Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-10-09
MlRABEAU,


ers, he who, ever in the van, opened the
boldest discussions, was Mrabeau. The
absurd institutions of the old monarchy had
shocked just minds, and excited the indigna-
ton of upright hearts; but it was impossible
that they should not have CALLED some ardent
spirit and nhamed strong passions. This
spirit was that of Mirabcau, who, encounter
ing from his birth every kind of tyranny, that
Of his father, of the government, and Of the
tribunals, spent his youth in combating and
in hating them. lie was born beneath the
sun of Provence, the offspring of noble IA
miIy. He had early made himself notorious
by his dissolute habits, quarrels, aud an i'm
pctuous cloqucncc. Histravcls, observation,
and immense reading, had taught him much
and his memory had retained it all. But ex-
travagant, eccentric, nay, cvens sophist,
without the aid Of passion, he became by its
aid different man. No sooner was he ex-
cited by the tribune and the presence of his
opponents than his mind took fire ; his first
ideas were confused, his words incohcrent,
his whole frame agtated, but presently the
lights burst forth. His mind then performed
in a moment the labor Of years and in the
-
sudden and energetic expression. If again
crossed, he returned still more forcible and
more clear, and presented the truth in images
either striking or terrible. Were the cir
cumstanceS difficult, were the minds fatigued
afterlong discussions, or inundated by dam
ger, an ejaculation decisive word drop
ped from his lips, his countenancc looking
terrific with ugincss and genius, and the
assembly, enlightened or encouraged, enact
ed laws or passed magnanmous resolutions
Proud of high qualities, jcsting over his
vices, by turns naughty or supple, he won
some by his flattcry, awed others by his sar-
casms, and led all in his trainby the extraor.
binary influence which he possessed. His
party was every where, among the people
in the Assembly, in the very Court, with al
those, in short, TO whom he was at the mo.
mcnt addressing himself. Mingling famiiarly
with men, just when it was requisite to dc
so, he had applauded the rising talent of Bar.
nave, though he disiked his young friend
he appreciated the sound understanding O
Sieyes, and humored his wild disposition
he dreaded too pure a life in Lafayette !; !,
Necker he detestcd an extreme rigor, the
pride of reason, and the prctension of direct.
ing revolution which he knew to be attri.
butable to him. He was not friendly to tho
Duke Of Orleans and his unsteady ambition
and as we shall soon see, he never had any
interest in common with him. Thus, unaid
ed except by genius, he attacked despotism
which he had sworn to destroy. III, however
he was foe to the vanities or monarchy, h,
was still more adverseto the ostracsm of re
publics; but, not beng sufficiently rcvengc'
on the great and OH the powerful, he still
continued to destroy. Harrassed moreovc
by Strengthened circumstances, dissatisfc'
with the present, he was advancing toward
an unknown future; by his talents, ambition
, his vices, his pecuniary embarrassmcnts, h
gave rise to all sorts of conecturcs, and b.
his cynical language he authorized all suspi
cions and all calumnics.