Page:Works of Thomas Carlyle - Volume 04.djvu/356

 1792. August.

Indignation waxing desperate at Paris: France, boiling with ability and will, tied up from defending itself by 'an inactive Government' (fatally unable to act). Secret conclaves, consultations of Municipality and Clubs; Danton understood to be the presiding genius there. Legislative Assembly is itself plotting and participant; no other course for it. August 10th, Universal Insurrection of the Armed Population of Paris; Tuileries forced, Swiss Guards cut to pieces. King, when once violence was imminent, and before any act of violence, had with Queen and Dauphin sought shelter in the Legislative-Assembly Hall. They continue there till August 13th (Friday–Monday), listening to the debates, in a reporter's box. Are conducted thence to the Temple 'as Hostages,'—do not get out again except to die. Legislative Assembly has its Decree ready, That in terms of the Constitution in such alarming crisis a National Convention (Parliament with absolute powers) shall be elected; Decree issued that same day, August 10th, 1792. After which the Legislative only waits in existence till it be fulfilled.

(August 10th, l792–October 4th, 1795.)

(1792. August–September.)

Legislative continues its sittings till its Election be completed. Enemy advancing, with armed Emigrants, enter France, Luxembourg region; take Longwy, almost without resistance (August 23d); prepare to take Verdun. Austrians besieging Thionville; cannot take it. Dumouriez seizes the Passes of Argonne, August 29th. Great agitation in Paris. Sunday September 2d and onwards till Thursday 6th, September Massacres: described Book I. cc. 4–6. Prussians have taken Verdun, September 2d (Sunday, while the Massacres are beginning): except on the score of provisions and of weather, little or no hindrance. Dumouriez waiting in the Passes of Argonne. Prussians detained three weeks forcing these. Famine, and torrents of rain. Battle or Cannonade of Valmy (September 20th): French do not fly, as expected. Convention meets, September 22d, 1792; Legislative had sat till the day before, and now gives place to it: Republic decreed, same day. Austrians, renouncing Thionville, besiege Lille (September 28th–October 8th); cannot: 'fashionable shaving-dish,' the splinter of a Lille bombshell. Prussians, drenched deep in mud, in dysentery and famine, are obliged to retreat: Goethe's account of it. Total failure of that Brunswick Enterprise.