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And the Causes Which Led to That Event
by
Member of the French Academy
Translated by Henry Reeve, D.C.L.
Third Edition
London
John Murray, Albemarle Street
1888
Printed by
Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square
London
I. Opposing Judgments passed on the French Revolution at its
Origin 1
II. The Fundamental and Final Object of the Revolution was not,
as has been supposed, the destruction of Religious
Authority and the weakening of Political Power 5
III. Showing that the French Revolution was a Political
Revolution which followed the course of Religious
Revolutions, and for what Reasons 9
IV. Showing that nearly the whole of Europe had had precisely
the same Institutions, and that these Institutions were
everywhere falling to pieces 12
V. What was the peculiar scope of the French Revolution 16
I. Why Feudal Rights had become more odious to the People in
France than in any other country 19
II. Showing that Administrative Centralisation is an
Institution anterior in France to the Revolution of 1789,
and not the product of the Revolution or of the Empire,
as is commonly said 28
III. Showing that what is now called Administrative Tutelage was
an Institution in France anterior to the Revolution 36
IV. Administrative Jurisdiction and the Immunity of Public
Officers are Institutions of France anterior to the
Revolution 45
V. Showing how Centralisation had been able to introduce
itself among the ancient Institutions of France, and to
supplant without destroying them 50
VI. The Administrative Habits of France before the Revolution 54
VII. Of all European Nations France was already that in which
the Metropolis had acquired the greatest preponderance
over the Provinces, and had most completely absorbed the
whole Empire 63
VIII. France was the Country in which Men had become the most
alike 67
IX. Showing how Men thus similar were more divided than ever
into small Groups, estranged from and indifferent to each
other 71
X. The Destruction of Political Liberty and the Estrangement
of Classes were the causes of almost all the disorders
which led to the Dissolution of the Old Society of France 84
XI. Of the Species of Liberty which existed under the Old
Monarchy, and of the Influence of that Liberty on the
Revolution 94
XII. Showing that the Condition of the French Peasantry,
notwithstanding the progress of Civilisation, was
sometimes worse in the Eighteenth Century than it had
been in the Thirteenth 105
XIII. Showing that towards the Middle of the Eighteenth Century
Men of Letters became the leading Political Men of
France, and of the effects of this occurrence 119