The Mississippi Scheme -- John Law; his birth and youthful career -- Duel between Law and Wilson -- Law's escape from the King's Bench -- The "Land-bank" -- Law's gambling propensities on the continent, and acquaintance with the Duke of Orleans -- State of France after the reign of Louis XIV -- Paper money instituted in that country by Law -- Enthusiasm of the French People at the Mississippi Scheme -- Marshal Villars -- Strategems employed and bribes given for an interview with Law -- Great fluctuations in Mississippi stock -- Dreadful murders -- Law created comptroller-general of finances -- Great sale for all kinds of ornaments in Paris -- Financial difficulties commence -- Men sent out to work the mines on the Mississippi, as a blind -- Payment stopped at the bank -- Law dismissed from the ministry -- Payments made in specie -- Law and the Regent satirised in song -- Dreadful crisis of the Mississippi Scheme -- Law, almost a ruined man, flies to Venice -- Death of the Regent -- Law obliged to resort again to gambling -- His death at Venice -- The South-sea Bubble -- Originated by Harley Earl of Oxford -- Exchange Alley a scene of great excitement -- Mr. Walpole -- Sir John Blunt -- Great demand for shares -- Innumerable "Bubbles" -- List of nefarious projects and bubbles -- Great rise in South-Sea stock -- Sudden fall -- General meeting of the directors -- Fearful climax of the South-Sea expedition -- Its effects on society -- Uproar in the House of Commons -- Escape of Knight -- Apprehension of Sir John Blunt
