Anewestimateandverificationofthefoodsupplytakesplace，domiciliarysearches，seizuresofspecialstoresregardedastooample，[83]limitedrationsforeachconsumer，acommonandobligatorymesstableforallprisoners，brown，égalitébread，mostlyofbran，foreverymouththatcanchew，prohibitionofthemakingofanyotherkind，confiscationofboultersandsieves，[84]the"individual，"
personalresponsibilityofeveryadministratorwhoallowsthepeoplehedirectstoresistorescapeprovidingthedemandedsupplies，thesequestrationofhisproperty，imprisonment，fines，thepilloryandtheguillotinetohurryuprequisitions，orstopfreetrading，—everyterrifyingmethodisdriventotheutmostagainstthefarmersandcultivatorsofthesoil。
AfterApril，1794，[85]crowdsofthisclassarefoundfillingtheprisonstooverflowing；theRevolutionhasstruckthemalso。Theystrollaboutinthecourtyard，andwanderthroughthecorridorswithasad，stupefiedexpression，nolongercomprehendingthewaythingsaregoingonintheworld。Invainareeffortsmadetoexplaintothemthat"theircropsarenationalpropertyandthattheyaresimplyitsdepositaries；"[86]neverhadthisnewprincipleenteredinto，norwillitenter，theirrudebrains；always，throughhabitandinstinct，willtheyworkagainstit。—Letthembesparedthetemptation。Letus（theJacobins）relievethemfrom，and，infact，taketheircrops；
lettheStateinFrancebecomethesoledepositaryanddistributorofgrain；letitsolelybuyandsellgrainatafixedrate。
Consequently，atParis，[87]theCommitteeofPublicSafetyfirstputs"inrequisitionalltheoatsthatcanbefoundintheRepublic；everyholderofoatsisrequiredtodeposithisstockonhandwithineightdays，inthestorehouseindicatedbythedistrictadministration"atthemaximum"price；otherwiseheis"a’suspect’andmustbepunishedassuch。"Inthemeantime，throughstillmorecomprehensiveordersissuedintheprovinces，PaganelinthedepartmentofTarn，andDartigoyteinthoseofGersandtheUpper—Garonne，[88]enjoineachcommunetoestablishpublicgranaries。"Allcitizensareorderedtobringinwhateverproducetheypossessingrain，flour，wheat，maslin，rye，barley，oats，millet，buckwheat"atthe"maximum"rate。Nobodyshallkeeponhandmorethanonemonth’ssupply，fiftypoundsofflourorwheatforeachperson；inthisway，theState，whichholdsinitshandsthekeysofthestorehouses，may"carryoutthesalutaryequalizationofprovisions"betweendepartmentanddepartment，districtanddistrict，communeandcommune，individualandindividual。
Astorekeeperwilllookaftereachofthesewellfilledgranaries；themunicipalitywillitselfdeliverrationsand，moreover，"takesuitablestepstoseethatbeansandvegetables，astheymature，beeconomicallydistributedunderitssupervision，"atsomuchperhead，andalwaysattherateofthe"maximum。"Otherwise，dismissal，imprisonmentandprosecution"intheextraordinarycriminaltribunal。
"—Thisbeingaccomplished，andthefruitsoflabordulyallotted，thereremainsonlytheallotmentoflaboritself。Toeffectthis，Maignet，[89]inVaucluse，andintheBouchesduRh？ne，prescribesforeachmunicipalitytheimmediateformationoftwolists，oneofdaylaborersandtheotherofproprietors。"Allproprietorsinneedofacultivatorbytheday，"aretoappearandaskforoneatthemunicipality，whichwillassigntheapplicantasmanyashewants，"inorderonthelist，"withacardforhimselfandnumbersforthedesignatedparties。Thelaborerwhodoesnotenterhisnameonthelist，orwhoexactsmorethanthe"maximum"wages，istobesentencedtothepillorywithtwoyearsinirons。Thesamesentencewiththeadditionofafineofthreehundredlivres，isforeveryproprietorwhoemploysanylaborernotonthelistorwhopaysmorethanthe"maximumrateofwages。
Afterthis，nothingmoreisnecessary，inpractice，thanto*drawupandkeepinsightthenewregistriesofnamesandfiguresmadebythemembersofthirtythousandmunicipalboards，whocannotkeepaccountsandwhoscarcelyknowhowtoreadandwrite；
*buildavastpublicgranary，orputinrequisitionthreeorfourbarnsineachcommune，inwhichhalfdriedandmixedgrainmayrot；
*paytwohundredthousandincorruptiblestorekeepersandmeasurerswhowillnotdivertanythingfromthedepotsfortheirfriendsorthemselves；
*addtothethirtyfivethousandemployeesoftheCommitteeonProvisions，[90]fivehundredthousandmunicipalscribesdisposedtoquittheirtradesorploughsforthepurposeofmakingdailydistributionsgratuitously；butmoreprecisely，tomaintainfourorfivemillionsofperfectgendarmes，oneineachfamily，livingwithit，tohelpalongthepurchases，salesandtransactionsofeachdayandtoverifyatnightthecontentsofthelocker。
Inshort，tosetonehalfoftheFrenchpeopleasspiesontheotherhalf。—Thesearetheconditionswhichsecuretheproductionanddistributionoffood，andwhichsufficefortheinstitutionthroughoutFranceofaconscriptionoflaborandthecaptivityofgrain。
Unfortunately，thepeasantdoesnotunderstandthistheory，butheunderstandsbusiness；hemakesclosecalculations，andthepositive，patent，vulgarfactsonwhichhereasonsleadtootherconclusions:[91]
"InMessidorlasttheytookallmylastyears’oats，atfourteenfrancsinassignats，and，inThermidor，theyaregoingtotakeallthisyear’soats，atelevenfrancsinassignats。AtthisrateIshallnotsowatall。Besides，Idonotneedanyformyself，astheyhavetakenmyhorsesforthearmywagons。Toraiseryeandwheat，asmuchofitasformerly，isalsoworkingataloss；IwillraisenomorethanthelittleIwantformyself，andagain，Isupposethatthiswillbeputinrequisition，evenmysuppliesfortheyear！Ihadratherletmyfieldsliefallow。Justseenow，theyaretakingallthelivethreemonths’pigs！Luckily，Ikilledminebeforehandanditisnowintheporkbarrel。Buttheyaregoingtoclaimallsaltprovisionsliketherest。Thenewgrabbersareworsethantheoldones。Sixmonthsmore，andweshallalldieofhunger。Itisbettertocrossone’sarmsatonceandgotoprison；there，atleast，weshallbefedandnothavetowork。"
Ineffect，theyallowthemselvestobeimprisoned，thebestofthesmallcultivatorsandproprietorsbythousands，andLindet，[92]attheheadoftheCommissiononProvisions，speakswithdismayofthegroundbeingnolongertilled，ofcattleinFrancebeingnomoreabundantthantheyearbefore，andofnothingtobehadtocutthisyear。
Forastrangethinghashappened，unheardofinEurope，almostincredibletoanyonefamiliarwiththeFrenchpeasantandhisloveofwork。Thisfieldwhichhehasploughed，manured，harrowedandreapedwithhisownhands，itspreciouscrop，thecropthatbelongstohimandonwhichhehasfeastedhiseyesforsevenmonths，nowthatitisripe，hewillnottakethetroubletogatherit；itwouldbebotheringhimselfforsomeoneelse。Asthecropthatheseesthereisforthegovernment，letthegovernmentdefraythefinalcostofgettingitin；
letitdotheharvesting，thereaping，theputtingitinsheaves，thecartingandthethrashinginthebarn。—Thereupon，therepresentativesonmissionexclaim，eachshoutinginalouderorlowerkey，accordingtohischaracter。
"Manyofthecultivators，"writesDartigoyte，[93]"affectasupremeindifferenceforthissplendidcrop。Onemusthaveseenit，asI
have，tobelievehowgreattheneglectofthewheatisincertainparts，howitissmotheredbythegrass……Draft，ifthecaserequiresit，acertainnumberofinhabitantsinthisorthatcommunetoworkinanotherone……Everymanwhorefusestowork，exceptonthe’decade’day，mustbepunishedasanill—disposedcitizen，asaroyalist。"—
"Generousfriendsofnature，"writesFerry，[94]introduceamongstyou，perpetuatearoundyou，thehabitofworkingincommonandbeginwiththepresentcrop。Donotspareeitherindolentwomenorindolentmen，thosesocialparasites，manyofwhomyoudoubtlesshaveinyourmidst。What！allowlazymenandlazywomenwhereweare！WhereshouldwefindaRepublicanpolice？……ImmediatelyonthereceptionofthispresentorderthemunicipalofficersofeachcommunewillconvokeallcitoyennesintheTempleoftheEternalandurgethem，inthenameofthelaw，todevotethemselvestothelaborsofharvesting。Thosewomenwhofailinthispatrioticduty，shallbeexcludedfromtheassemblies，fromthenationalfestivals，whileallgoodcitoyennesarerequestedtorepelthemfromtheirhomes。Allgoodcitizensarerequestedtogivetothisruralfestivitythatsentimentalcharacterwhichbefitsit。"
