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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 Louis XIV., His Court and The Regency, Complete + +Author: Duc de Saint-Simon + +Release Date: September 29, 2006 [EBook #3875] +Last Updated: April 3, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MEMOIRS OF LOUIS XIV., *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="spines (183K)" src="images/spines.jpg" width="100%" /><br /></div> <br /> + <h1> + MEMOIRS OF LOUIS XIV + </h1> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <br /><br /> + <h2> + AND HIS COURT AND OF THE REGENCY + </h2> + <br /><br /> + <h3> + BY THE DUKE OF SAINT-SIMON + </h3> + <br /><br /> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="front1 (122K)" src="images/front1.jpg" width="100%" /><br /></div> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> + <hr /> + <br /><br /> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + </blockquote> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_INTR"> INTRODUCTION </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> <b>VOLUME 1.</b> </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII </a> + </p> + <br /><br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> <b>VOLUME 2.</b> </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII </a> + </p> + <br /><br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> <b>VOLUME 3.</b> </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV </a> + </p> + <br /><br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0031"> <b>VOLUME 4.</b> </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XXVIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER XXIX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER XXX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0031"> CHAPTER XXXI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0032"> CHAPTER XXXII </a> + </p> + <br /><br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0040"> <b>VOLUME 5.</b> </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0033"> CHAPTER XXXIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0034"> CHAPTER XXXIV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0035"> CHAPTER XXXV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0036"> CHAPTER XXXVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0037"> CHAPTER XXXVII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0038"> CHAPTER XXXVIII </a> + </p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0047"> <b>VOLUME 6.</b> </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0039"> CHAPTER XXXIX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0040"> CHAPTER XL </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0041"> CHAPTER XLI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0042"> CHAPTER XLII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0043"> CHAPTER XLIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0044"> CHAPTER XLIV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0045"> CHAPTER XLV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0046"> CHAPTER XLVI. </a> + </p> + <br /><br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0056"> <b>VOLUME 7.</b> </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0047"> CHAPTER XLVII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0048"> CHAPTER XLVIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0049"> CHAPTER XLIX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0050"> CHAPTER L </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0051"> CHAPTER LI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0052"> CHAPTER LII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0053"> CHAPTER LIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0054"> CHAPTER LIV </a> + </p> + <br /><br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0065"> <b>VOLUME 8.</b> </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0055"> CHAPTER LV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0056"> CHAPTER LVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0057"> CHAPTER LVII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0058"> CHAPTER LVIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0059"> CHAPTER LIX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0060"> CHAPTER LX </a> + </p> + <br /><br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0072"> <b>VOLUME 9.</b> </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0061"> CHAPTER LXI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0062"> CHAPTER LXII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0063"> CHAPTER LXIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0064"> CHAPTER LXIV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0065"> CHAPTER LXV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0066"> CHAPTER LVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0067"> CHAPTER LXVII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0068"> CHAPTER LXVIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0069"> CHAPTER LXIX </a> + </p> + <br /><br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0082"> <b>VOLUME 10.</b> </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0070"> CHAPTER LXX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0071"> CHAPTER LXXI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0072"> CHAPTER LXXII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0073"> CHAPTER LXXIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0074"> CHAPTER LXXIV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0075"> CHAPTER LXXV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0076"> CHAPTER LXXVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0077"> CHAPTER LXXVII </a> + </p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0091"> <b>VOLUME 11.</b> </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0078"> CHAPTER LXXVIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0079"> CHAPTER LXXIX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0080"> CHAPTER LXXX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0081"> CHAPTER LXXXI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0082"> CHAPTER LXXXII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0083"> CHAPTER LXXXIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0084"> CHAPTER LXXXIV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0085"> CHAPTER LXXXV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0086"> CHAPTER LXXXVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0087"> CHAPTER LXXXVII </a> + </p> + <br /><br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0102"> <b>VOLUME 12.</b> </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0088"> CHAPTER LXXXVIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0089"> CHAPTER LXXXIX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0090"> CHAPTER XC </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0091"> CHAPTER XCI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0092"> CHAPTER XCII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0093"> CHAPTER XCIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0094"> CHAPTER XCIV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0095"> CHAPTER XCV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0096"> CHAPTER XCVI </a> + </p> + <br /><br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0112"> <b>VOLUME 13.</b> </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0097"> CHAPTER XCVII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0098"> CHAPTER XCVII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0099"> CHAPTER XCIX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0100"> CHAPTER C </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0101"> CHAPTER CI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0102"> CHAPTER CII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0103"> CHAPTER CIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0104"> CHAPTER CIV </a> + </p> + <br /><br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0121"> <b>VOLUME 14</b> </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0105"> CHAPTER CV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0106"> CHAPTER CVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0107"> CHAPTER CVII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0108"> CHAPTER CVIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0109"> CHAPTER CIX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0110"> CHAPTER CX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0111"> CHAPTER CXI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0112"> CHAPTER CXII </a> + </p> + <br /><br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0130"> <b>VOLUME 15.</b> </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0113"> CHAPTER CXIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0114"> CHAPTER CXIV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0115"> CHAPTER CXV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0116"> CHAPTER CXVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0117"> CHAPTER CXVII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0118"> CHAPTER CXVIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0119"> CHAPTER CXIX </a> + </p> + <br /><br /> <br /><br /> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>ILLUSTRATIONS</b></big> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#image-0001"> Madame Maintenon in Conferance—painted by + Sir John Gilbert </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#image-0002"> After the Battle of Blenheim—painted by + R. Canton Woodville </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#image-0003"> Marlborough at Ramillies—painted by R. + Canton Woodville </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#image-0004"> The King's Walk at Versailles—painted by + J. L. Jerome </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#image-0005"> Marlborough at Malplaquet—painted by R. + Canton Woodville </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#image-0006"> The Edict of Nantes—painted by Jules + Girardet </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#image-0007"> Search of the Spanish Ambassador—painted + by Maurice Leloir </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#image-0008"> Mississippi Colonization—painted by C. E. + Delort </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#image-0009"> Jacobites Drinking to the Pretender—painted + by F. Willems </a> + </p> + <br /><br /> <br /><br /> + <h2> + DETAILED CONTENTS OF THE 15 VOLUMES + </h2> + <p> + VOLUME + 1. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER I + </p> + <p> + Birth and Family.—Early Life.—Desire to join the Army.—Enter + the<br /> Musketeers.—The Campaign Commences.—Camp of + Gevries.—Siege of Namur.<br /> —Dreadful Weather.—Gentlemen + Carrying Corn.—Sufferings during the<br /> Siege.—The Monks + of Marlaigne.—Rival Couriers.—Naval Battle.—<br /> + Playing with Fire-arms.—A Prediction Verified. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER II + </p> + <p> + The King's Natural Children.—Proposed Marriage of the Duc de + Chartres.—<br /> Influence of Dubois.—The Duke and the + King.—An Apartment.—Announcement<br /> of the Marriage.—Anger + of Madame.—Household of the Duchess.—Villars<br /> and + Rochefort.—Friend of King's Mistresses.—The Marriage + Ceremony.—<br /> Toilette of the Duchess.—Son of Montbron.—Marriage + of M. du Maine.—<br /> Duchess of Hanover.—Duc de Choiseul.—La + Grande Mademoiselle. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER III + </p> + <p> + Death of My Father.—Anecdotes of Louis XIII.—The Cardinal + de<br /> Richelieu.—The Duc de Bellegarde.—Madame de + Hautefort.—My Father's<br /> Enemy.—His Services and + Reward.—A Duel against Law.—An Answer to a<br /> Libel.—M. + de la Rochefoucauld.—My Father's Gratitude to Louis XIII. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER IV + </p> + <p> + Position of the Prince of Orange.—Strange Conduct of the King.—Surprise<br /> + and Indignation.—Battle of Neerwinden.—My Return to Paris.—Death + of La<br /> Vauguyon.—Symptoms of Madness.—Vauguyon at the + Bastille.—Projects of<br /> Marriage.—M. de Beauvilliers.—A + Negotiation for a Wife.—My Failure.—<br /> Visit to La + Trappe. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER V + </p> + <p> + M. de Luxemhourg's Claim of Precedence.—Origin of the Claim.—Duc + de<br /> Piney.—Character of Harlay.—Progress of the Trial.—Luxembourg + and<br /> Richelieu.—Double-dealing of Harlay.—The Duc de + Gesvres.—Return to the<br /> Seat of War.—Divers + Operations.—Origin of These Memoirs. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER VI + </p> + <p> + Quarrels of the Princesses.—Mademoiselle Choin.—A + Disgraceful Affair.—<br /> M. de Noyon.—Comic Scene at the + Academie.—Anger and Forgiveness of<br /> M. de Noyon.—M. de + Noailles in Disgrace.—How He Gets into Favour Again.<br /> + —M. de Vendome in Command.—Character of M. de Luxembourg.—The + Trial<br /> for Precedence Again.—An Insolent Lawyer.—Extraordinary + Decree. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER VII + </p> + <p> + Harlay and the Dutch.—Death of the Princess of Orange.—Count<br /> + Koenigsmarck.—A New Proposal of Marriage.—My Marriage.—That + of M. de<br /> Lauzun.—Its Result.—La Fontaine and Mignard.—Illness + of the Marechal<br /> de Lorges.—Operations on the Rhine.—Village + of Seckenheim.—An Episode<br /> of War.—Cowardice of M. du + Maine.—Despair of the King, Who Takes a<br /> Knave in the Act.—Bon + Mot of M. d'Elboeuf. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER VIII + </p> + <p> + The Abbe de Fenelon.—The Jansenists and St. Sulpice.—Alliance + with<br /> Madame Guyon.—Preceptor of the Royal Children.—Acquaintance + with Madame<br /> de Maintenon.—Appointment to Cambrai.—Disclosure + of Madame Guyon's<br /> Doctrines.—Her Disgrace.—Bossuet + and Fenelon.—Two Rival Books.—<br /> Disgrace of Fenelon. + </p> + + <p> + VOLUME + 2. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER IX + </p> + <p> + Death of Archbishop Harlay.—Scene at Conflans.—"The Good + Langres."—<br /> A Scene at Marly.—Princesses Smoke Pipes!—Fortunes + of Cavoye.—<br /> Mademoiselle de Coetlogon.—Madame de + Guise.—Madame de Miramion.—Madame<br /> de Sevigne.—Father + Seraphin.—An Angry Bishop.—Death of La Bruyere.—<br /> + Burglary by a Duke.—Proposed Marriage of the Duc de Bourgogne.—The<br /> + Duchesse de Lude.—A Dangerous Lady.—Madame d'O.—Arrival + of the<br /> Duchesse de Bourgogne. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER X + </p> + <p> + My Return to Fontainebleau.—A Calumny at Court.—Portrait + of M. de La<br /> Trappe.—A False Painter.—Fast Living at + the "Desert."—Comte<br /> d'Auvergne.—Perfidy of Harlay.—M. + de Monaco.—Madame Panache.—The<br /> Italian Actor and the + "False Prude". + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XI + </p> + <p> + A Scientific Retreat.—The Peace of Ryswick.—Prince of + Conti King of<br /> Poland.—His Voyage and Reception.—King + of England Acknowledged.—Duc de<br /> Conde in Burgundy.—Strange + Death of Santeuil.—Duties of the Prince of<br /> Darmstadt in + Spain.—Madame de Maintenon's Brother.—Extravagant Dresses.<br /> + Marriage of the Duc de Bourgogne.—The Bedding of the Princesse.—Grand<br /> + Balls.—A Scandalous Bird. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XII + </p> + <p> + An Odd Marriage.—Black Daughter of the King.—Travels of + Peter the<br /> Great.—Magnificent English Ambassador.—The + Prince of Parma.—<br /> A Dissolute Abbe.—Orondat.—Dispute + about Mourning.—M. de Cambrai's<br /> Book Condemned by M. de La + Trappe.—Anecdote of the Head of Madame de<br /> Montbazon.—Condemnation + of Fenelon by the Pope.—His Submission. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XIII + </p> + <p> + Charnace.—An Odd Ejectment.—A Squabble at Cards.—Birth + of My Son.—<br /> The Camp at Compiegne.—Splendour of + Marechal Boufflers.—Pique of the<br /> Ambassadors.—Tesse's + Grey Hat.—A Sham Siege.—A Singular Scene.—<br /> The + King and Madame de Maintenon.—An Astonished Officer.—<br /> + Breaking-up of the Camp. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XIV + </p> + <p> + Gervaise Monk of La Trappe.——His Disgusting Profligacy.—The + Author of<br /> the Lord's Prayer.—A Struggle for Precedence.—Madame + de Saint-Simon.—<br /> The End of the Quarrel.—Death of the + Chevalier de Coislin.—A Ludicrous<br /> Incident.—Death of + Racine.—The King and the Poet.—King Pays Debts of<br /> + Courtiers.—Impudence of M. de Vendome.—A Mysterious + Murder.—<br /> Extraordinary Theft. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XV + </p> + <p> + The Farrier of Salon.—Apparition of a Queen.—The Farrier + Comes to<br /> Versailles.—Revelations to the Queen.—Supposed + Explanation.—<br /> New Distinctions to the Bastards.—New + Statue of the King.—<br /> Disappointment of Harlay.—Honesty + of Chamillart.—The Comtesse de<br /> Fiesque.—Daughter of + Jacquier.—Impudence of Saumery.—Amusing Scene.—<br /> + Attempted Murder. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XVI + </p> + <p> + Reform at Court.—Cardinal Delfini.—Pride of M. de Monaco.—Early + Life<br /> of Madame de Maintenon.—Madame de Navailles.—Balls + at Marly.—An Odd<br /> Mask.—Great Dancing—Fortunes + of Langlee.—His Coarseness.—The Abbe de<br /> Soubise.—Intrigues + for His Promotion.—Disgrace and Obstinacy of<br /> Cardinal de + Bouillon. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XVII + </p> + <p> + A Marriage Bargain.—Mademoiselle de Mailly.—James II.—Begging<br /> + Champagne.—A Duel.—Death of Le Notre.—His Character.—History + of<br /> Vassor.—Comtesse de Verrue and Her Romance with M. de + Savoie.—A Race of<br /> Dwarfs.—An Indecorous Incident.—Death + of M. de La Trappe. + </p> + + <p> + VOLUME + 3. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XVIII + </p> + <p> + Settlement of the Spanish Succession.—King William III.—New + Party in<br /> Spain.—Their Attack on the Queen.—Perplexity + of the King.—His Will.—<br /> Scene at the Palace.—News + Sent to France.—Council at Madame de<br /> Maintenon's.—The + King's Decision.—A Public Declaration.—Treatment of<br /> + the New King.—His Departure for Spain.—Reflections.—Philip + V. Arrives<br /> in Spain.—The Queen Dowager Banished. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XIX + </p> + <p> + Marriage of Phillip V.—The Queen's Journey.—Rival Dishes.—<br /> + A Delicate Quarrel.—The King's journey to Italy.—The + Intrigues against<br /> Catinat.—Vaudemont's Success.—Appointment + of Villeroy.—The First<br /> Campaign.—A Snuffbox.—Prince + Eugene's Plan.—Attack and Defence of<br /> Cremona.—Villeroy + Made Prisoner.—Appointment of M. de Vendome. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XX + </p> + <p> + Discontent and Death of Barbezieux.—His Character.—Elevation + of<br /> Chamillart.—Strange Reasons of His Success.—Death + of Rose.—Anecdotes.<br /> —An Invasion of Foxes.—M. + le Prince.—A Horse upon Roses.—Marriage of<br /> His + Daughter: His Manners and Appearance. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XXI + </p> + <p> + Monseigneur's Indigestion.—The King Disturbed.—The Ladies + of the<br /> Halle.—Quarrel of the King and His Brother.—Mutual + Reproaches.—<br /> Monsieur's Confessors.—A New Scene of + Wrangling.—Monsieur at Table.—<br /> He Is Seized with + Apoplexy.—The News Carried to Marly.—How Received by<br /> + the King.—Death of Monsieur.—Various Forms of Grief.—The + Duc de<br /> Chartres. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XXII + </p> + <p> + The Dead Soon Forgotten.—Feelings of Madame de Maintenon.—And + of the<br /> Duc de Chartres.—Of the Courtiers.—Madame's + Mode of Life.—Character of<br /> Monsieur.—Anecdote of M. + le Prince.—Strange Interview of Madame de<br /> Maintenon with + Madame.—Mourning at Court.—Death of Henriette<br /> + d'Angleterre.—A Poisoning Scene.—The King and the + Accomplice. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XXIII + </p> + <p> + Scandalous Adventure of the Abbesse de la Joye.—Anecdote of + Madame de<br /> Saint-Herem.—Death of James II. and Recognition + of His Son.—Alliance<br /> against France.—Scene at St. + Maur.—Balls and Plays.—The "Electra" of<br /> Longepierre—Romantic + Adventures of the Abbe de Vatterville. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XXIV + </p> + <p> + Changes in the Army.—I Leave the Service.—Annoyance of the + King.—The<br /> Medallic History of the Reign.—Louis XIII.—Death + of William III.—<br /> Accession of Queen Anne.—The + Alliance Continued.—Anecdotes of Catinat.<br /> —Madame de + Maintenon and the King. + </p> + + <p> + VOLUME + 4. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XXV + </p> + <p> + Anecdote of Canaples.—Death of the Duc de Coislin.—Anecdotes + of His<br /> Unbearable Politeness.—Eccentric Character.—President + de Novion.—<br /> Death of M. de Lorges.—Death of the + Duchesse de Gesvres. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XXVI + </p> + <p> + The Prince d'Harcourt.—His Character and That of His Wife.—Odd + Court<br /> Lady.—She Cheats at Play.—Scene at + Fontainebleau.—Crackers at Marly.—<br /> Snowballing a + Princess.—Strange Manners of Madame d'Harcourt.—<br /> + Rebellion among Her Servants.—A Vigorous Chambermaid. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XXVII + </p> + <p> + Madame des Ursins.—Her Marriage and Character.—The Queen + of Spain.—<br /> Ambition of Madame de Maintenon.—Coronation + of Philip V.—A Cardinal<br /> Made Colonel.—Favourites of + Madame des Ursins.—Her Complete Triumph.—<br /> A Mistake.—A + Despatch Violated.—Madame des Ursins in Disgrace. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XXVIII + </p> + <p> + Appointment of the Duke of Berwick.—Deception Practised by Orry.—Anger<br /> + of Louis XIV.—Dismissal of Madame des Ursins.—Her + Intrigues to Return.<br /> —Annoyance of the King and Queen of + Spain.—Intrigues at Versailles.—<br /> Triumphant Return of + Madame des Ursins to Court.—Baseness of the<br /> Courtiers.—Her + Return to Spain Resolved On. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XXIX + </p> + <p> + An Honest Courtier.—Robbery of Courtin and Fieubet.—An + Important<br /> Affair.—My Interview with the King.—His + Jealousy of His Authority.—<br /> Madame La Queue, the King's + Daughter.—Battle of Blenheim or Hochstedt.—<br /> Our + Defeat.—Effect of the News on the King.—Public Grief and + Public<br /> Rejoicing.—Death of My Friend Montfort. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XXX + </p> + <p> + Naval Battle of Malaga.—Danger of Gibraltar.—Duke of + Mantua in Search<br /> of a Wife.—Duchesse de Lesdiguieres.—Strange + Intrigues.—Mademoiselle<br /> d'Elboeuf Carries off the Prize.—A + Curious Marriage.—Its Result.—<br /> History of a + Conversion to Catholicism.—Attempted Assassination.—<br /> + Singular Seclusion. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XXXI + </p> + <p> + Fascination of the Duchesse de Bourgogne.—Fortunes of Nangis.—He + Is<br /> Loved by the Duchesse and Her Dame d'Atours.—Discretion + of the Court.—<br /> Maulevrier.—His Courtship of the + Duchess.—Singular Trick.—Its Strange<br /> Success.—Mad + Conduct of Maulevrier—He Is Sent to Spain.—His Adventures<br /> + There.—His Return and Tragical Catastrophe. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XXXII + </p> + <p> + Death of M. de Duras.—Selfishness of the King.—Anecdote of + Puysieux.—<br /> Character of Pontchartrain.—Why He Ruined + the French Fleet.—Madame des<br /> Ursins at Last Resolves to + Return to Spain.—Favours Heaped upon Her.—<br /> M. de + Lauzun at the Army.—His bon mot.—Conduct of M. de Vendome.—<br /> + Disgrace and Character of the Grand Prieur. + </p> + + <p> + VOLUME + 5. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XXXIII + </p> + <p> + A Hunting Adventure.—Story and Catastrophe of Fargues.—Death + and<br /> Character of Ninon de l'Enclos.—Odd Adventure of + Courtenvaux.—Spies at<br /> Court.—New Enlistment.—Wretched + State of the Country.—Balls at Marly. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XXXIV + </p> + <p> + Arrival of Vendome at Court.—Character of That Disgusting + Personage.—<br /> Rise of Cardinal Alberoni.—Vendome's + Reception at Marly.—His Unheard-of<br /> Triumph.—His High + Flight.—Returns to Italy.—Battle of Calcinato.—<br /> + Condition of the Army.—Pique of the Marechal de Villeroy.—Battle + of<br /> Ramillies.—Its Consequences. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XXXV + </p> + <p> + Abandonment of the Siege of Barcelona.—Affairs of Italy.—<br /> + La Feuillade.—Disastrous Rivalries.—Conduct of M. + d'Orleans.—The Siege<br /> of Turin.—Battle.—Victory + of Prince Eugene.—Insubordination in the<br /> Army.—Retreat.—M. + d'Orleans Returns to Court.—Disgrace of La Feuillade. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XXXVI + </p> + <p> + Measures of Economy.—Financial Embarrassments.—The King + and<br /> Chamillart.—Tax on Baptisms and Marriages.—Vauban's + Patriotism.—<br /> Its Punishment.—My Action with M. de + Brissac.—I Appeal to the King.—<br /> The Result.—I + Gain My Action. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XXXVII + </p> + <p> + My Appointment as Ambassador to Rome.—How It Fell Through.—Anecdotes + of<br /> the Bishop of Orleans.—A Droll Song.—A Saint in + Spite of Himself.—<br /> Fashionable Crimes.—A Forged + Genealogy.—Abduction of Beringhen.—<br /> The 'Parvulos' of + Meudon and Mademoiselle Choin. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XXXVIII + </p> + <p> + Death and Last Days of Madame de Montespan.—Selfishness of the + King.—<br /> Death and Character of Madame de Nemours.—Neufchatel + and Prussia.—<br /> Campaign of Villars.—Naval Successes.—Inundations + of the Loire.—Siege<br /> of Toulon.—A Quarrel about News.—Quixotic + Despatches of Tesse. + </p> + + <p> + VOLUME + 6. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XXXIX + </p> + <p> + Precedence at the Communion Table.—The King Offended with Madame + de<br /> Torcy.—The King's Religion.—Atheists and + Jansenists.—Project against<br /> Scotland.—Preparations.—Failure.—The + Chevalier de St. George.—His<br /> Return to Court. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XL + </p> + <p> + Death and Character of Brissac.—Brissac and the Court Ladies.—The<br /> + Duchesse de Bourgogne.—Scene at the Carp Basin.—King's + Selfishness.—<br /> The King Cuts Samuel Bernard's Purse.—A + Vain Capitalist.—Story of Leon<br /> and Florence the Actress.—His + Loves with Mademoiselle de Roquelaure.—<br /> Run—away + Marriage.—Anger of Madame de Roquelaure.—A Furious Mother.—<br /> + Opinions of the Court.—A Mistake.—Interference of the + King.—<br /> Fate of the Couple. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XLI + </p> + <p> + The Duc d'Orleans in Spain.—Offends Madame des Ursins and Madame + de<br /> Maintenon.—Laziness of M. de Vendome in Flanders.—Battle + of Oudenarde.<br /> —Defeat and Disasters.—Difference of M. + de Vendome and the Duc de<br /> Bourgogne. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XLII + </p> + <p> + Conflicting Reports.—Attacks on the Duc de Bourgogne.—The + Duchesse de<br /> Bourgogne Acts against Vendome.—Weakness of the + Duke.—Cunning of<br /> Vendome.—The Siege of Lille.—Anxiety + for a Battle.—Its Delay.—Conduct<br /> of the King and + Monseigneur.—A Picture of Royal Family Feeling.—Conduct<br /> + of the Marechal de Boufflers. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XLIII + </p> + <p> + Equivocal Position of the Duc de Bourgogne.—His Weak Conduct.—<br /> + Concealment of a Battle from the King.—Return of the Duc de + Bourgogne to<br /> Court.—Incidents of His Reception.—Monseigneur.—Reception + of the Duc<br /> de Berry.—Behaviour of the Duc de Bourgogne.—Anecdotes + of Gamaches.—<br /> Return of Vendome to Court.—His Star + Begins to Wane.—Contrast of<br /> Boufflers and Vendome.—Chamillart's + Project for Retaking Lille.—How It<br /> Was Defeated by Madame + de Maintenon. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XLIV + </p> + <p> + Tremendous Cold in France.—Winters of 1708-1709—Financiers + and the<br /> Famine.—Interference of the Parliaments of Paris + and Dijon.—Dreadful<br /> Oppression.—Misery of the People.—New + Taxes.—Forced Labour.—General<br /> Ruin.—Increased + Misfortunes.—Threatened Regicide.—Procession of Saint<br /> + Genevieve.—Offerings of Plate to the King.—Discontent of + the People.—<br /> A Bread Riot, How Appeased. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XLV + </p> + <p> + M. de Vendome out of Favour.—Death and Character of the Prince + de<br /> Conti.—Fall of Vendome.—Pursegur's Interview with + the King.—Madame de<br /> Bourgogne against Vendome.—Her + Decided Conduct.—Vendome Excluded from<br /> Marly.—He + Clings to Meudon.—From Which He is also Expelled.—His + Final<br /> Disgrace and Abandonment.—Triumph of Madame de + Maintenon. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XLVI + </p> + <p> + Death of Pere La Chaise.—His Infirmities in Old Age.—Partiality + of the<br /> King.—Character of Pere La Chaise.—The + Jesuits.—Choice of a New<br /> Confessor.—Fagon's Opinion.—Destruction + of Port Royal.—Jansenists and<br /> Molinists.—Pascal.—Violent + Oppression of the Inhabitants of Port Royal. + </p> + + <p> + VOLUME + 7. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XLVII + </p> + <p> + Death of D'Avaux.—A Quarrel about a Window.—Louvois and + the King.—<br /> Anecdote of Boisseuil.—Madame de Maintenon + and M. de Beauvilliers.—<br /> Harcourt Proposed for the Council.—His + Disappointment.—Death of M. le<br /> Prince.—His Character.—Treatment + of His Wife.—His Love Adventures.—<br /> His Madness.—A + Confessor Brought.—Nobody Regrets Him. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XLVIII + </p> + <p> + Progress of the War.—Simplicity of Chamillart.—The + Imperialists and the<br /> Pope.—Spanish Affairs.—Duc + d'Orleans and Madame des Ursins.—Arrest of<br /> Flotte in Spain.—Discovery + of the Intrigues of the Duc d'Orleans.—Cabal<br /> against Him.—His + Disgrace and Its Consequences. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XLIX + </p> + <p> + Danger of Chamillart.—Witticism of D'Harcourt.—Faults of + Chamillart.—<br /> Court Intrigues against Him.—Behaviour + of the Courtiers.—Influence of<br /> Madame de Maintenon.—Dignified + Fall of Chamillart.—He is Succeeded by<br /> Voysin.—First + Experience of the New Minister.—The Campaign in<br /> Flanders.—Battle + of Malplaquet. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER L. + </p> + <p> + Disgrace of the Duc d'Orleans.—I Endeavor to Separate Him from + Madame<br /> d'Argenton.—Extraordinary Reports.—My Various + Colloquies with Him.—The<br /> Separation.—Conduct of + Madame d'Argenton.—Death and Character of M. le<br /> Duc.—The + After-suppers of the King. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LI + </p> + <p> + Proposed Marriage of Mademoiselle.—My Intrigues to Bring It + About.—The<br /> Duchesse de Bourgogne and Other Allies.—The + Attack Begun.—Progress of<br /> the Intrigue.—Economy at + Marly.—The Marriage Agreed Upon.—Scene at<br /> + Saint-Cloud.—Horrible Reports.—The Marriage.—Madame + de Saint-Simon.—<br /> Strange Character of the Duchesse de + Berry. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LII + </p> + <p> + Birth of Louis XV.—The Marechale de la Meilleraye.—Saint-Ruth's<br /> + Cudgel.—The Cardinal de Bouillon's Desertion from France.—Anecdotes + of<br /> His Audacity. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LIII + </p> + <p> + Imprudence of Villars.—The Danger of Truthfulness.—Military + Mistakes.—<br /> The Fortunes of Berwick.—The Son of James.—Berwick's + Report on the<br /> Army.—Imprudent Saying of Villars.—"The + Good Little Fellow" in a<br /> Scrape.—What Happens to Him. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LIV + </p> + <p> + Duchesse de Berry Drunk.—Operations in Spain.—Vendome + Demanded by<br /> Spain.—His Affront by the Duchesse de + Bourgogne.—His Arrival.—<br /> Staremberg and Stanhope.—The + Flag of Spain Leaves Madrid.—Entry of the<br /> Archduke.—Enthusiasm + of the Spaniards—The King Returns.—Strategy, of<br /> + Staremberg.—Affair of Brighuega.—Battle of Villavciosa.—Its<br /> + Consequences to Vendome and to Spain. + </p> + + <p> + VOLUME + 8. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LV + </p> + <p> + State of the Country.—New Taxes.—The King's Conscience + Troubled.—<br /> Decision of the Sorbonne.—Debate in the + Council.—Effect of the Royal<br /> Tithe.—Tax on Agioteurs.—Merriment + at Court.—Death of a Son of<br /> Marechal Boufflers.—The + Jesuits. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LVI + </p> + <p> + My Interview with Du Mont.—A Mysterious Communication.—Anger + of<br /> Monseigneur against Me.—Household of the Duchesse de + Berry.—Monseigneur<br /> Taken Ill of the Smallpox.—Effect + of the News.—The King Goes to<br /> Meudon.—The Danger + Diminishes.—Madame de Maintenon at Meudon.—The<br /> Court + at Versailles.—Hopes and Fears.—The Danger Returns.—Death + of<br /> Monseigneur.—Conduct of the King. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LVII + </p> + <p> + A Rumour Reaches Versailles.—Aspect of the Court.—Various + Forms of<br /> Grief.—The Duc d'Orleans.—The News Confirmed + at Versailles.—Behaviour<br /> of the Courtiers.—The Duc + and Duchesse de Berry.—The Duc and Duchesse<br /> de Bourgogne.—Madame.—A + Swiss Asleep.—Picture of a Court.—The Heir-<br /> + Apparent's Night.—The King Returns to Marly.—Character of + Monseigneur.<br /> —Effect of His Death. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LVIII + </p> + <p> + State of the Court at Death of Monseigneur.—Conduct of the + Dauphin and<br /> the Dauphine.—The Duchesse de Berry.—My + Interview with the Dauphin.—<br /> He is Reconciled with M. + d'Orleans. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LIX + </p> + <p> + Warnings to the Dauphin and the Dauphine.—The Dauphine Sickens + and<br /> Dies.—Illness of the Dauphin.—His Death.—Character + and Manners of the<br /> Dauphine.—And of the Dauphin. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LX + </p> + <p> + Certainty of Poison.—The Supposed Criminal.—Excitement of + the People<br /> against M. d'Orleans.—The Cabal.—My Danger + and Escape.—The Dauphin's<br /> Casket. + </p> + + <p> + VOLUME + 9. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXI + </p> + <p> + The King's Selfishness.—Defeat of the Czar.—Death of + Catinat.—Last<br /> Days of Vendome.—His Body at the + Escurial.—Anecdote of Harlay and the<br /> Jacobins.—Truce + in Flanders.—Wolves. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXII + </p> + <p> + Settlement of the Spanish Succession.—Renunciation of France.—Comic<br /> + Failure of the Duc de Berry.—Anecdotes of M. de Chevreuse.—Father<br /> + Daniel's History and Its Reward. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXIII + </p> + <p> + The Bull Unigenitus.—My Interview with Father Tellier.—Curious<br /> + Inadvertence of Mine.—Peace.—Duc de la Rochefoucauld.—A + Suicide in<br /> Public.—Charmel.—Two Gay Sisters. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXIV + </p> + <p> + The King of Spain a Widower.—Intrigues of Madame des Ursins.—Choice + of<br /> the Princes of Parma.—The King of France Kept in the + Dark.—Celebration<br /> of the Marriage.—Sudden Fall of the + Princesse des Ursins.—Her Expulsion<br /> from Spain. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXV + </p> + <p> + The King of Spain Acquiesces in the Disgrace of Madame des Ursins.—Its<br /> + Origin.—Who Struck the Blow.—Her journey to Versailles.—Treatment<br /> + There.—My Interview with Her.—She Retires to Genoa.—Then + to Rome.—<br /> Dies. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXVI + </p> + <p> + Sudden Illness of the Duc de Berry—Suspicious Symptoms.—The + Duchess<br /> Prevented from Seeing Him.—His Death.—Character.—Manners + of the<br /> Duchesse de Berry. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXVII + </p> + <p> + Maisons Seeks My Acquaintance.—His Mysterious Manner.—Increase + of the<br /> Intimacy.—Extraordinary News.—The Bastards + Declared Princes of the<br /> Blood.—Rage of Maisons and + Noailles.—Opinion of the Court and Country. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXVIII + </p> + <p> + The King Unhappy and Ill at Ease.—Court Paid to Him.—A New + Scheme to<br /> Rule Him.—He Yields.—New Annoyance.—His + Will.—Anecdotes Concerning<br /> It.—Opinions of the Court.—M. + du Maine. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXIX + </p> + <p> + A New Visit from Maisons.—His Violent Project.—My + Objections.—He<br /> Persists.—His Death and That of His + Wife.—Death of the Duc de<br /> Beauvilliers.—His + Character.—Of the Cardinal d'Estrees.—Anecdotes.—<br /> + Death of Fenelon. + </p> + + <p> + VOLUME + 10. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXX + </p> + <p> + Character and Position of the Duc d'Orleans—His Manners, + Talents, and<br /> Virtues.—His Weakness.—Anecdote + Illustrative Thereof.—<br /> The "Debonnaire"—Adventure of + the Grand Prieur in England.—Education<br /> of the Duc + d'Orleans.—Character of Dubois.—His Pernicious Influence.—<br /> + The Duke's Emptiness.—His Deceit.—His Love of Painting.—The + Fairies at<br /> His Birth.—The Duke's Timidity.—An + Instance of His Mistrustfulness. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXXI + </p> + <p> + The Duke Tries to Raise the Devil.—Magical Experiments.—His + Religious<br /> Opinions.—Impiety.—Reads Rabelais at + Church.—The Duchesse d'Orleans.—<br /> Her Character.—Her + Life with Her Husband.—My Discourses with the Duke<br /> on the + Future.—My Plans of Government.—A Place at Choice Offered + Me.—<br /> I Decline the Honour.—My Reason.—National + Bankruptcy.—The Duke's Anger<br /> at My Refusal.—A Final + Decision. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXXII + </p> + <p> + The King's Health Declines.—Bets about His Death.—Lord + Stair.—My New<br /> Friend.—The King's Last Hunt.—And + Last Domestic and Public Acts.—<br /> Doctors.—Opium.—The + King's Diet.—Failure of His Strength.—His Hopes<br /> of + Recovery.—Increased Danger.—Codicil to His Will.—Interview + with the<br /> Duc d'Orleans.—With the Cardinal de Noailles.—Address + to His<br /> Attendants.—The Dauphin Brought to Him.—His + Last Words.—<br /> An Extraordinary Physician.—The + Courtiers and the Duc d'Orleans.—<br /> Conduct of Madame de + Maintenon.—The King's Death. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXXIII + </p> + <p> + Early Life of Louis XIV.—His Education.—His Enormous + Vanity.—His<br /> Ignorance.—Cause of the War with Holland.—His + Mistakes and Weakness in<br /> War.—The Ruin of France.—Origin + of Versailles.—The King's Love of<br /> Adulation, and Jealousy + of People Who Came Not to Court.—His Spies.—<br /> His + Vindictiveness.—Opening of Letters.—Confidence Sometimes + Placed in<br /> Him—A Lady in a Predicament. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXXIV + </p> + <p> + Excessive Politeness.—Influence of the Valets.—How the + King Drove<br /> Out.—Love of magnificence.—His + Buildings.—Versailles.—The Supply of<br /> Water.—The + King Seeks for Quiet.—Creation of Marly.—Tremendous<br /> + Extravagance. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXXV + </p> + <p> + Amours of the King.—La Valliere.—Montespan.—Scandalous + Publicity.—<br /> Temper of Madame de Montespan.—Her + Unbearable Haughtiness.—Other<br /> Mistresses.—Madame de + Maintenon.—Her Fortunes.—Her Marriage with<br /> Scarron.—His + Character and Society.—How She Lived After His Death.—<br /> + Gets into Better Company.—Acquaintance with Madame de Montespan.—<br /> + The King's Children.—His Dislike of Widow Scarron.—Purchase + of the<br /> Maintenon Estate.—Further Demands.—M. du Maine + on His Travels.—<br /> Montespan's Ill—humour.—Madame + de Maintenon Supplants Her.—Her Bitter<br /> Annoyance.—Progress + of the New Intrigue.—Marriage of the King and<br /> Madame de + Maintenon. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXXVI + </p> + <p> + Character of Madame de Maintenon.—Her Conversation.—Her + Narrow-<br /> mindedness.—Her Devotion.—Revocation of the + Edict of Nantes.—Its Fatal<br /> Consequences.—Saint Cyr.—Madame + de Maintenon Desires Her Marriage to be<br /> Declared.—Her + Schemes.—Counterworked by Louvois.—His Vigorous Conduct<br /> + and Sudden Death.—Behaviour of the King.—Extraordinary + Death of Seron. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXXVII + </p> + <p> + Daily Occupations of Madame de Maintenon.—Her Policy—How + She Governed<br /> the King's Affairs.—Connivance with the + Ministers.—Anecdote of<br /> Le Tellier.—Behaviour of the + King to Madame de Maintenon.—<br /> His Hardness.—Selfishness.—Want + of Thought for Others.—Anecdotes.—<br /> Resignation of the + King.—Its Causes.—The Jesuits and the Doctors.—The<br /> + King and Lay Jesuits. + </p> + + <p> + VOLUME + 11. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXXVIII + </p> + <p> + External Life of Louis XIV.—At the Army.—Etiquette of the + King's<br /> Table.—Court Manners and Customs.—The Rising + of the King.—Morning<br /> Occupations.—Secret Amours.—Going + to Mass.—Councils.—Thursdays.—<br /> Fridays.—Ceremony + of the King's Dinner.—The King's Brother.—After<br /> + Dinner.—The Drive.—Walks at Marly and Elsewhere.—Stag—hunting.—Play-<br /> + tables.—Lotteries.—Visits to Madame de Maintenon.—Supper.—The + King<br /> Retires to Rest.—Medicine Days.—Kings Religious + Observances.—Fervency<br /> in Lent.—At Mass.—Costume.—Politeness + of the King for the Court of<br /> Saint-Germain.—Feelings of the + Court at His Death.—Relief of Madame de<br /> Maintenon.—Of + the Duchesse d'Orleans.—Of the Court Generally.—Joy of<br /> + Paris and the Whole of France.—Decency of Foreigners.—Burial + of the<br /> King. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXXIX + </p> + <p> + Surprise of M. d'Orleans at the King's Death.—My Interview with + Him.—<br /> Dispute about Hats.—M. du Maine at the + Parliament.—His Reception.—<br /> My Protest.—The + King's Will.—Its Contents and Reception.—Speech of the<br /> + Duc d'Orleans.—Its Effect.—His Speech on the Codicil.—Violent<br /> + Discussion.—Curious Scene.—Interruption for Dinner.—Return + to the<br /> Parliament.—Abrogation of the Codicil.—New + Scheme of Government.—<br /> The Regent Visits Madame de + Maintenon.—The Establishment of Saint-Cyr.—<br /> The + Regent's Liberality to Madame de Maintenon. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXXX + </p> + <p> + The Young King's Cold.—'Lettres des Cachet' Revived.—A + Melancholy<br /> Story.—A Loan from Crosat.—Retrenchments.—Unpaid + Ambassadors.—Council<br /> of the Regency.—Influence of + Lord Stair.—The Pretender.—His Departure<br /> from Bar.—Colonel + Douglas.—The Pursuit.—Adventure at Nonancourt.—Its<br /> + Upshot.—Madame l'Hospital.—Ingratitude of the Pretender. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXXXI + </p> + <p> + Behaviour of the Duchesse de Berry.—Her Arrogance Checked by + Public<br /> Opinion.—Walls up the Luxembourg Garden.—La + Muette.—Her Strange Amour<br /> with Rion.—Extraordinary + Details.—The Duchess at the Carmelites.—<br /> Weakness of + the Regent.—His Daily Round of Life.—His Suppers.—<br /> + How He Squandered His Time.—His Impenetrability.—Scandal + of His Life.—<br /> Public Balls at the Opera. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXXXII + </p> + <p> + First Appearance of Law.—His Banking Project Supported by the + Regent.—<br /> Discussed by the Regent with Me.—Approved by + the Council and Registered.<br /> —My Interviews with Law.—His + Reasons for Seeking My Friendship.—<br /> Arouet de Voltaire. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXXXIII + </p> + <p> + Rise of Alberoni.—Intimacy of France and England.—Gibraltar + Proposed to<br /> be Given Up.—Louville the Agent.—His + Departure.—Arrives at Madrid.—<br /> Alarm of Alberoni.—His + Audacious Intrigues.—Louville in the Bath.—<br /> His + Attempts to See the King.—Defeated.—Driven out of Spain.—Impudence<br /> + of Alberoni.—Treaty between France and England.—Stipulation + with<br /> Reference to the Pretender. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXXXIV + </p> + <p> + The Lieutenant of Police.—Jealousy of Parliament.—Arrest + of Pomereu<br /> Resolved On.—His Imprisonment and Sudden + Release.—Proposed Destruction<br /> of Marly.—How I + Prevented It.—Sale of the Furniture.—I Obtain the<br /> + 'Grandes Entrees'.—Their Importance and Nature.—Afterwards + Lavished<br /> Indiscriminately.—Adventure of the Diamond called + "The Regent."—Bought<br /> for the Crown of France. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXXXV + </p> + <p> + Death of the Duchesse de Lesdiguieres.—Cavoye and His Wife.—Peter + the<br /> Great.—His Visit to France.—Enmity to England.—Its + Cause.—Kourakin,<br /> the Russian Ambassador.—The Czar + Studies Rome.—Makes Himself the Head<br /> of Religion.—New + Desires for Rome—Ultimately Suppressed.—Preparations<br /> + to Receive the Czar at Paris.—His Arrival at Dunkerque.—At + Beaumont.—<br /> Dislikes the Fine Quarters Provided for Him.—His + Singular Manners, and<br /> Those of His Suite. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXXXVI + </p> + <p> + Personal Appearance of the Czar.—His Meals.—Invited by the + Regent.—<br /> His Interview with the King—He Returns the + Visit.—Excursion in Paris.—<br /> Visits Madame.—Drinks + Beer at the Opera.—At the Invalides.—Meudon.—<br /> + Issy.—The Tuileries.—Versailles.—Hunt at + Fontainebleau.—Saint—Cyr.—<br /> Extraordinary + Interview with Madame de Maintenon.—My Meeting with the<br /> + Czar at D'Antin's.—The Ladies Crowd to See Him.—Interchange + of<br /> Presents.—A Review.—Party Visits.—Desire of + the Czar to Be United to<br /> France. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXXXVII + </p> + <p> + Courson in Languedoc.—Complaints of Perigueux.—Deputies to + Paris.—<br /> Disunion at the Council.—Intrigues of the Duc + de Noailles.—Scene.—<br /> I Support the Perigueux People.—Triumph.—My + Quarrel with Noailles.—<br /> The Order of the Pavilion. + </p> + + <p> + VOLUME + 12. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXXXVIII + </p> + <p> + Policy and Schemes of Alberoni.—He is Made a Cardinal.—Other + Rewards<br /> Bestowed on Him.—Dispute with the Majordomo.—An + Irruption into the<br /> Royal Apartment.—The Cardinal Thrashed.—Extraordinary + Scene. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER LXXXIX + </p> + <p> + Anecdote of the Duc d'Orleans.—He Pretends to Reform—Trick + Played upon<br /> Me.—His Hoaxes.—His Panegyric of Me.—Madame + de Sabran.—How the Regent<br /> Treated His Mistresses. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XC + </p> + <p> + Encroachments of the Parliament.—The Money Edict.—Conflict + of Powers—<br /> Vigorous Conduct of the Parliament.—Opposed + with Equal Vigour by the<br /> Regent.—Anecdote of the Duchesse + du Maine.—Further Proceedings of the<br /> Parliament.—Influence + of the Reading of Memoirs.—Conduct of the<br /> Regent.—My + Political Attitude.—Conversation with the Regent on the<br /> + Subject of the Parliament.—Proposal to Hang Law.—Meeting + at My House.—<br /> Law Takes Refuge in the Palais Royal. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XCI + </p> + <p> + Proposed Bed of Justice.—My Scheme.—Interview with the + Regent.—<br /> The Necessary Seats for the Assembly.—I Go + in Search of Fontanieu.—<br /> My Interview with Hini.—I + Return to the Palace.—Preparations.—<br /> Proposals of M. + le Duc to Degrade M. du Maine.—My Opposition.—My Joy<br /> + and Delight.—The Bed of Justice Finally Determined On.—A + Charming<br /> Messenger.—Final Preparations.—Illness of + the Regent.—News Given to<br /> M. du Maine.—Resolution of + the Parliament.—Military Arrangements.—I Am<br /> Summoned + to the Council.—My Message to the Comte de Toulouse. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XCII + </p> + <p> + The Material Preparations for the Bed of Justice—Arrival of the + Duc<br /> d'Orleans:—The Council Chamber.—Attitude of the + Various Actors.—The<br /> Duc du Maine.