Chapter XVII

. Enslaving.

So young a King and so ignorant a peasant were likely to make mistakes; and this is an instance in point.  This peasant was suffering from this law _by anticipation_; the King was venting his indignation against a law which was not yet in existence; for this hideous statute was to have birth in this little King’s _own reign_. However, we know, from the humanity of his character, that it could never have been suggested by him.

NOTES to