464 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



France, and, upon the management of this pohtical afl'air, 

 they founded their hopes of getting themfelves replaced in 

 the mifTion they formerly enjoyed, and of again fuperfeding 

 their rivals the Franciicans, in diredling all the meafures to be 

 taken for that country's converfion. But this required the 

 utmofl delicacy, for it was well known, that the court of 

 Rome was very much indifpofed towards them, imputing 

 to their haughtinefs, implacability, and imprudence, the lofs 

 of Abyffinia. Their conducft in China, where they tolerated 

 idolatrous rites to be blended with Chriftian woriliip, began 

 alfo now to be known, and to give the greateft fcandal to 

 the whole church. It was, therefore, neceflary to make the 

 king declare firft in their favour before they began to at- 

 tempt to conciliate the pope. 



Louis took upon liiiii the protecHiion of this miiTion with 

 all the readinefs thejefuits defired ; and the Jefuit Verfeau 

 was fent immediately to Rome, with ftrong letters to cardi- 

 nal Janfen, protector of France, who introduced him to the 

 pope. 



Verseau knew well the confequence of the protection 

 with which he was honoured. At his firft audience he de- 

 clared, in a very firm voice and manner, to the pope, that 

 the king had refolved to take upon himfelf the condu(5t of 

 the Ethiopic miffion, and that he had caft his eyes upon 

 them (the Jcfuits) as the fittcft perfons to be cntrufted with 

 the care of it, for rcafons hcjl knoivii to himfelf. The pope 

 difTcniblcd ; he extolled, in the moft magnificent terms, 

 the king's great zeal for the advancement of religion, ap- 

 proved of the choice he had made of the Jefuits, and prai- 

 fcd their rcfolution as highly acceptable to him, immediate- 



