76
Methods
contrived
by Law, to
recover the
finances of
France
from the
ftate of con-
fufion into
which they
were fallen.
Part talī en
bytheCom-
pany in the
execution
of his pro-
jects.  „
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE
to the rich, who are marked out as delinquents, mere-
ly becaufe they are rich, be their fortunes well or
ill gotten. It gives encouragement to informers, who
point out as fit objeds for tyranny fuch as it may be
advantageous to ruin. It is compofed of unmerciful
leeches, who fee guilt wherever they fufped there
is wealth. It fpares plunderers, who know how to
fcreen themfelves by a feafonable facrifice of part of
their riches, and fpoils honeft men who think them-
felves fecure in their innocence. It facrifices the in-
terefts of the treafury to the caprices of a few greedy,
profligate, and extravagant favourites.
All the fprings of the ftate were deftroyed, before
this refource, which bore evident marks of the paf.
fions and prejudice, had been experienced. The fi.
tuation of the body politic became ftill more defpe-
rate, after this convulfive effort. The members of
the ftate loft the little they had left of energy and
life ; fo that it became neceffary to re-animate the
corpfe. This refurredion was not an impoffible thing,
becaufe there was a'general difpofition prevailing to
make ufe of any remedies that were propofed ; the
difficulty was to propofe none but fuch as would be
effedual : The celebrated Law made the attempt.
This Scotchman was one of thofe projedors, or
Slate empirics, who are conftantly roaming about the
courts of Europe, difplaying their talents, and hur-
ried on by a reftlefs difpofition. He was a deep cal-
culator ; and at the fame time, which appears rather
inconfiftent, endowed with a moft lively and ardent
imagination. His turn of mind and charader proved
agreeable to the regent, over whofe underftanding he
foon gained an influence. Law engaged himfelf that
he would re-eftablifh the finances of the kingdom,
and eafily prevailed upon that prince, who was a man
of diffipation and genius, to countenance a plan which
promifed him wealth and reputation. We fhall now
give an account of the feries and refult of his opera-
tions.
Firft, he was allowed, in the month of May 1716,