ustle of the hurricane, and dark and lurid as the eclipse
which announces its approach. Anxious murmurs had been heard among the
populace who filled the tribunes, or crowded the entrances of the hall
of the convention, indicating that a second 31st of May (being the day
on which the Jacobins proscribed the Girondists) was about to witness a
similar operation.

The first theme of the gloomy orator was the display of his own virtues
and his services as a patriot, distinguishing as enemies to their
country all whose opinions were contrary to his own. He then reviewed
successively the various departments of the government, and loaded them
in turn with censure and contempt. He declaimed against the supineness
of the committees of public safety and public security, as if the
guillotine had never been in exercise; and he accused the committee of
finance of having _counter-revolutionized_ the revenues of the republic.
He enlarged with no less bitterness on withdrawing the artillery-men
(always violent Jacobins) from Paris, and on the mode of management
adopted in the conquered countries of Belgium. It seemed as if he wished
to collect within the same lists all the functionaries of the state, and
in the same breath to utter defiance to them all.

The usual honorary motion was made to print the discourse; but then the
storm of opposition broke forth, and many speakers vociferously
demanded, that before so far adopting the grave inculpations which it
contained, the discourse should be referred to the two committees.
Robespierre in his turn, exclaimed, that this was subjecting his speech
to the partial criticism and revision of the very parties whom he had
accused. Exculpations and defences were heard on all sides against the
charges which had been thus sweepingly brought forward; and there were
many deputies who complained in no obscure terms of individual tyranny,
and of a conspiracy on foot to outlaw and murder such part of the
convention as might be disposed to offer resistance. Robespierre was but
feebly supported, save by Saint Just, Couthon, and by his own brother.
After a stormy debate, in which the convention were alternately swayed
by their fear and their hatred of Robespierre, the discourse was finally
referred to the committees, instead of being printed; and the haughty
and sullen dictator saw in the open slight, thus put on his measures and
opinions, the sure mark of his approaching fall.

He carried his complaints t