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diff --git a/old/files/relative.htm b/old/files/relative.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f88444d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/files/relative.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10511 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <title> + MEMOIRS OF CARDINAL DE RETZ + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + .indent5 { margin-left: 5%;} + .indent10 { margin-left: 10%;} + .indent15 { margin-left: 15%;} + .indent20 { margin-left: 20%;} + .indent30 { margin-left: 30%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 100%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + .side { float: left; font-size: 75%; width: 25%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + p.pfirst, p.noindent {text-indent: 0} + span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + --> +</style> + + </head> + <body> + <h2> + MEMOIRS OF CARDINAL DE RETZ + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Memoirs of Cardinal de Retz, Complete +by Jean Francois Paul de Gondi, Cardinal de Retz + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net + + +Title: The Memoirs of Cardinal de Retz, Complete + +Author: Jean Francois Paul de Gondi, Cardinal de Retz + +Release Date: September 29, 2006 [EBook #3846 +Last Updated: October 18, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CARDINAL DE RETZ *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + MEMOIRS OF JEAN FRANCOIS PAUL de GONDI, <br />CARDINAL DE RETZ + </h2> + <h2> + Written by Himself + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Being Historic Court Memoirs of the Great Events <br />during the Minority + of Louis XIV. <br />and the Administration of Cardinal Mazarin. + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="cover.jpg (125K)" src="images/cover.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="titlepage.jpg (73K)" src="images/titlepage.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + CONTENTS + </h2> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#book1">BOOK I.</a><br /><br /> <a href="#book2">BOOK II.</a><br /><br /> + <a href="#book3">BOOK III.</a><br /><br /> <a href="#book4">BOOK IV.</a><br /><br /> + <a href="#book5">BOOK V.</a><br /><br /> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + ILLUSTRATIONS + </h2> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#retz">Cardinal de Retz</a>——<i>Photogravure from + an Old Painting</i> <br /><br /> <a href="#p060j">Turenne</a>——<i>Photogravure + from an Old Painting</i> <br /><br /> <a href="#p100j">Richelieu</a>——<i>Engraving + by Lubin</i> <br /><br /> <a href="#p160j">Anne of Austria</a>——<i>Original + Etching by Mercier</i> <br /><br /> <a href="#p242j">Louis XIII</a>——<i>Painting + in the Louvre</i> <br /><br /> <a href="#p346j">Conde'</a>——<i>Painting + in Versailles Gallery</i> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + ORIGINAL PREFACE. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + Our Author, John Francis Paul de Gondi, Cardinal de Retz, Sovereign of + Commercy, Prince of Euville, second Archbishop of Paris, Abbot of Saint + Denis in France, was born at Montmirail, in Brie, in October, 1614. + </p> + <p> + His father was Philippe Emanuel de Gondi, Comte, de Joigni, General of the + Galleys of France and Knight of the King's Orders; and his mother was + Frances Marguerite, daughter of the Comte de Rochepot, Knight of the + King's Orders, and of Marie de Lannoy, sovereign of Commercy and Euville. + </p> + <p> + Pierre de Gondi, Duc de Retz, was his brother, whose daughter was the + Duchesse de Lesdiguieres. + </p> + <p> + His grandfather was Albert de Gondi, Duc de Retz, Marquis de Belle Isle, a + Peer of France, Marshal and General of the Galleys, Colonel of the French + Horse, First Gentleman of the Bedchamber, and Great Chamberlain to the + Kings Charles IX. and Henri III. + </p> + <p> + This history was first printed in Paris in 1705, at the expense of the + Duchesse de Lesdiguieres, the last of this noble family, whose estate fell + after her decease to that of Villeroy. + </p> + <p> + His preceptor was the famous Vincent de Paul, Almoner to Queen Anne of + Austria. + </p> + <p> + In 1627 he was made a Canon of the Cathedral of Paris by his uncle, Jean + Francois de Gondi, first archbishop of that city, and was not long after + created a Doctor of the Sorbonne. + </p> + <p> + In 1643 he was appointed Coadjutor of the archbishopric of Paris, with the + title of Archbishop of Corinth, during which, such was his pastoral + vigilance that the most important affairs of the Church were committed to + his care. + </p> + <p> + As to his general character, if we take it from his own Memoirs, he had + such presence of mind, and so dexterously improved all opportunities which + fortune presented to him, that it seemed as if he had foreseen or desired + them. He knew how to put a good gloss upon his failings, and oftentimes + verily believed he was really the man which he affected to be only in + appearance. He was a man of bright parts, but no conduct, being violent + and inconstant in his intrigues of love as well as those of politics, and + so indiscreet as to boast of his successful amours with certain ladies + whom he ought not to have named. He affected pomp and splendour, though + his profession demanded simplicity and humility. He was continually + shifting parties, being a loyal subject one day and the next a rebel, one + time a sworn enemy to the Prime Minister, and by and by his zealous + friend; always aiming to make himself formidable or necessary. As a pastor + he had engrossed the love and confidence of the people, and as a statesman + he artfully played them off against their sovereign. He studied characters + thoroughly, and no man painted them in truer colours more to his own + purpose. Sometimes he confesses his weaknesses, and at other times betrays + his self-flattery. + </p> + <p> + It being his fate to be imprisoned by Mazarin, first at Vincennes and then + at Nantes, he made his escape to Rome, and in 1656 retired to Franche + Comte, where Cardinal Mazarin gave orders for his being arrested; upon + which he posted to Switzerland, and thence to Constance, Strasburg, Ulm, + Augsburg, Frankfort, and Cologne, to which latter place Mazarin sent men + to take him dead or alive; whereupon he retired to Holland, and made a + trip from one town to another till 1661, when, Cardinal Mazarin dying, our + Cardinal went as far as Valenciennes on his way to Paris, but was not + suffered to come further; for the King and Queen-mother would not be + satisfied without his resignation of the archbishopric of Paris, to which + he at last submitted upon advantageous terms for himself and an amnesty + for all his adherents. But still the Court carried it so severely to the + Cardinal that they would not let him go and pay his last devoirs to his + father when on his dying bed. At length, however, after abundance of + solicitation, he had leave to go and wait upon the King and Queen, who, on + the death of Pope Alexander VII., sent him to Rome to assist at the + election of his successor. + </p> + <p> + No wonder that King Charles II. of England promised to intercede for the + Cardinal's reestablishment; for when the royal family were starving, as it + were, in their exile at Paris, De Retz did more for them than all the + French Court put together; and, upon the King's promise to take the Roman + Catholics of England under his protection after his restoration, he sent + an abbot to Rome to solicit the Pope to lend him money, and to dispose the + English Catholics in his favour. + </p> + <p> + He would fain have returned his hat to the new Pope, but his Holiness, at + the solicitation of Louis XIV., ordered him to keep it. After this he + chose a total retirement, lived with exemplary piety, considerably + retrenched his expenses, and hardly allowed himself common necessaries, in + order to save money to pay off a debt of three millions, which he had the + happiness to discharge, and to balance all accounts with the world before + his death, which happened at Paris on the 24th of August, 1679, in the + 65th year of his age. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="retz" id="retz"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="retz.jpg (112K)" src="images/retz.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="book1" id="book1"></a> + </p> + <h1> + HISTORIC COURT MEMOIRS. + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + CARDINAL DE RETZ. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + BOOK I. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + MADAME:—Though I have a natural aversion to give you the history of + my own life, which has been chequered with such a variety of different + adventures, yet I had rather sacrifice my reputation to the commands of a + lady for whom I have so peculiar a regard than not disclose the most + secret springs of my actions and the inmost recesses of my soul. + </p> + <p> + By the caprice of fortune many mistakes of mine have turned to my credit, + and I very much doubt whether it would be prudent in me to remove the veil + with which some of them are covered. But as I am resolved to give you a + naked, impartial account of even the most minute passages of my life ever + since I have been capable of reflection, so I most humbly beg you not to + be surprised at the little art, or, rather, great disorder, with which I + write my narrative, but to consider that, though the diversity of + incidents may sometimes break the thread of the history, yet I will tell + you nothing but with all that sincerity which the regard I have for you + demands. And to convince you further that I will neither add to nor + diminish from the plain truth, I shall set my name in the front of the + work. + </p> + <p> + False glory and false modesty are the two rocks on which men who have + written their own lives have generally split, but which Thuanus among the + moderns and Caesar among the ancients happily escaped. I doubt not you + will do me the justice to believe that I do not pretend to compare myself + with those great writers in any respect but sincerity,—a virtue in + which we are not only permitted, but commanded, to rival the greatest + heroes. + </p> + <p> + I am descended from a family illustrious in France and ancient in Italy, + and born upon a day remarkable for the taking of a monstrous sturgeon in a + small river that runs through the country of Montmirail, in Brie, the + place of my nativity. + </p> + <p> + I am not so vain as to be proud of having it thought that I was ushered + into the world with a prodigy or a miracle, and I should never have + mentioned this trifling circumstance had it not been for some libels since + published by my enemies, wherein they affect to make the said sturgeon a + presage of the future commotions in this kingdom, and me the chief author + of them. + </p> + <p> + I beg leave to make a short reflection on the nature of the mind of man. I + believe there never was a more honest soul in the world than my father's; + I might say his temper was the very essence of virtue. For though he saw I + was too much inclined to duels and gallantry ever to make a figure as an + ecclesiastic, yet his great love for his eldest son—not the view of + the archbishopric of Paris, which was then in his family—made him + resolve to devote me to the service of the Church. For he was so conscious + of his reasons, that I could even swear he would have protested from the + very bottom of his heart that he had no other motive than the apprehension + of the dangers to which a contrary profession might expose my soul. So + true it is that nothing is so subject to delusion as piety: all sorts of + errors creep in and hide themselves under that veil; it gives a sanction + to all the turns of imagination, and the honesty of the intention is not + sufficient to guard against it. In a word, after all I have told you, I + turned priest, though it would have been long enough first had it not been + for the following accident. + </p> + <p> + The Duc de Retz, head of our family, broke at that time, by the King's + order, the marriage treaty concluded some years before between the Duc de + Mercoeur—[Louis, Duc de Mercoeur, since Cardinal de Vendome, father + of the Duc de Vendome, and Grand Prior, died 1669.]—and his + daughter, and next day came to my father and agreeably surprised him by + telling him he was resolved to give her to his cousin to reunite the + family. + </p> + <p> + As I knew she had a sister worth above 80,000 livres a year, I, that very + instant, thought of a double match. I had no hopes they would think of me, + knowing how things stood, so I was resolved to provide for myself. + </p> + <p> + Having got a hint that my father did not intend to carry me to the + wedding, as, foreseeing, it may be, what happened, I pretended to be + better pleased with my profession, to be touched by what my father had so + often laid before me on that subject, and I acted my part so well that + they believed I was quite another man. + </p> + <p> + My father resolved to carry me into Brittany, for the reason that I had + shown no inclination that way. We found Mademoiselle de Retz at Beaupreau, + in Anjou. I looked on the eldest only as my sister, but immediately + considered Mademoiselle de Scepaux (so the youngest was called) as my + mistress. + </p> + <p> + I thought her very handsome, her complexion the most charming in the + world, lilies and roses in abundance, admirable eyes, a very pretty mouth, + and what she wanted in stature was abundantly made up by the prospect of + 80,000 livres a year and of the Duchy of Beaupreau, and by a thousand + chimeras which I formed on these real foundations. + </p> + <p> + I played my game nicely from the beginning, and acted the ecclesiastic and + the devotee both in the journey and during my stay there; nevertheless, I + paid my sighs to the fair one,—she perceived it. I spoke at last, + and she heard me, but not with that complacency which I could have wished. + </p> + <p> + But observing she had a great kindness for an old chambermaid, sister to + one of my monks of Buzai, I did all I could to gain her, and by the means + of a hundred pistoles down, and vast promises, I succeeded. She made her + mistress believe that she was designed for a nunnery, and I, for my part, + told her that I was doomed to nothing less than a monastery. She could not + endure her sister, because she was her father's darling, and I was not + overfond of my brother,—[Pierre de Gondi, Duc de Retz, who died in + 1676.]—for the same reason. This resemblance in our fortunes + contributed much to the uniting of our affections, which I persuaded + myself were reciprocal, and I resolved to carry her to Holland. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, there was nothing more easy, for Machecoul, whither we were come + from Beaupreau, was no more than half a league from the sea. But money was + the only thing wanting, for my treasury, was so drained by the gift of the + hundred pistoles above mentioned that I had not a sou left. But I found a + supply by telling my father that, as the farming of my abbeys was taxed + with the utmost rigour of the law, so I thought myself obliged in + conscience to take the administration of them into my own hands. This + proposal, though not pleasing, could not be rejected, both because it was + regular and because it made him in some measure believe that I would not + fail to keep my benefices, since I was willing to take care of them. I + went the next day to let Buzai,—[One of his abbeys.]—which is + but five leagues from Machecoul. I treated with a Nantes merchant, whose + name was Jucatieres, who took advantage of my eagerness, and for 4,000 + crowns ready money got a bargain that made his fortune. I thought I had + 4,000,000, and was just securing one of the Dutch pinks, which are always + in the road of Retz, when the following accident happened, which broke all + my measures. + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle de Retz (for she had taken that name after her sister's + marriage) had the finest eyes in the world, and they never were so + beautiful as when she was languishing in love, the charms of which I never + yet saw equalled. We happened to dine at a lady's house, a league from + Machecoul, where Mademoiselle de Retz, looking in the glass at an assembly + of ladies, displayed all those tender, lively, moving airs which the + Italians call 'morbidezza', or the lover's languish. But unfortunately she + was not aware that Palluau, since Marechal de Clerambaut, was behind her, + who observed her airs, and being very much attached to Madame de Retz, + with whom he had in her tender years been very familiar, told her + faithfully what he had observed. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Retz, who mortally hated her sister, disclosed it that very + night to her father, who did not fail to impart it to mine. The next + morning, at the arrival of the post from Paris, all was in a hurry, my + father pretending to have received very pressing news; and, after our + taking a slight though public leave of the ladies, my father carried me to + sleep that night at Nantes. I was, as you may imagine, under very great + surprise and concern; for I could not guess the cause of this sudden + departure. I had nothing to reproach myself with upon the score of my + conduct; neither had I the least suspicion that Palluau had seen anything + more than ordinary till I arrived at Orleans, where the matter was cleared + up, for my brother, to prevent my escape, which I vainly attempted several + times on my journey, seized my strong box, in which was my money, and then + I understood that I was betrayed; in what grief, then, I arrived at Paris, + I leave you to imagine. + </p> + <p> + I found there Equilli, Vasse's uncle, and my first cousin, who, I daresay, + was one of the most honest men of his time, and loved me from his very + soul. I apprised him of my design to run away with Mademoiselle de Retz. + He heartily approved of my project, not only because it would be a very + advantageous match for me, but because he was persuaded that a double + alliance was necessary to secure the establishment of the family. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal de Richelieu—[Armand Jean du Plesais, Cardinal de + Richelieu, was born in 1585, and died in 1642.]—(then Prime + Minister) mortally hated the Princesse de Guemenee, because he was + persuaded she had crossed his amours with the Queen,—[Anne of + Austria, eldest daughter of Philip II., King of Spain, and wife of Louis + XIII., died 1666.]—and had a hand in the trick played him by Madame + du Fargis, one of the Queen's dressing women, who showed her Majesty + (Marie de Medicis) a love-letter written by his Eminence to the Queen, her + daughter-in-law. The Cardinal pushed his resentment so far that he + attempted to force the Marechal de Breze, his brother-in-law, and captain + of the King's Life-guards, to expose Madame de Guemenee's letters, which + were found in M. de Montmorency's—[Henri de Montmorency was + apprehended on the 1st of September, 1632, and beheaded in Toulouse in + November of the same year.]—coffer when he was arrested at Chateau + Naudari. But the Marechal de Breze had so much honour and generosity as to + return them to Madame de Guemenee. He was, nevertheless, a very + extravagant gentleman; but the Cardinal de Richelieu, perceiving he had + been formerly honoured by some kind of relation to him, and dreading his + angry excursions and preachments before the King, who had some + consideration for his person, bore with him very patiently for the sake of + settling peace in his own family, which he passionately longed to unite + and establish, but which was the only thing out of his power, who could do + whatever else he pleased in France. For the Marechal de Breze had + conceived so strong an aversion to M. de La Meilleraye, who was then Grand + Master of the Artillery, and afterwards Marechal de La Meilleraye, that he + could not endure him. He did not imagine that the Cardinal would ever look + upon a man who, though his first cousin, was of a mean extraction, had a + most contemptible aspect, and, if fame says true, not one extraordinary + good quality. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal was of another mind, and had a great opinion—indeed, + with abundance of reason—of M. de La Meilleraye's courage; but he + esteemed his military capacity infinitely too much, though in truth it was + not contemptible. In a word, he designed him for that post which we have + since seen so gloriously filled by M. de Turenne. + </p> + <p> + You may, by what has been said, judge of the divisions that were in + Cardinal de Richelieu's family, and how much he was concerned to appease + them. He laboured at them with great application, and for this end thought + he could not do better than to unite these two heads of the faction in a + close confidence with himself, exclusive of all others. To this end he + used them jointly and in common as the confidants of his amours, which + certainly were neither suitable to the lustre of his actions nor the + grandeur of his life; for Marion de Lorme, one of his mistresses, was + little better than a common prostitute. Another of his concubines was + Madame de Fruges, that old gentlewoman who was so often seen sauntering in + the enclosure. The first used to come to his apartment in the daytime, and + he went by night to visit the other, who was but the pitiful cast-off of + Buckingham and Epienne. The two confidants introduced him there in + coloured clothes; for they had made up a hasty peace, to which Madame de + Guemenee nearly fell a sacrifice. + </p> + <p> + M. de La Meilleraye, whom they called the Grand Master, was in love with + Madame de Guemenee, but she could not love him; and he being, both in his + own nature and by reason of his great favour with the Cardinal, the most + imperious man living, took it very ill that he was not beloved. He + complained, but the lady was insensible; he huffed and bounced, but was + laughed to scorn. He thought he had her in his power because the Cardinal, + to whom he had declared his rage against her, had given him her letters, + as above mentioned, which were written to M. de Montmorency, and, + therefore, in his menaces he let fall some hints with relation to those + letters to the disadvantage of Madame de Guemenee. She thereupon ridiculed + him no longer, but went almost raving mad, and fell into such an + inconceivable melancholy that you would not have known her, and retired to + Couperai, where she would let nobody see her. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I applied my mind to study I resolved at the same time to take + the Cardinal de Richelieu for my pattern, though my friends opposed it as + too pedantic; but I followed my first designs, and began my course with + good success. I was afterwards followed by all persons of quality of the + same profession; but, as I was the first, the Cardinal was pleased with my + fancy, which, together with the good offices done me by the Grand Master + with the Cardinal, made him speak well of me on several occasions, wonder + that I had never made my court to him, and at the same time he ordered M. + de Lingendes, since Bishop of Magon, to bring me to his house. + </p> + <p> + This was the source of my first disgrace, for, instead of complying with + these offers of the Cardinal and with the entreaties of the Grand Master, + urging me to go and make my court to him, I returned the most trifling + excuses and apologies; one time I pretended to be sick and went into the + country. In short, I did enough to let them see that I did not care to be + a dependent on the Cardinal de Richelieu, who was certainly a very great + man, but had this particular trait in his genius,—to take notice of + trifles. Of this he gave me the following instance: The history of the + conspiracy of Jean Louis de Fiesque,—[Author of "The Conspiracy of + Genoa." He was drowned on the 1st of January, 1557.]—which I had + written at eighteen years of age, being conveyed by Boisrobert into the + Cardinal's hands, he was heard to say, in the presence of Marechal + d'Estrees and M. de Senneterre, "This is a dangerous genius." This was + told my father that very night by M. de Senneterre, and I took it as + spoken to myself. + </p> + <p> + The success that I had in the acts of the Sorbonne made me fond of that + sort of reputation, which I had a mind to push further, and thought I + might succeed in sermons. Instead of preaching first, as I was advised, in + the little convents, I preached on Ascension, Corpus Christi Day, etc., + before the Queen and the whole Court, which assurance gained me a good + character from the Cardinal; for, when he was told how well I had + performed, he said, "There is no judging of things by the event; the man + is a coxcomb." Thus you see I had enough to do for one of two-and-twenty + years of age. + </p> + <p> + M. le Comte,—[Louis de Bourbon, Comte de soissons, killed in the + battle of Marfee, near Sedan, in 1641.]—who had a tender love for + me, and to whose service and person I was entirely devoted, left Paris in + the night, in order to get into Sedan, for fear of an arrest; and, in the + meantime, entrusted me with the care of Vanbrock, the greatest confidant + he had in the world. I took care, as I was ordered, that he should never + stir out but at night, for in the daytime I concealed him in a private + place, between the ceiling and the penthouse, where I thought it + impossible for anything but a cat or the devil to find him. But he was not + careful enough of himself, for one morning my door was burst open, and + armed men rushed into my chamber, with the provost at their head, who + cried, with a great oath, "Where is Vanbrock?" I replied, "At Sedan, + monsieur, I believe." He swore again most confoundedly, and searched the + mattresses of all the beds in the house, threatening to put my domestics + to the rack if they did not make a disclosure; but there was only one that + knew anything of the matter, and so they went away in a rage. You may + easily imagine that when this was reported the Court would highly resent + it. And so it happened, for the license of the Sorbonne being expired, and + the competitors striving for the best places, I had the ambition to put in + for the first place, and did not think myself obliged to yield to the Abbe + de La Mothe-Houdancourt, now Archbishop of Auch, over whom I had certainly + some advantage in the disputations. I carried myself in this affair more + wisely than might have been expected from my youth; for as soon as I heard + that my rival was supported by the Cardinal, who did him the honour to own + him for his kinsman, I sent the Cardinal word, by M. de Raconis, Bishop of + Lavaur, that I desisted from my pretension, out of the respect I owed his + Eminence, as soon as I heard that he concerned himself in the affair. The + Bishop of Lavaur told me the Cardinal pretended that the Abby de La Mothe + would not be obliged for the first place to my cession, but to his own + merit. This answer exasperated me. I gave a smile and a low bow, pursued + my point, and gained the first place by eighty-four voices. The Cardinal, + who was for domineering in all places and in all affairs, fell into a + passion much below his character, either as a minister or a man, + threatened the deputies of the Sorbonne to raze the new buildings he had + begun there, and assailed my character again with incredible bitterness. + </p> + <p> + All my friends were alarmed at this, and were for sending me in all haste + to Italy. Accordingly, I went to Venice, stayed there till the middle of + August, and was very near being assassinated; for I amused myself by + making an intrigue with Signora Vendranina, a noble Venetian lady, and one + of the most handsome I ever saw. M. de Maille, the King's ambassador, + aware of the dangerous consequences of such adventures in this country, + ordered me to depart from Venice; upon which I went through Lombardy, and + towards the end of September arrived at Rome, where the Marechal + d'Estrees, who resided there as ambassador, gave me such instructions for + my behaviour as I followed to a tittle. Though I had no design to be an + ecclesiastic, yet since I wore a cassock I was resolved to acquire some + reputation at the Pope's Court. I compassed my design very happily, + avoiding any appearance of gallantry and lewdness, and my dress being + grave to the last degree; but for all this I was at a vast expense, having + fine liveries, a very splendid equipage, and a train of seven or eight + gentlemen, whereof four were Knights of Malta. I disputed in the Colleges + of Sapienza (not to be compared for learning with those of the Sorbonne), + and fortune continued still to raise me. For the Prince de Schomberg, the + Emperor's ambassador, sent me word one day, while I was playing at 'balon' + at the baths of Antoninus, to leave the place clear for him. I answered + that I could have refused his Excellency nothing asked in a civil manner, + but since it was commanded, I would have him to know that I would obey the + orders of no ambassador whatever, but that of the King, my master. Being + urged a second time by one of his attendants to leave the place, I stood + upon my own defence, and the Germans, more, in my opinion, out of contempt + of the few people I had with me than out of any other consideration, let + the affair drop. This bold carriage of so modest an abbe, to an ambassador + who never went abroad without one hundred musketeers on horseback to + attend him, made a great noise in Rome, and was much taken notice of by + Cardinal Mazarin. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal de Richelieu's health declining, the archbishopric of Paris + was now almost within my ken, which, together with other prospects of good + benefices, made me resolve not to fling off the cassock but upon + honourable terms and valuable considerations; but having nothing yet + within my view that I could be sure of, I resolved to distinguish myself + in my own profession by all the methods I could. I retired from the world, + studied very hard, saw but very few men, and had no more correspondence + with any of the female sex, except Madame de ———-. + </p> + <p> + The devil had appeared to the Princesse de Guemenee just a fortnight + before this adventure happened, and was often raised by the conjurations + of M. d'Andilly, to frighten his votary, I believe, into piety, for he was + even more in love with her person than I myself; but he loved her in the + Lord, purely and spiritually. I raised, in my turn, a demon that appeared + to her in a more kind and agreeable form. In six weeks I got her away from + Port Royal; I was very diligent in paying her my respects, and the + satisfaction I had in her company, with some other agreeable diversions, + qualified in a great measure the chagrin which attended my profession, to + which I was not yet heartily reconciled. This enchantment had like to have + raised such a storm as would have given a new face to the affairs of + Europe if fortune had been ever so little on my side. + </p> + <p> + M. the Cardinal de Richelieu loved rallying other people, but could not + bear a jest himself, and all men of this humour are always very crabbed + and churlish; of which the Cardinal gave an instance, in a public assembly + of ladies, to Madame de Guemenee, when he threw out a severe jest, which + everybody observed was pointed at me. She was sensibly affronted, but I + was enraged. For at last there was a sort of an understanding between us, + which was often ill-managed, yet our interests were inseparable. At this + time Madame de La Meilleraye, with whom, though she was silly, I had + fallen in love, pleased the Cardinal to that degree that the Marshal + perceived it before he set out for the army, and rallied his wife in such + a manner that she immediately found he was even more jealous than + ambitious. She was terribly afraid of him, and did not love the Cardinal, + who, by marrying her to his cousin, had lessened his own family, of which + he was extremely fond. Besides, the Cardinal's infirmities made him look a + great deal older than he was. And though all his other actions had no + tincture of pedantry, yet in his amorous intrigues he had the most of it + in the world. I had a detail of all the steps he had made therein, which + were extremely ridiculous. But continuing his solicitation, and carrying + her to his country seat at Ruel,—[The Cardinal de Richelieu's seat, + three leagues from Paris.]—where he kept her a considerable time, I + guessed that the lady had not brains enough to resist the splendour of + Court favour, and that her husband's jealousy would soon give way to his + interest, but, above all, to his blind side, which was an attachment to + the Court not to be equalled. When I was in the hottest pursuit of this + passion I proposed to myself the most exquisite pleasures in triumphing + over the Cardinal de Richelieu in this fair field of battle; but on a + sudden I had the mortification to hear the whole family was changed. The + husband allowed his wife to go to Ruel as often as she pleased, and her + behaviour towards me I suspected to be false and treacherous. In short, + Madame de Guemenee's anger, for a reason I hinted before, my jealousy of + Madame de La Meilleraye, and an aversion to my own profession, all joined + together in a fatal moment and were near producing one of the greatest and + most famous events of our age. + </p> + <p> + La Rochepot, my first cousin and dear friend, was a domestic of the late + Duc d'Orleans,—[Gaston Jean Baptists de France, born 1608, and died + at Blois, 1660.]—and his great confidant. He mortally hated the + Cardinal de Richelieu, who had persecuted his mother, and had her hung up + in effigy, and kept his father still a prisoner in the Bastille, and now + refused the son a regiment, though Marechal de La Meilleraye, who very + highly esteemed him for his courage, interceded for the favour. You may + imagine that when we came together we did not forget the Cardinal. + </p> + <p> + I being crossed in my designs, as I told you, and as full of resentment as + La Rochepot was for the affronts put upon his person and family, we chimed + in our thoughts and resolutions, which were, dexterously to manage the + weakness of the Duc d'Orleans and to put that in execution which the + boldness of his domestics had almost effected at Corbie. + </p> + <p> + The Duc d'Orleans was appointed General, and the Comte de Soissons + Lieutenant-General of the King's forces in Picardy, but neither of them + stood well with the Cardinal, who gave them those posts only because the + situation of affairs was such that he could not help it. L'Epinai, + Montresor, and La Rochepot made use of all the arguments they could think + of to raise jealousies and fears in the Duc d'Orleans, and to inspire him + with resolution and courage to rid himself of the Cardinal. Others + laboured to persuade the Comte de Soissons to relish the same proposal, + but though resolved upon, it was never put into execution. For they had + the Cardinal in their power at Amiens, but did him no harm. For this every + one blamed the Count's companion, but I could never yet learn the true + cause; only this is certain, that they were no sooner come to Paris than + they were all seized with a panic, and retired, some one way, some + another. + </p> + <p> + The Comte de Guiche, since Marechal de Grammont, and M. de Chavigni, + Secretary of State and the Cardinal's most intimate favourite, were sent + by the King to Blois. Here they frightened the Duc d'Orleans and made him + return to Paris, where he was more afraid than ever; for such of his + domestics as were not gained by the Court made use of his pusillanimous + temper, and represented to him the necessity he was under to provide for + his own, or rather their, security. La Rochepot and myself endeavoured to + heighten his fears as much as possible, in order to precipitate him into + our measures. The term sounds odd, but it is the most expressive I could + find of a character like the Duke's. He weighed everything, but fixed on + nothing; and if by chance he was inclined to do one thing more than + another, he would never execute it without being pushed or forced into it. + </p> + <p> + La Rochepot did all he could to fix him, but finding that the Duke was + always for delays, and for perplexing all expedients with groundless fears + of invincible difficulties, he fell upon an expedient very dangerous to + all appearance, but, as it usually happens in extraordinary cases, much + less so than at first view. + </p> + <p> + Cardinal de Richelieu having to stand godfather at the baptism of + Mademoiselle, La Rochepot's proposal was to continue to show the Duke the + necessity he lay under still to get rid of the Cardinal, without saying + much of the particulars, for fear of hazarding the secret, but only to + entertain him with the general proposal of that affair, thereby to make + him the better in love with the measures when proposed; and that they + might, at a proper time and place, tell him they had concealed the detail + to the execution from his Highness upon no other account but that they had + experienced on several occasions that there was no other way of serving + his Highness, as he himself had told La Rochepot several times; that + nothing, therefore, remained but to get some brave fellows fit for such a + resolute enterprise, and to hold post-horses ready upon the road of Sedan + under some other pretext, and to so execute the design in the presence and + in the name of his Royal Highness upon the day of the intended solemnity, + that his Highness should cheerfully own it when it was done, and that then + we would carry him off by those horses to Sedan. Meanwhile the distraction + of the inferior ministers and the joy of the King to see himself delivered + from a tyrant would dispose the Court rather to invite than to pursue him. + This was La Rochepot's scheme, and it seemed exceedingly plausible. + </p> + <p> + La Rochepot and I had, it may be, blamed the inactivity of the Duc + d'Orleans and the Comte de Soissons in the affair of Amiens a hundred + times; yet, no sooner was the scheme sufficiently matured for execution, + the idea of which I had raised in the memory of La Rochepot, than my mind + was seized with I know not what fear; I took it then for a scruple of + conscience,—I cannot tell whether it was in truth so or not, but, in + short, the thought of killing a priest and a cardinal deeply affected my + mind. La Rochepot laughed at my scruples, and bantered me thus: "When you + are in the field of battle I warrant you will not beat up the enemy's + quarters for fear of assassinating men in their sleep." I was ashamed of + my scruples, and again hugged the crime, which I looked upon as sanctified + by the examples of great men, and justified and honoured by the mighty + danger that attended its execution. We renewed our consultations, engaged + some accomplices, took all the necessary precautions, and resolved upon + the execution. The danger was indeed very great, but we might reasonably + hope to come off well enough; for the Duke's guard, which was within, + would not have failed to come to our assistance against that of the + Cardinal's, which was without. But his fortune, and not his guards, + delivered him from the snare; for either Mademoiselle or himself, I forget + which, fell suddenly ill, and the ceremony was put off to another time, so + that we lost our opportunity. The Duke returned to Blois, and the Marquis + de Boissi protested he would never betray us, but that he would be no + longer concerned, because he had just received some favour or other from + the Cardinal's own hands. + </p> + <p> + I confess that this enterprise, which, had it succeeded, would have + crowned us with glory, never fully pleased me. I was not so scrupulous in + the committing of two other transgressions against the rules of morality, + as you may have before observed; but I wish, with all my heart, I had + never been concerned in this. Ancient Rome, indeed, would have counted it + honourable; but it is not in this respect that I honour the memory of old + Rome. + </p> + <p> + There is commonly a great deal of folly in conspiracies; but afterwards + there is nothing tends so, much to make men wise, at least for some time. + For, as the danger in things of this nature continues, even after the + opportunities for doing them are over, men are from that instant more + prudent and circumspect. + </p> + <p> + Having thus missed our blow, the Comte de La Rochepot and the rest of them + retired to their several seats in the country; but my engagements detained + me at Paris, where I was so retired that I spent all my time in my study; + and if ever I was seen abroad, it was with all the reserve of a pious + ecclesiastic; we were all so true to one another in keeping this adventure + secret, that it never got the least wind while the Cardinal lived, who was + a minister that had the best intelligence in the world; but after his + death it was discovered by the imprudence of Tret and Etourville. I call + it imprudence, for what greater weakness can men be guilty of than to + declare themselves to have been capable of what is dangerous in the first + instance? + </p> + <p> + To return to the history of the Comte de Soissons, I observed before that + he had retired to Sedan for safety, which he could not expect at Court. He + wrote to the King, assuring his Majesty of his fidelity, and that while he + stayed in that place he would undertake nothing prejudicial to his + service. He was most mindful of his promise; was not to be biassed by all + the offers of Spain or the Empire, but rejected with indignation the + overtures of Saint-Ibal and of Bardouville, who would have persuaded him + to take up arms. Campion, one of his domestics, whom he had left at Paris + to mind his affairs at Court, told me these particulars by the Count's + express orders, and I still remember this passage in one of his letters to + Campion: "The men you know are very urgent with me to treat with the + enemy, and accuse me of weakness because I fear the examples of Charles de + Bourbon and Robert d'Artois." He was ordered to show me this letter and + desire my opinion thereupon. I took my pen, and, at a little distance from + the answer he had already begun, I wrote these words: + </p> + <p> + "And I do accuse them of folly." The reasons upon which my opinion was + grounded were these: The Count was courageous in the highest degree of + what is commonly called valour, and had a more than ordinary share in that + boldness of mind which we call resolution. The first is common and to be + frequently met with among the vulgar, but the second is rarer than can be + imagined, and yet abundantly more necessary for great enterprises; and is + there a greater in the world than heading a party? The command of an army + is without comparison of less intricacy, for there are wheels within + wheels necessary for governing the State, but then they are not near so + brittle and delicate. In a word, I am of opinion there are greater + qualities necessary to make a good head of a party than to make an emperor + who is to govern the whole world, and that resolution ought to run + parallel with judgment,—I say, with heroic judgment, which is able + to distinguish the extraordinary from what we call the impossible. + </p> + <p> + The Count had not one grain of this discerning faculty, which is but + seldom to be met with in the sublimest genius. His character was mean to a + degree, and consequently susceptible of unreasonable jealousies and + distrusts, which of all characters is the most opposite to that of a good + partisan, who is indispensably obliged in many cases to suppress, and in + all to conceal, the best-grounded suspicions. + </p> + <p> + This was the reason I could not be of the opinion of those who were for + engaging the Count in a civil war; and Varicarville, who was the man of + the best sense and temper of all the persons of quality he had about him, + told me since that when he saw what I wrote in Campion's letter the day I + set out for Italy, he very well knew by what motives I was, against my + inclination, persuaded into this opinion. + </p> + <p> + The Count held out all this year and the next against every solicitation + of the Spaniards and the importunities of his own friends, much more by + the wise counsels of Varicarville than by the force of his own resolution; + but nothing could secure him from the teasings of the Cardinal de + Richelieu, who poured into his ears every day in the King's name his many + dismal discoveries and prognostications. For fear of being tedious I shall + only tell you in one word that the Cardinal, contrary to his own interest, + hurried the Count into a civil war, by such arts of chicanery as those who + are fortune's favourites never fail to play upon the unfortunate. + </p> + <p> + The minds of people began now to be more embittered than ever. I was sent + for by the Count to Sedan to tell him the state of Paris. The account I + gave him could not but be very agreeable; for I told him the very truth: + that he was universally beloved, honoured, and adored in that city, and + his enemy dreaded and abhorred. The Duc de Bouillon, who was urgent for + war, be the consequence what it would, improved upon these advantages, and + made them look more plausible, but Varicarville strongly opposed him. + </p> + <p> + I thought myself too young to declare my opinion; but, being pressed to do + so by his Highness, I took the liberty to tell him that a Prince of the + blood ought to engage himself in a civil war rather than suffer any + diminution of his reputation or dignity, yet that nothing but these two + cases could justly oblige him to it, because he hazards both by a + commotion whenever the one or the other consideration does not make it + necessary; that I thought his Highness far from being under any such + necessity; that his retreat to Sedan secured him from the indignity he + must have submitted to, among others, of taking the left hand, even in the + Cardinal's own house; that, in the meantime, the popular hatred of the + Cardinal gained his Highness the greater share of the public favour, which + is always much better secured by inaction than action, because the glory + of action depends upon success, for which no one can answer; whereas + inaction is sure to be commended as being founded upon the hatred which + the public will always bear to the minister. That, therefore, I should + think it would be more glorious for his Highness, in the view of the + world, to support himself by his own weight, that is, by the merit of his + virtue, against the artifices of so powerful a minister as the Cardinal de + Richelieu,—I say, more glorious to support himself by a wise and + regular conduct than to kindle the fire of war, the flagrant consequences + whereof no man is able to foresee; that it was true that the minister was + universally cursed, but that I could not yet see that the people's minds + were exasperated enough for any considerable revolution; that the Cardinal + was in a declining state of health, and if he should not die this time, + his Highness would have the opportunity of showing the King and the public + that though, by his own personal authority and his important post at + Sedan, he was in a capacity to do himself justice, he sacrificed his own + resentments to the welfare and quiet of the State; and that if the + Cardinal should recover his health, he would not fail, by additional acts + of tyranny and oppression, to draw upon himself the redoubled execrations + of the people, which would ripen, their murmurings and discontents into a + universal revolution. + </p> + <p> + This is the substance of what I said to the Count, and he seemed to be + somewhat affected by it. But the Duc de Bouillon was enraged, and told me, + by way of banter, "Your blood is very cold for a gentleman of your age." + To which I replied in these very words: "All the Count's servants are so + much obliged to you, monsieur, that they ought to bear everything from + you; but were it not for this consideration alone, I should think that + your bastions would not be always strong enough to protect you." The Duke + soon came to himself, and treated me with all the civilities imaginable, + such as laid a foundation for our future friendship. I stayed two days + longer at Sedan, during which the Count changed his mind five different + times, as I was told by M. Saint-Ibal, who said little was to be expected + from a man of his humour. At last, however, the Duc de Bouillon won him + over. I was charged to do all I could to convince the people of Paris, had + an order to take up money and to lay it out for this purpose, and I + returned from Sedan with letters more than enough to have hanged two + hundred men. + </p> + <p> + As I had faithfully set the Count's true interest before him, and + dissuaded him from undertaking an affair of which he was by no means + capable, I thought it high time to think of my own affairs. I hated my + profession now more than ever; I was at first hurried into it by the + infatuation of my kindred. My destiny had bound me down to it by the + chains both of duty and pleasure, so that I could see no possibility to + set myself free. I was upwards of twenty-five years of age, and I saw it + was now too late to begin to carry a musket; but that which tortured me + most of all was this fatal reflection, that I had spent so much of my time + in too eager a pursuit of pleasure, and thereby riveted my own chains; so + that it looked as if fate was resolved to fasten me to the Church, whether + I would or no. You may imagine with what satisfaction such thoughts as + these were accompanied, for this confusion of affairs gave me hopes of + getting loose from my profession with uncommon honour and reputation. I + thought of ways to distinguish myself, pursued them very diligently, and + you will allow that nothing but destiny broke my measures. + </p> + <p> + The Marechaux de Vitri and Bassompierre, the Comte de Cremail, M. du + Fargis, and M. du Coudrai Montpensier were then prisoners in the Bastille + upon different counts. But, as length of time makes confinement less + irksome, they were treated very civilly, and indulged with a great share + of freedom. Their friends came to see them, and sometimes dined with them. + By means of M. du Fargis, who had married my aunt, I got acquainted with + the rest, and by conversing with them discovered very remarkable emotions + in some of them, upon which I could not help reflecting. The Marechal de + Vitri was a gentleman of mean parts, but bold, even to rashness, and his + having been formerly employed to kill the Marechal d'Ancre had given him + in the common vogue, though I think unjustly, the air of a man of business + and expedition. He appeared to me enraged against the Cardinal, and I + concluded he might do service in the present juncture, but did not address + myself directly to him, and thought it the wisest way first to sift the + Comte de Cremail, who was a man of sound sense, and could influence the + Marechal de Vitri as he pleased. He apprehended me at half a word, and + immediately asked me if I had made myself known to any of the prisoners. I + answered, readily: + </p> + <p> + "No, monsieur; and I will tell you my reasons in a very few words. + Bassompierre is a tattler; I expect to do nothing with the Marechal de + Vitri but by your means. I suspect the honesty of Du Coudrai, and as for + my uncle, Du Fargis, he is a gallant man, but has no headpiece." + </p> + <p> + "Whom, then, do you confide in at Paris?" said the Comte de Cremail. + </p> + <p> + "I dare trust no man living," said I, "but yourself." + </p> + <p> + "It is very well," said he, briskly; "you are the man for me. I am above + eighty years old, and you but twenty-five; I will qualify your heat, and + you my chilliness." + </p> + <p> + We went upon business, drew up our plan, and at parting he said these very + words: "Let me alone one week, and after that I will tell you more of my + mind, for I hope to convince the Cardinal that I am good for something + more than writing the 'Jeu de l'Inconnu.'" + </p> + <p> + You must know that the "Jeu de l'Inconnu" was a book, indeed, very ill + written, which the Comte de Cremail had formerly published, and which the + Cardinal had grossly ridiculed. You will be surprised, without doubt, that + I should think of prisoners for an affair of this importance, but the + nature of it was such that it could not be put into better hands, as you + will see by and by. + </p> + <p> + A week after, going to visit the prisoners, and Cremail and myself being + accidentally left alone, we took a walk upon the terrace, where, after a + thousand thanks for the confidence I had put in him, and as many + protestations of his readiness to serve the Comte de Soissons, he spoke + thus: "There is nothing but the thrust of a sword or the city of Paris + that can rid us of the Cardinal. Had I been at the enterprise of Amiens, I + think I should not have missed my blow, as those gentlemen did. I am for + that of Paris; it cannot miscarry; I have considered it well. See here + what additions I have made to our plan." And thereupon he put into my hand + a paper, in substance as follows: that he had conferred with the Marechal + de Vitri, who was as well disposed as anybody in the world to serve the + Count; that they would both answer for the Bastille, where all the + garrison was in their interest; that they were likewise sure of the + arsenal; and that they would also declare themselves as soon as the Count + had gained a battle, on condition that I made it appear beforehand, as I + had told him (the Comte de Cremail), that they should be supported by a + considerable number of officers, colonels of Paris, etc. For the rest, + this paper contained many particular observations on the conduct of the + undertaking, and many cautions relating to the behaviour to be observed by + the Count. That which surprised me most of all was to see how fully persuaded + these gentlemen were of carrying their point with ease. + </p> + <p> + Though it came into my head to propose this project to the persons in the + Bastille, yet nothing but the perfect knowledge I had of their disposition + and inclination could have persuaded me that it was practicable. And I + confess, upon perusal of the plan prepared by M. de Cremail, a man of + great experience and excellent sense, I was astonished to find a few + prisoners disposing of the Bastille with the same freedom as the Governor, + the greatest authority in the place. + </p> + <p> + As all extraordinary circumstances are of wonderful weight in popular + revolutions, I considered that this project, which was even ripe for + execution, would have an admirable effect in the city. And as nothing + animates and supports commotions more than the ridiculing of those against + whom they are raised, I knew it would be very easy for us to expose the + conduct of a minister who had tamely suffered prisoners to hamper him, as + one may say, with their chains. I lost no time; afterwards I opened myself + to M. d'Estampes, President of the Great Council, and to M. l'Ecuyer, + President of the Chamber of Accounts, both colonels, and in great repute + among the citizens, and I found them every way answering the character I + had of them from the Count; that is, very zealous for his interest, and + fully persuaded that the insurrection was not only practicable, but very + easy. Pray observe that these two gentlemen, who made no great figure, + even in their own profession, were, perhaps, two of the most peaceable + persons in the kingdom. But there are some fires which burn all before + them. The main thing is to know and seize the critical moment. + </p> + <p> + The Count had charged me to disclose myself to none in Paris besides these + two, but I ventured to add two more: Parmentier, substitute to the + Attorney-General; and his brother-in-law, Epinai, auditor of the Chamber + of Accounts, who was the man of the greatest credit, though but a + lieutenant, and the other a captain. Parmentier, who, both by his wit and + courage, was as capable of a great action as any man I ever knew, promised + me that he would answer for Brigalier, councillor in the Court of Aids, + captain in his quarter, and very powerful among the people, but told me at + the same time that he must not know a word of the matter, because he was a + mere rattle, not to be trusted with a secret. + </p> + <p> + The Count made me a remittance of 12,000 crowns, which I carried to my + aunt De Maignelai, telling her that it was a restitution made by one of my + dying friends, who made me trustee of it upon condition that I should + distribute it among decayed families who were ashamed to make their + necessities known, and that I had taken an oath to distribute it myself, + persuant to the desire of the testator, but that I was at a loss to find + out fit objects for my charity; and therefore I desired her to take the + care of it upon her. The good woman was perfectly transported, and said + she would do it with all her heart; but because I had sworn to make the + distribution myself, she insisted upon it that I must be present, not only + for the sake of my promise, but to accustom myself to do acts of charity. + This was the very thing I aimed at,—an opportunity of knowing all + the poor of Paris. Therefore I suffered myself to be carried every day by + my aunt into the outskirts, to visit the poor in their garrets, and I met + very often in her house people who were very well clad, and many whom I + once knew, that came for private charity. My good aunt charged them always + to pray to God for her nephew, who was the hand that God had been pleased + to make use of for this good work. Judge you of the influence this gave me + over the populace, who are without comparison the most considerable in all + public disturbances. For the rich never come into such measures unless + they are forced, and beggars do more harm than good, because it is known + that they aim at plunder; those, therefore, who are capable of doing most + service are such as are not reduced to common beggary, yet so straitened + in their circumstances as to wish for nothing more than a general change + of affairs in order to repair their broken fortunes. I made myself + acquainted with people of this rank for the course of four months with + uncommon application, so that there was hardly a child in the + chimney-corner but I gratified with some small token. I called them by + their familiar names. My aunt, who always made it her business to go from + house to house to relieve the poor, was a cloak for all. I also played the + hypocrite, and frequented the conferences of Saint Lazarus. + </p> + <p> + Varicarville and Beauregarde, my correspondents at Sedan, assured me that + the Comte de Soissons was as well inclined as one could wish, and that he + had not wavered since he had formed his last resolution. Varicarville said + that we had formerly done him horrible injustice, and that they were now + even obliged to restrain him, because he seemed to be too fond of the + counsels of Spain and the Empire. Please to observe that these two Courts, + which had made incredible solicitations to him while he wavered, began, as + soon as his purpose was fixed, to draw back,—a fatality due to the + phlegmatic temper of the Spaniard, dignified by the name of prudence, + joined to the astute politics of the house of Austria. You may observe at + the same time that the Count, who had continued firm and unshaken three + months together, changed his mind as soon as his enemies had granted what + he asked; which exactly comes up to the character of an irresolute man, + who is always most unsteady the nearer the work comes to its conclusion. I + heard of this convulsion, as one may call it, by an express from + Varicarville, and took post the same night for Sedan, arriving there an + hour after Aretonville, an agent despatched from the Count's brother + in-law, M. de Longueville.—[Henri d'Orleans, the second of that + name, died 1663.]—He came with some plausible but deceitful terms of + accommodation which we all agreed to oppose. Those who had been always + with the Count pressed him strongly with the remembrance of what he + himself thought or said was necessary to be done ever since the war had + been resolved on. Saint-Ibal, who had been negotiating for him at + Brussels, pressed him with his engagements, advances, and solicitations, + insisted on the steps I had, by his order, already taken in Paris, on the + promises made to De Vitri and Cremail, and on the secret committed to two + persons by his own command, and to four others for his service and with + his consent. Our arguments, considering his engagements, were very just + and clear. We carried our point with much ado after a conflict of four + days. Aretonville was sent back with a very smart answer. M. de Guise, who + had joined the Count, and was a well-wisher to a rupture, went to Liege to + order the levies, Varicarville and I returned to Paris, but I did not care + to tell my fellow conspirators of the irresolution of our principal. Some + symptoms of it appeared afterwards, but they very soon vanished. + </p> + <p> + Being assured that the Spaniards had everything in readiness, I went for + the last time to Sedan to take my final instructions. There I found + Meternic, colonel of one of the oldest regiments of the Empire, despatched + by General Lamboy, who had advanced with a gallant army under his command, + composed for the most part of veteran troops. The Colonel assured the + Count that he was ordered to obey his commands in everything, and to give + battle to the Marechal de Chatillon, who commanded the army of France upon + the Meuse. As the undertaking at Paris depended entirely on the success of + such a battle, the Count thought it fitting that I should go along with + Meternic to Givet, where I found the army in a very good condition. Then I + returned to Paris, and gave an account of every particular to the Marechal + de Pitri, who drew up the order for the enterprise. The whole city of + Paris seemed so disposed for an insurrection that we thought ourselves + sure of success. The secret was kept even to a miracle. The Count gave the + enemy battle and won it. You now believe, without doubt, the day was our + own. Far from it; for the Count was killed in the very crisis of the + victory, and in the midst of his own men; but how and by whom no soul + could ever tell. + </p> + <p> + You may guess what a condition I was in when I heard this news; M. de + Cremail, the wisest of us all, thought of nothing else now but how to + conceal the secret, which, though known to only six in all Paris, was + known to too great a number; but the greatest danger of discovery was from + the people of Sedan, who, being out of the kingdom, were not afraid of + punishment. Nevertheless, everybody privy to it religiously kept it + secret, and stood their ground, which, with another accident I shall + mention hereafter, has made me often think, and say too, that secrecy is + not so rare a thing as we imagine with men versed in matters of State. + </p> + <p> + The Count's death settled me in my profession, for I saw no great things + to be done, and I found myself too old to leave it for anything trifling. + Besides, Cardinal de Richelieu's health was declining, and I already began + to think myself Archbishop of Paris. I resolved that for the future I + would devote myself to my profession. Madame de Guemenee had retired to + Port Royal, her country-seat. M. d'Andilly had got her from me. She + neither powdered nor curled her hair any longer, and had dismissed me + solemnly with all the formalities required from a sincere penitent. I + discovered, by means of a valet de chambre, that, captain —— + of the Marshal's Guards, had as free access to Meilleraye's lady as + myself. See what it is to be a saint! The truth is, I grew much more + regular,—at least affected to be thought so,—led a retired + life, stuck to my profession, studied hard, and got acquainted with all + who were famous either for learning or piety. I converted my house almost + into an academy, but took care not to erect the academy into a rigid + tribunal. I began to be pretty free with the canons and curates, whom I + found of course at my uncle's house. I did not act the devotee, because I + could not be sure how long I should be able to play the counterfeit, but I + had a high esteem for devout people, which with such is the main article + of religion. I suited my pleasures to my practice, and, finding I could + not live without some amorous intrigue, I managed an amour with Madame de + Pommereux, a young coquette, who had so many sparks, not only in her house + but at her devotions, that the apparent business of others was a cover for + mine, which was, at least, some time afterwards, more to the purpose. When + I had succeeded, I became a man in such request among those of my + profession that the devotees themselves used to say of me with M. Vincent, + "Though I had not piety enough, yet I was not far from the kingdom of + heaven." + </p> + <p> + Fortune favoured me more than usual at this time. I was at the house of + Madame de Rambure, a notable and learned Huguenot, where I met with + Mestrezat, the famous minister of Charento. To satisfy her curiosity she + engaged us in a dispute; we had nine different disputations. The Marechal + de la Forde and M. de Turenne were present at some of them, and a + gentleman of Poitou, who was at all of them, became my proselyte. As I was + then but twenty-six years of age, this made a great deal of noise, and + among other effects, was productive of one that had not the least + connection with its cause, which I shall mention after I have done justice + to a civility I received from my antagonist in one of the conferences. I + had the advantage of him in the fifth meeting, relating to the spiritual + vocation; but in the sixth, treating of the Pope's authority, I was + confounded, because, to avoid embroiling myself with the Court of Rome, I + answered him on principles which are not so easy to be maintained as those + of the Sorbonne. My opponent perceived the concern I was under, and + generously forebore to urge such passages as would have obliged me to + explain myself in a manner disagreeable to the Pope's Nuncio. I thought it + extremely obliging, and as we were going out thanked him in the presence + of M. de Turenne; to which he answered, very civilly, that it would have + been a piece of injustice to hinder the Abbe de Retz from being made a + cardinal. This was such complaisance as you are not to expect from every + Geneva pedant. I told you before that this conference produced one effect + very different from its cause, and it is this: Madame de Vendome, of whom + you have heard, without doubt, took such a fancy to me ever after, that a + mother could not have been more tender. She had been at the conference + too, though I am very well assured she understood nothing of the matter; + but the favourable opinion she had of me was owing to the Bishop of + Lisieux, her spiritual director, who, finding I was disposed to follow my + profession, which out of his great love to me he most passionately + desired, made it his business to magnify the few good qualities I was + master of; and I am thoroughly persuaded that what applause I had then in + the world was chiefly owing to his encouragement, for there was not a man + in France whose approbation could give so much honour. His sermons had + advanced him from a very mean and foreign extraction (which was Flemish) + to the episcopal dignity, which he adorned with solid and unaffected + piety. His disinterestedness was far beyond that of the hermits or + anchorites. He had the courage of Saint Ambrose, and at Court and in the + presence of the King he so maintained his usual freedom that the Cardinal + de Richelieu, who had been his scholar in divinity, both reverenced and + feared him. This good man had that abundant kindness for me that he read + me lectures thrice a week upon Saint Paul's Epistles, and he designed also + the conversion of M. de Turenne and to give me the honour of it. + </p> + <p> + M. de Turenne had a great respect for him, whereof he gave him very, + distinguishing marks. The Comte de Brion, whom, I believe, you may + remember under the title of Duc d'Amville, was deeply in love with + Mademoiselle de Vendome, since Madame de Nemours; and, besides, he was a + great favourite of M. de Turenne, who, to do him a pleasure and to give + him the more opportunities to see Mademoiselle de Vendome, affected to be + a great admirer of the Bishop of Lisieux and to hear his exhortations with + a world of attention. The Comte de Brion, who had twice been a Capuchin, + and whose life was a continual medley of sin and devotion, pretended + likewise to be much interested in M. de Turenne's conversion, and was + present at all the conferences held at Mademoiselle de Vendome's + apartment. De Brion had very little wit, but was a clever talker, and had + a great deal of assurance, which not very seldom supplies the room of good + sense. This and the behaviour of M. de Turenne, together with the + indolence of Mademoiselle de Vendome, made me think all was fair, so that + I never suspected an amour at the bottom. + </p> + <p> + The Bishop of Lisieux being a great admirer of Corneille's writings, and + making no scruple to see a good comedy, provided it was in the country + among a few friends, the late Madame de Choisy proposed to entertain him + with one at Saint Cloud. Accordingly Madame took with her Madame and + Mademoiselle de Vendome, M. de Turenne, M. de Brion, Voiture, and myself. + De Brion took care of the comedy and violins, and I looked after a good + collation. We went to the Archbishop's house at Saint Cloud, where the + comedians did not arrive till very late at night. M. de Lisieux admired + the violins, and Madame de Vendome was hugely diverted to see her daughter + dance alone. In short, we did not set out till peep of day (it being + summer-time), and the days at the longest, and were got no further than + the bottom of the Descent of Bonshommes, when all on a sudden the coach + stopped. I, being next the door opposite to Mademoiselle de Vendome, bade + the coachman drive on. He answered, as plain as he could speak for his + fright, "What! would you have me drive over all these devils here?" I put + my head out of the coach, but, being short-sighted from my youth, saw + nothing at all. Madame de Choisy, who was at the other door with M. de + Turenne, was the first in the coach who found out the cause of the + coachman's fright. I say in the coach, for five or six lackeys behind it + were already crying "Jesu Maria" and quaking with fear. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Choisy cried out, upon which M. de Turenne threw himself out of + the coach, and I, thinking we were beset by highwaymen, leaped out on the + other side, took one of the footmen's hangers, drew it, and went to the + other aide to join M. de Turenne, whom I found with his eyes fixed on + something, but what I could not see. I asked him what it was, upon which + he pulled me by the sleeve, and said, with a low voice, "I will tell you, + but we must not frighten the ladies," who, by this time, screamed most + fearfully. Voiture began his Oremus, and prayed heartily. You, I suppose, + knew Madame de Choisy's shrill tone; Mademoiselle de Vendome was counting + her beads; Madame de Vendome would fain have confessed her sins to the + Bishop of Lisieux, who said to her, "Daughter, be of good cheer; you are + in the hands of God." At the same instant, the Comte do Brion and all the + lackeys were upon their knees very devoutly singing the Litany of the + Virgin Mary. + </p> + <p> + M. de Turenne drew his sword, and said to me, with the calm and + undisturbed air he commonly puts on when he calls for his dinner, or gives + battle, "Come, let us go and see who they are." + </p> + <p> + "Whom should we see?" said I, for I believed we had all lost our senses. + </p> + <p> + He answered, "I verily think they are devils." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="p060j" id="p060j"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="p060j.jpg (40K)" src="images/p060j.