arge number when collected under a roof,--though the rooms
were so full that the windows had to be thrown open, and the mayor
Petion went down to walk in the gardens because the heat was so
oppressive within, this was no force to oppose to a siege from the
population of Paris. The king caused the plan of defence, prepared by
General Viomenil, to be communicated to an officer, who said to Madame
Campan, "Put your jewels and money into your pockets. There is no
chance for us. The measures of defence are good for nothing. Our only
chance is in the resolution of the king; and with all his virtues, he
has not that."

Never yet had the king cut such a wretched figure as on this occasion.
He often congratulated himself on no blood having been shed by his
order: and this was one of his dying consolations. It seems never to
have occurred to him that his weakness caused more destruction than even
cruelty would have done. It caused not only the loss of many lives; it
encouraged the breaking up of society from its very foundations; it
spared the wicked, while it betrayed the faithful. It did moral injury,
which it may be worse to have to answer for in the end than some acts of
bloodshed. He would not have half a dozen shots fired to make a way for
his coach over the bridge of Varennes; but he deserted, without a
moment's scruple, his devoted Swiss guards, as we shall see; and as he
refused to suffer with them, he may be considered answerable for their
lives.

The clang of bells was heard by the inmates of the palace, as they
stood, this summer night, by the open windows. Steeple after steeple
rang out; and every one knew that this was the token of insurrection in
the respective parishes. Petion had been sent for, to answer for what
was doing; he had not been civilly treated within doors, as might be
supposed,--the king speaking very roughly to him. He could not get away
again, as the gates were all guarded, and no one allowed to pass; so
that the only thing he could well do was to walk in the gardens.

At four in the morning, the National Assembly sent for him, to appear
and give an account of Paris. Considering that he had been pacing the
garden walks all night, the Mayor of Paris was as little able as anybody
to give an account of the city; but he was glad to get away, considering
his situation one of great danger.

The number of the Swiss guards was a thousand. Their post was within
the Tuileries. Outside were