The other professors of the reformed faith were forbidden to leave the kingdom; and, in order to prevent them from making their escape, the outports and frontiers were strictly guarded.

It was thought that the flocks, thus separated from the evil shepherds, would soon return to the true fold.

But in spite of all the vigilance of the military police there was a vast emigration.
It was calculated that, in a few months, fifty thousand families quitted France for ever.

Nor were the refugees such as a country can well spare.
They were generally persons of intelligent minds, of industrious habits, and of austere morals.

In the list are to be found names eminent in war, in science, in literature, and in art.