exactly equal proportions, it would, before the close of twenty-four hours, be again broken up into inequalities. Within the short time we have named, the prudent and the diligent would have outstripped the thoughtless and the indolent. Equal laws, equally administered, is all the equality which the best government upon earth can procure for its subjects.

There is one sense, however-unthought of by the French assembly, when it issued its declaration of the equality of mankind-in which that doctrine is correct. God is no respecter of persons. In his pure and holy eyes, all the race of Adam stand, by nature, equally condemned as sinners. "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God," Rom. iii. 23. All, whether king or peasant, must alike stand before the judgment seat, and give an account of the works done in the body. To every man alike shall it then be rendered according to his deeds; "to them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish," Rom. ii. 7-9. May this view of

the doctrine of equality dissipate the intoxicating fumes of pride, and lead us in deep humility to the foot of the cross of Christ, who though he is "the brightness of the Father's glory," yet gave himself for us, the just for the unjust, that we through him might be reconciled unto God!

CHAPTER IV.

Formation of a new constitution-The Veto-Military banquet at Versailles-Procession of women to Versailles, and occurrences there-Louis xvI. and his queen brought to ParisNew constitution sworn to- Singular visitors to the assembly-Extraordinary preparation for a national festivalLicence of the press, etc.-Marat-Mirabeau joins the court party-Mirabeau dies-Contrast of his death with that of Dr. Payson.

THE preparation of a constitution for the new government next occupied the attention of the National Assembly. A heterogeneous production was the result of their labours, a few of the more moderate party having in vain endeavoured to procure the adoption of the British constitution as a model. It was proposed, at first, that the king, as in this country, should have the power of imposing an absolute veto on the proceedings of the legislative assembly, but this proposition was received with the utmost alarm by the lower orders. The populace admitted to the galleries of the assembly groaned and hooted at the speakers

who supported the measure. When Mirabeau visited Paris he found himself surrounded by crowds, who implored him, with tears in their eyes, to save them "from this beast of a veto," many of the lower orders looking upon it as being actually some species of wild animal. Upon another occasion Mirabeau addressed the assembly in support of a measure for allowing the king the constitutional privilege of declaring war or concluding peace. His friends warned him of the danger he incurred by supporting a measure so hateful to the populace. "I know it, my friends," he replied; "I must come from this place in triumph, or be torn in pieces."

The pressure of famine becoming daily more severe, designing parties fanned the popular dissensions by ascribing the public distress to the measures of the court and aristocracy, against whom the most unfounded calumnies were circulated. They were accused of having caused the corn to be cut when green, of having made the bakers suspend their labours, and of having ordered grain to be thrown into the river. An attack upon the palace began to be so openly advocated among the clubs of the lower orders, that the king

judged it necessary to add another regiment to the troops already stationed at Versailles. A public dinner was given to the officers of the new regiment upon their arrival, and the king and queen resolved to witness the entertainment. Upon their entrance they were hailed with acclamations of joy, which drew tears from their eyes, unaccustomed as they had been of late to such expressions of sympathy. The musicians struck up a plaintive air, the words of which bore considerable resemblance to the king's own position. commenced with the lines

"O Richard, O my king,

All the world is abandoning thee."

It

Overpowered by the enthusiasm of the moment, the officers and other guests committed serious indiscretions, drinking toasts susceptible of misconstruction, and even trampling, it is said, the national cockade under foot. Exaggerated reports of the proceedings of this evening were spread abroad the next day in Paris, and occasioned transports of rage amongst the lower orders. A few days afterwards a young woman appeared in the streets, beating a drum and shouting the words, "Bread! bread!" She succeeded in collecting

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