DIGITISED MANUSCRIPTS

her son and herself shared the feelings of the king, and the people responded with enthusiastic cheers. But this was only a lull in the storm. The revolution was entering upon a new phase. The dreamy and sentimental longing for reform which animated the upper classes at its outset, as well as the burning desire of the lower orders for enfranchisement, had been gratified far beyond their expectations. The rottenness of the former system had been proved by the rapid collapse of the ancient monarchy, and the facility with which the political and social condition of the country had been remodelled. But the canker which had de- stroyed the monarchy and its institutions had also eaten into the hearts of the people. They were demoralised and brutalised, and became a mere weapon of destruction in the hands of their leaders. The Assembly was much to blame. Instead of conducting the debates with dignity, instead of - asserting its supremacy, and enforcing obedience to the law, the Assembly—which had never shown much statesmanship in the framing of its measures —indulged in unseemly and profitless wrangles, which were applauded or hissed by the strangers in the galleries. It was controlled first by the electors, then by the clubs, and took no steps to repress disorder. The moment the Constitution had been formally adopted, the Assembly was bound to