Robespierre

'In stern opposition to those admirers of the constitution stood two bodies of unequal numbers, strength and efficacy; …

The Jacobins, - the second of these parties, - were allies of the Brissotins, with the ulterior purpose of urging the revolutionary force to the uttermost, but using as yet the shelter of their republican mantle.  Robespierre, who, by an affection of a frugal and sequestered course of life, preserved among the multitude the title of the Incorruptible, might be considered as head of the Jacobins, if they had indeed a leader more than wolves have, which tuned their united voices to the cry of him who bays the loudest.'

Turning again today to Sir Walter Scott’s “Life of Napoleon Bonaparte”, we find the interesting introduction to Maximilien Robespierre above.  Robespierre’sexecution was covered in an earlier post.  May 6 is the date of his birth.  The year was 1758.

Bibliophiles

Sirs Robert Bruce Cotton and Walter Scott have at least one thing in common.  Both can be classified as bibliophiles.  Scott's library holds 9,000 volumes, according to the Abbotsford website (link on dashboard).  Cotton's library may have been smaller overall (1,000 volumes), but it was no less significant, as several leading intellects of the day (e.g. Francis Bacon, Ben Jonson, Walter Raleigh, James Ussher) utilized his book collection.  Cotton's collection included many legal documents, and was the most extensive source of these records in its day. Cotton is credited with proposing the first national library.  Sir Robert Bruce Cotton died on May 6, 1631.

Versailles

On May 6, 1682, King Louis XIV moved his court to Versailles.  Walter Scott visited Versailles in 1815.  Some of Scott's observations, and a bit of a Scottish song Scott remembered were recorded by John Scott, who traveled to Belgium and France with Walter, Alexander Pringle, and Robert Bruce.  John Scott's "Journal of a tour to Waterloo and Paris in company with Sir Walter Scott"  was published in 1842.  An excerpt:

"...The fineness of the day, and the beauty of our drive, however, restored our equanimity. We passed through Marli* and St. Germain, where we paused to look at the palace. I was aware that we should pass this ancient abode of the house of Stuart, and was of course anxious to hear what the supposed author of Waverley might say on the occasion. He did not entirely pass over the subject, and mentioned one or two well-known anecdotes respecting the family. The topic, however, was evidently one to which he was unwilling to refer, and I therefore forbore to press it so much as I confess I felt inclined to do.



We admired the extensive view from the terrace ; and could not help wondering at the preference given by Louis XIV. to the comparatively dull situation of Versailles—" the favourite without merit," as it was called by the wits of the court.



* Scott's additional words to the song,


" Bannocks of beer meal,
Bannocks of barley;
Here's to the lads
That eat bannocks of barley;"


may be recollected by his friends ; I know not if they were ever published.

" Who is't keeps guard
At Versailles and at Marli?
Who but the lads
That eat bannocks of barley?"...