—Andtheprogrammeiscarriedout，hereinidyllicshapeandthereundercompulsion。AroundAvignon，[95]thecommandingofficer，thebattalionsofvolunteers，andpatrioticladies，"thewivesanddaughtersofpatriots，"inscribethemselvesasharvesters。AroundArles，"themunicipalitydraftsalltheinhabitants；patrolsaresentintothecountrytocompelallwhoareengagedonotherworktoleaveitanddotheharvesting。"TheConvention，onitsside，orders[96]therelease，"provisionally，ofallploughmen，day—laborers，reapers，andprofessionalartisansandbrewers，inthecountryandinthemarkettownsandcommunes，thepopulationofwhichisnotovertwelvehundredinhabitants，andwhoareconfinedas’suspects。’"—Inotherterms，physicalnecessityhasimposedsilenceontheinepttheory；aboveallthings，thecropmustbeharvested，andindispensablearmsberestoredtothefieldoflabor。ThegovernorsofFrancearecompelledtoputonthebrake，ifonlyforaninstant，atthelastmoment，atsightoftheyawningabyss，ofapproachingandactualfamine；Francewasthenglidingintoit，and，ifnotengulfed，itissimplyamiracle。
Fourfortunatecircumstances，atthelasthour，concurtokeephersuspendedonthehitherbrinkoftheprecipice。—Thewinterchancestobeexceptionallymild。[97]ThevegetableswhichmakeupfortheabsenceofbreadandmeatprovidefoodforAprilandMay，whiletheremarkablyfineharvest，almostspontaneous，isthreeweeksinadvance。—Another，andthesecondpieceofgoodfortune，consistsinthegreatconvoyfromAmerica，onehundredandsixteenvesselsloadedwithgrain，whichreachedBrestonthe8thofJune，1794，inspiteofEnglishcruisers，thankstothesacrificeofthefleetthatprotecteditandwhich，eightdayspreviously，hadsuccumbedinitsbehalf。Thethirdstrokeoffortuneistheentryofavictoriousarmyintotheenemiescountryandfeedingitselfthroughforeignrequisitions，inBelgium，inthePalatinateandonthefrontierprovincesofItalyandSpain。—Finally，mostfortunateofall，Robespierre，SaintJustandCouthon，thePariscommuneandthetheoristJacobins，areguillotinedonthe23rdofJuly，andwiththemfallsdespoticsocialism。
Henceforth，theJacobinedificecrumbles，owingtogreatcrevicesinitswalls。The"maximum，"infact，isnolongermaintained，whiletheConvention，attheendofDecember，1794，legallyabolishesit。Thefarmersnowsellastheypleaseandattwoprices，accordingastheyarepaidinassignatsorcoin；theirhope，confidenceandcouragearerestored；inOctoberandNovember，1794，theyvoluntarilydotheirownplowingandplanting，andstillmoregladlywilltheygatherintheirowncropsinJuly，1795。Nevertheless，wecanjudgebythediscouragementintowhichtheyhadbeenplungedbyfourmonthsofthesystem，theutterprostrationintowhichtheywouldhavefallenhadthesystemlastedanindefinitetime。Itisveryprobablethatcultivationattheendofoneortwoyearswouldhaveprovedunproductiveorhaveceasedaltogether。Already，subjecttoeverysortofexhortationandthreat，thepeasanthadremainedinert，apparentlydeafandinsensible，likeanoverloadedbeastofburdenwhich，sooftenstruck，growsobstinateorsinksdownandrefusestomove。ItisevidentthathewouldhaveneverstirredagaincouldSaint—Just，holdinghimbythethroat，haveboundhimhandandfoot，ashehaddoneatStrasbourg，inthemultipliedknotsofhisSpartanUtopia。Weshouldhaveseenwhatlaborandthestagnationitproducescomesto，whenmanagedthroughStatemaneuversbyadministrativemanikinsandhumanitarianautomatons。ThisexperimenthadbeentriedinChina，intheeleventhcentury，andaccordingtoprinciples，longandregularly，byawellmanipulatedandomnipotentState，onthemostindustriousandsoberestpeopleintheworld，andmendiedinmyriadslikeflies。IftheFrench，attheendof1794andduringthefollowingyearsdidnotdielikeflies，itwasbecausetheJacobinsystemwasrelaxedtoosoon。[98]
VI。Relaxation。
RelaxationoftheRevolutionarysystemafterThermidor。—RepealoftheMaximum。—Newsituationofthepeasant。—Hebeginstocultivationagain。—RequisitionofgrainbytheState。—Thecultivatorindemnifieshimselfattheexpenseofprivatepersons。—
MultiplicationandincreasingdeclineofAssignats。Theclasseswhohavetobeartheburden。—FamineandmiseryduringyearIII，andthefirsthalfofyearIV。—Inthecountry。—Inthesmalltowns。—Inlargetownsandcities。
But，iftheJacobinsystem，inspiteofitssurvivingfounders，graduallyrelaxesafterThermidor；ifthemainligaturetiedaroundtheman’sneck，brokejustasthemanwasstrangling，theothersthatstillbindhimholdhimtight，exceptastheyareloosenedinplaces；
and，asitis，someofthestraps，terriblystiffened，sinkdeeperanddeeperintohisflesh。—Inthefirstplace，therequisitionscontinuethereisnootherwayofprovisioningthearmiesandthecities；thegendarmeisalwaysontheroad，compellingeachvillagetocontributeitsportionofgrain，andatthelegalrate。Therefractoryaresubjecttokeepers，confiscations，finesandimprisonment；theyareconfinedandkeptinthedistrictlockups"attheirownexpense，"menandwomen，twentytwoonPluvi？se17，yearIII。，inthedistrictofBar—sur—Aube；fortyfive，Germinal7，inthedistrictofTroyes；forty—five，thesameday，inthedistrictofNogent—sur—Seine，andtwentyothers，eightdayslater，inthesamedistrict，inthecommuneofTrainealone。[99]—Theconditionofthecultivatoriscertainlynotaneasyone，whilepublicauthority，aidedbythepublicforce，extortsfromhimallitcanatarateofitsown；
moreover，itwillsoonexactfromhimonehalfofhiscontributionsinkind，and，itmustbenoted，thatatthistime，thedirectcontributionsaloneabsorbtwelveandthirteensousonthefrancoftherevenue。Nevertheless，underthiscondition，whichisthatoflaborersinaMuslimcountry，theFrenchpeasant，liketheSyrianorTunisianpeasant，cankeephimselfalive；for，throughtheabolitionofthe"maximum，"privatetransactionsarenowfree，and，toindemnifyhimselfonthisside，hesellstoprivateindividualsandeventotowns，[100]byagreement，onunderstoodterms，andasdearashepleases；allthedearerbecausethroughthelegalrequisitionsthetownsarehalfempty，andtherearefewersacksofgrainforalargernumberofpurchasers；hencehislossesbythegovernmentaremorethanmadeupbyhisgainsonprivateparties；hegainsintheend，andthatiswhyhepersistsinfarming。
Theweight，however，ofwhichherelieveshimselffallsupontheoverburdenedbuyer，andthisweight，alreadyexcessive，goesonincreasing，throughanothereffectoftherevolutionaryinstitution，untilitbecomesten—foldandevenahundred—fold。—Theonlymoney，infact，whichprivateindividualspossessmeltsawayintheirhands，and，sotosay，destroysitself。Whentheguillotinestopsworking，theassignat，losingitsofficialvalue，fallstoitsrealvalue。InAugust，1794，thelossonitissixtysixpercent。，inOctober，seventytwopercent。，inDecember，seventyeightpercent。，inJanuary，1795，eightyonepercent。，andafterthatdatetheconstantissuesofenormousamounts，fivehundredmillions，thenabillion，abillionandahalf，and，finally，twobillionsamonth，hastensitsdepreciation。[101]Thegreaterthedepreciationoftheassignatsthegreatertheamountthegovernmentisobligedtoissuetoprovideforitsexpenses，andthemoreitissuesthemoreitcausestheirdepreciation，sothatthedeclinewhichincreasestheissueincreasesthedepreciation，until，finally，theassignatcomesdowntonothing。
OnMarchII，1795，thelouisd’orbringstwohundredandfivefrancsinassignats，May11，fourhundredfrancs，June12，onethousandfrancs，inthemonthofOctober，onethousandsevenhundredfrancs，November13，twothousandeighthundredandfiftyfrancs，November21
threethousandfrancs，andsixmonthslater，nineteenthousandfrancs。
