was an Office that begun with the Monarchy it self He is sworn by the King himself and is received into the Great Council where he takes place as Secretary of State He has the Priviledge to chuse his Lodging after the Princes Dukes and Peers and Marshals of France have chosen theirs for which reason he is called the last in the Ranks He has a Salary of 2000 l. and an annual Gratuity of 8000 l. All the Officers of the Provost-ship are received by his Majesty upon the nomination of the Great Provost and afterwards take out Letters from the King under the Great Seal directed to the Great Council where they are admitted upon those Letters and qualified Judges The Great Provost Judges of all matters both Civil and Criminal hapning between the Officers of the Kings Houshold among themselves or between them and others which are not so The Jurisdiction of the Provostship of the Houshold is the ordinary Court of Justice for the Kings Houshold and therefore from the beginning was ordered to be kept in the Louvre that so the Kings Officers and others of his Court and Retinue having their natural Judge within the Kings House might not be diverted from the service of his Majesty for some years the place where the Provosts Court used to be kept being taken up by the Queen-Mother it was transferred to the Fort-Eveque or Bishops-Fort At present the Officers of the Provostship have their Auditory in the inclosure of the Great Council-Chamber there they have their Hall of Audience their Council-Chamber their Civil and Criminal Records or Registers and there is the Office of the Ushers of the Provostship The present King by a Brief bearing date the 8th of September 1658. declared that he would settle the Seat or Court of the Jurisdiction of the Provost of the Houshold re-established in the Louvre and that he would cause a convenient place there to be marked out and set apart for that purpose The said Court is kept there three times a Week viz. on Tuesday Thursday and Saturday-Mornings People plead there by a Proctor as in other Courts but in a more summary and concise way In civil matters there lies an Appeal from it to the Great Council but in matters Criminal the Great Provost Judges without Appeal as well as the Masters of Requests and those of the Great Council The Officers of the Kings Houshold and those of his Court and Retinue may by special priviledge bring all their Causes into this Court whether they be Civil or Criminal since the Court was chiefly erected in their favour There needs no Committimus to cite any one that belongs to or follows the Court but only an assignation or warning taken out of the Provosts Court by vertue of a Commission out of the Registry there But as the said persons have the priviledge to bring their actions against their Debtors in this Court or to appeal from their Prosecutors thither they may do it if they please by vertue of their Committimus and at their choice bring their Causes either before the Masters of the Requests of the Palace or of the Requests of the Houshold or before the Provost of the Houshold The Great Provost only has power to apply Seals make Inventories and do all other acts of Justice in the Louvre and in the Galleries and other places thereunto belonging and in other Royal Houses within fourteen Leagues distance of Paris as it was determined a Contradictory Sentence of the Council of the 25 of March 1650. given in favour of the Officers of the Provostship of the Houshold against the Officers of the Chatelet He may also take cognisance of all crimes and particular offences and other Causes pro or con any way relating to the people of the Court and of the Kings Retinne and belonging to the Royal Houses and against Vagabonds and of several other Cases with the consent and advice of the other Provosts When he follows the Court any where he Taxes and sets a price upon all Provisions gives assistance for taking of Lodgings if any resistance be made and doth other things necessary for the civil Government there by his Lieutenants of the Long Robe or in their absence by the Lieutenants and Exempts of the short Robe who call to their assistance the Officers or Magistrates and chief Inhabitants of the place When the Court takes a Journey the Great Provost Commands a sufficient number of Tradesmen and Handicrafts-men to follow it to whom he grants Letters of Priviledge by which they are obliged to furnish the Court and its Retinue with all necessaries who are called the Priviledged Tradesmen and by vertue of the said Letters are impowered to keep open Shop in Paris or elsewhere and enjoy several other Exemptions Of the Officers of Judicature belonging to the Provostship of the Houshold For the better administration of Justice to the Officers of the Kings Houshold and to the rest of his Court and Retinue the great Provost has under him two Lieutenants which are put in by the King but named by the Great Provost and are admitted as such in the Great Council where they are sworn There was formerly but one Lieutenant-General the other being but a particular Lieutenant but by an Edict of the Month of September registred in the Great Council the 7th of November following the King made these two Offices equal so that at present there are two Lieutenants-General for both Civil and Criminal matters they have each of them 400 l. Salary and 600 l. gratuity The first of these exercises his Office the first six Months of the Year where the Kings Court is and the other six Months he keeps the Provosts Court at Paris within the Inclosure of the Great Council-Chamber when the King is abroad and the Great-Council at Paris The other serves the latter six Months of the Year at the Kings Court and the first six Months keeps the Provosts Court at Paris for the causes of those that are Officers of any Royal Houses within his Precinct and priviledged persons and others So that there is always two Seats or Courts of Justice of the Great Provost one at Paris for the better expedition of the Causes of the Officers and priviledged Persons belonging to the Royal Houses and another where the Court is when his Majesty is not in Paris as he never is to stay Note That the two Lieutenants the Kings Proctor and the Register of the Provosts Court are allowed each of them at the Salt-Granary at Paris two Minots of Free-Salt that is for paying only some ancient Duties The Kings Proctor there has a Salary of 400 l. 75 l. Augmentation-Money and a gratuity of 1200 l. He serves all the year round and has a Substitute There is one Register in chief both for Civil and Criminal matters who has 104 l. Salary and 400l gratuity He has under him two Commis or Deputies that have the priviledge to wear both Gowns and Caps at
