Gueux devot qui se heurte de la tete jur une pierre pour recevoir-la charite. Gueux devot qui se fait bruler des drogues jur la tete jusqui a ce quion lui donne la charite. Religieux en penitence pour avoir ete jurpris avec une femme.

“Devout wretch who bumps his head against a stone to receive charity. Devout wretch who makes himself burn drugs on his head until he receives charity. Religious in penitence for having been caught with a woman.”

From Denis Diderot’s, Encyclopaedia which was a monument in the history of European thought, undermining the ancien regime and heralding the French Revolution. It was a permanent source for all aspects of eighteenth century knowledge. It was edited by the brilliant Denis Diderot (1713-1784).

Provenance: Wigan Public Library (stamp)

References: Printing and the Mind of Man 200.