Chapter II: Part 2

This morning, being Sunday, I sent my servant for a coach to carry me to the _Champ de Mars_; but he returned without any, with this intelligence from the coachman, _viz._ that they were all forbid to move a coach that day, by reason of the great multitude of people that was to convene; as it was supposed, that many would be crushed to death if they were allowed to ride in coaches. The nobility, gentry, and commonalty, were therefore all obliged to walk to the _Champ de Mars_; at which place I took a seat, a little to the left of the National Assembly, where I had a fine prospect. There was the greatest multitude of people collected that I ever saw at one time, and they behaved with decency and good order. The Marquis de la Fayette rode at the head of the army, and was frequently honoured with huzzas, loud acclamations, and other demonstrations of joy. Among the bands of music was a very large drum, that seemed to make the earth tremble when it was beat.

I took a seat about ten, and tarried about five hours. About half past one, an air balloon, of a large magnitude, ascended to the southward of the _Champ de Mars_. It was conducted by a great number of men, who held its lines, over the place where I was sitting. It descended on our heads, and the French cried, _En bas, en bas, Monsieur_: Down, down, Sir. I bowed myself almost to the ground, to prevent being hurt; but arose, and pushed the balloon upwards with my hand: It ascended, and went to the northward; but descended again several times, and afterwards passed to the southward by the National Assembly, almost in a horizontal direction. When it had got at a little distance from the _Champ de Mars_, the inflammable air took fire, and the balloon split, with a report something like that of a cannon. It was said that several persons were considerably burnt when the balloon burst. I understood the next day, that some of the French supposed, that a great blessing will follow those upon whom the balloon descended.

After I had left the _Champ de Mars_, I dined at a grand hotel, where thirty-two tables were spread in one room. At this place a French lady viewed me with an _amorous eye_; and I perceived by some of her _motions_, after I had dined, that she had an inclination to _lead me into temptation_: but I was soon off with myself, and was thereby _delivered from evil_.

In the evening I went to the _Italian opera_, where sixty-two persons appeared on the stage at the first view. The vocal and instrumental music was excellent, and the other performances very entertaining.

CHAP. VIII.

_The_ Doctor _views three Hospitals, and the largest Cathedral in the Kingdom.--An Account of the Foundling Hospital. He goes to_ Versailles--_views the King and Queen's Palaces, returns to_ Paris, _and sees the Dauphin of France_.

Paris, July 19.

This morning I viewed the grand hospital, the lying-in hospital, the foundling hospital, and the greatest cathedral in the kingdom, called _L'Eglise de Notre Dame_. It is a grand Gothic structure, has a very fine choir, altar, &c. and many paintings, some of which represent the miracles and resurrection of Christ.

There were 17,500 children belonging to the foundling hospital, above 7,000 of which had been taken in within the compass of a year. They were kept very clean, and I did not hear a child cry amongst the whole number.

The matron, or governess of the hospital, shewed me their grand stores of linen and garments for the children, which was worth beholding.

This hospital is a most excellent institution: People of all kinds, and from all countries, are allowed to bring their children into it; and no questions are asked; only the person that leaves the child is asked if the child has been christened. If that has not been done, they get it done at the hospital. Those that bring their children put a ribbon round their necks, or mark them with something whereby they may be known in some future time, and they are permitted to take them away when they please.

Those that remain in the hospitals, are put out to learn trades, when they are old enough;--and sums of money are given to those who take them.

I was told that a young woman from Great Britain had just lain in at the lying-in hospital, and had put her child into the foundling hospital. Perhaps she may pass for a _virgin_ again, on her arrival in England!

This hospital must be of great utility to the people, because it relieves the poor, and prevents murder; as women have not the temptation to kill their children through fear of not having them supported; and also, because it produces a great number of good members of society.

After I had viewed the hospitals, I made a purchase of two books, which contained all I was in pursuit after. I also viewed the house where Voltaire the famous French poet died.

The same day I went in a coach with my servant to Versailles, which is about twelve miles from Paris. We arrived there about noon; and I viewed the king and queen's palaces, which are said to be the richest in the world, or at least, the most beautiful and magnificent in Europe. I also viewed the royal chapel and two of the royal theatres, and the king's gardens planted with tropical and other trees, plants, and herbs. The buildings are adorned and beautified with gold, and many splendid ornaments, and there are a great number of statues, and elegant paintings; all of which afford a very beautiful prospect.

Versailles is a pleasant place, and there are about 60,000 inhabitants in the town. I dined after I had viewed the curiosities, and returned to Paris in the evening, where I saw the Dauphin of France, attended by a monk.

Versailles is said to be the dearest place for entertainment that there is in France, owing to the great number of nobility and gentry that resort there: Therefore ought every traveller to be well provided with money when he goes to see that place.

CHAP. IX.

_Views two Hospitals, the Royal Observatory, and sundry other Magnificent Buildings.--Goes to the French Theatre, &c.--A Caution against going into bad Company._

Paris, July 20.

This day I viewed the charity hospital, and the hospital for invalids. The latter is a large and elegant building, in which there is a chapel, that is said to cover as much ground as the cathedral of St. Paul's, in London. The floors of the domes are made of fine marble, and each dome is dedicated to some saint, whose statue is placed in a niche, or hallow. There are some of the finest paintings in this chapel that I ever saw; and the hospital commonly contains about 200 officers, and 3,000 soldiers.

