Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1893-02-04

cordlpgly appealed to his subjects, aud
| In 1870 four families, namely, the Benz
ards, Evcrarts. Zoonekent. and Golden,
natives Of Cuoq, in Picardy, offered
their services to the King, who granted
them, for their own use and that OF their
descendants, some 900 acres OF land,
situated at Fort Mardyck. These men
entered into possession OF the land, on
the understanding that they were bound
TO submit TO maritime CONSUMPTION and
to exercise the profession AZ o sailor.
At different stages OF It's progress the
colony Of Fort Msrdyck had TO contend
with attempts levelled against its privi-
lege. None OF lis opponents was sue
cessful, however, and in 1878 Louis XIV.
ratified the concessions granted by bis
predecessor by means Of decree, and
reserved TO the Fort Mardyck PEE pie
the exclusive right OF fishing of Mar
dyck. The village and its royal grant
OF land have remained unaffected by
the numerous changes which have oc.
cured In France since Louis NV. The
actual organization Of the hamlet Is
worthy Of brief description.
The land, consisting, as stated above,
OF about 200 acres, Is divided into two
lots, one OF which Is let to agrculturists,
the rent being appropriated to a fund
established for the payment OF State
taxes and for the distribution Of relief to
members Of the community standing In
need OF assistance. The remaining por.
ton Of the land is allotted to the inhabi-
tants Of Fort Mardyck, each one receiv.
ing at the time OF his or her marriage
about half an acre. Under no circum.
stances may the Fort Mardyck native
resign his ownership. He may secure
tenant for his share OF the land, but
no further transfer is permitted.
This rule. which, unlike others, Is
marked by no exceptions, has proved
instrumental in inducing the villagers to
marry early In life. Their field invaria-
bly, produces more vegetables than they
require for their own maintenance, and
they are, therefore, enabled to derive n
fair profit from the sale OF the extra
supply. Moreover, while her husband
is away at sea, the Fort Mafdyck
woman does not depend for her support
on his wages. She Is able TO subsist on
the produce OF the land, and when the
man returns his pay Is intact.
The Fort Mardyck sailor very soon
manages to build his cottage, and when
this Is accomplished he Is practically
secure from want for lie. Should he
have been unable to save enough money
for his old age he is maintained by the
common fund. On visiting the village
called on the Mayor OF this little repub.
lie, where political squabbles are un.
known, and was supplied by this magis.
trate, who Is stalwart sea captain
named Eyerart and direct descendant
Of one Of the founders Of the colony,
with the following information:
"Our village now numbers LOO In.
habitants. We manage our own affairs
and defray our own expenditures. We
build our public school by subscription,
and am sure we never cost the State n
sou. We are very healthy people
here. We marry early and lead regular
lives. Families OF ten or twelve children
are by no means rare, and In a single
year have registered as many as seven
births OF twins. At this rate our popu
lation doubles In thirty years. suppose
that eventually we shall be compelled to
diminish our allotmen,s, as we are hem.
med In on all sides by neighboring
villages. Besides, am sure the State
will no, give us any more land"
"And what do you do with your
paupersI" inquired.
I'VE have no paupers." said the
Mayor. "Of course, there are few
old people who arc needy. But. as