°®°®Ð¡ËµÍø > ÆäËûµç×ÓÊé > the ancien regime(¹Å±øÍÅ) >

µÚ12ÕÂ

the ancien regime(¹Å±øÍÅ)-µÚ12ÕÂ

С˵£º the ancien regime(¹Å±øÍÅ) ×ÖÊý£º ÿҳ3500×Ö

°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·­Ò³£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡




not¡¡only¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡them£»¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡the¡¡¡¡ideal¡¡¡¡¡¡queen¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡should¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

helpmeet¡¡of¡¡the¡¡ideal¡¡king¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡To¡¡¡¡¡¡those¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡believe¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡world¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡governed¡¡by¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡living¡¡¡¡¡¡God£»¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡

may¡¡¡¡seem¡¡¡¡strange£»¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡first¡¡¡¡¡¡sight£»¡¡¡¡that¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡moral¡¡¡¡¡¡anarchy¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡allowed¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡

endure£»¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡avenging£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡yet¡¡¡¡¡¡most¡¡¡¡¡¡purifying¡¡¡¡¡¡storm¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡French¡¡

Revolution£»¡¡inevitable¡¡from¡¡Louis¡¡XIV¡£'s¡¡latter¡¡years£»¡¡was¡¡not¡¡allowed¡¡to¡¡

burst¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡¡¡generations¡¡¡¡¡¡sooner¡¡¡¡¡¡than¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Is¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡answerthat¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

question¡¡always¡¡is¡¡not¡¡of¡¡destroying¡¡the¡¡world£»¡¡but¡¡of¡¡amending¡¡it£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡

that¡¡¡¡¡¡amendment¡¡¡¡¡¡must¡¡¡¡¡¡always¡¡¡¡¡¡come¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡within£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡without£¿¡¡

That¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡men¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡must¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡taught¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡become¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡men£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡mend¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡world¡¡

themselves£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡To¡¡educate¡¡men¡¡into¡¡self¡­¡¡governmentthat¡¡is¡¡the¡¡purpose¡¡

of¡¡the¡¡government¡¡of¡¡God£»¡¡and¡¡some¡¡of¡¡the¡¡men¡¡of¡¡the¡¡eighteenth¡¡century¡¡

did¡¡not¡¡learn¡¡that¡¡lesson¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡the¡¡century¡¡rolled¡¡on£»¡¡the¡¡human¡¡mind¡¡arose¡¡

out¡¡of¡¡the¡¡slough¡¡in¡¡which¡¡Le¡¡Sage¡¡found¡¡it£»¡¡into¡¡manifold¡¡and¡¡beautiful¡¡

activity£»¡¡increasing¡¡hatred¡¡of¡¡shams¡¡and¡¡lies£»¡¡increasing¡¡hunger¡¡after¡¡truth¡¡

and¡¡usefulness¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡With¡¡mistakes¡¡and¡¡confusions¡¡innumerable¡¡they¡¡worked£º¡¡

but¡¡still¡¡they¡¡worked£»¡¡planting¡¡good¡¡seed£»¡¡and¡¡when¡¡the¡¡fire¡¡of¡¡the¡¡French¡¡

Revolution¡¡swept¡¡over¡¡the¡¡land£»¡¡it¡¡burned¡¡up¡¡the¡¡rotten¡¡and¡¡the¡¡withered£»¡¡

only¡¡to¡¡let¡¡the¡¡fresh¡¡herbage¡¡spring¡¡up¡¡from¡¡underneath¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡purifying¡¡¡¡¡¡fire¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡needed¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡inquire¡¡¡¡¡¡why¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡many¡¡

attempts¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡reform¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Ancien¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Regime£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡eighteenth¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡century¡¡

witnessed£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡failures¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡all£»¡¡¡¡why¡¡¡¡¡¡Pombal¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡failed¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡Portugal£»¡¡

