[Footnote 92: It has been denied that the nobles were guilty of this act. For proof see Mémoires de Bensenval, tome ii., p. 347; L'OEuvre des Sept Jours, p. 411; Exposé Justificatif; Bailly's Mémoires, tome ii., p. 51. M. Rabaud de St. Etienne writes: "If the agents of despotism devised this infernal stratagem, as was afterward believed, it makes one crime more to be added to all those of which despotism had already become guilty."] [Footnote 93: "A hall had been hastily got ready; the costumes were determined upon, and a humiliating badge had been imposed upon the _Tiers Etat_. Men are not less jealous of their dignity than of their rights. With a very just pride the instructions forbade the deputies to condescend to any degrading ceremonial."--_Thiers_, vol. i., p. 35.] [Footnote 94: M. Rabaud de St. Etienne, vol. i., p. 43.] CHAPTER IX. ASSEMBLING OF THE STATES-GENERAL. Opening of the States-General.--Sermon of the Bishop of Nancy.--Insult to the Deputies of the People.--Aspect of Mirabeau.--Boldness of the Third Estate.--Journal of Mirabeau.--Commencement of the Conflict.--First Appearance of Robespierre.--Decided Stand taken by the Commons.--Views of the Curates.--Dismay of the Nobles.--Excitement in Paris.--The National Assembly.--The Oath. On the 4th of May, 1789, the day of the opening of the States-General, a solemn procession took place. Nearly all Paris flocked out to Versailles, which is but ten miles from the metropolis, and countless thousands from the surrounding regions crowded the avenues of the city of the court. The streets were decorated with tapestry. The pavements, balconies, and house-tops were covered with spectators. Joy beamed from almost every face,[95] for it was felt that, after a long night, a day of prosperity was dawning. The court, the clergy, and the nobles appeared in extraordinary splendor; but, as the procession moved along, it was observed that the eyes of the multitude, undazzled by the pageant of embroidered robes and nodding plumes, were riveted upon the six hundred deputies of the people, in their plain garb--the advance-guard of freedom's battalions. They were every where greeted, as they moved along, with clapping of hands and acclaim which seemed to rend the skies. "Rapturous, enchanting scene!" exclaims Ferrières, "to which I faintly strive to do justice. Bands of music, placed at intervals, filled the air with melodious sounds. Military marches, the rolling of the drums, the clang of trumpets, the noble chants of the priests, alternately heard without discordance, without confusion, enlivened this triumphal procession to the temple of the Almighty."