Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-02-22
CITY AND DISTRICT.
FRENCH REVOLUTION.
LH.Prcsident Whites Lecture ON the
Monarchy and Court of France.

LH.Prcsidcnt Whites Lecture on tho
Monarchy and Court of France.
rorIcs TO Bs coSsrDxRKD N THE COURSE OF LEo-
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES O. THE FRENCH PEOPLE
ABsoLCTIsx OF KEas-ExIRAvAGAsr AND COR
ErPT NOBILITY.
In accordance with the invitation Of a number OF
prominent citizens and oficials OF washington.
Hon. Andrew d. White began a course OF nine lee
tures on the causes Of the French Revolution" In
the law lecture hall Of the Columbian University
at 30 O'Clock yesterday afternoon The hall anu
galleries were crowded. every seat being taken,
and great number OF the audience stood patiently
against the wall Fully two-thrds OF those
present were ladies' many from schools and semi
naries and others and.all eager 10 hear the words
of so talented and trustworthy a lecturer. on the
stage were Chief Justice waite, secretary Endi-
colt, President yelling, and Prot. Gore. Prof.
Alex. @. Bell came later
Chief Justice Waite introduced the speaker and
mentioned the great work that he has been doing
In the line of thought upon the history OF the
French republic, and expressed nope That the
people OF Washington would profit by this oppor-
iunlty.
He also announced that the course OF nine lee
lures would continue daily with the exception OF
SATURDAY and sunday; the first four, under the
head Of French Institutions before the revolution.
treating In turn OF the church, the state the peo
DIE and Turgot; the nth and six. French philosO-
piers OF the 18th century; seventh, Louis AVI and
Marie Antoinette; the eighth, the French revolu-
ton 20 the formation OF the national assembly,
and the ninth. the influence OF American ideas on
Prof. White said that Il Is a common thing for
people 70 ask why any one should now take the
trouble TO give an account OF so remote an event
as the French revolution. an the first place"
he continued ''the reason for this may be found
In the relations between our country and France
which tended 20 shape American ideas IN the mind
OF Thomas Jefferson and French ideas In the minds
OF those who engaged In the French revolution.
In anticipation Of the celebration OF the centen-
MIL OF that event 10 Is important that it should be
studied. IL exhibits the working out on a great
scale q multitude OF
SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PROBLEMS.
eft has been said that the two events In the
worlds history best worth studying are the down.
fall of Rome and the French revolution, and that
the latter ranks In importance with the rise and
fall OF Rome, the growth and decrease OF the feudal
Influences, the German reformation. the English
troubles In the time OF Cromwell, and the Ameri-
Can civil war. IL Is a peculiar Characteristic OF
the French that all theories social religious moral
IRENE conclusion. Their logic is remorseless. and
many instances OF despotism have grown out OF
this trait OF which the genius OF the American peo
pie and our Constitution would not permit. When
the nation decided to issue paper money IL was
discontinued until the country was flooded with
Pec e,s Of paper that mad no purchasing power
nature VI the atmosphere has given rise to many
an uphsayal that would have been impossible
here. France has been one great laboratory for
the trying OF social experiments
FRENCH CHARACTERISTICS.
although there has hitherto been a great bias
on the part OF American historical scholars toward
the study OF the revolutionary perlod, the increase
OF materials gives hope that the day has at last
come when we may have better knowledge and
understanding OF the French people. In contra
dlctOn OF some OF the many superSttiOns that nave
Become current In regard 10 this race. would say
that In no other country Is the peasantry more
saving or thrifty or more willing 10 submit 10 tax
aton 10 order 70 add TO the scientific, RELIGIOUS.
Iffprqrv
no people In the world Is there a stronger
FAMILY AND DOMESTIC FsKIIsG,
and must add that the French, as people, are
not frivolous Strangers see the people on the sur
face, in certain gay quarters OF Paris. the froth
and Judge therefrom- French minister manages
public affairs just as he would manage his own
estate.
