nd
because he was a man skilled in pottery-making, one of the things
France was eager to perfect, the king wanted to retain him in his
kingdom. Therefore he took Palissy under his protection, and for a
long time allowed him to work unmolested in a little building in the
grounds of the Tuileries. But by and by the Catholic adherents of the
king became too strong even for their royal master's control, and so
insistently did they clamor for Palissy's death that the king was
forced to send for the potter and beg him to renounce his Protestant
faith. Now by this time Palissy was a white-haired man of
eighty. Nevertheless when the king told him he must either recant or
lose his life he did not flinch. Fearlessly he clung to his religion."

"Did they kill him?"

"No. Perhaps it was because the people did not dare displease the
king," answered Mr. Croyden. "They did, however, imprison the old man
in the Bastille and there, after years of confinement, he wasted away
and died. It was probably only the influence of his royal patron that
prevented him from being murdered in the first place. Both the
Henri Deux ware and Palissy's colored enamels brought fame to
France. In 1800 at Nevers, where the blue and white ware similar to
Delft was made, there were twelve factories. Then there was a quaint
pottery made at Beauvais with the coats of arms of France and Brittany
upon it. At Rouen, too, an extensive pottery industry sprang up, and
it was to these factories that in 1713 Louis XIV, when forced to pay
his war debts, sent his silver service to be melted up and replaced by
a less expensive earthenware dinner set. Some pieces marked with the
fleur-de-lis, and probably remnants of this set, are to be found in
French museums. There were various other small potteries in different
parts of France: some at Marseilles, others at Moustiers and Nancy.
There were a number in Paris itself. All of these were making a more
or less fine variety of earthenware. But the time was not ripe for
France's greatest contribution to china-making. Of that you shall hear
some other day. Now have I not told you quite a long story?"

"A long one and a very good one," said Theo. "I hope you'll tell me
another very soon."

"Will you never have enough of all this chinaware?"

Laughingly Theo shook his head.

"I'd like you to keep right on until----"

"Until you are on your feet again," interrupted Mr. Croyden
teasingly. "Then I suppose you will promptly run