Madame la princesse royal is about thirteen years of age. She is very handsome, and possesses excellent accomplishments.
The dauphin is about seven years old: an active, beautiful child.
The royal family may be seen at the royal chapel on Sundays, and also upon every other day in the week, at the same place, when they are at Paris.
CHAP. XXI.
Some of the Nobility and Clergy opposed to the Revolution.—Monks and Nuns have Liberty to marry.—The Standing Army reduced.—Soldiers Wages augmented—And the Incomes of the lower Orders of the Clergy.—Why the Revolution is called Glorious.—The Protest of a Bishop.—Observations on the King's Oath.
It is said, that some of the nobility and clergy are much opposed to the Revolution, because the titles of honour are abolished, the annual incomes diminished, and all are obliged to pay taxes in proportion to their abilities.
I was informed, that the salaries of the bishops are reduced from twenty-five thousand pounds per annum, to one thousand; only that some of them could not live with twenty-five thousand, without running in debt, and that they are now in a disagreeable situation.
It was reported that the National Assembly have given leave to the monks and nuns to marry, a privilege that people of those orders have been debarred from through many ages and generations. I asked, what must be done on account of the solemn vows by which they had devoted themselves to Heaven, by engaging to shun the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, and the sinful lusts of the flesh? and was informed that they were all absolved and abolished.
The standing army is to be reduced from two hundred to one hundred and fifty thousand: but the soldiers' wages have been augmented: and although the incomes of the bishops are greatly reduced, yet those of the inferior orders of the clergy are to be increased; and the sale of judicial offices will no longer be permitted. The impost on salt is also abolished.