Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-04-15
EXCITING SCENES IN HISTORY.
ny A. ALLISON,
.fEtAor u tAs History Of EHrops.


In abiding the songnary and ferocous character of
the French Revolution, author argues Thus alt arose.
not from any pecuiaues in the disposition Of the people
orany faults exclusively owing 10 the bur the
weight OF desPosm which had preceded and magnitude
OF the changes switch folowit hwas
oyvoence stained with blood chief
y"t aeoring classes and partook OF the
OF servie revolt totally subverted tho the
country, because condensed within years the changes
changes which should have taken place many cen,u
mess speedily Tell under the direction Of the deprayed
OF the people because Its guidance early abandoned
the higher to the lower orders led general spolaon
OF property, because II founded universal
ton OF the against the rich France would have done
less at the Revolution If she had done before liz she
would not have numerically unsheahed the sword
govern she had not long been by the sword
she would not have fallen for under the Ruiotine OF
the populaco. If she had groaned for under
the letters of the nobility.
"lt periods OF apparent disaster during the suffer
ing OF whole generations that the greatest
human character have been affected and foundation laid
Tor those changes which ultimately prove beneficial
the species. The of the Heptachy the Norman Con-
quest the Contests OF the Roses the Great Rebellion are
apparently the most disastrous periods Of annals those
IN which civil dscod most furious and public suffering
most universal Yet these precisely the periods in
which Its peculiar temper given the English chnrac
ter and the greatest addition made the Of English
prosperity; IN which courage of the extremity Of
misfortune national union OF foreign oppression public
emancipation out OF aristocrauc denton general freedom
out OF regal ambition. The national which we
now possess the public benefits enjoy the freedom
by which we are distinguished the energy which are
sustained are IN great measure owing the renovang
he darkest periods of French annals like manner those
OF the successors of Chaemagne of the English wars of
the contests OF religion OF the despotsm Of the Bourbons
are probably the which have formed the honora
be features OF the French character which have ngraed
the avish habits Roman sertude the generous
OF modern chivay; the passive submission of fe
dial ignorance the mpetuous yaor of victorious paotsm
which have exticated from the collision opinion the DOW
e OF thought and nursed amid the corruption OF despot
the seeds OF liberty Through oil the horrors of the Reyo
luton the same beneficial law OF Nature may be dscerned;
and the annals oft will be thrown away it. amid
the greatest calantes they confidence in the Wis
dom which governs and inspire hatred the vices which
desoate the world"
And tracing the effects which the American Revolution
mad upon the public mind and the of civil liberty in
France, he "Whle the minds of the people were in
state OF fenent arising from the concurrence of so many
causes OF dissatisfaction the imprudent policy the French
government IN engaging in the American War, lighted
spark which speedily the train fire. From ealsusy
OF e Engish power, and desire increase the difficult
ue OF that country in the with her colonies LOUIS
XVI took the dangerous step aiding the insrgunts The
consequence that The French soldiers who were sent
over to support the cause Of transatlantic Freedom mbbed
the intoxicating ideas of patriotic resistance; language un
known m their own country grew familiar their ears from
being parties IN strife in which the authority of legitimate
government was resisted they became Jealous in the cause
oil independence; from proving victorious contest in
winch royal power was Ovehrown they easily nnssed over
to the amirauon Of republican institutions The success.
OF the Americans shook the foundations Of despon i'm the
od World and the throne Of Louis toered from his efforts
TO overthrow hat Of the English monarch Not that the
French king contemplated any such change or was even
convinced OF the eGpedience Of engaging in the contest
vi contrary, ms secret correspondence
when he orders tor the commencement of the war
eued against his better Judgment passion the pub
TIC mind which appeared 10 him least irresistible.
The early leaders of the Revolution, accordingly were
men who had signazed themselves in the cause of Amer
ican independence. The Marquis La Fayetie and many
other young nobemen Of talent aud return
dirom the other side Of the Atlantic with warm adnira
uon OF republican institutions and ardent desire TO held
them up 70 the imitation Of their countrymen. The friends
OF liberty were reused by the triumph IN
the New World, and the flame rapidly spread among an en-
usinstc people, who had many more real causes Of
plant than the patriots whose success was the subject Of
! their exultaton.'
Mr. AlisJn thus nudcs the first appearance of Bonn
paroi DUrng the terrOTs Of this aRatng day fhen the
palace was forced by the mob ia 92 the queen and the
pnnceses displayed the heroic presence of mind A.
ey were retiring before the furious multitude the Princess
Ekabet was mistaken for ihe queen and loaded with
m1eoicuons She Orbnde her attendants to explain the
lshke happy To draw herself the pes and npprobr
un OF her august relative. Santerre shortly after
eu ana assured her she had nothing oar that the people
were come To warn, but strike. lie handed her red
cap which she put the head Of the dnuphn The Prin
cess Royal few older, weeping al the side of
the queen; but the infant with the innocence of childhood
smiled at the scene by which he was surrounded
"a young officer, with his college companion, was n
witness from the gardens Of the uiees Of this disgrace
ul scene lie expressed great regret ut the conduct Of the
poplaoe, and the mbecy Of the ministry; but when the
King appeared a the window with the cap of liberty on his
head he could no longer restrain his Indignation The
wrechesP he exclaimed they should cut down the first
I'VE hundred with shot, and the remainder would
take to flight He lived put his principles in practice on
toe same spot his will never be forgotten; il was
! NAPOLEON BoNAFARrE.r