The people felt that their magistrate was their accomplice and their slave, and yet whilst they despised they loved him.
XVII.
"This _fete_ that is preparing for these soldiers," wrote Chenier, "is attributed to enthusiasm.

For my part, I confess I do not perceive this enthusiasm.

I see a few men who create a degree of agitation, but the rest are alarmed or indifferent.

We are told that the national honour is interested in this reparation,--I can scarcely comprehend this; for, either the national guards of Metz, who put down the revolt of Nancy, are enemies of the public weal, or the soldiers of Chateauvieux are assassins: there is no medium.

How, then, is the honour of Paris interested in _feting_ the murderers of our brothers?
Other profound politicians say, this _fete_ will humiliate those who have sought to fetter the nation.