—Various Movements.—Arrival + of the Duc de Toulouse.—<br /> Anxiety of the Two Bastards.—They + Leave the Room.—Subsequent<br /> Proceedings.—Arrangement + of the Council Chamber.—Speech of the Regent.<br /> —Countenances + of the Members of Council.—The Regent Explains the Object<br /> + of the Bed of Justice.—Speech of the Keeper of the Seals.—Taking + the<br /> Votes.—Incidents That Followed.—New Speech of the + Duc d'Orleans.—<br /> Against the Bastards.—My Joy.—I + Express My Opinion Modestly.—Exception<br /> in Favour of the + Comte de Toulouse.—New Proposal of M. le Duc.—Its<br /> + Effect.—Threatened Disobedience of the Parliament.—Proper + Measures.—<br /> The Parliament Sets Out. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XCIII + </p> + <p> + Continuation of the Scene in the Council Chamber.—Slowness of + the<br /> Parliament.—They Arrive at Last.—The King + Fetched.—Commencement of the<br /> Bed of Justice.—My + Arrival.—Its Effect.—What I Observed.—Absence of<br /> + the Bastards Noticed.—Appearance of the King. The Keeper of the + Seals.—<br /> The Proceedings Opened.—Humiliation of the + Parliament.—Speech of the<br /> Chief-President.—New + Announcement.—Fall of the Duc du Maine Announced.<br /> —Rage + of the Chief-President.—My Extreme joy.—M. le Duc + Substituted<br /> for M. du Maine.—Indifference of the King.—Registration + of the Decrees. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XCIV + </p> + <p> + My Return Home.—Wanted for a New Commission.—Go to the + Palais Royal.—<br /> A Cunning Page.—My journey to + Saint-Cloud.—My Reception.—Interview<br /> with the + Duchesse d'Orleans.—Her Grief.—My Embarrassment.—Interview<br /> + with Madame.—Her Triumph.—Letter of the Duchesse + d'Orleans.—She Comes<br /> to Paris.—Quarrels with the + Regent. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XCV + </p> + <p> + Intrigues of M. du Maine.—And of Cellamare, the Spanish + Ambassador.—<br /> Monteleon and Portocarrero.—Their + Despatches.—How Signed.—The<br /> Conspiracy Revealed.—Conduct + of the Regent.—Arrest of Cellamare.—His<br /> House + Searched.—The Regency Council.—Speech of the Duc + d'Orleans.—<br /> Resolutions Come To.—Arrests.—Relations + with Spain.—Alberoni and<br /> Saint-Aignan.—Their Quarrel.—Escape + of Saint-Aignan. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XCVI + </p> + <p> + The Regent Sends for Me.—Guilt of the Duc de Maine.—Proposed + Arrest.—<br /> Discussion on the Prison to Be Chosen.—The + Arrest.—His Dejection.—<br /> Arrest of the Duchess.—Her + Rage.—Taken to Dijon.—Other Arrests.—<br /> Conduct + of the Comte de Toulouse.—The Faux Sauniers.—Imprisonment + of<br /> the Duc and Duchesse du Maine.—Their Sham Disagreement.—Their<br /> + Liberation.—Their Reconciliation. + </p> + <p> + <br /> VOLUME + 13. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XCVII + </p> + <p> + Anecdote of Madame de Charlus.—The 'Phillippaques'.—La + Grange.—<br /> Pere Tellier.—The Jesuits.—Anecdote——Tellier's + Banishment.—Death of<br /> Madame de Maintenon.—Her Life at + Saint-Cyr. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XCVIII + </p> + <p> + Mode of Life of the Duchesse de Berry.—Her Illness.—Her + Degrading<br /> Amours.—Her Danger Increases.—The + Sacraments Refused.—The Cure Is<br /> Supported by the Cardinal + de Noailles.—Curious Scene.—The Duchess<br /> Refuses to + Give Way.—She Recovers, and Is Delivered.—Ambition of + Rion.<br /> —He Marries the Duchess.—She Determines to Go + to Meudon.—Rion Sent to<br /> the Army.—Quarrels of Father + and Daughter.—Supper on the Terrace of<br /> Meudon.—The + Duchess Again Ill.—Moves to La Muette.—Great Danger.—<br /> + Receives the Sacrament.—Garus and Chirac.—Rival Doctors.—Increased<br /> + Illness.—Death of the Duchess.—Sentiments on the Occasion.—Funeral<br /> + Ceremonies.—Madame de Saint-Simon Fails Ill.—Her Recovery.—We + Move to<br /> Meudon.—Character of the Duchesse de Berry. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER XCIX + </p> + <p> + The Mississippi Scheme.—Law Offers Me Shares.—Compensation + for Blaye.—<br /> The Rue Quincampoix.—Excitement of the + Public.—Increased Popularity of<br /> the Scheme.—Conniving + of Law.—Plot against His Life—Disagreement with<br /> + Argenson.—Their Quarrel.—Avarice of the Prince de Conti.—His<br /> + Audacity.—Anger of the Regent.—Comparison with the Period + of Louis<br /> XIV.—A Ballet Proposed.—The Marechal de + Villeroy.—The Young King Is to<br /> Dance.—Young Law + Proposed.—Excitement.—The Young King's Disgust.—<br /> + Extravagant Presents of the Duc d'Orleans. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER C + </p> + <p> + System of Law in Danger.—Prodigality of the Duc d'Orleans.—Admissions<br /> + of Law.—Fall of His Notes.—Violent Measures Taken to + Support Them.—<br /> Their Failure.—Increased Extravagance + of the Regent.—Reduction of the<br /> Fervour.—Proposed + Colonies.—Forced Emigration.—Decree on the Indian<br /> + Company.—Scheming of Argenson. Attitude of the Parliament.—Their<br /> + Remonstrance.—Dismissal of Law.—His Coolness—Extraordinary + Decree of<br /> Council of State.—Prohibition of jewellery.—New + Schemes. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER CI + </p> + <p> + The New Edict.—The Commercial Company.—New Edict.—Rush + on the Bank.—<br /> People Stifled in the Crowd.—Excitement + against Law.—Money of the<br /> Bank.—Exile of the + Parliament to Pontoise.—New Operation.—The Place<br /> + Vendome.—The Marechal de Villeroy.—Marseilles.—Flight + of Law.—<br /> Character of Him and His Wife.—Observations + on His Schemes.—Decrees of<br /> the Finance. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER CII + </p> + <p> + Council on the Finances.—Departure of Law—A Strange + Dialogue.—M. le<br /> Duc and the Regent.—Crimes Imputed to + Law during His Absence.—Schemes<br /> Proposed.—End, of the + Council. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER CIII + </p> + <p> + Character of Alberoni.—His Grand Projects.—Plots against + Him.—The<br /> Queen's Nurse.—The Scheme against the + Cardinal.—His Fall.—Theft of a<br /> Will.—Reception + in Italy.—His Adventures There. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER CIV + </p> + <p> + Meetings of the Council.—A Kitten.—The Archbishopric of + Cambrai.—<br /> Scandalous Conduct of Dubois.—The + Consecration.—I Persuade the Regent<br /> Not to Go.—He + Promises Not.—Breaks His Word.—Madame de Parabere.—The<br /> + Ceremony.—Story of the Comte de Horn. + </p> + + <p> + VOLUME + 14 + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER CV + </p> + <p> + Quarrel of the King of England with His Son.—Schemes of Dubois.—<br /> + Marriage of Brissac.—His Death.—Birth of the Young + Pretender.—<br /> Cardinalate of Dubois.—Illness of the + King.—His Convalescence.—<br /> A Wonderful Lesson.—Prudence + of the Regent.—Insinuations against Him. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER CVI + </p> + <p> + Projected Marriages of the King and of the Daughter of the Duc + d'Orleans<br /> —How It Was Communicated to Me.—I Ask for + the Embassy to Spain.—It Is<br /> Granted to Me.—Jealousy + of Dubois.—His Petty Interference.—<br /> Announcement of + the Marriages. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER CVII + </p> + <p> + Interview with Dubois.—His Singular Instructions to Ale.—His + Insidious<br /> Object.—Various Tricks and Manoeuvres.—My + Departure for Spain.—Journey<br /> by Way of Bordeaux and + Bayonne.—Reception in Spain.—Arrival at Madrid. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER CVIII + </p> + <p> + Interview in the Hall of Mirrors.—Preliminaries of the + Marriages.—<br /> Grimaldo.—How the Question of Precedence + Was Settled.—I Ask for an<br /> Audience.—Splendid + Illuminations.—A Ball.—I Am Forced to Dance. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER CIX + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle de Montpensier Sets out for Spain.—I Carry the News + to the<br /> King.—Set out for Lerma.—Stay at the Escurial.—Take + the Small—pox.—<br /> Convalescence. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER CX + </p> + <p> + Mode of Life of Their Catholic Majesties.—Their Night.—Morning.—<br /> + Toilette.—Character of Philippe V.—And of His Queen.—How + She Governed<br /> Him. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER CXI + </p> + <p> + The King's Taste for Hunting.—Preparations for a Battue.—Dull + Work.—<br /> My Plans to Obtain the Grandesse.—Treachery of + Dubois.—Friendship of<br /> Grimaldo.—My Success. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER CXII + </p> + <p> + Marriage of the Prince of the Asturias.—An Ignorant Cardinal.—I + Am Made<br /> Grandee of Spain.—The Vidame de Chartres Named + Chevalier of the Golden<br /> Fleece.—His Reception—My + Adieux.—A Belching Princess.—<br /> Return to France. + </p> + + <p> + VOLUME + 15. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER CXIII + </p> + <p> + Attempted Reconciliation between Dubois and Villeroy.—Violent + Scene.—<br /> Trap Laid for the Marechal.—Its Success.—His + Arrest. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER CXIV + </p> + <p> + I Am Sent for by Cardinal Dubois.—Flight of Frejus.—He Is + Sought and<br /> Found.—Behaviour of Villeroy in His Exile at + Lyons.—His Rage and<br /> Reproaches against Frejus.—Rise + of the Latter in the King's Confidence. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER CXV + </p> + <p> + I Retire from Public Life.—Illness and Death of Dubois.—Account + of His<br /> Riches.—His Wife.—His Character.—Anecdotes.—Madame + de Conflans.—<br /> Relief of the Regent and the King. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER CXVI + </p> + <p> + Death of Lauzun.—His Extraordinary Adventures.—His Success + at Court.—<br /> Appointment to the Artillery.—Counter—worked + by Louvois.—Lauzun and<br /> Madame de Montespan.—Scene + with the King.—Mademoiselle and Madame de<br /> Monaco. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER CXVII + </p> + <p> + Lauzun's Magnificence.—Louvois Conspires against Him.—He + Is<br /> Imprisoned.—His Adventures at Pignerol.—On What + Terms He Is Released.—<br /> His Life Afterwards.—Return to + Court. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER CXVIII + </p> + <p> + Lauzun Regrets His Former Favour.—Means Taken to Recover It.—Failure.—<br /> + Anecdotes.—Biting Sayings.—My Intimacy with Lauzun.—His + Illness,<br /> Death, and Character. + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER CXIX + </p> + <p> + Ill-Health of the Regent.—My Fears.—He Desires a Sudden + Death.—<br /> Apoplectic Fit.—Death.—His Successor as + Prime Minister.—The Duc de<br /> Chartres.—End of the + Memoirs. + </p> + <a name="link2H_INTR" id="link2H_INTR"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + INTRODUCTION + </h2> + <p> + No library of Court documents could pretend to be representative which + ignored the famous "Memoirs" of the Duc de Saint-Simon. They stand, by + universal consent, at the head of French historical papers, and are + the one great source from which all historians derive their insight + into the closing years of the reign of the "Grand Monarch," Louis XIV: + whom the author shows to be anything but grand—and of the + Regency. The opinion of the French critic, Sainte-Beuve, is fairly + typical. "With the Memoirs of De Retz, it seemed that perfection had + been attained, in interest, in movement, in moral analysis, in + pictorial vivacity, and that there was no reason for expecting they + could be surpassed. But the 'Memoirs' of Saint-Simon came; and they + offer merits . . . which make them the most precious body of Memoirs + that as yet exist." + </p> + <p> + Villemain declared their author to be "the most original of geniuses + in French literature, the foremost of prose satirists; inexhaustible + in details of manners and customs, a word-painter like Tacitus; the + author of a language of his own, lacking in accuracy, system, and art, + yet an admirable writer." Leon Vallee reinforces this by saying: + "Saint-Simon can not be compared to any of his contemporaries. He has + an individuality, a style, and a language solely his own.... Language + he treated like an abject slave. When he had gone to its farthest + limit, when it failed to express his ideas or feelings, he forced it—the + result was a new term, or a change in the ordinary meaning of words + sprang forth from has pen. With this was joined a vigour and breadth + of style, very pronounced, which makes up the originality of the works + of Saint-Simon and contributes toward placing their author in the + foremost rank of French writers." + </p> + <p> + Louis de Rouvroy, who later became the Duc de Saint-Simon, was born in + Paris, January 16, 1675. He claimed descent from Charlemagne, but the + story goes that his father, as a young page of Louis XIII., gained + favour with his royal master by his skill in holding the stirrup, and + was finally made a duke and peer of France. The boy Louis had no + lesser persons than the King and Queen Marie Therese as godparents, + and made his first formal appearance at Court when seventeen. He tells + us that he was not a studious boy, but was fond of reading history; + and that if he had been given rein to read all he desired of it, he + might have made "some figure in the world." At nineteen, like + D'Artagnan, he entered the King's Musketeers. At twenty he was made a + captain in the cavalry; and the same year he married the beautiful + daughter of the Marechal de Larges. This marriage, which was purely + political in its inception, finally turned into a genuine love match—a + pleasant exception to the majority of such affairs. He became devoted + to his wife, saying: "she exceeded all that was promised of her, and + all that I myself had hoped." Partly because of this marriage, and + also because he felt himself slighted in certain army appointments, he + resigned his commissim after five years' service, and retired for a + time to private life. + </p> + <p> + Upon his return to Court, taking up apartments which the royal favour + had reserved for him at Versailles, Saint-Simon secretly entered upon + the self-appointed task for which he is now known to fame—a task + which the proud King of a vainglorious Court would have lost no time + in terminating had it been discovered—the task of judge, spy, + critic, portraitist, and historian, rolled into one. Day by day, + henceforth for many years, he was to set down upon his private + "Memoirs" the results of his personal observations, supplemented by + the gossip brought to him by his unsuspecting friends; for neither + courtier, statesman, minister, nor friend ever looked upon those notes + which this "little Duke with his cruel, piercing, unsatisfied eyes" + was so busily penning. Says Vallee: "He filled a unique position at + Court, being accepted by all, even by the King himself, as a cynic, + personally liked for his disposition, enjoying consideration on + account of the prestige of his social connections, inspiring fear in + the more timid by the severity and fearlessness of his criticism." Yet + Louis XIV. never seems to have liked him, and Saint- Simon owed his + influence chiefly to his friendly relations with the Dauphin's family. + During the Regency, he tried to restrain the profligate Duke of + Orleans, and in return was offered the position of governor of the + boy, Louis XV., which he refused. Soon after, he retired to private + life, and devoted his remaining years largely to revising his beloved + "Memoirs." The autograph manuscript, still in existence, reveals the + immense labour which he put into it. The writing is remarkable for its + legibility and freedom from erasure. It comprises no less than 2,300 + pages in folio. + </p> + <p> + After the author's death, in 1755, the secret of his lifelong labour + was revealed; and the Duc de Choiseul, fearing the result of these + frank revelations, confiscated them and placed them among the state + archives. For sixty years they remained under lock and key, being seen + by only a few privileged persons, among them Marmontel, Duclos, and + Voltaire. A garbled version of extracts appeared in 1789, possibly + being used as a Revolutionary text. Finally, in 1819, a descendant of + the analyst, bearing the same name, obtained permission from Louis + XVIII. to set this "prisoner of the Bastille" at liberty; and in 1829 + an authoritative edition, revised and arranged by chapters, appeared. + It created a tremendous stir. Saint-Simon had been merciless, from + King down to lady's maid, in depicting the daily life of a famous + Court. He had stripped it of all its tinsel and pretension, and laid + the ragged framework bare. "He wrote like the Devil for posterity!" + exclaimed Chateaubriand. But the work at once became universally read + and quoted, both in France and England. Macaulay made frequent use of + it in his historical essays. It was, in a word, recognised as the + chief authority upon an important period of thirty years (1694-1723). + </p> + <p> + Since then it has passed through many editions, finally receiving an + adequate English translation at the hands of Bayle St. John, who has + been careful to adhere to the peculiarities of Saint-Simon's style. It + is this version which is now presented in full, giving us not only + many vivid pictures of the author's time, but of the author himself. + "I do not pride myself upon my freedom from prejudice—impartiality," + he confesses—"it would be useless to attempt it. But I have + tried at all times to tell the truth." + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VOLUME 1. + </h2> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I + </h2> + <p> + I was born on the night of the 15th of January, 1675, of Claude Duc de + Saint-Simon, Peer of France, and of his second wife Charlotte de + l'Aubepine. I was the only child of that marriage. By his first wife, + Diana de Budos, my father had had only a daughter. He married her to + the Duc de Brissac, Peer of France, only brother of the Duchesse de + Villeroy. She died in 1684, without children,—having been long + before separated from a husband who was unworthy of her—leaving + me heir of all her property. + </p> + <p> + I bore the name of the Vidame de Chartres; and was educated with great + care and attention. My mother, who was remarkable for virtue, + perseverance, and sense, busied herself continually in forming my mind + and body. She feared for me the usual fate of young men, who believe + their fortunes made, and who find themselves their own masters early + in life. It was not likely that my father, born in 1606, would live + long enough to ward off from me this danger; and my mother repeatedly + impressed on, me how necessary it was for a young man, the son of the + favourite of a King long dead,—with no new friends at Court,—to + acquire some personal value of his own. She succeeded in stimulating + my courage; and in exciting in me the desire to make the acquisitions + she laid stress on; but my aptitude for study and the sciences did not + come up to my desire to succeed in them. However, I had an innate + inclination for reading, especially works of history; and thus was + inspired with ambition to emulate the examples presented to my + imagination,—to do something and become somebody, which partly + made amends for my coldness for letters. In fact, I have always + thought that if I had been allowed to read history more constantly, + instead of losing my time in studies for which I had no aptness, I + might have made some figure in the world. + </p> + <p> + What I read of my own accord, of history, and, above all, of the + personal memoirs of the times since Francis I., bred in me the desire + to write down what I might myself see. The hope of advancement, and of + becoming familiar with the affairs of my time, stirred me. The + annoyances I might thus bring upon myself did not fail to present + themselves to my mind; but the firm resolution I made to keep my + writings secret from everybody, appeared to me to remedy all evils. I + commenced my memoirs then in July, 1694, being at that time colonel of + a cavalry regiment bearing my name, in the camp of Guinsheim, upon the + old Rhine, in the army commanded by the Marechal Duc de Lorges. + </p> + <p> + In 1691 I was studying my philosophy and beginning to learn to ride at + an academy at Rochefort, getting mightily tired of masters and books, + and anxious to join the army. The siege of Mons, formed by the King in + person, at the commencement of the spring, had drawn away all the + young men of my age to commence their first campaign; and, what piqued + me most, the Duc de Chartres was there, too. I had been, as it were, + educated with him. I was younger than he by eight months; and if the + expression be allowed in speaking of young people, so unequal in + position, friendship had united us. I made up my mind, therefore, to + escape from my leading-strings; but pass lightly over the artifices I + used in order to attain success. I addressed myself to my mother. I + soon saw that she trifled with me. I had recourse to my father, whom I + made believe that the King, having led a great siege this year, would + rest the next. I said nothing of this to my mother, who did not + discover my plot until it was just upon the point, of execution. + </p> + <p> + The King had determined rigidly to adhere to a rule he had laid down— + namely, that none who entered the service, except his illegitimate + children, and the Princes of the blood royal, should be exempt from + serving for a year in one of his two companies of musketeers; and + passing afterwards through the ordeal of being private or subaltern in + one of the regiments of cavalry or infantry, before receiving + permission to purchase a regiment. My father took me, therefore, to + Versailles, where he had not been for many years, and begged of the + King admission for me into the Musketeers. It was on the day of St. + Simon and St. Jude, at half-past twelve, and just as his Majesty came + out of the council. + </p> + <p> + The King did my father the honour of embracing him three times, and + then turned towards me. Finding that I was little and of delicate + appearance, he said I was still very young; to which my father + replied, that I should be able in consequence to serve longer. + Thereupon the King demanded in which of the two companies he wished to + put me; and my father named that commanded by Maupertuis, who was one + of his friends. The King relied much upon the information given him by + the captains of the two companies of Musketeers, as to the young men + who served in them. I have reason for believing, that I owe to + Maupertuis the first good opinion that his Majesty had of me. + </p> + <p> + Three months after entering the Musketeers, that is to say, in the + March of the following year, the King held a review of his guards, and + of the gendarmerie, at Compiegne, and I mounted guard once at the + palace. During this little journey there was talk of a much more + important one. My joy was extreme; but my father, who had not counted + upon this, repented of having believed me, when I told him that the + King would no doubt rest at Paris this year. My mother, after a little + vexation and pouting at finding me enrolled by my father against her + will, did not fail to bring him to reason, and to make him provide me + with an equipment of thirty-five horses or mules, and means to live + honourably. + </p> + <p> + A grievous annoyance happened in our house about three weeks before my + departure. A steward of my father named Tesse, who had been with him + many years, disappeared all at once with fifty thousand francs due to + various tradesfolk. He had written out false receipts from these + people, and put them in his accounts. He was a little man, gentle, + affable, and clever; who had shown some probity, and who had many + friends. + </p> + <p> + The King set out on the 10th of May, 1692, with the ladies; and I + performed the journey on horseback with the soldiers and all the + attendants, like the other Musketeers, and continued to do so through + the whole campaign. I was accompanied by two gentlemen; the one had + been my tutor, the other was my mother's squire. The King's army was + formed at the camp of Gevries; that of M. de Luxembourg almost joined + it: The ladies were at Mons, two leagues distant. The King made them + come into his camp, where he entertained them; and then showed them, + perhaps; the most superb review which had ever been seen. The two + armies were ranged in two lines, the right of M. de Luxembourg's + touching the left of the King's,—the whole extending over three + leagues of ground. + </p> + <p> + After stopping ten days at Gevries, the two armies separated and + marched. Two days afterwards the seige of Namur was declared. The King + arrived there in five days. Monseigneur (son of the King); Monsieur + (Duc d'Orleans, brother of the King); M. le Prince (de Conde) and + Marechal d'Humieres; all four, the one under the other, commanded in + the King's army under the King himself. The Duc de Luxembourg, sole + general of his own army, covered the siege operations, and observed + the enemy. The ladies went away to Dinant. On the third day of the + march M. le Prince went forward to invest the place. + </p> + <p> + The celebrated Vauban, the life and soul of all the sieges the King + made, was of opinion that the town should be attacked separately from + the castle; and his advice was acted upon. The Baron de Bresse, + however, who had fortified the place, was for attacking town and + castle together. He was a humble down-looking man, whose physiognomy + promised nothing, but who soon acquired the confidence of the King, + and the esteem of the army. + </p> + <p> + The Prince de Conde, Marechal d'Humieres, and the Marquis de Boufflers + each led an attack. There was nothing worthy of note during the ten + days the siege lasted. On the eleventh day, after the trenches had + been opened, a parley was beaten and a capitulation made almost as the + besieged desired it. They withdrew to the castle; and it was agreed + that it should not be attacked from the town-side, and that the town + was not to be battered by it. During the siege the King was almost + always in his tent; and the weather remained constantly warm and + serene. We lost scarcely anybody of consequence. The Comte de Toulouse + received a slight wound in the arm while quite close to the King, who + from a prominent place was witnessing the attack of a half-moon, which + was carried in broad daylight by a detachment of the oldest of the two + companies of Musketeers. + </p> + <p> + The siege of the castle next commenced. The position of the camp was + changed. The King's tents and those of all the Court were pitched in a + beautiful meadow about five hundred paces from the monastery of + Marlaigne. The fine weather changed to rain, which fell with an + abundance and perseverance never before known by any one in the army. + This circumstance increased the reputation of Saint Medard, whose fete + falls on the 8th of June. It rained in torrents that day, and it is + said that when such is the case it will rain for forty days + afterwards. By chance it happened so this year. The soldiers in + despair at this deluge uttered many imprecations against the Saint; + and looked for images of him, burning and breaking as many as they + could find. The rains sadly interfered with the progress of the siege. + The tents of the King could only be communicated with by paths laid + with fascines which required to be renewed every day, as they sank + down into the soil. The camps and quarters were no longer accessible; + the trenches were full of mud and water, and it took often three days + to remove cannon from one battery to another. The waggons became + useless, too, so that the transport of bombs, shot, and so forth, + could not be performed except upon the backs of mules and of horses + taken from the equipages of the Court and the army. The state of the + roads deprived the Duc de Luxembourg of the use of waggons and other + vehicles. His army was perishing for want of grain. To remedy this + inconvenience the King ordered all his household troops to mount every + day on horseback by detachments, and to take sacks of grain upon their + cruppers to a village where they were to be received and counted by + the officers of the Duc de Luxembourg. Although the household of the + King had scarcely any repose during this siege, what with carrying + fascines, furnishing guards, and other daily services, this increase + of duty was given to it because the cavalry served continually also, + and was reduced almost entirely to leaves of trees for provender. + </p> + <p> + The household of the King, accustomed to all sorts of distinctions, + complained bitterly of this task. But the King turned a deaf ear to + them, and would be obeyed. On the first day some of the Gendarmes and + of the light horse of the guard arrived early in the morning at the + depot of the sacks, and commenced murmuring and exciting each other by + their discourses. They threw down the sacks at last and flatly refused + to carry them. I had been asked very politely if I would be of the + detachment for the sacks or of some other. I decided for the sacks, + because I felt that I might thereby advance myself, the subject having + already made much noise. I arrived with the detachment of the + Musketeers at the moment of the refusal of the others; and I loaded my + sack before their eyes. Marin, a brigadier of cavalry and lieutenant + of the body guards, who was there to superintend the operation, + noticed me, and full of anger at the refusal he had just met with, + exclaimed that as I did not think such work beneath me, the rest would + do well to imitate my example. Without a word being spoken each took + up his sack; and from that time forward no further difficulty occurred + in the matter. As soon as the detachment had gone, Marin went straight + to the King and told him what had occurred. This was a service which + procured for me several obliging discourses from his Majesty, who + during the rest of the siege always sought to say something agreeable + every time he met me. + </p> + <p> + The twenty-seventh day after opening the trenches, that is, the first + of July, 1692, a parley was sounded by the Prince de Barbanqon, + governor of the place,—a fortunate circumstance for the + besiegers, who were worn out with fatigue; and destitute of means, on + account of the wretched weather which still continued, and which had + turned the whole country round into a quagmire. Even the horses of the + King lived upon leaves, and not a horse of all our numerous cavalry + ever thoroughly recovered from the effects of such sorry fare. It is + certain that without the presence of the King the siege might never + have been successful; but he being there, everybody was stimulated. + Yet had the place held out ten days longer, there is no saying what + might have happened. Before the end of the siege the King was so much + fatigued with his exertions, that a new attack of gout came on, with + more pain than ever, and compelled him to keep his bed, where, + however, he thought of everything, and laid out his plans as though he + had been at Versailles. + </p> + <p> + During the entire siege, the Prince of Orange (William III. of + England) had unavailingly used all his science to dislodge the Duc de + Luxembourg; but he had to do with a man who in matters of war was his + superior, and who continued so all his life. Namur, which, by the + surrender of the castle, was now entirely in our power, was one of the + strongest places in the Low Countries, and had hitherto boasted of + having never changed masters. The inhabitants could not restrain their + tears of sorrow. Even the monks of Marlaigne were profoundly moved, so + much so, that they could not disguise their grief. The King, feeling + for the loss of their corn that they had sent for safety into Namur, + gave them double the quantity, and abundant alms. He incommoded them + as little as possible, and would not permit the passage of cannon + across their park, until it was found impossible to transport it by + any other road. Notwithstanding these acts of goodness, they could + scarcely look upon a Frenchman after the taking of the place; and one + actually refused to give a bottle of beer to an usher of the King's + antechamber, although offered a bottle of champagne in exchange for + it! + </p> + <p> + A circumstance happened just after the taking of Namur, which might + have led to the saddest results, under any other prince than the King. + Before he entered the town, a strict examination of every place was + made, although by the capitulation all the mines, magazines, &c., + had to be shown. At a visit paid to the Jesuits, they pretended to + show everything, expressing, however, surprise and something more, + that their bare word was not enough. But on examining here and there, + where they did not expect search would be made, their cellars were + found to be stored with gunpowder, of which they had taken good care + to say no word. What they meant to do with it is uncertain. It was + carried away, and as they were Jesuits nothing was done. + </p> + <p> + During the course of this siege, the King suffered a cruel + disappointment. James II. of England, then a refugee in France, had + advised the King to give battle to the English fleet. Joined to that + of Holland it was very superior to the sea forces of France. + Tourville, our admiral, so famous for his valour and skill, pointed + this circumstance out to the King. But it was all to no effect. He was + ordered to attack the enemy. He did so. Many of his ships were burnt, + and the victory was won by the English. A courier entrusted with this + sad intelligence was despatched to the King. On his way he was joined + by another courier, who pressed him for his news. The first courier + knew that if he gave up his news, the other, who was better mounted, + would outstrip him, and be the first to carry it to the King. He told + his companion, therefore, an idle tale, very different indeed from the + truth, for he changed the defeat into a great victory. Having gained + this wonderful intelligence, the second courier put spurs to his + horse, and hurried away to the King's camp, eager to be the bearer of + good tidings. He reached the camp first, and was received with + delight. While his Majesty was still in great joy at his happy + victory, the other courier arrived with the real details. The Court + appeared prostrated. The King was much afflicted. Nevertheless he + found means to appear to retain his self-possession, and I saw, for + the first time, that Courts are not long in affliction or occupied + with sadness. I must mention that the (exiled) King of England looked + on at this naval battle from the shore; and was accused of allowing + expressions of partiality to escape him in favour of his countrymen, + although none had kept their promises to him. + </p> + <p> + Two days after the defeated garrison had marched out, the King went to + Dinant, to join the ladies, with whom he returned to Versailles. I had + hoped that Monseigneur would finish the campaign, and that I should be + with him, and it was not without regret that I returned towards Paris. + On the way a little circumstance happened. One of our halting-places + was Marienburgh, where we camped for the night. I had become united in + friendship with Comte de Coetquen, who was in the same company with + myself. He was well instructed and full of wit; was exceedingly rich, + and even more idle than rich. That evening he had invited several of + us to supper in his tent. I went there early, and found him stretched + out upon his bed, from which I dislodged him playfully and laid myself + down in his place, several of our officers standing by. Coetquen, + sporting with me in return, took his gun, which he thought to be + unloaded, and pointed it at me. But to our great surprise the weapon + went off. Fortunately for me, I was at that moment lying flat upon the + bed. Three balls passed just above my head, and then just above the + heads of our two tutors, who were walking outside the tent. Coetquen + fainted at thought of the mischief he might have done, and we had all + the pains in the world to bring him to himself again. Indeed, he did + not thoroughly recover for several days. I relate this as a lesson + which ought to teach us never to play with fire-arms. + </p> + <p> + The poor lad,—to finish at once all that concerns him,—did + not long survive this incident. He entered the King's regiment, and + when just upon the point of joining it in the following spring, came + to me and said he had had his fortune told by a woman named Du + Perehoir, who practised her trade secretly at Paris, and that she had + predicted he would be soon drowned. I rated him soundly for indulging + a curiosity so dangerous and so foolish. A few days after he set out + for Amiens. He found another fortune-teller there, a man, who made the + same prediction. In marching afterwards with the regiment of the King + to join the army, he wished to water his horse in the Escaut, and was + drowned there, in the presence of the whole regiment, without it being + possible to give him any aid. I felt extreme regret for his loss, + which for his friends and his family was irreparable. + </p> + <p> + But I must go back a little, and speak of two marriages that took + place at the commencement of this year the first (most extraordinary) + on the 18th February the other a month after. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. + </h2> + <p> + The King was very anxious to establish his illegitimate children, whom + he advanced day by day; and had married two of them, daughters, to + Princes of the blood. One of these, the Princesse de Conti, only + daughter of the King and Madame de la Valliere, was a widow without + children; the other, eldest daughter of the King and Madame de + Montespan, had married Monsieur le Duc (Louis de Bourbon, eldest son + of the Prince de Conde). For some time past Madame de Maintenon, even + more than the King, had thought of nothing else than how to raise the + remaining illegitimate children, and wished to marry Mademoiselle de + Blois (second daughter of the King and of Madame de Montespan) to + Monsieur the Duc de Chartres. The Duc de Chartres was the sole nephew + of the King, and was much above the Princes of the blood by his rank + of Grandson of France, and by the Court that Monsieur his father kept + up. + </p> + <p> + The marriages of the two Princes of the blood, of which I have just + spoken, had scandalised all the world. The King was not ignorant of + this; and he could thus judge of the effect of a marriage even more + startling; such as was this proposed one. But for four years he had + turned it over in his mind and had even taken the first steps to bring + it about. It was the more difficult because the father of the Duc de + Chartres was infinitely proud of his rank, and the mother belonged to + a nation which abhorred illegitimacy and, misalliances, and was indeed + of a character to forbid all hope of her ever relishing this marriage. + </p> + <p> + In order to vanquish all these obstacles, the King applied to M. le + Grand (Louis de Lorraine). This person was brother of the Chevalier de + Lorraine, the favourite, by disgraceful means, of Monsieur, father of + the Duc de Chartres. The two brothers, unscrupulous and corrupt, + entered willingly into the scheme, but demanded as a reward, paid in + advance, to be made "Chevaliers of the Order." This was done, although + somewhat against the inclination of the King, and success was + promised. + </p> + <p> + The young Duc de Chartres had at that time for teacher Dubois + (afterwards the famous Cardinal Dubois), whose history was singular. + He had formerly been a valet; but displaying unusual aptitude for + learning, had been instructed by his master in literature and history, + and in due time passed into the service of Saint Laurent, who was the + Duc de Chartres' first instructor. He became so useful and showed so + much skill, that Saint Laurent made him become an abbe. Thus raised in + position, he passed much time with the Duc de Chartres, assisting him + to prepare his lessons, to write his exercises, and to look out words + in the dictionary. I have seen him thus engaged over and over again, + when I used to go and play with the Duc de Chartres. As Saint Laurent + grew infirm, Dubois little by little supplied his place; supplied it + well too, and yet pleased the young Duke. When Saint Laurent died + Dubois aspired to succeed him. He had paid his court to the Chevalier + de Lorraine, by whose influence he was much aided in obtaining his + wish. When at last appointed successor to Saint Laurent, I never saw a + man so glad, nor with more reason. The extreme obligation he was under + to the Chevalier de Lorraine, and still more the difficulty of + maintaining himself in his new position, attached him more and more to + his protector. + </p> + <p> + It was, then, Dubois that the Chevalier de Lorraine made use of to + gain the consent of the young Duc de Chartres to the marriage proposed + by the King. Dubois had, in fact, gained the Duke's confidence, which + it was easy to do at that age; had made him afraid of his father and + of the King; and, on the other hand, had filled him with fine hopes + and expectations. All that Dubois could do, however, when he broke the + matter of the marriage to the young Duke, was to ward off a direct + refusal; but that was sufficient for the success of the enterprise. + Monsieur was already gained, and as soon as the King had a reply from + Dubois he hastened to broach the affair. A day or two before this, + however, Madame (mother of the Duc de Chartres) had scent of what was + going on. She spoke to her son of the indignity of this marriage with + that force in which she was never wanting, and drew from him a promise + that he would not consent to it. Thus, he was feeble towards his + teacher, feeble towards his mother, and there was aversion on the one + hand and fear on the other, and great embarrassment on all sides. + </p> + <p> + One day early after dinner I saw M. de Chartres, with a very sad air, + come out of his apartment and enter the closet of the King. He found + his Majesty alone with Monsieur. The King spoke very obligingly to the + Duc de Chartres, said that he wished to see him married; that he + offered him his daughter, but that he did not intend to constrain him + in the matter, but left him quite at liberty. This discourse, however, + pronounced with that terrifying majesty so natural to the King, and + addressed to a timid young prince, took away his voice, and quite + unnerved him. He, thought to escape from his slippery position by + throwing himself upon Monsieur and Madame, and stammeringly replied + that the King was master, but that a son's will depended upon that of + his parents. "What you say is very proper," replied the King; "but as + soon as you consent to my proposition your father and mother will not + oppose it." And then turning to Monsieur he said, "Is this not true, + my brother?" Monsieur consented, as he had already done, and the only + person remaining to consult was Madame, who was immediately sent for. + </p> + <p> + As soon as she came, the King, making her acquainted with his project, + said that he reckoned she would not oppose what her husband and her + son had already agreed to. Madame, who had counted upon the refusal of + her son, was tongue-tied. She threw two furious glances upon Monsieur + and upon the Duc de Chartres, and then said that, as they wished it, + she had nothing to say, made a slight reverence, and went away. Her + son immediately followed her to explain his conduct; but railing + against him, with tears in her eyes, she would not listen, and drove + him from her room. Her husband, who shortly afterwards joined her, met + with almost the same treatment. + </p> + <p> + That evening an "Apartment" was held at the palace, as was customary + three times a week during the winter; the other three evenings being + set apart for comedy, and the Sunday being free. An Apartment as it + was called, was an assemblage of all the Court in the grand saloon, + from seven o'clock in the evening until ten, when the King sat down to + table; and, after ten, in one of the saloons at the end of the grand + gallery towards the tribune of the chapel. In the first place there + was some music; then tables were placed all about for all kinds of + gambling; there was a 'lansquenet'; at which Monsieur and Monseigneur + always played; also a billiard-table; in a word, every one was free to + play with every one, and allowed to ask for fresh tables as all the + others were occupied. Beyond the billiards was a refreshment-room. All + was perfectly lighted. At the outset, the King went to the + "apartments" very often and played, but lately he had ceased to do so. + He spent the evening with Madame de Maintenon, working with different + ministers one after the other. But still he wished his courtiers to + attend assiduously. + </p> + <p> + This evening, directly after the music had finished, the King sent for + Monseigneur and Monsieur, who were already playing at 'lansquenet'; + Madame, who scarcely looked at a party of 'hombre' at which she had + seated herself; the Duc de Chartres, who, with a rueful visage, was + playing at chess; and Mademoiselle de Blois, who had scarcely begun to + appear in society, but who this evening was extraordinarily decked + out, and who, as yet, knew nothing and suspected nothing; and + therefore, being naturally very timid, and horribly afraid of the + King, believed herself sent for in order to be reprimanded, and + trembled so that Madame de Maintenon took her upon her knees, where + she held her, but was scarcely able to reassure her. The fact of these + royal persons being sent for by the King at once made people think + that a marriage was in contemplation. In a few minutes they returned, + and then the announcement was made public. I arrived at that moment. I + found everybody in clusters, and great astonishment expressed upon + every face. Madame was walking in the gallery with Chateauthiers—her + favourite, and worthy of being so. She took long strides, her + handkerchief in her hand, weeping without constraint, speaking pretty + loudly, gesticulating; and looking like Ceres after the rape of her + daughter Proserpine, seeking her in fury, and demanding her back from + Jupiter. Every one respectfully made way to let her pass. Monsieur, + who had returned to 'lansquenet', seemed overwhelmed with shame, and + his son appeared in despair; and the bride-elect was marvellously + embarrassed and sad. Though very young, and likely to be dazzled by + such a marriage, she understood what was passing, and feared the + consequences. Most people appeared full of consternation. + </p> + <p> + The Apartment, which, however heavy in appearance, was full of + interest to, me, seemed quite short. It finished by the supper of the + King. His Majesty appeared quite at ease. Madame's eyes were full of + tears, which fell from time to time as she looked into every face + around, as if in search of all our thoughts. Her son, whose eyes too + were red, she would not give a glance to; nor to Monsieur: all three + ate scarcely anything. I remarked that the King offered Madame nearly + all the dishes that were before him, and that she refused with an air + of rudeness which did not, however, check his politeness. It was + furthermore noticeable that, after leaving the table, he made to + Madame a very marked and very low reverence, during which she + performed so complete a pirouette, that the King on raising his head + found nothing but her back before him, removed about a step further + towards the door. