302 COACHING. 



This establishment of porte-flamheaux, wliicli 

 was to take place in October, 1662, was an- 

 nounced with all the forms of a long preamble, 

 and surrounded with all the exclusive privileges 

 which could have accompanied the most impor- 

 tant measure of internal government. It fur- 

 nished a curious example of the minute details 

 into which the hierarchy of despotic power had 

 already entered in France. It called itself " The 

 establishment of iJorte-flamheaux, or 'porte-lan- 

 terneSy for the town and suburbs of Paris, and 

 other towns, by letters patent of the King, 

 approved of by Parhament, and the prices re- 

 gulated by this august body." 



Then follows the orders, which forbid anybody 

 from carrying a " link," or " lantern," without 

 an express permission from the individual who 

 has obtained this privilege from the king, to 

 the exclusion of all others, under pain of a 

 thousand francs (£40) penalty. The price fixed 

 for the hire of a porte-lanterne was three sous 

 a quarter of an hour, for persons who went on 

 foot; for those who went in carriages five 



sous. 



The public are then assured that the convenience 

 of being able to go out at night with lights 



