[Footnote 3160: Terms used by Fabre d'Eglantine and Garat.--Beugnot, a very good observer, had an accurate impression of Danton ("Mémoires", I, 249-252).--M. Dufort de Cheverney, (manuscript memoirs published by M. Robert de Crèveceur), after the execution of Babeuf, in 1797, had an opportunity to hear Samson, the executioner, talk with a war commissary, in an inn between Vendôme and Blois. Samson recounted the last moments of Danton and Fabre d'Églantine. Danton, on the way to the scaffold, asked if he might sing. "There is nothing to hinder," said Samson. "All right. Try to remember the verses I have just composed," and he sang the following to a tune in vogue: Nous sommes menés au trépas We are led to our death Par quantité de scélérats, by a gang of scoundrels c'est ce qui nous désole. that makes us sad. Mais bientot le moment viendra But soon the time shall come Où chacun d'eux y passera, when all of them shall follow c'est ce qui nous console." that's our consolation.] [Footnote 3161: Buchez et Roux, XXI., 108. Speech (printed) by Pétion: "Marat embraced Danton and Danton embraced him. I certify that this took place in my presence."] [Footnote 3162: Buchez et Roux, XXI., 126. ("To Maximilian Robespierre and his royalists," a pamphlet by Louvet.)--Beugnot, "Mémoires," I., 250, "On arriving in Paris as deputy from my department (to the Legislative Assembly) Danton sought me and wanted me to join his party. I dined with him three times, in the Cour du Commerce, and always went away frightened at his plans and energy.... He contented himself by remarking to his friend Courtois and my colleague: 'Thy big Beugnot is nothing but a devotee--you can do nothing with him.'"] [Footnote 3163: The Cordeliers district. (Buchez et Roux, IV., 27.) Assembly meeting of the Cordeliers district, November 11th, 1789, to sanction Danton's permanent presidency. He is always re-elected, and unanimously. This is the first sign of his ascendancy, although sometimes, to save the appearance of his dictatorship, he has his chief clerk Paré elected, whom he subsequently made minister.] [Footnote 3164: Buchez et Roux, IV., 295, 298, 401; V., 140.] [Footnote 3165: Ibid., VIII., 28 (October, 1790).] [Footnote 3166: Ibid., IX., 408: X., 144, 234, 297, 417.--Lafayette "Mémoires," I., 359, 366. Immediately after Mirabeau's death (April, 1791) Danton's plans are apparent, and his initiative is of the highest importance.]