This history, taking in such a variety of facts and opinions, has grown under my hand; especially as in writing I cannot avoid entering into some desultory disquisitions, and descriptions of manners and things which, though not strictly necessary to elucidate the events, are intimately connected with the main object; I have also been led into several theoretical investigations, whilst marking the political effects that naturally flow from the progress of knowledge. It is probable, therefore, that this work will be extended to two or three more volumes, a considerable part of which is already written.
PREFACE.
The revolution in France exhibits a scene, in the political world, not less novel and interesting than the contrast is striking between the narrow opinions of superstition, and the enlightened sentiments of masculine and improved philosophy.
To mark the prominent features of this revolution, requires a mind, not only unsophisticated by old prejudices, and the inveterate habits of degeneracy; but an amelioration of temper, produced by the exercise of the most enlarged principles of humanity.
The rapid changes, the violent, the base, and nefarious assassinations, which have clouded the vivid prospect that began to spread a ray of joy and gladness over the gloomy horizon of oppression, cannot fail to chill the sympathizing bosom, and palsy intellectual vigour. To sketch these vicissitudes is a task so arduous and melancholy, that, with a heart trembling to the touches of nature, it becomes necessary to guard against the erroneous inferences of sensibility; and reason beaming on the grand theatre of political changes, can prove the only sure guide to direct us to a favourable or just conclusion.
This important conclusion, involving the happiness and exaltation of the human character, demands serious and mature consideration; as it must ultimately sink the dignity of society into contempt, and its members into greater wretchedness; or elevate it to a degree of grandeur not hitherto anticipated, but by the most enlightened statesmen and philosophers.
Contemplating then these stupendous events with the cool eye of observation, the judgement, difficult to be preserved unwarped under the pressure of the calamitous horrours produced by desperate and enraged factions, will continually perceive that it is the uncontaminated mass of the french nation, whose minds begin to grasp the sentiments of freedom, that has secured the equilibrium of the state; often tottering on the brink of annihilation; in spite of the folly, selfishness, madness, treachery, and more fatal mock patriotism, the common result of depraved manners, the concomitant of that servility and voluptuousness which for so long a space of time has embruted the higher orders of this celebrated nation.
By thus attending to circumstances, we shall be able to discern clearly that the revolution was neither produced by the abilities or intrigues of a few individuals; nor was the effect of sudden and short-lived enthusiasm; but the natural consequence of intellectual improvement, gradually proceeding to perfection in the advancement of communities, from a state of barbarism to that of polished society, till now arrived at the point when sincerity of principles seems to be hastening the overthrow of the tremendous empire of superstition and hypocrisy, erected upon the ruins of gothic brutality and ignorance.
CONTENTS.
| BOOK I. | |
|---|---|
| CHAPTER I. | |
| Introduction. Progress of society. End of government. Rise of political discussion amongst the french. Revolution in America. Virtue attempted to be built on false principles. The croisades, and the age of chivalry. Administration of Richelieu, and of Cardinal Mazarin. Theatrical entertainments, and dramatic poets of the french—Moliere,—Corneille,—Racine. Louis XIV. The regency.—Louis XV. | page [1]. |
| CHAP. II. | |
| Marie-Antoinette. Louis XVI. Administration of Necker, and of Calonne. Notables convened. Calonne disgraced,—and obliged to flee the kingdom. His character. Causes of the enslaved state of Europe. | p. [33]. |
| CHAP. III. | |
| Administration of de Brienne. Dissolution of the notables. Land tax and stamp duty recommended by them, but refused to be sanctioned by the parliament. Bed of justice. The parliament banished to Troyes,—but soon compromised for its recall. Struggles of the court party to prevent the convocation of the states-general. Banishment of the duke of Orleans, and two spirited members of the parliament. Cour pléniere. Remarks on the parliaments. Imprisonment of the members. Deputies of the Province of Britanny sent to the Bastille. The soldiery let loose upon the people. | p. [48]. |
| CHAP. IV. | |
| Necker recalled. His character. Notables convened a second time. Coalition of the nobility and clergy in defence of their privileges. Provincial assemblies of the people. Political publications in favour of the tiers-etat. General reflections on reform,—on the present state of Europe,—and on the revolution in France. | p. [59]. |
| BOOK II. | |
| CHAP. I. | |
| Retrospective view of grievances in France—the nobles—the military—the clergy—the farmers general. Election of deputies to the states-general. Arts of the courtiers. Assembly of the states. Riots excited at Paris. Opening of the states-general. The king’s speech. Answer to it by the keeper of the seals. Speech of Mr. Necker. Contest respecting the mode of assembling. Tacit establishment of the liberty of the press. Attempt of the court to refrain it. The deputies declare themselves a national assembly. | p. [75]. |
| CHAP. II. | |
