"Thenearerthe14thofJulyapproached，"saysaneyewitness，[7]
"themoredidthedearthincrease。"Everybaker’sshopwassurroundedbyacrowd，towhichbreadwasdistributedwiththemostgrudgingeconomy。Thisbreadwasgenerallyblackish，earthy，andbitter，producinginflammationofthethroatandpaininthebowels。
Ihaveseenflourofdetestablequalityatthemilitaryschoolandatotherdepots。Ihaveseenportionsofityellowincolor，withanoffensivesmell；someformingblockssohardthattheyhadtobebrokenintofragmentsbyrepeatedblowsofahatchet。Formyownpart，weariedwiththedifficultyofprocuringthispoorbread，anddisgustedwiththatofferedtomeatthetablesd’h？te，Iavoidedthiskindoffoodaltogether。IntheeveningIwenttotheCaféduCaveau，where，fortunately，theywerekindenoughtoreserveformetwoofthoserollswhicharecalledflutes，andthisistheonlybreadIhaveeatenforaweekatatime。"
Butthisresourceisonlyfortherich。Asforthepeople，togetbreadfitfordogs，theymuststandinalineforhours。Andheretheyfightforit；"theysnatchfoodfromoneanother。"Thereisnomoreworktobehad；"thework—roomsaredeserted；"often，afterwaitingawholeday，theworkmanreturnshomeempty—handed。Whenhedoesbringbackafour—poundloafitcostshim3francs12sous；
thatis，12sousforthebread，and3francsforthelostday。Inthislonglineofunemployed，excitedmen，swayingtoandfrobeforetheshop—door，darkthoughtsarefermenting:"ifthebakersfindnoflourto—nighttobakewith，weshallhavenothingtoeatto—
morrow。"Anappallingidea；——inpresenceofwhichthewholepoweroftheGovernmentisnottoostrong；fortokeeporderinthemidstoffaminenothingavailsbutthesightofanarmedforce，palpableandthreatening。UnderLouisXIVandLouisXVtherehadbeenevengreaterhungerandmisery；buttheoutbreaks，whichwereroughlyandpromptlyputdown，wereonlypartialandpassingdisorders。Somerioterswereatoncehung，andothersweresenttothegalleys。Thepeasantortheworkman，convincedofhisimpotence，atoncereturnedtohisstallorhisplow。Whenawallistoohighonedoesnoteventhinkofscalingit。——Butnowthewalliscracking——allitscustodians，theclergy，thenobles，theThird—Estate，menofletters，thepoliticians，andeventheGovernmentitself，makingthebreachwider。Thewretched，forthefirsttime，discoveranissue:
theydashthroughit，atfirstindriblets，theninamass，andrebellionbecomesasuniversalasresignationwasinthepast。
II。
Expectationsthesecondcause。—Separationandlaxityoftheadministrativeforces。—Investigationsoflocalassemblies。—Thepeoplebecomeawareoftheircondition。—ConvocationoftheStates—General。—Hopeisborn。ThecoincidenceofearlyAssemblieswithearlydifficulties。
Itisjustthroughthisbreachthathopestealslikeabeamoflight，andgraduallyfindsitswaydowntothedepthsbelow。Forthelastfiftyyearsithasbeenrising，anditsrays，whichfirstilluminatedtheupperclassintheirsplendidapartmentsinthefirststory，andnextthemiddleclassintheirentresolandonthegroundfloor。Theyhavenowfortwoyearspenetratedtothecellarswherethepeopletoil，andeventothedeepsinksandobscurecornerswhereroguesandvagabondsandmalefactors，afoulandswarmingherd，crowdandhidethemselvesfromthepersecutionofthelaw。——TothefirsttwoprovincialassembliesinstitutedbyNeckerin1778and1779，LoméniedeBriennehasin1787justaddednineteenothers；undereachoftheseareassembliesofthearrondissement，undereachassemblyofthearrondissementareparishassemblies[8]。
Thusthewholemachineryofadministrationhasbeenchanged。Itisthenewassemblieswhichassessthetaxesandsuperintendtheircollection；whichdetermineuponanddirectallpublicworks；andwhichformthecourtoffinalappealinregardtomattersindispute。Theintendant，thesub—delegate，theelectedrepresentative[9]，thuslosethree—quartersoftheirauthority。
Conflictsarise，consequently，betweenrivalpowerswhosefrontiersarenotclearlydefined；commandshiftsabout，andobedienceisdiminished。Thesubjectnolongerfeelsonhisshouldersthecommandingweightoftheonehandwhich，withoutpossibilityofinterferenceorresistance，heldhimin，urgedhimforward，andmadehimmoveon。Meanwhile，ineachassemblyoftheparisharrondissement，andevenoftheprovince，plebeians，"husband—
men，"[10]andoftencommonfarmers，sitbythesideoflordsandprelates。Theylistentoandrememberthevastfigureofthetaxeswhicharepaidexclusively，oralmostexclusively，bythem——thetailleanditsaccessories，thepoll—taxandroaddues，andassuredlyontheirreturnhometheytalkallthisoverwiththeirneighbor。Thesefiguresareallprinted；thevillageattorneydiscussesthematterwithhisclients，theartisansandrustics，onSundayastheyleavethemass，orintheeveninginthelargepublicroomofthetavern。Theselittlegatherings，moreover，aresanctioned，encouragedbythepowersabove。Intheearliestdaysof1788theprovincialassembliesorderaboardofinquirytobeheldbythesyndicsandinhabitantsofeachparish。Knowledgeiswantedindetailoftheirgrievances。Whatpartoftherevenueischargeabletoeachimpost？Whatmustthecultivatorpayandhowmuchdoeshesuffer？Howmanyprivilegedpersonsthereareintheparish，whatistheamountoftheirfortune，aretheyresidents，andwhattheirexemptionsamountto？Inreplying，theattorneywhoholdsthepen，namesandpointsoutwithhisfingereachprivilegedindividual，criticizeshiswayofliving，andestimateshisfortune，calculatestheinjurydonetothevillagebyhisimmunities，inveighsagainstthetaxesandthetax—collectors。Onleavingtheseassembliesthevillagerbroodsoverwhathehasjustheard。Heseeshisgrievancesnolongersinglyasbefore，butinmass，andcoupledwiththeenormityofevilsunderwhichhisfellowssuffer。Besidesthis，theybegintodisentanglethecausesoftheirmisery:theKingisgood——whythendohiscollectorstakesomuchofourmoney？
Thisorthatcanonornoblemanisnotunkind——whythendotheymakeuspayintheirplace？——Imaginethatasuddengleamofreasonshouldallowabeastofburdentocomprehendthecontrastbetweenthespeciesofhorseandmankind。Imagine，ifyoucan，whatitsfirstideaswouldbeinrelationtothecoachmenanddriverswhobridleandwhipitandagaininrelationtothegood—naturedtravelersandsensitiveladieswhopityit，butwhototheweightofthevehicleaddtheirownandthatoftheirluggage。
Likewise，inthemindofthepeasant，athwarthisperplexedbrooding，anewidea，slowly，littlebylittle，isunfolded:——thatofanoppressedmultitudeofwhichhemakesone，avastherdscatteredfarbeyondthevisiblehorizon，everywhereillused，starved，andfleeced。Towardstheendof1788webegintodetectinthecorrespondenceoftheintendantsandmilitarycommandantsthedulluniversalmutteringofcomingwrath。Men’scharactersseemtochange；theybecomesuspiciousandrestive。——Andjustatthismoment，theGovernment，droppingthereins，callsuponthemtodirectthemselves。[11]。InthemonthofNovember1787，theKingdeclaredthathewouldconvoketheStates—General。Onthe5thofJuly1788，hecallsformemoranda（desmémoires）onthissubjectfromeverycompetentpersonandbody。Onthe8thofAugusthefixesthedateofthesession。Onthe5thofOctoberheconvokesthenotables，inordertoconsiderthesubjectwiththem。Onthe27thofDecemberhegrantsadoublerepresentationtotheThird—Estate，because"itscauseisalliedwithgeneroussentiments，anditwillalwaysobtainthesupportofpublicopinion。"Thesamedayheintroducesintotheelectoralassembliesoftheclergyamajorityofcurés[12]，"becausegoodandusefulpastorsaredailyandcloselyassociatedwiththeindigenceandreliefofthepeople，"fromwhichitfollows"thattheyaremuchmorefamiliarwiththeirsufferings"
andnecessities。Onthe24thJanuary1789，heprescribestheprocedureandmethodofthemeetings。Afterthe7thofFebruarywritsofsummonsaresentoutoneaftertheother。Eightdaysafter，eachparishassemblybeginstodrawupitsmemorialofgrievances，andbecomesexcitedoverthedetailedenumerationofallthemiserieswhichitsetsdowninwriting。——Alltheseappealsandalltheseactsaresomanystrokes，whichreverberate，inthepopularimagination。"ItisthedesireofHisMajesty，"saystheorderissued，"thateveryone，fromtheextremitiesofhiskingdom，andfromthemostobscureofitshamlets，shouldbecertainofhiswishesandprotestsreachinghim。"Thus，itisallquitetrue:therecanbenomistakeaboutit，thethingissure。Thepeopleareinvitedtospeakout，theyaresummoned，andtheyareconsulted。
