"The Eve of the French Revolution" by Edward J. Lowell. Published by Good Press. Good Press publishes a wide range of titles that encompasses every genre. From well-known classics & literary fiction and non-fiction to forgotten−or yet undiscovered gems−of world literature, we issue the books that need to be read. Each Good Press edition has been meticulously edited and formatted to boost readability for all e-readers and devices. Our goal is to produce eBooks that are user-friendly and accessible to everyone in a high-quality digital format.
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Edward J. Lowell. The Eve of the French Revolution
The Eve of the French Revolution
Table of Contents
TO MY WIFE
PREFACE
EDWARD J. LOWELL
INTRODUCTION. I. THE KING AND THE ADMINISTRATION. II. LOUIS XVI. AND HIS COURT. III. THE CLERGY. IV. THE CHURCH AND HER ADVERSARIES. V. THE CHURCH AND VOLTAIRE. VI. THE NOBILITY. VII. THE ARMY. VIII. THE COURTS OF LAW. IX. EQUALITY AND LIBERTY. X. MONTESQUIEU. XI. PARIS. XII. THE PROVINCIAL TOWNS. XIII. THE COUNTRY. XIV. TAXATION. XV. FINANCE. XVI. "THE ENCYCLOPAEDIA" XVII. HELVETIUS, HOLBACH, AND CHASTELLUX. XVIII. ROUSSEAU'S POLITICAL WRITINGS. XIX. "LA NOUVELLE HÉLOÏSE" AND "ÉMILE" XX. THE PAMPHLETS. XXI. THE CAHIERS. XXII. SOCIAL AND ECONOMICAL MATTERS IN THE CAHIERS. XXIII CONCLUSION. INDEX OF EDITIONS CITED. THE EVE OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER I
THE KING AND THE ADMINISTRATION
CHAPTER II
LOUIS XVI. AND HIS COURT
CHAPTER III
THE CLERGY
CHAPTER IV
THE CHURCH AND HER ADVERSARIES
CHAPTER V
THE CHURCH AND VOLTAIRE
CHAPTER VI
THE NOBILITY
CHAPTER VII
THE ARMY
CHAPTER VIII
THE COURTS OF LAW
CHAPTER IX
EQUALITY AND LIBERTY
CHAPTER X
MONTESQUIEU
CHAPTER XI
PARIS
CHAPTER XII
THE PROVINCIAL TOWNS
CHAPTER XIII
THE COUNTRY
CHAPTER XIV
CHAPTER XV
FINANCE
CHAPTER XVI
"THE ENCYCLOPAEDIA."
CHAPTER XVII
HELVETIUS, HOLBACH AND CHASTELLUX
CHAPTER XVIII
ROUSSEAU'S POLITICAL WRITINGS
CHAPTER XIX
"LA NOUVELLE HÉLOÏSE" AND "ÉMILE."
CHAPTER XX
THE PAMPHLETS
CHAPTER XXI
THE CAHIERS
CHAPTER XXII
SOCIAL AND ECONOMICAL MATTERS IN THE CAHIERS
CHAPTER XXIII. CONCLUSION
INDEX OF EDITIONS CITED
REVUE DES DEUX MONDES. REVUE DES QUESTIONS HISTORIQUES
Отрывок из книги
Edward J. Lowell
Published by Good Press, 2021
.....
The apologists of Louis XVI. are fond of speaking of him as "virtuous." The adjective is singularly ill-chosen. His faults were of the will more than of the understanding. To have a vague notion of what is right, to desire it in a general way, and to lack the moral force to do it,—surely this is the very opposite of virtue.
The French court, which was destined to have a very great influence on the course of events in this reign and in the beginning of the French Revolution, was composed of the people about the king's person. The royal family and the members of the higher nobility were admitted into the circle by right of birth, but a large place could be obtained only by favor. It was the court that controlled most appointments, for no king could know all applicants personally and intimately. The stream of honor and emolument from the royal fountain-head was diverted, by the ministers and courtiers, into their own channels. Louis XV had been led by his mistresses; Louis XVI was turned about by the last person who happened to speak to him. The courtiers, in their turn, were swayed by their feelings, or their interests. They formed parties and combinations, and intrigued for or against each other. They made bargains, they gave and took bribes. In all these intrigues, bribes, and bargains, the court ladies had a great share. They were as corrupt as the men, and as frivolous. It is probable that in no government did women ever exercise so great an influence.
