This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler

PALISSY
THE
HUGUENOT POTTER.

A TRUE TALE.

BY
C. L. BRIGHTWELL

PHILADELPHIA:
PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OFPUBLICATION
AND SABBATH SCHOOL WORK,
No. 1334 CHESTNUT STREET.

p.3PREFACE.

The readers of this little book mayask, with great propriety, “What is meant by a truetale?” and the answer to this question shall be veryexplicit, as it is of great importance that there should be nomisunderstanding as to the matter of truth or fiction.

What is known of the history of Palissy is gathered from hiswritings, which are written in the form of dialogues, and intowhich he has incorporated short narratives of the events of hisown life, and of the occurrences which took place under his owneyes.  These, and a few incidental notices of him incontemporary writers, are the sources whence the materials forhis life have been gathered.

In the present narrative, I have attempted to give an accountof the facts which Palissy has himself recorded, weaving theminto a tale.  For instance, he tells us, in one of histreatises, of his troubles, and experiments, and sorrows, duringthe time he was engaged in discovering the white enamel; and hegives, now and then, a peep at his domestic life, showing how hispoor children drooped and died; how he became burdened with debt;that his p.4family and friends reproached him for his long andunprofitable toil; and that his neighbors joined in theirinvectives against his folly; also, that when reduced to thegreatest straits, he obtained help from a friendly publican.

So with the religious events narrated: they are given from hiswork, “Recepte Vèritable, par laquelle tous leshommes de la France,” etc. [4]  All that hasbeen done is to arrange these details in order, and give them anarrative form.  There is not one event in this narrativewhich did not actually occur, although it was not possible togive literally a Life of Palissy.

The principal aim has been to call attention to his religiouscharacter, which has been but slightly noticed in the accounts ofthose who have recorded the achievements of this great genius, asan artist in earth.  He was, in fact, a French Huguenot: oneof the glorious band of martyrs for the faith of Jesus; and hehas told us, in a touching and simple manner, what he saw andheard in those days of persecution and trial.

The plan adopted seemed not only legitimate, but the one whichcould best render the work attractive and pleasing to those forwhose instruction it is designed.  They may be assured thatthe sentiments and doings of Palissy are here truly recorded, andif they take his example as an incentive to earnest, patient, andunwearying application—above all, if they adopt his highstandard and the motive which sanctified all his work—theywill not read this “True Tale” in vain.

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