his fortune, would have been mortified at ſuch an + incident, and all his eloquence would ſcarcely have produced an + unfaultering apology. + </p> + <p> + Whether this national indifference originate in a phyſical or a moral + cauſe, from an obtuſeneſs in their corporeal formation or a + perfection in their intellectual one, I do not pretend to decide; but + whatever be the cauſe, the effect is enjoyed with great modeſty. + So little do the French pique themſelves on this valuable ſtoiciſm, + that they acknowledge being more ſubject to that human weakneſs + called feeling, than any other people in the world. All their writers + abound in pathetic exclamations, ſentimental phraſes, and alluſions + to "la ſenſibilite Francaiſe," aſ though they imagined + it proverbial. You can ſcarcely hold a converſation with a + Frenchman without hearing him detail, with an expreſſion of + feature not always analogous, many very affecting ſentences. He iſ + <i>deſole, deſeſpere, or afflige</i>—he has <i>le + coeur trop ſenſible, le coeur ſerre, or le coeur navre;</i> + [Afflicted—in deſpair—too feeling a heart— his + heart is wrung or wounded.] and the well-placing of theſe dolorouſ + aſſertions depends rather upon the judgement and eloquence of + the ſpeaker, than the ſeriouſneſs of the caſe + which gives riſe to them. For inſtance, the deſpair and deſolation + of him who has loſt his money, and of him whoſe head is ill dreſt, + are of different degrees, but the expreſſions are uſually + the ſame. The debates of the Convention, the debates of the Jacobins, + and all the public prints, are fraught with proofs of this appropriated + ſuſceptibility, and it is often attributed to perſons and + occaſions where we ſhould not much expect to find it. A quarrel + between the legiſlators as to who was moſt concerned in + promoting the maſſacres of September, is reconciled with a "ſweet + and enthuſiaſtic exceſs of fraternal tenderneſs." When + the clubs diſpute on the expediency of an inſurrection, or the + neceſſity of a more frequent employment of the guillotine, the + debate terminates by overflowing of ſenſibility from all the + members who have engaged in it! + </p> + <p> + At the aſſaſſinations in one of the priſons, when + all the other miſerable victims had periſhed, the mob diſcovered + one Jonneau, a member of the Aſſembly, who had been confined for + kicking another member named Grangeneuve.* As the maſſacrers + probably had no orders on the ſubject, he was brought forth, from + amidſt heaps of murdered companions, and a meſſenger diſpatched + to the Aſſembly, (which during theſe ſcenes met aſ + uſual,) to enquire if they acknowledged Jonneau as a member. A decree + was paſſed in the affirmative, and Jonneau brought by the aſſaſſins, + with the decree faſtened on his breaſt, in triumph to his + colleagues, who, we are told, at this inſtance of reſpect for + themſelves, ſhed tears of tenderneſs and admiration at the + conduct of monſters, the ſight of whom ſhould ſeem + revolting to human nature. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * When the maſſacres began, the wife and friends of Jonneau + petitioned Grangeneuve on their knees to conſent to his + enlargement; but Grangeneuve was implacable, and Jonneau continued in + priſon till releaſed by the means above mentioned. It is obſervable, + that at this dreadful moment the utmoſt ſtrictneſs was obſerved, + and every form literally enforced in granting the diſcharge of a + priſoner. A ſuſpenſion of all laws, human and + divine, was allowed to the aſſaſſins, while thoſe + only that ſecured them their victims were rigidly adhered to. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Perhaps the real ſang froid I have before noticed, and theſe + pretenſionſ to ſenſibility, are a natural conſequence + one or the other. It is the hiſtory of the beaſt's confeſſion—we + have only to be particularly deficient in any quality, to make us ſolicitous + for the reputation of it; and after a long habit of deceiving others we + finiſh by deceiving ourſelves. He who feels no compaſſion + for the diſtreſſes of hiſ neighbour, knows that ſuch + indifference is not very eſtimable; he therefore ſtudies to diſguiſe + the coldneſs of his heart by the exaggeration of his language, and + ſupplies, by an affected exceſs of ſentiment, the total abſence + of it.—The gods have not (as you know) made me poetical, nor do I + often tax your patience with a ſimile, but I think this French ſenſibility + is to genuine feeling, what their paſte is to the diamond—it + gratifies the vanity of the wearer, and deceives the eye of the ſuperficial + obſerver, but is of little uſe or value, and when tried by the + fire of adverſity quickly diſappears. + </p> + <p> + You are not much obliged to me for this long letter, as I own I have + ſcribbled rather for my own amuſement than with a view to yours.— + Contrary to our expectation, the trial of the King has begun; and, though + I cannot properly be ſaid to have any real intereſt in the + affairs of this country, I take a very ſincere one in the fate of its + unfortunate Monarch—indeed our whole houſe has worn an + appearance of dejection ſince the commencement of the buſineſs. + Moſt people ſeem to expect it will terminate favourably, and, I + believe, there are few who do not wiſh it. Even the Convention ſeem + at preſent diſpoſed to be merciful; and as they judge now, + ſo may they be judged hereafter! + </p> + <p> + —Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_3" id="link3_4_3"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, January 1793. + </h2> + <p> + I do all poſſible juſtice to the liberality of my + countrymen, who are become ſuch paſſionate admirers of the + French; and I cannot but lament their having been ſo unfortunate in + the choice of the aera from whence they date this new friendſhip. It + is, however, a proof, that their regards are not much the effect of that + kind of vanity which eſteemſ objects in proportion as they are eſteemed + by the reſt of the world; and the ſincerity of an attachment + cannot be better evinced than by itſ ſurviving irretrievable diſgrace + and univerſal abhorrence. Many will ſwell the triumph of a hero, + or add a trophy to his tomb; but he who exhibits himſelf with a + culprit at the gallows, or decorates the gibbet with a wreath, is a friend + indeed. + </p> + <p> + If ever the character of a people were repugnant to amity, or inimical to + connection, it is that of the French for the laſt three years.—* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The editor of the <i>Courier de l'Egalite,</i> a moſt decided + patriot, thus expreſſes himſelf on the injuries and inſults + received by the King from the Pariſians, and their municipality, + previous to hiſ trial: "I know that Louis is guilty—but are + we to double his puniſhment before it is pronounced by the law? + Indeed one is tempted to ſay that, inſtead of being guided by + the humanity and philoſophy which dictated the revolution, we have + taken leſſons of barbarity from the moſt ferocious ſavageſ! + Let us be virtuous if we would be republicans; if we go on as we do, we + never ſhall, and muſt have recourſe to a deſpot: for + of two evils it is better to chooſe the leaſt." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The editor, whoſe opinion of the preſent politics is thus expreſſed, + iſ ſo truly a revolutioniſt, and ſo confidential a + patriot, that, in Auguſt laſt, when almoſt all the journaliſts + were murdered, his paper was the only one that, for ſome time, was + allowed to reach the departments. + </p> + <p> + In this ſhort ſpace they have formed a compendium of all the + vices which have marked as many preceding ages:—the cruelty and + treachery of the league—the ſedition, levity, and intrigue of + the <i>Fronde</i> [A name given to the party in oppoſition to the + court during Cardinal Mazarin'ſ miniſtry.—See the origin + of it in the Memoirs of that period.] with the licentiouſneſs + and political corruption of more modern epochs. Whether you examine the + conduct of the nation at large, or that of its chiefs and leaders, your + feelings revolt at the one, and your integrity deſpiſes the + other. You ſee the idols erected by Folly, degraded by Caprice;—the + authority obtained by Intrigue, bartered by Profligacy;—and the + perfidy and corruption of one ſide ſo balanced by the barbarity + and levity of the other, that the mind, unable to decide on the preference + of contending vices, is obliged to find repoſe, though with regret + and diſguſt, in acknowledging the general depravity. + </p> + <p> + La Fayette, without very extraordinary pretenſions, became the hero + of the revolution. He dictated laws in the Aſſembly, and preſcribed + oathſ to the Garde Nationale—and, more than once, inſulted, + by the triumph of oſtentatious popularity, the humiliation and diſtreſs + of a perſecuted Sovereign. Yet when La Fayette made an effort to + maintain the conſtitution to which he owed his fame and influence, he + was abandoned with the ſame levity with which he had been adopted, + and ſunk, in an inſtant, from a dictator to a fugitive! + </p> + <p> + Neckar was an idol of another deſcription. He had already departed + for his own country, when he was hurried back precipitately, amidſt + univerſal acclamations. All were full of projects either of honour or + recompence— one was for decreeing him a ſtatue, another propoſed + him a penſion, and a third hailed him the father of the country. But + Mr. Neckar knew the French character, and very wiſely declined theſe + pompous offers; for before he could have received the firſt quarter + of his penſion, or the ſtatue could have been modelled, he was + glad to eſcape, probably not without ſome apprehenſions for + his head! + </p> + <p> + The reign of Mirabeau was ſomething longer. He lived with popularity, + was fortunate enough to die before his reputation was exhauſted, waſ + depoſited in the Pantheon, apotheoſiſed in form, and his buſt + placed as a companion to that of Brutus, the tutelary genius of the Aſſembly.—Here, + one might have expected, he would have been quit for this world at leaſt; + but the fame of a patriot is not ſecured by his death, nor can the + godſ of the French be called immortal: the deification of Mirabeau iſ + ſuſpended, his memory put in ſequeſtration, and a + committee appointed to enquire, whether a profligate, expenſive, and + neceſſitous character waſ likely to be corruptible. The + Convention, too, ſeem highly indignant that a man, remarkable only + for vice and atrocity, ſhould make no conſcience of betraying + thoſe who were as bad as himſelf; and that, after having proſtituted + his talents from the moment he was conſcious of them, he ſhould + not, when aſſociated with ſuch immaculate colleagues, + become pure and diſintereſted. It is very probable that + Mirabeau, whoſe only aim was power, might rather be willing to ſhare + it with the King, aſ Miniſter, than with ſo many + competitors, and only as Prime Speechmaker to the Aſſembly: and + as he had no reaſon for ſuſpecting the patriotiſm of + others to be more inflexible than his own, he might think it not impolitic + to anticipate a little the common courſe of things, and betray his + companions, before they had time to ſtipulate for felling him. He + might, too, think himſelf more juſtified in diſpoſing + of them in the groſs, becauſe he did not thereby deprive them of + their right of bargaining for themſelves, and for each other in + detail.—* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * La Porte, Steward of the Houſehold, in a letter to Duqueſnoy, + [Not the brutal Duſquenoy hereafter mentioned.] dated February, + 1791, informs him that Barrere, Chairman of the Committee of Domains, iſ + in the beſt diſpoſition poſſible.—A + letter of Talon, (then miniſter,) with remarks in the margin by the + King, ſays, that "Sixteen of the moſt violent members on the + patriotic ſide may be brought over to the court, and that the + expence will not exceed two millions of livres: that fifteen thouſand + will be ſufficient for the firſt payment; and only a Yes or No + from his Majeſty will fix theſe members in his intereſt, + and direct their future conduct."—It likewiſe obſerves, + that theſe two millions will coſt the King nothing, as the + affair is already arranged with the Liquidator-General. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Extract of a letter from Chambonas to the King, dated June 18, 1792: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "Sire, "I inform your Majeſty, that my agents are now in motion. I + have juſt been converting an evil ſpirit. I cannot hope that I + have made him good, but I believe I have neutralized him.—To-night + we ſhall make a ſtrong effort to gain Santerre, (Commandant of + the Garde Nationale,) and I have ordered myſelf to be awakened to + hear the reſult. I ſhall take care to humour the different + intereſts as well as I can.—The Secretary of the Cordeliers + club is now ſecured.—All theſe people are to be bought, + but not one of them can be hired.—I have had with me one Mollet a + phyſician. Perhaps your Majeſty may have heard of him. He is + an outrageous Jacobin, and very difficult, for he will receive nothing. + He inſiſts, previous to coming to any definitive treaty, on + being named Phyſician to the Army. I have promiſed him, on + condition that Paris is kept quiet for fifteen days. He is now gone to + exert himſelf in our favour. He has great credit at the Caffe de + Procope, where all the journaliſts and 'enragiſ' of the + Fauxbourg St. Germain aſſemble. I hope he will keep his word.—The + orator of the people, the noted Le Maire, a clerk at the Poſt-office, + has promiſed tranquility for a week, and he is to be rewarded. "A + new Gladiator has appeared lately on the ſcene, one Ronedie Breton, + arrived from England. He has already been exciting the whole quarter of + the Poiſonnerie in favour of the Jacobins, but I ſhall have + him laid ſiege to.—Petion is to come to-morrow for fifteen + thouſand livres, [This ſum was probably only to propitiate the + Mayor; and if Chambonas, as he propoſed, refuſed farther + payment, we may account for Petion's ſubſequent conduct.] on + account of thirty thouſand per month which he received under the + adminiſtration of Dumouriez, for the ſecret ſervice of + the police.— I know not in virtue of what law this was done, and + it will be the laſt he ſhall receive from me. Your Majeſty + will, I doubt not, underſtand me, and approve of what I ſuggeſt. + (Signed) "Chambonas." Extract from the Papers found at the Thuilleries. + It is impoſſible to warrant the authenticity of theſe + Papers; on their credibility, however, reſts the whole proof of the + moſt weighty charges brought againſt the King. So that it muſt + be admitted, that either all the firſt patriots of the revolution, + and many of thoſe ſtill in repute, are corrupt, or that the + King waſ condemned on forged evidence. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The King might alſo be ſolicitous to purchaſe ſafety + and peace at any rate; and it is unfortunate for himſelf and the + country that he had not recourſe to the only effectual means till it + was too late. But all thiſ reſts on no better evidence than the + papers found at the Thuilleries; and as ſomething of this kind was + neceſſary to nouriſh the exhauſted fury of the + populace, I can eaſily conceive that it was thought more prudent to + ſacrifice the dead, than the living; and the fame of Mirabeau being + leſſ valuable than the ſafety of thoſe who ſurvived + him, there would be no great harm in attributing to him what he was very + likely to have done.— The corruption of a notorious courtier would + have made no impreſſion: the King had already been overwhelmed + with ſuch accuſations, and they had loſt their effect: but + to have ſeduced the virtuous Mirabeau, the very Confucius of the + revolution, was a kind of profanation of the holy fire, well calculated to + revive the languid rage, and extinguiſh the ſmall remains of + humanity yet left among the people. + </p> + <p> + It is ſufficiently remarkable, that notwithſtanding the court muſt + have ſeen the neceſſity of gaining over the party now in + power, no veſtige of any attempt of this kind has been diſcovered; + and every criminating negotiation is aſcribed to the dead, the abſent, + or the inſignificant. I do not, however, preſume to decide in a + caſe ſo very delicate; their panegyriſts in England may + adjuſt the claims of Mirabeau's integrity, and that of his accuſers, + at their leiſure. + </p> + <p> + Another patriot of "diſtinguiſhed note," and more peculiarly + intereſting to our countrymen, becauſe he has laboured much for + their converſion, iſ Talleyrand, Biſhop of Autun.—He + was in England ſome time aſ Plenipotentiary from the Jacobins, + charged with eſtabliſhing treatieſ between the clubs, publiſhing + ſeditious manifeſtoes, contracting friendly alliances with diſcontented + ſcribblers, and gaining over neutral or hoſtile newſpapers.—But, + beſides his political and eccleſiaſtical occupations, and + that of writing letters to the Conſtitutional Society, it ſeems + this induſtrious Prelate had likewiſe a correſpondence with + the Agents of the Court, which, though he was too modeſt to ſurcharge + hiſ fame by publiſhing it, was, nevertheleſs, very + profitable. + </p> + <p> + I am ſorry his friends in England are moſtly averſe from + epiſcopacy, otherwiſe they might have provided for him, as I + imagine he will have no objection to relinquiſh his claims on the + ſee of Autun. He is not under accuſation, and, were he to + return, he would not find the laws quite ſo ceremonious here as in + England. After labouring with impunity for monthſ together to promote + an inſurrection with you, a ſmall private barter of his talents + would here coſt him his head; and I appeal to the Biſhop'ſ + friends in England, whether there can be a proper degree of freedom in a + country where a man is refuſed the privilege of diſpoſing + of himſelf to the beſt advantage. + </p> + <p> + To the eternal obloquy of France, I muſt conclude, in the liſt + of thoſe once popular, the ci-devant Duke of Orleans. But it was an + unnatural popularity, unaided by a ſingle talent, or a ſingle + virtue, ſupported only by the venal efforts of thoſe who were + almoſt his equals in vice, though not in wealth, and who found a + grateful exerciſe for their abilities in at once profiting by the + weak ambition of a bad man, and corrupting the public morals in his + favour. The unrighteous compact iſ now diſſolved; thoſe + whom he ruined himſelf to bribe have already forſaken him, and + perhaps may endeavour to palliate the diſgrace of having been called + his friends, by becoming his perſecutors.—Thus, many of the + primitive patriots are dead, or fugitives, or abandoned, or treacherous; + and I am not without fear leſt the new race ſhould prove aſ + evaneſcent as the old. + </p> + <p> + The virtuous Rolland,* whoſe firſt reſignation was ſo + inſtrumental in dethroning the King, has now been obliged to reſign + a ſecond time, charged with want of capacity, and ſuſpected + of malverſation; and thiſ virtue, which was ſo + irreproachable, which it would have been ſo dangerous to diſpute + while it ſerved the purpoſes of party, is become hypocriſy, + and Rolland will be fortunate if he return to obſcurity with only the + loſs of his gains and his reputation. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * In the beginning of December, the Council-General of the municipality + of Paris opened a regiſter, and appointed a Committee to receive + all accuſations and complaints whatever againſt Rolland, who, + in return, ſummoned them to deliver in their accounts to him aſ + Miniſter of the interior, and accuſed them, at the ſame + time, of the moſt ſcandalous peculations. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The credit of Briſſot and the Philoſophers is declining faſt—the + clubſ are unpropitious, and no party long ſurvives this + formidable omen; ſo that, like Macbeth, they will have waded from one + crime to another, only to obtain a ſhort-lived dominion, at the + expence of eternal infamy, and an unlamented fall. + </p> + <p> + Dumouriez is ſtill a ſucceſſful General, but he is + denounced by one faction, inſulted by another, inſidiouſly + praiſed by a third, and, if he ſhould perſevere in ſerving + them, he has more diſintereſted rectitude than I ſuſpect + him of, or than they merit. This is another of that Jacobin miniſtry + which proved ſo fatal to the King; and it is evident that, had he + been permitted to entertain the ſame opinion of all theſe people + as they now profeſs to have of each other, he would have been ſtill + living, and ſecure on his throne. + </p> + <p> + After ſo many mutual infidelities, it might be expected that one + party would grow indifferent, and the other ſuſpicious; but the + French never deſpair: new hordes of patriots prepare to poſſeſs + themſelves of the places they are forcing the old ones to abandon, + and the people, eager for change, are ready to receive them with the + momentary and fallaciouſ enthuſiaſm which ever precedes diſgrace; + while thoſe who are thuſ intriguing for power and influence, + are, perhaps, ſecretly deviſing how it may be made moſt + ſubſervient to their perſonal advantage. + </p> + <p> + Yet, perhaps, theſe amiable levities may not be diſpleaſing + to the Conſtitutional Society and the revolutioniſts of England; + and, as the very faults of our friends are often endearing to us, they may + extend their indulgence to the "humane" and "liberal" precepts of the + Jacobins, and the maſſacres of September.—To confeſs + the truth, I am not a little aſhamed for my country when I ſee + addreſſes from England to a Convention, the members of which + have juſt been accuſing each other of aſſaſſination + and robbery, or, in the ardour of a debate, threatening, cuffing, and + knocking each other down. Excluſive of their moral character, conſidered + only as it appears from their reciprocal criminations, they have ſo + little pretenſion to dignity, or even decency, that it ſeems a + mockery to addreſs them as the political repreſentatives of a + powerful nation deliberating upon important affairs. + </p> + <p> + If a bearer of one of theſe congratulatory compliments were not + apprized of the forms of the Houſe, he would be rather aſtoniſhed, + at hiſ introduction, to ſee one member in a menacing attitude, + and another denying his veracity in terms perfectly explicit, though not + very civil. Perhaps, in two minutes, the partizans of each opponent all riſe + and clamour, as if preparing for a combat—the Preſident puts on + his hat aſ the ſignal of a ſtorm—the ſubordinate + diſputants are appeaſed—and the revilings of the principal + ones renewed; till, after torrents of indecent language, the quarrel is + terminated by a fraternal embrace.*—I think, after ſuch a + ſcene, an addreſſer muſt feel a little humiliated, and + would return without finding his pride greatly increaſed by his miſſion. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * I do not make any aſſertions of this nature from conjecture + or partial evidence. The journals of the time atteſt that the + ſcenes I deſcribe occur almoſt in every debate.—As + a proof, I ſubjoin ſome extracts taken nearly at hazard: + "January 7th, Convention Nationale, Preſidence de Treilhard.—The + debate was opened by an addreſs from the department of Finiſterre, + expreſſing their wiſhes, and adding, that theſe were + likewiſe the wiſhes of the nation at large—that Marat, + Robeſpierre, Bazire, Chabot, Merlin, Danton, and their accomplices, + might be expelled the Convention as caballers and intriguers paid by the + tyrants at war with France." The account of this debate is thus + continued—"The almoſt daily troubles which ariſe in the + Convention were on the point of being renewed, when a member, a friend + to order, ſpoke as follows, and, it is remarked, was quietly liſtened + to: "'Citizens, "'If three months of uninterrupted ſilence has + given me any claim to your attention, I now aſk it in the name of + our afflicted country. Were I to continue ſilent any longer, I + ſhould render myſelf aſ culpable as thoſe who never + hold their tongues. I ſee we are all ſenſible of the + painfulneſs of our ſituation. Every day diſſatiſfied + with ourſelves, we come to the debate with the intention of doing + ſomething, and every day we return without having done any thing. + The people expect from us wiſe laws, and not ſtormſ and + tumults. How are we to make theſe wiſe laws, and keep + twenty-five millions of people quiet, when we, who are only ſeven + hundred and fifty individuals, give an example of perpetual riot and diſorder? + What ſignifies our preaching the unity and indiviſibility of + the republic, when we cannot maintain peace and union amongſt ourſelves? + What good can we expect to do amidſt ſuch ſcandalouſ + diſturbances, and while we ſpend our time in attending to + informations, accuſations, and inculpations, for the moſt part + utterly unfounded? For my part, I ſee but one means of attaining + any thing like dignity and tranquillity, and that is, by ſubmitting + ourſelves to coercive regulations.'" Here follow ſome propoſals, + tending to eſtabliſh a little decency in their proceedings for + the future; but the account from whence thiſ extract is taken + proceeds to remark, that this invitation to peace was no ſooner + finiſhed, than a new ſcene of diſturbance took place, to + the great loſs of their time, and the ſcandal of all good + citizens. One ſhould imagine, that if ever the Convention could + think it neceſſary to aſſume an appearance of + dignity, or at leaſt of ſeriouſneſs and order, it + would be in giving their judgement relative to the King. Yet, in + determining how a ſeries of queſtionſ ſhould be diſcuſſed, + on the arrangement of which his fate ſeems much to have depended, + the ſolemnity of the occaſion appears to have had no weight. + It was propoſed to begin by that of the appeal to the people. This + was ſo violently combated, that the Convention would hear neither + party, and were a long time without debating at all. Petion mounted the + tribune, and attempted to reſtore order; but the noiſe was too + great for him to be heard. He at length, however, obtained ſilence + enough to make a motion. Again the murmurſ recommenced. Rabaud de + St. Etienne made another attempt, but waſ equally unſucceſſful. + Thoſe that were of an oppoſite opinion refuſed to hear + him, and both parties roſe up and ruſhed together to the + middle of the Hall. The moſt dreadful tumult took place, and the + Preſident, with great difficulty, procured a calm. Again the ſtorm + began, and a member told them, that if they voted in the affirmative, + thoſe on the left ſide (Robeſpierre, &c.) would not + wait the reſult, but have the King aſſaſſinated. + "Yeſ! Yeſ! (reſounded from all parts) the Scelerats of + Paris will murder him!" —Another violent diſorder enſuing, + it was thought no decree could be paſſed, and, at length, amidſt + this ſcene of riot and confuſion, the order of queſtions + was arranged, and in ſuch a manner as to decide the fate of the + King.—It was determined, that the queſtion of his guilt + ſhould precede that of the appeal to the people. Had the order of + the queſtions been changed, the King might have been ſaved, + for many would have voted for the appeal in the firſt inſtance + who did not dare do it when they found the majority reſolved to + pronounce him guilty. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + It is very remarkable, that, on the ſame day on which the friends of + liberty and equality of Mancheſter ſignalized themſelves by + a moſt patriotic compliment to the Convention, beginning with <i>"Francais, + vouſ etes libres,"</i> ["Frenchmen, you are free."] they were, at + that very moment, employed in diſcuſſing a petition from + numbers of Pariſians who had been thrown into priſon without + knowing either their crime or their accuſers, and were ſtill + detained under the ſame arbitrary circumſtances.—The law + of the conſtitution is, that every perſon arreſted ſhall + be interrogated within twenty-four hours; but as theſe impriſonments + were the work of the republican Miniſters, the Convention ſeemed + to think it indelicate to interpoſe, and theſe citizens of a + country whoſe freedom is ſo much envied by the Mancheſter + Society, will moſt likely remain in durance as long as their + confinement ſhall be convenient to thoſe who have placed them + there.—A ſhort time after, Villette, who is a news-writer and + deputy, was cited to appear before the municipality of Paris, under the + charge of having inſerted in his paper "equivocal phraſes and + anti-civic expreſſions, tending to diminiſh the confidence + due to the municipality."—Villette, as being a member of the + Convention, obtained redreſs; but had he been only a journaliſt, + the liberty of the preſs would not have reſcued him.—On + the ſame day, complaint was made in the Aſſembly, that one + man had been arreſted inſtead of another, and confined for + ſome weeks, and it was agreed unanimouſly, (a thing that does + not often occur,) that the powerſ exerciſed by the Committee of + Inſpection [Surveillance.—See Debates, December.] were + incompatible with liberty. + </p> + <p> + The patriots of Belfaſt were not more fortunate in the adaption of + their civilitieſ—they addreſſed the Convention, in a + ſtrain of great piety, to congratulate them on the ſucceſs + of their arms in the "cauſe of civil and religious liberty."* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * At this time the municipalities were empowered to ſearch all houſes + by night or day; but their viſites domiciliaires, as they are + called, being made chiefly in the night, a decree has ſince + ordained that they ſhall take place only during the day. Perhaps an + Engliſhman may think the latter quite ſufficient, conſidering + that France is the freeeſt country in the world, and, above all, a + republic. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The harangue was interrupted by the <i>mal-a-propoſ</i> entrance of + two deputies, who complained of having been beaten, almoſt hanged, + and half drowned, by the people of Chartres, for belonging, as they were + told, to an aſſembly of atheiſtical perſecutors of + religion; and this Convention, whom the Society of Belfaſt admire for + propagating "religious liberty" in other countries, were in a few days + humbly petitioned, from variouſ departments, not to deſtroy it + in their own. I cannot, indeed, ſuppoſe they have really ſuch + a deſign; but the contempt with which they treat religion has occaſioned + an alarm, and given the French an idea of their piety very different from + that ſo kindly conceived by the patriots of Belfaſt. + </p> + <p> + I entruſt this to our friend Mrs. ____, who is leaving France in a + few days; and as we are now on the eve of a war, it will be the laſt + letter you will receive, except a few lines occaſionally on our + private affairs, or to inform you of my health. As we cannot, in the + ſtate Mrs. D____ iſ in, think of returning to England at preſent, + we muſt truſt ourſelves to the hoſpitality of the + French for at leaſt a few weeks, and I certainly will not abuſe + it, by ſending any remarks on their political affairs out of the + country. But as I know you intereſt yourſelf much in the ſubject, + and read with partiality my attempts to amuſe you, I will continue to + throw my obſervations on paper as regularly as I have been accuſtomed + to do, and I hope, ere long, to be the bearer of the packets myſelf. + I here alſo renew my injunction, that no part of my correſpondence + that relateſ to French politics be communicated to any one, not even + my mother. What I have written has been merely to gratify your own curioſity, + and I ſhould be extremely mortified if my opinions were repeated even + in the little circle of our private acquaintance. I deem myſelf + perfectly juſtifiable in imparting my reflections to you, but I have + a ſort of delicacy that revolts at the thought of being, in the + remoteſt degree, acceſſary to conveying intelligence from a + country in which I reſide, and which is ſo peculiarly ſituated + as France is at this moment. My feelings, my humanity, are averſe + from thoſe who govern, but I ſhould regret to be the means of + injuring them. You cannot miſtake my intentions, and I conclude by + ſeriouſly reminding you of the promiſe I exacted previous + to any political diſcuſſion.—Adieu. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_4" id="link3_4_4"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, February 15, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + I did not, as I promiſed, write immediately on my return from + Chantilly; the perſon by whom I intended to ſend my letter + having already ſet out for England, and the rule I have obſerved + for the laſt three months of entruſting nothing to the poſt + but what relates to our family affairs, is now more than ever neceſſary. + I have before requeſted, and I muſt now inſiſt, that + you make no alluſion to any political matter whatever, nor even + mention the name of any political perſon. Do not imagine that you are + qualified to judge of what is prudent, or what may be written with ſafety—I + repeat, no one in England can form an idea of the ſuſpicion that + pervades every part of the French government. + </p> + <p> + I cannot venture to anſwer deciſively your queſtion reſpecting + the King— indeed the ſubject is ſo painful to me, that I + have hitherto avoided reverting to it. There certainly was, as you obſerve, + ſome ſudden alteration in the diſpoſitions of the Aſſembly + between the end of the trial and the final judgement. The cauſes were + moſt probably various, and muſt be ſought for in the worſt + vices of our nature—cruelty, avarice, and cowardice. Many, I doubt + not, were guided only by the natural malignity of their hearts; many acted + from fear, and expected to purchaſe impunity for former compliances + with the court by this popular expiation; a large number are alſo + ſuppoſed to have been paid by the Duke of Orleanſ—whether + for the gratification of malice or ambition, time muſt develope.—But, + whatever were the motives, the reſult was an iniquitous combination + of the worſt of a ſet of men, before ſelected from all that + was bad in the nation, to profane the name of juſtice—to ſacrifice + an unfortunate, but not a guilty Prince—and to fix an indelible + ſtain on the country. + </p> + <p> + Among thoſe who gave their opinion at large, you will obſerve + Paine: and, as I intimated in a former letter, it ſeems he was at + that time rather allured by the vanity of making a ſpeech that ſhould + be applauded, than by any real deſire of injuring the King. Such + vanity, however, is not pardonable: a man has a right to ruin himſelf, + or to make himſelf ridiculous; but when his vanity becomes baneful to + others, as it has all the effect, ſo does it merit the puniſhment, + of vice. + </p> + <p> + Of all the reſt, Condorcet has moſt powerfully diſguſted + me. The avowed wickedneſs of Thuriot or Marat inſpires one with + horror; but this cold philoſophic hypocrite excites contempt as well + as deteſtation. He ſeemſ to have wavered between a deſire + to preſerve the reputation of humanity, which he has affected, and + that of gratifying the real depravity of hiſ mind. Would one have + expected, that a ſpeech full of benevolent ſyſtems, mild + ſentiments, and averſion from the effuſion of human blood, + was to end in a vote for, and recommendation of, the immediate execution + of hiſ ſovereign?—But ſuch a conduct is worthy of + him, who has repaid the benefits of his patron and friend [The Duke de la + Rochefaucault.] by a perſecution which ended in his murder. + </p> + <p> + You will have ſeen, that the King made ſome trifling requeſts + to be granted after his deceaſe, and that the Convention ordered him + to be told, that the nation, "always great, always juſt," accorded + them in part. Yet this juſt and magnanimous people refuſed him a + preparation of only three days, and allowed him but a few hourſ—ſuffered + his remains to be treated with the moſt ſcandalous indecency—and + debated ſeriouſly, whether or no the Queen ſhould receive + ſome little tokens of affection he had left for her. + </p> + <p> + The King's enemies had ſo far ſucceeded in depreciating his perſonal + courage, that even his friends were apprehenſive he might not ſuſtain + hiſ laſt moments with dignity. The event proves how much injuſtice + has been done him in this reſpect, as well as in many others. His + behaviour waſ that of a man who derived his fortitude from religion—it + was that of pious reſignation, not oſtentatious courage; it was + marked by none of thoſe inſtances of levity and indifference + which, at ſuch a time, are rather ſymptoms of diſtraction + than reſolution; he exhibited the compoſure of an innocent mind, + and the ſeriouſneſs that became the occaſion; he + ſeemed to be occupied in preparing for death, but not to fear it.—I + doubt not but the time will come, when thoſe who have ſacrificed + him may envy the laſt moments of Louis the Sixteenth! + </p> + <p> + That the King was not guilty of the principal charges brought againſt + him, has been proved indubitably—not altogether by the aſſertions + of thoſe who favour him, but by the confeſſion of his + enemies. He was, for example, accuſed of planning the inſurrection + of the tenth of Auguſt; yet not a day paſſes that both + parties in the Convention are not diſputing the priority of their + efforts to dethrone him, and to erect a republic; and they date their + machinations long before the period on which they attribute the firſt + aggreſſion to the King.—Mr. Sourdat, and ſeveral + other writers, have very ably demonſtrated the falſehood of theſe + charges; but the circulation of ſuch pamphlets was dangerouſ—of + courſe, ſecret and limited; while thoſe which tended to + deceive and prejudice the people were diſperſed with profuſion, + at the expence of the government.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Poſtſcript of the Courier de l'Egalite, Sept. 29: "The preſent + miniſter (Rolland) takes every poſſible means in hiſ + power to enlighten and inform the people in whatever concerns their real + intereſts. For this purpoſe he has cauſed to be printed + and diſtributed, in abundance, the accounts and papers relative to + the events of the tenth of Auguſt. We have yet at our office a + ſmall number of theſe publications, which we have diſtributed + to our ſubſcribers, and we ſtill give them to any of our + fellow-citizenſ who have opportunities of circulating them." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I have ſeen one of theſe written in coarſe language, and + replete with vulgar abuſe, purpoſely calculated for the lower + claſſes in the country, who are more open to groſs impoſitions + than thoſe of the ſame rank in towns; yet I have no doubt, in my + own mind, that all theſe artificeſ would have proved unavailing, + had the deciſion been left to the nation at large: but they were + intimidated, if not convinced; and the mandate of the Convention, which + forbids this ſovereign people to exerciſe their judgement, was + obeyed with as much ſubmiſſion, and perhaps more + reluctance, than an edict of Louis the fourteenth.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The King appealed, by his counſel, to the People; but the + convention, by a decree, declared his appeal of no validity, and forbade + all perſons to pay attention to it, under the ſevereſt + penalties. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The French ſeem to have no energy but to deſtroy, and to reſiſt + nothing but gentleneſs or infancy. They bend under a firm or oppreſſive + adminiſtration, but become reſtleſs and turbulent under a + mild Prince or a minority. + </p> + <p> + The fate of this unfortunate Monarch has made me reflect, with great + ſeriouſneſs, on the conduct of our oppoſition-writers + in England. The literary banditti who now govern France began their + operations by ridiculing the King's private character—from ridicule + they proceeded to calumny, and from calumny to treaſon; and perhaps + the firſt libel that degraded him in the eyes of his ſubjects + opened the path from the palace to the ſcaffold.—I do not mean + to attribute the ſame perniciouſ intentions to the authors on + your ſide the Channel, as I believe them, for the moſt part, to + be only mercenary, and that they would write panegyrics as ſoon as + ſatires, were they equally profitable. I know too, that there is no + danger of their producing revolutions in England—we do not ſuffer + our principles to be corrupted by a man becauſe he has the art of + rhyming nothings into conſequence, nor ſuffer another to + overturn the government becauſe he is an orator. Yet, though theſe + men may not be very miſchievous, they are very reprehenſible; + and, in a moment like the preſent, contempt and neglect ſhould + ſupply the place of that puniſhment againſt which our + liberty of the preſs ſecures them. + </p> + <p> + It is not for a perſon no better informed than myſelf to + pronounce on ſyſtems of government—ſtill leſs do + I affect to have more enlarged notions than the generality of mankind; but + I may, without riſking thoſe imputations, venture to ſay, I + have no childiſh or irrational deference for the perſons of + Kings. I know they are not, by nature, better than other men, and a + neglected or vicious education may often render them worſe. This does + not, however, make me leſs reſpect the office. I reſpect it + as the means choſen by the people to preſerve internal peace and + order—to baniſh corruption and petty tyrants ["And fly from + petty tyrants to the throne."—Goldſmith]—and give vigour + to the execution of the laws. + </p> + <p> + Regarded in this point of view, I cannot but lament the mode which haſ + lately prevailed of endeavouring to alienate the conſideration due to + our King's public character, by perſonal ridicule. If an individual + were attacked in this manner, his houſe beſet with ſpies, + his converſation with his family liſtened to, and the moſt + trifling actions of his life recorded, it would be deemed unfair and + illiberal, and he who ſhould practice ſuch meanneſs would + be thought worthy of no puniſhment more reſpectful than what + might be inflicted by an oaken cenſor, or an admonitory heel.—But + it will be ſaid, a King is not an individual, and that ſuch a + habit, or ſuch an amuſement, is beneath the dignity of hiſ + character. Yet would it be but conſiſtent in thoſe who + labour to prove, by the public acts of Kings, that they are leſs than + men, not to exact, that, in their private lives, they ſhould be more.—The + great prototype of modern ſatyriſts, Junius, does not allow that + any credit ſhould be given a Monarch for his domeſtic virtues; + is he then to be reduced to an individual, only to ſcrutinize his + foibles, and is his ſtation to ſerve only as the medium of their + publicity? Are theſe literary miners to penetrate the receſſes + of private life, only to bring to light the droſs? Do they analyſe + only to diſcover poiſons? Such employments may be congenial to + their natures, but have little claim to public remuneration. The merit of + a detractor is not much ſuperior to that of a flatterer; nor is a + Prince more likely to be amended by imputed follies, than by undeſerved + panegyrics. If any man wiſhed to repreſent his King advantageouſly, + it could not be done better than by remarking, that, after all the + watchings of aſſiduous neceſſity, and the laboriouſ + reſearches of intereſted curioſity, it appears, that his + private life affords no other ſubjects of ridicule than, that he is + temperate, domeſtic, and oeconomical, and, as is natural to an active + mind, wiſheſ to be informed of whatever happens not to be + familiar to him. It were to be deſired that ſome of theſe + accuſations were applicable to thoſe who are ſo much ſcandalized + at them: but they are not littleneſſeſ—the littleneſs + is in him who condeſcends to report them; and I have often wondered + that men of genius ſhould make a traffic of gleaning from the refuſe + of anti-chambers, and retailing the anecdotes of pages and footmen! + </p> + <p> + You will perceive the kind of publications I allude to; and I hope the + ſituation of France, and the fate of its Monarch, may ſuggeſt + to the authors a more worthy employ of their talents, than that of + degrading the executive power in the eyes of the people. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_5" id="link3_4_5"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, Feb. 25, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + I told you, I believe, in a former letter, that the people of Amiens were + all ariſtocrates: they have, nevertheleſs, two extremely popular + qualificationſ—I mean filth and incivility. I am, however, far + from imputing either of them to the revolution. This groſſneſs + of behavior has long exiſted under the palliating deſcription of + <i>"la franchiſe Picarde,"</i> ["Picardy frankneſs."] and the + floors and ſtairs of many houſes will atteſt their + preeminence in filth to be of a date much anterior to the revolution.—If + you purchaſe to the amount of an hundred livres, there are many + ſhopkeepers who will not ſend your purchaſes home; and if + the articles they ſhow you do not anſwer your purpoſe, they + are moſtly ſullen, and often rude. No appearance of fatigue or + infirmity ſuggeſts to them the idea of offering you a ſeat; + they contradict you with impertinence, addreſs you with freedom, and + conclude with cheating you if they can. It was certainly on this account + that Sterne would not agree to die at the inn at Amiens. He might, with + equal juſtice, have objected to any other houſe; and I am ſure + if he thought them an unpleaſant people to die amongſt, he would + have found them ſtill worſe to live with.—My obſervation + as to the civility of ariſtocrates does not hold good here—indeed + I only meant that thoſe who ever had any, and were ariſtocrates, + ſtill preſerved it. + </p> + <p> + Amiens has always been a commercial town, inhabited by very few of the + higher nobleſſe; and the mere gentry of a French province are + not very much calculated to give a tone of ſoftneſs and reſpect + to thoſe who imitate them. You may, perhaps, be ſurprized that I + ſhould expreſſ myſelf with little conſideration + for a claſs which, in England, is ſo highly reſpectable: + there gentlemen of merely independent circumſtanceſ are not + often diſtinguiſhable in their manners from thoſe of ſuperior + fortune or rank. But, in France, it is different: the inferior nobleſſe + are ſtiff, ceremonious, and oſtentatious; while the higher ranks + were always polite to ſtrangers, and affable to their dependents. + When you viſit ſome of the former, you go through as many + ceremonies as though you were to be inveſted with an order, and riſe + up and ſit down ſo many times, that you return more fatigued + than you would from a cricket match; while with the latter you are juſt + as much at your eaſe as is conſiſtent with good breeding + and propriety, and a whole circle is never put in commotion at the + entrance and exit of every individual who makes part of it. Any one not + prepared for theſe formalities, and who, for the firſt time, + ſaw an aſſembly of twenty people all riſing from their + ſeats at the entrance of a ſingle beau, would ſuppoſe + they were preparing for a dance, and that the new comer was a muſician. + For my part I always find it an oeconomy of ſtrength (when the + locality makes it practicable) to take poſſeſſion of a + window, and continue ſtanding in readineſs until the hour of viſiting + is over, and calm is eſtabliſhed by the arrangement of the card + tables.—The revolution has not annihilated the difference of rank; + though it has effected the abolition of titles; and I counſel all who + have remains of the gout or inflexible joints, not to frequent the houſeſ + of ladies whoſe huſbands have been ennobled only by their + offices, of thoſe whoſe genealogies are modern, or of the + collaterals of ancient families, whoſe claims are ſo far removed + as to be doubtful. The ſociety of all theſe is very exigent, and + to be avoided by the infirm or indolent. + </p> + <p> + I ſend you with this a little collection of airs which I think you + will find very agreeable. The French muſic has not, perhaps, all the + reputation it is entitled to. Rouſſeau has declared it to be + nothing but doleful pſalmodies; Gray calls a French concert "Une + tintamarre de diable:" and the prejudices inſpired by theſe + great names are not eaſily obliterated. We ſubmit our judgement + to theirs, even when our taſte iſ refractory.—The French + compoſers ſeem to excel in marches, in lively airs that abound + in ſtriking paſſages calculated for the popular taſte, + and yet more particularly in thoſe ſimple melodies they call + romances: they are often in a very charming and ſingular ſtyle, + without being either ſo delicate or affecting as the Italian. They + have an expreſſion of plaintive tenderneſs, which makes one + tranquil rather than melancholy; and which, though it be more ſoothing + than intereſting, is very delightful.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_6" id="link3_4_6"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + I have been to-day to take a laſt view of the convents: they are now + advertiſed for ſale, and will probably ſoon be demoliſhed. + You know my opinion is not, on the whole, favourable to theſe inſtitutions, + and that I thought the decree which extinguiſhes them, but which + ſecured to the religious already profeſt the undiſturbed poſſeſſion + of their habitationſ during life, was both politic and humane. Yet I + could not ſee the preſent ſtate of theſe buildings + without pain—they are now inhabited by volunteers, who are paſſing + a novitiate of intemperance and idleneſs, previous to their reception + in the army; and thoſe who recollect the peace and order that once + reigned within the walls of a monaſtery, cannot but be ſtricken + with the contraſt. I felt both for the expelled and preſent poſſeſſors, + and, perhaps, gave a mental preference to the ſuperſtition which + founded ſuch eſtabliſhments, over the perſecution that + deſtroys them. + </p> + <p> + The reſigned and pious votaries, who once ſuppoſed themſelves + ſecure from all the viciſſitudes of fortune, and whoſe + union ſeemed diſſoluble only by the common lot of + mortality, are now many of them diſperſed, wandering, friendleſs, + and miſerable. The religion which they cheriſhed as a comfort, + and practiſed as a duty, is now purſued as a crime; and it is + not yet certain that they will not have to chooſe between an + abjuration of their principles, and the relinquiſhment of the means + of exiſtence.—The military occupiers offered nothing very + alleviating to ſuch unpleaſant reflections; and I beheld with as + much regret the collection of theſe ſcattered individuals, as + the ſeparation of thoſe whoſe habitations they fill. They + are moſt of them extremely young, taken from villages and the ſervice + of agriculture, and are going to riſk their lives in a cauſe + deteſted perhaps by more than three parts of the nation, and only to + ſecure impunity to its oppreſſors. + </p> + <p> + It has uſually been a maxim in all civilized ſtates, that when + the general welfare neceſſitates ſome act of partial injuſtice, + it ſhall be done with the utmoſt conſideration for the + ſufferer, and that the required ſacrifice of moral to political + expediency ſhall be palliated, as much as the circumſtances will + admit, by the manner of carrying it into execution. But the French legiſlators, + in this reſpect, as in moſt others, truly original, diſdain + all imitation, and are rarely guided by ſuch confined motives. With + them, private rights are frequently violated, only to facilitate the means + of public oppreſſionſ—and cruel and iniquitous + decrees are rendered ſtill more ſo by the mode of enforcing + them. + </p> + <p> + I have met with no perſon who could conceive the neceſſity + of expelling the female religious from their convents. It was, however, + done, and that with a mixture of meanneſs and barbarity which at once + exciteſ contempt and deteſtation. The oſtenſible, reaſons + were, that theſe communities afforded an aſylum to the ſuperſtitious, + and that by their entire ſuppreſſion, a ſale of the + houſes would enable the nation to afford the religious a more liberal + ſupport than had been aſſigned them by the Conſtituent + Aſſembly. But they are ſhallow politicians who expect to deſtroy + ſuperſtition by perſecuting thoſe who practiſe + it: and ſo far from adding, as the decree inſinuates, to the penſions + of the nuns, they have now ſubjected them to an oath which, to thoſe + at leaſt whoſe conſciences are timid, will act as a + prohibition to their receiving what they were before entitled to. + </p> + <p> + The real intention of the legiſlature in thus entirely diſperſing + the female religious, beſides the general hatred of every thing + connected with religion, is, to poſſeſs itſelf of an + additional reſource in the buildings and effects, and, as is imagined + by ſome, to procure numerouſ and convenient ſtate priſons. + But, I believe, the latter is only an ariſtocratic apprehenſion, + ſuggeſted by the appropriation of the conventſ to this uſe + in a few places, where the ancient priſons are full.— Whatever + purpoſe it is intended to anſwer, it has been effected in a way + diſgraceful to any national body, except ſuch a body as the + Convention; and, though it be eaſy to perceive the cruelty of ſuch + a meaſure, yet as, perhaps, its injuſtice may not ſtrike + you ſo forcibly as if you had had the ſame opportunities of inveſtigating + it as I have, I will endeavour to explain, as well as I can, the circumſtances + that render it ſo peculiarly aggravated. + </p> + <p> + I need not remind you, that no order is of very modern foundation, nor + that the preſent century has, in a great degree, exploded the faſhion + of compounding for ſins by endowing religious inſtitutions. + Thus, neceſſarily, by the great change which has taken place in + the expence of living, many eſtabliſhments that were poorly + endowed muſt have become unable to ſupport themſelves, but + for the efforts of thoſe who were attached to them. It is true, that + the rent of land has increaſed as itſ produce became more + valuable; but every one knows that the landſ dependent on religious + houſes have always been let on ſuch moderate terms, as by no + means to bear a proportion to the neceſſities they were intended + to ſupply; and as the monaſtic vows have long ceaſed to be + the frequent choice of the rich, little increaſe has been made to the + original ſtock by the acceſſion of new votaries:—yet, + under all theſe diſadvantages, many ſocieties have been + able to rebuild their houſes, embelliſh their churches, purchaſe + plate, &c. &c. The love of their order, that ſpirit of + oeconomy for which they are remarkable, and a perſevering induſtry, + had their uſual effects, and not only baniſhed poverty, but + became a ſource of wealth. An indefatigable labour at ſuch works + as could be profitably diſpoſed of, the education of children, + and the admiſſion of boarders, were the means of enriching a + number of convents, whoſe proper revenues would not have afforded + them even a ſubſiſtence. + </p> + <p> + But the fruits of active toil or voluntary privation, have been confounded + with thoſe of expiatory bequeſt and miſtaken devotion, and + have alike become the prey of a rapacious and unfeeling government. Many + communities are driven from habitations built abſolutely with the + produce of their own labour. In ſome places they were refuſed + even their bedſ and linen; and the ſtock of wood, corn, &c. + provided out of the ſavingſ of their penſions, (underſtood + to be at their own diſpoſal,) have been ſeized, and ſold, + without making them the ſmalleſt compenſation. + </p> + <p> + Thus deprived of every thing, they are ſent into the world with a + prohibition either to live ſeveral of them together, wear their + habits,* or practiſe their religion; yet their penſionſ** + are too ſmall for them to live upon, except in ſociety, or to + pay the uſual expence of boarding: many of them have no other means + of procuring ſecular dreſſes, and ſtill more will + imagine themſelves criminal in abſtaining from the mode of worſhip + they have been taught to think ſalutary. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Two religious, who boarded with a lady I had occaſion to ſee + ſometimes, told me, that they had been ſtrictly enjoined not + to dreſs like each other in any way. ** The penſions are from + about ſeventeen to twenty-five poundſ ſterling per annum.—At + the time I am writing, the neceſſaries of life are increaſed + in price nearly two-fifths of what they bore formerly, and are daily + becoming dearer. The Convention are not always inſenſible to + thiſ—the pay of the foot ſoldier is more than doubled. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + It is alſo to be remembered, that women of ſmall fortune in + France often embraced the monaſtic life as a frugal retirement, and, + by ſinking the whole they were poſſeſſed of in + this way, they expected to ſecure a certain proviſion, and to + place themſelves beyond the reach of future viciſſitudes: + yet, though the ſums paid on theſe occaſions can be eaſily + aſcertained, no indemnity has been made; and many will be obliged to + violate their principles, in order to receive a trifling penſion, + perhapſ much leſs than the intereſt of their money would + have produced without loſs of the principal. + </p> + <p> + But the views of theſe legiſlating philoſophers are too + ſublimely extenſive to take in the wrongs or ſufferings of + contemporary individuals; and not being able to diſguiſe, even + to themſelves, that they create much miſery at preſent, + they promiſe incalculable advantageſ to thoſe who ſhall + happen to be alive ſome centuries hence! Moſt of theſe poor + nuns are, however, of an age to preclude them from the hope of enjoying + this Millennium; and they would have been content en attendant theſe + glorious times, not to be deprived of the neceſſaries of life, + or marked out as objects of perſecution. + </p> + <p> + The private diſtreſſes occaſioned by the diſſolution + of the convents are not the only conſequences to be regretted—for + a time, at leaſt, the loſſ muſt certainly be a public + one. There will now be no means of inſtruction for females, nor any + refuge for thoſe who are without friendſ or relations: thouſands + of orphans muſt be thrown unprotected on the world, and guardians, or + ſingle men, left with the care of children, have no way to diſpoſe + of them properly. I do not contend that the education of a convent is the + beſt poſſible: yet are there many advantageſ attending + it; and I believe it will readily be granted, that an education not quite + perfect is better than no education at all. It would not be very difficult + to prove, that the ſyſtems of education, both in England and + France, are extremely defective; and if the characters of women are + generally better formed in one than the other, it is not owing to the + ſuperiority of boarding-ſchools over convents, but to the + difference of our national manners, which tend to produce qualities not + neceſſary, or not valued, in France. + </p> + <p> + The moſt diſtinguiſhed female excellencies in England are + an attachment to domeſtic life, an attention to its oeconomies, and a + cultivated underſtanding. Here, any thing like houſe-wifery is + not expected but from the lower claſſes, and reading or + information is confined chiefly to profeſſed wits. Yet the + qualities ſo much eſteemed in England are not the effect of + education: few domeſtic accompliſhments, and little uſeful + knowledge, are acquired at a boarding-ſchool; but finally the + national character aſſerts its empire, and the female who has + gone through a courſe of frivolities from ſix to ſixteen, + who has been taught that the firſt "human principle" ſhould be + to give an elegant tournure to her perſon, after a few yearſ' diſſipation, + becomes a good wife and mother, and a rational companion. + </p> + <p> + In France, young women are kept in great ſecluſion: religion and + oeconomy form a principal part of conventual acquirements, and the natural + vanity of the ſex is left to develope itſelf without the aid of + authority, or inſtillation by precept—yet, when releaſed + from this ſober tuition, manners take the aſcendant here as in + England, and a woman commences at her marriage the aera of coquetry, + idleneſs, freedom, and rouge.—We may therefore, I think, + venture to conclude, that the education of a boarding-ſchool is + better calculated for the rich, that of a convent for the middle claſſes + and the poor; and, conſequently, that the ſuppreſſion + of this laſt in France will principally affect thoſe to whom it + was moſt beneficial, and to whom the want of it will be moſt + dangerous. + </p> + <p> + A committee of wiſe men are now forming a plan of public inſtruction, + which is to excel every thing ever adopted in any age or country; and we + may therefore hope that the defects which have hitherto prevailed, both in + theirs and our own, will be remedied. All we have to apprehend is, that, + amidſt ſo many wiſe heads, more than one wiſe plan may + be produced, and a difficulty of choice keep the riſing generation in + a ſort of abeyance, ſo that they muſt remain ſterile, + or may become vitiated, while it is determining in what manner they ſhall + be cultivated. + </p> + <p> + It is almoſt a phraſe to ſay, the reſources of France + are wonderful, and this is no leſs true than generally admitted. + Whatever be the want or loſs, it is no ſooner known than ſupplied, + and the imagination of the legiſlature ſeems to become fertile + in proportion to the exigence of the moment.—I was in ſome pain + at the diſgrace of Mirabeau, leſt this new kind of retroſpective + judgement ſhould depopulate the Pantheon of the few divinities that + remained; more eſpecially when I conſidered that Voltaire, + notwithſtanding his merits as an enemy to revelation, had been + already accuſed of ariſtocracy, and even Rouſſeau himſelf + might not be found impeccable. His Contrat Social might not, perhaps, in + the eyes of a committee of philoſophical Rhadmanthuſ's, atone + for his occaſional admiration of chriſtianity: and thus ſome + crime, either of church or ſtate, diſfranchiſe the whole + race of immortals, and their fame ſcarcely outlaſt the diſpute + about their earthly remains.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Alluding to the diſputes between the Convention and the perſon + who claimed the excluſive right to the remains of Rouſſeau. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + My concern, on this account, was the more juſtifiable, becauſe + the great fallibility which prevailed among the patriots, and the very + delicate ſtate of the reputation of thoſe who retained their + political exiſtence, afforded no hope that they could ever fill the + vacancies in the Pantheon.—But my fears were very ſuperfluouſ—France + will never want ſubjects for an apotheoſis, and if one divinity + be dethroned, "another and another ſtill ſucceeds," all equally + worthy as long as they continue in faſhion.—The phrenzy of deſpair + has ſupplied a ſucceſſor to Mirabeau, in Le Pelletier. + [De St. Fargeau.] The latter had hitherto been little heard of, but his + death offered an occaſion for exciting the people too favourable to + be neglected: his patriotiſm and his virtues immediately increaſed + in a ratio to the uſe which might be made of them;* a dying ſpeech + proper for the purpoſe was compoſed, and it was decreed unanimouſly, + that he ſhould be inſtalled in all the rights, privileges, and + immortalities of the degraded Riquetti.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * At the firſt intelligence of his death, a member of the + Convention, who was with him, and had not yet had time to ſtudy a + ſpeech, confeſſed his laſt words to have been, "Jai + froid."—"I am cold." This, however, would nave made no figure on + the banners of a funeral proceſſion; and Le Pelletier was made + to die, like the hero of a tragedy, uttering blank verſe. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The funeral that preceded theſe divine awards was a farce, which + tended more to provoke a maſſacre of the living, than to honour + the dead; and the Convention, who vowed to ſacrifice their animoſities + on his tomb, do ſo little credit to the conciliating influence of St. + Fargeau's virtues, that they now diſpute with more acrimony than + ever. + </p> + <p> + The departments, who begin to be extremely ſubmiſſive to + Paris, thought it incumbent on them to imitate this ceremony; but as it + was rather an act of fear than of patriotiſm, it was performed here + with ſo much oeconomy, and ſo little inclination, that the whole + was cold and paltry. —An altar was erected on the great + market-place, and ſo little were the people affected by the cataſtrophe + of a patriot whom they were informed had ſacrificed* his life in + their cauſe, that the only part of the buſineſs which + ſeemed to intereſt them was the extravagant geſtures of a + woman in a dirty white dreſs, hired to act the part of a "pleureuſe," + or mourner, and whoſe ſorrow appeared to divert them infinitely.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * There is every reaſon to believe that Le Pelletier was not ſingled + out for his patriotiſm.—It is ſaid, and with much + appearance of probability, that he had promiſed PARIS, with whom he + had been intimate, not to vote for the death of the King; and, on hiſ + breaking his word, PARIS, who ſeems to have not been perfectly in + his ſenſes, aſſaſſinated him.—PARIS + had been in the Garde du Corps, and, like moſt of his brethren, was + ſtrongly attached to the King'ſ perſon. Rage and deſpair + prompted him to the commiſſion of an act, which can never be + excuſed, however the perpetrator may imagine himſelf the mere + inſtrument of Divine vengeance.—Notwithſtanding the moſt + vigilant reſearch, he eſcaped for ſome time, and wandered + as far as Forges d'Eaux, a little town in Normandy. At the inn where he + lodged, the extravagance of his manner giving ſuſpicionſ + that he was inſane, the municipality were applied to, to ſecure + him. An officer entered his room while he was in bed, and intimated the + purpoſe he was come for. PARIS affected to comply, and, turning, + drew a piſtol from under the clothes, and ſhot himſelf.—Among + the papers found upon him were ſome affecting lines, expreſſive + of hiſ contempt for life, and adding, that the influence of his + example waſ not to be dreaded, ſince he left none behind him + that deſerved the name of Frenchmen!—<i>"Qu'on n'inquiete perſonne! + perſonne n'a ete mon complice dans la mort heureuſe de + Scelerat St. Fargeau. Si Je ne l'euſſe pas rencontre ſous + ma main, Je purgeois la France du regicide, du parricide, du patricide + D'Orleans. Qu'on n'inquiete perſonne. Tous les Francois ſont + des laches auxquelles Je diſ— "Peuple, dont les forfaits + jettent partout l'effroi, "Avec calme et plaiſir J'abandonne la vie + "Ce n'eſt que par la mort qu'on peut fuir l'infamie, "Qu'imprime + ſur nos fronts le ſang de notre Roi."</i> "Let no man be moleſted + on my account: I had no accomplice in the fortunate death of the miſcreant + St. Fargeau. If he had not fallen in my way, I ſhould have purged + France of the regicide, parricide, patricide D'Orleans. Let no man be + moleſted. All the French are cowards, to whom I ſay—'People, + whoſe crimes inſpire univerſal horror, I quit life with + tranquility and pleaſure. By death alone can we fly from that + infamy which the blood of our King has marked upon our foreheadſ!'"—This + paper was entitled "My Brevet of Honour." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + It will ever be ſo where the people are not left to conſult + their own feelings. The mandate that orders them to aſſemble may + be obeyed, but "that which paſſeth ſhow" is not to be + enforced. It is a limit preſcribed by Nature herſelf to + authority, and ſuch is the averſion of the human mind from + dictature and reſtraint, that here an official rejoicing is often + more ſerious than theſe political exactions of regret levied in + favour of the dead.—Yours, &c. &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_7" id="link3_4_7"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + March 23, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + The partizans of the French in England alledge, that the revolution, by + giving them a government founded on principles of moderation and + rectitude, will be advantageous to all Europe, and more eſpecially to + Great Britain, which has ſo often ſuffered by wars, the fruit of + their intrigues.—This reaſoning would be unanſwerable + could the character of the people be changed with the form of their + government: but, I believe, whoever examines its adminiſtration, + whether as it relates to foreign powers or internal policy, will find that + the ſame ſpirit of intrigue, fraud, deception, and want of + faith, which dictated in the cabinet of Mazarine or Louvois, has been tranſfuſed, + with the addition of meanneſſ and ignorance,* into a Conſtitutional + Miniſtry, or the Republican Executive Council. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The Executive Council is compoſed of men who, if ever they were + well-intentioned, muſt be totally unfit for the government of an + extenſive republic. Monge, the Miniſter of the Marine, is a + profeſſor of geometry; Garat, Miniſter of Juſtice, a + gazette writer; Le Brun, Miniſter of Foreign Affairs, ditto; and + Pache, Miniſter of the Interior, a private tutor.—Whoever + reads the debates of the Convention will find few indications of real + talents, and much pedantry and ignorance. For example, Anacharſis + Cloots, who is a member of the Committee of Public Inſtruction, and + who one ſhould, of courſe, expect not to be more ignorant than + his colleagues, haſ lately adviſed them to diſtreſs + the enemy by invading Scotland, which he calls the granary of England. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + France had not yet determined on the articles of her future political + creed, when agents were diſpatched to make proſelytes in + England, and, in proportion as ſhe aſſumed a more popular + form of government, all the qualities which have ever marked her as the diſturber + of mankind ſeem to have acquired new force. Every where the ambaſſadors + of the republic are accuſed of attempts to excite revolt and diſcontent, + and England* is now forced into a war becauſe ſhe could not be + perſuaded to an inſurrection. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * For ſome time previous to the war, all the French prints and even + members of the Convention, in their debates, announced England to be on + the point of an inſurrection. The intrigues of Chauvelin, their + ambaſſador, to verify this prediction, are well known. Briſſot, + Le Brun, &c. who have ſince been executed, were particularly + charged by the adverſe party with provoking the war with England. + Robeſpierre, and thoſe who ſucceeded, were not ſo deſirous + of involving us in a foreign war, and their humane efforts were directed + merely to excite a civil one.—The third article of accuſation + againſt Rolland is, having ſent twelve millions of livres to + England, to aſſiſt in procuring a declaration of war. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Perhaps it may be ſaid, that the French have taken this part only for + their own ſecurity, and to procure adherents to the common cauſe; + but this is all I contend for—that the politics of the old + government actuate the new, and that they have not, in aboliſhing + courts and royalty, aboliſhed the perfidious ſyſtem of + endeavouring to benefit themſelves, by creating diſtreſs + and diſſention among their neighbours.— Louvois ſupplied + the Proteſtants in the Low Countries with money, while he perſecuted + them in France. The agents of the republic, more oeconomical, yet directed + by the ſame motives, eke out corruption by precepts of ſedition, + and arm the leaders of revolt with the rights of man; but, forgetting the + maxim that charity ſhould begin at home, in their zeal for the + freedom of other countries, they leave no portion of it for their own! + </p> + <p> + Louis the Fourteenth over-ran Holland and the Palatinate to plant the + white flag, and lay the inhabitants under contribution—the republic + ſend an army to plant the tree of liberty, levy a <i>don patriotique,</i> + [Patriotic gift.] and place garriſons in the towns, in order to preſerve + their freedom.—Kings have violated treaties from the deſire of + conqueſt —theſe virtuous republicans do it from the deſire + of plunder; and, previous to opening the Scheldt, the invaſion of + Holland, was propoſed aſ a means of paying the expences of the + war. I have never heard that even the moſt ambitious Potentates ever + pretended to extend their ſubjugation beyond the perſons and + property of the conquered; but theſe militant dogmatiſts claim + an empire even over opinions, and inſiſt that no people can be + free or happy unleſs they regulate their ideas of freedom and happineſs + by the variable ſtandard of the Jacobin club. Far from being of + Hudibraſ's philoſophy,* they ſeem to think the mind as + tangible as the body, and that, with the aſſiſtance of an + army, they may as ſoon lay one "by the heelſ" as the other. + </p> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + * "Quoth he, one half of man, his mind, + "Is, ſui juris, unconfin'd, + "And ne'er can be laid by the heels, + "Whate'er the other moiety feels." + + Hudibras. +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + Now this I conceive to be the worſt of all tyrannies, nor have I + ſeen it exceeded on the French theatre, though, within the laſt + year, the imagination of their poets has been peculiarly ingenious and + inventive on this ſubject.—It is abſurd to ſuppoſe + this vain and overbearing diſpoſition will ceaſe when the + French government is ſettled. The intrigues of the popular party + began in England the very moment they attained power, and long before + there was any reaſon to ſuſpect that the Engliſh would + deviate from their plan of neutrality. If, then, the French cannot reſtrain + this miſchievous ſpirit while their own affairſ are ſufficient + to occupy their utmoſt attention, it is natural to conclude, that, + ſhould they once become eſtabliſhed, leiſure and peace + will make them dangerous to the tranquillity of all Europe. Other + governments may be improved by time, but republics always degenerate; and + if that which is in its original ſtate of perfection exhibit already + the maturity of vice, one cannot, without being more credulous than reaſonable, + hope any thing better for the future than what we have experienced from + the paſt.—It is, indeed, unneceſſary to detain you + longer on this ſubject. You muſt, ere now, be perfectly + convinced how far the revolutionary ſyſtems of France are + favourable to the peace and happineſs of other countries. I will only + add a few details which may aſſiſt you in judging of what + advantage they have been to the French themſelves, and whether, in + changing the form of their government, they have amended its principles; + or if, in "conquering liberty," (as they expreſs it,) they have + really become free. + </p> + <p> + The ſituation of France has altered much within the laſt two + months: the ſeat of power is leſs fluctuating and the exerciſe + of it more abſolute— arbitrary meaſures are no longer + incidental, but ſyſtematic—and a regular connection of + dependent tyranny is eſtabliſhed, beginning with the Jacobin + clubs, and ending with the committees of the ſections. A ſimple + decree for inſtance, has put all the men in the republic, (unmarried + and without children,) from eighteen to forty-five at the requiſition + of the Miniſter of War. A levy of three hundred thouſand iſ + to take place immediately: each department is reſponſible for + the whole of a certain number to the Convention, the diſtricts are anſwerable + for their quota to the departments, the municipalities to the diſtrict, + and the diligence of the whole is animated by itinerant members of the + legiſlature, entruſted with the diſpoſal of an armed + force. The latter circumſtance may ſeem to you incredible; yet + is it nevertheleſs true, that moſt of the departments are under + the juriſdiction of theſe ſovereigns, whoſe authority + is nearly unlimited. We have, at thiſ moment, two Deputies in the + town, who arreſt and impriſon at their pleaſure. + One-and-twenty inhabitants of Amiens were ſeized a few nightſ + ago, without any ſpecific charge having been exhibited againſt + them, and are ſtill in confinement. The gates of the town are ſhut, + and no one iſ permitted to paſs or repaſs without an order + from the municipality; and the obſervance of this is exacted even of + thoſe who reſide in the ſuburbs. Farmers and country + people, who are on horſeback, are obliged to have the features and + complexion of their horſes minuted on the paſſport with + their own. Every perſon whom it is found convenient to call ſuſpicious, + is deprived of his arms; and private houſes are diſturbed during + the night, (in oppoſition to a poſitive law,) under pretext of + ſearching for refractory prieſts.—Theſe regulations + are not peculiar to this department, and you muſt underſtand + them as conveying a general idea of what paſſes in every part of + France.—I have yet to add, that letters are opened with impunity—that + immenſe ſums of aſſignats are created at the will of + the Convention—that no one is excuſed mounting guard in perſon—and + that all houſekeepers, and even lodgers, are burthened with the + quartering of troops, ſometimes as many as eight or ten, for weeks + together. + </p> + <p> + You may now, I think, form a tolerable idea of the liberty that haſ + accrued to the French from the revolution, the dethronement of the King, + and the eſtabliſhment of a republic. But, though the French + ſuffer thiſ deſpotiſm without daring to murmur openly, + many a ſignificant ſhrug and doleful whiſper paſs in + ſecret, and this political diſcontent has even its appropriate + language, which, though not very explicit, is perfectly underſtood.—Thus + when you hear one man ſay to another, <i>"Ah, mon Dieu, on eſt + bien malheureux dans ce moment ici;"</i> or, <i>"Nous ſommes dans une + poſition tres critique—Je voudrois bien voir la fin de tout + cela;"</i> ["God knows, we are very miſerable at preſent—we + are in a very critical ſituation—I ſhould like to ſee + an end of all this."] you may be ſure he languiſhes for the reſtoration + of the monarchy, and hopes with equal fervor, that he may live to ſee + the Convention hanged. In theſe ſort of conferences, however, + evaporates all their courage. They own their country is undone, that they + are governed by a ſet of brigands, go home and hide any ſet of + valuables they have not already ſecreted, and receive with obſequious + complaiſance the next viſite domiciliaire. + </p> + <p> + The maſs of the people, with as little energy, have more obſtinacy, + and are, of courſe, not quite ſo tractable. But, though they + grumble and procraſtinate, they do not reſiſt; and their + delays and demurs uſually terminate in implicit ſubmiſſion. + </p> + <p> + The Deputy-commiſſioners, whom I have mentioned above, have been + at Amiens ſome time, in order to promote the levying of recruits. On + Sundays and holidays they ſummoned the inhabitants to attend at the + cathedral, where they harangued them on the ſubject, called for + vengeance on the coaleſced deſpots, expatiated on the love of + glory, and inſiſted on the pleaſure of dying for one's + country: while the people liſtened with vacant attention, amuſed + themſelves with the paintings, or adjourned in ſmall committees + to diſcuſs the hardſhip of being obliged to fight without + inclination.—Thus time elapſed, the military orations produced + no effect, and no troops were raiſed: no one would enliſt + voluntarily, and all refuſed to ſettle it by lot, becauſe, + as they wiſely obſerved, the lot muſt fall on ſomebody. + Yet, notwithſtanding the objection, the matter was at length decided + by this laſt method. The deciſion had no ſooner taken + place, than another difficulty enſued—thoſe who eſcaped + acknowledged it was the beſt way that could be deviſed; but thoſe + who were deſtined to the frontiers refuſed to go. Various + altercations, and excuſes, and references, were the conſequence; + yet, after all thiſ murmuring and evaſion, the preſence of + the Commiſſioners and a few dragoons have arranged the buſineſs + very pacifically; many are already gone, and the reſt will (if the + dragoons continue here) ſoon follow. + </p> + <p> + This, I aſſure you, is a juſt ſtatement of the account + between the Convention and the People: every thing is effected by fear—nothing + by attachment; and the one is obeyed only becauſe the other want + courage to reſiſt.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_8" id="link3_4_8"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Rouen, March 31, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + Rouen, like moſt of the great towns in France, is what is called + decidedly ariſtocratic; that is, the rich are diſcontented becauſe + they are without ſecurity, and the poor becauſe they want bread. + But theſe complaints are not peculiar to large places; the cauſes + of them equally exiſt in the ſmalleſt village, and the only + difference which fixes the imputation of ariſtocracy on one more than + the other, is, daring to murmur, or ſubmitting in ſilence. + </p> + <p> + I muſt here remark to you, that the term ariſtocrate has much + varied from its former ſignification. A year ago, ariſtocrate + implied one who was an advocate for the privileges of the nobility, and a + partizan of the ancient government—at preſent a man is an ariſtocrate + for entertaining exactly the ſame principles which at that time conſtituted + a patriot; and, I believe, the computation is moderate, when I ſay, + that more than three parts of the nation are ariſtocrates. The rich, + who apprehend a violation of their property, are ariſtocrateſ—the + merchants, who regret the ſtagnation of commerce, and diſtruſt + the credit of the aſſignats, are ariſtocrateſ—the + ſmall retailers, who are pillaged for not ſelling cheaper than + they buy, and who find theſe outrages rather encouraged than repreſſed, + are ariſtocrateſ—and even the poor, who murmur at the + price of bread, and the numerous levies for the army, are, occaſionally, + ariſtocrates. + </p> + <p> + Beſides all theſe, there are likewiſe various claſſes + of moral ariſtocrateſ—ſuch as the humane, who are + averſe from maſſacres and oppreſſion—thoſe + who regret the loſs of civil liberty—the devout, who tremble at + the contempt for religion—the vain, who are mortified at the + national degradation—and authors, who ſigh for the freedom of + the preſs.—When you conſider this multiplicity of ſymptomatic + indications, you will not be ſurprized that ſuch numbers are + pronounced in a ſtate of diſeaſe; but our republican phyſicians + will ſoon generalize theſe variouſ ſpecies of ariſtocracy + under the ſingle deſcription of all who have any thing to loſe, + and every one will be deemed plethoric who is not in a conſumption. + The people themſelves who obſerve, though they do not reaſon, + begin to have an idea that property expoſes the ſafety of the + owner and that the legiſlature is leſs inexorable when guilt iſ + unproductive, than when the conviction of a criminal comprehends the + forfeiture of an eſtate.—A poor tradeſman was lamenting to + me yeſterday, that he had neglected an offer of going to live in + England; and when I told him I thought he was very fortunate in having + done ſo, as he would have been declared an emigrant, he replied, + laughing, <i>"Moi emigre qui n'ai pas un ſol:"</i> ["I am emigrant, + who am not worth a halfpenny!"]—No, no; they don't make emigrants of + thoſe who are worth nothing. And thiſ was not ſaid with any + intended irreverence to the Convention, but with the ſimplicity which + really conceived the wealth of the emigrants to be the cauſe of the + ſeverity exerciſed againſt them. + </p> + <p> + The commercial and political evils attending a vaſt circulation of aſſignats + have been often diſcuſſed, but I have never yet known the + matter conſidered in what is, perhaps, its moſt ſerious + point of view—I mean its influence on the habits and morals of the + people. Wherever I go, eſpecially in large towns like this, the miſchief + is evident, and, I fear, irremediable. That oeconomy, which was one of the + moſt valuable characteriſtics of the French, is now + comparatively diſregarded. The people who receive what they earn in a + currency they hold in contempt, are more anxious to ſpend than to + ſave; and thoſe who formerly hoarded ſix liards or twelve + ſols pieces with great care, would think it folly to hoard an aſſignat, + whatever its nominal value. Hence the lower claſs of females diſſipate + their wages on uſeleſs finery; men frequent public-houſes, + and game for larger ſums than before; little ſhopkeepers, inſtead + of amaſſing their profits, become more luxurious in their table: + public places are always full; and thoſe who uſed, in a dreſs + becoming their ſtation, to occupy the "parquet" or "parterre," now, + decorated with paſte, pins, gauze, and galloon, fill the boxes:—and + all thiſ deſtructive prodigality is excuſed to others and + themſelves <i>"par ce que ce n'eſt que du papier."</i> [Becauſe + it is only paper.]—It is vain to perſuade them to oeconomize + what they think a few weeks may render valueleſs; and ſuch is + the evil of a circulation ſo totally diſcredited, that profuſion + aſſumes the merit of precaution, extravagance the plea of neceſſity, + and thoſe who were not laviſh by habit become ſo through + their eagerneſs to part with their paper. The buried gold and ſilver + will again be brought forth, and the merchant and the politician forget + the miſchief of the aſſignats. But what can compenſate + for the injury done to the people? What is to reſtore their ancient + frugality, or baniſh their acquired wants? It is not to be expected + that the return of ſpecie will diminiſh the inclination for + luxury, or that the human mind can be regulated by the national finance; + on the contrary, it iſ rather to be feared, that habits of expence + which owe their introduction to the paper will remain when the paper is + annihilated; that, though money may become more ſcarce, the propenſities + of which it ſupplies the indulgence will not be leſs forcible, + and that thoſe who have no other reſources for their accuſtomed + gratifications will but too often find one in the ſacrifice of their + integrity.—Thus, the corruption of manners will be ſucceeded by + the corruption of morals, and the diſhoneſty of one ſex, + with the licentiouſneſs of the other, produce conſequences + much worſe than any imagined by the abſtracted calculationſ + of the politician, or the ſelfiſh ones of the merchant. Age will + be often without ſolace, ſickneſs without alleviation, and + infancy without ſupport; becauſe ſome would not amaſs + for themſelves, nor others for their children, the profits of their + labour in a repreſentative ſign of uncertain value. + </p> + <p> + I do not pretend to aſſert that theſe are the natural + effects of a paper circulation—doubtleſs, when ſupported + by high credit, and an extenſive commerce, it muſt have many + advantages; but this was not the caſe in France—the meaſure + was adopted in a moment of revolution, and when the credit of the country, + never very conſiderable, was precarious and degraded—It did not + flow from the exuberance of commerce, but the artifices of party—it + never preſumed, for a moment, on the confidence of the people—its + reception was forced, and its emiſſion too profuſe not to + be alarming.—I know it may be anſwered, that the aſſignats + do not depend upon an imaginary appreciation, but really repreſent a + large maſs of national wealth, particularly in the domains of the + clergy: yet, perhaps, it is this very circumſtance which has tended + moſt to diſcredit them. Had their credit reſted only on the + ſolvency of the nation, though they had not been greatly coveted, + ſtill they would have been leſſ diſtributed; people + would not have apprehended their abolition on a change of government, nor + that the ſyſtems adopted by one party might be reverſed by + another. Indeed we may add, that an experiment of this kind does not begin + auſpiciouſly when grounded on confiſcation and ſeizures, + which it is probable more than half the French conſidered as ſacrilege + and robbery; nor could they be very anxious to poſſeſs a + ſpecies of wealth which they made it a motive of conſcience to + hope would never be of any value.—But if the original creation of aſſignats + were objectionable, the ſubſequent creations cannot but augment + the evil. I have already deſcribed to you the effects viſible at + preſent, and thoſe to be apprehended in future—others may + reſult from the new inundation, [1200 millionſ—50 millions + ſterling.] which it is not poſſible to conjecture; but if + the miſchiefs ſhould be real, in proportion as a part of the + wealth which this paper is ſaid to repreſent is imaginary, their + extent cannot eaſily be exaggerated. Perhaps you will be of thiſ + opinion, when you recollect that one of the funds which form the ſecurity + of this vaſt ſum is the gratitude of the Flemings for their + liberty; and if this reimburſement be to be made according to the + ſpecimen the French army have experienced in their retreat, I doubt + much of the convention will be diſpoſed to advance any farther + claims on it; for, it ſeems, the inhabitants of the Low Countries + have been ſo little ſenſible of the benefits beſtowed + on them, that even the peaſants ſeize on any weaponſ neareſt + hand, and drub and purſue the retrograding armies as they would wild + beaſts; and though, as Dumouriez obſerves in one of his diſpatches, + our revolution is intended to favour the country people, <i>"c'eſt + cependant les gens de campagne qui ſ'arment contre nous, et le tocſin + ſonne de toutes parts;"</i> ["It is, however, the country people who + take up arms againſt us, and the alarm is ſounded from all + quarters."] ſo that the French will, in fact, have created a public + debt of ſo ſingular a nature, that every one will avoid as much + as poſſible making any demand of the capital. + </p> + <p> + I have already been more diffuſe than I intended on the ſubject + of finance; but I beg you to obſerve, that I do not affect to + calculate, or ſpeculate, and that I reaſon only from facts which + are daily within my notice, and which, as tending to operate on the morals + of the people, are naturally included in the plan I propoſed to myſelf. + </p> + <p> + I have been here but a few days, and intend returning to-morrow. I left + Mrs. D____ very little better, and the diſaffection of Dumouriez, + which I juſt now learn, may oblige us to remove to ſome place + not on the route to Paris.—Every one looks alert and important, and + a phyſiognomiſt may perceive that regret is not the prevailing + ſentiment— + </p> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +"We now begin to ſpeak in tropes, +"And, by our fears, expreſs our hopes." +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + The Jacobins are ſaid to be apprehenſive, which augurs well; + for, certainly, next to the happineſs of good people, one deſires + the puniſhment of the bad. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_9" id="link3_4_9"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, April 7, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + If the ſentiments of the people towards their preſent government + had been problematical before, the viſible effect of Dumouriez' + conduct would afford an ample ſolution of the problem. That + indifference about public affairs which the proſpect of an eſtabliſhed + deſpotiſm had begun to create has vaniſhed—all is + hope and expectation—the doors of thoſe who retail the newſpapers + are aſſailed by people too impatient to read them— each + with his gazette in his hand liſtens eagerly to the verbal + circulation, and then holds a ſecret conference with his neighbour, + and calculates how long it may be before Dumouriez can reach Paris. A + fortnight ago the name of Dumouriez was not uttered but in a tone of harſhneſs + and contempt, and, if ever it excited any thing like complacency, it was + when he announced defeats and loſſes. Now he iſ ſpoken + of with a ſignificant modulation of voice, it is diſcovered that + he has great talents, and his popularity with the army is deſcanted + upon with a myſterious air of ſuppreſſed ſatiſfaction.—Thoſe + who were extremely apprehenſive leſt part of the General's + troops ſhould be driven this way by the ſucceſſes of + the enemy, ſeem to talk with perfect compoſure of their taking + the ſame route to attack the capital; while others, who would have + been unwilling to receive either Dumouriez or hiſ army as peaceful + fugitives, will be "nothing loath" to admit them aſ conquerors. From + all I can learn, theſe diſpoſitions are very general, and, + indeed, the actual tyranny is ſo great, and the perſpective + ſo alarming, that any means of deliverance muſt be acceptable. + But whatever may be the event, though I cannot be perſonally intereſted, + if I thought Dumouriez really propoſed to eſtabliſh a good + government, humanity would render one anxious for his ſucceſs; + for it is not to be diſguiſed, that France is at this moment (as + the General himſelf expreſſed it) under the joint dominion + of <i>"imbecilleſ"</i> and <i>"brigands."</i> [Ideots and robbers.] + </p> + <p> + It is poſſible, that at this moment the whole army is diſaffected, + and that the fortified towns are prepared to ſurrender. It is alſo + certain, that Brittany is in revolt, and that many other departments are + little ſhort of it; yet you will not very eaſily conceive what + may have occupied the Convention during part of this important criſiſ—nothing + leſs than inventing a dreſs for their Commiſſionerſ! + But, as Sterne ſays, "it iſ the ſpirit of the nation;" and + I recollect no circumſtance during the whole progreſs of the + revolution (however ſerious) that has not been mixed with frivolities + of this kind. + </p> + <p> + I know not what effect this new coſtume may produce on the rebels or + the enemy, but I confeſs it appears to me more ludicrous than + formidable, eſpecially when a repreſentative happens to be of + the ſhape and featureſ of the one we have here. Saladin, Deputy + for this department, and an advocate of the town of Amiens, has already + inveſted himſelf with thiſ armour of inviolability; "ſtrange + figure in ſuch ſtrange habiliments," that one is tempted to + forget that Baratraria and the government of Sancho are the creation of + fancy. Imagine to yourſelf a ſhort fat man, of ſallow + complexion and ſmall eyes, with a ſaſh of white, red, and + blue round his waiſt, a black belt with a ſword ſuſpended + acroſs hiſ ſhoulders, and a round hat turned up before, + with three feathers of the national colours: "even ſuch a man" is our + repreſentative, and exerciſeſ a more deſpotic + authority than moſt Princes in Europe.—He is accompanied by + another Deputy, who was what is called Pere de la Oratoire before the + revolution—that is, in a ſtation nearly approaching to that of + an under-maſter at our public ſchools; only that the ſeminaries + to which theſe were attached being very numerous, thoſe employed + in them were little conſidered. They wore the habit, and were ſubject + to the ſame reſtrictions, as the Clergy, but were at liberty to + quit the profeſſion and marry, if they choſe.—I have + been more particular in deſcribing this claſs of men, becauſe + they have every where taken an active and ſucceſſful part + in perverting and miſleading the people: they are in the clubs, or + the municipalities, in the Convention, and in all elective adminiſtrations, + and have been in moſt places remarkable for their ſedition and + violence. + </p> + <p> + Several reaſons may be aſſigned for the influence and + conduct of men whoſe ſituation and habits, on a firſt view, + ſeem to oppoſe both. In the firſt ardour of reform it was + determined, that all the ancient modes of education ſhould be aboliſhed; + ſmall temporary penſions were allotted to the Profeſſors + of Colleges, and their admiſſion to the exerciſe of ſimilar + functions in the intended new ſyſtem was left to future deciſion. + From this time the diſbanded oratorians, who knew it would be vain to + reſiſt popular authority, endeavoured to ſhare in it; or, + at leaſt, by becoming zealous partizans of the revolution, to eſtabliſh + their claimſ to any offices or emoluments which might be ſubſtituted + for thoſe they had been deprived of. They enrolled themſelves + with the Jacobins, courted the populace, and, by the talent of pronouncing + Roman names with emphaſis, and the ſtudy of rhetorical + attitudes, they became important to aſſociates who were + ignorant, or neceſſary to thoſe who were deſigning. + </p> + <p> + The little information generally poſſeſſed by the + middle claſſes of life in France, is alſo another cauſe + of the comparative importance of thoſe whoſe profeſſions + had, in this reſpect, raiſed them ſomething above the + common level. People of condition, liberally educated, have unfortunately + abandoned public affairs for ſome time; ſo that the incapacity + of ſome, and the pride or deſpondency of others, have, in a + manner, left the nation to the guidance of pedants, incendiaries, and + adventurers. Perhaps alſo the animoſity with which the deſcription + of men I allude to purſued every thing attached to the ancient + government, may, in ſome degree, have proceeded from a deſire of + revenge and retaliation. They were not, it muſt be confeſſed, + treated formerly with the regard due to perſons whoſe profeſſion + was in itſelf uſeful and reſpectable; and the wounds of + vanity are not eaſily cured, nor the vindictiveneſs of little + minds eaſily ſatiſfied. + </p> + <p> + From the conduct and popular influence of theſe Peres de l'Oratoire, + ſome truths may be deduced not altogether uſeleſs even to a + country not liable to ſuch violent reforms. It affords an example of + the danger ariſing from thoſe ſudden and arbitrary + innovations, which, by depriving any part of the community of their uſual + means of living, and ſubſtituting no other, tempt them to + indemnify themſelves by preying, in different ways, on their + fellow-citizens.—The daring and ignorant often become depredators of + private property; while thoſe who have more talents, and leſs + courage, endeavour to ſucceed by the artifices which conciliate + public favour. I am not certain whether the latter are not to be moſt + dreaded of the two, for thoſe who make a trade of the confidence of + the people ſeldom fail to corrupt them—they find it more + profitable to flatter their paſſions than to enlighten their + underſtandings; and a demagogue of this kind, who obtains an office + by exciting one popular inſurrection, will make no ſcruple of + maintaining himſelf in it by another. An inferrence may likewiſe + be drawn of the great neceſſity of cultivating ſuch a + degree of uſeful knowledge in the middle order of ſociety, as + may not only prevent their being deceived by intereſted adventurers + themſelves, but enable them to inſtruct the people in their true + intereſts, and reſcue them from becoming the inſtruments, + and finally the victims, of fraud and impoſture.—The inſult + and oppreſſion which the nobility frequently experience from thoſe + who have been promoted by the revolution, will, I truſt, be a uſeful + leſſon in future to the great, who may be inclined to arrogate + too much from adventitiouſ diſtinctions, to forget that the + earth we tread upon may one day overwhelm us, and that the meaneſt of + mankind may do us an injury which it is not in the power even of the moſt + exalted to ſhield us from. + </p> + <p> + The inquiſition begins to grow ſo ſtrict, that I have + thought it neceſſary to-day to bury a tranſlation of Burke.—In + times of ignorance and barbarity, it was criminal to read the bible, and + our Engliſh author is prohibited for a ſimilar reaſon—that + is, to conceal from the people the errors of thoſe who direct them: + and, indeed, Mr. Burke has written ſome truths, which it is of much + more importance for the Convention to conceal, than it could be to the + Catholic prieſts to monopolize the divine writings.—As far as + it was poſſible, Mr. Burke has ſhown himſelf a + prophet: if he has not been completely ſo, it was becauſe he had + a benevolent heart, and is the native of a free country. By the one, he + was prevented from imagining the cruelties which the French have + committed; by the other, the extreme deſpotiſm which they + endure. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_10" id="link3_4_10"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + April 20, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + Before theſe halcyon days of freedom, the ſupremacy of Paris was + little felt in the provinces, except in dictating a new faſhion in + dreſs, an improvement in the art of cookery, or the invention of a + minuet. At preſent our imitations of the capital are ſomething + more ſerious; and if our obedience be not quite ſo voluntary, it + is much more implicit. Inſtead of receiving faſhions from the + Court, we take them now from the <i>dames des balles,</i> [Market-women.] + and the municipality; and it muſt be allowed, that the imaginations + of our new ſovereigns much exceed thoſe of the old in force and + originality. + </p> + <p> + The mode of pillaging the ſhops, for inſtance, was firſt + deviſed by the Pariſian ladies, and has lately been adopted with + great ſucceſs in the departments; the viſite domiciliaire, + alſo, which I look upon as a moſt ingenious effort of fancy, is + an emanation from the commune of Paris, and has had an univerſal run.—But + it would be vain to attempt enumerating all the obligations of this kind + which we owe to the indulgence of that virtuous city: our laſt + importation, however, is of ſo ſingular a nature, that, were we + not daily aſſured all the liberty in the world centers in Paris, + I ſhould be doubtful as to its tendency. It has lately been decreed, + that every houſe in the republic ſhall have fixed on the outſide + of the door, in legible characters, the name, age, birth-place, and profeſſion + of its inhabitants. Not the pooreſt cottager, nor thoſe who are + too old or too young for action, nor even unmarried ladies, are exempt + from thus proclaiming the abſtract of their hiſtory to paſſers-by. + —The reigning party judge very wiſely, that all thoſe who + are not already their enemies may become ſo, and that thoſe who + are unable to take a part themſelves may excite others: but, whatever + may be the intention of this meaſure, it is impoſſible to + conceive any thing which could better ſerve the purpoſes of an + arbitrary government; it placeſ every individual in the republic + within the immediate reach of informerſ and ſpieſ—it + points out thoſe who are of an age to ſerve in the army— + thoſe who have ſought refuge in one department from the perſecutions + of another—and, in ſhort, whether a victim is purſued by + the denunciation of private malice, or political ſuſpicion, it + renders eſcape almoſt impracticable. + </p> + <p> + We have had two domiciliary viſits within the laſt fortnight—one + to ſearch for arms, the other under pretext of aſcertaining the + number of troops each houſe is capable of lodging. But this was only + the pretext, becauſe the municipalities always quarter troops as they + think proper, without conſidering whether you have room or not; and + the real object of this inquiſition was to obſerve if the + inhabitants anſwered to the liſtſ placed on the doors.—Mrs. + D____ was ill in bed, but you muſt not imagine ſuch a circumſtance + deterred theſe gallant republicans from entering her room with an + armed force, to calculate how many ſoldiers might be lodged in the + bedchamber of a ſick female! The French, indeed, had never, in my + remembrance, any pretenſions to delicacy, or even decency, and they + are certainly not improved in theſe reſpects by the revolution. + </p> + <p> + It is curious in walking the ſtreets, to obſerve the devices of + the ſeveral claſſes of ariſtocracy; for it is not to + be diſguiſed, that ſince the hope from Dumouriez has vaniſhed, + though the diſguſt of the people may be increaſed, their + terror is alſo greater than ever, and the departments near Paris have + no reſource but ſilent ſubmiſſion. Every one, + therefore, obeys the letter of the decrees with the diligence of fear, + while they elude the ſpirit of them with all the ingenuity of hatred. + The rich, for example, who cannot entirely diveſt themſelves of + their remaining hauteur, exhibit a ſullen compliance on a ſmall + piece of paper, written in a ſmall hand, and placed at the very + extreme of the height allowed by the law. Some fix their bills ſo as + to be half covered by a ſhutter; others faſten them only with + wafers, ſo that the wind detaching one or two corners, makes it impoſſible + to read the reſt.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This contrivance became ſo common, that an article was obliged to + be added to the decree, importing, that whenever the papers were damaged + or effaced by the weather, or deranged by the wind, the inhabitants + ſhould replace them, under a penalty. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Many who have courts or paſſages to their houſes, put their + names on the half of a gate which they leave open, ſo that the + writing is not perceptible but to thoſe who enter. But thoſe who + are moſt afraid, or moſt decidedly ariſtocrates, ſubjoin + to their regiſters, "All good republicans:" or, <i>"Vive la + republique, une et indiviſible."</i> ["The republic, one and indiviſible + for ever!"] Some likewiſe, who are in public offices, or ſhopkeepers + who are very timid, and afraid of pillage, or are ripe for a + counter-revolution, have a ſheet half the ſize of the door, + decorated with red caps, tri-coloured ribbons, and flaming ſentences + ending in "Death or Liberty!" + </p> + <p> + If, however, the French government confined itſelf to theſe + petty acts of deſpotiſm, I would endeavour to be reconciled to + it; but I really begin to have ſerious apprehenſions, not ſo + much for our ſafety as our tranquillity, and if I conſidered + only myſelf, I ſhould not heſitate to return to England. + Mrs. D____ is too ill to travel far at preſent, and her dread of croſſing + the ſea makes her leſs diſpoſed to think our ſituation + here hazardous or ineligible. Mr. D____, too, who, without being a + republican or a partizan of the preſent ſyſtem, has always + been a friend to the firſt revolution, is unwilling to believe the + Convention ſo bad as there is every reaſon to ſuppoſe + it. I therefore let my judgement yield to my friendſhip, and, as I + cannot prevail on them to depart, the danger which may attend our + remaining is an additional reaſon for my not quitting them. + </p> + <p> + The national perfidy which has always diſtinguiſhed France among + the other countries of Europe, ſeems now not to be more a diplomatic + principle, than a rule of domeſtic government. It is ſo extended + and generalized, that an individual is as much liable to be deceived and + betrayed by confiding in a decree, as a foreign power would be by relying + on the faith of a treaty.—An hundred and twenty prieſts, above + ſixty years of age, who had not taken the oaths, but who were allowed + to remain by the ſame law that baniſhed thoſe who were + younger, have been lately arreſted, and are confined together in a + houſe which was once a college. The people did not behold this act of + cruelty with indifference, but, awed by an armed force, and the preſence + of the Commiſſioners of the Convention, they could only follow + the prieſts to their priſon with ſilent regret and internal + horror. They, however, venture even now to mark their attachment, by + taking all opportunities of ſeeing them, and ſupplying them with + neceſſaries, which it is not very difficult to do, aſ they + are guarded by the Bourgeois, who are generally inclined to favour them. I + aſked a woman to-day if ſhe ſtill contrived to have acceſs + to the prieſts, and ſhe replied, <i>"Ah, oui, il y a encore de + la facilite, par ce que l'on ne trouve pas des gardes ici qui ne ſont + pas pour eux."</i>* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "Yes, yes, we ſtill contive it, becauſe there are no guards + to be found here who don't befriend them." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Thus, even the moſt minute and beſt organized tyranny may be + eluded; and, indeed, if all the agents of this government acted in the + ſpirit of itſ decrees, it would be inſupportable even to a + native of Turkey or Japan. But if ſome have ſtill a remnant of + humanity left, there are a ſufficient number who execute the laws as + unfeelingly as they are conceived. + </p> + <p> + When theſe poor prieſts were to be removed from their ſeveral + houſes, it was found neceſſary to diſlodge the Biſhop + of Amiens, who had for ſome time occupied the place fixed on for + their reception. The Biſhop had notice given him at twelve o'clock in + the day to relinquiſh his lodging before evening; yet the Biſhop + of Amiens is a conſtitutional Prelate, and had, before the + revolution, the cure of a large pariſh at Paris; nor waſ it + without much perſuaſion that he accepted the ſee of Amiens. + In the ſevere winter of 1789 he diſpoſed of his plate and + library, (the latter of which was ſaid to be one of the beſt + private collections in Paris,) to purchaſe bread for the poor. "But + Time hath a wallet on his back, wherein he puts alms for oblivion;" and + the charities of the Biſhop could not ſhield him from the + contempt and inſult which purſue his profeſſion. + </p> + <p> + I have been much diſtreſſed within the laſt few days + on account of my friend Madame de B____. I ſubjoining a tranſlation + of a letter I have juſt received from her, as it will convey to you + hereafter a tolerable ſpecimen of French liberty. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "Maiſon de Arret, at ____. "I did not write to you, my dear friend, + at the time I promiſed, and you will perceive, by the date of this, + that I have had too good an excuſe for my negligence. I have been + here almoſt a week, and my ſpirits are ſtill ſo much + diſordered, that I can with difficulty recollect myſelf enough + to relate the circumſtances of our unfortunate ſituation; but + as it is poſſible you might become acquainted with them by + ſome other means, I rather determined to ſend you a few lines, + than ſuffer you to be alarmed by falſe or exaggerated reports. + "About two o'clock on Monday morning laſt our ſervants were + called up, and, on their opening the door, the houſe was + immediately filled with armed men, ſome of whom began ſearching + the rooms, while otherſ came to our bedchamber, and informed us we + were arreſted by order of the department, and that we muſt riſe + and accompany them to priſon. It is not eaſy to deſcribe + the effect of ſuch a mandate on people who, having nothing to + reproach themſelves with, could not be prepared for it.—As + ſoon as we were a little recovered from our firſt terrors, we + endeavoured to obey, and begged they would indulge us by retiring a few + moments till I had put my clothes on; but neither my embarraſſment, + nor the ſcreams of the child—neither decency nor humanity, + could prevail. They would not even permit my maid to enter the room; + and, amidſt this ſcene of diſorder, I waſ obliged to + dreſs myſelf and the terrified infant. When thiſ unpleaſant + taſk was finiſhed, a general examination of our houſe and + papers took place, and laſted until ſix in the evening: + nothing, however, tending in the remoteſt degree to criminate us + was found, but we were nevertheleſs conducted to priſon, and + God knows how long we are likely to remain here. The denunciation againſt + us being ſecret, and not being able to learn either our crime or + our accuſers, it is difficult for us to take any meaſures for + our enlargement. We cannot defend ourſelves againſt a charge + of which we are ignorant, nor combat the validity of a witneſs, who + is not only allowed to remain ſecret, but is paid perhaps for hiſ + information.* * At this time informers were paid from fifty to an + hundred livres for each accuſation. "We moſt probably owe our + miſfortune to ſome diſcarded ſervant or perſonal + enemy, for I believe you are convinced we have not merited it either by + our diſcourſe or our actions: if we had, the charge would have + been ſpecific; but we have reaſon to imagine it iſ + nothing more than the indeterminate and general charge of being ariſtocrates. + I did not ſee my mother or ſiſter all the day we were + arreſted, nor till the evening of the next: the one was engaged + perhaps with "Roſine and the Angola", who were indiſpoſed, + and the other would not forego her uſual card-party. Many of our + friendſ likewiſe have forborne to approach us, leſt their + apparent intereſt in our fate ſhould involve themſelves; + and really the alarm is ſo general, that I can, without much + effort, forgive them. "You will be pleaſed to learn, that the + greateſt civilities I have received in this unpleaſant ſituation, + have been from ſome of your countrymen, who are our fellow-priſoners: + they are only poor ſailors, but they are truly kind and attentive, + and do us variouſ little ſervices that render us more + comfortable than we otherwiſe ſhould be; for we have no ſervants + here, having deemed it prudent to leave them to take care of our + property. The ſecond night we were here, theſe good creatures, + who lodge in the next room, were rather merry, and awoke the child; but + as they found, by its cries, that their gaiety had occaſioned me + ſome trouble, I have obſerved ever ſince that they walk + ſoftly, and avoid making the leaſt noiſe, after the + little priſoner is gone to reſt. I believe they are pleaſed + with me becauſe I ſpeak their language, and they are ſtill + more delighted with your young favourite, who is ſo well amuſed, + that he begins to forget the gloom of the place, which at firſt + terrified him extremely. "One of our companions is a nonjuring prieſt, + who has been impriſoned under circumſtances which make me almoſt + aſhamed of my country.—After having eſcaped from a + neighbouring department, he procured himſelf a lodging in this + town, and for ſome time lived very peaceably, till a woman, who + ſuſpected his profeſſion, became extremely + importunate with him to confeſs her. The poor man, for ſeveral + days, refuſed, telling her, that he did not conſider himſelf + as a prieſt, nor wiſhed to be known as ſuch, nor to + infringe the law which excluded him. The woman, however, ſtill + continued to perſecute him, alledging, that her conſcience was + diſtreſſed, and that her peace depended on her being able + to confeſs "in the right way." At length he ſuffered himſelf + to be prevailed upon—the woman received an hundred livres for + informing againſt him, and, perhaps, the prieſt will be + condemned to the Guillotine.* * He was executed ſome time after. "I + will make no reflection on this act, nor on the ſyſtem of + paying informerſ—your heart will already have anticipated all + I could ſay. I will only add, that if you determine to remain in + France, you muſt obſerve a degree of circumſpection which + you may not hitherto have thought neceſſary. Do not depend on + your innocence, nor even truſt to common precautionſ—every + day furniſhes examples that both are unavailing.—Adieu.—My + huſband offers you his reſpects, and your little friend + embraces you ſincerely. As ſoon as any change in our favour + takes place, I will communicate it to you; but you had better not + venture to write—I entruſt this to Louiſon's mother, who + iſ going through Amiens, as it would be unſafe to ſend it + by the poſt. —Again adieu.—Yours, "Adelaide de ____." + Amiens, 1793. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + It is obſervable, that we examine leſs ſcrupulouſly + the pretenſions of a nation to any particular excellence, than we do + thoſe of an individual. The reaſon of this is, probably, that + our ſelf-love is as much gratified by admitting the one, as in + rejecting the other. When we allow the claims of a whole people, we are + flattered with the idea of being above narrow prejudices, and of poſſeſſing + an enlarged and liberal mind; but if a ſingle individual arrogate to + himſelf any excluſive ſuperiority, our own pride + immediately becomes oppoſed to his, and we ſeem but to vindicate + our judgement in degrading ſuch preſumption. + </p> + <p> + I can conceive no other cauſes for our having ſo long acquieſced + in the claims of the French to pre-eminent good breeding, in an age when, + I believe, no perſon acquainted with both nations can diſcover + any thing to juſtify them. If indeed politeneſs conſiſted + in the repetition of a certain routine of phraſes, unconnected with + the mind or action, I might be obliged to decide againſt our country; + but while decency makes a part of good manners, or feeling is preferable + to a mechanical jargon, I am inclined to think the Engliſh have a + merit more than they have hitherto aſcribed to themſelves. Do + not ſuppoſe, however, that I am going to deſcant on the old + imputations of "French flattery," and "French inſincerity;" for I am + far from concluding that civil behaviour gives one a right to expect kind + offices, or that a man is falſe becauſe he pays a compliment, + and refuſes a ſervice: I only wiſh to infer, that an + impertinence is not leſs an impertinence becauſe it is + accompanied by a certain ſet of words, and that a people, who are + indelicate to exceſs, cannot properly be denominated "a polite + people." + </p> + <p> + A French man or woman, with no other apology than <i>"permettez moi,"</i> + ["Give me leave."] will take a book out of your hand, look over any thing + you are reading, and aſk you a thouſand queſtions relative + to your moſt private concernſ—they will enter your room, + even your bedchamber, without knocking, place themſelves between you + and the fire, or take hold of your clothes to gueſs what they coſt; + and they deem theſe acts of rudeneſs ſufficiently qualified + by <i>"Je demande bien de pardons."</i> ["I aſk you a thouſand + pardons."]—They are fully convinced that the Engliſh all eat + with their knives, and I have often heard this diſcuſſed + with much ſelf-complacence by thoſe who uſually ſhared + the labours of the repaſt between a fork and their fingers. Our cuſtom + alſo of uſing water-glaſſes after dinner is an object + of particular cenſure; yet whoever dines at a French table muſt + frequently obſerve, that many of the gueſtſ might benefit + by ſuch ablutions, and their napkins always teſtify that ſome + previous application would be by no means ſuperfluous. Nothing iſ + more common than to hear phyſical derangements, diſorders, and + their remedies, expatiated upon by the parties concerned amidſt a + room full of people, and that with ſo much minuteneſs of deſcription, + that a foreigner, without being very faſtidious, is on ſome occaſions + apt to feel very unpleaſant ſympathies. There are ſcarcely + any of the ceremonies of a lady's toilette more a myſtery to one + ſex than the other, and men and their wives, who ſcarcely eat at + the ſame table, are in thiſ reſpect groſſly + familiar. The converſation in moſt ſocieties partakes of + this indecency, and the manners of an Engliſh female are in danger of + becoming contaminated, while ſhe is only endeavouring to ſuffer + without pain the cuſtoms of thoſe ſhe has been taught to + conſider as models of politeneſs. + </p> + <p> + Whether you examine the French in their houſes or in public, you are + every where ſtricken with the ſame want of delicacy, propriety, + and cleanlineſs. The ſtreets are moſtly ſo filthy, + that it is perilous to approach the walls. The inſides of the + churches are often diſguſting, in ſpite of the advertiſements + that are placed in them to requeſt the forbearance of phthifical perſons: + the ſervice does not prevent thoſe who attend from going to and + fro with the ſame irreverence as if the church were empty; and, in + the moſt ſolemn part of the maſs, a woman is ſuffered + to importune you for a liard, as the price of the chair you ſit on. + At the theatres an actor or actreſs frequently coughs and + expectorates on the ſtage, in a manner one ſhould think highly + unpardonable before one'ſ moſt intimate friends in England, + though this habit is very common to all the French. The inns abound with + filth of every kind, and though the owners of them are generally civil + enough, their notions of what iſ decent are ſo very different + from ours, that an Engliſh traveller is not ſoon reconciled to + them. In ſhort, it would be impoſſible to enumerate all + that in my opinion excludes the French from the character of a well-bred + people.—Swift, who ſeems to have been gratified by the + contemplation of phyſical impurity, might have done the ſubject + juſtice; but I confeſs I am not diſpleaſed to feel + that, after my long and frequent reſidences in France, I am ſtill + unqualified. So little are theſe people ſuſceptible of + delicacy, propriety, and decency, that they do not even uſe the words + in the ſenſe we do, nor have they any otherſ expreſſive + of the ſame meaning. + </p> + <p> + But if they be deficient in the external forms of politeneſs, they + are infinitely more ſo in that politeneſs which may be called + mental. The ſimple and unerring rule of never preferring one's ſelf, + is to them more difficult of comprehenſion than the moſt + difficult problem in Euclid: in ſmall things as well as great, their + own intereſt, their own gratification, is their leading principle; + and the cold flexibility which enables them to clothe this ſelfiſh + ſyſtem in "fair forms," is what they call politeneſs. + </p> + <p> + My ideas on this ſubject are not recent, but they occurred to me with + additional force on the peruſal of Mad. de B____'s letter. The + behaviour of ſome of the pooreſt and leaſt informed claſs + of our countrymen forms a ſtriking contraſt with that of the + people who arreſted her, and even her own friends: the unaffected + attention of the one, and the brutality and neglect of the other, are, + perhaps, more juſt examples of Engliſh and French manners than + you may have hitherto imagined. I do not, however, pretend to ſay + that the latter are all groſs and brutal, but I am myſelf + convinced that, generally ſpeaking, they are an unfeeling people. + </p> + <p> + I beg you to remember, that when I ſpeak of the diſpoſitions + and character of the French, my opinions are the reſult of general obſervation, + and are applicable to all ranks; but when my remarks are on habits and + manners, they deſcribe only thoſe claſſes which are + properly called the nation. The higher nobleſſe, and thoſe + attached to courts, ſo nearly reſemble each other in all + countries, that they are neceſſarily excepted in theſe + delineations, which are intended to mark the diſtinguiſhing + features of a people at large: for, aſſuredly, when the French aſſert, + and their neighbours repeat, that they are a polite nation, it is not + meant that thoſe who have important offices or dignified appellations + are polite: they found their claims on their ſuperiority as a people, + and it is in this light I conſider them. My examples are chiefly + drawn, not from the very inferior, nor from the moſt eminent ranks; + neither from the retailer of a ſhop, nor the claimant of a <i>tabouret,</i>* + or <i>les grandes ou petites entrees;</i> but from the gentry, thoſe + of eaſy fortunes, merchants, &c.—in fact, from people of + that degree which it would be fair to cite as what may be called genteel + ſociety in England. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The tabouret was a ſtool allowed to the Ladies of the Court + particularly diſtinguiſhed by rank or favour, when in preſence + of the Royal Family.—"Les entreeſ" gave a familiar acceſs + to the King and Queen. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + This ceſſation of intercourſe with our country diſpirits + me, and, as it will probably continue ſome time, I ſhall amuſe + myſelf by noting more particularly the little occurrences which may + not reach your public prints, but which tend more than great events to + mark both the ſpirit of the government and that of the people.—Perhaps + you may be ignorant that the prohibition of the Engliſh mails was not + the conſequence of a decree of the Convention, but a ſimple + order of its commiſſioners; and I have ſome reaſon to + think that even they acted at the inſtigation of an individual who + harbours a mean and pitiful diſlike to England and itſ + inhabitants.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_11" id="link3_4_11"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + May 18, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + Near ſix weeks ago a decree was paſſed by the Convention, + obliging all ſtrangers, who had not purchaſed national property, + or who did not exerciſe ſome profeſſion, to give + ſecurity to the amount of half their ſuppoſed fortune, and + under theſe conditions they were to receive a certificate, allowing + them to reſide, and were promiſed the protection of the laws. + The adminiſtrators of the departments, who perceive that they become + odious by executing the decrees of the Convention, begin to relax much of + their diligence, and it is not till long after a law iſ promulgated, + and their perſonal fear operates as a ſtimulant, that they + ſeriouſly enforce obedience to theſe mandates. This + morning, however, we were ſummoned by the Committee of our ſection + (or ward) in order to comply with the terms of the decree, and had I been + directed only by my own judgement, I ſhould have given the preference + to an immediate return to England; but Mrs. D____ is yet ill, and Mr. + D____ is diſpoſed to continue. In vain have I quoted "how fickle + France was branded 'midſt the nations of the earth for perfidy and + breach of public faith;" in vain have I reaſoned upon the injuſtice + of a government that firſt allured ſtrangers to remain by inſidious + offers of protection, and now ſubjectſ them to conditions which + many may find it difficult to ſubſcribe to: Mr. D____ wiſhes + to ſee our ſituation in the moſt favourable point of view: + he argues upon the moral impoſſibility of our being liable to + any inconvenience, and perſiſts in believing that one government + may act with treachery towards another, yet, diſtinguiſhing + between falſehood and meanneſs, maintain its faith with + individualſ—in ſhort, we have concluded a ſort of + treaty, by which we are bound, under the forfeiture of a large ſum, + to behave peaceably and ſubmit to the laws. The government, in + return, empowers us to reſide, and promiſes protection and hoſpitality. + </p> + <p> + It is to be obſerved, that the ſpirit of this regulation depends + upon thoſe it affects producing ſix witneſſes of their + <i>"civiſme;"</i>* yet ſo little intereſt do the people + take on theſe occaſions, that our witneſſeſ were + neighbours we had ſcarcely ever ſeen, and even one was a man who + happened to be caſually paſſing by. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Though the meaning of this word is obvious, we have no one that iſ + exactly ſynonymous to it. The Convention intend by it an attachment + to their government: but the people do not trouble themſelves about + the meaning of wordſ—they meaſure their unwilling + obedience by the letter. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Theſe Committees, which form the laſt link of a chain of deſpotiſm, + are compoſed of low tradeſmen and day-labourers, with an + attorney, or ſome perſon that can read and write, at their head, + as Preſident. Prieſts and nobles, with all that are related, or + anywiſe attached, to them, are excluded by the law; and it is underſtood + that true ſans-culottes only ſhould be admitted. + </p> + <p> + With all theſe precautions, the indifference and hatred of the people + to their government are ſo general, that, perhaps, there are few + placeſ where this regulation is executed ſo as to anſwer + the purpoſes of the jealous tyranny that conceived it. The members of + theſe Committees ſeem to exact no farther compliances than + ſuch as are abſolutely neceſſary to the mere form of + the proceeding, and to ſecure themſelves from the imputation of + diſobedience; and are very little concerned whether the real deſign + of the legiſlature be accompliſhed or not. This negligence, or + ill-will, which prevails in various inſtances, tempers, in ſome + degree, the effect of that reſtleſs ſuſpicion which is + the uſual concomitant of an uncertain, but arbitrary, power. The + affections or prejudices that ſurround a throne, by enſuring the + ſafety of the Monarch, engage him to clemency, and the laws of a mild + government are, for the moſt part, enforced with exactneſs; but + a new and precarious authority, which neither impoſes on the underſtanding + nor intereſts the heart, which is ſupported only by a palpable + and unadorned tyranny, is in its nature ſevere, and it becomes the + common cauſe of the people to counteract the meaſures of a deſpotiſm + which they are unable to reſiſt.—This (as I have before + had occaſion to obſerve) renders the condition of the French leſſ + inſupportable, but it is by no means ſufficient to baniſh + the fears of a ſtranger who has been accuſtomed to look for + ſecurity, not from a relaxation or diſregard of the laws, but + from their efficacy; not from the characters of thoſe who execute + them, but from the rectitude with which they are formed.—What would + you think in England, if you were obliged to contemplate with dread the + three branches of your legiſlature, and depend for the protection of + your perſon and property on ſoldiers and conſtables? Yet + ſuch is nearly the ſtate we are in; and indeed a ſyſtem + of injuſtice and barbariſm gains ground ſo faſt, that + almoſt any apprehenſion is juſtified.—The Tribunal + Revolutionnaire has already condemned a ſervant maid for her + political opinions; and one of the Judges of this tribunal lately + introduced a man to the Jacobins, with high panegyrics, becauſe, as + he alledged, he had greatly contributed to the condemnation of a criminal. + The ſame Judge likewiſe apologized for having as yet ſent + but a ſmall number to the Guillotine, and promiſes, that, on the + firſt appearance of a "Briſſotin" before him, he will + ſhow him no mercy. + </p> + <p> + When the miniſter of public juſtice thus avows himſelf the + agent of a party, a government, however recent its formation, muſt be + far advanced in depravity; and the corruption of thoſe who are the + interpreters of the law has uſually been the laſt effort of + expiring power. + </p> + <p> + My friends, Mons. And Mad. de B____, are releaſed from their + confinement; not as you might expect, by proving their innocence, but by + the effortſ of an individual, who had more weight than their accuſer: + and, far from obtaining ſatiſfaction for the injury they have + received, they are obliged to accept as a favour the liberty they were + deprived of by malice and injuſtice. They will, moſt probably, + never be acquainted with the nature of the charges brought againſt + them; and their accuſer will eſcape with impunity, and, perhaps, + meet with reward. + </p> + <p> + All the French papers are filled with deſcriptions of the enthuſiaſm + with which the young men "ſtart to armſ" [<i>Offian.</i>] at the + voice of their country; yet it is very certain, that this enthuſiaſm + is of ſo ſubtle and aerial a form as to be perceivable only to + thoſe who are intereſted in diſcovering it. In ſome + places theſe enthuſiaſtic warriors continue to hide themſelveſ—from + others they are eſcorted to the place of their deſtination by + nearly an equal number of dragoons; and no one, I believe, who can procure + money to pay a ſubſtitute, is diſpoſed to go himſelf. + This is ſufficiently proved by the ſums demanded by thoſe + who engage aſ ſubſtitutes: laſt year from three to + five hundred livres was given; at preſent no one will take leſs + than eight hundred or a thouſand, beſideſ being furniſhed + with clothes, &c. The only real volunteers are the ſonſ of + ariſtocrates, and the relations of emigrants, who, ſacrificing + their principles to their fears, hope, by enliſting in the army, to + protect their eſtates and families: thoſe likewiſe who have + lucrative employments, and are afraid of loſing them, affect great + zeal, and expect to purchaſe impunity for civil peculation at home, + by the military ſervices of their children abroad. + </p> + <p> + This, I aſſure you, is the real ſtate of that enthuſiaſm + which occaſionſ ſuch an expence of eloquence to our + gazette-writers; but theſe fallaciouſ accounts are not like the + ephemeral deceits of your party prints in England, the effect of which is + deſtroyed in a few hours by an oppoſite aſſertion. + None here are bold enough to contradict what their ſovereignſ + would have believed; and a town or diſtrict, driven almoſt to + revolt by the preſent ſyſtem of recruiting, conſents + very willingly to be deſcribed as marching to the frontiers with + martial ardour, and burning to combat les eſclaves des tyranſ! + By theſe artifices, one department is miſled with regard to the + diſpoſitions of another, and if they do not excite to emulation, + they, at leaſt, repreſs by fear; and, probably, many are reduced + to ſubmiſſion, who would reſiſt, were they not + doubtful of the ſupport and union of their neighbours. Every poſſible + precaution iſ taken to prevent any connections between the different + departmentſ— people who are not known cannot obtain paſſports + without the recommendation of two houſekeeperſ—you muſt + give an account of the buſineſs you go upon, of the carriage you + mean to travel in, whether it has two wheels or four: all of which muſt + be ſpecified in your paſſport: and you cannot ſend + your baggage from one town to another without the riſk of having it + ſearched. All theſe things are ſo diſguſting and + troubleſome, that I begin to be quite of a different opinion from + Brutus, and ſhould certainly prefer being a ſlave among a free + people, than thuſ be tormented with the recollection that I am a + native of England in a land of ſlavery. Whatever liberty the French + might have acquired by their firſt revolution, it is now much like + Sir John Cutler's worſted ſtockings, ſo torn, and worn, and + diſguiſed by patchings and mendings, that the original texture + is not diſcoverable.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_12" id="link3_4_12"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + June 3, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + We have been three days without receiving newſpapers; but we learn + from the reports of the courier, that the Briſſotins are + overthrown, that many of them have been arreſted, and ſeveral eſcaped + to raiſe adherents in the departments. I, however, doubt much if + their ſucceſs will be very general: the people have little + preference between Briſſot and Marat, Condorcet and Robeſpierre, + and are not greatly ſolicitous about the nameſ or even + principles of thoſe who govern them—they are not yet accuſtomed + to take that lively intereſt in public events which is the effect of + a popular conſtitution. In England every thing is a ſubject of + debate and conteſt, but here they wait in ſilence the reſult + of any political meaſure or party diſpute; and, without entering + into the merits of the cauſe, adopt whatever is ſucceſſful. + While the King was yet alive, the news of Paris was eagerly ſought + after, and every diſorder of the metropolis created much alarm: but + one would almoſt ſuppoſe that even curioſity had ceaſed + at his death, for I have obſerved no ſubſequent event + (except the defection of Dumouriez) make any very ſeriouſ impreſſion. + We hear, therefore, with great compoſure, the preſent triumph of + the more violent republicans, and ſuffer without impatience this + interregnum of news, which is to continue until the Convention ſhall + have determined in what manner the intelligence of their proceedingſ + ſhall be related to the departments. + </p> + <p> + The great ſolicitude of the people is now rather about their phyſical + exiſtence than their political one—proviſions are become + enormouſly dear, and bread very ſcarce: our ſervants often + wait two hours at the baker's, and then return without bread for breakfaſt. + I hope, however, the ſcarcity is rather artificial than real. It is + generally ſuppoſed to be occaſioned by the unwillingneſs + of the farmers to ſell their corn for paper. Some meaſures have + been adopted with an intention of remedying this evil, though the origin + of it is beyond the reach of decree. It originates in that diſtruſt + of government which reconciles one part of the community to ſtarving + the other, under the idea of ſelf-preſervation. While every + individual perſiſts in eſtabliſhing it as a maxim, + that any thing is better than aſſignats, we muſt expect + that all things will be difficult to procure, and will, of courſe, + bear a high price. I fear, all the empyriciſm of the legiſlature + cannot produce a noſtrum for thiſ want of faith. Dragoons and + penal laws only "linger, and linger it out;" the diſeaſe is + incurable. + </p> + <p> + My friends, Mons. and Mad. de B____, by way of conſolation for their + impriſonment, now find themſelves on the liſt of emigrants, + though they have never been a ſingle day abſent from their own + province, or from places of reſidence where they are well known. But + that they may not murmur at this injuſtice, the municipality have + accompanied their nameſ with thoſe of others who have not even + been abſent from the town, and of one gentleman in particular, who I + believe may have been ſeen on the ramparts every day for theſe + ſeven years.—This may appear to you only very abſurd, and + you may imagine the conſequences eaſily obviated; yet theſe + miſtakes are the effect of private malice, and ſubject the perſonſ + affected by them to an infinity of expence and trouble. They are obliged, + in order to avert the confiſcation of their property, to appear, in + every part of the republic where they have poſſeſſions, + with atteſtations of their conſtant reſidence in France, + and perhaps ſuffer a thouſand mortifications from the official + ignorance and brutality of the perſons to whom they apply. No remedy + lies againſt the authors of theſe vexations, and the ſufferer + who is prudent fears even to complain. + </p> + <p> + I have, in a former letter, noticed the great number of beggars that + ſwarm at Arras: they are not leſs numerous at Amiens, though of + a different deſcription—they are neither ſo diſguſting, + nor ſo wretched, but are much more importunate and inſolent—they + plead neither ſickneſſ nor infirmity, and are, for the moſt + part, able and healthy. How ſo many people ſhould beg by profeſſion + in a large manufacturing town, it iſ difficult to conceive; but, + whatever may be the cauſe, I am tempted to believe the effect has + ſome influence on the manners of the inhabitantſ of Amiens. I + have ſeen no town in France ſo remarkable for a rude and + unfeeling behaviour, and it is not fanciful to conjecture that the + multitude of poor may tend in part to occaſion it. The conſtant + view of a ſort of miſery that excites little compaſſion, + of an intruſive neceſſity which one is more deſirous + to repulſe than to relieve, cannot but render the heart callous, and + the manners harſh. The avarice of commerce, which is here + unaccompanied by its liberality, is glad to confound real diſtreſs + with voluntary and idle indigence, till, in time, an abſence of + feeling becomes part of the character; and the conſtant habit of + petulant refuſals, or of acceding more from fatigue than benevolence, + has perhaps a ſimilar effect on the voice, geſture, and + external. + </p> + <p> + This place has been ſo often viſited by thoſe who deſcribe + better than myſelf, that I have thought it unneceſſary to + mention public buildings, or any thing equally obvious to the traveller or + the reſident. The beauty and elegance of the cathedral have been + celebrated for ages, and I only remind you of it to indulge my national + vanity in the reflection that one of the moſt ſplendid monuments + of Gothic architecture in France is the work of our Engliſh anceſtors. + The edifice is in perfect preſervation, and the hand of power has not + yet ventured to appropriate the plate or ornaments; but this forbearance + will moſt probably give way to temptation and impunity. The + Convention will reſpect ancient prejudices no longer than they ſuppoſe + the people have courage to defend them, and the latter ſeem ſo + entirely ſubdued, that, however they may murmur, I do not think any + ſerious reſiſtance is to be expected from them, even in + behalf of the relics of St. Firmin. [St. Firmin, the patron of Amiens, + where he is, in many of the ſtreets, repreſented with his head + in his hand.]—The buſt of Henry the Fourth, which was a preſent + from the Monarch himſelf, is baniſhed the town-houſe, where + it was formerly placed, though, I hope, ſome royaliſt has taken + poſſeſſion of it, and depoſited it in ſafety + till better times. This once popular Prince iſ now aſſociated + with Nero and Caligula, and it is "leze nation" to ſpeak of him to a + thorough republican.—I know not if the French had before the + revolution reached the acme of perfection, but they have certainly been + retrograding very faſt ſince. Every thing that uſed to + create fondneſſ and veneration is deſpiſed, and things + are eſteemed only in proportion aſ they are worthleſs. + Perhaps the buſt of Robeſpierre may one day replace that of + Henry the Fourth, and, to ſpeak in the ſtyle of an eaſtern + epiſtle, "what can I ſay more?" + </p> + <p> + Should you ever travel this way with Gray in your hand, you will look for + the Urſuline convent, and regret the paintings he mentions: but you + may recollect, for your conſolation, that they are merely pretty, and + remarkable only for being the work of one of the nuns.—Gray, who + ſeemſ to have had that enthuſiaſtic reſpect for + religious orders common to young minds, admired them on this account; and + numbers of Engliſh travellers have, I dare ſay, prepoſſeſſed + by ſuch an authority, experienced the ſame diſappointment I + myſelf felt on viſiting the Urſuline church. Many of the + chapels belonging to theſe communities were very ſhowy and much + decorated with gilding and ſculpture: ſome of them are ſold + for a mere trifle, but the greateſt part are filled with corn and + forage, and on the door is inſcribed "Magazin des armees." The change + is almoſt incredible to thoſe who remember, that leſs than + four years ago the Catholic religion was ſtrictly practiſed, and + the violation of theſe ſanctuaries deemed ſacrilegious. Our + great hiſtorian [Gibbon] might well ſay "the influence of ſuperſtition + is fluctuating and precarious;" though, in the preſent inſtance, + it has rather been reſtrained than ſubdued; and the people, who + have not been convinced, but intimidated, ſecretly lament theſe + innovations, and perhaps reproach themſelves conſcientiouſly + with their ſubmiſſion.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_13" id="link3_4_13"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + June 20, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + Mercier, in his Tableau de Paris, notices, on ſeveral occaſions, + the little public ſpirit exiſting among his countrymen—it + is alſo obſervable, that many of the laws and cuſtoms preſume + on this deficiency, and the name of republicans has by no means altered + that cautiouſ diſpoſition which makes the French conſider + either miſfortunes or benefits only as their perſonal intereſt + is affected by them.—I am juſt returned from a viſit to + Abbeville, where we were much alarmed on Sunday by a fire at the Paraclete + convent. The tocſin rang great part of the day, and the principal + ſtreet of the town was in danger of being deſtroyed. In ſuch + circumſtances, you will ſuppoſe, that people of all ranks + eagerly crouded to offer their ſervice, and endeavour to ſtop + the progreſs of ſo terrible a calamity. By no meanſ—the + gates of the town were ſhut to prevent its entire evacuation, many + hid themſelves in garrets and cellars, and dragoons patrolled the + ſtreets, and even entered the houſes, to force the inhabitants + to aſſiſt in procuring water; while the conſternation, + uſually the effect of ſuch accidents, was only owing to the fear + of being obliged to aid the ſufferers.—This employment of + military coercion for what humanity alone ſhould dictate, is not aſcribeable + to the principles of the preſent government—it was the ſame + before the revolution, (except that the agents of the ancient ſyſtem + were not ſo brutal and deſpotic as the ſoldiers of the + republic,) and compulſion was always deemed neceſſary where + there was no ſtimulant but the general intereſt. + </p> + <p> + In England, at any alarm of the fort, all diſtinction of ranks iſ + forgotten, and every one is ſolicitous to contribute as much as he iſ + able to the ſafety of his fellow-citizens; and, ſo far from an + armed force being requiſite to procure aſſiſtance, the + greateſt difficulty iſ to repreſs the too-officious zeal of + the croud.—I do not pretend to account for this national diſparity, + but I fear what a French gentleman once ſaid to me of the Pariſians + is applicable to the general character, <i>"Ils ſont tous egoiſtes,"</i> + ["They are all ſelfiſh!"] and they would not do a benevolent + action at the riſk of ſoiling a coat or tearing a ruffle. + </p> + <p> + Diſtruſt of the aſſignats, and ſcarcity of bread, + have occaſioned a law to oblige the farmers, in every part of the + republic, to ſell their corn at a certain price, infinitely lower + than what they have exacted for ſome months paſt. The conſequence + of this was, that, on the ſucceeding market days, no corn came to + market, and detachments of dragoons are obliged to ſcour the country + to preſerve us from a famine. If it did not convey an idea both of + the deſpotiſm and want with which the nation is afflicted, one + ſhould be amuſed by the ludicrous figures of the farmers, who + enter the town preceded by ſoldiers, and repoſing with doleful + viſages on their ſacks of wheat. Sometimes you ſee a couple + of dragoons leading in triumph an old woman and an aſs, who follow + with lingering ſteps their military conductors; and the very aſs + ſeems to ſympathize with hiſ miſtreſs on the diſaſter + of ſelling her corn at a reduced price, and for paper, when ſhe + had hoped to hoard it till a counter-revolution ſhould bring back + gold and ſilver. + </p> + <p> + The farmers are now, perhaps, the greateſt ariſtocrates in the + country; but as both their patriotiſm and their ariſtocracy have + been a mere calculation of intereſt, the ſeverity exerciſed + on their avarice is not much to be regretted. The original fault is, + however, in an uſurped government, which inſpires no confidence, + and which, to ſupply an adminiſtration laviſh beyond all + example, has been obliged to iſſue ſuch an immenſe + quantity of paper as nearly deſtroys its credit. In political, as in + moral, vices, the firſt always neceſſitates a ſecond, + and theſe muſt ſtill be ſuſtained by others; + until, at length, the very ſenſe of right and wrong becomes + impaired, and the latter is not only preferred from habit, but from + choice. + </p> + <p> + Thus the arbitrary emiſſion of paper has been neceſſarily + followed by ſtill more arbitrary decrees to ſupport it. For inſtance—the + people have been obliged to ſell their corn at a ſtated price, + which has again been the ſource of various and general vexations. The + farmers, irritated by this meaſure, concealed their grain, or ſold + it privately, rather than bring it to market.—Hence, ſome were + ſupplied with bread, and otherſ abſolutely in want of it. + This was remedied by the interference of the military, and a general + ſearch for corn has taken place in all houſeſ without + exception, in order to diſcover if any was ſecreted; even our + bedchambers were examined on this occaſion: but we begin to be ſo + accuſtomed to the viſite domiciliaire, that we find ourſelves + ſuddenly ſurrounded by the Garde Nationale, without being + greatly alarmed.—I know not how your Engliſh patriots, who are + ſo enamoured of French liberty, yet thunder with the whole force of + their eloquence againſt the ingreſſ of an exciſeman to + a tobacco warehouſe, would reconcile this domeſtic inquiſition; + for the municipalities here violate your tranquillity in this manner under + any pretext they chooſe, and that too with an armed cortege ſufficient + to undertake the ſiege of your houſe in form. + </p> + <p> + About fifteen departments are in inſurrection, oſtenſibly + in behalf of the expelled Deputies; but I believe I am authorized in + ſaying, it is by no means the deſire of the people at large to + interfere. All who are capable of reflection conſider the diſpute + merely as a family quarrel, and are not partial enough to either party to + adopt its cauſe. The tropps they have already raiſed have been + collected by the perſonal intereſt of the members who contrived + to eſcape, or by an attempt of a few of the royaliſts to make + one half of the faction ſubſervient to the deſtruction of + the other. If you judge of the principles of the nation by the ſucceſs + of the Foederaliſts,* and the ſuperiority of the Convention, you + will be extremely deceived; for it is demonſtrable, that neither the + moſt zealous partizans of the ancient ſyſtem, nor thoſe + of the aboliſhed conſtitution, have taken any ſhare in the + diſpute; and the departments moſt notoriouſly ariſtocratic + have all ſignified their adherence to the proceedings of the Aſſembly. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * On the 31ſt of May and 2d of June, the Convention, who had been + for ſome months ſtruggling with the Jacobins and the + municipality of Paris, was ſurrounded by an armed force: the moſt + moderate of the Deputies (thoſe diſtinguiſhed by the name + of Briſſotins,) were either menaced into a compliance with the + meaſures of the oppoſite faction, or arreſted; others + took flight, and, by repreſenting the violence and ſlavery in + which the majority of the Convention waſ holden, excited ſome + of the departments to take arms in their favour.—This conteſt, + during its ſhort exiſtence, was called the war of the + Foederaliſts.—The reſult is well known. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Thoſe who would gladly take an active part in endeavouring to eſtabliſh + a good government, are averſe from riſking their lives and + properties in the cauſe of Briſſot or Condorcet.—At + Amiens, where almoſt every individual is an ariſtocrate, the + fugitive Deputies could not procure the leaſt encouragement, but the + town would have received Dumouriez, and proclaimed the King without oppoſition. + But this ſchiſm in the legiſlature is conſidered as a + mere conteſt of banditti, about the diviſion of ſpoil, not + calculated to excite an intereſt in thoſe they have plundered + and oppreſſed. + </p> + <p> + The royaliſts who have been ſo miſtaken as to make any + effort on thiſ occaſion, will, I fear, fall a ſacrifice, + having acted for the moſt part without union or concert; and their + junction with the Deputies renderſ them ſuſpicious, if not + odious, to their own party. The extreme difficulty, likewiſe, of + communication between the departments, and the ſtrict watch obſerved + over all travellers, form another obſtacle to the ſucceſs + of any attempt at preſent; and, on the whole, the only hope of + deliverance for the French ſeems to reſt upon the allied armies + and the inſurgents of La Vendee. + </p> + <p> + When I ſay this, I do not aſſert from prejudices, which + often deceive, nor from conjecture, that is always fallible; but from + unexceptionable information—from an intercourſe with various + ranks of people, and a minute obſervance of all. I have ſcarcely + met with a ſingle perſon who does not relate the progreſs + of the inſurgents in La Vendee with an air of ſatiſfaction, + or who does not appear to expect with impatience the ſurrender of + Conde: and even their language, perhaps unconſciouſly, betrays + their ſentiments, for I remark, they do not, when they ſpeak of + any victory gained by the arms of the republic, ſay, Nous, or Notre + armee, but, Les Francais, and, Les troupes de la republique;—and + that always in a tone as though they were ſpeaking of an enemy.—Adieu. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_14" id="link3_4_14"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + June 30, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + Our modern travellers are moſtly either ſentimental or philoſophical, + or courtly or political; and I do not remember to have read any who deſcribe + the manner of living among the gentry and middle ranks of life in France. + I will, therefore, relieve your attention for a moment from our actual diſtreſſes, + and give you the picture of a day as uſually paſſed by thoſe + who have eaſy fortunes and no particular employment.—The ſocial + aſſemblage of a whole family in the morning, as in England, is + not very common, for the French do not generally breakfaſt: when they + do, it iſ without form, and on fruit, bread, wine, and water, or + ſometimes coffee; but tea is ſcarcely ever uſed, except by + the ſick. The morning iſ therefore paſſed with little + intercourſe, and in extreme diſhabille. The men loiter, fiddle, + work tapeſtry, and ſometimes read, in a robe de chambre, or a + jacket and <i>"pantalons;"</i> [Trowſers.] while the ladies, equipped + only in a ſhort manteau and petticoat, viſit their birds, knit, + or, more frequently, idle away the forenoon without doing any thing. It is + not cuſtomary to walk or make viſits before dinner, and if by + chance any one calls, he is received in the bedchamber. At half paſt + one or two they dine, but without altering the negligence of their + apparel, and the buſineſs of the toilette does not begin till + immediately after the repaſt. About four, viſits of ceremony + begin, and may be made till ſix or ſeven according to the ſeaſon; + but thoſe who intend paſſing an evening at any particular + houſe, go before ſix, and the card parties generally finiſh + between eight and nine. People then adjourn to their ſupper + engagements, which are more common than thoſe for dinner, and are, + for the moſt part, in different places, and conſidered as a + ſeparate thing from the earlier amuſements of the evening. They + keep better hours than the Engliſh, moſt families being in bed + by half paſt ten. The theatreſ are alſo regulated by theſe + ſober habits, and the dramatic repreſentations are uſually + over by nine. + </p> + <p> + A day paſſed in this manner is, as you may imagine, ſuſceptible + of much ennui, and the French are accordingly more ſubject to it than + to any other complaint, and hold it in greateſt dread than either + ſickneſs or miſfortune. They have no conception how one can + remain two hours alone without being ennuye a la mort; and but few, + comparatively ſpeaking, read for amuſement: you may enter ten + houſes without ſeeing a book; and it is not to be wondered at + that people, who make a point of ſtaying at home all the morning, yet + do not read, are embarraſſed with the diſpoſition of + ſo much time.—It is this that occaſions ſuch a + general fondneſs for domeſtic animals, and ſo many + barbarous muſicians, and male-workers of tapeſtry and tambour. + </p> + <p> + I cannot but attribute this littleneſs and diſlike of morning + exerciſe to the quantity of animal food the French eat at night, and + to going to reſt immediately after it, in conſequence of which + their activity is checked by indigeſtions, and they feel heavy and + uncomfortable for half the ſucceeding day.—The French pique + themſelves on being a gayer nation than the Engliſh; but they + certainly muſt exclude their mornings from the account, for the + forlorn and neglected figure of a Frenchman till dinner is a very antidote + to chearfulneſs, eſpecially if contraſted with the + animation of our countrymen, whoſe forenoon is paſſed in + riding or walking, and who make themſelves at leaſt decent + before they appear even in their own families. + </p> + <p> + The great difficulty the French have in finding amuſement makes them + averſe from long reſidences in the country, and it is very + uncommon for thoſe who can afford only one houſe not to prefer a + town; but thoſe whoſe fortune will admit of it, live about three + months of the year in the country, and the reſt in the neighbouring + town. This, indeed, as they manage it, is no very conſiderable + expence, for the ſame furniture often ſerves for both + habitations, and the one they quit being left empty, requires no perſon + to take charge of it, eſpecially as houſe-breaking iſ very + uncommon in France; at leaſt it was ſo before the revolution, + when the police was more ſtrict, and the laws againſt robbers + were more ſevere. + </p> + <p> + You will ſay, I often deſcribe the habits and manners of a + nation ſo frequently viſited, as though I were writing from Kamſchatka + or Japan; yet it is certain, as I have remarked above, that thoſe who + are merely itinerant have not opportunities of obſerving the modes of + familiar life ſo well as one who is ſtationary, and travellers + are in general too much occupied by more important obſervations to + enter into the minute and trifling details which are the ſubject of + my communications to you. But if your attention be ſometimes fatigued + by occurrences or relations too well known, or of too little conſequence + to be intereſting, I claim ſome merit in never having once deſcribed + the proportions of a building, nor given you the hiſtory of a town; + and I might have contrived as well to tax your patience by an erudite deſcription, + as a ſuperficial reflection, or a female remark. The truth is, my pen + is generally guided by circumſtances as they riſe, and my ideas + have ſeldom any deeper origin than the ſcene before me. I have + no books here, and I am apt to think if profeſſed travellers + were deprived of this reſource, many learned etymologies and much + profound compilation would be loſt to the modern reader. + </p> + <p> + The inſurgents of La Vendee continue to have frequent and decided + ſucceſſes, but the inſurrections in the other + departments languiſh. The avowed object of liberating the Convention + is not calculated to draw adherents, and if any better purpoſe be + intended, while a faction are the promoters of it, it will be regarded + with too much ſuſpicion to procure any effectual movement. Yet, + however partial and unconnected this revolt may be, it is an object of + great jealouſy and inquietude: all the addreſſes or + petitions brought in favour of it are received with diſapprobation, + and ſuppreſſed in the official bulletin of the legiſlature; + but thoſe which expreſs contrary ſentiments are ordered to + be inſerted with the uſual terms of "applaudi, adopte, et + mention honorable."—In this manner the army and the people, who + derive their intelligence from theſe accounts (which are paſted + up in the ſtreets,) are kept in ignorance of the real ſtate of + diſtant provinces, and, what is ſtill more important for the + Convention, the communication of examples, which they know ſo many + are diſpoſed to imitate, is retarded. + </p> + <p> + The people here are nearly in the ſame ſtate they have been in + for ſome time—murmuring in ſecret, and ſubmitting in + public; expecting every thing from that energy in others which they have + not themſelves, and accumulating the diſcontents they are + obliged to ſuppreſs. The Convention call them the brave + republicans of Amiens; but if their bravery were as unequivocal as their + ariſtocracy, they would ſoon be at the gates of Paris. Even the + firſt levies are not all departed for the frontiers, and ſome + who were prevailed on to go are already returned.— All the neceſſaries + of life are augmenting in price—the people complain, pillage the + ſhops and the markets one day, and want the next. Many of the + departments have oppoſed the recruiting much more decidedly than they + have ventured to do here; and it was not without inſpiring terror by + numerous arreſts, that the levies which were immediately neceſſary + were procured.—France offers no proſpect but that of ſcarcity, + diſorder, and oppreſſion; and my friends begin to perceive + that we have committed an imprudence in remaining ſo long. No paſſports + can now be obtained, and we muſt, as well as ſeveral very reſpectable + families ſtill here, abide the event of the war. + </p> + <p> + Some weeks have elapſed ſince I had letters from England, and + thoſe we receive from the interior come open, or ſealed with the + ſeal of the diſtrict. This is not peculiar to our letters, as + being foreigners, but the ſame unceremonious inſpection is + practiſed with the correſpondence of the French themſelves. + Thus, in this land of liberty, all epiſtolary intercourſe has + ceaſed, except for mere matters of buſineſs; and though in + the declaration of the rights of man it be aſſerted, that every + one iſ entitled to write or print his thoughts, yet it is certain no + perſon can entruſt a letter to the poſt, but at the riſk + of having it opened; nor could Mr. Thomas Paine himſelf venture to + expreſs the ſlighteſt diſapprobation of the meaſures + of government, without hazarding hiſ freedom, and, in the end, + perhaps, his life. Even theſe papers, which I reſerve only for + your amuſement, which contain only the opinions of an individual, and + which never have been communicated, I am obliged to conceal with the utmoſt + circumſpection; for ſhould they happen to fall into the hands of + our domiciliary inquiſitors, I ſhould not, like your Engliſh + liberties, eſcape with the gentle correction of impriſonment, or + the pillory.—A man, who had murdered his wife, was lately condemned + to twenty years impriſonment only; but people are guillotined every + day for a ſimple diſcourſe, or an inadvertent expreſſion.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_15" id="link3_4_15"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, July 5, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + It will be ſome conſolation to the French, if, from the wreck of + their civil liberty, they be able to preſerve the mode of adminiſtering + juſtice as eſtabliſhed by the conſtitution of 1789. + Were I not warranted by the beſt information, I ſhould not + venture an opinion on the ſubject without much diffidence, but chance + has afforded me opportunities that do not often occur to a ſtranger, + and the new code appears to me, in many parts, ſingularly excellent, + both as to principle and practice.—Juſtice is here gratuitouſ—thoſe + who adminiſter it are elected by the people—they depend only on + their ſalaries, and have no fees whatever. Reaſonable allowances + are made to witneſſes both for time and expences at the public + charge—a loſs is not doubled by the coſts of a proſecution + to recover it. In caſes of robbery, where property found is detained + for the ſake of proof, it does not become the prey of official + rapacity, but an abſolute reſtitution takes place.—The + legiſlature has, in many reſpects, copied the laws of England, + but it has ſimplified the forms, and rectified thoſe abuſes + which make our proceedings in ſome caſes almoſt aſ + formidable to the proſecutor as to the culprit. Having to compoſe + an entire new ſyſtem, and being unſhackled by profeſſional + reverence for precedents, they were at liberty to benefit by example, to + reject thoſe errors which have been long ſanctioned by their + antiquity, and are ſtill permitted to exiſt, through our dread + of innovation. The French, however, made an attempt to improve on the + trial by jury, which I think only evinces that the inſtitution as + adopted in England is not to be excelled. The deciſion is here given + by ballot—unanimity is not required—and three white balls are + ſufficient to acquit the priſoner. This deviation from our mode + ſeems to give the rich an advantage over the poor. I fear, that, in + the number of twelve men taken from any country, it may ſometimes + happen that three may be found corruptible: now the wealthy delinquent can + avail himſelf of this human failing; but, "through tatter'd robes + ſmall vices do appear," and the indigent ſinner has leſſ + chance of eſcaping than another. + </p> + <p> + It is to be ſuppoſed, that, at this time, the vigour of the + criminal lawſ is much relaxed, and their execution difficult. The + army offers refuge and impunity to guilt of all kinds, and the magiſtrates + themſelves would be apprehenſive of purſuing an offender + who was protected by the mob, or, which is the ſame thing, by the + Jacobins. + </p> + <p> + The groundwork of much of the French civil juriſprudence is + arbitration, particularly in thoſe trifling proceſſes which + originate in a ſpirit of litigation; and it is not eaſy for a + man here, however well diſpoſed, to ſpend twenty pounds in + a conteſt about as many pence, or to ruin himſelf in order to + ſecure the poſſeſſion of half an acre of land. In + general, redreſs is eaſily obtained without unneceſſary + procraſtination, and with little or no coſt. Perhaps moſt + legal codes may be ſimple and efficacious at their firſt inſtitution, + and the circumſtance of their being encumbered with forms which + render them complex and expenſive, may be the natural conſequence + of length of time and change of manners. Littleton might require no + commentary in the reign of Henry II. and the myſterious fictions that + conſtitute the ſcience of modern judicature were perhaps + familiar, and even neceſſary, to our anceſtors. It is to be + regretted that we cannot adapt our laws to the age in which we live, and aſſimilate + them to our cuſtoms; but the tendency of our nature to extremes + perpetuates evils, and makes both the wiſe and the timid enemieſ + to reform. We fear, like John Calvin, to tear the habit while we are + ſtripping off the ſuperfluous decoration; and the example of + this country will probably long act as a diſcouragement to all + change, either judicial or political. The very name of France will repreſs + the deſire of innovation—we ſhall cling to abuſes as + though they were our ſupport, and every attempt to remedy them will + become an objection of ſuſpicion and terror.—Such are the + advantages which mankind will derive from the French revolution. + </p> + <p> + The Jacobin conſtitution is now finiſhed, and, as far as I am + able to judge, it is what might be expected from ſuch an origin: + calculated to flatter the people with an imaginary ſovereignty—to + place the whole power of election in the claſs moſt eaſily + miſled—to exclude from the repreſentation thoſe who + have a natural intereſt in the welfare of the country, and to eſtabliſh + the reign of anarchy and intrigue.—Yet, however averſe the + greater number of the French may be from ſuch a conſtitution, no + town or diſtrict has dared to reject it; and I remark, that amongſt + thoſe who have been foremoſt in offering their acceptation, are + many of the places moſt notoriouſly ariſtocratic. I have + enquired of ſome of the inhabitants of theſe very zealous towns + on what principle they acted ſo much in oppoſition to their + known ſentiments: the reply iſ always, that they fear the + vengeance of the Jacobins, and that they are awed by military force. This + reaſoning is, of courſe, unanſwerable; and we learn, from + the debates of the Convention, that the people have received the new conſtitution + <i>"avec la plus vive reconnoiſſance,"</i> ["With the moſt + lively gratitude."] and that they have all ſworn to die in its + defence.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_16" id="link3_4_16"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + July 14, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + The return of this day cannot but ſuggeſt very melancholy + reflections to all who are witneſſes of the changes which a + ſingle year has produced. In twelve months only the government of + France has been overturned, her commerce deſtroyed, the country + depopulated to raiſe armies, and the people deprived of bread to + ſupport them. A deſpotiſm more abſolute than that of + Turkey is eſtabliſhed, the manners of the nation are corrupted, + and its moral character is diſgraced in the eyes of all Europe. A + barbarous rage has laid waſte the faireſt monuments of art—whatever + could embelliſh ſociety, or contribute to ſoften exiſtence, + haſ diſappeared under the reign of theſe modern Gothſ—even + the neceſſarieſ of life are becoming rare and inadequate to + the conſumption—the rich are plundered and perſecuted, yet + the poor are in want—the national credit is in the laſt ſtage + of debaſement, yet an immenſe debt is created, and daily + accumulating; and apprehenſion, diſtruſt, and miſery, + are almoſt univerſal.—All this is the work of a ſet + of adventurers who are now divided among themſelveſ—who + are accuſing each other of thoſe crimeſ which the world + imputes to them all—and who, conſcious they can no longer + deceive the nation, now govern with the fear and ſuſpicion of + tyrants. Every thing is ſacrificed to the army and Paris, and the + people are robbed of their ſubſiſtence to ſupply an + iniquitous metropolis, and a military force that awes and oppreſſes + them. + </p> + <p> + The new conſtitution has been received here officially, but no one + ſeemſ to take the leaſt intereſt in it: it is regarded + in juſt the ſame light as a new tax, or any other miniſterial + mandate, not ſent to be diſcuſſed but obeyed. The mode + of proclaiming it conveyed a very juſt idea of itſ origin and + tendency. It was placed on a cuſhion, ſupported by Jacobinſ + in their red caps, and ſurrounded by dragoons. It ſeemed the + image of Anarchy, guarded by Deſpotiſm.—In this manner + they paraded the town, and the "ſacred volume" was then depoſed + on an altar erected on the Grande Place.—The Garde Nationale, who + were ordered to be under arms, attended, and the conſtitution was + read. A few of the ſoldiers cried "Vive la republique!" and every one + returned home with countenances in which delight was by no means the + prevailing expreſſion. + </p> + <p> + A trifling incident which I noticed on this occaſion, will ſerve, + among others of the ſame kind that I could enumerate, to prove that + even the very lower claſs of the people begin to ridicule and deſpiſe + their legiſlators. While a municipal officer was very gravely reading + the conſtitution, an aſs forced his way acroſs the ſquare, + and placed himſelf near the ſpot where the ceremony was + performing: a boy, who was under our window, on obſerving it, cried + out, "Why don't they give him the <i>accolade fraternelle!"</i>* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Fraternal embrace.—This is the reception given by the Preſident + to any one whom the Convention wiſh particularly to diſtinguiſh. + On an occaſion of the ſort, the fraternal embrace was given to + an old Negreſs.—The honours of the fitting are alſo + daily accorded to deputations of fiſh-women, chimney-ſweepers, + children, and all whoſe miſſions are flattering. There is + no homage ſo mean as not to gratify the pride of thoſe to whom + dominion is new; and theſe expreſſions are ſo often + and ſo ſtrangely applied, that it is not ſurprizing they + are become the cant phraſes of the mob. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —"Yes, (rejoined another,) and admit him <i>aux honneurs de la + feance."</i> [To the honours of the fitting.] This diſpoſition + to jeſt with their miſfortunes is, however, not ſo common + as it was formerly. A bon mot may alleviate the loſs of a battle, and + a lampoon on the court ſolace under the burthen of a new impoſt; + but the moſt thoughtleſs or improvident can find nothing very + facetious in the proſpect of abſolute want—and thoſe + who have been uſed to laugh under a circumſcription of their + political liberty, feel very ſeriouſly the evil of a government + which endows itſ members with unlimited power, and enables a Deputy, + often the meaneſt and moſt profligate character of his + department, to impriſon all who, from caprice, intereſt, or + vengeance, may have become the objects of hiſ perſecution. + </p> + <p> + I know this will appear ſo monſtrous to an Engliſhman, + that, had I an opportunity of communicating ſuch a circumſtance + before it were publicly authenticated, you would ſuppoſe it impoſſible, + and imagine I had been miſtaken, or had written only from report; it + is nevertheleſs true, that every part of France is infeſted by + theſe Commiſſioners, who diſpoſe, without appeal, + of the freedom and property of the whole department to which they are + ſent. It frequently happens, that men are delegated to places where + they have reſided, and thus have an opportunity of gratifying their + perſonal malice on all who are ſo unfortunate as to be obnoxious + to them. Imagine, for a moment, a village-attorney acting with + uncontrouled authority over the country where he formerly exerciſed + hiſ profeſſion, and you will have ſome idea of what paſſes + here, except that I hope no claſs of men in England are ſo bad + as thoſe which compoſe the major part of the National + Convention.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_17" id="link3_4_17"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + July 23, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + The events of Paris which are any way remarkable are ſo generally + circulated, that I do not often mention them, unleſs to mark their + effect on the provinces; but you will be ſo much miſled by the + public paperſ with regard to the death of Marat, that I think it neceſſary + to notice the ſubject while it is yet recent in my memory. Were the + clubs, the Convention, or the ſections of Paris to be regarded as + expreſſing the ſenſe of the people, the aſſaſſination + of this turbulent journaliſt muſt be conſidered being the + caſe, that the departments are for the moſt part, if not + rejoiced, indifferent—and many of thoſe who impute to him the + honour of martyrdom, or aſſiſt at his apotheoſis, are + much better ſatiſfied both with his chriſtian and heathen + glories, than they were while he was living to propagate anarchy and + pillage. The reverence of the Convention itſelf is a mere political + pantomime. Within the laſt twelve months nearly all the individuals + who compoſe it have treated Marat with contempt; and I perfectly + remember even Danton, one of the members of the Committee of Salut + Publique, accuſing him of being a contre revolutionnaire. + </p> + <p> + But the people, to uſe a popular expreſſion here, require + to be electrified.—St. Fargeau is almoſt forgotten, and Marat + is to ſerve the ſame purpoſes when dead, to which he + contributed while living.—An extreme groſſneſs and + want of feeling form the characteriſtic feature of the Pariſians; + they are ignorant, credulous, and material, and the Convention do not fail + on all occaſions to avail themſelves of theſe qualities. + The corpſe of Marat decently encloſed in a coffin would have + made little impreſſion, and it was not pity, but revenge, which + was to be excited. The diſguſting object of a dead leper was + therefore expoſed to the eyes of a metropolis calling itſelf the + moſt refined and enlightened of all Europe— + </p> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + "And what t'oblivion better were conſign'd, + Is hung on high to poiſon half mankind." + +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + I know not whether theſe lines are moſt applicable to the diſplay + of Marat's body, or the conſecration of his fame, but both will be a + laſting ſtigma on the manners and morals of Paris. + </p> + <p> + If the departments, however, take no intereſt in the loſs of + Marat, the young woman who aſſaſſinated him has + created a very lively one. The ſlighteſt anecdotes concerning + her are collected with avidity, and repeated with admiration; and this is + a ſtill farther proof of what you have heard me advance, that neither + patriotiſm nor humanity has an abundant growth in this country. The + French applaud an act in itſelf horrid and unjuſtifiable, while + they have ſcarcely any conception of the motive, and ſuch a + ſacrifice ſeems to them ſomething ſupernatural.—The + Jacobins aſſert, that Charlotte Corday was an emiſſary + of the allied powers, or, rather, of Mr. Pitt; and the Pariſians have + the complaiſance to believe, that a young woman could devote herſelf + to certain deſtruction at the inſtigation of another, as though + the ſame principleſ which would lead a perſon to undertake + a diplomatic commiſſion, would induce her to meet death. + </p> + <p> + I wrote ſome days ago to a lady of my acquaintance at Caen, to beg + ſhe would procure me ſome information relative to this + extraordinary female, and I ſubjoin an extract of her anſwer, + which I have juſt received: + </p> + <p> + "Miſs Corday was a native of this department, and had, from her + earlieſt years, been very carefully educated by an aunt who lives at + Caen. Before ſhe was twenty ſhe had decided on taking the veil, + and her noviciate waſ juſt expired when the Conſtituent Aſſembly + interdicted all religious vowſ for the future: ſhe then left the + convent, and reſided entirely with her aunt. The beauty of her perſon, + and particularly her mental acquiſitions, which were ſuperior to + that of French women in general, rendered an object of much admiration. + She ſpoke uncommonly well, and her diſcourſe often turned + on the ancients, and on ſuch ſubjects aſ indicated that maſculine + turn of mind which has ſince proved ſo fatal to her. Perhaps her + converſation was a little tinctured with that pedantry not unjuſtly + attributed to our ſex when they have a little more knowledge than uſual, + but, at the ſame time, not in ſuch a degree as to render it + unpleaſant. She ſeldom gave any opinion on the revolution, but + frequently attended the municipalities to ſolicit the penſions + of the expelled religious, or on any other occaſion where ſhe + could be uſeful to her friends. On the arrival of Petion, Barbaroux, + and others of the Briſſotin faction, ſhe began to frequent + the clubs, and to take a more lively intereſt in political affairs. + Petion, and Barbaroux eſpecially, ſeemed to be much reſpected + by her. It was even ſaid, ſhe had a tender partiality for the + latter; but this I believe is untrue.—I dined with her at her aunt's + on the Sunday previous to her departure for Paris. Nothing very remarkable + appeared in her behaviour, except that ſhe waſ much affected by + a muſter of the recruits who were to march againſt Paris, and + ſeemed to think many lives might be loſt on the occaſion, + without obtaining any relief for the country.—On the Tueſday + following ſhe left Caen, under pretext of viſiting her father, + who lives at Sens. Her aunt accompanied her to the gate of the town, and + the ſeparation waſ extremely ſorrowful on both ſides. + The ſubſequent events are too well known to need recital." + </p> + <p> + On her trial, and at her execution, Miſs Corday was firm and modeſt; + and I have been told, that in her laſt moments her whole figure waſ + intereſting beyond deſcription. She was tall, well formed, and + beautiful—her eyes, eſpecially, were fine and expreſſive—even + her dreſſ was not neglected, and a ſimple white diſhabille + added to the charms of this ſelf-devoted victim. On the whole, it is + not poſſible to aſcertain preciſely the motives which + determined her to aſſaſſinate Marat. Her letter to + Barbaroux expreſſes nothing but republican ſentiments; yet + it is difficult to conceive that a young woman, who had voluntarily + embraced the life of a cloiſter, could be really of this way of + thinking.—I cannot but ſuppoſe her connection with the + Deputies aroſe merely from an idea that they might be the inſtruments + of reſtoring the aboliſhed government, and her profeſſion + of republican principles after ſhe waſ arreſted might + probably be with a view of ſaving Duperret, and others of the party, + who were ſtill in the power of the Convention.—Her ſelection + of Marat ſtill remains to be accounted for. He was, indeed, the moſt + violent of the Jacobins, but not the moſt dangerous, and the death of + ſeveral others might have been more ſerviceable to the cauſe. + Marat was, however, the avowed perſecutor of prieſts and + religion, and if we attribute any influence to Miſs Corday's former + habits, we may ſuppoſe them to have had ſome ſhare in + the choice of her victim. Her refuſal of the miniſtry of a conſtitutional + prieſt at the ſcaffold ſtrengthens thiſ opinion. We + pay a kind of involuntary tribute of admiration to ſuch firmneſs + of mind in a young and beautiful woman; and I do not recollect that hiſtory + has tranſmitted any thing parallel to the heroiſm of Charlotte + Corday. Love, revenge, and ambition, have often ſacrificed their + victims, and ſuſtained the courage of their voluntaries under + puniſhment; but a female, animated by no perſonal motives, + ſenſible only to the miſfortunes of her country, patriotic + both from feeling and reflection, and ſacrificing herſelf from + principle, is ſingular in the annals of human nature.—Yet, + after doing juſtice to ſuch an inſtance of fortitude and + philanthropic devotion, I cannot but ſincerely lament the act to + which it has given riſe. At a time when ſo many ſpirits are + irritated by deſpair and oppreſſion, the example may be + highly pernicious, and a cauſe, however good, muſt always be + injured by the uſe of ſuch means in its ſupport.—Nothing + can ſanctify an aſſaſſination; and were not the + French more vindictive than humane, the crimes of the republican party + would find a momentary refuge in this injudicious effort to puniſh + them. + </p> + <p> + My friend La Marquiſe de ____ has left Paris, and is now at Peronne, + where ſhe has engaged me to paſs a few weeks with her; ſo + that my next will moſt probably be dated from thence.—Mr. D____ + is endeavouring to get a paſſport for England. He begins to + regret having remained here. His temper, naturally impatient of reſtraint, + accords but ill with the portion of liberty enjoyed by our republicans. + Corporal privations and mental interdictions multiply ſo faſt, + that irritable people like himſelf, and valetudinarians like Mrs. + C____ and me, could not chooſe a worſe reſidence; and, as + we are now unanimous on the ſubject, I hope ſoon to leave the + country.—There is, as you obſerve in your laſt, ſomething + of indolence as well as friendſhip in my having ſo long remained + here; but if actions were always analyzed ſo ſtrictly, and we + were not allowed to derive a little credit from our weakneſſes, + how many great characterſ would be reduced to the common level. + Voltaire introduced a ſort of rage for anecdotes, and for tracing all + events to trifling cauſes, which haſ done much more towards + exploding the old-faſhioned ſyſtem or the dignity of human + nature than the dry maxims of Rochefaucault, the ſophiſms of + Mandeville, or even the malicious wit of Swift. This is alſo another + effect of the progreſs of philoſophy; and this ſort of + moral Quixotiſm, continually in ſearch of evil, and more + gratified in diſcovering it than pained by its exiſtence, may be + very philoſophical; but it is at leaſt gloomy and diſcouraging; + and we may be permitted to doubt whether mankind become wiſer or + better by learning, that thoſe who have been moſt remarkable + either for wiſdom or virtue were occaſionally under the + influence of the ſame follies and paſſions as other people.—Your + uncharitable diſcernment, you ſee, has led me into a digreſſion, + and I have, without intending it, connected the motives of my ſtay + with reflections on Voltaire's General Hiſtory, Barillon's Letters, + and all the ſecret biography of our modern libraries. This, you will + ſay, iſ only a chapter of a "man's importance to himſelf;" + but public affairs are now ſo confuſed and diſguſting, + that we are glad to encourage any train of ideas not aſſociated + with them. + </p> + <p> + The Commiſſioners I gave you ſome account of in a former + letter are departed, and we have lately had Chabot, an Ex-capuchin, and a + patriot of ſpecial note in the Convention, and one Dumont, an + attorney of a neighbouring village. They are, like all the reſt of + theſe miſſionaries, entruſted with unlimited powers, + and inſpire apprehenſion and diſmay wherever they approach. + </p> + <p> + The Garde Nationale of Amiens are not yet entirely ſubdued to the + times, and Chabot gave ſome hints of a project to diſarm them, + and actually attempted to arreſt ſome of their officers; but, + apprized of his deſign, they remained two nights under arms, and the + Capuchin, who is not martially inclined, was ſo alarmed at this + indication of reſiſtance, that he has left the town with more haſte + than ceremony.—He had, in an harangue at the cathedral, inculcated + ſome very edifying doctrines on the diviſion of property and the + right of pillage; and it is not improbable, had he not withdrawn, but the + Amienois would have ventured, on thiſ pretext, to arreſt him. + Some of them contrived, in ſpite of the centinel placed at the + lodging of theſe great men, to paſte up on the door two figures, + with the names of Chabot and Dumont; in the "fatal poſition of the + unfortunate brave;" and though certain events in the lives of theſe + Deputies may have rendered this perſpective of their laſt + moments not abſolutely a novelty, yet I do not recollect that Akenſide, + or any other author, has enumerated a gibbet amongſt the objects, + which, though not agreeable in themſelves, may be reconciled to the + mind by familiarity. I wiſh, therefore, our repreſentatives may + not, in return for thiſ admonitory portrait of their latter end, draw + down ſome vengeance on the town, not eaſily to be appeaſed. + I am no aſtrologer, but in our ſublunary world the conjunction + of an attorney and a renegade monk cannot preſent a fortunate aſpect; + and I am truly anxious to find myſelf once again under the more + benign influence of your Engliſh hemiſphere.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_18" id="link3_4_18"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Peronne, July 29, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + Every attempt to obtain paſſports has been fruitleſs, and, + with that ſort of diſcontented reſignation which is the + effect of neceſſity, I now look upon myſelf as fixed here + till the peace. I left Mr. and Mrs. D____ yeſterday morning, the diſappointment + operating upon them in full force. The former takes longer walks than uſual, + breaks out in philippicſ againſt tyrannies of all kinds, and + ſwears ten times a day that the French are the moſt noiſy + people upon earth—the latter is vexed, and, for that reaſon, + fancies ſhe is ill, and calculates, with great ingenuity, all the + hazard and inconvenience we may be liable to by remaining here. I hope, on + my return, to find them more reconciled. + </p> + <p> + At Villars de Bretonne, on my road hither, ſome people told me, with + great gaiety, that the Engliſh had made a deſcent on the coaſt + of Picardy. Such a report (for I did not ſuppoſe it poſſible) + during the laſt war would have made me tremble, but I heard this + without alarm, having, in no inſtance, ſeen the people take that + kind of intereſt in public events which formerly made a reſidence + in France unpleaſant to an individual of an hoſtile nation. It + is not that they are become more liberal, or better informed—no + change of this kind has been diſcovered even by the warmeſt + advocates of the revolution; but they are more indifferent, and thoſe + who are not decidedly the enemies of the preſent government, for the + moſt part concern themſelves as little about the events of the + war, as though it were carried on in the South Sea. + </p> + <p> + I fear I ſhould riſk an imputation on my veracity, were I to deſcribe + the extreme ignorance and inattention of the French with reſpect to + public men and meaſures. They draw no concluſions from the paſt, + form no conjectures for the future, and, after exclaiming "Il ne peut pas + durer comme cela," they, with a reſignation which is certainly + neither piouſ nor philoſophic, leave the reſt to the agency + of Providence.—Even thoſe who are more informed ſo + bewilder themſelves in the politics of Greece and Rome, that they do + not perceive how little theſe are applicable to their own country. + Indeed, it ſhould ſeem that no modern age or people is worthy + the knowledge of a Frenchman.—I have often remarked, in the courſe + of our correſpondence, how little they are acquainted with what + regards England or the Engliſh; and ſcarcely a day paſſes + that I have not occaſion to make the ſame obſervation. + </p> + <p> + My conductor hither, who is a friend of Mad. de T____, and eſteemed + "bien inſtruit," was much ſurprized when I told him that the + population and ſize of London exceeded that of Pariſ—that + we had good fruit, and better vegetables than were to be found in many + parts of France. I ſaw that he ſuſpected my veracity, and + there is always on theſe occaſions ſuch a decided and + impenetrable incredulity in a Frenchman as precludes all hopes of + convincing him. He liſtens with a ſort of ſelf-ſufficient + complacence which tells you he does not conſider your aſſertions + as any thing more than the exaggerations of national vanity, but that hiſ + politeneſs does not allow him to contradict you. I know nothing more + diſguſtingly impertinent than his ignorance, which intrenches itſelf + behind the forms of civility, and, affecting to decline controverſy, + aſſumes the merit of forbearance and moderation: yet this muſt + have been often obſerved by every one who has lived much in French + ſociety: for the firſt emotion of a Frenchman, on hearing any + thing which tends to place another country on an equality with France, is + doubt—this doubt iſ inſtantly reinforced by vanity—and, + in a few ſeconds, he is perfectly ſatiſfied that the thing + is impoſſible. + </p> + <p> + One muſt be captious indeed to object to this, did it ariſe from + that patriotic feeling ſo common in the Engliſh; but here it is + all vanity, downright vanity: a Frenchman muſt have his country and + his miſtreſſ admired, though he does not often care much + for either one or the other. I have been in various parts of France in the + moſt critical periods of the revolution—I have converſed + with people of all parties and of all rankſ—and I aſſert, + that I have never yet met but with one man who had a grain of real + patriotiſm. If the Athenian law were adopted which doomed all to + death who ſhould be indifferent to the public welfare in a time of + danger, I fear there would be a woeful depopulation here, even among the + loudeſt champions of democracy. + </p> + <p> + It is not thirty miles from Amiens to Peronne, yet a journey of thirty + miles is not now to be undertaken inconſiderately; the horſes + are ſo much worked, and ſo ill fed, that few perform ſuch a + diſtance without reſt and management. If you wiſh to take + others, and continue your route, you cannot, or if you wait while your own + horſes are refreſhed, as a reward for your humanity you get + ſtarved yourſelf. Bread being very ſcarce, no family can + get more than ſufficient for its own conſumption, and thoſe + who travel without firſt ſupplying themſelves, do it at the + riſk of finding none on the road. + </p> + <p> + Peronne is chiefly remarkable in hiſtory for never having been taken, + and for a tower where Louis XI. was confined for a ſhort time, after + being outwitted in a manner ſomewhat ſurprizing for a Monarch + who piqued himſelf on his talents for intrigue, by Charles le + Temeraire, Duke of Burgundy. It modern reputation, ariſes from its + election of the Abbe Maury for its repreſentative, and for + entertaining political principleſ every way analogous to ſuch a + choice. + </p> + <p> + I found the Marquiſe much altered in her perſon, and her health + much impaired, by the frequent alarms and continual apprehenſions + ſhe had been ſubject to at Paris. Fortunately ſhe has no + imputation againſt her but her rank and fortune, for ſhe is + utterly guiltleſs of all political opinions; ſo that I hope + ſhe will be ſuffered to knit ſtockings, tend her birds and + dogs, and read romances in peace.—Yours, &c. &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_19" id="link3_4_19"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Auguſt 1, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + When the creation of aſſignats was firſt propoſed, + much ingenuity waſ employed in conjecturing, and much eloquence diſplayed + in expatiating upon, the various evils that might reſult from them; + yet the genius of party, however uſually ſucceſſful in + gloomy perſpective, did not at that time imagine half the + inconvenience this meaſure was fraught with. It was eaſy, + indeed, to foreſee, that an immenſe circulation of paper, like + any other currency, muſt augment the price of every thing; but the + exceſſive diſcredit of the aſſignats, operating + acceſſarily to their quantity, has produced a train of + collateral effects of greater magnitude than even thoſe that were + originally apprehended. Within the laſt twelve months the whole + country are become monopolizerſ—the deſire of realizing + has ſo poſſeſſed all degrees of people, that + there is ſcarcely an article of conſumption which is not bought + up and ſecreted. One would really ſuppoſe that nothing was + periſhable but the national credit—the nobleman, the merchant, + the ſhopkeeper, all who have aſſignats, engage in theſe + ſpeculations, and the neceſſities of our diſſipated + heirs do not drive them to reſources for obtaining money more whimſical + than the commerce now practiſed here to get rid of it. I know a beau + who haſ converted his <i>hypotheque</i> [Mortgage.] on the national + domains into train oil, and a General who has given theſe "airy + nothingſ" the ſubſtance and form of hemp and leather!* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * In the late rage for monopolies in France, a perſon who had obſerved + the vaſt daily conſumption of onions, garlic, and eſchalots, + conceived the project of making the whole diſtrict of Amiens + tributary for this indiſpenſible article. In conſequence, + he attended ſeveral market-days, and purchaſed all that came + in hiſ way. The country people finding a ready ſale for their + onions, poured in from all quarters, and our projector found that, in + proportion as he bought, the market became more profuſely ſupplied, + and that the commodity he had hoped to monopolize was inexhauſtible. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Goods purchaſed from ſuch motives are not as you may conceive + ſold till the temptation of an exorbitant profit ſeduces the + proprietor to riſk a momentary poſſeſſion of aſſignats, + which are again diſpoſed of in a ſimilar way. Thus many + neceſſaries of life are withdrawn from circulation, and when a + real ſcarcity enſues, they are produced to the people, charged + with all the accumulated gains of theſe intermediate barters. + </p> + <p> + This illiberal and pernicious commerce, which avarice and fear have for + ſome time kept in great activity, has at length attracted the notice + of the Convention, and very ſevere laws are now enacted againſt + monopolieſ of all kinds. The holder of any quantity of merchandize + beyond what he may be ſuppoſed to conſume is obliged to + declare it to his municipality, and to expoſe the articles he deals + in in writing over his door. Theſe clauſes, as well as every + other part of the decree, ſeem very wiſe and equitable; but I + doubt if the ſeverity of the puniſhment annexed to any tranſgreſſion + of it will not operate ſo as to defeat the purpoſeſ + intended to be produced. A falſe declaration is puniſhable by + ſix yearſ impriſonment, and an abſolute non-compliance + with death.—Blackſtone remarks, that it is the certainty, not + the ſeverity, of puniſhment, which makes laws efficacious; and + this muſt ever be the caſe amongſt an humane people.—An + inordinate deſire of gain is not often conſidered by mankind as + very criminal, and thoſe who would willingly ſubject it to itſ + adequate puniſhment of fine and confiſcation, will heſitate + to become the means of inflicting death on the offender, or of depriving + him of hiſ liberty. The Poets have, from time immemorial, claimed a + kind of excluſive juriſdiction over the ſin of avarice: + but, unfortunately, mindſ once ſteeled by this vice are not + often ſenſible to the attacks of ridicule; and I have never + heard that any poet, from Plautus to Moliere, has reformed a ſingle + miſer. I am not, therefore, ſorry that our legiſlature has + encroached on this branch of the poetical prerogative, and only wiſh + that the mild regimen of the Muſes had been ſucceeded by ſomething + leſs rigid than the priſon or the guillotine. It is true, that, + in the preſent inſtance, it is not the ordinary and habitual + practice of avarice that has called forth the ſeverity of the laws, + but a ſpecies ſo deſtructive and extenſive in its conſequences, + that much may be ſaid in defence of any penalty ſhort of death; + and ſuch is the general diſtruſt of the paper-money, that I + really believe, had not ſome meaſure of the kind been adopted, + no article ſuſceptible of monopoly would have been left for conſumption. + There are, however, thoſe who retort on the government, and aſſert, + that the origin of the evil is in the waſte and peculation of its + agents, which alſo make the immenſe emiſſion of paper + more neceſſary; and they are right in the fact, though not in + their deduction, for as the evil does exiſt whatever may be the cauſe, + it iſ certainly wiſe to endeavour to remedy it. + </p> + <p> + The poſition of Valenciennes, which is ſuppoſed to be on + the eve of a ſurrender—the progreſs of the inſurgents + in La Vendee—the diſcontentſ in the South—and the + charge of treachery againſt ſo many of the Generals, and + particularly Cuſtine—all together ſeem to have agitated + the public extremely: yet it is rather the agitation of uncertainty than + that occaſioned by any deep impreſſion of hope or fear. The + people wiſh to be relieved from their preſent ſituation, + yet are without any determinate views for the future; and, indeed, in this + part of the country, where they have neither leaders nor union, it would + be very difficult for them to take a more active part. + </p> + <p> + The party of the foederaliſts languiſh, merely becauſe it + is nothing more than a party, and a party of which the heads excite + neither intereſt nor eſteem. I conclude you learn from the + papers all the more important events, and I confine myſelf, as uſual, + to ſuch details as I think leſſ likely to reach you. The + humanity of the Engliſh muſt often baniſh their political + animoſities when they read what paſſes here; and thouſands + of my countrymen muſt at this moment lament with me the ſituation + to which France is reduced by projects in which common ſenſe can + diſtinguiſh no medium between wickedneſs and folly. + </p> + <p> + All apparent attachment to royaliſm is now cautiouſly avoided, + but the royaliſts do not diminiſh by perſecution, and the + induſtry with which they propagate their opinions is nearly a match + for all the force armee of the republicans.—It is not eaſy to + print pamphlets or newſpapers, but there are certain ſhops which + one would think were diſcovered by inſtinct, where are ſold + a variety of myſterious emblems of royalty, ſuch as fans that + have no viſible ornaments except landſcapes, &c. but when + opened by the initiated, preſent tolerable likeneſſes of + the Royal Family; ſnuff-boxes with ſecret lids, containing + miniature buſts of the late King; and muſic ſo ingeniouſly + printed, that what to the common eye offers only ſome popular air, + when folded ſo as to join the heads and tails of the notes together, + forms ſentences of very treaſonable import, and by no means + flattering to the exiſting government—I have known theſe + interdicted trifles purchaſed at extravagant prices by the beſt-reputed + patriots, and by officers who in public breathe nothing but unconquerable + democracy, and deteſtation of Kings. Yet, though theſe things + are circulated with extreme caution, every body has ſomething of the + ſort, and, as Charles Surface ſays, "for my part, I don't ſee + who is out of the ſecret." + </p> + <p> + The belief in religious miracles is exploded, and it is only in political + ones that the faith of the people is allowed to exerciſe itſelf.—We + have lately ſeen exhibited at the fairs and markets a calf, produced + into the world with the tri-coloured cockade on its head; and on the + painted cloth that announces the phoenomenon is the portrait of this + natural revolutioniſt, with a mayor and municipality in their + official ſcarfs, addreſſing the four-footed patriot with + great ceremony. + </p> + <p> + We ſet out early to-morrow-morning for Soiſſons, which is + about twenty leagues from hence. Travelling is not very deſirable in + the preſent circumſtances, but Mad. de F____ has ſome + affairs to ſettle there which cannot well be entruſted to a + third perſon. The times, however, have a very hoſtile + appearance, and we intend, if poſſible, to be abſent but + three days.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_20" id="link3_4_20"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Soiſſons, Auguſt 4, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + "And you may go by Beauvais if you will, for which reaſon many go by + Beauvais;" and the ſtranger who turns out of his road to go by Soiſſons, + muſt uſe the ſame reaſoning, for the conſciouſneſs + of having exerciſed his free agency will be all his reward for viſiting + Soiſſons. This, by the way; for my journey hither not being one + of curioſity, I have no right to complain; yet ſomehow or other, + by aſſociating the idea of the famous Vaſe, the ancient reſidence + of the firſt French Kings, and other circumſtances as little + connected as theſe I ſuppoſe with modern hiſtory, I + had ranked Soiſſons in my imagination as one of the places I + ſhould ſee with intereſt. I find it, however, only a dull, + decent-looking town, tolerably large, but not very populous. In the new + diviſion of France it is the capital of the department De l'Aiſne, + and is of courſe the ſeat of the adminiſtration. + </p> + <p> + We left Peronne early, and, being ſo fortunate as to encounter no + accidental delays, we arrived within a league of Soiſſons early + in the afternoon. Mad. de F____, recollecting an acquaintance who has a + chateau not far out of our road, determined to ſtop an hour or two; + for, as ſhe ſaid, her friend was ſo "fond of the country," + ſhe ſhould be ſure to find him there. We did, indeed, find + this Monſieur, who is ſo "fond of the country," at home, + extremely well powdered, dreſſed in a ſtriped ſilk + coat, and engaged with a card party, on a warm afternoon on the third of + Auguſt.—The chateau was ſituated as a French chateau uſually + is, ſo aſ to be benefited by all the noiſes and odours of + the village—built with a large ſingle front, and a number of + windows ſo judiciouſly placed, that it muſt be impoſſible + either to be cool in ſummer or warm in winter. + </p> + <p> + We walked out after taking ſome coffee, and I learned that this lover + of the country did not keep a ſingle acre of land in his own hands, + but that the part immediately contiguous to the houſe was cultivated + for a certain ſhare of the profit by a farmer who lives in a miſerable + looking place adjoining, and where I ſaw the operations of the + dairy-maid carried on amidſt pigs, ducks, and turkeys, who ſeemed + to have eſtabliſhed a very familiar acceſs. + </p> + <p> + Previous to our arrival at Soiſſons, the Marquiſe (who, + though ſhe doeſ not conſider me as an ariſtocrate, + knows I am by no means a republican,) begged me to be cautious in expreſſing + my ſentiments, as the Comte de ____, where we were going, had + embraced the principles of the revolution very warmly, and had been much + blamed by his family on this account. Mad. de F____ added, that ſhe + had not ſeen him for above a year, but that ſhe believed him + ſtill to be "extremement patriote." + </p> + <p> + We reached Mons. de ____'s juſt as the family were ſet down to a + very moderate ſupper, and I obſerved that their plate had been + replaced by pewter. After the firſt ſalutations were over, it + was ſoon viſible that the political notions of the count were + much changed. He is a ſenſible reflecting man, and ſeems + really to wiſh the good of his country. He thinks, with many others, + that all the good effects which might have been obtained by the revolution + will be loſt through the contempt and hatred which the republican + government has drawn upon it. + </p> + <p> + Mons. de ____ has two ſons who have diſtinguiſhed themſelves + very honourably in the army, and he has himſelf made great pecuniary + ſacrifices; but this has not ſecured him from numerous + domiciliary viſitſ and vexations of all kinds. The whole family + are at intervals a little penſive, and Mons. de ____ told us, at a + moment when the ladies were abſent, that the taking of Valenciennes + had occaſioned a violent fermentation at Paris, and that he had + ſerious apprehenſions for thoſe who have the miſfortune + to be diſtinguiſhed by their rank, or obnoxiouſ from their + ſuppoſed principleſ—that he himſelf, and all who + were preſumed to have an attachment to the conſtitution of + eighty-nine, were much more feared, and of courſe more ſuſpected, + than the original ariſtocrateſ—and "enfin" that he had + made up his mind a la Francaiſe to the worſt that could happen. + </p> + <p> + I have juſt run over the papers of the day, and I perceive that the + debates of the Convention are filled with invectives againſt the + Engliſh. A letter has been very opportunely found on the ramparts of + Liſle, which is intended to perſuade the people that the Britiſh + government haſ diſtributed money and phoſphoric matches in + every town in France—the one to provoke inſurrection, the other + to ſet fire to the corn.* You will conclude this letter to be a + fabrication, and it is imagined and executed with ſo little + ingenuity, that I doubt whether it will impoſe on the moſt + ignorant of the people for a moment. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "The National Convention, in the name of violated humanity, denounces + to all the world, and to the people of England in particular, the baſe, + perfidious, and wicked conduct of the Britiſh government, which + does not heſitate to employ fire, poiſon, aſſaſſination, + and every other crime, to procure the triumph of tyranny, and the deſtruction + of the rights of man." (Decree, 1ſt Auguſt, 1793.) + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The Queen has been tranſferred to the Conciergerie, or common priſon, + and a decree is paſſed for trying her; but perhaps at this + moment (whatever may be the reſult hereafter) they only hope her + ſituation may operate aſ a check upon the enemy; at leaſt I + have heard it doubted by many whether they intend to proceed ſeriouſly + on this trial ſo long threatened.— Perhaps I may have before + noticed to you that the convention never ſeemed capable of any thing + great or uniform, and that all their proceedingſ took a tinge from + that frivolity and meanneſs which I am almoſt tempted to believe + inherent in the French character. They have juſt now, amidſt a + long ſtring of decrees, the objects of which are of the firſt + conſequence, inſerted one for the deſtruction of all the + royal tombſ before the tenth of Auguſt, and another for reducing + the expences of the King's children, particularly their food, to bare neceſſaries. + Had our Engliſh revolutioniſts thus employed themſelves, + they might have expelled the ſculptured Monarchs from the Abbey, and + waged a very ſucceſſful war on the admirers of Gothic + antiquity; but neither the Stuarts, nor the Catholic religion, would have + had much to fear from them. + </p> + <p> + We have been wandering about the town all day, and I have not remarked + that the ſucceſſes of the enemy have occaſioned any + regret. When I waſ in France three years ago, you may recollect that + my letters uſually contained ſome relation of our embarraſſment + and delays, owing to the fear and ignorance of the people. At one place + they apprehended the introduction of foreign troopſ—at another, + that the Comte d'Artois waſ to burn all the corn. In ſhort, the + whole country teemed with plots and counterplots, every one of which was + more abſurd and inexplicable than thoſe of Oates, with his whole + tribe of Jeſuits. At preſent, when a powerful army is invading + the frontiers, and people have not in many places bread to eat, they + ſeem to be very little ſolicitous about the former, and as + little diſpoſed to blame the ariſtocrates for the latter. + </p> + <p> + It is really extraordinary, after all the pains that have been taken to + excite hatred and reſentment againſt the Engliſh, that I + have not heard of a ſingle inſtance of their having been inſulted + or moleſted. Whatever inconveniencies they may have been ſubjected + to, were acts of the government, not of the people; and perhaps this is + the firſt war between the two nations in which the reverſe has + not been the caſe. + </p> + <p> + I accompanied Mad. de ____ this afternoon to the houſe of a rich + merchant, where ſhe had buſineſs, and who, ſhe told + me, had been a furious patriot, but his ardour is now conſiderably + abated. He had juſt returned from the department, [Here uſed for + the place where the public buſineſs is tranſacted.] where + his affairs had led him; and he aſſureſ us, that in general + the agents of the republic were more inacceſſible, more inſolent, + corrupt, and ignorant, than any employed under the old government. He + demurred to paying Mad. de ____ a ſum of money all in <i>aſſignats + a face;</i>* and this famous patriot would readily have given me an + hundred livres for a pound ſterling. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * <i>Aſſignats a face</i>—that is, with the King's + effigy; at this time greatly preferred to thoſe iſſued + after his death. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + We ſhall return to Peronne to-morrow, and I have availed myſelf + of the hour between cards and ſupper, which is uſually employed + by the French in undreſſing, to ſcribble my remarks. In + ſome families, I ſuppoſe, ſupping in diſhabille + is an arrangement of oeconomy, in others of eaſe; but I always think + it has the air of preparation for a very ſolid meal; and, in effect, + ſupping is not a mere ceremony with either ſex in this country. + </p> + <p> + I learnt in converſation with M. de ____, whoſe ſons were + at Famars when the camp was forced, that the carnage was terrible, and + that the loſs of the French on this occaſion amounted to ſeveral + thouſands. You will be informed of this much more accurately in + England, but you will ſcarcely imagine that no official account was + ever publiſhed here, and that in general the people are ignorant of + the circumſtance, and all the diſaſters attending it. In + England, you have oppoſition papers that amply ſupply the omiſſions + of the miniſterial gazettes, and often dwell with much complacence on + the loſſes and defeats of their country; here none will venture + to publiſh the leaſt event which they ſuppoſe the + government wiſh to keep concealed. I am told, a leading feature of + republican governments is to be extremely jealous of the liberty of the + preſs, and that of France is, in this reſpect, truly republican.—Adieu. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_21" id="link3_4_21"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Peronne, Auguſt, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + I have often regretted, my dear brother, that my letters have for ſome + time been rather intended to ſatiſfy your curioſity than + your affection. At this moment I feel differently, and I rejoice that the + inquietude and danger of my ſituation will, probably, not come to + your knowledge till I ſhall be no longer ſubject to them. I have + been for ſeveral days unwell, and yet my body, valetudinarian as I am + at beſt, is now the better part of me; for my mind has been ſo + deranged by ſuſpenſe and terror, that I expect to recover + my health long before I ſhall be able to tranquillize my ſpirits. + </p> + <p> + On our return from Soiſſons I found, by the public prints, that + a decree had paſſed for arreſting all natives of the + countries with which France is at war, and who had not conſtantly reſided + there ſince 1789.—Thiſ intelligence, as you will conceive, + ſufficiently alarmed me, and I loſt no time in conſulting + Mad. de ____'s friends on the ſubject, who were generally of opinion + that the decree was merely a menace, and that it waſ too unjuſt + to be put in execution. As ſome days elapſed and no ſtepſ + were taken in conſequence, I began to think they were right, and my + ſpirits were ſomewhat revived; when one evening, as I was + preparing to go to bed, my maid ſuddenly entered the room, and, + before ſhe could give me any previous explanation, the apartment was + filled with armed men. Aſ ſoon as I was collected enough to + enquire the object of this unſeaſonable viſit, I learned + that all this military apparel was to put the ſeals on my papers, and + convey my perſon to the Hotel de Ville!—I knew it would be vain + to remonſtrated, and therefore made an effort to recover my ſpirits + and ſubmit. The buſineſs, however, was not yet terminated, + my papers were to be ſealed—and though they were not very + voluminous, the proceſs was more difficult than you would imagine, + none of the company having been employed on affairs of the kind before. A + debate enſued on the manner in which it ſhould be done, and, + after a very tumultuouſ diſcuſſion, it was ſagaciouſly + concluded to ſeal up the doors and windowſ of all the apartments + appropriated to my uſe. They then diſcovered that they had no + ſeal fit for the purpoſe, and a new conſultation was holden + on the propriety of affixing a cypher which was offered them by one of the + Garde Nationale. + </p> + <p> + This weighty matter being at length decided, the doors of my bedchamber, + dreſſing-room, and of the apartments with which they + communicated, were carefully faſtened up, though not without an obſervation + on my part that I was only a gueſt at Mad. de ____'s, and that an + order to ſeize my papers or perſon was not a mandate for + rendering a part of her home uſeleſs. But there was no reaſoning + with ignorance and a ſcore of bayonets, nor could I obtain permiſſion + even to take ſome linen out of my drawers. On going down ſtairs, + I found the court and avenues to the garden amply guarded, and with this + numerous eſcort, and accompanied by Mad. de ____, I was conducted to + the Hotel de Ville. I know not what reſiſtance they might expect + from a ſingle female, but, to judge by their precautions, they muſt + have deemed the adventure a very perilous one. When we arrived at the + Hotel de Ville, it was near eleven o'clock: the hall was crouded, and a + young man, in a dirty linen jacket and trowſerſ and dirty linen, + with the air of a Poliſſon and the countenance of an aſſaſſin, + was haranguing with great vehemence againſt the Engliſh, who, he + aſſerted, were all agents of Pitt, (eſpecially the women,) + and were to ſet fire to the corn, and corrupt the garriſons of + the fortified towns.— The people liſtened to theſe + terrible projects with a ſtupid ſort of ſurprize, and, for + the moſt part, ſeemed either very careleſs or very + incredulous. As ſoon as this inflammatory piece of eloquence waſ + finiſhed, I was preſented to the ill-looking orator, who, I + learned, waſ a repreſentant du peuple. It was very eaſy to + perceive that my ſpiritſ were quite overpowered, and that I + could with difficulty ſupport myſelf; but this did not prevent + the repreſentant du peuple from treating me with that inconſiderable + brutality which is commonly the effect of a ſudden acceſſion + of power on narrow and vulgar minds. After a variety of impertinent queſtions, + menaces of a priſon for myſelf, and exclamationſ of hatred + and vengeance againſt my country, on producing ſome friends of + Mad. de ____, who were to be anſwerable for me, I was releaſed, + and returned home more dead than alive. + </p> + <p> + You muſt not infer, from what I have related, that I was particularly + diſtinguiſhed on this occaſion, for though I have no + acquaintance with the Engliſh here, I underſtand they had all + been treated much in the ſame manner.—As ſoon as the repreſentant + had left the town, by dint of ſolicitation we prevailed on the + municipality to take the ſeal off the rooms, and content themſelves + with ſelecting and ſecuring my papers, which was done yeſterday + by a commiſſion, formally appointed for the purpoſe. I know + not the quality of the good citizens to whom thiſ important charge + was entruſted, but I concluded from their coſtume that they had + been more uſefully employed the preceding part of the day at the + anvil and laſt. It is certain, however, they had undertaken a buſineſſ + greatly beyond their powers. They indeed turned over all my trunks and + drawers, and dived to the bottom of water-jugs and flower-jars with great + zeal, but neglected to ſearch a large portfolio that lay on the + table, probably from not knowing the uſe of it; and my ſervant + conveyed away ſome letters, while I amuſed them with the ſight + of a blue-bottle fly through a microſcope. They were at firſt + much puzzled to know whether books and muſic were included under the + article of papers, and were very deſirous of burning a hiſtory + of France, becauſe they diſcovered, by the title-plate, that it + was "about Kings;" but the moſt difficult part of this momentous tranſaction + was taking an account of it in writing. However, as only one of the + company could write, there was no diſputing as to the ſcribe, + though there was much about the manner of execution. I did not ſee + the compoſition, but I could hear that it ſtated "comme quoi," + they had found the ſeals unbroken, "comme quoi," they had taken them + off, and divers "as howſ" of the ſame kind. The whole being + concluded, and my papers depoſited in a box, I was at length freed + from my gueſts, and left in poſſeſſion of my + apartments. + </p> + <p> + It is impoſſible to account for this treatment of the Engliſh + by any mode of reaſoning that does not exclude both juſtice and + policy; and viewing it only as a ſymptom of that deſperate + wickedneſs which commits evil, not as a means, but an end, I am + extremely alarmed for our ſituation. At this moment the whole of + French politics ſeems to center in an endeavour to render the Engliſh + odious both as a nation and as individuals. The Convention, the clubs, and + the ſtreets of Paris, reſound with low abuſe of this + tendency; and a motion was made in the former, by one Garnier, to procure + the aſſaſſination of Mr. Pitt. Couthon, a member of + the Comite de Salut Publique, has propoſed and carried a decree to + declare him the enemy of mankind; and the citizens of Paris are ſtunned + by the hawkers of Mr. Pitt's plots with the Queen to "ſtarve all + France," and "maſſacre all the patriots."—Amidſt + ſo many effortſ* to provoke the deſtruction of the Engliſh, + it is wonderful, when we conſider the ſanguinary character which + the French people have lately evinced, that we are yet ſafe, and it + is in effect only to be accounted for by their diſinclination to take + any part in the animoſities of their government. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * When our repreſentative appeared at Abbeville with an intention + of arreſting the Engliſh and other foreigners, the people, to + whom theſe miſſionaries with unlimited powers were yet + new, took the alarm, and became very apprehenſive that he was come + likewiſe to diſarm their Garde Nationale. The ſtreets + were crouded, the town houſe was beſet, and Citizen Dumout + found it neceſſary to quiet the town's people by the following + proclamation. One part of hiſ purpoſe, that of inſuring + his perſonal ſafety, was anſwered by it; but that of + exciting the people againſt the Engliſh, failed— inſomuch, + that I was told even the loweſt claſſes, ſo far from + giving credit to the malignant calumnies propagated againſt the + Engliſh, openly regretted their arreſtation. "Citizens, "On my + arrival amongſt you, I little thought that malevolence would be + ſo far ſucceſſful as to alarm you on the motives of + my viſit. Could the ariſtocrates, then, flatter themſelves + with the hope of making you believe I had the intention of diſarming + you? Be deaf, I beſeech you, to ſo abſurd a calumny, and + ſeize on thoſe who propagate it. I came here to fraternize + with you, and to aſſiſt you in getting rid of thoſe + malcontents and foreigners, who are ſtriving to deſtroy the + republic by the moſt infernal manoeuvres.—An horrible plot + has been conceived. Our harveſts are to be fired by means of phoſphoric + matches, and all the patriots aſſaſſinated. Women, + prieſts, and foreigners, are the inſtruments employed by the + coaleſced deſpots, and by England above all, to accompliſh + theſe criminal deſigns.—A law of the firſt of this + month orders the arreſt of all foreigners born in the countries + with which the republic is at war, and not ſettled in France before + the month of July, 1789. In execution of this law I have required + domiciliary viſits to be made. I have urged the preſervation + of the public tranquillity. I have therefore done my duty, and only what + all good citizens muſt approve." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I have juſt received a few lines from Mrs. D____, written in French, + and put in the poſt without ſealing. I perceive, by the + contents, though ſhe enters into no details, that circumſtances + ſimilar to thoſe I have deſcribed have likewiſe taken + place at Amiens. In addition to my other anxieties, I have the proſpect + of a long ſeparation from my friends; for though I am not in + confinement, I cannot, while the decree which arreſted me remains in + force, quit the town of Peronne. I have not often looked forward with + ſo little hope, or ſo little certainty, and though a firſt-rate + philoſopher might make up his mind to a particular event, yet to be + prepared for any thing, and all things, is a more difficult matter. + </p> + <p> + The hiſtories of Greece and Rome have long conſtituted the grand + reſources of French eloquence, and it is not till within a few days + that an orator has diſcovered all this good learning to be of no uſe—not, + aſ you might imagine, becauſe the moral character and political + ſituation of the French differ from thoſe of the Greeks and + Romans, but becauſe they are ſuperior to all the people who ever + exiſted, and ought to be cited aſ models, inſtead of deſcending + to become copyiſts. "Therefore, continueſ this Jacobin ſage, + (whoſe name is Henriot, and who is highly popular,) let us burn all + the libraries and all the antiquities, and have no guide but ourſelveſ—let + us cut off the heads of all the Deputies who have not voted according to + our principles, baniſh or impriſon all the gentry and the + clergy, and guillotine the Queen and General Cuſtine!" + </p> + <p> + Theſe are the uſual ſubjects of diſcuſſion + at the clubs, and the Convention itſelf is not much more decent. I + tremble when I recollect that I am in a country where a member of the legiſlature + propoſes rewardſ for aſſaſſination, and the + leader of a ſociety, that pretends to inform and inſtruct the + people, argues in favour of burning all the books. The French are on the + eve of exhibiting the ſingular ſpectacle of a nation enlightened + by ſcience, accuſtomed to the benefit of laws and the enjoyment + of arts, ſuddenly becoming barbarous by ſyſtem, and ſinking + into ignorance from choice.—When the Goths ſhared the moſt + curiouſ antiques by weight, were they not more civilized than the + Pariſian of 1793, who diſturbs the aſhes of Henry the + Fourth, or deſtroys the monument of Turenne, by a decree?—I + have myſelf been forced to an act very much in the ſpirit of the + times, but I could not, without riſking my own ſafety, do + otherwiſe; and I ſat up late laſt night for the purpoſe + of burning Burke, which I had brought with me, but had fortunately ſo + well concealed, that it eſcaped the late inquiſition. I indeed + made thiſ ſacrifice to prudence with great unwillingneſſ—every + day, by confirming Mr. Burke's aſſertions, or fulfilling his + predictions, had ſo increaſed my reverence for the work, that I + regarded it as a kind of political oracle. I did not, however, deſtroy + it without an apologetic apoſtrophe to the author's benevolence, + which I am ſure would ſuffer, were he to be the occaſion, + though involuntarily, of conducting a female to a priſon or the + Guillotine. + </p> + <p> + "How chances mock, and changes fill the cup of alteration up with diverſ + liquors."—On the ſame hearth, and in a mingled flame, was conſumed + the very conſtitution of 1789, on which Mr. Burke's book was a cenſure, + and which would now expoſe me to equal danger were it to be found in + my poſſeſſion. In collecting the aſhes of theſe + two compoſitions, the tendency of which is ſo different, (for + ſuch is the complexion of the moment, that I would not have even the + ſervant ſuſpect I had been burning a quantity of papers,) I + could not but moralize on the mutability of popular opinion. Mr. Burke's + Gallic adverſaries are now moſt of them proſcribed and + anathematized more than himſelf. Perhaps another year may ſee + his buſt erected on the piedeſtal which now ſupports that + of Brutuſ or Le Pelletier. + </p> + <p> + The letters I have written to you ſince the communication waſ + interrupted, with ſome other papers that I am ſolicitous to preſerve, + I have hitherto always carried about me, and I know not if any danger, + merely probable, will induce me to part with them. You will not, I think, + ſuſpect me of attaching any conſequence to my ſcribblings + from vanity; and if I run ſome perſonal riſk in keeping + them, it is becauſe the ſituation of this country is ſo + ſingular, and the events which occur almoſt daily ſo + important, that the remarks of any one who is unlucky enough to be a + ſpectator, may intereſt, without the advantage of literary + talents.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_22" id="link3_4_22"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Peronne, Auguſt 24, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + I have been out to-day for the firſt time ſince the arreſt + of the Engliſh, and, though I have few acquaintances here, my + adventure at the Hotel de Ville has gained me a ſort of popularity. I + was ſaluted by many people I did not know, and overwhelmed with expreſſions + of regret for what had happened, or congratulations on my having eſcaped + ſo well. + </p> + <p> + The French are not commonly very much alive to the ſufferings of + others, and it is ſome mortification to my vanity that I cannot, but + at the expence of a reproaching conſcience, aſcribe the + civilities I have experienced on this occaſion to my perſonal + merit. It would doubtleſſ have been highly flattering to me to + relate the tender and general intereſt I had excited even among this + cold-hearted people, who ſcarcely feel for themſelves: but the + truth is, they are diſpoſed to take the part of any one whom + they think perſecuted by their government; and their repreſentative, + Dumont, is ſo much deſpiſed in his private character, and + deteſted in his public one, that it ſuffices to have been ill + treated by him, to enſure one a conſiderable portion of the + public good will. + </p> + <p> + This diſpoſition is not a little conſolatory, at a time + when the whole rage of an oligarchical tyranny, though impotent againſt + the Engliſh as a nation, meanly exhauſts itſelf on the few + helpleſs individuals within itſ power. Embarraſſments + accumulate and if Mr. Pitt's agents did not moſt obligingly write + letters, and theſe letters happen to be intercepted juſt when + they are moſt neceſſary, the Comite de Salut Publique would + be at a loſs how to account for them. + </p> + <p> + Aſſignats have fallen into a diſcredit beyond example, an + hundred and thirty livres having been given for one Louis-d'or; and, as if + this were not the natural reſult of circumſtances like the preſent, + a correſpondence between two Engliſhmen informs us, that it is + the work of Mr. Pitt, who, with an unparalleled ingenuity, has contrived + to ſend couriers to every town in France, to concert meaſures + with the bankerſ for this purpoſe. But if we may believe + Barrere, one of the members of the Committee, this atrocious policy of Mr. + Pitt will not be unrevenged, for another intercepted letter contains aſſurances + that an hundred thouſand men have taken up arms in England, and are + preparing to march againſt the iniquitous metropolis that gives this + obnoxious Miniſter ſhelter. + </p> + <p> + My ſituation is ſtill the ſame—I have no hope of + returning to Amiens, and have juſt reaſon to be apprehenſive + for my tranquillity here. I had a long converſation this morning with + two people whom Dumont has left here to keep the town in order during his + abſence. The ſubject was to prevail on them to give me a permiſſion + to leave Peronne, but I could not ſucceed. They were not, I believe, + indiſpoſed to gratify me, but were afraid of involving themſelves. + One of them expreſſed much partiality for the Engliſh, but + was very vehement in his diſapprobation of their form of government, + which he ſaid was "deteſtable." My cowardice did not permit me + to argue much in its behalf, (for I look upon theſe people aſ + more dangerous than the ſpies of the old police,) and I only ventured + to obſerve, with great diffidence, that though the Engliſh + government waſ monarchical, yet the power of the Crown was very much + limited; and that as the chief ſubjects of our complaints at preſent + were not our inſtitutions, but certain practical errors, they might + be remedied without any violent or radical changes; and that our nobility + were neither numerous nor privileged, and by no means obnoxious to the + majority of the people.—<i>"Ah, vous avez donc de la nobleſſe + bleſſe en Angleterre, ce ſont peut-etre les milords,"</i> + ["What, you have nobility in England then? The milords, I ſuppoſe."] + exclaimed our republican, and it operated on my whole ſyſtem of + defence like my uncle Toby's ſmoke-jack, for there was certainly no + diſcuſſing the Engliſh conſtitution with a + political critic, who I found was ignorant even of the exiſtence of a + third branch of it; yet this reformer of governments and abhorrer of Kings + has power delegated to him more extenſive than thoſe of an Engliſh + Sovereign, though I doubt if he can write his own language; and his moral + reputation is ſtill leſs in his favour than his ignorance—for, + previouſ to the revolution, he was known only as a kind of ſwindler, + and has more than once been nearly convicted of forgery.—This is, + however, the deſcription of people now chiefly employed, for no honeſt + man would accept of ſuch commiſſions, nor perform the + ſervices annexed to them. + </p> + <p> + Bread continues very ſcarce, and the populace of Paris are, as uſual, + very turbulent; ſo that the neighbouring departments are deprived of + their ſubſiſtence to ſatiſfy the wants of a + metropolis that has no claim to an exemption from the general diſtreſs, + but that which ariſes from the fears of the Convention. As far as I + have opportunity of learning or obſerving, this part of France is in + that ſtate of tranquillity which iſ not the effect of content + but ſupineneſs; the people do not love their government, but + they ſubmit to it, and their utmoſt exertions amount only to a + little occaſional obſtinacy, which a few dragoons always reduce + to compliance. We are ſometimes alarmed by reports that parties of + the enemy are approaching the town, when the gates are ſhut, and the + great bell is toll'd; but I do not perceive that the people are violently + apprehenſive about the matter. Their fears are, I believe, for the moſt + part, rather perſonal than political—they do not dread ſubmiſſion + to the Auſtrians, but military licentiouſneſs. + </p> + <p> + I have been reading this afternoon Lord Orrery's definition of the male + Ceciſbeo, and it reminds me that I have not yet noticed to you a very + important claſs of females in France, who may not improperly be + denominated female Ceciſbeos. Under the old ſyſtem, when + the rank of a woman of faſhion had enabled her to preſerve a + degree of reputation and influence, in ſpite of the gallantries of + her youth and the decline of her charms, ſhe adopted the equivocal + character I here allude to, and, relinquiſhing the adorations claimed + by beauty, and the reſpect due to age, charitably devoted herſelf + to the inſtruction and advancement of ſome young man of perſonal + qualifications and uncertain fortune. She preſented him to the world, + panegyrized him into faſhion, and inſured hiſ conſequence + with one ſet of females, by hinting his ſucceſſes with + another. By her exertions he was promoted in the army or diſtinguiſhed + at the levee, and a career begun under ſuch auſpices often + terminated in a brilliant eſtabliſhment.—In the leſs + elevated circle, a female Ceciſbeo is uſually of a certain age, + of an active diſpoſition, and great volubility, and her + functions are more numerous and leſs dignified. Here the grand + objects are not to beſiege Miniſters, nor give a "ton" to the + protege at a faſhionable ruelle, but to obtain for him the ſolid + advantages of what ſhe calls <i>"un bon parti."</i> [A good match.] + To thiſ end ſhe frequents the houſes of widows and heireſſes, + vaunts the docility of his temper, and the greatneſs of his + expectations, enlarges on the ſolitude of widowhood, or the + dependence and inſignificance of a ſpinſter; and theſe + prefatory encomiums uſually end in the concerted introduction of the + Platonic "ami." + </p> + <p> + But beſides theſe principal and important cares, a female Ceciſbeo + of the middle rank has various ſubordinate oneſ—ſuch + as buying linen, chooſing the colour of a coat, or the pattern of a + waiſtcoat, with all the minutiae of the favourite's dreſs, in + which ſhe is always conſulted at leaſt, if ſhe has not + the whole direction. + </p> + <p> + It is not only in the firſt or intermediate claſſes that + theſe uſeful females abound, they are equally common in more + humble ſituations, and only differ in their employments, not in their + principles. A woman in France, whatever be her condition, cannot be perſuaded + to reſign her influence with her youth; and the bourgeoiſe who + has no pretenſions to court favour or the diſpoſal of + wealthy heireſſes, attaches her eleve by knitting him ſtockings, + forcing him with bons morceaux till he has an indigeſtion, and + frequent regales of coffee and liqueur. + </p> + <p> + You muſt not conclude from all this that there is any gallantry + implied, or any ſcandal excited—the return for all theſe + ſervices is only a little flattery, a philoſophic endurance of + the card-table, and ſome ſkill in the diſorders of + lap-dogs. I know there are in England, as well as in France, many notable + females of a certain age, who delight in what they call managing, and who + are zealous in promoting, matches among the young people of their + acquaintance; but for one that you meet with in England there are fifty + here. + </p> + <p> + I doubt much if, upon the whole, the morals of the Engliſh women are + not ſuperior to thoſe of the French; but however the queſtion + may be decided as to morals, I believe their ſuperiority in decency + of manners iſ indiſputable—and this ſuperiority is, + perhaps, more conſpicuous in women of a certain age, than in the + younger part of the ſex. We have a ſort of national regard for + propriety, which deters a female from lingering on the confines of + gallantry, when age has warned her to withdraw; and an old woman that + ſhould take a paſſionate and excluſive intereſt + about a young man not related to her, would become at leaſt an object + of ridicule, if not of cenſure:—yet in France nothing is more + common; every old woman appropriates ſome youthful dangler, and, what + is extraordinary, his attentions are not diſtinguiſhable from + thoſe he would pay to a younger object.—I ſhould remark, + however, as ſome apology for theſe juvenile gallants, that there + are very few of what we call Tabbies in France; that is, females of ſevere + principles and contracted features, in whoſe apparel every pin has + its deſtination with mathematical exactneſs, who are the very + watch-towers of a neighbourhood, and who give the alarm on the firſt + appearance of incipient frailty. Here, antique dowagers and faded ſpinſters + are all gay, laughing, rouged, and indulgent—ſo that 'bating + the ſubtraction of teeth and addition of wrinkles, the diſparity + between one ſcore and four is not ſo great: + </p> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + "Gay rainbow ſilks their mellow charms enfold, + Nought of theſe beauties but themſelves is old." + +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + I know if I venture to add a word in defence of Tabbyhood, I ſhall be + engaged in a war with yourſelf and all our young acquaintance; yet in + this age, which ſo liberally "ſoftens, and blends, and weakens, + and diluteſ" away all diſtinctions, I own I am not without + ſome partiality for ſtrong lines of demarcation; and, perhaps, + when fifty retrogradeſ into fifteen, it makes a worſe confuſion + in ſociety than the toe of the peaſant treading on the heel of + the courtier.—But, adieu: I am not gay, though I trifle. I have + learnt ſomething by my reſidence in France, and can be, as you + ſee, frivolous under circumſtances that ought to make me grave.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_23" id="link3_4_23"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Peronne, Auguſt 29, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + The political horizon of France threatens nothing but tempeſts. If we + are ſtill tranquil here, it is only becauſe the ſtorm is + retarded, and, far from deeming ourſelves ſecure from its + violence, we ſuffer in apprehenſion almoſt as much as at + other places is ſuffered in reality. An hundred and fifty people have + been arreſted at Amiens in one night, and numbers of the gentry in + the neighbouring towns have ſhared the ſame fate. This meaſure, + which I underſtand is general throughout the republic, has occaſioned + great alarms, and is beheld by the maſs of the people themſelves + with regret. In ſome towns, the Bourgeois have petitions to the Repreſentatives + on miſſion in behalf of their gentry thus impriſoned: but, + far from ſucceeding, all who have ſigned ſuch petitions are + menaced and intimidated, and the terror is ſo much increaſed, + that I doubt if even this ſlight effort will be repeated any where. + </p> + <p> + The levee en maſſe, or riſing in a body, which has been for + ſome time decreed, has not yet taken place. There are very few, I + believe, that comprehend it, and fewer who are diſpoſed to + comply. Many conſultationſ have been holden, many plans propoſed; + but as the reſult of all theſe conſultations and plans is + to ſend a certain number to the frontiers, the ſuffrages have + never been unanimous except in giving their negative.— Like Falſtaff's + troops, every one has ſome good cauſe of exemption; and if you + were to attend a meeting where this affair is diſcuſſed, + you would conclude the French to be more phyſically miſerable + than any people on the glove. Youths, in apparent good health, have + internal diſorders, or concealed infirmitieſ—ſome are + near-ſighted—others epileptic—one iſ nervous, and + cannot preſent a muſquet—another is rheumatic, and cannot + carry it. In ſhort, according to their account, they are a collection + of the lame, the halt, and the blind, and fitter to ſend to the hoſpital, + than to take the field. But, in ſpite of all theſe diſorders + and incapacities, a conſiderable levy muſt be made, and the + dragoons will, I dare ſay, operate very wonderful cures. + </p> + <p> + The ſurrender of Dunkirk to the Engliſh is regarded as + inevitable. I am not politician enough to foreſee the conſequences + of ſuch an event, but the hopes and anxieties of all parties ſeem + directed thither, as if the fate of the war depended on it. As for my own + wiſhes on the ſubject, they are not national, and if I ſecretly + invoke the God of Armies for the ſucceſs of my countrymen, it is + becauſe I think all that tends to deſtroy the preſent + French government may be beneficial to mankind. Indeed, the ſucceſſes + of war can at no time gratify a thinking mind farther than aſ they + tend to the eſtabliſhment of peace. + </p> + <p> + After ſeveral days of a mockery which was called a trial, though the + witneſſes were afraid to appear, or the Counſel to plead in + his favour, Cuſtine has ſuffered at the Guillotine. I can be no + judge of hiſ military conduct, and Heaven alone can judge of his + intentions. None of the charges were, however, ſubſtantiated, + and many of them were abſurd or frivolous. Moſt likely, he has + been ſacrificed to a cabal, and hiſ deſtruction makes a + part of that ſyſtem of policy, which, by agitating the minds of + the people with ſuſpicions of univerſal treaſon and + unfathomable plots, leaves them no reſource but implicit ſubmiſſion + to their popular leaders. + </p> + <p> + The death of Cuſtine ſeems rather to have ſtimulated than + appeaſed the barbarity of the Pariſian mob. At every defeat of + their armies they call for executions, and ſeveral of thoſe on + whom the lot has fallen to march againſt the enemy have ſtipulated, + at the tribune of the Jacobins, for the heads they exact as a condition of + their departure,* or as the reward for their labours. The laurel has no + attraction for heroes like theſe, who inveſt themſelves + with the baneful yew and inauſpicious cypreſs, and go to the + field of honour with the dagger of the aſſaſſin yet enſanguined. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Many inſiſted they would not depart until after the death of + the Queen—ſome claimed the death of one General, ſome + that of another, and all, the lives or baniſhment of the gentry and + clergy. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + "Fair ſteeds, gay ſhields, bright arms," [Spencer.] the + fancy-created deity, the wreath of fame, and all that poets have imagined + to decorate the horrors of war, are not neceſſary to tempt the + groſs barbarity of the Pariſian: he ſeeks not glory, but + carnage—his incentive is the groans of defenceleſs victimſ—he + inliſts under the ſtandard of the Guillotine, and acknowledges + the executioner for his tutelary Mars. + </p> + <p> + In remarking the difficulties that have occurred in carrying into + execution the levee en maſſe, I neglected to inform you that the + prime mover of all theſe machinations is your omnipotent Mr. Pitt—it + is he who has fomented the perverſeneſs of the towns, and + alarmed the timidity of the villageſ—he has perſuaded + ſome that it is not pleaſant to leave their ſhops and + families, and inſinuated into the minds of others that death or + wounds are not very deſirable—he has, in fine, ſo + effectually achieved his purpoſe, that the Convention iſſues + decree after decree, the members harangue to little purpoſe, and the + few recruits already levied, like thoſe raiſed in the ſpring, + go from many places ſtrongly eſcorted to the army.—I wiſh + I had more peaceful and more agreeable ſubjects for your amuſement, + but they do not preſent themſelves, and "you muſt blame the + times, not me." I would wiſh to tell you that the legiſlature iſ + honeſt, that the Jacobins are humane, and the people patriots; but + you know I have no talent for fiction, and if I had, my ſituation is + not favourable to any effort of fancy.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_24" id="link3_4_24"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Peronne, Sept. 7, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + The ſucceſſes of the enemy on all ſides, the rebellion + at Lyons and Marſeilles, with the increaſing force of the inſurgents + in La Vendee, have revived our eagerneſs for news, and if the + indifference of the French character exempt them from more patriotic + ſenſations, it does not baniſh curioſity; yet an + eventful criſis, which in England would draw people together, here + keeps them apart. When an important piece of intelligence arrives, our + provincial politicians ſhut themſelves up with their gazettes, + ſhun ſociety, and endeavour to avoid giving an opinion until + they are certain of the ſtrength of a party, or the ſucceſs + of an attempt. In the preſent ſtate of public affairs, you may + therefore conceive we have very little communication—we expreſs + our ſentimentſ more by looks and geſtures than words, and + Lavater (admitting his ſyſtem) would be of more uſe to a + ſtranger than Boyer or Chambaud. If the Engliſh take Dunkirk, + perhaps we may be a little more ſocial and more decided. + </p> + <p> + Mad. de ____ has a moſt extenſive acquaintance, and, as we are + ſituated on one of the roads from Paris to the northern army, notwithſtanding + the cautious policy of the moment, we are tolerably well informed of what + paſſes in moſt parts of France; and I cannot but be aſtoniſhed, + when I combine all I hear, that the government is able to ſuſtain + itſelf. Want, diſcord, and rebellion, aſſail it within—defeats + and loſſes from without. Perhaps the ſolution of this + political problem can only be found in the ſelfiſhneſs of + the French character, and the want of connection between the different + departments. Thus one part of the country is ſubdued by means of + another: the inhabitants of the South take up arms in defence of their + freedom and their commerce, while thoſe of the North refuſe to + countenance or aſſiſt them, and wait in ſelfiſh + tranquillity till the ſame oppreſſion is extended to themſelves. + The majority of the people have no point of union nor mode of + communication, while the Jacobins, whoſe numbers are comparatively inſignificant, + are ſtrong, by means of their general correſpondence, their + common center at Paris, and the excluſive direction of all the public + prints. But, whatever are the cauſes, it is certain that the + government is at once powerful and deteſted—almoſt without + apparent ſupport, yet difficult to overthrow; and the ſubmiſſion + of Rome to a dotard and a boy can no longer excite the wonder of any one + who reflects on what paſſes in France. + </p> + <p> + After various decrees to effect the levee en maſſe, the + Convention have diſcovered that this ſublime and undefined + project was not calculated for the preſent exhauſted ſtate + of martial ardour. They therefore no longer preſume on any movement + of enthuſiaſm, but have made a poſitive and ſpecific + requiſition of all the male inhabitants of France between eighteen + and twenty-five years of age. This, as might be expected, haſ been + more effectual, becauſe it intereſts thoſe that are exempt + to force the compliance of thoſe who are not. Our young men here were + like children with a medicine—they propoſed firſt one form + of taking thiſ military potion, then another, and finding them all + equally unpalatable, would not, but for a little ſalutary force, have + decided at all. + </p> + <p> + A new law has been paſſed for arreſting all the Engliſh + who cannot produce two witneſſes of their civiſme, and thoſe + whoſe conduct is thuſ guaranteed are to receive tickets of hoſpitality, + which they are to wear as a protection. This decree has not yet been + carried into effect at Peronne, nor am I much diſturbed about it. Few + of our countrymen will find the matter very difficult to arrange, and I + believe they have all a better protection in the diſpoſition of + the people towards them, than any that can be aſſured them by + decrees of the Convention. + </p> + <p> + Sept. 11. The news of Lord Hood's taking poſſeſſion of + Toulon, which the government affected to diſcredit for ſome + days, is now aſcertained; and the Convention, in a paroxiſm of + rage, at once cowardly and unprincipled, has decreed that all the Engliſh + not reſident in France before 1789, ſhall be impriſoned as + hoſtages, and be anſwerable with their lives for the conduct of + their countrymen and of the Touloneſe towards Bayle and Beauvais, two + Deputies, ſaid to be detained in the town at the time of its ſurrender. + My firſt emotions of terror and indignation have ſubſided, + and I have, by packing up my clothes, diſpoſing of my papers, + and providing myſelf with money, prepared for the worſt. My + friends, indeed, perſuade me, (as on a former occaſion,) that + the decree is too atrocious to be put in execution; but my apprehenſions + are founded on a principle not likely to deceive me—namely, that thoſe + who have poſſeſſed themſelves of the French + government are capable of any thing. I live in conſtant fear, + watching all day and liſtening all night, and never go to bed but + with the expectation of being awakened, nor riſe without a preſentiment + of miſfortune.—I have not ſpirits nor compoſure to + write, and ſhall diſcontinue my letters until I am relieved from + ſuſpenſe, if nor from uneaſineſs. I riſk + much by preſerving theſe papers, and, perhaps, may never be able + to add to them; but whatever I may be reſerved for, while I have a + hope they may reach you they ſhall not be deſtroyed. —I + bid you adieu in a ſtate of mind which the circumſtances I am + under will deſcribe better than words.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_25" id="link3_4_25"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Maiſon d'Arret, Arras, Oct. 15, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + Dear Brother, + </p> + <p> + The fears of a timid mind uſually magnify expected evil, and + anticipated ſuffering often diminiſhes the effect of an + apprehended blow; yet my imagination had ſuggeſted leſs + than I have experienced, nor do I find that a preparatory ſtate of + anxiety has rendered affliction more ſupportable. The laſt month + of my life has been a compendium of miſery; and my recollection, + which on every other ſubject ſeems to fail me, is, on this, but + too faithful, and will enable me to relate events which will intereſt + you not only as they perſonally concern me, but as they preſent + a picture of the barbarity and deſpotiſm to which this whole + country iſ ſubject, and to which many thouſands beſides + myſelf were at the ſame inſtant victims. + </p> + <p> + A few evenings after I concluded my laſt, the firing of cannon and + ringing the great bell announced the arrival of Dumont (ſtill Repreſentative + en miſſion in our department). The town was immediately in + alarm, all the gates were ſhut, and the avenues leading to the + ramparts guarded by dragoons. Our houſe being in a diſtant and + unfrequented ſtreet, before we could learn the cauſe of all thiſ + confuſion, a party of the national guard, with a municipal officer at + their head, arrived, to eſcort Mad. de ___ and myſelf to a + church, where the Repreſentant was then examining the priſoners + brought before him. Almoſt as much aſtoniſhed as terrified, + we endeavoured to procure ſome information of our conductors, as to + what was to be the reſult of thiſ meaſure; but they knew + nothing, and it was eaſy to perceive they thought the office they + were executing an unpleaſant one. The ſtreets we paſſed + were crouded with people, whoſe ſilent conſternation and diſmayed + countenances increaſed our forebodings, and depreſſed the + little courage we had yet preſerved. The church at our arrival was + nearly empty, and Dumont preparing to depart, when the municipal officer + introduced us to him. As ſoon as he learned that Mad. de ____ was the + ſiſter of an emigrant, and myſelf a native of England, he + told us we were to paſs the night in a church appointed for the purpoſe, + and that on the morrow we ſhould be conveyed to Arras. For a moment + all my faculties became ſuſpended, and it was only by an effort + almoſt convulſive that I was able to aſk how long it was + probable we ſhould be deprived of our liberty. He ſaid he did + not know—"but that the raiſing of the ſiege of Dunkirk, + and the loſs of ſix thouſand troops which the French had + taken priſoners, would doubtleſs produce an inſurrection in + England, par conſequent a peace, and our releaſe from + captivity!" + </p> + <p> + You may be aſſured I felt no deſire of freedom on ſuch + terms, and ſhould have heard this ignorant and malicious ſuggeſtion + only with contempt, had not the implication it conveyed that our detention + would not terminate but with the war overwhelmed every other idea. Mad. de + ____ then petitioned that we might, on account of our health, (for we were + both really unwell,) be permitted to go home for the night, accompanied by + guards if it were thought neceſſary. But the Repreſentant + waſ inexorable, and in a brutal and deſpotic tone ordered us + away.—When we reached the church, which was to be our priſon + till morning, we found about an hundred and fifty people, chiefly old men, + women, and children, diſperſed in melancholy groupes, lamenting + their ſituation, and imparting their fears to each other. The gloom + of the building was increaſed by the darkneſs of the night; and + the noiſe of the guard, may of whom were intoxicated, the odour of + tobacco, and the heat of the place, rendered our ſituation almoſt + inſupportable. We ſoon diſcovered ſeveral of our + acquaintance, but this aſſociation in diſtreſs was far + from conſolatory, and we paſſed the time in wandering about + together, and conſulting upon what would be of moſt uſe to + us in our confinement. We had, indeed, little to hope for from the morrow, + yet the hours dragged on heavily, and I know not if ever I beheld the + return of light with more pleaſure. I was not without apprehenſion + for our perſonal ſafety. I recollected the maſſacres + in churches at Paris, and the frequent propoſitions that had been + made to exterminate the gentry and clergy. Mad. de ____ has ſince + confeſſed, that ſhe had the ſame ideas. + </p> + <p> + Morning at length came, and our ſervants were permitted to enter with + breakfaſt. They appeared ſorrowful and terror-ſtricken, but + offered with great willingneſs to accompany us whitherſoever we + ſhould be ſent. After a melancholy ſort of diſcuſſion, + it was decided that we ſhould take our femmes de chambres, and that + the others ſhould remain for the ſafety of the houſe, and + to ſend us what we might have occaſion for. This ſettled, + they returned with ſuch directions as we were able to give them, (God + knows, not very coherent ones,) to prepare for our journey: and as our + orders, however confuſed, were not very voluminous, they were ſoon + executed, and before noon every thing was in readineſs for our + departure. The people employed by our companions were equally diligent, + and we might very well have ſet out by one o'clock, had our caſe + been at all conſidered; but, I know not why, inſtead of ſo + providing that we might reach our deſtination in the courſe of + the day, it ſeemed to have been purpoſely contrived that we + ſhould be all night on the road, though we had already paſſed + one night without reſt, and were exhauſted by watching and + fatigue. + </p> + <p> + In this uncertain and unpleaſant ſtate we waited till near + ſix o'clock; a number of ſmall covered waggons were then + brought, accompanied by a detachment of dragoons, who were to be our eſcort. + Some time elapſed, aſ you may ſuppoſe, before we could + be all ſettled in the carriages and ſuch a cavalcade put in + motion; but the concourſe of people that filled the ſtreets, the + appearance of the troops, and the tumult occaſioned by ſo many + horſes and carriages, overpowered my ſpirits, and I remember + little of what paſſed till I found we were on the road to Arras. + Mad. de ____'ſ maid now informed us, that Dumont had arrived the + evening before in extreme ill humour, ſummoned the municipality in haſte, + enquired how many people they had arreſted, and what denunciations + they had yet to make. The whole body corporate trembled, they had arreſted + no one, and, ſtill worſe, they had no one to accuſe; and + could only alledge in their behalf, that the town was in the utmoſt + tranquillity, and the people were ſo well diſpoſed, that + all violence was unneceſſary. The Repreſentant became + furious, vociferated <i>tout groſſierement a la Francaiſe,</i> + [In the vulgar French manner.] that he knew there were five thouſand + ariſtocrates in Peronne, and that if he had not at leaſt five + hundred brought him before morning, he would declare the town in a ſtate + of rebellion. + </p> + <p> + Alarmed by this menace, they began to arreſt with all poſſible + ſpeed, and were more ſolicitous to procure their number than to + make diſcriminations. Their diligence, however, was inadequate to + appeaſe the choleric legiſlator, and the Mayor, municipal + officers, and all the adminiſtrators of the diſtrict, were in + the morning ſent to the Caſtle, whence they are to be conveyed, + with ſome of their own priſoners, to Amiens. + </p> + <p> + Beſides this intelligence, we learned that before our ſervants + had finiſhed packing up our trunks, ſome Commiſſioners + of the ſection arrived to put the ſeals on every thing belonging + to us, and it was not without much altercation that they conſented to + our being furniſhed with neceſſarieſ—that they + had not only ſealed up all the houſe, but had placed guards + there, each of whom Mad. de ____ is to pay, at the rate of two ſhillings + a day. + </p> + <p> + We were too large a body to travel faſt, and by the time we reached + Bapaume (though only fifteen miles) it was after twelve; it rained + dreadfully, the night was extremely dark, the roads were bad, and the horſes + tired; ſo that the officer who conducted us thought it would be + difficult to proceed before morning. We were therefore once more crouded + into a church, in our wet clothes, (for the covering of the waggon waſ + not thick enough to exclude the rain,) a few bundles of damp ſtraw + were diſtributed, and we were then ſhut up to repoſe as + well as we could. All my melancholy apprehenſions of the preceding + night returned with accumulated force, eſpecially as we were now in a + place where we were unknown, and were guarded by ſome of the + newly-raiſed dragoons, of whom we all entertained very unfavourable + ſuſpicions. + </p> + <p> + We did not, as you may well imagine, attempt to ſleep—a bed of + wet ſtraw laid on the pavement of a church, filthy, as moſt + French churches are, and the fear of being aſſaſſinated, + reſiſted every effort of nature herſelf, and we were very + glad when at the break of day we were ſummoned to continue our + journey. About eleven we entered Arras: the ſtreets were filled by + idle people, apprized of our arrival; but no one offered us any inſult, + except ſome ſoldiers, (I believe, by their uniform, refugees + from the Netherlands,) who cried, "a la Guillotine!—a la + Guillotine!" + </p> + <p> + The place to which we were ordered had been the houſe of an emigrant, + now converted into an houſe of detention, and which, though large, waſ + exceſſively full. The keeper, on our being delivered to him, + declared he had no room for us, and we remained with our baggage in the + court-yard ſome hours before he had, by diſlodging and compreſſing + the other inhabitants, contrived to place us. At laſt, when we were + half dead with cold and fatigue, we were ſhown to our quarters. Thoſe + allotted for my friend, myſelf, and our ſervants, was the corner + of a garret without a cieling, cold enough in itſelf, but rendered + much warmer than waſ deſirable by the effluvia of a ſcore + of living bodies, who did not ſeem to think the unpleaſantneſs + of their ſituation at all increaſed by dirt and offenſive + ſmells. Weary as we were, it was impoſſible to attempt repoſing + until a purification had been effected: we therefore ſet ourſelves + to ſprinkling vinegar and burning perfumes; and it was curiouſ + to obſerve that the people, (<i>all gens comme il faut</i> [People of + faſhion.]) whom we found inhaling the atmoſphere of a Caffrarian + hut, declared their nerves were incommoded by the eſſence of roſes + and vinaigre des quatre voleurs. + </p> + <p> + As a part of the room was occupied by men, our next buſineſs was + to ſeparate our corner by a curtain, which we had fortunately brought + with our bedding; and this done, we ſpread our mattreſſes + and lay down, while the ſervants were employed in getting us tea. As + ſoon as we were a little refreſhed, and the room was quiet for + the night, we made up our beds as well as we could, and endeavoured to + ſleep. Mad. de ____ and the two maids ſoon forgot their cares; + but, though worn out by fatigue, the agitation of my mind conquered the diſpoſition + of my body. I ſeemed to have loſt the very faculty of ſleeping, + and paſſed this night with almoſt as little repoſe as + the two preceding ones. Before morning I diſcovered that remaining + ſo long in damp clothes, and the other circumſtances of our + journey, had given me cold, and that I had all the ſymptoms of a + violent fever. + </p> + <p> + I leave you to conjecture, for it would be impoſſible to detail, + all the miſery of illneſs in ſuch a ſituation; and I + will only add, that by the care of Mad. de ____, whoſe health was + happily leſs affected, and the attention of my maid, I was able to + leave the room in about three weeks. —I muſt now ſecrete + this for ſome days, but will hereafter reſume my little + narrative, and explain how I have ventured to write ſo much even in + the very neighbourhood of the Guillotine.—Adieu. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_26" id="link3_4_26"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Maiſon d'Arret, Arras, Oct. 17, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + On the night I concluded my laſt, a report that Commiſſioners + were to viſit the houſe on the morrow obliged me to diſpoſe + of my papers beyond the poſſibility of their being found. The + alarm is now over, and I proceed.—After ſomething more than + three weeks indiſpoſition, I began to walk in the yard, and make + acquaintance with our fellow-priſoners. Mad. de ____ had already diſcovered + ſeveral that were known to her, and I now found, with much regret, + that many of my Arras friends were here alſo. Having been arreſted + ſome days before us, they were rather more conveniently lodged, and + taking the wretchedneſs of our garret into conſideration, it was + agreed that Mad. de ____ ſhould move to a room leſſ crouded + than our own, and a dark cloſet that would juſt contain my + mattreſſes was reſigned to me. It is indeed a very ſorry + apartment, but as it promiſes me a refuge where I may ſometimes + read or write in peace, I have taken poſſeſſion of it + very thankfully. A lock on the door is not the leaſt of its + recommendations, and by way of ſecuring myſelf againſt all + ſurprize, I have contrived an additional faſtening by means of a + large nail and the chain of a portmanteau—I have likewiſe, + under pretext of keeping out the wind, papered over the cracks of the + door, and provided myſelf with a ſand-bag, ſo that no one + can perceive when I have a light later than uſual.—With theſe + precautions, I can amuſe myſelf by putting on paper any little + occurrences that I think worth preſerving, without much danger, and + perhaps the details of a ſituation ſo new and ſo ſtrange + may not be unintereſting to you. + </p> + <p> + We are now about three hundred in number of both ſexes, and of all + ageſ and conditionſ—ci-devant nobleſſe, parents, + wives, ſiſters, and other relations of emigrantſ—prieſts + who have not taken the oaths, merchantſ and ſhopkeepers accuſed + of monopoly, nuns, farmers that are ſaid to have concealed their + corn, miſerable women, with ſcarcely clothes to cover them, for + not going to the conſtitutional maſs, and many only becauſe + they happened to be at an inn, or on a viſit from their own town, + when a general arreſt took place of all who are what is called + etrangers, that is to ſay, not foreigners only, but not inhabitants + of the town where they are found.—There are, beſides, various + deſcriptions of people ſent here on ſecret informations, + and who do not themſelves know the preciſe reaſon of their + confinement. I imagine we are ſubject to nearly the ſame rules + as the common priſons: no one is permitted to enter or ſpeak to + a "detenu" but at the gate, and in preſence of the guard; and all + letters, parcels, baſkets, &c. are examined previous to their + being either conveyed from hence or received. This, however, depends much + on the political principles of thoſe who happen to be on guard: an + ariſtocrate or a conſtitutionaliſt will read a letter with + his eyes half ſhut, and inſpect bedding and trunks in a very + ſummary way; while a thorough-paced republican ſpells every + ſyllable of the longeſt epiſtle, and opens all the roaſted + pigs or duck-pies before he allows their ingreſs.—None of the + ſervants are ſuffered to go out, ſo that thoſe who + have not friendſ in the town to procure them neceſſaries + are obliged to depend entirely on the keeper, and, of courſe, pay + extravagantly dear for every thing; but we are ſo much in the power + of theſe people, that it is prudent to ſubmit to ſuch impoſitions + without murmuring. + </p> + <p> + I did not, during my illneſs, read the papers, and have to-day been + amuſing myſelf with a large packet. General Houchard, I find, iſ + arreſted, for not having, as they ſay he might have done, driven + all the Engliſh army into the ſea, after raiſing the ſiege + of Dunkirk; yet a few weeks ago their utmoſt hopes ſcarcely + amounted to the relief of the town: but their fears having ſubſided, + they have now leiſure to be jealous; and I know no ſituation + ſo little to be envied under the preſent government as that of a + ſucceſſful General.—Among all their important + avocations, the Convention have found time to paſs a decree for + obliging women to wear the national cockade, under pain of impriſonment; + and the municipality of the ſuperb Paris have ordered that the King's + family ſhall, in future, uſe pewter ſpoons and eat brown + bread! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_27" id="link3_4_27"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Oct. 18. + </h2> + <p> + I begin to be very uneaſy about Mr. and Mrs. D____. I have written + ſeveral times, and ſtill receive no anſwer. I fear they are + in a confinement more ſevere than my own, or that our letters miſcarry. + A ſervant of Mad. de ____'s was here this morning, and no letters had + come to Peronne, unleſs, as my friend endeavours to perſuade me, + the man would not venture to give them in preſence of the guard, who + par excellence happened to be a furious Jacobin.—We had the + mortification of hearing that a very elegant carriage of Mad. de ____'s + has been put in requiſition, and taken to convey a tinman and two + farriers who were going to Paris on a miſſion—that two of + her farmer's beſt horſes had been killed by hard work in taking + proviſions to the army, and that they are now cutting down the young + wood on her eſtate to make pikes.—The ſealſ are + ſtill on our effects, and the guard remains in poſſeſſion, + which haſ put us to the expence of buying a variety of articles we + could not well diſpenſe with: for, on examining the baggage + after our arrival, we found it very much diminſhed; and this has + happened to almoſt all the people who have been arreſted. Our + ſuſpicions naturally fall on the dragoons, and it is not very + ſurprizing that they ſhould attempt to ſteal from thoſe + whom they are certain would not dare to make any complaint. + </p> + <p> + Many of our fellow-priſoners are embarraſſed by their + ſervants having quitted them.—One Collot d'Herbois, a member of + the Commite de Salut Public, has propoſed to the Convention to + collect all the gentry, prieſts, and ſuſpected people, into + different buildings, which ſhould be previouſly mined for the + purpoſe, and, on the leaſt appearance of inſurrection, to + blow them up all together.—You may perhaps conclude, that ſuch + a project was received with horror, and the adviſer of it treated as + a monſter. Our humane legiſlature, however, very coolly ſent + it to the committee to be diſcuſſed, without any regard to + the terror and apprehenſion which the bare idea of a ſimilar + propoſal muſt inſpire in thoſe who are the deſtined + victims. I cannot myſelf believe that thiſ abominable ſcheme + is intended for execution, but it has nevertheleſſ created much + alarm in timid minds, and has occaſioned in part the defection of the + ſervants I have juſt mentioned. Thoſe who were ſufficiently + attached to their maſters and miſtreſſes to endure the + confinement and privations of a Maiſon d'Arret, tremble at the + thoughtſ of being involved in the common ruin of a gunpowder exploſion; + and the men ſeem to have leſs courage than the women, at leaſt + more of the latter have conſented to remain here.—It was + atrocious to publiſh ſuch a conception, though nothing perhaps + was intended by it, as it may deprive many people of faithful attendants + at a time when they are moſt neceſſary. + </p> + <p> + We have a tribunal revolutionnaire here, with its uſual attendant the + Guillotine, and executions are now become very frequent. I know not who + are the ſufferers, and avoid enquiring through fear of hearing the + name of ſome acquaintance. As far as I can learn, the trials are but + too ſummary, and little other evidence is required than the fortune, + rank, and connections of the accuſed. The Deputy who is Commiſſioner + for thiſ department is one Le Bon, formerly a prieſt—and, + I underſtand, of an immoral and ſanguinary character, and that + it is he who chiefly directſ the verdicts of the juries according to + his perſonal hatred or hiſ perſonal intereſt.—We + have lately had a very melancholy inſtance of the terror created by + this tribunal, as well as of the notions that prevail of its juſtice. + A gentleman of Calais, who had an employ under the government, was accuſed + of ſome irregularity in his accounts, and, in conſequence, put + under arreſt. The affair became ſerious, and he waſ ordered + to priſon, as a preliminary to his trial. When the officerſ + entered his apartment to take him, regarding the judicial procedure as a + mere form, and concluding it was determined to ſacrifice him, he in a + frenzy of deſpair ſeized the dogs in the chimney, threw them at + the people, and, while they eſcaped to call for aſſiſtance, + deſtroyed himſelf by cutting his arteries.—It has + appeared, ſince the death of thiſ unfortunate man, that the + charge againſt him was groundleſs, and that he only wanted time + to arrange his papers, in order to exonerate himſelf entirely. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_28" id="link3_4_28"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Oct. 19. + </h2> + <p> + We are diſturbed almoſt nightly by the arrival of freſh priſoners, + and my firſt queſtion of a morning is always <i>"N'eſt il + pas du monde entre la nuit?"</i>—Angelique's uſual reply is a + groan, and <i>"Ah, mon Dieu, oui;" "Une dixaine de pretres;"</i> or, <i>"Une + trentaine de nobles:"</i> ["Did not ſome people arrive in the night?"]—"Yes, + God help uſ—half a ſcore prieſts, or twenty or thirty + gentry." And I obſerve the depth of the groan is nearly in proportion + to the quality of the perſon ſhe commiſerates. Thus, a + groan for a Comte, a Marquiſe, or a Prieſt, is much more audible + than one for a ſimple gentlewoman or a merchant; and the arrival of a + Biſhop (eſpecially if not one of the conſtitutional clergy) + is announced in a more ſorrowful key than either. + </p> + <p> + While I was walking in the yard this morning, I was accoſted by a + female whom I immediately recollected to be Victoire, a very pretty <i>couturiere,</i> + [Sempſtreſs.] who uſed to work for me when I was at + Panthemont, and who made your laſt holland ſhirts. I was not a + little ſurprized to ſee her in ſuch a ſituation, and + took her aſide to enquire her hiſtory. I found that her mother + was dead, and that her brother having ſet up a little ſhop at + St. Omer, had engaged her to go and live with him. Being under + five-and-twenty, the laſt requiſition obliged him to depart for + the army, and leave her to carry on the buſineſs alone. Three + weeks after, ſhe was arreſted at midnight, put into a cart, and + brought hither. She had no time to take any precautions, and their little + commerce, which was in haberdaſhery, as well as ſome work ſhe + had in hand, is abandoned to the mercy of the people that arreſted + her. She has reaſon to ſuppoſe that her crime conſiſts + in not having frequented the conſtitutional maſs; and that her + accuſer is a member of one of the town committees, who, ſince + her brother's abſence, has perſecuted her with diſhonourable + propoſals, and, having been repulſed, has taken thiſ method + of revenging himſelf. Her conjecture is moſt probably right, as, + ſince her impriſonment, this man has been endeavouring to make a + ſort of barter with her for her releaſe. + </p> + <p> + I am really concerned for this poor creature, who is at preſent a + very good girl, but if ſhe remain here ſhe will not only be + deprived of her means of living, but perhaps her morals may be + irremediably corrupted. She is now lodged in a room with ten or dozen men, + and the houſe is ſo crouded that I doubt whether I have intereſt + enough to procure her a more decent apartment. + </p> + <p> + What can this ſtrange policy tend to, that thus expoſes to ruin + and want a girl of one-and-twenty—not for any open violation of the + law, but merely for her religious opinions; and this, too, in a country + which profeſſes toleration as the baſis of its government? + </p> + <p> + My friend, Mad. de ____ ſ'ennui terribly; ſhe is not incapable + of amuſing herſelf, but is here deprived of the means. We have + no corner we can call our own to ſit in, and no retreat when we wiſh + to be out of a croud except my cloſet, where we can only ſee by + candle-light. Beſides, ſhe regrets her employments, and projects + for the winter. She had begun painting a St. Thereſa, and tranſlating + an Italian romance, and had nearly completed the education of a dozen + canary birds, who would in a month's time have accompanied the harp ſo + delightfully, as to overpower the ſound of the inſtrument. I + believe if we had a few more ſquare inches of room, ſhe would be + tempted, if not to bring the whole chorus, at leaſt to conſole + herſelf with two particular favourites, diſtinguiſhed by + curious topknots, and rings about their necks. + </p> + <p> + With all theſe feminine propenſities, ſhe is very amiable, + and her caſe is indeed ſingularly cruel and unjuſt.—Left, + at an early age, under the care of her brother, ſhe was placed by him + at Panthemont (where I firſt became acquainted with her) with an + intention of having her perſuaded to take the veil; but finding her + averſe from a cloiſter, ſhe remained as a penſioner + only, till a very advantageous marriage with the Marquis de ____, who was + old enough to be her father, procured her releaſe. About two years + ago he died, and left her a very conſiderable fortune, which the + revolution has reduced to nearly one-third of its former value. The Comte + de ____, her brother, was one of the original patriots, and embraced with + great warmth the cauſe of the people; but having very narrowly eſcaped + the maſſacres of September, 1792, he immediately after + emigrated. + </p> + <p> + Thus, my poor friend, immured by her brother till the age of twenty-two in + a convent, then ſacrificed three years to a huſband of a diſagreeable + temper and unſuitable age, is now deprived of the firſt liberty + ſhe ever enjoyed, and is made anſwerable for the conduct of a + man over whom ſhe has no ſort of influence. It is not, + therefore, extraordinary that ſhe cannot reconcile herſelf to + her preſent ſituation, and I am really often more concerned on + her account than my own. Cut off from her uſual reſources, + ſhe has no amuſement but wandering about the houſe; and if + her other cauſes of uneaſineſs be not augmented, they are + at leaſt rendered more intolerable by her inability to fill up her + time.—This does not ariſe from a deficiency of underſtanding, + but from never having been accuſtomed to think. Her mind reſembles + a body that is weak, not by nature, but from want of exerciſe; and + the number of years ſhe has paſſed in a convent has given + her that mixture of childiſhneſs and romance, which, my making + frivolities neceſſary, renders the mind incapable of exertion or + ſelf-ſupport. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_29" id="link3_4_29"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Oct. 20. + </h2> + <p> + The unfortunate Queen, after a trial of ſome days, during which + ſhe ſeemſ to have behaved with great dignity and fortitude, + is no longer ſenſible of the regrets of her friends or the + malice of her enemies. It iſ ſingular, that I have not yet heard + her death mentioned in the priſon —every one looks grave and + affects ſilence. I believe her death has not occaſioned an + effect ſo univerſal as that of the King, and whatever people's + opinions may be, they are afraid of expreſſing them: for it iſ + ſaid, though I know not with what truth, that we are ſurrounded + by ſpies, and ſeveral who have the appearance of being priſoners + like ourſelveſ have been pointed out to me as the objects of + this ſuſpicion. + </p> + <p> + I do not pretend to undertake the defence of the Queen's imputed faultſ— + yet I think there are ſome at leaſt which one may be very fairly + permitted to doubt. Compaſſion ſhould not make me an + advocate for guilt —but I may, without ſacrificing morals to + pity, venture to obſerve, that the many ſcandalous hiſtories + circulated to her prejudice took their riſe at the birth of the + Dauphin,* which formed ſo inſurmountable a bar to the views of + the Duke of Orleans.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Nearly at the ſame time, and on the ſame occaſion, + there were literary partizans of the Duke of Orleans, who endeavoured to + perſuade the people that the man with the iron maſk, who had + ſo long excited curioſity and eluded conjecture, was the real + ſon of Louiſ XIII.—and Louis XIV. in conſequence, + ſuppoſititious, and only the illegitimate offſpring of + Cardinal Mazarin and Anne of Auſtria—that the ſpirit of + ambition and intrigue which characterized thiſ Miniſter had + ſuggeſted this ſubſtitution to the lawful heir, and + that the fears of the Queen and confuſion of the times had obliged + her to acquieſce: "Cette opinion ridicule, et dont les dates + connues de l'hiſtoire demontrent l'abſurdite, avoit eu des + partiſans en France—elle tendoit a avilir la maiſon + regnante, et a perſuader au peuple que le trone n'appartient pas + aux deſcendans de Louis XIV. prince furtivement ſutſtitue, + mais a la poſterite du ſecond fils de Louiſ XIII. qui eſt + la tige de la branche d'Orleans, et qui eſt reconnue comme deſcendant + legitimement, et ſans objection, du Roi Louiſ XIII." —Nouvelles + Conſiderations ſur la Maſque de Fer, Memoirs de + Richelieu. "This ridiculous opinion, the abſurdity of which is + demonſtrated by hiſtorical dates, had not been without its + partizans in France.—It tended to degrade the reigning family, and + to make the people believe that the throne did not of right belong to + the deſcendantſ of Louis XIV. (a prince ſurreptitiouſly + intruded) but to the poſterity of the ſecond ſon of Louis + XIII. from whom is derived the branch of Orleans, and who was, without + diſpute, the legitimate and unobjectionable offſpring of Louis + XIII." —New Conſiderations on the Iron Maſk.—Memoirs + of the Duc de Richelieu. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The author of the above Memoirs adds, that after the taking of the Baſtille, + new attempts were made to propagate this opinion, and that he himſelf + had refuted it to many people, by producing original letters and papers, + ſufficiently demonſtrative of its abſurdity. + </p> + <p> + —He might hope, by popularity, to ſuperſede the children + of the Count d'Artois, who was hated; but an immediate heir to the Crown + could be removed only by throwing ſuſpicions on his legitimacy. + Theſe pretenſions, it is true, were ſo abſurd, and + even incredible, that had they been urged at the time, no inference in the + Queen's favour would have been admitted from them; but as the exiſtence + of ſuch projects, however abſurd and iniquitous, has ſince + been demonſtrated, one may now, with great appearance of reaſon, + allow them ſome weight in her juſtification. + </p> + <p> + The affair of the necklace was of infinite diſſervice to the + Queen'ſ reputation; yet it is remarkable, that the moſt furious + of the Jacobinſ are ſilent on this head as far as it regarded + her, and always mention the Cardinal de Rohan in terms that ſuppoſe + him to be the culpable party: but, "whatever her faults, her woes deſerve + compaſſion;" and perhaps the moraliſt, who is not too + ſevere, may find ſome excuſe for a Princeſs, who, at + the age of ſixteen, poſſibly without one real friend or diſintereſted + adviſer, became the unreſtrained idol of the moſt + licentious Court in Europe. Even her enemies do not pretend that her fate + was ſo much a merited puniſhment as a political meaſure: + they alledge, that while her life was yet ſpared, the valour of their + troopſ was checked by the poſſibility of negotiation; and + that being no more, neither the people nor armies expecting any thing but + execration or revenge, they will be more ready to proceed to the moſt + deſperate extremities.—This you will think a barbarous ſort + of policy, and conſidering it as national, it appears no leſs abſurd + than barbarous; but for the Convention, whoſe views perhaps extend + little farther than to ſaving their heads, peculating, and receiving + their eighteen livres a day, ſuch meaſures, and ſuch a + principle of action, are neither unwiſe nor unaccountable: "for the + wiſdom of civilized nations is not their wiſdom, nor the ways of + civilized people their ways."*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * I have been informed, by a gentleman who ſaw the Queen paſs + in her way to execution, that the ſhort white bed gown and the cap + which ſhe wore were diſcoloured by ſmoke, and that her + whole appearance ſeemed to have been intended, if poſſible, + to degrade her in the eyes of the multitude. The benevolent mind will + recollect with pleaſure, that even the Queen's enemies allow her a + fortitude and energy of character which muſt have counteracted this + paltry malice, and rendered it incapable of producing any emotion but + contempt. On her firſt being removed to the Conciergerie, ſhe + applied for ſome neceſſaries; but the humane municipality + of Paris refuſed them, under pretext that the demand was contrary + to the ſyſtem of <i>la ſainte elagite</i>—"holy + equality." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —It was reported that the Queen was offered her life, and the + liberty to retire to St. Cloud, her favourite reſidence, if ſhe + would engage the enemy to raiſe the ſiege of Maubeuge and + withdraw; but that ſhe refuſed to interfere. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_30" id="link3_4_30"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Arras, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + For ſome days previous to the battle by which Maubeuge was relieved, + we had very gloomy apprehenſions, and had the French army been unſucceſſful + and forced to fall back, it is not improbable but the lives of thoſe + detained in the <i>Maiſon d'Arret</i> [Houſe of detention.] + might have been ſacrificed under pretext of appeaſing the + people, and to give ſome credit to the ſuſpicions ſo + induſtriouſly inculcated that all their defeats are occaſioned + by internal enemies. My firſt care, as ſoon as I was able to go + down ſtairs, was to examine if the houſe offered any means of eſcape + in caſe of danger, and I believe, if we could preſerve our + recollection, it might be practicable; but I can ſo little depend on + my ſtrength and ſpirits, ſhould ſuch a neceſſity + occur, that perhaps the conſolation of knowing I have a reſource + is the only benefit I ſhould ever derive from it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_31" id="link3_4_31"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Oct. 21. + </h2> + <p> + I have this day made a diſcovery of a very unpleaſant nature, + which Mad. de ____ had hitherto cautiouſly concealed from me. All the + Engliſh, and other foreigners placed under ſimilar circumſtances, + are now, without exception, arreſted, and the confiſcation of + their property is decreed. It is uncertain if the law is to extend to + wearing apparel, but I find that on this ground the Committee of Peronne + perſiſt in refuſing to take the ſeals off my effects, + or to permit my being ſupplied with any neceſſaries whatſoever. + In other places they have put two, four, and, I am told, even to the + number of ſix guards, in houſes belonging to the Engliſh; + and theſe guards, excluſive of being paid each two ſhillings + per day, burn the wood, regale on the wine, and pillage in detail all they + can find, while the unfortunate owner is ſtarving in a Maiſon + d'Arret, and cannot obtain permiſſion to withdraw a ſingle + article for his own uſe.—The plea for this paltry meaſure + is, that, according to the report of a deſerter eſcaped from + Toulon, Lord Hood has hanged one Beauvais, a member of the Convention. I + have no doubt but the report is falſe, and, moſt likely, + fabricated by the Comite de Salut Public, in order to palliate an act of + injuſtice previouſly meditated. + </p> + <p> + It is needleſs to expatiate on the atrocity of making individuals, + living here under the faith of the nation, reſponſible for the + events of the war, and it is whiſpered that even the people are a + little aſhamed of it; yet the government are not ſatiſfied + with making us accountable for what really does happen, but they attribute + acts of cruelty to our countrymen, in order to excuſe thoſe they + commit themſelves, and retaliate imagined injuries by ſubſtantial + vengeance.—Legendre, a member of the Convention, has propoſed, + with a moſt benevolent ingenuity, that the manes of the aforeſaid + Beauvais ſhould be appeaſed by exhibiting Mr. Luttrell in an + iron cage for a convenient time, and then hanging him. + </p> + <p> + A gentleman from Amiens, lately arreſted while happening to be here + on buſineſs, informs me, that Mr. Luttrell is now in the common + gaol of that place, lodged with three other perſons in a miſerable + apartment, ſo ſmall, that there is not room to paſs between + their beds. I underſtand he was adviſed to petition Dumont for + his removal to a Maiſon d'Arret, where he would have more external + convenience; but he rejected thiſ counſel, no doubt from a diſdain + which did him honour, and preferred to ſuffer all that the mean + malice of theſe wretches would inflict, rather than aſk any + accommodation as a favour.