bliged to sit down or stand, just as it
pleases the king to rise or to sit down." Couthon made his voice heard
for the first time, and his first speech was a threat against royalty.
"There is no other majesty here," said he, "than that of the law and the
people. Let us leave the king no other title than that of King of the
French. Let this scandalous chair be removed, the gilded seat brought
for his use the last time he appeared in this chamber, if he really is
anxious to fill the simple place of the president of a great people. Let
an equality exist between us as regards ceremony: when he is uncovered
and standing, let us stand and uncover our heads; when he is covered and
seated, let us sit and wear our hats." "The people," said Chabot, "has
sent you here to maintain its dignity; will you permit the king to say
'I will come at three o'clock,' as if you were unable to adjourn the
Assembly without awaiting him?"

It was decreed that every member should have the right to sit covered
in the king's presence. "This decree," observed Garrau de Coulon, "is
calculated to create a degree of confusion in the Assembly; this
privilege, given indiscriminately, would enable some to display pride,
and others flattery." "So much the better," said a voice; "if there are
any flatterers, we shall know them." It was also decreed that there
should be only two chairs, placed in a line, one for the king, the other
for the president; and lastly, that the king should have no other title
than that of King of the French.

III.

These decrees humiliated the king, spread consternation amongst the
constitutional party, and agitated the people. All had hoped that
harmony would be established between the powers, and yet this
understanding was destroyed at the outset, and the constitution tottered
at its first step. This deprivation of the titles of royalty seemed a
greater humiliation than the deprivation of the absolute power. Had we
alone kept our king to expose him to the insults and derision of the
people's representatives? how will a nation that does not respect its
hereditary chief, respect its elected representatives? and is it by such
outrages that liberty hopes to render herself acceptable to the throne?
Or, is it by infusing similar feelings of resentment in the breast of
the king, that he will be induced to protect the constitution, and to
aid the maintenance of the rights of the people? If the executive power
be a necessary reality,