But, so soon as it has gained this victory and accomplished this revolution, the third estate pursues another: it attacks this unique power which it had contributed so much to establish, and it undertakes the task of changing pure monarchy into constitutional monarchy.

Under whatever aspect we consider it in its two great and so very different enterprises, whether we study the progressive formation of French society itself or that of its government, the third estate is the most powerful and the most persistent of the forces which have had influence over French civilization.

Not only is this fact novel, but it has for France quite a special interest; for, to make use of an expression which is much abused in our day, it is a fact eminently French, essentially national.
Nowhere has burgessdom had a destiny so vast, so fertile as that which has fallen to it in France.

There have been commons all over Europe, in Italy, in Spain, in Germany, in England, as well as in France.

Not only have there been commons everywhere, but the commons in France are not those which, _qua_ commons, under that name and in the middle ages, have played the greatest part and held the highest place in history.