For centuries did the kings and nobles of France oppress the
peasantry. It is impossible for us to think adequately of the
vast, hopeless wretchedness of the people from the cradle to the
grave. When Louis XVI came to the throne it seemed incredible
that the long-suffering people would ever avenge themselves
upon the powerful classes by whom they were ground to the dust,
and yet by a marvelous series of events the “wounded men”
arose in awful wrath, burning palaces with fire and trampling
greatness under foot. “Pierced through” were those hungry,
hopeless millions; but the day of doom came, and every bleeding
wretch arose invincible with torch and sword.--W. L.
WATKINSON, “The Transfigured Sackcloth.”
(2768)