XVI 



the undaunted defender of the oppressed, who through- 

 out his life lost no opportunity of drying up the tears 

 of the afflicted, and never caused one to flow; whose 

 whole life had been consecrated to the happiness of 

 his fellow-creatures and the dignity of his country, 

 but whose spotless reputation could not save him from 

 the guillotine at his age of seventy-two ;* Schabol ; 

 Latapie, who translated Whately's Observations on 



low tints, and distances of blue vapour ; such are in general the ob- 

 jects best suited to a western exposure. The sun, before he leaves 

 the horizon, seems to blend earth and sky, and it is from sky that 

 evening views receive their greatest beauty. The imagination 

 dwells with delight upon the exquisite variety of soft and pleasing 

 colours, which embellishes the clouds and the distant country, in 

 this peaceful hour of enjoyment and contemplation." 



* He was enthusiastically devoted to the cultivation of his gar- 

 dens, which exhibited enchanting scenery, umbrageous walks, and 

 magnificent water-falls. When thus breathing the pure air of rural 

 life, the blood-stained monsters of 1793 seized him in his garden, 

 and led him to the scaffold. " He heard unmoved his own sentence, 

 but the condemnation of his daughter and grand-daughter, tore his 

 heart : the thought of seeing two weak and helpless creatures pe- 

 rish, shook his fortitude. Being taken back to the Conciergerie. 

 his courage returned, and he exhorted his children to prepare for 

 death. When the fatal bell rung, he recovered all his wonted cheer- 

 fulness ; having paid to nature the tribute of feeling, he desired to 

 give his children an example of magnanimity ; his looks exhibited 

 the sublime serenity of virtue, and taught them to view death un- 

 dismayed. When he ascended the cart, he conversed with his chil- 

 dren, unaffected by the clamours of the ferocious populace ; and 

 on arriving at the foot of the scaffold, took a last and solemn fare- 

 well of his children ; immediately after he was dismissed into eter- 

 nity/' 



Sir Walter Scott, after noticing " the wild and squalid features'' 