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow we went as usual to wait in the gallery for the + breaking-up of the council, and for the King's Mass. Madame came + there. Her son approached her, as he did every day, to kiss her hand. + At that very moment she gave him a box on the ear, so sonorous that it + was heard several steps distant. Such treatment in presence of all the + Court covered with confusion this unfortunate prince, and overwhelmed + the infinite number of spectators, of whom I was one, with prodigious + astonishment. + </p> + <p> + That day the immense dowry was declared; and on Sunday there was a + grand ball, that is, a ball opened by a 'branle' which settled the + order of the dancing throughout the evening. Monseigneur the Duc de + Bourgogne danced on this occasion for the first time; and led off the + 'branle' with Mademoiselle. I danced also for the first time at Court. + My partner was Mademoiselle de Sourches, daughter of the Grand Prevot; + she danced excellently. I had been that morning to wait on Madame, who + could not refrain from saying, in a sharp and angry voice, that I was + doubtless very glad of the promise of so many balls—that this + was natural at my age; but that, for her part, she was old, and wished + they were well over. A few days after, the contract of marriage was + signed in the closet of the King, and in the presence of all the + Court. The same day the household of the future Duchesse de Chartres + was declared. The King gave her a first gentleman usher and a Dame + d'Atours, until then reserved to the daughters of France, and a lady + of honour, in order to carry out completely so strange a novelty. I + must say something about the persons who composed this household. + </p> + <p> + M. de Villars was gentleman usher; he was grandson of a recorder of + Coindrieu, and one of the best made men in France. There was a great + deal of fighting in his young days, and he had acquired a reputation + for courage and skill. To these qualities he owed his fortune. M. de + Nemours was his first patron, and, in a duel which he had with M. de + Beaufort, took Villars for second. M. de Nemours was killed; but + Villars was victorious against his adversary, and passed into the + service of the Prince de Conti as one of his gentlemen. He succeeded + in gaining confidence in his new employment; so much so, that the + marriage which afterwards took place between the Prince de Conti and + the niece of Cardinal Mazarin was brought about in part by his + assistance. He became the confidant of the married pair, and their + bond: of union with the Cardinal. His position gave him an opportunity + of mixing in society much above him; but on this he never presumed. + His face was his, passport with the ladies: he was gallant, even + discreet; and this means was not unuseful to him. He pleased Madame + Scarron, who upon the throne never forgot the friendships of this + kind, so freely intimate, which she had formed as a private person. + Villars was employed in diplomacy; and from honour to honour, at last + reached the order of the Saint Esprit, in 1698. His wife was full of + wit, and scandalously inclined. Both were very poor—and always + dangled about the Court, where they had many powerful friends. + </p> + <p> + The Marechale de Rochefort was lady of honour. She was of the house of + Montmorency—a widow—handsome—sprightly; formed by + nature to live at Court—apt for gallantry and intrigues; full of + worldly cleverness, from living much in the world, with little + cleverness of any other kind, nearly enough for any post and any + business. M. de Louvois found her suited to his taste, and she + accommodated herself very well to his purse, and to the display she + made by this intimacy. She always became the friend of every new + mistress of the King; and when he favoured Madame de Soubise, it was + at the Marechale's house that she waited, with closed doors, for + Bontems, the King's valet, who led her by private ways to his Majesty. + The Marechale herself has related to me how one day she was + embarrassed to get rid of the people that Madame de Soubise (who had + not had time to announce her arrival) found at her house; and how she + most died of fright lest Bontems should return and the interview be + broken off if he arrived before the company had departed. The + Marechale de Rochefort was in this way the friend of Mesdames de la + Valliere, de Montespan, and de Soubise; and she became the friend of + Madame de Maintenon, to whom she attached herself in proportion as she + saw her favour increase. She had, at the marriage of Monseigneur, been + made Dame d'Atours to the new Dauphiness; and, if people were + astonished at that, they were also astonished to see her lady of + honour to an "illegitimate grand-daughter of France." + </p> + <p> + The Comtesse de Mailly was Dame d'Atours. She was related to Madame de + Maintenon, to whose favour she owed her marriage with the Comte de + Mailly. She had come to Paris with all her provincial awkwardness, + and, from want of wit, had never been able to get rid of it. On the + contrary, she grafted thereon an immense conceit, caused by the favour + of Madame de Maintenon. To complete the household, came M. de + Fontaine-Martel, poor and gouty, who was first master of the horse. + </p> + <p> + On the Monday before Shrove Tuesday, all the marriage party and the + bride and bridegroom, superbly dressed, repaired, a little before + mid-day, to the closet of the King, and afterwards to the chapel. It + was arranged, as usual, for the Mass of the King, excepting that + between his place and the altar were two cushions for the bride and + bridegroom, who turned their backs to the King. Cardinal de Bouillon, + in full robes, married them, and said Mass. From the chapel all the + company went to table: it was of horse-shoe shape. The Princes and + Princesses of the blood were placed at the right and at the left, + according to their rank, terminated by the two illegitimate children + of the King, and, for the first time, after them, the Duchesse de + Verneuil; so that M. de Verneuil, illegitimate son of Henry IV., + became thus "Prince of the blood" so many years after his death, + without having ever suspected it. The Duc d'Uzes thought this so + amusing that he marched in front of the Duchess, crying out, as loud + as he could—"Place, place for Madame Charlotte Seguier!" In the + afternoon the King and Queen of England came to Versailles with their + Court. There was a great concert; and the play-tables were set out. + The supper was similar to the dinner. Afterwards the married couple + were led into the apartment of the new Duchesse de Chartres. The Queen + of England gave the Duchess her chemise; and the shirt of the Duke was + given to him by the King, who had at first refused on the plea that he + was in too unhappy circumstances. The benediction of the bed was + pronounced by the Cardinal de Bouillon, who kept us all waiting for a + quarter of an hour; which made people say that such airs little became + a man returned as he was from a long exile, to which he had been sent + because he had had the madness to refuse the nuptial benediction to + Madame la Duchesse unless admitted to the royal banquet. + </p> + <p> + On Shrove Tuesday, there was a grand toilette of the Duchesse de + Chartres, to which the King and all the Court came; and in the evening + a grand ball, similar to that which had just taken place, except that + the new Duchesse de Chartres was led out by the Duc de Bourgogne. + Every one wore the same dress, and had the same partner as before. + </p> + <p> + I cannot pass over in silence a very ridiculous adventure which + occurred at both of these balls. A son of Montbron, no more made to + dance at Court than his father was to be chevalier of the order (to + which however, he was promoted in 1688), was among the company. He had + been asked if he danced well; and he had replied with a confidence + which made every one hope that the contrary was the case. Every one + was satisfied. From the very first bow, he became confused, and he + lost step at once. He tried to divert attention from his mistake by + affected attitudes, and carrying his arms high; but this made him only + more ridiculous, and excited bursts of laughter, which, in despite of + the respect due to the person of the King (who likewise had great + difficulty to hinder himself from laughing), degenerated at length + into regular hooting. On the morrow, instead of flying the Court or + holding his tongue, he excused himself by saying that the presence of + the King had disconcerted him; and promised marvels for the ball which + was to follow. He was one of my friends, and I felt for him, I should + even have warned him against a second attempt, if the very indifferent + success I had met with had not made me fear that my advice would be + taken in ill part. As soon as he began to dance at the second ball, + those who were near stood up, those who were far off climbed wherever + they could get a sight; and the shouts of laughter were mingled with + clapping of hands. Every one, even the King himself, laughed heartily, + and most of us quite loud, so that I do not think any one was ever + treated so before. Montbron disappeared immediately afterwards, and + did not show himself again for a long time, It was a pity he exposed + himself to this defeat, for he was an honourable and brave man. + </p> + <p> + Ash Wednesday put an end to all these sad rejoicings by command, and + only the expected rejoicings were spoken of. M. du Maine wished to + marry. The King tried to turn him from it, and said frankly to him, + that it was not for such as he to make a lineage. But pressed M. by + Madame de Maintenon, who had educated Maine; and who felt for him as a + nurse the King resolved to marry him to a daughter of the Prince de + Conde. The Prince was greatly pleased at the project. He had three + daughters for M. du Maine to choose from: all three were extremely + little. An inch of height, that the second had above the others, + procured for her the preference, much to the grief of the eldest, who + was beautiful and clever, and who dearly wished to escape from the + slavery in which her father kept her. The dignity with which she bore + her disappointment was admired by every one, but it cost her an effort + that ruined her health. The marriage once arranged, was celebrated on + the 19th of March; much in the same manner as had been that of the Duc + de Chartres. Madame de Saint-Vallery was appointed lady of honour to + Madame du Maine, and M. de Montchevreuil gentleman of the chamber. + This last had been one of the friends of Madame de Maintenon when she + was Madame Scarron. Montchevreuil was a very honest man, modest, + brave, but thick-headed. His wife was a tall creature, meagre, and + yellow, who laughed sillily, and showed long and ugly teeth; who was + extremely devout, of a compassed mien, and who only wanted a + broomstick to be a perfect witch. Without possessing any wit, she had + so captivated Madame de Maintenon, that the latter saw only with her + eyes. All the ladies of the Court were under her surveillance: they + depended upon her for their distinctions, and often for their + fortunes. Everybody, from the ministers to the daughters of the King, + trembled before her. The King himself showed her the most marked + consideration. She was of all the Court journeys, and always with + Madame de Maintenon. + </p> + <p> + The marriage of M. du Maine caused a rupture between the Princess de + Conde and the Duchess of Hanover her sister, who had strongly desired + M. du Maine for one of her daughters, and who pretended that the + Prince de Conde had cut the grass from under her feet. She lived in + Paris, making a display quite unsuited to her rank, and had even + carried it so far as to go about with two coaches and many liveried + servants. With this state one day she met in the streets the coach of + Madame de Bouillon, which the servants of the German woman forced to + give way to their mistress's. The Bouillons, piqued to excess, + resolved to be revenged. One day, when they knew the Duchess was going + to the play, they went there attended by a numerous livery. Their + servants had orders to pick a quarrel with those of the Duchess. They + executed these orders completely; the servants of the Duchess were + thoroughly thrashed—the harness of her horses cut—her + coaches maltreated. The Duchess made a great fuss, and complained to + the King, but he would not mix himself in the matter. She was so + outraged, that she resolved to retire into Germany, and in a very few + months did so. + </p> + <p> + My year of service in the Musketeers being over, the King, after a + time, gave me, without purchase, a company of cavalry in the Royal + Roussillon, in garrison at Mons, and just then very incomplete. I + thanked the King, who replied to me very obligingly. The company was + entirely made up in a fortnight. This was towards the middle of April. + </p> + <p> + A little before, that is, on the 27th of March, the King made seven + new marechals of France. They were the Comte de Choiseul, the Duc de + Villeroy, the Marquis de Joyeuse, Tourville, the Duc de Noailles, the + Marquis de Boufllers, and Catinat. These promotions caused very great + discontent. Complaint was more especially made that the Duc de + Choiseul had not been named. The cause of his exclusion is curious. + His wife, beautiful, with the form of a goddess—notorious for + the number of her gallantries—was very intimate with the + Princess de Conti. The King, not liking such a companion for his + daughter, gave the Duc de Choiseul to understand that the public + disorders of the Duchess offended him. If the Duke would send her into + a convent, the Marechal's baton would be his. The Duc de Choiseul, + indignant that the reward of his services in the war was attached to a + domestic affair which concerned himself alone, refused promotion on + such terms. He thus lost the baton; and, what was worse for him, the + Duchess soon after was driven from Court, and so misbehaved herself, + that at last he could endure her no longer, drove her away himself, + and separated from her for ever. + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle la grande Mademoiselle, as she was called, to distinguish + her from the daughter of Monsieur—or to call her by her name, + Mademoiselle de Montpensier, died on Sunday the 5th of April, at her + palace in the Luxembourg, sixty-three years of age, and the richest + private princess in Europe. She interested herself much in those who + were related to her, even to the lowest degree, and wore mourning for + them, however far removed. It is well known, from all the memoirs of + the time, that she was greatly in love with M. de Lauzun, and that she + suffered much when the King withheld his permission to their marriage. + M. de Lauzun was so enraged, that he could not contain himself, and at + last went so far beyond bounds, that he was sent prisoner to Pignerol, + where he remained, extremely ill-treated, for ten years. The affection + of Mademoiselle did not grow cold by separation. The King profited by + it, to make M. de Lauzun buy his liberty at her expense, and thus + enriched M. du Maine. He always gave out that he had married + Mademoiselle, and appeared before the King, after her death, in a long + cloak, which gave great displeasure. He also assumed ever afterwards a + dark brown livery, as an external expression of his grief for + Mademoiselle, of whom he had portraits everywhere. As for + Mademoiselle, the King never quite forgave her the day of Saint + Antoine; and I heard him once at supper reproach her in jest, for + having fired the cannons of the Bastille upon his troops. She was a + little embarrassed, but she got out of the difficulty very well. + </p> + <p> + Her body was laid out with great state, watched for several days, two + hours at a time, by a duchess or a princess, and by two ladies of + quality. The Comtesse de Soissons refused to take part in this + watching, and would not obey until the King threatened to dismiss her + from the Court. A very ridiculous accident happened in the midst of + this ceremony. The urn containing the entrails fell over, with a + frightful noise and a stink sudden and intolerable. The ladies, the + heralds, the psalmodists, everybody present fled, in confusion. Every + one tried to gain the door first. The entrails had been badly + embalmed, and it was their fermentation which caused the accident. + They were soon perfumed and put in order, and everybody laughed at + this mishap. These entrails were in the end carried to the Celestins, + the heart to Val de Grace, and the body to the Cathedral of Saint + Denis, followed by a numerous company. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III + </h2> + <p> + On May 3d 1693, the King announced his intention of placing himself at + the head of his army in Flanders, and, having made certain alterations + in the rule of precedence of the marechale of France, soon after began + the campaign. I have here, however, to draw attention to my private + affairs, for on the above-mentioned day, at ten o'clock in the + morning, I had the misfortune to lose my father. He was eighty-seven + years of age, and had been in bad health for some time, with a touch + of gout during the last three weeks. On the day in question he had + dined as usual with his friends, had retired to bed, and, while + talking to those around him there, all at once gave three violent + sighs. He was dead almost before it was perceived that he was ill; + there was no more oil in the lamp. + </p> + <p> + I learned this sad news after seeing the King to bed; his Majesty was + to purge himself on the morrow. The night was given to the just + sentiments of nature; but the next day I went early to visit Bontems, + and then the Duc de Beauvilliers, who promised to ask the King, as + soon as his curtains were opened, to grant me the—offices my + father had held. The King very graciously complied with his request, + and in the afternoon said many obliging things to me, particularly + expressing his regret that my father had not been able to receive the + last sacraments. I was able to say that a very short time before, my + father had retired for several days to Saint Lazare, where was his + confessor, and added something on the piety of his life. The King + exhorted me to behave well, and promised to take care of me. When my + father was first taken ill; several persons, amongst others, + D'Aubigne, brother of Madame de Maintenon, had asked for the + governorship of Blaye. But the King refused them all, and said very + bluntly to D'Aubigne, "Is there not a son?" He had, in fact, always + given my father to understand I should succeed him, although generally + he did not allow offices to descend from father to son. + </p> + <p> + Let me say a few words about my father. Our family in my grandfather's + time had become impoverished; and my father was early sent to the + Court as page to Louis XIII. It was very customary then for the sons + of reduced gentlemen to accept this occupation. The King was + passionately fond of hunting, an amusement that was carried on with + far less state, without that abundance of dogs, and followers, and + convenience of all kinds which his successor introduced, and + especially without roads through the forests. My father, who noticed + the impatience of the King at the delays that occurred in changing + horses, thought of turning the head of the horse he brought towards + the crupper of that which the King quitted. By this means, without + putting his feet to the ground, his Majesty, who was active, jumped + from one horse to another. He was so pleased that whenever he changed + horses he asked for this same page. From that time my father grew day + by day in favour. The King made him Chief Ecuyer, and in course of + years bestowed other rewards upon him, created him Duke and peer of + France, and gave him the Government of Blaye. My father, much attached + to the King, followed him in all his expeditions, several times + commanded the cavalry of the army, was commander-in-chief of all the + arrierebans of the kingdom, and acquired great reputation in the field + for his valour and skill. With Cardinal Richelieu he was intimate + without sympathy, and more than once, but notably on the famous Day of + the Dupes, rendered signal service to that minister. My father used + often to be startled out of his sleep in the middle of the night by a + valet, with a taper in his hand, drawing the curtain—having + behind him the Cardinal de Richelieu, who would often take the taper + and sit down upon the bed and exclaim that he was a lost man, and ask + my father's advice upon news that he had received or on quarrels he + had had with the King. When all Paris was in consternation at the + success of the Spaniards, who had crossed the frontier, taken Corbie, + and seized all the country as far as Compiegne, the King insisted on + my father being present at the council which was then held. The + Cardinal de Richelieu maintained that the King should retreat beyond + the Seine, and all the assembly seemed of that opinion. But the King + in a speech which lasted a quarter of an hour opposed this, and said + that to retreat at such a moment would be to increase the general + disorder. Then turning to my father he ordered him to be prepared to + depart for Corbie on the morrow, with as many of his men as he could + get ready. The histories and the memoirs of the time show that this + bold step saved the state. The Cardinal, great man as he was, + trembled, until the first appearance of success, when he grew bold + enough to join the King. This is a specimen of the conduct of that + weak King governed by that first minister to whom poets and historians + have given the glory they have stripped from his master; as, for + instance, all the works of the siege of Rochelle, and the invention + and unheard-of success of the celebrated dyke, all solely due to the + late King! + </p> + <p> + Louis XIII. loved my father; but he could scold him at times. On two + occasions he did so. The first, as my father has related to me, was on + account of the Duc de Bellegarde. The Duke was in disgrace, and had + been exiled. My father, who was a friend of his, wished to write to + him one day, and for want of other leisure, being then much occupied, + took the opportunity of the King's momentary absence to carry out his + desire. Just as he was finishing his letter, the King came in; my + father tried to hide the paper, but the eyes of the King were too + quick for him. "What is that paper?" said he. My father, embarrassed, + admitted that it was a few words he had written to M. de Bellegarde. + </p> + <p> + "Let me see it," said the King; and he took the paper and read it. "I + don't find fault with you," said he, "for writing to your friends, + although in disgrace, for I know you will write nothing improper; but + what displeases me is, that you should fail in the respect you owe to + a duke and peer, in that, because he is exiled, you should omit to + address him as Monseigneur;" and then tearing the letter in two, he + added, "Write it again after the hunt, and put, Monseigneur, as you + ought." My father was very glad to be let off so easily. + </p> + <p> + The other reprimand was upon a more serious subject. The King was + really enamoured of Mademoiselle d'Hautefort. My father, young and + gallant, could not comprehend why he did not gratify his love. He + believed his reserve to arise from timidity, and under this impression + proposed one day to the King to be his ambassador and to bring the + affair to a satisfactory conclusion. The King allowed him to speak to + the end, and then assumed a severe air. "It is true," said he, "that I + am enamoured of her, that I feel it, that I seek her, that I speak of + her willingly, and think of her still more willingly; it is true also + that I act thus in spite of myself, because I am mortal and have this + weakness; but the more facility I have as King to gratify myself, the + more I ought to be on my guard against sin and scandal. I pardon you + this time, but never address to me a similar discourse again if you + wish that I should continue to love you." This was a thunderbolt for + my father; the scales fell from his eyes; the idea of the King's + timidity in love disappeared before the display of a virtue so pure + and so triumphant. + </p> + <p> + My father's career was for a long time very successful, but + unfortunately he had an enemy who brought it to an end. This enemy was + M. de Chavigny: he was secretary of state, and had also the war + department. Either from stupidity or malice he had left all the towns + in Picardy badly supported; a circumstance the Spaniards knew well how + to profit by when they took Corbie in 1636. My father had an uncle who + commanded in one of these towns, La Capelle, and who had several times + asked for ammunition and stores without success. My father spoke upon + this subject to Chavigny, to the Cardinal de Richelieu, and to the + King, but with no good effect. La Capelle, left without resources, + fell like the places around. As I have said before, Louis XIII. did + not long allow the Spaniards to enjoy the advantages they had gained. + All the towns in Picardy were soon retaken, and the King, urged on by + Chavigny, determined to punish the governors of these places for + surrendering them so easily. My father's uncle was included with the + others. This injustice was not to be borne. My father represented the + real state of the case and used every effort, to save his uncle, but + it was in vain. Stung to the quick he demanded permission to retire, + and was allowed to do so. Accordingly, at the commencement of 1637, he + left for Blaye; and remained there until the death of Cardinal + Richelieu. During this retirement the King frequently wrote to him, in + a language they had composed so as to speak before people without + being understood; and I possess still many of these letters, with much + regret that I am ignorant of their contents. + </p> + <p> + Chavigny served my father another ill turn. At the Cardinal's death my + father had returned to the Court and was in greater favour than ever. + Just before Louis XIII. died he gave my father the place of first + master of the horse, but left his name blank in the paper fixing the + appointment. The paper was given into the hands of Chavigny. At the + King's death he had the villainy, in concert with the Queen-regent, to + fill in the name of Comte d'Harcourt, instead of that the King had + instructed him of. The indignation of my father was great, but, as he + could obtain no redress, he retired once again to his Government of + Blaye. Notwithstanding the manner in which he had been treated by the + Queen-regent, he stoutly defended her cause when the civil war broke + out, led by M. le Prince. He garrisoned Blaye at his own expense, + incurring thereby debts which hung upon him all his life, and which I + feel the effects of still, and repulsed all attempts of friends to + corrupt his loyalty. The Queen and Mazarin could not close their eyes + to his devotion, and offered him, while the war was still going on, a + marechal's baton, or the title of foreign prince. But he refused both, + and the offer was not renewed when the war ended. These disturbances + over, and Louis XIV. being married, my father came again to Paris, + where he had many friends. He had married in 1644, and had had, as I + have said, one only daughter. His wife dying in 1670, and leaving him + without male children, he determined, however much he might be + afflicted at the loss he had sustained, to marry again, although old. + He carried out his resolution in October of the same year, and was + very pleased with the choice he had made. He liked his new wife so + much, in fact, that when Madame de Montespan obtained for her a place + at the Court, he declined it at once. At his age—it was thus he + wrote to Madame de Montespan, he had taken a wife not for the Court, + but for himself. My mother, who was absent when the letter announcing + the appointment was sent, felt much regret, but never showed it. + </p> + <p> + Before I finish this account of my father, I will here relate + adventures which happened to him, and which I ought to have placed + before his second marriage. A disagreement arose between my father and + M. de Vardes, and still existed long after everybody thought they were + reconciled. It was ultimately agreed that upon an early day, at about + twelve o'clock, they should meet at the Porte St. Honore, then a very + deserted spot, and that the coach of M. de Vardes should run against + my father's, and a general quarrel arise between masters and servants. + Under cover of this quarrel, a duel could easily take place, and would + seem simply to arise out of the broil there and then occasioned. On + the morning appointed, my father called as usual upon several of his + friends, and, taking one of them for second, went to the Porte St. + Honore. There everything fell out just as had been arranged. The coach + of M. de Vardes struck against the other. My father leaped out, M. de + Vardes did the same, and the duel took place. M. de Vardes fell, and + was disarmed. My father wished to make him beg for his life; he would + not do this, but confessed himself vanquished. My father's coach being + the nearest, M. de Vardes got into it. He fainted on the road. They + separated afterwards like brave people, and went their way. Madame de + Chatillon, since of Mecklenburg, lodged in one of the last houses near + the Porte St. Honore, and at the noise made by the coaches, put, her + head to the window, and coolly looked at the whole of the combat. It + soon made a great noise. My father was complimented everywhere. M. de + Vardes was sent for ten or twelve days to the Bastille. My father and + he afterwards became completely reconciled to each other. + </p> + <p> + The other adventure was of gentler ending. The Memoirs of M. de la + Rochefoucauld appeared. They contained certain atrocious and false + statements against my father, who so severely resented the calumny, + that he seized a pen, and wrote upon the margin of the book, "The + author has told a lie." Not content with this, he went to the + bookseller, whom he discovered with some difficulty, for the book was + not sold publicly at first. He asked to see all the copies of the + work, prayed, promised, threatened, and at last succeeded in obtaining + them. Then he took a pen and wrote in all of them the same marginal + note. The astonishment of the bookseller may be imagined. He was not + long in letting M. de la Rochefoucauld know what had happened to his + books: it may well be believed that he also was astonished. This + affair made great noise. My father, having truth on his side, wished + to obtain public satisfaction from M. de la Rochefoucauld. Friends, + however, interposed, and the matter was allowed to drop. But M. de la + Rochefoucauld never pardoned my father; so true it is that we less + easily forget the injuries we inflict than those that we receive. + </p> + <p> + My father passed the rest of his long life surrounded by friends, and + held in high esteem by the King and his ministers. His advice was + often sought for by them, and was always acted upon. He never consoled + himself for the loss of Louis XIII., to whom he owed his advancement + and his fortune. Every year he kept sacred the day of his death, going + to Saint- Denis, or holding solemnities in his own house if at Blaye. + Veneration, gratitude, tenderness, ever adorned his lips every time he + spoke of that monarch. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV + </h2> + <p> + After having paid the last duties to my father I betook myself to Mons + to join the Royal Roussillon cavalry regiment, in which I was captain. + The King, after stopping eight or ten days with the ladies at Quesnoy, + sent them to Namur, and put himself at the head of the army of M. de + Boufflers, and camped at Gembloux, so that his left was only half a + league distant from the right of M. de Luxembourg. The Prince of + Orange was encamped at the Abbey of Pure, was unable to receive + supplies, and could not leave his position without having the two + armies of the King to grapple with: he entrenched himself in haste, + and bitterly repented having allowed himself to be thus driven into a + corner. We knew afterwards that he wrote several times to his intimate + friend the Prince de Vaudemont, saying that he was lost, and that + nothing short of a miracle could save him. + </p> + <p> + We were in this position, with an army in every way infinitely + superior to that of the Prince of Orange, and with four whole months + before us to profit by our strength, when the King declared on the 8th + of June that he should return to Versailles, and sent off a large + detachment of the army into Germany. The surprise of the Marechal de + Luxembourg was without bounds. He represented the facility with which + the Prince of Orange might now be beaten with one army and pursued by + another; and how important it was to draw off detachments of the + Imperial forces from Germany into Flanders, and how, by sending an + army into Flanders instead of Germany, the whole of the Low Countries + would be in our power. But the King would not change his plans, + although M. de Luxembourg went down on his knees and begged him not to + allow such a glorious opportunity to escape. Madame de Maintenon, by + her tears when she parted from his Majesty, and by her letters since, + had brought about this resolution. + </p> + <p> + The news had not spread on the morrow, June 9th. I chanced to go alone + to the quarters of M. de Luxembourg, and was surprised to find not a + soul there; every one had gone to the King's army. Pensively bringing + my horse to a stand, I was ruminating on a fact so strange, and + debating whether I should return to my tent or push on to the royal + camp, when up came M. le Prince de Conti with a single page and a + groom leading a horse. "What are you doing there?" cried he, laughing + at my surprise. Thereupon he told me he was going to say adieu to the + King, and advised me to do likewise. "What do you mean by saying + Adieu?" answered I. He sent his servants to a little distance, and + begged me to do the same, and with shouts of laughter told me about + the King's retreat, making tremendous fun of him, despite my youth, + for he had confidence in me. I was astonished. We soon after met the + whole company coming back; and the great people went aside to talk and + sneer. I then proceeded to pay my respects to the King, by whom I was + honourably received. Surprise, however, was expressed by all faces, + and indignation by some. + </p> + <p> + The effect of the King's retreat, indeed, was incredible, even amongst + the soldiers and the people. The general officers could not keep + silent upon it, and the inferior officers spoke loudly, with a license + that could not be restrained. All through the army, in the towns, and + even at Court, it was talked about openly. The courtiers, generally so + glad to find themselves again at Versailles, now declared that they + were ashamed to be there; as for the enemy, they could not contain + their surprise and joy. The Prince of Orange said that the retreat was + a miracle he could not have hoped for; that he could scarcely believe + in it, but that it had saved his army, and the whole of the Low + Countries. In the midst of all this excitement the King arrived with + the ladies, on the 25th of June, at Versailles. + </p> + <p> + We gained some successes, however, this year. Marechal de Villeroy + took Huy in three days, losing only a sub-engineer and some soldiers. + On the 29th of July we attacked at dawn the Prince of Orange at + Neerwinden, and after twelve hours of hard fighting, under a blazing + sun, entirely routed him. I was of the third squadron of the Royal + Roussillon, and made five charges. One of the gold ornaments of my + coat was torn away, but I received no wound. During the battle our + brigadier, Quoadt, was killed before my eyes. The Duc de Feuillade + became thus commander of the brigade. We missed him immediately, and + for more than half an hour saw nothing of him; he had gone to make his + toilette. When he returned he was powdered and decked out in a fine + red surtotxt, embroidered with silver, and all his trappings and those + of his horse were magnificent; he acquitted himself with distinction. + </p> + <p> + Our cavalry stood so well against the fire from the enemy's guns, that + the Prince of Orange lost all patience, and turning away, exclaimed— + "Oh, the insolent nation!" He fought until the last, and retired with + the Elector of Hanover only when he saw there was no longer any hope. + After the battle my people brought us a leg of mutton and a bottle of + wine, which they had wisely saved from the previous evening, and we + attacked them in good earnest, as may be believed. + </p> + <p> + The enemy lost about twenty thousand men, including a large number of + officers; our loss was not more than half that number. We took all + their cannon, eight mortars, many artillery waggons, a quantity of + standards, and some pairs of kettle-drums. The victory was complete. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, the army which had been sent to Germany under the command + of Monseigneur and of the Marechal de Lorges, did little or nothing. + The Marechal wished to attack Heilbronn, but Monseigneur was opposed + to it; and, to the great regret of the principal generals and of the + troops, the attack was not made. Monseigneur returned early to + Versailles. + </p> + <p> + At sea we were more active. The rich merchant fleet of Smyrna was + attacked by Tourville; fifty vessels were burnt or sunk, and + twenty-seven taken, all richly freighted. This campaign cost the + English and Dutch dear. It is believed their loss was more than thirty + millions of ecus. + </p> + <p> + The season finished with the taking of Charleroy. On the 16th of + September the Marechal de Villeroy, supported by M. de Luxembourg, + laid siege to it, and on the 11th of October, after a good defence, + the place capitulated. Our loss was very slight. Charleroy taken, our + troops went into winter-quarters, and I returned to Court, like the + rest. The roads and the posting service were in great disorder. + Amongst other adventures I met with, I was driven by a deaf and dumb + postillion, who stuck me fast in the mud when near Quesnoy. At Pont + Saint-Maxence all the horses were retained by M. de Luxembourg. + Fearing I might be left behind, I told the postmaster that I was + governor (which was true), and that I would put him in jail if he did + not give me horses. I should have been sadly puzzled how to do it; but + he was simple enough to believe me, and gave the horses. I arrived, + however, at last at Paris, and found a change at the Court, which + surprised me. + </p> + <p> + Daquin—first doctor of the King and creature of Madame de + Montespan—had lost nothing of his credit by her removal, but had + never been able to get on well with Madame de Maintenon, who looked + coldly upon all the friends of her predecessor. Daquin had a son, an + abbe, and wearied the King with solicitations on his behalf. Madame de + Maintenon seized the opportunity, when the King was more than usually + angry with Daquin, to obtain his dismissal: it came upon him like a + thunderbolt. On the previous evening the King had spoken to him for a + long time as usual, and had never treated him better. All the Court + was astonished also. Fagon, a very skilful and learned man, was + appointed in his place at the instance of Madame de Maintenon. + </p> + <p> + Another event excited less surprise than interest. On Sunday, the 29th + of November, the King learned that La Vauguyon had killed himself in + his bed, that morning, by firing twice into his throat. I must say a + few words about this Vauguyon. He was one of the pettiest and poorest + gentlemen of France: he was well-made, but very swarthy, with Spanish + features, had a charming voice, played the guitar and lute very well, + and was skilled in the arts of gallantry. By these talents he had + succeeded, in finding favour with Madame de Beauvais, much regarded at + the Court as having been the King's first mistress. I have seen her—old, + blear-eyed, and half blind,—at the toilette of the Dauphiness of + Bavaria, where everybody courted her, because she was still much + considered by the King. Under this protection La Vauguyon succeeded + well; was several times sent as ambassador to foreign countries; was + made councillor of state, and to the scandal of everybody, was raised + to the Order in 1688. Of late years, having no appointments, he had + scarcely the means of living, and endeavoured, but without success, to + improve his condition. + </p> + <p> + Poverty by degrees turned his brain; but a long time passed before it + was perceived. The first proof that he gave of it was at the house of + Madame Pelot, widow of the Chief President of the Rouen parliament. + Playing at brelan one evening, she offered him a stake, and because he + would not accept it bantered him, and playfully called him a poltroon. + He said nothing, but waited until all the rest of the company had left + the room; and when he found himself alone with Madame Pelot, he bolted + the door, clapped his hat on his head, drove her up against the + chimney, and holding her head between his two fists, said he knew no + reason why he should not pound it into a jelly, in order to teach her + to call him poltroon again. The poor woman was horribly frightened, + and made perpendicular curtseys between his two fists, and all sorts + of excuses. At last he let her go, more dead than alive. She had the + generosity to say no syllable of this occurrence until after his + death; she even allowed him to come to the house as usual, but took + care never to be alone with him. + </p> + <p> + One day, a long time after this, meeting, in a gallery, at + Fontainebleau, M. de Courtenay, La Vauguyon drew his sword, and + compelled the other to draw also, although there had never been the + slightest quarrel between them. They were soon separated and La + Vauguyon immediately fled to the King, who was just then in his + private closet, where nobody ever entered unless expressly summoned. + But La Vauguyon turned the key, and, in spite of the usher on guard, + forced his way in. The King in great emotion asked him what was the + matter. La Vauguyon on his knees said he had been insulted by M. de + Courtenay and demanded pardon for having drawn his sword in the + palace. His Majesty, promising to examine the matter, with great + trouble got rid of La Vauguyon. As nothing could be made of it, M. de + Courtenay declaring he had been insulted by La Vauguyon and forced to + draw his sword, and the other telling the same tale, both were sent to + the Bastille. After a short imprisonment they were released, and + appeared at the Court as usual. + </p> + <p> + Another adventure, which succeeded this, threw some light upon the + state of affairs. Going to Versailles, one day, La Vauguyon met a + groom of the Prince de Conde leading a saddled horse, he stopped the + man, descended from his coach, asked whom the horse belonged to, said + that the Prince would not object to his riding it, and leaping upon + the animal's back, galloped off. The groom, all amazed, followed him. + La Vauguyon rode on until he reached the Bastille, descended there, + gave a gratuity to the man, and dismissed him: he then went straight + to the governor of the prison, said he had had the misfortune to + displease the King, and begged to be confined there. The governor, + having no orders to do so, refused; and sent off an express for + instructions how to act. In reply he was told not to receive La + Vauguyon, whom at last, after great difficulty, he prevailed upon to + go away. This occurrence made great noise. Yet even afterwards the + King continued to receive La Vauguyon at the Court, and to affect to + treat him well, although everybody else avoided him and was afraid of + him. His poor wife became so affected by these public derangements, + that she retired from Paris, and shortly afterwards died. This + completed her husband's madness; he survived her only a month, dying + by his own hand, as I have mentioned. During the last two years of his + life he carried pistols in his carriage, and frequently pointed them + at his coachman and postilion. It is certain that without the + assistance of M. de Beauvais he would often have been brought to the + last extremities. Beauvais frequently spoke of him to the King; and it + is inconceivable that having raised this man to such a point; and + having always shown him particular kindness, his Majesty should + perseveringly have left him to die of hunger and become mad from + misery. + </p> + <p> + The year finished without any remarkable occurrence. + </p> + <p> + My mother; who had been much disquieted for me during the campaign, + desired strongly that I should not make another without being married. + Although very young, I had no repugnance to marry, but wished to do so + according to my own inclinations. With a large establishment I felt + very lonely in a country where credit and consideration do more than + all the rest. Without uncle, aunt, cousins-German, or near relatives, + I found myself, I say, extremely solitary. + </p> + <p> + Among my best friends, as he had been the friend of my father; was the + Duc de Beauvilliers. He had always shown me much affection, and I felt + a great desire to unite myself to his family: My mother approved of my + inclination, and gave me an exact account of my estates and + possessions. I carried it to Versailles, and sought a private + interview with M. de Beauvilliers. At eight o'clock the same evening + he received me alone in the cabinet of Madame de Beauvilliers. After + making my compliments to him, I told him my wish, showed him the state + of my affairs, and said that all I demanded of him was one of his + daughters in marriage, and that whatever contract he thought fit to + draw up would be signed by my mother and myself without examination. + </p> + <p> + The Duke, who had fixed his eyes upon me all this time, replied like a + man penetrated with gratitude by the offer I had made. He said, that + of his eight daughters the eldest was between fourteen and fifteen + years old; the second much deformed, and in no way marriageable; the + third between twelve and thirteen years of age, and the rest were + children: the eldest wished to enter a convent, and had shown herself + firm upon that point. He seemed inclined to make a difficulty of his + want of fortune; but, reminding him of the proposition I had made, I + said that it was not for fortune I had come to him, not even for his + daughter, whom I had never seen; that it was he and Madame de + Beauvilliers who had charmed me, and whom I wished to marry! + </p> + <p> + "But," said he, "if my eldest daughter wishes absolutely to enter a + convent?" + </p> + <p> + "Then," replied I, "I ask the third of you." To this he objected, on + the ground that if he gave the dowry of the first to the third + daughter, and the first afterwards changed her mind and wished to + marry, he should be thrown into an embarrassment. I replied that I + would take the third as though the first were to be married, and that + if she were not, the difference between what he destined for her and + what he destined for the third, should be given to me. The Duke, + raising his eyes to heaven, protested that he had never been combated + in this manner, and that he was obliged to gather up all his forces in + order to prevent himself yielding to me that very instant. + </p> + <p> + On the next day, at half-past three, I had another interview with M. + de Beauvilliers. With much tenderness he declined my proposal, resting + his refusal upon the inclination his daughter had displayed for the + convent, upon his little wealth, if, the marriage of the third being + made, she should change her mind—and upon other reasons. He + spoke to me with much regret and friendship, and I to him in the same + manner; and we separated, unable any longer to speak to each other. + Two days after, however, I had another interview with him by his + appointment. I endeavoured to overcome the objections that he made, + but all in vain. He could not give me his third daughter with the + first unmarried, and he would not force her, he said, to change her + wish of retiring from the world. His words, pious and elevated, + augmented my respect for him, and my desire for the marriage. In the + evening, at the breaking up of the appointment, I could not prevent + myself whispering in his ear that I should never live happily with + anybody but his daughter, and without waiting for a reply hastened + away. I had the next evening, at eight o'clock, an interview with + Madame de Beauvilliers. I argued with her with such prodigious ardor + that she was surprised, and, although she did not give way, she said + she would be inconsolable for the loss of me, repeating the same + tender and flattering things her husband had said before, and with the + same effusion of feeling. + </p> + <p> + I had yet another interview with M. de Beauvilliers. He showed even + more affection for me than before, but I could not succeed in putting + aside his scruples. He unbosomed himself afterwards to one of our + friends, and in his bitterness said he could only console himself by + hoping that his children and mine might some day intermarry, and he + prayed me to go and pass some days at Paris, in order to allow him to + seek a truce to his grief in my absence. We both were in want of it. I + have judged it fitting to give these details, for they afford a key to + my exceeding intimacy with M. de Beauvilliers, which otherwise, + considering the difference in our ages, might appear incomprehensible. + </p> + <p> + There was nothing left for me but to look out for another marriage. + One soon presented itself, but as soon fell to the ground; and I went + to La Trappe to console myself for the impossibility of making an + alliance with the Duc de Beauvilliers. + </p> + <p> + La Trappe is a place so celebrated and so well known, and its reformer + so famous, that I shall say but little about it. I will, however, + mention that this abbey is five leagues from La Ferme-au-Vidame, or + Arnold, which is the real distinctive name of this Ferme among so many + other Fetes in France, which have preserved the generic name of what + they have been, that is to say, forts or fortresses ('freitas'). My + father had been very intimate with M. de la Trappe, and had taken me + to him. + </p> + <p> + Although I was very young then, M. de la Trappe charmed me, and the + sanctity of the place enchanted me. Every year I stayed some days + there, sometimes a week at a time, and was never tired of admiring + this great and distinguished man. He loved me as a son, and I + respected him as though he were any father. This intimacy, singular at + my age, I kept secret from everybody, and only went to the convent + clandestinely. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V + </h2> + <p> + On my return from La Trappe, I became engaged in an affair which made + a great noise, and which had many results for me. + </p> + <p> + M. de Luxembourg, proud of his successes, and of the applause of the + world at his victories, believed himself sufficiently strong to claim + precedence over seventeen dukes, myself among the number; to step, in + fact, from the eighteenth rank, that he held amongst the peers, to the + second. The following are the names and the order in precedence of the + dukes he wished to supersede: + </p> + <p> + The Duc d'Elboeuf; the Duc de Montbazon; the Duc de Ventadour; the Duc + de Vendome; the Duc de la Tremoille; the Duc de Sully; the Duc de + Chevreuse, the son (minor) of the Duchesse de Lesdiguieres-Gondi; the + Duc de Brissac; Charles d'Albert, called d'Ailly; the Duc de + Richelieu; the Duc de Saint-Simon; the Duc de la Rochefoucauld; the + Duc de la Force; the Duc de Valentinois; the Duc de Rohan; the Duc de + Bouillon. + </p> + <p> + To explain this pretension of M. de Luxembourg, I must give some + details respecting him and the family whose name he bore. He was the + only son of M. de Bouteville, and had married a descendant of Francois + de Luxembourg, Duke of Piney, created Peer of France in 1581. It was a + peerage which, in default of male successors, went to the female, but + this descendant was not heir to it. She was the child of a second + marriage, and by a first marriage her mother had given birth to a son + and a daughter, who were the inheritors of the peerage, both of whom + were still living. The son was, however, an idiot, had been declared + incapable of attending to his affairs, and was shut up in Saint + Lazare, at Paris. The daughter had taken the veil, and was mistress of + the novices at the Abbaye-aux-Bois. The peerage had thus, it might + almost be said, become extinct, for it was vested in an idiot, who + could not marry (to prevent him doing so, he had been made a deacon, + and he was bound in consequence to remain single), and in a nun, who + was equally bound by her vows to the same state of celibacy. + </p> + <p> + When M. de Bouteville, for that was his only title then, married, he + took the arms and the name of Luxembourg. He did more. By powerful + influence—notably that of his patron the Prince de Conde—he + released the idiot deacon from his asylum, and the nun from her + convent, and induced them both to surrender to him their possessions + and their titles. This done, he commenced proceedings at once in order + to obtain legal recognition of his right to the dignities he had thus + got possession of. He claimed to be acknowledged Duc de Piney, with + all the privileges attached to that title as a creation of 1581. + Foremost among these privileges was that of taking precedence of all + dukes whose title did not go back so far as that year. Before any + decision was given either for or against this claim, he was made Duc + de Piney by new letters patent, dating from 1662, with a clause which + left his pretensions to the title of 1581 by no means affected by this + new creation. M. de Luxembourg, however, seemed satisfied with what he + had obtained, and was apparently disposed to pursue his claim no + further. He was received as Duke and Peer in the Parliament, took his + seat in the last rank after all the other peers, and allowed his suit + to drop. Since then he had tried successfully to gain it by stealth, + but for several years nothing more had been heard of it. Now, however, + he recommenced it, and with every intention, as we soon found, to stop + at no intrigue or baseness in order to carry his point. + </p> + <p> + Nearly everybody was in his favour. The Court, though not the King, + was almost entirely for him; and the town, dazzled by the splendour of + his exploits, was devoted to him. The young men regarded him as the + protector of their debauches; for, notwithstanding his age, his + conduct was as free as theirs. He had captivated the troops and the + general officers. + </p> + <p> + In the Parliament he had a staunch supporter in Harlay, the Chief + President, who led that great body at his will, and whose devotion he + had acquired to such a degree, that he believed that to undertake and + succeed were only the same things, and that this grand affair would + scarcely cost him a winter to carry. + </p> + <p> + Let me say something more of this Harlay. + </p> + <p> + Descended from two celebrated magistrates, Achille d'Harlay and + Christopher De Thou, Harlay imitated their gravity, but carried it to + a cynical extent, affected their disinterestedness and modesty, but + dishonoured the first by his conduct, and the second by a refined + pride which he endeavoured without success to conceal. He piqued + himself, above all things, upon his probity and justice, but the mask + soon fell. Between Peter and Paul he maintained the strictest + fairness, but as soon as he perceived interest or favour to be + acquired, he sold himself. This trial will show him stripped of all + disguise. He was learned in the law; in letters he was second to no + one; he was well acquainted with history, and knew how, above all, to + govern his company with an authority which suffered no reply, and + which no other chief president had ever attained. + </p> + <p> + A pharisaical austerity rendered him redoubtable by the license he + assumed in his public reprimands, whether to plaintiffs, or + defendants, advocates or magistrates; so that there was not a single + person who did not tremble to have to do with him. Besides this, + sustained in all by the Court (of which he was the slave, and the very + humble servant of those who were really in favour), a subtle courtier, + a singularly crafty politician, he used all those talents solely to + further his ambition, his desire of domination and his thirst of the + reputation of a great man. He was without real honour, secretly of + corrupt manners, with only outside probity, without humanity even; in + one word, a perfect hypocrite; without faith, without law, without a + God, and without a soul; a cruel husband, a barbarous father, a + tyrannical brother, a friend of himself alone, wicked by nature—taking + pleasure in insulting, outraging, and overwhelming others, and never + in his life having lost an occasion to do so. His wit was great, but + was always subservient to his wickedness. He was small, vigorous, and + thin, with a lozenge-shaped face, a long aquiline nose—fine, + speaking, keen eyes, that usually looked furtively at you, but which, + if fixed on a client or a magistrate, were fit to make him sink into + the earth. He wore narrow robes, an almost ecclesiastical collar and + wristband to match, a brown wig mimed with white, thickly furnished + but short, and with a great cap over it. He affected a bending + attitude, and walked so, with a false air, more humble than modest, + and always shaved along the walls, to make people make way for him + with greater noise; and at Versailles worked his way on by a series of + respectful and, as it were, shame-faced bows to the right and left. He + held to the King and to Madame de Maintenon by knowing their weak + side; and it was he who, being consulted upon the unheard-of + legitimation of children without naming the mother, had sanctioned + that illegality in favour of the King. + </p> + <p> + Such was the man whose influence was given entirely to our opponent. + </p> + <p> + To assist M. de Luxembourg's case as much as possible, the celebrated + Racine, so known by his plays, and by the order he had received at + that time to write the history of the King, was employed to polish and + ornament his pleas. Nothing was left undone by M. de Luxembourg in + order to gain this cause. + </p> + <p> + I cannot give all the details of the case, the statements made on both + sides, and the defences; they would occupy entire volumes. We + maintained that M. de Luxembourg was in no way entitled to the + precedence he claimed, and we had both law and justice on our side. To + give instructions to our counsel, and to follow the progress of the + case, we met once a week, seven or eight of us at least, those best + disposed to give our time to the matter. Among the most punctual was + M. de la Rochefoucauld. I had been solicited from the commencement to + take part in the proceedings, and I complied most willingly, + apologising for so doing to M. de Luxembourg, who replied with all the + politeness and gallantry possible, that I could not do less than + follow an example my father had set me. + </p> + <p> + The trial having commenced, we soon saw how badly disposed the Chief + President was towards us. He obstructed us in every way, and acted + against all rules. There seemed no other means of defeating his + evident intention of judging against us than by gaining time, first of + all; and to do this we determined to get the case adjourned, There + were, however, only two days at our disposal, and that was not enough + in order to comply with the forms required for such a step. We were + all in the greatest embarrassment, when it fortunately came into the + head of one of our lawyers to remind us of a privilege we possessed, + by which, without much difficulty, we could obtain what we required. I + was the only one who could, at that moment, make use of this + privilege. I hastened home, at once, to obtain the necessary papers, + deposited them with the procureur of M. de Luxembourg, and the + adjournment was obtained. The rage of M. de Luxembourg was without + bounds. When we met he would not salute me, and in consequence I + discontinued to salute him; by which he lost more than I, in his + position and at his age, and furnished in the rooms and the galleries + of Versailles a sufficiently ridiculous spectacle. In addition to this + he quarrelled openly with M. de Richelieu, and made a bitter attack + upon him in one of his pleas. But M. de Richelieu, meeting him soon + after in the Salle des Gardes at Versailles, told him to his face that + he should soon have a reply; and said that he feared him neither on + horseback nor on foot—neither him nor his crew—neither in + town nor at the Court, nor even in the army, nor in any place in the + world; and without allowing time for a reply he turned on his heel. In + the end, M. de Luxembourg found himself so closely pressed that he was + glad to apologise to M. de Richelieu. + </p> + <p> + After a time our cause, sent back again to the Parliament, was argued + there with the same vigour, the same partiality, and the same + injustice as before: seeing this, we felt that the only course left + open to us was to get the case sent before the Assembly of all the + Chambers, where the judges, from their number, could not be corrupted + by M. de Luxembourg, and where the authority of Harlay was feeble, + while over the Grand Chambre, in which the case was at present, it was + absolute. The difficulty was to obtain an assembly of all the + Chambers, for the power of summoning them was vested solely in Harlay. + However, we determined to try and gain his consent. M. de Chaulnes + undertook to go upon this delicate errand, and acquitted himself well + of his mission. He pointed out to Harlay that everybody was convinced + of his leaning towards M. de Luxembourg, and that the only way to + efface the conviction that had gone abroad was to comply with our + request; in fine, he used so many arguments, and with such address, + that Harlay, confused and thrown off his guard, and repenting of the + manner in which he had acted towards us as being likely to injure his + interests, gave a positive assurance to M. de Chaulnes that what we + asked should be granted. + </p> + <p> + We had scarcely finished congratulating ourselves upon this + unhoped-for success, when we found that we had to do with a man whose + word was a very sorry support to rest upon. M. de Luxembourg, + affrighted at the promise Harlay had given, made him resolve to break + it. Suspecting this, M. de Chaulnes paid another visit to the Chief + President, who admitted, with much confusion, that he had changed his + views, and that it was impossible to carry out what he had agreed to. + After this we felt that to treat any longer with a man so perfidious + would be time lost; and we determined, therefore, to put it out of his + power to judge the case at all. + </p> + <p> + According to the received maxim, whoever is at law with the son cannot + be judged by the father. Harlay had a son who was Advocate-General. We + resolved that one among us should bring an action against him. + </p> + <p> + After trying in vain to induce the Duc de Rohan, who was the only one + of our number who could readily have done it, to commence a suit + against Harlay's sort, we began to despair of arriving at our aim. + Fortunately for us, the vexation of Harlay became so great at this + time, in consequence of the disdain with which we treated him, and + which we openly published, that he extricated us himself from our + difficulty. We had only to supplicate the Duc de Gesvres in the cause + (he said to some of our people), and we should obtain what we wanted; + for the Duc de Gesvres was his relative. We took him at his word. The + Duc de Gesvres received in two days a summons on our part. Harlay, + annoyed with himself for the advice he had given, relented of it: but + it was too late; he was declared unable to judge the cause, and the + case itself was postponed until the next year. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, let me mention a circumstance which should have found a + place before, and then state what occurred in the interval which + followed until the trial recommenced. + </p> + <p> + It was while our proceedings were making some little stir that fresh + favours were heaped upon the King's illegitimate sons, at the instance + of the King himself, and with the connivance of Harlay, who, for the + part he took in the affair, was promised the chancellorship when it + should become vacant. The rank of these illegitimate sons was placed + just below that of the princes, of the blood, and just above that of + the peers even of the oldest creation. This gave us all exceeding + annoyance: it was the greatest injury the peerage could have received, + and became its leprosy and sore. All the peers who could, kept + themselves aloof from the parliament, when M. du Maine, M. de Vendome, + and the Comte de Toulouse, for whom this arrangement was specially + made, were received there. + </p> + <p> + There were several marriages at the Court this winter and many very + fine balls, at which latter I danced. By the spring, preparations were + ready for fresh campaigns. My regiment (I had bought one at the close + of the last season) was ordered to join the army of M. de Luxembourg; + but, as I had no desire to be under him, I wrote to the King, begging + to be exchanged. In a short time, to the great vexation, as I know, of + M. de Luxembourg, my request was granted. The Chevalier de Sully went + to Flanders in my place, and I to Germany in his. I went first to + Soissons to see my regiment, and in consequence of the recommendation + of the King, was more severe with it than I should otherwise have + been. I set out afterwards for Strasbourg, where I was surprised with + the magnificence of the town, and with the number, beauty, and + grandeur of its fortifications. As from my youth I knew and spoke + German perfectly, I sought out one of my early German acquaintances, + who gave me much pleasure. I stopped six days at Strasbourg and then + went by the Rhine to Philipsburg. On the next day after arriving + there, I joined the cavalry, which was encamped at Obersheim. + </p> + <p> + After several movements—in which we passed and repassed the + Rhine—but which led to no effective result, we encamped for + forty days at Gaw- Boecklheim, one of the best and most beautiful + positions in the world, and where we had charming weather, although a + little disposed to cold. It was in the leisure of that long camp that + I commenced these memoirs, incited by the pleasure I took in reading + those of Marshal Bassompierre, which invited me thus to write what I + should see in my own time. + </p> + <p> + During this season M. de Noailles took Palamos, Girone, and the + fortress of Castel-Follit in Catalonia. This last was taken by the + daring of a soldier, who led on a small number of his comrades, and + carried the place by assault. Nothing was done in Italy; and in + Flanders M. de Luxembourg came to no engagement with the Prince of + Orange. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI + </h2> + <p> + After our long rest at the camp of Gaw-Boecklheim we again put + ourselves in movement, but without doing much against the enemy, and + on the 16th of October I received permission to return to Paris. Upon + my arrival there I learnt that many things had occurred since I left. + During that time some adventures had happened to the Princesses, as + the three illegitimate daughters of the King were called for + distinction sake. Monsieur wished that the Duchesse de Chartres should + always call the others "sister," but that the others should never + address her except as "Madame." The Princesse de Conti submitted to + this; but the other (Madame la Duchesse, being the produce of the same + love) set herself to call the Duchesse de Chartres "mignonne." But + nothing was less a mignonne than her face and her figure; and + Monsieur, feeling the ridicule, complained to the King. The King + prohibited very severely this familiarity. + </p> + <p> + While at Trianon these Princesses took it into their heads to walk out + at night and divert themselves with crackers. Either from malice or + imprudence they let off some one night under the windows of Monsieur, + rousing him thereby out of his sleep. He was so displeased, that he + complained to the King, who made him many excuses (scolding the + Princesses), but had great trouble to appease him. His anger lasted a + long time, and the Duchesse de Chartres felt it. I do not know if the + other two were very sorry. Madame la Duchesse was accused of writing + some songs upon the Duchesse de Chartres. + </p> + <p> + The Princesse de Conti had another adventure, which made considerable + noise, and which had great results. She had taken into her favour + Clermont, ensign of the gensdarmes and of the Guard. He had pretended + to be enamoured of her, and had not been repelled, for she soon became + in love with him. Clermont had attached himself to the service of M. + de Luxembourg, and was the merest creature in his hands. At the + instigation of M. de Luxembourg, he turned away his regards from the + Princesse de Conti, and fixed them upon one of her maids of honour—Mademoiselle + Choin, a great, ugly, brown, thick-set girl, upon whom Monseigneur had + lately bestowed his affection. Monseigneur made no secret of this, nor + did she. Such being the case, it occurred to M. de Luxembourg (who + knew he was no favourite with the King, and who built all his hopes of + the future upon Monseigneur) that Clermont, by marrying La Choin, + might thus secure the favour of Monseigneur, whose entire confidence + she possessed. Clermont was easily persuaded that this would be for + him a royal road to fortune, and he accordingly entered willingly into + the scheme, which had just begun to move, when the campaign commenced, + and everybody went away to join the armies. + </p> + <p> + The King, who partly saw this intrigue, soon made himself entirely + master of it, by intercepting the letters which passed between the + various parties. He read there the project of Clermont and La Choin to + marry, and thus govern Monseigneur; he saw how M. de Luxembourg was + the soul of this scheme, and the marvels to himself he expected from + it. The letters Clermont had received from the Princesse de Conti he + now sent to Mademoiselle la Choin, and always spoke to her of + Monseigneur as their "fat friend." With this correspondence in his + hands, the King one day sent for the Princesse de Conti, said in a + severe tone that he knew of her weakness for Clermont; and, to prove + to her how badly she had placed her affection, showed her her own + letters to Clermont, and letters in which he had spoken most + contemptuously of her to La Choin. Then, as a cruel punishment, he + made her read aloud to him the whole of those letters. At this she + almost died, and threw herself, bathed in tears, at the feet of the + King, scarcely able to articulate. Then came sobs, entreaty, despair, + and rage, and cries for justice and revenge. This was soon obtained. + Mademoiselle la Choin was driven away the next day; and M. de + Luxembourg had orders to strip Clermont of his office, and send him to + the most distant part of the kingdom. The terror of M. de Luxembourg + and the Prince de Conti at this discovery may be imagined. Songs + increased the notoriety of this strange adventure between the Princess + and her confidant. + </p> + <p> + M. de Noyon had furnished on my return another subject for the song- + writers, and felt it the more sensibly because everybody was diverted + at his expense, M. de Noyon was extremely vain, and afforded thereby + much amusement to the King. A Chair was vacant at the Academic + Francaise. The King wished it to be given to M. de Noyon, and + expressed himself to that effect to Dangeau, who was a member. As may + be believed, the prelate was elected without difficulty. His Majesty + testified to the Prince de Conde, and to the most distinguished + persons of the Court, that he should be glad to see them at the + reception. Thus M. de Noyon was the first member of the Academia + chosen by the King, and the first at whose reception he had taken the + trouble to invite his courtiers to attend. + </p> + <p> + The Abbe de Caumartin was at that time Director of the Academie. He + knew the vanity of M. de Noyon, and determined to divert the public at + his expense. He had many friends in power, and judged that his + pleasantry would be overlooked, and even approved. He composed, + therefore, a confused and bombastic discourse in the style of M. de + Noyon, full of pompous phrases, turning the prelate into ridicule, + while they seemed to praise him. After finishing this work, he was + afraid lest it should be thought out of all measure, and, to reassure + himself, carried it to M. de Noyon himself, as a scholar might to his + master, in order to see whether it fully met with his approval. M. de + Noyon, so far from suspecting anything, was charmed by the discourse, + and simply made a few corrections in the style. The Abbe de Caumartin + rejoiced at the success of the snare he had laid, and felt quite bold + enough to deliver his harangue. + </p> + <p> + The day came. The Academie was crowded. The King and the Court were + there, all expecting to be diverted. M. de Noyon, saluting everybody + with a satisfaction he did not dissimulate, made his speech with his + usual confidence, and in his usual style. The Abbe replied with a + modest air, and with a gravity and slowness that gave great effect to + his ridiculous discourse. The surprise and pleasure were general, and + each person strove to intoxicate M. de Noyon more and more, making him + believe that the speech of the Abbe was relished solely because it had + so worthily praised him. The prelate was delighted with the Abbe and + the public, and conceived not the slightest mistrust. + </p> + <p> + The noise which this occurrence made may be imagined, and the praises + M. de Noyon gave himself in relating everywhere what he had said, and + what had been replied to him. M. de Paris, to whose house he went, + thus triumphing, did not like him, and endeavoured to open his eyes to + the humiliation he had received. For some time M. de Noyon would not + be convinced of the truth; it was not until he had consulted with Pere + la Chaise that he believed it. The excess of rage and vexation + succeeded then to the excess of rapture he had felt. In this state he + returned to his house, and went the next day to Versailles. There he + made the most bitter complaints to the King, of the Abbe de Caumartin, + by whose means he had become the sport and laughing-stock of all the + world. + </p> + <p> + The King, who had learned what had passed, was himself displeased. He + ordered Pontchartrain (who was related to Caumartin) to rebuke the + Abbe, and to send him a lettre de cachet, in order that he might go + and ripen his brain in his Abbey of Busay, in Brittany, and better + learn there how to speak and write. Pontchartrain executed the first + part of his commission, but not the second. He pointed out to the King + that the speech of the Abbe de Caumartin had been revised and + corrected by M. de Noyon, and that, therefore, this latter had only + himself to blame in the matter. He declared, too, that the Abbe was + very sorry for what he had done, and was most willing to beg pardon of + M. de Noyon. The lettre de cachet thus fell to the ground, but not the + anger of the prelate. He was so outraged that he would not see the + Abbe, retired into his diocese to hide his shame, and remained there a + long time. + </p> + <p> + Upon his return to Paris, however, being taken ill, before consenting + to receive the sacraments, he sent for the Abbe, embraced him, + pardoned him, and gave him a diamond ring, that he drew from his + finger, and that he begged him to keep in memory of him. Nay, more, + when he was cured, he used all his influence to reinstate the Abbe in + the esteem of the King. But the King could never forgive what had + taken place, and M. de Noyon, by this grand action, gained only the + favour of God and the honour of the world. + </p> + <p> + I must finish the account of the war of this year with a strange + incident. M. de Noailles, who had been so successful in Catalonia, was + on very bad terms with Barbezieux, secretary of state for the war + department. Both were in good favour with the King; both high in + power, both spoiled. The successes in Catalonia had annoyed + Barbezieux. They smoothed the way for the siege of Barcelona, and that + place once taken, the very heart of Spain would have been exposed, and + M. de Noailles would have gained fresh honours and glory. M. de + Noailles felt this so completely that he had pressed upon the King the + siege of Barcelona; and when the fitting time came for undertaking it, + sent a messenger to him with full information of the forces and + supplies he required. Fearing that if he wrote out this information it + might fall into the hands of Barbezieux, and never reach the King, he + simply gave his messenger instructions by word of mouth, and charged + him to deliver them so. But the very means he had taken to ensure + success brought about failure. Barbezieux, informed by his spies of + the departure of the messenger, waylaid him, bribed him, and induced + him to act with the blackest perfidy, by telling the King quite a + different story to that he was charged with. In this way, the project + for the siege of Barcelona was entirely broken, at the moment for its + execution, and with the most reasonable hopes of success; and upon M. + de Noailles rested all the blame. What a thunderbolt this was for him + may easily be imagined. But the trick had been so well played, that he + could not clear himself with the King; and all through this winter he + remained out of favour. + </p> + <p> + At last he thought of a means by which he might regain his position. + He saw the inclination of the King for his illegitimate children; and + determined to make a sacrifice in favour of one of them; rightly + judging that this would be a sure means to step back into the + confidence he had been so craftily driven from. His scheme, which he + caused to be placed before the King, was to go into Catalonia at the + commencement of the next campaign, to make a semblance of falling ill + immediately upon arriving, to send to Versailles a request that he + might be recalled, and at the same time a suggestion that M. de + Vendome (who would then be near Nice, under Marechal Catinat) should + succeed him. In order that no time might be lost, nor the army left + without a general, he proposed to carry with him the letters patent; + appointing M. de Vendome, and to send them to him at the same time + that he sent to be recalled. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible to express the relief and satisfaction with which + this proposition was received. The King was delighted with it, as with + everything tending to advance his illegitimate children and to put a + slight upon the Princes of the blood. He could not openly have made + this promotion without embroiling himself with the latter; but coming + as it would from M. de Noailles, he had nothing to fear. M. de + Vendome, once general of an army, could no longer serve in any other + quality; and would act as a stepping-stone for M. du Maine. + </p> + <p> + From this moment M. de Noailles returned more than ever into the good + graces of the King. Everything happened as it had been arranged. But + the secret was betrayed in the execution. Surprise was felt that at + the same moment M. de Noailles sent a request to be recalled, he also + sent, and without waiting for a reply, to call M. de Vendame to the + command. What completely raised the veil were the letters patent that + he sent immediately after to M. de Vendome, and that it was known he + could not have received from the King in the time that had elapsed. M. + de Noailles returned from Catalonia, and was received as his address + merited. He feigned being lame with rheumatism, and played the part + for a long time, but forgot himself occasionally, and made his company + smile. He fixed himself at the Court, and gained there much more + favour than he could have gained by the war; to the great vexation of + Barbezieux. + </p> + <p> + M. de Luxembourg very strangely married his daughter at this time to + the Chevalier de Soissons (an illegitimate son of the Comte de + Soissons), brought out from the greatest obscurity by the Comtesse de + Nemours, and adopted by her to spite her family: M. de Luxembourg did + not long survive this fine marriage. At sixty-seven years of age he + believed himself twenty-five, and lived accordingly. The want of + genuine intrigues, from which his age and his face excluded him, he + supplied by money-power; and his intimacy, and that of his son, with + the Prince de Conti and Albergotti was kept up almost entirely by the + community of their habits, and the secret parties of pleasure they + concocted together. All the burden of marches, of orders of + subsistence, fell upon a subordinate. Nothing could be more exact than + the coup d'oeil of M. de Luxembourg— nobody could be more + brilliant, more sagacious, more penetrating than he before the enemy + or in battle, and this, too, with an audacity, an ease, and at the + same time a coolness, which allowed him to see all and foresee all + under the hottest fire, and in the most imminent danger: It was at + such times that he was great. For the rest he was idleness itself. He + rarely walked unless absolutely obliged, spent his time in gaming, or + in conversation With his familiars; and had every evening a supper + with a chosen few (nearly always the same); and if near a town, the + other sex were always agreeably mingled with them. When thus occupied, + he was inaccessible to everybody, and if anything pressing happened, + it was his subordinate who attended to it. Such was at the army the + life of this great general, and such it was at Paris, except that the + Court and the great world occupied his days, and his pleasures the + evenings. At last, age, temperament, and constitution betrayed him. He + fell ill at Versailles. Given over by Fagon, the King's physician, + Coretti, an Italian, who had secrets of his own, undertook his cure, + and relieved him, but only for a short time. His door during this + illness was besieged by all the Court. The King sent to inquire after + him, but it was more for appearance' sake than from sympathy, for I + have already remarked that the King did not like him. The brilliancy + of his campaigns, and the difficulty of replacing him, caused all the + disquietude. Becoming worse, M. de Luxembourg received the sacraments, + showed some religion and firmness, and died on the morning of the 4th + of January, 1695, the fifth day of his illness, much regretted by many + people, but personally esteemed by none, and loved by very few. + </p> + <p> + Not one of the Dukes M. de Luxembourg had attacked went to see him + during his illness. I neither went nor sent, although at Versailles; + and I must admit that I felt my deliverance from such an enemy. + </p> + <p> + Here, perhaps, I may as well relate the result of the trial in which + we were engaged, and which, after the death of M. de Luxembourg, was + continued by his son. It was not judged until the following year. I + have shown that by our implicating the Duc de Gesvres, the Chief + President had been declared incapable of trying the case. The rage he + conceived against us cannot be expressed, and, great actor that he + was, he could not hide it. All his endeavour afterwards was to do what + he could against us; the rest of the mask fell, and the deformity of + the judge appeared in the man, stripped of all disguise. + </p> + <p> + We immediately signified to M. de Luxembourg that he must choose + between the letters patent of 1581 and those of 1662. If he abandoned + the first the case fell through; in repudiating the last he renounced + the certainty of being duke and peer after us; and ran the risk of + being reduced to an inferior title previously granted to him. The + position was a delicate one; he was affrighted; but after much + consultation he resolved to run all risks and maintain his + pretensions. It thus simply became a question of his right to the + title of Duc de Piney, with the privilege attached to it as a creation + of 1581. + </p> + <p> + In the spring of 1696 the case was at last brought on, before the + Assembly of all the Chambers. Myself and the other Dukes seated + ourselves in court to hear the proceedings. The trial commenced. All + the facts and particulars of the cause were brought forward. Our + advocates spoke, and then few doubted but that we should gain the + victory. M. de Luxembourg's advocate, Dumont, was next heard. He was + very audacious, and spoke so insolently of us, saying, in Scripture + phraseology, that we honoured the King with our lips, whilst our + hearts were far from him, that I could not contain myself. I was + seated between the Duc de la Rochefoucauld and the Duc d'Estrees. I + stood up, crying out against the imposture of this knave, and calling + for justice on him. M. de la Rochefoucauld pulled me back, made me + keep silent, and I plunged down into my seat more from anger against + him than against the advocate. My movement excited a murmur. We might + on the instant have had justice against Dumont, but the opportunity + had passed for us to ask for it, and the President de Maisons made a + slight excuse for him. We complained, however, afterwards to the King, + who expressed his surprise that Dumont had not been stopped in the + midst of his speech. + </p> + <p> + The summing up was made by D'Aguesseau, who acquitted himself of the + task with much eloquence and impartiality. His speech lasted two days. + This being over, the court was cleared, and the judges were left alone + to deliberate upon their verdict. Some time after we were called in to + hear that verdict given. It was in favour of M. de Luxembourg in so + far as the title dating from 1662 was concerned; but the consideration + of his claim to the title of 1581 was adjourned indefinitely, so that + he remained exactly in the same position as his father. + </p> + <p> + It was with difficulty we could believe in a decree so unjust and so + novel, and which decided a question that was not under dispute. I was + outraged, but I endeavoured to contain myself. I spoke to M. de la + Rochefoucauld; I tried to make him listen to me, and to agree that we + should complain to the King, but I spoke to a man furious, incapable + of understanding anything or of doing anything. Returning to my own + house, I wrote a letter to the King, in which I complained of the + opinion of the judges. I also pointed out, that when everybody had + been ordered to retire from the council chamber, Harlay and his + secretary had been allowed to remain. On these and other grounds I + begged the King to grant a new trial. + </p> + <p> + I carried this letter to the Duc de la Tremoille, but I could not get + him to look at it. I returned home more vexed if possible than when I + left. The King, nevertheless, was exceedingly dissatisfied with the + judgment. He explained himself to that effect at his dinner, and in a + manner but little advantageous to the Parliament, and prepared himself + to receive the complaints he expected would be laid before him. But + the obstinacy of M. de la Rochefoucauld, which turned into vexation + against himself, rendered it impossible for us to take any steps in + the matter, and so overwhelmed me with displeasure, that I retired to + La Trappe during Passion Week in order to recover myself. + </p> + <p> + At my return I learned that the King had spoken of this judgment to + the Chief President, and that that magistrate had blamed it, saying + the cause was indubitably ours, and that he had always thought so! If + he thought so, why oppose us so long? and if he did not think so, what + a prevaricator was he to reply with this flattery, so as to be in + accord with the King? The judges themselves were ashamed of their + verdict, and excused themselves for it on the ground of their + compassion for the state in which M. de Luxembourg would have been + placed had he lost the title of 1662, and upon its being impossible + that he should gain the one of 1581, of which they had left him the + chimera. M. de Luxembourg was accordingly received at the Parliament + on the 4th of the following May, with the rank of 1662. He came and + visited all of us, but we would have no intercourse with him or with + his judges. To the Advocate-General, D'Aguesseau, we carried our + thanks. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII + </h2> + <p> + Thus ended this long and important case; and now let me go back again + to the events of the previous year. + </p> + <p> + Towards the end of the summer and the commencement of the winter of + 1695, negotiations for peace were set on foot by the King. Harlay, + son-in-law of our enemy, was sent to Maestricht to sound the Dutch. + But in proportion as they saw peace desired were they less inclined to + listen to terms. They had even the impudence to insinuate to Harlay, + whose paleness and thinness were extraordinary, that they took him for + a sample of the reduced state of France! He, without getting angry, + replied pleasantly, that if they would give him the time to send for + his wife, they would, perhaps, conceive another opinion of the + position of the realm. In effect, she was extremely fat, and of a very + high colour. He was rather roughly dismissed, and hastened to regain + our frontier. + </p> + <p> + Two events followed each other very closely this winter. The first was + the death of the Princess of Orange, in London, at the end of January. + The King of England prayed our King to allow the Court to wear no + mourning, and it was even prohibited to M. de Bouillon and M. de + Duras, who were both related to the Prince of Orange. The order was + obeyed, and no word was said; but this sort of vengeance was thought + petty. Hopes were held out of a change in England, but they vanished + immediately, and the Prince of Orange appeared more accredited there + and stronger than ever. The Princess was much regretted, and the + Prince of Orange, who loved her and gave her his entire confidence, + and even most marked respect, was for some days ill with grief. + </p> + <p> + The other event was strange. The Duke of Hanover, who, in consequence + of the Revolution, was destined to the throne of England after the + Prince and Princess of Orange and the Princess of Denmark, had married + his cousin-german, a daughter of the Duke of Zell. She was beautiful, + and he lived happily with her for some time. The Count of + Koenigsmarck, young and very well made, came to the Court, and gave + him some umbrage. The Duke of Hanover became jealous; he watched his + wife and the Count, and at length believed himself fully assured of + what he would have wished to remain ignorant of all his life. Fury + seized him: he had the Count arrested and thrown into a hot oven. + Immediately afterwards he sent his wife to her father, who shut her up + in one of his castles, where she was strictly guarded by the people of + the Duke of Hanover. An assembly of the Consistory was held in order + to break off his marriage. It was decided, very singularly, that the + marriage was annulled so far as the Duke was concerned, and that he + could marry another woman; but that it remained binding on the + Duchess, and that she could not marry. The children she had had during + her marriage were declared legitimate. The Duke of Hanover did not + remain persuaded as to this last article. + </p> + <p> + The King, entirely occupied with the aggrandisement of his natural + children, had heaped upon the Comte de Toulouse every possible favour. + He now (in order to evade a promise he had made to his brother, that + the first vacant government should be given to the Duc de Chartres) + forced M. de Chaulnes to give up the government of Brittany, which he + had long held, and conferred it upon the Comte de Toulouse, giving to + the friend and heir of the former the successorship to the government + of Guyenne, by way of recompense. + </p> + <p> + M. de Chaulnes was old and fat, but much loved by the people of + Brittany. He was overwhelmed by this determination of the King, and + his wife, who had long been accustomed to play the little Queen, still + more so; yet there was nothing for them but to obey. They did obey, + but it was with a sorrow and chagrin they could not hide. + </p> + <p> + The appointment was announced one morning at the rising of the King. + Monsieur, who awoke later, heard of it at the drawing of his curtains, + and was extremely piqued. The Comte de Toulouse came shortly + afterwards, and announced it himself. Monsieur interrupted him, and + before everybody assembled there said, "The King has given you a good + present; but I know not if what he has done is good policy." Monsieur + went shortly afterwards to the King, and reproached him for giving, + under cover of a trick, the government of Brittany to the Comte de + Toulouse, having promised it to the Duc de Chartres. The King heard + him in silence: he knew well how to appease him. Some money for play + and to embellish Saint Cloud, soon effaced Monsieur's chagrin. + </p> + <p> + All this winter my mother was solely occupied in finding a good match + for me. Some attempt was made to marry me to Mademoiselle de Royan. It + would have been a noble and rich marriage; but I was alone, + Mademoiselle de Royan was an orphan, and I wished a father-in-law and + a family upon whom I could lean. During the preceding year there had + been some talk of the eldest daughter of Marechal de Lorges for me. + The affair had fallen through, almost as soon as suggested, and now, + on both sides, there was a desire to recommence negotiations. The + probity, integrity, the freedom of Marechal de Lorges pleased me + infinitely, and everything tended to give me an extreme desire for + this marriage. Madame de Lorges by her virtue and good sense was all I + could wish for as the mother of my future wife. Mademoiselle de Lorges + was a blonde, with a complexion and figure perfect, a very amiable + face, an extremely noble and modest deportment, and with I know not + what of majesty derived from her air of virtue, and of natural + gentleness. The Marechal had five other daughters, but I liked this + one best without comparison, and hoped to find with her that happiness + which she since has given me. As she has become my wife, I will + abstain here from saying more about her, unless it be that she has + exceeded all that was promised of her, and all that I myself had + hoped. + </p> + <p> + My marriage being agreed upon and arranged the Marechal de Lorges + spoke of it to the King, who had the goodness to reply to him that he + could not do better, and to speak of me very obligingly. The marriage + accordingly took place at the Hotel de Lorges, on the 8th of April, + 1695, which I have always regarded, and with good reason, as the + happiest day of my life. My mother treated me like the best mother in + the world. On the Thursday before Quasimodo the contract was signed; a + grand repast followed; at midnight the cure of Saint Roch said mass, + and married us in the chapel of the house. On the eve, my mother had + sent forty thousand livres' worth of precious stones to Mademoiselle + de Lorges, and I six hundred Louis in a corbeille filled with all the + knick-knacks that are given on these occasions. + </p> + <p> + We slept in the grand apartment of the Hotel des Lorges. On the + morrow, after dinner, my wife went to bed, and received a crowd of + visitors, who came to pay their respects and to gratify their + curiosity. The next evening we went to Versailles, and were received + by Madame de Maintenon and the King. On arriving at the supper-table, + the King said to the new Duchess:—"Madame, will you be pleased + to seat yourself?" + </p> + <p> + His napkin being unfolded, he saw all the duchesses and princesses + still standing; and rising in his chair, he said to Madame de + Saint-Simon— "Madame, I have already begged you to be seated;" + and all immediately seated themselves. On the morrow, Madame de + Saint-Simon received all the Court in her bed in the apartment of the + Duchesse d'Arpajon, as being more handy, being on the ground floor. + Our festivities finished by a supper that I gave to the former friends + of my father, whose acquaintance I had always cultivated with great + care. + </p> + <p> + Almost immediately after my marriage the second daughter of the + Marechal de Lorges followed in the footsteps of her sister. She was + fifteen years of age, and at the reception of Madame de Saint-Simon + had attracted the admiration of M. de Lauzun, who was then + sixty-three. Since his return to the Court he had been reinstated in + the dignity he had previously held. He flattered himself that by + marrying the daughter of a General he should re-open a path to himself + for command in the army. Full of this idea he spoke to M. de Lorges, + who was by no means inclined towards the marriage. M. de Lauzun + offered, however, to marry without dowry; and M. de Lorges, moved by + this consideration, assented to his wish. The affair concluded, M. de + Lorges spoke of it to the King. "You are bold," said his Majesty, "to + take Lauzun into your family. I hope you may not repent of it." + </p> + <p> + The contract was soon after signed. M. de Lorges gave no dowry with + his daughter, but she was to inherit something upon the death of M. + Fremont. We carried this contract to the King, who smiled and bantered + M. de Lauzun. M. de Lauzun replied, that he was only too happy, since + it was the first time since his return that he had seen the King smile + at him. The marriage took place without delay: there were only seven + or eight persons present at the ceremony. M. de Lauzun would undress + himself alone with his valet de chambre, and did not enter the + apartment of his wife until after everybody had left it, and she was + in bed with the curtains closed, and nobody to meet him on his + passage. His wife received company in bed, as mine had done. Nobody + was able to understand this marriage; and all foresaw that a rupture + would speedily be brought about by the well-known temper of M. de + Lauzun. In effect, this is what soon happened. The Marechal de Lorges, + remaining still in weak health, was deemed by the King unable to take + the field again, and his army given over to the command of another + General. M. de Lauzun thus saw all his hopes of advancement at an end, + and, discontented that the Marechal had done nothing for him, broke + off all connection with the family, took away Madame de Lauzun from + her mother (to the great grief of the latter; who doted upon this + daughter), and established her in a house of his own adjoining the + Assumption, in the Faubourg Saint-Honore. There she had to endure her + husband's continual caprices, but little removed in their + manifestation from madness. Everybody cast blame upon him, and + strongly pitied her and her father and mother; but nobody was + surprised. + </p> + <p> + A few days after the marriage of M. de Lauzun, as the King was being + wheeled in his easy chair in the gardens at Versailles, he asked me + for many minute particulars concerning the family of the Marechal de + Lorges. He then set himself to joke with me upon the marriage of M. de + Lauzun— and upon mine. He said to me, in spite of that gravity + which never quitted him, that he had learnt from the Marechal I had + well acquitted myself, but that he believed the Marechal had still + better news. + </p> + <p> + The loss of two illustrious men about this time, made more noise than + that of two of our grand ladies. The first of these men was La + Fontaine, so well known by his "Fables" and stories, and who, + nevertheless, was so heavy in conversation. The other was Mignard—so + illustrious by his pencil: he had an only daughter—perfectly + beautiful: she is repeated in several of those magnificent historical + pictures which adorn the grand gallery of Versailles and its two + salons, and which have had no slight share in irritating all Europe + against the King, and in leaguing it still more against his person + than his realm. + </p> + <p> + At the usual time the armies were got ready for active service, and + everybody set out to join them. That of the Rhine, in which I was, was + commanded by the Marechal de Lorges. No sooner had we crossed the + river and come upon the enemy, than the Marechal fell ill. Although we + were in want of forage and were badly encamped, nobody complained—nobody + wished to move. Never did an army show so much interest in the life of + its chief, or so much love for him. M. de Lorges was, in truth, at the + last extremity, and the doctors that had been sent for from Strasbourg + gave him up entirely. I took upon myself to administer to him some + "English Drops." One hundred and thirty were given him in three doses: + the effect was astonishing; an eruption burst out upon the Marechal's + body, and saved his life. His illness was not, however, at an end; and + the army, although suffering considerably, would not hear of moving + until he was quite ready to move also. There was no extremity it would + not undergo rather than endanger the life of its chief. + </p> + <p> + Prince Louis of Baden offered by trumpets all sorts of assistance— + doctors and remedies, and gave his word that if the army removed from + its General, he and those who remained with him should be provided + with forage and provisions—should be unmolested and allowed to + rejoin the main body in perfect safety, or go whithersoever they + pleased. He was thanked, as he merited, for those very kind offers, + which we did not wish, however, to profit by. + </p> + <p> + Little by little the health of the General was reestablished, and the + army demonstrated its joy by bonfire's all over the camp, and by + salvos, which it was impossible to prevent. Never was seen testimony + of love so universal or so flattering. The King was much concerned at + the illness of the Marechal; all the Court was infinitely touched by + it. M. de Lorges was not less loved by it than by the troops. When + able to support the fatigues of the journey, he was removed in a coach + to Philipsburg, where he was joined by the Marechal, who had come + there to meet him. The next day he went to Landau, and I, who formed + one of his numerous and distinguished escort, accompanied him there, + and then returned to the army, which was placed under the command of + the Marechal de Joyeuse. + </p> + <p> + We found it at about three leagues from Ketsch, its right at Roth, and + its left at Waldsdorff. We learned that the Marechal de Joyeuse had + lost a good occasion of fighting the enemy; but as I was not in camp + at the time, I will say no more of the matter. Our position was not + good: Schwartz was on our left, and the Prince of Baden on our right, + hemming us in, as it were, between them. We had no forage, whilst they + had abundance of everything, and were able to procure all they wanted. + There was a contest who should decamp the last. All our communications + were cut off with Philipsburg, so that we could not repass the Rhine + under the protection of that place. To get out of our position, it was + necessary to defile before our enemies into the plain of Hockenun, and + this was a delicate operation. The most annoying circumstance was, + that M. de Joyeuse would communicate with nobody, and was so + ill-tempered that none dared to speak to him. At last he determined + upon his plans, and I was of the detachment by which they were to be + carried out. We were sent to Manheim to see if out of the ruins of + that place (burned in 1688 by M. de Louvois) sufficient, materials + could be found to construct bridges, by which we might cross the Rhine + there. We found that the bridges could be made, and returned to + announce this to M. de Joyeuse. Accordingly, on the 20th of July, the + army put itself in movement. The march was made in the utmost + confusion. Everything was in disorder; the infantry and cavalry were + huddled together pell-mell; no commands could be acted upon, and + indeed the whole army was so disorganised that it could have been + easily beaten by a handful of men. In effect, the enemy at last tried + to take advantage of our confusion, by sending a few troops to harass + us. But it was too late; we had sufficiently rallied to be able to + turn upon them, and they narrowly escaped falling into our hands. We + encamped that night in the plain on the banks of the Necker—our + rear at Manheim, and our left at Seckenheim, while waiting for the + remainder of the army, still very distant. Indeed, so great had been + the confusion, that the first troops arrived at one o'clock at night, + and the last late in the morning of the next day. + </p> + <p> + I thought that our headquarters were to be in this village of + Seckenheim, and, in company with several officers took possession of a + large house and prepared to pass the night there. While we were + resting from the fatigues of the day we heard a great noise, and soon + after a frightful uproar. It was caused by a body of our men, who, + searching for water, had discovered this village, and after having + quenched their thirst had, under the cover of thick darkness, set + themselves to pillage, to violate, to massacre, and to commit all the + horrors inspired by the most unbridled licence: La Bretesche, a + lieutenant-general, declared to me that he had never seen anything + like it, although he had several times been at pillages and sackings. + He was very grateful that he had not yielded to my advice, and taken + off his wooden leg to be more at ease; for in a short time we + ourselves were invaded, and had some trouble to defend ourselves. As + we bore the livery of M. de Lorges, we were respected, but those who + bore that of M. de Joyeuse were in some cases severely maltreated. We + passed the rest of the night as well as we could in this unhappy + place, which was not abandoned by our soldiers until long after there + was nothing more to find. At daylight we went to the camp. + </p> + <p> + We found the army beginning to move: it had passed the night as well + as it could without order, the troops constantly arriving, and the + last comers simply joining themselves on to the rest. Our camp was + soon, however, properly formed, and on the 24th July, the bridges + being ready, all the army crossed the Rhine, without any attempt being + made by the enemy to follow us. On the day after, the Marechal de + Joyeuse permitted me to go to Landau, where I remained with the + Marechal and the Marechale de Lorges until the General was again able + to place himself at the head of his army. + </p> + <p> + Nothing of importance was done by our other armies; but in Flanders an + interesting adventure occurred. The Prince of Orange, after playing a + fine game of chess with our army, suddenly invested Namur with a large + force, leaving the rest of his troops under the command of M. de + Vaudemont. The Marechal de Villeroy, who had the command of our army + in Flanders, at once pressed upon M. de Vaudemont, who, being much the + weaker of the two, tried hard to escape. Both felt that everything was + in their hands: Vaudemont, that upon his safety depended the success + of the siege of Namur; and Villeroy, that to his victory was attached + the fate of the Low Countries, and very likely a glorious peace, with + all the personal results of such an event. He took his measures so + well that on the evening of the 13th of July it was impossible for M. + de Vaudemont to escape falling into his hands on the 14th, and he + wrote thus to the King. At daybreak on the 14th M. de Villeroy sent + word to M. du Maine to commence the action. Impatient that his orders + were not obeyed, he sent again five or six times. M. du Maine wished + in the first instance to reconnoitre, then to confess himself, and + delayed in effect so long that M. de Vaudemont was able to commence + his retreat. The general officers cried out at this. One of them came + to M. du Maine and reminded him of the repeated orders of the Marechal + de Villeroy, represented the importance of victory, and the ease with + which it could be obtained: with tears in his eyes he begged M. du + Maine to commence the attack. It was all in vain; M. du Maine + stammered, and could not be prevailed upon to charge, and so allowed + M. de Vaudemont's army to escape, when by a single movement it might + have been entirely defeated. + </p> + <p> + All our army was in despair, and officers and soldiers made no scruple + of expressing their anger and contempt. M. de Villeroy, more outraged + than anybody else, was yet too good a courtier to excuse himself at + the expense of M. du Maine. He simply wrote to the King, that he had + been deceived in those hopes of success which appeared certain the day + before, entered into no further details, and resigned himself to all + that might happen. The King, who had counted the hours until news of a + great and decisive victory should reach him, was very much surprised + when this letter came: he saw at once that something strange had + happened of which no intelligence had been sent: he searched the + gazettes of Holland; in one he read of a great action said to have + been fought, and in which M. du Maine had been grievously wounded; in + the next the news of the action was contradicted, and M. du Maine was + declared to have received no wounds at all. In order to learn what had + really taken place, the King sent for Lavienne, a man he was in the + habit of consulting when he wanted to learn things no one else dared + to tell him. + </p> + <p> + This Lavienne had been a bath-keeper much in vogue in Paris, and had + become bath-keeper to the King at the time of his amours. He had + pleased by his drugs, which had frequently put the King in a state to + enjoy himself more, and this road had led Lavienne to become one of + the four chief valets de chambre. He was a very honest man, but + coarse, rough, and free-spoken; it was this last quality which made + him useful in the manner I have before mentioned. From Lavienne the + King, but not without difficulty, learned the truth: it threw him into + despair. The other illegitimate children were favourites with him, but + it was upon M. du Maine that all his hopes were placed. They now fell + to the ground, and the grief of the King was insupportable: he felt + deeply for that dear son whose troops had become the laughing stock of + the army; he felt the railleries that, as the gazettes showed him, + foreigners were heaping upon his forces; and his vexation was + inconceivable. + </p> + <p> + This Prince, so equal in his manners, so thoroughly master of his + lightest movements, even upon the gravest occasions, succumbed under + this event. On rising from the table at Marly he saw a servant who, + while taking away the dessert, helped himself to a biscuit, which he + put in his pocket. On the instant, the King forgets his dignity, and + cane in hand runs to this valet (who little suspected what was in + store for him), strikes him; abuses him, and breaks the cane upon his + body! The truth is, 'twas only a reed, and snapped easily. However, + the stump in his hand, he walked away like a man quite beside himself, + continuing to abuse this valet, and entered Madame de Maintenon's + room, where he remained nearly an hour. Upon coming out he met Father + la Chaise. "My father," said the King to him, in a very loud voice, "I + have beaten a knave and broken my cane over his shoulders, but I do + not think I have offended God." Everybody around trembled at this + public confession, and the poor priest muttered a semblance of + approval between his teeth, to avoid irritating the King more. The + noise that the affair made and the terror it inspired may be imagined; + for nobody could divine for some time the cause; and everybody easily + understood that that which had appeared could not be the real one. To + finish with this matter, once for all, let us add here the saying of + M. d'Elboeuf. Courtier though he was, the upward flight of the + illegitimate children weighed upon his heart. As the campaign was at + its close and the Princes were about to depart, he begged M. du Maine + before everybody to say where he expected to serve during the next + campaign, because wherever it might be he should like to be there + also. + </p> + <p> + After being pressed to say why, he replied that "with him one's life + was safe." This pointed remark made much noise. M. du Maine lowered + his eyes, and did not reply one word. As for the Marechal de Villeroy + he grew more and more in favour with the King and with Madame de + Maintenon. The bitter fruit of M. du Maine's act was the taking of + Namur, which capitulated on August 4th (1695). The Marechal de + Villeroy in turn bombarded Brussels, which was sorely maltreated. The + Marechal de Boufflers, who had defended Namur, was made Duke, and + those who had served under him were variously rewarded. This gave + occasion for the Prince of Orange to say, that the King recompensed + more liberally the loss of a place than he could the conquest of one. + The army retired into winter-quarters at the end of October, and the + Generals went to Paris. + </p> + <p> + As for me, I remained six weeks at Landau with M. and Madame de + Lorges. At the end of that time, the Marechal, having regained his + health, returned to the army, where he was welcomed with the utmost + joy: he soon after had an attack of apoplexy, and, by not attending to + his malady in time, became seriously ill again. When a little + recovered, he and Madame de Lorges set out for Vichy, and I went to + Paris. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII + </h2> + <p> + Before speaking of what happened at Court after my return, it will be + necessary to record what had occurred there during the campaign. + </p> + <p> + M. de Brias, Archbishop of Cambrai, had died, and the King had given + that valuable preferment to the Abbe de Fenelon, preceptor of the + children of France. Fenelon was a man of quality, without fortune, + whom the consciousness of wit—of the insinuating and captivating + kind—united with much ability, gracefulness of intellect, and + learning, inspired with ambition. He had been long going about from + door to door, knocking for admission, but without success. Piqued + against the Jesuits, to whom he had addressed himself at first, as + holding all favours in their hands, and discouraged because unable to + succeed in that quarter, he turned next to the Jansenists, to console + himself by the reputation he hoped he should derive from them, for the + loss of those gifts of fortune which hitherto had despised him. + </p> + <p> + He remained a considerable time undergoing the process of initiation, + and succeeded at last in being of the private parties that some of the + important Jansenists then held once or twice a week at the house of + the Duchesse de Brancas. I know not if he appeared too clever for + them, or if he hoped elsewhere for better things than he could get + among people who had only sores to share; but little by little his + intimacy with them cooled; and by dint of turning around Saint + Sulpice, he succeeded in forming another connection there, upon which + he built greater expectations. This society of priests was beginning + to distinguish itself, and from a seminary of a Paris parish to extend + abroad. Ignorance, the minuteness of their practices, the absence of + all patrons and of members at all distinguished in any way, inspired + them with a blind obedience to Rome and to all its maxims; with a + great aversion for everything that passed for Jansenism, and made them + so dependent upon the bishops that they began to be considered an + acquisition in many dioceses. They appeared a middle party, very + useful to the prelates; who equally feared the Court, on account of + suspicions of doctrine, and the Jesuits for as soon as the latter had + insinuated themselves into the good graces of the prelates, they + imposed their yoke upon them, or ruined them hopelessly;—thus + the Sulpicians grew apace. None amongst them could compare in any way + with the Abbe de Fenelon; so that he was able easily to play first + fiddle, and to make for himself protectors who were interested in + advancing him, in order that they might be protected in turn. + </p> + <p> + His piety, which was all things to all men, and his doctrine that he + formed upon theirs (abjuring, as it were, in whispers, the impurities + he might have contracted amongst those he had abandoned)—the + charms, the graces, the sweetness, the insinuation of his mind, + rendered him a dear friend to this new congregation, and procured for + him what he had long sought, people upon whom he could lean, and who + could and would serve. Whilst waiting opportunities, he carefully + courted these people, without thinking, however, of positively joining + them, his views being more ambitious; so that he ever sought to make + new acquaintances and friends. His was a coquettish mind, which from + people the most influential down to the workman and the lackey sought + appreciation and was determined to please; and his talents for this + work perfectly seconded his desires. + </p> + <p> + At this time, and while still obscure, he heard speak of Madame Guyon, + who has since made so much noise in the world, and who is too well + known to need that I should dwell upon her here. He saw her. There was + an interchange of pleasure between their minds. Their sublimes + amalgamated. I know not if they understood each other very clearly in + that system, and that new tongue which they hatched subsequently, but + they persuaded themselves they did, and friendship grew up between + them. Although more known than he, Madame Guyon was nevertheless not + much known, and their intimacy was not perceived, because nobody + thought of them; Saint Sulpice even was ignorant of what was going on. + </p> + <p> + The Duc de Beauvilliers became Governor of the children of France + almost in spite of himself, without having thought of it. He had to + choose a preceptor for Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne. He addressed + himself to Saint Sulpice, where for a long time he had confessed, for + he liked and protected it. He had heard speak of Fenelon with eulogy: + the Sulpicians vaunted his piety, his intelligence, his knowledge, his + talents; at last they proposed him for preceptor. The Duc de + Beauvilliers saw him, was charmed with him, and appointed him to the + office. + </p> + <p> + As soon as installed, Fenelon saw of what importance it would be to + gain the entire favour of the Duc de Beauvilliers, and of his + brother-in-law the Duc de Chevreuse, both very intimate friends, and + both in the highest confidence of the King and Madame de Maintenon. + This was his first care, and he succeeded beyond his hopes, becoming + the master of their hearts and minds, and the director of their + consciences. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Maintenon dined regularly once a week at the house of one or + other of the two Dukes, fifth of a little party, composed of the two + sisters and the two husbands,—with a bell upon the table, in + order to dispense with servants in waiting, and to be able to talk + without restraint. Fenelon was at last admitted to this sanctuary, at + foot of which all the Court was prostrated. He was almost as + successful with Madame de Maintenon as he had been with the two Dukes. + His spirituality enchanted her: the Court soon perceived the giant + strides of the fortunate Abbe, and eagerly courted him. But, desiring + to be free and entirely devoted to his great object, he kept himself + aloof from their flatteries—made for himself a shield with his + modesty and his duties of preceptor—and thus rendered himself + still more dear to the persons he had captivated, and that he had so + much interest in retaining in that attachment. + </p> + <p> + Among these cares he forgot not his dear Madame Guyon; he had already + vaunted her to the two Dukes and to Madame de Maintenon. He had even + introduced her to them, but as though with difficulty and for a few + moments, as a woman all in God, whose humility and whose love of + contemplation and solitude kept her within the strictest limits, and + whose fear, above all, was that she should become known. The tone of + her mind pleased Madame de Maintenon extremely; her reserve, mixed + with delicate flatteries, won upon her. Madame de Maintenon wished to + hear her talk upon matters of piety; with difficulty she consented to + speak. She seemed to surrender herself to the charms and to the virtue + of Madame de Maintenon, and Madame de Maintenon fell into the nets so + skilfully prepared for her. + </p> + <p> + Such was the situation of Fenelon when he became Archbishop of + Cambrai; increasing the admiration in which he was held by taking no + step to gain that great benefice. He had taken care not to seek to + procure himself Cambrai; the least spark of ambition would have + destroyed all his edifice; and, moreover, it was not Cambrai that he + coveted. + </p> + <p> + Little by little he appropriated to himself some distinguished sheep + of the small flock Madame Guyon had gathered together. He only + conducted them, however, under the direction of that prophetess, and, + everything passed with a secrecy and mystery that gave additional + relish to the manna distributed. + </p> + <p> + Cambrai was a thunderbolt for this little flock. It was the + archbishopric of Paris they wished. Cambrai they looked upon with + disdain as a country diocese, the residence in which (impossible to + avoid from time to time) would deprive them of their pastor. Their + grief was then profound at what the rest of the world took for a piece + of amazing luck, and the Countess of Guiche was so affected as to be + unable to hide her tears. The new prelate had not neglected such of + his brethren as made the most figure; they, in turn, considered it a + distinction to command his regard. Saint Cyr, that spot so valuable + and so inaccessible, was the place chosen for his consecration; and M. + de Meaux, dictator then of the episcopacy and or doctrine, consecrated + him. The children of France were among the spectators, and Madame de + Maintenon was present with her little court of familiars. No others + were invited; the doors were closed to those who sought to pay their + court. + </p> + <p> + The new Archbishop of Cambrai, gratified with his influence over + Madame de Maintenon and with the advantages it had brought him, felt + that unless he became completely master of her, the hopes he still + entertained could not be satisfied. But there was a rival in his way—Godet, + Bishop of Chartres, who was much in the confidence of Madame de + Maintenon, and had long discourses with her at Saint Cyr. As he was, + however, of a very ill figure, had but little support at Court, and + appeared exceedingly simple, M. de Cambrai believed he could easily + overthrow him. To do this, he determined to make use of Madame Guyon, + whose new spirituality had already been so highly relished by Madame + de Maintenon. He persuaded this latter to allow Madame Guyon to enter + Saint Cyr, where they could discourse together much more at their ease + than at the Hotel de Chevreuse or Beauvilliers. Madame Guyon went + accordingly to Saint Cyr two or three times. Soon after, Madame de + Maintenon, who relished her more and more, made her sleep there, and + their meetings grew longer. Madame Guyon admitted that she sought + persons proper to become her disciples, and in a short time she formed + a little flock, whose maxims and language appeared very strange to all + the rest of the house, and, above all, to M. de Chartres. That prelate + was not so simple as M. de Cambrai imagined. Profound theologian and + scholar, pious, disinterested, and of rare probity, he could be, if + necessary, a most skilful courtier; but he rarely exerted this power, + for the favour of Madame de Maintenon sufficed him of itself. As soon + as he got scent of this strange doctrine, he caused two ladies, upon + whom he could count, to be admitted to Saint Cyr, as if to become + disciples of Madame Guyon. He gave them full instructions, and they + played their parts to perfection. In the first place they appeared to + be ravished, and by degrees enchanted, with the new doctrine. Madame + Guyon, pleased with this fresh conquest, took the ladies into her most + intimate confidence in order to gain them entirely. They communicated + everything to M. de Chartres, who quietly looked on, allowed things to + take their course, and, when he believed the right moment had arrived, + disclosed all he had learnt to Madame de Maintenon. She was strangely + surprised when she saw the extraordinary drift of the new doctrine. + Troubled and uncertain, she consulted with M. de Cambrai, who, not + suspecting she had been so well instructed, became, when he discovered + it, embarrassed, and thus augmented her suspicions. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly Madame Guyon was driven away from Saint Cyr, and prohibited + from spreading her doctrine elsewhere. But the admiring disciples she + had made still gathered round her in secret, and this becoming known, + she was ordered to leave Paris. She feigned obedience, but in effect + went no further than the Faubourg Saint Antoine, where, with great + secrecy, she continued to receive her flock. But being again detected, + she was sent, without further parley, to the Bastille, well treated + there, but allowed to see nobody, not even to write. Before being + arrested, however, she had been put into the hands of M. de Meaux, who + used all his endeavours to change her sentiments. Tired at last of his + sermons, she feigned conviction, signed a recantation of her opinions, + and was set at liberty. Yet, directly after, she held her secret + assemblies in the Faubourg Saint Antoine, and it was in consequence of + this abuse of freedom that she was arrested. These adventures bring me + far into the year 1696, and the sequel extends into the following + year. Let us finish this history at once, and return afterwards to + what happened meanwhile. + </p> + <p> + Monsieur de Cambrai, stunned but not overpowered by the reverse he had + sustained, and by his loss of favour with Madame de Maintenon, stood + firm in his stirrups. After Madame Guyon's abuse of her liberty, and + the conferences of Issy, he bethought himself of confessing to M. de + Meaux, by which celebrated trick he hoped to close that prelate's + mouth. These circumstances induced M. de Meaux to take pen in hand, in + order to expose to the public the full account of his affair, and of + Madame Guyon's doctrine; and he did so in a work under the title of + 'Instruction sur les Etats d'Oyaison'. + </p> + <p> + While the book was yet unpublished, M. de Cambrai was shown a copy. He + saw at once the necessity of writing another to ward off the effect of + such a blow. He must have had a great deal of matter already prepared, + otherwise the diligence he used would be incredible. Before M. de + Meaux's book was ready, M. de Cambrai's, entitled 'Maximes des + Saints', was published and distributed. M. de Chevreuse, who corrected + the proofs, installed himself at the printer's, so as to see every + sheet as soon as printed. + </p> + <p> + This book, written in the strangest manner, did M. de Cambrai little + service. If people were offended to find it supported upon no + authority, they were much more so with its confused and embarrassed + style, its precision so restrained and so decided, its barbarous terms + which seemed as though taken from a foreign tongue, above all, its + high-flown and far- fetched thoughts, which took one's breath away, as + in the too subtle air of the middle region. Nobody, except the + theologians, understood it, and even they not without reading it three + or four times. Connoisseurs found in it a pure Quietism, which, + although wrapped up in fine language, was clearly visible. I do not + give my own judgment of things so much beyond me, but repeat what was + said everywhere. Nothing else was talked about, even by the ladies; + and a propos of this, the saying of Madame de Sevigne was revived: + "Make religion a little more palpable; it evaporates by dint of being + over-refined." + </p> + <p> + Not a word was heard in praise of the book; everybody was opposed to + it, and it was the means of making Madame de Maintenon more + unfavourable to M. de Cambrai than ever. He sent the King a copy, + without informing her. This completed her annoyance against him. M. de + Cambrai, finding his book so ill-received by the Court and by the + prelates, determined to try and support it on the authority of Rome, a + step quite opposed to our manners. In the mean time, M. de Meaux's + book appeared in two volumes octavo, well written, clear, modest, and + supported upon the authority of the Scriptures. It was received with + avidity, and absolutely devoured. There was not a person at the Court + who did not take a pleasure in reading it, so that for a long time it + was the common subject of conversation of the Court and of the town. + </p> + <p> + These two books, so opposed in doctrine and in style, made such a stir + on every side that the King interposed, and forced M. de Cambrai to + submit his work to an examination by a council of prelates, whom he + named. M. de Cambrai asked permission to go to Rome to defend his + cause in person, but this the King refused. He sent his book, + therefore, to the Pope, and had the annoyance to receive a dry, cold + reply, and to see M. de Meaux's book triumph. His good fortune was in + effect at an end. He remained at Court some little time, but the King + was soon irritated against him, sent him off post-haste to Paris, and + from there to his diocese, whence he has never returned. He left + behind him a letter for one of his friends, M. de Chevreuse it was + generally believed, which immediately after became public. It appeared + like the manifesto of a man who disgorges his bile and restrains + himself no more, because he has nothing more to hope. The letter, bold + and bitter in style, was besides so full of ability and artifice, that + it was extremely pleasant to read, without finding approvers; so true + it is that a wise and disdainful silence is difficult to keep under + reverses. + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VOLUME 2. + </h2> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX + </h2> + <p> + To return now to the date from which I started. On the 6th of August, + 1695, Harlay, Arch-bishop of Paris, died of epilepsy at Conflans. He + was a prelate of profound knowledge and ability, very amiable, and of + most gallant manners. For some time past he had lost favour with the + King and with Madame de Maintenon, for opposing the declaration of her + marriage— of which marriage he had been one of the three + witnesses. The clergy, who perceived his fall, and to whom envy is not + unfamiliar, took pleasure in revenging themselves upon M. de Paris, + for the domination, although gentle and kindly, he had exercised. + Unaccustomed to this decay of his power, all the graces of his mind + and body withered. He could find no resource but to shut himself up + with his dear friend the Duchesse de Lesdiguieres, whom he saw every + day of his life, either at her own house or at Conflans, where he had + laid out a delicious garden, kept so strictly clean, that as the two + walked, gardeners followed at a distance, and effaced their footprints + with rakes. The vapours seized the Archbishop, and turned themselves + into slight attacks of epilepsy. He felt this, but prohibited his + servants to send for help, when they should see him attacked; and he + was only too well obeyed. The Duchesse de Lesdiguieres never slept at + Conflans, but she went there every afternoon, and was always alone + with him. On the 6th of August, he passed the morning, as usual, until + dinner-time; his steward came there to him, and found him in his + cabinet, fallen back upon a sofa; he was dead. The celebrated + Jesuit-Father Gaillard preached his funeral sermon, and carefully + eluded pointing the moral of the event. The King and Madame de + Maintenon were much relieved by the loss of M. de Paris. Various + places he had held were at once distributed. His archbishopric and his + nomination to the cardinalship required more discussion. The King + learnt the news of the death of M. de Paris on the 6th. On the 8th, in + going as usual to his cabinet, he went straight up to the Bishop of + Orleans, led him to the Cardinals de Bouillon and de Fursternberg, and + said to them:- "Gentlemen, I think you will thank me for giving you an + associate like M. d'Orleans, to whom I give my nomination to the + cardinalship." At this word the Bishop, who little expected such a + scene, fell at the King's feet and embraced his knees. He was a man + whose face spoke at once of the virtue and benignity he possessed. In + youth he was so pious, that young and old were afraid to say afoul + word in his presence. Although very rich, he appropriated scarcely any + of his wealth to himself, but gave it away for good works. The modesty + and the simplicity with which M. d'Orleans sustained his nomination, + increased the universal esteem in which he was held. + </p> + <p> + The archbishopric of Paris was given to a brother of the Duc de + Noailles- the Bishop of Chalons-sur-Marne—M. de Noailles thus + reaping the fruit of his wise sacrifice to M. de Vendome, before + related. M. de Chalons was of singular goodness and modesty. He did + not wish for this preferment, and seeing from far the prospect of its + being given to him, hastened to declare himself against the Jesuits, + in the expectation that Pere la Chaise, who was of them, and who was + always consulted upon these occasions, might oppose him. But it + happened, perhaps for the first time, that Madame de Maintenon, who + felt restrained by the Jesuits, did not consult Pere la Chaise, and + the preferment was made without his knowledge, and without that of M. + de Chalons. The affront was a violent one, and the Jesuits never + forgave the new Archbishop: he was, however, so little anxious for the + office, that it was only after repeated orders he could be made to + accept it. + </p> + <p> + The Bishop of Langres also died about this time. He was a true + gentleman, much liked, and called "the good Langres." There was + nothing bad about him, except his manners; he was not made for a + bishop—gambled very much, and staked high. M. de Vendome and + others won largely at billiards of him, two or three times. He said no + word, but, on returning to Langres, did nothing but practise billiards + in secret for six months. When next in Paris, he was again asked to + play, and his adversaries, who thought him as unskilful as before, + expected an easy victory but, to their astonishment, he gained almost + every game, won back much more than he had lost, and then laughed in + the faces of his companions. + </p> + <p> + I paid about this time, my first journey to Marly, and a singular + scene happened there. The King at dinner, setting aside his usual + gravity, laughed and joked very much with Madame la Duchesse, eating + olives with her in sport, and thereby causing her to drink more than + usual—which he also pretended to do. Upon rising from the table + the King, seeing the Princesse de Conti look extremely serious, said, + dryly, that her gravity did not accommodate itself to their + drunkenness. The Princess, piqued, allowed the King to pass without + saying anything; and then, turning to Madame de Chatillon, said, in + the midst of the noise, whilst everybody was washing his mouth, "that + she would rather be grave than be a wine- sack" (alluding to some + bouts a little prolonged that her sister had recently had). + </p> + <p> + The saying was heard by the Duchesse de Chartres, who replied, loud + enough to be heard, in her slow and trembling voice, that she + preferred to be a "winesack" rather than a "rag-sack" (sac + d'guenilles) by which she alluded to the Clermont and La Choin + adventure I have related before. + </p> + <p> + This remark was so cruel that it met with no reply; it spread through + Marly, and thence to Paris; and Madame la Duchesse, who had the art of + writing witty songs, made one upon this theme. The Princesse de Conti + was in despair, for she had not the same weapon at her disposal. + Monsieur tried to reconcile them gave them a dinner at Meudon—but + they returned from it as they went. + </p> + <p> + The end of the year was stormy at Marly. One evening, after the King + had gone to bed, and while Monseigneur was playing in the saloon, the + Duchesse de Chartres and Madame la Duchesse (who were bound together + by their mutual aversion to the Princesse de Conti) sat down to a + supper in the chamber of the first-named. Monseigneur, upon retiring + late to his own room, found them smoking with pipes, which they had + sent for from the Swiss Guards! Knowing what would happen if the smell + were discovered, he made them leave off, but the smoke had betrayed + them. The King next day severely scolded them, at which the Princesse + de Conti triumphed. Nevertheless, these broils multiplied, and the + King at last grew so weary of them that one evening he called the + Princesses before him, and threatened that if they did not improve he + would banish them all from the Court. The measure had its effect; calm + and decorum returned, and supplied the place of friendship. + </p> + <p> + There were many marriages this winter, and amongst them one very + strange —a marriage of love, between a brother of Feuquiere's, + who had never done much, and the daughter of the celebrated Mignard, + first painter of his time. This daughter was still so beautiful, that + Bloin, chief valet of the King, had kept her for some time, with the + knowledge of every one, and used his influence to make the King sign + the marriage-contract. + </p> + <p> + There are in all Courts persons who, without wit and without + distinguished birth, without patrons, or service rendered, pierce into + the intimacy of the most brilliant, and succeed at last, I know not + how, in forcing the world to look upon them as somebody. Such a person + was Cavoye. Rising from nothing, he became Grand Marechal des Logis in + the royal household: he arrived at that office by a perfect romance. + He was one of the best made men in France, and was much in favour with + the ladies. He first appeared at the Court at a time when much + duelling was taking place, in spite of the edicts. Cavoye, brave and + skilful, acquired so much reputation m this particular, that the name + of "Brave Cavoye" has stuck to him ever since. An ugly but very good + creature, Mademoiselle de Coetlogon, one of the Queen's waiting-women, + fill in love with him, even to madness. She made all the advances; but + Cavoye treated her so cruelly, nay, sometimes so brutally, that + (wonderful to say) everybody pitied her, and the King at last + interfered, and commanded him to be more humane. Cavoye went to the + army; the poor Coetlogon was in tears until his return. In the winter, + for being second in a duel, he was sent to the Bastille. Then the + grief of Coetlogon knew no bounds: she threw aside all ornaments, and + clad herself as meanly as possible; she begged the King to grant + Cavoye his liberty, and, upon the King's refusing, quarrelled with him + violently, and when in return he laughed at her, became so furious, + that she would have used her nails, had he not been too wise to expose + himself to them. Then she refused to attend to her duties, would not + serve the King, saying, that he did not deserve it, and grew so yellow + and ill, that at last she was allowed to visit her lover at the + Bastille. When he was liberated, her joy was extreme, she decked + herself out anon, but it was with difficulty that she consented to be + reconciled to the King. + </p> + <p> + Cavoye had many times been promised an appointment, but had never + received one such as he wished. The office of Grand Marechal des Logis + had just become vacant: the King offered it to Cavoye, but on + condition that he should marry Mademoiselle Coetlogon. Cavoye sniffed + a little longer, but was obliged to submit to this condition at last. + They were married, and she has still the same admiration for him, and + it is sometimes fine fun to see the caresses she gives him before all + the world, and the constrained gravity with which he receives them. + The history of Cavoye would fill a volume, but this I have selected + suffices for its singularity, which assuredly is without example. + </p> + <p> + About this time the King of England thought matters were ripe for an + attempt to reinstate himself upon the throne. The Duke of Berwick had + been secretly into England, where he narrowly escaped being arrested, + and upon his report these hopes were built. Great preparations were + made, but they came to nothing, as was always the case with the + projects of this unhappy prince. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Guise died at this time. Her father was the brother of Louis + XIII., and she, humpbacked and deformed to excess, had married the + last Duc de Guise, rather than not marry at all. During all their + lives, she compelled him to pay her all the deference due to her rank. + At table he stood while she unfolded her napkin and seated herself, + and did not sit until she told him to do so, and then at the end of + the table. This form was observed every day of their lives. She was + equally severe in such matters of etiquette with all the rest of the + world. She would keep her diocesan, the Bishop of Seez, standing for + entire hours, while she was seated in her arm-chair and never once + offered him a seat even in the corner. She was in other things an + entirely good and sensible woman. Not until after her death was it + discovered that she had been afflicted for a long time with a cancer, + which appeared as though about to burst. God spared her this pain. + </p> + <p> + We lost, in the month of March, Madame de Miramion, aged sixty-six. + She was a bourgeoise, married, and in the same year became a widow + very rich, young, and beautiful. Bussy Rabutin, so known by his + 'Histoire Amoureuse des Gaules', and by the profound disgrace it drew + upon him, and still more by the vanity of his mind and the baseness of + his heart, wished absolutely to marry her, and actually carried her + off to a chateau. Upon arriving at the place, she pronounced before + everybody assembled there a vow of chastity, and then dared Bussy to + do his worst. He, strangely discomfited by this action, at once set + her at liberty, and tried to accommodate the affair. From that moment + she devoted herself entirely, to works of piety, and was much esteemed + by the King. She was the first woman of her condition who wrote above + her door, "Hotel de Nesmond." Everybody cried out, and was + scandalised, but the writing remained, and became the example and the + father of those of all kinds which little by little have inundated + Paris. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Sevigne, so amiable and of such excellent company, died some + time after at Grignan, at the house of her daughter, her idol, but who + merited little to be so. I was very intimate with the young Marquis de + Grignan, her grandson. This woman, by her natural graces, the + sweetness of her wit, communicated these qualities to those who had + them not; she was besides extremely good, and knew thoroughly many + things without ever wishing to appear as though she knew anything. + </p> + <p> + Father Seraphin preached during Lent this year at the Court. His + sermons, in which he often repeated twice running the same phrase, + were much in vogue. It was from him that came the saying, "Without God + there is no wit." The King was much pleased with him, and reproached + M. de Vendome and M. de la Rochefoucauld because they never went to + hear his sermons. M. de Vendome replied off-hand, that he did not care + to go to hear a man who said whatever he pleased without allowing + anybody to reply to him, and made the King smile by this sally. But M. + de la Rochefoucauld treated the matter in another manner he said that + he could not induce himself to go like the merest hanger-on about the + Court, and beg a seat of the officer who distributed them, and then + betake himself early to church in order to have a good one, and wait + about in order to put himself where it might please that officer to + place him. Whereupon the King immediately gave him a fourth seat + behind him, by the side of the Grand Chamberlain, so that everywhere + he is thus placed. M. d'Orleans had been in the habit of seating + himself there (although his right place was on the prie-Dieu), and + little by little had accustomed himself to consider it as his proper + place. When he found himself driven away, he made a great ado, and, + not daring to complain to the King, quarrelled with M. de la + Rochefoucauld, who, until then, had been one of his particular + friends. The affair soon made a great stir; the friends of both + parties mixed themselves up in it. The King tried in vain to make M. + d'Orleans listen to reason; the prelate was inflexible, and when he + found he could gain nothing by clamour and complaint, he retired in + high dudgeon into his diocese: he remained there some time, and upon + his return resumed his complaints with more determination than ever; + he fell at the feet of the King, protesting that he would rather die + than see his office degraded. M. de la Rochefoucauld entreated the + King to be allowed to surrender the seat in favour of M. d'Orleans. + But the King would not change his decision; he said that if the matter + were to be decided between M. d'Orleans and a lackey, he would give + the seat to the lackey rather than to M. d'Orleans. Upon this the + prelate returned to his diocese, which he would have been wiser never + to have quitted in order to obtain a place which did not belong to + him. + </p> + <p> + As the King really esteemed M. d'Orleans, he determined to appease his + anger; and to put an end to this dispute he gave therefore the + bishopric of Metz to the nephew of M. d'Orleans; and by this means a + reconciliation was established. M. d'Orleans and M. de la + Rochefoucauld joined hands again, and the King looked on delighted. + </p> + <p> + The public lost soon after a man illustrious by his genius, by his + style, and by his knowledge of men, I mean La Bruyere, who died of + apoplexy at Versailles, after having surpassed Theophrastus in his own + manner, and after painting, in the new characters, the men of our days + in a manner inimitable. He was besides a very honest man, of excellent + breeding, simple, very disinterested, and without anything of the + pedant. I had sufficiently known him to regret his death, and the + works that might have been hoped from him. + </p> + <p> + The command of the armies was distributed in the same manner as + before, with the exception that M. de Choiseul had the army of the + Rhine in place of M. de Lorges. Every one set out to take the field. + The Duc de la Feuillade in passing by Metz, to join the army in + Germany, called upon his uncle, who was very rich and in his second + childhood. La Feuillade thought fit to make sure of his uncle's money + beforehand, demanded the key of the cabinet and of the coffers, broke + them open upon being refused by the servants, and took away thirty + thousand crowns in gold, and many jewels, leaving untouched the + silver. The King, who for a long time had been much discontented with + La Feuillade for his debauches and his negligence, spoke very strongly + and very openly upon this strange forestalling of inheritance. It was + only with great difficulty he could be persuaded not to strip La + Feuillade of his rank. + </p> + <p> + Our campaign was undistinguished by any striking event. From June to + September of this year (1696), we did little but subsist and observe, + after which we recrossed the Rhine at Philipsburg, where our rear + guard was slightly inconvenienced by the enemy. In Italy there was + more movement. The King sought to bring about peace by dividing the + forces of his enemies, and secretly entered into a treaty with Savoy. + The conditions were, that every place belonging to Savoy which had + been taken by our troops should be restored, and that a marriage + should take place between Monseigneur the Duc de Bourgogne and the + daughter of the Duke of Savoy, when she became twelve years of age. In + the mean time she was to be sent to the Court of France, and + preparations were at once made there to provide her with a suitable + establishment. + </p> + <p> + The King was ill with an anthrax in the throat. The eyes of all Europe + were turned towards him, for his malady was not without danger; + nevertheless in his bed he affected to attend to affairs as usual; and + he arranged there with Madame de Maintenon, who scarcely ever quitted + his side, the household of the Savoy Princess. The persons selected + for the offices in that household were either entirely devoted to + Madame de Maintenon, or possessed of so little wit that she had + nothing to fear from them. A selection which excited much envy and + great surprise was that of the Duchesse de Lude to be lady of honour. + The day before she was appointed, Monsieur had mentioned her name in + sport to the King. "Yes," said the King, "she would be the best woman + in the world to teach the Princess to put rouge and patches on her + cheek;" and then, being more devout than usual, he said other things + as bitter and marking strong aversion on his part to the Duchess. In + fact, she was no favourite of his nor of Madame de Maintenon; and this + was so well understood that the surprise of Monsieur and of everybody + else was great, upon finding, the day after this discourse, that she + had been appointed to the place. + </p> + <p> + The cause of this was soon learnt. The Duchesse de Lude coveted much + to be made lady of honour to the Princess, but knew she had but little + chance, so many others more in favour than herself being in the field. + Madame de Maintenon had an old servant named Nanon, who had been with + her from the time of her early days of misery, and who had such + influence with her, that this servant was made much of by everybody at + Court, even by the ministers and the daughters of the King. The + Duchesse de Lude had also an old servant who was on good terms with + the other. The affair therefore was not difficult. The Duchesse de + Lude sent twenty thousand crowns to Nanon, and on the very evening of + the day on which the King had spoken to Monsieur, she had the place. + Thus it is! A Nanon sells the most important and the most brilliant + offices, and a Duchess of high birth is silly enough to buy herself + into servitude! + </p> + <p> + This appointment excited much envy. The Marechal de Rochefort, who had + expected to be named, made a great ado. Madame de Maintenon, who + despised her, was piqued, and said that she should have had it but for + the conduct of her daughter. This was a mere artifice; but the + daughter was, in truth, no sample of purity. She had acted in such a + manner with Blansac that he was sent for from the army to marry her, + and on the very night of their wedding she gave birth to a daughter. + She was full of wit, vivacity, intrigue, and sweetness; yet most + wicked, false, and artificial, and all this with a simplicity of + manner, that imposed even upon those who knew her best. More than + gallant while her face lasted, she afterwards was easier of access, + and at last ruined herself for the meanest valets. Yet, + notwithstanding her vices, she was the prettiest flower of the Court + bunch, and had her chamber always full of the best company: she was + also much sought after by the three daughters of the King. Driven away + from the Court, she was after much supplication recalled, and pleased + the King so much that Madame de Maintenon, in fear of her, sent her + away again. But to go back again to the household of the Princess of + Savoy. + </p> + <p> + Dangeau was made chevalier d'honneur. He owed his success to his good + looks, to the court he paid to the King's mistresses, to his + skilfulness at play, and to a lucky stroke of fortune. The King had + oftentimes been importuned to give him a lodging, and one day, joking + with him upon his fancy of versifying; proposed to him some very hard + rhymes, and promised him a lodging if he filled them up upon the spot. + Dangeau accepted, thought but for a moment, performed the task, and + thus gained his lodging. He was an old friend of Madame de Maintenon, + and it was to her he was indebted for his post of chevalier d'honneur + in the new household. + </p> + <p> + Madame d'O was appointed lady of the palace. Her father, named + Guilleragues, a gluttonous Gascon, had been one of the intimate + friends of Madame Scarron, who, as Madame de Maintenon, did not forget + her old acquaintance, but procured him the embassy to Constantinople. + Dying there, he left an only daughter, who, on the voyage home to + France, gained the heart of Villers, lieutenant of the vessel, and + became his wife in Asia-Minor, near the ruins of Troy. Villers claimed + to be of the house of d'O; hence the name his wife bore. + </p> + <p> + Established at the Court, the newly-married couple quickly worked + themselves into the favour of Madame de Maintenon, both being very + clever in intrigue. M. d'O was made governor of the Comte de Toulouse, + and soon gained his entire confidence. Madame d'O, too, infinitely + pleased the young Count, just then entering upon manhood, by her + gallantry, her wit, and the facilities she allowed him. Both, in + consequence, grew in great esteem with the King. Had they been + attendants upon Princes of the blood, he would assuredly have slighted + them. But he always showed great indulgence to those who served his + illegitimate children. Hence the appointment of Madame d'O to be lady + of the palace. + </p> + <p> + The household of the Princess of Savoy being completed, the members of + it were sent to the Pont Beauvosin to meet their young mistress. She + arrived early on the 16th of October, slept at the Pont Beauvosin that + night, and on the morrow parted with her Italian attendants without + shedding a single tear. On the 4th of November she arrived at + Montargis, and was received by the King, Monseigneur, and Monsieur. + The King handed her down from her coach, and conducted her to the + apartment he had prepared for her. Her respectful and flattering + manners pleased him highly. Her cajoleries, too, soon bewitched Madame + de Maintenon, whom she never addressed except as "Aunt;" whom she + treated with a respect, and yet with a freedom, that ravished + everybody. She became the doll of Madame de Maintenon and the King, + pleased them infinitely by her insinuating spirit, and took greater + liberties with them than the children of the King had ever dared to + attempt. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X + </h2> + <p> + Meanwhile our campaign upon the Rhine proceeded, and the enemy, having + had all their grand projects of victory defeated by the firmness and + the capacity of the Marechal de Choiseul, retired into + winter-quarters, and we prepared to do the same. The month of October + was almost over when Madame de Saint-Simon lost M. Fremont, father of + the Marechal de Lorges. She had happily given birth to a daughter on + the 8th of September. I was desirous accordingly to go to Paris, and + having obtained permission from the Marechal de Choiseul, who had + treated me throughout the campaign with much politeness and attention, + I set out. Upon arriving at Paris I found the Court at Fontainebleau. + I had arrived from the army a little before the rest, and did not wish + that the King should know it without seeing me, lest he might think I + had returned in secret. I hastened at once therefore to Fontainebleau, + where the King received me with his usual goodness,-saying, + nevertheless, that I had returned a little too early, but that it was + of no consequence. + </p> + <p> + I had not long left his presence when I learned a report that made my + face burn again. It was affirmed that when the King remarked upon my + arriving a little early, I had replied that I preferred arriving at + once to see him, as my sole mistress, than to remain some days in + Paris, as did the other young men with their mistresses. I went at + once to the King, who had a numerous company around him; and I openly + denied what had been reported, offering a reward for the discovery of + the knave who had thus calumniated me, in order that I might give him + a sound thrashing. All day I sought to discover the scoundrel. My + speech to the King and my choler were the topic of the day, and I was + blamed for having spoken so loudly and in such terms. But of two evils + I had chosen the least,—a reprimand from the King, or a few days + in the Bastille; and I had avoided the greatest, which was to allow + myself to be believed an infamous libeller of our young men, in order + to basely and miserably curry favour at the Court. The course I took + succeeded. The King said nothing of the matter, and I went upon a + little journey I wished particularly to take, for reasons I will now + relate. + </p> + <p> + I had, as I have already mentioned, conceived a strong attachment and + admiration for M. de La Trappe. I wished to secure a portrait of him, + but such was his modesty and humility that I feared to ask him to + allow himself to be painted. I went therefore to Rigault, then the + first portrait-painter in Europe. In consideration of a sum of a + thousand crowns, and all his expenses paid, he agreed to accompany me + to La Trappe, and to make a portrait of him from memory. The whole + affair was to be kept a profound secret, and only one copy of the + picture was to be made, and that for the artist himself. + </p> + <p> + My plan being fully arranged, I and Rigault set out. As soon as we + arrived at our journey's end, I sought M. de La Trappe, and begged to + be allowed to introduce to him a friend of mine, an officer, who much + wished to see him: I added, that my friend was a stammerer, and that + therefore he would be importuned merely with looks and not words. M. + de La Trappe smiled with goodness, thought the officer curious about + little, and consented to see him. The interview took place. Rigault + excusing himself on the ground of his infirmity, did little during + three-quarters of an hour but keep his eyes upon M. de La Trappe, and + at the end went into a room where materials were already provided for + him, and covered his canvas with the images and the ideas he had + filled himself with. On the morrow the same thing was repeated, + although M. de La Trappe, thinking that a man whom he knew not, and + who could take no part in conversation, had sufficiently seen him, + agreed to the interview only out of complaisance to me. Another + sitting was needed in order to finish the work; but it was with great + difficulty M. de La Trappe could be persuaded to consent to it. When + the third and last interview was at an end, M. de La Trappe testified + to me his surprise at having been so much and so long looked at by a + species of mute. I made the best excuses I could, and hastened to turn + the conversation. + </p> + <p> + The portrait was at length finished, and was a most perfect likeness + of my venerable friend. Rigault admitted to me that he had worked so + hard to produce it from memory, that for several months afterwards he + had been unable to do anything to his other portraits. Notwithstanding + the thousand crowns I had paid him, he broke the engagement he had + made by showing the portrait before giving it up to me. Then, + solicited for copies, he made several, gaining thereby, according to + his own admission, more than twenty-five thousand francs, and thus + gave publicity to the affair. + </p> + <p> + I was very much annoyed at this, and with the noise it made in the + world; and I wrote to M. de La Trappe, relating the deception I had + practised upon him, and sued for pardon. He was pained to excess, + hurt, and afflicted; nevertheless he showed no anger. He wrote in + return to me, and said, I was not ignorant that a Roman Emperor had + said, "I love treason but not traitors;" but that, as for himself, he + felt on the contrary that he loved the traitor but could only hate his + treason. I made presents of three copies of the picture to the + monastery of La Trappe. On the back of the original I described the + circumstance under which the portrait had been taken, in order to show + that M. de La Trappe had not consented to it, and I pointed out that + for some years he had been unable to use his right hand, to + acknowledge thus the error which had been made in representing him as + writing. + </p> + <p> + The King, about this time, set on foot negotiations for peace in + Holland, sending there two plenipotentiaries, Courtin and Harlay, and + acknowledging one of his agents, Caillieres, who had been for some + little time secretly in that country. + </p> + <p> + The year finished with the disgrace of Madame de Saint Geran. She was + on the best of terms with the Princesses, and as much a lover of good + cheer as Madame de Chartres and Madame la Duchesse. This latter had in + the park of Versailles a little house that she called the "Desert." + There she had received very doubtful company, giving such gay repasts + that the King, informed of her doings, was angry, and forbade her to + continue these parties or to receive certain guests. Madame de Saint + Geran was then in the first year of her mourning, so that the King did + not think it necessary to include her among the interdicted; but he + intimated that he did not approve of her. In spite of this, Madame la + Duchesse invited her to an early supper at the Desert a short time + after, and the meal was prolonged so far into the night, and with so + much gaiety, that it came to the ears of the King. He was in great + anger, and learning that Madame de Saint Geran had been of the party, + sentenced her to be banished twenty leagues from the Court. Like a + clever woman, she retired into a convent at Rouen, saying that as she + had been unfortunate enough to displease the King, a convent was the + only place for her; and this was much approved. + </p> + <p> + At the commencement of the next year (1697) the eldest son of the + Comte d'Auvergne completed his dishonour by a duel he fought with the + Chevalier de Caylus, on account of a tavern broil, and a dispute about + some wenches. Caylus, who had fought well, fled from the kingdom; the + other, who had used his sword like a poltroon, and had run away + dismayed into the streets, was disinherited by his father, sent out of + the country, and returned no more. He was in every respect a wretch, + who, on account of his disgraceful adventures, was forced to allow + himself to be disinherited and to take the cross of Malta; he was + hanged in effigy at the Greve, to the great regret of his family, not + on account of the sentence, but because, in spite of every entreaty, + he had been proceeded against like the most obscure gentleman. The + exile of Caylus afterwards made his fortune. + </p> + <p> + We had another instance, about this time, of the perfidy of Harlay. He + had been entrusted with a valuable deposit by Ruvigny, a Huguenot + officer, who, quitting France, had entered the service of the Prince + of Orange, and who was, with the exception of Marshal Schomberg, the + only Huguenot to whom the King offered the permission of remaining at + Court with full liberty to practise his religion in secret. This, + Ruvigny, like Marshal Schomberg, refused. He was, nevertheless, + allowed to retain the property he possessed in France; but after his + death his son, not showing himself at all grateful for this favour, + the King at last confiscated the property, and publicly testified his + anger. This was the moment that Harlay seized to tell the King of the + deposit he had. As a recompense the King gave it to him as + confiscated, and this hypocrite of justice, of virtue, of + disinterestedness, and of rigorism was not ashamed to appropriate it + to himself, and to close his ears and his eyes to the noise this + perfidy excited. + </p> + <p> + M. de Monaco, who had obtained for himself the title of foreign prince + by the marriage of his son with the Duchesse de Valentinois, daughter + of M. le Grand, and who enjoyed, as it were, the sovereignty of a rock—beyond + whose narrow limits anybody might spit, so to speak, whilst standing + in the middle—soon found, and his son still more so, that they + had bought the title very dearly. The Duchess was charming, gallant, + and was spoiled by the homage of the Court, in a house open night and + day, and to which her beauty attracted all that was young and + brilliant. Her husband, with much intelligence, was diffident; his + face and figure had acquired for him the name of Goliath; he suffered + for a long time the haughtiness and the disdain of his wife and her + family. At last he and his father grew tired and took away Madame de + Valentinois to Monaco. She grieved, and her parents also, as though + she had been carried off to the Indies. After two years of absence and + repentance, she promised marvels, and was allowed to return to Paris. + I know not who counselled her, but, without changing her conduct, she + thought only how to prevent a return to Monaco; and to insure herself + against this, she accused her father-in-law of having made vile + proposals to her, and of attempting to take her by force. This charge + made a most scandalous uproar, but was believed by nobody. M. de + Monaco was no longer young; he was a very honest man, and had always + passed for such; besides, he was almost blind in both eyes, and had a + huge pointed belly, which absolutely excited fear, it jutted out so + far! + </p> + <p> + After some time, as Madame de Valentinois still continued to swim in + the pleasures of the Court under the shelter of her family, her + husband redemanded her; and though he was laughed at at first, she was + at last given up to him. + </p> + <p> + A marriage took place at this time between the son of Pontchartrain + and the daughter of the Comte de Roye. The Comte de Roye was a + Huguenot, and, at the revocation of the edict of Nantes, had taken + refuge, with his wife, in Denmark, where he had been made grand + marshal and commander of all the troops. One day, as the Comte de Roye + was dining with his wife and daughter at the King's table, the + Comtesse de Roye asked her daughter if she did not think the Queen of + Denmark and Madame Panache resembled each other like two drops of + water? Although she spoke in French and in a low tone, the Queen both + heard and understood her, and inquired at once who was Madame Panache. + The Countess in her surprise replied, that she was a very amiable + woman at the French Court. The Queen, who had noticed the surprise of + the Countess, was not satisfied with this reply. She wrote to the + Danish minister at Paris, desiring to be informed of every particular + respecting Madame Panache, her face, her age, her condition, and upon + what footing she was at the French Court. The minister, all astonished + that the Queen should have heard of Madame Panache, wrote word that + she was a little and very old creature, with lips and eyes so + disfigured that they were painful to look upon; a species of beggar + who had obtained a footing at Court from being half-witted, who was + now at the supper of the King, now at the dinner of Monseigneur, or at + other places, where everybody amused themselves by tormenting her: She + in turn abused the company at these parties, in order to cause + diversion, but sometimes rated them very seriously and with strong + words, which delighted still more those princes and princesses, who + emptied into her pockets meat and ragouts, the sauces of which ran all + down her petticoats: at these parties some gave her a pistole or a + crown, and others a filip or a smack in the face, which put her in a + fury, because with her bleared eyes not being able to see the end of + her nose, she could not tell who had struck her;—she was, in a + word, the pastime of the Court! + </p> + <p> + Upon learning this, the Queen of Denmark was so piqued, that she could + no longer suffer the Comtesse de Roye near her; she complained to the + King: he was much offended that foreigners, whom he had loaded with + favour, should so repay him. The Comte de Roye was unable to stand up + against the storm, and withdrew to England, where he died a few years + after. + </p> + <p> + The King at this time drove away the company of Italian actors, and + would not permit another in its place. So long as the Italians had + simply allowed their stage to overflow with filth or impiety they only + caused laughter; but they set about playing a piece called "The False + Prude," in which Madame de Maintenon was easily recognised. Everybody + ran to see the piece; but after three or four representations, given + consecutively on account of the gain it brought, the Italians received + orders to close their theatre and to quit the realm in a month. This + affair made a great noise; and if the comedians lost an establishment + by their boldness and folly, they who drove them away gained nothing—such + was the licence with which this ridiculous event was spoken of! + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI + </h2> + <p> + The disposition of the armies was the same this year as last, except + that the Princes did not serve. Towards the end of May I joined the + army of the Rhine, under the Marechal de Choiseul, as before. We made + some skilful manoeuvres, but did little in the way of fighting. For + sixteen days we encamped at Nieder-buhl, where we obtained a good + supply of forage. At the end of that time the Marechal de Choiseul + determined to change his position. Our army was so placed, that the + enemy could see almost all of it quite distinctly; yet, nevertheless, + we succeeded in decamping so quickly, that we disappeared from under + their very eyes in open daylight, and in a moment as it were. Such of + the Imperial Generals as were out riding ran from all parts to the + banks of the Murg, to see our retreat, but it was so promptly executed + that there was no time for them, to attempt to hinder us. When the + Prince of Baden was told of our departure he could not credit it. He + had seen us so lately, quietly resting in our position, that it seemed + impossible to him we had left it in such a short space of time. When + his own eyes assured him of the fact, he was filled with such + astonishment and admiration, that he asked those around him if they + had ever seen such a retreat, adding, that he could not have believed, + until then, that an army so numerous and so considerable should have + been able to disappear thus in an instant. This honourable and bold + retreat was attended by a sad accident. One of our officers, named + Blansac, while leading a column of infantry through the wood, was + overtaken by night. A small party of his men heard some cavalry near + them. The cavalry belonged to the enemy, and had lost their way. + Instead of replying when challenged, they said to each other in + German, "Let us run for it." Nothing more was wanting to draw upon + them a discharge from the small body of our men, by whom they had been + heard. To this they replied with their pistols. Immediately, and + without orders, the whole column of infantry fired in that direction, + and, before Blansac could inquire the cause, fired again. Fortunately + he was not wounded; but five unhappy captains were killed, and some + subalterns wounded. + </p> + <p> + Our campaign was brought to an end by the peace of Ryswick. The first + news of that event arrived at Fontainebleau on the 22nd of September. + Celi, son of Harlay, had been despatched with the intelligence; but he + did not arrive until five o'clock in the morning of the 26th of + September. He had amused himself by the way with a young girl who had + struck his fancy, and with some wine that he equally relished. He had + committed all the absurdities and impertinences which might be + expected of a debauched, hare-brained young fellow, completely spoiled + by his father, and he crowned all by this fine delay. + </p> + <p> + A little time before the signing of peace, the Prince de Conti, having + been elected King of Poland, set out to take possession of his throne. + The King, ravished with joy to see himself delivered from a Prince + whom he disliked, could not hide his satisfaction—his eagerness—to + get rid of a Prince whose only faults were that he had no bastard + blood in his veins, and that he was so much liked by all the nation + that they wished him at the head of the army, and murmured at the + little favour he received, as compared with that showered down upon + the illegitimate children. + </p> + <p> + The King made all haste to treat the Prince to royal honours. After an + interview in the cabinet of Madame de Maintenon, he presented him to a + number of ladies, saying, "I bring you a king." The Prince was all + along doubtful of the validity of his election, and begged that the + Princess might not be treated as a queen, until he should have been + crowned. He received two millions in cash from the King, and other + assistances. Samuel Bernard undertook to make the necessary payments + in Poland. The Prince started by way of Dunkerque, and went to that + place at such speed, that an ill-closed chest opened, and two thousand + Louis were scattered on the road, a portion only of which was brought + back to the Hotel Conti. The celebrated Jean Bart pledged himself to + take him safely, despite the enemy's fleet; and kept his word. The + convoy was of five frigates. The Chevalier de Sillery, before + starting, married Mademoiselle Bigot, rich and witty, with whom he had + been living for some time. Meanwhile the best news arrived from our + ambassador, the Abbe de Polignac, to the King; but all answers were + intercepted at Dantzic by the retired Queen of Poland, who sent on + only the envelopes! However, the Prince de Conti passed up the Sound; + and the King and Queen of Denmark watched them from the windows of the + Chateau de Cronenbourg. Jean Bart, against custom, ordered a salute to + be fired. It was returned; and as some light vessels passing near the + frigates said that the King and Queen were looking on, the Prince + ordered another salvo. + </p> + <p> + There was, however, another claimant to the throne of Poland; I mean + the Elector of Saxony, who had also been elected, and who had many + partisans; so many, indeed, that when the Prince de Conti arrived at + Dantzic, he found himself almost entirely unsupported. The people even + refused provision to his frigates. However, the Prince's partisans at + length arrived to salute him. The Bishop of Plosko gave him a grand + repast, near the Abbey of Oliva. Marege, a Gascon gentleman of the + Prince's suite, was present, but had been ill. There was drinking in + the Polish fashion, and he tried to be let off. The Prince pleaded for + him; but these Poles, who, in order to make themselves understood, + spoke Latin— and very bad Latin indeed—would not accept + such an excuse, and forcing him to drink, howled furiously 'Bibat et + Moriatur! Marege, who was very jocular and yet very choleric; used to + tell this story in the same spirit, and made everyone who heard it + laugh. + </p> + <p> + However, the party of the Prince de Conti made no way, and at length + he was fain to make his way back to France with all speed. The King + received him very graciously, although at heart exceeding sorry to see + him again. A short time after, the Elector of Saxony mounted the + throne of Poland without opposition, and was publicly recognised by + the King, towards the commencement of August. + </p> + <p> + By the above-mentioned peace of Ryswick, the King acknowledged the + Prince of Orange as King of England. It was, however, a bitter draught + for him to swallow, and for these reasons: Some years before, the King + had offered his illegitimate daughter, the Princesse de Conti, in + marriage to the Prince of Orange, believing he did that Prince great + honour by the proposal. The Prince did not think in the same manner, + and flatly refused; saying, that the House of Orange was accustomed to + marry the legitimate daughters of great kings, and not their bastards. + These words sank so deeply into the heart of the King, that he never + forgot them; and often, against even his most palpable interest, + showed how firmly the indignation he felt at them had taken possession + of his mind: Since then, the Prince of Orange had done all in his + power to efface the effect his words had made, but every attempt was + rejected with disdain. The King's ministers in Holland had orders to + do all they could to thwart the projects of the Prince of Orange, to + excite people against him, to protect openly those opposed to him, and + to be in no way niggard of money in order to secure the election of + magistrates unfavourable to him. The Prince never ceased, until the + breaking-out of this war, to use every effort to appease the anger of + the King. At last, growing tired, and hoping soon to make his invasion + into England, he said publicly, that he had uselessly laboured all his + life to gain the favours of the King, but that he hoped to be more + fortunate in meriting his esteem. It may be imagined, therefore, what + a triumph it was for him when he forced the King to recognise him as + monarch of England, and what that recognition cost the King. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc presided this year over the Assembly of the States of + Burgundy, in place of his father M. le Prince, who did not wish to go + there. The Duke gave on that occasion a striking example of the + friendship of princes, and a fine lesson to those who seek it. + Santeuil, Canon of Saint Victor, and the greatest Latin poet who has + appeared for many centuries, accompanied him. Santeuil was an + excellent fellow, full of wit and of life, and of pleasantries, which + rendered him an admirable boon-companion. Fond of wine and of good + cheer, he was not debauched; and with a disposition and talents so + little fitted for the cloister, was nevertheless, at bottom, as good a + churchman as with such a character he could be. He was a great + favourite with all the house of Conde, and was invited to their + parties, where his witticisms, his verses, and his pleasantries had + afforded infinite amusement for many years. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc wished to take him to Dijon. Santeuil tried to excuse + himself, but without effect; he was obliged to go, and was established + at the house of the Duke while the States were held. Every evening + there was a supper, and Santeuil was always the life of the company. + One evening M. le Duc diverted himself by forcing Santeuil to drink + champagne, and passing from pleasantry to pleasantry, thought it would + be a good joke to empty his snuff-box, full of Spanish snuff, into a + large glass of wine, and to make Santeuil drink it, in order to see + what would happen. It was not long before he was enlightened upon this + point. Santeuil was seized with vomiting and with fever, and in twice + twenty-four hours the unhappy man died-suffering the tortures of the + damned, but with sentiments of extreme penitence, in which he received + the sacrament, and edified a company little disposed towards + edification, but who detested such a cruel joke. + </p> + <p> + In consequence of the peace just concluded at Ryswick, many fresh + arrangements were made about this time in our embassies abroad. This + allusion to our foreign appointments brings to my mind an anecdote + which deserves to be remembered. When M. de Vendome took Barcelona, + the Montjoui (which is as it were its citadel) was commanded by the + Prince of Darmstadt. He was of the house of Hesse, and had gone into + Spain to seek employment; he was a relative of the Queen of Spain, + and, being a very well-made man, had not, it was said, displeased her. + It was said also, and by people whose word was not without weight, + that the same council of Vienna, which for reasons of state had made + no scruple of poisoning the late Queen of Spain (daughter of + Monsieur), because she had no children, and because she had, also, too + much ascendancy over the heart of her husband; it was said, I say, + that this same council had no scruples upon another point. After + poisoning the first Queen, it had remarried the King of Spain to a + sister of the Empress. She was tall, majestic, not without beauty and + capacity, and, guided by the ministers of the Emperor, soon acquired + much influence over the King her husband. So far all was well, but the + most important thing was wanting—she had no children. The + council had hoped some from this second marriage, because it had lured + itself into the belief that previously the fault rested with the late + Queen. After some years, this same council, being no longer able to + disguise the fact that the King could have no children, sent the + Prince of Darmstadt into Spain, for the purpose of establishing + himself there, and of ingratiating himself into the favour of the + Queen to such an extent that this defect might be remedied. The Prince + of Darmstadt was well received; he obtained command in the army; + defended, as I have said, Barcelona; and obtained a good footing at + the Court. But the object for which he had been more especially sent + he could not accomplish. I will not say whether the Queen was + inaccessible from her own fault or that of others. Nor will I say, + although I have been assured, but I believe by persons without good + knowledge of the subject, that naturally it was impossible for her to + become a mother. I will simply say that the Prince of Darmstadt was on + the best terms with the King and the Queen, and had opportunities very + rare in that country, without any fruit which could put the succession + of the monarchy in safety against the different pretensions afloat, or + reassure on that head the politic council of Vienna. + </p> + <p> + But to return to France. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Maintenon, despite the height to which her insignificance + had risen, had yet her troubles. Her brother, who was called the Comte + d'Aubigne, was of but little worth, yet always spoke as though no man + were his equal, complained that he had not been made Marechal of + France —sometimes said that he had taken his baton in money, and + constantly bullied Madame de Maintenon because she did not make him a + duke and a peer. He spent his time running after girls in the + Tuileries, always had several on his hands, and lived and spent his + money with their families and friends of the same kidney. He was just + fit for a strait-waistcoat, but comical, full of wit and unexpected + repartees. A good, humorous fellow, and honest-polite, and not too + impertinent on account of his sister's fortune. Yet it was a pleasure + to hear him talk of the time of Scarron and the Hotel d'Albret, and of + the gallantries and adventures of his sister, which he contrasted with + her present position and devotion. He would talk in this manner, not + before one or two, but in a compromising manner, quite openly in the + Tuileries gardens, or in the galleries of Versailles, before + everybody, and would often drolly speak of the King as "the + brother-in-law." I have frequently heard him talk in this manner; + above all, when he came (more often than was desired) to dine with my + father and mother, who were much embarrassed with him; at which I used + to laugh in my sleeve. + </p> + <p> + A brother like this was a great annoyance to Madame de Maintenon. His + wife, an obscure creature, more obscure, if possible, than her birth; + —foolish to the last degree, and of humble mien, was almost + equally so. Madame de Maintenon determined to rid herself of both. She + persuaded her brother to enter a society that had been established by + a M. Doyen, at St. Sulpice, for decayed gentlemen. His wife at the + same time was induced to retire into another community, where, + however, she did not fail to say to her companions that her fate was + very hard, and that she wished to be free. As for d'Aubigne he + concealed from nobody that his sister was putting a joke on him by + trying to persuade him that he was devout, declared that he was + pestered by priests, and that he should give up the ghost in M. + Doyen's house. He could not stand it long, and went back to his girls + and to the Tuileries, and wherever he could; but they caught him + again, and placed him under the guardianship of one of the stupidest + priests of St. Sulpice, who followed him everywhere like his shadow, + and made him miserable. The fellow's name was Madot: he was good for + no other employment, but gained his pay in this one by an assiduity of + which perhaps no one else would have been capable. The only child of + this Comte d'Aubigne was a daughter, taken care of by Madame de + Maintenon, and educated under her eyes as though her own child. + </p> + <p> + Towards the end of the year, and not long after my return from the + army, the King fixed the day for the marriage of the Duc de Bourgogne + to the young Princesse de Savoy. He announced that on that occasion he + should be glad to see a magnificent Court; and he himself, who for a + long time had worn only the most simple habits, ordered the most + superb. This was enough; no one thought of consulting his purse or his + state; everyone tried to surpass his neighbour in richness and + invention. Gold and silver scarcely sufficed: the shops of the dealers + were emptied in a few days; in a word luxury the most unbridled + reigned over Court and city, for the fete had a huge crowd of + spectators. Things went to such a point, that the King almost repented + of what he had said, and remarked, that he could not understand how + husbands could be such fools as to ruin themselves by dresses for + their wives; he might have added, by dresses for themselves. But the + impulse had been given; there was now no time to remedy it, and I + believe the King at heart was glad; for it pleased him during the + fetes to look at all the dresses. He loved passionately all kinds of + sumptuosity at his Court; and he who should have held only to what had + been said, as to the folly of expense, would have grown little in + favour. There was no means, therefore, of being wise among so many + fools. Several dresses were necessary. Those for Madame Saint-Simon + and myself cost us twenty thousand francs. Workmen were wanting to + make up so many rich habits. Madame la Duchesse actually sent her + people to take some by force who were working at the Duc de Rohan's! + The King heard of it, did not like it, and had the workmen sent back + immediately to the Hotel de Rohan, although the Duc de Rohan was one + of the men he liked the least in all France. The King did another + thing, which showed that he desired everybody to be magnificent: he + himself chose the design for the embroidery of the Princess. The + embroiderer said he would leave all his other designs for that. The + King would not permit this, but caused him to finish the work he had + in hand, and to set himself afterwards at the other; adding, that if + it was not ready in time, the Princess could do without it. + </p> + <p> + The marriage was fixed for Saturday, the 7th of December; and, to + avoid disputes and difficulties, the King suppressed all ceremonies. + The day arrived. At an early hour all the Court went to Monseigneur + the Duc de Bourgogne, who went afterwards to the Princess. A little + before mid-day the procession started from the salon, and proceeded to + the chapel. + </p> + <p> + Cardinal de Coislin performed the marriage service. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the ceremony was finished, a courier, ready at the door of + the chapel, started for Turin. The day passed wearily. The King and + Queen of England came about seven o'clock in the evening, and some + time afterwards supper was served. Upon rising from the table, the + Princess was shown to her bed, none but ladies being allowed to remain + in the chamber. Her chemise was given her by the Queen of England + through the Duchesse de Lude. The Duc de Bourgogne undressed in + another room, in the midst of all the Court, and seated upon a + folding-chair. The King of England gave him his shirt, which was + presented by the Duc de Beauvilliers. As soon as the Duchesse de + Bourgogne was in bed, the Duc de Bourgogne entered, and placed himself + at her side, in the presence of all the Court. Immediately afterwards + everybody went away from the nuptial chamber, except Monseigneur, the + ladies of the Princess, and the Duc de Beauvilliers, who remained at + the pillow by the side of his pupil, with the Duchesse de Lude on the + other side. Monseigneur stopped a quarter of an hour talking with the + newly-married couple, then he made his son get up, after having told + him to kiss the Princess, in spite of the opposition of the Duchesse + de Lude. As it proved, too, her opposition was not wrong. The King + said he did not wish that his grandson should kiss the end of the + Princess's finger until they were completely on the footing of man and + wife. Monsieur le Duc de Bourgogne after this re-dressed himself in + the ante-chamber, and went to his own bed as usual. The little Duc de + Berry, spirited and resolute, did not approve of the docility of his + brother, and declared that he would have remained in bed. The young + couple were not, indeed, allowed to live together as man and wife + until nearly two years afterwards. The first night that this privilege + was granted them, the King repaired to their chamber hoping to + surprise them as they went to bed; but he found the doors closed, and + would not allow them to be opened. The marriage-fetes spread over + several days. On the Sunday there was an assembly in the apartments of + the new Duchesse de Bourgogne. It was magnificent by the prodigious + number of ladies seated in a circle, or standing behind the stools, + gentlemen in turn behind them, and the dresses of all beautiful. It + commenced at six o'clock. The King came at the end, and led all the + ladies into the saloon near the chapel, where was a fine collation, + and the music. At nine o'clock he conducted Monsieur and Madame la + Duchesse de Bourgogne to the apartment of the latter, and all was + finished for the day. The Princess continued to live just as before, + and the ladies had strict orders never to leave her alone with her + husband. + </p> + <p> + On the Wednesday there was a grand ball in the gallery, superbly + ornamented for the occasion. There was such a crowd, and such + disorder, that even the King was inconvenienced, and Monsieur was + pushed and knocked about in the crush. How other people fared may be + imagined. No place was kept—strength or chance decided + everything—people squeezed in where they could. This spoiled all + the fete. About nine o'clock refreshments were handed round, and at + half-past ten supper was served. Only the Princesses of the blood and + the royal family were admitted to it. On the following Sunday there + was another ball, but this time matters were so arranged that no + crowding or inconvenience occurred. The ball commenced at seven + o'clock and was admirable; everybody appeared in dresses that had not + previously been seen. The King found that of Madame de Saint-Simon + much to his taste, and gave it the palm over all the others. