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220 and must obey him unconditionally. Their endorsement only serves to confirm the authenticity of the deed and of the royal signature. It is true that after the death of princes many such Ministers have been impeached and condemned, but always unjustly. Enguerrand de Miraguy defended himself in such circumstances with the touching words:—"We as Ministers are only hands and feet; we must obey our head, the king he is now dead, and his thoughts lie with him in the grave—we cannot and we dare not speak." After these few indications of the difference between absolute and constitutional power, it will be clear to every one that the discussion as to the Presidency as it has appeared during present circumstances does not so much concern the question whether the King should preside at the  Council, as how far he can preside. It is of no consequence that the Charte does not forbid it