《旧制度与大革命·卷三·第三章·法国高等法院如何循着旧例反而倾覆了王权》第18节
The Assembly of Vizille produced an amazing effect throughout France. It was the last time that an event, happening elsewhere than in Paris, has exercised a great influence on the general destinies of the country. The Government feared that what Dauphiny had dared to do might be imitated everywhere. Despairing at last of conquering the resistance opposed to it, it declared itself beaten. Louis XVI. dismissed his ministers, abolished or suspended his edicts, recalled the Parliaments, and granted the States-General. This was not, it must be well remarked, a concession made by the King on a point of detail, it was a renunciation of absolute power; it was a participation in the Government that he admitted and secured to the country by at length conceding in earnest the States-General. One is astonished in reading the writings of that time to find them speaking of a great revolution already accomplished before 1789. It was in truth a great revolution, but one destined to be swallowed up and lost in the immensity of the Revolution about to follow.
注释摘要
维齐耶集会之所以在托克维尔的叙述中获得如此沉重的分量，是因为它把此前分散的、各阶级各行其是的抵抗，第一次凝结为一种看得见的、跨等级的政治联合。这一事件发生在外省，而不是巴黎，这个事实本身就带有结构性的意味：在旧制度的治理传统中，一切重大事务最终都要汇集到中央，由国王及其大臣在宫廷和首都的舞台上做出决断。而维齐耶却是一次外省自发召集的、三等级同时出席的会议，…