—The diſtinguiſhing Mr. Luttrell + from any other Engliſh gentleman is as much a proof of ignorance as + of baſeneſs; but in this, as in every thing elſe, the preſent + French government is ſtill more wicked than abſurd, and our + ridicule iſ ſuppreſſed by our deteſtation. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_32" id="link3_4_32"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Oct. 22. + </h2> + <p> + Mad. de ____'s _homme d'affaireſ_ [Agent] has been here to-day, but + no news from Amiens. I know not what to conjecture. My patience is almoſt + exhauſted, and my ſpirits are fatigued. Were I not juſt now + relieved by a diſtant proſpect of ſome change for the + better, my ſituation would be inſupportable.—"Oh world! oh + world! but that thy ſtrange mutations make us wait thee, life would + not yield to age." We ſhould die before our time, even of moral diſeaſes, + unaided by phyſical ones; but the uncertainty of human events, which + is the "worm i'the bud" of happineſs, is to the miſerable a + cheering and conſolatory reflection. Thus have I dragged on for + ſome weeks, poſtponing, as it were, my exiſtence, without + any reſource, ſave the homely philoſophy of <i>"nous + verrons demain."</i> ["We ſhall ſee to-morrow."] + </p> + <p> + At length our hopes and expectations are become leſs general, and if + we do not obtain our liberty, we may be able at leaſt to procure a + more eligible priſon. I confeſs, the ſource of our hopes, + and the protector we have found, are not of a dignity to be uſhered + to your notice by citations of blank verſe, or ſcraps of ſentiment; + for though the top of the ladder is not quite ſo high, the firſt + rounds are as low as that of Ben Bowling's. + </p> + <p> + Mad. de ____'s confidential ſervant, who came here to-day, has + learned, by accident, that a man, who formerly worked with the Marquiſ's + tailor, having (in conſequence, I ſuppoſe of a political + vocation,) quitted the ſelling of old clothes, in which he had + acquired ſome eminence, haſ become a leading patriot, and is one + of Le Bon's, the Repreſentative's, privy counſellors. Fleury has + renewed his acquaintance with this man, has conſulted him upon our + ſituation, and obtained a promiſe that he will uſe his + intereſt with Le Bon in our behalf. Under this ſplendid + patronage, it is not unlikely but we may get an order to be tranſferred + to Amiens, or, perhaps, procure our entire liberation. We have already + written to Le Bon on the ſubject, and Fleury is to have a conference + with our friend the tailor in a few days to learn the ſucceſs of + hiſ mediation; ſo that, I truſt, the buſineſs + will not be long in ſuſpenſe. + </p> + <p> + We have had a moſt indulgent guard to-day, who, by ſuffering the + ſervant to enter a few paces within the gate, afforded us an + opportunity of hearing this agreeable intelligence; as alſo, by way + of epiſode, that boots being wanted for the cavalry, all the boots in + the town were laſt night put in requiſition, and as Fleury was + unluckily gone to bed before the ſearch was made at his inn, he found + himſelf this morning very unceremoniouſly left bootleſs. He + was once a famous patriot, and the oracle of Mad. de ____'s houſehold; + but our confinement had already ſhaken his principles, and this + ſeizure of his "ſuperb Engliſh bootſ" has, I believe, + completed his defection. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_33" id="link3_4_33"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Oct. 25. + </h2> + <p> + I have diſcontinued my journal for three days to attend my friend, + Mad. de ____, who has been ill. Uneaſineſs, and want of air and + exerciſe, had brought on a little fever, which, by the uſual + mode of treatment in thiſ country, has been conſiderably increaſed. + Her diſorder did not indeed much alarm me, but I cannot ſay as + much of her medical aſſiſtants, and it ſeems to me to + be almoſt ſupernatural that ſhe has eſcaped the + jeopardy of their preſcriptions. In my own illneſs I had truſted + to nature, and my recollection of what had been ordered me on ſimilar + occaſions; but for Mad. de ____ I was leſs confident, and deſirous + of having better advice, begged a phyſician might be immediately + ſent for. Had her diſorder been an apoplexy, ſhe muſt + infallibly have died, for as no perſon, not even the faculty, can + enter, without an order from the municipal Divan, half a day elapſed + before this order could be procured. At length the phyſician and + ſurgeon arrived, and I know not why the learned profeſſions + ſhould impoſe on us more by one exterior than another; but I + own, when I ſaw the phyſician appear in a white camblet coat, + lined with roſe colour, and the ſurgeon with dirty linen, and a + gold button and loop to his hat, I began to tremble for my friend. My + feminine prejudices did not, however, in this inſtance, deceive me. + After the uſual queſtions, the patient waſ declared in a + fever, and condemned to cathartics, bleeding, and "bon bouillons;" that is + to ſay, greaſy beef ſoup, in which there is never an + oeconomy of onions.—When they were departed, I could not help expreſſing + my ſurprize that people's lives ſhould be entruſted to + ſuch hands, obſerving, at the ſame time, to the Baron de + L____, (who is lodged in the ſame apartment with Mad. de ____,) that + the French muſt never expect men, whoſe education fitted them + for the profeſſion, would become phyſicians, while they + continued to be paid at the rate of twenty-pence per viſit.— + Yet, replied the Baron, if they make twenty viſits a day, they gain + forty livreſ—<i>"et c'eſt de quoi vivre."</i> [It is a + living.] It is undeniably <i>de quoi vivre,</i> but as long as a mere + ſubſiſtence is the only proſpect of a phyſician, + the French muſt be content to have their fevers cured by "draſtics, + phlebotomy, and beef ſoup." + </p> + <p> + They tell me we have now more than five hundred detenus in this ſingle + houſe. How ſo many have been wedged in I can ſcarcely + conceive, but it ſeems our keeper has the art of calculating with + great nicety the ſpace requiſite for a given number of bodies, + and their being able to reſpire freely is not his affair. Thoſe + who can afford it have their dinners, with all the appurtenances, brought + from the inns or traiteurs; and the poor cook, ſleep, and eat, by + ſcores, in the ſame room. I have perſuaded my friend to + ſup as I do, upon tea; but our aſſociates, for the moſt + part, finding it inconvenient to have ſuppers brought at night, and + being unwilling to ſubmit to the ſame privations, regale themſelves + with the remains of their dinner, re-cooked in their apartments, and thus + go to ſleep, amidſt the fumes of <i>perdrix a l'onion, oeufs a + la tripe,</i> [Partridge a l'onion—eggs a la tripe.] and all the + produce of a French kitchen. + </p> + <p> + It is not, as you may imagine, the Bourgeois, and leſs diſtinguiſhed + priſoners only, who indulge in theſe highly-ſeaſoned + repaſts, at the expence of inhaling the ſavoury atmoſphere + they leave behind them: the beaux and petites miſtreſſes, + among the ci-devant, have not leſs exigent appetites, nor more + delicate nerves; and the ragout is produced at night, in ſpite of the + odours and diſorder that remain till the morrow. + </p> + <p> + I conclude, notwithſtanding your Engliſh prejudices, that there + iſ nothing unwholeſome in filth, for if it were otherwiſe, + I cannot account for our being alive. Five hundred bodies, in a ſtate + of coacervation, without even a preference for cleanlineſs, "think of + that Maſter Brook." All the forenoon the court is a receptacle for + cabbage leaves, fiſh ſcales, leeks, &c. &c.—and as + a French chambermaid uſually prefers the direct road to + circumambulation, the refuſe of the kitchen is then waſhed away + by plentiful inundations from the dreſſing-room—the paſſages + are blockaded by foul plates, fragments, and bones; to which if you add + the ſmell exhaling from hoarded apples and gruyere cheeſe, you + may form ſome notion of the ſufferings of thoſe whoſe + olfactory nerves are not robuſt. Yet this is not all—nearly + every female in the houſe, except myſelf, iſ accompanied + even here by her lap-dog, who ſleeps in her room, and, not + unfrequently, on her bed; and theſe Leſbias and Lindamiras + increaſe the inſalubrity of the air, and colonize one's ſtockings + by ſending forth daily emigrations of fleas. For my own part, a few + cloſe November dayſ will make me as captious and ſplenetic + as Matthew Bramble himſelf. Nothing keeps me in tolerable good humour + at preſent, but a clear froſty morning, or a high wind. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_34" id="link3_4_34"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Oct. 27. + </h2> + <p> + I thought, when I wrote the above, that the houſe was really ſo + full aſ to be incapable of containing more; but I did not do juſtice + to the talents of our keeper. The laſt two nights have brought us an + addition of ſeveral waggon loads of nuns, farmers, ſhopkeepers, + &c. from the neighbouring towns, which he has ſtill contrived to + lodge, though much in the way that he would pack goods in bales. Should + another convoy arrive, it is certain that we muſt ſleep + perpendicularly, for even now, when the beds are all arranged and occupied + for the night, no one can make a diagonal movement without diſturbing + his neighbour.—This very ſociable manner of ſleeping is + very far, I aſſure you, from promoting the harmony of the day; + and I am frequently witneſs to the reproaches and recriminations occaſioned + by nocturnal miſdemeanours. Sometimes the lap-dog of one dowager is + accuſed of hoſtilities againſt that of another, and thereby + producing a general chorus of the reſt—then a four-footed + favourite ſtrays from the bed of his miſtreſs, and takeſ + poſſeſſion of a General's uniform—and there are + female ſomnambules, who alarm the modeſty of a pair of Biſhops, + and ſuſpended officers, that, like Richard, warring in their + dreams, cry "to arms," to the great annoyance of thoſe who are more + inclined to ſleep in peace. But, I underſtand, the great diſturbers + of the room where Mad. de ____ ſleepſ are two chanoines, whoſe + noſes are ſo ſonorous and ſo untuneable as to produce + a ſort of duet abſolutely incompatible with ſleep; and one + of the company is often deputed to interrupt the ſerenade by manual + application <i>mais tout en badinant et avec politeſſe</i> [But + all in pleaſantry, and with politeneſs.] to the offending + parties. + </p> + <p> + All this, my dear brother, is only ludicrous in the relation; yet for + ſo many people to be thus huddled together without diſtinction + of age, ſex, or condition, is truly miſerable.—Mad. De + ____ is ſtill indiſpoſed, and while ſhe is thus ſuffocated + by bad air, and diſtracted by the variouſ noiſes of the houſe, + I ſee no proſpect of her recovery. + </p> + <p> + Arras is the common priſon of the department, and, beſides, + there are a number of other houſes and convents in the town + appropriated to the ſame uſe, and all equally full. God knows + when theſe iniquities are to terminate! So far from having any hopes + at preſent, the rage for arreſting ſeems, I think, rather + to increaſe than ſubſide. It iſ ſuppoſed + there are now more than three hundred thouſand people in France + confined under the ſimple imputation of being what is called "genſ + ſuſpect:" but as this generic term is new to you, I will, by way + of explanation, particularize the ſeveral ſpecies as claſſed + by the Convention, and then deſcribed by Chaumette, ſolicitor + for the City of Paris;*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Decree concerning ſuſpected people: "Art. I. Immediately + after the promulgation of the preſent decree, all ſuſpected + perſons that are found on the territory of the republic, and who + are ſtill at large, ſhall be put under arreſt. "II. Thoſe + are deemed ſuſpicious, who by their connections, their converſation, + or their writings, declare themſelves partizans of tyranny or + foederation, and enemies to liberty—Thoſe who have not demonſtrated + their means of living or the performance of their civic duties, in the + manner preſcribed by the law of March laſt—Thoſe + who, having been ſuſpended from public employments by the + Convention or its Commiſſioners, are not reinſtated + therein—Thoſe of the ci-devant nobleſſe, who have + not invariably manifeſted their attachment to the revolution, and, + in general, all the fathers, mothers, ſons, daughters, brothers, + ſiſters, and agents of emigrantſ—All who have + emigrated between the 1ſt of July, 1789, and 8th of April, 1792. + "III. The execution of the decree is confided to the Committee of Inſpection. + The individuals arreſted ſhall be taken to the houſeſ + of confinement appointed for their reception. They are allowed to take + with them ſuch only of their effects as are ſtrictly neceſſary, + the guards ſet upon them ſhall be paid at their expence, and + they ſhall be kept in confinement until the peace.—The + Committees of Inſpection ſhall, without delay, tranſmit + to the Committee of General Safety an account of the perſons arreſted, + with the motiveſ of their arreſt. [If this were obſerved + (which I doubt much) it waſ but a mockery, few perſons ever + knew the preciſe reaſon of their confinement.]—The civil + and criminal tribunals are empowered, when they deem it neceſſary, + to detain and impriſon, as ſuſpected perſons, thoſe + who being accuſed of crimes have nevertheleſs had no bill + found againſt them, (lieu a accuſation,) or who have even been + tried and acquitted." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Indications that may ſerve to diſtinguiſh ſuſpicious + perſons, and thoſe to whom it will be proper to refuſe + certificates of civiſm: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "I. Thoſe who in popular aſſemblies check the ardour of + the people by artful ſpeeches, by violent exclamations or threats. + "II. Thoſe who with more caution ſpeak in a myſterious + way of the public miſfortunes, who appear to pity the lot of the + people, and are ever ready to ſpread bad news with an affectation + of concern. "III. Thoſe who adapt their conduct and language to the + circumſtances of the moment—who, in order to be taken for + republicans, put on a ſtudied auſterity of manners, and + exclaim with vehemence againſt the moſt trifling error in a + patriot, but mollify when the crimes of an Ariſtocrate or a Moderee + are the ſubject of complaint. [Theſe trifling events were, + being concerned in the maſſacres of September, 1792—public + peculationſ—occaſional, and even habitual robbery, + forgeries, &c. &c. &c.—The ſecond, fourth, fifth, + ſixth, and ſeventh claſſes, were particularly + numerous, inſomuch that I doubt whether they would not have + included nineteen-twentieths of all the people in France who were honeſt + or at all capable of reflection.] "IV. Thoſe who pity avaricious + farmers and ſhopkeepers, againſt whom the laws have been neceſſarily + directed. "V. Thoſe who with the words liberty, country, republic, + &c. conſtantly in their mouths, hold intercourſe with + ci-devant Nobles, Contre-revolutionnaires, Prieſts, Ariſtocrates, + Feuillans, &c. and take an intereſt in their concerns. "VI. Thoſe + who not having borne an active part in the revolution, endeavour to excuſe + themſelves by urging the regular payment of their taxes, their + patriotic gifts, and their ſervice in the Garde National by ſubſtitute + or otherwiſe. "VII. Thoſe who received the republican conſtitution + with coolneſs, or who intimated their pretended apprehenſions + for its eſtabliſhment and duration. "VIII. Thoſe who, + having done nothing againſt liberty, have done aſ little for + it. "IX. Thoſe who do not frequent the aſſembly of their + ſection, and offer, for excuſe, that they are no orators, or + have no time to ſpare from their own buſineſs. "X. Thoſe + who ſpeak with contempt of the conſtituted authorities, of the + rigour of the laws, of the popular ſocieties, and the defenders of + liberty. "XI. Thoſe who have ſigned anti-revolutionary + petitions, or any time frequented unpatriotic clubs, or were known as + partizans of La Fayette, and accomplices in the affair of the Champ de + Mars." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —and it muſt be allowed by all who reſide in France at + this moment, and are capable of obſerving the various forms under + which hatred for the government ſhelters itſelf, that the latter + is a chef d'oeuvre in itſ kind. + </p> + <p> + Now, excluſive of the above legal and moral indications of people to + be ſuſpected, there are alſo outward and viſible + ſigns which we are told from the tribune of the Convention, and the + Jacobins, are not much leſſ infallible—ſuch as <i>Gens + a bas de ſoie rayes moucheteſ—a chapeau rond— habit + carre—culotte pincee etroite—a bottes cireeſ—les muſcadinſ— + Freloquetſ—Robinets, &c.</i> [People that wear ſpotted + or ſtriped ſilk ſtockingſ—round hatſ—ſmall + coatſ—tight breecheſ—blacked bootſ— + perfumeſ—coxcombſ—ſprigs of the law, &c.] + The conſequence of making the cut of a man's coat, or the ſhape + of his hat, a teſt of his political opinions, has been the tranſformation + of the whole country into republicans, at leaſt as far as depends on + the coſtume; and where, as iſ natural, there exiſts a conſciouſneſs + of inveterate ariſtocracy, the external is more elaborately "a la + Jacobin." The equipment, indeed, of a French patriot of the lateſt + date is as ſingular as his manners, and in both he is highly diſtinguiſhable + from the inhabitants of any other country: from thoſe of civilized + nations, becauſe he is groſs and ferociouſ—from thoſe + of barbarous ones, becauſe his groſſneſs is often + affected, and his ferocity a matter of principle and preference. + </p> + <p> + A man who would not be reckoned ſuſpect now arrays himſelf + in a jacket and trowſers (a Carmagnole) of ſtriped cotton or + coarſe cloth, a neckcloth of gaudy cotton, wadded like a horſe-collar, + and projecting conſiderably beyond his chin, a cap of red and blue + cloth, embroidered in front and made much in the form of that worn by the + Pierrot of a pantomime, with one, or ſometimes a pair, of ear-rings, + about the ſize of a large curtain-ring! Finally, he crops his hair, + and carefully encourages the growth of an enormous pair of whiſkers, + which he does not fail to perfume with volumes of tobacco ſmoke. He, + however, who iſ ambitious of ſtill greater eminence, diſdains + theſe fopperies, and affects an appearance of filth and rags, which + he dignifies with the appellation of ſtern republicaniſm and + virtuous poverty; and thus, by means of a thread-bare coat out at elbows, + wooden ſhoes, and a red woollen cap, the rich hope to ſecure + their wealth, and the covetous and intriguing to acquire lucrative + employment.—Rolland, I think, was the founder of theſe modern + Franciſcans, and with this miſerable affectation he machinated + the death of the King, and, during ſome months, procured for himſelf + the excluſive direction of the government. + </p> + <p> + All theſe patriots by preſcription and ſyſtem have + likewiſe a peculiar and appropriated dialect—they addreſs + every one by the title of Citizen, thee and thou indiſtinctly, and + talk of nothing but the agents of Pitt and Cobourg, the coaleſced + tyrants, royal ogres, ſatellites of the deſpots, automaton + ſlaves, and anthropophagi; and if they revert to their own proſperous + ſtate, and this very happy country, it is, <i>un peuple libre, en + peuple heureux, and par excellence la terre de la liberte.</i> ["A free + people—a happy people—and, above all others, the land of + liberty."]—It is to be obſerved, that thoſe with whom theſe + pompouſ expreſſions are moſt familiar, are officers + employed in the war-like ſervice of mutilating the wooden ſaints + in churches, and arreſting old women whom they encounter without + national cockades; or members of the municipalities, now reduced to + execute the offices of conſtables, and whoſe chief functions are + to hunt out ſuſpected people, or make domiciliary viſits in + queſt of concealed eggs and butter. But, above all, this democratic + oratory is uſed by tailors, ſhoemakers, &c.* of the + Committees of Inſpection, to whom the Repreſentatives on miſſion + have delegated their unlimited powers, who arreſt much on the + principle of Jack Cade, and with whom it is a crime to read and write, or + to appear decently dreſſed. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * For ſome months the departments were infeſted by people of + thiſ deſcription—corrupt, ignorant, and inſolent. + Their motives of arreſt were uſually the hope of plunder, or + the deſire of diſtreſſing thoſe whom they had + been uſed to look upon as their ſuperiors.—At Arras it + ſufficed even to have diſobliged the wiveſ of theſe + miſcreants to become the object of perſecution. In ſome + places they arreſted with the moſt barbarous caprice, even + without the ſhadow of a reaſon. At Heſden, a ſmall + town in Artois, Dumont left the Mayor carte blanche, and in one night + two hundred people were thrown into priſon. Every where theſe + low and obſcure dominators reigned without controul, and ſo + much were the people intimidated, that inſtead of daring to + complain, they treated their new tyrants with the moſt ſervile + adulation.—I have ſeen a ci-devant Comteſſe + coquetting with all her might a Jacobin tailor, and the richeſt + merchants of a town ſoliciting very humbly the good offices of a + dealer in old clothes. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Theſe ridiculous accoutrements, and this magnificent phraſeology, + are in themſelves very harmleſs; but the aſcendancy which + ſuch a claſs of people are taking has become a ſubject of + juſt alarm.—The whole adminiſtration of the country is now + in the hands of uninformed and neceſſitouſ profligates, + ſwindlers, men already condemned by the laws, and who, if the + revolution had not given them "place and office," would have been at the + galleys, or in priſon.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * One of the adminiſtrators of the department de la Somme (which, + however, was more decently compoſed than many others,) was, before + the revolution, convicted of houſe-breaking, and another of + forgery; and it has ſince been proved on various occaſions, + particularly on the trial of the ninety-four Nantais, that the + revolutionary Committees were, for the moſt part, compoſed of + the very refuſe of ſociety—adventurers, thieves, and + even aſſaſſins; and it would be difficult to imagine + a crime that did not there find reward and protection.—In vain + were the privileges of the nobility aboliſhed, and religion proſcribed. + A new privileged order aroſe in the Jacobins, and guilt of every + kind, without the ſemblance of penitence, found an aſylum in + theſe Committees, and an inviolability more ſacred than that + afforded by the demoliſhed altars. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + To theſe may be added a few men of weak character, and unſteady + principles, who remain in office becauſe they fear to reſign; + with a few, and but very few, ignorant fanatics, who really imagine they + are free becauſe they can moleſt and deſtroy with impunity + all they have hitherto been taught to reſpect, and drink treble the + quantity they did formerly. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_35" id="link3_4_35"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Oct. 30. + </h2> + <p> + For ſome days the guards have been ſo untractable, and the croud + at the door has been ſo great, that Fleury was obliged to make + various effortſ before he could communicate the reſult of his + negotiation. He has at length found means to inform us, that his friend + the tailor had exerted all his intereſt in our favour, but that + Dumont and Le Bon (as often happens between neighbouring potentates) are + at war, and their enmity being in ſome degree ſubject to their + mutual fears, neither will venture to liberate any priſoner arreſted + by the other, leſt ſuch a diſpoſition to clemency + ſhould be ſeized on by his rival as a ground of accuſation.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * But if they did not free the enemies of each other, they revenged themſelves + by throwing into priſon all their mutual friendſ—for the + temper of the times was ſuch, that, though theſe Repreſentativeſ + were expreſſly inveſted with unlimited powers, they did + not venture to ſet any one at liberty without a multitude of forms + and a long attendance: on the contrary, they arreſted without any + form at all, and allowed their myrmidons to harraſs and confine the + perſons and ſequeſter the property of all whom they + judged proper.—It ſeemed to have been an elementary principle + with thoſe employed by the government at this time, that they riſked + nothing in doing all the miſchief they could, and that they erred + only in not doing enough. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —All, therefore, that can be obtained is, a promiſe to have us + removed to Amiens in a ſhort time; and I underſtand the detenus + are there treated with conſideration, and that no tribunal + revolutionnaire has yet been eſtabliſhed. + </p> + <p> + My mind will be conſiderably more at eaſe if this removal can be + effected. Perhaps we may not be in more real danger here than at any other + place, but it is not realities that conſtitute the miſery of + life; and ſituated as we are, that imagination muſt be + phlegmatic indeed, which does not create and exaggerate enough to prevent + the poſſibility of eaſe.—We are, as I before obſerved, + placed as it were within the juriſdiction of the guillotine; and I + have learned "a ſecret of our priſon-houſe" to-day which + Mad. de ____ had hitherto concealed from me, and which has rendered me + ſtill more anxious to quit it. Several of our fellow priſoners, + whom I ſuppoſed only tranſferred to other houſes, have + been taken away to undergo the ceremony of a trial, and from thence to the + ſcaffold. Theſe judicial maſſacres are now become + common, and the repetition of them has deſtroyed at once the feeling + of humanity and the ſenſe of juſtice. Familiarized to + executions, the thoughtleſs and ſanguinary people behold with + equal indifference the guilty or innocent victim; and the Guillotine has + not only ceaſed to be an object of horror, but is become almoſt + a ſource of amuſement. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * At Arras this horrid inſtrument of death was what they called en + permanence, (ſtationary,) and ſo little regard was paid to the + morals of the people, (I ſay the morals, becauſe every thing + which tends to deſtroy their humanity renders them vicious,) that + it waſ often left from one execution to another with the enſanguined + traceſ of the laſt victim but too evident.—Children were + taught to amuſe themſelves by making models of the Guillotine, + with which they deſtroyed flies, and even animals. On the Pontneuf, + at Paris, a ſort of puppet-ſhow was exhibited daily, whoſe + boaſt it was to give a very exact imitation of a guillotinage; and + the burthen of a popular ſong current for ſome months was <i>"Danſons + la Guillotine."</i> —On the 21ſt of January, 1794, the + anniverſary of the King's death, the Convention were invited to + celebrate it on the "Place de la Revolution," where, during the + ceremony, and in preſence of the whole legiſlative body, + ſeveral people were executed. It is true, Bourdon, one of the + Deputies, complained of this indecency; but not ſo much on account + of the circumſtance itſelf, as becauſe it gave ſome + of the people an opportunity of telling him, in a ſort of way he + might probably deem prophetic, that one of the victims was a Repreſentative + of the People. The Convention pretended to order that ſome enquiry + ſhould be made why at ſuch a moment ſuch a place was choſen; + but the enquiry came to nothing, and I have no doubt but the executions + were purpoſely intended as analogous to the ceremony.—It was + proved that Le Bon, on an occaſion when he choſe to be a + ſpectator of ſome executions he had been the cauſe of, + ſuſpended the operation while he read the newſpaper + aloud, in order, as he ſaid, that the ariſtocrates might go + out of the world with the additional mortification of learning the + ſucceſs of the republican arms in their laſt moments. The + People of Breſt were ſuffered to behold, I had almoſt + ſaid to be amuſed with (for if thoſe who order ſuch + ſpectacles are deteſtable, the people that permit them are not + free from blame,) the ſight of twenty-five heads ranged in a line, + and ſtill convulſed with the agonies of death.—The cant + word for the Guillotine was "our holy mother;" and verdicts of + condemnation were called prizes in the Sainte Lotterie—"holy + lottery." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The dark and ferocious character of Le Bon developes itſelf hourly: + the whole department trembles before him; and thoſe who have leaſt + merited perſecution are, with reaſon, the moſt apprehenſive. + The moſt cautiouſ prudence of conduct, the moſt undeviating + rectitude in thoſe who are by their fortune or rank obnoxious to the + tyrant, far from contributing to their ſecurity, only mark them out + for a more early ſacrifice. What iſ ſtill worſe, theſe + horrors are not likely to terminate, becauſe he iſ allowed to + pay out of the treaſury of the department the mob that are employed + to popularize and applaud them.—I hope, in a few days, we ſhall + receive our permiſſion to depart. My impatience is a malady, + and, for nearly the firſt time in my life, I am ſenſible of + ennui; not the ennui occaſioned by want of amuſement, but that + which is the effect of unquiet expectation, and which makes both the mind + and body reſtleſs and incapable of attending to any thing. I am + inceſſantly haunted by the idea that the companion of to-day may + to-morrow expire under the Guillotine, that the common acts of ſocial + intercourſe may be explained into intimacy, intimacy into the + participation of imputed treaſons, and the fate of thoſe with + whom we are aſſociated become our own. It appearſ both uſeleſs + and cruel to have brought us here, nor do I yet know any reaſon why + we were not all removed to Amiens, except it was to avoid expoſing to + the eyes of the people in the places through which we muſt paſs + too large a number of victims at once.—The cauſe of our being + removed from Peronne is indeed avowed, as it is at preſent a rule not + to confine people at the place of their reſidence, leſt they + ſhould have too much facility or communication with, or aſſiſtance + from, their friends.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * In ſome departments the nobles and prieſts arreſted + were removed from ten to twenty leagues diſtant from their homes; + and if they happened to have relations living at the places where they + were confined, theſe laſt were forbidden to reſide there, + or even to travel that way. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + We ſhould doubtleſs have remained at Arras until ſome + change in public affairs had procured our releaſe, but for the + fortunate diſcovery of the man I have mentioned; and the trifling + favour of removal from one priſon to another has been obtained only + by certain arrangements which Fleury has made with this ſubordinate + agent of tyranny, and in which juſtice or conſideration for us + had no ſhare. Alaſ! are we not miſerable? is not the + country miſerable, when our only reſource is in the vices of thoſe + who govern?—It is uncertain when we ſhall be ordered from hence—it + may happen when we leaſt expect it, even in the night, ſo that I + ſhall not attempt to write again till we have changed our ſituation. + The riſk iſ at preſent too ſerious, and you muſt + allow my deſire of amuſing you to give way to my ſolicitude + for my own preſervation. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_36" id="link3_4_36"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Bicetre at Amiens, Nov. 18, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Nous voila donc encore, logees a la nation;</i> that is to ſay, + the common priſon of the department, amidſt the thieves, + vagabonds, maniacs, &c. confined by the old police, and the gens + ſuſpects recently arreſted by the new.—I write from + the end of a ſort of elevated barn, ſixty or ſeventy feet + long, where the interſtices of the tiles admit the wind from all + quarters, and ſcarcely exclude the rain, and where an old ſcreen + and ſome curtains only ſeparate Mad. de ____, myſelf, and + our ſervants, from ſixty prieſts, moſt of them old, + ſick, and as wretched as men can be, who are pious and reſigned. + Yet even here I feel comparatively at eaſe, and an eſcape from + the juriſdiction of Le Bon and his mercileſs tribunal ſeems + cheaply purchaſed by the ſacrifice of our perſonal + convenience. I do not pretend to philoſophize or ſtoicize, or to + any thing elſe which implies a contempt of life—I have, on the + contrary, a moſt unheroic ſolicitude about my exiſtence, + and conſider my removal to a place where I think we are ſafe, as + a very fortunate aera of our captivity. + </p> + <p> + After many delays and diſappointments, Fleury at length procured an + order, ſigned by the Repreſentative, for our being tranſferred + to Amiens, under the care of two <i>Gardes Nationalaux,</i> and, of courſe, + at our expence.—Every thing in this country wears the aſpect of + deſpotiſm. At twelve o'clock at night we were awakened by the + officer on guard, and informed we were to depart on the morrow; and, + notwithſtanding the difficulty of procuring horſes and + carriages, it was ſpecified, that if we did not go on the day + appointed, we were not to go at all. It was, or courſe, late before + we could ſurmount the various obſtacles to our journey, and + procure two crazy cabriolets, and a cart for the guards, ourſelves, + and baggage. The days being ſhort, we were obliged to ſleep at + Dourlens; and, on our arrival at the caſtle, which is now, as it + always has been, a ſtate-priſon, we were told it was ſo + full, that it waſ abſolutely impoſſible to lodge us, + and that we had better apply to the Governor, for permiſſion to + ſleep at an inn. We then drove to the Governor'ſ* houſe, + who received us very civilly, and with very little perſuaſion + agreed to our requeſt. At the beſt of the miſerable inns in + the town we were informed they had no room, and that they could not + accommodate us in any way whatever, except a ſick officer then in the + houſe would permit us to occupy one of two beds in his apartment. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The Commandant had been originally a private ſoldier in the + regiment of Dillon.—I know not how he had obtained his + advancement, but, however obtained, it proved fatal to him: he was, a + very ſhort time after I ſaw him, guillotined at Arras, for + having borrowed money of a priſoner. His real crime was, probably, + treating the priſoners in general with too much conſideration + and indulgence; and at this period every ſuſpicion of the kind + was fatal. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + In England it would not be very decent to make ſuch a requeſt, + or to accept ſuch an accommodation. In France, neither the one nor + the other is unuſual, and we had ſuffered lately ſo many + embarraſſments of the kind, that we were, if not reconciled, at + leaſt inured to them. Before, however, we could determine, the + gentleman had been informed of our ſituation, and came to offer his + ſervices. You may judge of our ſurprize when we found in the + ſtranger, who had his head bound up and his arm in a ſling, + General ____, a relation of Mad. de ____. We had now, therefore, leſs + ſcruple in ſharing his room, though we agreed, notwithſtanding, + only to repoſe a few hours in our clothes. + </p> + <p> + After taking ſome tea, the remainder of the evening was dedicated to + reciprocal converſation of all kinds; and our guards having + acquaintance in the town, and knowing it was impoſſible for us + to eſcape, even were we ſo inclined, very civilly left us to ourſelves. + We found the General had been wounded at Maubeuge, and was now abſent + on conge for the recovery of his health. He talked of the preſent + ſtate of public affairs like a military man who is attached to his + profeſſion, and who thinks it hiſ duty to fight at all + events, whatever the rights or merits of thoſe that employ him. He + confeſſed, indeed, that they were repulſing their external + enemies, only to confirm the power of thoſe who were infinitely more + to be dreaded at home, and that the condition of a General was more to be + commiſerated at this time than any other: if he miſcarry, diſgrace + and the Guillotine await him—if he be ſucceſſful, he + gains little honour, becomes an object of jealouſy, and aſſiſts + in rivetting the chains of his country. He ſaid, the armies were for + the moſt part licentious and inſubordinate, but that the + political diſcipline waſ terrible—the ſoldiers are + allowed to drink, pillage, and inſult their officers with impunity, + but all combinations are rigorouſly ſuppreſſed, the + ſlighteſt murmur againſt the Repreſentative on miſſion + is treaſon, and to diſapprove of a decree of the convention, + death—that every man of any note in the army is beſet with + ſpies, and if they leave the camp on any occaſion, it is more + neceſſary to be on their guard againſt theſe wretches + than againſt an ambuſcade of the enemy; and he related a circumſtance + which happened to himſelf, as an example of what he mentioned, and + which will give you a tolerable idea of the preſent ſyſtem + of government.—After the relief of Dunkirk, being quartered in the + neighbourhood of St. Omer, he occaſionally went to the town on hiſ + private concerns. One day, while he was waiting at the inn where he + intended to dine, two young men accoſted him, and after engaging him + in a general converſation for ſome time, began to talk with + great freedom, though with an affected caution of public men and meaſures, + of the banditti who governed, the tyranny that was exerciſed, and the + ſupineneſſ of the people: in ſhort, of all thoſe + too poignant truths which conſtitute the leze nation of the day. + Mons. de ____ was not at firſt very attentive, but finding their diſcourſe + become ſtill more liberal, it excited his ſuſpicions, and + caſting his eyes on a glaſs oppoſite to where they were + converſing, he perceived a ſort of intelligence between them, + which immediately ſuggeſted to him the profeſſion of + his companions; and calling to a couple of dragoons who had attended him, + ordered them to arreſt the two gentlemen as artiſtocrates, and + convey them without ceremony to priſon. They ſubmitted, ſeemingly + more ſurprized than alarmed, and in two hours the General received a + note from a higher power, deſiring him to ſet them at liberty, + as they were agents of the republic. + </p> + <p> + Duqueſnoy, one of the Repreſentatives now with the Northern + army, iſ ignorant and brutal in the extreme. He has made his brother + (who, aſ well as himſelf, uſed to retail hops in the ſtreets + of St. Pol,) a General; and in order to deliver him from rivals and + critics, he breaks, ſuſpends, arreſts, and ſends to + the Guillotine every officer of any merit that comes in his way. After the + battle of Maubeuge, he arreſted a General Bardell, [The Generals + Bardell and D'Aveſnes, and ſeveral others, were afterwards + guillotined at Paris.] for accommodating a wounded priſoner of diſtinction + (I think a relation of the Prince of Cobourg) with a bed, and tore with + his own hands the epaulette from the ſhoulderſ of thoſe + Generals whoſe diviſions had not ſuſtained the combat + ſo well aſ the others. His temper, naturally ſavage and + choleric, is irritated to fury by the habit of drinking large quantities + of ſtrong liquors; and Mad. de ___'s relation aſſured us, + that he had himſelf ſeen him take the Mayor of Aveſnes (a + venerable old man, who was preſenting ſome petition to him that + regarded the town,) by the hair and throw him on the ground, with the geſtures + of an enraged cannibal. He alſo confined one of hiſ own fellow + deputies in the tower of Guiſe, upon a very frivolous pretext, and + merely on his own authority. In fact, I ſcarcely remember half the + horrors told us of this man; and I ſhall only remind you, that he has + an unlimited controul over the civil conſtitution of the Northern + army, and over the whole department of the North. + </p> + <p> + You, I ſuppoſe, will be better informed of military events than + we are, and I mention our friend's conjecture, that (beſides an + enormous number of killed) the wounded at Maubeuge amounted to twelve or + fourteen thouſand, only to remark the deception which is ſtill + practiſed on the people; for no publiſhed account ever allowed + the number to be more than a few hundreds.—Beſides theſe + profeſſional details, the General gave uſ ſome very + unpleaſant family ones. On returning to his father's chateau, where + he hoped to be taken care of while his wounds were curing, he found every + room in it under ſeals, three guards in poſſeſſion, + his two ſiſterſ arreſted at St. Omer, where they + happened to be on a viſit, and hiſ father and mother confined in + ſeparate houſes of detention at Arras. After viſiting them, + and making ſome ineffectual applications for their relief, he came to + the neighbourhood of Dourlens, expecting to find an aſylum with an + uncle, who had hitherto eſcaped the general perſecution of the + gentry. Here again his diſappointment and chagrin were renewed: hiſ + uncle had been carried off to Amiens the morning of his arrival, and the + houſe rendered inacceſſible, by the uſual affixture of + ſeals, and an attendant pair of myrmidons to guard them from + infraction. Thus excluded from all his family habitations, he had taken up + his reſidence for a day or two at the inn where we met him, his + intention being to return to Arras. + </p> + <p> + In the morning we made our adieus and purſued our journey; but, + tenaciouſ of this comparative liberty and the enjoyment of pure air, + we prevailed on our conductors to let us dine on the road, ſo that we + lingered with the unwillingneſs of truant children, and did not reach + Amiens until dark. When we arrived at the Hotel de Ville, one of the + guards enquired how we were to be diſpoſed of. Unfortunately for + us, Dumont happened to be there himſelf, and on hearing we were + ſent from Arras by order of Le Bon, declared moſt furiouſly + (for our Repreſentative is ſubject to choler ſince his acceſſion + to greatneſs) that he would have no priſonerſ received from + Arras, and that we ſhould ſleep at the Conciergerie, and be + conveyed back again on the morrow. Terrified at this menace, we perſuaded + the guard to repreſent to Dumont that we had been ſent to Amiens + at our own inſtance, and that we had been originally arreſted by + himſelf, and were therefore deſirous of returning to the + department where he was on miſſion, and where we had more reaſon + to expect juſtice than at Arras. Mollified, perhaps, by this implied + preference of his authority, he conſented that we ſhould remain + for the preſent at Amiens, and ordered us to be taken to the Bicetre. + Whoever has been uſed to connect with the word Bicetre the idea of + the priſon ſo named at Paris, muſt recoil with horror upon + hearing they are deſtined to ſuch a abode. Mad. de ___, yet weak + from the remains of her illneſs, laid hold of me in a tranſport + of grief; but, far from being able to calm or conſole her, my + thoughts were ſo bewildered that I did not, till we alighted at the + gate, begin to be really ſenſible of our ſituation. The + night was dark and dreary, and our firſt entrance was into a kitchen, + ſuch as my imagination had pictured the ſubterraneous one of the + robbers in Gil Blas. Here we underwent the ceremony of having our + pocket-books ſearched for papers and letters, and our trunks rummaged + for knives and fire-arms. This done, we were ſhown to the lodging I + have deſcribed, and the poor prieſts, already inſufferably + crouded, were obliged almoſt to join their beds in order to make room + for us.—I will not pain you by a recital of all the embarraſſments + and diſtreſſes we had to ſurmount before we could even + reſt ourſelves. We were in want of every thing, and the rules of + the priſon ſuch, that it was nearly impoſſible, for + ſome time, to procure any thing: but the human mind is more flexible + than we are often diſpoſed to imagine it; and in two days we + were able to ſee our ſituation in thiſ beſt point of + view, (that is, as an eſcape from Arras,) and the affair of ſubmitting + our bodies to our minds muſt be atchieved by time.—We have now + been here a week. We have ſounded the very depth of humiliation, + taken our daily allowance of bread with the reſt of the priſoners, + and contracted a moſt friendly intimacy with the gaoler. + </p> + <p> + I have diſcovered ſince our arrival, that the order for tranſferring + uſ hither deſcribed me as a native of the Low Countries. I know + not how this happened, but my friend has inſiſted on my not + rectifying the miſtake, for as the French talk continually of + re-conquering Brabant, ſhe perſuades herſelf ſuch an + event would procure me my liberty. I neither deſire the one nor + expect the other; but, to indulge her, I ſpeak no Engliſh, and + avoid two or three of my countrymen who I am told are here. There have + been alſo ſome Engliſh families who were lately removed, + but the French pronounce our names ſo ſtrangely, that I have not + been able to learn who they were. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_37" id="link3_4_37"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + November 19, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + The Engliſh in general, eſpecially of late years, have been + taught to entertain very formidable notions of the Baſtille and other + ſtate priſonſ of the ancient government, and they were, no + doubt, horrid enough; yet I have not hitherto been able to diſcover + that thoſe of the new republic are any way preferable. The only + difference is, that the great number of priſoners which, for want of + room, are obliged to be heaped together, makes it impoſſible to + exclude them as formerly from communication, and, inſtead of being + maintained at the public expence, they now, with great difficulty, are + able to procure wherewithal to eat at their own. Our preſent + habitation is an immenſe building, about a quarter of a mile from the + town, intended originally for the common gaol of the province. The ſituation + is damp and unwholeſome, and the water ſo bad, that I ſhould + ſuppoſe a long continuance here of ſuch a number of priſoners + muſt be productive of endemical diſorders. Every avenue to the + houſe is guarded, and no one is permitted to ſtop and look up at + the windows, under pain of becoming a reſident. We are ſtrictly + prohibited from all external intercourſe, except by writing; and + every ſcrap of paper, though but an order for a dinner, paſſes + the inquiſition of three different people before it reaches its deſtination, + and, of courſe, many letters and noteſ are miſlaid, and + never ſent at all.—There is no court or garden in which the priſoners + are allowed to walk, and the only exerciſe they can take iſ in + damp paſſages, or a ſmall yard, (perhaps thirty feet ſquare,) + which often ſmells ſo deteſtably, that the atmoſphere + of the houſe itſelf iſ leſs mephitic. + </p> + <p> + Our fellow-captives are a motley collection of the victims of nature, of + juſtice, and of tyranny—of lunatics who are inſenſible + of their ſituation, of thieves who deſerve it, and of political + criminals whoſe guilt is the accident of birth, the imputation of + wealth, or the profeſſion of a clergyman. Among the latter is + the Biſhop of Amiens, whom I recollect to have mentioned in a former + letter. You will wonder why a conſtitutional Biſhop, once + popular with the democratic party, ſhould be thus treated. The real + motive was, probably, to degrade in hiſ perſon a miniſter + of religion—the oſtenſible one, a diſpute with Dumont + at the Jacobin club. As the times grew alarming, the Biſhop, perhaps, + thought it politic to appear at the club, and the Repreſentative + meeting him there one evening, began to interrogate him very rudely with + regard to his opinion of the marriage of prieſts. M. Dubois replied, + that when it was officially incumbent on him to explain himſelf, he + would do ſo, but that he did not think the club a place for ſuch + diſcuſſions, or ſomething to this purpoſe. <i>"Tu + prevariques donc!—Je t'arrete ſur le champ:"</i> ["What, you + prevaricate!—I arreſt you inſtantly."] the Biſhop was + accordingly arreſted at the inſtant, and conducted to the + Bicetre, without even being ſuffered to go home and furniſh himſelf + with neceſſaries; and the ſeals being immediately put on + his effects, he haſ never been able to obtain a change of linen and + clothes, or any thing elſe—this too at a time when the penſions + of the clergy are ill paid, and every article of clothing ſo dear as + to be almoſt unpurchaſeable by moderate fortunes, and when thoſe + who might otherwiſe be diſpoſed to aid or accommodate their + friends, abandon them through fear of being implicated in their miſfortunes. + </p> + <p> + But the Biſhop, yet in the vigour of life, is better capable of + enduring theſe hardſhips than moſt of the poor prieſts + with whom he is aſſociated: the greater number of them are very + old men, with venerable grey lockſ— and their tattered clerical + habits, ſcanty meals, and wretched beds, give me many an heart-ache. + God ſend the conſtant ſight of ſo much miſery may + not render me callouſ!—It is certain, there are people here, + who, whatever their feelings might have been on this occaſion at firſt, + ſeem now little affected by it. Thoſe who are too much + familiarized with ſcenes of wretchedneſs, as well as thoſe + to whom they are unknown, are not often very ſuſceptible; and I + am ſometimes diſpoſed to cavil with our natures, that the + ſufferings which ought to excite our benevolence, and the proſperity + that enables us to relieve them, ſhould ever have a contrary effect. + Yet this is ſo true, that I have ſcarcely ever obſerved + even the poor conſiderate towards each other—and the rich, if + they are frequently charitable, are not always compaſſionate.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Our ſituation at the Bicetre, though terrible for people unuſed + to hardſhips or confinement, and in fact, wretched as perſonal + inconvenience could make it, was yet Elyſium, compared to the priſons + of other departments. At St. Omer, the priſoners were frequently diſturbed + at midnight by the entrance of men into their apartments, who, with the + deteſtable enſign of their order, (red caps,) and pipes in + their mouths, came by way of frolic to ſearch their pockets, + trunks, &c.—At Montreuil, the Maiſons d'Arret were under + the direction of a Commiſſary, whoſe behaviour to the + female priſoners was too atrocious for recital—two young + women, in particular, who refuſed to purchaſe milder + treatment, were locked up in a room for ſeventeen days.—Soon + after I left Arras, every priſon became a den of horror. The miſerable + inhabitants were ſubject to the agents of Le Bon, whoſe + avarice, cruelty, and licentiouſneſs, were beyond any thing a + humane mind can imagine. Sometimes the houſes were ſuddenly + ſurrounded by an armed force, the priſonerſ turned out in + the depth of winter for ſeveral hours into an open court, during + the operation of robbing them of their pocket-books, buckles, ear-rings, + or whatever article of value they had about them. At other times they + were viſited by the ſame military array, and deprived of their + linen and clothes. Their wine and proviſionſ were likewiſe + taken from them in the ſame manner—wives were ſeparated + from their huſbands, parents from their children, old men treated + with the moſt ſavage barbarity, and young women with an + indecency ſtill more abominable. All communication, either by + writing or otherwiſe, was often prohibited for many days together, + and an order was once given to prevent even the entry of proviſions, + which was not revoked till the priſoners became abſolutely diſtreſſed. + At the Hotel Dieu they were forbidden to draw more than a ſingle + jug of water in twenty-four hours. At the Providence, the well was left + three days without a cord, and when the unfortunate females confined + there procured people to beg water of the neighbours, they were refuſed, + "becauſe it was for priſoners, and if Le Bon heard of it he + might be diſpleaſed!" Windows were blocked up, not to prevent + eſcape, but to exclude air; and when the general ſcarcity + rendered it impoſſible for the priſoners to procure + ſufficient food for their ſupport, their ſmall portions + were diminiſhed at the gate, under pretext of ſearching for + letters, &c. —People, reſpectable both for their rank and + character, were employed to clean the priſons and privies, while + their low and inſolent tyrants looked on and inſulted them. On + an occaſion when one of the Maiſons d'Arrets was on fire, + guards were planted round, with orders to fire upon thoſe that + ſhould attempt to eſcape.—My memory has but too + faithfully recorded theſe and ſtill greater horrors; but curioſity + would be gratified but too dearly by the relation. I added the above + note ſome months after writing the letter to which it is annexed. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_38" id="link3_4_38"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Nov. 20. + </h2> + <p> + Beſides the gentry and clergy of this department, we have likewiſe + for companions a number of inhabitants of Liſle, arreſted under + circumſtanceſ ſingularly atrocious, even where atrocity is + the characteriſtic of almoſt every proceeding.—In the + month of Auguſt a decree was paſſed to oblige all the + nobility, clergy, and their ſervants, as well as all thoſe perſons + who had been in the ſervice of emigrants, to depart from Liſle + in eight-and-forty hours, and prohibiting their reſidence within + twenty leagues from the frontiers. Thus baniſhed from their own + habitations, they took refuge in different towns, at the preſcribed + diſtance; but, almoſt as ſoon as they were arrived, and had + been at the expence of ſettling themſelves, they were arreſted + as ſtrangers,* and conducted to priſon. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * I have before, I believe, noticed that the term eſtranger at thiſ + time did not excluſively apply to foreigners, but to ſuch as + had come from one town to another, who were at inns or on a viſit + to their friends. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + It will not be improper to notice here the conduct of the government + towards the towns that have been beſieged. Thionville,* to whoſe + gallant defence in 1792 France owed the retreat of the Pruſſians + and the ſafety of Paris, was afterwards continually reproached with + ariſtocracy; and when the inhabitants ſent a deputation to + ſolicit an indemnity for the damage the town had ſuſtained + during the bombardment a member of the Convention threatened them from the + tribune with "indemnities a coup de baton!" that is, in our vernacular + tongue, with a good thraſhing. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Wimpſen, who commanded there, and whoſe conduct at the time + waſ enthuſiaſtically admired, was driven, moſt + probably by the ingratitude and ill treatment of the Convention, to head + a party of the Foederaliſts.—Theſe legiſlators + perpetually boaſt of imitating and ſurpaſſing the + Romans, and it is certain, that their ingratitude has made more than one + Coriolanus. The difference is, that they are not jealous for the liberty + of the country, but for their own perſonal ſafety. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The inhabitants of Liſle, who had been equally ſerviceable in + ſtopping the progreſs of the Auſtrians, for a long time + petitioned without effect to obtain the ſums already voted for their + relief. The nobleſſe, and others from thence who have been arreſted, + as ſoon as it was known that they were Lillois, were treated with + peculiar rigour;* and an <i>armee revolutionnaire,</i>** with the + Guillotine for a ſtandard, has lately harraſſed the town + and environs of Liſle, as though it were a conquered country. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The Commandant of Liſle, on his arrival at the Bicetre, waſ + ſtripped of a conſiderable ſum of money, and a quantity + of plate he had unluckily brought with him by way of ſecurity. Out + of this he is to be ſupplied with fifty livres at a time in paper, + which, according to the exchange and the price of every thing, is, I + ſuppoſe, about half a guinea. ** The armee revolutionnaire was + firſt raiſed by order of the Jacobins, for the purpoſe of + ſearching the countries for proviſions, and conducting them to + Paris. Under this pretext, a levy was made of all the moſt deſperate + ruffians that could be collected together. They were divided into + companies, each with its attendant Guillotine, and then diſtributed + in the different departments: they had extraordinary pay, and ſeem + to have been ſubject to no diſcipline. Many of them were diſtinguiſhed + by the repreſentation of a Guillotine in miniature, and a head juſt + ſevered, on their cartouch-boxes. It would be impoſſible + to deſcribe half the enormities committed by theſe banditti: + wherever they went they were regarded as a ſcourge, and every heart + ſhrunk at their approach. Lecointre, of Verſailles, a member + of the Convention, complained that a band of theſe wretches entered + the houſe of a farmer, one of his tenants, by night, and, after + binding the family hand and foot, and helping themſelves to + whatever they could find, they placed the farmer with his bare feet on + the chaffing-diſh of hot aſhes, by way of forcing him to diſcover + where he had ſecreted his plate and money, which having ſecured, + they ſet all the veſſels of liquor running, and then + retired. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + You are not to ſuppoſe this a robbery, and the actors common + thieves; all was in the uſual form—"au nom de la loi," and for + the ſervice of the republic; and I do not mention this inſtance + as remarkable, otherwiſe than as having been noticed in the + Convention. A thouſand events of thiſ kind, even ſtill more + atrocious, have happened; but the ſufferers who had not the means of + defence as well as of complaint, were obliged, through policy, to be + ſilent. + </p> + <p> + —The garriſon and national guard, indignant at the horrors they + committed, obliged them to decamp. Even the people of Dunkirk, whoſe + reſiſtance to the Engliſh, while the French army was + collecting together for their relief, was perhaps of more conſequence + than ten victories, have been ſince intimidated with Commiſſioners, + and Tribunals, and Guillotines, as much as if they had been convicted of + ſelling the town. In ſhort, under this philanthropic republic, + perſecution ſeems to be very exactly proportioned to the ſervices + rendered. A jealous and ſuſpiciouſ government does not + forget, that the ſame energy of character which haſ enabled a + people to defend themſelves againſt an external enemy, may alſo + make them leſs ſubmiſſive to domeſtic oppreſſion; + and, far from repaying them with the gratitude to which they have a claim, + it treats them, on all occaſions, as opponents, whom it both fears + and hates. + </p> + <p> + Nov. 22. We have been walking in the yard to-day with General Laveneur, + who, for an act which in any other country would have gained him credit, + is in this ſuſpended from his command.—When Cuſtine, + a few weeks before his death, left the army to viſit ſome of the + neighbouring towns, the command devolved on Laveneur, who received, along + with other official papers, a liſt of counterſigns, which, + having probably been made ſome time, and not altered conformably to + the changes of the day, contained, among others, the words Condorcet—Conſtitution; + and theſe were in their turn given out. On Cuſtine's trial, this + was made a part of hiſ accuſation. Laveneur, recollecting that + the circumſtance had happened in the abſence of Cuſtine, + thought it incumbent on him to take the blame, if there were any, on himſelf, + and wrote to Paris to explain the matter aſ it really ſtood; but + his candour, without availing Cuſtine, drew perſecution on himſelf, + and the only notice taken of his letter was an order to arreſt him. + After being dragged from one town to another, like a criminal, and often + lodged in dungeons and common priſons, he was at length depoſited + here. + </p> + <p> + I know not if the General's principles are republican, but he has a very + democratic pair of whiſkers, which he occaſionally ſtrokes, + and ſeems to cheriſh with much affection. He is, however, a + gentleman-like man, and expreſſes ſuch anxiety for the fate + of his wife and children, who are now at Paris, that one cannot but be + intereſted in his favour.—As the agentſ of the republic + never err on the ſide of omiſſion, they arreſted Mons. + Laveneur's aid-de-camp with him; and another officer of his acquaintance, + who was ſuſpended, and living at Amiens, has ſhared the + ſame fate, only for endeavouring to procure him a trifling + accommodation. This gentleman called on Dumont, to beg that General + Laveneur's ſervant might be permitted to go in and out of the priſon + on his maſter's errands. After breakfaſting together, and converſing + on very civil terms, Dumont told him, that as he concerned himſelf + ſo much in behalf of his friend, he would ſend him to keep the + latter company, and at the concluſion of hiſ viſit he was + ſent priſoner to the Bicetre. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps the greater part of between three and four hundred thouſand + people, now impriſoned on ſuſpicion, have been arreſted + for reaſons aſ little ſubſtantial. + </p> + <p> + —I begin to fear my health will not reſiſt the hardſhip + of a long continuance here. We have no fire-place, and are ſometimes + ſtarved with partial winds from the doors and roof; at others faint + and heartſick with the unhealthy air produced by ſo many living + bodies. The water we drink is not preferable to the air we breathe; the + bread (which is now every where ſcarce and bad) contains ſuch a + mixture of barley, rye, damaged wheat, and traſh of all kinds, that, + far from being nouriſhed by it, I loſe both my ſtrength and + appetite daily.—Yet theſe are not the worſt of our ſufferings. + Shut out from all ſociety, victims of a deſpotic and + unprincipled government capable of every thing, and ignorant of the fate + which may await us, we are occaſionally oppreſſed by a thouſand + melancholy apprehenſions. I might, indeed, have boaſted of my + fortitude, and have made myſelf an heroine on paper at as ſmall + an expence of words as it has coſt me to record my cowardice: but I + am of an unlucky conformation, and think either too much or too little (I + know not which) for a female philoſopher; beſides, philoſophy + is getting into ſuch ill repute, that not poſſeſſing + the reality, the name of it is not worth aſſuming. + </p> + <p> + A poor old prieſt told me juſt now, (while Angelique was mending + hiſ black coat with white thread,) that they had left at the place + where they were laſt confined a large quantity of linen, and other + neceſſaries; but, by the expreſs orders of Dumont, they + were not allowed to bring a ſingle article away with them. The + keeper, too, it ſeems, was threatened with diſmiſſion, + for ſupplying one of them with a ſhirt.—In England, where, + I believe, you ally political expediency as much as you can with juſtice + and humanity, theſe cruelties, at once little and refined, will + appear incredible; and the French themſelves, who are at leaſt aſhamed + of, if they are not pained by, them, are obliged to ſeek refuge in + the fancied palliative of a "ſtate of revolution."—Yet, + admitting the neceſſity of confining the perſons of theſe + old men, there can be none for heaping them together in filth and miſery, + and adding to the ſufferings of yearſ and infirmity by thoſe + of cold and want. If, indeed, a ſtate of revolution require ſuch + deeds, and imply an apology for them, I cannot but wiſh the French + had remained as they were, for I know of no political changes that can + compenſate for turning a civilized nation into a people of ſavages. + It is not ſurely the eating acorns or ragouts, a well-powdered head, + or one decorated with red feathers, that conſtituteſ the + difference between barbariſm and civilization; and, I fear, if the + French proceed as they have begun, the advantage of morals will be conſiderably + on the ſide of the unrefined ſavages. + </p> + <p> + The converſation of the priſon has been much engaged by the fate + of an Engliſh gentleman, who lately deſtroyed himſelf in a + Maiſon d'Arret at Amiens. His confinement had at firſt deeply + affected his ſpirits, and his melancholy increaſing at the proſpect + of a long detention, terminated in deranging his mind, and occaſioned + this laſt act of deſpair.—I never hear of ſuicide + without a compaſſion mingled with terror, for, perhaps, ſimple + pity is too light an emotion to be excited by an event which reminds us, + that we are ſuſceptible of a degree of miſery too great to + be borne—too ſtrong for the efforts of inſtinct, + reflection, and religion. —I could moralize on the neceſſity + of habitual patience, and the benefit of preparing the mind for great + evils by a philoſophic endurance of little ones; but I am at the + Bicetre—the winds whiſtle round me—I am beſet by + petty diſtreſſes, and we do not expatiate to advantage on + endurance while we have any thing to endure.—Seneca's contempt for + the things of this world was doubtleſs ſuggeſted in the + palace of Nero. He would not have treated the ſubject ſo well in + diſgrace and poverty. Do not ſuppoſe I am affecting to be + pleaſant, for I write in the ſober ſadneſs of + conviction, that human fortitude is often no better than a pompous theory, + founded on ſelf-love and ſelf-deception. + </p> + <p> + I was ſurprized at meeting among our fellow-priſoners a number + of Dutch officers. I find they had been ſome time in the town on + their parole, and were ſent here by Dumont, for refuſing to + permit their men to work on the fortifications.—The French + government and its agents deſpiſe the laws of war hitherto obſerved; + they conſider them as a ſort of ariſtocratie militaire, and + they pretend, on the ſame principle, to be enfranchiſed from the + law of nations.—An orator of the convention lately boaſted, + that he felt himſelf infinitely ſuperior to the prejudices of + Grotius, Puffendorff, and Vatel, which he calls "l'ariſtocratie + diplomatique."—Such ſublime ſpirits think, becauſe + they differ from the reſt of mankind, that they ſurpaſs + them. Like Icarus, they attempt to fly, and are perpetually ſtruggling + in the mire.—Plain common ſenſe haſ long pointed out + a rule of action, from which all deviation is fatal, both to nations and + individuals. England, as well as France, haſ furniſhed its + examples; and the annals of genius in all countries are replete with the + miſeries of eccentricity.—Whoever has followed the courſe + of the French revolution, will, I believe, be convinced, that the greateſt + evils attending on it have been occaſioned by an affected contempt + for received maxims. A common banditti, acting only from the deſire + of plunder, or men, erring only through ignorance, could not have ſubjugated + an whole people, had they not been aſſiſted by + narrow-minded philoſophers, who were eager to ſacrifice their + country to the vanity of making experiments, and were little ſolicitous + whether their ſyſtems were good or bad, provided they were + celebrated as the authors of them. Yet, where are they now? Wandering, proſcribed, + and trembling at the fate of their followers and accomplices.—The + Briſſotins, ſacrificed by a party even worſe than themſelves, + have died without exciting either pity or admiration. Their fall was conſidered + as the natural conſequence of their exaltation, and the courage with + which they met death obtained no tribute but a cold and ſimple + comment, undiſtinguiſhed from the news of the day, and ending + with it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_39" id="link3_4_39"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + December. + </h2> + <p> + Laſt night, after we had been aſleep about an hour, (for habit, + that "lulls the wet ſea-boy on the high and giddy maſt," has + reconciled us to ſleep even here,) we were alarmed by the trampling + of feet, and ſudden unlocking of our door. Our apprehenſions + gave us no time for conjecture —in a moment an ill-looking fellow + entered the room with a lantern, two ſoldiers holding drawn ſwords, + and a large dog! The whole company walked as it were proceſſionally + to the end of the apartment, and, after obſerving in ſilence the + beds on each ſide, left us. It would not be eaſy to deſcribe + what we ſuffered at this moment: for my own part, I thought only of + the maſſacres of September, and the frequent propoſals at + the Jacobins and the Convention for diſpatching the <i>"gens ſuſpect,"</i> + and really concluded I was going to terminate my exiſtence <i>"revolutionnairement."</i> + I do not now know the purport of theſe viſits, but I find they + are not unuſual, and moſt probably intended to alarm the priſoners. + </p> + <p> + After many enquiries and meſſages, I have had the mortification + of hearing that Mr. and Mrs. D____ were taken to Arras, and were there + even before I left it. The letters ſent to and from the different priſons + are read by ſo many people, and paſs through ſo many hands, + that it is not ſurprizing we have not heard from each other. As far + as I can learn, they had obtained leave, after their firſt arreſt, + to remove to a houſe in the vicinity of Dourlens for a few days, on + account of Mrs. D____'ſ health, which had ſuffered by paſſing + the ſummer in the town, and that at the taking of Toulon they were + again arreſted while on a viſit, and conveyed to a <i>Maiſon + d'Arret</i> at Arras. I am the more anxious for them, as it ſeems + they were unprepared for ſuch an event; and as the ſeals were + put upon their effects, I fear they muſt be in want of every thing. I + might, perhaps, have ſucceeded in getting them removed here, but + Fleury'ſ Arras friend, it ſeems, did not think, when the + Convention had aboliſhed every other part of Chriſtianity, that + they intended ſtill to exact a partial obſervance of the eighth + article of the decalogue; and having, in the ſenſe of Antient Piſtol, + "conveyed" a little too notoriouſly, Le Bon has, by way of ſecuring + him from notice or purſuit, ſent him to the frontiers in the + capacity of Commiſſary. + </p> + <p> + The priſon, conſidering how many French inhabitants it contains, + iſ tolerably quiet—to ſay the truth, we are not very + ſociable, and ſtill leſs gay. Common intereſt eſtabliſhes + a ſort of intimacy between thoſe of the ſame apartment; but + the reſt of the houſe paſs each other, without farther + intercourſe than ſilent though ſignificant civility. + Sometimeſ you ſee a pair of unfortunate ariſtocrates + talking politics at the end of a paſſage, or on a landing-place; + and here and there a bevy of females, en deſhabille, recounting + altogether the ſubject of their arreſt. One'ſ ear occaſionally + catches a few half-ſuppreſſed notes of a proſcribed + aire, but the unhallowed ſounds of the Carmagnole and Marſeillois + are never heard, and would be thought more diſſonant here than + the war-whoop. In fact, the only appearance of gaiety is among the ideots + and lunatics. —<i>"Je m'ennuye furieuſement,"</i> is the + general exclamation.—An Engliſhman confined at the Bicetre + would expreſs himſelf more forcibly, but, it iſ certain, + the want of knowing how to employ themſelves does not form a ſmall + part of the diſtreſſes of our fellow-priſoners; and + when they tell us they are <i>"ennuyes,"</i> they ſay, perhaps, + nearly as much as they feel— for, as far as I can obſerve, the + loſs of liberty has not the ſame effect on a Frenchman as an + Engliſhman. Whether this ariſes from political cauſes, or + the natural indifference of the French character, I am not qualified to + determine; probably from both: yet when I obſerve thiſ facility + of mind general, and by no means peculiar to the higher claſſes, + I cannot myſelf but be of opinion, that it is more an effect of their + original diſpoſition than of their form of government; for + though in England we were accuſtomed from our childhood to conſider + every man in France as liable to wake and find himſelf in the Baſtille, + or at Mont St. Michel, this formidable deſpotiſm exiſted + more in theory than in practice; and if courtiers and men of letters were + intimidated by it, the maſs of the people troubled themſelves + very little about Lettres de Cachet. The revenge or ſuſpicion of + Miniſters might ſometimes purſue thoſe who aimed at + their power, or aſſailed their reputation; but the leſſer + gentry, the merchants, or the ſhopkeepers, were very ſeldom + victims of arbitrary impriſonment—and I believe, amongſt + the evils which it was the object of the revolution to redreſs, this + (except on the principle) was far from being of the firſt magnitude. + I am not likely, under my preſent circumſtances, to be an + advocate for the deſpotiſm of any form of government; and I only + give it as a matter of opinion, that the civil liberty of the French was + not ſo often and generally violated,* as to influence their character + in ſuch a degree as to render them inſenſible of its loſs. + At any rate, we muſt rank it among the <i>bizarrerieſ</i> + [Unaccountable whimſical events.] of this world, that the French + ſhould have been prepared, by the theory of oppreſſion + under their old ſyſtem, for enduring the practice of it under + the new one; and that what during the monarchy was only poſſible + to a few, is, under the republic, almoſt certain to all. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * I remember in 1789, after the deſtruction of the Baſtille, + our compaſſionate countrymen were taught to believe that this + tremendouſ priſon was peopled with victims, and that even the + dungeons were inhabited; yet the truth is, though it would not have told + ſo pathetically, or have produced ſo much theatrical effect, + there were only ſeven perſons confined in the whole building, + and certainly not one in the dungeons. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_40" id="link3_4_40"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, Providence, Dec. 10, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + We have again, as you will perceive, changed our abode, and that too + without expecting, and almoſt without deſiring it. In my moments + of ſullenneſs and deſpondency, I was not very ſolicitous + about the modifications of our confinement, and little diſpoſed + to be better ſatiſfied with one priſon than another: but, + heroics apart, external comforts are of ſome importance, and we have, + in many reſpects, gained by our removal. + </p> + <p> + Our preſent habitation is a ſpacious building, lately a convent, + and though now crouded with more priſoners by two or three hundred + than it will hold conveniently, yet we are better lodged than at the + Bicetre, and we have alſo a large garden, good water, and, what above + all iſ deſirable, the liberty of delivering our letters or meſſages + ourſelveſ (in preſence of the guard) to any one who will + venture to approach us. Mad. de ____ and myſelf have a ſmall + cell, where we have juſt room to place our beds, but we have no + fire-place, and the maids are obliged to ſleep in an adjoining paſſage. + </p> + <p> + A few evenings ago, while we were at the Bicetre, we were ſuddenly + informed by the keeper that Dumont had ſent ſome ſoldiers + with an order to convey us that night to the Providence. We were at firſt + rather ſurprized than pleaſed, and reluctantly gathered our + baggage together with as much expedition as we could, while the men who + were to eſcort uſ were exclaiming "a la Francaiſe" at the + trifling delay this occaſioned. When we had paſſed the + gate, we found Fleury, with ſome porters, ready to receive our beds, + and overjoyed at having procured us a more decent priſon, for, it + ſeems, he could by no means reconcile himſelf to the name of + Bicetre. We had about half a mile to walk, and on the road he contrived to + acquaint us with the means by which he had ſolicited thiſ favour + of Dumont. After adviſing with all Mad. de ____'s friends who were + yet at liberty, and finding no one willing to make an effort in her + behalf, for fear of involving themſelves, he diſcovered an old + acquaintance in the "femme de chambre" of one of Fleury's miſtreſſes.— + This, for one of Fleury's ſagacity, was a ſpring to have ſet + the whole Convention in a ferment; and in a few days he profited ſo + well by thiſ female patronage, as to obtain an order for tranſferring + us hither. On our arrival, we were informed, as uſual, that the houſe + was already full, and that there was no poſſibility of admitting + us. We however, ſet up all night in the keeper's room with ſome + other people newly arrived like ourſelves, and in the morning, after + a little diſputing and a pretty general derangement of the more + ancient inhabitants, we were "nichees," as I have deſcribed to you. + </p> + <p> + We have not yet quitted our room much, but I obſerve that every one + appears more chearful, and more ſtudied in their toilette, than at + the Bicetre, and I am willing to infer from thence that confinement here iſ + leſs inſupportable.—I have been employed two days in + enlarging the noteſ I had made in our laſt priſon, and in + making them more legible, for I ventured no farther than juſt to + ſcribble with a pencil in a kind of ſhort-hand of my own + invention, and not even that without a variety of precautions. I ſhall + be here leſs liable either to ſurprize or obſervation, and + as ſoon as I have ſecured what I have already noted, (which I + intend to do to-night,) I ſhall continue my remarks in the uſual + form. You will find even more than my cuſtomary incorrectneſs + and want of method ſince we left Peronne; but I ſhall not allow + your competency aſ a critic, until you have been a priſoner in + the hands of French republicans. + </p> + <p> + It will not be improper to notice to you a very ingenious decree of Gaſton, + (a member of the Convention,) who lately propoſed to embark all the + Engliſh now in France at Breſt, and then to ſink the ſhips.—Perhapſ + the Committee of Public Welfare are now in a ſort of benevolent + indeciſion, whether this, or Collot d'Herboiſ' gunpowder ſcheme, + ſhall have the preference. Legendre's iron cage and ſimple + hanging will, doubtleſs, be rejected, as too ſlow and formal. + The mode of the day iſ "les grandes meſures." If I be not ſeriouſly + alarmed at theſe propoſitions, it is not that life is + indifferent to me, or that I think the government too humane to adopt + them. My tranquillity ariſes from reflecting that ſuch meaſures + would be of no political uſe, and that we ſhall moſt likely + be ſoon forgotten in the multitude of more important concerns. Thoſe, + however, whom I endeavour to conſole by this reaſoning, tell me + it is nothing leſs than infallible, that the inutility of a crime is + here no ſecurity againſt its perpetration, and that any project + which tends to evil will ſooner be remembered than one of humanity or + juſtice. + </p> + <p> + [End of Vol. I. The Printed Books] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_41" id="link3_4_41"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + [Beginning of Volume II. Of The Printed Books] + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link3_4_42" id="link3_4_42"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Providence, Dec. 20, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + "All places that are viſited by the eye of Heaven, are to the wiſe + man happy havens." If Shakſpeare's philoſophy be orthodox, the + French have, it muſt be confeſſed, many claims to the + reputation of a wiſe people; and though you know I always diſputed + their pretenſions to general gaiety, yet I acknowledge that miſfortune + does not deprive them of the ſhare they poſſeſs, and, + if one may judge by appearances, they have at leaſt the habit, more + than any other nation, of finding content under ſituationſ with + which it ſhould ſeem incompatible. We are here between ſix + and ſeven hundred, of all ages and of all ranks, taken from our + homes, and from all that uſually makes the comfort of life, and + crowded together under many of the inflictions that conſtitute its miſery; + yet, in the midſt of all this, we fiddle, dreſs, rhyme, and viſit + as ceremoniouſly aſ though we had nothing to diſturb us. + Our beaux, after being correctly frizz'd and powdered behind ſome + door, compliment the belle juſt eſcaped from a toilet, performed + amidſt the apparatus of the kitchen; three or four beds are piled one + upon another to make room for as many card-tables; and the wits of the priſon, + who are all the morning employed in writing doleful placets to obtain + their liberty, in the evening celebrate the loſs of it in bout-rimees + and acroſtics. + </p> + <p> + I ſaw an aſs at the <i>Corps de Garde</i> this morning laden + with violins and muſic, and a female priſoner ſeldom + arrives without her complement of bandboxes.—Embarraſſed, + ſtifled as we are by our numbers, it does not prevent a daily + importation of lap-dogs, who form as conſequential a part of the + community in a priſon, as in the moſt ſuperb hotel. The + faithful valet, who has followed the fortunes of his maſter, does not + ſo much ſhare his diſtreſſes as contribute to his + pleaſure by adorning hiſ perſon, or, rather, his head, for, + excepting the article of hair-dreſſing, the beaux here are not + elaborate. In ſhort, there is an indifference, a frivolity, in the + French character, which, in circumſtances like the preſent, + appears unaccountable. But man is not always conſiſtent with himſelf, + and there are occaſions in which the French are nothing leſs + than philoſophers. Under all theſe externals of levity, they are + a very prudent people, and though they ſeem to bear with infinite + fortitude many of the evils of life, there are ſome in which their + ſenſibility is not to be queſtioned. At the death of a + relation, or the loſs of liberty, I have obſerved that a few + hourſ ſuffice, <i>pour prendre ſon parti;</i> [To make up + his mind.] but on any occaſion where his fortune has ſuffered, + the livelieſt Frenchman is <i>au deſeſpoir</i> for whole + days. Whenever any thing is to be loſt or gained, all his characteriſtic + indifference vaniſhes, and his attention becomeſ mentally + concentrated, without diſſipating the habitual ſmile of hiſ + countenance. He may ſometimes be deceived through deficiency of + judgment, but I believe not often by unguardedneſs; and, in a matter + of intereſt, a <i>petit maitre</i> of five-and-twenty might <i>tout + en badinage</i> [All in the way of pleaſantry.] maintain his ground + againſt a whole ſynagogue.—This diſpoſition is + not remarkable only in affairs that may be ſuppoſed to require + it, but extends to the minuteſt objects; and the ſame oeconomy + which watches over the maſs of a Frenchman's eſtate, guards with + equal ſolicitude the menu property of a log of wood, or a hen's neſt. + </p> + <p> + There is at this moment a general ſcarcity of proviſions, and we + who are confined are, of courſe, particularly inconvenienced by it; + we do not even get bread that is eatable, and it is curious to obſerve + with what circumſpection every one talks of his reſources. The + poſſeſſor of a few eggs takes care not to expoſe + them to the eye of his neighbour; and a ſlice of white bread is a + donation of ſo much conſequence, that thoſe who procure any + for themſelves do not often put their friends to the pain either of + accepting or refuſing it. + </p> + <p> + Mad. de ____ has been unwell for ſome days, and I could not help + giving a hint to a relation of her's whom we found here, and who has + frequent ſupplies of bread from the country, that the bread we eat + was peculiarly inimical to her; but I gained only a look of repulſive + apprehenſion, and a cold remark that it was very difficult to get + good bread—<i>"et que c'etoit bien malheureux."</i> [And that it + certainly was very unfortunate.] I own this kind of ſelfiſhneſs + is increaſed by a ſituation where our wants are numerous, and + our enjoyments few; and the great diſtinctions of meum and tuum, + which at all times have occaſioned ſo much bad fellowſhip + in the world, are here perhaps more rigidly obſerved than any where + elſe; yet, in my opinion, a cloſe-hearted conſideration has + always formed an eſſential and a predominant quality in the + French character. + </p> + <p> + People here do not ruin themſelves, as with us, by hoſpitality; + and examples of that thoughtleſs profuſion which we cenſure + and regret, without being able entirely to condemn, are very rare indeed. + In France it is not uncommon to ſee a man apparently diſſipated + in his conduct, and licentious in his morals, yet regular, even to parſimony, + in hiſ pecuniary concerns.—He oeconomizes with his vices, and + indulges in all the exceſſes of faſhionable life, with the + ſame ſyſtem of order that accumulates the fortune of a + Dutch miſer. Lord Cheſterfield waſ doubtleſs ſatiſfied, + that while his ſon remained in France, his preceptſ would have + all the benefit of living illuſtration; yet it is not certain that + this cautious and reflecting licentiouſneſs has any merit over + the more imprudent irregularity of an Engliſh ſpendthrift: the + one is, however, likely to be more durable than the other; and, in fact, + the character of an old libertine is more frequent in France than in + England. + </p> + <p> + If oeconomy preſide even over the vices of the rich and faſhionable, + you may conclude that the habits of the middling ranks of people of ſmall + fortunes are ſtill more ſcrupulouſly ſubjected to its + influence. A French <i>menage</i> [Houſehold.] is a practical treatiſe + on the art of ſaving—a ſpirit of oeconomy pervades and + directs every part of it, and that ſo uniformly, ſo generally, + and ſo conſiſtently, as not to make the ſame impreſſion + on a ſtranger as would a ſingle inſtance where the whole + was not conducted on the ſame principle. A traveller is not ſo + forcibly ſtricken by this part of the French character, becauſe + it is more real than apparent, and does not ſeem the effect of reaſoning + or effort, which is never conſequential, but rather that of + inclination and the natural courſe of things. + </p> + <p> + A degree of parſimony, which an Engliſhman, who does not affect + the reputation of a Codrus, could not acquire without many ſelf-combats, + appears in a Frenchman a matter of preference and convenience, and till + one has lived long and familiarly in the country, one is apt to miſtake + principles for cuſtoms, and character for manners, and to attribute + many things to local which have their real ſource in moral cauſes.—The + traveller who ſees nothing but gay furniture, and gay clothes, and + partakes on invitation of ſplendid repaſts, returns to England + the enamoured panegyriſt of French hoſpitality.—On a + longer reſidence and more domeſtic intercourſe, all this is + diſcoverable to be merely the ſacrifice of parſimony to + vanity—the ſolid comforts of life are unknown, and hoſpitality + ſeldom extends beyond an occaſional and oſtentatiouſ + reception. The gilding, painting, glaſſes, and ſilk + hangings of a French apartment, are only a gay diſguiſe; and a + houſe, which to the eye may be attractive even to ſplendour, + often has not one room that an Engliſhman would find tolerably + convenient. Every thing intended for uſe rather than ſhew is + ſcanty and ſordid—all is <i>beau, magnifique, gentil,</i> + or <i>ſuperb,</i> [Fine magnificent, genteel, or ſuperb.] and + nothing comfortable. The French have not the word, or its ſynonime, + in their language. + </p> + <p> + In France, clothes are almoſt as durable as furniture, and the gaiety + which twenty or thirty years ago we were complaiſant enough to admire + iſ far from being expenſive. People are not more than five or + ſix hours a day in their gala habits, and the whole of this period is + judiciouſly choſen between the hours of repaſt, ſo + that no riſk in incurred by accidents at table. Then the caprices of + faſhion, which in England are ſo various and deſpotic, have + here a more limited influence: the form of a dreſs changes as long as + the material is convertible, and when it haſ outlaſted the poſſibility + of adaptation to a reigning mode, it is not on that account rejected, but + is generally worn in ſome way or other till baniſhed by the more + rational motive of its decay. All the expences of tea-viſits, breakfaſt-loungings, + and chance-dinners, are avoided—an evening viſit is paſſed + entirely at cards, a breakfaſt in form even for the family is unuſual, + and there are very few houſes where you could dine without being + previouſly engaged. I am, indeed, certain, that (unleſs in large + eſtabliſhments) the calculation for diurnal ſupply is + ſo exact, that the intruſion of a ſtranger would be felt by + the whole family. I muſt, however, do them the juſtice to ſay, + that on ſuch occaſions, and where they find the thing to be + inevitable, they put the beſt face poſſible on it, and the + gueſt is entertained, if not plentifully, and with a very ſincere + welcome, at leaſt with ſmiles and compliments. The French, + indeed, allow, that they live leſs hoſpitably than the Engliſh: + but then they ſay they are not ſo rich; and it is true, property + is not ſo general, nor ſo much diffuſed, as with us. This + is, however, only relative, and you will not ſuſpect me of being + ſo uncandid as to make compariſons without allowing for every + difference which is the effect of neceſſity. All my remarks of + this kind are made after an unprejudiced compariſon of the people of + the ſame rank or fortune in the two countries;—yet even the moſt + liberal examination muſt end by concluding, that the oeconomy of the + French too nearly approaches to meanneſs, and that their civility is + oſtentatious, perhaps often either intereſted, or even verbal. + </p> + <p> + You already exclaim, why, in the year 1793, you are characterizing a + nation in the ſtyle of Salmon! and implying a panegyric on the moral + of the School for Scandal! I plead to the firſt part of the charge, + and ſhall hereafter defend my opinion againſt the more poliſhed + writers who have ſucceeded Salmon. For the moral of the School for + Scandal, I have always conſidered it as the ſeal of humanity on + a comedy which would otherwiſe be perfection. + </p> + <p> + It is not the oeconomy of the French that I am cenſuring, but their + vanity, which, engroſſing all their means of expence, prefers + ſhow to accommodation, and the parade of a ſumptuous repaſt + three or four times a year to a plainer but more frequent hoſpitality.—I + am far from being the advocate of extravagance, or the enemy of domeſtic + order; and the liberality which is circumſcribed only by prudence + ſhall not find in me a cenſurer. + </p> + <p> + My ideas on the French character and manner of living may not be unuſeful + to ſuch of my countrymen as come to France with the project of + retrieving their affairs; for it is very neceſſary they ſhould + be informed, that it is not ſo much the difference in the price of + things, which makes a reſidence here oeconomical, as a conformity to + the habits of the country; and if they were not deterred by a falſe + ſhame from a temporary adoption of the ſame ſyſtem in + England, their object might often be obtained without leaving it. For this + reaſon it may be remarked, that the Engliſh who bring Engliſh + ſervants, and perſiſt in their Engliſh mode of living, + do not often derive very ſolid advantages from their exile, and their + abode in France is rather a retreat from their creditors than the meanſ + of paying their debts. + </p> + <p> + Adieu.—You will not be ſorry that I have been able for a moment + to forget our perſonal ſufferings, and the miſerable + politics of the country. The details of the former are not pleaſant, + and the latter grow every day more inexplicable. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + A RESIDENCE IN FRANCE,<br /> <br /> DURING THE YEARS<br /> <br /> 1792, 1793, + 1794, and 1795 + </h1> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + DESCRIBED IN A SERIES OF LETTERS<br /> FROM AN ENGLISH LADY;<br /> With + General And Incidental Remarkſ<br /> On The French Character And + Manners. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h4> + Prepared for the Preſſ<br /> By John Gifford, Eſq.<br /> + <br /> Second Edition.<br /> <br /> <i>Plus je vis l'Etranger plus j'aimai ma + Patrie.</i><br /> --Du Belloy.<br /> <br /> London: Printed for T. N. + Longman, Paternoſter Row. 1797. + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + 1794 + </h1> + <h2> + A RESIDENCE IN FRANCE + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contentſ + </h2> + <table> + <tr> + <td> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_2">January 6, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_3">January, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_4">Providence, Jan. 29.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_5">February 2, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_6">February 12, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_7">[No date given.]</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_8">March 1, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_9">March, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_10">March 5, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_11">March 17, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_12">Providence, April 15, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_13">April 22, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_14">April 30, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_15">June 3, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_16">June 11, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_17">Providence, Aug. 11, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_18">Auguſt 12.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_19">Providence, Aug. 13, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_20">Providence, Aug. 14, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_21">Providence, Aug. 15, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_22">Auguſt, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_23">[No Date Given]</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_24">Amiens, Sept. 30, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_25">Amiens, October 4, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_26">October 6, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_27">[No Date or Place Given.]</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_28">Amiens, Oct. 24, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_29">Amiens, Nov. 2, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_30">Baſſe-ville, Arras, Nov. 6, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_31">Amiens, Nov. 26, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_32">Amiens, Nov. 29, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_33">Amiens. [No date given.]</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_34">Amiens, Dec. 10, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_35">Amiens, Dec. 16, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_36">December 24, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p> + <a href="#link4_4_37">December 27, 1794.</a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_2" id="link4_4_2"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + January 6, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + If I had undertaken to follow the French revolution through all itſ + abſurdities and iniquities, my indolence would long ſince have + taken the alarm, and I ſhould have relinquiſhed a taſk + become too difficult and too laborious. Events are now too numerous and + too complicated to be deſcribed by occaſional remarks; and a + narrator of no more pretenſionſ than myſelf may be allowed + to ſhrink from an abundance of matter which will hereafter perplex + the choice and excite the wonder of the hiſtorian.—Removed from + the great ſcene of intrigues, we are little acquainted with them—we + begin to ſuffer almoſt before we begin to conjecture, and our + ſolicitude to examine cauſes is loſt in the rapidity with + which we feel their effects. + </p> + <p> + Amidſt the more miſchievous changes of a philoſophic + revolution, you will have learned from the newſpapers, that the + French have adopted a new aera and a new calendar, the one dating from the + foundation of their republic, and other deſcriptive of the climate of + Paris, and the productions of the French territory. I doubt, however, if + theſe new almanack-makers will create ſo much confuſion as + might be ſuppoſed, or as they may deſire, for I do not find + as yet that their ſyſtem has made its way beyond the public + offices, and the country people are particularly refractory, for they perſiſt + in holding their fairs, markets, &c. as uſual, without any regard + to the hallowed decade of their legiſlators. As it is to be preſumed + that the French do not wiſh to relinquiſh all commercial + intercourſe with other nations, they mean poſſibly to tack + the republican calendar to the rights of man, and ſend their armies + to propagate them together; otherwiſe the correſpondence of a + Frenchman will be as difficult to interpret with mercantile exactneſs + as the characters of the Chineſe. + </p> + <p> + The vanity of theſe philoſophers would, doubtleſs, be + gratified by forcing the reſt of Europe and the civilized world to + adopt their uſeleſſ and chimerical innovations, and they + might think it a triumph to ſee the inhabitant of the Hebrides date + <i>"Vendemiaire,"</i> [Alluding to the vintage.] or the parched Weſt-Indian + <i>"Nivoſe;"</i> but vanity is not on this, as it is on many other + occaſions, the leading principle.—It waſ hoped that a new + arrangement of the year, and a different nomenclature of the months, + ſo as to baniſh all the commemorations of Chriſtianity, + might prepare the way for aboliſhing religion itſelf, and, if it + were poſſible to impoſe the uſe of the new calendar + ſo far as to exclude the old one, this might certainly aſſiſt + their more ſerious atheiſtical operations; but as the ſucceſs + of ſuch an introduction might depend on the will of the people, and + is not within the competence of the bayonet, the old year will maintain + its ground, and theſe pedantic triflers find that they have laboured + to no more extenſive a purpoſe, than to furniſh a date to + the newſpapers, or to their own decrees, which no one will take the + pains to underſtand. + </p> + <p> + Mankind are in general more attached to cuſtoms than principles. The + uſeful deſpotiſm of Peter, which ſubdued ſo many + of the prejudices of hiſ countrymen, could not achieve the + curtailment of their beards; and you muſt not imagine that, with all + the endurance of the French, theſe continual attempts at innovation + paſs without murmurs: partial revoltſ happen very frequently; + but, as they are the ſpontaneous effect of perſonal ſuffering, + not of political manoeuvre, they are without concert or union, of courſe + eaſily quelled, and only ſerve to ſtrengthen the + government.—The people of Amiens have lately, in one of theſe + ſudden effuſions of diſcontent, burnt the tree of liberty, + and even the repreſentative, Dumont, has been menaced; but theſe + are only the blows of a coward who is alarmed at his own temerity, and + dreads the chaſtiſement of it.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The whole town of Bedouin, in the ſouth of France, was burnt purſuant + to a decree of the convention, to expiate the imprudence of ſome of + its inhabitants in having cut down a dead tree of liberty. Above ſixty + people were guillotined as accomplices, and their bodieſ thrown + into pits, dug by order of the repreſentative, Magnet, (then on miſſion,) + before their death. Theſe executions were ſucceeded by a + conflagration of all the houſes, and the impriſonment or diſperſion + of their poſſeſſors. It is likewiſe worthy of + remark, that many of theſe laſt were obliged, by expreſs + order of Maignet, to be ſpectators of the murder of their friends + and relations. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + This crime in the revolutionary code is of a very ſerious nature; and + however trifling it may appear to you, it depends only on the will of + Dumont to ſacrifice many lives on the occaſion. But Dumont, + though erected by circumſtances into a tyrant, is not ſanguinary—he + is by nature and education paſſionate and groſs, and in + other times might only have been a good natured Poliſſon. + Hitherto he has contented himſelf with alarming, and making people + tired of their lives, but I do not believe he has been the direct or + intentional cauſe of anyone's death. He has ſo often been the + hero of my adventures, that I mention him familiarly to you, without + reflecting, that though the delegate of more than monarchical power here, + he is too inſignificant of himſelf to be known in England. But + the hiſtory of Dumont is that of two-thirds of the Convention. He was + originally clerk to an attorney at Abbeville, and afterwards ſet up + for himſelf in a neighbouring village. His youth having been marked + by ſome digreſſions from the "'haviour of reputation," his + profeſſion was far from affording him a ſubſiſtence; + and the revolution, which ſeems to have called forth all that was + turbulent, unprincipled, or neceſſitous in the country, + naturally found a partizan in an attorney without practice.—At the + election of 1792, when the King's fall and the domination of the Jacobins + had ſpread ſo general a terror that no man of character could be + prevailed upon to be a candidate for a public ſituation, Dumont + availed himſelf of this timidity and ſupineneſs in thoſe + who ought to have become the repreſentatives of the people; and, by a + talent for intrigue, and a coarſe facility of phraſe-making, + (for he has no pretenſions to eloquence,) prevailed on the mob to + elect him. His local knowledge, active diſpoſition, and ſubſervient + induſtry, render him an uſeful kind of drudge to any prevailing + party, and, ſince the overthrow of the Briſſotines, he haſ + been entruſted with the government of this and ſome of the + neighbouring departments. He profeſſes himſelf a zealous + republican, and an apoſtle of the doctrine of univerſal + equality, yet unites in his perſon all the attributes of deſpotiſm, + and lives with more luxury and expence than moſt of the <i>ci-devant</i> + gentry. His former habitation at Oiſemont is not much better than a + good barn; but patriotiſm is more profitable here than in England, + and he has lately purchaſed a large manſion belonging to an + emigrant. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "Britain no longer pays her patriots with her ſpoils:" and perhapſ + it is matter of congratulation to a country, when the profeſſion + of patriotiſm is not lucrative. Many agreeable inferences may be + made from it—the ſentiment may have become too general for + reward, Miniſters too virtuous to fear, or even the people too + enlightened to be deceived. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —His mode of travelling, which uſed at beſt to be in the + <i>coche d'eau</i> [Paſſage-boat.] or the diligence, is now in a + coach and four, very frequently accompanied by a led horſe, and a + party of dragoons. I fear ſome of your patriots behold this with + envy, and it is not to be wondered at that they ſhould wiſh to + ſee a ſimilar revolution in England. What a ſeducing proſpect + for the aſſertors of liberty, to have the power of impriſoning + and guillotining all their countrymen! What halcyon days, when the ariſtocratic + palaceſ* ſhall be purified by ſolacing the fatigueſ of + republican virtue, and the levellers of all diſtinction travel with + four horſes and a military eſcort!—But, as Robeſpierre + obſerves, you are two centuries behind the French in patriotiſm + and information; and I doubt if Engliſh republicaniſm will ever + go beyond a dinner, and toaſting the manes of Hampden and Sydney. I + would, therefore, ſeriouſly adviſe any of my compatriots + who may be enamoured of a government founded on the rights of man, to quit + an ungrateful country which ſeems ſo little diſpoſed + to reward their labours, and enjoy the ſupreme delight of men a + ſyſteme, that of ſeeing their theories in action. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Many of the emigrantſ' houſes were bought by members of the + Convention, or people in office. At Paris, crouds of inferior clerks, + who could not purchaſe, found means to get lodged in the moſt + ſuperb national edifices: Monceaux was the villa of Robeſpierre—St. + Juſt occaſionally amuſed himſelf at Raincy—Couthon + ſucceed the Comte d'Artois at Bagatelle-and Vliatte, a juryman of + the Revolutionary Tribunal, was lodged at the pavillion of Flora, in the + Tuilleries, which he ſeems to have occupied as a ſort of + Maitre d'Hotel to the Comite de Salut Public. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <i>A propoſ</i>—a decree of the Convention has lately paſſed + to ſecure the perſon of Mr. Thomas Paine, and place ſeals + on his papers. I hope, however, as he has been inſtalled in all the + rights of a French citizen, in addition to his repreſentative + inviolability, that nothing more than a temporary retreat is intended for + him. Perhaps even his perſonal ſufferings may prove a benefit to + mankind. He may, like Raleigh, "in hiſ priſon hours enrich the + world," and add new proſelytes to the cauſe of freedom. Beſides, + human evils are often only bleſſings in a queſtionable form—Mr. + Paine's perſecutions in England made him a legiſlator in France. + Who knows but his perſecutions in France may lead to ſome new + advancement, or at leaſt add another line to the already crouded + title-pages that announce his literary and political diſtinctionſ! + </p> + <p> + —Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_3" id="link4_4_3"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + January, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The total ſuppreſſion of all religious worſhip in this + country is an event of too ſingular and important a nature not to + have been commented upon largely by the Engliſh papers; but, though I + have little new to add on the ſubject, my own reflections have been + too much occupied in conſequence for me to paſs it over in + ſilence. + </p> + <p> + I am yet in the firſt emotions of wonder: the vaſt edifice which + had been raiſed by the blended efforts of religion and ſuperſtition, + which had been conſecrated by time, endeared by national taſte, + and become neceſſary by habit, has now diſappeared, and + ſcarcely left a veſtige of its ruins. To thoſe who revert + only to the genius of the Catholic religion, and to former periods of the + hiſtory of France, this event muſt ſeem incredible; and + nothing but conſtant opportunities of marking itſ gradual + approach can reconcile it to probability. The pious chriſtian and the + inſidious philoſopher have equally contributed to the general + effect, though with very different intentions: the one, conſulting + only his reaſon, wiſhed to eſtabliſh a pure and ſimple + mode of worſhip, which, diveſted of the allurements of ſplendid + proceſſions and impoſing ceremonies, ſhould teach the + people their duty, without captivating their ſenſes; the other, + better acquainted with French character, knew how little theſe views + were compatible with it, and hoped, under the ſpeciouſ pretext + of baniſhing the too numerous ornaments of the Catholic practice, to + ſhake the foundations of Chriſtianity itſelf. Thus united + in their efforts, though diſſimilar in their motives, all + parties were eager at the beginning of the revolution for a reform in the + Church: the wealth of the Clergy, the monaſtic eſtabliſhments, + the ſupernumerary ſaints, were devoted and attacked without + pity, and without regret; and, in the zeal and hurry of innovation, the + deciſive meaſure, which reduced eccleſiaſtics to + ſmall penſions dependent on the ſtate, was carried, before + thoſe who really meant well were aware of its conſequences. The + next ſtep was, to make the receiving theſe penſions ſubject + to an oath, which the ſelfiſh philoſopher, who can coldly + calculate on, and triumph in, the weakneſs of human nature, foreſaw + would be a brand of diſcord, certain to deſtroy the ſole + force which the Clergy yet poſſeſſed—their + union, and the public opinion. + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately, theſe views were not diſappointed: conviction, + intereſt, or fear, prevailed on many to take the oath; while doubt, + worldly improvidence, or a ſcrupulous piety, deterred others. A + ſchiſm took place between the jurors and nonjurorſ—the + people became equally divided, and adhered either to the one or the other, + as their habits or prepoſſeſſions directed them. + Neither party, as it may be imagined, could ſee themſelves + deprived of any portion of the public eſteem, without concern, + perhaps without rancour; and their mutual animoſity, far from gaining + proſelytes to either, contributed only to the immediate degradation + and future ruin of both. Thoſe, however, who had not taken the preſcribed + oath, were in general more popular than what were called the conſtitutionaliſts, + and the influence they were ſuppoſed to exert in alienating the + minds of their followers from the new form of government, ſupplied + the republican party with a pretext for propoſing their baniſhment.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *The King's exertion of the power veſted in him by the conſtitution, + by putting a temporary negative on this decree, it is well known, was + one of the pretexts for dethroning him. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + At the King's depoſition this decree took place, and ſuch of the + nonjuring prieſts as were not maſſacred in the priſons, + or eſcaped the ſearch, were to be embarked for Guiana. The wiſer + and better part of thoſe whoſe compliances entitled them to + remain, were, I believe, far from conſidering this perſecution + of their opponents as a triumph—to thoſe who did, it was of + ſhort duration. The Convention, which had hitherto attempted to diſguiſe + its hatred of the profeſſion by cenſure and abuſe of a + part of its members, began now to ridicule the profeſſion itſelf: + ſome repreſented it as uſeleſſ—others as + pernicious and irreconcileable with political freedom; and a diſcourſe* + was printed, under the ſanction of the Aſſembly, to prove, + that the only feaſible republic muſt be ſupported by pure + atheiſm. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Extracts from the Report of Anacharſis Cloots, member of the + Committee of Public Inſtruction, printed by order of the National + Convention: "Our <i>Sans-culotteſ</i> want no other ſermon but + the rights of man, no other doctrine but the conſtitutional + precepts and practice, nor any other church than where the ſection + or the club hold their meetings, &c. "The propagation of the rights + of man ought to be preſented to the aſtoniſhed world pure + and without ſtain. It is not by offering ſtrange gods to our + neighbours that we ſhall operate their converſion. We can + never raiſe them from their abject ſtate by erecting one altar + in oppoſition to another. A trifling hereſy iſ infinitely + more revolting than having no religion at all. Nature, like the ſun, + diffuſes her light without the aſſiſtance of prieſtſ + and veſtals. While we were conſtitutional heretics, we + maintained an army of an hundred thouſand prieſts, who waged + war equally with the Pope and the diſciples of Calvin. We cruſhed + the old prieſthood by means of the new, and while we compelled + every ſect to contribute to the payment of a pretended national + religion, we became at once the abhorrence of all the Catholics and + Proteſtants in Europe. The repulſion of our religious belief + counteracted the attraction of our political principles.—But truth + is at length triumphant, and all the ill-intentioned ſhall no more + be able to detach our neighbourſ from the dominion of the rights of + man, under pretext of a religiouſ dominion which no longer exiſts.—The + purpoſe of religion is no how ſo well anſwered as by preſenting + carte blanche to the abuſed world. Every one will then be at + liberty to form his ſpiritual regimen to his own taſte, till + in the end the invincible aſcendant of reaſon ſhall teach + him that the Supreme Being, the Eternal Being, is no other than Nature + uncreated and uncreatable; and that the only Providence is the aſſociation + of mankind in freedom and equality!— This ſovereign + providence affords comfort to the afflicted, rewardſ the good, and + puniſhes the wicked. It exerciſes no unjuſt partialities, + like the providence of knaves and fools. Man, when free, wants no other + divinity than himſelf. This god will not coſt us a ſingle + farthing, not a ſingle tear, nor a drop of blood. From the ſummit + of our mountain he hath promulgated his laws, traced in evident + characters on the tables of nature. From the Eaſt to the Weſt + they will be underſtood without the aid of interpreters, comments, + or miracles. Every other ritual will be torn in pieces at the appearance + of that of reaſon. Reaſon dethrones both the Kingſ of the + earth, and the Kings of heaven.—No monarch above, if we wiſh + to preſerve our republic below. "Volumes have been written to + determine whether or no a republic of Atheiſts could exiſt. I + maintain that every other republic is a chimera. If you once admit the + exiſtence of a heavenly Sovereign, you introduce the wooden horſe + within your wallſ!—What you adore by day will be your deſtruction + at night. "A people of theiſts neceſſarily become + revelationiſts, that is to ſay, ſlaves of prieſts, + who are but religious go-betweens, and phyſicians of damned ſouls. + "If I were a ſcoundrel, I ſhould make a point of exclaiming + againſt atheiſm, for a religious maſk is very convenient + to a traitor. "The intolerance of truth will one day proſcribe the + very name of temple 'fanum,' the etymology of fanaticiſm. "We + ſhall inſtantly ſee the monarchy of heaven condemned in + its turn by the revolutionary tribunal of victorious Reaſon; for + Truth, exalted on the throne of Nature, is ſovereignly intolerant. + "The republic of the rights of man is, properly ſpeaking, neither + theiſtical nor atheiſtical—it is nihiliſtical." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Many of the moſt eminent conforming Prelates and Clergy were arreſted, + and even individuals, who had the reputation of being particularly devout, + were marked as objects of perſecution. A new calendar waſ deviſed, + which excluded the ancient feſtivals, and limited public worſhip + to the decade, or tenth day, and all obſervance of the Sabbath waſ + interdicted. The priſons were crouded with ſufferers in the cauſe + of religion, and all who had not the zeal or the courage of martyrs, abſtained + from manifeſting any attachment to the Chriſtian faith. + </p> + <p> + While this conſternation was yet recent, the Deputies on miſſion + in the departments ſhut up the churches entirely: the refuſe of + low clubs were paid and encouraged to break the windows and deſtroy + the monuments; and theſe outrages, which, it was previouſly + concerted, ſhould at firſt aſſume the appearance of + popular tumult, were ſoon regulated and directed by the mandates of + the Convention themſelves. The churches were again opened, an atheiſtic + ritual, and licentious homilies,* were ſubſtituted for the proſcribed + ſervice—and an abſurd and ludicrous imitation of the Greek + mythology was exhibited, under the title of the Religion of Reaſon.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * I have read a diſcourſe pronounced in a church at Paris, on + the decade, ſo indecent and profane, that the moſt humble + audience of a country-puppet ſhow in England would not have + tolerated it. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + On the principal church of every town was inſcribed, "The Temple of + Reaſon;" and a tutelary goddeſs was inſtalled with a + ceremony equally pedantic, ridiculous, and profane.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * At Havre, the goddeſs of Reaſon was drawn on a car by four + cart-horſes, and as it was judged neceſſary, to prevent + accidents, that the horſes ſhould be conducted by thoſe + they were accuſtomed to, the carters were likewiſe put in + requiſition and furniſhed with cuiraſſes a l'antique + from the theatre. The men, it ſeems, being neither martial nor + learned, were not au fait at this equipment, and concluding it was only + a waiſtcoat of ceremony, inveſted themſelves with the + front behind, and the back part laced before, to the great amuſement + of the few who were ſenſible of the miſtake. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Yet the philoſophers did not on this occaſion diſdain thoſe + adventitiouſ aids, the uſe of which they had ſo much + declaimed againſt while they were the auxiliaries of Chriſtianity.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Mr. Gibbon reproaches the Chriſtians with their adoption of the + allurements of the Greek mythology.—The Catholics have been more + hoſtilely deſpoiled by their modern perſecutors, and may + retort that the religion of reaſon is a more groſs appeal to + the ſenſes than the darkeſt ages of ſuperſtition + would have ventured on. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Muſic, proceſſions, and decorations, which had been baniſhed + from the ancient worſhip, were introduced in the new one, and the + philoſophical reformer, even in the very attempt to eſtabliſh + a religion purely metaphyſical, found himſelf obliged to + inculcate it by a groſs and material idolatry.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The French do not yet annex any other idea to the religion of reaſon + than that of the female who performs the part of the goddeſs. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Thus, by ſubmitting his abſtractions to the genius of the + people, and the imperfections of our nature, perhaps the beſt apology + was offered for the errors of that worſhip which had been proſcribed, + perſecuted, and ridiculed. + </p> + <p> + Previous to the tenth day, on which a celebration of this kind was to take + place, a Deputy arrived, accompanied by the female goddeſs:* that is, + (if the town itſelf did not produce one for the purpoſe,) a + Roman dreſs of white ſatin was hired from the theatre, with + which ſhe waſ inveſted—her head covered with a red + cap, ornamented with oak leaveſ— one arm was reclined on a + plough, the other graſped a ſpear—and her feet were ſupported + by a globe, and environed by mutilated emblems of ſeodality. [It is + not poſſible to explain this coſtume as appropriate.] + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The females who perſonated the new divinity were uſually + ſelected from amongſt thoſe who "might make ſectaries + of whom they bid but follow," but who were more conſpicuous for + beauty than any other celeſtial attribute.—The itinerant + goddeſs of the principal townſ in the department de la Somme + was the miſtreſs of one Taillefer, a republican General, + brother to the Deputy of the ſame name.—I know not, in this + military government, whether the General's ſervices on the occaſion + were included in his other appointments. At Amiens, he not only provided + the deity, but commanded the detachment that ſecured her a ſubmiſſive + adoration. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Thus equipped, the divinity and her appendages were borne on the ſhoulders + of Jacobins "en bonnet rouge," and eſcorted by the National Guard, + Mayor, Judges, and all the conſtituted authorities, who, whether + diverted or indignant, were obliged to preſerve a reſpectful + gravity of exterior. When the whole cavalcade arrived at the place + appointed, the goddeſs was placed on an altar erected for the occaſion, + from whence ſhe harangued the people, who, in return, proffered their + adoration, and ſung the Carmagnole, and other republican hymns of the + ſame kind. They then proceeded in the ſame order to the + principal church, in the choir of which the ſame ceremonies were + renewed: a prieſt was procured to abjure his faith and avow the whole + of Chriſtianity an impoſture;* and the feſtival concluded + with the burning of prayer-books, ſaints, confeſſionals, + and every thing appropriated to the uſe of public worſhip.**— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *It muſt be obſerved, in juſtice to the French Clergy, + that it waſ ſeldom poſſible to procure any who would + conſent to this infamy. In ſuch caſes, the part was + exhibited by a man hired and dreſſed for the purpoſe.—The + end of degrading the profeſſion in the eyes of the people was + equally anſwered. ** In many places, valuable paintings and ſtatues + were burnt or diſfigured. The communion cups, and other church + plate, were, after being exorciſed in Jacobin revels, ſent to + the Convention, and the gold and ſilver, (as the author of the + Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire invidiouſly expreſſes + himſelf,) the pearls and jewels, were wickedly converted to the + ſervice of mankind; as if any thing whoſe value is merely + fictitious, could render more ſervice to mankind than when + dedicated to an uſe which is equally the ſolace of the rich + and the poor—which gratifies the eye without exciting cupidity, + ſoothes the bed of ſickneſs, and heals the wounds of conſcience. + Yet I am no advocate for the profuſe decorations of Catholic + churches; and if I ſeem to plead in their behalf, it iſ that I + recollect no inſtance where the depredators of them have + appropriated the ſpoil to more laudable purpoſes. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The greater part of the attendants looked on in ſilent terror and aſtoniſhment; + whilſt others, intoxicated, or probably paid to act thiſ ſcandalous + farce, danced round the flames with an appearance of frantic and ſavage + mirth.—It is not to be forgotten, that repreſentatives of the + people often preſided as the high prieſts of theſe rites; + and their official diſpatches to the convention, in which theſe + ceremonies were minutely deſcribed, were always heard with burſts + of applauſe, and ſanctioned by decrees of inſertion in the + bulletin.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * A kind of official newſpaper diſtributed periodically at the + expence of Government in large towns, and paſted up in public placeſ—it + contained ſuch news as the convention choſe to impart, which + was given with the exact meaſure of truth or falſehood that + ſuited the purpoſe of the day. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I have now conducted you to the period in which I am contemplating France + in poſſeſſion of all the advantages which a total + dereliction of religious eſtabliſhments can beſtow—at + that conſummation to which the labours of modern philoſophers + have ſo long tended. + </p> + <p> + Ye Shafteſburys, Bolingbrokes, Voltaires, and muſt I add the + name of Gibbon,* behold yourſelves inſcribed on the regiſters + of fame with a Laplanche, a Chenier, an Andre Dumont, or a Fouche!**— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The elegant ſatiriſt of Chriſtianity will ſmile at + the preſumption of ſo humble a cenſurer.—It is + certain, the miſapplication only of ſuch ſplendid talents + could embolden me to mention the name of the poſſeſſor + with diminiſhed reſpect. ** Theſe are names too + contemptible for notice, but for the miſchief to which they were inſtrumental—they + were among the firſt and moſt remarkable perſecutors of + religion. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Do not bluſh at the aſſociation; your views have been the + ſame; and the ſubtle underminer of man's beſt comfort in + the principles of hiſ religion, is even more criminal than him who + prohibits the external exerciſe of it. Ridicule of the ſacred + writings is more dangerous than burning them, and a ſneer at the + miracles of the goſpel more miſchievouſ than diſfiguring + the ſtatues of the evangeliſts; and it muſt be confeſſed + that theſe Anti-chriſtian Iconoclaſts themſelves might + probably have been content to "believe and ſay their prayers," had + not the intolerance of philoſophy made them atheiſts and perſecutors.—The + coarſe legend of "death is the ſleep of eternity,"* is only a + compendium of the fine-drawn theories of the more elaborate materialiſt, + and the depoſitaries of the dead will not corrupt more by the + exhibition of this deſolating ſtandard, than the libraries of + the living by the volumes which hold out the ſame oblivion to vice, + and diſcouragement to virtue.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Poſts, bearing the inſcription "la mort eſt un ſommeil + eternel," were erected in many public burying-grounds.—No other + ceremony iſ obſerved with the dead than encloſing the + body in ſome rough boards, and ſending it off by a couple of + porters, (in their uſual garb,) attended by a municipal officer. + The latter inſcribes on a regiſter the name of the deceaſed, + who is thrown into a grave generally prepared for half a ſcore, and + the whole buſineſs is finiſhed. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The great experiment of governing a civilized people without religion will + now be made; and ſhould the morals, the manners, or happineſs of + the French, be improved by it, the ſectaries of modern philoſophy + may triumph. Should it happen otherwiſe, the Chriſtian will have + an additional motive for cheriſhing his faith: but even the + afflictions of humanity will not, I fear, produce either regret or + conviction in hiſ adverſary; for the prejudices of philoſophers + and ſyſtemiſts are incorrigible.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * <i>"Ce ne ſont point les philoſophes qui connoiſſent + le mieux leſ hommes. Ils ne les voient qu'a travers les prejuges, + et je ne fache aucun etat ou l'on en ait tant."</i>—J. J. Rouſſeau. + ["It is not among philoſophers that we are to look for the moſt + perfect knowledge of human nature.—They view it only through the + prejudices of philoſophy, and I know of no profeſſion + where prejudices are more abundant."] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_4" id="link4_4_4"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Providence, Jan. 29. + </h2> + <p> + We are now quite domeſticated here, though in a very miſerable + way, without fire, and with our mattreſſes, on the boards; but + we nevertheleſſ adopt the ſpirit of the country, and a + total abſence of comfort does not prevent us from amuſing ourſelves. + My friend knits, and draws landſcapeſ on the backs of cards; and + I have eſtabliſhed a correſpondence with an old bookſeller, + who ſends me treatiſes of chemiſtry and fortifications, inſtead + of poetry and memoirs. I endeavoured at firſt to borrow books of our + companions, but this reſource was ſoon exhauſted, and the + whole priſon ſupplied little more than a novel of Florian's, <i>Le + Voyage du jeune Anarcharſis,</i> and ſome of the philoſophical + romances of Voltaire.—They ſay it ennuyes them to read; and I + obſerve, that thoſe who read at all, take their books into the + garden, and prefer the moſt crowded walks. Theſe ſtudious + perſons, who ſeem to ſurpaſs Crambe himſelf in + the faculty of abſtraction, ſmile and bow at every comma, + without any appearance of derangement from ſuch frequent + interruptions. + </p> + <p> + Time paſſes ſorrowly, rather than ſlowly; and my + thoughts, without being amuſed, are employed. The novelty of our + ſituation, the paſt, the future, all offer ſo many ſubjects + of reflection, that my mind has more occaſion for repoſe than + amuſement. My only external reſource iſ converſing + with our fellow-priſoners, and learning the cauſes of their + detention. Theſe relations furniſh me with a ſort of "abſtract + of the times," and mark the character of the government better than circumſtances + of more apparent conſequence; for what are battles, ſieges, and + political machinations, but as they ultimately affect the happineſſ + of ſociety? And when I learn that the lives, the liberty, and + property of no claſs are ſecure from violation, it is not neceſſary + one ſhould be at Paris to form an opinion of this period of the + revolution, and of thoſe who conduct it. + </p> + <p> + The perſecution which has hitherto been chiefly directed againſt + the Nobleſſe, has now a little ſubſided, and ſeems + turned againſt religion and commerce. People are daily arreſted + for aſſiſting at private maſſes, concealing + images, or even for being poſſeſſors of religious + books. Merchants are ſent here as monopolizers, and retailers, under + variouſ pretexts, in order to give the committees an opportunity of + pillaging their ſhops. It is not uncommon to ſee people of the + town who are our guards one day, become our fellow-priſoners the + next; and a few weekſ ſince, the ſon of an old gentleman + who has been ſome time here, after being on guard the whole day, inſtead + of being relieved at the uſual hour, was joined by his wife and + children, under the eſcort of a couple of dragoons, who delivered the + whole family into the cuſtody of our keeper; and this appears to have + happened without any other motive than his having preſented a + petition to Dumont in behalf of his father. + </p> + <p> + An old man was lately taken from his houſe in the night, and brought + here, becauſe he was ſaid to have worn the croſs of St. + Louis.—The fact is, however, that he never did wear this obnoxious + diſtinction; and though his daughter has proved this incontrovertibly + to Dumont, ſhe cannot obtain his liberty: and the poor young woman, + after making two or three fruitleſs journeys to Paris, is obliged to + content herſelf with ſeeing her father occaſionally at the + gate. + </p> + <p> + The refectory of the convent is inhabited by hoſpital nuns. Many of + the hoſpitals in France had a ſort of religious order annexed to + them, whoſe buſineſs it was to attend the ſick; and + habit, perhaps too the aſſociation of the offices of humanity + with the duties of religion, had made them ſo uſeful in their + profeſſion, that they were ſuffered to remain, even after + the abolition of the regular monaſteries. But the devaſtating + torrent of the revolution at length reached them: they were accuſed + of beſtowing a more tender ſolicitude on their ariſtocratic + patients than on the wounded volunteers and republicans; and, upon theſe + curious charges, they have been heaped into carts, without a ſingle + neceſſary, almoſt without covering, ſent from one + department to another, and diſtributed in different priſons, + where they are periſhing with cold, ſickneſs, and want! + Some people are here only becauſe they happened to be accidentally at + a houſe when the owner was arreſted;* and we have one family who + were taken at dinner, with their gueſts, and the plate they were uſing! + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It was not uncommon for a mandate of arreſt to direct the taking + "Citizen Such-a-one, and all perſons found in his houſe." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + A grand-daughter of the celebrated De Witt, who reſided thirty leagueſ + from hence, was arreſted in the night, put in an open cart, without + any regard to her age, her ſex, or her infirmities, though the rain + fell in torrents; and, after ſleeping on ſtraw in different priſons + on the road, was depoſited here. As a Fleming, the law places her in + the ſame predicament with a very pretty young woman who has lived + ſome months at Amiens; but Dumont, who is at once the maker, the + interpreter, and executor of the laws, has exempted the latter from the + general proſcription, and appears daily with her in public; whereas + poor Madame De Witt is excluded from ſuch indulgence, being above + ſeventy years old— and is accuſed, moreover, of having + been moſt exemplarily charitable, and, what is ſtill worſe, + very religious.—I have given theſe inſtanceſ not as + any way remarkable, and only that you may form ſome idea of the + pretexts which have ſerved to cover France with priſons, and to + conduct ſo many of its inhabitants to the ſcaffold. + </p> + <p> + It is impoſſible to reflect on a country in ſuch a ſituation, + without abhorring the authors of it, and dreading the propagation of their + doctrines. I hope they neither have imitators nor admirers in England; yet + the convention in their debates, the Jacobins, and all the French newſpapers, + ſeem ſo ſanguine in their expectation, and ſo poſitive + in their aſſertions of an Engliſh revolution, that I occaſionally, + and in ſpite of myſelf, feel a vague but ſerious ſolicitude, + which I ſhould not have ſuppoſed the apprehenſion of + any political evil could inſpre. I know the good ſenſe and + information of my countrymen offer a powerful reſource againſt + the love of change and metaphyſical ſubtilties; but, it is + certain, the French government have much depended on the ſpirit of + party, and the zeal of their propagandiſtes. They talk of a Britiſh + convention, of a conventional army, and, in ſhort, all France ſeem + prepared to ſee their neighbours involved in the ſame diſaſtrous + ſyſtem with themſelves. The people are not a little ſupported + in this error by the extracts that are given them from your orators in the + Houſe of Commons, which teem with nothing but complaints againſt + the oppreſſion of their own country, and enthuſiaſtic + admiration of French liberty. We read and wonder—collate the Bill of + Rights with the Code Revolutionnaire, and again fear what we cannot give + credit to. + </p> + <p> + Since the reports I allude to have gained ground, I have been forcibly + ſtricken by a difference in the character of the two nations. At the + proſpect of a revolution, all the French who could conveniently leave + the country, fled; and thoſe that remained (except adventurers and + the banditti that were their accomplices) ſtudiouſly avoided + taking any part. But ſo little are our countrymen affected with this + ſelfiſh apathy, that I am told there is ſcarcely one here + who, amidſt all his preſent ſufferings, does not ſeem + to regret his abſence from England, more on account of not being able + to oppoſe this threatened attack on our conſtitution, than for + any perſonal motive.—The example before them muſt, doubtleſs, + tend to increaſe this ſentiment of genuine patriotiſm; for + whoever came to France with but a ſingle grain of it in hiſ + compoſition, muſt return with more than enough to conſtitute + an hundred patriots, whoſe hatred of deſpotiſm is only a + principle, and who have never felt its effects.—Adieu. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_5" id="link4_4_5"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + February 2, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The factions which have choſen to give France the appellation of a + republic, ſeem to have judged, and with ſome reaſon, that + though it might anſwer their purpoſe to amuſe the people + with ſpecious theories of freedom, their habits and ideas were far + from requiring that theſe fine ſchemes ſhould be carried + into practice. I know of no example equal to the ſubmiſſion + of the French at this moment; and if "departed ſpiritſ were + permitted to review the world," the ſhades of Richelieu or Louvoiſ + might hover with envy round the Committee of Public Welfare, and regret + the undaring moderation of their own politics. + </p> + <p> + How ſhall I explain to an Engliſhman the doctrine of univerſal + requiſition? I rejoice that you can imagine nothing like it.—After + eſtabliſhing, as a general principle, that the whole country is + at the diſpoſal of government, ſucceeding decrees have made + ſpecific claims on almoſt every body, and every thing. The + tailors, ſhoemakers,* bakers, ſmiths, ſadlers, and many + other trades, are all in requiſition—carts, horſes, and + carriages of every kind, are in requiſition—the ſtables + and cellars are put in requiſition for the extraction of ſaltpetre, + and the houſes to lodge ſoldiers, or to be converted into priſons. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * In order to prevent frauds, the ſhoemakers were obliged to make + only ſquare-toed ſhoes, and every perſon not in the army + waſ forbidden to wear them of this form. Indeed, people of any + pretentions to patriotiſm (that is to ſay, who were much + afraid) did not venture to wear any thing but wooden ſhoes; as it + had been declared anti-civique, if not ſuſpicious, to walk in + leather. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Sometimes ſhopkeepers are forbidden to ſell their cloth, + nails, wine, bread, meat, &c. There are inſtances where whole + towns have been kept without the neceſſaries of life for ſeveral + days together, in conſequence of theſe interdictions; and I have + known it proclaimed by beat of drum, that whoever poſſeſſed + two uniforms, two hats, or two pair of ſhoes, ſhould relinquiſh + one for the uſe of the army! Yet with all theſe efforts of deſpotiſm, + the republican troops are in many reſpects ill ſupplied, the + produce being too often converted to the uſe of the agentſ of + government, who are all Jacobins, and whoſe peculations are ſuffered + with impunity, becauſe they are too neceſſary, or perhaps + too formidable for puniſhment. + </p> + <p> + Theſe proceedings, which are not the leſs miſchievous for + being abſurd, muſt end in a total deſtruction of commerce: + the merchant will not import what he may be obliged to ſell excluſively + to government at an arbitrary and inadequate valuation.—Thoſe + who are not impriſoned, and have it in their power, are for the moſt + part retired from buſineſs, or at leaſt avoid all foreign + ſpeculations; ſo that France may in a few months depend only on + her internal reſources. The ſame meaſures which ruin one + claſs, ſerve as a pretext to oppreſs and levy contributions + on the reſt.—In order to make this right of ſeizure ſtill + more productive, almoſt every village has its ſpies, and the + domiciliary viſits are become ſo frequent, that a man is leſs + ſecure in his own houſe, than in a deſert amidſt + Arabs. On theſe occaſions, a band of Jacobins, with a municipal + officer at their head, enter ſans ceremonie, over-run your + apartments, and if they find a few pounds of ſugar, ſoap, or any + other article which they chooſe to judge more than ſufficient + for immediate conſumption, they take poſſeſſion + of the whole as a monopoly, which they claim for the uſe of the + republic, and the terrified owner, far from expoſtulating, thinkſ + himſelf happy if he eſcapes ſo well.—But this is mere + vulgar tyranny: a leſs powerful deſpotiſm might invade the + ſecurity of ſocial life, and baniſh its comforts. We are + prone to ſuffer, and it requires often little more than the will to + do evil to give us a command over the happineſs of others. The + Convention are more original, and, not ſatiſfied with having + reduced the people to the moſt abject ſlavery, they exact a + ſemblance of content, and dictate at ſtated periods the chaſtiſement + which awaits thoſe who refuſe to ſmile. + </p> + <p> + The ſplendid ceremonies at Paris, which paſs for popular + rejoicings, merit that appellation leſs than an auto de fe. Every + movement iſ previouſly regulated by a Commiſſioner + appointed for the purpoſe, (to whom en paſſant theſe + fetes are very lucrative jobs,) a plan of the whole is diſtributed, + in which is preſcribed with great exactneſs, that at ſuch + and ſuch parts the people are to "melt into tears," at otherſ + they are to be ſeized with a holy enthuſiaſm, and at the + concluſion of the whole they are to rend the air with the cry of + "Vive la Convention!" —Theſe celebrations are always attended + by a military force, ſufficient to enſure their obſervance, + beſides a plentiful mixture of ſpies to notice refractory + countenances or faint acclamations. + </p> + <p> + The departments which cannot imitate the magnificence of Paris, are + obliged, nevertheleſs, to manifeſt their ſatiſfaction. + At every occaſion on which a rejoicing is ordered, the ſame kind + of diſcipline iſ preſerved; and the ariſtocrats, whoſe + fears in general overcome their principles, are often not the leaſt + zealous attendants. + </p> + <p> + At the retaking of Toulon, when abandoned by our countrymen, the National + Guards were every where aſſembled to participate in the feſtivity, + under a menace of three days impriſonment. Thoſe perſons + who did not illuminate their houſes were to be conſidered as + ſuſpicious, and treated as ſuch: yet, even with all theſe + precautions, I am informed the buſineſſ was univerſally + cold, and the balls thinly attended, except by ariſtocrats and + relations of emigrants, who, in ſome places, with a baſeneſs + not excuſed even by their terrors, exhibited themſelves as a + public ſpectacle, and ſang the defeats of that country which was + armed in their defence. + </p> + <p> + I muſt here remark to you a circumſtance which does ſtill + leſs honour to the French character; and which you will be unwilling + to believe. In ſeveral towns the officers and others, under whoſe + care the Engliſh were placed during their confinement, were deſirous + ſometimes on account of the peculiar hardſhip of their ſituation + as foreigners, to grant them little indulgences, and even more liberty + than to the French priſoners; and in this they were juſtified on + ſeveral conſiderations, as well aſ that of humanity.—They + knew an Engliſhman could not eſcape, whatever facility might be + given him, without being immediately retaken; and that if his impriſonment + were made ſevere, he had fewer external reſources and + alleviations than the natives of the country: but theſe favourable diſpoſitions + were of no avail—for whenever any of our countrymen obtained an + accommodation, the jealouſy of the French took umbrage, and they were + obliged to relinquiſh it, or hazard the drawing embarraſſment + on the individual who had ſerved them. + </p> + <p> + You are to notice, that the people in general, far from being averſe + to ſeeing the Engliſh treated with a comparative indulgence, + were even pleaſed at it; and the invidious compariſons and + complaints which prevented it, proceeded from the gentry, from the + families of thoſe who had found refuge in England, and who were + involved in the common perſecution.—I have, more than once, + been reproached by a female ariſtocrat with the ill ſucceſs + of the Engliſh army; and many, with whom I formerly lived on terms of + intimacy, would refuſe me now the moſt trifling ſervice.—I + have heard of a lady, whoſe huſband and brother are both in + London, who amuſes herſelf in teaching a bird to repeat abuſe + of the Engliſh. + </p> + <p> + It has been ſaid, that the day a man becomes a ſlave, he loſes + half hiſ virtue; and if this be true as to perſonal ſlavery, + judging from the examples before me, I conclude it equally ſo of + political bondage.—The extreme deſpotiſm of the government + ſeems to have confounded every principle of right and wrong, every diſtinction + of honour and diſhonour and the individual, of whatever claſs, + alive only to the ſenſe of perſonal danger, embraces + without reluctance meanneſs or diſgrace, if it inſure his + ſafety.—A tailor or ſhoemaker, whoſe reputation + perhaps iſ too bad to gain him a livelihood by any trade but that of + a patriot, ſhall be beſieged by the flatteries of people of + rank, and have levees aſ numerous as Choiſeul or Calonne in + their meridian of power. + </p> + <p> + When a Deputy of the Convention is ſent to a town on miſſion, + ſadneſſ takes poſſeſſion of every + heart, and gaiety of every countenance. He iſ beſet with + adulatory petitions, and propitiating gifts; the Nobleſſe who + have eſcaped confinement form a ſort of court about his perſon; + and thrice happy is the owner of that habitation at which he condeſcends + to reſide.—* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * When a Deputy arrives, the gentry of the town contend with jealouſ + rivalſhip for the honour of lodging him; and the moſt eloquent + eulogiſt of republican ſimplicity in the Convention does not + fail to prefer a large houſe and a good table, even though the + unhallowed property of an ariſtocrat.—It is to be obſerved, + that theſe Miſſionaries travel in a very patriarchal + ſtyle, accompanied by their wives, children, and a numerous train + of followers, who are not delicate in availing themſelves of this + hoſpitality, and are ſometimes accuſed of carrying off + the linen, or any thing elſe portable—even the moſt + decent behave on theſe occaſions as though they were at an + inn. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —A Repreſentative of gallantry has no reaſon to envy + either the authority of the Grand Signor, or the licence of his ſeraglio—he + iſ arbiter of the fate of every woman that pleaſes him; and, it + is ſuppoſed, that many a fair captive has owed her liberty to + her charms, and that the philoſophy of a French huſband has + ſometimes opened the doors of hiſ priſon. + </p> + <p> + Dumont, who is married, and has beſides the countenance of a white + Negro, never viſits us without occaſioning a general commotion + amongſt all the females, eſpecially thoſe who are young and + pretty. As ſoon as it iſ known that he is expected, the + toilettes are all in activity, a renovation of rouge and an adjuſtment + of curls take place, and, though performed with more haſte, not with + leſs ſolicitude, than the preparatory ſplendour of a firſt + introduction.—When the great man arrives, he findſ the court by + which he enters crowded by theſe formidable priſoners, and each + with a petition in her hand endeavours, with the inſidious coquetry + of plaintive ſmiles and judicious tears, that brighten the eye + without deranging the features, to attract his notice and conciliate his + favour. Happy thoſe who obtain a promiſe, a look of complacence, + or even of curioſity!—But the attention of this apoſtle of + republicaniſm is not often beſtowed, except on high rank, or + beauty; and a woman who is old, or ill dreſſed, that ventures to + approach him, is uſually repulſed with vulgar brutality—while + the very ſight of a male ſuppliant renders him furious. The firſt + half hour he walks about, ſurrounded by his fair cortege, and is + tolerably civil; but at length, fatigued, I ſuppoſe by continual + importunity, he loſes his temper, departs, and throws all the + petitions he has received unopened into the fire. + </p> + <p> + Adieu—the ſubject is too humiliating to dwell on. I feel for myſelf, + I feel for human nature, when I ſee the faſtidiouſneſs + of wealth, the more liberal pride of birth, and the yet more allowable + pretenſions of beauty, degraded into the moſt abject ſubmiſſion + to ſuch a being as Dumont. Are our principles every where the mere + children of circumſtance, or is it in this country only that nothing + is ſtable? For my own part I love inflexibility of character; and + pride, even when ill founded, ſeems more reſpectable while it + ſuſtains itſelf, than conceſſions which, refuſed + to the ſuggeſtions of reaſon, are yielded to the dictates + of fear.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_6" id="link4_4_6"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + February 12, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + I was too much occupied by my perſonal diſtreſſes to + make any remarks on the revolutionary government at the time of its + adoption. The text of this political phoenomenon muſt be well known + in England—I ſhall, therefore, confine myſelf to giving + you a general idea of its ſpirit and tendency,—It is, compared + to regular government, what force is to mechaniſm, or the uſual + and peaceful operations of nature to the ravageſ of a ſtorm—it + ſubſtitutes violence for conciliation, and ſweeps with + precipitate fury all that oppoſes its devaſtating progreſs. + It referſ every thing to a ſingle principle, which is in itſelf + not ſuſceptible of definition, and, like all undefined power, is + continually vibrating between deſpotiſm and anarchy. It is the + execrable ſhape of Milton'ſ Death, "which ſhape hath none," + and which can be deſcribed only by itſ effects.—For inſtance, + the revolutionary tribunal condemns without evidence, the revolutionary + committees impriſon without a charge, and whatever aſſumes + the title of revolutionary is exonerated from all ſubjection to + humanity, decency, reaſon, or juſtice.—Drowning the inſurgents, + their wives and children, by boatloads, is called, in the diſpatch to + the Convention, a revolutionary meaſure—* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The detail of the horrors committed in La Vendee and at Nanteſ + were not at this time fully known. Carrier had, however, acknowledged, + in a report read to the Convention, that a boat-load of refractory prieſts + had been drowned, and children of twelve yearſ old condemned by a + military commiſſion! One Fabre Marat, a republican General, + wrote, about the ſame period, I think from Angers, that the + Guillotine was too ſlow, and powder ſcarce, ſo that it + was concluded more expedient to drown the rebels, which he callſ a + patriotic baptiſm!—The following is a copy of a letter addreſſed + to the Mayor of Paris by a Commiſſary of the Government: + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + "You will give us pleaſure by tranſmitting the details of your + fete at Paris laſt decade, with the hymns that were ſung. Here + we all cried <i>"Vive la Republique!"</i> as we ever do, when our holy + mother Guillotine iſ at work. Within theſe three days ſhe + has ſhaved eleven prieſts, one <i>ci-devant</i> noble, a nun, a + general, and a ſuperb Engliſhman, ſix feet high, and as he + was too tall by a head, we have put that into the ſack! At the ſame + time eight hundred rebels were ſhot at the Pont du Ce, and their + carcaſes thrown into the Loire!—I underſtand the army is + on the track of the runaways. All we overtake we ſhoot on the ſpot, + and in ſuch numberſ that the ways are heaped with them!" + </p> + <p> + —At Lyons, it is revolutionary to chain three hundred victims + together before the mouths of loaded cannon, and maſſacre thoſe + who eſcape the diſcharge with clubs and bayonets;* and at Paris, + revolutionary jurieſ guillotine all who come before them.—** + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The Convention formally voted their approbation of this meaſure, + and Collot d'Herbois, in a report on the ſubject, makes a kind of + apoſtrophical panegyric on the humanity of his colleagues. "Which + of you, Citizens, (ſays he,) would not have fired the cannon? Which + of you would not joyfully have deſtroyed all theſe traitors at + a blow?" ** About this time a woman who ſold newſpapers, and + the printer of them, were guillotined for paragraphs deemed incivique. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Yet this government is not more terrible than it is minutely + vexations. One's property is as little ſecure as one's exiſtence. + Revolutionary committees every where ſequeſtrate in the groſs, + in order to plunder in detail.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The revolutionary committees, when they arreſted any one, + pretended to affix ſeals in form. The ſeal was often, however, + no other than the private one of ſome individual employed—ſometimeſ + only a button or a halfpenny, which was broken as often as the Committee + wanted acceſs to the wine or other effects. Camille Deſmoulins, + in an addreſs to Freron, his fellow-deputy, deſcribeſ + with ſome humour the mode of proceeding of theſe revolutionary + pilferers: + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <i>"Avant hier, deux Commiſſaires de la ſection de Mutius + Scaevola, montent chez lui—ils trouvent dans la bibliotheque des + livres de droit; et non-obſtant le decret qui porte qu'on ne touchera + point Domat ni a Charleſ Dumoulin, bien qu'ils traitent de matieres + feodales, ils ſont main baſſe ſur la moitie de la + bibliotheque, et chargent deux Chrocheteurs deſ livres paternels. Ils + trouvent une pendule, don't la pointe de Paiguille etoit, comme la plupart + des pointes d'aiguilles, terminee en trefle: il leur ſemble que cette + pointe a quelque choſe d'approchant d'une fleur de lys; et non-obſtant + le decret qui ordonne de reſpecter les monumens deſ arts, il + confiſquent la pendule.—Notez bien qu'il y avoit a cote une + malle ſur laquelle etoit l'adreſſe fleurdeliſee du + marchand.—Ici il n'y avoit pas moyen de aier que ce fut une belle et + bonne fleur de lys; maiſ comme la malle ne valoit pas un corſet, + les Commiſſaires ſe contentent de rayer les lys, au lieu + que la malheureuſe pendule, qui vaut bien 1200 livres, eſt, + malgre ſon trefle, emportee par eux-memes, qui ne ſe fioient pas + aux Chrocheteurs d'un poid ſi precieux—et ce, en vertu du droit + que Barrere a appelle ſi heureuſement le droit de prehenſion, + quoique le decret ſ'oppoſat, dans l'eſpece, a l'application + de ce droit.—Enfin, notre decemvirat ſectionnaire, qui ſe + mettoit ainſi au-deſſus deſ decrets, trouve le brevet + de penſion de mon beau-pere, qui, comme touſ les brevets de penſion, + n'etant pas de nature a etre porte ſur le grand livre de la + republique, etoit demeure dans le porte-feuille, et qui, comme tous les + brevets de penſion poſſibles, commencoit par ce protocole; + Louis, &c. Ciel! ſ'ecrient les Commiſſaires, le nom du + tyran!—Et apreſ avoir retrouve leur haleine, ſuffoquee + d'abord par l'indignation, ilſ mettent en poche le brevet de penſion, + c'eſt a dire 1000 livres de rente, et emportent la marmite. Autre + crime, le Citoyen Dupleſſis, qui etoit premier commis des + finances, ſous Clugny, avoit conſerve, comme c'etoit l'uſage, + la cachet du controle general d'alorſ—un vieux porte-feuille de + commis, qui etoit au rebut, ouble au deſſus d'une armoire, dans + un tas de pouſſiere, et auquel il n'avoit pas touche ne meme penſe + depuis dix anſ peutetre, et ſur le quel on parvint a decouvrir + l'empreinte de quelqueſ fleurs de lys, ſous deux doigts de craſſe, + acheva de completer la preuve que le Citoyen Dupleſſis etoit + ſuſpect—et la voila, lui, enferme juſqu'a la paix, et + le ſcelle mis ſur toutes les portes de cette campagne, ou, tu te + ſouviens, mon cher Freroa—que, decretes tous deux de priſe + de corps, apres le maſſacre du Champ de Mars, nous trouvions un + aſyle que le tyran n'oſoit violer."</i> + </p> + <p> + "The day before yeſterday, two Commiſſaries belonging to + the ſection of Mutius Scaevola, entered my father-in-law's + apartments; they found ſome law-books in the library, and, notwithſtanding + the decree which exemptſ from ſeizure the works of Domat and + Charles Dumouin, (although they treat of feudal matters,) they proceeded + to lay violent hands on one half of the collection, and loaded two porters + with paternal ſpoils. The next object that attracted their attention + was a clock, the hand of which, like the hands of moſt other clocks, + terminated in a point, in the form of a trefoil, which ſeemed to them + to bear ſome reſemblance to a fleur de lys; and, notwithſtanding + the decree which ordains that the monuments of the arts ſhall be reſpected, + they immediately paſſed ſentence of confiſcation on + the clock. I ſhould obſerve to you, that hard by lay a + portmanteau, having on it the maker's addreſs, encircled with lilies.— + Here there was no diſputing the fact, but as the trunk was not worth + five livres, the Commiſſaries contented themſelves with eraſing + the lilies; but the unfortunate clock, being worth twelve hundred, was, + notwithſtanding its trefoil, carried off by themſelves, for they + would not truſt the porters with ſo precious a load.—And + all this was done in virtue of the law, which Barrere aptly denominated + the law of prehenſion, and which, according to the terms of the + decree itſelf, was not applicable to the caſe in queſtion. + </p> + <p> + "At length our ſectionary decemvirs, who thus placed themſelves + above the law, diſcovered the grant of my father-in-law's penſion, + which, like all ſimilar grants, being excluded from the privilege of + inſcription on the great regiſter of public debts, had been left + in his port-folio; and which began, as all ſuch grants neceſſarily + muſt, with the words, Louis, &c. "Heaven!" exclaimed the Commiſſaries, + "here is the very name of the tyrant!" And, as ſoon as they recovered + their breaths, which had been nearly ſtopped by the violence of the + indignation, they coolly pocketed the grant, that is to ſay, an + annuity of one thouſand livres, and ſent off the porridge-pot. + Nor did theſe conſtitute all the crimes of Citizen Dupleſſis, + who, having ſerved as firſt clerk of the revenue board under + Clugny, had, as was uſual, kept the official ſeal of that day. + An old port-folio, which had been thrown aſide, and long forgotten, + under a wardrobe, where it was buried in duſt, and had, in all + probability, not been touched for ten years, but, which with much + difficulty, waſ diſcovered to bear the impreſſion of a + fleur de lys, completed the proof that Citizen Dupleſſis was a + ſuſpicious character. And now behold him ſhut up in a priſon + until peace ſhall be concluded, and the ſeals put upon all the + doors of that country ſeat, where, you may remember, my dear Freron, + that at the time when warrants were iſſued for apprehending uſ + both, after the maſſacre in the Champ de Mars, we found an aſylum + which the tyrant did not dare to violate." + </p> + <p> + —In a word, you muſt generally underſtand, that the + revolutionary ſyſtem ſuperſedes law, religion, and + morality; and that it inveſts the Committees of Public Welfare and + General Safety, their agents, the Jacobin clubs, and ſubſidiary + banditti, with the diſpoſal of the whole country and its + inhabitants. + </p> + <p> + This gloomy aera of the revolution has its frivolities as well as the leſs + diſaſtrous periods, and the barbariſm of the moment is + rendered additionally diſguſting by a mixture of levity and + pedantry.—It is a faſhion for people at preſent to abandon + their baptiſmal and family names, and to aſſume that of + ſome Greek or Roman, which the debates of the Convention have made + familiar.—France ſwarms with Gracchuſ's and Publicolas, + who by imaginary aſſimilations of acts, which a change of + manners has rendered different, fancy themſelves more than equal to + their prototypes.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The viciſſitudes of the revolution, and the vengeance of + party, have brought half the ſages of Greece, and patriots of Rome, + to the Guillotine or the pillory. The Newgate Calendar of Paris containſ + as many illuſtrious names as the index to Plutarch's Lives; and I + believe there are now many Brutuſ's and Gracchuſ's in durance + vile, beſides a Mutius Scaevola condemned to twenty years impriſonment + for an unſkilful theft.—A man of Amiens, whoſe name is + Le Roy, ſignified to the public, through the channel of a newſpaper, + that he had adopted that of Republic. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —A man who ſolicits to be the executioner of his own brother + yclepſ himſelf Brutus, and a zealous preacher of the right of + univerſal pillage cites the Agrarian law, and ſigns himſelf + Lycurgus. Some of the Deputieſ have diſcovered, that the French + mode of dreſſing is not characteriſtic of republicaniſm, + and a project is now in agitation to drill the whole country into the uſe + of a Roman coſtume.—You may perhaps ſuſpect, that the + Romans had at leaſt more bodily ſedateneſs than their + imitators, and that the ſhrugs, jerks, and carracoles of a French + petit maitre, however republicanized, will not aſſort with the + grave drapery of the toga. But on your ſide of the water you have a + habit of reaſoning and deliberating —here they have that of + talking and obeying. + </p> + <p> + Our whole community are in deſpair to-day. Dumont has been here, and + thoſe who accoſted him, as well as thoſe who only ventured + to interpret his looks, all agree in their reports that he is in a "bad + humour."—The brighteſt eyes in France have ſupplicated in + vain—not one grace of any ſort has been accorded—and we + begin to cheriſh even our preſent ſituation, in the + apprehenſion that it may become worſe.—Alaſ! you know + not of what evil portent is the "bad humour" of a Repreſentant. We + are half of us now, like the Perſian Lord, feeling if our heads are + ſtill on our ſhoulders.—I could add much to the concluſion + of one of my laſt letters. Surely this inceſſant ſolicitude + for mere exiſtence debilitateſ the mind, and impairs even its paſſive + faculty of ſuffering. We intrigue for the favour of the keeper, + ſmile complacently at the groſſ pleaſantries of a + Jacobin, and tremble at the frown of a Dumont.—I am aſhamed to + be the chronicler of ſuch humiliation: but, "tuſh, Hal; men, + mortal men!" I can add no better apology, and quit you to moralize on it.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_7" id="link4_4_7"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + [No date given.] + </h2> + <p> + Were I a mere ſpectator, without fear for myſelf or compaſſion + for others, the ſituation of this country would be ſufficiently + amuſing. The effects produced (many perhaps unavoidably) by a ſtate + of revolution—the ſtrange remedies deviſed to obviate them—the + alternate neglect and ſeverity with which the laws are executed—the + mixture of want and profuſion that diſtinguiſh the lower + claſſes of people—and the diſtreſſ and + humiliation of the higher; all offer ſcenes ſo new and + unaccountable, as not to be imagined by a perſon who has lived only + under a regular government, where the limits of authority are defined, the + neceſſaries of life plentiful, and the people rational and + ſubordinate. The conſequences of a general ſpirit of + monopoly, which I formerly deſcribed, have lately been ſo oppreſſive, + that the Convention thought it neceſſary to interfere, and in + ſo extraordinary a way, that I doubt if (as uſual) "the diſtemper + of their remedieſ" will not make us regret the original diſeaſe. + Almoſt every article, by having paſſed through a variety of + hands, had become enormouſly dear; which, operating with a real + ſcarcity of many things, occaſioned by the war, had excited + univerſal murmuringſ and inquietude. The Convention, who know + the real ſource of the evil (the diſcredit of aſſignats) + to be unattainable, and who are more ſolicitous to divert the + clamours of the people, than to ſupply their wants, have adopted a + meaſure which, according to the preſent appearances, will ruin + one half of the nation, and ſtarve the other. A maximum, or higheſt + price, beyond which nothing is to be ſold, is now promulgated under + very ſevere penalties for all who ſhall infringe it. Such a + regulation as this, muſt, in its nature, be highly complex, and, by + way of ſimplifying it, the price of every kind of merchandiſe is + fixed at a third above what it bore in 1791: but as no diſtinction is + made between the produce of the country, and articles imported—between + the ſmall retailer, who has purchaſed perhaps at double the rate + he iſ allowed to ſell at, and the wholeſale ſpeculator, + this very ſimplification renders the whole abſurd and + inexecutable.—The reſult waſ ſuch as might have been + expected; previous to the day on which the decree was to take place, + ſhopkeepers ſecreted as many of their goods as they could; and, + when the day arrived, the people laid ſiege to them in crowds, ſome + buying at the maximum, others leſs ceremonious, and in a few hours + little remained in the ſhop beyond the fixtures. The farmers have + ſince brought neither butter nor eggs to market, the butchers refuſe + to kill as uſual, and, in ſhort, nothing is to be purchaſed + openly. The country people, inſtead of ſelling proviſions + publicly, take them to private houſes; and, in addition to the former + exorbitant prices, we are taxed for the riſk that is incurred by + evading the law. A dozen of eggs, or a leg of mutton, are now conveyed + from houſe to houſe with as much myſtery, as a caſe of + fire-arms, or a treaſonable correſpondence; the whole republic + is in a ſort of training like the Spartan youth; and we are obliged + to have recourſe to dexterity and intrigue to procure us a dinner. + </p> + <p> + Our legiſlators, aware of what they term the "ariſtocratie + marchande,"— that is to ſay, that tradeſmen would + naturally ſhut up their ſhops when nothing was to be gained—provided, + by a clauſe in the above law, that no one ſhould do this in leſs + time than a year; but as the injunction only obliged them to keep the + ſhops open, and not to have goods to ſell, every demand is at + firſt always anſwered in the negative, till a ſort of + intelligence becomes eſtabliſhed betwixt the buyer and ſeller, + when the former, if he may be truſted, is informed in a low key, that + certain articles may be had, but not au maximum.—Thus even the rich + cannot obtain the neceſſaries of life without difficulty and + ſubmitting to impoſition—and the decent poor, who will not + pillage nor intimidate the tradeſmen, are more embarraſſed + than ever. + </p> + <p> + The above ſpecies of contraband commerce is carried on, indeed, with + great circumſpection, and no avowed hoſtilities are attempted in + the towns. The great war of the maximum was waged with the farmers and + higlers, as ſoon as it was diſcovered that they took their + commoditieſ privily to ſuch people as they knew would buy at any + price, rather than not be ſupplied. In conſequence, the guards + were ordered to ſtop all refractory butter-women at the gates, and + conduct them to the town-houſe, where their merchandize was diſtributed, + without pity or appeal, au maximum, to thoſe of the populace who + could clamour loudeſt. + </p> + <p> + Theſe proceedings alarmed the peaſants, and our markets became + deſerted. New ſtratagems, on one ſide, new attacks on the + other. The ſervants were forced to ſupply themſelves at + private rendezvous in the night, until ſome were fined, and others + arreſted; and the ſearching all comers from the country became + more intolerable than the vexations of the ancient Gabelle.—Detachments + of dragoons are ſent to ſcour the farm-yards, arreſt the + farmers, and bring off in triumph whatever the reſtive houſewives + have amaſſed, to be more profitably diſpoſed of. + </p> + <p> + In this ſituation we remain, and I ſuppoſe ſhall + remain, while the law of the maximum continues in force. The principle of + it was certainly good, but it is found impoſſible to reduce it + to practice ſo equitably as to affect all alike: and as laws which + are not executed are for the moſt part rather pernicious than + nugatory, informations, arreſts, impoſition, and ſcarcity + are the only ends which this meaſure ſeems to have anſwered. + </p> + <p> + The houſes of detention, before inſupportable, are now yet more + crouded with farmers and ſhopkeepers ſuſpected of oppoſing + the law.—Many of the former are ſo ignorant, as not to conceive + that any circumſtances ought to deprive them of the right to ſell + the produce of their farms at the higheſt price they can get, and + regard the maximum much in the ſame light as they would a law to + authorize robbing or houſebreaking: as for the latter, they are + chiefly ſmall dealers, who bought dearer than they have ſold, + and are now impriſoned for not ſelling articles which they have + not got. An informer by trade, or a perſonal enemy, lodges an accuſation + againſt a particular tradeſman for concealing goods, or not + ſelling au maximum; and whether the accuſation be true or falſe, + if the accuſed iſ not in office, or a Jacobin, he has very + little chance of eſcaping impriſonment.—It is certain, + that if the perſecution of theſe claſſes of people + continue, and commerce (already nearly annihilated by the war) be thus + ſhackled, an abſolute want of various articles of primary conſumption + muſt enſue; but if Paris and the armies can be ſupplied, + the ſtarving the departments will be a mere pleaſurable + experiment to their humane repreſentativeſ! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_8" id="link4_4_8"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + March 1, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The freedom of the preſs is ſo perfectly well regulated, that it + is not ſurprizing we are indulged with the permiſſion of + ſeeing the public papers: yet this indulgence is often, I aſſure + you, a ſource of much perplexity to me—our more intimate aſſociates + know that I am a native of England, and as often as any debates of our Houſe + of Commons are publiſhed, they apply to me for explanations which it + is not always in my power to give them. I have in vain endeavoured to make + them comprehend the nature of an oppoſition from ſyſtem, + ſo that when they ſee any thing advanced by a member exactly the + reverſe of truth, they are wondering how he can be ſo ill + informed, and never ſuſpect him of ſaying what he doeſ + not believe himſelf. It muſt be confeſſed, however, + that our extractſ from the Engliſh papers often form ſo + complete a contraſt with facts, that a foreigner unacquainted with + the tactics of profeſſional patriotiſm, may very naturally + read them with ſome ſurprize. A noble Peer, for example, (whoſe + wiſdom is not to be diſputed, ſince the Abbe Mably calls + him the Engliſh Socrates,*) aſſerts that the French troopſ + are the beſt clothed in Europe; yet letters, of nearly the ſame + date with the Earl's ſpeech, from two Generals and a Deputy at the + head of different armies intreat a ſupply of covering for their + denudated legions, and add, that they are obliged to march in wooden + ſhoeſ!** + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It is ſurely a reflection on the Engliſh diſcernment + not to have adopted this happy appellation, in which, however, as well + as in many other parts of "the rights of Man and the Citizen," the Abbe + ſeems to have conſulted his own zeal, rather than the noble + Peer'ſ modeſty. ** If the French troops are now better + clothed, it is the effect of requiſitions and pre-emptions, which + have ruined the manufacturers. —Patriots of the North, would you + wiſh to ſee our ſoldiers clothed by the ſame means? + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —On another occaſion, your Britiſh Sage deſcribes, + with great eloquence, the enthuſiaſm with which the youth of + France "ſtart to arms at the call of the Convention;" while the + peaceful citizen anticipates, with equal eagerneſs, the leſs + glorious injunction to extract ſaltpetre.—The revolts, and the + coercion, neceſſary to enforce the departure of the firſt + levies (however fear, ſhame, and diſcipline, may have ſince + made them ſoldiers, though not republicans) might have corrected the + ardour of the orator's inventive talents; and the zeal of the French in + manufacturing ſalpetre, has been of ſo ſlow a growth, that + any reference to it is peculiarly unlucky. For ſeveral months the + Convention haſ recommended, invited, intreated, and ordered the whole + country to occupy themſelves in the proceſs neceſſary + for obtaining nitre; but the republican enthuſiaſm was ſo + tardy, that ſcarcely an ounce appeared, till a long liſt of + ſound penal laws, with fines and impriſonments in every line, + rouſed the public ſpirit more effectually.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Two years impriſonment was the puniſhment aſſigned + to a Citizen who ſhould be found to obſtruct in any way the + fabricating ſaltpetre. If you had a houſe that was adjudged to + contain the materials required, and expoſtulated againſt + pulling it down, the penalty was incurred.—I believe ſomething + of this kind exiſted under the old government, the abuſes of + which are the only parts the republic ſeems to have preſerved. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Another cauſe alſo has much favoured the extenſion + of this manufacture: the neceſſity of procuring gunpowder at any + rate has ſecured an exemption from ſerving in the army to thoſe + who ſhall be employed in making it.—* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Many, under this pretext, even procured their diſcharge from the + army; and it was eventually found requiſite to ſtop this + commutation of ſervice by a decree. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —On this account vaſt numbers of young men, whoſe martial + propenſitieſ are not too vehement for calculation, conſidering + the extraction of ſaltpetre as more ſafe than the uſe of + it, have ſeriouſly devoted themſelves to the buſineſs. + Thus, between fear of the Convention and of the enemy, has been produced + that enthuſiaſm which ſeems ſo grateful to Lord S____. + Yet, if the French are ſtruck by the diſſimilitude of factſ + with the language of your Engliſh patriots, there are other circumſtanceſ + which appear ſtill more unaccountable to them. I acknowledge the word + patriotiſm is not perfectly underſtood any where in France, nor + do my priſon-aſſociates abound in it; but ſtill they + find it difficult to reconcile the love of their country, ſo excluſively + boaſted by certain ſenators, with their eulogiums on a + government, and on men who avow an implacable hatred to it, and are the + profeſſed agents of its future deſtruction. The Houſes + of Lords and Commons reſound with panegyrics on France; the + Convention with <i>"delenda eſt Carthate"—"ces vilſ Inſulaireſ"—"de + peuple marchand, boutiquier"—"ces laches Angloiſ"</i>. + ("Carthage muſt be deſtroyed"—"thoſe vile Iſlanderſ"—"that + nation of ſhopkeeperſ"—"thoſe cowardly Engliſhmen"—&c.) + </p> + <p> + The efforts of the Engliſh patriots overtly tend to the conſolidation + of the French republic, while the demagogues of France are yet more ſtrenuous + for the abolition of monarchy in England. The virtues of certain people + called Muir and Palmer,* are at once the theme of Mr. Fox and Robeſpierre,** + of Mr. Grey and Barrere,***, of Collot d'Herboiſ**** and Mr. + Sheridan; and their fate is lamented as much at the Jacobins aſ at + St. Stephen's.***** + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * If I have not mentioned theſe gentlemen with the reſpect due + to their celebrity, their friends muſt pardon me. To ſay + truth, I did not at this time think of them with much complacence, as I + had heard of them only from the Jacobins, by whom they were repreſented + as the leaders of a Convention, which was to arm ninety thouſand + men, for the eſtabliſhment of a ſyſtem ſimilar + to that exiſting in France. **The French were ſo much miſled + by the eloquence of theſe gentlemen in their favour, that they were + all exhibited on the ſtage in red caps and cropped heads, welcoming + the arrival of their Gallic friends in England, and triumphing in the + overthrow of the Britiſh conſtitution, and the dethronement of + the King. *** If we may credit the aſſertions of Barrere, the + friendſhip of the Committee of Public Welfare was not merely + verbal. He ſays, the ſecret regiſter of the Committee + furniſhes proofs of their having ſent three frigates to + intercept theſe diſtinguiſhed victims, whom their + ungrateful country had ſo ignominiouſly baniſhed. **** + This humane and ingenious gentleman, by profeſſion a player, iſ + known likewiſe as the author of ſeveral farces and + vaudevilles, and of the executions at Lyons.—It is aſſerted, + that many of the inhabitants of this unfortunate city expiated under the + Guillotine the crime of having formerly hiſſed Collot's ſucceſſful + attempts on the ſtage. ***** The printing of a particular ſpeech + was interdicted on account of its containing alluſions to certain + circumſtances, the knowledge of which might be of diſſervice + to their unfortunate friends during their trial. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The conduct of Mr. Pitt is not more acrimoniouſly diſcuſſed + at the Palais National than by a part of his colleagues; and the cenſure + of the Britiſh government, which is now the order of the day at the + Jacobins, iſ nearly the echo of your parliamentary debates.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Allowing for the difference of education in the orators, a journeyman + ſhoemaker was, I think, as eloquent, and not more abuſive, + than the facetious _ci-devant_ protege of Lord T____d. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —All this, however, does not appear to me out of the natural order + of things; it is the ſorry hiſtory of oppoſition for a + century and an half, and our political rectitude, I fear, is not increaſing: + but the French, who are in their way the moſt corrupt people in + Europe, have not hitherto, from the nature of their government, been + familiar with thiſ particular mode of provoking corruption, nor are + they at preſent likely to become ſo. Indeed, I muſt here obſerve, + that your Engliſh Jacobins, if they are wiſe, ſhould not + attempt to introduce the revolutionary ſyſtem; for though the + total poſſeſſion of ſuch a government is very + alluring, yet the prudence, which looks to futurity, and the incertitude + of ſublunary events, muſt acknowledge it is "Caeſar or + nothing;" and that it offers no reſource in caſe of thoſe + ſegregations, which the jealouſy of power, or the appropriation + of ſpoil, may occaſion, even amongſt the moſt virtuous + aſſociates.—The eloquence of a diſcontented orator is + here ſilenced, not by a penſion, but by a mandat d'arret; and + the obſtinate patriotiſm, which with you could not be ſoftened + with leſs than a participation of authority, is more cheaply ſecured + by the Guillotine. A menace is more efficacious than a bribe, and in this + reſpect I agree with Mr. Thomas Paine,* that a republic is + undoubtedly more oeconomical than a monarchy; beſides, that being + conducted on ſuch principles, it has the advantage of ſimplifying + the ſcience of government, as it conſultſ neither the + intereſts nor weakneſſes of mankind; and, diſdaining + to adminiſter either to avarice or vanity, ſubdues its enemies + by the ſole influence of terror.—* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This gentleman's fate is truly to be pitied. After rejecting, aſ + his friends aſſert, two hundred a year from the Engliſh + Miniſtry, he is obliged now to be ſilent gratis, with the + additional deſagrement of occupying a corner in the Luxembourg. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Adieu!—Heaven knows how often I may have to repeat the word + thuſ unmeaningly. I ſit here, like Pope's bard "lulled by ſoft + zephyrſ through the broken pane," and ſcribbling high-ſounding + phraſes of monarchy, patriotiſm, and republics, while I forget + the humbler ſubject of our wants and embarraſſments. We can + ſcarcely procure either bread, meat, or any thing elſe: the houſe + is crouded by an importation of priſoners from Abbeville, and we are + more ſtrictly guarded than ever. My friend ennuyes as uſual, and + I grow impatient, not having ſang froid enough for a true French + ennuie in a ſituation that would tempt one to hang one's ſelf. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_9" id="link4_4_9"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + March, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The aſpect of the times promiſes no change in our favour; on the + contrary, every day ſeems to bring its attendant evil. The gentry who + had eſcaped the comprehenſive decree againſt ſuſpected + people, are now ſwept away in this and the three neighbouring + departments by a private order of the repreſentatives, St. Juſt, + Lebas, and Dumont.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The order was to arreſt, without exception, all the ci-devant + Nobleſſſe, men, women, and children, in the departments + of the Somme, North, and Pas de Calais, and to exclude them rigourouſly + from all external communication—(mettre au ſecret). + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —A ſeverer regimen is to be adopted in the priſons, and huſbands + are already ſeparated from their wives, and fathers from their + daughters, for the purpoſe, as it is alledged, of preſerving + good morals. Both thiſ place and the Bicetre being too full to admit + of more inhabitants, two large buildings in the town are now appropriated + to the male priſoners.— My friends continue at Arras, and, I + fear, in extreme diſtreſs. I underſtand they have been + plundered of what things they had with them, and the little ſupply I + was able to ſend them was intercepted by ſome of the harpies of + the priſons. Mrs. D____'s health has not been able to ſuſtain + theſe accumulated miſfortunes, and ſhe is at preſent + at the hoſpital. All this is far from enlivening, even had I a larger + ſhare of the national philoſophy; and did I not oftener make + what I obſerve, than what I ſuffer, the ſubject of my + letters, I ſhould tax your patience aſ much by repetition, as I + may by dullneſs. + </p> + <p> + When I enumerated in my laſt letters a few of the obligations the + French have to their friends in England, I ought alſo to have obſerved, + with how little gratitude they behave to thoſe who are here. Without + mentioning Mr. Thomas Paine, whoſe perſecution will doubtleſs + be recorded by abler pens, nothing, I aſſure you, can be more + unpleaſant than the ſituation of one of theſe + Anglo-Gallican patriots. The republicans, ſuppoſing that an + Engliſhman who affects a partiality for them can be only a ſpy, + execute all the laws, which concern foreigners, upon him with additional + rigour;* and when an Engliſh Jacobin arrives in priſon, far from + meeting with conſolation or ſympathy, his diſtreſſes + are beheld with triumph, and hiſ perſon avoided with abhorrence. + They talk much here of a gentleman, of very democratic principles, who + left the priſon before I came. It ſeems, that, notwithſtanding + Dumont condeſcended to viſit at his houſe, and waſ on + terms of intimacy with him, he was arreſted, and not diſtinguiſhed + from the reſt of his countrymen, except by being more harſhly + treated. The caſe of this unfortunate gentleman was rendered + peculiarly amuſing to his companions, and mortifying to himſelf, + by his having a very pretty miſtreſs, who had ſufficient + influence over Dumont to obtain any thing but the liberation of her + protector. The Deputy was on this head inflexible; doubtleſs, as a + proof of his impartial obſervance of the laws, and to ſhow that, + like the juſt man in Horace, he deſpiſed the clamour of the + vulgar, who did not ſcruple to hint, that the crime of our countryman + was rather of a moral than a political nature—that he waſ + unaccommodating, and recalcitrant—addicted to ſuſpicions + and jealouſies, which it was thought charitable to cure him of, by a + little wholeſome ſecluſion. In fact, the ſummary of + this gentleman's hiſtory is not calculated to tempt his fellow ſocietiſts + on your ſide of the water to imitate his example.—After taking + refuge in France from the tyranny and diſappointments he experienced + in England, and purchaſing a large national property to ſecure + himſelf the rights of a citizen, he iſ awakened from his dream + of freedom, to find himſelf lodged in a priſon, his eſtate + under ſequeſtration, and his miſtreſs in requiſition.—Let + uſ leave this Coriolanus among the Volſcianſ—it is a + perſecution to make converts, rather than martyrs, and + </p> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + <i>"Quand le malheur ne ſeroit bon, + "Qu'a mettre un ſot a la raiſon, + "Toujours ſeroit-ce a juſte cauſe + "Qu'on le dit bon a quelque choſe."</i>* +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <blockquote> + <p> + * If calamity were only good to reſtore a fool to his ſenſes, + ſtill we might juſtly ſay, "that it was good for ſome + thing." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_10" id="link4_4_10"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + March 5, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + Of what ſtrange influence is this word revolution, that it ſhould + thus, like a taliſman of romance, keep inchained, as it were, the reaſoning + faculties of twenty millions of people! France is at this moment looking + for the deciſion of its fate in the quarrels of two miſerable + clubs, compoſed of individuals who are either deſpiſed or + deteſted. The municipality of Paris favours the Cordeliers, the + Convention the Jacobins; and it is eaſy to perceive, that in this + cafe the auxiliarieſ are principals, and muſt ſhortly come + to ſuch an open rupture, as will end in the deſtruction of + either one or the other. The world would be uninhabitable, could the + combinations of the wicked be permanent; and it is fortunate for the + tranquil and upright part of mankind, that the attainment of the purpoſes + for which ſuch combinations are formed, iſ uſually the + ſignal of their diſſolution. + </p> + <p> + The municipality of Paris had been the iniquitous drudges of the Jacobin + party in the legiſlative aſſembly—they were made the + inſtruments of maſſacring the priſoners,* of + dethroning and executing the king,** and ſucceſſively of deſtroying + the Briſſotine faction,*** filling the priſonſ with + all who were obnoxious to the republicans,**** and of involving a + repentant nation in the irremidiable guilt of the Queen's death.—***** + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It is well known that the aſſaſſins were hired and + paid by the municipality, and that ſome of the members preſided + at theſe horrorſ in their ſcarfs of office. ** The whole + of what is called the revolution of the 10th of Auguſt may very juſtly + be aſcribed to the municipality of Pariſ—I mean the + active part of it. The planning and political part has been ſo + often diſputed by different members of the Convention, that it iſ + not eaſy to decide on any thing, except that the very terms of theſe + diſputes fully evince, that the people at large, and more + particularly the departments, were both innocent, and, until it took + place, ignorant of an event which has plunged the country into ſo + many crimes and calamities. *** A former impriſonment of Hebert + formed a principal charge againſt the Briſſotines, and, + indeed, the one that was moſt inſiſted on at their trial, + if we except that of having precipitated France into a war with England.—It + muſt be difficult for the Engliſh Jacobins to decide on this + occaſion between the virtues of their dead friends and thoſe + of their living ones. **** The famous definition of ſuſpected + perſons originated with the municipality of Paris. ***** It is + certain that thoſe who, deceived by the calumnies of faction, + permitted, if not aſſented to, the King's death, at thiſ + time regretted it; and I believe I have before obſerved, that one + of the reaſons urged in ſupport of the expediency of putting + the Queen to death, was, that it would make the army and people deciſive, + by baniſhing all hope of peace or accommodation. See the <i>Moniteur</i> + of that time, which, as I have elſewhere obſerved, may be + alwayſ conſidered as official. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Theſe ſervices being too great for adequate reward, were + not rewarded at all; and the municipality, tired of the odium of crime, + without the participation of power, has ſeized on its portion of + tyranny; while the convention, at once jealous and timid, exaſperated + and doubtful, yet menaces with the trepidation of a rival, rather than + with the ſecurity of a conqueror. + </p> + <p> + Hebert, the Deputy-ſolicitor for the commune of Paris, appears on thiſ + occaſion as the opponent of the whole legiſlature; and all the + temporizing eloquence of Barrere, and the myſterious phraſeology + of Robeſpierre, are employed to decry his morals, and to reproach the + miniſters with the ſums which have been the price of his + labours.—* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Five thouſand pounds, two thouſand pounds, and other conſiderable + ſums, were paid to Hebert for ſupplying the army with his + paper, called "La Pere Duchene." Let whoever has read one of them, + conceive the nature of a government to which ſuch ſupport waſ + neceſſary, which ſuppoſed its intereſts + promoted by a total extinction of morals, decency, and religion. I could + almoſt wiſh, for the ſake of exhibiting vice under its moſt + odious colours, that my ſex and my country permitted me to quote + one. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Virtuous republicanſ! the morals of Hebert were pure when he + outraged humanity in his accuſations of the Queen—they were + pure when he proſtrated the ſtupid multitude at the feet of a + Goddeſs of Reaſon;* they were pure while his execrable paper + ſerved to corrupt the army, and to eradicate every principle which + yet diſtinguiſhed the French as a civilized people. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Madame Momoro, the unfortunate woman who expoſed herſelf in + thiſ pageant, was guillotined as an accomplice of Hebert, together + with the wives of Hebert and Camille Deſmoulins. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Yet, atrocious as his crimes are, they form half the Magna Charta + of the republic,* and the authority of the Convention is ſtill ſupported + by them. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * What are the death of the King, and the murders of Auguſt and + September, 1792, but the Magna Charta of the republicans? + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —It is his perſon, not his guilt, that is proſcribed; and + if the one be threatened with the ſcaffold, the fruits of the other + are held ſacred. He will fall a ſacrifice—not to offended + religion or morality, but to the fears and reſentment of his + accompliceſ! + </p> + <p> + Amidſt the diſſentions of two parties, between which + neither reaſon nor humanity can diſcover a preference, a third + ſeems to have formed itſelf, equally inimical to, and hated by + both. At the head of it are Danton, Camille Deſmoulins, Philipeaux, + &c.—I own I have no better opinion of the integrity of theſe, + than of the reſt; but they profeſs themſelves the advocates + of a ſyſtem of mildneſs and moderation, and, ſituated + as thiſ country is at preſent, even the affectation of virtue is + captivating.— As far as they dare, the people are partial to them: + bending beneath the weight of a ſanguinary and turbulent deſpotiſm, + if they ſigh not for freedom, they do for repoſe; and the haraſſed + mind, bereft of its own energy, looks up with indolent hope for relief + from a change of factions. They forget that Danton is actuated by + ambitious jealouſy, that Camille Deſmoulins is hacknied in the + atrocities of the revolution, and that their partizans are adventurers, + with neither honour nor morals. Yet, after all, if they will deſtroy + a few of the guillotines, open our baſtilles, and give us at leaſt + the ſecurity of ſervitude, we ſhall be content to leave theſe + retroſpections to poſterity, and be thankful that in this our + day the wicked ſometimes perceive it their intereſt to do good. + </p> + <p> + In this ſtate of ſecluſion, when I remark to you the temper + of the public at any important criſis, you are, perhaps, curious to + know my ſources of intelligence; but ſuch details are unneceſſary. + I might, indeed, write you a manuel des priſons, and, like Trenck or + Latude, by a vain diſplay of ingenuity, deprive ſome future + victim of a reſource. It is enough, that Providence itſelf + ſeems to aid our invention, when its object is to elude tyranny; beſides + that a conſtant acceſſion of priſoners from all parts, + who are too numerous to be kept ſeparate, neceſſarily + circulateſ among us whatever paſſes in the world. + </p> + <p> + The Convention has lately made a ſort of <i>pas retrogade</i> + [Retrogade movement.] in the doctrine of holy equality, by decreeing, that + every officer who has a command ſhall be able to read and write, + though it cannot be denied that their reaſons for this leſe + democratie are of ſome weight. All gentlemen, or, as it is expreſſed + here, nobleſſe, have been recalled from the army, and replaced + by officers choſen by the ſoldierſ themſelves, [Under + the rank of field-officers.] whoſe affections are often conciliated + by qualities not eſſentially military, though ſometimeſ + profeſſional. A buffoon, or a pot-companion, is, of courſe, + often more popular than a diſciplinarian; and the brighteſt + talents loſe their influence when put in competition with a head that + can bear a greater number of bottles.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Hence it happened, that a poſt was ſometimes confided to one + who could not read the parole and counterſign; expeditions failed, + becauſe commanding officers miſtook on the map a river for a + road, or woods for mountains; and the moſt ſecret orders were + betrayed through the inability of thoſe to whom they were entruſted + to read them. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Yet this reading and writing are a ſort of ariſtocratic + diſtinctions, and not among the primeval rights of man; ſo that + it is poſſible your Engliſh patriots will not approve of + any regulations founded on them. But this is not the only point on which + there is an apparent diſcordance between them and their friends here—the + ſeverity of Meſſrs. Muir and Palmer's ſentence is + pathetically lamented in the Houſe of Commons, while the Tribunal + Revolutionnaire (in obedience to private orders) iſ petitioning, that + any diſreſpect towards the convention ſhall be puniſhed + with death. In England, it is aſſerted, that the people have a + right to decide on the continuation of the war—here it is propoſed + to declare ſuſpicious, and treat accordingly, all who ſhall + dare talk of peace.—Mr. Fox and Robeſpierre muſt ſettle + theſe trifling variations at the general congreſs of + republicans, when the latter ſhall (as they profeſs) have + dethroned all the potentates in Europe! + </p> + <p> + Do you not read of cart-loads of patriotic gifts,* bales of lint and + bandages, and ſtockings, knit by the hands of fair citizens, for the + uſe of the ſoldiers? + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * A ſum of money was at this time publicly offered to the + Convention for defraying the expences and repairs of the guillotine.—I + know not if it were intended patriotically or correctionally; but the + legiſlative delicacy was hurt, and the bearer of the gift ordered + for examination to the Committee of General Safety, who moſt + probably ſent him to expiate either his patriotiſm or his pleaſantry + in a priſon. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Do you not read, and call me calumniator, and aſk if theſe + are proofſ that there is no public ſpirit in France? Yes, the + public ſpirit of an eaſtern tributary, who offers, with apprehenſive + devotion, a part of the wealth which he fears the hand of deſpotiſm + may raviſh entirely.—The wives and daughters of huſbands + and fathers, who are pining in arbitrary confinement, are employed in theſe + feeble efforts, to deprecate the malice of their perſecutors; and theſe + voluntary tributes are but too often proportioned, not to the abilities, + but the miſeries of the donor.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * A lady, confined in one of the ſtate priſons, made an + offering, through the hands of a Deputy, of ten thouſand livres; + but the Convention obſerved, that this could not properly be deemed + a gift— for, as ſhe was doubtleſs a ſuſpicious + perſon, all ſhe had belonged of right to the republic: + </p> + </blockquote> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + <i>"Elle doit etre a moi, dit il, et la raiſon, + "C'eſt que je m'appelle Lion + "A cela l'on n'a rien a dire."</i> + — La Fontaine. + +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <blockquote> + <p> + Sometimes theſe <i>dons patriotiqueſ</i> were collected by a + band of Jacobins, at others regularly aſſeſſed by a + Repreſentative on miſſion; but on all occaſions the + ariſtocrats were moſt aſſiduouſ and moſt + liberal: + </p> + </blockquote> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + "Urg'd by th' imperious ſoldier's fierce command, + "The groaning Greeks break up their golden caverns, + "The accumulated wealth of toiling ages; + . . . . . . . . + "That wealth, too ſacred for their country's uſe; + "That wealth, too pleaſing to be loſt for freedom, + "That wealth, which, granted to their weeping Prince, + "Had rang'd embattled nations at their gates." + — Johnſon. +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <blockquote> + <p> + Or, what is ſtill better, have relieved the exigencies of the + ſtate, without offering a pretext for the horrors of a revolution.—O + ſelfiſh luxury, impolitic avarice, how are ye puniſhed? + robbed of your enjoyments and your wealth—glad even to commute + both for a painful exiſtence! + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The moſt ſplendid ſacrifices that fill the bulletin + of the Convention, and claim an honourable mention in their regiſters, + are made by the enemies of the republican government—by thoſe + who have already been the objects of perſecution, or are fearful of + becoming ſuch.—Ah, your priſon and guillotine are able + financiers: they raiſe, feed, and clothe an army, in leſs time + than you can procure a tardy vote from the moſt complaiſant Houſe + of Commonſ!—Your, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_11" id="link4_4_11"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + March 17, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + After ſome days of agitation and ſuſpenſe, we learn + that the popularity of Robeſpierre is victorious, and that Hebert and + his partizans are arreſted. Were the intrinſic claims of either + party conſidered, without regard to the circumſtances of the + moment, it might ſeem ſtrange I ſhould expreſs myſelf + as though the reſult of a conteſt between ſuch men could + excite a general intereſt: yet a people ſadly ſkilled in + the gradationſ of evil, and inured to a choice only of what is bad, + learn to prefer comparatively, with no other view than that of adopting + what may be leaſt injurious to themſelves; and the merit of the + object is out of the queſtion. Hence it is, that the public wiſh + was in favour of Robeſpierre; for, beſides that his cautious + character has given him an advantage over the undiſguiſed + profligacy of Hebert, it is conjectured by many, that the more merciful + politics profeſſed by Camille Deſmoulins, are ſecretly + ſuggeſted, or, at leaſt aſſented to, by the + former.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This was the opinion of many.—The Convention and the Jacobins + had taken alarm at a paper called "The Old Cordelier," written by + Camille Deſmoulins, apparently with a view to introduce a milder + ſyſtem of government. The author had been cenſured at the + one, expelled the other, and defended by Robeſpierre, who ſeems + not to have abandoned him until he found the Convention reſolved to + perſiſt in the ſanguinary plan they had adopted. Robeſpierre + afterwardſ ſacrificed his friends to retrieve his influence; + but could hiſ views have been anſwered by humane meaſures, + as certainly as by cruel ones, I think he would have preferred the firſt; + for I repeat, that the Convention at large were averſe from any + thing like reaſon or juſtice, and Robeſpierre more than + once riſked his popularity by profeſſions of moderation.—The + moſt eloquent ſpeech I have ſeen of his was previous to + the death of Danton, and it ſeems evidently intended to ſound + the principles of his colleagues as to a change of ſyſtem.—Camille + Deſmoulins has excited ſome intereſt, and has been deemed + a kind of martyr to humanity. Perhaps nothing marks the horrors of the + time more than ſuch a partiality.—Camille Deſmoulins, + under an appearance of ſimplicity, was an adventurer, whoſe + pen had been employed to miſlead the people from the beginning of + the revolution. He had been very active on the 10th of Auguſt; and + even in the papers which have given him a comparative reputation, he is + the panegyriſt of Marat, and recommends "une Guillotine + economique;" that is, a diſcrimination in favour of himſelf + and his party, who now began to fear they might themſelveſ be + ſacrificed by the Convention and deſerted by Robeſpierre—after + being the accomplices and tools of both. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The viciſſitudes of the revolution have hitherto offered nothing + but a change of vices and of parties; nor can I regard this defeat of the + municipality of Paris as any thing more: the event is, however, important, + and will probably have great influence on the future. + </p> + <p> + After having ſo long authorized, and profited by, the crimes of thoſe + they have now ſacrificed, the Convention are willing to have it + ſuppoſed they were themſelves held in ſubjection by + Hebert and the other repreſentatives of the Pariſian mob.—Admitting + this to be true, having regained their independence, we ought naturally to + expect a more rational and humane ſyſtem will take place; but + this is a mere hope, and the preſent occurrences are far from juſtifying + it. We hear much of the guilt of the fallen party, and little of remedying + its effectſ—much of puniſhment, and little of reform; and + the people are excited to vengeance, without being permitted to claim + redreſs. In the meanwhile, fearful of truſting to the cold + preference which they owe to a ſuperior abhorrence of their adverſaries, + the Convention have ordered their colleagues on miſſion to glean + the few arms ſtill remaining in the handſ of the National Guard, + and to arreſt all who may be ſuſpected of connection with + the adverſe party.—Dumont has performed this ſervice here + very diligently; and, by way of ſupererogation, has ſent the + Commandant of Amiens to the Bicetre, his wife, who was ill, to the hoſpital, + and two young children to this place. + </p> + <p> + As uſual, theſe proceedings excite ſecret murmurs, but are + nevertheleſſ yielded to with perfect ſubmiſſion. + </p> + <p> + One can never, on theſe occaſions, ceaſe admiring the + endurance of the French character. In other countries, at every change of + party, the people are flattered with the proſpect of advantage, or + conciliated by indulgences; but here they gain nothing by change, except + an accumulation of oppreſſion—and the ſucceſs of + a new party is always the harbinger of ſome new tyranny. While the + fall of Hebert is proclaimed as the triumph of freedom, all the citizens + are diſarmed by way of collateral ſecurity; and at the inſtant + he is accuſed by the Convention of atheiſm and immorality,* a + militant police is ſent forth to devaſtate the churches, and + puniſh thoſe who are detected in obſerving the Sabbath—<i>"mais + plutot ſouffrir que mourir, c'eſt la deviſe des Francois."</i> + ["To ſuffer rather than die is the motto of Frenchmen."] + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It is remarkable, that the perſecution of religion was never more + violent than at the time when the Convention were anathematizing Hebert + and his party for athieſm. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Briſſot and his companions died ſinging a paraphraſe + of my quotation: + </p> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + <i>"Plutot la mort que l'eſclavage, + "C'eſt la deviſe des Francois."</i> +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <blockquote> + <p> + ["Death before ſlavery, is the Frenchman's motto."] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Let thoſe who reflect on what France has ſubmitted to + under them and their ſucceſſors decide, whether the + original be not more appoſite. + </p> + <p> + I hope the act of accuſation againſt Chabot has been publiſhed + in England, for the benefit of your Engliſh patriots: I do not mean + by way of warning, but example. It appears, that the ſaid Chabot, and + four or five of his colleagues in the Convention, had been bribed to + ſerve a ſtock-jobbing buſineſs at a ſtipulated + ſum,* and that the money was to be divided amongſt them. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Chabot, Fabre d'Eglantine, (author of "l'Intrigue Epiſtolaire," + and ſeveral other admired dramatic pieces,) Delaunay d'Angers, + Julien de Toulouſe, and Bazire, were bribed to procure the paſſing + certain decrees, tending to enrich particular people, by defrauding the + Eaſt India Company.—Delaunay and Julien (both re-elected into + the preſent Aſſembly) eſcaped by flight, the reſt + were guillotined. —It is probable, that theſe little + peculations might have paſſed unnoticed in patriots of ſuch + note, but that the intrigues and popular character of Chabot made it + neceſſary to diſpoſe of him, and his accomplices + ſuffered to give a countenance to the meaſure. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Chabot, with great reaſon, inſiſted on his claim to + an extra ſhare, on account, as he expreſſed it, of having + the reputation of one of the firſt patriots in Europe. Now this I + look upon to be a very uſeful hint, as it tends to eſtabliſh + a tariff of reputations, rather than of talents. In England, you diſtinguiſh + too much in favour of the latter; and, in a queſtion of purchaſe, + a Miniſter often prefers a "commodity" of rhetoricians, to one of + "good names."—I confeſs, I am of Chabot'ſ opinion; and + think a vote from a member who has ſome reputation for honeſty, + ought to be better paid for than the eloquence which, weakened by the + vices of the orator, ceaſes to perſuade. How it is that the + patriotic harangues at St. Stephen's ſerve only to amuſe the + auditors, who identify the ſentiments they expreſs as little + with the ſpeaker, aſ they would thoſe of Cato's ſoliloquy + with the actor who perſonates the character for the night? I fear the + people reaſon like Chabot, and are "fools to fame." Perhaps it is + fortunate for England, that thoſe whoſe talents and principles + would make them moſt dangerous, are become leaſt ſo, becauſe + both are counteracted by the public contempt. Ought it not to humble the + pride, and correct the errors, which too often accompany great genius, + that the meaneſt capacity can diſtinguiſh between talentſ + and virtue; and that even in the moment our wonder is excited by the one, + a ſort of intrinſic preference is given to the other?—Yours, + &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_12" id="link4_4_12"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Providence, April 15, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + "The friendſhip of bad men turns to fear:" and in this ſingle + phraſe of our popular bard is comprized the hiſtory of all the + parties who have ſucceeded each other during the revolution.—Danton + has been ſacrificed to Robeſpierre's jealouſy,* and Camille + Deſmoulins to ſupport hiſ popularity;** and both, after + ſharing in the crimes, and contributing to the puniſhment, of + Hebert and his aſſociates, have followed them to the ſame + ſcaffold. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The ferocious courage of Danton had, on the 10th of Auguſt, the + 2d of September, the 31ſt of May, and other occaſions, been + the ductile inſtrument of Robeſpierre; but, in the courſe + of their iniquitouſ connection, it ſhould ſeem, they had + committed themſelves too much to each other. Danton had betrayed a + deſire of more excluſively profiting by his crimes; and Robeſpierre's + views been equally ambitious, though leſs daring, their mutual + jealouſies had riſen to a height which rendered the ſacrifice + of one party neceſſary—and Robeſpierre had the + addreſs to ſecure himſelf, by ſtriking the firſt + blow. They had ſupped in the country, and returned together to + Paris, on the night Danton was arreſted; and, it may be ſuppoſed, + that in this interview, which was intended to produce a reconciliation, + they had been convinced that neither was to be truſted by the + other. ** There can be no doubt but Robeſpierre had encouraged + Camille Deſmoulins to publiſh his paper, intitled "The Old + Cordelier," in which ſome tranſlations from Tacitus, deſcriptive + of every kind of tyranny, were applied to the times, and a change of + ſyſtem indirectly propoſed. The publication became highly + popular, except with the Convention and the Jacobins; theſe, + however, it waſ requiſite for Robeſpierre to conciliate; + and Camille Deſmoulins waſ ſacrificed, to prove that he + did not favour the obnoxious moderation of his friend. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I know not if one's heart gain any thing by this habitual contemplation of + ſucceſſive victims, who ought not to inſpire pity, and + whom juſtice and humanity forbid one to regret.—How many + parties have fallen, who ſeem to have laboured only to tranſmit + a dear-bought tyranny, which they had not time to enjoy themſelves, + to their ſucceſſors: The French revolutioniſts may, + indeed, adopt the motto of Virgil's Bees, "Not for ourſelves, but for + you." The monſtrous powers claimed for the Convention by the Briſſotines,* + with the hope of excluſively exerciſing them, were fatal to themſelveſ—the + party that overthrew the Briſſotines in its turn became inſignificant—and + a ſmall number of them only, under the deſcription of Committees + of Public Welfare and General Safety, gradually uſurped the whole + authority. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The victorious Briſſotines, after the 10th of Auguſt, + availing themſelves of the ſtupor of one part of the people, + and the fanaticiſm of the other, required that the new Convention + might be entruſted with unlimited powers. Not a thouſandth + portion of thoſe who elected the members, perhaps, comprehended the + dreadful extent of ſuch a demand, as abſurd as it has proved + fatal.—<i>"Tout pouvoir ſans bornes ne fauroit etre legitime, + parce qu'il n'a jamais pu avoir d'origine legitime, car nous ne pouvons + pas donner a un autre plus de pouvoir ſur nous que nous n'en avons + nous-memeſ"</i> [Monteſquieu.]:—that is, the power which + we accord to others, or which we have over ourſelves, cannot exceed + the bounds preſcribed by the immutable laws of truth and juſtice. + The united voice of the whole French nation could not beſtow on + their repreſentatives a right to murder or oppreſs one + innocent man. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Even of theſe, ſeveral have already periſhed; and in + the hands of Robeſpierre, and half a dozen others of equal talents + and equal atrocity, but leſs cunning, center at preſent all the + fruits of ſo many miſeries, and ſo many crimes. + </p> + <p> + In all theſe conflicts of party, the victory ſeems hitherto to + have remained with the moſt artful, rather than the moſt able; + and it is under the former title that Robeſpierre, and his colleagues + in the Committee of Public Welfare, are now left inheritors of a power + more deſpotic than that exerciſed in Japan.—Robeſpierre + is certainly not deficient in abilities, but they are not great in + proportion to the influence they have acquired him. They may, perhaps, be + more properly called ſingular than great, and conſiſt in + the art of appropriating to his own advantage both the events of chance + and the labours of others, and of captivating the people by an exterior of + ſevere virtue, which a cold heart enableſ him to aſſume, + and which a profligacy, not the effect of ſtrong paſſions, + but of ſyſtem, is eaſily ſubjected to. He is not + eloquent, nor are hiſ ſpeeches, as compoſitions,* equal to + thoſe of Collot d'Herbais, Barrere, or Billaud Varennes; but, by + contriving to reſerve himſelf for extraordinary occaſions, + ſuch as announcing plots, victories, and ſyſtemſ of + government, he is heard with an intereſt which finally becomeſ + tranſferred from his ſubject to himſelf.** + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The moſt celebrated members of the Convention are only readers of + ſpeeches, compoſed with great labour, either by themſelves + or others; and I think it is diſtinguiſhable, that many are + manufactured by the ſame hand. The ſtyle and ſpirit of + Lindet, Barrere, and Carnot, ſeem to be in common. ** The following + paſſages, from a ſpeech of Dubois Crance, who may be + ſuppoſed a competent judge, at once furniſh an idea of + Robeſpierre's oratory, exhibit a leading feature in his character, + and expoſe ſome of the arts by which the revolutionary deſpotiſm + waſ maintained: <i>"Rapportant tout a lui ſeul, juſqu'a + la patrie, il n'en parla jamais que pour ſ'en deſigner comme + l'unique defenſeur: otez de ſeſ longs diſcours tout + ce qui n'a rapport qu'a ſon perſonnel, vous n'y trouverez plus + que de ſeches applications de prinipes connus, et ſurtout de + phraſes preparees pour amener encore ſon eloge. Vouſ + l'avez juge timide, parce que ſon imagination, que l'on croyait + ardente, qui n'etait que feroce, paraſſait exagerer ſouvent + les maux de ſon pays. C'etait une jonglerie: il ne croyait ni aux + conſpirations don't il faiſait tant d'etalage, ni aux poignardſ + aux-quels il feignoit de ſſe devouer; mais il vouloit que leſ + citoyens fuſſſent conſtamment en defiance l'un de + l'autre," &c.</i> "Affecting to conſider all things, even the + fate of the country, aſ depending on himſelf alone, he never + ſpoke of it but with a view to point himſelf out its principal + defender.—If you take away from hiſ long harangues all that + regards him perſonally, you will find only dry applications of + familiar principles, and, above all, thoſe ſtudied turns, + which were artfully prepared to introduce his own eternal panegyric.—You + ſuppoſed him timid becauſe his imagination (which was not + merely ardent, as was ſuppoſed, but ferocious) ſeemed + often to exaggerate the miſfortunes of his country.—This was + a mere trick: he believed neither in the conſpiracies he made + ſo great a parade of, nor in the poignards to which he pretended to + devote himſelf as a victim.—His real deſign was to infuſe + into the mindſ of all men an unceaſing diffidence of each + other." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + One cannot ſtudy the characters of theſe men, and the + revolution, without wonder; and, after an hour of ſuch ſcribbling, + I wake to the ſcene around me, and my wonder is not a little increaſed, + at the idea that the fate of ſuch an individual as myſelf ſhould + be at all dependent on either.—My friend Mad. de ____ is ill,* and + taken to the hoſpital, ſo that having no longer the care of diſſipating + her ennui, I am at full liberty to indulge my own. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * I have generally made uſe of the titles and diſtinctions by + which the people I mention were known before the revolution; for, beſideſ + that I found it difficult to habituate my pen to the republican ſyſtem + of levelling, the perſon to whom theſe letters were addreſſed + would not have known who was meant by the new appellations. It is, + however, to be obſerved, that, except in private ariſtocratic + intercourſe, the word Citizen was in general uſe; and that thoſe + who had titles relinquiſhed them and aſſumed their family + names. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Yet I know not how it is, but, as I have before obſerved to + you, I do not ennuye—my mind is conſtantly occupied, though my + heart is vacant— curioſity ſerves inſtead of intereſt, + and I really find it ſufficiently amuſing to conjecture how long + my head may remain on my ſhoulders.—You will, I dare ſay, + agree with me that any doubts on ſuch a ſubject are very well + calculated to remove the tranquil ſort of indifference which produces + ennui; though, to judge by the greater part of my fellow-priſoners, + one would not think ſo.—There is ſomething ſurely in + the character of the French, which makes them differ both in proſperity + and adverſity from other people. Here are many amongſt us who + ſee little more in the loſs of their liberty than a privation of + their uſual amuſements; and I have known ſome who had the + good fortune to obtain their releaſe at noon, exhibit themſelves + at the theatre at night.—God knows how ſuch minds are conſtituted: + for my part, when ſome conſolatory illuſion reſtores + me to freedom, I aſſociate with it no idea of poſitive pleaſure, + but long for a ſort of intermediate ſtate, which may repoſe + my haraſſed faculties, and in which mere comfort and ſecurity + are portrayed as luxuries. After being ſo long deprived of the decent + accommodationſ of life, ſecluded from the intercourſe which + conſtitutes its beſt enjoyments, trembling for my own fate, and + hourly lamenting that of my friends, the very thoughts of tumult or gaiety + ſeem oppreſſive, and the deſire of peace, for the + moment, baniſhes every other. One muſt have no heart, after + ſo many ſufferings, not to prefer the caſtle of Indolence + to the palace of Armida. + </p> + <p> + The coarſe organs of an Argus at the door, who is all day employed in + calling to my high-born companions by the republican appellations of <i>"Citoyen,"</i> + and <i>"Citoyenne,"</i> has juſt interrupted me by a ſummons to + receive a letter from my unfortunate friends at Arras.—It was given + me open;* of courſe they ſay nothing of their ſituation, + though I have reaſon to believe it is dreadful. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The opening of letters was now ſo generally avowed, that people + who correſponded on buſineſs, and were deſirous + their letters ſhould be delivered, put them in the poſt + without ſealing; otherwiſe they were often torn in opening, + thrown aſide, or detained, to ſave the trouble of peruſing. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —They have now written to me for aſſiſtance, which I + have not the meanſ of affording them. Every thing I have is under + ſequeſtration; and the difficulty which attends the negociating + any drafts drawn upon England, has made it nearly impoſſible to + procure money in the uſual way, even if I were not confined. The + friendſhip of Mad. de ____ will be little available to me. Her extenſive + fortune, before frittered to mere competency by the extortions of the + revolution, now ſcarcely ſupplies her own wants; and her tenants + humanely take the opportunity of her preſent diſtreſs to + avoid paying their rent.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * In ſome inſtances ſervants or tenants have been known + to ſeize on portions of land for their own uſe—in others + the country municipalities exacted as the price of a certificate of civiſm, + (without which no releaſe from priſon could be obtained,) + ſuch leaſes, lands, or privileges, as they thought the embarraſſments + of their landlords would induce them to grant. Almoſt every where + the houſes of perſons arreſted were pilfered either by + their own ſervants or the agents of the republic. I have known an + elegant houſe put in requiſition to erect blackſmithſ' + forges in for the uſe of the army, and another filled with tailors + employed in making ſoldierſ' clothes.—Houſes were + likewiſe not unfrequently abandoned by the ſervants through + fear of ſharing the fate of their maſters, and ſometimes + expoſed equally by the arreſt of thoſe who had been left + in charge, in order to extort diſcoveries of plate, money, &c. + the concealment of which they might be ſuppoſed privy to. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —So that I have no reſource, either for myſelf or Mrs. + D____, but the ſale of a few trinkets, which I had fortunately ſecreted + on my firſt arreſt. How are we to exiſt, and what an exiſtence + to be ſolicitouſ about! In gayer moments, and, perhaps, a little + tinctured by romantic refinement, I have thought Dr. Johnſon made + poverty too excluſively the ſubject of compaſſion: + indeed I believe he uſed to ſay, it was the only evil he really + felt for. This, to one who has known only mental ſuffering, appears + the notion of a coarſe mind; but I doubt whether, the firſt time + we are alarmed by the fear of want, the dread of dependence does not + render us in part his converts. The opinion of our Engliſh ſage + is more natural than we may at firſt imagine; or why is it that we + are affected by the ſimple diſtreſſes of Jane Shore, + beyond thoſe of any other heroine?—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_13" id="link4_4_13"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + April 22, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + Our abode becomes daily more crouded; and I obſerve, that the greater + part of thoſe now arreſted are farmers. This appears ſtrange + enough, when we conſider how much the revolutionary perſecution + has hitherto ſpared this claſs of people; and you will naturally + enquire why it has at length reached them. + </p> + <p> + It has been often obſerved, that the two extremes of ſociety are + nearly the ſame in all countries; the great reſemble each other + from education, the little from nature. Compariſons, therefore, of + morals and mannerſ ſhould be drawn from the intervening claſſes; + yet from this compariſon alſo I believe we muſt exclude + farmers, who are every where the ſame, and who ſeem always more + marked by profeſſional ſimilitude than national diſtinction. + </p> + <p> + The French farmer exhibits the ſame acuteneſs in all that + regards his own intereſt, and the ſame ſtupidity on moſt + other occaſions, as the mere Engliſh one; and the ſame + objects which enlarge the underſtanding and dilate the heart of other + people, ſeem to have a contrary effect on both. They contemplate the + objects of nature as the ſtock-jobber does the viciſſitudes + of the public funds: "the dews of heaven," and the enlivening orb by which + they are diſpelled, are to the farmer only objects of avaricious + ſpeculation; and the ſcarcity, which is partially profitable, is + but too often more welcome than a general abundance.—They conſider + nothing beyond the limits of their own farms, except for the purpoſe + of making envious compariſons with thoſe of their neighbours; + and being fed and clothed almoſt without intermediate commerce, they + have little neceſſity for communication, and are nearly as iſolated + a part of ſociety as ſailors themſelves. + </p> + <p> + The French revolutioniſts have not been unobſerving of theſe + circumſtances, nor ſcrupulous of profiting by them: they knew + they might have diſcuſſed for ever their metaphyſical + definitions of the rights of man, without reaching the comprehenſion, + or exciting the intereſt, of the country people; but that if they + would not underſtand the propagation of the rights of man, they would + very eaſily comprehend an abolition of the rights of their landlords. + Accordingly, the firſt principle of liberty they were taught from the + new code was, that they had a right to aſſemble in arms, to + force the ſurrender of title-deeds; and their firſt + revolutionary notions of equality and property ſeem to have been + manifeſted by the burning of chateaux, and refuſing to pay their + rents. They were permitted to intimidate their landlords, in order to + force them to emigration, and either to ſell their eſtates at a + low price, or leave them to the mercy of the tenants. + </p> + <p> + At a time when the neceſſities of the ſtate had been great + enough to be made the pretext of a dreadful revolution, they were not only + almoſt exempt from contributing to its relief, but were enriched by + the common diſtreſs; and while the reſt of their countrymen + beheld with unavailing regret their property gradually replaced by ſcraps + of paper, the peaſantſ became inſolent and daring by + impunity, refuſed to ſell but for ſpecie, and were daily + amaſſing wealth. It is not therefore to be wondered at, that + they were partial to the new order of things. The priſons might have + overflowed or been thinned by the miſeries of thoſe with whom + they had been crowded—the Revolutionary Tribunal might have ſacrificed + half France, and theſe ſelfiſh citizens, I fear, would have + beheld it tranquilly, had not the requiſition forced their labourers + to the army, and the "maximum" lowered the price of their corn. The + exigency of the war, and an internal ſcarcity, having rendered theſe + meaſures neceſſary, and it being found impoſſible + to perſuade the farmers into a peaceful compliance with them, the + government has had recourſe to its uſual ſummary mode of + expoſtulation—a priſon or the Guillotine.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The avarice of the farmers was doubtleſs to be condemned, but the + cruel deſpotiſm of the government almoſt weakened our + ſenſe of rectitude; for by confounding error with guilt, and + guilt with innocence, they habituated us to indiſcriminate pity, + and obliged uſ to tranſfer our hatred of a crime to thoſe + who in puniſhing it, obſerved neither mercy nor juſtice. + A farmer was guillotined, becauſe ſome blades of corn appeared + growing in one of his ponds; from which circumſtance it was + inferred, he had thrown in a large quantity, in order to promote a + ſcarcity—though it waſ ſubſtantially proved on + his trial, that at the preceding harveſt the grain of an adjoining + field had been got in during a high wind, and that in all probability + ſome ſcattered ears which reached the water had produced what + was deemed ſufficient teſtimony to convict him.— Another + underwent the ſame puniſhment for purſuing his uſual + courſe of tillage, and ſowing part of his ground with lucerne, + inſtead of employing the whole for wheat; and every where theſe + people became the objects of perſecution, both in their perſons + and property. "Almoſt all our conſiderable farmers have been + thrown into priſon; the conſequence is, that their capital is + eat up, their ſtock gone to ruin, and our lands have loſt the + almoſt incalculable effect of their induſtry. In La Vendee + ſix million acres of land lie uncultivated, and five hundred thouſand + oxen have been turned aſtray, without ſhelter and without an + owner." Speech of Dubois Crance, Sept. 22, 1794. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Amazed to find themſelves the objects of a tyranny they had + hitherto contributed to ſupport, and ſharing the miſfortune + of their Lords and Clergy, theſe ignorant and miſtaken people + wander up and down with a vacant ſort of ruefulneſs, which + ſeems to beſpeak that they are far from comprehending or being + ſatiſfied with this new ſpecimen of republicaniſm.—It + has been a fatality attending the French through the whole revolution, + that the different claſſes have too readily facilitated the + ſacrifice of each other; and the Nobility, the Clergy, the Merchant, + and the Farmer, have the mortification of experiencing, that their ſelfiſh + and illiberal policy has anſwered no purpoſe but to involve all + in one common ruin. + </p> + <p> + Angelique has contrived to-day to negotiate the ſale of ſome + bracelets, which a lady, with whom I was acquainted previous to our + detention, haſ very obligingly given almoſt half their value + for, though not without many injunctions to ſecreſy, and as many + implied panegyrics on her benevolence, in riſking the odium of + affording aſſiſtance to a foreigner. We are, I aſſure + you, under the neceſſity of being oeconomiſts, where the moſt + abundant wealth could not render us externally comfortable: and the little + we procure, by a clandeſtine diſpoſal of my unneceſſary + trinkets, is conſiderably diminiſhed,* by arbitrary impoſitions + of the guard and the poor,** and a voluntary tax from the miſery that + ſurrounds us. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * I am aware of Mr. Burke's pleaſantry on the expreſſion + of very little, being greatly diminiſhed; but my exchequer at this + time waſ as well calculated to prove the infinite diviſibility + of matter, aſ that of the Welch principality. ** The guards of the + republican Baſtilles were paid by the priſonerſ they + contained; and, in many places, the tax for this purpoſe waſ + levied with indecent rigour. It might indeed be ſuppoſed, that + people already in priſon could have little to apprehend from an + inability or unwillingneſs to ſubmit to ſuch an impoſition; + yet thoſe who refuſed were menaced with a dungeon; and I was + informed, from undoubted authority, of two inſtances of the ſort + among the Engliſh—the one a young woman, the other a perſon + with a large family of children, who were on the point of ſuffering + thiſ treatment, but that the humanity of ſome of their + companionſ interfered and paid the ſum exacted of them. The + tax for ſupporting the impriſoned poor was more willingly + complied with, though not leſs iniquitous in its principle; numbers + of inoffenſive and induſtrious people were taken from their + homes on account of their religion, or other frivolous pretexts, and not + having the wherewithal to maintain themſelves in confinement, inſtead + of being kept by the republic, were ſupported by their fellow-priſoners, + in conſequence of a decree to that purpoſe. Families who + inherited nothing from their noble anceſtors but their names, were + dragged from obſcurity only to become objects of perſecution; + and one in particular, conſiſting of nine perſons, who + lived in extreme indigence, but were notwithſtanding of the proſcribed + claſs; the ſons were brought wounded from the army and lodged + with the father, mother, and five younger children in a priſon, + where they had ſcarcely food to ſupport, or clothing to cover + them. I take this opportunity of doing juſtice to the Comte + d'Artois, whoſe youthful errors did not extinguiſh his + benevolence—the unfortunate people in queſtion having enjoyed + a penſion from him until the revolution deprived them of it. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Our male companions are for the moſt part tranſferred to other + priſons, and among the number are two young Engliſhmen, with + whom I uſed ſometimeſ to converſe in French, without + acknowledging our compatriotiſm. They have told me, that when the + decree for arreſting the Engliſh was received at Amiens, they + happened to be on a viſit, a few miles from the town; and having + notice that a party of horſe were on the road to take them, willing + to gain time at leaſt, they eſcaped by another route, and got + home. The republican conſtables, for I can call the military employed + in the interior by no better appellation, finding their prey had taken + flight, adopted the impartial juſtice of the men of Charles Town,* + and carried off the old couple (both above ſeventy) at whoſe houſe + they had been. + </p> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "But they maturely having weigh'd + "They had no more but him o'th'trade, + "Reſolved to ſpare him, yet to do + "The Indian Hoghan-Moghan too + "Impartial juſtice—in his ſtead did + "Hang an old weaver that was bed-rid." +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + The good man, who was probably not verſed in the etiquette of the + revolution, conceived nothing of the matter, and when at the end of their + journey they were depoſited at the Bicetre, his head was ſo + totally deranged, that he imagined himſelf ſtill in his own houſe, + and continued for ſome days addreſſing all the priſoners + as though they were hiſ gueſtſ—at one moment + congratulating them on their arrival, the next apologizing for want of + room and accommodation.—The evaſion of the young men, as you + will conclude, availed them nothing, except a delay of their captivity for + a few hours. + </p> + <p> + A report has circulated amongſt us to-day, that all who are not + detained on ſpecific charges are ſoon to be liberated. This is + eagerly believed by the new-comers, and thoſe who are not the "pale + converts of experience." I am myſelf ſo far from crediting it, + that I dread leſt it ſhould be the harbinger of ſome new + evil, for I know not whether it be from the effect of chance, or a + refinement in atrocity, but I have generally found every meaſure + which tended to make our ſituation more miſerable preceded by + theſe flattering rumours. + </p> + <p> + You would ſmile to ſee with what anxious credulity intelligence + of thiſ ſort is propagated: we ſtop each other on the + ſtairs and liſten while our palled dinner, juſt arrived + from the traiteur, is cooling; and the bucket of the draw-well hangs + ſuſpended while a hiſtory is finiſhed, of which the + relator knows as little as the hearer, and which, after all, proveſ + to have originated in ſome ambiguous phraſe of our keeper, + uttered in a good-humoured paroxyſm while receiving a douceur. + </p> + <p> + We occaſionally loſe ſome of our aſſociates, who, + having obtained their diſcharge, <i>depart a la Francaiſe,</i> + forget their ſuffering, and praiſe the clemency of Dumont, and + the virtue of the Convention; while thoſe who remain ſtill + unconverted amuſe themſelves in conjecturing the channel through + which ſuch favours were ſolicited, and alleging reaſons why + ſuch preferences were partial and unjuſt. + </p> + <p> + Dumont viſits us, as uſual, receives an hundred or two of + petitions, which he does not deign to read, and reſerves his + indulgence for thoſe who have the means of aſſailing him + through the ſmiles of a favourite miſtreſs, or propitiating + him by more ſubſtantial advantages.—Many of the emigrantſ' + wives have procured their liberty by being divorced, and in this there is + nothing blameable, for I imagine the greater number conſider it only + as a temporary expedient, indifferent in itſelf, and which they are + juſtified in having recourſe to for the protection of their perſons + and property. But theſe domeſtic alienations are not confined to + thoſe who once moved in the higher orders of ſociety—the + monthly regiſters announce almoſt as many divorces as marriages, + and the facility of ſeparation has rendered the one little more than + a licentiouſ compact, which the other is conſidered as a means + of diſſolving. The effect of the revolution has in this, as in + many other caſes, been to make the little emulate the vices of the + great, and to introduce a more groſs and deſtructive policy + among the people at large, than exiſted in the narrow circle of + courtiers, imitators of the Regent, or Louis the fifteenth. Immorality, + now conſecrated as a principle, is far more pernicious than when, + though practiſed, it was condemned, and, though ſuffered, not + ſanctioned. + </p> + <p> + You muſt forgive me if I ennuye you a little ſententiouſly—I + was more partial to the lower ranks of life in France, than to thoſe + who were deemed their ſuperiors; and I cannot help beholding with + indignant regret the laſt aſylums of national morals thus + invaded by the general corruption.—I believe no one will diſpute + that the revolution haſ rendered the people more vicious; and, + without conſidering the matter either in a moral or religious point + of view, it is impoſſible to aſſert that they are not + leſs happy. How many times, when I was at liberty, have I heard the + old wiſh for an acceſſion of years, or envy thoſe yet + too young to be ſenſible of "the miſeries of a revolution!"—Were + the vanity of the ſelf-ſufficient philoſopher ſuſceptible + of remorſe, would he not, when he beholds this country, lament his + preſumption, in ſuppoſing he had a right to cancel the wiſdom + of paſt ages; or that the happineſs of mankind might be promoted + by the deſtruction of their morals, and the depravation of their + ſocial affections?—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_14" id="link4_4_14"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + April 30, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + For ſome years previous to the revolution, there were ſeveral + points in which the French aſcribed to themſelves a ſuperiority + not very diſtant from perfection. Amongſt theſe were philoſophy, + politeneſs, the refinements of ſociety, and, above all, the art + of living.—I have ſometimes, as you know, been inclined to diſpute + theſe claims; yet, if it be true that in our ſublunary career + perfection is not ſtationary, and that, having reached the apex of + the pyramid on one ſide, we muſt neceſſarily deſcend + on the other, I might, on this ground, allow ſuch pretenſions to + be more reaſonable than I then thought them. Whatever progreſs + might have been attained in theſe reſpects, or however near our + neighbours might have approached to one extreme, it is but too certain + they are now rapidly declining to the other. This boaſted philoſophy + iſ become a horrid compound of all that is offenſive to Heaven, + and diſgraceful to man—this politeneſs, a ferocious + incivility—and thiſ ſocial elegance and excluſive + ſcience in the enjoyment of life, are now reduced to ſuſpicious + intercourſe, and the want of common neceſſaries. + </p> + <p> + If the national vanity only were wounded, perhaps I might ſmile, + though I hope I ſhould not triumph; but when I ſee ſo much + miſery accompany ſo profound a degradation, my heart does not + accord with my language, if I ſeem to do either one or the other. + </p> + <p> + I ſhould ineffectually attempt to deſcribe the circumſtances + and ſituation which have given riſe to theſe reflections. + Imagine to yourſelf whatever tyranny can inflict, or human nature + ſubmit to— whatever can be the reſult of unreſtrained + wickedneſs and unreſiſting deſpair—all that can + ſcourge or diſgrace a people—and you may form ſome + idea of the actual ſtate of this country: but do not ſearch your + bookſ for compariſons, or expect to find in the proſcriptions + and extravagancies of former periods any examples by which to judge the + preſent.—Tiberius and Nero are on the road to oblivion, and the + ſubjectſ of the Lama may boaſt comparative pretenſions + to rank as a free and enlightened nation. + </p> + <p> + The frantic ebullitions of the revolutionary government are now as it were + ſubſided, and inſtead of appearing the temporary reſources + of "deſpotiſm in diſtreſs," [Burke.] have aſſumed + the form of a permanent and regular ſyſtem. The agitation occaſioned + by ſo many unexampled ſcenes is ſucceeded by an habitual + terror, and this depreſſing ſentiment has ſo pervaded + all ranks, that it would be difficult to find an individual, however obſcure + or inoffenſive, who deems his property, or even his exiſtence, + ſecure only for a moment. The ſound of a bell or a knocker at + the cloſe of the evening is the ſignal of diſmay. The + inhabitants of the houſe regard each other with looks of fearful + interrogation—all the precautions hitherto taken appear inſufficient— + every one recollects ſomething yet to be ſecreted—a + prayer-book, an unburied ſilver ſpoon, or a few aſſignats + "a face royale," are haſtily ſcrambled together, and if the viſit + prove nothing more than an amicable domiciliary one, in ſearch of + arms and corn, it forms matter of congratulation for a week after. Yet + ſuch is the ſubmiſſion of the people to a government + they abhor, that it is ſcarcely thought requiſite now to arreſt + any perſon formally: thoſe whom it is intended to ſecure + often receive nothing more than a written mandate* to betake themſelveſ + to a certain priſon, and ſuch unpleaſant rendezvous are + attended with more punctuality than the moſt ceremonious viſit, + or the moſt gallant aſſignation. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Theſe reſcripts were uſually couched in the following + terms:— "Citizen, you are deſired to betake yourſelf + immediately to ———, (naming the priſon,) under + pain of being conveyed there by an armed force in caſe of delay." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —A few neceſſaries are haſtily packed together, the + adieus are made, and, after a walk to their priſon, they lay their + beds down in the corner allotted, juſt as if it were a thing of courſe. + </p> + <p> + It was a general obſervation with travellers, that the roads in + France were ſolitary, and had rather the deſerted appearance of + the route of a caravan, than of the communications between different parts + of a rich and populous kingdom. This, however, is no longer true, and, as + far as I can learn, they are now ſufficiently crowded—not, + indeed, by curiouſ itinerants, parties of pleaſure, or + commercial induſtry, but by Deputieſ of the Convention,* agents + of ſubſiſtence,** committee men, Jacobin miſſionaries,*** + troops poſting from places where inſurrection is juſt + quelled to where it has juſt begun, beſides the great and + never-failing ſource of activity, that of conveying ſuſpected + people from their homeſ to priſon, and from one priſon to + another.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Every department was infeſted by one, two, or more of theſe + ſtrolling Deputies; and, it muſt be confeſſed, the + conſtant tendency of the people to revolt in many places afforded + them ſufficient employment. Sometimes they acted as legiſlators, + making laws on the ſpot—ſometimes, both as judges and + conſtableſ—or, if occaſion required, they amuſed + themſelves in aſſiſting the executioner.—The + migrations of obſcure men, armed with unlimited powers, and whoſe + perſons were unknown, was a ſtrong temptation to impoſture, + and in ſeveral places adventurers were detected aſſuming + the character of Deputies, for various purpoſes of fraud and + depredation.—The following inſtance may appear ludicrous, but + I ſhall be excuſed mentioning it, as it is a fact on record, + and conveys an idea of what the people ſuppoſed a Deputy might + do, conſiſtent with the "dignity" of his executive functions. + An itinerant of this ſort, whoſe object ſeems to have + been no more than to procure a daily maintenance, arriving hungry in a + village, entered the firſt farm-houſe that preſented itſelf, + and immediately put a pig in requiſition, ordered it to be killed, + and ſome ſauſageſ to be made, with all ſpeed. + In the meanwhile our mock-legiſlator, who ſeems to have acted + his part perfectly well, talked of liberty, l'amour de la Patrie, of + Pitt and the coaleſced tyrants, of arreſting ſuſpicious + people and rewarding patriots; ſo that the whole village thought + themſelves highly fortunate in the preſence of a Deputy who + did no worſe than harangue and put their pork in requiſiton.—Unfortunately, + however, before the repaſt of ſauſageſ could be + prepared, a hue and cry reached the place, that thiſ gracious Repreſentant + was an impoſtor! He was bereft of hiſ dignities, conveyed to + priſon, and afterwards tried by the Tribunal Revolutionnaire at + Paris; but his Counſel, by inſiſting on the mildneſs + with which he had "borne his faculties," contrived to get his puniſhment + mitigated to a ſhort impriſonment.—Another ſuffered + death on a ſomewhat ſimilar account; or, as the ſentence + expreſſed it, for degrading the character of a National Repreſentative.—Juſt + Heaven! for degrading the character of a National Repreſentative!!! + —and this too after the return of Carrier from Nantes, and the + publication of Collot d'Herboiſ' maſſacres at Lyonſ! + **The agents employed by government in the purchaſe of ſubſiſtence + amounted, by official confeſſion, to ten thouſand. In all + partſ they were to be ſeen, rivalling each other, and creating + ſcarcity and famine, by requiſitions and exactions, which they + did not convert to the profit of the republic, but to their own.—Theſe + privileged locuſts, beſides what they ſeized upon, occaſioned + a total ſtagnation of commerce, by laying embargoes on what they + did not want; ſo that it frequently occurred that an unfortunate + tradeſman might have half the articles in his ſhop under requiſition + for a month together, and ſometimes under different requiſitionſ + from deputies, commiſſaries of war, and agents of ſubſiſtence, + all at once; nor could any thing be diſpoſed of till ſuch + claims were ſatiſfied or relinquiſhed. *** Jacobin miſſionaries + were ſent from Paris, and other great towns, to keep up the ſpirits + of the people, to explain the benefitſ of the revolution, (which, + indeed, were not very apparent,) and to maintain the connection between + the provincial and metropolitan ſocieties.—I remember the + Deputies on miſſion at Perpignan writing to the Club at Paris + for a reinforcement of civic apoſtles, <i>"pour evangeliſer + les habitans et les mettre dans la voie de ſalut"</i>—("to + convert the inhabitants, and put them in the road to ſalvation"). + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Theſe movements are almoſt entirely confined to the + official travellerſ of the republic; for, beſides the ſcarcity + of horſes, the increaſe of expence, and the diminution of means, + few people are willing to incur the ſuſpicion or hazard* + attendant on quitting their homes, and every poſſible obſtacle + is thrown in the way of a too general intercourſe between the + inhabitants of large towns. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * There were moments when an application for a paſſport was + certain of being followed by a mandat d'arret—(a writ of arreſt). + The applicant was examined minutely as to the buſineſs he was + going upon, the perſons he was to tranſact it with, and + whether the journey was to be performed on horſeback or in a + carriage, and any ſigns of impatience or diſtaſte at thoſe + democratic ceremonies were ſufficient to conſtitute <i>"un + homme ſuſpect"</i>—("a ſuſpiciouſ perſon"), + or at leaſt one <i>"ſoupconne d'etre ſuſpect,"</i> + that is, a man ſuſpected of being ſuſpicious. In + either caſe it was uſually deemed expedient to prevent the diſſemination + of his ſuppoſed principles, by laying an embargo on his perſon.—I + knew a man under perſecution ſix months together, for having + gone from one department to another to ſee his family. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The committee of Public Welfare is making rapid advances to an abſolute + concentration of the ſupreme power, and the convention, while they + are the inſtruments of oppreſſing the whole country, are + themſelves become inſignificant, and, perhaps, leſs ſecure + than thoſe over whom they tyrannize. They ceaſe to debate, or + even to ſpeak; but if a member of the Committee aſcends the + tribune, they overwhelm him with applauſeſ before they know what + he has to ſay, and then paſs all the decreeſ preſented + to them more implicitly than the moſt obſequious Parliament ever + enregiſtered an arrete of the Court; happy if, by way of compenſation, + they attract a ſmile from Barrere, or eſcape the ominouſ + glances of Robeſpierre.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * When a member of the committee looked inauſpiciouſly at a + ſubordinate accomplice, the latter ſcarce ventured to approach + hiſ home for ſome time.—Legendre, who has ſince boaſted + ſo continually about his courage, is ſaid to have kept his + bed, and Bourdon de l'Oiſe, to have loſt his ſenſes + for a conſiderable time, from frights, the conſequence of + ſuch menaces. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Having ſo far deſcribed the ſituation of public affairs, I + proceed aſ uſual, and for which I have the example of Pope, who + never quits a ſubject without introducing himſelf, to ſome + notice of my own. It is not only bad in itſelf, but worſe in perſpective + than ever: yet I learn not to murmur, and derive patience from the + certainty, that almoſt every part of France is more oppreſſed + and wretched than we are.—Yours, etc. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_15" id="link4_4_15"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + June 3, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The individual ſufferings of the French may perhaps yet admit of + increaſe; but their humiliation as a people can go no farther; and if + it were not certain that the acts of the government are congenial to itſ + principles, one might ſuppoſe this tyranny rather a moral + experiment on the extent of human endurance, than a political ſyſtem. + </p> + <p> + Either the vanity or cowardice of Robeſpierre is continually ſuggeſting + to him plots for his aſſaſſination; and on pretexts, + at once abſurd and atrocious, a whole family, with near ſeventy + other innocent people aſ accomplices, have been ſentenced to + death by a formal decree of the convention. + </p> + <p> + One might be inclined to pity a people obliged to ſuppreſs their + indignation on ſuch an event, but the mind revolts when addreſſes + are preſented from all quarters to congratulate this monſter's + pretended eſcape, and to ſolicit a farther ſacrifice of + victims to his revenge.— The aſſaſſins of Henry + the Fourth had all the benefit of the laws, and ſuffered only after a + legal condemnation; yet the unfortunate Cecilia Renaud, though evidently + in a ſtate of mental derangement, was hurried to the ſcaffold + without a hearing, for the vague utterance of a truth, to which every + heart in France, not loſt to humanity, muſt aſſent. + Brooding over the miſeries of her country, till her imagination + became heated and diſordered, this young woman ſeems to have + conceived ſome hopeleſs plan of redreſs from expoſtulation + with Robeſpierre, whom ſhe regarded as a principal in all the + evils ſhe deplored. The difficulty of obtaining an audience of him + irritated her to make ſome compariſon between an hereditary + ſovereign and a republican deſpot; and ſhe avowed, that, in + deſiring to ſee Robeſpierre, ſhe was actuated only by + a curioſity to "contemplate the features of a tyrant."—On being + examined by the Committee, ſhe ſtill perſiſted that + her deſign was "ſeulement pour voir comment etoit fait un + tyrant;" and no inſtrument nor poſſible means of deſtruction + was found upon her to juſtify a charge of any thing more than the + wild and enthuſiaſtic attachment to royaliſm, which ſhe + did not attempt to diſguiſe. The influence of a feminine propenſity, + which often ſurvives even the wreck of reaſon and beauty, had + induced her to dreſſ with peculiar neatneſs, when ſhe + went in ſearch of Robeſpierre; and, from the complexion of the + times, ſuppoſing it very probable a viſit of thiſ + nature might end in impriſonment and death, ſhe had alſo + provided herſelf with a change of clothes to wear in her laſt + moments. + </p> + <p> + Such an attention in a beautiful girl of eighteen was not very unnatural; + yet the mean and cruel wretches who were her judges, had the littleneſſ + to endeavour at mortifying, by diveſting her of her ornaments, and + covering her with the moſt loathſome rags. But a mind tortured + to madneſs by the ſufferings of her country, was not likely to + be ſhaken by ſuch puerile malice; and, when interrogated under + this diſguiſe, ſhe ſtill preſerved the ſame + firmneſs, mingled with contempt, which ſhe had diſplayed + when firſt apprehended. No accuſation, nor even implication, of + any perſon could be drawn from her, and her only confeſſion + was that of a paſſionate loyalty: yet an univerſal conſpiracy + was nevertheleſſ decreed by the Convention to exiſt, and Miſs + Renaud, with ſixty-nine others,* were ſentenced to the + guillotine, without farther trial than merely calling over their names. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It is worthy of remark, that the ſixty-nine people executed aſ + accomplices of Miſs Renaud, except her father, mother, and aunt, + were totally unconnected with her, or with each other, and had been + collected from different priſons, between which no communication + could have ſubſiſted. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —They were conducted to the ſcaffold in a ſort of red + frocks, intended, as was alleged, to mark them as aſſaſſinſ—but, + in reality, to prevent the crowd from diſtinguiſhing or + receiving any impreſſion from the number of young and intereſting + females who were compriſed in this dreadful ſlaughter.—They + met death with a courage which ſeemed almoſt to diſappoint + the malice of their tyrants, who, in an original exceſs of barbarity, + are ſaid to have lamented that their power of inflicting could not + reach thoſe mental faculties which enabled their victims to ſuffer + with fortitude.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Fouquier Tinville, public accuſer of the Revolutionary Tribunal, + enraged at the courage with which his victims ſubmitted to their + fate, had formed the deſign of having them bled previous to their + execution; hoping by this means to weaken their ſpirits, and that + they might, by a puſillanimous behaviour in their laſt + moments, appear leſs intereſting to the people. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Such are the horrors now common to almoſt every part of France: the + priſons are daily thinned by the ravages of the executioner, and + again repeopled by inhabitants deſtined to the fate of their predeceſſors. + A gloomy reſerve, and a ſort of uncertain foreboding, have taken + poſſeſſion of every body—no one ventures to + communicate his thoughts, even to hiſ neareſt friend—relations + avoid each other—and the whole ſocial ſyſtem ſeems + on the point of being diſſolved. Thoſe who have yet preſerved + their freedom take the longeſt circuit, rather than paſs a + republican Baſtille; or, if obliged by neceſſity to + approach one, it is with downcaſt or averted looks, which beſpeak + their dread of incurring the ſuſpicion of humanity. + </p> + <p> + I ſay little of my own feelings; they are not of a nature to be + relieved by pathetic expreſſions: "I am e'en ſick at + heart." For ſome time I have ſtruggled both againſt my own + evils, and the ſhare I take in the general calamity, but my mortal + part gives way, and I can no longer reſiſt the deſpondency + which at times depreſſes me, and which indeed, more than the + danger attending it, has occaſioned my abandoning my pen for the laſt + month.—Several circumſtances have occurred within theſe + few days, to add to the uneaſineſs of our ſituation, and my + own apprehenſions. Le Bon,* whoſe cruelties at Arras ſeem + to have endeared him to his colleagues in the Convention, has had his + powers extended to this department, and Andre Dumont is recalled; ſo + that we are hourly menaced with the preſence of a monſter, + compared to whom our own repreſentative is amiable.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * I have already noticed the cruel and ferocious temper of Le Bon, and + the maſſacres of his tribunals are already well known. I will + only add ſome circumſtances which not only may be conſidered + aſ characteriſtic of this tyrant, but of the timeſ—and + I fear I may add of the people, who ſuffered and even applauded + them. They are ſelected from many others not ſuſceptible + of being deſcribed in language fit for an Engliſh reader. As + he was one day enjoying his cuſtomary amuſement of ſuperintending + an execution, where ſeveral had already ſuffered, one of the + victimſ having, from a very natural emotion, averted his eyes while + he placed his body in the poſture required, the executioner + perceived it, and going to the ſack which contained the heads of + thoſe juſt ſacrificed, took one out, and with the moſt + horrible imprecationſ obliged the unhappy wretch to kiſs it: + yet Le Bon not only permitted, but ſanctioned this, by dining daily + with the hangman. He was afterwards reproached with this familiarity in + the Convention, but defended himſelf by ſaying, "A ſimilar + act of Lequinio's was inſerted by your orders in the bulletin with + 'honourable mention;' and your decrees have invariably conſecrated + the principles on which I acted." They all felt for a moment the + dominion of conſcience, and were ſilent.—On another occaſion + he ſuſpended an execution, while the ſavages he kept in + pay threw dirt on the priſoners, and even got on the ſcaffold + and inſulted them previous to their ſuffering. When any of his + colleagues paſſed through Arras, he always propoſed their + joining with him in a <i>"partie de Guillotine,"</i> and the executions + were perpetrated on a ſmall ſquare at Arras, rather than the + great one, that he, his wife, and relations might more commodiouſly + enjoy the ſpectacle from the balcony of the theatre, where they + took their coffee, attended by a band of muſic, which played while + this human butchery laſted. The following circumſtance, though + ſomething leſs horrid, yet ſufficiently ſo to excite + the indignation of feeling people, happened to ſome friends of my + own.—They had been brought with many others from a diſtant + town in open carts to Arras, and, worn out with fatigue, were going to + be depoſited in the priſon to which they were deſtined. + At the moment of their arrival ſeveral perſons were on the + point of being executed. Le Bon, preſiding as uſual at the + ſpectacle, obſerved the cavalcade paſſing, and + ordered it to ſtop, that the priſoners might likewiſe be + witneſſes. He was, of courſe, obeyed; and my terrified + friends and their companions were obliged not only to appear attentive + to the ſcene before them, but to join in the cry of <i>"Vive la + Republique!"</i> at the ſevering of each head.— One of them, + a young lady, did not recover the ſhock ſhe received for + months. The Convention, the Committees, all France, were well acquainted + with the conduct of Le Bon. He himſelf began to fear he might have + exceeded the limits of his commiſſion; and, upon communicating + ſome ſcruples of this kind to his employers, received the + following letters, which, though they do not exculpate him, certainly + render the Committee of Public Welfare more criminal than himſelf. + "Citizen, "The Committee of Public Welfare approve the meaſures you + have adopted, at the ſame time that they judge the warrant you + ſolicit unneceſſary—ſuch meaſures being + not only allowable, but enjoined by the very nature of your miſſion. + No conſideration ought to ſtand in the way of your + revolutionary progreſſ—give free ſcope therefore to + your energy; the powers you are inveſted with are unlimited, and + whatever you may deem conducive to the public good, you are free, you + are even called upon by duty, to carry into execution without delay.—We + here tranſmit you an order of the Committee, by which your powers + are extended to the neighbouring departments. Armed with ſuch + means, and with your energy, you will go on to confound the enemies of + the republic, with the very ſchemes they have projected for its deſtruction. + "Carnot. "Barrere. "R. Lindet." + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + Extract from another letter, ſigned Billaud Varenne, Carnot, + Barrere. "There is no commutation for offences againſt a republic. + Death alone can expiate them!—Purſue the traitors with fire + and ſword, and continue to march with courage in the revolutionary + track you have deſcribed." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Merciful Heaven! are there yet poſitive diſtinctions + betwixt bad and worſe that we thus regret a Dumont, and deem ourſelves + fortunate in being at the mercy of a tyrant who is only brutal and + profligate? But ſo it is; and Dumont himſelf, fearful that he + has not exerciſed his miſſion with ſufficient ſeverity, + has ordered every kind of indulgence to ceaſe, the priſons to be + more ſtrictly guarded, and, if poſſible, more crowded; and + he is now gone to Paris, trembling leſt he ſhould be accuſed + of juſtice or moderation! + </p> + <p> + The pretended plots for aſſaſſinating Robeſpierre + are, as uſual, attributed to Mr. Pitt; and a decree has juſt paſſed, + that no quarter ſhall be given to Engliſh priſoners. I know + not what ſuch inhuman politics tend to, but my contempt, and the conſcious + pride of national ſuperiority; certain, that when Providence ſees + fit to vindicate itſelf, by beſtowing victory on our countrymen, + the moſt welcome + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "Laurels that adorn their browſ "Will be from living, not dead + boughs." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The recollection of England, and its generous inhabitants, has animated me + with pleaſure; yet I muſt for the preſent quit this + agreeable contemplation, to take precautions which remind me that I am + ſeparated from both, and in a land of deſpotiſm and miſery! + </p> + <p> + —Yours affectionately. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_16" id="link4_4_16"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + June 11, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The immorality of Hebert, and the baſe compliances of the Convention, + for ſome months turned the churches into "temples of reaſon."—The + ambition, perhaps the vanity, of Robeſpierre, has now permitted them + to be dedicated to the "Supreme Being," and the people, under ſuch auſpices, + are to be conducted from atheiſm to deiſm. Deſirous of diſtinguiſhing + his preſidency, and of exhibiting himſelf in a conſpicuous + and intereſting light, Robeſpierre, on the laſt decade, + appeared as the hero of a ceremony which we are told is to reſtore + morals, deſtroy all the miſchiefs introduced by the abolition of + religion, and finally to defeat the machinations of Mr. Pitt. A gay and + ſplendid feſtival has been exhibited at Paris, and imitated in + the provinces: flags of the republican colours, branches of trees, and + wreaths of flowers, were ordered to be ſuſpended from the houſeſ—every + countenance was to wear the preſcribed ſmile, and the whole + country, forgetting the preſſure of ſorrow and famine, was + to rejoice. A ſort of monſter was prepared, which, by ſome + unaccountable ingenuity, at once repreſented Atheiſm and the + Engliſh, Cobourg and the Auſtrianſ—in ſhort, all + the enemies of the Convention.—This external phantom, being burned + with proper form, diſcovered a ſtatue, which was underſtood + to be that of Liberty, and the inauguration of this divinity, with placing + the buſts of Chalier* and Marat in the temple of the Supreme Being, + by way of attendant ſaints, concluded the ceremony.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Chalier had been ſent from the municipality of Paris after the + dethronement of the King, to revolutionize the people of Lyons, and to + excite a maſſacre. In conſequence, the firſt days of + September preſented the ſame ſcenes at Lyons as were preſented + in the capital. For near a year he continued to ſcourge this + unfortunate city, by urging the lower claſſes of people to + murder and pillage; till, at the inſurrection which took place in + the ſpring of 1793, he waſ arreſted by the inſurgents, + tried, and ſentenced to the guillotine. —The Convention, + however, whoſe calendar of ſaints is aſ extraordinary as + their criminal code, choſe to beatify Chalier, while they executed + Maleſherbes; and, accordingly, decreed him a lodging in the + Pantheon, penſioning his miſtreſs, and ſet up hiſ + buſt in their own Hall as an aſſociate for Brutus, whom, + by the way, one ſhould not have expected to find in ſuch + company. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The good citizens of the republic, not to be behind hand with their repreſentatives, + placed Chalier in the cathedrals, in their public-houſes, on fans and + ſnuff-boxeſ—in ſhort, wherever they thought his + appearance would proclaim their patriotiſm.—I can only exclaim + aſ Poultier, a deputy, did, on a ſimilar occaſion—"Francais, + Francais, ſerez vous toujours Francais?"—(Frenchmen, Frenchmen, + will you never ceaſe to be Frenchmen?) + </p> + <p> + —But the mandates for ſuch celebrations reach not the heart: + flowerſ were gathered, and flags planted, with the ſcrupulous + exactitude of fear;* yet all was cold and heavy, and a diſcerning + government muſt have read in this anxious and literal obedience the + indication of terror and hatred. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * I have more than once had occaſion to remark the ſingularity + of popular feſtivities ſolemnized on the part of the people + with no other intention but that of exact obedience to the edicts of + government. This is ſo generally underſtood, that Richard, a + deputy on miſſion at Lyons, writes to the Convention, as a + circumſtance extraordinary, and worthy of remark, that, at the + repeal of a decree which was to have razed their city to the ground, a + rejoicing took place, <i>"dirigee et executee par le peuple, les + autoriteſ conſtitutees n'ayant fait en quelque ſorte qu'y + aſſiſter,"</i>— (directed and executed by the + people, the conſtituted authoritieſ having merely aſſiſted + at the ceremony). + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Even the priſons were inſultingly decorated with the + mockery of colours, which, we are told, are the emblems of freedom; and + thoſe whoſe relations have expired on the ſcaffold, or who + are pining in dungeons for having heard a maſs, were obliged to liſten + with apparent admiration to a diſcourſe on the charms of + religious liberty.—The people, who, for the moſt part, took + little intereſt in the reſt of this pantomime, and inſenſible + of the national diſgrace it implied, beheld with ſtupid ſatiſfaction* + the inſcription on the temple of reaſon replaced by a legend, + ſignifying that, in this age of ſcience and information, the + French find it neceſſary to declare their acknowledgment of a + God, and their belief in the immortality of the ſoul. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Much has been ſaid of the partial ignorance of the unfortunate + inhabitants of La Vendee, and divers republican ſcribblers + attribute their attachment to religion and monarchy to that cauſe: + yet at Havre, a ſea-port, where, from commercial communication, I + ſhould ſuppoſe the people as informed and civilized as in + any other part of France, the ears of piety and decency were aſſailed, + during the celebration above-mentioned, by the acclamations of, <i>"Vive + le Pere Eternel!"—"Vive l'etre Supreme!"</i>—(I entreat that + I may not be ſuſpected of levity when I tranſlate this; + in Engliſh it would be "God Almighty for ever! The Supreme Being + for ever!") + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —At Avignon the public underſtanding ſeems to have been + equally enlightened, if we may judge from the report of a Paris miſſionary, + who writes in theſe terms:—"The celebration in honour of the + Supreme Being was performed here yeſterday with all poſſible + pomp: all our country-folks were preſent, and unſpeakably + content that there was ſtill a God—What a fine decree (cried + they all) is thiſ!" + </p> + <p> + My laſt letter was a record of the moſt odious barbaritieſ—to-day + I am deſcribing a feſtival. At one period I have to remark the + deſtruction of the ſaintſ—at another the adoration of + Marat. One half of the newſpaper is filled with a liſt of names + of the guillotined, and the other with that of places of amuſement; + and every thing now more than ever markſ that deteſtable aſſociation + of cruelty and levity, of impiety and abſurdity, which has uniformly + characterized the French revolution. It is become a crime to feel, and a + mode to affect a brutality incapable of feeling—the perſecution + of Chriſtianity has made atheiſm a boaſt, and the danger of + reſpecting traditional virtues has hurried the weak and timid into + the apotheoſis of the moſt abominable vices. Conſcious that + they are no longer animated by enthuſiaſm,* the Pariſians + hope to imitate it by ſavage fury or ferocious mirth—their + patriotiſm is ſignalized only by their zeal to deſtroy, and + their attachment to their government only by applauding its cruelties.—If + Robeſpierre, St. Juſt, Collot d'Herbois, and the Convention as + their inſtruments, deſolate and maſſacre half France, + we may lament, but we can ſcarcely wonder at it. How ſhould a + ſet of baſe and needy adventurers refrain from an abuſe of + power more unlimited than that of the moſt deſpotic monarch; or + how diſtinguiſh the general abhorrence, amid addreſſes + of adulation, which Louis the Fourteenth would have bluſhed to + appropriate?* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Louis the Fourteenth, aguerri (ſteeled) as he was by ſixty + yearſ of adulation and proſperity, had yet modeſty ſufficient + to reject a "doſe of incenſe which he thought too ſtrong." + (See D'Alembert'ſ Apology for Clermont Tonnerre.) Republicaniſm, + it ſhould ſeem, haſ not diminiſhed the national + compliaſance for men in power, thought it has leſſened + the modeſty of thoſe who exerciſe it.—If Louis the + Fourteenth repreſſed the zeal of the academicians, the + Convention publiſh, without ſcruple, addreſſes more + hyperbolical than the praiſes that monarch refuſed.—Letters + are addreſſed to Robeſpierre under the appellation of the + Meſſiah, ſent by the almighty for the reform of all thingſ! + He is the apoſtle of one, and the tutelar deity of another. He is + by turns the repreſentative of the virtueſ individually, and a + compendium of them altogether: and this monſter, whoſe + features are the counterpart of his ſoul, find republican paraſites + who congratulate themſelves on reſembling him. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The bulletins of the Convention announce, that the whole republic is in a + ſort of revolutionary tranſport at the eſcape of Robeſpierre + and hiſ colleague, Collot d'Herbois, from aſſaſſination; + and that we may not ſuppoſe the legiſlators at large + deficient in ſenſibility, we learn alſo that they not only + ſhed their grateful tears on this affecting occaſion, but have + ſettled a penſion on the man who was inſtrumental in reſcuing + the benign Collot. + </p> + <p> + The members of the Committee are not, however, the excluſive objects + of public adoration—the whole Convention are at times incenſed + in a ſtyle truly oriental; and if this be ſometimes done with + more zeal than judgment, it does not appear to be leſs acceptable on + that account. A petition from an incarcerated poet aſſimilates + the mountain of the Jacobins to that of Parnaſſuſ—a + ſtate-creditor importunes for a ſmall payment from the Gods of + Olympuſ—and congratulations on the abolition of Chriſtianity + are offered to the legiſlators of Mount Sinai! Every inſtance of + baſeneſs calls forth an eulogium on their magnanimity. A ſcore + of orators harangue them daily on their courage, while they are over-awed + by deſpots as mean as themſelves and whom they continue to reinſtal + at the ſtated period with clamorous approbation. They proſcribe, + devaſtate, burn, and maſſacre—and permit themſelves + to be addreſſed by the title of "Fathers of their Country!" + </p> + <p> + All this would be inexplicable, if we did not contemplate in the French a + nation where every faculty is abſorbed by a terror which involves a + thouſand contradictions. The rich now ſeek protection by + becoming members of clubs,* and are happy if, after various + mortifications, they are finally admitted by the mob who compoſe + them; while families, that heretofore piqued themſelves on a + voluminous and illuſtrious genealogy,** eagerly endeavour to prove + they have no claim to either. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * <i>Le diplome de Jacobin etait une eſpece d'amulette, dont leſ + inities etaient jaloux, et qui frappoit de preſtiges ceux qui ne + l'etaient paſ</i>—"The Jacobin diploma was a kind of amulet, + which the initiated were jealous of preſerving, and which ſtruck + as it were with witchcraft, thoſe who were not of the number." + Rapport de Courtois ſur les Papiers de Robeſpierre. ** Beſides + thoſe who, being really noble, were anxious to procure certificates + of ſans-cullotiſm, many who had aſſumed ſuch + honourſ without pretenſions now relinquiſhed them, except + indeed ſome few, whoſe vanity even ſurmounted their + fears. But an expreſs law included all theſe ſeceders in + the general proſcription; alledging, with a candour not uſual, + that thoſe who aſſumed rank were, in fact, more criminal + than ſuch as were guilty of being born to it. —Places and + employments, which are in moſt countries the objects of intrigue + and ambition, are here refuſed or relinquiſhed with ſuch + perfect ſincerity, that a decree became requiſite to oblige + every one, under pain of durance, to preſerve the ſtation to + which his ill ſtars, miſtaken politics, or affectation of + patriotiſm, had called him. Were it not for this law, ſuch is + the dreadful reſponſibility and danger attending offices under + the government, that even low and ignorant people, who have got poſſeſſion + of them merely for ſupport, would prefer their original poverty to + emoluments which are perpetually liable to the commutation of the + guillotine.—Some members of a neighbouring diſtrict told me + to-day, when I aſked them if they came to releaſe any of our + fellow-priſoners, that ſo far from it, they had not only + brought more, but were not certain twelve hours together of not being + brought themſelves. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The viſionary equality of metaphyſical impoſtors is become + a ſubſtantial one—not conſtituted by abundance and + freedom, but by want and oppreſſion. The diſparities of + nature are not repaired, but its whole ſurface is levelled by a + ſtorm. The rich are become poor, but the poor ſtill remain + ſo; and both are conducted indiſcriminately to the ſcaffold. + The priſons of the former government were "petty to the endſ" of + this. Convents, colleges, palaces, and every building which could any how + be adapted to ſuch a purpoſe, have been filled with people + deemed ſuſpicious;* and a plan of deſtruction ſeems reſolved + on, more certain and more execrable than even the general maſſacre + of September 1792. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Now multiplied to more than four hundred thouſand!—The priſons + of Paris and the environs were ſuppoſed to contain twenty-ſeven + thouſand. The public papers ſtated but about ſeven thouſand, + becauſe they included the official returns of Paris only. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Agents of the police are, under ſome pretended accuſation, + ſent to the different priſons; and, from liſts previouſly + furniſhed them, make daily information of plots and conſpiracies, + which they alledge to be carrying on by the perſons confined. This + charge and this evidence ſuffice: the priſoners are ſent to + the tribunal, their names read over, and they are conveyed by cart's-full + to the republican butchery. Many whom I have known, and been in habits of + intimacy with, have periſhed in this manner; and the expectation of + Le Bon,* with our numbers which make us of too much conſequence to be + forgotten, all contribute to depreſs and alarm me. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Le Bon had at this period ſent for liſts of the priſoners + in the department of the Somme—which liſts are ſaid to + have been ſince found, and many of the names in them marked for deſtruction. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Even the levity of the French character yields to this terrible deſpotiſm, + and nothing is obſerved but wearineſs, ſilence, and ſorrow:— + <i>"O triſte loiſir, poids affreux du tems."</i> [St. Lambert.] + The ſeaſon returns with the year, but not to uſ—the + ſun ſhines, but to add to our miſeries that of inſupportable + heat—and the viciſſitudes of nature only awaken our regret + that we cannot enjoy them— + </p> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Now gentle gales o'er all the vallies play, + "Breathe on each flow'r, and bear their ſweets away." + [Collins.] +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + Yet what are freſh air and green fields to us, who are immured amidſt + a thouſand ill ſcents, and have no proſpect but filth and + ſtone walls? It is difficult to deſcribe how much the mind is + depreſſed by this ſtate of paſſive ſuffering. + In common evils, the neceſſity of action half relieves them, as + a veſſel may reach her port by the agitation of a ſtorm; + but this ſtagnant liſtleſs exiſtence is terrible. + </p> + <p> + Thoſe moſt to be envied here are the victims of their religious + opinions. The nuns, who are more diſtreſſed than any of + us,* employ themſelveſ patiently, and ſeem to look beyond + this world; whilſt the once gay deiſt wanders about with a + volume of philoſophy in his hand, unable to endure the preſent, + and dreading ſtill more the future. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Theſe poor women, deprived of the little which the rapacity of + the Convention had left them, by it ſubordinate agents, were in + want of every thing; and though in moſt priſons they were + employed for the republican armies, they could ſcarcely procure + more than bread and water. Yet this was not all: they were objects of + the meaneſt and moſt cruel perſecution.—I knew one + who was put in a dungeon, up to her waiſt in putrid water, for + twelve hours altogether, without loſing her reſolution or + ſerenity. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I have already written you a long letter, and bid you adieu with the + reluctance which precedes an uncertain ſeparation. Uneaſineſs, + ill health, and confinement, beſides the danger I am expoſed to, + render my life at preſent more precarious than "the ordinary of + nature's tenures." —God knows when I may addreſs you again!—My + friend Mad. de ____ iſ returned from the hoſpital, and I yield + to her fears by ceaſing to write, though I am nevertheleſs + determined not to part with what I have hitherto preſerved; being + convinced, that if evil be intended us, it will be aſ ſoon + without a pretext as with one.—Adieu. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_17" id="link4_4_17"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Providence, Aug. 11, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + I have for ſome days contemplated the fall of Robeſpierre and hiſ + adherents, only as one of thoſe diſpenſations of + Providence, which were gradually to purſue all who had engaged in the + French revolution. The late change of parties has, however, taken a turn I + did not expect; and, contrary to what has hitherto occurred, there is a + manifeſt diſpoſition in the people to avail themſelves + of the weakneſs which is neceſſarily occaſioned by the + contentions of their governors. + </p> + <p> + When the news of this extraordinary event firſt became public, it waſ + ever where received with great gravity—I might ſay, coldneſs.—Not + a comment was uttered, nor a glance of approbation ſeen. Things might + be yet in equilibrium, and popular commotions are always uncertain. + Prudence was, therefore, deemed, indiſpenſable; and, until the + conteſt was finally decided, no one ventured to give an opinion; and + many, to be certain of guarding againſt verbal indiſcretion, abſtained + from all intercourſe whatever. + </p> + <p> + By degrees, the execution of Robeſpierre and above an hundred of hiſ + partizans, convinced even the moſt timid; the murmurs of ſuppreſſed + diſcontent began to be heard; and all thought they might now with + ſafety relieve their fears and their ſufferings, by execrating + the memory of the departed tyrants. The priſons, which had hitherto + been avoided aſ endangering all who approached them, were ſoon + viſited with leſſ apprehenſion; and friendſhip or + affection, no longer exanimate by terror, ſolicited, though ſtill + with trepidation, the releaſe of thoſe for whom they were intereſted. + Some of our aſſociates have already left us in conſequence + of ſuch interceſſions, and we all hope that the tide of + opinion, now avowedly inimical to the deteſtable ſyſtem to + which we are victims, will enforce a general liberation.—We are + guarded but ſlightly; and I think I perceive in the behaviour of the + Jacobin Commiſſarieſ ſomething of civility and reſpect + not uſual. + </p> + <p> + Thus an event, which I beheld merely as the juſtice which one ſet + of banditti were made the inſtruments of exerciſing upon + another, may finally tend to introduce a more humane ſyſtem of + government; or, at leaſt, ſuſpend proſcription and maſſacre, + and give this haraſſed country a little repoſe. + </p> + <p> + I am in arrears with my epiſtolary chronicle, and the hope of ſo + deſirable a change will now give me courage to reſume it from + the concluſion of my laſt. To-morrow ſhall be dedicated to + this purpoſe.— Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_18" id="link4_4_18"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Auguſt 12. + </h2> + <p> + My letters, previous to the time when I judged it neceſſary to + deſiſt from writing, will have given you ſome faint ſketch + of the ſituation of the country, and the ſufferings of its + inhabitantſ—I ſay a faint ſketch, becauſe a thouſand + horrors and iniquities, which are now daily diſcloſing, were + then confined to the ſcenes where they were perpetrated; and we knew + little more of them than what we collected from the reportſ of the + Convention, where they excited a laugh as pleaſantries, or applauſe + as acts of patriotiſm. + </p> + <p> + France had become one vaſt priſon, executions were daily + multiplied, and a minute and comprehenſive oppreſſion + ſeemed to have placed the lives, liberty, and fortune of all within + the graſp of the ſingle Committee. Deſpair itſelf was + ſubdued, and the people were gradually ſinking into a gloomy and + ſtupid obedience. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The words deſpotiſm and tyranny are ſufficiently expreſſive + of the nature of the government to which they are applied; yet ſtill + they are words rendered familiar to us only by hiſtory, and convey + no preciſe idea, except that of a bad political ſyſtem. + The condition of the French at this time, beſides its wretchedneſs, + had ſomething ſo ſtrange, ſo original in it, that + even thoſe who beheld it with attention muſt be content to + wonder, without pretending to offer any deſcription as adequate. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The following extract from a ſpeech of Bailleul, a member of + the Convention, exhibits a picture nearer the original than I have yet + ſeen— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + <i>"La terreur dominait tous les eſprits, comprimait tous les couerſ— + elle etait la force du gouvernement, et ce gouvernement etait tel, que + les nombreux habitans d'un vaſte territoire ſemblaient avoir + perdu les qualites qui diſtinguent l'homme de l'animal domeſtique: + ils ſemblaient meme n'avoir de vie que ce que le gouvernement + voulait bien leur en accorder.—Le moi humain n'exiſtoit plus; + chaque individu n'etait qu'une machine, allant, venant, penſant ou + ne penſant pas, felon que la tyrannie le preſſait ou + l'animait."</i> Diſcours de Bailleul, 19 March 1795. "The minds of + all were ſubdued by terror, and every heart waſ compreſſed + beneath its influence.—In this conſiſted the ſtrength + of the government; and that government was ſuch, that the immenſe + population of a vaſt territory, ſeemed to have loſt all + the qualities which diſtinguiſh man from the animals attached + to him.— They appeared to exhibit no ſigns of life but ſuch + as their rulerſ condeſcended to permit—the very ſenſe + of exiſtence ſeemed doubtful or extinct, and each individual + was reduced to a mere machine, going or coming, thinking or not + thinking, according as the impulſe of tyranny gave him force or + animation." Speech of Bailleul, 19 March 1795. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + On the twenty-ſecond of Prairial, (June 10,) a law, conſiſting + of a variety of articles for the regulation of the Revolutionary Tribunal, + waſ introduced to the convention by Couthon, a member of the + government; and, as uſual adopted with very little previous diſcuſſion.—Though + there waſ no clauſe of this act but ought to have given the + alarm to humanity, "knocked at the heart, and bid it not be quiet;" yet + the whole appeared perfectly unexceptionable to the Aſſembly in + general: till, on farther examination, they found it contained an implied + repeal of the law hitherto obſerved, according to which, no repreſentative + could be arreſted without a preliminary decree for that purpoſe.—This + diſcovery awakened their ſuſpicions, and the next day + Bourdon de l'Oiſe, a man of unſteady principles, (even as a + revolutioniſt,) was ſpirited up to demand an explicit + renunciation of any power in the Committee to attack the legiſlative + inviolability except in the accuſtomed forms.—The clauſeſ + which elected a jury of murderers, that bereft all but guilt of hope, and + offered no proſpect to innocence but death, were paſſed + with no other comment than the uſual one of applauſe.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The baſeneſs, cruelty, and cowardice of the Convention are + neither to be denied, nor palliated. For ſeveral months they not + only paſſed decrees of proſcription and murder which + might reach every individual in France except themſelves, but they + even ſacrificed numbers of their own body; and if, inſtead of + propoſing an article affecting the whole Convention, the Committee + had demanded the headſ of as many Deputies as they had occaſion + for by name, I am perſuaded they would have met no reſiſtance.—This + ſingle example of oppoſition only renders the convention + ſtill more an object of abhorrence, becauſe it marks that they + could ſubdue their puſillanimity when their own ſafety + was menaced, and that their previous acquieſcence was voluntary. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —This, and this only, by involving their perſonal ſafety, + excited their courage through their fears.—Merlin de Douay, + originally a worthleſſ character, and become yet more ſo by + way of obviating the imputation of bribery from the court, ſeconded + Bourdon's motion, and the obnoxiouſ article was repealed inſtantaneouſly. + </p> + <p> + This firſt and only inſtance of oppoſition was highly diſpleaſing + to the Committee, and, on the twenty-fourth, Robeſpierre, Barrere, + Couthon, and Billaud, animadverted with ſuch ſeverity on the + promoters of it, that the terrified Bourdon* declared, the repeal he had + ſolicited was unneceſſary, and that he believed the + Committee were deſtined to be the ſaviours of the country; while + Merlin de Douay diſclaimed all ſhare in the buſineſſ— + and, in fine, it was determined, that the law of the twenty-ſecond of + Prairial ſhould remain as firſt preſented to the + Convention, and that the qualification of the ſucceeding day was + void. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It was on this occaſion that the "intrepid" Bourdon kept his bed + a whole month with fear. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + So dangerous an infringement on the privileges of the repreſentative + body, dwelt on minds inſenſible to every other conſideration; + the principal members caballed ſecretly on the perils by which they + were ſurrounded; and the ſullen concord which now marked their + deliberations, was beheld by the Committee rather as the prelude to + revolt, than the indication of continued obedience. In the mean while it + was openly propoſed to concentrate ſtill more the functions of + government. The circulation of newſpapers was inſinuated to be uſeleſs; + and Robeſpierre gave ſome hints of ſuppreſſing + all but one, which ſhould be under particular and official controul.