BY theſe Miſſioners the pious Father Vincent, having the nobleſt hearts of Paris adherent to his pious Counſels, and their purſes lying open to his charitable ſuggeſtions; in the extream wants and calamities of Lorain hapning in thoſe days, procured to be ſent thither at divers times, and cauſed to be diſtributed amongſt the moſt needy, to the ſumme of ſixteen hundred thouſand Franks (that is, ſixteen hundred thouſand Piſtols) to which the ſaid Miſſionaries added no leſs large proportion of their ſolicitudes and pains, who ſpent their whole time for many years together in viſiting the poor and the ſick, and in furniſhing many thouſands of them with all things neceſſary for body and Soul. Concerning this: God's providence, who will have honour to follow thoſe that flee it, and exalt him who humbles himſelf, failed not to draw divers authentical teſtimonies from the grateful hearts of the obliged perſons, addreſſed to this Father; which may not be ſuffered to lye in obſcurity.

The ſame Father alſo excited by the freſh Informations of his pious Miſſioners, who were labouring every where in the middle of deſolations, concerning the great calamity and miſery of the nearer Neighbours of Picardy and Campaine, devoured and waſted with war and famine, and conſequently with ſickneſs, applyed himſelf again for their relief to the compaſsionate bowels of the good Ladies of the Charity; which pious Dames he aſſembled once or twice a week to ſuch purpoſes, and communicated to them his Intelligence.

AS Mr. Vincent, and the pious Pariſian Ladies Charities had wrought, and were ſtill working, wonders among the poor diſtreſſed people abroad: ſo his and their pious care did not the while overlook Paris, nor was wanting at home. Here he conſidered the lamentable condition of ſo many poor abandon'd new-born Infants, whoſe bodies and ſouls are expoſed to utter perdition, either by the unnatural cruelty of naughty women, or by the extream poverty of neceſsitous parents, who covertly leave them in the ſtreets to all adventures; of which kind of deſerted Innocents it is obſerved, in this vaſt world of Paris, that ſcarce a year paſſes without three or four hundred in the town and ſuburbs; and ſuch a growing nurſery, every one will judge, cannot be maintained with a little. He therefore by their charity procured an Hospital to be built in St. Lazar's ſuburbs, for the future reception of ſuch children as were found ſo expoſed; the annual maintenance whereof, amounts to no leſs than four thouſand piſtols, which is ſtill growing up to more and more, for Charitas numquam excidit. And theſe poor ſouls are till this day nouriſhed and brought up under the care and aſſiſtance of ten or twelve good Siſters of the Charity, with the help of a number of Nurſes, who live in the ſaid Hoſpital, together with a many more in the Country, who receive a monthly pay. When they are once weaned they are delivered back to the Siſters of the Charity; who in teaching them to ſpeak, teach them alſo to pray, to know God, to love and ſerve him. As they grow up in years they are taught ſome little works to keep them out of idleneſs, till providence ſort them with ſome fit occaſion for their future being.

The ſame Father alſo by his powerful exhortations, and for the advancing them in the fear, of God, and of their poor neighbours, as alſo for the more plentiful relief of the neceſſitous, prevailed with the Princeſſes and Dutcheſſes, and other Ladies of the prime Nobility of Paris, to the number of two hundred and above, to deveſt themſelves of the rich and ſumptuous robes ſuitable to their illuſtrious conditions, and to preſent themſelves in the Hoſpitals in the modeſt attire of ſimple gentlewomen, with aprons before them, to ſerve and comfort the moſt deſpicable creatures alive; as common Beggars, Porters, and wounded Soldiers, moſt naſty and gaſtly to behold. And this they make their buſineſs, and go ſeriouſly about it, as if it were a thing belonging to them of duty, without diſcovering any niceneſs of or diſdainfulneſs thereat. Nor do they go thither for faſhion ſake, and by way of divertiſement: but as their hearts are full of compaſſion upon the beholding of ſuch ſad objects, ſo are their mouths full of conſolation and inſtruction, and their hands no leſs repleniſhed with charitable preſents agreeable to the infirmities of thoſe, otherwiſe contemptible, creatures (if they did not eye our Saviour Chriſt in them); which relief the poverty of the Hoſpitals could not ordinarily afford to ſo vaſt numbers. Whereas thoſe good Ladies made plentiful proviſion thereof in every kind, in a Chamber near adjoining which they hired to that purpoſe. And every day by turns four of them performed that pious miniſtery of going from bed to bed to make the diſtribution, with an humble meekneſs well ſuited to ſo Chriſtian a work. By theſe familiar and pleaſing corporal aſſiſtances the good Ladies gained the hearts of thoſe poor people, and in conſequence their Souls: for it was obſerved, that in the ſpace of one year, they induced ſeven hundred and ſixty of thoſe infirm and maimed perſons to abjure their Hereſy, and imbrace the Catholick Faith. To ſay nothing of multitudes of others, who were moved by their vertuous examples and wholſome advice to make general confeſſions, and to reſolve of a more Chriſtian life than formerly they had led. Nor did this ſuperlative example of chriſtianity keep within the compaſs of what theſe noble Ladies performed in their own perſons: but as the nature of good is to be communicative, it ſpread it ſelf not only all over Paris, but even extended to many remote Villages and Dioceſſes, to the extream ſolace and relief of poor honeſt families, who were as little accuſtomed to beg their bread, as otherwiſe little able to gain it by their daily labours.

