de
prime minister.
_Nov_. Mons. Necker persuades the King to call the
Notables together a second time.
1789.
_January_. Letters issued in the name of the King for an
assembly of the States-general. The clergy to
depute 300 representatives, the nobility the like
number, and the commons 600.
_May_ 5. Opening of the States-general at Versailles.
_June_ 17. The chamber of the Tiers-Etat (commons) declares
itself a national assembly.
19. The Tiers-Etat takes the famous oath, known by the
"serment au Jeu de Paume," not to separate until
the constitution should be established.
23. The King goes in person to the assembly--but his
presence, far from intimidating the members,
renders them so intractable that from this epoch
may be dated the first attacks upon the royal
authority.
24. Forty-eight of the nobles, with the Duke of Orleans
at their head, unite with the tiers-etat (third
estate, or commons).
A considerable number of the clergy follow their
example.
28. The King, from a desire of peace, requests the
whole body of nobility and clergy to unite in one
assembly with the commons; which is acceded to.
29. Great rejoicings in Paris on account of this union.
_July_ 11. The King in disgust dismisses Monsieur Necker.
12. The Prince de Lambesc appears at the Tuilleries
with an armed party of soldiers.
13. The city of Paris flies to arms. The Bastille is
attacked, and taken by the populace;

[Illustration: BASTILLE.jpg]

14. Mons. de L'Aulnay, the governor, falls a victim to
the fury of the assailants. Bertier, intendant of
Paris; Foulon, secretary of state; and de
Flesselle, prevot des Marchands, (somewhat like
mayor of Paris) are massacred. From, this period
the maxim was adopted, "that insurrection was the
most sacred of duties."
15. The King goes to the assembly to confer with