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The History of the French Revolution

Edizione BooksWhale in inglese di Thomas Carlyle

A forceful narrative of the Revolution from the fall of the Bastille to the Terror.

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The History of the French Revolution

Carlyle’s dramatic history follows the collapse of the Bourbon monarchy, the upheaval in Paris, the rise of revolutionary factions, and the violence of the Terror. Its vivid scenes and emphatic prose make the political transformation feel immediate and human.

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Thomas Carlyle died in 1881; the source work was first published in 1837. The source text is public domain under applicable life-plus-term and publication-date rules.

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Capitolo in anteprimaFull textLeggi anteprima

The History of the French Revolution

Thomas Carlyle

Capitolo in anteprimaBOOK 1.I. DEATH OF LOUIS XV.Anteprima

BOOK 1.I. DEATH OF LOUIS XV.

Capitolo in anteprimaChapter 1.1.I. Louis the Well-Beloved.Anteprima

President Hénault, remarking on royal Surnames of Honour how difficult it often is to ascertain not only why, but even when, they were conferred, takes occasion in his sleek official way, to make a philosophical reflection. “The Surname of Bien-aimé (Well-beloved),” says he, “which Louis XV. bears, will not leave posterity in the same doubt. This Prince, in the year 1744, while hastening from one end of his kingdom to the other, and suspending his conquests in Flanders that he might fly to the assistance of Alsace, was arrested at Metz by a malady which threatened to cut short his days. At the news of this, Paris, all in terror, seemed a city taken by storm: the churches resounded with supplications and groans; the prayers of priests and people were every moment interrupted by their sobs: and it was from an interest so dear and tender that this Surname of Bien-aimé fashioned itself—a title higher still than all the rest which this great Prince has earned.”[1]

So stands it written; in lasting memorial of that year 1744. Thirty other years have come and gone; and “this great Prince” again lies sick; but in how altered circumstances now! Churches resound not with excessive groanings; Paris is stoically calm: sobs interrupt no prayers, for indeed none are offered; except Priests’ Litanies, read or chanted at fixed money-rate per hour, which are not liable to interruption. The shepherd of the people has been carried home from Little Trianon, heavy of heart, and been put to bed in his own Château of Versailles: the flock knows it, and heeds it not. At most, in the immeasurable tide of French Speech (which ceases not day after day, and only ebbs towards the short hours of night), may this of the royal sickness emerge from time to time as an article of news. Bets are doubtless depending; nay, some people “express themselves loudly in the streets.”[2] But for the rest, on green field and steepled city, the May sun shines out, the May evening fades; and men ply their useful or useless business as if no Louis lay in danger.

Dame Dubarry, indeed, might pray, if she had a talent for it; Duke d’Aiguillon too, Maupeou and the Parlement Maupeou: these, as they sit in their high places, with France harnessed under their feet, know well on what basis they continue there. Look to it, D’Aiguillon; sharply as thou didst, from the Mill of St. Cast, on Quiberon and the invading English; thou, “covered if not with glory yet with meal!” Fortune was ever accounted inconstant: and each dog has but his day.

Forlorn enough languished Duke d’Aiguillon, some years ago; covered, as we said, with meal; nay with worse. For La Chalotais, the Breton Parlementeer, accused him not only of poltroonery and tyranny, but even of concussion (official plunder of money); which accusations it was easier to get “quashed” by backstairs Influences than to get answered: neither could the thoughts, or even the tongues, of men be tied. Thus, under disastrous eclipse, had this grand-nephew of the great Richelieu to glide about; unworshipped by the world; resolute Choiseul, the abrupt proud man, disdaining him, or even forgetting him. Little prospect but to glide into Gascony, to rebuild Châteaus there,[3] and die inglorious killing game! However, in the year 1770, a certain young soldier, Dumouriez by name, returning from Corsica, could see “with sorrow, at Compiègne, the old King of France, on foot, with doffed hat, in sight of his army, at the side of a magnificent phaeton, doing homage to the—Dubarry.”[4]

