They were more than Christians, they were Catholics; they were more than

Catholics, they were Romans, and so touchy in their faith, and so pure,

that they refused to associate with the Hungarian nomads of the comitate

of Pesth, commanded and led by an old man, having for sceptre a wand

with a silver ball, surmounted by the double-headed Austrian eagle. It

is true that these Hungarians were schismatics, to the extent of

celebrating the Assumption on the 29th August, which is an abomination.

In England, so long as the Stuarts reigned, the confederation of the

Comprachicos was (for motives of which we have already given you a

glimpse) to a certain extent protected. James II., a devout man, who

persecuted the Jews and trampled out the gipsies, was a good prince to

the Comprachicos. We have seen why. The Comprachicos were buyers of the

human wares in which he was dealer. They excelled in disappearances.

Disappearances are occasionally necessary for the good of the state. An

inconvenient heir of tender age whom they took and handled lost his

shape. This facilitated confiscation; the tranfer of titles to

favourites was simplified. The Comprachicos were, moreover, very

discreet and very taciturn. They bound themselves to silence, and kept

their word, which is necessary in affairs of state. There was scarcely

an example of their having betrayed the secrets of the king. This was,

it is true, for their interest; and if the king had lost confidence in

them, they would have been in great danger. They were thus of use in a

political point of view. Moreover these artists furnished singers for

the Holy Father. The Comprachicos were useful for the Miserere of

Allegri. They were particularly devoted to Mary. All this pleased the

papistry of the Stuarts. James II. could not be hostile to holy men who

The Man Who Laughs