CHAPTER XI.

General Considerations on the Abduction of the Armenian Patriarch Avedick--Despatch of the Marquis de Ferriol to Constantinople as Ambassador--Difficulties peculiar to this Post--Incautious Conduct of some of Ferriol’s Predecessors--Quiclet’s Adventures--Portrait of Ferriol--His Pretensions at Constantinople--His Eccentricity of Manner--His Behaviour in Religious Matters--The Armenian Church--Short Account of its History--Ardent Desire of the Catholic Missionaries to make Converts--Their Imprudence--Ferriol at first attempts to repair it--Obstinate Resistance of Father Braconnier, a Jesuit--Encroachments and Requirements of the Jesuits 128