WHile Father Vincent was ſetling a livelihood for theſe poor Artificers, who through their age were not able to gain their living, his compaſſion was called upon to aſſiſt others who are ſcarce worthy to live. Theſe were the Gally-ſlaves, whoſe double miſery he eyed with much pitty. Comfort of conſcience he ſuppoſed they could have little, being burdened with crimes: nor comfort of body, being loaden with chains, and exceſs of want and miſery. And yet he knew too, that to comfort the comfortleſs, be the perſon what he will, never ceaſed to be a work of mercy. He doubted not but that their crimes well deſerved what they ſuffered, and that a juſt verdict had condemned them to no more than a condigne puniſhment in ſending them to the Gallies. Yet he conceived withal, that it was not the judges ſenſe that they ſhould periſh at Paris who were ſentenced to ſuffer at Marſeilles; and that judgment without mercy is to thoſe that ſhew not mercy. He takes then their ſad and comfortleſs condition ſeriouſly to heart. He inſtantly applies his moſt humble ſubmiſſion and ſutes to King Lewis the thirteenth, and the Magiſtrates, in their behalf: and obtains the old tower of St. Bernard's Gate for their habitation, till they amount to a competent number, to be ſent away according to cuſtome. Thus by his care are they provided of lodgings. But where muſt food be found for body and ſoul? Food for their bodies for a while iſſues out of his own and Mrs. Le Gras's ſmall ſtock. And for their Souls the pious Prieſts of St. Nicholas de Chardennet, and his own Miſſioners plentifully furniſh.

But ſoon after the divine providence abundantly provides: For a perſon of Paris of a vaſt fortune, left by his laſt Will and Teſtament ſix thouſand pounds a year forever, for the relief of thoſe miſerable creatures, whoſe deſerts could lay claim to nothing.

This plentiful fund is left under the adminiſtration of the Procurator general of the Parliament for perpetuity. And whereas the ſaid place of their abode was in the pariſh of St. Nicholas de Chardennet, the Curate thereof was liable to adminiſter the Sacraments unto them, and to bury their dead corps: which being a great burthen for that poor little pariſh, Mr. Vincent prevailed with the Adminiſtrators to allow the ſaid Prieſts thirty Piſtols per annum out of the Fund, upon condition that they ſhould be obliged to ſay their Maſs, to exhort, catechiſe them, and perform other ſpiritual functions requiſite; which they diſcharge moſt worthily, and with very great care and charity.

Thus were the poor Gallerians well provided-for during their ſtay at Paris. And that they might likewiſe be ſo after their departure thence to Marſeilles, He (who alſo himſelf had formerly been taken upon the Mediterranean Sea, and carryed Slave into Barbary) forthwith applies himſelf to the moſt eminent Cardinal of Richlieu, who was then General of the Gallies; and to Madam La Ducheſſe of Ayguillon, his vertuous Neece: repreſents to them the miſerable State of the Gally-ſlaves, and the extream want of an Hoſpital for them, where they might be aſſiſted in the time of their ſickneſs. Their piety procured that ſuch an Hospial was built. Here again was a houſe, but other helps were as yet wanting. Whereupon Mr. Vincent had recourſe to the bounty of that moſt conſtantly religious Queen Regent (Mother to King Lewis the fourteenth, who now happily reigns) whoſe memory is in eternal benediction, to deal with him to become the Founder of this Hoſpital: which was done accordingly by his Letters Patents in the year 1645. and was indowed by his Majeſty with twelve hundred Piſtols.

The bleſſed effects of this royal Charity you may partly know by a Letter written to Mr. Vincent by a moſt charitable Gentleman of Provence, called Mr. de la Coste, who had much contributed to that work: His Letter was as follows.

