ted himself
into the confidence of the people of Paris; he connected himself with
literary men by the cultivation of his mind; with the Orleans party by
his intimacy with Madame de Genlis, the favourite of the prince, and
governess to his children. He was spoken of in one place as a sage, who
sought to embody philosophy in the constitution; in another as a
sagacious conspirator, who desired to sap the throne, or to place upon
it the Duc D'Orleans, embodying the interests and dynasty of the people.
This two-fold reputation was equally advantageous to him. Honest men
believed him to be an honest man,--malcontents to be a malcontent: the
court disdained to fear him; it saw in him only an innocent Utopian, and
had for him that contemptuous indulgence which aristocrats have
invariably for men of political creed; besides, Petion ridded it of La
Fayette. To change its foe was to give it breathing time.

These three elements of success gave Petion an immense majority; he was
nominated mayor of Paris by more than 6000 votes. La Fayette had but
3000. He might at this moment, from the depth of his retreat, have
fairly measured by these figures the decline of his popularity. La
Fayette represented the city, Petion the nation. The armed _bourgeoisie_
quitted public affairs with the one, and the people assumed them with
the other. The Revolution marked with a proper name the fresh step she
had made.

Petion, scarcely elected, went in triumph to the Jacobins, and was thus
carried in the arms of patriots into the tribune. Old Dusault, who
occupied it at the moment, stammered out a few words, interrupted by his
sobs, in honour of his pupil. "I look on M. Petion," said he, "as my
son; it is very bold no doubt." Petion overcome, embraced the old man
with ardour; the tribunes applauded and wept.

The other nominations were made in the same spirit. Manuel[11] was named
_procureur de la commune_;--Danton, his deputy, which was his first step
in popularity; he did not owe it, like Petion, to the public esteem, but
to his own intriguing. He was appointed in spite of his reputation. The
people are apt to excuse the vices they find useful.

The nomination of Petion to the office of _maire_ of Paris gave the
Girondists a constant _point d'appui_ in the capital. Paris, as well as
the Assembly, escaped from the king's hands. The work of the Constituent
Assembly crumbled away in three months. The wheels gave way before they
were set in motion. A