The useful example of Dauphiny had no imitators.  Bourbonness and Hainault had accepted the system proposed by M. Necker for the formation of preparatory assemblies.  Normandy, faithful to its spirit of conservative independence, claimed its ancient privileges and refused the granted liberties.  In Burgundy the noblesse declared that they would give up their pecuniary privileges, but that, on all other points, they would defend to the last gasp the ancient usages of the province.  The clergy and noblesse of Languedoc held pretty much the same language.  In Franche-Comte, where the states-provincial had not sat since Louis XIV.’s conquest, the strife was so hot on the subject of the administrative regimen, that the ministry declared the assembly dissolved, and referred the decision to the States-general.  The Parliament of Besancon protested, declaring that the constitution of the province could not be modified save by the nationality of Franche-Comte, and that deputies to the States-general could not be elected save by the estates of the country assembled according to the olden rule.  This pretension of the magistrates excluded the people from the elections; they rose and drove the court from the sessions-hall.

Everywhere the preparatory assemblies were disturbed, they were tumultuous in many spots; in Provence, as well as in Brittany, they became violent.  In his province, Mirabeau was the cause or pretext for the troubles.  Born at Bignon, near Nemours, on the 9th of March, 1749, well known already for his talent as a writer and orator as well as for the startling irregularities of his life, he was passionately desirous of being elected to the States-general.  “I don’t think I shall be useless there,” he wrote to his friend Cerruti.  Nowhere, however, was his character worse than in Provence:  there people had witnessed his dissensions with his father as well as with his wife.  Public contempt, a just punishment for his vices, caused his admission into the states-provincial to be unjustly opposed.  The assembly was composed exclusively of nobles in possession of fiefs, of ecclesiastical dignitaries, and of a small number of municipal officers.  It claimed to elect the deputies to the States-general according to the ancient usages.  Mirabeau’s common sense, as well as his great and puissant genius, revolted against the absurd theories of the privileged:  he overwhelmed them with his terrible eloquence, whilst adjuring them to renounce their abuseful and obsolete rights; he scared them by his forceful and striking hideousness.  “Generous friends of peace,” said he, addressing the two upper orders, “I hereby appeal to your honor!  Nobles of Provence, the eyes of Europe are upon you, weigh well your answer!  Ye men of God, have a care; God hears you!  But, if you keep silence, or if you intrench yourselves in the vague utterances of a piqued self-love, allow me to add a word.  In all ages, in all countries, aristocrats have persecuted the friends of the people,