"It is a Revolution!”

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 70, 14 July 1914, Page 5

"It is a Revolution!”

FALL OF THE BASTILLE. ■■■■» AN IMPORTANT ANNIVERSARY. July 14th is regarded by the French nation as a day of rejoicing, for on that day in the year 1789 occurred the siege and fall of the Bastille, which the French look upon as their Declaration of Independence. ' "7~ T> S3 Genesis of the Fort. Tlio word Bastille is traced, somewhat vaguely, to the Italian word bastia or bastione, which was in former times used to describe forts, whether temporary or permanent. There were previously three Bastilles in Paris —St. Denis, the Temple and St. Antoine—but the latter is the best known and is the one the fall of which is annually celebrated. The St. Antoine Bastille was commenced in 1356, when, after the battle of Poictiers, English detachments were ravaging the vicin-< ity of the French capital. It was decided to strengthen and add to the defences of the city and the additions included a gate fortified by two towers, leading from the suburb St. Antoine to the street of the same name. But the walls, hastily erected were not high enough or solid enough, and in 1369 two towers were added, making a square fort. In 1382 two towers were added, one at each end of the square, thus presenting a face of four towers to the city and four to the suburb. To add to the security of the place the road which previously ran through the fort was diverted round it. This was the last addition to the fort proper, but before the middle of the seventeenth century a bastion was constructed on the side facing the suburb and a dry ditch forty yards wide and twelve deep, faced with masonry, was run round the whole fort. The walls of ihe towers, which wore at least a bunded feet high, were seven feet thick at the top, gradually increasing in width down to the foundations. The Bastille was used chiefly for the irapri on moot of political offenders, the history of whose sufferings throws much light on the politics of France five or six hundred year* ago.

Preparing for a Change. In May, 1789, the States General, consisting of 300 clergy, 300 nobles, adn 600 representing the Third Estate met at Versailles, and there was great rejiocing throughout the nation, for the people considered that they would form a better constitution, and a more equable method of taxation. The King, Louis XVI., had reluctantly had resource to the calling together of the States General, and now that they were in session, the Court still remained antagonistic to them. Nec- * ker, controller of the Finances, and a popular minister, was chiefly concerned in getting money out of- the States. But in the Third Estate were men w'hoi had determined that money would not be forthcoming unless reforms were introduced. A question arose whether the three orders should vote as ona chamber, or as The Third Estate desired that the voting should be done in one chamber, the three orders voting together. In the end they gained their point. The court, however, on discovering this sign of the elimination of class distinctions, decided to dismiss the States General. A large number of troops were posted around Versailles, and Necker, who had advised the calling of the States was dismissed. On this news arriving at Paris, great indignation was manifested. On the 11th July, the date of Necker’s dismissal, the feelings of the mob were worked on by Desmoulins. During the net two days the excitement in Paris was such that German troops, Jor the French could not be trusted, were sent to keep order. Blood was shed, and the . French Guards, 3,600 strong, went over in a body to the people.

The Sisse and Fall. On the 14th July there was only one place in Paris where tbe King’s authority could be upheld—the Bastille. The mob searched for arms in the city, obtaining 28,000 muskets and some cannon. Early on the morning of July 14th the alarm was given that German troops were nearing the city and that the guns at the Bastille were trained on the route which must be taken by any force sent to oppose them. From 9 a.m. there was a constant stream of the mob towards the Bastille, which was garrisoned by eighty Invalides and forty Swiss. iU 1 p.m the place was invested, the governor, de Launay, having refused to surrender. An exchange of musketry fire ensued, but in spite of the advantage of cover of the besieged, a Cartwright advanced and severed the chain of the outer drawbridge. A troop of hussars crept up in the rear of the besiegers, but being unable to force their way through they retired. After a five hours’ siege the fortress surrendered, the garrison refusing to fight further. The terms of surrender included safe conduct for the garrison, but the mob was uncontrollable, and de Launay and several of his men were massacred. By the fall of the Bastille the authority of the States General was established and the prinicple of government by constitutional monarchy was visibly affirmed. When the news reached Versailles late that night the King exclaimed: “But that is a revolt!” To tliis the due de Lianeourt replied: “No, sire, it is a revolution!” The Bastille was shortly afterwards demolished hr the orders off the civic authorities of Paris, and when the demolition was completed a grand ball was held on the site.