His defence was laboured and obscure; yet it was held by the club of the Rue de la Michodiere sufficient proof of his innocence and integrity.

Some journals, solely occupied with the political bearing of his life, took up his defence, and made loud complaints against his calumny.

Manuel, his friend, who edited a vile journal, wrote thus, to console him:--"These ordures of calumny, spread abroad at the moment of scrutiny, always end by leaving a dirty stain on those who scatter them.
But it is allowing a triumph to the enemies of the people, to repulse thus a man who fearlessly attacks them.

They give me votes, in spite of my drivellings, and my love of the bottle.

Leave 'Pere Duchesne'[4] alone, and let us nominate Brissot; he is a better man than I am." Marat, in his _Ami du Peuple_, wrote thus ambiguously of Brissot:--"Brissot," says the Friend of the People, "was never, in my eyes, a thorough-going patriot.