all affairs relating to War the Tax called the Taillon the Artillery the Fortifications of the said Generalities the Buildings and Royal Houses and the Arts and Manufactures of France In this Department are the Parliament of Mets the Soveraign Councils of Perpignan Pignerol Tournay Alsatia and the Provincial Council of Artois 2. M. Seignelays Department comprises The Months of January May and September and the affairs of Paris and the Isle of France and Soissonnois as far as Noyon the Countries of Orleans and Blois the Fortifications of all Maritime Places and other Places within the Kingdom the Kings Houshold the Clergy the Admiralty and Sea-Affairs Commerce both within and without the Kingdom Manufactures out of the Kingdom the Gallies the East and West-India Companies and the Company of Senegal and other Countries within the Limits of their Patents the Breeding Horses and Pensions In this Department there is only the Parliament of Paris 3. Monsieur de Chateau-neufs Department comprises The Months of April August and December and the affairs of Languedoc both higher and lower and the County of Foix High and Low Guienne as far as Fontarabie Perigort Rouerge and Quercy Broüage the Country of Aunix the Town and Government of Rochelle Ré and Oleron Tourain Anjou Maine Perche and the County of Laval Bourbonnois Nivernois High and Low Auvergne Picardie and the Country of Boulogne Normandie Roüen Caen and Alençon Burgundy Bresse Bugey Valtomey and Gex and in general all Affairs relating to the Reformed Religion In this Department are the Parliaments of Toulouze Bourdeaux Roüen Dijon and Besançon 4. Monsieur Colbert de Croissy's Department contains The Months of March July and November and the affairs of Champagne and Brie Provence Brittany Berry Limousin Angoumois Xaintonge Lyonnois and Dauphiné Navarre Bearn Bigorre the Principality of Sedan Foreign Countries and Pensions In this Department are the Parliaments of Aix Grenoble Rennes and Pau. The Months set down under the name of each Secretary of State are those in which their turn is to dispatch all Letters or Patents for all the Liberalities Gifts and Benefices granted by the King in those Months The Parliaments contained within each Department are set down likewise under them to show that the Dispatches the King sends to any of the said Parliaments must all pass through the hands of that Secretary of State in whose Department they are and that the Deputies sent by the said Parliaments or States of the Provinces therein specified to the King are Conducted to their Audiences by the Secretaries of State to whose Department they belong In the time of Henry the second for the speedier Expedition of the many Affairs of State then depending there were six Secretaries of State chosen with this Proviso that the two first Vacancies among should not be filled up In that manner were the Secretaries of State established and reduced to the number of four as they continue to this day Rules made by the King at Fountainbleau for the Establishment of a Council-Royal for his Finances or Revenues With an account of the persons it consists of and the Order kept and observed in it The King having after it had pleased God to give Peace to his People seriously consider'd the ill condition of the Revenues of his Kingdom and the Causes from whence it proceeded His Majesty being willing to prevent the same inconvenience for the future resolved upon the present Regulation and Declaration of his will and pleasure therein First His Majesty has supprest for ever the Commission of Super-intendant of his Finances or Revenues with all the Functions annexed to it And his Majesty well knowing he could no way give greater marks of his love to his People than by taking to himself the care and administration of his Revenues for the more effectual retrenching of all the abuses crept thereinto and practised till now His said Majesty has resolved to call to his assistance a Council composed of Persons of known Ability and Honesty by whose advice he will act in the said Administration and Execute all those Affairs which were used to be formerly resolved on and put in Execution by the Super-intendant alone The said Council shall be called the Council-Royal of the Finances or Revenues and shall be composed of one Chief under the Authority and in the Presence of his Majesty when the Chancellour shall not be present in the said Council and of three Counsellers whereof one shall be Intendant of the Finances His Majesty reserving to himself the power to call in the Chancellour when he shall think fit at which times he shall take Place and Precedence there according to his Dignity as Chief of all the Kings Councils His Majesty reserves to himself the Sealing and Passing of all Orders touching the Expences accountable and the Monies employed as well for private Expences or Bills remitted any where and Interest and all other Expences whatever The Books and Accounts of the Disbursement of his Revenues as well those arising from the general Receits as from the Farms Woods Crown-Lands and all other Monies of what nature soever shall be returned by the Intendant of the Finances under whose Department they shall be with his Advices and Reasons concerning the Changes fit to be made therein into the hands of the said Council-Royal who are to make report thereof to his Majesty and receive his Orders thereupon after which the said Accounts shall be passed and signed by the said Intendant and returned into the hands of him that made the Report in Order to be Signed by his Majesty and by the Honourable Persons of the said Council in such Place and Order as his Majesty shall appoint The Intendant of the Finances that shall have the Honour to be of the said Council-Royal shall have the Exchequer or Treasure-Royal under his Department and consequently shall keep the Register of the whole that shall be received or disbursed which he shall Communicate to no Person whatever without express Order from his said Majesty All Orders shall be returned into his hands to be reported to his Majesty and shall be Registred and Paraphed or marked on the sides by him and afterwards passed by the Treasurers of the Exchequer whose turn it shall be to be in Office that year The said Intendant shall take all the Accounts of the Farms of the general Receits of the Woods Crown-Lands Extraordinary Affairs and all other Receits of what nature soever in order to making a Report thereof himself to the said Council-Royal that the said Accounts may be ratified and signed first by his Majesty and then by those of the said Council-Royal All Demands that shall be made of any new Offices within his Majesties Dominions shall be reported to and resolved on in the said Council-Royal And as to all those Affairs which used to be dedebated and determined in the Council of Finances and which were customarily signed by the Lord Chancellour his Majesty will hold the said Council on
remain free to his M. C. Majesty over the Lands of his Imperial Majesty and of the Empire by the Ordinary Road called Landrass The Duke of Lorrain is thereby re-established in the possession of Lorrain excepting first the Town of Nancy and its Banlieu or Jurisdiction in lieu of which Town the King of France is to give him the Town and Banlieu of Toul which he warrants him to be of equal extent and value In the second place except four High-ways of the breadth of half a Lorrain League which shall lead from Nancy into Alsatia to Vesoul in the Franche Comté to Mets and to St. Dizier And all the Borroughs Villages Lands and their Dependancies which shall be found within the extent of the said High-ways of half a Leagues breadth with all Rights as well of Superiority and Soveraignty as of Propriety shall belong to his Most Christian Majesty Thirdly The Town and Provostship of Longui and its Dependancies shall remain to his Most Christian Majesty who yields to him in Exchange another Provostship of the same extent and value in one of the three Bishopricks Remarks concerning the Governours of Provinces The Governours and Lieutenants for the King in the Provinces are what the Dukes were formerly and the Governours of Towns what the Earls or Counts were Under every Duke there were twelve Counts and over all the Dukes there was one that was stiled Duke of the Dukes or Duke of France who was the Mayor of the Palace The said Qualities of Dukes and Counts became Hereditary under Hugh Capet who having made himself King every one of the other Great Men would needs make himself Master and Proprietour of the Government of which he was in Possession Hugh Capet to have their good will winked at this Usurpation but yet being not willing on the other side that