Published by Good Press, 2019

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      EAN 4057664640017

Table of Contents

       INTRODUCTION

       PREFACE

       THE ANCIENT REGIME

       PREFACE BY THE AUTHOR: ON POLITICAL IGNORANCE AND WISDOM.

       BOOK FIRST. THE STRUCTURE OF THE ANCIENT SOCIETY.

       CHAPTER I. THE ORIGIN OF PRIVILEGES.

       I. Services and Recompenses of the Clergy.

       II. Services and Recompenses of the Nobles.

       III. Services and Recompenses of the King.

       CHAPTER II. THE PRIVILEGED CLASSES.

       I. Number of the Privileged Classes.

       II. Their Possessions, Capital, and Revenue.

       III. Their Immunities.

       IV. Their Feudal Rights.

       These advantages are the remains of primitive sovereignty.

       V. They may be justified by local and general services.

       CHAPTER III. LOCAL SERVICES DUE BY THE PRIVILEGED CLASSES.

       I. Examples in Germany and England.—These services are not rendered by

       II. Resident Seigniors.

       III. Absentee Seigniors.

       CHAPTER IV. PUBLIC SERVICES DUE BY THE PRIVILEGED CLASSES.

       I. England compared to France.

       II. The Clergy

       III. Influence of the Nobles.

       IV. Isolation of the Chiefs

       V. The King's Incompetence and Generosity.

       VI. Latent Disorganization in France.

       BOOK SECOND. MORALS AND CHARACTERS.

       CHAPTER I. MORAL PRINCIPLES UNDER THE ANCIENT REGIME.

       The Court and a life of pomp and parade.

       I. Versailles.

       The Physical aspect and the moral character of Versailles.

       II. The King's Household.

       III. The King's Associates.

       IV. Everyday Life In Court.

       V. Royal Distractions.

       VI. Upper Class Distractions.

       VII. Provincial Nobility.

       CHAPTER II. DRAWING ROOM LIFE. 2201

       I. Perfect only in France

       II. Social Life Has Priority.

       III. Universal Pleasure Seeking.

       IV. Enjoyment.

       V. Happiness.

       VI. Gaiety.

       VII. Theater, Parade And Extravagance.

       CHAPTER III. DISADVANTAGES OF THIS DRAWING ROOM LIFE.

       I. Its Barrenness and Artificiality

       II. Return To Nature And Sentiment.

       III. Personality Defects.