《旧制度与大革命·卷三·第五章·绝对权力一旦被制伏革命的真面目立刻显现》第1节
The bond of a common passion had for an instant linked all classes together. No sooner was that bond relaxed than they flew asunder, and the veritable spirit of the Revolution, disguised before, was suddenly unveiled. After the triumph which had been obtained over the King, the next thing was to ascertain who should win the fruits of the victory; the States-General having been conceded, who should predominate in that assembly. The King could no longer refuse to convoke them; but he had still the power to determine the form they were to assume. One hundred and seventy-five years had elapsed since their last meeting. They had become a mere indistinct tradition. None knew precisely what should be the number of the deputies, the mutual relations of the three Orders, the mode of election, the forms of deliberation. The King alone could have settled these questions: he did not settle them. After having allowed the disputed powers, which he sought to retain, to be snatched away from him, he failed to use those which were not disputed. M. de Brienne, the First Minister, had strange notions on this subject, and caused his master to adopt a resolution unparalleled in history. He regarded the questions, whether the electoral franchise was to be universal or limited, whether the assembly was to be numerous or restricted, whether the Orders were to be separated or united, whether they were to be equal or unequal in their rights, as a matter of erudition. Consequently an Order in Council commanded all the constituted bodies of the realm to make researches as to the structure of the old States-General and the forms used by them; and added that ‘His Majesty invited all the learned persons of the kingdom, more especially those who belonged to the Academy of Belles-lettres and Antiquities, to address to the Keeper of the Seals papers and information on this subject.’
注释摘要
当各阶级联合起来反抗王权时，那种共同的激情像一根绷紧的绳索，把彼此隔绝已久的群体暂时捆在了一起。托克维尔在这里要揭示的，正是这个同盟的内在脆弱性。一旦国王做出让步、答应召开三级会议，那个表面的团结便立刻瓦解。胜利的果实还没有摘到，争抢果实的斗争已经开始了。问题从“要不要限制王权”迅速滑向“谁在未来的三级会议里占据主导”——是教士、贵族，还是第三等级。托克维…