had rendered the revolting colonists, was not from a love of democratic institutions: it was his hope to cripple Great Britain, his ancient enemy, and to find some opportunity, perhaps, to win back his Canadian provinces, which had so recently been rent from his possession.
When the pent-up flames of revolution burst forth at the very doors of the governments of the old world--when the French throne had been robbed of its king, and that king of his life--when a Republic had been proclaimed in their midst, and signal-notes of freedom were ringing in their borders--they became seriously alarmed.

The growing evil must be checked immediately.

Led on by England, the continental powers combined to exterminate at a blow, if possible, every vestige of Republicanism in France.

Then commenced the long series of bloody wars, which, with little intermission, convulsed Europe for nearly a quarter of a century, and ceased only when the rock of St.Helena received its lonely exile.
In the meantime affairs at home had attained to a critical juncture.

The Constitution had been adopted.