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + When we had advanced five or six steps I began to see something which I + thought looked like a long procession of black phantoms. I was frightened + at first, because of the sudden reflection that I had often wished to see + a spirit, and that now, perhaps, I should pay for my incredulity, or + rather curiosity. M. de Turenne was all the while calm and resolute. I + made two or three leaps towards the procession, upon which the company in + the coach, thinking we were fighting with all the devils, cried out most + terribly; yet it is a question whether our company was in a greater fright + than the imaginary devils that put us into it, who, it seems, were a + parcel of barefooted reformed Augustine friars, otherwise called the Black + Capuchins, who, seeing two men advancing towards them with drawn swords, + one of them, detached from the fraternity, cried out, "Gentlemen, we are + poor, harmless friars, only come to bathe in this river for our healths." + M. de Turenne and I went back to the coach ready to die with laughing at + this adventure. + </p> + <p> + Upon the whole we could not help making this reflection, that what we read + in the lives of most people is false. We were both grossly mistaken, I, + for supposing him to be frightened; he, for thinking me calm and + undisturbed. Who, therefore, can write truth better than the man who has + experienced it? The President de Thou is very just in his remark when he + says that "There is no true history extant, nor can be ever expected + unless written by honest men who are not afraid or ashamed to tell the + truth of themselves." I do not pretend to make any merit of my sincerity + in this case, for I feel so great a satisfaction in unfolding my very + heart and soul to you, that the pleasure is even more prevalent than + reason with me in the religious regard I have to the exactness of my + history. + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle de Vendome had ever after an inconceivable contempt for the + poor Comte de Brion, who in this ridiculous adventure had disclosed a + weakness never before imagined; and as soon as we were got into the coach + she bantered him, and said, particularly to me: + </p> + <p> + "I fancy I must be Henri IV.'s granddaughter by the esteem I have for + valour. There's nothing can frighten you, since you were so undaunted on + this extraordinary occasion." + </p> + <p> + I told her I was afraid, but being not so devout as M. de Brion, my fears + did not turn to litanies. + </p> + <p> + "You feared not," said she, "and I fancy you do not believe there are + devils, for M. de Turenne, who is very brave, was much surprised, and did + not march on so briskly as you." + </p> + <p> + I confess the distinction pleased me mightily and made me think of + venturing some compliments. I then said to her, "One may believe there is + a devil and yet not fear him; there are things in the world more + terrible." + </p> + <p> + "And what are they?" said she. + </p> + <p> + "They are so strong," said I, "that one dare not so much as name them." + </p> + <p> + She interpreted my meaning rightly, as she told me since, though she + seemed at that time not to understand me. + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle was not what they call a great beauty, yet she was very + handsome, and I was complimented for saying of her and of Mademoiselle de + Guise that they were beauties of quality who convinced the beholders at + first sight that they were born Princesses. Mademoiselle de Vendome had no + great share of wit, but her folly lay as yet concealed; her air was grave, + tinctured with stateliness, not the effect of good sense, but the + consequence of a languid constitution, which sort of gravity often covers + a multitude of defects. In the main, take her altogether, she was really + amiable. + </p> + <p> + Let me beseech you, madame, with all submission, to call now to mind the + commands you were pleased to honour me with a little before your departure + from Paris, that I should give you a precise account of every circumstance + and accident of my life, and conceal nothing. You see, by what I have + already related, that my ecclesiastical occupations were diversified and + relieved, though not disfigured, by other employments of a more diverting + nature. I observed a decorum in all my actions, and where I happened to + make a false step some good fortune or other always retrieved it. All the + ecclesiastics of the diocese wished to see me succeed my uncle in the + archbishopric of Paris, but Cardinal de Richelieu was of another mind; he + hated my family, and most of all my person, for the reasons already + mentioned, and was still more exasperated for these two which follow. + </p> + <p> + I once told the late President de Mesmes what seems now to me very + probable, though it is the reverse of what I told you some time ago, that + I knew a person who had few or no failings but what were either the effect + or cause of some good qualities. I then said, on the contrary, to M. de + Mesmes, that Cardinal de Richelieu had not one great quality but what was + the effect or cause of some greater imperfection. This, which was only + 'inter nos', was carried to the Cardinal, I do not know by whom, under my + name. You may judge of the consequences. Another thing that angered him + was because I visited the President Barillon, then prisoner at Amboise, + concerning remonstrances made to the Parliament, and that I should do it + at a juncture which made my journey the more noticeable. Two miserable + hermits and false coiners, who had some secret correspondence with M. de + Vendome, did, upon some discontent or other, accuse him very falsely of + having proposed to them to assassinate the Cardinal, and to give the more + weight to their depositions they named all those they thought notorious in + that country; Montresor and M. Barillon were of the number. Early notice + of this being given me, the great love I had for the President Barillon + made me take post that night to acquaint him with his danger and get him + away from Amboise, which was very feasible; but he, insisting upon his + innocence, rejected my proposals, defied both the accusers and their + accusations, and was resolved to continue in prison. This journey of mine + gave a handle to the Cardinal to tell the Bishop of Lisieux that I was a + cordial friend to all his enemies. + </p> + <p> + "True enough," said the Bishop; "nevertheless you ought to esteem him; you + have no reason to complain of him, because those men whom you mean were + all his true friends before they became your enemies." + </p> + <p> + "If it be so," replied the Cardinal, "then I am very much misinformed." + </p> + <p> + The Bishop at this juncture did me all the kind offices imaginable, and if + the Cardinal had lived he would undoubtedly have restored me to his + favour; for his Eminence was very well disposed, especially when the + Bishop assured him that, though I knew myself ruined at Court to all + intents and purposes, yet I would never come into the measures of M. le + Grand.—[M. de Cinq-Mars, Henri Coeffier, otherwise called Ruze + d'Effial, Master of the Horse of France; he was beheaded September 12, + 1642.]—I was indeed importuned by my friend M. de Thou to join in + that enterprise, but I saw the weakness of their foundation, as the event + has shown, and therefore rejected their proposals. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal de Richelieu died in 1642, before the good Bishop had made my + peace with him, and so I remained among those who had rendered themselves + obnoxious to the Ministry. At first this character was very prejudicial to + my interest. Although the King was overjoyed at his death, yet he + carefully observed all the appearances of respect for his deceased + minister, confirmed all his legacies, cared for his family, kept all his + creatures in the Ministry, and affected to frown upon all who had not + stood well with the Cardinal; but I was the only exception to this general + rule. When the Archbishop of Paris presented me to the King, I was treated + with such distinguishing marks of royal favour as surprised all the Court. + His Majesty talked of my studies and sermons, rallied me with an obliging + freedom, and bade me come to Court once every week. The reasons of these + extraordinary civilities were utterly unknown to us until the night before + his death, when he told them to the Queen. I passed them by in silence + before as having no bearing on my history, but I am obliged to insert them + here because they have been, in their consequences, more fortunate than I + seemed to have any just claim to expect. + </p> + <p> + A short time after I left the college, my governor's valet de chambre + found, at a poor pin-maker's house, a niece of hers but fourteen years + old, who was surprisingly beautiful. After I had seen her he bought her + for me for 150 pistoles, hired a little house for her, and placed her + sister with her; when I went to see her I found her in great heaviness of + mind, which I attributed to her modesty. I next day found what was yet + more surprising and extraordinary than her beauty; she talked wisely and + religiously to me, and yet without passion. She cried only when she could + not help it. She feared her aunt to a degree that made me pity her. I + admired her wit first, and then her virtue, for trial of which I pressed + her as far as was necessary, until I was even ashamed of myself. I waited + till night to get her into my coach, and then carried her to my aunt De + Maignelai, who put her into a convent, where she died eight or ten years + after, in great reputation for piety. My aunt, to whom this young creature + confessed that the menaces of the pin-maker had terrified her so much that + she would have done whatsoever I wished, was so affected with my behaviour + that she went to tell it to the Bishop of Lisieux, who told it to the + King. + </p> + <p> + This second adventure was not of the same nature, but it made as great an + impression on the King's mind. It was a duel I had with Coutenau, captain + of a company of the King's Light-horse, brave, but wild, who, riding post + from Paris as I was going there, made the ostler take off my saddle and + put on his. Upon my telling him I had hired the horse, he gave me a + swinging box on the ear, which fetched blood. I instantly drew my sword, + and so did he. While making our first thrusts his foot slipped, and his + sword dropped out of his hand as he fell to the ground. I retired a little + and bade him pick it up, which he did, but it was by the point, for he + presented me the handle and begged a thousand pardons. He told this little + story afterwards to the King, with whom he had great freedom. His Majesty + was pleased with it, and remembered both time and place, as you will see + hereafter. + </p> + <p> + The good reception I found at Court gave my relatives some grounds to hope + that I might have the coadjutorship of Paris. At first they found a great + deal of difficulty in my uncle's narrowness of spirit, which is always + attended with fears and jealousies; but at length they prevailed upon him, + and would have then carried our point, if my friends had not given it out, + much against my judgment, that it was done by the consent of the + Archbishop of Paris, and if they had not suffered the Sorbonne, the cures, + and chapter to return him their thanks. This affair made too much noise in + the world for my interest. For Cardinal Mazarin, De Noyers, and De + Chavigni thwarted me, and told his Majesty that the chapter should not be + entrusted with the power of nominating their own archbishop. And the King + was heard to say that I was yet too young. + </p> + <p> + But we met with a worse obstacle than all from M. de Noyers, Secretary of + State, one of the three favourite ministers, who passed for a religious + man, and was suspected by some to be a Jesuit in disguise. He had a secret + longing for the archbishopric of Paris, which would shortly be vacant, and + therefore thought it expedient to remove me from that city, where he saw I + was extremely beloved, and provide me with some post suitable to my years. + He proposed to the King by his confessor to nominate me Bishop of Agde. + The King readily granted the request, which confounded me beyond all + expression. I had no mind to go to Languedoc, and yet so great are the + inconveniences of a refusal that not a man had courage to advise me to it. + I became, therefore, my own counsellor, and having resolved with myself + what course to take, I waited upon his Majesty, and thanked him for his + gracious offer, but said I dreaded the weight of so remote a see, and that + my years wanted advice, which it is difficult to obtain in provinces so + distant. I added to this other arguments, which you may guess at. I was in + this adventure also more happy than wise. The King continued to treat me + very kindly. This circumstance, and the retreat of M. de Noyers, who fell + into the snare that Chavigni had laid for him, renewed my hopes of the + coadjutorship of Paris. The King died about this time, in 1643. M. de + Beaufort, who had been always devoted to the Queen's interest, and even + passed for her gallant, pretended now to govern the kingdom, of which he + was not so capable as his valet de chambre. The Bishop of Beauvais, the + greatest idiot you ever knew, took upon himself the character of Prime + Minister, and on the first day of his administration required the Dutch to + embrace the Roman Catholic religion if they desired to continue in + alliance with France. The Queen was ashamed of this ridiculous minister, + and sent for me to offer my father—[Philippe Emmanuel de Gondi, + Comte de Joigni; he retired to the Fathers of the Oratory, and became + priest; died 1662, aged eighty-one.]—the place of Prime Minister; + but he refusing peremptorily to leave his cell and the Fathers of the + Oratory, the place was conferred upon Cardinal Mazarin. + </p> + <p> + You may now imagine that it was no great task for me to obtain what I + desired at a time that nothing was refused, which made Feuillade say that + the only words in the French tongue were "La Reine est si bonne." + </p> + <p> + Madame de Maignelai and the Bishop of Lisieux desired the Queen to grant + me the coadjutorship of Paris, but they were repulsed, the Queen assuring + them that none should have it but my father, who kept from Court; and + would never be seen at the Louvre, except once, when the Queen told him + publicly that the King, the very night before he died, had ordered her + expressly to have it solicited for me, and that he said in the presence of + the Bishop of Lisieux that he had me always in his thoughts since the + adventures of the pinmaker and Captain Coutenau. What relation had these + trifling stories to the archbishopric of Paris? Thus we see that affairs + of the greatest moment often owe their rise and success to insignificant + trifles and accidents. All the companies went to thank the Queen. I sent + 16,000 crowns to Rome for my bull, with orders not to desire any favour, + lest it should delay the despatch and give the ministers time to oppose + it. I received my bull accordingly; and now you will see me ascending the + theatre of action, where you will find scenes not indeed worthy of + yourself, but not altogether unworthy of your attention. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="book2" id="book2"></a> + </p> + <h1> + BOOK II. + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + MADAME:—I lay it down as a maxim, that men who enter the service of + the State should make it their chief study to set out in the world with + some notable act which may strike the imagination of the people, and cause + themselves to be discussed. Thus I preached first upon All Saints' Day, + before an audience which could not but be numerous in a populous city, + where it is a wonder to see the Archbishop in the pulpit. I began now to + think seriously upon my future conduct. I found the archbishopric sunk + both in its temporals and spirituals by the sordidness, negligence, and + incapacity of my uncle. I foresaw infinite obstacles to its + reestablishment, but perceived that the greatest and most insuperable + difficulty lay in myself. I considered that the strictest morals are + necessarily required in a bishop. I felt myself the more obliged to be + strictly circumspect as my uncle had been very disorderly and scandalous. + I knew likewise that my own corrupt inclinations would bear down all + before them, and that all the considerations drawn from honour and + conscience would prove very weak defences. At last I came to a resolution + to go on in my sins, and that designedly, which without doubt is the more + sinful in the eyes of God, but with regard to the world is certainly the + best policy, because he that acts thus always takes care beforehand to + cover part of his failings, and thereby to avoid the jumbling together of + sin and devotion, than which nothing can be more dangerous and ridiculous + in a clergyman. This was my disposition, which was not the most pious in + the world nor yet the wickedest, for I was fully determined to discharge + all the duties of my profession faithfully, and exert my utmost to save + other souls, though I took no care of my own. + </p> + <p> + The Archbishop, who was the weakest of mortals, was, nevertheless, by a + common fatality attending such men, the most vainglorious; he yielded + precedence to every petty officer of the Crown, and yet in his own house + would not give the right-hand to any person of quality that came to him + about business. My behaviour was the reverse of his in almost everything; + I gave the right-hand to all strangers in my own house, and attended them + even to their coach, for which I was commended by some for my civility and + by others for my humility. I avoided appearing in public assemblies among + people of quality till I had established a reputation. When I thought I + had done so, I took the opportunity of the sealing of a marriage contract + to dispute my rank with M. de Guise. I had carefully studied the laws of + my diocese and got others to do it for me, and my right was indisputable + in my own province. The precedence was adjudged in my favour by a decree + of the Council, and I found, by the great number of gentlemen who then + appeared for me, that to condescend to men of low degree is the surest way + to equal those of the highest. + </p> + <p> + I dined almost every day with Cardinal Mazarin, who liked me the better + because I refused to engage myself in the cabal called "The Importants," + though many of the members were my dearest friends. M. de Beaufort, a man + of very mean parts, was so much out of temper because the Queen had put + her confidence in Cardinal Mazarin, that, though her Majesty offered him + favours with profusion, he would accept none, and affected to give himself + the airs of an angry lover. He held aloof from the Duc d'Orleans, insulted + the late Prince, and, in order to support himself against the + Queen-regent, the chief minister, and all the Princes of the blood, formed + a cabal of men who all died mad, and whom I never took for conjurers from + the first time I knew them. Such were Beaupre, Fontrailles, Fiesque, + Montresor, who had the austerity of Cato, but not his sagacity, and M. de + Bethune, who obliged M. de Beaufort to make me great overtures, which I + received very respectfully, but entered into none. I told Montresor that I + was indebted to the Queen for the coadjutorship of Paris, and that that + was enough to keep me from entering into any engagement that might be + disagreeable to her Majesty. Montresor said I was not obliged for it to + the Queen, it having been ordered before by the late King, and given me at + a crisis when she was not in a condition to refuse it. I replied, "Permit + me, monsieur, to forget everything that may diminish my gratitude, and to + remember that only which may increase it." These words were afterwards + repeated to Cardinal Mazarin, who was so pleased with me that he repeated + them to the Queen. + </p> + <p> + The families of Orleans and Conde, being united by interest, made a jest + of that surly look from which Beaufort's cabal were termed "The + Importants," and at the same time artfully made use of the grand + appearance which Beaufort (like those who carry more sail than ballast) + never failed to assume upon the most trifling occasions. His counsels were + unseasonable, his meetings to no purpose, and even his hunting matches + became mysterious. In short, Beaufort was arrested at the Louvre by a + captain of the Queen's Guards, and carried on the 2d of September, 1643, + to Vincennes. The cabal of "The Importants" was put to flight and + dispersed, and it was reported over all the kingdom that they had made an + attempt against the Cardinal's life, which I do not believe, because I + never saw anything in confirmation of it, though many of the domestics of + the family of Vendome were a long time in prison upon this account. + </p> + <p> + The Marquis de Nangis, who was enraged both against the Queen and + Cardinal, for reasons which I shall tell you afterwards, was strongly + tempted to come into this cabal a few days before Beaufort was arrested, + but I dissuaded him by telling him that fashion is powerful in all the + affairs of life, but more remarkably so as to a man's being in favour or + disgrace at Court. There are certain junctures when disgrace, like fire, + purifies all the bad qualities, and sets a lustre on all the good ones, + and also there are times when it does not become an honest man to be out + of favour at Court. I applied this to the gentlemen of the aforesaid + cabal. + </p> + <p> + I must confess, to the praise of Cardinal de Richelieu, that he had formed + two vast designs worthy of a Caesar or an Alexander: that of suppressing + the Protestants had been projected before by Cardinal de Retz, my uncle; + but that of attacking the formidable house of Austria was never thought of + by any before the Cardinal. He completed the first design, and had made + great progress in the latter. + </p> + <p> + That the King's death made no alteration in affairs was owing to the + bravery of the Prince de Conde and the famous battle of Rocroi, in 1643, + which contributed both to the peace and glory of the kingdom, and covered + the cradle of the present King with laurels. Louis XIV.'s father, who + neither loved nor esteemed his Queen, provided him a Council, upon his + death-bed, for limiting the authority of the Regency, and named the + Cardinal Mazarin, M. Seguier, M. Bouthillier, and M. de Chavigni; but + being all Richelieu's creatures, they were so hated by the public that + when the King was dead they were hissed at by all the footmen at Saint + Germain, and if De Beaufort had had a grain of sense, or if De Beauvais + had not been a disgraceful bishop, or if my father had but entered into + the administration, these collateral Regents would have been undoubtedly + expelled with ignominy, and the memory of Cardinal de Richelieu been + branded by the Parliament with shouts of joy. + </p> + <p> + The Queen was adored much more for her troubles than for her merit. Her + admirers had never seen her but under persecution; and in persons of her + rank, suffering is one of the greatest virtues. People were apt to fancy + that she was patient to a degree of indolence. In a word, they expected + wonders from her; and Bautru used to say she had already worked a miracle + because the most devout had forgotten her coquetry. The Duc d'Orleans, who + made a show as if he would have disputed the Regency with the Queen, was + contented to be Lieutenant-General of the Kingdom. The Prince de Conde was + declared President of the Council, and the Parliament confirmed the + Regency to the Queen without limitation. The exiles were called home, + prisoners set at liberty, and criminals pardoned. They who had been turned + out were replaced in their respective employments, and nothing that was + asked was refused. The happiness of private families seemed to be fully + secured in the prosperity of the State. The perfect union of the royal + family settled the peace within doors; and the battle of Rocroi was such a + blow to the Spanish infantry that they could not recover in an age. They + saw at the foot of the throne, where the fierce and terrible Richelieu + used to thunder rather than govern, a mild and gentle successor,—[Cardinal + Julius Mazarin, Minister of State, who died at Vincennes in 1661.]—who + was perfectly complacent and extremely troubled that his dignity of + Cardinal did not permit him to be as humble to all men as he desired; and + who, when he went abroad, had no other attendants than two footmen behind + his coach. Had not I, then, reason for saying that it did not become an + honest man to be on bad terms with the Court at that time of day? + </p> + <p> + You will wonder, no doubt, that nobody was then aware of the consequence + of imprisoning M. de Beaufort, when the prison doors were set open to all + others. This bold stroke—at a time when the Government was so mild + that its authority was hardly felt—had a very great effect. Though + nothing was more easy, as you have seen, yet it looked grand; and all acts + of this nature are very successful because they are attended with dignity + without any odium. That which generally draws an unaccountable odium upon + even the most necessary actions of statesmen, is that, in order to compass + them, they are commonly obliged to struggle with very great difficulties, + which, when they are surmounted, are certain to render them objects both + of envy and hatred. When a considerable occasion offers, where there is no + victory to be gained because there is no difficulty to encounter, which is + very rare, it gives a lustre to the authority of ministers which is pure, + innocent, and without a shadow, and not only establishes it, but casts + upon their administration the merit of actions which they have no hand in, + as well as those of which they have. + </p> + <p> + When the world saw that the Cardinal had apprehended the man who had + lately brought the King back to Paris with inconceivable pride, men's + imaginations were seized with an astonishing veneration. People thought + themselves much obliged to the Minister that some were not sent to the + Bastille every week; and the sweetness of his temper was sure to be + commended whenever he had not an opportunity of doing them harm. It must + be owned that he had the art of improving his good luck to the best + advantage. He made use of all the outward appearances necessary to create + a belief that he had been forced to take violent measures, and that the + counsels of the Duc d'Orleans and the Prince de Conde had determined the + Queen to reject his advice; the day following he seemed to be more + moderate, civil, and frank than before; he gave free access to all; + audiences were easily had, it was no more to dine with him than with a + private gentleman. He had none of that grand air so common to the meaner + cardinals. In short, though he was at the head of everybody, yet he + managed as if he were only their companion. That which astonishes me most + is that the princes and grandees of the kingdom, who, one might expect, + would be more quick-sighted than the common people, were the most blinded. + </p> + <p> + The Duc d'Orleans and the Prince de Conde—the latter attached to the + Court by his covetous temper—thought themselves above being + rivalled; the Duke—[Henri de Bourbon, Duc d'Enghien, born 1646, died + 1686. We shall often speak of him in this history.]—was old enough + to take his repose under the shadow of his laurels; M. de Nemours—[Charles + Amadeus of Savoy, killed in a duel by M. de Beaufort, 1650.]—was but + a child; M. de Guise, lately returned from Brussels, was governed by + Madame de Pons, and thought to govern the whole Court; M. de Schomberg + complied all his life long with the humour of those who were at the helm; + M. de Grammont was a slave to them. The Parliament, being delivered from + the tyranny of Richelieu, imagined the golden age was returning, being + daily assured by the Prime Minister that the Queen would not take one step + without them. The clergy, who are always great examples of slavish + servitude themselves, preached it to others under the plausible title of + passive obedience. Thus both clergy and laity were, in an instant, become + the devotees of Mazarin. + </p> + <p> + Being ordered by my Lord Archbishop of Paris to take care of his diocese + in his absence, my first business was, by the Queen's express command, to + visit the Nuns of the Conception, where, knowing that there were above + fourscore virgins, many of whom were very pretty and some coquettes, I was + very loth to go for fear, of exposing my virtue to temptation; but I could + not be excused, so I went, and preserved my virtue, to my neighbour's + edification, because for six weeks together I did not see the face of any + one of the nuns, nor talked to any of them but when their veils were down, + which gave me a vast reputation for chastity. I continued to perform all + the necessary functions in the diocese as far as the jealousy of my uncle + would give me leave, and, forasmuch as he was generally so peevish that it + was a very hard matter to please him, I at length chose to sit still and + do nothing. Thus I made the best use imaginable of my uncle's ill-nature, + being sure to convince him of my honest intentions upon all occasions; + whereas had I been my own master, the rules of good conduct would have + obliged me to confine myself to things in their own nature practicable. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal Mazarin confessed to me, many years afterwards, that this + conduct of mine in managing the affairs of the diocese, though it did him + no injury, was the first thing that made him jealous of my growing + greatness in Paris. Another thing alarmed him with as little reason, and + that was my undertaking to examine the capacity of all the priests of my + diocese, a thing of inconceivable use and importance. For this end I + erected three tribunals, composed of canons, curates, and men of religious + orders, who were to reduce all the priests under three different classes, + whereof the first was to consist of men well qualified, who were therefore + to be left in the exercise of their functions; the second was to + comprehend those who were not at present, but might in time prove able + men; and the third of such men as were neither now nor ever likely to + become so. The two last classes, being separated from the first, were not + to exercise their functions, but were lodged in separate houses; those of + the second class were instructed in the doctrine, but the third only in + the practice of piety. As this could not but be very expensive, the good + people opened their purses and contributed liberally. The Cardinal was so + disturbed when he heard of it that he got the Queen to send for my uncle + upon a frivolous occasion, who, for reasons as frivolous, ordered me to + desist. Though I was very well informed, by my good friend the Almoner, + that the blow came from Court, I bore it with a great deal more patience + than was consistent with a man of my spirit, for I did not seem to take + the least notice of it, but was as gracious to the Cardinal as ever. But I + was not so wary in another case which happened some time after, for honest + Morangis telling me I was too extravagant, which was but too true, I + answered him rashly, "I have made a calculation that Caesar, when at my + age, owed six times as much." This remark was carried, unluckily, by a + doctor then present, to M. Servien, who told it maliciously to the + Cardinal, who made a jest of it, as he had reason to do, but he took + notice of it, for which I cannot blame him. + </p> + <p> + In 1645 I was invited, as a diocesan, to the assembly of the clergy, + which, I may truly say, was the rock whereon the little share of favour I + had at Court was cast away. Cardinal de Richelieu had given a cruel blow + to the dignity and liberty of the clergy in the assembly of Mantes, and, + with very barbarous circumstances, had banished six of his most + considerable prelates. It was resolved in this assembly of 1645 to make + them some amends for their firmness on that occasion by inviting them to + come and take their places—though they were not deputed—among + their brethren. When this was first, proposed in the assembly, nobody + dreamt that the Court would take offence at it, and it falling to my turn + to speak first, I proposed the said resolution, as it had been concerted + betwixt us before in private conversation, and it was unanimously approved + of by the assembly. + </p> + <p> + At my return home the Queen's purse-bearer came to me with an order to + attend her Majesty forthwith, which I accordingly obeyed. When I came into + her presence she said she could not have believed I would ever have been + wanting in my duty to that degree as to wound the memory of the late King, + her lord. I had such reasons to offer as she could not herself confute, + and therefore referred me to the Cardinal, but I found he understood those + things no better than her Majesty. He spoke to me with the haughtiest air + in the world, refused to hear my justification, and commanded me in the + King's name to retract publicly the next day in full assembly. You may + imagine how difficult it was for me to resolve what to do. However, I did + not break out beyond the bounds of modest respect, and, finding that my + submission made no impression upon the Cardinal, I got the Bishop of + Arles, a wise and moderate gentleman, to go to him along with me, and to + join with me in offering our reasons. But we found his Eminence a very + ignoramus in ecclesiastical polity. I only mention this to let you see + that in my first misunderstanding with the Court I was not to blame, and + that my respect for the Cardinal upon the Queen's account was carried to + an excess of patience. + </p> + <p> + Some months after, his profound ignorance and envenomed malice furnished + me with a fresh occasion to exercise patience. The Bishop of Warmia, one + of the ambassadors that came to fetch the Queen of Poland, was very + desirous to celebrate the marriage in the Church of Notre-Dame. Though the + archbishops of Paris never suffered solemnities of this kind to be + celebrated in their churches by any but cardinals of the royal family, and + though my uncle had been highly blamed by all his clergy for permitting + the Cardinal de La Rochefoucault to marry the Queen of England,—[Henriette + Marie of France, daughter of Henri IV., died 1669.]—nevertheless I + was ordered by a 'lettre de cachet' to prepare the said Church of Notre + Dame for the Bishop of Warmia, which order ran in the same style as that + given to the 'prevot des marchands' when he is to prepare the Hotel de + Ville for a public ball. I showed the letter to the deans and canons, and + said I did not doubt but it was a stratagem of one or other of the + Secretary of State's clerks to get a gift of money. + </p> + <p> + I thereupon went to the Cardinal, pressed him with both reasons and + precedents, and said that, as I was his particular humble servant, I hoped + he would be pleased to lay them before her Majesty, making use of all + other persuasion—which I thought would dispose him to a compliance. + It was then that I learned that he only wanted an opportunity to embroil + me with the Queen, for though I saw plainly that he was sorry he had given + such orders before he knew their consequence, yet, after some pause, he + reassumed his former obstinacy to the very last degree; and, because I + spoke in the name of the Archbishop and of the whole Church of Paris, he + stormed as much as if a private person upon his own authority had presumed + to make a speech to him at the head of fifty malcontents. I endeavoured + with all respect to show him that our case was quite different; but he was + so ignorant of our manners and customs that he took everything by the + wrong handle. He ended the conversation very abruptly and rudely, and + referred me to the Queen. I found her Majesty in a fretful mood, and all I + could get out of her was a promise to hear the chapter upon this affair, + without whose consent—I had declared I could not conclude anything. + </p> + <p> + I sent for them accordingly, and having introduced them to the Queen, they + spoke very discreetly and to the purpose. The Queen sent us back to the + Cardinal, who entertained us only with impertinences, and as he had but a + superficial knowledge of the French language, he concluded by telling me + that I had talked very insolently to him the night before. You may imagine + that that word was enough to vex me, but having resolved beforehand to + keep my temper, I smiled, and said to the deputies, "Gentlemen, this is + fine language." He was nettled at my smile, and said to me in aloud tone, + "Do you know whom you talk to? I will teach you how to behave." Now, I + confess, my blood began to boil. I told him that the Coadjutor of Paris + was talking to Cardinal Mazarin, but that perhaps he thought himself the + Cardinal de Lorraine, and me the Bishop of Metz, his suffragan. + </p> + <p> + Then we went away and met the Marechal d'Estrees coming up to us, who came + to advise me not to break with the Court, and to tell me that things might + be arranged; and when he found I was of another opinion, he told me in + plain terms that he had orders from the Queen to oblige me to come to her. + I went without more ado, accompanied by the deputies, and found her more + gracious and better humoured than I am able to express. She told me that + she had a mind to see me, not so much in relation to our affair, which + might be easily accommodated, as to reprimand me for using such language + to the poor Cardinal, who was as meek as a lamb, and loved me as his own + son. She added all the kind things possible, and ordered the dean and + deputies to go along with me to the Cardinal's house, that we might + consult together what course to take. This was so much against my + inclination that I gave the Queen to understand that no person in the + world but her Majesty could have persuaded me to it. + </p> + <p> + We found the Minister even milder than his mistress. He made a world of + excuses for the word "insolent," by which he said, and perhaps it may be + true, that he meant no more than 'insolito', a word signifying "somewhat + uncommon." He showed me all the civility imaginable, but, instead of + coming to any determination, put us off to another opportunity. A few days + after, a letter was brought me at midnight from the Archbishop, commanding + me to let the Bishop of Warmia perform the marriage without any more + opposition. + </p> + <p> + Had I been wise I should have stopped there, because a man ought in + prudence to make his peace with the Court upon any terms consistent with + honour. But I was young, and the more provoked because I perceived that + all the fair words given me at Fontainebleau were but a feint to gain time + to write about the affair to my uncle, then at Angers. However, I said + nothing to the messenger, more than that I was glad my uncle had so well + brought me off. The chapter being likewise served with the same order, we + sent the Court this answer: That the Archbishop might do what he listed in + the nave of the church, but that the choir belonged to the chapter, and + they would yield it to no man but himself or his coadjutor. The Cardinal + knew the meaning of this, and thereupon resolved to have the marriage + solemnised in the Chapel Royal, whereof he said the Great Almoner was + bishop. But this being a yet more important question than the other, I + laid the inconveniences of it before him in a letter. This nettled him, + and he made a mere jest of my letter. I gave the Queen of Poland to + understand that, if she were married in that manner, I should be forced, + even against my will, to declare the marriage void; but that there + remained one expedient which would effectually remove all difficulties,—that + the marriage might be performed in the King's Chapel, and should stand + good provided that the Bishop of Warmia came to me for a license. + </p> + <p> + The Queen, resolving to lose no more time by awaiting new orders from + Angers, and fearing the least flaw in her marriage, the Court was obliged + to comply with my proposal, and the ceremony was performed accordingly. + </p> + <p> + Not long after this marriage I was unhappily embroiled with the Duc + d'Orleans, upon an occasion of no greater importance than my foot-cloth in + the Church of Notre-Dame, which was by mistake removed to his seat. I + complained of it to him, and he ordered it to be restored. Nevertheless + the Abby de la Riviere made him believe I had put an affront upon him that + was too public to be pardoned. The Duke was so simple as to believe it, + and, while the courtiers turned all into banter, he swore he would receive + incense before me at the said church for the future. In the meantime the + Queen sent for me, and told me that the Duke was in a terrible passion, + for which she was very sorry, but that nevertheless she could not help + being of his opinion, and therefore insisted upon it that I ought to give + him satisfaction in the Church of Notre-Dame the Sunday following. Upon + the whole she referred me to Cardinal Mazarin, who declared to me at first + that he was very sorry to see me in so much trouble, blamed the Abby for + having incensed the Duke to such a degree, and used all the arguments he + could to wheedle me to give my consent to being degraded. And when he saw + I was not to be led, he endeavoured to drive me into the snare. He stormed + with an air of authority, and would fain have bullied me into compliance, + telling me that hitherto he had spoken as a friend, but that I had forced + him henceforth to speak as a minister. He also began to threaten, and the + conversation growing warm, he sought to pick a quarrel by insinuating that + if I would do as Saint Ambrose did, I ought to lead a life like him. As he + spoke this loud enough to be heard by some bishops at the other end of the + room, I likewise raised my voice, and told him I would endeavour to make + the best use of his advice, but he might assure himself I was fully + resolved so to imitate Saint Ambrose in this affair that I might, through + his means, obtain grace to be able to imitate him in all others. + </p> + <p> + I had not been long gone home when the Marechal d'Estrees and M. + Senneterre came, furnished with all the flowers of rhetoric, to persuade + me that degradation was honourable; and finding me immovable, they + insinuated that my obstinacy might oblige his Highness to use force, and + order his guards to carry me, in spite of myself, to Notre-Dame, and place + me there on a seat below his. I thought this suggestion too ridiculous to + mind it at first, but being forewarned of it that very evening by the + Duke's Chancellor, I put myself upon the defensive, which I think is the + most ridiculous piece of folly I was ever guilty of, considering it was + against a son of France, and when there was a profound tranquillity in the + State, without the least appearance of any commotion. The Duke, to whom I + had the honour of being related, was pleased with my boldness. He + remembered the Abby de la Riviere for his insolence in complaining that + the Prince de Conti was marked down for a cardinal before him; besides, + the Duke knew I was in the right, having made it very evident in a + statement I had published upon this head. He acquainted the Cardinal with + it, said he would not suffer the least violence to be offered to me; that + I was both his kinsman and devoted servant, and that he would not set out + for the army till he saw the affair at an end. + </p> + <p> + All the Court was in consternation for fear of a rupture, especially when + the Prince de Conde had been informed by the Queen of what his son had + said; and when he came to my house and found there sixty or eighty + gentlemen, this made him believe that a league was already made with the + Duke, but there was nothing in it. He swore, he threatened, he begged, he + flattered, and in his transports he let fall some expressions which showed + that the Duke was much more concerned for my interest than he ever yet + owned to me. I submitted that very instant, and told the Prince that I + would do anything rather than the royal family should be divided on my + account. The Prince, who hitherto found me immovable, was so touched at my + sudden surrender in complaisance to his son, at the very time, too, when + he himself had just assured me I was to expect a powerful protection from + him, that he suddenly changed his temper, so that, instead of thinking as + he did at first, that there was no satisfaction great enough for the Duc + d'Orleans, he now determined plainly in favour of the expedient I had so + often proposed,—that I should go and declare to him, in the presence + of the whole Court, that I never designed to be wanting in the respect I + owed him, and that the orders of the Church had obliged me to act as I did + at Notre-Dame. The Cardinal and the Abby de la Riviere were enraged to the + last degree, but the Prince put them into such fear of the Duke that they + were fain to submit. The Prince took me to the Duc d'Orleans's house, + where I gave them satisfaction before the whole Court, precisely in the + words above mentioned. His Highness was quite satisfied with my reasons, + carried me to see his medals, and thus ended the controversy. + </p> + <p> + As this affair and the marriage of the Queen of Poland had embroiled me + with the Court, you may easily conceive what turn the courtiers gave to + it. But here I found by experience that all the powers upon earth cannot + hurt the reputation of a man who preserves it established and unspotted in + the society whereof he is a member. All the learned clergy took my part, + and I soon perceived that many of those who had before blamed my conduct + now retracted. I made this observation upon a thousand other occasions. I + even obliged the Court, some time after, to commend my proceedings, and + took an opportunity to convince the Queen that it was my dignity, and not + any want of respect and gratitude, that made me resist the Court in the + two former cases. The Cardinal was very well pleased with me, and said in + public that he found me as much concerned for the King's service as I was + before for the honour of my character. + </p> + <p> + It falling to my turn to make the speech at the breaking up of the + assembly of the clergy at Paris, I had the good luck to please both the + clergy and the Court. Cardinal Mazarin took me to supper with him alone, + seemed to be clear of all prejudices against me, and I verily believe was + fully persuaded that he had been imposed upon. But I was too much beloved + in Paris to continue long in favour at Court. This was a crime that + rendered me disagreeable in the eyes of a refined Italian statesman, and + which was the more dangerous from the fact that I lost no opportunity of + aggravating it by a natural and unaffected expense, to which my air of + negligence gave a lustre, and by my great alms and bounty, which, though + very often secret, had the louder echo; whereas, in truth, I had acted + thus at first only in compliance with inclination and out of a sense of + duty. But the necessity I was under of supporting myself against the Court + obliged me to be yet more liberal. I do but just mention it here to show + you that the Court was jealous of me, when I never thought myself capable + of giving them the least occasion, which made me reflect that a man is + oftener deceived by distrusting than by being overcredulous. + </p> + <p> + Cardinal Mazarin, who was born and bred in the Pope's dominions, where + papal authority has no limits, took the impetus given to the regal power + by his tutor, the Cardinal de Richelieu, to be natural to the body + politic, which mistake of his occasioned the civil war, though we must + look much higher for its prime cause. + </p> + <p> + It is above 1,200 years that France has been governed by kings, but they + were not as absolute at first as they are now. Indeed, their authority was + never limited by written laws as are the Kings of England and Castile, but + only moderated by received customs, deposited, as I may say, at first in + the hands of the States of the kingdom, and afterwards in those of the + Parliament. The registering of treaties with other Crowns and the + ratifications of edicts for raising money are almost obliterated images of + that wise medium between the exorbitant power of the Kings and the + licentiousness of the people instituted by our ancestors. Wise and good + Princes found that this medium was such a seasoning to their power as made + it delightful to their people. On the other hand, weak and vicious Kings + always hated it as an obstacle to all their extravagances. The history of + the Sire de Joinville makes it evident that Saint Louis was an admirer of + this scheme of government, and the writings of Oresme, Bishop of Lisieux, + and of the famous Juvenal des Ursins, convince us that Charles V., who + merited the surname of Wise, never thought his power to be superior to the + laws and to his duty. Louis XI., more cunning than truly wise, broke his + faith upon this head as well as all others. Louis XII. would have restored + this balance of power to its ancient lustre if the ambition of Cardinal + Amboise,—[George d'Amboise, the first of the name, in 1498 Minister + to Louis XII., deceased 1510.]—who governed him absolutely, had not + opposed it. + </p> + <p> + The insatiable avarice of Constable Montmorency—[Anne de + Montmorency, Constable of France in 1538, died 1567.]—tended rather + to enlarge than restrain the authority of Francois I. The extended views + and vast designs of M. de Guise would not permit them to think of placing + bounds to the prerogative under Francois II. In the reigns of Charles IX. + and Henri III. the Court was so fatigued with civil broils that they took + everything for rebellion which was not submission. Henri IV., who was not + afraid of the laws, because he trusted in himself, showed he had a high + esteem for them. The Duc de Rohan used to say that Louis XIII. was jealous + of his own authority because he was ignorant of its full extent, for the + Marechal d'Ancrel and M. de Luynes were mere dunces, incapable of + informing him. Cardinal de Richelieu, who succeeded them, collected all + the wicked designs and blunders of the two last centuries to serve his + grand purpose. He laid them down as proper maxims for establishing the + King's authority, and, fortune seconding his designs by the disarming of + the Protestants in France, by the victories of the Swedes, by the weakness + of the Empire and of Spain, he established the most scandalous and + dangerous tyranny that perhaps ever enslaved a State in the best + constituted monarchy under the sun. + </p> + <p> + Custom, which has in some countries inured men even to broil as it were in + the heat of the sun, has made things familiar to us which our forefathers + dreaded more than fire itself. We no longer feel the slavery which they + abhorred more for the interest of their King than for their own. Cardinal + de Richelieu counted those things crimes which before him were looked upon + as virtues. The Mirons, Harlays, Marillacs, Pibracs, and the Fayes, those + martyrs of the State who dispelled more factions by their wholesome maxims + than were raised in France by Spanish or British gold, were defenders of + the doctrine for which the Cardinal de Richelieu confined President + Barillon in the prison of Amboise. And the Cardinal began to punish + magistrates for advancing those truths which they were obliged by their + oaths to defend at the hazard of their lives. + </p> + <p> + Our wise Kings, who understood their true interest, made the Parliament + the depositary of their ordinances, to the end that they might exempt + themselves from part of the odium that sometimes attends the execution of + the most just and necessary decrees. They thought it no disparagement to + their royalty to be bound by them,—like unto God, who himself obeys + the laws he has preordained. ['A good government: where the people obey + their king and the king obeys the law'—Solon. D.W.] Ministers of + State, who are generally so blinded by the splendour of their fortune as + never to be content with what the laws allow, make it their business to + overturn them; and Cardinal de Richelieu laboured at it more constantly + than any other, and with equal application and imprudence. + </p> + <p> + God only is self-existent and independent; the most rightful monarchs and + established monarchies in the world cannot possibly be supported but by + the conjunction of arms and laws,—a union so necessary that the one + cannot subsist without the other. Laws without the protection of arms sink + into contempt, and arms which are not tempered by laws quickly turn a + State into anarchy. The Roman commonwealth being set aside by Julius + Caesar, the supreme power which was devolved upon his successors by force + of arms subsisted no longer than they were able to maintain the authority + of the laws; for as soon as the laws lost their force, the power of the + Roman Emperors vanished, and the very men that were their favourites, + having got possession of their seals and their arms, converted their + masters' substance into their own, and, as it were, sucked them dry under + the shelter of those repealed laws. The Roman Empire, formerly sold by + auction to the highest bidder, and the Turkish emperors, whose necks are + exposed every day to the bowstring, show us in very bloody characters the + blindness of those men that make authority to consist only in force. + </p> + <p> + But why need we go abroad for examples when we have so many at home? + Pepin, in dethroning the Merovingian family, and Capet, in dispossessing + the Carlovingians, made use of nothing else but the same power which the + ministers, their predecessors, had acquired under the authority of their + masters; and it is observable that the mayors of the Palace and the counts + of Paris placed themselves on the thrones of kings exactly by the same + methods that gained them their masters' favours,—that is, by + weakening and changing the laws of the land, which at first always pleases + weak princes, who fancy it aggrandises their power; but in its consequence + it gives a power to the great men and motives to the common people to + rebel against their authority. Cardinal de Richelieu was cunning enough to + have all these views, but he sacrificed everything to his interest. He + would govern according to his own fancy, which scorned to be tied to + rules, even in cases where it would have cost him nothing to observe them. + And he acted his part so well that, if his successor had been a man of his + abilities, I doubt not that the title of Prime Minister, which he was the + first to assume, would have been as odious in France in a little time as + were those of the Maire du Palais and the Comte de Paris. But by the + providence of God, Cardinal Mazarin, who succeeded him, was not capable of + giving the State any jealousy of his usurpation. As these two ministers + contributed chiefly, though in a different way, to the civil war, I judge + it highly necessary to give you the particular character of each, and to + draw a parallel between them. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="p100j" id="p100j"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="p100j.jpg (76K)" src="images/p100j.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + Cardinal de Richelieu was well descended; his merit sparkled even in his + youth. He was taken notice of at the Sorbonne, and it was very soon + observed that he had a strong genius and a lively fancy. He was commonly + happy in the choice of his parties. He was a man of his word, unless great + interests swayed him to the contrary, and in such a case he was very + artful to preserve all the appearances of probity. He was not liberal, yet + he gave more than he promised, and knew admirably well how to season all + his favours. He was more ambitious than was consistent with the rules of + morality, although it must be owned that, whenever he dispensed with them + in favour of his extravagant ambition, his great merit made it almost + excusable. He neither feared dangers nor yet despised them, and prevented + more by his sagacity than he surmounted by his resolution. He was a hearty + friend, and even wished to be beloved by the people; but though he had + civility, a good aspect, and all the other qualifications to gain that + love, yet he still wanted something—I know not what to call it—which + is absolutely necessary in this case. By his power and royal state he + debased and swallowed up the personal majesty of the King. He + distinguished more judiciously than any man in the world between bad and + worse, good and better, which is a great qualification in a minister. He + was too apt to be impatient at mere trifles when they had relation to + things of moment; but those blemishes, owing to his lofty spirit, were + always accompanied with the necessary talent of knowledge to make amends + for those imperfections. He had religion enough for this world. His own + good sense, or else his inclination, always led him to the practice of + virtue if his self-interest did not bias him to evil, which, whenever he + committed it, he did so knowingly. He extended his concern for the State + no further than his own life, though no minister ever did more than he to + make the world believe he had the same regard for the future. In a word, + all his vices were such that they received a lustre from his great + fortune, because they were such as could have no other instruments to work + with but great virtues. You will easily conceive that a man who possessed + such excellent qualities, and appeared to have as many more,—which + he had not,—found it no hard task to preserve that respect among + mankind which freed him from contempt, though not from hatred. + </p> + <p> + Cardinal Mazarin's character was the reverse of the former; his birth was + mean, and his youth scandalous. He was thrashed by one Moretto, a + goldsmith of Rome, as he was going out of the amphitheatre, for having + played the sharper. He was a captain in a foot regiment, and Bagni, his + general, told me that while he was under his command, which was but three + months, he was only looked upon as a cheat. By the interest of Cardinal + Antonio Barberini, he was sent as Nuncio Extraordinary to France, which + office was not obtained in those days by fair means. He so tickled + Chavigni by his loose Italian stories that he was shortly after introduced + to Cardinal de Richelieu, who made him Cardinal with the same view which, + it is thought, determined the Emperor Augustus to leave the succession of + the Empire to Tiberius. He was still Richelieu's obsequious, humble + servant, notwithstanding the purple. The Queen making choice of him, for + want of another, his pedigree was immediately derived from a princely + family. The rays of fortune having dazzled him and everybody about him, he + rose, and they glorified him for a second Richelieu, whom he had the + impudence to ape, though he had nothing of him; for what his predecessor + counted honourable he esteemed scandalous. He made a mere jest of + religion. He promised everything without scruple; at the same time he + intended to perform nothing. He was neither good-natured nor cruel, for he + never remembered either good offices or bad ones. He loved himself too + well, which is natural to a sordid soul; and feared himself too little, + the true characteristic of those that have no regard for their reputation. + He foresaw an evil well enough, because he was usually timid, but never + applied a suitable remedy, because he had more fear than wisdom. He had + wit, indeed, together with a most insinuating address and a gay, courtly + behaviour; but a villainous heart appeared constantly through all, to such + a degree as betrayed him to be a fool in adversity and a knave in + prosperity. In short, he was the first minister that could be called a + complete trickster, for which reason his administration, though successful + and absolute, never sat well upon him, for contempt—the most + dangerous disease of any State—crept insensibly into the Ministry + and easily diffused its poison from the head to the members. + </p> + <p> + You will not wonder, therefore, that there were so many unlucky cross rubs + in an administration which so soon followed that of Cardinal de Richelieu + and was so different from it. It is certain that the imprisonment of M. de + Beaufort impressed the people with a respect for Mazarin, which the lustre + of his purple would never have procured from private men. Ondedei (since + Bishop of Frejus) told me that the Cardinal jested with him upon the + levity of the French nation on this point, and that at the end of four + months the Cardinal had set himself up in his own opinion for a Richelieu, + and even thought he had greater abilities. It would take up volumes to + record all his faults, the least of which were very important in one + respect which deserves a particular remark. As he trod in the steps of + Cardinal de Richelieu, who had completely abolished all the ancient maxims + of government, he went in a path surrounded with precipices, which + Richelieu was aware of and took care to avoid. But Cardinal Mazarin made + no use of those props by which Richelieu kept his footing. For instance, + though Cardinal de Richelieu affected to humble whole bodies and + societies, yet he studied to oblige individuals, which is sufficient to + give you an idea of all the rest. He had indeed some unaccountable + illusions, which he pushed to the utmost extremity. The most dangerous + kind of illusion in State affairs is a sort of lethargy that never happens + without showing pronounced symptoms. The abolishing of ancient laws, the + destruction of that golden medium which was established between the Prince + and the people, and the setting up a power purely and absolutely despotic, + were the original causes of those political convulsions which shook France + in the days of our forefathers. + </p> + <p> + Cardinal de Richelieu managed the kingdom as mountebanks do their + patients, with violent remedies which put strength into it; but it was + only a convulsive strength, which exhausted its vital organs. Cardinal + Mazarin, like a very unskilful physician, did not observe that the vital + organs were decayed, nor had he the skill to support them by the chemical + preparations of his predecessor; his only remedy was to let blood, which + he drew so plentifully that the patient fell into a lethargy, and our + medicaster was yet so stupid as to mistake this lethargy for a real state + of health. The provinces, abandoned to the rapine of the superintendents, + were stifled, as it were, under the pressure of their heavy misfortunes, + and the efforts they made to shake them off in the time of Richelieu added + only to their weight and bitterness. The Parliaments, which had so lately + groaned under tyranny, were in a manner insensible to present miseries by + a too fresh and lively remembrance of their past troubles. The grandees, + who had for the most part been banished from the kingdom, were glad to + have returned, and therefore took their fill of ease and pleasure. If our + quack had but humoured this universal indolence with soporifics, the + general drowsiness might have continued much longer, but thinking it to be + nothing but natural sleep, he applied no remedy at all. The disease gained + strength, grew worse and worse, the patient awakened, Paris became + sensible of her condition; she groaned, but nobody minded it, so that she + fell into a frenzy, whereupon the patient became raving mad. + </p> + <p> + But now to come to particulars. Emeri, Superintendent of the Finances, and + in my opinion the most corrupt man of the age, multiplied edicts as fast + as he could find names to call them by. I cannot give you a better idea of + the man than by repeating what I heard him say in full Council,—that + faith was for tradesmen only, and that the Masters of Requests who urged + faith to be observed in the King's affairs deserved to be punished. This + man, who had in his youth been condemned to be hanged at Lyons, absolutely + governed Mazarin in all the domestic affairs of the kingdom. I mention + this, among many other instances which I could produce of the same nature, + to let you see that a nation does not feel the extremity of misery till + its governors have lost all shame, because that is the instant when the + subjects throw off all respect and awake convulsively out of their + lethargy. + </p> + <p> + The Swiss seemed, as it were, crushed under the weight of their chains, + when three of their powerful cantons revolted and formed themselves into a + league. The Dutch thought of nothing but an entire subjection to the + tyrant Duke of Alva, when the Prince of Orange, by the peculiar destiny of + great geniuses, who see further into the future than all the world + besides, conceived a plan and restored their liberty. The reason of all + this is plain: that which causes a supineness in suffering States is the + duration of the evil, which inclines the sufferers to believe it will + never have an end; as soon as they have hopes of getting out of it, which + never fails when the evil has arrived at a certain pitch, they are so + surprised, so glad, and so transported, that they run all of a sudden into + the other extreme, and are so far from thinking revolutions impossible + that they suppose them easy, and such a disposition alone is sometimes + able to bring them about; witness the late revolution in France. Who could + have imagined, three months before the critical period of our disorders, + that such a revolution could have happened in a kingdom where all the + branches of the royal family were strictly united, where the Court was a + slave to the Prime Minister, where the capital city and all the provinces + were in subjection to him, where the armies were victorious, and where the + corporations and societies seemed to have no power?—whoever, I say, + had said this would have been thought a madman, not only in the judgment + of the vulgar, but in the opinion of a D'Estrees or a Senneterre. + </p> + <p> + In August, 1647, there was a mighty clamour against the tariff edict + imposing a general tax upon all provisions that came into Paris, which the + people were resolved to bear no longer. But the gentlemen of the Council + being determined to support it, the Queen consulted the members deputed + from Parliament, when Cardinal Mazarin, a mere ignoramus in these affairs, + said he wondered that so considerable a body as they were should mind such + trifles,—an expression truly worthy of Mazarin. However, the Council + at length imagining the Parliament would do it, thought fit to suppress + the tariff themselves by a declaration, in order to save the King's + credit. Nevertheless, a few days after, they presented five edicts even + more oppressive than the tariff, not with any hopes of having them + received, but to force the Parliament to restore the tariff. Rather than + admit the new ones, the Parliament consented to restore the old one, but + with so many qualifications that the Court, despairing to find their + account in it, published a decree of the Supreme Council annulling that of + the Parliament with all its modifications. But the Chamber of Vacations + answered it by another, enjoining the decree of Parliament to be put in + execution. The Council, seeing they could get no money by this method, + acquainted the Parliament that, since they would receive no new edicts, + they could do no less than encourage the execution of such edicts as they + had formerly ratified; and thereupon they trumped up a declaration which + had been registered two years before for the establishment of the Chamber + of Domain, which was a terrible charge upon the people, had very + pernicious consequences, and which the Parliament had passed, either + through a surprise or want of better judgment. The people mutinied, went + in crowds to the Palace, and used very abusive language to the President + de Thore, Emeri's son. The Parliament was obliged to pass a decree against + the mutineers. + </p> + <p> + The Court, overjoyed to see the Parliament and the people together by the + ears, supported the decree by a regiment of French and Swiss Guards. The + Parisians were alarmed, and got into the belfries of three churches in the + street of Saint Denis, where the guards were posted. The Provost ran to + acquaint the Court that the city was just taking arms. Upon which they + ordered the troops to retire, and pretended they were posted there for no + other end than to attend the King as he went to the Church of Notre Dame; + and the better to cover their design, the King went next day in great pomp + to the said church, and the day after he went to Parliament, without + giving notice of his coming till very late the night before, and carried + with him five or six edicts more destructive than the former. The First + President spoke very boldly against bringing the King into the House after + this manner, to surprise the members and infringe upon their liberty of + voting. Next day the Masters of Requests, to whom one of these edicts, + confirmed in the King's presence, had added twelve colleagues, met and + took a firm resolution not to admit of this new creation. The Queen sent + for them, told them they were very pretty gentlemen to oppose the King's + will, and forbade them to come to Council. Instead of being frightened, + they were the more provoked, and, going into the Great Hall, demanded that + they might have leave to enter their protest against the edict for + creating new members, which was granted. + </p> + <p> + The Chambers being assembled the same day to examine the edicts which the + King had caused to be ratified in his presence, the Queen commanded them + to attend her by their deputies in the Palais Royal, and told them she was + surprised that they pretended to meddle with what had been consecrated by + the presence of the King. These were the very words of the Chancellor. The + First President answered that it was the custom of Parliament, and showed + the necessity of it for preserving the liberty of voting. The Queen seemed + to be satisfied; but, finding some days after that the Parliament was + consulting as to qualifying those edicts, and so render them of little or + no use, she ordered the King's Council to forbid the Parliament meddling + with the King's edicts till they had declared formally whether they + intended to limit the King's authority. Those members that were in the + Court interest artfully took advantage of the dilemma the Parliament was + in to answer the question, and, in order to mollify them, tacked a clause + to the decrees which specified the restrictions, namely, that all should + be executed according to the good pleasure of the King. This clause + pleased the Queen for a while, but when she perceived that it did not + prevent the rejecting of almost any other edict by the common suffrage of + the Parliament, she flew into a passion, and told them plainly that she + would have all the edicts, without exception, fully executed, without any + modifications whatsoever. + </p> + <p> + Not long after this, the Court of Aids, the Chamber of Accounts, the Grand + Council, and the Parliament formed a union which was pretended to be for + the reformation of the State, but was more probably calculated for the + private interest of the officers, whose salaries were lessened by one of + the said edicts. And the Court, being alarmed and utterly perplexed by the + decree for the said union, endeavoured, as much as in them lay, to give it + this turn, to make the people have a mean opinion of it. The Queen + acquainted the Parliament by some of the King's Council that, seeing this + union was entered into for the particular interest of the companies, and + not for the reformation of the State, as they endeavoured to persuade her, + she had nothing to say to it, as everybody is at liberty to represent his + case to the King, but never to intermeddle with the government of the + State. + </p> + <p> + The Parliament did not relish this ensnaring discourse, and because they + were exasperated by the Court's apprehending some of the members of the + Grand Council, they thought of nothing but justifying and supporting their + decree of union by finding out precedents, which they accordingly met with + in the registers, and were going to consider how to put it in execution + when one of the Secretaries of State came to the bar of the house, and put + into the hands of the King's Council a decree of the Supreme Council + which, in very truculent terms, annulled that of the union. Upon this the + Parliament desired a meeting with the deputies of the other three bodies, + at which the Court was enraged, and had recourse to the mean expedient of + getting the very original decree of union out of the hands of the chief + registrar; for that end they sent the Secretary of State and a lieutenant + of the Guards, who put him into a coach to drive him to the office, but + the people perceiving it, were up in arms immediately, and both the + secretary and lieutenant were glad to get off. + </p> + <p> + After this there was a great division in the Council, and some said the + Queen was disposed to arrest the Parliament; but none but herself was of + that opinion, which, indeed, was not likely to be acted upon, considering + how the people then stood affected. Therefore a more moderate course was + taken. The Chancellor reprimanded the Parliament in the presence of the + King and Court, and ordered a second decree of Council to be read and + registered instead of the union decree, forbidding them to assemble under + pain of being treated as rebels. They met, nevertheless, in defiance of + the said decree, and had several days' consultation, upon which the Duc + d'Orleans, who was very sensible they would never comply, proposed an + accommodation. Accordingly Cardinal Mazarin and the Chancellor made some + proposals, which were rejected with indignation. The Parliament affected + to be altogether concerned for the good of the public, and issued a decree + obliging themselves to continue their session and to make humble + remonstrances to the King for annulling the decrees of the Council. + </p> + <p> + The King's Council having obtained audience of the Queen for the + Parliament, the First President strenuously urged the great necessity of + inviolably preferring that golden mean between the King and the subject; + proved that the Parliament had been for many ages in possession of full + authority to unite and assemble; complained against the annulling of their + decree of union, and concluded with a very earnest motion for suppressing + decrees of the Supreme Council made in opposition to theirs. The Court, + being moved more by the disposition of the people than by the + remonstrances of the Parliament, complied immediately, and ordered the + King's Council to acquaint the Parliament that the King would permit the + act of union to be executed, and that they might assemble and act in + concert with the other bodies for the good of the State. + </p> + <p> + You may judge how the Cabinet was mortified, but the vulgar were much + mistaken in thinking that the weakness of Mazarin upon this occasion gave + the least blow to the royal authority. In that conjuncture it was + impossible for him to act otherwise, for if he had continued inflexible on + this occasion he would certainly have been reckoned a madman and + surrounded with barricades. He only yielded to the torrent, and yet most + people accused him of weakness. It is certain this affair brought him into + great contempt, and though he endeavoured to appease the people by the + banishment of Emeri, yet the Parliament, perceiving what ascendancy they + had over the Court, left no stone unturned to demolish the power of this + overgrown favourite. