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

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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

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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
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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

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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

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