represented the middle classes, and the latter
the rabble; but the Girondins were the most powerful and popular. Such
was the nature of this assembly. Compared with it the "rump parliament"
of Oliver Cromwell was the perfection of wisdom and moderation.
Ignorance, passion, and inexperience became united; and those who looked
for great things at the hands of its members--and there were those even
in England who looked for such things--must have been grossly infatuated
with the principles of the revolution. What the monarch might expect
from them was seen on the first meeting of the assembly, when they took
an oath upon the constitutional act to live freemen or die. Their next
measures were in accordance with this oath. At this time, the emigrants,
who had greatly increased since the king had failed in his attempt at
flight, had begun to arm foreign courts in their own favour and for the
support of the tottering throne of France. Austria, Russia, and Prussia
had definitely promised their aid; the King of Sweden, Gustavus III.,
had offered to be the commander of the allies; and other European
courts, though they had not yet resolved to resort to arms, shared in
their sentiments. At this time, also, the discontented priesthood,
who were scattered through the realm, were stirring and preparing the
peasantry universally to revolt. There was, in fact, a tempest gathering
round the heads of the patriots; and alarmed at it, and in order to
counteract the danger, during the months of October and November, the
legislative assembly declared all emigrants who continued hostile on
the frontiers beyond the month of January, 1792, civilly dead, and their
properties confiscated; and similar rigorous measures were ordained
against those priests who should refuse the oath binding them to the
constitution, and continue to excite agitation. The king refused to
sanction these decrees; and then was seen the absurd balance of power
provided against the constitution. The rage of the revolutionists knew
no bounds; and unable to attack the monarch directly, they turned their
rage against the ministers and the constitutionalists from whose ranks
they had been chosen. To effect their overthrow the Girondins and
Jacobins united, and were successful. Such of the constitutionalists as
were in the ministry were compelled to resign, and the whole party lost
its influence in the senate. Nor had this party any power now in the
municipality, for Bailly had b