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formed, 18 its members rapidly increased, and in 1668 the capitalamounted to 22,000 livres. Eight directors were appointed, atsalaries of 12,000 livres a year, to conduct the manufacture, andthe company held its sittings in the Hotel de Beaufort at Paris.The first distribution of profits took place in October 1669,amounting to 50 per cent, upon each share. In 16/0, a freshdistribution took place, and 120,000 livres were divided amongthe shareholders. That of 1673 was still more considerable. In1675, the ten years’ privilege ceased, the money was returned,and the rest of the profits divided. Colbert likewise set up amanufactory at the Chateau de Madrid, built by Francis I., inthe Bois de Boulogne. Such was the origin of point lace in France.

The difficulties met by Colbert in establishing his manu-factories can only be estimated by reading his correspondence;in which there are not less than fifty letters 19 on the subject.The apathy of the town authorities and the constant rebellions ofthe lace-workers, who preferred their old stitch, were incessantsources of trouble to him, but eventually Colbert’s plan wascrowned with success. He established a lucrative manufacture,which brought large sums of money into the kingdom, 20 instead

tunt a l’eguille qu’au coussin, en lamaniere des points qui Be font a Venise,Gennes, Bagnse et autres pays estran-gers, qui seroient appelles points deFrance.” In a subsequent arret (15 Oct.1666) it is set forth that the entrepre-neurs have caused to be brought in greatnumbers tire best workers from Veniceand other foreign cities, and have distri-buted them over tire above-mentionedtowns, and “qu’uu moyen de l’npplica-tion que i on y a portee, il 6e fasse enFranco des ouvrages de til si exquis,qu’ils esgellent, mesme surpassent enbeaute les estrangers.'’ Bibl. de la Courde Cassation.

18 Talon, “ secretaire du cabinet,” wasone of the firet members.

We find by an arret., 15 Feb. 1667,that this patent had already been in-ringed. On the petition of .Jean Pluy-mers, Paul, and Catherine de Marcq,“ en-trepreneurs de la Manufacture Royalle detoutes sortes de points de fil,” that not-wi is m ing the prohibition of previousarrets, the merchants contiune to soil and

many to wear, “ par uno license qui nepeut etro permise,” other points, old ornew, than those made in the royal manu-factory, the king renews the prohibi-tion. Arch. Nat. Coll. Bondoneau.—Nov.17 of the same year appears a freshprohibition of wearing or soiling thepasseinents, lace, and other works inthread of Venice, Genoa, and otherforeign countries (British Museum), and,17 March 1668, “ Iterutives ” prohibitionsto wear these, either new or “ commenced’user,” ns injurious to a manufactureof point which gives subsistence to anumber of persons in the kingdom.Ibid.—Again, 19 Aug. 1669, a fresharret in consequence of complaints thatthe workers are suborned and work con-cealed in Paris, &c. Arch. Nat. Coll.Bondoneau.

,0 See Correspondence administrativede Colbert,” published by Depping.

28 Colbert said to Louis XIV.: “Therewill always be found fools enough topurchase the manufactures of France,though France should be prohibitedK