[33].  A term indicating a certain division of the kingdom of France to facilitate the collection of taxes.  Each generalship was subdivided into elections, in which there was a tribunal called the bureau of finances. (Tr.)

[34].  Remonstrances of Malesherbes; Registers by Turgot and Necker to the king, (Laboulaye, “De l’administration française sous Louis XVI, Revue des cours littéraires, IV. 423, 759, 814.)

[35].  Financiers have been known to tell citizens:  “The ferme ( revenue-agency) ought to be able to grant you favors, you ought to be forced to come and ask for them. — He who pays never knows what he owes.  The fermier is sovereign legislator in matters relating to his personal interest.  Every petition, in which the interests of a province, or those of the whole nation are concerned, is regarded as penal foolhardiness if it is signed by a person in his private capacity, and as illicit association if it be signed by several.”  Malesherbes, ibid..

[36].  Mme. Campan, “Mémoires,” I. p. 13. — Mme. du Hausset, “Mémoires,” p. 114.

[37].  “Gustave III. et la cour de France,” by Geffroy.  II. 474.  ("Archives de Dresde,” French Correspondence, November 20, 1788.)

[38].  Augeard, “Mémoires,” p. 135.

[39].  Mme. de Pompadour, writing to Marshal d’Estrées, in the army, about the campaign operations, and tracing for him a sort of plan, had marked on the paper with mouches (face-patches), the different places which she advised him to attack or defend.”  Mme. de Genlis, “Souvenirs de Félicie,” p. 329.  Narrative by Mme. de Puisieux, the mother-in-law of Marshal d’Estrées.

[40].  According to the manuscript register of Mme. de Pompadour’s expenses, in the archives of the préfecture of Versailles, she had expended 36,327,268 livres. (Granier de Cassagnac, I. 91.)

[41].  D’Argenson, “Mémoires,” VI. 398 (April 24, 1751). — “M. du Barry declared openly that he had consumed 18,000,000 belonging to the State.” (Correspondence by Métra, I. 27).

[42].  “Marie Antoinette,” by d’Arneth and Geffroy, vol.  II. p. 168 (June 5, 1774).

[43].  “Marie Antoinette,” ibid.. vol.  II. p. 377; vol.  III. p. 391.

[44].  Archives nationales, H, 1456, Memoir for M. Bouret de Vezelay, syndic for the creditors.

[45].  Marquis de Mirabeau, “Traité de la population,” p. 81.

[46] Today, our so-called popular democracies have become completely irresponsible since the elected, who have full access to the coffers of the nation, present and future, and who, through alternation and short duration of tenure, are encouraged to become irresponsible, will use large amounts to be favorably exposed in the media and to avoid any kind of mudslinging.  They seem to govern their countries according to the devise:  “After me the deluge.” (Sr.)