Afterwards I viewed the house of Bourbonne, and the royal observatory, where _astronomical observations_ are taken. I looked through the telescopes, and surveyed the mathematical instruments. I saw an account of the late observations, and perceived that the French are very accurate in performances of that kind: but I did not give them to understand that I was a professor of the science.

I also viewed a great church, called _Jamies_, which has been near twenty years in building, and is not yet wholly finished. In this church there are some of the largest and finest pillars that I ever beheld.

Afterwards I took a survey of the buildings and gardens which belong to the king's eldest brother; and went to the French theatre and saw the grand performances there. After the play was over, on returning to my lodgings, I was seized on the way by a very gay young lady, who accosted me with--_J' aime vous, Monsieur.--Voulez vous venir avec moi?_--My answer was in the negative. I was obliged to break her hold, and be off with myself. "Perhaps, said I, if I go with you, I may be robbed and murdered: it is best for me to keep out of the fire whilst it is in my power."

I had heard but a few days before of a man that was so simple as to accept of the invitation of two lewd women, who took him to their lodgings; but before morning he was robbed, not only of his watch and money, but of his clothes, and turned out naked into the street by some whore-mongers that frequented the house. This shews how dangerous it is to venture one's-self amongst strangers, and especially those of this sort. It is safest for every one, either at home or abroad, to shun all such kind of company, as well as the company of thieves, drunkards, gamesters, and those that use bad language: for the keeping of bad company has been the destruction of thousands; and especially the greatest mischief has been done among unthinking _youth_: their inexperience, and unsuspecting dispositions, making them the fit subjects for villainy to work upon.

CHAP. X.

_Contemplations, Philosophical and Moral, on the State and Condition of the Living and the Dead, which the Author indulges at the Abbey of St._ Denis, _where the Kings of France are buried_.

St. Denis, July 21,

_At half past one_, P. M.

I am now standing in the abbey of St. Denis, which is about six miles from Paris, and have been told that all the kings of France, excepting Lewis XVI. are buried here, and that the house of Bourbon lie under my feet.--Alas! said I, here is the end of those mighty monarchs, that once ruled the kingdom, commanded armies, fought battles, obtained victories, collected riches, and enjoyed the honours, the profits and the pleasures of this perishing world.--Here they lie silent! and their dominion, strength, and power, are wholly gone!--Their bodies are returned to the elements out of which they were formed, _viz._ to the earth, air, fire, and water. Alas! continued I, the present king of France, with all the mighty kings and princes on the globe, together, with the rest of the human race, must soon pass through this change! And not only the human race, but the birds, beasts and fishes, trees, plants, and herbs; even every thing that hath life must be dissolved, and return to the elements, _viz._ Earth to earth, air to air, fire to fire, and water to water; for it is the _decree_ of the _Divine Artificer_, who is the former of our bodies, and the father of our spirits, that all these things shall _once die_!--And, none of the mighty kings, or learned physicians, can hinder themselves or others, from experiencing this awful change.

Moreover, I had further contemplations upon the state of the living and the condition of the dead. I considered the mutability of our bodies; that they are continually changing; that they increase in proportion to the quantity of nutrition which they receive from meat, drink, the circumambient air, &c. or, decrease in proportion to a want of nourishment from those things.

That they are continually flying off by insensible perspiration and other evacuations, and would soon come to a dissolution, if not nourished by the vegetable and animal productions.

That the bodies we had seven years ago, are totally dissolved by those evacuations; and from hence we have new flesh, new bones, new skin, new hair, new nails, &c. formed out of the four elements.

That the time we have lived, is past and gone; and, that the time we are to live is not yet come, so that we only live at the present time.

That death is only a change from this state to another,--as our bodies return again to the elements, and our spirits to Him that gave them: that the dead, being at rest, are totally free from the cares, troubles, and vexations of a mortal life. The king is not afraid of losing his kingdom, nor the beggar of perishing with hunger.

I beg leave to conclude this chapter with the following reflections, which will not, I hope, detract from their solemnity, because cast in a _poetical_ mould.

Short is our passage thro' this nether world,
For soon by death we from the stage are hurl'd.
The tender infants in their lovely bloom,
Are often hurry'd to the silent tomb!
Adults grown up, nay some of ev'ry age,
By cruel death are taken from the stage;
The high, the low, the rich, the poor, the small,
By the great _king of terrors_ soon must fall.
The richest man, (it cannot be deny'd)
Who with good things most amply is supply'd;
Soon, too, he feels th' impartial stroke of death,
Down falls his body, and off flies his breath:
But where it goes, or how far it doth fly,
No mortal man can tell below the sky.
The elements that in the body are,
Return to those from whence they taken were.
Thus, dust to dust, and air to air, we find,
And heat to heat, are soon again combin'd,
Water to water soon again doth flow,
And the whole mass to dissolution go!

Await, O man! thy doom; for 'tis the fate
Of ev'ry creature in this mortal state:
Yet shall th' immortal spark ascend on high,
Of righteous ones who _in the_ LORD _do die_.
Thus whilst their bodies are behind at rest,
Their pious souls with happiness are blest.

---- Again.----

O happy state in which the dead are cast!
Their pain is gone and all their trouble's past.
When roaring winds bring up the thick'ned cloud,
And the deep thunder rumbles out aloud;
When the earth quakes, when lofty cities fall,
When places sink, and can't be found at all;
When inundations o'er the land arise,
And burning mountains burst towards the skies;
When famine and the pestilence doth rage,
And wicked nations in a war engage;
When blood and carnage greatly doth expand,
And desolation overspreads the land,
And boist'rous tempests rage upon the sea;
Then are the Dead from danger wholly free.
They're not afraid of being hurt, or slain,
Like wretched mortals who alive remain.
Let not the living then at Death repine,
Since it was made by God an _act divine_,
To raise the Just--the _husband_, _child_, and _wife_,
From scenes of trouble to a better life!

