2899. FASHION, Revolution and.—
I have hopes that the majority of the nobles
are already disposed to join the Tiers Etat in
deciding that the vote [in the States General]
shall be by persons. This is the opinion a
la mode at present, and mode has acted a
wonderful part in the present instance. All
the handsome young women, for example,
are for the Tiers Etat, and this is an army
more powerful in France, than the 200,000
men of the King.—
To David Humphreys. Washington ed. iii, 11.
Ford ed., v, 87.
(1789)