laying a foundation of
the elements of civilization, which were to be of vast importance in
the development of the race, it would appear that as great credit
should be given them as to the French manners, genius, and culture
which gave so little permanent benefit to the world. Guizot wisely
refrains from elaborating the vices of the French monarchy, and fails
to point out the failure of the French system of government.

{400}

_The Divine Right of Kings_.--From the advent of the Capetian dynasty
of French kings royalty continually increased its power until it
culminated under Louis XIV. The court, the clergy, and, in fact, the
greater number of the preachers of France, advocated the divine origin
and right of kings. If God be above all and over all, his temporal
rulers as well as his spiritual rulers receive their power from him;
hence the king receives his right to rule from God. Who, then, has the
right to oppose the king? Upon this theory the court preachers adored
him and in some instances deified him. People sought to touch the hem
of his garment, or receive from his divine majesty even a touch of the
hand, that they might be healed of their infirmities. In literature
Louis was praised and deified. The "Grand Monarch" was lauded and
worshipped by the courtiers and nobles who circled around him. He
maintained an extravagant court and an elaborate etiquette, so
extravagant that it depleted the rural districts of money, and drew the
most powerful families to revolve around the king.

The extravagant life paralyzed the energies of kings and ministers, who
built a government for the advantage of the governing and not the
governed. "I am the state!" said the Grand Monarch. Although showing
in many ways an enlightened absolutism, his rule plunged French royalty
into despotism. Louis XV held strongly to absolutism, but lacked the
power to render it attractive and magnificent. Louis XVI attempted to
stem the rising tide, but it was too late. The evils were too deeply
seated; they could not be changed by any temporary expedient. French
royalty reached a logical outcome from all power to no power. Louis
XIV had built a strong, compact administration under the direction of
able men, but it was wanting in liberty, it was wanting in justice, and
it is only a matter of time when these deficiencies in a nation lead to
destruction.

_The Power of the Nobility_.--The French nobility had been mastered by
the king