To this may be added (which we have likewise prov'd) that nor only the sole Power of _Creating_ and _Abdicating_ their Kings, but also the Right of electing _Guardians_ and _Administrators_ of the Commonwealth, was lodged in the same _Publick Council_. Nay, and after the Kings were created, the supreme Power of the Administration was retained still by the same _Council_. And 'tis not yet full a hundred Years since 36 Guardians of the Commonwealth were constituted by the same _Council_, like so many _Ephori_: and this during the Reign of _Lewis_ the _Eleventh_, as crafty and cunning as he was. If we seek for Authorities and Examples from our Ancestors, we may find several; there is a remarkable one in _Aimoinus_, lib. 4. cap. 1. where speaking of Queen _Brunechild_, Mother to young _Childebert_; "The Nobility of _France_ (says he) understanding that _Brunechild_ designed to keep the chief Management of the Kingdom in her own Hands; and having always hitherto, for so long a Time disdained to be subject to a Female Domination, did, &c." And indeed it has so happned in the Days of our Ancestors, that whenever Women got into their Hands the Procuration of the Kingdom, they have been always the Occasion of wonderful Tragedies: Of which it will not be amiss to give some Examples. Queen _Crotildis_, Mother of the two Kings, _Childebert_ and _Clotarius_, got once the Power into her Hands; and being extravagantly fond of the Sons of _Clodomer_, (another of her Sons then dead) occasion'd a great deal of Contention, by her endeavouring to exclude her Sons, and promote these Grandsons to the Regal Dignity; and upon that Score she nourished their _large Heads of Hair_ with the greatest Care and Diligence imaginable, according to that ancient Custom of the Kings of the _Franks_, which we have before given an Account of. The two Kings (as soon as they understood it) presently sent one _Archadius_, who presenting her with a naked Sword and a Pair of Shears, gave her Choice which of the two She had rather shou'd be applied to the Boys Heads. But She (says _Gregory_ of _Tours_) being enraged with Choler, especially when She beheld the naked Sword and the Scissars, anwer'd with a great deal of Bitterness--"Since they cannot be advanced to the Kingdom, I had rather see them dead than shaven"--And thereupon both her Grandsons were beheaded in her Presence. The same _Gregory_, lib. 3. cap. 18. subjoyns--"This Queen, by her Liberalities and Gifts conferr'd upon Monasteries, got the Affections, _Plebis & vulgi_ of the common People and Mob: _Date frenos_ (says Cato) _impotenti naturae, & indomito animali, & sperate ipsas modum licentiae facturas_. Give Bridles to their unruly Natures, and curb the untamed Animal; and then, you may hope they shall see some Bounds to their Licentiousness." What an unbridled Animal and profligate Wretch was that Daughter of King _Theodorick_, by Birth an _Italian_; who being mad in