| The national assembly proceed to business. Opposition of the nobles, bishops, and court. A séance royale proclaimed, and the hall of the assembly surrounded by soldiers. The members adjourn to the tennis-court, and vow never to separate till a constitution should be completed. The majority of the clergy and two of the nobles join the commons. Séance royale. The king’s speech. Spirited behaviour of the assembly. Speech of Mirabeau. Persons of the deputies declared inviolable. Minority of the nobles join the commons. At the request of the king the minority of the clergy do the same,—and are at length followed by the majority of the nobles. Character of the queen of France,—of the king,—and of the nobles. Lectures on liberty at the palais royal. Paris surrounded by troops. Spirit of liberty infused into the soldiers. Eleven of the french guards imprisoned because they would not fire on the populace, and liberated by the people. Remonstrance of the national assembly. The king proposes to remove the assembly to Noyon, or Soissons. Necker dismissed. City militia proposed. The populace attacked in the garden of the Thuilleries by the prince of Lambesc. Nocturnal orgies at Versailles. | p. [109]. |
| CHAP. III. | |
| Preparations of the parisians for the defence of the city. The guards, and city watch join the citizens. The armed citizens appoint a commander in chief. Conduct of the national assembly during the disturbances at Paris. They publish a declaration of rights,—and offer their mediation with the citizens,—which is haughtily refused by the king. Proceedings at Paris on the 14th of July. Taking of the bastille. The mayor shot. Proceedings of the national assembly at Versailles. Appearance of the king in the assembly. His speech. | p. [165]. |
| CHAP. IV. | |
| Reflections on the conduct of the court and king. Injurious consequences of the complication of laws. General diffusion of knowledge. State of civilization amongst the ancients. It’s progress. The croisades, and the reformation. Early freedom of Britain. The british constitution. State of liberty in Europe. Russia. Decline of the Aristotelian philosophy, Descartes. Newton. Education improved. Germany. Frederick II. of Prussia. | p. [215]. |
| BOOK III. | |
| CHAP. I. | |
| A deputation of the national assembly arrives at Paris. Baillie chosen mayor, and La Fayette commander in chief of the national guards. Resignation of the ministry. Necker recalled. The king visits Paris. Character of the parisians. The revolution urged on prematurely. Emigrations of several of the nobility and others. Calonne advises the french princes to stir up foreign powers against France. Foulon killed. | p. [241]. |
| CHAP. II. | |
| The duke of Liancourt chosen president. The people arm for the defence of the country. The municipal officers appointed under the old government superseded by committees. Some people treacherously destroyed by springing a mine at a civic feast. The genevese resident taken up by the patrole. The french suspicious of the designs of Britain. Necker returns. General amnesty resolved by the debtors of Paris. Debate on a declaration of rights. Declaration of rights separate from the constitution determined on. Sacrifices made by the nobles, clergy, &c. | p. [263]. |
| CHAP. III. | |
| Reflections on the members of the national assembly. Secession of several pseudo-patriots. Society ripe for improvement throughout Europe. War natural to men in a savage state. Remarks on the origin and progress of society. The arts—property—inequality of conditions—war. Picture of manners in modern France. | p. [295]. |
| BOOK IV. | |
| CHAP. I. | |
| Opinions on the transactions of the fourth of August. Disorders occasioned by those transactions. Necker demands the assembly’s sanction to a loan. A loan decreed. Tithes abolished. Debate on the declaration of rights. The formation of a constitution. Debate on the executive power. The suspensive veto adopted. Pretended and real views of the combination of despots against France. Debate on the constitution of a senate. Means of peaceably effecting a reform should make a part of every constitution. | p. [313]. |
| CHAP. II. | |
| Observations on the veto. The women offer up their ornaments to the public. Debate whether the spanish branch of the Bourbons could reign in France. Conduct of the king respecting the decrees of the fourth of August. Vanity of the french. Debates on quartering a thousand regulars at Versailles. Individuals offer their jewels and plate to make up the deficiency of the loan. The king sends his rich service of plate to the mint. Necker’s proposal for every citizen to give up a fourth of his income. Speech of Mirabeau on it. His address to the nation. | p. [359]. |
| CHAP. III. | |
| Reflections on the new mode of raising supplies. No just system of taxation yet established. Paper money. Necessity of gradual reform. | p. [388]. |
| BOOK V. | |
| CHAP. I. | |
| Errour of the national assembly in neglecting to secure the freedom of France. It’s conduct compared with that of the american states. Necessity of forming a new constitution as soon as an old government is destroyed. The declaring of the king inviolable a wrong measure. Security of the french against a counter-revolution. The flight of the king meditated. | p. [399]. |
| CHAP. II. | |
| Entertainment at Versailles. The national cockade trampled under foot. A mob of women proceed to the hôtel-de-ville—and thence to Versailles. The king’s reply to the national assembly’s request, that he would sanction the declaration of rights and the first articles of the constitution. Debates on it. Arrival of the mob at Versailles. The king receives a deputation from the women, and sanctions the decree for the free circulation of grain. The assembly summoned. La Fayette arrives with the parisian militia. The palace attacked by the mob—who are dispersed by the national guards. Reflections on the conduct of the duke of Orleans. | p. [420]. |
| CHAP. III. | |
| The mob demand the king’s removal to Paris. This city described. The king repairs to the capital, escorted by a deputation of the national assembly and the parisian militia. The king’s title changed. Proceedings of the national assembly. Reflections on the declaration of rights. | p. [470]. |
| CHAP. IV. | |
| Progress of reform. The encyclopedia. Liberty of the press. Capitals. The french not properly qualified for the revolution. Savage compared with civilized man. Effects of extravagance—of commerce—and of manufactures. Excuse for the ferocity of the parisians. | p. [492]. |