CHAP. XI.

_Of the Curiosities in the Abbey of St. Denis.--The_ Doctor _views the King's Treasure.--Goes to the Italian Theatre.--Observations on the Actors, &c._

Whilst I was at the abbey of St. Denis, I viewed many elegant statues and paintings, and the font, or baptismal bason, out of which the kings of France had been christened. Afterwards I was admitted by a monk into the king's treasure, where I saw the crowns of the kings and queens of France, with many golden vessels and splendid ornaments.

I dined at a hotel in St. Denis, and returned to Paris; but in my rout I ascended a hill which commands a sight of the city, and affords a fine prospect. On this hill there is a great number of wind-mills, dwelling-houses, and other buildings. In the evening I went to the Italian theatre, where I was very well entertained with performances of different kinds. Their artificial thunder and lightning, was alarming; as the claps were very loud and sudden, and the flashes appeared as natural as those from the clouds.

The theatres in Paris are very large. They are opened at five o'clock, and the performances begin at six, and end at nine,--which is much better then to keep people till almost midnight; because they have time to return to their dwellings in season.

I have often thought that the actors are deficient in one thing; that is, in their not apprising the spectators of the subject before the play begins; and whether it is to be a tragedy or a comedy, and who or what it is to be in imitation of; and whether it is to represent a battle, a duel, or a courtship, &c. for the entering upon these things without any previous notice, is like a divine's preaching without naming his text, or letting his auditors know what subject he is about to discourse upon.

It is true, indeed, that the actors often send forth publications, to let the people know what is to be represented such and such evenings; but I do not think that more than one person in twenty that attends the plays ever reads the publications; and those that do, are put to the trouble of carrying them to the theatres, and of tracing them through the evening, or they will not know before-hand what play is to be acted next.

CHAP. XII.

_Views the Anatomical Productions at_ Cherenton. _A Description of the Vineyards.--The People meet where the Bastille stood, and pray for the Souls of them that were slain in taking that Place. Their Form of Prayer.--Surveys the King's Physical Gardens._

Paris, July 22.

This morning I went to Cherenton, which is two leagues from Paris, and viewed a great number of skeletons, not only of human bodies, but of birds, beasts, and fishes; and I must join in opinion with the Spanish physician, _viz_. that they exceed every thing of the kind in the world, or at least that I ever saw or heard of. Here are skeletons of infants and adults, mounted upon the skeletons of horses, of different sizes; some with the bones only, and some with the veins and arteries, muscles, &c. In short every part of the human machine is exposed to the view of the spectator. The various parts of the body are also preserved in spirits, and anatomy is demonstrated in all its branches in the best manner; which must be of excellent use to young students.

As I was returning to Paris, I viewed a number of vineyards which are cultivated for the purpose of raising grapes. The vines in general were planted about two feet apart, and are hoed much like the maze, or Indian corn, in America. In some places they have rows of potatoes between the vines, but at such places they are planted more than two feet apart; and for want of knowledge in philosophy, many hill their potatoes too high, which hinders their growth, by obstructing the rays of the sun from heating their roots.

The vines run upon poles, that are about four or five feet high; and after the grapes are gathered in the fall, the vines are cut down close to the ground, and from the roots another set arises, which bear grapes the next year. It appears to me that such vines would grow in many parts of America, if they were properly cultivated.

On entering into Paris, I passed by the place where the Bastille stood; and, behold! a number of the priests, with a great multitude of people, had met together to pray for the souls of them that had been slain, when the Bastille was taken on the 14th of July, 1789. I was told, that this was the first time that the priests and the people had met to pray on that occasion since the battle happened.

The catholics have various forms of prayer, which they make use of when they pray for the dead. The one for brethren, relations, and benefactors, runs thus:

"O God, the giver of pardon, and lover of the salvation of man, we beseech thy clemency in behalf of our brethren, relations, and benefactors, who departed this life; that by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin _Mary_, and of all thy saints, thou wouldest receive them into the joys of thy eternal kingdom: through our Lord Jesus Christ, _Amen_."

At the end of each form, the following is used: "Eternal rest give to them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them."

After I had left the place where the people were praying, I walked through the king's physical gardens, where there are about seven thousand different kinds of vegetables, consisting of trees, plants and herbs, collected from the four quarters of the globe, that can possibly be made to grow in Paris. I have been informed, that this botanical garden, and a museum of natural curiosities, which may be seen every Wednesday and Friday in the afternoon, costs the king 72,000 livres _per annum_.

In these gardens there is a mount, which I ascended by a path that runs round it, in a spiratic course. At the top of this hill I had a fine prospect, not only of the gardens, but of the city.

I observed as I passed through the gardens, that the vegetables were distinguished from one another by Latin inscriptions, as _calamus_ _aromaticus_, _sambucus_, _rhabarbarum_, &c.

CHAP. XIII.

_A Description of_ Paris.--_Of the River_ Seine.--_Of the Climate.--Dress,--Anecdote of a Frenchman.--French Courtship, and the Fondness of the Ladies_, &c.