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal, made desperate by the failure of his stratagems to create + jealousy among the four bodies, and alarmed at a proposition which they + were going to make for cancelling all the loans made to the King upon + excessive interest,—the Cardinal, I say, being quite mad with rage + and grief at these disappointments, and set on by courtiers who had most + of their stocks in these loans, made the King go on horseback to the + Parliament House in great pomp, and carry a wheedling declaration with + him, which contained some articles very advantageous to the public, and a + great many others very ambiguous. But the people were so jealous of the + Court that he went without the usual acclamations. The declaration was + soon after censured by the Parliament and the other bodies, though the Duc + d'Orleans exhorted and prayed that they would not meddle with it, and + threatened them if they did. + </p> + <p> + The Parliament also passed a decree declaring that no money should be + raised without verified declarations, which so provoked the Court that + they resolved to proceed to extremities, and to make use of the signal + victory which was obtained at Lens on the 24th of August, 1648, to dazzle + the eyes of the people and gain their consent to oppressing the + Parliament. + </p> + <p> + All the humours of the State were so disturbed by the great troubles at + Paris, the fountainhead, that I foresaw a fever would be the certain + consequence, because the physician had not the skill to prevent it. As I + owed the coadjutorship of the archbishopric to the Queen, I thought it my + duty in every circumstance to sacrifice my resentment, and even the + probability of glory, to gratitude; and notwithstanding all the + solicitations of Montresor and Laigues, I made a firm resolution to stick + close to my own business and not to engage in anything that was either + said or done against the Court at that time. Montresor had been brought up + from his youth in the faction of the Duc d'Orleans, and, having more wit + than courage, was so much the more dangerous an adviser in great affairs; + men of this cast only suggest measures and leave them to be executed by + others. Laigues, on the other hand, who was entirely governed by + Montresor, had not much brains, but was all bravery and feared nothing; + men of this character dare do anything they are set upon by those who + confide in them. + </p> + <p> + Finding that my innocence and integrity gained me no friends at Court, and + that I had nothing to expect from the Minister, who mortally hated me, I + resolved to be upon my guard, by acting in respect to the Court with as + much freedom as zeal and sincerity; and in respect to the city, by + carefully preserving my friends, and doing everything necessary to get, + or, rather, to keep, the love of the people. To maintain my interest in + the city, I laid out 36,000 crowns in alms and other bounties, from the + 26th of March to the 25th of August, 1648; and to please the Court I told + the Queen and Cardinal how the Parisians then stood affected, which they + never knew before, through flattery and prejudice. I also complained to + the Queen of the Cardinal's cunning and dissimulation, and made use of the + same intimations which I had given to the Court to show the Parliament + that I had done all in my power to clearly inform the Ministry of + everything and to disperse the clouds always cast over their + understandings by the interest of inferior officers and the flattery of + courtiers. This made the Cardinal break with me and thwart me openly at + every opportunity, insomuch that when I was telling the Queen in his + presence that the people in general were so soured that nothing but + lenitives could abate their rancour, he answered me with the Italian fable + of the wolf who swore to a flock of sheep that he would protect them + against all his comrades provided one of them would come every morning and + lick a wound he had received from a dog. He entertained me with the like + witticisms three or four months together, of which this was one of the + most favourable, whereupon I made these reflections that it was more + unbecoming a Minister of State to say silly things than to do them, and + that any advice given him was criminal. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal pretended that the success of the King's arms at Lens had so + mortified the Court that the Parliament and the other bodies, who expected + they would take a sharp revenge on them for their late conduct, would have + the great satisfaction of being disappointed. I own I was fool enough to + believe him, and was perfectly transported at the thought; but with what + sincerity the Cardinal spoke will appear by and by. + </p> + <p> + On the 26th of August, 1648, the worthy Broussel, councillor of the Grand + Chamber, and Rene Potier, Sieur de Blancmenil, President of the Inquests, + were both arrested by the Queen's officers. It is impossible to express + the sudden consternation of all men, women, and children in Paris at this + proceeding. The people stared at one another for awhile without saying a + word. But this profound silence was suddenly attended with a confused + noise of running, crying, and shutting up of shops, upon which I thought + it my duty to go and wait upon the Queen, though I was sorely vexed to see + how my credulity had been abused but the night before at Court, when I was + desired to tell all my friends in Parliament that the victory of Lens had + only disposed the Court more and more to leniency and moderation. When I + came to the New Market, on my way to Court, I was surrounded with swarms + of people making a frightful outcry, and had great difficulty in getting + through the crowd till I had told them the Queen would certainly do them + justice. The very boys hissed the soldiers of the Guard and pelted them + with stones. Their commander, the Marechal de La Meilleraye, perceiving + the clouds began to thicken on all sides, was overjoyed to see me, and + would go with me to Court and tell the whole truth of the matter to the + Queen. The people followed us in vast numbers, calling out, "Broussel, + Broussel!" + </p> + <p> + The Queen, whom we found in her Cabinet Council with Mazarin and others, + received me neither well nor ill, was too proud and too much out of temper + to confess any shame for what she had told me the night before, and the + Cardinal had not modesty enough to blush. Nevertheless he seemed very much + confused, and gave some obscure hints by which I could perceive he would + have me to believe that there were very sudden and extraordinary reasons + which had obliged the Queen to take such measures. I simulated approval of + what he said, but all the answer I returned was that I had come thither, + as in duty bound, to receive the Queen's orders and to contribute all in + my power to restore the public peace and tranquillity. The Queen gave a + gracious nod, but I understood afterwards that she put a sinister + interpretation upon my last speech, which was nevertheless very + inoffensive and perfectly consonant to my character as Coadjutor of Paris; + but it is a true saying that in the Courts of princes a capacity of doing + good is as dangerous and almost as criminal as a will to do mischief. + </p> + <p> + The Marechal de La Meilleraye, finding that the Abbe de la Riviere and + others made mere jest and banter of the insurrection, fell into a great + passion, spoke very sharply, and appealed to me. I freely gave my + testimony, confirmed his account of the insurrection, and seconded him in + his reflections upon the future consequences. We had no other return from + the Cardinal than a malicious sneer, but the Queen lifted up her shrill + voice to the highest note of indignation, and expressed herself to this + effect: "It is a sign of disaffection to imagine that the people are + capable of revolting. These are ridiculous stories that come from persons + who talk as they would have it; the King's authority will set matters + right." + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal, perceiving that I was a little nettled, endeavoured to + soothe me by this address to the Queen: "Would to God, madame, that all + men did but talk with the same sincerity as the Coadjutor of Paris. He is + greatly concerned for his flock, for the city, and for your Majesty's + authority, and though I am persuaded that the danger is not so great as he + imagines, yet his scruples in this case are to be commended in him as + laudable and religious." The Queen understood the meaning of this cant, + recovered herself all of a sudden, and spoke to me very civilly; to which + I answered with profound respect and so innocent a countenance that La + Riviere said, whispering to Beautru, "See what it is not to be always at + Court! The Coadjutor knows the world and is a man of sense, yet takes all + the Queen has said to be in earnest." + </p> + <p> + The truth is, the Cabinet seemed to consist of persons acting the several + parts of a comedy. I played the innocent, but was not so, at least in that + affair. The Cardinal acted the part of one who thought himself secure, but + was much less confident than he appeared. The Queen affected to be + good-humoured, and yet was never more ill-tempered. M. de Longueville put + on the marks of sorrow and sadness while his heart leaped for joy, for no + man living took a greater pleasure than he to promote all broils. The Duc + d'Orleans personated hurry and, passion in speaking to the Queen, yet + would whistle half an hour together with the utmost indolence. The + Marechal de Villeroy put on gaiety, the better to make his court to the + Prime Minister, though he privately owned to me, with tears in his eyes, + that he saw the State was upon the brink of ruin. Beautru and Nogent acted + the part of buffoons, and to please the Queen, personated old Broussel's + nurse (for he was eighty years of age), stirring up the people to + sedition, though both of them knew well enough that their farce might + perhaps soon end in a real tragedy. + </p> + <p> + The Abby de la Riviere was the only man who pretended to be fully + persuaded that the insurrection of the people was but vapour, and he + maintained it to the Queen, who was willing to believe him, though she had + been satisfied to the contrary; and the conduct of the Queen, who had the + courage of a heroine, and the temper of La Riviere, who was the most + notorious poltroon of his time, furnished me with this remark: That a + blind rashness and an extravagant fear produce the same effects while the + danger is unknown. + </p> + <p> + The Marechal de La Meilleraye assumed the style and bravado of a captain + when a lieutenant-colonel of the Guards suddenly came to tell the Queen + that the citizens threatened to force the Guards, and, being naturally + hasty and choleric, was transported even with fury and madness. He cried + out that he would perish rather than suffer such insolence, and asked + leave to take the Guards, the officers of the Household, and even all the + courtiers he could find in the antechambers, with whom he would engage to + rout the whole mob. The Queen was greatly in favour of it, but nobody + else, and events proved that it was well they did not come into it. At the + same time entered the Chancellor, a man who had never spoken a word of + truth in his whole life; but now, his complaisance yielding to his fear, + he spoke directly according to what he had seen in the streets. I observed + that the Cardinal was startled at the boldness of a man in whom he had + never seen anything like it before. But Senneterre, coming in just after + him, removed all their apprehensions in a trice by assuring them that the + fury of the people began to cool, that they did not take arms, and that + with a little patience all would be well again. + </p> + <p> + There is nothing so dangerous as flattery at a juncture where he that is + flattered is in fear, because the desire he has not to be terrified + inclines him to believe anything that hinders him from applying any remedy + to what he is afraid of. The news that was brought every moment made them + trifle away that time which should have been employed for the preservation + of the State. Old Guitaut, a man of no great sense, but heartily well + affected, was more impatient than all the rest, and said that he did not + conceive how it was possible for people to be asleep in the present state + of affairs; he muttered something more which I could not well hear, but it + seemed to bear very hard upon the Cardinal, who owed him no goodwill. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal answered, "Well, M. Guitaut, what would you have us do?" + </p> + <p> + Guitaut said, very bluntly, "Let the old rogue Broussel be restored to the + people, either dead or alive." + </p> + <p> + I said that to restore him dead was inconsistent with the Queen's piety + and prudence, but to restore him alive would probably put a stop to the + tumult. + </p> + <p> + At these words the Queen reddened, and cried aloud, "I understand you, M. + le Coadjutor. You would have me set Broussel at liberty; but I will + strangle him sooner with these hands,"—throwing her head as it were + into my face at the last word, "and those who—" + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal, believing that she was going to say all to me that rage + could inspire, advanced and whispered in her ear, upon which she became + composed to such a degree that, had I not known her too well, I should + have thought her at her ease. The lieutenant de police came that instant + into the Cabinet with a deadly pale aspect. I never saw fear so well and + ridiculously represented in any Italian comedy as the fright which he + appeared in before the Queen. How admirable is the sympathy of fearful + souls! Neither the Cardinal nor the Queen were much moved at what M. de La + Meilleraye had strongly urged on them, but the fears of the lieutenant + seized them like an infection, so that they were all on a sudden + metamorphosed. They ridiculed me no longer, and suffered it to be debated + whether or no it was expedient to restore Broussel to the people before + they took arms, as they had threatened to do. Here I reflected that it is + more natural to the passion of fear to consult than to determine. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal proposed that I, as the fittest person, should go and assure + the people that the Queen would consent to the restoration of Broussel, + provided they would disperse. I saw the snare, but could not get away from + it, the rather because Meilleraye dragged me, as it were, to go along with + him,—telling her Majesty that he would dare to appear in the streets + in my company, and that he did not question but we should do wonders. I + said that I did not doubt it either, provided the Queen would order a + promise to be drawn in due form for restoring the prisoners, because I had + not credit enough with the people to be believed upon my bare word. They + praised my modesty, Meilleraye was assured of success, and they said the + Queen's word was better than all writings whatsoever. In a word, I was + made the catspaw, and found myself under the necessity of acting the most + ridiculous part that perhaps ever fell to any man's share. I endeavoured + to reply; but the Duc d'Orleans pushed me out gently with both hands, + saying, "Go and restore peace to the State;" and the Marshal hurried me + away, the Life-guards carrying me along in their arms, and telling me that + none but myself could remedy this evil. I went out in my rochet and + camail, dealing out benedictions to the people on my right and left, + preaching obedience, exerting all my endeavours to appease the tumult, and + telling them the Queen had assured me that, provided they would disperse, + she would restore Broussel. + </p> + <p> + The violence of the Marshal hardly gave me time to express myself, for he + instantly put himself at the head of the Horse-guards, and, advancing + sword in hand, cried aloud, "God bless the King, and liberty to Broussel!" + but being seen more than he was heard, his drawn sword did more harm than + his proclaiming liberty to Broussel did good. The people took to their + arms and had an encounter with the Marshal, upon which I threw myself into + the crowd, and expecting that both sides would have some regard to my + robes and dignity, the Marshal ordered the Light-horse to fire no more, + and the citizens with whom he was engaged held their hands; but others of + them continued firing and throwing stones, by one of which I was knocked + down, and had no sooner got up than a citizen was going to knock me down + with a musket. Though I did not know his name, yet I had the presence of + mind to cry out, "Forbear, wretch; if thy father did but see thee—" + He thereupon concluded I knew his father very well, though I had never + seen him; and I believe that made him the more curious to survey me, when, + taking particular notice of my robes, he asked me if I was the Coadjutor. + Upon which I was presently made known to the whole body, followed by the + multitude which way soever I went, and met with a body of ruffians all in + arms, whom, with abundance of flattery, caresses, entreaties, and menaces, + I prevailed on to lay down their weapons; and it was this which saved the + city, for had they continued in arms till night, the city had certainly + been plundered. + </p> + <p> + I went accompanied by 30,000 or 40,000 men without arms, and met the + Marechal de La Meilleraye, who I thought would have stifled me with + embraces, and who said these very words: "I am foolhardy and brutal; I had + like to have ruined the State, and you have saved it; come, let us go to + the Queen and talk to her like true, honest Frenchmen; and let us set down + the day of the month, that when the King comes of age our testimony may be + the means of hanging up those pests of the State, those infamous + flatterers, who pretended to the Queen that this affair was but a trifle." + To the Queen he presently hurried me, and said to her, "Here is a man that + has not only saved my life, but your Guards and the whole Court." + </p> + <p> + The Queen gave an odd smile which I did not very well like, but I would + not seem to take any notice of it, and to stop Meilleraye in his encomium + upon me, I assumed the discourse myself, and said, "Madame, we are not + come upon my account, but to tell you that the city of Paris, disarmed and + submissive, throws herself at your Majesty's feet." + </p> + <p> + "Not so submissive as guilty," replied the Queen, with a face full of + fire; "if the people were so raging as I was made to believe, how came + they to be so soon subdued?" + </p> + <p> + The Marshal fell into a passion, and said, with an oath, "Madame, an + honest man cannot flatter you when things are come to such an extremity. + If you do not set Broussel at liberty this very day, there will not be + left one stone upon another in Paris by tomorrow morning." + </p> + <p> + I was going to support what the Marshal had said, but the Queen stopped my + mouth by telling me, with an air of banter, "Go to rest, sir; you have + done a mighty piece of work." + </p> + <p> + When I returned home, I found an incredible number of people expecting me, + who forced me to get upon the top of my coach to give them an account of + what success I had had at Court. I told them that the Queen had declared + her satisfaction in their submission, and that she told me it was the only + method they could have taken for the deliverance of the prisoners. I added + other persuasives to pacify the commonalty, and they dispersed the sooner + because it was supper-time; for you must know that the people of Paris, + even those that are the busiest in all such commotions, do not care to + lose their meals. + </p> + <p> + I began to perceive that I had engaged my reputation too far in giving the + people any grounds to hope for the liberation of Broussel, though I had + particularly avoided giving them my word of honour, and I apprehended that + the Court would lay hold of this occasion to destroy me effectually in the + opinion of the people by making them believe that I acted in concert with + the Court only, to amuse and deceive them. + </p> + <p> + While I was making these and the like reflections, Montresor came and told + me that I was quite mistaken if I thought to be a great gainer by the late + expedition; that the Queen was not pleased with my proceedings, and that + the Court was persuaded that I did what lay in my power to promote the + insurrection. I confess I gave no credit to what Montresor said, for + though I saw they made a jest of me in the Queen's Cabinet, I hoped that + their malice did not go so far as to diminish the merit of the service I + had rendered, and never imagined that they could be capable of turning it + into a crime. Laigues, too, came from Court and told me that I was + publicly laughed at, and charged with having fomented the insurrection + instead of appeasing it; that I had been ridiculed two whole hours and + exposed to the smart raillery of Beautru, to the buffoonery of Nogent, to + the pleasantries of La Riviere, to the false compassion of the Cardinal, + and to the loud laughter of the Queen. + </p> + <p> + You may guess that I was not a little moved at this, but I rather felt a + slight annoyance than any transport of passion. All sorts of notions came + into my mind, and all as suddenly passed away. I sacrificed with little or + no scruple all the sweetest and brightest images which the memory of past + conspiracies presented in crowds to my mind as soon as the ill-treatment I + now publicly met with gave me reason to think that I might with honour + engage myself in new ones. The obligations I had to her Majesty made me + reject all these thoughts, though I must confess I was brought up in them + from my infancy, and Laigues and Montresor could have never shaken my + resolution either by insinuating motives or making reproaches, if + Argenteuil, a gentleman firmly attached to my interest, had not come into + my room that moment with a frightened countenance and said: + </p> + <p> + "You are undone; the Marechal de La Meilleraye has charged me to tell you + that he verily thinks the devil is in the courtiers, who has put it into + their heads that you have done all in your power to stir up the sedition. + The Marechal de La Meilleraye has laboured earnestly to inform the Queen + and Cardinal of the truth of the whole matter, but both have ridiculed him + for his attempt. The Marshal said he could not excuse the injury they did + you, but could not sufficiently admire the contempt they always had for + the tumult, of which they foretold the consequence as if they had the gift + of prophecy, always affirming that it would vanish in a night, as it + really has, for he hardly met a soul in the streets." + </p> + <p> + He added that fires so quickly extinguished as this were not likely to + break out again; that he conjured me to provide for my own safety; that + the King's authority would shine out the next day with all the lustre + imaginable; that the Court seemed resolved not to let slip this fatal + conjuncture, and that I was to be made the first public example. + </p> + <p> + Argenteuil said: "Villeroy did not tell me so much, because he durst not; + but he so squeezed my hand 'en passant' that I am apt to think he knows a + great deal more, and I must tell you that they have very good reason for + their apprehensions, because there is not a soul to be seen in the + streets, and to-morrow they may take up whom they list." + </p> + <p> + Montresor, who would be thought to know all things beforehand, said that + he was assured it would be so and that he had foretold it. Laigues + bewailed my conduct, which he said had raised the compassion of all my + friends, although it had been their ruin. Upon this I desired to be left + about a quarter of an hour to myself, during which, reflecting how I had + been provoked and the public threatened, my scruples vanished; I gave rein + to all my thoughts, recollected that all the glorious ideas which have + ever entered my imagination were most concerned with vast designs, and + suffered my mind to be regaled with the pleasing hopes of being the head + of a party, a position which I had always admired in Plutarch's "Lives." + The inconsistency of my scheme with my character made me tremble. A world + of incidents may happen when the virtues in the leader of a party may be + vices in an archbishop. I had this view a thousand times, and it always + gave place to the duty I thought I owed to her Majesty, but the + remembrance of what had passed at the Queen's table, and the resolution + there taken to ruin me with the public, having banished all scruples, I + joyfully determined to abandon my destiny to all the impulses of glory. I + said to my friends that the whole Court was witness of the harsh treatment + I had met with for above a year in the King's palace, and I added: "The + public is engaged to defend my honour, but the public being now about to + be sacrificed, I am obliged to defend it against oppression. Our + circumstances are not so bad as you imagine, gentlemen, and before twelve + o'clock to-morrow I shall be master of Paris." + </p> + <p> + My two friends thought I was mad, and began to counsel moderation, whereas + before they always incited me to action; but I did not give them hearing. + I immediately sent for Miron, Accountant-General, one of the city + colonels, a man of probity and courage, and having great interest with the + people. I consulted with him, and he executed his commission with so much + discretion and bravery that above four hundred considerable citizens were + posted up and down in platoons with no more noise and stir than if so many + Carthusian novices had been assembled for contemplation. After having + given orders for securing certain gates and bars of the city, I went to + sleep, and was told next morning that no soldiers had appeared all night, + except a few troopers, who just took a view of the platoons of the + citizens and then galloped off. Hence it was inferred that our precautions + had prevented the execution of the design formed against particular + persons, but it was believed there was some mischief hatching at the + Chancellor's against the public, because sergeants were running backwards + and forwards, and Ondedei went thither four times in two hours. + </p> + <p> + Being informed soon after that the Chancellor was going to the Palace with + all the pomp of magistracy, and that two companies of Swiss Guards + approached the suburbs, I gave my orders in two words, which were executed + in two minutes. Miron ordered the citizens to take arms, and Argenteuil, + disguised as a mason, with a rule in his hand, charged the Swiss in flank, + killed twenty or thirty, dispersed the rest, and took one of their + colours. The Chancellor, hemmed in on every side, narrowly escaped with + his life to the Hotel d'O, which the people broke open, rushed in with + fury, and, as God would have it, fell immediately to plundering, so that + they forgot to force open a little chamber where both the Chancellor and + his brother, the Bishop of Meaux, to whom he was confessing, lay + concealed. The news of this occurrence ran like wild-fire through the + whole city. Men and women were immediately up in arms, and mothers even + put daggers into the hands of their children. In less than two hours there + were erected above two hundred barricades, adorned with all the standards + and colours that the League had left entire. All the cry was, "God bless + the King!" sometimes, "God bless the Coadjutor!" and the echo was, "No + Mazarin!" + </p> + <p> + The Queen sent her commands to me to use my interest to appease the + tumult. I answered the messenger, very coolly, that I had forfeited my + credit with the people on account of yesterday's transactions, and that I + did not dare to go abroad. The messenger had heard the cry of "God bless + the Coadjutor!" and would fain have persuaded me that I was the favourite + of the people, but I strove as much to convince him of the contrary. + </p> + <p> + The Court minions of the two last centuries knew not what they did when + they reduced that effectual regard which kings ought to have for their + subjects into mere style and form; for there are, as you see, certain + conjunctures in which, by a necessary consequence, subjects make a mere + form also of the real obedience which they owe to their sovereigns. + </p> + <p> + The Parliament hearing the cries of the people for Broussel, after having + ordered a decree against Cominges, lieutenant of the Queen's Guards, who + had arrested him, made it death for all who took the like commissions for + the future, and decreed that an information should be drawn up against + those who had given that advice, as disturbers of the public peace. Then + the Parliament went in a body, in their robes, to the Queen, with the + First President at their head, and amid the acclamations of the people, + who opened all their barricades to let them pass. The First President + represented to the Queen, with becoming freedom, that the royal word had + been prostituted a thousand times over by scandalous and even childish + evasions, defeating resolutions most useful and necessary for the State. + He strongly exaggerated the mighty danger of the State from the city being + all in arms; but the Queen, who feared nothing because she knew little, + flew into a passion and raved like a fury, saying, "I know too well that + there is an uproar in the city, but you Parliamentarians, together with + your wives and children, shall be answerable for it all;" and with that + she retired into another chamber and shut the door after her with + violence. The members, who numbered about one hundred and sixty, were + going down-stairs; but the First President persuaded them to go up and try + the Queen once more, and meeting with the Duc d'Orleans, he, with a great + deal of persuasion, introduced twenty of them into the presence-chamber, + where the First President made another effort with the Queen, by setting + forth the terrors of the enraged metropolis up in arms, but she would hear + nothing, and went into the little gallery. + </p> + <p> + Upon this the Cardinal advanced and proposed to surrender the prisoner, + provided the Parliament would promise to hold no more assemblies. They + were going to consider this proposal upon the spot, but, thinking that the + people would be inclined to believe that the Parliament had been forced if + they gave their votes at the Palais Royal, they resolved to adjourn to + their own House. + </p> + <p> + The Parliament, returning and saying nothing about the liberation of + Broussel, were received by the people with angry murmurs instead of with + loud acclamations. They appeased those at the first two barricades by + telling them that the Queen had promised them satisfaction; but those at + the third barricade would not be paid in that coin, for a journeyman cook, + advancing with two hundred men, pressed his halberd against the First + President, saying, "Go back, traitor, and if thou hast a mind to save thy + life, bring us Broussel, or else Mazarin and the Chancellor as hostages." + </p> + <p> + Upon this five presidents 'au mortier' and about twenty councillors fell + back into the crowd to make their escape; the First President only, the + most undaunted man of the age, continued firm and intrepid. He rallied the + members as well as he could, maintaining still the authority of a + magistrate, both in his words and behaviour, and went leisurely back to + the King's palace, through volleys of abuse, menaces, curses, and + blasphemies. He had a kind of eloquence peculiar to himself, knew nothing + of interjections, was not very exact in his speech, but the force of it + made amends for that; and being naturally bold, never spoke so well as + when he was in danger, insomuch that when he returned to the Palace he + even outdid himself, for it is certain that he moved the hearts of all + present except the Queen, who continued inflexible. The Duc d'Orleans was + going to throw himself at her feet, which four or five Princesses, + trembling with fear, actually did. The Cardinal, whom a young councillor + jestingly advised to go out into the streets and see how the people stood + affected, did at last join with the bulk of the Court, and with much ado + the Queen condescended to bid the members go and consult what was fitting + to be done, agreed to set the prisoners at liberty, restored Broussel to + the people, who carried him upon their heads with loud acclamations, broke + down their barricades, opened their shops, and in two hours Paris was more + quiet than ever I saw it upon a Good Friday. + </p> + <p> + As to the primum mobile of this revolution, it was owing to no other cause + than a deviation from the laws, which so alters the opinions of the people + that many times a faction is formed before the change is so much as + perceived. + </p> + <p> + This little reflection, with what has been said, may serve to confute + those who pretend that a faction without a head is never to be feared. It + grows up sometimes in a night. The commotion I have been speaking of, + which was so violent and lasting, did not appear to have any leader for a + whole year; but at last there rose up in one moment a much greater number + than was necessary for the party. + </p> + <p> + The morning after the barricades were removed, the Queen sent for me, + treated me with all the marks of kindness and confidence, said that if she + had hearkened to me she would not have experienced the late disquietness; + that the Cardinal was not to blame for it, but that Chavigni had been the + sole cause of her misfortunes, to whose pernicious counsels she had paid + more deference than to the Cardinal. "But; good God!" she suddenly + exclaimed, "will you not get that rogue Beautru soundly thrashed, who has + paid so little respect to your character? The poor Cardinal was very near + having it done the other night." I received all this with more respect + than credulity. She commanded me to go to the poor Cardinal, to comfort + him, and to advise him as to the best means of quieting the populace. + </p> + <p> + I went without any scruple. He embraced me with a tenderness I am not able + to express, said there was not an honest man in France but myself, and + that all the rest were infamous flatterers, who had misled the Queen in + spite of all his and my good counsels. He protested that he would do + nothing for the future without my advice, showed me the foreign + despatches, and, in short, was so affable, that honest Broussel, who was + likewise present upon his invitation, for all his harmless simplicity, + laughed heartily as we were going out, and said that it was all mere + buffoonery. + </p> + <p> + There being a report that the King was to be removed by the Court from + Paris, the Queen assured the 'prevot des marchands' that it was false, and + yet the very next day carried him to Ruel. From there I doubted not that + she designed to surprise the city, which seemed really astonished at the + King's departure, and I found the hottest members of the Parliament in + great consternation, and the more so because news arrived at the same time + that General Erlac—[He was Governor of Brisac, and commanded the + forces of the Duke of Weimar after the Duke's death]—had passed the + Somme with 4,000 Germans. Now, as in general disturbances one piece of bad + news seldom comes singly, five or six stories of this kind were published + at the same time, which made me think I should find it as difficult a task + to raise the spirits of the people as I had before to restrain them. I was + never so nonplussed in all my life. I saw the full extent of the danger, + and everything looked terrible. Yet the greatest perils have their charms + if never so little glory is discovered in the prospect of ill-success, + while the least dangers have nothing but horror when defeat is attended + with loss of reputation. + </p> + <p> + I used all the arguments I could to dissuade the Parliament from making + the Court desperate, at least till they had thought of some expedients to + defend themselves from its insults, to which they would inevitably have + been exposed if the Court had taken time by the forelock, in which, + perhaps, they were prevented by the unexpected return of the Prince de + Conti. I hereupon formed a resolution which gave me a great deal of + uneasiness, but which was firm, because it was the only resolution I had + to take. Extremities are always disagreeable, but are the wisest means + when absolutely necessary; the best of it is that they admit of no middle + course, and if peradventure they are good, they are always decisive. + </p> + <p> + Fortune favoured my design. The Queen ordered Chavigni to be sent prisoner + to Havre-de-Grace. I embraced this opportunity to stir up the natural + fears of his dear friend Viole, by telling him that he was a ruined man + for doing what he had done at the instigation of Chavigni; that it was + plain the King left Paris with a view to attack it, and that he saw as + well as I how much the people were dejected; that if their spirits should + be quite sunk they could never be raised; that they must be supported; + that I would influence the people; and that he should do what he could + with the Parliament, who, in my opinion, ought not to be supine, but to be + awakened at a juncture when the King's departure had perfectly drowned + their senses, adding that a word in season would infallibly produce this + good effect. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly Viole struck one of the boldest strokes that has perhaps been + heard of. He told the Parliament that it was reported Paris was to be + besieged; that troops were marching for that end, and the most faithful + servants of his late Majesty, who, it was suspected, would oppose designs + so pernicious, would be put in chains; that it was necessary for them to + address the Queen to bring the King back to Paris; and forasmuch as the + author of all these mischiefs was well known, he moved further that the + Duc d'Orleans and the officers of the Crown should be desired to come to + Parliament to deliberate upon the decree issued in 1617, on account of + Marechal d'Ancre, forbidding foreigners to intermeddle in the Government. + We thought ourselves that we had touched too high a key, but a lower note + would not have awakened or kept awake men whom fear had perfectly + stupefied. I have observed that this passion of fear has seldom that + influence upon individuals that it generally has upon the mass. + </p> + <p> + Viole's proposition at first startled, then rejoiced, and afterwards + animated those that heard it. Blancmenil, who before seemed to have no + life left in him, had now the courage to point at the Cardinal by name, + who hitherto had been described only by the designation of Minister; and + the Parliament cheerfully agreed to remonstrate with the Queen, according + to Viole's proposition, not forgetting to pray her Majesty to remove the + troops further from Paris, and not to send for the magistrates to take + orders for the security of the city. + </p> + <p> + The President Coigneux whispered to me, saying, "I have no hopes but in + you; we shall be undone if you do not work underground." I sat up + accordingly all night to prepare instructions for Saint-Ibal to treat with + the Count Fuensaldagne, and oblige him to march with the Spanish army, in + case of need, to our assistance, and was just going to send him away to + Brussels when M. de Chatillon, my friend and kinsman, who mortally hated + the Cardinal, came to tell me that the Prince de Conde would be the next + day at Ruel; that the Prince was enraged against the Cardinal, and was + sure he would ruin the State if he were let alone, and that the Cardinal + held a correspondence in cipher with a fellow in the Prince's army whom he + had corrupted, to be informed of everything done there to his prejudice. + By all this I learnt that the Prince had no great understanding with the + Court, and upon his arrival at Ruel I ventured to go thither. + </p> + <p> + Both the Queen and the Cardinal were extremely civil, and the latter took + particular notice of the Prince's behaviour to me, who embraced me 'en + passant' in the garden, and spoke very low to me, saying that he would be + at my house next day. He kept his word, and desired me to give him an + account of the state of affairs, and when I had done so we agreed that I + should continue to push the Cardinal by means of the Parliament; that I + should take his Highness by night incognito to Longueil and Broussel, to + assure them they should not want assistance; that the Prince de Conde + should give the Queen all the marks of his respect for and attachment to + her, and make all possible reparation for the dissatisfaction he had shown + with regard to the Cardinal, that he might thereby insinuate himself into + the Queen's favour, and gradually dispose her to receive and fallow his + counsels and hear truths against which she had always stopped her ears, + and that by thus letting the Cardinal drop insensibly, rather than fall + suddenly, the Prince would find himself master of the Cabinet with the + Queer's approbation, and, with the assistance of his humble servants in + Council, arbiter of the national welfare. + </p> + <p> + The Queen, who went away from Paris to give her troops an opportunity to + starve and attack the city, told the deputies sent by Parliament to + entreat her to restore the King to Paris that she was extremely surprised + and astonished; that the King used every year at that season to take the + air, and that his health was much more to be regarded than the imaginary + fears of the people. The Prince de Conde, coming in at this juncture, told + the President and councillors, who invited him to take his seat in + Parliament, that he would not come, but obey the Queen though it should + prove his ruin. The Duc d'Orleans said that he would not be there either, + because the Parliament had made such proposals as were too bold to be + endured, and the Prince de Conti spoke after the same manner. + </p> + <p> + The next day the King's Council carried an order of Council to Parliament + to put a stop to their debates against foreigners being in the Ministry. + This so excited the Parliament that they made a remonstrance in writing, + instructed the 'prevot des marchands' to provide for the safety of the + city, ordered all other governors to keep the passages free, and resolved + next day to continue the debate against foreign ministers. I laboured all + night to ward off the fatal blow, which I was afraid would hurry the + Prince, against his will, into the arms of the Court. But when next day + came, the members inflamed one another before they sat, through the cursed + spirit of formality, and the very men who two days ago were all fear and + trembling were suddenly transported, they knew not why, from a + well-grounded fear to a blind rage, so that without reflecting that the + General had arrived whose very name made them tremble, because they + suspected him to be in the interest of the Court, they issued the said + decree, which obliged the Queen to send the Duc d'Anjou,—[Philippe + of France, only brother to King Louis XIV., afterwards Duc d'Orleans, died + suddenly at St. Cloud, in 1701.]—but just recovered from the + smallpox, and the Duchesse d'Orleans, much indisposed, out of town. + </p> + <p> + This would have begun a civil war next day had not the Prince de Conde + taken the wisest measures imaginable, though he had a very bad opinion of + the Cardinal, both upon the public account and his own, and was as little + pleased with the conduct of the Parliament, with whom there was no + dealing, either as a body or as private persons. The Prince kept an even + pace between the Court and country factions, and he said these words to + me, which I can never forget: + </p> + <p> + "Mazarin does not know what he is doing, and will ruin the State if care + be not taken; the Parliament really goes on too fast, as you said they + would; if they did but manage according to our scheme, we should be able + to settle our own business and that of the public, too; they act with + precipitation, and were I to do so, it is probable I should gain more by + it than they. But I am Louis de Bourbon, and will not endanger the State. + Are those devils in square caps mad to force me either to begin a civil + war tomorrow or to ruin every man of them, and set over our heads a + Sicilian vagabond who will destroy us all at last?" + </p> + <p> + In fine, the Prince proposed to set out immediately for Ruel to divert the + Court from their project of attacking Paris, and to propose to the Queen + that the Duc d'Orleans and himself should write to the Parliament to send + deputies to confer about means to relieve the necessities of the State. + The Prince saw that I was so overcome at this proposal that he said to me + with tenderness, "How different you are from the man you are represented + to be at Court! Would to God that all those rogues in the Ministry were + but as well inclined as you!" + </p> + <p> + I told the Prince that, considering how the minds of the Parliament were + embittered, I doubted whether they would care to confer with the Cardinal; + that his Highness would gain a considerable point if he could prevail with + the Court not to insist upon the necessity of the Cardinal's presence, + because then all the honour of the arrangement, in which the Duc + d'Orleans, as usual, would only be as a cipher, would redound to him, and + that such exclusion of the Cardinal would disgrace his Ministry to the + last degree, and be a very proper preface to the blow which the Prince + designed to give him in the Cabinet. + </p> + <p> + The Prince profited by the hint, so that the Parliament returned answer + that they would send deputies to confer with the Princes only, which last + words the Prince artfully laid hold of and advised Mazarin not to expose + himself by coming to the conference against the Parliament's consent, but + rather, like a wise man, to make a virtue of the present necessity. This + was a cruel blow to the Cardinal, who ever since the decease of the late + King had been recognised as Prime Minister of France; and the consequences + were equally disastrous. + </p> + <p> + The deputies being accordingly admitted to a conference with the Duc + d'Orleans, the Princes de Conde and Conti and M. de Longueville, the First + President, Viole, who had moved in Parliament that the decree might be + renewed for excluding foreigners from the Ministry, inveighed against the + imprisonment of M. de Chavigni; who was no member, yet the President + insisted upon his being set at liberty, because, according to the laws of + the realm, no person ought to be detained in custody above twenty-four + hours without examination. This occasioned a considerable debate, and the + Duc d'Orldans, provoked at this expression, said that the President's aim + was to cramp the royal authority. Nevertheless the latter vigorously + maintained his argument, and was unanimously seconded by all the deputies, + for which they were next day applauded in Parliament. In short, the thing + was pushed so far that the Queen was obliged to consent to a declaration + that for the future no man whatever should be detained in prison above + three days without being examined. By this means Chavigni was set at + liberty. Several other conferences were held, in which the Chancellor + treated the First President of the Parliament with a sort of contempt that + was almost brutal. Nevertheless the Parliament carried all before them. + </p> + <p> + In October, 1648, the Parliament adjourned, and the Queen soon after + returned to Paris with the King. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal, who aimed at nothing more than to ruin my credit with the + people, sent me 4,000 crowns as a present from the Queen, for the services + which she said I intended her on the day of the barricade; and who, think + you, should be the messenger to bring it but my friend the Marechal de La + Meilleraye, the man who before warned me of the sinister intentions of the + Court, and who now was so credulous as to believe that I was their + favourite, because the Cardinal was pleased to say how much he was + concerned for the injustice he had done me; which I only mention to remark + that those people over whom the Court has once got an ascendency cannot + help believing whatever they would have them believe, and the ministers + only are to blame if they do not deceive them. But I would not be + persuaded by the Marshal as he had been by the Cardinal, and therefore I + refused the said sum very civilly, and, I am sure, with as much sincerity + as the Court offered it. + </p> + <p> + But the Cardinal laid another trap for me that I was not aware of,—by + tempting me with the proffer of the Government of Paris; and when I had + shown a willingness to accept it, he found means to break off the treaty I + was making for that purpose with the Prince de Guemende, who had the + reversion of it, and then represented me to the people as one who only + sought my own interest. Instead of profiting by this blunder, which I + might have done to my own advantage, I added another to it, and said all + that rage could prompt me against the Cardinal to one who told it to him + again. + </p> + <p> + To return now to public affairs. About the feast of Saint Martin the + people were so excited that they seemed as if they had been all + intoxicated with gathering in the vintage; and you are now going to be + entertained with scenes in comparison to which the past are but trifles. + </p> + <p> + There is no affair but has its critical minute, which a bold statesmanship + knows how to lay hold of, and which, if missed, especially in the + revolution of kingdoms, you run the great risk of losing altogether. + </p> + <p> + Every one now found their advantage in the declaration,—that is, if + they understood their own interest. The Parliament had the honour of + reestablishing public order. The Princes, too, had their share in this + honour, and the first-fruits of it, which were respect and security. The + people had a considerable comfort in it, by being eased of a load of above + sixty millions; and if the Cardinal had had but the sense to make a virtue + of necessity, which is one of the most necessary qualifications of a + minister of State, he might, by an advantage always inseparable from + favourites, have appropriated to himself the greatest part of the merit, + even of those things he had most opposed. + </p> + <p> + But these advantages were all lost through the most trivial + considerations. The people, upon the discontinuation of the Parliamentary + assemblies, resumed their savage temper, and were scared by the approach + of a few troops at which it was ridiculous to take the least umbrage. The + Parliament was too apt to give ear to every groundless tale of the + non-execution of their declarations. The Duc d'Orleans saw all the good he + was capable of doing and part of the evil he had power to prevent, but + neither was strong enough to influence his fearful temper; he was + unconscious of the coming and fatal blow. The Prince de Conde, who saw the + evil to its full extent, was too courageous by nature to fear the + consequences; he was inclined to do good, but would do it only in his own + way. His age, his humour, and his victories hindered him from associating + patience with activity, nor was he acquainted, unfortunately, with this + maxim so necessary for princes,—"always to sacrifice the little + affairs to the greater;" and the Cardinal, being ignorant of our ways, + daily confounded the most weighty with the most trifling. + </p> + <p> + The Parliament, who met on the 2d of January, 1649, resolved to enforce + the execution of the declaration, which, they pretended, had been + infringed in all its articles; and the Queen was resolved to retire from + Paris with the King and the whole Court. The Queen was guided by the + Cardinal, and the Duc d'Orleans by La Riviere, the most sordid and + self-interested man of the age in which he lived. As for the Prince de + Conde, he began to be disgusted with the unseasonable proceedings of the + Parliament almost as soon as he had concerted measures with Broussel and + Longueil, which distaste, joined to the kindly attentions of the Queen, + the apparent submission of the Cardinal, and an hereditary inclination + received from his parents to keep well with the Court, cramped the + resolutions of his great soul. I bewailed this change in his behaviour + both for my own and the public account, but much more for his sake. I + loved him as much as I honoured him, and clearly saw the precipice. + </p> + <p> + I had divers conferences with him, in which I found that his disgust was + turned into wrath and indignation. He swore there was no bearing with the + insolence and impertinence of those citizens who struck at the royal + authority; that as long as he thought they aimed only at Mazarin he was on + their side; that I myself had often confessed that no certain measures + could be concerted with men who changed their opinions every quarter of an + hour; that he could never condescend to be General of an army of fools, + with whom no wise man would entrust himself; besides that, he was a Prince + of the blood, and would not be instrumental in giving a shock to the + Throne; and that the Parliament might thank themselves if they were ruined + through not observing the measures agreed on. + </p> + <p> + This was the substance of my answer: "No men are more bound by interest + than the Parliament to maintain the royal authority, so that they cannot + be thought to have a design to ruin the State, though their proceedings + may have a tendency that way. It must be owned, therefore, that if the + sovereign people do evil, it is only when they are not able to act as well + as they would. A skilful minister, who knows how to manage large bodies of + men as well as individuals, keeps up such a due balance between the + Prince's authority and the people's obedience as to make all things + succeed and prosper. But the present Prime Minister has neither judgment + nor strength to adjust the pendulum of this State clock, the springs of + which are out of order. His business is to make it go slower, which, I + own, he attempts to do, but very awkwardly, because he has not the brains + for it. In this lies the fault of our machine. Your Highness is in the + right to set about the mending of it, because nobody else is capable of + doing it; but in order to do this must you join with those that would + knock it in pieces? + </p> + <p> + "You are convinced of the Cardinal's extravagances, and that his only view + is to establish in France a form of government known nowhere but in Italy. + If he should succeed, will the State be a gainer by it, according to its + only true maxims? Would it be an advantage to the Princes of the blood in + any sense? But, besides, has he any likelihood of succeeding? Is he not + loaded with the odium and contempt of the public? and is not the + Parliament the idol they revere? I know you despise them because the Court + is so well armed, but let me tell you that they are so confident of their + power that they feel their importance. They are come to that pass that + they do not value your forces, and though the evil is that at present + their strength consists only in their imagination, yet a time may come + when they may be able to do whatever they now think it in their power to + do. + </p> + <p> + "Your Highness lately told me that this disposition of the people was only + smoke; but be assured that smoke so dark and thick proceeds from a brisk + fire, which the Parliament blows, and, though they mean well, may blaze up + into such a flame as may consume themselves and again hazard the + destruction of the State, which has been the case more than once. Bodies + of men, when once exasperated by a Ministry, always aggravate their + failures, and scarcely ever show them any favour, which, in some cases, is + enough to ruin a kingdom. + </p> + <p> + "If, when the proposition was formerly made to the Parliament by the + Cardinal to declare whether they intended to set bounds to the royal + authority, if, I say, they had not wisely eluded the ridiculous and + dangerous question, France would have run a great risk, in my opinion, of + being entirely ruined; for had they answered in the affirmative, as they + were on the point of doing, they would have rent the veil that covers the + mysteries of State. Every monarchy has its peculiar veil; that of France + consists in a kind of religious and sacred silence, which, by the subjects + generally paying a blind obedience to their Kings, muffles up that right + which they think they have to dispense with their obedience in cases where + a complaisance to their Kings would be a prejudice to themselves. It is a + wonder that the Parliament did not strip off this veil by a formal decree. + This has had much worse consequences since the people have taken the + liberty to look through it. + </p> + <p> + "Your Highness cannot by the force of arms prevent these dangerous + consequences, which, perhaps, are already too near at hand. You see that + even the Parliament can hardly restrain the people whom they have roused; + that the contagion is spread into the provinces, and you know that Guienne + and Provence are entirely governed by the example of Paris. Every thing + shakes and totters, and it is your Highness only that can set us right, + because of the splendour of your birth and reputation, and the generally + received opinion that none but you can do it. + </p> + <p> + "The Queen shares with the Cardinal in the common hatred, and the Duc + d'Orleans with La Riviere in the universal contempt of the people. If, out + of mere complaisance, you abet their measures, you will share in the + hatred of the public. It is true that you are above their contempt; but + then their dread of you will be so great that it will grievously embitter + the hatred they will then bear to you, and the contempt they have already + for the others, so that what is at present only a serious wound in the + State will perhaps become incurable and mortal. I am sensible you have + grounds to be diffident of the behaviour of a body consisting of above two + hundred persons, who are neither capable of governing nor being governed. + I own the thought is perplexing; but such favourable circumstances seem to + offer themselves at this juncture that matters are much simplified. + </p> + <p> + "Supposing that manifestoes were published, and your Highness declared + General of the Parliamentary Army, would you, monseigneur, meet with + greater difficulties than your grandfather and great-grandfather did, in + accommodating themselves to the caprice of the ministers of Rochelle and + the mayors of Nimes and Montauban? And would your Highness find it a + greater task to manage the Parliament of Paris than M. de Mayenne did in + the time of the League, when there was a factious opposition made to all + the measures of the Parliament? Your birth and merit raise you as far + above M. de Mayenne as the cause in hand is above that of the League; and + the circumstances of both are no less different. The head of the League + declared war by an open and public alliance with Spain against the Crown, + and against one of the best and bravest kings that France ever had. And + this head of the League, though descended from a foreign and suspected + family, kept, notwithstanding, that same Parliament in his interest for a + considerable time. + </p> + <p> + "You have consulted but two members of the whole Parliament, and them only + upon their promise to disclose your intentions to no man living. How then + can your Highness think it possible that your sentiments, locked up so + closely in the breasts of two members, can have any influence upon the + whole body of the Parliament? I dare answer for it, monseigneur, that if + you will but declare yourself openly the protector of the public and of + the sovereign companies, you might govern them—at least, for a + considerable time—with an absolute and almost sovereign authority. + But this, it seems, is not what you have in view; you are not willing to + embroil yourself with the Court. You had rather be of the Cabinet than of + a party. Do not take it ill, then, that men who consider you only in this + light do not conduct themselves as you would like. You ought to conform + your measures to theirs, because theirs are moderate; and you may safely + do it, for the Cardinal can hardly stand under the heavy weight of the + public hatred, and is too weak to oblige you against your will to any + sudden and precipitate rupture. La Riviere, who governs the Duc d'Orleans, + is a most dangerous man. Continue, then, to introduce moderate measures, + and let them take their course, according to your first plan. Is a little + more or less heat in Parliamentary proceedings sufficient reason to make + you alter it? For whatever be the consequence, the worst that can happen + is that the Queen may believe you not zealous enough for her interest; but + are there not remedies enough for that? Are there not excuses and + appearances ready at hand, and such as cannot fail? + </p> + <p> + "And now, I pray your Highness to give me leave to add that there never + was so excellent, so innocent, so sacred, and so necessary a project as + this formed by your Highness, and, in my humble opinion, there never were + such weak reasons as those you have now urged to hinder its execution; for + I take this to be the weakest of all, which, perhaps, you think a very + strong one, namely, that if Mazarin miscarries in his designs you may be + ruined along with him; and if he does succeed he will destroy you by the + very means which you took to raise him." + </p> + <p> + It had not the intended effect on the Prince, who was already + prepossessed, and who only answered me in general terms. But heroes have + their faults as well as other men, and so had his Highness, who had one of + the finest geniuses in the world, but little or no forethought. He did not + seek to aggravate matters in order to render himself necessary at Court, + or with a view to do what he afterwards did for the Cardinal, nor was he + biassed by the mean interests of pension, government, and establishment. + He had most certainly great hopes of being arbiter of the Cabinet. The + glory of being restorer of the public peace was his first end in view, and + being the conservator of the royal authority the second. Those who labour + under such an imperfection, though they see clearly the advantages and + disadvantages of both parties, know not which to choose, because they do + not weigh them in the same balance, so that the same thing appears + lightest today which they will think heaviest to-morrow. This was the case + of the Prince, who, it must be owned, if he had carried on his good design + with prudence, certainly would have reestablished the Government upon a + lasting foundation. + </p> + <p> + He told me more than once, in an angry mood, that if the Parliament went + on at the old rate he would teach them that it would be no great task to + reduce them to reason. I perceived by his talk that the Court had resumed + the design of besieging Paris; and to be the more satisfied of it I told + him that the Cardinal might easily be disappointed in his measures, and + that he would find Paris to be a very tough morsel. + </p> + <p> + "It shall not be taken," he said, "like Dunkirk, by mines and storming; + but suppose its bread from Gonesse should be cut off for eight days only?" + </p> + <p> + I took this statement then for granted, and replied that the stopping of + that passage would be attended with difficulties. + </p> + <p> + "What difficulties?" asked the Prince, very briskly. "The citizens? Will + they come out to give battle?" + </p> + <p> + "If it were only citizens, monseigneur," I said, "the battle would not be + very sharp." + </p> + <p> + "Who will be with them?" he replied; "will you be there yourself?" + </p> + <p> + "That would be a very bad omen," I said; "it would look too much like the + proceedings of the League." + </p> + <p> + After a little pause, he said, "But now, to be serious, would you be so + foolish as to embark with those men?" + </p> + <p> + "You know, monseigneur," I said, "that I am engaged already; and that, + moreover, as Coadjutor of Paris, I am concerned both by honour and + interest in its preservation. I shall be your Highness's humble servant as + long as I live, except in this one point." + </p> + <p> + I saw he was touched to the quick, but he kept his temper, and said these + very words: "When you engage in a bad cause I will pity you, but shall + have no reason to complain of you. Nor do you complain of me; but do me + that justice you owe me, namely, to own that all I promised to Longueil + and Broussel is since annulled by the conduct of the Parliament." + </p> + <p> + He afterwards showed me many personal favours, and offered to make my + peace with the Court. I assured him of my obedience and zeal for his + service in everything that did not interfere with the engagements I had + entered into, which, as he himself owned, I could not possibly avoid. + </p> + <p> + After we parted I paid a visit to Madame de Longueville, who seemed + enraged both against the Court and the Prince de Conde. I was pleased to + think, moreover, that she could do what she would with the Prince de + Conti, who was little better than a child; but then I considered that this + child was a Prince of the blood, and it was only a name we wanted to give + life to that which, without one, was a mere embryo. I could answer for M. + de Longueville, who loved to be the first man in any public revolution, + and I was as well assured of Marechal de La Mothe,—[Philippe de La + Mothe-Houdancourt, deceased 1657.]—who was madly opposed to the + Court, and had been inviolably attached to M. de Longueville for twenty + years together. I saw that the Duc de Bouillon, through the injustice done + him by the Court and the unfortunate state of his domestic affairs, was + very much annoyed and almost desperate. I had an eye upon all these + gentlemen at a distance, but thought neither of them fit to open the + drama. M. de Longueville was only fit for the second act; the Marechal de + La Mothe was a good soldier, but had no headpiece, and was therefore not + qualified for the first act. M. de Bouillon was my man, had not his + honesty been more problematic than his talents. You will not wonder that I + was so wavering in my choice, and that I fixed at last upon the Prince de + Conti, of the blood of France. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I gave Madame de Longueville a hint of what part she was to act + in the intended revolution, she was perfectly transported, and I took care + to make M. de Longueville as great a malcontent as herself. She had wit + and beauty, though smallpox had taken away the bloom of her pretty face, + in which there sat charms so powerful that they rendered her one of the + most amiable persons in France. I could have placed her in my heart + between Mesdames de Gudmenee and Pommereux, and it was not the despair of + succeeding that palled my passion, but the consideration that the benefice + was not yet vacant, though not well served,—M. de La Rochefoucault + was in possession, yet absent in Poitou. I sent her three or four + billets-doux every day, and received as many. I went very often to her + levee to be more at liberty to talk of affairs, got extraordinary + advantages by it, and I knew that it was the only way to be sure of the + Prince de Conti. + </p> + <p> + Having settled a regular correspondence with Madame de Longueville, she + made me better acquainted with M. de La Rochefoucault, who made the Prince + de Conti believe that he spoke a good word for him to the lady, his + sister, with whom he was in, love. And the two so blinded the Prince that + he did not suspect anything till four years after. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="p160j" id="p160j"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="p160j.jpg (44K)" src="images/p160j.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + When I saw that the Court would act upon their own initiative, I resolved + to declare war against them and attack Mazarin in person, because + otherwise we could not escape being first attacked by him. + </p> + <p> + It is certain that he gave his enemies such an advantage over him as no + other Prime Minister ever did. Power commonly keeps above ridicule, but + everybody laughed at the Cardinal because of his silly sayings and doings, + which those in his position are seldom guilty of. It was said that he had + lately asked Bougeval, deputy of the Grand Council, whether he did not + think himself obliged to have no buttons to the collar of his doublet, if + the King should command it,—a grave argument to convince the + deputies of an important company of the obedience due to kings, for which + he was severely lampooned both in prose and verse. + </p> + <p> + The Court having attempted to legalise excessive usury,—I mean with + respect to the affair of loans,—my dignity would not permit me to + tolerate so public and scandalous an evil. Therefore I held an assembly of + the clergy, where, without so much as mentioning the Cardinal's name in + the conferences, in which I rather affected to spare him, yet in a week's + time I made him pass for one of the most obstinate Jews in Europe. + </p> + <p> + At this very time I was sent for, by a civil letter under the Queen's own + hand, to repair to Saint Germain, the messenger telling me the King was + just gone thither and that the army was commanded to advance. I made him + believe I would obey the summons, but I did not intend to do so. + </p> + <p> + I was pestered for five hours with a parcel of idle rumours of ruin and + destruction, which rather diverted than alarmed me, for though the Prince + de Conde, distrusting his brother the Prince de Conti, had surprised him + in bed and carried him off with him to Saint Germain, yet I did not + question but that, as long as Madame de Longueville stayed in Paris, we + should see him again, the rather because his brother neither feared nor + valued him sufficiently to put him under arrest, and I was assured that M. + de Longueville would be in Paris that evening by having received a letter + from himself. + </p> + <p> + The King was no sooner gone than the Parliament met, frightened out of + their senses, and I know not what they could have done if we had not found + a way to change their fears into a resolution to make a bold stand. I have + observed a thousand times that there are some kinds of fear only to be + removed by higher degrees of terror. I caused it to be signified to the + Parliament that there was in the Hotel de Ville a letter from his Majesty + to the magistrates, containing the reasons that had obliged him to leave + his good city of Paris, which were in effect that some of the officers of + the House held a correspondence with the enemies of the Government, and + had conspired to seize his person. + </p> + <p> + The Parliament, considering this letter and that the President le Feron, + 'prevot des marchands', was a creature of the Court, ordered the citizens + to arms, the gates to be secured, and the 'prevot des marchands' and the + 'lieutenant de police' to keep open the necessary passages for provisions. + </p> + <p> + Having thought it good policy that the first public step of resistance + should be taken by the Parliament to justify the disobedience of private + persons, I then invented this stratagem to render me the more excusable to + the Queen for not going to Saint Germain. Having taken leave of all + friends and rejected all their entreaties for my stay in Paris, I took + coach as if I were driving to Court, but, by good luck, met with an + eminent timber-merchant, a very good friend of mine, at the end of + Notre-Dame Street, who was very much out of humour, set upon my postilion, + and threatened my coachman. The people came and overturned my coach, and + the women, shrieking, carried me back to my own house. + </p> + <p> + I wrote to the Queen and Prince, signifying how sorry I was that I had met + with such a stoppage; but the Queen treated the messenger with scorn and + contempt. The Prince, at the same time that he pitied me, could not help + showing his anger. La Riviere attacked me with railleries and invectives, + and the messenger thought they were sure of putting the rope about all our + necks on the morrow. + </p> + <p> + I was not so much alarmed at their menaces as at the news I heard the same + day that M. de Longueville, returning from Rouen, had turned off to Saint + Germain. Marechal de La Mothe told me twenty times that he would do + everything to the letter that M. de Longueville would have him do for or + against the Court. M. de Bouillon quarrelled with me for confiding in men + who acted so contrary to the repeated assurances I had given him of their + good behaviour. And besides all this, Madame de Longueville protested to + me that she had received no news from M. de La Rochefoucault, who went + soon after the King, with a design to fortify the Prince de Conti in his + resolution and to bring him back to Paris. Upon this I sent the Marquis de + Noirmoutier to Saint Germain to learn what we had to trust to. + </p> + <p> + On the 7th of January, 1649, an order was sent from the King to the + Parliament to remove to Montargis, to the Chamber of Accounts to adjourn + to Orleans and to the Grand Council to retire to Mantes. A packet was also + sent to the Parliament, which they would not open, because they guessed at + the contents and were resolved beforehand not to obey. Therefore they + returned it sealed up as it came, and agreed to send assurances of their + obedience to the Queen, and to beg she would give them leave to clear + themselves from the aspersion thrown upon them in the letter above + mentioned sent to the chief magistrate of the city. And to support the + dignity of Parliament it was further resolved that her Majesty should be + petitioned in a most humble manner to name the calumniators, that they + might be proceeded against according to law. At the same time Broussel, + Viole, Amelot, and seven others moved that it might be demanded in form + that Cardinal Mazarin should be removed; but they were not supported by + anybody else, so that they were treated as enthusiasts. Although this was + a juncture in which it was more necessary than ever to act with vigour, + yet I do not remember the time when I have beheld so much + faintheartedness. + </p> + <p> + The Chamber of Accounts immediately set about making remonstrances; but + the Grand Council would have obeyed the King's orders, only the city + refused them passports. I think this was one of the most gloomy days I had + as yet seen. I found the Parliament had almost lost all their spirit, and + that I should be obliged to bow my neck under the most shameful and + dangerous yoke of slavery, or be reduced to the dire necessity of setting + up for tribune of the people, which is the most uncertain and meanest of + all posts when it is not vested with sufficient power. + </p> + <p> + The weakness of the Prince de Conti, who was led like a child by his + brother, the cowardice of M. de Longueville, who had been to offer his + service to the Queen, and the declaration of MM. de Bouillon and de La + Mothe had mightily disfigured my tribuneship. But the folly of Mazarin + raised its reputation, for he made the Queen refuse audience to the King's + Council, who returned that night to Paris, fully convinced that the Court + was resolved to push things to extremity. + </p> + <p> + I was informed from Saint Germain that the Prince had assured the Queen he + would take Paris in a fortnight, and they hoped that the discontinuance of + two markets only would starve the city into a surrender. I carried this + news to my friends, who began to see that there was no possibility, of + accommodation. + </p> + <p> + The Parliament was no sooner acquainted that the King's Council had been + denied audience than with one voice—Bernai excepted, who was fitter + for a cook than a councillor—they passed that famous decree of + January 8th, 1649, whereby Cardinal Mazarin was declared an enemy to the + King and Government, a disturber of the public peace, and all the King's + subjects were enjoined to attack him without mercy. + </p> + <p> + In the afternoon there was a general council of the deputies of + Parliament, of the Chamber of Accounts, of the Court of Aids, the chief + magistrates of Paris, and the six trading companies, wherein it was + resolved that the magistrates should issue commissions for raising 4,000 + horse and 10,000 foot. The same day the Chamber of Accounts, the Court of + Aids, and the city sent their deputies to the Queen, to beseech her + Majesty to bring the King back to Paris, but the Court was obdurate. The + Prince de Conde flew out against the Parliament in the Queen's presence; + and her Majesty told them all that neither the King nor herself would ever + come again within the walls of the city till the Parliament was gone out + of it. + </p> + <p> + The next day the city received a letter from the King commanding them to + oblige the Parliament to remove to Montargis. The governor, one of the + sheriffs, and four councillors of the city carried the letter to + Parliament, protesting at the same time that they would obey no other + orders than those of the Parliament, who that very morning settled the + necessary funds for raising troops. In the afternoon there was a general + council, wherein all the corporations of the city and all the colonels and + captains of the several quarters entered into an association, confirmed by + an oath, for their mutual defence. In the meantime I was informed by the + Marquis de Noirmoutier that the Prince de Conti and M. de Longueville were + very well disposed, and that they stayed at Court the longer to have a + safer opportunity of coming away. M. de La Rochefoucault wrote to the same + purpose to Madame de Longueville. + </p> + <p> + The same day I had a visit from the Duc d'Elbeuf,—[Charles de + Lorraine, the second of that name, who died 1657.]