Thereisadispositiontorelievethem；henceforththeirmiseryshallbeless；bettertimesarecoming。Thisisalltheyknowaboutit。Afewmonthafter，inJuly，[13]theonlyanswerapeasantgirlcanmaketoArthurYoungis，"somethingwastobedonebysomegreatfolksforsuchpoorones，butshedidnotknowwhonorhow。"Thethingistoocomplicated，beyondthereachofastupefiedandmechanicalbrain。—Oneideaaloneemerges，thehopeofimmediaterelief。Thepersuasionthatoneisentitledtoit，theresolutiontoaiditwitheverypossiblemeans。Consequently，ananxiouswaiting，areadyfervor，atensionofthewillsimplyduetothewaitingfortheopportunitytoletgoandtakeofflikeairresistiblearrowtowardstheunknownendwhichwillrevealitselfallofasudden。Hungeristomarkthissuddentargetoutforthem。
Themarketmustbesuppliedwithwheat；thefarmersandland—ownersmustbringit；wholesalebuyers，whethertheGovernmentorindividuals，mustnotbeallowedtosenditelsewhere。Thewheatmustbesoldatalowprice；thepricemustbecutdownandfixed，sothatthebakercansellbreadattwosousthepound。Grain，flour，wine，salt，andprovisionsmustpaynomoreduties。
Seignorialduesandclaims，ecclesiasticaltithes，androyalormunicipaltaxesmustnolongerexist。OnthestrengthofthisideadisturbancesbrokeoutonallsidesinMarch，April，andMay。
Contemporaries"donotknowwhattothinkofsuchascourge；[14]
theycannotcomprehendhowsuchavastnumberofcriminals，withoutvisibleleaders，agreeamongstthemselveseverywheretocommitthesameexcessesjustatthetimewhentheStates—Generalaregoingtobegintheirsittings。"Thereasonisthat，undertheancientrégime，theconflagrationwassmolderinginaclosedchamber；thegreatdoorissuddenlyopened，theairenters，andimmediatelytheflamebreaksout。
III。
Theprovincesduringthefirstsixmonthsof1789。—Effectsofthefamine。
Atfirstthereareonlyintermittent，isolatedfires，whichareextinguishedorgooutofthemselves；but，amomentafter，inthesameplace，orverynearit，thesparksagainappear。Theirnumber，liketheirrecurrence，showsthevastness，depth，andheatofthecombustiblematter，whichisabouttoexplode。Inthefourmonths，whichprecedethetakingoftheBastille，overthreehundredoutbreaksmaybecountedinFrance。Theytakeplacefrommonthtomonthandfromweektoweek，inPoitou，Brittany，Touraine，Orléanais，Normandy，Ile—de—France，Picardy，Champagne，Alsace，Burgundy，Nivernais，Auvergne，Languedoc，andProvence。Onthe28thofMaytheparliamentofRouenannouncesrobberiesofgrain，"violentandbloodytumults，inwhichmenonbothsideshavefallen，"throughouttheprovince，atCaen，Saint—L？，Mortain，Granville，Evreux，Bernay，Pont—Andemer，Elboeuf；Louviers，andinothersectionsbesides。Onthe20thofAprilBarondeBezenval，militarycommanderintheCentralProvinces，writes:"IoncemorelaybeforeM。NeckerapictureofthefrightfulconditionofTouraineandofOrléanais。EveryletterIreceivefromthesetwoprovincesisthenarrativeofthreeorfourriots，whichareputdownwithdifficultybythetroopsandconstabulary，"[15]——andthroughoutthewholeextentofthekingdomasimilarstateofthingsisseen。Thewomen，asisnatural，aregenerallyattheheadoftheseoutbreaks。Itistheywho，atMontlhéry，ripopenthesacksofgrainwiththeirscissors。Onlearningeachweek，onmarketdaythatthepriceofaloafofbreadadvancesthree，four，orsevensous，theybreakoutintoshrieksofrage:atthisrateforbread，withthesmallsalariesofthemen，andwhenworkfails，[16]howcanafamilybefed？Crowdsgatheraroundthesacksofflourandthedoorsofthebakers。Amidstoutcriesandreproachessomeoneinthecrowdmakesapush；theproprietorordealerishustledandknockeddown。Theshopisinvaded，thecommodityisinthehandsofthebuyersandofthefamished，eachonegrabbingforhimself，payornopay，andrunningawaywiththebooty。——Sometimesapartyismadeupbeforehand[17]AtBray—sur—Seine，onthe1stofMay，thevillagersforfourleaguesaround，armedwithstones，knives，andcudgels，tothenumberoffourthousand，compelthemetayersandfarmers，whohavebroughtgrainwiththem，tosellitat3livres，insteadof4livres10sousthebushel。Theythreatentodothesamethingonthefollowingmarket—day:butthefarmersdonotreturn，thestorehouseremainsempty。Nowsoldiersmustbeathand，ortheinhabitantsofBraywillbepillaged。AtBagnols，inLanguedoc，onthe1stand2ndofApril，thepeasants，armedwithcudgelsandassembledbytapofdrum，"traversethetown，threateningtoburnanddestroyeverythingifflourandmoneyarenotgiventothem。"Theygotoprivatehousesforgrain，divideitamongstthemselvesatareducedprice，"promisingtopaywhenthenextcropcomesround，"andforcetheConsulstoputbreadattwosousthepound，andtoincreasetheday’swagesfoursous。——
Indeedthisisnowtheregularthing；itisnotthepeoplewhoobeytheauthorities，buttheauthoritieswhoobeythepeople。Consuls，sheriffs，mayors，municipalofficers，town—clerks，becomeconfusedandhesitatinginthefaceofthishugeclamor；theyfeelthattheyarelikelytobetroddenunderfootorthrownoutofthewindows。
Others，withmorefirmness，beingawarethatariotouscrowdismad，andhavingscruplestospillblood；yieldforthetimebeing，hopingthatatthenextmarket—daytherewillbemoresoldiersandbetterprecautionstaken。AtAmiens，"afteraveryviolentoutbreak，"[18]
theydecidetotakethewheatbelongingtotheJacobinmonks，and，protectedbythetroops，tosellittothepeopleatathirdbelowitsvalue。AtNantes，wherethetownhallisattacked，theyareforcedtolowerthepriceofbreadonesouperpound。AtAngoulême，toavoidarecoursetoarms，theyrequesttheComted’Artoistorenouncehisduesonflourfortwomonths，reducethepriceofbread，andcompensatethebakers。AtCettetheyaresomaltreatedtheyleteverythingtakeitscourse；thepeoplesacktheirdwellingsandgettheupperhand；theyannouncebysoundoftrumpetthatalltheirdemandsaregranted。Onotheroccasions，themobdispenseswiththeirservicesandactsforitself。Iftherehappenstobenograinonthemarket—place，thepeoplegoafteritwherevertheycanfindit——toproprietorsandfarmerswhoareunabletobringitforfearofpillage；toconvents，whichbyroyaledictareobligedalwaystohaveoneyear’scropinstore；togranarieswheretheGovernmentkeepsitssupplies；andtoconvoyswhicharedispatchedbytheintendantstothereliefoffamishedtowns。Eachforhimself——somuchtheworseforhisneighbor。TheinhabitantsofFougèresbeatanddriveoutthosewhocomefromErnéetobuyintheirmarket；
asimilarviolenceisshownatVitrétothein—habitantsofMaine。[19]AtSainte—LéonardthepeoplestopthegrainstartedforLimoges；atBostthatintendedforAurillac；atSaint—DidierthatorderedforMoulins；andatTournusthatdispatchedtoMacon。Invainareescortsaddedtotheconvoys；troopsofmenandwomen，armedwithhatchetsandguns，putthemselvesinambushinthewoodsalongtheroad，andseizethehorsesbytheirbridles；thesaberhastobeusedtosecureanyadvance。Invainareargumentsandkindwordsoffered，"andinvaineveniswheatofferedformoney；theyrefuse，shoutingoutthattheconvoyshallnotgoon。"Theyhavetakenastubbornstand，theirresolutionbeingthatofabullplantedinthemiddleoftheroadandloweringhishorns。Sincethewheatisinthedistrict，itistheirs；whoevercarriesitofforwithholdsitisarobber。Thisfixedideacannotbedrivenoutoftheirminds。AtChant—nay，nearMans，[20]theypreventamillerfromcarryingthatwhichhehadjustboughttohismill。AtMontdragon，inLanguedoc，theystoneadealerintheactofsendinghislastwagonloadelsewhere。AtThiers，workmengoinforcetogatherwheatinthefields；aproprietorwithwhomsomeisfoundisnearlykilled；theydrinkwineinthecellars，andleavethetapsrunning。AtNevers，thebakersnothavingputbreadontheircountersforfourdays，themobforcethegranariesofprivatepersons，ofdealersandreligiouscommunities。"Thefrightenedcorn—dealerspartwiththeirgrainatanyprice；mostofitisstoleninthefaceoftheguards，"and，inthetumultofthesesearchesofhomes，anumberofhousesaresacked。