3 



idea that Louis XVI could take the side of the first orders, 

 had, as yet, entered the mind of nobody. For centuries the 

 king had been regarded as the adversary of the privileged 

 classes. The French were persuaded that he entertained for 

 them (the people as a whole) the sentiments of a tender father, 

 and further, that his interest and that of the nation were identi- 

 cal. It was believed that only the enemies of the prince and 

 of the country were capable of proposing any other object than 

 the establishment of a constitution. '"^^ 



Until June 20th, the struggle over the credentials — at bot- 

 tom a most fundamental question— had been chiefly an affair 

 between the Nobility and the Third Estate. The king had 

 acted as mediator, and had declared himself in favor of nei- 

 ther party. On the 17th, the Third Estate proclaimed itself 

 the National Assembly. Here again no ill will was enter- 

 tained toward the monarchy. Even now the king could have 

 placed himself at the head of the movement had he declared 

 in favor of the nation instead of in favor of the privileged 

 orders. On the 19th, it was evident that the majority of the 

 clergy would join the Assembly unless prevented from doing 

 so. The government, that had for some days been considering 

 the advisibility of interfering in the affairs of the Estates, de- 

 cided to proclaim a royal session for the 22nd of June, and, 

 under pretext of preparation, to close the hall of the Estates. 

 This last act was to prevent the Clergy from uniting with the 

 Third Estate. Such was the situation on the morning of the 

 20th. 



At an early hour, the Chevalier de Pange, a regular attend- 

 ant upon the sessions of the Assembly, presented himself at 

 the door and was refused admittance.*'* He at once betook 

 himself to the lodgings of the President, Bailly, and reported 

 what had befallen him. It was then half past six. Bailly 

 at once dispatched a messenger who reported the hall surrounded 

 by guards and the following notice on the door: "The King 



13 Brette: Jeu de paunie. Avant-propos, p. iii. "'* 



14 Bailly 's Memoires, i, 180-194, has been the source ol' what follows, 

 unless otherwise indicated. 



