The legal reputation of Bargeton, both as a civilian and common lawyer, induced Machault, the comptroller-general of finances, to apply to him, in 1749, for assistance. The clergy had hitherto contributed to the wants of the state only by voluntary gifts; and, of course, asserted the privilege of not being compelled to contribute at all. Machault determined to put an end to this pretended privilege, by subjecting them, like the rest of the people, to the payment of the twentieth. Had he succeeded, his success would have put an end to one of the abuses which contributed to produce the Revolution, and, most probably, would at length have caused the downfall of another equally crying abuse with respect to the nobles. Though Bargeton was thoroughly convinced that the clergy had no right to an exemption from imposts, yet, being aware that the firmness of Louis XV. was not to be relied on, he advised Machault either to prohibit the ecclesiastics from holding meetings, or to decline a contest with them. “I have the king’s promise to stand by me,” said Machault. “He will break it,” replied the advocate, who, in this instance, proved to be a prophet. Bargeton, nevertheless, lent his aid to the comptroller-general, and wrote a series of admirable letters, on the subject of the clerical immunity. His labour was in vain. Unchangeable in nothing but sensuality and despotism, the king yielded; the clergy triumphed; and the letters of Bargeton were suppressed by an order of council. The author did not live to witness this event; he died early in 1753, before his work had passed through the press. The suspicion of carrying on an improper correspondence with Spain, though it does not appear that he was connected with the Duchess of Maine’s party, gave another prisoner to the Bastile. Nicholas Mahudel, who was born at Langres, in 1673, was by profession a physician; but his celebrity was acquired by his profound knowledge of history and numismatics. So extensive were his talents and information upon those subjects, that he was chosen a member of the Academy of Inscriptions, and he took a very active part in the proceedings of that learned body. His servant having betrayed to the police some letters which his master had written to Spain, at the period when all intercourse with that country was looked upon with a jealous eye, the consequence was, that Mahudel was lodged in the Bastile for several months. It was while he was in prison that he wrote his “History of Medallions,” of which only four copies were printed. His other productions are chiefly dissertations on medals, and on historical questions. He died in 1747.