Francean unlimited Monarchy before the Revolution.—The Kingdom was divided into fifteen Parts, in which were as many Parliaments.—It was also divided into twenty-five Generalities.—The King nominated the Bishops.—The Privileges of the Clergy.—The Orders of Knighthood.—From what the Revenues were collected.—A Statement of the Annual Incomes and Expences.—Of the Gold and Silver in Circulation.—National Debt, &c.
Francean unlimited Monarchy before the Revolution.—The Kingdom was divided into fifteen Parts, in which were as many Parliaments.—It was also divided into twenty-five Generalities.—The King nominated the Bishops.—The Privileges of the Clergy.—The Orders of Knighthood.—From what the Revenues were collected.—A Statement of the Annual Incomes and Expences.—Of the Gold and Silver in Circulation.—National Debt, &c.
Having, partly from my own knowledge, and partly from credible information, given in the preceding chapter a short geographical description of the kingdom of France, I proceed, in the next place, to say something concerning its Constitution and Government before the late Revolution.
Let us therefore observe,
1. That France was an unlimited monarchy.
2. That both the legislative and executive powers resided in the king.
3. That his decrees had the same force as our acts of parliament.
4. That the kingdom was divided into fifteen parts, each of which had a parliament; as that of Paris, Toulouse, Rouen, Grenoble, Bordeaux, Dijon, Aix, Rennes, Pau, Besancon, Metz, Dowa, Perpignan, Arras, and Alsace.
5. That these parliaments consisted of a certain number of presidents and inferior judges, who purchased their offices of the crown, or of those that possessed them, as they were for life, unless the officers were found guilty of malconduct in the execution of their office.
6. That the parliament of Paris was esteemed the highest, because it was composed of princes of royal blood, dukes and peers, besides ordinary judges. Here the king frequently came in person, and had his royal edicts recorded and promulgated.
7. That the kingdom was also divided into twenty-five generalities, every one of which had an intendant, on whom the king depended for the administration of justice, in civil and criminal causes; for ruling and governing the subordinate officers, and ordering and conducting his finances and revenues.
8. That the king nominated the bishops and their livings, and then the pope sent his bulls of consecration.
9. That the crown seized all the temporalities of archbishopricks, and bishopricks, which was called theregal, and the king frequently gave pensions to laymen out of the bishopricks.
The privileges of the clergy were:
1. An exemption from paying land-taxes.
2. From having their books seized, with the other things they used in divine service.
3. They might be tried in criminal causes, if they chose it, before the grand chamber, which is a court where the nobility were tried.
4. They had the liberty of being degraded, or placed lower, before they could be executed for any atrocious crime.
5. They were exempt from having soldiers quartered on them.
6. Their persons could not be taken with executions in civil actions.
7. They were exempted from being brought before lay courts for personal matters:
But they could not bring a layman before an ecclesiastical court.
All spiritual actions were recognizable in the ecclesiastical courts, providing they were not blended with temporal matters; and when that was the case, they were obliged to try their causes before the civil courts.
There have been four orders of knighthood in France:
Viz.1.Knights of the Holy Ghost,}{ 1578.2.Knights of St. Michael,}Instituted in{ 1469.3.Knights of St. Louis, and}{ 1693.4.Knights of St. Lazarus,}{
The annual revenues were collected by a land-tax—by the customs—by a tax on salt—by a poll-tax—by a tenth of estates and employments—by a sale of all offices of justice—and by a tenth, or free gift of the clergy. But this revenue was subject to an enlargment, by raising the value of the coin, and by the compounding of the state bills and debentures.
The annual revenue of France, before the Revolution, was said to be 585,000,000 of livres, or 24,375,000 pounds sterling. Of which sum the clergy possessed 130,000,000 of livres. The annual balance of trade in favour of France, was 70,000,000 of livres. The gold and silver supposed to be in circulation 2,000,000,000 of livres, and the annual increase of it 40,000,000 more.
The annual expences of France 610,000,000 livres, or 25,416,666l.13s.4d.sterling. The annual income 24,375,000l.The nation run in debt 1,041,666l.13s.4d.per annum.
