Part 2

The _Champ de Mars_ was formed into a grand amphitheatre, having at one end the military school, against which was erected a covered gallery two hundred and twenty-eight feet (French measure) in length, and twenty-one in heighth, for the king, queen, foreign ambassadors, national assembly, &c. &c. and at the other the triumphal arch; from which, to the military school, on either side were thirty rows of seats raised one above another, two thousand seven hundred and ninety French feet in length. In the middle of the area was an altar in a circular form, whose circumference was six hundred and forty-eight feet, French measure, and whose heighth was twenty feet, built of stone taken from the Bastille. The rest of the area, except the places for the federation, was filled with seats; the whole forming an oblong, capable of accommodating between four and five hundred thousand people. Out of these limits were a number of galleries, erected for a great multitude of spectators. Opposite the triumphal arch, a bridge of boats was thrown across the Seine, and the banks of the river was lined with cannon.

For a great distance round the _Champ de Mars_, a number of temporary buildings were erected for the entertainment of the people.

When we had surveyed these admirable works, we went to the royal palace, which was built by cardinal Richelieu, and given by him to Lewis the XIV. but is now the town seat of the duke of Orleans, who is a nobleman of royal blood, and enjoys the greatest revenue in France. This palace is a most elegant and magnificent structure, which is adorned and beautified with splendid ornaments, that dazzle the eyes of a spectator. In the centre of this structure is an oblong square, laid out in beautiful walks, interspersed with trees, flowers, &c.

Sometimes the duke resides in one part of the palace himself. But the other part is let out in shops, which are under piazzas, and the rooms over them to gay fashionable ladies and gentlemen.

In this palace there is a gallery, which contains most of the illustrious personages that France has produced, drawn by the greatest masters: Italy has been ransacked, and no expence spared to make the whole complete, with pictures, busts, statues, medals, and other curiosities worthy of being collected. It is thought that this building exceeds all in Europe for beauty and grandeur.

After we had viewed the palace we went to a grand hotel, where we dined with a great number of officers. We had a variety of dishes, very excellent wines, and was entertained with much civility and politeness, and at a very reasonable rate. At evening we retired to our lodgings, very well pleased with the entertainments of the day.

CHAP. V.

_The Contents of the King's Proclamation.--Of the Obedience paid to it--and, the Proceedings of the Grand Confederation, on the 14th of July, at the_ Champ de Mars.

Having in the preceding chapter given a description of the _Champ de Mars_, I shall attempt in this to exhibit how matters were conducted on the 14th: but it may be proper to premise, that on the 11th, the king, to prevent confusion and disorder, wisely issued a proclamation, setting forth how the different corps that were to compose the confederation was to march, &c. His majesty ordered that no troops, but those on guard, should be armed with guns; nor any carriages suffered to follow those of his majesty, the royal family, and their trains. That if any deputy of the confederation, or person invited, should be unable to walk, they might ride in a carriage, and be escorted by a _Chevalier d'Ordonnance_ to the military school, providing they had permission from the mayor of Paris.

That M. de la Fayette should be commander-general of the Parisian national guard, then charged by a decree of the national assembly, and sanctioned by his majesty, with the care of the public tranquillity, should fulfil, under the king's orders, the functions of major-general of the confederation; and in that quality the orders should be given and observed as the orders of his majesty himself.

That the king had in like manner nominated M. Gouvion, major-general of the Parisian guard, lieutenant-general of the confederation for the day of the ceremony.

That when all persons were placed, the blessing the flags and colours should be proceeded to, and the celebration of the mass.

That the king empowered the said M. de la Fayette, to pronounce the confederation oath in the name of all the deputies of the national guards, and those of the troops and marines, according to the forms decreed by the national assembly, and accepted by his majesty; and that all the deputies of the confederation should hold up their hands.

That then the president of the national assembly should pronounce the civic oath for the members of the national assembly; and that the king should in like manner pronounce the oath, the form of which had been decreed by the national assembly, and accepted by his majesty.

That the _Te Deum_ should be sung, and conclude the ceremony; after which the procession should return from the _Champ de Mars_ in the same order it came.

In obedience to this proclamation, an order of procession was drawn up, and proper measures concerted to prevent tumult and disorder, by M. de la Fayette, and M. Bailli, the mayor of Paris.

On the 13th, at ten o'clock in the evening, 4000 Paris guards on the outside of the _Champ de Mars_, and 2000 within, were placed to preserve order. Before eleven the people began to assemble and seat themselves and came in small parties till day-break; from three to nine they poured in in crowds at the great avenues, where the guards cautioned them not to hurry.

