when several are in one office, we order that one of them do its duties for alL " We forbid, likewise, any dieseizure of possession without assigning a proper reason for it, or having our special commands to that purpose. We order that there be no additional taxes raised, nor any other imposts or customs whatever. "W e will that our bailiffs, provosts, mayors, viscounts, and other our officers, who shall at any time be deprived of their offices, and dismissed our service, do remain after such dismission forty days within the districts where their appointments lay, either personally, or by sufficient proxy, to answer to those who shall be their successors, to such questions as they shall ask touching their evil deeds and the complaints made against them." By these regulations, the king greatly improved the state of his kingdom, insomuch that every one lived in peace and security. You must know that in former times the office of the provostship of Paris was sold to the highest bidder; whence it happened that many robberies and other crimes were committed, and justice was corrupted at its source, by favour of friends, gifts, or promises. The common people were afraid of dwelling in the open country of France, which, by this means, was almost a desert. Oftentimes there were not ten prisoners when the provost held his assizes, notwithstanding the multitude of crimes that were daily committed. For this he would not that the provostship should be sold, as it was an office he would give to some wise and upright man with a sufficient salary for his expenses, and to support his dignity. He also abolished all the heavy taxes, that had before weighed on the common people. / He made inquiry throughout the realm for a learned and ' honest man, who understood the laws, and would rigorously punish malefactors, without regarding the rich more than the poor. In consequence of this, Stephen Boileau was brought to him, to whom he gave the provostship of Paris, and who ever after did wonders in the said office, so that henceforth no robber, murderer, or other malefactor could remain in Paris without his having instant knowledge thereof, and he was sure to be hanged or punished very severely according to the greatness of bis guilt. No friends, relations, or money