"Gentlemen," said Louis XVI., "after the completion of the constitution, you have resolved on to-day terminating your labours.

It would have been desirable, perhaps, that your session should have been prolonged in order that you, yourselves, should prove your work.

But you have wished, no doubt, to mark by this the difference which should exist between the functions of a constituent body and ordinary legislators.

I will exercise all the power you have confided to me in assuring to the constitution the respect and obedience due to it.

For you, gentlemen, who, during a long and painful career, have evinced an indefatigable zeal in your labours, there remains a last duty to fulfil when you are scattered over the face of the empire; it is to enlighten your fellow citizens as to the spirit of the laws you have made; to purify and unite opinions by the example you will give to the love of order and submission to the laws.