That the leading emigrant nobles and those
forming a part of the old court carry on intrigues at Coblentz or at
Turin is natural, since they have lost everything: authority,
places, pensions, sinecures, pleasures, and the rest. But, to the
gentry and inferior nobles of the provinces, chevaliers of Saint-
Louis, subaltern officers and resident proprietors, the loss is
insignificant. The law has suppressed one-half of their seignorial
dues; but by virtue of the same law their lands are no longer
burdened with tithes. Popular elections will not provide them with
places, but they did not enjoy them under the arbitrary ministerial
rule. Little does it matter to them that power, whether ministerial
or popular, has changed hands: they are not accustomed to its
favors, and will pursue their ordinary avocations - the chase,
promenading, reading, visiting, and conversing - provided they,
like the first-comer, the grocer at the corner, or their farm-
servant, find protection, safety, and security on the public road
and in their dwellings.
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