It was formerly the practice to transact a great share of government business in the country towns ; but, since 1800, Paris has been rendered as much the general centre and resort in that respect as Lon don,—an effectual means of eluding the old and pe culiar usages of the provinces, and of producing uni formity in the execution of the laws, but attended with a surprising accumulation of employes in the government offices of the capital.
The salaries are as follows : Minister, L. 4000; Under Secretary of State, L.1600; Conseiller d'Etat, L. 650; Maitre des Requites, L.250; Prefet (varies, but on an average), L. 1500 a-year ; a Sous Prefet, between L.200 and L. 300.
The most comprehensive, though the least ancient, order, is that of the Legion d' Honneur ; an order instituted by Bonaparte, and maintained on nearly the same plan by the Bourbons. The usual title to admission is the discharge of functions, either civil or military, with distinction; and, in time of war, the performance of an action of eclat. The grada tions are, chevaliers, of whom the number•is unlimit ed, and very great; officers, who amount to no less than 2G30 ; commanders, to the number of 400; grand officers, 160 ; and grand croir, to the number of 80. A member must serve several years as a
chevalier before becoming an officer, and the same progressively through the other ranks. Admissions take place once, and frequently twice a-year ; a ape. cific number being allotted to each great depart ment of the public service, the military, the judicial, and the administrative.
The other orders are, that of St Louis, which is strictly military ; that of St Michel, which dates from 1469, is limited to 100 members, and is confer red as a recompense for distinction in science, lite rature, or the arts. Eminent professional men and artists, and the authors of discoveries of public utility, constitute the members of this order. The order du St Esprit, created in 1578, and of the very highest rank, comprises princes of the blood, prelates, and members of the order of St Michel—the whole li mited to the number of 100.