opening of States General of i/8p 49 



mention of this, however, in any of the accounts written by mem- 

 bers of the third estate. It is evident that the third estate had no 

 intention of sending a deputation, although respect for their de- 

 ceased colleague doubtless led some of them to attend the serv- 

 ice. The policy of the commons, even in matters of this kind, 

 was to avoid anything which would give the upper orders an 

 opportunity to say that the third estate was a constituted 

 chamber. 



On Monday, May 11, the nobility met again after their three 

 days recess,^"^ and they now became the center of interest. What 

 would be their attitude towards the plan for a conciliatory com- 

 mission? Would they accept it, or would they reject it? The 

 future action of the third estate rested on their answer. 



Mirabeau says that this first session of the nobility after its 

 recess, lasted seven hours.^-* In giving an account of the day's 

 proceedings, the Proccs-verhal of the nobility first mentions the 

 announcement made by the dean, of the intention of the clergy 

 to hold mass for the deceased member of the third estate. After 

 this, according to this same account, the committee on the veri- 

 fication of credentials reported in regard to the work that had 

 been done by it.^-^ The roll was called, and then the commis- 

 sioners informed the nobles that they had receievd a deputation 

 which had come from the third estate on May 7, for the purpose 

 of informing the nobility that the third estate was waiting for the 

 nobility and the clergy in order to proceed with the verification 

 of credentials. The committee on verification also reported that 

 they had taken the liberty to name four of their number to be 

 present at the burial of the deputy of the third estate, " thinking 

 this in keeping with the spirit of fraternity which should rule 

 between the different orders." It is said that the nobles ap- 

 plauded this act of thoughtfulness on the part of the committee.^^® 



'^^^ Proces-verbal dc la noblesse, 27; Lettres du Conite de Mirabeau, No. 

 2, 12. The recess had lasted four days, including Sunday. 



^'^^ Lettres du Comte de Mirabeau, No. 2, 12. 



"i-^z Proces-verbal de la noblesse, 27; manuscript of the same. The 

 printed copy gives the number of those with satisfactory credentials as 

 237, while the manuscript has the number 235. 



^^^ Proccs-vcrbal dc la noblesse, 28. 



251 