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This intended reſtriction was unneceſſary; for the newſpapers + were all, not indeed paid by government, but ſo much ſubject + to the cenſure of the guillotine, that they had become, under an + "unlimited freedom of the preſs," more cautious and inſipid + than the gazetteſ of the proſcribed court. Poor Duplain, + editor of the "Petit Courier," and ſubſequently of the "Echo," + whom I remember one of the firſt partizans of the revolution, + narrowly eſcaped the maſſacre of Auguſt 1792, and + was afterwards guillotined for publiſhing the ſurrender of + Landrecy three days before it was announced officially. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + A rumour prevailed, that the refractory members who had excited the late + rebellion were to be ſacrificed, a general purification of the Aſſembly + to take place, and that the committee and a few ſelect adherents were + to be inveſted with the whole national authority. Liſts of proſcription + were ſaid to be made; and one of them was ſecretly communicated + as having been found among the papers of a juryman of the Revolutionary + Tribunal lately arreſted.—Theſe apprehenſions left + the members implicated no alternative but to anticipate hoſtilities, + or fall a ſacrifice; for they knew the inſtant of attack would + be that of deſtruction, and that the people were too indifferent to + take any part in the conteſt. + </p> + <p> + Things were in this ſtate, when two circumſtances of a very + different nature aſſiſted in promoting the final exploſion, + which ſo much aſtoniſhed, not only the reſt of Europe, + but France itſelf. + </p> + <p> + It is rare that a number of men, however well meaning, perfectly agree in + the exerciſe of power; and the combinations of the ſelfiſh + and wicked muſt be peculiarly ſubject to diſcord and diſſolution. + The Committee of Public Welfare, while it enſlaved the convention and + the people, was torn by feuds, and undermined by the jealouſies of + its members. Robeſpierre, Couthon, and St. Juſt, were oppoſed + by Collot and Billaud Varennes; while Barrere endeavoured to deceive both + parties; and Carnot, Lindet, the two Prieurs, and St. Andre, laboured in + the cauſe of the common tyranny, in the hope of ſtill dividing + it with the conquerors. + </p> + <p> + For ſome months this enmity was reſtrained, by the neceſſity + of preſerving appearances, and conciliated, by a general agreement in + the principles of adminiſtration, till Robeſpierre, relying on + his ſuperior popularity, began to take an aſcendant, which + alarmed ſuch of hiſ colleagues as were not his partiſans, + both for their power and their ſafety. Animoſities daily increaſed, + and their debates at length became ſo violent and noiſy, that it + was found neceſſary to remove the buſineſſ of the + Committee to an upper room, leſt people paſſing under the + windowſ ſhould overhear theſe ſcandalous ſcenes. + Every means were taken to keep theſe diſputes a profound ſecret—the + revilings which accompanied their private conferences were turned into + ſmooth panegyrics of each other when they aſcended the tribune, + and their unanimity was a favourite theme in all their reports to the + Convention.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * So late as on the ſeventh of Thermidor, (25th July,) Barrere made + a pompous eulogium on the virtues of Robeſpierre; and, in a long + account of the ſtate of the country, he acknowledges "ſome + little clouds hang over the political horizon, but they will ſoon + be diſperſed, by the union which ſubſiſts in + the Committees;—above all, by a more ſpeedy trial and + execution of revolutionary criminals." It is difficult to imagine what + new means of diſpatch this airy barbarian had contrived, for in the + ſix weeks preceding this harangue, twelve hundred and fifty had + been guillotined in Paris only. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The impatience of Robeſpierre to be releaſed from aſſociates + whoſe viewſ too much reſembled his own to leave him an + undivided authority, at length overcame his prudence; and, after abſenting + himſelf for ſix weeks from the Committee, on the 8th of + Thermidor, (26th July,) he threw off the maſk, and in a ſpeech + full of myſtery and implications, but containing no direct charges, + proclaimed the diviſions which exiſted in the government.—On + the ſame evening he repeated this harangue at the Jacobins, while St. + Juſt, by his orders, menaced the obnoxious part of the Committee with + a formal denunciation to the Convention.—From thiſ moment + Billaud Varennes and Collot d'Herbois concluded their deſtruction to + be certain. In vain they ſoothed, expoſtulated with, and + endeavoured to mollify St. Juſt, ſo as to avert an open rupture. + The latter, who probably knew it was not Robeſpierre's intention to + accede to any arrangement, left them to make his report. + </p> + <p> + On the morning of the ninth the Convention met, and with internal dread + and affected compoſure proceeded to their ordinary buſineſs.—St. + Juſt then aſcended the tribune, and the curioſity or indeciſion + of the greater number permitted him to expatiate at large on the intrigues + and guilt of every kind which he imputed to a "part" of the Committee.—At + the concluſion of this ſpeech, Tallien, one of the devoted + members, and Billaud Varennes, the leader of the rival party, opened the + trenches, by ſome ſevere remarks on the oration of St. Juſt, + and the conduct of thoſe with whom he was leagued. This attack + encouraged others: the whole Convention joined in accuſing Robeſpierre + of tyranny; and Barrere, who perceived the buſineſs now + deciding, ranged himſelf on the ſide of the ſtrongeſt, + though the remaining members of the Committee ſtill appeared to preſerve + their neutrality. Robeſpierre was, for the firſt time, refuſed + a hearing, yet, the influence he ſo lately poſſeſſed + ſtill ſeemed to protect him. The Aſſembly launched + decrees againſt various of hiſ ſubordinate agents, without + daring to proceed againſt himſelf; and had not the indignant + fury with which he was ſeized, at the deſertion of thoſe by + whom he had been moſt flattered, urged him to call for arreſt + and death, it is probable the whole would have ended in the puniſhment + of his enemies, and a greater acceſſion of power to himſelf. + </p> + <p> + But at this criſis all Robeſpierre's circumſpection + abandoned him. Having provoked the decree for arreſting his perſon, + inſtead of ſubmitting to it until his party ſhould be able + to rally, he reſiſted; and by ſo doing gave the Convention + a pretext for putting him out of the law; or, in other words, to deſtroy + him, without the delay or hazard of a previous trial. + </p> + <p> + Having been reſcued from the Gens d'Armes, and taken in triumph to + the municipality, the news ſpread, the Jacobins aſſembled, + and Henriot, the commander of the National Guard, (who had likewiſe + been arreſted, and again ſet at liberty by force,) all prepared + to act in his defence. But while they ſhould have ſecured the + Convention, they employed themſelveſ at the Hotel de Ville in paſſing + frivolous reſolutions; and Henriot, with all the cannoneers decidedly + in his favour, exhibited an uſeleſſ defiance, by ſtalking + before the windows of the Committee of General Safety, when he ſhould + have been engaged in arreſting its members. + </p> + <p> + All theſe imprudences gave the Convention time to proclaim that Robeſpierre, + the municipality, and their adherents, were decreed out of the protection + of the laws, and in circumſtances of this nature ſuch a ſtep + has uſually been deciſive—for however odious a government, + if it does but ſeem to act on a preſumption of its own ſtrength, + it has alwayſ an advantage over its enemies; and the timid, the + doubtful, or indifferent, for the moſt part, determine in favour of + whatever wears the appearance of eſtabliſhed authority. The + people, indeed, remained perfectly neuter; but the Jacobins, the + Committees of the Sections, and their dependents, might have compoſed + a force more than ſufficient to oppoſe the few guards which + ſurrounded the National Palace, had not the publication of this + ſummary outlawry at once paralyzed all their hopeſ and efforts.—They + had ſeen multitudes hurried to the Guillotine, becauſe they were + "hors de la loi;" and this impreſſion now operated ſo + forcibly, that the cannoneers, the national guard, and thoſe who + before were moſt devoted to the cauſe, laid down their arms, and + precipitately abandoned their chiefs to the fate which awaited them. Robeſpierre + was taken at the Hotel de Ville, after being ſeverely wounded in the + face; his brother broke his thigh, in attempting to eſcape from a + window; Henriot waſ dragged from concealment, deprived of an eye; and + Couthon, whom nature had before rendered a cripple, now exhibited a moſt + hideous ſpectacle, from an ineffectual effort to ſhoot himſelf.—Their + wounds were dreſſed to prolong their ſuffering, and their + ſentence being contained in the decree that outlawed them, their perſons + were identified by the ſame tribunal which had been the inſtrument + of their crimes. —On the night of the tenth they were conveyed to + the ſcaffold, amidſt the inſults and execrations of a mob, + which a few hours before beheld them with trembling and adoration.—Lebas, + alſo a member of the convention, and a principal agent of Robeſpierre, + fell by his own hand; and Couthon, St. Juſt, and ſeventeen + others, ſuffered with the two Robeſpierres.—The + municipality of Paris, &c. to the number of ſeventy-two, were + guillotined the ſucceeding day, and about twelve more the day after. + </p> + <p> + The fate of theſe men may be ranked as one of the moſt dreadful + of thoſe examples which hiſtory vainly tranſmits to diſcourage + the purſuits of ambition. The tyrant who periſhes amidſt + the impoſing fallaciouſneſs of military glory, mingles + admiration with abhorrence, and reſcues hiſ memory from + contempt, if not from hatred. Even he who expiates hiſ crimes on the + ſcaffold, if he die with fortitude, becomes the object of involuntary + compaſſion, and the award of juſtice is not often rendered + more terrible by popular outrage. But the fall of Robeſpierre and hiſ + accomplices was accompanied by every circumſtance that could add + poignancy to ſuffering, or dread to death. The ambitious ſpirit + which had impelled them to tyrannize over a ſubmiſſive and + defenceleſs people, abandoned them in their laſt moments. Depreſſed + by anguiſh, exhauſted by fatigue, and without courage, religion, + or virtue, to ſupport them, they were dragged through the ſavage + multitude, wounded and helpleſs, to receive that ſtroke, from + which even the pious and the brave ſometimeſ ſhrink with diſmay. + </p> + <p> + Robeſpierre poſſeſſed neither the talents nor + merits of Nicolas Riezi; but they are both conſpicuous inſtances + of the mutability of popular ſupport, and there is a ſtriking + ſimilitude in the laſt events of their hiſtory. They both + degraded their ambition by cowardice—they were both deſerted by + the populace, whom they began by flattering, and ended by oppreſſing; + and the death of both was painful and ignominiouſ—borne without + dignity, and embittered by reproach and inſult.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Robeſpierre lay for ſome hours in one of the + committee-rooms, writhing with the pain of his wound, and abandoned to + deſpair; while many of his colleagues, perhaps thoſe who had + been the particular agents and applauders of his crimes, paſſed + and repaſſed him, glorying and jeſting at his ſufferings. + The reader may compare the death of Robeſpierre with that of + Rienzi; but if the people of Rome revenged the tyranny of the Tribune, + they were neither ſo mean nor ſo ferocious as the Pariſians. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + You will perceive by this ſummary that the overthrow of Robeſpierre + waſ chiefly occaſioned by the rivalſhip of his colleagues + in the Committee, aſſiſted by the fears of the Convention + at large for themſelves.—Another circumſtance, at which I + have already hinted, as having ſome ſhare in this event, ſhall + be the ſubject of my next letter. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_19" id="link4_4_19"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Providence, Aug. 13, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Amour, tu perdis Troye</i> [Love! thou occaſionedſt the deſtruction + of Troy.]:—yet, among the various miſchiefs aſcribed to + the influence of this capricious Sovereign, amidſt the wrecks of + ſieges, and the ſlaughter of battles, perhaps we may not unjuſtly + record in his praiſe, that he waſ inſtrumental to the + ſolace of humanity, by contributing to the overthrow of Robeſpierre. + It is at leaſt pleaſing to turn from the general horrorſ of + the revolution, and ſuppoſe, for a moment, that the ſocial + affectionſ were not yet entirely baniſhed, and that gallantry + ſtill retained ſome empire, when every other veſtige of + civilization was almoſt annihilated. + </p> + <p> + After ſuch an exordium, I feel a little aſhamed of my hero, and + could wiſh, for the credit of my tale, it were not more neceſſary + to invoke the hiſtoric muſe of Fielding, than that of Homer or + Taſſo; but imperiouſ Truth obliges me to confeſs, that + Tallien, who is to be the ſubject of this letter, was firſt + introduced to celebrity by circumſtances not favourable for the + comment of my poetical text. + </p> + <p> + At the beginning of the revolution he was known only as an eminent orator + en plain vent; that is, as a preacher of ſedition to the mob, whom he + uſed to harangue with great applauſe at the Palais Royal. Having + no profeſſion or means of ſubſiſtence, he, as Dr. + Johnſon obſerves of one of our poets, neceſſarily + became an author. He was, however, no farther entitled to this + appellation, than as a periodical ſcribbler in the cauſe of inſurrection; + but in this he was ſo ſucceſſful, that it recommended + him to the care of Petion and the municipality, to whom his talents and + principles were ſo acceptable, that they made him Secretary to the + Committee. + </p> + <p> + On the ſecond and third of September 1792, he ſuperintended the + maſſacre of the priſons, and is alledged to have paid the aſſaſſins + according to the number of victims they diſpatched with great + regularity; and he himſelf ſeems to have little to ſay in + his defence, except that he acted officially. Yet even the imputation of + ſuch a claim could not be overlooked by the citizens of Paris; and at + the election of the Convention he was diſtinguiſhed by being choſen + one of their repreſentatives. + </p> + <p> + It is needleſs to deſcribe his political career in the Aſſembly + otherwiſe than by adding, that when the revolutionary furor was at + its acme, he waſ deemed by the Committee of Public Welfare worthy of + an important miſſion in the South. The people of Bourdeaux were, + accordingly, for ſome time haraſſed by the uſual + effects of theſe viſitationſ—impriſonments and + the Guillotine; and Tallien, though eclipſed by Maignet and Carrier, + was by no means deficient in the patriotic energies of the day. + </p> + <p> + I think I muſt before have mentioned to you a Madame de Fontenay, the + wife of an emigrant, whom I occaſionally ſaw at Mad. de C____'s. + I then remarked her for the uncommon attraction of her features, and the + elegance of her perſon; but was ſo much diſguſted at a + tendency to republicaniſm I obſerved in her, and which, in a + young woman, I thought unbecoming, that I did not promote the + acquaintance, and our different purſuits ſoon ſeparated us + entirely. Since this period I have learned, that her conduct became + exceedingly imprudent, or at leaſt ſuſpicious, and that at + the general perſecution, finding her republicaniſm would not + protect her, ſhe fled to Bourdeaux, with the hope of being able to + proceed to Spain. Here, however, being a Spaniard by birth, and the wife + of an emigrant, ſhe was arreſted and thrown into priſon, + where ſhe remained till the arrival of Tallien on his miſſion. + </p> + <p> + The miſcellaneous occupations of a deputy-errant, naturally include + an introduction to the female priſoners; and Tallien's preſence + afforded Mad. de Fontenay an occaſion of pleading her cauſe with + all the ſucceſſ which ſuch a pleader might, in other + times, be ſuppoſed to obtain from a judge of Tallien's age. The + effect of the ſcenes Tallien had been an actor in, was counteracted + by youth, and his heart was not yet indifferent to the charms of beauty—Mad. + de Fontenay was releaſed by the captivation of her liberator, and a + reciprocal attachment enſued. + </p> + <p> + We muſt not, however, conclude, all this merely a buſineſs + of romance. Mad. de Fontenay was rich, and had connexions in Spain, which + might hereafter procure an aſylum, when a regicide may with + difficulty find one: and on the part of the lady, though Tallien's perſon + is agreeable, a deſire of protecting herſelf and her fortune + might be allowed to have ſome influence. + </p> + <p> + From this time the revolutioniſt is ſaid to have given way: + Bourdeaux became the Capua of Tallien; and its inhabitants were, perhaps, + indebted for a more moderate exerciſe of his power, to the ſmiles + of Mad. de Fontenay.—From hanging looſe on ſociety, he had + now the proſpect of marrying a wife with a large fortune; and Tallien + very wiſely conſidered, that having ſomething at ſtake, + a ſort of comparative reputation among the higher claſs of + people at Bourdeaux, might be of more importance to him in future, than + all the applauſe the Convention could beſtow on a liberal uſe + of the Guillotine.—The relaxed ſyſtem which was the conſequence + of ſuch policy, ſoon reached the Committee of Public Welfare, to + whom it was highly diſpleaſing, and Tallien was recalled. + </p> + <p> + A youth of the name of Julien, particularly in the confidence of Robeſpierre, + was then ſent to Bourdeaux, not officially as his ſucceſſor, + but as a ſpy, to collect information concerning him, as well as to + watch the operations of other miſſionaries, and prevent their + imitating Tallien's ſchemes of perſonal advantage, at the + expence of ſcandalizing the republic by an appearance of lenity.—The + diſaſtrous ſtate of Lyons, the perſecutions of + Carrier, the conflagrations of Maignet, and the crimes of various other + Deputies, had obliterated the minor revolutioniſms of Tallien:* The + citizens of Bourdeaux ſpoke of him without horror, which in theſe + times was equal to eulogium; and Julien tranſmitted ſuch + accounts of his conduct to Robeſpierre,** as were equally alarming to + the jealouſy of his ſpirit, and repugnant to the cruelty of his + principles. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It was Tallien's boaſt to have guillotined only ariſtocrats, + and of this part of his merit I am willing to leave him in poſſeſſion. + At Toulon he was charged with the puniſhment of thoſe who had + given up the town to the Engliſh; but finding, as he alledged, + nearly all the inhabitants involved, he ſelected about two hundred + of the richeſt, and that the horrid buſineſs might wear + an appearance of regularity, the patriots, that is, the moſt + notorious Jacobins, were ordered to give their opinion on the guilt of + theſe victims, who were brought out into an open field for that + purpoſe. With ſuch judges the ſentence was ſoon paſſed, + and a fuſillade took place on the ſpot.—It was on this + occaſion that Tallien made particular boaſt of his humanity; + and in the ſame publication where he relateſ the circumſtance, + he expoſes the "atrocious conduct" of the Engliſh at the + ſurrender of Toulon. The cruelty of theſe barbarians not being + ſufficiently gratified by diſpatching the patriots the ſhorteſt + way, they hung up many of them by their chins on hooks at the ſhambles, + and left them to die at their leiſure.—See "Mitraillades, Fuſillades," + a recriminating pamphlet, addreſſed by Tallien to Collot + d'Herbois.—The title alludes to Collot's exploitſ at Lyons. + ** It is not out of the uſual courſe of things that Tallien'ſ + moderation at Bourdeaux might have been profitable; and the wife or miſtreſs + of a Deputy was, on ſuch occaſions, a uſeful medium, + through which the grateful offerings of a rich and favoured ariſtocrat + might be conveyed, without committing the legiſlative reputation.—The + following paſſage from Julien's correſpondence with Robeſpierre + ſeems to allude to ſome little arrangements of thiſ + nature: "I think it my duty to tranſmit you an extract from a + letter of Tallien's, [Which had been intercepted.] to the National Club.—It + coincides with the departure of La Fontenay, whom the Committee of + General Safety have doubtleſs had arreſted. I find ſome + very curious political details regarding her; and Bourdeaux ſeems + to have been, until this moment, a labyrinth of intrigue and + peculation." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + It appears from Robeſpierre's papers, that not only Tallien, but + Legendre, Bourdon de l'Oiſe, Thuriot, and others, were inceſſantly + watched by the ſpies of the Committee. The profeſſion muſt + have improved wonderfully under the auſpices of the republic, for I + doubt if <i>Mons. le Noir's Mouchardſ</i> [The ſpies of the old + police, ſo called in deriſion.— Briſſot, in this + act of accuſation, is deſcribed as having been an agent of the + Police under the monarchy.—I cannot decide on the certainty of this, + or whether his occupation was immediately that of a ſpy, but I have + reſpectable authority for ſaying, that antecedent to the + revolution, hiſ character was very ſlightly eſtimated, and + himſelf conſidered as "hanging looſe on ſociety."] + were as able as Robeſpierre's.—The reader may judge from the + following ſpecimens: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "The 6th inſtant, the deputy Thuriot, on quitting the Convention, + went to No. 35, Rue Jaques, ſection of the Pantheon, to the houſe + of a pocket-book maker, where he ſtaid talking with a female about + ten minutes. He then went to No. 1220, Rue Foſſe St. Bernard, + ſection of the Sans-Culottes, and dined there at a quarter paſt + two. At a quarter paſt ſeven he left the laſt place, and + meeting a citizen on the Quay de l'Ecole, ſection of the Muſeum, + near le Cafe Manoury, they went in there together, and drank a bottle of + beer. From thence he proceeded to la Maiſon Memblee de la + Providence, No. 16, Rue d'Orleans Honore, ſection de la Halle au + Bled, whence, after ſtaying about five-and-twenty minutes, he came + out with a citoyenne, who had on a puce Levite, a great bordered ſhawl + of Japan cotton, and on her head a white handkerchief, made to look like + a cap. They went together to No. 163, Place Egalite, where after ſtopping + an inſtant, they took a turn in the galleries, and then returned to + ſup.—They went in at half paſt nine, and were ſtill + there at eleven o'clock, when we came away, not being certain if they + would come out again. "Bourdon de l'Oiſe, on entering the Aſſembly, + ſhook hands with four or five Deputies. He was obſerved to + gape while good news waſ announcing." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Tallien was already popular among the Jacobins of Paris; and hiſ + connexion with a beautiful woman, who might enable him to keep a domeſtic + eſtabliſhment, and to diſplay any wealth he had acquired, + without endangering his reputation, was a circumſtance not to be + overlooked; for Robeſpierre well knew the efficacy of female + intrigue, and dinners,* in gaining partizans among the ſubordinate + members of the Convention. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Whoever reads attentively, and in detail, the debates of the + Convention, will obſerve the influence and envy created by a ſuperior + ſtyle of living in any particular member. His dreſs, hiſ + lodging, or dinners, are a perpetual ſubject of malignant reproach. + —This is not to be wondered at, when we conſider the deſcription + of men the Convention is compoſed of;—men who, never having + been accuſtomed to the elegancies of life, behold with a grudging + eye the gay apparel or luxurious table of a colleague, who arrived at + Pariſ with no other treaſure but his patriotiſm, and has + no oſtenſible means beyond his eighteen livres a day, now + increaſed to thirty-ſix. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Mad. de Fontenay, was, therefore, on her arrival at Paris, whither ſhe + had followed Tallien, (probably in order to procure a divorce and marry + him,) arreſted, and conveyed to priſon. + </p> + <p> + An injury of this kind was not to be forgiven; and Robeſpierre ſeems + to have acted on the preſumption that it could not. He beſet + Tallien with ſpies, menaced him in the Convention, and made Mad. de + Fontenay an offer of liberty, if ſhe would produce a ſubſtantial + charge againſt him, which he imagined her knowledge of his conduct at + Bourdeaux might furniſh her grounds for doing. A refuſal muſt + doubtleſs have irritated the tyrant; and Tallien had every reaſon + to fear ſhe would ſoon be included in one of the liſts of + victims who were daily ſacrificed as conſpirators in the priſons. + He was himſelf in continual expectation of being arreſted; and + it was generally believed Robeſpierre would ſoon openly accuſe + him.—Thuſ ſituated, he eagerly embraced the opportunity + which the ſchiſm in the Committee preſented of attacking + his adverſary, and we certainly muſt allow him the merit of + being the firſt who dared to move for the arreſt of Robeſpierre.—I + need not add, that la belle was one of the firſt whoſe priſon + doors were opened; and I underſtand that, being divorced from Mons. + de Fontenay, ſhe is either married, or on the point of being ſo, + to Tallien. + </p> + <p> + This concluſion ſpoils my ſtory as a moral one; and had I + been the diſpoſer of events, the Septembriſer, the + regicide, and the cold aſſaſſin of the Toulonais, + ſhould have found other rewards than affluence, and a wife who might + repreſent one of Mahomet's Houris. Yet, ſurely, "the time will + come, though it come ne'er ſo ſlowly," when Heaven ſhall + ſeparate guilt from proſperity, and when Tallien and his + accomplices ſhall be remembered only as monuments of eternal juſtice. + For the lady, her faults are amply puniſhed in the diſgrace of + ſuch an alliance— + </p> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "A cut-purſe of the empire and the rule; + "____ a King of ſhreds and patches." +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_20" id="link4_4_20"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Providence, Aug. 14, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The thirty members whom Robeſpierre intended to ſacrifice, might + perhapſ have formed ſome deſign of reſiſting, but + it appears evident that the Convention in general acted without plan, + union, or confidence.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The baſe and ſelfiſh timidity of the Convention is + ſtrongly evinced by their ſuffering fifty innocent people to + be guillotined on the very ninth of Thermidor, for a pretended conſpiracy + in the priſon of St. Lazare.—A ſingle word from any + member might at thiſ criſis have ſuſpended the + execution of the ſentence, but that word no one had the courage or + the humanity to utter. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Tallien and Billaud were rendered deſperate by their ſituation, + and it is likely that, when they ventured to attack Robeſpierre, they + did not themſelves expect to be ſucceſſful—it + was the conſternation of the latter which encouraged them to perſiſt, + and the Aſſembly to ſupport them: + </p> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "There is a tide in the affairs of men, + "Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune." +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + And to have been lucky enough to ſeize on this criſis, is, + doubtleſs, the whole merit of the convention. There has, it is true, + been many alluſions to the dagger of Brutus, and ſeveral + Deputies are ſaid to have conceived very heroic projects for the deſtruction + of the tyrant; but aſ he was dead before theſe projects were + brought to light, we cannot juſtly aſcribe any effect to them. + </p> + <p> + The remains of the Briſſotin faction, ſtill at liberty, + from whom ſome exertions might have been expected, were cautiouſly + inactive; and thoſe who had been moſt in the habit of + appreciating themſelves for their valour, were now conſpicuous + only for that diſcretion which Falſtaff calls the better part of + it.—Dubois Crance, who had been at the expence of buying a Spaniſh + poniard at St. Malo, for the purpoſe of aſſaſſinating + Robeſpierre, ſeems to have been calmed by the journey, and to + have finally recovered his temper, before he reached the Convention.—Merlin + de Thionville, Merlin de Douay, and others of equal note, were among the + "paſſive valiant;" and Bourdon de l'Oiſe had already + experienced ſuch diſaſtrous effects from inconſiderate + exhibitions of courage, that he now reſtrained his ardour till the + victory ſhould be determined. Even Legendre, who is occaſionally + the Brutus, the Curtius, and all the patriots whoſe names he has been + able to learn, confined his proweſs to an aſſault on the + club-room of the Jacobins, when it was empty, and carrying off the key, + which no one diſputed with him, ſo that he can at moſt + claim an ovation. It is, in ſhort, remarkable, that all the memberſ + who at preſent affect to be moſt vehement againſt Robeſpierre'ſ + principles, [And where was the all-politic Sieyes?—At home, writing + hiſ own eulogium.] were the leaſt active in attacking his perſon; + and it iſ indiſputable, that to Tallien, Billaud, Louchet, Elie + Lacoſte, Collot d'Herbois, and a few of the more violent Jacobins, + were due thoſe firſt efforts which determined his fall.—Had + Robeſpierre, inſtead of a querelous harangue, addreſſed + the convention in his uſual tone of authority, and ended by moving + for a decree againſt a few only of thoſe obnoxious to him, the + reſt might have been glad to compound for their own ſafety, by + abandoning a cauſe no longer perſonal: but his impolicy, not his + wickedneſs, haſtened his fate; and it is ſo far fortunate + for France, that it has at leaſt ſuſpended the ſyſtem + of government which is aſcribed to him. + </p> + <p> + The firſt days of victory were paſſed in receiving + congratulations, and taking precautions; and though men do not often adapt + their claims to their merits, yet the members of the Convention ſeemed + in general to be conſcious that none amongſt them had very + decided pretenſions to the ſpoils of the vanquiſhed.—Of + twelve, which originally compoſed the Committee of Public Welfare, + ſeven only remained; yet no one ventured to ſuggeſt a + completion of the number, till Barrere, after previouſly inſinuating + how adequate he and his colleagues were to the taſk of "ſaving + the country," propoſed, in his flippant way, and merely as a matter + of form, that certain perſons whom he recommended, ſhould fill + up the vacancies in the government. + </p> + <p> + This modeſt Carmagnole* was received with great coolneſs; the + late implicit acquieſcence was changed to demur, and an adjournment + unanimouſly called for. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * A ludicrous appellation, which Barrere uſed to give to his reportſ + in the preſence of thoſe who were in the ſecret of his + Charlatanry. The air of "La Carmagnole" was originally compoſed + when the town of that name was taken by Prince Eugene, and was adapted + to the indecent words now ſung by the French after the 10th of Auguſt + 1792. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Such unuſual temerity ſuſpriſed and alarmed the + remains of the Committee, and Billaud Varennes ſternly reminded the + Convention of the abject ſtate they were ſo lately releaſed + from. This produced retort and replication, and the partners of Robeſpierre's + enormities, who had hoped to be the tranquil inheritors of his power, + found, that in deſtroying a rival, they had raiſed themſelves + maſters. + </p> + <p> + The Aſſembly perſiſted in not adopting the members + offered to be impoſed upon them; but, as it was eaſier to reject + than to chooſe, the Committee were ordered to preſent a new plan + for this part of the executive branch, and the election of thoſe to + be entruſted with it was poſtponed for farther conſideration. + </p> + <p> + Having now felt their ſtrength, they next proceeded to renew a part + of the committee of General Safety, ſeveral of its members being + inculpated as partizans of Robeſpierre, and though this Committee had + become entirely ſubordinate to that of Public Welfare, yet its + functions were too important for it to be neglected, more eſpecially + as they compriſed a very favourite branch of the republican + government, that of iſſuing writſ of arreſt at pleaſure.—The + law of the twenty-ſecond of Prairial is alſo repealed, but the + Revolutionary Tribunal is preſerved, and the neceſſity of + ſuſpending the old jury, as being the creatures of Robeſpierre, + haſ not prevented the tender ſolicitude of the Convention for a + renovated activity in the eſtabliſhment itſelf. + </p> + <p> + This aſſumption of power has become every day more confirmed, + and the addreſſes which are received by the Aſſembly, + though yet in a ſtrain of groſs adulation,* expreſs ſuch + an abhorrence of the late ſyſtem, as muſt ſuffice to + convince them the people are not diſpoſed to ſee ſuch + a ſyſtem continued. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * A collection of addreſſes, preſented to the Convention + at variouſ periods, might form a curious hiſtory of the progreſs + of deſpotiſm. Theſe effuſions of zeal were not, + however, all in the "ſublime" ſtyle: the legiſlative + dignity ſometimes condeſcended to unbend itſelf, and liſten + to metrical compoſitions, enlivened by the accompaniment of + fiddles; but the manly and ferocious Danton, to whom ſuch ſprightly + interruptions were not congenial, propoſed a decree, that the + citizens ſhould, in future, expreſs their adorations in plain + proſe, and without any muſical acceſſories. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Billaud Varennes, Collot, and other members of the old Committee, view theſe + innovations with ſullen acquieſcence; but Barrere, whoſe + frivolouſ and facile ſpirit is incapable of conſiſtency, + even in wickedneſs, perſeveres and flouriſhes at the + tribune as gaily as ever.—Unabaſhed by detection, inſenſible + to contempt, he details his epigrams and antitheſeſ againſt + Catilines and Cromwells with as much ſelf-ſufficiency as when, + in the ſame tinſel eloquence, he promulgated the murderous + edicts of Robeſpierre. + </p> + <p> + Many of the priſoners at Paris continue daily to obtain their releaſe, + and, by the exertions of his perſonal enemies, particularly of our + quondam ſovereign, Andre Dumont, (now a member of the Committee of + General Safety,) an examination into the atrocities committed by Le Bon is + decreed.—But, amidſt theſe appearances of juſtice, a + verſatility of principle, or rather an evident tendency to the + decried ſyſtem, iſ perceptible. Upon the ſlighteſt + alluſion to the revolutionary government, the whole Convention riſe + in a maſs to vociferate their adherence to it:* the tribunal, which + was its offſpring and ſupport, iſ anxiouſly reinſtalled; + and the low inſolence with which Barrere announceſ their + victories in the Netherlands, is, as uſual, loudly applauded. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The moſt moderate, as well as the moſt violent, were always + united on the ſubject of this irrational tyranny.—<i>"Toujours + en menageant, comme la prunelle de ſes yeux, le gouvernement + revolutionnaire."</i>— "Careful always of the revolutionary + government, as of the apple of their eye." <i>Fragment pour ſervir + a l'Hiſt. de la Convention, par J. J. Duſſault</i>. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The brothers of Cecile Renaud, who were ſent for by Robeſpierre + from the army to Paris, in order to follow her to the ſcaffold, did + not arrive until their perſecutor was no more, and a change of + government waſ avowed. They have preſented themſelves at + the bar of the Convention, to entreat a reviſal of their father's + ſentence, and ſome compenſation for his property, ſo + unjuſtly confiſcated.—You will, perhaps, imagine, that, at + the name of theſe unfortunate young men, every heart anticipated a + conſent to their claims, even before the mind could examine the juſtice + of them, and that one of thoſe burſts of ſenſibility + for which thiſ legiſlature is ſo remarkable inſtantaneouſly + accorded the petition. Alaſ! this was not an occaſion to excite + the enthuſiaſm of the Convention: Coupilleau de Fontenay, one of + the "mild and moderate party", repulſed the petitioners with harſhneſs, + and their claim was ſilenced by a call for the order of the day. The + poor Renauds were afterwards coldly referred to the Committee of Relief, + for a pittance, by way of charity, inſtead of the property they have + a right to, and which they have been deprived of, by the baſe + compliance of the Convention with the caprice of a monſter. + </p> + <p> + Such relapſes and aberrations are not conſolatory, but the times + and circumſtances ſeem to oppoſe them—the whole + fabric of deſpotiſm iſ ſhaken, and we have reaſon + to hope the efforts of tyranny will be counteracted by its weakneſs. + </p> + <p> + We do not yet derive any advantage from the early maturity of the harveſt, + and it is ſtill with difficulty we obtain a limited portion of bad + bread. Severe decrees are enacted to defeat the avarice of the farmers, + and prevent monopolies of the new corn; but theſe people are + invulnerable: they have already been at iſſue with the ſyſtem + of terror— and it was found neceſſary, even before the + death of Robeſpierre, to releaſe them from priſon, or riſk + the deſtruction of the harveſt for want of hands to get it in. + It is now diſcovered, that natural cauſes, and the ſelfiſhneſs + of individuals, are adequate to the creation of a temporary ſcarcity; + yet when this happened under the King, it was alwayſ aſcribed to + the machinations of government.—How have the people been deceived, + irritated, and driven to rebellion, by a degree of want, leſs, much + leſs, inſupportable than that they are obliged to ſuffer at + preſent, without daring even to complain! + </p> + <p> + I have now been in confinement almoſt twelve months, and my health iſ + conſiderably impaired. The weather is oppreſſively warm, + and we have no ſhade in the garden but under a mulberry-tree, which + is ſo ſurrounded by filth, that it is not approachable. I am, + however, told, that in a few days, on account of my indiſpoſition, + I ſhall be permitted to go home, though with a proviſo of being + guarded at my own expence.—My friends are ſtill at Arras; and + if this indulgence be extended to Mad. de la F____, ſhe will + accompany me. Perſonal accommodation, and an opportunity of reſtoring + my health, render this deſirable; but I aſſociate no idea + of freedom with my reſidence in this country. The boundary may be + extended, but it is ſtill a priſon.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_21" id="link4_4_21"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Providence, Aug. 15, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + To-morrow I expect to quit this place, and have been wandering over it for + the laſt time. You will imagine I can have no attachment to it: yet a + retroſpect of my ſenſations when I firſt arrived, of + all I have experienced, and ſtill more of what I have apprehended + ſince that period, makes me look forward to my departure with a + ſatiſfaction that I might almoſt call melancholy. This + cell, where I have ſhivered through the winter—the long paſſages, + which I have ſo often traverſed in bitter rumination—the + garden, where I have painfully breathed a purer air, at the riſk of + ſinking beneath the fervid rays of an unmitigated ſun, are not + ſcenes to excite regret; but when I think that I am ſtill ſubject + to the tyranny which has ſo long condemned me to them, this + reflection, with a ſentiment perhaps of national pride, which is + wounded by accepting as a favour what I have been unjuſtly deprived + of, renders me compoſed, if not indifferent, at the proſpect of + my releaſe. + </p> + <p> + This dreary epoch of my life has not been without its alleviations. I have + found a chearful companion in Mad. de M____, who, at ſixty, waſ + brought here, becauſe ſhe happened to be the daughter of Count + L____, who has been dead theſe thirty yearſ!—The graces + and ſilver accents of Madame de B____, might have aſſiſted + in beguiling ſeverer captivity; and the Counteſs de C____, and + her charming daughters (the eldeſt of whom iſ not to be deſcribed + in the common place of panegyric), who, though they have borne their own + afflictions with dignity, have been ſenſible to the miſfortunes + of others, and whom I muſt, in juſtice, except from all the + imputations of meanneſs or levity, which I have ſometimes had + occaſion to notice in thoſe who, like themſelves, were + objects of republican perſecution, have eſſentially + contributed to diminiſh the horrors of confinement.—I reckon it + likewiſe among my ſatiſfactions, that, with the exception + of the Marechalle de Biron,* and General O'Moran, none of our fellow-priſoners + have ſuffered on the ſcaffold.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The Marechalle de Biron, a very old and infirm woman, was taken from + hence to the Luxembourg at Paris, where her daughter-in-law, the Ducheſs, + was alſo confined. A cart arriving at that priſon to convey a + number of victims to the tribunal, the liſt, in the coarſe + dialect of republicaniſm, contained the name of la femme Biron. + "But there are two of them," ſaid the keeper. "Then bring them + both."— The aged Marechalle, who was at ſupper, finiſhed + her meal while the reſt were preparing, then took up her book of + devotion, and departed chearfully.—The next day both mother and + daughter were guillotined. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Dumont has, indeed, virtually occaſioned the death of ſeveral; + in particular the Duc du Chatelet, the Comte de Bethune, Mons. de + Mancheville, &c.—and it is no merit in him that Mr. Luttrell, + with a poor nun of the name of Pitt,* whom he took from hence to Paris, as + a capture which might give him importance, were not maſſacred + either by the mob or the tribunal. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This poor woman, whoſe intellects, as I am informed, appeared in + a ſtate of derangement, was taken from a convent at Abbeville, and + brought to the Providence, as a relation of Mr. Pitt, though I believe + ſhe has no pretenſions to that honour. But the name of Pitt + gave her importance; ſhe was ſent to Paris under a military eſcort, + and Dumont announced the arrival of this miſerable victim with all + the airs of a conqueror. I have been ſince told, ſhe was + lodged at St. Pelagie, where ſhe ſuffered innumerable hardſhips, + and did not recover her liberty for many months after the fall of Robeſpierre. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —If the perſecution of this department has not been ſanguinary,* + it ſhould be remembered, that it has been covered with priſons; + and that the extreme ſubmiſſion of its inhabitants would + ſcarcely have furniſhed the moſt mercileſs tyrant with + a pretext for a ſeverer regimen.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * There were ſome prieſts guillotined at Amiens, but the + circumſtance was concealed from me for ſome months after it + happened. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Dumont, I know, expects to eſtabliſh a reputation by not + having guillotined as an amuſement, and hopes that he may here find a + retreat when his revolutionary labours ſhall be finiſhed. + </p> + <p> + The Convention have not yet choſen the members who are to form the + new Committee. They were yeſterday ſolemnly employed in + receiving the American Ambaſſador; likewiſe a braſs + medal of the tyrant Louis the Fourteenth, and ſome marvellous + information about the unfortunate Princeſſ' having dreſſed + herſelf in mourning at the death of Robeſpierre. Theſe legiſlators + remind me of one of Swift's female attendants, who, in ſpite of the + literary taſte he endeavoured to inſpire her with, never could + be diveſted of her original houſewifely propenſities, but + would quit the moſt curious anecdote, as he expreſſes it, + "to go ſeek an old rag in a cloſet." Their projects for the + revival of their navy ſeldom go farther than a tranſpoſal + in the ſtripes of the flag, and their vengeance againſt regal + anthropophagi, and proud iſlanders, is infallibly diverted by a + denunciation of an ariſtocratic quartrain, or ſome new mode, whoſe + general adoption renders it ſuſpected as the badge of a party.—If, + according to Cardinal de Retz' opinion, elaborate attention to trifleſ + denote a little mind, theſe are true Lilliputian ſages.—Yours, + &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_22" id="link4_4_22"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Auguſt, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + I did not leave the Providence until ſome days after the date of my + laſt: there were ſo many precautions to be taken, and ſo + many formalities to be obſerved—ſuch references from the + municipality to the diſtrict, and from the diſtrict to the + Revolutionary Committee, that it is evident Robeſpierre's death has + not baniſhed the uſual apprehenſion of danger from the + minds of thoſe who became reſponſible for acts of juſtice + or humanity. At length, after procuring a houſe-keeper to anſwer + with hiſ life and property for our re-appearance, and for our + attempting nothing againſt the "unity and indiviſibility" of the + republic, we bade (I hope) a long adieu to our priſon. + </p> + <p> + Madame de ____ is to remain with me till her houſe can be repaired; + for it has been in requiſition ſo often, that there is now, we + are told, ſcarcely a bed left, or a room habitable. We have an old + man placed with us by way of a guard, but he is civil, and is not intended + to be a reſtraint upon us. In fact, he has a ſon, a member of + the Jacobin club, and this opportunity is taken to compliment him, by + taxing us with the maintenance of his father. It does not prevent us from + ſeeing our acquaintance, and we might, I ſuppoſe, go out, + though we have not yet ventured. + </p> + <p> + The politics of the Convention are fluctuating and verſatile, as will + ever be the caſe where men are impelled by neceſſity to act + in oppoſition to their principles. In their eagerneſs to + attribute all the paſt exceſſes to Robeſpierre, they + have, unawares, involved themſelves in the obligation of not + continuing the ſame ſyſtem. They doubtleſs expected, + by the fall of the tyrant, to become his ſucceſſors; but + the people, weary of being dupes, and of hearing that tyrants were fallen, + without feeling any diminution of tyranny, have every where manifeſted + a temper, which the Convention, in the preſent relaxed ſtate of + its power, iſ fearful of making experiments upon. Hence, great + numbers of priſonerſ are liberated, thoſe that remain are + treated more indulgently, and the fury of revolutionary deſpotiſm + is in general abated. + </p> + <p> + The Deputies who moſt readily aſſent to theſe changes + have aſſumed the appellation of Moderates; (Heaven knows how + much they are indebted to compariſon;) and the popularity they have + acquired has both offended and alarmed the more inflexible Jacobins. A + motion has juſt been made by one Louchet, that a liſt of all perſons + lately enlarged ſhould be printed, with the names of thoſe + Deputies who ſolicited in their favour, annexed; and that ſuch + ariſtocrats as were thus diſcovered to have regained their + liberty, ſhould be re-impriſoned.—The decree paſſed, + but was ſo ill received by the people, that it was judged prudent to + repeal it the next day. + </p> + <p> + This circumſtance ſeems to be the ſignal of diſſention + between the Aſſembly and the Club: the former, apprehenſive + of revolting the public opinion on the one hand, and deſirous of + conciliating the Jacobins on the other, waver between indulgence and + ſeverity; but it is eaſy to diſcover, that their variance + with the Jacobins is more a matter of expediency than principle, and that, + were it not for other conſiderations, they would not ſuffer the + impriſonment of a few thouſand harmleſs people to interrupt + the amity which has ſo long ſubſiſted between themſelves + and their ancient allies.—It is written, "from their works you + ſhall know them;" and reaſoning from this tenet, which is our beſt + authority, (for who can boaſt a ſcience in the human heart?) I + am juſtified in my opinion, and I know it to be that of many perſons + more competent to decide than myſelf. If I could have had doubts on + the ſubject, the occurrences of the laſt few days would have + amply ſatiſfied them. + </p> + <p> + However rejoiced the nation at large might be at the overthrow of Robeſpierre, + no one was deceived as to the motives which actuated hiſ colleagues + in the Committee. Every day produced new indications not only of their + general concurrence in the enormities of the government, but of their own + perſonal guilt. The Convention, though it could not be inſenſible + of this, was willing, with a complaiſant prudence, to avoid the + ſcandal of a public diſcuſſion, which muſt + irritate the Jacobins, and expoſe its own weakneſs by a retroſpect + of the crimes it had applauded and ſupported. Laurent Lecointre,* + alone, and apparently unconnected with party, has had the courage to + exhibit an accuſation againſt Billaud, Collot, Barrere, and thoſe + of Robeſpierre's accomplices who were memberſ of the Committee + of General Safety. He gave notice of his deſign on the eleventh of + Fructidor (28th of Auguſt). + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Lecointre is a linen-draper at Verſailles, an original + revolutioniſt, and I believe of more decent character than moſt + included in that deſcription. If we could be perſuaded that + there were any real fanatics in the Convention, I ſhould give + Lecointre the credit of being among the number. He ſeems, at leaſt, + to have ſome material circumſtances in his favour—ſuch + as poſſeſſing the means of living; of not having, in + appearance, enriched himſelf by the revolution; and, of being the + only member who, after a ſcore of decrees to that purpoſe, has + ventured to produce an account of hiſ fortune to the public. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —It was received everywhere but in the Convention with applauſe; + and the public was flattered with the hope that juſtice would attain + another faction of its oppreſſors. On the ſucceeding day, + Lecointre appeared at the tribune to read his charges. They conveyed, even + to the moſt prejudiced mind, an entire conviction, that the members + he accuſed were ſole authors of a part, and accomplices in all + the crimes which had deſolated their country. Each charge was ſupported + by material proof, which he depoſited for the information of his + colleagues. But this waſ unneceſſary—his colleagues + had no deſire to be convinced; and, after overpowering him with + ridicule and inſult, they declared, without entering into any diſcuſſion, + that they rejected the charges with indignation, and that the members + implicated had uniformly acted according to their [own] wiſhes, and + thoſe of the nation. + </p> + <p> + As ſoon as this reſult was known in Paris, the people became + enraged and diſguſted, the public walks reſounded with + murmurs, the fermentation grew general, and ſome menaces were uttered + of forcing the Convention to give Lecointre a more reſpectful + hearing.—Intimidated by ſuch unequivocal proofs of diſapprobation, + when the Aſſembly met on the thirteenth, it waſ decreed, + after much oppoſition from Tallien, that Lecointre ſhould be + allowed to reproduce his charges, and that they ſhould be ſolemnly + examined. + </p> + <p> + After all this, Lecointre, whoſe figure is almoſt ludicrous, and + who iſ no orator, was to repeat a voluminous denunciation, amidſt + the clamour, abuſe, chicane, and deriſion of the whole + Convention. But there are occaſions when the keeneſt ridicule is + pointleſs; when the mind, armed by truth and elevated by humanity, + rejects its inſidious effortſ—and, abſorbed by more + laudable feelings, deſpiſes even the ſmile of contempt. The + juſtice of Lecointre's cauſe ſupplied his want of external + advantages: and his arguments were ſo clear and ſo unanſwerable, + that the plain diction in which they were conveyed was more impreſſive + than the moſt finiſhed eloquence; and neither the malice nor + ſarcaſms of hiſ enemies had any effect but on thoſe + who were intereſted in ſilencing or confounding him. Yet, in + proportion as the force of Lecointre'ſ denunciation became evident, + the Aſſembly appeared anxious to ſuppreſſ it; + and, after ſome hourſ' ſcandalous debate, during which it + waſ frequently aſſerted that theſe charges could not + be encouraged without criminating the entire legiſlative body, they + decreed the whole to be falſe and defamatory. + </p> + <p> + The accuſed members defended themſelves with the aſſurance + of delinquentſ tried by their avowed accomplices, and who are previouſly + certain of favour and acquittal; while Lecointre's conduct in the buſineſs + ſeems to have been that of a man determined to perſevere in an + act of duty, which he has little reaſon to hope will be ſucceſſful.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It is ſaid, that, at the concluſion of this diſgraceful + buſineſs, the members of the convention crouded about the + delinquents with their habitual ſervility, and appeared gratified + that their ſerviceſ on the occaſion had given them a + claim to notice and familiarity. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Though the galleries of the Convention were more than uſually furniſhed + on the day with applauders, yet this deciſion has been univerſally + ill received. The time is paſſed when the voice of reaſon + could be ſilenced by decrees. The ſtupendous tyranny of the + government, though not meliorated in principle, is relaxed in practice; + and this vote, far from operating in favour of the culprits, has only + ſerved to excite the public indignation, and to render them more + odious. Thoſe who cannot judge of the logical preciſion of + Lecointre's arguments, or the juſtneſs of hiſ inferences, + can feel that his charges are merited. Every heart, every tongue, + acknowledges the guilt of thoſe he has attacked. They are certain + France has been the prey of numberleſs atrocitieſ—they are + certain, that theſe were perpetrated by order of the committee; that + eleven members compoſed it; and that Robeſpierre and his aſſociates + being but three, did not conſtitute a majority. + </p> + <p> + Theſe facts are now commented on with as much freedom as can be + expected among a people whoſe imaginations are yet haunted by + revolutionary tribunals and Baſtilles, and the concluſions are + not favourable to the Convention. The national diſcontent is, + however, ſuſpended by the hoſtilities between the legiſlature + and the Jacobin club: the latter ſtill perſiſts in + demanding the revolutionary ſyſtem in its primitive ſeverity, + while the former are reſtrained from compliance, not only by the + odium it muſt draw on them, but from a certainty that it cannot be + ſupported but through the agency of the popular ſocieties, who + would thuſ again become their dictators. I believe it is not unlikely + that the people and the Convention are both endeavouring to make inſtruments + of each other to deſtroy the common enemy; for the little popularity + the Convention enjoy is doubtleſs owing to a ſuperior hatred of + the Jacobins: and the moderation which the former affect towards the + people, is equally influenced by a view of forming a powerful balance + againſt theſe obnoxious ſocieties.—While a ſort + of neceſſity for this temporizing continues, we ſhall go on + very tranquilly, and it is become a mode to ſay the Convention is + "adorable." + </p> + <p> + Tallien, who has been wreſtling with his ill fame for a tranſient + popularity, has thought it adviſable to revive the public attention + by the farce of Piſiſtratuſ—at leaſt, an attempt + to aſſaſſinate him, in which there ſeems to have + been more eclat than danger, has given riſe to ſuch an opinion. + Bulletins of his health are delivered every day in form to the Convention, + and ſome of the provincial clubs have ſent congratulations on + his eſcape. But the ſneers of the incredulous, and perhaps an + internal admonition of the ridicule and diſgrace attendant on the worſhip + of an idol whoſe reputation is ſo unpropitious, have much repreſſed + the cuſtomary ardour, and will, I think, prevent theſe + "hair-breadth 'ſcapeſ" from continuing faſhionable.—Yours, + &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_23" id="link4_4_23"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + [No Date Given] + </h2> + <p> + When I deſcribe the French as a people bending meekly beneath the moſt + abſurd and cruel oppreſſion, tranſmitted from one + ſet of tyrants to another, without perſonal ſecurity, + without commerce—menaced by famine, and deſolated by a + government whoſe ordinary reſources are pillage and murder; you + may perhaps read with ſome ſurprize the progreſs and ſucceſſes + of their armies. But, diveſt yourſelf of the notions you may + have imbibed from intereſted miſrepreſentationſ—forget + the revolutionary common-place of "enthuſiamſ", "ſoldiers + of freedom," and "defenders of their country"—examine the French + armies as acting under the motiveſ which uſually influence + ſuch bodies, and I am inclined to believe you will ſee nothing + very wonderful or ſupernatural in their victories. + </p> + <p> + The greater part of the French troops are now compoſed of young men + taken indiſcriminately from all claſſes, and forced into + the ſervice by the firſt requiſition. They arrive at the + army ill-diſpoſed, or at beſt indifferent, for it muſt + not be forgotten, that all who could be prevailed on to go voluntarily had + departed before recourſe was had to the meaſure of a general + levy. They are then diſtributed into different corps, ſo that no + local connections remain: the natives of the North are mingled with thoſe + of the South, and all provincial combinations are interdicted. + </p> + <p> + It is well known that the military branch of eſpionage is as extended + aſ the civil, and the certainty of this deſtroys confidence, and + leaves even the unwilling ſoldier no reſource but to go through + his profeſſional duty with as much zeal as though it were his + choice. On the one hand, the diſcipline is ſevere—on the + other, licentiouſneſs is permitted beyond all example; and, + half-terrified, half-ſeduced, principles the moſt inimical, and + morals the leaſt corrupt, become habituated to fear nothing but the + government, and to reliſh a life of military indulgence.—The + armies were ſome time ſince ill clothed, and often ill fed; but + the requiſitions, which are the ſcourge of the country, ſupply + them, for the moment, with profuſion: the manufacturers, the ſhops, + and the private individual, are robbed to keep them in good humour—the + beſt wines, the beſt clothes, the prime of every thing, is deſtined + to their uſe; and men, who before laboured hard to procure a ſcanty + ſubſiſtence, now revel in luxury and comparative idleneſs. + </p> + <p> + The rapid promotion acquired in the French army is likewiſe another + cauſe of its adherence to the government. Every one is eager to be + advanced; for, by means of requiſitions, pillage and perquiſites, + the moſt trifling command is very lucrative.—Vaſt ſums + of money are expended in ſupplying the camps with newſpapers + written nearly for that purpoſe, and no otherſ are permitted to + be publicly circulated.—When troops are quartered in a town, inſtead + of that cold reception which it is uſual to accord ſuch inmates, + the ſyſtem of terror acts as an excellent Marechal de Logis, and + procures them, if not a cordial, at leaſt a ſubſtantial + one; and it iſ indubitable, that they are no where ſo well + entertained as at the houſeſ of profeſſed ariſtocrats. + The officers and men live in a familiarity highly gratifying to the + latter; and, indeed, neither are diſtinguiſhable by their + language, manners, or appearance. There is, properly ſpeaking, no + ſubordination except in the field, and a ſoldier has only to + avoid politics, and cry "Vive la Convention!" to ſecure plenary + indulgence on all other occaſions.—Many who entered the army + with regret, continue there willingly for the ſake of a maintenance; + beſides that a decree exiſts, which ſubjects the parents of + thoſe who return, to heavy puniſhments. In a word, whatever can + operate on the fears, or intereſts, or paſſions, is + employed to preſerve the allegiance of the armies to the government, + and attach them to their profeſſion. + </p> + <p> + I am far from intending to detract from the national bravery—the + annalſ of the French Monarchy abound with the moſt ſplendid + inſtances of it—I only wiſh you to underſtand, what I + am fully convinced of myſelf, that liberty and republicaniſm + have no ſhare in the preſent ſucceſſes. The + battle of Gemappe was gained when the Briſſotin faction had + enthroned itſelf on the ruins of a conſtitution, which the + armies were ſaid to adore with enthuſiaſm: by what ſudden + inſpiration were their affectionſ tranſferred to another + form of government? or will any one pretend that they really underſtood + the democratic Machiaveliſm which they were to propagate in Brabant? + At the battle of Maubeuge, France was in the firſt paroxyſm of + revolutionary terror—at that of Fleurus, ſhe had become a + ſcene of carnage and proſcription, at once the moſt + wretched and the moſt deteſtable of nations, the ſport and + the prey of deſpots ſo contemptible, that neither the exceſs + of their crimes, nor the ſufferings they inflicted, could efface the + ridicule which was incurred by a ſubmiſſion to them. Were + the French then fighting for liberty, or did they only move on profeſſionally, + with the enemy in front, the Guillotine in the rear, and the intermediate + ſpace filled up with the licentiouſneſs of a camp?—If + the name alone of liberty ſuffices to animate the French troopſ + to conqueſt, and they could imagine it was enjoyed under Briſſot + or Robeſpierre, this is at leaſt a proof that they are rather + amateurs than connoiſſeurs; and I ſee no reaſon why + the ſame impulſe might not be given to an army of Janizaries, or + the the legions of Tippoo Saib. + </p> + <p> + After all, it may be permitted to doubt, whether the ſort of enthuſiaſm + ſo liberally aſcribed to the French, would really contribute + more to their ſucceſſes, than the thoughtleſs courage + I am willing to allow them.—It is, I believe, the opinion of + military men, that the beſt ſoldiers are thoſe who are moſt + diſpoſed to act mechanically; and we are certain that the moſt + brilliant victories have been obtained where thiſ ardour, ſaid + to be produced by the new doctrines, could have had no influence.—The + heroes of Pavia, of Narva, or thoſe who adminiſtered to the + vain-glory of Louis the Fourteenth, by ravaging the Palatinate, we may + ſuppoſe little acquainted with it. The fate of battles + frequently depends on cauſes which the General, the Stateſman, + or the Philoſopher, are equally unable to decide upon; and the + laurel, "meed of mighty conquerors," ſeems oftener to fall at the + caprice of the wind, than to be gathered. It is ſometimes the lot of + the ableſt tactician, at others of the moſt voluminous muſter-roll; + but, I believe, there are few exampleſ where theſe political + elevations have had an effect, when unaccompanied by advantages of ſituation, + ſuperior ſkill, or ſuperior numbers.—<i>"La plupart + des gens de guerre</i> (ſays Fontenelle) <i>ſont leur metier + avec beaucoup de courage. Il en eſt peu qui y penſent; leurs + bras agiſſent auſſi vigoureuſement que l'on veut, + leurs tetes ſe repoſent, et ne prennent preſque part a + rieu"</i>*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "Military men in general do their duty with much courage, but few make + it a ſubject of reflection. With all the bodily activity that can + be expected of them, their minds remain at reſt, and partake but + little of the buſineſs they are engaged in." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —If this can be applied with truth to any armies, it muſt be to + thoſe of France. We have ſeen them ſucceſſively + and implicitly adopting all the new conſtitutions and ſtrange + gods which faction and extravagance could deviſe—we have ſeen + them alternately the dupes and ſlaves of all parties: at one period + abandoning their King and their religion: at another adulating Robeſpierre, + and deifying Marat.—Theſe, I confeſs are diſpoſitions + to make good ſoldiers, but convey to me no idea of enthuſiaſts + or republicans. + </p> + <p> + The bulletin of the Convention is periodically furniſhed with ſplendid + feats of heroiſm performed by individuals of their armies, and I have + no doubt but ſome of them are true. There are, however, many which + have been very peaceably culled from old memoirs, and that ſo unſkilfully, + that the hero of the preſent year loſes a leg or an arm in the + ſame exploit, and uttering the ſelf-ſame ſentences, as + one who lived two centuries ago. There is likewiſe a ſort of + jobbing in the edifying ſcenes which occaſionally occur in the + Convention—if a ſoldier happen to be wounded who has relationſhip, + acquaintance, or connexion, with a Deputy, a tale of extraordinary valour + and extraordinary devotion to the cauſe is invented or adopted; the + invalid is preſented in form at the bar of the Aſſembly, + receives the fraternal embrace and the promiſe of a penſion, and + the feats of the hero, along with the munificence of the Convention, are + ordered to circulate in the next bulletin. Yet many of the deeds recorded + very deſervedly in theſe annals of glory, have been performed by + men who abhor republican principles, and lament the diſaſters + their partizans have occaſioned. I have known even notoriouſ ariſtocrats + introduced to the Convention as martyrs to liberty, and who have, in fact, + behaved as gallantly as though they had been ſo.—Theſe are + paradoxes which a military man may eaſily reconcile. + </p> + <p> + Independently of the various ſecondary cauſes that contribute to + the ſucceſs of the French armies, there is one which thoſe + perſons who wiſh to exalt every thing they denominate republican + ſeem to exclude—I mean, the immenſe advantage they poſſeſs + in point of numbers. There haſ ſcarcely been an engagement of + importance, in which the French have not profited by this in a very + extraordinary degree.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This has been confeſſed to me by many republicans themſelves; + and a diſproportion of two or three to one muſt add conſiderably + to republican enthuſiaſm. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Whenever a point is to be gained, the ſacrifice of men is not + a matter of heſitation. One body is diſpatched after another; + and freſh troopſ thus ſucceeding to oppoſe thoſe + of the enemy already haraſſed, we muſt not wonder that the + event has ſo often proved favourable to them. + </p> + <p> + A republican, who paſſes for highly informed, once defended this + mode of warfare by obſerving, that in the courſe of ſeveral + campaigns more troopſ periſhed by ſickneſs than the + ſword. If then an object could be attained by ſuch means, ſo + much time was ſaved, and the loſs eventually the ſame: but + the Generals of other countries dare not riſk ſuch philoſophical + calculations, and would be accountable to the laws of humanity for their + deſtructive conqueſts. + </p> + <p> + When you eſtimate the numbers that compoſe the French armies, + you are not to conſider them as an undiſciplined multitude, whoſe + ſole force is in their numbers. From the beginning of the revolution, + many of them have been exerciſed in the National Guard; and though + they might not make a figure on the parade at Potſdam, their + inferiority is not ſo great as to render the German exactitude a + counterbalance for the ſubſtantial inequality of numbers. Yet, + powerfully as theſe conſiderations favour the military triumphs + of France, there is a period when we may expect both cauſe and effect + will terminate. That period may ſtill be far removed, but whenever + the aſſignatſ* become totally diſcredited, and it + ſhall be found requiſite to economize in the war department, + adieu la gloire, a bas les armes, and perhaps bon ſoir la republique; + for I do not reckon it poſſible, that armies ſo conſtituted + can ever be perſuaded to ſubject themſelves to the reſtraints + and privations which muſt be indiſpenſible, as ſoon as + the government ceaſes to have the diſpoſal of an unlimited + fund. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The mandats were, in fact, but a continuation of the aſſignats, + under another name. The laſt decree for the emiſſion of aſſignats, + limited the quantity circulated to forty milliards, which taken at par, + is only about ſixteen hundred millions of pounds ſterling! + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + What I have hitherto written you will underſtand as applicable only + to the troops employed on the frontiers. There are ſome of another deſcription, + more cheriſhed and not leſs ſerviceable, who act as a + ſort of police militant and errant, and defend the republic againſt + her internal enemieſ—the republicans. Almoſt every town of + importance iſ occaſionally infeſted by theſe ſervile + inſtruments of deſpotiſm, who are maintained in inſolent + profuſion, to overawe thoſe whom miſery and famine might + tempt to revolt. When a government, after impriſoning ſome + hundred thouſands of the moſt diſtinguiſhed in every + claſs of life, and diſarming all the reſt, is yet obliged + to employ ſuch a force for its protection, we may juſtifiably + conclude, it does not preſume on the attachment of the people. It is + not impoſſible that the agents of different deſcriptions, + deſtined to the ſervice of conciliating the interior to + republicaniſm, might alone form an army equal to that of the Allies; + but this is a taſk, where the numbers employed only ſerve to + render it more difficult. They, however, procure ſubmiſſion, + if they do not create affection; and the Convention is not delicate. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_24" id="link4_4_24"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, Sept. 30, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The domeſtic politics of France are replete with novelties: the + Convention is at war with the Jacobinſ—and the people, even to + the moſt decided ariſtocrats, have become partizans of the + Convention.—My laſt letters have explained the origin of theſe + phaenomena, and I will now add a few words on their progreſs. + </p> + <p> + You have ſeen that, at the fall of Robeſpierre, the + revolutionary government had reached the very ſummit of deſpotiſm, + and that the Convention found themſelves under the neceſſity + of appearing to be directed by a new impulſe, or of acknowledging + their participation in the crimes they affected to deplore.—In conſequence, + almoſt without the direct repeal of any law, (except ſome which + affected their own ſecurity,) a more moderate ſyſtem has + been gradually adopted, or, to ſpeak more correctly, the + revolutionary one is ſuffered to relax. The Jacobins behold theſe + popular meaſures with extreme jealouſy, as a meanſ which + may in time render the legiſlature independent of them; and it iſ + certainly not the leaſt of their diſcontents, that, after all + their labours in the common cauſe, they find themſelves excluded + both from power and emoluments. Accuſtomed to carry every thing by + violence, and more ferocious than politic, they have, by inſiſting + on the reincarceration of ſuſpected people, attached a numerous + party to the Convention, which is thus warned that its own ſafety + depends on repreſſing the influence of clubs, which not only + loudly demand that the priſons may be again filled, but frequently + debate on the project of tranſporting all the "enemies of the + republic" together. + </p> + <p> + The liberty of the preſs, alſo, is a theme of diſcord not + leſs important than the emancipation of ariſtocrats. The + Jacobins are decidedly adverſe to it; and it is a ſort of + revolutionary ſoleciſm, that thoſe who boaſt of having + been the original deſtroyers of deſpotiſm, are now the + advocates of arbitrary impriſonment, and reſtraints on the + freedom of the preſs. The Convention itſelf is divided on the + latter ſubject; and, after a revolution of five years, founded on the + doctrine of the rightſ of man, it has become matter of diſpute—whether + ſo principal an article of them ought really to exiſt or not. + They ſeem, indeed, willing to allow it, provided reſtrictions + can be deviſed which may prevent calumny from reaching their own perſons; + but as that cannot eaſily be atchieved, they not only contend againſt + the liberty of the preſs in practice, but have hitherto refuſed + to ſanction it by decree, even as a principle. + </p> + <p> + It is perhaps reluctantly that the Convention oppoſes theſe + powerful and extended combinations which have ſo long been its ſupport, + and it may dread the conſequences of being left without the means of + overawing or influencing the people; but the example of the Briſſotins, + who, by attempting to profit by the ſervices of the Jacobins, without + ſubmitting to their domination, fell a ſacrifice, has warned + their ſurvivors of the danger of employing ſuch inſtruments. + It is evident that the clubs will not act ſubordinately, and that + they muſt either be ſubdued to inſignificance, or regain + their authority entirely; and as neither the people nor Convention are diſpoſed + to acquieſce in the latter, they are politicly joining their efforts + to accelerate the former. + </p> + <p> + Yet, notwithſtanding theſe reciprocal cajoleries, the return of + juſtice is ſlow and mutable; an inſtinctive or habitual + preference of evil appears at times to direct the Convention, even in oppoſition + to their own intereſts. They have as yet done little towards + repairing the calamities of which they are the authors; and we welcome the + little they have done, not for its intrinſic value, but as we do the + firſt ſpring flowerſ—which, though of no great ſweetneſs + or beauty, we conſider aſ pledges that the ſtorms of winter + are over, and that a milder ſeaſon iſ approaching.—It + is true, the revolutionary Committees are diminiſhed in number, the + priſons are diſencumbered, and a man is not liable to be arreſted + becauſe a Jacobin ſuſpects his features: yet there is a + wide difference between ſuch toleration and freedom and ſecurity; + and it is a circumſtance not favourable to thoſe who look beyond + the moment, that the tyrannical laws which authorized all the late + enormities are ſtill unrepealed. The Revolutionary Tribunal continues + to ſentence people to death, on pretexts as frivolous as thoſe + which were employed in the time of Robeſpierre; they have only the + advantage of being tried more formally, and of forfeiting their lives upon + proof, inſtead of without it, for actions that a ſtrictly adminiſtered + juſtice would not puniſh by a month's impriſonment.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * For inſtance, a young monk, for writing fanatic letters, and + ſigning reſolutions in favour of foederaliſm—a hoſier, + for facilitating the return of an emigrant—a man of ninety, for + ſpeaking againſt the revolution, and diſcrediting the aſſignatſ—a + contractor, for embezzling forage—people of various deſcriptions, + for obſtructing the recruitment, or inſulting the tree of + liberty. Theſe, and many ſimilar condemnations, will be found + in the proceedings of the Revolutionary Tribunal, long after the death + of Robeſpierre, and when juſtice and humanity were ſaid + to be reſtored. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + A ceremony has lately taken place, the object of which was to depoſit + the aſhes of Marat in the Pantheon, and to diſlodge the buſt + of Mirabeau— who, notwithſtanding two years notice to quit this + manſion of immortality, ſtill remained there. The aſhes of + Marat being eſcorted to the Convention by a detachment of Jacobins, + and the Preſident having properly deſcanted on the virtues which + once animated the ſaid aſhes, they were conveyed to the place deſtined + for their reception; and the excommunicated Mirabeau being delivered over + to the ſecular arm of a beadle, theſe remains of the divine + Marat were placed among the reſt of the republican deities. To have + obliged the Convention in a body to attend and conſecrate the crimes + of this monſter, though it could not degrade them, was a momentary + triumph for the Jacobins, nor could the royaliſts behold without + ſatiſfaction the ſame men deploring the death of Marat, + who, a month before, had celebrated the fall of Louis the Sixteenth! To + have been ſo deplored, and ſo celebrated, are, methinks, the + very extremes of infamy and glory. + </p> + <p> + I muſt explain to you, that the Jacobins have lately been compoſed + of two partieſ—the avowed adherents of Collot, Billaud, &c. + and the concealed remains of thoſe attached to Robeſpierre; but + party has now given way to principle, a circumſtance not uſual; + and the whole club of Paris, with ſeveral of the affiliated ones, + join in cenſuring the innovating tendencies of the Convention.—It + is curious to read the debates of the parent ſociety, which paſs + in afflicting details of the perſecutionſ experienced by the + patriots on the parts of the moderates and ariſtocrats, who, they aſſert, + are become ſo daring as even to call in queſtion the purity of + the immortal Marat. You will ſuppoſe, of courſe, that this + cruel perſecution is nothing more than an interdiction to perſecute + others; and their notions of patriotiſm and moderation may be + conceived by their having juſt expelled Tallien and Freron as + moderates.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Freron endeavoured, on this occaſion, to diſculpate himſelf + from the charge of "moderantiſme," by alledging he had oppoſed + Lecointre's denunciation of Barrere, &c.—and certainly one who + piques himſelf on being the pupil of the divine Marat, was worthy + of remaining in the fraternity from which he was now expelled.—Freron + is a veteran journaliſt of the revolution, of better talents, + though not of better fame, than the generality of his contemporaries: + or, rather, his early efforts in exciting the people to rebellion + entitle him to a preeminence of infamy. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_25" id="link4_4_25"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, October 4, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + We have had our guard withdrawn for ſome days; and I am juſt now + returned from Peronne, where we had been in order to ſee the ſeals + taken off the papers, &c. which I left there laſt year. I am much + ſtruck with the alteration obſervable in people's countenances. + Every perſon I meet ſeems to have contracted a ſort of + revolutionary aſpect: many walk with their heads down, and with half-ſhut + eyes meaſure the whole length of a ſtreet, as though they were + ſtill intent on avoiding greetings from the ſuſpicious; + ſome look grave and ſorrow-worn; ſome apprehenſive, as + if in hourly expectation of a <i>mandat d'arret;</i> and others abſolutely + ferocious, from a habit of affecting the barbarity of the times. + </p> + <p> + Their language is nearly as much changed as their appearance—the + revolutionary jargon is univerſal, and the moſt diſtinguiſhed + ariſtocratſ converſe in the ſtyle of Barrere's + reports. The common people are not leſs proficients in this faſhionable + dialect, than their ſuperiors; and, as far as I can judge, are become + ſo from ſimilar motives. While I waſ waiting this morning + at a ſhop-door, I liſtened to a beggar who waſ cheapening a + ſlice of pumpkin, and on ſome diſagreement about the price, + the beggar told the old <i>revendeuſe</i> [Market-woman.] that ſhe + waſ <i>"gangrenee d'ariſtocratie."</i> ["Eat up with ariſtocracy."] + <i>"Je vous en defie,"</i> ["I defy you."] retorted the pumpkin-merchant; + but turning pale as ſhe ſpoke, <i>"Mon civiſme eſt a + toute epreuve, mais prenez donc ta citrouille,"</i> ["My civiſm is + unqueſtionable; but here take your pumpkin."] take it then." <i>"Ah, + te voila bonne republicaine,</i> ["Ah! Now I ſee you are a good + republican."] ſays the beggar, carrying off her bargain; while the + old woman muttered, <i>"Oui, oui, l'on a beau etre republicaine tandiſ + qu'on n'a pas de pain a manger."</i> ["Yes, in troth, it's a fine thing to + be a republican, and have no bread to eat."] + </p> + <p> + I hear little of the poſitive merits of the convention, but the hope + iſ general that they will ſoon ſuppreſs the Jacobin + clubs; yet their attackſ continue ſo cold and cautious, that + their intentions are at leaſt doubtful: they know the voice of the + nation at large would be in favour of ſuch a meaſure, and they + might, if ſincere, act more deciſively, without riſk to + themſelves.—The truth is, they would willingly proſcribe + the perſons of the Jacobins, while they cling to their principles, + and ſtill heſitate whether they ſhall confide in a people + whoſe reſentment they have ſo much deſerved, and have + ſo much reaſon to dread. Conſciouſ guilt appears to + ſhackle all their proceedings, and though the puniſhment of + ſome ſubordinate agents cannot, in the preſent ſtate + of things, be diſpenſed with, yet the Aſſembly unveil + the regiſter of their crimes very reluctantly, as if each member + expected to ſee his own name inſcribed on it. Thus, even + delinquents, who would otherwiſe be ſacrificed voluntarily to + public juſtice, are in a manner protected by delays and chicane, + becauſe an inveſtigation might implicate the Convention as the + example and authoriſer of their enormities.—Fouquier Tinville + devoted a thouſand innocent people to death in leſs time than it + has already taken to bring him to a trial, where he will benefit by all + thoſe judicial forms which he has ſo often refuſed to + others. This man, who is much the ſubject of converſation at preſent, + was Public Accuſer to the Revolutionary Tribunal—an office + which, at beſt, in this inſtance, only ſerved to give an + air of regularity to aſſaſſination: but, by a ſort + of genius in turpitude, he contrived to render it odious beyond its + original perverſion, in giving to the moſt elaborate and + revolting cruelties a turn of ſpontaneous pleaſantry, or legal + procedure.—The priſoners were inſulted with ſarcaſms, + intimidated by threats, and ſtill oftener ſilenced by arbitrary + declarations, that they were not entitled to ſpeak; and thoſe + who were taken to the ſcaffold, after no other ceremony than calling + over their names, had leſs reaſon to complain, than if they had + previouſly been expoſed to the barbarities of ſuch trials.—Yet + thiſ wretch might, for a time at leaſt, have eſcaped puniſhment, + had he not, in defending himſelf, criminated the remains of the + Committee, whom it was intended to ſcreen. When he appeared at the + bar of the Convention, every word he uttered ſeemed to fill its + members with alarm, and he waſ ordered away before he could finiſh + his declaration. It muſt be acknowledged, that, however he may be + condemned by juſtice and humanity, nothing could legally attach to + him: he was only the agent of the Convention, and the utmoſt horrors + of the Tribunal were not merely ſanctioned, but enjoined by ſpecific + decrees. + </p> + <p> + I have been told by a gentleman who was at ſchool with Fouquier, and + haſ had frequent occaſions of obſerving him at different + periods ſince, that he always appeared to him to be a man of mild + manners, and by no meanſ likely to become the inſtrument of theſe + atrocities; but a ſtrong addiction to gaming having involved him in + embarraſſments, he was induced to accept the office of Public + Accuſer to the Tribunal, and waſ progreſſively led on + from adminiſtering to the iniquity of his employers, to find a + gratification in it himſelf. + </p> + <p> + I have often thought, that the habit of watching with ſelfiſh + avidity for thoſe turns of fortune which enrich one individual by the + miſery of another, muſt imperceptibly tend to harden the heart. + How can the gameſter, accuſtomed both to ſuffer and inflict + ruin with indifference, preſerve that benevolent frame of mind, + which, in the ordinary and leſſ cenſurable purſuits of + common life, is but too prone to become impaired, and to leave humanity + more a duty than a feeling? + </p> + <p> + The conduct of Fouquier Tinville has led me to ſome reflections on a + ſubject which I know the French conſider as matter of triumph, + and as a peculiar advantage which their national character enjoys over the + Engliſh—I mean that ſmoothneſs of manner and + guardedneſs of expreſſion which they call "aimable," and + which they have the faculty of attaining and preſerving diſtinctly + from a correſpondent temper of the mind. It accompanies them through + the moſt irritating viciſſitudes, and enableſ them to + deceive, even without deceit: for though this ſuavity iſ + habitual, of courſe frequently undeſigning, the ſtranger is + nevertheleſſ thrown off his guard by it, and tempted to place + confidence, or expect ſervices, which a leſs conciliating + deportment would not have been ſuggeſted. A Frenchman may be an + unkind huſband, a ſevere parent, or an arrogant maſter, yet + never contract his features, or aſperate his voice, and for this reaſon + is, in the national ſenſe, "un homme bien doux." Hiſ heart + may become corrupt, his principles immoral, and his diſpoſition + ferociouſ—yet he ſhall ſtill retain his equability of + tone and complacent phraſeology, and be "un homme bien aimable." + </p> + <p> + The revolution has tended much to develope this peculiarity of the French + character, and has, by various examples in public life, confirmed the + opinions I had formed from previous obſervation. Fouquier Tinville, + as I have already noticed, was a man of gentle exterior.—Couthon, + the execrable aſſociate of Robeſpierre, was mildneſs + itſelf—Robeſpierre'ſ harangues are in a ſtyle of + diſtinguiſhed ſenſibility—and even Carrier, the + deſtroyer of thirty thouſand Nantais, is atteſted by hiſ + fellow-ſtudents to have been of an amiable diſpoſition. I + know a man of moſt inſinuating addreſs, who has been the + means of conducting his own brother to the Guillotine; and another nearly + as prepoſſeſſing, who, without loſing his + courteous demeanor, was, during the late revolutionary exceſſes, + the intimate of an executioner. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *It would be too voluminous to enumerate all the contraſts of + manners and character exhibited during the French revolution—The + philoſophic Condorcet, purſuing with malignancy his patron, + the Duc de la Rochefoucault, and heſitating with atrocious mildneſs + on the ſentence of the King—The maſſacres of the + priſons connived at by the gentle Petion—Collot d'Herbois diſpatching, + by one diſcharge of cannon, three hundred people together, "to + ſpare his ſenſibility" the talk of executions in detail—And + St. Juſt, the deviſer of a thouſand enormities, when he + left the Committee, after his laſt interview, with the project of + ſending them all to the Guillotine, telling them, in a tone of + tender reproach, like a lover of romance, "Vous avez fletri mon coeur, + je vais l'ouvrir a la Convention."— Madame Roland, in ſpite + of the tenderneſs of her ſex, could coldly reaſon on the + expediency of a civil war, which ſhe acknowledged might become neceſſary + to eſtabliſh the republic. Let thoſe who diſapprove + this cenſure of a female, whom it is a ſort of mode to lament, + recollect that Madame Roland was the victim of a celebrity ſhe had + acquired in aſſiſting the efforts of faction to dethrone + the King—that her literary bureau was dedicated to the purpoſe + of exaſperating the people againſt him—and that ſhe + was conſiderably inſtrumental to the events which occaſioned + his death. If her talents and accompliſhments make her an object of + regret, it was to the unnatural miſapplication of thoſe + talents and accompliſhments in the ſervice of party, that + ſhe owed her fate. Her own opinion was, that thouſands might + juſtifiably be devoted to the eſtabliſhment of a + favourite ſyſtem; or, to ſpeak truly, to the aggrandiſement + of thoſe who were its partizans. The ſame ſelfiſh + principle actuated an oppoſite faction, and ſhe became the + ſacrifice.—"Oh even-handed juſtice!" + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I do not pretend to decide whether the Engliſh are virtually more + gentle in their nature than the French; but I am perſuaded this + douceur, on which the latter pride themſelves, affords no proof of + the contrary. An Engliſhman is ſeldom out of humour, without + proclaiming it to all the world; and the moſt forcible motives of + intereſt, or expediency, cannot always prevail on him to aſſume + a more engaging external than that which delineates his feelings. + </p> + <p> + If he has a matter to refuſe, he uſually begins by fortifying + himſelf with a little ruggedneſs of manner, by way of prefacing + a denial he might otherwiſe not have reſolution to perſevere + in. "The hows and whens of life" corrugate his features, and diſharmonize + his periods; contradiction ſours, and paſſion ruffles him—and, + in ſhort, an Engliſhman diſpleaſed, from whatever cauſe, + is neither "un homme bien doux," nor "un homme bien aimable;" but ſuch + as nature has made him, ſubject to infirmities and ſorrows, and + unable to diſguiſe the one, or appear indifferent to the other. + Our country, like every other, has doubtleſs produced too many + examples of human depravity; but I ſcarcely recollect any, where a + ferocious diſpoſition was not accompanied by correſponding + mannerſ—or where men, who would plunder or maſſacre, + affected to retain at the ſame time habits of ſoftneſs, and + a conciliating phyſiognomy. + </p> + <p> + We are, I think, on the whole, authorized to conclude, that, in + determining the claims to national ſuperiority, the boaſted and + unvarying controul which the French exerciſe over their features and + accents, iſ not a merit; nor thoſe indications of what paſſes + within, to which the Engliſh are ſubject, an imperfection. If + the French ſometimes ſupply their want of kindneſs, or + render diſappointment leſs acute at the moment, by a ſterile + complacency, the Engliſh harſhneſs is often only the alloy + to an efficient benevolence, and a ſympathizing mind. In France they + have no humouriſts who ſeem impelled by their nature to do good, + in ſpite of their temperament—nor have we in England many + people who are cold and unfeeling, yet ſyſtematically aimable: + but I muſt ſtill perſiſt in not thinking it a defect + that we are too impetuous, or perhaps too ingenuous, to unite + contradictions. + </p> + <p> + There is a cauſe, that doubtleſs has its effects in repreſenting + the Engliſh diſadvantageouſly, and which I have never heard + properly allowed for. The liberty of the preſs, and the great intereſt + taken by all rankſ of people in public affairs, have occaſioned + a more numerous circulation of periodical prints of every kind in England, + than in any other country in Europe. Now, as it is impoſſible to + fill them conſtantly with politics, and as the taſte of + different readers muſt be conſulted, every barbarous adventure, + ſuicide, murder, robbery, domeſtic fracas, aſſaults, + and batteries of the lower orders, with the duels and divorces of the + higher, are all chronicled in various publications, diſſeminated + over Europe, and convey an idea that we are a very miſerable, + ferocious, and diſſolute nation. The foreign gazettes being + chiefly appropriated to public affairs, ſeldom record either the + vices, the crimes, or miſfortunes of individuals; ſo that they + are thereby at leaſt prevented from fixing an unfavourable judgement + on the national character. + </p> + <p> + Mercier obſerves, that the number of ſuicides committed in Paris + waſ ſuppoſed to exceed greatly that of ſimilar diſaſters + in London; and that murders in France were always accompanied by circumſtances + of peculiar horror, though policy and cuſtom had rendered the + publication of ſuch events leſs general than with us.—Our + divorces, at which the Gallic purity of manners uſed to be ſo + much ſcandalized, are, no doubt, to be regretted; but that ſuch + ſeparations were not then allowed, or deſired in France, may + perhaps be attributed, at leaſt as juſtly, to the complaiſance + of huſbands, as to the diſcretion of wives, or the national + morality.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * At preſent, in the monthly ſtatement, the number of divorces + in France, is often nearly equal to that of the marriages. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I ſhould reproach myſelf if I could feel impartial when I + contemplate the Engliſh character; yet I certainly endeavour to write + as though I were ſo. If I have erred, it has been rather in allowing + too much to received opinions on the ſubject of this country, than in + ſuffering my affectionſ to make me unjuſt; for though I am + far from affecting the faſhion of the day, which cenſures all + prejudices as illiberal, except thoſe in diſfavour of our own + country, yet I am warranted, I hope, in ſaying, that however partial + I may appear to England, I have not been ſo at the expence of truth.—Yours, + &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_26" id="link4_4_26"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + October 6, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The ſufferings of individuals have often been the means of deſtroying + or reforming the moſt powerful tyrannies; reaſon has been + convinced by argument, and paſſion appealed to by declamation in + vain—when ſome unvarniſhed tale, or ſimple expoſure + of facts, has at once rouzed the feelings, and conquered the ſupineneſs + of an oppreſſed people. + </p> + <p> + The revolutionary government, in ſpite of the clamorous and weekly + ſwearings of the Convention to perpetuate it, has received a check + from an event of this nature, which I truſt it will never recover.—By + an order of the Revolutionary Committee of Nantes, in November 1793, all + priſoners accuſed of political crimes were to be tranſferred + to Paris, where the tribunal being more immediately under the direction of + government, there would be no chance of their acquittal. In conſequence + of this order, an hundred and thirty-two inhabitants of Nantes, arreſted + on the uſual pretexts of foederaliſm, or as ſuſpected, + or being Muſcadins, were, ſome months after, conducted to Paris. + Forty of the number died through the hardſhips and ill treatment they + encountered on the way, the reſt remained in priſon until after + the death of Robeſpierre. + </p> + <p> + The evidence produced on their trial, which lately took place, haſ + revealed but too circumſtantially all the horrors of the + revolutionary ſyſtem. Deſtruction in every form, moſt + ſhocking to morals or humanity, has depopulated the countries of the + Loire; and republican Pizarro's and Almagro's ſeem to have rivalled + each other in the invention and perpetration of crimes. + </p> + <p> + When the priſons of Nantes overflowed, many hundreds of their miſerable + inhabitants had been conducted by night, and chained together, to the + river ſide; where, being firſt ſtripped of their clothes, + they were crouded into veſſels with falſe bottoms, conſtructed + for the purpoſe, and ſunk.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Though the horror excited by ſuch atrocious details muſt be + ſerviceable to humanity, I am conſtrained by decency to ſpare + the reader a part of them. Let the imagination, however repugnant, pauſe + for a moment over theſe ſceneſ—Five, eight hundred + people of different ſexes, ages, and conditions, are taken from + their priſons, in the dreary months of December and January, and + conducted, during the ſilence of the night, to the banks of the + Loire. The agents of the Republic there deſpoil them of their + clothes, and force them, ſhivering and defenceleſs, to enter + the machines prepared for their deſtruction—they are chained + down, to prevent their eſcape by ſwimming, and then the bottom + is detached for the upper part, and ſunk.—On ſome occaſions + the miſerable victims contrived to looſe themſelves, and + clinging to the boards near them, ſhrieked in the agonies of deſpair + and death, "O ſave uſ! it is not even now too late: in mercy + ſave uſ!" But they appealed to wretches to whom mercy was a + ſtranger; and, being cut away from their hold by ſtrokeſ + of the ſabre, periſhed with their companions. That nothing + might be wanting to theſe outrages againſt nature, they were eſcribed + aſ jeſts, and called "Noyades, water parties," and "civic + baptiſmſ"! Carrier, a Deputy of the Convention, uſed to + dine and make partieſ of pleaſure, accompanied by muſic + and every ſpecies of groſs luxury, on board the barges + appropriated to theſe execrable purpoſes. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —At one time, ſix hundred children appear to have been deſtroyed + in thiſ manner;—young people of different ſexes were tied + in pairs and thrown into the river;—thouſands were ſhot in + the high roads and in the fields; and vaſt numbers were guillotined, + without a trial!* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Six young women, (the <i>Meſdemoiſelles la Meterie,</i>) in + particular, ſiſters, and all under four-and-twenty, were + ordered to the Guillotine together: the youngeſt died inſtantly + of fear, the reſt were executed ſucceſſively.—A + child eleven years old, who had previouſly told the executioner, + with affecting ſimplicity, that he hoped he would not hurt him + much, received three ſtrokes of the Guillotine before his head was + ſevered from his body. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Two thouſand died, in leſs than two months, of a peſtilence, + occaſioned by this carnage: the air became infected, and the waters + of the Loire empoiſoned, by dead bodies; and thoſe whom tyranny + yet ſpared, periſhed by the elements which nature intended for + their ſupport.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Vaſt ſums were exacted from the Nantais for purifying the + air, and taking precautions againſt epidemical diſorders. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + But I will not dwell on horrors, which, if not already known to all + Europe, I ſhould be unequal to deſcribe: ſuffice it to + ſay, that whatever could diſgrace or afflict mankind, whatever + could add diſguſt to deteſtation, and render cruelty, if poſſible, + leſs odious than the circumſtances by which it was accompanied, + has been exhibited in thiſ unfortunate city.—Both the accuſed + and their witneſſes were at firſt timid through apprehenſion, + but by degrees the monſtrous myſteries of the government were + laid open, and it appeared, beyond denial or palliation, that theſe + enormities were either deviſed, aſſiſted, or connived + at, by Deputies of the Convention, celebrated for their ardent republicaniſm + and revolutionary zeal.—The danger of confiding unlimited power to + ſuch men as compoſed the majority of the Aſſembly, was + now diſplayed in a manner that penetrated the dulleſt + imagination, and the coldeſt heart; and it was found, that, armed + with decrees, aided by revolutionary committees, revolutionary troops, and + revolutionary vehicles of deſtruction,* miſſionaries ſelected + by choice from the whole repreſentation, had, in the city of Nantes + alone, and under the maſk of enthuſiaſtic patriotiſm, + ſacrificed thirty thouſand people! + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * A company was formed of all the ruffians that could be collected + together. They were ſtyled the Company of Marat, and were ſpecially + empowered to arreſt whomſoever they choſe, and to enter + houſes by night or day—in fine, to proſcribe and pillage + at their pleaſure. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Facts like theſe require no comment. The nation may be intimidated, + and habits of obedience, or deſpair of redreſs, prolong its + ſubmiſſion; but it can no longer be deceived: and patriotiſm, + revolutionary liberty, and philoſophy, are for ever aſſociated + with the drowning machines of Carrier, and the precepts and calculations + of a Herault de Sechelles,* or a Lequinio.**— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Herault de Sechelles was diſtinguiſhed by birth, talents, + and fortune, above moſt of his colleagues in the Convention; yet we + find him in correſpondence with Carrier, applauding his enormities, + and adviſing him how to continue them with effect.—Herault + was of a noble family, and had been a preſident in the Parliament + of Paris. He was one of Robeſpierre's Committee of Public Welfare, + and being in ſome way implicated in a charge of treachery brought + againſt Simon, another Deputy, was guillotined at the ſame + time with Danton. ** Lequinio is a philoſopher by profeſſion, + who has endeavoured to enlighten his countrymen by a publication + entitled "<i>Les Prejugeſ Detruits,</i>" and ſince by proving + it advantageous to make no priſonerſ of war. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The ninety Nantais, againſt whom there exiſted no ſerious + charge, and who had already ſuffered more than death, were acquitted. + Yet, though the people were gratified by this verdict, and the general + indignation appeaſed by an immediate arreſt of thoſe who + had been moſt notoriouſly active in theſe dreadful + operations, a deep and ſalutary impreſſion remains, and we + may hope it will be found impracticable either to renew the ſame + ſcenes, or for the Convention to ſhelter (as they ſeemed diſpoſed + to do) the principal criminals, who are members of their own body. Yet, + how are theſe delinquents to be brought to condemnation? They all + acted under competent authority, and their diſpatches to the + Convention, which ſufficiently indicated their proceedings, were + alwayſ ſanctioned by circulation, and applauded, according to + the exceſs of their flagitiouſneſs. + </p> + <p> + It is worthy of remark, that Nantes, the principal theatre of theſe + perſecutions and murders, had been early diſtinguiſhed by + the attachment of its inhabitants to the revolution; inſomuch, that, + at the memorable epoch when the ſhort-ſighted policy of the + Court excluded the Conſtituent Aſſembly from their Hall at + Verſailles, and they took refuge in the Jeu de Paume, with a reſolution + fatal to their country, never to ſeparate until they had obtained + their purpoſes, an expreſs was ſent to Nantes, aſ the + place they ſhould make choice of, if any violence obliged them to + quit the neighbourhood of Paris. + </p> + <p> + But it was not only by its principles that Nantes had ſignalized itſelf; + at every period of the war, it had contributed largely both in men and + money, and its riches and commerce ſtill rendered it one of the moſt + important towns of the republic.—What has been its reward?—Barbarouſ + envoys from the Convention, ſent expreſſly to level the ariſtocracy + of wealth, to cruſh its mercantile ſpirit, and decimate its + inhabitants.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * When Nantes was reduced almoſt to a ſtate of famine by the + deſtruction of commerce, and the ſupplies drawn for the + maintenance of the armies, Commiſſioners were ſent to + Paris, to ſolicit a ſupply of proviſions. They applied to + Carrier, as being beſt acquainted with their diſtreſs, + and were anſwered in this language:—<i>"Demandez, pour Nanteſ! + je ſolliciterai qu'on porte le fer et la flamme danſ cette + abominable ville. Vous etes tous des coquins, des contre- + revolutionnaires, des brigands, des ſcelerats, je ferai nommer une + commiſſion par la Convention Nationale.—J'irai moi meme + a la tete de cette commiſſion.—Scelerats, je ſerai + rouler les tetes danſ Nanteſ—je regenererai Nantes."</i>—"Is + it for Nantes that you petition? I'll exert my influence to have fire + and ſword carried into that abominable city. You are all ſcoundrels, + counter- revolutioniſts, thieves, miſcreants.—I'll have + a commiſſion appointed by the Convention, and go myſelf + at the head of it.— Villains, I'll ſet your heads a rolling + about Nanteſ—I'll regenerate Nantes." Report of the Commiſſion + of Twenty-one, on the conduct of Carrier. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Terrible leſſon for thoſe diſcontented and miſtaken + people, who, enriched by commerce, are not content with freedom and + independence, but ſeek for viſionary benefits, by becoming the + partizans of innovation, or the tools of faction!* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The diſaſters of Nantes ought not to be loſt to the + republicans of Birmingham, Mancheſter, and other great commercial + towns, where "men fall out they know not why;" and where their increaſing + wealth and proſperity are the beſt eulogiums on the conſtitution + they attempt to undermine. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I have hitherto ſaid little of La Vendee; but the fate of Nantes is + ſo nearly connected with it, that I ſhall make it the ſubject + of my next letter. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_27" id="link4_4_27"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + [No Date or Place Given.] + </h2> + <p> + It appears, that the greater part of the inhabitants of Poitou, Anjou, and + the Southern diviſions of Brittany, now diſtinguiſhed by + the general appellation of the people of La Vendee, (though they include + thoſe of ſeveral other departments,) never either comprehended + or adopted the principles of the French revolution. Many different cauſes + contributed to increaſe their original averſion from the new + ſyſtem, and to give their reſiſtance that conſiſtency, + which has ſince become ſo formidable. A partiality for their + ancient cuſtoms, an attachment to their Nobleſſe, and a + deference for their Prieſts, are ſaid to characterize the brave + and ſimple natives of La Vendee. Hence republican writers, with + ſelf-complacent deciſion, always treat this war as the effect of + ignorance, ſlavery, and ſuperſtition. + </p> + <p> + The modern reformiſt, who calls the labourer from the plough, and the + artizan from the loom, to make them ſtateſmen or philoſophers, + and who has invaded the abodes of contented induſtry with the rights + of man, that our fields may be cultivated, and our garments wove, by + metaphyſicians, will readily aſſent to this opinion.—Yet + a more enlightened and liberal philoſophy may be tempted to examine + how far the Vendeans have really merited the contempt and perſecution + of which they have been the objects. By the confeſſion of the + republicans themſelves, they are religious, hoſpitable, and + frugal, humane and merciful towards their enemies, and eaſily perſuaded + to whatever is juſt and reaſonable. + </p> + <p> + I do not pretend to combat the narrow prejudices of thoſe who ſuppoſe + the worth or happineſs of mankind compatible but with one ſet of + opinions; and who, confounding the adventitious with the eſſential, + appreciate only book learning: but ſurely, qualities which imply a + knowledge of what iſ due both to God and man, and information ſufficient + to yield to what iſ right or rational, are not deſcriptive of + barbarians; or at leaſt, we may ſay with Phyrrhus, "there is + nothing barbarous in their diſcipline."* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *"The huſbandmen of this country are in general men of ſimple + manners, naturally well inclined, or at leaſt not addicted to + ſerious vices." Lequinio, Guerre de La Vendee. Dubois de Crance, + ſpeaking of the inhabitants of La Vendee, ſays, "They are the + moſt hoſpitable people I ever ſaw, and always diſpoſed + to liſten to what is juſt and reaſonable, if proffered + with mildneſſ and humanity." "This unpoliſhed people, + whom, however, it is much leſs difficult to perſuade than to + fight." Lequinio, G. de La V. "They affected towards our priſoners + a deceitful humanity, neglecting no means to draw them over to their own + party, and often ſending them back to us with only a ſimple + prohibition to bear armſ againſt the King or religion." Report + of Richard and Choudieu. The ignorant Vendeans then could give leſſons + of policy and humanity, which the "enlightened" republicans were not + capable of profiting by. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Their adherence to their ancient inſtitutions, and attachment + to their Gentry and Clergy, when the former were aboliſhed and the + latter proſcribed, might warrant a preſumption that they were + happy under the one, and kindly treated by the other: for though + individuals may ſometimes perſevere in affections or habits from + which they derive neither felicity nor advantage, whole bodies of men can + ſcarcely be ſuppoſed eager to riſk their lives in + defence of privileges that have oppreſſed them, or of a religion + from which they draw no conſolation. + </p> + <p> + But whatever the cauſe, the new doctrines, both civil and religious, + were received in La Vendee with a diſguſt, which was not only + expreſſed by murmurs, but occaſionally by little revolts, + by diſobedience to the conſtitutional authorities, and a + rejection of the conſtitutional clergy. + </p> + <p> + Some time previous to the depoſition of the King, Commiſſioners + were ſent to ſuppreſs theſe diſorders; and though + I doubt not but all poſſible means were taken to conciliate, I + can eaſily believe, that neither the King nor his Miniſters + might be deſirous of ſubduing by force a people who erred only + from piety or loyalty. What effect this ſyſtem of indulgence + might have produced cannot now be decided; becauſe the ſubſequent + overthrow of the monarchy, and the maſſacre or baniſhment + of the prieſts, muſt have totally alienated their minds, and + precluded all hope of reconcilement.—Diſaffection, therefore, + continued to increaſe, and the Briſſotines are ſuſpected + of having rather foſtered than repreſſed theſe inteſtine + commotions,* for the ſame purpoſe which induced them to provoke + the war with England, and to extend that of the Continent. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Le Brun, one of the Briſſotin Miniſters, concealed the + progreſs of this war for ſix months before he thought fit to + report it to the Convention. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —It is impoſſible to aſſign a good motive to any + act of this literary intriguer. + </p> + <p> + —Perhaps, while they determined to eſtabliſh their faction + by "braving all Europe," they might think it equally politic to perplex + and overawe Paris by a near and dangerous enemy, which would render their + continuance in power neceſſary, or whom they might join, if + expelled from it.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This laſt reaſon might afterwards have given way to their + apprehenſions, and the Briſſotins have preferred the + creation of new civil wars, to a confidence in the royaliſts. Theſe + men, who condemned the King for a ſuppoſed intention of + defending an authority tranſmitted to him through whole ages, and + recently ſanctioned by the voice of the people, did not ſcruple + to excite a civil war in defence of their ſix monthſ' ſovereignty + over a republic, proclaimed by a ferocious comedian, and certainly + without the aſſent of the nation. Had the ill-fated Monarch + dared thus to trifle with the lives of his ſubjects, he might have + ſaved France and himſelf from ruin. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + When men gratify their ambition by means ſo ſanguinary and + atrocious aſ thoſe reſorted to by the Briſſotines, + we are authorized in concluding they will not be more ſcrupulous in + the uſe or preſervation of power, than they were in attaining + it; and we can have no doubt but that the fomenting or ſuppreſſing + the progreſs of civil diſcord, was, with them, a mere queſtion + of expediency. + </p> + <p> + The decree which took place in March, 1793, for raiſing three hundred + thouſand men in the departments, changed the partial inſurrections + of La Vendee to an open and connected rebellion; and every where the young + people refuſed going, and joined in preference the ſtandard of + revolt. In the beginning of the ſummer, the brigandſ* (as they + were called) grew ſo numerous, that the government, now in the hands + of Robeſpierre and hiſ party, began to take ſerious meaſures + to combat them. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Robberſ—<i>banditti</i>—The name was firſt + given, probably, to the inſurgents of La Vendee, in order to inſinuate + a belief that the diſorders were but of a ſlight and predatory + nature. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —One body of troops were diſpatched after another, who were all + ſucceſſively defeated, and every where fled before the + royaliſts. + </p> + <p> + It is not unuſual in political concerns to attribute to deep-laid + planſ and abſtruſe combinations, effects which are the + natural reſult of private paſſions and iſolated intereſts. + Robeſpierre is ſaid to have promoted both the deſtruction + of the republican armies and thoſe of La Vendee, in order to reduce + the national population. That he was capable of imagining ſuch a + project is probable—yet we need not, in tracing the conduct of the + war, look farther than to the character of the agents who were, almoſt + neceſſarily, employed in it. Nearly every officer qualified for + the command of an army, had either emigrated, or was on ſervice at + the frontiers; and the taſk of reducing by violence a people who reſiſted + only becauſe they deemed themſelves injured, and who, even in + the eſtimation of the republicans, could only be miſtaken, was + naturally avoided by all men who were not mere adventurers. It might + likewiſe be the policy of the government to prefer the ſervices + of thoſe, who, having neither reputation nor property, would be more + dependent, and whom, whether they became dangerous by their ſucceſſes + or defeats, it would be eaſy to ſacrifice. + </p> + <p> + Either, then, from neceſſity or choice, the republican armies in + La Vendee were conducted by diſſolute and rapacious wretches, at + all timeſ more eager to pillage than fight, and who were engaged in + ſecuring their plunder, when they ſhould have been in purſuit + of the enemy. On every occaſion they ſeemed to retreat, that + their ill ſucceſs might afford them a pretext for declaring that + the next town or village was confederated with the inſurgents, and + for delivering it up, in conſequence, to murder and rapine. Such of + the ſoldiers as could fill their pocket-books with aſſignats, + left their leſs ſucceſſful companions, and retired as + invalidſ to the hoſpitals: the battalions of Paris (and + particularly "the conquerors of the Baſtille") had ſuch ardour + for pillage, that every perſon poſſeſſed of + property was, in their ſenſe, an ariſtocrat, whom it was + lawful to deſpoil.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * <i>"Le pillage a ete porte a ſon comble—les militaires au + lieu de ſonger a ce qu'ils avoient a faire, n'ont penſe qu'a + remplir leurſ ſacs, et a voir ſe perpetuer une guerre auſſi + avantageuſe a leur interet—beaucoup de ſimples ſoldats + ont acquis cinquante mille francs et plus; on en a vu couverts de + bijoux, et faiſant dans touſ les genres des depenſes + d'une produgaloite, monſtreuſe." Lequinio, Guerre de la + Vendee.</i> "The moſt unbridled pillage prevailed—officers, + inſtead of attending to their duty, thought only of filling their + portmanteaus, and of the means to perpetuate a war they found ſo + profitable.—Many private ſoldiers made fifty thouſand + livres, and they have been ſeen loaded with trinkets, and exerciſing + the moſt abominable prodigalities of every kind." Lequinio, War of + La Vendee. "The conquerors of the Baſtille had unluckily a moſt + unbridled ardour for pillage—one would have ſuppoſed + they had come for the expreſs purpoſe of plunder, rather than + fighting. The ſtage coacheſ for Paris were entirely loaded + with their booty." Report of Benaben, Commiſſioner of the + Department of Maine and Loire. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The carriages of the army were entirely appropriated to the + conveyance of their booty; till, at laſt, the adminiſtrators of + ſome departmentſ were under the neceſſity of + forbidding ſuch incumbrances: but the officers, with whom reſtrictions + of this ſort were unavailing, put all the horſes and waggons of + the country in requiſition for ſimilar purpoſes, while they + relaxed themſelves from the ſerious buſineſs of the + war, (which indeed was nearly confined to burning, plundering, and maſſacring + the defenceleſs inhabitants,) by a numerous retinue of miſtreſſes + and muſicians. + </p> + <p> + It is not ſurprizing that generals and troops of this deſcription + were conſtantly defeated; and their reiterated diſaſters + might probably have firſt ſuggeſted the idea of totally + exterminating a people it was found ſo difficult to ſubdue, and + ſo impracticable to conciliate.—On the firſt of October + 1793, Barrere, after inveighing againſt the exceſſive + population of La Vendee, which he termed "frightful," propoſed to the + Convention to proclaim by a decree, that the war of La Vendee "ſhould + be terminated" by the twentieth of the ſame month. The Convention, + with barbarous folly, obeyed; and the enlightened Pariſians, accuſtomed + to think with contempt on the ignorance of the Vendeans, believed that a + war, which had baffled the efforts of government for ſo many months, + waſ to end on a preciſe day—which Barrere had fixed with + as much aſſurance as though he had only been ordering a fete. + </p> + <p> + But the Convention and the government underſtood this decree in a + very different ſenſe from the good people of Paris. The war was, + indeed, to be ended; not by the uſual mode of combating armies, but + by a total extinction of all the inhabitants of the country, both innocent + and guilty—and Merlin de Thionville, with other members, ſo + perfectly comprehended this deteſtable project, that they already + began to deviſe ſchemes for repeopling La Vendee, when its miſerable + natives ſhould be deſtroyed.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It is for the credit of humanity to believe, that the decree waſ + not underſtood according to its real intention; but the nation haſ + to chooſe between the imputation of cruelty, ſtupidity, or + ſlavery— for they either approved the ſenſe of the + decree, believed what waſ not poſſible, or were obliged + to put on an appearance of both, in ſpite of their ſenſes + and their feelings. A proclamation, in conſequence, to the army, is + more explicit—"All the brigands of La Vendee muſt be + exterminated before the end of October." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + From this time, the repreſentatives on miſſion, commiſſaries + of war, officers, ſoldiers, and agents of every kind, vied with each + other in the moſt abominable outrages. Carrier ſuperintended the + fuſillades and noyades at Nantes, while Lequinio diſpatched with + his own hands a part of the priſoners taken at La Fontenay, and + projected the deſtruction of the reſt.—After the + evacuation of Mans by the inſurgents, women were brought by twenties + and thirties, and ſhot before the houſe where the deputieſ + Tureau and Bourbotte had taken up their reſidence; and it appears to + have been conſidered as a compliment to theſe republican + Molochs, to ſurround their habitation with mountains of the dead. A + compliment of the like nature was paid to the repreſentative Prieur + de la Marne,* by a volunteer, who having learned that his own brother was + taken amongſt the enemy, requeſted, by way of recommending himſelf + to notice, a formal permiſſion to be his executioner.—The + Roman ſtoiciſm of Prieur accepted the implied homage, and + granted the requeſt!! + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This repreſentative, who was alſo a member of the Committee + of Public Welfare, was not only the Brutus, but the Antony of La Vendee; + for we learn from the report of Benaben, that his ſtern virtues + were accompanied, through the whole of his miſſion in thiſ + afflicted country, by a cortege of thirty ſtrolling fiddlerſ! + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Fourteen hundred priſoners, who had ſurrendered at Savenay, + among whom were many women and children, were ſhot, by order of the + deputy Francaſtel, who, together with Hentz, Richard, Choudieu, + Carpentier, and others of their colleagues, ſet an example of rapine + and cruelty, but too zealouſly imitated by their ſubordinate + agents. In ſome places, the inhabitants, without diſtinction of + age or ſex, were put indiſcriminately to the ſword; in + others, they were forced to carry the pillage collected from their own + dwellings, which, after being thus ſtripped, were conſigned to + the flames.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "This conflagration accompliſhed, they had no ſooner arrived + in the midſt of our army, than the volunteers, in imitation of + their commanders, ſeized what little they had preſerved, and + maſſacred them.—But this is not all: a whole + municipality, in their ſcarfs of office, were ſacrificed; and + at a little village, inhabited by about fifty good patriots, who had + been uniform in their reſiſtance of the inſurgents, news + is brought that their brother ſoldiers are coming to aſſiſt + them, and to revenge the wrongs they have ſuffered. A friendly repaſt + is provided, the military arrive, embrace their ill-fated hoſts, + and devour what they have provided; which is no ſooner done, than + they drive all theſe poor people into the churchyard, and ſtab + them one after another." Report of Faure, Vice-Preſident of a + Military Commiſſion at Fontenay. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The heads of the priſoners ſerved occaſionally as + marks for the officers to ſhoot at for trifling wagers, and the + ſoldiers, who imitated theſe heinous examples, uſed to + conduct whole hundreds to the place of execution, ſinging <i>"allons + enfans de la patrie."</i>* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Woe to thoſe who were unable to walk, for, under pretext that + carriages could not be found to convey them, they were ſhot without + heſitation!—Benaben. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The inſurgents had loſt Cholet, Chatillon, Mortagne, &c. + Yet, far from being vanquiſhed by the day appointed, they had croſſed + the Loire in great force, and, having traverſed Brittany, were + preparing to make an attack on Granville. But this did not prevent Barrere + from announcing to the convention, that La Vendee was no more, and the + galleries echoed with applauſes, when they were told that the + highways were impaſſable, from the numbers of the dead, and that + a conſiderable part of France was one vaſt cemetery. This + intelligence alſo tranquillized the paternal ſolicitude of the + legiſlature, and, for many months, while the ſyſtem of + depopulation was purſued with the moſt barbarous fury, it was + not permiſſible even to ſuſpect that the war was yet + unextinguiſhed. + </p> + <p> + It is only ſince the trial of the Nantais, that the ſtate of La + Vendee has again become a ſubject of diſcuſſion: truth + has now forced its way, and we learn, that, whatever may be the ſtrength + of theſe unhappy people, their minds, embittered by ſuffering, + and animated by revenge, are ſtill leſs than ever diſpoſed + to ſubmit to the republican government. The deſign of total + extirpation, once ſo much inſiſted on, is at preſent + ſaid to be relinquiſhed, and a plan of inſtruction and + converſion is to be ſubſtituted for bayonets and + conflagrations. The revolted countries are to be enlightened by the + doctrines of liberty, fanaticiſm is to be expoſed, and a love of + the republic to ſucceed the prejudices in favour of Kings and Nobles.—To + promote theſe objects, is, undoubtedly, the real intereſt of the + Convention; but a moraliſt, who obſerves through another medium, + may compare with regret and indignation the inſtructors with the + people they are to illumine, and the advantages of philoſophy over + ignorance. + </p> + <p> + Lequinio, one of the moſt determined reformers of the barbariſm + of La Vendee, propoſes two methods: the firſt is, a general maſſacre + of all the nativeſ—and the only objection it ſeems ſuſceptible + of in his opinion is, their numbers; but as he thinks on this account it + may be attended with difficulty, he is for eſtabliſhing a ſort + of perpetual miſſion of Repreſentatives, who, by the + influence of good living and a company of fiddlers and ſingers, are + to reſtore the whole country to peace.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *"The only difficulty that preſents itſelf is, to determine + whether recourſe ſhall be had to the alternative of + indulgence, or if it will not be more advantageous to perſiſt + in the plan of total deſtruction. "If the people that ſtill + remain were not more than thirty or forty thouſand, the ſhorteſt + way would doubtleſs be, to cut all their throats (egorger), + agreeably to my firſt opinion; but the population is immenſe, + amounting ſtill to four hundred thouſand ſouls.—If + there were no hope of ſucceeding by any other methods, certainly it + were better to kill all (egorger), even were there five hundred thouſand. + "But what are we to underſtand by meaſures of rigour? Is there + no diſtinction to be made between rigorous and barbarous meaſures? + The utmoſt ſeverity is juſtified on the plea of the + general good, but nothing can juſtify barbarity. If the welfare of + France neceſſitated the ſacrifice of the four hundred + thouſand inhabitantſ of La Vendee, and the countries in + rebellion adjoining, they ought to be ſacrificed: but, even in this + caſe, there would be no excuſe for thoſe atrocities which + revolt nature, which are an outrage to ſocial order, and repugnant + equally to feeling (ſentiment) and reaſon; and in cutting off + ſo many entire generations for the good of the country, we ought + not to ſuffer the uſe of barbarous means in a ſingle inſtance. + "Now the moſt effectual way to arrive at this end (converting the + people), would be by joyous and fraternal miſſions, frank and + familiar harangues, civic repaſts, and, above all, dancing. "I + could wiſh, too, that during their circuits in theſe + countries, the Repreſentatives were always attended by muſicians. + The expence would be trifling, compared with the good effect; if, as I + am ſtrongly perſuaded, we could thus ſucceed in giving a + turn to the public mind, and cloſe the bleeding arteries of theſe + fertile and unhappy provinces." Lequinio, Guerre de La Vendee. And this + people, who were either to have their throats cut, or be republicanized + by means of ſinging, dancing, and revolutionary Panſ and + Silenuſ's, already beheld their property devaſtated by pillage + or conflagration, and were in danger of a peſtilence from the + unburied bodies of their families.—Let the reader, who has ſeen + Lequinio's pamphlet, compare his account of the ſufferings of the + Vendeans, and his project for conciliating them. They convey a ſtrong + idea of the levity of the national character; but, in thiſ inſtance, + I muſt ſuppoſe, that nature would be ſuperior to + local influence; and I doubt if Lequinio's jocund philoſophy will + ever ſucceed in attaching the Vendeans to the republic. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Camille Deſmouins, a republican reformer, nearly as ſanguinary, + though not more liberal, thought the guillotine diſgraced by ſuch + ignorant prey, and that it were better to hunt them down like wild beaſts; + or, if made priſoners, to exchange them againſt the cattle of + their country!—The eminently informed Herault de Sechelles was the + patron and confidant of the exterminating reforms of Carrier; and Carnot, + when the mode of reforming by noyades and fuſillades was debated at + the Committee, pleaded the cauſe of Carrier, whom he deſcribes + as a good, nay, an excellent patriot.—Merlin de Thionville, whoſe + philoſophy is of a more martial caſt, was deſirous that the + natives of La Vendee ſhould be completely annihilated, in order to + furniſh in their territory and habitations a recompence for the + armies.—Almoſt every member of the Convention haſ + individually avowed principles, or committed acts, from which common + turpitude would recoil, and, as a legiſlative body, their whole code + haſ been one unvarying ſubverſion of morals and humanity. + Such are the men who value themſelves on poſſeſſing + all the advantages the Vendeans are pretended to be in want of.—We + will now examine what diſciples they have produced, and the benefits + which have been derived from their inſtructions. + </p> + <p> + Every part of France remarkable for an early proſelytiſm to the + revolutionary doctrines has been the theatre of crimes unparalleled in the + annals of human nature. Thoſe who have moſt boaſted their + contempt for religious ſuperſtition have been degraded by an + idolatry as groſs aſ any ever practiced on the Nile; and the moſt + enthuſiaſtic republicanſ have, without daring to murmur, + ſubmitted for two years ſucceſſively to a horde of + cruel and immoral tyrants.—A pretended enfranchiſement from + political and eccleſiaſtical ſlavery has been the ſignal + of the loweſt debaſement, and the moſt cruel profligacy: + the very Catechumens of freedom and philoſophy have, while yet in + their firſt rudiments, diſtinguiſhed themſelves as + proficients in the arts of oppreſſion and ſervility, of + intolerance and licentiouſneſs.—Paris, the rendezvous of + all the perſecuted patriots and philoſophers in Europe, the + centre of the revolutionary ſyſtem, whoſe inhabitants were + illumined by the firſt rayſ of modern republicaniſm, and + who claim a ſort of property in the rightſ of man, as being the + original inventors, may fairly be quoted as an example of the benefits + that would accrue from a farther diſſemination of the new + tenets. + </p> + <p> + Without reverting to the events of Auguſt and September, 1792, preſided + by the founders of liberty, and executed by their too apt ſectaries, + it is notorious that the legions of Paris, ſent to chaſtiſe + the unenlightened Vendeans, were the moſt cruel and rapacious + banditti that ever were let looſe to afflict the world. Yet, while + they exerciſed thiſ ſavage oppreſſion in the + countries near the Loire, their fellow-citizenſ on the banks of the + Seine crouched at the frown of paltry tyrants, and were unreſiſtingly + dragged to dungeons, or butchered by hundreds on the ſcaffold.—At + Marſeilles, Lyons, Bourdeaux, Arras, wherever theſe baleful + principles have made converts, they have made criminals and victims; and + thoſe who have been moſt eager in imbibing or propagating them + have, by a natural and juſt retribution, been the firſt ſacrificed. + The new diſcoveries in politics have produced ſome in ethics not + leſs novel, and until the adoption of revolutionary doctrines, the + extent of human ſubmiſſion or human depravity was + fortunately unknown. + </p> + <p> + In this ſource of guilt and miſery the people of La Vendee are + now to be inſtructed—that people, who are acknowledged to be hoſpitable, + humane, and laborious, and whoſe ideas of freedom may be better eſtimated + by their reſiſtance to a deſpotiſm which the reſt + of France has ſunk under, than by the jargon of pretended reformers.—I + could wiſh, that not only the peaſants of La Vendee, but thoſe + of all other countries, might for ever remain ſtrangers to ſuch + pernicious knowledge. It is ſufficient for this uſeful claſs + of men to be taught the ſimple precepts of religion and morality, and + thoſe who would teach them more, are not their benefactors. Our age + is, indeed, a literary age, and ſuch purſuits are both liberal + and laudable in the rich and idle; but why ſhould volumes of politics + or philoſophy be mutilated and frittered into pamphlets, to inſpire + a diſguſt for labour, and a taſte for ſtudy or pleaſure, + in thoſe to whom ſuch diſguſts or inclinations are + fatal. The ſpirit of one author iſ extracted, and the beauties + of another are ſelected, only to bewilder the underſtanding, and + engroſs the time, of thoſe who might be more profitably + employed. + </p> + <p> + I know I may be cenſured as illiberal; but I have, during my abode in + this country, ſufficiently witneſſed the diſaſtrous + effects of corrupting a people through their amuſements or curioſity, + and of making men neglect their uſeful callings to become patriots + and philoſophers.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *This right of directing public affairs, and neglecting their own, we + may ſuppoſe eſſential to republicans of the lower + orders, ſince we find the following ſentence of tranſportation + in the regiſters of a popular commiſſion: "Bergeron, a + dealer in ſkinſ—ſuſpected—having done + nothing in favour of the revolution—extremely ſelfiſh + (egoiſte,) and blaming the Sans-Culottes for neglecting their + callings, that they may attend only to public concerns."—Signed by + the members of the Commiſſion and the two Committees. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —<i>"Il eſt dangereux d'apprendre au peuple a raiſonner: + il ne faut paſ l'eclairer trop, parce qu'il n'eſt pas poſſible + de l'eclairer aſſez."</i> ["It is dangerous to teach the people + to reaſon—they ſhould not be too much enlightened, becauſe + it is not poſſible to enlighten them ſufficiently."]—When + the enthuſiaſm of Rouſſeau's genius was thuſ uſefully + ſubmitted to his good ſenſe and knowledge of mankind, he + little expected every hamlet in France would be inundated with ſcraps + of the contrat ſocial, and thouſands of inoffenſive peaſants + maſſacred for not underſtanding the Profeſſion de + Foi. + </p> + <p> + The arguments of miſtaken philanthropiſts or deſigning + politicians may divert the order of things, but they cannot change our + nature—they may create an univerſal taſte for literature, + but they will never unite it with habits of induſtry; and until they + prove how men are to live without labour, they have no right to baniſh + the chearful vacuity which uſually accompanies it, by ſubſtituting + reflections to make it irkſome, and propenſities with which it + is incompatible. + </p> + <p> + The ſituation of France has amply demonſtrated the folly of + attempting to make a whole people reaſoners and politicianſ—there + ſeems to be no medium; and as it is impoſſible to make a + nation of ſages, you let looſe a horde of ſavages: for the + philoſophy which teaches a contempt for accuſtomed reſtraints, + is not difficult to propagate; but that ſuperior kind, which enables + men to ſupply them, by ſubduing the paſſions that + render reſtraints neceſſary, is of ſlow progreſs, + and never can be general. + </p> + <p> + I have made the war of La Vendee more a ſubject of reflection than + narrative, and have purpoſely avoided military details, which would + be not only unintereſting, but diſguſting. You would learn + no more from theſe deſultory hoſtilities, than that the + defeats of the republican armies were, if poſſible, more ſanguinary + than their victories; that the royaliſts, who began the war with + humanity, were at length irritated to repriſals; and that more than + two hundred thouſand lives have already been ſacrificed in the + conteſt, yet undecided. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_28" id="link4_4_28"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, Oct. 24, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + Revolutions, like every thing elſe in France, are a mode, and the + Convention already commemorate four ſince 1789: that of July 1789, + which rendered the monarchical power nugatory; that of Auguſt the + 10th, 1792, which ſubverted it; the expulſion of the Briſſotins, + in May 1793; and the death of Robeſpierre, in July 1794. + </p> + <p> + The people, accuſtomed, from their earlieſt knowledge, to reſpect + the perſon and authority of the King, felt that the events of the two + firſt epochs, which diſgraced the one and annihilated the other, + were violent and important revolutions; and, as language which expreſſes + the public ſentiment is readily adopted, it ſoon became uſual + to ſpeak of theſe events as the revolutions of July and Auguſt. + </p> + <p> + The thirty-firſt of May has always been viewed in a very different + light, for it was not eaſy to make the people at large comprehend how + the ſucceſſion of Robeſpierre and Danton to Briſſot + and Roland could be conſidered as a revolution, more eſpecially + as it appeared evident that the principles of one party actuated the + government of the other. Every town had its many-headed monſter to + repreſent the defeat of the Foederaliſts, and its mountain to + proclaim the triumph of their enemieſ the Mountaineers; but theſe + political hieroglyphics were little underſtood, and the merits of the + factions they alluded to little diſtinguiſhed—ſo that + the revolution of the thirty-firſt of May waſ rather a party + aera, than a popular one. + </p> + <p> + The fall of Robeſpierre would have made as little impreſſion + as that of the Girondiſts, if ſome melioration of the + revolutionary ſyſtem had not ſucceeded it; and it is in + fact only ſince the public voice, and the intereſt of the + Convention, have occaſioned a change approaching to reform, that the + death of Robeſpierre is really conſidered as a benefit. + </p> + <p> + But what was in itſelf no more than a warfare of factions, may now, + if eſtimated by its conſequences, be pronounced a revolution of + infinite importance. The Jacobins, whom their declining power only + rendered more inſolent and daring, have at length obliged the + Convention to take decided meaſures againſt them, and they are + now ſubject to ſuch regulations as muſt effectually diminiſh + their influence, and, in the end, diſſolve their whole + combination. They can no longer correſpond aſ ſocieties, + and the miſchievous union which conſtituted their chief force, + can ſcarcely be ſupported for any time under the preſent reſtrictions.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "All affiliations, aggregations, and foederations, as well aſ + correſpondences carried on collectively between ſocieties, + under whatever denomination they may exiſt, are henceforth + prohibited, aſ being ſubverſive of government, and + contrary to the unity of the republic. "Thoſe perſons who + ſign as preſidents or ſecretaries, petitions or addreſſes + in a collective form, ſhall be arreſted and confined aſ + ſuſpicious, &c. &c.—Whoever offends in any + ſhape againſt the preſent law, will incur the ſame + penalty." The whole of the decree is in the ſame ſpirit. The + immediate and avowed pretext for this meaſure was, that the popular + ſocieties, who have of late only ſent petitions diſagreeable + to the Convention, did not expreſs the ſenſe of the + people. Yet the depoſition of the King, and the eſtabliſhment + of the republic, had no other ſanction than the adherence of theſe + clubs, who are now allowed not to be the nation, and whoſe very exiſtence + as then conſtituted is declared to be ſubverſive of + government. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + It is not improbable, that the Convention, by ſuffering the clubs + ſtill to exiſt, after reducing them to nullity, may hope to preſerve + the inſtitution as a future reſource againſt the people, + while it repreſſeſ their immediate efforts againſt itſelf. + The Briſſotins would have attempted a ſimilar policy, but + they had nothing to oppoſe to the Jacobins, except their perſonal + influence. Briſſot and Roland took part with the clubs, as they + approved the maſſacres of Auguſt and September, juſt + as far as it anſwered their purpoſe; and when they were + abandoned by the one, and the other were found to incur an unprofitable + odium, they acted the part which Tallien and Freron act now under the + ſame circumſtances, and would willingly have promoted the deſtruction + of a power which had become inimical to them.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Briſſot and Roland were more pernicious as Jacobins than the + moſt furious of their ſucceſſors. If they did not in + perſon excite the people to the commiſſion of crimes, + they corrupted them, and made them fit inſtruments for the crimes + of others. Briſſot might affect to condemn the maſſacres + of September in the groſs, but he is known to have enquired with + eager impatience, and in a tone which implied he had reaſons for + expecting it, whether De Morande, an enemy he wiſhed to be releaſed + from, was among the murdered. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Their imitators, without poſſeſſing more honeſty, + either political or moral, are more fortunate; and not only Tallien and + Freron, who ſince their expulſion from the Jacobins have become + their moſt active enemies, are now in a manner popular, but even the + whole Convention is much leſſ deteſted than it was before. + </p> + <p> + It is the ſingular felicity of the Aſſembly to derive a + ſort of popularity from the very exceſſes it has occaſioned + or ſanctioned, and which, it was natural to ſuppoſe, would + have conſigned it for ever to vengeance or obloquy; but the paſt + ſufferings of the people have taught them to be moderate in their + expectations; and the name of their repreſentation has been ſo + connected with tyranny of every ſort, that it appears an + extraordinary forbearance when the uſual operations of guillotines + and mandates of arreſt are ſuſpended. + </p> + <p> + Thus, though the Convention have not in effect repaired a thouſandth + part of their own acts of injuſtice, or done any good except from + neceſſity, they are overwhelmed with applauding addreſſes, + and affectionate injunctions not to quit their poſt. What is ſtill + more wonderful, many of theſe are ſincere; and Tallien, Freron, + Legendre, &c. with all their revolutionary enormities on their heads, + are now the heroes of the reviving ariſtocrats. + </p> + <p> + Situated as things are at preſent, there is much ſound policy in + flattering the Convention into a proper uſe of their power, rather + than making a convulſive effort to deprive them of it. The Jacobins + would doubtleſs avail themſelves of ſuch a movement; and + this is ſo much apprehended, that it has given riſe to a general + though tacit agreement to foment the diviſions between the Legiſlature + and the Clubs, and to ſupport the firſt, at leaſt until it + ſhall have deſtroyed the latter. + </p> + <p> + The late decrees, which obſtruct the intercourſe and affiliation + of popular ſocieties, may be regarded as an event not only beneficial + to this country, but to the world in general; becauſe it is confeſſed, + that theſe combinations, by means of which the French monarchy was + ſubverted, and the King brought to the ſcaffold, are only + reconcileable with a barbarous and anarchical government. + </p> + <p> + The Convention are now much occupied on two affairs, which call forth all + their "natural propenſities," and afford a farther confirmation of + thiſ fact—that their feelings and principles are always inſtinctively + at war with juſtice, however they may find it expedient to affect a + regard for it—<i>C'eſt la chatte metamorphoſee en femme</i> + [The cat turned into a woman.]— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + <i>"En vain de ſon train ordinaire" "On la veut deſaccoutumer, + "Quelque choſe qu'on puiſſe faire "On ne fauroit la + reformer."</i> La Fontaine. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The Deputies who were impriſoned as accomplices of the Girondiſts, + and on other different pretexts, have petitioned either to be brought to + trial or releaſed; and the abominable conduct of Carrier at Nantes is + ſo fully ſubſtantiated, that the whole country is impatient + to have ſome ſtepſ taken towards bringing him to puniſhment: + yet the Convention are averſe from both theſe meaſureſ—they + procraſtinate and elude the demand of their ſeventy-two + colleagues, who were arreſted without a ſpecific charge; while + they almoſt protect Carrier, and declare, that in caſeſ + which tend to deprive a Repreſentative of his liberty, it is better + to reflect thirty times than once. This is curious doctrine with men who + have ſent ſo many people arbitrarily to the ſcaffold, and + who now detain ſeventy-two Deputies in confinement, they know not + why. + </p> + <p> + The aſhes of Rouſſeau have recently been depoſited + with the ſame ceremonies, and in the ſame place, as thoſe + of Marat. We ſhould feel for ſuch a degradation of genius, had + not the talents of Rouſſeau been frequently miſapplied; and + it is their miſapplication which has levelled him to an aſſociation + with Marat. Rouſſeau might be really a fanatic, and, though + eccentric, honeſt; yet his power of adorning impracticable ſyſtems, + it muſt be acknowledged, has been more miſchievous to ſociety + than a thouſand ſuch groſs impoſtors as Marat. + </p> + <p> + I have learned ſince my return from the Providence, the death of + Madame Elizabeth. I was ill when it happened, and my friends took ſome + pains to conceal an event which they knew would affect me. In tracing the + motiveſ of the government for this horrid action, it may perhaps be + ſufficiently accounted for in the known piety and virtues of this + Princeſs; but reaſons of another kind have been ſuggeſted + to me, and which, in all likelihood, contributed to haſten it. She + was the only perſon of the royal family of an age competent for + political tranſactions who had not emigrated, and her character + extorted reſpect even from her enemies. [The Prince of Conti was too + inſignificant to be an object of jealouſy in thiſ way.] She + muſt therefore, of courſe, ſince the death of the Queen, + have been an object of jealouſy to all parties. Robeſpierre + might fear that ſhe would be led to conſent to ſome + arrangement with a rival faction for placing the King on the throne—the + Convention were under ſimilar apprehenſions with regard to him; + ſo that the fate of this illuſtriouſ ſufferer was + probably gratifying to every part of the republicans. + </p> + <p> + I find, on reading her trial, (if ſo it may be called,) a repetition + of one of the principal charges againſt the Queen—that of + trampling on the national colours at Verſailles, during an + entertainment given to ſome newly-arrived troops. Yet I have been aſſured + by two gentlemen, perfectly informed on the ſubject, and who were + totally unacquainted with each other, that this circumſtance, which + has been ſo uſefully enlarged upon, is falſe,* and that the + whole calumny originated in the jealouſy of a part of the national + guard who had not been invited. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This infamous calumny (originally fabricated by Lecointre the linen + draper, then an officer of the National Guard, now a member of the + council of 500) was amply confuted by M. Mounier, who waſ Preſident + of the States-General at the time, in a publication intitled "<i>Expoſe + de ma Conduite,</i>" which appeared ſoon after the event—in + the autumn of 1789.—Editor. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + But this, as well as the taking of the Baſtille, and other + revolutionary falſehoods, will, I truſt, be elucidated. The + people are now undeceived only by their calamitieſ—the time may + come, when it will be ſafe to produce their conviction by truth. + Heroes of the fourteenth of July, and patriots of the tenth of Auguſt, + how will ye ſhrink from it!—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_29" id="link4_4_29"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, Nov. 2, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + Every poſt now brings me letters from England; but I perceive, by the + ſuppreſſed congratulations of my friends, that, though they + rejoice to find I am ſtill alive, they are far from thinking me in a + ſtate of ſecurity. You, my dear Brother, muſt more + particularly have lamented the tedious confinement I have endured, and the + inconveniencies to which I have been ſubjected; I am, however, perſuaded + that you would not wiſh me to have been exempt from a perſecution + in which all the natives of England, who are not a diſgrace to their + country, as well as ſome that are ſo, have ſhared. Such an + exemption would now be deemed a reproach; for, though it muſt be + confeſſed that few of us have been voluntary ſufferers, we + ſtill claim the honour of martyrdom, and are not very tolerant + towards thoſe who, expoſed by their ſituation, may be + ſuppoſed to have owed their protection to their principles. + </p> + <p> + There are, indeed, many known revolutioniſts and republicans, who, + from party diſputes, perſonal jealouſies, or from being + compriſed in ſome general meaſure, have undergone a ſhort + impriſonment; and theſe men now wiſh to be confounded with + their companions who are of a different deſcription. But ſuch + perſons are carefully diſtinguiſhed;* and the ariſtocrats + have, in their turn, a catalogue of ſuſpicious people—that + is, of people ſuſpected of not having been ſuſpicious. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Mr. Thomas Paine, for inſtance, notwithſtanding his ſufferings, + iſ ſtill thought more worthy of a ſeat in the Convention + or the Jacobins, than of an apartment in the Luxembourg.—Indeed I + have generally remarked, that the French of all parties hold an Engliſh + republican in peculiar abhorrence. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + It is now the faſhion to talk of a ſojourn in a maiſon + d'arret with triumph; and the more decent people, who from prudence or + fear had been forced to ſeek refuge in the Jacobin clubs, are now + ſolicitous to proclaim their real motives. The red cap no longer + "rears its hideouſ front" by day, but is modeſtly converted into + a night-cap; and the bearer of a diplome de Jacobin, inſtead of + ſwinging along, to the annoyance of all the paſſengers he + meets, paces ſoberly with a diminiſhed height, and an air not + unlike what in England we call ſneaking. The bonnet rouge begins + likewiſe to be effaced from flags at the doors; and, as though this + emblem of liberty were a very bad neighbour to property, itſ + relegation ſeems to encourage the re-appearance of ſilver forks + and ſpoons, which are gradually drawn forth from their hiding-places, + and reſume their ſtations at table. The Jacobins repreſent + themſelves aſ being under the moſt cruel oppreſſion, + declare that the members of the Convention are ariſtocrats and royaliſts, + and lament bitterly, that, inſtead of fiſh-women, or female + patriots of republican external, the galleries are filled with auditors in + flounces and anti-civic top-knots, femmes a fontanges. + </p> + <p> + Theſe imputations and grievances of the Jacobins are not altogether + without foundation. People in general are ſtrongly impreſſed + with an idea that the Aſſembly are veering towards royaliſm; + and it is equally true, that the ſpeeches of Tallien and Freron are + occaſionally heard and applauded by fair elegantes, who, two years + ago, would have recoiled at the name of either. It is not that their + former deeds are forgotten, but the French are grown wiſe by ſuffering; + and it is politic, when bad men act well, whatever the motive, to give + them credit for it, as nothing iſ ſo likely to make them perſevere, + as the hope that their reputation iſ yet retrievable. On this + principle the ariſtocrats are the eulogiſts of Tallien, while + the Jacobins remind him hourly of the maſſacres of the prieſts, + and his official conduct as Secretary to the municipality or Paris.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Tallien was Seecretary to the Commune of Paris in 1792, and on the + thirty-firſt of Auguſt he appeared at the bar of the Legiſlative + Aſſembly with an addreſs, in which he told them "he had + cauſed the refractory prieſts to be arreſted and + confined, and that in a few days the Land of Liberty ſhould be + freed of them."—The maſſacres of the priſons began + two days after! + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + As ſoon as a Repreſentative is convicted of harbouring an + opinion unfavourable to pillage or murder, he is immediately declared an + ariſtocrat; or, if the Convention happen for a moment to be + influenced by reaſon or juſtice, the hopes and fears of both + parties are awakened by ſuſpicions that the members are converts + to royaliſm.—For my own part, I believe they are and will be juſt + what their perſonal ſecurity and perſonal intereſt may + ſuggeſt, though it is but a ſorry ſort of panegyric on + republican ethics to conclude, that every one who manifeſts the leaſt + ſymptom of probity or decency, muſt of courſe be a royaliſt + or an ariſtocrat. + </p> + <p> + Notwithſtanding the harmony which appears to ſubſiſt + between the Convention and the people, the former is much leſs + popular in detail than in the groſs. Almoſt every member who has + been on miſſion, is accuſed of dilapidations and cruelties + ſo heinous, that, if they had not been committed by Repreſentans + du Peuple, the criminal courts would find no difficulty in deciding upon + them.—But as theft or murder does not deprive a member of his + privileges, complaints of this nature are only cognizable by the Aſſembly, + which, being yet in its firſt days of regeneration, is rather ſcrupulous + of defending ſuch amuſements overtly. Alarmed, however, at the + number, and averſe from the precedent of theſe denunciations, it + has now paſſed a variety of decrees, which are termed a + guarantee of the national repreſentation, and which in fact guarantee + it ſo effectually, that a Deputy may do any thing in future with + impunity, provided it does not affect his colleagues. There are now ſo + many forms, reports, and examinations, that ſeveral months may be + employed before the perſon of a delinquent, however notorious his + guilt, can be ſecured. The exiſtence of a fellow-creature ſhould, + doubtleſs, be attacked with caution; for, though he may have + forfeited his claims on our eſteem, and even our pity, religion has + preſerved him others, of which he ſhould not be deprived.—But + when we recollect that all theſe merciful ceremonieſ are in + favour of a Carrier or a Le Bon, and that the King, Madame Elizabeth, and + thouſands of innocent people, were hurried to execution, without + being allowed the conſolations of piety or affection, which only a + mockery of juſtice might have afforded them; when, even now, prieſtſ + are guillotined for celebrating maſſes in private, and thoughtleſs + people for ſpeaking diſreſpectfully of the Convention—the + heart is at variance with religion and principle, and we regret that mercy + is to be the excluſive portion of thoſe who were never acceſſible + to its dictates.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The denunciation being firſt preſented to the Aſſembly, + they are to decide whether it ſhall be received. If they determine + in the affirmative, it is ſent to the three Committees of Legiſlation, + Public Welfare, and General Safety, to report whether there may be room + for farther examination. In that caſe, a commiſſion of + twenty-one members is appointed to receive the proofs of the accuſer, + and the defence of the accuſed. Theſe Commiſſioners, + after as long a delay as they may think fit to interpoſe, make + known their opinion; and if it be againſt the accuſed, the + Convention proceed to determine finally whether the matter ſhall be + referred to the ordinary tribunal. All this time the culprit is at + large, or, at worſt, and merely for the form, careleſſly + guarded at his own dwelling. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I would not "pick bad from bad," but it irks one's ſpirit to ſee + theſe miſcreants making "aſſurance doubly ſure," + and providing for their own ſafety with ſuch ſolicitude, + after ſacrificing, without remorſe, whatever was moſt + intereſting or reſpectable in the country.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_30" id="link4_4_30"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Baſſe-ville, Arras, Nov. 6, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + Since my own liberation, I have been inceſſantly employed in + endeavouring to procure the return of my friends to Amiens; who, though + releaſed from priſon ſome time, could not obtain paſſports + to quit Arras. After numerous difficulties and vexations, we have at + length ſucceeded, and I am now here to accompany them home. + </p> + <p> + I found Mr. and Mrs. D____ much altered by the hardſhips they have + undergone: Mrs. D____, in particular, has been confined ſome months + in a noiſome priſon called the Providence, originally intended + as a houſe of correction, and in which, though built to contain an + hundred and fifty perſons, were crouded near five hundred females, + chiefly ladies of Arraſ and the environs.—The ſuperintendance + of this miſerable place waſ entruſted to a couple of vulgar + and vicious women, who, having diſtinguiſhed themſelves as + patriots from the beginning of the revolution, were now rewarded by Le Bon + with an office as profitable as it was congenial to their natures. + </p> + <p> + I know not whether it is to be imputed to the national character, or to + that of the French republicans only, but the cruelties which have been + committed are uſually ſo mixed with licentiouſneſs, as + to preclude deſcription. I have already noticed the conduct of Le + Bon, and it muſt ſuffice to ſay, his agents were worthy of + him, and that the female priſoners ſuffered every thing which + brutality, rapaciouſneſs, and indecency, could inflict. Mr. + D____ was, in the mean time, tranſferred from priſon to priſon—the + diſtreſs of ſeparation was augmented by their mutual + apprehenſions and pecuniary embarraſſmentſ—and I + much fear, the health and ſpirits of both are irretrievably injured. + </p> + <p> + I regret my impatience in coming here, rather than waiting the arrival of + my friends at home; for the changes I obſerve, and the recollections + they give birth to, oppreſs my heart, and render the place hateful to + me.—All the families I knew are diminiſhed by executions, and + their property iſ confiſcated—thoſe whom I left in + elegant hotels are now in obſcure lodgings, ſubſiſting + upon the ſuperfluities of better dayſ—and the ſorrows + of the widows and orphans are increaſed by penury; while the + Convention, which affects to condemn the crimes of Le Bon, is profiting by + the ſpoils of his victims. + </p> + <p> + I am the more deeply impreſſed by theſe circumſtances, + becauſe, when I was here in 1792, ſeveral who have thus fallen, + though they had nothing to reproach themſelves with, were yet ſo + much intimidated as to propoſe emigrating; and I then was of opinion, + that ſuch a ſtep would be impolitic and unneceſſary. I + hope and believe this opinion did not influence them, but I lament having + given it, for the event has proved that a great part of the emigrants are + juſtifiable. It always appeared to me ſo ſerious and great + an evil to abandon one's country, that when I have ſeen it done with + indifference or levity, I may perhaps have ſometimes tranſferred + to the meaſure itſelf a ſentiment of diſapprobation, + excited originally by the manner of its adoption. When I ſaw people + expatiate with calmneſs, and heard them ſpeak of it as a meanſ + of diſtinguiſhing themſelves, I did not ſufficiently + allow for the tendency of the French to make the beſt of every thing, + or the influence of vanity on men who allow it to make part of the + national characteriſtic: and ſurely, if ever vanity were + laudable, that of marking a deteſtation for revolutionary principles, + and an attachment to loyalty and religion, may juſtly be conſidered + ſo. Many whom I then accuſed of being too lightly affected by + the proſpect of exile, might be animated by the hope of perſonally + contributing to the eſtabliſhment of peace and order, and reſcuing + their country from the banditti who were oppreſſing it; and it + is not ſurpriſing that ſuch objects ſhould dazzle the + imagination and deceive the judgment in the choice of meaſures by + which they were to be obtained. + </p> + <p> + The number of emigrants from faſhion or caprice is probably not + great; and whom ſhall we now dare to include under this deſcription, + when the humble artizan, the laborious peaſant, and the village prieſt, + have enſanguined the ſcaffold deſtined for the prince or + the prelate?—But if the emigrants be juſtifiable, the refugees + are yet more ſo. + </p> + <p> + By Emigrants, I mean all who, without being immediately in danger, left + their country through apprehenſion of the future—from + attachment to the perſons of the Princes, or to join companions in + the army whom they might deem it a diſgrace to abandon.—Thoſe + whom I think may with truth be ſtyled Refugees, are the Nobility and + Prieſts who fled when the people, irritated by the literary terroriſts + of the day, the Briſſots, Rolands, Camille Deſmoulins, + &c. were burning their chateaux and proſcribing their perſons, + and in whom expatriation cannot properly be deemed the effect of choice. + Theſe, wherever they have ſought an aſylum, are entitled to + our reſpect and ſympathy. + </p> + <p> + Yet, I repeat, we are not authorized to diſcriminate. There is no reaſoning + coldly on the ſubject. The moſt cautious prudence, the moſt + liberal ſacrifices, and the meaneſt condeſcenſions, + have not inſured the lives and fortunes of thoſe who ventured to + remain; and I know not that the abſent require any other apology than + the deſolation of the country they have quitted. Had my friends who + have been ſlaughtered by Le Bon'ſ tribunal perſiſted + in endeavouring to eſcape, they might have lived, and their families, + though deſpoiled by the rapacity of the government, have been + comparatively happy.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The firſt horrors of the revolution are well known, and I have + ſeen no accounts which exaggerate them. The niece of a lady of my + acquaintance, a young woman only ſeventeen, eſcaped from her + country-houſe (whilſt already in flames) with her infant at + her breaſt, and literally without clothes to cover her. In this + ſtate ſhe wandered a whole night, and when ſhe at length + reached a place where ſhe procured aſſiſtance, was + ſo exhauſted that her life was in danger.—Another lady, + whom I knew, was wounded in the arm by ſome peaſants aſſembled + to force from her the writings of her huſband'ſ eſtates. + Even after this they ſtill remained in France, ſubmitted with + cheerfulneſs to all the demands of patriotic gifts, forced loans, + requiſitions and impoſitions of every kind; yet her huſband + was nevertheleſs guillotined, and the whole of their immenſe + property confiſcated. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Retroſpections, like theſe, obliterate many of my former notions + on the ſubject of the Emigrants; and if I yet condemn emigration, it + is only aſ a general meaſure, impolitic, and inadequate to the + purpoſes for which it was undertaken. But errors of judgment, in + circumſtances ſo unprecedented, cannot be cenſured conſiſtently + with candour, through we may venture to mark them as a diſcouragement + to imitation; for if any nation ſhould yet be menaced by the + revolutionary ſcourge, let it beware of ſeeking external redreſs + by a temporary abandonment of its intereſtſ to the madneſs + of ſyſtemiſts, or the rapine of needy adventurers. We muſt, + we ought to, lament the fate of the many gallant men who have fallen, and + the calamities of thoſe who ſurvive; but what in them haſ + been a miſtaken policy, will become guilt in thoſe who, on a + ſimilar occaſion, ſhall not be warned by their example. I + am concerned when I hear theſe unhappy fugitives are any where + objects of ſuſpicion or perſecution, as it is not likely + that thoſe who really emigrated from principle can merit ſuch + treatment: and I doubt not, that moſt of the inſtances of + treachery or miſconduct aſcribed to the Emigrants originated in + republican emiſſaries, who have aſſumed that character + for the double purpoſe of diſcrediting it, and of exerciſing + their trade as ſpies. + </p> + <p> + The common people here, who were retained by Le Bon for ſeveral + months to attend and applaud his executions, are ſtill diſſolute + and ferocious, and openly regret the loſs of their pay, and the diſuſe + of the guillotine. + </p> + <p> + —I came to Arras in mourning, which I have worn ſince the + receipt of your firſt letter, but was informed by the lady with whom + my friendſ lodge, that I muſt not attempt to walk the ſtreets + in black, for that it was cuſtomary to inſult thoſe who did + ſo, on a ſuppoſition that they were related to ſome + perſons who had been executed; I therefore borrowed a white undreſs, + and ſtole out by night to viſit my unfortunate acquaintance, as + I found it was alſo dangerous to be ſeen entering houſeſ + known to contain the remains of thoſe families which had been diſmembered + by Le Bon's cruelties. + </p> + <p> + We return to Amiens to-morrow, though you muſt not imagine ſo + formidable a perſon as myſelf is permitted to wander about the + republic without due precaution; and I had much difficulty in being + allowed to come, even attended by a guard, who has put me to a conſiderable + expence; but the man is civil, and as he has buſineſs of his own + to tranſact in the town, he is no embarraſſment to me. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_31" id="link4_4_31"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, Nov. 26, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The Conſtituent Aſſembly, the Legiſlative Aſſembly, + and the National Convention, all ſeem to have acted from a perſuaſion, + that their ſole duty as revolutioniſts was compriſed in the + deſtruction of whatever exiſted under the monarchy. If an inſtitution + were diſcovered to have the ſlighteſt defect in principle, + or to have degenerated a little in practice, their firſt ſtep + was to aboliſh it entirely, and leave the replacing it for the preſent + to chance, and for the future to their ſucceſſors. In + return for the many new words which they have introduced into the French + language, they have expunged that of reform; and the havock and devaſtation, + which a Mahometan conqueror might have performed as ſucceſſfully, + are as yet the only effects of philoſophy and republicaniſm. + </p> + <p> + This ſyſtem of ignorance and violence ſeems to have perſecuted + with peculiar hoſtility all the ancient eſtabliſhments for + education; and the ſame plan of ſuppreſſing daily what + they have neither leiſure nor abilities to ſupply, which I + remarked to you two years ago, has directed the Convention ever ſince. + It is true, the interval has produced much diſſertation, and + engendered many projects; but thoſe who were ſo unanimous in + rejecting, were extremely diſcordant in adopting, and their own diſputes + and indeciſion might have convinced them of their preſumption in + condemning what they now found it ſo difficult to excel. Some decided + in favour of public ſchools, after the example of Sparta— this + was objected to by others, becauſe, ſaid they, if you have + public ſchools you muſt have edifices, and governors, and profeſſors, + who will, to a certainty, be ariſtocrats, or become ſo; and, in + ſhort, this will only be a revival of the colleges of the old + government—A third party propoſed private ſeminaries, or + that people might be at liberty to educate their children in the way they + thought beſt; but this, it waſ declared, would have a ſtill + greater tendency to ariſtocracy; for the rich, being better able to + pay than the poor, would engroſs all the learning to themſelves. + The Jacobins were of opinion, that there ſhould be no ſchools, + either public or private, but that the children ſhould merely be + taken to hear the debates of the Clubs, where they would acquire all the + knowledge neceſſary for republicans; and a few ſpirits of a + yet ſublimer caſt were adverſe both to ſchools or + clubs, and recommended, that the riſing generation ſhould "ſtudy + the great book of Nature alone." It is, however, at length concluded, that + there ſhall be a certain number of public eſtabliſhments, + and that people ſhall even be allowed to have their children inſtructed + at home, under the inſpection of the conſtituted authorities, + who are to prevent the inſtillation of ariſtocratic principles.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * We may judge of the competency of many of theſe people to be + official cenſors of education by the following ſpecimens from + a report of Gregoire's. Since the rage for deſtruction has a little + ſubſided, circular letters have been ſent to the adminiſtrators + of the departments, diſtricts, &c. enquiring what antiquities, + or other objects of curioſity, remain in their neighbourhood.—"From + one, (ſays Gregoire,) we are informed, that they are poſſeſſed + of nothing in this way except four vaſes, which, as they have been + told, are of porphyry. From a ſecond we learn, that, not having + either forge or manufactory in the neighbourhood, no monument of the + arts is to be found there: and a third announces, that the completion of + itſ library cataloges has been retarded, becauſe the perſon + employed at them ne fait pas la diplomatique!"—("does not underſtand + the ſcience of diplomacy.") + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The difficulty as to the mode in which children were to be taught being + got over, another remained, not leſs liable to diſpute—which + was, the choice of what they were to learn. Almoſt every member had a + favourite article—-muſic, phyſic, prophylactics, + geography, geometry, aſtronomy, arithmetic, natural hiſtory, and + botany, were all pronounced to be requiſites in an eleemoſynary + ſyſtem of education, ſpecified to be chiefly intended for + the country people; but as this debate regarded only the primary ſchools + for children in their earlieſt years, and as one man for a ſtipend + of twelve hundred livres a year, was to do it all, a compromiſe + became neceſſary, and it has been agreed for the preſent, + that infants of ſix years ſhall be taught only reading, writing, + gymnaſtics, geometry, geography, natural philoſophy, and hiſtory + of all free nations, and that of all the tyrants, the rights of man, and + the patriotic ſongs. —Yet, after theſe years of conſideration, + and days of debate, the Aſſembly has done no more than a pariſh-clerk, + or an old woman with a primer, and "a twig whilom of ſmall regard to + ſee," would do better without its interference. + </p> + <p> + The ſtudents of a more advanced age are ſtill to be diſpoſed + of, and the taſk of deviſing an inſtitution will not be eaſy; + becauſe, perhaps a Collot d'Herbois or a Duhem is not ſatiſfied + with the ſyſtem which perfectioned the genius of Monteſquieu + or Deſcartes. Change, not improvement, is the object—whatever + bears a reſemblance to the paſt muſt be proſcribed; + and while other people ſtudy to ſimplify modes of inſtruction, + the French legiſlature is intent on rendering them aſ difficult + and complex as poſſible; and at the moment they decree that the + whole country ſhall become learned, they make it an unfathomable + ſcience to teach urchins of half a dozen years old their letters. + </p> + <p> + Foreigners, indeed, who judge only from the public prints, may ſuppoſe + the French far advanced towards becoming the moſt erudite nation in + Europe: unfortunately, all theſe ſchools, primary, and ſecondary, + and centrical, and divergent, and normal,* exiſt as yet but in the + repertories of the Convention, and perhaps may not add "a local + habitation" to their names, till the preſent race** ſhall be + unfit to reap the benefit of them. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * <i>Les Ecoles Normaleſ</i> were ſchools where maſters + were to be inſtructed in the art of teaching. Certain deputies + objected to them, as being of feudal inſtitution, ſuppoſing + that Normale had ſome reference to Normandy. ** This was a miſtake, + for the French ſeem to have adopted the maxim, "that man is never + too old to learn;" and, accordingly, at the opening of the Normal ſchools, + the celebrated Bougainville, now eighty years of age, became a pupil. + This Normal project was, however, ſoon relinquiſhed—for + by that fatality which has hitherto attended all the republican inſtitutions, + it was found to have become a mere nurſery for ariſtocrats. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + But this revolutionary barbariſm, not content with ſtopping the + progreſſ of the riſing generation, has ravaged without + mercy the monuments of departed genius, and perſecuted with ſenſeleſs + deſpotiſm thoſe who were capable of replacing them. + Pictures have been defaced, ſtatueſ mutilated, and libraries + burnt, becauſe they reminded the people of their Kings or their + religion; while artiſts, and men of ſcience or literature, were + waſting their valuable hours in priſon, or expiring on the + ſcaffold.—The moral and gentle Florian died of vexation. A life + of abſtraction and utility could not ſave the celebrated chymiſt, + Lavoiſier, from the Guillotine. La Harpe languiſhed in + confinement, probably, that he might not eclipſe Chenier, who writes + tragedies himſelf; and every author that refuſed to degrade his + talents by the adulation of tyranny has been proſcribed and perſecuted. + Paliſſot,* at ſixty years old, waſ deſtined to + expiate in a priſon a ſatire upon Rouſſeau, written + when he was only twenty, and eſcaped, not by the interpoſition + of juſtice, but by the efficacity of a bon mot. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Paliſſot was author of "The Philoſophers," a comedy, + written thirty years ago, to ridicule Rouſſeau. He wrote to + the municipality, acknowledged his own error, and the merits of Rouſſeau; + yet, ſays he, if Rouſſeau were a god, you ought not to + ſacrifice human victims to him.—The expreſſion, + which in French iſ well tuned, pleaſed the municipality, and + Paliſſot, I believe, waſ not afterwards moleſted. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —A ſimilar fate would have been awarded Dorat, [Author of "Les + Malheurſ de l'Inconſtance," and other novels.] for ſtyling + himſelf Chevalier in the title-pages of his novels, had he not + commuted his puniſhment for baſe eulogiums on the Convention, + and with the ſame pen, which has been the delight of the French + boudoir, celebrated Carrier's murders on the Loire under the appellation + of "baptemes civiques." Every province in France, we are informed by the + eloquent pedantry of Gregoire, exhibitſ traces of theſe modern + Huns, which, though now excluſively attributed to the agents of Robeſpierre + and Mr. Pitt,* it is very certain were authorized by the decrees of the + Convention, and executed under the ſanction of Deputies on miſſion, + or their ſubordinates. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * <i>"Soyez ſur que ces deſtructions ſe ſont pour la + plupart a l'inſtigation de nos ennemiſ—quel triomphe + pour l'Anglais ſi il eul pu ecraſer notre commerce par + l'aneantiſſement des arts dont la culture enrichit le ſien."</i>—"Reſt + aſſured that theſe demolitionſ were, for the moſt + part, effected at the inſtigation of our enemieſ —what a + triumph would it have been for the Engliſh, if they had ſucceeded + in cruſhing our commerce by the annihilation of the arts, the + culture of which enriched their own." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —If the principal monuments of art be yet preſerved to gratify + the national taſte or vanity, it is owing to the courage and devotion + of individuals, who obeyed with a protecting dilatorineſs the deſtructive + mandates of government. + </p> + <p> + At ſome places, orangeries were ſold by the foot for fire-wood, + becauſe, as it was alledged, that republicans had more occaſion + for apples and potatoes than oranges.—At Mouſſeaux, the + ſeals were put on the hot-houſes, and all the plants nearly deſtroyed. + Valuable remains of ſculpture were condemned for a creſt, a + fleur de lys, or a coronet attached to them; and the deities of the + Heathen mythology were made war upon by the ignorance of the republican + executioners, who could not diſtinguiſh them from emblems of + feodality.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * At Anet, a bronze ſtag, placed as a fountain in a large piece of + water, was on the point of being demoliſhed, becauſe ſtags + are beaſts of chace, and hunting is a feodal privilege, and ſtags + of courſe emblems of feodality.—It was with ſome + difficulty preſerved by an amateur, who inſiſted, that + ſtags of bronze were not included in the decree.—By a decree + of the Convention, which I have formerly mentioned, all emblems of + royalty or feodality were to be demoliſhed by a particular day; and + as the law made no diſtinction, it could not be expected that + municipalities, &c. often ignorant or timid, ſhould either + venture or deſire to ſpare what in the eyes of the connoiſſeur + might be precious. "At St. Dennis, (ſays the virtuoſo + Gregoire,) where the National Club juſtly ſtruck at the + tyrants even in their tombs, that of Turenne ought to have been ſpared; + yet ſtrokes of the ſword are ſtill viſible on it."—He + likewiſe complains, that at the Botanic Garden the buſt of + Linnaeus had been deſtroyed, on a preſumption of its being + that of Charles the Ninth; and if it had been that of Charles the Ninth, + it is not eaſy to diſcern how the cauſe of liberty was + ſerved by its mutilation.—The artiſt or moraliſt + contemplates with equal profit or curioſity the features of Pliny + or Commodus; and Hiſtory and Science will appreciate Linnaeus and + Charles the Ninth, without regarding whether their reſemblanceſ + occupy a palace, or are ſcattered in fragments by republican + ignorance.—Long after the death of Robeſpierre, the people of + Amiens humbly petitioned the Convention, that their cathedral, perhaps + the moſt beautiful Gothic edifice in Europe, might be preſerved; + and to avoid giving offence by the mention of churches or cathedrals, + they called it a Baſilique.—But it is unneceſſary + to adduce any farther proof, that the ſpirit of what is now called + Vandaliſm originated in the Convention. Every one in France muſt + recollect, that, when diſpatches from all corners announced theſe + ravages, they were heard with as much applauſe, as though they had + related ſo many victories gained over the enemy. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Quantities of curious medals have been melted down for the trifling + value of the metal; and at Abbeville, a ſilver St. George, of + uncommon workmanſhip, and which Mr. Garrick is ſaid to have deſired + to purchaſe at a very high price, was condemned to the crucible— + </p> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>"——Sur tant de treſorſ + "Antiques monumens reſpectes juſqu'alors, + "Par la deſtruction ſignalant leur puiſſance, + "Las barbares etendirent leur ſtupide vengeance." + "La Religion,"</i> Racine. + +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + Yet the people in office who operated theſe miſchiefs were all + appointed by the delegates of the Aſſembly; for the firſt + towns of the republic were not truſted even with the choice of a conſtable. + Inſtead, therefore, of feeling either ſurpriſe or regret at + this devaſtation, we ought rather to rejoice that it has extended no + farther; for ſuch agents, armed with ſuch decrees, might have + reduced France to the primitive ſtate of ancient Gaul. Several + valuable paintings are ſaid to have been conveyed to England, and it + will be curious if the barbariſm of France in the eighteenth century + ſhould reſtore to us what we, with a fanaticiſm and + ignorance at leaſt more prudent than theirs, ſold them in the + ſeventeenth. The zealots of the Bareboneſ' Parliament are, + however, more reſpectable than the atheiſtical Vandals of the + Convention; and, beſideſ the benefit of our example, the + interval of a century and an half, with the boaſt of a philoſophy + and a degree of illumination exceeding that of any other people, have + rendered the errors of the French at once more unpardonable and more + ridiculous; for, in aſſimilating their paſt preſentations + to their preſent conduct and ſituation, we do not alwayſ + find it poſſible to regret without a mixture of contempt. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_32" id="link4_4_32"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, Nov. 29, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The ſelfiſh policy of the Convention in affecting to reſpect + and preſerve the Jacobin ſocieties, while it deprived them of + all power, and help up the individuals who compoſed them to + abhorrence, could neither ſatiſfy nor deceive men verſed in + revolutionary expedients, and more accuſtomed to dictate laws than to + ſubmit to them.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The Jacobins were at this time headed by Billaud Varenne, Collot, + Thuriot, &c.—veterans, who were not likely to be deceived by + temporizing. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Supported by all the force of government, and intrinſically + formidable by their union, the Clubs had long exiſted in defiance of + public reprobation, and for ſome time they had braved not only the + people, but the government itſelf. The inſtant they were diſabled + from correſponding and communicating in that privileged ſort of + way which rendered them ſo conſpicuous, they felt their weakneſs; + and their deſultory and unconnected efforts to regain their influence + only ſerved to complete itſ annihilation. While they pretended + obedience to the regulations to which the Convention had ſubjected + them, they intrigued to promote a revolt, and were ſtrenuouſly + exerting themſelves to gain partizans among the idle and diſſolute, + who, having ſubſiſted for months as members of + revolutionary committees, and in other revolutionary offices, were + naturally averſe from a more moderate government. The numbers of theſe + were far from inconſiderable: and, when it is recollected that thiſ + deſcription of people only had been allowed to retain their arms, + while all who had any thing to defend were deprived of them, we cannot + wonder if the Jacobins entertained hopes of ſucceſs. + </p> + <p> + The Convention, aware of theſe attempts, now employed againſt + its ancient accomplices the ſame arts that had proved ſo fatal + to all thoſe whom it had conſidered as its enemies. A correſpondence + was "opportunely" intercepted between the Jacobins and the Emigrants in + Switzerland, while emiſſaries inſinuated themſelves + into the Clubs, for the purpoſe of exciting deſperate motions; + or, diſperſed in public places, contrived, by aſſuming + the Jacobin coſtume, to throw on the faction the odium of thoſe + ſeditious exclamations which they were employed to vociferate. + </p> + <p> + There is little doubt that the deſigns of the Jacobins were nearly + ſuch as have been imputed to them. They had, however, become more + politic than to act thus openly, without being prepared to repel their + enemies, or to ſupport their friends; and there is every appearance + that the Swiſſ plots, and the inſurrections of the <i>Palais + Egalite,</i> were the devices of the government, to give a pretext for + ſhutting up the Club altogether, and to avert the real dangers with + which it was menaced, by ſpreading an alarm of fictitious ones. A few + idle people aſſembled (probably on purpoſe) about the <i>Palais + Egalite,</i> and the place where the Jacobins held their meetings, and the + exclamation of "Down with the Convention!" ſerved as the ſignal + for hoſtilities. The ariſtocrats joined the partizans of the + Convention, the Jacobins were attacked in their hall, and an affray enſued, + in which ſeveral perſons on each ſide were wounded. Both + partieſ accuſed each other of being the aggreſſor, and + a report of the buſineſſ was made to the Aſſembly; + but the Aſſembly had already decided—and, on the ninth of + November, while the Jacobins were endeavouring to raiſe the ſtorm + by a recapitulation of the rights of man, a decree was paſſed, + prohibiting their debates, and ordering the national ſeal to be put + on their doors and papers. The ſociety were not in force to make reſiſtance, + and the decree was carried into execution as quietly aſ though it had + been levelled againſt the hotel of ſome devoted ariſtocrat. + </p> + <p> + When the news of this event reached the departments, it occaſioned an + univerſal rejoicing—not ſuch a rejoicing as is ordered for + the ſucceſſeſ of the French arms, (which always ſeems + to be a matter of great indifference,) but a chearfulneſs of heart + and of countenance; and many perſons whom I do not remember to have + ever ſeen in the leaſt degree moved by political events, + appeared ſincerely delighted at thiſ— + </p> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "And thoſe ſmile now, who never ſmil'd before, + "And thoſe who always ſmil'd, now ſmile the more." + Parnell's Claudian. +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + The armies might proceed to Vienna, pillage the Eſcurial, or ſubjugate + all Europe, and I am convinced no emotion of pleaſure would be + excited equal to that manifeſted at the downfall of the Jacobins of + Paris. + </p> + <p> + Since this diſgrace of the parent ſociety, the Clubs in the + departmentſ have, for the moſt part, diſſolved themſelves, + or dwindled into peaceable aſſemblies to hear the news read, and + applaud the convention.—The few Jacobin emblems which were yet + remaining have totally diſappeared, and no veſtige of Jacobiniſm + is left, but the graves of its victims, and the deſolation of the + country. + </p> + <p> + The profligate, the turbulent, the idle, and needy, of various countrieſ + in Europe, have been tempted by the ſucceſſes of the French + Jacobins to endeavour to eſtabliſh ſimilar inſtitutions; + but the ſame ſucceſſes have operated as a warning to + people of a different deſcription, and the fall of theſe ſocieties + has drawn two confeſſions from their original partizans, which + ought never to be forgotten—namely, that they were formed for the + purpoſe of ſubverting the monarchy, and that their exiſtence + is incompatible with regular government of any kind.—"While the + monarchy ſtill exiſted, (ſays the moſt philoſophic + Lequinio, with whoſe ſcheme of reforming La Vendee you are + already acquainted,) it waſ politic and neceſſary to + encourage popular ſocieties, as the moſt efficacious means of + operating its deſtruction; but now we have effected a revolution, and + have only to conſolidate it by mild and philoſophic laws, theſe + ſocieties are dangerous, becauſe they can produce only confuſion + and diſorder."—This is alſo the language of Briſſot, + who admires the Jacobins from their origin till the end of 1792, but after + that period he admits they were only the inſtruments of faction, and + deſtructive of all property and order.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The period of the Jacobin annals ſo much admired by Briſſot, + compriſes the dethronement of the King, the maſſacres of + the priſons, the baniſhment of the prieſts, &c. That + which he reprobates begins preciſely at the period when the + Jacobins diſputed the claims of himſelf and his party to the + excluſive direction of the government.—See Briſſot's + Addreſs to his Conſtituents. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —We learn therefore, not from the abuſes alone, but from the + praiſeſ beſtowed on the Jacobins, how much ſuch + combinations are to be dreaded. Their merit, it appears, conſiſted + in the ſubverſion of the monarchical government, and their crime + in ceaſing to be uſeful as agents of tyranny, the moment they + ceaſed to be principals. + </p> + <p> + I am ſtill ſceptical as to the converſion of the Aſſembly, + and little diſpoſed to expect good from it; yet whatever it may + attempt in future, or however its real principles may take an aſcendant, + this fortunate concurrence of perſonal intereſts, coalition of + ariſtocrats and democrats, and political rivalry, have likewiſe + ſecured France from a return of that exceſs of deſpotiſm + which could have been exerciſed only by ſuch means. It is true, + the ſpirit of the nation is ſo much depreſſed, that an + effort to revive theſe Clubs might meet no reſiſtance; but + the ridicule and opprobrium to which they have latterly been ſubject, + and finally the manner of their being ſacrificed by that very + Convention, of which they were the ſole creators and ſupport, + will, I think, cool the zeal, and diminiſh the numbers of their + partizans too much for them ever again to become formidable. + </p> + <p> + The conduct of Carrier has been examined according to the new forms, and + he is now on his trial—though not till the delays of the Convention + had given riſe to a general ſuſpicion that they intended + either to exonerate or afford him an opportunity of eſcaping; and the + people were at laſt ſo highly exaſperated, that ſix + thouſand troops were added to the military force of Paris, and an inſurrection + was ſeriouſly apprehended. Thiſ ſtimulated the + diligence, or relaxed the indulgence, of the commiſſion + appointed to make the report on Carrier's conduct; and it being decided + that there was room for accuſation, the Aſſembly confirmed + the deciſion, and he was ordered into cuſtody, to be tried along + with the Revolutionary Committee of Nantes which had been the inſtrument + of his crimes. + </p> + <p> + It is a circumſtance worth noting, that moſt of the Deputies who + explained the motives on which they thought Carrier guilty, were ſilent + on the ſubject of his drowning, ſhooting, and guillotining + ſo many thouſands of innocent people, and only declared him + guilty, as having been wanting in reſpect towards Trehouard, one of + his colleagues, and of injuring the republican cauſe by his + atrocities. + </p> + <p> + The fate of this monſter exhibits a practical expoſition of the + enormouſ abſurdity of ſuch a government. He is himſelf + tried for the exerciſe of a power declared to be unbounded when entruſted + to him. The men tried with him as his accomplices were obliged by the laws + to obey him; and the acts of which they are all accuſed were known, + applauded, and held out for imitation, by the Convention, who now declare + thoſe very acts to be criminal!—There is certainly no way of + reconciling juſtice but by puniſhing both chiefs and ſubordinates, + and the hour for this will yet come.—Adieu. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_33" id="link4_4_33"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens. [No date given.] + </h2> + <p> + I do not yet venture to correſpond with my Paris friends by the poſt, + but whenever the opportunity of private conveyance occurs, I receive long + and circumſtantial letters, as well as packets, of all the + publications moſt read, and the theatrical pieces moſt + applauded. I have lately drudged through great numbers of theſe laſt, + and beſtowed on them an attention they did not in themſelves deſerve, + becauſe I conſidered it as one meanſ of judging both of the + ſpirit of the government and the morals of the people. + </p> + <p> + The dramas produced at the beginning of the revolution were in general + calculated to corrupt the national taſte and morals, and many of them + were written with ſkill enough to anſwer the purpoſe for + which they were intended; but thoſe that have appeared during the laſt + two years, are ſo ſtupid and ſo depraved, that the circumſtance + of their being tolerated even for a moment implies an extinction both of + taſte and of morals.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * <i>"Dans l'eſpace d'un an ils ont failli detruire le produit de + pluſieurs ſiecles de civilization."</i>—("In the ſpace + of a year they nearly deſtroyed the fruits of ſeveral ages of + civilization.") + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The principal cauſe of this is the deſpotiſm of the + government in making the ſtage a mere political engine, and ſuffering + the performance of ſuch pieces only as a man of honeſty or + genius would not ſubmit to write.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The tragedy of Brutus was interdicted on account of theſe two + lines: + </p> + </blockquote> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>"Arreter un romain ſur de ſimple ſoupcons, + "C'eſt agir en tyrans, nous qui les puniſſons."</i> +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <blockquote> + <p> + That of Mahomet for the following: + </p> + </blockquote> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + <i>"Exterminez, grands dieux, de la terre ou nous ſommeſ + "Quiconque avec plaiſir repand le ſang des hommes."</i> +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <blockquote> + <p> + It is to be remarked, that the laſt lines are only a ſimple + axiom of humanity, and could not have been conſidered as implying a + cenſure on any government except that of the French republic. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Hence a croud of ſcribblers, without ſhame or talents, + have become the excluſive directors of public amuſements, and, + as far as the noiſe of a theatre conſtitutes ſucceſs, + are perhaps more ſucceſſful than ever waſ Racine or + Moliere. Immorality and dulneſs have an infallible reſource + againſt public diſapprobation in the abuſe of monarchy and + religion, or a niche for Mr. Pitt; and an indignant or impatient audience, + loſing their other feelings in their fears, are glad to purchaſe + the reputation of patriotiſm by applauding traſh they find it + difficult to endure. The theatres ſwarm with ſpies, and to cenſure + a revolutionary piece, however deteſtable even as a compoſition, + is dangerous, and few have courage to be the critics of an author who is + patronized by the ſuperintendants of the guillotine, or who may + retaliate a comment on his poetry by the ſignificant proſe of a + mandat d'arret. + </p> + <p> + Men of literature, therefore, have wiſely preferred the conſervation + of their freedom to the vindication of their taſte, and have deemed + it better to applaud at the Theatre de la Republique, than lodge at St. + Lazare or Dupleſſis.—Thus political ſlavery has aſſiſted + moral depravation: the writer who is the advocate of deſpotiſm, + may be dull and licentious by privilege, and is alone exempt from the laws + of Parnaſſuſ and of decency.—One Sylvan Marechal, + author of a work he callſ philoſophie, has written a ſort + of farce, which has been performed very generally, where all the Kings in + Europe are brought together as ſo many monſters; and when the + King of France is enquired after as not being among them, a Frenchman anſwers,—"Oh, + he is not here—we have guillotined him—we have cut off his + head according to law."—In one piece, the hero is a felon eſcaped + from the galleys, and is repreſented as a patriot of the moſt + ſublime principles; in another, he is the virtuous conductor of a + gang of banditti; and the principal character in a third, is a ploughman + turned deiſt and politician. + </p> + <p> + Yet, while theſe malevolent and mercenary ſcribblers are ranſacking + paſt ages for the crimes of Kings or the abuſes of religion, and + imputing to both many that never exiſted, they forget that neither + their books nor their imagination are able to furniſh ſcenes of + guilt and miſery equal to thoſe which have been preſented + daily by republicans and philoſophers. What horror can their + mock-tragedies excite in thoſe who have contemplated the Place de la + Revolution? or who can ſmile at a farce in ridicule of monarchy, that + beholds the Convention, and knows the characters of the men who compoſe + it?—But in moſt of theſe wretched productions the abſurdity + is luckily not leſs conſpicuous than the immoral intention: + their Princes, their Prieſts, their Nobles, are all tyrannical, + vicious, and miſerable; yet the common people, living under theſe + ſame vicious tyrants, are deſcribed as models of virtue, hoſpitality, + and happineſs. If, then, the auditors of ſuch edifying dramas + were in the habit of reaſoning, they might very juſtly conclude, + that the ignorance which republicaniſm is to baniſh is deſirable, + and that the diffuſion of riches with which they have been flattered, + will only increaſe their vices, and ſubtract from their + felicity. + </p> + <p> + There are, however, ſome patriotic ſpirits, who, not inſenſible + to thiſ degeneracy of the French theatre, and lamenting the evil, + have lately exerciſed much ingenuity in developing the cauſe. + They have at length diſcovered, that all the republican tragedies, + flat farces, and heavy comedies, are attributable to Mr. Pitt, who has + thought proper to corrupt the authors, with a view to deprave the public + taſte. There is, certainly, no combating this charge; for as, + according to the aſſertionſ of the Convention, Mr. Pitt has + ſucceeded in bribing nearly every other deſcription of men in + the republic, we may ſuppoſe the conſciences of ſuch + ſcribblers not leſs flexible. Mr. Pitt, indeed, ſtands accuſed, + ſometimes in conjunction with the Prince of Cobourg, and ſometimes + on hiſ own account, of ſucceſſively corrupting the + officers of the fleet and army, all the bankers and all the farmers, the + prieſts who ſay maſſes, and the people who attend + them, the chiefs of the ariſtocrats, and the leaders of the Jacobins. + The bakers who refuſe to bake when they have no flour, and the + populace who murmur when they have no bread, beſides the merchants + and ſhopkeepers who prefer coin to aſſignats, are notoriouſly + penſioned by him: and even a part of the Repreſentatives, and + all the frail beauties, are ſaid to be enliſted in his ſervice.—Theſe + multifarious charges will be found on the journals of the Aſſembly, + and we muſt of courſe infer, that Mr. Pitt is the ableſt + ſtateſman, or the French the moſt corrupt nation, exiſting. + </p> + <p> + But it is not only Barrere and his colleagues who ſuppoſe the + whole country bribeable—the notion is common to the French in + general; and vanity adding to the omnipotence of gold, whenever they + ſpeak of a battle loſt, or a town taken, they conclude it impoſſible + to have occurred but through the venal treachery of their officers.—The + Engliſh, I have obſerved, always judge differently, and would + not think the national honour ſuſtained by a ſuppoſition + that their commanders were vulnerable only in the hand. If a general or an + admiral happen to be unfortunate, it would be with the utmoſt + reluctance that we ſhould think of attributing his miſchance to + a cauſe ſo degrading; yet whoever has been uſed to French + ſociety will acknowledge, that the firſt ſuggeſtion on + ſuch events is <i>"nos officiers ont ete gagnes,"</i> [Our officers + were bought.] or <i>"ſans la trahiſon ce ne ſeroit pas + arrive."</i> [This could not have happened without treachery.]—Pope's + hyperbole of + </p> + <p> + "Juſt half the land would buy, and half be ſold," + </p> + <p> + is more than applicable here; for if we may credit the French themſelves, + the buyers are by no means ſo well proportioned to the ſellers. + </p> + <p> + As I have no new political intelligence to comment upon, I ſhall finiſh + my letter with a domeſtic adventure of the morning.—Our houſe + waſ yeſterday aſſigned as the quarters of ſome + officers, who, with part of a regiment, were paſſing this way to + join the Northern army. As they ſpent the evening out, we ſaw + nothing of them, but finding one was a Colonel, and the other a Captain, + though we knew what republican colonels and captains might be, we thought + it civil, or rather neceſſary, to ſend them an invitation + to breakfaſt. We therefore ordered ſome milk coffee early, (for + Frenchmen ſeldom take tea,) and were all aſſembled before + the uſual time to receive our military gueſts. As they did not, + however, appear, we were ringing to enquire for them, when Mr. D____ + entered from hiſ morning walk, and deſired us to be at eaſe + on their account, for that in paſſing the kitchen, he had + perceived the Captain fraternizing over ſome onions, bread, and beer, + with our man; while the Colonel was in cloſe conference with the + cook, and watching a pan of ſoup, which was warming for his breakfaſt. + We have learned ſince, that theſe heroes were very willing to + accept of any thing the ſervants offered them, but could not be + prevailed upon to approach us; though, you are to underſtand, this waſ + not occaſioned either by timidity or incivility, but by mere + ignorance. —Mr. D____ ſays, the Marquiſe and I have not + diveſted ourſelves of ariſtocratic aſſociations + with our ideas of the military, and that our deſhabilles this morning + were unuſually coquetiſh. Our projects of conqueſt were, + however, all fruſtrated by the unlucky intervention of Bernardine's + <i>ſoupe aux choux,</i> [Cabbage-ſoup.] and Euſtace's + regale of cheeſe and onions. + </p> + <p> + "And with ſuch beaux 'tis vain to be a belle." + </p> + <p> + Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_34" id="link4_4_34"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, Dec. 10, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + Your American friend paſſed through here yeſterday, and + delivered me the two parcels. As marks of your attention, they were very + acceptable; but on any other account, I aſſure you, I ſhould + have preferred a preſent of a few pecks of wheat to all your + fineries. + </p> + <p> + I have been uſed to conclude, when I ſaw ſuch ſtrange + and unaccountable abſurdities given in the French papers as extracts + from the debates in either of your Houſes of Parliament, that they + were probably fabricated here to ſerve the deſigns of the + reigning factions: yet I perceive, by ſome old papers which came with + the muſlins, that there are really members ſo ill-informed or + ſo unprincipled, as to uſe the language attributed to them, and + who aſſert that the French are attached to their government, and + call France "a land of republicans." + </p> + <p> + When it is ſaid that a people are republicans, we muſt ſuppoſe + they are either partial to republicaniſm as a ſyſtem, or + that they prefer it in practice. A little retroſpection, perhaps, + will determine both theſe points better than the eloquence of your + orators. + </p> + <p> + A few men, of philoſophic or reſtleſs minds, have, in + various ages and countries, endeavoured to enlighten or diſturb the + world by examinationſ and diſputes on forms of government; yet + the beſt heads and the beſt hearts have remained divided on the + ſubject, and I never heard that any writer was able to produce more + than a partial conviction, even in the moſt limited circle. Whence, + then, did it happen in France, where information was avowedly confined, + and where ſuch diſcuſſions could not have been + general, that the people became ſuddenly inſpired with thiſ + political ſagacity, which made them in one day the judges and + converts of a ſyſtem they could ſcarcely have known before, + even by name?—At the depoſition of the King, the French, (ſpeaking + at large,) had aſ perſpicuous a notion of republics, as they may + be ſuppoſed to have of mathematics, and would have underſtood + Euclid's Elements as well as the Social Contract. Yet an aſſemblage + of the worſt and moſt daring men from every faction, elected + amidſt maſſacres and proſcription, the moment they are + collected together, declare, on the propoſal of Collot d'Herbois, a + profligate ſtrolling player, that France ſhall be a republic.—Admitting + that the French were deſirous of altering their form of government, I + believe no one will venture to ſay ſuch an inclination was ever + manifeſted, or that the Convention were elected in a manner to render + them competent to ſuch a deciſion. They were not the choice of + the people, but chiefly emiſſaries impoſed on the + departments by the Jacobinſ and the municipality of Paris; and let + thoſe who are not acquainted with the means by which the elections + were obtained, examine the compoſition of the Aſſembly itſelf, + and then decide whether any people being free could have ſelected + ſuch men as Petion, Tallien, Robeſpierre, Briſſot, + Carrier, Taillefer, &c. &c. from the whole nation to be their + Repreſentatives.—There muſt, in all large aſſociations, + be a mixture of good and bad; but when it is incontrovertible that the + principal memberſ of the Convention are monſters, who, we hope, + are not to be paralleled— that the reſt are inferior rather in + talents than wickedneſs, or cowardſ and ideots, who have ſupported + and applauded crimes they only wanted opportunity to commit—it is + not poſſible to conceive, that any people in the world could + make a ſimilar choice. Yet if the French were abſolutely unbiaſſed, + and of their own free will made this collection, who would, after ſuch + an example, be the advocates of general ſuffrage and popular repreſentation?—But, + I repeat, the people were not free. They were not, indeed, influenced by + bribeſ—they were intimidated by the horrors of the moment; and + along with the regulations for the new elections, were every where + circulated details of the aſſaſſinations of Auguſt + and September.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The influence of the municipality of Paris on the new elections iſ + well known. The following letter will ſhow what inſtruments + were employed, and the deſcription of Repreſentatives likely + to be choſen under ſuch auſpices. "Circular letter, + written by the Committee of Inſpection of the municipality of Paris + to all the departments of the republic, dated the third of September, + the ſecond day of the maſſacres: "The municipality of + Paris is impatient to inform their brethren of the departments, that a + part of the ferocious conſpirators detained in the priſons + have been put to death by the people: an act of juſtice which + appeared to them indiſpenſable, to reſtrain by terror thoſe + legions of traitors whom they muſt have left behind when they + departed for the army. There is no doubt but the whole nation, after + ſuch multiplied treaſons, will haſten to adopt the ſame + ſalutary meaſure!"—Signed by the Commune of Paris and + the Miniſter of Juſtice. Who, after this mandate, would + venture to oppoſe a member recommended by the Commune of Paris? + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The French, then, neither choſe the republican form of + government, nor the men who adopted it; and are, therefore, not + republicans on principle.—Let us now conſider whether, not + being republicans on principle, experience may have rendered them ſuch. + </p> + <p> + The firſt effects of the new ſyſtem were an univerſal + conſternation, the diſappearance of all the ſpecie, an + extravagant riſe in the price of proviſions, and many + indications of ſcarcity. The ſcandalous quarrels of the legiſlature + ſhocked the national vanity, by making France the ridicule of all + Europe, until ridicule was ſuppreſſed by deteſtation + at the ſubſequent murder of the King. This was followed by the + efforts of one faction to ſtrengthen itſelf againſt + another, by means of a general war—the leaders of the former preſuming, + that they alone were capable of conducting it. + </p> + <p> + To the miſeries of war were added revolutionary tribunals, + revolutionary armies and committees, forced loans, requiſitions, + maximums, and every ſpecies of tyranny and iniquity man could deviſe + or ſuffer; or, to uſe the expreſſion of Rewbell, [One + of the Directory in 1796.] "France was in mourning and deſolation; + all her families plunged in deſpair; her whole ſurface covered + with Baſtilles, and the republican government become ſo odious, + that the moſt wretched ſlave, bending beneath the weight of hiſ + chains, would have refuſed to live under it!" + </p> + <p> + Such were the means by which France was converted into a land of + republicans, and ſuch the government to which your patriots aſſert + the French people were attached: yet ſo little was this attachment + appreciated here, that the mere inſtitutions for watching and ſuppreſſing + diſaffection amount, by the confeſſion of Cambon, the + financier, to twenty-four millions ſix hundred and thirty-one thouſand + pounds ſterling a year! + </p> + <p> + To ſuppoſe, then, that the French are devoted to a ſyſtem + which haſ ſerved as a pretext for ſo many crimes, and has + been the cauſe of ſo many calamities, is to conclude them a + nation of philoſophers, who are able to endure, yet incapable of reaſoning; + and who ſuffer evils of every kind in defence of a principle with + which they can be little acquainted, and which, in practice, they have + known only by the deſtruction it haſ occaſioned. + </p> + <p> + You may, perhaps, have been perſuaded, that the people ſubmit + patiently now, for the ſake of an advantage in perſpective; but + it is not in the diſpoſition of unenlightened men (and the maſs + of a people muſt neceſſarily be ſo) to give up the preſent + for the future. The individual may ſometimes atchieve this painful + conqueſt over himſelf, and ſubmit to evil, on a calculation + of future retribution, but the multitude will ever prefer the good moſt + immediately attainable, if not under the influence of that terror which + ſuperſedes every other conſideration. Recollect, then, the + counſel of the firſt hiſtorian of our age, and "ſuſpend + your belief of whatever deviates from the laws of nature and the character + of man;" and when you are told the French are attached to a government + which oppreſſes them, or to principles of which they are + ignorant, ſuppoſe their adoption of the one, and their ſubmiſſion + to the other, are the reſult of fear, and that thoſe who make + theſe aſſertions to the contrary, are either intereſted + or miſinformed. + </p> + <p> + Excuſe me if I have devoted a few pages to a ſubject which with + you iſ obſolete. I am indignant at the peruſal of ſuch + falſehoods; and though I feel for the humiliation of great talents, I + feel ſtill more for the diſgrace ſuch an abuſe of them + brings on our country. + </p> + <p> + It is not inappoſite to mention a circumſtance which happened to + a friend of Mr. D____'s, ſome little time ſince, at Paris. He + was paſſing through France, in his way from Italy, at the time + of the general arreſt, and waſ detained there till the other + day. As ſoon as he was releaſed from priſon, he applied in + perſon to a member of the Convention, to learn when he might hope to + return to England. The Deputy replied, <i>"Ma ſoi je n'en ſais + rien</i> [Faith I can't tell you.]—If your Meſſieurs + (naming ſome members in the oppoſition) had ſucceeded in + promoting a revolution, you would not have been in your cage ſo long—<i>mais + pour le coup il faut attendre."</i> [But now you muſt have patience.] + It is not probable the members he named could have ſuch deſigns, + but Dumont once held the ſame language to me; and it is mortifying to + hear theſe miſcreants ſuppoſe, that factious or + ambitious men, becauſe they chance to poſſeſs talents, + can make revolutions in England as they have done in France. + </p> + <p> + In the papers which gave riſe to theſe reflections, I obſerve + that ſome of your manufacturing towns are diſcontented, and + attribute the ſtagnation of their commerce to the war; but it is not + unlikely, that the ſtagnation and failures complained of might have + taken place, though the war had not happened.—When I came here in + 1792, every ſhop and warehouſe were over-ſtocked with Engliſh + goods. I could purchaſe any article of our manufacture at nearly the + retail price of London; and ſome I ſent for from Paris, in the + beginning of 1793, notwithſtanding the reports of war, were very + little advanced. Soon after the concluſion of the commercial treaty, + every thing Engliſh became faſhionable; and ſo many people + had ſpeculated in conſequence, that ſimilar ſpeculations + took place in England. But France was glutted before the war; and all + ſpeculationſ entered into on a preſumption of a demand + equal to that of the firſt years of the treaty, muſt have failed + in a certain degree, though the two countries had remained at peace.—Even + after a two years ceſſation of direct intercourſe, Britiſh + manufactures are every where to be procured, which is a ſufficient + proof that either the country was previouſly over ſupplied, or + that they are ſtill imported through neutral or indirect channels. + Both theſe ſuppoſitions preclude the likelihood that the + war has ſo great a ſhare in relaxing the activity of your + commerce, as iſ pretended. + </p> + <p> + But whatever may be the effect of the war, there is no proſpect of + peace, until the efforts of England, or the total ruin of the French + finances,* ſhall open the way for it. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * By a report of Cambon's at this time, it appears the expences of + France in 1792 were eighteen millions ſterling—in 1793, near + ninety millionſ—and, in the ſpring of 1794, twelve and a + half millions per month!—The church bells, we learn from the + ſame authority, coſt in coinage, and the purchaſe of + copper to mix with the metal, five or ſix millions of livres more + than they produced as money. The church plate, which was brought to the + bar of the Convention with ſuch eclat, and repreſented as an + inexhauſtible reſource, amounted to ſcarcely a million + ſterling: for as the offering was every where involuntary, and + promoted by its agents for the purpoſes of pillage, part was ſecreted, + a ſtill greater part ſtolen, and, as the conveyance to Paris + was a ſort of job, the expences often exceeded the worth—a + patine, a cenſor, and a ſmall chalice, were ſent to the + Convention, perhaps an hundred leagues, by a couple of Jacobin Commiſſioners + in a coach and four, with a military eſcort. Thus, the prejudices + of the people were outraged, and their property waſted, without any + benefit, even to thoſe who ſuggeſted the meaſure. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The Convention, indeed, have partly relinquiſhed their project + of deſtroying all the Kings of the earth, and forcing all the people + to be free. But, though their ſchemes of reformation have failed, + they ſtill adhere to thoſe of extirpation; and the moſt + moderate members talk occaſionally of "vile iſlanders," and "ſailing + up the Thames."*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The Jacobins and the Moderates, who could agree in nothing elſe, + were here perfectly in uniſon; ſo that on the ſame day we + ſee the uſual invectives of Barrere ſucceeded by menaces + equally ridiculouſ from Pelet and Tallien— <i>"La ſeule + choſe dont nous devons nous occuper eſt d'ecraſer ce + gouvernement infame."</i> + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + Diſcours de Pelet, 14 Nov. "The deſtruction of that infamous + government is the only thing that ought to engage our attention." + Pelet's Speech, 14 Nov. 1794. <i>"Aujourdhui que la France peut en + ſe debarraſſant d'une partie de ſes ennemis reporter + la gloire de ſes armes ſur les bordes de la Tamiſe, et + ecraſer le gouvernement Anglais." Diſcours de Tallien.</i> + "France, having now the opportunity of leſſening the number of + her enemies, may carry the glory of her arms to the banks of the Thames, + and cruſh the Engliſh government." Tallien's Speech. <i>"Que + le gouvernement prenne des meſures ſages pour faire une paix + honorable avec quelques uns de nos ennemis, et a l'aide deſ vaiſſeaux + Hollandais et Eſpagnols, portons nous enſuite avec vigueur + ſur les bordes de la Tamiſe, et detruiſons la nouvelle + Carthage." Diſcours de Tallien, 14 Nov.</i> "Let the government but + adopt wiſe meaſures for making an honorable peace with a part + of our enemies, and with the aid of the Dutch and Spaniſh navies, + let us repair to the banks of the Thames, and deſtroy the modern + Carthage." Tallien's Speech, 14 Nov. 1794. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + No one is here ignorant of the ſource of Tallien's predilection for + Spain, and we may ſuppoſe the intrigue at this time far + advanced. Probably the charms of his wife (the daughter of Mons. Cabarrus, + a French ſpeculator, formerly much encouraged by the Spaniſh + government, afterwards diſgraced and impriſoned, but now + liberated) might not be the only means employed to procure his converſion. + </p> + <p> + —Tallien, Clauzel, and thoſe who have newly aſſumed + the character of rational and decent people, ſtill uſe the low + and atrocious language of Briſſot, on the day he made his + declaration of war; and perhaps hope, by exciting a national ſpirit + of vengeance againſt Great Britain, to ſecure their lives and + their pay, when they ſhall have been forced to make peace on the + Continent: for, be certain, the motives of theſe men are never to be + ſought for in any great political object, but merely in expedients to + preſerve their perſons and their plunder. + </p> + <p> + Thoſe who judge of the Convention by their daily harangues, and the + juſtice, virtue, or talents which they aſcribe to themſelves, + muſt believe them to be greatly regenerated: yet ſuch is the + dearth both of abilities and of worth of any kind, that Andre Dumont has + been ſucceſſively Preſident of the Aſſembly, + Member of the Committee of General Safety, and is now in that of Public + Welfare.—Adieu. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_35" id="link4_4_35"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, Dec. 16, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The ſeventy-three Deputies who have been ſo long confined are + now liberated, and have reſumed their ſeats. Jealouſy and + fear for ſome time rendered the Convention averſe from the + adoption of this meaſure; but the public opinion was ſo + determined in favour of it, that farther reſiſtance might not + have been prudent. The ſatiſfaction created by this event iſ + general, though the ſame ſentiment is the reſult of various + concluſions, which, however, all tend to one object—the re-eſtabliſhment + of monarchy. + </p> + <p> + The idea moſt prevalent is, that theſe deputies, when arreſted, + were royaliſts.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This opinion prevailed in many places where the proſcribed + deputies took refuge. "The Normans (ſays Louvet) deceived by the + imputations in the newſpapers, aſſiſted us, under + the idea that we were royaliſts: but abandoned us when they found + themſelveſ miſtaken." In the ſame manner, on the + appearance of theſe Deputieſ in other departments, armies were + collecting very faſt, but diſperſed when they perceived + theſe men were actuated only by perſonal fear or perſonal + ambition, and that no one talked of reſtoring the monarchy. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —By ſome it is thought, perſecution may have converted + them; but the reflecting part of the nation look on the greater number as + adherents of the Girondiſts, whom the fortunate violence of Robeſpierre + excluded from participating in many of the paſt crimes of their + colleagues, and who have, in that alone, a reaſon for not becoming + accomplices in thoſe which may be attempted in future. + </p> + <p> + It is aſtoniſhing to ſee with what facility people daily + take on truſt things which they have it in their power to aſcertain. + The ſeventy-three owe a great part of the intereſt they have + excited to a perſuaſion of their having voted either for a mild + ſentence on the King, or an appeal to the nation: yet this is ſo + far from being true, that many of them were unfavourable to him on every + queſtion. But ſuppoſing it to have been otherwiſe, + their merit is in reality little enhanced: they all voted him guilty, + without examining whether he was ſo or not; and in affecting mercy + while they refuſed juſtice, they only aimed at conciliating + their preſent views with their future ſafety. + </p> + <p> + The whole claim of this party, who are now the Moderates of the + Convention, is reducible to their having oppoſed the commiſſion + of crimeſ which were intended to ſerve their adverſaries, + rather than themſelves. To effect the dethronement of the King, and + the deſtruction of thoſe obnoxious to them, they approved of + popular inſurrections; but expected that the people whom they had + rendered proficients in cruelty, ſhould become gentle and obedient + when urged to reſiſt their own authority; yet they now come + forth as victims of their patriotiſm, and call the heads of the + faction who are fallen—martyrs to liberty! But if they are victims, + it is to their folly or wickedneſs in becoming members of ſuch + an aſſembly; and if their chiefs were martyrs, it was to the + principles they inculcated. + </p> + <p> + The trial of the Briſſotins was juſtice, compared with that + of the King. If the former were condemned without proof, their partizans + ſhould remember, that the revolutionary jury pretended to be + influenced by the ſame moral evidence they had themſelves urged + as the ground on which they condemned the King; and if the people beheld + with applauſe or indifference the execution of their once-popular + idols, they only put in practice the barbarous leſſons which thoſe + idols had taught them;—they were forbidden to lament the fate of + their Sovereign, and they rejoiced in that of Briſſot and his + confederates.—Theſe men, then, only found the juſt + retribution of their own guilt; and though it may be politic to forget + that their ſurvivors were alſo their accomplices, they are not + objects of eſteem—and the contemporary popularity, which a long + ſecluſion has obtained for them, will vaniſh, if their + future conduct ſhould be directed by their original principles.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Louvet's pamphlet had not at this time appeared, and the ſubſequent + events proved, that the intereſt taken in theſe Deputieſ + was founded on a ſuppoſition they had changed their + principles; for before the cloſe of the Convention they were as + much objects of hatred and contempt as their colleagues. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Some of theſe Deputies were the hirelings of the Duke of Orleans, and + moſt of them are individuals of no better reputation than the reſt + of the Aſſembly. Lanjuinais has the merit of having acted with + great courage in defence of himſelf and his party on the thirty-firſt + of May 1792; but the following anecdote, recited by Gregoire* in the + Convention a few days ago will ſufficiently explain both his + character and Gregoire's, who are now, however, looked up to as royaliſts, + and as men comparatively honeſt. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Gregoire is one of the conſtitutional Clergy, and, from the habit + of comparing bad with worſe, is more eſteemed than many of hiſ + colleagues; yet, in his report on the progreſs of Vandaliſm, + he expreſſes himſelf with ſanguinary indecency—"They + have torn (ſayſ he) the prints which repreſented the + execution of Charles the firſt, becauſe there were coats of + arms on them. Ah, would to god we could behold, engraved in the ſame + manner, the heads of all Kings, done from nature! We might then + reconcile ourſelves to ſeeing a ridiculous embelliſhment + of heraldry accompany them." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —"When I firſt arrived at Verſailles, (ſays + Gregoire,) as member of the Conſtituent Aſſembly, (in + 1789,) I met with Lanjuinais, and we took an oath in concert to dethrone + the King and aboliſh Nobility." Now, thiſ was before the + alledged provocations of the King and Nobility—before the conſtitution + was framed—before the flight of the royal family to Varenneſ—and + before the war. But almoſt daily confeſſions of this ſort + eſcape, which at once juſtify the King, and eſtabliſh + the infamy of the revolutioniſts. + </p> + <p> + Theſe are circumſtances not to be forgotten, did not the ſad + ſcience of diſcriminating the ſhades of wickedneſs, in + which (as I have before noticed) the French have been rendered ſuch + adepts, oblige them at preſent to fix their hopeſ—not + according to the degree of merit, but by that of guilt. They are reduced + to diſtinguiſh between thoſe who ſanction murders, and + thoſe who perpetrated them—between the ſacrificer of one + thouſand victims, and that of ten—between thoſe who aſſaſſinate, + and thoſe who only reward the aſſaſſin.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Tallien is ſuppoſed, as agent of the municipality of paris, + to have paid a million and a half of livres to the Septembriſers or + aſſaſſins of the priſonſ! I know not + whether the ſum was in aſſignats or ſpecie.—If + in the former, it was, according to the exchange then, about two and + thirty thouſand pounds ſterling: but if eſtimated in + proportion to what might be purchaſed with it, near fifty thouſand. + Tallien has never denied the payment of the money— we may, + therefore, conclude the charge to be true. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Before the revolution, they would not have known how to ſelect, + where all were objects of abhorrence; but now the moſt ignorant are + caſuiſts in the gradations of turpitude, and prefer Tallien to + Le Bon, and the Abbe Sieyes to Barrere. + </p> + <p> + The crimes of Carrier have been terminated, not puniſhed, by death. + He met his fate with a courage which, when the effect of innocence, iſ + glorious to the ſufferer, and conſoling to humanity; but a + career like his, ſo ended, was only the confirmation of a brutal and + ferocious mind.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * When Carrier was arreſted, he attempted to ſhoot himſelf, + and, on being prevented by the Gens-d'armes, he told them there were + memberſ of the Convention who would not forgive their having + prevented hiſ purpoſe—implying, that they apprehended + the diſcoveries he might make on his trial. While he was dreſſing + himſelf, (for they took him in bed,) he added, "<i>Les Sceleratſ!</i> + (Meaning his more particular accomplices, who, he was told, had voted + againſt him,) they deſerved that I ſhould be as daſtardly + as themſelves." He reſted his defence entirely on the decrees + of the Convention. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Of thirty who were tried with him as his agents, and convicted of aſſiſting + at the drownings, ſhootings, &c. two only were executed, the reſt + were acquitted; becauſe, though the facts were proved, the moral + latitude of the Revolutionary Jury* did not find the guilt of the + intention—that is, the culprits were indiſputably the murderers + of ſeveral thouſand people, but, according to the words of the + verdict, they did not act with a counter-revolutionary intention. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * An Engliſh reader may be deceived by the name of Jury. The + Revolutionary Jury was not only inſtituted, but even appointed by + the Convention.—The following is a literal tranſlation of + ſome of the verdicts given on this occaſion: "That O'Sulivan + is author and accomplice of ſeveral noyadeſ (drownings) and + unheard-of cruelties towards the victims delivered to the waves. "That + Lefevre is proved to have ordered and cauſed to be executed a + noyade of men, women, and children, and to have committed variouſ + arbitrary acts. "That General Heron is proved to have aſſaſſinated + children, and worn publicly in his hat the ear of a man he had murdered. + That he alſo killed two children who were peaceably watching ſheep. + "That Bachelier is author and accomplice of the operations at Nantes, in + ſigning arbitrary mandates of arreſt, impoſing vexatiouſ + taxes, and taking for himſelf plate, &c. found at the houſes + of citizens arreſted on ſuſpicion. "That Joly is guilty, + &c. in executing the arbitrary orders of the Revolutionary + Committee, of tying together the victims deſtined to be drowned or + ſhot." There are thirty-one articles conceived nearly in the ſame + terms, and which conclude thuſ—"All convicted as above, but + not having acted with criminal or counter-revolutionary intentions, the + Tribunal acquits and ſets them at liberty." All France was + indignant at thoſe verdicts, and the people of Pariſ were + ſo enraged, that the Convention ordered the acquitted culpritſ + to be arreſted again, perhaps rather for protection than puniſhment. + They were ſent from Paris, and I never heard the reſult; but I + have ſeen the name of General Heron as being at large. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The Convention were certainly deſirous that the atrocities of theſe + men (all zealous republicans) ſhould be forgotten; for, independently + of the diſgrace which their trial has brought on the cauſe, the + ſacrifice of ſuch agents might create a dangerous timidity in + future, and deprive the government of valuable partizans, who would fear + to be the inſtruments of crimes for which, after ſuch a + precedent, they might become reſponſible. But the evil, which + was unavoidable, has been palliated by the tenderneſſ or + gratitude of a jury choſen by the Convention, who, by ſacrificing + two only of this maſs of monſters, and protecting the reſt, + hope to conſecrate the uſeful principle of indulgence for every + act, whatever itſ enormity, which has been the conſequence of + zeal or obedience to the government. + </p> + <p> + It is among the dreadful ſingularities of the revolution, that the + greateſt crimes which have been committed were all in ſtrict obſervance + of the laws. Hence the Convention are perpetually embarraſſed by + intereſt or ſhame, when it becomes neceſſary to puniſh + them. We have only to compare the conduct of Carrier, le Bon, Maignet, + &c. with the decrees under which they acted, to be convinced that + their chief guilt lies in having been capable of obeying: and the + convention, coldly iſſuing forth their reſcripts of + extermination and conflagration, will not, in the opinion of the moraliſt, + be favorably diſtinguiſhed from thoſe who carried theſe + mandates into execution. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_36" id="link4_4_36"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + December 24, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + I am now at a village a few miles from Amiens, where, upon giving ſecurity + in the uſual form, we have been permitted to come for a few dayſ + on a viſit to ſome relations of my friend Mad. de ____. On our + arrival, we found the lady of the houſe in a nankeen pierrot, + knitting grey thread ſtockings for herſelf, and the gentleman in + a thick woollen jacket and pantaloons, at work in the fields, and really + labouring as hard as hiſ men.—They hope, by thus taking up the + occupation and aſſuming the appearance of farmers, to eſcape + farther perſecution; and this policy may be available to thoſe + who have little to loſe: but property is now a more dangerous diſtinction + than birth, and whoever poſſeſſes it, will alwayſ + be conſidered as the enemies of the republic, and treated + accordingly. + </p> + <p> + We have been ſo much confined the laſt twelve months, that we + were glad to ride yeſterday in ſpite of the cold; and our hoſts + having procured aſſes for the females of the party, accompanied + us themſelves on foot.— During our ramble, we entered into + converſation with two old men and a boy, who were at work in an open + field near the road. They told us, they had not ſtrength to labour, + becauſe they had not their uſual quantity of bread—that + their good lady, whoſe chateau we ſaw at a diſtance, had + been guillotined, or elſe they ſhould have wanted for nothing—<i>"Et + ſte pauvre Javotte la n'auroit pas travaille quant elle eſt qualſiment + prete a mourir."</i> ["And our poor Javotte there would not have had to + work when ſhe is almoſt in her grave."]—<i>"Mon dieu,"</i> + (ſays one of the old men, who had not yet ſpoke,) <i>"Je + donnerais bien ma portion de ſa terre pour la ravoir notre bonne + dame."</i> ["God knows, I would willingly give up my ſhare of her eſtate + to have our good lady amongſt us again."]—<i>"Ah pour ca oui,"</i> + (returned the other,) <i>"mais j'crois que nous n'aurons ni l'une l'autre, + voila ſte maudite nation qui ſ'empare de tout."</i> ["Ah truly, + but I fancy we ſhall have neither one nor the other, for this curſed + nation gets hold of every thing."] + </p> + <p> + While they were going on in this ſtyle, a berline and four + cabriolets, with three-coloured flags at the windows, and a whole troop of + national guard, paſſed along the road. <i>"Vive la Republique!"</i>—"Vive + la Nation!" cried our peaſants, in an inſtant; and as ſoon + as the cavalcade was out of ſight, <i>"Voyez ſte gueuſaille + la, quel train, c'eſt vraiment quelque depute de la Convention—ces + brigands la, ils ne manquent de rien, ilſ vivent comme des rois, et + nous autres nous ſommes cent ſois pluſ miſerables que + jamais."</i> ["See there what a figure they make, thoſe beggarly + fellowſ—it's ſome deputy of the convention I take it. The + thieves want for nothing, they live like ſo many kings, and we are + all a hundred times worſe off than ever."]—<i>"Tais toi, tais + tois,"</i> ["Be quiet, I tell you."] (ſays the old man, who ſeemed + the leaſt garrulous of the two.)—<i>"Ne crains rien,</i> + ["Never fear."] (replied the firſt,) <i>c'eſt de braves gens;</i> + theſe ladies and gentlemen I'm ſure are good people; they have + not the look of patriots."—And with this compliment to ourſelves, + and the externals of patriotiſm, we took our leave of them. + </p> + <p> + I found, however, by this little converſation, that ſome of the + peaſantſ ſtill believe they are to have the lands of the + gentry divided amongſt them, according to a decree for that purpoſe. + The lady, whom they lamented, and whoſe eſtate they expected to + ſhare, was the Marquiſe de B____, who had really left the + country before the revolution, and had gone to drink ſome of the + German mineral waters, but not returning within the time afterwards preſcribed, + was declared an emigrant. By means of a friend, ſhe got an + application made to Chabot, (then in high popularity,) who for an hundred + thouſand livres procured a paſſport from the Executive + Council to enter France. Upon the faith of this ſhe ventured to + return, and was in conſequence, notwithſtanding her paſſport, + executed as an emigrant. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. D____, who is not yet well enough for ſuch an expedition, and + is, beſides, unaccuſtomed to our montures, remained at home. We + found ſhe had been much alarmed during our abſence, every houſe + in the village having been ſearched, by order of the diſtrict, + for corn, and two of the horſes taken to the next poſt to convey + the retinue of the Deputy we had ſeen in the morning. Every thing, + however, was tranquil on our arrival, and rejoicing it was no worſe, + though Mons. ____ ſeemed to be under great apprehenſion for his + horſes, we ſat down to what in France is called a late dinner. + </p> + <p> + Our hoſt's brother, who left the army at the general excluſion + of the Nobleſſe, and was in confinement at the Luxembourg until + after the death of Robeſpierre, is a profeſſed wit, writes + couplets to popular airs, and has dramatized one of Plutarch's Lives. + While we were at the deſert, he amuſed us with ſome of his + compoſitions in priſon, ſuch as an epigram on the + Guillotine, half a dozen calembours on the bad fare at the <i>Gamelle,</i> + [Meſs.] and an ode on the republican victory at Fleuruſ—the + laſt written under the hourly expectation of being ſent off with + the next <i>fournee</i> (batch) of pretended conſpirators, yet + breathing the moſt ardent attachment to the convention, and + terminated by a full ſounding line about tyrants and liberty.—This + may appear ſtrange, but the Poets were, for the moſt part, in + durance, and the Muſes muſt ſing, though in a cage: hope + and fear too both inſpire preſcriptively, and freedom might be + obtained or death averted by theſe effuſions of a devotion + ſo profound aſ not to be alienated by the ſufferings of + impriſonment, or the menace of deſtruction. Whole volumes of + little jeux d'eſprit, written under theſe circumſtances, + might be collected from the different priſons; and, I believe, it is + only in France that ſuch a collection could have been furniſhed.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Many of theſe poetical trifles have been publiſhed—ſome + written even the night before their authors were executed. There are + ſeveral of great poetical merit, and, when conſidered + relatively, are wonderful.—Among the various poets impriſoned, + was one we ſhould ſcarcely have expected—Rouget Delille, + author of the Marſeillois Hymn, who, while his muſe was + rouzing the citizens from one end of the republic to the other to arm + againſt tyrants, waſ himſelf languiſhing obſcurely + a victim to the worſt of all tyrannies. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Mr. D____, though he writes and ſpeaks French admirably, does not + love French verſes; and I found he could not depend on the government + of hiſ features, while a French poet was reciting his own, but kept + his eyeſ fixed on a dried apple, which he pared very curiouſly, + and when that waſ atchieved, betook himſelf to breaking + pralines, and extracting the almonds with equal application. We, however, + complimented Monſieur'ſ poetry; and when we had taken our + coffee, and the ſervants were entirely withdrawn, he read us ſome + trifles more agreeable to our principles, if not to our taſte, and in + which the Convention was treated with more ſincerity than complaiſance. + It ſeems the poet's zeal for the republic had vaniſhed at his + departure from the Luxembourg, and that his wrath againſt coaleſced + deſpots, and his paſſion for liberty, had entirely + evaporated. In the evening we played a party of reverſi with + republican cards,* and heard the children ſing "Mourrons pour la + Patrie." + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The four Kings are replaced by four Genii, the Queens by four ſorts + of liberty, and the Knaves by four deſcriptions of equality. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —After theſe civic amuſements, we cloſed our chairs + round the fire, conjecturing how long the republic might laſt, or + whether we ſhould all paſs another twelve months in priſon, + and, agreeing that both our fate and that of the republic were very + precarious, adjourned to reſt. + </p> + <p> + While I was undreſſing, I obſerved Angelique looked + extremely diſcontented, and on my enquiring what was the matter, + ſhe anſwered, <i>"C'eſt que je m'ennuie beaucoup ici,"</i> + ["I am quite tired of thiſ place."] "Mademoiſelle," (for no + ſtate or calling is here exempt from thiſ polite ſenſation.) + "And why, pray?"—<i>"Ah quelle triſte ſociete, tout le + monde eſt d'un patriotiſme inſoutenable, la maiſon eſt + remplie d'imageſ republicaines, des Marat, des Voltaire, des + Pelletier, que ſais-moi? et voila juſqu'au garcon de l'ecurie + qui me traite de citoyenne."</i> ["Oh, they are a ſad ſet—every + body is ſo inſufferably patriotic. The houſe is full from + top to bottom of republican images, Marats, and Voltaires, and Pelletiers, + and I don't know who—and I am called Citizen even by the ſtable + boy."] I did not think it right to ſatiſfy her as to the real + principles of our friends, and went to bed ruminating on the improvementſ + which the revolution muſt have occaſioned in the art of diſſimulation. + Terror has drilled people of the moſt oppoſite ſentiments + into ſuch an uniformity of manner and expreſſion, that an + ariſtocrat who is ruined and perſecuted by the government is not + diſtinguiſhable from the Jacobin who has made his fortune under + it. + </p> + <p> + In the morning Angelique's countenance was brightened, and I found ſhe + had ſlept in the ſame room with Madame's <i>femme de chambre,</i> + when an explanation of their political creeds had taken place, ſo + that ſhe now aſſured me Mad. Auguſtine was <i>"fort + honnete dans le fond,"</i> [A very good girl at heart.] though ſhe + was obliged to affect republicaniſm.—"All the world's a ſtage," + ſays our great dramatic moraliſt. France is certainly ſo at + preſent, and we are not only neceſſitated to act a part, + but a ſorry one too; for we have no choice but to exhibit in farce, + or ſuffer in tragedy.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link4_4_37" id="link4_4_37"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + December 27, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + I took the opportunity of my being here to go about four leagues farther + to ſee an old convent acquaintance lately come to this part of the + country, and whom I have not met ſince I was at Orleans in 1789. + </p> + <p> + The time has been when I ſhould have thought ſuch a hiſtory + as thiſ lady's a romance, but tales of woe are now become familiar to + us, and, if they create ſympathy, they no longer excite ſurprize, + and we hear of them as the natural effects of the revolution. + </p> + <p> + Madame de St. E__m__d is the daughter of a gentleman whoſe fortune waſ + inadequate both to his rank and manner of living, and he gladly embraced + the offer of Monſieur de St. E__m__d to marry her at ſixteen, + and to relinquiſh the fortune allotted her to her two younger ſiſters. + Monſieur de St. E__m__d, being a diſſipated man, ſoon + grew weary of any ſort of domeſtic life, and placing his wife + with her father, in leſs than a year after their marriage departed + for Italy.—Madame de St. E__m__d, thuſ left in a ſituation + both delicate and dangerous for a young and pretty woman, became + unfortunately attached to a gentleman who was her diſtant relation: + yet, far from adopting the immoral principles not unjuſtly aſcribed + to your country, ſhe conducted herſelf with a prudence and reſerve, + which even in France made her an object of general reſpect. About + three years after her huſband's departure the revolution took place, + and not returning, he was of courſe put on the liſt of + emigrants. In 1792, when the law paſſed which ſanctioned + and facilitated divorces, her friends all earneſtly perſuaded + her to avail herſelf of it, but ſhe could not be prevailed upon + to conſider the ſtep as juſtifiable; for though Monſieur + de St. E__m__d neglected her, he had, in other reſpects, treated her + with generoſity and kindneſs. She, therefore, perſiſted + in her refuſal, and her lover, in deſpair, joined the republican + army. + </p> + <p> + At the general arreſt of the Nobleſſe, Madame de St. + E__m__d and her ſiſters were confined in the town where they reſided, + but their father was ſent to Paris; and a letter from one of his + female relations, who had emigrated, being found among his papers, he was + executed without being able to ſee or write to his children. Madame + de St. E__m__d's huſband had returned about the ſame time to + France, in the diſguiſe of a poſt-boy, was diſcovered, + and ſhared the ſame fate. Theſe events reached her love, + ſtill at the army, but it was impoſſible for him to quit + his poſt, and in a few days after, being mortally wounded, he died,* + recommending Eugenie de St. E__m__d to the protection of his father.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This young man, who died gallantly fighting in the cauſe of the + republic, was no republican: but this does not render the murder of his + father, a deaf [There were people both deaf and dumb in the priſons + as conſpirators.] and inoffenſive man, leſs abominable.—The + caſe of General Moreau's father, though ſomewhat ſimilar, + is yet more characteriſtic of the revolution. Mons. Moreau was perſuaded, + by a man who had ſome intereſt in the buſineſs, to + pay a debt which he owed an emigrant, to an individual, inſtead of + paying it, as the law directed, to the uſe of the republic. The + ſame man afterwardſ denounced him, and he was thrown into priſon. + At nine o'clock on the night preceding his trial, his act of accuſation + was brought him, and before he had time to ſketch out a few lines + for hiſ defence, the light by which he wrote was taken away. In the + morning he was tried, the man who had informed againſt him ſitting + as one of his judges, and he was condemned and executed the very day on + which his ſon took the Fort de l'Ecluſe!—Mons. Moreau + had four ſons, beſides the General in the army, and two + daughters, all left deſtitute by the confiſcation of his + property. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —A brother officer, who engaged to execute this commiſſion, + wrote immediately to the old man, to inform him of his loſs, and of + his ſon'ſ laſt requeſt. It was too late, the father + having been arreſted on ſuſpicion, and afterwards + guillotined, with many other perſons, for a pretended conſpiracy + in priſon, the very day on which his ſon had fallen in the + performance of an act of uncommon bravery. + </p> + <p> + Were I writing from imagination, I ſhould add, that Madame de St. + E__m__d had been unable to ſuſtain the ſhock of theſe + repeated calamities, and that her life or underſtanding had been the + ſacrifice. It were, indeed, happy for the ſufferer, if our days + were always terminated when they became embittered, or that we loſt + the ſenſe of ſorrow by its exceſs: but it is not + ſo—we continue to exiſt when we have loſt the deſire + of exiſtence, and to reaſon when feeling and reaſon conſtitute + our torments. Madame de St. E__m__d then lives, but lives in affliction; + and having collected the wreck of her perſonal property, which ſome + friends had concealed, ſhe left the part of France ſhe formerly + inhabited, and is now with an aunt in this neighbourhood, watching the + decay of her eldeſt ſiſter, and educating the youngeſt. + </p> + <p> + Clementine was conſumptive when they were firſt arreſted, + and vexation, with ill-treatment in the priſon, have ſo eſtabliſhed + her diſorder, that ſhe is now paſt relief. She is yet + ſcarcely eighteen, and one of the moſt lovely young women I ever + ſaw. Grief and ſickneſs have ravaged her features; but they + are ſtill ſo perfect, that fancy, aſſociating their paſt + bloom with their preſent languor, ſupplies perhaps as much to + the mind as is loſt by the eye. She ſuffers without complaining, + and mournſ without oſtentation; and hears her father ſpoken + of with ſuch ſolemn ſilent floods of tears, that ſhe + looks like the original of Dryden'ſ beautiful portrait of the weeping + Sigiſmunda. + </p> + <p> + The letter which condemned the father of theſe ladies, was not, it + ſeems, written to himſelf, but to a brother, lately dead, whoſe + executor he was, and of whoſe papers he thus became poſſeſſed. + On this ground their friends engaged them to petition the Aſſembly + for a reviſion of the ſentence, and the reſtoration of + their property, which was in conſequence forfeited. + </p> + <p> + The daily profeſſions of the Convention, in favour of juſtice + and humanity, and the return of the ſeventy-three impriſoned + Deputies, had ſoothed theſe poor young women with the hopes of + regaining their paternal inheritance, ſo iniquitouſly confiſcated. + A petition was, therefore, forwarded to Paris about a fortnight ago; and + the day before, the following decree was iſſued, which has + ſilenced their claims for ever: "La Convention Nationale declare + qu'elle n'admettra aucune demande en reviſion des jugemens criminels + portant confiſcation de biens rendus et executes pendant la + revolution."* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "The National Convention hereby declares that it will admit no + petitions for the reviſal of ſuch criminal ſentences, + attended with confiſcation of property, as have been paſſed + and executed ſince the revolution." Yet theſe revolutioniſts, + who would hear nothing of repairing their own injuſtice, had occaſionally + been annulling ſentences paſt half a century ago, and the more + recent one of the Chevalier La Barre. But their own executions and confiſcations + for an adherence to religion were to be held ſacred.—I ſhall + be excuſed for introducing here a few words reſpecting the + affair of La Barre, which has been a favourite topic with popular + writers of a certain deſcription. The ſeverity of the puniſhment + muſt, doubtleſs, be conſidered aſ diſgraceful + to thoſe who adviſed as well as to thoſe who ſanctioned + it: but we muſt not infer from hence that he merited no puniſhment + at all; and perhaps degradation, ſome ſcandalous and public + correction, with a few years ſolitary confinement, might have anſwered + every purpoſe intended. La Barre was a young etourdi, under twenty, + but of lively talents, which, unfortunately for him, had taken a very + perverſe turn. The miſdemeanour commonly imputed to him and + his aſſociates was, that they had mutilated a Chriſt + which ſtood on the Pont-neuf at Abbeville: but La Barre had accuſtomed + himſelf to take all opportunities of inſulting, with the moſt + wanton malignity, theſe pious repreſentations, and eſpecially + in the preſence of people, with whom his particular connections led + him to aſſociate, and whoſe profeſſion could + not allow them entirely to overlook ſuch affrontſ on what was + deemed an appendage to the eſtabliſhed religion of the + country. The people of Abbeville manifeſted their ſenſe + of the buſineſs when d'Etalonde, La Barre's intimate friend, + who had ſaved himſelf by flight, returned, after a long exile, + under favour of the revolution. He was received in the neighbourhood + with the moſt mortifying indifference. The decree of the Convention + too, by which the memory of thiſ imprudent young man was re-eſtabliſhed, + when promulgated, created about as much intereſt as any other law + which did not immediately affect the property or awaken the apprehenſions + of the hearers. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Madame de St. E__m__d told me her whole fortune was now reduced to a few + Louis, and about ſix or ſeven thouſand livres in diamonds; + that ſhe waſ unwilling to burden her aunt, who was not rich, and + intended to make ſome advantage of her muſical talents, which + are indeed conſiderable. But I could not, without anguiſh, hear + an elegant young woman, with a heart half broken, propoſe to get her + living by teaching muſic.—I know not that I ever paſſed + a more melancholy day. In the afternoon we walked up and down the path of + the village church-yard. The church was ſhut up, the roof in part + untiled, the windows were broken, and the wooden croſſeſ + that religion or tenderneſs had erected to commemorate the dead, + broken and ſcattered about. Two labourers, and a black-ſmith in + his working garb, came while we were there, and threw a ſort of + uncouth wooden coffin haſtily into a hole dug for the purpoſe, + which they then covered and left without farther ceremony. Yet this was + the body of a lady regretted by a large family, who were thus obliged to + conquer both their affection and their prejudices, and inter her according + to the republican mode.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The relations or friends of the dead were prohibited, under ſevere + penalties, from following their remains to the grave. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I thought, while we traverſed the walk, and beheld this ſcene, + that every thing about me bore the marks of the revolution. The melancholy + objectſ I held on my arm, and the feeble ſteps of Clementine, + whom we could ſcarcely ſupport, aided the impreſſion; + and I fear that, for the moment, I queſtioned the juſtice of + Heaven, in permitting ſuch a ſcourge to be let looſe upon + its works. + </p> + <p> + I quitted Madame de St. E__m__d this morning with reluctance, for we + ſhall not meet again till I am entirely at liberty. The village + municipality where ſhe now reſides, are quiet and civil, and her + miſfortunes make her fearful of attracting the notice of the people + in authority of a large place, ſo that ſhe cannot venture to + Amiens.—You muſt obſerve, that any perſon who has + ſuffered is an object of particular ſuſpicion, and that to + have had a father or a huſband executed, and to be reduced to + beggary, are titles to farther perſecution.—The politics of the + day are, it is true, ſomething leſs ferocious than they were: + but confidence is not to be reſtored by an eſſay in the + Orateur du Peuple,* or an equivocal harangue from the tribune; and I + perceive every where, that thoſe who have been moſt injured, are + moſt timid. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * <i>"L'Orateur du Peuple,"</i> was a periodical paper publiſhed by + Freron, many numbers of which were written with great ſpirit.— + Freron was at this time ſuppoſed to have become a royaliſt, + and hiſ paper, which was comparatively favourable to the ariſtocrats, + waſ read with great eagerneſs. The following extract from the + regiſters of one of the popular commiſſions will prove, + that the fears of thoſe who had already ſuffered by the + revolution were well founded: "A. Sourdeville, and A. N. E. Sourdeville, + ſiſters of an emigrant Noble, daughters of a Count, ariſtocrats, + and having had their father and brother guillotined. "M. J. Sourdeville, + mother of an emigrant, an ariſtocrat, and her huſband and + ſon having been guillotined. "Jean Marie Defille—very ſuſpiciouſ—a + partizan of the Abbe Arnoud and La Fayette, has had a brother + guillotined, and always ſhewn himſelf indifferent about the + public welfare." The commiſſions declare that the above are + condemned to baniſhment. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I did not reach this place till after the family had dined, and taking my + ſoup and a diſh of coffee, have eſcaped, under pretext of + the headache, to my own room. I left our poet far gone in a claſſical + deſcription of a ſort of Roman dreſſes, the drawings + of which he had ſeen exhibited at the Lyceum, as models of an + intended national equipment for the French citizens of both ſexes; + and my viſit to Madame de St. E__m__d had incapacitated me for diſcuſſing + revolutionary draperies. + </p> + <p> + In England, this is the ſeaſon of feſtivity to the little, + and beneficence in the great; but here, the ſterile genius of atheiſm + haſ ſuppreſſed the ſounds of mirth, and cloſed + the hands of charity—no ſeaſon is conſecrated either + to the one or the other; and the once-varied year is but an uniform round + of gloom and ſelfiſhneſs. The philoſopher may treat + with contempt the notion of periodical benevolence, and aſſert + that we ſhould not wait to be reminded by religion or the calendar, + in order to contribute to the relief of our fellow creatures: yet there + are people who are influenced by cuſtom and duty, that are not always + awake to compaſſion; and indolence or avarice may yield a too + ready obedience to prohibitions which favour both. The poor are certainly + no gainers by the ſubſtitution of philoſophy for religion; + and many of thoſe who are forbidden to celebrate Chriſtmas or Eaſter + by a maſs, will forget to do it by a donation. For my own part, I + think it an advantage that any period of the year is more particularly + ſignalized by charity; and I rejoice when I hear of the annual gifts + of meat or firing of ſuch, or ſuch a great perſonage—and + I never enquire whether they might ſtill continue their munificence + if Chriſtianity were aboliſhed.—Adieu. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + A RESIDENCE IN FRANCE,<br /> <br /> DURING THE YEARS<br /> <br /> 1792, 1793, + 1794, and 1795 + </h1> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + DESCRIBED IN A SERIES OF LETTERS<br /> FROM AN ENGLISH LADY;<br /> With + General And Incidental Remarkſ<br /> On The French Character And + Manners. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h4> + Prepared for the Preſſ<br /> By John Gifford, Eſq.<br /> + <br /> Second Edition.<br /> <br /> _Plus je vis l'Etranger plus j'aimai ma + Patrie._<br /> --Du Belloy.<br /> <br /> London: Printed for T. N. Longman, + Paternoſter Row. 1797. + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + 1795 + </h1> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contentſ + </h2> + <table> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link5_4_1">Amiens,</a> + </td> + <td> + Jan. 23, 1795. + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link5_4_2">Amiens,</a> + </td> + <td> + Jan. 30, 1795. + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link5_4_3">Beauvais,</a> + </td> + <td> + March 13, 1795. + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link5_4_4">Amiens,</a> + </td> + <td> + May 9, 1795. + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link5_4_5">Amiens,</a> + </td> + <td> + May 26, 1795. + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link5_4_6">Paris,</a> + </td> + <td> + June 3, 1795. + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link5_4_7">Paris,</a> + </td> + <td> + June 6, 1795. + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link5_4_8">Paris,</a> + </td> + <td> + June 8, 1795. + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link5_4_9">Paris,</a> + </td> + <td> + June 15, 1795. + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link5_4_10">Amiens,</a> + </td> + <td> + June 18, 1795. + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link5_4_11">Havre,</a> + </td> + <td> + June 22, 1795. + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link5_4_1" id="link5_4_1"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, Jan. 23, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + Nothing proves more that the French republican government was originally + founded on principles of deſpotiſm and injuſtice, than the + weakneſs and anarchy which ſeem to accompany every deviation + from theſe principles. It is ſtrong to deſtroy and weak to + protect: becauſe, deriving itſ ſupport from the power of + the bad and the ſubmiſſion of the timid, it iſ deſerted + or oppoſed by the former when it ceaſes to plunder or oppreſſ— + while the fears and habits of the latter ſtill prevail, and render + them as unwilling to defend a better ſyſtem as they have been to + reſiſt the worſt poſſible. + </p> + <p> + The reforms that have taken place ſince the death of Robeſpierre, + though not ſufficient for the demands of juſtice, are yet enough + to relax the ſtrength of the government; and the Jacobins, though + excluded from authority, yet influence by the turbulence of their chiefs + in the Convention, and the recollection of their paſt tyranny—againſt + the return of which the fluctuating politics of the Aſſembly + offer no ſecurity. The Committees of Public Welfare and General + Safety (whoſe members were intended, according to the original inſtitution, + to be removed monthly) were, under Robeſpierre, perpetual; and the + union they preſerved in certain points, however unfavourable to + liberty, gave a vigour to the government, of which from its conformation + it ſhould appear to have been incapable. It is now diſcovered, + that an undefined power, not ſubject to the reſtriction of fixed + laws, cannot remain long in the ſame hands without producing tyranny. + A fourth part of the Members of theſe Committees are, therefore, now + changed every month; but thiſ regulation, more advantageous to the + Convention than the people, keepſ alive animoſities, ſtimulates + ambition, and retains the country in anxiety and ſuſpenſe; + for no one can gueſs this month what ſyſtem may be adopted + the next—and the admiſſion of two or three new Jacobin + memberſ would be ſufficient to excite an univerſal alarm. + </p> + <p> + We watch theſe renewals with a ſolicitude inconceivable to thoſe + who ſtudy politics as they do a new opera, and have nothing to + apprehend from the perſonal characters of Miniſters; and our + hopes and fears vary according as the members elected are Moderates, + Doubtfuls, or decided Mountaineers.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * For inſtance, Carnot, whoſe talents in the military + department obliged the Convention (even if they had not been ſo diſpoſed) + to forget his compliances with Robeſpierre, his friendſhip for + Barrere and Collot, and his eulogiums on Carrier. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —This mixture of principles, which intrigue, intimidation, or + expediency, occaſions in the Committees, is felt daily; and if the + languor and verſatility of the government be not more apparent, it iſ + that habits of ſubmiſſion ſtill continue, and that the + force of terror operates in the branches, though the main ſpring be + relaxed. Were armieſ to be raiſed, or means deviſed to pay + them now, it could not be done; though, being once put in motion, they + continue to act, and the requiſitions ſtill in a certain degree + ſupply them. + </p> + <p> + The Convention, while they have loſt much of their real power, have + alſo become more externally contemptible than ever. When they were + overawed by the impoſing tone of their Committees, they were + tolerably decent; but as this reſtraint has worn off, the ſcandalous + tumult of their debateſ increaſes, and they exhibit whatever you + can imagine of an aſſemblage of men, moſt of whom are + probably unacquainted with thoſe ſalutary formſ which + correct the paſſions, and ſoften the intercourſe of + poliſhed ſociety. They queſtion each other's veracity with + a frankneſs truly democratic, and come fraternally to "Touchſtone's + ſeventh remove" at once, without paſſing any of the + intermediate progreſſions. It was but lately that one Gaſton + advanced with a ſtick in full aſſembly to threſh + Legendre; and Cambon and Duhem are ſometimes obliged to be holden by + the arms and legs, to prevent their falling on Tallien and Freron. I deſcribed + ſcenes of this nature to you at the opening of the Convention; but I + aſſure you, the ſilent meditations of the members under + Robeſpierre have extremely improved them in that ſpecies of + eloquence, which is not ſuſceptible of tranſlation or tranſcription. + We may conclude, that theſe licences are inherent to a perfect + democracy; for the greater the number of repreſentatives, and the + nearer they approach to the maſs of the people, the leſs they + will be influenced by ariſtocratic ceremonials. We have, however, no + intereſt in diſputing the right of the Convention to uſe + violence and laviſh abuſe amongſt themſelves; for, + perhaps, theſe ſcenes form the only part of their journals which + does not record or applaud ſome real miſchief. + </p> + <p> + The French, who are obliged to celebrate ſo many aeras of revolution, + who have demoliſhed Baſtilles and deſtroyed tyrants, ſeem + at this moment to be in a political infancy, ſtruggling againſt + deſpotiſm, and emerging from ignorance and barbarity. A perſon + unacquainted with the promoterſ and objects of the revolution, might + be apt to enquire for what it had been undertaken, or what had been gained + by it, when all the manufactured eloquence of Tallien is vainly exerted to + obtain ſome limitation of arbitrary impriſonment—when + Freron harangues with equal labour and aſ little ſucceſs in + behalf of the liberty of the preſs; while Gregoire pleads for freedom + of worſhip, Echaſſeriaux for that of commerce, and all the + ſections of Paris for that of election.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It is to be obſerved, that in theſe orations all the decreeſ + paſſed by the Convention for the deſtruction of commerce + and religion, are aſcribed to the influence of Mr. Pitt.—"La + libertedeſ cultes exiſte en Turquie, elle n'exiſte point + en France. Le peuple y eſt prive d'un droit donc on jouit dans les + etats deſpotiqueſ memes, ſous les regences de Maroc et + d'Algers. Si cet etat de choſes doit perſeverer, ne parlons + plus de l'inquiſition, nous en avons perdu le droit, car la liberte + des cultes n'eſt que dans leſ decrets, et la perſecution + tiraille toute la France. "Cette impreſſion intolerante aurait + elle ete (ſuggeree) par le cabinet de St. James?" "In Turkey the + liberty of worſhip is admitted, though it does not exiſt in + France. Here the people are deprived of a right common to the moſt + deſpotic governments, not even excepting thoſe of Algierſ + and Morocco.—If things are to continue in this ſtate, let us + ſay no more about the Inquiſition, we have no right, for + religious liberty is to be found only in our decrees, while, in truth, + the whole country is expoſed to perſecution. "May not theſe + intolerant notions have been ſuggeſted by the Cabinet of St. + James?" Gregoire's Report on the Liberty of Worſhip. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Thus, after ſo many years of ſuffering, and ſuch a + waſte of whatever iſ moſt valuable, the civil, religious, + and political privileges of thiſ country depend on a vote of the + Convention. + </p> + <p> + The ſpeech of Gregoire, which tended to reſtore the Catholic worſhip, + waſ very ill received by his colleagues, but every where elſe it + is read with avidity and applauſe; for, excluſive of its merit + as a compoſition, the ſubject is of general intereſt, and + there are few who do not wiſh to have the preſent puerile + imitations of Paganiſm replaced by Chriſtianity. The Aſſembly + liſtened to this tolerating oration with impatience, paſſed + to the order of the day, and called loudly for Decades, with celebrations + in honour of "the liberty of the world, poſterity, ſtoiciſm, + the republic, and the hatred of tyrantſ!" But the people, who underſtand + nothing of this new worſhip, languiſh after the ſaints of + their anceſtors, and think St. Francois d'Aſſiſe, or + St. Francois de Sales, at leaſt as likely to afford them ſpiritual + conſolation, as Carmagnoles, political homilies, or paſteboard + goddeſſes of liberty. + </p> + <p> + The failure of Gregoire is far from operating as a diſcouragement to + thiſ mode of thinking; for ſuch has been the intolerance of the + laſt year, that his having even ventured to ſuggeſt a + declaration in favour of free worſhip, is deemed a ſort of + triumph to the pious which has revived their hopes. Nothing is talked of + but the reſtoration of churches, and reinſtalment of prieſtſ—the + ſhops are already open on the Decade, and the decrees of the + Convention, which make a principal part of the republican ſervice, + are now read only to a few idle children or bare walls. [When the bell + toll'd on the Decade, the people uſed to ſay it waſ for La + meſſe du Diable—The Devil's maſs.]—My maid told + me this morning, as a ſecret of too much importance for her to + retain, that ſhe had the promiſe of being introduced to a good + prieſt, (un bon pretre, for ſo the people entitle thoſe who + have never conformed,) to receive her confeſſion at Eaſter; + and the fetes of the new calendar are now jeſted on publicly with + very little reverence. + </p> + <p> + The Convention have very lately decreed themſelves an increaſe + of pay, from eighteen to thirty-ſix livres. This, according to the + comparative value of aſſignats, is very trifling: but the + people, who have ſo long been flattered with the ideas of partition + and equality, and are now ſtarving, conſider it as a great deal, + and much diſcontent is excited, which however evaporates, as uſual, + in the national talent for bon mots. The augmentation, though an object of + popular jealouſy, is moſt likely valued by the leading members + only as it procures them an oſtenſible means of living; for all + who have been on miſſions, or had any ſhare in the + government, have, like Falſtaff, "hid their honour in their neceſſities," + and have now reſources they deſire to profit by, but cannot + decently avow. + </p> + <p> + The Jacobin party have in general oppoſed this additional eighteen + livres, with the hope of caſting an odium on their adverſaries; + but the people, though they murmur, ſtill prefer the Moderates, even + at the expence of paying the difference. The policy of ſome Deputies + who have acquired too much, or the malice of others who have acquired + nothing, haſ frequently propoſed, that every member of the + Convention ſhould publiſh an account of his fortune before and + ſince the revolution. An enthuſiaſtic and acclamatory + decree of aſſent has always inſued; but ſomehow + prudence has hitherto cooled this warmth before the ſubſequent + debate, and the reſolution has never yet been carried into effect. + </p> + <p> + The crimes of Maignet, though they appear to occaſion but little + regret in his colleagues, have been the ſource of conſiderable + embarraſſment to them. When he was on miſſion in the + department of Vaucluſe, beſideſ numberleſs other + enormities, he cauſed the whole town of Bedouin to be burnt, a part + of its inhabitants to be guillotined, and the reſt diſperſed, + becauſe the tree of liberty was cut down one dark night, while they + were aſleep.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Maignet's order for the burning of Bedouin begins thus: "Liberte, + egalite, au nom du peuple Francaiſ!" He then ſtates the + offence of the inhabitants in ſuffering the tree of liberty to be + cut down, inſtitutes a commiſſion for trying them, and + proceedſ—"It is hereby ordered, that as ſoon as the + principal criminals are executed, the national agent ſhall notify + to the remaining inhabitants not confined, that they are enjoined to + evacuate their dwellings, and take out their effects in twenty-four + hours; at the expiration of which he is to commit the town to the + flames, and leave no veſtige of a building ſtanding. Farther, + it is forbidden to erect any building on the ſpot in future, or to + cultivate the ſoil." "Done at Avignon, the 17th Floreal." The + decree of the Convention to the ſame effect paſſed about + the 1ſt of Floreal. Merlin de Douai, (Miniſter of Juſtice + in 1796,) Legendre, and Bourdon de l'Oiſe, were the zealous + defenders of Maignet on this occaſion. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Since the Aſſembly have thought it expedient to diſavow + theſe revolutionary meaſures, the conduct of Maignet has been + denounced, and the accuſations againſt him ſent to a commiſſion + to be examined. For a long time no report was made, till the impatience of + Rovere, who iſ Maignet's perſonal enemy, rendered a publication + of the reſult diſpenſable. They declared they found no room + for cenſure or farther proceedings. This deciſion was at firſt + ſtrongly reprobated by the Moderates; but as it was proved, in the + courſe of the debate, that Maignet was authorized, by an expreſs + decree of the Convention, to burn Bedouin, and guillotine its inhabitants, + all parties ſoon agreed to conſign the whole to oblivion. + </p> + <p> + Our clothes, &c. are at length entirely releaſed from ſequeſtration, + and the ſeals taken off. We are indebted for this act of juſtice + to the intrigues of Tallien, whoſe belle Eſpagnole is conſiderably + intereſted. Tallien's good fortune is ſo much envied, that + ſome of the members were little enough to move, that the property of + the Spaniſh Bank of St. Charles (in which Madame T——'s is + included) ſhould be excepted from the decree in favour of foreigners. + The Convention were weak enough to accede; but the exception will, doubtleſs, + be over-ruled. + </p> + <p> + The weather is ſevere beyond what it has been in my remembrance. The + thermometer was this morning at fourteen and a half. It is, beſides, + potentially cold, and every particle of air is like a dart.—I ſuppoſe + you contrive to keep yourſelves warm in England, though it is not poſſible + to do ſo here. The houſes are neither furniſhed nor put + together for the climate, and we are fanned by theſe congealing + winds, aſ though the apertures which admit them were deſigned to + alleviate the ardours of an Italian ſun. + </p> + <p> + The ſatin hangings of my room, framed on canvas, wave with the galeſ + lodged behind them every ſecond. A pair of "ſilver cupids, + nicely poiſed on their brands," ſupport a wood fire, which it is + an occupation to keep from extinguiſhing; and all the illuſion + of a gay orange-grove pourtrayed on the tapeſtry at my feet, is diſſipated + by a villainous chaſm of about half an inch between the floor and the + ſkirting-boards. Then we have ſo many correſponding + windows, ſupernumerary doors, "and paſſages that lead to + nothing," that all our Engliſh ingenuity in comfortable arrangement iſ + baffled.—When the cold firſt became ſo inſupportable, + we attempted to live entirely in the eating-room, which is warmed by a + poele, or German ſtove, but the kind of heat it emits is ſo + depreſſive and relaxing to thoſe who are not inured to it, + that we are again returned to our large chimney and wood-fire.—The + French depend more on the warmth of their clothing, than the comfort of + their houſes. They are all wadded and furred as though they were + going on a ſledge party, and the men, in thiſ reſpect, are + more delicate than the ladies: but whether it be the conſequence of + theſe precautions, or from any other cauſe, I obſerve they + are, in general, without excepting even the natives of the Southern + provinces, leſs ſenſible of cold than the Engliſh. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5_4_2" id="link5_4_2"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, Jan. 30, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + Delacroix, author of <i>"Les Conſtitutions Politiques de l'Europe,"</i> + [The Political Conſtitutions of Europe.] has lately publiſhed a + work much read, and which has excited the diſpleaſure of the Aſſembly + ſo highly, that the writer, by way of preliminary criticiſm, has + been arreſted. The book is intitled <i>"Le Spectateur Francais + pendant la Revolution."</i> [The French Spectator during the Revolution.] + It contains many truths, and ſome ſpeculations very unfavourable + both to republicaniſm and itſ founders. It ventures to doubt the + free acceptance of the democratic conſtitution, propoſes + indirectly the reſtoration of the monarchy, and dilates with great + compoſure on a plan for tranſporting to America all the Deputies + who voted for the King's death. The popularity of the work, ſtill + more than its principles, has contributed to exaſperate the Aſſembly; + and ſerious apprehenſions are entertained for the fate of + Delacroix, who is ordered for trial to the Revolutionary Tribunal. + </p> + <p> + It would aſtoniſh a ſuperficial obſerver to ſee + with what avidity all forbidden doctrines are read. Under the Church and + Monarchy, a deiſtical or republican author might ſometimes + acquire proſelytes, or become the favourite amuſement of faſhionable + or literary people; but the circulation of ſuch works could be only + partial, and amongſt a particular claſs of readers: whereas the + treaſon of the day, which compriſeſ whatever favours Kings + or religion, is underſtood by the meaneſt individual, and the + temptation to theſe prohibited enjoyments is aſſiſted + both by affection and prejudice.—An almanack, with a pleaſantry + on the Convention, or a couplet in behalf of royaliſm, is handed myſteriouſly + through half a town, and a <i>brochure</i> [A pamphlet.] of higher pretenſions, + though on the ſame principles, is the very bonne bouche of our + political <i>gourmandſ</i>. [Gluttons.] + </p> + <p> + There is, in fact, no liberty of the preſs. It is permitted to write + againſt Barrere or the Jacobins, becauſe they are no longer in + power; but a ſingle word of diſreſpect towards the + Convention is more certain of being followed by a Lettre de Cachet, than a + volume of ſatire on any of Louis the Fourteenth's miniſters + would have been formerly. The only period in which a real freedom of the + preſs has exiſted in France were thoſe years of the late + King's reign immediately preceding the revolution; and either through the + contempt, ſupineneſs, or worſe motives, of thoſe who + ſhould have checked it, it exiſted in too great a degree: ſo + that deiſts and republicans were permitted to corrupt the people, and + undermine the government without reſtraint.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It is well known that Calonne encouraged libels on the Queen, to + obtain credit for his zeal in ſuppreſſing them; and the + culpable vanity of Necker made made him but too willing to raiſe + his own reputation on the wreck of that of an unſuſpecting and + unfortunate Monarch. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + After the fourteenth of July 1789, political literature became more ſubject + to mobs and the lanterne, than ever it had been to Miniſters and Baſtilles; + and at the tenth of Auguſt 1792, every veſtige of the liberty of + the preſs diſappeared.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "What impartial man among us muſt not be forced to acknowledge, + that ſince the revolution it has become dangerous for any one, I + will not ſay to attack the government, but to emit opinions + contrary to thoſe which the government has adopted." Diſcours + de Jean Bon St. Andre ſur la Liberte de la Preſſe, 30th + April, 1795. A law was paſſed on the firſt of May, 1795, + a ſhort time after thiſ letter was written, making it tranſportation + to vilify the National Repreſentation, either by words or writing; + and if the offence were committed publicly, or among a certain number of + people, it became capital. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Under the Briſſotins it was fatal to write, and hazardous + to read, any work which tended to exculpate the King, or to cenſure + his deſpotiſm, and the maſſacres that accompanied and + followed it.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * I appeal for the confirmation of this to every perſon who reſided + in France at that period. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —During the time of Robeſpierre the ſame ſyſtem + was only tranſmitted to other hands, and would ſtill prevail + under the Moderates, if their tyranny were not circumſcribed by their + weakneſs. It was ſome time before I ventured to receive Freron's + Orateur du Peuple by the poſt. Even pamphlets written with the greateſt + caution are not to be procured without difficulty in the country; and this + is not to be wondered at when we recollect how many people have loſt + their lives through a ſubſcription to a newſpaper, or the + poſſeſſion of ſome work, which, when they purchaſed + it, was not interdicted. + </p> + <p> + As the government has lately aſſumed a more civilized caſt, + it waſ expected that the anniverſary of the King's death would + not have been celebrated. The Convention, however, determined otherwiſe; + and their muſical band was ordered to attend as uſual on occaſions + of feſtivity. The leader of the band had perhaps ſenſe and + decency enough to ſuppoſe, that if ſuch an event could poſſibly + be juſtified, it never could be a ſubject of rejoicing, and + therefore made choice of melodies rather tender than gay. But this Lydian + mood, far from having the mollifying effect attributed to it by + Scriblerus, threw ſeveral Deputies into a rage; and the conductor was + reprimanded for daring to inſult the ears of the legiſlature + with ſtrains which ſeemed to lament the tyrant. The affrighted + muſician begged to be heard in his defence; and declaring he only + meant, by the adoption of theſe gentle airs, to expreſs the + tranquillity and happineſs enjoyed under the republican conſtitution, + ſtruck off Ca Ira. + </p> + <p> + When the ceremony was over, one Brival propoſed, that the young King + ſhould be put to death; obſerving that inſtead of the many + uſeleſs crimeſ which had been committed, this ought to have + had the preference. The motion was not ſeconded; but the Convention, + in order to defeat the purpoſes of the royaliſts, who, they + ſay, increaſe in number, have ordered the Committees to conſider + of ſome way of ſending this poor child out of the country. + </p> + <p> + When I reflect on the event which theſe men have ſo indecently + commemorated, and the horrors which ſucceeded it, I feel ſomething + more than a deteſtation for republicaniſm. The undefined notions + of liberty imbibed from poets and hiſtorians, fade away—my + reverence for names long conſecrated in our annals abateſ—and + the ſole object of my political attachment is the Engliſh conſtitution, + as tried by time and undeformed by the experiments of viſionaries and + impoſtors. I begin to doubt either the ſenſe or honeſty + of moſt of thoſe men who are celebrated as the promoters of + changes of government which have chiefly been adopted rather with a view + to indulge a favourite theory, than to relieve a people from any + acknowledged oppreſſion. A wiſe or good man would diſtruſt + hiſ judgment on a ſubject ſo momentous, and perhaps the beſt + of ſuch reformers were but enthuſiaſts. Shafteſbury + calls enthuſiaſm an honeſt paſſion; yet we have + ſeen it is a very dangerous one: and we may perhapſ learn, from + the example of France, not to venerate principles which we do not admire + in practice.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * I do not imply that the French Revolution was the work of enthuſiaſts, + but that the enthuſiaſm of Rouſſeau produced a horde + of Briſſots, Marats, Robeſpierres, &c. who ſpeculated + on the affectation of it. The Abbe Sieyes, whoſe views were + directed to a change of Monarchs, not a diſſolution of the + monarchy, and who in promoting a revolution did not mean to found a + republic, haſ ventured to doubt both the political genius of Rouſſeau, + and the honeſty of his ſectaries. Theſe truths from the + Abbe are not the leſs ſo for our knowing they would not be + avowed if it anſwered hiſ purpoſe to conceal them.—<i>"Helaſ! + un ecrivain juſtement celebre qui ſeroit mort de douleur + ſ'il avoit connu ſes diſciples; un philoſophe auſſi + parfait de ſentiment que foible de vues, n'a-t-il pas dans ſeſ + pages eloquentes, riches en detail, pauvre au fond, confondu lui-meme + les principes de l'art ſocial avec les commencemens de la ſociete + humaine? Que dire ſi l'on voyait dans un autre genre de + mechaniques, entreprendre le radoub ou la conſtruction d'un vaiſſeau + de ligne avec la ſeule theorie, avec les ſeules reſources + deſ Sauvages dans la conſtruction de leurs Pirogueſ!"</i>—"Alaſ! + has not a juſtly-celebrated writer, who would have died with grief, + could he have known what diſciples he was deſtined to have;—a + philoſopher aſ perfect in ſentiment as feeble in his + views,—confounded, in hiſ eloquent pageſ—pages + which are as rich in matter as poor in ſubſtance—the + principles of the ſocial ſyſtem with the commencement of + human ſociety? What ſhould we ſay to a mechanic of a + different deſcription, who ſhould undertake the repair or conſtruction + of a ſhip of the line, without any practical knowledge of the art, + on mere theory, and with no other reſources than thoſe which + the ſavage employs in the conſtruction of his canoe?" Notices + ſur la Vie de Sieyes. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + What had France, already poſſeſſed of a conſtitution + capable of rendering her proſperous and happy, to do with the + adoration of Rouſſeau'ſ ſpeculative ſyſtems? + Or why are the Engliſh encouraged in a traditional reſpect for + the manes of republicans, whom, if living, we might not improbably conſider + as factious and turbulent fanatics?* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The prejudices of my countrymen on this ſubject are reſpectable, + and I know I ſhall be deemed guilty of a ſpecies of political + ſacrilege. I attack not the tombs of the dead, but the want of conſideration + for the living; and let not thoſe who admire republican principles + in their cloſets, think themſelves competent to cenſure + the opinions of one who has been watching their effectſ amidſt + the diſaſters of a revolution. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Our ſlumbers have for ſome time been patriotically diſturbed + by the danger of Holland; and the taking of the Maeſtricht nearly cauſed + me a jaundice: but the French have taught us philoſophy—and + their conqueſtſ appear to afford them ſo little pleaſure, + that we ourſelves hear of them with leſs pain. The Convention + were indeed, at firſt, greatly elated by the diſpatches from Amſterdam, + and imagined they were on the eve of dictating to all Europe: the churches + were ordered to toll their only bell, and the gaſconades of the + bulletin were uncommonly pompouſ—but the novelty of the event + has now ſubſided, and the conqueſt of Holland excites leſs + intereſt than the thaw. Public ſpirit is abſorbed by + private neceſſities or afflictions; people who cannot procure + bread or firing, even though they have money to purchaſe it, are + little gratified by reading that a pair of their Deputies lodged in the + Stadtholder'ſ palace; and the triumphs of the republic offer no conſolation + to the families which it has pillaged or diſmembered. + </p> + <p> + The mind, narrowed and occupied by the little cares of hunting out the + neceſſaries of life, and evading the reſtraints of a + jealous government, is not ſuſceptible of that lively concern in + diſtant and general eventſ which is the effect of eaſe and + ſecurity; and all the recent victorieſ have not been able to + ſooth the diſcontents of the Pariſians, who are obliged to + ſhiver whole hours at the door of a baker, to buy, at an extravagant + price, a trifling portion of bread. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "Chacun ſe concentre aujourdhui dans ſa famille et calcule + ſeſ reſources."—"The attention of every one now is + confined to hiſ family, and to the calculation of his reſources." + Diſcours de Lindet. "Accable du ſoin d'etre, et du travail de + vivre."—"Overwhelmed with the care of exiſtence, and the + labour of living." St. Lambert + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The impreſſion of theſe ſucceſſes is, + I am perſuaded, alſo diminiſhed by conſiderations to + which the philoſopher of the day would allow no influence; yet by + their aſſimilation with the Deputies and Generals whoſe + names are ſo obſcure as to eſcape the memory, they ceaſe + to inſpire that mixed ſentiment which is the reſult of + national pride and perſonal affection. The name of a General or an + Admiral ſerves as the epitome of an hiſtorical relation, and + ſuffices to recall all his glories, and all his ſervices; but + this ſort of enthuſiaſm is entirely repelled by an account + that the citizens Gillet and Jourbert, two repreſentatives heard of + almoſt for the firſt time, have taken poſſeſſion + of Amſterdam. + </p> + <p> + I enquired of a man who was ſawing wood for us this morning, what the + bells clattered for laſt night. <i>"L'on m'a dit</i> (anſwered + he) <i>que c'eſt pour quelque ville que quelque general de la + republique a priſe. Ah! ca nous avancera beaucoup; la paix et du + pain, je crois, ſera mieux notre affaire que toutes ces conquetes."</i> + ["They ſay its for ſome town or other, that ſome general or + other has taken.—Ah! we ſhall get a vaſt deal by that—a + peace and bread, I think, would anſwer our purpoſe better than + all theſe victories."] I told him he ought to ſpeak with more + caution. <i>"Mourir pour mourir,</i> [One death's as good as another.] (ſayſ + he, half gaily,) one may as well die by the Guillotine as be ſtarved. + My family have had no bread theſe two days, and becauſe I went + to a neighbouring village to buy a little corn, the peaſants, who are + jealouſ that the town's people already get too much of the farmers, + beat me ſo that I am ſcarce able to work."