The National Assembly was opened amidst the acclamations of a people unanimous in their hopes, and was about to close amidst the clamorous recriminations of all parties.
The king was captive, the princes emigrants, the clergy at feud, the nobility in flight, the people seditious; Necker's popularity had vanished, Mirabeau was dead, Maury silenced, Cazales, Lally, Mounier had deserted from their work.

Two years had carried off more men and things than a generation removes in ordinary times.

The great voices of '89, inspired with philosophy and vast hopes, no longer resounded beneath those vaults.

The foremost ranks had fallen.

The men of second order were now to contend in their stead.