A GENERAL STATEMENTof the Expences, Incomes, &c. stands thus:
LivresSterling.Expences for collecting taxes58,000,0002,416,66613 4Annual of importations230,000,0009,583,3336 8Ditto of exportations300,000,00012,500,0000 0Ditto of balance of commerce70,000,0002,916,6666 8An. int. of the national debt207,000,0008,625,0000 0Annual charge of the army124,650,0005,193,7500 0Ditto of the navy45,200,0001,883,3336 8The amount of the taxes, &c.585,000,00024,375,0000 0Annual expences of the state610,000,00025,416,66613 4Gold and silver coin2,200,000,00091,666,66613 4Supposed annual increase40,000,0001,666,66613 4National debt3,400,000,000141,666,66613 4———————————————May 1, 1779, National expen.475,294,000Revenue431,533,000——————Nation fell in debt43,761,000===========
The Constitution ofFrancechanged from Monarchy to Democracy.—The Number and Power of the National Assembly.—The King is only an executive Officer.—A Decree of the National Assembly.—Titles of Nobility abolished.
The Constitution ofFrancechanged from Monarchy to Democracy.—The Number and Power of the National Assembly.—The King is only an executive Officer.—A Decree of the National Assembly.—Titles of Nobility abolished.
Having in the preceding chapter given an account of the constitution and government of France before the Revolution, let us consider, in the next place, of the present constitution and government of that kingdom.
We must therefore observe:
1. That the constitution is changed from monarchy to democracy; that the legislative powers are taken from the king, and vested in the people.
2. That the kingdom is divided into eighty grand divisions, and subdivided into seven hundred and twenty commonalities and 6480 cantons.
3. That each commonality is empowered to send one representative to the National Assembly.
4. That the National Assembly is composed of seven hundred and twenty members, when the whole are convened.
5. That this assembly is the supreme legislative head of the nation.
6. That the power of making laws, raising of taxes, the coining, borrowing, and lending of money; the setting up and pulling down of officers, granting of commissions and employments; the making of war and peace; and the entering into treaties and alliances with foreign powers, belongs to this assembly only.
7. That the king is only an executive officer, as he is to see the laws of the representatives of the nation executed.
The king is to execute the actual decrees of the National Assembly, respecting war and peace; and is allowed to provide for the safety of the realm, in case of a foreign invasion, during the recess of the assembly.
A decree of the National Assembly, passed in May last, runs thus:
"The king shall have the right to provide for the security of the frontiers, to make every preparation, and take every necessary step to defend the national possessions; to manage the operations of the war, and to propose whatever he thinks proper for the general good:
"But the legislative body shall have the right to decide on the propriety of the war, make peace, and settle treaties.
"In case of war, the king shall give immediate notice of it to the legislative body, if the assembly is sitting, and if not, it shall be summoned immediately."
I was informed in Paris, that the National Assembly have abolished all the titles of nobility; and observed that their coats of arms were taken from their carriages.
It was also reported, that the nobility are to pay land and other taxes, in proportion to their abilities.
These are some of the fundamental alterations in the Constitution, according to the best information that I have been able to obtain. Let us then, in the next chapter, consider of the causes of the Revolution.
Supposed Causes of the Revolution.—The Resolutions of the National Assembly.—Names of some of the Officers appointed under the New Constitution.
Supposed Causes of the Revolution.—The Resolutions of the National Assembly.—Names of some of the Officers appointed under the New Constitution.
It is said that the Revolution arose from various causes: as,
1. The people had no part of the power of legislation.
2. They were deprived of the right of a trial by jury.
3. They paid more than their proportion of the public taxes, because the nobility, clergy, &c. were exempted from paying a land-tax.
4. They were under some laws peculiarly oppressive.
Their grievances will appear by the following resolutions, which on the 4th of August, 1789, the National Assembly unanimously agreed to, as a proof of their genuine patriotism to the people, as their affectionate and disinterested representatives, devoid of every motive but the common good; and, to give a great example to nations and ages, in the sacrifice of every abusive right and privilege whatsoever, incidental to all the orders, provinces, cities and communities, will raise the French name to a heighth unparalleled in history, and consecrate their memory as worthy of representing the enlightened knowledge, the courage, and the virtues of so great and generous a people.
"Article I. An equality of taxes, to commence from the present moment.
"II. The renunciation of all privileges for orders, cities, provinces, and individuals; a general uniformity to take place through the whole kingdom.
"III. The redemption of all feudal rights.
"IV. A suppression of mortmain and personal servitude.
"V. The produce of the redemption of the estates of the clergy to be applied to the augmentation of the salaries of the parish priests.
"VI. The abolition of the game laws,capitaineries.
"VII. The abolition of seigniorial jurisdictions.
