Note 193-5 — Chapter IV
John J. (John Joseph) Lalor translation
Turgot tells of Parisian "usurers" who made weekly advances to the market women of la Halle, and received for 3 livres, 2 sous interest; that is 173 per cent. a year. The premium for insurance may have been very high here. When such loaners were brought before the courts, and they were sentenced to the galleys, the usual punishment for usury, their debtors came and testified their gratitude by begging for mercy to them! (Mémoire sur le Prêt d'Argent, § 14, 31.) Compare Cantillon, Nature du Commerce, 276.