"plain, quiet people,"[33] but out of their element, subjected to
contagion without any antidote, quickly catch the revolutionary fever.
The same as at an American revival, under the constant pressure of
preaching and singing, of shouts and nervous spasms, the lukewarm and
even the indifferent have not long to wait before the delirium puts
them in harmony with the converted.



V.

They make their profession of Jacobin faith. -- Their part in the
Fête of August 10th. -- Their enthusiasm.

On the 7th of August things come to a head. -- Led by the department
and the municipality, a number of delegates march to the bar of the
Convention, and make a confession of Jacobin faith. "Soon," they
exclaim, "will search be made on the banks of the Seine for the foul
marsh intended to engulf us. Were the royalist and intriguers to die
of spite, we will live and die 'Montagnards.'"[34] Applause and
embraces. -- From thence they betake themselves to the Jacobin Club,
where one of them proposes an address prepared beforehand: the object
of this is to justify the 31st of May, and the 2nd of June, "to open
the eyes" of provincial France, to declare "war against the
federalists."[35] "Down with the infamous libelers who have
calumniated Paris! .... We cherish but one sentiment, our souls are
all melted into one ... We form here but one vast, terrible mountain,
about to vomit forth its fires on the royalists and supporters of
tyranny." Applause and cheers. -- Robespierre declares that they are
there to save the country.[36] On the following day, August 8th, this