*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * <i>"L'interet et la criminelle avarice ont fomente et entretenu deſ + germes de diviſion entre les citoyens des villes et ceux deſ + campagnes, entre les cultivateurs, les artiſans et les commercans, + entre les citoyens des departements et diſtricts, et meme deſ + communes voiſines. On a voulu ſ'iſoler de toutes parts." + Diſcours de Lindet.</i> "Self-intereſt and a criminal avarice + have fomented and kept alive the ſeeds of diviſion between the + inhabitants of the towns and thoſe of the country, between the + farmer, the mechanic, and the trader— the like has happened + between adjoining towns and diſtrictſ—an univerſal + ſelfiſhneſs, in ſhort, has prevailed." Lindet's + Speech. This picture, drawn by a Jacobin Deputy, is not flattering to + republican fraternization. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —It is true, the wants of the lower claſſes are + afflicting. The whole town has, for ſome weeks, been reduced to a + nominal half pound of bread a day for each perſon—I ſay + nominal, for it has repeatedly happened, that none has been diſtributed + for three days together, and the quantity diminiſhed to four ounces; + whereas the poor, who are uſed to eat little elſe, conſume + each, in ordinary times, two pounds daily, on the loweſt calculation. + </p> + <p> + We have had here a brutal vulgar-looking Deputy, one Florent-Guyot, who + has harangued upon the virtues of patience, and the magnanimity of ſuffering + hunger for the good of the republic. This doctrine has, however, made few + converts; though we learn, from a letter of Florent-Guyot's to the Aſſembly, + that the Amienois are excellent patriots, and that they ſtarve with + the beſt grace poſſible. + </p> + <p> + You are to underſtand, that the Repreſentatives on miſſion, + who deſcribe the inhabitants of all the towns they viſit as + glowing with republicaniſm, have, beſides the ſervice of + the common cauſe, views of their own, and are often enabled by theſe + fictions to adminiſter both to their intereſt and their vanity. + They ingratiate themſelves with the ariſtocrats, who are pleaſed + at the imputation of principles which may ſecure them from perſecution—they + ſee their names recorded on the journals; and, finally, by aſcribing + theſe civic diſpoſitions to the power of their own + eloquence, they obtain the renewal of an itinerant delegation—which, + it may be preſumed, is very profitable. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5_4_3" id="link5_4_3"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Beauvais, March 13, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + I have often, in the courſe of theſe letters, experienced how + difficult it is to deſcribe the political ſituation of a country + governed by no fixed principles, and ſubject to all the fluctuations + which are produced by the intereſts and paſſions of + individuals and of parties. In ſuch a ſtate concluſions are + neceſſarily drawn from daily events, minute facts, and an + attentive obſervation of the opinions and diſpoſitions of + the people, which, though they leave a perfect impreſſion on the + mind of the writer, are not eaſily conveyed to that of the reader. + They are like colours, the various ſhades of which, though diſcriminated + by the eye, cannot be deſcribed but in general terms. + </p> + <p> + Since I laſt wrote, the government has conſiderably improved in + decency and moderation; and though the French enjoy as little freedom as + their almoſt ſole Allies, the Algerines, yet their terror begins + to wear off— and, temporizing with a deſpotiſm they want + energy to deſtroy, they rejoice in the ſuſpenſion of + oppreſſions which a day or an hour may renew. No one pretends to + have any faith in the Convention; but we are tranquil, if not ſecure—and, + though ſubject to a thouſand arbitrary details, incompatible + with a good government, the political ſyſtem iſ doubtleſs + meliorated. Juſtice and the voice of the people have been attended to + in the arreſt of Collot, Barrere, and Billaud, though many are of + opinion that their puniſhment will extend no farther; for a trial, + particularly that of Barrere, who is in the ſecret of all factions, + would expoſe ſo many revolutionary myſteries and patriotic + reputations, that there are few members of the Convention who will not wiſh + it evaded; they probably expect, that the ſecluſion, for ſome + months, of the perſons of the delinquents will appeaſe the + public vengeance, and that this affair may be forgotten in the buſtle + of more recent events.—If there had been any doubt of the crimes of + theſe men, the publication of Robeſpierre'ſ papers would + have removed them; and, excluſive of their value when conſidered + as a hiſtory of the times, theſe papers form one of the moſt + curious and humiliating monuments of human debaſement, and human + depravity, extant.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The Report of Courtois on Robeſpierre's papers, though very able, + is an inſtance of the pedantry I have often remarked as ſo + peculiar to the French, even when they are not deficient in talents. It + ſeems to be an abſtract of all the learning, ancient and + modern, that Courtois was poſſeſſed of. I have the + book before me, and have ſelected the following liſt of perſons + and alluſions; many of which are indeed of ſo little uſe + or ornament to their ſtations in thiſ ſpeech, that one + would have thought even a republican requiſition could not have + brought them there: "Sampſon, Dalila, Philip, Athens, Sylla, the + Greeks and Romans, Brutus, Lycurgus, Perſepolis, Sparta, Pulcheria, + Cataline, Dagon, Anicius, Nero, Babel, Tiberius, Caligula, Auguſtus, + Antony, Lepidus, the Manicheans, Bayle and Galileo, Anitus, Socrates, + Demoſthenes, Eſchinus, Marius, Buſiris, Diogenes, Caeſar, + Cromwell, Conſtantine, the Labarum, Domitius, Machiavel, Thraſeas, + Cicero, Cato, Ariſtophanes, Riſcius, Sophocles, Euripides, + Tacitus, Sydney, Wiſnou, Poſſidonius, Julian, Argus, + Pompey, the Teutates, Gainas, Areadius, Sinon, Aſmodeus, + Salamanders, Anicetus, Atreus, Thyeſtus, Ceſonius, Barca and + Oreb, Omar and the Koran, Ptolomy Philadelphus, Arimanes, Gengis, + Themuginus, Tigellinus, Adrean, Cacus, the Fates, Minos and + Rhadamanthus," &c. &c. Rapport de Courtois ſu les Papiers + de Robeſpierre. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + After ſeveral ſkirmiſhes between the Jacobins and Muſcadins, + the buſt of Marat has been expelled from the theatres and public + places of Paris, and the Convention have ratified this popular judgment, + by removing him alſo from their Hall and the Pantheon. But reflecting + on the frailty of our nature, and the levity of their countrymen, in order + to obviate the diſorders theſe premature beatifications give riſe + to, they have decreed that no patriot ſhall in future by Pantheonized + until ten years after hiſ death. This is no long period; yet + revolutionary reputations have hitherto ſcarcely ſurvived as + many months, and the puerile enthuſiaſm which is adopted, not + felt, has been uſually ſucceeded by a violence and revenge + equally irrational. + </p> + <p> + It has lately been diſcovered that Condorcet is dead, and that he + periſhed in a manner ſingularly awful. Travelling under a mean + appearance, he ſtopped at a public houſe to refreſh himſelf, + and waſ arreſted in conſequence of having no paſſport. + He told the people who examined him he was a ſervant, but a Horace, + which they found about him, leading to a ſuſpicion that he was + of a ſuperior rank, they determined to take him to the next town. + Though already exhauſted, he was obliged to walk ſome miles + farther, and, on his arrival, he was depoſited in a priſon, + where he was forgotten, and ſtarved to death. + </p> + <p> + Thus, perhaps at the moment the French were apotheoſing an obſcure + demagogue, the celebrated Condorcet expired, through the neglect of a + gaoler; and now, the coarſe and ferocious Marat, and the more + refined, yet more pernicious, philoſopher, are both involved in one + common obloquy. + </p> + <p> + What a theme for the moraliſt!—Perhaps the gaoler, whoſe + brutal careleſſneſs terminated the days of Condorcet, + extinguiſhed his own humanity in the torrent of that revolution of + which Condorcet himſelf waſ one of the authors; and perhaps the + death of a ſovereign, whom Condorcet aſſiſted in + bringing to the ſcaffold, might have been this man's firſt leſſon + in cruelty, and have taught him to ſet little value on the liveſ + of the reſt of mankind.—The French, though they do not analyſe + ſeriouſly, ſpeak of this event as a juſt retribution, + which will be followed by others of a ſimilar nature. <i>"Quelle + mort,"</i> ["What an end."] ſays one—<i>"Elle eſt affreuſe,</i> + (ſays another,) <i>mais il etoit cauſe que bien d'autres ont + peri auſſi."</i>—<i>"Ils periront tous, et tant mieux,"</i> + ["'Twas dreadful—but how many people have periſhed by his + means."— "They'll all ſhare the ſame fate, and ſo + much the better."] reply twenty voices; and this is the only epitaph on + Condorcet. + </p> + <p> + The pretended revolution of the thirty-firſt of May, 1792, which haſ + occaſioned ſo much bloodſhed, and which I remember it + dangerous not to hallow, though you did not underſtand why, is now + formally eraſed from among the feſtivals of the republic; but + this is only the triumph of party, and a ſignal that the remains of + the Briſſotines are gaining ground. + </p> + <p> + A more conſpicuous and a more popular victory has been obtained by + the royaliſts, in the trial and acquittal of Delacroix. The jury had + been changed after the affair of Carrier, and were now better compoſed; + though the eſcape of Delacroix is more properly to be attributed to + the intimidating favour of the people. The verdict was received with + ſhoutſ of applauſe, repeated with tranſport, and + Delacroix, who had ſo patriotically projected to purify the + Convention, by ſending more than half its members to America, was + borne home on the ſhoulders of an exulting populace. + </p> + <p> + Again the extinction of the war in La Vendee is officially announced; and + it is certain that the chiefs are now in treaty with government. Such a + peace only implies, that the country is exhauſted, for it ſuffices + to have read the treatment of theſe unhappy people to know that a + reconciliation can neither be ſincere nor permanent. But whatever may + be the eventual effect of this negotiation, it has been, for the preſent, + the means of wreſting ſome unwilling conceſſions from + the Aſſembly in favour of a free exerciſe of religion. No + arrangement could ever be propoſed to the Vendeans, which did not + include a toleration of Chriſtianity; and to refuſe that to + patriots and republicans, which waſ granted to rebels and royaliſts, + was deemed at this time neither reaſonable nor politic. A decree is + therefore paſſed, authorizing people, if they can overcome all + the annexed obſtacles, to worſhip God in they way they have been + accuſtomed to. + </p> + <p> + The public hitherto, far from being aſſured or encouraged by + this decree, appear to have become more timid and ſuſpicious; + for it is conceived in ſo narrow and paltry a ſpirit, and expreſſed + in ſuch malignant and illuſive terms, that it can hardly be + ſaid to intend an indulgence. Of twelve articles of an act ſaid + to be conceſſive, eight are prohibitory and reſtrictive; + and a municipal officer, or any other perſon "in place or office," + may controul at his pleaſure all religious celebrations. The + cathedrals and pariſh churches yet ſtanding were ſeized on + by the government at the introduction of the Goddeſſes of Reaſon, + and the decree expreſſly declares that they ſhall not be reſtored + or appropriated to their original uſes. Individuals, who have purchaſed + chapels or churches, heſitate to ſell or let them, leſt + they ſhould, on a change of politics, be perſecuted as the + abettors of fanaticiſm; ſo that the long-deſired reſtoration + of the Catholic worſhip makes but very ſlow progreſs.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This decree prohibits any pariſh, community, or body of people + collectively, from hiring or purchaſing a church, or maintaining a + clergyman: it alſo forbids ringing a bell, or giving any other + public notice of Divine Service, or even diſtinguiſhing any + building by external ſigns of its being dedicated to religion. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —A few people, whoſe zeal overpowers their diſcretion, + have ventured to have maſſes at their own houſes, but they + are thinly attended; and on aſking any one if they have yet been to + this ſort of conventicle, the reply is, <i>"On new ſait pas trop + ce que le decret veut dire; il faut voir comment cela tournera."</i> ["One + cannot rightly comprehend the decree—it will be beſt to wait + and ſee how things go."] Such a diſtruſt is indeed very + natural; for there are two ſubjects on which an inveterate hatred iſ + apparent, and which are equally obnoxious to all ſyſtems and all + partieſ in the Aſſembly—I mean Chriſtianity and + Great Britain. Every day produces harangues againſt the latter; and + Boiſſy d'Anglas has ſolemnly proclaimed, as the directing + principle of the government, that the only negociation for peace ſhall + be a new boundary deſcribed by the Northern conqueſts of the + republic; and this modeſt diplomatic is ſupported by arguments + to prove, that the commerce of England cannot be ruined on any other + terms.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "How (exclaims the ſagacious Bourdon de l'Oiſe) can you hope + to ruin England, if you do not keep poſſeſſion of + the three great rivers." (The Rhine, the Meuſe, and the Scheldt.) + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The debates of the Convention increaſe in variety and amuſement. + Beſideſ the manual exerciſes of the members, the accuſations + and retorts of unguarded choler, diſcloſe to us many curious + truths which a politic unanimity might conceal. Saladin, who was a ſtipendiary + of the Duke of Orleans, and whoſe reputation would not grace any + other aſſembly, iſ tranſformed into a Moderate, and + talks of virtue and crime; while Andre Dumont, to the great admiration of + his private biographiſts, has been ſigning a peace with the Duke + of Tuſcany.—Our republican ſtateſmen require to be + viewed in perſpective: they appear to no advantage in the foreground. + Dumont would have made "a good pantler, he would have chipp'd bread well;" + or, like Scrub, he might have "drawn warrants, or drawn beer,"—but I + ſhould doubt if, in a tranſaction of this nature, the Dukedom of + Tuſcany was ever before ſo aſſorted; and if the Duke + were obliged to make this peace, he may well ſay, "neceſſity + doth make us herd with ſtrange companions." + </p> + <p> + Notwithſtanding the Convention ſtill deteſts Chriſtianity, + utterſ anathemas againſt England, and exhibits daily ſcenes + of indecent diſcuſſion and reviling, it is doubtleſs + become more moderate on the whole; and though this moderation be not equal + to the people's wiſhes, it is more than ſufficient to exaſperate + the Jacobins, who call the Convention the Senate of Coblentz, and are + perpetually endeavouring to excite commotions. The belief is, indeed, + general, that the Aſſembly contains a ſtrong party of + royaliſts; yet, though this may be true in a degree, I fear the impulſe + which has been given by the public opinion, iſ miſtaken for a + tendency in the Convention itſelf. But however, this may be, neither + the imputations of the Jacobins, nor the hopes of the people, have been + able to oppoſe the progreſs of a ſentiment which, operating + on a character like that of the French, is more fatal to a popular body + than even hatred or contempt. The long duration of this diſaſtrouſ + legiſlature has excited an univerſal wearineſs; the guilt + of particular members is now leſs diſcuſſed than the + inſignificance of the whole aſſemblage; and the epithets + corrupt, worn out, hackneyed, and everlaſting, [Tare, uſe, + banal, and eternel.] have almoſt ſuperſeded thoſe of + rogues and villains. + </p> + <p> + The law of the maximum has been repealed ſome time, and we now + procure neceſſaries with much greater facility; but the aſſignats, + no longer ſupported by violence, are rapidly diminiſhing in + credit—ſo that every thing is dear in proportion. We, who are + more than indemnified by the riſe of exchange in our favour, are not + affected by theſe progreſſive augmentations in the price of + proviſions. It would, however, be erroneous and unfeeling to judge of + the ſituation of the French themſelves from ſuch a + calculation. + </p> + <p> + People who have let their eſtates on leaſes, or have annuities + on the Hotel de Ville, &c. receive aſſignats at par, and the + wages of the labouring poor are ſtill comparatively low. What was + five years ago a handſome fortune, now barely ſupplies a decent + maintenance; and ſmaller incomes, which were competencies at that + period, are now almoſt inſufficient for exiſtence. A + workman, who formerly earned twenty-five ſols a day, has at preſent + three livres; and you give a ſempſtreſs thirty ſols, + inſtead of ten: yet meat, which was only five or ſix ſols + when wages was twenty-five, is now from fifty ſols to three livres + the pound, and every other article in the ſame or a higher + proportion. Thus, a man's daily wages, inſtead of purchaſing + four or five pounds of meat, aſ they would have done before the + revolution, now only purchaſe one. + </p> + <p> + It grieves me to ſee people whom I have known at their eaſe, + obliged to relinquiſh, in the decline of life, comforts to which they + were accuſtomed at a time when youth rendered indulgence leſs + neceſſary; yet every day points to the neceſſity of + additional oeconomy, and ſome little convenience or enjoyment is + retrenched—and to thoſe who are not above acknowledging how + much we are the creatures of habit, a diſh of coffee, or a glaſs + of liqueur, &c. will not ſeem ſuch trifling privations. It iſ + true, theſe are, ſtrictly ſpeaking, luxuries; ſo too + are moſt things by compariſon— + </p> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "O reaſon not the need: our baſeſt beggarſ + "Are in the pooreſt thing ſuperfluous: + "Allow not nature more than nature needs, + "Man's life is cheap as beaſt's." +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + If the wants of one claſs were relieved by theſe deductions from + the enjoyments of another, it might form a ſufficient conſolation; + but the ſame cauſes which have baniſhed the ſplendor + of wealth and the comfortſ of mediocrity, deprive the poor of bread + and raiment, and enforced parſimony is not more generally conſpicuous + than wretchedneſs. + </p> + <p> + The frugal tables of thoſe who were once rich, have been accompanied + by relative and ſimilar changes among the lower claſſes; + and the ſuppreſſion of gilt equipages is ſo far from + diminiſhing the number of wooden ſhoes, that for one pair of + ſabots which were ſeen formerly, there are now ten. The only + Luculluſ's of the day are a ſwarm of adventurers who have eſcaped + from priſons, or abandoned gaming-houſes, to raiſe fortunes + by ſpeculating in the various modes of acquiring wealth which the + revolution has engendered.—Theſe, together with the numberleſs + agents of government enriched by more direct pillage, live in coarſe + luxury, and diſſipate with careleſs profuſion thoſe + riches which their original ſituations and habits have diſqualified + them from converting to a better uſe. + </p> + <p> + Although the circumſtances of the times have neceſſitated a + good deal of domeſtic oeconomy among people who live on their + fortunes, they have lately aſſumed a gayer ſtyle of dreſs, + and are leſs averſe from frequenting public amuſements. For + three years paſt, (and very naturally,) the gentry have openly + murmured at the revolution; and they now, either convinced of the impolicy + of ſuch conduct, terrified by their paſt ſufferings, or, + above all, deſirous of proclaiming their triumph over the Jacobins, + are every where reviving the national taſte for modeſ and + finery. The attempt to reconcile theſe gaieties with prudence, haſ + introduced ſome contraſts in apparel whimſical enough, + though our French belles adopt them with much gravity. + </p> + <p> + In conſequence of the diſorders in the South of France, and the + interruption of commerce by ſea, ſoap is not only dear, but + ſometimeſ difficult to purchaſe at any rate. We have ourſelves + paid equal to five livres a pound in money. Hence we have white wigſ* + and grey ſtockings, medallions and gold chains with coloured + handkerchiefs and diſcoloured tuckers, and chemiſes de Sappho, + which are often worn till they rather remind one of the pious Queen Iſabel, + than the Greek poeteſs. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Vilate, in his pamphlet on the ſecret cauſes of the + revolution of the ninth Thermidor, relates the following anecdote of the + origin of the peruques blondes. "The caprice of a revolutionary female + who, on the fete in celebration of the Supreme Being, covered her own + dark hair with a tete of a lighter colour, having excited the jealouſy + of La Demahe, one of Barrere's miſtreſſes, ſhe took + occaſion to complain to him of this coquettry, by which ſhe + thought her own charms eclipſed. Barrere inſtantly ſent + for Payen, the national agent, and informed him that a new + counter-revolutionary ſect had ſtarted up, and that its + partizans diſtinguiſhed themſelveſ by wearing wigs + made of light hair cut from the heads of the guillotined ariſtocrats. + He therefore enjoined Payen to make a ſpeech at the municipality, + and to thunder againſt this new mode. The mandate was, of courſe, + obeyed; and the women of rank, who had never before heard of theſe + wigs, were both ſurprized and alarmed at an imputation ſo + dangerous. Barrere is ſaid to have been highly amuſed at + having thus ſolemnly ſtopped the progreſs of a faſhion, + only becuaſe it diſpleaſed one of his female favourites.—I + perfectly remember Payen's oration againſt this coeffure, and every + woman in Paris who had light hair, was, I doubt not, intimidated." This + pleaſantry of Barrere's proves with what inhuman levity the + government ſported with the feelings of the people. At the fall of + Robeſpierre, the peruque blonde, no longer ſubject to the + empire of Barrere's favourites, became a reigning mode. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Madame Tallien, who is ſuppoſed occaſionally to + dictate decrees to the Convention, preſides with a more avowed and + certain ſway over the realmſ of faſhion; and the Turkiſh + draperies that may float very gracefully on a form like hers, are imitated + by rotund ſeſquipedal Fatimas, who make one regret even the + tight lacings and unnatural diminiſhings of our grandmothers. + </p> + <p> + I came to Beauvais a fortnight ago with the Marquiſe. Her long + confinement has totally ruined her health, and I much fear ſhe will + not recover. She has an aunt lives here, and we flattered ourſelves + ſhe might benefit by change of air—but, on the contrary, ſhe + ſeems worſe, and we propoſe to return in the courſe of + a week to Amiens. + </p> + <p> + I had a good deal of altercation with the municipality about obtaining a + paſſport; and when they at laſt conſented, they gave + me to underſtand I was ſtill a priſoner in the eye of the + law, and that I was indebted to them for all the freedom I enjoyed. This + is but too true; for the decree conſtituting the Engliſh hoſtages + for the Deputies at Toulon has never been repealed— + </p> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Ah, what avails it that from ſlavery far, + "I drew the breath of life in Engliſh air?" + Johnſon. +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + Yet is it a conſolation, that the title by which I was made an object + of mean vengeance is the one I moſt value.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * An Engliſh gentleman, who was aſked by a republican Commiſſary, + employed in examining the priſons, why he was there, replied, + "Becauſe I have not the miſfortune to be a Frenchman!" + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + This is a large manufacturing town, and the capital of the department of + l'Oiſe. Its manufactories now owe their chief activity to the requiſitions + for ſupplying cloth to the armies. Such commerce is by no means + courted; and if people were permitted, as they are in moſt countries, + to trade or let it alone, it would ſoon decline.—The choir of + the cathedral is extremely beautiful, and has luckily eſcaped + republican devaſtation, though there ſeems to exiſt no hope + that it will be again reſtored to the uſe of public worſhip. + Your books will inform you, that Beauvais was beſieged in 1472 by the + Duke of Burgundy, with eighty thouſand men, and that he failed in the + attempt. Its modern hiſtory iſ not ſo fortunate. It was for + ſome time haraſſed by a revolutionary army, whoſe + exactions and diſorders being oppoſed by the inhabitants, a + decree of the Convention declared the town in a ſtate of rebellion; + and thiſ ban, which operates like the Papal excommunications three + centuries ago, and authorizes tyranny of all kinds, was not removed until + long after the death of Robeſpierre.—Such a ſpecimen of + republican government has made the people cautious, and abundant in the + exteriors of patriotiſm. Where they are ſure of their company, + they expreſs themſelves without reſerve, both on the ſubject + of their legiſlators and the miſeries of the country; but + intercourſe is conſiderably more timid here than at Amiens. + </p> + <p> + Two gentlemen dined with us yeſterday, whom I know to be zealouſ + royaliſts, and, as they are acquainted, I made no ſcruple of + producing an engraving which commemorates myſteriouſly the death + of the King, and which I had juſt received from Paris by a private + conveyance. They looked alarmed, and affected not to underſtand it; + and, perceiving I had done wrong, I replaced the print without farther + explanation: but they both called this evening, and reproached me ſeparately + for thus expoſing their ſentiments to each other.—This is + a trifling incident, yet perhapſ it may partly explain the great + aenigma why no effectual reſiſtance iſ made to a government + which is ſecretly deteſted. It has been the policy of all the + revolutioniſts, from the Lameths and La Fayette down to Briſſot + and Robeſpierre, to deſtroy the confidence of ſociety; and + the calamities of laſt year, now aiding the ſyſtem of + ſpies and informers, occaſion an apprehenſion and diſtruſt + which impede union, and check every enterprize that might tend to reſtore + the freedom of the country.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, April 12, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + Inſtead of commenting on the late diſorders at Paris, I ſubjoin + the tranſlation of a letter juſt received by Mrs. D———— + from a friend, whoſe information, we have reaſon to believe, is + as exact as can poſſibly be obtained in the chaos of little + intrigues which now compriſe the whole ſcience of French + politics. + </p> + <p> + "Paris, April 9. + </p> + <p> + "Though I know, my good friend, you are ſufficiently verſed in + the technicals of our revolution not to form an opinion of occurrences + from the language in which they are officially deſcribed, yet I + cannot reſiſt the favourable opportunity of Mad. ————'s + return, to communicate ſuch explanations of the late events as their + very ambiguous appearance may render neceſſary even to you. + </p> + <p> + "I muſt begin by informing you, that the propoſed decree of the + Convention to diſſolve themſelves and call a new Aſſembly, + was a mere coquettry. Haraſſed by the ſtruggles of the + Jacobins, and alarmed at the ſymptoms of public wearineſs and diſguſt, + which became every day more viſible, they hoped this feint might + operate on the fears of the people of Paris, and animate them to a more + decided ſupport againſt the effortſ of the common enemy, as + well as tend to reconcile them to a farther endurance of a repreſentation + from which they did not diſguiſe their wiſhes to be releaſed. + An opportunity was therefore ſeized on, or created, when our + allowance of bread had become unuſually ſhort, and the Jacobins + unuſually turbulent, to bring forward this project of renovating the + legiſlature. But in politics, as well as love, ſuch experiments + are dangerous. Far from being received with regret, the propoſition + excited univerſal tranſport; and it required all the diligence + of the agents of government to inſinuate effectually, that if Paris + were abandoned by the Convention at this juncture, it would not only + become a prey to famine, but the Jacobins would avail themſelves of + the momentary diſorder to regain their power, and renew their paſt + atrocities. + </p> + <p> + "A conviction that we in reality derive our ſcanty ſupplies from + exertions which would not be made, were they not neceſſary to reſtrain + the popular ill humour, added to an habitual apprehenſion of the + Clubs,* aſſiſted this manoeuvre; and a few of the ſections + were, in conſequence, prevailed on to addreſs our Repreſentatives, + and to requeſt they would remain at their poſt.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Paris had been long almoſt entirely dependent on the government + for ſubſiſtence, ſo that an inſurrection could + always be procured by withholding the uſual ſupply. The + departments were pillaged by requiſitions, and enormous ſums + ſent to the neutral countries to purchaſe proviſions, + that the capital might be maintained in dependence and good humour. The + proviſions obtained by theſe meanſ were diſtributed + to the ſhopkeepers, who had inſtructions to retail them to the + idle and diſorderly, at about a twentieth part of the original coſt, + and no one could profit by this regulation, without firſt receiving + a ticket from the Committee of his ſection. It was lately aſſerted + in the Convention, and not diſavowed, that if the government perſiſted + in this ſort of traffic, the annual loſſ attending the + article of corn alone would amount to fifty millionſ ſterling. + The reduction of the ſum in queſtion into Engliſh money + is made on a preſumption that the French government did not mean + (were it to be avoided) to commit an act of bankruptcy, and redeem their + paper at leſs than par. Reckoning, however, at the real value of aſſignats + when the calculation was made, and they were then worth perhaps a fifth + of their nominal value, the government was actually at the expence of + ten millions ſterling a year, for ſupplying Pariſ with a + very ſcanty portion of bread! The ſum muſt appear + enormous, but the peculation under ſuch a government muſt be + incalculable; and when it is recollected that all neutral ſhips + bringing cargoes for the republic muſt have been inſured at an + immenſe premium, or perhaps eventually purchaſed by the + French, and that very few could reach their deſtination, we may + conclude that ſuch as did arrive coſt an immoderate ſum. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —"The inſurrection that immediately ſucceeded was at firſt + the effect of a ſimilar ſcheme, and it ended in a party + contention, in which the people, as uſual, were neuter. + </p> + <p> + "The examination into the conduct of Barrere, Collot, &c. had been + delayed until it ſeemed rather a meaſure deſtined to + protect than to bring them to puniſhment; and the impatience which + was every where expreſſed on the ſubject, ſufficiently + indicated the neceſſity, or at leaſt the prudence, of haſtening + their trial. Such a proceſs could not be ventured on but at the riſk + of involving the whole Convention in a labyrinth of crimes, inconſiſtencies, + and ridicule, and the delinquentſ already began to exonerate themſelves + by appealing to the vote of ſolemn approbation paſſed in + their favour three months after the death of Robeſpierre had reſtored + the Aſſembly to entire freedom. + </p> + <p> + "The only means of extrication from this dilemma, appeared to be that of + finding ſome pretext to ſatiſfy the public vengeance, + without hazarding the ſcandal of a judicial expoſure. Such a + pretext it was not difficult to give riſe to: a diminiſhed + portion of bread never fails to produce tumultuous aſſemblages, + that are eaſily directed, though not eaſily ſuppreſſed; + and crouds of this deſcription, agitated by real miſery, were + excited (as we have every reaſon to ſuppoſe) by hired emiſſaries + to aſſail the Convention with diſorderly clamours for + bread. This being attributed to the friends of the culprits, decrees were + opportunely introduced and paſſed for tranſporting them + untried out of the republic, and for arreſting moſt of the + principal Jacobin members as their partizans. + </p> + <p> + "The ſubſequent diſturbances were leſs artificial; for + the Jacobins, thuſ rendered deſperate, attempted reſiſtance; + but, as they were unſucceſſful, their efforts only ſerved + their adverſaries as an excuſe for arreſting ſeveral + of the party who had eſcaped the former decrees. + </p> + <p> + "Nothing, I aſſure you, can with leſs truth be denominated + popular movements, than many of theſe ſcenes, which have, + notwithſtanding, powerfully influenced the fate of our country. A + revolt, or inſurrection, is often only an affair of intrigue and + arrangement; and the deſultory violences of the ſuburbs of St. + Antoine, or of the market women, are regulated by the ſame Committee + and cabals that direct our campaigns and treaties. The common diſtreſſes + of the people are continually drawing them together; and, when thus + collected, their credulity renders them the ready inſtruments of any + prevailing faction. + </p> + <p> + "Our recent diſorders afforded a ſtriking proof of this. I was + myſelf the Cicerone of a country friend on the day the Convention was + firſt aſſailed. The numbers who crouded into the hall were + at firſt conſiderable, yet they exhibited no ſigns of hoſtility, + and it waſ evident they were brought there for ſome purpoſe + of which they were themſelves ignorant. When aſked their + intentions, they vociferated 'Du pain! Du pain!'—Bread, Bread; and, + after occupying the ſeats of the Deputies for a ſhort time, + quietly withdrew. + </p> + <p> + "That this inſurrection was originally factitious, and deviſed + for the purpoſe I have mentioned, is farther corroborated by the + ſudden appearance of Pichegru and other officers, who ſeemed + brought expreſſly to protect the departure of the obnoxious + trio, in caſe it ſhould be oppoſed either by their friends + or enemies. It is likewiſe to be remarked, that Barrere and the reſt + were ſtopped at the gates of Paris by the ſame mob who were + alledged to have riſen in their favour, and who, inſtead of + endeavouring to reſcue them, brought them back to the Committee of + General Safety, on a ſuppoſition that they had eſcaped from + priſon.—The members of the moderate party, who were detained in + ſome of the ſections, ſuſtained no ill treatment + whatever, and were releaſed on being claimed by their colleagues, + which could ſcarcely have happened, had the mob been under the + direction of the Jacobins, or excited by them.—In ſhort, the + whole buſineſs proved that the populace were mere agents, guided + by no impulſe of their own, except hunger, and who, when left to themſelves, + rather impeded than promoted the deſigns of both factions. + </p> + <p> + "You muſt have been ſurprized to ſee among the liſt of + members arreſted, the name of Laurent Lecointre; but he could never + be pardoned for having reduced the Convention to the embarraſſing + neceſſity of proſecuting Robeſpierre's aſſociates, + and he is now ſecured, leſt his reſtleſſ Quixotiſm + ſhould remind the public, that the pretended puniſhment of theſe + criminals is in fact only a ſcandalous impunity. + </p> + <p> + "We are at preſent calm, but our diſtreſs for bread is + intolerable, and the people occaſionally aſſail the paſtry-cookſ' + ſhops; which act of hoſtility is called, with more pleaſantry + than truth or feeling, <i>'La guerre du pain bis contre la brioche.'</i> + [The war of brown bread againſt cakes.]—God knows, it is not + the quality of bread, but the ſcarcity of it which excites theſe + diſcontents. + </p> + <p> + "The new arithmetic* is more followed, and more intereſting, than + ever, though our hopes are all vague, and we neither gueſs how or by + whom they are to be fulfilled. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This was a myſterious way of expreſſing that the royaliſts + were ſtill gaining ground. It alluded to a cuſtom which then + prevailed, of people aſking each other in the ſtreet, and + ſometimes even aſſailing the Deputies, with the queſtion + of "How much is eight and a half and eight and a half?"—By which + was underſtood Louis the Seventeenth. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + "I have done every thing that depends on me to obtain your paſſportſ + without ſucceſs, and I ſtill adviſe you to come to + Paris and ſolicit them in perſon. Your departure, in happier + times, would be a ſubject of regret, at preſent I ſhall + both envy and congratulate you when you are enabled to quit a country + which promiſes ſo little ſecurity or ſatiſfaction. + </p> + <p> + "We receive, at this moment, the two loaves. My ſiſter joins me + in acknowledgments, and expreſſes her fears that you muſt + ſuffer by your kindneſs, though it is truly acceptable—for + I have been ſeveral dayſ under arms, and have had no time to + make my uſual excurſions in ſearch of bread. + </p> + <p> + "Yours, &c." + </p> + <p> + The propoſed diſſolution of the Aſſembly alluded + to in the beginning of Mons. ————'s letter, occaſioned + here a more general rejoicing than even the fall of the Jacobin club, and, + not being influenced by the motives ſuggeſted to the Pariſians, + we were ſincerely diſappointed when we found the meaſure poſtponed. + The morning this news arrived, we walked about the town till dinner, and + in every ſtreet people were collected in groupes, and engaged in + eager diſcuſſion. An acquaintance whom we happened to meet, + inſtead of the uſual ſalutations, exclaimed "<i>Nouſ + viola quittes, ils ſ'en vont les brigandſ</i>" ["At length we + are quit of them—the rogues are going about their buſineſs."]; + and I obſerved ſeveral recontres of this ſort, where people + ſkipped and caracoled, as though unable to contain their ſatiſfaction. + Nothing was talked of but <i>Le Petit</i> [An endearing appellation given + to the young King by thoſe who would not venture to mention his + name.], and the new elections; and I remarked with pleaſure, that + every one agreed in the total excluſion of all the preſent + Deputies. + </p> + <p> + Two mornings after we had been indulging in theſe agreeable viſions, + we learned that the Convention, purely from a patriotic deſire of + ſerving their country, had determined not to quit their poſt. We + were at thiſ time in extreme want of bread, the diſtribution not + exceeding a quarter of a pound per day; and numbers who are at their eaſe + in other reſpects, could not obtain any. This, operating perhaps with + the latent ill humour occaſioned by ſo unwelcome a declaration + of perſeverance on the part of their Repreſentatives, occaſioned + a violent ferment among the people, and on the ſecond of this month + they were in open revolt; the magazine of corn for the uſe of the + army was beſieged, the national colours were inſulted, and + Blaux, a Deputy who is here on miſſion, was dragged from the + Hotel de Ville, and obliged by the enraged populace to cry "Vive le Roi!" + Theſe diſorders continued till the next day, but were at length + appeaſed by a ſmall diſtribution of flour from the + magazine. + </p> + <p> + In the debates of the Convention the whole is aſcribed to the + Jacobins, though it is well known they have no influence here; and I wiſh + you to attend to this circumſtance more particularly, as it proves + what artifices are uſed to conceal the real ſentiments of the + people. I, and every inhabitant of Amiens, can atteſt that this + revolt, which waſ declared in the Aſſembly to have been inſtigated + by the partizans of the Jacobins, was, as far as it had any decided + political character, an efferveſcence of royaliſm. + </p> + <p> + At Rouen, Abbeville, and other places, the trees of liberty, (or, rather, + the trees of the republic,) have been cut down, the tri-coloured flag + torn, and the cry of "Vive le Roi!" was for ſome time predominant; + yet the ſame miſrepreſentation was had recourſe to, + and all theſe places were aſſerted to have eſpouſed + the cauſe of that party to which they are moſt repugnant. + </p> + <p> + I acknowledge that the chief ſource of theſe uſeleſs + exceſſes is famine, and that it is for the moſt part the + lower claſſes only who promote them; but the ſame cauſe + and the ſame deſcription of people were made the inſtruments + for bringing about the revolution, and the poor ſeek now, aſ + they did in 1789, a remedy for their accumulated ſufferings in a + change of government. The maſs of mankind are ever more readily + deluded by hope than benefited by experience; and the French, being taught + by the revolutioniſts to look for that relief from changes of + government which ſuch changes cannot afford, now expect that the reſtoration + of the monarchy will produce plenty, as they were before perſuaded + that the firſt efforts to ſubvert it would baniſh want. + </p> + <p> + We are now tolerably quiet, and ſhould ſeriouſly think of + going to Paris, were we not apprehenſive that ſome attempt from + the Jacobins to reſcue their chiefs, may create new diſturbances. + The late affair appears to have been only a retaliation of the thirty-firſt + of May, 1792; and the remains of the Girondiſts have now proſcribed + the leaders of the Mountaineers, much in the ſame way as they were + then proſcribed themſelves.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5_4_4" id="link5_4_4"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, May 9, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + Whilſt all Europe is probably watching with ſolicitude the + progreſs of the French arms, and the variations of their government, + the French themſelves, almoſt indifferent to war and politics, + think only of averting the horrors of famine. The important news of the + day is the portion of bread which is to be diſtributed; and the + ſiege of Mentz, or the treaty with the King of Pruſſia, are + almoſt forgotten, amidſt enquiries about the arrival of corn, + and anxiety for the approach of harveſt. The ſame paper that + announces the ſurrender of towns, and the ſucceſs of + battles, tells us that the poor die in the ſtreets of Paris, or are + driven to commit ſuicide, through want. We have no longer to contend + with avaricious ſpeculations, but a real ſcarcity; and + detachments of the National Guard, reinforced by cannon, often ſearch + the adjacent villages ſeveral days ſucceſſively + without finding a ſingle ſeptier of corn. The farmers who have + yet been able to conceal any, refuſe to diſpoſe of it for aſſignats; + and the poor, who have neither plate nor money, exchange their beſt + clothes or linen for a loaf, or a ſmall quantity of flour. Our gates + are ſometimes aſſailed by twenty or thirty people, not to + beg money, but bread; and I am frequently accoſted in the ſtreet + by women of decent appearance, who, when I offer them aſſignats, + refuſe them, ſaying, "We have enough of this ſorry paper—it + is bread we want."—If you are aſked to dine, you take your + bread with you; and you travel as though you were going a voyage—for + there are not many inns on the road where you can expect to find bread, or + indeed proviſions of any kind. + </p> + <p> + Having procured a few ſix-livre pieces, we were enabled to purchaſe + a ſmall ſupply of corn, though by no means enough for our conſumption, + ſo that we are obliged to oeconomiſe very rigidly. Mr. D———— + and the ſervants eat bread made with three-parts bran to one of + flour. The little proviſion we poſſeſs is, however, a + great embarraſſment to us, for we are not only ſubject to + domiciliary viſits, but continually liable to be pillaged by the + ſtarving poor around us; and we are often under the neceſſity + of paſſing ſeveral meals without bread, becauſe we + dare not ſend the wheat to be ground, nor bake except at night. While + the laſt operation is performing, the doors are carefully ſhut, + the bell rings in vain, and no gueſt is admitted till every veſtige + of it is removed.—All the breweries have ſeals put upon the + doors, and ſevere penal laws are iſſued againſt + converting barley to any other purpoſe than the making of bread. If + what is allowed us were compoſed only of barley, or any other wholeſome + grain, we ſhould not repine; but the diſtribution at preſent + iſ a mixture of grown wheat, peas, rye, &c. which has ſcarcely + the reſemblance of bread. + </p> + <p> + I was aſked to-day, by ſome women who had juſt received + their portion, and in an accent of rage and deſpair that alarmed me, + whether I thought ſuch food fit for a human creature.—We cannot + alleviate this miſery, and are impatient to eſcape from the + ſight of it. If we can obtain paſſportſ to go from + hence to Paris, we hope there to get a final releaſe, and a permiſſion + to return to England. + </p> + <p> + My friend Madame de la F———— has left us, and I + fear is only gone home to die. Her health was perfectly good when we were + firſt arreſted, though vexation, more than confinement, has + contributed to undermine it. The revolution had, in various ways, diminiſhed + her property; but thiſ ſhe would have endured with patience, had + not the law of ſucceſſionſ involved her in + difficulties which appeared every day more interminable, and perplexed her + mind by the proſpect of a life of litigation and uncertainty. By this + law, all inheritances, donations, or bequeſts, ſince the + fourteenth of July 1789, are annulled and ſubjected to a general + partition among the neareſt relatives. In conſequence, a large eſtate + of the Marquiſe's, as well as another already ſold, are to be + accounted for, and divided between a variety of claimants. Two of the + number being emigrants, the republic is alſo to ſhare; and as + the live ſtock, furniture, farming utenſils, and arrears, are + included in thiſ abſurd and iniquitous regulation, the confuſion + and embarraſſment which it has occaſioned are indeſcribable. + </p> + <p> + Though an unlucky combination of circumſtances has rendered ſuch + a law particularly oppreſſive to Madame de la F————, + ſhe is only one of an infinite number who are affected by it, and + many of whom may perhaps be ſtill greater ſufferers than herſelf. + The Conſtituent Aſſembly had attempted to form a code that + might counteract the ſpirit of legal diſputation, for which the + French are ſo remarkable; but this ſingle decree will give birth + to more proceſſes than all the <i>pandects, canons,</i> and <i>droits + feodaux,</i> accumulated ſince the days of Charlemagne; and I doubt, + though one half the nation were lawyers, whether they might not find + ſufficient employment in demalgamating the property of the other + half. + </p> + <p> + This mode of partition, in itſelf ill calculated for a rich and + commercial people, and better adapted to the republic of St. Marino than + to that of France, was introduced under pretext of favouring the ſyſtem + of equality; and its tranſition from abſurdity to injuſtice, + by giving it a retroactive effect, was promoted to accommodate the + "virtuouſ" Herault de Sechelles, who acquired a conſiderable + addition of fortune by it. The Convention are daily beſet with + petitions from all parts on this ſubject; but their followers and + themſelves being ſomewhat in the ſtyle of Falſtaff's + regiment—"younger ſons of younger brothers," they ſeem + determined, as they uſually are, to ſquare their notions of juſtice + by what is moſt conducive to their own intereſt. + </p> + <p> + An apprehenſion of ſome attempt from the Jacobins, and the diſcontentſ + which the ſcarcity of bread give riſe to among the people, have + produced a private order from the Committees of government for arming and + re-organizing the National Guard.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Though I have often had occaſion to uſe the term National + Guard, it is to be underſtood only as citizens armed for ſome + temporary purpoſe, whoſe arms were taken from them as ſoon + as that ſervice waſ performed. The <i>Garde Nationale,</i> as + a regular inſtitution, had been in a great meaſure ſuppreſſed + ſince the ſummer of 1793, and thoſe who compoſed it + gradually diſarmed. The uſual ſervice of mounting guard + was ſtill continued, but the citizens, with very few exceptions, + were armed only with pikes, and even thoſe were not entruſted + to their own care, each delivering up his arms when he retired more + exactly than if it were an article of capitulation with a ſucceſſful + enemy. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —I remember, in 1789 and 1790, when this popular militia was firſt + inſtituted, every one, either from policy or inclination, appeared + eager to promote it; and nothing was diſcuſſed but military + fetes, balls, exerciſe, and uniforms. Theſe patriotic levities + have now entirely vaniſhed, and the buſineſs proceeds with + languor and difficulty. One dreads the preſent expence, another + future perſecution, and all are ſolicitous to find cauſe + for exemption. + </p> + <p> + This reluctance, though perhaps to be regretted, is in a great meaſure + juſtifiable. Where the lives and fortunes of a whole nation are + dependent on the changes of party, obſcurity becomes the ſureſt + protection, and thoſe who are zealous now, may be the firſt + ſacrificeſ hereafter. Nor is it encouraging to arm for the + defence of the Convention, which is deſpiſed, or to oppoſe + the violence of a populace, who, however miſguided, are more objects + of compaſſion than of puniſhment. + </p> + <p> + Fouquier Tinville, with ſixteen revolutionary Judges and Jurymen, + have been tried and executed, at the moment when the inſtigators of + their crimes, Billaud-Varennes, Collot, &c. were ſentenced by the + Convention to a baniſhment, which is probably the object of their wiſhes. + Thiſ Tinville and his accomplices, who condemned thouſands with + ſuch ferociouſ gaiety, beheld the approach of death themſelves + with a mixture of rage and terror, that even cowardice and guilt do not + always exhibit. It ſeems an awful diſpenſation of + Providence, that they who were inhuman enough to wiſh to deprive + their victims of the courage which enabled them to ſubmit to their + fate with reſignation, ſhould in their laſt momentſ + want that courage, and die deſpairing, furious, and uttering + imprecations, which were returned by the enraged multitude.* + </p> + <p> + —Yours, &c. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Some of the Jurymen were in the habit of taking caricatures of the priſoners + while they condemned them. Among the papers of the Revolutionary + Tribunal were found blank ſentences, which were occaſionally + ſent to the Committee of Public Safety, to be filled up with the + names of thoſe intended to be ſacrificed.—The name of + one of the Jurymen executed on this occaſion was Leroi, but being a + very ardent republican, he had changed it for that of Citizen Tenth of + Auguſt. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="link5_4_5" id="link5_4_5"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, May 26, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + Our journey to Paris has been poſtponed by the inſurrection + which occurred on the firſt and ſecond of Prairial, (20th and 21ſt + of May,) and which was not like that of Germinal, fabricated—but a + real and violent attempt of the Jacobins to regain their power. Of this + event it is to be remarked, that the people of Paris were at firſt + merely ſpectators, and that the Convention were at length defended by + the very claſſes which they have ſo long oppreſſed + under the denomination of ariſtocrats. For ſeveral hours the Aſſembly + was ſurrounded, and in the power of itſ enemies; the head of + Ferraud, a deputy, was borne in triumph to the hall;* and but for the + impolitic precipitation of the Jacobins, the preſent government might + have been deſtroyed. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The head of Ferraud was placed on a pole, and, after being paraded + about the Hall, ſtationed oppoſite the Preſident. It is + impoſſible to execrate ſufficiently this ſavage + triumph; but ſimilar ſcenes had been applauded on the + fourteenth of July and the fifth and ſixth of October 1789; and the + Pariſians had learned, from the example of the Convention themſelves, + that to rejoice in the daily ſacrifice of fifty or ſixty + people, was an act of patriotiſm. As to the epithetſ of + Coquin, Scelerats, Voleurs, &c. which were now beſtowed on the + Aſſembly, they were only what the members were in the conſtant + habit of applying to each other. The aſſaſſin of + Ferraud being afterwards taken and ſentenced to the Guillotine, was + reſcued by the mob at the place of execution, and the inhabitants + of the Fauxbourg St. Antoine were in revolt for two days on this occaſion, + nor would they give him up until abandoned by the cannoneers of their + party.—It is ſingular, and does no honour to the + revolutionary ſchool, or the people of Paris, that Madame + Elizabeth, Malſherbes, Cecile Renaud, and thouſands of others, + ſhould periſh innocently, and that the only effort of this + kind ſhould be exerted in favour of a murderer who deſerved + even a worſe death. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The conteſt began, as uſual, by an aſſemblage of + females, who forced themſelves into the national palace, and loudly + clamoured for immediate ſupplies of bread. They then proceeded to + reproach the Convention with having robbed them of their liberty, + plundered the public treaſure, and finally reduced the country to a + ſtate of famine.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * People.—<i>"Nous vous demandons ce que vous avez fait de noſ + treſors et de notre liberte?"</i>—"We want to know what you + have done with our treaſure and our liberty?" Preſident.—<i>"Citoyens, + vous etes dans le ſein de la Convention Nationale."</i>—"Citizens, + I muſt remind you that you are in the preſence of the National + Convention." People.—<i>"Du pain, du pain, Coquin—Qu'as tu + fait de notre argent? Pas tant de belles phraſes, mais du pain, du + pain, il n'y a point ici de conſpirateurſ—nous demandons + du pain parceque nous avonſ ſaim."</i>—"Bread, bread, + rogue!—what have you done with our money?— Fine ſpeeches + won't do—'tis bread we want.—There are no conſpirators + among uſ—we only aſk for bread, becauſe we are + hungry." See Debates of the Convention. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —It was not eaſy either to produce bread, or refute theſe + charges, and the Deputies of the moderate party remained ſilent and + overpowered, while the Jacobins encouraged the mob, and began to head them + openly. The Pariſians, however intereſted in the reſult of + this ſtruggle, appeared to behold it with indifference, or at leaſt + with inactivity. Ferraud had already been maſſacred in + endeavouring to repel the croud, and the Convention was abandoned to + outrage and inſult; yet no effectual attempt had been made in their + defence, until the Deputies of the Mountain prematurely avowed their deſigns, + and moved for a repeal of all the doctrines ſince the death of Robeſpierre—for + the reincarceration of ſuſpected perſonſ—and, in + fine, for an abſolute revival of the whole revolutionary ſyſtem. + </p> + <p> + The avowal of theſe projects created an immediate alarm among thoſe + on whom the maſſacre of Ferraud, and the dangers to which the Aſſembly + waſ expoſed, had made no impreſſion. The diſmay + became general; and in a few hours the ariſtocrats themſelves + collected together a force ſufficient to liberate the Aſſembly,* + and wreſt the government from the hands of the Jacobins.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This is ſtated as a ground of reproach by the Jacobins, and iſ + admitted by the Convention. Andre Dumont, who had taken ſo active a + part in ſupporting Robeſpierre's government, was yet on thiſ + occaſion defended and protected the whole day by a young man whoſe + father had been guillotined. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —This defeat ended in the arreſt of all who had taken a part + againſt the now triumphant majority; and there are, I believe, near + fifty of them in cuſtody, beſides numbers who contrived to eſcape.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Among thoſe implicated in this attempt to revive the + revolutionary government was Carnot, and the decree of arreſt would + have been carried againſt him, had it not been ſuggeſted + that his talents were neceſſary in the military department. + All that remained of Robeſpierre's Committees, Jean Bon St. Andre, + Robert Lindet, and Prieur, were arreſted. Carnot alone was + excepted; and it was not diſguiſed that his utility, more than + any ſuppoſed integrity, procured him the exemption. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + That the efforts of this more ſanguinary faction have been checked, iſ + doubtleſs a temporary advantage; yet thoſe who calculate beyond + the moment ſee only the perpetuation of anarchy, in a habit of + expelling one part of the legiſlature to ſecure the government + of the other; nor can it be denied, that the freedom of the repreſentative + body has been as much violated by the Moderates in the recent tranſactions, + as by the Jacobinſ on the thirty-firſt of May 1793. The Deputies + of the Mountain have been proſcribed and impriſoned, rather as + partizans than criminals; and it iſ the opinion of many, that theſe + meaſures, which deprive the Convention of ſuch a portion of its + members, attach as much illegality to the proceedings of the reſt, as + the former violences of Robeſpierre and hiſ faction.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The decrees paſſed by the Jacobin members during their few + hourſ triumph cannot be defended; but the whole Convention had long + acquieſced in them, and the preciſe time when they were to ceaſe + waſ certainly a matter of opinion. The greater part of theſe + memberſ were accuſed of no active violence, nor could they + have been arreſted on any principles but that of being rivals to a + faction ſtronger than themſelves. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —It is true, the reigning party may plead in their juſtification + that they only inflict what they would themſelves have ſuffered, + had the Jacobins prevailed; and this is an additional proof of the weakneſs + and inſtability of a form of government which is incapable of reſiſting + oppoſition, and which knows no medium between yielding to itſ + adverſaries, and deſtroying them. + </p> + <p> + In a well organized conſtitution, it is ſuppoſed that a + liberal ſpirit of party is ſalutary. Here they diſpute the + alternatives of power and emolument, or priſons and guillotines; and + the ſole reſult to the people is the certainty of being ſacrificed + to the fears, and plundered by the rapacity of either faction which may + chance to acquire the ſuperiority.— Had the government any + permanent or inherent ſtrength, a party watching its errors, and + eager to attack them, might, in time, by theſe perpetual colliſions, + give birth to ſome principles of liberty and order. But, aſ I + have often had occaſion to notice, this ſpecies of republicaniſm + is in itſelf ſo weak, that it cannot exiſt except by a conſtant + recurrence to the very deſpotiſm it profeſſes to + exclude. Hence it is jealous and ſuſpicious, and all oppoſition + to it is fatal; ſo that, to uſe an argument ſomewhat ſimilar + to Hume's on the liberty of the preſs in republics, the French poſſeſs + a ſort of freedom which does not admit of enjoyment; and, in order to + boaſt that they have a popular conſtitution, are obliged to + ſupport every kind of tyranny.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Hume obſerves, that abſolute monarchies and republics nearly + approach; for the exceſs of liberty in the latter renders ſuch + reſtraints neceſſary as to make them in practice reſemble + the former. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The provinces take much leſs intereſt in this event, than in one + of a more general and perſonal effect, though not apparently of equal + importance. A very few weeks ago, the Convention aſſeverated, in + the uſual acclamatory ſtyle, that they would never even liſten + to a propoſal for diminiſhing the value, or ſtopping the + currency, of any deſcription of aſſignats. Their oaths are + not, indeed, in great repute, yet many people were ſo far deceived, + as to imagine that at leaſt the credit of the paper would not be + formally deſtroyed by thoſe who had forced itſ circulation. + All of a ſudden, and without any previous notice, a decree was iſſued + to ſuppreſs the corſets, (or aſſignats of five + livres,) bearing the King's image;* and as theſe were very numerous, + and chiefly in the hands of the lower order of people, the conſternation + produced by this meaſure was ſerious and unuſual.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The opinion that prevailed at this time that a reſtoration of the + monarchy was intended by the Convention, had rendered every one ſolicitous + to amaſs aſſignats iſſued during the late + King's reign. Royal aſſignats of five livres were exchanged + for ſix, ſeven, and eight livres of the republican paper. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —There cannot be a ſtronger proof of the tyranny of the + government, or of the national propenſity to ſubmiſſion, + than the circumſtance of making it penal to refuſe one day, + what, by the ſame authority, is rendered valueleſs the next—and + that notwithſtanding this, the remaining aſſignats are + ſtill received under all the probability of their experiencing a + ſimilar fate. + </p> + <p> + Paris now offers an interval of tranquillity which we mean to avail ourſelves + of, and ſhall, in a day or two, leave this place with the hope of + procuring paſſports for England. The Convention affect great + moderation and gratitude for their late reſcue; and the people, perſuaded + in general that the victorious party are royaliſts, wait with + impatience ſome important change, and expect, if not an immediate reſtoration + of the monarchy, at leaſt a free election of new Repreſentatives, + which muſt infallibly lead to it. With this hope, which is the firſt + that has long preſented itſelf to this haraſſed + country, I ſhall probably bid it adieu; but a viſit to the + metropolis will be too intereſting for me to conclude theſe + papers, without giving you the reſult of my obſervations. + </p> + <p> + —Yours. &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5_4_6" id="link5_4_6"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Paris, June 3, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + We arrived here early on Saturday, and as no ſtranger coming to + Paris, whether a native of France, or a foreigner, is ſuffered to + remain longer than three days without a particular permiſſion, + our firſt care was to preſent ourſelves to the Committee of + the ſection where we lodge, and, on giving proper ſecurity for + our good conduct, we have had this permiſſion extended to a + Decade. + </p> + <p> + I approached Paris with a mixture of curioſity and apprehenſion, + aſ though I expected the ſcenes which had paſſed in + it, and the moral changes it had undergone, would be every where viſible; + but the gloomy ideas produced by a viſit to this metropolis, are + rather the effect of mental aſſociation than external objects. + Palaces and public buildingſ ſtill remain; but we recollect that + they are become the priſons of miſfortune, or the rewards of baſeneſs. + We ſee the ſame hotels, but their owners are wandering over the + world, or have expired on the ſcaffold. Public places are not leſs + numerous, nor leſs frequented; but, far from inſpiring gaiety, + we behold them with regret and diſguſt, aſ proofs of the + national levity and want of feeling. + </p> + <p> + I could almoſt wiſh, for the credit of the French character, to + have found ſome indications that the paſt was not ſo ſoon + conſigned to oblivion. It is true, the reign of Robeſpierre and + his ſanguinary tribunal are execrated in ſtudied phraſes; + yet is it enough to adopt humanity as a mode, to ſing the <i>Revel du + Peuple</i> in preference to the <i>Marſeillois,</i> or to go to a + theatre with a well-powdered head, inſtead of cropped locks a la + Jacobin? But the people forget, that while they permitted, and even + applauded, the paſt horrors, they were alſo acceſſary + to them, and if they rejoice at their termination, their ſenſibility + doeſ not extend to compunction; they caſt their ſorrows + away, and think it ſufficient to exhibit their reformation in dreſſing + and dancing— + </p> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Yet hearts refin'd their ſadden'd tint retain, + "The ſigh is pleaſure, and the jeſt is pain." + Sheridan. +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + French refinements are not, however, of this poetical kind.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This too great facility of the Pariſians has been commented upon + by an anonymous writer in the following terms: "At Paris, where more + than fifty victims were dragged daily to the ſcaffold, the theatres + never failed to overflow, and that on the Place de la Revolution was not + the leaſt frequented. The public, in their way every evening to the + Champs Elliſees, continued uninterruptedly to croſs the ſtream + of blood that deluged this fatal ſpot with the moſt dreadful + indifference; and now, though theſe dayſ of horror are ſcarcely + paſſed over our heads, one would ſuppoſe them ages + removed—ſo little are we ſenſible that we are + dancing, as it were, on a platform of dead bodies. Well may we ſay, + reſpecting thoſe events which have not reached ourſelveſ— + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <i>'Le malheur Qui n'eſt plus, n'a jamais exiſte.'</i> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + But if we deſire earneſtly that the ſame miſfortunes + ſhould not return, we muſt keep them always preſent in + our recollection." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The practice of the government appears to depart every day more widely + from its profeſſions; and the moderate harangues of the tribune + are often ſucceeded by meaſures as arbitrary as thoſe which + are ſaid to be exploded.—Perhaps the Convention begin to + perceive their miſtake in ſuppoſing that they can maintain + a government againſt the inclination of the people, without the aid + of tyranny. They expected at the ſame time that they decried Robeſpierre, + to retain all the power he poſſeſſed. Hence, their aſſumed + principles and their conduct are generally at variance; and, divided + between deſpotiſm and weakneſs, they arreſt the + printers of pamphlets and newſpapers one day, and are obliged to + liberate them the next.—They exclaim publicly againſt the + ſyſtem of terror, yet ſecretly court the aſſiſtance + of its agents.—They affect to reſpect the liberty of the preſs, + yet every new publication has to defend itſelf againſt the whole + force of the government, if it happen to cenſure a ſingle member + of the reigning party.—Thus, the <i>Memoirs of Dumouriez</i> had + circulated nearly through all Europe, yet it was not without much riſk, + and after a long warfare, that they were printed in France.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *On this ſubject the government appears ſometimes to have + adopted the maxim—that prevention is better than puniſhment; + for, in ſeveral inſtances, they ſeized on manuſcripts, + and laid embargoes on the printerſ' preſſes, where they + only ſuſpected that a work which they might diſapprove + was intended to be publiſhed. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I know not if it be attributable to theſe political inconſiſtencies + that the calm which has ſucceeded the late diſorders is little + more than external. The minds of the people are uncommonly agitated, and + every one expreſſes either hope or apprehenſion of ſome + impending event. The royaliſts, amidſt their oſtenſible + perſecutions, are particularly elated; and I have been told, that + many conſpicuous revolutioniſts already talk of emigration. + </p> + <p> + I am juſt returned from a day's ramble, during which I have met with + various ſubjects of unpleaſant meditation. About dinner-time I + called on an old Chevalier de St. Louis and his lady, who live in the + Fauxbourg St. Germain. When I knew them formerly, they had a handſome + annuity on the Hotel de Ville, and were in poſſeſſion + of all the comforts neceſſary to their declining years. To-day + the door was opened by a girl of dirty appearance, the houſe looked + miſerable, the furniture worn, and I found the old couple over a + ſlender meal of ſoup maigre and eggs, without wine or bread. Our + revolutionary adventures, as is uſual on all meetings of this kind, + were ſoon communicated; and I learned, that almoſt before they + knew what was paſſing around them, Monſieur du G————'s + forty yearſ' ſervice, and his croix, had rendered him ſuſpected, + and that he and hiſ wife were taken from their beds at midnight and + carried to priſon. Here they conſumed their ſtock of ready + money, while a guard, placed in their houſe, pillaged what was + moveable, and ſpoiled what could not be pillaged. Soon after the + ninth of Thermidor they were releaſed, but they returned to bare + walls, and their annuity, being paid in aſſignats, now ſcarcely + affords them a ſubſiſtence.—Monſieur du G———— + is near ſeventy, and Madame is become helpleſs from a nervous + complaint, the effect of fear and confinement; and if this depreciation of + the paper ſhould continue, theſe poor people may probably die of + abſolute want. + </p> + <p> + I dined with a relation of the Marquiſe's, and in the afternoon we + called by appointment on a perſon who is employed by the Committee of + National Domains, and who has long promiſed my friend to facilitate + the adjuſtment of ſome of the various claims which the + government has on her property. This man was originally a valet to the + brother of the Marquiſe: at the revolution he ſet up a ſhop, + became a bankrupt, and a furious Jacobin, and, in the end, a member of a + Revolutionary Committee. In the laſt capacity he found means to + enrich himſelf, and intimidate his creditorſ ſo as to + obtain a diſcharge of his debts, without the trouble of paying them.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "It was common for men in debt to procure themſelves to be made + members of a revolutionary committee, and then force their creditorſ + to give them a receipt in full, under the fear of being impriſoned." + Clauzel's Report, Oct. 13, 1794. I am myſelf acquainted with an old + lady, who was confined four months, for having aſked one of theſe + patriots for three hundred livres which he owed her. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Since the diſſolution of the Committees, he has contrived + to obtain the ſituation I have mentioned, and now occupies ſuperb + apartments in an hotel, amply furniſhed with the proofs of his + official dexterity, and the perquiſites of patriotiſm. + </p> + <p> + The humiliating viciſſitudes occaſioned by the revolution + induced Madame de la F———— to apply to this + democratic <i>parvenu,</i> [Upſtart.] whoſe office at preſent + gives him the power, and whoſe former obligations to her family (by + whom he was brought up) ſhe hoped would add the diſpoſition, + to ſerve her.—The gratitude ſhe expected has, however, + ended only in delays and diſappointments, and the ſole object of + my commiſſion was to get ſome papers which ſhe had + entruſted to him out of his poſſeſſion. + </p> + <p> + When we enquired if the Citizen was at home, a ſervant, not in + livery, informed us Monſieur was dreſſing, but that if we + would walk in, he would let Monſieur know we were there. We paſſed + through a dining parlour, where we ſaw the remains of a deſſert, + coffee, &c. and were aſſailed by the odours of a plentiful + repaſt. As we entered the ſaloon, we heard the ſervant call + at the door of an adjoining parlour, <i>"Monſieur, voici deux + Citoyennes et un Citoyen qui vous demandent."</i> ["Sir, here are two + female citizens and one male citizen enquiring for you."] When Monſieur + appeared, he apologized with an air of graciouſneſs for the impoſſibility + he had been under of getting my friend's affairs arranged—proteſted + he was <i>accable</i> [Oppreſſed..]—that he had ſcarcely + an inſtant at his own diſpoſal—that <i>enfin</i> the + reſponſibility of people in office was ſo terrible, and the + fatigue ſo <i>aſſommante,</i> [Overpowering.] that nothing + but the pureſt <i>civiſm,</i> and a heart <i>penetre de l'amour + de la patrie,</i> [Penetrated with the love of his country.] could enable + him to perſevere in the taſk impoſed on him. As for the + papers we required, he would endeavour to find them, though his cabinet + was really ſo filled with petitions and certificates of all ſorts, + <i>que des malheureux lui avoient addreſſes,</i> [Addreſſed + to him by unfortunate people.] that it would not be very eaſy to find + them at preſent; and, with this anſwer, which we ſhould + have ſmiled at from M. de Choiſeul or Sartine, we were obliged + to be ſatiſfied. We then talked of the news of the day, and he + lamented that the ariſtocrats were ſtill reſtleſs and + increaſing in number, and that notwithſtanding the efforts of + the Convention to diffuſe a ſpirit of philoſophy, it was + too evident there was yet much fanaticiſm among the people. + </p> + <p> + As we roſe to depart, Madame entered, dreſſed for viſiting, + and decorated with bracelets on her wriſts and above her elbows, + medallions on her waiſts and neck, and, indeed, finery wherever it + could poſſibly be beſtowed. We obſerved her primitive + condition of a waiting-woman ſtill operated, and that far from + affecting the language of her huſband, ſhe retained a great + deference for rank, and was ſolicitous to inſinuate that ſhe + was ſecretly of a ſuperior way of thinking. As we left the room + together, ſhe made advances to an acquaintance with my companions + (who were people of condition); and having occaſion to ſpeak to + a perſon at the door, as ſhe uttered the word <i>Citoyen</i> + ſhe looked at us with an expreſſion which ſhe intended + ſhould imply the contempt and reluctance with which ſhe made uſe + of it. + </p> + <p> + I have in general remarked, that the republicans are either of the ſpecies + I have juſt been deſcribing, waiters, jockies, gamblers, + bankrupts, and low ſcribblers, living in great ſplendour, or men + taken from laborious profeſſions, more ſincere in their + principles, more ignorant and brutal—and who diſſipate + what they have gained in groſſ luxury, becauſe they have + been told that elegance and delicacy are worthy only of Sybarites, and + that the Greeks and Romans deſpiſed both. Theſe patriots + are not, however, ſo uninformed, nor ſo diſintereſted, + as to ſuppoſe they are to ſerve their country without + ſerving themſelves; and they perfectly underſtand, that the + rich are their legal patrimony, and that it is enjoined them by their miſſion + to pillage royaliſts and ariſtocrats.* + </p> + <p> + —Yours. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Garat obſerves, it was a maxim of Danton, <i>"Que ceux qui feſaient + les affaires de la republique devaient auſſi faireles leurs,"</i> + that who undertook the care of the republic ſhould alſo take + care of themſelves. This tenet, however, ſeems common to the + friends of both. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="link5_4_7" id="link5_4_7"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Paris, June 6, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + I had ſcarcely concluded my laſt, when I received advice of the + death of Madame de la F————; and though I have, + almoſt from the time we quitted the Providence, thought ſhe was + declining, and that ſuch an event was probable, it has, nevertheleſs, + both ſhocked and grieved me. + </p> + <p> + Excluſively of her many good and engaging qualities, which were reaſonable + objects of attachment, Madame de la F———— was + endeared to me by thoſe habits of intimacy that often ſupply the + want of merit, and make us adhere to our early friendſhips, even when + not ſanctioned by our maturer judgment. Madame de la F———— + never became entirely diveſted of the effects of a convent education; + but if ſhe retained a love of trifling amuſements, and a ſort + of infantine gaiety, ſhe likewiſe continued pious, charitable, + and ſtrictly attentive not only to the duties, but to the decorum, eſſential + in the female character and meritſ of this ſort are, I believe, + now more rare than thoſe in which ſhe might be deemed deficient. + </p> + <p> + I was ſpeaking of her this morning to a lady of our acquaintance, who + acquieſced in my friendly eulogiums, but added, in a tone of ſuperiority, + <i>"C'etoit pourtant une petite femme bien minutieuſe</i>—ſhe + always put me out of patience with her birds and her flowers, her levees + of poor people, and her perſevering induſtry in frivolous + projects." My friend was, indeed, the moſt feminine creature in the + world, and this is a flippant literary lady, who talks in raptures of the + Greeks and Romans, calls Rouſſeau familiarly Jean Jaques, friſks + through the whole circle of ſcience at the Lyceum, and has an utter + contempt both for perſonal neatneſs and domeſtic oeconomy. + How would Madame de Sevigne wonder, could ſhe behold one of theſe + modern belles eſprits, with which her country, as well as England, + abounds? In our zeal for reforming the irregular orthography and houſewifely + penmanſhip of the laſt century, we are all become readers, and + authors, and critics. I do not aſſert, that the female mind is + too much cultivated, but that it is too generally ſo; and that we + encourage a taſte for attainments not always compatible with the + duties and occupations of domeſtic life. No age has, I believe, + produced ſo many literary ladies as the preſent;* yet I cannot + learn that we are at all improved in morals, or that domeſtic happineſs + is more univerſal than when, inſtead of writing ſonnets to + dew-drops or daiſies,** we copied prayers and recipes, in ſpelling + ſimilar to that of Stowe or Hollingſhed. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Let me not be ſuppoſed to undervalue the female authors of + the preſent day. There are ſome who, uniting great talents + with perſonal worth, are juſtly entitled to our reſpect + and admiration. The authoreſs of "Cecilia," or the Miſs Lees, + cannot be confounded with the proprietors of all the Caſtles, Foreſts, + Groves, Woods, Cottages, and Caverns, which are ſo alluring in the + catalogue of a circulating library. ** Mrs. Smith's beautiful Sonnets + have produced ſonnetteers for every object in nature, viſible + or inviſible; and her elegant tranſlations of Petrarch have + procured the Italian bard many an Engliſh dreſs that he would + have been aſhamed to appear in. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —We ſeem induſtrious to make every branch of education a + vehicle for inſpiring a premature taſte for literary amuſements; + and our old faſhioned moral adages in writing-books are replaced by + ſcraps from "Elegant Extracts," while print-work and embroidery repreſent + ſcenes from poems or novels. I allow, that the ſubjects formerly + pourtrayed by the needle were not pictoreſque, yet, the tendency conſidered, + young ladieſ might as well employ their ſilk or pencils in + exhibiting Daniel in the lionſ' den, or Joſeph and his brethren, + as Sterne's Maria, or Charlotte and Werter. + </p> + <p> + You will forgive this digreſſion, which I have been led into on + hearing the character of Madame de la F———— + depreciated, becauſe ſhe was only gentle and amiable, and did + not read Plutarch, nor hold literary aſſemblies. It is, in + truth, a little amende I owe her memory, for I may myſelf have ſometimes + eſtimated her too lightly, and concluded my own purſuits more + rational than hers, when poſſibly they were only different. Her + death has left an impreſſion on my mind, which the turbulence of + Paris is not calculated to ſoothe; but the ſhort time we have to + ſtay, and the number of people I muſt ſee, oblige me to + conquer both my regret and my indolence, and to paſs a great part of + the day in running from place to place. + </p> + <p> + I have been employed all this morning in executing ſome female commiſſions, + which, of courſe, led me to milliners, mantua-makers, &c. Theſe + people now recommend faſhions by ſaying one thing is invented by + Tallien's wife, and another by Merlin de Thionville, or ſome other + Deputy's miſtreſs; and the genius of theſe elegantes has + contrived, by a mode of dreſſing the hair which lengthens the + neck, and by robes with an inch of waiſt, to give their countrywomen + an appearance not much unlike that of a Bar Gander. + </p> + <p> + I ſaw yeſterday a relation of Madame de la F————, + who is in the army, and whom I formerly mentioned as having met when we paſſed + through Dourlens. He was for ſome months ſuſpended, and in + confinement, but iſ now reſtored to his rank, and ordered on + ſervice. He aſked me if I ever intended to viſit France + again. I told him I had ſo little reaſon to be ſatiſfied + with my treatment, that I did not imagine I ſhould.—"Yes, + (returned he,) but if the republic ſhould conquer Italy, and bring + all its treaſures to Paris, as has lately been ſuggeſted in + the Convention, we ſhall tempt you to return, in ſpite of yourſelf."* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *The project of pillaging Italy of its moſt valuable works of art + was ſuggeſted by the philoſophic Abbe Gregoire, a conſtitutional + Biſhop, as early as September 1794, becauſe, as he alledged, + the chefs d'ouvres of the Greek republic ought not to embelliſh a + country of ſlaves. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —I told him, I neither doubted their intending ſuch a ſcheme, + nor the poſſibility of its ſucceſs, though it was not + altogether worthy of philoſophers and republicans to wage war for + Venuſ's and Appollos, and to ſacrifice the lives of one part of + their fellow-citizens, that the reſt might be amuſed with + pictures and ſtatues.—"That's not our affair (ſayſ + Monſieur de ————). Soldiers do not reaſon. + And if the Convention ſhould have a fancy to pillage the Emperor of + China's palace, I ſee no remedy but to ſet ſail with the + firſt fair wind,"—"I wiſh, (ſaid hiſ ſiſter, + who was the only perſon preſent,) inſtead of being under + ſuch orders, you had eſcaped from the ſervice." "Yes, + (returned the General quickly,) and wander about Europe like Dumouriez, + ſuſpected and deſpiſed by all parties." I obſerved, + Dumouriez was an adventurer, and that on many accounts it was neceſſary + to guard againſt him. He ſaid, he did not diſpute the neceſſity + or even the juſtice of the conduct obſerved towardſ him, + but that nevertheleſs I might be aſſured it had operated as + an effectual check to thoſe who might, otherwiſe, have been + tempted to follow Dumouriez's example; "And we have now (added he, in a + tone between gaiety and deſpair,) no alternative but obedience or the + guillotine."—I have tranſcribed the ſubſtance of this + converſation, as it confirms what I have frequently been told, that + the fate of Dumouriez, however merited, is one great cauſe why no deſertion + of importance has ſince taken place. + </p> + <p> + I was juſt now interrupted by a noiſe and ſhouting near my + window, and could plainly diſtinguiſh the words Scipio and Solon + uttered in a tone of taunt and reproach. Not immediately comprehending how + Solon or Scipio could be introduced in a fray at Paris, I diſpatched + Angelique to make enquiry; and at her return I learned that a croud of + boys were following a ſhoemaker of the neighbourhood, who, while he + was member of a revolutionary Committee, had choſen to unite in his + perſon the glories of both Rome and Greece, of the ſword and + gown, and had taken unto himſelf the name of Scipio Solon. A decree + of the Convention ſome weeks ſince enjoined all ſuch heroes + and ſages to reſume their original appellations, and forbade any + perſon, however ardent his patriotiſm, to diſtinguiſh + himſelf by the name of Brutus, Timoleon, or any other but that which + he derived from his Chriſtian parents. The people, it ſeems, are + not ſo obedient to the decree as thoſe whom it more immediately + concerns; and aſ the above-mentioned Scipio Solon had been detected + in various larcenies, he is not allowed to quit his ſhop without + being reproached with hiſ thefts, and his Greek and Roman + appellations. + </p> + <p> + —I am, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5_4_8" id="link5_4_8"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Paris, June 8, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + Yeſterday being Sunday, and to-day the Decade, we have had two + holidayſ ſucceſſively, though, ſince the people + have been more at liberty to manifeſt their opinions, they give a + decided preference to the Chriſtian feſtival over that of the + republic.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This was only at Paris, where the people, from their number, are leſs + manageable, and of courſe more courageous. In the departments, the + ſame cautious timidity prevailed, and appeared likely to continue. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —They obſerve the former from inclination, and the latter from + neceſſity; ſo that between the performance of their + religious duties, and the ſacrifice to their political fears, a + larger portion of time will be deducted from induſtry than was gained + by the ſuppreſſion of the Saintſ' days. The Pariſians, + however, ſeem to acquieſce very readily in thiſ compromiſe, + and the philoſophers of the Convention, who have ſo often + declaimed againſt the idleneſs occaſioned by the numerous + fetes of the old calendar, obſtinately perſiſt in the + adoption of a new one, which increaſes the evil they pretend to + remedy. + </p> + <p> + If the people are to be taken from their labour for ſuch a number of + days, it might as well be in the name of St. Genevieve or St. Denis, aſ + of the Decade, and the Saintſ'-days have at leaſt this + advantage, that the forenoons are paſſed in churches; whereas + the republican feſtivals, dedicated one to love, another to ſtoiciſm, + and ſo forth, not conveying any very determinate idea, are + interpreted to mean only an obligation to do nothing, or to paſs + ſome ſupernumerary hours at the cabaret. [Alehouſe.] + </p> + <p> + I noticed with extreme pleaſure yeſterday, that as many of the + places of public worſhip as are permitted to be open were much + crouded, and that religion appears to have ſurvived the loſs of + thoſe exterior allurementſ which might be ſuppoſed to + have rendered it peculiarly attractive to the Pariſians. The churches + at preſent, far from being ſplendid, are not even decent, the + walls and windows ſtill bear traces of the Goths (or, if you will, + the philoſophers,) and in ſome places ſervice is celebrated + amidſt piles of farage, ſacks, caſks, or lumber + appertaining to the government—who, though they have by their own + confeſſion the diſpoſal of half the metropolis, chooſe + the churches in preference for ſuch purpoſes.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It has frequently been aſſerted in the Convention, that by + emigrations, baniſhments, and executions, half Paris had become the + property of the public. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Yet theſe unſeemly and deſolate appearances do not + prevent the attendance of congregations more numerous, and, I think, more + fervent, than were uſual when the altars ſhone with the + offerings of wealth, and the walls were covered with the more intereſting + decorations of pictureſ and tapeſtry. + </p> + <p> + This it is not difficult to account for. Many who uſed to perform theſe + religious duties with negligence, or indifference, are now become pious, + and even enthuſiaſtic—and this not from hypocriſy or + political contradiction, but from a real ſenſe of the evils of + irreligion, produced by the examples and conduct of thoſe in whom + ſuch a tendency has been moſt remarkable.—It muſt, + indeed, be acknowledged, that did Chriſtianity require an advocate, a + more powerful one need not be found, than in a retroſpect of the + crimes and ſufferings of the French ſince itſ abolition. + </p> + <p> + Thoſe who have made fortunes by the revolution (for very few have + been able to preſerve them) now begin to exhibit equipages; and they + hope to render the people blind to this departure from their viſionary + ſyſtems of equality, by foregoing the uſe of arms and + liverieſ—as if the real difference between the rich and the + poor was not conſtituted rather by eſſential accommodation, + than extrinſic embelliſhments, which perhaps do not gratify the + eyes of the poſſeſſor a ſecond time, and are, + probably of all branches of luxury, the moſt uſeful. The livery + of ſervants can be of very little importance, whether morally or + politically conſidered—it is the act of maintaining men in + idleneſs, who might be more profitably employed, that makes the + keeping a great number exceptionable; nor is a man more degraded by going + behind a carriage with a hat and feather, than with a bonnet de police, or + a plain beaver; but he eats juſt as much, and earns juſt as + little, equipped as a Carmagnole, as though glittering in the moſt + ſuperb gala ſuit.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * In their zeal to imitate the Roman republicans, the French ſeem + to forget that a political conſideration very different from the + love of ſimplicity, or an idea of the dignity of man, made the + Romanſ averſe from diſtinguiſhing their ſlaves + by any external indication. They were ſo numerous that it was + thought impolitic to furniſh them with ſuch means of knowing + their own ſtrength in caſe of a revolt. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The marks of ſervice cannot be more degrading than ſervice itſelf; + and it is the mere chicane of philoſophy to extend reform only to + cuffs and collars, while we do not diſpenſe with the ſervices + annexed to them. A valet who walks the ſtreet in his powdering + jacket, diſdains a livery aſ much as the fierceſt + republican, and with as much reaſon—for there is no more + difference between domeſtic occupation performed in one coat or + another, than there is between the party-coloured habit and the jacket. + </p> + <p> + If the luxury of carriages be an evil, it muſt be becauſe the + horſeſ employed in them conſume the produce of land which + might be more beneficially cultivated: but the gilding, fringe, ſalamanders, + and lions, in all their heraldic poſitions, afford an eaſy + livelihood to manufacturers and artiſans, who might not be capable of + more laboriouſ occupations. + </p> + <p> + I believe it will generally be found, that moſt of the republican + reformſ are of this deſcription—calculated only to impoſe + on the people, and diſguiſing, by frivolous prohibitions, their + real inutility. The affectation of ſimplicity in a nation already + familiarized with luxury, only tends to divert the wealth of the rich to + purpoſes which render it more deſtructive. Vanity and oſtentation, + when they are excluded from one means of gratification, will always ſeek + another; and thoſe who, having the means, cannot diſtinguiſh + themſelves by oſtenſible ſplendour, will often do + ſo by domeſtic profuſion.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "Sectaries (ſays Walpole in his Anecdotes of Painting, ſpeaking + of the republicans under Cromwell) have no oſtenſible + enjoyments; their pleaſures are private, comfortable and groſs. + The arts of civilized ſociety are not calculated for men who mean + to riſe on the ruins of eſtabliſhed order." Judging by + compariſon, I am perſuaded theſe obſervations are + yet more applicable to the political, than the religious opinions of the + Engliſh republicans of that period; for, in theſe reſpects, + there is no difference between them and the French of the preſent + day, though there is a wide one between an Anabaptiſt and the diſciples + of Boulanger and Voltaire. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Nor can it well be diſputed, that a groſs luxury is more + perniciouſ than an elegant one; for the former conſumes the neceſſaries + of life wantonly, while the latter maintains numerous hands in rendering + thingſ valuable by the workmanſhip which are little ſo in + themſelves. + </p> + <p> + Every one who has been a reflecting ſpectator of the revolution will + acknowledge the juſtice of theſe obſervations. The agents + and retainerſ of government are the general monopolizers of the + markets, and theſe men, who are enriched by peculation, and are on + all occaſions retailing the cant phraſes of the Convention, on + the <i>purete des moeurs republicains, et la luxe de la ci-devant Nobleſſe,</i> + [The purity of republican manners, and the luxury of the ci-devant Nobleſſe.] + exhibit ſcandalous exceptionſ to the national habits of + oeconomy, at a time too when others more deſerving are often + compelled to ſacrifice even their eſſential accommodations + to a more rigid compliance with them.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Lindet, in a report on the ſituation of the republic, declares, + that ſince the revolution the conſumption of wines and every + article of luxury has been ſuch, that very little has been left for + exportation. I have ſelected the following ſpecimens of + republican manners, from many others equally authentic, as they may be + of ſome utility to thoſe who would wiſh to eſtimate + what the French have gained in this reſpect by a change of + government. "In the name of the French people the Repreſentatives + ſent to Commune Affranchie (Lyons) to promote the felicity of itſ + inhabitants, order the Committee of Sequeſtration to ſend them + immediately two hundred bottles of the beſt wine that can be + procured, alſo five hundred bottles of claret, of prime quality, + for their own table. For this purpoſe the commiſſion are + authorized to take of the ſequeſtration, wherever the above + wine can be found. Done at Commune Affranchie, thirteenth Nivoſe, + ſecond year. (Signed) "Albitte, "Fouche, "Deputies of the National + Convention." + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + Extract of a denunciation of Citizen Boiſmartin againſt + Citizen Laplanche, member of the National Convention: "The twenty-fourth + of Brumaire, in the ſecond year of the republic, the Adminiſtrators + of the diſtrict of St. Lo gave orders to the municipality over + which I at that time preſided, to lodge the Repreſentative of + the people, Laplanche, and General Siphert, in the houſe of Citizen + Lemonnier, who was then under arreſt at Thorigni. In introducing + one of the founders of the republic, and a French General, into this hoſpitable + manſion, we thought to put the property of our fellow-citizen under + the ſafeguard of all the virtues; but, alas, how were we miſtaken! + They had no ſooner entered the houſe, than the proviſions + of every ſort, the linen, clothes, furniture, trinkets, books, + plate, carriages, and even title-deeds, all diſappeared; and, as if + they purpoſely inſulted our wretchedneſs, while we were + reduced to the ſad neceſſity of diſtributing with a + parſimonious hand a few ounces of black bread to our + fellow-citizens, the beſt bread, pillaged from Citizen Lemonnier, + was laviſhed by buckets full to the horſes of General Siphert, + and the Repreſentative Laplanche.—The Citizen Lemonnier, who + is ſeventy years of age, having now recovered his liberty, which he + never deſerved to loſe, finds himſelf ſo entirely deſpoiled, + that he is at preſent obliged to live at an inn; and, of property + to the amount of ſixty thouſand livres, he has nothing left + but a ſingle ſpoon, which he took with him when carried to one + of the Baſtilleſ in the department de la Manche." The chief + defence of Laplanche conſiſted in allegations that the ſaid + Citizen Lemonnier was rich, and a royaliſt, and that he had found + emblems of royaliſm and fanaticiſm about the houſe. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + At the houſe of one of our common friends, I met ————, + and ſo little did I imagine that he had eſcaped all the + revolutionary perils to which he had been expoſed, that I could almoſt + have ſuppoſed myſelf in the regions of the dead, or that he + had been permitted to quit them, for hiſ being alive ſcarcely + ſeemed leſs miraculous or incredible. As I had not ſeen him + ſince 1792, he gave me a very intereſting detail of hiſ + adventures, and his teſtimony corroborates the opinion generally + entertained by thoſe who knew the late King, that he had much perſonal + courage, and that he loſt his crown and his life by political indeciſion, + and an humane, but ill-judged, unwillingneſs to reduce his enemies by + force. He aſſured me, the Queen might have been conveyed out of + France previous to the tenth of Auguſt, if ſhe would have agreed + to leave the King and her children behind; that ſhe had twice conſulted + him on the ſubject; but, perſiſting in her reſolution + not to depart unaccompanied by her family, nothing practicable could be + deviſed, and ſhe determined to ſhare their fate.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The gentleman here alluded to has great talents, and iſ + particularly well acquainted with ſome of the moſt obſcure + and diſaſtrous periods of the French revolution. I have reaſon + to believe, whenever it is conſiſtent with his own ſafety, + he will, by a genuine relation, expoſe many of the popular falſehoods + by which the public have been miſled. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + This, as well as many other inſtances of tenderneſs and heroiſm, + which diſtinguiſhed the Queen under her miſfortunes, accord + but ill with the vices imputed to her; and were not ſuch imputations + encouraged to ſerve the cauſe of faction, rather than that of + morality, theſe inconſiſtencieſ would have been + interpreted in her favour, and candour have palliated or forgotten the + levities of her youth, and remembered only the ſorrows and the + virtues by which they were ſucceeded. + </p> + <p> + I had, in compliance with your requeſt on my firſt arrival in + France, made a collection of prints of all the moſt conſpicuous + actors in the revolution; but as they could not be ſecreted ſo + eaſily as other papers, my fears overcame my deſire of obliging + you, and I deſtroyed them ſucceſſively, as the + originals became proſcribed or were ſacrificed. Deſirous of + repairing my loſs, I perſuaded ſome friends to accompany me + to a ſhop, kept by a man of whom they frequently purchaſed, and + whom, aſ his principles were known to them, I might ſafely aſk + for the articles I wanted. He ſhook his head, while he ran over my liſt, + and then told me, that having preferred his ſafety to his property, + he had diſpoſed of hiſ prints in the ſame way I had diſpoſed + of mine. "At the acceſſion of a new party, (continued he,) I + always prepare for a domiciliary viſit, clear my windows and ſhelves + of the exploded heads, and replace them by thoſe of their rivals. + Nay, I aſſure you, ſince the revolution, our trade is + become as precarious as that of a gameſter. The Conſtitutionaliſts, + indeed, held out pretty well, but then I was half ruined by the fall of + the Briſſotins; and, before I could retrieve a little by the + Hebertiſts and Dantoniſts, the too were out of faſhion."— + "Well, but the Robeſpierrianſ—you muſt have gained by + them?"—"Why, true; Robeſpierre and Marat, and Chalier, anſwered + well enough, becauſe the royaliſts generally placed them in + their houſes to give themſelves an air of patriotiſm, yet + they are gone after the reſt.—Here, however, (ſays he, + taking down an engraving of the Abbe Sieyes,) is a piece of merchandize + that I have kept through all parties, religions, and conſtitutionſ—<i>et + le voila encore a la mode,</i> ["And now you ſee him in faſhion + again."] mounted on the wrecks, and ſupported by the remnants of both + his friends and enemies. <i>Ah! c'eſt un fin matois."</i> ["Ah! He's + a knowing one."] + </p> + <p> + This converſation paſſed in a gay tone, though the man + added, very ſeriouſly, that the inſtability of popular + factions, and their intolerance towards each other, had obliged him to deſtroy + to the amount of ſome thouſand livres, and that he intended, if + affairs did not change, to quit buſineſs. + </p> + <p> + Of all the prints I enquired for, I only got Barrere, Sieyes, and a few + others of leſs note. Your laſt commiſſions I have + executed more ſucceſſfully, for though the neceſſaries + of life are almoſt unpurchaſeable, articles of taſte, + books, perfumery, &c. are cheaper than ever. This is unfortunately the + reverſe of what ought to be the caſe, but the augmentation in + the price of proviſions is to be accounted for in various ways, and + that things of the deſcription I allude to do not bear a price in + proportion is doubtleſs to be attributed to the preſent poverty + of thoſe who uſed to be the purchaſers of them; while the + people who are become rich under the new government are of a deſcription + to ſeek for more ſubſtantial luxuries than books and eſſences.—I + ſhould however obſerve, that the venders of any thing not periſhable, + and who are not forced to ſell for their daily ſubſiſtence, + are ſolicitous to evade every demand for any article which is to be + paid for in aſſignats. + </p> + <p> + I was looking at ſome trinkets in a ſhop at the Palais Royal, + and on my aſking the miſtreſs of it if the ornaments were + ſilver, ſhe ſmiled ſignificantly, and replied, ſhe + had nothing ſilver nor gold in the ſhop, but if I choſe to + purchaſe <i>en eſpece,</i> ſhe would ſhow me whatever + I deſired: <i>"Mais pour le papier nous n'en avons que trop."</i> + ["In coin, but for paper we have already too much of it."] + </p> + <p> + Many of the old ſhops are nearly empty, and the little trade which + yet exiſts is carried on by a ſort of adventurers who, without + being bred to any one trade, ſet up half a dozen, and perhaps diſappear + three monthſ afterwards. They are, I believe, chiefly men who have + ſpeculated on the aſſignats, and as ſoon as they have + turned their capital in a mercantile way a ſhort time, become + apprehenſive of the paper, realize it, and retire; or, becoming + bankrupts by ſome unlucky monopoly, begin a new career of patriotiſm. + </p> + <p> + There is, properly ſpeaking, no money in circulation, yet a vaſt + quantity is bought and ſold. Annuitants, poſſeſſors + of moderate landed property, &c., finding it impoſſible to + ſubſiſt on their incomes, are forced to have recourſe + to the little ſpecie they have reſerved, and exchange it for + paper. Immenſe ſums in coin are purchaſed by the + government, to make good the balance of their trade with the neutral + countries for proviſions, ſo that I ſhould ſuppoſe, + if this continue a few months, very little will be left in the country. + </p> + <p> + One might be tempted to fancy there is ſomething in the atmoſphere + of Paris which adapts the minds of its inhabitants to their political + ſituation. They talk of the day appointed for a revolt a fortnight + before, as though it were a fete, and the moſt timid begin to be + inured to a ſtate of agitation and apprehenſion, and to conſider + it as a natural viciſſitude that their lives ſhould be + endangered periodically. + </p> + <p> + A commiſſion has been employed for ſome time in deviſing + another new conſtitution, which is to be propoſed to the Aſſembly + on the thirteenth of this month; and on that day, it is ſaid, an + effort is to be made by the royaliſts. They are certainly very + numerous, and the intereſt taken in the young King is univerſal. + In vain have the journaliſts been forbidden to cheriſh theſe + ſentiments, by publiſhing details concerning him: whatever eſcapes + the walls of his priſon is circulated in impatient whiſpers, and + requires neither printing nor gazettes a la main to give it publicity.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Under the monarchy people diſſeminated anecdotes or + intelligence which they did not think it ſafe to print, by means of + theſe written gazettes.—I doubt if any one would venture to + have recourſe to them at preſent. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The child is reported to be ill, and in a kind of ſtupefaction, + ſo aſ to ſit whole days without ſpeaking or moving: + this is not natural at hiſ age, and muſt be the conſequence + of neglect, or barbarous treatment. + </p> + <p> + The Committees of Government, and indeed moſt of the Convention who + have occaſionally appeared to give tacit indications of favouring the + royaliſts, in order to ſecure their ſupport againſt + the Jacobins, having now cruſhed the latter, begin to be ſeriouſly + alarmed at the projects of the former.—Seveſtre, in the name of + the Committee of Public Safety, has announced that a formidable inſurrection + may be expected on the twenty-fifth of Prairial, (thirteenth June,) the + Deputies on miſſion are ordered to return, and the Aſſembly + propoſe to die under the ruins of the republic. They have, notwithſtanding, + judged it expedient to fortify theſe heroic diſpoſitions by + the aid of a military force, and a large number of regular troops are in + Paris and the environs. We ſhall certainly depart before this + menacing epoch: the application for our paſſports was made on + our firſt arrival, and Citizen Liebault, Principal of the Office for + Foreign Affairs, who is really very civil, has promiſed them in a day + or two. + </p> + <p> + Our journey here was, in fact, unneceſſary; but we have few + republican acquaintance, and thoſe who are called ariſtocrats do + not execute commiſſion of this kind zealouſly, nor without + ſome apprehenſions of committing themſelves.—You will + wonder that I find time to write to you, nor do I pretend to aſſume + much merit from it. We have not often courage to frequent public places in + the evening, and, when we do, I continually dread ſome unlucky + accident: either a riot between the Terroriſts and Muſcadins, + within, or a military inveſtment without. The laſt time we were + at the theatre, a French gentleman, who was our eſcort, entered into + a trifling altercation with a rude vulgar-looking man, in the box, who + ſeemed to ſpeak in a very authoritative tone, and I know not how + the matter might have ended, had not a friend in the next box ſilenced + our companion, by conveying a penciled card, which informed him the perſon + he was diſputing with was a Deputy of the Convention. We took an + early opportunity of retreating, not perfectly at eaſe about the conſequenceſ + which might enſue from Mr. ———— having + ventured to differ in opinion from a Member of the Republican Legiſlature. + Since that time we have paſſed our evenings in private ſocieties, + or at home; and while Mr. D———— devours new + pamphlets, and Mrs. D———— and the lady we lodge + with recount their mutual ſufferings at Arras and St. Pelagie, I take + the opportunity of writing. + </p> + <p> + —Adieu. + </p> + <p> + Paris, June 12, 1795. + </p> + <p> + The hopes and fears, plots and counterplots, of both royaliſts and + republicans, are now ſuſpended by the death of the young King. + Thiſ event was announced on Tueſday laſt, and ſince + that time the minds and converſation of the public have been entirely + occupied by it. Latent ſuſpicion, and regret unwillingly ſuppreſſed, + are every where viſible; and, in the fond intereſt taken in this + child's life, it ſeems to be forgotten that it is the lot of man "to + paſs through nature to eternity," and that it was poſſible + for him to die without being ſacrificed by human malice. + </p> + <p> + All that has been ſaid and written on original equality has not yet + perſuaded the people that the fate of Kings is regulated only by the + ordinary diſpenſations of Providence; and they ſeem to perſiſt + in believing, that royalty, if it has not a more fortunate pre-eminence, iſ + at leaſt diſtinguiſhed by an unuſual portion of + calamities. + </p> + <p> + When we recollect the various and abſurd ſtories which have been + propagated and believed at the death of Monarchs or their offſpring, + without even a ſingle ground either political or phyſical to juſtify + them, we cannot now wonder, when ſo many circumſtances of every + kind tend to excite ſuſpicion, that the public opinion ſhould + be influenced, and attribute the death of the King to poiſon. The + child is allowed to have been of a lively diſpoſition, and, even + long after his ſecluſion from hiſ family, to have + frequently amuſed himſelf by ſinging at the window of hiſ + priſon, until the intereſt he was obſerved to create in thoſe + who liſtened under it, occaſioned an order to prevent him. It is + therefore extraordinary, that he ſhould lately have appeared in a + ſtate of ſtupefaction, which is by no means a ſymptom of + the diſorder he iſ alledged to have died of, but a very common + one of opiates improperly adminiſtered.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * In order to account in ſome way for the ſtate in which the + young King had lately appeared, it was reported that he had been in the + habit of drinking ſtrong liquors to exceſs. Admitting this to + be true, they muſt have been furniſhed for him, for he could + have no means of procuring them.—It is not inappoſite to + record, that on a petition being formerly preſented to the legiſlature + from the Jacobin ſocieties, praying that the "ſon of the + tyrant" might be put to death, an honourable mention in the national + bulletin waſ unanimouſly decreed!!! + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Though this preſumption, if ſupported by the evidence of + external appearances, may ſeem but of little weight; when combined + with others, of a moral and political nature, it becomes of conſiderable + importance. The people, long amuſed by a ſuppoſed deſign + of the Convention to place the Dauphin on the throne, were now become + impatient to ſee their wiſheſ realized; or, they hoped that + a renewal of the repreſentative body, which, if conducted with + freedom, muſt infallibly lead to the accompliſhment of this + object, would at leaſt deliver them from an Aſſembly which + they conſidered as exhauſted in talents and degraded in + reputation.—Theſe diſpoſitions were not attempted to + be concealed; they were manifeſted on all occaſions: and a + general and ſucceſſful effort in favour of the Royal Priſoner + was expected to take place on the thirteenth.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * That there were ſuch deſigns, and ſuch expectations on + the part of the people, is indubitable. The following extract, written + and ſigned by one of the editors of the <i>Moniteur,</i> is ſufficiently + expreſſive of the temper of the public at this period; and I + muſt obſerve here, that the <i>Moniteur</i> is to be conſidered + as nearly equivalent to an official paper, and is always ſuppoſed + to expreſſ the ſenſe of government, by whom it is + ſupported and paid, whatever party or ſyſtem may happen + to prevail: <i>"Les eſperances les plus folles ſe manifeſtent + de toutes parts.— C'eſt a qui jettera plus promptement le maſque—on + dirait, a lire les ecrits qui paraiſſent, a entendre les + converſations des gens qui ſe croient dans les confidences, + que c'en eſt fait de la republique: la Convention, ſecondee, + pouſſee meme par le zele et l'energie deſ bons citoyens a + remporte une grande victoire ſur les Terroriſtes, ſur les + ſucceſſeurs de Robeſpierre, il ſemble qu'elle + n'ait pluſ qu'a proclamer la royaute. Ce qui donne lieu a toutes leſ + conjectures plus ou moins abſurdes aux quelles chacun ſe + livre, c'eſt l'approche du 25 Prairial."</i> (13th June, the day on + which the new conſtitution was to be preſented). "The moſt + extravagant hopes, and a general impatience to throw off the maſk + are manifeſted on all ſides.—To witneſs the + publicationſ that appear, and to hear what is ſaid by thoſe + who believe themſelves in the ſecret, one would ſuppoſe + that it was all over with the republic.—The Convention ſeconded, + impelled even, by the good citizens, has gained a victory over the + Terroriſts and the ſucceſſors of Robeſpierre, + and now it ſhould ſeem that nothing remained to be done by to + proclaim royalty—what particularly giveſ riſe to theſe + abſurdities, which exiſt more or leſs in the minds of + all, is the approach of the 25th Prairial." <i>Moniteur,</i> June 6, + 1795. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Perhaps the majority of the Convention, under the hope of ſecuring + impunity for their paſt crimes, might have yielded to the popular + impulſe; but the government is no longer in the hands of thoſe + men who, having ſhared the power of Robeſpierre before they + ſucceeded him, might, as Rabaut St. Etienne expreſſed himſelf, + "be wearied of their portion of tyranny."* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * -"Je ſuis las de la portion de tyrannie que j'exerce."—-"I + am weary of the portion of tyranny which I exerciſe." Rabaut de St. + Etienne + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The remains of the Briſſotins, with their newly-acquired + authority, have vanity, intereſt, and revenge, to ſatiate; and + there is no reaſon to ſuppoſe that a crime, which ſhould + favour theſe views, would, in their eſtimation, be conſidered + otherwiſe than venial. To theſe are added Sieyes, Louvet, &c. + men not only eager to retain their power, but known to have been of the + Orleans faction, and who, if they are royaliſts, are not loyaliſts, + and the laſt perſons to whoſe care a ſon of Louis the + Sixteenth ought to have been intruſted. + </p> + <p> + At this criſis, then, when the Convention could no longer temporize + with the expectations it raiſed—when the government was divided + between one party who had depoſed the King to gratify their own + ambition, and another who had lent their aſſiſtance in + order to facilitate the pretenſions of an uſurper—and when + the hopes of the country were anxiouſly fixed on him, died Louis the + Seventeenth. At an age which, in common life, iſ perhaps the only + portion of our exiſtence unalloyed by miſery, thiſ innocent + child had ſuffered more than is often the lot of extended yearſ + and mature guilt. He lived to ſee his father ſent to the ſcaffold—to + be torn from his mother and family—to drudge in the ſervice of + brutality and inſolence—and to want thoſe cares and neceſſaries + which are not refuſed even to the infant mendicant, whoſe + wretchedneſs contributes to the ſupport of his parents.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It is unneceſſary to remind the reader, that the Dauphin had + been under the care of one Simon, a ſhoemaker, who employed him to + clean his (Simon's) ſhoes, and in any other drudgery of which his + cloſe confinement admitted. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —When his death was announced to the Convention, Seveſtre, the + reporter, acknowledged that Deſſault, the ſurgeon, had + ſome time ſince declared the caſe to be dangerous; yet, + notwithſtanding policy as well as humanity required that every + appearance of myſtery and harſhneſs ſhould, on ſuch + an occaſion, be avoided, the poor child continued to be ſecluded + with the ſame barbarous jealouſy—nor was the Princeſs, + his ſiſter, whoſe evidence on the ſubject would have + been ſo concluſive, ever ſuffered to approach him. + </p> + <p> + No report of Deſſault's opinion had till now been made public; + and Deſſault himſelf, who was an honeſt man, died of + an inflammatory diſorder four days before the Dauphin.—It is poſſible, + he might have expreſſed himſelf too freely, reſpecting + his patient, to thoſe who employed him— his future diſcretion + might be doubted—or, perhaps, he was only called in at firſt, + that his character might give a ſanction to the future operations of + thoſe who were more confided in. But whether this event iſ to be + aſcribed to natural cauſes, or to that of opiates, the times and + circumſtances render it peculiarly liable to ſuſpicions, + and the reputation of thoſe who are involved, is not calculated to + repel them. Indeed, ſo conſcious are the advocates of + government, that the imputation cannot be obviated by pleading the + integrity of the parties, that they ſeem to reſt their ſole + defence on the inutility of a murder, which only tranſfers whatever + rights the Houſe of Bourbon may be ſuppoſed to poſſeſs, + from one branch of it to another. Yet thoſe who make uſe of this + argument are well aware of its fallaciouſneſs: the ſhades + of political opinion in France are extremely diverſified, and a conſiderable + part of the Royaliſts are alſo Conſtitutionaliſts, + whom it will require time and neceſſity to reconcile to the + emigrant Princes. But the young King had neither enemies nor errorſ—and + his claims would have united the efforts and affections of all parties, + from the friends of the monarchy, as it exiſted under Louis the + Fourteenth, down to the converted Republican, who compromiſes with + his principles, and ſtipulates for the title of Perpetual Preſident. + </p> + <p> + That the removal of this child has been fortunate for thoſe who + govern, is proved by the effect: inſurrections are no longer talked + of, the royaliſts are confounded, the point of intereſt is no + more, and a ſort of deſpondency and confuſion prevails, + which is highly favourable to a continuance of the preſent ſyſtem.—There + is no doubt, but that when men's minds become more ſettled, the + advantage of having a Prince who iſ capable of acting, and whoſe + ſucceſs will not be accompanied by a long minority, will + conciliate all the reflecting part of the conſtitutional royaliſts, + in ſpite of their political objections. But the people who are more + under the influence of their feelings, and yield leſs to expediency, + may not, till urged by diſtreſs and anarchy, be brought to take + the ſame intereſt in the abſent claimant of the throne, + that they did in their infant Prince. + </p> + <p> + It is to be regretted, that an habitual and unconquerable deference for + the law which excludes females from the Crown of France, ſhould have + ſurvived monarchy itſelf; otherwiſe the tender compaſſion + excited by the youth, beauty and ſufferings of the Princeſs, + might yet have been the means of procuring peace to this diſtracted + country. But the French admire, lament, and leave her to her fate— + </p> + <table> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "O, ſhame of Gallia, in one ſullen tower + "She wets with royal tears her daily cell; + "She finds keen anguiſh every roſe devour, + "They ſpring, they bloom, then bid the world farewell. + "Illuſtrious mourner! will no gallant mind + "The cauſe of love, the cauſe of juſtice own? + "Such claimſ! ſuch charmſ! And is no life reſign'd + "To ſee them ſparkle from their parent throne?" + +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + How inconſiſtent do we often become through prejudiceſ! The + French are at this moment governed by adventurers and courtezanſ—by + whatever iſ baſe, degraded, or mean, in both ſexes; yet, + perhaps, would they bluſh to ſee enrolled among their Sovereigns + an innocent and beautiful Princeſs, the deſcendant of Henry the + Fourth. + </p> + <p> + Nothing ſince our arrival at Paris has ſeemed more ſtrange + than the eagerneſs with which every one recounts ſome atrocity, + either committed or ſuffered by his fellow-citizens; and all ſeem + to conclude, that the guilt or ſhame of theſe ſcenes is + ſo divided by being general, that no ſhare of either attaches to + any individual. They are never tired of the details of popular or judicial + maſſacres; and ſo zealous are they to do the honours of the + place, that I might, but for diſinclination on my part, paſs + half my time in viſiting the ſpots where they were perpetrated. + It was but to-day I was requeſted to go and examine a kind of ſewer, + lately deſcribed by Louvet, in the Convention, where the blood of thoſe + who ſuffered at the Guillotine was daily carried in buckets, by men + employed for the purpoſe.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "At the gate of St. Antoine an immenſe aqueduct had been conſtructed + for the purpoſe of carrying off the blood that was ſhed at the + executions, and every day four men were employed in taking it up in + buckets, and conveying it to this horrid reſervoir of butchery." + Louvet's Report, 2d May. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Theſe barbarous propenſities have long been the theme of + French ſatyriſts; and though I do not pretend to infer that they + are national, yet certainly the revolution has produced inſtances of + ferocity not to be paralleled in any country that ever had been civilized, + and ſtill leſs in one that had not.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It would be too ſhocking, both to decency and humanity, to recite + the more ſerious enormities alluded to; and I only add, to thoſe + I have formerly mentioned, a few examples which particularly deſcribe + the manners of the revolution.— At Metz, the heads of the + guillotined were placed on the tops of their own houſes. The + Guillotine was ſtationary, fronting the Town-houſe, for + months; and whoever was obſerved to paſs it with looks of diſapprobation, + was marked as an object of ſuſpicion. A popular Commiſſion, + inſtituted for receiving the revolutionary tax at this place, held + their meetings in a room hung with ſtripes of red and black, + lighted only with ſepulchral lamps; and on the deſk was placed + a ſmall Guillotine, ſurrounded by daggers and ſwords. In + this vault, and amidſt this gloomy apparatus, the inhabitants of + Metz brought their patriotic gifts, (that is, the arbitrary and + exorbitant contributions to which they were condemned,) and laid them on + the altar of the Guillotine, like the ſacrifice of fear to the + infernal deities; and, that the keeping of the whole buſineſſ + might be preſerved, the receipts were ſigned with red ink, + avowedly intended as expreſſive of the reigning ſyſtem. + At Cahors, the deputy, Taillefer, after making a triumphal entry with + ſeveral waggons full of people whom he had arreſted, ordered a + Guillotine to be erected in the ſquare, and ſome of the priſoners + to be brought forth and decorated in a mock coſtume repreſenting + Kings, Queens, and Nobility. He then obliged them ſucceſſively + to pay homage to the Guillotine, as though it had been a throne, the + executioner manoeuvring the inſtrument all the while, and exciting + the people to call for the heads of thoſe who were forced to act in + this horrid farce. The attempt, however, did not ſucceed, and the + ſpectators retired in ſilent indignation. At Laval, the head + of Laroche, a deputy of the Conſtituent Aſſembly, was + exhibited (by order of Lavallee, a deputy there on miſſion) on + the houſe inhabited by his wife.—At Auch, in the department + of Gers, d'Artigoyte, another deputy, obliged ſome of the people + under arreſt to eat out of a manger.—Borie uſed to amuſe + himſelf, and the inhabitants of Niſmes, by dancing what he + called a farandole round the Guillotine in his legiſlative coſtume.—The + repreſentative Lejeune ſolaced his leiſure hours in + beheading animals with a miniature Guillotine, the expence of which he + had placed to the account of the nation; and ſo much was he + delighted with it, that the poultry ſerved at his table were ſubmitted + to its operation, aſ well as the fruits at his deſſert! + (Debates, June 1.) But it would be tedious and diſguſting to + deſcribe all the <i>menuſ plaiſirſ</i> of theſe + founders of the French republic. Let it ſuffice to ſay, that + they compriſed whatever is ludicrous, ſanguinary, and + licentious, and that ſuch examples were but too ſucceſſful + in procuring imitators. At Tours, even the women wore Guillotines in + their ears, and it was not unuſual for people to ſeal their + letterſ with a ſimilar repreſentation! + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + We have been once at the theatre ſince the King's death, and the + ſtanza of the <i>Reveil du Peuple,</i> [The rouſing of the + people.] which contains a compliment to the Convention, was hiſſed + pretty generally, while thoſe expreſſing an abhorrence of + Jacobiniſm were ſung with enthuſiaſm. But the ſincerity + of theſe muſical politics is not always to be relied on: a + popular air is caught and echoed with avidity; and whether the words be <i>"Peuple + Francais, peuple de Freres,"</i> ["Brethren."]—or <i>"Danſons + la Guillotine,"</i> the expreſſion with which it is ſung is + not very different. How often have the theatres reſounded with <i>"Dieu + de clemence et de juſtice."</i> ["God of mercy and juſtice."] + and <i>"Liberte, Liberte, cherie!"</i> ["Liberty, beloved Liberty!"] while + the inſtrument of death waſ in a ſtate of unceaſing + activity—and when the auditors, who joined in theſe invocations + to Liberty, returned to their homes trembling, leſt they ſhould + be arreſted in the ſtreet, or find a mandate or guard at their + own houſes.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * An acquaintance of mine told me, that he was one evening in company at + Dijon, where, after ſinging hymns to liberty in the moſt + energetic ſtyle, all the party were arreſted, and betook themſelveſ + as tranquilly to priſon, as though the name of liberty had been + unknown to them. The municipality of Dijon commonly iſſued + their writs of arreſt in this form—"Such and ſuch a perſon + ſhall be arreſted, and his wife, if he has one!" + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —At preſent, however, the Pariſians really ſing the + <i>Reveil</i> from principle, and I doubt if even a new and more agreeable + air in the Jacobin intereſt would be able to ſupplant it. + </p> + <p> + We have had our permiſſion to remain here extended to another + Decade; but Mr. D———, who declares, ten times in an + hour, that the French are the ſtrangeſt people on earth, beſides + being the moſt barbarous and the moſt frivolous, is impatient to + be gone; and as we now have our paſſports, I believe we ſhall + depart the middle of next week. + </p> + <p> + —Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5_4_9" id="link5_4_9"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Paris, June 15, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + I am now, after a reſidence of more than three years, amidſt the + chaos of a revolution, on the eve of my departure from France. Yet, while + I joyfully prepare to reviſit my own country, my mind involuntarily + traceſ the rapid ſucceſſion of calamities which have + filled this period, and dwells with painful contemplation on thoſe + changes in the morals and condition of the French people that ſeem + hitherto to be the only fruitſ which they have produced. In this + recurrence to the paſt, and eſtimation of the preſent, + however we may regret the perſecution of wealth, the deſtruction + of commerce, and the general oppreſſion, the moſt important + and irretrievable miſchief of the revolution is, doubtleſs, the + corruption of manners introduced among the middle and lower claſſes + of the people. + </p> + <p> + The labouring poor of France have often been deſcribed as frugal, + thoughtleſs, and happy, earning, indeed, but little, yet ſpending + ſtill leſs, and in general able to procure ſuch a ſubſiſtence + as their habitſ and climate rendered agreeable and ſufficient.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Mr. Young ſeems to have been perſuaded, that the common + people of France worked harder, and were worſe fed, than thoſe + of the ſame deſcription in England. Yet, as far as I have had + opportunity of obſerving, and from the information I have been able + to procure, I cannot help ſuppoſing that this gentleman has + drawn his inference partially, and that he has often compared ſome + particular caſe of diſtreſs, with the general ſituation + of the peaſantry in the rich counties, which are the ſcene of + his experiments. The peaſantry of many diſtant parts of + England fare as coarſely, and labour harder, than was common in + France; and taking their habits of frugality, their diſpoſition + to be ſatiſfied, and their climate into the account, the + ſituation of the French perhaps was preferable. Mr. Young's Tour + has been quoted very triumphantly by a Noble Lord, particularly a paſſage + which laments and aſcribes to political cauſes the appearance + of premature old age, obſervable in French women of the lower claſſes. + Yet, for the ſatiſfaction of hiſ Lordſhip's + benevolence and gallantry, I can aſſure him, that the female + peaſants in France have not more laborious occupations than thoſe + of England, but they wear no ſtays, and expoſe themſelves + to all weathers without hats; in conſequence, loſe their + ſhape, tan their complexions, and harden their features ſo as + to look much older than they really are.—Mr. Young's book is tranſlated + into French, and I have too high an opinion both of his principles and + his talents to doubt that he muſt regret the ill effects it may + have had in France, and the uſe that has been made of it in + England. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —They are now become idle, profuſe, and gloomy; their poverty iſ + embittered by fanciful claims to riches and a taſte for expence. They + work with deſpair and unwillingneſs, becauſe they can no + longer live by their labour; and, alternately the victims of intemperance + or want, they are often to be found in a ſtate of intoxication, when + they have not been able to ſatiſfy their hunger—for, as + bread cannot always be purchaſed with paper, they procure a temporary + ſupport, at the expence of their health and morals, in the deſtructive + ſubſtitute of ſtrong liquors. + </p> + <p> + Thoſe of the next claſs, ſuch as working tradeſmen, + artizans, and domeſtic ſervants, though leſs wretched, are + far more diſſolute; and it is not uncommon in great towns to + ſee men of this deſcription unite the ferociouſneſs of + ſavages with all the vices of ſyſtematic profligacy. The + original principles of the revolution, of themſelves, naturally + tended to produce ſuch a depravation; but the ſuſpenſion + of religiouſ worſhip, the conduct of the Deputies on miſſion, + and the univerſal immorality of the exiſting government, muſt + have conſiderably haſtened it. When the people were forbidden + the exerciſe of their religion, though they did not ceaſe to be + attached to it, yet they loſt the good effects which even external + forms alone are calculated to produce; and while deiſm and atheiſm + failed in perverting their faith, they were but too ſucceſſful + in corrupting their morals. + </p> + <p> + As in all countries the reſtraints which religion impoſes are + more readily ſubmitted to by the inferior ranks of life, it is theſe + which muſt be moſt affected by its abolition; and we cannot + wonder, that when men have been once accuſtomed to neglect the duty + they conſider as moſt eſſential, they ſhould in + time become capable of violating every other: for, however it may be among + the learned, <i>qui ſ'aveuglent a force de lumiere,</i> [Who blind + themſelves by exceſs of light. Deſtouchet.] with the + ignorant the tranſition from religious indifference to actual vice iſ + rapid and certain. + </p> + <p> + The Miſſionaries of the Convention, who for two years extended + their deſtructive depredations over the departments, were every where + guilty of the moſt odious exceſſes, and thoſe leaſt + culpable offered examples of licentiouſneſs and intemperance + with which, till then, the people had never been familiar.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "When the Convention was elected, (ſays Durand Maillane, ſee + Report of the Committee of Legiſlation, 13th Prairial, 1ſt + June,) the choice fell upon men who abuſed the name of patriot, and + adopted it as a cloak for their vices.—Vainly do we inculcate juſtice, + and expect the Tribunals will bring thieves and aſſaſſins + to puniſhment, if we do not puniſh thoſe amongſt ourſelves.—Vainly + ſhall we talk of republican manners and democratic government, + while our repreſentatives carry into the departments examples of deſpotiſm + and corruption." The conduct of theſe civilized banditti has been + ſufficiently deſcribed. Allard, Lacoſte, Mallarme, + Milhaud, Laplanche, Moneſtier, Guyardin, Sergent, and many others, + were not only ferocious and extravagant, but known to have been guilty + of the meaneſt thefts. Javoques is alledged to have ſacrificed + two hundred people of Montibriſon, and to have ſtolen a vaſt + quantity of their effects. It was common for him to ſay, that he + acknowledged as true patriots thoſe only who, like himſelf, <i>"etaient + capables de boire une verre de ſang,"</i>—("were capable of + drinking a glaſs of blood.") D'Artigoyte diſtinguiſhed + himſelf by ſuch ſcandalous violations of morals and + decency, that they are not fit to be recited. He often obliged married + women, by menaces, to bring their daughters to the Jacobin clubs, for + the purpoſe of inſulting them with the groſſeſt + obſcenities.—Having a project of getting up a play for hiſ + amuſement, he cauſed it to be declared, that thoſe who + had any talents for acting, and did not preſent themſelves, + ſhould be impriſoned as ſuſpects. And it is + notorious, that this ſame Deputy once inſulted all the women + preſent at the theatre, and, after uſing the moſt obſcene + language for ſome time, concluded by ſtripping himſelf + entirely in preſence of the ſpectators. Report of the + Committee of Legiſlation, 13th Prairial (1ſt of June). Lacoſte + and Baudet, when they were on miſſion at Straſburgh, + lived in daily riot and intoxication with the members of the + Revolutionary Tribunal, who, after qualifying themſelves in theſe + orgies, proceeded to condemn all the priſoners brought before them.—During + the debate following the above quoted report, Dentzel accuſed Lacoſte, + among other larcenies, of having purloined ſome ſhirtſ + belonging to himſelf; and addreſſing Lacoſte, who + was preſent in the Aſſembly, with true democratic frankneſs, + adds, <i>"Je ſuis ſur qu'il en a une ſur le corps."</i>—("I + am certain he has one of them on at this moment.") Debate, 1ſt of + June. The following is a tranſlation of a letter from Piorry, Repreſentative + of the People, to the popular ſociety of Poitiers:— "My honeſt + and determined <i>Sans Culottes,</i> as you ſeemed to deſire a + Deputy amongſt you who has never deviated from the right + principles, that is to ſay, a true Mountaineeer, I fulfil your wiſhes + in ſending you the Citizen Ingrand.—Remember, honeſt and + determined <i>Sanſ Culottes,</i> that with the ſanction of the + patriot Ingrand, you may do every thing, obtain every thing, deſtroy + every thing—impriſon all, try all, tranſport all, or + guillotine all. Don't ſpare him a moment; and thus, through his + means, all may tremble, every thing be ſwept away, and, finally, be + re-eſtabliſhed in laſting order. (Signed) "Piorry." The + gentleman who tranſlated the above for me, ſubjoined, that he + had omitted various oaths too bad for tranſlation.—This + Piorry always attended the executions, and as faſt as a head fell, + uſed to wave his hat in the air, and cry, <i>"Vive la Republique!"</i> + Such are the founders of the French Republic, and ſuch the means by + which it has been ſupported! + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —It may be admitted, that the lives of the higher Nobleſſe + were not always edifying; but if their diſſipation was public, + their vices were leſs ſo, and the ſcenes of both were for + the moſt part confined to Paris. What they did not practiſe themſelves, + they at leaſt did not diſcourage in others; and though they + might be too indolent to endeavour at preſerving the morals of their + dependents, they knew their own intereſt too well to aſſiſt + in depraving them. + </p> + <p> + But the Repreſentatives, and their agents, are not to be conſidered + merely as individuals who have corrupted only by example;—they were + armed with unlimited authority, and made proſelytes through fear, + where they failed to produce them from inclination. A contempt for + religion or decency has been conſidered as the teſt of an + attachment to the government; and a groſs infraction of any moral or + ſocial duty as a proof of civiſm, and a victory over prejudice. + Whoever dreaded an arreſt, or courted an office, affected profaneneſs + and profligacy—and, doubtleſs, many who at firſt aſſumed + an appearance of vice from timidity, in the end contracted a preference + for it. I myſelf know inſtances of ſeveral who began by + deploring that they were no longer able to practiſe the dutieſ + of their religion, and ended by ridiculing or fearing them. Induſtriouſ + mechanics, who uſed to go regularly to maſs, and beſtow + their weekly <i>liard</i> on the poor, after a month's revolutioniſing, + in the ſuite of a Deputy, have danced round the flames which conſumed + the ſacred writings, and become as licentious and diſhoneſt + as their leader. + </p> + <p> + The general principles of the Convention have been adapted to ſanction + and accelerate the labours of their itinerant colleagues. The ſentenceſ + of felons were often reverſed, in conſideration of their + "patriotiſm"— women of ſcandalous lives have been penſioned, + and complimented publicly —and various decrees paſſed, all + tending to promote a national diſſoluteneſs of manners.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Among others, a decree which gave all illegitimate children a claim to + an equal participation in the property of the father to whom they ſhould + (at the diſcretion of the mother) be attributed. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The evil propenſities of our nature, which penal laws and + moraliſtſ vainly contend againſt, were foſtered by + praiſe, and ſtimulated by reward—all the eſtabliſhed + diſtinctions of right and wrong confounded— and a ſyſtem + of revolutionary ethics adopted, not leſs incompatible with the + happineſs of mankind than revolutionary politics. + </p> + <p> + Thus, all the purpoſes for which this general demoralization waſ + promoted, being at length attained, thoſe who were rich having been + pillaged, thoſe who were feared maſſacred, and a croud of + needy and deſperate adventurers attached to the fate of the + revolution, the expediency of a reform has lately been ſuggeſted. + But the miſchief iſ already irreparable. Whatever was good in + the national character iſ vitiated; and I do not ſcruple to aſſert, + that the revolution has both deſtroyed the morals of the people, and + rendered their condition leſſ happy*—that they are not + only removed to a greater diſtance from the poſſeſſion + of rational liberty, but are become more unfit for it than ever. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It has been aſſerted, with a view to ſerve the purpoſes + of party, that the condition of the lower claſſes in France + was mended by the revolution. If thoſe who advance this were not + either partial or ill-informed, they would obſerve that the largeſſes + of the Convention are always intended to palliate ſome miſery, + the conſequence of the revolution, and not to baniſh what is + ſaid to have exiſted before. For the moſt part, theſe + philanthropic projects are never carried into effect, and when they are, + it is to anſwer political purpoſes.—For inſtance, + many idle people are kept in pay to applaud at the debates and + executions, and aſſignats are diſtributed to thoſe + who have ſons ſerving in the army. The tendency of both theſe + donations needs no comment. The laſt, which is the moſt ſpecious, + only affords a means of temporary profuſion to people whoſe + children are no incumbrance to them, while ſuch as have numerous + and helpleſs families, are left without aſſiſtance. + Even the pooreſt people now regard the national paper with + contempt; and, perſuaded it muſt ſoon be of no value, + they eagerly ſquander whatever they receive, without care for the + future. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + As I have frequently, in the courſe of theſe letters, had occaſion + to quote from the debates of the Convention, and other recent + publications, I ought to obſerve that the French language, like every + thing elſe in the country, has been a ſubject of innovation—new + words have been invented, the meaning of old ones has been changed, and a + ſort of jargon, compounded of the appropriate terms of various arts + and ſciences, introduced, which habit alone can render intelligible. + There is ſcarcely a report read in the Convention that does not + exhibit every poſſible example of the Bathos, together with more + conceits than are to be found in a writer of the ſixteenth century; + and I doubt whether any of their projects of legiſlation or finance + would be underſtood by Monteſquieu or Colbert. + </p> + <p> + But the ſtyle moſt difficult to be comprehended by foreigners, + is that of the newſpapers; for the dread of offending government + ſo entirely poſſeſſes the imagination of thoſe + who compoſe ſuch publications, that it is not often eaſy to + diſtinguiſh a victory from a defeat, by the language in which it + is conveyed. The common news of the day is worded aſ cautiouſly + as though it were to be the ſubject of judicial diſquiſition; + and the real tendency of an article is ſometimes ſo much at + variance with its comment, that the whole, to a curſory peruſer, + may ſeem deſtitute of any meaning at all. Time, however, has + produced a ſort of intelligence between news-writers and their readerſ—and + rejoicings, lamentations, praiſe, or cenſure, are, on particular + occaſions, underſtood to convey the reverſe of what they + expreſs. + </p> + <p> + The affected moderation of the government, and the aſcendency which + ſome of the Briſſotin party are beginning to take in it, + ſeem to flatter the public with the hope of peace. They forget that + theſe men were the authors of the war, and that a few months impriſonment + has neither expiated their crimes, nor ſubdued their ambition. It is + the great advantage of the Briſſotins, that the revolutionary + tyranny which they had contributed to eſtabliſh, was wreſted + from them before it had taken its full effect; but thoſe who + appreciate their original claims, without regard to their ſufferings + under the perſecution of a party, are diſpoſed to expect + they will not be leſs tenacious of power, nor leſs arbitrary in + the exerciſe of it than any of the intervening factions. The preſent + government is compoſed of ſuch diſcordant elements, that + their very union betrays that they are in fact actuated by no principle, + except the general one of retaining their authority. Lanjuinais, Louvet, + Saladin, Danou, &c. are now leagued with Tallien, Freron, Dubois de + Crance, and even Carnot. + </p> + <p> + At the head of this motley aſſemblage of Briſſotins, + Orleaniſts, and Robeſpierrians, is Sieyeſ—who, with + perhaps leſs honeſty, though more cunning, than either, deſpiſes + and dupes them all. At a moment when the Convention had fallen into increaſed + contempt, and when the public affairs could no longer be conducted by + fabricators of reports and framers of decrees, the talents of this ſiniſter + politician became neceſſary; yet he enjoys neither the + confidence of his colleagues nor that of the people—the vanity and + duplicity of his conduct diſguſt and alarm the firſt, while + his reputation of partizan of the Duke of Orleanſ is a reaſon + for ſuſpicion in the latter. But if Sieyes has never been able + to conciliate eſteem, nor attain popularity, he has at length poſſeſſed + himſelf of power, and will not eaſily be induced to relinquiſh + it.—Many are of opinion, that he is ſecretly machinating for + the ſon of his former patron; but whether he means to govern in the + name of the Duke of Orleans, or in that of the republic, it is certain, + had the French any liberty to loſe, it never could have found a more + ſubtle and dangerouſ enemy.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The Abbe, in his <i>"notices ſur la Vie de Sieyes,"</i> declares + that his contempt and deteſtation of the colleagues "with whom hiſ + unfortunate ſtars had connected him," were ſo great, that he + determined, from his firſt arrival at the Convention, to take no + part in public affairs. As theſe were his original ſentiments + of the Aſſembly, perhaps he may hereafter explain by which of + their operations his eſteem was ſo much reconciled, that he haſ + condeſcended to become their leader. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Paris may, without exaggeration, be deſcribed as in a ſtate of + famine. The markets are ſcantily ſupplied, and bread, except the + little diſtributed by order of the government, not to be obtained: + yet the inhabitants, for the moſt part, are not turbulent—they + have learned too late, that revolutions are not the ſource of plenty, + and, though they murmur and execrate their rulers, they abſtain from + violence, and ſeem rather inclined to yield to deſpair, than to + ſeek revenge. This is one proof, among a variety of others, that the + deſpotiſm under which the French have groaned for the laſt + three years, has much ſubdued the vivacity and impatience of the + national character; for I know of no period in their hiſtory, when + ſuch a combination of perſonal ſuffering and political diſcontent, + as exiſts at preſent, would not have produced ſome ſerious + convulſion. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5_4_10" id="link5_4_10"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, June 18, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + We returned hither yeſterday, and on Friday we are to proceed to + Havre, accompanied by an order from the Committee of Public Welfare, + ſtating that ſeveral Engliſh families, and ourſelves + among the number, have been for ſome time a burthen on the generoſity + of the republic, and that for this reaſon we are permitted to embark + as ſoon as we can find the means. This is neither true, nor very + gallant; but we are too happy in quitting the republic, to cavil about + terms, and would not exchange our pauper-like paſſports for a + conſignment of all the national domains. + </p> + <p> + I have been buſy to-day in collecting and diſpoſing of my + papers, and though I have taken infinite pains to conceal them, their bulk + is ſo conſiderable, that the conveyance muſt be attended + with riſk. While I was thus employed, the caſual peruſal of + ſome paſſages in my letters and notes has led me to conſider + how much my ideas of the French character and manners differ from thoſe + to be found in the generality of modern travels. My opinions are not of + importance enough to require a defence; and a conſciouſneſs + of not having deviated from truth makes me ſtill more averſe + from an apology. Yet as I have in ſeveral inſtances varied from + authorities highly reſpectable, it may not be improper to endeavour + to account for what has almoſt the appearance of preſumption. + </p> + <p> + If you examine moſt of the publications deſcribing foreign + countries, you will find them generally written by authors travelling + either with the eclat of birth and riches, or, profeſſionally, + as men of ſcience or letters. They ſcarcely remain in any place + longer than ſuffices to view the churches, and to deliver their + letters of recommendation; or, if their ſtay be protracted at ſome + capital town, it is only to be feted from one houſe to another, among + that claſs of people who are every where alike. As ſoon as they + appear in ſociety, their reputation as authorſ ſets all the + national and perſonal vanity in it afloat. One is polite, for the + honour of his country—another is brilliant, to recommend himſelf; + and the traveller cannot aſk a queſtion, the anſwer to + which iſ not intended for an honourable inſertion in his + repertory of future fame. + </p> + <p> + In this manner an author is paſſed from the literati and faſhionable + people of one metropolis to thoſe of the next. He goes poſt + through ſmall towns and villages, ſeldom mixes with every-day + life, and muſt in a great degree depend for information on partial + enquiries. He ſees, as it were, only the two extremes of human + condition—the ſplendour of the rich, and the miſery of the + poor; but the manners of the intermediate claſſes, which are leſs + obtruſive, are not within the notice of a temporary reſident. + </p> + <p> + It is not therefore extraordinary, that I, who have been domeſticated + ſome years in France, who have lived among its inhabitants without + pretenſions, and ſeen them without diſguiſe, ſhould + not think them quite ſo polite, elegant, gay, or ſuſceptible, + as they endeavour to appear to the viſitant of the day. Where objects + of curioſity only are to be deſcribed, I know that a vaſt + number may be viewed in a very rapid progreſs; yet national + character, I repeat, cannot be properly eſtimated but by means of + long and familiar intercourſe. A perſon who is every where a + ſtranger, muſt ſee things in their beſt dreſs; + being the object of attention, he is naturally diſpoſed to be + pleaſed, and many circumſtances both phyſical and moral are + paſſed over as novelties in this tranſient communication, + which might, on repetition, be found inconvenient or diſguſting. + When we are ſtationary, and ſurrounded by our connections, we + are apt to be difficult and ſplenetic; but a literary traveller never + thinks of inconvenience, and ſtill leſs of being out of humour—curioſity + reconciles him to the one, and his fame ſo ſmooths all his + intercourſe, that he has no plea for the other. + </p> + <p> + It is probably for theſe reaſons that we have ſo many + panegyriſts of our Gallic neighbours, and there is withal a certain + faſhion of liberality that has lately prevailed, by which we think + ourſelves bound to do them more than juſtice, becauſe they + [are] our political enemies. For my own part, I confeſs I have merely + endeavoured to be impartial, and have not ſcrupled to give a + preference to my own country where I believed it waſ due. I make no + pretenſions to that ſort of coſmopolitaniſm which iſ + without partialities, and affects to conſider the Chicktaw or the + Tartarſ of Thibet, with the ſame regard as a fellow-countryman. + Such univerſal philanthropiſts, I have often ſuſpected, + are people of very cold hearts, who fancy they love the whole world, becauſe + they are incapable of loving any thing in it, and live in a ſtate of + "moral vagabondage," (as it iſ happily termed by Gregoire,) in order + to be exempted from the ties of a ſettled reſidence. <i>"Le coſmopolytiſme + de ſyſteme et de fait n'eſt qu'un vagabondage phyſique + ou moral: nous devons un amour de preference a la ſociete politique + dont nous ſommes membres."</i> ["Coſmopolytiſm, either in + theory or in practice, is no better than a moral or phyſical + vagrancy: the political ſociety of which we are members, is entitled + to a preference in our affections."] + </p> + <p> + Let it not be imagined, that, in drawing compariſons between France + and England, I have been influenced by perſonal ſuffering or perſonal + reſentment. My opinions on the French characters and manners were + formed before the revolution, when, though my judgment might be deficient, + my heart was warm, and my mind unprejudiced; yet whatever credit may be + allowed to my general opinions, thoſe which particularly apply to the + preſent ſituation and temper of the French will probably be diſputed. + When I deſcribe the immenſe majority of the nation as royaliſts, + hating their government, and at once indignant and ſubmiſſive, + thoſe who have not ſtudied the French character, and the progreſs + of the revolution, may ſuſpect my veracity. I can only appeal to + facts. It is not a new event in hiſtory for the many to be ſubdued + by the few, and this ſeems to be the only inſtance in which + ſuch a poſſibility has been doubted.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It is admitted by Briſſot, who is in this caſe + competent authority, that about twenty factious adventurers had oppreſſed + the Convention and the whole country. A more impartial calculator would + have been leſs moderate in the number, but the fact is the ſame; + and it would be difficult to fix the period when this oppreſſion + ceaſed. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The well-meaning of all claſſes in France are weak, becauſe + they are divided; while the ſmall, but deſperate factions that + oppreſs them, are ſtrong in their union, and in the poſſeſſion + of all the reſources of the country. + </p> + <p> + Under theſe circumſtances, no ſucceſſful effort + can be made; and I have collected from various ſources, that the + general idea of the French at preſent is, to wait till the new conſtitution + appears, and to accept it, though it ſhould be even more anarchical + and tyrannic than the laſt. They then hope that the Convention will + reſign their power without violence, that a new election of repreſentatives + will take place, and that thoſe repreſentatives, who they intend + ſhall be men of honeſty and property, will reſtore them to + the bleſſings of a moderate and permanent government. + </p> + <p> + —Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link5_4_11" id="link5_4_11"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Havre, June 22, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + We are now in hourly expectation of ſailing for England: we have + agreed with the Captain of a neutral veſſel, and are only + waiting for a propitious wind. This good ally of the French ſeems to + be perfectly ſenſible of the value of a conveyance out of the + republic, and accordingly we are to pay him about ten times more for our + paſſage than he would have aſked formerly. We choſe + this port in preference to Calaiſ or Boulogne, becauſe I wiſhed + to ſee my friend Madame de ——— at Rouen, and leave + Angelique with her relations, who live there. + </p> + <p> + I walked this morning to the harbour, and ſeeing ſome + flat-bottomed boatſ conſtructing, aſked a French gentleman + who accompanied me, perhaps a little triumphantly, if they were intended + for a deſcent on the Engliſh coaſt. He replied, with great + compoſure, that government might deem it expedient (though without + any views of ſucceeding) to ſacrifice ten or twenty thouſand + men in the attempt.—It is no wonder that governments, accountable + for the lives and treaſure they riſk, are ſcarcely equal to + a conflict ſuſtained by ſuch power, and conducted on ſuch + principles.—But I am wearied and diſguſted with the + contemplation of this deſpotiſm, and I return to my country + deeply and gratefully impreſſed with a ſenſe of the + bleſſings we enjoy in a free and happy conſtitution. + </p> + <p> + —I am, &c. + </p> + <h3> + FINIS. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + +<a name="shorts" id="shorts"></a> +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="bookcover (83K)" src="images/bookcover.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + A RESIDENCE IN FRANCE,<br /> <br /> DURING THE YEARS<br /> <br /> 1792, 1793, + 1794, and 1795 + </h1> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + DESCRIBED IN A SERIES OF LETTERS<br /> FROM AN ENGLISH LADY;<br /> With + General And Incidental Remarks<br /> On The French Character And Manners. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h4> + Prepared for the Press<br /> By John Gifford, Esq.<br /> <br /> Second + Edition.<br /> <br /> <i>Plus je vis l'Etranger plus j'aimai ma Patrie.</i><br /> + --Du Belloy.<br /> <br /> London: Printed for T. N. Longman, Paternoster + Row. 1797. + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="4"> + <tr> + <td> + <b>TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:</b> The original 1797 volumes used the long-S + which is difficult for us to read. In the main text and html volumes + the long-S has been converted to the normal small-s of present day + usage. <a href="#longs"><b>A second html file has been prepared in + Unicode which supports the long-S and can be viewed by clicking on + this line.</b></a> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + SAMPLE PAGES FROM THE SECOND VOLUME + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="title (50K)" src="images/title.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="p2-1 (65K)" src="images/p2-1.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="p2-119 (153K)" src="images/p2-119.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="p2-291 (163K)" src="images/p2-291.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#shorts_4_1">PRELIMINARY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_3">DEDICATION</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#shortPRE4">PREFACE</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_5"><b>A RESIDENCE IN FRANCE.</b></a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_6">May 10, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_7">May, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_8">June 10, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_9">June 24, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_10">July 24, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_11">August 4, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_12">August 15.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_13">August 22, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_14">Hesdin.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_15">Arras, August, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_16">Lisle, August, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_17">Lisle.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_18">Lisle, Saturday.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_19">Arras, September 1, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_20">Arras, September.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_21">Arras.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_22">Arras.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_23">September 2, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_24">September 4.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_25">Arras, September, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_26">Arras, September 14, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_27">St. Omer, September, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_28">September, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_29">Amiens, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_30">Abbeville, September, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_31">October, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_32">Amiens, October, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_33">Amiens, November, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short_4_34">December, 1792.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_1">Amiens, January, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_2">Amiens, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_3">Amiens, January 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_4">Amiens, February 15, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_5">Amiens, Feb. 25, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_6">Amiens, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_7">March 23, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_8">Rouen, March 31, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_9">Amiens, April 7, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_10">April 20, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_11">May 18, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_12">June 3, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_13">June 20, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_14">June 30, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_15">Amiens, July 5, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_16">July 14, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_17">July 23, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_18">Peronne, July 29, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_19">August 1, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_20">Soissons, August 4, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_21">Peronne, August, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_22">Peronne, August 24, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_23">Peronne, August 29, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_24">Peronne, Sept. 7, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_25">Maison d'Arret, Arras, Oct. 15, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_26">Maison d'Arret, Arras, Oct. 17, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_27">Oct. 18.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_28">Oct. 19.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_29">Oct. 20.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_30">Arras, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_31">Oct. 21.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_32">Oct. 22.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_33">Oct. 25.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_34">Oct. 27.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_35">Oct. 30.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_36">Bicetre at Amiens, Nov. 18, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_37">November 19, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_38">Nov. 20.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_39">December.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_40">Amiens, Providence, Dec. 10, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_41">[Beginning of Volume II. Of The Printed Books]</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_42">Providence, Dec. 20, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_2">January 6, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_3">January, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_4">Providence, Jan. 29.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_5">February 2, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_6">February 12, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_7">[No date given.]</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_8">March 1, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_9">March, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_10">March 5, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_11">March 17, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_12">Providence, April 15, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_13">April 22, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_14">April 30, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_15">June 3, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_16">June 11, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_17">Providence, Aug. 11, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_18">August 12.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_19">Providence, Aug. 13, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_20">Providence, Aug. 14, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_21">Providence, Aug. 15, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_22">August, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_23">[No Date Given]</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_24">Amiens, Sept. 30, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_25">Amiens, October 4, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_26">October 6, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_27">[No Date or Place Given.]</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_28">Amiens, Oct. 24, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_29">Amiens, Nov. 2, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_30">Basse-ville, Arras, Nov. 6, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_31">Amiens, Nov. 26, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_32">Amiens, Nov. 29, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_33">Amiens. [No date given.]</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_34">Amiens, Dec. 10, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_35">Amiens, Dec. 16, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_36">December 24, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_37">December 27, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short5_4_1">Amiens, Jan. 23, 1795.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short5_4_2">Amiens, Jan. 30, 1795.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short5_4_3">Beauvais, March 13, 1795.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short5_4_4">Amiens, May 9, 1795.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short5_4_5">Amiens, May 26, 1795.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short5_4_6">Paris, June 3, 1795.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short5_4_7">Paris, June 6, 1795.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short5_4_8">Paris, June 8, 1795.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short5_4_9">Paris, June 15, 1795.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short5_4_10">Amiens, June 18, 1795.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short5_4_11">Havre, June 22, 1795.</a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="short_4_1" id="short_4_1"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <a name="shorts_4_1"></a> + <h2> + PRELIMINARY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR. + </h2> + <p> + The following Letters were submitted to my inspection and judgement by the + Author, of whose principles and abilities I had reason to entertain a very + high opinion. How far my judgement has been exercised to advantage in + enforcing the propriety of introducing them to the public, that public + must decide. To me, I confess, it appeared, that a series of important + facts, tending to throw a strong light on the internal state of France, + during the most important period of the Revolution, could neither prove + uninteresting to the general reader, nor indifferent to the future + historian of that momentous epoch; and I conceived, that the opposite and + judicious reflections of a well-formed and well-cultivated mind, naturally + arising out of events within the immediate scope of its own observation, + could not in the smallest degree diminish the interest which, in my + apprehension, they are calculated to excite. My advice upon this occasion + was farther influenced by another consideration. Having traced, with + minute attention, the progress of the revolution, and the conduct of its + advocates, I had remarked the extreme affiduity employed (as well by + translations of the most violent productions of the Gallic press, as by + original compositions,) to introduce and propagate, in foreign countries, + those pernicious principles which have already sapped the foundation of + social order, destroyed the happiness of millions, and spread desolation + and ruin over the finest country in Europe. I had particularly observed + the incredible efforts exerted in England, and, I am sorry to say, with + too much success, for the base purpose of giving a false colour to every + action of the persons exercising the powers of government in France; and I + had marked, with indignation, the atrocious attempt to strip vice of its + deformity, to dress crime in the garb of virtue, to decorate slavery with + the symbols of freedom, and give to folly the attributes of wisdom. I had + seen, with extreme concern, men, whom the lenity, mistaken lenity, I must + call it, of our government had rescued from punishment, if not from ruin, + busily engaged in this scandalous traffic, and, availing themselves of + their extensive connections to diffuse, by an infinite variety of + channels, the poison of democracy over their native land. In short, I had + seen the British press, the grand palladium of British liberty, devoted to + the cause of Gallic licentiousness, that mortal enemy of all freedom, and + even the pure stream of British criticism diverted from its natural + course, and polluted by the pestilential vapours of Gallic republicanism. + I therefore deemed it essential, by an exhibition of well-authenticated + facts, to correct, as far as might be, the evil effects of + misrepresentation and error, and to defend the empire of truth, which had + been assailed by a host of foes. + </p> + <p> + My opinion of the principles on which the present system of government in + France was founded, and the war to which those principles gave rise, have + been long since submitted to the public. Subsequent events, far from + invalidating, have strongly confirmed it. In all the public declarations + of the Directory, in their domestic polity, in their conduct to foreign + powers, I plainly trace the prevalence of the same principles, the same + contempt for the rights and happiness of the people, the same spirit of + aggression and aggrandizement, the same eagerness to overturn the existing + institutions of neighbouring states, and the same desire to promote "the + universal revolution of Europe," which marked the conduct of BRISSOT, LE + BRUN, DESMOULINS, ROBESPIERRE, and their disciples. Indeed, what stronger + instance need be adduced of the continued prevalence of these principles, + than the promotion to the supreme rank in the state, of two men who took + an active part in the most atrocious proceedings of the Convention at the + close of 1792, and at the commencement of the following year? + </p> + <p> + In all the various constitutions which have been successively adopted in + that devoted country, the welfare of the people has been wholly + disregarded, and while they have been amused with the shadow of liberty, + they have been cruelly despoiled of the substance. Even on the + establishment of the present constitution, the one which bore the nearest + resemblance to a rational system, the freedom of election, which had been + frequently proclaimed as the very corner-stone of liberty, was shamefully + violated by the legislative body, who, in their eagerness to perpetuate + their own power, did not scruple to destroy the principle on which it was + founded. Nor is this the only violation of their own principles. A French + writer has aptly observed, that "En revolution comme en morale, ce n'est + que le premier pas qui coute:" thus the executive, in imitation of the + legislative body, seem disposed to render their power perpetual. For + though it be expressly declared by the 137th article of the 6th title of + their present constitutional code, that the "Directory shall be partially + renewed by the election of a new member every year," no step towards such + election has been taken, although the time prescribed by the law is + elapsed.—In a private letter from Paris now before me, written + within these few days, is the following observation on this very + circumstance: "The constitution has received another blow. The month of + Vendemiaire is past, and our Directors still remain the same. Hence we + begin to drop the appalation of Directory, and substitute that of the + Cinqvir, who are more to be dreaded for their power, and more to be + detested for their crimes, than the Decemvir of ancient Rome." The same + letter also contains a brief abstract of the state of the metropolis of + the French republic, which is wonderfully characteristic of the attention + of the government to the welfare and happiness of its inhabitants! + </p> + <p> + "The reign of misery and of crime seems to be perpetuated in this + distracted capital: suicides, pillage, and assassinations, are daily + committed, and are still suffered to pass unnoticed. But what renders our + situation still more deplorable, is the existence of an innumerable band + of spies, who infest all public places, and all private societies. More + than a hundred thousand of these men are registered on the books of the + modern SARTINE; and as the population of Paris, at most, does not exceed + six hundred thousand souls, we are sure to find in six individuals one + spy. This consideration makes me shudder, and, accordingly, all + confidence, and all the sweets of social intercourse, are banished from + among us. People salute each other, look at each other, betray mutual + suspicions, observe a profound silence, and part. This, in few words, is + an exact description of our modern republican parties. It is said, that + poverty has compelled many respectable persons, and even state-creditors, + to enlist under the standard of COCHON, (the Police Minister,) because + such is the honourable conduct of our sovereigns, that they pay their + spies in specie—and their soldiers, and the creditors of the state, + in paper.—Such is the morality, such the justice, such are the + republican virtues, so loudly vaunted by our good and dearest friends, our + pensioners—the Gazetteers of England and Germany!" + </p> + <p> + There is not a single abuse, which the modern reformers reprobated so + loudly under the ancient system, that is not magnified, in an infinite + degree, under the present establishment. For one Lettre de Cachet issued + during the mild reign of LOUIS the Sixteenth, a thousand Mandats d'Arret + have been granted by the tyrannical demagogues of the revolution; for one + Bastile which existed under the Monarchy, a thousand Maisons de Detention + have been established by the Republic. In short, crimes of every + denomination, and acts of tyranny and injustice, of every kind, have + multiplied, since the abolition of royalty, in a proportion which sets all + the powers of calculation at defiance. + </p> + <p> + It is scarcely possible to notice the present situation of France, without + adverting to the circumstances of the WAR, and to the attempt now making, + through the medium of negotiation, to bring it to a speedy conclusion. + Since the publication of my Letter to a Noble Earl, now destined to chew + the cud of disappointment in the vale of obscurity, I have been astonished + to hear the same assertions advance, by the members and advocates of that + party whose merit is said to consist in the violence of their opposition + to the measures of government, on the origin of the war, which had + experienced the most ample confutation, without the assistance of any + additional reason, and without the smallest attempt to expose the + invalidity of those proofs which, in my conception, amounted nearly to + mathematical demonstration, and which I had dared them, in terms the most + pointed, to invalidate. The question of aggression before stood on such + high ground, that I had not the presumption to suppose it could derive an + accession of strength from any arguments which I could supply; but I was + confident, that the authentic documents which I offered to the public + would remove every intervening object that tended to obstruct the fight of + inattentive observers, and reflect on it such an additional light as would + flash instant conviction on the minds of all. It seems, I have been + deceived; but I must be permitted to suggest, that men who persist in the + renewal of assertions, without a single effort to controvert the proofs + which have been adduced to demonstrate their fallacy, cannot have for + their object the establishment of truth—which ought, exclusively, to + influence the conduct of public characters, whether writers or orators. + </p> + <p> + With regard to the negotiation, I can derive not the smallest hopes of + success from a contemplation of the past conduct, or of the present + principles, of the government of France. When I compare the projects of + aggrandizement openly avowed by the French rulers, previous to the + declaration of war against this country, with the exorbitant pretensions + advanced in the arrogant reply of the Executive Directory to the note + presented by the British Envoy at Basil in the month of February, 1796, + and with the more recent observations contained in their official note of + the 19th of September last, I cannot think it probable that they will + accede to any terms of peace that are compatible with the interest and + safety of the Allies. Their object is not so much the establishment as the + extension of their republic. + </p> + <p> + As to the danger to be incurred by a treaty of peace with the republic of + France, though it has been considerably diminished by the events of the + war, it is still unquestionably great. This danger principally arises from + a pertinacious adherence, on the part of the Directory, to those very + principles which were adopted by the original promoters of the abolition + of Monarchy in France. No greater proof of such adherence need be required + than their refusal to repeal those obnoxious decrees (passed in the months + of November and December, 1792,) which created so general and so just an + alarm throughout Europe, and which excited the reprobation even of that + party in England, which was willing to admit the equivocal interpretation + given to them by the Executive Council of the day. I proved, in the Letter + to a Noble Earl before alluded to, from the very testimony of the members + of that Council themselves, as exhibited in their official instructions to + one of their confidential agents, that the interpretation which they had + assigned to those decrees, in their communications with the British + Ministry, was a base interpretation, and that they really intended to + enforce the decrees, to the utmost extent of their possible operation, + and, by a literal construction thereof, to encourage rebellion in every + state, within the reach of their arms or their principles. Nor have the + present government merely forborne to repeal those destructive laws—they + have imitated the conduct of their predecessors, have actually put them in + execution wherever they had the ability to do so, and have, in all + respects, as far as related to those decrees, adopted the precise spirit + and principles of the faction which declared war against England. Let any + man read the instructions of the Executive Council to PUBLICOLA CHAUSSARD, + their Commissary in the Netherlands, in 1792 and 1793, and an account of + the proceedings in the Low Countries consequent thereon, and then examine + the conduct of the republican General, BOUNAPARTE, in Italy—who must + necessarily act from the instructions of the Executive Directory——and + he will be compelled to acknowledge the justice of my remark, and to admit + that the latter actuated by the same pernicious desire to overturn the + settled order of society, which invariably marked the conduct of the + former. + </p> + <p> + "It is an acknowledged fact, that every revolution requires a provisional + power to regulate its disorganizing movements, and to direct the + methodical demolition of every part of the ancient social constitution.— + Such ought to be the revolutionary power. + </p> + <p> + "To whom can such power belong, but to the French, in those countries into + which they may carry their arms? Can they with safety suffer it to be + exercised by any other persons? It becomes the French republic, then, to + assume this kind of guardianship over the people whom she awakens to + Liberty!*" + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * <i>Considerations Generales fur l'Esprit et les Principes du Decret du + 15 Decembre</i>. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Such were the Lacedaemonian principles avowed by the French government in + 1792, and such is the Lacedaimonian policy* pursued by the French + government in 1796! It cannot then, I conceive, be contended, that a + treaty with a government still professing principles which have been + repeatedly proved to be subversive of all social order, which have been + acknowledged by their parents to have for their object the methodical + demolition of existing constitutions, can be concluded without danger or + risk. That danger, I admit, is greatly diminished, because the power which + was destined to carry into execution those gigantic projects which + constituted its object, has, by the operations of the war, been + considerably curtailed. They well may exist in equal force, but the + ability is no longer the same. + </p> + <p> + MACHIAVEL justly observes, that it was the narrow policy of the + Lacedaemonians always to destroy the ancient constitution, and establish + their own form of government, in the counties and cities which they + subdued. + </p> + <p> + But though I maintain the existence of danger in a Treaty with the + Republic of France, unless she previously repeal the decrees to which I + have adverted, and abrogate the acts to which they have given birth, I by + no means contend that it exists in such a degree as to justify a + determination, on the part of the British government, to make its removal + the sine qua non of negotiation, or peace. Greatly as I admire the + brilliant endowments of Mr. BURKE, and highly as I respect and esteem him + for the manly and decisive part which he has taken, in opposition to the + destructive anarchy of republican France, and in defence of the + constitutional freedom of Britain; I cannot either agree with him on this + point, or concur with him in the idea that the restoration of the Monarchy + of France was ever the object of the war. That the British Ministers + ardently desired that event, and were earnest in their endeavours to + promote it, is certain; not because it was the object of the war, but + because they considered it as the best means of promoting the object of + the war, which was, and is, the establishment of the safety and + tranquillity of Europe, on a solid and permanent basis. If that object can + be attained, and the republic exist, there is nothing in the past conduct + and professions of the British Ministers, that can interpose an obstacle + to the conclusion of peace. Indeed, in my apprehension, it would be highly + impolitic in any Minister, at the commencement of a war, to advance any + specific object, that attainment of which should be declared to be the + sine qua non of peace. If mortals could arrogate to themselves the + attributes of the Deity, if they could direct the course of events, and + controul the chances of war, such conduct would be justifiable; but on no + other principle, I think, can its defence be undertaken. It is, I grant, + much to be lamented, that the protection offered to the friends of + monarchy in France, by the declaration of the 29th of October, 1793, could + not be rendered effectual: as far as the offer went it was certainly + obligatory on the party who made it; but it was merely conditional—restricted, + as all similar offers necessarily must be, by the ability to fulfil the + obligation incurred. + </p> + <p> + In paying this tribute to truth, it is not my intention to retract, in the + smallest degree, the opinion I have ever professed, that the restoration + of the ancient monarchy of France would be the best possible means not + only of securing the different states of Europe from the dangers of + republican anarchy, but of promoting the real interests, welfare, and + happiness of the French people themselves. The reasons on which this + opinion is founded I have long since explained; and the intelligence which + I have since received from France, at different times, has convinced me + that a very great proportion of her inhabitants concur in the sentiment. + </p> + <p> + The miseries resulting from the establishment of a republican system of + government have been severely felt, and deeply deplored; and I am fully + persuaded, that the subjects and tributaries of France will cordially + subscribe to the following observation on republican freedom, advanced by + a writer who had deeply studied the genius of republics: <i>"Di tutte le + fervitu dure, quella e durissima, che ti sottomette ad una republica; + l'una, perche e la piu durabile, e manco si puo sperarne d'ufare: L'altra + perche il fine della republica e enervare ed indebolire, debolire, per + accrescere il corpo suo, tutti gli altri corpi.</i>*" + </p> + <p> + JOHN GIFFORD. London, Nov. 12, 1796. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * <i>Discorsi di Nicoli Machiavelli,</i> Lib. ii. p. 88. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + P.S. Since I wrote the preceding remarks, I have been given to understand, + that by a decree, subsequent to the completion of the constitutional code, + the first partial renewal of the Executive Directory was deferred till the + month of March, 1979; and that, therefore, in this instance, the present + Directory cannot be accused of having violated the constitution. But the + guilt is only to be transferred from the Directory to the Convention, who + passed that decree, as well as some others, in contradiction to a positive + constitutional law.——-Indeed, the Directory themselves + betrayed no greater delicacy with regard to the observance of the + constitution, or M. BARRAS would never have taken his seat among them; for + the constitution expressly says, (and this positive provision was not even + modified by any subsequent mandate of the Convention,) that no man shall + be elected a member of the Directory who has not completed his fortieth + year—whereas it is notorious that Barras had not this requisite + qualification, having been born in the year 1758! + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + I avail myself of the opportunity afforded me by the publication of a + Second Edition to notice some insinuations which have been thrown out, + tending to question the authenticity of the work. The motives which have + induced the author to withhold from these Letters the sanction of her + name, relate not to herself, but to some friends still remaining in + France, whose safety she justly conceives might be affected by the + disclosure. Acceding to the force and propriety of these motives, yet + aware of the suspicions to which a recital of important facts, by an + anonymous writer, would naturally be exposed, and sensible, also, that a + certain description of critics would gladly avail themselves of any + opportunity for discouraging the circulation of a work which contained + principles hostile to their own; I determined to prefix my name to the + publication. By so doing, I conceived that I stood pledged for its + authenticity; and the matter has certainly been put in a proper light by + an able and respectable critic, who has observed that "Mr. GIFFORD stands + between the writer and the public," and that "his name and character are + the guarantees for the authenticity of the Letters." + </p> + <p> + This is precisely the situation in which I meant to place myself— + precisely the pledge which I meant to give. The Letters are exactly what + they profess to be; the production of a Lady's pen, and written in the + very situations which they describe.—The public can have no grounds + for suspecting my veracity on a point in which I can have no possible + interest in deceiving them; and those who know me will do me the justice + to acknowledge, that I have a mind superior to the arts of deception, and + that I am incapable of sanctioning an imposition, for any purpose, or from + any motives whatever. Thus much I deemed it necessary to say, as well from + a regard for my own character, and from a due attention to the public, as + from a wish to prevent the circulation of the work from being subjected to + the impediments arising from the prevalence of a groundless suspicion. + </p> + <p> + I naturally expected, that some of the preceding remarks would excite the + resentment and draw down the vengeance of those persons to whom they + evidently applied. The contents of every publication are certainly a fair + subject for criticism; and to the fair comments of real critics, however + repugnant to the sentiments I entertain, or the doctrine I seek to + inculcate, I shall ever submit without murmur or reproach. But, when men, + assuming that respectable office, openly violate all the duties attached + to it, and, sinking the critic in the partizan, make a wanton attack on my + veracity, it becomes proper to repel the injurious imputation; and the + same spirit which dictates submission to the candid award of an impartial + judge, prescribes indignation and scorn at the cowardly attacks of a + secret assassin. + </p> + <p> + April 14, 1797. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_2" id="short_4_2"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + RESIDENCE IN FRANCE + </h2> + <p> + <a name="short_4_3" id="short_4_3"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + DEDICATION + </h2> + <p> + To The RIGHT HON. EDMUND BURKE. + </p> + <p> + SIR, + </p> + <p> + It is with extreme diffidence that I offer the following pages to Your + notice; yet as they describe circumstances which more than justify Your + own prophetic reflections, and are submitted to the public eye from no + other motive than a love of truth and my country, I may, perhaps, be + excused for presuming them to be not altogether unworthy of such a + distinction. + </p> + <p> + While Your puny opponents, if opponents they may be called, are either + sunk into oblivion, or remembered only as associated with the degrading + cause they attempted to support, every true friend of mankind, + anticipating the judgement of posterity, views with esteem and veneration + the unvarying Moralist, the profound Politician, the indefatigable Servant + of the Public, and the warm Promoter of his country's happiness. + </p> + <p> + To this universal testimony of the great and good, permit me, Sir, to join + my humble tribute; being, with the utmost respect, + </p> + <p> + SIR, + </p> + <p> + Your obedient Servant, THE AUTHOR. Sept. 12, 1796. + </p> + <p> + <a name="shortPRE4" id="shortPRE4"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + PREFACE + </h2> + <p> + After having, more than once, in the following Letters, expressed opinions + decidedly unfavourable to female authorship, when not justified by + superior talents, I may, by now producing them to the public, subject + myself to the imputation either of vanity or inconsistency; and I + acknowledge that a great share of candour and indulgence must be possessed + by readers who attend to the apologies usually made on such occasions: yet + I may with the strictest truth alledge, that I should never have ventured + to offer any production of mine to the world, had I not conceived it + possible that information and reflections collected and made on the spot, + during a period when France exhibited a state, of which there is no + example in the annals of mankind, might gratify curiosity without the aid + of literary embellishment; and an adherence to truth, I flattered myself, + might, on a subject of this nature, be more acceptable than brilliancy of + thought, or elegance of language. The eruption of a volcano may be more + scientifically described and accounted for by the philosopher; but the + relation of the illiterate peasant who beheld it, and suffered from its + effects, may not be less interesting to the common hearer. + </p> + <p> + Above all, I was actuated by the desire of conveying to my countrymen a + just idea of that revolution which they have been incited to imitate, and + of that government by which it has been proposed to model our own. + </p> + <p> + Since these pages were written, the Convention has nominally been + dissolved, and a new constitution and government have succeeded, but no + real change of principle or actors has taken place; and the system, of + which I have endeavoured to trace the progress, must still be considered + as existing, with no other variations than such as have been necessarily + produced by the difference of time and circumstances. The people grew + tired of massacres en masse, and executions en detail: even the national + fickleness operated in favour of humanity; and it was also discovered, + that however a spirit of royalism might be subdued to temporary inaction, + it was not to be eradicated, and that the sufferings of its martyrs only + tended to propagate and confirm it. Hence the scaffolds flow less + frequently with blood, and the barbarous prudence of CAMILLE DESMOULINS' + guillotine economique has been adopted. But exaction and oppression are + still practised in every shape, and justice is not less violated, nor is + property more secure, than when the former was administered by + revolutionary tribunals, and the latter was at the disposition of + revolutionary armies. + </p> + <p> + The error of supposing that the various parties which have usurped the + government of France have differed essentially from each other is pretty + general; and it is common enough to hear the revolutionary tyranny + exclusively associated with the person of ROBESPIERRE, and the + thirty-first of May, 1793, considered as the epoch of its introduction. + Yet whoever examines attentively the situation and politics of France, + from the subversion of the Monarchy, will be convinced that all the + principles of this monstrous government were established during the + administration of the Brissotins, and that the factions which succeeded, + from Danton and Robespierre to Sieyes and Barras, have only developed + them, and reduced them to practice. The revolution of the thirty-first of + May, 1793, was not a contest for system but for power—that of July + the twenty-eighth, 1794, (9th Thermidor,) was merely a struggle which of + two parties should sacrifice the other—that of October the fifth, + 1795, (13th Vendemiaire,) a war of the government against the people. But + in all these convulsions, the primitive doctrines of tyranny and injustice + were watched like the sacred fire, and have never for a moment been + suffered to languish. + </p> + <p> + It may appear incredible to those who have not personally witnessed this + phoenomenon, that a government detested and despised by an immense + majority of the nation, should have been able not only to resist the + efforts of so many powers combined against it, but even to proceed from + defence to conquest, and to mingle surprize and terror with those + sentiments of contempt and abhorrence which it originally excited. + </p> + <p> + That wisdom or talents are not the sources of this success, may be deduced + from the situation of France itself. The armies of the republic have, + indeed, invaded the territories of its enemies, but the desolation of + their own country seems to increase with every triumph—the genius of + the French government appears powerful only in destruction, and inventive + only in oppression—and, while it is endowed with the faculty of + spreading universal ruin, it is incapable of promoting the happiness of + the smallest district under its protection. The unrestrained pillage of + the conquered countries has not saved France from multiplied bankruptcies, + nor her state-creditors from dying through want; and the French, in the + midst of their external prosperity, are often distinguished from the + people whom their armies have been subjugated, only by a superior degree + of wretchedness, and a more irregular despotism. + </p> + <p> + With a power excessive and unlimited, and surpassing what has hitherto + been possessed by any Sovereign, it would be difficult to prove that these + democratic despots have effected any thing either useful or beneficent. + Whatever has the appearance of being so will be found, on examination, to + have for its object some purpose of individual interest or personal + vanity. They manage the armies, they embellish Paris, they purchase the + friendship of some states and the neutrality of others; but if there be + any real patriots in France, how little do they appreciate these useless + triumphs, these pilfered museums, and these fallacious negotiations, when + they behold the population of their country diminished, its commerce + annihilated, its wealth dissipated, its morals corrupted, and its liberty + destroyed— + </p> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Thus, on deceitful Aetna's Flow'ry side + Unfading verdure glads the roving eye, + While secret flames with unextinguish'd rage + Insatiate on her wafted entrails prey, + And melt her treach'rous beauties into ruin." +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + Those efforts which the partizans of republicanism admire, and which even + well-disposed persons regard as prodigies, are the simple and natural + result of an unprincipled despotism, acting upon, and disposing of, all + the resources of a rich, populous, and enslaved nation. <i>"Il devient + aise d'etre habile lorsqu'on s'est delivre des scrupules et des loix, de + tout honneur et de toute justice, des droits de ses semblables, et des + devoirs de l'autorite—a ce degre d'independence la plupart des + obstacles qui modifient l'activite humaine disparaissent; l'on parait + avoir du talent lorsqu'on n'a que de l'impudence, et l'abus de la force + passe pour energie.</i>*" + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "Exertions of ability become easy, when men have released themselves + from the scruples of conscience, the restraints of law, the ties of + honour, the bonds of justice, the claims of their fellow creatures, and + obedience to their superiors:—at this point of independence, most + of the obstacles which modify human activity disappear; impudence is + mistaken for talents; and the abuse of power passes for energy." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The operations of all other governments must, in a great measure, be + restrained by the will of the people, and by established laws; with them, + physical and political force are necessarily separate considerations: they + have not only to calculate what can be borne, but what will be submitted + to; and perhaps France is the first country that has been compelled to an + exertion of its whole strength, without regard to any obstacle, natural, + moral, or divine. It is for want of sufficiently investigating and + allowing for this moral and political latitudinarianism of our enemies, + that we are apt to be too precipitate in censuring the conduct of the war; + and, in our estimation of what has been done, we pay too little regard to + the principles by which we have been directed. An honest man could + scarcely imagine the means we have had to oppose, and an Englishman still + less conceive that they would have been submitted to: for the same reason + that the Romans had no law against parricide, till experience had evinced + the possibility of the crime. + </p> + <p> + In a war like the present, advantage is not altogether to be appreciated + by military superiority. If, as there is just ground for believing, our + external hostilities have averted an internal revolution, what we have + escaped is of infinitely more importance to us than what we could acquire. + Commerce and conquest, compared to this, are secondary objects; and the + preservation of our liberties and our constitution is a more solid + blessing than the commerce of both the Indies, or the conquest of nations. + </p> + <p> + Should the following pages contribute to impress this salutary truth on my + countrymen, my utmost ambition will be gratified; persuaded, that a sense + of the miseries they have avoided, and of the happiness they enjoy, will + be their best incentive, whether they may have to oppose the arms of the + enemy in a continuance of the war, or their more dangerous machinations on + the restoration of peace. + </p> + <p> + I cannot conclude without noticing my obligations to the Gentleman whose + name is prefixed to these volumes; and I think it at the same time + incumbent on me to avow, that, in having assisted the author, he must not + be considered as sanctioning the literary imperfections of the work. When + the subject was first mentioned to him, he did me the justice of + supposing, that I was not likely to have written any thing, the general + tendency of which he might disapprove; and when, on perusing the + manuscript, he found it contain sentiments dissimilar to his own, he was + too liberal to require a sacrifice of them as the condition of his + services.—I confess that previous to my arrival in France in 1792, I + entertained opinions somewhat more favourable to the principle of the + revolution than those which I was led to adopt at a subsequent period. + Accustomed to regard with great justice the British constitution as the + standard of known political excellence, I hardly conceived it possible + that freedom or happiness could exist under any other: and I am not + singular in having suffered this prepossession to invalidate even the + evidence of my senses. I was, therefore, naturally partial to whatever + professed to approach the object of my veneration. I forgot that + governments are not to be founded on imitations or theories, and that they + are perfect only as adapted to the genius, manners, and disposition of the + people who are subject to them. Experience and maturer judgement have + corrected my error, and I am perfectly convinced, that the old monarchical + constitution of France, with very slight meliorations, was every way + better calculated for the national character than a more popular form of + government. + </p> + <p> + A critic, though not very severe, will discover many faults of style, even + where the matter may not be exceptionable. Besides my other deficiencies, + the habit of writing is not easily supplied, and, as I despaired of + attaining excellence, and was not solicitous about degrees of mediocrity, + I determined on conveying to the public such information as I was + possessed of, without alteration or ornament. Most of these Letters were + written exactly in the situation they describe, and remain in their + original state; the rest were arranged according as opportunities were + favourable, from notes and diaries kept when "the times were hot and + feverish," and when it would have been dangerous to attempt more method. I + forbear to describe how they were concealed either in France or at my + departure, because I might give rise to the persecution and oppression of + others. But, that I may not attribute to myself courage which I do not + possess, nor create doubts of my veracity, I must observe, that I seldom + ventured to write till I was assured of some certain means of conveying my + papers to a person who could safely dispose of them. + </p> + <p> + As a considerable period has elapsed since my return, it may not be + improper to add, that I took some steps for the publication of these + Letters so early as July, 1795. Certain difficulties, however, arising, of + which I was not aware, I relinquished my design, and should not have been + tempted to resume it, but for the kindness of the Gentleman whose name + appears as the Editor. + </p> + <p> + Sept. 12, 1796. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_5" id="short_4_5"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + A RESIDENCE IN FRANCE. + </h2> + <p> + <a name="short_4_6" id="short_4_6"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + May 10, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + I am every day more confirmed in the opinion I communicated to you on my + arrival, that the first ardour of the revolution is abated.—The + bridal days are indeed past, and I think I perceive something like + indifference approaching. Perhaps the French themselves are not sensible + of this change; but I who have been absent two years, and have made as it + were a sudden transition from enthusiasm to coldness, without passing + through the intermediate gradations, am forcibly struck with it. When I + was here in 1790, parties could be scarcely said to exist—the + popular triumph was too complete and too recent for intolerance and + persecution, and the Noblesse and Clergy either submitted in silence, or + appeared to rejoice in their own defeat. In fact, it was the confusion of + a decisive conquest—the victors and the vanquished were mingled + together; and the one had not leisure to exercise cruelty, nor the other + to meditate revenge. Politics had not yet divided society; nor the + weakness and pride of the great, with the malice and insolence of the + little, thinned the public places. The politics of the women went no + farther than a few couplets in praise of liberty, and the patriotism of + the men was confined to an habit de garde nationale, the device of a + button, or a nocturnal revel, which they called mounting guard.—Money + was yet plenty, at least silver, (for the gold had already begun to + disappear,) commerce in its usual train, and, in short, to one who + observes no deeper than myself, every thing seemed gay and flourishing—the + people were persuaded they were happier; and, amidst such an appearance of + content, one must have been a cold politician to have examined too + strictly into the future. But all this, my good brother, is in a great + measure subsided; and the disparity is so evident, that I almost imagine + myself one of the seven sleepers—and, like them too, the coin I + offer is become rare, and regarded more as medals than money. The playful + distinctions of Aristocrate and Democrate are degenerated into the + opprobium and bitterness of Party—political dissensions pervade and + chill the common intercourse of life—the people are become gross and + arbitrary, and the higher classes (from a pride which those who consider + the frailty of human nature will allow for) desert the public amusements, + where they cannot appear but at the risk of being the marked objects of + insult.—The politics of the women are no longer innoxious—their + political principles form the leading trait of their characters; and as + you know we are often apt to supply by zeal what we want in power, the + ladies are far from being the most tolerant partizans on either side.—The + national uniform, which contributed so much to the success of the + revolution, and stimulated the patriotism of the young men, is become + general; and the task of mounting guard, to which it subjects the wearer, + is now a serious and troublesome duty.—To finish my observations, + and my contrast, no Specie whatever is to be seen; and the people, if they + still idolize their new form of government, do it at present with great + sobriety—the Vive la nation! seems now rather the effect of habit + than of feeling; and one seldom hears any thing like the spontaneous and + enthusiastic sounds I formerly remarked. + </p> + <p> + I have not yet been here long enough to discover the causes of this + change; perhaps they may lie too deep for such an observer as myself: but + if (as the causes of important effects sometimes do) they lie on the + surface, they will be less liable to escape me, than an observer of more + pretentions. Whatever my remarks are, I will not fail to communicate them—the + employment will at least be agreeable to me, though the result should not + be satisfactory to you; and as I shall never venture on any reflection, + without relating the occurrence that gave rise to it, your own judgement + will enable you to correct the errors of mine. + </p> + <p> + I was present yesterday at a funeral service, performed in honour of + General Dillon. This kind of service is common in Catholic countries, and + consists in erecting a cenotaph, ornamented with numerous lights, flowers, + crosses, &c. The church is hung with black, and the mass is performed + the same as if the body were present. On account of General Dillon's + profession, the mass yesterday was a military one. It must always, I + imagine, sound strange to the ears of a Protestant, to hear nothing but + theatrical music on these occasions, and indeed I could never reconcile + myself to it; for if we allow any effect to music at all, the train of + thought which should inspire us with respect for the dead, and reflections + on mortality, is not likely to be produced by the strains in which Dido + bewails Eneas, or in which Armida assails the virtue of Rinaldo.—I + fear, that in general the air of an opera reminds the belle of the Theatre + where she heard it—and, by a natural transition, of the beau who + attended her, and the dress of herself and her neighbours. I confess, this + was nearly my own case yesterday, on hearing an air from "Sargines;" and + had not the funeral oration reminded me, I should have forgotten the + unfortunate event we were celebrating, and which, for some days before, + when undistracted by this pious ceremony, I had dwelt on with pity and + horror.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * At the first skirmish between the French and Austrians near Lisle, a + general panic seized the former, and they retreated in disorder to + Lisle, crying _"Sauve qui peut, & nous fomnes (sic) trahis."_--"Let + every one shift for himself—we are betrayed." The General, after + in vain endeavouring to rally them, was massacred at his return on the + great square.—My pen faulters, and refuses to describe the + barbarities committed on the lifeless hero. Let it suffice, perhaps more + than suffice, to say, that his mutilated remains were thrown on a fire, + which these savages danced round, with yells expressive of their + execrable festivity. A young Englishman, who was so unfortunate as to be + near the spot, was compelled to join in this outrage to humanity.—The + same day a gentleman, the intimate friend of our acquaintance, Mad. + _____, was walking (unconscious what had happened) without the gate + which leads to Douay, and was met by the flying ruffians on their + return; immediately on seeing him they shouted, <i>"Voila encore un + Aristocrate!"</i> and massacred him on the spot. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Independent of any regret for the fate of Dillon, who is said to + have been a brave and good officer, I am sorry that the first event of + this war should be marked by cruelty and licentiousness.—Military + discipline has been much relaxed since the revolution, and from the length + of time since the French have been engaged in a land war, many of the + troops must be without that kind of courage which is the effect of habit. + The danger, therefore, of suffering them to alledge that they are + betrayed, whenever they do not choose to fight, and to excuse their own + cowardice by ascribing treachery to their leaders, is incalculable.—Above + all, every infraction of the laws in a country just supposing itself + become free, cannot be too severely repressed. The National Assembly have + done all that humanity could suggest—they have ordered the + punishment of the assassins, and have pensioned and adopted the General's + children. The orator expatiated both on the horror of the act and its + consequences, as I should have thought, with some ingenuity, had I not + been assured by a brother orator that the whole was "execrable." But I + frequently remark, that though a Frenchman may suppose the merit of his + countrymen to be collectively superior to that of the whole world, he + seldom allows any individual of them to have so large a portion as + himself.—Adieu: I have already written enough to convince you I have + neither acquired the Gallomania, nor forgotten my friends in England; and + I conclude with a wish <i>a propos</i> to my subject—that they may + long enjoy the rational liberty they possess and so well deserve.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_7" id="short_4_7"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + May, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + You, my dear _____, who live in a land of pounds, shillings, and pence, + can scarcely form an idea of our embarrassments through the want of them. + 'Tis true, these are petty evils; but when you consider that they happen + every day, and every hour, and that, if they are not very serious, they + are very frequent, you will rejoice in the splendour of your national + credit, which procures you all the accommodation of paper currency, + without diminishing the circulation of specie. Our only currency here + consists of assignats of 5 livres, 50, 100, 200, and upwards: therefore in + making purchases, you must accommodate your wants to the value of your + assignat, or you must owe the shopkeeper, or the shopkeeper must owe you; + and, in short, as an old woman assured me to-day, "C'est de quoi faire + perdre la tete," and, if it lasted long, it would be the death of her. + Within these few days, however, the municipalities have attempted to + remedy the inconvenience, by creating small paper of five, ten, fifteen, + and twenty sols, which they give in exchange for assignats of five livres; + but the number they are allowed to issue is limited, and the demand for + them so great, that the accommodation is inadequate to the difficulty of + procuring it. On the days on which this paper (which is called billets de + confiance) is issued, the Hotel de Ville is besieged by a host of women + collected from all parts of the district—Peasants, small + shopkeepers, fervant maids, and though last, not least formidable— + fishwomen. They usually take their stand two or three hours before the + time of delivery, and the interval is employed in discussing the news, and + execrating paper money. But when once the door is opened, a scene takes + place which bids defiance to language, and calls for the pencil of a + Hogarth. Babel was, I dare say, comparatively to this, a place of retreat + and silence. Clamours, revilings, contentions, tearing of hair, and + breaking of heads, generally conclude the business; and, after the loss of + half a day's time, some part of their clothes, and the expence of a few + bruises, the combatants retire with small bills to the value of five, or + perhaps ten livres, as the whole resource to carry on their little + commerce for the ensuing week. I doubt not but the paper may have had some + share in alienating the minds of the people from the revolution. Whenever + I want to purchase any thing, the vender usually answers my question by + another, and with a rueful kind of tone inquires, "En papier, madame?"—and + the bargain concludes with a melancholy reflection on the hardness of the + times. + </p> + <p> + The decrees relative to the priests have likewise occasioned much + dissension; and it seems to me impolitic thus to have made religion the + standard of party. The high mass, which is celebrated by a priest who has + taken the oaths, is frequented by a numerous, but, it must be confessed, + an ill-drest and ill-scented congregation; while the low mass, which is + later, and which is allowed the nonjuring clergy, has a gayer audience, + but is much less crouded.—By the way, I believe many who formerly + did not much disturb themselves about religious tenets, have become rigid + Papists since an adherence to the holy see has become a criterion of + political opinion. But if these separatists are bigoted and obstinate, the + conventionalists on their side are ignorant and intolerant. + </p> + <p> + I enquired my way to-day to the Rue de l'Hopital. The woman I spoke to + asked me, in a menacing tone, what I wanted there. I replied, which was + true, that I merely wanted to pass through the street as my nearest way + home; upon which she lowered her voice, and conducted me very civilly.—I + mentioned the circumstance on my return, and found that the nuns of the + hospital had their mass performed by a priest who had not taken the oaths, + and that those who were suspected of going to attend it were insulted, and + sometimes ill treated. A poor woman, some little time ago, who conceived + perhaps that her salvation might depend on exercising her religion in the + way she had been accustomed to, persisted in going, and was used by the + populace with such a mixture of barbarity and indecency, that her life was + despaired of. Yet this is the age and the country of Philosophers.—Perhaps + you will begin to think Swift's sages, who only amused themselves with + endeavouring to propagate sheep without wool, not so contemptible. I am + almost convinced myself, that when a man once piques himself on being a + philosopher, if he does no mischief you ought to be satisfied with him. + </p> + <p> + We passed last Sunday with Mr. de ____'s tenants in the country. Nothing + can equal the avidity of these people for news. We sat down after dinner + under some trees in the village, and Mr. de _____ began reading the + Gazette to the farmers who were about us. In a few minutes every thing + that could hear (for I leave understanding the pedantry of a French + newspaper out of the question) were his auditors. A party at quoits in one + field, and a dancing party in another, quitted their amusements, and + listened with undivided attention. I believe in general the farmers are + the people most contented with the revolution, and indeed they have reason + to be so; for at present they refuse to sell their corn unless for money, + while they pay their rent in assignats; and farms being for the most part + on leases, the objections of the landlord to this kind of payment are of + no avail. Great encouragement is likewise held out to them to purchase + national property, which I am informed they do to an extent that may for + some time be injurious to agriculture; for in their eagerness to acquire + land, the deprive themselves of cultivating it. They do not, like our + crusading ancestors, "sell the pasture to buy the horse," but the horse to + buy the pasture; so that we may expect to see in many places large farms + in the hands of those who are obliged to neglect them. + </p> + <p> + A great change has happened within the last year, with regard to landed + property—so much has been sold, that many farmers have had the + opportunity of becoming proprietors. The rage of emigration, which the + approach of war, pride, timidity, and vanity are daily increasing, has + occasioned many of the Noblesse to sell their estates, which, with those + of the Crown and the Clergy, form a large mass of property, thrown as it + were into general circulation. This may in future be beneficial to the + country, but the present generation will perhaps have to purchase (and not + cheaply) advantages they cannot enjoy. A philanthropist may not think of + this with regret; and yet I know not why one race is preferable to + another, or why an evil should be endured by those who exist now, in order + that those who succeed may be free from it.—I would willingly plant + a million of acorns, that another age might be supplied with oaks; but I + confess, I do not think it quite so pleasant for us to want bread, in + order that our descendants may have a superfluity. + </p> + <p> + I am half ashamed of these selfish arguments; but really I have been led + to them through mere apprehension of what I fear the people may have yet + to endure, in consequence of the revolution. + </p> + <p> + I have frequently observed how little taste the French have for the + country, and I believe all my companions, except Mr. de _____, who took + (as one always does) an interest in surveying his property, were heartily + ennuyes with our little excursion.—Mad. De _____, on her arrival, + took her post by the farmer's fire-side, and was out of humour the whole + day, inasmuch as our fare was homely, and there was nothing but rustics to + see or be seen by. That a plain dinner should be a serious affair, you may + not wonder; but the last cause of distress, perhaps you will not conclude + quite so natural at her years. All that can be said about it is, that she + is a French woman, who rouges, and wears lilac ribbons, at seventy-four. I + hope, in my zeal to obey you, my reflections will not be too voluminous.—For + the present I will be warned by my conscience, and add only, that I am, + Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_8" id="short_4_8"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + June 10, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + You observe, with some surprize, that I make no mention of the Jacobins— + the fact is, that until now I have heard very little about them. Your + English partizans of the revolution have, by publishing their + correspondence with these societies, attributed a consequence to them + infinitely beyond what they have had pretensions to:—a prophet, it + is said, is not honoured in his own country—I am sure a Jacobin is + not. In provincial towns these clubs are generally composed of a few of + the lowest tradesmen, who have so disinterested a patriotism, as to bestow + more attention on the state than on their own shops; and as a man may be + an excellent patriot without the aristocratic talents of reading and + writing, they usually provide a secretary or president, who can supply + these deficiencies—a country attorney, a <i>Pere de l'oratoire,</i> + or a disbanded capuchin, is in most places the candidate for this office. + The clubs often assemble only to read the newspapers; but where they are + sufficiently in force, they make motions for "fetes," censure the + municipalities, and endeavour to influence the elections of the members + who compose them.—That of Paris is supposed to consist of about six + thousand members; but I am told their number and influence are daily + increasing, and that the National Assembly is more subservient to them + than it is willing to acknowledge—yet, I believe, the people at + large are equally adverse to the Jacobins, who are said to entertain the + chimerical project of forming a republic, and to the Aristocrates, who + wish to restore the ancient government. The party in opposition to both + these, who are called the Feuillans,* have the real voice of the people + with them, and knowing this, they employ less art than their opponents, + have no point of union, and perhaps may finally be undermined by intrigue, + or even subdued by violence. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *They derive this appellation, as the Jacobins do theirs, from the + convent at which they hold their meetings. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + You seem not to comprehend why I include vanity among the causes of + emigration, and yet I assure you it has had no small share in many of + them. The gentry of the provinces, by thus imitating the higher noblesse, + imagine they have formed a kind of a common cause, which may hereafter + tend to equalize the difference of ranks, and associate them with those + they have been accustomed to look up to as their superiors. It is a kind + of ton among the women, particularly to talk of their emigrated relations, + with an accent more expressive of pride than regret, and which seems to + lay claim to distinction rather than pity. + </p> + <p> + I must now leave you to contemplate the boasted misfortunes of these + belles, that I may join the card party which forms their alleviation.— + Adieu. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_9" id="short_4_9"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + June 24, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + You have doubtless learned from the public papers the late outrage of the + Jacobins, in order to force the King to consent to the formation of an + army at Paris, and to sign the decree for banishing the nonjuring Clergy. + The newspapers will describe to you the procession of the Sans-Culottes, + the indecency of their banners, and the disorders which were the result— + but it is impossible for either them or me to convey an idea of the + general indignation excited by these atrocities. Every well-meaning person + is grieved for the present, and apprehensive for the future: and I am not + without hope, that this open avowal of the designs of the Jacobins, will + unite the Constitutionalists and Aristocrates, and that they will join + their efforts in defence of the Crown, as the only means of saving both + from being overwhelmed by a faction, who are now become too daring to be + despised. Many of the municipalities and departments are preparing to + address they King, on the fortitude he displayed in this hour of insult + and peril.—I know not why, but the people have been taught to + entertain a mean opinion of his personal courage; and the late violence + will at least have the good effect of undeceiving them. It is certain, + that he behaved on this occasion with the utmost coolness; and the Garde + Nationale, whose hand he placed on his heart, attested that it had no + unusual palpitation. + </p> + <p> + That the King should be unwilling to sanction the raising an army under + the immediate auspice of the avowed enemies of himself, and of the + constitution he has sworn to protect, cannot be much wondered at; and + those who know the Catholic religion, and consider that this Prince is + devout, and that he has reason to suspect the fidelity of all who approach + him, will wonder still less that he refuses to banish a class of men, + whose influence is extensive, and whose interest it is to preserve their + attachment to him. + </p> + <p> + These events have thrown a gloom over private societies; and public + amusements, as I observed in a former letter, are little frequented; so + that, on the whole, time passes heavily with a people who, generally + speaking, have few resources in themselves. Before the revolution, France + was at this season a scene of much gaiety. Every village had alternately a + sort of Fete, which nearly answers to our Wake—but with this + difference, that it was numerously attended by all ranks, and the + amusement was dancing, instead of wrestling and drinking. Several small + fields, or different parts of a large one, were provided with music, + distinguished by flags, and appropriated to the several classes of dancers—one + for the peasants, another for the bourgeois, and a third for the higher + orders. The young people danced beneath the ardour of a July sun, while + the old looked on and regaled themselves with beer, cyder, and + gingerbread. I was always much pleased with this village festivity: it + gratified my mind more than select and expensive amusements, because it + was general, and within the power of all who chose to partake of it; and + the little distinction of rank which was preserved, far from diminishing + the pleasure of any, added, I am certain, to the freedom of all. By mixing + with those only of her own class, the Paysanne* was spared the temptation + of envying the pink ribbons of the Bourgeoise, who in her turn was not + disturbed by an immediate rivalship with the sash and plumes of the + provincial belle. But this custom is now much on the decline. The young + women avoid occasions where an inebriated soldier may offer himself as her + partner in the dance, and her refusal be attended with insult to herself, + and danger to those who protect her; and as this licence is nearly as + offensive to the decent Bourgeoise as to the female of higher condition, + this sort of fete will most probably be entirely abandoned. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *The head-dress of the French <i>Paysanne</i> is uniformly a small cap, + without ribbon or ornament of any kind, except in that part of Normandy + which is called the <i>Pays de Caux,</i> where the Paysannes wear a + particular kind of head dress, ornamented with silver. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The people here all dance much better than those of the same rank in + England; but this national accomplishment is not instinctive: for though + few of the laborious class have been taught to read, there are scarcely + any so poor as not to bestow three livres for a quarter's instruction from + a dancing master; and with this three months' noviciate they become + qualified to dance through the rest of their lives. + </p> + <p> + The rage for emigration, and the approach of the Austrians, have + occasioned many restrictions on travelling, especially near the seacoast + of frontiers. No person can pass through a town without a passport from + the municipality he resides in, specifying his age, the place of his + birth, his destination, the height of his person, and the features of his + face. The Marquis de C____ entered the town yesterday, and at the gate + presented his passport as usual; the guard looked at the passport, and in + a high tone demanded his name, whence he came, and where he was going. M. + de C____ referred him to the passport, and suspecting the man could not + read, persisted in refusing to give a verbal account of himself, but with + much civility pressed the perusal of the passport; adding, that if it was + informal, Monsieur might write to the municipality that granted it. The + man, however, did not approve of the jest, and took the Marquis before the + municipality, who sentenced him to a month's imprisonment for his + pleasantry. + </p> + <p> + The French are becoming very grave, and a bon-mot will not now, as + formerly, save a man's life.—I do not remember to have seen in any + English print an anecdote on this subject, which at once marks the levity + of the Parisians, and the wit and presence of mind of the Abbe Maury.—At + the beginning of the revolution, when the people were very much incensed + against the Abbe, he was one day, on quitting the Assembly, surrounded by + an enraged mob, who seized on him, and were hurrying him away to + execution, amidst the universal cry of <i>a la lanterne! a la lanterne!</i> + The Abbe, with much coolness and good humour, turned to those nearest him, + <i>"Eh bien mes amis et quand je serois a la lanterne, en verriez vous + plus clair?"</i> Those who held him were disarmed, the bon-mot flew + through the croud, and the Abbe escaped while they were applauding it.—I + have nothing to offer after this trait which is worthy of succeeding it, + but will add that I am always Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_10" id="short_4_10"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + July 24, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + Our revolution aera has passed tranquilly in the provinces, and with less + turbulence at Paris than was expected. I consign to the Gazette-writers + those long descriptions that describe nothing, and leave the mind as + unsatisfied as the eye. I content myself with observing only, that the + ceremony here was gay, impressive, and animating. I indeed have often + remarked, that the works of nature are better described than those of art. + The scenes of nature, though varied, are uniform; while the productions of + art are subject to the caprices of whim, and the vicissitudes of taste. A + rock, a wood, or a valley, however the scenery may be diversified, always + conveys a perfect and distinct image to the mind; but a temple, an altar, + a palace, or a pavilion, requires a detail, minute even to tediousness, + and which, after all, gives but an imperfect notion of the object. I have + as often read descriptions of the Vatican, as of the Bay of Naples; yet I + recollect little of the former, while the latter seems almost familiar to + me.—Many are strongly impressed with the scenery of Milton's + Paradise, who have but confused ideas of the splendour of Pandemonium. The + descriptions, however, are equally minute, and the poetry of both is + beautiful. + </p> + <p> + But to return to this country, which is not absolutely a Paradise, and I + hope will not become a Pandemonium—the ceremony I have been alluding + to, though really interesting, is by no means to be considered as a proof + that the ardour for liberty increases: on the contrary, in proportion as + these fetes become more frequent, the enthusiasm which they excite seems + to diminish. "For ever mark, Lucilius, when Love begins to sicken and + decline, it useth an enforced ceremony." When there were no foederations, + the people were more united. The planting trees of liberty seems to have + damped the spirit of freedom; and since there has been a decree for + wearing the national colours, they are more the marks of obedience than + proofs of affection.—I cannot pretend to decide whether the leaders + of the people find their followers less warm than they were, and think it + necessary to stimulate them by these shows, or whether the shows + themselves, by too frequent repetition, have rendered the people + indifferent about the objects of them.—Perhaps both these + suppositions are true. The French are volatile and material; they are not + very capable of attachment to principles. External objects are requisite + for them, even in a slight degree; and the momentary enthusiasm that is + obtained by affecting their senses subsides with the conclusion of a + favourite air, or the end of a gaudy procession. + </p> + <p> + The Jacobin party are daily gaining ground; and since they have forced a + ministry of their own on the King, their triumph has become still more + insolent and decisive.—A storm is said to be hovering over us, which + I think of with dread, and cannot communicate with safety—"Heaven + square the trial of those who are implicated, to their proportioned + strength!"— Adieu. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_11" id="short_4_11"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + August 4, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + I must repeat to you, that I have no talent for description; and, having + seldom been able to profit by the descriptions of others, I am modest + enough not willingly to attempt one myself. But, as you observe, the + ceremony of a foederation, though familiar to me, is not so to my English + friends; I therefore obey your commands, though certain of not succeeding + so as to gratify your curiosity in the manner you too partially expect. + </p> + <p> + The temple where the ceremony was performed, was erected in an open space, + well chosen both for convenience and effect. In a large circle on this + spot, twelve posts, between fifty and sixty feet high, were placed at + equal distances, except one larger, opening in front by way of entrance. + On each alternate post were fastened ivy, laurel, &c. so as to form a + thick body which entirely hid the support. These greens were then shorn + (in the manner you see in old fashioned gardens) into the form of Doric + columns, of dimensions proportioned to their height. The intervening posts + were covered with white cloth, which was so artificially folded, as + exactly to resemble fluted pillars—from the bases of which ascended + spiral wreaths of flowers. The whole was connected at top by a bold + festoon of foliage, and the capital of each column was surmounted by a + vase of white lilies. In the middle of this temple was placed an altar, + hung round with lilies, and on it was deposed the book of the + constitution. The approach to the altar was by a large flight of steps, + covered with beautiful tapestry. + </p> + <p> + All this having been arranged and decorated, (a work of several days,) the + important aera was ushered in by the firing of cannon, ringing of bells, + and an appearance of bustle and hilarity not to be seen on any other + occasion. About ten, the members of the district, the municipality, and + the judges in their habits of ceremony, met at the great church, and from + thence proceeded to the altar of liberty. The troops of the line, the + Garde Nationale of the town, and of all the surrounding communes, then + arrived, with each their respective music and colours, which (reserving + one only of the latter to distinguish them in the ranks) they planted + round the altar. This done, they retired, and forming a circle round the + temple, left a large intermediate space free. A mass was then celebrated + with the most perfect order and decency, and at the conclusion were read + the rights of man and the constitution. The troops, Garde Nationale, &c. + were then addressed by their respective officers, the oath to be faithful + to the nation, the law, and the King, was administered: every sword was + drawn, and every hat waved in the air; while all the bands of music joined + in the favorite strain of ca ira.— This was followed by crowning, + with the civic wreaths hung round the altar, a number of people, who + during the year had been instrumental in saving the lives of their + fellow-citizens that had been endangered by drowning or other accidents. + This honorary reward was accompanied by a pecuniary one, and a fraternal + embrace from all the constituted bodies. But this was not the gravest part + of the ceremony. The magistrates, however upright, were not all graceful, + and the people, though they understood the value of the money, did not + that of the civic wreaths, or the embraces; they therefore looked vacant + enough during this part of the business, and grinned most facetiously when + they began to examine the appearance of each other in their oaken crowns, + and, I dare say, thought the whole comical enough.—This is one trait + of national pedantry. Because the Romans awarded a civic wreath for an act + of humanity, the French have adopted the custom; and decorate thus a + soldier or a sailor, who never heard of the Romans in his life, except in + extracts from the New Testament at mass. + </p> + <p> + But to return to our fete, of which I have only to add, that the + magistrates departed in the order they observed in coming, and the troops + and Garde Nationale filed off with their hats in the air, and with + universal acclamations, to the sound of ca ira.—Things of this kind + are not susceptible of description. The detail may be uninteresting, while + the general effect may have been impressive. The spirit of the scene I + have been endeavouring to recall seems to have evaporated under my pen; + yet to the spectator it was gay, elegant, and imposing. The day was fine, + a brilliant sun glittered on the banners, and a gentle breeze gave them + motion; while the satisfied countenances of the people added spirit and + animation to the whole. + </p> + <p> + I must remark to you, that devots, and determined aristocrates, ever + attend on these occasions. The piety of the one is shocked at a mass by a + priest who has taken the oaths, and the pride of the other is not yet + reconciled to confusion of ranks and popular festivities. I asked a woman + who brings us fruit every day, why she had not come on the fourteenth as + usual. She told me she did not come to the town, <i>"a cause de la + foederation"—"Vous etes aristocrate donc?"—"Ah, mon Dieu non—ce + n'est pas que je suis aristocrate, ou democrate, mais que je suis + Chretienne.</i>*" + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *"On account of the foederation."—"You are an aristocrate then, I + suppose?"—"Lord, no! It is not because I am an aristocrate, or a + democrate, but because I am a Christian." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + This is an instance, among many others I could produce, that our + legislators have been wrong, in connecting any change of the national + religion with the revolution. I am every day convinced, that this and the + assignats are the great causes of the alienation visible in many who were + once the warmest patriots.—Adieu: do not envy us our fetes and + ceremonies, while you enjoy a constitution which requires no oath to make + you cherish it: and a national liberty, which is felt and valued without + the aid of extrinsic decoration.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_12" id="short_4_12"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + August 15. + </h2> + <p> + The consternation and horror of which I have been partaker, will more than + apologize for my silence. It is impossible for any one, however + unconnected with the country, not to feel an interest in its present + calamities, and to regret them. I have little courage to write even now, + and you must pardon me if my letter should bear marks of the general + depression. All but the faction are grieved and indignant at the King's + deposition; but this grief is without energy, and this indignation silent. + The partizans of the old government, and the friends of the new, are + equally enraged; but they have no union, are suspicious of each other, and + are sinking under the stupor of despair, when they should be preparing for + revenge.—It would not be easy to describe our situation during the + last week. The ineffectual efforts of La Fayette, and the violences + occasioned by them, had prepared us for something still more serious. On + the ninth, we had a letter from one of the representatives for this + department, strongly expressive of his apprehensions for the morrow, but + promising to write if he survived it. The day, on which we expected news, + came, but no post, no papers, no diligence, nor any means of information. + The succeeding night we sat up, expecting letters by the post: still, + however, none arrived; and the courier only passed hastily through, giving + no detail, but that Paris was <i>a feu et a sang</i>.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * All fire and slaughter. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + At length, after passing two days and nights in this dreadful suspence, we + received certain intelligence which even exceeded our fears.—It is + needless to repeat the horrors that have been perpetrated. The accounts + must, ere now, have reached you. Our representative, as he seemed to + expect, was so ill treated as to be unable to write: he was one of those + who had voted the approval of La Fayette's conduct—all of whom were + either massacred, wounded, or intimidated; and, by this means, a majority + was procured to vote the deposition of the King. The party allow, by their + own accounts, eight thousand persons to have perished on this occasion; + but the number is supposed to be much more considerable. No papers are + published at present except those whose editors, being members of the + Assembly, and either agents or instigators of the massacres, are, of + course, interested in concealing or palliating them.—-Mr. De _____ + has just now taken up one of these atrocious journals, and exclaims, with + tears starting from his eyes, <i>"On a abattu la statue d'Henri quatre!*"</i> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *"They have destroyed the statue of Henry the Fourth." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The sacking of Rome by the Goths offers no picture equal to the + licentiousness and barbarity committed in a country which calls itself the + most enlightened in Europe.—But, instead of recording these horrors, + I will fill up my paper with the Choeur Bearnais. + </p> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + <i>Choeur Bearnais. + + "Un troubadour Bearnais, + "Le yeux inoudes de larmes, + "A ses montagnards + "Chantoit ce refrein source d'alarmes— + "Louis le fils d'Henri + "Est prisonnier dans Paris! + "Il a tremble pour les jours + "De sa compagne cherie + "Qui n'a troube de secours + "Que dans sa propre energie; + "Elle suit le fils d'Henri + "Dans les prisons de Paris. + + "Quel crime ont ils donc commis + "Pour etre enchaines de meme? + "Du peuple ils sont les amis, + "Le peuple veut il qu'on l'aime, + "Quand il met le fils d'Henri + "Dans les prisons de Paris? + + "Le Dauphin, ce fils cheri, + "Qui seul fait notre esperance, + "De pleurs sera donc nourri; + "Les Berceaux qu'on donne en France + "Aux enfans de notre Henri + "Sont les prisons de Paris. + + "Il a vu couler le sang + "De ce garde fidele, + "Qui vient d'offrir en mourant + "Aux Francais un beau modele; + Mais Louis le fils d'Henri + "Est prisonnier dans Paris. + + "Il n'est si triste appareil + "Qui du respect nous degage, + "Les feux ardens du Soleil + "Savent percer le nuage: + "Le prisonnier de Paris + "Est toujours le fils d'Henri. + + "Francais, trop ingrats Francais + "Rendez le Roi a sa compagne; + "C'est le bien du Bearnais, + "C'est l'enfant de la Montagne: + "Le bonheur qu' avoit Henri + "Nous l'affarons a Louis. + + "Chez vouz l'homme a de ses droits + "Recouvre le noble usage, + "Et vous opprimez vos rois, + "Ah! quel injuste partage! + "Le peuple est libre, et Louis + "Est prisonnier dans Paris. + + "Au pied de ce monument + "Ou le bon Henri respire + "Pourquoi l'airain foudroyant? + "Ah l'on veut qu' Henri conspire + "Lui meme contre son fils + "Dans les prisons de Paris."</i> + + +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + It was published some time ago in a periodical work, (written with great + spirit and talents,) called "The Acts of the Apostles," and, I believe, + has not yet appeared in England. The situation of the King gives a + peculiar interest to these stanzas, which, merely as a poetical + composition, are very beautiful. I have often attempted to translate them, + but have always found it impossible to preserve the effect and simplicity + of the original. They are set to a little plaintive air, very happily + characteristic of the words. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps I shall not write to you again from hence, as we depart for A_____ + on Tuesday next. A change of scene will dissipate a little the seriousness + we have contracted during the late events. If I were determined to indulge + grief or melancholy, I would never remove from the spot where I had formed + the resolution. Man is a proud animal even when oppressed by misfortune. + He seeks for his tranquility in reason and reflection; whereas, a + post-chaise and four, or even a hard-trotting horse, is worth all the + philosophy in the world.—But, if, as I observed before, a man be + determined to resist consolation, he cannot do better than stay at home, + and reason and phosophize. + </p> + <p> + Adieu:—the situation of my friends in this country makes me think of + England with pleasure and respect; and I shall conclude with a very homely + couplet, which, after all the fashionable liberality of modern travellers, + contains a great deal of truth: + </p> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + "Amongst mankind + "We ne'er shall find + "The worth we left at home." +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_13" id="short_4_13"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + August 22, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + The hour is past, in which, if the King's friends had exerted themselves, + they might have procured a movement in his favour. The people were at + first amazed, then grieved; but the national philosophy already begins to + operate, and they will sink into indifference, till again awakened by some + new calamity. The leaders of the faction do not, however, entirely depend + either on the supineness of their adversaries, or the submission of the + people. Money is distributed amongst the idle and indigent, and agents are + nightly employed in the public houses to comment on newspapers, written + for the purpose to blacken the King and exalt the patriotism of the party + who have dethroned him. Much use has likewise been made of the advances of + the Prussians towards Champagne, and the usual mummery of ceremony has not + been wanting. Robespierre, in a burst of extemporary energy, previously + studied, has declared the country in danger. The declaration has been + echoed by all the departments, and proclaimed to the people with much + solemnity. We were not behind hand in the ceremonial of the business, + though, somehow, the effect was not so serious and imposing as one could + have wished on such an occasion. A smart flag, with the words "Citizens, + the country is in danger," was prepared; the judges and the municipality + were in their costume, the troops and Garde Nationale under arms, and an + orator, surrounded by his cortege, harangued in the principal parts of the + town on the text of the banner which waved before him. + </p> + <p> + All this was very well; but, unfortunately, in order to distinguish the + orator amidst the croud, it was determined he should harangue on + horseback. Now here arose a difficulty which all the ardour of patriotism + was not able to surmount. The French are in general but indifferent + equestrians; and it so happened that, in our municipality, those who could + speak could not ride, and those who could ride could not speak. At length, + however, after much debating, it was determined that arms should yield to + the gown, or rather, the horse to the orator—with this precaution, + that the monture should be properly secured, by an attendant to hold the + bridle. Under this safeguard, the rhetorician issued forth, and the first + part of the speech was performed without accident; but when, by way of + relieving the declaimer, the whole military band began to flourish ca ira, + the horse, even more patriotic than his rider, curvetted and twisted with + so much animation, that however the spectators might be delighted, the + orator was far from participating in their satisfaction. After all this, + the speech was to be finished, and the silence of the music did not + immediately tranquillize the animal. The orator's eye wandered from the + paper that contained his speech, with wistful glances toward the mane; the + fervor of his indignation against the Austrians was frequently calmed by + the involuntary strikings he was obliged to submit to; and at the very + crisis of the emphatic declaration, he seemed much less occupied by his + country's danger than his own. The people, who were highly amused, I dare + say, conceived the whole ceremony to be a rejoicing, and at every + repetition that the country was in danger, joined with great glee in the + chorus of <i>ca ira</i>.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *The oration consisted of several parts, each ending with a kind of + burden of <i>"Citoyens, la patri est en danger;"</i> and the arrangers + of the ceremony had not selected appropriate music: so that the band, + who had been accustomed to play nothing else on public occasions, struck + up <i>ca ira</i> at every declaration that the country was in danger! + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Many of the spectators, I believe, had for some time been convinced of the + danger that threatened the country, and did not suppose it much increased + by the events of the war; others were pleased with a show, without + troubling themselves about the occasion of it; and the mass, except when + rouzed to attention by their favourite air, or the exhibitions of the + equestrian orator, looked on with vacant stupidity. —This tremendous + flag is now suspended from a window of the Hotel de Ville, where it is to + remain until the inscription it wears shall no longer be true; and I + heartily wish, the distresses of the country may not be more durable than + the texture on which they are proclaimed. + </p> + <p> + Our journey is fixed for to-morrow, and all the morning has been passed in + attendance for our passports.—This affair is not so quickly + dispatched as you may imagine. The French are, indeed, said to be a very + lively people, but we mistake their volubility for vivacity; for in their + public offices, their shops, and in any transaction of business, no people + on earth can be more tedious—they are slow, irregular, and + loquacious; and a retail English Quaker, with all his formalities, would + dispose of half his stock in less time than you can purchase a three sols + stamp from a brisk French Commis. You may therefore conceive, that this + official portraiture of so many females was a work of time, and not very + pleasant to the originals. The delicacy of an Englishman may be shocked at + the idea of examining and registering a lady's features one after another, + like the articles of a bill of lading; but the cold and systematic + gallantry of a Frenchman is not so scrupulous.—The officer, however, + who is employed for this purpose here, is civil, and I suspected the + infinity of my nose, and the acuteness of Mad. de ____'s chin, might have + disconcerted him; but he extricated himself very decently. My nose is + enrolled in the order of aquilines, and the old lady's chin pared off to a + <i>"menton un peu pointu."</i>—[A longish chin.] + </p> + <p> + The carriages are ordered for seven to-morrow. Recollect, that seven + females, with all their appointments, are to occupy them, and then + calculate the hour I shall begin increasing my distance from England and + my friends. I shall not do it without regret; yet perhaps you will be less + inclined to pity me than the unfortunate wights who are to escort us. A + journey of an hundred miles, with French horses, French carriages, French + harness, and such an unreasonable female charge, is, I confess, in great + humility, not to be ventured on without a most determined patience.—I + shall write to you on our arrival at Arras; and am, till then, at all + times, and in all places, Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_14" id="short_4_14"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Hesdin. + </h2> + <p> + We arrived here last night, notwithstanding the difficulties of our first + setting out, in tolerable time; but I have gained so little in point of + repose, that I might as well have continued my journey. We are lodged at + an inn which, though large and the best in the town, is so disgustingly + filthy, that I could not determine to undress myself, and am now up and + scribbling, till my companions shall be ready. Our embarkation will, I + foresee, be a work of time and labour; for my friend, Mad. de ____, + besides the usual attendants on a French woman, a femme de chambre and a + lap-dog, travels with several cages of canary-birds, some pots of curious + exotics, and a favourite cat; all of which must be disposed of so as to + produce no interstine commotions during the journey. Now if you consider + the nature of these fellow-travellers, you will allow it not so easy a + matter as may at first be supposed, especially as their fair mistress will + not allow any of them to be placed in any other carriage than her own.—A + fray happened yesterday between the cat and the dog, during which the + birds were overset, and the plants broken. Poor M. de ____, with a sort of + rueful good nature, separated the combatants, restored order, and was + obliged to purchase peace by charging himself with the care of the + aggressor. + </p> + <p> + I should not have dwelt so long on these trifling occurrences, but that + they are characteristic. In England, this passion for animals is chiefly + confined to old maids, but here it is general. Almost every woman, however + numerous her family, has a nursery of birds, an angola, and two or three + lap-dogs, who share her cares with her husband and children. The dogs have + all romantic names, and are enquired after with so much solicitude when + they do not make one in a visit, that it was some time before I discovered + that Nina and Rosine were not the young ladies of the family. I do not + remember to have seen any husband, however master of his house in other + respects, daring enough to displace a favourite animal, even though it + occupied the only vacant fauteuil. + </p> + <p> + The entrance into Artois from Picardy, though confounded by the new + division, is sufficiently marked by a higher cultivation, and a more + fertile soil. The whole country we have passed is agreeable, but uniform; + the roads are good, and planted on each side with trees, mostly elms, + except here and there some rows of poplar or apple. The land is all open, + and sown in divisions of corn, carrots, potatoes, tobacco, and poppies of + which last they make a coarse kind of oil for the use of painters. The + country is entirely flat, and the view every where bounded by woods + interspersed with villages, whose little spires peeping through the trees + have a very pleasing effect. + </p> + <p> + The people of Artois are said to be highly superstitious, and we have + already passed a number of small chapels and crosses, erected by the road + side, and surrounded by tufts of trees. These are the inventions of a + mistaken piety; yet they are not entirely without their use, and I cannot + help regarding them with more complacence than a rigid Protestant might + think allowable. The weary traveller here finds shelter from a mid-day + sun, and solaces his mind while he reposes his body. The glittering + equipage rolls by—he recalls the painful steps he has past, + anticipates those which yet remain, and perhaps is tempted to repine; but + when he turns his eye on the cross of Him who has promised a recompence to + the sufferers of this world, he checks the sigh of envy, forgets the + luxury which excited it, and pursues his way with resignation. The + Protestant religion proscribes, and the character of the English renders + unnecessary, these sensible objects of devotion; but I have always been of + opinion, that the levity of the French in general would make them + incapable of persevering in a form of worship equally abstracted and + rational. The Spaniards, and even the Italians, might abolish their + crosses and images, and yet preserve their Christianity; but if the French + ceased to be bigots, they would become atheists. + </p> + <p> + This is a small fortified town, though not of strength to offer any + resistance to artillery. Its proximity to the frontier, and the dread of + the Austrians, make the inhabitants very patriotic. We were surrounded by + a great croud of people on our arrival, who had some suspicion that we + were emigrating; however, as soon as our passports were examined and + declared legal, they retired very peaceably. + </p> + <p> + The approach of the enemy keeps up the spirit of the people, and, + notwithstanding their dissatisfaction at the late events, they have not + yet felt the change of their government sufficiently to desire the + invasion of an Austrian army.—Every village, every cottage, hailed + us with the cry of Vive la nation! The cabaret invites you to drink beer a + la nation, and offers you lodging a la nation—the chandler's shop + sells you snuff and hair powder a la nation—and there are even + patriotic barbers whose signs inform you, that you may be shaved and have + your teeth drawn a la nation! These are acts of patriotism one cannot + reasonably object to; but the frequent and tedious examination of one's + passports by people who can't read, is not quite so inoffensive, and I + sometimes lose my patience. A very vigilant <i>Garde Nationale</i> + yesterday, after spelling my passport over for ten minutes, objected that + it was not a good one. I maintained that it was; and feeling a momentary + importance at the recollection of my country, added, in an assuring tone, + <i>"Et d'ailleurs je suis Anglaise et par consequent libre d'aller ou bon + me semble.</i>*" The man stared, but admitted my argument, and we passed + on. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *"Besides, I am a native of England, and, consequently, have a right to + go where I please." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + My room door is half open, and gives me a prospect into that of Mad. de + L____, which is on the opposite side of the passage. She has not yet put + on her cap, but her grey hair is profusely powdered; and, with no other + garments than a short under petticoat and a corset, she stands for the + edification of all who pass, putting on her rouge with a stick and a + bundle of cotton tied to the end of it.—All travellers agree in + describing great indelicacy to the French women; yet I have seen no + accounts which exaggerate it, and scarce any that have not been more + favourable than a strict adherence to truth might justify. This + inattractive part of the female national character is not confined to the + lower or middling classes of life; and an English woman is as likely to be + put to the blush in the boudoir of a Marquise, as in the shop of the + Grisette, which serves also for her dressing-room. + </p> + <p> + If I am not too idle, or too much amused, you will soon be informed of my + arrival at Arras; but though I should neglect to write, be persuaded I + shall never cease to be, with affection and esteem, Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_15" id="short_4_15"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Arras, August, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + The appearance of Arras is not busy in proportion to its population, + because its population is not equal to its extent; and as it is a large, + without being a commercial, town, it rather offers a view of the tranquil + enjoyment of wealth, than of the bustle and activity by which it is + procured. The streets are mostly narrow and ill paved, and the shops look + heavy and mean; but the hotels, which chiefly occupy the low town, are + large and numerous. What is called la Petite Place, is really very large, + and small only in comparison with the great one, which, I believe, is the + largest in France. It is, indeed, an immense quadrangle—the houses + are in the Spanish form, and it has an arcade all round it. The Spaniards, + by whom it was built, forgot, probably, that this kind of shelter would + not be so desirable here as in their own climate. The manufacture of + tapestry, which a single line of Shakespeare has immortalized, and + associated with the mirthful image of his fat Knight, has fallen into + decay. The manufacturers of linen and woollen are but inconsiderable; and + one, which existed till lately, of a very durable porcelain, is totally + neglected. The principal article of commerce is lace, which is made here + in great quantities. The people of all ages, from five years old to + seventy, are employed in this delicate fabrick. In fine weather you will + see whole streets lined with females, each with her cushion on her lap. + The people of Arras are uncommonly dirty, and the lacemakers do not in + this matter differ from their fellow-citizens; yet at the door of a house, + which, but for the surrounding ones, you would suppose the common + receptacle of all the filth in the vicinage, is often seated a female + artizan, whose fingers are forming a point of unblemished whiteness. It is + inconceivable how fast the bobbins move under their hands; and they seem + to bestow so little attention on their work, that it looks more like the + amusement of idleness than an effort of industry. I am no judge of the + arguments of philosophers and politicians for and against the use of + luxury in a state; but if it be allowable at all, much may be said in + favour of this pleasing article of it. Children may be taught to make it + at a very early age, and they can work at home under the inspection of + their parents, which is certainly preferable to crouding them together in + manufactories, where their health is injured, and their morals are + corrupted. + </p> + <p> + By requiring no more implements than about five shillings will purchase, a + lacemaker is not dependent on the shopkeeper, nor the head of a + manufactory. All who choose to work have it in their own power, and can + dispose of the produce of their labour, without being at the mercy of an + avaricious employer; for though a tolerable good workwoman can gain a + decent livelihood by selling to the shops, yet the profit of the retailer + is so great, that if he rejected a piece of lace, or refused to give a + reasonable price for it, a certain sale would be found with the individual + consumer: and it is a proof of the independence of this employ, that no + one will at present dispose of their work for paper, and it still + continues to be paid for in money. Another argument in favour of + encouraging lace-making is, that it cannot be usurped by men: you may have + men-milliners, men-mantuamakers, and even ladies' valets, but you cannot + well fashion the clumsy and inflexible fingers of man to lace-making. We + import great quantities of lace from this country, yet I imagine we might, + by attention, be enabled to supply other countries, instead of purchasing + abroad ourselves. The art of spinning is daily improving in England; and + if thread sufficiently fine can be manufactured, there is no reason why we + should not equal our neighbours in the beauty of this article. The hands + of English women are more delicate than those of the French; and our + climate is much the same as that of Brussels, Arras, Lisle, &c. where + the finest lace is made. + </p> + <p> + The population of Arras is estimated at about twenty-five thousand souls, + though many people tell me it is greater. It has, however, been lately + much thinned by emigration, suppression of convents, and the decline of + trade, occasioned by the absence of so many rich inhabitants.—The + Jacobins are here become very formidable: they have taken possession of a + church for their meetings, and, from being the ridicule, are become the + terror of all moderate people. + </p> + <p> + Yesterday was appointed for taking the new oath of liberty and equality. I + did not see the ceremony, as the town was in much confusion, and it was + deemed unsafe to be from home. I understand it was attended only by the + very refuse of the people, and that, as a gallanterie analogue, the + President of the department gave his arm to Madame Duchene, who sells + apples in a cellar, and is Presidente of the Jacobin club. It is, however, + reported to-day, that she is in disgrace with the society for her + condescension; and her parading the town with a man of forty thousand + livres a year is thought to be too great a compliment to the aristocracy + of riches; so that Mons. Le President's political gallantry has availed + him nothing. He has debased and made himself the ridicule of the + Aristocrates and Constitutionalists, without paying his court, as he + intended, to the popular faction. I would always wish it to happen so to + those who offer up incense to the mob. As human beings, as one's fellow + creatures, the poor and uninformed have a claim to our affection and + benevolence, but when they become legislators, they are absurd and + contemptible tyrants.—<i>A propos</i>—we were obliged to + acknowledge this new sovereignty by illuminating the house on the + occasion; and this was not ordered by nocturnal vociferation as in + England, but by a regular command from an officer deputed for that + purpose. + </p> + <p> + I am concerned to see the people accustomed to take a number of + incompatible oaths with indifference: it neither will nor can come to any + good; and I am ready to exclaim with Juliet—"Swear not at all." Or, + if ye must swear, quarrel not with the Pope, that your consciences may at + least be relieved by dispensations and indulgences. + </p> + <p> + To-morrow we go to Lisle, notwithstanding the report that it has already + been summoned to surrender. You will scarcely suppose it possible, yet we + find it difficult to learn the certainty of this, at the distance of only + thirty miles: but communication is much less frequent and easy here than + in England. I am not one of those "unfortunate women who delight in war;" + and, perhaps, the sight of this place, so famous for its fortifications, + will not be very amusing to me, nor furnish much matter of communication + for my friends; but I shall write, if it be only to assure you that I am + not made prize of by the Austrians. Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_16" id="short_4_16"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Lisle, August, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + You restless islanders, who are continually racking imagination to perfect + the art of moving from one place to another, and who can drop asleep in a + carriage and wake at an hundred mile distance, have no notion of all the + difficulties of a day's journey here. In the first place, all the horses + of private persons have been taken for the use of the army, and those for + hire are constantly employed in going to the camp—hence, there is a + difficulty in procuring horses. Then a French carriage is never in order, + and in France a job is not to be done just when you want it—so that + there is often a difficulty in finding vehicles. Then there is the + difficulty of passports, and the difficulty of gates, if you want to + depart early. Then the difficulties of patching harness on the road, and, + above all, the inflexible <i>sang froid</i> of drivers. All these things + considered, you will not wonder that we came here a day after we intended, + and arrived at night, when we ought to have arrived at noon. —The + carriage wanted a trifling repair, and we could get neither passports nor + horses. The horses were gone to the army—the municipality to the + club—and the blacksmith was employed at the barracks in making a + patriotic harangue to the soldiers.—But we at length surmounted all + these obstacles, and reached this place last night. + </p> + <p> + The road between Arras and Lisle is equally rich with that we before + passed, but is much more diversified. The plain of Lens is not such a + scene of fertility, that one forgets it has once been that of war and + carnage. We endeavoured to learn in the town whereabouts the column was + erected that commemmorates that famous battle, [1648.] but no one seemed + to know any thing of the matter. One who, we flattered ourselves, looked + more intelligent than the rest, and whom we supposed might be an attorney, + upon being asked for this spot,—(where, added Mr. de ____, by way of + assisting his memory, <i>"le Prince de Conde s'est battu si bien,"</i>) + —replied, <i>"Pour la bataille je n'en sais rien, mais pour le + Prince de Conde il y a deja quelque tems qu'il est emigre—on le dit + a Coblentz."</i>* After this we thought it in vain to make any farther + enquiry, and continued our walk about the town. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *"Where the Prince of Conde fought so gallantly."—"As to the + battle I know nothing about the matter; but for the Prince of Conde he + emigrated some time since—they say he is at Coblentz." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Mr. P____, who, according to French custom, had not breakfasted, took a + fancy to stop at a baker's shop and buy a roll. The man bestowed so much + more civility on us than our two sols were worth, that I observed, on + quitting the shop, I was sure he must be an Aristocrate. Mr. P____, who is + a warm Constitutionalist, disputed the justice of my inference, and we + agreed to return, and learn the baker's political principles. After asking + for more rolls, we accosted him with the usual phrase, "Et vous, Monsieur, + vous etes bon patriote?"—<i>"Ah, mon Dieu, oui,</i> (replied he,) <i>il + faut bien l'etre a present."</i>* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *"And you, Sir, are without doubt, a good patriot?"—"Oh Lord, Sir, + yes; one's obliged to be so, now-a-days." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Mr. P____ admitted the man's tone of voice and countenance as good + evidence, and acknowledged I was right.—It is certain that the + French have taken it into their heads, that coarseness of manners is a + necessary consequence of liberty, and that there is a kind of leze nation + in being too civil; so that, in general, I think I can discover the + principles of shopkeepers, even without the indications of a melancholy + mien at the assignats, or lamentations on the times. + </p> + <p> + The new doctrine of primeval equality has already made some progress. At a + small inn at Carvin, where, upon the assurance that they had every thing + in the world, we stopped to dine, on my observing they had laid more + covers than were necessary, the woman answered, "Et les domestiques, ne + dinent ils pas?"—"And, pray, are the servants to have no dinner?" + </p> + <p> + We told her not with us, and the plates were taken away; but we heard her + muttering in the kitchen, that she believed we were aristocrates going to + emigrate. She might imagine also that we were difficult to satisfy, for we + found it impossible to dine, and left the house hungry, notwithstanding + there was "every thing in the world" in it. + </p> + <p> + On the road between Carvin and Lisle we saw Dumouriez, who is going to + take the command of the army, and has now been visiting the camp of + Maulde. He appears to be under the middle size, about fifty years of age, + with a brown complexion, dark eyes, and an animated countenance. He was + not originally distinguished either by birth or fortune, and has arrived + at his present situation by a concurrence of fortuitous circumstances, by + great and various talents, much address, and a spirit of intrigue. He is + now supported by the prevailing party; and, I confess, I could not regard + with much complacence a man, whom the machinations of the Jacobins had + forced into the ministry, and whose hypocritical and affected resignation + has contributed to deceive the people, and ruin the King. + </p> + <p> + Lisle has all the air of a great town, and the mixture of commercial + industry and military occupation gives it a very gay and populous + appearance. The Lillois are highly patriotic, highly incensed against the + Austrians, and regard the approaching siege with more contempt than + apprehension. I asked the servant who was making my bed this morning, how + far the enemy was off. <i>"Une lieue et demie, ou deux lieues, a moins + qu'ils ne soient plus avances depuis hier,"</i>* repled she, with the + utmost indifference.—I own, I did not much approve of such a + vicinage, and a view of the fortifications (which did not make the less + impression, because I did not understand them,) was absolutely necessary + to raise my drooping courage. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *"A league and a half, or two leagues; unless, indeed, they have + advanced since yesterday." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + This morning was dedicated to visiting the churches, citadel, and Collisee + (a place of amusement in the manner of our Vauxhall); but all these things + have been so often described by much abler pens, that I cannot modestly + pretend to add any thing on the subject. + </p> + <p> + In the evening we were at the theatre, which is large and handsome; and + the constant residence of a numerous garrison enables it to entertain a + very good set of performers:—their operas in particular are + extremely well got up. I saw Zemire et Azor given better than at Drury + Lane.—In the farce, which was called Le Francois a Londres, was + introduced a character they called that of an Englishman, (Jack + Roastbeef,) who pays his addresses to a nobleman's daughter, in a box + coate, a large hat slouched over his eyes, and an oaken trowel in his hand—in + short, the whole figure exactly resembling that of a watchman. His + conversation is gross and sarcastic, interlarded with oaths, or relieved + by fits of sullen taciturnity—such a lover as one may suppose, + though rich, and the choice of the lady's father, makes no impression; and + the author has flattered the national vanity by making the heroine give + the preference to a French marquis. Now there is no doubt but nine-tenths + of the audience thought this a good portraiture of the English character, + and enjoyed it with all the satisfaction of conscious superiority.—The + ignorance that prevails with regard to our manners and customs, among a + people so near us, is surprizing. It is true, that the noblesse who have + visited England with proper recommendations, and have been introduced to + the best society, do us justice: the men of letters also, who, from party + motives, extol every thing English, have done us perhaps more than + justice. But I speak of the French in general; not the lower classes only, + but the gentry of the provinces, and even those who in other respects have + pretensions to information. The fact is, living in England is expensive: a + Frenchman, whose income here supports him as a gentleman, goes over and + finds all his habits of oeconomy insufficient to keep him from exceeding + the limits he had prescribed to himself. His decent lodging alone costs + him a great part of his revenue, and obliges him to be strictly + parsimonious of the rest. This drives him to associate chiefly with his + own countrymen, to dine at obscure coffee-houses, and pay his court to + opera-dancers. He sees, indeed, our theatres, our public walks, the + outside of our palaces, and the inside of churches: but this gives him no + idea of the manners of the people in superior life, or even of easy + fortune. Thus he goes home, and asserts to his untravelled countrymen, + that our King and nobility are ill lodged, our churches mean, and that the + English are barbarians, who dine without soup, use no napkin, and eat with + their knives.—I have heard a gentleman of some respectability here + observe, that our usual dinner was an immense joint of meat half drest, + and a dish of vegetables scarcely drest at all.—Upon questioning + him, I discovered he had lodged in St. Martin's Lane, had likewise boarded + at a country attorney's of the lowest class, and dined at an ordinary at + Margate. + </p> + <p> + Some few weeks ago the Marquis de P____ set out from Paris in the + diligence, and accompanied by his servant, with a design of emigrating. + Their only fellow-traveller was an Englishman, whom they frequently + addressed, and endeavoured to enter into conversation with; but he either + remained silent, or gave them to understand he was entirely ignorant of + the language. Under this persuasion the Marquis and his valet freely + discussed their affairs, arranged their plan of emigration, and expressed, + with little ceremony, their political opinions.—At the end of their + journey they were denounced by their companion, and conducted to prison. + The magistrate who took the information mentioned the circumstance when I + happened to be present. Indignant at such an act in an Englishman, I + enquired his name. You will judge of my surprize, when he assured me it + was the English Ambassador. I observed to him, that it was not common for + our Ambassadors to travel in stage-coaches: this, he said, he knew; but + that having reason to suspect the Marquis, Monsieur l'Ambassadeur had had + the goodness to have him watched, and had taken this journey on purpose to + detect him. It was not without much reasoning, and the evidence of a lady + who had been in England long enough to know the impossibility of such a + thing, that I would justify Lord G____ from this piece of complaisance to + the Jacobins, and convince the worthy magistrate he had been imposed upon: + yet this man is the Professor of Eloquence at a college, is the oracle of + the Jacobin society; and may perhaps become a member of the Convention. + This seems so almost incredibly absurd, that I should fear to repeat it, + were it not known to many besides myself; but I think I may venture to + pronounce, from my own observation, and that of others, whose judgement, + and occasions of exercising it, give weight to their opinions, that the + generality of the French who have read a little are mere pedants, nearly + unacquainted with modern nations, their commercial and political relation, + their internal laws, characters, or manners. Their studies are chiefly + confined to Rollin and Plutarch, the deistical works of Voltaire, and the + visionary politics of Jean Jaques. Hence they amuse their hearers with + allusions to Caesar and Lycurgus, the Rubicon, and Thermopylae. Hence they + pretend to be too enlightened for belief, and despise all governments not + founded on the Contrat Social, or the Profession de Foi.—They are an + age removed from the useful literature and general information of the + middle classes in their own country—they talk familiarly of Sparta + and Lacedemon, and have about the same idea of Russia as they have of + Caffraria. Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_17" id="short_4_17"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Lisle. + </h2> + <p> + "Married to another, and that before those shoes were old with which she + followed my poor father to the grave."—There is scarcely any + circumstance, or situation, in which, if one's memory were good, one + should not be mentally quoting Shakespeare. I have just now been + whispering the above, as I passed the altar of liberty, which still + remains on the Grande Place. But "a month, a little month," ago, on this + altar the French swore to maintain the constitution, and to be faithful to + the law and the King; yet this constitution is no more, the laws are + violated, the King is dethroned, and the altar is now only a monument of + levity and perjury, which they have not feeling enough to remove. + </p> + <p> + The Austrians are daily expected to besiege this place, and they may + destroy, but they will not take it. I do not, as you may suppose, venture + to speak so decisively in a military point of view—I know as little + as possible of the excellencies of Vauban, or the adequacy of the + garrison; but I draw my inference from the spirit of enthusiasm which + prevails among the inhabitants of every class—every individual seems + to partake of it: the streets resound with patriotic acclamations, + patriotic songs, war, and defiance.—Nothing can be more animating + than the theatre. Every allusion to the Austrians, every song or sentence, + expressive of determined resistance, is followed by bursts of assent, + easily distinguishable not to be the effort of party, but the sentiment of + the people in general. There are, doubtless, here, as in all other places, + party dissensions; but the threatened siege seems at least to have united + all for their common defence: they know that a bomb makes no distinction + between Feuillans, Jacobins, or Aristocrates, and neither are so anxious + to destroy the other, when it is only to be done at such a risk to + themselves. I am even willing to hope that something better than mere + selfishness has a share in their uniting to preserve one of the finest, + and, in every sense, one of the most interesting, towns in France. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_18" id="short_4_18"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Lisle, Saturday. + </h2> + <p> + We are just on our departure for Arras, where, I fear, we shall scarcely + arrive before the gates are shut. We have been detained here much beyond + our time, by a circumstance infinitely shocking, though, in fact, not + properly a subject of regret. One of the assassins of General Dillon was + this morning guillotined before the hotel where we are lodged.—I did + not, as you will conclude, see the operation; but the mere circumstance of + knowing the moment it was performed, and being so near it, has much + unhinged me. The man, however, deserved his fate, and such an example was + particularly necessary at this time, when we are without a government, and + the laws are relaxed. The mere privation of life is, perhaps, more quickly + effected by this instrument than by any other means; but when we recollect + that the preparation for, and apprehension of, death, constitute its + greatest terrors; that a human hand must give motion to the Guillotine as + well as to the axe; and that either accustoms a people, already + sanguinary, to the sight of blood, I think little is gained by the + invention. It was imagined by a Mons. Guillotin, a physician of Paris, and + member of the Constituent Assembly. The original design seems not so much + to spare pain to the criminal, as obloquy to the executioner. I, however, + perceive little difference between a man's directing a Guillotine, or + tying a rope; and I believe the people are of the same opinion. They will + never see any thing but a <i>bourreau</i> [executioner] in the man whose + province it is to execute the sentence of the laws, whatever name he may + be called by, or whatever instrument he may make use of.—I have + concluded this letter with a very unpleasant subject, but my pen is guided + by circumstances, and I do not invent, but communicate.—Adieu. + Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_19" id="short_4_19"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Arras, September 1, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + Had I been accompanied by an antiquary this morning, his sensibility would + have been severely exercised; for even I, whose respect for antiquity is + not scientific, could not help lamenting the modern rage for devastation + which has seized the French. They are removing all "the time-honoured + figures" of the cathedral, and painting its massive supporters in the + style of a ball-room. The elaborate uncouthness of ancient sculpture is + not, indeed, very beautiful; yet I have often fancied there was something + more simply pathetic in the aukward effigy of an hero kneeling amidst his + trophies, or a regal pair with their supplicating hands and surrounding + offspring, than in the graceful figures and poetic allegories of the + modern artist. The humble intreaty to the reader to "praye for the soule + of the departed," is not very elegant—yet it is better calculated to + recall the wanderings of morality, than the flattering epitaph, a Fame + hovering in the air, or the suspended wreath of the remunerating angel.—But + I moralize in vain—the rage of these new Goths is inexorable: they + seem solicitous to destroy every vestige of civilization, lest the people + should remember they have not always been barbarians. + </p> + <p> + After obtaining an order from the municipality, we went to see the gardens + and palace of the Bishop, who has emigrated. The garden has nothing very + remarkable, but is large and well laid out, according to the old style. It + forms a very agreeable walk, and, when the Bishop possest it, was open for + the enjoyment of the inhabitants, but it is now shut up and in disorder. + The house is plain, and substantially furnished, and exhibits no + appearance of unbecoming luxury. The whole is now the property of the + nation, and will soon be disposed of.—I could not help feeling a + sensation of melancholy as we walked over the apartments. Every thing is + marked in an inventory, just as left; and an air of arrangement and + residence leads one to reflect, that the owner did not imagine at his + departure he was quitting it perhaps for ever. I am not partial to the + original emigrants, yet much may be said for the Bishop of Arras. He was + pursued by ingratitude, and marked for persecution. The Robespierres were + young men whom he had taken from a mean state, had educated, and + patronized. The revolution gave them an opportunity of displaying their + talents, and their talents procured them popularity. They became enemies + to the clergy, because their patron was a Bishop; and endeavoured to + render their benefactor odious, because the world could not forget, nor + they forgive, how much they were indebted to him.—Vice is not often + passive; nor is there often a medium between gratitude for benefits, and + hatred to the author of them. A little mind is hurt by the remembrance of + obligation—begins by forgetting, and, not uncommonly, ends by + persecuting. + </p> + <p> + We dined and passed the afternoon from home to-day. After dinner our + hostess, as usual, proposed cards; and, as usual in French societies, + every one assented: we waited, however, some time, and no cards came— + till, at length, conversation-parties were formed, and they were no longer + thought of. I have since learned, from one of the young women of the + house, that the butler and two footmen had all betaken themselves to clubs + and Guinguettes,* and the cards, counters, &c. could not be obtained. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Small public houses in the vicinity of large towns, where the common + people go on Sundays and festivals to dance and make merry. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + This is another evil arising from the circumstances of the times. All + people of property have begun to bury their money and plate, and as the + servants are often unavoidably privy to it, they are become idle and + impertinent—they make a kind of commutation of diligence for + fidelity, and imagine that the observance of the one exempts them from the + necessity of the other. The clubs are a constant receptacle for idleness; + and servants who think proper to frequent them do it with very little + ceremony, knowing that few whom they serve would be imprudent enough to + discharge them for their patriotism in attending a Jacobin society. Even + servants who are not converts to the new principle cannot resist the + temptation of abusing a little the power which they acquire from a + knowledge of family affairs. Perhaps the effect of the revolution has not, + on the whole, been favourable to the morals of the lower class of people; + but this shall be the subject of discussion at some future period, when I + shall have had farther opportunities of judging. + </p> + <p> + We yesterday visited the Oratoire, a seminary for education, which is now + suppressed. The building is immense, and admirably calculated for the + purpose, but is already in a state of dilapidation; so that, I fear, by + the time the legislature has determined what system of instruction shall + be substituted for that which has been abolished, the children (as the + French are fond of examples from the ancients) will take their lessons, + like the Greeks, in the open air; and, in the mean while, become expert in + lying and thieving, like the Spartans. + </p> + <p> + The Superior of the house is an immoderate revolutionist, speaks English + very well, and is a great admirer of our party writers. In his room I + observed a vast quantity of English books, and on his chimney stood what + he called a patriotic clock, the dial of which was placed between two + pyramids, on which were inscribed the names of republican authors, and on + the top of one was that of our countryman, Mr. Thomas Paine—whom, by + the way, I understand you intended to exhibit in a much more conspicuous + and less tranquil situation. I assure you, though you are ungrateful on + your side of the water, he is in high repute here—his works are + translated— all the Jacobins who can read quote, and all who can't, + admire him; and possibly, at the very moment you are sentencing him to an + installment in the pillory, we may be awarding him a triumph.—Perhaps + we are both right. He deserves the pillory, from you for having + endeavoured to destroy a good constitution—and the French may with + equal reason grant him a triumph, as their constitution is likely to be so + bad, that even Mr. Thomas Paine's writings may make it better! + </p> + <p> + Our house is situated within view of a very pleasant public walk, where I + am daily amused with a sight of the recruits at their exercise. This is + not quite so regular a business as the drill in the Park. The exercise is + often interrupted by disputes between the officer and his eleves—some + are for turning to the right, others to the left, and the matter is not + unfrequently adjusted by each going the way that seemeth best unto + himself. The author of the <i>"Actes des Apotres"</i> [The Acts of the + Apostles] cites a Colonel who reprimanded one of his corps for walking ill—<i>"Eh + Dicentre,</i> (replied the man,) <i>comment veux tu que je marche bien + quand tu as fait mes souliers trop etroits."</i>* but this is no longer a + pleasantry—such circumstances are very common. A Colonel may often + be tailor to his own regiment, and a Captain operated on the heads of his + whole company, in his civil capacity, before he commands them in his + military one. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *"And how the deuce can you expect me to march well, when you have made + my shoes too tight?" + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The walks I have just mentioned have been extremely beautiful, but a great + part of the trees have been cut down, and the ornamental parts destroyed, + since the revolution—I know not why, as they were open to the poor + as well as the rich, and were a great embellishment to the low town. You + may think it strange that I should be continually dating some destruction + from the aera of the revolution—that I speak of every thing + demolished, and of nothing replaced. But it is not my fault—"If + freedom grows destructive, I must paint it:" though I should tell you, + that in many streets where convents have been sold, houses are building + with the materials on the same site.—This is, however, not a work of + the nation, but of individuals, who have made their purchases cheap, and + are hastening to change the form of their property, lest some new + revolution should deprive them of it.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_20" id="short_4_20"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Arras, September. + </h2> + <p> + Nothing more powerfully excites the attention of a stranger on his first + arrival, than the number and wretchedness of the poor at Arras. In all + places poverty claims compulsion, but here compassion is accompanied by + horror—one dares not contemplate the object one commiserates, and + charity relieves with an averted eye. Perhaps with Him, who regards + equally the forlorn beggar stretched on the threshold, consumed by filth + and disease, and the blooming beauty who avoids while she succours him, + the offering of humanity scarcely expiates the involuntary disgust; yet + such is the weakness of our nature, that there exists a degree of misery + against which one's senses are not proof, and benevolence itself revolts + at the appearance of the poor of Arras.—These are not the cold and + fastidious reflections of an unfeeling mind—they are not made + without pain: nor have I often felt the want of riches and consequence so + much as in my incapacity to promote some means of permanent and + substantial remedy for the evils I have been describing. I have frequently + enquired the cause of this singular misery, but can only learn that it + always has been so. I fear it is, that the poor are without energy, and + the rich without generosity. The decay of manufactures since the last + century must have reduced many families to indigence. These have been able + to subsist on the refuse of luxury, but, too supine for exertion, they + have sought for nothing more; while the great, discharging their + consciences with the superfluity of what administered to their pride, + fostered the evil, instead of endeavouring to remedy it. But the + benevolence of the French is not often active, nor extensive; it is more + frequently a religious duty than a sentiment. They content themselves with + affording a mere existence to wretchedness; and are almost strangers to + those enlightened and generous efforts which act beyond the moment, and + seek not only to relieve poverty, but to banish it. Thus, through the + frigid and indolent charity of the rich, the misery which was at first + accidental is perpetuated, beggary and idleness become habitual, and are + transmitted, like more fortunate inheritances, from one generation to + another.—This is not a mere conjecture—I have listened to the + histories of many of these unhappy outcasts, who were more than thirty + years old, and they have all told me, they were born in the state in which + I beheld them, and that they did not remember to have heard that their + parents were in any other. The National Assembly profess to effectuate an + entire regeneration of the country, and to eradicate all evils, moral, + physical, and political. I heartily wish the numerous and miserable poor, + with which Arras abounds, may become one of the first objects of reform; + and that a nation which boasts itself the most polished, the most + powerful, and the most philosophic in the world, may not offer to the view + so many objects shocking to humanity. + </p> + <p> + The citadel of Arras is very strong, and, as I am told, the chef d'oeuvre + of Vauban; but placed with so little judgement, that the military call it + <i>la belle inutile</i> [the useless beauty]. It is now uninhabited, and + wears an appearance of desolation—the commandant and all the + officers of the ancient government having been forced to abandon it; their + houses also are much damaged, and the gardens entirely destroyed.—I + never heard that this popular commotion had any other motive than the + general war of the new doctrines on the old. + </p> + <p> + I am sorry to see that most of the volunteers who go to join the army are + either old men or boys, tempted by extraordinary pay and scarcity of + employ. A cobler who has been used to rear canary-birds for Mad. de ____, + brought us this morning all the birds he was possessed of, and told us he + was going to-morrow to the frontiers. We asked him why, at his age, he + should think of joining the army. He said, he had already served, and that + there were a few months unexpired of the time that would entitle him to + his pension.—"Yes; but in the mean while you may get killed; and + then of what service will your claim to a pension be?"— <i>"N'ayez + pas peur, Madame—Je me menagerai bien—on ne se bat pas pour + ces gueux la comme pour son Roi."</i>* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "No fear of that, Madam—I'll take good care of myself: a man + does not fight for such beggarly rascals as these as he would for his + King." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + M. de ____ is just returned from the camp of Maulde, where he has been to + see his son. He says, there is great disorder and want of discipline, and + that by some means or other the common soldiers abound more in money, and + game higher, than their officers. There are two young women, inhabitants + of the town of St. Amand, who go constantly out on all skirmishing + parties, exercise daily with the men, and have killed several of the + enemy. They are both pretty—one only sixteen, the other a year or + two older. Mr. de ____ saw them as they were just returning from a + reconnoitring party. Perhaps I ought to have been ashamed after this + recital to decline an invitation from Mr. de R___'s son to dine with him + at the camp; but I cannot but feel that I am an extreme coward, and that I + should eat with no appetite in sight of an Austrian army. The very idea of + these modern Camillas terrifies me—their creation seems an error of + nature.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Their name was Fernig; they were natives of St. Amand, and of no + remarkable origin. They followed Dumouriez into Flanders, where they + signalized themselves greatly, and became Aides-de-Camp to that General. + At the time of his defection, one of them was shot by a soldier, whose + regiment she was endeavouring to gain over. Their house having been + razed by the Austrians at the beginning of the war, was rebuilt at the + expence of the nation; but, upon their participation in Dumouriez' + treachery, a second decree of the Assembly again levelled it with the + ground. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Our host, whose politeness is indefatigable, accompanied us a few days ago + to St. Eloy, a large and magnificent abbey, about six miles from Arras. It + is built on a terrace, which commands the surrounding country as far as + Douay; and I think I counted an hundred and fifty steps from the house to + the bottom of the garden, which is on a level with the road. The cloisters + are paved with marble, and the church neat and beautiful beyond + description. The iron work of the choir imitates flowers and foliage with + so much taste and delicacy, that (but for the colour) one would rather + suppose it to be soil, than any durable material.—The monks still + remain, and although the decree has passed for their suppression, they + cannot suppose it will take place. They are mostly old men, and, though I + am no friend to these institutions, they were so polite and hospitable + that I could not help wishing they were permitted, according to the design + of the first Assembly, to die in their habitations— especially as + the situation of St. Eloy renders the building useless for any other + purpose.—A friend of Mr. de ____ has a charming country-house near + the abbey, which he has been obliged to deny himself the enjoyment of, + during the greatest part of the summer; for whenever the family return to + Arras, their persons and their carriage are searched at the gate, as + strictly as though they were smugglers just arrived from the coast, under + the pretence that they may assist the religious of St. Eloy in securing + some of their property, previous to the final seizure. + </p> + <p> + I observe, in walking the streets here, that the common people still + retain much of the Spanish cast of features: the women are remarkably + plain, and appear still more so by wearing faals. The faal is about two + ells of black silk or stuff, which is hung, without taste or form, on the + head, and is extremely unbecoming: but it is worn only by the lower class, + or by the aged and devotees. + </p> + <p> + I am a very voluminous correspondent, but if I tire you, it is a proper + punishment for your insincerity in desiring me to continue so. I have + heard of a governor of one of our West India islands who was universally + detested by its inhabitants, but who, on going to England, found no + difficulty in procuring addresses expressive of approbation and esteem. + The consequence was, he came back and continued governor for life.—Do + you make the application of my anecdote, and I shall persevere in + scribbling.—Every Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_21" id="short_4_21"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Arras. + </h2> + <p> + It is not fashionable at present to frequent any public place; but as we + are strangers, and of no party, we often pass our evenings at the theatre. + I am fond of it—not so much on account of the representation, as of + the opportunity which it affords for observing the dispositions of the + people, and the bias intended to be given them. The stage is now become a + kind of political school, where the people are taught hatred to Kings, + Nobility, and Clergy, according as the persecution of the moment requires; + and, I think, one may often judge from new pieces the meditated sacrifice. + A year ago, all the sad catalogue of human errors were personified in + Counts and Marquisses; they were not represented as individuals whom + wealth and power had made something too proud, and much too luxurious, but + as an order of monsters, whose existence, independently of their + characters, was a crime, and whose hereditary possessions alone implied a + guilt, not to be expiated but by the forfeiture of them. This, you will + say, was not very judicious; and that by establishing a sort of + incompatibility of virtue with titular distinctions, the odium was + transferred from the living to the dead—from those who possessed + these distinctions to those who instituted them. But, unfortunately, the + French were disposed to find their noblesse culpable, and to reject every + thing which tended to excuse or favour them. The hauteur of the noblesse + acted as a fatal equivalent to every other crime; and many, who did not + credit other imputations, rejoiced in the humiliation of their pride. The + people, the rich merchants, and even the lesser gentry, all eagerly + concurred in the destruction of an order that had disdained or excluded + them; and, perhaps, of all the innovations which have taken place, the + abolition of rank has excited the least interest. + </p> + <p> + It is now less necessary to blacken the noblesse, and the compositions of + the day are directed against the Throne, the Clergy, and Monastic Orders. + All the tyrants of past ages are brought from the shelves of faction and + pedantry, and assimilated to the mild and circumscribed monarchs of modern + Europe. The doctrine of popular sovereignty is artfully instilled, and the + people are stimulated to exert a power which they must implicitly delegate + to those who have duped and misled them. The frenzy of a mob is + represented as the sublimest effort of patriotism; and ambition and + revenge, usurping the title of national justice, immolate their victims + with applause. The tendency of such pieces is too obvious; and they may, + perhaps, succeed in familiarizing the minds of the people to events which, + a few months ago, would have filled them with horror. There are also + numerous theatrical exhibitions, preparatory to the removal of the nuns + from their convents, and to the banishment of the priests. Ancient + prejudices are not yet obliterated, and I believe some pains have been + taken to justify these persecutions by calumny. The history of our + dissolution of the monasteries has been ransacked for scandal, and the + bigotry and biases of all countries are reduced into abstracts, and + exposed on the stage. The most implacable revenge, the most refined + malice, the extremes of avarice and cruelty, are wrought into tragedies, + and displayed as acting under the mask of religion and the impunity of a + cloister; while operas and farces, with ridicule still more successful, + exhibit convents as the abode of licentiousness, intrigue, and + superstition. + </p> + <p> + These efforts have been sufficiently successful—not from the merit + of the pieces, but from the novelty of the subject. The people in general + were strangers to the interior of convents: they beheld them with that + kind of respect which is usually produced in uninformed minds by mystery + and prohibition. Even the monastic habit was sacred from dramatic uses; so + that a representation of cloisters, monks, and nuns, their costumes and + manners, never fails to attract the multitude.—But the same cause + which renders them curious, makes them credulous. Those who have seen no + farther than the Grille, and those who have been educated in convents, are + equally unqualified to judge of the lives of the religious; and their + minds, having no internal conviction or knowledge of the truth, easily + become the converts of slander and falsehood. + </p> + <p> + I cannot help thinking, that there is something mean and cruel in this + procedure. If policy demand the sacrifice, it does not require that the + victims should be rendered odious; and if it be necessary to dispossess + them of their habitations, they ought not, at the moment they are thrown + upon the world, to be painted as monsters unworthy of its pity or + protection. It is the cowardice of the assassin, who murders before he + dares to rob. + </p> + <p> + This custom of making public amusements subservient to party, has, I doubt + not, much contributed to the destruction of all against whom it has been + employed; and theatrical calumny seems to be always the harbinger of + approaching ruin to its object; yet this is not the greatest evil which + may arise from these insidious politics—they are equally + unfavourable both to the morals and taste of the people; the first are + injured beyond calculation, and the latter corrupted beyond amendment. The + orders of society, which formerly inspired respect or veneration, are now + debased and exploded; and mankind, once taught to see nothing but vice and + hypocrisy in those whom they had been accustomed to regard as models of + virtue, are easily led to doubt the very existence of virtue itself: they + know not where to turn for either instruction or example; no prospect is + offered to them but the dreary and uncomfortable view of general + depravity; and the individual is no longer encouraged to struggle with + vicious propensities, when he concludes them irresistibly inherent in his + nature. Perhaps it was not possible to imagine principles at once so + seductive and ruinous as those now disseminated. How are the morals of the + people to resist a doctrine which teaches them that the rich only can be + criminal, and that poverty is a substitute for virtue—that wealth is + holden by the sufferance of those who do not possess it—and that he + who is the frequenter of a club, or the applauder of a party, is exempt + from the duties of his station, and has a right to insult and oppress his + fellow citizens? All the weaknesses of humanity are flattered and called + to the aid of this pernicious system of revolutionary ethics; and if + France yet continue in a state of civilization, it is because Providence + has not yet abandoned her to the influence of such a system. + </p> + <p> + Taste is, I repeat it, as little a gainer by the revolution as morals. The + pieces which were best calculated to form and refine the minds of the + people, all abound with maxims of loyalty, with respect for religion, and + the subordinations of civil society. These are all prohibited; and are + replaced by fustian declamations, tending to promote anarchy and discord + —by vulgar and immoral farces, and insidious and flattering + panegyrics on the vices of low life. No drama can succeed that is not + supported by the faction; and this support is to be procured only by + vilifying the Throne, the Clergy, and Noblesse. This is a succedaneum for + literary merit, and those who disapprove are menaced into silence; while + the multitude, who do not judge but imitate, applaud with their leaders—and + thus all their ideas become vitiated, and imbibe the corruption of their + favourite amusement. + </p> + <p> + I have dwelt on this subject longer than I intended; but as I would not be + supposed prejudiced nor precipitate in my assertions, I will, by the first + occasion, send you some of the most popular farces and tragedies: you may + then decide yourself upon the tendency; and, by comparing the dispositions + of the French before, and within, the last two years, you may also + determine whether or not my conclusions are warranted by fact. Adieu.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_22" id="short_4_22"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Arras. + </h2> + <p> + Our countrymen who visit France for the first time—their + imaginations filled with the epithets which the vanity of one nation has + appropriated, and the indulgence of the other sanctioned—are + astonished to find this "land of elegance," this refined people, extremely + inferior to the English in all the arts that minister to the comfort and + accommodation of life. They are surprized to feel themselves starved by + the intrusion of all the winds of heaven, or smothered by volumes of smoke—that + no lock will either open or shut—that the drawers are all immoveable—and + that neither chairs nor tables can be preserved in equilibrium. In vain do + they inquire for a thousand conveniences which to them seem indispensible; + they are not to be procured, or even their use is unknown: till at length, + after a residence in a score of houses, in all of which they observe the + same deficiencies, they begin to grow sceptical, to doubt the pretended + superiority of France, and, perhaps for the first time, do justice to + their own unassuming country. It must however, be confessed, that if the + chimnies smoke, they are usually surrounded by marble—that the + unstable chair is often covered with silk—and that if a room be + cold, it is plentifully decked with gilding, pictures, and glasses.—In + short, a French house is generally more showy than convenient, and seldom + conveys that idea of domestic comfort which constitutes the luxury of an + Englishman. + </p> + <p> + I observe, that the most prevailing ornaments here are family portraits: + almost every dwelling, even among the lower kind of tradesmen, is peopled + with these ensigns of vanity; and the painters employed on these + occasions, however deficient in other requisites of their art, seem to + have an unfortunate knack at preserving likenesses. Heads powdered even + whiter than the originals, laced waistcoats, enormous lappets, and + countenances all ingeniously disposed so as to smile at each other, + encumber the wainscot, and distress the unlucky visitor, who is obliged to + bear testimony to the resemblance. When one sees whole rooms filled with + these figures, one cannot help reflecting on the goodness of Providence, + which thus distributes self-love, in proportion as it denies those gifts + that excite the admiration of others. + </p> + <p> + You must not understand what I have said on the furniture of French houses + as applying to those of the nobility or people of extraordinary fortunes, + because they are enabled to add the conveniences of other countries to the + luxuries of their own. Yet even these, in my opinion, have not the uniform + elegance of an English habitation: there is always some disparity between + the workmanship and the materials—some mixture of splendour and + clumsiness, and a want of what the painters call keeping; but the houses + of the gentry, the lesser noblesse, and merchants, are, for the most part, + as I have described—-abounding in silk, marble, glasses, and + pictures; but ill finished, dirty, and deficient in articles of real use.—I + should, however, notice, that genteel people are cleaner here than in the + interior parts of the kingdom. The floors are in general of oak, or + sometimes of brick; but they are always rubbed bright, and have not that + filthy appearance which so often disgusts one in French houses. + </p> + <p> + The heads of the lower classes of people are much disturbed by these new + principles of universal equality. We enquired of a man we saw near a coach + this morning if it was hired. "Monsieur—(quoth he—then + checking himself suddenly,)—no, I forgot, I ought not to say + Monsieur, for they tell me I am equal to any body in the world: yet, after + all, I know not well if this may be true; and as I have drunk out all I am + worth, I believe I had better go home and begin work again to-morrow." + This new disciple of equality had, indeed, all the appearance of having + sacrificed to the success of the cause, and was then recovering from a + dream of greatness which he told us had lasted two days. + </p> + <p> + Since the day of taking the new oath we have met many equally elevated, + though less civil. Some are undoubtedly paid, but others will distress + their families for weeks by this celebration of their new discoveries, and + must, after all, like our intoxicated philosopher, be obliged to return + "to work again to-morrow." + </p> + <p> + I must now bid you adieu—and, in doing so, naturally turn my + thoughts to that country where the rights of the people consist not of + sterile and metaphysic declarations, but of real defence and protection. + May they for ever remain uninterrupted by the devastating chimeras of + their neighbours; and if they seek reform, may it be moderate and + permanent, acceded to reason, and not extorted by violence!—Yours, + &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_23" id="short_4_23"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + September 2, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + We were so much alarmed at the theatre on Thursday, that I believe we + shall not venture again to amuse ourselves at the risk of a similar + occurrence. About the middle of the piece, a violent outcry began from all + parts of the house, and seemed to be directed against our box; and I + perceived Madame Duchene, the Presidente of the Jacobins, heading the + legions of Paradise with peculiar animation. You may imagine we were not a + little terrified. I anxiously examined the dress of myself and my + companions, and observing nothing that could offend the affected + simplicity of the times, prepared to quit the house. A friendly voice, + however, exerting itself above the clamour, informed us that the offensive + objects were a cloak and a shawl which hung over the front of the box.—You + will scarcely suppose such grossness possible among a civilized people; + but the fact is, our friends are of the proscribed class, and we were + insulted because in their society.—I have before noticed, that the + guards which were stationed in the theatre before the revolution are now + removed, and a municipal officer, made conspicuous by his scarf, is placed + in the middle front box, and, in case of any tumult, is empowered to call + in the military to his assistance. + </p> + <p> + We have this morning been visiting two objects, which exhibit this country + in very different points of view—as the seat of wealth, and the + abode of poverty. The first is the abbey of St. Vaast, a most superb pile, + now inhabited by monks of various orders, but who are preparing to quit + it, in obedience to the late decrees. Nothing impresses one with a + stronger idea of the influence of the Clergy, than these splendid + edifices. We see them reared amidst the solitude of deserts, and in the + gaiety and misery of cities; and while they cheer the one and embellish + the other, they exhibit, in both, monuments of indefatigable labour and + immense wealth.—The facade of St. Vaast is simple and striking, and + the cloisters and every other part of the building are extremely handsome. + The library is supposed to be the finest in France, except the King's, but + is now under the seal of the nation. A young monk, who was our Cicerone, + told us he was sorry it was not in his power to show it. <i>"Et nous, + Monsieur, nous sommes faches aussi."</i>—["And we are not less sorry + than yourself, Sir."] + </p> + <p> + Thus, with the aid of significant looks, and gestures of disapprobation, + an exchange of sentiments took place, without a single expression of + treasonable import: both parties understood perfectly well, that in + regretting that the library was inaccessible, each included all the + circumstances which attended it.—A new church was building in a + style worthy of the convent—I think, near four hundred feet long; + but it was discontinued at the suppression of the religious orders, and + will now, of course, never be finished. + </p> + <p> + From this abode of learned case and pious indolence Mr. de ____ conducted + us to the Mont de Piete, a national institution for lending money to the + poor on pledges, (at a moderate interest,) which, if not redeemed within a + year, are sold by auction, and the overplus, if there remain any, after + deducting the interest, is given to the owner of the pledge. Thousands of + small packets are deposited here, which, to the eye of affluence, might + seem the very refuse of beggary itself.—I could not reflect without + an heart-ache, on the distress of the individual, thus driven to + relinquish his last covering, braving cold to satisfy hunger, and + accumulating wretchedness by momentary relief. I saw, in a lower room, + groupes of unfortunate beings, depriving themselves of different parts of + their apparel, and watching with solicitude the arbitrary valuations; + others exchanging some article of necessity for one of a still greater— + some in a state of intoxication, uttering execrations of despair; and all + exhibiting a picture of human nature depraved and miserable.—While I + was viewing this scene, I recalled the magnificent building we had just + left, and my first emotions were those of regret and censure. When we only + feel, and have not leisure to reflect, we are indignant that vast sums + should be expended on sumptuous edifices, and that the poor should live in + vice and want; yet the erection of St. Vaast must have maintained great + numbers of industrious hands; and perhaps the revenues of the abbey may + not, under its new possessors, be so well employed. When the offerings and + the tributes to religion are the support of the industrious poor, it is + their best appropriation; and he who gives labour for a day, is a more + useful benefactor than he who maintains in idleness for two. —I + could not help wishing that the poor might no longer be tempted by the + facility of a resource, which perhaps, in most instances, only increases + their distress.—It is an injudicious expedient to palliate an evil, + which great national works, and the encouragement of industry and + manufactures, might eradicate.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * In times of public commotion people frequently send their valuable + effects to the Mont de Piete, not only as being secure by its strength, + but as it is respected by the people, who are interested in its + preservation. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —With these reflections I concluded mental peace with the monks of + St. Vaast, and would, had it depended upon me, have readily comprized the + finishing their great church in the treaty. + </p> + <p> + The Primary Assemblies have already taken place in this department. We + happened to enter a church while the young Robespierre was haranguing to + an audience, very little respectable either in numbers or appearance. They + were, however, sufficiently unanimous, and made up in noisy applause what + they wanted in other respects. If the electors and elected of other + departments be of the same complexion with those of Arras, the new + Assembly will not, in any respect, be preferable to the old one. I have + reproached many of the people of this place, who, from their education and + property, have a right to take an interest in the public affairs, with + thus suffering themselves to be represented by the most desperate and + worthless individuals of the town. Their defence is, that they are + insulted and overpowered if they attend the popular meetings, and by + electing <i>"les gueux et les scelerats pour deputes,"</i>* they send them + to Paris, and secure their own local tranquillity. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The scrubs and scoundrels for deputies. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The first of these assertions is but too true, yet I cannot but + think the second a very dangerous experiment. They remove these turbulent + and needy adventurers from the direction of a club to that of government, + and procure a partial relief by contributing to the general ruin. + </p> + <p> + Paris is said to be in extreme fermentation, and we are in some anxiety + for our friend M. P____, who was to go there from Montmorency last week. I + shall not close my letter till I have heard from him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_24" id="short_4_24"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + September 4. + </h2> + <p> + I resume my pen after a sleepless night, and with an oppression of mind + not to be described. Paris is the scene of proscription and massacres. The + prisoners, the clergy, the noblesse, all that are supposed inimical to + public faction, or the objects of private revenge, are sacrificed without + mercy. We are here in the utmost terror and consternation—we know + not the end nor the extent of these horrors, and every one is anxious for + himself or his friends. Our society consists mostly of females, and we do + not venture out, but hover together like the fowls of heaven, when warned + by a vague yet instinctive dread of the approaching storm. We tremble at + the sound of voices in the street, and cry, with the agitation of Macbeth, + "there's knocking at the gate." I do not indeed envy, but I most sincerely + regret, the peace and safety of England.—I have no courage to add + more, but will enclose a hasty translation of the letter we received from + M. P____, by last night's post. Humanity cannot comment upon it without + shuddering.—Ever Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + "Rue St. Honore, Sept. 2, 1792. + </p> + <p> + "In a moment like this, I should be easily excused a breach of promise in + not writing; yet when I recollect the apprehension which the kindness of + my amiable friends will feel on my account, I determine, even amidst the + danger and desolation that surround me, to relieve them.—Would to + Heaven I had nothing more alarming to communicate than my own situation! I + may indeed suffer by accident; but thousands of wretched victims are at + this moment marked for sacrifice, and are massacred with an execrable + imitation of rule and order: a ferocious and cruel multitude, headed by + chosen assassins, are attacking the prisons, forcing the houses of the + noblesse and priests, and, after a horrid mockery of judicial + condemnation, execute them on the spot. The tocsin is rung, alarm guns are + fired, the streets resound with fearful shrieks, and an undefinable + sensation of terror seizes on one's heart. I feel that I have committed an + imprudence in venturing to Paris; but the barriers are now shut, and I + must abide the event. I know not to what these proscriptions tend, or if + all who are not their advocates are to be their victims; but an + ungovernable rage animates the people: many of them have papers in their + hands that seem to direct them to their objects, to whom they hurry in + crouds with an eager and savage fury.—I have just been obliged to + quit my pen. A cart had stopped near my lodgings, and my ears were + assailed by the groans of anguish, and the shouts of frantic exultation. + Uncertain whether to descend or remain, I, after a moment's deliberation, + concluded it would be better to have shown myself than to have appeared to + avoid it, in case the people should enter the house, and therefore went + down with the best show of courage I could assume.—I will draw a + veil over the scene that presented itself—nature revolts, and my + fair friends would shudder at the detail. Suffice it to say, that I saw + cars, loaded with the dead and dying, and driven by their yet ensanguined + murderers; one of whom, in a tone of exultation, cried, 'Here is a + glorious day for France!' I endeavoured to assent, though with a + faultering voice, and, as soon as they were passed escaped to my room. You + may imagine I shall not easily recover the shock I received.—At this + moment they say, the enemy are retreating from Verdun. At any other time + this would have been desirable, but at present one knows not what to wish + for. Most probably, the report is only spread with the humane hope of + appeasing the mob. They have already twice attacked the Temple; and I + tremble lest this asylum of fallen majesty should ere morning, be + violated. + </p> + <p> + "Adieu—I know not if the courier will be permitted to depart; but, + as I believe the streets are not more unsafe than the houses, I shall make + an attempt to send this. I will write again in a few days. If to-morrow + should prove calm, I shall be engaged in enquiring after the fate of my + friends.—I beg my respects to Mons. And Mad. de ____; and entreat + you all to be as tranquil as such circumstances will permit.—You may + be certain of hearing any news that can give you pleasure immediately. I + have the honour to be," &c. &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_25" id="short_4_25"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Arras, September, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + You will in future, I believe, find me but a dull correspondent. The + natural timidity of my disposition, added to the dread which a native of + England has of any violation of domestic security, renders me unfit for + the scenes I am engaged in. I am become stupid and melancholy, and my + letters will partake of the oppression of my mind. + </p> + <p> + At Paris, the massacres at the prisons are now over, but those in the + streets and in private houses still continue. Scarcely a post arrives that + does not inform M. de ____ of some friend or acquaintance being + sacrificed. Heaven knows where this is to end! + </p> + <p> + We had, for two days, notice that, pursuant to a decree of the Assembly, + commissioners were expected here at night, and that the tocsin would be + rung for every body to deliver up their arms. We did not dare go to bed on + either of these nights, but merely lay down in our robes de chambre, + without attempting to sleep. This dreaded business is, however, past. + Parties of the Jacobins paraded the streets yesterday morning, and + disarmed all they thought proper. I observed they had lists in their + hands, and only went to such houses as have an external appearance of + property. Mr. de ____, who has been in the service thirty years, delivered + his arms to a boy, who behaved to him with the utmost insolence, whilst we + sat trembling and almost senseless with fear the whole time they remained + in the house; and could I give you an idea of their appearance, you would + think my terror very justifiable. It is, indeed, strange and alarming, + that all who have property should be deprived of the means of defending + either that or their lives, at a moment when Paris is giving an example of + tumult and assassination to every other part of the kingdom. Knowing no + good reason for such procedure, it is very natural to suspect a bad one.—I + think, on many accounts, we are more exposed here than at ____, and as + soon as we can procure horses we shall depart.—The following is the + translation of our last letter from Mr. P____. + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + "I promised my kind friends to write as soon as I should have any thing + satisfactory to communicate: but, alas! I have no hope of being the + harbinger of any thing but circumstances of a very different tendency. I + can only give you details of the horrors I have already generally + described. Carnage has not yet ceased; and is only become more cool and + more discriminating. All the mild characteristics annihilated; and a + frantic cruelty, which is dignified with the name of patriotism, has + usurped ever faculty, and banished both reason and mercy. + </p> + <p> + "Mons. ____, whom I have hitherto known by reputation, as an upright, and + even humane man, had a brother shut up, with a number of other priests, at + the Carmes; and, by his situation and connections, he has such influence + as might, if exerted, have preserved the latter. The unfortunate brother + knowing this, found means, while hourly expecting his fate, to convey a + note to Mr. ____, begging he would immediately release, and procure him an + asylum. The messenger returned with an answer, that Mons. ____ had no + relations in the enemies of his country! + </p> + <p> + "A few hours after, the massacres at the Carmes took place.—One + Panis,* who is in the Comite de Surveillance, had, a few days previous to + these dreadful events, become, I know not on what occasion, the depositary + of a large sum of money belonging to a gentleman of his section. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Panis has since figured on various occasions. He is a member of the + Convention, and was openly accused of having been an accomplice in the + robbery of the Garde Meuble. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + "A secret and frivolous denunciation was made the pretext for throwing the + owner of the money into prison, where he remained till September, when his + friends, recollecting his danger, flew to the Committee and applied for + his discharge. Unfortunately, the only member of the Committee present was + Panis. He promised to take measures for an immediate release.—Perhaps + he kept his word, but the release was cruel and final—the prison was + attacked, and the victim heard of no more.—You will not be surprized + at such occurrences when I tell you that G____,* whom you must remember to + have heard of as a Jacobin at ____, is President of the Committee above + mentioned—yes, an assassin is now the protector of the public + safety, and the commune of Paris the patron of a criminal who has merited + the gibbet. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * G____ was afterwards elected (doubtless by a recommendation of the + Jacobins) Deputy for the department of Finisterre, to which he was sent + Commissioner by the Convention. On account of some unwarrantable + proceedings, and of some words that escaped him, which gave rise to a + suspicion that he was privy to the robbery of the Garde Meuble, he was + arrested by the municipality of Quimper Corentin, of which place he is a + native. The Jacobins applied for his discharge, and for the punishment + of the municipality; but the Convention, who at that time rarely took + any decisive measures, ordered G____ to be liberated, but evaded the + other part of the petition which tended to revenge him. The affair of + the Garde Meuble, was, however, again brought forward; but, most + probably, many of the members had reasons for not discussing too nearly + the accusation against G____; and those who were not interested in + suppressing it, were too weak or too timid to pursue it farther. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + "—I know not if we are yet arrived at the climax of woe and + iniquity, but Brissot, Condorcet, Rolland, &c. and all those whose + principles you have reprobated as violent and dangerous, will now form the + moderate side of the Assembly. Perhaps even those who are now the party + most dreaded, may one day give place to yet more desperate leaders, and + become in their turn our best alternative. What will then be the situation + of France? Who can reflect without trembling at the prospect?—It is + not yet safe to walk the streets decently dressed; and I have been obliged + to supply myself with trowsers, a jacket, coloured neckcloths, and coarse + linen, which I take care to soil before I venture out. + </p> + <p> + "The Agrarian law is now the moral of Paris, and I had nearly lost my life + yesterday by tearing a placard written in support of it. I did it + imprudently, not supposing I was observed; and had not some people, known + as Jacobins, come up and interfered in my behalf, the consequence might + have been fatal.—It would be difficult, and even impossible, to + attempt a description of the manners of the people of Paris at this + moment: the licentiousness common to great cities is decency compared with + what prevails in this; it has features of a peculiar and striking + description, and the general expression is that of a monstrous union of + opposite vices. Alternately dissolute and cruel, gay and vindictive, the + Parisian vaunts amidst debauchery the triumph of assassination, and + enlivens his midnight orgies by recounting the sufferings of the massacred + aristocrates: women, whose profession it is to please, assume the <i>bonnet + rouge</i> [red cap], and affect, as a means of seduction, an intrepid and + ferocious courage.—I cannot yet learn if Mons. S____'s sister be + alive; her situation about the Queen makes it too doubtful; but endeavour + to give him hope—many may have escaped whose fears still detain them + in concealment. People of the first rank now inhabit garrets and cellars, + and those who appear are disguised beyond recollection; so that I do not + despair of the safety of some, who are now thought to have perished.— + I am, as you may suppose, in haste to leave this place, and I hope to + return to Montmorency tomorrow; but every body is soliciting passports. + The Hotel de Ville is besieged, and I have already attended two days + without success.—I beg my respectful homage to Monsieur and Madame + de ____; and I have the honour to be, with esteem, the affectionate + servant of my friends in general. + </p> + <p> + "L____." + </p> + <p> + You will read M. L____'s letter with all the grief and indignation we have + already felt, and I will make no comment on it, but to give you a slight + sketch of the history of Guermeur, whom he mentions as being President of + the Committee of Surveillance.—In the absence of a man, whom he + called his friend, he seduced his wife, and eloped with her: the husband + overtook them, and fell in the dispute which insued; when Guermeur, to + avoid being taken by the officers of justice, abandoned his companion to + her fate, and escaped alone. After a variety of adventures, he at length + enlisted himself as a grenadier in the regiment of Dillon. With much + assurance, and talents cultivated above the situation in which he + appeared, he became popular amongst his fellow-soldiers, and the military + impunity, which is one effect of the revolution, cast a veil over his + former guilt, or rather indeed enabled him to defy the punishment annexed + to it. When the regiment was quartered at ____, he frequented and + harangued at the Jacobin club, perverted the minds of the soldiers by + seditious addresses, till at length he was deemed qualified to quit the + character of a subordinate incendiary, and figure amongst the assassins at + Paris. He had hitherto, I believe, acted without pay, for he was deeply in + debt, and without money or clothes; but a few days previous to the tenth + of August, a leader of the Jacobins supplied him with both, paid his + debts, procured his discharge, and sent him to Paris. What intermediate + gradations he may have passed through, I know not; but it is not difficult + to imagine the services that have advanced him to his present situation.—It + would be unsafe to risk this letter by the post, and I close it hastily to + avail myself of a present conveyance.—I remain, Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_26" id="short_4_26"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Arras, September 14, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + The camp of Maulde is broken up, and we deferred our journey, that we + might pass a day at Douay with M. de ____'s son. The road within some + miles of that place is covered with corn and forage, the immediate + environs are begun to be inundated, and every thing wears the appearance + of impending hostility. The town is so full of troops, that without the + interest of our military friends we should scarcely have procured a + lodging. All was bustle and confusion, the enemy are very near, and the + French are preparing to form a camp under the walls. Amidst all this, we + found it difficult to satisfy our curiosity in viewing the churches and + pictures: some of the former are shut, and the latter concealed; we + therefore contented ourselves with seeing the principal ones. + </p> + <p> + The town-house is a very handsome building, where the Parliament was + holden previous to the revolution, and where all the business of the + department of the North is now transacted.—In the council-chamber, + which is very elegantly carved, was also a picture of the present King. + They were, at the very moment of our entrance, in the act of displacing + it. We asked the reason, and were told it was to be cut in pieces, and + portions sent to the different popular societies.—I know not if our + features betrayed the indignation we feared to express, but the man who + seemed to have directed this disposal of the portrait, told us we were not + English if we saw it with regret. I was not much delighted with such a + compliment to our country, and was glad to escape without farther comment. + </p> + <p> + The manners of the people seem every where much changed, and are becoming + gross and inhuman. While we were walking on the ramparts, I happened to + have occasion to take down an address, and with the paper and pencil in my + hand turned out of the direct path to observe a chapel on one side of it. + In a moment I was alarmed by the cries of my companions, and beheld the + musquet of the centinel pointed at me, and M. de ____ expostulating with + him. I am not certain if he supposed I was taking a plan of the + fortifications, and meant really more than a threat; but I was + sufficiently frightened, and shall not again approach a town wall with + pencils and paper. + </p> + <p> + M. de ____ is one of the only six officers of his regiment who have not + emigrated. With an indignation heated by the works of modern philosophers + into an enthusiastic love of republican governments, and irritated by the + contempt and opposition he has met with from those of this own class who + entertain different principles, he is now become almost a fanatic. What at + first was only a political opinion is now a religious tenet; and the + moderate sectary has acquired the obstinacy of a martyr, and, perhaps, the + spirit of persecution. At the beginning of the revolution, the necessity + of deciding, a youthful ardour for liberty, and the desire of preserving + his fortune, probably determined him to become a patriot; and pride and + resentment have given stability to notions which might otherwise have + fluctuated with circumstances, or yielded to time. This is but too general + the case: the friends of rational reform, and the supporters of the + ancient monarchy, have too deeply offended each other for pardon or + confidence; and the country perhaps will be sacrificed by the mutual + desertions of those most concerned in its preservation. Actuated only by + selfishness and revenge, each party willingly consents to the ruin of its + opponents. The Clergy, already divided among themselves, are abandoned by + the Noblesse—the Noblesse are persecuted by the commercial interest—and, + in short, the only union is amongst the Jacobins; that is, amongst a few + weak persons who are deceived, and a banditti who betray and profit by + their "patriotism." + </p> + <p> + I was led to these reflections by my conversation with Mr. de L____ and + his companions. I believe they do not approve of the present extremes, yet + they expressed themselves with the utmost virulence against the + aristocrates, and would hear neither of reconcilement nor palliation. On + the other hand, these dispositions were not altogether unprovoked—the + young men had been persecuted by their relations, and banished the society + of their acquaintance; and their political opinions had acted as an + universal proscription. There were even some against whom the doors of the + parental habitation were shut.—These party violences are terrible; + and I was happy to perceive that the reciprocal claims of duty and + affection were not diminished by them, either in M. de ____, or his son. + He, however, at first refused to come to A____, because he suspected the + patriotism of our society. I pleaded, as an inducement, the beauty of Mad. + G____, but he told me she was an aristocrate. It was at length, however, + determined, that he should dine with us last Sunday, and that all visitors + should be excluded. He was prevented coming by being ordered out with a + party the day we left him; and he has written to us in high spirits, to + say, that, besides fulfilling his object, he had returned with fifty + prisoners. + </p> + <p> + We had a very narrow escape in coming home—the Hulans were at the + village of ____, an hour after we passed through it, and treated the poor + inhabitants, as they usually do, with great inhumanity.—Nothing has + alienated the minds of the people so much as the cruelties of these troops—they + plunder and ill treat all they encounter; and their avarice is even less + insatiable than their barbarity. How hard is it, that the ambition of the + Chiefs, and the wickedness of faction, should thus fall upon the innocent + cottager, who perhaps is equally a stranger to the names of the one, and + the principles of the other! + </p> + <p> + The public papers will now inform you, that the French are at liberty to + obtain a divorce on almost any pretext, or even on no pretext at all, + except what many may think a very good one—mutual agreement. A lady + of our acquaintance here is become a republican in consequence of the + decree, and probably will very soon avail herself of it; but this conduct, + I conceive, will not be very general. + </p> + <p> + Much has been said of the gallantry of the French ladies, and not entirely + without reason; yet, though sometimes inconstant wives, they are, for the + most part, faithful friends—they sacrifice the husband without + forsaking him, and their common interest is always promoted with as much + zeal as the most inviolable attachment could inspire. Mad. de C____, whom + we often meet in company, is the wife of an emigrant, and is said not to + be absolutely disconsolate at his absence; yet she is indefatigable in her + efforts to supply him with money: she even risks her safety by her + solicitude, and has just now prevailed on her favourite admirer to hasten + his departure for the frontiers, in order to convey a sum she has with + much difficulty been raising. Such instances are, I believe, not very + rare; and as a Frenchman usually prefers his interest to every thing else, + and is not quite so unaccommodating as an Englishman, an amicable + arrangement takes place, and one seldom hears of a separation. + </p> + <p> + The inhabitants of Arras, with all their patriotism, are extremely averse + from the assignats; and it is with great reluctance that they consent to + receive them at two-thirds of their nominal value. This discredit of the + paper money has been now two months at a stand, and its rise or fall will + be determined by the success of the campaign.—I bid you adieu for + the last time from hence. We have already exceeded the proposed length of + our visit, and shall set out for St. Omer to-morrow.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_27" id="short_4_27"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + St. Omer, September, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + I am confined to my room by a slight indisposition, and, instead of + accompanying my friends, have taken up my pen to inform you that we are + thus far safe on our journey.—Do not, because you are surrounded by + a protecting element, smile at the idea of travelling forty or fifty miles + in safety. The light troops of the Austrian army penetrate so far, that + none of the roads on the frontier are entirely free from danger. My female + companions were alarmed the whole day—the young for their baggage, + and the old for themselves. + </p> + <p> + The country between this and Arras has the appearance of a garden + cultivated for the common use of its inhabitants, and has all the + fertility and beauty of which a flat surface is susceptible. Bethune and + Aire I should suppose strongly fortified. I did not fail, in passing + through the former, to recollect with veneration the faithful minister of + Henry the Fourth. The misfortunes of the descendant of Henry, whom Sully* + loved, and the state of the kingdom he so much cherished, made a stronger + impression on me than usual, and I mingled with the tribute of respect a + sentiment of indignation. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Maximilien de Bethune, Duc de Sully. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + What perverse and malignant influence can have excited the people either + to incur or to suffer their present situation? Were we not well acquainted + with the arts of factions, the activity of bad men, and the effect of + their union, I should be almost tempted to believe this change in the + French supernatural. Less than three years ago, the name of Henri Quatre + was not uttered without enthusiasm. The piece that transmitted the + slightest anecdotes of his life was certain of success—the air that + celebrated him was listened to with delight—and the decorations of + beauty, when associated with the idea of this gallant Monarch, became more + irresistible.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * At this time it was the prevailing fashion to call any new inventions + of female dress after his name, and to decorate the ornamental parts of + furniture with his resemblance. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Yet Henry the Fourth is now a tyrant—his pictures and statues are + destroyed, and his memory is execrated!—Those who have reduced the + French to this are, doubtless, base and designing intriguers; yet I cannot + acquit the people, who are thus wrought on, of unfeelingness and levity.—England + has had its revolutions; but the names of Henry the Fifth and Elizabeth + were still revered: and the regal monuments, which still exist, after all + the vicissitudes of our political principles, attest the mildness of the + English republicans. + </p> + <p> + The last days of our stay at Arras were embittered by the distress of our + neighbour and acquaintance, Madame de B____. She has lost two sons under + circumstances so affecting, that I think you will be interested in the + relation.—The two young men were in the army, and quartered at + Perpignan, at a time when some effort of counter-revolution was said to be + intended. One of them was arrested as being concerned, and the other + surrendered himself prisoner to accompany his brother.—When the High + Court at Orleans was instituted for trying state-prisoners, those of + Perpignan were ordered to be conducted there, and the two B____'s, chained + together, were taken with the rest. On their arrival at Orleans, their + gaoler had mislaid the key that unlocked their fetters, and, not finding + it immediately, the young men produced one, which answered the purpose, + and released themselves. The gaoler looked at them with surprize, and + asked why, with such a means in their power, they had not escaped in the + night, or on the road. They replied, because they were not culpable, and + had no reason for avoiding a trial that would manifest their innocence. + Their heroism was fatal. They were brought, by a decree of the Convention, + from Orleans to Versailles, (on their way to Paris,) where they were met + by the mob, and massacred. + </p> + <p> + Their unfortunate mother is yet ignorant of their fate; but we left her in + a state little preferable to that which will be the effect of certainty. + She saw the decree for transporting the prisoners from Orleans, and all + accounts of the result have been carefully concealed from her; yet her + anxious and enquiring looks at all who approach her, indicate but too well + her suspicion of the truth.—Mons. de ____'s situation is + indescribable. Informed of the death of his sons, he is yet obliged to + conceal his sufferings, and wear an appearance of tranquillity in the + presence of his wife. Sometimes he escapes, when unable to contain his + emotions any longer, and remains at M. de ____'s till he recovers himself. + He takes no notice of the subject of his grief, and we respect it too much + to attempt to console him. The last time I asked him after Madame de ____, + he told me her spirits were something better, and, added he, in a voice + almost suffocated, "She is amusing herself with working neckcloths for her + sons!"—When you reflect that the massacres at Paris took place on + the second and third of September, and that the decree was passed to bring + the prisoners from Orleans (where they were in safety) on the tenth, I can + say nothing that will add to the horror of this transaction, or to your + detestation of its cause. Sixty-two, mostly people of high rank, fell + victims to this barbarous policy: they were brought in a fort of covered + waggons, and were murdered in heaps without being taken out.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Perhaps the reader will be pleased at a discovery, which it would have + been unsafe to mention when made, or in the course of this + correspondence. The two young men here alluded to arrived at Versailles, + chained together, with their fellow-prisoners. Surprize, perhaps + admiration, had diverted the gaoler's attention from demanding the key + that opened their padlock, and it was still in their possession. On + entering Versailles, and observing the crowd preparing to attack them, + they divested themselves of their fetters, and of every other + incumbrance. In a few moments their carriages were surrounded, their + companions at one end were already murdered, and themselves slightly + wounded; but the confusion increasing, they darted amidst the croud, and + were in a moment undistinguishable. They were afterwards taken under the + protection of an humane magistrate, who concealed them for some time, + and they are now in perfect security. They were the only two of the + whole number that escaped. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="short_4_28" id="short_4_28"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + September, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + We passed a country so barren and uninteresting yesterday, that even a + professional traveller could not have made a single page of it. It was, in + every thing, a perfect contrast to the rich plains of Artois— + unfertile, neglected vallies and hills, miserable farms, still more + miserable cottages, and scarcely any appearance of population. The only + place where we could refresh the horses was a small house, over the door + of which was the pompous designation of Hotel d'Angleterre. I know not if + this be intended as a ridicule on our country, or as an attraction to our + countrymen, but I, however, found something besides the appellation which + reminded me of England, and which one does not often find in houses of a + better outside; for though the rooms were small, and only two in number, + they were very clean, and the hostess was neat and civil. The Hotel + d'Angleterre, indeed, was not luxuriously supplied, and the whole of our + repast was eggs and tea, which we had brought with us.—In the next + room to that we occupied were two prisoners chained, whom the officers + were conveying to Arras, for the purpose of better security. The secret + history of this business is worth relating, as it marks the character of + the moment, and the ascendancy which the Jacobins are daily acquiring. + </p> + <p> + These men were apprehended as smugglers, under circumstances of peculiar + atrocity, and committed to the gaol at ____. A few days after, a young + girl, of bad character, who has much influence at the club, made a motion, + that the people, in a body, should demand the release of the prisoners. + The motion was carried, and the Hotel de Ville assailed by a formidable + troop of sailors, fish-women, &c.—The municipality refused to + comply, the Garde Nationale was called out, and, on the mob persisting, + fired over their heads, wounded a few, and the rest dispersed of + themselves.—Now you must understand, the latent motive of all this + was two thousand livres promised to one of the Jacobin leaders, if he + succeeded in procuring the men their liberty.—I do not advance this + merely on conjecture. The fact is well known to the municipality; and the + decent part of it would willingly have expelled this man, who is one of + their members, but that they found themselves too weak to engage in a + serious quarrel with the Jacobins.—One cannot reflect, without + apprehension, that any society should exist which can oppose the execution + of the laws with impunity, or that a people, who are little sensible of + realities, should be thus abused by names. They suffer, with unfeeling + patience, a thousand enormities—yet blindly risk their liberties and + lives to promote the designs of an adventurer, because he harangues at a + club, and calls himself a patriot.—I have just received advice that + my friends have left Lausanne, and are on their way to Paris. Our first + plan of passing the winter there will be imprudent, if not impracticable, + and we have concluded to take a house for the winter six months at Amiens, + Chantilly, or some place which has the reputation of being quiet. I have + already ordered enquiries to be made, and shall set out with Mrs. ____ in + a day or two for Amiens. I may, perhaps, not write till our return; but + shall not cease to be, with great truth.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_29" id="short_4_29"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + The departement de la Somme has the reputation of being a little + aristocratic. I know not how far this be merited, but the people are + certainly not enthusiasts. The villages we passed on our road hither were + very different from those on the frontiers—we were hailed by no + popular sounds, no cries of Vive la nation! except from here and there + some ragged boy in a red cap, who, from habit, associated this salutation + with the appearance of a carriage. In every place where there are half a + dozen houses is planted an unthriving tree of liberty, which seems to + wither under the baneful influence of the <i>bonnet rouge</i>. [The red + cap.] This Jacobin attribute is made of materials to resist the weather, + and may last some time; but the trees of liberty, being planted + unseasonably, are already dead. I hope this will not prove emblematic, and + that the power of the Jacobins may not outlive the freedom of the people. + </p> + <p> + The Convention begin their labours under disagreeable auspices. A general + terror seems to have seized on the Parisians, the roads are covered with + carriages, and the inns filled with travellers. A new regulation has just + taken place, apparently intended to check this restless spirit. At + Abbeville, though we arrived late and were fatigued, we were taken to the + municipality, our passports collated with our persons, and at the inn we + were obliged to insert in a book our names, the place of our birth, from + whence we came, and where we were going. This, you will say, has more the + features of a mature Inquisition, than a new-born Republic; but the French + have different notions of liberty from yours, and take these things very + quietly.—At Flixecourt we eat out of pewter spoons, and the people + told us, with much inquietude, that they had sold their plate, in + expectation of a decree of the Convention to take it from them. This + decree, however, has not passed, but the alarm is universal, and does not + imply any great confidence in the new government. + </p> + <p> + I have had much difficulty in executing my commission, and have at last + fixed upon a house, of which I fear my friends will not approve; but the + panic which depopulates Paris, the bombardment of Lisle, and the + tranquillity which has hitherto prevailed here, has filled the town, and + rendered every kind of habitation scarce, and extravagantly dear: for you + must remark, that though the Amienois are all aristocrates, yet when an + intimidated sufferer of the same party flies from Paris, and seeks an + asylum amongst them, they calculate with much exactitude what they suppose + necessity may compel him to give, and will not take a livre less.—The + rent of houses and lodgings, like the national funds, rises and falls with + the public distresses, and, like them, is an object of speculation: + several persons to whom we were addressed were extremely indifferent about + letting their houses, alledging as a reason, that if the disorders of + Paris should increase, they had no doubt of letting them to much greater + advantage. + </p> + <p> + We were at the theatre last night—it was opened for the first time + since France has been declared a republic, and the Jacobins vociferated + loudly to have the fleur de lys, ad other regal emblems, effaced. + Obedience was no sooner promised to this command, than it was succeeded by + another not quite so easily complied with—they insisted on having + the Marsellois Hymn sung. In vain did the manager, with a ludicrous sort + of terror, declare, that there were none of his company who had any voice, + or who knew either the words of the music of the hymn in question. <i>"C'est + egal, il faut chanter,"</i> ["No matter for that, they must sing."] + resounded from all the patriots in the house. At last, finding the thing + impossible, they agreed to a compromise; and one of the actors promised to + sing it on the morrow, as well as the trifling impediment of having no + voice would permit him.—You think your galleries despotic when they + call for an epilogue that is forgotten, and the actress who should speak + it is undrest; or when they insist upon enlivening the last acts of Jane + Shore with Roast Beef! What would you think if they would not dispense + with a hornpipe on the tight-rope by Mrs. Webb? Yet, bating the danger, I + assure you, the audience of Amiens was equally unreasonable. But liberty + at present seems to be in an undefined state; and until our rulers shall + have determined what it is, the matter will continue to be settled as it + is now—by each man usurping as large a portion of tyranny as his + situation will admit of. He who submits without repining to his district, + to his municipality, or even to the club, domineers at the theatre, or + exercises in the street a manual censure on aristocratic apparel.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *It was common at this time to insult women in the streets if dressed + too well, or in colours the people chose to call aristocratic. I was + myself nearly thrown down for having on a straw bonnet with green + ribbons. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Our embarrassment for small change is renewed: many of the communes who + had issued bills of five, ten, and fifteen sols, repayable in assignats, + are become bankrupts, which circumstance has thrown such a discredit on + all this kind of nominal money, that the bills of one town will not pass + at another. The original creation of these bills was so limited, that no + town had half the number requisite for the circulation of its + neighbourhood; and this decrease, with the distrust that arises from the + occasion of it, greatly adds to the general inconvenience. + </p> + <p> + The retreat of the Prussian army excites more surprize than interest, and + the people talk of it with as much indifference as they would of an event + that had happened beyond the Ganges. The siege of Lisle takes off all + attention from the relief of Thionville—not on account of its + importance, but on account of its novelty.—I remain, Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_30" id="short_4_30"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Abbeville, September, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + We left Amiens early yesterday morning, but were so much delayed by the + number of volunteers on the road, that it was late before we reached + Abbeville. I was at first somewhat alarmed at finding ourselves surrounded + by so formidable a cortege; they however only exacted a declaration of our + political principles, and we purchased our safety by a few smiles, and + exclamations of vive la nation! There were some hundreds of these recruits + much under twenty; but the poor fellows, exhilarated by their new uniform + and large pay, were going gaily to decide their fate by that hazard which + puts youth and age on a level, and scatters with indiscriminating hand the + cypress and the laurel. + </p> + <p> + At Abbeville all the former precautions were renewed—we underwent + another solemn identification of our persons at the Hotel de Ville, and an + abstract of our history was again enregistered at the inn. One would + really suppose that the town was under apprehensions of a siege, or, at + least, of the plague. My "paper face" was examined as suspiciously as + though I had had the appearance of a travestied Achilles; and M____'s, + which has as little expression as a Chinese painting, was elaborately + scrutinized by a Dogberry in spectacles, who, perhaps, fancied she had the + features of a female Machiavel. All this was done with an air of + importance sufficiently ludicrous, when contrasted with the object; but we + met with no incivility, and had nothing to complain of but a little + additional fatigue, and the delay of our dinner. + </p> + <p> + We stopped to change horses at Bernay, and I soon perceived our landlady + was a very ardent patriot. In a room, to which we waded at great risk of + our clothes, was a representation of the siege of the Bastille, and prints + of half a dozen American Generals, headed by Mr. Thomas Paine. On + descending, we found out hostess exhibiting a still more forcible picture + of curiosity than Shakspeare's blacksmith. The half-demolished repast was + cooling on the table, whilst our postilion retailed the Gazette, and the + pigs and ducks were amicably grazing together on whatever the kitchen + produced. The affairs of the Prussians and Austrians were discussed with + entire unanimity, but when these politicians, as is often the case, came + to adjust their own particular account, the conference was much less + harmonious. The postilion offered a ten sols billet, which the landlady + refused: one persisted in its validity, the other in rejecting it—till, + at last, the patriotism of neither could endure this proof, and peace was + concluded by a joint execration of those who invented this fichu papier— + "Sorry paper." + </p> + <p> + At ____ we met our friend, Mad. de ____, with part of her family and an + immense quantity of baggage. I was both surprized and alarmed at such an + apparition, and found, on enquiry, that they thought themselves unsafe at + Arras, and were going to reside near M. de ____'s estate, where they were + better known. I really began to doubt the prudence of our establishing + ourselves here for the winter. Every one who has it in his power + endeavours to emigrate, even those who till now have been zealous + supporters of the revolution.—Distrust and apprehension seem to have + taken possession of every mind. Those who are in towns fly to the country, + while the inhabitant of the isolated chateau takes refuge in the + neighbouring town. Flocks of both aristocrates and patriots are trembling + and fluttering at the foreboding storm, yet prefer to abide its fury, + rather than seek shelter and defence together. I, however, flatter myself, + that the new government will not justify this fear; and as I am certain my + friends will not return to England at this season, I shall not endeavour + to intimidate or discourage them from their present arrangement. We shall, + at least, be enabled to form some idea of a republican constitution, and I + do not, on reflection, conceive that any possible harm can happen to us. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_31" id="short_4_31"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + October, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + I shall not date from this place again, intending to quit it as soon as + possible. It is disturbed by the crouds from the camps, which are broken + up, and the soldiers are extremely brutal and insolent. So much are the + people already familiarized with the unnatural depravity of manners that + begins to prevail, that the wife of the Colonel of a battalion now here + walks the streets in a red cap, with pistols at her girdle, boasting of + the numbers she has destroyed at the massacres in August and September. + </p> + <p> + The Convention talk of the King's trial as a decided measure; yet no one + seems to admit even the possibility that such an act can be ever intended. + A few believe him culpable, many think him misled, and many acquit him + totally: but all agree, that any violation of his person would be an + atrocity disgraceful to the nation at large.—The fate of Princes is + often disastrous in proportion to their virtues. The vanity, selfishness, + and bigotry of Louis the Fourteenth were flattered while he lived, and + procured him the appellation of Great after his death. The greatest + military talents that France has given birth to seemed created to earn + laurels, not for themselves, but for the brow of that vain-glorious + Monarch. Industry and Science toiled but for his gratification, and + Genius, forgetting its dignity, willingly received from his award the same + it has since bestowed. + </p> + <p> + Louis the Fifteenth, who corrupted the people by his example, and ruined + them by his expence, knew no diminution of the loyalty, whatever he might + of the affection, of his people, and ended his days in the practice of the + same vices, and surrounded by the same luxury, in which he had passed + them. + </p> + <p> + Louis the Sixteenth, to whom scarcely his enemies ascribe any vices, for + its outrages against whom faction finds no excuse but in the facility of + his nature—whose devotion is at once exemplary and tolerant—who, + in an age of licentiousness, is remarkable for the simplicity of his + manners— whose amusements were liberal or inoffensive—and + whose concessions to his people form a striking contrast with the + exactions of his predecessors.—Yes, the Monarch I have been + describing, and, I think, not partially, has been overwhelmed with sorrow + and indignities—his person has been degraded, that he might be + despoiled of his crown, and perhaps the sacrifice of his crown may be + followed by that of his life. When we thus see the punishment of guilt + accumulated on the head of him who has not participated in it, and vice + triumph in the security that should seem the lot of innocence, we can only + adduce new motives to fortify ourselves in this great truth of our + religion—that the chastisement of the one, and reward of the other, + must be looked for beyond the inflictions or enjoyments of our present + existence. + </p> + <p> + I do not often moralize on paper, but there are moments when one derives + one's best consolation from so moralizing; and this easy and simple + justification of Providence, which refers all that appears inconsistent + here to the retribution of a future state, is pointed out less as the duty + than the happiness of mankind. This single argument of religion solves + every difficulty, and leaves the mind in fortitude and peace; whilst the + pride of sceptical philosophy traces whole volumes, only to establish the + doubts, and nourish the despair, of its disciples. + </p> + <p> + Adieu. I cannot conclude better than with these reflections, at a time + when disbelief is something too fashionable even amongst our countrymen.—Yours, + &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_32" id="short_4_32"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, October, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + I arrived here the day on which a ball was given to celebrate the return + of the volunteers who had gone to the assistance of Lisle.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *The bombardment of Lisle commenced on the twenty-ninth of September, at + three o'clock in the afternoon, and continued, almost without + interruption, until the sixth of October. Many of the public buildings, + and whole quarters of the town, were so much damaged or destroyed, that + the situation of the streets were scarcely distinguishable. The houses + which the fire obliged their inhabitants to abandon, were pillaged by + barbarians, more merciless than the Austrians themselves. Yet, amidst + these accumulated horrors, the Lillois not only preserved their courage, + but their presence of mind: the rich incited and encouraged the poor; + those who were unable to assist with their labour, rewarded with their + wealth: the men were employed in endeavouring to extinguish the fire of + the buildings, or in preserving their effects; while women and children + snatched the opportunity of extinguishing the fuzes of the bombs as soon + as they fell, at which they became very daring and dexterous. During the + whole of this dreadful period, not one murmur, not one proposition to + surrender, was heard from any party. —The Convention decreed, + amidst the wildest enthusiasm of applause, that Lisle had deserved well + of the country. —Forty-two thousand five hundred balls were fired, + and the damages were estimated at forty millions of livres. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The French, indeed, never refuse to rejoice when they are ordered; but as + these festivities are not spontaneous effusions, but official ordinances, + and regulated with the same method as a tax or recruitment, they are of + course languid and uninteresting. The whole of their hilarity seems to + consist in the movement of the dance, in which they are by not means + animated; and I have seen, even among the common people, a cotillion + performed as gravely and as mechanically as the ceremonies of a Chinese + court.—I have always thought, with Sterne, that we were mistaken in + supposing the French a gay nation. It is true, they laugh much, have great + gesticulation, and are extravagantly fond of dancing: but the laugh is the + effect of habit, and not of a risible sensation; the gesture is not the + agitation of the mind operating upon the body, but constitutional + volatility; and their love of dancing is merely the effect of a happy + climate, (which, though mild, does not enervate,) and that love of action + which usually accompanies mental vacancy, when it is not counteracted by + heat, or other physical causes. + </p> + <p> + I know such an opinion, if publicly avowed, would be combated as false and + singular; yet I appeal to those who have at all studied the French + character, not as travellers, but by a residence amongst them, for the + support of my opinion. Every one who understands the language, and has + mixed much in society, must have made the same observations.—See two + Frenchmen at a distance, and the vehemence of their action, and the + expression of their features, shall make you conclude they are discussing + some subject, which not only interests, but delights them. Enquire, and + you will find they were talking of the weather, or the price of a + waistcoat!—In England you would be tempted to call in a + peace-officer at the loud tone and menacing attitudes with which two + people here very amicably adjust a bargain for five livres.—In + short, we mistake that for a mental quality which, in fact, is but a + corporeal one; and, though the French may have many good and agreeable + points of character, I do not include gaiety among the number. + </p> + <p> + I doubt very much of my friends will approve of their habitation. I + confess I am by no means satisfied with it myself; and, with regard to + pecuniary consideration, my engagement is not an advantageous one. —Madame + Dorval, of whom I have taken the house, is a character very common in + France, and over which I was little calculated to have the ascendant. + Officiously polite in her manners, and inflexibly attentive to her + interest, she seemingly acquiesces in every thing you propose. You would + even fancy she was solicitous to serve you; yet, after a thousand gracious + sentiments, and as many implied eulogiums on her liberality and + generosity, you find her return, with unrelenting perseverance, to some + paltry proposition, by which she is to gain a few livres; and all this so + civilly, so sentimentally, and so determinedly, that you find yourself + obliged to yield, and are duped without being deceived. + </p> + <p> + The lower class have here, as well as on your side of the water, the + custom of attributing to Ministers and Governments some connection with, + or controul over, the operations of nature. I remarked to a woman who + brings me fruit, that the grapes were bad and dear this year—<i>"Ah! + mon Dieu, oui, ils ne murrissent pas. Il me semble que tout va mal depuis + qu'on a invente la nation."</i> ["Ah! Lord, they don't ripen now.—For + my part, I think nothing has gone well since the nation was first + invented."] + </p> + <p> + I cannot, like the imitators of Sterne, translate a chapter of sentiment + from every incident that occurs, or from every physiognomy I encounter; + yet, in circumstances like the present, the mind, not usually observing, + is tempted to comment.—I was in a milliner's shop to-day, and took + notice on my entering, that its mistress was, whilst at her work, learning + the <i>Marseillois</i> Hymn. [A patriotic air, at this time highly + popular.] Before I had concluded my purchase, an officer came in to + prepare her for the reception of four volunteers, whom she was to lodge + the two ensuing nights. She assented, indeed, very graciously, (for a + French woman never loses the command of her features,) but a moment after, + the Marseillois, which lay on the counter, was thrown aside in a pet, and + I dare say she will not resume her patriotic taste, nor be reconciled to + the revolution, until some days after the volunteers shall have changed + their quarters. + </p> + <p> + This quartering of troops in private houses appears to me the most + grievous and impolitic of all taxes; it adds embarrassment to expence, + invades domestic comfort, and conveys such an idea of military subjection, + that I wonder any people ever submits to it, or any government ever + ventures to impose it. + </p> + <p> + I know not if the English are conscious of their own importance at this + moment, but it is certain they are the centre of the hopes and fears of + all parties, I might say of all Europe. The aristocrates wait with anxiety + and solicitude a declaration of war, whilst their opponents regard such an + event as pregnant with distress, and even as the signal of their ruin. The + body of the people of both parties are averse from increasing the number + of their enemies; but as the Convention may be directed by other motives + than the public wish, it is impossible to form any conclusion on the + subject. I am, of course, desirous of peace, and should be so from + selfishness, if I were not from philanthropy, as a cessation of it at this + time would disconcert all our plans, and oblige us to seek refuge at ____, + which has just all that is necessary for our happiness, except what is + most desirable—a mild and dry atmosphere.— Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_33" id="short_4_33"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, November, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + The arrival of my friends has occasioned a short suspension of my + correspondence: but though I have been negligent, I assure you, my dear + brother, I have not been forgetful; and this temporary preference of the + ties of friendship to those of nature, will be excused, when you consider + our long separation. + </p> + <p> + My intimacy with Mrs. D____ began when I first came to this country, and + at every subsequent visit to the continent it has been renewed and + increased into that rational kind of attachment, which your sex seldom + allow in ours, though you yourselves do not abound in examples of it. Mrs. + D____ is one of those characters which are oftener loved than admired—more + agreeable than handsome—good-natured, humane, and unassuming—and + with no mental pretensions beyond common sense tolerably well cultivated. + The shades of this portraiture are an extreme of delicacy, bordering on + fastidiousness—a trifle of hauteur, not in manners, but disposition—and, + perhaps, a tincture of affectation. These foibles are, however, in a great + degree, constitutional: she is more an invalid than myself; and ill health + naturally increases irritability, and renders the mind less disposed to + bear with inconveniencies; we avoid company at first, through a sense of + our infirmities, till this timidity becomes habitual, and settles almost + into aversion.—The valetudinarian, who is obliged to fly the world, + in time fancies herself above it, and ends by supposing there is some + superiority in differing from other people. Mr. D____ is one of the best + men existing—well bred and well informed; yet, without its appearing + to the common observer, he is of a very singular and original turn of + mind. He is most exceedingly nervous, and this effect of his physical + construction has rendered him so susceptible, that he is continually + agitated and hurt by circumstances which others pass by unnoticed. In + other respects he is a great lover of exercise, fond of domestic life, + reads much, and has an aversion from bustle of all kind. + </p> + <p> + The banishment of the Priests, which in many instances was attended with + circumstances of peculiar atrocity, has not yet produced those effects + which were expected from it, and which the promoters of the measure + employed as a pretext for its adoption. There are indeed now no masses + said but by the Constitutional Clergy; but as the people are usually as + ingenious in evading laws as legislators are in forming them, many + persons, instead of attending the churches, which they think profaned by + priests who have taken the oaths, flock to church-yards, chapels, or other + places, once appropriated to religious worship, but in disuse since the + revolution, and of course not violated by constitutional masses. The + cemetery of St. Denis, at Amiens, though large, is on Sundays and holidays + so crouded, that it is almost difficult to enter it. Here the devotees + flock in all weathers, say their mass, and return with the double + satisfaction of having preserved their allegiance to the Pope, and risked + persecution in a cause they deem meritorious. To say truth, it is not very + surprizing that numbers should be prejudiced against the constitutional + clergy. Many of them are, I doubt not, liberal and well-meaning men, who + have preferred peace and submission to theological warfare, and who might + not think themselves justified in opposing their opinion to a national + decision: yet are there also many of profligate lives, who were never + educated for the profession, and whom the circumstances of the times have + tempted to embrace it as a trade, which offered subsistence without + labour, and influence without wealth, and which at once supplied a veil + for licentiousness, and the means of practising it. Such pastors, it must + be confessed, have little claim to the confidence or respect of the + people; and that there are such, I do not assert, but on the most credible + information. I will only cite two instances out of many within my own + knowledge. + </p> + <p> + P____n, bishop of St. Omer, was originally a priest of Arras, of vicious + character, and many of his ordinations have been such as might be expected + from such a patron.—A man of Arras, who was only known for his + vicious pursuits, and who had the reputation of having accelerated the + death of his wife by ill treatment, applied to P____n to marry him a + second time. The good Bishop, preferring the interest of his friend to the + salvation of his flock, advised him to relinquish the project of taking a + wife, and offered to give him a cure. The proposal was accepted on the + spot, and this pious associate of the Reverend P____n was immediately + invested with the direction of the consciences, and the care of the + morals, of an extensive parish. + </p> + <p> + Acts of this nature, it is to be imagined, were pursued by censure and + ridicule; but the latter was not often more successful than on the + following occasion:—Two young men, whose persons were unknown to the + bishop, one day procured an audience, and requested he would recommend + them to some employment that would procure them the means of subsistence. + This was just a time when the numerous vacancies that had taken place were + not yet supplied, and many livings were unfilled for want of candidates. + The Bishop, who was unwilling that the nonjuring priests should have the + triumph of seeing their benefices remain vacant, fell into the snare, and + proposed their taking orders. The young men expressed their joy at the + offer; but, after looking confusedly on each other, with some difficulty + and diffidence, confessed their lives had been such as to preclude them + from the profession, which, but for this impediment, would have satisfied + them beyond their hopes. The Bishop very complaisantly endeavoured to + obviate thesse objections, while they continued to accuse themselves of + all the sins in the decalogue; but the Prelate at length observing he had + ordained many worse, the young men smiled contemptuously, and, turning on + their heels, replied, that if priests were made of worse men than they had + described themselves to be, they begged to be excused from associating + with such company. + </p> + <p> + Dumouriez, Custine, Biron, Dillon, &c. are doing wonders, in spite of + the season; but the laurel is an ever-green, and these heroes gather it + equally among the snows of the Alps, and the fogs of Belgium. If we may + credit the French papers too, what they call the cause of liberty is not + less successfully propagated by the pen than the sword. England is said to + be on the eve of a revolution, and all its inhabitants, except the King + and Mr. Pitt, become Jacobins. If I did not believe "the wish was father + to the thought," I should read these assertions with much inquietude, as I + have not yet discovered the excellencies of a republican form of + government sufficiently to make me wish it substituted for our own.—It + should seem that the Temple of Liberty, as well as the Temple of Virtue, + is placed on an ascent, and that as many inflexions and retrogradations + occur in endeavouring to attain it. In the ardour of reaching these + difficult acclivities, a fall sometimes leaves us lower than the situation + we first set out from; or, to speak without a figure, so much power is + exercised by our leaders, and so much submission exacted from the people, + that the French are in danger of becoming habituated to a despotism which + almost sanctifies the errors of their ancient monarchy, while they suppose + themselves in the pursuit of a degree of freedom more sublime and more + absolute than has been enjoyed by any other nation.— Attempts at + political as well as moral perfection, when carried beyond the limits + compatible with a social state, or the weakness of our natures, are likely + to end in a depravity which moderate governments and rational ethics would + have prevented. + </p> + <p> + The debates of the Convention are violent and acrimonious. Robespierre has + been accused of aspiring to the Dictatorship, and his defence was by no + means calculated to exonerate him from the charge. All the chiefs reproach + each other with being the authors of the late massacres, and each succeeds + better in fixing the imputation on his neighbour, than in removing it from + himself. General reprobation, personal invectives, and long speeches, are + not wanting; but every thing which tends to examination and enquiry is + treated with much more delicacy and composure: so that I fear these first + legislators of the republic must, for the present, be content with the + reputation they have assigned each other, and rank amongst those who have + all the guilt, but want the courage, of assassins. + </p> + <p> + I subjoin an extract from a newspaper, which has lately appeared.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *Extract from <i>The Courier de l'Egalite,</i> November, 1792: "There + are discontented people who still venture to obtrude their sentiments on + the public. One of them, in a public print, thus expresses himself— + 'I assert, that the newspapers are sold and devoted to falsehood. At + this price they purchase the liberty of appearing; and the exclusive + privilege they enjoy, as well as the contradictory and lying assertions + they all contain, prove the truth of what I advance. They are all + preachers of liberty, yet never was liberty so shamefully outraged—of + respect for property, and property was at no time so little held sacred—of + personal security, yet when were there committed so many massacres? and, + at the very moment I am writing, new ones are premeditated. They call + vehemently for submission, and obedience to the laws, but the laws had + never less influence; and while our compliance with such as we are even + ignorant of is exacted, it is accounted a crime to execute those in + force. Every municipality has its own arbitrary code—every + battalion, every private soldier, exercises a sovereignty, a most + absolute despotism; and yet the Gazettes do not cease to boast the + excellence of such a government. They have, one and all, attributed the + massacres of the tenth of August and the second of September, and the + days following each, to a popular fermentation. The monsters! they have + been careful not to tell us, that each of these horrid scenes (at the + prisons, at La Force, at the Abbaye, &c. &c.) was presided by + municipal officers in their scarfs, who pointed out the victims, and + gave the signal for the assassination. It was (continue the Journals) + the error of an irritated people—and yet their magistrates were at + the head of it: it was a momentary error; yet this error of a moment + continued during six whole days of the coolest reflection—it was + only at the close of the seventh that Petion made his appearance, and + affected to persuade the people to desist. The assassins left off only + from fatigue, and at this moment they are preparing to begin again. The + Journals do not tell us that the chief of these <i>Scelerats</i> [We + have no term in the English language that conveys an adequate meaning + for this word—it seems to express the extreme of human wickedness + and atrocity.] employed subordinate assassins, whom they caused to be + clandestinely murdered in their turn, as though they hoped to destroy + the proof of their crime, and escape the vengeance that awaits them. But + the people themselves were accomplices in the deed, for the Garde + Nationale gave their assistance,'" &c. &c. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + In spite of the murder of so many journalists, and the destruction of the + printing-offices, it treats the September business so freely, that the + editor will doubtless soon be silenced. Admitting these accusations to be + unfounded, what ideas must the people have of their magistrates, when they + are credited? It is the prepossession of the hearer that gives + authenticity to fiction; and such atrocities would neither be imputed to, + nor believed of, men not already bad.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short_4_34" id="short_4_34"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + December, 1792. + </h2> + <p> + Dear Brother, + </p> + <p> + All the public prints still continue strongly to insinuate, that England + is prepared for an insurrection, and Scotland already in actual rebellion: + but I know the character of our countrymen too well to be persuaded that + they have adopted new principles as easily as they would adopt a new mode, + or that the visionary anarchists of the French government can have made + many proselytes among an humane and rational people. For many years we + were content to let France remain the arbitress of the lighter departments + of taste: lately she has ceded this province to us, and England has + dictated with uncontested superiority. This I cannot think very strange; + for the eye in time becomes fatigued by elaborate finery, and requires + only the introduction of simple elegance to be attracted by it. But if, + while we export fashions to this country, we should receive in exchange + her republican systems, it would be a strange revolution indeed; and I + think, in such a commerce, we should be far from finding the balance in + our favour. I have, in fact, little solicitude about these diurnal + falsehoods, though I am not altogether free from alarm as to their + tendency. I cannot help suspecting it is to influence the people to a + belief that such dispositions exist in England as preclude the danger of a + war, in case it should be thought necessary to sacrifice the King. + </p> + <p> + I am more confirmed in this opinion, from the recent discovery, with the + circumstances attending it, of a secret iron chest at the Tuilleries. The + man who had been employed to construct this recess, informs the minister, + Rolland; who, instead of communicating the matter to the Convention, as it + was very natural he should do on an occasion of so much importance, and + requiring it to be opened in the presence of proper witnesses, goes + privately himself, takes the papers found into his own possession, and + then makes an application for a committee to examine them. Under these + suspicious and mysterious appearances, we are told that many letters, + &c. are found, which inculpate the King; and perhaps the fate of this + unfortunate Monarch is to be decided by evidence not admissible with + justice in the case of the obscurest malefactor. Yet Rolland is the hero + of a party who call him, par excellence, the virtuous Rolland! Perhaps you + will think, with me, that this epithet is misapplied to a man who has + risen, from an obscure situation to that of first Minister, without being + possessed of talents of that brilliant or prominent class which sometimes + force themselves into notice, without the aid of wealth or the support of + patronage. + </p> + <p> + Rolland was inspector of manufactories in this place, and afterwards at + Lyons; and I do not go too far in advancing, that a man of very rigid + virtue could not, from such a station, have attained so suddenly the one + he now possesses. Virtue is of an unvarying and inflexible nature: it + disdains as much to be the flatterer of mobs, as the adulator of Princes: + yet how often must he, who rises so far above his equals, have stooped + below them? How often must he have sacrificed both his reason and his + principles? How often have yielded to the little, and opposed the great, + not from conviction, but interest? For in this the meanest of mankind + resemble the most exalted; he bestows not his confidence on him who + resists his will, nor subscribes to the advancement of one whom he does + not hope to influence.—I may almost venture to add, that more + dissimulation, meaner concessions, and more tortuous policy, are requisite + to become the idol of the people, than are practised to acquire and + preserve the favour of the most potent Monarch in Europe. The French, + however, do not argue in this manner, and Rolland is at present very + popular, and his popularity is said to be greatly supported by the + literary talents of his wife. + </p> + <p> + I know not if you rightly understand these party distinctions among a set + of men whom you must regard as united in the common cause of establishing + a republic in France, but you have sometimes had occasion to remark in + England, that many may amicably concur in the accomplishment of a work, + who differ extremely about the participation of its advantages; and this + is already the case with the Convention. Those who at present possess all + the power, and are infinitely the strongest, are wits, moralists, and + philosophers by profession, having Brissot, Rolland, Petion, Concorcet, + &c. at their head; their opponents are adventurers of a more desperate + cast, who make up by violence what they want in numbers, and are led by + Robespierre, Danton, Chabot, &c. &c. The only distinction of these + parties is, I believe, that the first are vain and systematical + hypocrites, who have originally corrupted the minds of the people by + visionary and insidious doctrines, and now maintain their superiority by + artifice and intrigue: their opponents, equally wicked, and more daring, + justify that turpitude which the others seek to disguise, and appear + almost as bad as they are. The credulous people are duped by both; while + the cunning of the one, and the vehemence of the other, alternately + prevail.—But something too much of politics, as my design is in + general rather to mark their effect on the people, than to enter on more + immediate discussions. + </p> + <p> + Having been at the Criminal Tribunal to-day, I now recollect that I have + never yet described to you the costume of the French Judges.—Perhaps + when I have before had occasion to speak of it, your imagination may have + glided to Westminster Hall, and depicted to you the scarlet robes and + voluminous wigs of its respectable magistrates: but if you would form an + idea of a magistrate here, you must bring your mind to the abstraction of + Crambo, and figure to yourself a Judge without either gown, wig, or any of + those venerable appendages. Nothing indeed can be more becoming or + gallant, than this judicial accoutrement—it is black, with a silk + cloak of the same colour, in the Spanish form, and a round hat, turned up + before, with a large plume of black feathers. This, when the magistrate + happens to be young, has a very theatrical and romantic appearance; but + when it is worn by a figure a little Esopian, or with a large bushy + perriwig, as I have sometimes seen it, the effect is still less awful; and + a stranger, on seeing such an apparition in the street, is tempted to + suppose it a period of jubilee, and that the inhabitants are in + masquerade. + </p> + <p> + It is now the custom for all people to address each other by the + appellation of Citizen; and whether you are a citizen or not—whether + you inhabit Paris, or are a native of Peru—still it is an indication + of aristocracy, either to exact, or to use, any other title. This is all + congruous with the system of the day: the abuses are real, the reform is + imaginary. The people are flattered with sounds, while they are losing in + essentials. And the permission to apply the appellation of Citizen to its + members, is but a poor compensation for the despotism of a department or a + municipality. + </p> + <p> + In vain are the people flattered with a chimerical equality—it + cannot exist in a civilized state, and if it could exist any where, it + would not be in France. The French are habituated to subordination—they + naturally look up to something superior—and when one class is + degraded, it is only to give place to another. + </p> + <p> + —The pride of the noblesse is succeeded by the pride of the merchant— + the influence of wealth is again realized by cheap purchases of the + national domains—the abandoned abbey becomes the delight of the + opulent trader, and replaces the demolished chateau of the feudal + institution. Full of the importance which the commercial interest is to + acquire under a republic, the wealthy man of business is easily reconciled + to the oppression of the superior classes, and enjoys, with great dignity, + his new elevation. The counting-house of a manufacturer of woollen cloth + is as inaccessible as the boudoir of a Marquis; while the flowered brocade + gown and well-powdered curls of the former offer a much more imposing + exterior than the chintz robe de chambre and dishevelled locks of the more + affable man of fashion. + </p> + <p> + I have read, in some French author, a maxim to this effect:—"Act + with your friends as though they should one day be your enemies;" and the + existing government seems amply to have profited by the admonition of + their country-man: for notwithstanding they affirm, that all France + supports, and all England admires them, this does not prevent their + exercising a most vigilant inquisition over the inhabitants of both + countries.—It is already sagaciously hinted, that Mr. Thomas Paine + may be a spy, and every householder who receives a lodger or visitor, and + every proprietor who lets a house, is obliged to register the names of + those he entertains, or who are his tenants, and to become responsible for + their conduct. This is done at the municipality, and all who thus venture + to change their residence, of whatever age, sex, or condition, must + present themselves, and submit to an examination. The power of the + municipalities is indeed very great; and as they are chiefly selected from + the lower class of shop-keepers, you may conclude that their authority is + not exercised with much politeness or moderation. + </p> + <p> + The timid or indolent inhabitant of London, whose head has been filled + with the Bastilles and police of the ancient government, and who would as + soon have ventured to Constantinople as to Paris, reads, in the debates of + the Convention, that France is now the freeest country in the world, and + that strangers from all corners of it flock to offer their adorations in + this new Temple of Liberty. Allured by these descriptions, he resolves on + the journey, willing, for once in his life, to enjoy a taste of the + blessing in sublimate, which he now learns has hitherto been allowed him + only in the gross element.—He experiences a thousand impositions on + landing with his baggage at Calais, but he submits to them without + murmuring, because his countrymen at Dover had, on his embarkation, + already kindly initiated him into this science of taxing the inquisitive + spirit of travellers. After inscribing his name, and rewarding the + custom-house officers for rummaging his portmanteau, he determines to + amuse himself with a walk about the town. The first centinel he encounters + stops him, because he has no cockade: he purchases one at the next shop, + (paying according to the exigency of the case,) and is suffered to pass + on. When he has settled his bill at the Auberge "a l'Angloise," and + emagines he has nothing to do but to pursue his journey, he finds he has + yet to procure himself a passport. He waits an hour and an half for an + officer, who at length appears, and with a rule in one hand, and a pen in + the other, begins to measure the height, and take an inventory of the + features of the astonished stranger. By the time this ceremony is + finished, the gates are shut, and he can proceed no farther, till the + morrow. He departs early, and is awakened twice on the road to Boulogne to + produce his passport: still, however, he keeps his temper, concluding, + that the new light has not yet made its way to the frontiers, and that + these troublesome precautions may be necessary near a port. He continues + his route, and, by degrees, becomes habituated to this regimen of liberty; + till, perhaps, on the second day, the validity of his passport is + disputed, the municipality who granted it have the reputation of + aristocracy, or the whole is informal, and he must be content to wait + while a messenger is dispatched to have it rectified, and the officers + establish the severity of their patriotism at the expence of the stranger. + </p> + <p> + Our traveller, at length, permitted to depart, feels his patience + wonderfully diminished, execrates the regulations of the coast, and the + ignorance of small towns, and determines to stop a few days and observe + the progress of freedom at Ameins. Being a large commercial place, he here + expects to behold all the happy effects of the new constitution; he + congratulates himself on travelling at a period when he can procure + information, and discuss his political opinions, unannoyed by fears of + state prisons, and spies of the police. His landlord, however, acquaints + him, that his appearance at the Town House cannot be dispensed with—he + attends three or four different hours of appointment, and is each time + sent away, (after waiting half an hour with the valets de ville in the + antichamber,) and told that the municipal officers are engaged. As an + Englishman, he has little relish for these subordinate sovereigns, and + difficult audiences—he hints at the next coffee-house that he had + imagined a stranger might have rested two days in a free country, without + being measured, and questioned, and without detailing his history, as + though he were suspected of desertion; and ventures on some implied + comparison between the ancient "Monsieur le Commandant," and the modern + "Citoyen Maire."—To his utter astonishment he finds, that though + there are no longer emissaries of the police, there are Jacobin informers; + his discourse is reported to the municipality, his business in the town + becomes the subject of conjecture, he is concluded to be <i>"un homme sans + aveu,"</i> [One that can't give a good account of himself.] and arrested + as "suspect;" and it is not without the interference of the people to whom + he may have been recommended at Paris, that he is released, and enabled to + continue his journey. + </p> + <p> + At Paris he lives in perpetual alarm. One night he is disturbed by a + visite domiciliaire, another by a riot—one day the people are in + insurrection for bread, and the next murdering each other at a public + festival; and our country-man, even after making every allowance for the + confusion of a recent change, thinks himself very fortunate if he reaches + England in safety, and will, for the rest of his life, be satisfied with + such a degree of liberty as is secured to him by the constitution of his + own country. + </p> + <p> + You see I have no design of tempting you to pay us a visit; and, to speak + the truth, I think those who are in England will show their wisdom by + remaining there. Nothing but the state of Mrs. D____'s health, and her + dread of the sea at this time of the year, detains us; for every day + subtracts from my courage, and adds to my apprehensions. + </p> + <p> + —Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + A RESIDENCE IN FRANCE,<br /> <br /> DURING THE YEARS<br /> <br /> 1792, 1793, + 1794, and 1795 + </h1> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + DESCRIBED IN A SERIES OF LETTERS<br /> FROM AN ENGLISH LADY;<br /> With + General And Incidental Remarks<br /> On The French Character And Manners. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h4> + Prepared for the Press<br /> By John Gifford, Esq.<br /> <br /> Second + Edition.<br /> <br /> _Plus je vis l'Etranger plus j'aimai ma Patrie._<br /> + --Du Belloy.<br /> <br /> London: Printed for T. N. Longman, Paternoster + Row. 1797. + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + 1793 + </h1> + <hr /> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_1">Amiens, January, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_2">Amiens, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_3">Amiens, January 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_4">Amiens, February 15, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_5">Amiens, Feb. 25, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_6">Amiens, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_7">March 23, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_8">Rouen, March 31, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_9">Amiens, April 7, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_10">April 20, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_11">May 18, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_12">June 3, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_13">June 20, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_14">June 30, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_15">Amiens, July 5, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_16">July 14, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_17">July 23, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_18">Peronne, July 29, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_19">August 1, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_20">Soissons, August 4, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_21">Peronne, August, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_22">Peronne, August 24, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_23">Peronne, August 29, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_24">Peronne, Sept. 7, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_25">Maison d'Arret, Arras, Oct. 15, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_26">Maison d'Arret, Arras, Oct. 17, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_27">Oct. 18.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_28">Oct. 19.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_29">Oct. 20.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_30">Arras, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_31">Oct. 21.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_32">Oct. 22.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_33">Oct. 25.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_34">Oct. 27.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_35">Oct. 30.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_36">Bicetre at Amiens, Nov. 18, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_37">November 19, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_38">Nov. 20.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_39">December.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_40">Amiens, Providence, Dec. 10, 1793.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_41">[Beginning of Volume II. Of The Printed Books]</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short3_4_42">Providence, Dec. 20, 1793.</a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_1" id="short3_4_1"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, January, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + Vanity, I believe, my dear brother, is not so innoxious a quality as we + are desirous of supposing. As it is the most general of all human + failings, so is it regarded with the most indulgence: a latent + consciousness averts the censure of the weak; and the wise, who flatter + themselves with being exempt from it, plead in its favour, by ranking it + as a foible too light for serious condemnation, or too inoffensive for + punishment. Yet, if vanity be not an actual vice, it is certainly a + potential one—it often leads us to seek reputation rather than + virtue, to substitute appearances for realities, and to prefer the + eulogiums of the world to the approbation of our own minds. When it takes + possession of an uninformed or an ill-constituted mind, it becomes the + source of a thousand errors, and a thousand absurdities. Hence, youth + seeks a preeminence in vice, and age in folly; hence, many boast of errors + they would not commit, or claim distinction by investing themselves with + an imputation of excess in some popular absurdity—duels are courted + by the daring, and vaunted by the coward—he who trembles at the idea + of death and a future state when alone, proclaims himself an atheist or a + free-thinker in public—the water-drinker, who suffers the penitence + of a week for a supernumerary glass, recounts the wonders of his + intemperance—and he who does not mount the gentlest animal without + trepidation, plumes himself on breaking down horses, and his perils in the + chace. In short, whatever order of mankind we contemplate, we shall + perceive that the portion of vanity allotted us by nature, when it is not + corrected by a sound judgement, and rendered subservient to useful + purposes, is sure either to degrade or mislead us. + </p> + <p> + I was led into this train of reflection by the conduct of our + Anglo-Gallican legislator, Mr. Thomas Paine. He has lately composed a + speech, which was translated and read in his presence, (doubtless to his + great satisfaction,) in which he insists with much vehemence on the + necessity of trying the King; and he even, with little credit to his + humanity, gives intimations of presumed guilt. Yet I do not suspect Mr. + Paine to be of a cruel or unmerciful nature; and, most probably, vanity + alone has instigated him to a proceeding which, one would wish to believe, + his heart disapproves. Tired of the part he was playing, and which, it + must be confessed, was not calculated to flatter the censurer of Kings and + the reformer of constitutions, he determined to sit no longer for whole + hours in colloquy with his interpreter, or in mute contemplation, like the + Chancellor in the Critic; and the speech to which I have alluded was + composed. Knowing that lenient opinions would meet no applause from the + tribunes, he inlists himself on the side of severity, accuses all the + Princes in the world as the accomplices of Louis the Sixteenth, expresses + his desire for an universal revolution, and, after previously assuring the + Convention the King is guilty, recommends that they may instantly proceed + to his trial. But, after all this tremendous eloquence, perhaps Mr. Paine + had no malice in his heart: he may only be solicitous to preserve his + reputation from decay, and to indulge his self-importance by assisting at + the trial of a Monarch whom he may not wish to suffer.—I think, + therefore, I am not wrong in asserting, that Vanity is a very mischievous + counsellor. + </p> + <p> + The little distresses I formerly complained of, as arising from the paper + currency, are nearly removed by a plentiful emission of small assignats, + and we have now pompous assignments on the national domains for ten sols: + we have, likewise, pieces coined from the church bells in circulation, but + most of these disappear as soon as issued. You would scarcely imagine that + this copper is deemed worthy to be hoarded; yet such is the people's + aversion from the paper, and such their mistrust of the government, that + not an housewife will part with one of these pieces while she has an + assignat in her possession; and those who are rich enough to keep a few + livres by them, amass and bury this copper treasure with the utmost + solicitude and secresy. + </p> + <p> + A tolerably accurate scale of the national confidence might be made, by + marking the progress of these suspicious interments. Under the first + Assembly, people began to hide their gold; during the reign of the second + they took the same affectionate care of their silver; and, since the + meeting of the Convention, they seem equally anxious to hide any metal + they can get. If one were to describe the present age, one might, as far + as regards France, call it, both literally and metaphorically, the Iron + Age; for it is certain, the character of the times would justify the + metaphoric application, and the disappearance of every other metal the + literal one. As the French are fond of classic examples, I shall not be + surprized to see an iron coinage, in imitation of Sparta, though they seem + in the way of having one reason less for such a measure than the Spartans + had, for they are already in a state to defy corruption; and if they were + not, I think a war with England would secure the purity of their morals + from being endangered by too much commercial intercourse. + </p> + <p> + I cannot be displeased with the civil things you say of my letters, nor at + your valuing them so much as to preserve them; though, I assure you, this + fraternal gallantry is not necessary, on the account you intimate, nor + will our countrymen suffer, in my opinion, by any comparisons I can make + here. Your ideas of French gallantry are, indeed, very erroneous— it + may differ in the manner from that practised in England, but is far from + having any claim to superiority. Perhaps I cannot define the pretensions + of the two nations in this respect better than by saying, that the + gallantry of an Englishman is a sentiment—that of a Frenchman a + system. The first, if a lady happen to be old or plain, or indifferent to + him, is apt to limit his attentions to respect, or utility—now the + latter never troubles himself with these distinctions: he is repulsed by + no extremity of years, nor deformity of feature; he adores, with equal + ardour, both young and old, nor is either often shocked by his visible + preference of the other. I have seen a youthful beau kiss, with perfect + devotion, a ball of cotton dropped from the hand of a lady who was + knitting stockings for her grand-children. Another pays his court to a + belle in her climacteric, by bringing <i>gimblettes</i> [A sort of + gingerbread.] to the favourite lap-dog, or attending, with great + assiduity, the egresses and regresses of her angola, who paces slowly out + of the room ten times in an hour, while the door is held open by the + complaisant Frenchman with a most respectful gravity. + </p> + <p> + Thus, you see, France is to the old what a masquerade is to the ugly + —the one confounds the disparity of age as the other does that of + person; but indiscriminate adoration is no compliment to youth, nor is a + mask any privilege to beauty. We may therefore conclude, that though + France may be the Elysium of old women, England is that of the young. When + I first came into this country, it reminded me of an island I had read of + in the Arabian Tales, where the ladies were not deemed in their bloom till + they verged towards seventy; and I conceived the project of inviting all + the belles, who had been half a century out of fashion in England, to + cross the Channel, and begin a new career of admiration!— Yours, + &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_2" id="short3_4_2"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + Dear Brother, + </p> + <p> + I have thought it hitherto a self evident proposition—that of all + the principles which can be inculcated in the human mind, that of liberty + is least susceptible of propagation by force. Yet a Council of + Philosophers (disciples of Rousseau and Voltaire) have sent forth + Dumouriez, at the head of an hundred thousand men, to instruct the people + of Flanders in the doctrine of freedom. Such a missionary is indeed + invincible, and the defenceless towns of the Low Countries have been + converted and pillaged [By the civil agents of the executive power.] by a + benevolent crusade of the philanthropic assertors of the rights of man. + These warlike Propagandistes, however, do not always convince without + experiencing resistance, and ignorance sometimes opposes, with great + obstinacy, the progress of truth. The logic of Dumouriez did not enforce + conviction at Gemappe, but at the expence of fifteen thousand of his own + army, and, doubtless, a proportionate number of the unconverted. + </p> + <p> + Here let me forbear every expression tending to levity: the heart recoils + at such a slaughter of human victims; and, if a momentary smile be excited + by these Quixotisms, it is checked by horror at their consequences!—Humanity + will lament such destruction; but it will likewise be indignant to learn, + that, in the official account of this battle, the killed were estimated at + three hundred, and the wounded at six!—But, if the people be + sacrificed, they are not deceived. The disabled sufferers, who are + returning to their homes in different parts of the republic, betray the + turpitude of the government, and expose the fallacy of these bloodless + victories of the gazettes. The pedants of the Convention are not unlearned + in the history of the Praetorian Bands and the omnipotence of armies; and + an offensive war is undertaken to give occupation to the soldiers, whose + inactivity might produce reflection, or whose discontent might prove fatal + to the new order of things.—Attempts are made to divert the public + mind from the real misery experienced at home, by relations of useless + conquests abroad; the substantial losses, which are the price of these + imaginary benefits, are palliated or concealed; and the circumstances of + an engagement is known but by individual communication, and when + subsequent events have nearly effaced the remembrance of it.—By + these artifices, and from motives at least not better, and, perhaps, worse + than those I have mentioned, will population be diminished, and + agriculture impeded: France will be involved in present distress, and + consigned to future want; and the deluded people be punished in the + miseries of their own country, because their unprincipled rulers have + judged it expedient to carry war and devastation into another. + </p> + <p> + One of the distinguishing features in the French character is <i>sang + froid</i> —scarcely a day passes that it does not force itself on + one's observation. It is not confined to the thinking part of the people, + who know that passion and irritability avail nothing; nor to those who, + not thinking at all, are, of course, not moved by any thing: but is + equally possessed by every rank and condition, whether you class them by + their mental endowments, or their temporal possessions. They not only (as, + it must be confessed, is too commonly the case in all countries,) bear the + calamities of their friends with great philosophy, but are nearly as + reasonable under the pressure of their own. The grief of a Frenchman, at + least, partakes of his imputed national complaisance, and, far from + intruding itself on society, is always ready to accept of consolation, and + join in amusement. If you say your wife or relations are dead, they replay + coldly, <i>"Il faut se consoler:"</i> or if they visit you in an illness, + <i>"Il faut prendre patience."</i> Or tell them you are ruined, and their + features then become something more attenuated, the shoulders something + more elevated, and a more commiserating tone confesses, <i>"C'est bien mal + beureux—Mai enfin que voulez vous?"</i> ["It's unlucky, but what can + be said in such cases?"] and in the same instant they ill recount some + good fortune at a card party, or expatiate on the excellence of a ragout.—Yet, + to do them justice, they only offer for your comfort the same arguments + they would have found efficacious in promoting their own. + </p> + <p> + This disposition, which preserves the tranquillity of the rich, indurates + the sense of wretchedness in the poor; it supplies the place of fortitude + in the one, and that of patience in the other; and, while it enables both + to endure their own particular distresses, it makes them submit quietly to + a weight and excess of public evils, which any nation but their own would + sink under, or resist. Amongst shopkeepers, servants, &c. without + incurring personal odium, it has the effect of what would be deemed in + England impenetrable assurance. It forces pertinaceously an article not + wanted, and preserves the inflexibility of the features at a detected + imposition: it inspires servants with arguments in defence of every + misdemeanour in the whole domestic catalogue; it renders them insensible + either of their negligences or the consequences of them; and endows them + with a happy facility of contradicting with the most obsequious + politeness. + </p> + <p> + A gentleman of our acquaintances dined at a table d'Hote, where the + company were annoyed by a very uncommon and offensive smell. On cutting up + a fowl, they discovered the smell to have been occasioned by its being + dressed with out any other preparation than that of depluming. They + immediately sent for the host, and told him, that the fowl had been + dressed without having been drawn: but, far from appearing disconcerted, + as one might expect, he only replied, <i>"Cela se pourroit bien, + Monsieur."</i> ["'Tis very possible, Sir."] Now an English Boniface, even + though he had already made his fortune, would have been mortified at such + an incident, and all his eloquence would scarcely have produced an + unfaultering apology. + </p> + <p> + Whether this national indifference originate in a physical or a moral + cause, from an obtuseness in their corporeal formation or a perfection in + their intellectual one, I do not pretend to decide; but whatever be the + cause, the effect is enjoyed with great modesty. So little do the French + pique themselves on this valuable stoicism, that they acknowledge being + more subject to that human weakness called feeling, than any other people + in the world. All their writers abound in pathetic exclamations, + sentimental phrases, and allusions to "la sensibilite Francaise," as + though they imagined it proverbial. You can scarcely hold a conversation + with a Frenchman without hearing him detail, with an expression of feature + not always analogous, many very affecting sentences. He is <i>desole, + desespere, or afflige</i>—he has <i>le coeur trop sensible, le coeur + serre, or le coeur navre;</i> [Afflicted—in despair—too + feeling a heart— his heart is wrung or wounded.] and the + well-placing of these dolorous assertions depends rather upon the + judgement and eloquence of the speaker, than the seriousness of the case + which gives rise to them. For instance, the despair and desolation of him + who has lost his money, and of him whose head is ill drest, are of + different degrees, but the expressions are usually the same. The debates + of the Convention, the debates of the Jacobins, and all the public prints, + are fraught with proofs of this appropriated susceptibility, and it is + often attributed to persons and occasions where we should not much expect + to find it. A quarrel between the legislators as to who was most concerned + in promoting the massacres of September, is reconciled with a "sweet and + enthusiastic excess of fraternal tenderness." When the clubs dispute on + the expediency of an insurrection, or the necessity of a more frequent + employment of the guillotine, the debate terminates by overflowing of + sensibility from all the members who have engaged in it! + </p> + <p> + At the assassinations in one of the prisons, when all the other miserable + victims had perished, the mob discovered one Jonneau, a member of the + Assembly, who had been confined for kicking another member named + Grangeneuve.* As the massacrers probably had no orders on the subject, he + was brought forth, from amidst heaps of murdered companions, and a + messenger dispatched to the Assembly, (which during these scenes met as + usual,) to enquire if they acknowledged Jonneau as a member. A decree was + passed in the affirmative, and Jonneau brought by the assassins, with the + decree fastened on his breast, in triumph to his colleagues, who, we are + told, at this instance of respect for themselves, shed tears of tenderness + and admiration at the conduct of monsters, the sight of whom should seem + revolting to human nature. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * When the massacres began, the wife and friends of Jonneau petitioned + Grangeneuve on their knees to consent to his enlargement; but + Grangeneuve was implacable, and Jonneau continued in prison till + released by the means above mentioned. It is observable, that at this + dreadful moment the utmost strictness was observed, and every form + literally enforced in granting the discharge of a prisoner. A suspension + of all laws, human and divine, was allowed to the assassins, while those + only that secured them their victims were rigidly adhered to. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Perhaps the real sang froid I have before noticed, and these pretensions + to sensibility, are a natural consequence one or the other. It is the + history of the beast's confession—we have only to be particularly + deficient in any quality, to make us solicitous for the reputation of it; + and after a long habit of deceiving others we finish by deceiving + ourselves. He who feels no compassion for the distresses of his neighbour, + knows that such indifference is not very estimable; he therefore studies + to disguise the coldness of his heart by the exaggeration of his language, + and supplies, by an affected excess of sentiment, the total absence of it.—The + gods have not (as you know) made me poetical, nor do I often tax your + patience with a simile, but I think this French sensibility is to genuine + feeling, what their paste is to the diamond—it gratifies the vanity + of the wearer, and deceives the eye of the superficial observer, but is of + little use or value, and when tried by the fire of adversity quickly + disappears. + </p> + <p> + You are not much obliged to me for this long letter, as I own I have + scribbled rather for my own amusement than with a view to yours.— + Contrary to our expectation, the trial of the King has begun; and, though + I cannot properly be said to have any real interest in the affairs of this + country, I take a very sincere one in the fate of its unfortunate Monarch—indeed + our whole house has worn an appearance of dejection since the commencement + of the business. Most people seem to expect it will terminate favourably, + and, I believe, there are few who do not wish it. Even the Convention seem + at present disposed to be merciful; and as they judge now, so may they be + judged hereafter! + </p> + <p> + —Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_3" id="short3_4_3"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, January 1793. + </h2> + <p> + I do all possible justice to the liberality of my countrymen, who are + become such passionate admirers of the French; and I cannot but lament + their having been so unfortunate in the choice of the aera from whence + they date this new friendship. It is, however, a proof, that their regards + are not much the effect of that kind of vanity which esteems objects in + proportion as they are esteemed by the rest of the world; and the + sincerity of an attachment cannot be better evinced than by its surviving + irretrievable disgrace and universal abhorrence. Many will swell the + triumph of a hero, or add a trophy to his tomb; but he who exhibits + himself with a culprit at the gallows, or decorates the gibbet with a + wreath, is a friend indeed. + </p> + <p> + If ever the character of a people were repugnant to amity, or inimical to + connection, it is that of the French for the last three years.—* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The editor of the <i>Courier de l'Egalite,</i> a most decided patriot, + thus expresses himself on the injuries and insults received by the King + from the Parisians, and their municipality, previous to his trial: "I + know that Louis is guilty—but are we to double his punishment + before it is pronounced by the law? Indeed one is tempted to say that, + instead of being guided by the humanity and philosophy which dictated + the revolution, we have taken lessons of barbarity from the most + ferocious savages! Let us be virtuous if we would be republicans; if we + go on as we do, we never shall, and must have recourse to a despot: for + of two evils it is better to choose the least." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The editor, whose opinion of the present politics is thus expressed, is so + truly a revolutionist, and so confidential a patriot, that, in August + last, when almost all the journalists were murdered, his paper was the + only one that, for some time, was allowed to reach the departments. + </p> + <p> + In this short space they have formed a compendium of all the vices which + have marked as many preceding ages:—the cruelty and treachery of the + league—the sedition, levity, and intrigue of the <i>Fronde</i> [A + name given to the party in opposition to the court during Cardinal + Mazarin's ministry.—See the origin of it in the Memoirs of that + period.] with the licentiousness and political corruption of more modern + epochs. Whether you examine the conduct of the nation at large, or that of + its chiefs and leaders, your feelings revolt at the one, and your + integrity despises the other. You see the idols erected by Folly, degraded + by Caprice;—the authority obtained by Intrigue, bartered by + Profligacy;—and the perfidy and corruption of one side so balanced + by the barbarity and levity of the other, that the mind, unable to decide + on the preference of contending vices, is obliged to find repose, though + with regret and disgust, in acknowledging the general depravity. + </p> + <p> + La Fayette, without very extraordinary pretensions, became the hero of the + revolution. He dictated laws in the Assembly, and prescribed oaths to the + Garde Nationale—and, more than once, insulted, by the triumph of + ostentatious popularity, the humiliation and distress of a persecuted + Sovereign. Yet when La Fayette made an effort to maintain the constitution + to which he owed his fame and influence, he was abandoned with the same + levity with which he had been adopted, and sunk, in an instant, from a + dictator to a fugitive! + </p> + <p> + Neckar was an idol of another description. He had already departed for his + own country, when he was hurried back precipitately, amidst universal + acclamations. All were full of projects either of honour or recompence— + one was for decreeing him a statue, another proposed him a pension, and a + third hailed him the father of the country. But Mr. Neckar knew the French + character, and very wisely declined these pompous offers; for before he + could have received the first quarter of his pension, or the statue could + have been modelled, he was glad to escape, probably not without some + apprehensions for his head! + </p> + <p> + The reign of Mirabeau was something longer. He lived with popularity, was + fortunate enough to die before his reputation was exhausted, was deposited + in the Pantheon, apotheosised in form, and his bust placed as a companion + to that of Brutus, the tutelary genius of the Assembly.—Here, one + might have expected, he would have been quit for this world at least; but + the fame of a patriot is not secured by his death, nor can the gods of the + French be called immortal: the deification of Mirabeau is suspended, his + memory put in sequestration, and a committee appointed to enquire, whether + a profligate, expensive, and necessitous character was likely to be + corruptible. The Convention, too, seem highly indignant that a man, + remarkable only for vice and atrocity, should make no conscience of + betraying those who were as bad as himself; and that, after having + prostituted his talents from the moment he was conscious of them, he + should not, when associated with such immaculate colleagues, become pure + and disinterested. It is very probable that Mirabeau, whose only aim was + power, might rather be willing to share it with the King, as Minister, + than with so many competitors, and only as Prime Speechmaker to the + Assembly: and as he had no reason for suspecting the patriotism of others + to be more inflexible than his own, he might think it not impolitic to + anticipate a little the common course of things, and betray his + companions, before they had time to stipulate for felling him. He might, + too, think himself more justified in disposing of them in the gross, + because he did not thereby deprive them of their right of bargaining for + themselves, and for each other in detail.—* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * La Porte, Steward of the Household, in a letter to Duquesnoy, [Not the + brutal Dusquenoy hereafter mentioned.] dated February, 1791, informs him + that Barrere, Chairman of the Committee of Domains, is in the best + disposition possible.—A letter of Talon, (then minister,) with + remarks in the margin by the King, says, that "Sixteen of the most + violent members on the patriotic side may be brought over to the court, + and that the expence will not exceed two millions of livres: that + fifteen thousand will be sufficient for the first payment; and only a + Yes or No from his Majesty will fix these members in his interest, and + direct their future conduct."—It likewise observes, that these two + millions will cost the King nothing, as the affair is already arranged + with the Liquidator-General. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Extract of a letter from Chambonas to the King, dated June 18, 1792: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "Sire, "I inform your Majesty, that my agents are now in motion. I have + just been converting an evil spirit. I cannot hope that I have made him + good, but I believe I have neutralized him.—To-night we shall make + a strong effort to gain Santerre, (Commandant of the Garde Nationale,) + and I have ordered myself to be awakened to hear the result. I shall + take care to humour the different interests as well as I can.—The + Secretary of the Cordeliers club is now secured.—All these people + are to be bought, but not one of them can be hired.—I have had + with me one Mollet a physician. Perhaps your Majesty may have heard of + him. He is an outrageous Jacobin, and very difficult, for he will + receive nothing. He insists, previous to coming to any definitive + treaty, on being named Physician to the Army. I have promised him, on + condition that Paris is kept quiet for fifteen days. He is now gone to + exert himself in our favour. He has great credit at the Caffe de + Procope, where all the journalists and 'enragis' of the Fauxbourg St. + Germain assemble. I hope he will keep his word.—The orator of the + people, the noted Le Maire, a clerk at the Post-office, has promised + tranquility for a week, and he is to be rewarded. "A new Gladiator has + appeared lately on the scene, one Ronedie Breton, arrived from England. + He has already been exciting the whole quarter of the Poisonnerie in + favour of the Jacobins, but I shall have him laid siege to.—Petion + is to come to-morrow for fifteen thousand livres, [This sum was probably + only to propitiate the Mayor; and if Chambonas, as he proposed, refused + farther payment, we may account for Petion's subsequent conduct.] on + account of thirty thousand per month which he received under the + administration of Dumouriez, for the secret service of the police.— + I know not in virtue of what law this was done, and it will be the last + he shall receive from me. Your Majesty will, I doubt not, understand me, + and approve of what I suggest. (Signed) "Chambonas." Extract from the + Papers found at the Thuilleries. It is impossible to warrant the + authenticity of these Papers; on their credibility, however, rests the + whole proof of the most weighty charges brought against the King. So + that it must be admitted, that either all the first patriots of the + revolution, and many of those still in repute, are corrupt, or that the + King was condemned on forged evidence. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The King might also be solicitous to purchase safety and peace at any + rate; and it is unfortunate for himself and the country that he had not + recourse to the only effectual means till it was too late. But all this + rests on no better evidence than the papers found at the Thuilleries; and + as something of this kind was necessary to nourish the exhausted fury of + the populace, I can easily conceive that it was thought more prudent to + sacrifice the dead, than the living; and the fame of Mirabeau being less + valuable than the safety of those who survived him, there would be no + great harm in attributing to him what he was very likely to have done.— + The corruption of a notorious courtier would have made no impression: the + King had already been overwhelmed with such accusations, and they had lost + their effect: but to have seduced the virtuous Mirabeau, the very + Confucius of the revolution, was a kind of profanation of the holy fire, + well calculated to revive the languid rage, and extinguish the small + remains of humanity yet left among the people. + </p> + <p> + It is sufficiently remarkable, that notwithstanding the court must have + seen the necessity of gaining over the party now in power, no vestige of + any attempt of this kind has been discovered; and every criminating + negotiation is ascribed to the dead, the absent, or the insignificant. I + do not, however, presume to decide in a case so very delicate; their + panegyrists in England may adjust the claims of Mirabeau's integrity, and + that of his accusers, at their leisure. + </p> + <p> + Another patriot of "distinguished note," and more peculiarly interesting + to our countrymen, because he has laboured much for their conversion, is + Talleyrand, Bishop of Autun.—He was in England some time as + Plenipotentiary from the Jacobins, charged with establishing treaties + between the clubs, publishing seditious manifestoes, contracting friendly + alliances with discontented scribblers, and gaining over neutral or + hostile newspapers.—But, besides his political and ecclesiastical + occupations, and that of writing letters to the Constitutional Society, it + seems this industrious Prelate had likewise a correspondence with the + Agents of the Court, which, though he was too modest to surcharge his fame + by publishing it, was, nevertheless, very profitable. + </p> + <p> + I am sorry his friends in England are mostly averse from episcopacy, + otherwise they might have provided for him, as I imagine he will have no + objection to relinquish his claims on the see of Autun. He is not under + accusation, and, were he to return, he would not find the laws quite so + ceremonious here as in England. After labouring with impunity for months + together to promote an insurrection with you, a small private barter of + his talents would here cost him his head; and I appeal to the Bishop's + friends in England, whether there can be a proper degree of freedom in a + country where a man is refused the privilege of disposing of himself to + the best advantage. + </p> + <p> + To the eternal obloquy of France, I must conclude, in the list of those + once popular, the ci-devant Duke of Orleans. But it was an unnatural + popularity, unaided by a single talent, or a single virtue, supported only + by the venal efforts of those who were almost his equals in vice, though + not in wealth, and who found a grateful exercise for their abilities in at + once profiting by the weak ambition of a bad man, and corrupting the + public morals in his favour. The unrighteous compact is now dissolved; + those whom he ruined himself to bribe have already forsaken him, and + perhaps may endeavour to palliate the disgrace of having been called his + friends, by becoming his persecutors.—Thus, many of the primitive + patriots are dead, or fugitives, or abandoned, or treacherous; and I am + not without fear lest the new race should prove as evanescent as the old. + </p> + <p> + The virtuous Rolland,* whose first resignation was so instrumental in + dethroning the King, has now been obliged to resign a second time, charged + with want of capacity, and suspected of malversation; and this virtue, + which was so irreproachable, which it would have been so dangerous to + dispute while it served the purposes of party, is become hypocrisy, and + Rolland will be fortunate if he return to obscurity with only the loss of + his gains and his reputation. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * In the beginning of December, the Council-General of the municipality + of Paris opened a register, and appointed a Committee to receive all + accusations and complaints whatever against Rolland, who, in return, + summoned them to deliver in their accounts to him as Minister of the + interior, and accused them, at the same time, of the most scandalous + peculations. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The credit of Brissot and the Philosophers is declining fast—the + clubs are unpropitious, and no party long survives this formidable omen; + so that, like Macbeth, they will have waded from one crime to another, + only to obtain a short-lived dominion, at the expence of eternal infamy, + and an unlamented fall. + </p> + <p> + Dumouriez is still a successful General, but he is denounced by one + faction, insulted by another, insidiously praised by a third, and, if he + should persevere in serving them, he has more disinterested rectitude than + I suspect him of, or than they merit. This is another of that Jacobin + ministry which proved so fatal to the King; and it is evident that, had he + been permitted to entertain the same opinion of all these people as they + now profess to have of each other, he would have been still living, and + secure on his throne. + </p> + <p> + After so many mutual infidelities, it might be expected that one party + would grow indifferent, and the other suspicious; but the French never + despair: new hordes of patriots prepare to possess themselves of the + places they are forcing the old ones to abandon, and the people, eager for + change, are ready to receive them with the momentary and fallacious + enthusiasm which ever precedes disgrace; while those who are thus + intriguing for power and influence, are, perhaps, secretly devising how it + may be made most subservient to their personal advantage. + </p> + <p> + Yet, perhaps, these amiable levities may not be displeasing to the + Constitutional Society and the revolutionists of England; and, as the very + faults of our friends are often endearing to us, they may extend their + indulgence to the "humane" and "liberal" precepts of the Jacobins, and the + massacres of September.—To confess the truth, I am not a little + ashamed for my country when I see addresses from England to a Convention, + the members of which have just been accusing each other of assassination + and robbery, or, in the ardour of a debate, threatening, cuffing, and + knocking each other down. Exclusive of their moral character, considered + only as it appears from their reciprocal criminations, they have so little + pretension to dignity, or even decency, that it seems a mockery to address + them as the political representatives of a powerful nation deliberating + upon important affairs. + </p> + <p> + If a bearer of one of these congratulatory compliments were not apprized + of the forms of the House, he would be rather astonished, at his + introduction, to see one member in a menacing attitude, and another + denying his veracity in terms perfectly explicit, though not very civil. + Perhaps, in two minutes, the partizans of each opponent all rise and + clamour, as if preparing for a combat—the President puts on his hat + as the signal of a storm—the subordinate disputants are appeased—and + the revilings of the principal ones renewed; till, after torrents of + indecent language, the quarrel is terminated by a fraternal embrace.*—I + think, after such a scene, an addresser must feel a little humiliated, and + would return without finding his pride greatly increased by his mission. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * I do not make any assertions of this nature from conjecture or partial + evidence. The journals of the time attest that the scenes I describe + occur almost in every debate.—As a proof, I subjoin some extracts + taken nearly at hazard: "January 7th, Convention Nationale, Presidence + de Treilhard.—The debate was opened by an address from the + department of Finisterre, expressing their wishes, and adding, that + these were likewise the wishes of the nation at large—that Marat, + Robespierre, Bazire, Chabot, Merlin, Danton, and their accomplices, + might be expelled the Convention as caballers and intriguers paid by the + tyrants at war with France." The account of this debate is thus + continued—"The almost daily troubles which arise in the Convention + were on the point of being renewed, when a member, a friend to order, + spoke as follows, and, it is remarked, was quietly listened to: + "'Citizens, "'If three months of uninterrupted silence has given me any + claim to your attention, I now ask it in the name of our afflicted + country. Were I to continue silent any longer, I should render myself as + culpable as those who never hold their tongues. I see we are all + sensible of the painfulness of our situation. Every day dissatisfied + with ourselves, we come to the debate with the intention of doing + something, and every day we return without having done any thing. The + people expect from us wise laws, and not storms and tumults. How are we + to make these wise laws, and keep twenty-five millions of people quiet, + when we, who are only seven hundred and fifty individuals, give an + example of perpetual riot and disorder? What signifies our preaching the + unity and indivisibility of the republic, when we cannot maintain peace + and union amongst ourselves? What good can we expect to do amidst such + scandalous disturbances, and while we spend our time in attending to + informations, accusations, and inculpations, for the most part utterly + unfounded? For my part, I see but one means of attaining any thing like + dignity and tranquillity, and that is, by submitting ourselves to + coercive regulations.'" Here follow some proposals, tending to establish + a little decency in their proceedings for the future; but the account + from whence this extract is taken proceeds to remark, that this + invitation to peace was no sooner finished, than a new scene of + disturbance took place, to the great loss of their time, and the scandal + of all good citizens. One should imagine, that if ever the Convention + could think it necessary to assume an appearance of dignity, or at least + of seriousness and order, it would be in giving their judgement relative + to the King. Yet, in determining how a series of questions should be + discussed, on the arrangement of which his fate seems much to have + depended, the solemnity of the occasion appears to have had no weight. + It was proposed to begin by that of the appeal to the people. This was + so violently combated, that the Convention would hear neither party, and + were a long time without debating at all. Petion mounted the tribune, + and attempted to restore order; but the noise was too great for him to + be heard. He at length, however, obtained silence enough to make a + motion. Again the murmurs recommenced. Rabaud de St. Etienne made + another attempt, but was equally unsuccessful. Those that were of an + opposite opinion refused to hear him, and both parties rose up and + rushed together to the middle of the Hall. The most dreadful tumult took + place, and the President, with great difficulty, procured a calm. Again + the storm began, and a member told them, that if they voted in the + affirmative, those on the left side (Robespierre, &c.) would not + wait the result, but have the King assassinated. "Yes! Yes! (resounded + from all parts) the Scelerats of Paris will murder him!" —Another + violent disorder ensuing, it was thought no decree could be passed, and, + at length, amidst this scene of riot and confusion, the order of + questions was arranged, and in such a manner as to decide the fate of + the King.—It was determined, that the question of his guilt should + precede that of the appeal to the people. Had the order of the questions + been changed, the King might have been saved, for many would have voted + for the appeal in the first instance who did not dare do it when they + found the majority resolved to pronounce him guilty. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + It is very remarkable, that, on the same day on which the friends of + liberty and equality of Manchester signalized themselves by a most + patriotic compliment to the Convention, beginning with <i>"Francais, vous + etes libres,"</i> ["Frenchmen, you are free."] they were, at that very + moment, employed in discussing a petition from numbers of Parisians who + had been thrown into prison without knowing either their crime or their + accusers, and were still detained under the same arbitrary circumstances.—The + law of the constitution is, that every person arrested shall be + interrogated within twenty-four hours; but as these imprisonments were the + work of the republican Ministers, the Convention seemed to think it + indelicate to interpose, and these citizens of a country whose freedom is + so much envied by the Manchester Society, will most likely remain in + durance as long as their confinement shall be convenient to those who have + placed them there.—A short time after, Villette, who is a + news-writer and deputy, was cited to appear before the municipality of + Paris, under the charge of having inserted in his paper "equivocal phrases + and anti-civic expressions, tending to diminish the confidence due to the + municipality."—Villette, as being a member of the Convention, + obtained redress; but had he been only a journalist, the liberty of the + press would not have rescued him.—On the same day, complaint was + made in the Assembly, that one man had been arrested instead of another, + and confined for some weeks, and it was agreed unanimously, (a thing that + does not often occur,) that the powers exercised by the Committee of + Inspection [Surveillance.—See Debates, December.] were incompatible + with liberty. + </p> + <p> + The patriots of Belfast were not more fortunate in the adaption of their + civilities—they addressed the Convention, in a strain of great + piety, to congratulate them on the success of their arms in the "cause of + civil and religious liberty."* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * At this time the municipalities were empowered to search all houses by + night or day; but their visites domiciliaires, as they are called, being + made chiefly in the night, a decree has since ordained that they shall + take place only during the day. Perhaps an Englishman may think the + latter quite sufficient, considering that France is the freeest country + in the world, and, above all, a republic. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The harangue was interrupted by the <i>mal-a-propos</i> entrance of two + deputies, who complained of having been beaten, almost hanged, and half + drowned, by the people of Chartres, for belonging, as they were told, to + an assembly of atheistical persecutors of religion; and this Convention, + whom the Society of Belfast admire for propagating "religious liberty" in + other countries, were in a few days humbly petitioned, from various + departments, not to destroy it in their own. I cannot, indeed, suppose + they have really such a design; but the contempt with which they treat + religion has occasioned an alarm, and given the French an idea of their + piety very different from that so kindly conceived by the patriots of + Belfast. + </p> + <p> + I entrust this to our friend Mrs. ____, who is leaving France in a few + days; and as we are now on the eve of a war, it will be the last letter + you will receive, except a few lines occasionally on our private affairs, + or to inform you of my health. As we cannot, in the state Mrs. D____ is + in, think of returning to England at present, we must trust ourselves to + the hospitality of the French for at least a few weeks, and I certainly + will not abuse it, by sending any remarks on their political affairs out + of the country. But as I know you interest yourself much in the subject, + and read with partiality my attempts to amuse you, I will continue to + throw my observations on paper as regularly as I have been accustomed to + do, and I hope, ere long, to be the bearer of the packets myself. I here + also renew my injunction, that no part of my correspondence that relates + to French politics be communicated to any one, not even my mother. What I + have written has been merely to gratify your own curiosity, and I should + be extremely mortified if my opinions were repeated even in the little + circle of our private acquaintance. I deem myself perfectly justifiable in + imparting my reflections to you, but I have a sort of delicacy that + revolts at the thought of being, in the remotest degree, accessary to + conveying intelligence from a country in which I reside, and which is so + peculiarly situated as France is at this moment. My feelings, my humanity, + are averse from those who govern, but I should regret to be the means of + injuring them. You cannot mistake my intentions, and I conclude by + seriously reminding you of the promise I exacted previous to any political + discussion.—Adieu. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_4" id="short3_4_4"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, February 15, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + I did not, as I promised, write immediately on my return from Chantilly; + the person by whom I intended to send my letter having already set out for + England, and the rule I have observed for the last three months of + entrusting nothing to the post but what relates to our family affairs, is + now more than ever necessary. I have before requested, and I must now + insist, that you make no allusion to any political matter whatever, nor + even mention the name of any political person. Do not imagine that you are + qualified to judge of what is prudent, or what may be written with safety—I + repeat, no one in England can form an idea of the suspicion that pervades + every part of the French government. + </p> + <p> + I cannot venture to answer decisively your question respecting the King— + indeed the subject is so painful to me, that I have hitherto avoided + reverting to it. There certainly was, as you observe, some sudden + alteration in the dispositions of the Assembly between the end of the + trial and the final judgement. The causes were most probably various, and + must be sought for in the worst vices of our nature—cruelty, + avarice, and cowardice. Many, I doubt not, were guided only by the natural + malignity of their hearts; many acted from fear, and expected to purchase + impunity for former compliances with the court by this popular expiation; + a large number are also supposed to have been paid by the Duke of Orleans—whether + for the gratification of malice or ambition, time must develope.—But, + whatever were the motives, the result was an iniquitous combination of the + worst of a set of men, before selected from all that was bad in the + nation, to profane the name of justice—to sacrifice an unfortunate, + but not a guilty Prince—and to fix an indelible stain on the + country. + </p> + <p> + Among those who gave their opinion at large, you will observe Paine: and, + as I intimated in a former letter, it seems he was at that time rather + allured by the vanity of making a speech that should be applauded, than by + any real desire of injuring the King. Such vanity, however, is not + pardonable: a man has a right to ruin himself, or to make himself + ridiculous; but when his vanity becomes baneful to others, as it has all + the effect, so does it merit the punishment, of vice. + </p> + <p> + Of all the rest, Condorcet has most powerfully disgusted me. The avowed + wickedness of Thuriot or Marat inspires one with horror; but this cold + philosophic hypocrite excites contempt as well as detestation. He seems to + have wavered between a desire to preserve the reputation of humanity, + which he has affected, and that of gratifying the real depravity of his + mind. Would one have expected, that a speech full of benevolent systems, + mild sentiments, and aversion from the effusion of human blood, was to end + in a vote for, and recommendation of, the immediate execution of his + sovereign?—But such a conduct is worthy of him, who has repaid the + benefits of his patron and friend [The Duke de la Rochefaucault.] by a + persecution which ended in his murder. + </p> + <p> + You will have seen, that the King made some trifling requests to be + granted after his decease, and that the Convention ordered him to be told, + that the nation, "always great, always just," accorded them in part. Yet + this just and magnanimous people refused him a preparation of only three + days, and allowed him but a few hours—suffered his remains to be + treated with the most scandalous indecency—and debated seriously, + whether or no the Queen should receive some little tokens of affection he + had left for her. + </p> + <p> + The King's enemies had so far succeeded in depreciating his personal + courage, that even his friends were apprehensive he might not sustain his + last moments with dignity. The event proves how much injustice has been + done him in this respect, as well as in many others. His behaviour was + that of a man who derived his fortitude from religion—it was that of + pious resignation, not ostentatious courage; it was marked by none of + those instances of levity and indifference which, at such a time, are + rather symptoms of distraction than resolution; he exhibited the composure + of an innocent mind, and the seriousness that became the occasion; he + seemed to be occupied in preparing for death, but not to fear it.—I + doubt not but the time will come, when those who have sacrificed him may + envy the last moments of Louis the Sixteenth! + </p> + <p> + That the King was not guilty of the principal charges brought against him, + has been proved indubitably—not altogether by the assertions of + those who favour him, but by the confession of his enemies. He was, for + example, accused of planning the insurrection of the tenth of August; yet + not a day passes that both parties in the Convention are not disputing the + priority of their efforts to dethrone him, and to erect a republic; and + they date their machinations long before the period on which they + attribute the first aggression to the King.—Mr. Sourdat, and several + other writers, have very ably demonstrated the falsehood of these charges; + but the circulation of such pamphlets was dangerous—of course, + secret and limited; while those which tended to deceive and prejudice the + people were dispersed with profusion, at the expence of the government.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Postscript of the Courier de l'Egalite, Sept. 29: "The present + minister (Rolland) takes every possible means in his power to enlighten + and inform the people in whatever concerns their real interests. For + this purpose he has caused to be printed and distributed, in abundance, + the accounts and papers relative to the events of the tenth of August. + We have yet at our office a small number of these publications, which we + have distributed to our subscribers, and we still give them to any of + our fellow-citizens who have opportunities of circulating them." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I have seen one of these written in coarse language, and replete with + vulgar abuse, purposely calculated for the lower classes in the country, + who are more open to gross impositions than those of the same rank in + towns; yet I have no doubt, in my own mind, that all these artifices would + have proved unavailing, had the decision been left to the nation at large: + but they were intimidated, if not convinced; and the mandate of the + Convention, which forbids this sovereign people to exercise their + judgement, was obeyed with as much submission, and perhaps more + reluctance, than an edict of Louis the fourteenth.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The King appealed, by his counsel, to the People; but the convention, + by a decree, declared his appeal of no validity, and forbade all persons + to pay attention to it, under the severest penalties. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The French seem to have no energy but to destroy, and to resist nothing + but gentleness or infancy. They bend under a firm or oppressive + administration, but become restless and turbulent under a mild Prince or a + minority. + </p> + <p> + The fate of this unfortunate Monarch has made me reflect, with great + seriousness, on the conduct of our opposition-writers in England. The + literary banditti who now govern France began their operations by + ridiculing the King's private character—from ridicule they proceeded + to calumny, and from calumny to treason; and perhaps the first libel that + degraded him in the eyes of his subjects opened the path from the palace + to the scaffold.—I do not mean to attribute the same pernicious + intentions to the authors on your side the Channel, as I believe them, for + the most part, to be only mercenary, and that they would write panegyrics + as soon as satires, were they equally profitable. I know too, that there + is no danger of their producing revolutions in England—we do not + suffer our principles to be corrupted by a man because he has the art of + rhyming nothings into consequence, nor suffer another to overturn the + government because he is an orator. Yet, though these men may not be very + mischievous, they are very reprehensible; and, in a moment like the + present, contempt and neglect should supply the place of that punishment + against which our liberty of the press secures them. + </p> + <p> + It is not for a person no better informed than myself to pronounce on + systems of government—still less do I affect to have more enlarged + notions than the generality of mankind; but I may, without risking those + imputations, venture to say, I have no childish or irrational deference + for the persons of Kings. I know they are not, by nature, better than + other men, and a neglected or vicious education may often render them + worse. This does not, however, make me less respect the office. I respect + it as the means chosen by the people to preserve internal peace and order—to + banish corruption and petty tyrants ["And fly from petty tyrants to the + throne."—Goldsmith]—and give vigour to the execution of the + laws. + </p> + <p> + Regarded in this point of view, I cannot but lament the mode which has + lately prevailed of endeavouring to alienate the consideration due to our + King's public character, by personal ridicule. If an individual were + attacked in this manner, his house beset with spies, his conversation with + his family listened to, and the most trifling actions of his life + recorded, it would be deemed unfair and illiberal, and he who should + practice such meanness would be thought worthy of no punishment more + respectful than what might be inflicted by an oaken censor, or an + admonitory heel.—But it will be said, a King is not an individual, + and that such a habit, or such an amusement, is beneath the dignity of his + character. Yet would it be but consistent in those who labour to prove, by + the public acts of Kings, that they are less than men, not to exact, that, + in their private lives, they should be more.—The great prototype of + modern satyrists, Junius, does not allow that any credit should be given a + Monarch for his domestic virtues; is he then to be reduced to an + individual, only to scrutinize his foibles, and is his station to serve + only as the medium of their publicity? Are these literary miners to + penetrate the recesses of private life, only to bring to light the dross? + Do they analyse only to discover poisons? Such employments may be + congenial to their natures, but have little claim to public remuneration. + The merit of a detractor is not much superior to that of a flatterer; nor + is a Prince more likely to be amended by imputed follies, than by + undeserved panegyrics. If any man wished to represent his King + advantageously, it could not be done better than by remarking, that, after + all the watchings of assiduous necessity, and the laborious researches of + interested curiosity, it appears, that his private life affords no other + subjects of ridicule than, that he is temperate, domestic, and + oeconomical, and, as is natural to an active mind, wishes to be informed + of whatever happens not to be familiar to him. It were to be desired that + some of these accusations were applicable to those who are so much + scandalized at them: but they are not littlenesses—the littleness is + in him who condescends to report them; and I have often wondered that men + of genius should make a traffic of gleaning from the refuse of + anti-chambers, and retailing the anecdotes of pages and footmen! + </p> + <p> + You will perceive the kind of publications I allude to; and I hope the + situation of France, and the fate of its Monarch, may suggest to the + authors a more worthy employ of their talents, than that of degrading the + executive power in the eyes of the people. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_5" id="short3_4_5"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, Feb. 25, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + I told you, I believe, in a former letter, that the people of Amiens were + all aristocrates: they have, nevertheless, two extremely popular + qualifications—I mean filth and incivility. I am, however, far from + imputing either of them to the revolution. This grossness of behavior has + long existed under the palliating description of <i>"la franchise + Picarde,"</i> ["Picardy frankness."] and the floors and stairs of many + houses will attest their preeminence in filth to be of a date much + anterior to the revolution.—If you purchase to the amount of an + hundred livres, there are many shopkeepers who will not send your + purchases home; and if the articles they show you do not answer your + purpose, they are mostly sullen, and often rude. No appearance of fatigue + or infirmity suggests to them the idea of offering you a seat; they + contradict you with impertinence, address you with freedom, and conclude + with cheating you if they can. It was certainly on this account that + Sterne would not agree to die at the inn at Amiens. He might, with equal + justice, have objected to any other house; and I am sure if he thought + them an unpleasant people to die amongst, he would have found them still + worse to live with.—My observation as to the civility of + aristocrates does not hold good here—indeed I only meant that those + who ever had any, and were aristocrates, still preserved it. + </p> + <p> + Amiens has always been a commercial town, inhabited by very few of the + higher noblesse; and the mere gentry of a French province are not very + much calculated to give a tone of softness and respect to those who + imitate them. You may, perhaps, be surprized that I should express myself + with little consideration for a class which, in England, is so highly + respectable: there gentlemen of merely independent circumstances are not + often distinguishable in their manners from those of superior fortune or + rank. But, in France, it is different: the inferior noblesse are stiff, + ceremonious, and ostentatious; while the higher ranks were always polite + to strangers, and affable to their dependents. When you visit some of the + former, you go through as many ceremonies as though you were to be + invested with an order, and rise up and sit down so many times, that you + return more fatigued than you would from a cricket match; while with the + latter you are just as much at your ease as is consistent with good + breeding and propriety, and a whole circle is never put in commotion at + the entrance and exit of every individual who makes part of it. Any one + not prepared for these formalities, and who, for the first time, saw an + assembly of twenty people all rising from their seats at the entrance of a + single beau, would suppose they were preparing for a dance, and that the + new comer was a musician. For my part I always find it an oeconomy of + strength (when the locality makes it practicable) to take possession of a + window, and continue standing in readiness until the hour of visiting is + over, and calm is established by the arrangement of the card tables.—The + revolution has not annihilated the difference of rank; though it has + effected the abolition of titles; and I counsel all who have remains of + the gout or inflexible joints, not to frequent the houses of ladies whose + husbands have been ennobled only by their offices, of those whose + genealogies are modern, or of the collaterals of ancient families, whose + claims are so far removed as to be doubtful. The society of all these is + very exigent, and to be avoided by the infirm or indolent. + </p> + <p> + I send you with this a little collection of airs which I think you will + find very agreeable. The French music has not, perhaps, all the reputation + it is entitled to. Rousseau has declared it to be nothing but doleful + psalmodies; Gray calls a French concert "Une tintamarre de diable:" and + the prejudices inspired by these great names are not easily obliterated. + We submit our judgement to theirs, even when our taste is refractory.—The + French composers seem to excel in marches, in lively airs that abound in + striking passages calculated for the popular taste, and yet more + particularly in those simple melodies they call romances: they are often + in a very charming and singular style, without being either so delicate or + affecting as the Italian. They have an expression of plaintive tenderness, + which makes one tranquil rather than melancholy; and which, though it be + more soothing than interesting, is very delightful.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_6" id="short3_4_6"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + I have been to-day to take a last view of the convents: they are now + advertised for sale, and will probably soon be demolished. You know my + opinion is not, on the whole, favourable to these institutions, and that I + thought the decree which extinguishes them, but which secured to the + religious already profest the undisturbed possession of their habitations + during life, was both politic and humane. Yet I could not see the present + state of these buildings without pain—they are now inhabited by + volunteers, who are passing a novitiate of intemperance and idleness, + previous to their reception in the army; and those who recollect the peace + and order that once reigned within the walls of a monastery, cannot but be + stricken with the contrast. I felt both for the expelled and present + possessors, and, perhaps, gave a mental preference to the superstition + which founded such establishments, over the persecution that destroys + them. + </p> + <p> + The resigned and pious votaries, who once supposed themselves secure from + all the vicissitudes of fortune, and whose union seemed dissoluble only by + the common lot of mortality, are now many of them dispersed, wandering, + friendless, and miserable. The religion which they cherished as a comfort, + and practised as a duty, is now pursued as a crime; and it is not yet + certain that they will not have to choose between an abjuration of their + principles, and the relinquishment of the means of existence.—The + military occupiers offered nothing very alleviating to such unpleasant + reflections; and I beheld with as much regret the collection of these + scattered individuals, as the separation of those whose habitations they + fill. They are most of them extremely young, taken from villages and the + service of agriculture, and are going to risk their lives in a cause + detested perhaps by more than three parts of the nation, and only to + secure impunity to its oppressors. + </p> + <p> + It has usually been a maxim in all civilized states, that when the general + welfare necessitates some act of partial injustice, it shall be done with + the utmost consideration for the sufferer, and that the required sacrifice + of moral to political expediency shall be palliated, as much as the + circumstances will admit, by the manner of carrying it into execution. But + the French legislators, in this respect, as in most others, truly + original, disdain all imitation, and are rarely guided by such confined + motives. With them, private rights are frequently violated, only to + facilitate the means of public oppressions—and cruel and iniquitous + decrees are rendered still more so by the mode of enforcing them. + </p> + <p> + I have met with no person who could conceive the necessity of expelling + the female religious from their convents. It was, however, done, and that + with a mixture of meanness and barbarity which at once excites contempt + and detestation. The ostensible, reasons were, that these communities + afforded an asylum to the superstitious, and that by their entire + suppression, a sale of the houses would enable the nation to afford the + religious a more liberal support than had been assigned them by the + Constituent Assembly. But they are shallow politicians who expect to + destroy superstition by persecuting those who practise it: and so far from + adding, as the decree insinuates, to the pensions of the nuns, they have + now subjected them to an oath which, to those at least whose consciences + are timid, will act as a prohibition to their receiving what they were + before entitled to. + </p> + <p> + The real intention of the legislature in thus entirely dispersing the + female religious, besides the general hatred of every thing connected with + religion, is, to possess itself of an additional resource in the buildings + and effects, and, as is imagined by some, to procure numerous and + convenient state prisons. But, I believe, the latter is only an + aristocratic apprehension, suggested by the appropriation of the convents + to this use in a few places, where the ancient prisons are full.— + Whatever purpose it is intended to answer, it has been effected in a way + disgraceful to any national body, except such a body as the Convention; + and, though it be easy to perceive the cruelty of such a measure, yet as, + perhaps, its injustice may not strike you so forcibly as if you had had + the same opportunities of investigating it as I have, I will endeavour to + explain, as well as I can, the circumstances that render it so peculiarly + aggravated. + </p> + <p> + I need not remind you, that no order is of very modern foundation, nor + that the present century has, in a great degree, exploded the fashion of + compounding for sins by endowing religious institutions. Thus, + necessarily, by the great change which has taken place in the expence of + living, many establishments that were poorly endowed must have become + unable to support themselves, but for the efforts of those who were + attached to them. It is true, that the rent of land has increased as its + produce became more valuable; but every one knows that the lands dependent + on religious houses have always been let on such moderate terms, as by no + means to bear a proportion to the necessities they were intended to + supply; and as the monastic vows have long ceased to be the frequent + choice of the rich, little increase has been made to the original stock by + the accession of new votaries:—yet, under all these disadvantages, + many societies have been able to rebuild their houses, embellish their + churches, purchase plate, &c. &c. The love of their order, that + spirit of oeconomy for which they are remarkable, and a persevering + industry, had their usual effects, and not only banished poverty, but + became a source of wealth. An indefatigable labour at such works as could + be profitably disposed of, the education of children, and the admission of + boarders, were the means of enriching a number of convents, whose proper + revenues would not have afforded them even a subsistence. + </p> + <p> + But the fruits of active toil or voluntary privation, have been confounded + with those of expiatory bequest and mistaken devotion, and have alike + become the prey of a rapacious and unfeeling government. Many communities + are driven from habitations built absolutely with the produce of their own + labour. In some places they were refused even their beds and linen; and + the stock of wood, corn, &c. provided out of the savings of their + pensions, (understood to be at their own disposal,) have been seized, and + sold, without making them the smallest compensation. + </p> + <p> + Thus deprived of every thing, they are sent into the world with a + prohibition either to live several of them together, wear their habits,* + or practise their religion; yet their pensions** are too small for them to + live upon, except in society, or to pay the usual expence of boarding: + many of them have no other means of procuring secular dresses, and still + more will imagine themselves criminal in abstaining from the mode of + worship they have been taught to think salutary. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Two religious, who boarded with a lady I had occasion to see + sometimes, told me, that they had been strictly enjoined not to dress + like each other in any way. ** The pensions are from about seventeen to + twenty-five pounds sterling per annum.—At the time I am writing, + the necessaries of life are increased in price nearly two-fifths of what + they bore formerly, and are daily becoming dearer. The Convention are + not always insensible to this—the pay of the foot soldier is more + than doubled. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + It is also to be remembered, that women of small fortune in France often + embraced the monastic life as a frugal retirement, and, by sinking the + whole they were possessed of in this way, they expected to secure a + certain provision, and to place themselves beyond the reach of future + vicissitudes: yet, though the sums paid on these occasions can be easily + ascertained, no indemnity has been made; and many will be obliged to + violate their principles, in order to receive a trifling pension, perhaps + much less than the interest of their money would have produced without + loss of the principal. + </p> + <p> + But the views of these legislating philosophers are too sublimely + extensive to take in the wrongs or sufferings of contemporary individuals; + and not being able to disguise, even to themselves, that they create much + misery at present, they promise incalculable advantages to those who shall + happen to be alive some centuries hence! Most of these poor nuns are, + however, of an age to preclude them from the hope of enjoying this + Millennium; and they would have been content en attendant these glorious + times, not to be deprived of the necessaries of life, or marked out as + objects of persecution. + </p> + <p> + The private distresses occasioned by the dissolution of the convents are + not the only consequences to be regretted—for a time, at least, the + loss must certainly be a public one. There will now be no means of + instruction for females, nor any refuge for those who are without friends + or relations: thousands of orphans must be thrown unprotected on the + world, and guardians, or single men, left with the care of children, have + no way to dispose of them properly. I do not contend that the education of + a convent is the best possible: yet are there many advantages attending + it; and I believe it will readily be granted, that an education not quite + perfect is better than no education at all. It would not be very difficult + to prove, that the systems of education, both in England and France, are + extremely defective; and if the characters of women are generally better + formed in one than the other, it is not owing to the superiority of + boarding-schools over convents, but to the difference of our national + manners, which tend to produce qualities not necessary, or not valued, in + France. + </p> + <p> + The most distinguished female excellencies in England are an attachment to + domestic life, an attention to its oeconomies, and a cultivated + understanding. Here, any thing like house-wifery is not expected but from + the lower classes, and reading or information is confined chiefly to + professed wits. Yet the qualities so much esteemed in England are not the + effect of education: few domestic accomplishments, and little useful + knowledge, are acquired at a boarding-school; but finally the national + character asserts its empire, and the female who has gone through a course + of frivolities from six to sixteen, who has been taught that the first + "human principle" should be to give an elegant tournure to her person, + after a few years' dissipation, becomes a good wife and mother, and a + rational companion. + </p> + <p> + In France, young women are kept in great seclusion: religion and oeconomy + form a principal part of conventual acquirements, and the natural vanity + of the sex is left to develope itself without the aid of authority, or + instillation by precept—yet, when released from this sober tuition, + manners take the ascendant here as in England, and a woman commences at + her marriage the aera of coquetry, idleness, freedom, and rouge.—We + may therefore, I think, venture to conclude, that the education of a + boarding-school is better calculated for the rich, that of a convent for + the middle classes and the poor; and, consequently, that the suppression + of this last in France will principally affect those to whom it was most + beneficial, and to whom the want of it will be most dangerous. + </p> + <p> + A committee of wise men are now forming a plan of public instruction, + which is to excel every thing ever adopted in any age or country; and we + may therefore hope that the defects which have hitherto prevailed, both in + theirs and our own, will be remedied. All we have to apprehend is, that, + amidst so many wise heads, more than one wise plan may be produced, and a + difficulty of choice keep the rising generation in a sort of abeyance, so + that they must remain sterile, or may become vitiated, while it is + determining in what manner they shall be cultivated. + </p> + <p> + It is almost a phrase to say, the resources of France are wonderful, and + this is no less true than generally admitted. Whatever be the want or + loss, it is no sooner known than supplied, and the imagination of the + legislature seems to become fertile in proportion to the exigence of the + moment.—I was in some pain at the disgrace of Mirabeau, lest this + new kind of retrospective judgement should depopulate the Pantheon of the + few divinities that remained; more especially when I considered that + Voltaire, notwithstanding his merits as an enemy to revelation, had been + already accused of aristocracy, and even Rousseau himself might not be + found impeccable. His Contrat Social might not, perhaps, in the eyes of a + committee of philosophical Rhadmanthus's, atone for his occasional + admiration of christianity: and thus some crime, either of church or + state, disfranchise the whole race of immortals, and their fame scarcely + outlast the dispute about their earthly remains.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Alluding to the disputes between the Convention and the person who + claimed the exclusive right to the remains of Rousseau. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + My concern, on this account, was the more justifiable, because the great + fallibility which prevailed among the patriots, and the very delicate + state of the reputation of those who retained their political existence, + afforded no hope that they could ever fill the vacancies in the Pantheon.—But + my fears were very superfluous—France will never want subjects for + an apotheosis, and if one divinity be dethroned, "another and another + still succeeds," all equally worthy as long as they continue in fashion.—The + phrenzy of despair has supplied a successor to Mirabeau, in Le Pelletier. + [De St. Fargeau.] The latter had hitherto been little heard of, but his + death offered an occasion for exciting the people too favourable to be + neglected: his patriotism and his virtues immediately increased in a ratio + to the use which might be made of them;* a dying speech proper for the + purpose was composed, and it was decreed unanimously, that he should be + installed in all the rights, privileges, and immortalities of the degraded + Riquetti.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * At the first intelligence of his death, a member of the Convention, + who was with him, and had not yet had time to study a speech, confessed + his last words to have been, "Jai froid."—"I am cold." This, + however, would nave made no figure on the banners of a funeral + procession; and Le Pelletier was made to die, like the hero of a + tragedy, uttering blank verse. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The funeral that preceded these divine awards was a farce, which tended + more to provoke a massacre of the living, than to honour the dead; and the + Convention, who vowed to sacrifice their animosities on his tomb, do so + little credit to the conciliating influence of St. Fargeau's virtues, that + they now dispute with more acrimony than ever. + </p> + <p> + The departments, who begin to be extremely submissive to Paris, thought it + incumbent on them to imitate this ceremony; but as it was rather an act of + fear than of patriotism, it was performed here with so much oeconomy, and + so little inclination, that the whole was cold and paltry. —An altar + was erected on the great market-place, and so little were the people + affected by the catastrophe of a patriot whom they were informed had + sacrificed* his life in their cause, that the only part of the business + which seemed to interest them was the extravagant gestures of a woman in a + dirty white dress, hired to act the part of a "pleureuse," or mourner, and + whose sorrow appeared to divert them infinitely.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * There is every reason to believe that Le Pelletier was not singled out + for his patriotism.—It is said, and with much appearance of + probability, that he had promised PARIS, with whom he had been intimate, + not to vote for the death of the King; and, on his breaking his word, + PARIS, who seems to have not been perfectly in his senses, assassinated + him.—PARIS had been in the Garde du Corps, and, like most of his + brethren, was strongly attached to the King's person. Rage and despair + prompted him to the commission of an act, which can never be excused, + however the perpetrator may imagine himself the mere instrument of + Divine vengeance.—Notwithstanding the most vigilant research, he + escaped for some time, and wandered as far as Forges d'Eaux, a little + town in Normandy. At the inn where he lodged, the extravagance of his + manner giving suspicions that he was insane, the municipality were + applied to, to secure him. An officer entered his room while he was in + bed, and intimated the purpose he was come for. PARIS affected to + comply, and, turning, drew a pistol from under the clothes, and shot + himself.—Among the papers found upon him were some affecting + lines, expressive of his contempt for life, and adding, that the + influence of his example was not to be dreaded, since he left none + behind him that deserved the name of Frenchmen!—<i>"Qu'on + n'inquiete personne! personne n'a ete mon complice dans la mort heureuse + de Scelerat St. Fargeau. Si Je ne l'eusse pas rencontre sous ma main, Je + purgeois la France du regicide, du parricide, du patricide D'Orleans. + Qu'on n'inquiete personne. Tous les Francois sont des laches auxquelles + Je dis— "Peuple, dont les forfaits jettent partout l'effroi, "Avec + calme et plaisir J'abandonne la vie "Ce n'est que par la mort qu'on peut + fuir l'infamie, "Qu'imprime sur nos fronts le sang de notre Roi."</i> + "Let no man be molested on my account: I had no accomplice in the + fortunate death of the miscreant St. Fargeau. If he had not fallen in my + way, I should have purged France of the regicide, parricide, patricide + D'Orleans. Let no man be molested. All the French are cowards, to whom I + say—'People, whose crimes inspire universal horror, I quit life + with tranquility and pleasure. By death alone can we fly from that + infamy which the blood of our King has marked upon our foreheads!'"—This + paper was entitled "My Brevet of Honour." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + It will ever be so where the people are not left to consult their own + feelings. The mandate that orders them to assemble may be obeyed, but + "that which passeth show" is not to be enforced. It is a limit prescribed + by Nature herself to authority, and such is the aversion of the human mind + from dictature and restraint, that here an official rejoicing is often + more serious than these political exactions of regret levied in favour of + the dead.—Yours, &c. &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_7" id="short3_4_7"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + March 23, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + The partizans of the French in England alledge, that the revolution, by + giving them a government founded on principles of moderation and + rectitude, will be advantageous to all Europe, and more especially to + Great Britain, which has so often suffered by wars, the fruit of their + intrigues.—This reasoning would be unanswerable could the character + of the people be changed with the form of their government: but, I + believe, whoever examines its administration, whether as it relates to + foreign powers or internal policy, will find that the same spirit of + intrigue, fraud, deception, and want of faith, which dictated in the + cabinet of Mazarine or Louvois, has been transfused, with the addition of + meanness and ignorance,* into a Constitutional Ministry, or the Republican + Executive Council. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The Executive Council is composed of men who, if ever they were + well-intentioned, must be totally unfit for the government of an + extensive republic. Monge, the Minister of the Marine, is a professor of + geometry; Garat, Minister of Justice, a gazette writer; Le Brun, + Minister of Foreign Affairs, ditto; and Pache, Minister of the Interior, + a private tutor.—Whoever reads the debates of the Convention will + find few indications of real talents, and much pedantry and ignorance. + For example, Anacharsis Cloots, who is a member of the Committee of + Public Instruction, and who one should, of course, expect not to be more + ignorant than his colleagues, has lately advised them to distress the + enemy by invading Scotland, which he calls the granary of England. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + France had not yet determined on the articles of her future political + creed, when agents were dispatched to make proselytes in England, and, in + proportion as she assumed a more popular form of government, all the + qualities which have ever marked her as the disturber of mankind seem to + have acquired new force. Every where the ambassadors of the republic are + accused of attempts to excite revolt and discontent, and England* is now + forced into a war because she could not be persuaded to an insurrection. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * For some time previous to the war, all the French prints and even + members of the Convention, in their debates, announced England to be on + the point of an insurrection. The intrigues of Chauvelin, their + ambassador, to verify this prediction, are well known. Brissot, Le Brun, + &c. who have since been executed, were particularly charged by the + adverse party with provoking the war with England. Robespierre, and + those who succeeded, were not so desirous of involving us in a foreign + war, and their humane efforts were directed merely to excite a civil + one.—The third article of accusation against Rolland is, having + sent twelve millions of livres to England, to assist in procuring a + declaration of war. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Perhaps it may be said, that the French have taken this part only for + their own security, and to procure adherents to the common cause; but this + is all I contend for—that the politics of the old government actuate + the new, and that they have not, in abolishing courts and royalty, + abolished the perfidious system of endeavouring to benefit themselves, by + creating distress and dissention among their neighbours.— Louvois + supplied the Protestants in the Low Countries with money, while he + persecuted them in France. The agents of the republic, more oeconomical, + yet directed by the same motives, eke out corruption by precepts of + sedition, and arm the leaders of revolt with the rights of man; but, + forgetting the maxim that charity should begin at home, in their zeal for + the freedom of other countries, they leave no portion of it for their own! + </p> + <p> + Louis the Fourteenth over-ran Holland and the Palatinate to plant the + white flag, and lay the inhabitants under contribution—the republic + send an army to plant the tree of liberty, levy a <i>don patriotique,</i> + [Patriotic gift.] and place garrisons in the towns, in order to preserve + their freedom.—Kings have violated treaties from the desire of + conquest —these virtuous republicans do it from the desire of + plunder; and, previous to opening the Scheldt, the invasion of Holland, + was proposed as a means of paying the expences of the war. I have never + heard that even the most ambitious Potentates ever pretended to extend + their subjugation beyond the persons and property of the conquered; but + these militant dogmatists claim an empire even over opinions, and insist + that no people can be free or happy unless they regulate their ideas of + freedom and happiness by the variable standard of the Jacobin club. Far + from being of Hudibras's philosophy,* they seem to think the mind as + tangible as the body, and that, with the assistance of an army, they may + as soon lay one "by the heels" as the other. + </p> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + * "Quoth he, one half of man, his mind, + "Is, sui juris, unconfin'd, + "And ne'er can be laid by the heels, + "Whate'er the other moiety feels." + + Hudibras. +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + Now this I conceive to be the worst of all tyrannies, nor have I seen it + exceeded on the French theatre, though, within the last year, the + imagination of their poets has been peculiarly ingenious and inventive on + this subject.—It is absurd to suppose this vain and overbearing + disposition will cease when the French government is settled. The + intrigues of the popular party began in England the very moment they + attained power, and long before there was any reason to suspect that the + English would deviate from their plan of neutrality. If, then, the French + cannot restrain this mischievous spirit while their own affairs are + sufficient to occupy their utmost attention, it is natural to conclude, + that, should they once become established, leisure and peace will make + them dangerous to the tranquillity of all Europe. Other governments may be + improved by time, but republics always degenerate; and if that which is in + its original state of perfection exhibit already the maturity of vice, one + cannot, without being more credulous than reasonable, hope any thing + better for the future than what we have experienced from the past.—It + is, indeed, unnecessary to detain you longer on this subject. You must, + ere now, be perfectly convinced how far the revolutionary systems of + France are favourable to the peace and happiness of other countries. I + will only add a few details which may assist you in judging of what + advantage they have been to the French themselves, and whether, in + changing the form of their government, they have amended its principles; + or if, in "conquering liberty," (as they express it,) they have really + become free. + </p> + <p> + The situation of France has altered much within the last two months: the + seat of power is less fluctuating and the exercise of it more absolute— + arbitrary measures are no longer incidental, but systematic—and a + regular connection of dependent tyranny is established, beginning with the + Jacobin clubs, and ending with the committees of the sections. A simple + decree for instance, has put all the men in the republic, (unmarried and + without children,) from eighteen to forty-five at the requisition of the + Minister of War. A levy of three hundred thousand is to take place + immediately: each department is responsible for the whole of a certain + number to the Convention, the districts are answerable for their quota to + the departments, the municipalities to the district, and the diligence of + the whole is animated by itinerant members of the legislature, entrusted + with the disposal of an armed force. The latter circumstance may seem to + you incredible; yet is it nevertheless true, that most of the departments + are under the jurisdiction of these sovereigns, whose authority is nearly + unlimited. We have, at this moment, two Deputies in the town, who arrest + and imprison at their pleasure. One-and-twenty inhabitants of Amiens were + seized a few nights ago, without any specific charge having been exhibited + against them, and are still in confinement. The gates of the town are + shut, and no one is permitted to pass or repass without an order from the + municipality; and the observance of this is exacted even of those who + reside in the suburbs. Farmers and country people, who are on horseback, + are obliged to have the features and complexion of their horses minuted on + the passport with their own. Every person whom it is found convenient to + call suspicious, is deprived of his arms; and private houses are disturbed + during the night, (in opposition to a positive law,) under pretext of + searching for refractory priests.—These regulations are not peculiar + to this department, and you must understand them as conveying a general + idea of what passes in every part of France.—I have yet to add, that + letters are opened with impunity—that immense sums of assignats are + created at the will of the Convention—that no one is excused + mounting guard in person—and that all housekeepers, and even + lodgers, are burthened with the quartering of troops, sometimes as many as + eight or ten, for weeks together. + </p> + <p> + You may now, I think, form a tolerable idea of the liberty that has + accrued to the French from the revolution, the dethronement of the King, + and the establishment of a republic. But, though the French suffer this + despotism without daring to murmur openly, many a significant shrug and + doleful whisper pass in secret, and this political discontent has even its + appropriate language, which, though not very explicit, is perfectly + understood.—Thus when you hear one man say to another, <i>"Ah, mon + Dieu, on est bien malheureux dans ce moment ici;"</i> or, <i>"Nous sommes + dans une position tres critique—Je voudrois bien voir la fin de tout + cela;"</i> ["God knows, we are very miserable at present—we are in a + very critical situation—I should like to see an end of all this."] + you may be sure he languishes for the restoration of the monarchy, and + hopes with equal fervor, that he may live to see the Convention hanged. In + these sort of conferences, however, evaporates all their courage. They own + their country is undone, that they are governed by a set of brigands, go + home and hide any set of valuables they have not already secreted, and + receive with obsequious complaisance the next visite domiciliaire. + </p> + <p> + The mass of the people, with as little energy, have more obstinacy, and + are, of course, not quite so tractable. But, though they grumble and + procrastinate, they do not resist; and their delays and demurs usually + terminate in implicit submission. + </p> + <p> + The Deputy-commissioners, whom I have mentioned above, have been at Amiens + some time, in order to promote the levying of recruits. On Sundays and + holidays they summoned the inhabitants to attend at the cathedral, where + they harangued them on the subject, called for vengeance on the coalesced + despots, expatiated on the love of glory, and insisted on the pleasure of + dying for one's country: while the people listened with vacant attention, + amused themselves with the paintings, or adjourned in small committees to + discuss the hardship of being obliged to fight without inclination.—Thus + time elapsed, the military orations produced no effect, and no troops were + raised: no one would enlist voluntarily, and all refused to settle it by + lot, because, as they wisely observed, the lot must fall on somebody. Yet, + notwithstanding the objection, the matter was at length decided by this + last method. The decision had no sooner taken place, than another + difficulty ensued—those who escaped acknowledged it was the best way + that could be devised; but those who were destined to the frontiers + refused to go. Various altercations, and excuses, and references, were the + consequence; yet, after all this murmuring and evasion, the presence of + the Commissioners and a few dragoons have arranged the business very + pacifically; many are already gone, and the rest will (if the dragoons + continue here) soon follow. + </p> + <p> + This, I assure you, is a just statement of the account between the + Convention and the People: every thing is effected by fear—nothing + by attachment; and the one is obeyed only because the other want courage + to resist.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_8" id="short3_4_8"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Rouen, March 31, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + Rouen, like most of the great towns in France, is what is called decidedly + aristocratic; that is, the rich are discontented because they are without + security, and the poor because they want bread. But these complaints are + not peculiar to large places; the causes of them equally exist in the + smallest village, and the only difference which fixes the imputation of + aristocracy on one more than the other, is, daring to murmur, or + submitting in silence. + </p> + <p> + I must here remark to you, that the term aristocrate has much varied from + its former signification. A year ago, aristocrate implied one who was an + advocate for the privileges of the nobility, and a partizan of the ancient + government—at present a man is an aristocrate for entertaining + exactly the same principles which at that time constituted a patriot; and, + I believe, the computation is moderate, when I say, that more than three + parts of the nation are aristocrates. The rich, who apprehend a violation + of their property, are aristocrates—the merchants, who regret the + stagnation of commerce, and distrust the credit of the assignats, are + aristocrates—the small retailers, who are pillaged for not selling + cheaper than they buy, and who find these outrages rather encouraged than + repressed, are aristocrates—and even the poor, who murmur at the + price of bread, and the numerous levies for the army, are, occasionally, + aristocrates. + </p> + <p> + Besides all these, there are likewise various classes of moral + aristocrates—such as the humane, who are averse from massacres and + oppression—those who regret the loss of civil liberty—the + devout, who tremble at the contempt for religion—the vain, who are + mortified at the national degradation—and authors, who sigh for the + freedom of the press.—When you consider this multiplicity of + symptomatic indications, you will not be surprized that such numbers are + pronounced in a state of disease; but our republican physicians will soon + generalize these various species of aristocracy under the single + description of all who have any thing to lose, and every one will be + deemed plethoric who is not in a consumption. The people themselves who + observe, though they do not reason, begin to have an idea that property + exposes the safety of the owner and that the legislature is less + inexorable when guilt is unproductive, than when the conviction of a + criminal comprehends the forfeiture of an estate.—A poor tradesman + was lamenting to me yesterday, that he had neglected an offer of going to + live in England; and when I told him I thought he was very fortunate in + having done so, as he would have been declared an emigrant, he replied, + laughing, <i>"Moi emigre qui n'ai pas un sol:"</i> ["I am emigrant, who am + not worth a halfpenny!"]—No, no; they don't make emigrants of those + who are worth nothing. And this was not said with any intended irreverence + to the Convention, but with the simplicity which really conceived the + wealth of the emigrants to be the cause of the severity exercised against + them. + </p> + <p> + The commercial and political evils attending a vast circulation of + assignats have been often discussed, but I have never yet known the matter + considered in what is, perhaps, its most serious point of view—I + mean its influence on the habits and morals of the people. Wherever I go, + especially in large towns like this, the mischief is evident, and, I fear, + irremediable. That oeconomy, which was one of the most valuable + characteristics of the French, is now comparatively disregarded. The + people who receive what they earn in a currency they hold in contempt, are + more anxious to spend than to save; and those who formerly hoarded six + liards or twelve sols pieces with great care, would think it folly to + hoard an assignat, whatever its nominal value. Hence the lower class of + females dissipate their wages on useless finery; men frequent + public-houses, and game for larger sums than before; little shopkeepers, + instead of amassing their profits, become more luxurious in their table: + public places are always full; and those who used, in a dress becoming + their station, to occupy the "parquet" or "parterre," now, decorated with + paste, pins, gauze, and galloon, fill the boxes:—and all this + destructive prodigality is excused to others and themselves <i>"par ce que + ce n'est que du papier."</i> [Because it is only paper.]—It is vain + to persuade them to oeconomize what they think a few weeks may render + valueless; and such is the evil of a circulation so totally discredited, + that profusion assumes the merit of precaution, extravagance the plea of + necessity, and those who were not lavish by habit become so through their + eagerness to part with their paper. The buried gold and silver will again + be brought forth, and the merchant and the politician forget the mischief + of the assignats. But what can compensate for the injury done to the + people? What is to restore their ancient frugality, or banish their + acquired wants? It is not to be expected that the return of specie will + diminish the inclination for luxury, or that the human mind can be + regulated by the national finance; on the contrary, it is rather to be + feared, that habits of expence which owe their introduction to the paper + will remain when the paper is annihilated; that, though money may become + more scarce, the propensities of which it supplies the indulgence will not + be less forcible, and that those who have no other resources for their + accustomed gratifications will but too often find one in the sacrifice of + their integrity.—Thus, the corruption of manners will be succeeded + by the corruption of morals, and the dishonesty of one sex, with the + licentiousness of the other, produce consequences much worse than any + imagined by the abstracted calculations of the politician, or the selfish + ones of the merchant. Age will be often without solace, sickness without + alleviation, and infancy without support; because some would not amass for + themselves, nor others for their children, the profits of their labour in + a representative sign of uncertain value. + </p> + <p> + I do not pretend to assert that these are the natural effects of a paper + circulation—doubtless, when supported by high credit, and an + extensive commerce, it must have many advantages; but this was not the + case in France—the measure was adopted in a moment of revolution, + and when the credit of the country, never very considerable, was + precarious and degraded—It did not flow from the exuberance of + commerce, but the artifices of party—it never presumed, for a + moment, on the confidence of the people—its reception was forced, + and its emission too profuse not to be alarming.—I know it may be + answered, that the assignats do not depend upon an imaginary appreciation, + but really represent a large mass of national wealth, particularly in the + domains of the clergy: yet, perhaps, it is this very circumstance which + has tended most to discredit them. Had their credit rested only on the + solvency of the nation, though they had not been greatly coveted, still + they would have been less distributed; people would not have apprehended + their abolition on a change of government, nor that the systems adopted by + one party might be reversed by another. Indeed we may add, that an + experiment of this kind does not begin auspiciously when grounded on + confiscation and seizures, which it is probable more than half the French + considered as sacrilege and robbery; nor could they be very anxious to + possess a species of wealth which they made it a motive of conscience to + hope would never be of any value.—But if the original creation of + assignats were objectionable, the subsequent creations cannot but augment + the evil. I have already described to you the effects visible at present, + and those to be apprehended in future—others may result from the new + inundation, [1200 millions—50 millions sterling.] which it is not + possible to conjecture; but if the mischiefs should be real, in proportion + as a part of the wealth which this paper is said to represent is + imaginary, their extent cannot easily be exaggerated. Perhaps you will be + of this opinion, when you recollect that one of the funds which form the + security of this vast sum is the gratitude of the Flemings for their + liberty; and if this reimbursement be to be made according to the specimen + the French army have experienced in their retreat, I doubt much of the + convention will be disposed to advance any farther claims on it; for, it + seems, the inhabitants of the Low Countries have been so little sensible + of the benefits bestowed on them, that even the peasants seize on any + weapons nearest hand, and drub and pursue the retrograding armies as they + would wild beasts; and though, as Dumouriez observes in one of his + dispatches, our revolution is intended to favour the country people, <i>"c'est + cependant les gens de campagne qui s'arment contre nous, et le tocsin + sonne de toutes parts;"</i> ["It is, however, the country people who take + up arms against us, and the alarm is sounded from all quarters."] so that + the French will, in fact, have created a public debt of so singular a + nature, that every one will avoid as much as possible making any demand of + the capital. + </p> + <p> + I have already been more diffuse than I intended on the subject of + finance; but I beg you to observe, that I do not affect to calculate, or + speculate, and that I reason only from facts which are daily within my + notice, and which, as tending to operate on the morals of the people, are + naturally included in the plan I proposed to myself. + </p> + <p> + I have been here but a few days, and intend returning to-morrow. I left + Mrs. D____ very little better, and the disaffection of Dumouriez, which I + just now learn, may oblige us to remove to some place not on the route to + Paris.—Every one looks alert and important, and a physiognomist may + perceive that regret is not the prevailing sentiment— + </p> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +"We now begin to speak in tropes, +"And, by our fears, express our hopes." +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + The Jacobins are said to be apprehensive, which augurs well; for, + certainly, next to the happiness of good people, one desires the + punishment of the bad. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_9" id="short3_4_9"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, April 7, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + If the sentiments of the people towards their present government had been + problematical before, the visible effect of Dumouriez' conduct would + afford an ample solution of the problem. That indifference about public + affairs which the prospect of an established despotism had begun to create + has vanished—all is hope and expectation—the doors of those + who retail the newspapers are assailed by people too impatient to read + them— each with his gazette in his hand listens eagerly to the + verbal circulation, and then holds a secret conference with his neighbour, + and calculates how long it may be before Dumouriez can reach Paris. A + fortnight ago the name of Dumouriez was not uttered but in a tone of + harshness and contempt, and, if ever it excited any thing like + complacency, it was when he announced defeats and losses. Now he is spoken + of with a significant modulation of voice, it is discovered that he has + great talents, and his popularity with the army is descanted upon with a + mysterious air of suppressed satisfaction.—Those who were extremely + apprehensive lest part of the General's troops should be driven this way + by the successes of the enemy, seem to talk with perfect composure of + their taking the same route to attack the capital; while others, who would + have been unwilling to receive either Dumouriez or his army as peaceful + fugitives, will be "nothing loath" to admit them as conquerors. From all I + can learn, these dispositions are very general, and, indeed, the actual + tyranny is so great, and the perspective so alarming, that any means of + deliverance must be acceptable. But whatever may be the event, though I + cannot be personally interested, if I thought Dumouriez really proposed to + establish a good government, humanity would render one anxious for his + success; for it is not to be disguised, that France is at this moment (as + the General himself expressed it) under the joint dominion of <i>"imbecilles"</i> + and <i>"brigands."</i> [Ideots and robbers.] + </p> + <p> + It is possible, that at this moment the whole army is disaffected, and + that the fortified towns are prepared to surrender. It is also certain, + that Brittany is in revolt, and that many other departments are little + short of it; yet you will not very easily conceive what may have occupied + the Convention during part of this important crisis—nothing less + than inventing a dress for their Commissioners! But, as Sterne says, "it + is the spirit of the nation;" and I recollect no circumstance during the + whole progress of the revolution (however serious) that has not been mixed + with frivolities of this kind. + </p> + <p> + I know not what effect this new costume may produce on the rebels or the + enemy, but I confess it appears to me more ludicrous than formidable, + especially when a representative happens to be of the shape and features + of the one we have here. Saladin, Deputy for this department, and an + advocate of the town of Amiens, has already invested himself with this + armour of inviolability; "strange figure in such strange habiliments," + that one is tempted to forget that Baratraria and the government of Sancho + are the creation of fancy. Imagine to yourself a short fat man, of sallow + complexion and small eyes, with a sash of white, red, and blue round his + waist, a black belt with a sword suspended across his shoulders, and a + round hat turned up before, with three feathers of the national colours: + "even such a man" is our representative, and exercises a more despotic + authority than most Princes in Europe.—He is accompanied by another + Deputy, who was what is called Pere de la Oratoire before the revolution—that + is, in a station nearly approaching to that of an under-master at our + public schools; only that the seminaries to which these were attached + being very numerous, those employed in them were little considered. They + wore the habit, and were subject to the same restrictions, as the Clergy, + but were at liberty to quit the profession and marry, if they chose.—I + have been more particular in describing this class of men, because they + have every where taken an active and successful part in perverting and + misleading the people: they are in the clubs, or the municipalities, in + the Convention, and in all elective administrations, and have been in most + places remarkable for their sedition and violence. + </p> + <p> + Several reasons may be assigned for the influence and conduct of men whose + situation and habits, on a first view, seem to oppose both. In the first + ardour of reform it was determined, that all the ancient modes of + education should be abolished; small temporary pensions were allotted to + the Professors of Colleges, and their admission to the exercise of similar + functions in the intended new system was left to future decision. From + this time the disbanded oratorians, who knew it would be vain to resist + popular authority, endeavoured to share in it; or, at least, by becoming + zealous partizans of the revolution, to establish their claims to any + offices or emoluments which might be substituted for those they had been + deprived of. They enrolled themselves with the Jacobins, courted the + populace, and, by the talent of pronouncing Roman names with emphasis, and + the study of rhetorical attitudes, they became important to associates who + were ignorant, or necessary to those who were designing. + </p> + <p> + The little information generally possessed by the middle classes of life + in France, is also another cause of the comparative importance of those + whose professions had, in this respect, raised them something above the + common level. People of condition, liberally educated, have unfortunately + abandoned public affairs for some time; so that the incapacity of some, + and the pride or despondency of others, have, in a manner, left the nation + to the guidance of pedants, incendiaries, and adventurers. Perhaps also + the animosity with which the description of men I allude to pursued every + thing attached to the ancient government, may, in some degree, have + proceeded from a desire of revenge and retaliation. They were not, it must + be confessed, treated formerly with the regard due to persons whose + profession was in itself useful and respectable; and the wounds of vanity + are not easily cured, nor the vindictiveness of little minds easily + satisfied. + </p> + <p> + From the conduct and popular influence of these Peres de l'Oratoire, some + truths may be deduced not altogether useless even to a country not liable + to such violent reforms. It affords an example of the danger arising from + those sudden and arbitrary innovations, which, by depriving any part of + the community of their usual means of living, and substituting no other, + tempt them to indemnify themselves by preying, in different ways, on their + fellow-citizens.—The daring and ignorant often become depredators of + private property; while those who have more talents, and less courage, + endeavour to succeed by the artifices which conciliate public favour. I am + not certain whether the latter are not to be most dreaded of the two, for + those who make a trade of the confidence of the people seldom fail to + corrupt them—they find it more profitable to flatter their passions + than to enlighten their understandings; and a demagogue of this kind, who + obtains an office by exciting one popular insurrection, will make no + scruple of maintaining himself in it by another. An inferrence may + likewise be drawn of the great necessity of cultivating such a degree of + useful knowledge in the middle order of society, as may not only prevent + their being deceived by interested adventurers themselves, but enable them + to instruct the people in their true interests, and rescue them from + becoming the instruments, and finally the victims, of fraud and imposture.—The + insult and oppression which the nobility frequently experience from those + who have been promoted by the revolution, will, I trust, be a useful + lesson in future to the great, who may be inclined to arrogate too much + from adventitious distinctions, to forget that the earth we tread upon may + one day overwhelm us, and that the meanest of mankind may do us an injury + which it is not in the power even of the most exalted to shield us from. + </p> + <p> + The inquisition begins to grow so strict, that I have thought it necessary + to-day to bury a translation of Burke.—In times of ignorance and + barbarity, it was criminal to read the bible, and our English author is + prohibited for a similar reason—that is, to conceal from the people + the errors of those who direct them: and, indeed, Mr. Burke has written + some truths, which it is of much more importance for the Convention to + conceal, than it could be to the Catholic priests to monopolize the divine + writings.—As far as it was possible, Mr. Burke has shown himself a + prophet: if he has not been completely so, it was because he had a + benevolent heart, and is the native of a free country. By the one, he was + prevented from imagining the cruelties which the French have committed; by + the other, the extreme despotism which they endure. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_10" id="short3_4_10"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + April 20, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + Before these halcyon days of freedom, the supremacy of Paris was little + felt in the provinces, except in dictating a new fashion in dress, an + improvement in the art of cookery, or the invention of a minuet. At + present our imitations of the capital are something more serious; and if + our obedience be not quite so voluntary, it is much more implicit. Instead + of receiving fashions from the Court, we take them now from the <i>dames + des balles,</i> [Market-women.] and the municipality; and it must be + allowed, that the imaginations of our new sovereigns much exceed those of + the old in force and originality. + </p> + <p> + The mode of pillaging the shops, for instance, was first devised by the + Parisian ladies, and has lately been adopted with great success in the + departments; the visite domiciliaire, also, which I look upon as a most + ingenious effort of fancy, is an emanation from the commune of Paris, and + has had an universal run.—But it would be vain to attempt + enumerating all the obligations of this kind which we owe to the + indulgence of that virtuous city: our last importation, however, is of so + singular a nature, that, were we not daily assured all the liberty in the + world centers in Paris, I should be doubtful as to its tendency. It has + lately been decreed, that every house in the republic shall have fixed on + the outside of the door, in legible characters, the name, age, + birth-place, and profession of its inhabitants. Not the poorest cottager, + nor those who are too old or too young for action, nor even unmarried + ladies, are exempt from thus proclaiming the abstract of their history to + passers-by. —The reigning party judge very wisely, that all those + who are not already their enemies may become so, and that those who are + unable to take a part themselves may excite others: but, whatever may be + the intention of this measure, it is impossible to conceive any thing + which could better serve the purposes of an arbitrary government; it + places every individual in the republic within the immediate reach of + informers and spies—it points out those who are of an age to serve + in the army— those who have sought refuge in one department from the + persecutions of another—and, in short, whether a victim is pursued + by the denunciation of private malice, or political suspicion, it renders + escape almost impracticable. + </p> + <p> + We have had two domiciliary visits within the last fortnight—one to + search for arms, the other under pretext of ascertaining the number of + troops each house is capable of lodging. But this was only the pretext, + because the municipalities always quarter troops as they think proper, + without considering whether you have room or not; and the real object of + this inquisition was to observe if the inhabitants answered to the lists + placed on the doors.—Mrs. D____ was ill in bed, but you must not + imagine such a circumstance deterred these gallant republicans from + entering her room with an armed force, to calculate how many soldiers + might be lodged in the bedchamber of a sick female! The French, indeed, + had never, in my remembrance, any pretensions to delicacy, or even + decency, and they are certainly not improved in these respects by the + revolution. + </p> + <p> + It is curious in walking the streets, to observe the devices of the + several classes of aristocracy; for it is not to be disguised, that since + the hope from Dumouriez has vanished, though the disgust of the people may + be increased, their terror is also greater than ever, and the departments + near Paris have no resource but silent submission. Every one, therefore, + obeys the letter of the decrees with the diligence of fear, while they + elude the spirit of them with all the ingenuity of hatred. The rich, for + example, who cannot entirely divest themselves of their remaining hauteur, + exhibit a sullen compliance on a small piece of paper, written in a small + hand, and placed at the very extreme of the height allowed by the law. + Some fix their bills so as to be half covered by a shutter; others fasten + them only with wafers, so that the wind detaching one or two corners, + makes it impossible to read the rest.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This contrivance became so common, that an article was obliged to be + added to the decree, importing, that whenever the papers were damaged or + effaced by the weather, or deranged by the wind, the inhabitants should + replace them, under a penalty. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Many who have courts or passages to their houses, put their names on the + half of a gate which they leave open, so that the writing is not + perceptible but to those who enter. But those who are most afraid, or most + decidedly aristocrates, subjoin to their registers, "All good + republicans:" or, <i>"Vive la republique, une et indivisible."</i> ["The + republic, one and indivisible for ever!"] Some likewise, who are in public + offices, or shopkeepers who are very timid, and afraid of pillage, or are + ripe for a counter-revolution, have a sheet half the size of the door, + decorated with red caps, tri-coloured ribbons, and flaming sentences + ending in "Death or Liberty!" + </p> + <p> + If, however, the French government confined itself to these petty acts of + despotism, I would endeavour to be reconciled to it; but I really begin to + have serious apprehensions, not so much for our safety as our + tranquillity, and if I considered only myself, I should not hesitate to + return to England. Mrs. D____ is too ill to travel far at present, and her + dread of crossing the sea makes her less disposed to think our situation + here hazardous or ineligible. Mr. D____, too, who, without being a + republican or a partizan of the present system, has always been a friend + to the first revolution, is unwilling to believe the Convention so bad as + there is every reason to suppose it. I therefore let my judgement yield to + my friendship, and, as I cannot prevail on them to depart, the danger + which may attend our remaining is an additional reason for my not quitting + them. + </p> + <p> + The national perfidy which has always distinguished France among the other + countries of Europe, seems now not to be more a diplomatic principle, than + a rule of domestic government. It is so extended and generalized, that an + individual is as much liable to be deceived and betrayed by confiding in a + decree, as a foreign power would be by relying on the faith of a treaty.—An + hundred and twenty priests, above sixty years of age, who had not taken + the oaths, but who were allowed to remain by the same law that banished + those who were younger, have been lately arrested, and are confined + together in a house which was once a college. The people did not behold + this act of cruelty with indifference, but, awed by an armed force, and + the presence of the Commissioners of the Convention, they could only + follow the priests to their prison with silent regret and internal horror. + They, however, venture even now to mark their attachment, by taking all + opportunities of seeing them, and supplying them with necessaries, which + it is not very difficult to do, as they are guarded by the Bourgeois, who + are generally inclined to favour them. I asked a woman to-day if she still + contrived to have access to the priests, and she replied, <i>"Ah, oui, il + y a encore de la facilite, par ce que l'on ne trouve pas des gardes ici + qui ne sont pas pour eux."</i>* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "Yes, yes, we still contive it, because there are no guards to be + found here who don't befriend them." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Thus, even the most minute and best organized tyranny may be eluded; and, + indeed, if all the agents of this government acted in the spirit of its + decrees, it would be insupportable even to a native of Turkey or Japan. + But if some have still a remnant of humanity left, there are a sufficient + number who execute the laws as unfeelingly as they are conceived. + </p> + <p> + When these poor priests were to be removed from their several houses, it + was found necessary to dislodge the Bishop of Amiens, who had for some + time occupied the place fixed on for their reception. The Bishop had + notice given him at twelve o'clock in the day to relinquish his lodging + before evening; yet the Bishop of Amiens is a constitutional Prelate, and + had, before the revolution, the cure of a large parish at Paris; nor was + it without much persuasion that he accepted the see of Amiens. In the + severe winter of 1789 he disposed of his plate and library, (the latter of + which was said to be one of the best private collections in Paris,) to + purchase bread for the poor. "But Time hath a wallet on his back, wherein + he puts alms for oblivion;" and the charities of the Bishop could not + shield him from the contempt and insult which pursue his profession. + </p> + <p> + I have been much distressed within the last few days on account of my + friend Madame de B____. I subjoining a translation of a letter I have just + received from her, as it will convey to you hereafter a tolerable specimen + of French liberty. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "Maison de Arret, at ____. "I did not write to you, my dear friend, at + the time I promised, and you will perceive, by the date of this, that I + have had too good an excuse for my negligence. I have been here almost a + week, and my spirits are still so much disordered, that I can with + difficulty recollect myself enough to relate the circumstances of our + unfortunate situation; but as it is possible you might become acquainted + with them by some other means, I rather determined to send you a few + lines, than suffer you to be alarmed by false or exaggerated reports. + "About two o'clock on Monday morning last our servants were called up, + and, on their opening the door, the house was immediately filled with + armed men, some of whom began searching the rooms, while others came to + our bedchamber, and informed us we were arrested by order of the + department, and that we must rise and accompany them to prison. It is + not easy to describe the effect of such a mandate on people who, having + nothing to reproach themselves with, could not be prepared for it.—As + soon as we were a little recovered from our first terrors, we + endeavoured to obey, and begged they would indulge us by retiring a few + moments till I had put my clothes on; but neither my embarrassment, nor + the screams of the child—neither decency nor humanity, could + prevail. They would not even permit my maid to enter the room; and, + amidst this scene of disorder, I was obliged to dress myself and the + terrified infant. When this unpleasant task was finished, a general + examination of our house and papers took place, and lasted until six in + the evening: nothing, however, tending in the remotest degree to + criminate us was found, but we were nevertheless conducted to prison, + and God knows how long we are likely to remain here. The denunciation + against us being secret, and not being able to learn either our crime or + our accusers, it is difficult for us to take any measures for our + enlargement. We cannot defend ourselves against a charge of which we are + ignorant, nor combat the validity of a witness, who is not only allowed + to remain secret, but is paid perhaps for his information.* * At this + time informers were paid from fifty to an hundred livres for each + accusation. "We most probably owe our misfortune to some discarded + servant or personal enemy, for I believe you are convinced we have not + merited it either by our discourse or our actions: if we had, the charge + would have been specific; but we have reason to imagine it is nothing + more than the indeterminate and general charge of being aristocrates. I + did not see my mother or sister all the day we were arrested, nor till + the evening of the next: the one was engaged perhaps with "Rosine and + the Angola", who were indisposed, and the other would not forego her + usual card-party. Many of our friends likewise have forborne to approach + us, lest their apparent interest in our fate should involve themselves; + and really the alarm is so general, that I can, without much effort, + forgive them. "You will be pleased to learn, that the greatest + civilities I have received in this unpleasant situation, have been from + some of your countrymen, who are our fellow-prisoners: they are only + poor sailors, but they are truly kind and attentive, and do us various + little services that render us more comfortable than we otherwise should + be; for we have no servants here, having deemed it prudent to leave them + to take care of our property. The second night we were here, these good + creatures, who lodge in the next room, were rather merry, and awoke the + child; but as they found, by its cries, that their gaiety had occasioned + me some trouble, I have observed ever since that they walk softly, and + avoid making the least noise, after the little prisoner is gone to rest. + I believe they are pleased with me because I speak their language, and + they are still more delighted with your young favourite, who is so well + amused, that he begins to forget the gloom of the place, which at first + terrified him extremely. "One of our companions is a nonjuring priest, + who has been imprisoned under circumstances which make me almost ashamed + of my country.—After having escaped from a neighbouring + department, he procured himself a lodging in this town, and for some + time lived very peaceably, till a woman, who suspected his profession, + became extremely importunate with him to confess her. The poor man, for + several days, refused, telling her, that he did not consider himself as + a priest, nor wished to be known as such, nor to infringe the law which + excluded him. The woman, however, still continued to persecute him, + alledging, that her conscience was distressed, and that her peace + depended on her being able to confess "in the right way." At length he + suffered himself to be prevailed upon—the woman received an + hundred livres for informing against him, and, perhaps, the priest will + be condemned to the Guillotine.* * He was executed some time after. "I + will make no reflection on this act, nor on the system of paying + informers—your heart will already have anticipated all I could + say. I will only add, that if you determine to remain in France, you + must observe a degree of circumspection which you may not hitherto have + thought necessary. Do not depend on your innocence, nor even trust to + common precautions—every day furnishes examples that both are + unavailing.—Adieu.—My husband offers you his respects, and + your little friend embraces you sincerely. As soon as any change in our + favour takes place, I will communicate it to you; but you had better not + venture to write—I entrust this to Louison's mother, who is going + through Amiens, as it would be unsafe to send it by the post. —Again + adieu.—Yours, "Adelaide de ____." Amiens, 1793. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + It is observable, that we examine less scrupulously the pretensions of a + nation to any particular excellence, than we do those of an individual. + The reason of this is, probably, that our self-love is as much gratified + by admitting the one, as in rejecting the other. When we allow the claims + of a whole people, we are flattered with the idea of being above narrow + prejudices, and of possessing an enlarged and liberal mind; but if a + single individual arrogate to himself any exclusive superiority, our own + pride immediately becomes opposed to his, and we seem but to vindicate our + judgement in degrading such presumption. + </p> + <p> + I can conceive no other causes for our having so long acquiesced in the + claims of the French to pre-eminent good breeding, in an age when, I + believe, no person acquainted with both nations can discover any thing to + justify them. If indeed politeness consisted in the repetition of a + certain routine of phrases, unconnected with the mind or action, I might + be obliged to decide against our country; but while decency makes a part + of good manners, or feeling is preferable to a mechanical jargon, I am + inclined to think the English have a merit more than they have hitherto + ascribed to themselves. Do not suppose, however, that I am going to + descant on the old imputations of "French flattery," and "French + insincerity;" for I am far from concluding that civil behaviour gives one + a right to expect kind offices, or that a man is false because he pays a + compliment, and refuses a service: I only wish to infer, that an + impertinence is not less an impertinence because it is accompanied by a + certain set of words, and that a people, who are indelicate to excess, + cannot properly be denominated "a polite people." + </p> + <p> + A French man or woman, with no other apology than <i>"permettez moi,"</i> + ["Give me leave."] will take a book out of your hand, look over any thing + you are reading, and ask you a thousand questions relative to your most + private concerns—they will enter your room, even your bedchamber, + without knocking, place themselves between you and the fire, or take hold + of your clothes to guess what they cost; and they deem these acts of + rudeness sufficiently qualified by <i>"Je demande bien de pardons."</i> + ["I ask you a thousand pardons."]—They are fully convinced that the + English all eat with their knives, and I have often heard this discussed + with much self-complacence by those who usually shared the labours of the + repast between a fork and their fingers. Our custom also of using + water-glasses after dinner is an object of particular censure; yet whoever + dines at a French table must frequently observe, that many of the guests + might benefit by such ablutions, and their napkins always testify that + some previous application would be by no means superfluous. Nothing is + more common than to hear physical derangements, disorders, and their + remedies, expatiated upon by the parties concerned amidst a room full of + people, and that with so much minuteness of description, that a foreigner, + without being very fastidious, is on some occasions apt to feel very + unpleasant sympathies. There are scarcely any of the ceremonies of a + lady's toilette more a mystery to one sex than the other, and men and + their wives, who scarcely eat at the same table, are in this respect + grossly familiar. The conversation in most societies partakes of this + indecency, and the manners of an English female are in danger of becoming + contaminated, while she is only endeavouring to suffer without pain the + customs of those she has been taught to consider as models of politeness. + </p> + <p> + Whether you examine the French in their houses or in public, you are every + where stricken with the same want of delicacy, propriety, and cleanliness. + The streets are mostly so filthy, that it is perilous to approach the + walls. The insides of the churches are often disgusting, in spite of the + advertisements that are placed in them to request the forbearance of + phthifical persons: the service does not prevent those who attend from + going to and fro with the same irreverence as if the church were empty; + and, in the most solemn part of the mass, a woman is suffered to importune + you for a liard, as the price of the chair you sit on. At the theatres an + actor or actress frequently coughs and expectorates on the stage, in a + manner one should think highly unpardonable before one's most intimate + friends in England, though this habit is very common to all the French. + The inns abound with filth of every kind, and though the owners of them + are generally civil enough, their notions of what is decent are so very + different from ours, that an English traveller is not soon reconciled to + them. In short, it would be impossible to enumerate all that in my opinion + excludes the French from the character of a well-bred people.—Swift, + who seems to have been gratified by the contemplation of physical + impurity, might have done the subject justice; but I confess I am not + displeased to feel that, after my long and frequent residences in France, + I am still unqualified. So little are these people susceptible of + delicacy, propriety, and decency, that they do not even use the words in + the sense we do, nor have they any others expressive of the same meaning. + </p> + <p> + But if they be deficient in the external forms of politeness, they are + infinitely more so in that politeness which may be called mental. The + simple and unerring rule of never preferring one's self, is to them more + difficult of comprehension than the most difficult problem in Euclid: in + small things as well as great, their own interest, their own + gratification, is their leading principle; and the cold flexibility which + enables them to clothe this selfish system in "fair forms," is what they + call politeness. + </p> + <p> + My ideas on this subject are not recent, but they occurred to me with + additional force on the perusal of Mad. de B____'s letter. The behaviour + of some of the poorest and least informed class of our countrymen forms a + striking contrast with that of the people who arrested her, and even her + own friends: the unaffected attention of the one, and the brutality and + neglect of the other, are, perhaps, more just examples of English and + French manners than you may have hitherto imagined. I do not, however, + pretend to say that the latter are all gross and brutal, but I am myself + convinced that, generally speaking, they are an unfeeling people. + </p> + <p> + I beg you to remember, that when I speak of the dispositions and character + of the French, my opinions are the result of general observation, and are + applicable to all ranks; but when my remarks are on habits and manners, + they describe only those classes which are properly called the nation. The + higher noblesse, and those attached to courts, so nearly resemble each + other in all countries, that they are necessarily excepted in these + delineations, which are intended to mark the distinguishing features of a + people at large: for, assuredly, when the French assert, and their + neighbours repeat, that they are a polite nation, it is not meant that + those who have important offices or dignified appellations are polite: + they found their claims on their superiority as a people, and it is in + this light I consider them. My examples are chiefly drawn, not from the + very inferior, nor from the most eminent ranks; neither from the retailer + of a shop, nor the claimant of a <i>tabouret,</i>* or <i>les grandes ou + petites entrees;</i> but from the gentry, those of easy fortunes, + merchants, &c.—in fact, from people of that degree which it + would be fair to cite as what may be called genteel society in England. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The tabouret was a stool allowed to the Ladies of the Court + particularly distinguished by rank or favour, when in presence of the + Royal Family.—"Les entrees" gave a familiar access to the King and + Queen. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + This cessation of intercourse with our country dispirits me, and, as it + will probably continue some time, I shall amuse myself by noting more + particularly the little occurrences which may not reach your public + prints, but which tend more than great events to mark both the spirit of + the government and that of the people.—Perhaps you may be ignorant + that the prohibition of the English mails was not the consequence of a + decree of the Convention, but a simple order of its commissioners; and I + have some reason to think that even they acted at the instigation of an + individual who harbours a mean and pitiful dislike to England and its + inhabitants.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_11" id="short3_4_11"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + May 18, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + Near six weeks ago a decree was passed by the Convention, obliging all + strangers, who had not purchased national property, or who did not + exercise some profession, to give security to the amount of half their + supposed fortune, and under these conditions they were to receive a + certificate, allowing them to reside, and were promised the protection of + the laws. The administrators of the departments, who perceive that they + become odious by executing the decrees of the Convention, begin to relax + much of their diligence, and it is not till long after a law is + promulgated, and their personal fear operates as a stimulant, that they + seriously enforce obedience to these mandates. This morning, however, we + were summoned by the Committee of our section (or ward) in order to comply + with the terms of the decree, and had I been directed only by my own + judgement, I should have given the preference to an immediate return to + England; but Mrs. D____ is yet ill, and Mr. D____ is disposed to continue. + In vain have I quoted "how fickle France was branded 'midst the nations of + the earth for perfidy and breach of public faith;" in vain have I reasoned + upon the injustice of a government that first allured strangers to remain + by insidious offers of protection, and now subjects them to conditions + which many may find it difficult to subscribe to: Mr. D____ wishes to see + our situation in the most favourable point of view: he argues upon the + moral impossibility of our being liable to any inconvenience, and persists + in believing that one government may act with treachery towards another, + yet, distinguishing between falsehood and meanness, maintain its faith + with individuals—in short, we have concluded a sort of treaty, by + which we are bound, under the forfeiture of a large sum, to behave + peaceably and submit to the laws. The government, in return, empowers us + to reside, and promises protection and hospitality. + </p> + <p> + It is to be observed, that the spirit of this regulation depends upon + those it affects producing six witnesses of their <i>"civisme;"</i>* yet + so little interest do the people take on these occasions, that our + witnesses were neighbours we had scarcely ever seen, and even one was a + man who happened to be casually passing by. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Though the meaning of this word is obvious, we have no one that is + exactly synonymous to it. The Convention intend by it an attachment to + their government: but the people do not trouble themselves about the + meaning of words—they measure their unwilling obedience by the + letter. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + These Committees, which form the last link of a chain of despotism, are + composed of low tradesmen and day-labourers, with an attorney, or some + person that can read and write, at their head, as President. Priests and + nobles, with all that are related, or anywise attached, to them, are + excluded by the law; and it is understood that true sans-culottes only + should be admitted. + </p> + <p> + With all these precautions, the indifference and hatred of the people to + their government are so general, that, perhaps, there are few places where + this regulation is executed so as to answer the purposes of the jealous + tyranny that conceived it. The members of these Committees seem to exact + no farther compliances than such as are absolutely necessary to the mere + form of the proceeding, and to secure themselves from the imputation of + disobedience; and are very little concerned whether the real design of the + legislature be accomplished or not. This negligence, or ill-will, which + prevails in various instances, tempers, in some degree, the effect of that + restless suspicion which is the usual concomitant of an uncertain, but + arbitrary, power. The affections or prejudices that surround a throne, by + ensuring the safety of the Monarch, engage him to clemency, and the laws + of a mild government are, for the most part, enforced with exactness; but + a new and precarious authority, which neither imposes on the understanding + nor interests the heart, which is supported only by a palpable and + unadorned tyranny, is in its nature severe, and it becomes the common + cause of the people to counteract the measures of a despotism which they + are unable to resist.—This (as I have before had occasion to + observe) renders the condition of the French less insupportable, but it is + by no means sufficient to banish the fears of a stranger who has been + accustomed to look for security, not from a relaxation or disregard of the + laws, but from their efficacy; not from the characters of those who + execute them, but from the rectitude with which they are formed.—What + would you think in England, if you were obliged to contemplate with dread + the three branches of your legislature, and depend for the protection of + your person and property on soldiers and constables? Yet such is nearly + the state we are in; and indeed a system of injustice and barbarism gains + ground so fast, that almost any apprehension is justified.—The + Tribunal Revolutionnaire has already condemned a servant maid for her + political opinions; and one of the Judges of this tribunal lately + introduced a man to the Jacobins, with high panegyrics, because, as he + alledged, he had greatly contributed to the condemnation of a criminal. + The same Judge likewise apologized for having as yet sent but a small + number to the Guillotine, and promises, that, on the first appearance of a + "Brissotin" before him, he will show him no mercy. + </p> + <p> + When the minister of public justice thus avows himself the agent of a + party, a government, however recent its formation, must be far advanced in + depravity; and the corruption of those who are the interpreters of the law + has usually been the last effort of expiring power. + </p> + <p> + My friends, Mons. And Mad. de B____, are released from their confinement; + not as you might expect, by proving their innocence, but by the efforts of + an individual, who had more weight than their accuser: and, far from + obtaining satisfaction for the injury they have received, they are obliged + to accept as a favour the liberty they were deprived of by malice and + injustice. They will, most probably, never be acquainted with the nature + of the charges brought against them; and their accuser will escape with + impunity, and, perhaps, meet with reward. + </p> + <p> + All the French papers are filled with descriptions of the enthusiasm with + which the young men "start to arms" [<i>Offian.</i>] at the voice of their + country; yet it is very certain, that this enthusiasm is of so subtle and + aerial a form as to be perceivable only to those who are interested in + discovering it. In some places these enthusiastic warriors continue to + hide themselves—from others they are escorted to the place of their + destination by nearly an equal number of dragoons; and no one, I believe, + who can procure money to pay a substitute, is disposed to go himself. This + is sufficiently proved by the sums demanded by those who engage as + substitutes: last year from three to five hundred livres was given; at + present no one will take less than eight hundred or a thousand, besides + being furnished with clothes, &c. The only real volunteers are the + sons of aristocrates, and the relations of emigrants, who, sacrificing + their principles to their fears, hope, by enlisting in the army, to + protect their estates and families: those likewise who have lucrative + employments, and are afraid of losing them, affect great zeal, and expect + to purchase impunity for civil peculation at home, by the military + services of their children abroad. + </p> + <p> + This, I assure you, is the real state of that enthusiasm which occasions + such an expence of eloquence to our gazette-writers; but these fallacious + accounts are not like the ephemeral deceits of your party prints in + England, the effect of which is destroyed in a few hours by an opposite + assertion. None here are bold enough to contradict what their sovereigns + would have believed; and a town or district, driven almost to revolt by + the present system of recruiting, consents very willingly to be described + as marching to the frontiers with martial ardour, and burning to combat + les esclaves des tyrans! By these artifices, one department is misled with + regard to the dispositions of another, and if they do not excite to + emulation, they, at least, repress by fear; and, probably, many are + reduced to submission, who would resist, were they not doubtful of the + support and union of their neighbours. Every possible precaution is taken + to prevent any connections between the different departments— people + who are not known cannot obtain passports without the recommendation of + two housekeepers—you must give an account of the business you go + upon, of the carriage you mean to travel in, whether it has two wheels or + four: all of which must be specified in your passport: and you cannot send + your baggage from one town to another without the risk of having it + searched. All these things are so disgusting and troublesome, that I begin + to be quite of a different opinion from Brutus, and should certainly + prefer being a slave among a free people, than thus be tormented with the + recollection that I am a native of England in a land of slavery. Whatever + liberty the French might have acquired by their first revolution, it is + now much like Sir John Cutler's worsted stockings, so torn, and worn, and + disguised by patchings and mendings, that the original texture is not + discoverable.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_12" id="short3_4_12"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + June 3, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + We have been three days without receiving newspapers; but we learn from + the reports of the courier, that the Brissotins are overthrown, that many + of them have been arrested, and several escaped to raise adherents in the + departments. I, however, doubt much if their success will be very general: + the people have little preference between Brissot and Marat, Condorcet and + Robespierre, and are not greatly solicitous about the names or even + principles of those who govern them—they are not yet accustomed to + take that lively interest in public events which is the effect of a + popular constitution. In England every thing is a subject of debate and + contest, but here they wait in silence the result of any political measure + or party dispute; and, without entering into the merits of the cause, + adopt whatever is successful. While the King was yet alive, the news of + Paris was eagerly sought after, and every disorder of the metropolis + created much alarm: but one would almost suppose that even curiosity had + ceased at his death, for I have observed no subsequent event (except the + defection of Dumouriez) make any very serious impression. We hear, + therefore, with great composure, the present triumph of the more violent + republicans, and suffer without impatience this interregnum of news, which + is to continue until the Convention shall have determined in what manner + the intelligence of their proceedings shall be related to the departments. + </p> + <p> + The great solicitude of the people is now rather about their physical + existence than their political one—provisions are become enormously + dear, and bread very scarce: our servants often wait two hours at the + baker's, and then return without bread for breakfast. I hope, however, the + scarcity is rather artificial than real. It is generally supposed to be + occasioned by the unwillingness of the farmers to sell their corn for + paper. Some measures have been adopted with an intention of remedying this + evil, though the origin of it is beyond the reach of decree. It originates + in that distrust of government which reconciles one part of the community + to starving the other, under the idea of self-preservation. While every + individual persists in establishing it as a maxim, that any thing is + better than assignats, we must expect that all things will be difficult to + procure, and will, of course, bear a high price. I fear, all the + empyricism of the legislature cannot produce a nostrum for this want of + faith. Dragoons and penal laws only "linger, and linger it out;" the + disease is incurable. + </p> + <p> + My friends, Mons. and Mad. de B____, by way of consolation for their + imprisonment, now find themselves on the list of emigrants, though they + have never been a single day absent from their own province, or from + places of residence where they are well known. But that they may not + murmur at this injustice, the municipality have accompanied their names + with those of others who have not even been absent from the town, and of + one gentleman in particular, who I believe may have been seen on the + ramparts every day for these seven years.—This may appear to you + only very absurd, and you may imagine the consequences easily obviated; + yet these mistakes are the effect of private malice, and subject the + persons affected by them to an infinity of expence and trouble. They are + obliged, in order to avert the confiscation of their property, to appear, + in every part of the republic where they have possessions, with + attestations of their constant residence in France, and perhaps suffer a + thousand mortifications from the official ignorance and brutality of the + persons to whom they apply. No remedy lies against the authors of these + vexations, and the sufferer who is prudent fears even to complain. + </p> + <p> + I have, in a former letter, noticed the great number of beggars that swarm + at Arras: they are not less numerous at Amiens, though of a different + description—they are neither so disgusting, nor so wretched, but are + much more importunate and insolent—they plead neither sickness nor + infirmity, and are, for the most part, able and healthy. How so many + people should beg by profession in a large manufacturing town, it is + difficult to conceive; but, whatever may be the cause, I am tempted to + believe the effect has some influence on the manners of the inhabitants of + Amiens. I have seen no town in France so remarkable for a rude and + unfeeling behaviour, and it is not fanciful to conjecture that the + multitude of poor may tend in part to occasion it. The constant view of a + sort of misery that excites little compassion, of an intrusive necessity + which one is more desirous to repulse than to relieve, cannot but render + the heart callous, and the manners harsh. The avarice of commerce, which + is here unaccompanied by its liberality, is glad to confound real distress + with voluntary and idle indigence, till, in time, an absence of feeling + becomes part of the character; and the constant habit of petulant + refusals, or of acceding more from fatigue than benevolence, has perhaps a + similar effect on the voice, gesture, and external. + </p> + <p> + This place has been so often visited by those who describe better than + myself, that I have thought it unnecessary to mention public buildings, or + any thing equally obvious to the traveller or the resident. The beauty and + elegance of the cathedral have been celebrated for ages, and I only remind + you of it to indulge my national vanity in the reflection that one of the + most splendid monuments of Gothic architecture in France is the work of + our English ancestors. The edifice is in perfect preservation, and the + hand of power has not yet ventured to appropriate the plate or ornaments; + but this forbearance will most probably give way to temptation and + impunity. The Convention will respect ancient prejudices no longer than + they suppose the people have courage to defend them, and the latter seem + so entirely subdued, that, however they may murmur, I do not think any + serious resistance is to be expected from them, even in behalf of the + relics of St. Firmin. [St. Firmin, the patron of Amiens, where he is, in + many of the streets, represented with his head in his hand.]—The + bust of Henry the Fourth, which was a present from the Monarch himself, is + banished the town-house, where it was formerly placed, though, I hope, + some royalist has taken possession of it, and deposited it in safety till + better times. This once popular Prince is now associated with Nero and + Caligula, and it is "leze nation" to speak of him to a thorough + republican.—I know not if the French had before the revolution + reached the acme of perfection, but they have certainly been retrograding + very fast since. Every thing that used to create fondness and veneration + is despised, and things are esteemed only in proportion as they are + worthless. Perhaps the bust of Robespierre may one day replace that of + Henry the Fourth, and, to speak in the style of an eastern epistle, "what + can I say more?" + </p> + <p> + Should you ever travel this way with Gray in your hand, you will look for + the Ursuline convent, and regret the paintings he mentions: but you may + recollect, for your consolation, that they are merely pretty, and + remarkable only for being the work of one of the nuns.—Gray, who + seems to have had that enthusiastic respect for religious orders common to + young minds, admired them on this account; and numbers of English + travellers have, I dare say, prepossessed by such an authority, + experienced the same disappointment I myself felt on visiting the Ursuline + church. Many of the chapels belonging to these communities were very showy + and much decorated with gilding and sculpture: some of them are sold for a + mere trifle, but the greatest part are filled with corn and forage, and on + the door is inscribed "Magazin des armees." The change is almost + incredible to those who remember, that less than four years ago the + Catholic religion was strictly practised, and the violation of these + sanctuaries deemed sacrilegious. Our great historian [Gibbon] might well + say "the influence of superstition is fluctuating and precarious;" though, + in the present instance, it has rather been restrained than subdued; and + the people, who have not been convinced, but intimidated, secretly lament + these innovations, and perhaps reproach themselves conscientiously with + their submission.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_13" id="short3_4_13"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + June 20, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + Mercier, in his Tableau de Paris, notices, on several occasions, the + little public spirit existing among his countrymen—it is also + observable, that many of the laws and customs presume on this deficiency, + and the name of republicans has by no means altered that cautious + disposition which makes the French consider either misfortunes or benefits + only as their personal interest is affected by them.—I am just + returned from a visit to Abbeville, where we were much alarmed on Sunday + by a fire at the Paraclete convent. The tocsin rang great part of the day, + and the principal street of the town was in danger of being destroyed. In + such circumstances, you will suppose, that people of all ranks eagerly + crouded to offer their service, and endeavour to stop the progress of so + terrible a calamity. By no means—the gates of the town were shut to + prevent its entire evacuation, many hid themselves in garrets and cellars, + and dragoons patrolled the streets, and even entered the houses, to force + the inhabitants to assist in procuring water; while the consternation, + usually the effect of such accidents, was only owing to the fear of being + obliged to aid the sufferers.—This employment of military coercion + for what humanity alone should dictate, is not ascribeable to the + principles of the present government—it was the same before the + revolution, (except that the agents of the ancient system were not so + brutal and despotic as the soldiers of the republic,) and compulsion was + always deemed necessary where there was no stimulant but the general + interest. + </p> + <p> + In England, at any alarm of the fort, all distinction of ranks is + forgotten, and every one is solicitous to contribute as much as he is able + to the safety of his fellow-citizens; and, so far from an armed force + being requisite to procure assistance, the greatest difficulty is to + repress the too-officious zeal of the croud.—I do not pretend to + account for this national disparity, but I fear what a French gentleman + once said to me of the Parisians is applicable to the general character, + <i>"Ils sont tous egoistes,"</i> ["They are all selfish!"] and they would + not do a benevolent action at the risk of soiling a coat or tearing a + ruffle. + </p> + <p> + Distrust of the assignats, and scarcity of bread, have occasioned a law to + oblige the farmers, in every part of the republic, to sell their corn at a + certain price, infinitely lower than what they have exacted for some + months past. The consequence of this was, that, on the succeeding market + days, no corn came to market, and detachments of dragoons are obliged to + scour the country to preserve us from a famine. If it did not convey an + idea both of the despotism and want with which the nation is afflicted, + one should be amused by the ludicrous figures of the farmers, who enter + the town preceded by soldiers, and reposing with doleful visages on their + sacks of wheat. Sometimes you see a couple of dragoons leading in triumph + an old woman and an ass, who follow with lingering steps their military + conductors; and the very ass seems to sympathize with his mistress on the + disaster of selling her corn at a reduced price, and for paper, when she + had hoped to hoard it till a counter-revolution should bring back gold and + silver. + </p> + <p> + The farmers are now, perhaps, the greatest aristocrates in the country; + but as both their patriotism and their aristocracy have been a mere + calculation of interest, the severity exercised on their avarice is not + much to be regretted. The original fault is, however, in an usurped + government, which inspires no confidence, and which, to supply an + administration lavish beyond all example, has been obliged to issue such + an immense quantity of paper as nearly destroys its credit. In political, + as in moral, vices, the first always necessitates a second, and these must + still be sustained by others; until, at length, the very sense of right + and wrong becomes impaired, and the latter is not only preferred from + habit, but from choice. + </p> + <p> + Thus the arbitrary emission of paper has been necessarily followed by + still more arbitrary decrees to support it. For instance—the people + have been obliged to sell their corn at a stated price, which has again + been the source of various and general vexations. The farmers, irritated + by this measure, concealed their grain, or sold it privately, rather than + bring it to market.—Hence, some were supplied with bread, and others + absolutely in want of it. This was remedied by the interference of the + military, and a general search for corn has taken place in all houses + without exception, in order to discover if any was secreted; even our + bedchambers were examined on this occasion: but we begin to be so + accustomed to the visite domiciliaire, that we find ourselves suddenly + surrounded by the Garde Nationale, without being greatly alarmed.—I + know not how your English patriots, who are so enamoured of French + liberty, yet thunder with the whole force of their eloquence against the + ingress of an exciseman to a tobacco warehouse, would reconcile this + domestic inquisition; for the municipalities here violate your + tranquillity in this manner under any pretext they choose, and that too + with an armed cortege sufficient to undertake the siege of your house in + form. + </p> + <p> + About fifteen departments are in insurrection, ostensibly in behalf of the + expelled Deputies; but I believe I am authorized in saying, it is by no + means the desire of the people at large to interfere. All who are capable + of reflection consider the dispute merely as a family quarrel, and are not + partial enough to either party to adopt its cause. The tropps they have + already raised have been collected by the personal interest of the members + who contrived to escape, or by an attempt of a few of the royalists to + make one half of the faction subservient to the destruction of the other. + If you judge of the principles of the nation by the success of the + Foederalists,* and the superiority of the Convention, you will be + extremely deceived; for it is demonstrable, that neither the most zealous + partizans of the ancient system, nor those of the abolished constitution, + have taken any share in the dispute; and the departments most notoriously + aristocratic have all signified their adherence to the proceedings of the + Assembly. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * On the 31st of May and 2d of June, the Convention, who had been for + some months struggling with the Jacobins and the municipality of Paris, + was surrounded by an armed force: the most moderate of the Deputies + (those distinguished by the name of Brissotins,) were either menaced + into a compliance with the measures of the opposite faction, or + arrested; others took flight, and, by representing the violence and + slavery in which the majority of the Convention was holden, excited some + of the departments to take arms in their favour.—This contest, + during its short existence, was called the war of the Foederalists.—The + result is well known. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Those who would gladly take an active part in endeavouring to establish a + good government, are averse from risking their lives and properties in the + cause of Brissot or Condorcet.—At Amiens, where almost every + individual is an aristocrate, the fugitive Deputies could not procure the + least encouragement, but the town would have received Dumouriez, and + proclaimed the King without opposition. But this schism in the legislature + is considered as a mere contest of banditti, about the division of spoil, + not calculated to excite an interest in those they have plundered and + oppressed. + </p> + <p> + The royalists who have been so mistaken as to make any effort on this + occasion, will, I fear, fall a sacrifice, having acted for the most part + without union or concert; and their junction with the Deputies renders + them suspicious, if not odious, to their own party. The extreme + difficulty, likewise, of communication between the departments, and the + strict watch observed over all travellers, form another obstacle to the + success of any attempt at present; and, on the whole, the only hope of + deliverance for the French seems to rest upon the allied armies and the + insurgents of La Vendee. + </p> + <p> + When I say this, I do not assert from prejudices, which often deceive, nor + from conjecture, that is always fallible; but from unexceptionable + information—from an intercourse with various ranks of people, and a + minute observance of all. I have scarcely met with a single person who + does not relate the progress of the insurgents in La Vendee with an air of + satisfaction, or who does not appear to expect with impatience the + surrender of Conde: and even their language, perhaps unconsciously, + betrays their sentiments, for I remark, they do not, when they speak of + any victory gained by the arms of the republic, say, Nous, or Notre armee, + but, Les Francais, and, Les troupes de la republique;—and that + always in a tone as though they were speaking of an enemy.—Adieu. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_14" id="short3_4_14"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + June 30, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + Our modern travellers are mostly either sentimental or philosophical, or + courtly or political; and I do not remember to have read any who describe + the manner of living among the gentry and middle ranks of life in France. + I will, therefore, relieve your attention for a moment from our actual + distresses, and give you the picture of a day as usually passed by those + who have easy fortunes and no particular employment.