The _lettre de cachet_ was usually carried into effect by the officers of police; sometimes the arrest was made at the dwelling of the individual, sometimes on the roads or in the street by night; but, in all cases, it appears to have been accomplished with as much secrecy as possible, so that it was no uncommon thing for persons to be missing for years, without their friends being able to discover what had become of them. Men of rank were at times spared the disgrace of being taken into custody; they were favoured by being allowed to carry the letter themselves to the prison mentioned in it, and surrender to the governor. Here is a specimen of these obliging billets, which was addressed to the prince of Monaco, a brigadier in the French army. “My Cousin, “Being by no means satisfied with your conduct, I send you this letter, to apprise you that my intention is, that, as soon as you receive it, you shall proceed to my castle of the Bastile, there to remain till you have my further orders. On which, my cousin, I pray God to have you in his holy keeping. Given at Versailles, this 25th of June, 1748. (_Signed_) “LOUIS.” (_Countersigned_) “VOYER D’ARGENSON.” By such a scrap of paper as this might any man in France be doomed to close and hopeless imprisonment. Malice, wounded pride, rivalry, revenge, all the base and cruel passions, availed themselves of it to torment their enemies. The titled harlot, whose shame had excited laughter or reprobation, the minister, whose measures were unpopular, the frivolous courtier, whose folly had been satirised, the debauchee, who wished to remove an obstacle to his lust, the parent, who preferred ruling his offspring rather by fear than love, was eager to obtain one of these convenient scorpion scourges, and the wish was too often gratified.