—who, as they + said, having missed a dinner at Court, came to Paris for a supper. He + addressed me with all the cajoling flattery of the House of Guise, and had + three children with him, who were not so eloquent, but seemed to be quite + as cunning as himself. He told me that he was going to offer his service + to the Hotel de Ville; but I advised him to wait upon the Parliament. He + was fixed in his first resolution, yet he came to assure me he would + follow my advice in everything. I was afraid that the Parisians, to whom + the very name of a Prince of Lorraine is dear, would have given him the + command of the troops. Therefore I ordered the clergy over whom I had + influence to insinuate to the people that he was too influential with the + Abbe de La Riviere, and I showed the Parliament what respect he had for + them by addressing himself to the Hotel de Ville in the first place, and + that he had not honour enough to be trusted. I was shown a letter which he + wrote to his friend as he came into town, in which were these words: "I + must go and do homage to the Coadjutor now, but in three days' time he + shall return it to me." And I knew from other instances that his affection + for me was of the feeblest. + </p> + <p> + While I was reflecting what to do, news was brought to me before daylight + that the Prince de Conti and M. de Longueville were at the gate of Saint + Honord and denied entrance by the people, who feared they came to betray + the city. I immediately fetched honest Broussel, and, taking some torches + to light us, we posted to the said gate through a prodigious crowd of + people; it was broad daylight before we could persuade the people that + they might safely let them in. + </p> + <p> + The great difficulty now was how to manage so as to remove the general + distrust of the Prince de Conti that existed among the people. That which + was practicable the night before was rendered impossible and even ruinous + the next day, and this same Duc d'Elbeuf, whom I thought to have driven + out of Paris on the 9th, was in a fair way to have compelled me to leave + on the 10th if he had played his game well, so suspected was the name of + Conde by the people. As there wanted a little time to reconcile them, I + thought it was our only way to keep fair with M. d'Elbeuf and to convince + him that it would be to his interest to join with the Prince de Conti and + M. de Longueville. I accordingly sent to acquaint him that I intended him + a visit, but when I arrived he was gone to the Parliament, where the First + President, who was against removing to Montargis and at the same time very + averse to a civil war, embraced him, and, without giving the members time + to consider what was urged by Broussel, Viole, and others to the contrary, + caused him to be declared General, with a design merely to divide and + weaken the party. + </p> + <p> + Upon this I made haste to the Palace of Longueville to persuade the Prince + de Conti and M. de Longueville to go that very instant to the Parliament + House. The latter was never in haste, and the Prince having gone tired to + bed, it was with much ado I prevailed on him to rise. In short, he was so + long in setting out that the Parliament was up and M. d'Elbeuf was + marching to the Hotel de Ville to be sworn and to take care of the + commissions that were to be issued. I thereupon persuaded the Prince de + Conti to go to the Parliament in the afternoon and to offer them his + service, while I stayed without in the hall to observe the disposition of + the people. + </p> + <p> + He went thither accordingly in my coach and with my grand livery, by which + he made it appear that he reposed his confidence entirely in the people, + whom there is a necessity of managing with a world of precaution because + of their natural diffidence and instability. When we came to the House we + were saluted upon the stairs with "God bless the Coadjutor!" but, except + those posted there on purpose, not a soul cried, "God bless the Prince de + Conti!" from which I concluded that the bulk of the people were not yet + cured of their diffidence, and therefore I was very glad when I had got + the Prince into the Grand Chamber. The moment after, M. d'Elbeuf came in + with the city guards, who attended him as general, and with all the people + crying out, "God bless his Highness M. d'Elbeuf!" But as they cried at the + same time "God save the Coadjutor!" I addressed myself to him with a smile + and said, "This is an echo, monsieur, which does me a great deal of + honour."—"It is very kind of you," said he, and, turning to the + guards, bade them stay at the door of the Grand Chamber. I took the order + as given to myself, and stayed there likewise, with a great number of my + friends. As soon as the House was formed, the Prince de Conti stood up and + said that, having been made acquainted at Saint Germain with the + pernicious counsels given to the Queen, he thought himself obliged, as + Prince of the blood, to oppose them. M. d'Elbeuf, who was proud and + insolent, like all weak men, because he thought he had the strongest + party, said he knew the respect due to the Prince de Conti, but that he + could not forbear telling them that it was himself who first broke the ice + and offered his service to the Parliament, who, having conferred the + General's baton upon him, he would never part with it but with his life. + </p> + <p> + The generality of the members, who were as distrustful of the Prince de + Conti as the people, applauded this declaration, and the Parliament passed + a decree forbidding the troops on pain of high treason to advance within + twenty miles of Paris. I saw that all I could do that day was to reconduct + the Prince de Conti in safety to the palace of Longueville, for the crowd + was so great that I was fain to carry him, as it were, in my arms out of + the Grand Chamber. + </p> + <p> + M. d'Elbeuf, who thought the day was all his own, hearing my name joined + with his in the huzzas of the people, said to me by way of reprisal, + "This, monsieur, is an echo which does me a great deal of honour," to + which I replied, as he did to me before, "Monsieur, it is very kind of + you." Meantime he was not wise enough to improve the opportunity, and I + foresaw that things would soon take another turn, for reputation of long + standing among the people never fails to blast the tender blossoms of + public good-will which are forced out of due season. + </p> + <p> + I had news sent to me from Madame de Lesdiguieres at Saint Germain, that + M. d'Elbeuf, an hour after he heard of the arrival of the Prince de Conti + and M. de Longueville at Paris, wrote a letter to the Abbe de la Riviere + with these words: "Tell the Queen and the Duc d'Orleans that this + diabolical Coadjutor is the ruin of everything here, and that in two days + I shall have no power at all, but that if they will be kind to me I will + make them sensible. I am not come hither with so bad a design as they + imagine." I made a very good use of this advice, and, knowing that the + people are generally fond of everything that seems mysterious, I imparted + the secret to four or five hundred persons. I had the pleasure to hear + that the confidence which the Prince had reposed in the people by going + about all alone in my coach, without any attendance, had won their hearts. + </p> + <p> + At midnight M. de Longueville, Marechal de La Mothe, and myself went to M. + de Bouillon, whom we found as wavering as the state of affairs, but when + we showed him our plan, and how easily it might be executed, he joined us + immediately. We concerted measures, and I gave out orders to all the + colonels and captains of my acquaintance. + </p> + <p> + The most dangerous blow that I gave to M. d'Elbeuf was by making the + people believe that he held correspondence with the King's troops, who on + the 9th, at night, surprised Charenton. I met him on the first report of + it, when he said, "Would you think there are people so wicked as to say + that I had a hand in the capture of Charenton?" I said in answer, "Would + you think there are people vile enough to report that the Prince de Conti + is come hither by concert with the Prince de Conde?" + </p> + <p> + When I saw the people pretty well cured of their diffidence, and not so + zealous as they were for M. d'Elbeuf, I was for mincing the matter no + longer, and thought that ostentation would be as proper to-day as reserve + was yesterday. The Prince de Conti took M. de Longueville to the + Parliament House, where he offered them his services, together with all + Normandy, and desired they would accept of his wife, son, and daughter, + and keep them in the Hotel de Ville as pledges of his sincerity. He was + seconded by M. de Bouillon, who said he was exceedingly glad to serve the + Parliament under the command of so great a Prince as the Prince de Conti. + M. d'Elbeuf was nettled at this expression, and repeated what he had said + before, that he would not part with the General's staff, and he showed + more warmth than judgment in the whole debate. He spoke nothing to the + purpose. It was too late to dispute, and he was obliged to yield, but I + have observed that fools yield only when they cannot help it. We tried his + patience a third time by the appearance of Marechal de La Mothe, who + passed the same compliment upon the company as De Bouillon had done. We + had concerted beforehand that these personages should make their + appearance upon the theatre one after the other, for we had remarked that + nothing so much affects the people, and even the Parliament, among whom + the people are a majority, as a variety of scenes. + </p> + <p> + I took Madame de Longueville and Madame de Bouillon in a coach by way of + triumph to the Hotel de Ville. They were both of rare beauty, and appeared + the more charming because of a careless air, the more becoming to both + because it was unaffected. Each held one of her children, beautiful as the + mother, in her arms. The place was so full of people that the very tops of + the houses were crowded; all the men shouted and the women wept for joy + and affection. I threw five hundred pistoles out of the window of the + Hotel de Ville, and went again to the Parliament House, accompanied by a + vast number of people, some with arms and others without. M. d'Elbeuf's + captain of the guards told his master that he was ruined to all intents + and purposes if he did not accommodate himself to the present position of + affairs, which was the reason that I found him much perplexed and + dejected, especially when M. de Bellievre, who had amused him hitherto + designedly, came in and asked what meant the beating of the drums. I + answered that he would hear more very soon, and that all honest men were + quite out of patience with those that sowed divisions among the people. I + saw then that wisdom in affairs of moment is nothing without courage. M. + d'Elbeuf had little courage at this juncture, made a ridiculous + explanation of what he had said before, and granted more than he was + desired to do, and it was owing to the civility and good sense of M. de + Bouillon that he retained the title of General and the precedence of M. de + Bouillon and M. de La Mothe, who were equally Generals with himself under + the Prince de Conti, who was from that instant declared Generalissimo of + the King's forces under the direction of the Parliament. + </p> + <p> + There happened at this time a comical scene in the Hotel de Ville, which I + mention more particularly because of its consequence. De Noirmoutier, who + the night before was made lieutenant-general, returning by the Hotel de + Ville from a sally which he had made into the suburbs to drive away + Mazarin's skirmishers, as they were called, entered with three officers in + armour into the chamber of Madame de Longueville, which was full of + ladies; the mixture of blue scarfs, ladies, cuirassiers, fiddlers, and + trumpeters in and about the hall was such a sight as is seldom met with + but in romances. De Noirmoutier, who was a great admirer of Astrea, said + he imagined that we were besieged in Marcilli. "Well you may," said I; + "Madame de Longueville is as fair as Galatea, but Marsillac (son of M. de + La Rochefoucault) is not a man of so much honour as Lindamore." I fancy I + was overheard by one in a neighbouring window, who might have told M. de + La Rochefoucault, for otherwise I cannot guess at the first cause of the + hatred which he afterwards bore me. + </p> + <p> + Before I proceed to give you the detail of the civil war, suffer me to + lead you into the gallery where you, who are an admirer of fine painting, + will be entertained with the figures of the chief actors, drawn all at + length in their proper colours, and you will be able to judge by the + history whether they are painted to the life. Let us begin, as it is but + just, with her Majesty. + </p> + <p> + Character of the Queen. + </p> + <p> + The Queen excelled in that kind of wit which was becoming her circle, to + the end that she might not appear silly before strangers; she was more + ill-natured than proud, had more pride than real grandeur, and more show + than substance; she loved money too well to be liberal, and her own + interest too well to be impartial; she was more constant than passionate + as a lover, more implacable than cruel, and more mindful of injuries than + of good offices. She had more of the pious intention than of real piety, + more obstinacy than well-grounded resolution, and a greater measure of + incapacity than of all the rest. + </p> + <p> + Character of the Duc d' Orleans. + </p> + <p> + The Duc d'Orleans possessed all the good qualities requisite for a man of + honour except courage, but having not one quality eminent enough to make + him notable, he had nothing in him to supply or support the weakness which + was so predominant in his heart through fear, and in his mind through + irresolution, that it tarnished the whole course of his life. He engaged + in all affairs, because he had not power to resist the importunities of + those who drew him in for their own advantage, and came off always with + shame for want of courage to go on. His suspicious temper, even from his + childhood, deadened those lively, gay colours which would have shone out + naturally with the advantages of a fine, bright genius, an amiable + gracefulness, a very honest disposition, a perfect disinterestedness, and + an incredible easiness of behaviour. + </p> + <p> + Character of the Prince de Conde. + </p> + <p> + The Prince de Conde was born a general, an honour none could ever boast of + before but Caesar and Spinola; he was equal to the first, but superior to + the second. Intrepidity was one of the least parts of his character. + Nature gave him a genius as great as his heart. It was his fortune to be + born in an age of war, which gave him an opportunity to display his + courage to its full extent; but his birth, or rather education, in a + family submissively attached to the Cabinet, restrained his noble genius + within too narrow bounds. There was no care taken betimes to inspire him + with those great and general maxims which form and improve a man of parts. + He had not time to acquire them by his own application, because he was + prevented from his youth by the unexpected revolution, and by a constant + series of successes. This one imperfection, though he had as pure a soul + as any in the world, was the reason that he did things which were not to + be justified, that though he had the heart of Alexander so he had his + infirmities, that he was guilty of unaccountable follies, that having all + the talents of Francois de Guise, he did not serve the State upon some + occasions as well as he ought, and that having the parts of Henri de + Conde, his namesake, he did not push the faction as far as he might have + done, nor did he discharge all the duties his extraordinary merit demanded + from him. + </p> + <p> + Character of the Duc de Longueville. + </p> + <p> + M. de Longueville, though he had the grand name of Orleans, together with + vivacity, an agreeable appearance, generosity, liberality, justice, + valour, and grandeur, yet never made any extraordinary figure in life, + because his ideas were infinitely above his capacity. If a man has + abilities and great designs, he is sure to be looked upon as a man of some + importance; but if he does not carry them out, he is not much esteemed, + which was the case with De Longueville. + </p> + <p> + Character of the Duc de Beaufort. + </p> + <p> + M. de Beaufort knew little of affairs of moment but by hearsay and by what + he had learned in the cabal of "The Importants," of whose jargon he had + retained some smattering, which, together with some expressions he had + perfectly acquired from Madame de Vendome, formed a language that would + have puzzled a Cato. His speech was short and stupidly dull, and the more + so because he obscured it by affectation. He thought himself very + sufficient, and pretended to a great deal more wit than came to his share. + He was brave enough in his person, and outdid the common Hectors by being + so upon all occasions, but never more 'mal a propos' than in gallantry. + And he talked and thought just as the people did whose idol he was for + some time. + </p> + <p> + Character of the Dice d'Elbeuf. + </p> + <p> + M. d'Elbeuf could not fail of courage, as he was a Prince of the house of + Lorraine. He had all the wit that a man of abundantly more cunning and + good sense could pretend to. He was a medley of incoherent flourishes. He + was the first Prince debased by poverty; and, perhaps, never man was more + at a loss than he to raise the pity of the people in misery. A comfortable + subsistence did not raise his spirits; and if he had been master of riches + he would have been envied as a leader of a party. Poverty so well became + him that it seemed as if he had been cut out for a beggar. + </p> + <p> + Character of the Duc de Bouillon. + </p> + <p> + The Duc de Bouillon was a man of experienced valour and profound sense. I + am fully persuaded, by what I have seen of his conduct, that those who cry + it down wrong his character; and it may be that others had too favourable + notions of his merit, who thought him capable of all the great things + which he never did. + </p> + <p> + Character of M. de Turenne. + </p> + <p> + M. de Turenne had all the good qualities in his very nature, and acquired + all the great ones very early, those only excepted that he never thought + of. Though almost all the virtues were in a manner natural to him, yet he + shone out in none. He was looked upon as more proper to be at the head of + an army than of a faction, for he was not naturally enterprising. He had + in all his conduct, as well as in his way of talking, certain obscurities + which he never explained but on particular occasions, and then only for + his own honour. + </p> + <p> + Character of Marechal de La Mothe. + </p> + <p> + The Marechal de La Mothe was a captain of the second rank, full of mettle, + but not a man of much sense. He was affable and courteous in civil life, + and a very useful man in a faction because of his wonderful complacency. + </p> + <p> + Character of the Prince de Conti. + </p> + <p> + The Prince de Conti was a second Zeno as much as he was a Prince of the + blood. That is his character with regard to the public; and as to his + private capacity, wickedness had the same effect on him as weakness had on + M. d'Elbeuf, and drowned his other qualities, which were all mean and + tinctured with folly. + </p> + <p> + Character of M. de La Rochefoucault. + </p> + <p> + M. de La Rochefoucault had something so odd in all his conduct that I know + not what name to give it. He loved to be engaged in intrigues from a + child. He was never capable of conducting any affair, for what reasons I + could not conceive; for he had endowments which, in another, would have + made amends for imperfections . . . . He had not a long view of what was + beyond his reach, nor a quick apprehension of what was within it; but his + sound sense, very good in speculation, his good-nature, his engaging and + wonderfully easy behaviour, were enough to have made amends more than they + did for his want of penetration. He was constantly wavering in his + resolution, but what to attribute it to I know not, for it could not come + from his fertile imagination, which was lively. Nor can I say it came from + his barrenness of thought, for though he did not excel as a man of + affairs, yet he had a good fund of sense. The effect of this irresolution + is very visible, though we do not know its cause. He never was a warrior, + though a true soldier. He never was a courtier, though he had always a + good mind to be one. He never was a good party man, though his whole life + was engaged in partisanship. He was very timorous and bashful in + conversation, and thought he always stood in need of apologies, which, + considering that his "Maxims" showed not great regard for virtue, and that + his practice was always to get out of affairs with the same hurry as he + got into them, makes me conclude that he would have done much better if he + had contented himself to have passed, as he might have done, for the + politest courtier and the most cultivated gentlemen of his age. + </p> + <p> + Character of Madame de Longueville. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Longueville had naturally a great fund of wit, and was, + moreover, a woman of parts; but her indolent temper kept her from making + any use of her talents, either in gallantries or in her hatred against the + Prince de Conde. Her languishing air had more charms in it than the most + exquisite beauty. She had few or no faults besides what she contracted in + her gallantry. As her passion of love influenced her conduct more than + politics, she who was the Amazon of a great party degenerated into the + character of a fortune-hunter. But the grace of God brought her back to + her former self, which all the world was not able to do. + </p> + <p> + Character of Madame de Chevreuse. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Chevreuse had not so much as the remains of beauty when I knew + her; she was the only person I ever saw whose vivacity supplied the want + of judgment; her wit was so brilliant and so full of wisdom that the + greatest men of the age would not have been ashamed of it, while, in + truth, it was owing to some lucky opportunity. If she had been born in + time of peace she would never have imagined there could have been such a + thing as war. If the Prior of the Carthusians had but pleased her, she + would have been a nun all her lifetime. M. de Lorraine was the first that + engaged her in State affairs. The Duke of Buckingham—[George + Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, assassinated when preparing to succour + Rochelle.]—and the Earl of Holland (an English lord, of the family + of Rich, and younger son of the Earl of Warwick, then ambassador in + France) kept her to themselves; M. de Chateauneuf continued the amusement, + till at last she abandoned herself to the pleasing of a person whom she + loved, without any choice, but purely because it was impossible for her to + live without being in love with somebody. It was no hard task to give her + one to serve the turn of the faction, but as soon as she accepted him she + loved him with all her heart and soul, and she confessed that, by the + caprice of fortune, she never loved best where she esteemed most, except + in the case of the poor Duke of Buckingham. Notwithstanding her attachment + in love, which we may, properly call her everlasting passion, + notwithstanding the frequent change of objects, she was peevish and touchy + almost to distraction, but when herself again, her transports were very + agreeable; never was anybody less fearful of real danger, and never had + woman more contempt for scruples and ceremonies. + </p> + <p> + Character of Mademoiselle de Chevreuse. + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle de Chevreuse was more beautiful in her person than charming + in her carriage, and by nature extremely silly; her amorous passion made + her seem witty, serious, and agreeable only to him whom she was in love + with, but she soon treated him as she did her petticoat, which to-day she + took into her bed, and to-morrow cast into the fire out of pure aversion. + </p> + <p> + Character of the Princess Palatine. + </p> + <p> + The Princess Palatine' had just as much gallantry as gravity. I believe + she had as great a talent for State affairs as Elizabeth, Queen of + England. I have seen her in the faction, I have seen her in the Cabinet, + and found her everywhere equally sincere. + </p> + <p> + Character of Madame de Montbazon. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Montbazon was a very great beauty, only modesty was visibly + wanting in her air; her grand air and her way of talking sometimes + supplied her want of sense. She loved nothing more than her pleasures, + unless it was her private interest, and I never knew a vicious person that + had so little respect for virtue. + </p> + <p> + Character of the First President. + </p> + <p> + If it were not a sort of blasphemy to say that any mortal of our times had + more courage than the great Gustavus Adolphus and the Prince de Conde, I + would venture to affirm it of M. Mole, the First President, but his wit + was far inferior to his courage. It is true that his enunciation was not + agreeable, but his eloquence was such that, though it shocked the ear, it + seized the imagination. He sought the interest of the public preferably to + all things, not excepting the interest of his own family, which yet he + loved too much for a magistrate. He had not a genius to see at times the + good he was capable of doing, presumed too much upon his authority, and + imagined that he could moderate both the Court and Parliament; but he + failed in both, made himself suspected by both, and thus, with a design to + do good, he did evil. Prejudices contributed not a little to this, for I + observed he was prejudiced to such a degree that he always judged of + actions by men, and scarcely ever of men by their actions. + </p> + <p> + To return to our history. All the companies having united and settled the + necessary funds, a complete army was raised in Paris in a week's time. The + Bastille surrendered after five or six cannon shots, and it was a pretty + sight to see the women carry their chairs into the garden, where the guns + were stationed, for the sake of seeing the siege, just as if about to hear + a sermon. + </p> + <p> + M. de Beaufort, having escaped from his confinement, arrived this very day + in Paris. I found that his imprisonment had not made him one jot the + wiser. Indeed, it had got him a reputation, because he bore it with + constancy and made his escape with courage. It was also his merit not to + have abandoned the banks of the Loire at a time when it absolutely + required abundance of skill and courage to stay there. It is an easy + matter for those who are disgraced at Court to make the best of their own + merit in the beginning of a civil war. He had a mind to form an alliance + with me, and knowing how to employ him advantageously, I prepossessed the + people in his favour, and exaggerated the conspiracy which the Cardinal + had formed against him by means of Du Hamel. + </p> + <p> + As my friendship was necessary to him, so his was necessary to me; for my + profession on many occasions being a restraint upon me, I wanted a man + sometimes to stand before me. M. de La Mothe was so dependent on M. de + Longueville that I could not rely on him; and M. de Bouillon was not a man + to be governed. + </p> + <p> + We went together to wait on the Prince de Conti; we stopped the coach in + the streets, where I proclaimed the name of M. de Beaufort, praised him + and showed him to the people; upon which the people were suddenly fired + with enthusiasm, the women kissed him, and the crowd was so great that we + had much ado to get to the Hotel de Ville. The next day he offered a + petition to the Parliament desiring he might have leave to justify himself + against the accusation of his having formed a design against the life of + the Cardinal, which was granted; and he was accordingly cleared next day, + and the Parliament issued that famous decree for seizing all the cash of + the Crown in all the public and private receipt offices of the kingdom and + employing it in the common defence. + </p> + <p> + The Prince de Conde was enraged at the declaration published by the Prince + de Conti and M. de Longueville, which cast the Court, then at Saint + Germain, into such a despair that the Cardinal was upon the point of + retiring. I was abused there without mercy, as appeared by a letter sent + to Madame de Longueville from the Princess, her mother, in which I read + this sentence: "They rail here plentifully against the Coadjutor, whom yet + I cannot forbear thanking for what he has done for the poor Queen of + England." This circumstance is very curious. You must know that a few days + before the King left Paris I visited the Queen of England, whom I found in + the apartment of her daughter, since Madame d'Orleans. "You see, + monsieur," said the Queen, "I come here to keep Henriette company; the + poor child has lain in bed all day for want of a fire." The truth is, the + Cardinal having stopped the Queen's pension six months, tradesmen were + unwilling to give her credit, and there was not a chip of wood in the + house. You may be sure I took care that a Princess of Great Britain should + not be confined to her bed next day, for want of a fagot; and a few days + after I exaggerated the scandal of this desertion, and the Parliament sent + the Queen a present of 40,000 livres. Posterity will hardly believe that + the Queen of England, granddaughter of Henri the Great, wanted a fagot to + light a fire in the month of January, in the Louvre, and at the Court of + France. + </p> + <p> + There are many passages in history less monstrous than this which make us + shudder, and this mean action of the Court made so little impression upon + the minds of the generality of the people at that time that I have + reflected a thousand times since that we are far more moved at the hearing + of old stories than of those of the present time; we are not shocked at + what we see with our own eyes, and I question whether our surprise would + be as great as we imagine at the story of Caligula's promoting his horse + to the dignity of a consul were he and his horse now living. + </p> + <p> + To return to the war. A cornet of my regiment being taken prisoner and + carried to Saint Germain, the Queen immediately ordered his head to be cut + off, but I sent a trumpeter to acquaint the Court that I would make + reprisals upon my prisoners, so that my cornet was exchanged and a cartel + settled. + </p> + <p> + As soon as Paris declared itself, all the kingdom was in a quandary, for + the Parliament of Paris sent circular letters to all the Parliaments and + cities in the kingdom exhorting them to join against the common enemy; + upon which the Parliaments of Aix and Rouen joined with that of Paris. The + Prince d'Harcourt, now Duc d'Elbeuf, and the cities of Rheims, Tours, and + Potiers, took up arms in its favour. The Duc de La Tremouille raised men + for them publicly. The Duc de Retz offered his service to the Parliament, + together with Belle Isle. Le Mans expelled its bishop and all the Lavardin + family, who were in the interest of the Court. + </p> + <p> + On the 18th of January, 1649, I was admitted to a seat and vote in + Parliament, and signed an alliance with the chief leaders of the party: + MM. de Beaufort, de Bouillon, de La Mothe, de Noirmoutier, de Vitri, de + Brissac, de Maure, de Matha, de Cugnac, de Barnire, de Sillery, de La + Rochefoucault, de Laigues, de Sevigny, de Bethune, de Luynes, de Chaumont, + de Saint-Germain, d'Action, and de Fiesque. + </p> + <p> + On the 9th of February the Prince de Conde attacked and took Charenton. + All this time the country people were flocking to Paris with provisions, + not only because there was plenty of money, but to enable the citizens to + hold out against the siege, which was begun on the 9th of January. + </p> + <p> + On the 12th of February a herald came with two trumpeters from the Court + to one of the city gates, bringing three packets of letters, one for the + Parliament, one for the Prince de Conti, and the third for the Hotel de + Ville. It was but the night before that a person was caught in the halls + dropping libels against the Parliament and me; upon which the Parliament, + Princes, and city supposed that this State visit was nothing but an + amusement of Cardinal Mazarin to cover a worse design, and therefore + resolved not to receive the message nor give the herald audience, but to + send the King's Council to the Queen to represent to her that their + refusal was out of pure obedience and respect, because heralds are never + sent but to sovereign Princes or public enemies, and that the Parliament, + the Prince de Conti, and the city were neither the one nor the other. At + the same time the Chevalier de Lavalette, who distributed the libels, had + formed a design to kill me and M. de Beaufort upon the Parliament stairs + in the great crowd which they expected would attend the appearance of the + herald. The Court, indeed, always denied his having any other commission + than to drop the libels, but I am certain that the Bishop of Dole told the + Bishop of Aire, but a night or two before, that Beaufort and I should not + be among the living three days hence. + </p> + <p> + The King's councillors returned with a report how kindly they had been + received at Saint Germain. They said the Queen highly approved of the + reasons offered by the Parliament for refusing entrance to the herald, and + that she had assured them that, though she could not side with the + Parliament in the present state of affairs, yet she received with joy the + assurances they had given her of their respect and submission, and that + she would distinguish them in general and in particular by special marks + of her good-will. Talon, Attorney-General, who always spoke with dignity + and force, embellished this answer of the Queen with all the ornaments he + could give it, assuring the Parliament in very pathetic terms that, if + they should be pleased to send a deputation to Saint Germain, it would be + very kindly received, and might, perhaps, be a great step towards a peace. + </p> + <p> + When I saw that we were besieged, that the Cardinal had sent a person into + Flanders to treat with the Spaniards, and that our party was now so well + formed that there was no danger that I alone should be charged with + courting the alliance of the enemies of the State, I hesitated no longer, + but judged that, as affairs stood, I might with honour hear what proposals + the Spaniards would make to me for the relief of Paris; but I took care + not to have my name mentioned, and that the first overtures should be made + to M. d'Elbeuf, who was the fittest person, because during the ministry of + Cardinal de Richelieu he was twelve or fifteen years in Flanders a + pensioner of Spain. Accordingly Arnolfi, a Bernardin friar, was sent from + the Archduke Leopold, Governor of the Spanish Netherlands for the King of + Spain, to the Duc d'Elbeuf, who, upon sight of his credentials, thought + himself the most considerable man of the party, invited most of us to + dinner, and told us he had a very important matter to lay before us, but + that such was his tenderness for the French name that he could not open so + much as a small letter from a suspected quarter, which, after some + scrupulous and mysterious circumlocutions, he ventured to name, and we + agreed one and all not to refuse the succours from Spain, but the great + difficulty was, which way to get them. Fuensaldagne, the general, was + inclined to join us if he could have been sure that we would engage with + him; but as there was no possibility of the Parliaments treating with him, + nor any dependence to be placed upon the generals, some of whom were + wavering and whimsical, Madame de Bouillon pressed me not to hesitate any + longer, but to join with her husband, adding that if he and I united, we + should so far overmatch the others that it would not be in their power to + injure us. + </p> + <p> + M. de Bouillon and I agreed to use our interest to oblige the Parliament + to hear what the envoy had to say. I proposed it to the Parliament, but + the first motion of it was hissed, in a manner, by all the company as much + as if it had been heretical. The old President Le Coigneux, a man of quick + apprehension, observing that I sometimes mentioned a letter from the + Archduke of which there had been no talk, declared himself suddenly to be + of my opinion. He had a secret persuasion that I had seen some writings + which they knew nothing of, and therefore, while both sides were in the + heat of debate, he said to me: + </p> + <p> + "Why do you not disclose yourself to your friends? They would come into + your measures. I see very well you know more of the matter than the person + who thinks himself your informant." I vow I was terribly ashamed of my + indiscretion. I squeezed him by the hand and winked at MM. de Beaufort and + de La Mothe. At length two other Presidents came over to my opinion, being + thoroughly convinced that succours from Spain at this time were a remedy + absolutely necessary to our disease, but a dangerous and empirical + medicine, and infallibly mortal to particular persons if it did not pass + first through the Parliament's alembic. + </p> + <p> + The Bernardin, being tutored by us beforehand what to say when he came + before the Parliament, behaved like a man of good sense. + </p> + <p> + When he desired audience, or rather when the Prince de Conti desired it + for him, the President de Mesmes, a man of great capacity, but by fear and + ambition most slavishly attached to the Court, made an eloquent and + pathetic harangue, preferable to anything I ever met with of the kind in + all the monuments of antiquity, and, turning about to the Prince de Conti, + "Is it possible, monsieur," said he, "that a Prince of the blood of France + should propose to let a person deputed from the most bitter enemy of the + fleurs-de-lis have a seat upon those flowers?" Then turning to me, he + said, "What, monsieur, will you refuse entrance to your sovereign's herald + upon the most trifling pretexts?" I knew what was coming, and therefore I + endeavoured to stop his mouth by this answer: "Monsieur, you will excuse + me from calling those reasons frivolous which have had the sanction of a + decree." The bulk of the Parliament was provoked at the President's + unguarded expression, baited him very fiercely, and then I made some + pretence to go out, leaving Quatresous, a young man of the warmest temper, + in the House to skirmish with him in my stead, as having experienced more + than once that the only way to get anything of moment passed in + Parliamentary or other assemblies is to exasperate the young men against + the old ones. + </p> + <p> + In short, after many debates, it was carried that the envoy should be + admitted to audience. Being accordingly admitted, and bidden to be covered + and sit down, he presented the Archduke's credentials, and then made a + speech, which was in substance that his master had ordered him to acquaint + the company with a proposal made him by Cardinal Mazarin since the + blockade of Paris, which his Catholic Majesty did not think consistent + with his safety or honour to accept, when he saw that, on the one hand, it + was made with a view to oppress the Parliament, which was held in + veneration by all the kingdoms in the world, and, on the other, that all + treaties made with a condemned minister would be null and void, forasmuch + as they were made without the concurrence of the Parliament, to whom only + it belonged to register and verify treaties of peace in order to make them + authoritative; that the Catholic King, who proposed to take no advantage + from the present state of affairs, had ordered the Archduke to assure the + Parliament, whom he knew to be in the true interest of the most Christian + King, that he heartily acknowledged them to be the arbiters of peace, that + he submitted to their judgment, and that if they thought proper to be + judges, he left it to their choice to send a deputation out of their own + body to what place they pleased. Paris itself not excepted, and that his + Catholic Majesty would also, without delay, send his deputies thither to + meet and treat with them; that, meanwhile, he had ordered 18,000 men to + march towards their frontiers to relieve them in case of need, with orders + nevertheless to commit no hostilities upon the towns, etc., of the most + Christian King, though they were for the most part abandoned; and it being + his resolution at this juncture to show his sincere inclination for peace, + he gave them his word of honour that his armies should not stir during the + treaty; but that in case his troops might be serviceable to the + Parliament, they were at their disposal, to be commanded by French + officers; and that to obviate all the reasonable jealousies generally, + attending the conduct of foreigners, they, were at liberty to take all + other precautions they should think proper. + </p> + <p> + Before his admission the Prdsident de Mesmes had loaded me with + invectives, for secretly corresponding with the enemies of the State, for + favouring his admission, and for opposing that of my sovereign's herald. + </p> + <p> + I had observed that when the objections against a man are capable of + making greater impression than his answers, it is his best course to say + but little, and that he may talk as much as he pleases when he thinks his + answers of greater force than the objections. I kept strictly to this + rule, for though the said President artfully pointed his satire at me, I + sat unconcerned till I found the Parliament was charmed with what the + envoy had said, and then, in my turn, I was even with the President by + telling him in short that my respect for the Parliament had obliged me to + put up with his sarcasms, which I had hitherto endured; and that I did not + suppose he meant that his sentiments should always be a law to the + Parliament; that nobody there had a greater esteem for him, with which I + hoped that the innocent freedom I had taken to speak my mind was not + inconsistent; that as to the non-admission of the herald, had it not been + for the motion made by M. Broussel, I should have fallen into the snare + through overcredulity, and have given my vote for that which might perhaps + have ended in the destruction of the city, and involved myself in what has + since fully proved to be a crime by the Queen's late solemn approbation of + the contrary conduct; and that, as to the envoy, I was silent till I saw + most of them were for giving him audience, when I thought it better to + vote the same way than vainly to contest it. + </p> + <p> + This modest and submissive answer of mine to all the scurrilities heaped + upon me for a fortnight together by the First President and the President + de Mesmes had an excellent effect upon the members, and obliterated for a + long time the suspicion that I aimed to govern them by my cabals. The + President de Mesmes would have replied, but his words were drowned in the + general clamour. The clock struck five; none had dined, and many had not + broken their fast, which the Presidents had, and therefore had the + advantage in disputation. + </p> + <p> + The decree ordering the admission of the Spanish envoy to audience + directed that a copy of what he said in Parliament, signed with his own + hand, should be demanded of him, to the end that it might be registered, + and that, by a solemn deputation, it should be sent to the Queen, with an + assurance of the fidelity of the Parliament, beseeching her at the same + time to withdraw her troops from the neighbourhood of Paris and restore + peace to her people. It being now very late, and the members very hungry,—circumstances + that have greater influence than can be imagined in debates, they were + upon the point of letting this clause pass for want of due attention. The + President Le Coigneux was the first that discovered the grand mistake, + and, addressing himself to a great many councillors, who were rising up, + said, "Gentlemen, pray take your places again, for I have something to + offer to the House which is of the highest importance to all Europe." When + they had taken their places he spoke as follows: + </p> + <p> + "The King of Spain takes us for arbiters of the general peace; it may be + he is not in earnest, but yet it is a compliment to tell us so. He offers + us troops to march to our relief, and it is certain he does not deceive us + in this respect, but highly obliges us. We have heard his envoy, and + considering the circumstances we are in, we think it right so to do. We + have resolved to give an account of this matter to the King, which is but + reasonable; some imagine that we propose to send the original decree, but + here lies the snake in the grass. I protest, monsieur," added he, turning + to the First President, "that the members did not understand it so, but + that the copy only should be carried to Court, and the original be kept in + the register. I could wish there had been no occasion for explanation, + because there are some occasions when it is not prudent to speak all that + one thinks, but since I am forced to it, I must say it without further + hesitation, that in case we deliver up the original the Spaniards will + conclude that we expose their proposals for a general peace and our own + safety to the caprice of Cardinal Mazarin; whereas, by delivering only a + copy, accompanied with humble entreaties for a general peace, as the + Parliament has wisely ordered, all Europe will see that we maintain + ourselves in a condition capable of doing real service both to our King + and country, if the Cardinal is so blind as not to take a right advantage + of this opportunity." + </p> + <p> + This discourse was received with the approbation of all the members, who + cried out from all corners of the House that this was the meaning of the + House. The gentlemen of the Court of Inquests did not spare the + Presidents. M. Martineau said publicly that the tenor of this decree was + that the envoy of Spain should be made much of till they received an + answer from Saint Germain, which would prove to be another taunt of the + Cardinal's. Pontcarre said he was not so much afraid of a Spaniard as of a + Mazarin. In short, the generals had the satisfaction to see that the + Parliament would not be sorry for any advances they should make towards an + alliance with Spain. + </p> + <p> + We sent a courier to Brussels, who was guarded ten leagues out of Paris by + 500 horse, with an account of everything done in Parliament, of the + conditions which the Prince de Conti and the other generals desired for + entering into a treaty with Spain, and of what engagement I could make in + my own private capacity. + </p> + <p> + After he had gone I had a conference with M. de Bouillon and his lady + about the present state of affairs, which I observed was very ticklish; + that if we were favoured by the general inclination of the people we + should carry all before us, but that the Parliament, which was our chief + strength in one sense, was in other respects our main weakness; that they + were very apt to go backward; that in the very last debate they were on + the point of twisting a rope for their own necks, and that the First + President would show Mazarin his true interests, and be glad to amuse us + by stipulating with the Court for our security without putting us in + possession of it, and by ending the civil war in the confirmation of our + slavery. "The Parliament," I said, "inclines to an insecure and scandalous + peace. We can make the people rise to-morrow if we please; but ought we to + attempt it? And if we divest the Parliament of its authority, into what an + abyss of disorders shall we not precipitate Paris? But, on the other hand, + if we do not raise the people, will the Parliament ever believe we can? + Will they be hindered from taking any further step in favour of the Court, + destructive indeed to their own interest, but infallibly ruinous to us + first?" + </p> + <p> + M. de Bouillon, who did not believe our affairs to be in so critical a + situation, was, together with his lady, in a state of surprise. The mild + and honourable answer which the Queen returned to the King's councillors + in relation to the herald, her protestations that she sincerely forgave + all the world, and the brilliant gloss of Talon upon her said answer, in + an instant overturned the former resolutions of the Parliament; and if + they regained sometimes their wonted vigour, either by some intervening + accidents or by the skilful management of those who took care to bring + them back to the right way, they had still an inclination to recede. M. de + Bouillon being the wisest man of the party, I told him what I thought, and + with him I concerted proper measures. To the rest, I put on a cheerful + air, and magnified every little circumstance of affairs to our own + advantage. + </p> + <p> + M. de Bouillon proposed that we should let the Parliament and the Hotel de + Ville go on in their own way, and endeavour all we could clandestinely to + make them odious to the people, and that we should take the first + opportunity to secure, by banishment or imprisonment, such persons as we + could not depend upon. He added that Longueville, too, was of opinion that + there was no remedy left but to purge the Houses. This was exactly like + him, for never was there a man so positive and violent in his opinion, and + yet no man living could palliate it with smoother language. Though I + thought of this expedient before M. de Bouillon, and perhaps could have + said more for it, because I saw the possibility of it much clearer than + he, yet I would not give him to understand that I had thought of it, + because I knew he had the vanity to love to be esteemed the first author + of things, which was the only weakness I observed in his managing State + affairs. I left him an answer in writing, in substance as follows: + </p> + <p> + "I confess the scheme is very feasible, but attended with pernicious + consequences both to the public and to private persons, for the same + people whom you employ to humble the magistracy will refuse you obedience + when you demand from them the same homage they paid to the magistrates. + This people adored the Parliament till the beginning of the war; they are + still for continuing the war, and yet abate their friendship for the + Parliament. The Parliament imagines that this applies only to some + particular members who are Mazarined, but they are deceived, for their + prejudice extends to the whole company, and their hatred towards Mazarin's + party supports and screens their indifference towards all the rest. We + cheer up their spirits by pasquinades and ballads and the martial sound of + trumpets and kettle-drums, but, after all, do they pay their taxes as + punctually as they did the first few weeks? Are there many that have done + as you and I, monsieur, who sent our plate to the mint? Do you not observe + that they who would be thought zealous for the common cause plead in + favour of some acts committed by those men who are, in short, its enemies? + If the people are so tired already, what will they be long before they + come to their journey's end? + </p> + <p> + "After we have established our own authority upon the ruin of the + Parliament's, we shall certainly fall into the same inconveniences and be + obliged to act just as they do now. We shall impose taxes, raise moneys, + and differ from the Parliament only in this, that the hatred and envy they + have contracted by various ways from one-third part of the people,—I + mean the wealthy citizens,—in the space of six weeks will devolve + upon us, with that of the other two-thirds of the inhabitants, and will + complete our ruin in one week. May not the Court to-morrow put an end to + the civil war by the expulsion of Mazarin and by raising the siege of + Paris? The provinces are not yet sufficiently inflamed, and therefore we + must double our application to make the most of Paris. Besides the + necessity of treating with Spain and managing the people, there is another + expedient come into my head capable of rendering us as considerable in + Parliament as our affairs require. + </p> + <p> + "We have an army in Paris which will be looked upon as the people so long + as it continues within its walls. Every councillor of inquest is inclined + to believe his authority among the soldiers to be equal to that of the + generals. But the leaders of the people are not believed to be very + powerful until they make their power known by its execution. Pray do but + consider the conduct of the Court upon this occasion. Was there any + minister or courtier but ridiculed all that could be said of the + disposition of the people in favour of the Parliament even to the day of + the barricades? And yet it is as true that every man at Court saw + infallible marks of the revolution beforehand. One would have thought that + the barricades should have convinced them; but have they been convinced? + Have they been hindered from besieging Paris on the slight supposition + that, though the caprice of the people might run them into a mutiny, yet + it would not break out into a civil war? What we are now doing might + undeceive them effectually; but are they yet cured of their infatuation? + Is not the Queen told every day that none are for the Parliament but hired + mobs, and that all the wealthy burghers are in her Majesty's interests? + </p> + <p> + "The Parliament is now as much infatuated as the Court was then. This + present disturbance among the people carries in it all the marks of power + which, in a little time, they will feel the effects of, and which, as they + cannot but foresee, they ought to prevent in time, because of the murmurs + of the people against them and their redoubled affection for M. de + Beaufort and me. But far from it, the Parliament will never open its eyes + until all its authority is quashed by a sudden blow. If they see we have a + design against them they will, perhaps, have so inconsiderable an opinion + of it that they will take courage, and if we should but flinch, they will + bear harder still upon us, till we shall be forced to crush them; but this + would not turn to our account; on the contrary, it is our true interest to + do them all the good we can, lest we divide our own party, and to behave + in such a manner as may convince them that our interest and theirs are + inseparable. And the best way is to draw our army out of Paris, and to + post it so as it may be ready to secure our convoys and be safe from the + insults of the enemy; and I am for having this done at the request of the + Parliament, to prevent their taking umbrage, till such time at least as we + may find our account in it. Such precautions will insensibly, as it were, + necessitate the Parliament to act in concert with us, and our favour among + the people, which is the only thing that can fix us in that situation, + will appear to them no longer contemptible when they see it backed by an + army which is no longer at their discretion." + </p> + <p> + M. de Bouillon told me that M. de Turenne was upon the point of declaring + for us, and that there were but two colonels in all his army who gave him + any uneasiness, but that in a week's time he would find some way or other + to manage them, and that then he would march directly to our assistance. + "What do you think of that?" said the Duke. "Are we not now masters both + of the Court and Parliament?" + </p> + <p> + I told the Duke that I had just seen a letter written by Hoquincourt to + Madame de Montbazon, wherein were only these words: "O fairest of all + beauties, Peronne is in your power." I added that I had received another + letter that morning which assured me of Mazieres. Madame de Bouillon threw + herself on my neck; we were sure the day was our own, and in a quarter of + an hour agreed upon all the preliminary precautions. + </p> + <p> + M. de Bouillon, perceiving that I was so overjoyed at this news that I, as + well as his lady, gave little attention to the methods he was proposing + for drawing the army out of Paris without alarming the Parliament, turned + to me and spoke thus, very hastily: "I pardon my wife, but I cannot + forgive you this inadvertence. The old Prince of Orange used to say that + the moment one received good news should be employed in providing against + bad." + </p> + <p> + The 24th of February, 1649, the Parliament's deputies waited on the Queen + with an account of the audience granted to the envoy of the Archduke. The + Queen told them that they should not have given audience to the envoy, but + that, seeing they had done it, it was absolutely necessary to think of a + good peace,—that she was entirely well disposed; and the Duc + d'Orleans and the Prince de Conde promised the deputies to throw open all + the passages as soon as the Parliament should name commissioners for the + treaty. + </p> + <p> + Flamarin being sent at the same time into the city from the Duc d'Orleans + to condole with the Queen of England on the death of her husband (King + Charles I.), went, at La Riviere's solicitation, to M. de La + Rochefoucault, whom he found in his bed on account of his wounds and quite + wearied with the civil war, and persuaded him to come over to the Court + interest. He told Flamarin that he had been drawn into this war much + against his inclinations, and that, had he returned from Poitou two months + before the siege of Paris, he would have prevented Madame de Longueville + engaging in so vile a cause, but that I had taken the opportunity of his + absence to engage both her and the Prince de Conti, that he found the + engagements too far advanced to be possibly dissolved, that the diabolical + Coadjutor would not bear of any terms of peace, and also stopped the ears + of the Prince de Conti and Madame de Longueville, and that he himself + could not act as he would because of his bad state of health. I was + informed of Flamarin's negotiations for the Court interest, and, as the + term of his passport had expired, ordered the 'prevot des marchands' to + command him to depart from the city. + </p> + <p> + On the 27th the First President reported to the Parliament what had + occurred at Saint Germain. M. de Beaufort and I had to hinder the people + from entering the Great Chamber, for they threatened to throw the deputies + into the river, and said they had betrayed them and had held conferences + with Mazarin. It was as much as we could do to allay the fury of the + people, though at the same time the Parliament believed the tumult was of + our own raising. This shows one inconvenience of popularity, namely, that + what is committed by the rabble, in spite of all your endeavours to the + contrary, will still be laid to your charge. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile we met at the Duc de Bouillon's to consider what was best to be + done at this critical juncture between a people mad for war, a Parliament + for peace, and the Spaniards either for peace or war at our expense and + for their own advantage. The Prince de Conti, instructed beforehand by M. + de La Rochefoucault, spoke for carrying on the war, but acted as if he + were for peace, and upon the whole I did not doubt but that he waited for + some answer from Saint Germain. M. d'Elbeuf made a silly proposal to send + the Parliament in a body to the Bastille. M. de Beaufort, whom we could + not entrust with any important secret because of Madame de Montbazon, who + was very false, wondered that his and my credit with the people was not + made use of on this occasion. + </p> + <p> + It being very evident that the Parliament would greedily catch at the + treaty of peace proposed by the Court, it was in a manner impossible to + answer those who urged that the only way to prevent it was to hinder their + debates by raising tumults among the people. M. de Beaufort held up both + his hands for it. M. d'Elbeuf, who had lately received a letter from La + Riviere full of contempt, talked like an officer of the army. When I + considered the great risk I ran if I did not prevent a tumult, which would + certainly be laid at my door, and that, on the other hand, I did not dare + to say all I could to stop such commotion, I was at a loss what to do. But + considering the temper of the populace, who might have been up in arms + with a word from a person of any credit among us, I declared publicly that + I was not for altering our measures till we knew what we were to expect + from the Spaniards. + </p> + <p> + I experienced on this occasion that civil wars are attended with this + great inconvenience, that there is more need of caution in what we say to + our friends than in what we do against our enemies. I did not fail to + bring the company to my mind, especially when supported by M. de Bouillon, + who was convinced that the confusion which would happen in such a juncture + would turn with vengeance upon the authors. But when the company was gone + he told me he was resolved to free himself from the tyranny, or, rather, + pedantry of the Parliament as soon as the treaty with Spain was concluded, + and M. de Turenne had declared himself publicly, and as soon as our army + was without the walls of Paris. I answered that upon M. de Turenne's + declaration I would promise him my concurrence, but that till then I could + not separate from the Parliament, much less oppose them, without the + danger of being banished to Brussels; that as for his own part, he might + come off better because of his knowledge of military affairs, and of the + assurances which Spain was able to give him, but, nevertheless, I desired + him to remember M. d'Aumale, who fell into the depth of poverty as soon as + he had lost all protection but that of Spain, and, consequently, that it + was his interest as well as mine to side with the Parliament till we + ourselves had secured some position in the kingdom; till the Spanish army, + was actually on the march and our troops were encamped without the city; + and till the declaration of M. de Turenne was carried out, which would be + the decisive blow, because it would strengthen our party with a body of + troops altogether independent of strangers, or rather it would form a + party perfectly French, capable by its own strength to carry on our cause. + </p> + <p> + This last consideration overjoyed Madame de Bouillon, who, however, when + she found that the company was gone without resolving to make themselves + masters of the Parliament, became very angry, and said to the Duke: + </p> + <p> + "I told you beforehand that you would be swayed by the Coadjutor." + </p> + <p> + The Duke replied: "What! madame, would you have the Coadjutor, for our + sakes only, run the risk of being no more than chaplain to Fuensaldagne? + Is it possible that you cannot comprehend what he has been preaching to + you for these last three days?" + </p> + <p> + I replied to her with a great deal of temper, and said, "Don't you think + that we shall act more securely when our troops are out of Paris, when we + receive the Archduke's answer, and when Turenne has made a public + declaration?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, I do," she said, "but the Parliament will take one step to-morrow + which will render all your preliminaries of no use." + </p> + <p> + "Never fear, madame," said I, "I will undertake that, if our measures + succeed, we shall be in a condition to despise all that the Parliament can + do." + </p> + <p> + "Will you promise it?" she asked. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said I, "and, more than that, I am ready to seal it with my blood." + </p> + <p> + She took me at my word, and though the Duke used all the arguments with + her which he could think of, she bound my thumb with silk, and with a + needle drew blood, with which she obliged me to sign a promissory note as + follows: "I promise to Madame la Duchesse de Bouillon to continue united + with the Duke her husband against the Parliament in case M. de Turenne + approaches with the army under his command within twenty leagues of Paris + and declares for the city." M. de Bouillon threw it into the fire, and + endeavoured to convince the Duchess of what I had said, that if our + preliminaries should succeed we should still stand upon our own bottom, + notwithstanding all that the Parliament could do, and that if they did + miscarry we should still have the satisfaction of not being the authors of + a confusion which would infallibly cover me with shame and ruin, and be an + uncertain advantage to the family of De Bouillon. + </p> + <p> + During this discussion a captain in M. d'Elbeuf's regiment of Guards was + seen to throw money to the crowd to encourage them to go to the Parliament + House and cry out, "No peace!" upon which M. de Bouillon and I agreed to + send the Duke these words upon the back of a card: "It will be dangerous + for you to be at the Parliament House to-morrow." M. d'Elbeuf came in all + haste to the Palace of Bouillon to know the meaning of this short caution. + M. de Bouillon told him he had heard that the people had got a notion that + both the Duke and himself held a correspondence with Mazarin, and that + therefore it was their best way not to go to the House for fear of the + mob, which might be expected there next day. + </p> + <p> + M. d'Elbeuf, knowing that the people did not care for him, and that he was + no safer in his own house than elsewhere, said that he feared his absence + on such an occasion might be interpreted to his disadvantage. M. de + Bouillon, having no other design but to alarm him with imaginary fears of + a public disturbance, at once made himself sure of him another way, by + telling him it was most advisable for him to be at the Parliament, but + that he need not expose himself, and therefore had best go along with me. + </p> + <p> + I went with him accordingly, and found a multitude of people in the Great + Hall, crying, "God bless the Coadjutor! no peace! no Mazarin!" and M. de + Beaufort entering another way at the same time, the echoes of our names + spread everywhere, so that the people mistook it for a concerted design to + disturb the proceedings of Parliament, and as in a commotion everything + that confirms us in the belief of it augments likewise the number of + mutineers, we were very near bringing about in one moment what we had been + a whole week labouring to prevent. + </p> + <p> + The First President and President de Mesmes having, in concert with the + other deputies, suppressed the answer the Queen made them in writing, lest + some harsh expressions contained therein should give offence, put the best + colour they could upon the obliging terms in which the Queen had spoken to + them; and then the House appointed commissioners for the treaty, leaving + it to the Queen to name the place, and agreed to send the King's Council + next day to demand the opening of the passages, in pursuance of the + Queen's promise. The President de Mesmes, surprised to meet with no + opposition, either from the generals or myself, said to the First + President, "Here is a wonderful harmony! but I fear the consequences of + this dissembled moderation." I believe he was much more surprised when the + sergeants came to acquaint the House that the mob threatened to murder all + that were for the conference before Mazarin was sent out of the kingdom. + But M. de Beaufort and I went out and soon dispersed them, so that the + members retired without the least danger, which inspired the Parliament + with such a degree of boldness afterwards that it nearly proved their + ruin. + </p> + <p> + On the 2d of March, 1649, letters were brought to the Parliament from the + Duc d'Orleans and the Prince de Conde, expressing a great deal of joy at + what the Parliament had done, but denying that the Queen had promised to + throw open the passages, upon which the Parliament fell into such a rage + as I cannot describe to you. They sent orders to the King's Council, who + were gone that morning to Saint Germain to fetch the passports for the + deputies, to declare that the Parliament was resolved to hold no + conference with the Court till the Queen had performed her promise made to + the First President. I thought it a very proper time to let the Court see + that the Parliament had not lost all its vigour, and made a motion, by + Broussel, that, considering the insincerity of the Court, the levies might + be continued and new commissions given out. The proposition was received + with applause, and the Prince de Conti was desired to issue commissions + accordingly. + </p> + <p> + M. de Beaufort, in concert with M. de Bouillon, M. de La Mothe and myself, + exclaimed against this contravention, and offered, in the name of his + colleagues and his own, to open all the passages themselves if the + Parliament would but take a firm resolution and be no more beguiled by + deceitful proposals, which had only served to keep the whole nation in + suspense, who would otherwise have declared by this time in favour of its + capital. It is inconceivable what influence these few words had upon the + audience, everybody concluded that the treaty was already broken off; but + a moment after they thought the contrary, for the King's Council returned + with the passports for the deputies, and instead of an order for opening + the passages, a grant—such a one as it was—of 500 quarters of + corn per diem was made for the subsistence of the city. However, the + Parliament took all in good part; all that had been said and done a + quarter of an hour before was buried in oblivion, and they made + preparations to go next day to Ruel, the place named by the Queen for the + conference. + </p> + <p> + The Prince de Conti, M. de Beaufort, M. d'Elbeuf, Marechal de La Mothe, M. + de Brissac, President Bellievre, and myself met that night at M. de + Bouillon's house, where a motion was made for the generals of the army to + send a deputation likewise to the place of conference; but it was quashed, + and indeed nothing would have been more absurd than such a proceeding when + we were upon the point of concluding a treaty with Spain; and, considering + that we told the envoy that we should never have consented to hold any + conference with the Court were we not assured that it was in our power to + break it off at pleasure by means of the people. + </p> + <p> + The Parliament having lately reproached both the generals and troops with + being afraid to venture without the gates, M. de Bouillon, seeing the + danger was over, proposed at this meeting, for the satisfaction of the + citizens, to carry them to a camp betwixt the Marne and the Seine, where + they might be as safe as at Paris. The motion was agreed to without + consulting the Parliament, and, accordingly, on the 4th of March, the + troops marched out and the deputies of Parliament went to Ruel. + </p> + <p> + The Court party flattered themselves that, upon the marching of the + militia out of Paris, the citizens, being left to themselves, would become + more tractable, and the President de Mesmes made his boast of what he said + to the generals, to persuade them to encamp their army. But Senneterre, + one of the ablest men at Court, soon penetrated our designs and undeceived + the Court. He told the First President and De Mesmes that they were + beguiled and that they would see it in a little time. The First President, + who could never see two different things at one view, was so overjoyed + when he heard the forces had gone out of Paris that he cried out: + </p> + <p> + "Now the Coadjutor will have no more mercenary brawlers at the Parliament + House." + </p> + <p> + "Nor," said the President de Mesmes, "so many cutthroats." + </p> + <p> + Senneterre, like a wise man, said to them both: + </p> + <p> + "It is not the Coadjutor's interest to murder you, but to bring you under. + The people would serve his turn for the first if he aimed at it, and the + army is admirably well encamped for the latter. If he is not a more honest + man than he is looked upon to be here, we are likely to have a tedious + civil war." + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal confessed that Senneterre was in the right, for, on the one + hand, the Prince de Conde perceived that our army, being so advantageously + posted as not to be attacked, would be capable of giving him more trouble + than if they were still within the walls of the city, and, on the other + hand, we began to talk with more courage in Parliament than usual. + </p> + <p> + The afternoon of the 4th of March gave us a just occasion to show it. The + deputies arriving at Ruel understood that Cardinal Mazarin was one of the + commissioners named by the Queen to assist at the conference. The + Parliamentary deputies pretended that they could not confer with a person + actually condemned by Parliament. M. de Tellier told them in the name of + the Duc d'Orleans that the Queen thought it strange that they were not + contented to treat upon an equality with their sovereign, but that they + should presume to limit his authority by excluding his deputies. The First + President and the Court seeming to be immovable, we sent orders to our + deputies not to comply, and to communicate, as a great secret, to + President de Mesmes and M. Menardeau, both creatures of the Court, the + following postscript of a letter I wrote to Longueville: + </p> + <p> + "P.S.