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/ffr the hpnpPt ^ f human 1r "»^ The only conspiracy to match it in magnitude of means, was that of Cataline to set fire to Rome during Cicero's consulship, but from what history has transmitted relative to that event (a good deal falsified no doubt) it does not appear that Cataline and his accomplices had any other motives than plunder and private revenge. Not that I believe what Sallust and Cicero relate respecting him. The fact that Cicero was obliged to put his accomplices to death wn- condemned, is enough for me. Had not the conspiracy and its agents been more popular than it suited Sallust or Cicero to state, the latter would not have feared to send them for trial before the judges. Nevertheless, putting the case most favourably for Cataline, there is no evidence extant to show that that conspirator was actuated by other r than personal motives — motives it may be justifiable and provoked — but still only per- sonal and vindictive.

Of^u-gex yi different character waslthe co ns piracy of

Bahftiif and h jg_fripnHg TEelFs was a pH for thfi g1f ^flJ- r.ipfttjon of France — forjhe regeneration and happiness n f mgnVinH J t was a c onspiracy to restore the demo- rfiratin Qonfttiftiti on of 1 793, .a raL through that Const itu- tion the reign^fpolitic^han ft s^vjjal^quaj ity Nor wa» the project a chimerical one. The conspirators had abundant means and materials for success. Never, perhaps, was a conspiracy conducted with better aus- pices, or more likely to succeed, up to the moment when it was broken by the hand of perfidy. The then state of France, and particularly Paris, was peculiarly favour- able. Th#-experience of two years had m ade the raul- tif,Hfte reg ret the loss oTTl obespierre's Government. The abundance enjoyed then, and the happy "times that promised to follow the accomplishment of his projects for giving a milliard to the defenders of the country — for - dividing the lands of the emigrant traitors amongst the poor — -for extirpating mendicity — and, above all, for pu ling the people in secure possession (ff thA-CWigtitn. tion of 1793l these, and the like, contrasted strangely with the misery and impotence experienced by the mul- titude under the new Government, yfftw, the obj^qi of t fre conspirator s (wfcc^jEere q H flgj^t*H admirers of