wed in a most energetic
manner his disapproval of this." On his turn coming, "the galleries,
which had undoubtedly noticed his attitude," burst out in such violent
threats that for some minutes his voice could not be heard; "silence
was at length restored, and he voted--death."[3440]--Others, like
Durand-Maillane, "warned by Robespierre that the strongest party is the
safest," say to themselves "that it is prudent, and necessary not to
annoy the people in their furor," make up their minds "to keep aloof
shielded by their silence and insignificance."[3441] Among the five
hundred deputies of the Plain, many are of this stamp. They begin to be
called "the Marsh Frogs." In six months they settle down of themselves
into so many silent onlookers, or, rather, homicidal puppets, "whose
hearts, shrunk through fear, rise in their throats"[3442] every time
that Robespierre looks at them. Long before the fall of the Girondists,
"downcast at the present state of things, and no longer finding any
inspiration in their heart," their faces already disclosing "the pallor
of fear or the resignation of despair.[3443] Cambaceres hedges to find
shelter in his Committee on Legislation.[3444] Barrere, born a valet,
and a valet ready for anything, places his southern mode of doing things
at the service of the probable majority, up to the time of devoting his
cruel rhetoric to the service of the dominant minority. Sieyes, after
casting his vote for death, maintains an obstinate silence, as much
through disgust as through prudence:

"What does my glass of wine matter in this torrent of booze?"[3445]

Many, even among the Girondists, use sophistry to color their
concessions in their own eyes. Some among these "think that they enjoy
some degree of popularity, and fear that this will be compromised.[3446]
Again, they put forth the pretext of the necessity of maintaining one's
influence for important occasions. Occasionally, they affect to say, or
say it in good faith, Let them (the extravagant) keep on, they will find
each other out and use themselves up."--Frequently, the motives alleged
are scandalous or grotesque. According to Barbaroux, immediate execution
must be voted, because that is the best way to exculpate the Gironde
and shut the mouths of their Jacobin calumniators.[3447] According to
Berlier, it is essential to vote death for, why vote for exile? Louis
XVI. would be torn to pieces before reaching the frontier.[3448]--On the
eve of the