[Christian Guillaume de Lamoignon de Malesherbes, an eminent French statesman, son of the Chancellor of France, was born at Paris in 1721.  In 1750 he succeeded his father as President of the Court of Aids, and was also made superintendent of the press.  On the banishment of the Parliaments and the suppression of the Court of Aids, Malesherbes was exiled to his country-seat.  In 1775 he was appointed Minister of State.  On the decree of the Convention for the King’s trial, he emerged from his retreat to become the voluntary advocate of his sovereign.  Malesherbes was guillotined in 1794, and almost his whole family were extirpated by their merciless persecutors.]

then seventy years old, and “the most respected magistrate in France,” in the course of which he said:  “I have been twice called to be counsel for him who was my master, in times when that duty was coveted by every one.  I owe him the same service now that it is a duty which many people deem dangerous.  If I knew any possible means of acquainting him with my desires, I should not take the liberty of addressing myself to you.”  Other citizens made similar proposals, but the King, being made acquainted with them by a deputation from the Commune, while expressing his gratitude for all the offers, accepted only that of Malesherbes.

[The Citoyenne Olympia Degonges, calling herself a free and loyal Republican without spot or blame, and declaring that the cold and selfish cruelty of Target had inflamed her heroism and roused her sensibility, asked permission to assist M, de Malesherbes in defending the King.  The Assembly passed to the order of the day on this request.—­Bertrand de MOLLEVILLE, “Annals,” edit. 1802, vol, viii., p. 254.]

On 14th December M. Tronchet was allowed to confer with the King, and later in the same day M. de Malesherbes was admitted to the Tower.  “The King ran up to this worthy old man, whom he clasped in his arms,” said Clery, “and the former minister melted into tears at the sight of his master.”

[According to M. de Hue, “The first time M. de Malesherbes entered the Temple, the King clasped him in his arms and said, ’Ah, is it you, my friend?  You fear not to endanger your own life to save mine; but all will be useless.  They will bring me to the scaffold.  No matter; I shall gain my cause if I leave an unspotted memory behind me.’”]

Another deputation brought the King the Act of Accusation and the documents relating to it, numbering more than a hundred, and taking from four o’clock till midnight to read.  During this long process the King had refreshments served to the deputies, taking nothing himself till they had left, but considerately reproving Clery for not having supped.  From the 14th to the 26th December the King saw his counsel and their colleague M. de Size every day.  At this time a means of communication between the royal family and the King was devised:  a man named Turgi,