"VIII. The abolition of the venality of officers.
"IX. Justice to be rendered gratuitously to the people.
"X. The abolition of privileged dove-coats and warrens, (a dreadful and serious grievance to the French peasant).
"XI. The redemption of tithes and field-rents.
"XII. It is forbidden to create in future any rights of the same nature, or any other feudal rights whatever.
"XIII. The abolition of the fees of parish priests, for births, marriages, or deaths, except in the cities.
"XIV. A speedy augmentation of the benefices of parish priests.
"XV. A suppression of thedroits d'annates, or first fruits. (The sum paid by France to the pope on this head, ammounted annually to 357,133l.sterling.)
"XVI. The admission of all ranks of citizens to civil and military employments.
"XVII. The suppression of the duties of removal, paid by parish priests to the bishops in certain provinces.
"XVIII. The suppression of corporations and wardenships.
"XIX. The suppression of the plurality of livings.
"XX. A medal to be struck to consecrate this memorable day; expressive of the abolition of all the privileges, and of the complete union of all the provinces and all the citizens.
"XXI.Te Deumto be sung in the king's chapel, and throughout all France.
"XXII. Louis XVI. proclaimed the restorer of public liberty."
There were several other articles,viz.
The abolition of all unmerited pensions.
All artizens to be exempt from taxes, who employ no journeymen.
All suits for seignioral and royal rights, then pending in the courts, to be suspended till the constitution shall be completed.
All the interior councils were suppressed; and the cabinet were composed of the following ministers, who were responsible for every measure of state:
1. M. Necker, minister of the finances, or first lord of the treasury.
2. M. Montmorin, secretary for the foreign department.
3. M. St. Priest, secretary for the home department.
4. M. de la Lazurne, minister of the marine department.
5. M. le Comté de la Tour du Piu Paulin, minister of the war department.
6. M. l'Archeveque de Bourdeaux, keeper of the seal.
7. M. l'Archeveque de Vienne, minister for bishops and abbies.
8. M. le Prince de Beauveau, to be of the council, but with no particular department.
A Declaration of the Rights which have been adopted by the National Assembly.—Reductions made from the Annual Revenues.—Two Banks established.—Criminals may employ Counsel, &c.
A Declaration of the Rights which have been adopted by the National Assembly.—Reductions made from the Annual Revenues.—Two Banks established.—Criminals may employ Counsel, &c.
"The representatives of the people of France, constituted in national assembly, considering that ignorance, forgetfulness, or neglect of the rights of man, are the sole causes of public misfortunes, and of the corruption of governments, have resolved to explain, in a solemn declaration, the natural imprescriptible, inalienable, and sacred rights of man; to the end that this declaration, being constantly presented to all the members of society, may unceasingly recal to their minds their duties and their rights; and to the end that the acts of legislative and executive powers, being at all times compared with the design of the political institution, may be more respected, and that the appeals of the citizens, being founded henceforward on plain and incontestible principles, may always tend to the maintenance of the constitution and the general happiness.
"The National Assembly, in consequence, recognizes and declares in the presence, and under the auspices of the Supreme Being, the sacred rights of the man and the citizen.
"I. Men are born and remain free and equal in their rights. No distinction can be founded, but in principles of general utility.
"II. The object of all society ought to be the preservation of the natural and imprescriptible rights of man. These rights are his liberty, his property, his security, and the resistance of oppression.
"III. The principle of all sovereignty resides essentially in the nation; and no authority, which is not expressly derived from thence, can be exercised by any associations, or any individual.
"IV. Liberty consists in the power of doing every thing which does not injure another person: Thus the exercise of the natural rights of every man, have no other boundaries, than those which assure to men the free exercise of the same rights. These boundaries cannot be determined by law.
"V. The law ought to prohibit only such actions as are injurious to society. That which is not forbidden by the law, should not be prevented; and no person can be compelled to do what the law does not ordain.
"VI. The law is the expression of the general will; and all citizens have a right to contribute, either personally, or by their representatives, to its formation. The law, whether it protects or punishes, ought to be the same to all. All citizens being equal in its regard, are equally admissible to all dignities, places, and employments, according to their capacities, without any other distinction than what arises from their virtues and their talents.
"VII. No man can be accused, arrested, or retained, but in the case determined by the law, and under the forms which it has prescribed. Those who solicit, forward, execute, or cause to be punished. Every citizen called on or arrested by the power of the law, ought to obey, and renders himself culpable by resistance.