By ten o'clock the seats were filled, the outside gallaries, the windows, and roofs of houses; and every place where a glimpse of the grand procession could be had, was filled with people of all ranks, sexes, and ages, who kept their places till the business was finished, notwithstanding the rain fell in torrents, accompanied with cold squalls of wind from eight till four.

Those guards that were not wanted in the procession, danced in circles, and in great parties marched triumphantly at the beat of the drums, with their hats and caps on the points of their swords, forming battalions, and making sham fights, &c. Sometimes they ran in all directions, flourishing their swords, and being filled with joy cried, "_Vive la Libertie! Vive la Loi! Vive la Roi! Vive la Confederation National! Vive mon Frere!_"--embracing one another, and the spectators that sat near them.

One, personating a victim of tyranny, was carried with great solemnity to a market spot, where the body was laid, and made the occasion of more firmly uniting, which was testified with a variety of actions.

Having an abbé within the circle, they marched him round with a gun in his hand and a grenadier's cap on his head; and in the same manner they marched a capuchin friar.

At seven o'clock a crucifix was placed on the great altar.

Just before nine a body of priests appeared on the altar, and tied sashes of national colours around their waists, and decorated the crucifix, and various parts of the altar, with ribbons of the same.

At half past ten the bishop of Auton, with more than one hundred priests, proceeded in a double line, guarded by a strong body of national troops, from the grand pavilion to the altar, carrying with them the tables with the commandments, and the sacred books. When they had ascended the altar they began the ceremony of consecrating it.

Just before twelve, a grand salute of one hundred cannon announced the near approach of the procession to the triumphal arch; and the guards formed into ranks for their reception.

The national federatives, and all who assisted in the grand procession, had assembled at six this morning on the Boulevards, between the gates of St. Martin and St. Antoine, and were drawn up in the following order:

1. A troop of horse, with standards, and six trumpets.

2. One division of music, consisting of several hundred instruments.

3. A company of grenadiers.

4. The electors of the city of Paris.

5. A company of volunteers.

6. The assembly of the representatives of the commons.

7. The military committee.

8. A company of chasseurs.

9. A band of drums.

10. The presidents of the districts.

11. The deputies of the commons, appointed to take for them the federal oath.

12. The sixty administrators of the municipality, with the city guards.

13. The second division of music.

14. A battalion of children, pupils of the military school, carrying a standard with the words,

"The hopes of the nation."

15. A detachment of the colours of the national guard of Paris.

16. A battalion of veterans.

17. The deputies of forty-two chief departments of the nation, in alphabetical order.

18. The _oriflamme_, or grand standard of France, borne by the marischalls of France, general officers, officers of the staff, subaltern officers, commissioners of war, invalids.

19. The lieutenants of the marischalls of France,--deputies of infantry,--deputies of cavalry.

20. Deputies of hussars, dragoons, and chasseurs.

21. General officers, and deputies of the marine, according to rank.

22. The deputies of forty-one last departments, in alphabetical order.

23. A company of volunteer chasseurs.

24. A company of cavalry, with a standard and two trumpets.

Each department was preceded by a banner, borne by the oldest deputy. These banners were a present from the city of Paris. They consisted of two branches, forming an oak wreath, tied together with national coloured ribbons, bearing on one side--_The National Confederation at Paris, July 14, 1790_; and the other--_The Constitution_, with the number and device of the department to which they severally belong.

The military deputies had only their side arms.

At nine the procession passed along the streets of St. Denis, of the Forronerie, to St. Honoré Royal, to the palace of Louis XV. where they halted; and the detachment of the colours of the national guard Paris opening to the right and left, received into the centre.

The procession then moved on through the _Cours la Reine_, along the quay to the bridge of boats; and the deputies from the provinces received loud acclamations of applause from the people, which were answered by _Vivent lis Parisians!_

At the end of the bridge the triumphal arch appeared, adorned with various allegorical paintings which represented the gate of St. Antoine.

Over the principal entrance, referring to figures that were darting through all the obstacles to reach the law, was inscribed on the side:

"Sacred to the grand work of the constitution: We will finish it."

On the other:

"Under this defender, the poor man shall no more fear lest the oppressor should spoil him of his heritage."

Over the lateral entrance on the left side, figures of warriors taking the civic oath, seemed to utter,

"Our country, or the law alone can arm us: Let us die to defend it, let us live to love it."

Over the lateral entrance, on the right, heralds sounding trumpets, proclaimed peace throughout the kingdom, and the people were singing,

"Every thing is propitious to our happiness; every thing flatters our wishes; sweet peace drives tumult far from us, and fills up the measure of our pleasures."

On the front, next the amphitheatre, over the middle arch, was a picture of deputies from various nations, come to do homage to the national assembly, with this inscription:

"The rights of men were unknown for ages: They have been re-established for the whole human race."

Under this picture,

"The king of a free people is alone a powerful king."

