186 THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [book IV.

tlie great majority were unsettled, and even toa certain degree terrified by tlie surroundingheats, and violent discordant opinions of thoserival factions they read of in the Parisian news-papers ; their own corps as sovereign, giving rise to afierce error. Besides, were not the French knightsreduced to comparative poverty; and is not unwontedpoverty (except some very lofty-minded individuals)the ready road to unbridled passions, and strife, andwild, perhaps dishonourable expedients, and evenmadness ?

Bohan received those unfortunate French withthe kindest generosity; which would have been onlybecoming towards the knights from any land, muchmore from his own; nor can any one blame him onthis matter, for he ordered the expenses of his owndinner to be reduced to two shillings a-day, and allthe other monies in the treasury to be dedicated tothe support of his indigent brethren. As to finan-cial balances, no farther about them. The greatestgenius in the world can effect nothing where theoutlay is great, and the resources little. A cabinetwas formed by the modest Bohan, to assist himwith their advice; one of whom was the BailiffHompesch, in consideration of his great understand-ing ; he having been a distinguished diplomatist, andat that very moment was the emperor’s minister to