fist on the left eye, which bruised us considerably,
and on account of which we are almost blind, and, conjointly with
others, jumped upon us, threw us down, and dragged us by the hair,
continuing to strike us, from in front of the church door, till we came
in front of the door, the town hall."]

[Footnote 2133: Ibid., F7, 3,229. Letters of M. de Laurede, June 18,
1791; from the directory of the department, June 8, July 31, and Sept.
22, 1791; from the municipality, July 15, 1791. The municipality "leaves
the release of the prisoners in suspense," for six months, because,
it says, the people is disposed to "insurrectionise against their
discharge."--Letter of many of the national guard, stating that the
factions form only a part of it.]

[Footnote 2134: Mercure de France, Dec. 10, 1791, letter from
Montpellier, dated Nov. 17, 1791.--" Archives Nationales," F7, 3,223.
Extracts from letters, on the incidents of Oct. 9 and 12, 1791. Petition
by Messrs. Theri and Devon, Nov. 17, 1791. Letter addressed them to
the Minister, Oct. 25. Letters of M. Dupin, syndical attorney of the
department, to the Minister, Nov.14 and 15, and Dec. 26, 1791 (with
official reports).--Among those assassinated on the 14th and 15th of
November, we find a jeweler, an attorney, a carpenter, and a dyer. "This
painful Scene," writes the syndic attorney, "has restored quiet to the
town."]

[Footnote 2135: Buchez et Roux, X. 223 (l'Ami du Peuple, June 17, 19,
21, 1791)]

[Footnote 2136: "'Archives Nationales,' F7, 3204. letter by M. Melon de
Tradou, royal commissary at Tulle, Sept. 8, 1791]

CHAPTER II.

I.--Composition of the Legislative Assembly.

Social rank of the Deputies. Their inexperience,
incompetence, and prejudices.

If it be true that a nation should be represented by its superior
men, France was strangely represented during the Revolution. From one
Assembly to another we see the level steadily declining; especially is
the fall very great from the Constituent to the Legislative Assembly.
The actors entitled to perform withdraw just as they begin to understand
their parts; and yet more, they have excluded themselves from the
theatre, while the stage is surrendered to their substitutes.

"The preceding Assembly," writes an ambassador,[2201] "contained men of
great talent, large fortune, and honorable name, a combination which had
an imposing effect on the people, although violently opposed to personal
distinct