The sun., 1897-09-12

vided the expense we're not too great"
OF Talleyrand there is an incisiye estimate 1t
is pointed out that the exBishop OF Autun re-
Rarded enlightened. learned. or celebrated men
as books which he might peruse. They were, to
him. living library which he consulted in pref.
erence 10 any printed composition. Barere goes
on to tell us that mo politician has ever made
80 general and profitable a use of the minds and
imaginations OF others; moreover. when at tho
time OF the Constituent Assembly some parti.
sans of this clerical Deputy were prasing his
intelligence. Mirabeau replied: NJ. de Talley.
rand Is sponge which passes over converse
tions and only takes from them what may be
useful to him. 1t was the system and faculty
OF appropriation which constituted the whole
political power OF this minister. He assimilated
the thoughts Of others far as to make
them appear as his own. He has produced
nothing in literature or political science; he
was too circumspect to deliver himself in the
press. which he only regarded an instrument
OF power and auxiliary OF diplomacy. Every
thing was premcditated with him, even sallies
and witticisms- The organs of his intelligence
were dull and OF mediocre constitution, a I for
productions OF the mind, but incapable of re-
ceiving the inspirations OF genius. He had no
feeling Of patriotism. which he always regarded
as sublime dupery. With his own eyes he had
seen that glory and renown did not guarantee
one against great adversely; he turned toward
blind fortune, which enriched him without see
ing him and covered him with honors without
knowing him. To do good to mankind seemed
to him a chimera and danger: 10 defend the
rights OF nations was to provoke public ingrati.
tude. He turned toward strong governments
only abandoning them when they became feeble
He was the man for emergencies. tho oracle of
tho past, discounter OF the present, and despiser
OF the future. His religion consisted in wor.
shipping the rising sum-"
The reader is. no doubt. familiar with the
memoirs Of Barras. an English translation of
which was lately published. II 10 interesting TO
learn what Barere thought Of him: "A proyin.
cial lor ling. M re occupied with SD ri than
politics. and cast into tn Natl nal c nven ion
Ia the midst of the democratic movement, Bar.
ras was sent with Freron as representative to
Marseilles. where they committee unheard-of
barbarities. They took away from the Pnnnician
town It's ancient name in order to call It tn,
'nameless town. committed exactions and on
their recall. My gave the public Treasury An
account OF how their carriage had cen over.
turned In a itch. instead OF the 800 900 francs
which they were commi ssione to deposit there
l am indebted for this fact to CANTON. the
representative in charge OF the Treasury.
Accused py fobespierro OF eXcesses in his
mission to Maiseillos. Barras put himself at
the head OF the reaction on the 9th of Their.
midor. and became one OF tho most violent
prosecutors OF the Repu bicans, whom he wished
to surpass. This reactionary spirit was tho
mesns OF his being nominated to the Directory
In 1795. and. although he WAS idle and fond of
pleasure. he mixed himself up with tho affairs
OF tho Executive Directory so far as to aspire to
be its chief; or, at least, France thought So He
surrounded himself with reactionists and nobles
AT one time, ho corresponded with tho patriots
in order to coax and deceive them; at another,
he treated with those who had left tho
country, so as TO mako them change over
and return. This method OF governing by
two parties succeeded from the 18th Of Fructidor
TO the 22d OF Floreal. but 1t was useless on the
18th OF Brumaire. 1t 10 pretended that he re-
ceiyed secret intelligence from outside sources,
and that he wished TO treat with Louis XVIII.
but that the cupidity OF Barras was Q cause OF
the failure OF these clandestine negotiations.
Too feeble and ignorant for q governor, he was
but an Inconsistent man. capable OF a violent
measure or q su den attack But his immortality
never permitted him to know for what cause he
seriously struggled. Al hough voter for the
Kings death. he die peacefully at Paris, The
law OF 1916 forgot his vote and his existence"
Bareros comments on Mirabeau will DO Ren.
orally accepted as discriminating and Just: "a
profound statesman. enlightened By his Stpdisa.