``The managers of L'Hôtel Dieu were used to charge fifty livres for each patient who either died or was cured. M. de Chamousset and Co. offered to undertake the management for fifty livres, for those only who were cured. All who died were not to be reckoned in the bargain, and were to be at their expense. The offer was so admirable it was not accepted: it was feared that they would not be able to fulfull their engagement. Every abuse which it is attempted to reform is the patrimony of those who have more credit than the reformers.''---Quest. Encycl. art. Charité.