the Royal Authority should remain always Clouded he assembled all these Dukes and made an Agreement with them by which he left them a lawful Succession to all their respective States but with condition however that for lack of Heirs Male to succeed in a Right Line or when the Possessours of them should happen to be Attainted and Convinced of the Crime of Felony they should return to the Crown They that are well read in History have without doubt remarked the return of all these parcels to their principle by the one or the other of these reasons And because the Quality of Mayor of the Palace or of Count of Paris in which the first was Confounded had served him as it had done to Pepin for a step to arrive to the Throne he supprest that too at the same time for the better securing of the Crown to his Successours The Governours and Lieutenants for the King in the Provinces have under them the Governours of Towns as the Dukes had the Counts but with this difference that the number of Governours of Towns that are under each Governour of a Province is not determined one Province having more Towns and another fewer The Power of the Governours and Lieutenants-General of Provinces is altogether like that of the ancient Dukes and Counts which is to keep in the Kings Obeysance the Provinces and Places given them in Custody to maintain them in Peace and Tranquility to have Power or Command over their Arms to defend them against Enemies and against Seditious attempts to keep the places well fortified and provided with what is needful and assist the Execution of Justice every one in his respective Government But at the beginning when these Governours were first established there were none but only in the Frontier Towns but because in the time of the Civil Wars all the Provinces became Frontier there was a necessity of placing Governours not only in the Provinces but in all the Towns Their Commissions are verified in the Parliaments of their respective Provinces in which the Governours of the same Provinces have place ordinarily next after the Chief Presidents They are only simple Commissions whose Continuation depends only of the Kings sole Pleasure though some years past there were crept in some abuses in this affair and the Governours were become as it were Hereditary Note That all the Lieutenants-General of Provinces and Lieutenants of particular Towns and Places are stiled Lieutenants for the King because they are put in by the King and have no dependance on the Chief Governour under whose Command they are CHAP. XXIX Of France as divided into Parliaments Courts judging without Appeal and other Courts of Justice 1. Of the Administration of Justice and the first Institution of Parliaments JUstice was formerly administred by the Kings themselves who render'd it in Person to their People but Affairs multiplying every day more and more the Kings were obliged to ease themselves of that Burden reserving to themselves only the Cognisance of Affairs of State And for the Administration of Ordinary Justice he established a certain Council which they called a Parliament which judged and decided all Causes and Affairs both Civil and Criminal between Man and Man and that without Appeal in which were present all the Peers of France both Ecclesiastical and Secular This Parliament followed the King in all his Voyages and consequently for that reason was in those times Ambulatory It was first Instituted by Pepin in the year 757 and was doubtless the same thing that the Privy-Council is now But at length the Kings parted with this Council in favour of their people And Philip the Fair was the first that made the Parliament Sedentary and gave them a part of his Palace at Paris to be the Seat of that August Senate which by the Integrity of its Decrees and Sentences has acquired so great a Reputation among all Nations that Popes Emperours Kings and Foreign Princes have voluntarily submitted their differences to their Judgments as may be seen by several Examples in History and among others by that of the Emperour Frederick with Pope Innocent the Fourth and of the King of Castile with the King of Portugal King Philip the Fair following the Example of his Predecessours Ordained there should be only two Sessions of the Parliament viz. At the Feasts of Easter and All-Saints and distinguisht them into two Chambers of which one because it judged of the most important matters was called the Grand Vault or Grand Chamber and the other the Chamber of Inquests or Inquiries CHAP. XXX Of the Institution of all the Parliaments of France and of the extent of their Jurisdiction with the present number of the Chief Presidents and other Counsellours THere are in France and its Dominions 11 Parliaments viz. 1. Paris 2. Toulouze 3. Roüen 4. Grenoble 5. Bourdeaux 6. Dijon 7. Aix 8. Rennes now Vannes 9. Pau. 10. Mets. 11. Besançon 1. The Parliament of Paris as we have already told you was Instituted by Pepin in the year 757 and made Sedentary at Paris by Philip the Fair in 1302. When there was but one Parliament People came thither
Paris Of the Grand Council Of the Leagues of the Suiffers The Rents upon the Guildhall or Town-House of Paris 3. Mr. De Breteuil has The eighteen Generalities of the Countries of Election The greater and lesser Tax called the Taille Taillon The Revenue of the Chamber of Accounts or Counting-Chamber at Paris That of the Court of Aids at Paris There are four Secretaries of the Council who are M. Berrier M. de Beauchamol M. Ranchin and M. Coquille And M. Bartillat and M. Du Mets with the Title of Commissionated Keepers of the Treasure-Royal exercise by turns what was formerly exercised by three Persons with the Title of Treasurers of the Main Treasury or Exchequer called L' Epargne or Spare Revenue There are eighty Masters of Requests in Ordinary of the Kings Houshold that officiate quarterly The Officers called les Gens du Roy are One Proctor-General M. Lewis Maboul who likewise performs the Function of Advocate-General One Advocate-General M. Francis-Nicholas Berthelot The Secretaries of the Court of Finances are the same with those of the Council of State There are four Secretaries-Registrers of the Privy-Council four Commissioners of the Register of the Council and four Registrers-Keepers of the Council-Bags all officiating quarterly And one Chief Registrer of the Requests of the Houshold There are eight Ushers or Door-Keepers in Ordinary belonging to the Kings Councils and eight other Ushers of the Requests of the Houshold There is also held another Council called the Council of Parties because it was established to take cognisance of the Processes or Suits moved by particular Parties one among another whether it be upon their Appeals from the Judges of a particular Jurisdiction or of a Parliament or any other entire Jurisdiction or for particular Affairs between City and City or between one private Person and another that this Council has called before it or of which it has reserved the cognisance to it self The Councellors of State that sit in this Council of Parties or in the Council of the Finances are for the most part Persons that have served a long time in other Courts or Jurisdictions as in the Parliament Grand-Council and even in the very Body of the Masters of Requests or in Embassies to Foreign Princes and States Those of the last sort enjoy the Quality and Pension of Councellours of State at their return from their Ambassages but yet have not all Entrance into the Council Some of them serve there all the year and some but six Months their Salary when they serve all the year is 2000 Crowns to each They are sworn by the Chancellour Anciently there were three Masters of Requests taken out of the Body