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LONDON: GEORGE BELL AND SONS, YORK STREET,
COVENT GARDEN.
CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION..
Character of the French revolution-Its results, its progress-Successive
forms of the monarchy-Louis XIV. and Louis XV.-State of men s
minds, of the finances, of the public power and the public wants, at the
accession of Louis XVI.-His character-Maurepas, prime minister-
His policy-Chooses popular and reforming ministers-His object-
Turgot, Malesherbes, Necker-Their plans-Opposed by the court and
the privileged classes-Their failure-Death of Maurepas-Influence of
the Queen, Marie-Antoinette-Popular ministers are succeeded by court
ministers-Calonne and his system-Brienne, his character and at-
tempts-Distressed state of the finances-Opposition of the assembly of
the notables, of the parliament, and provinces-Dismissal of Brienne--
Second administration of Necker-Convocation of the states-general-
Immediate causes of the revolution
p. 1
CHAPTER I.
From the 5th of May, 1798, to the night of the 4th of August.
Opening of the states-general-Opinion of the court, of the ministry, and
of the various bodies of the kingdom respecting the states-Verification
of powers-Question of vote by order or by poll-The order of the
commons forms itself into a national assembly-The court causes the
Hall of the states to be closed-Oath of the Tennis-court-The majority
of the order of the clergy unites itself with the commons-Royal sittings
of the 23rd of June-Its inutility-Project of the court-Events of the
12th, 13th, and 14th of July-Dismissal of Necker-Insurrection of
Paris-Formation of the national guard-Siege and taking of the Bastille
-Consequences of the 14th of July-Decrees of the night of the 4th
of August-Character of the revolution which had just been brought
about
b
p. 21
CHAPTER II.
From the night of the 4th of August to the 5th and 6th of October, 1789.
State of the constituent assembly-Party of the high clergy and nobility-
Maury and Cazales-Party of the ministry and of the two chambers:
Mounier, Lally-Tollendal-Populat party: triumvirate of Barnave,
Duport, and Lameth-Its position-Influence of Siéyes-Mirabeau
chief of the assembly at that period-Opinion to be formed of the Or-
leans party-Constitutional labours-Declaration of rights-Perma-
nency and unity of the legislative body-Royal sanction-External agi-
tation caused by it-Project of the court-Banquet of the gardes-du-
corps-Insurrection of the 5th and 6th October-The king comes to
reside at Paris p. 55
CHAPTER III.
From the 6th of October, 1789, to the death of Mirabeau, April, 1791.
Results of the events of October-Alteration of the provinces into depart-
ments-Organization of the administrative and municipal authorities
according to the system of popular sovereignty and election-Finances;
all the means employed are insufficient-Property of the clergy declared
national-The sale of the property of the clergy leads to assignats-
Civil constitution of the clergy-Religious opposition of the bishops-
Anniversary of the 14th of July-Abolition of titles-Confederation of
the Champ de Mars-New organization of the army-Opposition of the
officers-Schism respecting the civil constitution of the clergy-Clubs-
Death of Mirabeau-During the whole of this period the separation of
parties becomes more decided
p. 73
CHAPTER IV.
From April, 1791, to the 30th September, the term of the Constituent
Assembly.
Political state of Europe before the French revolution-System of alliance
observed by different states-General coalition against the revolution—
Motives of each power-Conference of Mantua, and circular of Pavia-
Flight to Varennes-Arrest of the king-His suspension-The repub-
lican party separate, for the first time, from the party of the constitu-
tional monarchy-The latter re-establishes the king-Declaration of
Pilnitz-The king accepts the constitution-End of the constituent
assembly-Opinion of it
P. 98