BOOK XII.
I.
Leopold, a pacific and philosophic prince, who had he not been an emperor, would have been a revolutionist, had sought by every means in his power to adjourn the concussion between the two principles; he only demanded from France such concessions as would enable him to repress the ardour of Prussia, Germany, and Russia.

The prince de Kaunitz, his minister, continually wrote to M.de Lessart in this strain; and the private communications which the king received from his ambassador at the court of Vienna, the Marquis de Noailles, breathed the same spirit of conciliation.

Leopold only desired that guarantees should be given to the monarchical powers for the establishment of order in France, and that the constitution should be vigorously enforced by the executive power.

But the last sittings of the Assembly, the armaments of M.de Narbonne, the accusations of Brissot, the fiery speeches of Vergniaud, and the applause he had gained, began to weary his patience; and the desire for war, so long repressed, now, in spite of himself, took possession of him.

"The French wish for war," said he one day; "they shall have it--they shall see that the peaceful Leopold can be warlike when the interest of his people demands it." The cabinet councils at Vienna became more frequent, in presence of the emperor.