CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS ORMUR)'. 



537 



theologian denounces their unbounded avarice, and indignantly declares that 

 by their venality they have discredited a profession once so glorious. 



St. Louis endeavoured to reform the abuses of the bar; the Jews, hen-tic-, 

 and excommunicated persons were all excluded ; and afterwards men of 

 evil lives, and those who had been sentenced to punishments entailing the 

 stamp of infamy, were expelled. The King himself arranged the rules as to 

 pleadings, enjoining the advocates to expose their case with the utmost 



Fig. 400. Sacred Oratory, represented by a Bishop, a Doctor of Theology, and a Clerk. The 

 Supplicant goes upon her Knees before them. After a Miniature from the " Petite Traictd de 

 la Vanite des Choses Mondaines," composed in 1466. Manuscript of the period (No. 30, Sc 

 and A). In the Arsenal Library, Paris. 



possible clearness and concision ; only to take honourable causes ; to be 

 moderate and courteous towards their opponents, using no insulting language, 

 not distorting the text of the decrees and customs, or making use of any false 

 allegations, the whole under pain of being deprived of the title of advocate 

 and the right of following their profession. This severe discipline, the 

 tradition of which has been in part perpetuated to the present day, restored 



3 z 