—The social + assemblage of a whole family in the morning, as in England, is not very + common, for the French do not generally breakfast: when they do, it is + without form, and on fruit, bread, wine, and water, or sometimes coffee; + but tea is scarcely ever used, except by the sick. The morning is + therefore passed with little intercourse, and in extreme dishabille. The + men loiter, fiddle, work tapestry, and sometimes read, in a robe de + chambre, or a jacket and <i>"pantalons;"</i> [Trowsers.] while the ladies, + equipped only in a short manteau and petticoat, visit their birds, knit, + or, more frequently, idle away the forenoon without doing any thing. It is + not customary to walk or make visits before dinner, and if by chance any + one calls, he is received in the bedchamber. At half past one or two they + dine, but without altering the negligence of their apparel, and the + business of the toilette does not begin till immediately after the repast. + About four, visits of ceremony begin, and may be made till six or seven + according to the season; but those who intend passing an evening at any + particular house, go before six, and the card parties generally finish + between eight and nine. People then adjourn to their supper engagements, + which are more common than those for dinner, and are, for the most part, + in different places, and considered as a separate thing from the earlier + amusements of the evening. They keep better hours than the English, most + families being in bed by half past ten. The theatres are also regulated by + these sober habits, and the dramatic representations are usually over by + nine. + </p> + <p> + A day passed in this manner is, as you may imagine, susceptible of much + ennui, and the French are accordingly more subject to it than to any other + complaint, and hold it in greatest dread than either sickness or + misfortune. They have no conception how one can remain two hours alone + without being ennuye a la mort; and but few, comparatively speaking, read + for amusement: you may enter ten houses without seeing a book; and it is + not to be wondered at that people, who make a point of staying at home all + the morning, yet do not read, are embarrassed with the disposition of so + much time.—It is this that occasions such a general fondness for + domestic animals, and so many barbarous musicians, and male-workers of + tapestry and tambour. + </p> + <p> + I cannot but attribute this littleness and dislike of morning exercise to + the quantity of animal food the French eat at night, and to going to rest + immediately after it, in consequence of which their activity is checked by + indigestions, and they feel heavy and uncomfortable for half the + succeeding day.—The French pique themselves on being a gayer nation + than the English; but they certainly must exclude their mornings from the + account, for the forlorn and neglected figure of a Frenchman till dinner + is a very antidote to chearfulness, especially if contrasted with the + animation of our countrymen, whose forenoon is passed in riding or + walking, and who make themselves at least decent before they appear even + in their own families. + </p> + <p> + The great difficulty the French have in finding amusement makes them + averse from long residences in the country, and it is very uncommon for + those who can afford only one house not to prefer a town; but those whose + fortune will admit of it, live about three months of the year in the + country, and the rest in the neighbouring town. This, indeed, as they + manage it, is no very considerable expence, for the same furniture often + serves for both habitations, and the one they quit being left empty, + requires no person to take charge of it, especially as house-breaking is + very uncommon in France; at least it was so before the revolution, when + the police was more strict, and the laws against robbers were more severe. + </p> + <p> + You will say, I often describe the habits and manners of a nation so + frequently visited, as though I were writing from Kamschatka or Japan; yet + it is certain, as I have remarked above, that those who are merely + itinerant have not opportunities of observing the modes of familiar life + so well as one who is stationary, and travellers are in general too much + occupied by more important observations to enter into the minute and + trifling details which are the subject of my communications to you. But if + your attention be sometimes fatigued by occurrences or relations too well + known, or of too little consequence to be interesting, I claim some merit + in never having once described the proportions of a building, nor given + you the history of a town; and I might have contrived as well to tax your + patience by an erudite description, as a superficial reflection, or a + female remark. The truth is, my pen is generally guided by circumstances + as they rise, and my ideas have seldom any deeper origin than the scene + before me. I have no books here, and I am apt to think if professed + travellers were deprived of this resource, many learned etymologies and + much profound compilation would be lost to the modern reader. + </p> + <p> + The insurgents of La Vendee continue to have frequent and decided + successes, but the insurrections in the other departments languish. The + avowed object of liberating the Convention is not calculated to draw + adherents, and if any better purpose be intended, while a faction are the + promoters of it, it will be regarded with too much suspicion to procure + any effectual movement. Yet, however partial and unconnected this revolt + may be, it is an object of great jealousy and inquietude: all the + addresses or petitions brought in favour of it are received with + disapprobation, and suppressed in the official bulletin of the + legislature; but those which express contrary sentiments are ordered to be + inserted with the usual terms of "applaudi, adopte, et mention honorable."—In + this manner the army and the people, who derive their intelligence from + these accounts (which are pasted up in the streets,) are kept in ignorance + of the real state of distant provinces, and, what is still more important + for the Convention, the communication of examples, which they know so many + are disposed to imitate, is retarded. + </p> + <p> + The people here are nearly in the same state they have been in for some + time—murmuring in secret, and submitting in public; expecting every + thing from that energy in others which they have not themselves, and + accumulating the discontents they are obliged to suppress. The Convention + call them the brave republicans of Amiens; but if their bravery were as + unequivocal as their aristocracy, they would soon be at the gates of + Paris. Even the first levies are not all departed for the frontiers, and + some who were prevailed on to go are already returned.— All the + necessaries of life are augmenting in price—the people complain, + pillage the shops and the markets one day, and want the next. Many of the + departments have opposed the recruiting much more decidedly than they have + ventured to do here; and it was not without inspiring terror by numerous + arrests, that the levies which were immediately necessary were procured.—France + offers no prospect but that of scarcity, disorder, and oppression; and my + friends begin to perceive that we have committed an imprudence in + remaining so long. No passports can now be obtained, and we must, as well + as several very respectable families still here, abide the event of the + war. + </p> + <p> + Some weeks have elapsed since I had letters from England, and those we + receive from the interior come open, or sealed with the seal of the + district. This is not peculiar to our letters, as being foreigners, but + the same unceremonious inspection is practised with the correspondence of + the French themselves. Thus, in this land of liberty, all epistolary + intercourse has ceased, except for mere matters of business; and though in + the declaration of the rights of man it be asserted, that every one is + entitled to write or print his thoughts, yet it is certain no person can + entrust a letter to the post, but at the risk of having it opened; nor + could Mr. Thomas Paine himself venture to express the slightest + disapprobation of the measures of government, without hazarding his + freedom, and, in the end, perhaps, his life. Even these papers, which I + reserve only for your amusement, which contain only the opinions of an + individual, and which never have been communicated, I am obliged to + conceal with the utmost circumspection; for should they happen to fall + into the hands of our domiciliary inquisitors, I should not, like your + English liberties, escape with the gentle correction of imprisonment, or + the pillory.—A man, who had murdered his wife, was lately condemned + to twenty years imprisonment only; but people are guillotined every day + for a simple discourse, or an inadvertent expression.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_15" id="short3_4_15"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, July 5, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + It will be some consolation to the French, if, from the wreck of their + civil liberty, they be able to preserve the mode of administering justice + as established by the constitution of 1789. Were I not warranted by the + best information, I should not venture an opinion on the subject without + much diffidence, but chance has afforded me opportunities that do not + often occur to a stranger, and the new code appears to me, in many parts, + singularly excellent, both as to principle and practice.—Justice is + here gratuitous—those who administer it are elected by the people—they + depend only on their salaries, and have no fees whatever. Reasonable + allowances are made to witnesses both for time and expences at the public + charge—a loss is not doubled by the costs of a prosecution to + recover it. In cases of robbery, where property found is detained for the + sake of proof, it does not become the prey of official rapacity, but an + absolute restitution takes place.—The legislature has, in many + respects, copied the laws of England, but it has simplified the forms, and + rectified those abuses which make our proceedings in some cases almost as + formidable to the prosecutor as to the culprit. Having to compose an + entire new system, and being unshackled by professional reverence for + precedents, they were at liberty to benefit by example, to reject those + errors which have been long sanctioned by their antiquity, and are still + permitted to exist, through our dread of innovation. The French, however, + made an attempt to improve on the trial by jury, which I think only + evinces that the institution as adopted in England is not to be excelled. + The decision is here given by ballot—unanimity is not required—and + three white balls are sufficient to acquit the prisoner. This deviation + from our mode seems to give the rich an advantage over the poor. I fear, + that, in the number of twelve men taken from any country, it may sometimes + happen that three may be found corruptible: now the wealthy delinquent can + avail himself of this human failing; but, "through tatter'd robes small + vices do appear," and the indigent sinner has less chance of escaping than + another. + </p> + <p> + It is to be supposed, that, at this time, the vigour of the criminal laws + is much relaxed, and their execution difficult. The army offers refuge and + impunity to guilt of all kinds, and the magistrates themselves would be + apprehensive of pursuing an offender who was protected by the mob, or, + which is the same thing, by the Jacobins. + </p> + <p> + The groundwork of much of the French civil jurisprudence is arbitration, + particularly in those trifling processes which originate in a spirit of + litigation; and it is not easy for a man here, however well disposed, to + spend twenty pounds in a contest about as many pence, or to ruin himself + in order to secure the possession of half an acre of land. In general, + redress is easily obtained without unnecessary procrastination, and with + little or no cost. Perhaps most legal codes may be simple and efficacious + at their first institution, and the circumstance of their being encumbered + with forms which render them complex and expensive, may be the natural + consequence of length of time and change of manners. Littleton might + require no commentary in the reign of Henry II. and the mysterious + fictions that constitute the science of modern judicature were perhaps + familiar, and even necessary, to our ancestors. It is to be regretted that + we cannot adapt our laws to the age in which we live, and assimilate them + to our customs; but the tendency of our nature to extremes perpetuates + evils, and makes both the wise and the timid enemies to reform. We fear, + like John Calvin, to tear the habit while we are stripping off the + superfluous decoration; and the example of this country will probably long + act as a discouragement to all change, either judicial or political. The + very name of France will repress the desire of innovation—we shall + cling to abuses as though they were our support, and every attempt to + remedy them will become an objection of suspicion and terror.—Such + are the advantages which mankind will derive from the French revolution. + </p> + <p> + The Jacobin constitution is now finished, and, as far as I am able to + judge, it is what might be expected from such an origin: calculated to + flatter the people with an imaginary sovereignty—to place the whole + power of election in the class most easily misled—to exclude from + the representation those who have a natural interest in the welfare of the + country, and to establish the reign of anarchy and intrigue.—Yet, + however averse the greater number of the French may be from such a + constitution, no town or district has dared to reject it; and I remark, + that amongst those who have been foremost in offering their acceptation, + are many of the places most notoriously aristocratic. I have enquired of + some of the inhabitants of these very zealous towns on what principle they + acted so much in opposition to their known sentiments: the reply is + always, that they fear the vengeance of the Jacobins, and that they are + awed by military force. This reasoning is, of course, unanswerable; and we + learn, from the debates of the Convention, that the people have received + the new constitution <i>"avec la plus vive reconnoissance,"</i> ["With the + most lively gratitude."] and that they have all sworn to die in its + defence.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_16" id="short3_4_16"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + July 14, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + The return of this day cannot but suggest very melancholy reflections to + all who are witnesses of the changes which a single year has produced. In + twelve months only the government of France has been overturned, her + commerce destroyed, the country depopulated to raise armies, and the + people deprived of bread to support them. A despotism more absolute than + that of Turkey is established, the manners of the nation are corrupted, + and its moral character is disgraced in the eyes of all Europe. A + barbarous rage has laid waste the fairest monuments of art—whatever + could embellish society, or contribute to soften existence, has + disappeared under the reign of these modern Goths—even the + necessaries of life are becoming rare and inadequate to the consumption—the + rich are plundered and persecuted, yet the poor are in want—the + national credit is in the last stage of debasement, yet an immense debt is + created, and daily accumulating; and apprehension, distrust, and misery, + are almost universal.—All this is the work of a set of adventurers + who are now divided among themselves—who are accusing each other of + those crimes which the world imputes to them all—and who, conscious + they can no longer deceive the nation, now govern with the fear and + suspicion of tyrants. Every thing is sacrificed to the army and Paris, and + the people are robbed of their subsistence to supply an iniquitous + metropolis, and a military force that awes and oppresses them. + </p> + <p> + The new constitution has been received here officially, but no one seems + to take the least interest in it: it is regarded in just the same light as + a new tax, or any other ministerial mandate, not sent to be discussed but + obeyed. The mode of proclaiming it conveyed a very just idea of its origin + and tendency. It was placed on a cushion, supported by Jacobins in their + red caps, and surrounded by dragoons. It seemed the image of Anarchy, + guarded by Despotism.—In this manner they paraded the town, and the + "sacred volume" was then deposed on an altar erected on the Grande Place.—The + Garde Nationale, who were ordered to be under arms, attended, and the + constitution was read. A few of the soldiers cried "Vive la republique!" + and every one returned home with countenances in which delight was by no + means the prevailing expression. + </p> + <p> + A trifling incident which I noticed on this occasion, will serve, among + others of the same kind that I could enumerate, to prove that even the + very lower class of the people begin to ridicule and despise their + legislators. While a municipal officer was very gravely reading the + constitution, an ass forced his way across the square, and placed himself + near the spot where the ceremony was performing: a boy, who was under our + window, on observing it, cried out, "Why don't they give him the <i>accolade + fraternelle!"</i>* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Fraternal embrace.—This is the reception given by the President + to any one whom the Convention wish particularly to distinguish. On an + occasion of the sort, the fraternal embrace was given to an old Negress.—The + honours of the fitting are also daily accorded to deputations of + fish-women, chimney-sweepers, children, and all whose missions are + flattering. There is no homage so mean as not to gratify the pride of + those to whom dominion is new; and these expressions are so often and so + strangely applied, that it is not surprizing they are become the cant + phrases of the mob. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —"Yes, (rejoined another,) and admit him <i>aux honneurs de la + feance."</i> [To the honours of the fitting.] This disposition to jest + with their misfortunes is, however, not so common as it was formerly. A + bon mot may alleviate the loss of a battle, and a lampoon on the court + solace under the burthen of a new impost; but the most thoughtless or + improvident can find nothing very facetious in the prospect of absolute + want—and those who have been used to laugh under a circumscription + of their political liberty, feel very seriously the evil of a government + which endows its members with unlimited power, and enables a Deputy, often + the meanest and most profligate character of his department, to imprison + all who, from caprice, interest, or vengeance, may have become the objects + of his persecution. + </p> + <p> + I know this will appear so monstrous to an Englishman, that, had I an + opportunity of communicating such a circumstance before it were publicly + authenticated, you would suppose it impossible, and imagine I had been + mistaken, or had written only from report; it is nevertheless true, that + every part of France is infested by these Commissioners, who dispose, + without appeal, of the freedom and property of the whole department to + which they are sent. It frequently happens, that men are delegated to + places where they have resided, and thus have an opportunity of gratifying + their personal malice on all who are so unfortunate as to be obnoxious to + them. Imagine, for a moment, a village-attorney acting with uncontrouled + authority over the country where he formerly exercised his profession, and + you will have some idea of what passes here, except that I hope no class + of men in England are so bad as those which compose the major part of the + National Convention.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_17" id="short3_4_17"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + July 23, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + The events of Paris which are any way remarkable are so generally + circulated, that I do not often mention them, unless to mark their effect + on the provinces; but you will be so much misled by the public papers with + regard to the death of Marat, that I think it necessary to notice the + subject while it is yet recent in my memory. Were the clubs, the + Convention, or the sections of Paris to be regarded as expressing the + sense of the people, the assassination of this turbulent journalist must + be considered being the case, that the departments are for the most part, + if not rejoiced, indifferent—and many of those who impute to him the + honour of martyrdom, or assist at his apotheosis, are much better + satisfied both with his christian and heathen glories, than they were + while he was living to propagate anarchy and pillage. The reverence of the + Convention itself is a mere political pantomime. Within the last twelve + months nearly all the individuals who compose it have treated Marat with + contempt; and I perfectly remember even Danton, one of the members of the + Committee of Salut Publique, accusing him of being a contre + revolutionnaire. + </p> + <p> + But the people, to use a popular expression here, require to be + electrified.—St. Fargeau is almost forgotten, and Marat is to serve + the same purposes when dead, to which he contributed while living.—An + extreme grossness and want of feeling form the characteristic feature of + the Parisians; they are ignorant, credulous, and material, and the + Convention do not fail on all occasions to avail themselves of these + qualities. The corpse of Marat decently enclosed in a coffin would have + made little impression, and it was not pity, but revenge, which was to be + excited. The disgusting object of a dead leper was therefore exposed to + the eyes of a metropolis calling itself the most refined and enlightened + of all Europe— + </p> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + "And what t'oblivion better were consign'd, + Is hung on high to poison half mankind." + +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + I know not whether these lines are most applicable to the display of + Marat's body, or the consecration of his fame, but both will be a lasting + stigma on the manners and morals of Paris. + </p> + <p> + If the departments, however, take no interest in the loss of Marat, the + young woman who assassinated him has created a very lively one. The + slightest anecdotes concerning her are collected with avidity, and + repeated with admiration; and this is a still farther proof of what you + have heard me advance, that neither patriotism nor humanity has an + abundant growth in this country. The French applaud an act in itself + horrid and unjustifiable, while they have scarcely any conception of the + motive, and such a sacrifice seems to them something supernatural.—The + Jacobins assert, that Charlotte Corday was an emissary of the allied + powers, or, rather, of Mr. Pitt; and the Parisians have the complaisance + to believe, that a young woman could devote herself to certain destruction + at the instigation of another, as though the same principles which would + lead a person to undertake a diplomatic commission, would induce her to + meet death. + </p> + <p> + I wrote some days ago to a lady of my acquaintance at Caen, to beg she + would procure me some information relative to this extraordinary female, + and I subjoin an extract of her answer, which I have just received: + </p> + <p> + "Miss Corday was a native of this department, and had, from her earliest + years, been very carefully educated by an aunt who lives at Caen. Before + she was twenty she had decided on taking the veil, and her noviciate was + just expired when the Constituent Assembly interdicted all religious vows + for the future: she then left the convent, and resided entirely with her + aunt. The beauty of her person, and particularly her mental acquisitions, + which were superior to that of French women in general, rendered an object + of much admiration. She spoke uncommonly well, and her discourse often + turned on the ancients, and on such subjects as indicated that masculine + turn of mind which has since proved so fatal to her. Perhaps her + conversation was a little tinctured with that pedantry not unjustly + attributed to our sex when they have a little more knowledge than usual, + but, at the same time, not in such a degree as to render it unpleasant. + She seldom gave any opinion on the revolution, but frequently attended the + municipalities to solicit the pensions of the expelled religious, or on + any other occasion where she could be useful to her friends. On the + arrival of Petion, Barbaroux, and others of the Brissotin faction, she + began to frequent the clubs, and to take a more lively interest in + political affairs. Petion, and Barbaroux especially, seemed to be much + respected by her. It was even said, she had a tender partiality for the + latter; but this I believe is untrue.—I dined with her at her aunt's + on the Sunday previous to her departure for Paris. Nothing very remarkable + appeared in her behaviour, except that she was much affected by a muster + of the recruits who were to march against Paris, and seemed to think many + lives might be lost on the occasion, without obtaining any relief for the + country.—On the Tuesday following she left Caen, under pretext of + visiting her father, who lives at Sens. Her aunt accompanied her to the + gate of the town, and the separation was extremely sorrowful on both + sides. The subsequent events are too well known to need recital." + </p> + <p> + On her trial, and at her execution, Miss Corday was firm and modest; and I + have been told, that in her last moments her whole figure was interesting + beyond description. She was tall, well formed, and beautiful—her + eyes, especially, were fine and expressive—even her dress was not + neglected, and a simple white dishabille added to the charms of this + self-devoted victim. On the whole, it is not possible to ascertain + precisely the motives which determined her to assassinate Marat. Her + letter to Barbaroux expresses nothing but republican sentiments; yet it is + difficult to conceive that a young woman, who had voluntarily embraced the + life of a cloister, could be really of this way of thinking.—I + cannot but suppose her connection with the Deputies arose merely from an + idea that they might be the instruments of restoring the abolished + government, and her profession of republican principles after she was + arrested might probably be with a view of saving Duperret, and others of + the party, who were still in the power of the Convention.—Her + selection of Marat still remains to be accounted for. He was, indeed, the + most violent of the Jacobins, but not the most dangerous, and the death of + several others might have been more serviceable to the cause. Marat was, + however, the avowed persecutor of priests and religion, and if we + attribute any influence to Miss Corday's former habits, we may suppose + them to have had some share in the choice of her victim. Her refusal of + the ministry of a constitutional priest at the scaffold strengthens this + opinion. We pay a kind of involuntary tribute of admiration to such + firmness of mind in a young and beautiful woman; and I do not recollect + that history has transmitted any thing parallel to the heroism of + Charlotte Corday. Love, revenge, and ambition, have often sacrificed their + victims, and sustained the courage of their voluntaries under punishment; + but a female, animated by no personal motives, sensible only to the + misfortunes of her country, patriotic both from feeling and reflection, + and sacrificing herself from principle, is singular in the annals of human + nature.—Yet, after doing justice to such an instance of fortitude + and philanthropic devotion, I cannot but sincerely lament the act to which + it has given rise. At a time when so many spirits are irritated by despair + and oppression, the example may be highly pernicious, and a cause, however + good, must always be injured by the use of such means in its support.—Nothing + can sanctify an assassination; and were not the French more vindictive + than humane, the crimes of the republican party would find a momentary + refuge in this injudicious effort to punish them. + </p> + <p> + My friend La Marquise de ____ has left Paris, and is now at Peronne, where + she has engaged me to pass a few weeks with her; so that my next will most + probably be dated from thence.—Mr. D____ is endeavouring to get a + passport for England. He begins to regret having remained here. His + temper, naturally impatient of restraint, accords but ill with the portion + of liberty enjoyed by our republicans. Corporal privations and mental + interdictions multiply so fast, that irritable people like himself, and + valetudinarians like Mrs. C____ and me, could not choose a worse + residence; and, as we are now unanimous on the subject, I hope soon to + leave the country.—There is, as you observe in your last, something + of indolence as well as friendship in my having so long remained here; but + if actions were always analyzed so strictly, and we were not allowed to + derive a little credit from our weaknesses, how many great characters + would be reduced to the common level. Voltaire introduced a sort of rage + for anecdotes, and for tracing all events to trifling causes, which has + done much more towards exploding the old-fashioned system or the dignity + of human nature than the dry maxims of Rochefaucault, the sophisms of + Mandeville, or even the malicious wit of Swift. This is also another + effect of the progress of philosophy; and this sort of moral Quixotism, + continually in search of evil, and more gratified in discovering it than + pained by its existence, may be very philosophical; but it is at least + gloomy and discouraging; and we may be permitted to doubt whether mankind + become wiser or better by learning, that those who have been most + remarkable either for wisdom or virtue were occasionally under the + influence of the same follies and passions as other people.—Your + uncharitable discernment, you see, has led me into a digression, and I + have, without intending it, connected the motives of my stay with + reflections on Voltaire's General History, Barillon's Letters, and all the + secret biography of our modern libraries. This, you will say, is only a + chapter of a "man's importance to himself;" but public affairs are now so + confused and disgusting, that we are glad to encourage any train of ideas + not associated with them. + </p> + <p> + The Commissioners I gave you some account of in a former letter are + departed, and we have lately had Chabot, an Ex-capuchin, and a patriot of + special note in the Convention, and one Dumont, an attorney of a + neighbouring village. They are, like all the rest of these missionaries, + entrusted with unlimited powers, and inspire apprehension and dismay + wherever they approach. + </p> + <p> + The Garde Nationale of Amiens are not yet entirely subdued to the times, + and Chabot gave some hints of a project to disarm them, and actually + attempted to arrest some of their officers; but, apprized of his design, + they remained two nights under arms, and the Capuchin, who is not + martially inclined, was so alarmed at this indication of resistance, that + he has left the town with more haste than ceremony.—He had, in an + harangue at the cathedral, inculcated some very edifying doctrines on the + division of property and the right of pillage; and it is not improbable, + had he not withdrawn, but the Amienois would have ventured, on this + pretext, to arrest him. Some of them contrived, in spite of the centinel + placed at the lodging of these great men, to paste up on the door two + figures, with the names of Chabot and Dumont; in the "fatal position of + the unfortunate brave;" and though certain events in the lives of these + Deputies may have rendered this perspective of their last moments not + absolutely a novelty, yet I do not recollect that Akenside, or any other + author, has enumerated a gibbet amongst the objects, which, though not + agreeable in themselves, may be reconciled to the mind by familiarity. I + wish, therefore, our representatives may not, in return for this + admonitory portrait of their latter end, draw down some vengeance on the + town, not easily to be appeased. I am no astrologer, but in our sublunary + world the conjunction of an attorney and a renegade monk cannot present a + fortunate aspect; and I am truly anxious to find myself once again under + the more benign influence of your English hemisphere.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_18" id="short3_4_18"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Peronne, July 29, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + Every attempt to obtain passports has been fruitless, and, with that sort + of discontented resignation which is the effect of necessity, I now look + upon myself as fixed here till the peace. I left Mr. and Mrs. D____ + yesterday morning, the disappointment operating upon them in full force. + The former takes longer walks than usual, breaks out in philippics against + tyrannies of all kinds, and swears ten times a day that the French are the + most noisy people upon earth—the latter is vexed, and, for that + reason, fancies she is ill, and calculates, with great ingenuity, all the + hazard and inconvenience we may be liable to by remaining here. I hope, on + my return, to find them more reconciled. + </p> + <p> + At Villars de Bretonne, on my road hither, some people told me, with great + gaiety, that the English had made a descent on the coast of Picardy. Such + a report (for I did not suppose it possible) during the last war would + have made me tremble, but I heard this without alarm, having, in no + instance, seen the people take that kind of interest in public events + which formerly made a residence in France unpleasant to an individual of + an hostile nation. It is not that they are become more liberal, or better + informed—no change of this kind has been discovered even by the + warmest advocates of the revolution; but they are more indifferent, and + those who are not decidedly the enemies of the present government, for the + most part concern themselves as little about the events of the war, as + though it were carried on in the South Sea. + </p> + <p> + I fear I should risk an imputation on my veracity, were I to describe the + extreme ignorance and inattention of the French with respect to public men + and measures. They draw no conclusions from the past, form no conjectures + for the future, and, after exclaiming "Il ne peut pas durer comme cela," + they, with a resignation which is certainly neither pious nor philosophic, + leave the rest to the agency of Providence.—Even those who are more + informed so bewilder themselves in the politics of Greece and Rome, that + they do not perceive how little these are applicable to their own country. + Indeed, it should seem that no modern age or people is worthy the + knowledge of a Frenchman.—I have often remarked, in the course of + our correspondence, how little they are acquainted with what regards + England or the English; and scarcely a day passes that I have not occasion + to make the same observation. + </p> + <p> + My conductor hither, who is a friend of Mad. de T____, and esteemed "bien + instruit," was much surprized when I told him that the population and size + of London exceeded that of Paris—that we had good fruit, and better + vegetables than were to be found in many parts of France. I saw that he + suspected my veracity, and there is always on these occasions such a + decided and impenetrable incredulity in a Frenchman as precludes all hopes + of convincing him. He listens with a sort of self-sufficient complacence + which tells you he does not consider your assertions as any thing more + than the exaggerations of national vanity, but that his politeness does + not allow him to contradict you. I know nothing more disgustingly + impertinent than his ignorance, which intrenches itself behind the forms + of civility, and, affecting to decline controversy, assumes the merit of + forbearance and moderation: yet this must have been often observed by + every one who has lived much in French society: for the first emotion of a + Frenchman, on hearing any thing which tends to place another country on an + equality with France, is doubt—this doubt is instantly reinforced by + vanity—and, in a few seconds, he is perfectly satisfied that the + thing is impossible. + </p> + <p> + One must be captious indeed to object to this, did it arise from that + patriotic feeling so common in the English; but here it is all vanity, + downright vanity: a Frenchman must have his country and his mistress + admired, though he does not often care much for either one or the other. I + have been in various parts of France in the most critical periods of the + revolution—I have conversed with people of all parties and of all + ranks—and I assert, that I have never yet met but with one man who + had a grain of real patriotism. If the Athenian law were adopted which + doomed all to death who should be indifferent to the public welfare in a + time of danger, I fear there would be a woeful depopulation here, even + among the loudest champions of democracy. + </p> + <p> + It is not thirty miles from Amiens to Peronne, yet a journey of thirty + miles is not now to be undertaken inconsiderately; the horses are so much + worked, and so ill fed, that few perform such a distance without rest and + management. If you wish to take others, and continue your route, you + cannot, or if you wait while your own horses are refreshed, as a reward + for your humanity you get starved yourself. Bread being very scarce, no + family can get more than sufficient for its own consumption, and those who + travel without first supplying themselves, do it at the risk of finding + none on the road. + </p> + <p> + Peronne is chiefly remarkable in history for never having been taken, and + for a tower where Louis XI. was confined for a short time, after being + outwitted in a manner somewhat surprizing for a Monarch who piqued himself + on his talents for intrigue, by Charles le Temeraire, Duke of Burgundy. It + modern reputation, arises from its election of the Abbe Maury for its + representative, and for entertaining political principles every way + analogous to such a choice. + </p> + <p> + I found the Marquise much altered in her person, and her health much + impaired, by the frequent alarms and continual apprehensions she had been + subject to at Paris. Fortunately she has no imputation against her but her + rank and fortune, for she is utterly guiltless of all political opinions; + so that I hope she will be suffered to knit stockings, tend her birds and + dogs, and read romances in peace.—Yours, &c. &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_19" id="short3_4_19"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + August 1, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + When the creation of assignats was first proposed, much ingenuity was + employed in conjecturing, and much eloquence displayed in expatiating + upon, the various evils that might result from them; yet the genius of + party, however usually successful in gloomy perspective, did not at that + time imagine half the inconvenience this measure was fraught with. It was + easy, indeed, to foresee, that an immense circulation of paper, like any + other currency, must augment the price of every thing; but the excessive + discredit of the assignats, operating accessarily to their quantity, has + produced a train of collateral effects of greater magnitude than even + those that were originally apprehended. Within the last twelve months the + whole country are become monopolizers—the desire of realizing has so + possessed all degrees of people, that there is scarcely an article of + consumption which is not bought up and secreted. One would really suppose + that nothing was perishable but the national credit—the nobleman, + the merchant, the shopkeeper, all who have assignats, engage in these + speculations, and the necessities of our dissipated heirs do not drive + them to resources for obtaining money more whimsical than the commerce now + practised here to get rid of it. I know a beau who has converted his <i>hypotheque</i> + [Mortgage.] on the national domains into train oil, and a General who has + given these "airy nothings" the substance and form of hemp and leather!* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * In the late rage for monopolies in France, a person who had observed + the vast daily consumption of onions, garlic, and eschalots, conceived + the project of making the whole district of Amiens tributary for this + indispensible article. In consequence, he attended several market-days, + and purchased all that came in his way. The country people finding a + ready sale for their onions, poured in from all quarters, and our + projector found that, in proportion as he bought, the market became more + profusely supplied, and that the commodity he had hoped to monopolize + was inexhaustible. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Goods purchased from such motives are not as you may conceive sold till + the temptation of an exorbitant profit seduces the proprietor to risk a + momentary possession of assignats, which are again disposed of in a + similar way. Thus many necessaries of life are withdrawn from circulation, + and when a real scarcity ensues, they are produced to the people, charged + with all the accumulated gains of these intermediate barters. + </p> + <p> + This illiberal and pernicious commerce, which avarice and fear have for + some time kept in great activity, has at length attracted the notice of + the Convention, and very severe laws are now enacted against monopolies of + all kinds. The holder of any quantity of merchandize beyond what he may be + supposed to consume is obliged to declare it to his municipality, and to + expose the articles he deals in in writing over his door. These clauses, + as well as every other part of the decree, seem very wise and equitable; + but I doubt if the severity of the punishment annexed to any transgression + of it will not operate so as to defeat the purposes intended to be + produced. A false declaration is punishable by six years imprisonment, and + an absolute non-compliance with death.—Blackstone remarks, that it + is the certainty, not the severity, of punishment, which makes laws + efficacious; and this must ever be the case amongst an humane people.—An + inordinate desire of gain is not often considered by mankind as very + criminal, and those who would willingly subject it to its adequate + punishment of fine and confiscation, will hesitate to become the means of + inflicting death on the offender, or of depriving him of his liberty. The + Poets have, from time immemorial, claimed a kind of exclusive jurisdiction + over the sin of avarice: but, unfortunately, minds once steeled by this + vice are not often sensible to the attacks of ridicule; and I have never + heard that any poet, from Plautus to Moliere, has reformed a single miser. + I am not, therefore, sorry that our legislature has encroached on this + branch of the poetical prerogative, and only wish that the mild regimen of + the Muses had been succeeded by something less rigid than the prison or + the guillotine. It is true, that, in the present instance, it is not the + ordinary and habitual practice of avarice that has called forth the + severity of the laws, but a species so destructive and extensive in its + consequences, that much may be said in defence of any penalty short of + death; and such is the general distrust of the paper-money, that I really + believe, had not some measure of the kind been adopted, no article + susceptible of monopoly would have been left for consumption. There are, + however, those who retort on the government, and assert, that the origin + of the evil is in the waste and peculation of its agents, which also make + the immense emission of paper more necessary; and they are right in the + fact, though not in their deduction, for as the evil does exist whatever + may be the cause, it is certainly wise to endeavour to remedy it. + </p> + <p> + The position of Valenciennes, which is supposed to be on the eve of a + surrender—the progress of the insurgents in La Vendee—the + discontents in the South—and the charge of treachery against so many + of the Generals, and particularly Custine—all together seem to have + agitated the public extremely: yet it is rather the agitation of + uncertainty than that occasioned by any deep impression of hope or fear. + The people wish to be relieved from their present situation, yet are + without any determinate views for the future; and, indeed, in this part of + the country, where they have neither leaders nor union, it would be very + difficult for them to take a more active part. + </p> + <p> + The party of the foederalists languish, merely because it is nothing more + than a party, and a party of which the heads excite neither interest nor + esteem. I conclude you learn from the papers all the more important + events, and I confine myself, as usual, to such details as I think less + likely to reach you. The humanity of the English must often banish their + political animosities when they read what passes here; and thousands of my + countrymen must at this moment lament with me the situation to which + France is reduced by projects in which common sense can distinguish no + medium between wickedness and folly. + </p> + <p> + All apparent attachment to royalism is now cautiously avoided, but the + royalists do not diminish by persecution, and the industry with which they + propagate their opinions is nearly a match for all the force armee of the + republicans.—It is not easy to print pamphlets or newspapers, but + there are certain shops which one would think were discovered by instinct, + where are sold a variety of mysterious emblems of royalty, such as fans + that have no visible ornaments except landscapes, &c. but when opened + by the initiated, present tolerable likenesses of the Royal Family; + snuff-boxes with secret lids, containing miniature busts of the late King; + and music so ingeniously printed, that what to the common eye offers only + some popular air, when folded so as to join the heads and tails of the + notes together, forms sentences of very treasonable import, and by no + means flattering to the existing government—I have known these + interdicted trifles purchased at extravagant prices by the best-reputed + patriots, and by officers who in public breathe nothing but unconquerable + democracy, and detestation of Kings. Yet, though these things are + circulated with extreme caution, every body has something of the sort, + and, as Charles Surface says, "for my part, I don't see who is out of the + secret." + </p> + <p> + The belief in religious miracles is exploded, and it is only in political + ones that the faith of the people is allowed to exercise itself.—We + have lately seen exhibited at the fairs and markets a calf, produced into + the world with the tri-coloured cockade on its head; and on the painted + cloth that announces the phoenomenon is the portrait of this natural + revolutionist, with a mayor and municipality in their official scarfs, + addressing the four-footed patriot with great ceremony. + </p> + <p> + We set out early to-morrow-morning for Soissons, which is about twenty + leagues from hence. Travelling is not very desirable in the present + circumstances, but Mad. de F____ has some affairs to settle there which + cannot well be entrusted to a third person. The times, however, have a + very hostile appearance, and we intend, if possible, to be absent but + three days.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_20" id="short3_4_20"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Soissons, August 4, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + "And you may go by Beauvais if you will, for which reason many go by + Beauvais;" and the stranger who turns out of his road to go by Soissons, + must use the same reasoning, for the consciousness of having exercised his + free agency will be all his reward for visiting Soissons. This, by the + way; for my journey hither not being one of curiosity, I have no right to + complain; yet somehow or other, by associating the idea of the famous + Vase, the ancient residence of the first French Kings, and other + circumstances as little connected as these I suppose with modern history, + I had ranked Soissons in my imagination as one of the places I should see + with interest. I find it, however, only a dull, decent-looking town, + tolerably large, but not very populous. In the new division of France it + is the capital of the department De l'Aisne, and is of course the seat of + the administration. + </p> + <p> + We left Peronne early, and, being so fortunate as to encounter no + accidental delays, we arrived within a league of Soissons early in the + afternoon. Mad. de F____, recollecting an acquaintance who has a chateau + not far out of our road, determined to stop an hour or two; for, as she + said, her friend was so "fond of the country," she should be sure to find + him there. We did, indeed, find this Monsieur, who is so "fond of the + country," at home, extremely well powdered, dressed in a striped silk + coat, and engaged with a card party, on a warm afternoon on the third of + August.—The chateau was situated as a French chateau usually is, so + as to be benefited by all the noises and odours of the village—built + with a large single front, and a number of windows so judiciously placed, + that it must be impossible either to be cool in summer or warm in winter. + </p> + <p> + We walked out after taking some coffee, and I learned that this lover of + the country did not keep a single acre of land in his own hands, but that + the part immediately contiguous to the house was cultivated for a certain + share of the profit by a farmer who lives in a miserable looking place + adjoining, and where I saw the operations of the dairy-maid carried on + amidst pigs, ducks, and turkeys, who seemed to have established a very + familiar access. + </p> + <p> + Previous to our arrival at Soissons, the Marquise (who, though she does + not consider me as an aristocrate, knows I am by no means a republican,) + begged me to be cautious in expressing my sentiments, as the Comte de + ____, where we were going, had embraced the principles of the revolution + very warmly, and had been much blamed by his family on this account. Mad. + de F____ added, that she had not seen him for above a year, but that she + believed him still to be "extremement patriote." + </p> + <p> + We reached Mons. de ____'s just as the family were set down to a very + moderate supper, and I observed that their plate had been replaced by + pewter. After the first salutations were over, it was soon visible that + the political notions of the count were much changed. He is a sensible + reflecting man, and seems really to wish the good of his country. He + thinks, with many others, that all the good effects which might have been + obtained by the revolution will be lost through the contempt and hatred + which the republican government has drawn upon it. + </p> + <p> + Mons. de ____ has two sons who have distinguished themselves very + honourably in the army, and he has himself made great pecuniary + sacrifices; but this has not secured him from numerous domiciliary visits + and vexations of all kinds. The whole family are at intervals a little + pensive, and Mons. de ____ told us, at a moment when the ladies were + absent, that the taking of Valenciennes had occasioned a violent + fermentation at Paris, and that he had serious apprehensions for those who + have the misfortune to be distinguished by their rank, or obnoxious from + their supposed principles—that he himself, and all who were presumed + to have an attachment to the constitution of eighty-nine, were much more + feared, and of course more suspected, than the original aristocrates—and + "enfin" that he had made up his mind a la Francaise to the worst that + could happen. + </p> + <p> + I have just run over the papers of the day, and I perceive that the + debates of the Convention are filled with invectives against the English. + A letter has been very opportunely found on the ramparts of Lisle, which + is intended to persuade the people that the British government has + distributed money and phosphoric matches in every town in France—the + one to provoke insurrection, the other to set fire to the corn.* You will + conclude this letter to be a fabrication, and it is imagined and executed + with so little ingenuity, that I doubt whether it will impose on the most + ignorant of the people for a moment. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "The National Convention, in the name of violated humanity, denounces + to all the world, and to the people of England in particular, the base, + perfidious, and wicked conduct of the British government, which does not + hesitate to employ fire, poison, assassination, and every other crime, + to procure the triumph of tyranny, and the destruction of the rights of + man." (Decree, 1st August, 1793.) + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The Queen has been transferred to the Conciergerie, or common prison, and + a decree is passed for trying her; but perhaps at this moment (whatever + may be the result hereafter) they only hope her situation may operate as a + check upon the enemy; at least I have heard it doubted by many whether + they intend to proceed seriously on this trial so long threatened.— + Perhaps I may have before noticed to you that the convention never seemed + capable of any thing great or uniform, and that all their proceedings took + a tinge from that frivolity and meanness which I am almost tempted to + believe inherent in the French character. They have just now, amidst a + long string of decrees, the objects of which are of the first consequence, + inserted one for the destruction of all the royal tombs before the tenth + of August, and another for reducing the expences of the King's children, + particularly their food, to bare necessaries. Had our English + revolutionists thus employed themselves, they might have expelled the + sculptured Monarchs from the Abbey, and waged a very successful war on the + admirers of Gothic antiquity; but neither the Stuarts, nor the Catholic + religion, would have had much to fear from them. + </p> + <p> + We have been wandering about the town all day, and I have not remarked + that the successes of the enemy have occasioned any regret. When I was in + France three years ago, you may recollect that my letters usually + contained some relation of our embarrassment and delays, owing to the fear + and ignorance of the people. At one place they apprehended the + introduction of foreign troops—at another, that the Comte d'Artois + was to burn all the corn. In short, the whole country teemed with plots + and counterplots, every one of which was more absurd and inexplicable than + those of Oates, with his whole tribe of Jesuits. At present, when a + powerful army is invading the frontiers, and people have not in many + places bread to eat, they seem to be very little solicitous about the + former, and as little disposed to blame the aristocrates for the latter. + </p> + <p> + It is really extraordinary, after all the pains that have been taken to + excite hatred and resentment against the English, that I have not heard of + a single instance of their having been insulted or molested. Whatever + inconveniencies they may have been subjected to, were acts of the + government, not of the people; and perhaps this is the first war between + the two nations in which the reverse has not been the case. + </p> + <p> + I accompanied Mad. de ____ this afternoon to the house of a rich merchant, + where she had business, and who, she told me, had been a furious patriot, + but his ardour is now considerably abated. He had just returned from the + department, [Here used for the place where the public business is + transacted.] where his affairs had led him; and he assures us, that in + general the agents of the republic were more inaccessible, more insolent, + corrupt, and ignorant, than any employed under the old government. He + demurred to paying Mad. de ____ a sum of money all in <i>assignats a face;</i>* + and this famous patriot would readily have given me an hundred livres for + a pound sterling. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * <i>Assignats a face</i>—that is, with the King's effigy; at this + time greatly preferred to those issued after his death. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + We shall return to Peronne to-morrow, and I have availed myself of the + hour between cards and supper, which is usually employed by the French in + undressing, to scribble my remarks. In some families, I suppose, supping + in dishabille is an arrangement of oeconomy, in others of ease; but I + always think it has the air of preparation for a very solid meal; and, in + effect, supping is not a mere ceremony with either sex in this country. + </p> + <p> + I learnt in conversation with M. de ____, whose sons were at Famars when + the camp was forced, that the carnage was terrible, and that the loss of + the French on this occasion amounted to several thousands. You will be + informed of this much more accurately in England, but you will scarcely + imagine that no official account was ever published here, and that in + general the people are ignorant of the circumstance, and all the disasters + attending it. In England, you have opposition papers that amply supply the + omissions of the ministerial gazettes, and often dwell with much + complacence on the losses and defeats of their country; here none will + venture to publish the least event which they suppose the government wish + to keep concealed. I am told, a leading feature of republican governments + is to be extremely jealous of the liberty of the press, and that of France + is, in this respect, truly republican.—Adieu. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_21" id="short3_4_21"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Peronne, August, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + I have often regretted, my dear brother, that my letters have for some + time been rather intended to satisfy your curiosity than your affection. + At this moment I feel differently, and I rejoice that the inquietude and + danger of my situation will, probably, not come to your knowledge till I + shall be no longer subject to them. I have been for several days unwell, + and yet my body, valetudinarian as I am at best, is now the better part of + me; for my mind has been so deranged by suspense and terror, that I expect + to recover my health long before I shall be able to tranquillize my + spirits. + </p> + <p> + On our return from Soissons I found, by the public prints, that a decree + had passed for arresting all natives of the countries with which France is + at war, and who had not constantly resided there since 1789.—This + intelligence, as you will conceive, sufficiently alarmed me, and I lost no + time in consulting Mad. de ____'s friends on the subject, who were + generally of opinion that the decree was merely a menace, and that it was + too unjust to be put in execution. As some days elapsed and no steps were + taken in consequence, I began to think they were right, and my spirits + were somewhat revived; when one evening, as I was preparing to go to bed, + my maid suddenly entered the room, and, before she could give me any + previous explanation, the apartment was filled with armed men. As soon as + I was collected enough to enquire the object of this unseasonable visit, I + learned that all this military apparel was to put the seals on my papers, + and convey my person to the Hotel de Ville!—I knew it would be vain + to remonstrated, and therefore made an effort to recover my spirits and + submit. The business, however, was not yet terminated, my papers were to + be sealed—and though they were not very voluminous, the process was + more difficult than you would imagine, none of the company having been + employed on affairs of the kind before. A debate ensued on the manner in + which it should be done, and, after a very tumultuous discussion, it was + sagaciously concluded to seal up the doors and windows of all the + apartments appropriated to my use. They then discovered that they had no + seal fit for the purpose, and a new consultation was holden on the + propriety of affixing a cypher which was offered them by one of the Garde + Nationale. + </p> + <p> + This weighty matter being at length decided, the doors of my bedchamber, + dressing-room, and of the apartments with which they communicated, were + carefully fastened up, though not without an observation on my part that I + was only a guest at Mad. de ____'s, and that an order to seize my papers + or person was not a mandate for rendering a part of her home useless. But + there was no reasoning with ignorance and a score of bayonets, nor could I + obtain permission even to take some linen out of my drawers. On going down + stairs, I found the court and avenues to the garden amply guarded, and + with this numerous escort, and accompanied by Mad. de ____, I was + conducted to the Hotel de Ville. I know not what resistance they might + expect from a single female, but, to judge by their precautions, they must + have deemed the adventure a very perilous one. When we arrived at the + Hotel de Ville, it was near eleven o'clock: the hall was crouded, and a + young man, in a dirty linen jacket and trowsers and dirty linen, with the + air of a Polisson and the countenance of an assassin, was haranguing with + great vehemence against the English, who, he asserted, were all agents of + Pitt, (especially the women,) and were to set fire to the corn, and + corrupt the garrisons of the fortified towns.— The people listened + to these terrible projects with a stupid sort of surprize, and, for the + most part, seemed either very careless or very incredulous. As soon as + this inflammatory piece of eloquence was finished, I was presented to the + ill-looking orator, who, I learned, was a representant du peuple. It was + very easy to perceive that my spirits were quite overpowered, and that I + could with difficulty support myself; but this did not prevent the + representant du peuple from treating me with that inconsiderable brutality + which is commonly the effect of a sudden accession of power on narrow and + vulgar minds. After a variety of impertinent questions, menaces of a + prison for myself, and exclamations of hatred and vengeance against my + country, on producing some friends of Mad. de ____, who were to be + answerable for me, I was released, and returned home more dead than alive. + </p> + <p> + You must not infer, from what I have related, that I was particularly + distinguished on this occasion, for though I have no acquaintance with the + English here, I understand they had all been treated much in the same + manner.—As soon as the representant had left the town, by dint of + solicitation we prevailed on the municipality to take the seal off the + rooms, and content themselves with selecting and securing my papers, which + was done yesterday by a commission, formally appointed for the purpose. I + know not the quality of the good citizens to whom this important charge + was entrusted, but I concluded from their costume that they had been more + usefully employed the preceding part of the day at the anvil and last. It + is certain, however, they had undertaken a business greatly beyond their + powers. They indeed turned over all my trunks and drawers, and dived to + the bottom of water-jugs and flower-jars with great zeal, but neglected to + search a large portfolio that lay on the table, probably from not knowing + the use of it; and my servant conveyed away some letters, while I amused + them with the sight of a blue-bottle fly through a microscope. They were + at first much puzzled to know whether books and music were included under + the article of papers, and were very desirous of burning a history of + France, because they discovered, by the title-plate, that it was "about + Kings;" but the most difficult part of this momentous transaction was + taking an account of it in writing. However, as only one of the company + could write, there was no disputing as to the scribe, though there was + much about the manner of execution. I did not see the composition, but I + could hear that it stated "comme quoi," they had found the seals unbroken, + "comme quoi," they had taken them off, and divers "as hows" of the same + kind. The whole being concluded, and my papers deposited in a box, I was + at length freed from my guests, and left in possession of my apartments. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible to account for this treatment of the English by any mode + of reasoning that does not exclude both justice and policy; and viewing it + only as a symptom of that desperate wickedness which commits evil, not as + a means, but an end, I am extremely alarmed for our situation. At this + moment the whole of French politics seems to center in an endeavour to + render the English odious both as a nation and as individuals. The + Convention, the clubs, and the streets of Paris, resound with low abuse of + this tendency; and a motion was made in the former, by one Garnier, to + procure the assassination of Mr. Pitt. Couthon, a member of the Comite de + Salut Publique, has proposed and carried a decree to declare him the enemy + of mankind; and the citizens of Paris are stunned by the hawkers of Mr. + Pitt's plots with the Queen to "starve all France," and "massacre all the + patriots."—Amidst so many efforts* to provoke the destruction of the + English, it is wonderful, when we consider the sanguinary character which + the French people have lately evinced, that we are yet safe, and it is in + effect only to be accounted for by their disinclination to take any part + in the animosities of their government. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * When our representative appeared at Abbeville with an intention of + arresting the English and other foreigners, the people, to whom these + missionaries with unlimited powers were yet new, took the alarm, and + became very apprehensive that he was come likewise to disarm their Garde + Nationale. The streets were crouded, the town house was beset, and + Citizen Dumout found it necessary to quiet the town's people by the + following proclamation. One part of his purpose, that of insuring his + personal safety, was answered by it; but that of exciting the people + against the English, failed— insomuch, that I was told even the + lowest classes, so far from giving credit to the malignant calumnies + propagated against the English, openly regretted their arrestation. + "Citizens, "On my arrival amongst you, I little thought that malevolence + would be so far successful as to alarm you on the motives of my visit. + Could the aristocrates, then, flatter themselves with the hope of making + you believe I had the intention of disarming you? Be deaf, I beseech + you, to so absurd a calumny, and seize on those who propagate it. I came + here to fraternize with you, and to assist you in getting rid of those + malcontents and foreigners, who are striving to destroy the republic by + the most infernal manoeuvres.—An horrible plot has been conceived. + Our harvests are to be fired by means of phosphoric matches, and all the + patriots assassinated. Women, priests, and foreigners, are the + instruments employed by the coalesced despots, and by England above all, + to accomplish these criminal designs.—A law of the first of this + month orders the arrest of all foreigners born in the countries with + which the republic is at war, and not settled in France before the month + of July, 1789. In execution of this law I have required domiciliary + visits to be made. I have urged the preservation of the public + tranquillity. I have therefore done my duty, and only what all good + citizens must approve." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I have just received a few lines from Mrs. D____, written in French, and + put in the post without sealing. I perceive, by the contents, though she + enters into no details, that circumstances similar to those I have + described have likewise taken place at Amiens. In addition to my other + anxieties, I have the prospect of a long separation from my friends; for + though I am not in confinement, I cannot, while the decree which arrested + me remains in force, quit the town of Peronne. I have not often looked + forward with so little hope, or so little certainty, and though a + first-rate philosopher might make up his mind to a particular event, yet + to be prepared for any thing, and all things, is a more difficult matter. + </p> + <p> + The histories of Greece and Rome have long constituted the grand resources + of French eloquence, and it is not till within a few days that an orator + has discovered all this good learning to be of no use—not, as you + might imagine, because the moral character and political situation of the + French differ from those of the Greeks and Romans, but because they are + superior to all the people who ever existed, and ought to be cited as + models, instead of descending to become copyists. "Therefore, continues + this Jacobin sage, (whose name is Henriot, and who is highly popular,) let + us burn all the libraries and all the antiquities, and have no guide but + ourselves—let us cut off the heads of all the Deputies who have not + voted according to our principles, banish or imprison all the gentry and + the clergy, and guillotine the Queen and General Custine!" + </p> + <p> + These are the usual subjects of discussion at the clubs, and the + Convention itself is not much more decent. I tremble when I recollect that + I am in a country where a member of the legislature proposes rewards for + assassination, and the leader of a society, that pretends to inform and + instruct the people, argues in favour of burning all the books. The French + are on the eve of exhibiting the singular spectacle of a nation + enlightened by science, accustomed to the benefit of laws and the + enjoyment of arts, suddenly becoming barbarous by system, and sinking into + ignorance from choice.—When the Goths shared the most curious + antiques by weight, were they not more civilized than the Parisian of + 1793, who disturbs the ashes of Henry the Fourth, or destroys the monument + of Turenne, by a decree?—I have myself been forced to an act very + much in the spirit of the times, but I could not, without risking my own + safety, do otherwise; and I sat up late last night for the purpose of + burning Burke, which I had brought with me, but had fortunately so well + concealed, that it escaped the late inquisition. I indeed made this + sacrifice to prudence with great unwillingness—every day, by + confirming Mr. Burke's assertions, or fulfilling his predictions, had so + increased my reverence for the work, that I regarded it as a kind of + political oracle. I did not, however, destroy it without an apologetic + apostrophe to the author's benevolence, which I am sure would suffer, were + he to be the occasion, though involuntarily, of conducting a female to a + prison or the Guillotine. + </p> + <p> + "How chances mock, and changes fill the cup of alteration up with divers + liquors."—On the same hearth, and in a mingled flame, was consumed + the very constitution of 1789, on which Mr. Burke's book was a censure, + and which would now expose me to equal danger were it to be found in my + possession. In collecting the ashes of these two compositions, the + tendency of which is so different, (for such is the complexion of the + moment, that I would not have even the servant suspect I had been burning + a quantity of papers,) I could not but moralize on the mutability of + popular opinion. Mr. Burke's Gallic adversaries are now most of them + proscribed and anathematized more than himself. Perhaps another year may + see his bust erected on the piedestal which now supports that of Brutus or + Le Pelletier. + </p> + <p> + The letters I have written to you since the communication was interrupted, + with some other papers that I am solicitous to preserve, I have hitherto + always carried about me, and I know not if any danger, merely probable, + will induce me to part with them. You will not, I think, suspect me of + attaching any consequence to my scribblings from vanity; and if I run some + personal risk in keeping them, it is because the situation of this country + is so singular, and the events which occur almost daily so important, that + the remarks of any one who is unlucky enough to be a spectator, may + interest, without the advantage of literary talents.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_22" id="short3_4_22"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Peronne, August 24, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + I have been out to-day for the first time since the arrest of the English, + and, though I have few acquaintances here, my adventure at the Hotel de + Ville has gained me a sort of popularity. I was saluted by many people I + did not know, and overwhelmed with expressions of regret for what had + happened, or congratulations on my having escaped so well. + </p> + <p> + The French are not commonly very much alive to the sufferings of others, + and it is some mortification to my vanity that I cannot, but at the + expence of a reproaching conscience, ascribe the civilities I have + experienced on this occasion to my personal merit. It would doubtless have + been highly flattering to me to relate the tender and general interest I + had excited even among this cold-hearted people, who scarcely feel for + themselves: but the truth is, they are disposed to take the part of any + one whom they think persecuted by their government; and their + representative, Dumont, is so much despised in his private character, and + detested in his public one, that it suffices to have been ill treated by + him, to ensure one a considerable portion of the public good will. + </p> + <p> + This disposition is not a little consolatory, at a time when the whole + rage of an oligarchical tyranny, though impotent against the English as a + nation, meanly exhausts itself on the few helpless individuals within its + power. Embarrassments accumulate and if Mr. Pitt's agents did not most + obligingly write letters, and these letters happen to be intercepted just + when they are most necessary, the Comite de Salut Publique would be at a + loss how to account for them. + </p> + <p> + Assignats have fallen into a discredit beyond example, an hundred and + thirty livres having been given for one Louis-d'or; and, as if this were + not the natural result of circumstances like the present, a correspondence + between two Englishmen informs us, that it is the work of Mr. Pitt, who, + with an unparalleled ingenuity, has contrived to send couriers to every + town in France, to concert measures with the bankers for this purpose. But + if we may believe Barrere, one of the members of the Committee, this + atrocious policy of Mr. Pitt will not be unrevenged, for another + intercepted letter contains assurances that an hundred thousand men have + taken up arms in England, and are preparing to march against the + iniquitous metropolis that gives this obnoxious Minister shelter. + </p> + <p> + My situation is still the same—I have no hope of returning to + Amiens, and have just reason to be apprehensive for my tranquillity here. + I had a long conversation this morning with two people whom Dumont has + left here to keep the town in order during his absence. The subject was to + prevail on them to give me a permission to leave Peronne, but I could not + succeed. They were not, I believe, indisposed to gratify me, but were + afraid of involving themselves. One of them expressed much partiality for + the English, but was very vehement in his disapprobation of their form of + government, which he said was "detestable." My cowardice did not permit me + to argue much in its behalf, (for I look upon these people as more + dangerous than the spies of the old police,) and I only ventured to + observe, with great diffidence, that though the English government was + monarchical, yet the power of the Crown was very much limited; and that as + the chief subjects of our complaints at present were not our institutions, + but certain practical errors, they might be remedied without any violent + or radical changes; and that our nobility were neither numerous nor + privileged, and by no means obnoxious to the majority of the people.—<i>"Ah, + vous avez donc de la noblesse blesse en Angleterre, ce sont peut-etre les + milords,"</i> ["What, you have nobility in England then? The milords, I + suppose."] exclaimed our republican, and it operated on my whole system of + defence like my uncle Toby's smoke-jack, for there was certainly no + discussing the English constitution with a political critic, who I found + was ignorant even of the existence of a third branch of it; yet this + reformer of governments and abhorrer of Kings has power delegated to him + more extensive than those of an English Sovereign, though I doubt if he + can write his own language; and his moral reputation is still less in his + favour than his ignorance—for, previous to the revolution, he was + known only as a kind of swindler, and has more than once been nearly + convicted of forgery.—This is, however, the description of people + now chiefly employed, for no honest man would accept of such commissions, + nor perform the services annexed to them. + </p> + <p> + Bread continues very scarce, and the populace of Paris are, as usual, very + turbulent; so that the neighbouring departments are deprived of their + subsistence to satisfy the wants of a metropolis that has no claim to an + exemption from the general distress, but that which arises from the fears + of the Convention. As far as I have opportunity of learning or observing, + this part of France is in that state of tranquillity which is not the + effect of content but supineness; the people do not love their government, + but they submit to it, and their utmost exertions amount only to a little + occasional obstinacy, which a few dragoons always reduce to compliance. We + are sometimes alarmed by reports that parties of the enemy are approaching + the town, when the gates are shut, and the great bell is toll'd; but I do + not perceive that the people are violently apprehensive about the matter. + Their fears are, I believe, for the most part, rather personal than + political—they do not dread submission to the Austrians, but + military licentiousness. + </p> + <p> + I have been reading this afternoon Lord Orrery's definition of the male + Cecisbeo, and it reminds me that I have not yet noticed to you a very + important class of females in France, who may not improperly be + denominated female Cecisbeos. Under the old system, when the rank of a + woman of fashion had enabled her to preserve a degree of reputation and + influence, in spite of the gallantries of her youth and the decline of her + charms, she adopted the equivocal character I here allude to, and, + relinquishing the adorations claimed by beauty, and the respect due to + age, charitably devoted herself to the instruction and advancement of some + young man of personal qualifications and uncertain fortune. She presented + him to the world, panegyrized him into fashion, and insured his + consequence with one set of females, by hinting his successes with + another. By her exertions he was promoted in the army or distinguished at + the levee, and a career begun under such auspices often terminated in a + brilliant establishment.—In the less elevated circle, a female + Cecisbeo is usually of a certain age, of an active disposition, and great + volubility, and her functions are more numerous and less dignified. Here + the grand objects are not to besiege Ministers, nor give a "ton" to the + protege at a fashionable ruelle, but to obtain for him the solid + advantages of what she calls <i>"un bon parti."</i> [A good match.] To + this end she frequents the houses of widows and heiresses, vaunts the + docility of his temper, and the greatness of his expectations, enlarges on + the solitude of widowhood, or the dependence and insignificance of a + spinster; and these prefatory encomiums usually end in the concerted + introduction of the Platonic "ami." + </p> + <p> + But besides these principal and important cares, a female Cecisbeo of the + middle rank has various subordinate ones—such as buying linen, + choosing the colour of a coat, or the pattern of a waistcoat, with all the + minutiae of the favourite's dress, in which she is always consulted at + least, if she has not the whole direction. + </p> + <p> + It is not only in the first or intermediate classes that these useful + females abound, they are equally common in more humble situations, and + only differ in their employments, not in their principles. A woman in + France, whatever be her condition, cannot be persuaded to resign her + influence with her youth; and the bourgeoise who has no pretensions to + court favour or the disposal of wealthy heiresses, attaches her eleve by + knitting him stockings, forcing him with bons morceaux till he has an + indigestion, and frequent regales of coffee and liqueur. + </p> + <p> + You must not conclude from all this that there is any gallantry implied, + or any scandal excited—the return for all these services is only a + little flattery, a philosophic endurance of the card-table, and some skill + in the disorders of lap-dogs. I know there are in England, as well as in + France, many notable females of a certain age, who delight in what they + call managing, and who are zealous in promoting, matches among the young + people of their acquaintance; but for one that you meet with in England + there are fifty here. + </p> + <p> + I doubt much if, upon the whole, the morals of the English women are not + superior to those of the French; but however the question may be decided + as to morals, I believe their superiority in decency of manners is + indisputable—and this superiority is, perhaps, more conspicuous in + women of a certain age, than in the younger part of the sex. We have a + sort of national regard for propriety, which deters a female from + lingering on the confines of gallantry, when age has warned her to + withdraw; and an old woman that should take a passionate and exclusive + interest about a young man not related to her, would become at least an + object of ridicule, if not of censure:—yet in France nothing is more + common; every old woman appropriates some youthful dangler, and, what is + extraordinary, his attentions are not distinguishable from those he would + pay to a younger object.—I should remark, however, as some apology + for these juvenile gallants, that there are very few of what we call + Tabbies in France; that is, females of severe principles and contracted + features, in whose apparel every pin has its destination with mathematical + exactness, who are the very watch-towers of a neighbourhood, and who give + the alarm on the first appearance of incipient frailty. Here, antique + dowagers and faded spinsters are all gay, laughing, rouged, and indulgent—so + that 'bating the subtraction of teeth and addition of wrinkles, the + disparity between one score and four is not so great: + </p> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + "Gay rainbow silks their mellow charms enfold, + Nought of these beauties but themselves is old." + +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + I know if I venture to add a word in defence of Tabbyhood, I shall be + engaged in a war with yourself and all our young acquaintance; yet in this + age, which so liberally "softens, and blends, and weakens, and dilutes" + away all distinctions, I own I am not without some partiality for strong + lines of demarcation; and, perhaps, when fifty retrogrades into fifteen, + it makes a worse confusion in society than the toe of the peasant treading + on the heel of the courtier.—But, adieu: I am not gay, though I + trifle. I have learnt something by my residence in France, and can be, as + you see, frivolous under circumstances that ought to make me grave.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_23" id="short3_4_23"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Peronne, August 29, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + The political horizon of France threatens nothing but tempests. If we are + still tranquil here, it is only because the storm is retarded, and, far + from deeming ourselves secure from its violence, we suffer in apprehension + almost as much as at other places is suffered in reality. An hundred and + fifty people have been arrested at Amiens in one night, and numbers of the + gentry in the neighbouring towns have shared the same fate. This measure, + which I understand is general throughout the republic, has occasioned + great alarms, and is beheld by the mass of the people themselves with + regret. In some towns, the Bourgeois have petitions to the Representatives + on mission in behalf of their gentry thus imprisoned: but, far from + succeeding, all who have signed such petitions are menaced and + intimidated, and the terror is so much increased, that I doubt if even + this slight effort will be repeated any where. + </p> + <p> + The levee en masse, or rising in a body, which has been for some time + decreed, has not yet taken place. There are very few, I believe, that + comprehend it, and fewer who are disposed to comply. Many consultations + have been holden, many plans proposed; but as the result of all these + consultations and plans is to send a certain number to the frontiers, the + suffrages have never been unanimous except in giving their negative.— + Like Falstaff's troops, every one has some good cause of exemption; and if + you were to attend a meeting where this affair is discussed, you would + conclude the French to be more physically miserable than any people on the + glove. Youths, in apparent good health, have internal disorders, or + concealed infirmities—some are near-sighted—others epileptic—one + is nervous, and cannot present a musquet—another is rheumatic, and + cannot carry it. In short, according to their account, they are a + collection of the lame, the halt, and the blind, and fitter to send to the + hospital, than to take the field. But, in spite of all these disorders and + incapacities, a considerable levy must be made, and the dragoons will, I + dare say, operate very wonderful cures. + </p> + <p> + The surrender of Dunkirk to the English is regarded as inevitable. I am + not politician enough to foresee the consequences of such an event, but + the hopes and anxieties of all parties seem directed thither, as if the + fate of the war depended on it. As for my own wishes on the subject, they + are not national, and if I secretly invoke the God of Armies for the + success of my countrymen, it is because I think all that tends to destroy + the present French government may be beneficial to mankind. Indeed, the + successes of war can at no time gratify a thinking mind farther than as + they tend to the establishment of peace. + </p> + <p> + After several days of a mockery which was called a trial, though the + witnesses were afraid to appear, or the Counsel to plead in his favour, + Custine has suffered at the Guillotine. I can be no judge of his military + conduct, and Heaven alone can judge of his intentions. None of the charges + were, however, substantiated, and many of them were absurd or frivolous. + Most likely, he has been sacrificed to a cabal, and his destruction makes + a part of that system of policy, which, by agitating the minds of the + people with suspicions of universal treason and unfathomable plots, leaves + them no resource but implicit submission to their popular leaders. + </p> + <p> + The death of Custine seems rather to have stimulated than appeased the + barbarity of the Parisian mob. At every defeat of their armies they call + for executions, and several of those on whom the lot has fallen to march + against the enemy have stipulated, at the tribune of the Jacobins, for the + heads they exact as a condition of their departure,* or as the reward for + their labours. The laurel has no attraction for heroes like these, who + invest themselves with the baneful yew and inauspicious cypress, and go to + the field of honour with the dagger of the assassin yet ensanguined. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Many insisted they would not depart until after the death of the Queen—some + claimed the death of one General, some that of another, and all, the + lives or banishment of the gentry and clergy. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + "Fair steeds, gay shields, bright arms," [Spencer.] the fancy-created + deity, the wreath of fame, and all that poets have imagined to decorate + the horrors of war, are not necessary to tempt the gross barbarity of the + Parisian: he seeks not glory, but carnage—his incentive is the + groans of defenceless victims—he inlists under the standard of the + Guillotine, and acknowledges the executioner for his tutelary Mars. + </p> + <p> + In remarking the difficulties that have occurred in carrying into + execution the levee en masse, I neglected to inform you that the prime + mover of all these machinations is your omnipotent Mr. Pitt—it is he + who has fomented the perverseness of the towns, and alarmed the timidity + of the villages—he has persuaded some that it is not pleasant to + leave their shops and families, and insinuated into the minds of others + that death or wounds are not very desirable—he has, in fine, so + effectually achieved his purpose, that the Convention issues decree after + decree, the members harangue to little purpose, and the few recruits + already levied, like those raised in the spring, go from many places + strongly escorted to the army.—I wish I had more peaceful and more + agreeable subjects for your amusement, but they do not present themselves, + and "you must blame the times, not me." I would wish to tell you that the + legislature is honest, that the Jacobins are humane, and the people + patriots; but you know I have no talent for fiction, and if I had, my + situation is not favourable to any effort of fancy.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_24" id="short3_4_24"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Peronne, Sept. 7, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + The successes of the enemy on all sides, the rebellion at Lyons and + Marseilles, with the increasing force of the insurgents in La Vendee, have + revived our eagerness for news, and if the indifference of the French + character exempt them from more patriotic sensations, it does not banish + curiosity; yet an eventful crisis, which in England would draw people + together, here keeps them apart. When an important piece of intelligence + arrives, our provincial politicians shut themselves up with their + gazettes, shun society, and endeavour to avoid giving an opinion until + they are certain of the strength of a party, or the success of an attempt. + In the present state of public affairs, you may therefore conceive we have + very little communication—we express our sentiments more by looks + and gestures than words, and Lavater (admitting his system) would be of + more use to a stranger than Boyer or Chambaud. If the English take + Dunkirk, perhaps we may be a little more social and more decided. + </p> + <p> + Mad. de ____ has a most extensive acquaintance, and, as we are situated on + one of the roads from Paris to the northern army, notwithstanding the + cautious policy of the moment, we are tolerably well informed of what + passes in most parts of France; and I cannot but be astonished, when I + combine all I hear, that the government is able to sustain itself. Want, + discord, and rebellion, assail it within—defeats and losses from + without. Perhaps the solution of this political problem can only be found + in the selfishness of the French character, and the want of connection + between the different departments. Thus one part of the country is subdued + by means of another: the inhabitants of the South take up arms in defence + of their freedom and their commerce, while those of the North refuse to + countenance or assist them, and wait in selfish tranquillity till the same + oppression is extended to themselves. The majority of the people have no + point of union nor mode of communication, while the Jacobins, whose + numbers are comparatively insignificant, are strong, by means of their + general correspondence, their common center at Paris, and the exclusive + direction of all the public prints. But, whatever are the causes, it is + certain that the government is at once powerful and detested—almost + without apparent support, yet difficult to overthrow; and the submission + of Rome to a dotard and a boy can no longer excite the wonder of any one + who reflects on what passes in France. + </p> + <p> + After various decrees to effect the levee en masse, the Convention have + discovered that this sublime and undefined project was not calculated for + the present exhausted state of martial ardour. They therefore no longer + presume on any movement of enthusiasm, but have made a positive and + specific requisition of all the male inhabitants of France between + eighteen and twenty-five years of age. This, as might be expected, has + been more effectual, because it interests those that are exempt to force + the compliance of those who are not. Our young men here were like children + with a medicine—they proposed first one form of taking this military + potion, then another, and finding them all equally unpalatable, would not, + but for a little salutary force, have decided at all. + </p> + <p> + A new law has been passed for arresting all the English who cannot produce + two witnesses of their civisme, and those whose conduct is thus guaranteed + are to receive tickets of hospitality, which they are to wear as a + protection. This decree has not yet been carried into effect at Peronne, + nor am I much disturbed about it. Few of our countrymen will find the + matter very difficult to arrange, and I believe they have all a better + protection in the disposition of the people towards them, than any that + can be assured them by decrees of the Convention. + </p> + <p> + Sept. 11. The news of Lord Hood's taking possession of Toulon, which the + government affected to discredit for some days, is now ascertained; and + the Convention, in a paroxism of rage, at once cowardly and unprincipled, + has decreed that all the English not resident in France before 1789, shall + be imprisoned as hostages, and be answerable with their lives for the + conduct of their countrymen and of the Toulonese towards Bayle and + Beauvais, two Deputies, said to be detained in the town at the time of its + surrender. My first emotions of terror and indignation have subsided, and + I have, by packing up my clothes, disposing of my papers, and providing + myself with money, prepared for the worst. My friends, indeed, persuade + me, (as on a former occasion,) that the decree is too atrocious to be put + in execution; but my apprehensions are founded on a principle not likely + to deceive me—namely, that those who have possessed themselves of + the French government are capable of any thing. I live in constant fear, + watching all day and listening all night, and never go to bed but with the + expectation of being awakened, nor rise without a presentiment of + misfortune.—I have not spirits nor composure to write, and shall + discontinue my letters until I am relieved from suspense, if nor from + uneasiness. I risk much by preserving these papers, and, perhaps, may + never be able to add to them; but whatever I may be reserved for, while I + have a hope they may reach you they shall not be destroyed. —I bid + you adieu in a state of mind which the circumstances I am under will + describe better than words.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_25" id="short3_4_25"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Maison d'Arret, Arras, Oct. 15, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + Dear Brother, + </p> + <p> + The fears of a timid mind usually magnify expected evil, and anticipated + suffering often diminishes the effect of an apprehended blow; yet my + imagination had suggested less than I have experienced, nor do I find that + a preparatory state of anxiety has rendered affliction more supportable. + The last month of my life has been a compendium of misery; and my + recollection, which on every other subject seems to fail me, is, on this, + but too faithful, and will enable me to relate events which will interest + you not only as they personally concern me, but as they present a picture + of the barbarity and despotism to which this whole country is subject, and + to which many thousands besides myself were at the same instant victims. + </p> + <p> + A few evenings after I concluded my last, the firing of cannon and ringing + the great bell announced the arrival of Dumont (still Representative en + mission in our department). The town was immediately in alarm, all the + gates were shut, and the avenues leading to the ramparts guarded by + dragoons. Our house being in a distant and unfrequented street, before we + could learn the cause of all this confusion, a party of the national + guard, with a municipal officer at their head, arrived, to escort Mad. de + ___ and myself to a church, where the Representant was then examining the + prisoners brought before him. Almost as much astonished as terrified, we + endeavoured to procure some information of our conductors, as to what was + to be the result of this measure; but they knew nothing, and it was easy + to perceive they thought the office they were executing an unpleasant one. + The streets we passed were crouded with people, whose silent consternation + and dismayed countenances increased our forebodings, and depressed the + little courage we had yet preserved. The church at our arrival was nearly + empty, and Dumont preparing to depart, when the municipal officer + introduced us to him. As soon as he learned that Mad. de ____ was the + sister of an emigrant, and myself a native of England, he told us we were + to pass the night in a church appointed for the purpose, and that on the + morrow we should be conveyed to Arras. For a moment all my faculties + became suspended, and it was only by an effort almost convulsive that I + was able to ask how long it was probable we should be deprived of our + liberty. He said he did not know—"but that the raising of the siege + of Dunkirk, and the loss of six thousand troops which the French had taken + prisoners, would doubtless produce an insurrection in England, par + consequent a peace, and our release from captivity!" + </p> + <p> + You may be assured I felt no desire of freedom on such terms, and should + have heard this ignorant and malicious suggestion only with contempt, had + not the implication it conveyed that our detention would not terminate but + with the war overwhelmed every other idea. Mad. de ____ then petitioned + that we might, on account of our health, (for we were both really unwell,) + be permitted to go home for the night, accompanied by guards if it were + thought necessary. But the Representant was inexorable, and in a brutal + and despotic tone ordered us away.—When we reached the church, which + was to be our prison till morning, we found about an hundred and fifty + people, chiefly old men, women, and children, dispersed in melancholy + groupes, lamenting their situation, and imparting their fears to each + other. The gloom of the building was increased by the darkness of the + night; and the noise of the guard, may of whom were intoxicated, the odour + of tobacco, and the heat of the place, rendered our situation almost + insupportable. We soon discovered several of our acquaintance, but this + association in distress was far from consolatory, and we passed the time + in wandering about together, and consulting upon what would be of most use + to us in our confinement. We had, indeed, little to hope for from the + morrow, yet the hours dragged on heavily, and I know not if ever I beheld + the return of light with more pleasure. I was not without apprehension for + our personal safety. I recollected the massacres in churches at Paris, and + the frequent propositions that had been made to exterminate the gentry and + clergy. Mad. de ____ has since confessed, that she had the same ideas. + </p> + <p> + Morning at length came, and our servants were permitted to enter with + breakfast. They appeared sorrowful and terror-stricken, but offered with + great willingness to accompany us whithersoever we should be sent. After a + melancholy sort of discussion, it was decided that we should take our + femmes de chambres, and that the others should remain for the safety of + the house, and to send us what we might have occasion for. This settled, + they returned with such directions as we were able to give them, (God + knows, not very coherent ones,) to prepare for our journey: and as our + orders, however confused, were not very voluminous, they were soon + executed, and before noon every thing was in readiness for our departure. + The people employed by our companions were equally diligent, and we might + very well have set out by one o'clock, had our case been at all + considered; but, I know not why, instead of so providing that we might + reach our destination in the course of the day, it seemed to have been + purposely contrived that we should be all night on the road, though we had + already passed one night without rest, and were exhausted by watching and + fatigue. + </p> + <p> + In this uncertain and unpleasant state we waited till near six o'clock; a + number of small covered waggons were then brought, accompanied by a + detachment of dragoons, who were to be our escort. Some time elapsed, as + you may suppose, before we could be all settled in the carriages and such + a cavalcade put in motion; but the concourse of people that filled the + streets, the appearance of the troops, and the tumult occasioned by so + many horses and carriages, overpowered my spirits, and I remember little + of what passed till I found we were on the road to Arras. Mad. de ____'s + maid now informed us, that Dumont had arrived the evening before in + extreme ill humour, summoned the municipality in haste, enquired how many + people they had arrested, and what denunciations they had yet to make. The + whole body corporate trembled, they had arrested no one, and, still worse, + they had no one to accuse; and could only alledge in their behalf, that + the town was in the utmost tranquillity, and the people were so well + disposed, that all violence was unnecessary. The Representant became + furious, vociferated <i>tout grossierement a la Francaise,</i> [In the + vulgar French manner.] that he knew there were five thousand aristocrates + in Peronne, and that if he had not at least five hundred brought him + before morning, he would declare the town in a state of rebellion. + </p> + <p> + Alarmed by this menace, they began to arrest with all possible speed, and + were more solicitous to procure their number than to make discriminations. + Their diligence, however, was inadequate to appease the choleric + legislator, and the Mayor, municipal officers, and all the administrators + of the district, were in the morning sent to the Castle, whence they are + to be conveyed, with some of their own prisoners, to Amiens. + </p> + <p> + Besides this intelligence, we learned that before our servants had + finished packing up our trunks, some Commissioners of the section arrived + to put the seals on every thing belonging to us, and it was not without + much altercation that they consented to our being furnished with + necessaries—that they had not only sealed up all the house, but had + placed guards there, each of whom Mad. de ____ is to pay, at the rate of + two shillings a day. + </p> + <p> + We were too large a body to travel fast, and by the time we reached + Bapaume (though only fifteen miles) it was after twelve; it rained + dreadfully, the night was extremely dark, the roads were bad, and the + horses tired; so that the officer who conducted us thought it would be + difficult to proceed before morning. We were therefore once more crouded + into a church, in our wet clothes, (for the covering of the waggon was not + thick enough to exclude the rain,) a few bundles of damp straw were + distributed, and we were then shut up to repose as well as we could. All + my melancholy apprehensions of the preceding night returned with + accumulated force, especially as we were now in a place where we were + unknown, and were guarded by some of the newly-raised dragoons, of whom we + all entertained very unfavourable suspicions. + </p> + <p> + We did not, as you may well imagine, attempt to sleep—a bed of wet + straw laid on the pavement of a church, filthy, as most French churches + are, and the fear of being assassinated, resisted every effort of nature + herself, and we were very glad when at the break of day we were summoned + to continue our journey. About eleven we entered Arras: the streets were + filled by idle people, apprized of our arrival; but no one offered us any + insult, except some soldiers, (I believe, by their uniform, refugees from + the Netherlands,) who cried, "a la Guillotine!—a la Guillotine!" + </p> + <p> + The place to which we were ordered had been the house of an emigrant, now + converted into an house of detention, and which, though large, was + excessively full. The keeper, on our being delivered to him, declared he + had no room for us, and we remained with our baggage in the court-yard + some hours before he had, by dislodging and compressing the other + inhabitants, contrived to place us. At last, when we were half dead with + cold and fatigue, we were shown to our quarters. Those allotted for my + friend, myself, and our servants, was the corner of a garret without a + cieling, cold enough in itself, but rendered much warmer than was + desirable by the effluvia of a score of living bodies, who did not seem to + think the unpleasantness of their situation at all increased by dirt and + offensive smells. Weary as we were, it was impossible to attempt reposing + until a purification had been effected: we therefore set ourselves to + sprinkling vinegar and burning perfumes; and it was curious to observe + that the people, (<i>all gens comme il faut</i> [People of fashion.]) whom + we found inhaling the atmosphere of a Caffrarian hut, declared their + nerves were incommoded by the essence of roses and vinaigre des quatre + voleurs. + </p> + <p> + As a part of the room was occupied by men, our next business was to + separate our corner by a curtain, which we had fortunately brought with + our bedding; and this done, we spread our mattresses and lay down, while + the servants were employed in getting us tea. As soon as we were a little + refreshed, and the room was quiet for the night, we made up our beds as + well as we could, and endeavoured to sleep. Mad. de ____ and the two maids + soon forgot their cares; but, though worn out by fatigue, the agitation of + my mind conquered the disposition of my body. I seemed to have lost the + very faculty of sleeping, and passed this night with almost as little + repose as the two preceding ones. Before morning I discovered that + remaining so long in damp clothes, and the other circumstances of our + journey, had given me cold, and that I had all the symptoms of a violent + fever. + </p> + <p> + I leave you to conjecture, for it would be impossible to detail, all the + misery of illness in such a situation; and I will only add, that by the + care of Mad. de ____, whose health was happily less affected, and the + attention of my maid, I was able to leave the room in about three weeks. + —I must now secrete this for some days, but will hereafter resume my + little narrative, and explain how I have ventured to write so much even in + the very neighbourhood of the Guillotine.—Adieu. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_26" id="short3_4_26"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Maison d'Arret, Arras, Oct. 17, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + On the night I concluded my last, a report that Commissioners were to + visit the house on the morrow obliged me to dispose of my papers beyond + the possibility of their being found. The alarm is now over, and I + proceed.—After something more than three weeks indisposition, I + began to walk in the yard, and make acquaintance with our + fellow-prisoners. Mad. de ____ had already discovered several that were + known to her, and I now found, with much regret, that many of my Arras + friends were here also. Having been arrested some days before us, they + were rather more conveniently lodged, and taking the wretchedness of our + garret into consideration, it was agreed that Mad. de ____ should move to + a room less crouded than our own, and a dark closet that would just + contain my mattresses was resigned to me. It is indeed a very sorry + apartment, but as it promises me a refuge where I may sometimes read or + write in peace, I have taken possession of it very thankfully. A lock on + the door is not the least of its recommendations, and by way of securing + myself against all surprize, I have contrived an additional fastening by + means of a large nail and the chain of a portmanteau—I have + likewise, under pretext of keeping out the wind, papered over the cracks + of the door, and provided myself with a sand-bag, so that no one can + perceive when I have a light later than usual.—With these + precautions, I can amuse myself by putting on paper any little occurrences + that I think worth preserving, without much danger, and perhaps the + details of a situation so new and so strange may not be uninteresting to + you. + </p> + <p> + We are now about three hundred in number of both sexes, and of all ages + and conditions—ci-devant noblesse, parents, wives, sisters, and + other relations of emigrants—priests who have not taken the oaths, + merchants and shopkeepers accused of monopoly, nuns, farmers that are said + to have concealed their corn, miserable women, with scarcely clothes to + cover them, for not going to the constitutional mass, and many only + because they happened to be at an inn, or on a visit from their own town, + when a general arrest took place of all who are what is called etrangers, + that is to say, not foreigners only, but not inhabitants of the town where + they are found.—There are, besides, various descriptions of people + sent here on secret informations, and who do not themselves know the + precise reason of their confinement. I imagine we are subject to nearly + the same rules as the common prisons: no one is permitted to enter or + speak to a "detenu" but at the gate, and in presence of the guard; and all + letters, parcels, baskets, &c. are examined previous to their being + either conveyed from hence or received. This, however, depends much on the + political principles of those who happen to be on guard: an aristocrate or + a constitutionalist will read a letter with his eyes half shut, and + inspect bedding and trunks in a very summary way; while a thorough-paced + republican spells every syllable of the longest epistle, and opens all the + roasted pigs or duck-pies before he allows their ingress.—None of + the servants are suffered to go out, so that those who have not friends in + the town to procure them necessaries are obliged to depend entirely on the + keeper, and, of course, pay extravagantly dear for every thing; but we are + so much in the power of these people, that it is prudent to submit to such + impositions without murmuring. + </p> + <p> + I did not, during my illness, read the papers, and have to-day been + amusing myself with a large packet. General Houchard, I find, is arrested, + for not having, as they say he might have done, driven all the English + army into the sea, after raising the siege of Dunkirk; yet a few weeks ago + their utmost hopes scarcely amounted to the relief of the town: but their + fears having subsided, they have now leisure to be jealous; and I know no + situation so little to be envied under the present government as that of a + successful General.—Among all their important avocations, the + Convention have found time to pass a decree for obliging women to wear the + national cockade, under pain of imprisonment; and the municipality of the + superb Paris have ordered that the King's family shall, in future, use + pewter spoons and eat brown bread! + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_27" id="short3_4_27"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Oct. 18. + </h2> + <p> + I begin to be very uneasy about Mr. and Mrs. D____. I have written several + times, and still receive no answer. I fear they are in a confinement more + severe than my own, or that our letters miscarry. A servant of Mad. de + ____'s was here this morning, and no letters had come to Peronne, unless, + as my friend endeavours to persuade me, the man would not venture to give + them in presence of the guard, who par excellence happened to be a furious + Jacobin.—We had the mortification of hearing that a very elegant + carriage of Mad. de ____'s has been put in requisition, and taken to + convey a tinman and two farriers who were going to Paris on a mission—that + two of her farmer's best horses had been killed by hard work in taking + provisions to the army, and that they are now cutting down the young wood + on her estate to make pikes.—The seals are still on our effects, and + the guard remains in possession, which has put us to the expence of buying + a variety of articles we could not well dispense with: for, on examining + the baggage after our arrival, we found it very much diminshed; and this + has happened to almost all the people who have been arrested. Our + suspicions naturally fall on the dragoons, and it is not very surprizing + that they should attempt to steal from those whom they are certain would + not dare to make any complaint. + </p> + <p> + Many of our fellow-prisoners are embarrassed by their servants having + quitted them.—One Collot d'Herbois, a member of the Commite de Salut + Public, has proposed to the Convention to collect all the gentry, priests, + and suspected people, into different buildings, which should be previously + mined for the purpose, and, on the least appearance of insurrection, to + blow them up all together.—You may perhaps conclude, that such a + project was received with horror, and the adviser of it treated as a + monster. Our humane legislature, however, very coolly sent it to the + committee to be discussed, without any regard to the terror and + apprehension which the bare idea of a similar proposal must inspire in + those who are the destined victims. I cannot myself believe that this + abominable scheme is intended for execution, but it has nevertheless + created much alarm in timid minds, and has occasioned in part the + defection of the servants I have just mentioned. Those who were + sufficiently attached to their masters and mistresses to endure the + confinement and privations of a Maison d'Arret, tremble at the thoughts of + being involved in the common ruin of a gunpowder explosion; and the men + seem to have less courage than the women, at least more of the latter have + consented to remain here.—It was atrocious to publish such a + conception, though nothing perhaps was intended by it, as it may deprive + many people of faithful attendants at a time when they are most necessary. + </p> + <p> + We have a tribunal revolutionnaire here, with its usual attendant the + Guillotine, and executions are now become very frequent. I know not who + are the sufferers, and avoid enquiring through fear of hearing the name of + some acquaintance. As far as I can learn, the trials are but too summary, + and little other evidence is required than the fortune, rank, and + connections of the accused. The Deputy who is Commissioner for this + department is one Le Bon, formerly a priest—and, I understand, of an + immoral and sanguinary character, and that it is he who chiefly directs + the verdicts of the juries according to his personal hatred or his + personal interest.—We have lately had a very melancholy instance of + the terror created by this tribunal, as well as of the notions that + prevail of its justice. A gentleman of Calais, who had an employ under the + government, was accused of some irregularity in his accounts, and, in + consequence, put under arrest. The affair became serious, and he was + ordered to prison, as a preliminary to his trial. When the officers + entered his apartment to take him, regarding the judicial procedure as a + mere form, and concluding it was determined to sacrifice him, he in a + frenzy of despair seized the dogs in the chimney, threw them at the + people, and, while they escaped to call for assistance, destroyed himself + by cutting his arteries.—It has appeared, since the death of this + unfortunate man, that the charge against him was groundless, and that he + only wanted time to arrange his papers, in order to exonerate himself + entirely. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_28" id="short3_4_28"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Oct. 19. + </h2> + <p> + We are disturbed almost nightly by the arrival of fresh prisoners, and my + first question of a morning is always <i>"N'est il pas du monde entre la + nuit?"</i>—Angelique's usual reply is a groan, and <i>"Ah, mon Dieu, + oui;" "Une dixaine de pretres;"</i> or, <i>"Une trentaine de nobles:"</i> + ["Did not some people arrive in the night?"]—"Yes, God help us—half + a score priests, or twenty or thirty gentry." And I observe the depth of + the groan is nearly in proportion to the quality of the person she + commiserates. Thus, a groan for a Comte, a Marquise, or a Priest, is much + more audible than one for a simple gentlewoman or a merchant; and the + arrival of a Bishop (especially if not one of the constitutional clergy) + is announced in a more sorrowful key than either. + </p> + <p> + While I was walking in the yard this morning, I was accosted by a female + whom I immediately recollected to be Victoire, a very pretty <i>couturiere,</i> + [Sempstress.] who used to work for me when I was at Panthemont, and who + made your last holland shirts. I was not a little surprized to see her in + such a situation, and took her aside to enquire her history. I found that + her mother was dead, and that her brother having set up a little shop at + St. Omer, had engaged her to go and live with him. Being under + five-and-twenty, the last requisition obliged him to depart for the army, + and leave her to carry on the business alone. Three weeks after, she was + arrested at midnight, put into a cart, and brought hither. She had no time + to take any precautions, and their little commerce, which was in + haberdashery, as well as some work she had in hand, is abandoned to the + mercy of the people that arrested her. She has reason to suppose that her + crime consists in not having frequented the constitutional mass; and that + her accuser is a member of one of the town committees, who, since her + brother's absence, has persecuted her with dishonourable proposals, and, + having been repulsed, has taken this method of revenging himself. Her + conjecture is most probably right, as, since her imprisonment, this man + has been endeavouring to make a sort of barter with her for her release. + </p> + <p> + I am really concerned for this poor creature, who is at present a very + good girl, but if she remain here she will not only be deprived of her + means of living, but perhaps her morals may be irremediably corrupted. She + is now lodged in a room with ten or dozen men, and the house is so crouded + that I doubt whether I have interest enough to procure her a more decent + apartment. + </p> + <p> + What can this strange policy tend to, that thus exposes to ruin and want a + girl of one-and-twenty—not for any open violation of the law, but + merely for her religious opinions; and this, too, in a country which + professes toleration as the basis of its government? + </p> + <p> + My friend, Mad. de ____ s'ennui terribly; she is not incapable of amusing + herself, but is here deprived of the means. We have no corner we can call + our own to sit in, and no retreat when we wish to be out of a croud except + my closet, where we can only see by candle-light. Besides, she regrets her + employments, and projects for the winter. She had begun painting a St. + Theresa, and translating an Italian romance, and had nearly completed the + education of a dozen canary birds, who would in a month's time have + accompanied the harp so delightfully, as to overpower the sound of the + instrument. I believe if we had a few more square inches of room, she + would be tempted, if not to bring the whole chorus, at least to console + herself with two particular favourites, distinguished by curious topknots, + and rings about their necks. + </p> + <p> + With all these feminine propensities, she is very amiable, and her case is + indeed singularly cruel and unjust.—Left, at an early age, under the + care of her brother, she was placed by him at Panthemont (where I first + became acquainted with her) with an intention of having her persuaded to + take the veil; but finding her averse from a cloister, she remained as a + pensioner only, till a very advantageous marriage with the Marquis de + ____, who was old enough to be her father, procured her release. About two + years ago he died, and left her a very considerable fortune, which the + revolution has reduced to nearly one-third of its former value. The Comte + de ____, her brother, was one of the original patriots, and embraced with + great warmth the cause of the people; but having very narrowly escaped the + massacres of September, 1792, he immediately after emigrated. + </p> + <p> + Thus, my poor friend, immured by her brother till the age of twenty-two in + a convent, then sacrificed three years to a husband of a disagreeable + temper and unsuitable age, is now deprived of the first liberty she ever + enjoyed, and is made answerable for the conduct of a man over whom she has + no sort of influence. It is not, therefore, extraordinary that she cannot + reconcile herself to her present situation, and I am really often more + concerned on her account than my own. Cut off from her usual resources, + she has no amusement but wandering about the house; and if her other + causes of uneasiness be not augmented, they are at least rendered more + intolerable by her inability to fill up her time.—This does not + arise from a deficiency of understanding, but from never having been + accustomed to think. Her mind resembles a body that is weak, not by + nature, but from want of exercise; and the number of years she has passed + in a convent has given her that mixture of childishness and romance, + which, my making frivolities necessary, renders the mind incapable of + exertion or self-support. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_29" id="short3_4_29"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Oct. 20. + </h2> + <p> + The unfortunate Queen, after a trial of some days, during which she seems + to have behaved with great dignity and fortitude, is no longer sensible of + the regrets of her friends or the malice of her enemies. It is singular, + that I have not yet heard her death mentioned in the prison —every + one looks grave and affects silence. I believe her death has not + occasioned an effect so universal as that of the King, and whatever + people's opinions may be, they are afraid of expressing them: for it is + said, though I know not with what truth, that we are surrounded by spies, + and several who have the appearance of being prisoners like ourselves have + been pointed out to me as the objects of this suspicion. + </p> + <p> + I do not pretend to undertake the defence of the Queen's imputed faults— + yet I think there are some at least which one may be very fairly permitted + to doubt. Compassion should not make me an advocate for guilt —but I + may, without sacrificing morals to pity, venture to observe, that the many + scandalous histories circulated to her prejudice took their rise at the + birth of the Dauphin,* which formed so insurmountable a bar to the views + of the Duke of Orleans.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Nearly at the same time, and on the same occasion, there were literary + partizans of the Duke of Orleans, who endeavoured to persuade the people + that the man with the iron mask, who had so long excited curiosity and + eluded conjecture, was the real son of Louis XIII.—and Louis XIV. + in consequence, supposititious, and only the illegitimate offspring of + Cardinal Mazarin and Anne of Austria—that the spirit of ambition + and intrigue which characterized this Minister had suggested this + substitution to the lawful heir, and that the fears of the Queen and + confusion of the times had obliged her to acquiesce: "Cette opinion + ridicule, et dont les dates connues de l'histoire demontrent + l'absurdite, avoit eu des partisans en France—elle tendoit a + avilir la maison regnante, et a persuader au peuple que le trone + n'appartient pas aux descendans de Louis XIV. prince furtivement + sutstitue, mais a la posterite du second fils de Louis XIII. qui est la + tige de la branche d'Orleans, et qui est reconnue comme descendant + legitimement, et sans objection, du Roi Louis XIII." —Nouvelles + Considerations sur la Masque de Fer, Memoirs de Richelieu. "This + ridiculous opinion, the absurdity of which is demonstrated by historical + dates, had not been without its partizans in France.—It tended to + degrade the reigning family, and to make the people believe that the + throne did not of right belong to the descendants of Louis XIV. (a + prince surreptitiously intruded) but to the posterity of the second son + of Louis XIII. from whom is derived the branch of Orleans, and who was, + without dispute, the legitimate and unobjectionable offspring of Louis + XIII." —New Considerations on the Iron Mask.—Memoirs of the + Duc de Richelieu. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The author of the above Memoirs adds, that after the taking of the + Bastille, new attempts were made to propagate this opinion, and that he + himself had refuted it to many people, by producing original letters and + papers, sufficiently demonstrative of its absurdity. + </p> + <p> + —He might hope, by popularity, to supersede the children of the + Count d'Artois, who was hated; but an immediate heir to the Crown could be + removed only by throwing suspicions on his legitimacy. These pretensions, + it is true, were so absurd, and even incredible, that had they been urged + at the time, no inference in the Queen's favour would have been admitted + from them; but as the existence of such projects, however absurd and + iniquitous, has since been demonstrated, one may now, with great + appearance of reason, allow them some weight in her justification. + </p> + <p> + The affair of the necklace was of infinite disservice to the Queen's + reputation; yet it is remarkable, that the most furious of the Jacobins + are silent on this head as far as it regarded her, and always mention the + Cardinal de Rohan in terms that suppose him to be the culpable party: but, + "whatever her faults, her woes deserve compassion;" and perhaps the + moralist, who is not too severe, may find some excuse for a Princess, who, + at the age of sixteen, possibly without one real friend or disinterested + adviser, became the unrestrained idol of the most licentious Court in + Europe. Even her enemies do not pretend that her fate was so much a + merited punishment as a political measure: they alledge, that while her + life was yet spared, the valour of their troops was checked by the + possibility of negotiation; and that being no more, neither the people nor + armies expecting any thing but execration or revenge, they will be more + ready to proceed to the most desperate extremities.—This you will + think a barbarous sort of policy, and considering it as national, it + appears no less absurd than barbarous; but for the Convention, whose views + perhaps extend little farther than to saving their heads, peculating, and + receiving their eighteen livres a day, such measures, and such a principle + of action, are neither unwise nor unaccountable: "for the wisdom of + civilized nations is not their wisdom, nor the ways of civilized people + their ways."*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * I have been informed, by a gentleman who saw the Queen pass in her way + to execution, that the short white bed gown and the cap which she wore + were discoloured by smoke, and that her whole appearance seemed to have + been intended, if possible, to degrade her in the eyes of the multitude. + The benevolent mind will recollect with pleasure, that even the Queen's + enemies allow her a fortitude and energy of character which must have + counteracted this paltry malice, and rendered it incapable of producing + any emotion but contempt. On her first being removed to the + Conciergerie, she applied for some necessaries; but the humane + municipality of Paris refused them, under pretext that the demand was + contrary to the system of <i>la sainte elagite</i>—"holy + equality." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —It was reported that the Queen was offered her life, and the + liberty to retire to St. Cloud, her favourite residence, if she would + engage the enemy to raise the siege of Maubeuge and withdraw; but that she + refused to interfere. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_30" id="short3_4_30"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Arras, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + For some days previous to the battle by which Maubeuge was relieved, we + had very gloomy apprehensions, and had the French army been unsuccessful + and forced to fall back, it is not improbable but the lives of those + detained in the <i>Maison d'Arret</i> [House of detention.] might have + been sacrificed under pretext of appeasing the people, and to give some + credit to the suspicions so industriously inculcated that all their + defeats are occasioned by internal enemies. My first care, as soon as I + was able to go down stairs, was to examine if the house offered any means + of escape in case of danger, and I believe, if we could preserve our + recollection, it might be practicable; but I can so little depend on my + strength and spirits, should such a necessity occur, that perhaps the + consolation of knowing I have a resource is the only benefit I should ever + derive from it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_31" id="short3_4_31"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Oct. 21. + </h2> + <p> + I have this day made a discovery of a very unpleasant nature, which Mad. + de ____ had hitherto cautiously concealed from me. All the English, and + other foreigners placed under similar circumstances, are now, without + exception, arrested, and the confiscation of their property is decreed. It + is uncertain if the law is to extend to wearing apparel, but I find that + on this ground the Committee of Peronne persist in refusing to take the + seals off my effects, or to permit my being supplied with any necessaries + whatsoever. In other places they have put two, four, and, I am told, even + to the number of six guards, in houses belonging to the English; and these + guards, exclusive of being paid each two shillings per day, burn the wood, + regale on the wine, and pillage in detail all they can find, while the + unfortunate owner is starving in a Maison d'Arret, and cannot obtain + permission to withdraw a single article for his own use.—The plea + for this paltry measure is, that, according to the report of a deserter + escaped from Toulon, Lord Hood has hanged one Beauvais, a member of the + Convention. I have no doubt but the report is false, and, most likely, + fabricated by the Comite de Salut Public, in order to palliate an act of + injustice previously meditated. + </p> + <p> + It is needless to expatiate on the atrocity of making individuals, living + here under the faith of the nation, responsible for the events of the war, + and it is whispered that even the people are a little ashamed of it; yet + the government are not satisfied with making us accountable for what + really does happen, but they attribute acts of cruelty to our countrymen, + in order to excuse those they commit themselves, and retaliate imagined + injuries by substantial vengeance.—Legendre, a member of the + Convention, has proposed, with a most benevolent ingenuity, that the manes + of the aforesaid Beauvais should be appeased by exhibiting Mr. Luttrell in + an iron cage for a convenient time, and then hanging him. + </p> + <p> + A gentleman from Amiens, lately arrested while happening to be here on + business, informs me, that Mr. Luttrell is now in the common gaol of that + place, lodged with three other persons in a miserable apartment, so small, + that there is not room to pass between their beds. I understand he was + advised to petition Dumont for his removal to a Maison d'Arret, where he + would have more external convenience; but he rejected this counsel, no + doubt from a disdain which did him honour, and preferred to suffer all + that the mean malice of these wretches would inflict, rather than ask any + accommodation as a favour.—The distinguishing Mr. Luttrell from any + other English gentleman is as much a proof of ignorance as of baseness; + but in this, as in every thing else, the present French government is + still more wicked than absurd, and our ridicule is suppressed by our + detestation. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_32" id="short3_4_32"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Oct. 22. + </h2> + <p> + Mad. de ____'s _homme d'affaires_ [Agent] has been here to-day, but no + news from Amiens. I know not what to conjecture. My patience is almost + exhausted, and my spirits are fatigued. Were I not just now relieved by a + distant prospect of some change for the better, my situation would be + insupportable.—"Oh world! oh world! but that thy strange mutations + make us wait thee, life would not yield to age." We should die before our + time, even of moral diseases, unaided by physical ones; but the + uncertainty of human events, which is the "worm i'the bud" of happiness, + is to the miserable a cheering and consolatory reflection. Thus have I + dragged on for some weeks, postponing, as it were, my existence, without + any resource, save the homely philosophy of <i>"nous verrons demain."</i> + ["We shall see to-morrow."] + </p> + <p> + At length our hopes and expectations are become less general, and if we do + not obtain our liberty, we may be able at least to procure a more eligible + prison. I confess, the source of our hopes, and the protector we have + found, are not of a dignity to be ushered to your notice by citations of + blank verse, or scraps of sentiment; for though the top of the ladder is + not quite so high, the first rounds are as low as that of Ben Bowling's. + </p> + <p> + Mad. de ____'s confidential servant, who came here to-day, has learned, by + accident, that a man, who formerly worked with the Marquis's tailor, + having (in consequence, I suppose of a political vocation,) quitted the + selling of old clothes, in which he had acquired some eminence, has become + a leading patriot, and is one of Le Bon's, the Representative's, privy + counsellors. Fleury has renewed his acquaintance with this man, has + consulted him upon our situation, and obtained a promise that he will use + his interest with Le Bon in our behalf. Under this splendid patronage, it + is not unlikely but we may get an order to be transferred to Amiens, or, + perhaps, procure our entire liberation. We have already written to Le Bon + on the subject, and Fleury is to have a conference with our friend the + tailor in a few days to learn the success of his mediation; so that, I + trust, the business will not be long in suspense. + </p> + <p> + We have had a most indulgent guard to-day, who, by suffering the servant + to enter a few paces within the gate, afforded us an opportunity of + hearing this agreeable intelligence; as also, by way of episode, that + boots being wanted for the cavalry, all the boots in the town were last + night put in requisition, and as Fleury was unluckily gone to bed before + the search was made at his inn, he found himself this morning very + unceremoniously left bootless. He was once a famous patriot, and the + oracle of Mad. de ____'s household; but our confinement had already shaken + his principles, and this seizure of his "superb English boots" has, I + believe, completed his defection. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_33" id="short3_4_33"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Oct. 25. + </h2> + <p> + I have discontinued my journal for three days to attend my friend, Mad. de + ____, who has been ill. Uneasiness, and want of air and exercise, had + brought on a little fever, which, by the usual mode of treatment in this + country, has been considerably increased. Her disorder did not indeed much + alarm me, but I cannot say as much of her medical assistants, and it seems + to me to be almost supernatural that she has escaped the jeopardy of their + prescriptions. In my own illness I had trusted to nature, and my + recollection of what had been ordered me on similar occasions; but for + Mad. de ____ I was less confident, and desirous of having better advice, + begged a physician might be immediately sent for. Had her disorder been an + apoplexy, she must infallibly have died, for as no person, not even the + faculty, can enter, without an order from the municipal Divan, half a day + elapsed before this order could be procured. At length the physician and + surgeon arrived, and I know not why the learned professions should impose + on us more by one exterior than another; but I own, when I saw the + physician appear in a white camblet coat, lined with rose colour, and the + surgeon with dirty linen, and a gold button and loop to his hat, I began + to tremble for my friend. My feminine prejudices did not, however, in this + instance, deceive me. After the usual questions, the patient was declared + in a fever, and condemned to cathartics, bleeding, and "bon bouillons;" + that is to say, greasy beef soup, in which there is never an oeconomy of + onions.—When they were departed, I could not help expressing my + surprize that people's lives should be entrusted to such hands, observing, + at the same time, to the Baron de L____, (who is lodged in the same + apartment with Mad. de ____,) that the French must never expect men, whose + education fitted them for the profession, would become physicians, while + they continued to be paid at the rate of twenty-pence per visit.— + Yet, replied the Baron, if they make twenty visits a day, they gain forty + livres—<i>"et c'est de quoi vivre."</i> [It is a living.] It is + undeniably <i>de quoi vivre,</i> but as long as a mere subsistence is the + only prospect of a physician, the French must be content to have their + fevers cured by "drastics, phlebotomy, and beef soup." + </p> + <p> + They tell me we have now more than five hundred detenus in this single + house. How so many have been wedged in I can scarcely conceive, but it + seems our keeper has the art of calculating with great nicety the space + requisite for a given number of bodies, and their being able to respire + freely is not his affair. Those who can afford it have their dinners, with + all the appurtenances, brought from the inns or traiteurs; and the poor + cook, sleep, and eat, by scores, in the same room. I have persuaded my + friend to sup as I do, upon tea; but our associates, for the most part, + finding it inconvenient to have suppers brought at night, and being + unwilling to submit to the same privations, regale themselves with the + remains of their dinner, re-cooked in their apartments, and thus go to + sleep, amidst the fumes of <i>perdrix a l'onion, oeufs a la tripe,</i> + [Partridge a l'onion—eggs a la tripe.] and all the produce of a + French kitchen. + </p> + <p> + It is not, as you may imagine, the Bourgeois, and less distinguished + prisoners only, who indulge in these highly-seasoned repasts, at the + expence of inhaling the savoury atmosphere they leave behind them: the + beaux and petites mistresses, among the ci-devant, have not less exigent + appetites, nor more delicate nerves; and the ragout is produced at night, + in spite of the odours and disorder that remain till the morrow. + </p> + <p> + I conclude, notwithstanding your English prejudices, that there is nothing + unwholesome in filth, for if it were otherwise, I cannot account for our + being alive. Five hundred bodies, in a state of coacervation, without even + a preference for cleanliness, "think of that Master Brook." All the + forenoon the court is a receptacle for cabbage leaves, fish scales, leeks, + &c. &c.—and as a French chambermaid usually prefers the + direct road to circumambulation, the refuse of the kitchen is then washed + away by plentiful inundations from the dressing-room—the passages + are blockaded by foul plates, fragments, and bones; to which if you add + the smell exhaling from hoarded apples and gruyere cheese, you may form + some notion of the sufferings of those whose olfactory nerves are not + robust. Yet this is not all—nearly every female in the house, except + myself, is accompanied even here by her lap-dog, who sleeps in her room, + and, not unfrequently, on her bed; and these Lesbias and Lindamiras + increase the insalubrity of the air, and colonize one's stockings by + sending forth daily emigrations of fleas. For my own part, a few close + November days will make me as captious and splenetic as Matthew Bramble + himself. Nothing keeps me in tolerable good humour at present, but a clear + frosty morning, or a high wind. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_34" id="short3_4_34"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Oct. 27. + </h2> + <p> + I thought, when I wrote the above, that the house was really so full as to + be incapable of containing more; but I did not do justice to the talents + of our keeper. The last two nights have brought us an addition of several + waggon loads of nuns, farmers, shopkeepers, &c. from the neighbouring + towns, which he has still contrived to lodge, though much in the way that + he would pack goods in bales. Should another convoy arrive, it is certain + that we must sleep perpendicularly, for even now, when the beds are all + arranged and occupied for the night, no one can make a diagonal movement + without disturbing his neighbour.—This very sociable manner of + sleeping is very far, I assure you, from promoting the harmony of the day; + and I am frequently witness to the reproaches and recriminations + occasioned by nocturnal misdemeanours. Sometimes the lap-dog of one + dowager is accused of hostilities against that of another, and thereby + producing a general chorus of the rest—then a four-footed favourite + strays from the bed of his mistress, and takes possession of a General's + uniform—and there are female somnambules, who alarm the modesty of a + pair of Bishops, and suspended officers, that, like Richard, warring in + their dreams, cry "to arms," to the great annoyance of those who are more + inclined to sleep in peace. But, I understand, the great disturbers of the + room where Mad. de ____ sleeps are two chanoines, whose noses are so + sonorous and so untuneable as to produce a sort of duet absolutely + incompatible with sleep; and one of the company is often deputed to + interrupt the serenade by manual application <i>mais tout en badinant et + avec politesse</i> [But all in pleasantry, and with politeness.] to the + offending parties. + </p> + <p> + All this, my dear brother, is only ludicrous in the relation; yet for so + many people to be thus huddled together without distinction of age, sex, + or condition, is truly miserable.—Mad. De ____ is still indisposed, + and while she is thus suffocated by bad air, and distracted by the various + noises of the house, I see no prospect of her recovery. + </p> + <p> + Arras is the common prison of the department, and, besides, there are a + number of other houses and convents in the town appropriated to the same + use, and all equally full. God knows when these iniquities are to + terminate! So far from having any hopes at present, the rage for arresting + seems, I think, rather to increase than subside. It is supposed there are + now more than three hundred thousand people in France confined under the + simple imputation of being what is called "gens suspect:" but as this + generic term is new to you, I will, by way of explanation, particularize + the several species as classed by the Convention, and then described by + Chaumette, solicitor for the City of Paris;*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Decree concerning suspected people: "Art. I. Immediately after the + promulgation of the present decree, all suspected persons that are found + on the territory of the republic, and who are still at large, shall be + put under arrest. "II. Those are deemed suspicious, who by their + connections, their conversation, or their writings, declare themselves + partizans of tyranny or foederation, and enemies to liberty—Those + who have not demonstrated their means of living or the performance of + their civic duties, in the manner prescribed by the law of March last—Those + who, having been suspended from public employments by the Convention or + its Commissioners, are not reinstated therein—Those of the + ci-devant noblesse, who have not invariably manifested their attachment + to the revolution, and, in general, all the fathers, mothers, sons, + daughters, brothers, sisters, and agents of emigrants—All who have + emigrated between the 1st of July, 1789, and 8th of April, 1792. "III. + The execution of the decree is confided to the Committee of Inspection. + The individuals arrested shall be taken to the houses of confinement + appointed for their reception. They are allowed to take with them such + only of their effects as are strictly necessary, the guards set upon + them shall be paid at their expence, and they shall be kept in + confinement until the peace.—The Committees of Inspection shall, + without delay, transmit to the Committee of General Safety an account of + the persons arrested, with the motives of their arrest. [If this were + observed (which I doubt much) it was but a mockery, few persons ever + knew the precise reason of their confinement.]—The civil and + criminal tribunals are empowered, when they deem it necessary, to detain + and imprison, as suspected persons, those who being accused of crimes + have nevertheless had no bill found against them, (lieu a accusation,) + or who have even been tried and acquitted." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Indications that may serve to distinguish suspicious persons, and those to + whom it will be proper to refuse certificates of civism: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "I. Those who in popular assemblies check the ardour of the people by + artful speeches, by violent exclamations or threats. "II. Those who with + more caution speak in a mysterious way of the public misfortunes, who + appear to pity the lot of the people, and are ever ready to spread bad + news with an affectation of concern. "III. Those who adapt their conduct + and language to the circumstances of the moment—who, in order to + be taken for republicans, put on a studied austerity of manners, and + exclaim with vehemence against the most trifling error in a patriot, but + mollify when the crimes of an Aristocrate or a Moderee are the subject + of complaint. [These trifling events were, being concerned in the + massacres of September, 1792—public peculations—occasional, + and even habitual robbery, forgeries, &c. &c. &c.—The + second, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh classes, were particularly + numerous, insomuch that I doubt whether they would not have included + nineteen-twentieths of all the people in France who were honest or at + all capable of reflection.] "IV. Those who pity avaricious farmers and + shopkeepers, against whom the laws have been necessarily directed. "V. + Those who with the words liberty, country, republic, &c. constantly + in their mouths, hold intercourse with ci-devant Nobles, + Contre-revolutionnaires, Priests, Aristocrates, Feuillans, &c. and + take an interest in their concerns. "VI. Those who not having borne an + active part in the revolution, endeavour to excuse themselves by urging + the regular payment of their taxes, their patriotic gifts, and their + service in the Garde National by substitute or otherwise. "VII. Those + who received the republican constitution with coolness, or who intimated + their pretended apprehensions for its establishment and duration. "VIII. + Those who, having done nothing against liberty, have done as little for + it. "IX. Those who do not frequent the assembly of their section, and + offer, for excuse, that they are no orators, or have no time to spare + from their own business. "X. Those who speak with contempt of the + constituted authorities, of the rigour of the laws, of the popular + societies, and the defenders of liberty. "XI. Those who have signed + anti-revolutionary petitions, or any time frequented unpatriotic clubs, + or were known as partizans of La Fayette, and accomplices in the affair + of the Champ de Mars." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —and it must be allowed by all who reside in France at this moment, + and are capable of observing the various forms under which hatred for the + government shelters itself, that the latter is a chef d'oeuvre in its + kind. + </p> + <p> + Now, exclusive of the above legal and moral indications of people to be + suspected, there are also outward and visible signs which we are told from + the tribune of the Convention, and the Jacobins, are not much less + infallible—such as <i>Gens a bas de soie rayes mouchetes—a + chapeau rond— habit carre—culotte pincee etroite—a + bottes cirees—les muscadins— Freloquets—Robinets, &c.</i> + [People that wear spotted or striped silk stockings—round hats—small + coats—tight breeches—blacked boots— perfumes—coxcombs—sprigs + of the law, &c.] The consequence of making the cut of a man's coat, or + the shape of his hat, a test of his political opinions, has been the + transformation of the whole country into republicans, at least as far as + depends on the costume; and where, as is natural, there exists a + consciousness of inveterate aristocracy, the external is more elaborately + "a la Jacobin." The equipment, indeed, of a French patriot of the latest + date is as singular as his manners, and in both he is highly + distinguishable from the inhabitants of any other country: from those of + civilized nations, because he is gross and ferocious—from those of + barbarous ones, because his grossness is often affected, and his ferocity + a matter of principle and preference. + </p> + <p> + A man who would not be reckoned suspect now arrays himself in a jacket and + trowsers (a Carmagnole) of striped cotton or coarse cloth, a neckcloth of + gaudy cotton, wadded like a horse-collar, and projecting considerably + beyond his chin, a cap of red and blue cloth, embroidered in front and + made much in the form of that worn by the Pierrot of a pantomime, with + one, or sometimes a pair, of ear-rings, about the size of a large + curtain-ring! Finally, he crops his hair, and carefully encourages the + growth of an enormous pair of whiskers, which he does not fail to perfume + with volumes of tobacco smoke. He, however, who is ambitious of still + greater eminence, disdains these fopperies, and affects an appearance of + filth and rags, which he dignifies with the appellation of stern + republicanism and virtuous poverty; and thus, by means of a thread-bare + coat out at elbows, wooden shoes, and a red woollen cap, the rich hope to + secure their wealth, and the covetous and intriguing to acquire lucrative + employment.—Rolland, I think, was the founder of these modern + Franciscans, and with this miserable affectation he machinated the death + of the King, and, during some months, procured for himself the exclusive + direction of the government. + </p> + <p> + All these patriots by prescription and system have likewise a peculiar and + appropriated dialect—they address every one by the title of Citizen, + thee and thou indistinctly, and talk of nothing but the agents of Pitt and + Cobourg, the coalesced tyrants, royal ogres, satellites of the despots, + automaton slaves, and anthropophagi; and if they revert to their own + prosperous state, and this very happy country, it is, <i>un peuple libre, + en peuple heureux, and par excellence la terre de la liberte.</i> ["A free + people—a happy people—and, above all others, the land of + liberty."]—It is to be observed, that those with whom these pompous + expressions are most familiar, are officers employed in the war-like + service of mutilating the wooden saints in churches, and arresting old + women whom they encounter without national cockades; or members of the + municipalities, now reduced to execute the offices of constables, and + whose chief functions are to hunt out suspected people, or make + domiciliary visits in quest of concealed eggs and butter. But, above all, + this democratic oratory is used by tailors, shoemakers, &c.* of the + Committees of Inspection, to whom the Representatives on mission have + delegated their unlimited powers, who arrest much on the principle of Jack + Cade, and with whom it is a crime to read and write, or to appear decently + dressed. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * For some months the departments were infested by people of this + description—corrupt, ignorant, and insolent. Their motives of + arrest were usually the hope of plunder, or the desire of distressing + those whom they had been used to look upon as their superiors.—At + Arras it sufficed even to have disobliged the wives of these miscreants + to become the object of persecution. In some places they arrested with + the most barbarous caprice, even without the shadow of a reason. At + Hesden, a small town in Artois, Dumont left the Mayor carte blanche, and + in one night two hundred people were thrown into prison. Every where + these low and obscure dominators reigned without controul, and so much + were the people intimidated, that instead of daring to complain, they + treated their new tyrants with the most servile adulation.—I have + seen a ci-devant Comtesse coquetting with all her might a Jacobin + tailor, and the richest merchants of a town soliciting very humbly the + good offices of a dealer in old clothes. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + These ridiculous accoutrements, and this magnificent phraseology, are in + themselves very harmless; but the ascendancy which such a class of people + are taking has become a subject of just alarm.—The whole + administration of the country is now in the hands of uninformed and + necessitous profligates, swindlers, men already condemned by the laws, and + who, if the revolution had not given them "place and office," would have + been at the galleys, or in prison.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * One of the administrators of the department de la Somme (which, + however, was more decently composed than many others,) was, before the + revolution, convicted of house-breaking, and another of forgery; and it + has since been proved on various occasions, particularly on the trial of + the ninety-four Nantais, that the revolutionary Committees were, for the + most part, composed of the very refuse of society—adventurers, + thieves, and even assassins; and it would be difficult to imagine a + crime that did not there find reward and protection.—In vain were + the privileges of the nobility abolished, and religion proscribed. A new + privileged order arose in the Jacobins, and guilt of every kind, without + the semblance of penitence, found an asylum in these Committees, and an + inviolability more sacred than that afforded by the demolished altars. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + To these may be added a few men of weak character, and unsteady + principles, who remain in office because they fear to resign; with a few, + and but very few, ignorant fanatics, who really imagine they are free + because they can molest and destroy with impunity all they have hitherto + been taught to respect, and drink treble the quantity they did formerly. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_35" id="short3_4_35"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Oct. 30. + </h2> + <p> + For some days the guards have been so untractable, and the croud at the + door has been so great, that Fleury was obliged to make various efforts + before he could communicate the result of his negotiation. He has at + length found means to inform us, that his friend the tailor had exerted + all his interest in our favour, but that Dumont and Le Bon (as often + happens between neighbouring potentates) are at war, and their enmity + being in some degree subject to their mutual fears, neither will venture + to liberate any prisoner arrested by the other, lest such a disposition to + clemency should be seized on by his rival as a ground of accusation.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * But if they did not free the enemies of each other, they revenged + themselves by throwing into prison all their mutual friends—for + the temper of the times was such, that, though these Representatives + were expressly invested with unlimited powers, they did not venture to + set any one at liberty without a multitude of forms and a long + attendance: on the contrary, they arrested without any form at all, and + allowed their myrmidons to harrass and confine the persons and sequester + the property of all whom they judged proper.—It seemed to have + been an elementary principle with those employed by the government at + this time, that they risked nothing in doing all the mischief they + could, and that they erred only in not doing enough. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —All, therefore, that can be obtained is, a promise to have us + removed to Amiens in a short time; and I understand the detenus are there + treated with consideration, and that no tribunal revolutionnaire has yet + been established. + </p> + <p> + My mind will be considerably more at ease if this removal can be effected. + Perhaps we may not be in more real danger here than at any other place, + but it is not realities that constitute the misery of life; and situated + as we are, that imagination must be phlegmatic indeed, which does not + create and exaggerate enough to prevent the possibility of ease.—We + are, as I before observed, placed as it were within the jurisdiction of + the guillotine; and I have learned "a secret of our prison-house" to-day + which Mad. de ____ had hitherto concealed from me, and which has rendered + me still more anxious to quit it. Several of our fellow prisoners, whom I + supposed only transferred to other houses, have been taken away to undergo + the ceremony of a trial, and from thence to the scaffold. These judicial + massacres are now become common, and the repetition of them has destroyed + at once the feeling of humanity and the sense of justice. Familiarized to + executions, the thoughtless and sanguinary people behold with equal + indifference the guilty or innocent victim; and the Guillotine has not + only ceased to be an object of horror, but is become almost a source of + amusement. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * At Arras this horrid instrument of death was what they called en + permanence, (stationary,) and so little regard was paid to the morals of + the people, (I say the morals, because every thing which tends to + destroy their humanity renders them vicious,) that it was often left + from one execution to another with the ensanguined traces of the last + victim but too evident.—Children were taught to amuse themselves + by making models of the Guillotine, with which they destroyed flies, and + even animals. On the Pontneuf, at Paris, a sort of puppet-show was + exhibited daily, whose boast it was to give a very exact imitation of a + guillotinage; and the burthen of a popular song current for some months + was <i>"Dansons la Guillotine."</i> —On the 21st of January, 1794, + the anniversary of the King's death, the Convention were invited to + celebrate it on the "Place de la Revolution," where, during the + ceremony, and in presence of the whole legislative body, several people + were executed. It is true, Bourdon, one of the Deputies, complained of + this indecency; but not so much on account of the circumstance itself, + as because it gave some of the people an opportunity of telling him, in + a sort of way he might probably deem prophetic, that one of the victims + was a Representative of the People. The Convention pretended to order + that some enquiry should be made why at such a moment such a place was + chosen; but the enquiry came to nothing, and I have no doubt but the + executions were purposely intended as analogous to the ceremony.—It + was proved that Le Bon, on an occasion when he chose to be a spectator + of some executions he had been the cause of, suspended the operation + while he read the newspaper aloud, in order, as he said, that the + aristocrates might go out of the world with the additional mortification + of learning the success of the republican arms in their last moments. + The People of Brest were suffered to behold, I had almost said to be + amused with (for if those who order such spectacles are detestable, the + people that permit them are not free from blame,) the sight of + twenty-five heads ranged in a line, and still convulsed with the agonies + of death.—The cant word for the Guillotine was "our holy mother;" + and verdicts of condemnation were called prizes in the Sainte Lotterie—"holy + lottery." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The dark and ferocious character of Le Bon developes itself hourly: the + whole department trembles before him; and those who have least merited + persecution are, with reason, the most apprehensive. The most cautious + prudence of conduct, the most undeviating rectitude in those who are by + their fortune or rank obnoxious to the tyrant, far from contributing to + their security, only mark them out for a more early sacrifice. What is + still worse, these horrors are not likely to terminate, because he is + allowed to pay out of the treasury of the department the mob that are + employed to popularize and applaud them.—I hope, in a few days, we + shall receive our permission to depart. My impatience is a malady, and, + for nearly the first time in my life, I am sensible of ennui; not the + ennui occasioned by want of amusement, but that which is the effect of + unquiet expectation, and which makes both the mind and body restless and + incapable of attending to any thing. I am incessantly haunted by the idea + that the companion of to-day may to-morrow expire under the Guillotine, + that the common acts of social intercourse may be explained into intimacy, + intimacy into the participation of imputed treasons, and the fate of those + with whom we are associated become our own. It appears both useless and + cruel to have brought us here, nor do I yet know any reason why we were + not all removed to Amiens, except it was to avoid exposing to the eyes of + the people in the places through which we must pass too large a number of + victims at once.—The cause of our being removed from Peronne is + indeed avowed, as it is at present a rule not to confine people at the + place of their residence, lest they should have too much facility or + communication with, or assistance from, their friends.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * In some departments the nobles and priests arrested were removed from + ten to twenty leagues distant from their homes; and if they happened to + have relations living at the places where they were confined, these last + were forbidden to reside there, or even to travel that way. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + We should doubtless have remained at Arras until some change in public + affairs had procured our release, but for the fortunate discovery of the + man I have mentioned; and the trifling favour of removal from one prison + to another has been obtained only by certain arrangements which Fleury has + made with this subordinate agent of tyranny, and in which justice or + consideration for us had no share. Alas! are we not miserable? is not the + country miserable, when our only resource is in the vices of those who + govern?—It is uncertain when we shall be ordered from hence—it + may happen when we least expect it, even in the night, so that I shall not + attempt to write again till we have changed our situation. The risk is at + present too serious, and you must allow my desire of amusing you to give + way to my solicitude for my own preservation. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_36" id="short3_4_36"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Bicetre at Amiens, Nov. 18, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Nous voila donc encore, logees a la nation;</i> that is to say, the + common prison of the department, amidst the thieves, vagabonds, maniacs, + &c. confined by the old police, and the gens suspects recently + arrested by the new.—I write from the end of a sort of elevated + barn, sixty or seventy feet long, where the interstices of the tiles admit + the wind from all quarters, and scarcely exclude the rain, and where an + old screen and some curtains only separate Mad. de ____, myself, and our + servants, from sixty priests, most of them old, sick, and as wretched as + men can be, who are pious and resigned. Yet even here I feel comparatively + at ease, and an escape from the jurisdiction of Le Bon and his merciless + tribunal seems cheaply purchased by the sacrifice of our personal + convenience. I do not pretend to philosophize or stoicize, or to any thing + else which implies a contempt of life—I have, on the contrary, a + most unheroic solicitude about my existence, and consider my removal to a + place where I think we are safe, as a very fortunate aera of our + captivity. + </p> + <p> + After many delays and disappointments, Fleury at length procured an order, + signed by the Representative, for our being transferred to Amiens, under + the care of two <i>Gardes Nationalaux,</i> and, of course, at our expence.—Every + thing in this country wears the aspect of despotism. At twelve o'clock at + night we were awakened by the officer on guard, and informed we were to + depart on the morrow; and, notwithstanding the difficulty of procuring + horses and carriages, it was specified, that if we did not go on the day + appointed, we were not to go at all. It was, or course, late before we + could surmount the various obstacles to our journey, and procure two crazy + cabriolets, and a cart for the guards, ourselves, and baggage. The days + being short, we were obliged to sleep at Dourlens; and, on our arrival at + the castle, which is now, as it always has been, a state-prison, we were + told it was so full, that it was absolutely impossible to lodge us, and + that we had better apply to the Governor, for permission to sleep at an + inn. We then drove to the Governor's* house, who received us very civilly, + and with very little persuasion agreed to our request. At the best of the + miserable inns in the town we were informed they had no room, and that + they could not accommodate us in any way whatever, except a sick officer + then in the house would permit us to occupy one of two beds in his + apartment. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The Commandant had been originally a private soldier in the regiment + of Dillon.—I know not how he had obtained his advancement, but, + however obtained, it proved fatal to him: he was, a very short time + after I saw him, guillotined at Arras, for having borrowed money of a + prisoner. His real crime was, probably, treating the prisoners in + general with too much consideration and indulgence; and at this period + every suspicion of the kind was fatal. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + In England it would not be very decent to make such a request, or to + accept such an accommodation. In France, neither the one nor the other is + unusual, and we had suffered lately so many embarrassments of the kind, + that we were, if not reconciled, at least inured to them. Before, however, + we could determine, the gentleman had been informed of our situation, and + came to offer his services. You may judge of our surprize when we found in + the stranger, who had his head bound up and his arm in a sling, General + ____, a relation of Mad. de ____. We had now, therefore, less scruple in + sharing his room, though we agreed, notwithstanding, only to repose a few + hours in our clothes. + </p> + <p> + After taking some tea, the remainder of the evening was dedicated to + reciprocal conversation of all kinds; and our guards having acquaintance + in the town, and knowing it was impossible for us to escape, even were we + so inclined, very civilly left us to ourselves. We found the General had + been wounded at Maubeuge, and was now absent on conge for the recovery of + his health. He talked of the present state of public affairs like a + military man who is attached to his profession, and who thinks it his duty + to fight at all events, whatever the rights or merits of those that employ + him. He confessed, indeed, that they were repulsing their external + enemies, only to confirm the power of those who were infinitely more to be + dreaded at home, and that the condition of a General was more to be + commiserated at this time than any other: if he miscarry, disgrace and the + Guillotine await him—if he be successful, he gains little honour, + becomes an object of jealousy, and assists in rivetting the chains of his + country. He said, the armies were for the most part licentious and + insubordinate, but that the political discipline was terrible—the + soldiers are allowed to drink, pillage, and insult their officers with + impunity, but all combinations are rigorously suppressed, the slightest + murmur against the Representative on mission is treason, and to disapprove + of a decree of the convention, death—that every man of any note in + the army is beset with spies, and if they leave the camp on any occasion, + it is more necessary to be on their guard against these wretches than + against an ambuscade of the enemy; and he related a circumstance which + happened to himself, as an example of what he mentioned, and which will + give you a tolerable idea of the present system of government.—After + the relief of Dunkirk, being quartered in the neighbourhood of St. Omer, + he occasionally went to the town on his private concerns. One day, while + he was waiting at the inn where he intended to dine, two young men + accosted him, and after engaging him in a general conversation for some + time, began to talk with great freedom, though with an affected caution of + public men and measures, of the banditti who governed, the tyranny that + was exercised, and the supineness of the people: in short, of all those + too poignant truths which constitute the leze nation of the day. Mons. de + ____ was not at first very attentive, but finding their discourse become + still more liberal, it excited his suspicions, and casting his eyes on a + glass opposite to where they were conversing, he perceived a sort of + intelligence between them, which immediately suggested to him the + profession of his companions; and calling to a couple of dragoons who had + attended him, ordered them to arrest the two gentlemen as artistocrates, + and convey them without ceremony to prison. They submitted, seemingly more + surprized than alarmed, and in two hours the General received a note from + a higher power, desiring him to set them at liberty, as they were agents + of the republic. + </p> + <p> + Duquesnoy, one of the Representatives now with the Northern army, is + ignorant and brutal in the extreme. He has made his brother (who, as well + as himself, used to retail hops in the streets of St. Pol,) a General; and + in order to deliver him from rivals and critics, he breaks, suspends, + arrests, and sends to the Guillotine every officer of any merit that comes + in his way. After the battle of Maubeuge, he arrested a General Bardell, + [The Generals Bardell and D'Avesnes, and several others, were afterwards + guillotined at Paris.] for accommodating a wounded prisoner of distinction + (I think a relation of the Prince of Cobourg) with a bed, and tore with + his own hands the epaulette from the shoulders of those Generals whose + divisions had not sustained the combat so well as the others. His temper, + naturally savage and choleric, is irritated to fury by the habit of + drinking large quantities of strong liquors; and Mad. de ___'s relation + assured us, that he had himself seen him take the Mayor of Avesnes (a + venerable old man, who was presenting some petition to him that regarded + the town,) by the hair and throw him on the ground, with the gestures of + an enraged cannibal. He also confined one of his own fellow deputies in + the tower of Guise, upon a very frivolous pretext, and merely on his own + authority. In fact, I scarcely remember half the horrors told us of this + man; and I shall only remind you, that he has an unlimited controul over + the civil constitution of the Northern army, and over the whole department + of the North. + </p> + <p> + You, I suppose, will be better informed of military events than we are, + and I mention our friend's conjecture, that (besides an enormous number of + killed) the wounded at Maubeuge amounted to twelve or fourteen thousand, + only to remark the deception which is still practised on the people; for + no published account ever allowed the number to be more than a few + hundreds.—Besides these professional details, the General gave us + some very unpleasant family ones. On returning to his father's chateau, + where he hoped to be taken care of while his wounds were curing, he found + every room in it under seals, three guards in possession, his two sisters + arrested at St. Omer, where they happened to be on a visit, and his father + and mother confined in separate houses of detention at Arras. After + visiting them, and making some ineffectual applications for their relief, + he came to the neighbourhood of Dourlens, expecting to find an asylum with + an uncle, who had hitherto escaped the general persecution of the gentry. + Here again his disappointment and chagrin were renewed: his uncle had been + carried off to Amiens the morning of his arrival, and the house rendered + inaccessible, by the usual affixture of seals, and an attendant pair of + myrmidons to guard them from infraction. Thus excluded from all his family + habitations, he had taken up his residence for a day or two at the inn + where we met him, his intention being to return to Arras. + </p> + <p> + In the morning we made our adieus and pursued our journey; but, tenacious + of this comparative liberty and the enjoyment of pure air, we prevailed on + our conductors to let us dine on the road, so that we lingered with the + unwillingness of truant children, and did not reach Amiens until dark. + When we arrived at the Hotel de Ville, one of the guards enquired how we + were to be disposed of. Unfortunately for us, Dumont happened to be there + himself, and on hearing we were sent from Arras by order of Le Bon, + declared most furiously (for our Representative is subject to choler since + his accession to greatness) that he would have no prisoners received from + Arras, and that we should sleep at the Conciergerie, and be conveyed back + again on the morrow. Terrified at this menace, we persuaded the guard to + represent to Dumont that we had been sent to Amiens at our own instance, + and that we had been originally arrested by himself, and were therefore + desirous of returning to the department where he was on mission, and where + we had more reason to expect justice than at Arras. Mollified, perhaps, by + this implied preference of his authority, he consented that we should + remain for the present at Amiens, and ordered us to be taken to the + Bicetre. Whoever has been used to connect with the word Bicetre the idea + of the prison so named at Paris, must recoil with horror upon hearing they + are destined to such a abode. Mad. de ___, yet weak from the remains of + her illness, laid hold of me in a transport of grief; but, far from being + able to calm or console her, my thoughts were so bewildered that I did + not, till we alighted at the gate, begin to be really sensible of our + situation. The night was dark and dreary, and our first entrance was into + a kitchen, such as my imagination had pictured the subterraneous one of + the robbers in Gil Blas. Here we underwent the ceremony of having our + pocket-books searched for papers and letters, and our trunks rummaged for + knives and fire-arms. This done, we were shown to the lodging I have + described, and the poor priests, already insufferably crouded, were + obliged almost to join their beds in order to make room for us.—I + will not pain you by a recital of all the embarrassments and distresses we + had to surmount before we could even rest ourselves. We were in want of + every thing, and the rules of the prison such, that it was nearly + impossible, for some time, to procure any thing: but the human mind is + more flexible than we are often disposed to imagine it; and in two days we + were able to see our situation in this best point of view, (that is, as an + escape from Arras,) and the affair of submitting our bodies to our minds + must be atchieved by time.—We have now been here a week. We have + sounded the very depth of humiliation, taken our daily allowance of bread + with the rest of the prisoners, and contracted a most friendly intimacy + with the gaoler. + </p> + <p> + I have discovered since our arrival, that the order for transferring us + hither described me as a native of the Low Countries. I know not how this + happened, but my friend has insisted on my not rectifying the mistake, for + as the French talk continually of re-conquering Brabant, she persuades + herself such an event would procure me my liberty. I neither desire the + one nor expect the other; but, to indulge her, I speak no English, and + avoid two or three of my countrymen who I am told are here. There have + been also some English families who were lately removed, but the French + pronounce our names so strangely, that I have not been able to learn who + they were. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_37" id="short3_4_37"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + November 19, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + The English in general, especially of late years, have been taught to + entertain very formidable notions of the Bastille and other state prisons + of the ancient government, and they were, no doubt, horrid enough; yet I + have not hitherto been able to discover that those of the new republic are + any way preferable. The only difference is, that the great number of + prisoners which, for want of room, are obliged to be heaped together, + makes it impossible to exclude them as formerly from communication, and, + instead of being maintained at the public expence, they now, with great + difficulty, are able to procure wherewithal to eat at their own. Our + present habitation is an immense building, about a quarter of a mile from + the town, intended originally for the common gaol of the province. The + situation is damp and unwholesome, and the water so bad, that I should + suppose a long continuance here of such a number of prisoners must be + productive of endemical disorders. Every avenue to the house is guarded, + and no one is permitted to stop and look up at the windows, under pain of + becoming a resident. We are strictly prohibited from all external + intercourse, except by writing; and every scrap of paper, though but an + order for a dinner, passes the inquisition of three different people + before it reaches its destination, and, of course, many letters and notes + are mislaid, and never sent at all.—There is no court or garden in + which the prisoners are allowed to walk, and the only exercise they can + take is in damp passages, or a small yard, (perhaps thirty feet square,) + which often smells so detestably, that the atmosphere of the house itself + is less mephitic. + </p> + <p> + Our fellow-captives are a motley collection of the victims of nature, of + justice, and of tyranny—of lunatics who are insensible of their + situation, of thieves who deserve it, and of political criminals whose + guilt is the accident of birth, the imputation of wealth, or the + profession of a clergyman. Among the latter is the Bishop of Amiens, whom + I recollect to have mentioned in a former letter. You will wonder why a + constitutional Bishop, once popular with the democratic party, should be + thus treated. The real motive was, probably, to degrade in his person a + minister of religion—the ostensible one, a dispute with Dumont at + the Jacobin club. As the times grew alarming, the Bishop, perhaps, thought + it politic to appear at the club, and the Representative meeting him there + one evening, began to interrogate him very rudely with regard to his + opinion of the marriage of priests. M. Dubois replied, that when it was + officially incumbent on him to explain himself, he would do so, but that + he did not think the club a place for such discussions, or something to + this purpose. <i>"Tu prevariques donc!—Je t'arrete sur le champ:"</i> + ["What, you prevaricate!—I arrest you instantly."] the Bishop was + accordingly arrested at the instant, and conducted to the Bicetre, without + even being suffered to go home and furnish himself with necessaries; and + the seals being immediately put on his effects, he has never been able to + obtain a change of linen and clothes, or any thing else—this too at + a time when the pensions of the clergy are ill paid, and every article of + clothing so dear as to be almost unpurchaseable by moderate fortunes, and + when those who might otherwise be disposed to aid or accommodate their + friends, abandon them through fear of being implicated in their + misfortunes. + </p> + <p> + But the Bishop, yet in the vigour of life, is better capable of enduring + these hardships than most of the poor priests with whom he is associated: + the greater number of them are very old men, with venerable grey locks— + and their tattered clerical habits, scanty meals, and wretched beds, give + me many an heart-ache. God send the constant sight of so much misery may + not render me callous!—It is certain, there are people here, who, + whatever their feelings might have been on this occasion at first, seem + now little affected by it. Those who are too much familiarized with scenes + of wretchedness, as well as those to whom they are unknown, are not often + very susceptible; and I am sometimes disposed to cavil with our natures, + that the sufferings which ought to excite our benevolence, and the + prosperity that enables us to relieve them, should ever have a contrary + effect. Yet this is so true, that I have scarcely ever observed even the + poor considerate towards each other—and the rich, if they are + frequently charitable, are not always compassionate.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Our situation at the Bicetre, though terrible for people unused to + hardships or confinement, and in fact, wretched as personal + inconvenience could make it, was yet Elysium, compared to the prisons of + other departments. At St. Omer, the prisoners were frequently disturbed + at midnight by the entrance of men into their apartments, who, with the + detestable ensign of their order, (red caps,) and pipes in their mouths, + came by way of frolic to search their pockets, trunks, &c.—At + Montreuil, the Maisons d'Arret were under the direction of a Commissary, + whose behaviour to the female prisoners was too atrocious for recital—two + young women, in particular, who refused to purchase milder treatment, + were locked up in a room for seventeen days.—Soon after I left + Arras, every prison became a den of horror. The miserable inhabitants + were subject to the agents of Le Bon, whose avarice, cruelty, and + licentiousness, were beyond any thing a humane mind can imagine. + Sometimes the houses were suddenly surrounded by an armed force, the + prisoners turned out in the depth of winter for several hours into an + open court, during the operation of robbing them of their pocket-books, + buckles, ear-rings, or whatever article of value they had about them. At + other times they were visited by the same military array, and deprived + of their linen and clothes. Their wine and provisions were likewise + taken from them in the same manner—wives were separated from their + husbands, parents from their children, old men treated with the most + savage barbarity, and young women with an indecency still more + abominable. All communication, either by writing or otherwise, was often + prohibited for many days together, and an order was once given to + prevent even the entry of provisions, which was not revoked till the + prisoners became absolutely distressed. At the Hotel Dieu they were + forbidden to draw more than a single jug of water in twenty-four hours. + At the Providence, the well was left three days without a cord, and when + the unfortunate females confined there procured people to beg water of + the neighbours, they were refused, "because it was for prisoners, and if + Le Bon heard of it he might be displeased!" Windows were blocked up, not + to prevent escape, but to exclude air; and when the general scarcity + rendered it impossible for the prisoners to procure sufficient food for + their support, their small portions were diminished at the gate, under + pretext of searching for letters, &c. —People, respectable + both for their rank and character, were employed to clean the prisons + and privies, while their low and insolent tyrants looked on and insulted + them. On an occasion when one of the Maisons d'Arrets was on fire, + guards were planted round, with orders to fire upon those that should + attempt to escape.—My memory has but too faithfully recorded these + and still greater horrors; but curiosity would be gratified but too + dearly by the relation. I added the above note some months after writing + the letter to which it is annexed. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_38" id="short3_4_38"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Nov. 20. + </h2> + <p> + Besides the gentry and clergy of this department, we have likewise for + companions a number of inhabitants of Lisle, arrested under circumstances + singularly atrocious, even where atrocity is the characteristic of almost + every proceeding.—In the month of August a decree was passed to + oblige all the nobility, clergy, and their servants, as well as all those + persons who had been in the service of emigrants, to depart from Lisle in + eight-and-forty hours, and prohibiting their residence within twenty + leagues from the frontiers. Thus banished from their own habitations, they + took refuge in different towns, at the prescribed distance; but, almost as + soon as they were arrived, and had been at the expence of settling + themselves, they were arrested as strangers,* and conducted to prison. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * I have before, I believe, noticed that the term estranger at this time + did not exclusively apply to foreigners, but to such as had come from + one town to another, who were at inns or on a visit to their friends. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + It will not be improper to notice here the conduct of the government + towards the towns that have been besieged. Thionville,* to whose gallant + defence in 1792 France owed the retreat of the Prussians and the safety of + Paris, was afterwards continually reproached with aristocracy; and when + the inhabitants sent a deputation to solicit an indemnity for the damage + the town had sustained during the bombardment a member of the Convention + threatened them from the tribune with "indemnities a coup de baton!" that + is, in our vernacular tongue, with a good thrashing. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Wimpsen, who commanded there, and whose conduct at the time was + enthusiastically admired, was driven, most probably by the ingratitude + and ill treatment of the Convention, to head a party of the + Foederalists.—These legislators perpetually boast of imitating and + surpassing the Romans, and it is certain, that their ingratitude has + made more than one Coriolanus. The difference is, that they are not + jealous for the liberty of the country, but for their own personal + safety. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The inhabitants of Lisle, who had been equally serviceable in stopping the + progress of the Austrians, for a long time petitioned without effect to + obtain the sums already voted for their relief. The noblesse, and others + from thence who have been arrested, as soon as it was known that they were + Lillois, were treated with peculiar rigour;* and an <i>armee + revolutionnaire,</i>** with the Guillotine for a standard, has lately + harrassed the town and environs of Lisle, as though it were a conquered + country. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The Commandant of Lisle, on his arrival at the Bicetre, was stripped + of a considerable sum of money, and a quantity of plate he had unluckily + brought with him by way of security. Out of this he is to be supplied + with fifty livres at a time in paper, which, according to the exchange + and the price of every thing, is, I suppose, about half a guinea. ** The + armee revolutionnaire was first raised by order of the Jacobins, for the + purpose of searching the countries for provisions, and conducting them + to Paris. Under this pretext, a levy was made of all the most desperate + ruffians that could be collected together. They were divided into + companies, each with its attendant Guillotine, and then distributed in + the different departments: they had extraordinary pay, and seem to have + been subject to no discipline. Many of them were distinguished by the + representation of a Guillotine in miniature, and a head just severed, on + their cartouch-boxes. It would be impossible to describe half the + enormities committed by these banditti: wherever they went they were + regarded as a scourge, and every heart shrunk at their approach. + Lecointre, of Versailles, a member of the Convention, complained that a + band of these wretches entered the house of a farmer, one of his + tenants, by night, and, after binding the family hand and foot, and + helping themselves to whatever they could find, they placed the farmer + with his bare feet on the chaffing-dish of hot ashes, by way of forcing + him to discover where he had secreted his plate and money, which having + secured, they set all the vessels of liquor running, and then retired. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + You are not to suppose this a robbery, and the actors common thieves; all + was in the usual form—"au nom de la loi," and for the service of the + republic; and I do not mention this instance as remarkable, otherwise than + as having been noticed in the Convention. A thousand events of this kind, + even still more atrocious, have happened; but the sufferers who had not + the means of defence as well as of complaint, were obliged, through + policy, to be silent. + </p> + <p> + —The garrison and national guard, indignant at the horrors they + committed, obliged them to decamp. Even the people of Dunkirk, whose + resistance to the English, while the French army was collecting together + for their relief, was perhaps of more consequence than ten victories, have + been since intimidated with Commissioners, and Tribunals, and Guillotines, + as much as if they had been convicted of selling the town. In short, under + this philanthropic republic, persecution seems to be very exactly + proportioned to the services rendered. A jealous and suspicious government + does not forget, that the same energy of character which has enabled a + people to defend themselves against an external enemy, may also make them + less submissive to domestic oppression; and, far from repaying them with + the gratitude to which they have a claim, it treats them, on all + occasions, as opponents, whom it both fears and hates. + </p> + <p> + Nov. 22. We have been walking in the yard to-day with General Laveneur, + who, for an act which in any other country would have gained him credit, + is in this suspended from his command.—When Custine, a few weeks + before his death, left the army to visit some of the neighbouring towns, + the command devolved on Laveneur, who received, along with other official + papers, a list of countersigns, which, having probably been made some + time, and not altered conformably to the changes of the day, contained, + among others, the words Condorcet—Constitution; and these were in + their turn given out. On Custine's trial, this was made a part of his + accusation. Laveneur, recollecting that the circumstance had happened in + the absence of Custine, thought it incumbent on him to take the blame, if + there were any, on himself, and wrote to Paris to explain the matter as it + really stood; but his candour, without availing Custine, drew persecution + on himself, and the only notice taken of his letter was an order to arrest + him. After being dragged from one town to another, like a criminal, and + often lodged in dungeons and common prisons, he was at length deposited + here. + </p> + <p> + I know not if the General's principles are republican, but he has a very + democratic pair of whiskers, which he occasionally strokes, and seems to + cherish with much affection. He is, however, a gentleman-like man, and + expresses such anxiety for the fate of his wife and children, who are now + at Paris, that one cannot but be interested in his favour.—As the + agents of the republic never err on the side of omission, they arrested + Mons. Laveneur's aid-de-camp with him; and another officer of his + acquaintance, who was suspended, and living at Amiens, has shared the same + fate, only for endeavouring to procure him a trifling accommodation. This + gentleman called on Dumont, to beg that General Laveneur's servant might + be permitted to go in and out of the prison on his master's errands. After + breakfasting together, and conversing on very civil terms, Dumont told + him, that as he concerned himself so much in behalf of his friend, he + would send him to keep the latter company, and at the conclusion of his + visit he was sent prisoner to the Bicetre. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps the greater part of between three and four hundred thousand + people, now imprisoned on suspicion, have been arrested for reasons as + little substantial. + </p> + <p> + —I begin to fear my health will not resist the hardship of a long + continuance here. We have no fire-place, and are sometimes starved with + partial winds from the doors and roof; at others faint and heartsick with + the unhealthy air produced by so many living bodies. The water we drink is + not preferable to the air we breathe; the bread (which is now every where + scarce and bad) contains such a mixture of barley, rye, damaged wheat, and + trash of all kinds, that, far from being nourished by it, I lose both my + strength and appetite daily.—Yet these are not the worst of our + sufferings. Shut out from all society, victims of a despotic and + unprincipled government capable of every thing, and ignorant of the fate + which may await us, we are occasionally oppressed by a thousand melancholy + apprehensions. I might, indeed, have boasted of my fortitude, and have + made myself an heroine on paper at as small an expence of words as it has + cost me to record my cowardice: but I am of an unlucky conformation, and + think either too much or too little (I know not which) for a female + philosopher; besides, philosophy is getting into such ill repute, that not + possessing the reality, the name of it is not worth assuming. + </p> + <p> + A poor old priest told me just now, (while Angelique was mending his black + coat with white thread,) that they had left at the place where they were + last confined a large quantity of linen, and other necessaries; but, by + the express orders of Dumont, they were not allowed to bring a single + article away with them. The keeper, too, it seems, was threatened with + dismission, for supplying one of them with a shirt.—In England, + where, I believe, you ally political expediency as much as you can with + justice and humanity, these cruelties, at once little and refined, will + appear incredible; and the French themselves, who are at least ashamed of, + if they are not pained by, them, are obliged to seek refuge in the fancied + palliative of a "state of revolution."—Yet, admitting the necessity + of confining the persons of these old men, there can be none for heaping + them together in filth and misery, and adding to the sufferings of years + and infirmity by those of cold and want. If, indeed, a state of revolution + require such deeds, and imply an apology for them, I cannot but wish the + French had remained as they were, for I know of no political changes that + can compensate for turning a civilized nation into a people of savages. It + is not surely the eating acorns or ragouts, a well-powdered head, or one + decorated with red feathers, that constitutes the difference between + barbarism and civilization; and, I fear, if the French proceed as they + have begun, the advantage of morals will be considerably on the side of + the unrefined savages. + </p> + <p> + The conversation of the prison has been much engaged by the fate of an + English gentleman, who lately destroyed himself in a Maison d'Arret at + Amiens. His confinement had at first deeply affected his spirits, and his + melancholy increasing at the prospect of a long detention, terminated in + deranging his mind, and occasioned this last act of despair.—I never + hear of suicide without a compassion mingled with terror, for, perhaps, + simple pity is too light an emotion to be excited by an event which + reminds us, that we are susceptible of a degree of misery too great to be + borne—too strong for the efforts of instinct, reflection, and + religion. —I could moralize on the necessity of habitual patience, + and the benefit of preparing the mind for great evils by a philosophic + endurance of little ones; but I am at the Bicetre—the winds whistle + round me—I am beset by petty distresses, and we do not expatiate to + advantage on endurance while we have any thing to endure.—Seneca's + contempt for the things of this world was doubtless suggested in the + palace of Nero. He would not have treated the subject so well in disgrace + and poverty. Do not suppose I am affecting to be pleasant, for I write in + the sober sadness of conviction, that human fortitude is often no better + than a pompous theory, founded on self-love and self-deception. + </p> + <p> + I was surprized at meeting among our fellow-prisoners a number of Dutch + officers. I find they had been some time in the town on their parole, and + were sent here by Dumont, for refusing to permit their men to work on the + fortifications.—The French government and its agents despise the + laws of war hitherto observed; they consider them as a sort of + aristocratie militaire, and they pretend, on the same principle, to be + enfranchised from the law of nations.—An orator of the convention + lately boasted, that he felt himself infinitely superior to the prejudices + of Grotius, Puffendorff, and Vatel, which he calls "l'aristocratie + diplomatique."—Such sublime spirits think, because they differ from + the rest of mankind, that they surpass them. Like Icarus, they attempt to + fly, and are perpetually struggling in the mire.—Plain common sense + has long pointed out a rule of action, from which all deviation is fatal, + both to nations and individuals. England, as well as France, has furnished + its examples; and the annals of genius in all countries are replete with + the miseries of eccentricity.—Whoever has followed the course of the + French revolution, will, I believe, be convinced, that the greatest evils + attending on it have been occasioned by an affected contempt for received + maxims. A common banditti, acting only from the desire of plunder, or men, + erring only through ignorance, could not have subjugated an whole people, + had they not been assisted by narrow-minded philosophers, who were eager + to sacrifice their country to the vanity of making experiments, and were + little solicitous whether their systems were good or bad, provided they + were celebrated as the authors of them. Yet, where are they now? + Wandering, proscribed, and trembling at the fate of their followers and + accomplices.—The Brissotins, sacrificed by a party even worse than + themselves, have died without exciting either pity or admiration. Their + fall was considered as the natural consequence of their exaltation, and + the courage with which they met death obtained no tribute but a cold and + simple comment, undistinguished from the news of the day, and ending with + it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_39" id="short3_4_39"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + December. + </h2> + <p> + Last night, after we had been asleep about an hour, (for habit, that + "lulls the wet sea-boy on the high and giddy mast," has reconciled us to + sleep even here,) we were alarmed by the trampling of feet, and sudden + unlocking of our door. Our apprehensions gave us no time for conjecture + —in a moment an ill-looking fellow entered the room with a lantern, + two soldiers holding drawn swords, and a large dog! The whole company + walked as it were processionally to the end of the apartment, and, after + observing in silence the beds on each side, left us. It would not be easy + to describe what we suffered at this moment: for my own part, I thought + only of the massacres of September, and the frequent proposals at the + Jacobins and the Convention for dispatching the <i>"gens suspect,"</i> and + really concluded I was going to terminate my existence <i>"revolutionnairement."</i> + I do not now know the purport of these visits, but I find they are not + unusual, and most probably intended to alarm the prisoners. + </p> + <p> + After many enquiries and messages, I have had the mortification of hearing + that Mr. and Mrs. D____ were taken to Arras, and were there even before I + left it. The letters sent to and from the different prisons are read by so + many people, and pass through so many hands, that it is not surprizing we + have not heard from each other. As far as I can learn, they had obtained + leave, after their first arrest, to remove to a house in the vicinity of + Dourlens for a few days, on account of Mrs. D____'s health, which had + suffered by passing the summer in the town, and that at the taking of + Toulon they were again arrested while on a visit, and conveyed to a <i>Maison + d'Arret</i> at Arras. I am the more anxious for them, as it seems they + were unprepared for such an event; and as the seals were put upon their + effects, I fear they must be in want of every thing. I might, perhaps, + have succeeded in getting them removed here, but Fleury's Arras friend, it + seems, did not think, when the Convention had abolished every other part + of Christianity, that they intended still to exact a partial observance of + the eighth article of the decalogue; and having, in the sense of Antient + Pistol, "conveyed" a little too notoriously, Le Bon has, by way of + securing him from notice or pursuit, sent him to the frontiers in the + capacity of Commissary. + </p> + <p> + The prison, considering how many French inhabitants it contains, is + tolerably quiet—to say the truth, we are not very sociable, and + still less gay. Common interest establishes a sort of intimacy between + those of the same apartment; but the rest of the house pass each other, + without farther intercourse than silent though significant civility. + Sometimes you see a pair of unfortunate aristocrates talking politics at + the end of a passage, or on a landing-place; and here and there a bevy of + females, en deshabille, recounting altogether the subject of their arrest. + One's ear occasionally catches a few half-suppressed notes of a proscribed + aire, but the unhallowed sounds of the Carmagnole and Marseillois are + never heard, and would be thought more dissonant here than the war-whoop. + In fact, the only appearance of gaiety is among the ideots and lunatics. + —<i>"Je m'ennuye furieusement,"</i> is the general exclamation.—An + Englishman confined at the Bicetre would express himself more forcibly, + but, it is certain, the want of knowing how to employ themselves does not + form a small part of the distresses of our fellow-prisoners; and when they + tell us they are <i>"ennuyes,"</i> they say, perhaps, nearly as much as + they feel— for, as far as I can observe, the loss of liberty has not + the same effect on a Frenchman as an Englishman. Whether this arises from + political causes, or the natural indifference of the French character, I + am not qualified to determine; probably from both: yet when I observe this + facility of mind general, and by no means peculiar to the higher classes, + I cannot myself but be of opinion, that it is more an effect of their + original disposition than of their form of government; for though in + England we were accustomed from our childhood to consider every man in + France as liable to wake and find himself in the Bastille, or at Mont St. + Michel, this formidable despotism existed more in theory than in practice; + and if courtiers and men of letters were intimidated by it, the mass of + the people troubled themselves very little about Lettres de Cachet. The + revenge or suspicion of Ministers might sometimes pursue those who aimed + at their power, or assailed their reputation; but the lesser gentry, the + merchants, or the shopkeepers, were very seldom victims of arbitrary + imprisonment—and I believe, amongst the evils which it was the + object of the revolution to redress, this (except on the principle) was + far from being of the first magnitude. I am not likely, under my present + circumstances, to be an advocate for the despotism of any form of + government; and I only give it as a matter of opinion, that the civil + liberty of the French was not so often and generally violated,* as to + influence their character in such a degree as to render them insensible of + its loss. At any rate, we must rank it among the <i>bizarreries</i> + [Unaccountable whimsical events.] of this world, that the French should + have been prepared, by the theory of oppression under their old system, + for enduring the practice of it under the new one; and that what during + the monarchy was only possible to a few, is, under the republic, almost + certain to all. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * I remember in 1789, after the destruction of the Bastille, our + compassionate countrymen were taught to believe that this tremendous + prison was peopled with victims, and that even the dungeons were + inhabited; yet the truth is, though it would not have told so + pathetically, or have produced so much theatrical effect, there were + only seven persons confined in the whole building, and certainly not one + in the dungeons. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_40" id="short3_4_40"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, Providence, Dec. 10, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + We have again, as you will perceive, changed our abode, and that too + without expecting, and almost without desiring it. In my moments of + sullenness and despondency, I was not very solicitous about the + modifications of our confinement, and little disposed to be better + satisfied with one prison than another: but, heroics apart, external + comforts are of some importance, and we have, in many respects, gained by + our removal. + </p> + <p> + Our present habitation is a spacious building, lately a convent, and + though now crouded with more prisoners by two or three hundred than it + will hold conveniently, yet we are better lodged than at the Bicetre, and + we have also a large garden, good water, and, what above all is desirable, + the liberty of delivering our letters or messages ourselves (in presence + of the guard) to any one who will venture to approach us. Mad. de ____ and + myself have a small cell, where we have just room to place our beds, but + we have no fire-place, and the maids are obliged to sleep in an adjoining + passage. + </p> + <p> + A few evenings ago, while we were at the Bicetre, we were suddenly + informed by the keeper that Dumont had sent some soldiers with an order to + convey us that night to the Providence. We were at first rather surprized + than pleased, and reluctantly gathered our baggage together with as much + expedition as we could, while the men who were to escort us were + exclaiming "a la Francaise" at the trifling delay this occasioned. When we + had passed the gate, we found Fleury, with some porters, ready to receive + our beds, and overjoyed at having procured us a more decent prison, for, + it seems, he could by no means reconcile himself to the name of Bicetre. + We had about half a mile to walk, and on the road he contrived to acquaint + us with the means by which he had solicited this favour of Dumont. After + advising with all Mad. de ____'s friends who were yet at liberty, and + finding no one willing to make an effort in her behalf, for fear of + involving themselves, he discovered an old acquaintance in the "femme de + chambre" of one of Fleury's mistresses.— This, for one of Fleury's + sagacity, was a spring to have set the whole Convention in a ferment; and + in a few days he profited so well by this female patronage, as to obtain + an order for transferring us hither. On our arrival, we were informed, as + usual, that the house was already full, and that there was no possibility + of admitting us. We however, set up all night in the keeper's room with + some other people newly arrived like ourselves, and in the morning, after + a little disputing and a pretty general derangement of the more ancient + inhabitants, we were "nichees," as I have described to you. + </p> + <p> + We have not yet quitted our room much, but I observe that every one + appears more chearful, and more studied in their toilette, than at the + Bicetre, and I am willing to infer from thence that confinement here is + less insupportable.—I have been employed two days in enlarging the + notes I had made in our last prison, and in making them more legible, for + I ventured no farther than just to scribble with a pencil in a kind of + short-hand of my own invention, and not even that without a variety of + precautions. I shall be here less liable either to surprize or + observation, and as soon as I have secured what I have already noted, + (which I intend to do to-night,) I shall continue my remarks in the usual + form. You will find even more than my customary incorrectness and want of + method since we left Peronne; but I shall not allow your competency as a + critic, until you have been a prisoner in the hands of French republicans. + </p> + <p> + It will not be improper to notice to you a very ingenious decree of + Gaston, (a member of the Convention,) who lately proposed to embark all + the English now in France at Brest, and then to sink the ships.—Perhaps + the Committee of Public Welfare are now in a sort of benevolent + indecision, whether this, or Collot d'Herbois' gunpowder scheme, shall + have the preference. Legendre's iron cage and simple hanging will, + doubtless, be rejected, as too slow and formal. The mode of the day is + "les grandes mesures." If I be not seriously alarmed at these + propositions, it is not that life is indifferent to me, or that I think + the government too humane to adopt them. My tranquillity arises from + reflecting that such measures would be of no political use, and that we + shall most likely be soon forgotten in the multitude of more important + concerns. Those, however, whom I endeavour to console by this reasoning, + tell me it is nothing less than infallible, that the inutility of a crime + is here no security against its perpetration, and that any project which + tends to evil will sooner be remembered than one of humanity or justice. + </p> + <p> + [End of Vol. I. The Printed Books] + </p> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_41" id="short3_4_41"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + [Beginning of Volume II. Of The Printed Books] + </h2> + <p> + <a name="short3_4_42" id="short3_4_42"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Providence, Dec. 20, 1793. + </h2> + <p> + "All places that are visited by the eye of Heaven, are to the wise man + happy havens." If Shakspeare's philosophy be orthodox, the French have, it + must be confessed, many claims to the reputation of a wise people; and + though you know I always disputed their pretensions to general gaiety, yet + I acknowledge that misfortune does not deprive them of the share they + possess, and, if one may judge by appearances, they have at least the + habit, more than any other nation, of finding content under situations + with which it should seem incompatible. We are here between six and seven + hundred, of all ages and of all ranks, taken from our homes, and from all + that usually makes the comfort of life, and crowded together under many of + the inflictions that constitute its misery; yet, in the midst of all this, + we fiddle, dress, rhyme, and visit as ceremoniously as though we had + nothing to disturb us. Our beaux, after being correctly frizz'd and + powdered behind some door, compliment the belle just escaped from a + toilet, performed amidst the apparatus of the kitchen; three or four beds + are piled one upon another to make room for as many card-tables; and the + wits of the prison, who are all the morning employed in writing doleful + placets to obtain their liberty, in the evening celebrate the loss of it + in bout-rimees and acrostics. + </p> + <p> + I saw an ass at the <i>Corps de Garde</i> this morning laden with violins + and music, and a female prisoner seldom arrives without her complement of + bandboxes.—Embarrassed, stifled as we are by our numbers, it does + not prevent a daily importation of lap-dogs, who form as consequential a + part of the community in a prison, as in the most superb hotel. The + faithful valet, who has followed the fortunes of his master, does not so + much share his distresses as contribute to his pleasure by adorning his + person, or, rather, his head, for, excepting the article of hair-dressing, + the beaux here are not elaborate. In short, there is an indifference, a + frivolity, in the French character, which, in circumstances like the + present, appears unaccountable. But man is not always consistent with + himself, and there are occasions in which the French are nothing less than + philosophers. Under all these externals of levity, they are a very prudent + people, and though they seem to bear with infinite fortitude many of the + evils of life, there are some in which their sensibility is not to be + questioned. At the death of a relation, or the loss of liberty, I have + observed that a few hours suffice, <i>pour prendre son parti;</i> [To make + up his mind.] but on any occasion where his fortune has suffered, the + liveliest Frenchman is <i>au desespoir</i> for whole days. Whenever any + thing is to be lost or gained, all his characteristic indifference + vanishes, and his attention becomes mentally concentrated, without + dissipating the habitual smile of his countenance. He may sometimes be + deceived through deficiency of judgment, but I believe not often by + unguardedness; and, in a matter of interest, a <i>petit maitre</i> of + five-and-twenty might <i>tout en badinage</i> [All in the way of + pleasantry.] maintain his ground against a whole synagogue.—This + disposition is not remarkable only in affairs that may be supposed to + require it, but extends to the minutest objects; and the same oeconomy + which watches over the mass of a Frenchman's estate, guards with equal + solicitude the menu property of a log of wood, or a hen's nest. + </p> + <p> + There is at this moment a general scarcity of provisions, and we who are + confined are, of course, particularly inconvenienced by it; we do not even + get bread that is eatable, and it is curious to observe with what + circumspection every one talks of his resources. The possessor of a few + eggs takes care not to expose them to the eye of his neighbour; and a + slice of white bread is a donation of so much consequence, that those who + procure any for themselves do not often put their friends to the pain + either of accepting or refusing it. + </p> + <p> + Mad. de ____ has been unwell for some days, and I could not help giving a + hint to a relation of her's whom we found here, and who has frequent + supplies of bread from the country, that the bread we eat was peculiarly + inimical to her; but I gained only a look of repulsive apprehension, and a + cold remark that it was very difficult to get good bread—<i>"et que + c'etoit bien malheureux."</i> [And that it certainly was very + unfortunate.] I own this kind of selfishness is increased by a situation + where our wants are numerous, and our enjoyments few; and the great + distinctions of meum and tuum, which at all times have occasioned so much + bad fellowship in the world, are here perhaps more rigidly observed than + any where else; yet, in my opinion, a close-hearted consideration has + always formed an essential and a predominant quality in the French + character. + </p> + <p> + People here do not ruin themselves, as with us, by hospitality; and + examples of that thoughtless profusion which we censure and regret, + without being able entirely to condemn, are very rare indeed. In France it + is not uncommon to see a man apparently dissipated in his conduct, and + licentious in his morals, yet regular, even to parsimony, in his pecuniary + concerns.—He oeconomizes with his vices, and indulges in all the + excesses of fashionable life, with the same system of order that + accumulates the fortune of a Dutch miser. Lord Chesterfield was doubtless + satisfied, that while his son remained in France, his precepts would have + all the benefit of living illustration; yet it is not certain that this + cautious and reflecting licentiousness has any merit over the more + imprudent irregularity of an English spendthrift: the one is, however, + likely to be more durable than the other; and, in fact, the character of + an old libertine is more frequent in France than in England. + </p> + <p> + If oeconomy preside even over the vices of the rich and fashionable, you + may conclude that the habits of the middling ranks of people of small + fortunes are still more scrupulously subjected to its influence. A French + <i>menage</i> [Household.] is a practical treatise on the art of saving—a + spirit of oeconomy pervades and directs every part of it, and that so + uniformly, so generally, and so consistently, as not to make the same + impression on a stranger as would a single instance where the whole was + not conducted on the same principle. A traveller is not so forcibly + stricken by this part of the French character, because it is more real + than apparent, and does not seem the effect of reasoning or effort, which + is never consequential, but rather that of inclination and the natural + course of things. + </p> + <p> + A degree of parsimony, which an Englishman, who does not affect the + reputation of a Codrus, could not acquire without many self-combats, + appears in a Frenchman a matter of preference and convenience, and till + one has lived long and familiarly in the country, one is apt to mistake + principles for customs, and character for manners, and to attribute many + things to local which have their real source in moral causes.—The + traveller who sees nothing but gay furniture, and gay clothes, and + partakes on invitation of splendid repasts, returns to England the + enamoured panegyrist of French hospitality.—On a longer residence + and more domestic intercourse, all this is discoverable to be merely the + sacrifice of parsimony to vanity—the solid comforts of life are + unknown, and hospitality seldom extends beyond an occasional and + ostentatious reception. The gilding, painting, glasses, and silk hangings + of a French apartment, are only a gay disguise; and a house, which to the + eye may be attractive even to splendour, often has not one room that an + Englishman would find tolerably convenient. Every thing intended for use + rather than shew is scanty and sordid—all is <i>beau, magnifique, + gentil,</i> or <i>superb,</i> [Fine magnificent, genteel, or superb.] and + nothing comfortable. The French have not the word, or its synonime, in + their language. + </p> + <p> + In France, clothes are almost as durable as furniture, and the gaiety + which twenty or thirty years ago we were complaisant enough to admire is + far from being expensive. People are not more than five or six hours a day + in their gala habits, and the whole of this period is judiciously chosen + between the hours of repast, so that no risk in incurred by accidents at + table. Then the caprices of fashion, which in England are so various and + despotic, have here a more limited influence: the form of a dress changes + as long as the material is convertible, and when it has outlasted the + possibility of adaptation to a reigning mode, it is not on that account + rejected, but is generally worn in some way or other till banished by the + more rational motive of its decay. All the expences of tea-visits, + breakfast-loungings, and chance-dinners, are avoided—an evening + visit is passed entirely at cards, a breakfast in form even for the family + is unusual, and there are very few houses where you could dine without + being previously engaged. I am, indeed, certain, that (unless in large + establishments) the calculation for diurnal supply is so exact, that the + intrusion of a stranger would be felt by the whole family. I must, + however, do them the justice to say, that on such occasions, and where + they find the thing to be inevitable, they put the best face possible on + it, and the guest is entertained, if not plentifully, and with a very + sincere welcome, at least with smiles and compliments. The French, indeed, + allow, that they live less hospitably than the English: but then they say + they are not so rich; and it is true, property is not so general, nor so + much diffused, as with us. This is, however, only relative, and you will + not suspect me of being so uncandid as to make comparisons without + allowing for every difference which is the effect of necessity. All my + remarks of this kind are made after an unprejudiced comparison of the + people of the same rank or fortune in the two countries;—yet even + the most liberal examination must end by concluding, that the oeconomy of + the French too nearly approaches to meanness, and that their civility is + ostentatious, perhaps often either interested, or even verbal. + </p> + <p> + You already exclaim, why, in the year 1793, you are characterizing a + nation in the style of Salmon! and implying a panegyric on the moral of + the School for Scandal! I plead to the first part of the charge, and shall + hereafter defend my opinion against the more polished writers who have + succeeded Salmon. For the moral of the School for Scandal, I have always + considered it as the seal of humanity on a comedy which would otherwise be + perfection. + </p> + <p> + It is not the oeconomy of the French that I am censuring, but their + vanity, which, engrossing all their means of expence, prefers show to + accommodation, and the parade of a sumptuous repast three or four times a + year to a plainer but more frequent hospitality.—I am far from being + the advocate of extravagance, or the enemy of domestic order; and the + liberality which is circumscribed only by prudence shall not find in me a + censurer. + </p> + <p> + My ideas on the French character and manner of living may not be unuseful + to such of my countrymen as come to France with the project of retrieving + their affairs; for it is very necessary they should be informed, that it + is not so much the difference in the price of things, which makes a + residence here oeconomical, as a conformity to the habits of the country; + and if they were not deterred by a false shame from a temporary adoption + of the same system in England, their object might often be obtained + without leaving it. For this reason it may be remarked, that the English + who bring English servants, and persist in their English mode of living, + do not often derive very solid advantages from their exile, and their + abode in France is rather a retreat from their creditors than the means of + paying their debts. + </p> + <p> + Adieu.—You will not be sorry that I have been able for a moment to + forget our personal sufferings, and the miserable politics of the country. + The details of the former are not pleasant, and the latter grow every day + more inexplicable. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + A RESIDENCE IN FRANCE,<br /> <br /> DURING THE YEARS<br /> <br /> 1792, 1793, + 1794, and 1795 + </h1> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + DESCRIBED IN A SERIES OF LETTERS<br /> FROM AN ENGLISH LADY;<br /> With + General And Incidental Remarks<br /> On The French Character And Manners. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h4> + Prepared for the Press<br /> By John Gifford, Esq.<br /> <br /> Second + Edition.<br /> <br /> <i>Plus je vis l'Etranger plus j'aimai ma Patrie.</i><br /> + --Du Belloy.<br /> <br /> London: Printed for T. N. Longman, Paternoster + Row. 1797. + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + 1794 + </h1> + <h2> + A RESIDENCE IN FRANCE + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_2">January 6, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_3">January, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_4">Providence, Jan. 29.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_5">February 2, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_6">February 12, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_7">[No date given.]</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_8">March 1, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_9">March, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_10">March 5, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_11">March 17, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_12">Providence, April 15, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_13">April 22, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_14">April 30, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_15">June 3, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_16">June 11, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_17">Providence, Aug. 11, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_18">August 12.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_19">Providence, Aug. 13, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_20">Providence, Aug. 14, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_21">Providence, Aug. 15, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_22">August, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_23">[No Date Given]</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_24">Amiens, Sept. 30, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_25">Amiens, October 4, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_26">October 6, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_27">[No Date or Place Given.]</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_28">Amiens, Oct. 24, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_29">Amiens, Nov. 2, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_30">Basse-ville, Arras, Nov. 6, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_31">Amiens, Nov. 26, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_32">Amiens, Nov. 29, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_33">Amiens. [No date given.]</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_34">Amiens, Dec. 10, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_35">Amiens, Dec. 16, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_36">December 24, 1794.</a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#short4_4_37">December 27, 1794.</a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_2" id="short4_4_2"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + January 6, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + If I had undertaken to follow the French revolution through all its + absurdities and iniquities, my indolence would long since have taken the + alarm, and I should have relinquished a task become too difficult and too + laborious. Events are now too numerous and too complicated to be described + by occasional remarks; and a narrator of no more pretensions than myself + may be allowed to shrink from an abundance of matter which will hereafter + perplex the choice and excite the wonder of the historian.—Removed + from the great scene of intrigues, we are little acquainted with them—we + begin to suffer almost before we begin to conjecture, and our solicitude + to examine causes is lost in the rapidity with which we feel their + effects. + </p> + <p> + Amidst the more mischievous changes of a philosophic revolution, you will + have learned from the newspapers, that the French have adopted a new aera + and a new calendar, the one dating from the foundation of their republic, + and other descriptive of the climate of Paris, and the productions of the + French territory. I doubt, however, if these new almanack-makers will + create so much confusion as might be supposed, or as they may desire, for + I do not find as yet that their system has made its way beyond the public + offices, and the country people are particularly refractory, for they + persist in holding their fairs, markets, &c. as usual, without any + regard to the hallowed decade of their legislators. As it is to be + presumed that the French do not wish to relinquish all commercial + intercourse with other nations, they mean possibly to tack the republican + calendar to the rights of man, and send their armies to propagate them + together; otherwise the correspondence of a Frenchman will be as difficult + to interpret with mercantile exactness as the characters of the Chinese. + </p> + <p> + The vanity of these philosophers would, doubtless, be gratified by forcing + the rest of Europe and the civilized world to adopt their useless and + chimerical innovations, and they might think it a triumph to see the + inhabitant of the Hebrides date <i>"Vendemiaire,"</i> [Alluding to the + vintage.] or the parched West-Indian <i>"Nivose;"</i> but vanity is not on + this, as it is on many other occasions, the leading principle.—It + was hoped that a new arrangement of the year, and a different nomenclature + of the months, so as to banish all the commemorations of Christianity, + might prepare the way for abolishing religion itself, and, if it were + possible to impose the use of the new calendar so far as to exclude the + old one, this might certainly assist their more serious atheistical + operations; but as the success of such an introduction might depend on the + will of the people, and is not within the competence of the bayonet, the + old year will maintain its ground, and these pedantic triflers find that + they have laboured to no more extensive a purpose, than to furnish a date + to the newspapers, or to their own decrees, which no one will take the + pains to understand. + </p> + <p> + Mankind are in general more attached to customs than principles. The + useful despotism of Peter, which subdued so many of the prejudices of his + countrymen, could not achieve the curtailment of their beards; and you + must not imagine that, with all the endurance of the French, these + continual attempts at innovation pass without murmurs: partial revolts + happen very frequently; but, as they are the spontaneous effect of + personal suffering, not of political manoeuvre, they are without concert + or union, of course easily quelled, and only serve to strengthen the + government.—The people of Amiens have lately, in one of these sudden + effusions of discontent, burnt the tree of liberty, and even the + representative, Dumont, has been menaced; but these are only the blows of + a coward who is alarmed at his own temerity, and dreads the chastisement + of it.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The whole town of Bedouin, in the south of France, was burnt pursuant + to a decree of the convention, to expiate the imprudence of some of its + inhabitants in having cut down a dead tree of liberty. Above sixty + people were guillotined as accomplices, and their bodies thrown into + pits, dug by order of the representative, Magnet, (then on mission,) + before their death. These executions were succeeded by a conflagration + of all the houses, and the imprisonment or dispersion of their + possessors. It is likewise worthy of remark, that many of these last + were obliged, by express order of Maignet, to be spectators of the + murder of their friends and relations. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + This crime in the revolutionary code is of a very serious nature; and + however trifling it may appear to you, it depends only on the will of + Dumont to sacrifice many lives on the occasion. But Dumont, though erected + by circumstances into a tyrant, is not sanguinary—he is by nature + and education passionate and gross, and in other times might only have + been a good natured Polisson. Hitherto he has contented himself with + alarming, and making people tired of their lives, but I do not believe he + has been the direct or intentional cause of anyone's death. He has so + often been the hero of my adventures, that I mention him familiarly to + you, without reflecting, that though the delegate of more than monarchical + power here, he is too insignificant of himself to be known in England. But + the history of Dumont is that of two-thirds of the Convention. He was + originally clerk to an attorney at Abbeville, and afterwards set up for + himself in a neighbouring village. His youth having been marked by some + digressions from the "'haviour of reputation," his profession was far from + affording him a subsistence; and the revolution, which seems to have + called forth all that was turbulent, unprincipled, or necessitous in the + country, naturally found a partizan in an attorney without practice.—At + the election of 1792, when the King's fall and the domination of the + Jacobins had spread so general a terror that no man of character could be + prevailed upon to be a candidate for a public situation, Dumont availed + himself of this timidity and supineness in those who ought to have become + the representatives of the people; and, by a talent for intrigue, and a + coarse facility of phrase-making, (for he has no pretensions to + eloquence,) prevailed on the mob to elect him. His local knowledge, active + disposition, and subservient industry, render him an useful kind of drudge + to any prevailing party, and, since the overthrow of the Brissotines, he + has been entrusted with the government of this and some of the + neighbouring departments. He professes himself a zealous republican, and + an apostle of the doctrine of universal equality, yet unites in his person + all the attributes of despotism, and lives with more luxury and expence + than most of the <i>ci-devant</i> gentry. His former habitation at + Oisemont is not much better than a good barn; but patriotism is more + profitable here than in England, and he has lately purchased a large + mansion belonging to an emigrant. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "Britain no longer pays her patriots with her spoils:" and perhaps it + is matter of congratulation to a country, when the profession of + patriotism is not lucrative. Many agreeable inferences may be made from + it—the sentiment may have become too general for reward, Ministers + too virtuous to fear, or even the people too enlightened to be deceived. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —His mode of travelling, which used at best to be in the <i>coche + d'eau</i> [Passage-boat.] or the diligence, is now in a coach and four, + very frequently accompanied by a led horse, and a party of dragoons. I + fear some of your patriots behold this with envy, and it is not to be + wondered at that they should wish to see a similar revolution in England. + What a seducing prospect for the assertors of liberty, to have the power + of imprisoning and guillotining all their countrymen! What halcyon days, + when the aristocratic palaces* shall be purified by solacing the fatigues + of republican virtue, and the levellers of all distinction travel with + four horses and a military escort!—But, as Robespierre observes, you + are two centuries behind the French in patriotism and information; and I + doubt if English republicanism will ever go beyond a dinner, and toasting + the manes of Hampden and Sydney. I would, therefore, seriously advise any + of my compatriots who may be enamoured of a government founded on the + rights of man, to quit an ungrateful country which seems so little + disposed to reward their labours, and enjoy the supreme delight of men a + systeme, that of seeing their theories in action. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Many of the emigrants' houses were bought by members of the + Convention, or people in office. At Paris, crouds of inferior clerks, + who could not purchase, found means to get lodged in the most superb + national edifices: Monceaux was the villa of Robespierre—St. Just + occasionally amused himself at Raincy—Couthon succeed the Comte + d'Artois at Bagatelle-and Vliatte, a juryman of the Revolutionary + Tribunal, was lodged at the pavillion of Flora, in the Tuilleries, which + he seems to have occupied as a sort of Maitre d'Hotel to the Comite de + Salut Public. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <i>A propos</i>—a decree of the Convention has lately passed to + secure the person of Mr. Thomas Paine, and place seals on his papers. I + hope, however, as he has been installed in all the rights of a French + citizen, in addition to his representative inviolability, that nothing + more than a temporary retreat is intended for him. Perhaps even his + personal sufferings may prove a benefit to mankind. He may, like Raleigh, + "in his prison hours enrich the world," and add new proselytes to the + cause of freedom. Besides, human evils are often only blessings in a + questionable form—Mr. Paine's persecutions in England made him a + legislator in France. Who knows but his persecutions in France may lead to + some new advancement, or at least add another line to the already crouded + title-pages that announce his literary and political distinctions! + </p> + <p> + —Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_3" id="short4_4_3"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + January, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The total suppression of all religious worship in this country is an event + of too singular and important a nature not to have been commented upon + largely by the English papers; but, though I have little new to add on the + subject, my own reflections have been too much occupied in consequence for + me to pass it over in silence. + </p> + <p> + I am yet in the first emotions of wonder: the vast edifice which had been + raised by the blended efforts of religion and superstition, which had been + consecrated by time, endeared by national taste, and become necessary by + habit, has now disappeared, and scarcely left a vestige of its ruins. To + those who revert only to the genius of the Catholic religion, and to + former periods of the history of France, this event must seem incredible; + and nothing but constant opportunities of marking its gradual approach can + reconcile it to probability. The pious christian and the insidious + philosopher have equally contributed to the general effect, though with + very different intentions: the one, consulting only his reason, wished to + establish a pure and simple mode of worship, which, divested of the + allurements of splendid processions and imposing ceremonies, should teach + the people their duty, without captivating their senses; the other, better + acquainted with French character, knew how little these views were + compatible with it, and hoped, under the specious pretext of banishing the + too numerous ornaments of the Catholic practice, to shake the foundations + of Christianity itself. Thus united in their efforts, though dissimilar in + their motives, all parties were eager at the beginning of the revolution + for a reform in the Church: the wealth of the Clergy, the monastic + establishments, the supernumerary saints, were devoted and attacked + without pity, and without regret; and, in the zeal and hurry of + innovation, the decisive measure, which reduced ecclesiastics to small + pensions dependent on the state, was carried, before those who really + meant well were aware of its consequences. The next step was, to make the + receiving these pensions subject to an oath, which the selfish + philosopher, who can coldly calculate on, and triumph in, the weakness of + human nature, foresaw would be a brand of discord, certain to destroy the + sole force which the Clergy yet possessed—their union, and the + public opinion. + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately, these views were not disappointed: conviction, interest, or + fear, prevailed on many to take the oath; while doubt, worldly + improvidence, or a scrupulous piety, deterred others. A schism took place + between the jurors and nonjurors—the people became equally divided, + and adhered either to the one or the other, as their habits or + prepossessions directed them. Neither party, as it may be imagined, could + see themselves deprived of any portion of the public esteem, without + concern, perhaps without rancour; and their mutual animosity, far from + gaining proselytes to either, contributed only to the immediate + degradation and future ruin of both. Those, however, who had not taken the + prescribed oath, were in general more popular than what were called the + constitutionalists, and the influence they were supposed to exert in + alienating the minds of their followers from the new form of government, + supplied the republican party with a pretext for proposing their + banishment.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *The King's exertion of the power vested in him by the constitution, by + putting a temporary negative on this decree, it is well known, was one + of the pretexts for dethroning him. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + At the King's deposition this decree took place, and such of the nonjuring + priests as were not massacred in the prisons, or escaped the search, were + to be embarked for Guiana. The wiser and better part of those whose + compliances entitled them to remain, were, I believe, far from considering + this persecution of their opponents as a triumph—to those who did, + it was of short duration. The Convention, which had hitherto attempted to + disguise its hatred of the profession by censure and abuse of a part of + its members, began now to ridicule the profession itself: some represented + it as useless—others as pernicious and irreconcileable with + political freedom; and a discourse* was printed, under the sanction of the + Assembly, to prove, that the only feasible republic must be supported by + pure atheism. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Extracts from the Report of Anacharsis Cloots, member of the Committee + of Public Instruction, printed by order of the National Convention: "Our + <i>Sans-culottes</i> want no other sermon but the rights of man, no + other doctrine but the constitutional precepts and practice, nor any + other church than where the section or the club hold their meetings, + &c. "The propagation of the rights of man ought to be presented to + the astonished world pure and without stain. It is not by offering + strange gods to our neighbours that we shall operate their conversion. + We can never raise them from their abject state by erecting one altar in + opposition to another. A trifling heresy is infinitely more revolting + than having no religion at all. Nature, like the sun, diffuses her light + without the assistance of priests and vestals. While we were + constitutional heretics, we maintained an army of an hundred thousand + priests, who waged war equally with the Pope and the disciples of + Calvin. We crushed the old priesthood by means of the new, and while we + compelled every sect to contribute to the payment of a pretended + national religion, we became at once the abhorrence of all the Catholics + and Protestants in Europe. The repulsion of our religious belief + counteracted the attraction of our political principles.—But truth + is at length triumphant, and all the ill-intentioned shall no more be + able to detach our neighbours from the dominion of the rights of man, + under pretext of a religious dominion which no longer exists.—The + purpose of religion is no how so well answered as by presenting carte + blanche to the abused world. Every one will then be at liberty to form + his spiritual regimen to his own taste, till in the end the invincible + ascendant of reason shall teach him that the Supreme Being, the Eternal + Being, is no other than Nature uncreated and uncreatable; and that the + only Providence is the association of mankind in freedom and equality!— + This sovereign providence affords comfort to the afflicted, rewards the + good, and punishes the wicked. It exercises no unjust partialities, like + the providence of knaves and fools. Man, when free, wants no other + divinity than himself. This god will not cost us a single farthing, not + a single tear, nor a drop of blood. From the summit of our mountain he + hath promulgated his laws, traced in evident characters on the tables of + nature. From the East to the West they will be understood without the + aid of interpreters, comments, or miracles. Every other ritual will be + torn in pieces at the appearance of that of reason. Reason dethrones + both the Kings of the earth, and the Kings of heaven.—No monarch + above, if we wish to preserve our republic below. "Volumes have been + written to determine whether or no a republic of Atheists could exist. I + maintain that every other republic is a chimera. If you once admit the + existence of a heavenly Sovereign, you introduce the wooden horse within + your walls!—What you adore by day will be your destruction at + night. "A people of theists necessarily become revelationists, that is + to say, slaves of priests, who are but religious go-betweens, and + physicians of damned souls. "If I were a scoundrel, I should make a + point of exclaiming against atheism, for a religious mask is very + convenient to a traitor. "The intolerance of truth will one day + proscribe the very name of temple 'fanum,' the etymology of fanaticism. + "We shall instantly see the monarchy of heaven condemned in its turn by + the revolutionary tribunal of victorious Reason; for Truth, exalted on + the throne of Nature, is sovereignly intolerant. "The republic of the + rights of man is, properly speaking, neither theistical nor atheistical—it + is nihilistical." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Many of the most eminent conforming Prelates and Clergy were arrested, and + even individuals, who had the reputation of being particularly devout, + were marked as objects of persecution. A new calendar was devised, which + excluded the ancient festivals, and limited public worship to the decade, + or tenth day, and all observance of the Sabbath was interdicted. The + prisons were crouded with sufferers in the cause of religion, and all who + had not the zeal or the courage of martyrs, abstained from manifesting any + attachment to the Christian faith. + </p> + <p> + While this consternation was yet recent, the Deputies on mission in the + departments shut up the churches entirely: the refuse of low clubs were + paid and encouraged to break the windows and destroy the monuments; and + these outrages, which, it was previously concerted, should at first assume + the appearance of popular tumult, were soon regulated and directed by the + mandates of the Convention themselves. The churches were again opened, an + atheistic ritual, and licentious homilies,* were substituted for the + proscribed service—and an absurd and ludicrous imitation of the + Greek mythology was exhibited, under the title of the Religion of Reason.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * I have read a discourse pronounced in a church at Paris, on the + decade, so indecent and profane, that the most humble audience of a + country-puppet show in England would not have tolerated it. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + On the principal church of every town was inscribed, "The Temple of + Reason;" and a tutelary goddess was installed with a ceremony equally + pedantic, ridiculous, and profane.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * At Havre, the goddess of Reason was drawn on a car by four + cart-horses, and as it was judged necessary, to prevent accidents, that + the horses should be conducted by those they were accustomed to, the + carters were likewise put in requisition and furnished with cuirasses a + l'antique from the theatre. The men, it seems, being neither martial nor + learned, were not au fait at this equipment, and concluding it was only + a waistcoat of ceremony, invested themselves with the front behind, and + the back part laced before, to the great amusement of the few who were + sensible of the mistake. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Yet the philosophers did not on this occasion disdain those adventitious + aids, the use of which they had so much declaimed against while they were + the auxiliaries of Christianity.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Mr. Gibbon reproaches the Christians with their adoption of the + allurements of the Greek mythology.—The Catholics have been more + hostilely despoiled by their modern persecutors, and may retort that the + religion of reason is a more gross appeal to the senses than the darkest + ages of superstition would have ventured on. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Music, processions, and decorations, which had been banished from the + ancient worship, were introduced in the new one, and the philosophical + reformer, even in the very attempt to establish a religion purely + metaphysical, found himself obliged to inculcate it by a gross and + material idolatry.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The French do not yet annex any other idea to the religion of reason + than that of the female who performs the part of the goddess. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Thus, by submitting his abstractions to the genius of the people, and the + imperfections of our nature, perhaps the best apology was offered for the + errors of that worship which had been proscribed, persecuted, and + ridiculed. + </p> + <p> + Previous to the tenth day, on which a celebration of this kind was to take + place, a Deputy arrived, accompanied by the female goddess:* that is, (if + the town itself did not produce one for the purpose,) a Roman dress of + white satin was hired from the theatre, with which she was invested—her + head covered with a red cap, ornamented with oak leaves— one arm was + reclined on a plough, the other grasped a spear—and her feet were + supported by a globe, and environed by mutilated emblems of seodality. [It + is not possible to explain this costume as appropriate.] + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The females who personated the new divinity were usually selected from + amongst those who "might make sectaries of whom they bid but follow," + but who were more conspicuous for beauty than any other celestial + attribute.—The itinerant goddess of the principal towns in the + department de la Somme was the mistress of one Taillefer, a republican + General, brother to the Deputy of the same name.—I know not, in + this military government, whether the General's services on the occasion + were included in his other appointments. At Amiens, he not only provided + the deity, but commanded the detachment that secured her a submissive + adoration. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Thus equipped, the divinity and her appendages were borne on the shoulders + of Jacobins "en bonnet rouge," and escorted by the National Guard, Mayor, + Judges, and all the constituted authorities, who, whether diverted or + indignant, were obliged to preserve a respectful gravity of exterior. When + the whole cavalcade arrived at the place appointed, the goddess was placed + on an altar erected for the occasion, from whence she harangued the + people, who, in return, proffered their adoration, and sung the + Carmagnole, and other republican hymns of the same kind. They then + proceeded in the same order to the principal church, in the choir of which + the same ceremonies were renewed: a priest was procured to abjure his + faith and avow the whole of Christianity an imposture;* and the festival + concluded with the burning of prayer-books, saints, confessionals, and + every thing appropriated to the use of public worship.**— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *It must be observed, in justice to the French Clergy, that it was + seldom possible to procure any who would consent to this infamy. In such + cases, the part was exhibited by a man hired and dressed for the + purpose.—The end of degrading the profession in the eyes of the + people was equally answered. ** In many places, valuable paintings and + statues were burnt or disfigured. The communion cups, and other church + plate, were, after being exorcised in Jacobin revels, sent to the + Convention, and the gold and silver, (as the author of the Decline and + Fall of the Roman Empire invidiously expresses himself,) the pearls and + jewels, were wickedly converted to the service of mankind; as if any + thing whose value is merely fictitious, could render more service to + mankind than when dedicated to an use which is equally the solace of the + rich and the poor—which gratifies the eye without exciting + cupidity, soothes the bed of sickness, and heals the wounds of + conscience. Yet I am no advocate for the profuse decorations of Catholic + churches; and if I seem to plead in their behalf, it is that I recollect + no instance where the depredators of them have appropriated the spoil to + more laudable purposes. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The greater part of the attendants looked on in silent terror and + astonishment; whilst others, intoxicated, or probably paid to act this + scandalous farce, danced round the flames with an appearance of frantic + and savage mirth.—It is not to be forgotten, that representatives of + the people often presided as the high priests of these rites; and their + official dispatches to the convention, in which these ceremonies were + minutely described, were always heard with bursts of applause, and + sanctioned by decrees of insertion in the bulletin.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * A kind of official newspaper distributed periodically at the expence + of Government in large towns, and pasted up in public places—it + contained such news as the convention chose to impart, which was given + with the exact measure of truth or falsehood that suited the purpose of + the day. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I have now conducted you to the period in which I am contemplating France + in possession of all the advantages which a total dereliction of religious + establishments can bestow—at that consummation to which the labours + of modern philosophers have so long tended. + </p> + <p> + Ye Shaftesburys, Bolingbrokes, Voltaires, and must I add the name of + Gibbon,* behold yourselves inscribed on the registers of fame with a + Laplanche, a Chenier, an Andre Dumont, or a Fouche!**— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The elegant satirist of Christianity will smile at the presumption of + so humble a censurer.—It is certain, the misapplication only of + such splendid talents could embolden me to mention the name of the + possessor with diminished respect. ** These are names too contemptible + for notice, but for the mischief to which they were instrumental—they + were among the first and most remarkable persecutors of religion. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Do not blush at the association; your views have been the same; and the + subtle underminer of man's best comfort in the principles of his religion, + is even more criminal than him who prohibits the external exercise of it. + Ridicule of the sacred writings is more dangerous than burning them, and a + sneer at the miracles of the gospel more mischievous than disfiguring the + statues of the evangelists; and it must be confessed that these + Anti-christian Iconoclasts themselves might probably have been content to + "believe and say their prayers," had not the intolerance of philosophy + made them atheists and persecutors.—The coarse legend of "death is + the sleep of eternity,"* is only a compendium of the fine-drawn theories + of the more elaborate materialist, and the depositaries of the dead will + not corrupt more by the exhibition of this desolating standard, than the + libraries of the living by the volumes which hold out the same oblivion to + vice, and discouragement to virtue.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Posts, bearing the inscription "la mort est un sommeil eternel," were + erected in many public burying-grounds.—No other ceremony is + observed with the dead than enclosing the body in some rough boards, and + sending it off by a couple of porters, (in their usual garb,) attended + by a municipal officer. The latter inscribes on a register the name of + the deceased, who is thrown into a grave generally prepared for half a + score, and the whole business is finished. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The great experiment of governing a civilized people without religion will + now be made; and should the morals, the manners, or happiness of the + French, be improved by it, the sectaries of modern philosophy may triumph. + Should it happen otherwise, the Christian will have an additional motive + for cherishing his faith: but even the afflictions of humanity will not, I + fear, produce either regret or conviction in his adversary; for the + prejudices of philosophers and systemists are incorrigible.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * <i>"Ce ne sont point les philosophes qui connoissent le mieux les + hommes. Ils ne les voient qu'a travers les prejuges, et je ne fache + aucun etat ou l'on en ait tant."</i>—J. J. Rousseau. ["It is not + among philosophers that we are to look for the most perfect knowledge of + human nature.—They view it only through the prejudices of + philosophy, and I know of no profession where prejudices are more + abundant."] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_4" id="short4_4_4"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Providence, Jan. 29. + </h2> + <p> + We are now quite domesticated here, though in a very miserable way, + without fire, and with our mattresses, on the boards; but we nevertheless + adopt the spirit of the country, and a total absence of comfort does not + prevent us from amusing ourselves. My friend knits, and draws landscapes + on the backs of cards; and I have established a correspondence with an old + bookseller, who sends me treatises of chemistry and fortifications, + instead of poetry and memoirs. I endeavoured at first to borrow books of + our companions, but this resource was soon exhausted, and the whole prison + supplied little more than a novel of Florian's, <i>Le Voyage du jeune + Anarcharsis,</i> and some of the philosophical romances of Voltaire.—They + say it ennuyes them to read; and I observe, that those who read at all, + take their books into the garden, and prefer the most crowded walks. These + studious persons, who seem to surpass Crambe himself in the faculty of + abstraction, smile and bow at every comma, without any appearance of + derangement from such frequent interruptions. + </p> + <p> + Time passes sorrowly, rather than slowly; and my thoughts, without being + amused, are employed. The novelty of our situation, the past, the future, + all offer so many subjects of reflection, that my mind has more occasion + for repose than amusement. My only external resource is conversing with + our fellow-prisoners, and learning the causes of their detention. These + relations furnish me with a sort of "abstract of the times," and mark the + character of the government better than circumstances of more apparent + consequence; for what are battles, sieges, and political machinations, but + as they ultimately affect the happiness of society? And when I learn that + the lives, the liberty, and property of no class are secure from + violation, it is not necessary one should be at Paris to form an opinion + of this period of the revolution, and of those who conduct it. + </p> + <p> + The persecution which has hitherto been chiefly directed against the + Noblesse, has now a little subsided, and seems turned against religion and + commerce. People are daily arrested for assisting at private masses, + concealing images, or even for being possessors of religious books. + Merchants are sent here as monopolizers, and retailers, under various + pretexts, in order to give the committees an opportunity of pillaging + their shops. It is not uncommon to see people of the town who are our + guards one day, become our fellow-prisoners the next; and a few weeks + since, the son of an old gentleman who has been some time here, after + being on guard the whole day, instead of being relieved at the usual hour, + was joined by his wife and children, under the escort of a couple of + dragoons, who delivered the whole family into the custody of our keeper; + and this appears to have happened without any other motive than his having + presented a petition to Dumont in behalf of his father. + </p> + <p> + An old man was lately taken from his house in the night, and brought here, + because he was said to have worn the cross of St. Louis.—The fact + is, however, that he never did wear this obnoxious distinction; and though + his daughter has proved this incontrovertibly to Dumont, she cannot obtain + his liberty: and the poor young woman, after making two or three fruitless + journeys to Paris, is obliged to content herself with seeing her father + occasionally at the gate. + </p> + <p> + The refectory of the convent is inhabited by hospital nuns. Many of the + hospitals in France had a sort of religious order annexed to them, whose + business it was to attend the sick; and habit, perhaps too the association + of the offices of humanity with the duties of religion, had made them so + useful in their profession, that they were suffered to remain, even after + the abolition of the regular monasteries. But the devastating torrent of + the revolution at length reached them: they were accused of bestowing a + more tender solicitude on their aristocratic patients than on the wounded + volunteers and republicans; and, upon these curious charges, they have + been heaped into carts, without a single necessary, almost without + covering, sent from one department to another, and distributed in + different prisons, where they are perishing with cold, sickness, and want! + Some people are here only because they happened to be accidentally at a + house when the owner was arrested;* and we have one family who were taken + at dinner, with their guests, and the plate they were using! + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It was not uncommon for a mandate of arrest to direct the taking + "Citizen Such-a-one, and all persons found in his house." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + A grand-daughter of the celebrated De Witt, who resided thirty leagues + from hence, was arrested in the night, put in an open cart, without any + regard to her age, her sex, or her infirmities, though the rain fell in + torrents; and, after sleeping on straw in different prisons on the road, + was deposited here. As a Fleming, the law places her in the same + predicament with a very pretty young woman who has lived some months at + Amiens; but Dumont, who is at once the maker, the interpreter, and + executor of the laws, has exempted the latter from the general + proscription, and appears daily with her in public; whereas poor Madame De + Witt is excluded from such indulgence, being above seventy years old— + and is accused, moreover, of having been most exemplarily charitable, and, + what is still worse, very religious.—I have given these instances + not as any way remarkable, and only that you may form some idea of the + pretexts which have served to cover France with prisons, and to conduct so + many of its inhabitants to the scaffold. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible to reflect on a country in such a situation, without + abhorring the authors of it, and dreading the propagation of their + doctrines. I hope they neither have imitators nor admirers in England; yet + the convention in their debates, the Jacobins, and all the French + newspapers, seem so sanguine in their expectation, and so positive in + their assertions of an English revolution, that I occasionally, and in + spite of myself, feel a vague but serious solicitude, which I should not + have supposed the apprehension of any political evil could inspre. I know + the good sense and information of my countrymen offer a powerful resource + against the love of change and metaphysical subtilties; but, it is + certain, the French government have much depended on the spirit of party, + and the zeal of their propagandistes. They talk of a British convention, + of a conventional army, and, in short, all France seem prepared to see + their neighbours involved in the same disastrous system with themselves. + The people are not a little supported in this error by the extracts that + are given them from your orators in the House of Commons, which teem with + nothing but complaints against the oppression of their own country, and + enthusiastic admiration of French liberty. We read and wonder—collate + the Bill of Rights with the Code Revolutionnaire, and again fear what we + cannot give credit to. + </p> + <p> + Since the reports I allude to have gained ground, I have been forcibly + stricken by a difference in the character of the two nations. At the + prospect of a revolution, all the French who could conveniently leave the + country, fled; and those that remained (except adventurers and the + banditti that were their accomplices) studiously avoided taking any part. + But so little are our countrymen affected with this selfish apathy, that I + am told there is scarcely one here who, amidst all his present sufferings, + does not seem to regret his absence from England, more on account of not + being able to oppose this threatened attack on our constitution, than for + any personal motive.—The example before them must, doubtless, tend + to increase this sentiment of genuine patriotism; for whoever came to + France with but a single grain of it in his composition, must return with + more than enough to constitute an hundred patriots, whose hatred of + despotism is only a principle, and who have never felt its effects.—Adieu. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_5" id="short4_4_5"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + February 2, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The factions which have chosen to give France the appellation of a + republic, seem to have judged, and with some reason, that though it might + answer their purpose to amuse the people with specious theories of + freedom, their habits and ideas were far from requiring that these fine + schemes should be carried into practice. I know of no example equal to the + submission of the French at this moment; and if "departed spirits were + permitted to review the world," the shades of Richelieu or Louvois might + hover with envy round the Committee of Public Welfare, and regret the + undaring moderation of their own politics. + </p> + <p> + How shall I explain to an Englishman the doctrine of universal + requisition? I rejoice that you can imagine nothing like it.—After + establishing, as a general principle, that the whole country is at the + disposal of government, succeeding decrees have made specific claims on + almost every body, and every thing. The tailors, shoemakers,* bakers, + smiths, sadlers, and many other trades, are all in requisition—carts, + horses, and carriages of every kind, are in requisition—the stables + and cellars are put in requisition for the extraction of saltpetre, and + the houses to lodge soldiers, or to be converted into prisons. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * In order to prevent frauds, the shoemakers were obliged to make only + square-toed shoes, and every person not in the army was forbidden to + wear them of this form. Indeed, people of any pretentions to patriotism + (that is to say, who were much afraid) did not venture to wear any thing + but wooden shoes; as it had been declared anti-civique, if not + suspicious, to walk in leather. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Sometimes shopkeepers are forbidden to sell their cloth, nails, + wine, bread, meat, &c. There are instances where whole towns have been + kept without the necessaries of life for several days together, in + consequence of these interdictions; and I have known it proclaimed by beat + of drum, that whoever possessed two uniforms, two hats, or two pair of + shoes, should relinquish one for the use of the army! Yet with all these + efforts of despotism, the republican troops are in many respects ill + supplied, the produce being too often converted to the use of the agents + of government, who are all Jacobins, and whose peculations are suffered + with impunity, because they are too necessary, or perhaps too formidable + for punishment. + </p> + <p> + These proceedings, which are not the less mischievous for being absurd, + must end in a total destruction of commerce: the merchant will not import + what he may be obliged to sell exclusively to government at an arbitrary + and inadequate valuation.—Those who are not imprisoned, and have it + in their power, are for the most part retired from business, or at least + avoid all foreign speculations; so that France may in a few months depend + only on her internal resources. The same measures which ruin one class, + serve as a pretext to oppress and levy contributions on the rest.—In + order to make this right of seizure still more productive, almost every + village has its spies, and the domiciliary visits are become so frequent, + that a man is less secure in his own house, than in a desert amidst Arabs. + On these occasions, a band of Jacobins, with a municipal officer at their + head, enter sans ceremonie, over-run your apartments, and if they find a + few pounds of sugar, soap, or any other article which they choose to judge + more than sufficient for immediate consumption, they take possession of + the whole as a monopoly, which they claim for the use of the republic, and + the terrified owner, far from expostulating, thinks himself happy if he + escapes so well.—But this is mere vulgar tyranny: a less powerful + despotism might invade the security of social life, and banish its + comforts. We are prone to suffer, and it requires often little more than + the will to do evil to give us a command over the happiness of others. The + Convention are more original, and, not satisfied with having reduced the + people to the most abject slavery, they exact a semblance of content, and + dictate at stated periods the chastisement which awaits those who refuse + to smile. + </p> + <p> + The splendid ceremonies at Paris, which pass for popular rejoicings, merit + that appellation less than an auto de fe. Every movement is previously + regulated by a Commissioner appointed for the purpose, (to whom en passant + these fetes are very lucrative jobs,) a plan of the whole is distributed, + in which is prescribed with great exactness, that at such and such parts + the people are to "melt into tears," at others they are to be seized with + a holy enthusiasm, and at the conclusion of the whole they are to rend the + air with the cry of "Vive la Convention!" —These celebrations are + always attended by a military force, sufficient to ensure their + observance, besides a plentiful mixture of spies to notice refractory + countenances or faint acclamations. + </p> + <p> + The departments which cannot imitate the magnificence of Paris, are + obliged, nevertheless, to manifest their satisfaction. At every occasion + on which a rejoicing is ordered, the same kind of discipline is preserved; + and the aristocrats, whose fears in general overcome their principles, are + often not the least zealous attendants. + </p> + <p> + At the retaking of Toulon, when abandoned by our countrymen, the National + Guards were every where assembled to participate in the festivity, under a + menace of three days imprisonment. Those persons who did not illuminate + their houses were to be considered as suspicious, and treated as such: + yet, even with all these precautions, I am informed the business was + universally cold, and the balls thinly attended, except by aristocrats and + relations of emigrants, who, in some places, with a baseness not excused + even by their terrors, exhibited themselves as a public spectacle, and + sang the defeats of that country which was armed in their defence. + </p> + <p> + I must here remark to you a circumstance which does still less honour to + the French character; and which you will be unwilling to believe. In + several towns the officers and others, under whose care the English were + placed during their confinement, were desirous sometimes on account of the + peculiar hardship of their situation as foreigners, to grant them little + indulgences, and even more liberty than to the French prisoners; and in + this they were justified on several considerations, as well as that of + humanity.—They knew an Englishman could not escape, whatever + facility might be given him, without being immediately retaken; and that + if his imprisonment were made severe, he had fewer external resources and + alleviations than the natives of the country: but these favourable + dispositions were of no avail—for whenever any of our countrymen + obtained an accommodation, the jealousy of the French took umbrage, and + they were obliged to relinquish it, or hazard the drawing embarrassment on + the individual who had served them. + </p> + <p> + You are to notice, that the people in general, far from being averse to + seeing the English treated with a comparative indulgence, were even + pleased at it; and the invidious comparisons and complaints which + prevented it, proceeded from the gentry, from the families of those who + had found refuge in England, and who were involved in the common + persecution.—I have, more than once, been reproached by a female + aristocrat with the ill success of the English army; and many, with whom I + formerly lived on terms of intimacy, would refuse me now the most trifling + service.—I have heard of a lady, whose husband and brother are both + in London, who amuses herself in teaching a bird to repeat abuse of the + English. + </p> + <p> + It has been said, that the day a man becomes a slave, he loses half his + virtue; and if this be true as to personal slavery, judging from the + examples before me, I conclude it equally so of political bondage.—The + extreme despotism of the government seems to have confounded every + principle of right and wrong, every distinction of honour and dishonour + and the individual, of whatever class, alive only to the sense of personal + danger, embraces without reluctance meanness or disgrace, if it insure his + safety.—A tailor or shoemaker, whose reputation perhaps is too bad + to gain him a livelihood by any trade but that of a patriot, shall be + besieged by the flatteries of people of rank, and have levees as numerous + as Choiseul or Calonne in their meridian of power. + </p> + <p> + When a Deputy of the Convention is sent to a town on mission, sadness + takes possession of every heart, and gaiety of every countenance. He is + beset with adulatory petitions, and propitiating gifts; the Noblesse who + have escaped confinement form a sort of court about his person; and thrice + happy is the owner of that habitation at which he condescends to reside.—* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * When a Deputy arrives, the gentry of the town contend with jealous + rivalship for the honour of lodging him; and the most eloquent eulogist + of republican simplicity in the Convention does not fail to prefer a + large house and a good table, even though the unhallowed property of an + aristocrat.—It is to be observed, that these Missionaries travel + in a very patriarchal style, accompanied by their wives, children, and a + numerous train of followers, who are not delicate in availing themselves + of this hospitality, and are sometimes accused of carrying off the + linen, or any thing else portable—even the most decent behave on + these occasions as though they were at an inn. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —A Representative of gallantry has no reason to envy either the + authority of the Grand Signor, or the licence of his seraglio—he is + arbiter of the fate of every woman that pleases him; and, it is supposed, + that many a fair captive has owed her liberty to her charms, and that the + philosophy of a French husband has sometimes opened the doors of his + prison. + </p> + <p> + Dumont, who is married, and has besides the countenance of a white Negro, + never visits us without occasioning a general commotion amongst all the + females, especially those who are young and pretty. As soon as it is known + that he is expected, the toilettes are all in activity, a renovation of + rouge and an adjustment of curls take place, and, though performed with + more haste, not with less solicitude, than the preparatory splendour of a + first introduction.—When the great man arrives, he finds the court + by which he enters crowded by these formidable prisoners, and each with a + petition in her hand endeavours, with the insidious coquetry of plaintive + smiles and judicious tears, that brighten the eye without deranging the + features, to attract his notice and conciliate his favour. Happy those who + obtain a promise, a look of complacence, or even of curiosity!—But + the attention of this apostle of republicanism is not often bestowed, + except on high rank, or beauty; and a woman who is old, or ill dressed, + that ventures to approach him, is usually repulsed with vulgar brutality—while + the very sight of a male suppliant renders him furious. The first half + hour he walks about, surrounded by his fair cortege, and is tolerably + civil; but at length, fatigued, I suppose by continual importunity, he + loses his temper, departs, and throws all the petitions he has received + unopened into the fire. + </p> + <p> + Adieu—the subject is too humiliating to dwell on. I feel for myself, + I feel for human nature, when I see the fastidiousness of wealth, the more + liberal pride of birth, and the yet more allowable pretensions of beauty, + degraded into the most abject submission to such a being as Dumont. Are + our principles every where the mere children of circumstance, or is it in + this country only that nothing is stable? For my own part I love + inflexibility of character; and pride, even when ill founded, seems more + respectable while it sustains itself, than concessions which, refused to + the suggestions of reason, are yielded to the dictates of fear.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_6" id="short4_4_6"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + February 12, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + I was too much occupied by my personal distresses to make any remarks on + the revolutionary government at the time of its adoption. The text of this + political phoenomenon must be well known in England—I shall, + therefore, confine myself to giving you a general idea of its spirit and + tendency,—It is, compared to regular government, what force is to + mechanism, or the usual and peaceful operations of nature to the ravages + of a storm—it substitutes violence for conciliation, and sweeps with + precipitate fury all that opposes its devastating progress. It refers + every thing to a single principle, which is in itself not susceptible of + definition, and, like all undefined power, is continually vibrating + between despotism and anarchy. It is the execrable shape of Milton's + Death, "which shape hath none," and which can be described only by its + effects.—For instance, the revolutionary tribunal condemns without + evidence, the revolutionary committees imprison without a charge, and + whatever assumes the title of revolutionary is exonerated from all + subjection to humanity, decency, reason, or justice.—Drowning the + insurgents, their wives and children, by boatloads, is called, in the + dispatch to the Convention, a revolutionary measure—* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The detail of the horrors committed in La Vendee and at Nantes were + not at this time fully known. Carrier had, however, acknowledged, in a + report read to the Convention, that a boat-load of refractory priests + had been drowned, and children of twelve years old condemned by a + military commission! One Fabre Marat, a republican General, wrote, about + the same period, I think from Angers, that the Guillotine was too slow, + and powder scarce, so that it was concluded more expedient to drown the + rebels, which he calls a patriotic baptism!—The following is a + copy of a letter addressed to the Mayor of Paris by a Commissary of the + Government: + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + "You will give us pleasure by transmitting the details of your fete at + Paris last decade, with the hymns that were sung. Here we all cried <i>"Vive + la Republique!"</i> as we ever do, when our holy mother Guillotine is at + work. Within these three days she has shaved eleven priests, one <i>ci-devant</i> + noble, a nun, a general, and a superb Englishman, six feet high, and as he + was too tall by a head, we have put that into the sack! At the same time + eight hundred rebels were shot at the Pont du Ce, and their carcases + thrown into the Loire!—I understand the army is on the track of the + runaways. All we overtake we shoot on the spot, and in such numbers that + the ways are heaped with them!" + </p> + <p> + —At Lyons, it is revolutionary to chain three hundred victims + together before the mouths of loaded cannon, and massacre those who escape + the discharge with clubs and bayonets;* and at Paris, revolutionary juries + guillotine all who come before them.—** + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The Convention formally voted their approbation of this measure, and + Collot d'Herbois, in a report on the subject, makes a kind of + apostrophical panegyric on the humanity of his colleagues. "Which of + you, Citizens, (says he,) would not have fired the cannon? Which of you + would not joyfully have destroyed all these traitors at a blow?" ** + About this time a woman who sold newspapers, and the printer of them, + were guillotined for paragraphs deemed incivique. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Yet this government is not more terrible than it is minutely + vexations. One's property is as little secure as one's existence. + Revolutionary committees every where sequestrate in the gross, in order to + plunder in detail.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The revolutionary committees, when they arrested any one, pretended to + affix seals in form. The seal was often, however, no other than the + private one of some individual employed—sometimes only a button or + a halfpenny, which was broken as often as the Committee wanted access to + the wine or other effects. Camille Desmoulins, in an address to Freron, + his fellow-deputy, describes with some humour the mode of proceeding of + these revolutionary pilferers: + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <i>"Avant hier, deux Commissaires de la section de Mutius Scaevola, + montent chez lui—ils trouvent dans la bibliotheque des livres de + droit; et non-obstant le decret qui porte qu'on ne touchera point Domat ni + a Charles Dumoulin, bien qu'ils traitent de matieres feodales, ils sont + main basse sur la moitie de la bibliotheque, et chargent deux Chrocheteurs + des livres paternels. Ils trouvent une pendule, don't la pointe de + Paiguille etoit, comme la plupart des pointes d'aiguilles, terminee en + trefle: il leur semble que cette pointe a quelque chose d'approchant d'une + fleur de lys; et non-obstant le decret qui ordonne de respecter les + monumens des arts, il confisquent la pendule.—Notez bien qu'il y + avoit a cote une malle sur laquelle etoit l'adresse fleurdelisee du + marchand.—Ici il n'y avoit pas moyen de aier que ce fut une belle et + bonne fleur de lys; mais comme la malle ne valoit pas un corset, les + Commissaires se contentent de rayer les lys, au lieu que la malheureuse + pendule, qui vaut bien 1200 livres, est, malgre son trefle, emportee par + eux-memes, qui ne se fioient pas aux Chrocheteurs d'un poid si precieux—et + ce, en vertu du droit que Barrere a appelle si heureusement le droit de + prehension, quoique le decret s'opposat, dans l'espece, a l'application de + ce droit.—Enfin, notre decemvirat sectionnaire, qui se mettoit ainsi + au-dessus des decrets, trouve le brevet de pension de mon beau-pere, qui, + comme tous les brevets de pension, n'etant pas de nature a etre porte sur + le grand livre de la republique, etoit demeure dans le porte-feuille, et + qui, comme tous les brevets de pension possibles, commencoit par ce + protocole; Louis, &c. Ciel! s'ecrient les Commissaires, le nom du + tyran!—Et apres avoir retrouve leur haleine, suffoquee d'abord par + l'indignation, ils mettent en poche le brevet de pension, c'est a dire + 1000 livres de rente, et emportent la marmite. Autre crime, le Citoyen + Duplessis, qui etoit premier commis des finances, sous Clugny, avoit + conserve, comme c'etoit l'usage, la cachet du controle general d'alors—un + vieux porte-feuille de commis, qui etoit au rebut, ouble au dessus d'une + armoire, dans un tas de poussiere, et auquel il n'avoit pas touche ne meme + pense depuis dix ans peutetre, et sur le quel on parvint a decouvrir + l'empreinte de quelques fleurs de lys, sous deux doigts de crasse, acheva + de completer la preuve que le Citoyen Duplessis etoit suspect—et la + voila, lui, enferme jusqu'a la paix, et le scelle mis sur toutes les + portes de cette campagne, ou, tu te souviens, mon cher Freroa—que, + decretes tous deux de prise de corps, apres le massacre du Champ de Mars, + nous trouvions un asyle que le tyran n'osoit violer."