from
the counter-revolutionist and the malcontent, ready to go with the
opinion of the court or of the nation, according as events might
transpire. By turns he was in communication with all parties, as if to
sound the growing power of Mirabeau and de Montmorin, the Duc d'Orleans
and the Jacobins, La Fayette and the Girondists. In his various commands
during these days of crises, he maintained discipline by his popularity,
was on terms with the insurgent people, and placed himself at their
head, in order to restrain them. The people believed him certainly on
their side; the soldiery adored him; he detested anarchy, but flattered
the demagogues. He applied very skilfully to his popularity those able
tactics which Favier had taught him. He viewed the Revolution as an
heroic intrigue. He manoeuvred his patriotism as he would have
manoeuvred his battalions on the field of battle. He considered the
coming war with much delight, knowing already all of a hero's part. He
foresaw that the Revolution, deserted by the nobility, and assailed by
all Europe, would require a general ready formed to direct the
undisciplined efforts of the masses it had excited. He prepared himself
for that post. The long subordination of his genius fatigued him. At
fifty-six years of age he had the fire of youth with all the coolness of
age; his earnest desire was advancement; the yearning of his soul for
fame was the more intense in proportion to the years he had already
unavailingly passed. His frame, fortified by climates and voyages, lent
itself, like a passive instrument, to his activity: all was young in him
except his amount of years; they were expended, but not by energy. He
had the youth of Caesar, an impatient desire for fortune, and the
certainty of acquiring it. With great men, to live is to rise in renown;
he had not lived, because his reputation was not equivalent to his
ambition.

VII.

Dumouriez was of that middle stature of the French soldier who wears his
uniform gracefully, his havresac lightly, and his musket and sabre as if
he did not feel their weight. Equally agile and compact, his body had
the cast of those statues of warriors who repose on their expanded
muscles, and yet seem ready to advance. His attitude was confident and
proud; all his motions were as rapid as his mind. He vaulted into the
saddle without touching the stirrup, holding the mane by his left hand.
He sprung to the ground with one effort, and handled the bayon