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alone. All these little girls are become mistresses, and findingthat Laperri'ere gained a great deal, they determined to work forthemselves and to their own profit, so that in their turn theyemployed others; this industry has thus by degrees so increasedthat above 8000 persons work in Alenpon,Falaise, Seez, Argentan,and all the surrounding parishes of the Pays de Maine, at Fresnov,Beaumont, and Menars. It is a real blessing of heaven sent intothe country, by means of which little children of even seven yearsof age find the means of gaining a livelihood, and others of sup-porting their parents and their whole family. The old men workand find it answer. As soon as the work is finished, they are ableto sell it, and are paid. It is this which makes them so miser-able, because all sorts of persons are not fitted to work at the finepoint they wish to make, and the children will be frustrated andsent away, because they cannot be sufficiently skilful to work atthe fine point; and all those who gained their subsistence cannotsucceed, being accustomed to a point of which they have nowthe sale.

“ This it is which causes the resistance, thinking their trade isbeing taken away from them and the means of paying their taxes.Phe little shepherdesses of the fields even work. This is what inconscience I am obliged to represent to you, and to make youknow' all that they wished to do to a country favoured by heavenwith this industry, which gives life and maintenance to so manythousand souls. This is the truth of the matter.”

The remonstrance of the worthy intendant met with the at-tention it deserved.

On September 14 following, after a meeting headed by Prevostand the Marquis de llasnes, intendant of the city, it was settledthat after the king had found 200 girls, the rest were at libertyto work as they pleased; none had permission to make the finepoint of the royal pattern except those who worked for the manu-factory ; and all girls must show to the authorities the patternsthey intended working, “ so that the king shall be satisfied andthe people gain a livelihood.”

The “maitresse dentelliere,” Catherine du Marcq, writes toColbert, November 30, 1665, complaining of the obstinacy of thepeople, who prefer the old work. “ Out of 8000 women, we havegot but 700, and I can only cotint on 250 who at least will havelearnt to perfection the Venetian point, the remainder merelyworking a month and then leaving the establishment.”

M