</i> + </p> + <p> + "The day before yesterday, two Commissaries belonging to the section of + Mutius Scaevola, entered my father-in-law's apartments; they found some + law-books in the library, and, notwithstanding the decree which exempts + from seizure the works of Domat and Charles Dumouin, (although they treat + of feudal matters,) they proceeded to lay violent hands on one half of the + collection, and loaded two porters with paternal spoils. The next object + that attracted their attention was a clock, the hand of which, like the + hands of most other clocks, terminated in a point, in the form of a + trefoil, which seemed to them to bear some resemblance to a fleur de lys; + and, notwithstanding the decree which ordains that the monuments of the + arts shall be respected, they immediately passed sentence of confiscation + on the clock. I should observe to you, that hard by lay a portmanteau, + having on it the maker's address, encircled with lilies.— Here there + was no disputing the fact, but as the trunk was not worth five livres, the + Commissaries contented themselves with erasing the lilies; but the + unfortunate clock, being worth twelve hundred, was, notwithstanding its + trefoil, carried off by themselves, for they would not trust the porters + with so precious a load.—And all this was done in virtue of the law, + which Barrere aptly denominated the law of prehension, and which, + according to the terms of the decree itself, was not applicable to the + case in question. + </p> + <p> + "At length our sectionary decemvirs, who thus placed themselves above the + law, discovered the grant of my father-in-law's pension, which, like all + similar grants, being excluded from the privilege of inscription on the + great register of public debts, had been left in his port-folio; and which + began, as all such grants necessarily must, with the words, Louis, &c. + "Heaven!" exclaimed the Commissaries, "here is the very name of the + tyrant!" And, as soon as they recovered their breaths, which had been + nearly stopped by the violence of the indignation, they coolly pocketed + the grant, that is to say, an annuity of one thousand livres, and sent off + the porridge-pot. Nor did these constitute all the crimes of Citizen + Duplessis, who, having served as first clerk of the revenue board under + Clugny, had, as was usual, kept the official seal of that day. An old + port-folio, which had been thrown aside, and long forgotten, under a + wardrobe, where it was buried in dust, and had, in all probability, not + been touched for ten years, but, which with much difficulty, was + discovered to bear the impression of a fleur de lys, completed the proof + that Citizen Duplessis was a suspicious character. And now behold him shut + up in a prison until peace shall be concluded, and the seals put upon all + the doors of that country seat, where, you may remember, my dear Freron, + that at the time when warrants were issued for apprehending us both, after + the massacre in the Champ de Mars, we found an asylum which the tyrant did + not dare to violate." + </p> + <p> + —In a word, you must generally understand, that the revolutionary + system supersedes law, religion, and morality; and that it invests the + Committees of Public Welfare and General Safety, their agents, the Jacobin + clubs, and subsidiary banditti, with the disposal of the whole country and + its inhabitants. + </p> + <p> + This gloomy aera of the revolution has its frivolities as well as the less + disastrous periods, and the barbarism of the moment is rendered + additionally disgusting by a mixture of levity and pedantry.—It is a + fashion for people at present to abandon their baptismal and family names, + and to assume that of some Greek or Roman, which the debates of the + Convention have made familiar.—France swarms with Gracchus's and + Publicolas, who by imaginary assimilations of acts, which a change of + manners has rendered different, fancy themselves more than equal to their + prototypes.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The vicissitudes of the revolution, and the vengeance of party, have + brought half the sages of Greece, and patriots of Rome, to the + Guillotine or the pillory. The Newgate Calendar of Paris contains as + many illustrious names as the index to Plutarch's Lives; and I believe + there are now many Brutus's and Gracchus's in durance vile, besides a + Mutius Scaevola condemned to twenty years imprisonment for an unskilful + theft.—A man of Amiens, whose name is Le Roy, signified to the + public, through the channel of a newspaper, that he had adopted that of + Republic. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —A man who solicits to be the executioner of his own brother ycleps + himself Brutus, and a zealous preacher of the right of universal pillage + cites the Agrarian law, and signs himself Lycurgus. Some of the Deputies + have discovered, that the French mode of dressing is not characteristic of + republicanism, and a project is now in agitation to drill the whole + country into the use of a Roman costume.—You may perhaps suspect, + that the Romans had at least more bodily sedateness than their imitators, + and that the shrugs, jerks, and carracoles of a French petit maitre, + however republicanized, will not assort with the grave drapery of the + toga. But on your side of the water you have a habit of reasoning and + deliberating —here they have that of talking and obeying. + </p> + <p> + Our whole community are in despair to-day. Dumont has been here, and those + who accosted him, as well as those who only ventured to interpret his + looks, all agree in their reports that he is in a "bad humour."—The + brightest eyes in France have supplicated in vain—not one grace of + any sort has been accorded—and we begin to cherish even our present + situation, in the apprehension that it may become worse.—Alas! you + know not of what evil portent is the "bad humour" of a Representant. We + are half of us now, like the Persian Lord, feeling if our heads are still + on our shoulders.—I could add much to the conclusion of one of my + last letters. Surely this incessant solicitude for mere existence + debilitates the mind, and impairs even its passive faculty of suffering. + We intrigue for the favour of the keeper, smile complacently at the gross + pleasantries of a Jacobin, and tremble at the frown of a Dumont.—I + am ashamed to be the chronicler of such humiliation: but, "tush, Hal; men, + mortal men!" I can add no better apology, and quit you to moralize on it.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_7" id="short4_4_7"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + [No date given.] + </h2> + <p> + Were I a mere spectator, without fear for myself or compassion for others, + the situation of this country would be sufficiently amusing. The effects + produced (many perhaps unavoidably) by a state of revolution—the + strange remedies devised to obviate them—the alternate neglect and + severity with which the laws are executed—the mixture of want and + profusion that distinguish the lower classes of people—and the + distress and humiliation of the higher; all offer scenes so new and + unaccountable, as not to be imagined by a person who has lived only under + a regular government, where the limits of authority are defined, the + necessaries of life plentiful, and the people rational and subordinate. + The consequences of a general spirit of monopoly, which I formerly + described, have lately been so oppressive, that the Convention thought it + necessary to interfere, and in so extraordinary a way, that I doubt if (as + usual) "the distemper of their remedies" will not make us regret the + original disease. Almost every article, by having passed through a variety + of hands, had become enormously dear; which, operating with a real + scarcity of many things, occasioned by the war, had excited universal + murmurings and inquietude. The Convention, who know the real source of the + evil (the discredit of assignats) to be unattainable, and who are more + solicitous to divert the clamours of the people, than to supply their + wants, have adopted a measure which, according to the present appearances, + will ruin one half of the nation, and starve the other. A maximum, or + highest price, beyond which nothing is to be sold, is now promulgated + under very severe penalties for all who shall infringe it. Such a + regulation as this, must, in its nature, be highly complex, and, by way of + simplifying it, the price of every kind of merchandise is fixed at a third + above what it bore in 1791: but as no distinction is made between the + produce of the country, and articles imported—between the small + retailer, who has purchased perhaps at double the rate he is allowed to + sell at, and the wholesale speculator, this very simplification renders + the whole absurd and inexecutable.—The result was such as might have + been expected; previous to the day on which the decree was to take place, + shopkeepers secreted as many of their goods as they could; and, when the + day arrived, the people laid siege to them in crowds, some buying at the + maximum, others less ceremonious, and in a few hours little remained in + the shop beyond the fixtures. The farmers have since brought neither + butter nor eggs to market, the butchers refuse to kill as usual, and, in + short, nothing is to be purchased openly. The country people, instead of + selling provisions publicly, take them to private houses; and, in addition + to the former exorbitant prices, we are taxed for the risk that is + incurred by evading the law. A dozen of eggs, or a leg of mutton, are now + conveyed from house to house with as much mystery, as a case of fire-arms, + or a treasonable correspondence; the whole republic is in a sort of + training like the Spartan youth; and we are obliged to have recourse to + dexterity and intrigue to procure us a dinner. + </p> + <p> + Our legislators, aware of what they term the "aristocratie marchande,"— + that is to say, that tradesmen would naturally shut up their shops when + nothing was to be gained—provided, by a clause in the above law, + that no one should do this in less time than a year; but as the injunction + only obliged them to keep the shops open, and not to have goods to sell, + every demand is at first always answered in the negative, till a sort of + intelligence becomes established betwixt the buyer and seller, when the + former, if he may be trusted, is informed in a low key, that certain + articles may be had, but not au maximum.—Thus even the rich cannot + obtain the necessaries of life without difficulty and submitting to + imposition—and the decent poor, who will not pillage nor intimidate + the tradesmen, are more embarrassed than ever. + </p> + <p> + The above species of contraband commerce is carried on, indeed, with great + circumspection, and no avowed hostilities are attempted in the towns. The + great war of the maximum was waged with the farmers and higlers, as soon + as it was discovered that they took their commodities privily to such + people as they knew would buy at any price, rather than not be supplied. + In consequence, the guards were ordered to stop all refractory + butter-women at the gates, and conduct them to the town-house, where their + merchandize was distributed, without pity or appeal, au maximum, to those + of the populace who could clamour loudest. + </p> + <p> + These proceedings alarmed the peasants, and our markets became deserted. + New stratagems, on one side, new attacks on the other. The servants were + forced to supply themselves at private rendezvous in the night, until some + were fined, and others arrested; and the searching all comers from the + country became more intolerable than the vexations of the ancient Gabelle.—Detachments + of dragoons are sent to scour the farm-yards, arrest the farmers, and + bring off in triumph whatever the restive housewives have amassed, to be + more profitably disposed of. + </p> + <p> + In this situation we remain, and I suppose shall remain, while the law of + the maximum continues in force. The principle of it was certainly good, + but it is found impossible to reduce it to practice so equitably as to + affect all alike: and as laws which are not executed are for the most part + rather pernicious than nugatory, informations, arrests, imposition, and + scarcity are the only ends which this measure seems to have answered. + </p> + <p> + The houses of detention, before insupportable, are now yet more crouded + with farmers and shopkeepers suspected of opposing the law.—Many of + the former are so ignorant, as not to conceive that any circumstances + ought to deprive them of the right to sell the produce of their farms at + the highest price they can get, and regard the maximum much in the same + light as they would a law to authorize robbing or housebreaking: as for + the latter, they are chiefly small dealers, who bought dearer than they + have sold, and are now imprisoned for not selling articles which they have + not got. An informer by trade, or a personal enemy, lodges an accusation + against a particular tradesman for concealing goods, or not selling au + maximum; and whether the accusation be true or false, if the accused is + not in office, or a Jacobin, he has very little chance of escaping + imprisonment.—It is certain, that if the persecution of these + classes of people continue, and commerce (already nearly annihilated by + the war) be thus shackled, an absolute want of various articles of primary + consumption must ensue; but if Paris and the armies can be supplied, the + starving the departments will be a mere pleasurable experiment to their + humane representatives! + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_8" id="short4_4_8"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + March 1, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The freedom of the press is so perfectly well regulated, that it is not + surprizing we are indulged with the permission of seeing the public + papers: yet this indulgence is often, I assure you, a source of much + perplexity to me—our more intimate associates know that I am a + native of England, and as often as any debates of our House of Commons are + published, they apply to me for explanations which it is not always in my + power to give them. I have in vain endeavoured to make them comprehend the + nature of an opposition from system, so that when they see any thing + advanced by a member exactly the reverse of truth, they are wondering how + he can be so ill informed, and never suspect him of saying what he does + not believe himself. It must be confessed, however, that our extracts from + the English papers often form so complete a contrast with facts, that a + foreigner unacquainted with the tactics of professional patriotism, may + very naturally read them with some surprize. A noble Peer, for example, + (whose wisdom is not to be disputed, since the Abbe Mably calls him the + English Socrates,*) asserts that the French troops are the best clothed in + Europe; yet letters, of nearly the same date with the Earl's speech, from + two Generals and a Deputy at the head of different armies intreat a supply + of covering for their denudated legions, and add, that they are obliged to + march in wooden shoes!** + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It is surely a reflection on the English discernment not to have + adopted this happy appellation, in which, however, as well as in many + other parts of "the rights of Man and the Citizen," the Abbe seems to + have consulted his own zeal, rather than the noble Peer's modesty. ** If + the French troops are now better clothed, it is the effect of + requisitions and pre-emptions, which have ruined the manufacturers. + —Patriots of the North, would you wish to see our soldiers clothed + by the same means? + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —On another occasion, your British Sage describes, with great + eloquence, the enthusiasm with which the youth of France "start to arms at + the call of the Convention;" while the peaceful citizen anticipates, with + equal eagerness, the less glorious injunction to extract saltpetre.—The + revolts, and the coercion, necessary to enforce the departure of the first + levies (however fear, shame, and discipline, may have since made them + soldiers, though not republicans) might have corrected the ardour of the + orator's inventive talents; and the zeal of the French in manufacturing + salpetre, has been of so slow a growth, that any reference to it is + peculiarly unlucky. For several months the Convention has recommended, + invited, intreated, and ordered the whole country to occupy themselves in + the process necessary for obtaining nitre; but the republican enthusiasm + was so tardy, that scarcely an ounce appeared, till a long list of sound + penal laws, with fines and imprisonments in every line, roused the public + spirit more effectually.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Two years imprisonment was the punishment assigned to a Citizen who + should be found to obstruct in any way the fabricating saltpetre. If you + had a house that was adjudged to contain the materials required, and + expostulated against pulling it down, the penalty was incurred.—I + believe something of this kind existed under the old government, the + abuses of which are the only parts the republic seems to have preserved. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Another cause also has much favoured the extension of this + manufacture: the necessity of procuring gunpowder at any rate has secured + an exemption from serving in the army to those who shall be employed in + making it.—* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Many, under this pretext, even procured their discharge from the army; + and it was eventually found requisite to stop this commutation of + service by a decree. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —On this account vast numbers of young men, whose martial + propensities are not too vehement for calculation, considering the + extraction of saltpetre as more safe than the use of it, have seriously + devoted themselves to the business. Thus, between fear of the Convention + and of the enemy, has been produced that enthusiasm which seems so + grateful to Lord S____. Yet, if the French are struck by the dissimilitude + of facts with the language of your English patriots, there are other + circumstances which appear still more unaccountable to them. I acknowledge + the word patriotism is not perfectly understood any where in France, nor + do my prison-associates abound in it; but still they find it difficult to + reconcile the love of their country, so exclusively boasted by certain + senators, with their eulogiums on a government, and on men who avow an + implacable hatred to it, and are the professed agents of its future + destruction. The Houses of Lords and Commons resound with panegyrics on + France; the Convention with <i>"delenda est Carthate"—"ces vils + Insulaires"—"de peuple marchand, boutiquier"—"ces laches + Anglois"</i>. ("Carthage must be destroyed"—"those vile Islanders"—"that + nation of shopkeepers"—"those cowardly Englishmen"—&c.) + </p> + <p> + The efforts of the English patriots overtly tend to the consolidation of + the French republic, while the demagogues of France are yet more strenuous + for the abolition of monarchy in England. The virtues of certain people + called Muir and Palmer,* are at once the theme of Mr. Fox and + Robespierre,** of Mr. Grey and Barrere,***, of Collot d'Herbois**** and + Mr. Sheridan; and their fate is lamented as much at the Jacobins as at St. + Stephen's.***** + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * If I have not mentioned these gentlemen with the respect due to their + celebrity, their friends must pardon me. To say truth, I did not at this + time think of them with much complacence, as I had heard of them only + from the Jacobins, by whom they were represented as the leaders of a + Convention, which was to arm ninety thousand men, for the establishment + of a system similar to that existing in France. **The French were so + much misled by the eloquence of these gentlemen in their favour, that + they were all exhibited on the stage in red caps and cropped heads, + welcoming the arrival of their Gallic friends in England, and triumphing + in the overthrow of the British constitution, and the dethronement of + the King. *** If we may credit the assertions of Barrere, the friendship + of the Committee of Public Welfare was not merely verbal. He says, the + secret register of the Committee furnishes proofs of their having sent + three frigates to intercept these distinguished victims, whom their + ungrateful country had so ignominiously banished. **** This humane and + ingenious gentleman, by profession a player, is known likewise as the + author of several farces and vaudevilles, and of the executions at + Lyons.—It is asserted, that many of the inhabitants of this + unfortunate city expiated under the Guillotine the crime of having + formerly hissed Collot's successful attempts on the stage. ***** The + printing of a particular speech was interdicted on account of its + containing allusions to certain circumstances, the knowledge of which + might be of disservice to their unfortunate friends during their trial. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The conduct of Mr. Pitt is not more acrimoniously discussed at the + Palais National than by a part of his colleagues; and the censure of the + British government, which is now the order of the day at the Jacobins, is + nearly the echo of your parliamentary debates.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Allowing for the difference of education in the orators, a journeyman + shoemaker was, I think, as eloquent, and not more abusive, than the + facetious _ci-devant_ protege of Lord T____d. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —All this, however, does not appear to me out of the natural order + of things; it is the sorry history of opposition for a century and an + half, and our political rectitude, I fear, is not increasing: but the + French, who are in their way the most corrupt people in Europe, have not + hitherto, from the nature of their government, been familiar with this + particular mode of provoking corruption, nor are they at present likely to + become so. Indeed, I must here observe, that your English Jacobins, if + they are wise, should not attempt to introduce the revolutionary system; + for though the total possession of such a government is very alluring, yet + the prudence, which looks to futurity, and the incertitude of sublunary + events, must acknowledge it is "Caesar or nothing;" and that it offers no + resource in case of those segregations, which the jealousy of power, or + the appropriation of spoil, may occasion, even amongst the most virtuous + associates.—The eloquence of a discontented orator is here silenced, + not by a pension, but by a mandat d'arret; and the obstinate patriotism, + which with you could not be softened with less than a participation of + authority, is more cheaply secured by the Guillotine. A menace is more + efficacious than a bribe, and in this respect I agree with Mr. Thomas + Paine,* that a republic is undoubtedly more oeconomical than a monarchy; + besides, that being conducted on such principles, it has the advantage of + simplifying the science of government, as it consults neither the + interests nor weaknesses of mankind; and, disdaining to administer either + to avarice or vanity, subdues its enemies by the sole influence of terror.—* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This gentleman's fate is truly to be pitied. After rejecting, as his + friends assert, two hundred a year from the English Ministry, he is + obliged now to be silent gratis, with the additional desagrement of + occupying a corner in the Luxembourg. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Adieu!—Heaven knows how often I may have to repeat the word + thus unmeaningly. I sit here, like Pope's bard "lulled by soft zephyrs + through the broken pane," and scribbling high-sounding phrases of + monarchy, patriotism, and republics, while I forget the humbler subject of + our wants and embarrassments. We can scarcely procure either bread, meat, + or any thing else: the house is crouded by an importation of prisoners + from Abbeville, and we are more strictly guarded than ever. My friend + ennuyes as usual, and I grow impatient, not having sang froid enough for a + true French ennuie in a situation that would tempt one to hang one's self. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_9" id="short4_4_9"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + March, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The aspect of the times promises no change in our favour; on the contrary, + every day seems to bring its attendant evil. The gentry who had escaped + the comprehensive decree against suspected people, are now swept away in + this and the three neighbouring departments by a private order of the + representatives, St. Just, Lebas, and Dumont.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The order was to arrest, without exception, all the ci-devant + Noblessse, men, women, and children, in the departments of the Somme, + North, and Pas de Calais, and to exclude them rigourously from all + external communication—(mettre au secret). + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —A severer regimen is to be adopted in the prisons, and husbands are + already separated from their wives, and fathers from their daughters, for + the purpose, as it is alledged, of preserving good morals. Both this place + and the Bicetre being too full to admit of more inhabitants, two large + buildings in the town are now appropriated to the male prisoners.— + My friends continue at Arras, and, I fear, in extreme distress. I + understand they have been plundered of what things they had with them, and + the little supply I was able to send them was intercepted by some of the + harpies of the prisons. Mrs. D____'s health has not been able to sustain + these accumulated misfortunes, and she is at present at the hospital. All + this is far from enlivening, even had I a larger share of the national + philosophy; and did I not oftener make what I observe, than what I suffer, + the subject of my letters, I should tax your patience as much by + repetition, as I may by dullness. + </p> + <p> + When I enumerated in my last letters a few of the obligations the French + have to their friends in England, I ought also to have observed, with how + little gratitude they behave to those who are here. Without mentioning Mr. + Thomas Paine, whose persecution will doubtless be recorded by abler pens, + nothing, I assure you, can be more unpleasant than the situation of one of + these Anglo-Gallican patriots. The republicans, supposing that an + Englishman who affects a partiality for them can be only a spy, execute + all the laws, which concern foreigners, upon him with additional rigour;* + and when an English Jacobin arrives in prison, far from meeting with + consolation or sympathy, his distresses are beheld with triumph, and his + person avoided with abhorrence. They talk much here of a gentleman, of + very democratic principles, who left the prison before I came. It seems, + that, notwithstanding Dumont condescended to visit at his house, and was + on terms of intimacy with him, he was arrested, and not distinguished from + the rest of his countrymen, except by being more harshly treated. The case + of this unfortunate gentleman was rendered peculiarly amusing to his + companions, and mortifying to himself, by his having a very pretty + mistress, who had sufficient influence over Dumont to obtain any thing but + the liberation of her protector. The Deputy was on this head inflexible; + doubtless, as a proof of his impartial observance of the laws, and to show + that, like the just man in Horace, he despised the clamour of the vulgar, + who did not scruple to hint, that the crime of our countryman was rather + of a moral than a political nature—that he was unaccommodating, and + recalcitrant—addicted to suspicions and jealousies, which it was + thought charitable to cure him of, by a little wholesome seclusion. In + fact, the summary of this gentleman's history is not calculated to tempt + his fellow societists on your side of the water to imitate his example.—After + taking refuge in France from the tyranny and disappointments he + experienced in England, and purchasing a large national property to secure + himself the rights of a citizen, he is awakened from his dream of freedom, + to find himself lodged in a prison, his estate under sequestration, and + his mistress in requisition.—Let us leave this Coriolanus among the + Volscians—it is a persecution to make converts, rather than martyrs, + and + </p> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + <i>"Quand le malheur ne seroit bon, + "Qu'a mettre un sot a la raison, + "Toujours seroit-ce a juste cause + "Qu'on le dit bon a quelque chose."</i>* +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <blockquote> + <p> + * If calamity were only good to restore a fool to his senses, still we + might justly say, "that it was good for some thing." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_10" id="short4_4_10"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + March 5, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + Of what strange influence is this word revolution, that it should thus, + like a talisman of romance, keep inchained, as it were, the reasoning + faculties of twenty millions of people! France is at this moment looking + for the decision of its fate in the quarrels of two miserable clubs, + composed of individuals who are either despised or detested. The + municipality of Paris favours the Cordeliers, the Convention the Jacobins; + and it is easy to perceive, that in this cafe the auxiliaries are + principals, and must shortly come to such an open rupture, as will end in + the destruction of either one or the other. The world would be + uninhabitable, could the combinations of the wicked be permanent; and it + is fortunate for the tranquil and upright part of mankind, that the + attainment of the purposes for which such combinations are formed, is + usually the signal of their dissolution. + </p> + <p> + The municipality of Paris had been the iniquitous drudges of the Jacobin + party in the legislative assembly—they were made the instruments of + massacring the prisoners,* of dethroning and executing the king,** and + successively of destroying the Brissotine faction,*** filling the prisons + with all who were obnoxious to the republicans,**** and of involving a + repentant nation in the irremidiable guilt of the Queen's death.—***** + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It is well known that the assassins were hired and paid by the + municipality, and that some of the members presided at these horrors in + their scarfs of office. ** The whole of what is called the revolution of + the 10th of August may very justly be ascribed to the municipality of + Paris—I mean the active part of it. The planning and political + part has been so often disputed by different members of the Convention, + that it is not easy to decide on any thing, except that the very terms + of these disputes fully evince, that the people at large, and more + particularly the departments, were both innocent, and, until it took + place, ignorant of an event which has plunged the country into so many + crimes and calamities. *** A former imprisonment of Hebert formed a + principal charge against the Brissotines, and, indeed, the one that was + most insisted on at their trial, if we except that of having + precipitated France into a war with England.—It must be difficult + for the English Jacobins to decide on this occasion between the virtues + of their dead friends and those of their living ones. **** The famous + definition of suspected persons originated with the municipality of + Paris. ***** It is certain that those who, deceived by the calumnies of + faction, permitted, if not assented to, the King's death, at this time + regretted it; and I believe I have before observed, that one of the + reasons urged in support of the expediency of putting the Queen to + death, was, that it would make the army and people decisive, by + banishing all hope of peace or accommodation. See the <i>Moniteur</i> of + that time, which, as I have elsewhere observed, may be always considered + as official. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —These services being too great for adequate reward, were not + rewarded at all; and the municipality, tired of the odium of crime, + without the participation of power, has seized on its portion of tyranny; + while the convention, at once jealous and timid, exasperated and doubtful, + yet menaces with the trepidation of a rival, rather than with the security + of a conqueror. + </p> + <p> + Hebert, the Deputy-solicitor for the commune of Paris, appears on this + occasion as the opponent of the whole legislature; and all the temporizing + eloquence of Barrere, and the mysterious phraseology of Robespierre, are + employed to decry his morals, and to reproach the ministers with the sums + which have been the price of his labours.—* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Five thousand pounds, two thousand pounds, and other considerable + sums, were paid to Hebert for supplying the army with his paper, called + "La Pere Duchene." Let whoever has read one of them, conceive the nature + of a government to which such support was necessary, which supposed its + interests promoted by a total extinction of morals, decency, and + religion. I could almost wish, for the sake of exhibiting vice under its + most odious colours, that my sex and my country permitted me to quote + one. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Virtuous republicans! the morals of Hebert were pure when he + outraged humanity in his accusations of the Queen—they were pure + when he prostrated the stupid multitude at the feet of a Goddess of + Reason;* they were pure while his execrable paper served to corrupt the + army, and to eradicate every principle which yet distinguished the French + as a civilized people. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Madame Momoro, the unfortunate woman who exposed herself in this + pageant, was guillotined as an accomplice of Hebert, together with the + wives of Hebert and Camille Desmoulins. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Yet, atrocious as his crimes are, they form half the Magna Charta + of the republic,* and the authority of the Convention is still supported + by them. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * What are the death of the King, and the murders of August and + September, 1792, but the Magna Charta of the republicans? + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —It is his person, not his guilt, that is proscribed; and if the one + be threatened with the scaffold, the fruits of the other are held sacred. + He will fall a sacrifice—not to offended religion or morality, but + to the fears and resentment of his accomplices! + </p> + <p> + Amidst the dissentions of two parties, between which neither reason nor + humanity can discover a preference, a third seems to have formed itself, + equally inimical to, and hated by both. At the head of it are Danton, + Camille Desmoulins, Philipeaux, &c.—I own I have no better + opinion of the integrity of these, than of the rest; but they profess + themselves the advocates of a system of mildness and moderation, and, + situated as this country is at present, even the affectation of virtue is + captivating.— As far as they dare, the people are partial to them: + bending beneath the weight of a sanguinary and turbulent despotism, if + they sigh not for freedom, they do for repose; and the harassed mind, + bereft of its own energy, looks up with indolent hope for relief from a + change of factions. They forget that Danton is actuated by ambitious + jealousy, that Camille Desmoulins is hacknied in the atrocities of the + revolution, and that their partizans are adventurers, with neither honour + nor morals. Yet, after all, if they will destroy a few of the guillotines, + open our bastilles, and give us at least the security of servitude, we + shall be content to leave these retrospections to posterity, and be + thankful that in this our day the wicked sometimes perceive it their + interest to do good. + </p> + <p> + In this state of seclusion, when I remark to you the temper of the public + at any important crisis, you are, perhaps, curious to know my sources of + intelligence; but such details are unnecessary. I might, indeed, write you + a manuel des prisons, and, like Trenck or Latude, by a vain display of + ingenuity, deprive some future victim of a resource. It is enough, that + Providence itself seems to aid our invention, when its object is to elude + tyranny; besides that a constant accession of prisoners from all parts, + who are too numerous to be kept separate, necessarily circulates among us + whatever passes in the world. + </p> + <p> + The Convention has lately made a sort of <i>pas retrogade</i> [Retrogade + movement.] in the doctrine of holy equality, by decreeing, that every + officer who has a command shall be able to read and write, though it + cannot be denied that their reasons for this lese democratie are of some + weight. All gentlemen, or, as it is expressed here, noblesse, have been + recalled from the army, and replaced by officers chosen by the soldiers + themselves, [Under the rank of field-officers.] whose affections are often + conciliated by qualities not essentially military, though sometimes + professional. A buffoon, or a pot-companion, is, of course, often more + popular than a disciplinarian; and the brightest talents lose their + influence when put in competition with a head that can bear a greater + number of bottles.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Hence it happened, that a post was sometimes confided to one who could + not read the parole and countersign; expeditions failed, because + commanding officers mistook on the map a river for a road, or woods for + mountains; and the most secret orders were betrayed through the + inability of those to whom they were entrusted to read them. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Yet this reading and writing are a sort of aristocratic + distinctions, and not among the primeval rights of man; so that it is + possible your English patriots will not approve of any regulations founded + on them. But this is not the only point on which there is an apparent + discordance between them and their friends here—the severity of + Messrs. Muir and Palmer's sentence is pathetically lamented in the House + of Commons, while the Tribunal Revolutionnaire (in obedience to private + orders) is petitioning, that any disrespect towards the convention shall + be punished with death. In England, it is asserted, that the people have a + right to decide on the continuation of the war—here it is proposed + to declare suspicious, and treat accordingly, all who shall dare talk of + peace.—Mr. Fox and Robespierre must settle these trifling variations + at the general congress of republicans, when the latter shall (as they + profess) have dethroned all the potentates in Europe! + </p> + <p> + Do you not read of cart-loads of patriotic gifts,* bales of lint and + bandages, and stockings, knit by the hands of fair citizens, for the use + of the soldiers? + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * A sum of money was at this time publicly offered to the Convention for + defraying the expences and repairs of the guillotine.—I know not + if it were intended patriotically or correctionally; but the legislative + delicacy was hurt, and the bearer of the gift ordered for examination to + the Committee of General Safety, who most probably sent him to expiate + either his patriotism or his pleasantry in a prison. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Do you not read, and call me calumniator, and ask if these are + proofs that there is no public spirit in France? Yes, the public spirit of + an eastern tributary, who offers, with apprehensive devotion, a part of + the wealth which he fears the hand of despotism may ravish entirely.—The + wives and daughters of husbands and fathers, who are pining in arbitrary + confinement, are employed in these feeble efforts, to deprecate the malice + of their persecutors; and these voluntary tributes are but too often + proportioned, not to the abilities, but the miseries of the donor.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * A lady, confined in one of the state prisons, made an offering, + through the hands of a Deputy, of ten thousand livres; but the + Convention observed, that this could not properly be deemed a gift— + for, as she was doubtless a suspicious person, all she had belonged of + right to the republic: + </p> + </blockquote> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + <i>"Elle doit etre a moi, dit il, et la raison, + "C'est que je m'appelle Lion + "A cela l'on n'a rien a dire."</i> + — La Fontaine. + +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <blockquote> + <p> + Sometimes these <i>dons patriotiques</i> were collected by a band of + Jacobins, at others regularly assessed by a Representative on mission; + but on all occasions the aristocrats were most assiduous and most + liberal: + </p> + </blockquote> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + "Urg'd by th' imperious soldier's fierce command, + "The groaning Greeks break up their golden caverns, + "The accumulated wealth of toiling ages; + . . . . . . . . + "That wealth, too sacred for their country's use; + "That wealth, too pleasing to be lost for freedom, + "That wealth, which, granted to their weeping Prince, + "Had rang'd embattled nations at their gates." + — Johnson. +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <blockquote> + <p> + Or, what is still better, have relieved the exigencies of the state, + without offering a pretext for the horrors of a revolution.—O + selfish luxury, impolitic avarice, how are ye punished? robbed of your + enjoyments and your wealth—glad even to commute both for a painful + existence! + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The most splendid sacrifices that fill the bulletin of the + Convention, and claim an honourable mention in their registers, are made + by the enemies of the republican government—by those who have + already been the objects of persecution, or are fearful of becoming such.—Ah, + your prison and guillotine are able financiers: they raise, feed, and + clothe an army, in less time than you can procure a tardy vote from the + most complaisant House of Commons!—Your, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_11" id="short4_4_11"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + March 17, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + After some days of agitation and suspense, we learn that the popularity of + Robespierre is victorious, and that Hebert and his partizans are arrested. + Were the intrinsic claims of either party considered, without regard to + the circumstances of the moment, it might seem strange I should express + myself as though the result of a contest between such men could excite a + general interest: yet a people sadly skilled in the gradations of evil, + and inured to a choice only of what is bad, learn to prefer comparatively, + with no other view than that of adopting what may be least injurious to + themselves; and the merit of the object is out of the question. Hence it + is, that the public wish was in favour of Robespierre; for, besides that + his cautious character has given him an advantage over the undisguised + profligacy of Hebert, it is conjectured by many, that the more merciful + politics professed by Camille Desmoulins, are secretly suggested, or, at + least assented to, by the former.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This was the opinion of many.—The Convention and the Jacobins + had taken alarm at a paper called "The Old Cordelier," written by + Camille Desmoulins, apparently with a view to introduce a milder system + of government. The author had been censured at the one, expelled the + other, and defended by Robespierre, who seems not to have abandoned him + until he found the Convention resolved to persist in the sanguinary plan + they had adopted. Robespierre afterwards sacrificed his friends to + retrieve his influence; but could his views have been answered by humane + measures, as certainly as by cruel ones, I think he would have preferred + the first; for I repeat, that the Convention at large were averse from + any thing like reason or justice, and Robespierre more than once risked + his popularity by professions of moderation.—The most eloquent + speech I have seen of his was previous to the death of Danton, and it + seems evidently intended to sound the principles of his colleagues as to + a change of system.—Camille Desmoulins has excited some interest, + and has been deemed a kind of martyr to humanity. Perhaps nothing marks + the horrors of the time more than such a partiality.—Camille + Desmoulins, under an appearance of simplicity, was an adventurer, whose + pen had been employed to mislead the people from the beginning of the + revolution. He had been very active on the 10th of August; and even in + the papers which have given him a comparative reputation, he is the + panegyrist of Marat, and recommends "une Guillotine economique;" that + is, a discrimination in favour of himself and his party, who now began + to fear they might themselves be sacrificed by the Convention and + deserted by Robespierre—after being the accomplices and tools of + both. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The vicissitudes of the revolution have hitherto offered nothing but a + change of vices and of parties; nor can I regard this defeat of the + municipality of Paris as any thing more: the event is, however, important, + and will probably have great influence on the future. + </p> + <p> + After having so long authorized, and profited by, the crimes of those they + have now sacrificed, the Convention are willing to have it supposed they + were themselves held in subjection by Hebert and the other representatives + of the Parisian mob.—Admitting this to be true, having regained + their independence, we ought naturally to expect a more rational and + humane system will take place; but this is a mere hope, and the present + occurrences are far from justifying it. We hear much of the guilt of the + fallen party, and little of remedying its effects—much of + punishment, and little of reform; and the people are excited to vengeance, + without being permitted to claim redress. In the meanwhile, fearful of + trusting to the cold preference which they owe to a superior abhorrence of + their adversaries, the Convention have ordered their colleagues on mission + to glean the few arms still remaining in the hands of the National Guard, + and to arrest all who may be suspected of connection with the adverse + party.—Dumont has performed this service here very diligently; and, + by way of supererogation, has sent the Commandant of Amiens to the + Bicetre, his wife, who was ill, to the hospital, and two young children to + this place. + </p> + <p> + As usual, these proceedings excite secret murmurs, but are nevertheless + yielded to with perfect submission. + </p> + <p> + One can never, on these occasions, cease admiring the endurance of the + French character. In other countries, at every change of party, the people + are flattered with the prospect of advantage, or conciliated by + indulgences; but here they gain nothing by change, except an accumulation + of oppression—and the success of a new party is always the harbinger + of some new tyranny. While the fall of Hebert is proclaimed as the triumph + of freedom, all the citizens are disarmed by way of collateral security; + and at the instant he is accused by the Convention of atheism and + immorality,* a militant police is sent forth to devastate the churches, + and punish those who are detected in observing the Sabbath—<i>"mais + plutot souffrir que mourir, c'est la devise des Francois."</i> ["To suffer + rather than die is the motto of Frenchmen."] + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It is remarkable, that the persecution of religion was never more + violent than at the time when the Convention were anathematizing Hebert + and his party for athiesm. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Brissot and his companions died singing a paraphrase of my + quotation: + </p> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + <i>"Plutot la mort que l'esclavage, + "C'est la devise des Francois."</i> +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <blockquote> + <p> + ["Death before slavery, is the Frenchman's motto."] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Let those who reflect on what France has submitted to under them + and their successors decide, whether the original be not more apposite. + </p> + <p> + I hope the act of accusation against Chabot has been published in England, + for the benefit of your English patriots: I do not mean by way of warning, + but example. It appears, that the said Chabot, and four or five of his + colleagues in the Convention, had been bribed to serve a stock-jobbing + business at a stipulated sum,* and that the money was to be divided + amongst them. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Chabot, Fabre d'Eglantine, (author of "l'Intrigue Epistolaire," and + several other admired dramatic pieces,) Delaunay d'Angers, Julien de + Toulouse, and Bazire, were bribed to procure the passing certain + decrees, tending to enrich particular people, by defrauding the East + India Company.—Delaunay and Julien (both re-elected into the + present Assembly) escaped by flight, the rest were guillotined. —It + is probable, that these little peculations might have passed unnoticed + in patriots of such note, but that the intrigues and popular character + of Chabot made it necessary to dispose of him, and his accomplices + suffered to give a countenance to the measure. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Chabot, with great reason, insisted on his claim to an extra share, + on account, as he expressed it, of having the reputation of one of the + first patriots in Europe. Now this I look upon to be a very useful hint, + as it tends to establish a tariff of reputations, rather than of talents. + In England, you distinguish too much in favour of the latter; and, in a + question of purchase, a Minister often prefers a "commodity" of + rhetoricians, to one of "good names."—I confess, I am of Chabot's + opinion; and think a vote from a member who has some reputation for + honesty, ought to be better paid for than the eloquence which, weakened by + the vices of the orator, ceases to persuade. How it is that the patriotic + harangues at St. Stephen's serve only to amuse the auditors, who identify + the sentiments they express as little with the speaker, as they would + those of Cato's soliloquy with the actor who personates the character for + the night? I fear the people reason like Chabot, and are "fools to fame." + Perhaps it is fortunate for England, that those whose talents and + principles would make them most dangerous, are become least so, because + both are counteracted by the public contempt. Ought it not to humble the + pride, and correct the errors, which too often accompany great genius, + that the meanest capacity can distinguish between talents and virtue; and + that even in the moment our wonder is excited by the one, a sort of + intrinsic preference is given to the other?—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_12" id="short4_4_12"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Providence, April 15, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + "The friendship of bad men turns to fear:" and in this single phrase of + our popular bard is comprized the history of all the parties who have + succeeded each other during the revolution.—Danton has been + sacrificed to Robespierre's jealousy,* and Camille Desmoulins to support + his popularity;** and both, after sharing in the crimes, and contributing + to the punishment, of Hebert and his associates, have followed them to the + same scaffold. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The ferocious courage of Danton had, on the 10th of August, the 2d of + September, the 31st of May, and other occasions, been the ductile + instrument of Robespierre; but, in the course of their iniquitous + connection, it should seem, they had committed themselves too much to + each other. Danton had betrayed a desire of more exclusively profiting + by his crimes; and Robespierre's views been equally ambitious, though + less daring, their mutual jealousies had risen to a height which + rendered the sacrifice of one party necessary—and Robespierre had + the address to secure himself, by striking the first blow. They had + supped in the country, and returned together to Paris, on the night + Danton was arrested; and, it may be supposed, that in this interview, + which was intended to produce a reconciliation, they had been convinced + that neither was to be trusted by the other. ** There can be no doubt + but Robespierre had encouraged Camille Desmoulins to publish his paper, + intitled "The Old Cordelier," in which some translations from Tacitus, + descriptive of every kind of tyranny, were applied to the times, and a + change of system indirectly proposed. The publication became highly + popular, except with the Convention and the Jacobins; these, however, it + was requisite for Robespierre to conciliate; and Camille Desmoulins was + sacrificed, to prove that he did not favour the obnoxious moderation of + his friend. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I know not if one's heart gain any thing by this habitual contemplation of + successive victims, who ought not to inspire pity, and whom justice and + humanity forbid one to regret.—How many parties have fallen, who + seem to have laboured only to transmit a dear-bought tyranny, which they + had not time to enjoy themselves, to their successors: The French + revolutionists may, indeed, adopt the motto of Virgil's Bees, "Not for + ourselves, but for you." The monstrous powers claimed for the Convention + by the Brissotines,* with the hope of exclusively exercising them, were + fatal to themselves—the party that overthrew the Brissotines in its + turn became insignificant—and a small number of them only, under the + description of Committees of Public Welfare and General Safety, gradually + usurped the whole authority. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The victorious Brissotines, after the 10th of August, availing + themselves of the stupor of one part of the people, and the fanaticism + of the other, required that the new Convention might be entrusted with + unlimited powers. Not a thousandth portion of those who elected the + members, perhaps, comprehended the dreadful extent of such a demand, as + absurd as it has proved fatal.—<i>"Tout pouvoir sans bornes ne + fauroit etre legitime, parce qu'il n'a jamais pu avoir d'origine + legitime, car nous ne pouvons pas donner a un autre plus de pouvoir sur + nous que nous n'en avons nous-memes"</i> [Montesquieu.]:—that is, + the power which we accord to others, or which we have over ourselves, + cannot exceed the bounds prescribed by the immutable laws of truth and + justice. The united voice of the whole French nation could not bestow on + their representatives a right to murder or oppress one innocent man. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Even of these, several have already perished; and in the hands of + Robespierre, and half a dozen others of equal talents and equal atrocity, + but less cunning, center at present all the fruits of so many miseries, + and so many crimes. + </p> + <p> + In all these conflicts of party, the victory seems hitherto to have + remained with the most artful, rather than the most able; and it is under + the former title that Robespierre, and his colleagues in the Committee of + Public Welfare, are now left inheritors of a power more despotic than that + exercised in Japan.—Robespierre is certainly not deficient in + abilities, but they are not great in proportion to the influence they have + acquired him. They may, perhaps, be more properly called singular than + great, and consist in the art of appropriating to his own advantage both + the events of chance and the labours of others, and of captivating the + people by an exterior of severe virtue, which a cold heart enables him to + assume, and which a profligacy, not the effect of strong passions, but of + system, is easily subjected to. He is not eloquent, nor are his speeches, + as compositions,* equal to those of Collot d'Herbais, Barrere, or Billaud + Varennes; but, by contriving to reserve himself for extraordinary + occasions, such as announcing plots, victories, and systems of government, + he is heard with an interest which finally becomes transferred from his + subject to himself.** + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The most celebrated members of the Convention are only readers of + speeches, composed with great labour, either by themselves or others; + and I think it is distinguishable, that many are manufactured by the + same hand. The style and spirit of Lindet, Barrere, and Carnot, seem to + be in common. ** The following passages, from a speech of Dubois Crance, + who may be supposed a competent judge, at once furnish an idea of + Robespierre's oratory, exhibit a leading feature in his character, and + expose some of the arts by which the revolutionary despotism was + maintained: <i>"Rapportant tout a lui seul, jusqu'a la patrie, il n'en + parla jamais que pour s'en designer comme l'unique defenseur: otez de + ses longs discours tout ce qui n'a rapport qu'a son personnel, vous n'y + trouverez plus que de seches applications de prinipes connus, et surtout + de phrases preparees pour amener encore son eloge. Vous l'avez juge + timide, parce que son imagination, que l'on croyait ardente, qui n'etait + que feroce, parassait exagerer souvent les maux de son pays. C'etait une + jonglerie: il ne croyait ni aux conspirations don't il faisait tant + d'etalage, ni aux poignards aux-quels il feignoit de sse devouer; mais + il vouloit que les citoyens fusssent constamment en defiance l'un de + l'autre," &c.</i> "Affecting to consider all things, even the fate + of the country, as depending on himself alone, he never spoke of it but + with a view to point himself out its principal defender.—If you + take away from his long harangues all that regards him personally, you + will find only dry applications of familiar principles, and, above all, + those studied turns, which were artfully prepared to introduce his own + eternal panegyric.—You supposed him timid because his imagination + (which was not merely ardent, as was supposed, but ferocious) seemed + often to exaggerate the misfortunes of his country.—This was a + mere trick: he believed neither in the conspiracies he made so great a + parade of, nor in the poignards to which he pretended to devote himself + as a victim.—His real design was to infuse into the minds of all + men an unceasing diffidence of each other." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + One cannot study the characters of these men, and the revolution, without + wonder; and, after an hour of such scribbling, I wake to the scene around + me, and my wonder is not a little increased, at the idea that the fate of + such an individual as myself should be at all dependent on either.—My + friend Mad. de ____ is ill,* and taken to the hospital, so that having no + longer the care of dissipating her ennui, I am at full liberty to indulge + my own. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * I have generally made use of the titles and distinctions by which the + people I mention were known before the revolution; for, besides that I + found it difficult to habituate my pen to the republican system of + levelling, the person to whom these letters were addressed would not + have known who was meant by the new appellations. It is, however, to be + observed, that, except in private aristocratic intercourse, the word + Citizen was in general use; and that those who had titles relinquished + them and assumed their family names. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Yet I know not how it is, but, as I have before observed to you, I + do not ennuye—my mind is constantly occupied, though my heart is + vacant— curiosity serves instead of interest, and I really find it + sufficiently amusing to conjecture how long my head may remain on my + shoulders.—You will, I dare say, agree with me that any doubts on + such a subject are very well calculated to remove the tranquil sort of + indifference which produces ennui; though, to judge by the greater part of + my fellow-prisoners, one would not think so.—There is something + surely in the character of the French, which makes them differ both in + prosperity and adversity from other people. Here are many amongst us who + see little more in the loss of their liberty than a privation of their + usual amusements; and I have known some who had the good fortune to obtain + their release at noon, exhibit themselves at the theatre at night.—God + knows how such minds are constituted: for my part, when some consolatory + illusion restores me to freedom, I associate with it no idea of positive + pleasure, but long for a sort of intermediate state, which may repose my + harassed faculties, and in which mere comfort and security are portrayed + as luxuries. After being so long deprived of the decent accommodations of + life, secluded from the intercourse which constitutes its best enjoyments, + trembling for my own fate, and hourly lamenting that of my friends, the + very thoughts of tumult or gaiety seem oppressive, and the desire of + peace, for the moment, banishes every other. One must have no heart, after + so many sufferings, not to prefer the castle of Indolence to the palace of + Armida. + </p> + <p> + The coarse organs of an Argus at the door, who is all day employed in + calling to my high-born companions by the republican appellations of <i>"Citoyen,"</i> + and <i>"Citoyenne,"</i> has just interrupted me by a summons to receive a + letter from my unfortunate friends at Arras.—It was given me open;* + of course they say nothing of their situation, though I have reason to + believe it is dreadful. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The opening of letters was now so generally avowed, that people who + corresponded on business, and were desirous their letters should be + delivered, put them in the post without sealing; otherwise they were + often torn in opening, thrown aside, or detained, to save the trouble of + perusing. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —They have now written to me for assistance, which I have not the + means of affording them. Every thing I have is under sequestration; and + the difficulty which attends the negociating any drafts drawn upon + England, has made it nearly impossible to procure money in the usual way, + even if I were not confined. The friendship of Mad. de ____ will be little + available to me. Her extensive fortune, before frittered to mere + competency by the extortions of the revolution, now scarcely supplies her + own wants; and her tenants humanely take the opportunity of her present + distress to avoid paying their rent.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * In some instances servants or tenants have been known to seize on + portions of land for their own use—in others the country + municipalities exacted as the price of a certificate of civism, (without + which no release from prison could be obtained,) such leases, lands, or + privileges, as they thought the embarrassments of their landlords would + induce them to grant. Almost every where the houses of persons arrested + were pilfered either by their own servants or the agents of the + republic. I have known an elegant house put in requisition to erect + blacksmiths' forges in for the use of the army, and another filled with + tailors employed in making soldiers' clothes.—Houses were likewise + not unfrequently abandoned by the servants through fear of sharing the + fate of their masters, and sometimes exposed equally by the arrest of + those who had been left in charge, in order to extort discoveries of + plate, money, &c. the concealment of which they might be supposed + privy to. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —So that I have no resource, either for myself or Mrs. D____, but + the sale of a few trinkets, which I had fortunately secreted on my first + arrest. How are we to exist, and what an existence to be solicitous about! + In gayer moments, and, perhaps, a little tinctured by romantic refinement, + I have thought Dr. Johnson made poverty too exclusively the subject of + compassion: indeed I believe he used to say, it was the only evil he + really felt for. This, to one who has known only mental suffering, appears + the notion of a coarse mind; but I doubt whether, the first time we are + alarmed by the fear of want, the dread of dependence does not render us in + part his converts. The opinion of our English sage is more natural than we + may at first imagine; or why is it that we are affected by the simple + distresses of Jane Shore, beyond those of any other heroine?—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_13" id="short4_4_13"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + April 22, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + Our abode becomes daily more crouded; and I observe, that the greater part + of those now arrested are farmers. This appears strange enough, when we + consider how much the revolutionary persecution has hitherto spared this + class of people; and you will naturally enquire why it has at length + reached them. + </p> + <p> + It has been often observed, that the two extremes of society are nearly + the same in all countries; the great resemble each other from education, + the little from nature. Comparisons, therefore, of morals and manners + should be drawn from the intervening classes; yet from this comparison + also I believe we must exclude farmers, who are every where the same, and + who seem always more marked by professional similitude than national + distinction. + </p> + <p> + The French farmer exhibits the same acuteness in all that regards his own + interest, and the same stupidity on most other occasions, as the mere + English one; and the same objects which enlarge the understanding and + dilate the heart of other people, seem to have a contrary effect on both. + They contemplate the objects of nature as the stock-jobber does the + vicissitudes of the public funds: "the dews of heaven," and the enlivening + orb by which they are dispelled, are to the farmer only objects of + avaricious speculation; and the scarcity, which is partially profitable, + is but too often more welcome than a general abundance.—They + consider nothing beyond the limits of their own farms, except for the + purpose of making envious comparisons with those of their neighbours; and + being fed and clothed almost without intermediate commerce, they have + little necessity for communication, and are nearly as isolated a part of + society as sailors themselves. + </p> + <p> + The French revolutionists have not been unobserving of these + circumstances, nor scrupulous of profiting by them: they knew they might + have discussed for ever their metaphysical definitions of the rights of + man, without reaching the comprehension, or exciting the interest, of the + country people; but that if they would not understand the propagation of + the rights of man, they would very easily comprehend an abolition of the + rights of their landlords. Accordingly, the first principle of liberty + they were taught from the new code was, that they had a right to assemble + in arms, to force the surrender of title-deeds; and their first + revolutionary notions of equality and property seem to have been + manifested by the burning of chateaux, and refusing to pay their rents. + They were permitted to intimidate their landlords, in order to force them + to emigration, and either to sell their estates at a low price, or leave + them to the mercy of the tenants. + </p> + <p> + At a time when the necessities of the state had been great enough to be + made the pretext of a dreadful revolution, they were not only almost + exempt from contributing to its relief, but were enriched by the common + distress; and while the rest of their countrymen beheld with unavailing + regret their property gradually replaced by scraps of paper, the peasants + became insolent and daring by impunity, refused to sell but for specie, + and were daily amassing wealth. It is not therefore to be wondered at, + that they were partial to the new order of things. The prisons might have + overflowed or been thinned by the miseries of those with whom they had + been crowded—the Revolutionary Tribunal might have sacrificed half + France, and these selfish citizens, I fear, would have beheld it + tranquilly, had not the requisition forced their labourers to the army, + and the "maximum" lowered the price of their corn. The exigency of the + war, and an internal scarcity, having rendered these measures necessary, + and it being found impossible to persuade the farmers into a peaceful + compliance with them, the government has had recourse to its usual summary + mode of expostulation—a prison or the Guillotine.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The avarice of the farmers was doubtless to be condemned, but the + cruel despotism of the government almost weakened our sense of + rectitude; for by confounding error with guilt, and guilt with + innocence, they habituated us to indiscriminate pity, and obliged us to + transfer our hatred of a crime to those who in punishing it, observed + neither mercy nor justice. A farmer was guillotined, because some blades + of corn appeared growing in one of his ponds; from which circumstance it + was inferred, he had thrown in a large quantity, in order to promote a + scarcity—though it was substantially proved on his trial, that at + the preceding harvest the grain of an adjoining field had been got in + during a high wind, and that in all probability some scattered ears + which reached the water had produced what was deemed sufficient + testimony to convict him.— Another underwent the same punishment + for pursuing his usual course of tillage, and sowing part of his ground + with lucerne, instead of employing the whole for wheat; and every where + these people became the objects of persecution, both in their persons + and property. "Almost all our considerable farmers have been thrown into + prison; the consequence is, that their capital is eat up, their stock + gone to ruin, and our lands have lost the almost incalculable effect of + their industry. In La Vendee six million acres of land lie uncultivated, + and five hundred thousand oxen have been turned astray, without shelter + and without an owner." Speech of Dubois Crance, Sept. 22, 1794. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Amazed to find themselves the objects of a tyranny they had + hitherto contributed to support, and sharing the misfortune of their Lords + and Clergy, these ignorant and mistaken people wander up and down with a + vacant sort of ruefulness, which seems to bespeak that they are far from + comprehending or being satisfied with this new specimen of republicanism.—It + has been a fatality attending the French through the whole revolution, + that the different classes have too readily facilitated the sacrifice of + each other; and the Nobility, the Clergy, the Merchant, and the Farmer, + have the mortification of experiencing, that their selfish and illiberal + policy has answered no purpose but to involve all in one common ruin. + </p> + <p> + Angelique has contrived to-day to negotiate the sale of some bracelets, + which a lady, with whom I was acquainted previous to our detention, has + very obligingly given almost half their value for, though not without many + injunctions to secresy, and as many implied panegyrics on her benevolence, + in risking the odium of affording assistance to a foreigner. We are, I + assure you, under the necessity of being oeconomists, where the most + abundant wealth could not render us externally comfortable: and the little + we procure, by a clandestine disposal of my unnecessary trinkets, is + considerably diminished,* by arbitrary impositions of the guard and the + poor,** and a voluntary tax from the misery that surrounds us. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * I am aware of Mr. Burke's pleasantry on the expression of very little, + being greatly diminished; but my exchequer at this time was as well + calculated to prove the infinite divisibility of matter, as that of the + Welch principality. ** The guards of the republican Bastilles were paid + by the prisoners they contained; and, in many places, the tax for this + purpose was levied with indecent rigour. It might indeed be supposed, + that people already in prison could have little to apprehend from an + inability or unwillingness to submit to such an imposition; yet those + who refused were menaced with a dungeon; and I was informed, from + undoubted authority, of two instances of the sort among the English—the + one a young woman, the other a person with a large family of children, + who were on the point of suffering this treatment, but that the humanity + of some of their companions interfered and paid the sum exacted of them. + The tax for supporting the imprisoned poor was more willingly complied + with, though not less iniquitous in its principle; numbers of + inoffensive and industrious people were taken from their homes on + account of their religion, or other frivolous pretexts, and not having + the wherewithal to maintain themselves in confinement, instead of being + kept by the republic, were supported by their fellow-prisoners, in + consequence of a decree to that purpose. Families who inherited nothing + from their noble ancestors but their names, were dragged from obscurity + only to become objects of persecution; and one in particular, consisting + of nine persons, who lived in extreme indigence, but were + notwithstanding of the proscribed class; the sons were brought wounded + from the army and lodged with the father, mother, and five younger + children in a prison, where they had scarcely food to support, or + clothing to cover them. I take this opportunity of doing justice to the + Comte d'Artois, whose youthful errors did not extinguish his benevolence—the + unfortunate people in question having enjoyed a pension from him until + the revolution deprived them of it. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Our male companions are for the most part transferred to other prisons, + and among the number are two young Englishmen, with whom I used sometimes + to converse in French, without acknowledging our compatriotism. They have + told me, that when the decree for arresting the English was received at + Amiens, they happened to be on a visit, a few miles from the town; and + having notice that a party of horse were on the road to take them, willing + to gain time at least, they escaped by another route, and got home. The + republican constables, for I can call the military employed in the + interior by no better appellation, finding their prey had taken flight, + adopted the impartial justice of the men of Charles Town,* and carried off + the old couple (both above seventy) at whose house they had been. + </p> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * "But they maturely having weigh'd + "They had no more but him o'th'trade, + "Resolved to spare him, yet to do + "The Indian Hoghan-Moghan too + "Impartial justice—in his stead did + "Hang an old weaver that was bed-rid." +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + The good man, who was probably not versed in the etiquette of the + revolution, conceived nothing of the matter, and when at the end of their + journey they were deposited at the Bicetre, his head was so totally + deranged, that he imagined himself still in his own house, and continued + for some days addressing all the prisoners as though they were his guests—at + one moment congratulating them on their arrival, the next apologizing for + want of room and accommodation.—The evasion of the young men, as you + will conclude, availed them nothing, except a delay of their captivity for + a few hours. + </p> + <p> + A report has circulated amongst us to-day, that all who are not detained + on specific charges are soon to be liberated. This is eagerly believed by + the new-comers, and those who are not the "pale converts of experience." I + am myself so far from crediting it, that I dread lest it should be the + harbinger of some new evil, for I know not whether it be from the effect + of chance, or a refinement in atrocity, but I have generally found every + measure which tended to make our situation more miserable preceded by + these flattering rumours. + </p> + <p> + You would smile to see with what anxious credulity intelligence of this + sort is propagated: we stop each other on the stairs and listen while our + palled dinner, just arrived from the traiteur, is cooling; and the bucket + of the draw-well hangs suspended while a history is finished, of which the + relator knows as little as the hearer, and which, after all, proves to + have originated in some ambiguous phrase of our keeper, uttered in a + good-humoured paroxysm while receiving a douceur. + </p> + <p> + We occasionally lose some of our associates, who, having obtained their + discharge, <i>depart a la Francaise,</i> forget their suffering, and + praise the clemency of Dumont, and the virtue of the Convention; while + those who remain still unconverted amuse themselves in conjecturing the + channel through which such favours were solicited, and alleging reasons + why such preferences were partial and unjust. + </p> + <p> + Dumont visits us, as usual, receives an hundred or two of petitions, which + he does not deign to read, and reserves his indulgence for those who have + the means of assailing him through the smiles of a favourite mistress, or + propitiating him by more substantial advantages.—Many of the + emigrants' wives have procured their liberty by being divorced, and in + this there is nothing blameable, for I imagine the greater number consider + it only as a temporary expedient, indifferent in itself, and which they + are justified in having recourse to for the protection of their persons + and property. But these domestic alienations are not confined to those who + once moved in the higher orders of society—the monthly registers + announce almost as many divorces as marriages, and the facility of + separation has rendered the one little more than a licentious compact, + which the other is considered as a means of dissolving. The effect of the + revolution has in this, as in many other cases, been to make the little + emulate the vices of the great, and to introduce a more gross and + destructive policy among the people at large, than existed in the narrow + circle of courtiers, imitators of the Regent, or Louis the fifteenth. + Immorality, now consecrated as a principle, is far more pernicious than + when, though practised, it was condemned, and, though suffered, not + sanctioned. + </p> + <p> + You must forgive me if I ennuye you a little sententiously—I was + more partial to the lower ranks of life in France, than to those who were + deemed their superiors; and I cannot help beholding with indignant regret + the last asylums of national morals thus invaded by the general + corruption.—I believe no one will dispute that the revolution has + rendered the people more vicious; and, without considering the matter + either in a moral or religious point of view, it is impossible to assert + that they are not less happy. How many times, when I was at liberty, have + I heard the old wish for an accession of years, or envy those yet too + young to be sensible of "the miseries of a revolution!"—Were the + vanity of the self-sufficient philosopher susceptible of remorse, would he + not, when he beholds this country, lament his presumption, in supposing he + had a right to cancel the wisdom of past ages; or that the happiness of + mankind might be promoted by the destruction of their morals, and the + depravation of their social affections?—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_14" id="short4_4_14"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + April 30, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + For some years previous to the revolution, there were several points in + which the French ascribed to themselves a superiority not very distant + from perfection. Amongst these were philosophy, politeness, the + refinements of society, and, above all, the art of living.—I have + sometimes, as you know, been inclined to dispute these claims; yet, if it + be true that in our sublunary career perfection is not stationary, and + that, having reached the apex of the pyramid on one side, we must + necessarily descend on the other, I might, on this ground, allow such + pretensions to be more reasonable than I then thought them. Whatever + progress might have been attained in these respects, or however near our + neighbours might have approached to one extreme, it is but too certain + they are now rapidly declining to the other. This boasted philosophy is + become a horrid compound of all that is offensive to Heaven, and + disgraceful to man—this politeness, a ferocious incivility—and + this social elegance and exclusive science in the enjoyment of life, are + now reduced to suspicious intercourse, and the want of common necessaries. + </p> + <p> + If the national vanity only were wounded, perhaps I might smile, though I + hope I should not triumph; but when I see so much misery accompany so + profound a degradation, my heart does not accord with my language, if I + seem to do either one or the other. + </p> + <p> + I should ineffectually attempt to describe the circumstances and situation + which have given rise to these reflections. Imagine to yourself whatever + tyranny can inflict, or human nature submit to— whatever can be the + result of unrestrained wickedness and unresisting despair—all that + can scourge or disgrace a people—and you may form some idea of the + actual state of this country: but do not search your books for + comparisons, or expect to find in the proscriptions and extravagancies of + former periods any examples by which to judge the present.—Tiberius + and Nero are on the road to oblivion, and the subjects of the Lama may + boast comparative pretensions to rank as a free and enlightened nation. + </p> + <p> + The frantic ebullitions of the revolutionary government are now as it were + subsided, and instead of appearing the temporary resources of "despotism + in distress," [Burke.] have assumed the form of a permanent and regular + system. The agitation occasioned by so many unexampled scenes is succeeded + by an habitual terror, and this depressing sentiment has so pervaded all + ranks, that it would be difficult to find an individual, however obscure + or inoffensive, who deems his property, or even his existence, secure only + for a moment. The sound of a bell or a knocker at the close of the evening + is the signal of dismay. The inhabitants of the house regard each other + with looks of fearful interrogation—all the precautions hitherto + taken appear insufficient— every one recollects something yet to be + secreted—a prayer-book, an unburied silver spoon, or a few assignats + "a face royale," are hastily scrambled together, and if the visit prove + nothing more than an amicable domiciliary one, in search of arms and corn, + it forms matter of congratulation for a week after. Yet such is the + submission of the people to a government they abhor, that it is scarcely + thought requisite now to arrest any person formally: those whom it is + intended to secure often receive nothing more than a written mandate* to + betake themselves to a certain prison, and such unpleasant rendezvous are + attended with more punctuality than the most ceremonious visit, or the + most gallant assignation. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * These rescripts were usually couched in the following terms:— + "Citizen, you are desired to betake yourself immediately to ———, + (naming the prison,) under pain of being conveyed there by an armed + force in case of delay." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —A few necessaries are hastily packed together, the adieus are made, + and, after a walk to their prison, they lay their beds down in the corner + allotted, just as if it were a thing of course. + </p> + <p> + It was a general observation with travellers, that the roads in France + were solitary, and had rather the deserted appearance of the route of a + caravan, than of the communications between different parts of a rich and + populous kingdom. This, however, is no longer true, and, as far as I can + learn, they are now sufficiently crowded—not, indeed, by curious + itinerants, parties of pleasure, or commercial industry, but by Deputies + of the Convention,* agents of subsistence,** committee men, Jacobin + missionaries,*** troops posting from places where insurrection is just + quelled to where it has just begun, besides the great and never-failing + source of activity, that of conveying suspected people from their homes to + prison, and from one prison to another.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Every department was infested by one, two, or more of these strolling + Deputies; and, it must be confessed, the constant tendency of the people + to revolt in many places afforded them sufficient employment. Sometimes + they acted as legislators, making laws on the spot—sometimes, both + as judges and constables—or, if occasion required, they amused + themselves in assisting the executioner.—The migrations of obscure + men, armed with unlimited powers, and whose persons were unknown, was a + strong temptation to imposture, and in several places adventurers were + detected assuming the character of Deputies, for various purposes of + fraud and depredation.—The following instance may appear + ludicrous, but I shall be excused mentioning it, as it is a fact on + record, and conveys an idea of what the people supposed a Deputy might + do, consistent with the "dignity" of his executive functions. An + itinerant of this sort, whose object seems to have been no more than to + procure a daily maintenance, arriving hungry in a village, entered the + first farm-house that presented itself, and immediately put a pig in + requisition, ordered it to be killed, and some sausages to be made, with + all speed. In the meanwhile our mock-legislator, who seems to have acted + his part perfectly well, talked of liberty, l'amour de la Patrie, of + Pitt and the coalesced tyrants, of arresting suspicious people and + rewarding patriots; so that the whole village thought themselves highly + fortunate in the presence of a Deputy who did no worse than harangue and + put their pork in requisiton.—Unfortunately, however, before the + repast of sausages could be prepared, a hue and cry reached the place, + that this gracious Representant was an impostor! He was bereft of his + dignities, conveyed to prison, and afterwards tried by the Tribunal + Revolutionnaire at Paris; but his Counsel, by insisting on the mildness + with which he had "borne his faculties," contrived to get his punishment + mitigated to a short imprisonment.—Another suffered death on a + somewhat similar account; or, as the sentence expressed it, for + degrading the character of a National Representative.—Just Heaven! + for degrading the character of a National Representative!!! —and + this too after the return of Carrier from Nantes, and the publication of + Collot d'Herbois' massacres at Lyons! **The agents employed by + government in the purchase of subsistence amounted, by official + confession, to ten thousand. In all parts they were to be seen, + rivalling each other, and creating scarcity and famine, by requisitions + and exactions, which they did not convert to the profit of the republic, + but to their own.—These privileged locusts, besides what they + seized upon, occasioned a total stagnation of commerce, by laying + embargoes on what they did not want; so that it frequently occurred that + an unfortunate tradesman might have half the articles in his shop under + requisition for a month together, and sometimes under different + requisitions from deputies, commissaries of war, and agents of + subsistence, all at once; nor could any thing be disposed of till such + claims were satisfied or relinquished. *** Jacobin missionaries were + sent from Paris, and other great towns, to keep up the spirits of the + people, to explain the benefits of the revolution, (which, indeed, were + not very apparent,) and to maintain the connection between the + provincial and metropolitan societies.—I remember the Deputies on + mission at Perpignan writing to the Club at Paris for a reinforcement of + civic apostles, <i>"pour evangeliser les habitans et les mettre dans la + voie de salut"</i>—("to convert the inhabitants, and put them in + the road to salvation"). + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —These movements are almost entirely confined to the official + travellers of the republic; for, besides the scarcity of horses, the + increase of expence, and the diminution of means, few people are willing + to incur the suspicion or hazard* attendant on quitting their homes, and + every possible obstacle is thrown in the way of a too general intercourse + between the inhabitants of large towns. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * There were moments when an application for a passport was certain of + being followed by a mandat d'arret—(a writ of arrest). The + applicant was examined minutely as to the business he was going upon, + the persons he was to transact it with, and whether the journey was to + be performed on horseback or in a carriage, and any signs of impatience + or distaste at those democratic ceremonies were sufficient to constitute + <i>"un homme suspect"</i>—("a suspicious person"), or at least one + <i>"soupconne d'etre suspect,"</i> that is, a man suspected of being + suspicious. In either case it was usually deemed expedient to prevent + the dissemination of his supposed principles, by laying an embargo on + his person.—I knew a man under persecution six months together, + for having gone from one department to another to see his family. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The committee of Public Welfare is making rapid advances to an absolute + concentration of the supreme power, and the convention, while they are the + instruments of oppressing the whole country, are themselves become + insignificant, and, perhaps, less secure than those over whom they + tyrannize. They cease to debate, or even to speak; but if a member of the + Committee ascends the tribune, they overwhelm him with applauses before + they know what he has to say, and then pass all the decrees presented to + them more implicitly than the most obsequious Parliament ever enregistered + an arrete of the Court; happy if, by way of compensation, they attract a + smile from Barrere, or escape the ominous glances of Robespierre.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * When a member of the committee looked inauspiciously at a subordinate + accomplice, the latter scarce ventured to approach his home for some + time.—Legendre, who has since boasted so continually about his + courage, is said to have kept his bed, and Bourdon de l'Oise, to have + lost his senses for a considerable time, from frights, the consequence + of such menaces. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Having so far described the situation of public affairs, I proceed as + usual, and for which I have the example of Pope, who never quits a subject + without introducing himself, to some notice of my own. It is not only bad + in itself, but worse in perspective than ever: yet I learn not to murmur, + and derive patience from the certainty, that almost every part of France + is more oppressed and wretched than we are.—Yours, etc. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_15" id="short4_4_15"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + June 3, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The individual sufferings of the French may perhaps yet admit of increase; + but their humiliation as a people can go no farther; and if it were not + certain that the acts of the government are congenial to its principles, + one might suppose this tyranny rather a moral experiment on the extent of + human endurance, than a political system. + </p> + <p> + Either the vanity or cowardice of Robespierre is continually suggesting to + him plots for his assassination; and on pretexts, at once absurd and + atrocious, a whole family, with near seventy other innocent people as + accomplices, have been sentenced to death by a formal decree of the + convention. + </p> + <p> + One might be inclined to pity a people obliged to suppress their + indignation on such an event, but the mind revolts when addresses are + presented from all quarters to congratulate this monster's pretended + escape, and to solicit a farther sacrifice of victims to his revenge.— + The assassins of Henry the Fourth had all the benefit of the laws, and + suffered only after a legal condemnation; yet the unfortunate Cecilia + Renaud, though evidently in a state of mental derangement, was hurried to + the scaffold without a hearing, for the vague utterance of a truth, to + which every heart in France, not lost to humanity, must assent. Brooding + over the miseries of her country, till her imagination became heated and + disordered, this young woman seems to have conceived some hopeless plan of + redress from expostulation with Robespierre, whom she regarded as a + principal in all the evils she deplored. The difficulty of obtaining an + audience of him irritated her to make some comparison between an + hereditary sovereign and a republican despot; and she avowed, that, in + desiring to see Robespierre, she was actuated only by a curiosity to + "contemplate the features of a tyrant."—On being examined by the + Committee, she still persisted that her design was "seulement pour voir + comment etoit fait un tyrant;" and no instrument nor possible means of + destruction was found upon her to justify a charge of any thing more than + the wild and enthusiastic attachment to royalism, which she did not + attempt to disguise. The influence of a feminine propensity, which often + survives even the wreck of reason and beauty, had induced her to dress + with peculiar neatness, when she went in search of Robespierre; and, from + the complexion of the times, supposing it very probable a visit of this + nature might end in imprisonment and death, she had also provided herself + with a change of clothes to wear in her last moments. + </p> + <p> + Such an attention in a beautiful girl of eighteen was not very unnatural; + yet the mean and cruel wretches who were her judges, had the littleness to + endeavour at mortifying, by divesting her of her ornaments, and covering + her with the most loathsome rags. But a mind tortured to madness by the + sufferings of her country, was not likely to be shaken by such puerile + malice; and, when interrogated under this disguise, she still preserved + the same firmness, mingled with contempt, which she had displayed when + first apprehended. No accusation, nor even implication, of any person + could be drawn from her, and her only confession was that of a passionate + loyalty: yet an universal conspiracy was nevertheless decreed by the + Convention to exist, and Miss Renaud, with sixty-nine others,* were + sentenced to the guillotine, without farther trial than merely calling + over their names. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It is worthy of remark, that the sixty-nine people executed as + accomplices of Miss Renaud, except her father, mother, and aunt, were + totally unconnected with her, or with each other, and had been collected + from different prisons, between which no communication could have + subsisted. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —They were conducted to the scaffold in a sort of red frocks, + intended, as was alleged, to mark them as assassins—but, in reality, + to prevent the crowd from distinguishing or receiving any impression from + the number of young and interesting females who were comprised in this + dreadful slaughter.—They met death with a courage which seemed + almost to disappoint the malice of their tyrants, who, in an original + excess of barbarity, are said to have lamented that their power of + inflicting could not reach those mental faculties which enabled their + victims to suffer with fortitude.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Fouquier Tinville, public accuser of the Revolutionary Tribunal, + enraged at the courage with which his victims submitted to their fate, + had formed the design of having them bled previous to their execution; + hoping by this means to weaken their spirits, and that they might, by a + pusillanimous behaviour in their last moments, appear less interesting + to the people. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Such are the horrors now common to almost every part of France: the + prisons are daily thinned by the ravages of the executioner, and again + repeopled by inhabitants destined to the fate of their predecessors. A + gloomy reserve, and a sort of uncertain foreboding, have taken possession + of every body—no one ventures to communicate his thoughts, even to + his nearest friend—relations avoid each other—and the whole + social system seems on the point of being dissolved. Those who have yet + preserved their freedom take the longest circuit, rather than pass a + republican Bastille; or, if obliged by necessity to approach one, it is + with downcast or averted looks, which bespeak their dread of incurring the + suspicion of humanity. + </p> + <p> + I say little of my own feelings; they are not of a nature to be relieved + by pathetic expressions: "I am e'en sick at heart." For some time I have + struggled both against my own evils, and the share I take in the general + calamity, but my mortal part gives way, and I can no longer resist the + despondency which at times depresses me, and which indeed, more than the + danger attending it, has occasioned my abandoning my pen for the last + month.—Several circumstances have occurred within these few days, to + add to the uneasiness of our situation, and my own apprehensions. Le Bon,* + whose cruelties at Arras seem to have endeared him to his colleagues in + the Convention, has had his powers extended to this department, and Andre + Dumont is recalled; so that we are hourly menaced with the presence of a + monster, compared to whom our own representative is amiable.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * I have already noticed the cruel and ferocious temper of Le Bon, and + the massacres of his tribunals are already well known. I will only add + some circumstances which not only may be considered as characteristic of + this tyrant, but of the times—and I fear I may add of the people, + who suffered and even applauded them. They are selected from many others + not susceptible of being described in language fit for an English + reader. As he was one day enjoying his customary amusement of + superintending an execution, where several had already suffered, one of + the victims having, from a very natural emotion, averted his eyes while + he placed his body in the posture required, the executioner perceived + it, and going to the sack which contained the heads of those just + sacrificed, took one out, and with the most horrible imprecations + obliged the unhappy wretch to kiss it: yet Le Bon not only permitted, + but sanctioned this, by dining daily with the hangman. He was afterwards + reproached with this familiarity in the Convention, but defended himself + by saying, "A similar act of Lequinio's was inserted by your orders in + the bulletin with 'honourable mention;' and your decrees have invariably + consecrated the principles on which I acted." They all felt for a moment + the dominion of conscience, and were silent.—On another occasion + he suspended an execution, while the savages he kept in pay threw dirt + on the prisoners, and even got on the scaffold and insulted them + previous to their suffering. When any of his colleagues passed through + Arras, he always proposed their joining with him in a <i>"partie de + Guillotine,"</i> and the executions were perpetrated on a small square + at Arras, rather than the great one, that he, his wife, and relations + might more commodiously enjoy the spectacle from the balcony of the + theatre, where they took their coffee, attended by a band of music, + which played while this human butchery lasted. The following + circumstance, though something less horrid, yet sufficiently so to + excite the indignation of feeling people, happened to some friends of my + own.—They had been brought with many others from a distant town in + open carts to Arras, and, worn out with fatigue, were going to be + deposited in the prison to which they were destined. At the moment of + their arrival several persons were on the point of being executed. Le + Bon, presiding as usual at the spectacle, observed the cavalcade + passing, and ordered it to stop, that the prisoners might likewise be + witnesses. He was, of course, obeyed; and my terrified friends and their + companions were obliged not only to appear attentive to the scene before + them, but to join in the cry of <i>"Vive la Republique!"</i> at the + severing of each head.— One of them, a young lady, did not recover + the shock she received for months. The Convention, the Committees, all + France, were well acquainted with the conduct of Le Bon. He himself + began to fear he might have exceeded the limits of his commission; and, + upon communicating some scruples of this kind to his employers, received + the following letters, which, though they do not exculpate him, + certainly render the Committee of Public Welfare more criminal than + himself. "Citizen, "The Committee of Public Welfare approve the measures + you have adopted, at the same time that they judge the warrant you + solicit unnecessary—such measures being not only allowable, but + enjoined by the very nature of your mission. No consideration ought to + stand in the way of your revolutionary progress—give free scope + therefore to your energy; the powers you are invested with are + unlimited, and whatever you may deem conducive to the public good, you + are free, you are even called upon by duty, to carry into execution + without delay.—We here transmit you an order of the Committee, by + which your powers are extended to the neighbouring departments. Armed + with such means, and with your energy, you will go on to confound the + enemies of the republic, with the very schemes they have projected for + its destruction. "Carnot. "Barrere. "R. Lindet." + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + Extract from another letter, signed Billaud Varenne, Carnot, Barrere. + "There is no commutation for offences against a republic. Death alone + can expiate them!—Pursue the traitors with fire and sword, and + continue to march with courage in the revolutionary track you have + described." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Merciful Heaven! are there yet positive distinctions betwixt bad + and worse that we thus regret a Dumont, and deem ourselves fortunate in + being at the mercy of a tyrant who is only brutal and profligate? But so + it is; and Dumont himself, fearful that he has not exercised his mission + with sufficient severity, has ordered every kind of indulgence to cease, + the prisons to be more strictly guarded, and, if possible, more crowded; + and he is now gone to Paris, trembling lest he should be accused of + justice or moderation! + </p> + <p> + The pretended plots for assassinating Robespierre are, as usual, + attributed to Mr. Pitt; and a decree has just passed, that no quarter + shall be given to English prisoners. I know not what such inhuman politics + tend to, but my contempt, and the conscious pride of national superiority; + certain, that when Providence sees fit to vindicate itself, by bestowing + victory on our countrymen, the most welcome + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "Laurels that adorn their brows "Will be from living, not dead boughs." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The recollection of England, and its generous inhabitants, has animated me + with pleasure; yet I must for the present quit this agreeable + contemplation, to take precautions which remind me that I am separated + from both, and in a land of despotism and misery! + </p> + <p> + —Yours affectionately. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_16" id="short4_4_16"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + June 11, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The immorality of Hebert, and the base compliances of the Convention, for + some months turned the churches into "temples of reason."—The + ambition, perhaps the vanity, of Robespierre, has now permitted them to be + dedicated to the "Supreme Being," and the people, under such auspices, are + to be conducted from atheism to deism. Desirous of distinguishing his + presidency, and of exhibiting himself in a conspicuous and interesting + light, Robespierre, on the last decade, appeared as the hero of a ceremony + which we are told is to restore morals, destroy all the mischiefs + introduced by the abolition of religion, and finally to defeat the + machinations of Mr. Pitt. A gay and splendid festival has been exhibited + at Paris, and imitated in the provinces: flags of the republican colours, + branches of trees, and wreaths of flowers, were ordered to be suspended + from the houses—every countenance was to wear the prescribed smile, + and the whole country, forgetting the pressure of sorrow and famine, was + to rejoice. A sort of monster was prepared, which, by some unaccountable + ingenuity, at once represented Atheism and the English, Cobourg and the + Austrians—in short, all the enemies of the Convention.—This + external phantom, being burned with proper form, discovered a statue, + which was understood to be that of Liberty, and the inauguration of this + divinity, with placing the busts of Chalier* and Marat in the temple of + the Supreme Being, by way of attendant saints, concluded the ceremony.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Chalier had been sent from the municipality of Paris after the + dethronement of the King, to revolutionize the people of Lyons, and to + excite a massacre. In consequence, the first days of September presented + the same scenes at Lyons as were presented in the capital. For near a + year he continued to scourge this unfortunate city, by urging the lower + classes of people to murder and pillage; till, at the insurrection which + took place in the spring of 1793, he was arrested by the insurgents, + tried, and sentenced to the guillotine. —The Convention, however, + whose calendar of saints is as extraordinary as their criminal code, + chose to beatify Chalier, while they executed Malesherbes; and, + accordingly, decreed him a lodging in the Pantheon, pensioning his + mistress, and set up his bust in their own Hall as an associate for + Brutus, whom, by the way, one should not have expected to find in such + company. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The good citizens of the republic, not to be behind hand with their + representatives, placed Chalier in the cathedrals, in their public-houses, + on fans and snuff-boxes—in short, wherever they thought his + appearance would proclaim their patriotism.—I can only exclaim as + Poultier, a deputy, did, on a similar occasion—"Francais, Francais, + serez vous toujours Francais?"—(Frenchmen, Frenchmen, will you never + cease to be Frenchmen?) + </p> + <p> + —But the mandates for such celebrations reach not the heart: flowers + were gathered, and flags planted, with the scrupulous exactitude of fear;* + yet all was cold and heavy, and a discerning government must have read in + this anxious and literal obedience the indication of terror and hatred. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * I have more than once had occasion to remark the singularity of + popular festivities solemnized on the part of the people with no other + intention but that of exact obedience to the edicts of government. This + is so generally understood, that Richard, a deputy on mission at Lyons, + writes to the Convention, as a circumstance extraordinary, and worthy of + remark, that, at the repeal of a decree which was to have razed their + city to the ground, a rejoicing took place, <i>"dirigee et executee par + le peuple, les autorites constitutees n'ayant fait en quelque sorte qu'y + assister,"</i>— (directed and executed by the people, the + constituted authorities having merely assisted at the ceremony). + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Even the prisons were insultingly decorated with the mockery of + colours, which, we are told, are the emblems of freedom; and those whose + relations have expired on the scaffold, or who are pining in dungeons for + having heard a mass, were obliged to listen with apparent admiration to a + discourse on the charms of religious liberty.—The people, who, for + the most part, took little interest in the rest of this pantomime, and + insensible of the national disgrace it implied, beheld with stupid + satisfaction* the inscription on the temple of reason replaced by a + legend, signifying that, in this age of science and information, the + French find it necessary to declare their acknowledgment of a God, and + their belief in the immortality of the soul. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Much has been said of the partial ignorance of the unfortunate + inhabitants of La Vendee, and divers republican scribblers attribute + their attachment to religion and monarchy to that cause: yet at Havre, a + sea-port, where, from commercial communication, I should suppose the + people as informed and civilized as in any other part of France, the + ears of piety and decency were assailed, during the celebration + above-mentioned, by the acclamations of, <i>"Vive le Pere Eternel!"—"Vive + l'etre Supreme!"</i>—(I entreat that I may not be suspected of + levity when I translate this; in English it would be "God Almighty for + ever! The Supreme Being for ever!") + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —At Avignon the public understanding seems to have been equally + enlightened, if we may judge from the report of a Paris missionary, who + writes in these terms:—"The celebration in honour of the Supreme + Being was performed here yesterday with all possible pomp: all our + country-folks were present, and unspeakably content that there was still a + God—What a fine decree (cried they all) is this!" + </p> + <p> + My last letter was a record of the most odious barbarities—to-day I + am describing a festival. At one period I have to remark the destruction + of the saints—at another the adoration of Marat. One half of the + newspaper is filled with a list of names of the guillotined, and the other + with that of places of amusement; and every thing now more than ever marks + that detestable association of cruelty and levity, of impiety and + absurdity, which has uniformly characterized the French revolution. It is + become a crime to feel, and a mode to affect a brutality incapable of + feeling—the persecution of Christianity has made atheism a boast, + and the danger of respecting traditional virtues has hurried the weak and + timid into the apotheosis of the most abominable vices. Conscious that + they are no longer animated by enthusiasm,* the Parisians hope to imitate + it by savage fury or ferocious mirth—their patriotism is signalized + only by their zeal to destroy, and their attachment to their government + only by applauding its cruelties.—If Robespierre, St. Just, Collot + d'Herbois, and the Convention as their instruments, desolate and massacre + half France, we may lament, but we can scarcely wonder at it. How should a + set of base and needy adventurers refrain from an abuse of power more + unlimited than that of the most despotic monarch; or how distinguish the + general abhorrence, amid addresses of adulation, which Louis the + Fourteenth would have blushed to appropriate?* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Louis the Fourteenth, aguerri (steeled) as he was by sixty years of + adulation and prosperity, had yet modesty sufficient to reject a "dose + of incense which he thought too strong." (See D'Alembert's Apology for + Clermont Tonnerre.) Republicanism, it should seem, has not diminished + the national compliasance for men in power, thought it has lessened the + modesty of those who exercise it.—If Louis the Fourteenth + repressed the zeal of the academicians, the Convention publish, without + scruple, addresses more hyperbolical than the praises that monarch + refused.—Letters are addressed to Robespierre under the + appellation of the Messiah, sent by the almighty for the reform of all + things! He is the apostle of one, and the tutelar deity of another. He + is by turns the representative of the virtues individually, and a + compendium of them altogether: and this monster, whose features are the + counterpart of his soul, find republican parasites who congratulate + themselves on resembling him. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The bulletins of the Convention announce, that the whole republic is in a + sort of revolutionary transport at the escape of Robespierre and his + colleague, Collot d'Herbois, from assassination; and that we may not + suppose the legislators at large deficient in sensibility, we learn also + that they not only shed their grateful tears on this affecting occasion, + but have settled a pension on the man who was instrumental in rescuing the + benign Collot. + </p> + <p> + The members of the Committee are not, however, the exclusive objects of + public adoration—the whole Convention are at times incensed in a + style truly oriental; and if this be sometimes done with more zeal than + judgment, it does not appear to be less acceptable on that account. A + petition from an incarcerated poet assimilates the mountain of the + Jacobins to that of Parnassus—a state-creditor importunes for a + small payment from the Gods of Olympus—and congratulations on the + abolition of Christianity are offered to the legislators of Mount Sinai! + Every instance of baseness calls forth an eulogium on their magnanimity. A + score of orators harangue them daily on their courage, while they are + over-awed by despots as mean as themselves and whom they continue to + reinstal at the stated period with clamorous approbation. They proscribe, + devastate, burn, and massacre—and permit themselves to be addressed + by the title of "Fathers of their Country!" + </p> + <p> + All this would be inexplicable, if we did not contemplate in the French a + nation where every faculty is absorbed by a terror which involves a + thousand contradictions. The rich now seek protection by becoming members + of clubs,* and are happy if, after various mortifications, they are + finally admitted by the mob who compose them; while families, that + heretofore piqued themselves on a voluminous and illustrious genealogy,** + eagerly endeavour to prove they have no claim to either. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * <i>Le diplome de Jacobin etait une espece d'amulette, dont les inities + etaient jaloux, et qui frappoit de prestiges ceux qui ne l'etaient pas</i>—"The + Jacobin diploma was a kind of amulet, which the initiated were jealous + of preserving, and which struck as it were with witchcraft, those who + were not of the number." Rapport de Courtois sur les Papiers de + Robespierre. ** Besides those who, being really noble, were anxious to + procure certificates of sans-cullotism, many who had assumed such + honours without pretensions now relinquished them, except indeed some + few, whose vanity even surmounted their fears. But an express law + included all these seceders in the general proscription; alledging, with + a candour not usual, that those who assumed rank were, in fact, more + criminal than such as were guilty of being born to it. —Places and + employments, which are in most countries the objects of intrigue and + ambition, are here refused or relinquished with such perfect sincerity, + that a decree became requisite to oblige every one, under pain of + durance, to preserve the station to which his ill stars, mistaken + politics, or affectation of patriotism, had called him. Were it not for + this law, such is the dreadful responsibility and danger attending + offices under the government, that even low and ignorant people, who + have got possession of them merely for support, would prefer their + original poverty to emoluments which are perpetually liable to the + commutation of the guillotine.—Some members of a neighbouring + district told me to-day, when I asked them if they came to release any + of our fellow-prisoners, that so far from it, they had not only brought + more, but were not certain twelve hours together of not being brought + themselves. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The visionary equality of metaphysical impostors is become a substantial + one—not constituted by abundance and freedom, but by want and + oppression. The disparities of nature are not repaired, but its whole + surface is levelled by a storm. The rich are become poor, but the poor + still remain so; and both are conducted indiscriminately to the scaffold. + The prisons of the former government were "petty to the ends" of this. + Convents, colleges, palaces, and every building which could any how be + adapted to such a purpose, have been filled with people deemed + suspicious;* and a plan of destruction seems resolved on, more certain and + more execrable than even the general massacre of September 1792. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Now multiplied to more than four hundred thousand!—The prisons + of Paris and the environs were supposed to contain twenty-seven + thousand. The public papers stated but about seven thousand, because + they included the official returns of Paris only. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Agents of the police are, under some pretended accusation, sent to + the different prisons; and, from lists previously furnished them, make + daily information of plots and conspiracies, which they alledge to be + carrying on by the persons confined. This charge and this evidence + suffice: the prisoners are sent to the tribunal, their names read over, + and they are conveyed by cart's-full to the republican butchery. Many whom + I have known, and been in habits of intimacy with, have perished in this + manner; and the expectation of Le Bon,* with our numbers which make us of + too much consequence to be forgotten, all contribute to depress and alarm + me. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Le Bon had at this period sent for lists of the prisoners in the + department of the Somme—which lists are said to have been since + found, and many of the names in them marked for destruction. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Even the levity of the French character yields to this terrible + despotism, and nothing is observed but weariness, silence, and sorrow:— + <i>"O triste loisir, poids affreux du tems."</i> [St. Lambert.] The season + returns with the year, but not to us—the sun shines, but to add to + our miseries that of insupportable heat—and the vicissitudes of + nature only awaken our regret that we cannot enjoy them— + </p> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Now gentle gales o'er all the vallies play, + "Breathe on each flow'r, and bear their sweets away." + [Collins.] +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + Yet what are fresh air and green fields to us, who are immured amidst a + thousand ill scents, and have no prospect but filth and stone walls? It is + difficult to describe how much the mind is depressed by this state of + passive suffering. In common evils, the necessity of action half relieves + them, as a vessel may reach her port by the agitation of a storm; but this + stagnant listless existence is terrible. + </p> + <p> + Those most to be envied here are the victims of their religious opinions. + The nuns, who are more distressed than any of us,* employ themselves + patiently, and seem to look beyond this world; whilst the once gay deist + wanders about with a volume of philosophy in his hand, unable to endure + the present, and dreading still more the future. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * These poor women, deprived of the little which the rapacity of the + Convention had left them, by it subordinate agents, were in want of + every thing; and though in most prisons they were employed for the + republican armies, they could scarcely procure more than bread and + water. Yet this was not all: they were objects of the meanest and most + cruel persecution.—I knew one who was put in a dungeon, up to her + waist in putrid water, for twelve hours altogether, without losing her + resolution or serenity. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I have already written you a long letter, and bid you adieu with the + reluctance which precedes an uncertain separation. Uneasiness, ill health, + and confinement, besides the danger I am exposed to, render my life at + present more precarious than "the ordinary of nature's tenures." —God + knows when I may address you again!—My friend Mad. de ____ is + returned from the hospital, and I yield to her fears by ceasing to write, + though I am nevertheless determined not to part with what I have hitherto + preserved; being convinced, that if evil be intended us, it will be as + soon without a pretext as with one.—Adieu. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_17" id="short4_4_17"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Providence, Aug. 11, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + I have for some days contemplated the fall of Robespierre and his + adherents, only as one of those dispensations of Providence, which were + gradually to pursue all who had engaged in the French revolution. The late + change of parties has, however, taken a turn I did not expect; and, + contrary to what has hitherto occurred, there is a manifest disposition in + the people to avail themselves of the weakness which is necessarily + occasioned by the contentions of their governors. + </p> + <p> + When the news of this extraordinary event first became public, it was ever + where received with great gravity—I might say, coldness.—Not a + comment was uttered, nor a glance of approbation seen. Things might be yet + in equilibrium, and popular commotions are always uncertain. Prudence was, + therefore, deemed, indispensable; and, until the contest was finally + decided, no one ventured to give an opinion; and many, to be certain of + guarding against verbal indiscretion, abstained from all intercourse + whatever. + </p> + <p> + By degrees, the execution of Robespierre and above an hundred of his + partizans, convinced even the most timid; the murmurs of suppressed + discontent began to be heard; and all thought they might now with safety + relieve their fears and their sufferings, by execrating the memory of the + departed tyrants. The prisons, which had hitherto been avoided as + endangering all who approached them, were soon visited with less + apprehension; and friendship or affection, no longer exanimate by terror, + solicited, though still with trepidation, the release of those for whom + they were interested. Some of our associates have already left us in + consequence of such intercessions, and we all hope that the tide of + opinion, now avowedly inimical to the detestable system to which we are + victims, will enforce a general liberation.—We are guarded but + slightly; and I think I perceive in the behaviour of the Jacobin + Commissaries something of civility and respect not usual. + </p> + <p> + Thus an event, which I beheld merely as the justice which one set of + banditti were made the instruments of exercising upon another, may finally + tend to introduce a more humane system of government; or, at least, + suspend proscription and massacre, and give this harassed country a little + repose. + </p> + <p> + I am in arrears with my epistolary chronicle, and the hope of so desirable + a change will now give me courage to resume it from the conclusion of my + last. To-morrow shall be dedicated to this purpose.— Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_18" id="short4_4_18"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + August 12. + </h2> + <p> + My letters, previous to the time when I judged it necessary to desist from + writing, will have given you some faint sketch of the situation of the + country, and the sufferings of its inhabitants—I say a faint sketch, + because a thousand horrors and iniquities, which are now daily disclosing, + were then confined to the scenes where they were perpetrated; and we knew + little more of them than what we collected from the reports of the + Convention, where they excited a laugh as pleasantries, or applause as + acts of patriotism. + </p> + <p> + France had become one vast prison, executions were daily multiplied, and a + minute and comprehensive oppression seemed to have placed the lives, + liberty, and fortune of all within the grasp of the single Committee. + Despair itself was subdued, and the people were gradually sinking into a + gloomy and stupid obedience. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The words despotism and tyranny are sufficiently expressive of the + nature of the government to which they are applied; yet still they are + words rendered familiar to us only by history, and convey no precise + idea, except that of a bad political system. The condition of the French + at this time, besides its wretchedness, had something so strange, so + original in it, that even those who beheld it with attention must be + content to wonder, without pretending to offer any description as + adequate. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The following extract from a speech of Bailleul, a member of the + Convention, exhibits a picture nearer the original than I have yet seen— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + <i>"La terreur dominait tous les esprits, comprimait tous les couers— + elle etait la force du gouvernement, et ce gouvernement etait tel, que + les nombreux habitans d'un vaste territoire semblaient avoir perdu les + qualites qui distinguent l'homme de l'animal domestique: ils semblaient + meme n'avoir de vie que ce que le gouvernement voulait bien leur en + accorder.—Le moi humain n'existoit plus; chaque individu n'etait + qu'une machine, allant, venant, pensant ou ne pensant pas, felon que la + tyrannie le pressait ou l'animait."</i> Discours de Bailleul, 19 March + 1795. "The minds of all were subdued by terror, and every heart was + compressed beneath its influence.—In this consisted the strength + of the government; and that government was such, that the immense + population of a vast territory, seemed to have lost all the qualities + which distinguish man from the animals attached to him.— They + appeared to exhibit no signs of life but such as their rulers + condescended to permit—the very sense of existence seemed doubtful + or extinct, and each individual was reduced to a mere machine, going or + coming, thinking or not thinking, according as the impulse of tyranny + gave him force or animation." Speech of Bailleul, 19 March 1795. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + On the twenty-second of Prairial, (June 10,) a law, consisting of a + variety of articles for the regulation of the Revolutionary Tribunal, was + introduced to the convention by Couthon, a member of the government; and, + as usual adopted with very little previous discussion.—Though there + was no clause of this act but ought to have given the alarm to humanity, + "knocked at the heart, and bid it not be quiet;" yet the whole appeared + perfectly unexceptionable to the Assembly in general: till, on farther + examination, they found it contained an implied repeal of the law hitherto + observed, according to which, no representative could be arrested without + a preliminary decree for that purpose.—This discovery awakened their + suspicions, and the next day Bourdon de l'Oise, a man of unsteady + principles, (even as a revolutionist,) was spirited up to demand an + explicit renunciation of any power in the Committee to attack the + legislative inviolability except in the accustomed forms.—The + clauses which elected a jury of murderers, that bereft all but guilt of + hope, and offered no prospect to innocence but death, were passed with no + other comment than the usual one of applause.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The baseness, cruelty, and cowardice of the Convention are neither to + be denied, nor palliated. For several months they not only passed + decrees of proscription and murder which might reach every individual in + France except themselves, but they even sacrificed numbers of their own + body; and if, instead of proposing an article affecting the whole + Convention, the Committee had demanded the heads of as many Deputies as + they had occasion for by name, I am persuaded they would have met no + resistance.—This single example of opposition only renders the + convention still more an object of abhorrence, because it marks that + they could subdue their pusillanimity when their own safety was menaced, + and that their previous acquiescence was voluntary. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —This, and this only, by involving their personal safety, excited + their courage through their fears.—Merlin de Douay, originally a + worthless character, and become yet more so by way of obviating the + imputation of bribery from the court, seconded Bourdon's motion, and the + obnoxious article was repealed instantaneously. + </p> + <p> + This first and only instance of opposition was highly displeasing to the + Committee, and, on the twenty-fourth, Robespierre, Barrere, Couthon, and + Billaud, animadverted with such severity on the promoters of it, that the + terrified Bourdon* declared, the repeal he had solicited was unnecessary, + and that he believed the Committee were destined to be the saviours of the + country; while Merlin de Douay disclaimed all share in the business— + and, in fine, it was determined, that the law of the twenty-second of + Prairial should remain as first presented to the Convention, and that the + qualification of the succeeding day was void. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It was on this occasion that the "intrepid" Bourdon kept his bed a + whole month with fear. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + So dangerous an infringement on the privileges of the representative body, + dwelt on minds insensible to every other consideration; the principal + members caballed secretly on the perils by which they were surrounded; and + the sullen concord which now marked their deliberations, was beheld by the + Committee rather as the prelude to revolt, than the indication of + continued obedience. In the mean while it was openly proposed to + concentrate still more the functions of government. The circulation of + newspapers was insinuated to be useless; and Robespierre gave some hints + of suppressing all but one, which should be under particular and official + controul.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This intended restriction was unnecessary; for the newspapers were + all, not indeed paid by government, but so much subject to the censure + of the guillotine, that they had become, under an "unlimited freedom of + the press," more cautious and insipid than the gazettes of the + proscribed court. Poor Duplain, editor of the "Petit Courier," and + subsequently of the "Echo," whom I remember one of the first partizans + of the revolution, narrowly escaped the massacre of August 1792, and was + afterwards guillotined for publishing the surrender of Landrecy three + days before it was announced officially. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + A rumour prevailed, that the refractory members who had excited the late + rebellion were to be sacrificed, a general purification of the Assembly to + take place, and that the committee and a few select adherents were to be + invested with the whole national authority. Lists of proscription were + said to be made; and one of them was secretly communicated as having been + found among the papers of a juryman of the Revolutionary Tribunal lately + arrested.—These apprehensions left the members implicated no + alternative but to anticipate hostilities, or fall a sacrifice; for they + knew the instant of attack would be that of destruction, and that the + people were too indifferent to take any part in the contest. + </p> + <p> + Things were in this state, when two circumstances of a very different + nature assisted in promoting the final explosion, which so much + astonished, not only the rest of Europe, but France itself. + </p> + <p> + It is rare that a number of men, however well meaning, perfectly agree in + the exercise of power; and the combinations of the selfish and wicked must + be peculiarly subject to discord and dissolution. The Committee of Public + Welfare, while it enslaved the convention and the people, was torn by + feuds, and undermined by the jealousies of its members. Robespierre, + Couthon, and St. Just, were opposed by Collot and Billaud Varennes; while + Barrere endeavoured to deceive both parties; and Carnot, Lindet, the two + Prieurs, and St. Andre, laboured in the cause of the common tyranny, in + the hope of still dividing it with the conquerors. + </p> + <p> + For some months this enmity was restrained, by the necessity of preserving + appearances, and conciliated, by a general agreement in the principles of + administration, till Robespierre, relying on his superior popularity, + began to take an ascendant, which alarmed such of his colleagues as were + not his partisans, both for their power and their safety. Animosities + daily increased, and their debates at length became so violent and noisy, + that it was found necessary to remove the business of the Committee to an + upper room, lest people passing under the windows should overhear these + scandalous scenes. Every means were taken to keep these disputes a + profound secret—the revilings which accompanied their private + conferences were turned into smooth panegyrics of each other when they + ascended the tribune, and their unanimity was a favourite theme in all + their reports to the Convention.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * So late as on the seventh of Thermidor, (25th July,) Barrere made a + pompous eulogium on the virtues of Robespierre; and, in a long account + of the state of the country, he acknowledges "some little clouds hang + over the political horizon, but they will soon be dispersed, by the + union which subsists in the Committees;—above all, by a more + speedy trial and execution of revolutionary criminals." It is difficult + to imagine what new means of dispatch this airy barbarian had contrived, + for in the six weeks preceding this harangue, twelve hundred and fifty + had been guillotined in Paris only. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The impatience of Robespierre to be released from associates whose views + too much resembled his own to leave him an undivided authority, at length + overcame his prudence; and, after absenting himself for six weeks from the + Committee, on the 8th of Thermidor, (26th July,) he threw off the mask, + and in a speech full of mystery and implications, but containing no direct + charges, proclaimed the divisions which existed in the government.—On + the same evening he repeated this harangue at the Jacobins, while St. + Just, by his orders, menaced the obnoxious part of the Committee with a + formal denunciation to the Convention.—From this moment Billaud + Varennes and Collot d'Herbois concluded their destruction to be certain. + In vain they soothed, expostulated with, and endeavoured to mollify St. + Just, so as to avert an open rupture. The latter, who probably knew it was + not Robespierre's intention to accede to any arrangement, left them to + make his report. + </p> + <p> + On the morning of the ninth the Convention met, and with internal dread + and affected composure proceeded to their ordinary business.—St. + Just then ascended the tribune, and the curiosity or indecision of the + greater number permitted him to expatiate at large on the intrigues and + guilt of every kind which he imputed to a "part" of the Committee.—At + the conclusion of this speech, Tallien, one of the devoted members, and + Billaud Varennes, the leader of the rival party, opened the trenches, by + some severe remarks on the oration of St. Just, and the conduct of those + with whom he was leagued. This attack encouraged others: the whole + Convention joined in accusing Robespierre of tyranny; and Barrere, who + perceived the business now deciding, ranged himself on the side of the + strongest, though the remaining members of the Committee still appeared to + preserve their neutrality. Robespierre was, for the first time, refused a + hearing, yet, the influence he so lately possessed still seemed to protect + him. The Assembly launched decrees against various of his subordinate + agents, without daring to proceed against himself; and had not the + indignant fury with which he was seized, at the desertion of those by whom + he had been most flattered, urged him to call for arrest and death, it is + probable the whole would have ended in the punishment of his enemies, and + a greater accession of power to himself. + </p> + <p> + But at this crisis all Robespierre's circumspection abandoned him. Having + provoked the decree for arresting his person, instead of submitting to it + until his party should be able to rally, he resisted; and by so doing gave + the Convention a pretext for putting him out of the law; or, in other + words, to destroy him, without the delay or hazard of a previous trial. + </p> + <p> + Having been rescued from the Gens d'Armes, and taken in triumph to the + municipality, the news spread, the Jacobins assembled, and Henriot, the + commander of the National Guard, (who had likewise been arrested, and + again set at liberty by force,) all prepared to act in his defence. But + while they should have secured the Convention, they employed themselves at + the Hotel de Ville in passing frivolous resolutions; and Henriot, with all + the cannoneers decidedly in his favour, exhibited an useless defiance, by + stalking before the windows of the Committee of General Safety, when he + should have been engaged in arresting its members. + </p> + <p> + All these imprudences gave the Convention time to proclaim that + Robespierre, the municipality, and their adherents, were decreed out of + the protection of the laws, and in circumstances of this nature such a + step has usually been decisive—for however odious a government, if + it does but seem to act on a presumption of its own strength, it has + always an advantage over its enemies; and the timid, the doubtful, or + indifferent, for the most part, determine in favour of whatever wears the + appearance of established authority. The people, indeed, remained + perfectly neuter; but the Jacobins, the Committees of the Sections, and + their dependents, might have composed a force more than sufficient to + oppose the few guards which surrounded the National Palace, had not the + publication of this summary outlawry at once paralyzed all their hopes and + efforts.—They had seen multitudes hurried to the Guillotine, because + they were "hors de la loi;" and this impression now operated so forcibly, + that the cannoneers, the national guard, and those who before were most + devoted to the cause, laid down their arms, and precipitately abandoned + their chiefs to the fate which awaited them. Robespierre was taken at the + Hotel de Ville, after being severely wounded in the face; his brother + broke his thigh, in attempting to escape from a window; Henriot was + dragged from concealment, deprived of an eye; and Couthon, whom nature had + before rendered a cripple, now exhibited a most hideous spectacle, from an + ineffectual effort to shoot himself.—Their wounds were dressed to + prolong their suffering, and their sentence being contained in the decree + that outlawed them, their persons were identified by the same tribunal + which had been the instrument of their crimes. —On the night of the + tenth they were conveyed to the scaffold, amidst the insults and + execrations of a mob, which a few hours before beheld them with trembling + and adoration.—Lebas, also a member of the convention, and a + principal agent of Robespierre, fell by his own hand; and Couthon, St. + Just, and seventeen others, suffered with the two Robespierres.—The + municipality of Paris, &c. to the number of seventy-two, were + guillotined the succeeding day, and about twelve more the day after. + </p> + <p> + The fate of these men may be ranked as one of the most dreadful of those + examples which history vainly transmits to discourage the pursuits of + ambition. The tyrant who perishes amidst the imposing fallaciousness of + military glory, mingles admiration with abhorrence, and rescues his memory + from contempt, if not from hatred. Even he who expiates his crimes on the + scaffold, if he die with fortitude, becomes the object of involuntary + compassion, and the award of justice is not often rendered more terrible + by popular outrage. But the fall of Robespierre and his accomplices was + accompanied by every circumstance that could add poignancy to suffering, + or dread to death. The ambitious spirit which had impelled them to + tyrannize over a submissive and defenceless people, abandoned them in + their last moments. Depressed by anguish, exhausted by fatigue, and + without courage, religion, or virtue, to support them, they were dragged + through the savage multitude, wounded and helpless, to receive that + stroke, from which even the pious and the brave sometimes shrink with + dismay. + </p> + <p> + Robespierre possessed neither the talents nor merits of Nicolas Riezi; but + they are both conspicuous instances of the mutability of popular support, + and there is a striking similitude in the last events of their history. + They both degraded their ambition by cowardice—they were both + deserted by the populace, whom they began by flattering, and ended by + oppressing; and the death of both was painful and ignominious—borne + without dignity, and embittered by reproach and insult.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Robespierre lay for some hours in one of the committee-rooms, writhing + with the pain of his wound, and abandoned to despair; while many of his + colleagues, perhaps those who had been the particular agents and + applauders of his crimes, passed and repassed him, glorying and jesting + at his sufferings. The reader may compare the death of Robespierre with + that of Rienzi; but if the people of Rome revenged the tyranny of the + Tribune, they were neither so mean nor so ferocious as the Parisians. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + You will perceive by this summary that the overthrow of Robespierre was + chiefly occasioned by the rivalship of his colleagues in the Committee, + assisted by the fears of the Convention at large for themselves.—Another + circumstance, at which I have already hinted, as having some share in this + event, shall be the subject of my next letter. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_19" id="short4_4_19"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Providence, Aug. 13, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Amour, tu perdis Troye</i> [Love! thou occasionedst the destruction of + Troy.]:—yet, among the various mischiefs ascribed to the influence + of this capricious Sovereign, amidst the wrecks of sieges, and the + slaughter of battles, perhaps we may not unjustly record in his praise, + that he was instrumental to the solace of humanity, by contributing to the + overthrow of Robespierre. It is at least pleasing to turn from the general + horrors of the revolution, and suppose, for a moment, that the social + affections were not yet entirely banished, and that gallantry still + retained some empire, when every other vestige of civilization was almost + annihilated. + </p> + <p> + After such an exordium, I feel a little ashamed of my hero, and could + wish, for the credit of my tale, it were not more necessary to invoke the + historic muse of Fielding, than that of Homer or Tasso; but imperious + Truth obliges me to confess, that Tallien, who is to be the subject of + this letter, was first introduced to celebrity by circumstances not + favourable for the comment of my poetical text. + </p> + <p> + At the beginning of the revolution he was known only as an eminent orator + en plain vent; that is, as a preacher of sedition to the mob, whom he used + to harangue with great applause at the Palais Royal. Having no profession + or means of subsistence, he, as Dr. Johnson observes of one of our poets, + necessarily became an author. He was, however, no farther entitled to this + appellation, than as a periodical scribbler in the cause of insurrection; + but in this he was so successful, that it recommended him to the care of + Petion and the municipality, to whom his talents and principles were so + acceptable, that they made him Secretary to the Committee. + </p> + <p> + On the second and third of September 1792, he superintended the massacre + of the prisons, and is alledged to have paid the assassins according to + the number of victims they dispatched with great regularity; and he + himself seems to have little to say in his defence, except that he acted + officially. Yet even the imputation of such a claim could not be + overlooked by the citizens of Paris; and at the election of the Convention + he was distinguished by being chosen one of their representatives. + </p> + <p> + It is needless to describe his political career in the Assembly otherwise + than by adding, that when the revolutionary furor was at its acme, he was + deemed by the Committee of Public Welfare worthy of an important mission + in the South. The people of Bourdeaux were, accordingly, for some time + harassed by the usual effects of these visitations—imprisonments and + the Guillotine; and Tallien, though eclipsed by Maignet and Carrier, was + by no means deficient in the patriotic energies of the day. + </p> + <p> + I think I must before have mentioned to you a Madame de Fontenay, the wife + of an emigrant, whom I occasionally saw at Mad. de C____'s. I then + remarked her for the uncommon attraction of her features, and the elegance + of her person; but was so much disgusted at a tendency to republicanism I + observed in her, and which, in a young woman, I thought unbecoming, that I + did not promote the acquaintance, and our different pursuits soon + separated us entirely. Since this period I have learned, that her conduct + became exceedingly imprudent, or at least suspicious, and that at the + general persecution, finding her republicanism would not protect her, she + fled to Bourdeaux, with the hope of being able to proceed to Spain. Here, + however, being a Spaniard by birth, and the wife of an emigrant, she was + arrested and thrown into prison, where she remained till the arrival of + Tallien on his mission. + </p> + <p> + The miscellaneous occupations of a deputy-errant, naturally include an + introduction to the female prisoners; and Tallien's presence afforded Mad. + de Fontenay an occasion of pleading her cause with all the success which + such a pleader might, in other times, be supposed to obtain from a judge + of Tallien's age. The effect of the scenes Tallien had been an actor in, + was counteracted by youth, and his heart was not yet indifferent to the + charms of beauty—Mad. de Fontenay was released by the captivation of + her liberator, and a reciprocal attachment ensued. + </p> + <p> + We must not, however, conclude, all this merely a business of romance. + Mad. de Fontenay was rich, and had connexions in Spain, which might + hereafter procure an asylum, when a regicide may with difficulty find one: + and on the part of the lady, though Tallien's person is agreeable, a + desire of protecting herself and her fortune might be allowed to have some + influence. + </p> + <p> + From this time the revolutionist is said to have given way: Bourdeaux + became the Capua of Tallien; and its inhabitants were, perhaps, indebted + for a more moderate exercise of his power, to the smiles of Mad. de + Fontenay.—From hanging loose on society, he had now the prospect of + marrying a wife with a large fortune; and Tallien very wisely considered, + that having something at stake, a sort of comparative reputation among the + higher class of people at Bourdeaux, might be of more importance to him in + future, than all the applause the Convention could bestow on a liberal use + of the Guillotine.—The relaxed system which was the consequence of + such policy, soon reached the Committee of Public Welfare, to whom it was + highly displeasing, and Tallien was recalled. + </p> + <p> + A youth of the name of Julien, particularly in the confidence of + Robespierre, was then sent to Bourdeaux, not officially as his successor, + but as a spy, to collect information concerning him, as well as to watch + the operations of other missionaries, and prevent their imitating + Tallien's schemes of personal advantage, at the expence of scandalizing + the republic by an appearance of lenity.—The disastrous state of + Lyons, the persecutions of Carrier, the conflagrations of Maignet, and the + crimes of various other Deputies, had obliterated the minor revolutionisms + of Tallien:* The citizens of Bourdeaux spoke of him without horror, which + in these times was equal to eulogium; and Julien transmitted such accounts + of his conduct to Robespierre,** as were equally alarming to the jealousy + of his spirit, and repugnant to the cruelty of his principles. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It was Tallien's boast to have guillotined only aristocrats, and of + this part of his merit I am willing to leave him in possession. At + Toulon he was charged with the punishment of those who had given up the + town to the English; but finding, as he alledged, nearly all the + inhabitants involved, he selected about two hundred of the richest, and + that the horrid business might wear an appearance of regularity, the + patriots, that is, the most notorious Jacobins, were ordered to give + their opinion on the guilt of these victims, who were brought out into + an open field for that purpose. With such judges the sentence was soon + passed, and a fusillade took place on the spot.—It was on this + occasion that Tallien made particular boast of his humanity; and in the + same publication where he relates the circumstance, he exposes the + "atrocious conduct" of the English at the surrender of Toulon. The + cruelty of these barbarians not being sufficiently gratified by + dispatching the patriots the shortest way, they hung up many of them by + their chins on hooks at the shambles, and left them to die at their + leisure.—See "Mitraillades, Fusillades," a recriminating pamphlet, + addressed by Tallien to Collot d'Herbois.—The title alludes to + Collot's exploits at Lyons. ** It is not out of the usual course of + things that Tallien's moderation at Bourdeaux might have been + profitable; and the wife or mistress of a Deputy was, on such occasions, + a useful medium, through which the grateful offerings of a rich and + favoured aristocrat might be conveyed, without committing the + legislative reputation.—The following passage from Julien's + correspondence with Robespierre seems to allude to some little + arrangements of this nature: "I think it my duty to transmit you an + extract from a letter of Tallien's, [Which had been intercepted.] to the + National Club.—It coincides with the departure of La Fontenay, + whom the Committee of General Safety have doubtless had arrested. I find + some very curious political details regarding her; and Bourdeaux seems + to have been, until this moment, a labyrinth of intrigue and + peculation." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + It appears from Robespierre's papers, that not only Tallien, but Legendre, + Bourdon de l'Oise, Thuriot, and others, were incessantly watched by the + spies of the Committee. The profession must have improved wonderfully + under the auspices of the republic, for I doubt if <i>Mons. le Noir's + Mouchards</i> [The spies of the old police, so called in derision.— + Brissot, in this act of accusation, is described as having been an agent + of the Police under the monarchy.—I cannot decide on the certainty + of this, or whether his occupation was immediately that of a spy, but I + have respectable authority for saying, that antecedent to the revolution, + his character was very slightly estimated, and himself considered as + "hanging loose on society."] were as able as Robespierre's.—The + reader may judge from the following specimens: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "The 6th instant, the deputy Thuriot, on quitting the Convention, went + to No. 35, Rue Jaques, section of the Pantheon, to the house of a + pocket-book maker, where he staid talking with a female about ten + minutes. He then went to No. 1220, Rue Fosse St. Bernard, section of the + Sans-Culottes, and dined there at a quarter past two. At a quarter past + seven he left the last place, and meeting a citizen on the Quay de + l'Ecole, section of the Museum, near le Cafe Manoury, they went in there + together, and drank a bottle of beer. From thence he proceeded to la + Maison Memblee de la Providence, No. 16, Rue d'Orleans Honore, section + de la Halle au Bled, whence, after staying about five-and-twenty + minutes, he came out with a citoyenne, who had on a puce Levite, a great + bordered shawl of Japan cotton, and on her head a white handkerchief, + made to look like a cap. They went together to No. 163, Place Egalite, + where after stopping an instant, they took a turn in the galleries, and + then returned to sup.—They went in at half past nine, and were + still there at eleven o'clock, when we came away, not being certain if + they would come out again. "Bourdon de l'Oise, on entering the Assembly, + shook hands with four or five Deputies. He was observed to gape while + good news was announcing." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Tallien was already popular among the Jacobins of Paris; and his connexion + with a beautiful woman, who might enable him to keep a domestic + establishment, and to display any wealth he had acquired, without + endangering his reputation, was a circumstance not to be overlooked; for + Robespierre well knew the efficacy of female intrigue, and dinners,* in + gaining partizans among the subordinate members of the Convention. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Whoever reads attentively, and in detail, the debates of the + Convention, will observe the influence and envy created by a superior + style of living in any particular member. His dress, his lodging, or + dinners, are a perpetual subject of malignant reproach. —This is + not to be wondered at, when we consider the description of men the + Convention is composed of;—men who, never having been accustomed + to the elegancies of life, behold with a grudging eye the gay apparel or + luxurious table of a colleague, who arrived at Paris with no other + treasure but his patriotism, and has no ostensible means beyond his + eighteen livres a day, now increased to thirty-six. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Mad. de Fontenay, was, therefore, on her arrival at Paris, whither she had + followed Tallien, (probably in order to procure a divorce and marry him,) + arrested, and conveyed to prison. + </p> + <p> + An injury of this kind was not to be forgiven; and Robespierre seems to + have acted on the presumption that it could not. He beset Tallien with + spies, menaced him in the Convention, and made Mad. de Fontenay an offer + of liberty, if she would produce a substantial charge against him, which + he imagined her knowledge of his conduct at Bourdeaux might furnish her + grounds for doing. A refusal must doubtless have irritated the tyrant; and + Tallien had every reason to fear she would soon be included in one of the + lists of victims who were daily sacrificed as conspirators in the prisons. + He was himself in continual expectation of being arrested; and it was + generally believed Robespierre would soon openly accuse him.—Thus + situated, he eagerly embraced the opportunity which the schism in the + Committee presented of attacking his adversary, and we certainly must + allow him the merit of being the first who dared to move for the arrest of + Robespierre.—I need not add, that la belle was one of the first + whose prison doors were opened; and I understand that, being divorced from + Mons. de Fontenay, she is either married, or on the point of being so, to + Tallien. + </p> + <p> + This conclusion spoils my story as a moral one; and had I been the + disposer of events, the Septembriser, the regicide, and the cold assassin + of the Toulonais, should have found other rewards than affluence, and a + wife who might represent one of Mahomet's Houris. Yet, surely, "the time + will come, though it come ne'er so slowly," when Heaven shall separate + guilt from prosperity, and when Tallien and his accomplices shall be + remembered only as monuments of eternal justice. For the lady, her faults + are amply punished in the disgrace of such an alliance— + </p> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "A cut-purse of the empire and the rule; + "____ a King of shreds and patches." +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_20" id="short4_4_20"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Providence, Aug. 14, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The thirty members whom Robespierre intended to sacrifice, might perhaps + have formed some design of resisting, but it appears evident that the + Convention in general acted without plan, union, or confidence.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The base and selfish timidity of the Convention is strongly evinced by + their suffering fifty innocent people to be guillotined on the very + ninth of Thermidor, for a pretended conspiracy in the prison of St. + Lazare.—A single word from any member might at this crisis have + suspended the execution of the sentence, but that word no one had the + courage or the humanity to utter. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Tallien and Billaud were rendered desperate by their situation, and + it is likely that, when they ventured to attack Robespierre, they did not + themselves expect to be successful—it was the consternation of the + latter which encouraged them to persist, and the Assembly to support them: + </p> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "There is a tide in the affairs of men, + "Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune." +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + And to have been lucky enough to seize on this crisis, is, doubtless, the + whole merit of the convention. There has, it is true, been many allusions + to the dagger of Brutus, and several Deputies are said to have conceived + very heroic projects for the destruction of the tyrant; but as he was dead + before these projects were brought to light, we cannot justly ascribe any + effect to them. + </p> + <p> + The remains of the Brissotin faction, still at liberty, from whom some + exertions might have been expected, were cautiously inactive; and those + who had been most in the habit of appreciating themselves for their + valour, were now conspicuous only for that discretion which Falstaff calls + the better part of it.—Dubois Crance, who had been at the expence of + buying a Spanish poniard at St. Malo, for the purpose of assassinating + Robespierre, seems to have been calmed by the journey, and to have finally + recovered his temper, before he reached the Convention.—Merlin de + Thionville, Merlin de Douay, and others of equal note, were among the + "passive valiant;" and Bourdon de l'Oise had already experienced such + disastrous effects from inconsiderate exhibitions of courage, that he now + restrained his ardour till the victory should be determined. Even + Legendre, who is occasionally the Brutus, the Curtius, and all the + patriots whose names he has been able to learn, confined his prowess to an + assault on the club-room of the Jacobins, when it was empty, and carrying + off the key, which no one disputed with him, so that he can at most claim + an ovation. It is, in short, remarkable, that all the members who at + present affect to be most vehement against Robespierre's principles, [And + where was the all-politic Sieyes?—At home, writing his own + eulogium.] were the least active in attacking his person; and it is + indisputable, that to Tallien, Billaud, Louchet, Elie Lacoste, Collot + d'Herbois, and a few of the more violent Jacobins, were due those first + efforts which determined his fall.—Had Robespierre, instead of a + querelous harangue, addressed the convention in his usual tone of + authority, and ended by moving for a decree against a few only of those + obnoxious to him, the rest might have been glad to compound for their own + safety, by abandoning a cause no longer personal: but his impolicy, not + his wickedness, hastened his fate; and it is so far fortunate for France, + that it has at least suspended the system of government which is ascribed + to him. + </p> + <p> + The first days of victory were passed in receiving congratulations, and + taking precautions; and though men do not often adapt their claims to + their merits, yet the members of the Convention seemed in general to be + conscious that none amongst them had very decided pretensions to the + spoils of the vanquished.—Of twelve, which originally composed the + Committee of Public Welfare, seven only remained; yet no one ventured to + suggest a completion of the number, till Barrere, after previously + insinuating how adequate he and his colleagues were to the task of "saving + the country," proposed, in his flippant way, and merely as a matter of + form, that certain persons whom he recommended, should fill up the + vacancies in the government. + </p> + <p> + This modest Carmagnole* was received with great coolness; the late + implicit acquiescence was changed to demur, and an adjournment unanimously + called for. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * A ludicrous appellation, which Barrere used to give to his reports in + the presence of those who were in the secret of his Charlatanry. The air + of "La Carmagnole" was originally composed when the town of that name + was taken by Prince Eugene, and was adapted to the indecent words now + sung by the French after the 10th of August 1792. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Such unusual temerity susprised and alarmed the remains of the + Committee, and Billaud Varennes sternly reminded the Convention of the + abject state they were so lately released from. This produced retort and + replication, and the partners of Robespierre's enormities, who had hoped + to be the tranquil inheritors of his power, found, that in destroying a + rival, they had raised themselves masters. + </p> + <p> + The Assembly persisted in not adopting the members offered to be imposed + upon them; but, as it was easier to reject than to choose, the Committee + were ordered to present a new plan for this part of the executive branch, + and the election of those to be entrusted with it was postponed for + farther consideration. + </p> + <p> + Having now felt their strength, they next proceeded to renew a part of the + committee of General Safety, several of its members being inculpated as + partizans of Robespierre, and though this Committee had become entirely + subordinate to that of Public Welfare, yet its functions were too + important for it to be neglected, more especially as they comprised a very + favourite branch of the republican government, that of issuing writs of + arrest at pleasure.—The law of the twenty-second of Prairial is also + repealed, but the Revolutionary Tribunal is preserved, and the necessity + of suspending the old jury, as being the creatures of Robespierre, has not + prevented the tender solicitude of the Convention for a renovated activity + in the establishment itself. + </p> + <p> + This assumption of power has become every day more confirmed, and the + addresses which are received by the Assembly, though yet in a strain of + gross adulation,* express such an abhorrence of the late system, as must + suffice to convince them the people are not disposed to see such a system + continued. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * A collection of addresses, presented to the Convention at various + periods, might form a curious history of the progress of despotism. + These effusions of zeal were not, however, all in the "sublime" style: + the legislative dignity sometimes condescended to unbend itself, and + listen to metrical compositions, enlivened by the accompaniment of + fiddles; but the manly and ferocious Danton, to whom such sprightly + interruptions were not congenial, proposed a decree, that the citizens + should, in future, express their adorations in plain prose, and without + any musical accessories. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Billaud Varennes, Collot, and other members of the old Committee, view + these innovations with sullen acquiescence; but Barrere, whose frivolous + and facile spirit is incapable of consistency, even in wickedness, + perseveres and flourishes at the tribune as gaily as ever.—Unabashed + by detection, insensible to contempt, he details his epigrams and + antitheses against Catilines and Cromwells with as much self-sufficiency + as when, in the same tinsel eloquence, he promulgated the murderous edicts + of Robespierre. + </p> + <p> + Many of the prisoners at Paris continue daily to obtain their release, + and, by the exertions of his personal enemies, particularly of our quondam + sovereign, Andre Dumont, (now a member of the Committee of General + Safety,) an examination into the atrocities committed by Le Bon is + decreed.—But, amidst these appearances of justice, a versatility of + principle, or rather an evident tendency to the decried system, is + perceptible. Upon the slightest allusion to the revolutionary government, + the whole Convention rise in a mass to vociferate their adherence to it:* + the tribunal, which was its offspring and support, is anxiously + reinstalled; and the low insolence with which Barrere announces their + victories in the Netherlands, is, as usual, loudly applauded. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The most moderate, as well as the most violent, were always united on + the subject of this irrational tyranny.—<i>"Toujours en menageant, + comme la prunelle de ses yeux, le gouvernement revolutionnaire."</i>— + "Careful always of the revolutionary government, as of the apple of + their eye." <i>Fragment pour servir a l'Hist. de la Convention, par J. + J. Dussault</i>. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The brothers of Cecile Renaud, who were sent for by Robespierre from the + army to Paris, in order to follow her to the scaffold, did not arrive + until their persecutor was no more, and a change of government was avowed. + They have presented themselves at the bar of the Convention, to entreat a + revisal of their father's sentence, and some compensation for his + property, so unjustly confiscated.—You will, perhaps, imagine, that, + at the name of these unfortunate young men, every heart anticipated a + consent to their claims, even before the mind could examine the justice of + them, and that one of those bursts of sensibility for which this + legislature is so remarkable instantaneously accorded the petition. Alas! + this was not an occasion to excite the enthusiasm of the Convention: + Coupilleau de Fontenay, one of the "mild and moderate party", repulsed the + petitioners with harshness, and their claim was silenced by a call for the + order of the day. The poor Renauds were afterwards coldly referred to the + Committee of Relief, for a pittance, by way of charity, instead of the + property they have a right to, and which they have been deprived of, by + the base compliance of the Convention with the caprice of a monster. + </p> + <p> + Such relapses and aberrations are not consolatory, but the times and + circumstances seem to oppose them—the whole fabric of despotism is + shaken, and we have reason to hope the efforts of tyranny will be + counteracted by its weakness. + </p> + <p> + We do not yet derive any advantage from the early maturity of the harvest, + and it is still with difficulty we obtain a limited portion of bad bread. + Severe decrees are enacted to defeat the avarice of the farmers, and + prevent monopolies of the new corn; but these people are invulnerable: + they have already been at issue with the system of terror— and it + was found necessary, even before the death of Robespierre, to release them + from prison, or risk the destruction of the harvest for want of hands to + get it in. It is now discovered, that natural causes, and the selfishness + of individuals, are adequate to the creation of a temporary scarcity; yet + when this happened under the King, it was always ascribed to the + machinations of government.—How have the people been deceived, + irritated, and driven to rebellion, by a degree of want, less, much less, + insupportable than that they are obliged to suffer at present, without + daring even to complain! + </p> + <p> + I have now been in confinement almost twelve months, and my health is + considerably impaired. The weather is oppressively warm, and we have no + shade in the garden but under a mulberry-tree, which is so surrounded by + filth, that it is not approachable. I am, however, told, that in a few + days, on account of my indisposition, I shall be permitted to go home, + though with a proviso of being guarded at my own expence.—My friends + are still at Arras; and if this indulgence be extended to Mad. de la + F____, she will accompany me. Personal accommodation, and an opportunity + of restoring my health, render this desirable; but I associate no idea of + freedom with my residence in this country. The boundary may be extended, + but it is still a prison.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_21" id="short4_4_21"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Providence, Aug. 15, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + To-morrow I expect to quit this place, and have been wandering over it for + the last time. You will imagine I can have no attachment to it: yet a + retrospect of my sensations when I first arrived, of all I have + experienced, and still more of what I have apprehended since that period, + makes me look forward to my departure with a satisfaction that I might + almost call melancholy. This cell, where I have shivered through the + winter—the long passages, which I have so often traversed in bitter + rumination—the garden, where I have painfully breathed a purer air, + at the risk of sinking beneath the fervid rays of an unmitigated sun, are + not scenes to excite regret; but when I think that I am still subject to + the tyranny which has so long condemned me to them, this reflection, with + a sentiment perhaps of national pride, which is wounded by accepting as a + favour what I have been unjustly deprived of, renders me composed, if not + indifferent, at the prospect of my release. + </p> + <p> + This dreary epoch of my life has not been without its alleviations. I have + found a chearful companion in Mad. de M____, who, at sixty, was brought + here, because she happened to be the daughter of Count L____, who has been + dead these thirty years!—The graces and silver accents of Madame de + B____, might have assisted in beguiling severer captivity; and the + Countess de C____, and her charming daughters (the eldest of whom is not + to be described in the common place of panegyric), who, though they have + borne their own afflictions with dignity, have been sensible to the + misfortunes of others, and whom I must, in justice, except from all the + imputations of meanness or levity, which I have sometimes had occasion to + notice in those who, like themselves, were objects of republican + persecution, have essentially contributed to diminish the horrors of + confinement.—I reckon it likewise among my satisfactions, that, with + the exception of the Marechalle de Biron,* and General O'Moran, none of + our fellow-prisoners have suffered on the scaffold.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The Marechalle de Biron, a very old and infirm woman, was taken from + hence to the Luxembourg at Paris, where her daughter-in-law, the + Duchess, was also confined. A cart arriving at that prison to convey a + number of victims to the tribunal, the list, in the coarse dialect of + republicanism, contained the name of la femme Biron. "But there are two + of them," said the keeper. "Then bring them both."— The aged + Marechalle, who was at supper, finished her meal while the rest were + preparing, then took up her book of devotion, and departed chearfully.—The + next day both mother and daughter were guillotined. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Dumont has, indeed, virtually occasioned the death of several; in + particular the Duc du Chatelet, the Comte de Bethune, Mons. de + Mancheville, &c.—and it is no merit in him that Mr. Luttrell, + with a poor nun of the name of Pitt,* whom he took from hence to Paris, as + a capture which might give him importance, were not massacred either by + the mob or the tribunal. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This poor woman, whose intellects, as I am informed, appeared in a + state of derangement, was taken from a convent at Abbeville, and brought + to the Providence, as a relation of Mr. Pitt, though I believe she has + no pretensions to that honour. But the name of Pitt gave her importance; + she was sent to Paris under a military escort, and Dumont announced the + arrival of this miserable victim with all the airs of a conqueror. I + have been since told, she was lodged at St. Pelagie, where she suffered + innumerable hardships, and did not recover her liberty for many months + after the fall of Robespierre. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —If the persecution of this department has not been sanguinary,* it + should be remembered, that it has been covered with prisons; and that the + extreme submission of its inhabitants would scarcely have furnished the + most merciless tyrant with a pretext for a severer regimen.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * There were some priests guillotined at Amiens, but the circumstance + was concealed from me for some months after it happened. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Dumont, I know, expects to establish a reputation by not having + guillotined as an amusement, and hopes that he may here find a retreat + when his revolutionary labours shall be finished. + </p> + <p> + The Convention have not yet chosen the members who are to form the new + Committee. They were yesterday solemnly employed in receiving the American + Ambassador; likewise a brass medal of the tyrant Louis the Fourteenth, and + some marvellous information about the unfortunate Princess' having dressed + herself in mourning at the death of Robespierre. These legislators remind + me of one of Swift's female attendants, who, in spite of the literary + taste he endeavoured to inspire her with, never could be divested of her + original housewifely propensities, but would quit the most curious + anecdote, as he expresses it, "to go seek an old rag in a closet." Their + projects for the revival of their navy seldom go farther than a transposal + in the stripes of the flag, and their vengeance against regal + anthropophagi, and proud islanders, is infallibly diverted by a + denunciation of an aristocratic quartrain, or some new mode, whose general + adoption renders it suspected as the badge of a party.—If, according + to Cardinal de Retz' opinion, elaborate attention to trifles denote a + little mind, these are true Lilliputian sages.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_22" id="short4_4_22"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + August, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + I did not leave the Providence until some days after the date of my last: + there were so many precautions to be taken, and so many formalities to be + observed—such references from the municipality to the district, and + from the district to the Revolutionary Committee, that it is evident + Robespierre's death has not banished the usual apprehension of danger from + the minds of those who became responsible for acts of justice or humanity. + At length, after procuring a house-keeper to answer with his life and + property for our re-appearance, and for our attempting nothing against the + "unity and indivisibility" of the republic, we bade (I hope) a long adieu + to our prison. + </p> + <p> + Madame de ____ is to remain with me till her house can be repaired; for it + has been in requisition so often, that there is now, we are told, scarcely + a bed left, or a room habitable. We have an old man placed with us by way + of a guard, but he is civil, and is not intended to be a restraint upon + us. In fact, he has a son, a member of the Jacobin club, and this + opportunity is taken to compliment him, by taxing us with the maintenance + of his father. It does not prevent us from seeing our acquaintance, and we + might, I suppose, go out, though we have not yet ventured. + </p> + <p> + The politics of the Convention are fluctuating and versatile, as will ever + be the case where men are impelled by necessity to act in opposition to + their principles. In their eagerness to attribute all the past excesses to + Robespierre, they have, unawares, involved themselves in the obligation of + not continuing the same system. They doubtless expected, by the fall of + the tyrant, to become his successors; but the people, weary of being + dupes, and of hearing that tyrants were fallen, without feeling any + diminution of tyranny, have every where manifested a temper, which the + Convention, in the present relaxed state of its power, is fearful of + making experiments upon. Hence, great numbers of prisoners are liberated, + those that remain are treated more indulgently, and the fury of + revolutionary despotism is in general abated. + </p> + <p> + The Deputies who most readily assent to these changes have assumed the + appellation of Moderates; (Heaven knows how much they are indebted to + comparison;) and the popularity they have acquired has both offended and + alarmed the more inflexible Jacobins. A motion has just been made by one + Louchet, that a list of all persons lately enlarged should be printed, + with the names of those Deputies who solicited in their favour, annexed; + and that such aristocrats as were thus discovered to have regained their + liberty, should be re-imprisoned.—The decree passed, but was so ill + received by the people, that it was judged prudent to repeal it the next + day. + </p> + <p> + This circumstance seems to be the signal of dissention between the + Assembly and the Club: the former, apprehensive of revolting the public + opinion on the one hand, and desirous of conciliating the Jacobins on the + other, waver between indulgence and severity; but it is easy to discover, + that their variance with the Jacobins is more a matter of expediency than + principle, and that, were it not for other considerations, they would not + suffer the imprisonment of a few thousand harmless people to interrupt the + amity which has so long subsisted between themselves and their ancient + allies.—It is written, "from their works you shall know them;" and + reasoning from this tenet, which is our best authority, (for who can boast + a science in the human heart?) I am justified in my opinion, and I know it + to be that of many persons more competent to decide than myself. If I + could have had doubts on the subject, the occurrences of the last few days + would have amply satisfied them. + </p> + <p> + However rejoiced the nation at large might be at the overthrow of + Robespierre, no one was deceived as to the motives which actuated his + colleagues in the Committee. Every day produced new indications not only + of their general concurrence in the enormities of the government, but of + their own personal guilt. The Convention, though it could not be + insensible of this, was willing, with a complaisant prudence, to avoid the + scandal of a public discussion, which must irritate the Jacobins, and + expose its own weakness by a retrospect of the crimes it had applauded and + supported. Laurent Lecointre,* alone, and apparently unconnected with + party, has had the courage to exhibit an accusation against Billaud, + Collot, Barrere, and those of Robespierre's accomplices who were members + of the Committee of General Safety. He gave notice of his design on the + eleventh of Fructidor (28th of August). + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Lecointre is a linen-draper at Versailles, an original revolutionist, + and I believe of more decent character than most included in that + description. If we could be persuaded that there were any real fanatics + in the Convention, I should give Lecointre the credit of being among the + number. He seems, at least, to have some material circumstances in his + favour—such as possessing the means of living; of not having, in + appearance, enriched himself by the revolution; and, of being the only + member who, after a score of decrees to that purpose, has ventured to + produce an account of his fortune to the public. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —It was received everywhere but in the Convention with applause; and + the public was flattered with the hope that justice would attain another + faction of its oppressors. On the succeeding day, Lecointre appeared at + the tribune to read his charges. They conveyed, even to the most + prejudiced mind, an entire conviction, that the members he accused were + sole authors of a part, and accomplices in all the crimes which had + desolated their country. Each charge was supported by material proof, + which he deposited for the information of his colleagues. But this was + unnecessary—his colleagues had no desire to be convinced; and, after + overpowering him with ridicule and insult, they declared, without entering + into any discussion, that they rejected the charges with indignation, and + that the members implicated had uniformly acted according to their [own] + wishes, and those of the nation. + </p> + <p> + As soon as this result was known in Paris, the people became enraged and + disgusted, the public walks resounded with murmurs, the fermentation grew + general, and some menaces were uttered of forcing the Convention to give + Lecointre a more respectful hearing.—Intimidated by such unequivocal + proofs of disapprobation, when the Assembly met on the thirteenth, it was + decreed, after much opposition from Tallien, that Lecointre should be + allowed to reproduce his charges, and that they should be solemnly + examined. + </p> + <p> + After all this, Lecointre, whose figure is almost ludicrous, and who is no + orator, was to repeat a voluminous denunciation, amidst the clamour, + abuse, chicane, and derision of the whole Convention. But there are + occasions when the keenest ridicule is pointless; when the mind, armed by + truth and elevated by humanity, rejects its insidious efforts—and, + absorbed by more laudable feelings, despises even the smile of contempt. + The justice of Lecointre's cause supplied his want of external advantages: + and his arguments were so clear and so unanswerable, that the plain + diction in which they were conveyed was more impressive than the most + finished eloquence; and neither the malice nor sarcasms of his enemies had + any effect but on those who were interested in silencing or confounding + him. Yet, in proportion as the force of Lecointre's denunciation became + evident, the Assembly appeared anxious to suppress it; and, after some + hours' scandalous debate, during which it was frequently asserted that + these charges could not be encouraged without criminating the entire + legislative body, they decreed the whole to be false and defamatory. + </p> + <p> + The accused members defended themselves with the assurance of delinquents + tried by their avowed accomplices, and who are previously certain of + favour and acquittal; while Lecointre's conduct in the business seems to + have been that of a man determined to persevere in an act of duty, which + he has little reason to hope will be successful.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It is said, that, at the conclusion of this disgraceful business, the + members of the convention crouded about the delinquents with their + habitual servility, and appeared gratified that their services on the + occasion had given them a claim to notice and familiarity. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Though the galleries of the Convention were more than usually furnished on + the day with applauders, yet this decision has been universally ill + received. The time is passed when the voice of reason could be silenced by + decrees. The stupendous tyranny of the government, though not meliorated + in principle, is relaxed in practice; and this vote, far from operating in + favour of the culprits, has only served to excite the public indignation, + and to render them more odious. Those who cannot judge of the logical + precision of Lecointre's arguments, or the justness of his inferences, can + feel that his charges are merited. Every heart, every tongue, acknowledges + the guilt of those he has attacked. They are certain France has been the + prey of numberless atrocities—they are certain, that these were + perpetrated by order of the committee; that eleven members composed it; + and that Robespierre and his associates being but three, did not + constitute a majority. + </p> + <p> + These facts are now commented on with as much freedom as can be expected + among a people whose imaginations are yet haunted by revolutionary + tribunals and Bastilles, and the conclusions are not favourable to the + Convention. The national discontent is, however, suspended by the + hostilities between the legislature and the Jacobin club: the latter still + persists in demanding the revolutionary system in its primitive severity, + while the former are restrained from compliance, not only by the odium it + must draw on them, but from a certainty that it cannot be supported but + through the agency of the popular societies, who would thus again become + their dictators. I believe it is not unlikely that the people and the + Convention are both endeavouring to make instruments of each other to + destroy the common enemy; for the little popularity the Convention enjoy + is doubtless owing to a superior hatred of the Jacobins: and the + moderation which the former affect towards the people, is equally + influenced by a view of forming a powerful balance against these obnoxious + societies.—While a sort of necessity for this temporizing continues, + we shall go on very tranquilly, and it is become a mode to say the + Convention is "adorable." + </p> + <p> + Tallien, who has been wrestling with his ill fame for a transient + popularity, has thought it advisable to revive the public attention by the + farce of Pisistratus—at least, an attempt to assassinate him, in + which there seems to have been more eclat than danger, has given rise to + such an opinion. Bulletins of his health are delivered every day in form + to the Convention, and some of the provincial clubs have sent + congratulations on his escape. But the sneers of the incredulous, and + perhaps an internal admonition of the ridicule and disgrace attendant on + the worship of an idol whose reputation is so unpropitious, have much + repressed the customary ardour, and will, I think, prevent these + "hair-breadth 'scapes" from continuing fashionable.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_23" id="short4_4_23"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + [No Date Given] + </h2> + <p> + When I describe the French as a people bending meekly beneath the most + absurd and cruel oppression, transmitted from one set of tyrants to + another, without personal security, without commerce—menaced by + famine, and desolated by a government whose ordinary resources are pillage + and murder; you may perhaps read with some surprize the progress and + successes of their armies. But, divest yourself of the notions you may + have imbibed from interested misrepresentations—forget the + revolutionary common-place of "enthusiams", "soldiers of freedom," and + "defenders of their country"—examine the French armies as acting + under the motives which usually influence such bodies, and I am inclined + to believe you will see nothing very wonderful or supernatural in their + victories. + </p> + <p> + The greater part of the French troops are now composed of young men taken + indiscriminately from all classes, and forced into the service by the + first requisition. They arrive at the army ill-disposed, or at best + indifferent, for it must not be forgotten, that all who could be prevailed + on to go voluntarily had departed before recourse was had to the measure + of a general levy. They are then distributed into different corps, so that + no local connections remain: the natives of the North are mingled with + those of the South, and all provincial combinations are interdicted. + </p> + <p> + It is well known that the military branch of espionage is as extended as + the civil, and the certainty of this destroys confidence, and leaves even + the unwilling soldier no resource but to go through his professional duty + with as much zeal as though it were his choice. On the one hand, the + discipline is severe—on the other, licentiousness is permitted + beyond all example; and, half-terrified, half-seduced, principles the most + inimical, and morals the least corrupt, become habituated to fear nothing + but the government, and to relish a life of military indulgence.—The + armies were some time since ill clothed, and often ill fed; but the + requisitions, which are the scourge of the country, supply them, for the + moment, with profusion: the manufacturers, the shops, and the private + individual, are robbed to keep them in good humour—the best wines, + the best clothes, the prime of every thing, is destined to their use; and + men, who before laboured hard to procure a scanty subsistence, now revel + in luxury and comparative idleness. + </p> + <p> + The rapid promotion acquired in the French army is likewise another cause + of its adherence to the government. Every one is eager to be advanced; + for, by means of requisitions, pillage and perquisites, the most trifling + command is very lucrative.—Vast sums of money are expended in + supplying the camps with newspapers written nearly for that purpose, and + no others are permitted to be publicly circulated.—When troops are + quartered in a town, instead of that cold reception which it is usual to + accord such inmates, the system of terror acts as an excellent Marechal de + Logis, and procures them, if not a cordial, at least a substantial one; + and it is indubitable, that they are no where so well entertained as at + the houses of professed aristocrats. The officers and men live in a + familiarity highly gratifying to the latter; and, indeed, neither are + distinguishable by their language, manners, or appearance. There is, + properly speaking, no subordination except in the field, and a soldier has + only to avoid politics, and cry "Vive la Convention!" to secure plenary + indulgence on all other occasions.—Many who entered the army with + regret, continue there willingly for the sake of a maintenance; besides + that a decree exists, which subjects the parents of those who return, to + heavy punishments. In a word, whatever can operate on the fears, or + interests, or passions, is employed to preserve the allegiance of the + armies to the government, and attach them to their profession. + </p> + <p> + I am far from intending to detract from the national bravery—the + annals of the French Monarchy abound with the most splendid instances of + it—I only wish you to understand, what I am fully convinced of + myself, that liberty and republicanism have no share in the present + successes. The battle of Gemappe was gained when the Brissotin faction had + enthroned itself on the ruins of a constitution, which the armies were + said to adore with enthusiasm: by what sudden inspiration were their + affections transferred to another form of government? or will any one + pretend that they really understood the democratic Machiavelism which they + were to propagate in Brabant? At the battle of Maubeuge, France was in the + first paroxysm of revolutionary terror—at that of Fleurus, she had + become a scene of carnage and proscription, at once the most wretched and + the most detestable of nations, the sport and the prey of despots so + contemptible, that neither the excess of their crimes, nor the sufferings + they inflicted, could efface the ridicule which was incurred by a + submission to them. Were the French then fighting for liberty, or did they + only move on professionally, with the enemy in front, the Guillotine in + the rear, and the intermediate space filled up with the licentiousness of + a camp?—If the name alone of liberty suffices to animate the French + troops to conquest, and they could imagine it was enjoyed under Brissot or + Robespierre, this is at least a proof that they are rather amateurs than + connoisseurs; and I see no reason why the same impulse might not be given + to an army of Janizaries, or the the legions of Tippoo Saib. + </p> + <p> + After all, it may be permitted to doubt, whether the sort of enthusiasm so + liberally ascribed to the French, would really contribute more to their + successes, than the thoughtless courage I am willing to allow them.—It + is, I believe, the opinion of military men, that the best soldiers are + those who are most disposed to act mechanically; and we are certain that + the most brilliant victories have been obtained where this ardour, said to + be produced by the new doctrines, could have had no influence.—The + heroes of Pavia, of Narva, or those who administered to the vain-glory of + Louis the Fourteenth, by ravaging the Palatinate, we may suppose little + acquainted with it. The fate of battles frequently depends on causes which + the General, the Statesman, or the Philosopher, are equally unable to + decide upon; and the laurel, "meed of mighty conquerors," seems oftener to + fall at the caprice of the wind, than to be gathered. It is sometimes the + lot of the ablest tactician, at others of the most voluminous muster-roll; + but, I believe, there are few examples where these political elevations + have had an effect, when unaccompanied by advantages of situation, + superior skill, or superior numbers.—<i>"La plupart des gens de + guerre</i> (says Fontenelle) <i>sont leur metier avec beaucoup de courage. + Il en est peu qui y pensent; leurs bras agissent aussi vigoureusement que + l'on veut, leurs tetes se reposent, et ne prennent presque part a rieu"</i>*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "Military men in general do their duty with much courage, but few make + it a subject of reflection. With all the bodily activity that can be + expected of them, their minds remain at rest, and partake but little of + the business they are engaged in." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —If this can be applied with truth to any armies, it must be to + those of France. We have seen them successively and implicitly adopting + all the new constitutions and strange gods which faction and extravagance + could devise—we have seen them alternately the dupes and slaves of + all parties: at one period abandoning their King and their religion: at + another adulating Robespierre, and deifying Marat.—These, I confess + are dispositions to make good soldiers, but convey to me no idea of + enthusiasts or republicans. + </p> + <p> + The bulletin of the Convention is periodically furnished with splendid + feats of heroism performed by individuals of their armies, and I have no + doubt but some of them are true. There are, however, many which have been + very peaceably culled from old memoirs, and that so unskilfully, that the + hero of the present year loses a leg or an arm in the same exploit, and + uttering the self-same sentences, as one who lived two centuries ago. + There is likewise a sort of jobbing in the edifying scenes which + occasionally occur in the Convention—if a soldier happen to be + wounded who has relationship, acquaintance, or connexion, with a Deputy, a + tale of extraordinary valour and extraordinary devotion to the cause is + invented or adopted; the invalid is presented in form at the bar of the + Assembly, receives the fraternal embrace and the promise of a pension, and + the feats of the hero, along with the munificence of the Convention, are + ordered to circulate in the next bulletin. Yet many of the deeds recorded + very deservedly in these annals of glory, have been performed by men who + abhor republican principles, and lament the disasters their partizans have + occasioned. I have known even notorious aristocrats introduced to the + Convention as martyrs to liberty, and who have, in fact, behaved as + gallantly as though they had been so.—These are paradoxes which a + military man may easily reconcile. + </p> + <p> + Independently of the various secondary causes that contribute to the + success of the French armies, there is one which those persons who wish to + exalt every thing they denominate republican seem to exclude—I mean, + the immense advantage they possess in point of numbers. There has scarcely + been an engagement of importance, in which the French have not profited by + this in a very extraordinary degree.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This has been confessed to me by many republicans themselves; and a + disproportion of two or three to one must add considerably to republican + enthusiasm. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Whenever a point is to be gained, the sacrifice of men is not a + matter of hesitation. One body is dispatched after another; and fresh + troops thus succeeding to oppose those of the enemy already harassed, we + must not wonder that the event has so often proved favourable to them. + </p> + <p> + A republican, who passes for highly informed, once defended this mode of + warfare by observing, that in the course of several campaigns more troops + perished by sickness than the sword. If then an object could be attained + by such means, so much time was saved, and the loss eventually the same: + but the Generals of other countries dare not risk such philosophical + calculations, and would be accountable to the laws of humanity for their + destructive conquests. + </p> + <p> + When you estimate the numbers that compose the French armies, you are not + to consider them as an undisciplined multitude, whose sole force is in + their numbers. From the beginning of the revolution, many of them have + been exercised in the National Guard; and though they might not make a + figure on the parade at Potsdam, their inferiority is not so great as to + render the German exactitude a counterbalance for the substantial + inequality of numbers. Yet, powerfully as these considerations favour the + military triumphs of France, there is a period when we may expect both + cause and effect will terminate. That period may still be far removed, but + whenever the assignats* become totally discredited, and it shall be found + requisite to economize in the war department, adieu la gloire, a bas les + armes, and perhaps bon soir la republique; for I do not reckon it + possible, that armies so constituted can ever be persuaded to subject + themselves to the restraints and privations which must be indispensible, + as soon as the government ceases to have the disposal of an unlimited + fund. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The mandats were, in fact, but a continuation of the assignats, under + another name. The last decree for the emission of assignats, limited the + quantity circulated to forty milliards, which taken at par, is only + about sixteen hundred millions of pounds sterling! + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + What I have hitherto written you will understand as applicable only to the + troops employed on the frontiers. There are some of another description, + more cherished and not less serviceable, who act as a sort of police + militant and errant, and defend the republic against her internal enemies—the + republicans. Almost every town of importance is occasionally infested by + these servile instruments of despotism, who are maintained in insolent + profusion, to overawe those whom misery and famine might tempt to revolt. + When a government, after imprisoning some hundred thousands of the most + distinguished in every class of life, and disarming all the rest, is yet + obliged to employ such a force for its protection, we may justifiably + conclude, it does not presume on the attachment of the people. It is not + impossible that the agents of different descriptions, destined to the + service of conciliating the interior to republicanism, might alone form an + army equal to that of the Allies; but this is a task, where the numbers + employed only serve to render it more difficult. They, however, procure + submission, if they do not create affection; and the Convention is not + delicate. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_24" id="short4_4_24"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, Sept. 30, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The domestic politics of France are replete with novelties: the Convention + is at war with the Jacobins—and the people, even to the most decided + aristocrats, have become partizans of the Convention.—My last + letters have explained the origin of these phaenomena, and I will now add + a few words on their progress. + </p> + <p> + You have seen that, at the fall of Robespierre, the revolutionary + government had reached the very summit of despotism, and that the + Convention found themselves under the necessity of appearing to be + directed by a new impulse, or of acknowledging their participation in the + crimes they affected to deplore.—In consequence, almost without the + direct repeal of any law, (except some which affected their own security,) + a more moderate system has been gradually adopted, or, to speak more + correctly, the revolutionary one is suffered to relax. The Jacobins behold + these popular measures with extreme jealousy, as a means which may in time + render the legislature independent of them; and it is certainly not the + least of their discontents, that, after all their labours in the common + cause, they find themselves excluded both from power and emoluments. + Accustomed to carry every thing by violence, and more ferocious than + politic, they have, by insisting on the reincarceration of suspected + people, attached a numerous party to the Convention, which is thus warned + that its own safety depends on repressing the influence of clubs, which + not only loudly demand that the prisons may be again filled, but + frequently debate on the project of transporting all the "enemies of the + republic" together. + </p> + <p> + The liberty of the press, also, is a theme of discord not less important + than the emancipation of aristocrats. The Jacobins are decidedly adverse + to it; and it is a sort of revolutionary solecism, that those who boast of + having been the original destroyers of despotism, are now the advocates of + arbitrary imprisonment, and restraints on the freedom of the press. The + Convention itself is divided on the latter subject; and, after a + revolution of five years, founded on the doctrine of the rights of man, it + has become matter of dispute—whether so principal an article of them + ought really to exist or not. They seem, indeed, willing to allow it, + provided restrictions can be devised which may prevent calumny from + reaching their own persons; but as that cannot easily be atchieved, they + not only contend against the liberty of the press in practice, but have + hitherto refused to sanction it by decree, even as a principle. + </p> + <p> + It is perhaps reluctantly that the Convention opposes these powerful and + extended combinations which have so long been its support, and it may + dread the consequences of being left without the means of overawing or + influencing the people; but the example of the Brissotins, who, by + attempting to profit by the services of the Jacobins, without submitting + to their domination, fell a sacrifice, has warned their survivors of the + danger of employing such instruments. It is evident that the clubs will + not act subordinately, and that they must either be subdued to + insignificance, or regain their authority entirely; and as neither the + people nor Convention are disposed to acquiesce in the latter, they are + politicly joining their efforts to accelerate the former. + </p> + <p> + Yet, notwithstanding these reciprocal cajoleries, the return of justice is + slow and mutable; an instinctive or habitual preference of evil appears at + times to direct the Convention, even in opposition to their own interests. + They have as yet done little towards repairing the calamities of which + they are the authors; and we welcome the little they have done, not for + its intrinsic value, but as we do the first spring flowers—which, + though of no great sweetness or beauty, we consider as pledges that the + storms of winter are over, and that a milder season is approaching.—It + is true, the revolutionary Committees are diminished in number, the + prisons are disencumbered, and a man is not liable to be arrested because + a Jacobin suspects his features: yet there is a wide difference between + such toleration and freedom and security; and it is a circumstance not + favourable to those who look beyond the moment, that the tyrannical laws + which authorized all the late enormities are still unrepealed. The + Revolutionary Tribunal continues to sentence people to death, on pretexts + as frivolous as those which were employed in the time of Robespierre; they + have only the advantage of being tried more formally, and of forfeiting + their lives upon proof, instead of without it, for actions that a strictly + administered justice would not punish by a month's imprisonment.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * For instance, a young monk, for writing fanatic letters, and signing + resolutions in favour of foederalism—a hosier, for facilitating + the return of an emigrant—a man of ninety, for speaking against + the revolution, and discrediting the assignats—a contractor, for + embezzling forage—people of various descriptions, for obstructing + the recruitment, or insulting the tree of liberty. These, and many + similar condemnations, will be found in the proceedings of the + Revolutionary Tribunal, long after the death of Robespierre, and when + justice and humanity were said to be restored. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + A ceremony has lately taken place, the object of which was to deposit the + ashes of Marat in the Pantheon, and to dislodge the bust of Mirabeau— + who, notwithstanding two years notice to quit this mansion of immortality, + still remained there. The ashes of Marat being escorted to the Convention + by a detachment of Jacobins, and the President having properly descanted + on the virtues which once animated the said ashes, they were conveyed to + the place destined for their reception; and the excommunicated Mirabeau + being delivered over to the secular arm of a beadle, these remains of the + divine Marat were placed among the rest of the republican deities. To have + obliged the Convention in a body to attend and consecrate the crimes of + this monster, though it could not degrade them, was a momentary triumph + for the Jacobins, nor could the royalists behold without satisfaction the + same men deploring the death of Marat, who, a month before, had celebrated + the fall of Louis the Sixteenth! To have been so deplored, and so + celebrated, are, methinks, the very extremes of infamy and glory. + </p> + <p> + I must explain to you, that the Jacobins have lately been composed of two + parties—the avowed adherents of Collot, Billaud, &c. and the + concealed remains of those attached to Robespierre; but party has now + given way to principle, a circumstance not usual; and the whole club of + Paris, with several of the affiliated ones, join in censuring the + innovating tendencies of the Convention.—It is curious to read the + debates of the parent society, which pass in afflicting details of the + persecutions experienced by the patriots on the parts of the moderates and + aristocrats, who, they assert, are become so daring as even to call in + question the purity of the immortal Marat. You will suppose, of course, + that this cruel persecution is nothing more than an interdiction to + persecute others; and their notions of patriotism and moderation may be + conceived by their having just expelled Tallien and Freron as moderates.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Freron endeavoured, on this occasion, to disculpate himself from the + charge of "moderantisme," by alledging he had opposed Lecointre's + denunciation of Barrere, &c.—and certainly one who piques + himself on being the pupil of the divine Marat, was worthy of remaining + in the fraternity from which he was now expelled.—Freron is a + veteran journalist of the revolution, of better talents, though not of + better fame, than the generality of his contemporaries: or, rather, his + early efforts in exciting the people to rebellion entitle him to a + preeminence of infamy. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_25" id="short4_4_25"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, October 4, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + We have had our guard withdrawn for some days; and I am just now returned + from Peronne, where we had been in order to see the seals taken off the + papers, &c. which I left there last year. I am much struck with the + alteration observable in people's countenances. Every person I meet seems + to have contracted a sort of revolutionary aspect: many walk with their + heads down, and with half-shut eyes measure the whole length of a street, + as though they were still intent on avoiding greetings from the + suspicious; some look grave and sorrow-worn; some apprehensive, as if in + hourly expectation of a <i>mandat d'arret;</i> and others absolutely + ferocious, from a habit of affecting the barbarity of the times. + </p> + <p> + Their language is nearly as much changed as their appearance—the + revolutionary jargon is universal, and the most distinguished aristocrats + converse in the style of Barrere's reports. The common people are not less + proficients in this fashionable dialect, than their superiors; and, as far + as I can judge, are become so from similar motives. While I was waiting + this morning at a shop-door, I listened to a beggar who was cheapening a + slice of pumpkin, and on some disagreement about the price, the beggar + told the old <i>revendeuse</i> [Market-woman.] that she was <i>"gangrenee + d'aristocratie."</i> ["Eat up with aristocracy."] <i>"Je vous en defie,"</i> + ["I defy you."] retorted the pumpkin-merchant; but turning pale as she + spoke, <i>"Mon civisme est a toute epreuve, mais prenez donc ta + citrouille,"</i> ["My civism is unquestionable; but here take your + pumpkin."] take it then." <i>"Ah, te voila bonne republicaine,</i> ["Ah! + Now I see you are a good republican."] says the beggar, carrying off her + bargain; while the old woman muttered, <i>"Oui, oui, l'on a beau etre + republicaine tandis qu'on n'a pas de pain a manger."</i> ["Yes, in troth, + it's a fine thing to be a republican, and have no bread to eat."] + </p> + <p> + I hear little of the positive merits of the convention, but the hope is + general that they will soon suppress the Jacobin clubs; yet their attacks + continue so cold and cautious, that their intentions are at least + doubtful: they know the voice of the nation at large would be in favour of + such a measure, and they might, if sincere, act more decisively, without + risk to themselves.—The truth is, they would willingly proscribe the + persons of the Jacobins, while they cling to their principles, and still + hesitate whether they shall confide in a people whose resentment they have + so much deserved, and have so much reason to dread. Conscious guilt + appears to shackle all their proceedings, and though the punishment of + some subordinate agents cannot, in the present state of things, be + dispensed with, yet the Assembly unveil the register of their crimes very + reluctantly, as if each member expected to see his own name inscribed on + it. Thus, even delinquents, who would otherwise be sacrificed voluntarily + to public justice, are in a manner protected by delays and chicane, + because an investigation might implicate the Convention as the example and + authoriser of their enormities.—Fouquier Tinville devoted a thousand + innocent people to death in less time than it has already taken to bring + him to a trial, where he will benefit by all those judicial forms which he + has so often refused to others. This man, who is much the subject of + conversation at present, was Public Accuser to the Revolutionary Tribunal—an + office which, at best, in this instance, only served to give an air of + regularity to assassination: but, by a sort of genius in turpitude, he + contrived to render it odious beyond its original perversion, in giving to + the most elaborate and revolting cruelties a turn of spontaneous + pleasantry, or legal procedure.—The prisoners were insulted with + sarcasms, intimidated by threats, and still oftener silenced by arbitrary + declarations, that they were not entitled to speak; and those who were + taken to the scaffold, after no other ceremony than calling over their + names, had less reason to complain, than if they had previously been + exposed to the barbarities of such trials.—Yet this wretch might, + for a time at least, have escaped punishment, had he not, in defending + himself, criminated the remains of the Committee, whom it was intended to + screen. When he appeared at the bar of the Convention, every word he + uttered seemed to fill its members with alarm, and he was ordered away + before he could finish his declaration. It must be acknowledged, that, + however he may be condemned by justice and humanity, nothing could legally + attach to him: he was only the agent of the Convention, and the utmost + horrors of the Tribunal were not merely sanctioned, but enjoined by + specific decrees. + </p> + <p> + I have been told by a gentleman who was at school with Fouquier, and has + had frequent occasions of observing him at different periods since, that + he always appeared to him to be a man of mild manners, and by no means + likely to become the instrument of these atrocities; but a strong + addiction to gaming having involved him in embarrassments, he was induced + to accept the office of Public Accuser to the Tribunal, and was + progressively led on from administering to the iniquity of his employers, + to find a gratification in it himself. + </p> + <p> + I have often thought, that the habit of watching with selfish avidity for + those turns of fortune which enrich one individual by the misery of + another, must imperceptibly tend to harden the heart. How can the + gamester, accustomed both to suffer and inflict ruin with indifference, + preserve that benevolent frame of mind, which, in the ordinary and less + censurable pursuits of common life, is but too prone to become impaired, + and to leave humanity more a duty than a feeling? + </p> + <p> + The conduct of Fouquier Tinville has led me to some reflections on a + subject which I know the French consider as matter of triumph, and as a + peculiar advantage which their national character enjoys over the English—I + mean that smoothness of manner and guardedness of expression which they + call "aimable," and which they have the faculty of attaining and + preserving distinctly from a correspondent temper of the mind. It + accompanies them through the most irritating vicissitudes, and enables + them to deceive, even without deceit: for though this suavity is habitual, + of course frequently undesigning, the stranger is nevertheless thrown off + his guard by it, and tempted to place confidence, or expect services, + which a less conciliating deportment would not have been suggested. A + Frenchman may be an unkind husband, a severe parent, or an arrogant + master, yet never contract his features, or asperate his voice, and for + this reason is, in the national sense, "un homme bien doux." His heart may + become corrupt, his principles immoral, and his disposition ferocious—yet + he shall still retain his equability of tone and complacent phraseology, + and be "un homme bien aimable." + </p> + <p> + The revolution has tended much to develope this peculiarity of the French + character, and has, by various examples in public life, confirmed the + opinions I had formed from previous observation. Fouquier Tinville, as I + have already noticed, was a man of gentle exterior.—Couthon, the + execrable associate of Robespierre, was mildness itself—Robespierre's + harangues are in a style of distinguished sensibility—and even + Carrier, the destroyer of thirty thousand Nantais, is attested by his + fellow-students to have been of an amiable disposition. I know a man of + most insinuating address, who has been the means of conducting his own + brother to the Guillotine; and another nearly as prepossessing, who, + without losing his courteous demeanor, was, during the late revolutionary + excesses, the intimate of an executioner. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *It would be too voluminous to enumerate all the contrasts of manners + and character exhibited during the French revolution—The + philosophic Condorcet, pursuing with malignancy his patron, the Duc de + la Rochefoucault, and hesitating with atrocious mildness on the sentence + of the King—The massacres of the prisons connived at by the gentle + Petion—Collot d'Herbois dispatching, by one discharge of cannon, + three hundred people together, "to spare his sensibility" the talk of + executions in detail—And St. Just, the deviser of a thousand + enormities, when he left the Committee, after his last interview, with + the project of sending them all to the Guillotine, telling them, in a + tone of tender reproach, like a lover of romance, "Vous avez fletri mon + coeur, je vais l'ouvrir a la Convention."— Madame Roland, in spite + of the tenderness of her sex, could coldly reason on the expediency of a + civil war, which she acknowledged might become necessary to establish + the republic. Let those who disapprove this censure of a female, whom it + is a sort of mode to lament, recollect that Madame Roland was the victim + of a celebrity she had acquired in assisting the efforts of faction to + dethrone the King—that her literary bureau was dedicated to the + purpose of exasperating the people against him—and that she was + considerably instrumental to the events which occasioned his death. If + her talents and accomplishments make her an object of regret, it was to + the unnatural misapplication of those talents and accomplishments in the + service of party, that she owed her fate. Her own opinion was, that + thousands might justifiably be devoted to the establishment of a + favourite system; or, to speak truly, to the aggrandisement of those who + were its partizans. The same selfish principle actuated an opposite + faction, and she became the sacrifice.—"Oh even-handed justice!" + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I do not pretend to decide whether the English are virtually more gentle + in their nature than the French; but I am persuaded this douceur, on which + the latter pride themselves, affords no proof of the contrary. An + Englishman is seldom out of humour, without proclaiming it to all the + world; and the most forcible motives of interest, or expediency, cannot + always prevail on him to assume a more engaging external than that which + delineates his feelings. + </p> + <p> + If he has a matter to refuse, he usually begins by fortifying himself with + a little ruggedness of manner, by way of prefacing a denial he might + otherwise not have resolution to persevere in. "The hows and whens of + life" corrugate his features, and disharmonize his periods; contradiction + sours, and passion ruffles him—and, in short, an Englishman + displeased, from whatever cause, is neither "un homme bien doux," nor "un + homme bien aimable;" but such as nature has made him, subject to + infirmities and sorrows, and unable to disguise the one, or appear + indifferent to the other. Our country, like every other, has doubtless + produced too many examples of human depravity; but I scarcely recollect + any, where a ferocious disposition was not accompanied by corresponding + manners—or where men, who would plunder or massacre, affected to + retain at the same time habits of softness, and a conciliating + physiognomy. + </p> + <p> + We are, I think, on the whole, authorized to conclude, that, in + determining the claims to national superiority, the boasted and unvarying + controul which the French exercise over their features and accents, is not + a merit; nor those indications of what passes within, to which the English + are subject, an imperfection. If the French sometimes supply their want of + kindness, or render disappointment less acute at the moment, by a sterile + complacency, the English harshness is often only the alloy to an efficient + benevolence, and a sympathizing mind. In France they have no humourists + who seem impelled by their nature to do good, in spite of their + temperament—nor have we in England many people who are cold and + unfeeling, yet systematically aimable: but I must still persist in not + thinking it a defect that we are too impetuous, or perhaps too ingenuous, + to unite contradictions. + </p> + <p> + There is a cause, that doubtless has its effects in representing the + English disadvantageously, and which I have never heard properly allowed + for. The liberty of the press, and the great interest taken by all ranks + of people in public affairs, have occasioned a more numerous circulation + of periodical prints of every kind in England, than in any other country + in Europe. Now, as it is impossible to fill them constantly with politics, + and as the taste of different readers must be consulted, every barbarous + adventure, suicide, murder, robbery, domestic fracas, assaults, and + batteries of the lower orders, with the duels and divorces of the higher, + are all chronicled in various publications, disseminated over Europe, and + convey an idea that we are a very miserable, ferocious, and dissolute + nation. The foreign gazettes being chiefly appropriated to public affairs, + seldom record either the vices, the crimes, or misfortunes of individuals; + so that they are thereby at least prevented from fixing an unfavourable + judgement on the national character. + </p> + <p> + Mercier observes, that the number of suicides committed in Paris was + supposed to exceed greatly that of similar disasters in London; and that + murders in France were always accompanied by circumstances of peculiar + horror, though policy and custom had rendered the publication of such + events less general than with us.—Our divorces, at which the Gallic + purity of manners used to be so much scandalized, are, no doubt, to be + regretted; but that such separations were not then allowed, or desired in + France, may perhaps be attributed, at least as justly, to the complaisance + of husbands, as to the discretion of wives, or the national morality.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * At present, in the monthly statement, the number of divorces in + France, is often nearly equal to that of the marriages. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I should reproach myself if I could feel impartial when I contemplate the + English character; yet I certainly endeavour to write as though I were so. + If I have erred, it has been rather in allowing too much to received + opinions on the subject of this country, than in suffering my affections + to make me unjust; for though I am far from affecting the fashion of the + day, which censures all prejudices as illiberal, except those in disfavour + of our own country, yet I am warranted, I hope, in saying, that however + partial I may appear to England, I have not been so at the expence of + truth.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_26" id="short4_4_26"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + October 6, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The sufferings of individuals have often been the means of destroying or + reforming the most powerful tyrannies; reason has been convinced by + argument, and passion appealed to by declamation in vain—when some + unvarnished tale, or simple exposure of facts, has at once rouzed the + feelings, and conquered the supineness of an oppressed people. + </p> + <p> + The revolutionary government, in spite of the clamorous and weekly + swearings of the Convention to perpetuate it, has received a check from an + event of this nature, which I trust it will never recover.—By an + order of the Revolutionary Committee of Nantes, in November 1793, all + prisoners accused of political crimes were to be transferred to Paris, + where the tribunal being more immediately under the direction of + government, there would be no chance of their acquittal. In consequence of + this order, an hundred and thirty-two inhabitants of Nantes, arrested on + the usual pretexts of foederalism, or as suspected, or being Muscadins, + were, some months after, conducted to Paris. Forty of the number died + through the hardships and ill treatment they encountered on the way, the + rest remained in prison until after the death of Robespierre. + </p> + <p> + The evidence produced on their trial, which lately took place, has + revealed but too circumstantially all the horrors of the revolutionary + system. Destruction in every form, most shocking to morals or humanity, + has depopulated the countries of the Loire; and republican Pizarro's and + Almagro's seem to have rivalled each other in the invention and + perpetration of crimes. + </p> + <p> + When the prisons of Nantes overflowed, many hundreds of their miserable + inhabitants had been conducted by night, and chained together, to the + river side; where, being first stripped of their clothes, they were + crouded into vessels with false bottoms, constructed for the purpose, and + sunk.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Though the horror excited by such atrocious details must be + serviceable to humanity, I am constrained by decency to spare the reader + a part of them. Let the imagination, however repugnant, pause for a + moment over these scenes—Five, eight hundred people of different + sexes, ages, and conditions, are taken from their prisons, in the dreary + months of December and January, and conducted, during the silence of the + night, to the banks of the Loire. The agents of the Republic there + despoil them of their clothes, and force them, shivering and + defenceless, to enter the machines prepared for their destruction—they + are chained down, to prevent their escape by swimming, and then the + bottom is detached for the upper part, and sunk.—On some occasions + the miserable victims contrived to loose themselves, and clinging to the + boards near them, shrieked in the agonies of despair and death, "O save + us! it is not even now too late: in mercy save us!" But they appealed to + wretches to whom mercy was a stranger; and, being cut away from their + hold by strokes of the sabre, perished with their companions. That + nothing might be wanting to these outrages against nature, they were + escribed as jests, and called "Noyades, water parties," and "civic + baptisms"! Carrier, a Deputy of the Convention, used to dine and make + parties of pleasure, accompanied by music and every species of gross + luxury, on board the barges appropriated to these execrable purposes. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —At one time, six hundred children appear to have been destroyed in + this manner;—young people of different sexes were tied in pairs and + thrown into the river;—thousands were shot in the high roads and in + the fields; and vast numbers were guillotined, without a trial!* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Six young women, (the <i>Mesdemoiselles la Meterie,</i>) in + particular, sisters, and all under four-and-twenty, were ordered to the + Guillotine together: the youngest died instantly of fear, the rest were + executed successively.—A child eleven years old, who had + previously told the executioner, with affecting simplicity, that he + hoped he would not hurt him much, received three strokes of the + Guillotine before his head was severed from his body. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Two thousand died, in less than two months, of a pestilence, + occasioned by this carnage: the air became infected, and the waters of the + Loire empoisoned, by dead bodies; and those whom tyranny yet spared, + perished by the elements which nature intended for their support.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Vast sums were exacted from the Nantais for purifying the air, and + taking precautions against epidemical disorders. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + But I will not dwell on horrors, which, if not already known to all + Europe, I should be unequal to describe: suffice it to say, that whatever + could disgrace or afflict mankind, whatever could add disgust to + detestation, and render cruelty, if possible, less odious than the + circumstances by which it was accompanied, has been exhibited in this + unfortunate city.—Both the accused and their witnesses were at first + timid through apprehension, but by degrees the monstrous mysteries of the + government were laid open, and it appeared, beyond denial or palliation, + that these enormities were either devised, assisted, or connived at, by + Deputies of the Convention, celebrated for their ardent republicanism and + revolutionary zeal.—The danger of confiding unlimited power to such + men as composed the majority of the Assembly, was now displayed in a + manner that penetrated the dullest imagination, and the coldest heart; and + it was found, that, armed with decrees, aided by revolutionary committees, + revolutionary troops, and revolutionary vehicles of destruction,* + missionaries selected by choice from the whole representation, had, in the + city of Nantes alone, and under the mask of enthusiastic patriotism, + sacrificed thirty thousand people! + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * A company was formed of all the ruffians that could be collected + together. They were styled the Company of Marat, and were specially + empowered to arrest whomsoever they chose, and to enter houses by night + or day—in fine, to proscribe and pillage at their pleasure. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Facts like these require no comment. The nation may be intimidated, and + habits of obedience, or despair of redress, prolong its submission; but it + can no longer be deceived: and patriotism, revolutionary liberty, and + philosophy, are for ever associated with the drowning machines of Carrier, + and the precepts and calculations of a Herault de Sechelles,* or a + Lequinio.**— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Herault de Sechelles was distinguished by birth, talents, and fortune, + above most of his colleagues in the Convention; yet we find him in + correspondence with Carrier, applauding his enormities, and advising him + how to continue them with effect.—Herault was of a noble family, + and had been a president in the Parliament of Paris. He was one of + Robespierre's Committee of Public Welfare, and being in some way + implicated in a charge of treachery brought against Simon, another + Deputy, was guillotined at the same time with Danton. ** Lequinio is a + philosopher by profession, who has endeavoured to enlighten his + countrymen by a publication entitled "<i>Les Prejuges Detruits,</i>" and + since by proving it advantageous to make no prisoners of war. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The ninety Nantais, against whom there existed no serious charge, + and who had already suffered more than death, were acquitted. Yet, though + the people were gratified by this verdict, and the general indignation + appeased by an immediate arrest of those who had been most notoriously + active in these dreadful operations, a deep and salutary impression + remains, and we may hope it will be found impracticable either to renew + the same scenes, or for the Convention to shelter (as they seemed disposed + to do) the principal criminals, who are members of their own body. Yet, + how are these delinquents to be brought to condemnation? They all acted + under competent authority, and their dispatches to the Convention, which + sufficiently indicated their proceedings, were always sanctioned by + circulation, and applauded, according to the excess of their + flagitiousness. + </p> + <p> + It is worthy of remark, that Nantes, the principal theatre of these + persecutions and murders, had been early distinguished by the attachment + of its inhabitants to the revolution; insomuch, that, at the memorable + epoch when the short-sighted policy of the Court excluded the Constituent + Assembly from their Hall at Versailles, and they took refuge in the Jeu de + Paume, with a resolution fatal to their country, never to separate until + they had obtained their purposes, an express was sent to Nantes, as the + place they should make choice of, if any violence obliged them to quit the + neighbourhood of Paris. + </p> + <p> + But it was not only by its principles that Nantes had signalized itself; + at every period of the war, it had contributed largely both in men and + money, and its riches and commerce still rendered it one of the most + important towns of the republic.—What has been its reward?—Barbarous + envoys from the Convention, sent expressly to level the aristocracy of + wealth, to crush its mercantile spirit, and decimate its inhabitants.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * When Nantes was reduced almost to a state of famine by the destruction + of commerce, and the supplies drawn for the maintenance of the armies, + Commissioners were sent to Paris, to solicit a supply of provisions. + They applied to Carrier, as being best acquainted with their distress, + and were answered in this language:—<i>"Demandez, pour Nantes! je + solliciterai qu'on porte le fer et la flamme dans cette abominable + ville. Vous etes tous des coquins, des contre- revolutionnaires, des + brigands, des scelerats, je ferai nommer une commission par la + Convention Nationale.—J'irai moi meme a la tete de cette + commission.—Scelerats, je serai rouler les tetes dans Nantes—je + regenererai Nantes."</i>—"Is it for Nantes that you petition? I'll + exert my influence to have fire and sword carried into that abominable + city. You are all scoundrels, counter- revolutionists, thieves, + miscreants.—I'll have a commission appointed by the Convention, + and go myself at the head of it.— Villains, I'll set your heads a + rolling about Nantes—I'll regenerate Nantes." Report of the + Commission of Twenty-one, on the conduct of Carrier. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Terrible lesson for those discontented and mistaken people, who, + enriched by commerce, are not content with freedom and independence, but + seek for visionary benefits, by becoming the partizans of innovation, or + the tools of faction!* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The disasters of Nantes ought not to be lost to the republicans of + Birmingham, Manchester, and other great commercial towns, where "men + fall out they know not why;" and where their increasing wealth and + prosperity are the best eulogiums on the constitution they attempt to + undermine. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I have hitherto said little of La Vendee; but the fate of Nantes is so + nearly connected with it, that I shall make it the subject of my next + letter. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_27" id="short4_4_27"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + [No Date or Place Given.] + </h2> + <p> + It appears, that the greater part of the inhabitants of Poitou, Anjou, and + the Southern divisions of Brittany, now distinguished by the general + appellation of the people of La Vendee, (though they include those of + several other departments,) never either comprehended or adopted the + principles of the French revolution. Many different causes contributed to + increase their original aversion from the new system, and to give their + resistance that consistency, which has since become so formidable. A + partiality for their ancient customs, an attachment to their Noblesse, and + a deference for their Priests, are said to characterize the brave and + simple natives of La Vendee. Hence republican writers, with + self-complacent decision, always treat this war as the effect of + ignorance, slavery, and superstition. + </p> + <p> + The modern reformist, who calls the labourer from the plough, and the + artizan from the loom, to make them statesmen or philosophers, and who has + invaded the abodes of contented industry with the rights of man, that our + fields may be cultivated, and our garments wove, by metaphysicians, will + readily assent to this opinion.—Yet a more enlightened and liberal + philosophy may be tempted to examine how far the Vendeans have really + merited the contempt and persecution of which they have been the objects. + By the confession of the republicans themselves, they are religious, + hospitable, and frugal, humane and merciful towards their enemies, and + easily persuaded to whatever is just and reasonable. + </p> + <p> + I do not pretend to combat the narrow prejudices of those who suppose the + worth or happiness of mankind compatible but with one set of opinions; and + who, confounding the adventitious with the essential, appreciate only book + learning: but surely, qualities which imply a knowledge of what is due + both to God and man, and information sufficient to yield to what is right + or rational, are not descriptive of barbarians; or at least, we may say + with Phyrrhus, "there is nothing barbarous in their discipline."* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *"The husbandmen of this country are in general men of simple manners, + naturally well inclined, or at least not addicted to serious vices." + Lequinio, Guerre de La Vendee. Dubois de Crance, speaking of the + inhabitants of La Vendee, says, "They are the most hospitable people I + ever saw, and always disposed to listen to what is just and reasonable, + if proffered with mildness and humanity." "This unpolished people, whom, + however, it is much less difficult to persuade than to fight." Lequinio, + G. de La V. "They affected towards our prisoners a deceitful humanity, + neglecting no means to draw them over to their own party, and often + sending them back to us with only a simple prohibition to bear arms + against the King or religion." Report of Richard and Choudieu. The + ignorant Vendeans then could give lessons of policy and humanity, which + the "enlightened" republicans were not capable of profiting by. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Their adherence to their ancient institutions, and attachment to + their Gentry and Clergy, when the former were abolished and the latter + proscribed, might warrant a presumption that they were happy under the + one, and kindly treated by the other: for though individuals may sometimes + persevere in affections or habits from which they derive neither felicity + nor advantage, whole bodies of men can scarcely be supposed eager to risk + their lives in defence of privileges that have oppressed them, or of a + religion from which they draw no consolation. + </p> + <p> + But whatever the cause, the new doctrines, both civil and religious, were + received in La Vendee with a disgust, which was not only expressed by + murmurs, but occasionally by little revolts, by disobedience to the + constitutional authorities, and a rejection of the constitutional clergy. + </p> + <p> + Some time previous to the deposition of the King, Commissioners were sent + to suppress these disorders; and though I doubt not but all possible means + were taken to conciliate, I can easily believe, that neither the King nor + his Ministers might be desirous of subduing by force a people who erred + only from piety or loyalty. What effect this system of indulgence might + have produced cannot now be decided; because the subsequent overthrow of + the monarchy, and the massacre or banishment of the priests, must have + totally alienated their minds, and precluded all hope of reconcilement.—Disaffection, + therefore, continued to increase, and the Brissotines are suspected of + having rather fostered than repressed these intestine commotions,* for the + same purpose which induced them to provoke the war with England, and to + extend that of the Continent. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Le Brun, one of the Brissotin Ministers, concealed the progress of + this war for six months before he thought fit to report it to the + Convention. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —It is impossible to assign a good motive to any act of this + literary intriguer. + </p> + <p> + —Perhaps, while they determined to establish their faction by + "braving all Europe," they might think it equally politic to perplex and + overawe Paris by a near and dangerous enemy, which would render their + continuance in power necessary, or whom they might join, if expelled from + it.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This last reason might afterwards have given way to their + apprehensions, and the Brissotins have preferred the creation of new + civil wars, to a confidence in the royalists. These men, who condemned + the King for a supposed intention of defending an authority transmitted + to him through whole ages, and recently sanctioned by the voice of the + people, did not scruple to excite a civil war in defence of their six + months' sovereignty over a republic, proclaimed by a ferocious comedian, + and certainly without the assent of the nation. Had the ill-fated + Monarch dared thus to trifle with the lives of his subjects, he might + have saved France and himself from ruin. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + When men gratify their ambition by means so sanguinary and atrocious as + those resorted to by the Brissotines, we are authorized in concluding they + will not be more scrupulous in the use or preservation of power, than they + were in attaining it; and we can have no doubt but that the fomenting or + suppressing the progress of civil discord, was, with them, a mere question + of expediency. + </p> + <p> + The decree which took place in March, 1793, for raising three hundred + thousand men in the departments, changed the partial insurrections of La + Vendee to an open and connected rebellion; and every where the young + people refused going, and joined in preference the standard of revolt. In + the beginning of the summer, the brigands* (as they were called) grew so + numerous, that the government, now in the hands of Robespierre and his + party, began to take serious measures to combat them. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Robbers—<i>banditti</i>—The name was first given, + probably, to the insurgents of La Vendee, in order to insinuate a belief + that the disorders were but of a slight and predatory nature. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —One body of troops were dispatched after another, who were all + successively defeated, and every where fled before the royalists. + </p> + <p> + It is not unusual in political concerns to attribute to deep-laid plans + and abstruse combinations, effects which are the natural result of private + passions and isolated interests. Robespierre is said to have promoted both + the destruction of the republican armies and those of La Vendee, in order + to reduce the national population. That he was capable of imagining such a + project is probable—yet we need not, in tracing the conduct of the + war, look farther than to the character of the agents who were, almost + necessarily, employed in it. Nearly every officer qualified for the + command of an army, had either emigrated, or was on service at the + frontiers; and the task of reducing by violence a people who resisted only + because they deemed themselves injured, and who, even in the estimation of + the republicans, could only be mistaken, was naturally avoided by all men + who were not mere adventurers. It might likewise be the policy of the + government to prefer the services of those, who, having neither reputation + nor property, would be more dependent, and whom, whether they became + dangerous by their successes or defeats, it would be easy to sacrifice. + </p> + <p> + Either, then, from necessity or choice, the republican armies in La Vendee + were conducted by dissolute and rapacious wretches, at all times more + eager to pillage than fight, and who were engaged in securing their + plunder, when they should have been in pursuit of the enemy. On every + occasion they seemed to retreat, that their ill success might afford them + a pretext for declaring that the next town or village was confederated + with the insurgents, and for delivering it up, in consequence, to murder + and rapine. Such of the soldiers as could fill their pocket-books with + assignats, left their less successful companions, and retired as invalids + to the hospitals: the battalions of Paris (and particularly "the + conquerors of the Bastille") had such ardour for pillage, that every + person possessed of property was, in their sense, an aristocrat, whom it + was lawful to despoil.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * <i>"Le pillage a ete porte a son comble—les militaires au lieu + de songer a ce qu'ils avoient a faire, n'ont pense qu'a remplir leurs + sacs, et a voir se perpetuer une guerre aussi avantageuse a leur interet—beaucoup + de simples soldats ont acquis cinquante mille francs et plus; on en a vu + couverts de bijoux, et faisant dans tous les genres des depenses d'une + produgaloite, monstreuse." Lequinio, Guerre de la Vendee.</i> "The most + unbridled pillage prevailed—officers, instead of attending to + their duty, thought only of filling their portmanteaus, and of the means + to perpetuate a war they found so profitable.—Many private + soldiers made fifty thousand livres, and they have been seen loaded with + trinkets, and exercising the most abominable prodigalities of every + kind." Lequinio, War of La Vendee. "The conquerors of the Bastille had + unluckily a most unbridled ardour for pillage—one would have + supposed they had come for the express purpose of plunder, rather than + fighting. The stage coaches for Paris were entirely loaded with their + booty." Report of Benaben, Commissioner of the Department of Maine and + Loire. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The carriages of the army were entirely appropriated to the + conveyance of their booty; till, at last, the administrators of some + departments were under the necessity of forbidding such incumbrances: but + the officers, with whom restrictions of this sort were unavailing, put all + the horses and waggons of the country in requisition for similar purposes, + while they relaxed themselves from the serious business of the war, (which + indeed was nearly confined to burning, plundering, and massacring the + defenceless inhabitants,) by a numerous retinue of mistresses and + musicians. + </p> + <p> + It is not surprizing that generals and troops of this description were + constantly defeated; and their reiterated disasters might probably have + first suggested the idea of totally exterminating a people it was found so + difficult to subdue, and so impracticable to conciliate.—On the + first of October 1793, Barrere, after inveighing against the excessive + population of La Vendee, which he termed "frightful," proposed to the + Convention to proclaim by a decree, that the war of La Vendee "should be + terminated" by the twentieth of the same month. The Convention, with + barbarous folly, obeyed; and the enlightened Parisians, accustomed to + think with contempt on the ignorance of the Vendeans, believed that a war, + which had baffled the efforts of government for so many months, was to end + on a precise day—which Barrere had fixed with as much assurance as + though he had only been ordering a fete. + </p> + <p> + But the Convention and the government understood this decree in a very + different sense from the good people of Paris. The war was, indeed, to be + ended; not by the usual mode of combating armies, but by a total + extinction of all the inhabitants of the country, both innocent and guilty—and + Merlin de Thionville, with other members, so perfectly comprehended this + detestable project, that they already began to devise schemes for + repeopling La Vendee, when its miserable natives should be destroyed.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It is for the credit of humanity to believe, that the decree was not + understood according to its real intention; but the nation has to choose + between the imputation of cruelty, stupidity, or slavery— for they + either approved the sense of the decree, believed what was not possible, + or were obliged to put on an appearance of both, in spite of their + senses and their feelings. A proclamation, in consequence, to the army, + is more explicit—"All the brigands of La Vendee must be + exterminated before the end of October." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + From this time, the representatives on mission, commissaries of war, + officers, soldiers, and agents of every kind, vied with each other in the + most abominable outrages. Carrier superintended the fusillades and noyades + at Nantes, while Lequinio dispatched with his own hands a part of the + prisoners taken at La Fontenay, and projected the destruction of the rest.—After + the evacuation of Mans by the insurgents, women were brought by twenties + and thirties, and shot before the house where the deputies Tureau and + Bourbotte had taken up their residence; and it appears to have been + considered as a compliment to these republican Molochs, to surround their + habitation with mountains of the dead. A compliment of the like nature was + paid to the representative Prieur de la Marne,* by a volunteer, who having + learned that his own brother was taken amongst the enemy, requested, by + way of recommending himself to notice, a formal permission to be his + executioner.—The Roman stoicism of Prieur accepted the implied + homage, and granted the request!! + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This representative, who was also a member of the Committee of Public + Welfare, was not only the Brutus, but the Antony of La Vendee; for we + learn from the report of Benaben, that his stern virtues were + accompanied, through the whole of his mission in this afflicted country, + by a cortege of thirty strolling fiddlers! + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Fourteen hundred prisoners, who had surrendered at Savenay, among whom + were many women and children, were shot, by order of the deputy + Francastel, who, together with Hentz, Richard, Choudieu, Carpentier, and + others of their colleagues, set an example of rapine and cruelty, but too + zealously imitated by their subordinate agents. In some places, the + inhabitants, without distinction of age or sex, were put indiscriminately + to the sword; in others, they were forced to carry the pillage collected + from their own dwellings, which, after being thus stripped, were consigned + to the flames.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "This conflagration accomplished, they had no sooner arrived in the + midst of our army, than the volunteers, in imitation of their + commanders, seized what little they had preserved, and massacred them.—But + this is not all: a whole municipality, in their scarfs of office, were + sacrificed; and at a little village, inhabited by about fifty good + patriots, who had been uniform in their resistance of the insurgents, + news is brought that their brother soldiers are coming to assist them, + and to revenge the wrongs they have suffered. A friendly repast is + provided, the military arrive, embrace their ill-fated hosts, and devour + what they have provided; which is no sooner done, than they drive all + these poor people into the churchyard, and stab them one after another." + Report of Faure, Vice-President of a Military Commission at Fontenay. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The heads of the prisoners served occasionally as marks for the + officers to shoot at for trifling wagers, and the soldiers, who imitated + these heinous examples, used to conduct whole hundreds to the place of + execution, singing <i>"allons enfans de la patrie."</i>* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Woe to those who were unable to walk, for, under pretext that + carriages could not be found to convey them, they were shot without + hesitation!—Benaben. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The insurgents had lost Cholet, Chatillon, Mortagne, &c. Yet, far from + being vanquished by the day appointed, they had crossed the Loire in great + force, and, having traversed Brittany, were preparing to make an attack on + Granville. But this did not prevent Barrere from announcing to the + convention, that La Vendee was no more, and the galleries echoed with + applauses, when they were told that the highways were impassable, from the + numbers of the dead, and that a considerable part of France was one vast + cemetery. This intelligence also tranquillized the paternal solicitude of + the legislature, and, for many months, while the system of depopulation + was pursued with the most barbarous fury, it was not permissible even to + suspect that the war was yet unextinguished. + </p> + <p> + It is only since the trial of the Nantais, that the state of La Vendee has + again become a subject of discussion: truth has now forced its way, and we + learn, that, whatever may be the strength of these unhappy people, their + minds, embittered by suffering, and animated by revenge, are still less + than ever disposed to submit to the republican government. The design of + total extirpation, once so much insisted on, is at present said to be + relinquished, and a plan of instruction and conversion is to be + substituted for bayonets and conflagrations. The revolted countries are to + be enlightened by the doctrines of liberty, fanaticism is to be exposed, + and a love of the republic to succeed the prejudices in favour of Kings + and Nobles.—To promote these objects, is, undoubtedly, the real + interest of the Convention; but a moralist, who observes through another + medium, may compare with regret and indignation the instructors with the + people they are to illumine, and the advantages of philosophy over + ignorance. + </p> + <p> + Lequinio, one of the most determined reformers of the barbarism of La + Vendee, proposes two methods: the first is, a general massacre of all the + natives—and the only objection it seems susceptible of in his + opinion is, their numbers; but as he thinks on this account it may be + attended with difficulty, he is for establishing a sort of perpetual + mission of Representatives, who, by the influence of good living and a + company of fiddlers and singers, are to restore the whole country to + peace.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *"The only difficulty that presents itself is, to determine whether + recourse shall be had to the alternative of indulgence, or if it will + not be more advantageous to persist in the plan of total destruction. + "If the people that still remain were not more than thirty or forty + thousand, the shortest way would doubtless be, to cut all their throats + (egorger), agreeably to my first opinion; but the population is immense, + amounting still to four hundred thousand souls.—If there were no + hope of succeeding by any other methods, certainly it were better to + kill all (egorger), even were there five hundred thousand. "But what are + we to understand by measures of rigour? Is there no distinction to be + made between rigorous and barbarous measures? The utmost severity is + justified on the plea of the general good, but nothing can justify + barbarity. If the welfare of France necessitated the sacrifice of the + four hundred thousand inhabitants of La Vendee, and the countries in + rebellion adjoining, they ought to be sacrificed: but, even in this + case, there would be no excuse for those atrocities which revolt nature, + which are an outrage to social order, and repugnant equally to feeling + (sentiment) and reason; and in cutting off so many entire generations + for the good of the country, we ought not to suffer the use of barbarous + means in a single instance. "Now the most effectual way to arrive at + this end (converting the people), would be by joyous and fraternal + missions, frank and familiar harangues, civic repasts, and, above all, + dancing. "I could wish, too, that during their circuits in these + countries, the Representatives were always attended by musicians. The + expence would be trifling, compared with the good effect; if, as I am + strongly persuaded, we could thus succeed in giving a turn to the public + mind, and close the bleeding arteries of these fertile and unhappy + provinces." Lequinio, Guerre de La Vendee. And this people, who were + either to have their throats cut, or be republicanized by means of + singing, dancing, and revolutionary Pans and Silenus's, already beheld + their property devastated by pillage or conflagration, and were in + danger of a pestilence from the unburied bodies of their families.—Let + the reader, who has seen Lequinio's pamphlet, compare his account of the + sufferings of the Vendeans, and his project for conciliating them. They + convey a strong idea of the levity of the national character; but, in + this instance, I must suppose, that nature would be superior to local + influence; and I doubt if Lequinio's jocund philosophy will ever succeed + in attaching the Vendeans to the republic. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Camille Desmouins, a republican reformer, nearly as sanguinary, + though not more liberal, thought the guillotine disgraced by such ignorant + prey, and that it were better to hunt them down like wild beasts; or, if + made prisoners, to exchange them against the cattle of their country!—The + eminently informed Herault de Sechelles was the patron and confidant of + the exterminating reforms of Carrier; and Carnot, when the mode of + reforming by noyades and fusillades was debated at the Committee, pleaded + the cause of Carrier, whom he describes as a good, nay, an excellent + patriot.—Merlin de Thionville, whose philosophy is of a more martial + cast, was desirous that the natives of La Vendee should be completely + annihilated, in order to furnish in their territory and habitations a + recompence for the armies.—Almost every member of the Convention has + individually avowed principles, or committed acts, from which common + turpitude would recoil, and, as a legislative body, their whole code has + been one unvarying subversion of morals and humanity. Such are the men who + value themselves on possessing all the advantages the Vendeans are + pretended to be in want of.—We will now examine what disciples they + have produced, and the benefits which have been derived from their + instructions. + </p> + <p> + Every part of France remarkable for an early proselytism to the + revolutionary doctrines has been the theatre of crimes unparalleled in the + annals of human nature. Those who have most boasted their contempt for + religious superstition have been degraded by an idolatry as gross as any + ever practiced on the Nile; and the most enthusiastic republicans have, + without daring to murmur, submitted for two years successively to a horde + of cruel and immoral tyrants.—A pretended enfranchisement from + political and ecclesiastical slavery has been the signal of the lowest + debasement, and the most cruel profligacy: the very Catechumens of freedom + and philosophy have, while yet in their first rudiments, distinguished + themselves as proficients in the arts of oppression and servility, of + intolerance and licentiousness.—Paris, the rendezvous of all the + persecuted patriots and philosophers in Europe, the centre of the + revolutionary system, whose inhabitants were illumined by the first rays + of modern republicanism, and who claim a sort of property in the rights of + man, as being the original inventors, may fairly be quoted as an example + of the benefits that would accrue from a farther dissemination of the new + tenets. + </p> + <p> + Without reverting to the events of August and September, 1792, presided by + the founders of liberty, and executed by their too apt sectaries, it is + notorious that the legions of Paris, sent to chastise the unenlightened + Vendeans, were the most cruel and rapacious banditti that ever were let + loose to afflict the world. Yet, while they exercised this savage + oppression in the countries near the Loire, their fellow-citizens on the + banks of the Seine crouched at the frown of paltry tyrants, and were + unresistingly dragged to dungeons, or butchered by hundreds on the + scaffold.—At Marseilles, Lyons, Bourdeaux, Arras, wherever these + baleful principles have made converts, they have made criminals and + victims; and those who have been most eager in imbibing or propagating + them have, by a natural and just retribution, been the first sacrificed. + The new discoveries in politics have produced some in ethics not less + novel, and until the adoption of revolutionary doctrines, the extent of + human submission or human depravity was fortunately unknown. + </p> + <p> + In this source of guilt and misery the people of La Vendee are now to be + instructed—that people, who are acknowledged to be hospitable, + humane, and laborious, and whose ideas of freedom may be better estimated + by their resistance to a despotism which the rest of France has sunk + under, than by the jargon of pretended reformers.—I could wish, that + not only the peasants of La Vendee, but those of all other countries, + might for ever remain strangers to such pernicious knowledge. It is + sufficient for this useful class of men to be taught the simple precepts + of religion and morality, and those who would teach them more, are not + their benefactors. Our age is, indeed, a literary age, and such pursuits + are both liberal and laudable in the rich and idle; but why should volumes + of politics or philosophy be mutilated and frittered into pamphlets, to + inspire a disgust for labour, and a taste for study or pleasure, in those + to whom such disgusts or inclinations are fatal. The spirit of one author + is extracted, and the beauties of another are selected, only to bewilder + the understanding, and engross the time, of those who might be more + profitably employed. + </p> + <p> + I know I may be censured as illiberal; but I have, during my abode in this + country, sufficiently witnessed the disastrous effects of corrupting a + people through their amusements or curiosity, and of making men neglect + their useful callings to become patriots and philosophers.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *This right of directing public affairs, and neglecting their own, we + may suppose essential to republicans of the lower orders, since we find + the following sentence of transportation in the registers of a popular + commission: "Bergeron, a dealer in skins—suspected—having + done nothing in favour of the revolution—extremely selfish + (egoiste,) and blaming the Sans-Culottes for neglecting their callings, + that they may attend only to public concerns."—Signed by the + members of the Commission and the two Committees. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —<i>"Il est dangereux d'apprendre au peuple a raisonner: il ne faut + pas l'eclairer trop, parce qu'il n'est pas possible de l'eclairer assez."</i> + ["It is dangerous to teach the people to reason—they should not be + too much enlightened, because it is not possible to enlighten them + sufficiently."]—When the enthusiasm of Rousseau's genius was thus + usefully submitted to his good sense and knowledge of mankind, he little + expected every hamlet in France would be inundated with scraps of the + contrat social, and thousands of inoffensive peasants massacred for not + understanding the Profession de Foi. + </p> + <p> + The arguments of mistaken philanthropists or designing politicians may + divert the order of things, but they cannot change our nature—they + may create an universal taste for literature, but they will never unite it + with habits of industry; and until they prove how men are to live without + labour, they have no right to banish the chearful vacuity which usually + accompanies it, by substituting reflections to make it irksome, and + propensities with which it is incompatible. + </p> + <p> + The situation of France has amply demonstrated the folly of attempting to + make a whole people reasoners and politicians—there seems to be no + medium; and as it is impossible to make a nation of sages, you let loose a + horde of savages: for the philosophy which teaches a contempt for + accustomed restraints, is not difficult to propagate; but that superior + kind, which enables men to supply them, by subduing the passions that + render restraints necessary, is of slow progress, and never can be + general. + </p> + <p> + I have made the war of La Vendee more a subject of reflection than + narrative, and have purposely avoided military details, which would be not + only uninteresting, but disgusting. You would learn no more from these + desultory hostilities, than that the defeats of the republican armies + were, if possible, more sanguinary than their victories; that the + royalists, who began the war with humanity, were at length irritated to + reprisals; and that more than two hundred thousand lives have already been + sacrificed in the contest, yet undecided. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_28" id="short4_4_28"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, Oct. 24, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + Revolutions, like every thing else in France, are a mode, and the + Convention already commemorate four since 1789: that of July 1789, which + rendered the monarchical power nugatory; that of August the 10th, 1792, + which subverted it; the expulsion of the Brissotins, in May 1793; and the + death of Robespierre, in July 1794. + </p> + <p> + The people, accustomed, from their earliest knowledge, to respect the + person and authority of the King, felt that the events of the two first + epochs, which disgraced the one and annihilated the other, were violent + and important revolutions; and, as language which expresses the public + sentiment is readily adopted, it soon became usual to speak of these + events as the revolutions of July and August. + </p> + <p> + The thirty-first of May has always been viewed in a very different light, + for it was not easy to make the people at large comprehend how the + succession of Robespierre and Danton to Brissot and Roland could be + considered as a revolution, more especially as it appeared evident that + the principles of one party actuated the government of the other. Every + town had its many-headed monster to represent the defeat of the + Foederalists, and its mountain to proclaim the triumph of their enemies + the Mountaineers; but these political hieroglyphics were little + understood, and the merits of the factions they alluded to little + distinguished—so that the revolution of the thirty-first of May was + rather a party aera, than a popular one. + </p> + <p> + The fall of Robespierre would have made as little impression as that of + the Girondists, if some melioration of the revolutionary system had not + succeeded it; and it is in fact only since the public voice, and the + interest of the Convention, have occasioned a change approaching to + reform, that the death of Robespierre is really considered as a benefit. + </p> + <p> + But what was in itself no more than a warfare of factions, may now, if + estimated by its consequences, be pronounced a revolution of infinite + importance. The Jacobins, whom their declining power only rendered more + insolent and daring, have at length obliged the Convention to take decided + measures against them, and they are now subject to such regulations as + must effectually diminish their influence, and, in the end, dissolve their + whole combination. They can no longer correspond as societies, and the + mischievous union which constituted their chief force, can scarcely be + supported for any time under the present restrictions.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "All affiliations, aggregations, and foederations, as well as + correspondences carried on collectively between societies, under + whatever denomination they may exist, are henceforth prohibited, as + being subversive of government, and contrary to the unity of the + republic. "Those persons who sign as presidents or secretaries, + petitions or addresses in a collective form, shall be arrested and + confined as suspicious, &c. &c.—Whoever offends in any + shape against the present law, will incur the same penalty." The whole + of the decree is in the same spirit. The immediate and avowed pretext + for this measure was, that the popular societies, who have of late only + sent petitions disagreeable to the Convention, did not express the sense + of the people. Yet the deposition of the King, and the establishment of + the republic, had no other sanction than the adherence of these clubs, + who are now allowed not to be the nation, and whose very existence as + then constituted is declared to be subversive of government. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + It is not improbable, that the Convention, by suffering the clubs still to + exist, after reducing them to nullity, may hope to preserve the + institution as a future resource against the people, while it represses + their immediate efforts against itself. The Brissotins would have + attempted a similar policy, but they had nothing to oppose to the + Jacobins, except their personal influence. Brissot and Roland took part + with the clubs, as they approved the massacres of August and September, + just as far as it answered their purpose; and when they were abandoned by + the one, and the other were found to incur an unprofitable odium, they + acted the part which Tallien and Freron act now under the same + circumstances, and would willingly have promoted the destruction of a + power which had become inimical to them.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Brissot and Roland were more pernicious as Jacobins than the most + furious of their successors. If they did not in person excite the people + to the commission of crimes, they corrupted them, and made them fit + instruments for the crimes of others. Brissot might affect to condemn + the massacres of September in the gross, but he is known to have + enquired with eager impatience, and in a tone which implied he had + reasons for expecting it, whether De Morande, an enemy he wished to be + released from, was among the murdered. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Their imitators, without possessing more honesty, either political + or moral, are more fortunate; and not only Tallien and Freron, who since + their expulsion from the Jacobins have become their most active enemies, + are now in a manner popular, but even the whole Convention is much less + detested than it was before. + </p> + <p> + It is the singular felicity of the Assembly to derive a sort of popularity + from the very excesses it has occasioned or sanctioned, and which, it was + natural to suppose, would have consigned it for ever to vengeance or + obloquy; but the past sufferings of the people have taught them to be + moderate in their expectations; and the name of their representation has + been so connected with tyranny of every sort, that it appears an + extraordinary forbearance when the usual operations of guillotines and + mandates of arrest are suspended. + </p> + <p> + Thus, though the Convention have not in effect repaired a thousandth part + of their own acts of injustice, or done any good except from necessity, + they are overwhelmed with applauding addresses, and affectionate + injunctions not to quit their post. What is still more wonderful, many of + these are sincere; and Tallien, Freron, Legendre, &c. with all their + revolutionary enormities on their heads, are now the heroes of the + reviving aristocrats. + </p> + <p> + Situated as things are at present, there is much sound policy in + flattering the Convention into a proper use of their power, rather than + making a convulsive effort to deprive them of it. The Jacobins would + doubtless avail themselves of such a movement; and this is so much + apprehended, that it has given rise to a general though tacit agreement to + foment the divisions between the Legislature and the Clubs, and to support + the first, at least until it shall have destroyed the latter. + </p> + <p> + The late decrees, which obstruct the intercourse and affiliation of + popular societies, may be regarded as an event not only beneficial to this + country, but to the world in general; because it is confessed, that these + combinations, by means of which the French monarchy was subverted, and the + King brought to the scaffold, are only reconcileable with a barbarous and + anarchical government. + </p> + <p> + The Convention are now much occupied on two affairs, which call forth all + their "natural propensities," and afford a farther confirmation of this + fact—that their feelings and principles are always instinctively at + war with justice, however they may find it expedient to affect a regard + for it—<i>C'est la chatte metamorphosee en femme</i> [The cat turned + into a woman.]— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + <i>"En vain de son train ordinaire" "On la veut desaccoutumer, "Quelque + chose qu'on puisse faire "On ne fauroit la reformer."</i> La Fontaine. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The Deputies who were imprisoned as accomplices of the Girondists, and on + other different pretexts, have petitioned either to be brought to trial or + released; and the abominable conduct of Carrier at Nantes is so fully + substantiated, that the whole country is impatient to have some steps + taken towards bringing him to punishment: yet the Convention are averse + from both these measures—they procrastinate and elude the demand of + their seventy-two colleagues, who were arrested without a specific charge; + while they almost protect Carrier, and declare, that in cases which tend + to deprive a Representative of his liberty, it is better to reflect thirty + times than once. This is curious doctrine with men who have sent so many + people arbitrarily to the scaffold, and who now detain seventy-two + Deputies in confinement, they know not why. + </p> + <p> + The ashes of Rousseau have recently been deposited with the same + ceremonies, and in the same place, as those of Marat. We should feel for + such a degradation of genius, had not the talents of Rousseau been + frequently misapplied; and it is their misapplication which has levelled + him to an association with Marat. Rousseau might be really a fanatic, and, + though eccentric, honest; yet his power of adorning impracticable systems, + it must be acknowledged, has been more mischievous to society than a + thousand such gross impostors as Marat. + </p> + <p> + I have learned since my return from the Providence, the death of Madame + Elizabeth. I was ill when it happened, and my friends took some pains to + conceal an event which they knew would affect me. In tracing the motives + of the government for this horrid action, it may perhaps be sufficiently + accounted for in the known piety and virtues of this Princess; but reasons + of another kind have been suggested to me, and which, in all likelihood, + contributed to hasten it. She was the only person of the royal family of + an age competent for political transactions who had not emigrated, and her + character extorted respect even from her enemies. [The Prince of Conti was + too insignificant to be an object of jealousy in this way.] She must + therefore, of course, since the death of the Queen, have been an object of + jealousy to all parties. Robespierre might fear that she would be led to + consent to some arrangement with a rival faction for placing the King on + the throne—the Convention were under similar apprehensions with + regard to him; so that the fate of this illustrious sufferer was probably + gratifying to every part of the republicans. + </p> + <p> + I find, on reading her trial, (if so it may be called,) a repetition of + one of the principal charges against the Queen—that of trampling on + the national colours at Versailles, during an entertainment given to some + newly-arrived troops. Yet I have been assured by two gentlemen, perfectly + informed on the subject, and who were totally unacquainted with each + other, that this circumstance, which has been so usefully enlarged upon, + is false,* and that the whole calumny originated in the jealousy of a part + of the national guard who had not been invited. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This infamous calumny (originally fabricated by Lecointre the linen + draper, then an officer of the National Guard, now a member of the + council of 500) was amply confuted by M. Mounier, who was President of + the States-General at the time, in a publication intitled "<i>Expose de + ma Conduite,</i>" which appeared soon after the event—in the + autumn of 1789.—Editor. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + But this, as well as the taking of the Bastille, and other revolutionary + falsehoods, will, I trust, be elucidated. The people are now undeceived + only by their calamities—the time may come, when it will be safe to + produce their conviction by truth. Heroes of the fourteenth of July, and + patriots of the tenth of August, how will ye shrink from it!—Yours, + &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_29" id="short4_4_29"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, Nov. 2, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + Every post now brings me letters from England; but I perceive, by the + suppressed congratulations of my friends, that, though they rejoice to + find I am still alive, they are far from thinking me in a state of + security. You, my dear Brother, must more particularly have lamented the + tedious confinement I have endured, and the inconveniencies to which I + have been subjected; I am, however, persuaded that you would not wish me + to have been exempt from a persecution in which all the natives of + England, who are not a disgrace to their country, as well as some that are + so, have shared. Such an exemption would now be deemed a reproach; for, + though it must be confessed that few of us have been voluntary sufferers, + we still claim the honour of martyrdom, and are not very tolerant towards + those who, exposed by their situation, may be supposed to have owed their + protection to their principles. + </p> + <p> + There are, indeed, many known revolutionists and republicans, who, from + party disputes, personal jealousies, or from being comprised in some + general measure, have undergone a short imprisonment; and these men now + wish to be confounded with their companions who are of a different + description. But such persons are carefully distinguished;* and the + aristocrats have, in their turn, a catalogue of suspicious people—that + is, of people suspected of not having been suspicious. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Mr. Thomas Paine, for instance, notwithstanding his sufferings, is + still thought more worthy of a seat in the Convention or the Jacobins, + than of an apartment in the Luxembourg.—Indeed I have generally + remarked, that the French of all parties hold an English republican in + peculiar abhorrence. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + It is now the fashion to talk of a sojourn in a maison d'arret with + triumph; and the more decent people, who from prudence or fear had been + forced to seek refuge in the Jacobin clubs, are now solicitous to proclaim + their real motives. The red cap no longer "rears its hideous front" by + day, but is modestly converted into a night-cap; and the bearer of a + diplome de Jacobin, instead of swinging along, to the annoyance of all the + passengers he meets, paces soberly with a diminished height, and an air + not unlike what in England we call sneaking. The bonnet rouge begins + likewise to be effaced from flags at the doors; and, as though this emblem + of liberty were a very bad neighbour to property, its relegation seems to + encourage the re-appearance of silver forks and spoons, which are + gradually drawn forth from their hiding-places, and resume their stations + at table. The Jacobins represent themselves as being under the most cruel + oppression, declare that the members of the Convention are aristocrats and + royalists, and lament bitterly, that, instead of fish-women, or female + patriots of republican external, the galleries are filled with auditors in + flounces and anti-civic top-knots, femmes a fontanges. + </p> + <p> + These imputations and grievances of the Jacobins are not altogether + without foundation. People in general are strongly impressed with an idea + that the Assembly are veering towards royalism; and it is equally true, + that the speeches of Tallien and Freron are occasionally heard and + applauded by fair elegantes, who, two years ago, would have recoiled at + the name of either. It is not that their former deeds are forgotten, but + the French are grown wise by suffering; and it is politic, when bad men + act well, whatever the motive, to give them credit for it, as nothing is + so likely to make them persevere, as the hope that their reputation is yet + retrievable. On this principle the aristocrats are the eulogists of + Tallien, while the Jacobins remind him hourly of the massacres of the + priests, and his official conduct as Secretary to the municipality or + Paris.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Tallien was Seecretary to the Commune of Paris in 1792, and on the + thirty-first of August he appeared at the bar of the Legislative + Assembly with an address, in which he told them "he had caused the + refractory priests to be arrested and confined, and that in a few days + the Land of Liberty should be freed of them."—The massacres of the + prisons began two days after! + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + As soon as a Representative is convicted of harbouring an opinion + unfavourable to pillage or murder, he is immediately declared an + aristocrat; or, if the Convention happen for a moment to be influenced by + reason or justice, the hopes and fears of both parties are awakened by + suspicions that the members are converts to royalism.—For my own + part, I believe they are and will be just what their personal security and + personal interest may suggest, though it is but a sorry sort of panegyric + on republican ethics to conclude, that every one who manifests the least + symptom of probity or decency, must of course be a royalist or an + aristocrat. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the harmony which appears to subsist between the + Convention and the people, the former is much less popular in detail than + in the gross. Almost every member who has been on mission, is accused of + dilapidations and cruelties so heinous, that, if they had not been + committed by Representans du Peuple, the criminal courts would find no + difficulty in deciding upon them.—But as theft or murder does not + deprive a member of his privileges, complaints of this nature are only + cognizable by the Assembly, which, being yet in its first days of + regeneration, is rather scrupulous of defending such amusements overtly. + Alarmed, however, at the number, and averse from the precedent of these + denunciations, it has now passed a variety of decrees, which are termed a + guarantee of the national representation, and which in fact guarantee it + so effectually, that a Deputy may do any thing in future with impunity, + provided it does not affect his colleagues. There are now so many forms, + reports, and examinations, that several months may be employed before the + person of a delinquent, however notorious his guilt, can be secured. The + existence of a fellow-creature should, doubtless, be attacked with + caution; for, though he may have forfeited his claims on our esteem, and + even our pity, religion has preserved him others, of which he should not + be deprived.—But when we recollect that all these merciful + ceremonies are in favour of a Carrier or a Le Bon, and that the King, + Madame Elizabeth, and thousands of innocent people, were hurried to + execution, without being allowed the consolations of piety or affection, + which only a mockery of justice might have afforded them; when, even now, + priests are guillotined for celebrating masses in private, and thoughtless + people for speaking disrespectfully of the Convention—the heart is + at variance with religion and principle, and we regret that mercy is to be + the exclusive portion of those who were never accessible to its dictates.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The denunciation being first presented to the Assembly, they are to + decide whether it shall be received. If they determine in the + affirmative, it is sent to the three Committees of Legislation, Public + Welfare, and General Safety, to report whether there may be room for + farther examination. In that case, a commission of twenty-one members is + appointed to receive the proofs of the accuser, and the defence of the + accused. These Commissioners, after as long a delay as they may think + fit to interpose, make known their opinion; and if it be against the + accused, the Convention proceed to determine finally whether the matter + shall be referred to the ordinary tribunal. All this time the culprit is + at large, or, at worst, and merely for the form, carelessly guarded at + his own dwelling. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I would not "pick bad from bad," but it irks one's spirit to see these + miscreants making "assurance doubly sure," and providing for their own + safety with such solicitude, after sacrificing, without remorse, whatever + was most interesting or respectable in the country.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_30" id="short4_4_30"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Basse-ville, Arras, Nov. 6, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + Since my own liberation, I have been incessantly employed in endeavouring + to procure the return of my friends to Amiens; who, though released from + prison some time, could not obtain passports to quit Arras. After numerous + difficulties and vexations, we have at length succeeded, and I am now here + to accompany them home. + </p> + <p> + I found Mr. and Mrs. D____ much altered by the hardships they have + undergone: Mrs. D____, in particular, has been confined some months in a + noisome prison called the Providence, originally intended as a house of + correction, and in which, though built to contain an hundred and fifty + persons, were crouded near five hundred females, chiefly ladies of Arras + and the environs.—The superintendance of this miserable place was + entrusted to a couple of vulgar and vicious women, who, having + distinguished themselves as patriots from the beginning of the revolution, + were now rewarded by Le Bon with an office as profitable as it was + congenial to their natures. + </p> + <p> + I know not whether it is to be imputed to the national character, or to + that of the French republicans only, but the cruelties which have been + committed are usually so mixed with licentiousness, as to preclude + description. I have already noticed the conduct of Le Bon, and it must + suffice to say, his agents were worthy of him, and that the female + prisoners suffered every thing which brutality, rapaciousness, and + indecency, could inflict. Mr. D____ was, in the mean time, transferred + from prison to prison—the distress of separation was augmented by + their mutual apprehensions and pecuniary embarrassments—and I much + fear, the health and spirits of both are irretrievably injured. + </p> + <p> + I regret my impatience in coming here, rather than waiting the arrival of + my friends at home; for the changes I observe, and the recollections they + give birth to, oppress my heart, and render the place hateful to me.—All + the families I knew are diminished by executions, and their property is + confiscated—those whom I left in elegant hotels are now in obscure + lodgings, subsisting upon the superfluities of better days—and the + sorrows of the widows and orphans are increased by penury; while the + Convention, which affects to condemn the crimes of Le Bon, is profiting by + the spoils of his victims. + </p> + <p> + I am the more deeply impressed by these circumstances, because, when I was + here in 1792, several who have thus fallen, though they had nothing to + reproach themselves with, were yet so much intimidated as to propose + emigrating; and I then was of opinion, that such a step would be impolitic + and unnecessary. I hope and believe this opinion did not influence them, + but I lament having given it, for the event has proved that a great part + of the emigrants are justifiable. It always appeared to me so serious and + great an evil to abandon one's country, that when I have seen it done with + indifference or levity, I may perhaps have sometimes transferred to the + measure itself a sentiment of disapprobation, excited originally by the + manner of its adoption. When I saw people expatiate with calmness, and + heard them speak of it as a means of distinguishing themselves, I did not + sufficiently allow for the tendency of the French to make the best of + every thing, or the influence of vanity on men who allow it to make part + of the national characteristic: and surely, if ever vanity were laudable, + that of marking a detestation for revolutionary principles, and an + attachment to loyalty and religion, may justly be considered so. Many whom + I then accused of being too lightly affected by the prospect of exile, + might be animated by the hope of personally contributing to the + establishment of peace and order, and rescuing their country from the + banditti who were oppressing it; and it is not surprising that such + objects should dazzle the imagination and deceive the judgment in the + choice of measures by which they were to be obtained. + </p> + <p> + The number of emigrants from fashion or caprice is probably not great; and + whom shall we now dare to include under this description, when the humble + artizan, the laborious peasant, and the village priest, have ensanguined + the scaffold destined for the prince or the prelate?—But if the + emigrants be justifiable, the refugees are yet more so. + </p> + <p> + By Emigrants, I mean all who, without being immediately in danger, left + their country through apprehension of the future—from attachment to + the persons of the Princes, or to join companions in the army whom they + might deem it a disgrace to abandon.—Those whom I think may with + truth be styled Refugees, are the Nobility and Priests who fled when the + people, irritated by the literary terrorists of the day, the Brissots, + Rolands, Camille Desmoulins, &c. were burning their chateaux and + proscribing their persons, and in whom expatriation cannot properly be + deemed the effect of choice. These, wherever they have sought an asylum, + are entitled to our respect and sympathy. + </p> + <p> + Yet, I repeat, we are not authorized to discriminate. There is no + reasoning coldly on the subject. The most cautious prudence, the most + liberal sacrifices, and the meanest condescensions, have not insured the + lives and fortunes of those who ventured to remain; and I know not that + the absent require any other apology than the desolation of the country + they have quitted. Had my friends who have been slaughtered by Le Bon's + tribunal persisted in endeavouring to escape, they might have lived, and + their families, though despoiled by the rapacity of the government, have + been comparatively happy.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The first horrors of the revolution are well known, and I have seen no + accounts which exaggerate them. The niece of a lady of my acquaintance, + a young woman only seventeen, escaped from her country-house (whilst + already in flames) with her infant at her breast, and literally without + clothes to cover her. In this state she wandered a whole night, and when + she at length reached a place where she procured assistance, was so + exhausted that her life was in danger.—Another lady, whom I knew, + was wounded in the arm by some peasants assembled to force from her the + writings of her husband's estates. Even after this they still remained + in France, submitted with cheerfulness to all the demands of patriotic + gifts, forced loans, requisitions and impositions of every kind; yet her + husband was nevertheless guillotined, and the whole of their immense + property confiscated. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Retrospections, like these, obliterate many of my former notions on the + subject of the Emigrants; and if I yet condemn emigration, it is only as a + general measure, impolitic, and inadequate to the purposes for which it + was undertaken. But errors of judgment, in circumstances so unprecedented, + cannot be censured consistently with candour, through we may venture to + mark them as a discouragement to imitation; for if any nation should yet + be menaced by the revolutionary scourge, let it beware of seeking external + redress by a temporary abandonment of its interests to the madness of + systemists, or the rapine of needy adventurers. We must, we ought to, + lament the fate of the many gallant men who have fallen, and the + calamities of those who survive; but what in them has been a mistaken + policy, will become guilt in those who, on a similar occasion, shall not + be warned by their example. I am concerned when I hear these unhappy + fugitives are any where objects of suspicion or persecution, as it is not + likely that those who really emigrated from principle can merit such + treatment: and I doubt not, that most of the instances of treachery or + misconduct ascribed to the Emigrants originated in republican emissaries, + who have assumed that character for the double purpose of discrediting it, + and of exercising their trade as spies. + </p> + <p> + The common people here, who were retained by Le Bon for several months to + attend and applaud his executions, are still dissolute and ferocious, and + openly regret the loss of their pay, and the disuse of the guillotine. + </p> + <p> + —I came to Arras in mourning, which I have worn since the receipt of + your first letter, but was informed by the lady with whom my friends + lodge, that I must not attempt to walk the streets in black, for that it + was customary to insult those who did so, on a supposition that they were + related to some persons who had been executed; I therefore borrowed a + white undress, and stole out by night to visit my unfortunate + acquaintance, as I found it was also dangerous to be seen entering houses + known to contain the remains of those families which had been dismembered + by Le Bon's cruelties. + </p> + <p> + We return to Amiens to-morrow, though you must not imagine so formidable a + person as myself is permitted to wander about the republic without due + precaution; and I had much difficulty in being allowed to come, even + attended by a guard, who has put me to a considerable expence; but the man + is civil, and as he has business of his own to transact in the town, he is + no embarrassment to me. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_31" id="short4_4_31"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, Nov. 26, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The Constituent Assembly, the Legislative Assembly, and the National + Convention, all seem to have acted from a persuasion, that their sole duty + as revolutionists was comprised in the destruction of whatever existed + under the monarchy. If an institution were discovered to have the + slightest defect in principle, or to have degenerated a little in + practice, their first step was to abolish it entirely, and leave the + replacing it for the present to chance, and for the future to their + successors. In return for the many new words which they have introduced + into the French language, they have expunged that of reform; and the + havock and devastation, which a Mahometan conqueror might have performed + as successfully, are as yet the only effects of philosophy and + republicanism. + </p> + <p> + This system of ignorance and violence seems to have persecuted with + peculiar hostility all the ancient establishments for education; and the + same plan of suppressing daily what they have neither leisure nor + abilities to supply, which I remarked to you two years ago, has directed + the Convention ever since. It is true, the interval has produced much + dissertation, and engendered many projects; but those who were so + unanimous in rejecting, were extremely discordant in adopting, and their + own disputes and indecision might have convinced them of their presumption + in condemning what they now found it so difficult to excel. Some decided + in favour of public schools, after the example of Sparta— this was + objected to by others, because, said they, if you have public schools you + must have edifices, and governors, and professors, who will, to a + certainty, be aristocrats, or become so; and, in short, this will only be + a revival of the colleges of the old government—A third party + proposed private seminaries, or that people might be at liberty to educate + their children in the way they thought best; but this, it was declared, + would have a still greater tendency to aristocracy; for the rich, being + better able to pay than the poor, would engross all the learning to + themselves. The Jacobins were of opinion, that there should be no schools, + either public or private, but that the children should merely be taken to + hear the debates of the Clubs, where they would acquire all the knowledge + necessary for republicans; and a few spirits of a yet sublimer cast were + adverse both to schools or clubs, and recommended, that the rising + generation should "study the great book of Nature alone." It is, however, + at length concluded, that there shall be a certain number of public + establishments, and that people shall even be allowed to have their + children instructed at home, under the inspection of the constituted + authorities, who are to prevent the instillation of aristocratic + principles.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * We may judge of the competency of many of these people to be official + censors of education by the following specimens from a report of + Gregoire's. Since the rage for destruction has a little subsided, + circular letters have been sent to the administrators of the + departments, districts, &c. enquiring what antiquities, or other + objects of curiosity, remain in their neighbourhood.—"From one, + (says Gregoire,) we are informed, that they are possessed of nothing in + this way except four vases, which, as they have been told, are of + porphyry. From a second we learn, that, not having either forge or + manufactory in the neighbourhood, no monument of the arts is to be found + there: and a third announces, that the completion of its library + cataloges has been retarded, because the person employed at them ne fait + pas la diplomatique!"—("does not understand the science of + diplomacy.") + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The difficulty as to the mode in which children were to be taught being + got over, another remained, not less liable to dispute—which was, + the choice of what they were to learn. Almost every member had a favourite + article—-music, physic, prophylactics, geography, geometry, + astronomy, arithmetic, natural history, and botany, were all pronounced to + be requisites in an eleemosynary system of education, specified to be + chiefly intended for the country people; but as this debate regarded only + the primary schools for children in their earliest years, and as one man + for a stipend of twelve hundred livres a year, was to do it all, a + compromise became necessary, and it has been agreed for the present, that + infants of six years shall be taught only reading, writing, gymnastics, + geometry, geography, natural philosophy, and history of all free nations, + and that of all the tyrants, the rights of man, and the patriotic songs. + —Yet, after these years of consideration, and days of debate, the + Assembly has done no more than a parish-clerk, or an old woman with a + primer, and "a twig whilom of small regard to see," would do better + without its interference. + </p> + <p> + The students of a more advanced age are still to be disposed of, and the + task of devising an institution will not be easy; because, perhaps a + Collot d'Herbois or a Duhem is not satisfied with the system which + perfectioned the genius of Montesquieu or Descartes. Change, not + improvement, is the object—whatever bears a resemblance to the past + must be proscribed; and while other people study to simplify modes of + instruction, the French legislature is intent on rendering them as + difficult and complex as possible; and at the moment they decree that the + whole country shall become learned, they make it an unfathomable science + to teach urchins of half a dozen years old their letters. + </p> + <p> + Foreigners, indeed, who judge only from the public prints, may suppose the + French far advanced towards becoming the most erudite nation in Europe: + unfortunately, all these schools, primary, and secondary, and centrical, + and divergent, and normal,* exist as yet but in the repertories of the + Convention, and perhaps may not add "a local habitation" to their names, + till the present race** shall be unfit to reap the benefit of them. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * <i>Les Ecoles Normales</i> were schools where masters were to be + instructed in the art of teaching. Certain deputies objected to them, as + being of feudal institution, supposing that Normale had some reference + to Normandy. ** This was a mistake, for the French seem to have adopted + the maxim, "that man is never too old to learn;" and, accordingly, at + the opening of the Normal schools, the celebrated Bougainville, now + eighty years of age, became a pupil. This Normal project was, however, + soon relinquished—for by that fatality which has hitherto attended + all the republican institutions, it was found to have become a mere + nursery for aristocrats. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + But this revolutionary barbarism, not content with stopping the progress + of the rising generation, has ravaged without mercy the monuments of + departed genius, and persecuted with senseless despotism those who were + capable of replacing them. Pictures have been defaced, statues mutilated, + and libraries burnt, because they reminded the people of their Kings or + their religion; while artists, and men of science or literature, were + wasting their valuable hours in prison, or expiring on the scaffold.—The + moral and gentle Florian died of vexation. A life of abstraction and + utility could not save the celebrated chymist, Lavoisier, from the + Guillotine. La Harpe languished in confinement, probably, that he might + not eclipse Chenier, who writes tragedies himself; and every author that + refused to degrade his talents by the adulation of tyranny has been + proscribed and persecuted. Palissot,* at sixty years old, was destined to + expiate in a prison a satire upon Rousseau, written when he was only + twenty, and escaped, not by the interposition of justice, but by the + efficacity of a bon mot. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Palissot was author of "The Philosophers," a comedy, written thirty + years ago, to ridicule Rousseau. He wrote to the municipality, + acknowledged his own error, and the merits of Rousseau; yet, says he, if + Rousseau were a god, you ought not to sacrifice human victims to him.—The + expression, which in French is well tuned, pleased the municipality, and + Palissot, I believe, was not afterwards molested. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —A similar fate would have been awarded Dorat, [Author of "Les + Malheurs de l'Inconstance," and other novels.] for styling himself + Chevalier in the title-pages of his novels, had he not commuted his + punishment for base eulogiums on the Convention, and with the same pen, + which has been the delight of the French boudoir, celebrated Carrier's + murders on the Loire under the appellation of "baptemes civiques." Every + province in France, we are informed by the eloquent pedantry of Gregoire, + exhibits traces of these modern Huns, which, though now exclusively + attributed to the agents of Robespierre and Mr. Pitt,* it is very certain + were authorized by the decrees of the Convention, and executed under the + sanction of Deputies on mission, or their subordinates. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * <i>"Soyez sur que ces destructions se sont pour la plupart a + l'instigation de nos ennemis—quel triomphe pour l'Anglais si il + eul pu ecraser notre commerce par l'aneantissement des arts dont la + culture enrichit le sien."</i>—"Rest assured that these + demolitions were, for the most part, effected at the instigation of our + enemies —what a triumph would it have been for the English, if + they had succeeded in crushing our commerce by the annihilation of the + arts, the culture of which enriched their own." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —If the principal monuments of art be yet preserved to gratify the + national taste or vanity, it is owing to the courage and devotion of + individuals, who obeyed with a protecting dilatoriness the destructive + mandates of government. + </p> + <p> + At some places, orangeries were sold by the foot for fire-wood, because, + as it was alledged, that republicans had more occasion for apples and + potatoes than oranges.—At Mousseaux, the seals were put on the + hot-houses, and all the plants nearly destroyed. Valuable remains of + sculpture were condemned for a crest, a fleur de lys, or a coronet + attached to them; and the deities of the Heathen mythology were made war + upon by the ignorance of the republican executioners, who could not + distinguish them from emblems of feodality.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * At Anet, a bronze stag, placed as a fountain in a large piece of + water, was on the point of being demolished, because stags are beasts of + chace, and hunting is a feodal privilege, and stags of course emblems of + feodality.—It was with some difficulty preserved by an amateur, + who insisted, that stags of bronze were not included in the decree.—By + a decree of the Convention, which I have formerly mentioned, all emblems + of royalty or feodality were to be demolished by a particular day; and + as the law made no distinction, it could not be expected that + municipalities, &c. often ignorant or timid, should either venture + or desire to spare what in the eyes of the connoisseur might be + precious. "At St. Dennis, (says the virtuoso Gregoire,) where the + National Club justly struck at the tyrants even in their tombs, that of + Turenne ought to have been spared; yet strokes of the sword are still + visible on it."—He likewise complains, that at the Botanic Garden + the bust of Linnaeus had been destroyed, on a presumption of its being + that of Charles the Ninth; and if it had been that of Charles the Ninth, + it is not easy to discern how the cause of liberty was served by its + mutilation.—The artist or moralist contemplates with equal profit + or curiosity the features of Pliny or Commodus; and History and Science + will appreciate Linnaeus and Charles the Ninth, without regarding + whether their resemblances occupy a palace, or are scattered in + fragments by republican ignorance.—Long after the death of + Robespierre, the people of Amiens humbly petitioned the Convention, that + their cathedral, perhaps the most beautiful Gothic edifice in Europe, + might be preserved; and to avoid giving offence by the mention of + churches or cathedrals, they called it a Basilique.—But it is + unnecessary to adduce any farther proof, that the spirit of what is now + called Vandalism originated in the Convention. Every one in France must + recollect, that, when dispatches from all corners announced these + ravages, they were heard with as much applause, as though they had + related so many victories gained over the enemy. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Quantities of curious medals have been melted down for the trifling + value of the metal; and at Abbeville, a silver St. George, of uncommon + workmanship, and which Mr. Garrick is said to have desired to purchase at + a very high price, was condemned to the crucible— + </p> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>"——Sur tant de tresors + "Antiques monumens respectes jusqu'alors, + "Par la destruction signalant leur puissance, + "Las barbares etendirent leur stupide vengeance." + "La Religion,"</i> Racine. + +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + Yet the people in office who operated these mischiefs were all appointed + by the delegates of the Assembly; for the first towns of the republic were + not trusted even with the choice of a constable. Instead, therefore, of + feeling either surprise or regret at this devastation, we ought rather to + rejoice that it has extended no farther; for such agents, armed with such + decrees, might have reduced France to the primitive state of ancient Gaul. + Several valuable paintings are said to have been conveyed to England, and + it will be curious if the barbarism of France in the eighteenth century + should restore to us what we, with a fanaticism and ignorance at least + more prudent than theirs, sold them in the seventeenth. The zealots of the + Barebones' Parliament are, however, more respectable than the atheistical + Vandals of the Convention; and, besides the benefit of our example, the + interval of a century and an half, with the boast of a philosophy and a + degree of illumination exceeding that of any other people, have rendered + the errors of the French at once more unpardonable and more ridiculous; + for, in assimilating their past presentations to their present conduct and + situation, we do not always find it possible to regret without a mixture + of contempt. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_32" id="short4_4_32"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, Nov. 29, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The selfish policy of the Convention in affecting to respect and preserve + the Jacobin societies, while it deprived them of all power, and help up + the individuals who composed them to abhorrence, could neither satisfy nor + deceive men versed in revolutionary expedients, and more accustomed to + dictate laws than to submit to them.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The Jacobins were at this time headed by Billaud Varenne, Collot, + Thuriot, &c.—veterans, who were not likely to be deceived by + temporizing. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Supported by all the force of government, and intrinsically formidable by + their union, the Clubs had long existed in defiance of public reprobation, + and for some time they had braved not only the people, but the government + itself. The instant they were disabled from corresponding and + communicating in that privileged sort of way which rendered them so + conspicuous, they felt their weakness; and their desultory and unconnected + efforts to regain their influence only served to complete its + annihilation. While they pretended obedience to the regulations to which + the Convention had subjected them, they intrigued to promote a revolt, and + were strenuously exerting themselves to gain partizans among the idle and + dissolute, who, having subsisted for months as members of revolutionary + committees, and in other revolutionary offices, were naturally averse from + a more moderate government. The numbers of these were far from + inconsiderable: and, when it is recollected that this description of + people only had been allowed to retain their arms, while all who had any + thing to defend were deprived of them, we cannot wonder if the Jacobins + entertained hopes of success. + </p> + <p> + The Convention, aware of these attempts, now employed against its ancient + accomplices the same arts that had proved so fatal to all those whom it + had considered as its enemies. A correspondence was "opportunely" + intercepted between the Jacobins and the Emigrants in Switzerland, while + emissaries insinuated themselves into the Clubs, for the purpose of + exciting desperate motions; or, dispersed in public places, contrived, by + assuming the Jacobin costume, to throw on the faction the odium of those + seditious exclamations which they were employed to vociferate. + </p> + <p> + There is little doubt that the designs of the Jacobins were nearly such as + have been imputed to them. They had, however, become more politic than to + act thus openly, without being prepared to repel their enemies, or to + support their friends; and there is every appearance that the Swiss plots, + and the insurrections of the <i>Palais Egalite,</i> were the devices of + the government, to give a pretext for shutting up the Club altogether, and + to avert the real dangers with which it was menaced, by spreading an alarm + of fictitious ones. A few idle people assembled (probably on purpose) + about the <i>Palais Egalite,</i> and the place where the Jacobins held + their meetings, and the exclamation of "Down with the Convention!" served + as the signal for hostilities. The aristocrats joined the partizans of the + Convention, the Jacobins were attacked in their hall, and an affray + ensued, in which several persons on each side were wounded. Both parties + accused each other of being the aggressor, and a report of the business + was made to the Assembly; but the Assembly had already decided—and, + on the ninth of November, while the Jacobins were endeavouring to raise + the storm by a recapitulation of the rights of man, a decree was passed, + prohibiting their debates, and ordering the national seal to be put on + their doors and papers. The society were not in force to make resistance, + and the decree was carried into execution as quietly as though it had been + levelled against the hotel of some devoted aristocrat. + </p> + <p> + When the news of this event reached the departments, it occasioned an + universal rejoicing—not such a rejoicing as is ordered for the + successes of the French arms, (which always seems to be a matter of great + indifference,) but a chearfulness of heart and of countenance; and many + persons whom I do not remember to have ever seen in the least degree moved + by political events, appeared sincerely delighted at this— + </p> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "And those smile now, who never smil'd before, + "And those who always smil'd, now smile the more." + Parnell's Claudian. +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + The armies might proceed to Vienna, pillage the Escurial, or subjugate all + Europe, and I am convinced no emotion of pleasure would be excited equal + to that manifested at the downfall of the Jacobins of Paris. + </p> + <p> + Since this disgrace of the parent society, the Clubs in the departments + have, for the most part, dissolved themselves, or dwindled into peaceable + assemblies to hear the news read, and applaud the convention.—The + few Jacobin emblems which were yet remaining have totally disappeared, and + no vestige of Jacobinism is left, but the graves of its victims, and the + desolation of the country. + </p> + <p> + The profligate, the turbulent, the idle, and needy, of various countries + in Europe, have been tempted by the successes of the French Jacobins to + endeavour to establish similar institutions; but the same successes have + operated as a warning to people of a different description, and the fall + of these societies has drawn two confessions from their original + partizans, which ought never to be forgotten—namely, that they were + formed for the purpose of subverting the monarchy, and that their + existence is incompatible with regular government of any kind.—"While + the monarchy still existed, (says the most philosophic Lequinio, with + whose scheme of reforming La Vendee you are already acquainted,) it was + politic and necessary to encourage popular societies, as the most + efficacious means of operating its destruction; but now we have effected a + revolution, and have only to consolidate it by mild and philosophic laws, + these societies are dangerous, because they can produce only confusion and + disorder."—This is also the language of Brissot, who admires the + Jacobins from their origin till the end of 1792, but after that period he + admits they were only the instruments of faction, and destructive of all + property and order.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The period of the Jacobin annals so much admired by Brissot, comprises + the dethronement of the King, the massacres of the prisons, the + banishment of the priests, &c. That which he reprobates begins + precisely at the period when the Jacobins disputed the claims of himself + and his party to the exclusive direction of the government.—See + Brissot's Address to his Constituents. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —We learn therefore, not from the abuses alone, but from the praises + bestowed on the Jacobins, how much such combinations are to be dreaded. + Their merit, it appears, consisted in the subversion of the monarchical + government, and their crime in ceasing to be useful as agents of tyranny, + the moment they ceased to be principals. + </p> + <p> + I am still sceptical as to the conversion of the Assembly, and little + disposed to expect good from it; yet whatever it may attempt in future, or + however its real principles may take an ascendant, this fortunate + concurrence of personal interests, coalition of aristocrats and democrats, + and political rivalry, have likewise secured France from a return of that + excess of despotism which could have been exercised only by such means. It + is true, the spirit of the nation is so much depressed, that an effort to + revive these Clubs might meet no resistance; but the ridicule and + opprobrium to which they have latterly been subject, and finally the + manner of their being sacrificed by that very Convention, of which they + were the sole creators and support, will, I think, cool the zeal, and + diminish the numbers of their partizans too much for them ever again to + become formidable. + </p> + <p> + The conduct of Carrier has been examined according to the new forms, and + he is now on his trial—though not till the delays of the Convention + had given rise to a general suspicion that they intended either to + exonerate or afford him an opportunity of escaping; and the people were at + last so highly exasperated, that six thousand troops were added to the + military force of Paris, and an insurrection was seriously apprehended. + This stimulated the diligence, or relaxed the indulgence, of the + commission appointed to make the report on Carrier's conduct; and it being + decided that there was room for accusation, the Assembly confirmed the + decision, and he was ordered into custody, to be tried along with the + Revolutionary Committee of Nantes which had been the instrument of his + crimes. + </p> + <p> + It is a circumstance worth noting, that most of the Deputies who explained + the motives on which they thought Carrier guilty, were silent on the + subject of his drowning, shooting, and guillotining so many thousands of + innocent people, and only declared him guilty, as having been wanting in + respect towards Trehouard, one of his colleagues, and of injuring the + republican cause by his atrocities. + </p> + <p> + The fate of this monster exhibits a practical exposition of the enormous + absurdity of such a government. He is himself tried for the exercise of a + power declared to be unbounded when entrusted to him. The men tried with + him as his accomplices were obliged by the laws to obey him; and the acts + of which they are all accused were known, applauded, and held out for + imitation, by the Convention, who now declare those very acts to be + criminal!—There is certainly no way of reconciling justice but by + punishing both chiefs and subordinates, and the hour for this will yet + come.—Adieu. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_33" id="short4_4_33"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens. [No date given.] + </h2> + <p> + I do not yet venture to correspond with my Paris friends by the post, but + whenever the opportunity of private conveyance occurs, I receive long and + circumstantial letters, as well as packets, of all the publications most + read, and the theatrical pieces most applauded. I have lately drudged + through great numbers of these last, and bestowed on them an attention + they did not in themselves deserve, because I considered it as one means + of judging both of the spirit of the government and the morals of the + people. + </p> + <p> + The dramas produced at the beginning of the revolution were in general + calculated to corrupt the national taste and morals, and many of them were + written with skill enough to answer the purpose for which they were + intended; but those that have appeared during the last two years, are so + stupid and so depraved, that the circumstance of their being tolerated + even for a moment implies an extinction both of taste and of morals.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * <i>"Dans l'espace d'un an ils ont failli detruire le produit de + plusieurs siecles de civilization."</i>—("In the space of a year + they nearly destroyed the fruits of several ages of civilization.") + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The principal cause of this is the despotism of the government in making + the stage a mere political engine, and suffering the performance of such + pieces only as a man of honesty or genius would not submit to write.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The tragedy of Brutus was interdicted on account of these two lines: + </p> + </blockquote> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>"Arreter un romain sur de simple soupcons, + "C'est agir en tyrans, nous qui les punissons."</i> +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <blockquote> + <p> + That of Mahomet for the following: + </p> + </blockquote> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + <i>"Exterminez, grands dieux, de la terre ou nous sommes + "Quiconque avec plaisir repand le sang des hommes."</i> +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <blockquote> + <p> + It is to be remarked, that the last lines are only a simple axiom of + humanity, and could not have been considered as implying a censure on + any government except that of the French republic. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Hence a croud of scribblers, without shame or talents, have become + the exclusive directors of public amusements, and, as far as the noise of + a theatre constitutes success, are perhaps more successful than ever was + Racine or Moliere. Immorality and dulness have an infallible resource + against public disapprobation in the abuse of monarchy and religion, or a + niche for Mr. Pitt; and an indignant or impatient audience, losing their + other feelings in their fears, are glad to purchase the reputation of + patriotism by applauding trash they find it difficult to endure. The + theatres swarm with spies, and to censure a revolutionary piece, however + detestable even as a composition, is dangerous, and few have courage to be + the critics of an author who is patronized by the superintendants of the + guillotine, or who may retaliate a comment on his poetry by the + significant prose of a mandat d'arret. + </p> + <p> + Men of literature, therefore, have wisely preferred the conservation of + their freedom to the vindication of their taste, and have deemed it better + to applaud at the Theatre de la Republique, than lodge at St. Lazare or + Duplessis.—Thus political slavery has assisted moral depravation: + the writer who is the advocate of despotism, may be dull and licentious by + privilege, and is alone exempt from the laws of Parnassus and of decency.—One + Sylvan Marechal, author of a work he calls philosophie, has written a sort + of farce, which has been performed very generally, where all the Kings in + Europe are brought together as so many monsters; and when the King of + France is enquired after as not being among them, a Frenchman answers,—"Oh, + he is not here—we have guillotined him—we have cut off his + head according to law."—In one piece, the hero is a felon escaped + from the galleys, and is represented as a patriot of the most sublime + principles; in another, he is the virtuous conductor of a gang of + banditti; and the principal character in a third, is a ploughman turned + deist and politician. + </p> + <p> + Yet, while these malevolent and mercenary scribblers are ransacking past + ages for the crimes of Kings or the abuses of religion, and imputing to + both many that never existed, they forget that neither their books nor + their imagination are able to furnish scenes of guilt and misery equal to + those which have been presented daily by republicans and philosophers. + What horror can their mock-tragedies excite in those who have contemplated + the Place de la Revolution? or who can smile at a farce in ridicule of + monarchy, that beholds the Convention, and knows the characters of the men + who compose it?—But in most of these wretched productions the + absurdity is luckily not less conspicuous than the immoral intention: + their Princes, their Priests, their Nobles, are all tyrannical, vicious, + and miserable; yet the common people, living under these same vicious + tyrants, are described as models of virtue, hospitality, and happiness. + If, then, the auditors of such edifying dramas were in the habit of + reasoning, they might very justly conclude, that the ignorance which + republicanism is to banish is desirable, and that the diffusion of riches + with which they have been flattered, will only increase their vices, and + subtract from their felicity. + </p> + <p> + There are, however, some patriotic spirits, who, not insensible to this + degeneracy of the French theatre, and lamenting the evil, have lately + exercised much ingenuity in developing the cause. They have at length + discovered, that all the republican tragedies, flat farces, and heavy + comedies, are attributable to Mr. Pitt, who has thought proper to corrupt + the authors, with a view to deprave the public taste. There is, certainly, + no combating this charge; for as, according to the assertions of the + Convention, Mr. Pitt has succeeded in bribing nearly every other + description of men in the republic, we may suppose the consciences of such + scribblers not less flexible. Mr. Pitt, indeed, stands accused, sometimes + in conjunction with the Prince of Cobourg, and sometimes on his own + account, of successively corrupting the officers of the fleet and army, + all the bankers and all the farmers, the priests who say masses, and the + people who attend them, the chiefs of the aristocrats, and the leaders of + the Jacobins. The bakers who refuse to bake when they have no flour, and + the populace who murmur when they have no bread, besides the merchants and + shopkeepers who prefer coin to assignats, are notoriously pensioned by + him: and even a part of the Representatives, and all the frail beauties, + are said to be enlisted in his service.—These multifarious charges + will be found on the journals of the Assembly, and we must of course + infer, that Mr. Pitt is the ablest statesman, or the French the most + corrupt nation, existing. + </p> + <p> + But it is not only Barrere and his colleagues who suppose the whole + country bribeable—the notion is common to the French in general; and + vanity adding to the omnipotence of gold, whenever they speak of a battle + lost, or a town taken, they conclude it impossible to have occurred but + through the venal treachery of their officers.—The English, I have + observed, always judge differently, and would not think the national + honour sustained by a supposition that their commanders were vulnerable + only in the hand. If a general or an admiral happen to be unfortunate, it + would be with the utmost reluctance that we should think of attributing + his mischance to a cause so degrading; yet whoever has been used to French + society will acknowledge, that the first suggestion on such events is <i>"nos + officiers ont ete gagnes,"</i> [Our officers were bought.] or <i>"sans la + trahison ce ne seroit pas arrive."</i> [This could not have happened + without treachery.]—Pope's hyperbole of + </p> + <p> + "Just half the land would buy, and half be sold," + </p> + <p> + is more than applicable here; for if we may credit the French themselves, + the buyers are by no means so well proportioned to the sellers. + </p> + <p> + As I have no new political intelligence to comment upon, I shall finish my + letter with a domestic adventure of the morning.—Our house was + yesterday assigned as the quarters of some officers, who, with part of a + regiment, were passing this way to join the Northern army. As they spent + the evening out, we saw nothing of them, but finding one was a Colonel, + and the other a Captain, though we knew what republican colonels and + captains might be, we thought it civil, or rather necessary, to send them + an invitation to breakfast. We therefore ordered some milk coffee early, + (for Frenchmen seldom take tea,) and were all assembled before the usual + time to receive our military guests. As they did not, however, appear, we + were ringing to enquire for them, when Mr. D____ entered from his morning + walk, and desired us to be at ease on their account, for that in passing + the kitchen, he had perceived the Captain fraternizing over some onions, + bread, and beer, with our man; while the Colonel was in close conference + with the cook, and watching a pan of soup, which was warming for his + breakfast. We have learned since, that these heroes were very willing to + accept of any thing the servants offered them, but could not be prevailed + upon to approach us; though, you are to understand, this was not + occasioned either by timidity or incivility, but by mere ignorance. + —Mr. D____ says, the Marquise and I have not divested ourselves of + aristocratic associations with our ideas of the military, and that our + deshabilles this morning were unusually coquetish. Our projects of + conquest were, however, all frustrated by the unlucky intervention of + Bernardine's <i>soupe aux choux,</i> [Cabbage-soup.] and Eustace's regale + of cheese and onions. + </p> + <p> + "And with such beaux 'tis vain to be a belle." + </p> + <p> + Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_34" id="short4_4_34"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, Dec. 10, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + Your American friend passed through here yesterday, and delivered me the + two parcels. As marks of your attention, they were very acceptable; but on + any other account, I assure you, I should have preferred a present of a + few pecks of wheat to all your fineries. + </p> + <p> + I have been used to conclude, when I saw such strange and unaccountable + absurdities given in the French papers as extracts from the debates in + either of your Houses of Parliament, that they were probably fabricated + here to serve the designs of the reigning factions: yet I perceive, by + some old papers which came with the muslins, that there are really members + so ill-informed or so unprincipled, as to use the language attributed to + them, and who assert that the French are attached to their government, and + call France "a land of republicans." + </p> + <p> + When it is said that a people are republicans, we must suppose they are + either partial to republicanism as a system, or that they prefer it in + practice. A little retrospection, perhaps, will determine both these + points better than the eloquence of your orators. + </p> + <p> + A few men, of philosophic or restless minds, have, in various ages and + countries, endeavoured to enlighten or disturb the world by examinations + and disputes on forms of government; yet the best heads and the best + hearts have remained divided on the subject, and I never heard that any + writer was able to produce more than a partial conviction, even in the + most limited circle. Whence, then, did it happen in France, where + information was avowedly confined, and where such discussions could not + have been general, that the people became suddenly inspired with this + political sagacity, which made them in one day the judges and converts of + a system they could scarcely have known before, even by name?—At the + deposition of the King, the French, (speaking at large,) had as + perspicuous a notion of republics, as they may be supposed to have of + mathematics, and would have understood Euclid's Elements as well as the + Social Contract. Yet an assemblage of the worst and most daring men from + every faction, elected amidst massacres and proscription, the moment they + are collected together, declare, on the proposal of Collot d'Herbois, a + profligate strolling player, that France shall be a republic.—Admitting + that the French were desirous of altering their form of government, I + believe no one will venture to say such an inclination was ever + manifested, or that the Convention were elected in a manner to render them + competent to such a decision. They were not the choice of the people, but + chiefly emissaries imposed on the departments by the Jacobins and the + municipality of Paris; and let those who are not acquainted with the means + by which the elections were obtained, examine the composition of the + Assembly itself, and then decide whether any people being free could have + selected such men as Petion, Tallien, Robespierre, Brissot, Carrier, + Taillefer, &c. &c. from the whole nation to be their + Representatives.—There must, in all large associations, be a mixture + of good and bad; but when it is incontrovertible that the principal + members of the Convention are monsters, who, we hope, are not to be + paralleled— that the rest are inferior rather in talents than + wickedness, or cowards and ideots, who have supported and applauded crimes + they only wanted opportunity to commit—it is not possible to + conceive, that any people in the world could make a similar choice. Yet if + the French were absolutely unbiassed, and of their own free will made this + collection, who would, after such an example, be the advocates of general + suffrage and popular representation?—But, I repeat, the people were + not free. They were not, indeed, influenced by bribes—they were + intimidated by the horrors of the moment; and along with the regulations + for the new elections, were every where circulated details of the + assassinations of August and September.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The influence of the municipality of Paris on the new elections is + well known. The following letter will show what instruments were + employed, and the description of Representatives likely to be chosen + under such auspices. "Circular letter, written by the Committee of + Inspection of the municipality of Paris to all the departments of the + republic, dated the third of September, the second day of the massacres: + "The municipality of Paris is impatient to inform their brethren of the + departments, that a part of the ferocious conspirators detained in the + prisons have been put to death by the people: an act of justice which + appeared to them indispensable, to restrain by terror those legions of + traitors whom they must have left behind when they departed for the + army. There is no doubt but the whole nation, after such multiplied + treasons, will hasten to adopt the same salutary measure!"—Signed + by the Commune of Paris and the Minister of Justice. Who, after this + mandate, would venture to oppose a member recommended by the Commune of + Paris? + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The French, then, neither chose the republican form of government, + nor the men who adopted it; and are, therefore, not republicans on + principle.—Let us now consider whether, not being republicans on + principle, experience may have rendered them such. + </p> + <p> + The first effects of the new system were an universal consternation, the + disappearance of all the specie, an extravagant rise in the price of + provisions, and many indications of scarcity. The scandalous quarrels of + the legislature shocked the national vanity, by making France the ridicule + of all Europe, until ridicule was suppressed by detestation at the + subsequent murder of the King. This was followed by the efforts of one + faction to strengthen itself against another, by means of a general war—the + leaders of the former presuming, that they alone were capable of + conducting it. + </p> + <p> + To the miseries of war were added revolutionary tribunals, revolutionary + armies and committees, forced loans, requisitions, maximums, and every + species of tyranny and iniquity man could devise or suffer; or, to use the + expression of Rewbell, [One of the Directory in 1796.] "France was in + mourning and desolation; all her families plunged in despair; her whole + surface covered with Bastilles, and the republican government become so + odious, that the most wretched slave, bending beneath the weight of his + chains, would have refused to live under it!" + </p> + <p> + Such were the means by which France was converted into a land of + republicans, and such the government to which your patriots assert the + French people were attached: yet so little was this attachment appreciated + here, that the mere institutions for watching and suppressing disaffection + amount, by the confession of Cambon, the financier, to twenty-four + millions six hundred and thirty-one thousand pounds sterling a year! + </p> + <p> + To suppose, then, that the French are devoted to a system which has served + as a pretext for so many crimes, and has been the cause of so many + calamities, is to conclude them a nation of philosophers, who are able to + endure, yet incapable of reasoning; and who suffer evils of every kind in + defence of a principle with which they can be little acquainted, and + which, in practice, they have known only by the destruction it has + occasioned. + </p> + <p> + You may, perhaps, have been persuaded, that the people submit patiently + now, for the sake of an advantage in perspective; but it is not in the + disposition of unenlightened men (and the mass of a people must + necessarily be so) to give up the present for the future. The individual + may sometimes atchieve this painful conquest over himself, and submit to + evil, on a calculation of future retribution, but the multitude will ever + prefer the good most immediately attainable, if not under the influence of + that terror which supersedes every other consideration. Recollect, then, + the counsel of the first historian of our age, and "suspend your belief of + whatever deviates from the laws of nature and the character of man;" and + when you are told the French are attached to a government which oppresses + them, or to principles of which they are ignorant, suppose their adoption + of the one, and their submission to the other, are the result of fear, and + that those who make these assertions to the contrary, are either + interested or misinformed. + </p> + <p> + Excuse me if I have devoted a few pages to a subject which with you is + obsolete. I am indignant at the perusal of such falsehoods; and though I + feel for the humiliation of great talents, I feel still more for the + disgrace such an abuse of them brings on our country. + </p> + <p> + It is not inapposite to mention a circumstance which happened to a friend + of Mr. D____'s, some little time since, at Paris. He was passing through + France, in his way from Italy, at the time of the general arrest, and was + detained there till the other day. As soon as he was released from prison, + he applied in person to a member of the Convention, to learn when he might + hope to return to England. The Deputy replied, <i>"Ma soi je n'en sais + rien</i> [Faith I can't tell you.]—If your Messieurs (naming some + members in the opposition) had succeeded in promoting a revolution, you + would not have been in your cage so long—<i>mais pour le coup il + faut attendre."</i> [But now you must have patience.] It is not probable + the members he named could have such designs, but Dumont once held the + same language to me; and it is mortifying to hear these miscreants + suppose, that factious or ambitious men, because they chance to possess + talents, can make revolutions in England as they have done in France. + </p> + <p> + In the papers which gave rise to these reflections, I observe that some of + your manufacturing towns are discontented, and attribute the stagnation of + their commerce to the war; but it is not unlikely, that the stagnation and + failures complained of might have taken place, though the war had not + happened.—When I came here in 1792, every shop and warehouse were + over-stocked with English goods. I could purchase any article of our + manufacture at nearly the retail price of London; and some I sent for from + Paris, in the beginning of 1793, notwithstanding the reports of war, were + very little advanced. Soon after the conclusion of the commercial treaty, + every thing English became fashionable; and so many people had speculated + in consequence, that similar speculations took place in England. But + France was glutted before the war; and all speculations entered into on a + presumption of a demand equal to that of the first years of the treaty, + must have failed in a certain degree, though the two countries had + remained at peace.—Even after a two years cessation of direct + intercourse, British manufactures are every where to be procured, which is + a sufficient proof that either the country was previously over supplied, + or that they are still imported through neutral or indirect channels. Both + these suppositions preclude the likelihood that the war has so great a + share in relaxing the activity of your commerce, as is pretended. + </p> + <p> + But whatever may be the effect of the war, there is no prospect of peace, + until the efforts of England, or the total ruin of the French finances,* + shall open the way for it. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * By a report of Cambon's at this time, it appears the expences of + France in 1792 were eighteen millions sterling—in 1793, near + ninety millions—and, in the spring of 1794, twelve and a half + millions per month!—The church bells, we learn from the same + authority, cost in coinage, and the purchase of copper to mix with the + metal, five or six millions of livres more than they produced as money. + The church plate, which was brought to the bar of the Convention with + such eclat, and represented as an inexhaustible resource, amounted to + scarcely a million sterling: for as the offering was every where + involuntary, and promoted by its agents for the purposes of pillage, + part was secreted, a still greater part stolen, and, as the conveyance + to Paris was a sort of job, the expences often exceeded the worth—a + patine, a censor, and a small chalice, were sent to the Convention, + perhaps an hundred leagues, by a couple of Jacobin Commissioners in a + coach and four, with a military escort. Thus, the prejudices of the + people were outraged, and their property wasted, without any benefit, + even to those who suggested the measure. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The Convention, indeed, have partly relinquished their project of + destroying all the Kings of the earth, and forcing all the people to be + free. But, though their schemes of reformation have failed, they still + adhere to those of extirpation; and the most moderate members talk + occasionally of "vile islanders," and "sailing up the Thames."*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The Jacobins and the Moderates, who could agree in nothing else, were + here perfectly in unison; so that on the same day we see the usual + invectives of Barrere succeeded by menaces equally ridiculous from Pelet + and Tallien— <i>"La seule chose dont nous devons nous occuper est + d'ecraser ce gouvernement infame."</i> + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + Discours de Pelet, 14 Nov. "The destruction of that infamous government + is the only thing that ought to engage our attention." Pelet's Speech, + 14 Nov. 1794. <i>"Aujourdhui que la France peut en se debarrassant d'une + partie de ses ennemis reporter la gloire de ses armes sur les bordes de + la Tamise, et ecraser le gouvernement Anglais." Discours de Tallien.</i> + "France, having now the opportunity of lessening the number of her + enemies, may carry the glory of her arms to the banks of the Thames, and + crush the English government." Tallien's Speech. <i>"Que le gouvernement + prenne des mesures sages pour faire une paix honorable avec quelques uns + de nos ennemis, et a l'aide des vaisseaux Hollandais et Espagnols, + portons nous ensuite avec vigueur sur les bordes de la Tamise, et + detruisons la nouvelle Carthage." Discours de Tallien, 14 Nov.</i> "Let + the government but adopt wise measures for making an honorable peace + with a part of our enemies, and with the aid of the Dutch and Spanish + navies, let us repair to the banks of the Thames, and destroy the modern + Carthage." Tallien's Speech, 14 Nov. 1794. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + No one is here ignorant of the source of Tallien's predilection for Spain, + and we may suppose the intrigue at this time far advanced. Probably the + charms of his wife (the daughter of Mons. Cabarrus, a French speculator, + formerly much encouraged by the Spanish government, afterwards disgraced + and imprisoned, but now liberated) might not be the only means employed to + procure his conversion. + </p> + <p> + —Tallien, Clauzel, and those who have newly assumed the character of + rational and decent people, still use the low and atrocious language of + Brissot, on the day he made his declaration of war; and perhaps hope, by + exciting a national spirit of vengeance against Great Britain, to secure + their lives and their pay, when they shall have been forced to make peace + on the Continent: for, be certain, the motives of these men are never to + be sought for in any great political object, but merely in expedients to + preserve their persons and their plunder. + </p> + <p> + Those who judge of the Convention by their daily harangues, and the + justice, virtue, or talents which they ascribe to themselves, must believe + them to be greatly regenerated: yet such is the dearth both of abilities + and of worth of any kind, that Andre Dumont has been successively + President of the Assembly, Member of the Committee of General Safety, and + is now in that of Public Welfare.—Adieu. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_35" id="short4_4_35"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, Dec. 16, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + The seventy-three Deputies who have been so long confined are now + liberated, and have resumed their seats. Jealousy and fear for some time + rendered the Convention averse from the adoption of this measure; but the + public opinion was so determined in favour of it, that farther resistance + might not have been prudent. The satisfaction created by this event is + general, though the same sentiment is the result of various conclusions, + which, however, all tend to one object—the re-establishment of + monarchy. + </p> + <p> + The idea most prevalent is, that these deputies, when arrested, were + royalists.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This opinion prevailed in many places where the proscribed deputies + took refuge. "The Normans (says Louvet) deceived by the imputations in + the newspapers, assisted us, under the idea that we were royalists: but + abandoned us when they found themselves mistaken." In the same manner, + on the appearance of these Deputies in other departments, armies were + collecting very fast, but dispersed when they perceived these men were + actuated only by personal fear or personal ambition, and that no one + talked of restoring the monarchy. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —By some it is thought, persecution may have converted them; but the + reflecting part of the nation look on the greater number as adherents of + the Girondists, whom the fortunate violence of Robespierre excluded from + participating in many of the past crimes of their colleagues, and who + have, in that alone, a reason for not becoming accomplices in those which + may be attempted in future. + </p> + <p> + It is astonishing to see with what facility people daily take on trust + things which they have it in their power to ascertain. The seventy-three + owe a great part of the interest they have excited to a persuasion of + their having voted either for a mild sentence on the King, or an appeal to + the nation: yet this is so far from being true, that many of them were + unfavourable to him on every question. But supposing it to have been + otherwise, their merit is in reality little enhanced: they all voted him + guilty, without examining whether he was so or not; and in affecting mercy + while they refused justice, they only aimed at conciliating their present + views with their future safety. + </p> + <p> + The whole claim of this party, who are now the Moderates of the + Convention, is reducible to their having opposed the commission of crimes + which were intended to serve their adversaries, rather than themselves. To + effect the dethronement of the King, and the destruction of those + obnoxious to them, they approved of popular insurrections; but expected + that the people whom they had rendered proficients in cruelty, should + become gentle and obedient when urged to resist their own authority; yet + they now come forth as victims of their patriotism, and call the heads of + the faction who are fallen—martyrs to liberty! But if they are + victims, it is to their folly or wickedness in becoming members of such an + assembly; and if their chiefs were martyrs, it was to the principles they + inculcated. + </p> + <p> + The trial of the Brissotins was justice, compared with that of the King. + If the former were condemned without proof, their partizans should + remember, that the revolutionary jury pretended to be influenced by the + same moral evidence they had themselves urged as the ground on which they + condemned the King; and if the people beheld with applause or indifference + the execution of their once-popular idols, they only put in practice the + barbarous lessons which those idols had taught them;—they were + forbidden to lament the fate of their Sovereign, and they rejoiced in that + of Brissot and his confederates.—These men, then, only found the + just retribution of their own guilt; and though it may be politic to + forget that their survivors were also their accomplices, they are not + objects of esteem—and the contemporary popularity, which a long + seclusion has obtained for them, will vanish, if their future conduct + should be directed by their original principles.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Louvet's pamphlet had not at this time appeared, and the subsequent + events proved, that the interest taken in these Deputies was founded on + a supposition they had changed their principles; for before the close of + the Convention they were as much objects of hatred and contempt as their + colleagues. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Some of these Deputies were the hirelings of the Duke of Orleans, and most + of them are individuals of no better reputation than the rest of the + Assembly. Lanjuinais has the merit of having acted with great courage in + defence of himself and his party on the thirty-first of May 1792; but the + following anecdote, recited by Gregoire* in the Convention a few days ago + will sufficiently explain both his character and Gregoire's, who are now, + however, looked up to as royalists, and as men comparatively honest. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Gregoire is one of the constitutional Clergy, and, from the habit of + comparing bad with worse, is more esteemed than many of his colleagues; + yet, in his report on the progress of Vandalism, he expresses himself + with sanguinary indecency—"They have torn (says he) the prints + which represented the execution of Charles the first, because there were + coats of arms on them. Ah, would to god we could behold, engraved in the + same manner, the heads of all Kings, done from nature! We might then + reconcile ourselves to seeing a ridiculous embellishment of heraldry + accompany them." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —"When I first arrived at Versailles, (says Gregoire,) as member of + the Constituent Assembly, (in 1789,) I met with Lanjuinais, and we took an + oath in concert to dethrone the King and abolish Nobility." Now, this was + before the alledged provocations of the King and Nobility—before the + constitution was framed—before the flight of the royal family to + Varennes—and before the war. But almost daily confessions of this + sort escape, which at once justify the King, and establish the infamy of + the revolutionists. + </p> + <p> + These are circumstances not to be forgotten, did not the sad science of + discriminating the shades of wickedness, in which (as I have before + noticed) the French have been rendered such adepts, oblige them at present + to fix their hopes—not according to the degree of merit, but by that + of guilt. They are reduced to distinguish between those who sanction + murders, and those who perpetrated them—between the sacrificer of + one thousand victims, and that of ten—between those who assassinate, + and those who only reward the assassin.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Tallien is supposed, as agent of the municipality of paris, to have + paid a million and a half of livres to the Septembrisers or assassins of + the prisons! I know not whether the sum was in assignats or specie.—If + in the former, it was, according to the exchange then, about two and + thirty thousand pounds sterling: but if estimated in proportion to what + might be purchased with it, near fifty thousand. Tallien has never + denied the payment of the money— we may, therefore, conclude the + charge to be true. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Before the revolution, they would not have known how to select, + where all were objects of abhorrence; but now the most ignorant are + casuists in the gradations of turpitude, and prefer Tallien to Le Bon, and + the Abbe Sieyes to Barrere. + </p> + <p> + The crimes of Carrier have been terminated, not punished, by death. He met + his fate with a courage which, when the effect of innocence, is glorious + to the sufferer, and consoling to humanity; but a career like his, so + ended, was only the confirmation of a brutal and ferocious mind.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * When Carrier was arrested, he attempted to shoot himself, and, on + being prevented by the Gens-d'armes, he told them there were members of + the Convention who would not forgive their having prevented his purpose—implying, + that they apprehended the discoveries he might make on his trial. While + he was dressing himself, (for they took him in bed,) he added, "<i>Les + Scelerats!</i> (Meaning his more particular accomplices, who, he was + told, had voted against him,) they deserved that I should be as + dastardly as themselves." He rested his defence entirely on the decrees + of the Convention. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Of thirty who were tried with him as his agents, and convicted of + assisting at the drownings, shootings, &c. two only were executed, the + rest were acquitted; because, though the facts were proved, the moral + latitude of the Revolutionary Jury* did not find the guilt of the + intention—that is, the culprits were indisputably the murderers of + several thousand people, but, according to the words of the verdict, they + did not act with a counter-revolutionary intention. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * An English reader may be deceived by the name of Jury. The + Revolutionary Jury was not only instituted, but even appointed by the + Convention.—The following is a literal translation of some of the + verdicts given on this occasion: "That O'Sulivan is author and + accomplice of several noyades (drownings) and unheard-of cruelties + towards the victims delivered to the waves. "That Lefevre is proved to + have ordered and caused to be executed a noyade of men, women, and + children, and to have committed various arbitrary acts. "That General + Heron is proved to have assassinated children, and worn publicly in his + hat the ear of a man he had murdered. That he also killed two children + who were peaceably watching sheep. "That Bachelier is author and + accomplice of the operations at Nantes, in signing arbitrary mandates of + arrest, imposing vexatious taxes, and taking for himself plate, &c. + found at the houses of citizens arrested on suspicion. "That Joly is + guilty, &c. in executing the arbitrary orders of the Revolutionary + Committee, of tying together the victims destined to be drowned or + shot." There are thirty-one articles conceived nearly in the same terms, + and which conclude thus—"All convicted as above, but not having + acted with criminal or counter-revolutionary intentions, the Tribunal + acquits and sets them at liberty." All France was indignant at those + verdicts, and the people of Paris were so enraged, that the Convention + ordered the acquitted culprits to be arrested again, perhaps rather for + protection than punishment. They were sent from Paris, and I never heard + the result; but I have seen the name of General Heron as being at large. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The Convention were certainly desirous that the atrocities of these men + (all zealous republicans) should be forgotten; for, independently of the + disgrace which their trial has brought on the cause, the sacrifice of such + agents might create a dangerous timidity in future, and deprive the + government of valuable partizans, who would fear to be the instruments of + crimes for which, after such a precedent, they might become responsible. + But the evil, which was unavoidable, has been palliated by the tenderness + or gratitude of a jury chosen by the Convention, who, by sacrificing two + only of this mass of monsters, and protecting the rest, hope to consecrate + the useful principle of indulgence for every act, whatever its enormity, + which has been the consequence of zeal or obedience to the government. + </p> + <p> + It is among the dreadful singularities of the revolution, that the + greatest crimes which have been committed were all in strict observance of + the laws. Hence the Convention are perpetually embarrassed by interest or + shame, when it becomes necessary to punish them. We have only to compare + the conduct of Carrier, le Bon, Maignet, &c. with the decrees under + which they acted, to be convinced that their chief guilt lies in having + been capable of obeying: and the convention, coldly issuing forth their + rescripts of extermination and conflagration, will not, in the opinion of + the moralist, be favorably distinguished from those who carried these + mandates into execution. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_36" id="short4_4_36"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + December 24, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + I am now at a village a few miles from Amiens, where, upon giving security + in the usual form, we have been permitted to come for a few days on a + visit to some relations of my friend Mad. de ____. On our arrival, we + found the lady of the house in a nankeen pierrot, knitting grey thread + stockings for herself, and the gentleman in a thick woollen jacket and + pantaloons, at work in the fields, and really labouring as hard as his + men.—They hope, by thus taking up the occupation and assuming the + appearance of farmers, to escape farther persecution; and this policy may + be available to those who have little to lose: but property is now a more + dangerous distinction than birth, and whoever possesses it, will always be + considered as the enemies of the republic, and treated accordingly. + </p> + <p> + We have been so much confined the last twelve months, that we were glad to + ride yesterday in spite of the cold; and our hosts having procured asses + for the females of the party, accompanied us themselves on foot.— + During our ramble, we entered into conversation with two old men and a + boy, who were at work in an open field near the road. They told us, they + had not strength to labour, because they had not their usual quantity of + bread—that their good lady, whose chateau we saw at a distance, had + been guillotined, or else they should have wanted for nothing—<i>"Et + ste pauvre Javotte la n'auroit pas travaille quant elle est qualsiment + prete a mourir."</i> ["And our poor Javotte there would not have had to + work when she is almost in her grave."]—<i>"Mon dieu,"</i> (says one + of the old men, who had not yet spoke,) <i>"Je donnerais bien ma portion + de sa terre pour la ravoir notre bonne dame."</i> ["God knows, I would + willingly give up my share of her estate to have our good lady amongst us + again."]—<i>"Ah pour ca oui,"</i> (returned the other,) <i>"mais + j'crois que nous n'aurons ni l'une l'autre, voila ste maudite nation qui + s'empare de tout."</i> ["Ah truly, but I fancy we shall have neither one + nor the other, for this cursed nation gets hold of every thing."] + </p> + <p> + While they were going on in this style, a berline and four cabriolets, + with three-coloured flags at the windows, and a whole troop of national + guard, passed along the road. <i>"Vive la Republique!"</i>—"Vive la + Nation!" cried our peasants, in an instant; and as soon as the cavalcade + was out of sight, <i>"Voyez ste gueusaille la, quel train, c'est vraiment + quelque depute de la Convention—ces brigands la, ils ne manquent de + rien, ils vivent comme des rois, et nous autres nous sommes cent sois plus + miserables que jamais."</i> ["See there what a figure they make, those + beggarly fellows—it's some deputy of the convention I take it. The + thieves want for nothing, they live like so many kings, and we are all a + hundred times worse off than ever."]—<i>"Tais toi, tais tois,"</i> + ["Be quiet, I tell you."] (says the old man, who seemed the least + garrulous of the two.)—<i>"Ne crains rien,</i> ["Never fear."] + (replied the first,) <i>c'est de braves gens;</i> these ladies and + gentlemen I'm sure are good people; they have not the look of patriots."—And + with this compliment to ourselves, and the externals of patriotism, we + took our leave of them. + </p> + <p> + I found, however, by this little conversation, that some of the peasants + still believe they are to have the lands of the gentry divided amongst + them, according to a decree for that purpose. The lady, whom they + lamented, and whose estate they expected to share, was the Marquise de + B____, who had really left the country before the revolution, and had gone + to drink some of the German mineral waters, but not returning within the + time afterwards prescribed, was declared an emigrant. By means of a + friend, she got an application made to Chabot, (then in high popularity,) + who for an hundred thousand livres procured a passport from the Executive + Council to enter France. Upon the faith of this she ventured to return, + and was in consequence, notwithstanding her passport, executed as an + emigrant. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. D____, who is not yet well enough for such an expedition, and is, + besides, unaccustomed to our montures, remained at home. We found she had + been much alarmed during our absence, every house in the village having + been searched, by order of the district, for corn, and two of the horses + taken to the next post to convey the retinue of the Deputy we had seen in + the morning. Every thing, however, was tranquil on our arrival, and + rejoicing it was no worse, though Mons. ____ seemed to be under great + apprehension for his horses, we sat down to what in France is called a + late dinner. + </p> + <p> + Our host's brother, who left the army at the general exclusion of the + Noblesse, and was in confinement at the Luxembourg until after the death + of Robespierre, is a professed wit, writes couplets to popular airs, and + has dramatized one of Plutarch's Lives. While we were at the desert, he + amused us with some of his compositions in prison, such as an epigram on + the Guillotine, half a dozen calembours on the bad fare at the <i>Gamelle,</i> + [Mess.] and an ode on the republican victory at Fleurus—the last + written under the hourly expectation of being sent off with the next <i>fournee</i> + (batch) of pretended conspirators, yet breathing the most ardent + attachment to the convention, and terminated by a full sounding line about + tyrants and liberty.—This may appear strange, but the Poets were, + for the most part, in durance, and the Muses must sing, though in a cage: + hope and fear too both inspire prescriptively, and freedom might be + obtained or death averted by these effusions of a devotion so profound as + not to be alienated by the sufferings of imprisonment, or the menace of + destruction. Whole volumes of little jeux d'esprit, written under these + circumstances, might be collected from the different prisons; and, I + believe, it is only in France that such a collection could have been + furnished.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Many of these poetical trifles have been published—some written + even the night before their authors were executed. There are several of + great poetical merit, and, when considered relatively, are wonderful.—Among + the various poets imprisoned, was one we should scarcely have expected—Rouget + Delille, author of the Marseillois Hymn, who, while his muse was rouzing + the citizens from one end of the republic to the other to arm against + tyrants, was himself languishing obscurely a victim to the worst of all + tyrannies. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Mr. D____, though he writes and speaks French admirably, does not love + French verses; and I found he could not depend on the government of his + features, while a French poet was reciting his own, but kept his eyes + fixed on a dried apple, which he pared very curiously, and when that was + atchieved, betook himself to breaking pralines, and extracting the almonds + with equal application. We, however, complimented Monsieur's poetry; and + when we had taken our coffee, and the servants were entirely withdrawn, he + read us some trifles more agreeable to our principles, if not to our + taste, and in which the Convention was treated with more sincerity than + complaisance. It seems the poet's zeal for the republic had vanished at + his departure from the Luxembourg, and that his wrath against coalesced + despots, and his passion for liberty, had entirely evaporated. In the + evening we played a party of reversi with republican cards,* and heard the + children sing "Mourrons pour la Patrie." + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The four Kings are replaced by four Genii, the Queens by four sorts of + liberty, and the Knaves by four descriptions of equality. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —After these civic amusements, we closed our chairs round the fire, + conjecturing how long the republic might last, or whether we should all + pass another twelve months in prison, and, agreeing that both our fate and + that of the republic were very precarious, adjourned to rest. + </p> + <p> + While I was undressing, I observed Angelique looked extremely + discontented, and on my enquiring what was the matter, she answered, <i>"C'est + que je m'ennuie beaucoup ici,"</i> ["I am quite tired of this place."] + "Mademoiselle," (for no state or calling is here exempt from this polite + sensation.) "And why, pray?"—<i>"Ah quelle triste societe, tout le + monde est d'un patriotisme insoutenable, la maison est remplie d'images + republicaines, des Marat, des Voltaire, des Pelletier, que sais-moi? et + voila jusqu'au garcon de l'ecurie qui me traite de citoyenne."</i> ["Oh, + they are a sad set—every body is so insufferably patriotic. The + house is full from top to bottom of republican images, Marats, and + Voltaires, and Pelletiers, and I don't know who—and I am called + Citizen even by the stable boy."] I did not think it right to satisfy her + as to the real principles of our friends, and went to bed ruminating on + the improvements which the revolution must have occasioned in the art of + dissimulation. Terror has drilled people of the most opposite sentiments + into such an uniformity of manner and expression, that an aristocrat who + is ruined and persecuted by the government is not distinguishable from the + Jacobin who has made his fortune under it. + </p> + <p> + In the morning Angelique's countenance was brightened, and I found she had + slept in the same room with Madame's <i>femme de chambre,</i> when an + explanation of their political creeds had taken place, so that she now + assured me Mad. Augustine was <i>"fort honnete dans le fond,"</i> [A very + good girl at heart.] though she was obliged to affect republicanism.—"All + the world's a stage," says our great dramatic moralist. France is + certainly so at present, and we are not only necessitated to act a part, + but a sorry one too; for we have no choice but to exhibit in farce, or + suffer in tragedy.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short4_4_37" id="short4_4_37"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + December 27, 1794. + </h2> + <p> + I took the opportunity of my being here to go about four leagues farther + to see an old convent acquaintance lately come to this part of the + country, and whom I have not met since I was at Orleans in 1789. + </p> + <p> + The time has been when I should have thought such a history as this lady's + a romance, but tales of woe are now become familiar to us, and, if they + create sympathy, they no longer excite surprize, and we hear of them as + the natural effects of the revolution. + </p> + <p> + Madame de St. E__m__d is the daughter of a gentleman whose fortune was + inadequate both to his rank and manner of living, and he gladly embraced + the offer of Monsieur de St. E__m__d to marry her at sixteen, and to + relinquish the fortune allotted her to her two younger sisters. Monsieur + de St. E__m__d, being a dissipated man, soon grew weary of any sort of + domestic life, and placing his wife with her father, in less than a year + after their marriage departed for Italy.—Madame de St. E__m__d, thus + left in a situation both delicate and dangerous for a young and pretty + woman, became unfortunately attached to a gentleman who was her distant + relation: yet, far from adopting the immoral principles not unjustly + ascribed to your country, she conducted herself with a prudence and + reserve, which even in France made her an object of general respect. About + three years after her husband's departure the revolution took place, and + not returning, he was of course put on the list of emigrants. In 1792, + when the law passed which sanctioned and facilitated divorces, her friends + all earnestly persuaded her to avail herself of it, but she could not be + prevailed upon to consider the step as justifiable; for though Monsieur de + St. E__m__d neglected her, he had, in other respects, treated her with + generosity and kindness. She, therefore, persisted in her refusal, and her + lover, in despair, joined the republican army. + </p> + <p> + At the general arrest of the Noblesse, Madame de St. E__m__d and her + sisters were confined in the town where they resided, but their father was + sent to Paris; and a letter from one of his female relations, who had + emigrated, being found among his papers, he was executed without being + able to see or write to his children. Madame de St. E__m__d's husband had + returned about the same time to France, in the disguise of a post-boy, was + discovered, and shared the same fate. These events reached her love, still + at the army, but it was impossible for him to quit his post, and in a few + days after, being mortally wounded, he died,* recommending Eugenie de St. + E__m__d to the protection of his father.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This young man, who died gallantly fighting in the cause of the + republic, was no republican: but this does not render the murder of his + father, a deaf [There were people both deaf and dumb in the prisons as + conspirators.] and inoffensive man, less abominable.—The case of + General Moreau's father, though somewhat similar, is yet more + characteristic of the revolution. Mons. Moreau was persuaded, by a man + who had some interest in the business, to pay a debt which he owed an + emigrant, to an individual, instead of paying it, as the law directed, + to the use of the republic. The same man afterwards denounced him, and + he was thrown into prison. At nine o'clock on the night preceding his + trial, his act of accusation was brought him, and before he had time to + sketch out a few lines for his defence, the light by which he wrote was + taken away. In the morning he was tried, the man who had informed + against him sitting as one of his judges, and he was condemned and + executed the very day on which his son took the Fort de l'Ecluse!—Mons. + Moreau had four sons, besides the General in the army, and two + daughters, all left destitute by the confiscation of his property. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —A brother officer, who engaged to execute this commission, wrote + immediately to the old man, to inform him of his loss, and of his son's + last request. It was too late, the father having been arrested on + suspicion, and afterwards guillotined, with many other persons, for a + pretended conspiracy in prison, the very day on which his son had fallen + in the performance of an act of uncommon bravery. + </p> + <p> + Were I writing from imagination, I should add, that Madame de St. E__m__d + had been unable to sustain the shock of these repeated calamities, and + that her life or understanding had been the sacrifice. It were, indeed, + happy for the sufferer, if our days were always terminated when they + became embittered, or that we lost the sense of sorrow by its excess: but + it is not so—we continue to exist when we have lost the desire of + existence, and to reason when feeling and reason constitute our torments. + Madame de St. E__m__d then lives, but lives in affliction; and having + collected the wreck of her personal property, which some friends had + concealed, she left the part of France she formerly inhabited, and is now + with an aunt in this neighbourhood, watching the decay of her eldest + sister, and educating the youngest. + </p> + <p> + Clementine was consumptive when they were first arrested, and vexation, + with ill-treatment in the prison, have so established her disorder, that + she is now past relief. She is yet scarcely eighteen, and one of the most + lovely young women I ever saw. Grief and sickness have ravaged her + features; but they are still so perfect, that fancy, associating their + past bloom with their present languor, supplies perhaps as much to the + mind as is lost by the eye. She suffers without complaining, and mourns + without ostentation; and hears her father spoken of with such solemn + silent floods of tears, that she looks like the original of Dryden's + beautiful portrait of the weeping Sigismunda. + </p> + <p> + The letter which condemned the father of these ladies, was not, it seems, + written to himself, but to a brother, lately dead, whose executor he was, + and of whose papers he thus became possessed. On this ground their friends + engaged them to petition the Assembly for a revision of the sentence, and + the restoration of their property, which was in consequence forfeited. + </p> + <p> + The daily professions of the Convention, in favour of justice and + humanity, and the return of the seventy-three imprisoned Deputies, had + soothed these poor young women with the hopes of regaining their paternal + inheritance, so iniquitously confiscated. A petition was, therefore, + forwarded to Paris about a fortnight ago; and the day before, the + following decree was issued, which has silenced their claims for ever: "La + Convention Nationale declare qu'elle n'admettra aucune demande en revision + des jugemens criminels portant confiscation de biens rendus et executes + pendant la revolution."* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "The National Convention hereby declares that it will admit no + petitions for the revisal of such criminal sentences, attended with + confiscation of property, as have been passed and executed since the + revolution." Yet these revolutionists, who would hear nothing of + repairing their own injustice, had occasionally been annulling sentences + past half a century ago, and the more recent one of the Chevalier La + Barre. But their own executions and confiscations for an adherence to + religion were to be held sacred.—I shall be excused for + introducing here a few words respecting the affair of La Barre, which + has been a favourite topic with popular writers of a certain + description. The severity of the punishment must, doubtless, be + considered as disgraceful to those who advised as well as to those who + sanctioned it: but we must not infer from hence that he merited no + punishment at all; and perhaps degradation, some scandalous and public + correction, with a few years solitary confinement, might have answered + every purpose intended. La Barre was a young etourdi, under twenty, but + of lively talents, which, unfortunately for him, had taken a very + perverse turn. The misdemeanour commonly imputed to him and his + associates was, that they had mutilated a Christ which stood on the + Pont-neuf at Abbeville: but La Barre had accustomed himself to take all + opportunities of insulting, with the most wanton malignity, these pious + representations, and especially in the presence of people, with whom his + particular connections led him to associate, and whose profession could + not allow them entirely to overlook such affronts on what was deemed an + appendage to the established religion of the country. The people of + Abbeville manifested their sense of the business when d'Etalonde, La + Barre's intimate friend, who had saved himself by flight, returned, + after a long exile, under favour of the revolution. He was received in + the neighbourhood with the most mortifying indifference. The decree of + the Convention too, by which the memory of this imprudent young man was + re-established, when promulgated, created about as much interest as any + other law which did not immediately affect the property or awaken the + apprehensions of the hearers. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Madame de St. E__m__d told me her whole fortune was now reduced to a few + Louis, and about six or seven thousand livres in diamonds; that she was + unwilling to burden her aunt, who was not rich, and intended to make some + advantage of her musical talents, which are indeed considerable. But I + could not, without anguish, hear an elegant young woman, with a heart half + broken, propose to get her living by teaching music.—I know not that + I ever passed a more melancholy day. In the afternoon we walked up and + down the path of the village church-yard. The church was shut up, the roof + in part untiled, the windows were broken, and the wooden crosses that + religion or tenderness had erected to commemorate the dead, broken and + scattered about. Two labourers, and a black-smith in his working garb, + came while we were there, and threw a sort of uncouth wooden coffin + hastily into a hole dug for the purpose, which they then covered and left + without farther ceremony. Yet this was the body of a lady regretted by a + large family, who were thus obliged to conquer both their affection and + their prejudices, and inter her according to the republican mode.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The relations or friends of the dead were prohibited, under severe + penalties, from following their remains to the grave. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I thought, while we traversed the walk, and beheld this scene, that every + thing about me bore the marks of the revolution. The melancholy objects I + held on my arm, and the feeble steps of Clementine, whom we could scarcely + support, aided the impression; and I fear that, for the moment, I + questioned the justice of Heaven, in permitting such a scourge to be let + loose upon its works. + </p> + <p> + I quitted Madame de St. E__m__d this morning with reluctance, for we shall + not meet again till I am entirely at liberty. The village municipality + where she now resides, are quiet and civil, and her misfortunes make her + fearful of attracting the notice of the people in authority of a large + place, so that she cannot venture to Amiens.—You must observe, that + any person who has suffered is an object of particular suspicion, and that + to have had a father or a husband executed, and to be reduced to beggary, + are titles to farther persecution.—The politics of the day are, it + is true, something less ferocious than they were: but confidence is not to + be restored by an essay in the Orateur du Peuple,* or an equivocal + harangue from the tribune; and I perceive every where, that those who have + been most injured, are most timid. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * <i>"L'Orateur du Peuple,"</i> was a periodical paper published by + Freron, many numbers of which were written with great spirit.— + Freron was at this time supposed to have become a royalist, and his + paper, which was comparatively favourable to the aristocrats, was read + with great eagerness. The following extract from the registers of one of + the popular commissions will prove, that the fears of those who had + already suffered by the revolution were well founded: "A. Sourdeville, + and A. N. E. Sourdeville, sisters of an emigrant Noble, daughters of a + Count, aristocrats, and having had their father and brother guillotined. + "M. J. Sourdeville, mother of an emigrant, an aristocrat, and her + husband and son having been guillotined. "Jean Marie Defille—very + suspicious—a partizan of the Abbe Arnoud and La Fayette, has had a + brother guillotined, and always shewn himself indifferent about the + public welfare." The commissions declare that the above are condemned to + banishment. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I did not reach this place till after the family had dined, and taking my + soup and a dish of coffee, have escaped, under pretext of the headache, to + my own room. I left our poet far gone in a classical description of a sort + of Roman dresses, the drawings of which he had seen exhibited at the + Lyceum, as models of an intended national equipment for the French + citizens of both sexes; and my visit to Madame de St. E__m__d had + incapacitated me for discussing revolutionary draperies. + </p> + <p> + In England, this is the season of festivity to the little, and beneficence + in the great; but here, the sterile genius of atheism has suppressed the + sounds of mirth, and closed the hands of charity—no season is + consecrated either to the one or the other; and the once-varied year is + but an uniform round of gloom and selfishness. The philosopher may treat + with contempt the notion of periodical benevolence, and assert that we + should not wait to be reminded by religion or the calendar, in order to + contribute to the relief of our fellow creatures: yet there are people who + are influenced by custom and duty, that are not always awake to + compassion; and indolence or avarice may yield a too ready obedience to + prohibitions which favour both. The poor are certainly no gainers by the + substitution of philosophy for religion; and many of those who are + forbidden to celebrate Christmas or Easter by a mass, will forget to do it + by a donation. For my own part, I think it an advantage that any period of + the year is more particularly signalized by charity; and I rejoice when I + hear of the annual gifts of meat or firing of such, or such a great + personage—and I never enquire whether they might still continue + their munificence if Christianity were abolished.—Adieu. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + A RESIDENCE IN FRANCE,<br /> <br /> DURING THE YEARS<br /> <br /> 1792, 1793, + 1794, and 1795 + </h1> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + DESCRIBED IN A SERIES OF LETTERS<br /> FROM AN ENGLISH LADY;<br /> With + General And Incidental Remarks<br /> On The French Character And Manners. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h4> + Prepared for the Press<br /> By John Gifford, Esq.<br /> <br /> Second + Edition.<br /> <br /> _Plus je vis l'Etranger plus j'aimai ma Patrie._<br /> + --Du Belloy.<br /> <br /> London: Printed for T. N. Longman, Paternoster + Row. 1797. + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + 1795 + </h1> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#short5_4_1">Amiens,</a> + </td> + <td> + Jan. 23, 1795. + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#short5_4_2">Amiens,</a> + </td> + <td> + Jan. 30, 1795. + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#short5_4_3">Beauvais,</a> + </td> + <td> + March 13, 1795. + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#short5_4_4">Amiens,</a> + </td> + <td> + May 9, 1795. + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#short5_4_5">Amiens,</a> + </td> + <td> + May 26, 1795. + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#short5_4_6">Paris,</a> + </td> + <td> + June 3, 1795. + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#short5_4_7">Paris,</a> + </td> + <td> + June 6, 1795. + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#short5_4_8">Paris,</a> + </td> + <td> + June 8, 1795. + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#short5_4_9">Paris,</a> + </td> + <td> + June 15, 1795. + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#short5_4_10">Amiens,</a> + </td> + <td> + June 18, 1795. + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#short5_4_11">Havre,</a> + </td> + <td> + June 22, 1795. + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="short5_4_1" id="short5_4_1"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, Jan. 23, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + Nothing proves more that the French republican government was originally + founded on principles of despotism and injustice, than the weakness and + anarchy which seem to accompany every deviation from these principles. It + is strong to destroy and weak to protect: because, deriving its support + from the power of the bad and the submission of the timid, it is deserted + or opposed by the former when it ceases to plunder or oppress— while + the fears and habits of the latter still prevail, and render them as + unwilling to defend a better system as they have been to resist the worst + possible. + </p> + <p> + The reforms that have taken place since the death of Robespierre, though + not sufficient for the demands of justice, are yet enough to relax the + strength of the government; and the Jacobins, though excluded from + authority, yet influence by the turbulence of their chiefs in the + Convention, and the recollection of their past tyranny—against the + return of which the fluctuating politics of the Assembly offer no + security. The Committees of Public Welfare and General Safety (whose + members were intended, according to the original institution, to be + removed monthly) were, under Robespierre, perpetual; and the union they + preserved in certain points, however unfavourable to liberty, gave a + vigour to the government, of which from its conformation it should appear + to have been incapable. It is now discovered, that an undefined power, not + subject to the restriction of fixed laws, cannot remain long in the same + hands without producing tyranny. A fourth part of the Members of these + Committees are, therefore, now changed every month; but this regulation, + more advantageous to the Convention than the people, keeps alive + animosities, stimulates ambition, and retains the country in anxiety and + suspense; for no one can guess this month what system may be adopted the + next—and the admission of two or three new Jacobin members would be + sufficient to excite an universal alarm. + </p> + <p> + We watch these renewals with a solicitude inconceivable to those who study + politics as they do a new opera, and have nothing to apprehend from the + personal characters of Ministers; and our hopes and fears vary according + as the members elected are Moderates, Doubtfuls, or decided Mountaineers.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * For instance, Carnot, whose talents in the military department obliged + the Convention (even if they had not been so disposed) to forget his + compliances with Robespierre, his friendship for Barrere and Collot, and + his eulogiums on Carrier. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —This mixture of principles, which intrigue, intimidation, or + expediency, occasions in the Committees, is felt daily; and if the languor + and versatility of the government be not more apparent, it is that habits + of submission still continue, and that the force of terror operates in the + branches, though the main spring be relaxed. Were armies to be raised, or + means devised to pay them now, it could not be done; though, being once + put in motion, they continue to act, and the requisitions still in a + certain degree supply them. + </p> + <p> + The Convention, while they have lost much of their real power, have also + become more externally contemptible than ever. When they were overawed by + the imposing tone of their Committees, they were tolerably decent; but as + this restraint has worn off, the scandalous tumult of their debates + increases, and they exhibit whatever you can imagine of an assemblage of + men, most of whom are probably unacquainted with those salutary forms + which correct the passions, and soften the intercourse of polished + society. They question each other's veracity with a frankness truly + democratic, and come fraternally to "Touchstone's seventh remove" at once, + without passing any of the intermediate progressions. It was but lately + that one Gaston advanced with a stick in full assembly to thresh Legendre; + and Cambon and Duhem are sometimes obliged to be holden by the arms and + legs, to prevent their falling on Tallien and Freron. I described scenes + of this nature to you at the opening of the Convention; but I assure you, + the silent meditations of the members under Robespierre have extremely + improved them in that species of eloquence, which is not susceptible of + translation or transcription. We may conclude, that these licences are + inherent to a perfect democracy; for the greater the number of + representatives, and the nearer they approach to the mass of the people, + the less they will be influenced by aristocratic ceremonials. We have, + however, no interest in disputing the right of the Convention to use + violence and lavish abuse amongst themselves; for, perhaps, these scenes + form the only part of their journals which does not record or applaud some + real mischief. + </p> + <p> + The French, who are obliged to celebrate so many aeras of revolution, who + have demolished Bastilles and destroyed tyrants, seem at this moment to be + in a political infancy, struggling against despotism, and emerging from + ignorance and barbarity. A person unacquainted with the promoters and + objects of the revolution, might be apt to enquire for what it had been + undertaken, or what had been gained by it, when all the manufactured + eloquence of Tallien is vainly exerted to obtain some limitation of + arbitrary imprisonment—when Freron harangues with equal labour and + as little success in behalf of the liberty of the press; while Gregoire + pleads for freedom of worship, Echasseriaux for that of commerce, and all + the sections of Paris for that of election.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It is to be observed, that in these orations all the decrees passed by + the Convention for the destruction of commerce and religion, are + ascribed to the influence of Mr. Pitt.—"La libertedes cultes + existe en Turquie, elle n'existe point en France. Le peuple y est prive + d'un droit donc on jouit dans les etats despotiques memes, sous les + regences de Maroc et d'Algers. Si cet etat de choses doit perseverer, ne + parlons plus de l'inquisition, nous en avons perdu le droit, car la + liberte des cultes n'est que dans les decrets, et la persecution + tiraille toute la France. "Cette impression intolerante aurait elle ete + (suggeree) par le cabinet de St. James?" "In Turkey the liberty of + worship is admitted, though it does not exist in France. Here the people + are deprived of a right common to the most despotic governments, not + even excepting those of Algiers and Morocco.—If things are to + continue in this state, let us say no more about the Inquisition, we + have no right, for religious liberty is to be found only in our decrees, + while, in truth, the whole country is exposed to persecution. "May not + these intolerant notions have been suggested by the Cabinet of St. + James?" Gregoire's Report on the Liberty of Worship. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Thus, after so many years of suffering, and such a waste of + whatever is most valuable, the civil, religious, and political privileges + of this country depend on a vote of the Convention. + </p> + <p> + The speech of Gregoire, which tended to restore the Catholic worship, was + very ill received by his colleagues, but every where else it is read with + avidity and applause; for, exclusive of its merit as a composition, the + subject is of general interest, and there are few who do not wish to have + the present puerile imitations of Paganism replaced by Christianity. The + Assembly listened to this tolerating oration with impatience, passed to + the order of the day, and called loudly for Decades, with celebrations in + honour of "the liberty of the world, posterity, stoicism, the republic, + and the hatred of tyrants!" But the people, who understand nothing of this + new worship, languish after the saints of their ancestors, and think St. + Francois d'Assise, or St. Francois de Sales, at least as likely to afford + them spiritual consolation, as Carmagnoles, political homilies, or + pasteboard goddesses of liberty. + </p> + <p> + The failure of Gregoire is far from operating as a discouragement to this + mode of thinking; for such has been the intolerance of the last year, that + his having even ventured to suggest a declaration in favour of free + worship, is deemed a sort of triumph to the pious which has revived their + hopes. Nothing is talked of but the restoration of churches, and + reinstalment of priests—the shops are already open on the Decade, + and the decrees of the Convention, which make a principal part of the + republican service, are now read only to a few idle children or bare + walls. [When the bell toll'd on the Decade, the people used to say it was + for La messe du Diable—The Devil's mass.]—My maid told me this + morning, as a secret of too much importance for her to retain, that she + had the promise of being introduced to a good priest, (un bon pretre, for + so the people entitle those who have never conformed,) to receive her + confession at Easter; and the fetes of the new calendar are now jested on + publicly with very little reverence. + </p> + <p> + The Convention have very lately decreed themselves an increase of pay, + from eighteen to thirty-six livres. This, according to the comparative + value of assignats, is very trifling: but the people, who have so long + been flattered with the ideas of partition and equality, and are now + starving, consider it as a great deal, and much discontent is excited, + which however evaporates, as usual, in the national talent for bon mots. + The augmentation, though an object of popular jealousy, is most likely + valued by the leading members only as it procures them an ostensible means + of living; for all who have been on missions, or had any share in the + government, have, like Falstaff, "hid their honour in their necessities," + and have now resources they desire to profit by, but cannot decently avow. + </p> + <p> + The Jacobin party have in general opposed this additional eighteen livres, + with the hope of casting an odium on their adversaries; but the people, + though they murmur, still prefer the Moderates, even at the expence of + paying the difference. The policy of some Deputies who have acquired too + much, or the malice of others who have acquired nothing, has frequently + proposed, that every member of the Convention should publish an account of + his fortune before and since the revolution. An enthusiastic and + acclamatory decree of assent has always insued; but somehow prudence has + hitherto cooled this warmth before the subsequent debate, and the + resolution has never yet been carried into effect. + </p> + <p> + The crimes of Maignet, though they appear to occasion but little regret in + his colleagues, have been the source of considerable embarrassment to + them. When he was on mission in the department of Vaucluse, besides + numberless other enormities, he caused the whole town of Bedouin to be + burnt, a part of its inhabitants to be guillotined, and the rest + dispersed, because the tree of liberty was cut down one dark night, while + they were asleep.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Maignet's order for the burning of Bedouin begins thus: "Liberte, + egalite, au nom du peuple Francais!" He then states the offence of the + inhabitants in suffering the tree of liberty to be cut down, institutes + a commission for trying them, and proceeds—"It is hereby ordered, + that as soon as the principal criminals are executed, the national agent + shall notify to the remaining inhabitants not confined, that they are + enjoined to evacuate their dwellings, and take out their effects in + twenty-four hours; at the expiration of which he is to commit the town + to the flames, and leave no vestige of a building standing. Farther, it + is forbidden to erect any building on the spot in future, or to + cultivate the soil." "Done at Avignon, the 17th Floreal." The decree of + the Convention to the same effect passed about the 1st of Floreal. + Merlin de Douai, (Minister of Justice in 1796,) Legendre, and Bourdon de + l'Oise, were the zealous defenders of Maignet on this occasion. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Since the Assembly have thought it expedient to disavow these + revolutionary measures, the conduct of Maignet has been denounced, and the + accusations against him sent to a commission to be examined. For a long + time no report was made, till the impatience of Rovere, who is Maignet's + personal enemy, rendered a publication of the result dispensable. They + declared they found no room for censure or farther proceedings. This + decision was at first strongly reprobated by the Moderates; but as it was + proved, in the course of the debate, that Maignet was authorized, by an + express decree of the Convention, to burn Bedouin, and guillotine its + inhabitants, all parties soon agreed to consign the whole to oblivion. + </p> + <p> + Our clothes, &c. are at length entirely released from sequestration, + and the seals taken off. We are indebted for this act of justice to the + intrigues of Tallien, whose belle Espagnole is considerably interested. + Tallien's good fortune is so much envied, that some of the members were + little enough to move, that the property of the Spanish Bank of St. + Charles (in which Madame T——'s is included) should be excepted + from the decree in favour of foreigners. The Convention were weak enough + to accede; but the exception will, doubtless, be over-ruled. + </p> + <p> + The weather is severe beyond what it has been in my remembrance. The + thermometer was this morning at fourteen and a half. It is, besides, + potentially cold, and every particle of air is like a dart.—I + suppose you contrive to keep yourselves warm in England, though it is not + possible to do so here. The houses are neither furnished nor put together + for the climate, and we are fanned by these congealing winds, as though + the apertures which admit them were designed to alleviate the ardours of + an Italian sun. + </p> + <p> + The satin hangings of my room, framed on canvas, wave with the gales + lodged behind them every second. A pair of "silver cupids, nicely poised + on their brands," support a wood fire, which it is an occupation to keep + from extinguishing; and all the illusion of a gay orange-grove pourtrayed + on the tapestry at my feet, is dissipated by a villainous chasm of about + half an inch between the floor and the skirting-boards. Then we have so + many corresponding windows, supernumerary doors, "and passages that lead + to nothing," that all our English ingenuity in comfortable arrangement is + baffled.—When the cold first became so insupportable, we attempted + to live entirely in the eating-room, which is warmed by a poele, or German + stove, but the kind of heat it emits is so depressive and relaxing to + those who are not inured to it, that we are again returned to our large + chimney and wood-fire.—The French depend more on the warmth of their + clothing, than the comfort of their houses. They are all wadded and furred + as though they were going on a sledge party, and the men, in this respect, + are more delicate than the ladies: but whether it be the consequence of + these precautions, or from any other cause, I observe they are, in + general, without excepting even the natives of the Southern provinces, + less sensible of cold than the English. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short5_4_2" id="short5_4_2"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, Jan. 30, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + Delacroix, author of <i>"Les Constitutions Politiques de l'Europe,"</i> + [The Political Constitutions of Europe.] has lately published a work much + read, and which has excited the displeasure of the Assembly so highly, + that the writer, by way of preliminary criticism, has been arrested. The + book is intitled <i>"Le Spectateur Francais pendant la Revolution."</i> + [The French Spectator during the Revolution.] It contains many truths, and + some speculations very unfavourable both to republicanism and its + founders. It ventures to doubt the free acceptance of the democratic + constitution, proposes indirectly the restoration of the monarchy, and + dilates with great composure on a plan for transporting to America all the + Deputies who voted for the King's death. The popularity of the work, still + more than its principles, has contributed to exasperate the Assembly; and + serious apprehensions are entertained for the fate of Delacroix, who is + ordered for trial to the Revolutionary Tribunal. + </p> + <p> + It would astonish a superficial observer to see with what avidity all + forbidden doctrines are read. Under the Church and Monarchy, a deistical + or republican author might sometimes acquire proselytes, or become the + favourite amusement of fashionable or literary people; but the circulation + of such works could be only partial, and amongst a particular class of + readers: whereas the treason of the day, which comprises whatever favours + Kings or religion, is understood by the meanest individual, and the + temptation to these prohibited enjoyments is assisted both by affection + and prejudice.—An almanack, with a pleasantry on the Convention, or + a couplet in behalf of royalism, is handed mysteriously through half a + town, and a <i>brochure</i> [A pamphlet.] of higher pretensions, though on + the same principles, is the very bonne bouche of our political <i>gourmands</i>. + [Gluttons.] + </p> + <p> + There is, in fact, no liberty of the press. It is permitted to write + against Barrere or the Jacobins, because they are no longer in power; but + a single word of disrespect towards the Convention is more certain of + being followed by a Lettre de Cachet, than a volume of satire on any of + Louis the Fourteenth's ministers would have been formerly. The only period + in which a real freedom of the press has existed in France were those + years of the late King's reign immediately preceding the revolution; and + either through the contempt, supineness, or worse motives, of those who + should have checked it, it existed in too great a degree: so that deists + and republicans were permitted to corrupt the people, and undermine the + government without restraint.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It is well known that Calonne encouraged libels on the Queen, to + obtain credit for his zeal in suppressing them; and the culpable vanity + of Necker made made him but too willing to raise his own reputation on + the wreck of that of an unsuspecting and unfortunate Monarch. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + After the fourteenth of July 1789, political literature became more + subject to mobs and the lanterne, than ever it had been to Ministers and + Bastilles; and at the tenth of August 1792, every vestige of the liberty + of the press disappeared.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "What impartial man among us must not be forced to acknowledge, that + since the revolution it has become dangerous for any one, I will not say + to attack the government, but to emit opinions contrary to those which + the government has adopted." Discours de Jean Bon St. Andre sur la + Liberte de la Presse, 30th April, 1795. A law was passed on the first of + May, 1795, a short time after this letter was written, making it + transportation to vilify the National Representation, either by words or + writing; and if the offence were committed publicly, or among a certain + number of people, it became capital. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Under the Brissotins it was fatal to write, and hazardous to read, + any work which tended to exculpate the King, or to censure his despotism, + and the massacres that accompanied and followed it.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * I appeal for the confirmation of this to every person who resided in + France at that period. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —During the time of Robespierre the same system was only transmitted + to other hands, and would still prevail under the Moderates, if their + tyranny were not circumscribed by their weakness. It was some time before + I ventured to receive Freron's Orateur du Peuple by the post. Even + pamphlets written with the greatest caution are not to be procured without + difficulty in the country; and this is not to be wondered at when we + recollect how many people have lost their lives through a subscription to + a newspaper, or the possession of some work, which, when they purchased + it, was not interdicted. + </p> + <p> + As the government has lately assumed a more civilized cast, it was + expected that the anniversary of the King's death would not have been + celebrated. The Convention, however, determined otherwise; and their + musical band was ordered to attend as usual on occasions of festivity. The + leader of the band had perhaps sense and decency enough to suppose, that + if such an event could possibly be justified, it never could be a subject + of rejoicing, and therefore made choice of melodies rather tender than + gay. But this Lydian mood, far from having the mollifying effect + attributed to it by Scriblerus, threw several Deputies into a rage; and + the conductor was reprimanded for daring to insult the ears of the + legislature with strains which seemed to lament the tyrant. The affrighted + musician begged to be heard in his defence; and declaring he only meant, + by the adoption of these gentle airs, to express the tranquillity and + happiness enjoyed under the republican constitution, struck off Ca Ira. + </p> + <p> + When the ceremony was over, one Brival proposed, that the young King + should be put to death; observing that instead of the many useless crimes + which had been committed, this ought to have had the preference. The + motion was not seconded; but the Convention, in order to defeat the + purposes of the royalists, who, they say, increase in number, have ordered + the Committees to consider of some way of sending this poor child out of + the country. + </p> + <p> + When I reflect on the event which these men have so indecently + commemorated, and the horrors which succeeded it, I feel something more + than a detestation for republicanism. The undefined notions of liberty + imbibed from poets and historians, fade away—my reverence for names + long consecrated in our annals abates—and the sole object of my + political attachment is the English constitution, as tried by time and + undeformed by the experiments of visionaries and impostors. I begin to + doubt either the sense or honesty of most of those men who are celebrated + as the promoters of changes of government which have chiefly been adopted + rather with a view to indulge a favourite theory, than to relieve a people + from any acknowledged oppression. A wise or good man would distrust his + judgment on a subject so momentous, and perhaps the best of such reformers + were but enthusiasts. Shaftesbury calls enthusiasm an honest passion; yet + we have seen it is a very dangerous one: and we may perhaps learn, from + the example of France, not to venerate principles which we do not admire + in practice.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * I do not imply that the French Revolution was the work of enthusiasts, + but that the enthusiasm of Rousseau produced a horde of Brissots, + Marats, Robespierres, &c. who speculated on the affectation of it. + The Abbe Sieyes, whose views were directed to a change of Monarchs, not + a dissolution of the monarchy, and who in promoting a revolution did not + mean to found a republic, has ventured to doubt both the political + genius of Rousseau, and the honesty of his sectaries. These truths from + the Abbe are not the less so for our knowing they would not be avowed if + it answered his purpose to conceal them.—<i>"Helas! un ecrivain + justement celebre qui seroit mort de douleur s'il avoit connu ses + disciples; un philosophe aussi parfait de sentiment que foible de vues, + n'a-t-il pas dans ses pages eloquentes, riches en detail, pauvre au + fond, confondu lui-meme les principes de l'art social avec les + commencemens de la societe humaine? Que dire si l'on voyait dans un + autre genre de mechaniques, entreprendre le radoub ou la construction + d'un vaisseau de ligne avec la seule theorie, avec les seules resources + des Sauvages dans la construction de leurs Pirogues!"</i>—"Alas! + has not a justly-celebrated writer, who would have died with grief, + could he have known what disciples he was destined to have;—a + philosopher as perfect in sentiment as feeble in his views,—confounded, + in his eloquent pages—pages which are as rich in matter as poor in + substance—the principles of the social system with the + commencement of human society? What should we say to a mechanic of a + different description, who should undertake the repair or construction + of a ship of the line, without any practical knowledge of the art, on + mere theory, and with no other resources than those which the savage + employs in the construction of his canoe?" Notices sur la Vie de Sieyes. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + What had France, already possessed of a constitution capable of rendering + her prosperous and happy, to do with the adoration of Rousseau's + speculative systems? Or why are the English encouraged in a traditional + respect for the manes of republicans, whom, if living, we might not + improbably consider as factious and turbulent fanatics?* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The prejudices of my countrymen on this subject are respectable, and I + know I shall be deemed guilty of a species of political sacrilege. I + attack not the tombs of the dead, but the want of consideration for the + living; and let not those who admire republican principles in their + closets, think themselves competent to censure the opinions of one who + has been watching their effects amidst the disasters of a revolution. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Our slumbers have for some time been patriotically disturbed by the danger + of Holland; and the taking of the Maestricht nearly caused me a jaundice: + but the French have taught us philosophy—and their conquests appear + to afford them so little pleasure, that we ourselves hear of them with + less pain. The Convention were indeed, at first, greatly elated by the + dispatches from Amsterdam, and imagined they were on the eve of dictating + to all Europe: the churches were ordered to toll their only bell, and the + gasconades of the bulletin were uncommonly pompous—but the novelty + of the event has now subsided, and the conquest of Holland excites less + interest than the thaw. Public spirit is absorbed by private necessities + or afflictions; people who cannot procure bread or firing, even though + they have money to purchase it, are little gratified by reading that a + pair of their Deputies lodged in the Stadtholder's palace; and the + triumphs of the republic offer no consolation to the families which it has + pillaged or dismembered. + </p> + <p> + The mind, narrowed and occupied by the little cares of hunting out the + necessaries of life, and evading the restraints of a jealous government, + is not susceptible of that lively concern in distant and general events + which is the effect of ease and security; and all the recent victories + have not been able to sooth the discontents of the Parisians, who are + obliged to shiver whole hours at the door of a baker, to buy, at an + extravagant price, a trifling portion of bread. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "Chacun se concentre aujourdhui dans sa famille et calcule ses + resources."—"The attention of every one now is confined to his + family, and to the calculation of his resources." Discours de Lindet. + "Accable du soin d'etre, et du travail de vivre."—"Overwhelmed + with the care of existence, and the labour of living." St. Lambert + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The impression of these successes is, I am persuaded, also + diminished by considerations to which the philosopher of the day would + allow no influence; yet by their assimilation with the Deputies and + Generals whose names are so obscure as to escape the memory, they cease to + inspire that mixed sentiment which is the result of national pride and + personal affection. The name of a General or an Admiral serves as the + epitome of an historical relation, and suffices to recall all his glories, + and all his services; but this sort of enthusiasm is entirely repelled by + an account that the citizens Gillet and Jourbert, two representatives + heard of almost for the first time, have taken possession of Amsterdam. + </p> + <p> + I enquired of a man who was sawing wood for us this morning, what the + bells clattered for last night. <i>"L'on m'a dit</i> (answered he) <i>que + c'est pour quelque ville que quelque general de la republique a prise. Ah! + ca nous avancera beaucoup; la paix et du pain, je crois, sera mieux notre + affaire que toutes ces conquetes."</i> ["They say its for some town or + other, that some general or other has taken.—Ah! we shall get a vast + deal by that—a peace and bread, I think, would answer our purpose + better than all these victories."] I told him he ought to speak with more + caution. <i>"Mourir pour mourir,</i> [One death's as good as another.] + (says he, half gaily,) one may as well die by the Guillotine as be + starved. My family have had no bread these two days, and because I went to + a neighbouring village to buy a little corn, the peasants, who are jealous + that the town's people already get too much of the farmers, beat me so + that I am scarce able to work."*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * <i>"L'interet et la criminelle avarice ont fomente et entretenu des + germes de division entre les citoyens des villes et ceux des campagnes, + entre les cultivateurs, les artisans et les commercans, entre les + citoyens des departements et districts, et meme des communes voisines. + On a voulu s'isoler de toutes parts." Discours de Lindet.</i> + "Self-interest and a criminal avarice have fomented and kept alive the + seeds of division between the inhabitants of the towns and those of the + country, between the farmer, the mechanic, and the trader— the + like has happened between adjoining towns and districts—an + universal selfishness, in short, has prevailed." Lindet's Speech. This + picture, drawn by a Jacobin Deputy, is not flattering to republican + fraternization. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —It is true, the wants of the lower classes are afflicting. The + whole town has, for some weeks, been reduced to a nominal half pound of + bread a day for each person—I say nominal, for it has repeatedly + happened, that none has been distributed for three days together, and the + quantity diminished to four ounces; whereas the poor, who are used to eat + little else, consume each, in ordinary times, two pounds daily, on the + lowest calculation. + </p> + <p> + We have had here a brutal vulgar-looking Deputy, one Florent-Guyot, who + has harangued upon the virtues of patience, and the magnanimity of + suffering hunger for the good of the republic. This doctrine has, however, + made few converts; though we learn, from a letter of Florent-Guyot's to + the Assembly, that the Amienois are excellent patriots, and that they + starve with the best grace possible. + </p> + <p> + You are to understand, that the Representatives on mission, who describe + the inhabitants of all the towns they visit as glowing with republicanism, + have, besides the service of the common cause, views of their own, and are + often enabled by these fictions to administer both to their interest and + their vanity. They ingratiate themselves with the aristocrats, who are + pleased at the imputation of principles which may secure them from + persecution—they see their names recorded on the journals; and, + finally, by ascribing these civic dispositions to the power of their own + eloquence, they obtain the renewal of an itinerant delegation—which, + it may be presumed, is very profitable. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short5_4_3" id="short5_4_3"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Beauvais, March 13, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + I have often, in the course of these letters, experienced how difficult it + is to describe the political situation of a country governed by no fixed + principles, and subject to all the fluctuations which are produced by the + interests and passions of individuals and of parties. In such a state + conclusions are necessarily drawn from daily events, minute facts, and an + attentive observation of the opinions and dispositions of the people, + which, though they leave a perfect impression on the mind of the writer, + are not easily conveyed to that of the reader. They are like colours, the + various shades of which, though discriminated by the eye, cannot be + described but in general terms. + </p> + <p> + Since I last wrote, the government has considerably improved in decency + and moderation; and though the French enjoy as little freedom as their + almost sole Allies, the Algerines, yet their terror begins to wear off— + and, temporizing with a despotism they want energy to destroy, they + rejoice in the suspension of oppressions which a day or an hour may renew. + No one pretends to have any faith in the Convention; but we are tranquil, + if not secure—and, though subject to a thousand arbitrary details, + incompatible with a good government, the political system is doubtless + meliorated. Justice and the voice of the people have been attended to in + the arrest of Collot, Barrere, and Billaud, though many are of opinion + that their punishment will extend no farther; for a trial, particularly + that of Barrere, who is in the secret of all factions, would expose so + many revolutionary mysteries and patriotic reputations, that there are few + members of the Convention who will not wish it evaded; they probably + expect, that the seclusion, for some months, of the persons of the + delinquents will appease the public vengeance, and that this affair may be + forgotten in the bustle of more recent events.—If there had been any + doubt of the crimes of these men, the publication of Robespierre's papers + would have removed them; and, exclusive of their value when considered as + a history of the times, these papers form one of the most curious and + humiliating monuments of human debasement, and human depravity, extant.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The Report of Courtois on Robespierre's papers, though very able, is + an instance of the pedantry I have often remarked as so peculiar to the + French, even when they are not deficient in talents. It seems to be an + abstract of all the learning, ancient and modern, that Courtois was + possessed of. I have the book before me, and have selected the following + list of persons and allusions; many of which are indeed of so little use + or ornament to their stations in this speech, that one would have + thought even a republican requisition could not have brought them there: + "Sampson, Dalila, Philip, Athens, Sylla, the Greeks and Romans, Brutus, + Lycurgus, Persepolis, Sparta, Pulcheria, Cataline, Dagon, Anicius, Nero, + Babel, Tiberius, Caligula, Augustus, Antony, Lepidus, the Manicheans, + Bayle and Galileo, Anitus, Socrates, Demosthenes, Eschinus, Marius, + Busiris, Diogenes, Caesar, Cromwell, Constantine, the Labarum, Domitius, + Machiavel, Thraseas, Cicero, Cato, Aristophanes, Riscius, Sophocles, + Euripides, Tacitus, Sydney, Wisnou, Possidonius, Julian, Argus, Pompey, + the Teutates, Gainas, Areadius, Sinon, Asmodeus, Salamanders, Anicetus, + Atreus, Thyestus, Cesonius, Barca and Oreb, Omar and the Koran, Ptolomy + Philadelphus, Arimanes, Gengis, Themuginus, Tigellinus, Adrean, Cacus, + the Fates, Minos and Rhadamanthus," &c. &c. Rapport de Courtois + su les Papiers de Robespierre. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + After several skirmishes between the Jacobins and Muscadins, the bust of + Marat has been expelled from the theatres and public places of Paris, and + the Convention have ratified this popular judgment, by removing him also + from their Hall and the Pantheon. But reflecting on the frailty of our + nature, and the levity of their countrymen, in order to obviate the + disorders these premature beatifications give rise to, they have decreed + that no patriot shall in future by Pantheonized until ten years after his + death. This is no long period; yet revolutionary reputations have hitherto + scarcely survived as many months, and the puerile enthusiasm which is + adopted, not felt, has been usually succeeded by a violence and revenge + equally irrational. + </p> + <p> + It has lately been discovered that Condorcet is dead, and that he perished + in a manner singularly awful. Travelling under a mean appearance, he + stopped at a public house to refresh himself, and was arrested in + consequence of having no passport. He told the people who examined him he + was a servant, but a Horace, which they found about him, leading to a + suspicion that he was of a superior rank, they determined to take him to + the next town. Though already exhausted, he was obliged to walk some miles + farther, and, on his arrival, he was deposited in a prison, where he was + forgotten, and starved to death. + </p> + <p> + Thus, perhaps at the moment the French were apotheosing an obscure + demagogue, the celebrated Condorcet expired, through the neglect of a + gaoler; and now, the coarse and ferocious Marat, and the more refined, yet + more pernicious, philosopher, are both involved in one common obloquy. + </p> + <p> + What a theme for the moralist!—Perhaps the gaoler, whose brutal + carelessness terminated the days of Condorcet, extinguished his own + humanity in the torrent of that revolution of which Condorcet himself was + one of the authors; and perhaps the death of a sovereign, whom Condorcet + assisted in bringing to the scaffold, might have been this man's first + lesson in cruelty, and have taught him to set little value on the lives of + the rest of mankind.—The French, though they do not analyse + seriously, speak of this event as a just retribution, which will be + followed by others of a similar nature. <i>"Quelle mort,"</i> ["What an + end."] says one—<i>"Elle est affreuse,</i> (says another,) <i>mais + il etoit cause que bien d'autres ont peri aussi."</i>—<i>"Ils + periront tous, et tant mieux,"</i> ["'Twas dreadful—but how many + people have perished by his means."— "They'll all share the same + fate, and so much the better."] reply twenty voices; and this is the only + epitaph on Condorcet. + </p> + <p> + The pretended revolution of the thirty-first of May, 1792, which has + occasioned so much bloodshed, and which I remember it dangerous not to + hallow, though you did not understand why, is now formally erased from + among the festivals of the republic; but this is only the triumph of + party, and a signal that the remains of the Brissotines are gaining + ground. + </p> + <p> + A more conspicuous and a more popular victory has been obtained by the + royalists, in the trial and acquittal of Delacroix. The jury had been + changed after the affair of Carrier, and were now better composed; though + the escape of Delacroix is more properly to be attributed to the + intimidating favour of the people. The verdict was received with shouts of + applause, repeated with transport, and Delacroix, who had so patriotically + projected to purify the Convention, by sending more than half its members + to America, was borne home on the shoulders of an exulting populace. + </p> + <p> + Again the extinction of the war in La Vendee is officially announced; and + it is certain that the chiefs are now in treaty with government. Such a + peace only implies, that the country is exhausted, for it suffices to have + read the treatment of these unhappy people to know that a reconciliation + can neither be sincere nor permanent. But whatever may be the eventual + effect of this negotiation, it has been, for the present, the means of + wresting some unwilling concessions from the Assembly in favour of a free + exercise of religion. No arrangement could ever be proposed to the + Vendeans, which did not include a toleration of Christianity; and to + refuse that to patriots and republicans, which was granted to rebels and + royalists, was deemed at this time neither reasonable nor politic. A + decree is therefore passed, authorizing people, if they can overcome all + the annexed obstacles, to worship God in they way they have been + accustomed to. + </p> + <p> + The public hitherto, far from being assured or encouraged by this decree, + appear to have become more timid and suspicious; for it is conceived in so + narrow and paltry a spirit, and expressed in such malignant and illusive + terms, that it can hardly be said to intend an indulgence. Of twelve + articles of an act said to be concessive, eight are prohibitory and + restrictive; and a municipal officer, or any other person "in place or + office," may controul at his pleasure all religious celebrations. The + cathedrals and parish churches yet standing were seized on by the + government at the introduction of the Goddesses of Reason, and the decree + expressly declares that they shall not be restored or appropriated to + their original uses. Individuals, who have purchased chapels or churches, + hesitate to sell or let them, lest they should, on a change of politics, + be persecuted as the abettors of fanaticism; so that the long-desired + restoration of the Catholic worship makes but very slow progress.*— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This decree prohibits any parish, community, or body of people + collectively, from hiring or purchasing a church, or maintaining a + clergyman: it also forbids ringing a bell, or giving any other public + notice of Divine Service, or even distinguishing any building by + external signs of its being dedicated to religion. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —A few people, whose zeal overpowers their discretion, have ventured + to have masses at their own houses, but they are thinly attended; and on + asking any one if they have yet been to this sort of conventicle, the + reply is, <i>"On new sait pas trop ce que le decret veut dire; il faut + voir comment cela tournera."</i> ["One cannot rightly comprehend the + decree—it will be best to wait and see how things go."] Such a + distrust is indeed very natural; for there are two subjects on which an + inveterate hatred is apparent, and which are equally obnoxious to all + systems and all parties in the Assembly—I mean Christianity and + Great Britain. Every day produces harangues against the latter; and Boissy + d'Anglas has solemnly proclaimed, as the directing principle of the + government, that the only negociation for peace shall be a new boundary + described by the Northern conquests of the republic; and this modest + diplomatic is supported by arguments to prove, that the commerce of + England cannot be ruined on any other terms.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "How (exclaims the sagacious Bourdon de l'Oise) can you hope to ruin + England, if you do not keep possession of the three great rivers." (The + Rhine, the Meuse, and the Scheldt.) + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The debates of the Convention increase in variety and amusement. Besides + the manual exercises of the members, the accusations and retorts of + unguarded choler, disclose to us many curious truths which a politic + unanimity might conceal. Saladin, who was a stipendiary of the Duke of + Orleans, and whose reputation would not grace any other assembly, is + transformed into a Moderate, and talks of virtue and crime; while Andre + Dumont, to the great admiration of his private biographists, has been + signing a peace with the Duke of Tuscany.—Our republican statesmen + require to be viewed in perspective: they appear to no advantage in the + foreground. Dumont would have made "a good pantler, he would have chipp'd + bread well;" or, like Scrub, he might have "drawn warrants, or drawn + beer,"—but I should doubt if, in a transaction of this nature, the + Dukedom of Tuscany was ever before so assorted; and if the Duke were + obliged to make this peace, he may well say, "necessity doth make us herd + with strange companions." + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the Convention still detests Christianity, utters + anathemas against England, and exhibits daily scenes of indecent + discussion and reviling, it is doubtless become more moderate on the + whole; and though this moderation be not equal to the people's wishes, it + is more than sufficient to exasperate the Jacobins, who call the + Convention the Senate of Coblentz, and are perpetually endeavouring to + excite commotions. The belief is, indeed, general, that the Assembly + contains a strong party of royalists; yet, though this may be true in a + degree, I fear the impulse which has been given by the public opinion, is + mistaken for a tendency in the Convention itself. But however, this may + be, neither the imputations of the Jacobins, nor the hopes of the people, + have been able to oppose the progress of a sentiment which, operating on a + character like that of the French, is more fatal to a popular body than + even hatred or contempt. The long duration of this disastrous legislature + has excited an universal weariness; the guilt of particular members is now + less discussed than the insignificance of the whole assemblage; and the + epithets corrupt, worn out, hackneyed, and everlasting, [Tare, use, banal, + and eternel.] have almost superseded those of rogues and villains. + </p> + <p> + The law of the maximum has been repealed some time, and we now procure + necessaries with much greater facility; but the assignats, no longer + supported by violence, are rapidly diminishing in credit—so that + every thing is dear in proportion. We, who are more than indemnified by + the rise of exchange in our favour, are not affected by these progressive + augmentations in the price of provisions. It would, however, be erroneous + and unfeeling to judge of the situation of the French themselves from such + a calculation. + </p> + <p> + People who have let their estates on leases, or have annuities on the + Hotel de Ville, &c. receive assignats at par, and the wages of the + labouring poor are still comparatively low. What was five years ago a + handsome fortune, now barely supplies a decent maintenance; and smaller + incomes, which were competencies at that period, are now almost + insufficient for existence. A workman, who formerly earned twenty-five + sols a day, has at present three livres; and you give a sempstress thirty + sols, instead of ten: yet meat, which was only five or six sols when wages + was twenty-five, is now from fifty sols to three livres the pound, and + every other article in the same or a higher proportion. Thus, a man's + daily wages, instead of purchasing four or five pounds of meat, as they + would have done before the revolution, now only purchase one. + </p> + <p> + It grieves me to see people whom I have known at their ease, obliged to + relinquish, in the decline of life, comforts to which they were accustomed + at a time when youth rendered indulgence less necessary; yet every day + points to the necessity of additional oeconomy, and some little + convenience or enjoyment is retrenched—and to those who are not + above acknowledging how much we are the creatures of habit, a dish of + coffee, or a glass of liqueur, &c. will not seem such trifling + privations. It is true, these are, strictly speaking, luxuries; so too are + most things by comparison— + </p> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "O reason not the need: our basest beggars + "Are in the poorest thing superfluous: + "Allow not nature more than nature needs, + "Man's life is cheap as beast's." +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + If the wants of one class were relieved by these deductions from the + enjoyments of another, it might form a sufficient consolation; but the + same causes which have banished the splendor of wealth and the comforts of + mediocrity, deprive the poor of bread and raiment, and enforced parsimony + is not more generally conspicuous than wretchedness. + </p> + <p> + The frugal tables of those who were once rich, have been accompanied by + relative and similar changes among the lower classes; and the suppression + of gilt equipages is so far from diminishing the number of wooden shoes, + that for one pair of sabots which were seen formerly, there are now ten. + The only Lucullus's of the day are a swarm of adventurers who have escaped + from prisons, or abandoned gaming-houses, to raise fortunes by speculating + in the various modes of acquiring wealth which the revolution has + engendered.—These, together with the numberless agents of government + enriched by more direct pillage, live in coarse luxury, and dissipate with + careless profusion those riches which their original situations and habits + have disqualified them from converting to a better use. + </p> + <p> + Although the circumstances of the times have necessitated a good deal of + domestic oeconomy among people who live on their fortunes, they have + lately assumed a gayer style of dress, and are less averse from + frequenting public amusements. For three years past, (and very naturally,) + the gentry have openly murmured at the revolution; and they now, either + convinced of the impolicy of such conduct, terrified by their past + sufferings, or, above all, desirous of proclaiming their triumph over the + Jacobins, are every where reviving the national taste for modes and + finery. The attempt to reconcile these gaieties with prudence, has + introduced some contrasts in apparel whimsical enough, though our French + belles adopt them with much gravity. + </p> + <p> + In consequence of the disorders in the South of France, and the + interruption of commerce by sea, soap is not only dear, but sometimes + difficult to purchase at any rate. We have ourselves paid equal to five + livres a pound in money. Hence we have white wigs* and grey stockings, + medallions and gold chains with coloured handkerchiefs and discoloured + tuckers, and chemises de Sappho, which are often worn till they rather + remind one of the pious Queen Isabel, than the Greek poetess. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Vilate, in his pamphlet on the secret causes of the revolution of the + ninth Thermidor, relates the following anecdote of the origin of the + peruques blondes. "The caprice of a revolutionary female who, on the + fete in celebration of the Supreme Being, covered her own dark hair with + a tete of a lighter colour, having excited the jealousy of La Demahe, + one of Barrere's mistresses, she took occasion to complain to him of + this coquettry, by which she thought her own charms eclipsed. Barrere + instantly sent for Payen, the national agent, and informed him that a + new counter-revolutionary sect had started up, and that its partizans + distinguished themselves by wearing wigs made of light hair cut from the + heads of the guillotined aristocrats. He therefore enjoined Payen to + make a speech at the municipality, and to thunder against this new mode. + The mandate was, of course, obeyed; and the women of rank, who had never + before heard of these wigs, were both surprized and alarmed at an + imputation so dangerous. Barrere is said to have been highly amused at + having thus solemnly stopped the progress of a fashion, only becuase it + displeased one of his female favourites.—I perfectly remember + Payen's oration against this coeffure, and every woman in Paris who had + light hair, was, I doubt not, intimidated." This pleasantry of Barrere's + proves with what inhuman levity the government sported with the feelings + of the people. At the fall of Robespierre, the peruque blonde, no longer + subject to the empire of Barrere's favourites, became a reigning mode. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Madame Tallien, who is supposed occasionally to dictate decrees to + the Convention, presides with a more avowed and certain sway over the + realms of fashion; and the Turkish draperies that may float very + gracefully on a form like hers, are imitated by rotund sesquipedal + Fatimas, who make one regret even the tight lacings and unnatural + diminishings of our grandmothers. + </p> + <p> + I came to Beauvais a fortnight ago with the Marquise. Her long confinement + has totally ruined her health, and I much fear she will not recover. She + has an aunt lives here, and we flattered ourselves she might benefit by + change of air—but, on the contrary, she seems worse, and we propose + to return in the course of a week to Amiens. + </p> + <p> + I had a good deal of altercation with the municipality about obtaining a + passport; and when they at last consented, they gave me to understand I + was still a prisoner in the eye of the law, and that I was indebted to + them for all the freedom I enjoyed. This is but too true; for the decree + constituting the English hostages for the Deputies at Toulon has never + been repealed— + </p> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Ah, what avails it that from slavery far, + "I drew the breath of life in English air?" + Johnson. +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + Yet is it a consolation, that the title by which I was made an object of + mean vengeance is the one I most value.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * An English gentleman, who was asked by a republican Commissary, + employed in examining the prisons, why he was there, replied, "Because I + have not the misfortune to be a Frenchman!" + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + This is a large manufacturing town, and the capital of the department of + l'Oise. Its manufactories now owe their chief activity to the requisitions + for supplying cloth to the armies. Such commerce is by no means courted; + and if people were permitted, as they are in most countries, to trade or + let it alone, it would soon decline.—The choir of the cathedral is + extremely beautiful, and has luckily escaped republican devastation, + though there seems to exist no hope that it will be again restored to the + use of public worship. Your books will inform you, that Beauvais was + besieged in 1472 by the Duke of Burgundy, with eighty thousand men, and + that he failed in the attempt. Its modern history is not so fortunate. It + was for some time harassed by a revolutionary army, whose exactions and + disorders being opposed by the inhabitants, a decree of the Convention + declared the town in a state of rebellion; and this ban, which operates + like the Papal excommunications three centuries ago, and authorizes + tyranny of all kinds, was not removed until long after the death of + Robespierre.—Such a specimen of republican government has made the + people cautious, and abundant in the exteriors of patriotism. Where they + are sure of their company, they express themselves without reserve, both + on the subject of their legislators and the miseries of the country; but + intercourse is considerably more timid here than at Amiens. + </p> + <p> + Two gentlemen dined with us yesterday, whom I know to be zealous + royalists, and, as they are acquainted, I made no scruple of producing an + engraving which commemorates mysteriously the death of the King, and which + I had just received from Paris by a private conveyance. They looked + alarmed, and affected not to understand it; and, perceiving I had done + wrong, I replaced the print without farther explanation: but they both + called this evening, and reproached me separately for thus exposing their + sentiments to each other.—This is a trifling incident, yet perhaps + it may partly explain the great aenigma why no effectual resistance is + made to a government which is secretly detested. It has been the policy of + all the revolutionists, from the Lameths and La Fayette down to Brissot + and Robespierre, to destroy the confidence of society; and the calamities + of last year, now aiding the system of spies and informers, occasion an + apprehension and distrust which impede union, and check every enterprize + that might tend to restore the freedom of the country.—Yours, &c. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, April 12, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + Instead of commenting on the late disorders at Paris, I subjoin the + translation of a letter just received by Mrs. D———— + from a friend, whose information, we have reason to believe, is as exact + as can possibly be obtained in the chaos of little intrigues which now + comprise the whole science of French politics. + </p> + <p> + "Paris, April 9. + </p> + <p> + "Though I know, my good friend, you are sufficiently versed in the + technicals of our revolution not to form an opinion of occurrences from + the language in which they are officially described, yet I cannot resist + the favourable opportunity of Mad. ————'s return, + to communicate such explanations of the late events as their very + ambiguous appearance may render necessary even to you. + </p> + <p> + "I must begin by informing you, that the proposed decree of the Convention + to dissolve themselves and call a new Assembly, was a mere coquettry. + Harassed by the struggles of the Jacobins, and alarmed at the symptoms of + public weariness and disgust, which became every day more visible, they + hoped this feint might operate on the fears of the people of Paris, and + animate them to a more decided support against the efforts of the common + enemy, as well as tend to reconcile them to a farther endurance of a + representation from which they did not disguise their wishes to be + released. An opportunity was therefore seized on, or created, when our + allowance of bread had become unusually short, and the Jacobins unusually + turbulent, to bring forward this project of renovating the legislature. + But in politics, as well as love, such experiments are dangerous. Far from + being received with regret, the proposition excited universal transport; + and it required all the diligence of the agents of government to insinuate + effectually, that if Paris were abandoned by the Convention at this + juncture, it would not only become a prey to famine, but the Jacobins + would avail themselves of the momentary disorder to regain their power, + and renew their past atrocities. + </p> + <p> + "A conviction that we in reality derive our scanty supplies from exertions + which would not be made, were they not necessary to restrain the popular + ill humour, added to an habitual apprehension of the Clubs,* assisted this + manoeuvre; and a few of the sections were, in consequence, prevailed on to + address our Representatives, and to request they would remain at their + post.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Paris had been long almost entirely dependent on the government for + subsistence, so that an insurrection could always be procured by + withholding the usual supply. The departments were pillaged by + requisitions, and enormous sums sent to the neutral countries to + purchase provisions, that the capital might be maintained in dependence + and good humour. The provisions obtained by these means were distributed + to the shopkeepers, who had instructions to retail them to the idle and + disorderly, at about a twentieth part of the original cost, and no one + could profit by this regulation, without first receiving a ticket from + the Committee of his section. It was lately asserted in the Convention, + and not disavowed, that if the government persisted in this sort of + traffic, the annual loss attending the article of corn alone would + amount to fifty millions sterling. The reduction of the sum in question + into English money is made on a presumption that the French government + did not mean (were it to be avoided) to commit an act of bankruptcy, and + redeem their paper at less than par. Reckoning, however, at the real + value of assignats when the calculation was made, and they were then + worth perhaps a fifth of their nominal value, the government was + actually at the expence of ten millions sterling a year, for supplying + Paris with a very scanty portion of bread! The sum must appear enormous, + but the peculation under such a government must be incalculable; and + when it is recollected that all neutral ships bringing cargoes for the + republic must have been insured at an immense premium, or perhaps + eventually purchased by the French, and that very few could reach their + destination, we may conclude that such as did arrive cost an immoderate + sum. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —"The insurrection that immediately succeeded was at first the + effect of a similar scheme, and it ended in a party contention, in which + the people, as usual, were neuter. + </p> + <p> + "The examination into the conduct of Barrere, Collot, &c. had been + delayed until it seemed rather a measure destined to protect than to bring + them to punishment; and the impatience which was every where expressed on + the subject, sufficiently indicated the necessity, or at least the + prudence, of hastening their trial. Such a process could not be ventured + on but at the risk of involving the whole Convention in a labyrinth of + crimes, inconsistencies, and ridicule, and the delinquents already began + to exonerate themselves by appealing to the vote of solemn approbation + passed in their favour three months after the death of Robespierre had + restored the Assembly to entire freedom. + </p> + <p> + "The only means of extrication from this dilemma, appeared to be that of + finding some pretext to satisfy the public vengeance, without hazarding + the scandal of a judicial exposure. Such a pretext it was not difficult to + give rise to: a diminished portion of bread never fails to produce + tumultuous assemblages, that are easily directed, though not easily + suppressed; and crouds of this description, agitated by real misery, were + excited (as we have every reason to suppose) by hired emissaries to assail + the Convention with disorderly clamours for bread. This being attributed + to the friends of the culprits, decrees were opportunely introduced and + passed for transporting them untried out of the republic, and for + arresting most of the principal Jacobin members as their partizans. + </p> + <p> + "The subsequent disturbances were less artificial; for the Jacobins, thus + rendered desperate, attempted resistance; but, as they were unsuccessful, + their efforts only served their adversaries as an excuse for arresting + several of the party who had escaped the former decrees. + </p> + <p> + "Nothing, I assure you, can with less truth be denominated popular + movements, than many of these scenes, which have, notwithstanding, + powerfully influenced the fate of our country. A revolt, or insurrection, + is often only an affair of intrigue and arrangement; and the desultory + violences of the suburbs of St. Antoine, or of the market women, are + regulated by the same Committee and cabals that direct our campaigns and + treaties. The common distresses of the people are continually drawing them + together; and, when thus collected, their credulity renders them the ready + instruments of any prevailing faction. + </p> + <p> + "Our recent disorders afforded a striking proof of this. I was myself the + Cicerone of a country friend on the day the Convention was first assailed. + The numbers who crouded into the hall were at first considerable, yet they + exhibited no signs of hostility, and it was evident they were brought + there for some purpose of which they were themselves ignorant. When asked + their intentions, they vociferated 'Du pain! Du pain!'—Bread, Bread; + and, after occupying the seats of the Deputies for a short time, quietly + withdrew. + </p> + <p> + "That this insurrection was originally factitious, and devised for the + purpose I have mentioned, is farther corroborated by the sudden appearance + of Pichegru and other officers, who seemed brought expressly to protect + the departure of the obnoxious trio, in case it should be opposed either + by their friends or enemies. It is likewise to be remarked, that Barrere + and the rest were stopped at the gates of Paris by the same mob who were + alledged to have risen in their favour, and who, instead of endeavouring + to rescue them, brought them back to the Committee of General Safety, on a + supposition that they had escaped from prison.—The members of the + moderate party, who were detained in some of the sections, sustained no + ill treatment whatever, and were released on being claimed by their + colleagues, which could scarcely have happened, had the mob been under the + direction of the Jacobins, or excited by them.—In short, the whole + business proved that the populace were mere agents, guided by no impulse + of their own, except hunger, and who, when left to themselves, rather + impeded than promoted the designs of both factions. + </p> + <p> + "You must have been surprized to see among the list of members arrested, + the name of Laurent Lecointre; but he could never be pardoned for having + reduced the Convention to the embarrassing necessity of prosecuting + Robespierre's associates, and he is now secured, lest his restless + Quixotism should remind the public, that the pretended punishment of these + criminals is in fact only a scandalous impunity. + </p> + <p> + "We are at present calm, but our distress for bread is intolerable, and + the people occasionally assail the pastry-cooks' shops; which act of + hostility is called, with more pleasantry than truth or feeling, <i>'La + guerre du pain bis contre la brioche.'</i> [The war of brown bread against + cakes.]—God knows, it is not the quality of bread, but the scarcity + of it which excites these discontents. + </p> + <p> + "The new arithmetic* is more followed, and more interesting, than ever, + though our hopes are all vague, and we neither guess how or by whom they + are to be fulfilled. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This was a mysterious way of expressing that the royalists were still + gaining ground. It alluded to a custom which then prevailed, of people + asking each other in the street, and sometimes even assailing the + Deputies, with the question of "How much is eight and a half and eight + and a half?"—By which was understood Louis the Seventeenth. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + "I have done every thing that depends on me to obtain your passports + without success, and I still advise you to come to Paris and solicit them + in person. Your departure, in happier times, would be a subject of regret, + at present I shall both envy and congratulate you when you are enabled to + quit a country which promises so little security or satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + "We receive, at this moment, the two loaves. My sister joins me in + acknowledgments, and expresses her fears that you must suffer by your + kindness, though it is truly acceptable—for I have been several days + under arms, and have had no time to make my usual excursions in search of + bread. + </p> + <p> + "Yours, &c." + </p> + <p> + The proposed dissolution of the Assembly alluded to in the beginning of + Mons. ————'s letter, occasioned here a more + general rejoicing than even the fall of the Jacobin club, and, not being + influenced by the motives suggested to the Parisians, we were sincerely + disappointed when we found the measure postponed. The morning this news + arrived, we walked about the town till dinner, and in every street people + were collected in groupes, and engaged in eager discussion. An + acquaintance whom we happened to meet, instead of the usual salutations, + exclaimed "<i>Nous viola quittes, ils s'en vont les brigands</i>" ["At + length we are quit of them—the rogues are going about their + business."]; and I observed several recontres of this sort, where people + skipped and caracoled, as though unable to contain their satisfaction. + Nothing was talked of but <i>Le Petit</i> [An endearing appellation given + to the young King by those who would not venture to mention his name.], + and the new elections; and I remarked with pleasure, that every one agreed + in the total exclusion of all the present Deputies. + </p> + <p> + Two mornings after we had been indulging in these agreeable visions, we + learned that the Convention, purely from a patriotic desire of serving + their country, had determined not to quit their post. We were at this time + in extreme want of bread, the distribution not exceeding a quarter of a + pound per day; and numbers who are at their ease in other respects, could + not obtain any. This, operating perhaps with the latent ill humour + occasioned by so unwelcome a declaration of perseverance on the part of + their Representatives, occasioned a violent ferment among the people, and + on the second of this month they were in open revolt; the magazine of corn + for the use of the army was besieged, the national colours were insulted, + and Blaux, a Deputy who is here on mission, was dragged from the Hotel de + Ville, and obliged by the enraged populace to cry "Vive le Roi!" These + disorders continued till the next day, but were at length appeased by a + small distribution of flour from the magazine. + </p> + <p> + In the debates of the Convention the whole is ascribed to the Jacobins, + though it is well known they have no influence here; and I wish you to + attend to this circumstance more particularly, as it proves what artifices + are used to conceal the real sentiments of the people. I, and every + inhabitant of Amiens, can attest that this revolt, which was declared in + the Assembly to have been instigated by the partizans of the Jacobins, + was, as far as it had any decided political character, an effervescence of + royalism. + </p> + <p> + At Rouen, Abbeville, and other places, the trees of liberty, (or, rather, + the trees of the republic,) have been cut down, the tri-coloured flag + torn, and the cry of "Vive le Roi!" was for some time predominant; yet the + same misrepresentation was had recourse to, and all these places were + asserted to have espoused the cause of that party to which they are most + repugnant. + </p> + <p> + I acknowledge that the chief source of these useless excesses is famine, + and that it is for the most part the lower classes only who promote them; + but the same cause and the same description of people were made the + instruments for bringing about the revolution, and the poor seek now, as + they did in 1789, a remedy for their accumulated sufferings in a change of + government. The mass of mankind are ever more readily deluded by hope than + benefited by experience; and the French, being taught by the + revolutionists to look for that relief from changes of government which + such changes cannot afford, now expect that the restoration of the + monarchy will produce plenty, as they were before persuaded that the first + efforts to subvert it would banish want. + </p> + <p> + We are now tolerably quiet, and should seriously think of going to Paris, + were we not apprehensive that some attempt from the Jacobins to rescue + their chiefs, may create new disturbances. The late affair appears to have + been only a retaliation of the thirty-first of May, 1792; and the remains + of the Girondists have now proscribed the leaders of the Mountaineers, + much in the same way as they were then proscribed themselves.—Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short5_4_4" id="short5_4_4"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, May 9, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + Whilst all Europe is probably watching with solicitude the progress of the + French arms, and the variations of their government, the French + themselves, almost indifferent to war and politics, think only of averting + the horrors of famine. The important news of the day is the portion of + bread which is to be distributed; and the siege of Mentz, or the treaty + with the King of Prussia, are almost forgotten, amidst enquiries about the + arrival of corn, and anxiety for the approach of harvest. The same paper + that announces the surrender of towns, and the success of battles, tells + us that the poor die in the streets of Paris, or are driven to commit + suicide, through want. We have no longer to contend with avaricious + speculations, but a real scarcity; and detachments of the National Guard, + reinforced by cannon, often search the adjacent villages several days + successively without finding a single septier of corn. The farmers who + have yet been able to conceal any, refuse to dispose of it for assignats; + and the poor, who have neither plate nor money, exchange their best + clothes or linen for a loaf, or a small quantity of flour. Our gates are + sometimes assailed by twenty or thirty people, not to beg money, but + bread; and I am frequently accosted in the street by women of decent + appearance, who, when I offer them assignats, refuse them, saying, "We + have enough of this sorry paper—it is bread we want."—If you + are asked to dine, you take your bread with you; and you travel as though + you were going a voyage—for there are not many inns on the road + where you can expect to find bread, or indeed provisions of any kind. + </p> + <p> + Having procured a few six-livre pieces, we were enabled to purchase a + small supply of corn, though by no means enough for our consumption, so + that we are obliged to oeconomise very rigidly. Mr. D———— + and the servants eat bread made with three-parts bran to one of flour. The + little provision we possess is, however, a great embarrassment to us, for + we are not only subject to domiciliary visits, but continually liable to + be pillaged by the starving poor around us; and we are often under the + necessity of passing several meals without bread, because we dare not send + the wheat to be ground, nor bake except at night. While the last operation + is performing, the doors are carefully shut, the bell rings in vain, and + no guest is admitted till every vestige of it is removed.—All the + breweries have seals put upon the doors, and severe penal laws are issued + against converting barley to any other purpose than the making of bread. + If what is allowed us were composed only of barley, or any other wholesome + grain, we should not repine; but the distribution at present is a mixture + of grown wheat, peas, rye, &c. which has scarcely the resemblance of + bread. + </p> + <p> + I was asked to-day, by some women who had just received their portion, and + in an accent of rage and despair that alarmed me, whether I thought such + food fit for a human creature.—We cannot alleviate this misery, and + are impatient to escape from the sight of it. If we can obtain passports + to go from hence to Paris, we hope there to get a final release, and a + permission to return to England. + </p> + <p> + My friend Madame de la F———— has left us, and I + fear is only gone home to die. Her health was perfectly good when we were + first arrested, though vexation, more than confinement, has contributed to + undermine it. The revolution had, in various ways, diminished her + property; but this she would have endured with patience, had not the law + of successions involved her in difficulties which appeared every day more + interminable, and perplexed her mind by the prospect of a life of + litigation and uncertainty. By this law, all inheritances, donations, or + bequests, since the fourteenth of July 1789, are annulled and subjected to + a general partition among the nearest relatives. In consequence, a large + estate of the Marquise's, as well as another already sold, are to be + accounted for, and divided between a variety of claimants. Two of the + number being emigrants, the republic is also to share; and as the live + stock, furniture, farming utensils, and arrears, are included in this + absurd and iniquitous regulation, the confusion and embarrassment which it + has occasioned are indescribable. + </p> + <p> + Though an unlucky combination of circumstances has rendered such a law + particularly oppressive to Madame de la F————, she + is only one of an infinite number who are affected by it, and many of whom + may perhaps be still greater sufferers than herself. The Constituent + Assembly had attempted to form a code that might counteract the spirit of + legal disputation, for which the French are so remarkable; but this single + decree will give birth to more processes than all the <i>pandects, canons,</i> + and <i>droits feodaux,</i> accumulated since the days of Charlemagne; and + I doubt, though one half the nation were lawyers, whether they might not + find sufficient employment in demalgamating the property of the other + half. + </p> + <p> + This mode of partition, in itself ill calculated for a rich and commercial + people, and better adapted to the republic of St. Marino than to that of + France, was introduced under pretext of favouring the system of equality; + and its transition from absurdity to injustice, by giving it a retroactive + effect, was promoted to accommodate the "virtuous" Herault de Sechelles, + who acquired a considerable addition of fortune by it. The Convention are + daily beset with petitions from all parts on this subject; but their + followers and themselves being somewhat in the style of Falstaff's + regiment—"younger sons of younger brothers," they seem determined, + as they usually are, to square their notions of justice by what is most + conducive to their own interest. + </p> + <p> + An apprehension of some attempt from the Jacobins, and the discontents + which the scarcity of bread give rise to among the people, have produced a + private order from the Committees of government for arming and + re-organizing the National Guard.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Though I have often had occasion to use the term National Guard, it is + to be understood only as citizens armed for some temporary purpose, + whose arms were taken from them as soon as that service was performed. + The <i>Garde Nationale,</i> as a regular institution, had been in a + great measure suppressed since the summer of 1793, and those who + composed it gradually disarmed. The usual service of mounting guard was + still continued, but the citizens, with very few exceptions, were armed + only with pikes, and even those were not entrusted to their own care, + each delivering up his arms when he retired more exactly than if it were + an article of capitulation with a successful enemy. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —I remember, in 1789 and 1790, when this popular militia was first + instituted, every one, either from policy or inclination, appeared eager + to promote it; and nothing was discussed but military fetes, balls, + exercise, and uniforms. These patriotic levities have now entirely + vanished, and the business proceeds with languor and difficulty. One + dreads the present expence, another future persecution, and all are + solicitous to find cause for exemption. + </p> + <p> + This reluctance, though perhaps to be regretted, is in a great measure + justifiable. Where the lives and fortunes of a whole nation are dependent + on the changes of party, obscurity becomes the surest protection, and + those who are zealous now, may be the first sacrifices hereafter. Nor is + it encouraging to arm for the defence of the Convention, which is + despised, or to oppose the violence of a populace, who, however misguided, + are more objects of compassion than of punishment. + </p> + <p> + Fouquier Tinville, with sixteen revolutionary Judges and Jurymen, have + been tried and executed, at the moment when the instigators of their + crimes, Billaud-Varennes, Collot, &c. were sentenced by the Convention + to a banishment, which is probably the object of their wishes. This + Tinville and his accomplices, who condemned thousands with such ferocious + gaiety, beheld the approach of death themselves with a mixture of rage and + terror, that even cowardice and guilt do not always exhibit. It seems an + awful dispensation of Providence, that they who were inhuman enough to + wish to deprive their victims of the courage which enabled them to submit + to their fate with resignation, should in their last moments want that + courage, and die despairing, furious, and uttering imprecations, which + were returned by the enraged multitude.* + </p> + <p> + —Yours, &c. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Some of the Jurymen were in the habit of taking caricatures of the + prisoners while they condemned them. Among the papers of the + Revolutionary Tribunal were found blank sentences, which were + occasionally sent to the Committee of Public Safety, to be filled up + with the names of those intended to be sacrificed.—The name of one + of the Jurymen executed on this occasion was Leroi, but being a very + ardent republican, he had changed it for that of Citizen Tenth of + August. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="short5_4_5" id="short5_4_5"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, May 26, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + Our journey to Paris has been postponed by the insurrection which occurred + on the first and second of Prairial, (20th and 21st of May,) and which was + not like that of Germinal, fabricated—but a real and violent attempt + of the Jacobins to regain their power. Of this event it is to be remarked, + that the people of Paris were at first merely spectators, and that the + Convention were at length defended by the very classes which they have so + long oppressed under the denomination of aristocrats. For several hours + the Assembly was surrounded, and in the power of its enemies; the head of + Ferraud, a deputy, was borne in triumph to the hall;* and but for the + impolitic precipitation of the Jacobins, the present government might have + been destroyed. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The head of Ferraud was placed on a pole, and, after being paraded + about the Hall, stationed opposite the President. It is impossible to + execrate sufficiently this savage triumph; but similar scenes had been + applauded on the fourteenth of July and the fifth and sixth of October + 1789; and the Parisians had learned, from the example of the Convention + themselves, that to rejoice in the daily sacrifice of fifty or sixty + people, was an act of patriotism. As to the epithets of Coquin, + Scelerats, Voleurs, &c. which were now bestowed on the Assembly, + they were only what the members were in the constant habit of applying + to each other. The assassin of Ferraud being afterwards taken and + sentenced to the Guillotine, was rescued by the mob at the place of + execution, and the inhabitants of the Fauxbourg St. Antoine were in + revolt for two days on this occasion, nor would they give him up until + abandoned by the cannoneers of their party.—It is singular, and + does no honour to the revolutionary school, or the people of Paris, that + Madame Elizabeth, Malsherbes, Cecile Renaud, and thousands of others, + should perish innocently, and that the only effort of this kind should + be exerted in favour of a murderer who deserved even a worse death. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The contest began, as usual, by an assemblage of females, who forced + themselves into the national palace, and loudly clamoured for immediate + supplies of bread. They then proceeded to reproach the Convention with + having robbed them of their liberty, plundered the public treasure, and + finally reduced the country to a state of famine.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * People.—<i>"Nous vous demandons ce que vous avez fait de nos + tresors et de notre liberte?"</i>—"We want to know what you have + done with our treasure and our liberty?" President.—<i>"Citoyens, + vous etes dans le sein de la Convention Nationale."</i>—"Citizens, + I must remind you that you are in the presence of the National + Convention." People.—<i>"Du pain, du pain, Coquin—Qu'as tu + fait de notre argent? Pas tant de belles phrases, mais du pain, du pain, + il n'y a point ici de conspirateurs—nous demandons du pain + parceque nous avons saim."</i>—"Bread, bread, rogue!—what + have you done with our money?— Fine speeches won't do—'tis + bread we want.—There are no conspirators among us—we only + ask for bread, because we are hungry." See Debates of the Convention. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —It was not easy either to produce bread, or refute these charges, + and the Deputies of the moderate party remained silent and overpowered, + while the Jacobins encouraged the mob, and began to head them openly. The + Parisians, however interested in the result of this struggle, appeared to + behold it with indifference, or at least with inactivity. Ferraud had + already been massacred in endeavouring to repel the croud, and the + Convention was abandoned to outrage and insult; yet no effectual attempt + had been made in their defence, until the Deputies of the Mountain + prematurely avowed their designs, and moved for a repeal of all the + doctrines since the death of Robespierre—for the reincarceration of + suspected persons—and, in fine, for an absolute revival of the whole + revolutionary system. + </p> + <p> + The avowal of these projects created an immediate alarm among those on + whom the massacre of Ferraud, and the dangers to which the Assembly was + exposed, had made no impression. The dismay became general; and in a few + hours the aristocrats themselves collected together a force sufficient to + liberate the Assembly,* and wrest the government from the hands of the + Jacobins.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This is stated as a ground of reproach by the Jacobins, and is + admitted by the Convention. Andre Dumont, who had taken so active a part + in supporting Robespierre's government, was yet on this occasion + defended and protected the whole day by a young man whose father had + been guillotined. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —This defeat ended in the arrest of all who had taken a part against + the now triumphant majority; and there are, I believe, near fifty of them + in custody, besides numbers who contrived to escape.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Among those implicated in this attempt to revive the revolutionary + government was Carnot, and the decree of arrest would have been carried + against him, had it not been suggested that his talents were necessary + in the military department. All that remained of Robespierre's + Committees, Jean Bon St. Andre, Robert Lindet, and Prieur, were + arrested. Carnot alone was excepted; and it was not disguised that his + utility, more than any supposed integrity, procured him the exemption. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + That the efforts of this more sanguinary faction have been checked, is + doubtless a temporary advantage; yet those who calculate beyond the moment + see only the perpetuation of anarchy, in a habit of expelling one part of + the legislature to secure the government of the other; nor can it be + denied, that the freedom of the representative body has been as much + violated by the Moderates in the recent transactions, as by the Jacobins + on the thirty-first of May 1793. The Deputies of the Mountain have been + proscribed and imprisoned, rather as partizans than criminals; and it is + the opinion of many, that these measures, which deprive the Convention of + such a portion of its members, attach as much illegality to the + proceedings of the rest, as the former violences of Robespierre and his + faction.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The decrees passed by the Jacobin members during their few hours + triumph cannot be defended; but the whole Convention had long acquiesced + in them, and the precise time when they were to cease was certainly a + matter of opinion. The greater part of these members were accused of no + active violence, nor could they have been arrested on any principles but + that of being rivals to a faction stronger than themselves. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —It is true, the reigning party may plead in their justification + that they only inflict what they would themselves have suffered, had the + Jacobins prevailed; and this is an additional proof of the weakness and + instability of a form of government which is incapable of resisting + opposition, and which knows no medium between yielding to its adversaries, + and destroying them. + </p> + <p> + In a well organized constitution, it is supposed that a liberal spirit of + party is salutary. Here they dispute the alternatives of power and + emolument, or prisons and guillotines; and the sole result to the people + is the certainty of being sacrificed to the fears, and plundered by the + rapacity of either faction which may chance to acquire the superiority.— + Had the government any permanent or inherent strength, a party watching + its errors, and eager to attack them, might, in time, by these perpetual + collisions, give birth to some principles of liberty and order. But, as I + have often had occasion to notice, this species of republicanism is in + itself so weak, that it cannot exist except by a constant recurrence to + the very despotism it professes to exclude. Hence it is jealous and + suspicious, and all opposition to it is fatal; so that, to use an argument + somewhat similar to Hume's on the liberty of the press in republics, the + French possess a sort of freedom which does not admit of enjoyment; and, + in order to boast that they have a popular constitution, are obliged to + support every kind of tyranny.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Hume observes, that absolute monarchies and republics nearly approach; + for the excess of liberty in the latter renders such restraints + necessary as to make them in practice resemble the former. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The provinces take much less interest in this event, than in one of a more + general and personal effect, though not apparently of equal importance. A + very few weeks ago, the Convention asseverated, in the usual acclamatory + style, that they would never even listen to a proposal for diminishing the + value, or stopping the currency, of any description of assignats. Their + oaths are not, indeed, in great repute, yet many people were so far + deceived, as to imagine that at least the credit of the paper would not be + formally destroyed by those who had forced its circulation. All of a + sudden, and without any previous notice, a decree was issued to suppress + the corsets, (or assignats of five livres,) bearing the King's image;* and + as these were very numerous, and chiefly in the hands of the lower order + of people, the consternation produced by this measure was serious and + unusual.— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The opinion that prevailed at this time that a restoration of the + monarchy was intended by the Convention, had rendered every one + solicitous to amass assignats issued during the late King's reign. Royal + assignats of five livres were exchanged for six, seven, and eight livres + of the republican paper. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —There cannot be a stronger proof of the tyranny of the government, + or of the national propensity to submission, than the circumstance of + making it penal to refuse one day, what, by the same authority, is + rendered valueless the next—and that notwithstanding this, the + remaining assignats are still received under all the probability of their + experiencing a similar fate. + </p> + <p> + Paris now offers an interval of tranquillity which we mean to avail + ourselves of, and shall, in a day or two, leave this place with the hope + of procuring passports for England. The Convention affect great moderation + and gratitude for their late rescue; and the people, persuaded in general + that the victorious party are royalists, wait with impatience some + important change, and expect, if not an immediate restoration of the + monarchy, at least a free election of new Representatives, which must + infallibly lead to it. With this hope, which is the first that has long + presented itself to this harassed country, I shall probably bid it adieu; + but a visit to the metropolis will be too interesting for me to conclude + these papers, without giving you the result of my observations. + </p> + <p> + —Yours. &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short5_4_6" id="short5_4_6"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Paris, June 3, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + We arrived here early on Saturday, and as no stranger coming to Paris, + whether a native of France, or a foreigner, is suffered to remain longer + than three days without a particular permission, our first care was to + present ourselves to the Committee of the section where we lodge, and, on + giving proper security for our good conduct, we have had this permission + extended to a Decade. + </p> + <p> + I approached Paris with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, as though + I expected the scenes which had passed in it, and the moral changes it had + undergone, would be every where visible; but the gloomy ideas produced by + a visit to this metropolis, are rather the effect of mental association + than external objects. Palaces and public buildings still remain; but we + recollect that they are become the prisons of misfortune, or the rewards + of baseness. We see the same hotels, but their owners are wandering over + the world, or have expired on the scaffold. Public places are not less + numerous, nor less frequented; but, far from inspiring gaiety, we behold + them with regret and disgust, as proofs of the national levity and want of + feeling. + </p> + <p> + I could almost wish, for the credit of the French character, to have found + some indications that the past was not so soon consigned to oblivion. It + is true, the reign of Robespierre and his sanguinary tribunal are + execrated in studied phrases; yet is it enough to adopt humanity as a + mode, to sing the <i>Revel du Peuple</i> in preference to the <i>Marseillois,</i> + or to go to a theatre with a well-powdered head, instead of cropped locks + a la Jacobin? But the people forget, that while they permitted, and even + applauded, the past horrors, they were also accessary to them, and if they + rejoice at their termination, their sensibility does not extend to + compunction; they cast their sorrows away, and think it sufficient to + exhibit their reformation in dressing and dancing— + </p> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Yet hearts refin'd their sadden'd tint retain, + "The sigh is pleasure, and the jest is pain." + Sheridan. +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + French refinements are not, however, of this poetical kind.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This too great facility of the Parisians has been commented upon by an + anonymous writer in the following terms: "At Paris, where more than + fifty victims were dragged daily to the scaffold, the theatres never + failed to overflow, and that on the Place de la Revolution was not the + least frequented. The public, in their way every evening to the Champs + Ellisees, continued uninterruptedly to cross the stream of blood that + deluged this fatal spot with the most dreadful indifference; and now, + though these days of horror are scarcely passed over our heads, one + would suppose them ages removed—so little are we sensible that we + are dancing, as it were, on a platform of dead bodies. Well may we say, + respecting those events which have not reached ourselves— + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <i>'Le malheur Qui n'est plus, n'a jamais existe.'</i> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + But if we desire earnestly that the same misfortunes should not return, + we must keep them always present in our recollection." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The practice of the government appears to depart every day more widely + from its professions; and the moderate harangues of the tribune are often + succeeded by measures as arbitrary as those which are said to be exploded.—Perhaps + the Convention begin to perceive their mistake in supposing that they can + maintain a government against the inclination of the people, without the + aid of tyranny. They expected at the same time that they decried + Robespierre, to retain all the power he possessed. Hence, their assumed + principles and their conduct are generally at variance; and, divided + between despotism and weakness, they arrest the printers of pamphlets and + newspapers one day, and are obliged to liberate them the next.—They + exclaim publicly against the system of terror, yet secretly court the + assistance of its agents.—They affect to respect the liberty of the + press, yet every new publication has to defend itself against the whole + force of the government, if it happen to censure a single member of the + reigning party.—Thus, the <i>Memoirs of Dumouriez</i> had circulated + nearly through all Europe, yet it was not without much risk, and after a + long warfare, that they were printed in France.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *On this subject the government appears sometimes to have adopted the + maxim—that prevention is better than punishment; for, in several + instances, they seized on manuscripts, and laid embargoes on the + printers' presses, where they only suspected that a work which they + might disapprove was intended to be published. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I know not if it be attributable to these political inconsistencies that + the calm which has succeeded the late disorders is little more than + external. The minds of the people are uncommonly agitated, and every one + expresses either hope or apprehension of some impending event. The + royalists, amidst their ostensible persecutions, are particularly elated; + and I have been told, that many conspicuous revolutionists already talk of + emigration. + </p> + <p> + I am just returned from a day's ramble, during which I have met with + various subjects of unpleasant meditation. About dinner-time I called on + an old Chevalier de St. Louis and his lady, who live in the Fauxbourg St. + Germain. When I knew them formerly, they had a handsome annuity on the + Hotel de Ville, and were in possession of all the comforts necessary to + their declining years. To-day the door was opened by a girl of dirty + appearance, the house looked miserable, the furniture worn, and I found + the old couple over a slender meal of soup maigre and eggs, without wine + or bread. Our revolutionary adventures, as is usual on all meetings of + this kind, were soon communicated; and I learned, that almost before they + knew what was passing around them, Monsieur du G————'s + forty years' service, and his croix, had rendered him suspected, and that + he and his wife were taken from their beds at midnight and carried to + prison. Here they consumed their stock of ready money, while a guard, + placed in their house, pillaged what was moveable, and spoiled what could + not be pillaged. Soon after the ninth of Thermidor they were released, but + they returned to bare walls, and their annuity, being paid in assignats, + now scarcely affords them a subsistence.—Monsieur du G———— + is near seventy, and Madame is become helpless from a nervous complaint, + the effect of fear and confinement; and if this depreciation of the paper + should continue, these poor people may probably die of absolute want. + </p> + <p> + I dined with a relation of the Marquise's, and in the afternoon we called + by appointment on a person who is employed by the Committee of National + Domains, and who has long promised my friend to facilitate the adjustment + of some of the various claims which the government has on her property. + This man was originally a valet to the brother of the Marquise: at the + revolution he set up a shop, became a bankrupt, and a furious Jacobin, + and, in the end, a member of a Revolutionary Committee. In the last + capacity he found means to enrich himself, and intimidate his creditors so + as to obtain a discharge of his debts, without the trouble of paying + them.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "It was common for men in debt to procure themselves to be made + members of a revolutionary committee, and then force their creditors to + give them a receipt in full, under the fear of being imprisoned." + Clauzel's Report, Oct. 13, 1794. I am myself acquainted with an old + lady, who was confined four months, for having asked one of these + patriots for three hundred livres which he owed her. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Since the dissolution of the Committees, he has contrived to obtain + the situation I have mentioned, and now occupies superb apartments in an + hotel, amply furnished with the proofs of his official dexterity, and the + perquisites of patriotism. + </p> + <p> + The humiliating vicissitudes occasioned by the revolution induced Madame + de la F———— to apply to this democratic <i>parvenu,</i> + [Upstart.] whose office at present gives him the power, and whose former + obligations to her family (by whom he was brought up) she hoped would add + the disposition, to serve her.—The gratitude she expected has, + however, ended only in delays and disappointments, and the sole object of + my commission was to get some papers which she had entrusted to him out of + his possession. + </p> + <p> + When we enquired if the Citizen was at home, a servant, not in livery, + informed us Monsieur was dressing, but that if we would walk in, he would + let Monsieur know we were there. We passed through a dining parlour, where + we saw the remains of a dessert, coffee, &c. and were assailed by the + odours of a plentiful repast. As we entered the saloon, we heard the + servant call at the door of an adjoining parlour, <i>"Monsieur, voici deux + Citoyennes et un Citoyen qui vous demandent."</i> ["Sir, here are two + female citizens and one male citizen enquiring for you."] When Monsieur + appeared, he apologized with an air of graciousness for the impossibility + he had been under of getting my friend's affairs arranged—protested + he was <i>accable</i> [Oppressed..]—that he had scarcely an instant + at his own disposal—that <i>enfin</i> the responsibility of people + in office was so terrible, and the fatigue so <i>assommante,</i> + [Overpowering.] that nothing but the purest <i>civism,</i> and a heart <i>penetre + de l'amour de la patrie,</i> [Penetrated with the love of his country.] + could enable him to persevere in the task imposed on him. As for the + papers we required, he would endeavour to find them, though his cabinet + was really so filled with petitions and certificates of all sorts, <i>que + des malheureux lui avoient addresses,</i> [Addressed to him by unfortunate + people.] that it would not be very easy to find them at present; and, with + this answer, which we should have smiled at from M. de Choiseul or + Sartine, we were obliged to be satisfied. We then talked of the news of + the day, and he lamented that the aristocrats were still restless and + increasing in number, and that notwithstanding the efforts of the + Convention to diffuse a spirit of philosophy, it was too evident there was + yet much fanaticism among the people. + </p> + <p> + As we rose to depart, Madame entered, dressed for visiting, and decorated + with bracelets on her wrists and above her elbows, medallions on her + waists and neck, and, indeed, finery wherever it could possibly be + bestowed. We observed her primitive condition of a waiting-woman still + operated, and that far from affecting the language of her husband, she + retained a great deference for rank, and was solicitous to insinuate that + she was secretly of a superior way of thinking. As we left the room + together, she made advances to an acquaintance with my companions (who + were people of condition); and having occasion to speak to a person at the + door, as she uttered the word <i>Citoyen</i> she looked at us with an + expression which she intended should imply the contempt and reluctance + with which she made use of it. + </p> + <p> + I have in general remarked, that the republicans are either of the species + I have just been describing, waiters, jockies, gamblers, bankrupts, and + low scribblers, living in great splendour, or men taken from laborious + professions, more sincere in their principles, more ignorant and brutal—and + who dissipate what they have gained in gross luxury, because they have + been told that elegance and delicacy are worthy only of Sybarites, and + that the Greeks and Romans despised both. These patriots are not, however, + so uninformed, nor so disinterested, as to suppose they are to serve their + country without serving themselves; and they perfectly understand, that + the rich are their legal patrimony, and that it is enjoined them by their + mission to pillage royalists and aristocrats.* + </p> + <p> + —Yours. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Garat observes, it was a maxim of Danton, <i>"Que ceux qui fesaient + les affaires de la republique devaient aussi faireles leurs,"</i> that + who undertook the care of the republic should also take care of + themselves. This tenet, however, seems common to the friends of both. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="short5_4_7" id="short5_4_7"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Paris, June 6, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + I had scarcely concluded my last, when I received advice of the death of + Madame de la F————; and though I have, almost from + the time we quitted the Providence, thought she was declining, and that + such an event was probable, it has, nevertheless, both shocked and grieved + me. + </p> + <p> + Exclusively of her many good and engaging qualities, which were reasonable + objects of attachment, Madame de la F———— was + endeared to me by those habits of intimacy that often supply the want of + merit, and make us adhere to our early friendships, even when not + sanctioned by our maturer judgment. Madame de la F———— + never became entirely divested of the effects of a convent education; but + if she retained a love of trifling amusements, and a sort of infantine + gaiety, she likewise continued pious, charitable, and strictly attentive + not only to the duties, but to the decorum, essential in the female + character and merits of this sort are, I believe, now more rare than those + in which she might be deemed deficient. + </p> + <p> + I was speaking of her this morning to a lady of our acquaintance, who + acquiesced in my friendly eulogiums, but added, in a tone of superiority, + <i>"C'etoit pourtant une petite femme bien minutieuse</i>—she always + put me out of patience with her birds and her flowers, her levees of poor + people, and her persevering industry in frivolous projects." My friend + was, indeed, the most feminine creature in the world, and this is a + flippant literary lady, who talks in raptures of the Greeks and Romans, + calls Rousseau familiarly Jean Jaques, frisks through the whole circle of + science at the Lyceum, and has an utter contempt both for personal + neatness and domestic oeconomy. How would Madame de Sevigne wonder, could + she behold one of these modern belles esprits, with which her country, as + well as England, abounds? In our zeal for reforming the irregular + orthography and housewifely penmanship of the last century, we are all + become readers, and authors, and critics. I do not assert, that the female + mind is too much cultivated, but that it is too generally so; and that we + encourage a taste for attainments not always compatible with the duties + and occupations of domestic life. No age has, I believe, produced so many + literary ladies as the present;* yet I cannot learn that we are at all + improved in morals, or that domestic happiness is more universal than + when, instead of writing sonnets to dew-drops or daisies,** we copied + prayers and recipes, in spelling similar to that of Stowe or Hollingshed. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Let me not be supposed to undervalue the female authors of the present + day. There are some who, uniting great talents with personal worth, are + justly entitled to our respect and admiration. The authoress of + "Cecilia," or the Miss Lees, cannot be confounded with the proprietors + of all the Castles, Forests, Groves, Woods, Cottages, and Caverns, which + are so alluring in the catalogue of a circulating library. ** Mrs. + Smith's beautiful Sonnets have produced sonnetteers for every object in + nature, visible or invisible; and her elegant translations of Petrarch + have procured the Italian bard many an English dress that he would have + been ashamed to appear in. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —We seem industrious to make every branch of education a vehicle for + inspiring a premature taste for literary amusements; and our old fashioned + moral adages in writing-books are replaced by scraps from "Elegant + Extracts," while print-work and embroidery represent scenes from poems or + novels. I allow, that the subjects formerly pourtrayed by the needle were + not pictoresque, yet, the tendency considered, young ladies might as well + employ their silk or pencils in exhibiting Daniel in the lions' den, or + Joseph and his brethren, as Sterne's Maria, or Charlotte and Werter. + </p> + <p> + You will forgive this digression, which I have been led into on hearing + the character of Madame de la F———— depreciated, + because she was only gentle and amiable, and did not read Plutarch, nor + hold literary assemblies. It is, in truth, a little amende I owe her + memory, for I may myself have sometimes estimated her too lightly, and + concluded my own pursuits more rational than hers, when possibly they were + only different. Her death has left an impression on my mind, which the + turbulence of Paris is not calculated to soothe; but the short time we + have to stay, and the number of people I must see, oblige me to conquer + both my regret and my indolence, and to pass a great part of the day in + running from place to place. + </p> + <p> + I have been employed all this morning in executing some female + commissions, which, of course, led me to milliners, mantua-makers, &c. + These people now recommend fashions by saying one thing is invented by + Tallien's wife, and another by Merlin de Thionville, or some other + Deputy's mistress; and the genius of these elegantes has contrived, by a + mode of dressing the hair which lengthens the neck, and by robes with an + inch of waist, to give their countrywomen an appearance not much unlike + that of a Bar Gander. + </p> + <p> + I saw yesterday a relation of Madame de la F————, + who is in the army, and whom I formerly mentioned as having met when we + passed through Dourlens. He was for some months suspended, and in + confinement, but is now restored to his rank, and ordered on service. He + asked me if I ever intended to visit France again. I told him I had so + little reason to be satisfied with my treatment, that I did not imagine I + should.—"Yes, (returned he,) but if the republic should conquer + Italy, and bring all its treasures to Paris, as has lately been suggested + in the Convention, we shall tempt you to return, in spite of yourself."* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + *The project of pillaging Italy of its most valuable works of art was + suggested by the philosophic Abbe Gregoire, a constitutional Bishop, as + early as September 1794, because, as he alledged, the chefs d'ouvres of + the Greek republic ought not to embellish a country of slaves. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —I told him, I neither doubted their intending such a scheme, nor + the possibility of its success, though it was not altogether worthy of + philosophers and republicans to wage war for Venus's and Appollos, and to + sacrifice the lives of one part of their fellow-citizens, that the rest + might be amused with pictures and statues.—"That's not our affair + (says Monsieur de ————). Soldiers do not reason. + And if the Convention should have a fancy to pillage the Emperor of + China's palace, I see no remedy but to set sail with the first fair wind,"—"I + wish, (said his sister, who was the only person present,) instead of being + under such orders, you had escaped from the service." "Yes, (returned the + General quickly,) and wander about Europe like Dumouriez, suspected and + despised by all parties." I observed, Dumouriez was an adventurer, and + that on many accounts it was necessary to guard against him. He said, he + did not dispute the necessity or even the justice of the conduct observed + towards him, but that nevertheless I might be assured it had operated as + an effectual check to those who might, otherwise, have been tempted to + follow Dumouriez's example; "And we have now (added he, in a tone between + gaiety and despair,) no alternative but obedience or the guillotine."—I + have transcribed the substance of this conversation, as it confirms what I + have frequently been told, that the fate of Dumouriez, however merited, is + one great cause why no desertion of importance has since taken place. + </p> + <p> + I was just now interrupted by a noise and shouting near my window, and + could plainly distinguish the words Scipio and Solon uttered in a tone of + taunt and reproach. Not immediately comprehending how Solon or Scipio + could be introduced in a fray at Paris, I dispatched Angelique to make + enquiry; and at her return I learned that a croud of boys were following a + shoemaker of the neighbourhood, who, while he was member of a + revolutionary Committee, had chosen to unite in his person the glories of + both Rome and Greece, of the sword and gown, and had taken unto himself + the name of Scipio Solon. A decree of the Convention some weeks since + enjoined all such heroes and sages to resume their original appellations, + and forbade any person, however ardent his patriotism, to distinguish + himself by the name of Brutus, Timoleon, or any other but that which he + derived from his Christian parents. The people, it seems, are not so + obedient to the decree as those whom it more immediately concerns; and as + the above-mentioned Scipio Solon had been detected in various larcenies, + he is not allowed to quit his shop without being reproached with his + thefts, and his Greek and Roman appellations. + </p> + <p> + —I am, &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short5_4_8" id="short5_4_8"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Paris, June 8, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + Yesterday being Sunday, and to-day the Decade, we have had two holidays + successively, though, since the people have been more at liberty to + manifest their opinions, they give a decided preference to the Christian + festival over that of the republic.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * This was only at Paris, where the people, from their number, are less + manageable, and of course more courageous. In the departments, the same + cautious timidity prevailed, and appeared likely to continue. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —They observe the former from inclination, and the latter from + necessity; so that between the performance of their religious duties, and + the sacrifice to their political fears, a larger portion of time will be + deducted from industry than was gained by the suppression of the Saints' + days. The Parisians, however, seem to acquiesce very readily in this + compromise, and the philosophers of the Convention, who have so often + declaimed against the idleness occasioned by the numerous fetes of the old + calendar, obstinately persist in the adoption of a new one, which + increases the evil they pretend to remedy. + </p> + <p> + If the people are to be taken from their labour for such a number of days, + it might as well be in the name of St. Genevieve or St. Denis, as of the + Decade, and the Saints'-days have at least this advantage, that the + forenoons are passed in churches; whereas the republican festivals, + dedicated one to love, another to stoicism, and so forth, not conveying + any very determinate idea, are interpreted to mean only an obligation to + do nothing, or to pass some supernumerary hours at the cabaret. [Alehouse.] + </p> + <p> + I noticed with extreme pleasure yesterday, that as many of the places of + public worship as are permitted to be open were much crouded, and that + religion appears to have survived the loss of those exterior allurements + which might be supposed to have rendered it peculiarly attractive to the + Parisians. The churches at present, far from being splendid, are not even + decent, the walls and windows still bear traces of the Goths (or, if you + will, the philosophers,) and in some places service is celebrated amidst + piles of farage, sacks, casks, or lumber appertaining to the government—who, + though they have by their own confession the disposal of half the + metropolis, choose the churches in preference for such purposes.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It has frequently been asserted in the Convention, that by + emigrations, banishments, and executions, half Paris had become the + property of the public. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Yet these unseemly and desolate appearances do not prevent the + attendance of congregations more numerous, and, I think, more fervent, + than were usual when the altars shone with the offerings of wealth, and + the walls were covered with the more interesting decorations of pictures + and tapestry. + </p> + <p> + This it is not difficult to account for. Many who used to perform these + religious duties with negligence, or indifference, are now become pious, + and even enthusiastic—and this not from hypocrisy or political + contradiction, but from a real sense of the evils of irreligion, produced + by the examples and conduct of those in whom such a tendency has been most + remarkable.—It must, indeed, be acknowledged, that did Christianity + require an advocate, a more powerful one need not be found, than in a + retrospect of the crimes and sufferings of the French since its abolition. + </p> + <p> + Those who have made fortunes by the revolution (for very few have been + able to preserve them) now begin to exhibit equipages; and they hope to + render the people blind to this departure from their visionary systems of + equality, by foregoing the use of arms and liveries—as if the real + difference between the rich and the poor was not constituted rather by + essential accommodation, than extrinsic embellishments, which perhaps do + not gratify the eyes of the possessor a second time, and are, probably of + all branches of luxury, the most useful. The livery of servants can be of + very little importance, whether morally or politically considered—it + is the act of maintaining men in idleness, who might be more profitably + employed, that makes the keeping a great number exceptionable; nor is a + man more degraded by going behind a carriage with a hat and feather, than + with a bonnet de police, or a plain beaver; but he eats just as much, and + earns just as little, equipped as a Carmagnole, as though glittering in + the most superb gala suit.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * In their zeal to imitate the Roman republicans, the French seem to + forget that a political consideration very different from the love of + simplicity, or an idea of the dignity of man, made the Romans averse + from distinguishing their slaves by any external indication. They were + so numerous that it was thought impolitic to furnish them with such + means of knowing their own strength in case of a revolt. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The marks of service cannot be more degrading than service itself; and it + is the mere chicane of philosophy to extend reform only to cuffs and + collars, while we do not dispense with the services annexed to them. A + valet who walks the street in his powdering jacket, disdains a livery as + much as the fiercest republican, and with as much reason—for there + is no more difference between domestic occupation performed in one coat or + another, than there is between the party-coloured habit and the jacket. + </p> + <p> + If the luxury of carriages be an evil, it must be because the horses + employed in them consume the produce of land which might be more + beneficially cultivated: but the gilding, fringe, salamanders, and lions, + in all their heraldic positions, afford an easy livelihood to + manufacturers and artisans, who might not be capable of more laborious + occupations. + </p> + <p> + I believe it will generally be found, that most of the republican reforms + are of this description—calculated only to impose on the people, and + disguising, by frivolous prohibitions, their real inutility. The + affectation of simplicity in a nation already familiarized with luxury, + only tends to divert the wealth of the rich to purposes which render it + more destructive. Vanity and ostentation, when they are excluded from one + means of gratification, will always seek another; and those who, having + the means, cannot distinguish themselves by ostensible splendour, will + often do so by domestic profusion.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "Sectaries (says Walpole in his Anecdotes of Painting, speaking of the + republicans under Cromwell) have no ostensible enjoyments; their + pleasures are private, comfortable and gross. The arts of civilized + society are not calculated for men who mean to rise on the ruins of + established order." Judging by comparison, I am persuaded these + observations are yet more applicable to the political, than the + religious opinions of the English republicans of that period; for, in + these respects, there is no difference between them and the French of + the present day, though there is a wide one between an Anabaptist and + the disciples of Boulanger and Voltaire. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —Nor can it well be disputed, that a gross luxury is more pernicious + than an elegant one; for the former consumes the necessaries of life + wantonly, while the latter maintains numerous hands in rendering things + valuable by the workmanship which are little so in themselves. + </p> + <p> + Every one who has been a reflecting spectator of the revolution will + acknowledge the justice of these observations. The agents and retainers of + government are the general monopolizers of the markets, and these men, who + are enriched by peculation, and are on all occasions retailing the cant + phrases of the Convention, on the <i>purete des moeurs republicains, et la + luxe de la ci-devant Noblesse,</i> [The purity of republican manners, and + the luxury of the ci-devant Noblesse.] exhibit scandalous exceptions to + the national habits of oeconomy, at a time too when others more deserving + are often compelled to sacrifice even their essential accommodations to a + more rigid compliance with them.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Lindet, in a report on the situation of the republic, declares, that + since the revolution the consumption of wines and every article of + luxury has been such, that very little has been left for exportation. I + have selected the following specimens of republican manners, from many + others equally authentic, as they may be of some utility to those who + would wish to estimate what the French have gained in this respect by a + change of government. "In the name of the French people the + Representatives sent to Commune Affranchie (Lyons) to promote the + felicity of its inhabitants, order the Committee of Sequestration to + send them immediately two hundred bottles of the best wine that can be + procured, also five hundred bottles of claret, of prime quality, for + their own table. For this purpose the commission are authorized to take + of the sequestration, wherever the above wine can be found. Done at + Commune Affranchie, thirteenth Nivose, second year. (Signed) "Albitte, + "Fouche, "Deputies of the National Convention." + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + Extract of a denunciation of Citizen Boismartin against Citizen + Laplanche, member of the National Convention: "The twenty-fourth of + Brumaire, in the second year of the republic, the Administrators of the + district of St. Lo gave orders to the municipality over which I at that + time presided, to lodge the Representative of the people, Laplanche, and + General Siphert, in the house of Citizen Lemonnier, who was then under + arrest at Thorigni. In introducing one of the founders of the republic, + and a French General, into this hospitable mansion, we thought to put + the property of our fellow-citizen under the safeguard of all the + virtues; but, alas, how were we mistaken! They had no sooner entered the + house, than the provisions of every sort, the linen, clothes, furniture, + trinkets, books, plate, carriages, and even title-deeds, all + disappeared; and, as if they purposely insulted our wretchedness, while + we were reduced to the sad necessity of distributing with a parsimonious + hand a few ounces of black bread to our fellow-citizens, the best bread, + pillaged from Citizen Lemonnier, was lavished by buckets full to the + horses of General Siphert, and the Representative Laplanche.—The + Citizen Lemonnier, who is seventy years of age, having now recovered his + liberty, which he never deserved to lose, finds himself so entirely + despoiled, that he is at present obliged to live at an inn; and, of + property to the amount of sixty thousand livres, he has nothing left but + a single spoon, which he took with him when carried to one of the + Bastilles in the department de la Manche." The chief defence of + Laplanche consisted in allegations that the said Citizen Lemonnier was + rich, and a royalist, and that he had found emblems of royalism and + fanaticism about the house. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + At the house of one of our common friends, I met ————, + and so little did I imagine that he had escaped all the revolutionary + perils to which he had been exposed, that I could almost have supposed + myself in the regions of the dead, or that he had been permitted to quit + them, for his being alive scarcely seemed less miraculous or incredible. + As I had not seen him since 1792, he gave me a very interesting detail of + his adventures, and his testimony corroborates the opinion generally + entertained by those who knew the late King, that he had much personal + courage, and that he lost his crown and his life by political indecision, + and an humane, but ill-judged, unwillingness to reduce his enemies by + force. He assured me, the Queen might have been conveyed out of France + previous to the tenth of August, if she would have agreed to leave the + King and her children behind; that she had twice consulted him on the + subject; but, persisting in her resolution not to depart unaccompanied by + her family, nothing practicable could be devised, and she determined to + share their fate.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The gentleman here alluded to has great talents, and is particularly + well acquainted with some of the most obscure and disastrous periods of + the French revolution. I have reason to believe, whenever it is + consistent with his own safety, he will, by a genuine relation, expose + many of the popular falsehoods by which the public have been misled. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + This, as well as many other instances of tenderness and heroism, which + distinguished the Queen under her misfortunes, accord but ill with the + vices imputed to her; and were not such imputations encouraged to serve + the cause of faction, rather than that of morality, these inconsistencies + would have been interpreted in her favour, and candour have palliated or + forgotten the levities of her youth, and remembered only the sorrows and + the virtues by which they were succeeded. + </p> + <p> + I had, in compliance with your request on my first arrival in France, made + a collection of prints of all the most conspicuous actors in the + revolution; but as they could not be secreted so easily as other papers, + my fears overcame my desire of obliging you, and I destroyed them + successively, as the originals became proscribed or were sacrificed. + Desirous of repairing my loss, I persuaded some friends to accompany me to + a shop, kept by a man of whom they frequently purchased, and whom, as his + principles were known to them, I might safely ask for the articles I + wanted. He shook his head, while he ran over my list, and then told me, + that having preferred his safety to his property, he had disposed of his + prints in the same way I had disposed of mine. "At the accession of a new + party, (continued he,) I always prepare for a domiciliary visit, clear my + windows and shelves of the exploded heads, and replace them by those of + their rivals. Nay, I assure you, since the revolution, our trade is become + as precarious as that of a gamester. The Constitutionalists, indeed, held + out pretty well, but then I was half ruined by the fall of the Brissotins; + and, before I could retrieve a little by the Hebertists and Dantonists, + the too were out of fashion."— "Well, but the Robespierrians—you + must have gained by them?"—"Why, true; Robespierre and Marat, and + Chalier, answered well enough, because the royalists generally placed them + in their houses to give themselves an air of patriotism, yet they are gone + after the rest.—Here, however, (says he, taking down an engraving of + the Abbe Sieyes,) is a piece of merchandize that I have kept through all + parties, religions, and constitutions—<i>et le voila encore a la + mode,</i> ["And now you see him in fashion again."] mounted on the wrecks, + and supported by the remnants of both his friends and enemies. <i>Ah! + c'est un fin matois."</i> ["Ah! He's a knowing one."] + </p> + <p> + This conversation passed in a gay tone, though the man added, very + seriously, that the instability of popular factions, and their intolerance + towards each other, had obliged him to destroy to the amount of some + thousand livres, and that he intended, if affairs did not change, to quit + business. + </p> + <p> + Of all the prints I enquired for, I only got Barrere, Sieyes, and a few + others of less note. Your last commissions I have executed more + successfully, for though the necessaries of life are almost + unpurchaseable, articles of taste, books, perfumery, &c. are cheaper + than ever. This is unfortunately the reverse of what ought to be the case, + but the augmentation in the price of provisions is to be accounted for in + various ways, and that things of the description I allude to do not bear a + price in proportion is doubtless to be attributed to the present poverty + of those who used to be the purchasers of them; while the people who are + become rich under the new government are of a description to seek for more + substantial luxuries than books and essences.—I should however + observe, that the venders of any thing not perishable, and who are not + forced to sell for their daily subsistence, are solicitous to evade every + demand for any article which is to be paid for in assignats. + </p> + <p> + I was looking at some trinkets in a shop at the Palais Royal, and on my + asking the mistress of it if the ornaments were silver, she smiled + significantly, and replied, she had nothing silver nor gold in the shop, + but if I chose to purchase <i>en espece,</i> she would show me whatever I + desired: <i>"Mais pour le papier nous n'en avons que trop."</i> ["In coin, + but for paper we have already too much of it."] + </p> + <p> + Many of the old shops are nearly empty, and the little trade which yet + exists is carried on by a sort of adventurers who, without being bred to + any one trade, set up half a dozen, and perhaps disappear three months + afterwards. They are, I believe, chiefly men who have speculated on the + assignats, and as soon as they have turned their capital in a mercantile + way a short time, become apprehensive of the paper, realize it, and + retire; or, becoming bankrupts by some unlucky monopoly, begin a new + career of patriotism. + </p> + <p> + There is, properly speaking, no money in circulation, yet a vast quantity + is bought and sold. Annuitants, possessors of moderate landed property, + &c., finding it impossible to subsist on their incomes, are forced to + have recourse to the little specie they have reserved, and exchange it for + paper. Immense sums in coin are purchased by the government, to make good + the balance of their trade with the neutral countries for provisions, so + that I should suppose, if this continue a few months, very little will be + left in the country. + </p> + <p> + One might be tempted to fancy there is something in the atmosphere of + Paris which adapts the minds of its inhabitants to their political + situation. They talk of the day appointed for a revolt a fortnight before, + as though it were a fete, and the most timid begin to be inured to a state + of agitation and apprehension, and to consider it as a natural vicissitude + that their lives should be endangered periodically. + </p> + <p> + A commission has been employed for some time in devising another new + constitution, which is to be proposed to the Assembly on the thirteenth of + this month; and on that day, it is said, an effort is to be made by the + royalists. They are certainly very numerous, and the interest taken in the + young King is universal. In vain have the journalists been forbidden to + cherish these sentiments, by publishing details concerning him: whatever + escapes the walls of his prison is circulated in impatient whispers, and + requires neither printing nor gazettes a la main to give it publicity.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Under the monarchy people disseminated anecdotes or intelligence which + they did not think it safe to print, by means of these written gazettes.—I + doubt if any one would venture to have recourse to them at present. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The child is reported to be ill, and in a kind of stupefaction, so + as to sit whole days without speaking or moving: this is not natural at + his age, and must be the consequence of neglect, or barbarous treatment. + </p> + <p> + The Committees of Government, and indeed most of the Convention who have + occasionally appeared to give tacit indications of favouring the + royalists, in order to secure their support against the Jacobins, having + now crushed the latter, begin to be seriously alarmed at the projects of + the former.—Sevestre, in the name of the Committee of Public Safety, + has announced that a formidable insurrection may be expected on the + twenty-fifth of Prairial, (thirteenth June,) the Deputies on mission are + ordered to return, and the Assembly propose to die under the ruins of the + republic. They have, notwithstanding, judged it expedient to fortify these + heroic dispositions by the aid of a military force, and a large number of + regular troops are in Paris and the environs. We shall certainly depart + before this menacing epoch: the application for our passports was made on + our first arrival, and Citizen Liebault, Principal of the Office for + Foreign Affairs, who is really very civil, has promised them in a day or + two. + </p> + <p> + Our journey here was, in fact, unnecessary; but we have few republican + acquaintance, and those who are called aristocrats do not execute + commission of this kind zealously, nor without some apprehensions of + committing themselves.—You will wonder that I find time to write to + you, nor do I pretend to assume much merit from it. We have not often + courage to frequent public places in the evening, and, when we do, I + continually dread some unlucky accident: either a riot between the + Terrorists and Muscadins, within, or a military investment without. The + last time we were at the theatre, a French gentleman, who was our escort, + entered into a trifling altercation with a rude vulgar-looking man, in the + box, who seemed to speak in a very authoritative tone, and I know not how + the matter might have ended, had not a friend in the next box silenced our + companion, by conveying a penciled card, which informed him the person he + was disputing with was a Deputy of the Convention. We took an early + opportunity of retreating, not perfectly at ease about the consequences + which might ensue from Mr. ———— having ventured to + differ in opinion from a Member of the Republican Legislature. Since that + time we have passed our evenings in private societies, or at home; and + while Mr. D———— devours new pamphlets, and Mrs. D———— + and the lady we lodge with recount their mutual sufferings at Arras and + St. Pelagie, I take the opportunity of writing. + </p> + <p> + —Adieu. + </p> + <p> + Paris, June 12, 1795. + </p> + <p> + The hopes and fears, plots and counterplots, of both royalists and + republicans, are now suspended by the death of the young King. This event + was announced on Tuesday last, and since that time the minds and + conversation of the public have been entirely occupied by it. Latent + suspicion, and regret unwillingly suppressed, are every where visible; + and, in the fond interest taken in this child's life, it seems to be + forgotten that it is the lot of man "to pass through nature to eternity," + and that it was possible for him to die without being sacrificed by human + malice. + </p> + <p> + All that has been said and written on original equality has not yet + persuaded the people that the fate of Kings is regulated only by the + ordinary dispensations of Providence; and they seem to persist in + believing, that royalty, if it has not a more fortunate pre-eminence, is + at least distinguished by an unusual portion of calamities. + </p> + <p> + When we recollect the various and absurd stories which have been + propagated and believed at the death of Monarchs or their offspring, + without even a single ground either political or physical to justify them, + we cannot now wonder, when so many circumstances of every kind tend to + excite suspicion, that the public opinion should be influenced, and + attribute the death of the King to poison. The child is allowed to have + been of a lively disposition, and, even long after his seclusion from his + family, to have frequently amused himself by singing at the window of his + prison, until the interest he was observed to create in those who listened + under it, occasioned an order to prevent him. It is therefore + extraordinary, that he should lately have appeared in a state of + stupefaction, which is by no means a symptom of the disorder he is + alledged to have died of, but a very common one of opiates improperly + administered.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * In order to account in some way for the state in which the young King + had lately appeared, it was reported that he had been in the habit of + drinking strong liquors to excess. Admitting this to be true, they must + have been furnished for him, for he could have no means of procuring + them.—It is not inapposite to record, that on a petition being + formerly presented to the legislature from the Jacobin societies, + praying that the "son of the tyrant" might be put to death, an + honourable mention in the national bulletin was unanimously decreed!!! + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Though this presumption, if supported by the evidence of external + appearances, may seem but of little weight; when combined with others, of + a moral and political nature, it becomes of considerable importance. The + people, long amused by a supposed design of the Convention to place the + Dauphin on the throne, were now become impatient to see their wishes + realized; or, they hoped that a renewal of the representative body, which, + if conducted with freedom, must infallibly lead to the accomplishment of + this object, would at least deliver them from an Assembly which they + considered as exhausted in talents and degraded in reputation.—These + dispositions were not attempted to be concealed; they were manifested on + all occasions: and a general and successful effort in favour of the Royal + Prisoner was expected to take place on the thirteenth.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * That there were such designs, and such expectations on the part of the + people, is indubitable. The following extract, written and signed by one + of the editors of the <i>Moniteur,</i> is sufficiently expressive of the + temper of the public at this period; and I must observe here, that the + <i>Moniteur</i> is to be considered as nearly equivalent to an official + paper, and is always supposed to express the sense of government, by + whom it is supported and paid, whatever party or system may happen to + prevail: <i>"Les esperances les plus folles se manifestent de toutes + parts.— C'est a qui jettera plus promptement le masque—on + dirait, a lire les ecrits qui paraissent, a entendre les conversations + des gens qui se croient dans les confidences, que c'en est fait de la + republique: la Convention, secondee, poussee meme par le zele et + l'energie des bons citoyens a remporte une grande victoire sur les + Terroristes, sur les successeurs de Robespierre, il semble qu'elle n'ait + plus qu'a proclamer la royaute. Ce qui donne lieu a toutes les + conjectures plus ou moins absurdes aux quelles chacun se livre, c'est + l'approche du 25 Prairial."</i> (13th June, the day on which the new + constitution was to be presented). "The most extravagant hopes, and a + general impatience to throw off the mask are manifested on all sides.—To + witness the publications that appear, and to hear what is said by those + who believe themselves in the secret, one would suppose that it was all + over with the republic.—The Convention seconded, impelled even, by + the good citizens, has gained a victory over the Terrorists and the + successors of Robespierre, and now it should seem that nothing remained + to be done by to proclaim royalty—what particularly gives rise to + these absurdities, which exist more or less in the minds of all, is the + approach of the 25th Prairial." <i>Moniteur,</i> June 6, 1795. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Perhaps the majority of the Convention, under the hope of securing + impunity for their past crimes, might have yielded to the popular impulse; + but the government is no longer in the hands of those men who, having + shared the power of Robespierre before they succeeded him, might, as + Rabaut St. Etienne expressed himself, "be wearied of their portion of + tyranny."* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * -"Je suis las de la portion de tyrannie que j'exerce."—-"I am + weary of the portion of tyranny which I exercise." Rabaut de St. Etienne + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The remains of the Brissotins, with their newly-acquired authority, + have vanity, interest, and revenge, to satiate; and there is no reason to + suppose that a crime, which should favour these views, would, in their + estimation, be considered otherwise than venial. To these are added + Sieyes, Louvet, &c. men not only eager to retain their power, but + known to have been of the Orleans faction, and who, if they are royalists, + are not loyalists, and the last persons to whose care a son of Louis the + Sixteenth ought to have been intrusted. + </p> + <p> + At this crisis, then, when the Convention could no longer temporize with + the expectations it raised—when the government was divided between + one party who had deposed the King to gratify their own ambition, and + another who had lent their assistance in order to facilitate the + pretensions of an usurper—and when the hopes of the country were + anxiously fixed on him, died Louis the Seventeenth. At an age which, in + common life, is perhaps the only portion of our existence unalloyed by + misery, this innocent child had suffered more than is often the lot of + extended years and mature guilt. He lived to see his father sent to the + scaffold—to be torn from his mother and family—to drudge in + the service of brutality and insolence—and to want those cares and + necessaries which are not refused even to the infant mendicant, whose + wretchedness contributes to the support of his parents.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It is unnecessary to remind the reader, that the Dauphin had been + under the care of one Simon, a shoemaker, who employed him to clean his + (Simon's) shoes, and in any other drudgery of which his close + confinement admitted. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —When his death was announced to the Convention, Sevestre, the + reporter, acknowledged that Dessault, the surgeon, had some time since + declared the case to be dangerous; yet, notwithstanding policy as well as + humanity required that every appearance of mystery and harshness should, + on such an occasion, be avoided, the poor child continued to be secluded + with the same barbarous jealousy—nor was the Princess, his sister, + whose evidence on the subject would have been so conclusive, ever suffered + to approach him. + </p> + <p> + No report of Dessault's opinion had till now been made public; and + Dessault himself, who was an honest man, died of an inflammatory disorder + four days before the Dauphin.—It is possible, he might have + expressed himself too freely, respecting his patient, to those who + employed him— his future discretion might be doubted—or, + perhaps, he was only called in at first, that his character might give a + sanction to the future operations of those who were more confided in. But + whether this event is to be ascribed to natural causes, or to that of + opiates, the times and circumstances render it peculiarly liable to + suspicions, and the reputation of those who are involved, is not + calculated to repel them. Indeed, so conscious are the advocates of + government, that the imputation cannot be obviated by pleading the + integrity of the parties, that they seem to rest their sole defence on the + inutility of a murder, which only transfers whatever rights the House of + Bourbon may be supposed to possess, from one branch of it to another. Yet + those who make use of this argument are well aware of its fallaciousness: + the shades of political opinion in France are extremely diversified, and a + considerable part of the Royalists are also Constitutionalists, whom it + will require time and necessity to reconcile to the emigrant Princes. But + the young King had neither enemies nor errors—and his claims would + have united the efforts and affections of all parties, from the friends of + the monarchy, as it existed under Louis the Fourteenth, down to the + converted Republican, who compromises with his principles, and stipulates + for the title of Perpetual President. + </p> + <p> + That the removal of this child has been fortunate for those who govern, is + proved by the effect: insurrections are no longer talked of, the royalists + are confounded, the point of interest is no more, and a sort of + despondency and confusion prevails, which is highly favourable to a + continuance of the present system.—There is no doubt, but that when + men's minds become more settled, the advantage of having a Prince who is + capable of acting, and whose success will not be accompanied by a long + minority, will conciliate all the reflecting part of the constitutional + royalists, in spite of their political objections. But the people who are + more under the influence of their feelings, and yield less to expediency, + may not, till urged by distress and anarchy, be brought to take the same + interest in the absent claimant of the throne, that they did in their + infant Prince. + </p> + <p> + It is to be regretted, that an habitual and unconquerable deference for + the law which excludes females from the Crown of France, should have + survived monarchy itself; otherwise the tender compassion excited by the + youth, beauty and sufferings of the Princess, might yet have been the + means of procuring peace to this distracted country. But the French + admire, lament, and leave her to her fate— + </p> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "O, shame of Gallia, in one sullen tower + "She wets with royal tears her daily cell; + "She finds keen anguish every rose devour, + "They spring, they bloom, then bid the world farewell. + "Illustrious mourner! will no gallant mind + "The cause of love, the cause of justice own? + "Such claims! such charms! And is no life resign'd + "To see them sparkle from their parent throne?" + +</pre> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + How inconsistent do we often become through prejudices! The French are at + this moment governed by adventurers and courtezans—by whatever is + base, degraded, or mean, in both sexes; yet, perhaps, would they blush to + see enrolled among their Sovereigns an innocent and beautiful Princess, + the descendant of Henry the Fourth. + </p> + <p> + Nothing since our arrival at Paris has seemed more strange than the + eagerness with which every one recounts some atrocity, either committed or + suffered by his fellow-citizens; and all seem to conclude, that the guilt + or shame of these scenes is so divided by being general, that no share of + either attaches to any individual. They are never tired of the details of + popular or judicial massacres; and so zealous are they to do the honours + of the place, that I might, but for disinclination on my part, pass half + my time in visiting the spots where they were perpetrated. It was but + to-day I was requested to go and examine a kind of sewer, lately described + by Louvet, in the Convention, where the blood of those who suffered at the + Guillotine was daily carried in buckets, by men employed for the purpose.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "At the gate of St. Antoine an immense aqueduct had been constructed + for the purpose of carrying off the blood that was shed at the + executions, and every day four men were employed in taking it up in + buckets, and conveying it to this horrid reservoir of butchery." + Louvet's Report, 2d May. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —These barbarous propensities have long been the theme of French + satyrists; and though I do not pretend to infer that they are national, + yet certainly the revolution has produced instances of ferocity not to be + paralleled in any country that ever had been civilized, and still less in + one that had not.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It would be too shocking, both to decency and humanity, to recite the + more serious enormities alluded to; and I only add, to those I have + formerly mentioned, a few examples which particularly describe the + manners of the revolution.— At Metz, the heads of the guillotined + were placed on the tops of their own houses. The Guillotine was + stationary, fronting the Town-house, for months; and whoever was + observed to pass it with looks of disapprobation, was marked as an + object of suspicion. A popular Commission, instituted for receiving the + revolutionary tax at this place, held their meetings in a room hung with + stripes of red and black, lighted only with sepulchral lamps; and on the + desk was placed a small Guillotine, surrounded by daggers and swords. In + this vault, and amidst this gloomy apparatus, the inhabitants of Metz + brought their patriotic gifts, (that is, the arbitrary and exorbitant + contributions to which they were condemned,) and laid them on the altar + of the Guillotine, like the sacrifice of fear to the infernal deities; + and, that the keeping of the whole business might be preserved, the + receipts were signed with red ink, avowedly intended as expressive of + the reigning system. At Cahors, the deputy, Taillefer, after making a + triumphal entry with several waggons full of people whom he had + arrested, ordered a Guillotine to be erected in the square, and some of + the prisoners to be brought forth and decorated in a mock costume + representing Kings, Queens, and Nobility. He then obliged them + successively to pay homage to the Guillotine, as though it had been a + throne, the executioner manoeuvring the instrument all the while, and + exciting the people to call for the heads of those who were forced to + act in this horrid farce. The attempt, however, did not succeed, and the + spectators retired in silent indignation. At Laval, the head of Laroche, + a deputy of the Constituent Assembly, was exhibited (by order of + Lavallee, a deputy there on mission) on the house inhabited by his wife.—At + Auch, in the department of Gers, d'Artigoyte, another deputy, obliged + some of the people under arrest to eat out of a manger.—Borie used + to amuse himself, and the inhabitants of Nismes, by dancing what he + called a farandole round the Guillotine in his legislative costume.—The + representative Lejeune solaced his leisure hours in beheading animals + with a miniature Guillotine, the expence of which he had placed to the + account of the nation; and so much was he delighted with it, that the + poultry served at his table were submitted to its operation, as well as + the fruits at his dessert! (Debates, June 1.) But it would be tedious + and disgusting to describe all the <i>menus plaisirs</i> of these + founders of the French republic. Let it suffice to say, that they + comprised whatever is ludicrous, sanguinary, and licentious, and that + such examples were but too successful in procuring imitators. At Tours, + even the women wore Guillotines in their ears, and it was not unusual + for people to seal their letters with a similar representation! + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + We have been once at the theatre since the King's death, and the stanza of + the <i>Reveil du Peuple,</i> [The rousing of the people.] which contains a + compliment to the Convention, was hissed pretty generally, while those + expressing an abhorrence of Jacobinism were sung with enthusiasm. But the + sincerity of these musical politics is not always to be relied on: a + popular air is caught and echoed with avidity; and whether the words be <i>"Peuple + Francais, peuple de Freres,"</i> ["Brethren."]—or <i>"Dansons la + Guillotine,"</i> the expression with which it is sung is not very + different. How often have the theatres resounded with <i>"Dieu de clemence + et de justice."</i> ["God of mercy and justice."] and <i>"Liberte, + Liberte, cherie!"</i> ["Liberty, beloved Liberty!"] while the instrument + of death was in a state of unceasing activity—and when the auditors, + who joined in these invocations to Liberty, returned to their homes + trembling, lest they should be arrested in the street, or find a mandate + or guard at their own houses.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * An acquaintance of mine told me, that he was one evening in company at + Dijon, where, after singing hymns to liberty in the most energetic + style, all the party were arrested, and betook themselves as tranquilly + to prison, as though the name of liberty had been unknown to them. The + municipality of Dijon commonly issued their writs of arrest in this form—"Such + and such a person shall be arrested, and his wife, if he has one!" + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —At present, however, the Parisians really sing the <i>Reveil</i> + from principle, and I doubt if even a new and more agreeable air in the + Jacobin interest would be able to supplant it. + </p> + <p> + We have had our permission to remain here extended to another Decade; but + Mr. D———, who declares, ten times in an hour, that the + French are the strangest people on earth, besides being the most barbarous + and the most frivolous, is impatient to be gone; and as we now have our + passports, I believe we shall depart the middle of next week. + </p> + <p> + —Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short5_4_9" id="short5_4_9"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Paris, June 15, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + I am now, after a residence of more than three years, amidst the chaos of + a revolution, on the eve of my departure from France. Yet, while I + joyfully prepare to revisit my own country, my mind involuntarily traces + the rapid succession of calamities which have filled this period, and + dwells with painful contemplation on those changes in the morals and + condition of the French people that seem hitherto to be the only fruits + which they have produced. In this recurrence to the past, and estimation + of the present, however we may regret the persecution of wealth, the + destruction of commerce, and the general oppression, the most important + and irretrievable mischief of the revolution is, doubtless, the corruption + of manners introduced among the middle and lower classes of the people. + </p> + <p> + The labouring poor of France have often been described as frugal, + thoughtless, and happy, earning, indeed, but little, yet spending still + less, and in general able to procure such a subsistence as their habits + and climate rendered agreeable and sufficient.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Mr. Young seems to have been persuaded, that the common people of + France worked harder, and were worse fed, than those of the same + description in England. Yet, as far as I have had opportunity of + observing, and from the information I have been able to procure, I + cannot help supposing that this gentleman has drawn his inference + partially, and that he has often compared some particular case of + distress, with the general situation of the peasantry in the rich + counties, which are the scene of his experiments. The peasantry of many + distant parts of England fare as coarsely, and labour harder, than was + common in France; and taking their habits of frugality, their + disposition to be satisfied, and their climate into the account, the + situation of the French perhaps was preferable. Mr. Young's Tour has + been quoted very triumphantly by a Noble Lord, particularly a passage + which laments and ascribes to political causes the appearance of + premature old age, observable in French women of the lower classes. Yet, + for the satisfaction of his Lordship's benevolence and gallantry, I can + assure him, that the female peasants in France have not more laborious + occupations than those of England, but they wear no stays, and expose + themselves to all weathers without hats; in consequence, lose their + shape, tan their complexions, and harden their features so as to look + much older than they really are.—Mr. Young's book is translated + into French, and I have too high an opinion both of his principles and + his talents to doubt that he must regret the ill effects it may have had + in France, and the use that has been made of it in England. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —They are now become idle, profuse, and gloomy; their poverty is + embittered by fanciful claims to riches and a taste for expence. They work + with despair and unwillingness, because they can no longer live by their + labour; and, alternately the victims of intemperance or want, they are + often to be found in a state of intoxication, when they have not been able + to satisfy their hunger—for, as bread cannot always be purchased + with paper, they procure a temporary support, at the expence of their + health and morals, in the destructive substitute of strong liquors. + </p> + <p> + Those of the next class, such as working tradesmen, artizans, and domestic + servants, though less wretched, are far more dissolute; and it is not + uncommon in great towns to see men of this description unite the + ferociousness of savages with all the vices of systematic profligacy. The + original principles of the revolution, of themselves, naturally tended to + produce such a depravation; but the suspension of religious worship, the + conduct of the Deputies on mission, and the universal immorality of the + existing government, must have considerably hastened it. When the people + were forbidden the exercise of their religion, though they did not cease + to be attached to it, yet they lost the good effects which even external + forms alone are calculated to produce; and while deism and atheism failed + in perverting their faith, they were but too successful in corrupting + their morals. + </p> + <p> + As in all countries the restraints which religion imposes are more readily + submitted to by the inferior ranks of life, it is these which must be most + affected by its abolition; and we cannot wonder, that when men have been + once accustomed to neglect the duty they consider as most essential, they + should in time become capable of violating every other: for, however it + may be among the learned, <i>qui s'aveuglent a force de lumiere,</i> [Who + blind themselves by excess of light. Destouchet.] with the ignorant the + transition from religious indifference to actual vice is rapid and + certain. + </p> + <p> + The Missionaries of the Convention, who for two years extended their + destructive depredations over the departments, were every where guilty of + the most odious excesses, and those least culpable offered examples of + licentiousness and intemperance with which, till then, the people had + never been familiar.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * "When the Convention was elected, (says Durand Maillane, see Report of + the Committee of Legislation, 13th Prairial, 1st June,) the choice fell + upon men who abused the name of patriot, and adopted it as a cloak for + their vices.—Vainly do we inculcate justice, and expect the + Tribunals will bring thieves and assassins to punishment, if we do not + punish those amongst ourselves.—Vainly shall we talk of republican + manners and democratic government, while our representatives carry into + the departments examples of despotism and corruption." The conduct of + these civilized banditti has been sufficiently described. Allard, + Lacoste, Mallarme, Milhaud, Laplanche, Monestier, Guyardin, Sergent, and + many others, were not only ferocious and extravagant, but known to have + been guilty of the meanest thefts. Javoques is alledged to have + sacrificed two hundred people of Montibrison, and to have stolen a vast + quantity of their effects. It was common for him to say, that he + acknowledged as true patriots those only who, like himself, <i>"etaient + capables de boire une verre de sang,"</i>—("were capable of + drinking a glass of blood.") D'Artigoyte distinguished himself by such + scandalous violations of morals and decency, that they are not fit to be + recited. He often obliged married women, by menaces, to bring their + daughters to the Jacobin clubs, for the purpose of insulting them with + the grossest obscenities.—Having a project of getting up a play + for his amusement, he caused it to be declared, that those who had any + talents for acting, and did not present themselves, should be imprisoned + as suspects. And it is notorious, that this same Deputy once insulted + all the women present at the theatre, and, after using the most obscene + language for some time, concluded by stripping himself entirely in + presence of the spectators. Report of the Committee of Legislation, 13th + Prairial (1st of June). Lacoste and Baudet, when they were on mission at + Strasburgh, lived in daily riot and intoxication with the members of the + Revolutionary Tribunal, who, after qualifying themselves in these + orgies, proceeded to condemn all the prisoners brought before them.—During + the debate following the above quoted report, Dentzel accused Lacoste, + among other larcenies, of having purloined some shirts belonging to + himself; and addressing Lacoste, who was present in the Assembly, with + true democratic frankness, adds, <i>"Je suis sur qu'il en a une sur le + corps."</i>—("I am certain he has one of them on at this moment.") + Debate, 1st of June. The following is a translation of a letter from + Piorry, Representative of the People, to the popular society of + Poitiers:— "My honest and determined <i>Sans Culottes,</i> as you + seemed to desire a Deputy amongst you who has never deviated from the + right principles, that is to say, a true Mountaineeer, I fulfil your + wishes in sending you the Citizen Ingrand.—Remember, honest and + determined <i>Sans Culottes,</i> that with the sanction of the patriot + Ingrand, you may do every thing, obtain every thing, destroy every thing—imprison + all, try all, transport all, or guillotine all. Don't spare him a + moment; and thus, through his means, all may tremble, every thing be + swept away, and, finally, be re-established in lasting order. (Signed) + "Piorry." The gentleman who translated the above for me, subjoined, that + he had omitted various oaths too bad for translation.—This Piorry + always attended the executions, and as fast as a head fell, used to wave + his hat in the air, and cry, <i>"Vive la Republique!"</i> Such are the + founders of the French Republic, and such the means by which it has been + supported! + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —It may be admitted, that the lives of the higher Noblesse were not + always edifying; but if their dissipation was public, their vices were + less so, and the scenes of both were for the most part confined to Paris. + What they did not practise themselves, they at least did not discourage in + others; and though they might be too indolent to endeavour at preserving + the morals of their dependents, they knew their own interest too well to + assist in depraving them. + </p> + <p> + But the Representatives, and their agents, are not to be considered merely + as individuals who have corrupted only by example;—they were armed + with unlimited authority, and made proselytes through fear, where they + failed to produce them from inclination. A contempt for religion or + decency has been considered as the test of an attachment to the + government; and a gross infraction of any moral or social duty as a proof + of civism, and a victory over prejudice. Whoever dreaded an arrest, or + courted an office, affected profaneness and profligacy—and, + doubtless, many who at first assumed an appearance of vice from timidity, + in the end contracted a preference for it. I myself know instances of + several who began by deploring that they were no longer able to practise + the duties of their religion, and ended by ridiculing or fearing them. + Industrious mechanics, who used to go regularly to mass, and bestow their + weekly <i>liard</i> on the poor, after a month's revolutionising, in the + suite of a Deputy, have danced round the flames which consumed the sacred + writings, and become as licentious and dishonest as their leader. + </p> + <p> + The general principles of the Convention have been adapted to sanction and + accelerate the labours of their itinerant colleagues. The sentences of + felons were often reversed, in consideration of their "patriotism"— + women of scandalous lives have been pensioned, and complimented publicly + —and various decrees passed, all tending to promote a national + dissoluteness of manners.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * Among others, a decree which gave all illegitimate children a claim to + an equal participation in the property of the father to whom they should + (at the discretion of the mother) be attributed. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The evil propensities of our nature, which penal laws and moralists + vainly contend against, were fostered by praise, and stimulated by reward—all + the established distinctions of right and wrong confounded— and a + system of revolutionary ethics adopted, not less incompatible with the + happiness of mankind than revolutionary politics. + </p> + <p> + Thus, all the purposes for which this general demoralization was promoted, + being at length attained, those who were rich having been pillaged, those + who were feared massacred, and a croud of needy and desperate adventurers + attached to the fate of the revolution, the expediency of a reform has + lately been suggested. But the mischief is already irreparable. Whatever + was good in the national character is vitiated; and I do not scruple to + assert, that the revolution has both destroyed the morals of the people, + and rendered their condition less happy*—that they are not only + removed to a greater distance from the possession of rational liberty, but + are become more unfit for it than ever. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It has been asserted, with a view to serve the purposes of party, that + the condition of the lower classes in France was mended by the + revolution. If those who advance this were not either partial or + ill-informed, they would observe that the largesses of the Convention + are always intended to palliate some misery, the consequence of the + revolution, and not to banish what is said to have existed before. For + the most part, these philanthropic projects are never carried into + effect, and when they are, it is to answer political purposes.—For + instance, many idle people are kept in pay to applaud at the debates and + executions, and assignats are distributed to those who have sons serving + in the army. The tendency of both these donations needs no comment. The + last, which is the most specious, only affords a means of temporary + profusion to people whose children are no incumbrance to them, while + such as have numerous and helpless families, are left without + assistance. Even the poorest people now regard the national paper with + contempt; and, persuaded it must soon be of no value, they eagerly + squander whatever they receive, without care for the future. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + As I have frequently, in the course of these letters, had occasion to + quote from the debates of the Convention, and other recent publications, I + ought to observe that the French language, like every thing else in the + country, has been a subject of innovation—new words have been + invented, the meaning of old ones has been changed, and a sort of jargon, + compounded of the appropriate terms of various arts and sciences, + introduced, which habit alone can render intelligible. There is scarcely a + report read in the Convention that does not exhibit every possible example + of the Bathos, together with more conceits than are to be found in a + writer of the sixteenth century; and I doubt whether any of their projects + of legislation or finance would be understood by Montesquieu or Colbert. + </p> + <p> + But the style most difficult to be comprehended by foreigners, is that of + the newspapers; for the dread of offending government so entirely + possesses the imagination of those who compose such publications, that it + is not often easy to distinguish a victory from a defeat, by the language + in which it is conveyed. The common news of the day is worded as + cautiously as though it were to be the subject of judicial disquisition; + and the real tendency of an article is sometimes so much at variance with + its comment, that the whole, to a cursory peruser, may seem destitute of + any meaning at all. Time, however, has produced a sort of intelligence + between news-writers and their readers—and rejoicings, lamentations, + praise, or censure, are, on particular occasions, understood to convey the + reverse of what they express. + </p> + <p> + The affected moderation of the government, and the ascendency which some + of the Brissotin party are beginning to take in it, seem to flatter the + public with the hope of peace. They forget that these men were the authors + of the war, and that a few months imprisonment has neither expiated their + crimes, nor subdued their ambition. It is the great advantage of the + Brissotins, that the revolutionary tyranny which they had contributed to + establish, was wrested from them before it had taken its full effect; but + those who appreciate their original claims, without regard to their + sufferings under the persecution of a party, are disposed to expect they + will not be less tenacious of power, nor less arbitrary in the exercise of + it than any of the intervening factions. The present government is + composed of such discordant elements, that their very union betrays that + they are in fact actuated by no principle, except the general one of + retaining their authority. Lanjuinais, Louvet, Saladin, Danou, &c. are + now leagued with Tallien, Freron, Dubois de Crance, and even Carnot. + </p> + <p> + At the head of this motley assemblage of Brissotins, Orleanists, and + Robespierrians, is Sieyes—who, with perhaps less honesty, though + more cunning, than either, despises and dupes them all. At a moment when + the Convention had fallen into increased contempt, and when the public + affairs could no longer be conducted by fabricators of reports and framers + of decrees, the talents of this sinister politician became necessary; yet + he enjoys neither the confidence of his colleagues nor that of the people—the + vanity and duplicity of his conduct disgust and alarm the first, while his + reputation of partizan of the Duke of Orleans is a reason for suspicion in + the latter. But if Sieyes has never been able to conciliate esteem, nor + attain popularity, he has at length possessed himself of power, and will + not easily be induced to relinquish it.—Many are of opinion, that he + is secretly machinating for the son of his former patron; but whether he + means to govern in the name of the Duke of Orleans, or in that of the + republic, it is certain, had the French any liberty to lose, it never + could have found a more subtle and dangerous enemy.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * The Abbe, in his <i>"notices sur la Vie de Sieyes,"</i> declares that + his contempt and detestation of the colleagues "with whom his + unfortunate stars had connected him," were so great, that he determined, + from his first arrival at the Convention, to take no part in public + affairs. As these were his original sentiments of the Assembly, perhaps + he may hereafter explain by which of their operations his esteem was so + much reconciled, that he has condescended to become their leader. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Paris may, without exaggeration, be described as in a state of famine. The + markets are scantily supplied, and bread, except the little distributed by + order of the government, not to be obtained: yet the inhabitants, for the + most part, are not turbulent—they have learned too late, that + revolutions are not the source of plenty, and, though they murmur and + execrate their rulers, they abstain from violence, and seem rather + inclined to yield to despair, than to seek revenge. This is one proof, + among a variety of others, that the despotism under which the French have + groaned for the last three years, has much subdued the vivacity and + impatience of the national character; for I know of no period in their + history, when such a combination of personal suffering and political + discontent, as exists at present, would not have produced some serious + convulsion. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short5_4_10" id="short5_4_10"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Amiens, June 18, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + We returned hither yesterday, and on Friday we are to proceed to Havre, + accompanied by an order from the Committee of Public Welfare, stating that + several English families, and ourselves among the number, have been for + some time a burthen on the generosity of the republic, and that for this + reason we are permitted to embark as soon as we can find the means. This + is neither true, nor very gallant; but we are too happy in quitting the + republic, to cavil about terms, and would not exchange our pauper-like + passports for a consignment of all the national domains. + </p> + <p> + I have been busy to-day in collecting and disposing of my papers, and + though I have taken infinite pains to conceal them, their bulk is so + considerable, that the conveyance must be attended with risk. While I was + thus employed, the casual perusal of some passages in my letters and notes + has led me to consider how much my ideas of the French character and + manners differ from those to be found in the generality of modern travels. + My opinions are not of importance enough to require a defence; and a + consciousness of not having deviated from truth makes me still more averse + from an apology. Yet as I have in several instances varied from + authorities highly respectable, it may not be improper to endeavour to + account for what has almost the appearance of presumption. + </p> + <p> + If you examine most of the publications describing foreign countries, you + will find them generally written by authors travelling either with the + eclat of birth and riches, or, professionally, as men of science or + letters. They scarcely remain in any place longer than suffices to view + the churches, and to deliver their letters of recommendation; or, if their + stay be protracted at some capital town, it is only to be feted from one + house to another, among that class of people who are every where alike. As + soon as they appear in society, their reputation as authors sets all the + national and personal vanity in it afloat. One is polite, for the honour + of his country—another is brilliant, to recommend himself; and the + traveller cannot ask a question, the answer to which is not intended for + an honourable insertion in his repertory of future fame. + </p> + <p> + In this manner an author is passed from the literati and fashionable + people of one metropolis to those of the next. He goes post through small + towns and villages, seldom mixes with every-day life, and must in a great + degree depend for information on partial enquiries. He sees, as it were, + only the two extremes of human condition—the splendour of the rich, + and the misery of the poor; but the manners of the intermediate classes, + which are less obtrusive, are not within the notice of a temporary + resident. + </p> + <p> + It is not therefore extraordinary, that I, who have been domesticated some + years in France, who have lived among its inhabitants without pretensions, + and seen them without disguise, should not think them quite so polite, + elegant, gay, or susceptible, as they endeavour to appear to the visitant + of the day. Where objects of curiosity only are to be described, I know + that a vast number may be viewed in a very rapid progress; yet national + character, I repeat, cannot be properly estimated but by means of long and + familiar intercourse. A person who is every where a stranger, must see + things in their best dress; being the object of attention, he is naturally + disposed to be pleased, and many circumstances both physical and moral are + passed over as novelties in this transient communication, which might, on + repetition, be found inconvenient or disgusting. When we are stationary, + and surrounded by our connections, we are apt to be difficult and + splenetic; but a literary traveller never thinks of inconvenience, and + still less of being out of humour—curiosity reconciles him to the + one, and his fame so smooths all his intercourse, that he has no plea for + the other. + </p> + <p> + It is probably for these reasons that we have so many panegyrists of our + Gallic neighbours, and there is withal a certain fashion of liberality + that has lately prevailed, by which we think ourselves bound to do them + more than justice, because they [are] our political enemies. For my own + part, I confess I have merely endeavoured to be impartial, and have not + scrupled to give a preference to my own country where I believed it was + due. I make no pretensions to that sort of cosmopolitanism which is + without partialities, and affects to consider the Chicktaw or the Tartars + of Thibet, with the same regard as a fellow-countryman. Such universal + philanthropists, I have often suspected, are people of very cold hearts, + who fancy they love the whole world, because they are incapable of loving + any thing in it, and live in a state of "moral vagabondage," (as it is + happily termed by Gregoire,) in order to be exempted from the ties of a + settled residence. <i>"Le cosmopolytisme de systeme et de fait n'est qu'un + vagabondage physique ou moral: nous devons un amour de preference a la + societe politique dont nous sommes membres."</i> ["Cosmopolytism, either + in theory or in practice, is no better than a moral or physical vagrancy: + the political society of which we are members, is entitled to a preference + in our affections."] + </p> + <p> + Let it not be imagined, that, in drawing comparisons between France and + England, I have been influenced by personal suffering or personal + resentment. My opinions on the French characters and manners were formed + before the revolution, when, though my judgment might be deficient, my + heart was warm, and my mind unprejudiced; yet whatever credit may be + allowed to my general opinions, those which particularly apply to the + present situation and temper of the French will probably be disputed. When + I describe the immense majority of the nation as royalists, hating their + government, and at once indignant and submissive, those who have not + studied the French character, and the progress of the revolution, may + suspect my veracity. I can only appeal to facts. It is not a new event in + history for the many to be subdued by the few, and this seems to be the + only instance in which such a possibility has been doubted.* + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + * It is admitted by Brissot, who is in this case competent authority, + that about twenty factious adventurers had oppressed the Convention and + the whole country. A more impartial calculator would have been less + moderate in the number, but the fact is the same; and it would be + difficult to fix the period when this oppression ceased. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + —The well-meaning of all classes in France are weak, because they + are divided; while the small, but desperate factions that oppress them, + are strong in their union, and in the possession of all the resources of + the country. + </p> + <p> + Under these circumstances, no successful effort can be made; and I have + collected from various sources, that the general idea of the French at + present is, to wait till the new constitution appears, and to accept it, + though it should be even more anarchical and tyrannic than the last. They + then hope that the Convention will resign their power without violence, + that a new election of representatives will take place, and that those + representatives, who they intend shall be men of honesty and property, + will restore them to the blessings of a moderate and permanent government. + </p> + <p> + —Yours. + </p> + <p> + <a name="short5_4_11" id="short5_4_11"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + + </p> + <h2> + Havre, June 22, 1795. + </h2> + <p> + We are now in hourly expectation of sailing for England: we have agreed + with the Captain of a neutral vessel, and are only waiting for a + propitious wind. This good ally of the French seems to be perfectly + sensible of the value of a conveyance out of the republic, and accordingly + we are to pay him about ten times more for our passage than he would have + asked formerly. We chose this port in preference to Calais or Boulogne, + because I wished to see my friend Madame de ——— at + Rouen, and leave Angelique with her relations, who live there. + </p> + <p> + I walked this morning to the harbour, and seeing some flat-bottomed boats + constructing, asked a French gentleman who accompanied me, perhaps a + little triumphantly, if they were intended for a descent on the English + coast. He replied, with great composure, that government might deem it + expedient (though without any views of succeeding) to sacrifice ten or + twenty thousand men in the attempt.—It is no wonder that + governments, accountable for the lives and treasure they risk, are + scarcely equal to a conflict sustained by such power, and conducted on + such principles.—But I am wearied and disgusted with the + contemplation of this despotism, and I return to my country deeply and + gratefully impressed with a sense of the blessings we enjoy in a free and + happy constitution. + </p> + <p> + —I am, &c. + </p> + <h3> + FINIS. + </h3> + <div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11996 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/11996-h/images/bookcover.jpg b/11996-h/images/bookcover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6246acc --- /dev/null +++ b/11996-h/images/bookcover.jpg diff --git a/11996-h/images/cover.jpg b/11996-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1fe228d --- /dev/null +++ b/11996-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/11996-h/images/p2-1.jpg b/11996-h/images/p2-1.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5555dae --- /dev/null +++ b/11996-h/images/p2-1.jpg diff --git a/11996-h/images/p2-119.jpg b/11996-h/images/p2-119.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..52c0a3d --- /dev/null +++ b/11996-h/images/p2-119.jpg diff --git a/11996-h/images/p2-119a.jpg b/11996-h/images/p2-119a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bb8c472 --- /dev/null +++ b/11996-h/images/p2-119a.jpg diff --git a/11996-h/images/p2-291.jpg b/11996-h/images/p2-291.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ef8fb99 --- /dev/null +++ b/11996-h/images/p2-291.jpg diff --git a/11996-h/images/title.jpg b/11996-h/images/title.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..080c8d4 --- /dev/null +++ b/11996-h/images/title.jpg |
