opposed to them, was a master-stroke of genius: he tried it, and
succeeded. From this epoch may be dated his connection with Camille
Desmoulins and Danton.

Danton and Dumouriez came to an understanding the sooner, because in
their vices, like their good qualities, they closely resembled each
other. Danton, like Dumouriez, only wanted the impulse of the
Revolution. Principles were trifles with him; what suited his energy and
his ambition was that tumultuous turmoil which cast down and elevated
men, from the throne to nothing, from nothing to fortune and power. The
intoxication of movement was to Danton, as to Dumouriez, the continual
need of their disposition: the Revolution was to them a battle field,
whose whirl charmed and promoted them.

Yet any other revolution would have suited them as well; despotism or
liberty, king or people. There are men whose atmosphere is the whirlwind
of events--who only breathe easily in a storm of agitation. Moreover, if
Dumouriez had the vices or levities of courts, Danton had the vices and
licentiousness of the mob. These vices, how different soever in form,
are the same at bottom; they understand each other, they are a point of
contact between the weaknesses of the great and the corruption of the
small. Dumouriez understood Danton at the first glance, and Danton
allowed himself to be approached and tamed by Dumouriez. Their
connection, often suspected of bribery on the one hand, and venality on
the other, subsisted secretly or publicly until the exile of Dumouriez
and the death of Danton. Camille Desmoulins, freed of Danton and
Robespierre, attached himself also to Dumouriez, and brought his name
constantly forward in his pamphlets. The Orleans party, who held on with
the Jacobins by Sillery, Laclos, and Madame de Genlis, also sought the
friendship of the new minister. As to Robespierre, whose policy was
perpetual reserve with all parties, he affected neither liking nor
dislike towards Dumouriez, but was secretly delighted at seeing him
become a rival to his enemies. At least he never accused him. It is
difficult long to hate the enemy of those whom we hate.

XIX.

The growing hatred of Robespierre and Brissot became daily more deadly.
The sittings of the Jacobins and the newspapers were the continual
theatre of the struggles and reconciliations of these two men. Equal in
strength in the nation--equal in talent in the tribune--it was evident
that they were afraid of each other i