The second is called the “Legislative Assembly;” and the third legislature is called “the National Convention.”

[Illustration:  Frontispiece—­Artillery.jpg]

****** Historical epochs of the French revolution.

******

1787.
March.  The Assembly of Notables first convened under the
                  ministry of Mons. de Calonne, comptroller-general
                  of the finances.
1788.
August.  Mons. Necker replaced at the head of the finances
                  on the dismission (sic) of Mons. de Calonne; and
                  Mons. de Lomenie, archbishop of Toulouse, made
                  prime minister.
Nov.  Mons. Necker persuades the King to call the
                  Notables together a second time.
1789.
January.  Letters issued in the name of the King for an
                  assembly of the States-general.  The clergy to
                  depute 300 representatives, the nobility the like
                  number, and the commons 600.
May 5.  Opening of the States-general at Versailles.
June 17.  The chamber of the Tiers-Etat (commons) declares
                  itself a national assembly.
             19.  The Tiers-Etat takes the famous oath, known by the
                  “serment au Jeu de Paume,” not to separate until
                  the constitution should be established.
             23.  The King goes in person to the assembly—­but his
                  presence, far from intimidating the members,
                  renders them so intractable that from this epoch
                  may be dated the first attacks upon the royal
                  authority.
             24.  Forty-eight of the nobles, with the Duke of Orleans
                  at their head, unite with the tiers-etat (third
                  estate, or commons). 
                  A considerable number of the clergy follow their
                  example.
             28.  The King, from a desire of peace, requests the
                  whole body of nobility and clergy to unite in one
                  assembly with the commons; which is acceded to.
             29.  Great rejoicings in Paris on account of this union.
July 11.  The King in disgust dismisses Monsieur Necker.
             12.  The Prince de Lambesc appears at the Tuilleries
                  with an armed party of soldiers.
             13.  The city of Paris flies to arms.  The Bastille is
                  attacked, and taken by the populace;

[Illustration:  Bastille.jpg]