Much lay therein! Thereby, for one thing, could D’Aiguillon postpone the rebuilding of his Château, and rebuild his fortunes first. For stout Choiseul would discern in the Dubarry nothing but a wonderfully dizened Scarlet-woman; and go on his way as if she were not. Intolerable: the source of sighs, tears, of pettings and pouting; which would not end till “France” (La France, as she named her royal valet) finally mustered heart to see Choiseul; and with that “quivering in the chin (tremblement du menton)” natural in such case,[5] faltered out a dismissal: dismissal of his last substantial man, but pacification of his scarlet-woman. Thus D’Aiguillon rose again, and culminated. And with him there rose Maupeou, the banisher of Parlements; who plants you a refractory President “at Croe in Combrailles on the top of steep rocks, inaccessible except by litters,” there to consider himself. Likewise there rose Abbé Terray, dissolute Financier, paying eightpence in the shilling,—so that wits exclaim in some press at the playhouse, ‘Where is Abbé Terray, that he might reduce us to two-thirds!’ And so have these individuals (verily by black-art) built them a Domdaniel, or enchanted Dubarrydom; call it an Armida-Palace, where they dwell pleasantly; Chancellor Maupeou “playing blind-man’s-buff” with the scarlet Enchantress; or gallantly presenting her with dwarf Negroes;—and a Most Christian King has unspeakable peace within doors, whatever he may have without. “My Chancellor is a scoundrel; but I cannot do without him.”[6]