of the Parliament that used to stand at the Door of the Kings Lodgings leaning with their Elbows on the Rails ready to receive all Requests or Petitions that people had a mind to present to the King And if they were businesses of no great consequence they commonly dispatcht them immediately but if they were of Consequence then they made report of them to the King when he was in his Chamber or when he was going to Mass or a walking And when business begun to increase they waited no more at the Door but near the Kings Person who committed to their Examination all the Petitions that were presented him They usually had Lodgings in the Kings Palace and were tabled at Court They at present take cognisance in their Court of Masters of the Requests of the Houshold of the personal and possessory Causes of the Crown-Officers and of the Officers that are Commoners and Tabled in the Royal Housholds and others that have the priviledge of Committimus There lies an Appeal from them to the Parliament of Paris unless it be when a Sovereign Jurisdiction is given them by a solemn remission of any cause to them by the Council of State They serve likewise in the Chancery and in the Council of State where they report and sign all Petitions that come thither and have extraordinary Commissions in the Provinces where they are Intendants of Justice of Policy and of the Finances or Revenues as also in the Armies where they have a very great Authority and Power They have power to preside in the place of the Presidents in all Seneschalchies and Baily-wicks The Habit used by the Masters of Requests at great Ceremonies and Solemnities is a Scarlet-Gown as being of the Body of the Parliaments where they have Entrance Place and Voice or freedom of Suffrage and opinion deliberative When the Masters of Requests march all in a Body accompanying the Chancellour as they did in the year 1660. at the Kings solemn Entry they wear as they did then black Velvet-Gowns with golden Girdles and Hat-Bands CHAP. XXIV Of the Grand Council THE Grand Council being at its Original or first Institution the only Councils of the Kings of France the Princes of the Blood Officers of the Crown and chief Presidents of the superiour Courts used to stile themselves Councellours of it Afterwards the Title of Councellour to the King in his Councils was taken up instead of it as soon as a plurality of Councils was erected The Grand Council was reduced by Charles the Eighth to 17 Councellours and one Proctor-General and since augmented by Lewis the Twelfth with three Councellours to make up the number of twenty and that served by the half year since that the Advocates-General and the Presidents were added thereto and the number of Councellours augmented from time to time by new Creations insomuch that at present this Company is composed of eight Presidents serving by turns four each half year 54 Councellours serving by turns 27 each half year two Advocates-General serving half a year apiece and one Proctor-General who only is perperpetual The half-yearly waiting times of the Councellours begin in October and April Besides these there are fourteen Councellours of Honour or Titular Councellours in the Grand Council who are Candidates as it were of it and succeed in the Vacancies There are likewise twelve Substitutes or Deputies one Registrer or Recorder in Chief five Secretaries one Chief or first Usher twenty other Ushers and 23 Proctors The Jurisdiction of the Grand Council extends throughout all the whole Monarchy and Dominions of the King At its first beginning it had power to judge of Appeals from and of the Regulations of Judges and of the nullities and contrarieties of Sentences of which Regulations of Judges and contrarieties of Sentences it still takes Cognisance as also of the Jurisdiction of Presidials and of the Provosts of the Merchants and of whatsoever depends thereon concerning the Honour Function and Regulation of their Offices It also takes Cognisance of all matters concerning Consistorial Benefices Archbishopricks Bishopricks Abbies and Conventual Priories and in general of all other Benefices that are at the Kings Nomination Presentation Collation or other Disposal whatsoever as well in respect of the Title to them as of the Pensions charged on their
from all parts of the Kingdom to plead The Provinces out of which Causes are at present brought to Paris are The Isle of France La Beausse Higher and Lower Sologne Berry Auvergne Lyonois Forets the Countries of Aunis and Rochel Anjou Angoumois Maine Perche Picardie Champain Brie Tourain Nivernois Bourbonnois and Maconnois and Tournay with the Adjacent Country The Lands also Erected into Dutchies and Peerages are also obliged to Answer at the Parliament of Paris which is the Court of the Peers The Chief President of this Parliament is M. Nicholas Potier de Novion 2. That of Toulouze Instituted by Philip the Fair in the year 1302. and made Sedentary by Charles the Seventh in 1443. This Parliaments Jurisdiction extends over High and Low Languedoc High and Low Vivarais Velay Gevaudan And the Countries of Albigeois Rouergue Laurageois Quercy Foix and a part of the Lower Gascony The first or Chief President is M. Gaspard de Fieubet 3. Roüen which is the Sovereign Court of Normandie was Established under the name of an Exchequer by Philip the Fair in 1302. and was made perpetual by Lewis the Twelfth in 1499. though it bore not the name of a Parliament till the Reign of Francis the First in the year 1515. It extends to all the whole Province of Normandy The Chief President is M. N .... d' Amfreville 4. Grenoble Instituted by Charles the Seventh in 1452. and at the same time made Sedentary It comprehends Dauphiné or the Dauphinate The Chief President is M. Nicholas de Prunier 5. Bourdeaux which sits at present at Marmande Instituted in 1462. by Lewis the Eleventh and at the same time made Sedentary This Parliament has under it the Countries of Bourdeaux Medoc Saintonge Perigord Limosin Basadois Agenois Condomois Albret Landes Upper Gascony and part of Biscay The Chief President is named M. Charles-Denys d'Olide 6. Dijon Instituted in the year 1476. by Lewis the Eleventh and made Sedentary at the same time It is only for the Dutchy of Burgundy The Chief President is M. Nicholas Brulard des Bordes 7. Aix Established by Lewis the Twelfth in 1501. and made Sedentary at the same time This Parliament is for all Provence by which name it is also called The Chief President is M. Arnold Marin 1. Rennes held at present at Vannes by Henry the Second and made Sedentary at the same time in the year 1553. It was removed to Vannes in October 1675. This Parliament is called the Parliament of Brittany because there is no other Provence under its Jurisdiction It is Semestral i e. One half of the Counsellers serve the first six Months and the other half the last six Months The Chief President is M. Lewis Philipeaux de Pontchartrain 9. Pau Instituted and made Sedentary in 1519. by Henry the First King of Navarre and Prince of Bearn Great Grandfather to Henry the Great King of France and Navarre It comprehends the Bishopricks of Lescars and Oleron The Chief President is M. N. Dalon 10. Mets Instituted by Lewis the Thirteenth in the year 1633. and made Sedentary at the same time It is for the Country of Messin and the three Imperial Towns of Mets Toul and Verdun The Chief President is M. William de Sêve 11. Besançon the present King re-established the Parliament for the County of Burgundy or Franche Comté first at Dole the 17th of June 1674. and since that removed it to Besançon The Chief President is M .... Jobelot The Parliament of Rouen was for a time made Semestral or six Monthly after the Rebellion that