Accordingly，anassignatofonehundredfrancsisworthinJune，1795，fourfrancs，inAugustthreefrancs，inNovemberfifteensous，inDecembertensous，andthenfivesous。Naturally，allprovisionsriseproportionatelyinprice。ApoundofbreadinParis，January2，1796，costsfiftyfrancs，apoundofmeatsixtyfrancs，apoundofcandlesonehundredandeightyfrancs，abushelofpotatoestwohundredfrancs，abottleofwineonehundredfrancs。Thereadermayimagine，ifhecan，thedistressofpeoplewithsmallincomes，pensionersandemployees，mechanicsandartisansinthetownsoutofwork，[102]inbrief，allwhohavenothingbutasmallpackageofassignatstoliveon，andwhohavenothingtodo，whoseindispensablewantsarenotdirectlysuppliedbythelaboroftheirownhandsinproducingwine，candles，meat，potatoesandbread。
Immediatelyaftertheabolitionofthe"maximum，"[103]thecryofhungerincreases。Frommonthtomonthitsaccentsbecomemorepainfulandvehementinproportiontotheincreaseddearnessofprovisions，especiallyinthesummerof1795，astheharvestingdrawsnear，whenthegranaries，filledbythecropof1794，aregettingempty。Andthesehungeringcriesgoupbymillions:foragoodmanyofthedepartmentsinFrancedonotproducesufficientgrainforhomeconsumption，thisbeingthecaseinfertilewheatdepartments，andlikewiseincertaindistricts；criesalsogoupfromthelargeandsmalltowns，whileineachvillagenumbersofpeasantsfastbecausetheyhavenolandtoprovidethemwithfood，orbecausetheylackstrength，health，employmentandwages。"Forafortnightpast，"
writesamunicipalbodyinSeine—et—Marne，[104]"atleasttwohundredcitizensinourcommunearewithoutbread，grainandflour；theyhavehadnootherfoodthanbranandvegetables。Weseewithsorrowchildrendeprivedofnourishment，theirnurseswithoutmilk，unabletosucklethem；oldmenfallingdownthroughinanition，andyoungmeninthefieldstooweaktostanduptotheirwork。"Andothercommunesinthedistrict"areaboutinthesamecondition。"ThesamespectacleisvisiblethroughouttheIle—de—France，Normandy，andinPicardy。
AroundDieppe，inthecountry，[105]entirecommunessupportthemselvesonherbsandbran。"Citizenrepresentatives，"writetheadministrators，"wecannolongermaintainourselves。Ourfellowcitizensreproachuswithhavingdespoiledthemoftheirgraininfavorofthelargecommunes。"—"Allmeansofsubsistenceareexhausted，"writesthedistrictofLouviers；[106]"wearereducedhereforamonthpasttoeatingbranbreadandboiledherbs，andeventhisrudefoodisgettingscarce。Bearinmindthatwehaveseventy—onethousandpeopletogovern，atthisverytimesubjecttoallthehorrorsoffamine，alargenumberofthemhavingalreadyperished，somewithhungerandotherswithdiseasesengenderedbythepoorfoodtheyliveon。"—IntheCaendistrict，[107]"theunripepeas，horsepeas，beans，andgreenbarleyandryeareattacked；"mothersandchildrengoaftertheseinthefieldsindefaultofotherfood；"othervegetablesinthegardensarealreadyconsumed；furniture，thecomfortsofthewelltodoclass，havebecomethepreyofthefarmingegoist；havingnothingmoretoselltheyconsequentlyhavenothingwithwhichtoobtainamorselofbread。"
"Itisimpossible，"writestherepresentativeonmission，"towaitforthecropwithoutfurtheraid。Aslongasbranlastedthepeopleatethat；nonecannowbefoundanddespairisatitsheight。IhavenotseenthesunsinceIcame。Theharvestwillbeamonthbehind。
Whatshallwedo？Whatwillbecomeofus？"—"InPicardy，"writestheBeauvaisdistrict，"thegreatmajorityofpeopleintheruralcommunessearchthewoods"tofindmushrooms，berriesandwildfruits。[108]
"Theythinkthemselveslucky，"saystheBapaumedistrict，"iftheycangetashareofthefoodofanimals。""Inmanycommunes，"thedistrictofVervierreports，"theinhabitantsarereducedtolivingonherbage。""Manyfamilies，entirecommunes，"reportstheLaoncommissary，"havebeenwithoutbreadtwoorthreemonthsandliveonbranorherbs……Mothersoffamilies，children，oldmen，pregnantwomen，cometothe（membersofthe）Directoryforbreadandoftenfaintintheirarms。
Andyet，greatasthefamineisinthecountryitisworseinthetowns；andtheproofofitisthatthestarvingpeopleflockintothecountrytofindwhatevertheycantoliveon，nomatterhow，and，generallyspeaking，invain。—"Threequartersofourfellowcitizens，"writestheRozoymunicipality，[109]"areforcedtoquitworkandoverrunthecountryhereandthere，amongthefarmers，toobtainbreadforspecie，andwithmoreentreatythanthepoorestwretches；forthemostpart，theyreturnwithtearsintheireyesatnotbeingabletofind，notmerelyabushelofwheat，butapoundofbread。""Yesterday，"writestheMontreuil—sur—Mermunicipality，[110]
"morethantwohundredofourcitizenssetouttobeginthecountry，"
and，whentheygetnothing，theysteal。"Bandsofbrigands[111]
spreadthroughthecountryandpillagealldwellingsanywiseremote……Grain，flour，bread，cattle，poultry，stuffs，etc。，allcomeinplay。Ourterrifiedshepherdsarenolongerwillingtosleepintheirsheeppensandareleavingus。"ThemosttimiddigCarrotsatnightor，duringtheday，gatherdandelions；buttheirtownstomachscannotdigestthisfood。"Lately，"writestheprocureur—syndicofSaint—Germain，[112]"thecorpseofafatherofafamily，foundinthefieldswithhismouthstillfilledwiththegrasshehadstriventochew，exasperatesandarousesthespiritofthepoorcreaturesawaitingasimilarfate。"
Whatthen，dopeopleinthetownsdoinordertosurvive？—Insmalltownsorscatteredvillages，eachmunicipality，usingwhatgendarmesithas，makeslegalrequisitionsinitsvicinity，andsometimesthecommuneobtainsfromthegovernmentacharitablegiftofwheat，oats，riceorassignats。Butthequantityofgrainitreceivesissosmall，oneaskshowitisthat，aftertwomonths，sixmonthsorayearofsuchasystem，thathalfoftheinhabitantsarenotinthegraveyard。
Isupposethatmanyofthemliveonwhattheyraiseintheirgardens，orontheirsmallfarms；othersarehelpedbytheirrelations，neighborsandcompanions；inanyevent，itisclearthatthehumanbodyisveryresistant，andafewmouthfulssufficetokeepitgoingalongtime。—AtErvy，[113]inAube，"notagrainofwheathasbeenbroughtinthelasttwomarketdays。""Tomorrow，[114]Prairial25，inBapaume，themaintownofthedistrict，therewillbeonlytwobushelsofflourleft（forfoodofanysort）。""AtBoulogne—sur—Mer，forthepasttendays，therehasbeendistributedtoeachpersononlythreepoundsofbadbarley，ormaslin，withoutknowingwhetherwecanagaindistributethismiserablerationnextdecade。"OutofsixteenhundredinhabitantsinBrionne，"twelvehundredandsixty[115]arereducedtothesmallportionofwheattheyreceiveatthemarket，andwhich，unfortunately，fortoolongatime，hasbeenreducedfromeighttothreeouncesofwheatforeachperson，everyeightdays。"Forthreemonthspast，inSeineetMarne，[116]in"thecommuneofMeaux，thatofLaferté，Lagny，Daumartin，andotherprincipaltownsofthecanton，theyhavehadonlyhalfapoundperhead，foreachday，ofbadbread。"
InSeineetOise，"citizensoftheneighborhoodofParisandevenofVersailles[117]statethattheyarereducedtofourouncesofbread。"
AtSaint—Denis，[118]withapopulationofsixthousand，"alargepartoftheinhabitants，wornoutwithsuffering，betakethemselvestothecharitydepots。Workmen，especially，cannotdotheirworkforlackoffood。Agoodmanywomen，mothersandnurses，havebeenfoundintheirhousesunconscious，withoutanysignoflifeinthem，andmanyhavediedwiththeirinfantsattheirbreasts。"Eveninalargerandlessforsakentown，Saint—Germain，[119]themiserysurpassesallthatonecanimagine。"Half—a—poundofflourforeachinhabitant，"notdaily，butatlongintervals；"breadatfifteenandsixteenfrancsthepoundandallotherprovisionsatthesamerate；apeoplewhichissinking，losinghopeandperishing。Yesterday，forthefêteofthe9thofThermidor，notasignofrejoicing；onthecontrary，symptomsofgeneralandprofounddepression，totteringspectersinthestreets，mournfulshrieksofravaginghungerorshoutsofrage，almosteveryone，driventothelastextremityofmisery，welcomingdeathasaboon。"
