François Boissel, of the Club des Jacobins, proposes to change the registration of Arsenal
François Boissel, of the Club des Jacobins, proposes to change the registration of Arsenal
Rare and very interesting letter from Boissel concerning the modification of the inscription of the Arsenal which he proposes.
“The inscription at the entrance to the arsenal, conceived in these terms: Aetna hoec, Henrico, vulcania tela ministrat, Tela giganteos debellature furores
may be retained, with change cy after, Aetna hoec gallorum (or francorum) virtutilibus arma ministrat, arma tirannorum debellatura furores
Citizen Couthon, to whom I proposed this change, did not disapprove of it […]”.
Francois Boissel (Joyful, 1728/1807)
Philosopher and writer, precursor of Babeuf and communism (according to Jaurès), he published in April 1789 his Catechism of the human race which made him famous; during the Revolution, he became archivist then vice-president of the Club des Jacobins.