man to death after a general rebellion of the Low Countries, that the
Regicides never spared man, woman, or child, whom they but suspected of
dislike to their usurpations? What, then, are all these lessons about
the _softening_ the character of sovereigns by this Regicide peace? On
reading this section, one would imagine that the poor tame sovereigns of
Europe had been a sort of furious wild beasts, that stood in need of
some uncommonly rough discipline to subdue the ferocity of their savage
nature.

As to the example to be learnt from the murder of Louis the Sixteenth,
if a lesson to kings is not derived from his fate, I do not know whence
it can come. The author, however, ought not to have left us in the dark
upon that subject, to break our shins over his hints and insinuations.
Is it, then, true, that this unfortunate monarch drew his punishment
upon himself by his want of moderation, and his oppressing the liberties
of which he had found his people in possession? Is not the direct
contrary the fact? And is not the example of this Revolution the very
reverse of anything which can lead to that _softening_ of character in
princes which the author supposes as a security to the people, and has
brought forward as a recommendation to fraternity with those who have
administered that happy emollient in the murder of their king and the
slavery and desolation of their country?

But the author does not confine the benefit of the Regicide lesson to
kings alone. He has a diffusive bounty. Nobles, and men of property,
will likewise be greatly reformed. They, too, will be led to a review of
their social situation and duties,--"and will reflect, that their large
allotment of worldly advantages is for the aid and benefit of the
whole." Is it, then, from the fate of Juigné, Archbishop of Paris, or of
the Cardinal de Rochefoucault, and of so many others, who gave their