CHAPTER VIII. 111

Law’s importance causes him to be courted by all classes.--Socially ostracised by nobility.--Law’s conversion to Roman Catholicism.--The part of the Abbé Dubois and the Abbé Tencin in the conversion.-- Difficulties in its accomplishment.--Law becomes naturalised.--Law appointed Controller-General of Finance.--Regent celebrates appointment by a distribution of pensions.--Law honoured with the freedom of the City of Edinburgh.--Elected member of Academy of Sciences.--William Law brought to France and made Postmaster-General.--Law’s private investments.--His fiscal reforms.--His introduction of free university education.