Versailles, May 18, 1789. On this day, for the first time, a small deputy in an olive tailcoat and a carefully powdered wig rose to the rostrum of the States General. Pale, with an unhealthy complexion, he was covered with red spots from excitement and, taking out a speech written in advance from his pocket, began to stammer, read it... The content of the speech was good, but against the background of many brilliant speakers, who would listen to some stammering Derobepierre? Or Robert Pierre? In short, amid the whistling and laughter, the completely embarrassed little man in an old-fashioned neat tailcoat literally ran away from the podium.