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Expectations the second cause。 … Separation and laxity of the
administrative forces。 … Investigations of local assemblies。 … The
people become aware of their condition。 … Convocation of the
States…General。 … Hope is born。 The coincidence of early
Assemblies with early difficulties。
It is just through this breach that hope steals like a beam of
light； and gradually finds its way down to the depths below。 For
the last fifty years it has been rising； and its rays； which first
illuminated the upper class in their splendid apartments in the
first story； and next the middle class in their entresol and on the
ground floor。 They have now for two years penetrated to the cellars
where the people toil； and even to the deep sinks and obscure
corners where rogues and vagabonds and malefactors； a foul and
swarming herd； crowd and hide themselves from the persecution of the
law。 To the first two provincial assemblies instituted by Necker
in 1778 and 1779； Loménie de Brienne has in 1787 just added nineteen
others； under each of these are assemblies of the arrondissement；
under each assembly of the arrondissement are parish assemblies＇8＇。
Thus the whole machinery of administration has been changed。 It is
the new assemblies which assess the taxes and superintend their
collection； which determine upon and direct all public works； and
which form the court of final appeal in regard to matters in
dispute。 The intendant； the sub…delegate； the elected
representative＇9＇； thus lose three…quarters of their authority。
Conflicts arise； consequently； between rival powers whose frontiers
are not clearly defined； command shifts about； and obedience is
diminished。 The subject no longer feels on his shoulders the
commanding weight of the one hand which； without possibility of
interference or resistance； held him in； urged him forward； and made
him move on。 Meanwhile； in each assembly of the parish
arrondissement； and even of the province； plebeians； 〃husband…
men；〃＇10＇ and often common farmers； sit by the side of lords and
prelates。 They listen to and remember the vast figure of the taxes
which are paid exclusively； or almost exclusively； by them the
taille and its accessories； the poll…tax and road dues； and
assuredly on their return home they talk all this over with their
neighbor。 These figures are all printed； the village attorney
discusses the matter with his clients； the artisans and rustics； on
Sunday as they leave the mass； or in the evening in the large public
room of the tavern。 These little gatherings； moreover； are
sanctioned； encouraged by the powers above。 In the earliest days of
1788 the provincial assemblies order a board of inquiry to be held
by the syndics and inhabitants of each parish。 Knowledge is wanted
in detail of their grievances。 What part of the revenue is
chargeable to each impost？ What must the cultivator pay and how much
does he suffer？ How many privileged persons there are in the parish；
what is the amount of their fortune； are they residents； and what
their exemptions amount to？ In replying； the attorney who holds the
pen； names and points out with his finger each privileged
individual； criticizes his way of living； and estimates his fortune；
calculates the injury done to the village by his immunities；
inveighs against the taxes and the tax…collectors。 On leaving these
assemblies the villager broods over what he has just heard。 He sees
his grievances no longer singly as before； but in mass； and coupled
with the enormity of evils under which his fellows suffer。 Besides
this； they begin to disentangle the causes of their misery： the King
is good why then do his collectors take so much of our money？
This or that canon or nobleman is not unkind why then do they
make us pay in their place？ Imagine that a sudden gleam of reason
should allow a beast of burden to comprehend the contrast between
the species of horse and mankind。 Imagine； if you can； what its
first ideas would be in relation to the coachmen and drivers who
bridle and whip it and again in relation to the good…natured
travelers and sensitive ladies who pity it； but who to the weight of
the vehicle add their own and that of their luggage。
Likewise； in the mind of the peasant； athwart his perplexed
brooding； a new idea； slowly； little by little； is unfolded： that
of an oppressed multitude of which he makes one； a vast herd
scattered far beyond the visible horizon； everywhere ill used；
starved； and fleeced。 Towards the end of 1788 we begin to detect in
the correspondence of the intendants and military commandants the
dull universal muttering of coming wrath。 Men's characters seem to
change； they become suspicious and restive。 And just at this
moment； the Government； dropping the reins； calls upon them to
direct themselves。＇11＇。 In the month of November 1787； the King
declared that he would convoke the States…General。 On the 5th of
July 1788； he calls for memoranda （des mémoires） on this subject
from every competent person and body。 On the 8th of August he fixes
the date of the session。 On the 5th of October he convokes the
notables； in order to consider the subject with them。 On the 27th
of December he grants a double representation to the Third…Estate；
because 〃its cause is allied with generous sentiments； and it will
always obtain the support of public opinion。〃 The same day he
introduces into the electoral assemblies of the clergy a majority of
curés＇12＇； 〃because good and useful pastors are daily and closely
associated with the indigence and relief of the people；〃 from which
it follows 〃that they are much more familiar with their sufferings〃
and necessities。 On the 24th January 1789； he prescribes the
procedure and method of the meetings。 After the 7th of February
writs of summons are sent out one after the other。 Eight days
after； each parish assembly begins to draw up its memorial of
grievances； and becomes excited over the detailed enumeration of all
the miseries which it sets down in writing。 All these appeals
and all these acts are so many strokes； which reverberate； in the
popular imagination。 〃It is the desire of His Majesty；〃 says the
order issued； 〃that every one； from the extremities of his kingdom；
and from the most obscure of its hamlets； should be certain of his
wishes and protests reaching him。〃 Thus； it is all quite true： there
can be no mistake about it； the thing is sure。 The people are
invited to speak out； they are summoned； and they are consulted。
There is a disposition to relieve them； henceforth their misery
shall be less； better times are coming。 This is all they know about
it。 A few month after； in July；＇13＇ the only answer a peasant girl
can make to Arthur Young is； 〃something was to be done by some great
folks for such poor ones； but she did not know who nor how。〃 The
thing is too complicated； beyond the reach of a stupefied and
mechanical brain。 … One idea alone emerges； th