Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/310

 272 Readings in European History he had arranged meetings of scholars whose decisions in these matters had met with his hearty approval, and that in order to put these decisions into execution and render the French language not only elegant but capable of treating all the arts and sciences, it would only be necessary to per- petuate these gatherings. This could be done with great advantage should it please us to sanction them, to permit rules and regulations to be drawn up for the order of pro- cedure to be observed, and to reward those who compose the association by some honorable marks of our favor. For these reasons, and in view of the advantages which our subjects may derive from the said meetings, acceding to the desires of our said cousin : We do permit, by our special favor, power, and royal authority, and do authorize and approve by these presents, signed by our hand, the said assemblies and conferences. We will that they continue hereafter in our good city of Paris, under the name of the French Academy ; that our said cousin shall be designated as its head and protector ; that the number of members be limited to forty persons. . . . II. Kings " by the Grace of God " It is especially difficult with our modern democratic notions to understand the views and sentiments of those who have regarded obedience to the king, however per- verse and licentious he might be, as a sacred obligation. Nowhere is the divine nature of the kingly power set forth with more eloquence and ardor than in the work of the distinguished prelate, orator, and theologian, Bossuet, whom Louis XIV chose as the preceptor of his son, the dauphin (1670-168 1). His treatise on Politics drazvn from the Very Words of Holy Scripture was prepared with a view of giving the heir to the French throne a proper idea both of his lofty position and of his heavy responsibilities. No one can read this work without