Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/450

 412 Readings in European History 399. Mira- beau's ad- vice to the king in Octo ber, 1789. (Extracts.) V. Mirabeau's Fears after the " October Days " Mirabeau is generally recognized as the ablest states- man in France during the opening of the Revolution. After the mob had carried off the king to Paris during the " October Days," Mirabeau was, in spite of the king's and queen's abhorrence and distrust of him, brought into relations with the court and permitted to give advice which, however, was never taken. His first communication to the king (October 15) furnishes a wonderful picture of the situation in France and the dangers to which the king was exposed in Paris. There is scarcely a feature of the approaching reign of terror which escapes Mirabeau's prophetic insight. The king, shortly after Mirabeau's death (in April, 1791), tried to escape from France in precisely the manner against which the great statesman had most urgently warned him, and with precisely the results which Mirabeau fore- cast. The king could not refuse to come to Paris, and whether the National Assembly could have refused to follow him or not, it had not, in any case, the power to detain him. Is the king free in Paris ? He is, in the sense that no foreign will has taken the place of his own, but he is certainly not at liberty to leave Paris. He may not select those who guard his person ; he cannot even exercise any direct control over the militia to whom his safety is confided. The National Assembly is free in Paris so far as its deliberations are con- cerned, but it could not adjourn to another town in the king- dom, nor can it guarantee to the delegate of the nation * more freedom than he already has. Will the king enjoy in Paris entire personal security even ? Placed as he is, the least mischance may compromise his J The king.