French Revolution – An outstanding letter – providing first hand information on Marie Antoinette – William Augustus Miles outstanding autograph letter signed to Cocks dated Paris February 14th 1791 – possibly the second half of a complete letter – though this is not clear, 3pp 4to with address leaf. Describing the situation at that time, but also reporting on his seeing Marie Antoinette. ‘...the aunts of the Queen were compelled to return to Paris late last night disguised & in a wicker cart. The mob insists on their intended journey to Rome being suspended or renounced. Their departure is certainly suspicious. It announces an attempt in embryo at least at a counter revolution and the aristocratic party do not hesitate to avow that the ides of March will be fatal to their enemies – Alsace in all probability will be the theatre of action ...troops are raising in Switzerland...in Brittany the national cockade is discontinued and the whole Kingdom abounds with little insurrections that can answer no good purpose to those who create them...it was proposed last night by the Jacobins to have a decree forbidding any of the royal family from quitting the French dominions until the revolution was perfectly finished...I saw the Queen on Friday...if she was the most criminal woman on Earth she has been punished more severely than she could properly deserve. From what a terrible height she has fallen and from all appearances she is only half way down the precipice. She hangs suspended as it were midway and with such serene dignity and majesty as if she dared her fate. Her enemies must admire her courage however they may condemn her former conduct...