ned for
sheltering a suspected person. Danton was then hunted down, with
Desmoulins, editor of the _Vieux Cordelier_, Phelippean, Lacroix,
Chabot, Baziere, and Fabre d'Eglantine: he was brought before the
tribunal, and all perished on the scaffold. The death of these leaders
of the revolution was followed by that of the innocent. The massacres
which daily took place are too numerous for recital: the rage of the
terrorists spared neither rank, nor age, nor sex. Nobles, magistrates,
generals, ladies, and peasants, all in their turns, were guillotined
without mercy. Nor was it in the capital alone that such scenes were
committed. At Arras, Orange, and Nantes, the tribunals were equally
guilty. At Nantes, Carrier still seemed to outrival Robespierre: the
very fish of the river became unfit for food, from feeding on the
carcases of his victims. Thus Robespierre and his party triumphed over
all who dared oppose them. But, by a righteous retribution, they were
soon made the instruments of their own punishment. Like Danton, it would
appear that Robespierre became sated with blood; that he saw there
was necessity for the cessation of these tragical scenes, and the
establishment of order in the republic. He devised a plan for making the
convention decree the existence of a Supreme Being, he deeming atheism
the natural religion of the lazy and the rich. By his efforts, a fete
was ordained in honour of that Deity whom they had so long and so
flagrantly despised. Robespierre was president of the convention for
that day, and hence high-priest of the ceremonial. It was a proud day
for him, but his career was to end in blood. Mad with envy, there
were those who, in lieu of incense, saluted his ears with this ominous
allusion: "The capitol is near the Tarpeian rock." Robespierre thought,
that by denouncing atheism, men might be disposed to become more
orderly; in other words, that the Parisians and the nation at large
would quietly submit to his rule. But he had accustomed the people
to scenes of horror and bloodshed, so that their minds had become
familiarised with them. There was danger in his own camp. At this time
there was a committee of "general surety," subordinate to the committee
of "public safety:" and from this committee went forth all accusations
and arrests which were tantamount to condemnation.. Against these
Robespierre now turned his power, but as they had been accustomed to
act as they pleased, as they had been allowed t