They were earnest reformers, and were prominent among the leaders of the Revolution.

They went with the stream, up to a certain point.

They voted for most of the sanguinary decrees, although in time they strove to mitigate the horrors inflicted by the extreme party; but after a long conflict the latter, supported by the mob of Paris, obtained the ascendency, and the Girondists underwent the same fate that had befallen so many others.

For myself, I cannot pity them.

They were all men of standing and of intelligence but, without perceiving the terrible results that must follow, they unchained the mob and became its victims.
"Up to that time there had been but few executions here, and the power remained in the hands of the moderate party.