HE JACOBINS 155

VIII. LAST STRUGGLE OF THE GIRONDISTS 178

IX. ARREST OF MADAME ROLAND 201

X. FATE OF THE GIRONDISTS 224

XI. PRISON LIFE 252

XII. TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF MADAME ROLAND 277

ENGRAVINGS.

Page

MADAME ROLAND _Frontispiece._

THE VISIT 40

LA PLATIERE 97

ROBESPIERRE 116

THE LIBRARY 145

EXECUTION OF THE GIRONDISTS 247

MADAME ROLAND IN PRISON 259

EXECUTION OF MADAME ROLAND 301

MADAME ROLAND

CHAPTER I.

CHILDHOOD.

1754-1767

Characters developed by the French Revolution.--Madame Roland.--Gratien
Phlippon.--His repinings at his lot.--Views of Phlippon.--His hostility
to the Church.--Origin of the French Revolution.--Character of Madame
Phlippon.--Birth of Jane Maria.--Adored by her parents.--Discontent
of Phlippon.--His complainings to his child.--Early traits of
character.--Love of books.--Jane's thirst for reading.--Her
love of flowers.--Jane's personal appearance.--Thirst for
knowledge.--Intellectual gifts.--A walk on the Boulevards.--Phlippon's
talk to his child.--Youthful dreams.--Influence of Jane's parents
over her.--Education in convents.--Jane sent to a convent.--Parting
with her mother.--Madame Roland's account of her first night in
the convent.--Jane's books of study.--Her proficiency in music and
drawing.--Scenes in the convent.--Impressions made by them.--Poetic
enthusiasms.--Taking the veil.--Taking the black veil.--Effect upon
Jane.--Lofty aspirations.--Remark of Napoleon.--Jane's contempt of
ease and luxury.--Her self-denial.

Many characters of unusual grandeur were developed by the French
Revolution. Among them all, there are few more illustrious, or more
worthy of notice, than that of Madame Roland. The eventful story of
her life contains much to inspire the mind with admiration and with
enthusiasm, and to stimulate one to live worthily of those
capabilities with which every human h