Paris, the capital of France, is situated in lat. 48 deg. 50 min. north; and long. 2 deg. 10 min. east of the royal observatory at Greenwich; and is called one of the grandest and most beautiful cities in Europe. It is built in a circular form, and was about eighteen miles in circumference, 'till of late it has been made much larger by the augmentation of their buildings, and the erection of a new wall, which encompasses the old one at a great distance. The city is walled in to prevent smuggling, sentries being placed at the gates, where duties are paid, &c. The houses in this city are from six to eight stories high in general, built chiefly of hewn stone, which are of a lightish colour. These stories are much higher than ours in London. The buildings are very magnificent; and the city is amazingly populous.

It contains upwards of 22,000 houses,--979 streets,--52 parishes,--130 convents,--28 hospitals,--and about 800,000 people.

The streets of this city are narrow; and being paved to the sides of the houses, with stones much like those in the middle of the streets in London, makes the walking inconvenient, and exposes travellers to the danger of being hurt by the carriages.

It is a pity that the streets of Paris, and many other cities, had not been laid out at right angles, at proper distances, and at convenient breadths, when the places were first built.

Paris is divided almost into equal parts by the river Seine, which did not appear to me to be so large as the river Thames. There is a number of bridges over the Seine, and several of them have buildings on either side, which form a complete street. This river rises in Burgundy, and running through Paris, empties itself into the English Channel, between Havre-de-Grace and Honfleur.

The tides are not strong enough to bring heavy vessels up to Paris. The people are obliged to make use of long barges, and to tow them up with horses. There are some water-mills erected on this river, for the purpose of grinding grain, &c.

The air is much clearer at Paris than it is at London; and the country is healthy: the climate in the south of France is called the wholesomest in Europe. It is something remarkable that I did not see one funeral all the time I was in France; which made me suppose that they buried their dead in the night: but this, on enquiry, I found not to be the practice.

The inhabitants of Paris are polite, gay and luxurious; many of them very handsome. The amusements of the city are pleasing, and the people enjoy their pleasures at a cheap rate, as foreigners contribute much towards the support of their theatres, hotels, &c.

The people in France do not seem to be much given to intemperance; and I was told, that when the farmers and mechanics have received their wages, they spend them at home in their families, instead of being drunk at ale-houses; a thing too common in England. I was also told, that the French do not use so much corrupt and abominable language as the English and Irish do.

The ladies have a much handsomer head dress than the English; they do not wear stays, neither do they make many of their gowns so long as to draw on the ground, which is a waste, and a dirty indecent fashion. The gentlemen dress much as we do in London, only they sometimes wear cloaks, and the collars of their coats are not quite so high as ours. I have sometimes wondered that cloaks are not more in fashion in London.

The French are very merry and cheerful; and their light and airy turn makes them patient in times of adversity; they have also the just reputation of being witty; and it has been said, that they are sometimes too cunning for the English. This brings to my mind the following anecdote, _viz._ A Frenchman, who had supped and lodged at an inn kept by an Englishman, demanded his reckoning: the landlord made out a bill of ten shillings, which the Frenchman paid, thinking in the mean time that his host was something extravagant in his demands, and was therefore resolved to be _up_ with him. The landlord soon complained that he was very much troubled with rats. "Vell," said the Frenchman, "for von bouteille of vin, I vill tell how you may get rid of dem all." The landlord gave the wine. "Vell," said the Frenchman, "do you make out a bill, and charge dem rats ten shillings a-piece for every night da have lodged in your house, and I vill be bound da vill all go off, and never trouble you any more."

I shall here give a slight specimen of the _French courtship_, which a gentleman repeated to me; and if the gentlemen in England, Scotland, Ireland, America, or elsewhere, shall see fit to follow the same mode of address to the ladies, I shall have no objection, providing they address themselves to proper persons.

"Madame,

"Upon the consideration of the good reputation you bear in the nation, I find an inclination to offer you my salutation; and, upon my salvation, if this my declaration finds your acceptation, it will cause an obligation that will be of long continuation, even from generation to generation."

The ladies in France are very amorous, and those that are married are not much troubled with their husbands being jealous of them, let them be honest or dishonest: and you may court a Frenchman's wife before his face, and he will not be jealous of you, as I was informed. Great numbers of the lewd women are said to be licensed by authority, to keep public houses for the entertainment of persons of that character.

The disease that is commonly spread by such people is rather upon the decline at Paris, it is said; owing to the frequent use of different kinds of remedies, as preventatives, &c.

CHAP. XIV.

_The Length, Breadth, Boundaries, Inhabitants, New Divisions, Mountains, Rivers, Soil, Produce, Manufactories, Commerce, Religion, and Laws of_ France.

The kingdom of France is about six hundred and twenty-two miles in length from north to south, and six hundred and twenty in breadth from east to west: It is bounded--Easterly on Germany, Switzerland, Savoy, and Piedmont--Southerly on the Mediterranean sea, and the Pyrenean mountains, which separate it from Spain--Westerly on the Bay of Biscay--Northerly on the English channel--and North-easterly on the Spanish Netherlands. It contains near 26,950-7/12 square leagues--25,000,000 of inhabitants--Eighteen arch-bishoprics--167,000 clergymen--28 universities--25 academies--750 great convents of monks--200 of nuns--10,000 of a smaller kind--and upwards of 200,000 of monks and nuns.

