A great number of speakers followed, and the confusion continually increased.  The members, determined not to hear any more, mingled together, formed groups, abused and threatened one another.  After a tempest of an hour’s duration, tranquillity was at last restored; and the Assembly, adopting the opinion of those who demanded the discussion on the trial of Louis XVI., declared that it was opened, and that it should be continued, to the exclusion of all other business, till sentence should be passed.

The discussion was accordingly resumed on the 27th, and there was a constant succession of speakers from the 28th to the 31st.  Vergniaud at length ascended the tribune for the first time, and an extraordinary eagerness was manifested to hear the Girondists express their sentiments by the lips of their greatest orator.

The speech of Vergniaud produced a deep impression on all his hearers.  Robespierre was thunderstruck by his earnest and, persuasive eloquence.  Vergniaud, however, had but shaken, not convinced, the Assembly, which wavered between the two parties.  Several members were successively heard, for and against the appeal to the people.  Brissot, Gensonne, Petion, supported it in their turn.  One speaker at length had a decisive influence on the question.  Barere, by his suppleness, and his cold and evasive eloquence, was the model and oracle of the centre.  He spoke at great length on the trial, reviewed it in all its bearings—­of facts, of laws, and of policy—­and furnished all those weak minds, who only wanted specious reasons for yielding, with motives for the condemnation of the King.  From that moment the unfortunate King was condemned.  The discussion lasted till the 7th, and nobody would listen any longer to the continual repetition of the same facts and arguments.  It was therefore declared to be closed without opposition, but the proposal of a fresh adjournment excited a commotion among the most violent, and ended in a decree which fixed the 14th of January for putting the questions to the vote.

Meantime the King did not allow the torturing suspense to disturb his outward composure, or lessen his kindness to those around him.  On the morning after his second appearance at the bar of the Convention, the commissary Vincent, who had undertaken secretly to convey to the Queen a copy of the King’s printed defence, asked for something which had belonged to him, to treasure as a relic; the King took off his neck handkerchief and gave it him; his gloves he bestowed on another municipal, who had made the same request.  “On January 1st,” says Clery, “I approached the King’s bed and asked permission to offer him my warmest prayers for the end of his misfortunes.  ‘I accept your good wishes with affection,’ he replied, extending his hand to me.  As soon as he had risen, he requested a municipal to go and inquire for his family, and present them his good wishes for the new year.  The officers were moved by the tone in which these words, so heartrending considering the position of the King, were pronounced . . . .  The correspondence between their Majesties went on constantly.  The King being informed that Madame Royale was ill, was very uneasy for some days.  The Queen, after begging earnestly, obtained permission for M. Brunnier, the medical attendant of the royal children, to come to the Temple.  This seemed to quiet him.”