melted, others burnt, because they were composed of different materials that were fusible in different degrees the green of the lizards was burnt before the colour of the serpents was melted, and the colours of the serpents, lobsters, tortoises, and crabs were melted before the white had attained any beauty. All these defects caused me so much labour and heaviness of spirit, that before I could render my enamels fusible at the same degree of heat, I thought I should be at the door of my sepulchre."

Palissy founded his reputation on the manufacture of what he called "rustic pieces ;" and the title which he took for himself was that of "Worker in Earth, and Inventor of Rustic Figulines" (or small modellings). These were, in fact, accurate models from life of wild animals, reptiles, plants, and other objects, tastefully combined as ornaments, and inwrought with the texture of the vessel. As much a naturalist as a potter, he delighted to imitate upon his ware the bright colours and elegant forms of leaves, flowers, and living creatures; and Mr. Marryatt, a connoisseur in porcelain and fancy pottery, says of the Palissy ware:- "The natural objects which are placed upon this faïence are very true in form and colour; for, with the exception of certain leaves, they were all moulded from nature. The choice he has made shows that this potter was a skilful naturalist; for the fossil shells with which he has ornamented his different pieces are the tertiary shells of the Paris basin, and their species can be clearly recognised. The fish are those of the

Seine; the reptiles and plants, of the environs of Paris. There is no foreign natural production to be seen on

And now, having seen our illustrious potter thus toiling and suffering to acquire the skill which was to make him immortal in the history of art, we must pause for awhile to consider him in another aspect. How diligently he wrought, how lovingly he studied, how indomitably he persevered, we have seen. What was the secret source of so much activity and such surprising self-denial ? Let him speak for himself:— "I have found nothing better," he says (in the preface to one of his treatises) "than to observe the counsel of God, His edicts, statutes, and ordinances; and in regard to His will, I have seen that He has commanded His followers to eat bread by the labour of their bodies, and to multiply the talents which He has committed to them."

In these few words we have the clue to his life's history. The idea which he solemnly and repeatedly recurred to in all his daily life, the "mainspring of his intellectual machinery," was the parable of the talents the duty of every man placed in the world to see how he may best turn his powers to account, and do the utmost good of which his mind is capable.

was religious principle which, aiding and strengthening his natural activity of spirit, forced him to pursue with unwearying energy the upward so great

*The celebrated Buffon pronounced Palissy to be " a naturalist as Nature only can produce."

path. He laboured with the conviction that the eye of God was upon him; and when he desired rest and refreshment he walked abroad and communed with the earth and sky; for he said, "It is a thing just before God, and a great recreation to those who will contemplate admiringly the wondrous works of Nature, glorifying God, and recognising Him in His marvels." Everywhere in his writings Palissy shows a close and reverent acquaintance with the Bible. His quaint and cheerful temper, his artless and vivacious spirit, are united to a solemn religious feeling.

The times in which he lived were stormy and evil; and Palissy, who had embraced the religious views of the Huguenots (or Protestants of France) knew well that at any time he might be called upon to suffer and to die for his faith. But, as he hesitated not to face poverty and reproach in the pursuit of his calling, so he was willing to hazard his life for the cause of Christ Jesus his Lord. In the days of his deepest trouble, when he was struggling, as we have seen, he found consolation in studying the Scripture daily with one poor companion; and these two, having taken counsel together, found out some four or five "simple and unlearned men like themselves, who assembled "one Sunday, in the morning," for the purpose of holding religious worship. Palissy took the lead, and "propounded to them the parable of the talents, and many other such texts," and then exhorted them that it was the duty of all people to speak of God's ordinances and statutes,

and that his auditors should do as he was doing." They accordingly agreed to meet and make exhortations weekly, on Sabbath-days; and "that was the beginning of the reformed Church of the town of Saintes." Of the commencement, prosperity, and sufferings of this Christian community, Palissy has given a short narrative, full of deep and earnest feeling and worthy to form a chapter in a new Book of Martyrs. His heart overflowed as he penned the record; and well it might, for he was a sharer in the joys and sorrows, and partook of the deep trials he described.

As we pursue our narrative, we shall have melancholy proof that in France, during the sixteenth century, men could not follow the dictates of their own consciences without incurring peril of the most fearful penalties.

In the meanwhile, Palissy was prospering in his art. His beautiful designs in pottery, completed with much labour, sold at a price which only the wealthy could afford to pay; and men of rank and influence becoming acquainted with his skill, readily supplied him with commissions.

The celebrated Constable Montmorenci who, during a considerable part of his life, stood first in court favour, and possessed immense wealth, was at that time occupied in the adornment of his famous Chateau d'Ecouen, about four leagues from Paris; and being made acquainted with the unique skill of Palissy, employed him in some of the encaustic decorations of

that mansion, and constituted himself the head patron of the man who had thus succeeded in stamping his genius on clay. Undoubtedly this lofty patronage sufficed to establish our artist's worldly prospects. A man who had been entrusted to assist in the embellishment of one of the most famous architectural works of his time would be sure to have plenty of commissions from a host of gentry who had castles to build or improve.

Happily engaged in such work, and far removed from the old days of solitary toil, he had now two sons assisting in the labours of the well-appointed workshop. All was prosperous in worldly matters; but the troubles that were now beginning to overwhelm the land soon were felt at Saintes. Indeed every town in France was filled with the riot of contending factions, and before long the capital of Saintonge was assailed and taken by a hostile leader, who treated with savage cruelty all the adherents of the reformed party. A terrible scene followed, and the workshop of Palissy was broken into by a rude rabble, himself compelled to hide in a corner, and at length, when discovered, dragged, under the shadow of night, to a dungeon at Bordeaux.

Had he not acquired his secret as a potter, had not his death involved the extinction of a valuable and unique ornamental art, beyond doubt he would in that year-1562-have perished upon the gallows. He was only saved by the prompt interference of the King's lieutenant in Saintes, who immediately bestirred