Seite 724 von 788

After the disaster of the first partition the patriotic party in

Poland made efforts to save their country, which culminated in

the Four Years' Diet (1788-92). The labours of this Diet, which

again was convoked under the forms of a confederacy, culminated

in the Constitution of May 3, 1791. This measure, which was drawn

up in secret and rushed through the Diet at a time when most of

its probable opponents were absent, transformed Poland from an

aristocratic republic into a constitutional hereditary monarchy,

abolished the liberum veto, and secured religious toleration.

Amid great enthusiasm the King took the oath to the new order of

government (p. 324).