happened in Normandy in 1640. But since that that Alteration was abolished and the Parliament restored to the State it was in before The Parliament of Aix was once likewise made Semestral To the Parliaments may be added the other Sovereign Councils which though they are not dignified with the Title of Parliaments yet give Sentence without Appeal which are 1. The Council of Rousillon the Counsellers of which wear Scarlet Robes The Chief President there is M. de Sagare who is likewise Keeper of the Kings Seal there Commissary of the Crown Lands and Judge of the General Captainry or Government 2. The Council at Arras which is Soveraign in Civil Causes 3. That of Tournay 4. That of Pignerol 5. That of Alsatia transferred from Ensisheim to Brisac the 23d of September 1675. CHAP. XXXI Of the Parliament of Paris called by way of Excellence The Parliament THE Court of Parliament of Paris is composed of ten Chambers viz. The Grand Chamber The Tournelle-Civil the Tournelle-Criminal Five Chambers of Inquests and two Chambers of the Requests of the Palace The Presidents au Mortier or of the Mortar-Cap so called from the Fashion of the Caps they wear which are made in the Form of a Mortar when they give Audience and the Counsellers when they march in Ceremony or Assemble about publick Affairs in presence of the King are Clothed in Scarlet with Facings of Black-Velvet which was wont to be practised at the pronouncing of the solemn Sentences four times a year viz. The Day before Christmass Eve the Tuesday before Easter the Day before the Eve of Whitsunday and the 7th of September At their return from giving Audience the Chief President and the Presidents au Mortier are Reconducted by the Ushers in Waiting with their Wands in their hands to the Higher Holy Chappel The Officers of the Parliament and other Officers of Judicature are habited all alike viz. In Cassocks or long Close-Bodied Coats and Square-Caps At the first Institution of the Parliament one Moyety of the Counsellers were of the Short Robe and the other Moyety of the Long but at present they are all of the Long. The particular solemn Ceremonial Habits of the Court of Parliament are for the Presidents Scarlet Mantles Furred with their Mortar-Fashioned Caps The Chief President wears two gold Galoons upon his Mortar-Cap by way of distinction from the other Presidents who have but one Galoon The Counsellers and the Advocates and Proctors General wear Scarlet Robes red Chaperons or little Hats Furred with Ermines The Chief Recorder or Registrer a Scarlet Robe with its Epitoge or small Cloak and the Register or Recorder of the Presentations and the four Notaries and Secretaries of the Court wear also Scarlet Robes and the Chief Usher a Scarlet Gown with a Cap of Cloth of gold Formerly All the Bishops of France had ordinarily Place and Voice in Parliament They still use the Title of Councellours to the King in his Councils The Archbishop of Paris and the Abbot of St. Denis in France are Counsellers by their Places in this Parliament where they place in ordinary and a deliberative Voice Four of the Masters of Requests have likewise the same Priviledge as also the Honorary Counsellours of this Parliament The Parliament of Paris has this particular preeminence above the rest that it alone is called the Court of the Peers where the Dukes and Peers of France ought to be sworn
of the Waters and Forests of Paris whose Court is kept in the Court of the Palace from whence Appeals are made to the abovesaid general Chamber of the Waters and Forests of France This particular Court is composed of one Master one Lieutenant one Proctor for the King and some other Officers CHAP. XXXVII Of the Constablrie and Marshalsy of France THE Constable and Marshals of France are the Head and Chief Officers that preside in this Court It is the Ordinary Court of Justice for the Militia or Souldiery both in Civil Politick and Criminal matters and is the sole and universal one for those matters throughout the whole extent of the Kingdom Their Sentences from whence Appeals may be made to the Parliament run in this stile The Constables and Marshals of France to all those who shall see these present Letters greeting c. Though at present there be no Constable because the eldest Marshal of France represents him making together with the other Marshals but one Body of which he is Head When the Marshals of France Assemble about any differences between any of the Nobility a person taken out of his Majesties Council and chosen by his Majesty out of those that are proposed to him for that purpose by the Marshals of France who is commonly either a Councellour of State or a Master of Requests assists together with the eldest Marshal of France then at Paris at all Assemblies that are held about the point of honour and makes report of all Affairs that pass there He that are present officiates that office is M. L' Advocat Master of Requests The Constabirie has power to take cognisance of the Admission and Functions of the Offices of all Provosts whether general provincial or particular and of Bayliffs Vice-Bayliffs Vice-Seneschals Lieutenants Criminal of the Short-Robe Knights of the Watch and their Lieutenants Assessours Kings Proctors Commissaries and Comptrollers for the Musters Treasurers of the Pay Receivers Payers and Registrers of the several Companies in what part of the Kingdom soever they be established It likewise Judges of all Faults Abuses and Misdemeanours committed by any of the Officers of the War Souldiery or Marshalfies The Officers of the Long-Robe belonging to this Court are a Lieutenant-General a Lieutenant particular and a Proctor for the King These three Officers besides the Priviledges which they enjoy as being esteemed Commoners of the Kings Houshold are Squires by their Places There are several Ushers belonging to this Court whereof four are always to attend actually upon it Of the Provost of the Constablrie The present Provost is M. Stephen Germain Sieur de St. Germain who is stiled Provost-General of the Constablrie and Marshalsy of France and Judge of the Camps and Armies of the King he is likewise called the Grand Provost of the Constablrie He has 2800 Livers or Pounds French yearly Salary and his Lodging among the Retinue of the Court and in the Camps and Armies he is lodged immediately next after the Marshal or Quarter-Master-General of the Lodgings of the Army He names and presents to the King all the Officers and Guards of his Company who upon his Nomination obtain Grants of their several Places in the Chancery He has priviledge to assist at the Examinations Admissions and swearing of the Provosts of the Marshals of Provinces and of Vice-Bayliffs Vice-Seneschals and Lieutenants Criminal of the Short-Robe of the Marshalsy and in general of all Officers of the Marshalsy of France with the Priviledge of having a deliberative Voice and a power of Inspection over them He Commands the Marshalsies when they are called together as when the Kings calls a Ban and Arriere Ban that is Summons the whole Body of the Nobility to appear in Arms. He is to take care all Military Ordinances be observed and takes cognisance of all Causes belonging to Provostships and others left to Extraordinary Judges He is supreme Judge without Appeal in all matters whether Civil Criminal or Political in the Camps and Armies where he sets a price upon Provisions and gives Pass-Ports to Merchants Furnishers of Munition Tradesmen and others following the Armies He has under him these following Officers viz. Three ancient Lieutenants whereof one is to be of the Long-Robe who have each of them 800 Livers yearly Salary two Lieutenants of later Creation whereof one has 500 and the other 600 Livers