30 JOURNAIv OF THE 



ame Paliss}' could no long-er be disreg'arded and he 

 g-ave up for awhde. 



For a year and a half he was conjugally a happy 

 man, but scientifically wretched, for the fire of genius 

 within could not be quieted. Having earned some lit- 

 tle mone}^ by other work, he turned again to his enamel. 

 For two years he continued his experiments and Mad- 

 am Paliss}^ scolded. His house was stripped, his chil- 

 dren hungry. He agreed to make one final experi- 

 ment, and if it failed to give up that for which he had 

 labored five long, hard years. His trial was a partial 

 success and nerved him to further efforts. 



Time fails me to follow him through all of his trials 

 and disappointments. I do not know of any more piti- 

 ful and yet more wonderful and stirring account of 

 man's triumph over obstacles that most would call in- 

 surmountable. 



He blundered thus for fifteen or eighteen years. He 

 wasted away until there was no form nor prominence 

 of muscle on arms or legs. He received no help nor 

 consolation at home nor abroad, and yet he triumphed at 

 last. The secret was learned, the art was won. No- 

 blemen visited his cottage. Madame Palissy smiled 

 again and purchased a "fine grass-green camlet "as some 

 sort of amends for her furniture, burned in his furnace, 

 and her years of home happiness sacrificed. He remov- 

 ed to court, was highly fav oredby the king, and France 

 and Europe were filled with his fame. 



May 3^ou have something of his energy and his per- 

 severance and be blessed with wives more patient and 

 more helpful than Madame Palissy. 



