XV.

1794.

columns of the national guard arrived, this confidence gave CHAP. place to the most sinister presentiments. Even in the Faubourg St Antoine, the centre of all former insurrections, the delegates of the municipality failed in rousing the populace. "What the better have we been," said they," of all the insurrections? What has Robespierre done for us? Where are the riches, the fields he promised us? When we are dying of famine, does he expect to satisfy us by the daily spectacle of a hundred aristocrats dying on the scaffold? Does he suppose we are cannibals, to feed on human flesh, and drink human blood? He has done nothing for us; we will do nothing for him." Such was the language of the populace in the most revo- mis vii. lutionary quarter of Paris: the fever of innovation had 404, 405. exhausted itself; even the lowest of the people were 115. Mig.ii. horror-struck with the rulers they had chosen for them- iv. 389. selves.1

1 Deux

Lac. xi. 114,

344. Toul.

eers desert

At midnight the rumour began loudly to spread 81. through the ranks of the insurgents, that the municipality The cannonhad been declared hors la loi, that the sections had joined Robes the Convention, and that their forces were advancing pierre. against the insurgents. To obviate its impression, Payan read aloud in the council-room the decree of the Convention, and inserted in it the names of all those of their party whom he observed in the gallery, hoping thereby to attach them from desperation to the cause of Robespierre. But an opposite effect immediately ensued, as they all instantly took to flight, leaving the gallery deserted. Nor did affairs wear a more promising aspect out of doors. There were about two thousand men stationed in the Place de Grève, with a powerful train of artillery. But their resolution was already much shaken by the obvious defection of their fellow-citizens, when the light of the torches showed the heads of the columns of the national guard appearing in all the avenues which led to the square. The moment was terrible: ten pieces of the artillery of the Convention stood in battery, while

XV.

1794.

1 Meda sur le 9 Ther

CHAP. the cannoneers of the municipality, with their lighted matches in their hands, were posted beside their guns on the opposite side. But the authority of the law prevailed; the decree of the legislature was read by torchlight, and the insurgent troops refused to resist it. Some emissaries midor. Rev. of the Convention glided into the ranks of the muni383 Deux cipality, and raised the cry, Vive la Convention! the Amis, xii. insurgents were moved by the harangue of Meda, the 482. Mig. commander of the national artillery, and in a short time Hist. de la the Place de Grève was deserted, and the whole cannoneers retired to their homes, or ranged themselves on the side of the Assembly.1

Mém. xlii.

4,5. Th. vi.

ii. 344.

Conv. xv.

193.

82.

and all his

party.

Henriot descended the stair of the Hôtel de Ville; but Arrest of seeing the square deserted, he vented his execrations on Robespierre his faithless followers, who had for the most part abandoned the King in the same manner on the 10th August, and hastened back to his comrades. The conspirators, finding themselves unsupported, gave way to despair; the national guard rushed rapidly up the stair, headed by Bourdon de l'Oise, with a pistol in each hand and a naked sabre in his teeth, and entered the room where Robespierre and the leaders of the revolt were assembled. Lebas, hearing the tumult approaching, presented a pistol to Robespierre, entreating him to blow out his brains; but he refused. When they entered, they found Robespierre sitting with his elbow on his knees, and his head resting on his hand; Meda discharged his pistol, which broke his under jaw, and he fell under the table. 117. Mig. St Just implored Lebas to put an end to his life. vi. 454. 455. "Coward, follow my example!" said he, and blew out his Meda, Rev. brains. Couthon was seized under a table, feebly attempt386. Levas- ing to strike with a knife, which he wanted the courage Toul. iv. to plunge in his heart; Coffinhal and the younger Robesde Berryer, pierre threw themselves from the windows, and were seized in the inner court of the building.2 Henriot had been thrown from the window by Coffinhal, before he threw himself out; but, though bruised and mutilated, he contrived

2 Lac. xi.

i.345. Th.

Mém. xiii.

seur, iii. 154.

390. Mém.

i.272. Lam.

Hist. des Gir. viii. 363, 365.