Here at the Edge of the Stage – Helen Maria Williams Goes to France

Upon the first reading of Helen Maria William’s collection “Letters Written in France, in the Summer of 1790,” the first paragraph really caught my eye. Williams says that she has just witnessed “the most sublime spectacle which, perhaps, was ever represented on the theatre of this earth (37).” Referring to the federation in France in such a way shows a lot about William’s view of the world and the current on going taking place in her surroundings. The use of the word “theatre” to refer to such an important historical event can mean many things. Theatre is a tool used to present truths on stage. Actors learn parts and present them for an audience. So in many ways, what Williams was describing was very much an important theatrical event. She describes several of the main components when she tells of the how the “[h]alf a million people assembled at a spectacle” that “connected the enthusiasm of moral sentiment with the solemn pomp of religious ceremonies (37).” Not only does Williams provide us with the audience for this “spectacle,” but she also describes it as a ceremony. The whole ordeal also takes place in an amphitheatre, solidifying William’s reference to theatre.

These letters are very important, not only because they show the views of Williams, but also because of her presentation of the material. The portrayal of this event as a theatrical performance shows how Williams thinks about the times and actions people are taking.

Williams does a great job at chronicling the events of the day. She shows, with great detail, the people present, delivering depictions of people dancing and kneeling in the streets, almost as if it really were some sort of religious ceremony. Since this was a celebration marking the fall of the Bastille and the new constitution in France, the people had every right to be happy. The French revolution was a very dangerous time, full of oppression in the country and messy political business. Williams brings back to England a great description of their celebration.

News of this was very important for the English people, because, as discussed in the podcast, this was a time of great change and flux. The happenings of the world were important for any person living at the time. To know everything that was going on with their neighbor was very important also because of their relationship. During the later parts of the 1790’s, the two countries would enter a war against each other and see the rise of Napoleon (36). Williams went on to write about the way that France took care of their problems in the mid 1790’s, discussing their revolts and overthrow of the king (44). The destruction of the monarchy in France was an extremely important event for English and France. Williams describes it as something that “finally alienated the minds of Englishmen from the French revolution; rendered popular a war, which otherwise no minister would have dared to undertake; disgusted all wise, and shocked all humane men (44).” Williams plays an important part here as both historian and critic of the events that took place during the 1790’s in France. Her views are important for people of her times and ours.

Perhaps William’s depiction of the theatrical event in the summer of 1790 is more true to her form that she intended. The parties and celebration were all part of nothing more than a performance. A mere three years later, destruction and a loss of hope would enter the scene, followed by war and Napoleon. “[T]he theatre of this earth” had its stage in France, and there, at the end of it, stood a country begging to be set free.