Aranda¡¡in¡¡Spain£»¡¡Joseph¡¡II¡£¡¡in¡¡Austria£»¡¡Ferdinand¡¡and¡¡Caroline¡¡in¡¡Naples¡¡

for¡¡these¡¡last£»¡¡be¡¡it¡¡always¡¡remembered£»¡¡began¡¡as¡¡humane¡¡and¡¡enlightened¡¡

sovereigns£»¡¡¡¡¡¡patronising¡¡¡¡¡¡liberal¡¡¡¡¡¡opinions£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡labouring¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡ameliorate¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

condition¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡poor£»¡¡¡¡¡¡till¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡driven¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡murder¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡Marie¡¡

Antoinette¡¡into¡¡a¡¡paroxysm¡¡of¡¡rage¡¡and¡¡terror¡¡why£»¡¡above¡¡all£»¡¡Louis¡¡XVI¡££»¡¡

who¡¡attempted¡¡deeper¡¡and¡¡wiser¡¡reforms¡¡than¡¡any¡¡other¡¡sovereign£»¡¡failed¡¡

more¡¡disastrously¡¡than¡¡anyis¡¡not¡¡the¡¡answer¡¡this£»¡¡that¡¡all¡¡these¡¡reforms¡¡

would¡¡but¡¡have¡¡cleansed¡¡the¡¡outside¡¡of¡¡the¡¡cup¡¡and¡¡the¡¡platter£»¡¡while¡¡they¡¡

left¡¡the¡¡inside¡¡full¡¡of¡¡extortion¡¡and¡¡excess£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡not¡¡merely¡¡institutions¡¡

which¡¡required¡¡to¡¡be¡¡reformed£»¡¡but¡¡men¡¡and¡¡women¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡spirit¡¡of¡¡¡¨Gil¡¡

Blas¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡cast¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡£¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡deadness£»¡¡¡¡¡¡selfishness£»¡¡¡¡¡¡isolation¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡men's¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡45¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡46¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡ANCIEN¡¡REGIME¡¡



souls£»¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡unbelief¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡great¡¡¡¡¡¡duties£»¡¡¡¡¡¡great¡¡¡¡¡¡common¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡causes£»¡¡¡¡¡¡great¡¡¡¡¡¡self¡­¡¡

sacrificesin¡¡a¡¡word£»¡¡their¡¡unbelief¡¡in¡¡God£»¡¡and¡¡themselves£»¡¡and¡¡mankind¡­¡¡

¡­all¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡reformed£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡till¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡done¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡outward¡¡¡¡¡¡reform¡¡

would¡¡but¡¡have¡¡left¡¡them£»¡¡at¡¡best£»¡¡in¡¡brute¡¡ease¡¡and¡¡peace£»¡¡to¡¡that¡¡soulless¡¡

degradation£»¡¡which¡¡£¨as¡¡in¡¡the¡¡Byzantine¡¡empire¡¡of¡¡old£»¡¡and¡¡seeming¡¡in¡¡the¡¡

Chinese¡¡empire¡¡of¡¡to¡­¡¡day£©¡¡hides¡¡the¡¡reality¡¡of¡¡barbarism¡¡under¡¡a¡¡varnish¡¡

of¡¡¡¡¡¡civilisation¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Men¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡awakened£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡taught¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡think¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡

themselves£»¡¡¡¡¡¡act¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡themselves£»¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡dare¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡suffer¡¡¡¡¡¡side¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡side¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡

country¡¡and¡¡for¡¡their¡¡children£»¡¡in¡¡a¡¡word£»¡¡to¡¡arise¡¡and¡¡become¡¡men¡¡once¡¡

more¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And£»¡¡what¡¡is¡¡more£»¡¡men¡¡had¡¡to¡¡punishto¡¡avenge¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Those¡¡are¡¡fearful¡¡

words¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡is£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡God¡­guided¡¡¡¡¡¡universe£»¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡law¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡retribution£»¡¡

