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‎VIEUX CORDELIER, LE. Journal rédigé par Camille Desmoulins. (Drop-head title).‎

‎(Paris), Chez Desenne, (1793-1794). 7 numbers bound in 1 volume. 1-64, (57)-72, 65-172 pp. (actualy therefore 188 pages). 8vo. 19th-century polished calf, spine with raised bands, discoloured Hatin 147; Martin & Walter, Journaux, 1402; Tourneux, ii, 10916. All published, original edition. The most eloquent journal of the Revolution. The pp. 165-172 contain the 'Copie de la lettre écrite par Camille Desmoulins à sa femme. Datée de la prison du Luxembourg' which letter ends with the moving words 'Je vais mourir!'C'est l'oeuvre le plus éloguente qu'ait produit la Révolution, et à coup sûr, avant et depuis, le journalisme n'a rien donné qui puisse lui être comparé' (Hatin).Under attack by the very radical Hébertists for poor attendance at the Convention and for socializing with the wealthy, Desmoulins published the journal as his defense. Perhaps the Terror also offended him because after blasting his assailants, he printed subtle but telling indictments of the Terror and called for clemency. It has also been suggested by many historians that Desmoulins acted to support Danton and his associates who were at the same time attacking the Hébertists and trying to limit the Terror. Thompson, in his two volume study on Robespierre even states that the aim of the journal was not to moderate the gouvernment, but to overthrow it. Whatever the truth may be, the Committee of Public Safety decided to eliminate its political opponents, which included Desmoulins, He was executed on 13 April 1794. ‎

Reference : 26932

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