There were, if I may so express it, a thousand despotisms to be reformed in France, which had grown up under the hereditary despotism of the monarchy, and became so rooted as to be in a great measure independent of it.
Paine argues in "Rights of Man" that France suffered from numerous entrenched forms of despotism that had developed under the monarchy and operated independently.
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But from such opposition the French Revolution, instead of suffering, receives an homage.
The Aristocracy had hitherto opposed the despotism of the Court, and affected the language of patriotism; but it opposed it as its rival (as the English Barons opposed King John) and it now opposed the nation from the same motives.
The more it is struck the more sparks it will emit; and the fear is it will not be struck enough.