Chapter X: The Struggle of Parties and the Ascendency of Robespierre 236-260

Ascendency of the party of the Commune.--A second party,
that of the Dantonists, arises.--Danton's attitude.--His
great services to the Revolution.--His weariness of faction
and intrigue.--The third party, represented by the Government
of the day.--Revolt against the Hébertists at the
Jacobin Club.-Headed by Robespierre and Desmoulins.--The
_Vieux Cordelier_.--Collot d'Herbois' return to Paris
in December, 1793, strengthens the Hébertists.--End of
the struggle.--Triumph of the Government and fall of the
two other parties in March, 1794.--Execution of Danton.--Conspicuous
position of Robespierre.--Grounds of his
popularity.--His intense belief in himself.--His genuine
sentiment.--His lack of initiative and disingenuous reserve.--His
incompetence as a practical politician.--His morbid
suspiciousness.--His strength.--His belief in the Terror
and attempts to regulate but not to check it.--The Worship
of the Supreme Being.--The Law of the 22nd Prairial.--Robespierre's
struggle with his colleagues.--Triumph of
the Convention on the 9th Thermidor over Robespierre and
the Commune.