places; but that each one in his own sphere should work as best he could, and that they might furnish information when conversions were likely to be made in families of consideration, in order that his Majesty might think it over, and make the requisite provision. At the same time they should by no means neglect the opportunity of making conversions amongst the families of the people, for which very little would be required, as we have seen in these valleys, where for two, three, four or five pistoles, numerous families have been gained. I have even signified to them that they may go as high as 100 francs, though I have received no fresh order from his Majesty to pay the bills of exchange drawn upon me. This has been attended to most religiously in that respect by those to whom I had written of it. I said the same thing to Mr. Potel, Secretary to the Duke of Verneuil, who was going to the States of Languedoc, in order that he might be prepared with information to give the Bishops assembled there, and I have confirmed to him by letter what I had already said, and that, the more cheerfully, because the King, animated by the great success, has just made a fresh appropriation for the purpose, of one-third of the funds derived from the revenues of vacant Bishoprics, collected or to be collected from the month of December last, which funds are to be regularly laid aside for this use. It will only begin to be productive next year, but we may hope from that time to draw a regular supply for the future. Things remain yet in the state they were; even though he funds are not now available, means will be forthcoming to pay bills drawn upon me. But the following conditions must be strictly observed:—
- That on no occasion must it be unknown, or little know persons, or persons without character, who draw upon me.
- That each draft be accompanied by an abjuration, certifier by the Bishop of the Diocese, the Intendant, or some other important official personage, and also a receipt to be given to the Ecclesiastic appointed by his Majesty to receive the temporalities of the Abbeys of Cluny and St. Germain des Prez, together with the third appropriated for the new conversions.
Still the sum of 100 francs may be given, though it is not intended to give as much on all occasions, economy being most essential, first, in order to let this dew water as large a surface as possible, and also for the consideration that if 100 francs be given to insignificant individuals, without families, how much larger would be the
