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 424 General History of Europe peasant in Prussia, Russia, Austria, Italy, or Spain in the eighteenth century (see 691 if.), it would be clear that in France the agricultural classes were really much better off than elsewhere on the Continent. Moreover, the fact that the popula- tion of France had steadily increased from seventeen millions after the close of the wars of Louis XIV to about twenty-five millions at the opening of the Revolution indicates that the general con- dition of the people was improving rather than growing worse. The real reason why France was the first among the European countries to do away with the irritating survivals of feudalism was not that the nation was miserable and oppressed above all others, but that it was sufficiently free and enlightened to realize the evils and absurdities of the old regime. The French peasant no longer looked up to his lord as his ruler and protector, but viewed him as a sort of legalized robber who demanded a share of his precious harvest, whose officers awaited the farmer at the crossing of the river to claim a toll, who would not let him sell his produce when he wished, or permit him to protect his fields from the ravages of the pigeons which his lord kept. 738. France a Despotism in the Eighteenth Century. In the eighteenth century France was still a despotism. The king still ruled "by the grace of God," as Louis XIV had done. He needed to render account to no man for his governmental acts; he was responsible to God alone. The following illustrations will make clear the dangerous extent of the king's power. In the first place, it was he who levied each year the heaviest of the taxes, the hated faille, from which the privileged classes were exempted. This tax brought in about one sixth of the whole revenue of the State. The amount collected was kept secret, and no report was made to the nation of what was done with it or, for that matter, with any other part of the king's income. In- deed, no distinction was made between the king's private funds and the State treasury, whereas in England the monarch was given a stated allowance. The king of France could issue as many drafts payable to bearer as he wished ; the royal officials must pay all such orders and ask no questions.