"VIII. The law should establish no punishments but what are strictly and evidently necessary; and no person can be punished but by the power of the law established; promulgated at a period anterior to the offence, and legally applied.
"IX. Every man shall be presumed innocent until he is condemned. If it be deemed indispensibly necessary that he should be detained in custody, all rigour that is not absolutely necessary to secure his person, should be severely repressed by law.
"X. No person shall be disturbed for his opinions, even though on religion, provided that the manifestation of those opinions does not disturb the public order established by law.
"XI. The free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the most precious rights of man. Every citizen shall, therefore, speak, write, and print his opinions freely, still being responsible for the abuse of his liberty, in cases prescribed by the law.
"XII. The security of the rights of man and of citizens requires a public force; but this force is instituted for the advantage of all, and not for the particular use of those to whom it is confided.
"XIII. For the maintenance of the public force, and the other expences of government, contribution is necessary; but this should be as common as it is indispensible, and should be levied equally on all citizens, in proportion to their ability.
"XIV. Every citizen has a right, either by himself or his representatives, to establish the necessity of the public contribution, to consent to it freely, to look to its application, and to determine on its quota, the assessment, and duration.
"XV. Society has a right to demand from every public agent an account of his administration.
"XVI. Every society, if the guarantee of the individual rights is not assured, and the distinction of the several powers ascertained, is without a constitution.
"XVII. The right of property being inviolable and secured, no person can be deprived of his, but when the public necessity, legally established, shall evidently demand it, and then only on the just and previous assurance of indemnification."
In Sept. 1789, the National Assembly resolved, it is said, to make the following Reductions from the Annual Income:
In Sept. 1789, the National Assembly resolved, it is said, to make the following Reductions from the Annual Income:
Livres.1.The household of the king, queen, and princes8,000,0002.The foreign department8,300,0003.The war ditto8,900,0004.The marine ditto2,000,0005.The finance ditto1,000,0006.The pensions, besides the reductions made before6,000,0007.The intendants and delegates1,800,0008.The registers and farmer-general2,600,0009.The mint1,700,00010.The premiums and encouragements to trade600,00011.The royal gardens36,00012.—— —— library62,00013.—— —— stud, to be suppressed800,00014.The contingencies2,500,00015.The fund reserved for lotteries, to be suppressed173,00016.The plantation of forests817,00017.The clergy2,502,00018.The charities5,511,000—————Livres 53,301,000Sterling £. 2,220,875
And I understand that two public banks have been established; one consisting of about 205 millions of livres, and the other of near 273 millions.
Criminals are now permitted to employ counsel, bring evidence, and have the benefit of a trial by jury, in France.
An Account of several Insurrections, Mobs, and Riots inFrance.—Of an Attempt to seize and kill the Queen.—The King, Queen, &c. go fromVersaillestoParis.—An Account of several other Riots.—The King, a wise and prudent Man.
An Account of several Insurrections, Mobs, and Riots inFrance.—Of an Attempt to seize and kill the Queen.—The King, Queen, &c. go fromVersaillestoParis.—An Account of several other Riots.—The King, a wise and prudent Man.
It appears by the information I received in France, and a number of publications that I have read, that there have been divers tumults and outrages in different parts of the kingdom, in consequence of the Revolution: for besides the taking of the Bastille, where more than three hundred were slain, exclusive of those that were afterwards executed, hostilities have commenced in other places. It has been said, they first began in the park of theThuilleries, by a regiment of German troops, commanded by Le Prince Lambache, who is cousin to the queen. This park being thronged by Parisians, and the prince conceiving something that had passed among the people as a gross insult, ordered his regiment to fire:—His orders were obeyed. The populace immediately beat to arms, and a vast concourse joined the standard, drove the prince and his regiment out of the park, and obliged them to fly to Germany. The prince narrowly escaped with his life. His carriage was burnt to ashes, his horses killed, and a reward was offered for his head. How many were slain in this action I have not been able to learn.
The people have been much enraged against Le Compte de Artois, and have supposed that he was the author of their wrongs. His estate has been confiscated, and his horses, with three hundred of his houses, sold. It was thought at Paris, that he cannot return at present with safety.