A Company of Burgeſſes of good note were moved to compaſſion by the miſerable ſpectacle of poor Children, who through their parents death, or extream want, were reduced to ſuch poverty that they were ready to periſh with hunger and cold.

They repaired to the Biſhop of the place, who erected a many of them into a Confraternity, to have a joint care to relieve thoſe poor Children; which pious office till this day they charitably comply with, as their Predeceſſors had done before them; and that ſo throughly too, that they gave theſe poor Children not only their cares and pains while they were ſtrong and well able, but ſome even themſelves too when grown old, with all their ſubſtance; and ſo happily ended their days among them: and thereby it proſpered and grew up to what it now is.

The Eſtabliſhment as it was begun for the neceſſity of the poor Children of Paris, ſo it is limited to them alone; in ſuch ſort, that none can be admitted there but Children born in Paris, or the Suburbs, in lawful marriage, whoſe fathers and mothers are dead; Baſtards, and others found in the ſtreets, being excluded as well by the rules of the houſe, as by the Kings Letters Pattents. Theſe poor Children, qualified as above, are even taken from the breaſt into this Hoſpital, where they are provided of Nurſes at the coſt thereof, and are carefully viſited and treated. As they grow up they are put to ſome Trade, as well to Maſters who reſide in the ſaid Hoſpital, as to others abroad. Such of the Boys, as they find of good wits and otherwiſe capable, are bred up in learning, and become Clergy-men: or elſe, as well they, as the Girles, are provided for in Religion at the charges of the Hoſpital, if they have a will and inclination to that holy courſe of life. The reſt are diſpoſed of to ſerve ſome perſons of quality. The boys which have learnt any trade are helped to paſs Maſters. And the Girls are aſſiſted with ſome certain ſumme of money to marry them. And being come to lawful age, what ever they may have brought with them is reſtored to all of them in general without limitation. They are cloathed in decent apparel of a Violet colour. There are at this day ſome two hundred in the houſe. And beſides thoſe as many as make up in all about two hundred and thirty or two hundred and forty at nurſe. To all theſe the common Charity of Paris give ſubſiſtance.

Such proviſion made for the poor fatherleſs children of Paris: yet there were abundance of others in, and about the town, who had both father and mother, and remained yet in a more lamentable condition than thoſe that are deprived of them. Theſe might periſh indeed through want of ſuccour, yet being in their baptiſmal innocency they would be eternally happy. Whereas theſe others by their neceſſitous and wicked parents are trained up in idleneſs, ignorance and malice, their parents own trade (made their miſerable child's portion); and by that bad art, to which they needed no Maſter, they become able cheats, cut-purſes and thieves; and ſo by that accurſed trading often gain a halter and hell to boot. The Provoſt of the Merchants and Magiſtrates were excited, by this probable occaſion of future miſchief to the City, to ſtudy the prevention of it; and to turn a threatning miſchief, to a preſent mercy: Which was done as follows.

Two noble Germans, as it ſeems to be intimated, had long ago purchaſed two Acres of land near St. Deniſe's Gate, out of a pious deſign to lodge poor Pilgrims, who coming weary might ſooner meet, with a lodging, than, in a manner with the town it ſelf. To this purpoſe they raiſed from the ground a noble fair Hall (together with ſome other buildings) of twenty one fathome and half long, ſix in breadth, and four in heighth within. This in tract of time being put to idle, impertinent and even prophane uſes, the Parliament and Magiſtrates, out of their wiſdome and charity, reſcued it out of prophaneſs, and applyed it to the work of mercy, for which it now ſerves. viz. They took all the Boys which paſſed ſeven years of age out of their poor and ungodly parents hands, and placed them in this Hospital; the care whereof was committed to five honeſt and able Burgeſſes, who provided them of men and maids to ſerve them. As all beginnings are weak, ſo was this in particular. Their ſmall beginning ſtock would hardly reach to two meals a day, till the Charity of ſome Burgeſſes added to their ſmall pittance. They are clad in blew Coats and Capps, and the place affords them food and inſtruction till they grow up to years of diſcretion: and then they are bound Apprentices to certain Journey-men of divers trades; who to this purpoſe are admitted to live in certain houſes, all within the compaſs of the Hoſpital for certain years, and by that means to paſs Maſters. A Priviledge which the town allowed of for the good of thoſe poor Children, who by this means are enabled to gain their livelihood honeſtly by their labours, without being a burthen, or a miſchief to the town &c. They amount at preſent to the number of one hundred and fifty.

