Note 10 — Chapter V · EARLY POLICE: FRANCE.

These convulsionnaires were a sect of the Jansenists who met at the tomb of “Francis of Paris,” where they preached, prophesying the downfall of the Church and the French monarchy. Their ceremonies were wild and extravagant; they contorted their bodies violently, rolled on the ground, imitating birds, beasts, and fishes, until these convulsions (hence their name) ended in a swoon and collapse. The law was very severe against these fanatics, who, however, survived the most vigorous measures.