Author: Anthony Trollope
Release Date: May, 2004 [EBook #5709] [Yes,
we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This
file was first posted on October 23, 2002] [Most recently
updated: October 23, 2002]
Edition: 10
Language: English with some French
Character set encoding: Latin1
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VOLUME I
THE POITEVINS
The history of France in 1792 has been too fully written,
and too generally read to leave the novelist any excuse
for describing the state of Paris at the close of
the summer of that year. It is known to every
one that the palace of Louis XVI was sacked on the
10th of August. That he himself with his family
took refuge in the National Assembly, and that he
was taken thence to the prison of the Temple.
The doings on the fatal 10th of August, and the few
following days had, however, various effects in Paris,
all of which we do not clearly trace in history.
We well know how the Mountain became powerful from
that day; that from that day Marat ceased to shun
the light, and Danton to curb the licence of his tongue
that then, patriotism in France began to totter, and
that, from that time, Paris ceased to be a fitting
abode for aught that was virtuous, innocent, or high-minded;
but the steady march of history cannot stop to let
us see the various lights in which the inhabitants
of Paris regarded the loss of a King, and the commencement
of the first French Republic.
The Assembly, though it had not contemplated the dethronement
of the King, acquiesced in it; and acted as it would
have done, had the establishment of a republic been
decreed by a majority of its members. The municipality
had determined that the King should fall, and, of
course, rejoiced in the success of its work; and history
plainly marking the acquiescence of the Assembly,
and the activity of the city powers, naturally passes
over the various feelings excited in different circles
in Paris, by the overthrow of the monarchy.
Up to that period there was still in Paris much that
was high, noble, and delightful. The haute noblesse
had generally left the country; but the haute noblesse
did not comprise the better educated, or most social
families in Paris. Never had there been more talent,
more wit, or more beauty in Paris than at the commencement
of 1792; never had literary acquirement been more
fully appreciated in society, more absolutely necessary
in those who were ambitious of social popularity.
