eauvieux, had met his death bravely in the Army of the North. "A
cannon-ball," said the message, "has terminated a virtuous life." The
Assembly was affected, and voted complimentary condolences to the
father of the heroic officer.

Afterwards, Dumouriez read his report on military affairs. It was a
long criticism on the legislators who had ordered a new levy of troops
before providing the existing corps with their full complements; on the
muster-masters, the standing committees, and the market-contractors,
who were piling up abuses. Dumouriez complained of everything; he
reproached the factions, and insisted on the consideration due to
ministers. Guadet thundered out: "Do you hear him? He already thinks
himself so {168} sure of power that he takes it on him to give us
advice."--"And why not?" resumed the minister, turning toward the side
of the Mountain.[1] This bold response astonished the most furious.
Some one said: "The document is not signed. Let him sign it! Let him
sign it!" Dumouriez called for pen and ink, signed his memoir, and
went to lay it on the desk. Then he slowly crossed the hall and went
quietly out by the door beneath the Mountain, with a haughty glance at
his adversaries. His martial attitude disconcerted them. The shouts
and hootings ceased, and complete silence ensued. On leaving the
Assembly, Dumouriez was surrounded by a group of persons before the
door of the Feuillants, but their faces displayed no signs of anger
toward him. As soon as he quitted the Assembly, his enemies, no longer
intimidated by his presence, redoubled their attacks. Three or four
deputies left the Chamber, and making their way to him through the
crowd, said: "They are raising the devil inside; they would like to
send you to Orleans." (It was there the Duke de Brissac was imprisoned
and the Superior Court held its sessions.) "So much the better,"
replied Dumouriez; "I would take the baths, drink butter-milk, and rest
myself." This sally amused the crowd, and the minister as he entered
the Tuileries garden, said to the deputies who followed him: "It will
be a mistake for my enemies to have {169} my memoir printed, for it
will bring all good citizens back to me. At present, being drunk and
crazy, you have just extolled Roland's infamous perfidy to the skies."
Then he went to the palace. Louis XVI. complimented him on his
firmness, but absolutely refused to sanction the decree against the
priests.

Far fro