obtained by hawking pictures. Each plate costs, design and engraving
included, about 600 francs, off which are struck about 10,000 copies, at
40 francs per thousand, and there is a further expense of 250 francs to
their publisher; and they obtain a net profit of 210 francs on every
thousand. This, indeed, is working to advantage. And it can easily be
imagined with what rapidity all these are sold. The fathers themselves
are the travellers for the Society, and it would be difficult to find
more zealous or persevering ones. They are always well received, and do
not know what it is to meet with a refusal. They always take care that
the publisher should be one of their own body. The first person whom they
selected for this occupation was one of their members, possessing some
money; but they were obliged, notwithstanding, to make certain advances
to enable him to defray the expenses of its first establishment. But,
when they became fully convinced of the success of their undertaking,
they suddenly called in these advances, which the publisher was not in a
condition to pay. They were perfectly aware of this, and superseded him
by a wealthy successor, with whom they could make a better bargain; and
thus, without remorse, they ruined the man, by thrusting him from an
appointment of which they had morally guaranteed the continuance."

[12] Louis XIV., the great King, punished with the Galleys those
Protestants who, once converted, often by force, afterwards returned to
their first belief. As for those Protestants who remained in France,
notwithstanding the rigor of the edicts against them, they were deprived
of burial, dragged upon a hurdle, and given to the dogs.--E. S.




CHAPTER XV.