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Article MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE OF ROBERSPIERRE. ← Page 2 of 10 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Memoirs Of The Life Of Roberspierre.
of that month , he only came forward in the most cautious manner . He invariably withstood every temptation , that wealth , beauty , or the wreck of unequalled magnificence , could hold out , whilst the rest of his associates and opponents yielded to them . He was too keen an observer not to get possession of facts , which he mi ght at any time convert to his own use . Hence his blazoned reputation for frugality and honesty . The populace in Paristo a manbelieved
, , that he would rather perish than touch a farthing of public property ; but few could be persuaded to think that the Brissotines , & c . were equally incorruptible . When other deputies indulged themselves with tjiejr friends and women ( witness the accusation againt Hebert and Mornoro ) , Roberspierre kept retired from every sort of public amusement , and warily watched the motions of those very men whom
he wished to get rid of . With all the appearance of unguarded enthusiasm , he secretly felt every dictate of caution . So far he proved a counterpart of Cromwell . Roberspierre was an attorney , or what' the French call a huissier , at Arras , before the revolution of 1789 . As before observed , he was countenanced as a man of talents by the bishop of that place , and was sent to the National Assembly through his interest . From having been a tool to the Orleans faction , he became the most violent
enemy they had , and was the first to propose the expulsion of the clergy . —So much for political gratitude . But what endeared Roberspierre more and more to the party ha had espoused , was a design formed to assassinate him . —The facts , as related by Banere in the Convention , were as follow : —On the 23 d of May 1794 , at nine at night , a young woman , aged 20 years , went to the house of Duplaiwith whom Roberspierre lodgedand
, , begged to speak with the latter . On being told he was not at home , she replied instantly , " It is truly astonishing , that he , who is a public functionary , should not be at home : as a public functionary he is bound to reply to all those who shall address themselves to . him . " This insolent language gave rise to suspicion ; the girl was accor ^
dingly apprehended , and carried before the committee of general safety . On the way , she said to her guards , that under the ancient government , when there was a king , an audience could be obtained ; and that she would spill the last drop of her blood to have a king . When before the committee , she gave the following account of herself : " My name is Aimee Cecile Regnault . I am twenty years of age ; and the daughter of a stationer in the street La Lantern , near to Marmousets , in the section la Cite . "
The following questions were put to her :-r-Why did you go to the house where Roberspierre lives f—To speak with him . Do you know Roberspierre ?—No . For what purpose did you want to see him ?—To see if he suited me . What do you mean by this expression ?—That does not concern you .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Memoirs Of The Life Of Roberspierre.
of that month , he only came forward in the most cautious manner . He invariably withstood every temptation , that wealth , beauty , or the wreck of unequalled magnificence , could hold out , whilst the rest of his associates and opponents yielded to them . He was too keen an observer not to get possession of facts , which he mi ght at any time convert to his own use . Hence his blazoned reputation for frugality and honesty . The populace in Paristo a manbelieved
, , that he would rather perish than touch a farthing of public property ; but few could be persuaded to think that the Brissotines , & c . were equally incorruptible . When other deputies indulged themselves with tjiejr friends and women ( witness the accusation againt Hebert and Mornoro ) , Roberspierre kept retired from every sort of public amusement , and warily watched the motions of those very men whom
he wished to get rid of . With all the appearance of unguarded enthusiasm , he secretly felt every dictate of caution . So far he proved a counterpart of Cromwell . Roberspierre was an attorney , or what' the French call a huissier , at Arras , before the revolution of 1789 . As before observed , he was countenanced as a man of talents by the bishop of that place , and was sent to the National Assembly through his interest . From having been a tool to the Orleans faction , he became the most violent
enemy they had , and was the first to propose the expulsion of the clergy . —So much for political gratitude . But what endeared Roberspierre more and more to the party ha had espoused , was a design formed to assassinate him . —The facts , as related by Banere in the Convention , were as follow : —On the 23 d of May 1794 , at nine at night , a young woman , aged 20 years , went to the house of Duplaiwith whom Roberspierre lodgedand
, , begged to speak with the latter . On being told he was not at home , she replied instantly , " It is truly astonishing , that he , who is a public functionary , should not be at home : as a public functionary he is bound to reply to all those who shall address themselves to . him . " This insolent language gave rise to suspicion ; the girl was accor ^
dingly apprehended , and carried before the committee of general safety . On the way , she said to her guards , that under the ancient government , when there was a king , an audience could be obtained ; and that she would spill the last drop of her blood to have a king . When before the committee , she gave the following account of herself : " My name is Aimee Cecile Regnault . I am twenty years of age ; and the daughter of a stationer in the street La Lantern , near to Marmousets , in the section la Cite . "
The following questions were put to her :-r-Why did you go to the house where Roberspierre lives f—To speak with him . Do you know Roberspierre ?—No . For what purpose did you want to see him ?—To see if he suited me . What do you mean by this expression ?—That does not concern you .