e on a favorable
vote under such a positive threat; its reluctance must yield to the
certainty of a military occupation--On the 8th of August, however,
the Assembly refuses, by a majority of two-thirds, to indict the great
enemy, Lafayette. The double amputation essential for State security,
must therefore begin with the destruction of this majority.

The moment Lafayette's acquittal is announced, the galleries, usually
so vociferous, maintain "gloomy silence."[2657] The word of command for
them is to keep themselves in reserve for the streets. One by one the
deputies who voted for Lafayette are pointed out to the mob at the
doors, and a shout is raised, "the rascals, the knaves, the traitors
living on the civil list! Hang them! Kill them! Put an end to them!
Mud, mortar, plaster, stones are thrown at them, and they are severely
pummeled. M. Mezieres, in the Rue du Dauphin, is seized by the throat,
and a woman strikes at him, which he parries. In the Rue St. Honore, a
number of men in red caps surround M. Regnault-Beauceron, and decide to
"string him up at the lantern"; a man in his jacket had already
grabbed him from behind and raised him up, when the grenadiers of
Sainte-Opportune arrive in time to set him free. In the Rue St. Louis,
M. Deuzy, repeatedly struck on the back with stones, has a saber twice
raised over his head. In the Passage des Feuillants, M. Desbois is
pummeled, and a "snuff-box, his pocket-book, and cane" are stolen from
him. In the lobbies of the Assembly, M. Girardin is on the point of
being assassinated.[2658] Eight deputies besides these are pursued, and
take refuge in the guard-room of the Palais Royal. A Federate enters
along with them, and "there, his eyes sparkling with rage and thumping
on the table like a madman," he exclaims to M. Dumolard, who is the
best known:" "If you are unlucky enough to put your feet in the Assembly
again, I'll cut off your head with my sword!" As to the principal
defender of Lafayette, M. Vaublanc, he is assailed three times, but
he is wary enough not to return home; a number of infuriates, however,
invest his house, yelling out that "eighty citizens are to perish by
their hands, and he is one of the first"; a dozen of the gang ascend
to his apartments, rummage them in every corner, make another effort to
find him in the adjoining houses, and, not being able to secure him, try
to find his family; he is notified that, if he returns to his house,
he will be massacred