There, you see a double refracting telescope: for two _sous_, you enjoy its effect. At either end, you place any object whatever, and though a hat, a board, or a child be introduced between the two glasses, the object placed appears not, on that account, the less clear and distinct to the eye of the person looking through the opposite glass. _Pierre_ has seen, and cannot believe his eyes: _Jacques_ wishes to see, and, on seeing, is in ecstacy: next comes _Fanchon_, who remains stupified. Enthusiasm becomes general, and the witnesses of their delirium are ready to go mad at not having two _sous_ in their pocket. Another fellow, in short, has a microscope, of which he extols the beauty, and, above all, the effects: he will not describe the causes which produce them, because he is unacquainted with them; but, provided he adapts his lessons to the understanding of those who listen to him, this is all he wants. Sometimes he may be heard to say to the people about him: "Gentlemen, give me a creeping insect, and for one _sou_, I will shew it to you as big as my fist." Sometimes too, unfortunately for him, the insect which he requires is more easily found among part of his auditors, than the money. P.S. For the preceding account of the Parisian conjurers I am indebted to M. Pujoulx. LETTER XXVIII. _Paris, December 4, 1802_. In one of your former letters you questioned me on a subject, which, though it had not escaped my notice, I was desirous to avoid, till I should be able to obtain on it some precise information. This I have done; and I hasten to present you with the following sketch, which will afford you a tolerably-correct idea of the FRENCH FUNDS, AND NATIONAL DEBT. The booked or consolidated debt is called TIERS CONSOLIDÉ, from its being the consolidated third of the national debt, of which the remaining two-thirds were reimbursed in _Bons de deux Tiers_ in 1797 and 98. It bears interest at five per Cent. payable half yearly at the _Banque de France_. The payment of the interest is at present six months in arrear. But the intention of the government is, by paying off in specie the interest of one whole year, to pay in future as soon as due. The days of payment are the 1st of Germinal (23d of March) and the 1st of Vendémiaire (23d of September). This stock purchased at the present price of from 55 to 60 would produce from eight to nine per cent. The general opinion is, that it will rise to 80; and as it is the chief stock, and the standard of the national credit, it is the interest, and must be the constant object of the government to keep up its price. There is a _Caisse d'amortissement_ or Sinking Fund, for the special purpose of paying off this stock, the effect of which, though not exactly known, must shortly be very considerable. The _Tiers Consolidé_ is saleable and transferable at a moment's warning, and at a trifling expense. It is not subject to taxation, nor open to attachments, either on the principal or interest.