Some time in the spring, 1789, a proprietor to a large manufactory in Paris, reported that fifteen sous per day would be sufficient to support a journeyman and his family, providing certain taxes were abolished. His house was soon surrounded by the manufacturers, who came in a very hostile manner. The guards were sent to preserve the peace. But the enraged multitude killed several of the soldiers with stones. The military was drawn forth, and a battle ensued, in which more then six hundred persons were killed on the spot.
At St. Germin and Poissy, the populace seized all the arms belonging to the invalids; and upwards of six hundred went to the house of one Sauvage, where they found between six and seven hundred sacks of flour. He was a miller, and it is probable they supposed he meant to hoard up his flour. He was dragged to a convent, was examined by the friars, and declared innocent: but notwithstanding, the mob led him to a butcher, who cut off his head; and carried it about the streets; and they were so inhuman as to insist upon the miller's sons being present at the execution. His daughter, unable to bear the sight, threw herself over the bridge, into the water, and was drowned.
Dreadful were the outrages committed at Rouen: Many of the citizens were killed by the troops, and some suffered greatly by the populace, who ransacked and pillaged all the houses where they suspected corn was concealed. Two vessels were stripped, and all sorts of carriages attacked and robbed.
On the 14th of July, 1789, an insurrection happened at Lions, wherein three peasants were killed by the dragoons, who suppressed the mob.
At the castle of Quinsay, as an immense crowd of citizens and soldiers were amusing themselves with festivity and dancing, on account of the Revolution, they were blown up by a powder plot, and found floating in their blood. Scattered corpses, and dissevered members, palpitating for life, were seen, after some spectators had arrived, near the place where the horrible catastrophe happened. This plot was supposed to be laid by the very man who had prepared the feast, and had invited the people, but had withdrawn himself before the powder took fire.
On the 5th of Oct. 1789, 5,000 women, armed with different weapons, marched from Paris to Versailles, followed by a great multitude of people, among which were several detachments of the city militia. The Marquis de la Fayette arrived at Versailles late in the evening, with 20,000 corps, who were under arms all night, in order to prevent acts of violence.
About two in the morning of the 6th, a number of persons in women's dresses, many of whom, it is said, were guards, having gained the outward entrances of the castle, forced their way into the palace, and went up the stair-case leading to the queen's apartment, with an intent to seize and murder her; but they were fired upon by the king's guard. Seventeen were killed on the spot, the rest retreated, and things remained quiet till day-light.
The Parisian troops demanding an entrance into the palace, were fired upon by a regiment of the king's body guard. The Parisians returned the fire; and the action becoming more general, the Count de Lusignan, commandant of a regiment of Flanders, ordered his troops to fire, but they refused, and laid down their arms. The king's body guard finding themselves overpowered, took to flight. The troops then forced the entrances of the castle, but were prevented from entering the palace by the prudent management and command of M. de la Fayette. It is thought that the king, queen, and royal family, would have fallen victims to the troops, had they entered the palace.
The Marquis was soon introduced to the king, with some of the magistrates of Paris, and communicated the desire of the city, that he might conduct his majesty and the royal family thither. On being assured of protection, the king complied with the request; and their majesties, with the dauphin, &c. the king's aunts, with their attendants, proceeded toward town in eighteen carriages, attended by M. de la Fayette, and about 5,000 guards.
The road from Versailles was so thronged by the mob, notwithstanding 50,000 Parisian troops had been sent to keep the way clear, that the royal family were eight hours in reaching theHotel de Ville, though only twelve miles distance.
This tedious journey must have been rendered the more painful, by the thoughts of being led captives in triumph to the city of Paris, and the fear of what might follow.
The king, with the royal family, stayed near two hours at theHotel de Ville, and were afterwards conducted to the old ruinous place of theThuilleries, which had not been inhabited since the days of Lewis XIV. and where nothing was prepared for their reception.
The regiment of the king's body guards, both officers and privates, were composed of persons of the second order of nobility in France. About thirty of them were killed, and their heads carried in triumph to Paris, and shewn about the streets on tent poles. Eighty were carried prisoners to this city; but the rest saved themselves by flight. About fifty of the Parisian troops and mob were killed in the affray.
On the 7th, the avenues of theThuillerieswere guarded by 1000 men, and the gates of the palace were secured by a train of cannon, to prevent any surprize or escape.
This day being court day, their majesties received the foreign ministers in the palace. The king looked uncommonly dejected; the queen was in tears the whole time, and only talked a little to the imperial ambassador. The sight was uncommonly gloomy, and the court broke up after a short time.
