STUDY VII. 91 



valet -de- chambre forces him out. The Nobility 

 arrogate to then:ifelves all the national honour, but 

 the People determine for them the obje6l of it, and 

 allot it's proportions. Louis XIV. however, gave 

 back to the People, a part of their natural liberty, 

 by means of his very defpotifm. As he hardly faw 

 any thing elfe in the world, except himfelf, every 

 one appeared in his eyes nearly equal. It was his 

 wifli, that all his fubjefts fliould have permiflion 

 to contribute their exertions toward the extenfion 

 of his glory, and he rewarded them in proportion 

 as fuch exertions had promoted this end. The 

 defire of pleafmg the Prince reduced all ranks to 

 a level. Under that reign, of confequence, were 

 feen multitudes of men of all clafTes, rendering 

 themfelves eminent, each in his feveral way. But 

 the misfortunes of that great King, and perhaps 

 his policy, having obliged him to defcend to the 

 fale of employments, of which the pernicious ex- 

 ample had been fet him by his predecefTors, and 

 which has been extended, fince his time, to the 

 meaneft offices in the State, this gave the finifiiing 

 ftroke to the ancient preponderancy of the Nobi- 

 lity J but it gave rife, in the Nation, to a power 

 much more dangerous ^ that of gold. This, 

 this has levelled every rival influence, and tri- 

 umphed over even the power of women *. 



* As mofl men are fhocked at abiifes, only by feeing them in 

 detail, becaule every thing great dazzles, and commands refpeft, 



I dial I 



