The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1854-03-22
Robes sphere


Frequently,wbon stifily standing in his
olive colored coat, with fixed eve, con-
tractcd brow, and shrili voice accompon-
led by bard gestures, Robespierrc was
pleading at the Tribune for the people :
cause, Mirabeau, in the midst Of whs-
perings and mockerios, had been seen to
contemplate in rcnsive curiosity that
mau-palo-visaged aud strangely smil
ing, whose physiognomy brcathod FORTH
as it were, dreamy genilcucss, i'll whom
all things spoke of a passion for order.
and who appeared full Of respect for
himsclf-so careful was he Of his attire.
so grave il Lis attitude, SO studied in bis
speech
Who might this now conner be, on
whom fingered thus the presentiments
of genius. and what part was he to play
in the revolution lie was to demand
justice for all men-for all without ex-
certion he was to be the preacher Of
right. With him there was to be no
compromise for is not truth ono? Let
no party claim him he is Of tho party
Of bis own convictions that sufficcs. At
lis first step in the career where he was
to leave the trace of his blood aud a
name accursed, he earned the surname
of Tie McoyyaDtidIe As a simple ad-
vocate, honest people quoted his integri-
ty;asa legislator, the wicked feared
him. Always ready to defend the peo-
plo he knew not how to fatter them he
had at once too much pride and too much
virtue In the midst Of society in dis
order, lie worsblpYed regulation An
archy he abhorred. Popularity. to be
earned by cynical habits and language.
he despised. He never concealed his
disdain for cxtravagancies in theory or
action. Yet Freron admired him,
lIebcrt respected him, aud be forced
Marat to praise him,
His life was laborious, austerc his
manners did honor to his principles
Others, among known Tribunos, might
display suspicious opulcnce, sup by
the light Of golden chandeliers, aud in
toxicate themselves with wine and lux.
fury. He occupied, in the Rue Sain.
tonge, a wretched apartment, shared and
half paid for by II companion youth He
spen; scarcely thirty sous for his meals
went on foot where duty called him, and
out of his salary as deputy, piously dim
in;shed by au annuity paid to his sister
could not always set aside sufficient to
buy him coat
But if there are imperfections which
an imperfect nature willingly covers with
its sympathy, there are weaknesses
which we adore. and these Robespierro
had not. Something imponctrable en-
veloped his mind His virtue, like a
sickly star, shono without beaming.
Even on the lips which commonly open.
cd only to cxalt him, it seemed as If his
presence checked light praises and fam
liar smiles When he spoke of mercy.
he awakened fear. Yet, at Arras. where
he was born, his childhood, we are assur-
ed had given evidence of frankness and
of charming tastes Although already
inclined to serious meditations. laugh.
ter, even to tears, came easily to linn
an aviary in those times formed his re.
public. Early an orphan, he tcuderly
loNeu MS bFolherS, ana luollLed MS SIS
ters next to them came his dear birds
Later, when he left the College Of Louis
lie Grand, the doors Of which had been
opened for him by the affection of the
Able dc Waast, and where he had Cam
lilo Desmoulins for follow pupil, his
thoughts began to turn towards love, and
took form iu gallant verses. lie entered
the society of the Rosats, celebrated the
light songster of Ncrt-Vert, in tone
worthy of his hero, and earned the aca.
demcal crowns of lis province What
shall we add The oath which Mile
Deshortis sworc to him, that she would
never be another's, but only his that
oath of love broken in absence plunged
him into prodigious and Intellectual grief