In the evening the districts of Paris passed a resolution, that the regiment of the king's body guard should be immediately broken, and never more revived; and that in future his majesty should be guarded by citizens instead of soldiers.
This evening the National Assembly at Versailles resolved to adjourn to Paris; and that its meeting should ever be inseparable from the king's place of residence.
Just before the affray at Versailles, several riots had commenced at Paris.
It is said, that whilst the king, queen, &c. were on their journey from Versailles, nothing but the watchful eye of the Marquis de la Fayette, and the confidential guards around the royal coaches, prevented the mob from committing the most violent outrages. The queen's name was handed about in very gross terms: One barbarian asked his companion, "Whether he thought her head would not make a very pretty tennis-ball?" In short, her majesty must be in the most imminent danger.
The harmless spectators were in a dangerous condition at this tumultuous scene. An English gentleman, dressed in white clothes, on a riotous day, was seized by a mob, when one cried out, "That is the miller of——, who secreted so many bags of flour:" He told them he was an Englishman, and was innocent: but all was in vain: they insisted he was the man; and he was so much affrighted that he spake nothing but French.
They dragged him to the place of execution, he protesting all the way that he was an Englishman: at last one of the mob cried out, "D——n you, if you are an Englishman, speakEnglish." He then spake in his own language, and was released.
Besides these insurrections, I understand that two happened in May last: one was at Montpellier, and the other at Saumur, where several lives were lost.
I was told in Paris, that the king would have lost his kingdom, if he had not been a wise and prudent man; that had he opposed the National Assembly, he would have been no longer king. And it was reported that the representatives of the nation, are able to raise an army of seventeen hundred thousand men, in the defence of liberty.
Of the Birth, Marriage, and Character of the King of France—Of the Birth and Character of the Queen.—An Account of the Dauphin, and of the Princess Royal.—Where the Royal Family may be seen.
Of the Birth, Marriage, and Character of the King of France—Of the Birth and Character of the Queen.—An Account of the Dauphin, and of the Princess Royal.—Where the Royal Family may be seen.
His most Christian Majesty, Lewis XVI. king of France and Navarre, was born August 23, 1753. He was married May 16, 1770; to Marie Antoinette, sister to the late Emperor of Germany. The king began to reign, May 10, 1774; and was crowned June 11, 1775. He is of a middling stature, something corpulent, and of a light complexion. His majesty is good humoured, very humane, kind, and affable; and as he is easy of access, and possesses the most amiable virtues, he is much beloved by his people.
The queen was born November 2, 1755. She is very handsome, and of a civil, mild, complaisant, and obliging deportment. And although the public clamour was violent againt her for a time, on a supposition that she wished the king absolute; yet I was informed, that the spirit of discontent has subsided.
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.
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.
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 poundsper 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.
Before the Revolution the king had the disposal of the whole of the national revenue; and with unbounded generosity gave 1,500,000 pounds annually to the nobility, as I was informed.
Some call the Revolution in FranceGlorious,
1. Because (they say) that no Revolution ever conferredlibertyandequal lawsupon so great a number of people.
2. Because it has been brought about with so little effusion of blood.
3. Because they suppose that other nations will follow the laudable example, until liberty, in its meridian splendor, is extended and established through the world!
It is said, that the prince bishop of Spiers has again solemnly protested against the proceedings of the National Assembly, in choosing mayors, and municipal members in the towns and places of Elsas, belonging to his bishopric, and other innovations against his rights and privileges. In this important protest he says, "That he had laid before the king, in the most earnest manner, his opposition to the decrees of the National Assembly; which decrees had absolutely overset all the existing treaties with France: that he had delivered a memorial to the emperor and to the realm upon this important subject; notwithstanding which they had proceeded to the appointment of new municipal officers in Elsas, according to the decrees of the National Assembly, and against his right of jurisdiction and appointment; that the new mayors committed great outrages, and set his subjects against paying him any dues, and were endeavouring to make them throw off his dominion:" and he concludes by saying, "that his powers leave him no other remedy than toprotestagainst what is done, which he does in the most solemn manner."
A spirit of discontent will undoubtedly reign for a time among some of those that have had their incomes diminished in consequence of the Resolution.
Agreeable to the bishop's opinion, in regard to the existing treaties, &c. being overset, is the following paragraph, inserted in the St. James's Chronicle, July 24, 1790.
