But one of the members, who, it is evident to all, was almost overpowered by emotion, took his place.

It was M.de Gouvion, a young officer, whose name was already gloriously inscribed in the early pages of the annals of our wars.

He was clothed in deep black, and every feature of his face wore an expression of intense grief, which inspired the Assembly with involuntary interest, and the tumult was instantly changed into attention.

His voice was tremulous and scarcely audible at first; it was evident that indignation as much as sorrow choked his utterance.
"Gentlemen," said he, "I had a brother, a good patriot, who, through the estimation in which he was held by his fellow citizens, had been successively elected commandant of the national guard, and member for the department.

Ever ready to sacrifice himself for the revolution and the law, it was in the name of the revolution and the law that he was called upon to march to Nancy at the head of the brave national guards, and there he fell pierced by five bayonet-wounds, and by the hand of those who, ...