ulations, by the hand of
the assassin and the executioner: others died of grief and misery. Many
of these perished in the provinces, for the furious "Sansculottes" were
commissioned to march through the bleeding kingdoms carrying along with
them a movable guillotine, beneath which thousands perished. And these
made war, not only upon their species, but upon the arts and sciences,
which they regarded as allies of the aristocracy. Scenes of folly
alternated with those of rage and brutality: Vandalism obtained the
possession of the beautiful country of France. The fine tone of society
was superseded by the rudest manners; and even the better sort affected
them that they might not be suspected of favouring aristocracy. As
a climax to their folly and madness, the republicans even assailed
religion. First, the republican calendar was substituted for the
Christian calendar; then, the celebration of the Christian festivals
was restricted; and, finally, the ordinary worship gave place to the
so-named "service of reason," as the emblem of which prostitutes were
placed upon the altar. Such was the liberty for which the French had
contended--such the liberty for which some in England would even at the
close of this year have obtained, at the price of the blessings which
they enjoyed under a monarchical and free constitution.

"Scorn and contempt forbid me to proceed!
But history, time's slavish scribe, will tell,
How rapidly the zealots of the cause
Disbanded--or in hostile ranks appeared;
Some tired of honest service; these, outdone,
Disgusted, therefore, or appalled by aims
Of fiercer zealots--so confusion reigned,
And the more faithful were compelled to exclaim
As Brutus did to virtue--
'Liberty, worshipped thee, and find thee but a shade.'
--Wordsworth."

CHAPTER XXI.

{GEORGE III. 1794-1795}

Meeting of Parliament..... The Militia augmented.....
Suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act..... Agitation in
England and Scotland..... introduction of Foreign
Troops..... The Slave-trade Question..... Motion on behalf
of La Fayette..... Motion of Inquiry into the recent
Failures of our Armies..... The Trial of Warren
Hastings..... The Prorogation of Parliament..... Ministerial
Appointments..... Embassy to China, &e...... Corsica annexed
to the Crown of England..... Lord Howe's Naval Victory.....
British Conqu