tions. Their enemies, judging only from superficial
indications, might wonder at their strange recuperative energies.
Catharine might exclaim, in amazement at their progress and presumption,
that "the Huguenots were like cats, for, in falling, they always alighted
on their feet."[1378] But those who looked into the matter more closely
saw that this was no mere accident. A contemporary writer, who is also a
declared antagonist, praises their prudence and good conduct at the
present juncture. "We must not be astonished," he remarks, "if in a short
time the Protestants carry through such great repairs and so difficult to
be believed. No sooner have they set foot in a place than they consider
its position and deliberate as to what can be done to render it strong, or
at least tenable. In all diligence they execute their decisions and
enterprises, however great and difficult they may be, by the good order
they practise and by a prompt obedience to the commands given them. So
that I confess that they surpass us in prudence and conduct. Moreover, so
soon as they are in a place, they appoint persons in whom they have the
greatest confidence, to collect the king's revenues, as well as the income
of the ecclesiastics and of those bearing arms against them, without
regard for any save the gentilhommes. Their receipts are faithfully
applied to the benefit of their cause, and they know how to employ these
sums so well, that with little money they carry on great enterprises. So
far as possible they relieve the poor husbandmen. In this they conform to
the fashion of the Indians, who, in time of war, do not injure the
laborers, their families, their beasts of burden, and the implements used
in cultivating the earth, but abstain from burning their houses and
villages, and leave them in peace, deeming the tillers of the ground to be
ministers of the common weal and the nursing fathers of the other
estates.[1379] ... If necessity constrain them to make use of the
husbandmen, they bring them to it as freely and graciously as possible,
more by fair words than by force, employing caresses, and meantime
protecting their cattle, their harvests, and all their property. When
marching through the country, without indulging in insolence, abusive
language, or plunder, they eat what they find in the houses, and keep
their soldiers under good control. They instantly establish in the places
they hold a council of the most capable and experienced persons..