The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
MARIE ANTOINETTE
THE LAST ACT OF THE FRENCH MONARCHY
Order given on 10th August, 1792, to the Guard at the Tuileries to Cease Fire and return to Barracks
On the authenticity of this document see Appendix C
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
THE eighteenth century, which had lost the appetitefor tragedy and almost the comprehension of it, wasgranted, before it closed, the most perfect subject oftragedy which history affords.
The Queen of France whose end is but an episode inthe story of the Revolution stands apart in this: that whileall around her were achieved the principal miracles of thehuman will, she alone suffered, by an unique exception, afixed destiny against which the will seemed powerless. Inperson she was not