minal courts, holding places
in the treasury, auditors and collectors of the various branches of the
revenue--all of which offices, and many others, had been alienated for
more than a century by the State in return for specified sums of ready
money; thenceforth, they fell into the hands of special purchasers; the
title of each possessor was as good as that of a piece of real property,
and he could legally sell his title, the same as he had bought it, at
a given price, on due advertisement![4176] On the other hand, the
different groups of local functionaries in each town formed their
own associations, similar to our notarial chambers, or those of our
stock-brokers; these small associations had their own by-laws, meetings
and treasury, frequently a civil status and the right of pleading,
often a political status and the right of electing to the municipal
council;[4177] consequently, besides his personal interests, each
member cherished the professional interests of his guild. Thus was
his situation different from what it now is, and, through a natural
reaction, his character, manners and tastes were different. First, he
was much more independent; he was not afraid of being discharged
or transferred elsewhere, suddenly, unawares, on the strength of an
intendant's report, for political reasons, to make room for a deputy's
candidate or a minister's tool. This would have cost too much it would
have required first of all a reimbursement of the sum paid for his
office, and at a rate of purchase ten times, at least, the revenue of
the office.[4178] Besides, in defending himself, in protesting against
and forestalling his disgrace, he would have been supported by his
entire professional guild, oftentimes by other similar bodies, and
frequently by the whole town, filled with his relations, clients and
comrades. The entire hive protected the bee against the caprices
of favoritism and the brutalities of despotism. At Paris, a certain
procureur, supported by his colleagues, is known to have imposed on a
noble who had insulted him, the most humiliating atonement.[4179]
In fact, under the ancient regime, it was almost impossible for a
functionary to be removed; hence, he could fulfill his duties securely
and with dignity, without being obliged to keep daily watch of the
capital, of going to Paris to see how the official wind blew, to look
after all the influences in his favor, to nurse his relations with the
government and live like a b