I understand that the National Assembly have divided the kingdom into eighty grand divisions, or counties, of eighteen leagues in length, and as many in breadth; and each grand division into nine commonalities, that are six leagues square; and also each commonality into nine cantons, of two leagues in length, and two in breadth.

Hence there are eighty grand divisions, seven hundred and twenty commonalities, and 6480 cantons in the kingdom.

The mountains in France are, the Alps--the Pyrenees--the Vague--Mount Jura--the Convennes--and Mount Dor.

The chief rivers are, the Rhone--the Garoune--the Loire--the Seine--the Somme--and the Ardour.

The climate is mild and healthy, as has already been observed; and the soil fruitful, though not equal to Great Britain for corn: but their fruits are more numerous, and of a higher flavour than ours, by reason of their growing in a more southern country. They have the largest plumbs I ever saw: but their beans, peas, and strawberries were small. In the northern provinces they have good cider and perry; and in the southern the best of wines. In the province of Languedoc they raise silk and olive oil.

France does not abound in coal, which obliges the people to raise and burn wood, and sometimes turf. There are many excellent forests between Paris and Calais, and some beds of turf. In Paris they have the largest magazines of wood that I ever saw.

The animals in France are of the same kinds of those in England; only they have some wolves, as I was informed.

The French manufacture silks, woollens, velvets, brocades, alamodes, lawns, laces, cambrics, tapestry, glass, hardware, war-like implements, paper, hats, thread, toys, &c. but I do not think their manufacturies are equal to those of England in all respects.

France carries on the greatest foreign trade of any kingdom in the world, except Great Britain; and the inland trade is very large, by the way of their navigable rivers, canals, &c. One of the latter is said to be one hundred miles in length, and opens a communication between the ocean and the Mediterranean; it is carried over mountains and vallies, and through one mountain. It was begun and finished in the reign of Lewis XIV. It is called the Royal Canal, or Canal of Languedoc.

The established religion of France is that of the Roman Catholicks; but of late the Protestants have been allowed a toleration.

I was told at Paris that many of the people look upon the Romish clergy as impostors, and that they had found them out, and intend to pull them down.

It was said that a few of the laws of France were very arbitrary and tyrannical before the late Revolution, as they were totally inconsistent with the laws of humanity; among which was that for confiscating the property of foreigners dying in France, and appropriating it to the use of the state. But since my arrival at Paris the National Assembly have abolished for ever that unreasonable decree. Had I died whilst I was in that kingdom, and before the decree was abolished, my hat, shirts, coats, waistcoats, breeches, stockings, shoes, buckles, books, trunk, money, diploma, recommendations, &c. would have been confiscated and taken from my heirs; and for no other crime than that of my going to see the country, and do business for myself in Paris!

How unreasonable was it, that the heirs of the deceased, _viz._ the poor widows and the fatherless children, should have their property alienated in such a manner! Surely such a transaction must be disgraceful, not only to Christendom, but even to the most barbarous nations!

I was told that the National Assembly had also abolished, for ever, two other decrees, which they deemed unreasonable. They were those that debarred the clergy from the liberty of entering into the bands of matrimony, and certain females the same privilege; and also, for the keeping them in confinement all the days of their lives in nunneries.

Before the Revolution the laws were executed with the utmost severity.

A servant would be hung for stealing less then a shilling. Murderers and high-way robbers, and those that attempted to poison any body, were broke on the wheel.

Smugglers were condemned to be gally-slaves for life.

Women brought to bed with dead bastard children, without having made known their pregnancy, were burnt alive.

Priests that revealed the confessions of penitents, had their tongues tore out, their gowns stripped off, and were expelled from their employments.

He that robbed a church had his hands cut off at the church door, and was afterwards burnt at the place of execution, which was always in the centre of the town.

People of family, convicted of a capital offence, though not executed, are disennobled, with all their relations, turned out of their public employments, and rendered incapable of holding any afterwards, and all marriage contracts become void.

The nobility and clergy, with the burgesses of Paris, and some other free cities, were exempted from paying land taxes.

CHAP. XV.

France _an unlimited Monarchy before the Revolution.--The Kingdom was divided into fifteen Parts, in which were as many Parliaments.--It was also divided into twenty-five Generalities.--The King nominated the Bishops.--The Privileges of the Clergy.--The Orders of Knighthood.--From what the Revenues were collected.--A Statement of the Annual Incomes and Expences.--Of the Gold and Silver in Circulation.--National Debt, &c._

Having, partly from my own knowledge, and partly from credible information, given in the preceding chapter a short geographical description of the kingdom of France, I proceed, in the next place, to say something concerning its Constitution and Government before the late Revolution.

Let us therefore observe,

1. That France was an unlimited monarchy.

2. That both the legislative and executive powers resided in the king.

3. That his decrees had the same force as our acts of parliament.

4. That the kingdom was divided into fifteen parts, each of which had a parliament; as that of Paris, Toulouse, Rouen, Grenoble, Bordeaux, Dijon, Aix, Rennes, Pau, Besancon, Metz, Dowa, Perpignan, Arras, and Alsace.

5. That these parliaments consisted of a certain number of presidents and inferior judges, who purchased their offices of the crown, or of those that possessed them, as they were for life, unless the officers were found guilty of malconduct in the execution of their office.

6. That the parliament of Paris was esteemed the highest, because it was composed of princes of royal blood, dukes and peers, besides ordinary judges. Here the king frequently came in person, and had his royal edicts recorded and promulgated.

