France -- History -- Louis XVI, 1774-1793; France -- History -- Revolution, 1789-1799
Paris, alone of Towns, is to have Representatives; the number of
them twenty. Paris is divided into Sixty Districts; each of which
(assembled in some church, or the like) is choosing two Electors.
Official deputations pass from District to District, for all is
inexperience as yet, and there is endless consulting. The streets
swarm strangely with busy crowds, pacific yet restless and
loquacious; at intervals, is seen the gleam of military muskets;
especially about the Palais, where Parlement, once more on duty,
sits querulous, almost tremulous.
Busy is the French world! In those great days, what poorest
speculative craftsman but will leave his workshop; if not to
vote, yet to assist in voting? On all highways is a rustling and
bustling. Over the wide surface of France, ever and anon, through
the spring months, as the Sower casts his corn abroad upon the
furrows, sounds of congregating and dispersing; of crowds in
deliberation, acclamation, voting by ballot and by voice,—rise
discrepant towards the ear of Heaven. To which political
phenomena add this economical one, that Trade is stagnant, and
also Bread getting dear; for before the rigorous winter there
was, as we said, a rigorous summer, with drought, and on the 13th
of July with destructive hail. What a fearful day! all cried
while that tempest fell. Alas, the next anniversary of it will be
a worse.[118] Under such aspects is France electing National
Representatives.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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