domiciliary search; they have full powers to proceed against all
enemies of public welfare. Isn't that beautifully vague? And
they have absolute discretion; every one may become an enemy of
public welfare, either by spending too much money or by spending
too little, by laughing to-day or crying to-morrow, by mourning
for one dead relative or rejoicing over the execution of another.
He may be a bad example to the public by the cleanliness of his
person or by the filth upon his clothes, he may offend by walking
to-day and by riding in a carriage next week; the agents of the
Committee of General Security shall alone decide what constitutes
enmity against public welfare. All prisons are to be opened at
their bidding to receive those whom they choose to denounce; they
have henceforth the right to examine prisoners privately and
without witnesses, and to send them to trial without further
warrants; their duty is clear--they must 'beat up game for the
guillotine.' Thus is the decree worded; they must furnish the
Public Prosecutor with work to do, the tribunals with victims to
condemn, the Place de la Revolution with death-scenes to amuse the
people, and for their work they will be rewarded thirty-five
livres for every head that falls under the guillotine Ah! if
Heron and his like and his myrmidons work hard and well they can
make a comfortable income of four or five thousand livres a week.
We are getting on, friend St. Just--we are getting on."

He had not raised his voice while he spoke, nor in the recounting
of such inhuman monstrosity, such vile and bloodthirsty conspiracy
against the liberty, the dignity, the very life of an entire
nation, did he appear to feel the slightest indignation; rather
did a tone of amusement and even of triumph strike through his
speech; and now he laughed good-humouredly like an indulgent