"If the communes steadily refuse what is now offered to them, they put immense and certain benefits to the chance of fortune, to that hazard which may make posterity curse instead of bless their memories as real patriots who had nothing in view but the happiness of their country."] [Footnote 2206: According to valuations by the Constituent Assembly, the tax on real estate ought to bring 240,000,000 francs, and provide one-fifth of the net revenue of France, estimated at 1,200,000,000.
Additionally, the personal tax on movable property, which replaced the capitation, ought to bring 60,000,000.

Total for direct taxation, 300,000,000, or one-fourth--that is to say, twenty-five per cent, of the net revenue .-- If the direct taxation had been maintained up to the rate of the ancient regime (190,000,000, according to Necker's report in May, 1689), this impost would only have provided one-sixth of the net revenue, or sixteen percent.] [Footnote 2207: Dumont, 267.

(The words of Mirabeau three months before his death:) "Ah, my friend, how right we were at the start when we wanted to prevent the commons from declaring themselves the National Assembly! That was the source of the evil.

They wanted to rule the King, instead of ruling through him."] [Footnote 2208: Gouverneur Morris, April 29, 1789 (on the principles of the future constitution), "One generation at least will be required to render the public familiar with them."] [Footnote 2209: Cf.

"The Ancient Regime," book II, ch.