PRoviſion being already made for poor Orphans of Paris, as well Boys and Girls, as alſo for Boys taken out of the hands of wicked parents; ſtill new inventive Charity ſets up another Hoſpital, for the aſſiſtance of other fatherleſs and motherleſs boys, of the villages round about Paris, being about ten or twelve years of age, or under. This bleſſed work was founded by that vertuous Lady Margaret Queen of Navar and Dutcheſs of Bar, whom Belforeſt ſtiles the mirrour of the Ladies of her time. To this the Charity of good people contributed, and in tract of time built a new Chappel and other lodgings.

Theſe are clothed in red to intimate Charity: and as well theſe as the Blew-boys gain part of their livelihood by carrying Torches at the funerals of ſuch as deſire them. They are now only about the number of forty.

THis Hoſpital is called but one (Hoſpital General) but branches it ſelf into ſix vaſt places. That which bears the name, and has the Sur-intendance of all the reſt, is ſituated in St. Victor's Suburbs (cloſe by the Abby of that name) and is known by a more particular name, our Lady's of Pitty; which the Maſters and Adminiſtrators of the place built, having to that purpoſe bought divers houſes and gardens, and alotted them all, to receive, lodge, and nouriſh poor old women and young girls, whereof there are at this hour twelve hundred and odd.

The Hoſpitals depending upon this, are the Salpetriere, Biſceſtre, Scipion, the Teigniery, and the Savonnery: In which ſix places, above eight thouſand poor Creatures are contained and maintained at preſent, by the care of the King, and the Magiſtrates, and the free and common Charities of all the people, which is received in ſmall trunks or boxes, placed in Churches and Shops all the town over.

The Salpetriere is far the moſt ample of all theſe places, being built from the ground in a fair and regular Quadrangle, and is capable of four or five thouſand perſons. It is finely ſituated in a Meadow by the river ſide, over againſt the Arcenal. It was eſpecially deputed to the uſe of Vagabonds and Beggars, which importuned and infeſted all Paris, whither they ſwarmed from all the Provinces. It is divided in the uſe of it into three quarters. One quarter is imployed to lodge poor families, not otherwiſe able to live. Another for men who are obliged to work according to their abilities: And the third for little Girls even from two years old.

Scipion is in St. Marceaux Suburbs, and is wholly imployed in a work of ſingular Chariity: viz. Poor women with child, who have not means at home to be brought to bed, are freely received there, brought to bed and lye in, being provided of Nurſes and all things fitting in ſuch a condition.

The Caſtle of Bicestre is an ancient building ſtanding a little out of St. Victor's Suburbs. It is for thoſe who have ſtrength and ability to work. There are in it at this time about eighteen hundred men, who are kept cloſely to the exerciſe of their divers trades.

The Teignery is in St. German's Suburbs; and is imployed to keep one hundred and twenty, who are troubled with skal'd heads. As the Savatery is alotted for the charitable entertainments of ſixty poor ſickly boys.

Now as this is the thing of moſt publick and general concern of all the reſt, as being a royal Eſtabliſhment, and royally endowed by his Majeſties liberal Conceſſions in many kinds; and as the end of it is, not only to relieve the poor for the preſent, but to prevent poverty and beggary for the time to come: great Art and Induſtry is uſed, to train up the younger ſort in ſuch manufactures as may always afford them an honeſt livelihood: and others who, though ſtrong and luſty, and well able to work, yet chooſed rather to live in idleneſs, and beg their bread, are now taught and forced to gain it by their labours. Which that it might be followed without any interruption, it is ordered by publick authority, that when any of them happens to be ſick they are tranſported to the Hoſtel Dieu, that general Refugium Afflictorum which never refuſeth any. Hence it is that the greateſt Officers of his Majeſties Court of Juſtice, Magiſtrates, &c. are intruſted, and take a religious concern in the menagement of this vaſt work, in quality of honourable Surviſors, having ſtore of able, honeſt, and intelligent Burgeſſes, to put in execution what by their frequent aſſemblies and conferrences is found moſt conducing to the publick welfare.

