M.de Rulhieres had drawn up for the king a note, entitled: _Historic Evidences as to the Causes of the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes,_ and M.de Malesherbes had himself presented to Louis XVI.

a scheme for a law.

"It is absolutely necessary," said he, "that I should render the Protestants some kind offices; my great-uncle De Baville did them so much injury!" The Assembly of notables appealed to the king's benevolence on behalf of "that considerable portion of his subjects which groans under a regimen of proscription equally opposed to the general interests of religion, to good morals, to population, to national industry, and to all the principles of morality and policy." "In the splendid reign of Louis XIV.," M.de Calonne had said, "the state was impoverished by victories, and the kingdom dispeopled through intolerance." "Are assemblies of non- Catholics dangerous ?" asked M.Turgot.

"Yes, as long as they are forbidden; no, when they are authorized." The preliminary discussions had been calm, the great question was coming on; in theory, the notables were forced to admit the principle of equal assessment of the impost; in practice, they were, for the most part, resolved to restrict its application.

They carried the war into the enemy's camp, and asked to examine the financial accounts.