ll, though he complied with their every wish, it was
evident, to all men of discernment, that he had not the affections of
his subjects, and that his life was not safe in their hands. After
his apparent reconciliation with the Parisians, Louis hastened to
Versailles, where he hoped to remain in peace. But it was scarcely to be
expected that a people, and especially the people of a corrupt capital,
after they had broken the bonds of obedience, would immediately return
to social order. Despite the exertions of Bailly, the recently elected
mayor of Paris, and of Lafayette, the head of the newly created citizen
militia, tumults were the order of the day. Famine raged in the city,
and urged by it, as well as by a desire of revenge, many fell victims
to the fury of the multitude. Thus Foulon, counsellor of state, and
thus Berthier, his son-in-law, hitherto intendant of Paris, perished.
Accumulated murders were committed in the capital, and similar scenes
occurred in the provinces. Several cities followed the example of Paris,
and in the country the peasants armed themselves against the nobles: the
times of King John seemed to return. These crimes are in a great measure
to be imputed to some members of the national assembly; but in the
month of August the better part got a resolution passed, whereby the
disturbers of the tranquillity were reminded of their duty, and the
national guards, which were promptly raised in the whole kingdom,
charged with the maintenance of order and security. But resolutions and
decrees, and even the sword, were still impotent to allay the rash fury
of the populace. It was suspected by them that the higher orders were
not sincere in the sacrifices to which they had assented, and a rumour
was industriously spread abroad that preparations were making for the
retreat of the king to Metz, in Lorraine, where the royal standard was
to be raised in opposition to the national assembly. Nor does it appear
that the king was sincere in the concessions which had been wrung from
him, or that he intended their perpetuation. At all events, if the king
himself was sincere, it is certain that the queen and her counsellors
turned their thoughts towards the restoration of the monarchy. Full
of warlike sentiments, the court brought the regiment of Flanders to
Versailles, and surrounded itself with soldiers, whence not only the
populace suspected its movements, but the municipality of Paris became
alarmed, and Lafayette hi