The present state of France containing a general description of that kingdom corrected and purged from the many gross mistakes in the French copy, enriched with additional observations and remarks of the new compiler, and digested into a method conformable to that of the state of England / by R.W. ...

CHAP. XXV.

Of the Priviledged Tradesmen and Handi∣craftsmen following the Court, and fur∣nishing it with all kind of Merchandises.

FIrst, There are twenty Wine-Merchants selling Wine, both by Whole-Sale, and Retail, Four∣teen Vintners, or Sutlers, Four Glassmen, Twenty Butchers, Twenty six Poultrers, Rosting-Cooks, and Fishmongers, Eight Pastry-Cooks, Twelve Sellers of Hog-meat, Ten Bakers, Two Sellers of Ginger-Bread and Starch, Ten Verdurier-Fruitrers, or Sel∣lers of Herbs and Fruits, Four Confectioners, Four∣teen Cooks for Extraordinary Entertainments, and to work in the Houses of the chief Courtiers. Eight Violins; Four Chyrurgions, Six Apothecaries, Twenty six Taylors, Twenty six Mercers, Jewel∣lers,

and Grocers, Eight Linnen-Drapers, Nine Glovers and Perfumers, Fourteen Shoemakers, Nine Coblers, otherwise more decently by them named Solers of Shoes, Eight Skinners, or Furriers, Six Curriers and Belt-makers, Six Embroiderers, Eight Lace-Sellers, Four Haberdashers of small Wares, or Jacks of all Trades, Two Feather-men, Six Sellers of second-hand Stockings, Four Brokers, Two Far∣thingale-makers, Two Sellers of Parchment, Five Hatters, Six Girdlers, Eight Sword-Curlers, Three Spurriers, Ten Sadlers, Four Cutters and Scratch∣ers, Two Joiners, Two Clock, and Watchmakers, Two Goldsmiths, Two Booksellers, Twelve Fur∣nishers of Hay, Straw and Oats, Four Armorers, Six Arquebusiers, or Gun-smiths, Two Painters, and two Guilders and Engravers.

All these Tradesmen have their Grants from the Provost of the Houshold, who is Great Provost of France, who is Judge, Guardian and Conservatour of their Priviledges, and in their Grants, they are declared free, acquitted and exempt from all Du∣ties exacted at Bridges, Ports, Passages, Importa∣tion, Exportation, and all Gabels, and other Du∣ties or Impositions whatsoever.

The first priviledged Merchants that follow the Court, are the twelve Wine-Merchants, called, the Celler of twelve, besides their Deputy, or Depu∣ties, which they keep at the Celler called, the Celler of twelve: These Wine-Merchants commonly at∣tend very diligently at Paris, and at the Royal Hou∣ses nigh Paris; but in Journies, and at Fountainbleau it self, which passes with them for a Journey, two of these Master Wine-Merchants, serve either two whole Months together, or else, the space of two Months at several times; as for Example, if the two in Waiting, had served but one Month at Fountainbleau, the same two are obliged to serve out another Month the first Journey that is taken.

These places are sold for about 25000 l. apiece, and the Officers possessing them, have so confirmed them to themselves by agreement with the Great Provost, that when they die, he disposes not of their places, but gives leave to the next Heir, either to succeed in them, or to sell them; but for this Pri∣viledge, every one of the twelve pay him an an∣nual Tribute of 400 l. which is a kind of a Paulette, or Continuation-Fee.

They have the sole Priviledge of selling Wine in Bottles to those that follow the Court.

The twenty five Vintners or Sutlers that follow the Court, are lodged always at the Sign of the White-Cross, and are bound to dress Victuals for people, as well as to sell Wine, whereas the Wine-Merchants of the Cellar of twelve, sell only Wine. Their Places are sold at about 12000 l.

There is a Chaplain of all the Merchants follow∣ing the Court, commonly called, the Chaplain of St. Barbara, which says Mass for them every Sun∣day, at present, at the Convent of the Penitent Wo∣men, or of the Order of St. Mary Magdalen at Paris; where every of them, in his turn, presents the Holy-Bread.

Note, That none of these Priviledged Merchants and Artisans, nor those neither of the Kings Ward∣robe, and other Royal Houses, can enjoy their Pri∣viledges any otherwise but from the day their Grants or Commissions were registred in the Regi∣ster-Book of the Provost-ship of the Houshold, as it has been determined by an Order of both the Privy and Great Council.

There are likewise several other Tradesmen set down in the Book of Establishment, as the Printer for Musick, and others.

Before we end this Chapter of the Priviledged Merchants, it is not amiss to add this remark, that besides these there are others called Veterans, or old Standers, who after a long times service, though

they quit their places, still enjoy the same Privi∣ledges as when they were actually in Office, as some do that were formerly the Kings Barbers, who still enjoy their Priviledges, and by vertue of the same, keep open Shop. But they commonly, when they go off, get Letters from the King, whereby they are declared Veterans.