which¡¡will¡¡find¡¡men¡¡out£»¡¡whether¡¡men¡¡choose¡¡to¡¡find¡¡it¡¡out¡¡or¡¡not£»¡¡a¡¡law¡¡of¡¡

retribution£»¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡vengeance¡¡¡¡¡¡inflicted¡¡¡¡¡¡justly£»¡¡¡¡¡¡though¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡necessarily¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡just¡¡

men¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡public¡¡executioner¡¡was¡¡seldom¡¡a¡¡very¡¡estimable¡¡personage£»¡¡at¡¡

least¡¡under¡¡the¡¡old¡¡Regime£»¡¡and¡¡those¡¡who¡¡have¡¡been¡¡the¡¡scourges¡¡of¡¡God¡¡

have¡¡been£»¡¡in¡¡general£»¡¡mere¡¡scourges£»¡¡and¡¡nothing¡¡better£»¡¡smiting¡¡blindly£»¡¡

rashly£»¡¡confusedly£»¡¡confounding¡¡too¡¡often¡¡the¡¡innocent¡¡with¡¡the¡¡guilty£»¡¡till¡¡

they¡¡have¡¡seemed¡¡only¡¡to¡¡punish¡¡crime¡¡by¡¡crime£»¡¡and¡¡replace¡¡old¡¡sins¡¡by¡¡

new¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But£»¡¡however¡¡insoluble£»¡¡however¡¡saddening¡¡that¡¡puzzle¡¡be£»¡¡I¡¡must¡¡

believeas¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡long¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡believe¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡any¡¡¡¡¡¡God¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡allthat¡¡¡¡such¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡men¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡

Robespierre¡¡were¡¡His¡¡instruments£»¡¡even¡¡in¡¡their¡¡crimes¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡the¡¡case¡¡of¡¡the¡¡French¡¡Revolution£»¡¡indeed£»¡¡the¡¡wickedness¡¡of¡¡certain¡¡

of¡¡its¡¡leaders¡¡was¡¡part¡¡of¡¡the¡¡retribution¡¡itself¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡the¡¡noblesse¡¡existed¡¡

surely¡¡to¡¡make¡¡men¡¡better¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡did£»¡¡by¡¡certain¡¡classes£»¡¡the¡¡very¡¡opposite¡£¡¡

Therefore¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡destroyed¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡wicked¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡men£»¡¡¡¡¡¡whom¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡itself¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡made¡¡

wicked¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡over¡¡and¡¡above¡¡all¡¡political£»¡¡economic£»¡¡social¡¡wrongs£»¡¡there¡¡

were¡¡¡¡¡¡wrongs¡¡¡¡¡¡personal£»¡¡¡¡¡¡human£»¡¡¡¡¡¡dramatic£»¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡stirred¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡merely¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

springs¡¡of¡¡covetousness¡¡or¡¡envy£»¡¡or¡¡even¡¡of¡¡a¡¡just¡¡demand¡¡for¡¡the¡¡freedom¡¡

of¡¡labour¡¡and¡¡enterprise£º¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡the¡¡very¡¡deepest¡¡springs¡¡of¡¡rage£»¡¡contempt£»¡¡

and¡¡hate£»¡¡wrongs¡¡which¡¡caused£»¡¡as¡¡I¡¡believe£»¡¡the¡¡horrors¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Revolution¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡is¡¡notorious¡¡how¡¡many¡¡of¡¡the¡¡men¡¡most¡¡deeply¡¡implicated¡¡in¡¡those¡¡

horrors¡¡were¡¡of¡¡the¡¡artist¡¡classby¡¡which¡¡I¡¡signify¡¡not¡¡merely¡¡painters¡¡and¡¡

sculptorsas¡¡the¡¡word¡¡artist¡¡has¡¡now¡¡got£»¡¡somewhat¡¡strangely£»¡¡to¡¡signify£»¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡46¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡47¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡ANCIEN¡¡REGIME¡¡



