DIGITISED MANUSCRIPTS

(22) even the staunchest Royalists longed for the Re- yolution, the worthless among them, from malice or self-interest; the more public-spirited, in the belief that it would bring a better state of things. The prime cause of disorder and discontent, and the greatest stumbling-block to the Government, was the state of the finances. Im order to meet this difficulty successive Ministers raised the taxes on the food and clothing of the people. By these injudicious measures the prices of these articles were so rauch raised that famines became of frequent otcnrrence.« In F715, Louis “XEVa bad left debts to the extent of eight millions of our money. That debt went on steadily increasing. By 1787 it had mounted up to sixty-nine and a half millions, and there was still an annual deficit of five and a half millions. As a last resort, being at their wits’ end, the king and his advisers resolved to call together the States General. The existence of the States General dates back from the earliest days of the French monarchy. They consisted of delegates of the nobility, clergy, and commons, who were con- voked at the pleasure of the king, not to legislate, but to advise with him on matters of great public importance. Since the year 1614 the absolute rulers of France had refrained from summoning them, as they feared their influence. Wiser than the king, Marie Antoinette vainly