Indice

In questa edizione

  1. 01Full text
  2. 02BOOK 1.I. DEATH OF LOUIS XV.
  3. 03Chapter 1.1.I. Louis the Well-Beloved.
  4. 04Chapter 1.1.II. Realised Ideals.
  5. 05Chapter 1.1.III. Viaticum.
  6. 06Chapter 1.1.IV. Louis the Unforgotten.
  7. 07BOOK 1.II. THE PAPER AGE
  8. 08Chapter 1.2.I. Astræa Redux.
  9. 09Chapter 1.2.II. Petition in Hieroglyphs.
  10. 10Chapter 1.2.III. Questionable.
  11. 11Chapter 1.2.IV. Maurepas.
  12. 12Chapter 1.2.V. Astræa Redux without Cash.
  13. 13Chapter 1.2.VI. Windbags.
  14. 14Chapter 1.2.VII. Contrat Social.
  15. 15Chapter 1.2.VIII. Printed Paper.
  16. 16BOOK 1.III. THE PARLEMENT OF PARIS
  17. 17Chapter 1.3.I. Dishonoured Bills.
  18. 18Chapter 1.3.II. Controller Calonne.
  19. 19Chapter 1.3.III. The Notables.
  20. 20Chapter 1.3.IV. Loménie’s Edicts.
  21. 21Chapter 1.3.V. Loménie’s Thunderbolts.
  22. 22Chapter 1.3.VI. Loménie’s Plots.
  23. 23Chapter 1.3.VII. Internecine.
  24. 24Chapter 1.3.VIII. Loménie’s Death-throes.
  25. 25Chapter 1.3.IX. Burial with Bonfire.
  26. 26BOOK 1.IV. STATES-GENERAL
  27. 27Chapter 1.4.I. The Notables Again.
  28. 28Chapter 1.4.II. The Election.
  29. 29Chapter 1.4.III. Grown Electric.
  30. 30Chapter 1.4.IV. The Procession.
  31. 31BOOK 1.V. THE THIRD ESTATE
  32. 32Chapter 1.5.I. Inertia.
  33. 33Chapter 1.5.II. Mercury de Brézé.
  34. 34Chapter 1.5.III. Broglie the War-God.
  35. 35Chapter 1.5.IV. To Arms!
  36. 36Chapter 1.5.V. Give us Arms.
  37. 37Chapter 1.5.VI. Storm and Victory.
  38. 38Chapter 1.5.VII. Not a Revolt.
  39. 39Chapter 1.5.VIII. Conquering your King.
  40. 40Chapter 1.5.IX. The Lanterne.
  41. 41BOOK VI. CONSOLIDATION
  42. 42Chapter 1.6.I. Make the Constitution.
  43. 43Chapter 1.6.II. The Constituent Assembly.
  44. 44Chapter 1.6.III. The General Overturn.
  45. 45Chapter 1.6.IV. In Queue.
  46. 46Chapter 1.6.V. The Fourth Estate.
  47. 47BOOK VII. THE INSURRECTION OF WOMEN
  48. 48Chapter 1.7.I. Patrollotism.
  49. 49Chapter 1.7.II. O Richard, O my King.
  50. 50Chapter 1.7.III. Black Cockades.
  51. 51Chapter 1.7.IV. The Menads.
  52. 52Chapter 1.7.V. Usher Maillard.
  53. 53Chapter 1.7.VI. To Versailles.
  54. 54Chapter 1.7.VII. At Versailles.
  55. 55Chapter 1.7.VIII. The Equal Diet.
  56. 56Chapter 1.7.IX. Lafayette.
  57. 57Chapter 1.7.X. The Grand Entries.
  58. 58Chapter 1.7.XI. From Versailles.
  59. 59END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.
  60. 60VOLUME II. THE CONSTITUTION
  61. 61BOOK 2.I. THE FEAST OF PIKES
  62. 62Chapter 2.1.I. In the Tuileries.
  63. 63Chapter 2.1.II. In the Salle de Manége.
  64. 64Chapter 2.1.III. The Muster.
  65. 65Chapter 2.1.IV. Journalism.
  66. 66Chapter 2.1.V. Clubbism.
  67. 67Chapter 2.1.VI. Je le jure.
  68. 68Chapter 2.1.VII. Prodigies.
  69. 69Chapter 2.1.VIII. Solemn League and Covenant.
  70. 70Chapter 2.1.IX. Symbolic.
  71. 71Chapter 2.1.X. Mankind.
  72. 72Chapter 2.1.XI. As in the Age of Gold.
  73. 73Chapter 2.1.XII. Sound and Smoke.
  74. 74BOOK 2.II. NANCI
  75. 75Chapter 2.2.I. Bouillé.
  76. 76Chapter 2.2.II. Arrears and Aristocrats.
  77. 77Chapter 2.2.III. Bouillé at Metz.
  78. 78Chapter 2.2.IV. Arrears at Nanci.
  79. 79Chapter 2.2.V. Inspector Malseigne.
  80. 80Chapter 2.2.VI. Bouillé at Nanci.
  81. 81BOOK 2.III. THE TUILERIES
  82. 82Chapter 2.3.I. Epimenides.
  83. 83Chapter 2.3.II. The Wakeful.
  84. 84Chapter 2.3.III. Sword in Hand.
  85. 85Chapter 2.3.IV. To fly or not to fly.
  86. 86Chapter 2.3.V. The Day of Poniards.
  87. 87Chapter 2.3.VI. Mirabeau.
  88. 88Chapter 2.3.VII. Death of Mirabeau.
  89. 89BOOK 2.IV. VARENNES
  90. 90Chapter 2.4.I. Easter at Saint-Cloud.
  91. 91Chapter 2.4.II. Easter at Paris.
  92. 92Chapter 2.4.III. Count Fersen.
  93. 93Chapter 2.4.IV. Attitude.
  94. 94Chapter 2.4.V. The New Berline.
  95. 95Chapter 2.4.VI. Old-Dragoon Drouet.
