been appointed to the command of the
French armies, in order to turn them against the Revolution. The
national guards of Metz were as innocent as those of Paris, they can be
nothing but patriots; it is La Fayette who, through the medium of
Bouille his relation and accomplice, has deceived them. How can we
inscribe on the banners of this fete, _Bouille is alone guilty_? Who
sought to stifle the revolt at Nancy, and cover it with an impenetrable
veil? Who demands crowns for the assassins of the soldiers of
Chateauvieux? La Fayette. Who prevented me from speaking? La Fayette.
Who are those who now dart such threatening glances at me? La Fayette
and his accomplices." (Loud applause.)

XIX.

The preparations for this ceremony gave rise to a still more exciting
drama at the National Assembly. At the opening of the sitting, a member
demanded that the forty soldiers of Chateauvieux should be admitted to
pay their respects to the legislative body. M. de Jaucourt opposed it:
"If these soldiers," said he, "are only admitted to express their
gratitude, I consent to their being admitted to the bar; but I demand
that afterwards they be not allowed to remain during the debate." The
speaker was interrupted by loud murmurs, and cries of _a bas! a bas!_
from the tribunes. "An amnesty is neither a triumph nor a civic crown,"
continued he; "you cannot dishonour the names of the brave Desilles, or
of those generous citizens who perished defending the laws against them;
you cannot lacerate by this triumph the hearts of those among you who
took part in the expedition of Nancy. Allow a soldier, who was ordered
on this expedition with his regiment, to point out to you the effects
this decision would have on the army. (The murmurs redouble.) The army
will see in your conduct only an encouragement to insurrection; and
these honours will lead the soldiers to believe that you look on these
men, whom an amnesty has freed, not as men whose punishment was too
severe, but as innocent victims." The tumult here became so great that
M. de Jaucourt was forced to descend. But one of the members, who, it is
evident to all, was almost overpowered by emotion, took his place. It
was M. de Gouvion, a young officer, whose name was already gloriously
inscribed in the early pages of the annals of our wars. He was clothed
in deep black, and every feature of his face wore an expression of
intense grief, which inspired the Assembly with involuntary interest,
and