7. That the kingdom was also divided into twenty-five generalities, every one of which had an intendant, on whom the king depended for the administration of justice, in civil and criminal causes; for ruling and governing the subordinate officers, and ordering and conducting his finances and revenues.

8. That the king nominated the bishops and their livings, and then the pope sent his bulls of consecration.

9. That the crown seized all the temporalities of archbishopricks, and bishopricks, which was called the _regal_, and the king frequently gave pensions to laymen out of the bishopricks.

The privileges of the clergy were:

1. An exemption from paying land-taxes.

2. From having their books seized, with the other things they used in divine service.

3. They might be tried in criminal causes, if they chose it, before the grand chamber, which is a court where the nobility were tried.

4. They had the liberty of being degraded, or placed lower, before they could be executed for any atrocious crime.

5. They were exempt from having soldiers quartered on them.

6. Their persons could not be taken with executions in civil actions.

7. They were exempted from being brought before lay courts for personal matters:

But they could not bring a layman before an ecclesiastical court.

All spiritual actions were recognizable in the ecclesiastical courts, providing they were not blended with temporal matters; and when that was the case, they were obliged to try their causes before the civil courts.

There have been four orders of knighthood in France:

_Viz._ 1. Knights of the Holy Ghost,} { 1578.
2. Knights of St. Michael, } Instituted in { 1469.
3. Knights of St. Louis, and } { 1693.
4. Knights of St. Lazarus, }

The annual revenues were collected by a land-tax--by the customs--by a tax on salt--by a poll-tax--by a tenth of estates and employments--by a sale of all offices of justice--and by a tenth, or free gift of the clergy. But this revenue was subject to an enlargment, by raising the value of the coin, and by the compounding of the state bills and debentures.

The annual revenue of France, before the Revolution, was said to be 585,000,000 of livres, or 24,375,000 pounds sterling. Of which sum the clergy possessed 130,000,000 of livres. The annual balance of trade in favour of France, was 70,000,000 of livres. The gold and silver supposed to be in circulation 2,000,000,000 of livres, and the annual increase of it 40,000,000 more.

The annual expences of France 610,000,000 livres, or 25,416,666_l._ 13_s._ 4_d._ sterling. The annual income 24,375,000_l._ The nation run in debt 1,041,666_l._ 13_s._ 4_d._ _per annum_.

A GENERAL STATEMENT _of the Expences, Incomes, &c. stands thus_:

Livres Sterling.

Expences for collecting taxes 58,000,000 2,416,666 13 4
Annual of importations 230,000,000 9,583,333 6 8
Ditto of exportations 300,000,000 12,500,000 0 0
Ditto of balance of commerce 70,000,000 2,916,666 6 8
An. int. of the national debt 207,000,000 8,625,000 0 0
Annual charge of the army 124,650,000 5,193,750 0 0
Ditto of the navy 45,200,000 1,883,333 6 8
The amount of the taxes, &c. 585,000,000 24,375,000 0 0
Annual expences of the state 610,000,000 25,416,666 13 4
Gold and silver coin 2,200,000,000 91,666,666 13 4
Supposed annual increase 40,000,000 1,666,666 13 4
National debt 3,400,000,000 141,666,666 13 4
------------------------------
May 1, 1779, National expen. 475,294,000
Revenue 431,533,000
-----------
Nation fell in debt 43,761,000
===========

CHAP. XVI.

_The Constitution of_ France _changed from Monarchy to Democracy.--The Number and Power of the National Assembly.--The King is only an executive Officer.--A Decree of the National Assembly.--Titles of Nobility abolished._

Having in the preceding chapter given an account of the constitution and government of France before the Revolution, let us consider, in the next place, of the present constitution and government of that kingdom.

We must therefore observe:

1. That the constitution is changed from monarchy to democracy; that the legislative powers are taken from the king, and vested in the people.

2. That the kingdom is divided into eighty grand divisions, and subdivided into seven hundred and twenty commonalities and 6480 cantons.

3. That each commonality is empowered to send one representative to the National Assembly.

4. That the National Assembly is composed of seven hundred and twenty members, when the whole are convened.

5. That this assembly is the supreme legislative head of the nation.

6. That the power of making laws, raising of taxes, the coining, borrowing, and lending of money; the setting up and pulling down of officers, granting of commissions and employments; the making of war and peace; and the entering into treaties and alliances with foreign powers, belongs to this assembly only.

7. That the king is only an executive officer, as he is to see the laws of the representatives of the nation executed.

The king is to execute the actual decrees of the National Assembly, respecting war and peace; and is allowed to provide for the safety of the realm, in case of a foreign invasion, during the recess of the assembly.

A decree of the National Assembly, passed in May last, runs thus:

"The king shall have the right to provide for the security of the frontiers, to make every preparation, and take every necessary step to defend the national possessions; to manage the operations of the war, and to propose whatever he thinks proper for the general good:

"But the legislative body shall have the right to decide on the propriety of the war, make peace, and settle treaties.

"In case of war, the king shall give immediate notice of it to the legislative body, if the assembly is sitting, and if not, it shall be summoned immediately."

I was informed in Paris, that the National Assembly have abolished all the titles of nobility; and observed that their coats of arms were taken from their carriages.

It was also reported, that the nobility are to pay land and other taxes, in proportion to their abilities.

These are some of the fundamental alterations in the Constitution, according to the best information that I have been able to obtain. Let us then, in the next chapter, consider of the causes of the Revolution.

CHAP. XVII.

