— 80 — 



feet square enclosed by curtains " with seats with 

 blue cushions " ; a dais over head protected the inmates 

 from the rays of the sun, and from rain. Choice wines, 

 cordials, spirits, eatables, even to ready cash; every- 

 thing necessary to human sustenance or pleasure was 

 abundantly provided. There was nothing ascetic, about 

 the bachelor Bigot. Ladies of rank, wit and beauty, 

 felt it an honor to join his brilliant court, where they 

 met most charming cavaliers, young officers of the 

 regiments stationed at Quebec. Col. Franquet seems to 

 have enjoyed himself amazingly, having " a good time " 

 all through, and describing some of the merry episodes 

 which occurred on the trips at Three-Rivers and other 

 trysting-places of the magnificent Intendant. What a 

 terrible awakening, six years later, in Paris, for the 

 faithless official when the grim old Bastille opened its 

 remorseless portals to immure Bigot and his public 

 plunderers of France and of Canada ! 



The remainder of this memoir contains some appro- 

 priate remarks on the various items of expenditure 

 involved in these official excursions of high French 

 Officials. Each vehicle in winter, except those for the 

 servants and the supplies, are drawn by pairs ; each day's 

 expenses of the driver foot up to 70 and 75 francs. To 

 which are to be added the expenses incurred by the 

 Grand Voyer, who has to start a few days in advance 

 of the General or Intendant, to have the roads beaten ; 

 exclusive of extras, his charge varies from 7 to 10 

 francs a day : in winter the country folks have to 

 provide their own horses and carioles to execute his 

 orders. The alacrity with which they turn out indi- 

 cates their more or less zeal for the king's service ; 

 relays of horses have also to be furnished by the 

 parishioners whenever the General travels and sum- 

 mary punishment is sure to evertake trangressors in 

 this respect-shorter or longer periods of incarceration. 

 Services to the king are generally paid in Canada ; too 

 much so. The state pays for the vehicles, the board and 



