He employed the system of confidence, and surprised the Assembly by his _abandon_, and these austere and suspicious men, who had hitherto seen nothing but deceit in the language of ministers, now yielded to the charm of his speeches.

He addressed them, not in the official and cold language of diplomacy, but in the open and cordial tone of a patriot.

He brought the dignity of his office to the tribune; he generously assumed all responsibility, and he professed the most cherished principles of the people with a sincerity that precluded the possibility of suspicion.
He openly disclosed his projects, and the energy of his mind communicated itself to those men who were the most difficult to be won over.

The nation too saw with delight an _aristocrate_ so well adapt himself to their costume, their principles, and their passions.

The ardour of his patriotism did not suffer the impulse, that confounded in him the king and the people, to slacken; and in the course of his short administration he did wonders of activity.