——Inthesedayswoetoallwhoareconcernedintheacquisition，commerce，andmanipulationofgrain！Popularimaginationrequireslivingbeingstowhoitmayimputeitsmisfortunes，andonwhomitmaygratifyitsresentments。Toit，allsuchpersonsaremonopolists，and，atanyrate，publicenemies。NearAngerstheBenedictineestablishmentisinvaded，anditsfieldsandwoodsaredevastated。[21]AtAmiens"thepeoplearearrangingtopillageandperhapsburnthehousesoftwomerchants，whohavebuiltlabor—savingmills。"Restrainedbythesoldiers，theyconfinethemselvestobreakingwindows；butother"groupscometodestroyorplunderthehousesoftwoorthreepersonswhomtheysuspectofbeingmonopolists。"AtNantes，asieurGeslin，beingdeputizedbythepeopletoinspectahouse，andfindingnowheat，ashoutissetupthatheisareceiver，anaccomplice！Thecrowdrushathim，andheiswoundedandalmostcutinpieces。——ItisveryevidentthatthereisnomoresecurityinFrance；property，evenlife，isindanger。Theprimarypossession，food，isviolatedinhundredsofplaces，andiseverywheremenacedandprecarious。Thelocalofficialseverywherecallforaid，declaretheconstabularyincompetent，anddemandregulartroops。
Andmarkhowpublicauthority，everywhereinadequate，disorganized，andtottering，findsstirredupagainstitnotonlytheblindmadnessofhunger，but，inaddition，theevilinstinctswhichprofitbyeverydisorderandtheinveteratelustswhicheverypoliticalcommotionfreesfromrestraint。
IV。
Interventionofruffiansandvagabonds。
Wehaveseenhownumerousthesmugglers，dealersincontrabandsalt，poachers，vagabonds，beggars，andescapedconvicts[22]havebecome，andhowayearoffamineincreasesthenumber。Allaresomanyrecruitsforthemobs，andwhetherinadisturbanceorbymeansofadisturbanceeachoneofthemfillshispouch。AroundCaux，[23]evenuptotheenvironsofRouen，atRoncherolles，Quévrevilly，Préaux，Saint—Jacques，andintheentiresurroundingneighborhoodbandsofarmedbanditsforcetheirwayintothehouses，particularlytheparsonages，andlaytheirhandsonwhatevertheyplease。TothesouthofChartres"threeorfourhundredwoodcutters，fromtheforestsofBellème，chopawayeverythingthatopposesthem，andforcegraintobegivenuptothemattheirownprice。"Inthevicinityofétampes，fifteenbanditsenterthefarmhousesatnightandputthefarmertoransom，threateninghimwithaconflagration。
InCambrésistheypillagetheabbeysofVauchelles，ofVerger，andofGuillemans，thechateauoftheMarquisdeBesselard，theestateofM。Doisy，twofarms，thewagonsofwheatpassingalongtheroadtoSaint—Quentin，and，besidesthis，sevenfarmsinPicardy。"TheseatofthisrevoltisinsomevillagesborderingonPicardyandCambrésis，familiarwithsmugglingoperationsandtothelicenseofthatpursuit。"Thepeasantsallowthemselvestobeenticedawaybythebandits。Manslipsrapidlydowntheinclineofdishonesty；onewhoishalf—honest，andtakespartinariotinadvertentlyorinspiteofhimself；repeatstheact，alluredonbyimpunityorbygain。Infact，"itisnotdirenecessitywhichimpelsthem；"theymakeaspeculationofcupidity，anewsortofillicittrade。Anoldsoldier，saberinhand，aforest—keeper，and"abouteightpersonssufficientlylax，putthemselvesattheheadoffourorfivehundredmen，gooffeachdaytothreeorfourvillages。Heretheyforceeverybodywhohasanywheattogiveittothemat24livres，"andevenat18livres，thesack。Thoseamongtheband，whosaythattheyhavenomoney，carryawaytheirportionwithoutpayment。
Others，afterhavingpaidwhattheyplease，re—sellataprofit，whichamountstoeven45livresthesack。Thisisagoodbusiness，andoneinwhichgreedtakespovertyforitsaccomplice。Atthenextharvestthetemptationwillbesimilar:"theyhavethreatenedtocomeanddoourharvestingforus，andalsototakeourcattleandsellthemeatinthevillagesattherateoftwosousthepound。"——Ineveryimportantinsurrectiontherearesimilarevil—
doesandvagabonds，enemiestothelaw，savage，prowlingdesperadoes，who，likewolves，roamaboutwherevertheyscentaprey。Itistheywhoserveasthedirectorsandexecutionersofpublicorprivatemalice。NearUzèstwenty—fivemaskedmen，withgunsandclubs，enterthehouseofanotary，fireapistolathim，beathim，wreckthepremises，andburnhisregistersalongwiththetitle—deedsandpaperswhichbehasinkeepingfortheCountdeRouvres。Sevenofthemarearrested，butthepeopleareontheirside，andfallontheconstabularyandfreethem。[24]——Theyareknownbytheiracts，bytheirloveofdestructionforthesakeofdestruction，bytheirforeignaccent，bytheirsavagefacesandtheirrags。SomeofthemcomefromParistoRouen，and，forfourdays，thetownisattheirmercy。[25]Thestoresareforcedopen，trainwagonsaredischarged，wheatiswasted，andconventsandseminariesareputtoransom。Theyinvadethedwellingoftheattorney—general，whohasbegunproceedingsagainstthem，andwanttotearhimtopieces。Theybreakhismirrorsandhisfurniture，leavethepremisesladenwithbooty，andgointothetownanditsoutskirtstopillagethemanufactoriesandbreakuporburnallthemachinery。——Henceforththeseconstitutethenewleaders:forineverymobitistheboldestandleastscrupulouswhomarchaheadandsettheexampleindestruction。Theexampleiscontagious:thebeginningwasthecravingforbread，theendismurderandarson；
thesavagerywhichisunchainedaddingitsunlimitedviolencetothelimitedrevoltofnecessity。
V。
EffectonthePopulationoftheNewIdeas。
Badasitis，thissavagerymight，perhaps，havebeenovercome，inspiteofthedearthandofthebrigands；butwhatrendersitirresistibleisthebeliefofitsbeingauthorized，andthatbythosewhosedutyitistorepressit。Hereandtherewordsandactionsofabrutalfranknessbreakforth，andrevealbeyondthesomberpresentamorethreateningfuture——Afterthe9thofJanuary，1789，amongthemobwhichattackstheH？tel—de—Villeandbesiegesthebakers’shopsofNantes，"shoutsofVivelaLiberté！[26]。mingledwiththoseofViveleRoi！areheard。"Afewmonthslater，aroundPlo？rmel，thepeasantsrefusetopaytithes，allegingthatthememorialoftheirseneschal’scourtdemandstheirabolition。InAlsace，afterMarch，thereisthesamerefusal"inmanyplaces；"manyofthecommunitiesevenmaintainthattheywillpaynomoretaxesuntiltheirdeputiestotheStates—Generalshallhavefixedthepreciseamountofthepubliccontributions。InIsèreitisdecided，byproceedings，printedandpublished，that"personaldues"shallnolongerbepaid，whilethelandownerswhoareaffectedbythisdarenotprosecuteinthetribunals。AtLyons，thepeoplehavecometotheconclusion"thatallleviesoftaxesaretocease，"
and，onthe29thofJune，onhearingofthemeetingofthethreeorders，"astonishedbytheilluminationsandsignsofpublicrejoicing，"theybelievethatthegoodtimehascome。"Theythinkofforcingthedeliveryofmeattothematfoursousthepound，andwineatthesamerate。Thepublicansinsinuatetothemtheprospectiveabolitionofoctrois。[27]andthat，meanwhile，theKing，infavorofthere—assemblingofthethreeorders，hasgrantedthreedays’freedomfromalldutiesatParis，andthatLyonsoughttoenjoythesameprivilege。"Uponthisthecrowd，rushingofftothebarriers，tothegatesofSainte—ClaireandPerrache，andtotheGuillotièrebridge，burnordemolishthebureaux，destroytheregisters，sackthelodgingsoftheclerks，carryoffthemoneyandpillagethewineonhandinthedepot。Inthemeantimearumorhascirculatedallroundthroughthecountrythatthereisfreeentranceintothetownforallprovisions。Duringthefollowingdaysthepeasantrystreaminwithenormousfilesofwagonsloadedwithwineanddrawnbyseveraloxen，sothat，inspiteofthere—
