Neckar had long been convinced that his influence was on the wane, and that, even if he still enjoyed it undiminish ed, he could do no good, either in restraining the blind fury of political innovation, or in restoring order to the finances; he was besides a vain mun ; and, as has been already re marked, more conversant in detail than in general prin ciples and comprehensive views. On the 4th of Septem ber lie gave in his resignation.
The hostile preparations of Germany, Spain, Italy, and Savoy, had, in the beginning of 1791, assumed a character that could leave little doubt they were intended against France. With respect to Germany, the German princes, who possessed territory on the north side of the Rhine, could not be indifferent spectators of a revolution in their immediate neighbourhood, which had stripped the French nobility of all their privileges, and, in many instances, had deprived them of their lives, Besides, the German pea sants were not slow in following the example set them by their brethren in France ; so that what they had actually suffered, as well as the dangers they apprehended, stimu lated the German princes ;against the ltevolution. In their apprehensions of future danger, the other princes, at pre sent remote from the example and influence of the Revo lution, were not slow in participating ; and these appre hensions likewise tool; hold of several of the sovereigns of Europe. There were also other considerations which in fluenced sonic of them : the Emperor of Germany was naturally anxious respecting the fate of his sister, the Queen of France, who was peculiarly obnoxious to the Revolutionists ; and the King of Spain could not behold with indifference one branch of the Bourbons stript almost entirely of regal power, and the King, as it were, the slave of his own people.
The Parisians, alarmed at these hostile preparations, were suspicious that the King was consenting to them ; and their suspicions were increased and strengthened by the departure, in the month of February, of his aunts from Paris. Nor were they satisfied by the declaration of Louis, that, as the laws did not lay them under any restraint, he did not oppose their departure. They naturally conclud ed that the King had a design of following them, and of joining an emigrant force, which was now collecting on the borders of Alsace. All his motions were watched with so much jealousy, that, on tho 18th of April, as the royal family were preparing to go to St Cloud, a report was spread that they were about to emigrate, and their carriages were immediately surrounded and stopt by the people. La
Fayette, upon this, called out the national guard, but they refused to act ; and he was so much hurt at their refusal, that he resigned his command; nor was he, without a very general and pressing solicitation, prevailed upon to accept it again.
The suspicions of the people respecting the intended Eight of the royal party were well founded ; but it was de layed, till it was hoped it might be effected safely and cer tainly. The Marquis de Bouillee, who commanded on the frontiers, removed the national guards, and replaced them by such troops as he could depend upon ; and in the whole of the route which the royal party were to pursue, every thing which could facilitate their escape had been prepar ed with as much order and secrecy as possible. On the 21st of June, it was ascertained that the royal family had left the capital in such a secret manner, that no doubt could be entertained of their intention of quitting France. Im mediately all was consternation and commotion, mixed with unbridled fury, among the populace. The National Assembly were more cool and composed : they declared their sittings permanent, and assumed the government. As the route of the royal fugitives was unknown, mes sengers were dispatched in all directions. Their fate was not long in suspense. Monsieur and Madame arrived safely at Brussels ; but the King, Queen, and Dauphin were arrested at Varennes, within a very short distance of the frontiers. This unfortunate attempt excited in the multitude such an abhorrence of the King, whom they suspected of an intention to join the emigrant army, and to invade France, that his most sanguine friends could now 110 longer hope he would regain their confidence or loyalty ; and this feeling of the multitude was cherished and exas perated by all those, who were determined to destroy even the name and vestiges of a monarchy, and to substitute in its room, either an undefined and speculative democracy, or the unrestrained power of the mob ; for about this pe riod, those men began silently and secretly to use their in fluence, who afterwards plunged France into an unparal leled state of crime and wretchedness.