  96. 96Chapter 2.4.VII. The Night of Spurs.
  97. 97Chapter 2.4.VIII. The Return.
  98. 98Chapter 2.4.IX. Sharp Shot.
  99. 99BOOK 2.V. PARLIAMENT FIRST
  100. 100Chapter 2.5.I. Grande Acceptation.
  101. 101Chapter 2.5.II. The Book of the Law.
  102. 102Chapter 2.5.III. Avignon.
  103. 103Chapter 2.5.IV. No Sugar.
  104. 104Chapter 2.5.V. Kings and Emigrants.
  105. 105Chapter 2.5.VI. Brigands and Jalès.
  106. 106Chapter 2.5.VII. Constitution will not march.
  107. 107Chapter 2.5.VIII. The Jacobins.
  108. 108Chapter 2.5.IX. Minister Roland.
  109. 109Chapter 2.5.X. Pétion-National-Pique.
  110. 110Chapter 2.5.XI. The Hereditary Representative.
  111. 111Chapter 2.5.XII. Procession of the Black Breeches.
  112. 112BOOK 2.VI. THE MARSEILLESE
  113. 113Chapter 2.6.I. Executive that does not act.
  114. 114Chapter 2.6.II. Let us march.
  115. 115Chapter 2.6.III. Some Consolation to Mankind.
  116. 116Chapter 2.6.IV. Subterranean.
  117. 117Chapter 2.6.V. At Dinner.
  118. 118Chapter 2.6.VI. The Steeples at Midnight.
  119. 119Chapter 2.6.VII. The Swiss.
  120. 120Chapter 2.6.VIII. Constitution burst in Pieces.
  121. 121END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.
  122. 122VOLUME III. THE GUILLOTINE
  123. 123BOOK 3.I. SEPTEMBER
  124. 124Chapter 3.1.I. The Improvised Commune.
  125. 125Chapter 3.1.II. Danton.
  126. 126Chapter 3.1.III. Dumouriez.
  127. 127Chapter 3.1.IV. September in Paris.
  128. 128Chapter 3.1.V. A Trilogy.
  129. 129Chapter 3.1.VI. The Circular.
  130. 130Chapter 3.1.VII. September in Argonne.
  131. 131Chapter 3.1.VIII. Exeunt.
  132. 132BOOK 3.II. REGICIDE
  133. 133Chapter 3.2.I. The Deliberative.
  134. 134Chapter 3.2.II. The Executive.
  135. 135Chapter 3.2.III. Discrowned.
  136. 136Chapter 3.2.IV. The Loser Pays.
  137. 137Chapter 3.2.V. Stretching of Formulas.
  138. 138Chapter 3.2.VI. At the Bar.
  139. 139Chapter 3.2.VII. The Three Votings.
  140. 140Chapter 3.2.VIII. Place de la Révolution.
  141. 141BOOK 3.III. THE GIRONDINS
  142. 142Chapter 3.3.I. Cause and Effect.
  143. 143Chapter 3.3.II. Culottic and Sansculottic.
  144. 144Chapter 3.3.III. Growing Shrill.
  145. 145Chapter 3.3.IV. Fatherland in Danger.
  146. 146Chapter 3.3.V. Sansculottism Accoutred.
  147. 147Chapter 3.3.VI. The Traitor.
  148. 148Chapter 3.3.VII. In Fight.
  149. 149Chapter 3.3.VIII. In Death-Grips.
  150. 150Chapter 3.3.IX. Extinct.
  151. 151BOOK 3.IV. TERROR
  152. 152Chapter 3.4.I. Charlotte Corday.
  153. 153Chapter 3.4.II. In Civil War.
  154. 154Chapter 3.4.III. Retreat of the Eleven.
  155. 155Chapter 3.4.IV. O Nature.
  156. 156Chapter 3.4.V. Sword of Sharpness.
  157. 157Chapter 3.4.VI. Risen against Tyrants.
  158. 158Chapter 3.4.VII. Marie-Antoinette.
  159. 159Chapter 3.4.VIII. The Twenty-two.
  160. 160BOOK 3.V. TERROR THE ORDER OF THE DAY
  161. 161Chapter 3.5.I. Rushing down.
  162. 162Chapter 3.5.II. Death.
  163. 163Chapter 3.5.III. Destruction.
  164. 164Chapter 3.5.IV. Carmagnole complete.
  165. 165Chapter 3.5.V. Like a Thunder-Cloud.
  166. 166Chapter 3.5.VI. Do thy Duty.
  167. 167Chapter 3.5.VII. Flame-Picture.
  168. 168BOOK 3.VI. THERMIDOR
  169. 169Chapter 3.6.I. The Gods are athirst.
  170. 170Chapter 3.6.II. Danton, No Weakness.
  171. 171Chapter 3.6.III. The Tumbrils.
  172. 172Chapter 3.6.IV. Mumbo-Jumbo.
  173. 173Chapter 3.6.V. The Prisons.
  174. 174Chapter 3.6.VI. To Finish the Terror.
  175. 175Chapter 3.6.VII. Go Down to.
  176. 176BOOK 3.VII. VENDÉMIAIRE
  177. 177Chapter 3.7.I. Decadent.
  178. 178Chapter 3.7.II. La Cabarus.
  179. 179Chapter 3.7.III. Quiberon.
  180. 180Chapter 3.7.IV. Lion not Dead.
  181. 181Chapter 3.7.V. Lion Sprawling its Last.
  182. 182Chapter 3.7.VI. Grilled Herrings.
  183. 183Chapter 3.7.VII. The Whiff of Grapeshot.
  184. 184Chapter 3.7.VIII. Finis.

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