establishedguard，itisnecessarytoletthementeralldaywithoutpayingthedues。Itisonlyonthe7thofJulythatthesecanagainbecollected。——Thesamethingoccursinthesouthernprovinces，wheretheprincipalimpostsareleviedonprovisions。Therealsothecollectionsaresuspendedinthenameofpublicauthority。AtAgde，[28]"thepeople，consideringtheso—calledwilloftheKingastoequalityofclasses，arefoolishenoughtothinkthattheyareeverythingandcandoeverything。"ThusdotheyinterpretintheirownwayandintheirowntermsthedoublerepresentationaccordedtotheThird—Estate。Theythreatenthetown，consequently，withgeneralpillageifthepricesofallprovisionsarenotreduced，andifthedutiesoftheprovinceonwine，fish，andmeatarenotsuppressed。Theyalsowishtonominateconsulswhohavesprungupoutoftheirbody。"Thebishop，thelordofthemanor，themayorandthenotables，againstwhomtheyforciblystirupthepeasantryinthecountry，areobligedtoproclaimbysoundoftrumpetthattheirdemandsshallbegranted。Threedaysafterwardstheyexactadiminutionofone—halfofthetaxongrinding，andgoinquestofthebishopwhoownsthemills。Theprelate，whoisill，sinksdowninthestreetandseatshimselfonastone；theycompelhimforthwithtosignanactofrenunciation，andhence"hismill，valuedat15，000livres，isreducedto7，500livres。"——AtLimoux，underthepretextofsearchingforgrain，theyenterthehousesofthecomptrollerandtaxcontractors，carryofftheirregisters，andthrowthemintothewateralongwiththefurnitureoftheirclerks。
——InProvenceitisworse；formostunjustly，andthroughinconceivableimprudence，thetaxesofthetownsareallleviedonflour。Itisthereforetothisimpostthatthedearnessofbreadisdirectlyattributed。Hencethefiscalagentbecomesamanifestenemy，andrevoltsonaccountofhungeraretransformedintoinsurrectionsagainsttheState。
VI。
ThefirstjacquerieinProvince。—Feeblenessorineffectivenessofrepressivemeasures。
Here，again，politicalnoveltiesarethesparkthatignitesthemassofgunpowder。Everywhere，theuprisingofthepeopletakesplaceontheverydayonwhichtheelectoralassemblymeets。Fromfortytofiftyriotsoccurintheprovincesinlessthanafortnight。
Popularimagination，likethatofachild，goesstraighttoitsmark。Thereformshavingbeenannounced，peoplethinkthemaccomplishedand，tomakesureofthem，stepsareatoncetakentocarrythemout。Nowthatwearetohaverelief，letusrelieveourselves。"Thisisnotanisolatedriotasusual，"writesthecommanderofthetroops；[29]"herethefactionisunitedandgovernedbyuniformprinciples；thesameerrorsarediffusedthroughallminds……TheprinciplesimpressedonthepeoplearethattheKingdesiresequality。Nomorebishopsorlords，nomoredistinctionsofrank，notithes，andnoseignorialprivileges。
Thus，thesemisguidedpeoplefancythattheyareexercisingtheirrights，andobeyingthewilloftheKing。"——Theeffectofsonorousphrasesisapparent。ThepeoplehavebeentoldthattheStates—Generalweretobringaboutthe"regenerationofthekingdom"
Theinferenceis"thatthedateoftheirassemblywastobeoneofanentireandabsolutechangeofconditionsandfortunes。"Hence，"theinsurrectionagainstthenoblesandtheclergyisasactiveasitiswidespread。""Inmanyplacesitwasdistinctlyannouncedthattherewasasortofwardeclaredagainstlandownersandproperty，"
and"inthetownsaswellasintheruraldistrictsthepeoplepersistindeclaringthattheywillpaynothing，neithertaxes，duties，nordebts。"——Naturally，thefirstassaultisagainstthepiquèt，orflour—tax。AtAix，Marseilles，Toulon，andinmorethanfortytownsandmarket—villages，thisissummarilyabolished；atAuptandatLucnothingremainsoftheweighing—housebutthefourwalls。AtMarseillesthehomeoftheslaughter—housecontractorandatBrignollesthatofthedirectoroftheleatherexcise，aresacked。Thedeterminationis"topurgethelandofexcise—men。"—
—Thisisonlyabeginning；breadandotherprovisionsmustbecomecheap，andthatwithoutdelay。AtArles，theCorporationofsailors，presidedoverbyM。deBarras，consul，hadjustelecteditsrepresentatives。Bywayofconclusiontothemeeting，theypassaresolutioninsistingthatM。deBarrasshouldreducethepriceofallcomestibles。Onhisrefusal，they"openthewindow，exclaiming，’Weholdhim，andwehaveonlytothrowhimintothestreetfortheresttopickhimup。’"Complianceisinevitable。Theresolutionisproclaimedbythetown—criers，andateacharticlewhichisreducedinpricethecrowdshout，"ViveleRoi，viveM。Barras！"——Onemustyieldtobruteforce。Buttheinconvenienceisgreatfor，throughthesuppressionoftheflour—tax，thetownshavenolongerarevenue。Ontheotherhand，astheyareobligedtoindemnifythebutchersandbakers，Toulon，forinstance，incursadebtof2，500
livresaday。
Inthisstateofdisorder，woetothosewhoareundersuspicionofhavingcontributed，directlyorindirectly，totheevils，whichthepeopleendure！AtToulonademandismadefortheheadofthemayor，whosignsthetax—list，andofthekeeperoftherecords。Theyaretroddenunderfoot，andtheirhousesareransacked。AtManosque，theBishopofSisteron，whoisvisitingtheseminary，isaccusedoffavoringamonopolist。Onhiswaytohiscarriage，onfoot，heishootedandmenaced。Heisfirstpeltedwithmud，andthenwithstones。Theconsulsinattendance，andthesub—delegate，whocometohisassistance，aremauledandrepulsed。Meanwhile，someofthemostfuriousbegin，beforehiseyes，"todigaditchtoburyhimin。"Protectedbyfiveorsixbravefellows，amidstavolleyofstones，andwoundedontheheadandonmanypartsofhisbody，hesucceedsinreachinghiscarriage。Heisfinallyonlysavedbecausethehorses，whicharelikewisestoned，runaway。Foreigners，Italians，bandits，aremingledwiththepeasantsandartisans，andexpressionsareheardandactsareseenwhichindicateajacquerie。[30]"Themostexcitedsaidtothebishop，’wearepoorandyouarerich，andwemeantohaveallyourproperty。’"[31]
Elsewhere，"theseditiousmobexactscontributionsfromallpeopleingoodcircumstances。AtBrignolles，thirteenhousesarepillagedfromtoptobottom，andthirtyotherspartlyhalf。——AtAupt，M。
deMontferrat，indefendinghimself，iskilledand"hackedtopieces。"——AtLaSeyne，themob，ledbyapeasant，assemblesbybeatofdrum。Somewomenfetchabier，andsetitdownbeforethehouseofaleadingbourgeois，tellinghimtopreparefordeath，andthat"theywillhavethehonorofburyinghim。"Heescapes；hishouseispillaged，aswellasthebureauoftheflour—tax。Thefollowingday，thechiefoftheband"obligestheprincipalinhabitantstogivehimasumofmoneytoindemnify，ashestatesit，thepeasantswhohaveabandonedtheirwork，"anddevotedthedaytoservingthepublic。——AtPeinier，thePrésidentdePeinier，anoctogenarian，is"besiegedinhischateaubyabandofahundredandfiftyartisansandpeasants，"whobringwiththemaconsulandanotary。Aidedbythesetwofunctionaries，theyforcethepresident"topassanactbywhichherenounceshisseignorialrightsofeverydescription"——AtSolliertheydestroythemillsbelongingtoM。
deForbin—Janson。Theysackthehouseofhisbusinessagent，pillagethechateau，anddemolishtheroof，chapel，altar，railings，andescutcheons。Theyenterthecellars，staveinthecasks，andcarryawayeverythingthatcanbecarried，"thetransportationtakingtwodays；"allofwhichcausedamagesofahundredthousandcrownstothemarquis。——AtRieztheysurroundtheepiscopalpalacewithfagots，threateningtoburnit，"andcompromisewiththebishoponapromiseoffiftythousandlivres，"andwanthimtoburnhisarchives。——Inshort，theseditionissocialforitsinglesoutforattackallthatprofitby，orstandattheheadof，theestablishedorderofthings。
Seeingthemactinthisway，onewouldsaythatthetheoryoftheContrat—Socialhadbeeninstilledintothem。Theytreatmagistratesasdomestics，promulgatelaws，andconductthemselveslikesovereigns。Theyexercisepublicpower，andestablish，summarily，arbitrarily，andbrutally，whatevertheythinktobeinconformitywithnaturalright。——AtPeiniertheyexactasecondelectoralassembly，and，forthemselves，therightofsuffrage。——AtSaint—
Maximintheythemselveselectnewconsulsandofficersofjustice。
——AtSollieztheyobligethejudge’slieutenanttogiveinhisresignation，andtheybreakhisstaffofoffice。——AtBarjols"theyuseconsulsandjudgesastheirtownservants，announcingthattheyaremastersandthattheywillthemselvesadministerjustice。"
