Mirabeau caused a notice, containing the following passages, to be put up on all the walls of the town:—
"My good friends, I am about to tell you what I think of the occurrences which have taken place in this superb city during the last few days. Listen to me: I shall not deceive you; my only wish is to be of use to you.
"Every one of you desires what is right, for you are all honest people; but every one does not know how he ought to act. A man is often deceived, even with respect to his own interests.
"You complain chiefly of two things: of the price of bread and the price of meat.
"Let us consider the subject of the bread first; other matters will come after.
"Bread is the most indispensable article of food, and there are two requisites regarding it: first, that there should be an adequate supply; and, secondly, that it should not be too dear.
"Well, my good friends, I have some cheering news to tell you. There is no deficiency of wheat at the present moment. There are 50,000 loads in the city, which will furnish bread for three months and twelve days. But, my good friends, that is not all; your administrators and the merchants still expect a large additional supply. …
"Be calm, therefore; be perfectly calm. Thank Providence for giving you what others are deprived of.