yearly Salary One Proctor for the King at 1200 Livers Salary He has power to substitute Deputies under him in other Marshalsies where there is no Proctor for the King Four Exemts who have 200 Livers Salary each one Register at 300 Livers and 48 Guards reckoning in the Trumpeter at 200 Livers each yearly Stipend To this Company belong a Commissary for the Musters whose Salary is 600 Livers and a Comptroller for the same at 300 Livers yearly stipend When they are in the Army these Officers have Extraordinary allowances over and above their standing Pay viz. The Lieutenant 150 Livers the Kings Proctor 100 Livers the Exempts 60 Livers apiece the Registrer 60 Livers and the Guards 25 Livers each When there are several Armies in the Field the Grand Provost of the Constablrie serves in the Army Royal or principal Army and his Lieutenants in the other Armies The Sword-Officers of this Company Mount the Guard and do service about the person of the eldest Marshal of France as Representing the Constable They are appointed for the Guard and keeping in Custody persons of Quality Gentlemen and Officers that have quarrels one with another And the Provost of the Constablry assists with the eldest Marshal of France at all Assemblies held upon occasion of such quarrels The Guards wear Hoquetons or Short-Coats wrought with Massie-Silver upon a blue ground and for their Device the first Letter of the Kings Name being a Crowned L between two Right Hands Armed with Gantlets set with Flower-deluces coming out of a Cloud and holding each a naked Sword with the point upwards with these words about it Non sine Numine i. e. not without a Deity or Divine Power which kind of Sword is called the Sword of the Constablrie These Officers are of the Body of the Gend'armerie or Men at Arms and have been hitherto maintain'd in the quality and priviledges of Commoners of the Kings Houshold The last Letters to this effect bear date the 22d of February 1653. There are also belonging to this Court and Company one Chief Assessour and one Chief Usher to serve Warrants and Orders who have each 300 Livers yearly Salary There is likewise a Provost-General of the Monies or Mint and Marshalsies of France named Augustin-Nicholas Langlois who has under him several Lieutenants and Exempts one Registrer and 60 Archers or Guards who have power to serve and execute Orders and Warrants The Provost-General of the Isle of France is Francis de Francini de Grand ' Maisons He has under him four Lieutenants eight Exempts one Registrer and ten Guards called Archers on
and the Dukes and Peers of France At the Funeral Obsequies of Kings he marches side by side in an equal Rank with the Archbishop of Paris Whilst he injoys this Dignity he wears a Violet-Coloured Girdle the trimming of his Gloves is also of Violet-Colour His solemn Habit is a Violet-Coloured Gown with a silk Girdle of the same Colour with golden Tassels at the end of which hangs a Purse of Violet-Coloured Velvet called an Escarcelle trimmed with gold Buttons and Galoon He wears over his Gown a little Mantle of white Ermine which reaches down round about half way his Arms. This Dignity is Elective and lasts but three Months unless it be thought convenient as sometimes it happens to continue it to one Person two or three times together The Faculty of Arts is divided into four Nations which are 1. The Nation of France 2. The Nation of Picardie 3. The Nation of Normandy And 4. The Nation of Germany The Titles or Epithetes assumed by these several Nations when their Proctor speaks for them in publick Assemblies are 1. Honoranda Gallorum Natio the Honourable Nation of the French 2. Fidelissima Picardorum Natio the most Loyal or Faithful Nation of the Picards 3. Veneranda Normannorum Natio the Venerable Nation of the Normans And 4. Constantissima Germanorum Natio the most constant Nation of the Germans The three superiour Faculties likewise when they speak have their peculiar Titles for the Faculty of Divinity stiles it self Sacra Theologiae Facultas the Sacred Faculty of Divinity the Faculty of Law Consultissima Decretorum Facultas the most wise Faculty of the Decrees and the Faculty of Physick Saluberrima Medicorum Facultas the most wholsome Faculty of the Physicians There are in this University many Colledges in which are maintain'd several Regents and Lecturers and Professours that teach the Humanities or Learning of the lesser Schools which they do by Classes and the Sciences Tongues and Philosophy So that in this University is taught all in one House whatever is taught both in the inferiour Schools and Universities of England So that there is no need of fitting youth before-hand in inferiour Schools for Universities in France as in England they running through the whole Circle of Learning in one Colledge where for better help to youth there is a different Regent in every Classis which are all in distinct Rooms and they have Preceptors or Tutors besides to help them in their Exercises There are maintain'd in these Colledges too some few Foundation Scholars called Boursiers or Bursers but the Colledges subsist most by Pensioners or Borders and it is free for any of what Nation soever to lie any where in the Town and yet go and learn in the Classes and hear Lectures upon doing which they have as much priviledge to take their Degrees as those that reside in Colledges so that the number of Students lying in the Town dost vastly exceed that of those that reside in Colledges And the number of them is indeed prodigiously great the Youth not only of all Provinces of France but of all other Europaean Nations flocking hither to study Besides what is performed in the Colledges that depend of the University There are likewise Lecturers and Professors of Royal Foundation for teaching of the Oriental Tongues viz. The Greek Hebrew Arabian Syriack Caldean Samaritan and other Tongues as also the Mathematicks and Physick as also Philosophy Rhetorick and the Latin Tongue all which are performed in the Royal Colledge by Professors paid by the King Philosophy is also taught there in French by some Persons as of late by the deceased M. de L' Eclache with success enough There are also Academies for Natural Philosophy Some parts of the Mathematicks are also taught there by private Men as Geography by Mr. Sanson and others c. There are also many Masters of the Modern and living Tongues It is also worth our remark that at certain times in the year there are several particular and extraordinary Exercises performed in Paris As in the Nave of the Church of St. Germains Abby there is every Sunday a Flemish Sermon Preached at half an hour past two in the Afternoon a Latin Sermon at the Great Cordeliers Church on St. Bonaventures Day as likewise at the Augustins Bernardins and Jacobins on the Days of St. Austin St. Bernard and St. Dominick and on the Day of Quasimodo there is a High Mass sung in Greek in the Cordeliers Church for the Confraternity of the Pilgrims of Jerusalem and of the Holy Sepulcher in the middle of which there is a Greek Sermon Likewise Note that in the Colledge of Beauvais and in that only there are every Year publick Acts and Disputations in Greek CHAP. LIV. Of the Historiographers of France THE Office of Historiographer of France is possest or pretended to by three sorts of persons viz. 1. Those that actually write as such and are Entred upon the Kings Books for such 2. Such as though they be enterd as such upon the Kings Books have as yet written nothing and thirdly Such as have only taken out Patents but are not enterd in the Book or such as only assume the title I shall mention only those of the first sort which are 1. The two Brothers de St. Marthe who have given to the publick a general