——Infact，theydoadministerit，astheyunderstandit——thatistosay，throughmanyexactionsandrobberies！Onemanhaswheat；hemustshareitwithhimwhohasnone。Anotherhasmoney；hemustgiveittohimwhohasnotenoughtobuybreadwith。Onthisprinciple，atBarjols，theytaxtheUrsulinnuns1，800livres，carryofffiftyloadsofwheatfromtheChapter，eighteenfromonepoorartisan，andfortyfromanother，andconstraincanonsandbeneficiariestogiveacquittancestotheirfarmers。Then，fromhousetohouse，withclubinhand，theyobligesometohandovermoney，otherstoabandontheirclaimsontheirdebtors，"onetodesistfromcriminalproceedings，anothertonullifyadecreeobtained，athirdtoreimbursetheexpensesofalawsuitgainedyearsbefore，afathertogivehisconsenttothemarriageofhisson。"——Alltheirgrievancesarebroughttomind，andweallknowthetenacityofapeasant’smemory。Havingbecomethemaster，heredresseswrongs，andespeciallythoseofwhichhethinkshimselftheobject。Theremustbeageneralrestitution；andfirst，ofthefeudaldueswhichhavebeencollected。TheytakeofM。deMontmeyan’sbusinessagentallthemoneyhehasascompensationforthatreceivedbyhimduringfifteenyearsasanotary。AformerconsulofBrignolleshad，in1775，inflictedpenaltiestotheamountof1，500or1，800francs，whichhadbeengiventothepoor；thissumistakenfromhisstrongbox。Moreover，ifconsulsandlawofficersarewrongdoers，thetitledeeds，rent—rolls，andotherdocumentsbywhichtheydotheirbusinessarestillworse。Tothefirewithalloldwritings——notonlyofficeregisters，butalso，atHyères，allthepapersinthetownhallandthoseoftheprincipalnotary。——
Inthematterofpapersnonearegoodbutnewones——thosewhichconveysomedischarge，quittance，orobligationtotheadvantageofthepeople。AtBrignollestheownersofthegristmillsareconstrainedtoexecuteacontractofsalebywhichtheyconveytheirmillstothecommuneinconsiderationof5，000francsperannum，payableintenyearswithoutinterest——anarrangementwhichruinsthem。Onseeingthecontractsignedthepeasantsshoutandcheer，andsogreatistheirfaithinthispieceofstampedpaperthattheyatoncecauseamassofthanksgivingtobecelebratedintheCordeliers。Formidableomensthese！Whichmarktheinwardpurpose，thedeterminedwill，andthecomingdeedsofthisrisingpower。Ifitprevails，itsfirstworkwillbetodestroyallancientdocuments，alltitledeeds，rent—rolls，contracts，andclaimstowhichforcecompelsittosubmit。Byforcelikewiseitwilldrawupotherstoitsownadvantage，andthescribeswhodoitwillbeitsowndeputiesandadministratorswhomitholdsinitsrudegrasp。
Thosewhoareinhighplacesarenotalarmed；theyevenfindthatthereissomegoodintherevolt，inasmuchasitcompelsthetownstosuppressunjusttaxation。[32]ThenewMarseillesguard，formedofyoungmen，isallowedtomarchtoAubagne，"toinsistthatM。lelieutenantcriminelandM。l’avocatduRoireleasetheprisoners。"
ThedisobedienceofMarseilles，whichrefusestoreceivethemagistratessentunderletterspatenttotaketestimony，istolerated。Andbetterstill，inspiteoftheremonstrancesoftheparliamentofAix，ageneralamnestyisproclaimed；"nooneisexceptedbutafewoftheleaders，towhomisallowedthelibertyofleavingthekingdom。"ThemildnessoftheKingandofthemilitaryauthoritiesisadmirable。Itisadmittedthatthepeoplearechildren，thattheyerronlythroughignorance，thatfaithmustbehadintheirrepentance，and，assoonastheyreturntoorder，theymustbereceivedwithpaternaleffusions。——Thetruthis，thatthechildisablindColossus，exasperatedbysufferings。hencewhateverittakesholdofisshattered——notonlythelocalwheelsoftheprovinces，which，iftemporarilyderanged，mayberepaired，buteventheincentiveatthecenterwhichputstherestinmotion，andthedestructionofwhichwillthrowthewholemachineryintoconfusion。
Notes:
[1]Marmontel，"Mémoires，"II。221。——AlbertBabeau，"HistoiredelaRévolutionFran？aise，"I。91，187。（LetterbyHuezMayorofTroyes，July30，1788。）———ArchivesNationales，H。1274。（LetterbyM。deCaraman，April22，1789。）H。942（CahierdesdemandesdesEtatsdeLanguedoc）。—BuchezetRoux，"HistoireParlementaire，"
I。283。
[2]See"TheAncientRégime，"p。34。AlbertBabeau，I。91。（TheBishopofTroyesgives12，000francs，andthechapter6，000，forthereliefworkshops。）
[3]"TheAncientRegime，"350，387。——Floquet，"HistoireduParlementdeNormandie，"VII。505—518。（ReportsoftheParliamentofNormandy，May3，1788。LetterfromtheParliamenttotheKing，July15，1789。）
[4]ArthurYoung，"VoyagesinFrance，"June29th，July2ndand18th——"JournaldeParis，"January2，1789。LetterofthecuréofSainte—Marguerite。
[5]BuchezandRoux，IV。79—82。（LetterfromtheintermediarybureauofMontereau，July9，1789；fromthemaireofVilleneuve—le—
Roi，July10th；fromM。Baudry，July10th；fromM。Prioreau，July11th，etc。）——Montjoie，"HistoiredelaRévolutiondeFrance，"2ndpart，ch。XXI，p。5。
[6]RouxetBuchez，ibid。"Itisveryunfortunate，"writestheMarquisd’Autichamp，"tobeobligedtocutdownthestandingcropsreadytobegatheredin；butitisdangeroustoletthetroopsdieofhunger。"
[7]Montjoie，"HistoiredelaRévolutiondeFrance，"ch。XXXIX，V，37。——DeGoncourt，"LaSociétéFran？aisependantlaRévolution，"
p。5l3。——DepositionofMaillard（CriminalInquiryoftheChateletconcerningtheeventsofOctober5thand6th）。
[8]DeTocqueville，"L’AncienRégimeetlaRévolution，"272—290。DeLavergne，"LesAssembléesprovinciales，"109。Procès—verbauxdesassembléesprovinciales，passim。
[9]Amagistratewhogivesjudgmentinalowercourtincasesrelativetotaxation。ThesetermsareretainedbecausetherearenoequivalentsinEnglish。（Tr。）
[10]"Laboureurs，"——thisterm，atthisepoch，isappliedtothosewhotilltheirownland。（Tr。）
[11]Duvergier。"Collectiondesloisetdécrets，"I。1to23，andparticularlyp。15。
[12]Parishpriests。（SR。）
[13]ArthurYoung，July12th，1789（inChampagne）。
[14]Montjoie，1stpart，102。
[15]Floquet，"HistoireduParlementdeNormandie，"VII。508。——"
ArchivesNationales，"H。1453。
[16]ArthurYoung，June29th（atNangis）。
[17]"ArchivesNationales，"H。1453。LetteroftheDucdeMortemart，SeigneurofBray，May4th；ofM。deBallainvilliers，intendantofLanguedoc，April15th。
[18]"ArchivesNationales，"H。1453。Letteroftheintendant，M。
d’Agay，April30th；ofthemunicipalofficersofNantes，January9th；oftheintendant，M。Meuland’Ablois，June22nd；ofM。deBallainvilliers，April15th。
[19]"ArchivesNationales，"H。1453。LetteroftheCountdeLangeron，July4th；ofM。deMeuland’Ablois，June5th；"MinutesofthemeetingoflaMaréchausséedeBost，"April29th。LettersofM。
deChazerat，May29th；ofM。deBezenval，June2nd；oftheintendant，M。Amelot，April25th。
[20]’"ArchivesNationales，"H。1453。LetterofM。deBezenval，May27th；ofM。deBallainvilliers，April25th；ofM。deFoullonde，April19th。
[21]"ArchivesNationales，"H。1453。Letteroftheintendant，M。
d’Aine，March12th；ofM。d’Agay，April30th；ofM。Amelot，April25th；ofthemunicipalauthoritiesofNantes，January9th，etc。
[22]"TheAncientRégime，"pp。380—389。
[23]Floquet，VII。508，（ReportofFebruary27th）。—Hippeau，"LaGouvernementdeNormandie，"IV。377。（LetterofM。Perrot，June23rd。）——"ArchivesNationales，"H。1453。LetterofM。deSainte—Suzanne，April29th。Ibid。F7，3250。LetterofM。deRochambeau，May16thIbid。F7，3250。LetteroftheAbbéDuplaquet，DeputyoftheThirdEstateofSaint—Quentin，May17th。LetterofthreehusbandmenintheenvironsofSaint—Quentin，May14th。
[24]"ArchivesNationales，"H。1453。LetteroftheCountdePerigord，militarycommandantofLanguedoc，April22nd。
[25]Floquet，VII。511（fromthe11thtothe14thJuly）。
[26]"ArchivesNationales，"H。1453。LetterofthemunicipalauthoritiesofNantes，January9th；ofthesub—delegateofPlo？rmel，July4th；ibid。F7，2353。LetteroftheintermediarycommissionofAlsace，September8thibid。F7，3227。Letteroftheintendant，CazedelaBove，June16th；ibid。H。1453。LetterofTerray，intendantofLyons，July4th；oftheprévotdeséchevins，July5thand7th。
[27]（Ataxonallgoodsenteringatown。SR。）
[28]"ArchivesNationales，"H。1453。LetterofthemayorandcouncilsofAgde，April21st；ofM。dePerigord，April19th，May5th。
[29]"ArchivesNationales，"H。1453。LettersofM。deCaraman，March23rd，26th27th28th；oftheseneschalMissiessy，March24th；
