The journal of a spy in Paris during the Reign of Terror, January-July, 1794

26 June 1794

Battle of Fleurus (1794)

PREFACE

and individuals by Robespierre for his own benefit. The followers of Hebert fell in March, those of Danton in April ; each party left, however, a " tail," which gradually united with those members of the Committees who were themselves threatened, to work the Revolution of Thermidor. In the history of the war Lord Howe's naval victory of the ist of June, 1794, did little to compensate for the continued success of the French Republic on land. The defeats of the Vendeens, and the surrender of Toulon in December, 1793, allowed the whole attention of Carnot to be concentrated on the northeastern frontier, where the lack of accord between the English and Austrians resulted in the evacuation of the Netherlands by the allies after Jour- dan's victory of Fleurus (June 26th). Austria and Prussia were indeed turn- ing their thoughts more towards Poland,

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she ally with the French Republic? — The Fete of the "Supreme Being" was a Failure, and badly arranged — Fouche versus Robespierre — Probability of an Explosion — Law of 22 Prairial — Lecointre and Tallien — The Guillotine to be moved to the "East End" — The Women worship Robespierre as a Messiah — Catherine Theot again — St. Just is a Man of Ideas — He will reconstruct Society — Rural versus Urban France — Hesdin's Practical Ideas on the Subject — Barere's Old Age Pension Scheme — St. Just was a Rogue before 1789 — Cecile Reg- nault's Attempt — Fresh Emission of Assignats — Question of Depreciation — Republican Dress to be adopted — Arrest of a Section Committee en masse; why? — "The Millers won't work; they shall be forced to" — " Fraternal Banquets" — Duke of York in Retreat — Death of Buzot reported — Revolution Literature collected — Disturbance in Section Lux- embourg— Long digression on the Prisons — Increase of Ordinary Crime, especially round Paris — Prison Hospitals do not exist — Rate of Executions — Battle of Fleurus — Women's Wigs 134

IN PARIS

* The battle of Fleurus, whereby the Netherlands were for the second time laid open to French arms (June a6th).

IN PARIS

possible that the " Victory " is a medal to commem- orate Fleurus. The reference to "bribing a pass- port " must be, of course, ironical ; Hesdin would not be likely to be in want of money.