mittee, and the united Irishmen, came forward with extraordinary boldness, and endeavored to avail themselves of this season of anarchy and discord, to effectuate their malignant design of subverting the constitution, under the specious pretext of reforming it, and of separating Ireland from England, with the assistance of the French, whose alliance they sought for that purpose. These two bodies, who were actuated by the same views, and co-operated for their accomplishment, soon founded subordinate societies in every part of Ireland; which were affiliated with them; and were employed to carry their orders into execution.-Their most powerful auxiliaries was a popish banditti, called the defenders, who had been systematically organized in rebellion, and had committed nocturnal robbery and assassination on the Protestants, some years previous to the institution of the Catholic committee, and of the society of united Irishmen, and who coalesced with, and became subservient to, them.

CHAP. XIII.

The Parliament opened by Commission-Unanimous addresses of Congratulation on the King's recovery,-Bill for fortifying the Colonies passed-General Thanksgiving-Universal rejoicings on the occasion-Mr. Beaufoy's motion for the repeal of the Test Laws negatived by a Majority of Twenty-Mr. Pitt opens the Budget-His financial Statements opposed by Mr. Sheridan, and adopted by the House-Mr. Pitt proposes to subject Tobacco to the Excise-Reflections on the extension of the Excise LawsObjections to the proposed plan by the ManufacturersThe Bill for carrying it into effect passed into a LawParliament prorogued-Affairs of France-Riots at ParisAttempts to seduce the Troops-Second Assembly of Notables Discussions respecting the convocation of the States-General unnecessary and dangerous-Mr. Neckar-no Statesman-Good intentions no excuse for profound Incapacity-Epigram on Mr. Neckar-The Notables decide in favour of the established usage in the formation of the States-Their decision opposed by Mr. Neckar, who prefers and acts upon his own-Memorial-of the Princes of the Blood to the King, foretelling the calamities to which their Country would be exposed-The Duke of Orleans refuses to sign it-Character and Conduct of that Prince-Employs the Abbé Sieyes to draw up the Instructions for his bailiwicks-Parliament of Paris publish a resolution on the state of the Nation--Their

Influence is lost and their resolution received with indifference-Mr. Neckar insists, in contradiction to the King, to the Princes of the Blood, and to the Parliament, on allowing a double number of Representatives to the Commons-The King yields to his Advice-Factious proceedings in the Palais-Royal-Riot at Paris-Many of the mob killed by the Troops-Rioters hired at 12 livres a day-The States-General assemble at Versailles-The King's Speech-Mr. Neckar's speech produces general disappointment-Contest between the different orders respecting the verification of powers-Views of the democratic party-Conference between Malouet, Sieyes and Target-Avowed plan for the destruction of Nobility— The Commons declare themselves duly constituted— Debate respecting the name which they should assumeAdopt, on the motion of Sieyes, that of National Assembly Resolve to act without the other two ordersFalsehood of their declaration exposed-Their usurpationDeclare all existing taxes illegal-Continue them by their own authority,-Mob employed to insult the first two orders of the State-The King orders the Hall of the Commons to be prepared for a Royal Session-The President Bailly, apprized of the King's intention-Misrepresentations of the King's conduct on this occasion exposed-The Commons adjourn to a Tennis CourtTake an oath not to separate-One member only refuses to take it-Hold their next sitting in the Church of St. Louis-Re-joined by a number of the clergy-The Royal Session-The King proposes a plan of reform highly favourable to the Liberty of the Subject-Reflections on this plan-Mr. Neckar absents himself from the Royal Session-Motives of his absence-Factious Speech of Mirabeau-The Commons, on the suggestion of Mirabeau, declare their own persons inviolable;-and all those Traitors to their country, who shall dare to reproach them

for their Conduct-Observations on this declarationNeckar courts the applause of the mob-The mob attack the Archbishop of Paris-Motion for the clergy to join the Commons rejected by a majority of one-Afterwards carried by a stratagem of the Archbishop of BourdeauxScandalous behaviour of some of the clergy-Democratic meeting at Mr. Neckar's house-Forty-four members of the Nobles join the Commons-Popular outcry against Aristocrats The King's conference with the Presidents, and some leading members of the first two orders-The Nobles and Clergy, at the King's request, join the Commons-Excellent Speech of the Archbishop of AixFresh disturbances at Paris-Troops stationed for the protection of the Capital-The Assembly address the King to remove them-Mirabeau's seditious Speech-King refuses to dismiss the Troops, but offers to remove the assemblyDismission of Neckar-Commotions in Paris-Treachery of the French Guards-The populace force the prisons-The National Assembly again importune the King to remove the Troops-The Mob attack the Hotel des Invalides, and carry away all the arms-Imbecility of M. de Sombreuil-The Bastille attacked-Surrendered-Misconduct of M. de Launay, and M. de Buzenval-Curious motive for it-Murder of M. de Launay, and M. de FlessellesMisrepresentations respecting the surrender of the Bastille corrected-Critical situation of the King-The assembly once more call upon him to remove the troops-He yields at last to their request-and gives his sanction to the establishment of the Militia, as National guards of Paris-Object of the Conspirators in the assembly-The Orleans Committee-Cowardice of the Duke of Orleans-Mirabeau's opinion of him-Offer of Marshal Braglio to remove the Royal Family to Metz rejected by the King-The Assembly send a deputation to

Paris-Eloquent speech of the Count de Lally-TolendalThe King goes to Paris-His reception by the populaceMurder of Messrs. Fonlon and Berthier-Atrocious observation of Barnave in the National Assembly-Recal of Neckar-Addresses of congratulation to the assembly drawn up at Versailles by the Breton Club-Dreadful State of the country-The Conspirators impute the public disorders to the Intrigues of English Agents-The Duke of Dorset's letter to the minister repelling the imputation— Memorable Sitting of the assembly on the evening of the third of August-All Feudal rights annihilatedTithes suppressed And property invaded-Salutary decree for abolishing the sale of places, and for other useful purposes-Speech of the Abbè Sieyes, in defence of the property of the Church-Contrasted with his writings-Public disorders increase-Neckar proposes a small Loan-Fails in his efforts to obtain it-Illegal proceedings of the National Assembly-Project of the Conspirators for removing the Assembly to Paris-Intended attack on the Palace-The Assembly early apprized of it-The Regiment of Flanders called to Versailles for the protection of the Royal Family-The Mob and the Paris Militia proceed to Versailles-Mounier's reproof of Mirabeau-The King forbids his Body Guards to fire on the Mob-or to repel force by force-M. de St. Priest urges the King and the Royal Family to leave VersaillesThe King promises, but recals his promise-La Fayette requests the King to go to rest, and answers for his Security-The Palace attacked-Attempt to murder the Queen-The Duke of Orleans directs the Mob to the Queen's Apartment-Gallant Conduct of the Body Guards, some of them murdered-The Mob driven out of the Palace The King and Royal Family remove to Paris-are followed by the National Assembly.