These three elements of success gave Petion an immense majority; he was nominated mayor of Paris by more than 6000 votes. La Fayette had but 3000. He might at this moment, from the depth of his retreat, have fairly measured by these figures the decline of his popularity. La Fayette represented the city, Petion the nation. The armed _bourgeoisie_ quitted public affairs with the one, and the people assumed them with the other. The Revolution marked with a proper name the fresh step she had made. Petion, scarcely elected, went in triumph to the Jacobins, and was thus carried in the arms of patriots into the tribune. Old Dusault, who occupied it at the moment, stammered out a few words, interrupted by his sobs, in honour of his pupil. "I look on M. Petion," said he, "as my son; it is very bold no doubt." Petion overcome, embraced the old man with ardour; the tribunes applauded and wept. The other nominations were made in the same spirit. Manuel[11] was named _procureur de la commune_;--Danton, his deputy, which was his first step in popularity; he did not owe it, like Petion, to the public esteem, but to his own intriguing. He was appointed in spite of his reputation. The people are apt to excuse the vices they find useful. The nomination of Petion to the office of _maire_ of Paris gave the Girondists a constant _point d'appui_ in the capital. Paris, as well as the Assembly, escaped from the king's hands. The work of the Constituent Assembly crumbled away in three months. The wheels gave way before they were set in motion. All presaged an approaching collision between the executive power and the power of the Assembly. Whence arose this sudden decomposition? It is now the moment for throwing a glance over this labour of the Constituent Assembly and its framers. BOOK VII. I. The Constituent Assembly had abdicated in a storm.