at¡¡least¡¡in¡¡Englandbut¡¡what¡¡the¡¡French¡¡meant¡¡by¡¡ARTISTESproducers¡¡

of¡¡luxuries¡¡and¡¡amusements£»¡¡play¡­¡¡actors£»¡¡musicians£»¡¡and¡¡suchlike£»¡¡down¡¡

to¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨distracted¡¡¡¡¡¡peruke¡­¡¡¡¡¡¡maker¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡¡¡fiery¡¡¡¡¡¡torches£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡who£»¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

storm¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Bastile£»¡¡¡¨was¡¡for¡¡burning¡¡the¡¡saltpetres¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Arsenal£»¡¡had¡¡not¡¡

a¡¡woman¡¡run¡¡screaming£»¡¡had¡¡not¡¡a¡¡patriot£»¡¡with¡¡some¡¡tincture¡¡of¡¡natural¡¡

philosophy£»¡¡instantly¡¡struck¡¡the¡¡wind¡¡out¡¡of¡¡him£»¡¡with¡¡butt¡¡of¡¡musket¡¡on¡¡

pit¡¡of¡¡stomach£»¡¡overturned¡¡the¡¡barrels£»¡¡and¡¡stayed¡¡the¡¡devouring¡¡element¡£¡¨¡¡

The¡¡¡¡¡¡distracted¡¡¡¡¡¡peruke¡­maker¡¡¡¡¡¡may¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡wrongsperhaps¡¡¡¡¡¡such¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

one¡¡as¡¡that¡¡of¡¡poor¡¡Triboulet¡¡the¡¡fool£»¡¡in¡¡¡¨Le¡¡Roi¡¡s'amuse¡¨and¡¡his¡¡own¡¡

sound¡¡reasons¡¡for¡¡blowing¡¡down¡¡the¡¡Bastile£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡system¡¡which¡¡kept¡¡it¡¡

up¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡these¡¡¡¡¡¡very¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ministers¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡luxurythen¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡miscalled¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡artfrom¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

periwig¡­maker¡¡to¡¡the¡¡play¡­actorwho¡¡like¡¡them¡¡had¡¡seen¡¡the¡¡frivolity£»¡¡the¡¡

baseness£»¡¡the¡¡profligacy£»¡¡of¡¡the¡¡rulers¡¡to¡¡whose¡¡vices¡¡they¡¡pandered£»¡¡whom¡¡

they¡¡despised¡¡while¡¡they¡¡adored£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Figaro¡¡himself¡¡may¡¡have¡¡looked¡¡up¡¡to¡¡

his¡¡master¡¡the¡¡Marquis¡¡as¡¡a¡¡superior¡¡being¡¡as¡¡long¡¡as¡¡the¡¡law¡¡enabled¡¡the¡¡

Marquis¡¡to¡¡send¡¡him¡¡to¡¡the¡¡Bastile¡¡by¡¡a¡¡lettre¡¡de¡¡cachet£»¡¡yet¡¡Figaro¡¡may¡¡

have¡¡known¡¡and¡¡seen¡¡enough¡¡to¡¡excuse¡¡him£»¡¡when¡¡lettres¡¡de¡¡cachet¡¡were¡¡

abolished£»¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡handing¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Marquis¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡Comite¡¡¡¡¡¡de¡¡¡¡¡¡Salut¡¡¡¡¡¡Public¡£¡¡

Disappointed¡¡¡¡¡¡play¡­actors£»¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡Collet¡¡¡¡¡¡d'Herbois£»¡¡¡¡¡¡disappointed¡¡¡¡¡¡poets£»¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡

