V.

Effect on the Population of the New Ideas.

Bad as it is, this savagery might, perhaps, have been overcome, in
spite of the dearth and of the brigands; but what renders it
irresistible is the belief of its being authorized, and that by
those whose duty it is to repress it. Here and there words and
actions of a brutal frankness break forth, and reveal beyond the
somber present a more threatening future -- After the 9th of
January, 1789, among the mob which attacks the Hôtel-de-Ville and
besieges the bakers' shops of Nantes, "shouts of Vive la
Liberté![26] .mingled with those of Vive le Roi! are heard." A few
months later, around Ploërmel, the peasants refuse to pay tithes,
alleging that the memorial of their seneschal's court demands their
abolition. In Alsace, after March, there is the same refusal "in
many places;" many of the communities even maintain that they will
pay no more taxes until their deputies to the States-General shall
have fixed the precise amount of the public contributions. In Isère
it is decided, by proceedings, printed and published, that "personal
dues" shall no longer be paid, while the landowners who are affected
by this dare not prosecute in the tribunals. At Lyons, the people
have come to the conclusion "that all levies of taxes are to cease,"
and, on the 29th of June, on hearing of the meeting of the three
orders, "astonished by the illuminations and signs of public
rejoicing," they believe that the good time has come." They think of
forcing the delivery of meat to them at four sous the pound, and
wine at the same rate. The publicans insinuate to them the