arise from it.  The uproar was general and frightful.  There was not a rich person who did not believe himself lost without resource; not a poor one who did not see himself reduced to beggary.  The Parliament, so opposed to the new money system, did not let slip this fine opportunity.  It rendered itself the protector of the public by refusing to register the decree, and by promptly uttering the strongest remonstrance against it.  The public even believed that to the Parliament was due the sudden revocation of the edict, which, however, was simply caused by the universal complaining, and the tardy discovery of the fault committed in passing it.  The little confidence in Law remaining was now radically extinguished; not an atom of it could ever be set afloat again.  Seditious writings and analytical and reasonable pamphlets rained on all sides, and the consternation was general.

The Parliament assembled on Monday, the 27th of May, in the morning, and named certain of its members to go to M. le Duc d’Orleans, with remonstrances against the decree.  About noon of the same day, M. le Duc d’Orleans sent La Vrilliere to say to the Parliament that he revoked that decree, and that the notes would remain as before.  La Vrilliere, finding that the Parliament had adjourned, went to the Chief-President, to say with what he was charged.  After dinner the Parliamentary deputies came to the Palais Royal, where they were well received; M. le Duc d’Orleans confirmed what they had already heard from La Vrilliere, and said to them that he would re-establish the funds of the Hotel de Ville at two-and-a-half percent.  The deputies expected that in justice and in goodness he ought to raise them to at least three per cent.  M. le Duc d’Orleans answered, that he should like not only to raise them to three, but to four, nay, five per cent.; but that the state of affairs would not permit him to go beyond two-and-a-half.  On the next day was published the counter-decree, which placed the shares and actions as they were before the 22nd of May.  The decree of that date was therefore revoked in six days, after having caused such a strange effect.

On Wednesday, the 29th, a pretty little comedy was played.  Le Blanc, Secretary of State, went to Law, told him that M. le Duc d’Orleans discharged him from his office as comptroller-general of the finances, thanked him for the attention he had given to it, and announced that as many people in Paris did not like him, a meritorious officer should keep guard in his house to prevent any accident that might happen to him.  At the same time, Benzualde, major of the regiment of Swiss guards, arrived with sixteen of his men to remain night and day in Law’s house.

The Scotchman did not in the least expect this dismissal or this guard, but he appeared very tranquil respecting both, and maintained his usual coolness.  The next day he was taken by the Duc de la Force to the Palais Royal.  Then comedy number two was played.  M. le Duc d’Orleans refused to see the financier, who went away without an interview.  On the day after, however, Law was admitted by the back stairs, closeted with the Regent, and was treated by him as well as ever.  The comedies were over.