Suchistheaspectofthesehugeartificialagglomerations，wherethesoil，madesterilebyhabitation，bearsonlystones，andwheretwenty，thirty，fiftyandahundredthousandsufferingstomachshavetoobtainfromten，twentyandthirtyleaguesofftheirfirstandlastmouthfuloffood。Withintheseclosepenslonglinesofhumansheephuddletogethereverydaybleatingandtremblingaroundalmostemptytroughs，andonlythroughextraordinaryeffortsdotheshepherdsdailysucceedinprovidingthemwithalittlenourishment。Thecentralgovernment，strenuouslyappealedto，enlargesordefinesthecircleoftheirrequisitions；itauthorizesthemtoborrow，totaxthemselves；itlendsorgivestothemmillionsofassignats；[120]frequently，incasesofextremewant，itallowsthemtotakesomuchgrainorricefromitsstorehouses，foraweek’ssupply。—But，intruth，thissortoflifeisnotliving，itisonlynotdying。Foronehalf，andmorethanonehalfoftheinhabitantssimplysubsistonrationsofbreadobtainedbylongwaitingforitattheendofastringofpeopleanddeliveredatareducedprice。Whatrationsandwhatbread！"Itseems，"saysthemunicipalityofTroyes，"that[121]thecountryhasanathematizedthetowns。Formerly，thefinestgrainwasbroughttomarket；thefarmerkepttheinferiorqualityandconsumeditathome。
Nowitisthereverse，andthisiscarriedstillfurther，for，notonlydowereceivenowheatwhatever，butthefarmersgiveussproutedbarleyandrye，whichtheyreserveforourcommune；thefarmerwhohasnonearrangeswiththosewhohave，soastobuyitanddeliveritintown，andsellhisgoodwheatelsewhere。Halfapoundperdayandperhead，inPluvi？se，tothethirteenthousandorfourteenthousandindigentinTroyes；thenaquarterofapound，and，finally，twoounceswithalittlericeandsomedriedvegetables，"whichfeebleresourceisgoingtofailus。"[122]HalfapoundinPluvi？se，tothetwentythousandneedyinAmiens，whichrationisonlynominal，for"itoftenhappensthateachindividualgetsonlyfourounces，whilethedistributionhasrepeatedlyfailedthreedaysinsuccession，’’andthiscontinues。Sixmonthslater，Fructidor7，Amienshasbutsixtyninequintalsofflourinitsmarketstorehouse，"aninsufficientquantityfordistributionthisveryday；tomorrow，itwillbeimpossibletomakeanydistributionatall，andthedayaftertomorrowtheneedypopulationofthiscommunewillbebroughtdowntoabsolutefamine。"—"Completedesperation！Therearealready"manysuicides。"[123]Atothertimes，ragepredominatesandthereareriots。
AtEvreux，[124]Germinal21，ariotbreaksout，owingtothedeliveryofonlytwopoundsofflourperheadandperweek，andbecausethreedaysbefore，onlyapoundandahalfwasdelivered。ThereisariotatDieppe，[125]Prairial14and15，because"thepeoplearereducedheretothreeorfourouncesofbread。"ThereisanotheratVervins，Prairial9，becausethemunicipalitywhichobtainsbreadatacostofsevenandeightfrancsapound，raisesthepricefromtwenty—fivetofiftysous。AtLille，aninsurrectionbreaksoutMessidor4，becausethemunicipality，payingninefrancsforbread，cangiveittothepooronlyforabouttwentyandthirtysous。—Lyons，duringthemonthofNiv？se，remainswithoutbread"forfivefulldays。"[126]AtChartres，Thermidor15，[127]thedistributionofbreadforamonthisonlyeightouncesaday，andthereisnotenoughtokeepthisupuntilthe20thofThermidor。OnthefifteenthofFructidor，LaRochellewritesthat"itspublicdistributions，reducedtosevenoreightouncesofbread，areonthepointoffailingentirely。"Forfourmonths，atPainb？uf，therationisbutthequarterofapoundofbread。[128]AndthesameatNantes，whichhaseighty—twothousandinhabitantsandswarmswiththewretched；"thedistributionneverexceededfourouncesaday，"andthatonlyforthepastyear。ThesameatRouen，whichcontainssixtythousandinhabitants；and，inaddition，withinthepastfortnightthedistributionhasfailedthreetimes。Inotherreports，thosewhoarewell—offsuffermorethantheindigentbecausetheytakenopartinthecommunaldistribution，"allresourcesforobtainingfoodbeing，sotosay，interdictedtothem。"—
FiveouncesofbreadperdiemforfourmonthsistheallowancetothefortythousandinhabitantsofCaenanditsdistrict。[129]Agreatmanyinthetown，aswellasinthecountry，liveonbranandwildherbs。"AttheendofPrairial，"thereisnotabushelofgraininthetownstorehouses，whiletherequisitions，enforcedinthemostrigorousandimposingstyle，producenothingornexttonothing。"
Miseryaugmentsfromweektoweek:"itisimpossibletoformanyideaofit；thepeopleofCaenliveonbrownbreadandthebloodofcattle……Everycountenancebearstracesofthefamine……Facesareoflividhue……Itisimpossibletoawaitthenewcrop，untiltheendofFructidor。"—Sucharetheexclamationseverywhere。
Theobjectnow，indeed，istocrossthenarrowestandmostterribledefile；afortnightmoreofabsolutefastingandhundredsofthousandsofliveswouldbesacrificed。[130]Atthismomentthegovernmenthalfopensthedoorsofitsstorehouses；itlendsafewsacksofflouronconditionofre—payment，—forexample，atCherbourgafewhundredsofquintalsofoats；bymeansofoatbread，thepoorcansubsistuntilthecomingharvest。Butaboveall，itdoublesitsguardandshowsitsbayonets。AtNancy，atravelersees[131]"morethanthreethousandpersonssolicitinginvainforafewpoundsofflour。"Theyaredispersedwiththebutt—endsofmuskets。—Thusarethepeasantrytaughtpatriotismandthetownspeoplepatience。Physicalconstraintexercisedonallinthenameofall；thisistheonlyprocedurewhichanarbitrarysocialismcanresorttoforthedistributionoffoodandtodisciplinestarvation。
VII。MiseryatParis。
FamineandmiseryatParis。—Stepstakenbythegovernmenttofeedthecapital。—MonthlycosttotheTreasury。—Coldandhungerinthewinterof1794—1795。—Qualityofthebread。—Dailyrationsdiminished。—Suffering，especiallyofthepopulace。—Excessivephysicalsuffering，despair，suicides，anddeathsfromexhaustionin1795。—Governmentdinnersandsuppers。—Numberofliveslostthroughwantandwar。—Socialismasapplied，anditseffectsoncomfort，well—beingandmortality。
Anythingthatatotalitariangovernmentmaydotoensurethatthecapitalissuppliedwithfoodisundertakenandcarriedoutbythisone，forhereisitsseat，andonemoredegreeofdearthinPariswouldoverthrowit。Eachweek，onreadingthedailyreportsofitsagents，[132]itfindsitselfonthevergeofexplosion；twice，inGerminalandPrairial，apopularoutbreakdoesoverthrowitforafewhours，and，ifitmaintainsitself，itisontheconditionofeithergivingtheneedyapieceofbreadorthehopeofgettingit。
Consequently，militarypostsarespacedoutaroundParis，uptoeighteenleaguesoff，onallthehighways；permanentpatrolsincorrespondencewitheachothertourgeonthewagonersanddraftrelaysofhorsesonthespot。EscortsdispatchedfromParistomeetconvoys；[133]requisition"allthecartsandallthehorseswhatevertoeffecttransportationinpreferencetoanyotherworkorservice。"
Allcommunestraversedbyahighwayareorderedtoputrubbleandmanureonthebadspotsandcoverthewholewaywithalayerofsoil，sothatthehorsesmaydragtheirloadsinspiteoftheslipperyroad。
Thenationalagentsareorderedtodraftthenecessarynumberofmentobreaktheicearoundthewater—mills。[134]Arequisitionismadefor"allthebarleythroughoutthelengthandbreadthoftheRepublic，"thismustbeutilizedtoproduce"themixtureformakingbread，"
whilethebrewersareforbiddentousebarleyinthemanufactureofbeer；thestarchmakersareforbiddentoconvertpotatoesintostarch，withpenaltyofdeathagainstalloffenders"asdestroyersofalimentaryproduce；"thebreweriesandstarch—factories[135]aretobecloseduntilfurthernotice。Parismusthavegrain，nomatterofwhatkind，nomatterhow，andatanycost，notmerelyinthefollowingweek，butto—morrow，thisveryday，becausehungerchewsandswallowseverything，anditwillnotwait。—Oncethegrainisobtained，apricemustbefixedwhichpeoplecanpay。Now，thedifferencebetweenthesellingandcostpriceisenormous；itkeepsonincreasingastheassignatdeclinesanditisthegovernmentwhichpaysthis。"Youfurnishbreadatthreesous，"saidDubois—Crancé，Floréal16，yearIII，[136]"anditcostsyoufourfrancs。Parisconsumes8，000
