The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-03

Looking back som forty years aiterward on
the prosperity Of France from 1888 to 1880.
Chancellor PasQuer expresses the conviction
that from the earliest days Of the monarchy,
his country had. at no period. been happier
than she was then. She had not felt the ef-
fects OF any great misfortune since the col
lapse OF Laws financial system. The long
lasting Ministry OF Cardinal de Fleury. in
glorious. no doubt, but wise and circumspect.
had made good the losses and liRhtened tho
burdens imposed during the latter part OF the
reign OF Louis XIV. II. since that time.
eral wars. undertaken with little forests ht and
waged with less skill had compromised the
honor OF her arms and the reputation OF her
Government: II they had even thrown
the finances OF France into some
what alarming disorder, it is pronounced but
fair to say that the confusion result
ing therefrom had merely affected the for
tune of n few creditors. and had not tapped the
sources OF public prosperity: on the contrary.
what Is styled the public administration had
made constant progress. II. on the one hand.
the State had not been able to boast OF any
great Minister. the provinces could show
many highly enlightened and saRAcious In
PENDANTS. For example. roads had been opened
connecting numerous points, and had been
greatly improved ia all directions. We are re-
minded that these benefits were principally
10 ItlGu OI LOUIS AZ.
most important result had been a progressive
amelioration in tho condition OF agriculture
The government OF Louis XVI had continued
TO favor this wise policy. which was not inter-
rupted by the maritime war undertaken on
behalf or American Independence. Many cot
ton mills had sprung up. while considerable
progress had been made In the manu-
fActure Of printed cotton fabrics. and OF
steel and In the preparing OF skins. Chemis-
try was already giving people glimpse Of the
assistance il was shortly to render to all use
full arts. Men like LavoIsier. Berthollet. Four
eroy. and their pupils were entering upon
their career. The Revolution took Lavoisier's
life. but the training OF his fellow workers who
survived him took place during the reign OF
Louis XVI. to which they belonged. Great at
tsntion was paid to their labors by this SOW
ereign. who also encouraged agriculture by
every means at his command. The importa-
tion OF merino sheep. which has done so much
for the farmer and the woollen manufacturer
IN France. must be placed TO his credit lie
also established model farms, thus placing at
the disposal OF aGriculturists the resources Of
theory and facilities for their application.
II must not be Inferred that the author OF
these memoirs shut his eyes TO the reality OF
the public prosperity which France was enjoy
ing in 1922 wnen he began to commit his
to writing lie declares himself
fully eOgnizant of the improvement In the con-
ditlon OF the country districts and he is aware
that the fabric OF society resting on this solid
foundation. even though it's outward aspect
might be humbls.Was far preferable to- grand
or superstructure hiding a less solid substra-
tum. He Is ready to admit the Rdyantage s which !
have accrued the res ults Of the revolution as.
for instance. the partition 81 landed property. |
which. so long as II does not 60 beyond certain |
limits, uHquestiOnably tends to increase /
wealth Nevertheless. when he questions his 1
reason and mis- conscience as to the possible /
future Of the France OF 1883. II tho revolution
had not burst upon H. and ten years OF de-
ttruetlon had not weighed upon H. II san Do
minga for instance, had continued pourngits
Treasures into Il. ana tho successive better
ments to which he has referred had not been
checked b. great catus.Topues. he is convinced
that France AZ the time when he Is writing
tloz@i would have been richer and stronger
Chancellor Pasquier indeed recognizes a
distinction between tho general condition
OF the country in $50 and the relations sx-
listing between the country and tho Govern.
ment The provincial administration might
have been admirable. aud Yet tho central |
GOysFCment might have been dIscTsdited Ly
irTemedlable defects. ile contends. however, |
that. As q matter Of fact the central Govern
ment Was neither 4 hard nor a Tapac Gus one.
All things connected with It which were not
de lure tempered By the laws we're tempered
do iaet0 b. the usagss and customs Oiths dsy.