And no leſs care is taken for the ſpiritual advancement of thoſe lazy Vagabonds, who were too neglectful of their Souls good, and would willingly have loitered it out in the ſtreets and by-corners, with too probable hazard of eternal perdition; had they not been forced in, according to the Goſpel, with fair hopes to gain the day-penny of Beatitude. This care is principally left to the wiſe conduct of a Sorborn Doctor, of great learning and vertuous reputation, his name is Mr. Polier, Governor of this Hoſpital in chief, Director of the Viſitation, and of the Carmelites. He humbles himſelf to take a place, and live among theſe Beggars: which as it is a place of little ſplendor, ſo proves it to him of leſs emolument; ſave only that it affords him full utterance for ten or twelve thouſand franks a year, which he ſtood poſſeſſed of in patrimony or benefices before he embraced that dear beggarly preferment. He has the ſollicitudes of all the ſix places upon his own ſhoulders, being aſſiſted with a matter of twenty pious Prieſts, who inceſſantly under his directions preach, teach, inſtruct, comfort, confeſs, communicate, &c. Here it muſt not be omitted to God's Glory, and the Honour of thoſe excellent Ladies of Charity, ſo-often mentioned above with deſerved commendations; That they were the firſt Movers to this vaſt work; by whom Mr. Vincent was often in their weekly charitable Aſſemblies ſollicited, yea importuned to give way to, and accompany, their zeal in that kind. But his grave counſel ſtill was, That they went too faſt a pace for him (whoſe cuſtome was to walk ſlowly) to keep company with them. That it was a buſineſs of ſo great importance, and ſo vaſt extent, whether one looked upon the manner how to compaſs it, or the means to maintain it, that it required a long and mature deliberation. For the reſt, that he was ſingularly edified with their zeal, and infinitely bleſſed God in it. The firſt Lady that ſpoke freely offered towards this great work fifty thouſand Livres.

The ſecond was ready to oblige her ſelf to give three thouſand Livres annual rent. In fine they aſſured him again and again that there ſhould be no want of means, ſince many Ladies of their acquaintances were reſolved to contribute in a very large meaſure.

Whereupon Father Vincent had recourſe to the Queen Regent, and obtained of her free Charity the Salpebry (as he had before the Caſtle of Biſceſtre) which he and thoſe vertuous Ladies, upon better conſideration and ſecond thoughts, freely conſigned up into the hands of the Magiſtrates, who had not only ſtronger arms (for ſtronger and more couragious hearts they could not have) to weald ſo heavy a frame, but by their power withall they were able to call many hands to lighten the burthen. Meanwhile theſe noble Ladies threw notable ſummes into theſe ſtronger hands; not much caring by whom, ſo God's work were done. And by their own and the good Fathers care and coſt a great quantity of linnen beds, and other moveables, together with ten thouſand Shirts by number were provided for God's new Houſe-keepers, and to make the poor welcome.

They opened their hands to the needy, and ſtretched out their palms to the poor: Let their works praiſe them in the gates of heaven.

THE perfect Deſcription of this vaſt Family is of a work rather to be admired, than to be expreſſed to the full. It is a Sea which ſtill ſo ebbs and flows, that it is continual high-water, ſtill a full Sea there.

Scarce a day in the year paſſes, but there are fifty, ſixty, eighty, or ſometime a hundred new Commers; and haply too a like number may depart to make place for their poor neighbours, whether as being recovered and ſent back to their own houſes, or dead and ſent to their graves. In a word, this Sea is ever ſo growing, and ſo grown, That twenty at leaſt, or twenty five, thouſand come and return, or dye in a years ſpace.

Thoſe of any Country, or Religion, or Age, or Sex, or ſick of whatever diſeaſe, excepting the Peſtilence (who neceſſarily are excluded for the ſafety of the reſt) are here equally admitted. They rather laying two or three poor boys in one bed than refuſing any. Their ordinary numbers are always vaſt; they have rarely leſs than ſeventeen, or eighteen hundred, often times two thouſand, nay ſometimes they paſs three thouſand; as I was certainly informed by one of the Doctors thereof. Yet that great Proviſor, who with five barley loaves and two fiſhes could ſatiate a far greater multitude in the wild Deſart, can when he pleaſeth, and doth in due time, open the hearts and purſes of the good Pariſians to feed thoſe huge numbers of his diſtreſſed members. And however their conſtant annual Revenues mount to an immenſe ſumme; viz. to two hundred fifty eight thouſand three hundred and thirteen Livres French, as it is ſtated by the Adminiſtrators of the place, yet are they ſtill obliged to lift their hands up to their heavenly foſter father, for ſixty ſeven thouſand three hundred Livres (ſometimes leſs, ſometimes more) in common years, which yet out of his ſingular mercy never fails to riſe out of the free charity of particular perſons.

As for the firſt and principal Founders or Benefactors of this place, as it is found in the Antiquities of Paris, in the year ſix hundred and ſixty, St. Landry the twenty eighth Biſhop of Paris, in the reign of King Clovis the ſecond, was the firſt who put a hand to this holy work, now called God's Houſe, where he nouriſhed the poor out of his own Revenues.

In the year 1258 (according to Gagnin) St. Lewis King of France imployed a great ſumme, to inlarge the ſaid Hoſpital, and to augment the Revenues thereof, as ſaith William Nangis in his life. The Chappel was built by a Burgeſs of Paris named Gudart Mocreux, as appears upon a plate of braſs in old rhimes.