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Maintenon did not appear at these balls, at least only for + half an hour at each. On the following Tuesday all the Court went at + four o'clock in the afternoon to Trianon, where all gambled until the + arrival of the King and Queen of England. The King took them into the + theatre, where Destouches's opera of Isse was very well performed. The + opera being finished, everybody went his way, and thus these + marriage-fetes were brought to an end. + </p> + <p> + Tesse had married his eldest daughter to La Varenne last year, and now + married his second daughter to Maulevrier, son of a brother of + Colbert. This mention of La Varenne brings to my recollection a very + pleasant anecdote of his ancestor, the La Varenne so known in all the + memoirs of the time as having risen from the position of scullion to + that of cook, and then to that of cloak-bearer to Henry IV., whom he + served in his pleasures, and afterwards in his state-affairs. At the + death of the King, La Varenne retired, very old and very rich, into + the country. Birds were much in vogue at that time, and he often + amused himself with falconry. One day a magpie perched on one of his + trees, and neither sticks nor stones could dislodge it. La Varenne and + a number of sportsmen gathered around the tree and tried to drive away + the magpie. Importuned with all this noise, the bird at last began to + cry repeatedly with all its might, "Pandar! Pandar!" + </p> + <p> + Now La Varenne had gained all he possessed by that trade. Hearing the + magpie repeat again and again the same word, he took it into his head + that by a miracle, like the observation Balaam's ass made to his + master, the bird was reproaching him for his sins. He was so troubled + that he could not help showing it; then, more and more agitated, he + told the cause of his disturbance to the company, who laughed at him + in the first place, but, upon finding that he was growing really ill, + they endeavoured to convince him that the magpie belonged to a + neighbouring village, where it had learned the word. It was all in + vain: La Varenne was so ill that he was obliged to be carried home; + fever seized him and in four days he died. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII + </h2> + <p> + Here perhaps is the place to speak of Charles IV., Duc de Lorraine, so + well known by his genius, and the extremities to which he was urged. + He was married in 1621 to the Duchesse Nicole, his cousin-german, but + after a time ceased to live with her. Being at Brussels he fell in + love with Madame de Cantecroix, a widow. He bribed a courier to bring + him news of the death of the Duchesse Nicole; he circulated the report + throughout the town, wore mourning, and fourteen days afterwards, in + April, 1637, married Madame de Cantecroix. In a short time it was + discovered that the Duchesse Nicole was full of life and health, and + had not even been ill. Madame de Cantecroix made believe that she had + been duped, but still lived with the Duke. They continued to repute + the Duchesse Nicole as dead, and lived together in the face of the + world as though effectually married, although there had never been any + question either before or since of dissolving the first marriage. The + Duc Charles had by this fine marriage a daughter and then a son, both + perfectly illegitimate, and universally regarded as such. Of these the + daughter married Comte de Lislebonne, by whom she had four children. + The son, educated under his father's eye as legitimate, was called + Prince de Vaudemont, and by that name has ever since been known. He + entered the service of Spain, distinguished himself in the army, + obtained the support of the Prince of Orange, and ultimately rose to + the very highest influence and prosperity. People were astonished this + year, that while the Princess of Savoy was at Fontainebleau, just + before her marriage, she was taken several times by Madame de + Maintenon to a little unknown convent at Moret, where there was + nothing to amuse her, and no nuns who were known. Madame de Maintenon + often went there, and Monseigneur with his children sometimes; the + late Queen used to go also. This awakened much curiosity and gave rise + to many reports. It seems that in this convent there was a woman of + colour, a Moorish woman, who had been placed there very young by + Bontems, valet of the King. She received the utmost care and + attention, but never was shown to anybody. When the late Queen or + Madame de Maintenon went, they did not always see her, but always + watched over her welfare. She was treated with more consideration than + people the most distinguished; and herself made much of the care that + was taken of her, and the mystery by which she was surrounded. + Although she lived regularly, it was easy to see she was not too + contented with her position. Hearing Monseigneur hunt in the forest + one day, she forgot herself so far as to exclaim, "My brother is + hunting!" It was pretended that she was a daughter of the King and + Queen, but that she had been hidden away on account of her colour; and + the report was spread that the Queen had had a miscarriage. Many + people believed this story; but whether it was true or not has + remained an enigma. + </p> + <p> + The year 1698 commenced by a reconciliation between the Jesuits and + the Archbishop of Rheims. That prelate upon the occasion of an + ordinance had expressed himself upon matters of doctrine and morality + in a manner that displeased the Jesuits. They acted towards him in + their usual manner, by writing an attack upon him, which appeared + without any author's name. But the Archbishop complained to the King, + and altogether stood his ground so firmly, that in the end the Jesuits + were glad to give way, disavow the book, and arrange the + reconciliation which took place. + </p> + <p> + The Czar, Peter the Great, Emperor of Russia, had at this time already + commenced his voyages; he was in Holland, learning ship-building. + Although incognito, he wished to be recognised, but after his own + fashion; and was annoyed that, being so near to England, no embassy + was sent to him from that country, which he wished to ally himself + with for commercial reasons. + </p> + <p> + At last an embassy arrived; he delayed for some time to give it an + audience, but in the end fixed the day and hour at which he would see + it. The reception, however, was to take place on board a large Dutch + vessel that he was going to examine. There were two ambassadors; they + thought the meeting-place rather an odd one, but were obliged to go + there. When they arrived on board the Czar sent word that he was in + the "top," and that it was there he would see them. The ambassadors, + whose feet were unaccustomed to rope-ladders, tried to excuse + themselves from mounting; but it was all in vain. The Czar would + receive them in the "top" or not at all. At last they were compelled + to ascend, and the meeting took place on that narrow place high up in + the air. The Czar received them there with as much majesty as though + he had been upon his throne, listened to their harangue, replied very + graciously, and then laughed at the fear painted upon their faces, and + good-humouredly gave them to understand that he had punished them thus + for arriving so late. + </p> + <p> + After this the Czar passed into England, curious to see and learn as + much as possible; and, having well fulfilled his views, repaired into + Holland. He wished to visit France, but the King civilly declined to + receive him. He went, therefore, much mortified, to Vienna instead. + Three weeks after his arrival he was informed of a conspiracy that had + been formed against him in Moscow. He hastened there at once, and + found that it was headed by his own sister; he put her in prison, and + hanged her most guilty accomplices to the bars of his windows, as many + each day as the bars would hold. I have related at once all that + regards the Czar for this year, in order not to leap without ceasing + from one matter to another; I shall do this, and for the same reason, + with that which follows. + </p> + <p> + The King of England was, as I have before said, at the height of + satisfaction at having been recognised by the King (Louis XIV.), and + at finding himself secure upon the throne. But a usurper is never + tranquil and content. William was annoyed by the residence of the + legitimate King and his family at Saint Germains. It was too close to + the King (of France), and too near England to leave him without + disquietude. He had tried hard at Ryswick to obtain the dismissal of + James II. from the realm, or at least from the Court of France, but + without effect. Afterwards he sent the Duke of St. Albans to our King + openly, in order to compliment him upon the marriage of the Duc de + Bourgogne, but in reality to obtain the dismissal. + </p> + <p> + The Duke of St. Albans meeting with no success, the Duke of Portland + was sent to succeed him. The Duke of Portland came over with a + numerous and superb suite; he kept up a magnificent table, and had + horses, liveries, furniture, and dresses of the most tasteful and + costly kind. He was on his way when a fire destroyed Whitehall, the + largest and ugliest palace in Europe, and which has not since been + rebuilt; so that the kings are lodged, and very badly, at St. James's + Palace. + </p> + <p> + Portland had his first audience of the King on the 4th of February, + and remained four months in France. His politeness, his courtly and + gallant manners, and the good cheer he gave, charmed everybody, and + made him universally popular. It became the fashion to give fetes in + his honour; and the astonishing fact is, that the King, who at heart + was more offended than ever with William of Orange, treated this + ambassador with the most marked distinction. One evening he even gave + Portland his bedroom candlestick, a favour only accorded to the most + considerable persons, and always regarded as a special mark of the + King's bounty. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding all these attentions, Portland was as unsuccessful as + his predecessor. The King had firmly resolved to continue his + protection to James II., and nothing could shake this determination. + Portland was warned from the first, that if he attempted to speak to + the King upon the point, his labour would be thrown away; he wisely + therefore kept silence, and went home again without in any way having + fulfilled the mission upon which he had been sent. + </p> + <p> + We had another distinguished foreigner arrive in France about this + time, —I mean, the Prince of Parma, respecting whom I remember a + pleasing adventure. At Fontainebleau more great dancing-parties are + given than elsewhere, and Cardinal d'Estrees wished to give one there + in honour of this Prince. I and many others were invited to the + banquet; but the Prince himself, for whom the invitation was specially + provided, was forgotten. The Cardinal had given invitations right and + left, but by some omission the Prince had not had one sent to him. On + the morning of the dinner this discovery was made. The Prince was at + once sent to, but he was engaged, and for several days. The dinner + therefore took place without him; the Cardinal was much laughed at for + his absence of mind. He was often similarly forgetful. + </p> + <p> + The Bishop of Poitiers died at the commencement of this year, and his + bishopric was given at Easter to the Abbe de Caudelet. The Abbe was a + very good man, but made himself an enemy, who circulated the blackest + calumnies against him. Amongst other impostures it was said that the + Abbe had gambled all Good Friday; the truth being, that in the + evening, after all the services were over, he went to see the + Marechale de Crequi, who prevailed upon him to amuse her for an hour + by playing at piquet. But the calumny had such effect, that the + bishopric of Poitiers was taken from him, and he retired into + Brittany, where he passed the rest of his life in solitude and piety. + His brother in the meantime fully proved to Pere de la Chaise the + falsehood of this accusation; and he, who was upright and good, did + all he could to bestow some other living upon the Abbe, in recompense + for that he had been stripped of. But the King would not consent, + although often importuned, and even reproached for his cruelty. + </p> + <p> + It was known, too, who was the author of the calumny. It was the Abbe + de la Chatre, who for a long time had been chaplain to the King, and + who was enraged against everyone who was made bishop before him. He + was a man not wanting in intelligence, but bitter, disagreeable, + punctilious; very ignorant, because he would never study, and so + destitute of morality, that I saw him say mass in the chapel on Ash + Wednesday, after having passed a night, masked at a ball, where he + said and did the most filthy things, as seen and heard by M. de La + Vrilliere, before whom he unmasked, and who related this to me: half + an hour after, I met the Abbe de la Chatre, dressed and going to the + altar. Other adventures had already deprived him of all chance of + being made bishop by the King. + </p> + <p> + The old Villars died at this time. I have already mentioned him as + having been made chevalier d'honneur to the Duchesse de Chartres at + her marriage. I mention him now, because I omitted to say before the + origin of his name of Orondat, by which he was generally known, and + which did not displease him. This is the circumstance that gave rise + to it. Madame de Choisy, a lady of the fashionable world, went one day + to see the Comtesse de Fiesque, and found there a large company. The + Countess had a young girl living with her, whose name was Mademoiselle + d'Outrelaise, but who was called the Divine. Madame de Choisy, wishing + to go into the bedroom, said she would go there, and see the Divine. + Mounting rapidly, she found in the chamber a young and very pretty + girl, Mademoiselle Bellefonds, and a man, who escaped immediately upon + seeing her. The face of this man being perfectly well made, so struck + her, that, upon coming down again, she said it could only be that of + Orondat. Now that romances are happily no longer read, it is necessary + to say that Orondat is a character in Cyrus, celebrated by his figure + and his good looks, and who charmed all the heroines of that romance, + which was then much in vogue. The greater part of the company knew + that Villars was upstairs to see Mademoiselle de Bellefonds, with whom + he was much in love, and whom he soon afterwards married. Everybody + therefore smiled at this adventure of Orondat, and the name clung ever + afterwards to Villars. + </p> + <p> + The Prince de Conti lost, before this time, his son, Prince la + Roche-sur- Yon, who was only four years old. The King wore mourning + for him, although it was the custom not to do so for children under + seven years of age. But the King had already departed from this custom + for one of the children of M. du Maine, and he dared not afterwards + act differently towards the children of a prince of the blood. Just at + the end of September, M. du Maine lost another child, his only son. + The King wept very much, and, although the child was considerably + under seven years of age, wore mourning for it. The marriage of + Mademoiselle to M. de Lorraine was then just upon the point of taking + place; and Monsieur (father of Mademoiselle) begged that this mourning + might be laid aside when the marriage was celebrated. The King agreed, + but Madame la Duchesse and the Princesse de Conti believed it + apparently beneath them to render this respect to Monsieur, and + refused to comply. The King commanded them to do so, but they pushed + the matter so far as to say that they had no other clothes. Upon this, + the King ordered them to send and get some directly. They were obliged + to obey, and admit themselves vanquished; but they did so not without + great vexation. M. de Cambrai's affairs still continued to make a + great stir among the prelates and at the Court. Madame Guyon was + transferred from the Vincennes to the Bastille, and it was believed + she would remain there all her life. The Ducs de Chevreuse and + Beauvilliers lost all favour with M. de Maintenon, and narrowly + escaped losing the favour of the King. An attempt was in fact made, + which Madame de Maintenon strongly supported, to get them disgraced; + and, but for the Archbishop of Paris, this would have taken place. But + this prelate, thoroughly upright and conscientious, counselled the + King against such a step, to the great vexation of his relations, who + were the chief plotters in the conspiracy to overthrow the two Dukes. + As for M. de Cambrai's book 'Les Maxinies des Saints', it was as + little liked as ever, and underwent rather a strong criticism at this + time from M. de La Trappe, which did not do much to improve its + reputation. At the commencement of the dispute M. de Meaux had sent a + copy of 'Les Maximes des Saints' to M. de La Trappe, asking as a + friend for his opinion of the work. M. de La Trappe read it, and was + much scandalized. The more he studied it, the more this sentiment + penetrated him. At last, after having well examined the book, he sent + his opinion to M. de Meaux, believing it would be considered as + private, and not be shown to anybody. He did not measure his words, + therefore, but wrote openly, that if M. de Cambrai was right he might + burn the Evangelists, and complain of Jesus Christ, who could have + come into the world only to deceive us. The frightful force of this + phrase was so terrifying, that M. de Meaux thought it worthy of being + shown to Madame de Maintenon; and she, seeking only to crush M. de + Cambrai with all the authorities possible, would insist upon this + opinion of M. de La Trappe being printed. + </p> + <p> + It may be imagined what triumphing there was on the one side, and what + piercing cries on the other. The friends of M. de Cambrai complained + most bitterly that M. de La Trappe had mixed himself up in the matter, + and had passed such a violent and cruel sentence upon a book then + under the consideration of the Pope. M. de La Trappe on his side was + much afflicted that his letter had been published. He wrote to M. de + Meaux protesting against this breach of confidence; and said that, + although he had only expressed what he really thought, he should have + been careful to use more measured language, had he supposed his letter + would have seen the light. He said all he could to heal the wounds his + words had caused, but M. de Cambrai and his friends never forgave him + for having written them. + </p> + <p> + This circumstance caused much discussion, and M. de La Trappe, to whom + I was passionately attached, was frequently spoken of in a manner that + caused me much annoyance. Riding out one day in a coach with some of + my friends, the conversation took this turn. I listened in silence for + some time, and then, feeling no longer able to support the discourse, + desired to be set down, so that my friends might talk at their ease, + without pain to me. They tried to retain me, but I insisted and + carried my point. Another time, Charost, one of my friends, spoke so + disdainfully of M. de La Trappe, and I replied to him with such + warmth, that on the instant he was seized with a fit, tottered, + stammered, his throat swelled, his eyes seemed starting from his head, + and his tongue from his mouth. Madame de Saint-Simon and the other + ladies who were present flew to his assistance; one unfastened his + cravat and his shirt-collar, another threw a jug of water over him and + made him drink something; but as for me, I was struck motionless at + the sudden change brought about by an excess of anger and infatuation. + Charost was soon restored, and when he left I was taken to task by the + ladies. In reply I simply smiled. I gained this by the occurrence, + that Charost never committed himself again upon the subject of M. de + La Trappe. + </p> + <p> + Before quitting this theme, I will relate an anecdote which has found + belief. It has been said, that when M. de La Trappe was the Abbe de + Rance he was much in love with the beautiful Madame de Montbazon, and + that he was well treated by her. On one occasion after leaving her, in + perfect health, in order to go into the country, he learnt that she + had fallen ill. He hastened back, entered hurriedly into her chamber, + and the first sight he saw there was her head, that the surgeons, in + opening her, had separated from her body. It was the first intimation + he had had that she was dead, and the surprise and horror of the sight + so converted him that immediately afterwards he retired from the + world. There is nothing true in all this except the foundation upon + which the fiction arose. I have frankly asked M. de La Trappe upon + this matter, and from him I have learned that he was one of the + friends of Madame de Montbazon, but that so far from being ignorant of + the time of her death, he was by her side at the time, administered + the sacrament to her, and had never quitted her during the few days + she was ill. The truth is, her sudden death so touched him, that it + made him carry out his intention of retiring from the world—an + intention, however, he had formed for many years. + </p> + <p> + The affair of M. de Cambrai was not finally settled until the + commencement of the following year, 1699, but went on making more + noise day by day. At the date I have named the verdict from Rome + arrived Twenty-three propositions of the 'Maximes des Saints' were + declared rash, dangerous, erroneous—'in globo'—and the + Pope excommunicated those who read the book or kept it in their + houses. The King was much pleased with this condemnation, and openly + expressed his satisfaction. Madame de Maintenon appeared at the summit + of joy. As for M. de Cambrai, he learnt his fate in a moment which + would have overwhelmed a man with less resources in himself. He was on + the point of mounting into the pulpit: he was by no means troubled; + put aside the sermon he had prepared, and, without delaying a moment, + took for subject the submission due to the Church; he treated this + theme in a powerful and touching manner; announced the condemnation of + his book; retracted the opinions he had professed; and concluded his + sermon by a perfect acquiescence and submission to the judgment the + Pope had just pronounced. Two days afterwards he published his + retraction, condemned his book, prohibited the reading of it, + acquiesced and submitted himself anew to his condemnation, and in the + clearest terms took away from himself all means of returning to his + opinions. A submission so prompt, so clear, so perfect, was generally + admired, although there were not wanting censors who wished he had + shown less readiness in giving way. His friends believed the + submission would be so flattering to the Pope, that M. de Cambrai + might rely upon advancement to a cardinalship, and steps were taken, + but without any good result, to bring about that event. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII + </h2> + <p> + About this time the King caused Charnace to be arrested in a province + to which he had been banished. He was accused of many wicked things, + and; amongst others, of coining. Charnace was a lad of spirit, who had + been page to the King and officer in the body-guard. Having retired to + his own house, he often played off many a prank. One of these I will + mention, as being full of wit and very laughable. + </p> + <p> + He had a very long and perfectly beautiful avenue before his house in + Anjou, but in the midst of it were the cottage and garden of a + peasant; and neither Charnace, nor his father before him, could + prevail upon him to remove, although they offered him large sums. + Charnace at last determined to gain his point by stratagem. The + peasant was a tailor, and lived all alone, without wife or child. One + day Charnace sent for him, said he wanted a Court suit in all haste, + and, agreeing to lodge and feed him, stipulated that he should not + leave the house until it was done. The tailor agreed, and set himself + to the work. While he was thus occupied, Charnace had the dimensions + of his house and garden taken with the utmost exactitude; made a plan + of the interior, showing the precise position of the furniture and the + utensils; and, when all was done, pulled down the house and removed it + a short distance off. + </p> + <p> + Then it was arranged as before with a similar looking garden, and at + the same time the spot on which it had previously stood was smoothed + and levelled. All this was done before the suit was finished. The work + being at length over on both sides, Charnace amused the tailor until + it was quite dark, paid him, and dismissed him content. The man went + on his way down the avenue; but, finding the distance longer than + usual, looked about, and perceived he had gone too far. Returning, he + searched diligently for his house, but without being able to find it. + The night passed in this exercise. When the day came, he rubbed his + eyes, thinking they might have been in fault; but as he found them as + clear as usual, began to believe that the devil had carried away his + house, garden and all. By dint of wandering to and fro, and casting + his eyes in every direction, he saw at last a house which was as like + to his as are two drops of water to each other. Curiosity tempted him + to go and examine it. He did so, and became convinced it was his own. + He entered, found everything inside as he had left it, and then became + quite persuaded he had been tricked by a sorcerer. The day was not, + however, very far advanced before he learned the truth through the + banter of his neighbours. In fury he talked of going to law, or + demanding justice, but was laughed at everywhere. The King when he + heard of it laughed also; and Charnace had his avenue free. If he had + never done anything worse than this, he would have preserved his + reputation and his liberty. + </p> + <p> + A strange scene happened at Meudon after supper one evening, towards + the end of July. The Prince de Conti and the Grand Prieur were + playing, and a dispute arose respecting the game. The Grand Prieur, + inflated by pride on account of the favours the King had showered upon + him, and rendered audacious by being placed almost on a level with the + Princes of the blood, used words which would have been too strong even + towards an equal. The Prince de Conti answered by a repartee, in which + the other's honesty at play and his courage in war—both, in + truth, little to boast about— were attacked. Upon this the Grand + Prieur flew into a passion, flung away the cards, and demanded + satisfaction, sword in hand. The Prince de Conti, with a smile of + contempt, reminded him that he was wanting in respect, and at the same + time said he could have the satisfaction he asked for whenever he + pleased. The arrival of Monseigneur, in his dressing-gown, put an end + to the fray. He ordered the Marquis de Gesvres, who was one of the + courtiers present, to report the whole affair to the King, and that + every one should go to bed. On the morrow the King was informed of + what had taken place, and immediately ordered the Grand Prieur to go + to the Bastille. He was obliged to obey, and remained in confinement + several days. The affair made a great stir at Court. The Princes of + the blood took a very high tone, and the illegitimates were much + embarrassed. At last, on the 7th of August, the affair was finally + accommodated through the intercession of Monseigneur. The Grand Prieur + demanded pardon of the Prince de Conti in the presence of his brother, + M. de Vendome, who was obliged to swallow this bitter draught, + although against his will, in order to appease the Princes of the + blood, who were extremely excited. + </p> + <p> + Nearly at the same time, that is to say, on the 29th of May, in the + morning Madame de Saint-Simon was happily delivered of a child. God + did us the grace to give us a son. He bore, as I had, the name of + Vidame of Chartres. I do not know why people have the fancy for these + odd names, but they seduce in all nations, and they who feel the + triviality of them, imitate them. It is true that the titles of Count + and Marquis have fallen into the dust because of the quantity of + people without wealth, and even without land, who usurp them; and that + they have become so worthless, that people of quality who are + Marquises or Counts (if they will permit me to say it) are silly + enough to be annoyed if those titles are given to them in + conversation. It is certain, however, that these titles emanated from + landed creations, and that in their origin they had functions attached + to them, which, they have since outlived. The vidames, on the + contrary, were only principal officers of certain bishops, with + authority to lead all the rest of their seigneurs' vassals to the + field, either to fight against other lords, or in the armies that our + kings used to assemble to combat their enemies before the creation of + a standing army put an end to the employment of vassals (there being + no further need for them), and to all the power and authority of the + seigneurs. There is thus no comparison between the title of vidame, + which only marks a vassal, and the titles which by fief emanate from + the King. Yet because the few Vidames who have been known were + illustrious, the name has appeared grand, and for this reason was + given to me, and afterwards by me to my son: + </p> + <p> + Some little time before this, the King resolved to show all Europe, + which believed his resources exhausted by a long war, that in the + midst of profound peace, he was as fully prepared as ever for arms. He + wished at the same time, to present a superb spectacle to Madame de + Maintenon, under pretext of teaching the young Duc de Bourgogne his + first lesson in war. He gave all the necessary orders, therefore, for + forming a camp at Compiegne, to be commanded by the Marechal de + Boufflers under the young Duke. On Thursday, the 28th of August, all + the Court set out for the camp. Sixty thousand men were assembled + there. The King, as at the marriage of the Duc de Bourgogne, had + announced that he counted upon seeing the troops look their best. The + consequence of this was to excite the army to an emulation that was + repented of afterwards. Not only were the troops in such beautiful + order that it was impossible to give the palm to any one corps, but + their commanders added the finery and magnificence of the Court to the + majestic and warlike beauty of the men, of the arms, and of the + horses; and the officers exhausted their means in uniforms which would + have graced a fete. + </p> + <p> + Colonels, and even simple captains, kept open table; but the Marechal + de Boufflers outstripped everybody by his expenditure, by his + magnificence, and his good taste. Never was seen a spectacle so + transcendent—so dazzling—and (it must be said) so + terrifying. At all hours, day or night, the Marechal's table was open + to every comer—whether officer, courtier, or spectator. All were + welcomed and invited, with the utmost civility and attention, to + partake of the good things provided. There was every kind of hot and + cold liquors; everything which can be the most widely and the most + splendidly comprehended under the term refreshment: French and foreign + wines, and the rarest liqueurs in the utmost abundance. Measures were + so well taken that quantities of game and venison arrived from all + sides; and the seas of Normandy, of Holland, of England, of Brittany, + even the Mediterranean, furnished all they contained—the most + unheard-of, extraordinary, and most exquisite—at a given day and + hour with inimitable order, and by a prodigious number of horsemen and + little express carriages. Even the water was fetched from Sainte + Reine, from the Seine, and from sources the most esteemed; and it is + impossible to imagine anything of any kind which was not at once ready + for the obscurest as for the most distinguished visitor, the guest + most expected, and the guest not expected at all. Wooden houses and + magnificent tents stretched all around, in number sufficient to form a + camp of themselves, and were furnished in the most superb manner, like + the houses in Paris. Kitchens and rooms for every purpose were there, + and the whole was marked by an order and cleanliness that excited + surprise and admiration. The King, wishing that the magnificence of + this camp should be seen by the ambassadors, invited them there, and + prepared lodgings for them. But the ambassadors claimed a silly + distinction, which the King would not grant, and they refused his + invitation. This distinction I call silly because it brings no + advantage with it of any kind. I am ignorant of its origin, but this + is what it consists in. When, as upon such an occasion as this, + lodgings are allotted to the Court, the quartermaster writes in chalk, + "for Monsieur Such-a-one," upon those intended for Princes of the + blood, cardinals, and foreign princes; but for none other. The King + would not allow the "for" to be written upon the lodgings of the + ambassadors; and the ambassadors, therefore, kept away. The King was + much piqued at this, and I heard him say at supper, that if he treated + them as they deserved, he should only allow them to come to Court at + audience times, as was the custom everywhere else. + </p> + <p> + The King arrived at the camp on Saturday, the 30th of August, and went + with the Duc and Duchesse de Bourgogne and others to the quarters of + Marechal de Boufflers, where a magnificent collation was served up to + them—so magnificent that when the King returned, he said it + would be useless for the Duc de Bourgogne to attempt anything so + splendid; and that whenever he went to the camp he ought to dine with + Marechal de Bouffiers. In effect, the King himself soon after dined + there, and led to the Marechal's table the King of England, who was + passing three or four days in the camp. + </p> + <p> + On these occasions the King pressed Marechal de Boufflers to be + seated. He would never comply, but waited upon the King while the Duc + de Grammont, his brother-in-law, waited upon Monseigneur. + </p> + <p> + The King amused himself much in pointing out the disposition of the + troops to the ladies of the Court, and in the evening showed them a + grand review. + </p> + <p> + A very pleasant adventure happened at this review to Count Tesse, + colonel of dragoons. Two days previously M. de Lauzun, in the course + of chit- chat, asked him how he intended to dress at the review; and + persuaded him that, it being the custom, he must appear at the head of + his troops in a grey hat, or that he would assuredly displease the + King. Tesse, grateful for this information, and ashamed of his + ignorance, thanked M. de Lauzun, and sent off for a hat in all haste + to Paris. The King, as M. de Lauzun well knew, had an aversion to + grey, and nobody had worn it for several years. When, therefore, on + the day of the review he saw Tesse in a hat of that colour, with a + black feather, and a huge cockade dangling and flaunting above, he + called to him, and asked him why he wore it. Tesse replied that it was + the privilege of the colonel-general to wear that day a grey hat. "A + grey hat," replied the King; "where the devil did you learn that?" + </p> + <p> + "From M. de, Lauzun, Sire, for whom you created the charge," said + Tesse, all embarrassment. On the instant, the good Lauzun vanished, + bursting with laughter, and the King assured Tesse that M. de Lauzun + had merely been joking with him. I never saw a man so confounded as + Tesse at this. He remained with downcast eyes, looking at his hat, + with a sadness and confusion that rendered the scene perfect. He was + obliged to treat the matter as a joke, but was for a long time much + tormented about it, and much ashamed of it. + </p> + <p> + Nearly every day the Princes dined with Marechal de Boufflers, whose + splendour and abundance knew no end. Everybody who visited him, even + the humblest, was served with liberality and attention. All the + villages and farms for four leagues round Compiegne were filled with + people, French, and foreigners, yet there was no disorder. The + gentlemen and valets at the Marechal's quarters were of themselves + quite a world, each more polite than his neighbour, and all + incessantly engaged from five o'clock in the morning until ten and + eleven o'clock at night, doing the honours to various guests. I return + in spite of myself to the Marechal's liberality; because, who ever saw + it, cannot forget, or ever cease to be in a state of astonishment and + admiration at its abundance and sumptuousness, or at the order, never + deranged for a moment at a single point, that prevailed. + </p> + <p> + The King wished to show the Court all the manoeuvres of war; the siege + of Compiegne was therefore undertaken, according to due form, with + lines, trenches, batteries, mines, &c. On Saturday, the 13th of + September, the assault took place. To witness it, the King, Madame de + Maintenon, all the ladies of the Court, and a number of gentlemen, + stationed themselves upon an old rampart, from which the plain and all + the disposition of the troops could be seen. I was in the half circle + very close to the King. It was the most beautiful sight that can be + imagined, to see all that army, and the prodigious number of + spectators on horse and foot, and that game of attack and defence so + cleverly conducted. + </p> + <p> + But a spectacle of another sort, that I could paint forty years hence + as well as to-day, so strongly did it strike me, was that which from + the summit of this rampart the King gave to all his army, and to the + innumerable crowd of spectators of all kinds in the plain below. + Madame de Maintenon faced the plain and the troops in her + sedan-chair-alone, between its three windows drawn up-her porters + having retired to a distance. On the left pole in front sat Madame la + Duchesse de Bourgogne; and on the same side in a semicircle, standing, + were Madame la Duchesse, Madame la Princesse de Conti, and all the + ladies, and behind them again, many men. At the right window was the + King, standing, and a little in the rear, a semicircle of the most + distinguished men of the Court. The King was nearly always uncovered; + and every now and then stooped to speak to Madame de Maintenon, and + explain to her what she saw, and the reason of each movement. Each + time that he did so she was obliging enough to open the window four or + five inches, but never half way; for I noticed particularly, and I + admit that I was more attentive to this spectacle than to that of the + troops. Sometimes she opened of her own accord to ask some question of + him, but generally it was he who, without waiting for her, stooped + down to instruct her of what was passing; and sometimes, if she did + not notice him, he tapped at the glass to make her open it. He never + spoke, save to her, except when he gave a few brief orders, or just + answered Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne, who wanted to make him + speak, and with whom Madame de Maintenon carried on a conversation by + signs, without opening the front window, through which the young + Princess screamed to her from time to time. I watched the countenance + of every one carefully; all expressed surprise tempered with prudence + and shame, that was, as it were, ashamed of itself: every one behind + the chair and in the semicircle watched this scene more than what was + going on in the army. The King often put his hat on the top of the + chair in order to get his head in to speak; and this continual + exercise tired his loins very much. Monseigneur was on horseback in + the plain with the young Princes. It was about five o'clock in the + afternoon, and the weather was as brilliant as could be desired. + </p> + <p> + Opposite the sedan-chair was an opening with some steps cut through + the wall, and communicating with the plain below. It had been made for + the purpose of fetching orders from the King, should they be + necessary. The case happened. Crenan, who commanded, sent Conillac, an + officer in one of the defending regiments, to ask for some + instructions from the King. Conillac had been stationed at the foot of + the rampart, where what was passing above could not be seen. He + mounted the steps; and as soon as his head and shoulders were at the + top, caught sight of the chair, the King, and all the assembled + company. He was not prepared for such a scene, and it struck him with + such astonishment, that he stopped short, with mouth and eyes wide + open-surprise painted upon every feature. I see him now as distinctly + as I did then. The King, as well as all the rest of the company, + remarked the agitation of Conillac, and said to him with emotion, + "Well, Conillac! come up." Conillac remained motionless, and the King + continued, "Come up. What is the matter?" Conillac, thus addressed, + finished his ascent, and came towards the King with slow and trembling + steps, rolling his eyes from right to left like one deranged. Then he + stammered something, but in a tone so low that it could not be heard. + "What do you say?" cried the King. "Speak up." But Conillac was + unable; and the King, finding he could get nothing out of him, told + him to go away. He did not need to be told twice, but disappeared at + once. As soon as he was gone, the King, looking round, said, "I don't + know what is the matter with Conillac. He has lost his wits; he did + not remember what he had to say to me." No one answered. + </p> + <p> + Towards the moment of the capitulation, Madame de Maintenon apparently + asked permission to go away, for the King cried, "The chairmen of + Madame!" They came and took her away; in less than a quarter of an + hour afterwards the King retired also, and nearly everybody else. + There was much interchange of glances, nudging with elbows, and then + whisperings in the ear. Everybody was full of what had taken place on + the ramparts between the King and Madame de Maintenon. Even the + soldiers asked what meant that sedan-chair and the King every moment + stooping to put his head inside of it. It became necessary gently to + silence these questions of the troops. What effect this sight had upon + foreigners present, and what they said of it, may be imagined. All + over Europe it was as much talked of as the camp of Compiegne itself, + with all its pomp and prodigious splendour. + </p> + <p> + The last act of this great drama was a sham fight. The execution was + perfect; but the commander, Rose, who was supposed to be beaten, would + not yield. Marechal de Boufflers sent and told him more than once that + it was time. Rose flew into a passion, and would not obey. The King + laughed much at this, and said, "Rose does not like to be beaten." At + last he himself sent the order for retreat. Rose was forced then to + comply; but he did it with a very bad grace, and abused the bearer of + the order. + </p> + <p> + The King left the camp on Monday the 22d of September, much pleased + with the troops. He gave, in parting, six hundred francs to each + cavalry captain, and three hundred francs to each captain of infantry. + He gave as much to the majors of all the regiments, and distributed + some favours to his household. To Marechal de Boufflers he presented + one hundred thousand francs. All these gifts together amounted to + something: but separately were as mere drops of water. There was not a + single regiment that was not ruined, officers and men, for several + years. As for Marechal de Boufflers, I leave it to be imagined what a + hundred thousand francs were to him whose magnificence astounded all + Europe, described as it was by foreigners who were witnesses of it, + and who day after day could scarcely believe their own eyes. