he very opening of the
States-general, which took place on the 5th of May, 1789, at Versailles.
After the king had delivered a speech, in which he expressed a hope
that it would communicate new vigour to the nation, re-establish public
credit, and open additional sources of happiness, a question arose,
"Should votes be taken by order, as heretofore, or by head?" This
provoked the parties to combat, and the commons prevailed: the votes
were to be taken by head. This clearly gave the preponderance to the
commons, or third estate, since their number was equal to that of the
nobles and clergy and they might expect some adherents from both those
parties. Within six weeks, indeed, the third estate being strengthened
by a part of the lower clergy, upon the motion of the Abbe Sieyes,
declared themselves the national assembly. This was a great step, and
the first imposing phenomenon of the new order of things. It caused
great joy among the people, great movements among the nobility and the
clergy, and great consternation at court.

To stem the onward tide of revolution which threatened to overwhelm the
nation, the king, by a herald at arms, declared that the debates of the
assembly were suspended, and that it was his majesty's intention to
hold a royal session. The hall of the states was now closed, but the
deputies, under their first president, Bailly, assembled at one time in
the Tennis Court, and at another in the Church of St. Louis, and took
an oath to remain united until the regeneration of the state was
accomplished. The royal session took place on the 23rd of June, and the
king having pronounced the previous resolutions of the assembly to be
illegal, ordered the estates to leave the hall, and withdraw each to
their chamber, to deliberate there upon certain subjects which he laid
before them. He would consider himself, and himself alone, he said, as
the representative of the nation, and threatened to take all necessary
measures into his own hands, if the national assembly acted contrary to
his wishes. But the words of the monarch fell upon the ears of men who
hated royalty, and who were resolved upon stripping the diadem from his
brow. Being by this time joined by the greater part of the clergy, who
seem to have considered that their interests were blended with those of
the people, the commons resolved not to stir from the hall. The command
of the king was repeated by a royal messenger, and then was seen the
determined ho