"Ten years before the Revolution," says R?derer,[52] "the criminal
courts of France were no longer like before. . . . Their attitude
had changed. . . All the young magistrates, and this I can bear
witness to, for I was one myself, pronounced judgments more in
accordance with the principles of Beccaria,[53] than according to
law." -
As to the men in authority, military administrators and commandants,
it was impossible to be more patient, more mindful of human blood.
Their qualities turned also here into defects, for, through excess of
humanity, they were unable to maintain order, as is evident when
facing the insurrections that took place between 1789 and 1792. Even
with the force in their own hands, amidst gross insults and extreme
dangers, they dreaded to make use of it; they could not bring
themselves to repressing brutes, rascals and maniacs: following the
example of Louis XVI., they considered themselves as shepherds of the
people, and let themselves be trampled upon rather than fire upon
their flock. - In reality, they had noble, and even generous and big
hearts: in the bailiwick assemblies, in March, 1789, long before the
night of August 4, they voluntarily surrendered every pecuniary
privilege; under severe trials, their courage, heightened by polished
manners, adds even to their heroism, elegance, tact and gaiety.
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