During this state of suspense, the Garde du Corps, which was composed
as such regiments generally are, of persons much connected with the
Court, gave an entertainment at Versailles (October 1) to some
foreign regiments then arrived; and when the entertainment was at the
height, on a signal given, the Garde du Corps tore the national
cockade from their hats, trampled it under foot, and replaced it with
a counter-cockade prepared for the purpose. An indignity of this kind
amounted to defiance. It was like declaring war; and if men will give
challenges they must expect consequences. But all this Mr. Burke has
carefully kept out of sight. He begins his account by saying:
"History will record that on the morning of the 6th October, 1789,
the King and Queen of France, after a day of confusion, alarm,
dismay, and slaughter, lay down under the pledged security of public
faith to indulge nature in a few hours of respite, and troubled
melancholy repose." This is neither the sober style of history, nor
the intention of it. It leaves everything to be guessed at and
mistaken. One would at least think there had been a battle; and a
battle there probably would have been had it not been for the
moderating prudence of those whom Mr. Burke involves in his censures.
By his keeping the Garde du Corps out of sight Mr. Burke has afforded
himself the dramatic licence of putting the King and Queen in their
places, as if the object of the expedition was against them. But to
return to my account this conduct of the Garde du Corps, as might well
be expected, alarmed and enraged the Partisans. The colors of the
cause, and the cause itself, were become too united to mistake the
intention of the insult, and the Partisans were determined to call
the Garde du Corps to an account. There was certainly nothing of the
cowardice of assassination in marching in the face of the day to
demand satisfaction, if such a phrase may be used, of a body of armed
men who had voluntarily given defiance. But the circumstance which