The collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 02 (of 12)Hazlitt, William
General
The collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 02 (of 12)
Hazlitt, William
English essays -- 19th century
her life, she should live to see him cut off for his crimes. She was
removed, however, to Amiens, among persons who were soon to be
sacrificed, and her hair was shorn for that purpose. But at this period,
Robespierre himself fell; she escaped; and, by an odd coincidence of
circumstances, when Le Bon was on his trial, she happened to come to the
town where he was tried, went to the court to see the man who had done
her so much mischief, and entered it (he being on his defence) at the
moment he was describing the fury with which she had resisted what he
called the execution of the law. She instantly mounted on a seat; shewed
herself to the court; and called, in the most impressive manner, to be
heard. The judge was proceeding to commit her for disturbing the
proceedings, till she announced her name, and the court then listened to
her with the utmost attention. The impression she made was so great,
that Le Bon sunk dejected, and offered no further defence to that
charge. She supposes him to have been a man as extraordinary for his
abilities, as for his cruelty and rapaciousness. Mr Martinet, an
emigrant, came to tea. In one respect, his was a similar story. He had
taught French, with great reputation, in the university of Cambridge,
where he had never agitated or concerned himself with political
questions, yet an information being laid against him, he was ordered out
of the kingdom. In consequence of letters written by noblemen, divines,
and respectable men of all parties, this order was revoked; but he is
not permitted to teach in Cambridge, consequently he has lost an income,
which he had established by his abilities, of between one and two
hundred a year.
_28th._—Met Sir L—— C—— at Debrett’s, and spoke to him to recommend
N——’s academy. Was pleased with Pulteney’s speech against the Income
bill. Mr G. Dyer drank tea with us, and told me of poems well written by
Lord Holland. Imitations of Juvenal, one of them called Secession, in
praise of his uncle, Charles Fox. B—— asserted two people had perished
by the frost in the prison, nick-named the Bastille. Sir L—— C—— agreed
with me in disapproving Tierney’s motion against the Editor of the
Times.
_29th._—Letter from Harris refusing to accept bills for me. Wrote in
answer. Informed Courtney of B——’s story; he had heard it of one person
starved, but with aggravating circumstances that render it incredible.
_30th._—Met Tierney coming from the park, and Tobin, jun.
_31st._—Letter from Harris. Spoke to Lord Holland, requesting him to
promote Mr N——’s plan for an intended academy, which he promised to do.
1799.
JANUARY _1st._—Lord Wycombe at Debrett’s. Conversed with him yesterday
on the Orleans gallery; and with Courtney on the subject of solitary
confinement. Northcote present. Conversation chiefly on the
perfectibility of man, Shakspeare, and painting.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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