voting
by orders; so that, had this great preliminary question rested on this
body, which formed heretofore the sole hope, that hope would have been
completely disappointed. Some aid, however, comes in from a quarter
whence none was expected. It was imagined the ecclesiastical elections
would have been generally in favor of the higher clergy; on the
contrary, the lower clergy have obtained five-sixths of these
deputations. These are the sons of peasants, who have done all the
drudgery of the service, for ten, twenty, and thirty guineas a year, and
whose oppressions and penury, contrasted with the pride and luxury of
the higher clergy, have rendered them perfectly disposed to humble the
latter. They have done it, in many instances, with a boldness they were
thought insusceptible of. Great hopes have been formed, that these would
concur with the _Tiers-Etat_, in voting by persons. In fact, about half
of them seem as yet so disposed; but the bishops are intriguing, and
drawing them over with the address which has ever marked ecclesiastical
intrigue. The deputies of the _Tiers-Etat_ seem, almost to a man,
inflexibly determined against the vote by orders. This is the state of
parties, as well as can be judged from conversation only, during the
fortnight they have been now together. But as no business has been yet
begun, no votes as yet taken, this calculation cannot be considered
as sure. A middle proposition is talked of, to form the two privileged
orders into one chamber. It is thought more possible to bring them
into it, than the _Tiers-Etat_. Another proposition is, to distinguish
questions, referring those of certain descriptions to a vote by persons,
others to a vote by orders. This seems to admit of endless altercation,
and the _Tiers-Etat_ manifest no respect for that, or any other
modification whatever. Were this single question accommodated, I am of
opinion, there would not occur the least difficulty in the great and
essential points of constitutional reformation. But on this preliminary
question the parties are so irreconcilable, that it is impossible to
foresee what issue it will have. The _Tiers-Etat_, as constituting the
nation, may propose to do the business of the nation, either with or
without the minorities in the Houses of Clergy and Nobles, which side
with them. In that case, if the King should agree to it, the majorities
in those two Houses would secede, and might resist the tax-gatherers.
This would brin