proposing the decree for the worship of the Supreme Being (see the text in Stephen, Orators of the French Revolution, ii.

391-92).] The theory of equality seemed no longer merely speculative; for the American constitution was founded on democratic equality, whereas the English constitution, which before had seemed the nearest approximation to the ideal of freedom, was founded on inequality.

The philosophical polemic of the masters was waged with weapons of violence by the disciples.

Chaumette and Hebert, the followers of d'Holbach, were destroyed by the disciples of Rousseau.

In the name of the creed of the Vicaire Savoyard the Jacobin Club shattered the bust of Helvetius.