quintalsofmealdaily，whichexpenditurealoneamountsto1，200
millionsperannum。"Sevenmonthslater，whenabagofflourbrings13，000francs，thesameexpenditurereaches546millionspermonth。—
Undertheancientrégime，Paris，althoughovergrown，continuedtobeanusefulorganism；ifitabsorbedmuch，itelaboratedmore；itsproductivenesscompensatedforwhatitconsumed，and，everyyear，insteadofexhaustingthepublictreasuryitpoured77millionsintoit。ThenewrégimehasconverteditintoamonstrouscankerintheveryheartofFrance，adevouringparasitewhich，throughitssixhundredthousandleeches，drainsitssurroundingsforadistanceoffortyleagues，consumesone—halftheannualrevenueoftheState，andyetstillremainsemaciatedinspiteofthesacrificesmadebythetreasuryitdepletesandtheexhaustionoftheprovinceswhichsupplyitwithfood。
Alwaysthesamealimentarysystem，thesamelonglinesofpeoplewaitingat，andbefore，dawnineveryquarterofParis，inthedark，foralongtime，andoftentonopurpose，subjecttothebrutalitiesofthestrongandtheoutragesofthelicentious！Onthe9thofThermidor，thedailytrotofthemultitudeinquestoffoodhaslasteduninterruptedlyforseventeenmonths，accompaniedwithoutragesoftheworstkindbecausethereislessterrorandlesssubmissiveness，withmoreobstinacybecauseprovisionsatfreesalearedearer，withgreaterprivationbecausetherationdistributedissmaller，andwithmoresombredespairbecauseeachhousehold，havingconsumeditsstores，hasnothingofitsowntomakeupfortheinsufficienciesofpubliccharity。—Andtocapitall，thewinterof1794—1795issocold[137]thattheSeinefreezesandpeoplecrosstheLoireonfoot。
Raftsnolongerarriveand，toobtainfire—wood，itisnecessary"tocutdowntreesatBoulogne，Vincennes，Verrières，St。Cloud，Meudonandtwootherforestsinthevicinity。"Fuelcosts"fourhundredfrancspercordofwood，fortysousforabushelofcharcoal，twentysousforasmallbasket。Theneedyareseeninthestreetssawingthewoodoftheirbedsteadstocookwithandtokeepfromfreezing。"Ontheresumptionoftransportationbywateramongstthecakesofice"raftsaresoldasfastastheraftsmencanhaulthewoodoutofthewater，thepeoplebeingobligedtopassthreenightsatthelandingtogetit，eachinturnaccordingtohisnumber。""OnPluvi？se3atleasttwothousandpersonsareattheLouvierslanding，"eachwithhiscardallowinghimfoursticksatfifteensouseach。Naturally，thereispulling，hauling，tumultandarush；"thedealerstaketoflightforfear，andtheinspectorscomenearbeingmurdered；"theygetawayalongwiththepolicecommissionerand"thepublichelpsitself。"
Likewise，thefollowingday，thereis"anabominablepillage；"thegendarmesandsoldiersplacedtheretomaintainorder，"makearushforthewoodandcarryitawaytogetherwiththecrowd。"Bearinmindthatonthisdaythethermometerissixteendegreesbelowzero，thatonehundred，twohundredotherlinesofpeoplelikewisestandwaitingatthedoorsofbakersandbutchers，enduringthesamecold，andthattheyhavealreadyendureditandwillyetendureitamonthandmore。
Wordsarewantingtodescribethesufferingsoftheselonglinesofmotionlessbeings，duringthenight，atdaybreak，standingtherefiveorsixhours，withtheblastdrivingthroughtheirragsandtheirfeetfreezing。—Vent？seisbeginning，andtherationofbreadisreducedtoapoundandahalf；[138]Vent？seends，andtherationofbread，keptatapoundandahalfforthethreehundredandtwenty—fourlaborers，fallstoonepound；infact，agreatmanygetnoneatall，manyonlyahalfandaquarterofapound。GerminalfollowsandtheCommitteeofPublicSafety，findingthatitsmagazinesaregivingout，limitsallrationstoaquarterofapound。Thereupon，onthe12thofGerminal，aninsurrectionofworkmenandwomenbreaksout；theConventionisinvadedandliberatedbymilitaryforce。Parisisdeclaredinastateofsiegeandthegovernment，againinthesaddle，tightensthereins。Thenceforth，therationofmeatservedouteveryfourorfivedays，isaquarterofapound；breadaverageseveryday，sometimesfive，sometimessixandsometimessevenounces，atlongintervalseightounces，oftenthree，twoandoneounceandahalf，orevennoneatall；whilethisbread，blackand"makingmischief，"
becomesmoreandmoreworthlessanddetestable。[139]Peoplewhoarewelloffliveonpotatoes，butonlyforthem，for，inthemiddleofGerminal，thesecostfifteenfrancsthebusheland，towardstheend，twentyfrancs；towardstheendofMessidor，forty—fivefrancs；inthefirstmonthoftheDirectory，onehundredandeightyfrancs，andthentwohundredandeighty—fourfrancs，whilstotherproducegoesupatthesamerates。—Aftertheabolitionofthe"maximum"theevilspringsnotfromalackofprovisions，butfromtheirdearness:theshopsarewellsupplied。Whoevercomeswithafullpursegetswhathewants[140]:Theformerrich，thepropertyownersandlargecapitalists，mayeatontheconditionthattheyhandtheirbundlesofassignatsover，thattheywithdrawingtheirlastlouisfromitshiding—place，thattheyselltheirjewelry，clocks，furnitureandclothes。Andthenouveauxrich，thespeculators，thesuppliers，thehappyandextravagantrobbers，spendfourhundred，onethousand，threethousand，thenfivethousandfrancsfortheirdinner，andrevelinthegreateatingestablishmentsonfinewinesandexquisitecheer:theburdenofthescarcityistransferredtoothershoulders。—Atpresent，theclasswhichsuffers，andwhichsuffersbeyondallboundsofpatienceis，togetherwithemployeesandpeoplewithsmallincomes，[141]thecrowdofworkmen，theCityplebeians，thelowParisianpopulace*whichlivesfromdaytoday，*whichisJacobinatheart，*whichmadetheRevolutioninordertobetteritself，*whichfindsitselfworseoff，*whichgetsuponeinsurrectionmoreonthe1stofPrairial，*whichforciblyenterstheTuileriesyelling"BreadandtheConstitutionof’93，"
*whichinstallsitselfassovereignintheConvention，*whichmurderstheRepresentativeFéraud，*whichdecreesareturntoTerror，butwhich，putdownbytheNationalGuard，disarmedandforcedbackintolastingobedience，hasonlytosubmittotheconsequencesofitsownoutrages，thesocialismithasitselfinstitutedandtheeconomicalsystemititselfhasorganized。
BecausetheworkersofParishavebeenusurpersandtyrantstheyarenowbeggars。Owingtotheruinbroughtonproprietorsandcapitalistsbythem，individualscannolongeremploythem。OwingtotheruintheyhavebroughtontheTreasury，theStatecanprovidethemwithonlythesemblanceofcharity，andhence，whileallarecompelledtogohungry，agreatmanydie，andmanycommitsuicide。
*OnGerminal6th，"SectionoftheObservatory，"[142]atthedistribution，"forty—onepersonshadbeenwithoutbread；severalpregnantwomendesiredimmediateconfinementsoastodestroytheirinfants；othersaskedforknivestostabthemselves。"
*OnGerminal8th，"alargenumberofpersonswhohadpassedthenightatthedoorsofthebakerieswereobligedtoleavewithoutgettinganybread。"
*OnGerminal24th，"thepolicecommissioneroftheArsenalsectionstatesthatmanybecomeillforlackoffood，andthatheburiesquiteanumber……Thesameday，hehasheardoffiveorsixcitizens，who，findingthemselveswithoutbread，andunabletogetotherfood，throwthemselvesintotheSeine。"
*Germinal27，"thewomensaythattheyfeelsofuriousandareinsuchdespaironaccountofhungerandwantthattheymustinevitablycommitsomeactofviolence……Inthesectionof’LesAmisdelaPatrie，’onehalfhavenobread……ThreepersonstumbleddownthroughweaknessontheBoulevardduTemple。"
*Floréal2，"mostoftheworkmeninthe’République’sectionareleavingParisonaccountofthescarcityofbread。"
*Floréal5，"eighteenoutoftwenty—fourinspectorsstatethatpatienceisexhaustedandthatthingsarecomingtoanend。"
