other who had favored the revolution. The court found him, at least, candid
and sincere; and he often exposed himself to imminent danger in their
defence. As proof of the former, he was chosen Vice President of the
national assembly, in the absence of the aged President, July 1789; and
appointed to the command of the citizens of Paris, to quell the riots, and
to restore tranquility to the city, when an alarming tumult existed, in
consequence of the want of bread among the lower classes. As evidence of
the latter, the King often consulted him in cases of difficulties and
danger; and entrusted his person and family to his custody, when threatened
by a lawless mob, though he well knew the sentiments of Lafayette, on the
great question of royal authority.

When he was appointed to the command of the Parisian militia, (afterwards
denominated the national guard,) which had been promptly organized
according to a plan of his suggesting, it was a time of great confusion and
tumult. He accepted the appointment from the most patriotic motives.
Drawing his sword before an immense concourse of citizens then assembled,
"Lafayette made a vow to sacrifice his life, if necessary, to the
preservation of that precious liberty which had been entrusted to him." It
was then too, at the moment of his "brightest popularity," that he exhorted
those who pressed around him, "to love the friends of the people; but, at
the same time, to maintain an entire submission to the laws, and to cherish
a zeal for liberty."

He manifested the highest respect for the civil power, even when he
commanded the national guard and Parisian militia, though with this immense
military force, and with his unbounded popularity, he might have safely
followed his own wishes. The Parisians were eager to march to Versailles,
where the King and court resided, to demand an immediate supply of bread.
The mob proceeded thither in great numbers, and still greater tumult. He