Times of Change?

My health is failing and my life is coming to an end. And I feel the need to write down my last thoughts. I have lived a rich life and I do not complain. I have seen an age of many changes. I have seen kings rule our beautiful country. Good and merciful kings but tyrants as well. Then everything seemed to break down with the revolution. Many beloved friends found a dire end, dying in their blood for old and new values and rights or duties. Our world has irreversibly changed. But is it for the better, I ask myself. Do I leave this world a better place for the coming generations? Well, my friends, what do you think? Of all the things, the old and the new, what will continue, what will fall to dust within a few decades? Tell me quickly, that I may rest and die in peace!

The Reign of Terror

My heart is broken, my eyes weep day and night, and I am so desperate. My master, our beloved King Louis XVI, is dead! Those savage Jacobins sacrificed him to strengthen their grip on the country. I am on the run too. I sent my wife and my children to relatives in the Savoy Alps, but it's too dangerous for me to stay with them. There are Sansculottes everywhere, no one can be trusted, I fear for my life. Hopefully I reach the Atlantic coast and find a place on a ship to England. I read an English newspaper yesterday and found this cartoon. “A family of Sans-Culottes refreshing after the fatigues of the day”. The papers also write that Robespierre has set up a reign of terror. Why do you think he did this? How has your life changed in the past few weeks and what is your personal opinion of his measures? Are they really necessary to “save the Revolution”?

The King's plans forfeited

Versailles, end of August 1789

Hmmm, it was a bad summer for my king. He was only trying to serve his country the best he could. Trying to get money for our beautiful nation. But unfortunately god did not favour his intentions. The First and Second Estate tried to block his plans, then the third Estate went completely mad and declared itself to be a National Assembly. What a sinful notion. But it seemd that the pressure of all sides tired out my king. He look very exhausted and he didn't eat much anymore. Not even the hunt could disperse his sorrowful thoughts. I can not understand how those criminals of the so called National Assembly could do this. They are destroying my most loved king and with him our beautiful nation. "O tempores, o mores!" I heard one of the kings advisers say. This evening I saw him crying for the first time. Though from rage or sorrow I could not tell.
And now the new laws of August 4 and this strange Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen: Do they really change the lives of the French?

Dawn of a new age

Mmmh, my King loves to dine royally. Today he requested roasted rabbit with honey sauce, potatoes and lettuce. I am glad I live here in Versailles being his majesty's most obedient servant. In the countryside and in Paris there is food scarce and the prospects are grim. I hear there are workers protesting about the high prices of bread and grain in the cities. I am afraid that taxes could rise if we have a bad harvest again. The king did not look well today, I think the audience with the minister Necker who tries to handle the state finances have tired him. Necker is a good man, he will find ways to create new sources of gold for the king. I have heard rumors that not everybody - especially the first and second estate - are happy with his ideas. I am wondering what other people think of the situation now, in fall of 1787.