The financial credulity of some classes on the Continent has
'no limit. A few years since, half Naples was robbed by a swindler who offered 48 per cent,for deposits ; and this week a man named Berneau, who traded as V. Mac6 and Co., has fled from Paris, owing £60,000 to depositors. He promised them, and for at least two years paid them, 10 per cent. per 'mensem, and received, it is believed, nearly £400,000 in de- posit, much of it from the priesthood. He employed the money in risky Bourse speculations, paid interest while they succeeded, and fled when they failed, leaving a letter in which he announced his intention of committing suicide. The key to the success of swindles like this is, of course, the ignorant belief prevalent in the remoter districts that a clever speeu. 'later with access to the Stock Exchange and a command of 'capital, can make anything. A hundred per cent. seems just as probable to old ladies as 10. Nobody stops to think why in that case wealthy money.dealers ever do anything but speculate.
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