Yet this Robespierre, had our author been in want of another hero, possessed one quality, which, in his estimate, would have entitled him to occupy the pedestal.  He had faith.  “Of incorruptible Robespierre, it was long ago predicted that he might go far—­mean, meagre mortal though he was—­for doubt dwelt not in him.”  And this prediction was uttered by no less a man than Mirabeau.  “Men of insight discern that the sea-green may by chance go far:  ‘this man,’ observes Mirabeau, ’will do somewhat; he believes every word he says.’” The audacity of Danton the ‘sea-green’ certainly did not possess, but of that sort of courage which can use the extremest means for the desired end, he surely had sufficient.  He shrunk from no crime, however exorbitant.  His faith carried him through all, and nearer to the goal than any of his compeers.  He walked as firm as others round the crater of this volcano, and walked there the longest.  It is impossible not to feel that here, by the side of Dauton, a great injustice has been done to the incorruptible and faithful Robespierre.

Well may energy or will stand in the place of goodness with Mr Carlyle, since we find him making in another place this strange paradoxical statement:  “Bad is by its nature negative, and can do nothing; whatsoever enables us to do any thing is by its very nature good.”  So that such a thing as a bad deed cannot exist, and such an expression is without meaning.  Accordingly, not only is energy applauded, but that energy applauded most that does most.  Those who exercised their power, and the utmost resolution of mind, in the attempt to restrain the Revolution, are not to be put in comparison with those who did something—­who carried forward the revolutionary movement.  With what contempt he always mentions Lafayette—­a man of limited views, it is true; and whose views at the time were wide enough? or to whom would the widest views have afforded a practical guidance?—­but a man of honour and of patriotic intentions!  It is “Lafayette—­thin, constitutional pedant; clear, thin, inflexible, as water turned to thin ice.”  And how are the whole party of the Gironde treated with slight and derision, because, at a period of what proved to be irremediable confusion—­when nothing but the whirlwind was to be reaped—­they were incessantly striving to realize for their country some definite and permanent institutions!  But though their attempt we see was futile, could they do other than make the attempt?  Mr Carlyle describes the position of affairs very ably in the following passage:—­