sophy, politics and style. Fancying, probably, like
other young men of his age and condition, that he could play a similar
part and thus emerge from his blind alley, he published law pleadings
for effect, contended for Academy prizes, and read papers before
his Arras colleagues. His success was moderate: one of his harangues
obtained a notice in the Artois Almanac; the Academy of Metz awarded him
only a second prize; that of Amiens gave him no prize, while the critic
of the "Mercure" spoke of his style as smacking of the provinces.--In
the National Assembly, eclipsed by men of great and spontaneous ability,
he remains a long time in the shade, and, more than once, through
obstination or lack of tact, makes himself ridiculous. With his sharp,
thin, attorney's visage, "dull, monotonous, coarse voice and wearisome
delivery,"--"an artesian accent" and constrained air,[31102] his
constantly putting himself forward, his elaboration of commonplaces, his
evident determination to impose on cultivated people, still a body of
intelligent listeners, and the intolerable boredom he caused them--all
this is not calculated to render the Assembly indulgent to errors
of sense and taste.[31103] One day, referring to certain acts of the
"Conseil:" "It is necessary that a noble and simple formula should
announce national rights and carry respect for law into the hearts of
the people. Consequently, in the decrees as promulgated, after the words
Louis, by the grace of God," etc., these words should follow:

"People, behold the law imposed on you! Let this law be considered
sacred and inviolable for all!" Upon this, a Gascon deputy arises
and remarks in his southern accent, "Gentlemen, this style is
unsuitable--there is no need for sermons.[31104] (cantique)."

General laughter; Robespierre keeps silent and bleeds internally: two or
three such mishaps nettle such a man from head to foot. It is not that
his stupid remarks seem silly to him; no pedant taken in the act and
hissed would avow that he deserved such treatment; on the contrary, he
is content to have spoken as becomes a philosophic and moral legislator,
and so much the worse for the narrow minds and corrupt hearts unable
to comprehend him.--Thrown back upon himself, his wounded vanity seeks
inward nourishment and takes what it can find in the sterile uniformity
of his bourgeois moderation. Robespierre, unlike Danton, has no
cravings. He is sober; he is not tormented by his senses; if h