Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1921 edition. Excerpt:... ENIGMAS At the very hour that Chaumette's credit was giving way, a radical and unexpected change suddenly transformed the whole system of inspection at the Temple. On January 3rd, 1794, at the sitting of the General Council, the calling over of the names of members having shown the absence of a large number of representatives, "occupied in various administrations," Pache, the Mayor, hinted that no municipal representative ought to accept duties which would prevent him attending the meetings of the Council. Chaumette 1 seized this opportunity, which he had perhaps inspired, to make a hostile attack against the incompatibility of occupations. He quoted Robespierre, on whom he now fawned on every occasion recalling the "Incorruptible's" words: "If you grant two positions to a man, give him two bodies." Whereupon he transformed the citizen Mayor's observation into a proposition and it was decreed that "any member of the municipal council having a duty or an occupation which obliged him to absent himself during Assembly hours would be expected to make a choice." 2 Coru immediately declared that he would give up his post as steward of the Temple.3 The Council filled with ecstasy at the sight of one of its members sacrificing a salary of four thousand Uvres for the only compensation of coming every evening to hear Chaumette hold forth, decided that mention be made of this act of disinterestedness and, --a somewhat inexplicable contradiction, --that his imitators "be inscribed on the list of candidates chosen to act as commissioners appointed by the Commune." 1 Then the question of Simon came up. Langlois 2 pointed out that "Simon occupied a confidential post, and it was desirable he should retain it"; 3 but the council "passed to the order of the...