—We have concerted our measures, and are now capable to speak + more to the purpose than we have been hitherto, and since I finished this + letter I have received a piece of news which obliges me to tell you that + if the Parliament do not behave very prudently, they will certainly be + ruined." + </p> + <p> + Upon this the deputies were resolved to insist upon excluding the Cardinal + from the conference, a determination which was so odious to the people + that, had we permitted it, we should certainly have lost all our credit + with them, and been obliged to shut the gates against our deputies upon + their return. + </p> + <p> + When the Court saw that the deputies desired a convoy to conduct them + home, they found out an expedient, which was received with great joy; + namely, to appoint two deputies on the part of the Parliament, and two on + the part of the King, to confer at the house of the Duc d'Orleans, + exclusive of the Cardinal, who was thereupon obliged to return to Saint + Germain with mortification. + </p> + <p> + On the 5th of March, Don Francisco Pisarro, a second envoy from the + Archduke, arrived in Paris, with his and Count Fuensaldagne's answer to + our former despatches by Don Jose d'Illescas, and full powers for a + treaty; instructions for M. de Bouillon, an obliging letter from the + Archduke to the Prince de Conti, and another to myself, from Count + Fuensaldagne, importing that the King, his master, would not take my word, + but would depend upon whatever I promised Madame de Bouillon. + </p> + <p> + The Prince de Conti and Madame de Longueville, prompted by M. de La + Rochefoucault, were for an alliance with Spain, in a manner without + restriction. M. d'Elbeuf aimed at nothing but getting money. M. de + Beaufort, at the persuasion of Madame de Montbazon, who was resolved to + sell him dear to the Spaniards, was very scrupulous to enter into a treaty + with the enemies of the State; Marechal de La Mothe declared he could not + come to any resolution till he saw M. de Longueville, and Madame de + Longueville questioned whether her husband would come into it; and yet + these very persons but a fortnight before unanimously wrote to the + Archduke for full powers to treat with him. + </p> + <p> + M. de Bouillon told them that he thought they were absolutely obliged to + treat with Spain, considering the advances they had already made to the + Archduke to that end, and desired them to recollect how they had told his + envoy that they waited only for these full powers and instructions to + treat with him; that the Archduke had now sent his full powers in the most + obliging manner; and that, moreover, he had already gone out of Brussels, + to lead his army himself to their assistance, without staying for their + engagement. He begged them to consider that if they took the least step + backwards, after such advances, it might provoke Spain to take such + measures as would be both contrary to our security and to our honour; that + the ill-concerted proceedings of the Parliament gave us just grounds to + fear being left to shift for ourselves; that indeed our army was now more + useful than it had been before, but—yet not strong enough to give us + relief in proportion to our necessities, especially if it were not, at + least in the beginning, supported by a powerful force; and that, + consequently, a treaty was necessary to be entered into and concluded with + the Archduke, but not upon any mean conditions; that his envoys had + brought carte blanche, but that we ought to consider how to fill it up; + that he promised us everything, but though in treaties the strongest may + safely promise to the weaker what he thinks fit, it is certain he cannot + perform everything, and therefore the weakest should be very wary. + </p> + <p> + The Duke added that the Spaniards, of all people, expected honourable + usage at the beginning of treaties, and he conjured them to leave the + management of the Spanish envoys to himself and the Coadjutor, "who," said + he, "has declared all along that he expects no advantage either from the + present troubles or from any arrangement, and is therefore altogether to + be depended upon." + </p> + <p> + This discourse was relished by all the company, who accordingly engaged us + to compare notes with the envoys of Spain, and make our report to the + Prince de Conti and the other generals. + </p> + <p> + M. de Bouillon assured me that the Spaniards would not enter upon French + ground till we engaged ourselves not to lay down our arms except in + conjunction with them; that is, in a treaty for a general peace; but our + difficulty was how to enter into an engagement of that nature at a time + when we could not be sure but that the Parliament might conclude a + particular peace the next moment. In the meantime a courier came in from + M. de Turenne, crying, "Good news!" as he entered into the court. He + brought letters for Madame and Mademoiselle de Bouillon and myself, by + which we were assured that M. de Turenne and his army, which was without + dispute the finest at that time in all Europe, had declared for us; that + Erlach, Governor of Brisac, had with him 1,000 or 1,200 men, who were all + he had been able to seduce; that my dear friend and kinsman, the Vicomte + de Lamet, was marching directly to our assistance with 2,000 horse; and + that M. de Turenne was to follow on such a day with the larger part of the + army. You will be surprised, without doubt, to hear that M. de Turenne, + General of the King's troops, one who was never a party man, and would + never hear talk of party intrigues, should now declare against the Court + and perform an action which, I am sure, Le Balafre and Amiral de Coligny + would not have undertaken without hesitation. + </p> + <p> + [Henri de Lorraine, first of that name, Duc de Guise, surnamed Le Balafre, + because of a wound he received in the left cheek at the battle of Dormans, + the scar of which he carried to his grave. He formed the League, and was + stabbed at an assembly of the States of Blois in 1588.] + </p> + <p> + Your wonder will increase yet more when I tell you that the motive of this + surprising conduct of his is a secret to this day. His behaviour also + during his declaration, which he supported but five days, is equally + surprising and mysterious. This shows that it is possible for some + extraordinary characters to be raised above the malice and envy of vulgar + souls; for the merit of any person inferior to the Marshal must have been + totally eclipsed by such an unaccountable event. + </p> + <p> + Upon the arrival of this express from Turenne I told M. de Bouillon it was + my opinion that, if the Spaniards would engage to advance as far as + Pont-a-Verre and act on this side of it in concert only with us, we should + make no scruple of pledging ourselves not to lay down our arms till the + conclusion of a general peace, provided they kept their promise given to + the Parliament of referring themselves to its arbitration. "The true + interest of the public," said I, "is a general peace, that of the + Parliament and other bodies is the reestablishment of good order, and that + of your Grace and others, with myself, is to contribute to the + before-mentioned blessings in such manner that we may be esteemed the + authors of them; all other advantages are necessarily attached to this, + and the only way to acquire them is to show that we do not value them. You + know that I have frequently vowed I had no private interest to serve in + this affair, and I will keep my vow to the end. Your circumstances are + different from mine; you aim at Sedan, and you are in the right. M. de + Beaufort wants to be admiral, and I cannot blame him. M. de Longueville + has other demands—with all my heart. The Prince de Conti and Madame + de Longueville would be, for the future, independent of the Prince de + Conde; that independence they shall have. + </p> + <p> + "Now, in order to attain to these ends, the only means is to look another + way, to turn all our thoughts to bring about a general peace, and to sign + to-morrow the most solemn and positive engagement with the enemy, and, the + better to please the public, to insert in the articles the expulsion of + Cardinal Mazarin as their mortal enemy, to cause the Spanish forces to + come up immediately to Pont-a-Verre, and those of M. de Turenne to advance + into Champagne, and to go without any loss of time to propose to the + Parliament what Don Josh d'Illescas has offered them already in relation + to a general peace, to dispose them to vote as we would have them, which + they will not fail to do considering the circumstances we are now in, and + to send orders to our deputies at Ruel either to get the Queen to nominate + a place to confer about a general peace or to return the next day to their + seats in Parliament. I am willing to think that the Court, seeing to what + an extremity they are reduced, will comply, than which what can be more + for our honour? + </p> + <p> + "And if the Court should refuse this proposition at present, will they not + be of another mind before two months are at an end? Will not the + provinces, which are already hesitating, then declare in our favour? And + is the army of the Prince de Conde in a condition to engage that of Spain + and ours in conjunction with that of M. de Turenne? These two last, when + joined, will put us above all the apprehensions from foreign forces which + have hitherto made us uneasy; they will depend much more on us than we on + them; we shall continue masters of Paris by our own strength, and the more + securely because the intervening authority of Parliament will the more + firmly unite us to the people. The declaration of M. de Turenne is the + only means to unite Spain with the Parliament for our defence, which we + could not have as much as hoped for otherwise; it gives us an opportunity + to engage with Parliament, in concert with whom we cannot act amiss, and + this is the only moment when such an engagement is both possible and + profitable. The First President and De Mesmes are now out of the way, and + it will be much easier for us to obtain what we want in Parliament than if + they were present, and if what is commanded in the Parliamentary decree is + faithfully executed, we shall gain our point, and unite the Chambers for + that great work of a general peace. If the Court still rejects our + proposals, and those of the deputies who are for the Court refuse to + follow our motion or to share in our fortune, we shall gain as much in + another respect; we shall keep ourselves still attached to the body of the + Parliament, from which they will be deemed deserters, and we shall have + much greater weight in the House than now. + </p> + <p> + "This is my opinion, which I am willing to sign and to offer to the + Parliament if you seize this, the only opportunity. For if M. de Turenne + should alter his mind before it be done, I should then oppose this scheme + with as much warmth as I now recommend it." + </p> + <p> + The Duke said in answer: "Nothing can have a more promising aspect than + what you have now proposed; it is very practicable, but equally pernicious + for all private persons. Spain will promise all, but perform nothing after + we have once promised to enter into no treaty, with the Court but for a + general peace. This being the only thing the Spaniards have in view, they + will abandon us as soon as they, can obtain it, and if we urge on this + great scheme at once, as you would have us, they would undoubtedly obtain + it in a fortnight's time, for France would certainly make it with + precipitation, and I know the Spaniards would be glad to purchase it on + any terms. This being the case, in what a condition shall we be the next + day after we have made and procured this general peace? We should indeed + have the honour of it, but would this honour screen us against the hatred + and curses of the Court? Would the house of Austria take up arms again to + rescue you and me from a prison? You will say, perhaps, we may stipulate + some conditions with Spain which may secure us from all insults of this + kind; but I think I shall have answered this objection when I assure you + that Spain is so pressed with home troubles that she would not hesitate, + for the sake of peace, to break the most solemn promises made to us; and + this is an inconvenience for which I see no remedy. + </p> + <p> + "If Spain should be worse than her word with respect to the expulsion of + Mazarin, what will become of us? And will the honour of our contributing + to the general peace atone for the preservation of a minister to get rid + of whom they took up arms? You know how they abhor the Cardinal; and, + suppose the Cardinal be excluded from the Ministry, according to promise, + shall we not still be exposed to the hatred of the Queen, to the + resentment of the Prince de Conde, and to all the evil consequences that + may be expected from an enraged Court for such an action? There is no true + glory but what is durable; transitory honour is mere smoke. Of this sort + is that which we shall acquire by this peace, if we do not support it by + such alliances as will gain us the reputation of wisdom as well as of + honesty. I admire your disinterestedness above all, and esteem it, but I + am very well assured that if mine went the length of yours you would not, + approve of it. Your family is settled; consider mine, and cast your eyes + on the condition of this lady and on that of both the father and + children." + </p> + <p> + I answered: "The Spaniards must needs have great regard for us, seeing us + absolute masters of Paris, with eight thousand foot and three thousand + horse at its gates, and the best disciplined troops in the world marching + to our assistance." I did all I could to bring him over to my opinion, and + he strove as much to persuade me to enter into his measures; namely, to + pretend to the envoys that we were absolutely resolved to act in concert + with them for a general peace, but to tell them at the same time that we + thought it more proper that the Parliament should likewise be consulted; + and, as that would require some time, we might in the meanwhile occupy the + envoys by signing a treaty with them, previous to coming to terms with. + The Parliament, which by its tenor would not tie us up to conclude + anything positively in relation to the general peace; "yet this," said he, + "would be a sufficient motive to cause them to advance with their army, + and that of my brother will come up at the same time, which will astonish + the Court and incline them to an arrangement. And forasmuch as in our + treaty with Spain we leave a back door open by the clause which relates to + the Parliament, we shall be sure to make good use of it for the advantage + of the public and of ourselves in case of the Court's noncompliance." + </p> + <p> + These considerations, though profoundly wise, did not convince me, because + I thought his inference was not well-grounded. I saw he might well enough + engage the attention of the envoys, but I could not imagine how he could + beguile the Parliament, who were actually treating with the Court by their + deputies sent to Ruel, and who would certainly run madly into a peace, + notwithstanding all their late performances. I foresaw that without a + public declaration to restrain the Parliament from going their own lengths + we should fall again, if one of our strings chanced to break, into the + necessity of courting the assistance of the people, which I looked upon as + the most dangerous proceeding of all. + </p> + <p> + M. de Bouillon asked me what I meant by saying, "if one of our strings + chanced to break." I replied, "For example, if M. de Turenne should be + dead at this juncture, or if his army has revolted, as it was likely to do + under the influence of M. d'Erlach, pray what would become of us if we + should not engage the Parliament? We should be tribunes of the people one + day, and the next valets de chambre to Count Fuensaldagne. Everything with + the Parliament and nothing without them is the burden of my song." + </p> + <p> + After several hours' dispute neither of us was convinced, and I went away + very much perplexed, the rather because M. de Bouillon, being the great + confidant of the Spaniards, I doubted not but he could make their envoys + believe what he pleased. + </p> + <p> + I was still more puzzled when I came home and found a letter from Madame + de Lesdiguieres, offering me extraordinary advantages in the Queen's name + the payment of my debts, the grant of certain abbeys, and a nomination to + the dignity of cardinal. Another note I found with these words: "The + declaration of the army of Germany has put us all into consternation." I + concluded they would not fail to try experiments with others as well as + myself, and since M. de Bouillon began to think of a back door when all + things smiled upon us, I guessed the rest of our party would not neglect + to enter the great door now flung open to receive them by the declaration + of M. de Turenne. That which afflicted me most of all was to see that M. + de Bouillon was not a man of that judgment and penetration I took him for + in this critical and decisive juncture, when the question was the engaging + or not engaging the Parliament. He had urged me more than twenty times to + do what I now offered, and the reason why I now urged what I before + rejected was the declaration of M. de Turenne, his own brother, which + should have made him bolder than I; but, instead of this, it slackened his + courage, and he flattered himself that Cardinal Mazarin would let him have + Sedan. This was the centre of all his views, and he preferred these petty + advantages to what he might have gained by procuring peace to Europe. This + false step made me pass this judgment upon the Duke: that, though he was a + person of very great parts, yet I questioned his capacity for the mighty + things which he has not done, and of which some men thought him very + capable. It is the greatest remissness on the part of a great man to + neglect the moment that is to make his reputation, and this negligence, + indeed, scarcely ever happens but when a man expects another moment as + favourable to make his fortune; and so people are commonly deceived both + ways. + </p> + <p> + The Duke was more nice than wise at this juncture, which is very often the + case. I found afterwards that the Prince de Conti was of his opinion, and + I guessed, by some circumstances, that he was engaged in some private + negotiation. M. d'Elbeuf was as meek as a lamb, and seemed, as far as he + dared, to improve what had been advanced already by M. de Bouillon. A + servant of his told me also that he believed his master had made his peace + with the Court. M. de Beaufort showed by his behaviour that Madame de + Montbazon had done what she could to cool his courage, but his + irresolution did not embarrass me very much, because I knew I had her in + my power, and his vote, added to that of MM. de Brissac, de La Mothe, de + Noirmoutier and de Bellievre, who all fell in with my sentiments, would + have turned the balance on my side if the regard for M. de Turenne, who + was now the life and soul of the party, and the Spaniards' confidence in + M. de Bouillon, had not obliged me to make a virtue of necessity. + </p> + <p> + I found both the Archduke's envoys quite of an other mind; indeed, they + were still desirous of an agreement for a general peace, but they would + have it after the manner of M. de Bouillon, at two separate times, which + he had made them believe would be more for their advantage, because + thereby we should bring the Parliament into it. I saw who was at the + bottom of it, and, considering the orders they had to follow his advice in + everything, all I could allege to the contrary would be of no use. I laid + the state of affairs before the President de Bellievre, who was of my + opinion, and considered that a contrary course would infallibly prove our + ruin, thinking, nevertheless, that compliance would be highly convenient + at this time, because we depended absolutely on the Spaniards and on M. de + Turenne, who had hitherto made no proposals but such as were dictated by + M. de Bouillon. + </p> + <p> + When I found that all M. de Bellievre and I said could not persuade M. de + Bouillon, I feigned to come round to his opinion, and to submit to the + authority of the Prince de Conti, our Generalissimo. We agreed to treat + with the Archduke upon the plan of M. de Bouillon; that is, that he should + advance his army as far as Pont-A-Verre, and further, if the generals + desired it; who, on their part, would omit nothing to oblige the + Parliament to enter into this treaty, or rather, to make a new one for a + general peace; that is to say, to oblige the King to treat upon reasonable + conditions, the particulars whereof his Catholic Majesty would refer to + the arbitration of the Parliament. M. de Bouillon engaged to have this + treaty 'in totidem verbis' signed by the Spanish ministers, and did not so + much as ask me whether I would sign it or no. All the company rejoiced at + having the Spaniards' assistance upon such easy terms, and at being at + full liberty to receive the propositions of the Court, which now, upon the + declaration of M. de Turenne, could not fail to be very advantageous. + </p> + <p> + The treaty was accordingly signed in the Prince de Conti's room at the + Hotel de Ville, but I forbore to set my hand to it, though solicited by M. + de Bouillon, unless they would come to some final resolution; yet I gave + them my word that, if the Parliament would be contented, I had such + expedients in my power as would give them all the time necessary to + withdraw their troops. I had two reasons for what I said: first, I knew + Fuensaldagne to be a wise man, that he would be of a different opinion + from his envoys, and that he would never venture his army into the heart + of the kingdom with so little assurance from the generals and none at all + from me; secondly, because I was willing to show to our generals that I + would not, as far as it lay in my power, suffer the Spaniards to be + treacherously surprised or insulted in case of an arrangement between the + Court and the Parliament; though I had protested twenty times in the same + conference that I would not separate myself from the Parliament. + </p> + <p> + M. d'Elbeuf said, "You cannot find the expedients you talk of but in + having recourse to the people." + </p> + <p> + "M. de Bouillon will answer for me," said I, "that it is not there that I + am to find my expedients." + </p> + <p> + M. de Bouillon, being desirous that I should sign, said, "I know that it + is not your intent, but I am fully persuaded that you mean well, that you + do not act as you would propose, and that we retain more respect for the + Parliament by signing than you do by refusing to sign; for," speaking very + low, that he might not be heard by the Spanish ministers, "we keep a back + door open to get off handsomely with the Parliament." + </p> + <p> + "They will open that door," said I, "when you could wish it shut, as is + but too apparent already, and you will be glad to shut it when you cannot; + the Parliament is not a body to be jested with." + </p> + <p> + After the signing of the treaty, I was told that the envoys had given + 2,000 pistoles to Madame de Montbazon and as much to M. d'Elbeuf. + </p> + <p> + De Bellievre, who waited for me at home, whither I returned full of + vexation, used an expression which has been since verified by the event: + "We failed, this day," said he, "to induce the Parliament, which if we had + done, all had been safe and right. Pray God that everything goes well, for + if but one of our strings fails us we are undone." + </p> + <p> + As for the conferences for a peace with the Court at Ruel, it was proposed + on the Queen's part that the Parliament should adjourn their session to + Saint Germain, just to ratify the articles of the peace, and not to meet + afterwards for two or three years; but the deputies of Parliament insisted + that it was their privilege to assemble when and where they pleased. When + these and the like stories came to the ears of the Parisians they were so + incensed that the only talk of the Great Chamber was to recall the + deputies, and the generals seeing themselves now respected by the Court, + who had little regard for them before the declaration of M. de Turenne, + thought that the more the Court was embarrassed the better, and therefore + incited the Parliament and people to clamour, that the Cardinal might see + that things did not altogether depend upon the conference at Ruel. I, + likewise, contributed what lay in my power to moderate the precipitation + of the First President and President de Mesmes towards anything that + looked like an agreement. + </p> + <p> + On the 8th of March the Prince de Conti told the Parliament that M. de + Turenne offered them his services and person against Cardinal Mazarin, the + enemy of the State. I said that I was informed a declaration had been + issued the night before at Saint Germain against M. de Turenne, as guilty + of high treason. The Parliament unanimously passed a decree to annul it, + to authorise his taking arms, to enjoin all the King's subjects to give + him free passage and support, and to raise the necessary funds for the + payment of his troops, lest the 800,000 livres sent from Court to General + d'Erlach should corrupt the officers and soldiers. A severe edict was + issued against Courcelles, Lavardin, and Amilly, who had levied troops for + the King in the province of Maine, and the commonalty were permitted to + meet at the sound of the alarm-bell and to fall foul of all those who had + held assemblies without order of Parliament. + </p> + <p> + On the 9th a decree was passed to suspend the conference till all the + promises made by the Court to allow the entry of provisions were + punctually executed. + </p> + <p> + The Prince de Conti informed the House the same day that he was desired by + M. de Longueville to assure them that he would set out from Rouen on the + 15th with 7,000 foot and 3,000 horse, and march directly to Saint Germain; + the Parliament was incredibly overjoyed, and desired the Prince de Conti + to press him to hasten his march as much as possible. + </p> + <p> + On the 10th the member for Normandy told the House that the Parliament of + Rennes only stayed for the Duc de la Tremouille to join against the common + enemy. + </p> + <p> + On the 11th an envoy from M. de la Tremouille offered the Parliament, in + his master's name, 8,000 foot and 2,000 horse, who were in a condition to + march in two days, provided the House would permit his master to seize on + all the public money at Poitiers, Niort, and other places whereof he was + already master. The Parliament thanked him, passed a decree with full + powers accordingly, and desired him to hasten his levies with all + expedition. + </p> + <p> + Posterity will hardly believe that, notwithstanding all this heat in the + party, which one would have thought could not have immediately evaporated, + a peace was made and signed the same day; but of this more by and by. + </p> + <p> + While the Court, as has been before hinted, was tampering with the + generals, Madame de Montbazon promised M. de Beaufort's support to the + Queen; but her Majesty understood that it was not to be done if I were not + at the market to approve of the sale. La Riviere despised M. d'Elbeuf no + longer. M. de Bouillon, since his brother's declaration, seemed more + inclined than before to come to an arrangement with the Court, but his + pretentions ran very high, and both the brothers were in such a situation + that a little assistance would not suffice, and as to the offers made to + myself by Madame de Lesdiguieres, I returned such an answer as convinced + the Court that I was not so easily to be moved. + </p> + <p> + In short, Cardinal Mazarin found all the avenues to a negotiation either + shut or impassable. This despair of success in the Court was eventually + more to the advantage of the Court than the most refined politics, for it + did not hinder them from negotiating, the Cardinal's natural temper not + permitting him to do otherwise; but, however, he could not trust to the + carrying out of negotiations, and therefore beguiled our generals with + fair promises, while he remitted 800,000 livres to buy off the army of M. + de Turenne, and obliged the deputies at Ruel to sign a peace against the + orders of the Parliament that sent them. The President de Mesmes assured + me several times since that this peace was purely the result of a + conversation he had with the Cardinal on the 8th of March at night, when + his Eminence told him he saw plainly that M. de Bouillon would not treat + till he had the Spaniards and M. de Turenne at the gates of Paris; that + is, till he saw himself in the position to seize one-half of the kingdom. + The President made him this answer: + </p> + <p> + "There is no hope of any security but in making the Coadjutor a cardinal." + </p> + <p> + To which Mazarin answered: "He is worse than the other, who at least + seemed once inclined to treat, but he is still for a general peace, or for + none at all." + </p> + <p> + President de Mesmes replied: "If things are come to this pass we must be + the victims to save the State from perishing—we must sign the peace. + For after what the Parliament has done to-day there is no remedy, and + perhaps tomorrow we shall be recalled; if we are disowned in what we do we + are ruined, the gates of Paris will be shut against us, and we shall be + prosecuted and treated as prevaricators and traitors. It is our business + and concern to procure such conditions as will give us good ground to + justify our proceedings, and if the terms are but reasonable, we know how + to improve them against the factions; but make them as you please + yourself, I will sign them all, and will go this moment to acquaint the + First President that this is the only expedient to save the State. If it + takes effect we have peace, if we are disowned by the Parliament we still + weaken the faction, and the danger will fall upon none but ourselves." He + added that with much difficulty he had persuaded the First President. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><a name="p242j" id="p242j"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="p242j.jpg (48K)" src="images/p242j.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + The peace was signed by Cardinal Mazarin, as well as by the other + deputies, on the part of the King. The substance of the articles was that + Parliament should just go to Saint Germain to proclaim the peace, and then + return to Paris, but hold no assembly that year; that all their public + decrees since the 6th of January should be made void, as likewise all + ordinances of Council, declarations and 'lettres de cachet'; that as soon + as the King had withdrawn his troops from Paris, all the forces raised for + the defence of the city should be disbanded, and the inhabitants lay down + their arms and not take them up again without the King's order; that the + Archduke's deputy should be dismissed without an answer, that there should + be a general amnesty, and that the King should also give a general + discharge for all the public money made use of, as also for the movables + sold and for all the arms and ammunition taken out of the arsenal and + elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + M. and Madame de Bouillon were extremely surprised when they heard that + the peace was signed. I did not expect the Parliament would make it so + soon, but I said frequently that it would be a very shameful one if we + should let them alone to make it. M. de Bouillon owned that I had foretold + it often enough. "I confess," said he, "that we are entirely to blame," + which expression made me respect him more than ever, for I think it a + greater virtue for a man to confess a fault than not to commit one. The + Prince de Conti, MM. d'Elbeuf, de Beaufort, and de La Mothe were very much + surprised, too, at the signing of the peace, especially because their + agent at Saint Germain had assured them that the Court was fully persuaded + that the Parliament was but a cipher, and that the generals were the men + with whom they must negotiate. I confess that Cardinal Mazarin acted a + very wily part in this juncture, and he is the more to be commended + because he was obliged to defend himself, not only against the monstrous + impertinences of La Riviere, but against the violent passion of the Prince + de Conde. + </p> + <p> + We held a council at the Duc de Bouillon's, where I persuaded them that as + our deputies were recalled by an order despatched from Parliament before + the treaty was signed, it was therefore void, and that we ought to take no + notice of it, the rather because it had not been communicated to + Parliament in form; and, finally, that the deputies should be charged to + insist on a general treaty of peace and on the expulsion of Mazarin; and, + if they did not succeed, to return forthwith to their seats in Parliament. + But I added that if the deputies should have time to return and make their + report, we should be under the necessity of protesting, which would so + incense the people against them that we should not be able to keep them + from butchering the First President and the President de Mesmes, so that + we should be reputed the authors of the tragedy, and, though formidable + one day, should be every whit as odious the next. I concluded with + offering to sacrifice my coadjutorship of Paris to the anger of the Queen + and the hatred of the Cardinal, and that very cheerfully, if they would + but come into my measures. + </p> + <p> + M. de Bouillon, after having opposed my reasons, concluded thus: "I know + that my brother's declaration and my urging the necessity of his advancing + with the army before we come to a positive resolution may give ground to a + belief that I have great views for our family. I do not deny but that I + hope for some advantages, and am persuaded it is lawful for me to do so, + but I will be content to forfeit my reputation if I ever agree with the + Court till you all say you are satisfied; and if I do not keep my word I + desire the Coadjutor to disgrace me." + </p> + <p> + After all I thought it best to submit to the Prince de Conti and the voice + of the majority, who resolved very wisely not to explain themselves in + detail next morning in Parliament, but that the Prince de Conti should + only say, in general, that it being the common report that the peace was + signed at Ruel, he was resolved to send deputies thither to take care of + his and the other generals' interests. + </p> + <p> + The Prince agreed at once with our decision. Meantime the people rose at + the report I had spread concerning Mazarin's signing the treaty, which, + though we all considered it a necessary stratagem, I now repented of. This + shows that a civil war is one of those complicated diseases wherein the + remedy you prescribe for obviating one dangerous symptom sometimes + inflames three or four others. + </p> + <p> + On the 13th the deputies of Ruel entering the Parliament House, which was + in great tumult, M. d'Elbeuf, contrary to the resolution taken at M. de + Bouillon's, asked the deputies whether they had taken care of the interest + of the generals in the treaty. + </p> + <p> + The First President was going to make his report, but was almost stunned + with the clamour of the whole company, crying, "There is no peace! there + is no peace!" that the deputies had scandalously deserted the generals and + all others whom the Parliament had joined by the decree of union, and, + besides, that they had concluded a peace after the revocation of the + powers given them to treat. The Prince de Conti said very calmly that he + wondered they had concluded a treaty without the generals; to which the + First President answered that the generals had always protested that they + had no separate interests from those of the Parliament, and it was their + own fault that they had not sent their deputies. M. de Bouillon said that, + since Cardinal Mazarin was to continue Prime Minister, he desired that + Parliament should obtain a passport for him to retire out of the kingdom. + The First President replied that his interest had been taken care of, and + that he would have satisfaction for Sedan. But M. de Bouillon told him + that he might as well have said nothing, and that he would never separate + from the other generals. The clamour redoubled with such fury that + President de Mesmes trembled like an aspen leaf. M. de Beaufort, laying + his hand upon his sword, said, "Gentlemen, this shall never be drawn for + Mazarin." + </p> + <p> + The Presidents de Coigneux and de Bellievre proposed that the deputies + might be sent back to treat about the interests of the generals and to + reform the articles which the Parliament did not like; but they were soon + silenced by a sudden noise in the Great Hall, and the usher came in + trembling and said that the people called for M. de Beaufort. He went out + immediately, and quieted them for the time, but no sooner had he got + inside the House than the disturbance began afresh, and an infinite number + of people, armed with daggers, called out for the original treaty, that + they might have Mazarin's sign-manual burnt by the hangman, adding that if + the deputies had signed the peace of their own accord they ought to be + hanged, and if against their will they ought to be disowned. They were + told that the sign-manual of the Cardinal could not be burnt without + burning at the same time that of the Duc d'Orleans, but that the deputies + were to be sent back again to get the articles amended. The people still + cried out, "No peace! no Mazarin! You must go! We will have our good King + fetched from Saint Germain, and all Mazarins thrown into the river!" + </p> + <p> + The people were ready to break open the great door of the House, yet the + First President was so far from being terrified that, when he was advised + to pass through the registry into his own house that he might not be seen, + he replied, "If I was sure to perish I would never be guilty of such + cowardice, which would only serve to make the mob more insolent, who would + be ready to come to my house if they thought I was afraid of them here." + And when I begged him not to expose himself till I had pacified the people + he passed it off with a joke, by which I found he took me for the author + of the disturbance, though very unjustly. However, I did not resent it, + but went into the Great Hall, and, mounting the solicitors' bench, waved + my hands to the people, who thereupon cried, "Silence!" I said all I could + think of to make them easy. They asked if I would promise that the Peace + of Ruel should not be kept. I answered, "Yes, provided the people will be + quiet, for otherwise their best friends will be obliged to take other + methods to prevent such disturbances." I acted in a quarter of an hour + above thirty different parts. I threatened, I commanded, I entreated them; + and, finding I was sure of a calm, at least for a moment, I returned to + the House, and, embracing the First President, placed him before me; M. de + Beaufort did the same with President de Mesmes, and thus we went out with + the Parliament, all in a body, the officers of the House marching in + front. The people made a great noise, and we heard some crying, "A + republic!" but no injury was offered to us, only M. de Bouillon received a + blow in his face from a ragamuffin, who took him for Cardinal Mazarin. + </p> + <p> + On the 16th the deputies were sent again to Ruel by the Parliament to + amend some of the articles, particularly those for adjourning the + Parliament to Saint Germain and prohibiting their future assemblies; with + an order to take care of the interest of the generals and of the + companies, joined together by the decree of union. + </p> + <p> + The late disturbances obliged the Parliament to post the city + trained-bands at their gates, who were even more enraged against the + "Mazarin peace," as they called it, than the mob, and who were far less + dreaded, because they consisted of citizens who were not for plunder; yet + this select militia was ten times on the point of insulting the + Parliament, and did actually insult the members of the Council and + Presidents, threatening to throw the President de Thore into the river; + and when the First President and his friends saw that they were afraid of + putting their threats into execution, they took an advantage of us, and + had the boldness even to reproach the generals, as if the troops had not + done their duty; though if the generals had but spoken loud enough to be + heard by the people, they would not have been able to hinder them from + tearing the members to pieces. + </p> + <p> + The Duc de Bouillon came to the Hotel de Ville and made a speech there to + Prince de Conti and the other generals, in substance as follows: + </p> + <p> + "I could never have believed what I now see of this Parliament. On the + 13th they would not hear the Peace of Ruel mentioned, but on the 15th they + approved of it, some few articles excepted; on the 16th they despatched + the same deputies who had concluded a peace against their orders with full + and unlimited powers, and, not content with all this, they load us with + reproaches because we complain that they have treated for a peace without + us, and have abandoned M. de Longueville and M. de Turenne; and yet it is + owing only to us that the people do not massacre them. We must save their + lives at the hazard of our own, and I own that it is wisdom so to do; but + we shall all of us certainly perish with the Parliament if we let them go + on at this rate." Then, addressing himself to the Prince de Conti, he + said, "I am for closing with the Coadjutor's late advice at my house, and + if your Highness does not put it into execution before two days are at an + end, we shall have a peace less secure and more scandalous than the + former." + </p> + <p> + The company became unanimously of his opinion, and resolved to meet next + day at M. de Bouillon's to consider how to bring the affair into + Parliament. In the meantime, Don Gabriel de Toledo arrived with the + Archduke's ratification of the treaty signed by the generals, and with a + present from his master of 10,000 pistoles; but I was resolved to let the + Spaniards see that I had not the intention of taking their money, though + at his request Madame de Bouillon did all she could to persuade me. + Accordingly, I declined it with all possible respect; nevertheless, this + denial cost me dear afterwards, because I contracted a habit of refusing + presents at other times when it would have been good policy to have + accepted them, even if I had thrown them into the river. It is sometimes + very dangerous to refuse presents from one's superiors. + </p> + <p> + While we were in conference at M. de Bouillon's the sad news was brought + to us that M. de Turenne's forces, all except two or three regiments, had + been bribed with money from Court to abandon him, and, finding himself + likely to be arrested, he had retired to the house of his friend and + kinswoman, the Landgravine of Hesse. M. de Bouillon, was, as it were, + thunderstruck; his lady burst out into tears, saying, "We are all undone," + and I was almost as much cast down as they were, because it overturned our + last scheme. + </p> + <p> + M. de Bouillon was now for pushing matters to extremes, but I convinced + him that there was nothing more dangerous. + </p> + <p> + Don Gabriel de Toledo, who was ordered to be very frank with me, was very + reserved when he saw how I was mortified about the news of M. de Turenne, + and caballed with the generals in such a manner as made me very uneasy. + Upon this sudden turn of affairs I made these remarks: That every company + has so much in it of the unstable temper of the vulgar that all depends + upon joining issue with opportunity; and that the best proposals prove + often fading flowers, which are fragrant to-day and offensive to-morrow. + </p> + <p> + I could not sleep that night for thinking about our circumstances. I saw + that the Parliament was less inclined than ever to engage in a war, by + reason of the desertion of the army of M. de Turenne; I saw the deputies + at Ruel emboldened by the success of their prevarication; I saw the people + of Paris as ready to admit the Archduke as ever they could be to receive + the Duc d'Orleans; I saw that in a week's time this Prince, with beads in + his hand, and Fuensaldagne with his money, would have greater power than + ourselves; that M. de Bouillon was relapsing into his former proposal of + using extremities, and that the other generals would be precipitated into + the same violent measures by the scornful behaviour of the Court, who now + despised all because they were sure of the Parliament. I saw that all + these circumstances paved the way for a popular sedition to massacre the + Parliament and put the Spaniards in possession of the Louvre, which might + overturn the State. + </p> + <p> + These gloomy thoughts I resolved to communicate to my father, who had for + the last twenty years retired to the Oratory, and who would never hear of + my State intrigues. My father told me of some advantageous offers made to + me indirectly by the Court, but advised me not to trust to them. + </p> + <p> + Next day, M. de Bouillon was for shutting the gates against the deputies + of Ruel, for expelling the Parliament, for making ourselves masters of the + Hotel de Ville, and for bringing the Spanish army without delay into our + suburbs. As for M. de Beaufort, Don Gabriel de Toledo told me that he + offered Madame de Montbazon 20,000 crowns down and 6,000 crowns a year if + she could persuade him into the Archduke's measures. He did not forget the + other generals. M. d'Elbeuf was gained at an easy rate, and Marechal de La + Mothe was buoyed up with the hopes of being accommodated with the Duchy of + Cardonne. I soon saw the Catholicon of Spain (Spanish gold) was the chief + ingredient. Everybody saw that our only remedy was to make ourselves + masters of the Hotel de Ville by means of the people, but I opposed it + with arguments too tedious to mention. M. de Bouillon was for engaging + entirely with Spain, but I convinced Marechal de La Mothe and M. de + Beaufort that such measures would in a fortnight reduce them to a + precarious dependence on the counsels of Spain. + </p> + <p> + Being pressed to give my opinion in brief, I delivered it thus: "We cannot + hinder the peace without ruining the Parliament by the help of the people, + and we cannot maintain the war by the means of the same people without a + dependence upon Spain. We cannot have any peace with Saint Germain but by + consenting to continue Mazarin in the Ministry." + </p> + <p> + M. de Bouillon, with the head of an ox, and the penetration of an eagle, + interrupted me thus: "I take it, monsieur," said he, "you are for + suffering the peace to come to a conclusion, but not for appearing in it." + </p> + <p> + I replied that I was willing to oppose it, but that it should be only with + my own voice and the voices of those who were ready to run the same hazard + with me. + </p> + <p> + "I understand you again," replied M. de Bouillon; "a very fine thought + indeed, suitable to yourself and to M. de Beaufort, but to nobody else." + </p> + <p> + "If it suited us only," said I, "before I would propose it I would cut out + my tongue. The part we act would suit you as well as either of us, because + you may accommodate matters when you think it for your interest. For my + part, I am fully persuaded that they who insist upon the exclusion of + Mazarin as a condition of the intended arrangement will continue masters + of the affections of the people long enough to take their advantage of an + opportunity which fortune never fails to furnish in cloudy and unsettled + times. Pray, monsieur, considering your reputation and capacity, who can + pretend to act this part with more dignity, than yourself? M. de Beaufort + and I are already the favourites of the people, and if you declare for the + exclusion of the Cardinal, you will be tomorrow as popular as either of + us, and we shall be looked upon as the only centre of their hopes. All the + blunders of the ministers will turn to our advantage, the Spaniards will + caress us, and the Cardinal, considering how fond he is of a treaty, will + be under the necessity to court us. I own this scheme may be attended with + inconveniences, but, on the other side of the question, we are sure of + certain ruin if we have a peace and an enraged minister at the helm, who + cannot hope for reestablishment but upon our destruction. Therefore, I + cannot but think the expedient is as proper for you to engage in as for + me, but if, for argument's sake, it were not, I am sure it is for your + interest that I should embrace it, for you will by that means have more + time to make your own terms with the Court before the peace is concluded, + and after the peace Mazarin will in such case be obliged to have more + regard for all those gentlemen whose reunion with me it will be to his + interest to prevent." + </p> + <p> + M. de Bouillon was so convinced of the justice of my reasoning that he + told me, when we were by ourselves, that he had, as well as myself, + thought of my expedient as soon as he received the news of the army + deserting M. de Turenne, that he could still improve it, as the Spaniards + would not fail to relish it, and that he had been on the point several + times one day to confer about it with me; but that his wife had conjured + him with prayers and tears to speak no more of the matter, but to come to + terms with the Court, or else to engage himself with the Spaniards. "I + know," said he, "you are not for the second arrangement; pray lend me your + good offices to compass the first." I assured him that all my best offices + and interests were entirely at his service to facilitate his agreement + with the Court, and that he might freely make use of my name and + reputation for that purpose. + </p> + <p> + In fine, we agreed on every point. M. de Bouillon undertook to make the + proposition palatable to the Spaniards, provided we would promise never to + let them know that it was concerted among ourselves beforehand, and we + never questioned but that we could persuade M. de Longueville to accept + it, for men of irresolution are apt to catch at all overtures which lead + them two ways, and consequently press them to no choice. + </p> + <p> + I had almost forgotten to tell you what M. de Bouillon said to me in + private as we were going from the conference. "I am sure," said he, "that + you will not blame me for not exposing a wife whom I dearly love and eight + children whom she loves more than herself to the hazards which you run, + and which I could run with you were I a single man." + </p> + <p> + I was very much affected by the tender sentiments of M. de Bouillon and + the confidence he placed in me, and assured him I was so far from blaming + him that I esteemed him the more, and that his tenderness for his lady, + which he was pleased to call his weakness, was indeed what politics + condemned but ethics highly justified, because it betokened an honest + heart, which is much superior both to interest and politics. M. de + Bouillon communicated the proposal both to the Spanish envoys and to the + generals, who were easily persuaded to relish it. + </p> + <p> + Thus he made, as it were, a golden bridge for the Spaniards to withdraw + their troops with decency. I told him as soon as they were gone that he + was an excellent man to persuade people that a "quartan ague was good for + them." + </p> + <p> + The Parliamentary deputies, repairing to Saint Germain on the 17th of + March, 1649, first took care to settle the interests of the generals, upon + which every officer of the army thought he had a right to exhibit his + pretensions. M. de Vendome sent his son a formal curse if he did not + procure for him at least the post of Superintendent of the Seas, which was + created first in favour of Cardinal de Richelieu in place of that of High + Admiral, but Louis XIV. abolished it, and restored that of High Admiral. + </p> + <p> + Upon this we held a conference, the result of which was that on the 20th + the Prince de Conti told the Parliament that himself and the other + generals entered their claims solely for the purpose of providing for + their safety in case Mazarin should continue in the Ministry, and that he + protested, both for himself and for all the gentlemen engaged in the same + party, that they would immediately renounce all pretensions whatsoever + upon the exclusion of Cardinal Mazarin. + </p> + <p> + We also prevailed on the Prince de Conti, though almost against his will, + to move the Parliament to direct their deputies to join with the Comte de + Maure for the expulsion of Cardinal Mazarin. I had almost lost all my + credit with the people, because I hindered them on the 13th of March from + massacring the Parliament, and because on the 23d and 24th I opposed the + public sale of the Cardinal's library. But I reestablished my reputation + in the Great Hall among the crowd, in the opinion of the firebrands of + Parliament, by haranguing against the Comte de Grancei, who had the + insolence to pillage the house of M. Coulon; by insisting on the 24th that + the Prince d'Harcourt should be allowed to seize all the public money in + the province of Picardy; by insisting on the 25th against a truce which it + would have been ridiculous to refuse during a conference; and by opposing + on the 30th what was transacted there, though at the same time I knew that + peace was made. + </p> + <p> + I now return to the conference at Saint Germain. + </p> + <p> + The Court declared they would never consent to the removal of the + Cardinal; and that as to the pretensions of the generals, which were + either to justice or favour, those of justice should be confirmed, and + those of favour left to his Majesty's disposal to reward merit. They + declared their willingness to accept the Archduke's proposal for a general + peace. + </p> + <p> + An amnesty was granted in the most ample manner, comprehending expressly + the Prince de Conti, MM. de Longueville, de Beaufort, d'Harcourt, de + Rieug, de Lillebonne, de Bouillon, de Turenne, de Brissac, de Duras, de + Matignon, de Beuron, de Noirmoutier, de Sdvigny, de Tremouille, de La + Rochefoucault, de Retz, d'Estissac, de Montresor, de Matta, de Saint + Germain, d'Apchon, de Sauvebeuf, de Saint Ibal, de Lauretat, de Laigues, + de Chavagnac, de Chaumont, de Caumesnil, de Cugnac, de Creci, d'Allici, + and de Barriere; but I was left out, which contributed to preserve my + reputation with the public more than you would expect from such a trifle. + </p> + <p> + On the 31st the deputies, being returned, made their report to the + Parliament, who on the 1st of April verified the declaration of peace. + </p> + <p> + As I went to the House I found the streets crowded with people crying "No + peace! no Mazarin!" but I dispersed them by saying that it was one of + Mazarin's stratagems to separate the people from the Parliament, who + without doubt had reasons for what they had done; that they should be + cautious of falling into the snare; that they had no cause to fear + Mazarin; and that they might depend on it that I would never agree with + him. When I reached the House I found the guards as excited as the people, + and bent on murdering every one they knew to be of Mazarin's party; but I + pacified them as I had done the others. The First President, seeing me + coming in, said that "I had been consecrating oil mixed, undoubtedly, with + saltpetre." I heard the words, but made as if I did not, for had I taken + them up, and had the people known it in the Great Hall, it would not have + been in my power to have saved the life of one single member. + </p> + <p> + Soon after the peace the Prince de Conti, Madame de Longueville and M. de + Bouillon went to Saint Germain to the Court, which had by some means or + other gained M. d'Elbeuf. But MM. de Brissac, de Retz, de Vitri, de + Fiesque, de Fontrailles, de Montresor, de Noirmoutier, de Matta, de la + Boulaie, de Caumesnil, de Moreul, de Laigues, and d'Annery remained in a + body with us, which was not contemptible, considering the people were on + our side; but the Cardinal despised us to that degree that when MM. de + Beaufort, de Brissac, de La Mothe, and myself desired one of our friends + to assure the Queen of our most humble obedience, she answered that she + should not regard our assurances till we had paid our devoirs to the + Cardinal. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Chevreuse having come from Brussels without the Queen's leave, + her Majesty sent her orders to quit Paris in twenty-four hours upon which + I went to her house and found the lovely creature at her toilet bathed in + tears. My heart yearned towards her, but I bid her not obey till I had the + honour of seeing her again. I consulted with M. de Beaufort to get the + order revoked, upon which he said, "I see you are against her going; she + shall stay. She has very fine eyes!" + </p> + <p> + I returned to the Palace de Chevreuse, where I was made very welcome, and + found the lovely Mademoiselle de Chevreuse. I got a very intimate + acquaintance with Madame de Rhodes, natural daughter of Cardinal de Guise, + who was her great confidant. I entirely demolished the good opinion she + had of the Duke of Brunswick-Zell, with whom she had almost struck a + bargain. De Laigues hindered me at first, but the forwardness of the + daughter and the good-nature of the mother soon removed all obstacles. I + saw her every day at her own house and very often at Madame de Rhodes's, + who allowed us all the liberty we could wish for, and we did not fail to + make good use of our time. I did love her, or rather I thought I loved + her, for I still had to do with Madame de Pommereux. + </p> + <p> + Fronde (sling) being the name given to the faction, I will give you the + etymology of it, which I omitted in the first book. + </p> + <p> + When Parliament met upon State affairs, the Duc d'Orleans and the Prince + de Conde came very frequently, and tempered the heat of the contending + parties; but the coolness was not lasting, for every other day their fury + returned upon them. + </p> + <p> + Bachoumont once said, in jest, that the Parliament acted like the + schoolboys in the Paris ditches, who fling stones, and run away when they + see the constable, but meet again as soon as he turns his back. This was + thought a very pretty comparison. It came to be a subject for ballads, + and, upon the peace between the King and Parliament, it was revived and + applied to those who were not agreed with the Court; and we studied to + give it all possible currency, because we observed that it excited the + wrath of the people. We therefore resolved that night to wear hatbands + made in the form of a sling, and had a great number of them made ready to + be distributed among a parcel of rough fellows, and we wore them ourselves + last of all, for it would have looked much like affectation and have + spoilt all had we been the first in the mode. + </p> + <p> + It is inexpressible what influence this trifle had upon the people; their + bread, hats, gloves, handkerchiefs, fans, ornaments were all 'a la mode de + la Fronde', and we ourselves were more in the fashion by this trifle than + in reality. And the truth is we had need of all our shifts to support us + against the whole royal family. For although I had spoken to the Prince de + Conde at Madame de Longueville's, I could not suppose myself thoroughly + reconciled. He treated me, indeed, civilly, but with an air of coldness, + and I know that he was fully persuaded that I had complained of his breach + of a promise which he made by me to some members of Parliament; but, as I + had complained to nobody upon this head, I began to suspect that some + persona studied to set us at variance. I imagined it came from the Prince + de Conti, who was naturally very malicious, and hated me, he knew not why. + Madame de Longueville loved me no better. I always suspected Madame de + Montbazon, who had not nearly so much influence over M. de Beaufort as I + had, yet was very artful in robbing him of all his secrets. She did not + love me either, because I deprived her of what might have made her a most + considerable person at Court. + </p> + <p> + Count Fuensaldagne was not obliged to help me if he could. He was not + pleased with the conduct of M. de Bouillon, who, in truth, had neglected + the decisive point for a general peace, and he was much less satisfied + with his own ministers, whom he used to call his blind moles; but he was + pleased with me for insisting always on the peace between the two Crowns, + without any view to a separate one. He therefore sent me Don Antonio + Pimentel, to offer me anything that was in the power of the King his + master, and to tell me that, as I could not but want assistance, + considering how I stood with the Ministry, 100,000 crowns was at my + service, which was accordingly brought me in bills of exchange. He added + that he did not desire any engagement from me for it, nor did the King his + master propose any other advantage than the pleasure of protecting me. But + I thought fit to refuse the money, for the present, telling Don Antonio + that I should think myself unworthy, of the protection of his Catholic + Majesty if I took any, gratuity, while I was in no capacity, of serving + him; that I was born a Frenchman, and, by virtue of my post, more + particularly attached than another to the metropolis of the kingdom; that + it was my misfortune to be embroiled with the Prime Minister of my King, + but that my resentment should never carry me to solicit assistance among + his enemies till I was forced to do so for self-preservation; that Divine + Providence had cast my lot in Paris, where God, who knew the purity of my + intentions, would enable me in all probability to maintain myself by my + own interest. But in case I wanted protection I was fully persuaded I + could nowhere find any so powerful and glorious as that of his Catholic + Majesty, to whom I would always think it an honour to have recourse. + Fuensaldagne was satisfied with my answer, and sent back Don Antonio + Pimentel with a letter from the Archduke, assuring me that upon a line + from my hand he would march with all the forces of the King his master to + my assistance. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="book3" id="book3"></a> + </p> + <h1> + BOOK III. + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + MADAME:—Cardinal Mazarin thought of nothing else now but how to rid + himself of the obligations he lay under to the Prince de Conde, who had + actually saved him from the gallows. And his principal view was an + alliance with the House of Vendome, who had on some occasions opposed the + interest of the family of Conde. + </p> + <p> + In Paris the people libelled not only the Cardinal, but the Queen. Indeed + it was not our interest to discourage libels and ballads against the + Cardinal, but it concerned us to suppress such as were levelled against + the Queen and Government. It is not to be imagined what uneasiness the + wrath of the people gave us upon that head. Two criminals, one of whom was + a printer, being condemned to be hanged for publishing some things fit to + be burnt and for libelling the Queen, cried out, when they were upon the + scaffold, that they were to be put to death for publishing verses against + Mazarin, upon which the people rescued them from justice. + </p> + <p> + On the other hand, some gay young gentlemen of the Court, who were in + Mazarin's interest, had a mind to make his name familiar to the Parisians, + and for that end made a famous display in the public walks of the + Tuileries, where they had grand suppers, with music, and drank the + Cardinal's health publicly. We took little notice of this, till they + boasted at Saint Germain that the Frondeurs were glad to give them the + wall. And then we thought it high time to correct them, lest the common + people should think they did it by authority. For this end M. de Beaufort + and a hundred other gentlemen went one night to the house where they + supped, overturned the table, and broke the musicians' violins over their + heads. + </p> + <p> + Being informed that the Prince de Conde intended to oblige the King to + return to Paris, I was resolved to have all the merit of an action which + would be so acceptable to the citizens. I therefore resolved to go to the + Court at Compiegne, which my friends very much opposed, for fear of the + danger to which I might be exposed, but I told them that what is + absolutely necessary is not dangerous. + </p> + <p> + I went accordingly, and as I was going up-stairs to the Queen's + apartments, a man, whom I never saw before or since, put a note into my + hand with these words: "If you enter the King's domicile, you are a dead + man." But I was in already, and it was too late to go back. Being past the + guard-chamber, I thought myself secure. I told the Queen that I was come + to assure her Majesty of my most humble obedience, and of the disposition + of the Church of Paris to perform all the services it owed to their + Majesties. The Queen seemed highly pleased, and was very kind to me; but + when we mentioned the Cardinal, though she urged me to it, I excused + myself from going to see him, assuring her Majesty that such a visit would + put it out of my power to do her service. It was impossible for her to + contain herself any longer; she blushed, and it was with much restraint + that she forbore using harsh language, as she herself confessed + afterwards. + </p> + <p> + Servien said one day that there was a design to assassinate me at his + table by the Abbe Fouquet; and M. de Vendome, who had just come from his + table, pressed me to be gone, saying that there were wicked designs + hatching against me. + </p> + <p> + I returned to Paris, having accomplished everything I wanted, for I had + removed the suspicion of the Court that the Frondeurs were against the + King's return. I threw upon the Cardinal all the odium attending his + Majesty's delay. I braved Mazarin, as it were, upon his throne, and + secured to myself the chief honour of the King's return. + </p> + <p> + The Court was received at Paris as kings always were and ever will be, + namely, with acclamations, which only please such as like to be flattered. + A group of old women were posted at the entrance of the suburbs to cry + out, "God save his Eminence!" who sat in the King's coach and thought + himself Lord of Paris; but at the end of three or four days he found + himself much mistaken. Ballads and libels still flew about. The Frondeurs + appeared bolder than ever. M. de Beaufort and I rode sometimes alone, with + one lackey only behind our coach, and at other times we went with a + retinue of fifty men in livery and a hundred gentlemen. We diversified the + scene as we thought it would be most acceptable to the spectators. The + Court party, who blamed us from morning to night, nevertheless imitated us + in their way. Everybody took an advantage of the Ministry from our + continual pelting of his Eminence. The Prince, who always made too much or + too little of the Cardinal, continued to treat him with contempt; and, + being disgusted at being refused the post of Superintendent of the Seas, + the Cardinal endeavoured to soothe him with the vain hopes of other + advantages. + </p> + <p> + The Prince, being one day at Court, and seeing the Cardinal give himself + extraordinary airs, said, as he was going out of the Queen's cabinet, + "Adieu, Mars." This was told all over the city in a quarter of an hour. I + and Noirmoutier went by appointment to his house at four o'clock in the + morning, when he seemed to be greatly troubled. He said that he could not + determine to begin a civil war, which, though the only means to separate + the Queen from the Cardinal, to whom she was so strongly attached, yet it + was both against his conscience and honour. He added that he should never + forget his obligations to us, and that if he should come to any terms with + the Court, he would, if we thought proper, settle our affairs also, and + that if we had not a mind to be reconciled to the Court, he would, in case + it did attack us, publicly undertake our protection. We answered that we + had no other design in our proposals than the honour of being his humble + servants, and that we should be very sorry if he had retarded his + reconciliation with the Queen upon our account, praying that we might be + permitted to continue in the same disposition towards the Cardinal as we + were then, which we declared should not hinder us from paying all the + respect and duty which we professed for his Highness. + </p> + <p> + I must not forget to acquaint you that Madame de Guemenee, who ran away + from Paris in a fright the moment it was besieged, no sooner heard that I + had paid a visit to Mademoiselle de Chevreuse than she returned to town in + a rage. I was in such a passion with her for having cowardly deserted me + that I took her by the throat, and she was so enraged at my familiarity + with Mademoiselle de Chevreuse that she threw a candlestick at my head, + but in a quarter of an hour we were very good friends. + </p> + <p> + The Prince de Conde was no sooner reconciled with the Court than he was + publicly reproached in the city for breaking his word with the Frondeurs; + but I convinced him that he could not think such treatment strange in a + city so justly exasperated against Mazarin, and that, nevertheless, he + might depend on my best services, for which he assured me of his constant + friendship. + </p> + <p> + Moissans, now Marechal d'Albret, who was at the head of the King's + gendarmes, accustomed himself and others to threaten the chief minister, + who augmented the public odium against himself by reestablishing Emeri, a + man detested by all the kingdom. We were not a little alarmed at his + reestablishment, because this man, who knew Paris better than the + Cardinal, distributed money among the people to a very good purpose. This + is a singular science, which is either very beneficial or hurtful in its + consequences, according to the wisdom or folly of the distributor. + </p> + <p> + These donations, laid out with discretion and secrecy, obliged us to yield + ourselves more and more unto the bulk of the people, and, finding a fit + opportunity for this performance, we took care not to let it slip, which, + if they had been ruled by me, we should not have done so soon, for we were + not yet forced to make use of such expedients. It is not safe in a faction + where you are only upon the defensive to do what you are not pressed to + do, but the uneasiness of the subalterns on such occasions is troublesome, + because they believe that as soon as you seem to be inactive all is lost. + I preached every day that the way was yet rough, and therefore must be + made plain, and that patience in the present case was productive of + greater effects than activity; but nobody comprehended the truth of what I + said. + </p> + <p> + An unlucky expression, dropped on this occasion by the Princesse de + Guemenee, had an incredible influence upon the people. She called to mind + a ballad formerly made upon the regiment of Brulon, which was said to + consist of only two dragoons and four drummers, and, inasmuch as she hated + the Fronde, she told me very pleasantly that our party, being reduced to + fourteen, might be justly compared to that regiment of Brulon. Noirmoutier + and Laigues were offended at this expression to that degree that they + continually murmured because I neither settled affairs nor pushed them to + the last extremity. Upon which I observed that heads of factions are no + longer their masters when they are unable either to prevent or allay the + murmurs of the people. + </p> + <p> + The revenues of the Hotel de Ville, which are, as it were, the patrimony + of the bourgeois, and which, if well managed, might be of special service + to the King in securing to his interest an infinite number of those people + who are always the most formidable in revolutions—this sacred fund, + I say, suffered much by the licentiousness of the times, the ignorance of + Mazarin, and the prevarication of the officers of the Hotel de Ville, who + were his dependents, so that the poor annuitants met in great numbers at + the Hotel de Ville; but as such assemblies without the Prince's authority + are reckoned illegal, the Parliament passed a decree to suppress them. + They were privately countenanced by M. de Beaufort and me, to whom they + sent a solemn deputation, and they made choice of twelve syndics to be a + check upon the 'prevot des marchands'. + </p> + <p> + On the 11th of December a pistol, as had been concerted beforehand, was + fired into the coach of Joly, one of the syndics, which President Charton, + another of the syndics, thinking was aimed at himself, the Marquis de la + Boulaie ran as if possessed with a devil, while the Parliament was + sitting, into the middle of the Great Hall, with fifteen or twenty + worthless fellows crying out "To Arms!" He did the like in the streets, + but in vain, and came to Broussel and me; but the former reprimanded him + after his way, and I threatened to throw him out at the window, for I had + reason to believe that he acted in concert with the Cardinal, though he + pretended to be a Frondeur. + </p> + <p> + This artifice of Servien united the Prince to the Cardinal, because he + found himself obliged to defend himself against the Frondeurs, who, as he + believed, sought to assassinate him. All those that were his own creatures + thought they were not zealous enough for his service if they did not + exaggerate the imminent danger he had escaped, and the Court parasites + confounded the morning adventure with that at night; and upon this coarse + canvas they daubed all that the basest flattery, blackest imposture, and + the most ridiculous credulity was capable of imagining; and we were + informed the next morning that it was the common rumour over all the city + that we had formed a design of seizing the King's person and carrying him + to the Hotel de Ville, and to assassinate the Prince. + </p> + <p> + M. de Beaufort and I agreed to go out and show ourselves to the people, + whom we found in such a consternation that I believed the Court might then + have attacked us with success. Madame de Montbazon advised us to take + post-horses and ride off, saying that there was nothing more easy than to + destroy us, because we had put ourselves into the hands of our sworn + enemies. I said that we had better hazard our lives than our honour. To + which she replied, "It is not that, but your nymphs, I believe, which keep + you here" (meaning Mesdames de Chevreuse and Guemenee). "I expect," she + said, "to be befriended for my own sake, and don't I deserve it? I cannot + conceive how you can be amused by a wicked old hag and a girl, if + possible, still more foolish. We are continually disputing about that + silly wretch" (pointing to M. de Beaufort, who was playing chess); "let us + take him with us and go to Peronne." + </p> + <p> + You are not to wonder that she talked thus contemptibly of M. de Beaufort, + whom she always taxed with impotency, for it is certain that his love was + purely Platonic, as he never asked any favour of her, and seemed very + uneasy with her for eating flesh on Fridays. She was so sweet upon me, and + withal such a charming beauty, that, being naturally indisposed to let + such opportunities slip, I was melted into tenderness for her, + notwithstanding my suspicions of her, considering the then situation of + affairs, and would have had her go with me into the cabinet, but she was + determined first to go to Peronne, which put an end to our amours. + </p> + <p> + Beaufort waited on the Prince and was well received, but I could not gain + admittance. + </p> + <p> + On the 14th the Prince de Conde went to Parliament and demanded that a + committee might be appointed to inquire into the attempt made on his life. + </p> + <p> + The Frondeurs were not asleep in the meantime, yet most of our friends + were dispirited, and all very weak. + </p> + <p> + The cures of Paris were my most hearty friends; they laboured with + incredible zeal among the people. And the cure of Saint Gervais sent me + this message: "Do but rally again and get off the assassination, and in a + week you will be stronger than your enemies." + </p> + <p> + I was informed that the Queen had written to my uncle, the Archbishop of + Paris, to be sure to go to the Parliament on the 23d, the day that + Beaufort, Broussel, and I were to be impeached, because I had no right to + sit in the House if he were present. I begged of him not to go, but my + uncle being a man of little sense, and that much out of order, and being, + moreover, fearful and ridiculously jealous of me, had promised the Queen + to go; and all that we could get out of him was that he would defend me in + Parliament better than I could defend myself. It is to be observed that + though he chattered to us like a magpie in private, yet in public he was + as mute as a fish. A surgeon who was in the Archbishop's service, going to + visit him, commended him for his courage in resisting the importunities of + his nephew, who, said he, had a mind to bury him alive, and encouraged him + to rise with all haste and go to the Parliament House; but he was no + sooner out of his bed than the surgeon asked him in a fright how he felt. + "Very well," said my Lord. "But that is impossible," said the surgeon; + "you look like death," and feeling his pulse, he told him he was in a high + fever; upon which my Lord Archbishop went to bed again, and all the kings + and queens in Christendom could not get him out for a fortnight. + </p> + <p> + We went to the Parliament, and found there the Princes with nearly a + thousand gentlemen and, I may say, the whole Court. I had few salutes in + the Hall, because it was generally thought I was an undone man. When I had + entered the Great Chamber I heard a hum like that at the end of a pleasing + period in a sermon. When I had taken my place I said that, hearing we were + taxed with a seditious conspiracy, we were come to offer our heads to the + Parliament if guilty, and if innocent, to demand justice upon our + accusers; and that though I knew not what right the Court had to call me + to account, yet I would renounce all privileges to make my innocence + apparent to a body for whom I always had the greatest attachment and + veneration. + </p> + <p> + Then the informations were read against what they called "the public + conspiracy from which it had pleased Almighty God to deliver the State and + the royal family," after which I made a speech, in substance as follows: + </p> + <p> + "I do not believe, gentlemen, that in any of the past ages persons of our + quality had ever received any personal summons grounded merely upon + hearsay. Neither can I think that posterity will ever believe that this + hearsay evidence was admitted from the mouths of the most infamous + miscreants that ever got out of a gaol. Canto was condemned to the gallows + at Pau, Pichon to the wheel at Mans, Sociande is a rogue upon record. + Pray, gentlemen, judge of their evidence by their character and + profession. But this is not all. They have the distinguishing character of + being informers by authority. I am sorely grieved that the defence of our + honour, which is enjoined us by the laws of God and man, should oblige me + to expose to light, under the most innocent of Kings, such abominations as + were detested in the most corrupt ages of antiquity and under the worst of + tyrants. But I must tell you that Canto, Sociande, and Gorgibus are + authorised to inform against us by a commission signed by that august name + which should never be employed but for the preservation of the most sacred + laws, and which Cardinal Mazarin, who knows no law but that of revenge, + which he meditates against the defenders of the public liberty, has forced + M. Tellier, Secretary of State, to countersign. + </p> + <p> + "We demand justice, gentlemen, but we do not demand it of you till we have + first most humbly implored this House to execute the strictest justice + that the laws have provided against rebels, if it appears that we have + been concerned directly or indirectly in raising this last disturbance. Is + it possible, gentlemen, that a grandchild of Henri the Great, that a + senator of M. Broussel's age and probity, and that the Coadjutor of Paris + should be so much as suspected of being concerned in a sedition raised by + a hot-brained fool, at the head of fifteen of the vilest of the mob? I am + fully persuaded it would be scandalous for me to insist longer on this + subject. This is all I know, gentlemen, of the modern conspiracy." + </p> + <p> + The applause that came from the Court of Inquiry was deafening; many + voices were heard exclaiming against spies and informers. Honest Doujat, + who was one of the persons appointed by the Attorney-General Talon, his + kinsman, to make the report, and who had acquainted me with the facts, + acknowledged it publicly by pretending to make the thing appear less + odious. He got up, therefore, as if he were in a passion, and spoke very + artfully to this purpose: + </p> + <p> + "These witnesses, monsieur, are not to accuse you, as you are pleased to + say, but only to discover what passed in the meeting of the annuitants at + the Hotel de Ville. If the King did not promise impunity to such as will + give him information necessary for his service, and which sometimes cannot + be come at without involving evidence in a crime, how should the King be + informed at all? There is a great deal of difference between patents of + this nature and commissions granted on purpose to accuse you." + </p> + <p> + You might have seen fire in 'the face of every member. The First President + called out "Order!" and said, "MM. de Beaufort, le Coadjuteur, and + Broussel, you are accused, and you must withdraw." + </p> + <p> + As Beaufort and I were leaving our seats, Broussel stopped us, saying, + "Neither you, gentlemen, nor I are bound to depart till we are ordered to + do so by the Court. The First President, whom all the world knows to be + our adversary, should go out if we must." + </p> + <p> + I added, "And M. le Prince," who thereupon said, with a scornful air: + </p> + <p> + "What, I? Must I retire?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, yes, monsieur," said I, "justice is no respecter of persons." + </p> + <p> + The President de Mesmes said, "No, monseigneur, you must not go out unless + the Court orders you. If the Coadjutor insists that your Highness retire, + he must demand it by a petition. As for himself, he is accused, and + therefore must go out; but, seeing he raises difficulties and objections + to the contrary, we must put it to the vote." And it was passed that we + should withdraw. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, most of the members passed encomiums upon us, satires upon the + Ministry, and anathemas upon the witnesses for the Crown. Nor were the + cures and the parishioners wanting in their duty on this occasion. The + people came in shoals from all parts of Paris to the Parliament House. + Nevertheless, no disrespect was shown either to the King's brother or to + M. le Prince; only some in their presence cried out, "God bless M. de + Beaufort! God bless the Coadjutor!" + </p> + <p> + M. de Beaufort told the First President next day that, the State and royal + family being in danger, every moment was precious, and that the offenders + ought to receive condign punishment, and that therefore the Chambers ought + to be assembled without loss of time. Broussel attacked the First + President with a great deal of warmth. Eight or ten councillors entered + immediately into the Great Chamber to testify their astonishment at the + indolence and indifference of the House after such a furious conspiracy, + and that so little zeal was shown to prosecute the criminals. MM. de + Bignon and Talon, counsel for the Crown, alarmed the people by declaring + that as for themselves they had no hand in the conclusions, which were + ridiculous. The First President returned very calm answers, knowing well + that we should have been glad to have put him into a passion in order to + catch at some expression that might bear an exception in law. + </p> + <p> + On Christmas Day I preached such a sermon on Christian charity, without + mentioning the present affairs, that the women even wept for the unjust + persecution of an archbishop who had so great a tenderness for his very + enemies. + </p> + <p> + On the 29th M. de Beaufort and I went to the Parliament House, accompanied + by a body of three hundred gentlemen, to make it appear that we were more + than tribunes of the people, and to screen ourselves from the insults of + the Court party. We posted ourselves in the Fourth Chamber of the + Inquests, among the courtiers, with whom we conversed very frankly, yet + upon the least noise, when the debates ran high in the Great Chamber, we + were ready to cut one another's throats eight or ten times every morning. + We were all distrustful of one another, and I may venture to say there + were not twenty persons in the House but were armed with daggers. As for + myself, I had resolved to take none of those weapons inconsistent with my + character, till one day, when it was expected the House would be more + excited than usual, and then M. de Beaufort, seeing one end of the weapon + peeping out of my pocket, exposed it to M. le Prince's captain of the + guards and others, saying, "See, gentlemen, the Coadjutor's prayer-book." + I understood the jest, but really I could not well digest it. We + petitioned the Parliament that the First President, being our sworn enemy, + might be expelled the House, but it was put to the vote and carried by a + majority of thirty-six that he should retain his station of judge. + </p> + <p> + Paris narrowly escaped a commotion at the time of the imprisonment of + Belot, one of the syndics of the Hotel de Ville annuitants, who, being + arrested without a decree, President de la Grange made it appear that + there was nothing more contrary to the declaration for which they had + formerly so exerted themselves. The First President maintaining the + legality of his imprisonment, Daurat, a councillor of the Third Chamber, + told him that he was amazed that a gentleman who was so lately near being + expelled could be so resolute in violating the laws so flagrantly. + Whereupon the First President rose in a passion, saying that there was + neither order nor discipline in the House, and that he would resign his + place to another for whom they had more respect. This motion put the Great + Chamber all in a ferment, which was felt in the Fourth, where the + gentlemen of both parties hastened to support their respective sides, and + if the most insignificant lackey had then but drawn a sword, Paris would + have been all in an uproar. + </p> + <p> + We solicited very earnestly for our trial, which they delayed as much as + it was in their power, because they could not choose but acquit us and + condemn the Crown witnesses. Various were the pretences for putting it + off, and though the informations were not of sufficient weight to hang a + dog, yet they were read over and over at every turn to prolong the time. + </p> + <p> + The public began to be persuaded of our innocence, as also the Prince de + Conde, and M. de Bouillon told me that he very much suspected it to be a + trick of the Cardinal's. + </p> + <p> + On the 1st of January, 1650, Madame de Chevreuse, having a mind to visit + the Queen, with whom she had carried on in all her disgrace an + unaccountable correspondence, went to the King's Palace. The Cardinal, + taking her aside in the Queen's little cabinet, said to her: + </p> + <p> + "You love the Queen. Is it not possible for you to make your friends love + her?" + </p> + <p> + "How can that be?" said she; "the Queen is no more a Queen, but a humble + servant to M. le Prince." + </p> + <p> + "Good God!" replied the Cardinal; "we might do great things if we could + get some men into our interest. But M. de Beaufort is at the service of + Madame de Montbazon, and she is devoted to Vigneul and the Coadjutor;" at + the mention of which he smiled. "I take you, monsieur," said Madame de + Chevreuse; "I will answer for him and for her." + </p> + <p> + Thus the conversation began, and the Cardinal making a sign to the Queen, + Madame de Chevreuse had a long conference that night with her Majesty, who + gave her this billet for me, written and signed with her own hand: + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding what has passed and what is now doing, I cannot but + persuade myself that M. le Coadjuteur is in my interest. I desire to see + him, and that nobody may know it but Madame and Mademoiselle de Chevreuse. + This name shall be your security.<br /> ANNE + </p> + <p> + Being convinced that the Queen was downright angry with the Prince de + Conde on account of a rumour spread abroad that he had some intriguing + gallantries with her Majesty, I weighed all circumstances and returned the + answer to the Queen: + </p> + <p> + Never was there one moment of my life wherein I was not devoted to your + Majesty. I am so far from consulting my own safety that I would gladly die + for your service . . . I will go to any place your Majesty shall order me. + </p> + <p> + My answer, with the Queen's letter enclosed, was carried back by Madame de + Chevreuse and well received. I went immediately to Court, and was taken up + the back staircase by the Queen's train-bearer to the petit oratoire, + where her Majesty was shut up all alone. She showed me as much kindness as + she could, considering her hatred against M. le Prince and her friendship + for the Cardinal, though the latter seemed the more to prevail, because in + speaking of the civil wars and of the Cardinal's friendship for me she + called him "the poor Cardinal" twenty times over. Half an hour after, the + Cardinal came in, who begged the Queen to dispense with the respect he + owed her Majesty while he embraced me in her presence. He was pleased to + say he was very sorry that he could not give me that very moment his own + cardinal's cap. He talked so much of favours, gratifications, and rewards + that I was obliged to explain myself, knowing that nothing is more + destructive of new reconciliations than a seeming unwillingness to be + obliged to those to whom you are reconciled. I answered that the greatest + recompense I could expect, though I had saved the Crown, was to have the + honour of serving her Majesty, and I humbly prayed the Queen to give me no + other recompense, that at least I might have the satisfaction to make her + Majesty sensible that this was the only reward I valued. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal desired the Queen to command me to accept of the nomination + to the cardinalate, "which," said he, "La Riviere has snatched with + insolence and acknowledged with treachery." I excused myself by saying + that I had taken a resolution never to accept of the cardinalship by any + means which seemed to have relation to the civil wars, to the end that I + might convince the Queen that it was the most rigid necessity which had + separated me from her service. I rejected upon the same account all the + other advantageous propositions he made me, and, he still insisting that + the Queen could do no less than confer upon me something that was very + considerable for the signal service I was likely to do her Majesty, I + answered: + </p> + <p> + "There is one point wherein the Queen can do me more good than if she gave + me a triple crown. Her Majesty told me just now that she will cause M. le + Prince to be apprehended. A person of his high rank and merit neither can + nor ought to be always shut up in prison, for when he comes abroad he will + be full of resentment against me, though I hope my dignity will be my + protection. There are a great many gentlemen engaged with me who, in such + a juncture, would be ready to serve the Queen. And if it seemed good to + your Majesty to entrust one of them with some important employment, I + should be more pleased than with ten cardinals' hats." + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal told the Queen that nothing was more just, and the affair + should be considered between him and me. + </p> + <p> + We had several conferences, at which we agreed on gratifications for some + of our friends and to arrest the Prince de Conde, the Prince de Conti, and + the Duc de Longueville. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal took occasion to speak of the treachery of La Riviere. "This + man," said he, "takes me to be the most stupid creature living, and thinks + he shall be to-morrow a cardinal. I diverted myself to-day with letting + him try on some scarlet cloth I lately received from Italy, and I put it + near his face to know whether a scarlet colour or carnation became him + best." + </p> + <p> + I heard from Rome that his Eminence was not behindhand with La Riviere + upon the score of treachery. For on the very day he got him nominated by + the King, he wrote a letter to Cardinal Sachelli more fit to recommend him + to a yellow cap than to a red one. This letter, nevertheless, was full of + tenderness for La Riviere, which Mazarin knew was the only way to ruin him + with Pope Innocent, who hated Mazarin and all his adherents. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Chevreuse undertook to see how the Duc d'Orleans would relish + the design of imprisoning the Princes. She told him that, though the Queen + was not satisfied with M. le Prince, yet she could not form a resolution + of apprehending him without the concurrence of his Royal Highness. She + magnified the advantages of bringing over to the King's service the + powerful faction of the Fronde, and the daily dangers Paris was exposed + to, both by fire and sword. This last reason touched him as much or more + than all, for he trembled every time he came to the Parliament; M. le + Prince very often could not prevail upon him to go at all, and a fit of + colic was generally assigned as the reason of his absence. At length he + consented, and on the 18th of January the three Princes were put under + arrest by three officers of the Queen's Guards. + </p> + <p> + The people having a notion that M. de Beaufort was apprehended, ran to + their arms, which I caused to be laid down immediately, by marching + through the streets with flambeaux before me. M. de Beaufort did the like, + and the night concluded with bonfires. + </p> + <p> + The Queen sent a letter from the King to the Parliament with the reasons, + which were neither strong nor well set out, why the Prince de Conde was + confined. However, we obtained a decree for our absolution. + </p> + <p> + The Princesses were ordered to retire to Chantilly. Madame de Longueville + went towards Normandy, but found no sanctuary there, for the Parliament of + Rouen sent her a message to desire her to depart from the city. The Duc de + Richelieu would not receive her into Havre, and from there she retired to + Dieppe. + </p> + <p> + M. de Bouillon, who after the peace was strongly attached to the Prince de + Conde, went in great haste to Turenne; M. de Turenne got into Stenai; M. + de La Rochefoucault, then Prince de Marsillac, returned home to Poitou; + and Marechal de Breze, father-in-law to the Prince de Conde, went to + Saumur. + </p> + <p> + There was a declaration published and registered in Parliament against + them, whereby they were ordered to wait on the King within fifteen days, + upon pain of being proceeded against as disturbers of the public peace and + guilty of high treason. + </p> + <p> + The Court carried all before them. Madame de Longueville, upon the King + going into Normandy, escaped by sea into Holland, whence she went + afterwards to Arras, to try La Tour, one of her husband's pensioners, who + offered her his person, but refused her the place. She repaired at last to + Stenai, whither M. de Turenne went to meet her, with all the friends and + servants of the confined Princes that he could muster. The King went from + Normandy to Burgundy, and returned to Paris crowned with laurels of + victory. + </p> + <p> + The Princess-dowager, who had been ordered to retire to Bourges, came with + a petition to Parliament, praying for their protection to stay in Paris, + and that she might have justice done her for the illegal confinement of + the Princes her children. She fell at the feet of the Duc d'Orleans, + begged the protection of the Duc de Beaufort, and said to me that she had + the honour to be my kinswoman. M. de Beaufort was very much perplexed what + to do, and I was nearly ready to die for shame; but we could do nothing + for her, and she was obliged to go to Valery. + </p> + <p> + Several private annuitants, who had made a noise in the assemblies at the + Hotel de Ville, were afraid of being called to account, and therefore, + after M. le Prince was arrested, they desired me to procure a general + amnesty. I spoke about it to the Cardinal, who seemed very pliable, and, + showing me his hatband, which was 'a la mode de la Fronde', said he hoped + himself to be comprised in that amnesty; but he shuffled it off so long + that it was not published and registered in Parliament till the 12th of + May, and it would not have been obtained then had not I threatened + vigorously to prosecute the Crown witnesses, of which they were mightily + apprehensive, being so conscious of the heinousness of their crime that + two of them had already made their escape. + </p> + <p> + The present calm hardly deserved that name, for the storm of war began to + rise again in several places at once. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Longueville and M. de Turenne made a treaty with the Spaniards, + and the latter joined their army, which entered Picardy and besieged + Guise, after having taken Catelet; but for want of provisions the Archduke + was obliged to raise the siege. M. de Turenne levied troops with Spanish + money, and was joined by the greater part of the officers commanding the + soldiers that went under the name of the Prince's troops. + </p> + <p> + The wretched conduct of M. d'Epernon had so confounded the affairs of + Guienne that nothing but his removal could retrieve them. + </p> + <p> + One of the greatest mischiefs which the despotic authority of ministers + has occasioned in the world in these later times is a practice, occasioned + by their own private mistaken interests, of always supporting superiors + against their inferiors. It is a maxim borrowed from Machiavelli, whom few + understand, and whom too many cry up for an able man because he was always + wicked. He was very far from being a complete statesman, and was + frequently out in his politics, but I think never more grossly mistaken + than in this maxim, which I observed as a great weakness in Mazarin, who + was therefore the less qualified to settle the affairs of Guienne, which + were in so much confusion that I believe if the good sense of Jeannin and + Villeroi had been infused into the brains of Cardinal de Richelieu, it + would not have been sufficient to set them right. + </p> + <p> + Senneterre, perceiving that Cardinal Mazarin and I were not cordial + friends, undertook to reconcile us, and for that end took me to the + Cardinal, who embraced me very tenderly, said he laid his heart upon the + table, that was one of his usual phrases,—and protested he would + talk as freely to me as if I were his own son. I did not believe a word of + what he said, but I assured his Eminence that I would speak to him as if + he were my father, and I was as good as my word. I told him I had no + personal interest in view but to disengage myself from the public + disturbances without any private advantage, and that for the same reason I + thought myself obliged to come off with reputation and honour. I desired + him to consider that my age and want of skill in public affairs could not + give him any jealousy that I aimed to be the First Minister. I conjured + him to consider also that the influence I had over the people of Paris, + supported by mere necessity, did rather reflect disgrace than honour upon + my dignity, and that he ought to believe that this one reason was enough + to make me impatient to be rid of all these public broils, besides a + thousand other inconveniences arising every moment, which disgusted me + with faction. And as for the dignity of cardinal, which might peradventure + give him some umbrage, I could tell him very sincerely what had been and + what was still my notion of this dignity, which I once foolishly imagined + would be more honourable for me to despise than to enjoy. I mentioned this + circumstance to let him see that in my tender years I was no admirer of + the purple, and not very fond of it now, because I was persuaded that an + Archbishop of Paris could hardly miss obtaining that dignity some time or + other, according to form, by actions purely ecclesiastical; and that he + should be loth to use any other means to procure it. + </p> + <p> + I said that I should be extremely sorry if my purple were stained with the + least drop of blood spilt in the civil wars; that I was resolved to clear + my hands of everything that savoured of intrigue before I would make or + suffer any step which had any tendency that way; that he knew that for the + same reason I would neither accept money nor abbeys, and that, + consequently, I was engaged by the public declarations I had made upon all + those heads to serve the Queen without any interest; that the only end I + had in view, and in which I never wavered, was to come off with honour, so + that I might resume the spiritual functions belonging to my profession + with safety; that I desired nothing from him but the accomplishment of an + affair which would be more for the King's service than for my particular + interest; that he knew that the day after the arrest of the Prince he sent + me with his promise to the annuitants of the Hotel de Ville, and that for + want of performance those men were persuaded that I was in concert with + the Court to deceive them. Lastly, I told him that the access I had to the + Duc d'Orleans might perhaps give him umbrage, but I desired him to + consider that I never sought that honour, and that I was very sensible of + the inconveniences attending it. I enlarged upon this head, which is the + most difficult point to be understood by Prime Ministers, who are so fond + of being freely admitted into a Prince's presence that, notwithstanding + all the experience in the world, they cannot help thinking that therein + consists the essence of happiness. + </p> + <p> + When truth has come to a certain point, it darts such powerful rays of + light as are irresistible, but I never knew a man who had so little regard + for truth as Mazarin. He seemed, however, more regardful of it than usual, + and I laid hold of the occasion to tell him of the dangerous consequences + of the disturbances of Guienne, and that if he continued to support M. + d'Epernon, the Prince's faction would not let this opportunity slip; that + if the Parliament of Bordeaux should engage in their party, it would not + be long before that of Paris would do the same; that, after the late + conflagration in this metropolis, he could not suppose but that there was + still some fire hidden under the ashes; and that the factious party had + reason to fear the heavy punishment to which the whole body of them was + liable, as we ourselves were two or three months ago. The Cardinal began + to yield, especially when he was told that M. de Bouillon began to make a + disturbance in the Limousin, where M. de La Rochefoucault had joined him + with some troops. + </p> + <p> + To confirm our reconciliation, a marriage was proposed between my niece + and his nephew, to which he, gave his consent; but I was much averse to + it, being not yet resolved to bury my family in that of Mazarin, nor did I + set so great a value on grandeur as to purchase it with the public odium. + However, it produced no animosity on either side, and his friends knew + that I should be very glad to be employed in making a general peace; they + acted their parts so well that the Cardinal, whose love-fit for me lasted + about a fortnight, promised me, as it were of his own accord, that I + should be gratified. + </p> + <p> + News came about this time from Guienne that the Ducs de Bouillon and de La + Rochefoucault had taken Madame la Princesse into Bordeaux, together with + M. le Duc, her son. The Parliament was not displeased with the people for + receiving into their city M. le Duc, yet they observed more decorum than + could be expected from the inhabitants of Gascogne, so irritated as they + were against M. d'Epernon. They ordered that Madame la Princesse, M. le + Duc, MM. de Bouillon and de La Rochefoucault should have liberty to stay + in Bordeaux, provided they would promise to undertake nothing against the + King's service, and that the petition of Madame la Princesse should be + sent to the King with a most humble remonstrance from the Parliament + against the confinement of the Princes. + </p> + <p> + At the same time, one of the Presidents sent word to Senneterre that the + Parliament was not so far enraged but that they would still remember their + loyalty to the King, provided he did but remove M. d'Epernon. But in case + of any further delay he would not answer for the Parliament, and much less + for the people, who, being now managed and supported by the Prince's + party, would in a little time make themselves masters of the Parliament. + Senneterre did what he could to induce the Cardinal to make good use of + this advice, and M. de Chateauneuf, who was now Chancellor, talked + wonderfully well upon the point, but seeing the Cardinal gave no return to + his reasons but by exclaiming against the Parliament of Bordeaux for + sheltering men condemned by the King's declaration, he said to him very + plainly, "Set out to-morrow, monsieur, if you do not arrange matters + to-day; you should have been by this time upon the Garonne." + </p> + <p> + The event proved that Chateauneuf was in the right, for though the + Parliament was very excited, they stood out a long time against the + madness of the people, spurred on by M. de Bouillon, and issued a decree + ordering an envoy of Spain, who was sent thither to commence a treaty with + the Duc de Bouillon, to depart the city, and forbade any of their body to + visit such as had correspondence with Spain, the Princess herself not + excepted. Moreover, the mob having undertaken to force the Parliament to + unite with the Princes, the Parliament armed the magistracy, who fired + upon the people and made them retire. + </p> + <p> + A little time before the King departed for Guienne, which was in the + beginning of July, word came that the Parliament of Bordeaux had consented + to a union with the Princes, and had sent a deputy to the Parliament of + Paris, who had orders to see neither the King nor the ministers, and that + the whole province was disposed for a revolt. The Cardinal was in extreme + consternation, and commended himself to the favour of the meanest man of + the Fronde with the greatest suppleness imaginable. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the King came to the neighbourhood of Bordeaux the deputies of + Parliament, who went to meet the Court at Lebourne, were peremptorily + commanded to open the gates of the city to the King and to all his troops. + They answered that one of their privileges was to guard the King + themselves while he was in any of their towns. Upon this, Marechal de La + Meilleraye seized the castle of Vaire, in the command of Pichon, whom the + Cardinal ordered to be hanged; and M. de Bouillon hanged an officer in + Meilleraye's army by way of reprisal. + </p> + <p> + After that the Marshal besieged the city in form, which, despairing of + succour from Spain, was forced to capitulate upon the following terms: + </p> + <p> + That a general pardon should be granted to all who had taken up arms and + treated with Spain, that all the soldiers should be disbanded except those + whom the King had a mind to keep in his pay, that Madame la Princesse and + the Duke should be at liberty to reside either in Anjou or at Mouzon, with + no more than two hundred foot and sixty horse, and that M. d'Epernon + should be recalled from the government of Guienne. + </p> + <p> + The Princess had an interview with both the King and Queen, at which there + were great conferences between the Cardinal and the Ducs de Bouillon and + de La Rochefoucault. + </p> + <p> + The deputy from Bordeaux, arriving at Paris soon after the King's + departure, went immediately, to Parliament, and, after an eloquent + harangue, presented a letter from the Parliament of Bordeaux, together + with their decrees, and demanded a union between the two Parliaments. + After some debates it was resolved that the deputy should deliver his + credentials in writing, which should be presented to his Majesty by the + deputies of the Parliament of Paris, who would, at the same time, most + humbly beseech the Queen to restore peace to Guienne. + </p> + <p> + The Duc d'Orleans was against debating about the petition to the Queen for + the liberation of the Priuces and the banishment of Cardinal Mazarin; + nevertheless, many of the members voted for it, upon a motion made by the + President Viole, who was a warm partisan of the Prince de Conde, not + because he had hopes of carrying it, but on purpose to embarrass M. de + Beaufort and myself upon a subject of which we did not care to speak, and + yet did not dare to be altogether silent about, without passing in some + measure for Mazarinists. President Viole did the Prince a great deal of + service on this occasion, for Bourdet a brave soldier, who had been + captain of the Guards and was attached to the interest of the Prince—performed + an action which emboldened the party very much, though it had no success. + He dressed himself and fourscore other officers of his troops in mason's + clothes, and having assembled many of the dregs of the people, to whom he + had distributed money, came directly to the Duc d'Orleans as he was going + out, and cried, "No Mazarin! God bless the Princes!" His Royal Highness, + at this apparition and the firing of a brace of pistols at the same time + by Bourdet, ran to the Great Chamber; but M. de Beaufort stood his ground + so well with the Duke's guards and our men, that Bourdet was repulsed and + thrown down the Parliament stairs. + </p> + <p> + But the confusion in the Great Chamber was still worse. There were daily + assemblies, wherein the Cardinal was severely attacked, and the Prince's + party had the pleasure of exposing us as his accomplices. What is very + strange is that at the same time the Cardinal and his friends accused us + of corresponding with the Parliament of Bordeaux, because we maintained, + in case the Court did not adjust affairs there, we would infallibly bring + the Parliament of Paris into the interest of the Prince. If I were at the + point of death I should have no need to be confessed on account of my + behaviour on this occasion. I acted with as much sincerity in this + juncture as if I had been the Cardinal's nephew, though really it was not + out of any love to him, but because I thought myself obliged in prudence + to oppose the progress of the Prince's faction, owing to the foolish + conduct of his enemies; and to this end I was obliged to oppose the + flattery of the Cardinal's tools as much as the efforts made by those who + were in the service of the Prince. + </p> + <p> + On the 3d of September President Bailleul returned with the other + deputies, and made a report in Parliament of his journey to Court; it was, + in brief, that the Queen thanked the Parliament for their good intentions, + and had commanded them to assure the Parliament in her name that she was + ready to restore peace to Guienne, and that it would have been done before + now had not M. de Bouillon, who had treated with the Spaniards, made + himself master of Bordeaux, and thereby cut off the effects of his + Majesty's goodness. + </p> + <p> + The Duc d'Orleans informed the House that he had received a letter from + the Archduke, signifying that the King of Spain having sent him full + powers to treat for a general peace, he desired earnestly to negotiate it + with him. But his Royal Highness added that he did not think it proper to + return him any answer till he had the opinion of the Parliament. The + trumpeter who brought the letter gathered a party at Tiroir cross, and + spoke very seditious words to the people. The next day they found libels + posted up and down the city in the name of M. de Turenne, setting forth + that the Archduke was coming with no other disposition than to make peace, + and in one of them were these words: "It is your business, Parisians, to + solicit your false tribunes, who have turned at last pensioners and + protectors of Mazarin, who have for so long a time sported with your + fortunes and repose, and spurred you on, kept you back, and made you hot + or cold, according to the caprices and different progress of their + ambition." + </p> + <p> + You see the state and condition the Frondeurs were in at this juncture, + when they could not move one step but to their own disadvantage. The Duc + d'Orleans spoke to me that night with a great deal of bitterness against + the Cardinal, which he had never done before, and said he had been tricked + by him twice, and that he was ruining himself, the State, and all of us, + and would, by so doing, place the Prince de Conde upon the throne. In + short, Monsieur owned that it was not yet time to humble the Cardinal. + "Therefore," said M. Bellievre, "let us be upon our guard; this man can + give us the slip any moment." + </p> + <p> + Next day a letter was sent from the Prince de Conde, by the Baron de + Verderonne, to the Archduke, desiring him to name the time, place and + persons for a treaty. The Baron returned with a letter from the Archduke + to his Royal Highness, desiring that the conferences might be held between + Rheims and Rhetel, and that they might meet there personally, with such + others as they should think fit to bring with them. The Court was + surprised, but, however, did not think fit to delay sending full powers to + his Royal Highness to treat for peace on such terms as he thought + reasonable and advantageous for the King's service; and there were joined + with him, though in subordination, MM. Mole, the First President, d'Avaux, + and myself, with the title of Ambassadors Extraordinary and + Plenipotentiaries. M. d'Avaux obliged me to assure Don Gabriel de Toledo, + in private, that if the Spaniards would but come to reasonable terms, we + would conclude a peace with them in two days' time. And his Royal Highness + said that Don Gabriel being a lover of money, I should promise him for his + part 100,000 crowns if the conference that was proposed ended in a peace, + and bid him tell the Archduke that, if the Spaniards proposed reasonable + terms, he would sign and have them registered in Parliament before Mazarin + should know anything of the matter. + </p> + <p> + Don Gabriel received the overture with joy; he had some particular + fancies, but Fuensaldagne, who had a particular kindness for him, said + that he was the wisest fool he ever saw in his life. I have remarked more + than once that this sort of man cannot persuade, but can insinuate + perfectly well, and that the talent of insinuation is of more service than + that of persuasion, because one may insinuate to a hundred where one can + hardly persuade five. + </p> + <p> + The King of England, after having lost the battle of Worcester, arrived in + Paris the day that Don Gabriel set out, the 13th of September, 1651. My + Lord Taff was his great chamberlain, valet de chambre, clerk of the + kitchen, cup-bearer, and all,—an equipage answerable to his Court, + for his Majesty had not changed his shirt all the way from England. Upon + his arrival at Paris, indeed, he had one lent him by my Lord Jermyn; but + the Queen, his mother, had not money to buy him another for the next day. + The Duc d'Orleans went to compliment his Majesty upon his arrival, but it + was not in my power to persuade his Royal Highness to give his nephew one + penny, because, said he, "a little would not be worth his acceptance, and + a great deal would engage me to do as much hereafter." This leads me to + make the following digression: that there is nothing so wretched as to be + a minister to a Prince, and, at the same time, not his favourite; for it + is his favour only that gives one a power over the more minute concerns of + the family, for which the public does, nevertheless, think a minister + accountable when they, see he has power over affairs of far greater + consequence. + </p> + <p> + Therefore I was not in a condition to oblige his Royal Highness by + assisting the King of England with a thousand pistoles, for which I was + horridly, ashamed, both upon his account anal my own; but I borrowed + fifteen hundred for him from M. Morangis, and carried them to my Lord + Taff.—[Lord Clarendon extols the civilities of Cardinal de Retz to + King Charles II., and has reported a curious conversation which the + Cardinal had with that Prince.]—It is remarkable that the same + night, as I was going home, I met one Tilney, an Englishman whom I had + formerly known at Rome, who told me that Vere, a great Parliamentarian and + a favourite of Cromwell, had arrived in Paris and had orders to see me. I + was a little puzzled; however, I judged it would be improper to refuse him + an interview. Vere gave me a brief letter from Cromwell in the nature of + credentials, importing that the sentiments I had enunciated in the + "Defence of Public Liberty" added to my reputation, and had induced + Cromwell to desire to enter with me into the strictest friendship. The + letter was in the main wonderfully civil and complaisant. I answered it + with a great deal of respect, but in such a manner as became a true + Catholic and an honest Frenchman. Vere appeared to be a man of surprising + abilities. + </p> + <p> + I now return to our own affairs. I was told as a mighty secret that + Tellier had orders from the Cardinal to remove the Princes from the Bois + de Vincennes if the enemy were likely to come near the place, and that he + should endeavour by all means to procure the consent of the Duc d'Orleans + for that end; but that, in case of refusal, these orders should be + executed notwithstanding, and that he should endeavour to gain me to these + measures by the means of Madame de Chevreuse. When Tellier came to me I + assured him that it was all one, both to me and the Duc d'Orleans, whether + the Princes were removed or not, but since my opinion was desired, I must + declare that I think nothing can be more contrary to the true interest of + the King; "for," said I, "the Spaniards must gain a battle before they can + come to Vincennes, and when there they must have a flying camp to invest + the place before they can deliver the Princes from confinement, and + therefore I am convinced that there is no necessity for their removal, and + I do affirm that all unnecessary changes in matters which are in + themselves disagreeable are pernicious, because odious. I will maintain, + further, that there is less reason to fear the Duc d'Orleans and the + Frondeurs than to dread the Spaniards. Suppose that his Royal Highness is + more disaffected towards the Court than anybody; suppose further that M. + de Beaufort and I have a mind to relieve the Princes, in what way could we + do it? Is not the whole garrison in that castle in the King's service? Has + his Royal Highness any regular troops to besiege Vincennes? And, granting + the Frondeurs to be the greatest fools imaginable, will they expose the + people of Paris at a siege which two thousand of the King's troops might + raise in a quarter of an hour though it consist of a hundred thousand + citizens? I therefore conclude that the removal would be altogether + impolitic. Does it not look rather as if the Cardinal feigns apprehension + of the Spaniards only as a pretence to make himself master of the Princes, + and to dispose of their persons at pleasure? The generality of the people, + being Frondeurs, will conclude you take the Prince de Conde out of their + hands,—whom they look upon to be safe while they see him walking + upon the battlements of his prison,—and that you will give him his + liberty when you please, and thus enable him to besiege Paris a second + time. On the other hand, the Prince's party will improve this removal very + much to their own advantage by the compassion such a spectacle will raise + in the people when they see three Princes dragged in chains from one + prison to another. I was really mistaken just now when I said the case was + all one to me, for I see that I am nearly concerned, because the people—in + which word I include the Parliament will cry out against it; I must be + then obliged, for my own safety, to say I did not approve of the + resolution. Then the Court will be informed that I find fault with it, and + not only that, but that I do it in order to raise the mob and discredit + the Cardinal, which, though ever so false; yet in consequence the people + will firmly believe it, and thus I shall meet with the same treatment I + met with in the beginning of the late troubles, and what I even now + experience in relation to the affairs of Guienne. I am said to be the + cause of these troubles because I foretold them, and I was said to + encourage the revolt at Bordeaux because I was against the conduct that + occasioned it." + </p> + <p> + Tellier, in the Queen's name, thanked me for my unresisting disposition, + and made the same proposal to his Royal Highness; upon which I spoke, not + to second Tellier, who pleaded for the necessity of the removal, to which + I could by no means be reconciled, but to make it evident to his Royal + Highness that he was not in any way concerned in it in his own private + capacity, and that, in case the Queen did command it positively, it was + his duty to obey. M. de Beaufort opposed it so furiously as to offer the + Duc d'Orleans to attack the guards which were to remove him. I had solid + reasons to dissuade him from it, to the last of which he submitted, it + being an argument which I had from the Queen's own mouth when she set out + for Guienne, that Bar offered to assassinate the Princes if it should + happen that he was not in a condition to hinder their escape. I was + astonished when her Majesty trusted me with this secret, and imagined that + the Cardinal had possessed her with a fear that the Frondeurs had a design + to seize the person of the Prince de Conde. For my part, I never dreamed + of such a thing in my life. The Ducs d'Orleans and de Beaufort were both + shocked at the thought of it, and, in short, it was agreed that his Royal + Highness should give his consent for the removal, and that M. de Beaufort + and myself should not give it out among the people that we approved of it. + </p> + <p> + The day that the Princes were removed to Marcoussi, President Bellievre + told the Keeper of the Seals in plain terms, that if he continued to treat + me as he had done hitherto, he should be obliged in honour to give his + testimony to the truth. To which the Keeper of the Seals returned this + blunt answer: "The Princes are no longer in sight of Paris; the Coadjutor + must not therefore talk so loud." + </p> + <p> + I return now to the Parliament, which was so moderate at this time that + the Cardinal was hardly mentioned, and they agreed, 'nemine + contradicente', that the Parliament should send deputies to Bordeaux to + know once for all if that Parliament was for peace or not. + </p> + <p> + Soon after this the Parliament of Toulouse wrote to that of Paris + concerning the disturbances in Guienne, part whereof belonged to their + jurisdiction, and expressly demanded a decree of union. But the Duc + d'Orleans warded off the blow very dexterously, which was of great + consequence, and, more by his address than by his authority, brought the + Parliament to dismiss the deputies with civil answers and insignificant + expressions, upon which President Bellievre said to me, "What pleasure + should we not take in acting as we do if it were for persons that had but + the sense to appreciate it!" + </p> + <p> + The Parliament did not continue long in that calm. They passed a decree to + interrogate the State prisoners in the Bastille, broke out sometimes like + a whirlwind, with thunder and lightning, against Cardinal Mazarin; at + other times they complained of the misapplication of the public funds. We + had much ado to ward off the blows, and should not have been able to hold + out long against the fury of the waves but for the news of the Peace of + Bordeaux, which was registered there on October the 1st, 1650, and put the + Prince de Conde's party into consternation. + </p> + <p> + One mean artifice of Cardinal Mazarin's polity was always to entertain + some men of our own party, with whom, half reconciled, he played fast and + loose before our eyes, and was eternally negotiating with them, deceiving + and being deceived in his turn. The consequence of all this was a great, + thick cloud, wherein the Frondeurs themselves were at last involved; but + which they burst with a thunderclap. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal, being puffed up with his success in settling the troubles of + Guienne, thought of nothing else than crowning his triumph by chastising + the Frondeurs, who, he said, had made use of the King's absence to + alienate the Duc d'Orleans from his service, to encourage the revolt at + Bordeaux, and to make themselves masters of the persons of the Princes. At + the same time, he told the Princess Palatine that he detested the cruel + hatred I bore to the Prince de Conde, and that the propositions I made + daily to him on that score were altogether unworthy of a Christian. Yet he + suggested to the Duc d'Orleans that I made great overtures to him to be + reconciled to the Court, but that he could not trust me, because I was + from morning to night negotiating with the friends of the Prince de Conde. + Thus the Cardinal rewarded me for what I did with incredible application + and, I must say, uncommon sincerity for the Queen's service during the + Court's absence. I do not mention the dangers I was in twice or thrice a + day, surpassing even those of soldiers in battles. For imagine, I beseech + you, what pain and anguish I must have been in at hearing myself called a + Mazarinist, and at having to bear all the odium annexed to that hateful + appellation in a city where he made it his business to destroy me in the + opinion of a Prince whose nature it was to be always in fear and to trust + none but such as hoped to rise by my fall. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal gave himself such airs after the peace at Bordeaux that some + said my best way would be to retire before the King's return. + </p> + <p> + Cardinal Mazarin had been formerly secretary to Pancirole, the Pope's + nuncio for the peace of Italy, whom he betrayed, and it was proved that he + had a secret correspondence with the Governor of Milan. Pancirole, being + created cardinal and Secretary of State to the Church, did not forget the + perfidiousness of his secretary, now created cardinal by Pope Urban, at + the request of Cardinal de Richelieu, and did not at all endeavour to + qualify the anger which Pope Innocent had conceived against Mazarin after + the assassination of one of his nephews, in conjunction with Cardinal + Anthony. + </p> + <p> + [Anthony Barberini, nephew to Urban VIII., created Cardinal 1628, made + Protector of the Crown of France 1633, and Great Almoner of the Kingdom + 1653. He was afterwards Bishop of Poitiers, and, lastly, Archbishop of + Rheims in 1657. Died 1671.] + </p> + <p> + Pancirole, who thought he could not affront Mazarin more than by + contributing to make me cardinal, did me all the kind offices with Pope + Innocent, who gave him leave to treat with me in that affair. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Chevreuse told the Queen all that she had observed in my conduct + in the King's absence, and what she had seen was certainly one continued + series of considerable services done to the Queen. + </p> + <p> + She recounted at last all the injustice done me, the contempt put upon me, + and the just grounds of my diffidence, which, she said, of necessity ought + to be removed, and that the only means of removing it was the hat. The + Queen was in a passion at this. The Cardinal defended himself, not by an + open denial, for he had offered it me several times, but by recommending + patience, intimating that a great monarch should be forced to nothing. + Monsieur, seconding Madame de Chevreuse in her attack, assailed the + Cardinal, who, at least in appearance, gave way, out of respect for his + Royal Highness. Madame de Chevreuse, having brought them to parley, did + not doubt that she should also bring them to capitulate, especially when + she saw the Queen was appeased, and had told his Royal Highness that she + was infinitely obliged to him, and would do what her Council judged most + proper and reasonable. This Council, which was only a specious name, + consisted only of the Cardinal, the Keeper of the Seals, Tellier, and + Servien. + </p> + <p> + The matter was proposed to the Council by the Cardinal with much + importunity, concluding with a most submissive petition to the Queen to + condescend to the demand of the Duc d'Orleans, and to what the services + and merits of the Coadjutor demanded. The proposition was rejected with + such resolution and contempt as is very unusual in Council in opposition + to a Prime Minister. Tellier and Servien thought it sufficient not to + applaud him; but the Keeper of the Seals quite forgot his respect for the + Cardinal, accused him of prevarication and weakness, and threw himself at + her Majesty's feet, conjuring her in the name of the King her son, not to + authorise, by an example which he called fatal, the insolence of a subject + who was for wresting favours from his sovereign, sword in hand. The Queen + was moved at this, and the poor Cardinal owned he had been too easy and + pliant. + </p> + <p> + I had myself given a very natural handle to my adversaries to expose me so + egregiously. I have been guilty of many blunders, but I think this is the + grossest that I ever was guilty of in all my life. I have frequently made + this observation, that when men have, through fear of miscarriage, + hesitated a long time about any undertaking of consequence, the remaining + impressions of their fear commonly push them afterwards with too much + precipitancy upon the execution of their design. And this was my case. It + was with the greatest reluctance that I determined to accept the dignity + of a cardinal, because I thought it too mean to form a pretension to it + without certainty of success; and no sooner was I engaged in the pursuit + of it but the impression of the former fearful ideas hurried me on, as it + were, to the end, that I might get as soon as possible out of the + disagreeable state of uncertainty. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal would have paid my debts, given me the place of Grand + Almoner, etc.; but if he had added twelve cardinals' hats into the + bargain, I should have begged his excuse. I was now engaged with Monsieur, + who had, meanwhile, resolved upon the release of the Princes from their + confinement. + </p> + <p> + Cardinal Mazarin, after his return to Paris, made it his chief study to + divide the Fronde. He thought to materially weaken my interest with + Monsieur by detaching from me Madame de Chevreuse, for whom he had a + natural tenderness, and to give me a mortal blow by embroiling me with + Mademoiselle her daughter. To do this effectually he found a rival, who, + he hoped, would please her better, namely, M. d'Aumale, handsome as + Apollo, and one who was very likely to suit the temper of Mademoiselle de + Chevreuse. He had entirely devoted himself to the Cardinal's interest, + looked upon himself as very much honoured by this commission, and haunted + the Palace of Chevreuse so diligently that I did not doubt but that he was + sent thither to act the second part of the comedy which had miscarried so + shamefully in the hands of M. de Candale. I watched all his movements, and + complained to Mademoiselle de Chevreuse, but she gave me indirect answers. + I began to be out of humour, and was soon appeased. I grew peevish again; + and Mademoiselle de Chevreuse saying in his presence, to please me and to + sting him, that she could not imagine how it was possible to bear a silly + fellow, "Pardon me, mademoiselle," replied I, "we suffer fops sometimes + very patiently for the sake of their extravagances." This man was + notoriously foppish and extravagant. My answer pleased, and we soon got + rid of him at the Palace of Chevreuse. But he thought to have despatched + me, for he hired one Grandmaison, a ruffian, to assassinate me, who + apprised me of his design. The first time I met M. d'Aumale, which was at + the Duc d'Orleans's house, I did not fail to let him know it; but I told + it him in a whisper, saying that I had too much respect for the House of + Savoy to publish it to the world. He denied the fact, but in such a manner + as to make it more evident, because he conjured me to keep it secret. I + gave him my word, and I kept it. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Guemenee, with whom I had several quarrels, proposed to the + Queen likewise to despatch me, by shutting me up in a greenhouse in her + garden, which she might easily have done, because I often went to her + alone by night; but the Cardinal, fearing that the people would have + suspected him as the author of my sudden disappearance, would not enter + into the project, so it was dropped. + </p> + <p> + To return to our negotiations for the freedom of the Princes. The Duc + d'Orleans was with much difficulty induced to sign the treaty by which a + marriage was stipulated between Mademoiselle de Chevreuse and the Prince + de Conti, and to promise not to oppose my promotion to the dignity of a + cardinal. The Princes were as active in the whole course of these + negotiations as if they had been at liberty. We wrote to them, and they to + us, and a regular correspondence between Paris and Lyons was never better + established than ours. Bar, their warder, was a very shallow fellow; + besides, men of sense are sometimes outwitted. + </p> + <p> + [Bar was, according to M. Joly, an unsociable man, who was for raising his + fortune by using the Princes badly, and who, on this account, was often + the dupe of Montreuil, secretary to the Prince de Conti.—See JOLY'S + "Memoirs," vol. i., p. 88.] + </p> + <p> + Cardinal Mazarin, upon his return with the King from Guienne, was greatly + pleased with the acclamations of the mob, but he soon grew weary of them, + for the Frondeurs still kept the wall. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal being continually provoked at Paris by the Abbe Fouquet, who + sought to make himself necessary, and being so vain as to think himself + qualified to command an army, marched abruptly out of Paris for Champagne, + with a design to retake Rhetel and Chateau-Portien, of which the enemy + were possessed, and where M. de Turenne proposed to winter. + </p> + <p> + On the feast of Saint Martin, the First President and the Attorney-General + Talon exhorted the Parliament to be peaceable, that the enemies of the + State might have no advantage. A petition was read from Madame la + Princesse, desiring that the Princes should be brought to the Louvre and + remain in the custody, of one of the King's officers, and that the + Solicitor-General be sent for to say what he had to allege against their + innocence, and that in case he should have nothing solid to offer they be + set at liberty. + </p> + <p> + The Chambers, being assembled on the 7th of December, to take the affair + into consideration, Talon, the Attorney-General, informed the House that + the Queen had sent for the King's Council, and ordered them to let the + Parliament know that it was her pleasure that the House should not take + any cognisance of the Princess's petition, because everything that had + relation to the confinement of the Princes belonged to the royal + authority. Talon made a motion that the Parliament should depute some + members to carry the petition to the Queen, and to beseech her Majesty to + take it into her consideration. At the same time another petition was + presented from Mademoiselle de Longueville, for the liberty of the Duke + her father, and that she might have leave to stay in Paris to solicit it. + </p> + <p> + No sooner was this petition read than a letter from the three Princes was + presented and read, praying that they might be brought to trial or set at + liberty. + </p> + <p> + On the 9th day of the month an order was brought to the Parliament from + the King, commanding the House to suspend all deliberations on this + subject till they had first sent their deputies to Court to know his + Majesty's pleasure. + </p> + <p> + Deputies were sent immediately, to whom, accordingly, the Queen gave + audience in bed, telling them that she was very much indisposed. The + Keeper of the Seals added that it was the King's pleasure that the + Parliament should not meet at all until such time as the Queen his mother + had recovered her health. + </p> + <p> + On the 10th the House resolved to adjourn only to the 14th, and on that + day a general procession was proposed to the Archbishop by the Dean of + Parliament, to beg that God would inspire them with such counsels only as + might be for the good of the public. + </p> + <p> + On the 14th they received the King's letter, forbidding their debates, and + informing them that the Queen would satisfy them very speedily about the + affair of the Princes; but this letter was disregarded. They sent a + deputation to invite the Duc d'Orleans to come to the House, but, after + consulting with the Queen, he told the deputies that he did not care to + go, that the Assembly was too noisy, that he could not divine what they + would be at, that the affairs in debate were never known to fall under + their cognisance, and that they had nothing else to do but to refer the + said petitions to the Queen. + </p> + <p> + On the 18th news came that Marechal du Plessis had gained a signal victory + over M. de Turenne, who was coming to succour Rhetel, but found it already + surrendered to Marechal du Plessis; and the Spanish garrison, endeavouring + to retreat, was forced to an engagement on the plains of Saumepuis; that + about 2,000 men were killed upon the spot, among the rest a brother of the + Elector Palatine, and six colonels, and that there were nearly 4,000 + prisoners, the most considerable of whom were several persons of note, and + all the colonels, besides twenty colours and eighty-four standards. You + may easily guess at the consternation of the Princes' party; my house was + all night filled with the lamentations of despairing mourners, and I found + the Duc d'Orleans, as it were, struck dumb. + </p> + <p> + On the 19th, as I went to the Parliament House, the people looked + melancholy, dejected, and frightened out of their wits. The members were + afraid to open their mouths, and nobody would mention the name of Mazarin + except Menardeau Champre, who spoke of him with encomiums, by giving him + the honour of the victory of Rhetel, and then he moved the House to + entreat the Queen to put the Princes into the hands of that good and wise + Minister, who would be as careful of them as he had been hitherto of the + State. I wondered most of all that this man was not hissed in the House, + and especially as he passed through the Great Hall. This circumstance, + together with what I saw that afternoon in every street, convinced me how + much our friends were dispirited, and I therefore resolved next day to + raise their courage. I knew the First President to be purblind, and such + men greedily swallow every new fact which confirms them in their first + impression. I knew likewise the Cardinal to be a man that supposed + everybody had a back door. The only way of dealing with men of that stamp + is to make them believe that you design to deceive those whom you + earnestly endeavour to serve. + </p> + <p> + For this reason, on the 20th, I declaimed against the disorders of the + State, and showed that it having pleased Almighty God to bless his + Majesty's arms and to remove the public enemy from our frontiers by the + victory gained over them by Marechal du Plessis, we ought now to apply + ourselves seriously to the healing of internal wounds of the State, which + are the more dangerous because they are less obvious. To this I thought + fit to add that I was obliged to mention the general oppression of the + subjects at a time when we had nothing more to fear from the lately routed + Spaniards; that, as one of the props of the public safety was the + preservation of the royal family, I could not without the utmost concern + see the Princes breathe the unwholesome air of Havre-de-Grace, and that I + was of opinion that the House should humbly entreat the King to remove + them, at least to some place more healthy. At this speech everybody + regained their courage and concluded that all was not yet lost. It was + observed that the people's countenances were altered. Those in the Great + Hall resumed their former zeal, made the usual acclamations as we went + out, and I had that day three hundred carriages of visitors. + </p> + <p> + On the 22d the debate was continued, and it was more and more observed + that the Parliament did not follow the triumphant chariot of Cardinal + Mazarin, whose imprudence in hazarding the fate of the whole kingdom in + the last battle was set off with all the disadvantages that could be + invented to tarnish the victory. + </p> + <p> + The 30th crowned the work, and produced a decree for making most humble + remonstrances to the Queen for the liberty of the Princes and for + Mademoiselle de Longueville staying in Paris. + </p> + <p> + It was further resolved to send a deputation to the Duc d'Orleans, to + desire his Royal Highness to use his interest on this occasion in favour + of the said Princes. + </p> + <p> + The King's Council having waited on her Majesty with the remonstrances + aforesaid, she pretended to be under medical treatment, and put off the + matter a week longer. The Duc d'Orleans also gave an ambiguous answer. The + Queen's course of treatment continued eight or ten days longer than she + imagined, or, rather, than she said, and consequently the remonstrances of + the Parliament were not made till the 20th of January, 1651. + </p> + <p> + On the 28th the First President made his report, and said the Queen had + promised to return an answer in a few days. + </p> + <p> + It happened very luckily for us at this time that the imprudence of the + Cardinal was greater than the inconstancy of the Duc d'Orleans, for a + little before the Queen returned an answer to the remonstrances, he talked + very roughly to the Duke in the Queen's presence, charging him with + putting too much confidence in me. The very day that the Queen made the + aforesaid answer he spoke yet more arrogantly to the Duke in her Majesty's + apartment, comparing M. de Beaufort and myself to Cromwell and Fairfax in + the House of Commons in England, and exclaimed furiously in the King's + presence, so that he frightened the Duke, who was glad he got out of the + King's Palace with a whole skin, and who said that he would never put + himself again in the power of that furious woman, meaning the Queen, + because she had improved on what the Cardinal had said to the King. I + resolved to strike the iron while it was hot, and joined with M. de + Beaufort to persuade his Royal Highness to declare himself the next day in + Parliament. We showed him that, after what had lately passed, there was no + safety for his person, and if the King should go out of Paris, as the + Cardinal designed, we should be engaged in a civil war, whereof he alone, + with the city of Paris, must bear the heavy load; that it would be equally + scandalous and dangerous for his Royal Highness either to leave the + Princes in chains, after having treated with them, or, by his dilatory + proceedings, suffer Mazarin to have all the honour of setting them at + liberty, and that he ought by all means to go to the Parliament House. + </p> + <p> + The Duchess, too, seconded us, and upon his Highness saying that if he + went to the House to declare against the Court the Cardinal would be sure + to take his Majesty out of Paris, the Duchess replied, "What, monsieur, + are you not Lieutenant-General of France? Do not you command the army? Are + you not master of the people? I myself will undertake that the King shall + not go out of Paris." The Duke nevertheless remained inflexible, and all + we could get out of him was that he would consent to my telling the + Parliament, in his name, what we desired he should say himself. In a word, + he would have me make the experiment, the success of which he looked upon + to be very uncertain, because he thought the Parliament would have nothing + to say against the Queen's answer, and that if I succeeded he should reap + the honour of the proposition. I readily accepted the commission, because + all was at stake, and if I had not executed it the next morning I am sure + the Cardinal would have eluded setting the Princes at liberty a great + while longer, and the affair have ended in a negotiation with them against + the Duke. + </p> + <p> + The Duchess, who saw that I exposed myself for the public good, pitied me + very much. She did all she could to persuade the Duke to command me to + mention to the Parliament what the Cardinal had told the King with + relation to Cromwell, Fairfax and the English Parliament, which, if + declared in the Duke's name, she thought would excite the House the more + against Mazarin; and she was certainly in the right. But he forbade me + expressly. + </p> + <p> + I ran about all night to incite the members at their first meeting to + murmur at the Queen's answer, which in the main was very plausible, + importing that, though this affair did not fall within the cognisance of + Parliament, the Queen would, however, out of her abundant goodness, have + regard to their supplications and restore the Princes to liberty. Besides, + it promised a general amnesty to all who had borne arms in their favour, + on condition only that M. de Turenne should lay down his arms, that Madame + de Longueville should renounce her treaty with Spain, and that Stenai and + Murzon should be evacuated. + </p> + <p> + At first the Parliament seemed to be dazzled with it, but next day, the + 1st of February, the whole House was undeceived, and wondered how it had + been so deluded. The Court of Inquests began to murmur; Viole stood up and + said that the Queen's answer was but a snare laid for the Parliament to + beguile them; that the 12th of March, the time fixed for the King's + coronation, was just at hand; and that as soon as the Court was out of + Paris they, would laugh at the Parliament. At this discourse the old and + new Fronde stood up, and when I saw they, were greatly excited I waved my + cap and said that the Duke had commanded me to inform the House that the + regard he had for their sentiments having confirmed him in those he always + naturally, entertained of his cousins, he was resolved to concur with them + for procuring their liberty, and to contribute everything in his power to + effect it; and it is incredible what influence these few words had upon + the whole assembly. I was astonished at it myself. The wisest senators + seemed as mad as the common people, and the people madder than ever. Their + acclamations exceeded anything you can imagine, and, indeed, nothing less + was sufficient to give heart to the Duke, who had all night been bringing + forth new projects with more sorrowful pangs and throes (as the Duchess + expressed it) than ever she had felt when in labour with all her children. + </p> + <p> + When he was fully informed of the good success of his declaration, he + embraced me several times before all the company, and M. Tellier going to + wait upon him from the Queen, to know if he acknowledged what I had said + in his name in the House, "Yes," replied he, "I own, and always will own, + all that he shall say or act in my name." We thought that after a solemn + declaration of this nature the Duke would not scruple to take all the + necessary precautions to prevent the Cardinal carrying away the King, and + to that end the Duchess did propose to have all the gates of the city well + guarded, under pretence of some popular tumults. But he was deaf to all + she said, pretending that he was loth to make his King a prisoner. + </p> + <p> + On the 2d of February, 1651, the Duke, urged very importunately by the + Princes' party informing him that their liberty depended on it, told them + that he was going to perform an action which would remove all their + diffidence. He sent immediately for the Keeper of the Seals, Marechal + Villeroi; and Tellier, and bade them tell the Queen that he would never + come to the Palais Royal as long as Mazarin was there, and that he could + no longer treat with a man that ruined the State. And, then, turning + towards Marechal Villeroi, "I charge you," said he, "with the King's + person; you shall be answerable for him to me." I was sadly afraid this + would be a means to hasten the King's departure, which was what we dreaded + most of all, and I wondered that the Cardinal did not remove after such a + declaration. I thought his head was turned, and indeed I was told that he + was beside himself for a fortnight together. + </p> + <p> + The Duke having openly declared against Mazarin, and being resolved to + attack and drive him out of the kingdom, bade me inform the House next + day, in his name, how the Cardinal had compared their body to the Rump + Parliament in England, and some of their members to Cromwell and Fairfax. + I improved upon this as much as possible, and I daresay that so much heat + and ferment was never seen in any society before. Some were for sending + the Cardinal a personal summons to appear on the spot, to give an account + of his administration; but the most moderate were for making most humble + remonstrances to the Queen for his removal. You may easily guess what a + thunderclap this must have been to the Court. The Queen asked the Duke + whether she might bring the Cardinal to his Royal Highness. His answer was + that he did not think it good for the safety of his own person. She + offered to come alone to confer with his Highness at the Palais d'Orleans, + but he excused himself with a great deal of respect. + </p> + <p> + He sent orders an hour after to the Marshals of France to obey him only, + as Lieutenant-General of the State, and likewise to the 'prevots des + marchands' not to take up arms except by his authority. You will wonder, + without doubt, that after all this noise no care was taken of the gates of + Paris to prevent the King's departure. The Duchess, who trembled at the + thoughts of it, daily redoubled her endeavours to induce the Duke to + secure the gates of the city, but all to no purpose; for weak minds are + generally deficient in some respect or other. + </p> + <p> + On the 4th the Duke came to the Parliament and assured the assembly of his + concurrence in everything to reform the State and to procure the liberty + of the Princes and the Cardinal's removal. As soon as his Royal Highness + had done speaking, the Master of the Ceremonies was admitted with a letter + from the King, which was read, and which required the House to separate, + and to send as many deputies as they could to the Palais Royal to hear the + King's will and pleasure. Deputies were accordingly sent immediately, for + whose return the bulk of the members stayed in the Great Chamber. I was + informed that this was one trick among others concerted to ruin me, and, + telling the Duc d'Orleans of it, he said that if the old buffoon, the + Keeper of the Seals, was concerned in such a complication of folly and + knavery, he deserved to be hanged by the side of Mazarin. But the sequel + showed that I was not out in my information. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the deputies were come to the Palais Royal, the First President + told the Queen that the Parliament was extremely concerned that the + Princes were still confined, notwithstanding her royal promise for setting + them at liberty. The Queen replied that Marchal de Grammont was sent to + release them and to see to their necessary security for the public + tranquillity, but that she had sent for them in relation to another + affair, which the Keeper of the Seals would explain to them, and which he + couched in a sanguinary manifesto, in substance as follows: + </p> + <p> + "All the reports made by the Coadjutor in Parliament are false, and + invented by him. He lies!" (This is the only word the Queen added to what + was already written). "He is a very wicked, dangerous man, and gives the + Duke very pernicious advice; he wants to ruin the State because we have + refused to make him cardinal, and has publicly boasted that he will set + fire to the four corners of the kingdom, and that he will have 100,000 men + in readiness to dash out the brains of those that shall attempt to put it + out." These expressions were very harsh, and I am sure that I never said + anything like that; but it was of no use at this time to make the cloud + which was gathering over the head of Mazarin fall in a storm upon mine. + The Court saw that Parliament was assembled to pass a decree for setting + the Princes at liberty, and that the Duke in person was declaring against + Mazarin in the Grand Chamber, and therefore they believed that a diversion + would be as practicable as it was necessary, namely, to bring me upon my + trial in such a manner that the Parliament could not refuse nor secure me + from the railleries of the most inconsiderable member. Everything that + tended to render the attack plausible was made use of, as well as + everything that might weaken my defence. The writing was signed by the + four Secretaries of State, and, the better to defeat all that I could say + in my justification, the Comte de Brienne was sent at the heels of the + deputies with an order to desire the Duc d'Orleans to come to a conference + with the Queen in relation to some few difficulties that remained + concerning the liberty of the Princes. + </p> + <p> + When the deputies had returned to Parliament, the First President began + with reading the paper which had been delivered to him against me, upon + which you might have read astonishment in every face. Menardeau, who was + to open the trenches against me, was afraid of a salvo from the Great + Hall, where he found such a crowd of people, and heard so many + acclamations to the Fronde, and so many imprecations against Mazarin, that + he durst not open his mouth against me, but contented himself with a + pathetic lamentation of the division that was in the State, and especially + in the royal family. The councillors were so divided that some of them + were for appointing public prayers for two days; others proposed to desire + his Royal Highness to take care of the public safety. I resolved to treat + the writing drawn up against me by the Cardinal as a satire and a libel, + and, by some ingenious, short passage, to arouse the minds of my hearers. + As my memory did not furnish me with anything in ancient authors that had + any relation to my subject, I made a small discourse in the best Latin I + was capable of, and then spoke thus: + </p> + <p> + "Were it not for the profound respect I bear to the persons who have + spoken before me, I could not forbear complaining of their not crying out + against such a scurrilous, satirical paper, which was just now read, + contrary to all forms of proceeding, and written in the same style as + lately profaned the sacred name of the King, to encourage false witnesses + by letters-patent. I believe that those persons thought this paper, which + is but a sally of the furious Mazarin, to be much beneath themselves and + me. And that I may conform my opinion to theirs, I will answer only by + repeating a passage from an ancient author: 'In the worst of times I did + not forsake the city, in the most prosperous I had no particular views, + and in the most desperate times of all I feared nothing.' I desire to be + excused for running into this digression. I move that you would make + humble remonstrances to the King, to desire him to despatch an order + immediately for setting the Princes at liberty, to make a declaration in + their favour, and to remove Cardinal Mazarin from his person and + Councils." + </p> + <p> + My opinion was applauded both by the Frondeurs and the Prince's party, and + carried almost 'nemine contradicente'. + </p> + <p> + Talon, the Attorney-General, did wonders. I never heard or read anything + more eloquent or nervous. He invoked the names of Henri the Great, and + upon his knees recommended the kingdom of France in general to the + protection of Saint Louis. + </p> + <p> + Brienne, who had been sent by the Queen to desire an interview with the + Duc d'Orleans, was dismissed with no other answer than that the Duke would + come to pay his humble duty to the Queen as soon as the Princes were at + liberty, and Cardinal Mazarin removed from the King's person and Councils. + </p> + <p> + On the 5th of February there was an assembly of the nobility at Nemours + for recovering their privileges. I opposed it to the utmost of my power, + for I had experienced more than once that nothing can be more pernicious + to a party than to engage without any necessity in such affairs as have + the bare appearance of faction, but I was obliged to comply. This + assembly, however, was so terrifying to the Court that six companies of + the Guards were ordered to mount, with which the Duc d'Orleans was so + offended that he sent word to the officers, in his capacity of + Lieutenant-General of the State, to receive no orders but from himself. + They answered very respectfully, but as men devoted to the Queen's + interest. + </p> + <p> + On the 6th, the Duke having taken his place in the Parliament, the King's + Council acquainted the House that, having been sent to wait on her Majesty + with the remonstrances, her Majesty's answer was that no person living + wished more for the liberty of the Princes than herself, but that it was + reasonable at the same time to consult the safety of the State; that as + for Cardinal Mazarin, she was resolved to retain him in her Council as + long as she found his assistance necessary for the King's service; and + that it did not belong to the Parliament to concern themselves with any of + her ministers. + </p> + <p> + The First President was shrewdly attacked in the House for not being more + resolute in speaking to the Queen. Some were for sending him back to + demand another audience in the afternoon; and the Duc d'Orleans having + said that the Marshals of France were dependent on Mazarin, it was + resolved immediately that they should obey none but his Royal Highness. + </p> + <p> + I was informed that very evening that the Cardinal had made his escape out + of Paris in disguise, and that the Court was in a very great + consternation. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal's escape was the common topic of conversation, and different + reasons were assigned to it, according to the various interests of + different parties. As for my part, I am very well persuaded that fear was + the only reason of his flight, and that nothing else hindered him from + taking the King and the Queen along with him. You will see in the sequel + of this history that he endeavoured to get their Majesties out of Paris + soon after he had made his escape, and that it was concerted in all + probability before he left the Court; but I could never understand why he + did not put it into execution at a time when he had no reason to fear the + least opposition. + </p> + <p> + On the 17th the Parliament ordered the thanks of the House to be returned + to the Queen for removing the Cardinal, and that she should be humbly + asked to issue an order for setting the Princes at liberty, and a + declaration for excluding all foreigners forever from the King's Council. + The First President being deputed with the message, the Queen told him + that she could return him no answer till she had conferred with the Duc + d'Orleans, to whom she immediately deputed the Keeper of the Seals, + Marechal Villeroi, and Tellier; but he told them that he could not go to + the Palais Royal till the Princes were set at liberty and the Cardinal + removed further from the Court. For he observed to the House that the + Cardinal was no further off than at Saint Germain, where he governed all + the kingdom as before, that his nephew and his nieces were yet at Court; + and the Duke proposed that the Parliament should humbly beseech the Queen + to explain whether the Cardinal's removal was for good and all. If I had + not seen it, I could not have imagined what a heat the House was in that + day. Some were for an order that there should be no favourites in France + for the future. They became at length of the opinion of his Royal + Highness, namely, to address the Queen to ask her to explain herself with + relation to the removal of Cardinal Mazarin and to solicit orders for the + liberty, of the Princes. + </p> + <p> + On the same day the Queen sent again to desire the Duc d'Orleans to come + and take his place in the Council, and to tell him that, in case he did + not think it convenient, she would send the Keeper of the Seals to concert + necessary measures with him for setting the Princes at liberty. His Royal + Highness accepted the second, but rejected the first proposal, and treated + M. d'Elbeuf roughly, because he was very pressing with his Royal Highness + to go to the King's Palace. The messengers likewise acquainted the Duke + that they were ordered to assure him that the removal of the Cardinal was + forever. You will see presently that, in all probability, had his Royal + Highness gone that day to Court, the Queen would have left Paris and + carried the Duke along with her. + </p> + <p> + On the 19th the Parliament decreed that, in pursuance of the Queen's + declaration, the Cardinal should, within the space of fifteen days, depart + from his Majesty's dominions, with all his relations and foreign servants; + otherwise, they should be proceeded against as outlaws, and it should be + lawful for anybody to despatch them out of the way. + </p> + <p> + I suspected that the King would leave Paris that very day, and I was + almost asleep when I was sent for to go to the Duc d'Orleans, whom + Mademoiselle de Chevreuse went to awaken in the meantime; and, while I was + dressing, one of her pages brought me a note from her, containing only + these few words: + </p> + <p> + "Make haste to Luxembourg, and be upon your guard on the way." I found + Mademoiselle de Chevreuse in his chamber, who acquainted me that the King + was out of bed, and had his boots on ready for a journey from Paris. + </p> + <p> + I waited on the Duke, and said, "There is but one remedy, which is, to + secure the gates of Paris." Yet all that we could obtain of him was to + send the captain of the Swiss Guards to wait on the Queen and desire her + Majesty to weigh the consequences of an action of that nature. His + Duchess, perceiving that this expedient, if not supported effectually, + would ruin all, and that his Royal Highness was still as irresolute as + ever, called for pen and ink that lay upon the table in her cabinet, and + wrote these words on a large sheet of paper: + </p> + <p> + M. le Coadjuteur is ordered to take arms to hinder the adherents of + Cardinal Mazarin, condemned by the Parliament, from carrying the King out + of Paris. MARGUERITE DE LORRAINE. + </p> + <p> + Des Touches, who found the Queen bathed in tears, was charged by her + Majesty to assure the Duc d'Orleans that she never thought of carrying + away the King, and that it was one of my tricks. + </p> + <p> + The Duc d'Orleans saying at the House next day that orders for the + Princes' liberty would be despatched in two hours' time, the First + President said, with a deep sigh, "The Prince de Conde is at liberty, but + our King, our sovereign Lord and King, is a prisoner." The Duc d'Orleans, + being now not near so timorous as before, because he had received more + acclamations in the streets than ever, replied, "Truly the King has been + Mazarin's prisoner, but, God be praised, he is now in better hands." + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal, who hovered about Paris till he heard the city had taken up + arms, posted to Havre-de-Grace, where he fawned upon the Prince de Conde + with a meanness of spirit that is hardly to be imagined; for he wept, and + even fell down on his knees to the Prince, who treated him with the utmost + contempt, giving him no thanks for his release. + </p> + <p> + On the 16th of February the Princes, being set at liberty, arrived in + Paris, and, after waiting on the Queen, supped with M. de Beaufort and + myself at the Duc d'Orleans's house, where we drank the King's health and + "No Mazarin!" + </p> + <p> + On the 17th his Royal Highness carried them to the Parliament House, and + it is remarkable that the same people who but thirteen months before made + bonfires for their confinement did the same now for their release. + </p> + <p> + On the 20th the declaration demanded of the King against the Cardinal, + being brought to be registered in Parliament, was sent back with + indignation because the reason of his removal was coloured over with so + many encomiums that it was a perfect panegyric. Honest Broussel, who + always went greater lengths than anybody, was for excluding all cardinals + from the Ministry, as well as foreigners in general, because they swear + allegiance to the Pope. The First President, thinking to mortify me, + lauded Broussel for a man of admirable good sense, and espoused his + opinion; and the Prince de Conde, too, seemed to be overjoyed, saying, "It + is a charming echo." Indeed, I might well be troubled to think that the + very day after a treaty wherein the Duc d'Orleans declared that he was + resolved to make me a cardinal, the Prince should second a proposition so + derogatory to that dignity. But the truth is, the Prince had no hand in + it, for it came naturally, and was supported for no other reason but + because nothing that was brought as an argument against Mazarin could then + fail of being approved at the same time. I had some reason to think that + the motion was concerted beforehand by my enemies, to keep me out of the + Ministry. Nevertheless, I was not offended with the Parliament, the bulk + of whom I knew to be my friends, whose sole aim was to effectually + demolish Mazarin, and I acquiesced in the solid satisfaction which I had + in being considered in the world as the expeller of Mazarin, whom + everybody hated, and the deliverer of the Princes, who were as much their + darlings. + </p> + <p> + The continual chicanery of the Court provoked the Parliament of Paris to + write to all the Parliaments of France to issue decrees against Cardinal + Mazarin, which they did accordingly. The Parliament obliged the Court to + issue a declaration setting forth the innocence of the Princes, and + another for the exclusion of cardinals—French as well as foreigners—from + the King's Council, and the Parliament had no rest till the Cardinal + retired from Sedan to Breule, a house belonging to the Elector of Cologne. + </p> + <p> + I had advice sent me from the Duchesse d'Orleans to be upon my guard, and + that she was on the point of dying with fear lest the Duke should be + forced by the daily menaces of the Court to abandon me. I thereupon waited + on the Duke, and told him that, having had the honour and satisfaction of + serving his Royal Highness in the two affairs which he had most at heart,—namely, + the expelling of Mazarin and the releasing of the Princes his cousins,—I + found myself now obliged to reassume the functions of my profession; that + the present opportunity seemed both to favour and invite my retreat, and + if I neglected it I should be the most imprudent man living, because my + presence for the future would not only be useless but even prejudicial to + his Royal Highness, whom I knew to be daily importuned and irritated by + the Court party merely upon my account; and therefore I conjured him to + make himself easy, and give me leave to retire to my cloister. The Duke + spared no kind words to retain me in his service, promised never to + forsake me, confessed that he had been urged to it by the Queen, and that, + though his reunion with her Majesty and the Princes obliged him to put on + the mask of friendship, yet he could never forget the great affronts and + injuries which he had received from the Court. But all this could not + dissuade me, and the Duke at last gave his approbation, with repeated + assurances to allow me a place next his heart and to correspond with me in + secret. + </p> + <p> + Having taken my leave of the Princes, I retired accordingly to my cloister + of Notre-Dame, where I did not trust Providence so far as to omit the use + of human means for defending myself against the insults of my enemies. + </p> + <p> + Except the visits which I paid in the night-time to the Hotel de + Chevreuse, I conversed with none but canons and cures. I was the object of + raillery both at Court and at the Palace of Conde; and because I had set + up a bird-cage at a window, it became a common jest that "the Coadjutor + whistled to the linnets." The disposition of Paris, however, made amends + for the raillery of the Court. I found myself very secure, while other + people were very uneasy. The cures, parish priests, and even the + mendicants, informed themselves with diligence of the negotiations of the + Prince de Conde. I gave M. de Beaufort a thrust now and then, which he + knew not how to parry with all his cunning, and the Duc d'Orleans, who in + his heart was enraged against the Court, continued his correspondence with + me very faithfully. + </p> + <p> + Soon after, the Marechal du Plessis came to me at midnight and embraced + me, saying, "I greet you as our Prime Minister." When he saw that I + smiled, he added, "I do not jest; you may be so if you please. The Queen + has ordered me to tell you that she puts the King and Crown into your + hands." He showed me a letter written in the Cardinal's own hand to the + Queen, which concluded thus: + </p> + <p> + "You know, madame, that the greatest enemy I have in the world is the + Coadjutor. Make use of him rather than treat with the Prince upon those + conditions he demands. Make him a cardinal, give him my place, and lodge + him in my apartments. Perhaps he will be still more attached to the Duc + d'Orleans than to your Majesty; but the Duke is not for the ruin of the + State. His intentions in the main are not bad. In a word, madame, do + anything rather than grant the Prince his demand to have the government of + Provence added to that of Guienne." + </p> + <p> + I told the Marshal that I could not but be highly obliged to his Eminence, + and that I was under infinite obligations to the Queen; and to show my + gratitude, I humbly begged her Majesty to permit me to serve her without + any private interest of my own; said that I was very incapable for the + place of Prime Minister upon many accounts, and that it was not consistent + with her Majesty's dignity to raise a man to that high post who was still + reeking, as it were, with the fumes of faction. + </p> + <p> + "But," said the Marshal, "the place must be filled by somebody, and as + long as it is vacant the Prince will be always urging that Cardinal + Mazarin is to have it again." + </p> + <p> + "You have," said I, "persons much fitter for it than I." Then he showed me + a letter signed by the Queen, promising me all manner of security if I + would come to Court. I went thither at midnight, according to agreement, + and the Marshal, who introduced me to the Queen by the back stairs, having + withdrawn, her Majesty used all the arguments she could to persuade me to + accept the place of Prime Minister, which I was determined to refuse, + because I found that she had the Cardinal at heart more than ever; for, as + soon as she saw I would not accept the post of Prime Minister, she offered + me the cardinal's hat, but with this proviso, that I would use my utmost + endeavours towards the restoration of Cardinal Mazarin. Then I judged it + high time for me to speak my mind, which I did as follows: + </p> + <p> + "It is a great affliction to me, madame, that public affairs are reduced + to such a pass as not only warrants, but even commands a subject to speak + to his sovereign in the style in which I am now about to address your + Majesty. It is well known to you that one of my worst crimes in the + Cardinal's opinion is that I foretold all these things, and that I have + passed for the author of events of which I was only the prophet. Your + Majesty would fain extricate yourself with honour, and you are in the + right; but permit me to tell you, as my opinion, that it can never be + effected so long as your Majesty entertains any thoughts of reestablishing + Mazarin. I should fail in the respect I owe to your Majesty if I pretended + to thwart your Majesty's opinion with regard to the Cardinal in any other + way than with my most humble remonstrances; but I humbly conceive I do but + discharge my bounden duty while I respectfully represent to your Majesty + wherein I may be serviceable or useless to you at this critical juncture. + Your Majesty has the Prince to cope with, who, indeed, is for the + restoration of the Cardinal, but upon condition that you give him such + powers beforehand as will enable him to ruin him at pleasure. To resist + the Prince you want the Duc d'Orleans, who is absolutely against the + Cardinal's reestablishment, and who, provided he be excluded, will do what + your Majesty pleases to command him. You will neither satisfy the Prince + nor the Duke. I am extremely desirous to serve your Majesty against the + one and with the other, but I can do neither the one nor the other without + making use of proper means for obtaining those two different ends." + </p> + <p> + "Come over to me," said she, "and I shall not care a straw for all the + Duke can do." + </p> + <p> + I answered, "Should I do so, and should it appear never so little that I + was on terms of reconciliation with the Cardinal, I could serve your + Majesty with neither the Duke nor the people, for both would hate me + mortally, and I should be as useless to your Majesty as the Bishop of + Dole." + </p> + <p> + At this the Queen was very angry, and said, "Heaven bless my son the King, + for he is deserted by all the world! I do all I can for you, I offer you a + place in my Council, I offer you the cardinalship; pray what will you do + for me?" + </p> + <p> + I said that I did not come to receive favours, but to try to merit them. + </p> + <p> + At this the Queen's countenance began to brighten, and she said, very + softly, "What is it, then, that you will do?" + </p> + <p> + "Madame," said I, "I will oblige the Prince, before a week is at an end, + to leave Paris; and I will detach the Duke from his interest to-morrow." + </p> + <p> + The Queen, overjoyed, held out her hand and said, "Give me yours, and I + promise you that you shall be cardinal the next day, and the second man in + my friendship." She desired also that Mazarin and I might be good friends; + but I answered that the least touch upon that string would put me out of + tune and render me incapable of doing her any service; therefore I + conjured her to let me still enjoy the character of being his enemy. + </p> + <p> + "Was anything," said the Queen, "ever so strange and unaccountable? Can + you not possibly serve me without being the enemy of him in whom I most + confide?" + </p> + <p> + I told her it must needs be so. "Madame," I said, "I humbly beseech your + Majesty to let me tell you that, as long as the place of Prime Minister is + not filled up, the Prince will increase in power on pretence that it is + kept vacant to receive the Cardinal by a speedy restoration." + </p> + <p> + "You see," said her Majesty, "how the Prince treats me; he has insulted me + ever since I disowned my two traitors,—Servien and Lionne." I took + the opportunity while she was flushed with anger to make my court to her + by saying that before two days were at an end the Prince should affront + her no longer. But the tenderness she had for her beloved Cardinal made + her unwilling to consent that I should continue to exclaim against his + Eminence in Parliament, where one was obliged to handle him very roughly + almost every quarter of an hour. She bade me remember that it was the + Cardinal who had solicited my nomination. I answered that I was highly + obliged to his Eminence upon that score, and that I was ready to give him + proofs of my acknowledgment in anything wherein my honour was not + concerned, but that I should be a double-dealer if I promised to + contribute to his reestablishment. Then she said, "Go! you are a very + devil. See Madame Palatine, and let me hear from you the night before you + go to the Parliament." + </p> + <p> + I do not think I was in the wrong to refuse her offer. We must never jest + with proffered service; for if it be real, we can never embrace it too + much; but if false, we can never keep at too great a distance. I lamented + to the public the sad condition of our affairs, which had obliged me to + leave my dear retirement, where, after so much disturbance and confusion, + I hoped to enjoy comfortable rest; that we were falling into a worse + condition than we were in before, because the State suffered more by the + daily negotiations carried on with Mazarin than it had done by his + administrations; and that the Queen was still buoyed up with hopes of his + reestablishment. + </p> + <p> + The Prince de Conde having inflamed the Parliament, to make himself more + formidable to the Queen and Court, some new scenes were opened every day. + At one time they sent to the provinces to inform against the Cardinal; at + another time they made search after his effects at Paris. + </p> + <p> + I went one day with four hundred men in my company to the Parliament + House, where the Prince de Conde inveighed against the exportation of + money out of the kingdom by the Cardinal's banker. But afterwards I + absented myself for awhile from Parliament, which made me suspected of + being less an enemy to the Cardinal, and I was pelted with a dozen or + fifteen libels in the space of a fortnight, by a fellow whose nose had + been slit for writing a lampoon against a lady of quality. I composed a + short but general answer to all, entitled "An Apology for the Ancient and + True Fronde." There was a strong paper war between the old and new Fronde + for three or four months, but afterwards they united in the attack on + Mazarin. There were about sixty volumes of tracts written during the civil + war, but I am sure that there are not a hundred sheets worth reading. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><a name="p346j" id="p346j"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="p346j.jpg (72K)" src="images/p346j.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + I was sent for again to another private conference with the Queen, who, + dreading an arrangement with the Prince de Conde, was for his being + arrested, and advised me to consider how it might be done. It seems that + M. Hoquincourt had offered to kill him in the street, as the shortest way + to be rid of him, for she desired me to confer about it with Hoquincourt, + "who will," said she, "show you a much surer way." The Queen, + nevertheless, would not own she had ever such a thought, though she was + heard to say, "The Coadjutor is not a man of so much courage as I took him + for." + </p> + <p> + The next day I was informed that the Queen could endure the Prince no + longer, and that she had advices that he had formed a design to seize the + King; that he had despatched orders to Flanders to treat with the + Spaniards, and that either he or she must be ruined; that she was not for + shedding blood, and that what Hoquincourt proposed was far from it, + because he promised to secure the Prince without striking a blow if I + would answer for the people. + </p> + <p> + The Parliament continued to prosecute Mazarin, who was convicted of + embezzling some nine millions of the public money. The Prince assembled + the Chambers, and persuaded them to issue a new decree against all those + of the Court party who held correspondence with the said Cardinal. + </p> + <p> + The Prince de Conde, being uneasy at seeing Mazarin's creatures still at + Court, retired to Saint Maur on the 6th of July, 1651. On the 7th the + Prince de Conti acquainted the Parliament with the reasons for his + departure, and talked in general of the warnings he had received from + different hands of a design the Court had formed against his life, adding + that his brother could not be safe at Court as long as Tellier, Servien, + and Lionne were not removed. There was a very hot debate in the ensuing + session between the Prince de Conti and the First President. The latter + talked very warmly against his retreat to Saint Maur, and called it a + melancholy prelude to a civil war. He hinted also that the said Prince was + the author of the late disturbances, upon which the Prince de Conti + threatened that had he been in any other place he would have taught him to + observe the respect due to Princes of the blood. The First President said + that he did not fear his threats, and that he had reason to complain of + his Royal Highness for presuming to interrupt him in a place where he + represented the King's person. Both parties were now in hot blood, and the + Duke, who was very glad to see it, did not interpose till he could not + avoid it, and then he told them both that they should endeavour to keep + their temper. + </p> + <p> + On the 14th of July a decree was passed, upon a motion made by the Duc + d'Orleans, that the thanks of the Parliament should be presented to her + Majesty for her gracious promise that the Cardinal should never return; + that she should be most humbly entreated to send a declaration to + Parliament, and likewise to give the Prince de Conde all the necessary + securities for his return; and that those persons who kept up + correspondence with Mazarin should be immediately prosecuted. + </p> + <p> + On the 18th the First President carried the remonstrances of the + Parliament to the Queen, and though he took care to keep within the terms + of the decree, by not naming the under ministers, yet he pointed them out + in such a manner that the Queen complained bitterly, saying that the First + President was "an unaccountable man, and more vexatious than any of the + malcontents." + </p> + <p> + When I took the liberty to show her that the representative of an assembly + could not, without prevarication, but deliver the thoughts of the whole + body, though they might be different from his own, she replied, very + angrily, "These are mere republican maxims." + </p> + <p> + I will give you an account of the success of the remonstrances after I + have related an adventure to you which happened at the Parliament House + during these debates. + </p> + <p> + The importance of the subject drew thither a large number of ladies who + were curious to hear what passed. Madame and Mademoiselle de Chevreuse, + with many other ladies, were there the evening before the decree was + passed; but they were singled out from the rest by one Maillard, a + brawling fellow, hired by the Prince's party. As ladies are commonly + afraid of a crowd, they stayed till the Duc d'Orleans and the rest were + gone out, but when they came into the hall they were hooted by twenty or + thirty ragamuffins of the same quality as their leader, who was a cobbler. + I knew nothing of it till I came to the Palace of Chevreuse, where I found + Madame de Chevreuse in a rage and her daughter in tears. I endeavoured to + comfort them by the assurance that I would take care to get the scoundrels + punished in an exemplary manner that very day. But these were too + inconsiderable victims to atone for such an affront, and were therefore + rejected with indignation. The blood of Bourbon only could make amends for + the injury done to that of Lorraine. These were the very words of Madame + de Chevreuse. They resolved at last upon this expedition,—to go + again next morning to the House, but so well accompanied as to be in a + condition of making themselves respected, and of giving the Prince de + Conti to understand that it was to his interest to keep his party for the + future from committing the like insolence. Montresor, who happened to be + with us, did all he could to convince the ladies how dangerous it was to + make a private quarrel of a public one, especially at a time when a Prince + of the blood might possibly lose his life in the fray. When he found that + he could not prevail upon them, he used all means to persuade me to put + off my resentment, for which end he drew me aside to tell me what joy and + triumph it would be to my enemies to suffer myself to be captivated or led + away by the violence of the ladies' passion. I made him the following + answer: "I am certainly to blame, both with regard to my profession and on + account of my having my hands full, to be so far engaged with Mademoiselle + de Chevreuse; but, considering the obligation I am under to her, and that + it is too late to recede from it, I am in the right in demanding + satisfaction in this present juncture. I will not by any means assassinate + the Prince de Conti; but she may command me to do anything except + poisoning or assassinating, and therefore speak no more to me on this + head." + </p> + <p> + The ladies went again, therefore, next day, being accompanied by four + hundred gentlemen and above four thousand of the most substantial + burghers. The rabble that was hired to make a clamour in the Great Hall + sneaked out of sight, and the Prince de Conti, who had not been apprised + of this assembly, which was formed with great secrecy, was fain to pass by + Madame and Mademoiselle de Chevreuse with demonstrations of the + profoundest respect, and to suffer Maillard, who was caught on the stairs + of the chapel, to be soundly cudgelled. + </p> + <p> + I return to the issue of the remonstrances. The Queen told the deputies + that she would next morning send to the House a declaration against + Cardinal Mazarin. + </p> + <p> + On the 21st the Prince de Conde came to Parliament accompanied by M. de La + Rochefoucault and fifty or sixty gentlemen, and congratulated them upon + the removal of the ministers, but said that it could not be effectual + without inserting an article in the declaration which the Queen had + promised to send to the Parliament. The First President said that it would + be both unjust and inconsistent with the respect due to the Queen to + demand new conditions of her every day; that her Majesty's promise, of + which she had made the Parliament a depositary, was a sufficient security; + that it was to be wished that the Prince had shown a due confidence + therein by repairing to the Palais Royal rather than to a court of + justice; and that the post he was in obliged him to express his surprise + at such conduct. The Prince replied that the First President had no reason + to wonder at his great precautions, since he (the Prince) knew by recent + woeful experience what it was to live in a prison; and that it was + notorious that the Cardinal ruled now in the Cabinet more absolutely than + ever he did before. + </p> + <p> + The Duc d'Orleans, who was gone to Limours on pretence of taking the air, + though on purpose to be absent from Parliament, being informed that the + very women cried at the King's coach "No Mazarin!" and that the Prince de + Conde, as well attended as his Majesty, had met the King in the park, was + so frightened that he returned to Paris, and on the 2d of August went to + Parliament, where I appeared with all my friends and a great number of + wealthy citizens. The First President mightily extolled the Queen's + goodness in making the Parliament the depositary of her promise for the + security of the Prince, who, being there present, was asked by the First + President if he had waited on the King? The Prince said he had not, + because he knew there would be danger in it, having been well informed + that secret conferences had been held to arrest him, and that in a proper + time and place he would name the authors. The Prince added that messengers + were continually going and coming betwixt the Court and Mazarin at Breule, + and that Marechal d'Aumont had orders to cut to pieces the regiments of + Conde, Conti, and Enghien, which was the only reason that had hindered + them from joining the King's army. + </p> + <p> + The First President told him that he was sorry to see him there before he + had waited on the King, and that it seemed as if he were for setting up + altar against altar. This nettled the Prince to that degree that he said + that those who talked against him had only self-interests in view. The + First President denied that he had any such aim, and said that he was + accountable to the King only for his actions. Then he exaggerated the + danger of the State from the unhappy division of the royal family. + </p> + <p> + Finally it was resolved, 'nemine contradicente', that the + Solicitor-General should be commissioned to prosecute those who had + advised the arrest of the Prince de Conde; that the Queen's promise for + the safety of the Prince should be registered; that his Royal Highness + should be desired by the whole assembly to go and wait on the King; and + that the decrees passed against the servitors of Mazarin should be put + into execution. The Prince, who seemed very well satisfied, said that + nothing less than this could assure him of his safety. The Duc d'Orleans + carried him to the King and the Queen, from whom he met with but a cold + reception. + </p> + <p> + At the close of this session the declaration against the Cardinal was read + and sent back to the Chancellor, because it was not inserted that the + Cardinal had hindered the Peace of Munster, and advised the King to + undertake the journey and siege of Bordeaux, contrary to the opinion of + the Duc d'Orleans. + </p> + <p> + The Queen, provoked by the conduct of the Prince de Conde, who rode + through the streets of Paris better attended than the King, and also by + that of the Duke, whom she found continually given to change, resolved, in + a fit of despair, to hazard all at once. M. de Chateauneuf flattered her + inclination on that point, and she was confirmed in it by a fiery despatch + from Mazarin at Bruele. She told the Duc d'Orleans plainly that she could + no longer continue in her present condition, demanded his express + declaration for or against her, and charged me, in his presence, to keep + the promise I had made her, to declare openly against the Prince if he + continued to go on as he had begun. + </p> + <p> + Her Majesty was convinced that I acted sincerely for her service, and that + I made no scruple to keep my promise; and she condescended to make + apologies for the distrust she had entertained of my conduct, and for the + injustice she owned she had done me. + </p> + <p> + On the 19th, the Prince de Conde having taxed me with being the author of + a paper against him, which was read that day in the House, said he had a + paper, signed by the Duc d'Orleans, which contained his justification, and + that he should be much obliged to the Parliament if they would be pleased + to desire her Majesty to name his accusers, against whom he demanded + justice. As to the paper of which he charged me with being the author, he + said it was a composition worthy of a man who had advised the arming of + the Parisians and the wresting of the seals from him with whom the Queen + had entrusted them. + </p> + <p> + The Prince de Conti was observed to press his brother to resent what I + said in my defence, but he kept his temper; for though I was very well + accompanied, yet he was considerably superior to me in numbers, so that if + the sword had been drawn he must have had the advantage. But I resolved to + appear there the next day with a greater retinue. The Queen was + transported with joy to hear that there were men who had the resolution to + dispute the wall with the Prince. + </p> + <p> + ["The Queen," says M. de La Rochefoucault in his Memoirs, "was overjoyed + to see two men at variance whom in her heart she hated almost equally.... + Nevertheless, she seemed to protect the Coadjutor."] + </p> + <p> + She ordered thirty gendarmes and as many Light-horse to be posted where I + pleased; I had forty men sent me, picked out of the sergeants and bravest + soldiers of one of the regiments of Guards, and some of the officers of + the city companies, and assembled a great number of substantial burghers, + all of whom had pistols and daggers under their cloaks. I also sent many + of my men to the eating-houses thereabouts, so that the Great Hall was, as + it were, invested on every side with my friends. I posted thirty gentlemen + as a reserve in a convenient chamber, who, in case of an attack, were to + assault the party of the Prince in flank and rear. I had also laid up a + store of grenades. In a word, my measures were so nicely concerted, both + within and without the Parliament House, that Pont Notre-Dame and Pont + Saint Michel, who were passionately in my interest, only waited for the + signal; so that in all likelihood I could not fail of being conqueror. + </p> + <p> + On the morning of the 21st all the Prince de Conde's humble servants + repaired to his house, and my friends did the like to mine, particularly + the Marquises of Rouillac and Camillac, famous both for their courage and + extravagances. As soon as the latter saw Rouillac, he made me a low bow in + a withdrawing posture, saying, "Monsieur, I came to offer you my service, + but it is not reasonable that the two greatest fools in the kingdom should + be of the same side." The Prince came to the House with a numerous + attendance, and though I believe he had not so many as I, he had more + persons of quality, for I had only the Fronde nobility on my side, except + three or four who, though in the Queen's interest, were nevertheless my + particular friends; this disadvantage, however, was abundantly made up by + the great interest I had among the people and the advantageous posts I was + possessed of. After the Prince had taken his place, he said that he was + surprised to see the Parliament House look more like a camp than a temple + of justice; that there were posts taken, and men under command; and that + he hoped there were not men in the kingdom so insolent as to dispute the + precedence with him. Whereupon I humbly begged his pardon, and told him + that I believed there was not a man in France so insolent as to do it; but + that there were some who could not, nor indeed ought not, on account of + their dignity, yield the precedence to any man but the King. The Prince + replied that he would make me yield it to him. I told him he would find it + no easy matter. Upon this there was a great outcry, and the young + councillors of both parties interested themselves in the contest, which, + you see, began pretty warmly. The Presidents interposed between us, + conjuring him to have some regard to the temple of justice and the safety + of the city, and desiring that all the nobility and others in the hall + that were armed might be turned out. He approved of it, and bade M. de La + Rochefoucault go and tell his friends so from him. Upon which I said, "I + will order my friends to withdraw also." Young D'Avaux, now President de + Mesmes, then in the Prince's interest, said, "What! monsieur, are you + armed?"—"Without doubt," I said; though I had better have held my + tongue, because an inferior ought to be respectful in words to his + superior, though he may equal him in actions. Neither is it allowable in a + Churchman when armed to confess it. There are some things wherein men are + willing to be deceived. Actions very often vindicate men's reputations in + what they do against the dignity of their profession, but nothing can + justify words that are inconsistent with their character. + </p> + <p> + As I had desired my friends to withdraw, and was entering into the Court + of Judicature, I heard an uproar in the hall of people crying out "To + arms!" I had a mind to go back to see what was the matter; but I had not + time to do it, for I found myself caught by the neck between the folding + doors, which M. de La Rochefoucault had shut on me, crying out to MM. + Coligny and Ricousse to kill me. + </p> + <p> + [This action is very much disguised and softened in the Memoirs of + Rochefoucault. M. Joly, in his Memoirs, vol. i., p. 155, tells it almost + in... the same manner as the Cardinal de Retz.] + </p> + <p> + The first thought he was not in earnest, and the other told him he had no + such order from the Prince. M. Champlatreux, running into the hall and + seeing me in that condition, vigorously pushed back M. de La + Rochefoucault, telling him that a murder of that nature was horrible and + scandalous. He opened the door and let me in. But this was not the + greatest danger I was in, as you will see after I have told you the + beginning and end of it. + </p> + <p> + Two or three of the Prince de Conde's mob cried out, as soon as they saw + me, "A Mazarin!" Two of the Prince's soldiers drew their swords, those + next to them cried out, "To your arms!" and in a trice all were in a + fighting posture. My friends drew their swords, daggers, and pistols, and + yet, as it were by a miracle, they stopped their hands on a sudden from + action; for in that very instant of time, Crenan, one of my old friends, + who commanded a company of the Prince de Conti's gendarmes, said to + Laigues, "What are we doing? Must we let the Prince de Conde and the + Coadjutor be murdered? Whoever does not put up his sword is a rascal!" + This expression coming from a man of great courage and reputation, every + one did as he bade them. Nor is Argenteuil's courage and presence of mind + to be less admired. He being near me when I was caught by the neck between + the folding doors, and observing one Peche,—[Joly calls him "The + great clamourer of the Prince." See his Memoirs, p. 157.]—a brawling + fellow of the Prince's party, looking for me with a dagger in his hand, + screened me with his cloak, and thereby saved my life, which was in the + more danger because my friends, who supposed I was gone into the Great + Chamber, stayed behind to engage with the Prince de Conde's party. The + Prince told me since that it was well I kept on the defensive, and that + had the noise in the hall continued but a minute longer, he would himself + have taken me by the throat and made me pay for all; but I am fully + persuaded that the consequences would have been fatal to both parties, and + that he himself had had a narrow escape. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I reentered the Great Chamber I told the First President that I + owed my life to his son, who on that occasion did the most generous action + that a man of honour was capable of, because he was passionately attached + to the Prince de Conde, and was persuaded, though without a cause, that I + was concerned in above twenty editions against his father during the siege + of Paris. There are few actions more heroic than this, the memory of which + I shall carry to my grave. I also added that M. de La Rochefoucault had + done all he could to murder me.' + </p> + <p> + [The Duke answered, as he says himself in his Memoirs, that fear had + disturbed his judgment, etc. See in the Memoirs of M. de La Rochefoucault, + the relation of what passed after the confinement of the Princes.] + </p> + <p> + He answered me these very words: "Thou traitor, I don't care what becomes + of thee." I replied, "Very well, Friend Franchise" (we gave him that + nickname in our party); "you are a coward" (I told a lie, for he was + certainly a brave man), "and I am a priest; but dueling is not allowed + us." M. de Brissac threatened to cudgel him, and he to kick Brissac. The + President, fearing these words would end in blows, got between us. The + First President conjured the Prince pathetically, by the blood of Saint + Louis, not to defile with blood that temple which he had given for the + preservation of peace and the protection of justice; and exhorted me, by + my sacred character, not to contribute to the massacre of the people whom + God had committed to my charge. Both the Prince and I sent out two + gentlemen to order our friends and servants to retire by different ways. + The clock struck ten, the House rose, and thus ended that morning's work, + which was likely to have ruined Paris. + </p> + <p> + You may easily guess what a commotion Paris was in all that morning. + Tradesmen worked in their shops with their muskets by them, and the women + were at prayers in the churches. Sadness sat on the brows of all who were + not actually engaged in either party. The Prince, if we may believe the + Comte de Fiesque, told him that Paris narrowly escaped being burnt that + day. "What a fine bonfire this would have been for the Cardinal," said he; + "especially to see it lighted by the two greatest enemies he had!" + </p> + <p> + The Duc d'Orleans, quite tired out with the cries of the people, who ran + affrighted to his palace, and fearing that the commotion would not stop at + the Parliament House, made the Prince promise that he would not go next + day to the Parliament with above five in company, provided I would engage + to carry no more. I begged his Royal Highness to excuse me if I did not + comply, because I should be wanting in my respect to the Prince, with whom + I ought not to make any comparison, and because I should be still exposed + to a pack of seditious brawlers, who cried out against me, having no laws + nor owning any chief. I added that it was only against this sort of people + that I armed; that there was so little comparison between a private + gentleman and his Highness that five hundred men were less to the Prince + than a single lackey to me. The Duke, who owned I was in the right, went + to the Queen to represent to her the evil consequences that would + inevitably attend such measures. + </p> + <p> + The Queen, who neither feared nor foresaw dangers, made no account of his + remonstrances, for she was glad in the main of the dangers which seemed to + be so near at hand. When Bertet and Brachet, who crept up to the garrets + of the Palais Royal for fear of having their throats cut in the general + commotion, had made her sensible that if the Prince and myself should + perish in such a juncture it would occasion such a confusion that the very + name of Mazarin might become fatal to the royal family, she yielded rather + to her fears than to her convictions, and consented to send an order in + the King's name to forbid both the Prince and me to go to the House. The + First President, who was well assured that the Prince would not obey an + order of that nature, which could not be forced upon him with justice, + because his presence was necessary in the Parliament, went to the Queen + and made her sensible that it would be against all justice and equity to + forbid the Prince to be present in an assembly where he went only to clear + himself from a crime laid to his charge. He showed her the difference + between the first Prince of the blood, whose presence would be necessary + in that conjuncture, and a Coadjutor of Paris, who never had a seat in the + Parliament but by courtesy. + </p> + <p> + The Queen yielded at last to these reasons and to the entreaties of all + the Court ladies, who dreaded the noise and confusion which was likely to + occur next day in the Parliament House. + </p> + <p> + The Parliament met next day, and resolved that all the papers, both of the + Queen, the Duc d'Orleans, and the Prince de Conde, should be carried to + the King and Queen, that her Majesty should be humbly entreated to + terminate the affair, and that the Duc d'Orleans should be desired to make + overtures towards a reconciliation. + </p> + <p> + As the Prince was coming out of the Parliament House, attended by a + multitude of his friends, I met him in his coach as I was at the head of a + procession of thirty or forty cures of Paris, followed by a great number + of people. Upon my approach, three or four of the mob following the Prince + cried out, "A Mazarin!" but the Prince alighted and silenced them. + </p> + <p> + [M. de La Rochefoucault, in his Memoirs, says that the people abused the + Coadjutor with scurrilous language, and would have torn him in pieces if + the prince had not ordered his men to appease the tumult.] + </p> + <p> + He then fell on his knees to receive my blessing, which I gave him with my + hat on, and then pulled it off in obeisance. + </p> + <p> + The Queen was so well pleased with my prudent conduct that I can truly say + I was a favourite for some days. Madame de Carignan was telling her one + day that I was very homely, to which the Queen replied, "He has a very + fine set of teeth, and a man cannot be called homely who has this + ornament." Madame de Chevreuse remembered that she had often heard the + Queen say that the beauty of a man consisted chiefly in his teeth, because + it was the only beauty which was of any use. Therefore she advised me to + act my part well, and she should not despair of success. "When you are + with the Queen," said she, "be serious; look continually on her hands, + storm against the Cardinal, and I will take care of the rest" I asked two + or three audiences of the Queen upon very trifling occasions, followed + Madame de Chevreuse's plan very closely, and carried my resentment and + passion against the Cardinal even to extravagance. The Queen, who was + naturally a coquette, understood those airs, and acquainted Madame de + Chevreuse therewith, who pretended to be surprised, saying, "Indeed, I + have heard the Coadjutor talk of your Majesty whole days with delight; but + if the conversation happened to touch upon the Cardinal, he was no longer + the same man, and even raved against your Majesty, but immediately + relented towards you, though never towards the Cardinal." + </p> + <p> + Madame de Chevreuse, who was the Queen's confidante in her youth, gave me + such a history of her early days as I cannot omit giving you, though I + should have done it sooner. She told me that the Queen was neither in body + nor mind truly Spanish; that she had neither the temperament nor the + vivacity of her nation, but only the coquetry of it, which she retained in + perfection; that M. Bellegarde, a gallant old gentleman, after the fashion + of the Court of Henri III., pleased her till he was going to the army, + when he begged for one favour before his departure, which was only to put + her hand to the hilt of his sword, a compliment so insipid that her + Majesty was out of conceit with him ever after. She approved the gallant + manner of M. de Montmorency much more than she loved his person. The + aversion she had to the pedantic behaviour of Cardinal de Richelieu, who + in his amours was as ridiculous as he was in other things excellent, made + her irreconcilable to his addresses. She had observed from the beginning + of the Regency a great inclination in the Queen for Mazarin, but that she + had not been able to discover how far that inclination went, because she + (Madame de Chevreuse) had been banished from the Court very soon after; + and that upon her return to France, after the siege of Paris, the Queen + was so reserved at first with her that it was impossible for her to dive + into her secrets. That since she regained her Majesty's favour she had + sometimes observed the same airs in her with regard to Cardinal Mazarin as + she used to display formerly in favour of the Duke of Buckingham; but at + other times she thought that there was no more between them than a league + of friendship. The chief ground for her conjecture was the impolite and + almost rude way in which the Cardinal conversed with her Majesty. "But, + however," said Madame de Chevreuse, "when I reflect on the Queen's humour, + all this may admit of another interpretation. Buckingham used to tell me + that he had been in love with three Queens, and was obliged to curb all + the three; therefore I cannot tell what to think of the matter." + </p> + <p> + To resume the history of more public affairs. I did not so far please + myself with the figure I made against the Prince (though I thought it very + much for my honour), but I saw clearly that I stood on a dangerous + precipice. + </p> + <p> + "Whither are we going?" I said to M. Bellievre, who seemed to be overjoyed + that the Prince had not been able to devour me; "for whom do we labour? I + know that we are obliged to act as we do; I know, too, that we cannot do + better; but should we rejoice at the fatal necessity which pushes us on to + exert an action comparatively good and which will unavoidably end in a + superlative evil?" + </p> + <p> + "I understand you," said the President, "and will interrupt you for one + moment to tell you what I learned of Cromwell" (whom he had known in + England). "He told me one day that it is then we are mounting highest when + we ourselves do not know whither we are going." + </p> + <p> + "You know, monsieur," said I to Bellievre, "that I abhor Cromwell; and + whatever is commonly reported of his great parts, if he is of this + opinion, I must pronounce him a fool." + </p> + <p> + I mentioned this dialogue for no other purpose than to observe how + dangerous it is to talk disrespectfully of men in high positions; for it + was carried to Cromwell, who remembered it with a great deal of resentment + on an occasion which I shall mention hereafter, and said to M. de + Bourdeaux, Ambassador of France, then in England, "I know but one man in + the world who despises me, and that is Cardinal de Retz." This opinion of + him was likely to have cost me very dear. I return from this digression. + </p> + <p> + On the 31st, Melayer, valet de chambre to the Cardinal, arrived with a + despatch to the Queen, in which were these words: "Give the Prince de + Conde all the declarations of his innocence that he can desire, provided + you can but amuse him and hinder him from giving you the slip." + </p> + <p> + On the 4th the Prince de Conde insisted in Parliament on a formal decree + for declaring his innocence, which was granted, but deferred to be + published till the 7th of September (the day that the King came of age), + on pretence of rendering it more authentic and solemn by the King's + presence, but really to gain time, and see what influence the splendour of + royalty, which was to be clothed that day with all the advantages of pomp, + would have upon the minds of the people. + </p> + <p> + But the Prince de Conde, who had reason to distrust both the Fronde and + the Court, did not appear at the ceremony, and sent the Prince de Conti to + the King to desire to be excused, because the calumnies and treacheries of + his enemies would not suffer him to come to the Palace; adding that he + kept away out of pure respect to his Majesty. This last expression, which + seemed to intimate that otherwise he might have gone thither without + danger, provoked the Queen to that degree that she said, "The Prince or I + must perish." + </p> + <p> + The Prince de Conde retired to Bourges,—further from Court. He was + naturally averse to a civil war, nor would his adherents have been more + forward than himself if they had found their interests in his + reconciliation to the Court; but this seemed impracticable, and therefore + they agreed upon a civil war, because none of them believed themselves + powerful enough to conclude a peace. They know nothing of the nature of + faction who imagine the head of a party to be their master. His true + interest is most commonly thwarted by the imaginary interests even of his + subalterns, and the worst of it is that his own honour sometimes, and + generally prudence, joins with them against himself. The passions and + discontent which reigned then among the friends of the Prince de Conde ran + so high that they were obliged to abandon him and form a third party, + under the authority of the Prince de Conti, in case the Prince + accomplished his reconciliation to the Court, according to a proposition + then made to him in the name of the Duc d'Orleans. The subdivision of + parties is generally the ruin of all, especially when it is introduced by + cunning views, directly contrary to prudence; and this is what the + Italians call, in comedy, a "plot within a plot," or a "wheel within a + wheel." