But  the  end  of  this  system  drew  near.  The  sittings  of
Prairial  weie  the  term  of  union  for  the  members  of  the  com-
mittees. From  that  time,  silent  dissensions  existed  among
them.  They  had  advanced  together,  so  long  as  they  had  to
contend  together;  but  this  ceased  to  be  the  case  when  they
found  themselves  alone  in  the  arena,  with  habits  of  con-
test and  the  desire  for  dominion.  Moreover,  their  opinions
were  no  longer  entirely  the  same:  the  democratic  party  were
divided  by  the  fall  of  the  old  commune;  Billaud-Varennes,
Collot-d'Herbois,  and  the  principal  members  of  the  committee
of  general  safety,  Vadier,  Amar,  Vouland,  clung  to  this  over-
thrown faction,  and  preferred  the  worship  of  Reason  to  that  of
the  Supreme  Being.  They  were  also  jealous  of  the  fame,
and  anxious  at  the  power  of  Robespierre,  who,  in  his  turn,
was  irritated  at  their  secret  disapprobation  and  the  obstacles
they  opposed  to  his  will.  At  this  period,  the  latter  conceived
the  design  of  putting  down  the  most  enterprising  members  of
the  Mountain,  Tallien,  Bourdon.  T>«rendre,  Freron,  Rovere,
&c,  and  his  rivals  of  the  committee.