ofthemayorofHyères，March25th，etc。；ibid。H。1274；ofM。deMontmayran，April2nd；ofM。deCaraman，March18th，April12th；oftheintendant，M。delaTour，April2nd；oftheprocureur—géneral，M。d’Antheman，April17th，andthereportofJune15th；ofthemunicipalauthoritiesofToulon，April11th；ofthesub—delegateofManosque，March14th；ofM。deSaint—Tropez，March21st。—Minutesofthemeeting，signedby119witnesses，oftheinsurrectionatAix，March5th，etc。
[30]Anuprisingofthepeasants。Thetermisusedtoindicateacountrymobincontradistinctiontoacityortownmob。—Tr。
[31]"ArchivesNationales，"H。1274。LetterofM。delaTour，April2nd（withadetailedmemorandumanddepositions）。
[32]"ArchivesNationales，"H。1274。LetterofM。deCaraman，April22nd:———"Onerealbenefitresultsfromthismisfortune……
Thewell—to—doclassisbroughttosustainthatwhichexceededthestrengthofthepoordailylaborers。Weseethenoblesandpeopleingoodcircumstancesalittlemoreattentivetothepoorpeasants:
theyarenowhabituatedtospeakingtothemwithmoregentleness。"
M。deCaramanwaswounded，aswellashisSon，atAix，andiftheSoldiery，whowerestoned，atlengthfiredonthecrowd，hedidnotgivetheorder。——Ibid，letterofM。d’Anthéman，April17th；ofM。
deBarentin，June11th。
CHAPTERII。PARISUPTOTHE14THOFJULY。
I。
Mobrecruitsinthevicinity。—Entryofvagabonds。—Thenumberofpaupers。
INDEEDitisinthecenterthattheconvulsiveshocksarestrongest。
Nothingislackingtoaggravatetheinsurrection——neithertheliveliestprovocationtostimulateit，northemostnumerousbandstocarryitout。TheenvironsofParisallfurnishrecruitsforit；
nowherearetheresomanymiserablewretches，somanyofthefamished，andsomanyrebelliousbeings。Robberiesofgraintakeplaceeverywhere——atOrleans，atCosne，atRambouillet，atJouy，atPont—Saint—Maxence，atBray—sur—Seine，atSens，atNangis。[1]
WheatflourissoscarceatMeudon，thateverypurchaserisorderedtobuyatthesametimeanequalquantityofbarley。AtViroflay，thirtywomen，witharear—guardofmen，stoponthemainroadvehicles，whichtheysupposetobeloadedwithgrain。AtMontlhérystonesandclubsdispersesevenbrigadesofthepolice。Animmensethrongofeightthousandpersons，womenandmen，providedwithbags，falluponthegrainexposedforsale。Theyforcethedeliverytothemofwheatworth40francsat24francs，pillagingthehalfofitandconveyingitoffwithoutpayment。"Theconstabularyisdisheartened，"writesthesub—delegate；"thedeterminationofthepeopleiswonderful；IamfrightenedatwhatIhaveseenandheard。"
——Afterthe13thofJuly，1788，thedayofthehail—storm，despairseizedthepeasantry；welldisposedastheproprietorsmayhavebeen，itwasimpossibletoassistthem。"Notaworkshopisopen；[2]thenoblemenandthebourgeois，obligedtograntdelaysinthepaymentoftheirincomes，cangivenowork。"Accordingly，"thefamishedpeopleareonthepointofriskinglifeforlife，"and，publiclyandboldly，theyseekfoodwhereveritcanbefound。AtConflans—Saint—Honorine，Eragny，Neuville，Chenevières，atCergy，Pontoise，Ile—Adam，Presle，andBeaumont，men，women，andchildren，theholeparish，rangethecountry，setsnares，anddestroytheburrows。"TherumoriscurrentthattheGovernment，informedofthedamagedonebythegametocultivators，allowsitsdestruction……andreallytheharesravagedaboutafifthofthecrop。Atfirstanarrestismadeofnineofthesepoachers；buttheyarereleased，"takingcircumstancesintoaccount。"Consequently，fortwomonths，thereisaslaughteronthepropertyofthePrincedeContiandoftheAmbassadorMercyd’Argenteau；indefaultofbreadtheyeatrabbits。——Alongwiththeabuseofpropertytheyareled，byanaturalimpulse，toattackpropertyitself。NearSaint—Denisthewoodsbelongingtotheabbeyaredevastated。"Thefarmersoftheneighborhoodcarryawayloadsofwood，drawnbyfourandfivehorses；"theinhabitantsofthevillagesofVille—Parisis，Tremblay，Vert—Galant，Villepinte，sellitpublicly，andthreatenthewood—
rangerswithabeating。Onthe15thofJunethedamageisalreadyestimatedat60，000livres。——Itmakeslittledifferencewhethertheproprietorhasbeenbenevolent，likeM。deTalaru，[3]whohadsupportedthepooronhisestateatIssytheprecedingwinter。Thepeasantsdestroythedikewhichconductswatertohiscommunalmill；
condemnedbytheparliamenttorestoreit，theydeclarethatnotonlywilltheynotobey。ShouldM。deTalarutrytorebuildittheywillreturnwiththreehundredarmedmen，andtearitawaythesecondtime。
ForthosewhoaremostcompromisedParisisthenearestrefuge。Forthepoorestandmostexasperated，thedoorofnomadiclifestandswideopen。Bandsriseuparoundthecapital，justasincountrieswherehumansocietyhasnotyetbeenformed，orhasceasedtoexist。
DuringthefirsttwoweeksofMay[4]nearVillejuifabandoffiveorsixhundredvagabondsstrivetoforceBicêtreandapproachSaint—
Cloud。Theyarrivefromthirty，forty，andsixtyleaguesoff，fromChampagne，fromLorraine，fromthewholecircuitofcountrydevastatedbythehailstorm。AllhoveraroundParisandarethereengulfedasinasewer，theunfortunatealongwithcriminals，sometofindwork，otherstobegandtoroveaboutundertheinjuriouspromptingofhungerandtherumorsofthepublicthoroughfares。
DuringthelastdaysofApril，[5]theclerksatthetollhousesnotetheentranceof"afrightfulnumberofpoorlycladmenofsinisteraspect。"DuringthefirstdaysofMayachangeintheappearanceofthecrowdisremarked。Theremingleinit"anumberofforeigners，fromallcountries，mostoftheminrags，armedwithbigsticks，andwhoseveryaspectannounceswhatistobefearedfromthem。"
Already，beforethisfinalinflux，thepublicsinkisfulltooverflowing。ThinkoftheextraordinaryandrapidincreaseofpopulationinParis，themultitudeofartisansbroughttherebyrecentdemolitionandconstructions。Thinkofallthecraftsmenwhomthestagnationofmanufactures，theaugmentationofoctrois，therigorofwinter，andthedearnessofbreadhavereducedtoextremedistress。Rememberthatin1786"twohundredthousandpersonsarecountedwhoseproperty，alltold，hasnottheintrinsicworthoffiftycrowns。"Rememberthat，fromtimeimmemorial，thesehavebeenatwarwiththecitywatchmen。Rememberthatin1789
therearetwentythousandpoachersinthecapitalandthat，toprovidethemwithwork，itisfoundnecessarytoestablishnationalworkshops。Remember"thattwelvethousandarekeptuselesslyoccupieddiggingonthehillofMontmartre，andpaidtwentysousperday。Rememberthatthewharvesandquaysarecoveredwiththem，thattheH？tel—de—Villeisinvestedbythem，andthat，aroundthepalace，theyseemtobeareproachtotheinactivityofdisarmedjustice。"Dailytheygrowbitterandexcitedaroundthedoorsofthebakeries，where，keptwaitingalongtime，theyarenotsureofobtainingbread。Youcanimaginethefuryandtheforcewithwhichtheywillstormanyobstacletowhichtheirattentionmaybedirected。
II。ThePress。
Excitementofthepressandofopinion。—Thepeoplemaketheirchoice。
Suchanobstaclehasbeenpointedouttothemduringthelasttwoyears，itistheMinistry，theCourt，theGovernment，inshorttheentireancientrégime。Whoeverprotestsagainstitinfavorofthepeopleissuretobefollowedasfar，andperhapsevenfarther，thanhechoosestolead。——ThemomenttheParliamentofalargecityrefusestoregisterfiscaledictsitfindsariotatitsservice。
Onthe7thofJune1788，atGrenoble，tilesraindownontheheadsofthesoldiery，andthemilitaryforceispowerless。AtRennes，toputdowntherebelliouscity，anarmyandafterthisapermanentcampoffourregimentsofinfantryandtwoofcavalry，underthecommandofaMarshalofFrance，isrequired。[6]—Thefollowingyear，whentheParliamentsnowsidewiththeprivilegedclass，thedisturbancesagainbegin，butthistimeagainsttheParliaments。InFebruary1789，atBesan？onandatAix，themagistratesarehootedat，chasedinthestreets，besiegedinthetownhall，andobligedtoconcealthemselvesortaketoflight。——Ifsuchisthedispositionintheprovincialcapitals，whatmustitbeinthecapitalofthekingdom？Forastart，inthemonthofAugust，1788，afterthedismissalofBrienneandLamoignon，themob，collectedonthePlaceDauphine，constitutesitselfjudge，burnsbothministersineffigy，dispersesthewatch，andresiststhetroops:nosedition，asbloodyasthis，hadbeenseenforacentury。Twodayslater，theriotburstsoutasecondtime；thepeopleareseizedwitharesolvetogoandburntheresidencesofthetwoministersandthatofDubois，thelieutenantofpolice。——Clearlyanewfermenthasbeeninfusedamongtheignorantandbrutalmasses，andthenewideasareproducingtheireffect。TheyhaveforalongtimeimperceptiblybeenfilteringdownwardsfromlayertolayerAfterhavinggainedoverthearistocracy，thewholeoftheletteredportionoftheThird—Estate，thelawyers，theschools，alltheyoung，theyhaveinsinuatedthemselvesdropbydropandbyathousandfissuresintotheclasswhichsupportsitselfbythelaborofitsownhands。
