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Robespierre) being to resume the great work left off on tftp Qtk Thernndqr^ it was pretty certain that the mo- ment they declared themselves, the multitude wnnld rW a sone rnanjjor them. Besides, the doctrines of social equality had been recently rendered so universally popu- lar by Robespierre's Government, that they no longer inspired feelings of incredulity (as they might now in France), but rather of enthusiasm and confidence. The principles to which the people were invited to rally were the same that had often led them to victory, and to the achievement of such prodigies. Upon the people, then, the conspirators had every reason to calculate. Moreover, they had 17,000 practised Revo- lutionists ready to act at a given signal. They had the Mountaineers* of the Convention with them, and the ex-officers of various kinds who had been in authority under Robespierre to the number of 1,500; they had the artillerymen of Paris, who were noted for their demo- cratic spirit, the grenadiers of the legislative body, the whole corps of the Invalides, and almost the entire legion of police. They had also gained the guards, the ma- gazines, and the artillery at the camp of Vincennes; and by Grisel, one of the conspirators (the same that after- awards betrayed them), they were assured of the good dispositions of the soldiers at the camp of Grenelle. With the aid of the two camps they promised themselves a speedy success; but should the troops hold out against the harangues of their orators, the blandishments of the women, who were to present them with garlands and refreshments, and the invitation of the Invalides to follow their example, preparations were made for barricading the streets against them, and showering upon them stones, slates, bricks, vitriol, and boiling water. But I anticipate the narrative — I have said so much only to show that the conspirator s had no lack ofj neans orma- lerjals, and considering the then aspect of affairs, their project appeared as feasible in execution as it was bold in conception and benevolent in design.

BRONTERRE.

• These devils, now sunk into contempt and impotence, by the

return of the Girondists, and the general progress of the counter-revolutionary re-action, regretted bitterly the part they had taken against Robespierre on the 9th Thermidor.