In the year of our Lord 1535. Chancellor Pratte, who was afterwards Cardinal, and Legate in France, made this Hoſpital be very much amplified by the addition of one ſpacious room, which is called the Legates Hall. He gave withal a great ſubſtance to maintain the poor of the place, the Religious women who ſerve them, and the Surgeons, Doctors, and to buy Phyſick.

In the year 1602. King Henry the great cauſed the great and little Hall of St. Thomas to be re-edifyed. They were begun the foreſaid year, and were finiſhed in the year 1606. together with the three maſſy Pillars which were raiſed out of the River.

Thus by many hands and ſundry additional endeavours at divers times it grew up at length into a huge bulk; yet for all that, it was neither anſwerable to their large hearts who have the care of it, nor to the vaſt number of the poor and needy which continually ſuper-abounds. Whereas therefore the Land could afford them no Elbow-room, the place being limited on all ſides (viz. with two ſtreets, our Ladies Church, and the river) they forced the River to afford them place by making a bridge over the back of it, upon which they have gained a fair large and long Gallery, and by that again they diſcovered a way open to a greater inlargement: for having purchaſed a company of old buildings on the other ſide of the water, they raiſed upon their ruines a ſtately vaſt, and even a royal, quarter conſiſting of three moſt ſpacious Halls, all of hewn ſtone. Nor are theſe and the old Halls divided by the River, but it is even it which affords a fair large Court in the middle of them; which is no leſs agreeable to the eye, than uſeful for the ſick to take the air, and to air the whole houſe. All the ancient building conſiſts of four great Halls and ſeven Offices.

The Legates Hall, and the New Hall, are appointed for ſick women. The Hall of women brought to bed is aſſigned for their lying in. The Hall of the Infirmary is alotted for men that are moſt ſick.

The Office of St. Deniſe is for thoſe that are wounded. The Office of St. Thomas for ſick men.

The Office belonging to Dame Prioreſs, and three other Religious, is imployed to wind the Dead.

The Office of the Waſh-houſe is uſed to dry the Linnen of the ſick and that of the Community.

The Office of the Watchers for thoſe who watch with the ſick fifteen nights together.

The Office of her who keeps the Trunck and the Relicks, and dreſſes the Church for that uſe.

The Office of the Porter is deputed to receive the ſick, to ſee them viſited, lodged and confeſſed. who is withal to give out bread and wine for them.

There is alſo an Apothecary where Ointments, Salves and medicinal Druggs are kept in a readineſs.

A great Waſh-houſe for all the Clothes in general.

A little one where thrice a day they waſh the Linnen of ſuch as are more grievouſly ſick.

The Veſtery out of which the ſick are furniſhed with beds, which yet might rather be called the traſh-houſe, wherein all the poor peoples riches, I mean their raggs, are kept for their uſe.

There are alſo many more places for the Prieſts (who are ten conſtantly, beſides many others, who out of their particular devotion come frequently to inſtruct and comfort the ſick) and domeſtical ſervants &c. as every one will eaſily conceive. There are alſo four Drs of Phyſick entertained in ordinary with Surgeons to the number of twelve.

As for the number and quality of thoſe who tend the ſick: all the Halls and Offices, and all theſe multitudes of ſick and lame creatures, are looked to, tended and provided for, by the painful and perpetual labours of about a hundred vertuous Nuns of St. Augustines Order (who make their ſolemn profeſſion of three Vows, of Poverty, Chaſtity, and Obedience, in the preſence of the Dean and Canons of our bleſſed lady, who have all ſpiritual and temporal juriſdiction in this place): Theſe few Religious Virgins (few I ſay compared to the vaſt numbers of the ſick) freely renouncing their own liberty, and all hopes of worldly preferment, to become the ſervants of the moſt poor deſpiſable ſervants of God: that I may not ſay their ſlaves, ſince a more abject and ſlaviſh life can hardly be deviſed. Whence Boteras an ancient Poet, admiring the charity and conſtancy of the ſaid Religious women, who ſerve the ſick amidſt ſo much filth and infection, expreſſes himſelf in four Latine Verſes to this effect.

They waſh all the clothes of thoſe multitudes of naſty goary impotent, and even too often impudent, people, even in the moſt rigorous cold of winter; then they ſtand in the river all the day long in great ſtiff boots, not unlike to thoſe of Fiſhermen, be it froſt or ſnow, with their Beetles in their hands, being many times all garniſhed round about their habits with Icicles.

