I left them at two o'clock yesterday; the debates
not then finished. They differed only about forms of expression, but
agreed in the substance, and probably decided yesterday, or will decide
to-day. Their next move, I fancy, will be to suppress all taxes, and
instantly re-establish them till the end of their session, in order
to prevent a premature dissolution: and then they will go to work on
a declaration of rights and a constitution. The _Noblesse_, I suppose,
will be employed altogether in counter operations; the Clergy, that is
to say, the higher Clergy, and such of the _Cures_ as they can bring
over to their side, will be waiting and watching, merely to keep
themselves in their saddles. Their deportment, hitherto, is that of
meekness and cunning. The fate of the nation depends on the conduct of
the King and his ministers. Were they to side openly with the Commons,
the revolution would be completed without a convulsion, by the
establishment of a constitution, tolerably free, and in which the
distinction of Noble and Commoner would be suppressed. But this is
scarcely possible.
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