d us to pieces. I envy his death." The deep serenity
of a powerful mind was felt in his every tone--a mind resolute to
contend against factions unto death. He then read a memorial relating to
the ministry of war. His exordium was an attack upon the Jacobins, and a
claim for the respect due to the ministers of the executive power. "Do
you hear Cromwell!" exclaimed Guadet, in a voice of thunder. "He thinks
himself already so sure of empire, that he dares to inflict his commands
upon us." "And why not?" retorted Dumouriez, proudly, and turning
towards the Mountain. His daring imposed on the Assembly. The Feuillant
deputies went out with him to the Tuileries. The king announced to him
his intention to give his sanction to the decree for the 20,000 men. As
to the decree of the priests, he repeated to the ministers that he had
resolved, and begged them to take to the president of the Assembly a
letter in his own writing, which contained the motives for his _veto_.
The ministers bowed, and separated in consternation.

IV.

When Dumouriez reached his house, he learnt that there had been
gatherings of the populace in the Faubourg St. Antoine, and he informed
the king, who believing that he intended to alarm him, lost his
confidence in Dumouriez, who instantly offered his resignation, which
the king accepted. The portfolio of the ministry of foreign affairs was
confided to Chambonas; that of war to Lajard, a soldier of La Fayette's
party; that of the interior to M. de Monciel, a constitutional Feuillant
and friend of the king. This was on the 17th of June. The Jacobins, the
people incited by the Girondists, were already disturbing the capital:
all announced a coming insurrection. These ministers, without any armed
force, without popularity, without party, thus accepted the
responsibility of the perils accumulated by their predecessors. The king
saw Dumouriez once again--it was the last time. The farewell between the
monarch and his minister was affecting.

"You are going to the army?" said the king. "Yes, sire," replied
Dumouriez, "and I should leave with joy this fearful city, if I had not
a feeling of the dangers impending over your majesty. Deign to listen to
me, sire; I am never destined to see you again. I am fifty-three years
of age, and have much experience. They abuse your conscience with
respect to the decree against the priests, and are pushing you on to
civil war. You are without strength, defenceless, and you will