Over a picture--a woman chaining lions to her ear, with Force and Power in her suite, and leaning on the book of the law. The king and queen holding the dauphin by the hand, follow, preceded by a group of sages. A combat is exhibited with a dreadful hydra, whose head was seen struck off.

"We dread you no more, ye subordinate tyrants, who oppressed us under a hundred various names."

In another place an immense multitude listening with attention to the sage exhortations of a victorious warrior, who seemed to say,

"You prize this liberty, you possess it while you do: Shew yourselves worthy to preserve it."

At one o'clock the van of the procession appeared under this triumphal arch.

M. de la Fayette leading a body of cavalry, himself mounted on a milk white charger, rode into the amphitheatre amid the acclamations of the people, _Vive la Fayette!_ The cavalry filed off to the right, and ranged themselves in the exterior line, on the opposite side to the entrance. The company of grenadiers formed under the steps of the amphitheatre, as well as all the companies who were employed as escorts.

The civil bodies took the places allotted for them, which was previously marked out. The battalion of youths of the military school, formed about one hundred paces from the grand altar, crossing the _Champ de Mars_; but facing the altar on the side next the military school.

While the national assembly passed through the triumphal arch, the escort of colours passed through the lateral gates, and the members took their seats on the right and left of the chair of state, and the chair of their own president.

The battalion of veterans was placed a hundred paces behind the altar, across the _Champ de Mars_, but facing the altar.

The detachments of the national guards, appointed to take the oath, ranged themselves under each banner, indicative of his place in the amphitheatre.

The music collected into one band, and occupied the side of the platform under the altar, next to the invalids; and the band of drums were placed on the opposite side.

The detachment of cavalry that closed the procession, formed the exterior line, on the side where they entered, opposite to the first detachment.

The altar was after an antique model. The ascent to it was by four stair cases; at each corner was a platform supporting an urn, which exhaled perfumes. On the south front were these verses from Mahomet, under a picture of arts and sciences:

"Les mortals sont egaux, ce ne'st pas leur naissance, "C'est la seule vertu qui fait leur difference."

"Men are equal: it is not by birth. It is virtue alone that confers distinction."

And these,

"La loi dans tout doit etre universelle, "Le mortels quels qu'ils soient egaux devant elle."

"The law in all things ought to be universal: Men of all descriptions are equal in its eyes."

On the opposite side were four angels sounding trumpets, with this inscription:

"Hold in your remembrance these sacred words, which are the guarantee of your decrees;--The nation, the law, and the king. The nation is yourselves--the law is your own, for it is your will--and the king is the guardian of the law."

On the front, next to the Seine, was the figure of Liberty, dispersing the surrounding clouds, with attributes of Agriculture, and Abundance; and the Genius of France hovering in the air, and pointing to the word _Constitution_.

On the front, facing the throne, were warriors pronouncing the federal oath, _viz._

"We swear to remain ever faithful to the _nation_, the _law_, and the _king_: to maintain, with all our power, the constitution decreed by the national assembly, and accepted by the king: to protect, according to the law, the surety of persons and property, the circulation of corn and provisions within the realm, the levying of public contributions, under whatever form they may exist; and to continue united to all the French by the indissoluble ties of brotherhood."

At three the signal was made for conducting the _oriflamme_, or sacred royal standard, with the banners of the eighty-three departments, to the altar to receive the benediction.

Upon the same signal the queen, (with her attendants) made her appearance in a partitioned place immediately behind the king's chair, having the dauphin with her, whom she placed on her knee: she was well received, and the dauphin much applauded. She was most becomingly dressed; her cap decorated with pearls, a pearl necklace, and pearl ear-rings.

As soon as she was seated, the king entered and took his chair of state, which was fixed upon a line with a lesser chair, upon which the president of the national assembly sat. From the top of the king's state chair, the crown had been removed, and the cap of liberty substituted in its place. He was superbly dressed in a rich suit of gold tissue, and appeared to be in good spirits. He directed his conversation to the president, and it drew forth continual bursts of applause.

At forty minutes after three the conclusion of the ceremony of consecrating the banners was announced, by a heavy discharge of the artillery, and the sound of martial music.

The banners having rejoined their several stations, the great body of the national guards, who hitherto had lined the extreme of the inner circle, now formed on each side a half circle, from the foot of the pavilion steps to the altar; the ensigns of each of the sixty of Paris districts, all of which were extremely beautiful, and various in their devices, being marched first up to the front of the pavilion, and saluting as they passed it.

The bishop of Autun, as grand Almoner, assisted by sixty deputy Almoners, elected by sixty districts of Paris, then celebrated mass, to the sound of the musical instruments.

Some delay took place in the expectation that the king would advance to the altar, and there take the civic oath. But his majesty remained on the throne.

