LA CONVENTION JUSQU'AU NEUF THERMIDOR

1. Capet, tlie third race of Trench kings, takes its name from the surname of Hugh (987-996), elected king bj acclamation in 987, and crowned at Rheims in place of the Carlovingians. The name Capet is variously explained ; some dérive it from Latin capito, meaning big head ; others from capucia (capd)y a sort of hood which, it is said, he wore when young, for sport ; others from the cope [capa, cappaius), which he was entitled to wear as lay abbot of St. Martin of Tours.

2. Malhes herbes, born at Paris (1721), and educated for the légal profession. In 1750 became first Président of the Court of Aides. In 1775 was made Minister of the Interior by Louis XVI. At the trial of the king he begged to be appointed one of the defenders ; and when the former was sentenced to death he was the fîrst to announce to that monarch the ill success of his defence. During the Terror his daughter was accused of treason and apprehended. Malhesherbes requeste-d permission to accompany his child, and both were guillotined in 1793.

3. Turgot, an eminent French economist and financier, born in 1727. Studied law, and became a counsellor of the Parliament in 1752. In 1774 was appointed Controller-General of Finance. His first act was the restoration of trade between the provinces. Ile was removed in May, 1776, and died in 1781,

4. Desèze, born at Bordeaux in. 1750. He was educated for the bar, and became an able counsellor of the Parliament

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of that city ; he afterward practised in Paris. He most ably defended the king. He was imprisoned for a while, but escaped tlie scafïold. He died in 1828.

5. Soit iestaiîient, qicil mit au net, liis will, of wliich lie made a fair copy.