[Footnote 3160: Terms used by Fabre d'Eglantine and Garat.--Beugnot, a
very good observer, had an accurate impression of Danton ("Memoires", I,
249-252).--M. Dufort de Cheverney, (manuscript memoirs published by M.
Robert de Creveceur), after the execution of Babeuf, in 1797, had an
opportunity to hear Samson, the executioner, talk with a war commissary,
in an inn between Vendome and Blois. Samson recounted the last moments
of Danton and Fabre d'Eglantine. Danton, on the way to the scaffold,
asked if he might sing. "There is nothing to hinder," said Samson. "All
right. Try to remember the verses I have just composed," and he sang the
following to a tune in vogue:

Nous sommes menes au trepas We are led to our death
Par quantite de scelerats, by a gang of scoundrels
c'est ce qui nous desole. that makes us sad.
Mais bientot le moment viendra But soon the time shall come
Ou chacun d'eux y passera, when all of them shall follow
c'est ce qui nous console." that's our consolation.]

[Footnote 3161: Buchez et Roux, XXI., 108. Speech (printed) by Petion:
"Marat embraced Danton and Danton embraced him. I certify that this took
place in my presence."]

[Footnote 3162: Buchez et Roux, XXI., 126. ("To Maximilian Robespierre
and his royalists," a pamphlet by Louvet.)--Beugnot, "Memoires,"
I., 250, "On arriving in Paris as deputy from my department (to the
Legislative Assembly) Danton sought me and wanted me to join his party.
I dined with him three times, in the Cour du Commerce, and always went
away frightened at his plans and energy.... He contented himself by
remarking to his friend Courtois and my colleague: 'Thy big Beugnot is
nothing but a devotee--you can do nothing with him.'"]

[Footnote 3163: The Cordeliers district. (Buchez et Roux, IV., 27.)
Assembly meeting of the Cordeliers district, November 11th, 1789, to
sanction Danton's permanent presidency. He is always re-elected,
and unanimously. This is the first sign of his ascendancy, although
sometimes, to save the appearance of his dictatorship, he has his chief
clerk Pare elected, whom he subsequently made minister.]

[Footnote 3164: Buchez et Roux, IV., 295, 298, 401; V., 140.]

[Footnote 3165: Ibid., VIII., 28 (October, 1790).]

[Footnote 3166: Ibid., IX., 408: X., 144, 234, 297, 417.--Lafayette
"Memoires," I., 359, 366. Immediately after Mirabeau's death (April,
1791) Danton's plans are apparent, and his in