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LifeA Marriage of Reason Enthusiasm for the RevolutionHer Modest SalonHer Tragical Fate
The salons of the Revolution were no longer simply the fountains of literary and artistic criticism； the centers of wit； intelligence； knowledge； philosophy； and good manners； but the rallying points of parties。 They took the tone of the time and assumed the character of political clubs。 The salon of 1790 was not the salon of 1770。 A new generation had arisen； with new ideals and a new spirit that made for itself other forms or greatly modified the old ones。 It was not led by philosophers and beaux esprits who evolved theories and turned them over as an intellectual diversion； but by men of action； ready to test these theories and force them to their logical conclusions。 Mirabeau； Vergniaud； and Robespierre had succeeded Voltaire； Diderot； and d'Alembert。 Impelled towards one end； by vanity； ambition； love of glory； or genuine conviction； these men and their colleagues turned the salon； which had so long been the school of public opinion； into an engine of revolution。 The exquisite flower of the eighteenth century had blossomed； matured； and fallen。 Perhaps it was followed by a plant of sturdier growth； but the rare quality of its beauty was not repeated。 The time was past when the gentle touch of women could temper the violence of clashing opinions； or subject the discussion of vital questions to the inflexible laws of taste。 No tactful hostess could hold in leading strings these fiery spirits。 The voices that had charmed the old generation were silent。 Of the women who had made the social life of the century so powerful and so famous； many were quietly asleep before the storm broke； many were languishing in prison cells； with no outlook but the scaffold； some were pining in the loneliness of exile； and a few were buried in a seclusion which was their only safeguard。
But nature has always in reserve fresh types that come to the surface in a great crisis。 The women who made themselves felt and heard above the din of revolution； though by no means deficient in the graces； were mainly distinguished for quite other qualities than those which shine in a drawing room or lead a coterie。 They were either women of rare genius and the courage of their convictions； or women trained in the stern school of a bitter experience； who found their true milieu in the midst of stirring events。 The names of Mme。 de Stael； Mme。 Roland； and Mme。 de Condorcet readily suggest themselves as the most conspicuous representatives of this stormy period。 With different gifts and in different measure； each played a prominent role in the brief drama to which they lent the inspiration of their genius and their sympathy； until they were forced to turn back with horror from that carnival of savage passions which they had unconsciously helped to let loose upon the world。
The salon of the young； beautiful； and gifted Mme。 de Condorcet had its roots in the old order of things。 During the ministry of Necker it was in come degree a rival of the Salon Helvetique； and included many of the same guests； later it became a rendezvous for the revolutionary party。 The Marquis de Condorcet was not only philosopher； savant； litterateur； a member of two academies； and among the profoundest thinkers of his time； but a man of the world； who inherited the tastes and habits of the old noblesse。 His wife； whom he had married late in life； was Sophie de Grouchy； sister of the Marechal； and was noted for remarkable talents； as well as for surpassing beauty。 Belonging by birth and associations to the aristocracy； and by her pronounced opinions to the radical side of the philosophic party； her salon was a center in which two worlds met。 In its palmy days people were only speculating upon the borders of an abyss which had not yet opened visibly before them。 The revolutionary spirit ran high； but had not passed the limits of reason and humanity。 Mme。 de Condorcet； who was deeply tinged with the new doctrines； presided with charming grace； and her youthful beauty lent an added fascination to the brilliancy of her intellect and the rather grave eloquence of her conversation。 In her drawing room were gathered men of letters and women of talent； nobles and scientists； philosophers and BEAUX espritS。 Turgot and Malesherbes represented its political side； Marmontel； the Abbe Morellet； and Suard lent it some of the wit and vivacity that shone in the old salons。 Literature； science； and the arts were discussed here； and there was more or less reading； music； or recitation。 But the tendency was towards serious conversation； and the tone was often controversial。
The character of Condorcet was a sincere and elevated one。 〃He loved much and he loved many people；〃 said Mlle。 de Lespinasse。 He aimed at enlightening and regenerating the world； not at overturning it； but； like many others； strong souls and true； he was led from practical truth in the pursuit of an ideal one。 His wife； who shared his political opinions； united with them a fiery and independent spirit that was not content with theories。 Her philosophic tastes led her to translate Adam Smith； and to write a fine analysis of the 〃Moral Sentiments。〃 But the sympathy of which she spoke so beautifully； and which gave so living a force to the philosophy it illuminated； if not directed by broad intelligence and impartial judgment； is often like the ignis fatuus that plays over the poisonous marsh and lures the unwary to destruction。 For a brief day the magical influence of Mme。 de Condorcet was felt more or less by all who came within her circle。 She inspired the equable temper of her husband with her own enthusiasm； and urged him on to extreme measures from which his gentler soul would have recoiled。 When at last he turned from those scenes of horror； choosing to be victim rather than oppressor； it was too late。 Perhaps she recalled the days of her power with a pang of regret when her friends had fallen one by one at the scaffold； and her husband； hunted and deserted by those he tried to serve； had died by his own hand； in a lonely cell； to escape a sadder fate； while she was left； after her timely release from prison； to struggle alone in poverty and obscurity； for some years painting water…color portraits for bread。 She was not yet thirty when the Revolution ended； and lived far into the present century； but though the illusions of her youth had been rudely shattered； she remained always devoted to her liberal principles and a broad humanity。
The woman； however； who most fitly represents the spirit of the Revolution； who was at once its inspiration； its heroine； and its victim； is Mme。 Roland。 It is not as the leader of a salon that she takes her place in the history of her time； but as one of the foremost and ablest leaders of a powerful political party。 Born in the ranks of the bourgeoisie； she had neither the prestige of a name nor the distinction of an aristocratic lineage。 Reared in seclusion； she was familiar with the great world by report only。 Though brilliant； even eloquent in conversation when her interest was roused； her early training had added to her natural distaste for the spirit； as well