THE FERPETUAL COMPANY OF THE INDIES. the long nights, caring neither for cold nor hunger nor thirst, each man armed with his heavy bag of coin or well-filled pocket-book, anxious only to secure or to maintain a good place, from which to bid for the coveted shares. At this public auction the Company realised for the 324,000 new shares no less a rate than a thousand per cent, on the nominal value of each share. Taking stock in November, the Directors ascer- tained that whilst they had issued 624,000 shares, re- presenting 312 millions, for which they were respon- sible, they had sold them for 1,797,500,000, francs, representing the enormous profit of 1,485,500,000 francs. Unfortunately but a small portion of this was realised. It is impossible to describe the eagerness and alacrity with which all classes entered into this race for wealth. Men who had been beggars became suddenly rich be- yond previous calculation. A cobbler made for some time two hundred francs a day by establishing a stall for the supply of pen and paper for the calculations of the speculators. Men made a trade of lending their backs as desks upon which speculators might write, and gained thereby considerable sums. The Duke of Bourbon realised twenty millions of francs, and the Duke of Antin welve. Nor was their example a solitary one. Luxury increased in proportion to the establishment of wealth. Unheard of prices were paid for furniture, carriages, and articles of dress. It seemed as though the age of gold had dawned. The principal advantages, however, were realised by those who happened to be in the confidence of Law. To obtain his friendship, even his acquaintance, was the aim of every man's ambition. Princesses vied with duchesses for the honour of an introduction to this disburser of fortunes,* and when this was impossible,
- The dowager Duchess of Orleans everybody. And if Duchesses act
wrote: " Law is so pursued that he thus, ? how will other woman kiss has no rest night or day. A him Coehut, Law, son St/stemc et duchess has kissed his hand before son Epoque.