Further they muſt every one in their turns ſerve them with their meat, drink, and all things neceſſary. They muſt turn and wind them in their bed, make the ſame, dreſs their ſcabs, and wounds &c. watch them amidſt the gaſtly horror of the night, where Death is domineering in the Hall round about them: Finally aſſiſt them dying in great numbers, wind their dead bodies, and ſend them to their Graves.

This ample Charity conceived alſo that it was not enough to relieve poor people in their ſickneſs, and to ſend them home being pretty well recovered to make place for others, according to the neceſſity of the place: unleſs their Charity provided further for their future well being, and re-eſtabliſhment in their accuſtomed ſtrength and vigour; relapſes being frequently found more dangerous than the ſickneſs it ſelf. Hereupon it was, that thoſe conſiderate perſons took a houſe not far diſtant, where thoſe new Convaleſcents have liberty to paſs a longer time in that freſher air, and ſo wholly to confirm their ſtrength.

The Good Siſters of the Hoſtel Dieu have yet two houſes more, which depend upon their charitable aſſiſtance; viz. St. Lewis in St. Laurences Suburbs, a moſt ſpacious, magnificent and truly King-like Building, whoſe Majeſtical aſpect ſpeaks the greatneſs of a royal Founder, Henry the Great.

And another called la Santè, a little diſtant from St. Marzeaux Suburbs. And they are both alotted to the relief of poor people, who may chance to be afflicted with the plague, whom theſe good Souls have the heroical Charity to tend.

In their ordinary imploy in their Hoſtel Dieu they freely give themſelves over to the moſt abject and ſlaviſh life imaginable. But in this they ſacrifice up themſelves to the moſt diſmal death poſſible. So that they put the higheſt rate upon their Charity that man is capable of, as is made good by our Saviour himſelf, no man hath a greater Charity than to give his life for his friends.

THere is alſo an Hoſpital founded on ſet purpoſe for the poor Incurables; where if Chriſtian Charity cannot cure their deſperate diſeaſes, ſhe may at leaſt ſolace them in their continuing afflictions. And this bleſſed office of Chriſtianity is performed with ſo much ſweetneſs and affectionate care in this place, that thoſe poor deſolate creatures obſerving that they ſuffer not alone, but that their brethren in Chriſt bear a part of their burthen with them by compaſſion, they ſeem to be half cured.

The illuſtrious perſon who firſt invented and founded this heavenly habitation, ſeconded by the bountiful liberalities of his pious Majeſty Lewis the thirteenth, who freed them not onely of all duties belonging to the Crown, but alſo gave them his Rights of Entrees of Wine &c. together with a general exemption from all ſubſidies and impoſitions &c. This illuſtrious Patron, I ſay, was the moſt religious and eminent Cardinal de Ruſhfaucaud, who lived, beyond the ordinary courſe of nature, to fee a good part of this deſign on foot. To which he contributed bountifully. viz. He endowed the place with a yearly rent in perpetuum of three thouſand and ſix hundred Franks, or three hundred and ſixty Piſtols, and laid down wherewith to build a fair Church and two Halls in the year 1637.

The place fixed upon for this moſt agreeable work was in St. German's Suburbs, in a moſt healthful and delicious air, conſiſting of no leſs than ten acres of ground in one fair peice. There the vaſt Charity of Paris finds a large field to dilate it ſelf upon. And in very deed it ſeems it will meet with work enough for a long time, ſince, as I am told, the Deſign is to build eight or ten fair large Halls, all to be furniſhed with beds, as we ſee at preſent, with comely white fuſtian curtains, with each one a ſtraw bed, a feather bed and a good quilt, together with an Altar to every Hall, where thoſe impotent people may hear Maſs in their beds. Of all theſe deſigned Halls there are as yet only four perfected.

The excellent Adminiſtrators of the place are yearly improving the Revenues, as well by common Charities, which by their ſingular induſtry and dexterity they procure, as by the addition of their own means, one of them paying fifteen hundred Livres French, or one hundred and fifty Piſtols for himſelf and his man per annum, and freely contributing as much more yearly out of pure Charity, beſides three thouſand pounds which he gave the firſt year to plant and beautify the garden. So that their purely charitable and ſucceſsful labours, together with their own liberalities, heighten their hopes to ſuch a degree, that they confidently propoſe to themſelves to extend that pious foundation, which was firſt made for a dozen onely (ſix men, and ſix women) to four hundred. Nor will it be much to be doubted of (if God grant life to thoſe admirable Proviſors, in whoſe management the place now flouriſhes); ſince by their care, liberality, and proſperous endeavours they have already in a few years multiplied twelve, to one hundred and ſixty, which are entertained at preſent. And indeed God's Bleſſing hath already ſo viſibly appeared upon this holy foundation that ſince the year 1637, till this preſent year 1666 (the year wherein this relation was firſt publiſhed) it is augmented by the Charities of Paris, in point of buildings, to the value of five hundred thouſand french Livres, and as much more in foundation of beds, making in all a french Million, beſides ſixty thouſand Livres in annual Revenues. That part which relates to the bodily care of the Incurables, and the continual aſſiſtances which are neceſſary for thoſe poor creatures which are incapable in the leaſt to help themſelves, is performed by good young-men (as to the poor men) who out of Devotion ſubject themſelves to that abject imployment, taking a reaſonable conſideration for that holy and hard ſervice. And as to the women, there are modeſt Secular Maids, who comply with the like good offices with much religion, ſweetneſs and compaſſion.

