and the red flag suspended from the principal window of the Hotel de Ville.  At half-past five o’clock, just when the municipal body was about to start for the Champ de Mars, the three councillors, who had been sent in the morning to the scene of disorder, returned, accompanied by a deputation of twelve persons, taken from among the petitioners.  The explanations given on various sides occasioned a new deliberation of the Council.  The first decision was maintained, and at six o’clock the municipality began its march with the red flag, three pieces of cannon, and numerous detachments of the National Guard.

Bailly, as chief of the municipality, found himself at this time in one of those solemn and perilous situations, in which a man becomes responsible in the eyes of a whole nation, in the eyes of posterity, for the inconsiderate or even culpable actions of the passionate multitude that surrounds him, but which he scarcely knows, and over which he has little or no influence.

The National Guard, in that early epoch of the revolution, was very troublesome to lead and to rule.  Insubordination appeared to be the rule in its ranks; and hierarchical obedience a very rare exception.  My remark may perhaps appear severe:  well, Gentlemen, read the contemporary writings, Grimm’s Correspondence, for example, and you will see, under date of November 1790, a dismissed captain replying to the regrets of his company in the following style:  “Console yourselves, my companions, I shall not quit you; only, henceforward I shall be a simple fusilier; if you see me resolved to be no longer your chief, it is because I am content to command in my turn.”

It is allowable besides to suppose that the National Guard of 1791 was deficient, in the presence of such crowds, of that patience, that clemency, of which the French troops of the line have often given such perfect examples.  It was not aware that, in a large city, crowds are chiefly composed of the unemployed and the idly curious.

It was half-past seven o’clock when the municipal body arrived at the Champ de Mars.  Immediately some individuals placed on the glacis exclaimed:  “Down with the red flag! down with the bayonettes!” and threw some stones.  There was even a gun fired.  A volley was fired in the air to frighten them; but the cries soon recommenced; again some stones were thrown; then only the fatal fusillade of the National Guard began!

These, Gentlemen, are the deplorable events of the Champ de Mars, faithfully analyzed from the relation that Bailly himself gave of the 18th July to the Constituent Assembly.  This recital, the truth of which no one assuredly will question any more than myself, labours under some involuntary but very serious omissions.  I will indicate them, when the march of events leads us, in following our unfortunate colleague, to the revolutionary tribunal.

BAILLY QUITS THE MAYORALTY THE 12TH OF NOVEMBER, 1791.—­THE ESCHEVINS.—­EXAMINATION OF THE REPROACHES THAT MIGHT BE ADDRESSED TO THE MAYOR.