[145] The Marquis of Ferrières acknowledges the insincerity of the court in the king's answer. "The Assembly saw," he writes, "through the snare that was spread for them. They would have lost all their hold if they had once removed themselves from the security which the vicinity of Paris afforded. Inclosed between the two camps (of Flanders and Paris) they would have found themselves at the mercy of the court."—See also Hist. Phil. de la Rev. de France, par Ant. Fantin Desodoards, vol. i., p. 150.
[146] Madame de Staël's Considerations, etc., ch. xii.
[147] Alison, vol. i., p. 73.
[148] Miguet, vol. i., p. 50. Thiers, vol. i., p. 62.
[149] The following journal kept by the king during these stormy days singularly illustrates the weakness of his character. We give it as found in the interesting work, Histoire des Montagnards, par Alphonse Esquiros.
"July 1st, 1789, Wednesday. Nothing; deputation from the States. Thursday 2d. Mounted horseback at the gate Du Main to hunt a stag at Port Royal; took one. Friday 3d. Nothing. Saturday 4th. Hunted a buck at Boutard; took one and shot twenty-nine game. Sunday 5th. Vespers and benediction. Monday 6th. Nothing. Tuesday 7th. Hunted a stag at Port Royal; took two. Wednesday 8th. Nothing. Thursday 9th. Nothing; deputation from the States. Friday 10th. Nothing; answer to the deputation from the States. Saturday 11th. Nothing; departure of M. Necker. Sunday 12th. Nothing; departure of M. Montmorin, St. Priest and Luzerne. Sunday 12th. Nothing; took medicine."
Such was the record of the predecessor of Napoleon upon the throne of France when the monarchy was tottering to its foundations.
[150] France and its Revolutions, by Geo. Long, Esq., vol. i., 23.
[151] "During this day of mourning and consternation the conspirators gave loose to a guilty joy. At Versailles, in that orangery where were lodged, or, to speak more properly, dispersed in ambuscade, the German troops of Nassau, princes, princesses, favorites, male and female, were entertaining themselves with the music of the martial instruments. They were loading the soldiers with caresses and presents; and the latter, amid their brutal orgies, were pleasing themselves with the thought of dispersing the National Assembly, and of subjugating the kingdom. Calamitous night! when the courtiers were dancing to that foreign music, and enjoying the idea of the massacre."—M. Rabaud de St. Etienne, vol. i., p. 66.