The case is one example among others of the importance of the Encyclopaedia as a centre, to which active-minded men of all kinds might bring the fruits of their thought and observation.
Next to the _corvees_, the monster grievance of the third estate was the system of enrolments for the militia.

The article, _Milice_, is very short, but it goes to the root of the matter.

The only son of a cultivator of moderate means, forced to quit the paternal roof at the moment when his labour might recompense his straitened parents for the expense of having brought him up, is justly described as an irreparable loss.

The writer, after hinting that it would be well if such an institution were wholly dispensed with, urges that at least its object might be more effectively and more humanely reached by allowing each parish to provide its due contingent of men in its own way.

This change was indeed already (1765) being carried out by Turgot in the Limousin, and with excellent results.