CHAPTER XII. 189 Starvation produced amongst poorer classes by issue of new edict.--Law’s expulsion from France demanded.-- Law resigns all his offices and leaves for Venice.-- Privileges of Company withdrawn.--Commission appointed to value unliquidated securities.--Law in vain applies for recovery of a portion of his wealth.--His death at Venice.--Attitude of French people towards Law.-- Circumstances to be considered in passing judgment. John Law of Lauriston CHAPTER I Standard of criticism hitherto applied to John Law.--Birth and ancestry.--Education.--Death of father.--Early devotion to study of finance.--Manner and appearance.--Visits London.--Duel with Beau Wilson.--Tried for murder.--Escapes to France.--Meets Lady Catherine Knollys.--Career of gambling on the Continent.--Studies banking.--Formulates new principles of finance.--Returns to Scotland. [Illustration] It has been the fate of most men who have left their name upon the pages of political history to have their conduct scrutinised with a degree of ethical fineness which happily is denied those whose records have not risen above the commonplace. Such a standard of criticism has been invariably applied in instances where origin of birth would hardly justify anticipations of pre-eminent greatness--and especially where the circumstances that have fostered its rise lie outside the beaten track, and possess the inviting charm of novelty. Reputation acquired in the steady, patient pursuit of a purpose is not more likely to reach the level of permanent fame, than one of which spasmodic progress forms the outstanding element. Where brilliance of meteoric splendour appears in any sphere of life, but chiefly in the region of national politics, a curiosity which otherwise would be escaped is aroused by reason of its suddenness, and attempts are made to discover unworthy motives behind each act. While these attempts can only have a problematic value in absence of any true disclosure of motive, judgment is not infrequently passed with an air of authority that seems to exclude refutation. Nor is it an uncommon occurrence for contemporary opinion, prejudiced and perhaps unjust, to distort the estimates of subsequent writers. Exemplification of this is in some degree to be found in the case of John Law of Lauriston, the founder of the Mississippi Scheme, whose chequered and questionable career before his elevation to a position of national importance in the government of France, furnished excellent material for a sinister interpretation of his intentions by his detractors.