HISTORY OF EUROPE. 
_ It is impoffible to fpeak with any 
aceuracy as to the manner in which 
the firft {cuffle originated at Ver- 
failles; nor would it be eafily fet- 
tled, at what particular time even it 
took place, any farther than that it 
was in fome part of the evening, and 
probably before it was dark. ‘The 
democratic accounts fay, that the 
life guards fired wantonly upon the 
national guards of Verlfailles, and 
‘having wounded fome of them, oc- 
‘cafioned a return of their fire. This 
appears fo contrary to all reafon and 
probability, that it would require 
the ftrongeit and moft pofitive evi- 
dence to render it credible. Ano- 
ther account, which feems much 
more probable, ftates, that an inha- 
bitant of Verfailles, whofe name is 
mentioned, having mixed with the 
rabble, and endeavouring with them 
to force his way through the iron 
gates, was wounded by the life 
guards who defended the entrance, 
and that this being refented by the 
national guards as an attack upon 
the whole corps, immediately drew 
on their fire. However it happened, 
it was produttive of lefs mifchief 
than could have been expected; a 
few were wounded on both fides, 
but we do not learn that any perfon 
was killed. The hoitile parties 
came to fome explanations; and it 
_ feems as if fomething like an ar- 
niftice was concluded between them 
r the prefent. 
As foon as the king’s ratification 
of the conttitutional articles, which 
was about ten at night, was received 
‘by the affembly, molt of the mem- 
[st 
that the hall and the feats of legif- 
lation were literally abandoned to 
them. In the mean time, the fu- 
rious banditti without, who filed 
every place, excepting the interior 
of the caftle or palace, which they 
furrounded and befieged, {oread ter- 
ror and confufion through the whole 
city, as it was impoffible even for 
their friends to determine to what 
objeéts the rapine or fury of fo law- 
lefs and frantic a rabble might 
chance to be direéted. 
The deputics had f{carcely time 
to efcape from the noife and tumult 
in their hall, and to feek for retire- 
ment and qiict in their refpective 
apartments, when a new.alarm was 
given, which occafioned their im- 
mediate recal, and appeared more 
formidable than any that had yet 
taken place. ‘This proceeded from 
the unexpeéted news, that Fayette 
was marching, at the head of an 
army of 30,000 men, to Verfailles; 
and this intelligence was foon con- 
firmed by figns!s of mufquetry and 
rockets which were feen ard heard 
at a diflance. ‘To expedite the 
march, and for the better prefervae 
tion of order, he had divided his 
army into three columns, each of 
which proceeded by a. feparate 
route; but adjufted their movements 
with fo much regularity, that they 
all arrived about the fame time. 
As no intelligence had yet been 
received of the caufes or objeéts of 
this march, it could not fail to excite 
doubt, and fome degree of alarm, 
in all the different parties. 
It is feriqufy told, that Fayette 
_ bers, if not all, were glad to make 
_ their efcape from the capricious rage 
_ and eternal clamour of the frantic 
female bacchanals, by whom they 
_ were fill accompanied, furrounded, 
| _, and in every fenfe incommoded: fo 
be . 
made his troops {top in the avenue 
of Verfailles, and {wear fidelity to 
the king and to the laws. Who can 
avoid being furprifed that the fa- 
bricators of this abfurd ftory fhould 
not once have reficéted; how many 
{D2} hours 
. 
