LAROCHE, born in 1763 at Blangy in Bourgogne, was, in 1823, an aged vine-dresser, who felt a calm, relentless hatred for the rich, especially the Montcornets, occupants of Aigues. [The Peasantry.]

LA ROCHE (Sebastien de), born early in the nineteenth century, was probably the son of an unpretentious, retired Treasury clerk.  In December, 1824, he found himself in Paris, poor, but capable and zealous, as a supernumerary in the office of Xavier Rabourdin of the Department of Finance.  He lived with his widowed mother in the busiest part of Marais on rue du Roi-Dore.  M. and Madame Rabourdin received and gave him assistance by preparing a copy of a rare and mysterious government work.  The discovery of this book by Dutocq unfortunately resulted in the discharge of both chief and clerk. [The Government Clerks.]

LA ROCHE-GUYON (De), the eldest of one of the oldest families in the section of Orne, at one time connected with the Esgrignons, who visited them frequently.  In 1805 he sued vainly, through Maitre Chesnel, for the hand of Armande d’Esgrignon. [Jealousies of a Country Town.]

LA ROCHE-HUGON (Martial de), shrewd, turbulent and daring Southerner, had a long and brilliant administrative career in politics.  Even in 1809 the Council of State employed him as one of the masters of petitions.  Napoleon Bonaparte was patron of this young Provencal.  Also, in November of the same year, Martial was invited to the fete given by Malin de Gondreville—­a celebration which the Emperor was vainly expected to attend.  Montcornet was present, also the Duchesse de Lansac, who succeeded in bringing about a reconciliation between her nephew and niece, M. and Madame de Soulanges.  M. de la Roche-Hugon’s mistress, Madame de Vaudremont, was also in attendance at this ball.  For five years he had enjoyed a close friendship with Montcornet, and this bond was lasting.  In 1815 the securing of Aigues for Montcornet was undertaken by Martial, who had served as prefect under the Empire, and retained his office under the Bourbons.  Thus from 1821 to 1823 M. de la Roche-Hugon was at the head of the department in Bourgogne, which contained Aigues and Ville-aux-Fayes, M. des Lupeaulx’s sub-prefecture.  A dismissal from this office, to which the Comte de Casteran succeeded, threw Martial into the opposition among the Liberalists, but this was for a short time, as he soon accepted an embassy.  Louis Philippe’s government honored M. de la Roche-Hugon by making him minister, ambassador, and counselor of state.  Eugene de Rastignac, who had favored him before, now gave him one of his sisters in marriage.  Several children resulted from this union.  Martial continued to remain influential and associated with the popular idols of the time, M. and Madame de l’Estorade.  His relations with the national chief of police, Corentin, in 1840, were also indicative of his standing.  As a deputy the next year M. de la Roche-Hugon probably filled the directorship in the War Department, left vacant by Hector Hulot. [Domestic Peace.  The Peasantry.  A Daughter of Eve.  The Member for Arcis.  The Middle Classes.  Cousin Betty.]