Noblemen，attheirtoilettes，havescoffedatChristianity，andaffirmedtherightsofmanbeforetheirvalets，hairdressers，purveyors，andallthosethatareinattendanceuponthem。Menofletters，lawyers，andattorneyshaverepeated，inthebitteresttone，thesamediatribesandthesametheoriesinthecoffee—housesandintherestaurants，onthepromenadesandinallpublicplaces。
Theyhavespokenoutbeforethelowerclassasifitwerenotpresent，and，fromallthiseloquencepouredoutwithoutprecaution，somebubblesbesprinklethebrainoftheartisan，thepublican，themessenger，theshopkeeper，andthesoldier。
Henceitisthatayearsufficestoconvertmutediscontentintopoliticalpassion。Fromthe5thofJuly1787，ontheinvitationoftheKing，whoconvokestheStates—Generalanddemandsadvicefromeverybody，bothspeechandthepressalterintone。[7]Insteadofgeneralconversationofaspeculativeturnthereispreaching，withaviewtopracticaleffect，sudden，radical，andcloseathand，preachingasshrillandthrillingastheblastofatrumpet。
Revolutionarypamphletsappearinquicksuccession:"Qu’est—cequeleTiers？"bySieyès；"MémoirepourlePeupleFran？ais，"byCerutti；
"ConsiderationssurlesIntérêtsdesTiers—Etat，"byRabtauSaint—
Etienne；"MaPétition，"byTarget；"LesDroitsdesEtats—généraux，"
byM。d’Entraigues，and，alittlelater，"LaFrancelibre，"parCamilleDesmoulins，andothersbyhundredsandthousands。[8]Allofwhicharerepeatedandamplifiedintheelectoralassemblies，wherenew—madecitizenscometodeclaimandincreasetheirownexcitement。[9]Theunanimous，universalanddailyshoutrollsalongfromechotoecho，intobarracksandintofaubourgs，intomarkets，workshops，andgarrets。InthemonthofFebruary，1789，Neckeravows"thatobedienceisnottobefoundanywhere，andthateventhetroopsarenottobereliedon。"InthemonthofMay，thefisherwomen，andnextthegreengrocers，ofthetownmarkethallscometorecommendtheinterestsofthepeopletothebodiesofelectors，andtosingrhymesinhonoroftheThird—Estate。InthemonthofJunepamphletsareinallhands；"evenlackeysareporingoverthematthegatesofhotels。"InthemonthofJuly，astheKingissigninganorder，apatrioticvaletbecomesalarmedandreadsitoverhisshoulder。——Thereisnoillusionhere；itisnotmerelythebourgeoisiewhichrangesitselfagainstthelegalauthoritiesandagainsttheestablishedregime。Itistheentirepeopleaswell。Thecraftsmen，theshopkeepersandthedomestics，workmenofeverykindanddegree，themobunderneaththepeople，thevagabonds，streetrovers，andbeggars，thewholemultitude，which，bounddownbyanxietyforitsdailybread，hadneverlifteditseyestolookatthegreatsocialorderofwhichitistheloweststratum，andthewholeweightofwhichitbears。
III。
TheRéveillonaffair。
Suddenlythepeoplestirs，andthesuperposedscaffoldingtotters。
Itisthemovementofabrutenatureexasperatedbywantandmaddenedbysuspicion。——Havepaidhands，whichareinvisiblegoadeditonfrombeneath？Contemporariesareconvincedofthis，anditisprobablythecase。[10]Buttheuproarmadearoundthesufferingbrutewouldalonesufficetomakeitshy，andexplainitsarousal。—Onthe21stofApriltheElectoralAssemblieshavebeguninParis；thereisoneineachquarter，onefortheclergy，oneforthenobles，andonefortheThird—Estate。Everyday，foralmostamonth，filesofelectorsareseenpassingalongthestreets。Thoseofthefirstdegreecontinuetomeetafterhavingnominatedthoseofthesecond:thenationmustneedswatchitsmandatoriesandmaintainitsimprescriptiblerights。Ifthisexerciseoftheirrightshasbeendelegatedtothem，theystillbelongtothenation，anditreservestoitselftheprivilegeofinterposingwhenitpleases。Apretensionofthiskindtravelsfast；immediatelyaftertheThird—EstateoftheAssembliesitreachestheThird—Estateofthestreets。Nothingismorenaturalthanthedesiretoleadone’sleaders:thefirsttimeanydissatisfactionoccurs，theylayhandsonthosewhohaltandmakethemmarchonasdirected。OnaSaturday，April25th，[11]arumoriscurrentthatRéveillon，anelectorandmanufacturerofwall—
paper，RueSaint—Antoine，andLerat，acommissioner，have"spokenbadly"attheElectoralAssemblyofSainte—Marguerite。Tospeakbadlymeanstospeakbadlyofthepeople。WhathasRéveillonsaid？
Nobodyknows，butpopularimaginationwithitsterriblepowersofinventionandprecision，readilyfabricatesorwelcomesamurderousphrase。Hesaidthat"aworking—manwithawifeandchildrencouldliveonfifteensousaday。"Suchamanisatraitor，andmustbedisposedofatonce；"allhisbelongingsmustbeputtofireandsword。"Therumor，itmustbenoted，isfalse。[12]Réveillonpayshispoorestworkmantwenty—fivesousaday，heprovidesworkforthreehundredandfifty，and，inspiteofadullseasonthepreviouswinter，hekeptallonatthesamerateofwages。Hehimselfwasonceaworkman，andobtainedamedalforhisinventions，andisbenevolentandrespectedbyallrespectablepersons。——Allthisavailsnothing；bandsofvagabondsandforeigners，whohavejustpassedthroughthebarriers，donotlooksocloselyintomatters，whiletheJourneymen，thecarters，thecobblers，themasons，thebraziers，andthestone—cutterswhomtheygotosolicitintheirlodgingsarejustasignorantastheyare。Whenirritationhasaccumulated，itbreaksouthaphazardly。
JustatthistimetheclergyofParisrenouncetheirprivilegesinwayofimposts，[13]andthepeople，takingfriendsforadversaries，addintheirinvectivesthenameoftheclergytothatofRéveillon。
Duringthewholeoftheday，andalsoduringtheleisureofSunday，thefermentationincreases；onMondaythe27th，anotherdayofidlenessanddrunkenness，thebandsbegintomove。CertainwitnessesencounteroneoftheseintheRueSaint—Sévérin，"armedwithclubs，"andsonumerousastobarthepassage。"Shopsanddoorsareclosedonallsides，andthepeoplecryout，’There’stherevolt！’"Theseditiouscrowdbelchoutcursesandinvectivesagainsttheclergy，"and，catchingsightofanabbé，shout’Priest！’"AnotherbandparadesaneffigyofRéveillondecoratedwiththeribbonoftheorderofSt。Michael，whichundergoestheparodyofasentenceandisburntonthePlacedeGrève，afterwhichtheythreatenhishouse。Drivenbackbytheguard，theyinvadethatofamanufacturerofsaltpeter，whoishisfriend，andburnandsmashhiseffectsandfurniture。[14]Itisonlytowardsmidnightthatthecrowdisdispersedandtheinsurrectionissupposedtohaveended。Onthefollowingdayitbeginsagainwithgreaterviolence；
for，besidestheordinarystimulantsofmisery[15]andthecravingforlicense，theyhaveanewstimulantintheideaofacausetodefend，theconvictionthattheyarefighting"fortheThird—
Estate。"Inacauselikethiseachoneshouldhelphimself；andallshouldhelpeachother。"Weshouldbelost，"oneofthemexclaimed，"ifwedidnotsustaineachother。"Stronginthisbelief，theysentdeputationsthreetimesintotheFaubourgSaint—Marceautoobtainrecruits，andontheirway，withupliftedclubstheyenrol，willinglyorunwillingly，alltheyencounter。Others，atthegateofSaint—Antoine，arrestpeoplewhoarereturningfromtheraces，demandingofthemiftheyareforthenoblesorfortheThird—
Estate，andforcewomentodescendfromtheirvehiclesandtocry"ViveleTiers—Etat"[16]。MeanwhilethecrowdhasincreasedbeforeRéveillon’sdwelling；thethirtymenonguardareunabletoresist；thehouseisinvadedandsackedfromtoptobottom；thefurniture，provisions，clothing，registers，wagons，eventhepoultryintheback—yard，alliscastintoblazingbonfireslightedinthreedifferentplaces；fivehundredlouisd’or，thereadymoney，andthesilverplatearestolen。Severalroamthroughthecellars，drinkliquororvarnishathaphazarduntiltheyfalldowndeaddrunkorexpireinconvulsions。Againstthishowlinghorde，acorpsofthewatch，mountedandonfoot，isseenapproaching；[17]alsoahundredcavalryofthe"RoyalCroats，"theFrenchGuards，andlaterontheSwissGuards。"Tilesandchimneysareraineddownonthesoldiers，"
