《旧制度与大革命·卷三·第七章·国民议会召开前夕民智何以大开而精神何以振起》第1节
Two questions had thus far divided all classes--that of the reduplication of the commons, and that of the voting of the Orders in one body: the first was settled, the second was postponed. That great Assembly which every man had regarded in his own heart as the fulfilment of his hopes, and which all had demanded with equal fervour, was about to meet. The event had long been anticipated. To the last it seemed doubtful. It came at length. Preparation was passing into reality, speech into action. At that solemn moment all paused to consider the greatness of the undertaking--near enough to discern the bearing of what was to be done, and to measure the effort which the work required. Nobles, clergy, and citizens alike distinctly perceived that the object was not to modify this or that law, but to remodel all laws, to breathe a new spirit into them, to impart to all of them new purposes and a new course. No one knew as yet exactly what would be destroyed, or what would be created; but all felt that immense ruins would be made, and immense structures raised. Nor was this the limit of public confidence. None doubted that the destiny of mankind was engaged in the work about to be accomplished.
注释摘要
托克维尔从程序议题切入，但用意绝非仅仅交代史实。第三等级代表名额加倍与按等级还是按人头投票，这两个问题之所以能分裂所有阶级，是因为它们直接决定权力将在三级会议中如何分配。第一个问题解决了：第三等级的代表人数翻倍；第二个问题被搁置：究竟三个等级分别议事、各有一票，还是全体代表聚在一起、一人一票。搁置本身就是一种致命的拖延——它把最根本的冲突原封不动地推进了会…