did not convoke the States afresh, he constantly strove in the government of his kingdom to render them homage and give them satisfaction.

We may feel convinced that, considering the social and intellectual condition of France at this time, these two patriotic attempts were premature; but a good policy, being premature, is not on that account alone condemned to failure; what it wants is time to get itself comprehended, appreciated, and practised gradually and consistently.

If the successors of Louis XII.

had acted in the same spirit and with the same view as their predecessor, France would probably have made progress in this salutary path.

But exactly the contrary took place.