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THE

CONTENTS.

**

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

CHAP. I.

Retrospective view of the affairs of France towards the close of the year 1789. State of Paris. Sudden and frequent revolutions in the government and constitution of that metropolis. Body of electors appointed for the present, to fupply the place of the former regal and municipal authorities. Laudable conduct of the electors, and great benefits derived from it, in preserving fome degree of order and peace in that city. Incidents which led to their being exposed to imminent danger, through the caprice and the fufpicious difpofition of the people. Seemingly apprehensive of this change of temper, they had the fortune previously to fecure a retreat, by inducing the people to elect 120 deputies, who were to be their temporary fuccessors. The divifion of Paris into fixty districts, for the better conducting of the late elections for deputies to the states, productive of many consequences favourable to the revolution, as well as to the establishment of form and order. In each of these districts general assemblies were held, whose resolutions carried the effect of laws, and the most sovereign acts of authority for the government of the district, were dispensed by its own administration. Thus, Paris was rather to be confidered as a confederacy, composed of fixty independent democratical republics, than as one commonwealth. A few demagogues affume the lead in all these districts, and being fupported by the lower orders, foon oblige people of character to absent themselves from these assemblies. Instances of the noise, disorder, and tumult, which prevailed at these meetings. "New republican clubs, who have their appendant focieties in every town of France, foòn become rulers of the mobs and demagogues of Paris,

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and at the same time dictators to the national affembly. Instances from a
writer of credit, that falfehoods and forgeries were the great and conftant
resources of the cabals in Paris. Parifians noted for credulity, and at the
Same time for the extreme fufpiciousness of their nature. Similar instances
of credulity in the provinces. The excessive liberty and unbounded licen-
tiousness of the press, a powerful instrument of the revolution. The literati
of Paris estimated at 20,000, and these dictated to the rest of the nation.
Unaccountable and indefenfible fupineness of the ministers, with respect to
the press. Strange and fatal blindness of the two first orders of the state.
Famine, as a cause of general discontent, another powerful instrument of the
révolution. Real or imputed conduct of the duke of Orleans. National
affembly seriously alarmed at the conflagrations and massacres which were
jpreading desolation and ruin through many parts of the kingdom, the nobi-
lity being hunted down like wild beasts in several of the provinces. This
impreffion of terror, produces the extraordinary events of the 4th of August.
The viscount Noailles, and the duke d'Aiguillon, make speeches in the af-
fembly, in which they propose substantial redress and relief to the peasantry,
by relinquishing and abolishing those parts of the feudal rights and duties,
which lay the heaviest on, or were the most complained of by, that order of
A sudden fit of enthusiasm spreads at once through the two first
orders, and the only contest after seemed to be, who should facrifice the most,
and awho should be the first to offer; while the commons seemed lost in
astonishment and applause. It was in an instant decreed, that all impofts
should be equally and equitably laid on; that all the feudal fervices should
be redeemable at an equitable price; and that personal fervitude should be
abolished for ever, without any purchase. These are followed by a facri-
fice of the exclufive rights of the chace, of fishing, of warren, and of
dove-cotes. The parish priests make an offering of all their parochial
perquisites, and the beneficiaries bind themselves never to hold a plurality.
Various other resolutions passed on the same night, each of which was from
that moment confidered as an irrevocable decree, and afterwards made the
foundation of a formal law. Assembly decree a medal to be struck, to com-
memorate the acts of this glorious night. They likewise confer on the king
the title of Restorer of the Liberties of France. Solemn Te Deum cele-
brated, at which the king and the national assembly assist. Astonishment
and dismay of the clergy, after the great facrifices which they had volun-
tarily made, upon a motion for the sequestration of their tithes. Debates
renewed with great violence on the following day. Cause of the clergy
eloquently and ably defended by the Abbe Sieyes. In general they stand
firmly in support of their rights. Debate, after much tumult, adjourned
late at night. Means used during the remainder of the night, and the morn-
ing, to bring over the heads of the clergy to a consent. Archbishop of
Paris, in the name of his brethren, furrenders all the tithes of the church
inte the hands of the nation. His short Speech an that occafion. The old
provincial names, distinctions, peculiar rights, and privileges, determined to be
abolished, and the whole nation consolidated into one compact body, and under
ene equal form of government. Deputies of privileged towns and districts

men.

make

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