*Floréal14，"thedistributionisalwaysunsatisfactoryonaccountofthefour—ounceration；twothirdsofthecitizensdowithoutit。Onewoman，onseeingtheexcitementofherhusbandandherfourchildrenwhohadbeenwithoutbreadfortwodays，trailedthroughtheguttertearingherhairandstrikingherhead；shethengotupinastateoffuryandattemptedtodrownherself。"
*Floréal20，"allexclaimthattheycannotliveonthreeouncesofbread，and，again，ofsuchbadquality。Mothersandpregnantwomenfalldownwithweakness。"
*Floréal21，"theinspectorsstatethattheyencountermanypersonsinthestreetswhohavefallenthroughfeeblenessandinanition。"
*Floréal23，"acitoyennewhohadnobreadforherchildtiedittohersideandjumpedintotheriver。Yesterday，anindividualnamedMottez，indespairthroughwant，cuthisthroat。"
*Floréal25，"severalpersons，deprivedofanymeansofexistence，gaveupincompletediscouragement，andfelldownwithweaknessandexhaustion……Inthe’Gravilliers’section，twomenwerefounddeadwithinanition……Thepeaceofficersreportthedeceaseofseveralcitizens；onecuthisthroat，whileanotherwasfounddeadinhisbed。"Floréal28，"numbersofpeoplesinkdownforlackofsomethingtoeat；yesterday，amanwasfounddeadandothersexhaustedthroughwant。"
*Prairial24，"InspectorLaignierstatesthattheindigentarecompelledtoseeknourishmentinthepilesofgarbageonthecorners。"
*Messidor1，[143]"thesaidPicardfellthroughweaknessatteno’clockinthemorningintheruedelaLoi，andwasonlybroughttoatseveno’clockintheevening；hewascarriedtothehospitalonahand—barrow。"
*Messidor11，"ThereisareportthatthenumberofpeopletryingtodrownthemselvesissogreatthatthenetsatSt。Cloudscarcelysufficetodragthemoutofthewater。"
*Messidor19，"Amanwasfoundonthecornerofastreetjustdeadwithhunger。"
*Messidor27，"Atfouro’clockintheafternoon，PlaceMaubert，amannamedMarcelin，employedintheJardindesPlantes，felldownthroughstarvationanddiedwhileassistancewasbeinggiventohim。"Onthepreviousevening，theanniversaryofthetakingoftheBastille，alaboreronthePont—au—Change，says"Ihaveeatennothingallday。
’’Anotherreplies:"IhavenotbeenhomebecauseIhavenothingtogivetomywifeandchildren，dyingwithhunger。"Aboutthesamedate，afriendofMallet—Dupanwritestohim"thatheisdailywitnesstopeopleamongstthelowerclassesdyingofinanitioninthestreets；
others，andprincipallywomen，havenothingbutgarbagetoliveon，scrapsofrefusevegetablesandthebloodrunningoutoftheslaughterhouses。Laborers，generally，workonshorttimeonaccountoftheirlackofstrengthandoftheirexhaustionforwantoffood。"[144]—
ThusendstheruleoftheConvention。Wellhasitlookedoutfortheinterestsofthepoor！Accordingtothereportsofitsowninspectors，"famishedstomachsonallsidescryvengeance，beattoarmsandsoundthetocsinofalarm[145]……Thosewhohavetodwelldailyonthesacrificestheymaketokeepthemselvesalivedeclarethatthereisnohopeexceptindeath。"AretheygoingtoberelievedbythenewgovernmentwhichtheConventionimposesonthemwiththundersofartilleryandinwhichitperpetuatesitself？[146]—
*Brumaire28，"Mostoftheworkmeninthe’Temple’and’Gravilliers’
sectionshavedonenoworkforwantofbread。"
*Brumaire24，"Citizensofallclassesrefusetomountguardbecausetheyhavenothingtoeat。"
*Brumaire25，"Inthe’Gravilliers’sectionthewomensaythattheyhavesoldallthattheypossessed，whileothers，inthe’Faubourg—
Antoine’section，declarethatitwouldbebettertobeshotdown。"
*Brumaire30，"Awomanbesideherselfcameandaskedabakertokillherchildrenasshehadnothingtogivethemtoeat。"
*Frimaire1，2，3，and4，"Inmanyofthesectionsbreadisgivenoutonlyintheevening，inothersatoneo’clockinthemorning，andofverypoorquality……Severalsectionsyesterdayhadnobread。"
*Frimaire7，theinspectorsdeclarethat"thehospitalssoonwillnotbevastenoughtoholdthesickandthewretched。"
*Frimaire14，Atthecentralmarketawomannursingherchildsunkdownwithinanition。"Afewdaysbeforethis，"amanfelldownfromweakness，onhiswaytoBourgl’Abbé。"
"Allourreports，"saythedistrictadministrators，"resoundwithshrieksofdespair。"Peopleareinfatuated；"itseemstousthatacrazyspiritprevailsuniversally，weoftenencounterpeopleinthestreetwho，althoughalone，gesticulateandtalktothemselvesaloud。"
"Howmanytimes，"writesaSwisstraveller，[147]wholivedinParisduringthelatterhalfof1795，"howoftenhaveIchancedtoencountermensinkingthroughstarvation，scarcelyabletostandupagainstapost，orelsedownonthegroundandunabletogetupforwantofstrength！"Ajournaliststatesthathesaw"withintenminutes，alongthestreet，sevenpoorcreaturesfallonaccountofhunger，achilddieonitsmother’sbreastwhichwasdryofmilk，andawomanstrugglingwithadognearasewertogetaboneawayfromhim。"[148]
Meissnerneverleaveshishotelwithoutfillinghispocketswithpiecesofthenationalbread。"Thisbread，"hesays，"whichthepoorwouldformerlyhavedespised，Ifoundacceptedwiththeliveliestgratitude，andbywelleducatedpersons；"theladywhocontendedwiththedogforthebonewasaformernun，withouteitherparentsorfriendsandeverywhererepulsed。""Istillhearwithashudder，"saysMeissner，"theweak，melancholyvoiceofawell—dressedwomanwhostoppedmeintherueduBac，totellmeinaccentsindicativebothofshameanddespair:’Ah，Sir，dohelpme！Iamnotanoutcast。Ihavesometalent—youmayhaveseensomeofmyworksinthesalon。IhavehadnothingtoeatfortwodaysandIamcrazyforwantoffood。’"
Again，inJune，1796，theinspectorsstatethatdespairanddespondencyhavereachedthehighestpoint，onlyonecrybeingheard—
misery！……Ourreportsallteemwithgroansandcomplaints……Pallorandsufferingarestampedonallfaces……Eachdaypresentsasadderandmoremelancholyaspect。"Andrepeatedly，[149]theysumuptheirscatteredobservationsinageneralstatement:
*"Amournfulsilence，thedeepestdistressoneverycountenance；
*themostintensehatredofthegovernmentingeneraldevelopedinallconversations；
*contemptforallexistingauthority；
*aninsolentluxuriousness，insultingtothewretchednessofthepoorrentierswhoexpirewithhungerintheirgarrets，nolongerpossessingthecouragetocrawltotheTreasuryandgetthewherewithaltoprolongtheirmiseryforafewdays；
*theworthyfatherofafamilydailydecidingwhatarticleoffurniturehewillselltomakeupforwhatislackinginhiswagesthathemaybuyahalf—poundofbread；
*everysortofprovisionincreasinginpricesixtytimesanhour；
*thesmallestbusinessdependentonthefallofassignats；
*intriguersofallpartiesoverthrowingeachotheronlytogetoffices；
*theintoxicatedsoldierboastingoftheserviceshehasrenderedandistorender，andabandoninghimselfshamelesslytoeverysortofdebauchery；
*commercialhousestransformedintodensofthieves；
*rascalsbecometradersandtradersbecomerascals；themostsordidcupidityandamortalegoism—
suchisthepicturepresentedbyParis。"[150]
Onegroupiswantinginthispicture，thatofthegovernorswhopresideoverthiswretchedness，whichgroupremainsinthebackground；
onemightsaythatitwassodesignedandcomposedbysomegreatartist，aloverofcontrasts，aninexorablelogician，whoseinvisiblehandtraceshumancharacterunvaryingly，andwhosemournfulironyunfailinglydepictssidebyside，instrongrelief，thegrotesquenessoffollyandtheseriousnessofdeath。Howmanyperishedonaccountofthismisery？Probablymorethanamillionpersons。[151]—
Trytotakeinataglancetheextraordinaryspectaclepresentedontwenty—sixthousandsquareleaguesofterritory:
*Theimmensemultitudeofthestarvingintownandcountry，*thelonglinesofwomenforthreeyearswaitingforbreadinallthecities，*thisorthattownoftwenty—threethousandsoulsinwhichone—thirdofthepopulationdiesinthehospitalsinthreemonths，*thecrowdsofpaupersatthepoor—houses，*thefileofpoorwretchesenteringandthefileofcoffinsgoingout，*theasylumsdeprivedoftheirproperty，overcrowdedwiththesick，unabletofeedthemultitudeoffoundlingspiningawayintheircradlestheveryfirstweek，theirlittlefacesinwrinkleslikethoseofoldmen，*themaladyofwantaggravatingallothermaladies，thelongsufferingofapersistentvitalityamidstpainandwhichrefusestosuccumb，thefinaldeath—rattleinagarretorinaditch。
