To this may be added (which we have likewise prov’d) that nor only the sole Power of Creating and Abdicating their Kings, but also the Right of electing Guardians and Administrators of the Commonwealth, was lodged in the same Publick Council.  Nay, and after the Kings were created, the supreme Power of the Administration was retained still by the same Council.  And ’tis not yet full a hundred Years since 36 Guardians of the Commonwealth were constituted by the same Council, like so many Ephori:  and this during the Reign of Lewis the Eleventh, as crafty and cunning as he was.  If we seek for Authorities and Examples from our Ancestors, we may find several; there is a remarkable one in Aimoinus, lib. 4. cap. 1. where speaking of Queen Brunechild, Mother to young Childebert; “The Nobility of France (says he) understanding that Brunechild designed to keep the chief Management of the Kingdom in her own Hands; and having always hitherto, for so long a Time disdained to be subject to a Female Domination, did, &c.”  And indeed it has so happned in the Days of our Ancestors, that whenever Women got into their Hands the Procuration of the Kingdom, they have been always the Occasion of wonderful Tragedies:  Of which it will not be amiss to give some Examples.  Queen Crotildis, Mother of the two Kings, Childebert and Clotarius, got once the Power into her Hands; and being extravagantly fond of the Sons of Clodomer, (another of her Sons then dead) occasion’d a great deal of Contention, by her endeavouring to exclude her Sons, and promote these Grandsons to the Regal Dignity; and upon that Score she nourished their large Heads of Hair with the greatest Care and Diligence imaginable, according to that ancient Custom of the Kings of the Franks, which we have before given an Account of.  The two Kings (as soon as they understood it) presently sent one Archadius, who presenting her with a naked Sword and a Pair of Shears, gave her Choice which of the two She had rather shou’d be applied to the Boys Heads.  But She (says Gregory of Tours) being enraged with Choler, especially when She beheld the naked Sword and the Scissars, anwer’d with a great deal of Bitterness—­“Since they cannot be advanced to the Kingdom, I had rather see them dead than shaven”—­And thereupon both her Grandsons were beheaded in her Presence.  The same Gregory, lib. 3. cap. 18. subjoyns—­“This Queen, by her Liberalities and Gifts conferr’d upon Monasteries, got the Affections, Plebis & vulgi of the common People and Mob:  Date frenos (says Cato) impotenti naturae, & indomito animali, & sperate ipsas modum licentiae facturas.  Give Bridles to their unruly Natures, and curb the untamed Animal; and then, you may hope they shall see some Bounds to their Licentiousness.”  What an unbridled Animal and profligate Wretch was