"The king of France has now bound himself by a sacred oath, to adhere to the decrees of the National Assembly, and support the constitution in its renovated form; consequently there is an end to all foreign interferences on his behalf, either in Spain, Sardinia, or any other quarter. To countenance such an interference would be an act of perjury, and justify his subjects in such measures as might be fatal to himself and the whole house of Bourbon. His majesty may be deemed unfortunate; but no prince ranks higher in the estimation of mankind, as an honest and conscientious man."
The National Assembly have decreed to strengthen, by a treaty, the family compact between France and Spain, and to augment the Gallic navy in consequence of the armaments of the different nations in Europe.
TheAuthorsets out forLondon.—Falls in Company with a Lady.—Arrives atAmiens.—Views the Convent, Cathedral, &c. in Company with the Lady—With whom he is left alone.—They discourse about Matrimony.
TheAuthorsets out forLondon.—Falls in Company with a Lady.—Arrives atAmiens.—Views the Convent, Cathedral, &c. in Company with the Lady—With whom he is left alone.—They discourse about Matrimony.
Paris, July 23,
Having viewed the greatest hospitals and principal curiosities in this city, and the parts adjacent, and obtained an account of the late observations on the operation of medicines, and collected intelligence upon political subjects, I paid my reckoning at the hotel, bid the people farewel, and set off for London. My landlady sent a servant after me, praying that I would put up there again when I came to Paris. I returned her my thanks, and told the servant that I would endeavour to come there if I should ever visit the city again.
Some days before I had engaged a passage back to London, on board the diligences, for which I paid fiveLouis d'ors. My servant who had waited upon me, seemed urgent I should take him to England, having an inclination to live with me; which I should have done, had I not determined to spend much of my time in travelling.
I left Paris about noon, in company with two Spanish, one French, one Irish, and two English gentlemen: one of the latter was a lawyer, who had travelled through many countries on the European continent.
I inquired where we should dine; and was informed that we were to have no dinner that day, unless we payed for it ourselves, although we were to be found on the way, according to the agreement we had made when we paid for our fare, entertainment, &c. at Paris.
As we had no inclination to starve, we stopped at a hotel, where we dined and paid for our dinners a second time.
At evening we came to Clermont, where we supped and lodged, but was called up before day-light, to proceed on our journey. At this place a lady came into our coach, who had come in a post-chaise on the preceding day from Paris.
July 24.
At about twelve we came to Amiens, having breakfasted by the way. We put up at a hotel, where the lady that came in company with us, said she had an inclination to go and see the convent. Several of us waited upon her to the convent; but just after we had set out, she said she had so much silver with her that she could not walk; and desired I would ease her of a part of her burthen. I took a large number of her crowns into my pocket, and she walked betwixt the lawyer and myself. After we had viewed the convent, and conversed with the nuns, we went to a very elegant cathedral church at Notre Dame, where some of the inside pillars are said to be one hundred and thirty feet high. The pulpit is made of beautiful white marble, gilt with gold, and the cloths of the altar are ornamented with beautiful gold and silver embroidery: many rich vessels, and other splendid ornaments also dignify this cathedral.
Afterwards we viewed the town, in which are eleven parish churches. Amiens is the capital of the province of Picardie, which is esteemed the most fruitful of all the provinces in France, for corn and flax. As we continued our walk, our company took a wrong street, and left me with the lady. Now, forsooth, said I to myself, we shall be taken formanandwife; however, that will not trouble me, inasmuch as she is a decent behaved person, and one that appears to have an excellent education, with a proper share of good sense and understanding.
She told me by the way that she belonged to Great Britain, but had had her education in a convent in France: That she had been a widow about three years, was left with four children,viz.with two sons and two daughters, and had been to Paris to get her daughters into a convent, as she esteemed such places to be the best for the instruction of young persons.
I told her that as she was but young herself, it was probable she would marry again; but she said that she did not intend to marry. Said I, Perhaps you will alter your mind, peradventure you may find an agreeable companion. Said she, If I should be inclined to marry, nobody will have me, because I have so many children. My answer was, You ought not to be despised because you have children. Undoubtedly many would be glad to marry you, though you have sons and daughters. As we had arrived at the hotel, we dropped our discourse upon this subject; I returned her silver, and she thanked me for my kindness. She was a beautiful woman, and was besides well stocked with cash, which oftenmakes the mare to go. But as I was not in pursuit of a wife, I did not attempt to court her on my own account; but told her, however, that I believed I could send her an agreeable companion.