“If the people want bread, let them profit by the sight of their misery, to seize on the possessions of the wealthy. “Do you seek a word which furnishes all you need?—die, or cause others to die.” The great Terror began at Lyons. “The great day of vengeance has arrived,” cried one Cholier. “Five hundred men amongst us deserve to share the fate of the tyrant. I will give you the list—be it your part to strike!” He then seized a crucifix, dashed it upon the ground, and trampled upon it. Here is another theory which was applauded:— “Any man can be an executioner—it is the guillotine which really takes life.” This Cholier, who had trampled upon the crucifix, clung to it when condemned to the death he was always seeking for others. The knife was blunt, and five times it was raised before the head fell. “Quick—quick!” the wretch cried, when it was raised for the fifth time. Some time after, when the Terror was rising to its height, Cholier was looked upon as a martyr; his body was burnt, and the ashes placed in an urn, were carried triumphantly through the streets, and placed upon an altar of patriotism raised to him. The altar in question was soon thrown down. But only after the Terror ended. With Cholier’s after-death triumph, the “moderates” began to fall. Ten of the municipals of Lyons (the place of Cholier’s exploits) were beheaded in one day, and a mine was exploded which destroyed the finest parts of the city. Lyons was almost annihilated. At a cost of half a million of money (English), houses worth twelve millions were destroyed. Why? France was mad. So hurriedly was this destruction effected, that hundreds of the workmen themselves were buried in the ruins. Life, however, was cheap. Rags only were to be seen—a decent dress was equivalent to condemnation. The city was dead but for the thunder of fallen houses, the roar of cannon and the rattle of musketry mowing down suspected people, and the shrill cry of the ragged as they marked another head fall beneath the guillotine knife. It was now looked upon as a distinction, and reserved only for important people. An entire generation was destroyed in Lyons alone. Great houses were unowned—for their owners were dead. Castles, churches, factories, work-shops, were closed, for their heads had all passed under the guillotine. Starvation increased, for the land lay a-dying. The guillotine was getting old and worn-out at Lyons. One morning, sixty-four are marched out to death. They are bound, and ranged in a line before an open trench. Three pieces of cannon, loaded with bullets, sweep the ranks. Not half are touched. “Forward!” is the word given to the dragoons, who hack and shoot down the victims. This lasts two whole hours.