The proceedings were opened by an address from the Chancellor Michel de l’Hopital, one of the greatest and noblest men of the sixteenth century. When he rose to speak, his lofty stature, pale face, and long white beard filled the spectators with admiration, and an involuntary murmur ran through the assembly. He seemed the very model of a senator and magistrate. First bending the knee to his royal master, and then seating himself again at the king’s desire, he proceeded to state the motives that had induced the government to call the Estates together, and to point out very explicitly that they were mere “counters in the king’s hands,” and that their sole duty was to “petition and obey.” It did not occur to any of his hearers to ask why they were assembled at all if such were their duties and position. Adverting to the religious dissensions, the chancellor advised the Catholic members “to adorn themselves with virtue and holy living,” and to attack their adversaries with arms of charity, prayer, and persuasion. “The sword,” he added, “is of little avail against the understanding; gentleness will make more converts than violence.” Yet even this large-hearted man could not see the possibility of two forms of religion existing side by side in the same state: he wanted uniformity, where he should have been satisfied with harmony. “It is foolish,” he said, “to look for peace, repose, and friendship between persons of different creeds. An Englishman and a Frenchman may live together on good terms, but not two people of different religions, who dwell in the same city. One faith, one law, one king.” For this reason he proposed a national council, which might reform abuses, and so reconcile the two parties, adding “that if the pope did not call one the king would.” The chancellor concluded his long harangue by drawing their attention to the disordered state of the finances. “No orphan was ever more destitute of resources than our young king,” he said. The public debt amounted to forty-three million livres, paying the enormous though ordinary rate of interest, namely, twelve per cent. Nor was it easy to see how such a debt could be met, considering that the expenditure exceeded twenty-two million livres, while the total annual revenue barely amounted to twelve millions.[219]