The other duty, which concerns their Souls, is abundantly diſcharged by the continual ſollicitudes of a company of moſt pious Prieſts, who live in the place, to be ready upon every call; and who are ſo abſolutely free from all ſelf intereſt that they pour out their own ſubſtance in that Chriſtian Service, in lieu of gathering together any riches thereby. Witneſs Mr. Despond the Vicar, who hath the chief charge of the Spirituality of the place, who out of his own Patrimony (in a few years that he hath lived there) hath given to the houſe above twelve thouſand Livres; with intention to leave his fair and well choſen Library, which is worth ten thouſand more, for the uſe thereof. In a word the beautiful contrivance of the whole building, the excellency of the ſituation, and the odour of the admirable Charity practiced therein, delightfully allures perſons of great worth and honour to reſide there, Abbots, Counſellors, &c: Who, after they have given ample teſtimonies of their abilities in profitably ſerving the publick the beſt of their years, know to make a holy retreat, and to ſacrifice up the honourable reſt of what they ſometimes were, to God along in that devout Sanctuary, where they build themſelves noble quarters during their lives, to be left to the Hoſpital as Monuments of their Piety after their deaths.

Moſt worthily may be added to theſe that moſt famous Biſhop of Beſlay, that Lover of the poor and poverty, which he truly practiced; for tho he did not actually live with them, yet did his affection and approbation always accompany them, his ambition, as he oft ſaid, never going higher than to be reputed a poor Chaplain of that holy family: Hence he left them what he had, and the relicks of what he had been to be interred in their Church. Requieſcat in pace.

THere are many other excellent works of Charity exerciſed in Paris. As in that Hoſpital of the Racquet in the Suburbs of St. Anthony's, which depends on another in the Town behind the Place Royal; governed by a company of good Nuns of St. Augustine's Order, who receive a many good Burgeſſes in their infirmities and incommodities, and treat them with much charity and goodneſs, affording them handſome beds, good diet, and all things neceſſary.

There are other two houſes; effects of the late Charities of Paris: the one for men, and the other for women newly converted.

The firſt in St. Victor's Suburbs; the other near St. Euſtache's. They are taken in, and maintained gratis for three months ſpace at leaſt, to be thoroughly inſtructed and conſtantly ſetled in the truth.

God ſo bleſſed the pious endeavours of a good Lady called Madam D'Estang, among the good people of Paris, That ſhe has procured ſubſiſtance for two hundred and fifty poor young Maids (which her care hath gathered together); who by her grave prudence are modeſtly and chriſtianly bred, and carefully kept out of harms way; to which that Sex and thoſe green years are but too incident.

Multitudes of Girls are taught (for meer Charity) to ſerve God, to read, to write, to work divers kinds of work, whereby they are enabled to become good Houſewifes at home, or to gain their liveli-hood among the Merchants: Taught as well in Religious houſes, eſpecially the Ʋrſulanes, whoſe proper Profeſſion it is, as in divers particular Congregations (which are common all over Paris) where good Widdows and ancient Matrons devote themſelves to that pious care.

To conclude, poor diſtreſſed people of the general Hoſpital, the otherwiſe deſerted Gallyſlaves, and the deſolate Priſoners, often experience the comfortable viſits of the nobleſt Ladies of Paris: who ſolace the firſt with their affable and pious Diſcourſe; and oftentimes deliver the later by paying the ſumme for which they were impriſoned.

One of the moſt principal of pious Works being, the building Churches for God's publick Service, and houſes of Religious, by whom he may be more conſtantly, and without all ſecular diſtractions, adored. The City of Paris for theſe is much renowned, the Catholick Piety of which in thirty years ſpace hath produced at leaſt forty conſiderable Churches and Chappels with fair Monaſteries to the moſt of them.