Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/440

 402 Readings in European History 396. Arthur Young visits the National Assembly (June, 1789). The in- numerable pamphlets. The speakers at the Palais Royal in Paris. Scarcity of food. Arthur Young (see above, p. 373) arrived in Paris about a month after the Estates had come together. He reports (June 8, 1789) : The king, court, nobility, clergy, army, and parliament [i.e. parlements~ are nearly in the same situation. All these consider with equal dread the ideas of liberty now afloat, except the first, who, for reasons obvious to those who know his character, troubles himself little, even with circumstances that concern his power the most intimately. . . . The business going forward at present in the pamphlet shops of Paris is incredible. I went to the Palais Royal to see what new things were published, and to procure a cata- logue of all. Every hour produces something new. Thirteen came out to-day, sixteen yesterday, and ninety-two last week. Nineteen-twentieths of these productions are in favor of liberty, and commonly violent against the clergy and the nobility. I have to-day bespoke many of this description that have reputation ; but inquiring for such as had appeared on the other side of the question, to my astonishment I find there are but two or three that have merit enough to be known. But the coffee-houses in the Palais Royal present yet more singular and astonishing spectacles : they are not only crowded within, but other expectant crowds are at the doors and windows, listening a gorge deploye to certain orators, who from chairs or tables harangue each his little audience. The eagerness with which they are heard, and the thunder of applause they receive for every sentiment of more than com- mon hardiness or violence against the present government, cannot easily be imagined. I am all amazement at the min- istry permitting such nests and hotbeds of sedition and revolt, which disseminate amongst the people every hour principles that by and by must be opposed with vigor; and therefore it seems little short of madness to allow the propa- gation at present. Everything conspires to render the present period in France critical. The want of bread is terrible ; accounts