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /> <a name="book4" id="book4"></a> + </p> + <h1> + BOOK IV. + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + In December, 1651, the Parliament agreed to the following resolution: To + send a deputation to the King to inform him of the rumours of Mazarin's + return, and to beseech him to confirm the royal promise which he had made + to his people upon that head; to forbid all governors to give the Cardinal + passage; to desire the King to acquaint the Pope and other Princes with + the reasons that had obliged him to remove the Cardinal; and to send to + all the Parliaments of the kingdom to make the like decree. + </p> + <p> + Somebody making a motion that a price might be set upon the Cardinal's + head, I and the rest of the spiritual councillors retired, because + clergymen are forbidden by the canon law to give their vote in cases of + life and death. + </p> + <p> + They agreed also to send deputies to the King to entreat him to write to + the Elector of Cologne to send the Cardinal out of his country, and to + forbid the magistrates of all cities to entertain any troops sent to + favour his return or any of his kindred or domestics. A certain councillor + who said, very judiciously, that the soldiers assembling for Mazarin upon + the frontiers would laugh at all the decrees of Parliament unless they + were proclaimed to them by good musketeers and pikemen, was run down as if + he had talked nonsense, and all the clamour was that it belonged only to + the King to disband soldiers. + </p> + <p> + The Duc d'Orleans acquainted the House, on the 29th, that Cardinal Mazarin + had arrived at Sedan; that Marechals de Hoquincourt and de la Ferte were + gone to join him with their army to bring him to Court; and that it was + high time to oppose his designs. Upon this it was immediately resolved + that deputies should be despatched forthwith to the King; that the + Cardinal and all his adherents should be declared guilty of high treason; + that the common people should be commanded to treat them as such wherever + they met them; that his library and all his household goods should be + sold, and that 150,000 livres premium should be given to any man who + should deliver up the said Cardinal, either dead or alive. Upon this + expression all the ecclesiastics retired, for the reason above mentioned. + </p> + <p> + A new decree was passed on the 2d of January, 1652, wherein it was decided + that all the Parliaments of France should be invited to issue their + decrees against Mazarin, conformable to the last; that two more + councillors should be added to the four sent to guard the rivers and to + arm the common people; and that the troops of the Duc d'Orleans should + oppose the march of Mazarin. + </p> + <p> + On the 24th the deputies who had been to Poitiers to remonstrate with the + King against the return of the Cardinal, made their report in Parliament, + to the effect that his Majesty, after having consulted with the Queen and + her Council, returned for answer, that without doubt, when the Parliament + issued their late decrees, they did not know that Cardinal Mazarin had + made no levy of soldiers but by his Majesty's express orders; that it was + he who commanded him to enter France with his troops, and that therefore + the King did not resent what the company had done; but that, on the other + hand, he did not doubt that when they had heard the circumstances he had + just mentioned, and knew, moreover, that Cardinal Mazarin only desired an + opportunity to justify himself, they would not fail to give all his + subjects an exemplary proof of the obedience they owed to him. The + Parliament was highly provoked, and next day resolved to admit no more + dukes, peers, nor marshals of France till the Cardinal had left the + kingdom. + </p> + <p> + Mazarin, arriving at Court again, persuaded the King to go to Saumur, + though others advised him to march to Guienne against the Prince de Conde, + with whom the Duc d'Orleans was now resolved to join forces. The King went + from Saumur to Tours, where the Archbishop of Rouen carried complaints to + the King, in the name of the bishops there, against the decrees of + Parliament relating to the Cardinal. + </p> + <p> + The Duc d'Orleans complained in Parliament against the inconsistency of + their proceedings, and said the King had sent him carte blanche in order + to oblige him to consent to the restoration of the Cardinal, but that + nothing would ever cause him to do it, nor to act apart from the + Parliament. Yet their unaccountable proceedings perplexed him beyond + expression, so that he commanded, or rather permitted, M. de Beaufort to + put his troops in action. And because I told him that, considering the + declarations he had so often repeated against Mazarin, I thought his + conduct in setting his troops in motion against him did not add so much to + the measure of the disgust he had already given to the Court that he need + to apprehend much from it, he gave me for answer these memorable words + which I have reflected upon a thousand times: "If you," said he, "had been + born a Son of France, an Infante of Spain, a King of Hungary, or a Prince + of Pales, you would not talk as you do. You must know that, with us + Princes, words go for nothing, but that we never forget actions. By + to-morrow noon the Queen would not remember my declarations against the + Cardinal if I would admit him tomorrow morning; but if my troops were to + fire a musket she would not forgive me though we were to live two thousand + years hence." + </p> + <p> + In February, 1652, I was made a cardinal, and was to receive the hat, as + all French cardinals do, from the King. My enemies, who thought to ruin my + credit with the Duc d'Orleans, gave out that I had been obliged to the + Court for my dignity, attacked me in form as a secret favourer of Mazarin, + and, while their emissaries gained over such of the dregs of the people as + they could corrupt by money, they were supported by all the intrigues of + the Cabinet. But the Duke, who knew better, only laughed at them; so that + they confirmed me in his good opinion, instead of supplanting me, because + in cases of slander every reflection that does not hurt the person + attacked does him service. I said to the Duke that I wondered he was not + wearied out with the silly stories that were told him every day against + me, since they all harped upon one string; but he said, "Do you take no + account of the pleasure one takes every morning in hearing how wicked men + are under the cloak of religious zeal, and every night how silly they are + under the mask of politicians?" + </p> + <p> + The servants of the Prince de Conde gave out such stories against me among + the populace as were likely to have done me much more mischief. They had a + pack of brawling fellows in their pay who were more troublesome to me now + than formerly, when they did not dare to appear before the numerous + retinue of gentlemen and liverymen that accompanied me, for as I had not + yet had the hat, I was obliged, wherever I went, to go incognito, + according to the rules of the ceremonial. Those fellows said that I had + betrayed the Duc d'Orleans, and that they would be the death of me. I told + the Duke, who was afraid they would murder me, that he should soon see how + little those hired mobs ought to be regarded. He offered me his guards, + but though Marechal d'Estampes fell on his knees in my way to stop me, I + went down-stairs with only two persons in company, and made directly + towards the ruffians, demanding who was their leader. Upon which a + beggarly fellow, with an old yellow feather in his hat, answered me, + insolently, "I am." Then I called out to the guards at the gate, saying, + "Let me have this rascal hanged up at these grates." Thereupon he made me + a very low bow, and said that he did not mean to affront me; that he only + came with his comrades to tell me of the report that I designed to carry + the Duc d'Orleans to Court, and reconcile him with Mazarin; that they did + not believe it; that they were at my service, and ready to venture their + lives for me, provided I would but promise them to be always an honest + Frondeur. + </p> + <p> + The Duc d'Orleans took such delight in conversing with me that, on De + Goulas, one of his secretaries, telling him that all the foreign officers + took mighty umbrage at it, he pulled him up very sharply, and said, "Go to + the devil, you and your foreign officers. If they were as good Frondeurs + as Cardinal de Retz, they would be at their posts, and not tippling in the + taverns of Paris." There was such a strong faction in the city of Orleans + for the Court that his presence there was very necessary; but as it was + much more so at Paris, the Duke was prevailed upon by his Duchess to let + her go thither. M. Patru was pleased to say that as the gates of Jericho + fell at the sound of trumpets, those of Orleans would open at the sound of + fiddles, of which M. de Rohan was a very great admirer. But, in fact, + though the King was just at hand with the troops, and though M. Mold, + Keeper of the Seals, was at the gate demanding entrance for the King, the + Duchess crossed the river in a barge, made the watermen break down a + little postern, which had been walled up for a long time, and marched, + with the acclamations of multitudes of the people, directly to the Hotel + de Ville, where the magistrates were assembled to consider if they should + admit the Keeper of the Seals. By this means she turned the scale, and MM. + de Beaufort and de Nemours joined her. + </p> + <p> + The Prince de Conde arriving at Paris from Guienne on the 11th of April, + the magistrates had a meeting in the Hotel de Ville, in which they + resolved that the Governor should wait on his Royal Highness, and tell him + that the company thought it contrary to order to receive him into the city + before he had cleared himself from the King's declaration, which had been + verified in Parliament against him. + </p> + <p> + The Duc d'Orleans, who was overjoyed at this speech, said that the Prince + had only come to discourse with him about private affairs, and that he + would stay but twenty-four hours at Paris. M. de Chavigni informed the + Duke that the Prince was able to stand his ground as long as he pleased, + without being obliged to anybody; and he gathered together a mob of + scoundrels upon the Pont-Neuf, whose fingers itched to be plundering the + house of M. du Plessis Guenegaut, and by whom the Duke was frightened to a + great degree. + </p> + <p> + The reflections I had leisure to make upon my new dignity obliged me to + take great care of my hat, whose dazzling flame of colour turns the heads + of many that are honoured with it. The most palpable of those delusions is + the claiming precedence of Princes of the blood, who may become our + masters the next moment, and who at the same time are generally the + masters of all our kindred. I have a veneration for the cardinals of my + family, who made me suck in humility after their example with my mother's + milk, and I found a very happy opportunity to practise it on the very day + that I received the news of my promotion. Chateaubriant said to me, before + a vast number of people at my levee, "Now we will pay our respects no more + to the best of them," which he said because, though I was upon ill terms + with the Prince de Conde, and though I always went well attended, I yet + saluted him wherever I met him with all the respect due to him on the + score of so many titles. I said to him: + </p> + <p> + "Pray pardon me, monsieur; we shall pay our respects to the great men with + greater complaisance than ever. God forbid that the red hat should turn my + head to that degree as to make me dispute precedence with the Princes of + the blood. It is honour enough for a gentleman to walk side by side with + them." This expression, I verily believe, afterwards secured the rank of + precedence to the hat in the kingdom of France, by the courtesy of the + Prince de Conde, and his friendship for me. + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle de Chevreuse, the most fantastical lady upon earth, + suspecting that I held a secret correspondence with the Queen, could not + forbear murmuring and threatening what she would do. She said I had + declared to her a thousand times that I could not imagine how it was + possible for anybody to be in love with that Swiss woman. In short, she + said this so often that the Queen had a notion from somebody or other that + I had called her by that name. She never forgave me for it, as you will + perceive in the sequel. You may easily conceive that this circumstance, + which gave me no encouragement to hope for a very gracious reception at + Court for the time to come, did not weaken those resolutions which I had + already taken to retire from public business. The place of my retreat was + agreeable enough: the shadow of the towers of Notre-Dame was a refreshment + to it; and, moreover, the Cardinal's hat sheltered it from bad weather. I + had fine ideas of the sweetness of such a retirement, and I would gladly + have laid hold of it, but my stars would not have it so. I return to my + narrative. + </p> + <p> + On the 12th of April the Duc d'Orleans took the Prince de Conde with him + to the Parliament, assuring them that he had not, nor ever would have, any + other intention than to serve his King and country; that he would always + follow the sentiments of the Parliament; and that he was willing to lay + down his arms as soon as the decrees against Cardinal Mazarin were put + into execution. + </p> + <p> + The President Bailleul said that the members always thought it an honour + to see the Prince de Conde in his place, but that they could not dissemble + their real concern to see his hands stained with the blood of the King's + soldiers who were killed at Bleneau. Upon this a storm arose from the + benches, which fell with such fury upon the poor President that he had + scarcely room to put in a word for himself, for fifty or sixty voices + disowned him at one volley. + </p> + <p> + On the 13th the Parliament agreed that the declaration made by the Duc + d'Orleans and the Prince should be carried to the King; that the + remonstrances they had sent to the King should likewise be sent to all the + sovereign companies of Paris, and to all the Parliaments of the kingdom, + to invite them also to send a deputation on their own behalf; and that a + general assembly should be immediately held at the Hotel de Ville, to + which the Duc d'Orleans and the Prince should be invited to make the same + declarations as they made to the Parliament; and that, in the meantime, + the King's declaration against Cardinal Mazarin, and all the decrees + passed against him, should be put into execution. + </p> + <p> + On the 13th of May a councillor of Parliament and captain of his ward, + having brought his company to the Palace to act as ordinary guard, was + abandoned by all the burghers that composed it, who said they were not + created to guard Mazarins. + </p> + <p> + The mob, who at the same time appeared ready enough to murder some of the + magistrates in the streets, had nothing in their mouths but the names and + services of the Princes, who next day disowned their humble servants in + the assemblies of the several courts. Though this conduct gave occasion to + severe decrees, which the Parliament issued at every turn against the + seditious, it did not hinder the same Parliament from believing that those + who disowned the sedition were the authors of it, and consequently did not + lessen the hatred which many private men conceived against them. Such were + the various and complicated views every one had concerning the then + position of affairs, that I wrapped myself up, as one may say, in my great + dignities, to which I abandoned the hopes of my fortune; and I remember + one day the President Bellievre telling me that I ought not to be so + indolent. I answered him: "We are in a great storm, where, methinks, we + all row against the wind. I have two good oars in my hand, one of which is + the Cardinal's dignity, and the other the Archiepiscopal. I am not willing + to break them; and all I have to do now is to support myself." + </p> + <p> + At the same time I had other disquietings of a more private nature. + Mademoiselle de Chevreuse fell in love with my rival, the Abbe Fouquet. + Little De Roye, who was a very, pretty German lass at her house, informed + me of it, and made me amends for the infidelity of the mistress, whose + choice, to tell you the truth, did not mortify me much, because she had + nothing but beauty, which cloys when it comes alone. She cared for nobody + besides him she loved; but as she was never long in love, so neither was + it long that she was in good temper. She used her cast-off lovers as she + did her old clothes, which other women lay aside, but she burnt, so that + her daughters had much ado to save a petticoat, head-dress, gloves, or + Venice point. And I verily believe that if she could have committed her + lovers to the flames when she left them off, she would have done it with + all her heart. Madame her mother, who endeavoured to set her at variance + with me when she was resolved to unite herself entirely with the Court, + could not succeed, though she went so far that Madame de Guemenee caused a + letter to be read to her in my handwriting, whereby I devoted myself body + and soul to her, as witches give themselves to the devil. + </p> + <p> + It was at that time that Madame de Chevreuse, seeing herself neglected at + Paris, resolved to retire to Dampierre, where, depending upon what had + been told her from Court, she hoped to be well received. I gave vent to my + passion, which, in truth, was not very great, to Mademoiselle de + Chevreuse, and I took care to have both the mother and daughter + accompanied out of Paris, quite to Dampierre, by all the nobility and + gentlemen I had with me. + </p> + <p> + I cannot finish this slight sketch of the condition I was in at Paris + without acknowledging the debt I owe to the generosity of the Prince de + Conde, who, finding that a person was come from the Prince de Conti, at + Bordeaux, with a design to attack me, told him that he would have him + hanged if he did not go back to his master in two hours' time. + </p> + <p> + Marigny told me, almost at the same time, that, observing the Prince de + Conde to be very intent upon reading a book, he took the liberty to tell + him that it must needs be a very choice one, because he took such delight + in it; and that the Prince answered him, "It is true I am very fond of it, + for it shows me my faults, which nobody has the courage to tell me." This + book was entitled "The Right and False Steps of the Prince de Conde and of + the Cardinal de Retz." + </p> + <p> + There were divers negotiations between the parties, during which Mazarin + gave himself the pleasure of letting the public see MM. de Rohan, de + Chavigni, and de Goulas conferring with him, before the King as well as in + private, at that very instant when the Duc d'Orleans and the Prince de + Conde said publicly, in the assembly of the Chambers, that it ought to be + the preliminary of all treaties to have nothing to do with Mazarin. He + acted a perfect comedy in their presence, pretending to be forcibly + detained by the King, whom he begged with folded hands to let him return + to Italy. + </p> + <p> + On the 30th of April there was so great a murmuring in Parliament that the + Duc d'Orleans said they should never see him there again until the + Cardinal was gone. + </p> + <p> + On the 6th of May the remonstrances of the Parliament and the Chamber of + Accounts were carried to the King by a large deputation, as were, on the + 7th, those of the Court of Aids and the city. The King's answer to both + was that he would cause his troops to retire when those of the Princes + were gone. + </p> + <p> + On the 10th it was resolved that the King's Council should be sent to + Saint Germain for a further answer touching the removal of Cardinal + Mazarin from the Court and kingdom, and the armies from the neighbourhood + of Paris. + </p> + <p> + On the 14th there was a great uproar again in the Parliament, where there + was a confused clamour for taking into consideration the best means for + hindering the riots and disorders daily committed in the city and in the + hall of the Palace; upon which the Duc d'Orleans, who was afraid that + under this pretence the Mazarinists should make the House take some steps + contrary to their interests, came to the Palace on a sudden, and proposed + that they should grant him full power. + </p> + <p> + The 29th being the day that the deputies of the Court of Inquiry desired + the Parliament to consider the ways and means for raising the 150,000 + livres promised to him who should bring Cardinal Mazarin to justice, and + the Archbishop's Grand Vicar coming up at that moment to the bar of the + King's Council to confer about the descent of the shrine of Sainte + Genevieve, a member said, very pleasantly, "We are this day engaged in + devotion for a double festival: we are appointing processions, and + contriving how to murder a Cardinal." + </p> + <p> + On the 20th of June the King's answer to the Parliament's remonstrances + was reported in substance as follows: That though his Majesty was sensible + that the demand for the removal of Cardinal Mazarin was but a pretence, + yet, he was willing to grant it after justice was done to the Cardinal's + honour by such reparations as were due to his innocence, provided the + Princes would give him good security for the performance of their + proposals upon the removal of the said Cardinal. That therefore his + Majesty, desired to know: 1. Whether, in this case, they will renounce all + leagues and associations with foreign princes? 2. Whether they will not + form new pretensions? 3. Whether they will come to Court? 4. Whether they + will dismiss all the foreigners that are in the kingdom? 5. Whether they + will disband their forces? 6. Whether Bordeaux will return to its duty, as + well as the Prince de Conti and Madame de Longueville? 7. Whether the + places which the Prince de Conde has fortified shall be put into the + condition they were in before the breach? + </p> + <p> + The Duc d'Orleans, provoked at these propositions, said that a Son of + France and a Prince of the blood were never known to have been treated + like common criminals, and that the declaration which both had made was + more than sufficient to satisfy the Court. + </p> + <p> + On the 21st it was moved in Parliament that an inventory should be taken + of what remained of Mazarin's furniture. There having been in the morning + a great commotion at the Palace, when the President and some others had + run a risk of being killed by the mob, M. de Beaufort invited his friends + to meet him in the afternoon in the Palais Royal, and having got together + four or five thousand beggars, he harangued them as to the obedience which + they owed to the Parliament. But two or three days after this fine sermon + of his, the sedition was more violent than ever. + </p> + <p> + On the 25th the Princes declared in Parliament that, as soon as the + Cardinal had departed the kingdom, they would faithfully execute all the + articles contained in the King's answer, and immediately send deputies to + complete the rest. + </p> + <p> + On the 4th of July a mob assembled, who forced all that went by to put a + handful of straw in their hats, upon which the Duc d'Orleans and the + Prince de Conde went to the Hotel de Ville and convinced the assembly of + the necessity they were under of defending themselves against Mazarin. + Upon a trumpeter arriving from his Majesty with orders to adjourn the + assembly for a week, the people were much incensed, and called out to the + citizens to unite strictly with the Princes. They fell upon the first + thing they met in their way, threw stones into the windows of the Hotel de + Ville, set fire to its gates, and, entering with drawn swords, murdered M. + Le Gras, the Master of Requests, and the Master of Accounts, and twenty or + thirty citizens perished in the tumult. There was a general consternation + all over the city; all the shops were shut in an instant, and in some + parts they set up barricades to stop the rioters, who had almost overrun + the whole town. It was observed that the appearance of the Duchesse de + Beaufort prevailed more with the mob in causing them to disperse than the + exposing of the Host by the cure of St. John's. + </p> + <p> + The late riot had such an effect on the Parliament that the President + Mortier and many of the councillors kept away from the public assemblies + for fear, notwithstanding they were enjoined, by a special decree, to come + and take their places. The magistrates, for the same reason, did not go to + the Hotel de Ville. + </p> + <p> + On the 18th the deputies of Parliament being ordered to follow the King to + Pontoise, the House passed a decree for their immediate return to + Parliament, and the Prince de Conde and the Duke de Beaufort brought them + into town with twelve hundred horse. + </p> + <p> + The Court in the meantime passed decrees of Council, annulling those of + the Parliament and the transactions of the assembly at the Hotel de Ville. + </p> + <p> + On the 20th the Parliament declared by a decree that, the King being + prisoner to Cardinal Mazarin, the Duc d'Orleans should be desired to take + upon him the office of Lieutenant-General of his Majesty, and the Prince + to take upon him the command of the army as long as Mazarin should + continue in the kingdom, and that a copy of the said decree should be sent + to all the Parliaments of the kingdom, who should be desired to publish + the like; but not one complied, except that of Bordeaux. Nor was the Duke + better obeyed by the several governors of the provinces, for but one + vouchsafed him an answer when he acquainted them with his new dignity, the + Court having put them in mind of their duty by an order of Council, + published to annul that of the Parliament for establishing the said + lieutenancy; and in Paris itself the Duke's authority was despised, for + two wretches having been condemned for setting fire to the Hotel de Ville, + the citizens who were ordered to take charge of the execution refused to + obey. + </p> + <p> + On the 24th it was ordered that a general assembly should be held at the + Hotel de Ville, to consider the ways and means to raise money for + supporting the troops, and that the statues at Mazarin's palace should be + sold to make up the sum set upon the Cardinal's head. + </p> + <p> + On the 29th it was resolved in the Hotel de Ville to raise 800,000 livres + for augmenting his Royal Highness's troops, and to exhort all the great + towns of the kingdom to unite with the metropolis. + </p> + <p> + On the 6th of August the King sent a declaration signifying the removal of + the Parliament to Pontoise. There was a great commotion in the House, who + agreed not to register it till the Cardinal had left the kingdom. As for + the Parliament of Pontoise, which consisted of but fourteen officers, with + three Presidents at their head, who had a little before retired in + disguise from Paris, they made remonstrances likewise to the King for + removing Cardinal Mazarin. The King granted what was desired of him, and + that upon the solicitations of that honest, disinterested minister, who + withdrew from Court to Bouillon. This comedy, so unworthy the dignity of a + king, was accompanied with circumstances that rendered it still more + ridiculous:—The two Parliaments fulminated severe decrees against + one another, and that of Paris made an order that whosoever sat in the + assembly at Pontoise should be struck off the register. + </p> + <p> + At the same time that of Pontoise registered the King's declaration, which + contained an injunction to the Parliament of Paris, the Chamber of + Accounts, and the Court of Aids, that, since Cardinal Mazarin was removed, + they should now lay down their arms on condition that his Majesty would + grant an amnesty, remove his troops from about Paris, withdraw those that + were in Guienne, allow a free and safe passage to the Spanish troops, and + give the Princes permission to send to his Majesty persons to confer with + his ministers concerning what remained to be adjusted. This same + Parliament resolved to return their thanks to his Majesty for removing + Cardinal Mazarin, and most humbly to entreat the King to return to his + good city of Paris. + </p> + <p> + On the 26th they also registered the King's amnesty, or royal pardon, + granted to all that had taken up arms against him, but with such + restrictions that very few could think themselves safe by it. + </p> + <p> + The King acquainted the Duc d'Orleans that he wondered that, since Mazarin + was removed, he should delay, according to his own declaration and + promise, to lay down his arms, to renounce all associations and treaties, + and to cause the foreign troops to withdraw; and that when this was done, + those deputies that should come to his Majesty from him should be very + welcome. + </p> + <p> + On the 3d of September the Parliament resolved that their deputies should + wait upon the King with their thanks for removing Cardinal Mazarin, and to + beseech his Majesty to return to Paris; that the Duc d'Orleans and the + Prince de Conde should be desired to write to the King and assure him they + would lay down their arms as soon as his Majesty would be pleased to send + the passports for the safe retreat of the foreigners, together with an + amnesty in due form, registered in all the Parliaments of the kingdom; and + that his Majesty should be petitioned to receive the deputies of the + Princes. + </p> + <p> + Pray indulge me with a short pause here to consider the scandalous arts + which ministers palliate with the name and sacred word of a great King, + and with which the most august Parliament of the kingdom—the Court + of Peers—expose themselves to ridicule by such manifest + inconsistencies as are more becoming the levity of a college than the + majesty of a senate. In short, persons are not sensible of what they do in + these State paroxysms, which savour somewhat of frenzy. I knew in those + days some very honest men, who were so fully satisfied of the justice of + the cause of the Princes that, upon occasion, they would have laid down + their lives for it; and I also knew some eminently virtuous and + disinterested men who would as gladly have been martyrs for the Court. The + ambition of great men manages such dispositions just as it suits their own + interests; they help to blind the rest of mankind, and they even become + blinder themselves than other people. + </p> + <p> + Honest M. de Fontenay, who had been twice ambassador at Rome, a man of + great experience and good sense and a hearty well-wisher to his country, + daily condoled with me on the lethargy into which the intestine divisions + had lulled the best citizens and patriots. We saw the Spanish colours and + standards displayed upon the Pont-Neuf; the yellow sashes of Lorraine + appeared at Paris with the same liberty as the Isabelles and blue ones. + People were so accustomed to these spectacles and to the news of + provinces, towns, and battles lost, that they were become insolent and + stupid. Several of my friends blamed my inactivity, and desired me to + bestir myself. They bid me save the kingdom, save the city, or else I + should fall from the greatest love to the greatest hatred of the people. + The Frondeurs suspected me of favouring Mazarin's party, and the Mazarins + thought I was too partial to the Frondeurs. + </p> + <p> + I was touched to the quick with a pathetic speech made to me by M. de + Fontenay. "You see," said he, "that Mazarin, like a Jack-in-the-bog, plays + at Bo-peep; but you see that, whether he appears or disappears, the wire + by which the puppet is drawn on or off the stage is the royal authority, + which is not likely to be broken by the measures now on foot. Abundance of + those that appear to be his greatest opponents would be very sorry to see + him crushed; many others would be very glad to see him get off; not one + endeavours to ruin him entirely. You may get clear of the difficulty that + embarrasses you by a door which opens into a field of honour and liberty. + Paris, whose archbishop you are, groans under a heavy load. The Parliament + there is but a mere phantom, and the Hotel de Ville a desert. The Duc + d'Orleans and the Prince have no more authority than what the rascally mob + is pleased to allow them. The Spaniards, Germans, and Lorrainers are in + the suburbs laying waste the very gardens. You that have rescued them more + than once, and are their pastor, have been forced to keep guards in your + own house for three weeks. And you know that at this day your friends are + under great apprehension if they see you in the streets without arms. Do + you count it a slight thing to put an end to all these miseries? And will + you neglect the only opportunity Providence puts a into your hands to + obtain the honour of it? Take your clergy with you to Compiegne, thank the + King for removing Mazarin, and beg his Majesty to return to Paris. Keep up + a good correspondence with those bodies who have no other design but the + common good, who are already almost all your particular friends, and who + look upon you as their head by reason of your dignity. And if the King + actually returns to the city, the people of Paris will be obliged to you + for it; if you meet with a refusal, you will have still their + acknowledgments for your good intention. If you can get the Duc d'Orleans + to join with you, you will save the realm; for I am persuaded that if he + knew how to act his part in this juncture it would be in his power to + bring the King back to Paris and to prevent Mazarin ever returning again. + You are a cardinal; you are Archbishop of Paris; you have the good-will of + the public, and are but thirty-seven years old: Save the city, save the + kingdom." + </p> + <p> + In short, the Duc d'Orleans approved of my scheme, and ordered me to + convene a general assembly of the ecclesiastical communities, and to get + deputies chosen out of them all, and go with them to Court, there to + present the deputation, which should request the King to give peace to his + people and return to his good city of Paris. I was also to endeavour by + the aid of my friends to induce the other corporate bodies of the city to + do likewise. I was to tell the Queen that she could not but be sensible + that the Duke was in good earnest for peace, which the public engagements + he was under to oppose Mazarin had not suffered him to conclude, or even + to propose, while the Cardinal continued at Court; that he renounced all + private views and interests with relation to himself or friends; that he + desired nothing but the security of the public; and that after he had the + satisfaction of seeing the King at the Louvre he would then with joy + retire to Blois, fully resolved to live in peace and prepare for eternity. + </p> + <p> + I set out immediately with the deputies of all the ecclesiastical bodies + of Paris, nearly two hundred gentlemen, accompanied by fifty men of the + Duke's Guards. The number of my attendants gave such umbrage at Court, + where it was ridiculously exaggerated, that the Queen sent me word I + should only have accommodation for eighty horses, whereas I had no less + than one hundred and twelve for the coaches alone. If I had known as much + when I went as I heard after I returned, I should have hesitated about + going, for I was told that some moved for arresting me, and others for + killing me. However, the Queen received me very well; the King gave me the + cardinal's hat and a public audience. + </p> + <p> + I told the Queen, in a private audience, that I was not come only as a + deputy from the Church of Paris, but that I had another commission which I + valued much more, because I took it to be more for her service than the + other,—that of an envoy from the Duc d'Orleans, who had charged me + to assure her Majesty that he was resolved to serve her effectually and + without delay, as he had promised by a note under his own hand, which I + then pulled out of my pocket. The Queen expressed a great deal of joy, and + said, "I knew very well, M. le Cardinal, that you would at last give some + particular marks of your affection for me." + </p> + <p> + The Queen told me that she thanked the Duke, and was very much obliged to + him; that she hoped and desired he would contribute towards making the + necessary dispositions for the King's return to Paris, and that she would + not take one step but in concert with him. At the same time I heard that + the Queen spoke disdainfully of me, whom she dreaded, to my enemies at + Court; pretended that I had owned Mazarin was an honest man, and ridiculed + me for the expense I had put myself to on the journey, which, indeed, was + immense for so short a time, because I kept seven open tables, and spent + 800 crowns a day. + </p> + <p> + When I returned to Paris I was received with incredible applause. The King + also came thither on the 21st of October, and was welcomed by the + acclamations of the people. The Queen received me with wonderful respect, + and bade the King embrace me, as one to whom he chiefly owed his return to + Paris; but orders were sent to the Duc d'Orleans to retire next morning to + Limours. + </p> + <p> + When I went to see him, he was panic-struck, and imagined it was only a + feint to try his temper. He was in an inconceivable agony, and fancied + that every musket which was let off by way of rejoicing for his Majesty's + return was fired by the soldiers coming to invest his palace. Every + messenger that he sent out brought him word that all was quiet, but he + would believe nobody, and looked continually out of the window to hear if + the drums were beating the march. At last he took courage to ask me if I + was firm to him, and after I had assured him of my fidelity he desired + that, as a proof of my attachment and affection for him, I would be + reconciled to M. de Beaufort. "With all my heart," said I. Whereupon he + embraced me, then opened the gallery door by his bedchamber, and out came + M. de Beaufort, who threw himself about my neck, and said, "Pray ask his + Royal Highness what I have been saying to him concerning you. I know who + are honest men. Come on, monsieur, let us drive all the Mazarins away for + good and all." He endeavoured to show both the necessity and the + possibility of it, and advised the raising of barricades next morning, by + break of day, in the market-places. + </p> + <p> + The Duc d'Orleans turned to me and said, as they do in Parliament, "Your + opinion, M. Dean." I replied: "If I must give it as Dean, there never was + more occasion for the forty hours' prayers than now. I myself stand in + need of them more than anybody, because I can give no advice but what must + appear very cruel and be attended with horrid inconveniences. If I should + advise you to put up with the injurious treatment you undergo, will not + the public, who always make the worst of everything, have a handle to say + I betray your interest, and that my advice was but a necessary consequence + of all those obstacles I threw in the Princes' way? And if I give it as my + opinion that your Royal Highness should follow the measures which M. de + Beaufort proposes, shall I not be accounted one who blows hot and cold in + a breath?—who is for peace when he thinks to gain his advantages by + the treaty, but for war when he is not permitted to negotiate?—one + who is for destroying Paris with fire and sword, and for carrying the + flames to the gates of the Louvre by attacking the very person of the + King? If you obey, you will be responsible to the public for all it may + suffer afterwards. I am no competent judge of what it may suffer in + particular; for who can foresee events depending on the caprices of a + cardinal, on the stormings of Ondedei, the impertinence of the Abbe + Fouquet, and the violence of Servien? But you will have to answer for all, + because the public will be persuaded that you might have prevented it. If + you do not obey, you may go near to overturn the realm." + </p> + <p> + Here the Duke interrupted me eagerly, and said, "This is not to the + purpose; the question is whether I am in a condition, that is, if it is in + my power, to disobey." + </p> + <p> + "I believe so," I said; "for I do not see how the Court can oblige you to + obey, unless the King himself should march to Luxembourg, which would be a + matter of great importance." + </p> + <p> + "Nay," said M. de Beaufort, "it would be impossible." + </p> + <p> + I then perceived that the Duke began to think so too, for it fitted his + humour, as he could not endure taking any pains, and, upon this + supposition, resolved to stay at home with his arms folded. I said: + </p> + <p> + "You are able to do anything to-night and tomorrow morning, but I cannot + answer how it may be in the evening." + </p> + <p> + M. de Beaufort, who thought that I was going to argue for the offensive, + fell in roundly with me to second me; but I stopped him short by telling + him he mistook my meaning. + </p> + <p> + "I shall never presume," said I, "to give advice in the condition things + are now in. The Duke himself must decide, and even propose, too, and it is + our business to perform his commands." + </p> + <p> + Then he said, "If I should resolve to brave it out, will you declare for + me?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes," I said, "it is what I ought in duty to do. I am attached to your + service, in which I shall certainly not be wanting, and you need only to + command me. But I am very much grieved that, considering the present state + of affairs, an honest man cannot act the honest part, do what he may." + </p> + <p> + The Duke, who was by nature good, but not very tender, could not help + being moved at what I said; the tears came into his eyes, he embraced me, + and asked me if I thought he could secure the King's person. I told him + that nothing was more impossible. I found at length that he was inclined + to obey, but he bade us keep our friends together in readiness, and to be + with him at break of day. However, he set out for Limours an hour sooner + than he had told us, and left word that he had his reasons for so doing, + which we should know another day, advising us, if possible, to make our + peace with the Court. + </p> + <p> + On the 22d the King held his Bed of Justice, at the Louvre, where he + published the amnesty, as also an order for reestablishing the Parliament + at Paris, in which there was a clause forbidding them to meddle with State + affairs. At the same time he caused a declaration to be published ordering + MM. de Beaufort, Rohan, Viole, de Thou, Broussel, Portail, Bitaud, + Croissi, Machaut, Fleury, Martineau, and Perraut to depart the city. + </p> + <p> + The Court now began to offer me terms of reconciliation. I was desirous + that as many of my friends as possible should be included; but Caumartin, + who was in the secret of affairs, told me there were no hopes of procuring + any advantages for particular persons; that all that could be done was to + save the ship for another voyage, and that this ship, which was myself, + could be saved in no other way, in the condition into which our affairs + were fallen by the Duc d'Orleans's want of resolution, but by launching + out into the main, and steering towards Rome. "You stand," said he, "as it + were, on the point of a needle, and if the Court knew their strength they + would rout you as they do the rest; your courage gives you an air that + both deceives and disquiets them. Make use of the present opportunity for + obtaining what may be serviceable to you in your employ at Rome, for the + Court will deny you nothing." + </p> + <p> + Montresor, hearing of it, said to me afterwards, with an oath, "He is a + villain who says your Eminence can make your peace honourably without + making terms for your friends; he who affirms the contrary does it for his + own private ends." Therefore I refused the offers made me by Servien, + which were that the King would resign his affairs in Italy to my care, and + allow me a pension of 50,000 crowns; that I should have 100,000 crowns + towards paying off my debts, and 50,000 in hand towards furniture; that I + should continue three years at Rome, and then return to resume my + functions at Paris. + </p> + <p> + The Princess Palatine told me I ought either to accept or else treat with + the Cardinal, since all the subalterns were against me. Madame de + Lesdiguieres advised me to preserve my equanimity and keep within doors, + adding that the Cardinal, who was impatient to return to Paris, but durst + not as long as I stayed, would make me a bridge of gold to go out and + agree to whatever I demanded. Accordingly, I sent my proposals to the + Cardinal, who was then lurking in Turenne's army upon the frontiers, and + desired such and such posts for my friends. Meantime Servien and the Abbe + Fouquet endeavoured to exasperate the Queen by telling her that I was + continually caballing with the annuitants and officers of the militia; and + because I refused to go to Parliament, in obedience to the King's orders, + when he held his Court of Justice there to register the declaration of + high treason against the Prince de Conde, the Queen was made to believe + that I was intriguing for the Prince, and therefore resolved to ruin me, + cost what it would. One officer posted men in a house near Madame de + Pommereux's, to attack me; another was employed to get intelligence at + what time of night I was in the habit of visiting her; a third had an + order, signed by the King, to attack me in the street and bring me off + dead or alive. An unknown person advised me not to go that day to + Rambouillet; but I went with two hundred gentlemen, and found a great many + officers of the Guards, who, whatever were their orders, were in no + condition to attack me, and received me with reverence; but I blamed + myself for it afterwards, because it only tended to incense the Court the + more against me. + </p> + <p> + Upon All Saints' Day I preached at Saint Germain, which is the King's + parish, where their Majesties did me the honour to be present, for which I + went next day to return them thanks; but finding that the cautions sent me + from all quarters multiplied very fast, I did not go to the Louvre till + the 19th of December, when I was arrested in the Queen's antechamber by + the captain of the Guards then in waiting, who carried me into an + apartment where the officers of the kitchen brought me dinner, of which I + ate heartily, to the mortification of the base courtiers, though I did not + take it kindly to see my pockets turned inside out as if I had been a + cutpurse. This ceremony, which is not common, was performed by the + captain; but he found nothing except a letter from the King of England, + desiring me to try if the Court of Rome would assist him with money. When + this letter came to be talked of, it was maliciously reported that it came + from the Protector. I was carried in one of the King's coaches, under + guard, to Vincennes. As we passed we found at several of the gates a + battalion of Swiss with their pikes presented towards the city, where + everybody was quiet, though their sorrow and consternation were visible + enough. I was afterwards informed, however, that all the butchers in the + veal market were going to take up arms, and that they might have made + barricades there with all the ease in the world, only they were restrained + for fear that I should have paid for their tumult with the loss of my + life; so that the women remained in tears, and the men stood stock-still + in a fright. I was confined at Vincennes for a fortnight together, in a + room as big as a church, without any firing. My guards pilfered my linen, + apparel, shoes, etc., so that sometimes I was forced to lie in bed for a + week or ten days together for want of clothes to dress myself. I could not + but think that such treatment had been ordered by the higher powers on + purpose to break my heart; but I resolved not to die that way, and though + my guard said all he could to vex me, I affected to take no notice. + </p> + <p> + The influence of the clergy of Paris obliged the Court to explain itself + concerning the causes of my imprisonment, by the mouth of the Chancellor, + who, in the presence of the King and Queen, acquainted them that his + Majesty had caused me to be arrested for my own good, and to prevent me + from putting something that I designed into execution. The chapter of + Notre-Dame had an anthem sung every day for my deliverance. The Sorbonne + and many of the a religious orders distinguished themselves by declaring + for me. This general stir obliged the Court to treat me somewhat better + than at first. They let me have a limited number of books, but no ink and + paper, and they allowed me a 'valet de chambre' and a physician. + </p> + <p> + During my confinement at Vincennes, which lasted fifteen months, I studied + both day and night, especially the Latin tongue, on which I perceive one + cannot bestow too much pains, since it takes in all other studies. I dived + into the Greek also, and read again the ninth decade of Livy, which I had + formerly delighted in, and found as pleasant as ever. I composed, in + imitation of Boetius, a treatise, which I entitled "Consolation de la + Theologie," in which I proved that every prisoner ought to endeavour to be + 'vinctus in Christo' (in the bonds of Christ), mentioned by Saint Paul. I + also compiled "Partus Vincennarum," which was a collection of the Acts of + the Church of Milan for the use of the Church of Paris. + </p> + <p> + My guard omitted nothing he could invent to make my life uneasy and + disturb my studies. One day he came and told me that he had received + orders from the King to give me an airing on the top of the donjon; and + when he perceived that I took a pleasure in walking there, he informed me, + with joy in his looks, that he had orders to the contrary. I told him that + they were come in good time, for the air, which was too sharp there, had + made my head ache. Afterwards he offered to take me down into the + tennis-court to see my guards at play. I desired him to excuse me, because + I thought the air would be too piercing for me; but he made me go, telling + me that the King, who took more care of my health than I fancied, had + ordered that he should give me some exercise. Soon after he desired me to + excuse him for not bringing me down again, "for reasons," said he, "which + I must not tell." The truth was, I was so much above these chicaneries + that I despised them; but I must own that I used to think within myself + that, in the main, to be a prisoner of State was of all others the most + afflicting. All the relaxation I had from my studies was to divert myself + with some rabbits on the top of the donjon, and some pigeons in the + turrets, for which I was indebted to the continual solicitations of the + Church of Paris. I had not been a prisoner above nine days when one of my + guards, while his comrade who watched me was asleep, came and slipped a + note into my hand from Madame de Pommereux, in which were only these + words: "Let me have your answer; you may safely trust the bearer." The + bearer gave me a pencil and a piece of paper, on which I wrote that I had + received her letter. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding that three sergeants and twenty-four Life-guards relieved + one another every day, our correspondence was not interrupted. Madame de + Pommereux, M. de Caumartin, and M. de Raqueville wrote me letters twice a + week constantly about the means to effect my escape, which I attempted + twice, but in vain. + </p> + <p> + The Abbe Charier, who set out for Rome the day after I was arrested, found + Pope Innocent incensed to the highest degree, and ready to throw his + thunder upon the heads of the authors of it. He spoke of it to the French + Ambassador with great resentment, and sent the Archbishop of Avignon, with + the title of Nuncio Extraordinary, on purpose to solicit my release. The + King was in a fury, and forebade the Nuncio to pass Lyons. The Pope told + the Abbe Charier that he was afraid to expose his and the Church's + authority to the fury of a madman, and said, "Give me but an army, and I + will furnish you with a legate." It was a difficult matter indeed to get + him that army, but not impossible, if those that should have stood my + friends had not left me in the lurch. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime Noirmoutier and Bussi Lamet wrote a letter to Mazarin, + declaring they could not help proceeding to extremities if I were detained + any longer in prison. The Prince de Conde declared he would do anything, + without exception, which my friends desired, for my liberty, and offered + to march all the Spanish forces to their assistance; but the misfortune + was that there was nobody to form the proper schemes; and Noirmoutier, who + was the most enterprising man of them all, was hindered from action by + Madame de Chevreuse and De Laigues, who, the Cardinal said, would be + accountable for the actions of their friends, and that if they fired one + pistol-shot they must expect what would follow. Therefore Noirmoutier was + glad to elude all the propositions of the Prince de Conde, and to be + content with only writing and speaking in my favour, and firing the cannon + at the drinking of my health. + </p> + <p> + M. de Pradello, who commanded the French and Swiss Guards in the castle, + came one day to tell me of the happy return of Cardinal Mazarin to Paris, + and of his magnificent reception at the Hotel de Ville; and he informed me + that the Cardinal had sent him to assure me of his most humble services, + and to beg of me to be persuaded that he would forget nothing that might + be for my service. I made as if I did not heed the compliment, and was for + talking of something else; but as he pressed me for a direct answer, I + told him that I should have been ready at the first word to show him my + acknowledgments were I not persuaded that the duty of a prisoner to the + King did not permit him to explain himself in anything relating to his + release, till his Majesty had been graciously pleased to grant it him. He + understood my meaning, and endeavoured to persuade me to return a more + civil answer to the Cardinal, which I declined to do. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal was so pestered with complaints from Rome, and so disturbed + with the discontent which prevailed in Poitou and Paris, on account of my + imprisonment, that he sent me an offer of my liberty and great advantages, + on condition that I would resign the coadjutorship of Paris. + </p> + <p> + The solicitations of the chapter of Notre-Dame prevailed on the Court to + consent that one of their body might be always with me, who, though he + came gladly for my sake, fell into a deep melancholy. He could not, + however, be prevailed upon to go out; and being soon after seized with a + fever, he cut his own throat. My uncle dying soon after, possession was + taken of the archbishopric in my name by my proxy, and Tellier, who was + sent to Notre-Dame Church to oppose it on the part of the King, was + mortified with the thunder of my bulls from Rome. The people were + surprised to see all the formalities observed to a nicety, at a juncture + when they thought there was no possibility of observing one. The cures + waxed warmer than ever, and my friends fanned the flame. The Nuncio, + thinking himself slighted by the Court, spoke in dignified terms, and + threatened his censures. A little book was published, showing the + necessity of shutting up the churches, which aroused the Cardinal's + apprehensions, and his apprehensions naturally led him into negotiation. + He amused me with hundreds of fine prospects of church livings, + governments, etc., and of being restored to the good graces of the King + and to the strictest friendship with his Prime Minister. + </p> + <p> + I had more liberty than before. They always carried me up to the top of + the donjon whenever it was fair overhead; but my friends, who did not + doubt that all the Court wanted was to get some expression from me of my + inclination to resign, in order to discredit me with the public, charged + me to guard warily my words, which advice I followed; so that when a + captain of the Guards came from the King to discourse with me upon this + head, who, by Mazarin's direction, talked to me more like a captain of the + Janissaries than like an officer of the most Christian King, I desired + leave to give him my answer in writing, expressing my contempt for all + threats and promises, and an inviolable resolution not to give up the + archbishopric of Paris. + </p> + <p> + Next day President Bellievre came to me on the part of the King, with an + offer of seven abbeys, provided I would quit my archbishopric; but he + opened his mind to me with entire freedom, and said he could not but think + what a fool the Sicilian was to send him on such an errand. "Most of your + friends," said Bellievre, "think that you need only to stand out + resolutely, and that the Court will be glad to set you at liberty and send + you to Rome; but it is a horrid mistake, for the Court will be satisfied + with nothing but your resignation. When I say the Court, I mean Mazarin; + for the Queen will not bear the thought of giving you your liberty. The + chief thing that determines Mazarin to think of your liberty is his fear + of the Nuncio, the chapter, the cures, and the people. But I dare affirm + that the Nuncio will threaten mightily, but do nothing; the chapter may + perhaps make remonstrances, but to no purpose; the cures will preach, and + that is all; the people will clamour, but take up no arms. The consequence + will be your removal to Brest or Havre-de-Grace, and leaving you in the + hands of your enemies, who will use you as they please. I know that + Mazarin is not bloodthirsty, but I tremble to think of what Noailles has + told you, that they are resolved to make haste and take such methods as + other States have furnished examples of. You may, perhaps, infer from my + remarks that I would have you resign. By no means. I have come to tell you + that if you resign you will do a dishonourable thing, and that it behooves + you on this occasion to answer the great expectation the world is now in + on your account, even to the hazarding of your life, and of your liberty, + which I am persuaded you value more than life itself. Now is the time for + you to put forward more than ever those maxims for which we have so much + combated you: 'I dread no poison nor sword! Nothing can hurt me but what + is within me! It matters not where one dies!' Thus you ought to answer + those who speak to you about your resignation." + </p> + <p> + I was carried from Vincennes, under guard, to Nantes, where I had numerous + visits and diversions, and was entertained with a comedy almost every + night, and the company of the ladies, particularly the charming + Mademoiselle de La Vergne, who in good truth did not approve of me, either + because she had no inclination for me, or else because her friends had set + her against me by telling her of my inconstancy and different amours. I + endured her cruelty with my natural indifference, and the full liberty + Marechal de La Meilleraye allowed me with the city ladies gave me + abundance of comfort; nevertheless I was kept under a very strict guard. + As I had stipulated with Mazarin that I should have my liberty on + condition that I would resign my archbishopric at Vincennes, which I knew + would not be valid, I was surprised to hear that the Pope refused to + ratify it; because, though it would not have made my resignation a jot + more binding, yet it would have procured my liberty. I proposed expedients + to the Holy See by which the Court might do it with honour, but the Pope + was inflexible. He thought it would damage his reputation to consent to a + violence so injurious to the whole Church, and said to my friends, who + begged his consent with tears in their eyes, that he could never consent + to a resignation extorted from a prisoner by force. + </p> + <p> + After several consultations with my friends how to make my escape, I + effected it on August the 8th, at five o'clock in the evening. I let + myself down to the bottom of the bastion, which was forty feet high, with + a rope, while my valet de chambre treated the guards with as much liquor + as they could drink. Their attention, was, moreover, taken up with looking + at a Jacobin friar who happened to be drowned as he was bathing. A + sentinel, seeing me, was taking up his musket to fire, but dropped it upon + my threatening to have him hanged; and he said, upon examination, that he + believed Marechal de La Meilleraye was in concert with me. Two pages who + were washing themselves, saw me also, and called out, but were not heard. + My four gentlemen waited for me at the bottom of the ravelin, on pretence + of watering their horses, so that I was on horseback before the least + notice was taken; and, having forty fresh horses planted on the road, I + might have reached Paris very soon if my horse had not fallen and caused + me to break my shoulder bone, the pain of which was so extreme that I + nearly fainted several times. Not being able to continue my journey, I was + lodged, with only one of my gentlemen, in a great haystack, while MM. de + Brissac and Joly went straight to Beaupreau, to assemble the nobility, + there, in order to rescue me. I lay hid there for over seven hours in + inexpressible misery, for the pain from my injury threw me into a fever, + during which my thirst was much augmented by the smell of the new hay; + but, though we were by a riverside, we durst not venture out for water, + because there was nobody to put the stack in order again, which would very + probably have occasioned suspicion and a search in consequence. We heard + nothing but horsemen riding by, who, we were afterwards informed, were + Marechal de La Meilleraye's scouts. About two o'clock in the morning I was + fetched out of the stack by a Parisian of quality sent by my friend De + Brissac, and carried on a hand-barrow to a barn, where I was again buried + alive, as it were, in hay for seven or eight hours, when M. de Brisac and + his lady came, with fifteen or twenty horse, and carried me to Beaupreau. + From thence we proceeded, almost in eight of Nantes, to Machecoul, in the + country of Retz, after having had an encounter with some of Marechal de La + Meilleraye's guards, when we repulsed them to the very barrier. + </p> + <p> + Marechal de La Meilleraye was so amazed at my escape that he threatened to + destroy the whole country with fire and sword, for which reason I was an + unwelcome guest to Madame de Retz and her father, who rallied me very + uncharitably on my disobedience to the King. We therefore thought fit to + leave the country, and went aboard a ship for Belle Isle, whence, after a + very short stay there, we escaped to San Sebastian. + </p> + <p> + Upon my arrival there I sent a letter to the King of Spain requesting + leave to pass through his dominions to Rome. The messenger was received at + Court with civilities beyond expression, and sent back next day with the + present of a gold chain worth 800 crowns. I had also one of the King's + litters sent me, and an invitation to go to Madrid, but I desired to be + excused; and though I also refused immense offers if I would but go to + Flanders and treat with the Prince de Conde, etc., for the service of + Spain, yet I had a velvet coffer sent me with 40,000 crowns in it, which I + likewise thought fit to refuse. As I had neither linen nor apparel, either + for myself or servants, and as the 400 crowns which we got by the sale of + pilchards on board the barque in which we came from Belle Isle were almost + all spent, I borrowed 400 crowns of the Baron de Vateville, who commanded + for the King of Spain in Guipuzcoa, and faithfully repaid him. + </p> + <p> + From San Sebastian I travelled incognito to Tudela, where I was met by the + King's mule drivers and waited on by the alcade, who left his wand at my + chamber door and at his, entrance knelt and kissed the hem of my garment. + From thence I was conducted to Comes by fifty musketeers riding upon + asses, who were sent me by the Governor of Navarre. At Saragossa I was + taken for the King of England, and a large number of ladies, in over two + hundred carriages, came to pay me their respects. Thence I proceeded to + Vivaros, where I had rich presents from the Governor of Valencia. And + thence I sailed to Majorca, whose Governor met me with above one hundred + coaches of the Spanish nobility, and carried me to mass at the Cathedral, + where I saw thirty or forty ladies of quality of more than common charms; + and, to speak the truth, the women there in general are of rare beauty, + having a graceful tincture both of the lily and the rose, and wear a + head-dress which is exceedingly pretty. The Governor, after having treated + me with a magnificent dinner under a tent of gold brocade near the + seaside, carried me to a concert of music in a convent, where I found the + nuns not inferior in beauty to the ladies of the town. The Governor + carried me to see his lady, who was as ugly as a witch, and was seated + under a great canopy sparkling with precious stones, which gave a + wonderful lustre to about sixty ladies with her, who were the handsomest + in the whole town. I was reconducted on board my galley with music and a + discharge of the artillery, and sailed to Port Mahon, and thence through + the Gulf of Lyons to the canal between Corsica and Sardinia, where our + ship was very nearly cast away upon a sandbank; but with great difficulty + we got her off and reached Porto Longone. There we quitted the galley, and + went by land to Piombino. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="book5" id="book5"></a> + </p> + <h1> + BOOK V. + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + I travelled from Piombino to Florence, where I had great honours and vast + offers from the Grand Duke, though Mazarin had threatened him, in the + King's name, with a rupture if he granted me passage through his + dominions; but the Grand Duke sent to desire the Cardinal to let him know + whether there was any possibility of refusing it without disobliging the + Pope and the Sacred College. As I was travelling through the Duke's + country, my mules, being frightened by a clap of thunder, ran with my + litter into a brook, where I narrowly escaped being drowned. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I arrived at Rome the Pope sent me 4,000 crowns in gold. I was + immediately informed that a strong faction was formed there against me by + the Court of France; that the Cardinal d'Est, representative of that + nation, had terrible orders from the King; and that they were resolved to + send me packing from Rome, cost what it would. I had my old scruples upon + me, and said I would die a thousand deaths rather than make resistance; + but I thought it would be too disrespectful in a cardinal to come so near + the Pope and to go away without kissing his feet, and I resolved to leave + the rest to the providence of God. + </p> + <p> + The Pope having ordered his guards to be ready, in case the French faction + should offer to rise, the Cardinal d'Est was so good as to let me alone. + His Holiness gave me an audience of four hours, condescended to beg my + forgiveness for not having acted with more vigour for my liberty; and + said, with tears in his eyes: "God forgive those who delayed to give me + timely notice of your imprisonment, and who made us believe that you had + been guilty, of an attempt upon the King's person. The Sacred College took + fire at the news; but the French Ambassador being at liberty, to give out + what he chose, because nobody, appeared here on your part to contradict + him, Mazarin extinguished it, and half the Sacred College thought you were + abandoned by the whole kingdom." In short, the Pope was so well disposed + to me that he thought of adopting me as his nephew, but he sickened soon + after and died. + </p> + <p> + The conclave chose Cardinal Chigi (who was called Alexander VIII.) for his + successor, in whose election I had such a share that when it came to my + turn, at the adoration of the cardinals, to kiss his feet, he embraced me, + saying, "Signor Cardinal de Retz, 'ecce opus manuum tuarum'" ("Behold the + work of your own hands"). I went home accompanied with one hundred and + twenty coaches of gentlemen, who did not doubt that I should govern the + Pontificate. + </p> + <p> + My friends in France, who commonly judge of other nations by their own, + imagined that a persecuted cardinal might, nay, ought to live like a + private man even at Rome, and advised me not to spend much money, because + my revenues in France were all seized, and said that such exemplary + modesty would have an admirable effect upon the clergy of Paris. But + Cardinal Chigi talked after another manner: "When you are reestablished in + your see you may live as you please, because you will be in a country + where everybody will know what you are or are not able to do. You are now + at Rome, where your enemies say every day that you have lost your credit + in France, and you are under a necessity to make it appear that what they + say is false. You are not a hermit, but a cardinal, and a cardinal, too, + of the better rank. At Rome there are many people who love to tread upon + men when they are down. Dear sir, take care you do not fall, and do but + consider what a figure you will make in the streets with six vergers + attending you; otherwise every pitiful citizen of Paris that meets you + will be apt to jostle you, in order to make his court to the Cardinal + d'Est. You ought not to have come to Rome if you had not had resolution + and the means to support your dignity. I presume you do not make it a + point of Christian humility to debase yourself. And let me tell you that + I, the poor Cardinal Chigi, who have but 5,000 crowns revenue, and am one + of the poorest in the College, and though I am sure to meet nobody in the + streets who will be wanting in the respect due to the purple, yet I cannot + go to my functions without four coaches in livery to attend me." + </p> + <p> + Therefore I hired a palace, kept a great table, and entertained fourscore + persons in liveries. The Cardinal d'Est, the very day after the creation + of the new Pope, forbade all Frenchmen to give me the way in the streets, + and charged the superiors of the French churches not to admit me. M. de + Lionne, who resided here as a sort of private secretary to Mazarin, was so + nettled because the new Pope had granted me the pallium for my + archbishopric that he told him the King would never own me, insinuated + that there would be a schism among the clergy of France, and that the Pope + must expect to be excluded from the congress for a general peace. This so + frightened his Holiness that he made a million of mean excuses, and said, + with tears in his eyes, that I had imposed upon him, and that he would + take the first opportunity to do the King justice. Upon this M. de Lionne + sent word to the Cardinal that he hoped very shortly to acquaint him of my + being prisoner in the Castle of Saint Angelo, and that the Cardinal would + be no better off for his Majesty's amnesty, because the Pope said none but + he could absolve or condemn cardinals. Meantime all my domestics who were + subjects of the King of France were ordered to quit my service, on pain of + being treated as rebels and traitors. I could have little hope of + protection from the Pope, for he was become quite another man, never spoke + one word of truth, and continually amused himself with mere trifles, + insomuch that one day he proposed a reward for whoever found out a Latin + word for "calash," and spent seven or eight days in examining whether + "mosco" came from "muses," or "musts" from "mosco." All his piety + consisted in assuming a serious air at church, in which, nevertheless, + there was a great mixture of pride, for he was vain to the last degree, + and envious of everybody. The work entitled "Sindicato di Alexandro VII." + gives an account of his luxury and of several pasquinades against the said + Pope, particularly that one day Marforio asking Pasquin what he had said + to the cardinals upon his death-bed, Pasquin answered, "Maxima de aeipso, + plurima de parentibus, parva de principibus, turpia de cardinalibus, pauca + de Ecclesia, de Deo nihil." ("He said fine things of himself, a great many + things of his kindred, some things of princes, nothing good of the + cardinals, but little of the Church, and nothing at all of God"). His + Holiness, in a consistory, laid claim to the merit of the conversion of + Christina, Queen of Sweden, though everybody knew to the contrary, and + that she had abjured heresy a year and a half before she came to Rome. + </p> + <p> + Having heard that Bussiere, who is Chamberlain to the Ambassadors at Rome, + had declared I should not have a place in Saint Louis's church on the + festival of that saint, I was not discouraged from going thither. At my + entrance he snatched the holy water stick from the cure just as he was + going to sprinkle me; nevertheless, I took my place, and was resolved to + keep up the status and dignity of a French cardinal. This was my condition + at Rome, where it was my fate to be a refugee, persecuted by my King and + abused by the Pope. All my revenues were seized, and the French bankers + forbidden to serve me; nay, those who had an inclination to assist me were + forced to promise they would not. Two of the Abbe Fouquet's bastards were + publicly maintained out of my revenues, and no means were left untried to + hinder the farmers from relieving me, or my creditors from harassing me + with vexatious and expensive lawsuits. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + THE ETEXT EDITORS BOOKMARKS + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +Always judged of actions by men, and never men by their actions +Always to sacrifice the little affairs to the greater +Arms which are not tempered by laws quickly become anarchy +Associating patience with activity +Assurrance often supplies the room of good sense +Blindness that make authority to consist only in force +Bounty, which, though very often secret, had the louder echo +Buckingham had been in love with three Queens +By the means of a hundred pistoles down, and vast promises +Civil war as not powerful enough to conclude a peace +Civil war is one of those complicated diseases +Clergy always great examples of slavish servitude +Confounded the most weighty with the most trifling +Contempt—the most dangerous disease of any State +Dangerous to refuse presents from one's superiors +Distinguished between bad and worse, good and better +Fading flowers, which are fragrant to-day and offensive tomorrow +False glory and false modesty +Fool in adversity and a knave in prosperity +Fools yield only when they cannot help it +Good news should be employed in providing against bad +He weighed everything, but fixed on nothing +He knew how to put a good gloss upon his failings +He had not a long view of what was beyond his reach +Help to blind the rest of mankind, and they even become blinder +His ideas were infinitely above his capacity +His wit was far inferior to his courage +Impossible for her to live without being in love with somebody +Inconvenience of popularity +Insinuation is of more service than that of persuasion +Is there a greater in the world than heading a party? +Kinds of fear only to be removed by higher degrees of terror +Laws without the protection of arms sink into contempt +Man that supposed everybody had a back door +Maxims showed not great regard for virtue +Mazarin: embezzling some nine millions of the public money +Men of irresolution are apt to catch at all overtures +More ambitious than was consistent with morality +My utmost to save other souls, though I took no care of my own +Need of caution in what we say to our friends +Neither capable of governing nor being governed +Never had woman more contempt for scruples and ceremonies +Nothing is so subject to delusion as piety +Oftener deceived by distrusting than by being overcredulous +One piece of bad news seldom comes singly +Only way to acquire them is to show that we do not value them +Passed for the author of events of which I was only the prophet +Poverty so well became him +Power commonly keeps above ridicule +Pretended to a great deal more wit than came to his share +Queen was adored much more for her troubles than for her merit +She had nothing but beauty, which cloys when it comes alone +So indiscreet as to boast of his successful amours +Strongest may safely promise to the weaker what he thinks fit +The subdivision of parties is generally the ruin of all +The wisest fool he ever saw in his life +Those who carry more sail than ballast +Thought he always stood in need of apologies +Transitory honour is mere smoke +Treated him as she did her petticoat +Useful man in a faction because of his wonderful complacency +Vanity to love to be esteemed the first author of things +Verily believed he was really the man which he affected to be +Virtue for a man to confess a fault than not to commit one +We are far more moved at the hearing of old stories +Weakening and changing the laws of the land +Who imagine the head of a party to be their master +Whose vivacity supplied the want of judgment +Wisdom in affairs of moment is nothing without courage +With a design to do good, he did evil +Yet he gave more than he promised +You must know that, with us Princes, words go for nothing + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Memoirs of Cardinal de Retz, +Complete, by Jean Francois Paul de Gondi, Cardinal de Retz + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CARDINAL DE RETZ *** + +***** This file should be named 3846-h.htm or 3846-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.net/3/8/4/3846/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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