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The "Characters" of Jean de La Bruyère

Note 420 — VIII. OF THE COURT.

Henri Van Laun translation

Our author imitates some old French writer, or at least employs antiquated words, of which the only one worthy of notice is saffranier, stained with saffron, because the houses of bankrupt traders were formerly stained yellow; hence saffranier meant “a bankrupt.”

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