Chapter II: The Last Years of the Ancien Régime 28-54

The intellectual revolt of the eighteenth century.--Repudiation
of authority and dogma.--Rise of the new political
philosophy.--The literary leaders.--Montesquieu.--Voltaire.--Diderot
and the Encyclopaedists.--Defects of their
theory.--Helvetius and Holbach.--The Economists.--Morelly.--Rousseau.
--Reasons for Rousseau's influence.--The
_Contrat Social_, its doctrines and defects.--Universality
of the philosophical and humanitarian spirit in
Europe.--Its effects upon politics and society in France.--Its
effects plainly visible in the Government, in Louis XVI,
Turgot and Necker.--The Government begins to undertake
large reforms.--Progress of Louis' reign.--Marie Antoinette
and Calonne.--The Notables of 1787.--Loménie de Brienne
and the struggle with the Parlements.--Resistance to the
Government.--The Assembly of Vizille.--Recall of Necker,
and summoning of the States-General.--Hesitating policy
of the Government.--Rules for the General Election.--Questions
as to the numbers of the Tiers-État, and as to
the union or separation of the three Orders.--Irresolution
of Necker.

CHAPTER III.

THE EARLY DAYS OF THE REVOLUTION 55-70

Meeting of the States-General.--The Commons insist on
the separation of the three Orders.--Deadlock for six
weeks.--The Commons constitute themselves the National
Assembly on the 17th June.--The Tennis Court Oath.--The
Royal Sitting of the 23rd June.--Ascendency of the
Court party.--Dismissal of Necker.--Rising in Paris and
capture of the Bastille.--Grave disorder in France, and the
two main causes of it.--Various motives of the risings in
the country.--Complete collapse of the regular authorities.
--Spontaneous organisation of the electors.--Unfortunate
policy of the Assembly.--Its inexperience and susceptibility.
--Abstract discussions of July and August.--The 4th
August.--Difficulties of Bailly and Lafayette in Paris.--Fresh
causes of discontent there.--The outbreak of the 5th
October, and its results.