CHAPTER XLIV.
Tremendous Cold in France .-- Winters of 1708-1709--Financiers and the Famine .-- Interference of the Parliaments of Paris and Dijon .-- Dreadful Oppression .-- Misery of the People .-- New Taxes .-- Forced Labour .-- General Ruin .-- Increased Misfortunes .-- Threatened Regicide .-- Procession of Saint Genevieve .-- Offerings of Plate to the King .-- Discontent of the People .-- A Bread Riot, How Appeased..