ii Desmarest and French Industries 5 1 



especially distinguished itself for the enlightened views 

 which it took in this new line of national activity. It 

 sought to spread throughout the kingdom a knowledge of 

 the best processes of manufacture, and to introduce what- 

 ever was found to be superior in the methods of foreign 

 countries. Desmarest was employed on this mission from 

 1757 onwards. At one time he would be sent to in- 

 vestigate the cloth-making processes of the country : at 

 another to study the various methods adopted in different 

 districts in the manufacture of cheese. Besides being 

 deputed to examine into the condition of the industries of 

 different provinces of France, he undertook two journeys to 

 Holland to study the paper-making system of that country. 

 He prepared elaborate reports of the results of his investi- 

 gations, which were published in the Mdmoires of the 

 Academic des Sciences, or in the Encydoptdie Mtthodique. 

 At last in 1788 he was named by the King Inspector- 

 General and director of the manufactures of France. 



He continued to hold this office until the time of the 

 Kevolution, when his political friends Trudaine, Male- 

 sherbes, La Eochefoucault, and others perished on the 

 scaffold or by the knife of the assassin. He himself was 

 thrown into prison, and only by a miracle escaped the 

 slaughter of the 2nd September. After the troubles were 

 over, he was once more called to assist the Government of 

 the day with his experience and judgment in all matters 

 connected with the industrial development of the country. 

 It may be said of Desmarest that " for three quarters of a 

 century it was under his eyes, and very often under his 

 influence, that French industry attained so great a develop- 

 ment." 