_Supposed Causes of the Revolution.--The Resolutions of the National Assembly.--Names of some of the Officers appointed under the New Constitution._

It is said that the Revolution arose from various causes: as,

1. The people had no part of the power of legislation.

2. They were deprived of the right of a trial by jury.

3. They paid more than their proportion of the public taxes, because the nobility, clergy, &c. were exempted from paying a land-tax.

4. They were under some laws peculiarly oppressive.

Their grievances will appear by the following resolutions, which on the 4th of August, 1789, the National Assembly unanimously agreed to, as a proof of their genuine patriotism to the people, as their affectionate and disinterested representatives, devoid of every motive but the common good; and, to give a great example to nations and ages, in the sacrifice of every abusive right and privilege whatsoever, incidental to all the orders, provinces, cities and communities, will raise the French name to a heighth unparalleled in history, and consecrate their memory as worthy of representing the enlightened knowledge, the courage, and the virtues of so great and generous a people.

"Article I. An equality of taxes, to commence from the present moment.

"II. The renunciation of all privileges for orders, cities, provinces, and individuals; a general uniformity to take place through the whole kingdom.

"III. The redemption of all feudal rights.

"IV. A suppression of mortmain and personal servitude.

"V. The produce of the redemption of the estates of the clergy to be applied to the augmentation of the salaries of the parish priests.

"VI. The abolition of the game laws, _capitaineries_.

"VII. The abolition of seigniorial jurisdictions.

"VIII. The abolition of the venality of officers.

"IX. Justice to be rendered gratuitously to the people.

"X. The abolition of privileged dove-coats and warrens, (a dreadful and serious grievance to the French peasant).

"XI. The redemption of tithes and field-rents.

"XII. It is forbidden to create in future any rights of the same nature, or any other feudal rights whatever.

"XIII. The abolition of the fees of parish priests, for births, marriages, or deaths, except in the cities.

"XIV. A speedy augmentation of the benefices of parish priests.

"XV. A suppression of the _droits d'annates_, or first fruits. (The sum paid by France to the pope on this head, ammounted annually to 357,133_l._ sterling.)

"XVI. The admission of all ranks of citizens to civil and military employments.

"XVII. The suppression of the duties of removal, paid by parish priests to the bishops in certain provinces.

"XVIII. The suppression of corporations and wardenships.

"XIX. The suppression of the plurality of livings.

"XX. A medal to be struck to consecrate this memorable day; expressive of the abolition of all the privileges, and of the complete union of all the provinces and all the citizens.

"XXI. _Te Deum_ to be sung in the king's chapel, and throughout all France.

"XXII. Louis XVI. proclaimed the restorer of public liberty."

There were several other articles, _viz._

The abolition of all unmerited pensions.

All artizens to be exempt from taxes, who employ no journeymen.

All suits for seignioral and royal rights, then pending in the courts, to be suspended till the constitution shall be completed.

All the interior councils were suppressed; and the cabinet were composed of the following ministers, who were responsible for every measure of state:

1. M. Necker, minister of the finances, or first lord of the treasury.

2. M. Montmorin, secretary for the foreign department.

3. M. St. Priest, secretary for the home department.

4. M. de la Lazurne, minister of the marine department.

5. M. le Comté de la Tour du Piu Paulin, minister of the war department.

6. M. l'Archeveque de Bourdeaux, keeper of the seal.

7. M. l'Archeveque de Vienne, minister for bishops and abbies.

8. M. le Prince de Beauveau, to be of the council, but with no particular department.

CHAP. XVIII.

_A Declaration of the Rights which have been adopted by the National Assembly.--Reductions made from the Annual Revenues.--Two Banks established.--Criminals may employ Counsel, &c._

"The representatives of the people of France, constituted in national assembly, considering that ignorance, forgetfulness, or neglect of the rights of man, are the sole causes of public misfortunes, and of the corruption of governments, have resolved to explain, in a solemn declaration, the natural imprescriptible, inalienable, and sacred rights of man; to the end that this declaration, being constantly presented to all the members of society, may unceasingly recal to their minds their duties and their rights; and to the end that the acts of legislative and executive powers, being at all times compared with the design of the political institution, may be more respected, and that the appeals of the citizens, being founded henceforward on plain and incontestible principles, may always tend to the maintenance of the constitution and the general happiness.

"The National Assembly, in consequence, recognizes and declares in the presence, and under the auspices of the Supreme Being, the sacred rights of the man and the citizen.

"I. Men are born and remain free and equal in their rights. No distinction can be founded, but in principles of general utility.

"II. The object of all society ought to be the preservation of the natural and imprescriptible rights of man. These rights are his liberty, his property, his security, and the resistance of oppression.

"III. The principle of all sovereignty resides essentially in the nation; and no authority, which is not expressly derived from thence, can be exercised by any associations, or any individual.

"IV. Liberty consists in the power of doing every thing which does not injure another person: Thus the exercise of the natural rights of every man, have no other boundaries, than those which assure to men the free exercise of the same rights. These boundaries cannot be determined by law.

"V. The law ought to prohibit only such actions as are injurious to society. That which is not forbidden by the law, should not be prevented; and no person can be compelled to do what the law does not ordain.

"VI. The law is the expression of the general will; and all citizens have a right to contribute, either personally, or by their representatives, to its formation. The law, whether it protects or punishes, ought to be the same to all. All citizens being equal in its regard, are equally admissible to all dignities, places, and employments, according to their capacities, without any other distinction than what arises from their virtues and their talents.

