Part 1 (2/2)

_Nov_. Mons. Necker persuades the King to call the Notables together a second time.

1789.

_January_. Letters issued in the name of the King for an a.s.sembly of the States-general. The clergy to depute 300 representatives, the n.o.bility the like number, and the commons 600.

_May_ 5. Opening of the States-general at Versailles.

_June_ 17. The chamber of the Tiers-Etat (commons) declares itself a national a.s.sembly.

19. The Tiers-Etat takes the famous oath, known by the ”serment au Jeu de Paume,” not to separate until the const.i.tution should be established.

23. The King goes in person to the a.s.sembly--but his presence, far from intimidating the members, renders them so intractable that from this epoch may be dated the first attacks upon the royal authority.

24. Forty-eight of the n.o.bles, with the Duke of Orleans at their head, unite with the tiers-etat (third estate, or commons).

A considerable number of the clergy follow their example.

28. The King, from a desire of peace, requests the whole body of n.o.bility and clergy to unite in one a.s.sembly with the commons; which is acceded to.

29. Great rejoicings in Paris on account of this union.

_July_ 11. The King in disgust dismisses Monsieur Necker.

12. The Prince de Lambesc appears at the Tuilleries with an armed party of soldiers.

13. The city of Paris flies to arms. The Bastille is attacked, and taken by the populace;

[Ill.u.s.tration: BASTILLE.jpg]

14. Mons. de L'Aulnay, the governor, falls a victim to the fury of the a.s.sailants. Bertier, intendant of Paris; Foulon, secretary of state; and de Flesselle, prevot des Marchands, (somewhat like mayor of Paris) are ma.s.sacred. From, this period the maxim was adopted, ”that insurrection was the most sacred of duties.”

15. The King goes to the a.s.sembly to confer with it upon the disturbances of Paris. Many considerable persons fly the country.

16. The Marquis de la Fayette, and Monsieur Bailly, are nominated, one to command the national guards of Paris, the other to be mayor of Paris.

17. In hopes of quieting the alarming tumults, the King comes to Paris. Bailly harangues him freely at the Hotel de la Ville, (sic) and the King receives the three-coloured c.o.c.kade.

_August_ 1. Ma.s.sacre of the mayor of St. Dennis.

4. Abolition of t.i.thes, and of all feudal rights and privileges.

Louis is proclaimed the restorer of French liberty.

7. The King is obliged to recall Necker.

27. The liberty of the press is established.

_Sept_. 15. The person of the King is decreed to be inviolable; and the crown of France hereditary and indivisible.

29. Decreed, that it be recommended that all church plate be brought to the mint.

_Oct_. 1. The King is forced to accept and give the sanction of his approbation to the famous ”Rights of Man.”

5. The Marquis de la Fayette at the head of 30,000 Parisians marches to Versailles.

6. After murdering the King's guards under the windows of the Palace, they forcibly conduct both him and the Queen to Paris amidst the insults of the populace, and with great danger of their lives.

10. Tayllerang-Perigord, bishop of Autun, proposes that the nation should seize the property of the clergy.

<script>