Mirabeau an Opponent of Absolutism 35 



ing itself of the plurality of suffrages would triumph over am- 

 bition, intrigue and despotism."^ 



That time did come in his own day, but the triumph was not 

 won without bloodshed. The very first mouths of revolution 

 secured all and more than all that Mirabeau had demanded. 

 He saw civil liberty granted to all and law seated in the place 

 of arbitrary power. His dream had become a reality and the 

 cause for which he had fought so valiantly had no longer need 

 of his voice or pen. But then a new cause demanded his advo- 

 cacy. The throne was in danger and during the two years of 

 his public life Mirabeau displayed as great energy, zeal and 

 skill in the defense of the limited monarchy as he had pre- 

 viously exhibited in his struggle with absolutism. 



' "Si je me trompe en pensant que la raison et la v^rite generalement 

 repandues pouroient un jour, en s'assurant de la pluralite des suffragest 

 triompher de Tambition, de I'intrigue et du despotisme c'est du moins une 

 erreur honnete." Des lettres de cachet. VII. 



