ABSTRACT
The Palace and the Court became the centre of the “ State ” and “ the Empire was wholly contained therein ” (Duruy). The “ functionaries ” , civil and military, are more honoured, the nearer they are to the sacred person of the Emperor. The State services share in this “ sacred ” character and the title of sacred is given to them. The Imperial Council is the “ sacred consistory ” , and the ministry of finance is called that of the “ sacred largesses ” .
