222 condoecet: a biography. 



it, tlie son of an humble jroatherd became the ilkistrions head of one of 

 our armies, the conqueror of Marshal Wurmser and the peace-maker of 

 the Vendee ; yes, the son of a simple tavern-keeper precipitated himself, 

 like an avalanche from the heights of the Albis, and dispersed from 

 under the walls of Zurich the Russian forces of Korsakoff, even at the 

 moment when they considered themselves marching surely to the con- 

 quest of France; yes, the son of a plasterer with a few thousand men 

 gave at Heliopolis such proofs of skill and of bravery that the i)halanx 

 of Macedonia and the legions of Coesarcan no longer be called the most 

 valiant troops which have trodden the land of Egypt. 



I deplore, I denounce, as vehemently as any one, the sanguinary acts 

 which stained the years 1793 and 1794, but 1 cannot regard our glorious 

 revolution only under this sad aspect. I find, on the contrary, much to 

 admire, even amid the cruel scenes which marked the various stages of 

 its progress. Can we cite, for instance, any country, ancient or modern, 

 in which the victims of both sexes and all parties have given greater 

 proof at the foot of the scaffold of resignation, of force of character, of 

 ready sacrifice of life, than was manifested by our unfortunate compa- 

 triots'? Nor should be forgotten the intrepid assiduity manifested by 

 many honorable citizens in assisting and sheltering the proscribed. 



This last reflection brings us back to Condorcet and the admirable 

 woman who concealed him for more than nine months. It may be sup- 

 posed that Condorcet did not fully measure all the gravity, all the import- 

 ance, of the article which he published after the adoption of the constitu- 

 tion of the second year. This mistake, however, must be corrected. That 

 which presented itself to the mind of the deputy of Aisne as a duty, 

 he accomplished with full knowledge of the imminent danger incurred. 

 As indisputable proof of this, I find that the publication of the Address 

 to the citizens of France vpon the new constitution coincides exactly with 

 the steps taken to secure a place of refuge for the author. 



In the political as in the terrestrial atmos[)here, there are signs that 

 herald storms, recognized at a glance by the experienced, however indefi- 

 nite they may appear to others. Condorcet, his brother-in-law Cabanis, 

 their common friend Vic-d'Azir, could not be deceived. After his pub- 

 lic manifestation upon the subject of the constitution of the year II 

 (of the llepublic), the impeachment of Condorcet was inevitable ; the 

 thunder- bolt was launched at his head, and it was necessary for him to 

 seek shelter without delay. 



Two pni)ils of Cabanis and of Vic-d'Azir, who have since become dis- 

 tinguished members of this Academy, MM. Pinel and Boyer, suggested 

 that he should resort for this purpose to No. 21 Servandoni street, 

 where they bad resided. This house, ordinarily occupied by students, 

 belonged to the widow of Louis Fran9ois Veruet, a sculptor and near rela- 

 tive of the great painters of that name. Madam Veruet, as well as her 

 husband, was born in Provence. She had a warm heart, a lively 

 imagination, a character open and frank ; her benevolence amounted 



