About a million of them were serfs, the rest were free men, yet their lot was an unhappy one.

The burdens of society fell with crushing weight upon them.

They paid fifty-five per cent of what they were able to earn to the state, according The peas- to the sober estimate of Turgot.

They paid tithes to the antry clergy and numerous and vexatious feudal dues to the nobles.

The peasant paid tolls to the seigneur for the use of the roads and bridges.