on of La Fayette's
countenance in presence of Marie Antoinette. There was perceptible in
the general's attitude, it was to be seen in his words, distinguishable
in his accent, beneath the cold and polished forms of the courtier, the
inflexibility of the citizen. The queen preferred the factions. She thus
plainly spoke to her confidents. "M. de La Fayette," she said, "will not
be the mayor of Paris in order that he may the sooner become the _maire
du Palais_. Petion is a Jacobin, a republican; but he is a fool,
incapable of ever becoming the leader of a party: he would be a nullity
as _maire_, and, besides, the very interest he knows we should take in
his nomination might bind him to the king."

Petion was the son of a _procureur_ at Chartres, and a townsman of
Brissot; was brought up in the same way as he,--in the same studies,
same philosophy, same hatreds. They were two men of the same mind. The
Revolution, which had been the ideal of their youth, had called them on
the scene the same day, but to play very different parts. Brissot, the
scribe, political adventurer, journalist, was the man of theory; Petion,
the practical man. He had in his countenance, in his character, and his
talents, that solemn mediocrity which is of the multitude, and charms
it; at least he was a sincere man, a virtue which the people appreciate
beyond all others in those who are concerned in public affairs. Called
by his fellow citizens to the National Assembly, he acquired there a
name rather from his efforts than his success. The fortunate compeer of
Robespierre, and then his friend, they had formed by themselves that
popular party, scarcely visible at the beginning, which professed pure
democracy and the philosophy of J. J. Rousseau; whilst Cazales,
Mirabeau, and Maury, the nobility, clergy, and _bourgeoisie_, alone
disputed the government. The despotism of a class appeared to
Robespierre and Petion as odious as the despotism of a king. The triumph
of the _tiers etat_ was of little consequence, so long as the people,
that is to say, all human kind in its widest acceptation, did not
prevail. They had given themselves as a task, not victory to one class
over another, but the victory and organisation of a divine and absolute
principle--humanity. This was their weakness in the first days of the
Revolution, and subsequently their strength. Petion was beginning to
gather in its harvest.

He had gradually, by his doctrines and his speeches, insinua