whofirebackfourfilesatatime。Therioters，drunkwithbrandyandrage，defendthemselvesdesperatelyforseveralhours；morethantwohundredarekilled，andnearlythreehundredarewounded；theyareonlyputdownbycannon，whilethemobkeepsactiveuntilfarintothenight。—Towardseightintheevening，intherueVieille—du—Temple，theParisGuardcontinuetomakechargesinordertoprotectthedoorswhichthemiscreantstrytoforce。Twodoorsareforcedathalf—pasteleveno’clockintheRueSaintongeandintheRuedeBretagne，thatofapork—dealerandthatofabaker。
Eventothislastwaveoftheoutbreakwhichissubsidingwecandistinguishtheelementswhichhaveproducedtheinsurrection，andwhichareabouttoproducetheRevolution。——Starvationisoneofthese:intheRuedeBretagnethebandrobbingthebaker’sshopcarriesbreadofftothewomenstayingatthecorneroftheRueSaintonge。——Brigandageisanother:inthemiddleofthenightM。
duChatelet’sspies，glidingalongsideofaditch，"seeagroupofruffians"assembledbeyondtheBarrièreduTr？ne，theirleader，mountedonalittleknoll，urgingthemtobeginagain；andthefollowingdays，onthehighways，vagabondsaresayingtoeachother，"WecandonomoreatParis，becausetheyaretoosharponthelook—
out；letusgotoLyons！"Thereare，finally，thepatriots:ontheeveningoftheinsurrection，betweenthePont—au—ChangeandthePont—Marie，thehalf—nakedragamuffins，besmearedwithdirt，bearingalongtheirhand—barrows，arefullyalivetotheircause；theybegalmsinaloudtoneofvoice，andstretchouttheirhatstothepassers，saying，"TakepityonthispoorThird—Estate！"——Thestarving，theruffians，andthepatriots，allformonebody，andhenceforthmisery，crime，andpublicspiritunitetoprovideanever—readyinsurrectionfortheagitatorswhodesiretoraiseone。
IV。ThePalais—Royal。
Buttheagitatorsarealreadyinpermanentsession。ThePalais—
Royalisanopen—airclubwhere，alldayandevenfarintothenight，oneexcitestheotherandurgesonthecrowdtoblows。Inthisenclosure，protectedbytheprivilegesoftheHouseofOrleans，thepolicedarenotenter。Speechisfree，andthepublicwhoavailthemselvesofthisfreedomseempurposelychosentoabuseit。——
Thepublicandtheplaceareadaptedtoeachother。[18]ThePalais—
Royal，thecenterofprostitution，ofplay，ofidleness，andofpamphlets，attractsthewholeofthatuprootedpopulationwhichfloatsaboutinagreatcity，andwhich，withoutoccupationorhome，livesonlyforcuriosityorforpleasure——thefrequentersofthecoffee—houses，therunnersforgamblinghalls，adventurers，andsocialoutcasts，therunawaychildrenorforlornhopefulsofliterature，arts，andthebar，attorneys’clerks，studentsoftheinstitutionsofhigherlearning，thecurious，loungers，strangers，andtheoccupantsoffurnishedlodgings，theseamounting，itissaid，tofortythousandinParis。Theyfillthegardenandthegalleries；"onewouldhardlyfindhereoneofwhatwerecalledthe"SixBodies，"[19]abourgeoissettleddownandoccupiedwithhisownaffairs，amanwhombusinessandfamilycaresrenderseriousandinfluential。Thereisnoplacehereforindustriousandorderlybees；itistherendezvousofpoliticalandliterarydrones。TheyflockintoitfromeveryquarterofParis，andthetumultuous，buzzingswarmcoversthegroundlikeanoverturnedhive。"Tenthousandpeople，"writesArthurYoung，[20]"havebeenallthisdayinthePalais—Royal；"thepressissogreatthatanapplethrownfromabalconyonthemovingfloorofheadswouldnotreachtheground。Theconditionoftheseheadsmaybeimagined；theyareemptierofballastthananyinFrance，themostinflatedwithspeculativeideas，themostexcitableandthemostexcited。Inthispell—mellofimprovisedpoliticiansnooneknowswhoisspeaking；
nobodyisresponsibleforwhathesays。Eachisthereasinthetheater，unknownamongtheunknown，requiringsensationalimpressionsandstrongemotions，apreytothecontagionofthepassionsaroundhim，bornealonginthewhirlofsoundingphrases，ofready—madenews，growingrumors，andotherexaggerationsbywhichfanaticskeepoutdoingeachother。Thereareshouting，tears，applause，stampingandclapping，asattheperformanceofatragedy；
oneoranotherindividualbecomessoinflamedandhoarsethathediesonthespotwithfeverandexhaustion。InvainhasArthurYoungbeenaccustomedtothetumultofpoliticalliberty；heisdumb—foundedatwhathesees。[21]Accordingtohim，theexcitementis"incredible……WethinksometimesthatDebrett’sorStockdale’sshopsatLondonarecrowded；buttheyaremeredesertscomparedtoDesenne’sandsomeothershere，inwhichonecanscarcelysqueezefromthedoortothecounter……Everyhourproducesitspamphlet；13cameoutto—day，16yesterday，and92lastweek。95%oftheseproductionsareinfavorofliberty；"andbylibertyismeanttheextinctionofprivileges，numericalsovereignty，theapplicationoftheContrat—Social，"TheRepublic"，andevenmorebesides，auniversalleveling，permanentanarchy，andeventhejacquerie。CamilleDesmoulins，oneoftheorators，commonlythere，announcesitandurgesitinpreciseterms:
"Nowthattheanimalisinthetrap，lethimbebatteredtodeath……Neverwillthevictorshavearicherprey。Fortythousandpalaces，mansions，andchateaux，two—fifthofthepropertyofFrance，willbetherecompenseofvalor。Thosewhopretendtobetheconquerorswillbeconqueredinturn。Thenationshallbepurged。"
Here，inadvance，istheprogramoftheReignofTerror。
Nowallthisisnotonlyread，butdeclaimed，amplified，andturnedtopracticalaccount。Infrontofthecoffee—houses"thosewhohavestentorianlungsrelieveeachothereveryevening。"[22]"Theygetuponachairoratable，theyreadthestrongestarticlesoncurrentaffairs，……theeagernesswithwhichtheyareheard，andthethunderofapplausetheyreceiveforeverysentimentofmorethancommonhardinessorviolenceagainstthepresentGovernment，cannoteasilybeimagined。""Threedaysagoachildoffouryears，welltaughtandintelligent，waspromenadedaroundthegarden，inbroaddaylight，atleasttwentytimes，borneontheshouldersofastreetporter，cryingout，’VerdictoftheFrenchpeople:PolignacexiledonehundredleaguesfromParis；Condéthesame；Contithesame；Artoisthesame；theQueen，——Idarenotwriteit。’"AhallmadeofboardsinthemiddleofthePalais—Royalisalwaysfull，especiallyofyoungmen，whocarryontheirdeliberationsinparliamentaryfashion:intheeveningthepresidentinvitesthespectatorstocomeforwardandsignmotionspassedduringtheday，andofwhichtheoriginalsareplacedintheCaféFoy。[23]Theycountontheirfingerstheenemiesofthecountry；"andfirsttwoRoyalHighnesses（MonsieurandtheCountd’Artois），threeMostSereneHighnesses（thePrincedeCondé，DucdeBourbon，andthePrincedeConti），onefavorite（MadamedePolignac），MM。deVandreuil，delaTrémoille，duChatelet，deVilledeuil，deBarentin，delaGalaisière，VidauddelaTour，Berthier，Foulon，andalsoM。
Linguet。"PlacardsareposteddemandingthepilloryonthePont—NeuffortheAbbeéMaury。Onespeakerproposes"toburnthehouseofM。
d’Espréménil，hiswife，childrenandfurniture，andhimself:thisispassedunanimously。"——Nooppositionistolerated。Oneofthosepresenthavingmanifestedsomehorroratsuchsanguinarymotions，"isseizedbythecollar，obligedtokneeldown，tomakeanapology，andtokisstheground。Thepunishmentinflictedonchildrenisgiventohim；heisduckedrepeatedlyinoneofthefountain—basins，afterwhichtheyhimovertothemob，whorollhiminthemud。"Onthefollowingdayanecclesiasticistroddenunderfoot，andflungfromhandtohand。Afewdaysafter，onthe22ndofJune，therearetwosimilarevents。Thesovereignmobexercisesallthefunctionsofsovereignauthority，withthoseofthelegislatorthoseofthejudge，andthoseofthejudgewiththoseoftheexecutioner。——Itsidolsaresacred；ifanyonefailstoshowthemrespectheisguiltyoflése—majesté，andatoncepunished。InthefirstweekofJuly，anabbéwhospeaksillofNeckerisflogged；awomanwhoinsultsthebustofNeckerisstrippedbythefishwomen，andbeatenuntilsheiscoveredwithblood。Warisdeclaredagainstsuspiciousuniforms。