But
without being discomposed, he explained the purpose of his visit. The
incident put Robespierre in good humor, and he told the child that his
teacher had not taught him anything. Immediately, as a proof of the
contrary, the youngster began to recite his lessons. Robespierre was so
delighted that, in the midst of general laughter, he lifted up the boy
and kissed him. The prisoner was restored to him, and the school
reopened.
However, of the four sons of the President of Mayence, the youngest
only, Achille, was destined to preserve the family line. Born in 1792, a
volunteer soldier at the age of fifteen, his military career was
interrupted by the fall of the Empire. He died in Paris, in the rue
Rossini, in 1866. Edmond About, who had known his son at Saverne, wrote
the following biographical notice:
A child of fifteen years enlisted as a Volunteer in 1806. Junot
found him intelligent, made him his secretary, and took him to
Spain. The young man won his epaulettes under Colonel Hugo in 1811.
He was made prisoner on the capitulation of Guadalajara in 1812,
but escaped with two of his comrades whom he saved at the peril of
his own life.
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