3i6 



Travels in France 



(£48,125) from England, that, had occasioned so much conjecture 

 and conversation. This remittance, which had been particularly 

 inquired into, was so mysterious and obscure that the naked 

 fact only could be discovered; but every person present asserted 

 the truth of it. Other gentlemen united the two facts, and were 

 ready to suppose them connected. I remarked that if England 

 had really interfered, which appeared to me incredible, it was to 

 be presumed that it would have been either in the line of her 

 supposed interest, or in that of the king's supposed inclination; 

 that these happened to be exactly the same, and if money were 

 remitted from that kingdom most assuredly it would be to support 

 the falling interest of the crown, and by no means to detach 

 from it any force whatever; in such a case, remittance from 

 England might go to Metz, for keeping troops to their duty, but 

 would never be sent to Brest to corrupt them, the idea of which 

 was grossly absurd. All seemed inclined to admit the justness of 

 this remark, but they adhered to the two facts, in whatever 

 manner they might, or might not, be connected. At this 

 dinner, according to custom, most of the deputies, especially the 

 younger ones, were dressed au polisson, many of them without 

 powder in their hair and some in boots ; not above four or five 

 were neatly dressed. How times are changed! When they 

 had nothing better to attend to the fashionable Parisians were 

 correctness itself in all that pertained to the toilette, and were, 

 therefore, thought a frivolous people; but now they have some- 

 thing of more importance than dress to occupy thenri ; and the 

 light airy character that was usually given them will have no 

 foundation in truth. Everything in this world depends on 

 government. 



iT,th. A great commotion among the populace late last night, 

 which is said to have arisen on two accounts — one to get at the 

 Baron de Besneval, who is in prison, in order to hang him; the 

 other to demand bread at 2 sous the pound. They eat it at 

 present at the rate of twenty-two millions a-year cheaper than 

 the rest of the kingdom, and yet they demand a further reduction. 

 However, the current discourse is that FavTas, an adventurer 

 also in prison, must be hanged to satisfy the people ; for as to 

 Besneval, the Swiss cantons have remonstrated so firmly that 

 they will not dare to execute him. Early in the morning the 

 guards were doubled, and eight thousand horse and foot are now 

 patrolling the streets. The report of plots to carry off the king 

 is in the mouth of every one; and it is said these movements of 

 the people, as well as those at Versailles, are not what they 