History of the Prelates of France in four Volumns under the Title of Gallia Christiana and continue the Genealogicat History of the House or Royal Family of France containing and including all the Sovereign Families of Europe as likewise the Genealogical History of the House of Tremoille and several other Works 2. M. de Chêne Son of the Famous Andrew du Chêne who has published the Continuation of the Historians of France begun by his Father and the History of the Cardinals and Chancellours of France Other Writers that though they have not the Title of Historiographers yet write Histories and other commendable Curiosities are M. Blenchard M. Justel the two Valois M. de la Roque M. Doujat M. de Varillas and several others The Journal des Sçavans or Philosophical Transactions is done by the Abbot de la Roque The Journal of the Palace by M. Blondeau and M Gueret The Mercury Gallant by M. Vizè CHAP. LV. Of the Academy of France or Society of the Virtuosi THis Famous Company or Society of Learned Men which is in France what the Royal Society is in England and is called the French Academy was Instituted by Letters Patents granted by the late King Lewis the Thirteenth Verified in Parliament in the Month of July 1637. The King has been pleased in the said Patents to grant them the same Priviledges as his own Domestick Officers enjoy Their Causes are committed to the Masters of Requests of the Houshold or else of the Palace at Paris by vertue of a Committimus under the Great Seal they are exempt from being Administratours or Guardians and from doing service at the Guards of the Gates of the Towns
Horseback divided into six Brigades all about the Neighbourhood of Paris for the security of the Country The Provost of Senlis is Nicholas Bordereau CHAP. XXXVIII Of the Admiralty of France and other Courts kept within the inclosure of the Palace And first Of the Admiralty of France and of Guienne THis Court was formerly held too at the Marble Table but is at present kept in the great Hall of the Palace on that side next the Dauphins Hall It takes cognisance of all Affairs relating to the Admiralty and the splitting of Vessels Shipwracks and Commerce on the Sea both primarily and by way of Appeal and of the abuses and misdemeanours committed by the Officers of the particular subordinate Courts of Admiralty and of other Officers of Maritime Affairs The particular Courts from whence Appeals are made to this are those of Rochelle the Sands of Olonne Marans Callice Boulogâ—e Montreüil Abbeville St. Valery Eu and Hault The present Officers belonging to it are A Lieutenant-General who is the Sieur de Marbrelle and a Lieutenant particular four Counsellours one Proctor for the King one Recorder or Registrer and one Chief Usher The Days of Audience in this Court are Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays There are likewise other Chambers or Courts of Admiralty at Roüen Bourdeaux in Brittany and at Dunkirk and other places Of the Court of the Great Pantler of France This Court takes cognisance of all regulations among the Bakers who are admitted there To it belong A Lieutenant general and particular Mayor and Guardian of the Great Pantry of France who is Nicholas Petit-Jean or Little John one Proctor for the King one Registrer one Chief Usher and 13 Ushers Audiencers that reside some at Paris and some in the Countries The Audience Days in this Court are Mundays and Saturdays Of the Bailywick of the Palace In this Court are these Officers viz. A Bayliff who is Claudius Pelot a Lieutenant General a Proctor for the King and a Registrer This Court judges of all differences arising in the Halls and Court of the Palace The Court of the Masonry Is kept over the Dauphins Hall to it belong Three Counsellours who are Judges general of all Masons work in France The Court called the Court of the Bazoche For the regulation of the Clerks of the Palace and the Court for matters of Justice relating to importing and vending of Sea-Fish are still held too within the inclosure of the Palace And thus having spoke of the Courts of Judicature that are held within the inclosure of the Palace we shall next treat of the others held without it and particularly of the Chatelet or Castle of Paris Which is the ordinary Court of Justice of the City of Paris and the most considerable presidial Court in the Kingdom CHAP. XXXIX Of the Chatelet or Castle of Paris THE Administration of Justice for the Town Provostship and Vicounty of Paris is exercised under the Name of the Provost of Paris and in case of vacancy the Kings Proctor General of the Parliament is Guardian by his place of this Provostship and all Acts passing there during that time run in his name The Officers thereto belonging are A Provost called the Provost of Paris who is Charles-Denis de Bullion Marquiss of Gallerdon c. He had the Grant of this Office the 15th of February 1685. and took the usual Oath for it in Parliament on the 22d of May-following and the same day was solemnly Installed in the Chatelet and put into possession thereof by one of the Presidents à Mortier the Dean of the Lay-Counsellours of the Parliament and the eldest Clergy-man Counsellour of the Grand Chamber He has 8000 Livers yearly Sallary and allowance All Judgments and Sentences given in the Chatelet and all acts of Notaries run in his Name the Assembly of the Nobility of the Provostship of Paris for the Arriere-â—an is held in his House and it belongs to him to Conduct them to the Army This Office was always exercised by Persons of great Quality and Reputation Under him there are the following Officers viz. A Lieutenant Civil who is John le Camus Honorary Master of Requests a Lieutenant for the Policy or Government of the City Gabriel-Nicholas de la Reynie a Lieutenant Criminal James Defita two particular Lieutenants Fifty six Counsellours four Advocates and one Proctor for the King Eight Substitutes two Honorary Counsellours one Chief Recorder or Registrer with divers other Registrers both for Civil and Criminal Affairs and for Audiences Insinuations Presentations and other matters one Chief Usher Audiencer and several other Ushers Audiencers There are likewise belonging to it two Counsellours Judges-Auditours to decide small Suits not amounting to above the summ of 25 Livers one Registrer in Chief of the Auditours and one Chief Usher and two other Ushers-Audiencers of the said Auditours 48 Commissaries and 113 Notaries Together with the Proctors Ushers on Porseback and Ushers carrying Wands and the Ushers of the Provostship of Paris By the Edicts and Declarations of the present King Registred in Parliament the 7th of September 1684. The Court of the New Chatelet Created in 1674. was reunited to that of the old one and accordingly the Offices of Provost of Lieutenant-General Civil and Lieutenant-General Criminal were supprest as likewise that of Kings Proctor of the old Chatelet The Lieutenant Criminal of the Short-Robe of the Provostship and Vicounty of Paris is Reny Chrisanthe le Clere Baron of Sauteray c. He has under him four Lieutenants seven Exempts and 100 Archers or Guards which are also Ushers at the Chatelet The Provost of the Isle of France of whom we have already spoken has also under him several Lieutenants Exempts and Archers or Guards for the Execution of his Sentences and Judgments The Knight of the Watch has likewise under him four Lieutenants eight Exempts one Registrer one Comptroller and Clerk of the Watch one Guidon 40 Archers or Guards on Horseback and 100 on Foot that wear blue Hoquetons or Jackets set with Stars of Silver Besides which number there is a recruit as well of Horse and Foot which is much stronger in Winter than in Summer As for the solemn and Ceremonial Habits of the Officers of the Chatelet they are these The three Lieutenants-General the Kings Advocates and Proctors wear Scarlet-Robes and the Counsellours black ones Formerly there were several little Courts of Judicature held by the several Lords who had their peculiar Jurisdictions in the City Suburbs and Banlieu or Liberties of Paris which were suppressed upon the Creation of the Court of the new Chatelet in the Month of February 1674 and their Jurisdictions incorporated into the Courts of the old and new Chatelets which are now made but one as is abovesaid Having spoken of the ordinary Jurisdiction of the City we will proceed next to treat of the ordinary Jurisdiction for the Taxes Aids and other Dues to the King which is the ordinary Court of Justice for Pari as it
