Page:Memoirs of a Huguenot Family.djvu/99

 Rh "When I presented this Factum to the President of the Parliament, I said to him, "My Lord, I here present you with a true statement of facts, and if you find, upon examination, the slightest discrepancy or exaggeration when you come to compare it with the evidence which will be brought before you., I am willing not only to have the sentence of the Seneschal confirmed, but increased penalties added to it."

He read it over with attention, and then said to me, "I can scarcely imagine that this is correct. The Seneschal could have no inducement for acting thus."

"My Lord," said I, "his ruling passion is the spirit of avarice, which he hides under a specious display of false zeal; he only joined me with the poor people, in the sentence, to make sure of obtaining payment of the fine and costs. I can assure you his fees of office have been levied with an unsparing hand."

There are certain fees which are the perquisite of the reporter, who is the one, among the judges, to whom is confided the examination of the process. The fees vary in amount according to the importance of the cause. The Seneschal had an idea that our suit would be profitable, and he took care to have himself appointed reporter for it, and he made most exhorbitant charges.

The form of proceeding before Parliament is the same as before the Presidial Court.

When I entered the Hall of Justice, the Serjeant offered me the stool, as in the other Court; but I cast a look towards the President, who did me the favor to exempt me from the opprobrium. I was treated most respectfully, no unnecessary questions were asked, and I received full justice. I obtained a final decision, reversing the sentence of the Presidency of