In the event of provincial administrations, it must not be taken away.

It concerns and appertains to the repose of my people to preserve privileges." The instinct of absolute power and the traditions of the kingship struggled in the narrow mind and honest heart of Louis XVI.

against the sincere desire to ameliorate the position of his people and against a vague impression of new requirements.

It was to the former of these motives that M.de Vergennes appealed in his Note to the king on the effect of the Report.

"Your Majesty," he said, "is enjoying the tranquillity which you owe to the long experience of your ancestors, and to the painful labors of the great ministers who succeeded in establishing subordination and general respect in France.