MIRABEAU.

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the court, and in the consequent necessity of assemblingthe states-general. He represented these convictions tothe minister Montmorin, but without avail; on the con-trary, Montmorin earnestly requested him to undertakehis defence, and to attack the parliament. Mirabeau,in reply, set before the minister the errors of his views,and refused, with dignity, the task offered him. “ Donot,” he concludes, “ compromise a zealous servant, whowill despise danger when called upon to devote himselffor his country, but who would not, even for the priceof all earthly crowns, prostitute himself in an equivocalcause, the aim of which is uncertain, the principle doubt-ful, and the progress fearful and dark. Should I notlose all the little talent of which you exaggerate theinfluence, if I renounced that inflexible independencewhich alone gains me success, and which only canrender me useful to my country and my king ? Whenthe day arrives, when, animated by my conscience, andstrong in my conviction, an honourable citizen, a faithfulsubject, an honest writer, I cast myself into the melee,

I shall be able to say, ‘ Listen to a man who has nevervaried in his principles, nor deserted the public cause.’”

And it must be remarked, in honour of Mirabeau,when doubts are cast upon his subsequent career, that,at the moment that he refused the aid of his pen to apowerful minister, he was suffering the extreme ofpenury, aggravated by its being shared by a dearfriend. When, therefore, he afterwards accepted thepay of the court, we may believe, unworthy as was theact, that he compromised no principle; but, though a re-former, not being a republican, the support he engagedto give to the king had the suffrage of his conscience.

The reputation of Mirabeau was now at its height; 1788.but, though his genius was acknowledged, he was not Aitat.esteemed a good member of society. It is strange on 39 ‘what reputation depends: it may seem a paradox tosay, that it often depends on modesty. Notoriety, andeven success, may follow the unblushing man; but thegood word of our fellow-creatures clings rather to him<t 3