in the pursuit of their object they evinced a strange combination of intemperate rashness and feeble procrastination. The prolonged debates, the incidental motions, the re-examination of physicians, and the length to which it was protracted, all originated in them. The only reason which could be assigned for this discrepancy between their views and their conduct was the conflict of rival interests, and the prevalence of irreconcileable jealousies, among those, who, if combined in one administration, must be expected to move as a firmly-united, compact, and consistent body.

CHAP.

LXV.

1789.

During the absence of Mr. Fox, at the beginning Lord Thurlow. of the royal malady, efforts had been made, and there was a fair prospect of success, to engage Lord Thurlow on the side of the Prince. The counsels of that learned and noble person were guided by principles of moderation, both in pretension and in argument. Such advice was perfectly congenial with the disposition of the Prince of Wales; but it was frustrated by subsequent events. Lord Loughborough, who considered, and not unfairly, that if the party, of which he had so long been a conspicuous member, attained the height of power, he would be entitled to claim the office of Lord Chancellor, saw, with regret and indignation, those proceedings which, although they were not public, could not be absolutely secret, and which, had they ended in confirming the power of the existing Chancellor, would have been a disappointment of his ambitious hopes, which he must have felt, and resented as a bitter affront. When Mr. Fox returned, he availed himself of the confidence reposed in him by that statesman, and is said to have been the author of those extreme assertions of right, which could not be more loudly sounded in the House of Commons than they

the home department, or President of the Council; Lord Spencer, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; Lord Fitzwilliam, first Lord of the Admiralty; the Duke of Northumberland, Master of the Ordnance; Colonel Fitzpatrick, Secretary at War; Earl Carlisle, Lord Privy Seal; the great seal in commission, Lord Loughborough, Chief Commissioner; Mr Burke, Paymaster of the Forces; and Mr. Sheridan, Treasurer of the Navy. Dutens, p. 128.

CHAP.
LXV.

1789.

Supposed

influence of

ton House.

Mr. Sheridan.

were echoed by him in the House of Lords. This was the rolling stone which the party were obliged, by constant and painful exertions, to force up the hill, but which as often recoiled, not only frustrating their labours, but impairing their position on the ground of contest.

Had the ferment, occasioned by the agitation of this dangerous topic, not existed, it is probable that ladies at Carl- the allusions to the supposed marriage of the Prince would not have been made, or would have been stifled without much effort; nor would the absence of strong excitement have permitted the formation of a junto of females at Carlton House, to which the attention of the public was, under the favour of such a rumour, painfully directed. In this body, Mr. Sheridan was reported to hold principal sway, and, through them and the general effect of his powerful talents and engaging qualities, he obtained the foremost rank in the Prince's favour, and is said to have formed the highest expectations of public situation. Such claims, so founded, could not be viewed without repugnant feeling by his daily coadjutors, such as Mr. Fox and Mr. Burke; but the more lofty members of the party, the high and ancient nobility, declared that they would not accept seats in a cabinet where he was to be a member. Amid such embarrassments, and with difficulties daily increasing, it is not to be considered wonderful that the party who expected power should seek delay, and perhaps, in many of them, motives separate from the feelings of humanity and of loyalty prompted the joy they felt at the King's recovery*.

General state

In asserting that the state of the Continent proof the country. mised to this country a protracted period of tranquillity, the King spoke a language well warranted by external circumstances. In fact, the British nation appeared, at this time, eminently and enviably happy. The wounds inflicted by the late war were little felt and

* Many of these facts will be found in Moore's Life of Sheridan, vol. ii. c. 13; some are derived from publications at the time, and from private information.

rapidly healing. Public credit flourished, and commerce was widely and beneficially extended; the nation seemed to enjoy the reward of its patience and magnanimity under past calamities and inflictions, in such a state of peace, tranquillity, and prosperity, that the warmest patriot could only express his true sentiment in a prayer that it might be permanent.

CHAP.

LXV.

1789.

CHAPTER THE SIXTY-SIXTH.

1789-1790.

French Revolution.-Causes assigned for this event-difference between the French and other revolutions.- Age of Louis the Fourteenth-licentiousness prevails-growth of infidelity. The Regency.-- Louis the Fifteenth.-Accession and character of Louis the Sixteenth.-The royal family.— Public Education.-Scarcity.-De Brienne minister.--He proposes taxes-rejected by the Parliament.-Bed of justice-the Parliament banished-recalled.-New plan of the minister-royal sitting registration of taxes refused.— Conduct of the Duke of Orleans-he is banished--returnsStates-general promised.-Other attempts of De Brienne.-Plan of a cour plenière-great secrecy-the plan discovered -d'Esprémenil imprisoned.-Notables assembled-bed of justice--outline of the cour plenière-rejected by the Parliament-renounced by the Notables-resignation of De Brienne.-Administration of Necker-his anxiety to convoke the States-general-necessity of that measure-efforts of the Parliament.-Notables again assembled---Statesgeneral decreed-double representations of the tiers état -effect on the nation.-Causes of public fermentationlicentiousness of the press.-The Queen.-Clubs formed.The Duke of Orléans.-Scarcity.-Deputies returned to the States-general. Want of system in their convocation—they are presented to the King-opening of the sittings.-Destruction of Reveillon's manufactory.- Contest on verifications of powers.-Renunciation of pecuniary privileges.— Conduct of the King. - Death of the Dauphin. - National Assembly formed- some of the clergy secede from their

body-and are followed by the residue.-Royal sitting proclaimed.-Scene in the Assembly.- Oath taken in the Tennis Court.-Royal sitting.-Conduct of M. Necker.-Declaration of the King-energetic conduct of the Assembly.Effect of these proceedings.-Union of the three orders.-Character of the Duke of Orléans-other popular members -Lafayette — Mirabeau - Royalist members the Abbé Mauri-of M. Necker.-State of Paris--power assumed by the factions.-Seduction of the Gardes-françoises - troops collected.-Proceedings in the National Assembly.-Retreat of M. Necker.-Its effect in Paris.-The national colours and cockade established.-Conduct of the Duke of Orléans -conflict in the garden of the Tuilleries.-Conduct of the Assembly—a new government formed in Paris.-Arms obtained-national guard.-Capture of the Bastile.-State of the Court. The King goes to the Assembly-conduct of that body.--Ministry dismissed-The King goes to Parisreception. More murders committed.—In the provincesSystem in these proceedings-indifference of the Assembly. -Necker's triumph.-Observations--the legislative body— the King-the nobility-emigration.-Progress of the National Assembly-overthrow of privileges.-Remonstrances to the Assembly-a loan attempted-plate melted-patriotic gifts.-Pay to members.-Declaration of the Rights of Man -the King delays his sanction-persecution of religion— licentiousness of the press-violence of mobs-scarcity of bread-the regiment of Flanders sent to Versailles. - Dinners given-anger excited-misrepresentations-consequent proceedings-insurrection in Paris.-Proceedings at Versailles-National Assembly-arrival of the mob.-Deputation to the King-further proceeding of the mob-the King forced to assent to the declaration of the Rights of Man.Arrival of Lafayette-his proceedings-and assurances.State of the mob- they break into the palace-escape of the Queen -the royal family forced to go to Paris-their progress-they are lodged in the Louvre.