and pride
to the citizens. But M. Lameth, in his new-born enthusiasm, regarded it
with other eyes, and closed his speech by proposing that, as monuments of
despotism and flattery could not fail to be shocking to so enlightened a
body, the Assembly should order its instant demolition. His proposal was
received with enthusiastic cheers, and the noble monument was instantly
overthrown in a fit of blind fury more resembling the orgies of drunken
Bacchanals, or the thirst for desolation which had animated the Goths and
Huns, than the conduct of the chosen legislators of a polite and
accomplished people.

But even this was not all. The insult to the memory of a king who, little
as he deserved it, had a century before been the object of the unanimous
admiration of his subjects, was but a prelude to other resolutions of far
greater moment, as giving an indelible character to the future of the
nation. A deputy, M. Lambel, whose very name was previously unknown to the
majority of his colleagues, rose and made a speech of three lines, as if
the proposal which it contained only required to be mentioned to command
instant and universal assent "This day," said he, "is the tomb of vanity.
I demand the suppression of the titles of duke, count, marquis, viscount,
baron, and knight." La Fayette and Alexander Lameth's brother, Charles,
supported the demand with almost equal brevity; a representative of one of
the most ancient families in the kingdom, the Viscount Matthieu de
Montmorency moved a prohibition of the use of armorial bearings; another
noble, M. de St. Targeau, proposed that the use of names derived from the
estates of the owners should be abolished. Every proposal was carried by
acclamation. Louder and louder cheers followed each suggestion of a new
abolition; a member who ventured to propose an amendment to one proposal
was hooted down; and in little more than an hour the whole series of
resolutions, which struck at once at the recollections and glories of the
past and at the dignity of the future, was made the law of the land.

Every one of these attacks on the nobles was a fresh provocation to
Mirabeau, and increased his eagerness to complete his reconciliation with
the crown. He pronounced the abolition of titles a torch to kindle civil
war, and pressed more earnestly than ever for an interview with the queen,
in which he might both learn her views and explain his own. Marie
Antoinette had foreseen that she should be force