He took the people into his confidence, let them know the sources of revenue, the nature of expenditures, and measures of relief.

This was very quieting to the public, but exasperating to the privileged classes, who had never taken the people into their confidence, and considered it an impertinence for them to inquire how the moneys were spent.

And so Louis, again yielding to the pressure at Versailles, dismissed Necker; then, in the outburst of rage which followed, tried to retrace his steps and recall him.
But events were moving too swiftly for that now.

In the existing temper of the people, small reforms and concessions were unavailing.
They were demanding that the States General be called.
The critical moment had come.

If Louis of his own initiative had summoned that body to confer over the situation, it would have been a very different thing; but a call of the States-General at the _demand of the people_ was a virtual surrender of the very principle of absolutism.