_Necker recalled. His character. Notables convened a second time. Coalition of the nobility and clergy in defence of their privileges. Provincial assemblies of the people. Political publications in favour of the tiers-etat. General reflections on reform,—on the present state of Europe,—and on the revolution in France._ p. 59. _BOOK II._ CHAP. I. _Retrospective view of grievances in France—the nobles—the military—the clergy—the farmers general. Election of deputies to the states-general. Arts of the courtiers. Assembly of the states. Riots excited at Paris. Opening of the states-general. The king’s speech. Answer to it by the keeper of the seals. Speech of Mr. Necker. Contest respecting the mode of assembling. Tacit establishment of the liberty of the press. Attempt of the court to refrain it. The deputies declare themselves a national assembly._ p. 75. CHAP. II. _The national assembly proceed to business. Opposition of the nobles, bishops, and court. A séance royale proclaimed, and the hall of the assembly surrounded by soldiers. The members adjourn to the tennis-court, and vow never to separate till a constitution should be completed. The majority of the clergy and two of the nobles join the commons. Séance royale. The king’s speech. Spirited behaviour of the assembly. Speech of Mirabeau. Persons of the deputies declared inviolable. Minority of the nobles join the commons. At the request of the king the minority of the clergy do the same,—and are at length followed by the majority of the nobles. Character of the queen of France,—of the king,—and of the nobles. Lectures on liberty at the palais royal. Paris surrounded by troops. Spirit of liberty infused into the soldiers. Eleven of the french guards imprisoned because they would not fire on the populace, and liberated by the people. Remonstrance of the national assembly. The king proposes to remove the assembly to Noyon, or Soissons. Necker dismissed. City militia proposed. The populace attacked in the garden of the Thuilleries by the prince of Lambesc. Nocturnal orgies at Versailles._ p. 109. CHAP. III.