But all these acts of social existence were done as mere routine, and thus the laxity of the local government suited admirably with the moral and intellectual condition of the governed.

The events of the following history will show the effects of this state of things, which is not as unusual in the provinces as might be supposed.

Many towns in France, more particularly in the South, are like Issoudun.

The condition to which the ascendency of the bourgeoisie has reduced that local capital is one which will spread over all France, and even to Paris, if the bourgeois continues to rule the exterior and interior policy of our country.
Now, one word of topography.

Issoudun stretches north and south, along a hillside which rounds towards the highroad to Chateauroux.