M. de la Fayette then gave the signal for the national deputies to come forward and take the oath. He ascended the altar; and on the sound of the trumpet, extending his right hand, and looking steadfastly at the altar while the oath was reading, pronounced the words,--"I swear it." Which the national guards all repeated after him, turning round their hats on the points of their bayonets.

The discharge of a bomb was the signal.

Mons. Bonnay, the president of the national assembly, next rose from his seat, and advancing to the front of the covered gallery, in which the members of the national assembly and the civil bodies were seated, fixed his eyes on the altar, extended his right arm, and as the oath was repeating, pronounced with great dignity, "I swear it:" followed in like manner by the legislative, and the deputies of the civil and municipal bodies.

At forty-five minutes past four the king rose; and, waiting till every thing was silent, read very audibly, and with an excellent majesty of manner, the OATH[1] assigned to him; extended his arm, looked steadfastly at the altar, and pronunced, "I swear it."

Footnote 1: "I swear to be faithful to the Nation, the Law, and the King, and to maintain the Constitution to the utmost of my power, as decreed by the National Assembly, and confirmed by the King."

The acclamations of the people, shouting "_Long live_ Louis, _our Country, and Constitution!_"--the clattering of sixty thousand swords, the waving of one hundred and forty-three banners and ensigns, and the discharge of an immense line of artillery, excited feelings which words cannot express, and which the human imagination, unaided by a view of the grand and glorious scene, can form no adequate conception of. The awful and unbroken stillness maintained during the administration of the oaths, rendered the acclamations which followed more forcible than they would otherwise have been.

_Te Deum_ was then sung by a choir of more than three hundred voices, accompanied by three hundred drums, and all the military musical instruments.

The ceremony being over, the king went away almost immediately.

The procession moved off in the order in which it entered.

The people walked home as they came, without crowding; and in little more than an hour the place was cleared.

A repast for the deputies was served up at the _Chateau de la Muette_. Each battalion of Parisian guards undertook to be entertainers of their provincial brethren, who all partook of the repast with the utmost order.

Thirty thousand persons dined in the gardens, and wine and provisions were distributed to more than one hundred thousand. The people were so temperate, that I cannot learn that any of the troops were seen at night reeling about the streets, in a state of intoxication.

The day concluded with dances in all places near the _Champ de Mars_. In the evening a superb fire-work was exhibited in the square of the _Hotel de Ville_; and at night there was a general illumination.

This is the most accurate account that I have been able to obtain of the proceedings of the king and the people.

As it is thought there were more people collected together upon this occasion then ever met at one time and place in the world, and as some people are desirous of having a particular description of the transactions of the day; it is hoped the reader will excuse the author for being more than usually copious in the incidents treated of throughout this chapter.

CHAP. VI.

_Inquiry is made whether the_ Doctor _had Recommendations, &c.--His Advice to Gentlemen and Ladies.--He is visited by a Physician to the Court of Spain.--Views the Place where the Bastille stood.--How that Place was taken, and the Governor and other Officers executed._

Paris, July 17.

This morning the gentleman who had put up at the hotel with me, asked if I had any letters of recommendation from any gentlemen in London, to any in Paris? I told him I had not: that I had had the offer of some, but for the want of time did not go to receive them: That as I could not tarry long, and had money enough to bear my expences, I believed that _that_ would be recommendation enough, if I behaved well. I had though, by the way, a general recommendation from some gentlemen of my acquaintance, but it was not directed to any body in particular in Paris; and I also had a diploma in my pocket, which was a sufficient recommendation, in any quarter of the globe; but I did not let the inquirer know I had any such thing with me. He seemed to think I would cut but a poor figure without recommendations; but as it happened I had no need of shewing any--though I would not advise any gentleman or lady to travel without; because a recommendation may be of great service sometimes, and especially in a time of war.

At about nine this morning, I was visited by M. Iberti, _Docteur en Médecine_, and physician to the Court of Spain. He informed me that he had heard that an English physician had arrived, and that he was come to tell me, that if he could be of any service to me any way, he should be happy in doing of it. I thanked him for his kindness, and told him that I wanted to get an account of the practice of the hospitals, and with that an account of the operation of medicines in France:

That for more than sixteen years I had been preparing for publication, a New Dispensatory, which will contain;

1. The _meteria medica_.

2. The operation of medicines.

3. The art and science of pharmacy.

4. The composition of medicines.

5. An index of diseases, and their remedies; with,

6. The manual operations and remedies used in surgery.

That the work would be adorned with cuts of the chymical and surgical instruments, and also with chymical characters and botanical figures:

That I had travelled in Great Britain and America, to obtain knowledge; and was come to Paris for the same purpose.--