Contrastthiswiththisthesmall，powerful，triumphantgroupofJacobinswhich，havingunderstoodhowtoplacethemselvesinthegoodplaces，isdeterminedtostaythereatanycost。—Aboutteno’clockinthemorning，[152]Cambacérès，presidentoftheCommitteeofPublicSafety，isseenenteringitshallinthePavillondel’Egalité。Heisalarge，cautiousandshrewdpersonagewhowill，lateron，becomearch—chancelloroftheEmpireandfamousforhisepicureaninventionsandotherpeculiartastesrevivedfromantiquity。Scarcelyseated，heordersanamplepat—au—feutobeplacedonthechimneyhearthand，onthetable，"finewineandfinewhitebread；threearticles，"saysaguest，"nottobefoundelsewhereinallParis。"Betweentwelveandtwoo’clock，hiscolleaguesentertheroominturn，takeaplateofsoupandasliceofmeat，swallowsomewine，andthenproceed，eachtohisbureau，toreceivehiscoterie，givingthisoneanofficeandcompellinganothertopayup，lookingallthetimeafterhisownspecialinterests。Atthismoment，especially，towardsthecloseoftheConvention，therearenopublicinterests，allinterestsbeingprivateandpersonal。—Inthemeantime，thedeputyinchargeofprovisions，RouxdelaHauteMarne，anunfrockedBenedictine，formerlyaterroristintheprovinces，subsequentlytheprotégéandemployeeofFouché，withwhomheistobeassociatedinthepolicedepartment，keepsthethrongofwomenincheckwhichdailyresortstotheTuileriestobegforbread。Heiswelladaptedforthisduty，beingtall，chubby，ornamental，andwithvigorouslungs。Hehastakenhisofficeintherightplace，intheatticofthepalace，atthetopoflong，narrowandsteepstairs，sothatthelineofwomenstretchingupbetweenthetwowalls，piledoneabovetheother，necessarilybecomesimmovable。Withtheexceptionofthetwoorthreeatthefront，noonehasherhandsfreetograbtheharanguerbythethroatandclosetheoratoricalstop—cock。Hecanspouthistiradesaccordinglywithimpunity，andforanindefinitetime。Ononeoccasion，hissonorousjabberrattlesawayuninterruptedlyfromthetoptothebottomofthestaircase，fromnineo’clockinthemorningtofiveo’clockintheafternoon。Undersuchavolubleshower，hishearersbecomewearyandendbygoinghome。—Aboutnineorteno’clockintheevening，theCommitteeofPublicSafetyreassembles，butnottodiscussbusiness。
DantonandLaRévellièrepreachinvain；eachistooegoisticandtooworn—out；theyletthereinslackenonCambacérès。Astohim，hewouldratherkeepquietanddragthecartnolonger；buttherearetwothingsnecessarywhichhemustprovideforonpainofdeath。—"Itwillnotdo，"saysheinplaintivetones，"tokeeponprintingtheassignatsatnightwhichwewantforthenextday。Ifthatlasts，mafoi，weruntheriskofbeingstrungupatalantern……GoandfindHourier—Eloi，ashehaschargeofthefinances，andtellhimthatweentreathimtokeepusa—goingforafortnightoreighteendayslonger，whentheexecutiveDirectorywillcomeinanddowhatitpleases。""Butfood—shallwehaveenoughforto—morrow？
"Aha，Idon’tknow—I’llsendforourcolleagueRoux，whowillpostusonthatpoint。"Rouxenters，theofficialspokesman，thefat，jovialtamerofthepopulardog。"Well，Roux，howdowestandaboutsupplyingPariswithfood？""Thesupply，citizenPresident，isjustasabundantasever，twoouncesperhead，—atleastformostofthesections。""Gotothedevilwithyourabundantsupply！You’llhaveourheadsoff！"Allremainsilent，forthispossibledénouementsetsthemtothinking。Then，oneofthemexclaims:"President，arethereanyrefreshmentsprovidedforus？Afterworkingsohardforsomanydaysweneedsomethingtostrengthenus！""Why，yes；thereisagoodcalf’s—tongue，alargeturbot，alargepieceofpieandsomeotherthings。"Theycheerup，begintoeatanddrinkchampagne，andindulgeindrolleries。Aboutelevenortwelveo’clockthemembersofotherCommitteescomein；signaturesareaffixedtotheirvariousdecrees，ontrust，withoutreadingthemover。They，intheirturn，sitdownatthetableandtheconclaveofsovereignbelliesdigestswithoutgivingitselffurthertroubleaboutthemillionsofstomachsthatareempty。
_—
Notes:
[1]Ontheothermorecomplicatedfunctions，suchasthemaintenanceofroads，canals，harbors，publicbuildings，lighting，cleanliness，hygiene，superiorsecondaryandprimaryeducation，hospitals，andotherasylums，highwaysecurity，thesuppressionofrobberyandkindredcrimes，thedestructionofwolves，etc。，seeRocquam，"EtatdelaFranceau18Brumaire，"andthe"StatistiquesdesDepartements，"
publishedbytheprefets，fromyearsIX。toXIII。—Thesebranchesoftheservicewerealmostentirelyoverthrown；thereaderwillseethepracticalresultsoftheirsuppressioninthedocumentsreferredto。
[2]"St。JohndeCrêvec？ur，"byRobertdeCrêvec？ur，p。216。（LetterofMdlle。deGouves，July，1800。）"Wearenegotiatingforthepaymentof，atleast，thearrearagessince1789ontheArrasproperty。"（M。
deGouvesandhissistershadnotemigrated，andyettheyhadhadnoincomefromtheirpropertyfortenyears。）
[3]Cf。"TheRevolution，"vol。I。，254—261，311—352；vol。II。，234—
272。
[4]Cf。"TheRevolution，"II。，273—276。
[5]BuchezetRoux，XXII。，178。（SpeechbyRobespierreintheConvention，December2，1792。）—Mallet—Dupan，"Mémoires。"I。，400。
Aboutthesamedate，"adeputationfromthedepartmentofGardexpresslydemandsasumoftwohundredandfiftymillions，asindemnitytothecultivator，forgrainwhichitcallsnationalproperty。"—Thisfearfulsumoftwohundredandfiftymillions，theyadd，isonlyafictiveadvance，placingatitsdisposalrealandpurelynationalwealth，notbelonginginfullownershiptoanydistinctmemberofthesocialbodyanymorethantheperniciousmetalsmintedascurrentcoin。"
[6]BuchezetRoux，XXVI。，95。（DeclarationofRightspresentedintheJacobinClub，April21，1793。）
[7]Decreesineverycommuneestablishingataxontherichinordertorenderthepriceofbreadproportionatetowages，alsoineachlargecitytoraiseanarmyofpaidsans—culottes，thatwillkeeparistocratsundertheirpikes，April5—7。—Decreeorderingtheforcedloanofabillionontherich，May20—25——BuchezetRoux，XXV。，156。（SpeechbyCharles，March27。—Gorsas，"CourrierdesDépartements，"No。forMayI5，1793。（SpeechbySimonintheclubatAnnecy。）—SpeechbyGuffroyatChartres，andofChalierandassociatesatLyons，etc。
[8]ReportbyMinisterClaviéres，February1，1793，p。27。—Cf。
ReportofM。deMontesquiou，September9，1791，p。47。"Duringthefirsttwenty—sixmonthsoftheRevolutionthetaxesbroughtinthreehundredandfifty—sixmillionslessthantheyshouldnaturallyhavedone。"—Thereisthesamedeficitinthereceiptsofthetowns，especiallyonaccountoftheabolitionoftheoctroi。Paris，underthishead，losestenmillionsperannum。
[9]ReportbyCambon，Pluvi？se3，yearIII。"TheRevolutionandthewarhavecostinfouryearsfivethousandthreehundredandfiftymillionsabovetheordinaryexpenses。"（Cambon，inhisestimates，purposelyexaggeratesordinaryexpensesofthemonarchy。AccordingtoNecker’sbudget，theexpenditurein1759wasfixedatfivehundredandthirty—onemillionsandnot，asCambonstates，sevenhundredmillions。
ThisraisestheexpensesoftheRevolutionandofthewartoseventhousandonehundredandtwenty—onemillionsforthefourandahalfyears，andhencetoonethousandfivehundredandeighty—onemillionsperannum，thatistosay，totripletheordinaryexpenses。）TheexpensesofthecitiesarethereforeexaggeratedlikethoseoftheStateandforthesamereasons。
[10]Schmidt，"PariserZust？nde，"I。93，96。"Duringthefirsthalfoftheyear1789therewereseventeenthousandmenattwentysousadayinthenationalworkshopsatMontmartre。In1790，therewerenineteenthousand。In1791，thirty—onethousandcostingsixtythousandfrancsaday。In1790，theStateexpendsseventy—fivemillionsformaintainingthepriceofbreadinParisatelevensousforfourpounds。—Ibid。，113。Duringthefirstsixmonthsof1793
theStatepaystheParisbakersaboutseventy—fivethousandfrancsadaytokeepbreadatthreesousthepound。
