He lived with an entirely different set, and spent most of his time at the clubs which, in imitation of those of Paris, had sprung up all over the country.
"What is all the excitement about, Jean ?" Leigh asked his brother-in-law, one evening.

"There are always fellows standing on casks or bales of timber along the wharf, shouting and waving their arms about and, sometimes, reading letters or printed papers; and then those who listen to them shout and throw up their caps, and get into a tremendous state of excitement." "They are telling the others what is being done at the Assembly." "And what are they doing there, Jean ?" "They are turning things upside down." "And is that good ?" "Well, there is no doubt that things are not as well managed as they might be, and that there is a great deal of distress and misery.

In some parts of France the taxation has been very heavy, and the extravagance of the court has excited an immense deal of anger.

It is not the fault of the present king, who is a quiet fellow, and does not care for show or pageants; but it is rather the fault of the kings who preceded him, especially of Louis the Fourteenth--who was a great monarch, no doubt, but a very expensive one to his subjects, and whose wars cost an enormous sum.
"You see it is not, in France, as it is with you.

The nobles here have great power.