352 Travels in France 



power of the purse would have done all that ought to have been 

 done. The weight of the commons would have been pre- 

 dominant ; but it would have had checks and a control, without 

 which power is not constitution but tyranny. — While, however, 

 I thus venture to think that the revolution might have been 

 accomplished upon better principles, because probably more 

 durable ones, I do not therefore assign the first National 

 Assembly in the gross to that total condemnation they have 

 received from some very intemperate pens, and for this plain 

 reason, because it is certain that they have not done much 

 which was not called for by the people. 



Before the revolution is condemned in the gi'oss, it should be 

 considered what extent of liberty was demanded by the three 

 orders in their cahiers ; and this in particular is necessary, since 

 those very cahiers are quoted to show the mischievous proceed- 

 ings of the National Assembly. Here are a few of the ameliora- 

 tions demanded; to have the trial by jury and the habeas corpus 

 of England ; ^ to deliberate by head, and not by order, demanded 

 by the nobility themselves ; ^ to declare all taxes illegal and sup- 

 pressed — but to grant them anew for a year; ^ to abolish for 

 ever the capitaineries ; to established a caisse nationale separee 

 inaccessible a toute influence du pouvoir executif ; * that all the 

 intendants should be suppressed ; ^ that no treaties of commerce 

 should be made but with the consent of the states ; ^ that the 

 orders of begging monks be suppressed ; ' that all monks be 

 suppressed, and their goods and estates sold; ^ that tithes be for 

 ever suppressed; ^ that all feudal rights, duties, payments, and 

 services be abolished ; ^" that salaries (traitement pecuniare) be 

 paid to the deputies ; ^^ that the permanence of the National 

 Assembly is a necessary part of its existence ; ^^ that the Bastile 



^ Nob. Auxois, p. 23. Artois, p. 13. T. Etat de Peronne, p. 15. Nob, 

 DauphinS, p. 119. — Author's note. 



* Nob. Touraine, p. 4. Nob. Senlis, p. 46. Nob. Pays de Labour, p. 3. 

 Nob. Quesnoy, p. 6. Nob. Sens, p. 3. Nob. Thimerais, p. 3. Clerge du 

 Bourbonnois, p. 6. Clerge du Bos Limosin, p. 10. — Author's note. 



^ Too numerous to quote, of both nobility and tiers. — Author's note. 

 ' Many; nobility as well as tiers. — Author's note. 



° Nob. Sezanne, p. 14. T. Etat Metz, p. 42. T. Etat de Auvergne, p. 9. 

 T. Etat de Riom, p. 23. — Author's note. 



* Nob. Nivernois, p. 25. — Author's note. 



' Nob. Bos Limosin, p. 12. — Author's note. 



* T. Etat du Haut Vivarais, p. 18. Nob. Rheims, p. 16. Nob. Auxerre, 

 p. 41. — Author's note. 



' Nob. Toulon, p. 18. — Author's note. 

 *• Too many to quote. — Author's note. 

 ** Nob. Notnery en Loraine, p. 10. — Author's note. 



^^ Nob. Mantes it Meulan, p. 16. Provins et Montereaux, art. i. 

 Rennes, art. 19. — Author's note. 



