Le Père Duchêne
Letter To Editor
July 7, 1789
The King and Queens Lavish Lifestyle
Dear Editor of the Le Père Duchêne
I am considered a Third Estate and I would like your paper and the people of France to know how the King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette’s lavish lifestyle is ruining the nation.
It’s been brought to my attention that they are taking out loans to purchase lavish estates, requiring that only the Third Estate pay taxes, while the First and Second Estate are excused from paying taxes. The Queen herself has been known for aggressively attending social events like the opera and dances around Paris. She also engages in gambling and partying late into the night. It would be safe to say the money used in her majesties gambling is the money from the taxes we the Third Estate have paid in taxes. She purchases expensive fashion and jewelry. Meanwhile we the people are starving.
The King himself seems to be easily influenced by the people surrounding him. He has allied himself with the nobility. We all know that the nobility do not care about the Third Estate, so it upsets me that the king would ally himself with that group.
For this we Bourgeoisie are determined that it is time for the masses to take control and we will not stand for this lavish lifestyle of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
Sincerely yours,
A concerned French citizen