In 1653,[437] we find Mazarin, while engaged in the siege of a city, holding a grave correspondence with his secretary Colbert concerning the purchase of some points from Flanders, Venice, and Genoa. He considers it advisable to advance thirty or forty thousand livres "à ces achapts," adding, that by making the purchases in time he will derive great advantage in the price; but as he hopes the siege will soon be at an end, they may wait his arrival at Paris for his final decision.[438] PLATE XLVIII. [Illustration: BRUSSELS. BOBBIN-MADE.--Period Louis XIV., 1643-1715. In the Musée Cinquantenaire, Brussels.] PLATE XLIX. [Illustration: BRUSSELS. POINT D'ANGLETERRE À RÉSEAU.--Eighteenth century. Widths, 2 in. and 3½ in. Photo by A. Dryden.] _To face page 150._ {151}[Illustration: Fig. 70. ANNE OF AUSTRIA.--(M. de Versailles.)] Colbert again writes, November 25th, pressing his Eminence on account of the "quantité de mariages qui se feront l'hyver." A passage in Tallemant des Réaux would lead one to suppose these laces were destined as patterns for the improvement of French manufactures. "Per mostra di farne in Francia," as the Cardinal expressed himself. Certainly in the inventory of Mazarin[439] there are no mention of Italian points, no lace coverlets to his "Lict d'ange moire tabizée, couleur de rose chamarrée de {152}dentelles d'or et d'argent." We may almost imagine that the minister and his secretary combined were already meditating the establishment of Points de France. In this reign, fresh sumptuary ordinances are issued. That of November 27th, 1660, is the most important of all,[440] and is highly commended by Sganarelle in the "Ecole des Maris" of Molière which appeared the following year:-- "Oh! trois et quatre fois soit béni cet édit, Par qui des vêtemens le luxe est interdit; Les peines des maris ne seront pas si grandes, Et les femmes auront un frein à leurs demandes. Oh! que je sais au roi bon gré de ses décrets; Et que, pour le repos de ces mêmes maris, Je voudrais bien qu'on fit de la coquetterie Comme de la guipure et de la broderie." [Illustration: Fig. 71. A COURTIER OF THE REGENCY.--(After Abraham Bosse.)]