[36] Rigault became connected with Rochefort in the year 1869, and
with him was engaged on the journal called the _Marseillaise_, and
produced articles which subjected him more than once to fine and
imprisonment. In the month of September, 1870, he was appointed by the
Government of the National Defence, Commissaire of Police, but having
taken part in the insurrection of the 31st of October, he was, on the
following day, dismissed from office. Shortly after this he made his
appearance as a writer in Blanqui’s paper the _Patrie en Danger_; but,
presently, he took a military turn, and got himself elected to the
command of a battalion of the National Guard. He seems to have been
born an informer or police spy, for we are told when at school, he
used to amuse himself by filling up lists of proscriptions, with the
names of his fellow-pupils. With such charming natural instincts, it
is not at all surprising that he was on the 18th of March, appointed
by the Commune Government, Prefect of Police.