The Calvinistic party had thus a territorial area, an administration, finances, a legislative power and an executive power independent of those of the countr;y; or, in other words, the means of taking resolutions contrary to those of the mass of the nation, and of upholding them by revolt.

All they wanted was a Huguenot stadtholder to oppose to the King of France, and they were looking out for one." Henry IV.

did not delude himself as to the tendency of such organization amongst those of his late party.

"He rebuffed very sternly (and wisely)," says L'Estoile, "those who spoke to him of it.

'As for a protector,' he told them, 'he would have them to understand that there was no other protector in France but himself for one side or the other; the first man who should be so daring as to assume the title would do so at the risk of his life; he might be quite certain of that.'" Had Henry IV.