prohibited by law, while the utmost latitude had been allowed to speculations on abstract political doctrines. Habituated, therefore, only to the consideration of questions of the latter class, the political reasoners of the day revelled in Utopian theories of government, and, instead of being anxious cautiously to apply remedies to the evils in the constitution of their country, secretly longed for its total overthrow. At one time France had, as a nation, entertained very different sentiments, and had recorded upon the walls of the royal palace of Versailles, its admiration of its own government. "Earth," so ran the flattering inscription" Earth has no nation like France; no nation a city like Paris, or a king like Louis!" The British constitution had even passed, among Frenchmen, into a proverb, as being a system of intolerable anarchy. At the time, however, when our narrative commences, all this feeling had totally disappeared, and an enthusiasm for everything English had taken possession of the public mind. To such an extent did this enthusiasm prevail, that it was termed the Anglo-mania. To dress like the English; to read the works of English authors; to have English horses, and to

employ English servants, became the rage of the day. This enthusiasm, in due time, extended itself to English institutions, and the British constitution became as much the theme of praise as it had once been of cenIncreased force was thus communicated to the dissatisfaction previously felt by Frenchmen at the defects of their own govern

sure.

ment.

Many other causes might be touched upon as having led to the French revolution, but those now enumerated may be considered as the chief. A monarchy corrupt and licentious; a nobility forgetful of its duties; a church blinded by superstition; a people impoverished and sunk in ignorance; public justice perverted; infidelity widely prevalent; morals relaxed; the absence of all sound public opinion, were the leading causes of that portentous event whose history we are about to narrate. The brief summary just given is sufficient to prove to the reflecting mind, that, to nations as well as individuals, God has granted moral laws, the observance of which is rewarded with happiness, and the violation punished by misery; that "righteousness exalteth a nation," but that "sin is a reproach to any people." In

the course of our history, however, abundant opportunity will be afforded of illustrating the truth of this emphatic declaration of the word of God.

CHAPTER II.

Louis XVI. ascends the throne of France-His character-Marie Antoinette-Disordered state of the public finances-Turgot's proposed reforms-Neckar appointed minister, and dismissed-Calonne's prodigality-Neckar recalled-His proposal to assemble the States-General-Fermentation in the public mind.

WHILE the causes of national ruin enumerated in the preceding chapter were fast gathering to a head, Louis XVI. was called, in consequence of the death of his infamous predecessor, Louis XV., to the throne of France. "After us will come the deluge," was the saying of the latter monarch; an expression lightly uttered, but awfully verified. The cup of the national iniquities of France was filled during his reign nearly to the brim, and what was wanting to make it run over was soon to follow. The monarch who had been summoned, at this eventful crisis, to hold the reins of empire, was one eminently qualified to have adorned some private station, but singularly unfitted for the task of government in arduous and

trying times. His disposition was mild and gentle. Humane, temperate, simple in his tastes, and sincerely desirous of promoting the welfare of his people, Louis XVI., had he lived during a less troublous period, would, doubtless, have been recorded in the pages of history, as a beloved and popular monarch. It was decreed, however, that he should reign at a time when energy and résolution were especially required, and when a bold and confident pilot was needed for the national vessel, whose course no longer lay through the placid stream, but through foaming billows, hidden rocks, and perilous shoals. Louis XVI. was an exemplification, in a larger sphere, of that character so frequently witnessed in the private walks of life, which, while it charms us by its sweetness, yet fails to awaken respect from its want of firmness and decision. It is the blessed prerogative of vital Christianity, no less to soften the rugged, than to strengthen the feeble spirit. The misfortunes of the unhappy Louis are well calculated, therefore, to impress upon the thoughtful reader, the importance of soliciting, in earnest prayer, the supports of that Holy Spirit whose strengthening influences are necessary for all who would desire with equani