The Works of the Late John Maclaurin Volume 2 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1798 Excerpt: ...'.'. I have, likewise, read a book entituled, Le Pour et le Contre: it is a complete collection of all the opinions delivered on this important trial; and of all the papers produced; The speeches are all very good, and somoof them very eloquent. Petion, who Aa 2 was was against the King, laid great stress, as well as others, on the great expediency of putting him to death. The speech of Fauchet, who was for him, is extremely eloquent; he was not only a deputy, but a bishop. Several take notice of what ought to be the fate of the Dauphin; and give it as their opinion, that he should be educated as well as the young Egalite (the Duke of Orleans' son) at the national expence. Maivuel, in speaking on this subject, says, (vol. I. p. 353, ) ." Quel que soit son supplice, (alluding to the "King) il n'y astistera pas; cet enfant encore "n'a que fa naiflance a expier; et je. de"mande qu'a l'instant meme, la RepubM lique fe chargeant de son education, .lui "false oublier les vices et les malheurs de i' fa naiflance." I think it is clearly established, from this report of the trial, that the King was guilty of the crime charged; that is, that he betrayed the Constitution, though he pretended to accept of it j encouraged the attack of the Prussians; prevented the national force from being exerted, &c. But still, certainly, in such a case, the opinions for the mildest pu-t nishment nishment were the most just, not to say most prudent and political. It may, with apparent plausibility, be said, that the regicide, and consequent massacres of the French, afford a strong argument against their principles. No doubt, if such events had taken place in France when left to itself, the argument would have been strong; but if (as there is reason to th...