Yet it is not impossible that some apologist may be found for the blood which this man shed; that some quaint historian, delighting to show the world how wrong has been its most assured opinions, may attempt to vindicate the fame of Robespierre, and strive to wash the blackamoor white.  Are not our old historical assurances everywhere asserted?  Has it not been proved to us that crooked-backed Richard was a good and politic King; and that the iniquities of Henry VIII are fabulous? whereas the agreeable predilections of our early youth are disturbed by our hearing that glorious Queen Bess, and learned King James, were mean, bloodthirsty, and selfish.

I am not the bold man who will dare to face the opinion of the world, and attempt to prove that Robespierre has become infamous through prejudice.  He must be held responsible for the effects of the words which he spoke, and the things which he did, as other men are.  He made himself a scourge and a pestilence to his country; therefore, beyond all other men, he has become odious, and therefore, historian after historian, as they mention his name, hardly dare, in the service of truth, to say one word to lessen his infamy.

Yet Robespierre began his public life with aspirations of humanity, which never deserted him; and resolutions as to conduct, to which he adhered with a constancy never surpassed.  What shall we say are the qualifications for a great and good man?—­Honesty.  In spite of his infamy, Robespierre’s honesty has become proverbial.  Moral conduct—­the life he led even during the zenith of his power, and at a time when licentiousness was general, and morality ridiculous, was characterized by the simplicity of the early Quakers.  Industry—­without payment from the State, beyond that which he received as a member of the Convention, and which was hardly sufficient for the wants of his simple existence, he worked nearly night and day in the service of the State.  Constancy of purpose—­from the commencement of his career, in opposition at first to ridicule and obscurity, then to public opinion, and lastly to the combined efforts of the greatest of his countrymen, he pursued one only idea; convinced of its truth, sure of its progress, and longing for its success.  Temperance in power—­though in reality governing all France, Robespierre assumed to himself none of the attributes or privileges of political power.  He took to himself no high place, no public situation of profit or grandeur.  He was neither haughty in his language, nor imperious in his demeanour.  Love of country—­who ever showed a more devoted love?  For his country he laboured, and suffered a life which surely in itself could have had nothing attractive; the hope of the future felicity of France alone fed his energies, and sustained his courage.  His only selfish ambition was to be able to retire into private life and contemplate from thence the general happiness which he had given to his country.  Courage—­those who have