Chapter 1.4.I: The Notables Again
Background
With the Estates-General set to meet in spring 1789, the debate rages over what form they will take. The key questions are (1) will the Third Estate have double the representation of the other two? and (2) will voting happen by head, or by order? The mantra of all right-thinking Frenchmen is “double the third and vote by head”, a departure from historical precedent (such as can be gleaned from the records).
Pamphlets proliferate addressing these questions, and clubs begin to take shape, including the Breton Club, which will eventually become the Jacobin Club.
Necker convenes the Notables to address the questions of representation, but they come to no conclusion and are dismissed after a largely pointless session.
Finally, Necker recommends doubling the Third Estate, which Louis announces in an edict on January 24, 1789. Elections are set to begin.
Notes
Fénelon François Fenelon was an archibishop and writer who was a royal tutor for Louis the Grand Dauphin (son of Louis XIV)
Count, or self-styled Count, d’Aintrigues Originally a strong defender of the third estate, he later emigrated and became a staunch royalist. He was murdered by an Italian servant in 1812, along with his wife. The motive is unknown.
Chamfort the Cynic Chamfort was a writer and secretary to the King’s sister before throwing himself into revolutionary activities. He became the secretary of the Jacobin Club, but grew critical of Marat and Robespierre. He was arrested and decided to commit suicide instead. His attempt failed in a grisly manner (look it up) and he suffered horribly for a year before dying.
Pythic Pythia, Apollo’s priest at Delphi, would deliver prophecies presumably in a state of high agitation.
ignis-fatuus The Latin term for the thing known in English as will-o’-the-wisp, the mysterious ghost light seen by travelers at night.
What is the Third Estate? Carlyle is quoting the famous pamphlet by the Abbé Sieyes that bore this name.
Laclos of the Liaisons Dangereuses Les Liaisons dangereuses (Dangerous Liasions) is a novel Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, who was at this time in the service of the Duke d’Orléans
Domine-dimittas Nunc domine dimittas is a Latin phrase used in a religious context meaning “Now, Lord, dismiss [me]”