The most of these centred about the present town of North Castle.

THE DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT.

The Huguenot Settlement. -- Simultaneously with Luther's work in Germany thereformed ideas were widely spread in France. They were born on French soil, but were greatly strengthened by the progress of the Reformation in Germany, and grew rapidly under the active influences of Geneva. French Protestants were not long in drawing into two classes, -- the Lutherans and the Huguenots. Their numbers increased so rapidly that, in the reign of Henry II., they entertained hopes of becoming the dominant political party, aided, as they were, by the fact that several members of the royal family and numerous high oflicials were united with them. Their greatest strength was with the u])per classes. lu 1569 it was recorded that one-thirtieth of the common folk and one-third of the nobles were Huguenots. The union of political ambition and religious faith was unfortunate, but unavoidable in that age. The more nearly even the balance of power, the more eager were the rivalries and the more bitter the animosities. Now the Protestants were persecuted and then they were encouraged.

In 1572 the King's sister became the wife of Henry of Nararre, who was the Huguenot leader. The leading Protestants were invited to Paris to the nuptials, where, on the night of St. Bartholomew, a general massacre of the Protestants was begun, instigated by Catharine de Medici, the Queen mother. The Huguenots stoutly defended themselves throughout France, although great numbers were slain. The tide of their fortunes constantly ebbed and flowed. In 1598, Henry IV. issued the famous Edict of Nantes, which was helpful to both Catholics and Protestants, reproducing the more favorable and tolerant of former edicts. Under Louis XIII. their rights were again attacked, which led to an unlucky league with England, and resulted in the siege and capitulation of their city of Rochelle.