'The American people ought to study the his
luton. and learn from IL. and they ought to be
able now 10 discuss II largely and fairly.
RENoRsELEss LOGIC.
an the growth OF the monarchy In France we
see the remorseless logic mentioned. Ii had its
origin among the barbarians, was developed under
Charles VII and Louis XI and was built up 10 the
point OF absolutism by Richelieu, the greatest
statesman France has ever produced. Among
the papers that / have encountered In my
researches Is q sheet covered with n writing exer-
case OF Louis XIV, then a child. The young pupil
OF Rchelieu had written these words seven times:
kings DO what they please; they must be
ooeyed- Louis Thus the theories OF absolutism
into 5ns nature and S,sv
that the king had absolute control OF all life and
absolute ownership In all property. He was, 1t
GODS LIEUTENANT
''One OF the pet phrases Of Louis was T'etat
c'est moi He was adored, worshiped, idolized,
and regarded as next to the Divinity. His touch
was believed 70 possess curing powers, and at his
coronation, IL Is recorded. he laid his hand $500
persons, that they might be cured.
ABsoLUTIsN WAS RIPRNING,
ready 70 be plucked by the revolution. Louis XIV
carried out the development and logic still further
and even az the hour Of his death proclaimed his
divine right Louis XVI held the same theory,
but humanely and wisely endeavored to modify It
''Perhaps one OF the greatest
CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION
Is to be found in the court. This marvelously ex-
travagant body depleted the rural districts OF their
leaders and their money, and paralyzed the ener-
giles OF kings and ministers over 10 600 soldiers
were Kept on guard, and 1000 servants were In
constant attendance. There was soon formed a
nonresident nobility, who ruined themselves and
their peasants one OF Europes finest statesmen
once said: If were King OF France my first act
would be 10 establish another king 10 take my
place at court The corrupt morals OF the court
and the kings soon spread TO the upper class and
then 20 the middle class. Louis xiv gave about
one hour day 10 the transaction OF public busi-
ness"
FOUNDRY W. E CHuRcH-The following named
Officers Of this church have been elected: Stewards
Ir. NJ. ID. Peck, Rufus N. Tilton, j. w. st. Clair
Le.nuel Williams, j. +. Stock, E +. brooks ana Jas
l. EwIn: recording steward Louis p. Altschee;
district steward. F. F. simpson; trustees, A. NJ
smith. VIM J. sloley, b. II. stinemetz, r. H. wiIet,
T. H. King. John f. Clokey, VIM E. Chandee
1hOs. >omerville and X. I. Morsell; lay delegate
70 electoral convention, Hiram Price, reserve, E f.
simpson.
SNEAK THIKr IN TRouBLE.-Thomas Carter
an@S VIII Davis, alias Thomas Jefferson, the
alleged sneak thief and upper story iobber
from Richmond, who was arrested last Satur-
day, was before the Police Court yester-
day. Most OF the stolen goods were recovered by
Detectives Wheeler and Mattingly. On two charges
OF petit larceny he was given one year In Jail lie
was then tried for the grand larceny OF a gold
watch and chain from Laura Holderoy, OF No. 1909
y street, on which charge he was held In $500
bonds for the action OF the grand jury.
FIFTY CENTS on AccoCST.-A eolored woman
named Rachael Smith. was before the Police Court
Yesterday charged with profanity and was nned
8 or days She was defended by Lawyer Kicks
colored After being placed IN the dock she was
called out by the judge who inquired Of her
whether she had given Mr.. Kicks 5 70 defend her
or pay her nne, or not. She did not understand
the Judge, and, wRen questioned, she said: "0h,
gave him half a dollar this morning, and
promised 70 pay him tomorrow"
TIE VIII OF PETER CAMPBELL SusrAISED.-Yes-
te-oAy, In Circuit Court No. i, Judge Hagner the
triai Of the case OF Campbell against wagyaman
on the issues as TO the validity OF the viii Of Peter