Fabre¡¡d'Olivet£»¡¡were£»¡¡they¡¡say£»¡¡especially¡¡ferocious¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Why¡¡not£¿¡¡Ingenious£»¡¡

sensitive¡¡¡¡spirits£»¡¡¡¡used¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡lap¡­dogs¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡singing¡­birds¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡men¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡women¡¡

whom¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡felt¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡own¡¡¡¡¡¡flesh¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡blood£»¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡had£»¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡may¡¡¡¡¡¡be£»¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

juster¡¡appreciation¡¡of¡¡the¡¡actual¡¡worth¡¡of¡¡their¡¡patrons¡¡than¡¡had¡¡our¡¡own¡¡

Pitt¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡Burke¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡played¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡valet£º¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡hero¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡

them¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡had¡¡seen¡¡the¡¡nobleman¡¡expose¡¡himself¡¡before¡¡his¡¡own¡¡helots£º¡¡

they¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡try¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡helot¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡good¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡nobleman¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡

nobleman¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡played¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡mountebank£º¡¡¡¡¡¡why¡¡¡¡should¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡mountebank£»¡¡

for¡¡¡¡¡¡once£»¡¡¡¡¡¡play¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡nobleman£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡nobleman's¡¡¡¡¡¡God¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡five¡¡

senses£»¡¡with¡¡£¨to¡¡use¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Carlyle's¡¡phrase£©¡¡the¡¡sixth¡¡sense¡¡of¡¡vanity£º¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡why¡¡

should¡¡not¡¡the¡¡mountebank¡¡worship¡¡the¡¡same¡¡God£»¡¡like¡¡Carriere¡¡at¡¡Nantes£»¡¡

and¡¡see¡¡what¡¡grace¡¡and¡¡gifts¡¡he¡¡too¡¡might¡¡obtain¡¡at¡¡that¡¡altar£¿¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡why¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡cruel£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Because£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡many¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡these¡¡¡¡¡¡men£»¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡than¡¡

suspect£»¡¡there¡¡were¡¡wrongs¡¡to¡¡be¡¡avenged¡¡deeper¡¡than¡¡any¡¡wrongs¡¡done¡¡to¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡47¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡48¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡ANCIEN¡¡REGIME¡¡



the¡¡¡¡¡¡sixth¡¡¡¡¡¡sense¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡vanity¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Wrongs¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡common¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡them£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡great¡¡

portion¡¡of¡¡the¡¡respectable¡¡middle¡¡class£»¡¡and¡¡much¡¡of¡¡the¡¡lower¡¡class£º¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡

wrongs¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡they¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡families£»¡¡being¡¡¡¡¡¡most¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡contact¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡the¡¡

noblesse£»¡¡would¡¡be¡¡especially¡¡exposed£»¡¡namely£»¡¡wrongs¡¡to¡¡women¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Everyone¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡knows¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡literature¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡time£»¡¡¡¡¡¡must¡¡¡¡¡¡know¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡

mean£º¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡had¡¡gone¡¡on¡¡for¡¡more¡¡than¡¡a¡¡century£»¡¡it¡¡may¡¡be¡¡more¡¡than¡¡

two£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡France£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡Italy£»¡¡¡¡andI¡¡¡¡¡¡am¡¡¡¡¡¡sorry¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡say¡¡¡¡¡¡itGermany¡¡

likewise¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡All¡¡historians¡¡know¡¡what¡¡I¡¡mean£»¡¡and¡¡how¡¡enormous¡¡was¡¡the¡¡

evil¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡only¡¡wonder¡¡that¡¡they¡¡have¡¡so¡¡much¡¡overlooked¡¡that¡¡item¡¡in¡¡the¡¡

causes¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Revolution¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡seems¡¡to¡¡me¡¡to¡¡have¡¡been¡¡more¡¡patent¡¡and¡¡

potent¡¡in¡¡the¡¡sight¡¡of¡¡men£»¡¡as¡¡it¡¡surely¡¡was¡¡in¡¡the¡¡sight¡¡of¡¡Almighty¡¡God£»¡¡

than¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡political¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡economic¡¡¡¡¡¡wrongs¡¡¡¡¡¡put¡¡¡¡¡¡together¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡¡¡¡¡might¡¡

have¡¡issued¡¡in¡¡a¡¡change¡¡of¡¡dynasty¡¡or¡¡of¡¡laws¡£¡¡That£»¡¡issued¡¡in¡¡the¡¡blood¡¡of¡¡

the¡¡offenders¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Not¡¡a¡¡girl¡¡was¡¡enticed¡¡into¡¡Louis¡¡XV¡£'s¡¡Petit¡¡Trianon£»¡¡or¡¡

other¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡den¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡aristocratic¡¡¡¡¡¡iniquity£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡left¡¡¡¡behind¡¡¡¡¡¡her£»¡¡¡¡parents¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡nursing¡¡

shame¡¡and¡¡sullen¡¡indignation£»¡¡even¡¡while¡¡they¡¡fingered¡¡the¡¡ill¡­gotten¡¡price¡¡

of¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡daughter's¡¡¡¡¡¡honour£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡left¡¡¡¡¡¡behind¡¡¡¡¡¡also£»¡¡¡¡¡¡perhaps£»¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡unhappy¡¡

boy¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡own¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡class£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡whom¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡disappointment¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡jealousy¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡

transformedand¡¡who¡¡will¡¡blame¡¡him£¿into¡¡righteous¡¡indignation£»¡¡and¡¡a¡¡

very¡¡sword¡¡of¡¡God£»¡¡all¡¡the¡¡more¡¡indignant£»¡¡and¡¡all¡¡the¡¡more¡¡righteous£»¡¡if¡¡

education¡¡helped¡¡him¡¡to¡¡see£»¡¡that¡¡the¡¡maiden's¡¡acquiescence£»¡¡her¡¡pride¡¡in¡¡

her¡¡own¡¡shame£»¡¡was¡¡the¡¡ugliest¡¡feature¡¡in¡¡the¡¡whole¡¡crime£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡most¡¡

potent¡¡reason¡¡for¡¡putting¡¡an¡¡end£»¡¡however¡¡fearful£»¡¡to¡¡a¡¡state¡¡of¡¡things¡¡in¡¡

which¡¡such¡¡a¡¡fate¡¡was¡¡thought¡¡an¡¡honour¡¡and¡¡a¡¡gain£»¡¡and¡¡not¡¡a¡¡disgrace¡¡

and¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡ruin£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡most¡¡¡¡¡¡gifted¡¡¡¡¡¡daughters¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡lower¡¡¡¡¡¡classes¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡

learnt¡¡to¡¡think¡¡it¡¡more¡¡noble¡¡to¡¡becomethat¡¡which¡¡they¡¡becamethan¡¡the¡¡

wives¡¡of¡¡honest¡¡men¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡you¡¡will¡¡read¡¡fairly¡¡the¡¡literature¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Ancien¡¡Regime£»¡¡whether¡¡in¡¡

France¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡elsewhere£»¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡will¡¡¡¡¡¡see¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡facts¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡true¡£¡¡If¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡

human¡¡hearts¡¡in¡¡you£»¡¡you¡¡will¡¡see¡¡in¡¡them£»¡¡it¡¡seems¡¡to¡¡me£»¡¡an¡¡explanation¡¡

of¡¡many¡¡a¡¡guillotinade¡¡and¡¡fusillade£»¡¡as¡¡yet¡¡explained¡¡only¡¡on¡¡the¡¡ground¡¡

of¡¡madnessan¡¡hypothesis¡¡which¡¡£¨as¡¡we¡¡d

·µ»ØĿ¼ ÉÏÒ»Ò³ ÏÂÒ»Ò³ »Øµ½¶¥²¿ ÔÞ£¨0£© ²È£¨0£©

Äã¿ÉÄÜϲ»¶µÄ