[11]Ibid。I。，139—144。
[12]DecreeofSeptember27，1790。"Thecirculationofassignatsshallnotextendbeyondonebilliontwohundredmillions……Thosewhicharepaidinshallbedestroyedandthereshallbenoothercreationoremissionofthem，withoutadecreeoftheCorpsLegislatif，alwayssubjecttothisconditionthattheyshallnotexceedthevalueofthenationalpossionsnorobtainacirculationaboveonebilliontwohundredmillions。
[13]Schmidt，ibid。，I。，104，138，144。
[14]FelixRocquam，"L’EtatdelaFranceau18Brumaire，"p。240。
（ReportbyLacuée，yearIX。—ReportsbypréfetsundertheConsulate（ReportsofLaumont，préfetoftheLower—Rhine，yearX。；ofCoichen，préfetoftheMoselle，yearXI。，etc。）—Schmidt，PariserZust？nde，"
III。，205。（"TherateofinterestduringtheRevolutionwasfromfourtofivepercent。permonth；in1796fromsixtoeightpercent。permonth，thelowestratebeingtwopercent。permonthwithsecurity。"）
[15]ArthurYoung，"VoyageenFrance，"II。，360。（Fr。translation。）
"IregardBordeauxasricherandmorecommercialthananycityinEnglandexceptLondon。"
[16]Ibid。，II。，357。ThestatisticsofexportsinFrancein1787
givethreehundredandforty—ninemillions，andimportsthreehundredandfortymillions（leavingoutLorraine。Alsace，thethreeEvéchésandtheWestIndies）。—Ibid。，360。In1786theimportationsfromtheWestIndiesamountedtoonehundredandseventy—fourmillions，ofwhichSt。Domingofurnishedonehundredandthirty—onemillions；theexportstotheWestIndiesamountedtosixty—fourmillions，ofwhichSt。Domingohadforty—fourmillions。Theseexchangeswereeffectedbyfivehundredandsixty—ninevesselscarryingonehundredandsixty—
twothousandtons，ofwhichBordeauxprovidedtwohundredandforty—
sixvessels，carryingseventy—fivethousandtons。—Ontheruinofmanufacturescf。thereportsofpréfetsintheyearX。，withdetailsfromeachdepartment。—ArthurYoung（II。，444）statesthattheRevolutionaffectedmanufacturesmoreseriouslythananyotherbranchofindustry。
[17]Reportsofpréfets。（Orme，yearIX。）"Thepurchasershavespeculatedontheprofitsforthetimebeing，andhaveexhaustedtheirresources。Manyofthemhavedestroyedalltheplantations，alltheenclosuresandeventhefruittrees。"—FelixRocquam，ibid。，116。
（ReportbyFourcroyonBrittany。）"Theconditionofruralstructureseverywheredemandsconsiderablecapital。Butnoadvances，basedonanylastingstateofthings，canbemade。"—Ibid。，236。（ReportofLacuéeonthedepartmentsaroundParis。）"Thedoubtfulownersofnationalpossessionscultivatebadlyandletthingslargelygotoruin。"
[18]Reportsbypréfets，yearsX。andXI。Ingeneral，theeffectofthepartitionofcommunalpossessionswasdisastrous，especiallypastureandmountaingrounds。—（Doubs。）"Thepartitionofthecommunalpropertyhascontributed，inallthecommunes，rathertothecompleteruinofthepoorthantoanyameliorationoftheirfate。"—
（Lozére。）"ThepartitionofthecommunalpropertybythelawofJune10，1792，hasprovedveryinjurioustocultivation。"Thesepartitionswerenumerous。（Moselle。）"Outofsixhundredandeighty—sixcommunes，onehundredandsevenhavedividedpercapitum，fivehundredandseventy—ninebyfamilies，andonehundredandnineteenhaveremainedintact。"
[19]Ibid。（Moselle。）Birthslargelyincreasein1792。"Butthisisanexceptionalyear。Allkindsofabuses，paper—money，thenon—
paymentoftaxesandclaims，thepartitioninthecommunes，thesalefornothingofnationalpossessions，hasspreadsomuchcomfortamongthepeoplethatthepoorerclasses，whoarethemostnumerous，havehadnodreadofincreasingtheirfamilies1towhichtheyhopesomedaytoleavetheirfieldsandrenderthemhappy。"
[20]Mallet—Dupan，"Memoires，"II。，29。（February1，1794。）"ThelatecropinFrancewasgenerallygood，and，insomeprovinces，itwasabovetheaverage……Ihaveseenthestatementsoftworeturnsmadefromtwenty—sevendepartments；theydeclareanexcessoffifteen，twenty，thirtyandthirty—fivethousandbushelsofgrain。Thereisnorealdearth。"
[21]Schmidt，ibid。，I。，110，andfollowingpages。—BuchezetRoux，XX。，416。（SpeechesofLequinio，November27，1792。）—Moniteur，XVII。，2。（LetterbyClement，Puy—de—Dome，June15，1793。）"Forthepastfifteendaysbreadhasbeenworthsixteenandeighteensousthepound。Thereisthemostfrightfuldistressinourmountains。Thegovernmentdistributesone—eighthofabusheltoeachperson，everybodybeingobligedtowaittwodaystotakehisturn。Onewomanwassmotheredandseveralwerewounded。"
[22]Cf。"LaRevolution，"I。，208；II。，294，205，230。—BuchezetRoux，XX。，431。（ReportofLecointe—Puyraveau，Nov。30，1792。）（Mobsoffour，fiveandsixthousandmeninthedepartmentsofEure—et—
Loire，Eure，Orme，Calvados，Indre—et—Loire，Loiret，andSarthecutdownthepricesofproduce。ThethreedelegatesoftheConventiondisposedtointerferehavetheirlivessavedonlyonconditionofannouncingtheratedictatedtothem。—Ibid。，409。（LetterofRoland，Nov。27，1792。）—XXI。，198。（AnotherletterbyRoland，Dec。
6，1792。）"AllconvoysarestoppedatLissy，laFerté，Milan，laFerté—sous—Jouarre……CartsloadedwithwheatgoingtoParishavebeenforcedtogobacknearLonjumeauandnearMeaux。"
[23]ArchivesNationales，F。7，3265。（LetterofDavid，cultivator，andadministratorofthedepartmentofSeine—Inférieure，Oct。11，1792；
letterofthespecialcommitteeofRouen，Oct。22；letterofthedelegatesoftheexecutivepower，Oct。20，etc。）"Reportsfromallquartersstatethatthefarmerswhodrivetomarketareconsideredandtreatedintheirparishesasaristocrats……Eachdepartmentkeepstoitself:theymutuallyrepeleachother。"
[24]BuchezetRoux，XX。，409。（LetterofRoland，Nov。2711792。）
"Thecirculationofgrainhasforalongtimeencounteredthegreatestobstacles；scarcelyacitizennowdarestodothatbusiness。"—Ibid。，417。（SpeechbyLequinio。）"Themonopolyofwheatbyland—ownersandfarmersisalmostuniversal。Frightisthecauseofit……
Andwheredoesthisfearcomefrom？Fromthegeneralagitation，andthreats，withthebadtreatmentinmanyplacesofthefarmers，land—
ownersandtraffickersinwheatknownasbladiers。"—DecreesofSep。16，1792，andMay4，1793。
[25]BuchezetRoux，XIX。（ReportbyCambon，Sep。22，1792。）"Thetaxesnolongerreachthepublictreasury，becausetheyareusedforpurchasinggraininthedepartments。"Ibid。，XIX。，29。（SpeechbyCambon，Oct。12，1792。）"Youcanbearwitnessinyourdepartmentstothesacrificeswhichwell—to—dopeoplehavebeenobligedtomakeinhelpingthepoorclass。Inmanyofthetownsextrataxeshavebeenlaidforthepurchaseofgrainandforathousandotherhelpfulmeasures。"
[26]BuchezetRoux，XX。，409。（LetterofRoland，Nov。29，1792）—
XXI。，199。（Deliberationsoftheprovisionalexecutivecouncil，Sep。
3，1792。）—Dauban，"LaDemagogieen1793，"p。64。（DiarykeptbyBeaulieu。）Ibid。，152。）
[27]Schmidt，I。，110—130。—Decreesagainsttheexportofcoinoringots，Sep。5and15，1792。—Decreeonstocksorbondspayabletobearer，Aug。14，1792。
[28]Wemighttodaycallthissentimentadesiretoacquireandretain。（Sentimentofacquisiton）。（SR。）
[29]Taine’sremarkinafootnote。（SR。）
[30]ArchivesNationales，D。，55，I。，file2。（LetterbyJoifroy，nationalagentinthedistrictofBar—sur—Aube，Germinal5，yearIII。）
"Mostofthefarmers，toescapetherequisition，havesoldtheirhorsesandreplacedthemwithoxen。"—Memoirs（inms。）ofM。DufortdeCheverney（communicatedbyM。RobertdeCrévec？ur）。InJune，1793，"therequisitionsfalllikehail，everyweek，onwheat，hay，straw，oats，etc。，"allatpricesfixedbythecontractors，whomakedeductions，postponeandpaywithdifficulty。Thencomerequisitionsforhogs。"Thiswasdeprivingallthecountryfolksofwhattheylivedon。"Astherequisitionscalledforlivehogs，therewasahogSt。Bartholomew。Everybodykilledhispigandsalteditdown。"
（EnvironsofBlois。）Inrelationtorefusingtogatherincrops，seefurtheron。—Dauban，"Parisin1794，p。229。（Ventose24，generalordersbyHenriot。）"CitizenGuillonbeingondutyoutsidethewalls，sawwithsorrowthatcitizenswerecuttingtheirwheattofeedrabbitswith。"