"VII. No man can be accused, arrested, or retained, but in the case determined by the law, and under the forms which it has prescribed. Those who solicit, forward, execute, or cause to be punished. Every citizen called on or arrested by the power of the law, ought to obey, and renders himself culpable by resistance.

"VIII. The law should establish no punishments but what are strictly and evidently necessary; and no person can be punished but by the power of the law established; promulgated at a period anterior to the offence, and legally applied.

"IX. Every man shall be presumed innocent until he is condemned. If it be deemed indispensibly necessary that he should be detained in custody, all rigour that is not absolutely necessary to secure his person, should be severely repressed by law.

"X. No person shall be disturbed for his opinions, even though on religion, provided that the manifestation of those opinions does not disturb the public order established by law.

"XI. The free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the most precious rights of man. Every citizen shall, therefore, speak, write, and print his opinions freely, still being responsible for the abuse of his liberty, in cases prescribed by the law.

"XII. The security of the rights of man and of citizens requires a public force; but this force is instituted for the advantage of all, and not for the particular use of those to whom it is confided.

"XIII. For the maintenance of the public force, and the other expences of government, contribution is necessary; but this should be as common as it is indispensible, and should be levied equally on all citizens, in proportion to their ability.

"XIV. Every citizen has a right, either by himself or his representatives, to establish the necessity of the public contribution, to consent to it freely, to look to its application, and to determine on its quota, the assessment, and duration.

"XV. Society has a right to demand from every public agent an account of his administration.

"XVI. Every society, if the guarantee of the individual rights is not assured, and the distinction of the several powers ascertained, is without a constitution.

"XVII. The right of property being inviolable and secured, no person can be deprived of his, but when the public necessity, legally established, shall evidently demand it, and then only on the just and previous assurance of indemnification."

In Sept. 1789, the National Assembly resolved, it is said, to make the following Reductions from the Annual Income:

Livres.

1. The household of the king, queen, and princes 8,000,000
2. The foreign department 8,300,000
3. The war ditto 8,900,000
4. The marine ditto 2,000,000
5. The finance ditto 1,000,000
6. The pensions, besides the reductions made before 6,000,000
7. The intendants and delegates 1,800,000
8. The registers and farmer-general 2,600,000
9. The mint 1,700,000
10. The premiums and encouragements to trade 600,000
11. The royal gardens 36,000
12. ---- ---- library 62,000
13. ---- ---- stud, to be suppressed 800,000
14. The contingencies 2,500,000
15. The fund reserved for lotteries, to be suppressed 173,000
16. The plantation of forests 817,000
17. The clergy 2,502,000
18. The charities 5,511,000
----------
Livres 53,301,000
Sterling £. 2,220,875

And I understand that two public banks have been established; one consisting of about 205 millions of livres, and the other of near 273 millions.

Criminals are now permitted to employ counsel, bring evidence, and have the benefit of a trial by jury, in France.

CHAP. XIX.

_An Account of several Insurrections, Mobs, and Riots in_ France.--_Of an Attempt to seize and kill the Queen.--The King, Queen, &c. go from_ Versailles _to_ Paris.--_An Account of several other Riots.--The King, a wise and prudent Man._

It appears by the information I received in France, and a number of publications that I have read, that there have been divers tumults and outrages in different parts of the kingdom, in consequence of the Revolution: for besides the taking of the Bastille, where more than three hundred were slain, exclusive of those that were afterwards executed, hostilities have commenced in other places. It has been said, they first began in the park of the _Thuilleries_, by a regiment of German troops, commanded by Le Prince Lambache, who is cousin to the queen. This park being thronged by Parisians, and the prince conceiving something that had passed among the people as a gross insult, ordered his regiment to fire:--His orders were obeyed. The populace immediately beat to arms, and a vast concourse joined the standard, drove the prince and his regiment out of the park, and obliged them to fly to Germany. The prince narrowly escaped with his life. His carriage was burnt to ashes, his horses killed, and a reward was offered for his head. How many were slain in this action I have not been able to learn.

The people have been much enraged against Le Compte de Artois, and have supposed that he was the author of their wrongs. His estate has been confiscated, and his horses, with three hundred of his houses, sold. It was thought at Paris, that he cannot return at present with safety.

Some time in the spring, 1789, a proprietor to a large manufactory in Paris, reported that fifteen sous per day would be sufficient to support a journeyman and his family, providing certain taxes were abolished. His house was soon surrounded by the manufacturers, who came in a very hostile manner. The guards were sent to preserve the peace. But the enraged multitude killed several of the soldiers with stones. The military was drawn forth, and a battle ensued, in which more then six hundred persons were killed on the spot.

At St. Germin and Poissy, the populace seized all the arms belonging to the invalids; and upwards of six hundred went to the house of one Sauvage, where they found between six and seven hundred sacks of flour. He was a miller, and it is probable they supposed he meant to hoard up his flour. He was dragged to a convent, was examined by the friars, and declared innocent: but notwithstanding, the mob led him to a butcher, who cut off his head; and carried it about the streets; and they were so inhuman as to insist upon the miller's sons being present at the execution. His daughter, unable to bear the sight, threw herself over the bridge, into the water, and was drowned.

Dreadful were the outrages committed at Rouen: Many of the citizens were killed by the troops, and some suffered greatly by the populace, who ransacked and pillaged all the houses where they suspected corn was concealed. Two vessels were stripped, and all sorts of carriages attacked and robbed.