NG SOR OR a Te 
and at the fame time difators to the national affmbly. Inftanees from a 
‘ayriter of credit, that falfehoods and forgeries were the great and conftant 
refources of the cabals in Paris. Parifians noted for credulity, and at the 
fame time for the extreme fufpicioufness of their nature. Similar inftances 
of credulity in the provinces. The exceffive liberty and unbounded licen- 
tioufnefi of the prefs, a powerful inftrumen: of the revolution, The literati 
of Paris efimated at 20,000, and thefe dittated to the ref? of the nation. 
Unaccountable and indefenfible fupinenefs of the miniffers, with refpecl to 
the prefs. Strange and fatal blindne/s of the two frft orders of the frate. 
Famine, as a caufe of general difcontent, another powerful inftrument of the 
revolution. Real or imputed conduct of the duke of Orleans. National 
affembly ferioufly alarmed at the conflagrations and maffacres which were 
Spreading defilation and ruin through many parts of ihe kingdom, the nobi- 
lity being hunted down like wild beafts in feveral of the provinces, This 
_ impreffion of terror, produces the extraordinary events of the 4th of Auguf. 
The vifcount Noailles, and the duke a’ Aiguillon, make Jpeeches in the af- 
_ fembly, in which they propofe fubftantial redrefs and relief to the peafantry, 
by relinquifbing and abslifbing thofe parts of the feudal rights and duties, 
which lay the heavieft on, or, were the moft complained of by, that order of 
mex, A fudden fit of enthufiajin fpreads at once through the two firfe 
orders, and the oaly conteft after feemed to be, who foould facrifice the moft, 
and who foould be the firft to offer; while the commons feemed loft in 
afronifoment and applaufe. It was in an infant decreed, that all impofts 
foould be equally and equitably laid on; that all the feudal Services Jeould 
be redeemable at an equitable price; and that pervfonal fervitude foould be 
abolifped for ever,’without any purchafe. Thefe are followed by a facri- 
fice of the exclufive rights of the chace, of jijbing, of warren, and of 
dove-cotes. The parijh prigfs make an offering of all their parochial 
pergquifites, ana the beneficiaries bind themfelves never to hold a plurality. 
Various other refolutions pafjed on tre, fame night, each of which was from 
that moment confidered as an irrevocable decres, and afterwards made the 
foundaticn of a formal lav. Afembly decree a medal to be ftruck, to com- 
memorate the ais of this glorious night. They likewife confer on the king 
the title of Reftorer of the Liberties of France. Solemn Te Deum cele- 
brated, at which the king and the national afembly aft. Aftonifhment 
and dijmay of the clergy, after the great facrifices which they bad volun- 
« tarily made, upon a motion for the Jequeftration of their tithes. Debates 
renewed with great violence on the following day. Caufe of the clergy 
eloquently and ably defended by the Abbe Sieyes, In general they fiand 
frinly in fupport of their rignis. Debate, ajier much tumult, adjourned 
late ai night. Means ufed during the remaiader of the night, and the morn- 
ing, to bring over the heads of the clergy to a conjent. Archbifhap of 
Paris, in the name of his brethren, furrenders all the tithes of the church 
into the hands of the nation. His foort fpeech on that occafion. The old 
provincial names, diftinétions, peculiar rights, and privileges, determined to be 
abolifbed, and the whole nation confolidated into one compact body, and under 
one equal form of government. Deputies of privileged towns and gil 
MARE 
( 
