CHAPTER LX .-- --LOUIS XVI .-- CONVOCATION OF THE STATES-GENERAL.

1787-1789.
Thirteen years had rolled by since King Louis XV.

had descended to a dishonored grave, and on the mighty current which was bearing France towards reform, whilst dragging her into the Revolution, King Louis XVI., honest and sincere, was still blindly seeking to clutch the helm which was slipping from his feeble hands.

Every day his efforts were becoming weaker and more inconsistent, every day the pilot placed at the tiller was less and less deserving of public confidence.

From M.Turgot to M.
Necker, from Calonne to Lomenie de Brienne, the fall had been rapid and deep.