comprehends a certain Territory in which Taxes are levied by Officers Elected for that purpose which is thence called an Election where all Causes relating to the said Levies or Taxes are pleaded primarily and at the first instance as they term it CHAP. XL. Of the Election of Paris THE Election of Paris comprehends 440 Parishes The Officers of the Court of this Election who sit in the Court of the Palace Assess and Rate the Taxes and judge all differences which arise about Taxes Aids Entries or Duties of Importation of Goods or Merchandises into Paris and about the five great Farms and in general all contestations that happen about the Imposition and Levying the Kings Revenues of what nature soever they be excepting only those of the Kings Crown Lands and Gabelles or Revenue on Salt The Appeals from their Sentences are made to the Court of Aids The days of Audience for the Kings Farms are Mundays and Thursdays in the Morning and for the Taxes on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the Morning The Officers belonging to the Court of the Election of Paris are A President who is Laurence de Chenevieres one Lieutenant one Assessour sixteen Counsellours Elect one Advocate and Proctor for the King one Substitute two Registrers one Chief Usher three Ushers-Audiencers eight Ushers of the Taxes and eight Proctors There are also in this Election two Receivers of Taxes c. One Honorary Counsellour Elect. CHAP. XLI Of the Granary of Salt at Paris THE Magazin or Granary of Salt at Paris is near the River at the end of the Pontneuf or New-Bridge where the Seat of the Court is established that was Erected to judge of all Contestations hapning about the Gabells or Duties on Salt and about the distribution of it and levying his Majesties Duties Appeals are made from this Court to the Court of Aids The Audience days in this Court are Wednesdays and Saturdays and in Winter Mundays too from the first of October to the first of February on the same dayes the Salt is distributed out to the people in the Afternoon The Officers belonging to this Court are Two Presidents three Granateers or Granary-Keepers three Comptrollers two Lieutenants two Comptrollers and Keepers of the Measures two Advocates and two Proctors for the King three Registrers these Registrers may make Deputies for the exercise of their Offices three Ushers Audiencers six Ushers and Serjeants of the Gabels eight Proctors thirty Measures of Salt sixty Carriers or Porters of Salt whereof thirty are of old and thirty of new Creation they are called the sworn Hanoüards ten Runners of Salt ten Bruisers twelve Comptrollers and Visiters of the Barillage or Barels of the Salt-Pits and Salt-Fish one Receiver at the Salt Granary and one Commissioner for business one Captain one Lieutenant some Brigadeers and fifteen Guards both on Horseback and on Foot Next to the ordinary Royal Courts of Judicature follow those of the City CHAP. XLII Of the Guildhall or Town-House of Paris NExt to the Governour of Paris who is now the Duke de Gêvres the other Officers of the Guildhall or Town-House called the Hotel de Ville are The Provost of the Merchants who is at present M. de Fourcy President of the third Chamber of Inquests four Echevins who are in the nature of Sheriffs twenty six Counsellours of the City the Kings Proctor for the City one Recorder one Receiver for the City sixteen Quarteniers together with Dixeniers or Decurions and Cinquanteniers which are certain Officers which are set over Wards and Precincts distinguished into the different numbers of 16 10 and 50. intimated in the Titles aforegoing There are 300 Guards called Archers belonging to the City who are divided into three Companies their Colonel is John Fournier There are likewise several Officers for Policy and keeping good Order as well for the Merchandises and Wares brought thither and for regulation of their Conveyance by the River and of all things vended at the several Keys and other places of Sale The Provost of the Merchants who is as 't were the Mayor of the City has a Jurisdiction in ordinary at the first Suit as well over the Rents of the City and over all causes and differences between the Townsmen and the Officers of the City in things relating to the Policy or good order of it or about the Wages and Salaries of the Officers These City-Magistrates set prices on all Wares and have the over-sight and inspection of all the Ports or Keys and of all Wheat or other Grain Wine Wood Coal Billets Hay Fish Apples Nuts and other Commodities The Officers of the Chatelet as we have remarked above are likewise Judges in matter of Policy and good Order and have power to set a price on Commodities CHAP. XLIII Of the Judges Consuls THE Judges who are called Judges and Consuls hold their Court of Judicature behind the Church of St. Mederick They take cognisance of all Causes that relate to trading or dealing between Merchant and Merchant or Letters of Exchange Promises Obligations or Contracts made between Partners or Associates for Merchandises of what nature or condition soever they be Their Jurisdiction was establisht at Paris by King Charles the Ninth in the year 1563. Their Sentences may be appealed from to the Parliament when the summ in question amounts to above 500 Livers For this Court there is an Election made every year of one Judge and four Consuls out of the Body of the Merchants who before they enter upon the exercise of their Functions take the usual Oath at the Parliament there belong further to this Court one Registrer and four Ushers There was formerly another Court called the Citizens Parlour to which this Court succeeded and there are still six Officers that retain the Title of Serjeants of the Citizens Parlour The Merchants have still a place where they meet in the Palace underneath the Dauphins Hall to confer about their Affairs which is much in the nature of the publick Changes at Lions Roüen Toulouze and London The six principal and original Bodies or Corporations of Merchants in Paris which are like the Companies in London under which all the other Trades are comprehended are 1. The Drapers 2. The Spicers or Grocers and Apothecaries 3. The Mercers 4. The Skinners or Furriers 5. The Bonneteers or Cap-Makers And 6. The Goldsmiths The Booksellers and Wine-Merchants injoy also the like Priviledges as those of the six Companies CHAP. XLIV Of the Generalities of France THE Generalities are the general Offices of the Treasurers General of France established for the facilitating the receiving and levying of the Monies arising from Taxes and other Impositions called by the name of Taillons or lesser Taxes and subsistance Money They are in number twenty three in all viz. Seventeen that are divided into Elections and six of the Countries governed by their peculiar Assemblies of Estates which are not divided into Elections but Assemble their own Estates something like the Parliaments of England to