The retrenchment, therefore, must be in the case of useless expenses.

The most stringent rules are and appear to be, even to the most ill-regulated minds, comparatively mild, when they have, in deed as well as in appearance, no object but the public good and the safety of the state.

To restore the state to its pristine splendor, we need not many ordinances, but a great deal of practical performance." The performance appertained to Richelieu, and he readily dispensed with many ordinances.

The Assembly was favorable to his measures; but amongst those that it rejected was the proposal to substitute loss of offices and confiscation for the penalty of death in matters of rebellion and conspiracy.

"Better a moderate but certain penalty," said the cardinal, "than a punishment too severe to be always inflicted." It was the notables who preserved in the hands of the inflexible minister the terrible weapon of which he availed himself so often.