65S 
tion, even for a single moment; and 
whether it be from envy or from justice, 
certain it is, that all men seem to hare 
agreed to praise his talents, and condemn 
his morals. ; 
The editor tells us, that this volume 
will complete the works of his‘illustrious 
counttyman. It contains the particu- 
lars of one of the most memorable, and 
indeed the most tumultuous, periods of 
tis life; and ha- been snatched ** fromthe 
dust of the law-offices, the maps to be 
found in the syndical chambers, and the 
parliamentary decrees. . Here are toa be 
tound,” it 1s added, “ many portions of 
eloquence worthy of the days of anfi- 
quity; and Mirabeau, always great, will 
re-appear exactly the same as when he 
shone in the constituent assembly, to the 
astopishment of all Europe. Yes, such 
as he seemed at that most brilliant pe- 
riod, he will be here found in his famous 
Pleadings which L now restore ; 1n his dis- 
cussions equally Juminous and profound ; 
equally close and explanatory in that 
masculine logic, that inflexible courage, 
which could never be subdued; that 
comprehensive and sound reason, which 
never for a moment forsook him.” 
The extracts have been chiefly taken 
from seven volumes of Memoirs and Qb- 
servations, which the author drew up 
with an incredible degree of rapidity, iu 
the course of a process that ensued, after 
a detention of forty-two menths. This 
work, therefore, occupies the biographical 
chasm between his liberation trom the 
dungeon of Vincennes, and the conclu- 
sion of the year 1784. 
The publication vow before us con 
tains: 
1. The first of the memortals written 
by Mirabeau, during his detention in the 
prison of Pontarher. This gives an ac- 
_count of his situation previously to his 
detention, aud also of his flight to Hol- 
jand, in compauy with madame de Mou- 
eres ! 
2. Several extracts froin the second 
memorial, 
3. The whole of the violent attack on 
the “ Substicut du Procureur du Roi,” 
which the connvisseurs, on its first apy 
veaiance, termed “ the Phillippic of tle 
count de Mirabeau.” Mirabeau, hi- 
self appears to have been vain of/this 
effort of genius; for he observes, * that 
if it does not exhibit a degree #f clo- 
le plus sonvent qu’une envie déguiséey 
puisqu’en general ils n’ont pas la meme hor 
Feur pour les vices @un homme sans mute 
de Esprit. 
Retrospect of French Literature—Jf iseellanies. 
quence hitherto unknown to our bare’ 
barous age, I amumacquained with what 
constitutes. this seductive and rare gift 
of Heaven.”* This may be very trues 
bat it is not very modest } 
4. Mirabeau’s correspondence sub- 
sequently to his leaving Pontarlier, and or 
the epoch of his return to Provence with 
the marquis de Mariguane, his father-in- 
law, and his wiie. 2 
5. His speech at Aix respeeting his 
wife, of which he himself gives the fol- 
lowing account: “ I myself pleaded my. 
own cause, and on this occasicn onxtted 
to Insist on my rightsas abusband. Ace 
cordingly, Tonly employed sapplications. 
I painted the picture of madame de 
Mirabeau in the most lively as well as 
most pleasing colours. I demanded of 
her a return of. her affections, in the 
name of that son whom we bad both 
lost, and whom I regarded as our com- 
mon mediator. | caused tears to flow on 
this occasion. It was then, as now said, 
‘had madame de Mirabeau but heard 
her husband, she would have rushed into 
his arms;’ so great was the effect of my 
oration, and so much commended my 
acknowledged moderation.” 
6. A vasiety of remarkable fragments, , 
extracted from the second, third, and 
fourth, volumes of Observations, at the 
end of the Pleadings. 2 é 
7. Several’ extracts from Mirabeau’s 
Memoir to the great Council; his opimon 
in 1784, respecting the indissolubility of 
marriage; and the essential’ distinction 
between a divorce and a separation. 
In a letter dated at Bignon, July 28, 
1781, this singular man expresses him 
self with the utmost confidence to a 
friend, respecting bis intended re-union 
with his wife, and perhaps hints, or rather 
broadly avows, che object he badin view. 
ast | beg leave Co Communicate CO YOu, » 
and to you alone, that it 1s very possible 
1 shal! vamediately set out forProvence to 
concidde that great and important affair 
whch Ihave hitherto managed so well, 
avd which will restore to me the possession 
4 sixty thousand lieres per annum of 
rent. Ayreat progress hav been already 
made; and women neyer-retract, or at 
least never retract but with fools. These 
‘charming and timid creatures do not al- 
ways advance so far as they themselves 
would wish; but, on the other handy, 
are afraid of ingratitude- 
“ Adieu, my good friend; for it will be ; 
* Leffiedu recueil, p. 200. | 
recollected 
they never retreat, except when ‘they — 
‘ 
7 