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV + </h2> + <p> + Here I will relate an adventure, which shows that, however wise and + enlightened a man may be, he is never infallible. M. de La Trappe had + selected from amongst his brethren one who was to be his successor. + The name of this monk was D. Francois Gervaise. He had been in the + monastery for some years, had lived regularly during that time, and + had gained the confidence of M. de La Trappe. As soon, however, as he + received this appointment, his manners began to change. He acted as + though he were already master, brought disorder and ill-feeling into + the monastery, and sorely grieved M. de La Trapp; who, however, looked + upon this affliction as the work of Heaven, and meekly resigned him + self to it. At last, Francois Gervaise was by the merest chance + detected openly, under circumstances which blasted his character for + ever. His companion in guilt was brought before M. de La Trappe, to + leave no doubt upon the matter. D. Francois Gervaise, utterly + prostrated, resigned his office, and left La Trappe. Yet, even after + this, he had the hardihood to show himself in the world, and to try + and work himself into the favour of Pere la Chaise. A discovery that + was made, effectually stopped short his hopes in this direction. A + letter of his was found, written to a nun with whom he had been + intimate, whom he loved, and by whom he was passionately loved. It was + a tissue of filthiness and stark indecency, enough to make the most + abandoned tremble. The pleasures, the regrets, the desires, the hopes + of this precious pair, were all expressed in the boldest language, and + with the utmost licence. I believe that so many abominations are not + uttered in several days, even in the worst places. For this offence + Gervaise might have been confined in a dungeon all his life, but he + was allowed to go at large. He wandered from monastery to monastery + for five or six years, and always caused so much disorder wherever he + stopped, that at last the superiors thought it best to let him live as + he liked in a curacy of his brother's. He never ceased troubling La + Trappe, to which he wished to return; so that at last I obtained a + 'lettre de cachet', which prohibited him from approaching within + thirty leagues of the abbey, and within twenty of Paris. It was I who + made known to him that his abominations had been discovered. He was in + no way disturbed, declared he was glad to be free, and assured me with + the hypocrisy which never left him, that in his solitude he was going + to occupy himself in studying the Holy Scriptures. + </p> + <p> + Bonnceil, introducer of the ambassadors, being dead, Breteuil obtained + his post. Breteuil was not without intellect, but aped courtly + manners, called himself Baron de Breteuil, and was much tormented and + laughed at by his friends. One day, dining at the house of Madame de + Pontchartrain, and, speaking very authoritatively, Madame de + Pontchartrain disputed with him, and, to test his knowledge, offered + to make a bet that he did not know who wrote the Lord's Prayer. He + defended himself as well as he was able, and succeeded in leaving the + table without being called upon to decide the point. Caumartin, who + saw his embarrassment, ran to him, and kindly whispered in his ear + that Moses was the author of the Lord's Prayer. Thus strengthened, + Breteuil returned to the attack, brought, while taking coffee, the + conversation back again to the bet; and, after reproaching Madame de + Pontchartrain for supposing him ignorant upon such a point, and + declaring he was ashamed of being obliged to say such a trivial thing, + pronounced emphatically that it was Moses who had written the Lord's + Prayer. The burst of laughter that, of course, followed this, + overwhelmed him with confusion. Poor Breteuil was for a long time at + loggerheads with his friend, and the Lord's Prayer became a standing + reproach to him. + </p> + <p> + He had a friend, the Marquis de Gesvres, who, upon some points, was + not much better informed. Talking one day in the cabinet of the King, + and admiring in the tone of a connoisseur some fine paintings of the + Crucifixion by the first masters, he remarked that they were all by + one hand. + </p> + <p> + He was laughed at, and the different painters were named, as + recognized by their style. + </p> + <p> + "Not at all," said the Marquis, "the painter is called INRI; do you + not see his name upon all the pictures?" What followed after such + gross stupidity and ignorance may be imagined. + </p> + <p> + At the end of this year the King resolved to undertake three grand + projects, which ought to have been carried out long before: the chapel + of Versailles, the Church of the Invalides, and the altar of + Notre-Dame de Paris. This last was a vow of Louis XIII., made when, he + no longer was able to accomplish it, and which he had left to his + successor, who had been more than fifty years without thinking of it. + </p> + <p> + On the 6th of January, upon the reception of the ambassadors at the + house of the Duchesse de Bourogogne, an adventure happened which I + will here relate. M. de Lorraine belonged to a family which had been + noted for its pretensions, and for the disputes of precedency in which + it engaged. He was as prone to this absurdity as the rest, and on this + occasion incited the Princesse d'Harcourt, one of his relations, to + act in a manner that scandalised all the Court. Entering the room in + which the ambassadors were to be received and where a large number of + ladies were already collected, she glided behind the Duchesse de + Rohan, and told her to pass to the left. The Duchesse de Rohan, much + surprised, replied that she was very well placed already. Whereupon, + the Princesse d'Harcourt, who was tall and strong, made no further + ado, but with her two arms seized the Duchesse de Rohan, turned her + round, and sat down in her place. All the ladies were strangely + scandalised at this, but none dared say a word, not even Madame de + Lude, lady in waiting on the Duchesse de Bourgogne, who, for her part + also, felt the insolence of the act, but dared not speak, being so + young. As for the Duchesse de Rohan, feeling that opposition must lead + to fisticuffs, she curtseyed to the Duchess, and quietly retired to + another place. A few minutes after this, Madame de Saint- Simon, who + was then with child, feeling herself unwell, and tired of standing, + seated herself upon the first cushion she could find. It so happened, + that in the position she thus occupied, she had taken precedence of + Madame d'Armagnac by two degrees. Madame d'Armagnac, perceiving it, + spoke to her upon the subject. Madame de Saint-Simon, who had only + placed herself there for a moment, did not reply, but went elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I learnt of the first adventure, I thought it important + that such an insult should not be borne, and I went and conferred with + M. de la Rochefoucauld upon the subject, at the same time that + Marechal de Boufflers spoke of it to M. de Noailles. I called upon + other of my friends, and the opinion was that the Duc de Rohan should + complain to the King on the morrow of the treatment his wife had + received. + </p> + <p> + In the evening while I was at the King's supper, I was sent for by + Madame de Saint-Simon, who informed me that the Lorraines, afraid of + the complaints that would probably be addressed to the King upon what + had taken place between the Princesse d'Harcourt and the Duchesse de + Rohan, had availed themselves of what happened between Madame de + Saint-Simon and Madame d'Armagnac, in order to be the first to + complain, so that one might balance the other. Here was a specimen of + the artifice of these gentlemen, which much enraged me. On the instant + I determined to lose no time in speaking to the King; and that very + evening I related what had occurred, in so far as Madame de + Saint-Simon was concerned, but made no allusion to M. de Rohan's + affair, thinking it best to leave that to be settled by itself on the + morrow. The King replied to me very graciously, and I retired, after + assuring him that all I had said was true from beginning to end. + </p> + <p> + The next day the Duc de Rohan made his complaint. The King, who had + already been fully informed of the matter, received him well, praised + the respect and moderation of Madame de Rohan, declared Madame + d'Harcourt to have been very impertinent, and said some very hard + words upon the Lorraines. + </p> + <p> + I found afterwards, that Madame de Maintenon, who much favoured Madame + d'Harcourt, had all the trouble in the world to persuade the King not + to exclude her from the next journey to Marly. She received a severe + reprimand from the King, a good scolding from Madame de Maintenon, and + was compelled publicly to ask pardon of the Duchesse de Rohan. This + she did; but with a crawling baseness equal to her previous audacity. + Such was the end of this strange history. + </p> + <p> + There appeared at this time a book entitled "Probleme," but without + name of author, and directed against M. de Paris, declaring that he + had uttered sentiments favourable to the Jansenists being at Chalons, + and unfavourable being at Paris. The book came from the Jesuits, who + could not pardon M. de Paris for having become archbishop without + their assistance. It was condemned and burnt by decree of the + Parliament, and the Jesuits had to swallow all the shame of it. The + author was soon after discovered. He was named Boileau; not the friend + of Bontems, who so often preached before the King, and still less the + celebrated poet and author of the 'Flagellants', but a doctor of much + wit and learning whom M. de Paris had taken into his favour and + treated like a brother. Who would have believed that "Probleme" could + spring from such a man? M. de Paris was much hurt; but instead of + imprisoning Boileau for the rest of his days, as he might have done, + he acted the part of a great bishop, and gave him a good canonical of + Saint Honore, which became vacant a few days afterwards. Boileau, who + was quite without means, completed his dishonour by accepting it. + </p> + <p> + The honest people of the Court regretted a cynic who died at this + time, I mean the Chevalier de Coislin. He was a most extraordinary + man, very splenetic, and very difficult to deal with. He rarely left + Versailles, and never went to see the king. I have seen him get out of + the way not to meet him. He lived with Cardinal Coislin, his brother. + If anybody displeased him, he would go and sulk in his own room; and + if, whilst at table, any one came whom he did not like, he would throw + away his plate, go off to sulk, or to finish his dinner all alone. One + circumstance will paint him completely. Being on a journey once with + his brothers, the Duc de Coislin and the Cardinal de Coislin, the + party rested for the night at the house of a vivacious and very pretty + bourgeoise. The Duc de Coislin was an exceedingly polite man, and + bestowed amiable compliments and civilities upon their hostess, much + to the disgust of the Chevalier. At parting, the Duke renewed the + politeness he had displayed so abundantly the previous evening, and + delayed the others by his long-winded flatteries. When, at last, they + left the house, and were two or three leagues away from it, the + Chevalier de Coislin said, that, in spite of all this politeness, he + had reason to believe that their pretty hostess would not long be + pleased with the Duke. The Duke, disturbed, asked his reason for + thinking so. "Do you wish to learn it?" said the Chevalier; "well, + then, you must know that, disgusted by your compliments, I went up + into the bedroom in which you slept, and made a filthy mess on the + floor, which the landlady will no doubt attribute to you, despite all + your fine speeches." + </p> + <p> + At this there was loud laughter, but the Duke was in fury, and wished + to return in order to clear up his character. Although it rained hard, + they had all the pains in the world to hinder him, and still more to + bring about a reconciliation. Nothing was more pleasant than to hear + the brothers relate this adventure each in his own way. + </p> + <p> + Two cruel effects of gambling were noticed at this time. Reineville, a + lieutenant of the body-guard, a general officer distinguished in war, + very well treated by the King, and much esteemed by the captain of the + Guards, suddenly disappeared, and could not be found anywhere, + although the utmost care was taken to search for him. He loved gaming. + He had lost what he could not pay. He was a man of honour, and could + not sustain his misfortune. Twelve or fifteen years afterwards he was + recognised among the Bavarian troops, in which he was serving in order + to gain his bread and to live unknown. The other case was still worse. + Permillac, a man of much intelligence and talent, had lost more than + he possessed, and blew his brains out one morning in bed. He was much + liked throughout the army; had taken a friendship for me, and I for + him. Everybody pitied him, and I much regretted him. + </p> + <p> + Nearly at the same time we lost the celebrated Racine, so known by his + beautiful plays. No one possessed a greater talent or a more agreeable + mien. There was nothing of the poet in his manners: he had the air of + a well-bred and modest man, and at last that of a good man. He had + friends, the most illustrious, at the Court as well as among men of + letters. I leave it to the latter to speak of him in a better way than + I can. He wrote, for the amusement of the King and Madame de + Maintenon, and to exercise the young ladies of Saint Cyr, two dramatic + masterpieces, Esther and Athalie. They were very difficult to write, + because there could be no love in them, and because they are sacred + tragedies, in which, from respect to the Holy Scriptures, it was + necessary rigidly to keep to the historical truth. They were several + times played at Saint Cyr before a select Court. Racine was charged + with the history of the King, conjointly with Despreaux, his friend. + This employment, the pieces I have just spoken of, and his friends, + gained for Racine some special favours: It sometimes happened that the + King had no ministers with him, as on Fridays, and, above all, when + the bad weather of winter rendered the sittings very long; then he + would send for Racine to amuse him and Madame de Maintenon. + Unfortunately the poet was oftentimes very absent. It happened one + evening that, talking with Racine upon the theatre, the King asked why + comedy was so much out of fashion. Racine gave several reasons, and + concluded by naming the principal,—namely, that for want of new + pieces the comedians gave old ones, and, amongst others, those of + Scarron, which were worth nothing, and which found no favour with + anybody. At this the poor widow blushed, not for the reputation of the + cripple attacked, but at hearing his name uttered in presence of his + successor! The King was also embarrassed, and the unhappy Racine, by + the silence which followed, felt what a slip he had made. He remained + the most confounded of the three, without daring to raise his eyes or + to open his mouth. This silence did not terminate for several moments, + so heavy and profound was the surprise. The end was that the King sent + away Racine, saying he was going to work. The poet never afterwards + recovered his position. Neither the King nor Madame de Maintenon ever + spoke to him again, or even looked at him; and he conceived so much + sorrow at this, that he fell into a languor, and died two years + afterwards. At his death, Valincourt was chosen to work in his place + with Despreaux upon the history of the King. + </p> + <p> + The King, who had just paid the heavy gaming and tradesmen's debts of + Madame la Duchesse, paid also those of Monseigneur, which amounted to + fifty thousand francs, undertook the payment of the buildings at + Meudon, and, in lieu of fifteen hundred pistoles a month which he had + allowed Monseigneur, gave him fifty thousand crowns. M. de la + Rochefoucauld, always necessitous and pitiful in the midst of riches, + a prey to his servants, obtained an increase of forty-two thousand + francs a-year upon the salary he received as Grand Veneur, although it + was but a short time since the King had paid his debts. The King gave + also, but in secret, twenty thousand francs a-year to M. de Chartres, + who had spent so much in journeys and building that he feared he + should be unable to pay his debts. He had asked for an abbey; but as + he had already one, the King did not like to give him another, lest it + should be thought too much. + </p> + <p> + M. de Vendome began at last to think about his health, which his + debauches had thrown into a very bad state. He took public leave of + the King and of all the Court before going away, to put himself in the + hands of the doctors. It was the first and only example of such + impudence. From this time he lost ground. The King said, at parting, + that he hoped he would come back in such a state that people might + kiss him without danger! His going in triumph, where another would + have gone in shame and secrecy, was startling and disgusting. He was + nearly three months under the most skilful treatment-and returned to + the Court with half his nose, his teeth out, and a physiognomy + entirely changed, almost idiotic. The King was so much struck by this + change, that he recommended the courtiers not to appear to notice it, + for fear of afflicting M. de Vendome. That was taking much interest in + him assuredly. As, moreover, he had departed in triumph upon this + medical expedition, so he returned triumphant by the reception of the + King, which was imitated by all the Court. He remained only a few + days, and then, his mirror telling sad tales, went away to Anet, to + see if nose and teeth would come back to him with his hair. + </p> + <p> + A strange adventure, which happened at this time, terrified everybody, + and gave rise to many surmises. Savary was found assassinated in his + house at Paris he kept only a valet and a maid-servant, and they were + discovered murdered at the same time, quite dressed, like their + master, and in different parts of the house. It appeared by writings + found there, that the crime was one of revenge: it was supposed to + have been committed in broad daylight. Savary was a citizen of Paris, + very rich, without occupation, and lived like an epicurean. He had + some friends of the highest rank, and gave parties, of all kinds of + pleasure, at his house, politics sometimes being discussed. The cause + of this assassination was never known; but so much of it was found + out, that no one dared to search for more. Few doubted but that the + deed had been done by a very ugly little man, but of a blood so highly + respected, that all forms were dispensed with, in the fear lest it + should be brought home to him; and, after the first excitement, + everybody ceased to speak of this tragic history. + </p> + <p> + On the night between the 3rd and 4th of June, a daring robbery was + effected at the grand stables of Versailles. All the horse-cloths and + trappings, worth at least fifty thousand crowns, were carried off, and + so cleverly and with such speed, although the night was short, that no + traces of them could ever afterwards be found. This theft reminds me + of another which took place a little before the commencement of these + memoirs. The grand apartment at Versailles, that is to say, from the + gallery to the tribune, was hung with crimson velvet, trimmed and + fringed with gold. One fine morning the fringe and trimmings were all + found to have been cut away. This appeared extraordinary in a place so + frequented all day, so well closed at night, and so well guarded at + all times. Bontems, the King's valet, was in despair, and did his + utmost to discover the thieves, but without success. + </p> + <p> + Five or six days afterwards, I was at the King's supper, with nobody + but Daqum, chief physician, between the King and me, and nobody at all + between one and the table. Suddenly I perceived a large black form in + the air, but before I could tell what it was, it fell upon the end of + the King's table just before the cover which had been laid for + Monseigneur and Madame. By the noise it made in falling, and the + weight of the thing itself, it seemed as though the table must be + broken. The plates jumped up, but none were upset, and the thing, as + luck would have it, did not fall upon any of them, but simply upon the + cloth. The King moved his head half round, and without being moved in + any way said, "I think that is my fringe!" + </p> + <p> + It was indeed a bundle, larger than a flat-brimmed priest's hat, about + two feet in height, and shaped like a pyramid. It had come from behind + me, from towards the middle door of the two ante-chambers, and a piece + of fringe getting loose in the air, had fallen upon the King's wig, + from which it was removed by Livry, a gentleman-in-waiting. Livry also + opened the bundle, and saw that it did indeed contain the fringes all + twisted up, and everybody saw likewise. A murmur was heard. Livry + wishing to take away the bundle found a paper attached to it. He took + the paper and left the bundle. The King stretched out his hand and + said, "Let us see." Livry, and with reason, would not give up the + paper, but stepped back, read it, and then passed it to Daquin, in + whose hands I read it. The writing, counterfeited and long like that + of a woman, was in these words:—"Take back your fringes, + Bontems; they are not worth the trouble of keeping—my + compliments to the King." + </p> + <p> + The paper was rolled up, not folded: the King wished to take it from + Daquin, who, after much hesitation, allowed him to read it, but did + not let it out of his hands. "Well, that is very insolent!" said the + King, but in quite a placid unmoved tone—as it were, an + historical tone. Afterwards he ordered the bundle to be taken away. + Livry found it so heavy that he could scarcely lift it from the table, + and gave it to an attendant who presented himself. The King spoke no + more of this matter, nobody else dared to do so; and the supper + finished as though nothing had happened. + </p> + <p> + Besides the excess of insolence and impudence of this act, it was so + perilous as to be scarcely understood. How could any one, without + being seconded by accomplices, throw a bundle of this weight and + volume in the midst of a crowd such as was always present at the + supper of the King, so dense that it could with difficulty be passed + through? How, in spite of a circle of accomplices, could a movement of + the arms necessary for such a throw escape all eyes? The Duc de + Gesvres was in waiting. Neither he nor anybody else thought of closing + the doors until the King had left the table. It may be guessed whether + the guilty parties remained until then, having had more than + three-quarters of an hour to escape, and every issue being free. Only + one person was discovered, who was not known, but he proved to be a + very honest man, and was dismissed after a short detention. Nothing + has since been discovered respecting this theft or its bold + restitution. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV + </h2> + <p> + On the 12th August, Madame de Saint-Simon was happily delivered of a + second son, who bore the name of Marquis de Ruffec. A singular event + which happened soon after, made all the world marvel. + </p> + <p> + There arrived at Versailles a farrier, from the little town of Salon, + in Provence, who asked to see the King in private. In spite of the + rebuffs he met with, he persisted in his request, so that at last it + got to the ears of the King. The King sent word that he was not + accustomed to grant such audiences to whoever liked to ask for them. + Thereupon the farrier declared that if he was allowed to see the King + he would tell him things so secret and so unknown to everybody else + that he would be persuaded of their importance, demanding, if the King + would not see him, to be sent to a minister of state. Upon this the + King allowed him to have an interview with one of his secretaries, + Barbezieux. But Barbezieux was not a minister of state, and to the + great surprise of everybody, the farrier, who had only just arrived + from the country, and who had never before left it or his trade, + replied, that not being a minister of state he would not speak with + him. Upon this he was allowed to see Pomponne, and converse with him; + and this is the story he told: + </p> + <p> + He said, that returning home late one evening he found himself + surrounded by a great light, close against a tree and near Salon. A + woman clad in white—but altogether in a royal manner, and + beautiful, fair, and very dazzling—called him by his name, + commanded him to listen to her, and spake to him more than + half-an-hour. She told him she was the Queen, who had been the wife of + the King; to whom she ordered him to go and say what she had + communicated; assuring him that God would assist him through all the + journey, and that upon a secret thing he should say, the King, who + alone knew that secret, would recognise the truth of all he uttered. + She said that in case he could not see the King he was to speak with a + minister of state, telling him certain things, but reserving certain + others for the King alone. She told him, moreover, to set out at once, + assuring him he would be punished with death if he neglected to acquit + himself of his commission. The farrier promised to obey her in + everything, and the queen then disappeared. He found himself in + darkness near the tree. He lay down and passed the night there, + scarcely knowing whether he was awake or asleep. In the morning he + went home, persuaded that what he had seen was a mere delusion and + folly, and said nothing about it to a living soul. + </p> + <p> + Two days afterwards he was passing by the same place when the same + vision appeared to him, and he was addressed in the same terms. Fresh + threats of punishment were uttered if he did not comply, and he was + ordered to go at once to the Intendant of the province, who would + assuredly furnish him with money, after saying what he had seen. This + time the farrier was convinced there was no delusion in the matter; + but, halting between his fears and doubts, knew not what to do, told + no one what had passed, and was in great perplexity. He remained thus + eight days, and at last had resolved not to make the journey; when, + passing by the same spot, he saw and heard the same vision, which + bestowed upon him so many dreadful menaces that he no longer thought + of anything but setting out immediately. In two days from that time he + presented himself, at Aix, to the Intendant of the province, who, + without a moment's hesitation, urged him to pursue his journey, and + gave him sufficient money to travel by a public conveyance. Nothing + more of the story was ever known. + </p> + <p> + The farrier had three interviews with M. de Pomponne, each of two + hours' length. M. de Pomponne rendered, in private, an account of + these to the King, who desired him to speak more fully upon the point + in a council composed of the Ducs de Beauvilliers, Pontchartrain, + Torcy, and Pomponne himself; Monseigneur to be excluded. This council + sat very long, perhaps because other things were spoken of. Be that as + it may, the King after this wished to converse with the farrier, and + did so in his cabinet. Two days afterwards he saw the man again; at + each time was nearly an hour with him, and was careful that no one was + within hearing. + </p> + <p> + The day after the first interview, as the King was descending the + staircase, to go a-hunting, M. de Duras, who was in waiting, and who + was upon such a footing that he said almost what he liked, began to + speak of this farrier with contempt, and, quoting the bad proverb, + said, "The man was mad, or the King was not noble." At this the King + stopped, and, turning round, a thing he scarcely ever did in walking, + replied, "If that be so, I am not noble, for I have discoursed with + him long, he has spoken to me with much good sense, and I assure you + he is far from being mad." + </p> + <p> + These last words were pronounced with a sustained gravity which + greatly surprised those near, and which in the midst of deep silence + opened all eyes and ears. After the second interview the King felt + persuaded that one circumstance had been related to him by the + farrier, which he alone knew, and which had happened more than twenty + years before. It was that he had seen a phantom in the forest of Saint + Germains. Of this phantom he had never breathed a syllable to anybody. + </p> + <p> + The King on several other occasions spoke favourably of the farrier; + moreover, he paid all the expenses the man had been put to, gave him a + gratuity, sent him back free, and wrote to the Intendant of the + province to take particular care of him, and never to let him want for + anything all his life. + </p> + <p> + The most surprising thing of all this is, that none of the ministers + could be induced to speak a word upon the occurrence. Their most + intimate friends continually questioned them, but without being able + to draw forth a syllable. The ministers either affected to laugh at + the matter or answered evasively. This was the case whenever I + questioned M. de Beauvilliers or M. de Pontchartrain, and I knew from + their most intimate friends that nothing more could ever be obtained + from M. de Pomponne or M. de Torcy. As for the farrier himself, he was + equally reserved. He was a simple, honest, and modest man, about fifty + years of age. Whenever addressed upon this subject, he cut short all + discourse by saying, "I am not allowed to speak," and nothing more + could be extracted from him. When he returned to his home he conducted + himself just as before, gave himself no airs, and never boasted of the + interview he had had with the King and his ministers. He went back to + his trade, and worked at it as usual. + </p> + <p> + Such is the singular story which filled everybody with astonishment, + but which nobody could understand. It is true that some people + persuaded themselves, and tried to persuade others, that the whole + affair was a clever trick, of which the simple farrier had been the + dupe. They said that a certain Madame Arnoul, who passed for a witch, + and who, having known Madame de Maintenon when she was Madame Scarron, + still kept up a secret intimacy with her, had caused the three visions + to appear to the farrier, in order to oblige the King to declare + Madame de Maintenon queen. But the truth of the matter was never + known. + </p> + <p> + The King bestowed at this time some more distinctions on his + illegitimate children. M. du Maine, as grand-master of the artillery, + had to be received at the Chambre des Comptes; and his place ought to + have been, according to custom, immediately above that of the senior + member. But the King wished him to be put between the first and second + presidents; and this was done. The King accorded also to the Princesse + de Conti that her two ladies of honour should be allowed to sit at the + Duchesse de Bourgogne's table. It was a privilege that no lady of + honour to a Princess of the blood had ever been allowed. But the King + gave these distinctions to the ladies of his illegitimate children, + and refused it to those of the Princesses of the blood. + </p> + <p> + In thus according honours, the King seemed to merit some new ones + himself. But nothing fresh could be thought of. What had been done + therefore at his statue in the Place des Victoires, was done over + again in the Place Vendome on the 13th August, after midday. Another + statue which had been erected there was uncovered. The Duc de Gesvres, + Governor of Paris, was in attendance on horseback, at the head of the + city troops, and made turns, and reverences, and other ceremonies, + imitated from those in use at the consecration of the Roman Emperors. + There were, it is true, no incense and no victims: something more in + harmony with the title of Christian King was necessary. In the + evening, there was upon the river a fine illumination, which Monsieur + and Madame went to see. + </p> + <p> + A difficulty arose soon after this with Denmark. The Prince Royal had + become King, and announced the circumstance to our King, but would not + receive the reply sent him because he was not styled in it "Majesty." + We had never accorded to the Kings of Denmark this title, and they had + always been contented with that of "Serenity." The King in his turn + would not wear mourning for the King of Denmark, just dead, although + he always did so for any crowned head, whether related to him or not. + This state of things lasted some months; until, in the end, the new + King of Denmark gave way, received the reply as it had been first + sent, and our King wore mourning as if the time for it had not long + since passed. + </p> + <p> + Boucherat, chancellor and keeper of the seals, died on the 2nd of + September. Harlay, as I have previously said, had been promised this + appointment when it became vacant. But the part he had taken in our + case with M. de Luxembourg had made him so lose ground, that the + appointment was not given to him. M. de la Rochefoucauld, above all, + had undermined him in the favour of the King; and none of us had lost + an opportunity of assisting in this work. Our joy, therefore, was + extreme when we saw all Harlay's hopes frustrated, and we did not fail + to let it burst forth. The vexation that Harlay conceived was so + great, that he became absolutely intractable, and often cried out with + a bitterness he could not contain, that he should be left to die in + the dust of the palace. His weakness was such, that he could not + prevent himself six weeks after from complaining to the King at + Fontainebleau, where he was playing the valet with his accustomed + suppleness and deceit. The King put him off with fine speeches, and by + appointing him to take part in a commission then sitting for the + purpose of bringing about a reduction in the price of corn in Paris + and the suburbs, where it had become very dear. Harlay made a + semblance of being contented, but remained not the less annoyed. His + health and his head were at last so much attacked that he was forced + to quit his post: he then fell into contempt after having excited so + much hatred. The chancellorship was given to Pontchartrain, and the + office of comptroller-general, which became vacant at the same time, + was given to Chamillart; a very honest man, who owed his first + advancement to his skill at billiards, of which game the King was + formerly very fond. It was while Chamillart was accustomed to play + billiards with the King, at least three times a week, that an incident + happened which ought not to be forgotten. Chamillart was Counsellor of + the Parliament at that time. He had just reported on a case that had + been submitted to him. The losing party came to him, and complained + that he had omitted to bring forward a document that had been given + into his hands, and that would assuredly have turned the verdict. + Chamillart searched for the document, found it, and saw that the + complainer was right. He said so, and added, —"I do not know how + the document escaped me, but it decides in your favour. You claimed + twenty thousand francs, and it is my fault you did not get them. Come + to-morrow, and I will pay you." Chamillart, although then by no means + rich, scraped together all the money he had, borrowing the rest, and + paid the man as he had promised, only demanding that the matter should + be kept a secret. But after this, feeling that billiards three times a + week interfered with his legal duties, he surrendered part of them, + and thus left himself more free for other charges he was obliged to + attend to. + </p> + <p> + The Comtesse de Fiesque died very aged, while the Court was at + Fontainebleau this year. She had passed her life with the most + frivolous of the great world. Two incidents amongst a thousand will + characterise her. She was very straitened in means, because she had + frittered away all her substance, or allowed herself to be pillaged by + her business people. When those beautiful mirrors were first + introduced she obtained one, although they were then very dear and + very rare. "Ah, Countess!" said her friends, "where did you find + that?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh!" replied she, "I had a miserable piece of land, which only + yielded me corn; I have sold it, and I have this mirror instead. Is + not this excellent? Who would hesitate between corn and this beautiful + mirror?" + </p> + <p> + On another occasion she harangued with her son, who was as poor as a + rat, for the purpose of persuading him to make a good match and thus + enrich himself. Her son, who had no desire to marry, allowed her to + talk on, and pretended to listen to her reasons: She was delighted—entered + into a description of the wife she destined for him, painting her as + young, rich, an only child, beautiful, well-educated, and with parents + who would be delighted to agree to the marriage. When she had + finished, he pressed her for the name of this charming and desirable + person. The Countess said she was the daughter of Jacquier, a man well + known to everybody, and who had been a contractor of provisions to the + armies of M. de Turenne. Upon this, her son burst out into a hearty + laugh, and she in anger demanded why he did so and what he found so + ridiculous in the match. + </p> + <p> + The truth was, Jacquier had no children, as the Countess soon + remembered. At which she said it was a great pity, since no marriage + would have better suited all parties. She was full of such oddities, + which she persisted in for some time with anger, but at which she was + the first to laugh. People said of her that she had never been more + than eighteen years old. The memoirs of Mademoiselle paint her well. + She lived with Mademoiselle, and passed all her life in quarrels about + trifles. + </p> + <p> + It was immediately after leaving Fontainebleau that the marriage + between the Duc and Duchesse de Bourgogne was consummated. It was upon + this occasion that the King named four gentlemen to wait upon the + Duke,— four who in truth could not have been more badly chosen. + One of them, Gamaches, was a gossip; who never knew what he was doing + or saying— who knew nothing of the world, or the Court, or of + war, although he had always been in the army. D'O was another; but of + him I have spoken. Cheverny was the third, and Saumery the fourth. + Saumery had been raised out of obscurity by M. de Beauvilliers. Never + was man so intriguing, so truckling, so mean, so boastful, so + ambitious, so intent upon fortune, and all this without disguise, + without veil, without shame! Saumery had been wounded, and no man ever + made so much of such a mishap. I used to say of him that he limped + audaciously, and it was true. He would speak of personages the most + distinguished, whose ante-chambers even he had scarcely seen, as + though he spoke of his equals or of his particular friends. He related + what he had heard, and was not ashamed to say before people who at + least had common sense, "Poor Mons. Turenne said to me," M. de Turenne + never having probably heard of his existence. With Monsieur in full he + honoured nobody. It was Mons. de Beauvilliers, Mons. de Chevreuse, and + so on; except with those whose names he clipped off short, as he + frequently would even with Princes of the blood. I have heard him say + many times, "the Princesse de Conti," in speaking of the daughter of + the King; and "the Prince de Conti," in speaking of Monsieur her + brother-in-law! As for the chief nobles of the Court, it was rare for + him to give them the Monsieur or the Mons. It was Marechal d'Humieres, + and so on with the others. Fatuity and insolence were united in him, + and by dint of mounting a hundred staircases a day, and bowing and + scraping everywhere, he had gained the ear of I know not how many + people. His wife was a tall creature, as impertinent as he, who wore + the breeches, and before whom he dared not breathe. Her effrontery + blushed at nothing, and after many gallantries she had linked herself + on to M. de Duras, whom she governed, and of whom she was publicly and + absolutely the mistress, living at his expense. Children, friends, + servants, all were at her mercy; even Madame de Duras herself when she + came, which was but seldom, from the country. + </p> + <p> + Such were the people whom the King placed near M. le Duc de Bourgogne. + </p> + <p> + The Duc de Gesvres, a malicious old man, a cruel husband and unnatural + father, sadly annoyed Marechal de Villeroy towards the end of this + year, having previously treated me very scurvily for some advice I + gave him respecting the ceremonies to be observed at the reception by + the King of M. de Lorraine as Duc de Bar. M. de Gesvres and M. de + Villeroy had both had fathers who made large fortunes and who became + secretaries of state. One morning M. de Gesvres was waiting for the + King, with a number of other courtiers, when M. de Villeroy arrived, + with all that noise and those airs he had long assumed, and which his + favour and his appointments rendered more superb. I know not whether + this annoyed De Gesvres, more than usual, but as soon as the other had + placed himself, he said, "Monsieur le Marechal, it must be admitted + that you and I are very lucky." The Marechal, surprised at a remark + which seemed to be suggested by nothing, assented with a modest air, + and, shaking his head and his wig, began to talk to some one else. But + M. de Gesvres had not commenced without a purpose. He went on, + addressed M. de Villeroy point-blank, admiring their mutual good + fortune, but when he came to speak of the father of each, "Let us go + no further," said he, "for what did our fathers spring from? From + tradesmen; even tradesmen they were themselves. Yours was the son of a + dealer in fresh fish at the markets, and mine of a pedlar, or, + perhaps, worse. Gentlemen," said he, addressing the company, "have we + not reason to think our fortune prodigious—the Marechal and I?" + The Marechal would have liked to strangle M. de Gesvres, or to see him + dead—but what can be done with a man who, in order to say + something cutting to you, says it to himself first? Everybody was + silent, and all eyes were lowered. Many, however, were not sorry to + see M. de Villeroy so pleasantly humiliated. The King came and put an + end to the scene, which was the talk of the Court for several days. + </p> + <p> + Omissions must be repaired as soon as they are perceived. Other + matters have carried me away. At the commencement of April, Ticquet, + Counsellor at the Parliament, was assassinated in his own house; and + if he did not die, it was not the fault of his porter, or of the + soldier who had attempted to kill him, and who left him for dead, + disturbed by a noise they heard. This councillor, who was a very poor + man, had complained to the King, the preceding year, of the conduct of + his wife with Montgeorges, captain in the Guards, and much esteemed. + The King prohibited Montgeorges from seeing the wife of the councillor + again. + </p> + <p> + Such having been the case, when the crime was attempted, suspicion + fell upon Montgeorges and the wife of Ticquet, a beautiful, gallant, + and bold woman, who took a very high tone in the matter. She was + advised to fly, and one of my friends offered to assist her to do so, + maintaining that in all such cases it is safer to be far off than + close at hand. The woman would listen to no such advice, and in a few + days she was no longer able. The porter and the soldier were arrested + and tortured, and Madame Ticquet, who was foolish enough to allow + herself to be arrested, also underwent the same examination, and + avowed all. She was condemned to lose her head, and her accomplice to + be broken on the wheel. Montgeorges managed so well, that he was not + legally criminated. When Ticquet heard the sentence, he came with all + his family to the King, and sued for mercy. But the King would not + listen to him, and the execution took place on Wednesday, the 17th of + June, after mid-day, at the Greve. All the windows of the Hotel de + Ville, and of the houses in the Place de Greve, in the streets that + lead to it from the Conciergerie of the palace where Madame Ticquet + was confined, were filled with spectators, men and women, many of + title and distinction. There were even friends of both sexes of this + unhappy woman, who felt no shame or horror in going there. In the + streets the crowd was so great that it could not be passed through. In + general, pity was felt for the culprit; people hoped she would be + pardoned, and it was because they hoped so, that they went to see her + die. But such is the world; so unreasoning, and so little in accord + with itself. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI + </h2> + <p> + The year 1700 commenced by a reform. The King declared that he would + no longer bear the expense of the changes that the courtiers + introduced into their apartments. It had cost him more than sixty + thousand francs since the Court left Fontainebleau. It is believed + that Madame de Mailly was the cause of this determination of the King; + for during the last two or three years she had made changes in her + apartments every year. + </p> + <p> + A difficulty occurred at this time which much mortified the King. + Little by little he had taken all the ambassadors to visit Messieurs + du Maine and de Toulouse, as though they were Princes of the blood. + The nuncio, Cavallerini, visited them thus, but upon his return to + Rome was so taken to task for it, that his successor, Delfini, did not + dare to imitate him. The cardinals considered that they had lowered + themselves, since Richelieu and Mazarm, by treating even the Princes + of the blood on terms of equality, and giving them their hand, which + had not been customary m the time of the two first ministers just + named. To do so to the illegitimate offspring of the King, and on + occasions of ceremony, appeared to them monstrous. Negotiations were + carried on for a month, but Delfini would not bend, and although in + every other respect he had afforded great satisfaction during his + nunciature, no farewell audience was given to him; nor even a secret + audience. He was deprived of the gift of a silver vessel worth + eighteen hundred francs, that it was customary to present to the + cardinal nuncios at their departure: and he went away without saying + adieu to anybody. + </p> + <p> + Some time before, M. de Monaco had been sent as ambassador to Rome. He + claimed to be addressed by the title of "Highness," and persisted in + it with so much obstinacy that he isolated, himself from almost + everybody, and brought the affairs of his embassy nearly to a + standstill by the fetters he imposed upon them in the most necessary + transactions. Tired at last of the resistance he met with, he + determined to refuse the title of "Excellence," although it might + fairly belong to them, to all who refused to address him as + "Highness." This finished his affair; for after that determination no + one would see him, and the business of the embassy suffered even more + than before. It is difficult to comprehend why the King permitted such + a man to remain as his representative at a foreign Court. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Navailles died on the 14th of February: Her mother, Madame + de Neuillant, who became a widow, was avarice itself. I cannot say by + what accident or chance it was that Madame de Maintenon in returning + young and poor from America, where she had lost her father and mother, + fell in landing at Rochelle into the hands of Madame de Neuillant, who + lived in Poitou. Madame de Neuillant took home Madame de Maintenon, + but could not resolve to feed her without making her do something in + return. Madame de Maintenon was charged therefore with the key of the + granary, had to measure out the corn and to see that it was given to + the horses. It was Madame de Neuillant who brought Madame de Maintenon + to Paris, and to get rid of her married her to Scarron, and then + retired into Poitou. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Navailles was the eldest daughter of this Madame de + Neuillant, and it was her husband, M. de Navailles, who, serving under + M. le Prince in Flanders, received from that General a strong + reprimand for his ignorance. M. le Prince wanted to find the exact + position of a little brook which his maps did not mark. To assist him + in the search, M. de Navailles brought a map of the world! On another + occasion, visiting M. Colbert, at Sceaux, the only thing M. de + Navailles could find to praise was the endive of the kitchen garden: + and when on the occasion of the Huguenots the difficulty of changing + religion was spoken of, he declared that if God had been good enough + to make him a Turk, he should have remained so. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Navailles had been lady of honour to the Queen-mother, and + lost that place by a strange adventure. + </p> + <p> + She was a woman of spirit and of virtue, and the young ladies of + honour were put under her charge. The King was at this time young and + gallant. So long as he held aloof from the chamber of the young + ladies, Madame de Navailles meddled not, but she kept her eye fixed + upon all that she controlled. She soon perceived that the King was + beginning to amuse himself, and immediately after she found that a + door had secretly been made into the chamber of the young ladies; that + this door communicated with a staircase by which the King mounted into + the room at night, and was hidden during the day by the back of a bed + placed against it. Upon this Madame de Navailles held counsel with her + husband. On one side was virtue and honour, on the other, the King's + anger, disgrace, and exile. The husband and wife did not long + hesitate. Madame de Navailles at once took her measures, and so well, + that in a few hours one evening the door was entirely closed up. + During the same night the King, thinking to enter as usual by the + little staircase, was much surprised to no longer find a door. He + groped, he searched, he could not comprehend the disappearance of the + door, or by what means it had become wall again. Anger seized him; he + doubted not that the door had been closed by Madame de Navailles and + her husband. He soon found that such was the case, and on the instant + stripped them of almost all their offices, and exiled them from the + Court. The exile was not long; the Queen-mother on her death- bed + implored him to receive back Monsieur and Madame de Navailles, and he + could not refuse. They returned, and M. de Navailles nine years + afterwards was made Marechal of France. After this Madame de Navailles + rarely appeared at the Court. Madame de Maintenon could not refuse her + distinctions and special favours, but they were accorded rarely and by + moments. The King always remembered his door; Madame de Maintenon + always remembered the hay and barley of Madame de Neuillant, and + neither years nor devotion could deaden the bitterness of the + recollection. + </p> + <p> + From just before Candlemas-day to Easter of this year, nothing was + heard of but balls and pleasures of the Court. The King gave at + Versailles and at Marly several masquerades, by which he was much + amused, under pretext of amusing the Duchesse de Bourgogne. At one of + these balls at Marly a ridiculous scene occurred. Dancers were wanting + and Madame de Luxembourg on account of this obtained an invitation, + but with great difficulty, for she lived in such a fashion that no + woman would see her. Monsieur de Luxembourg was perhaps the only + person in France who was ignorant of Madame de Luxembourg's conduct. + He lived with his wife on apparently good terms and as though he had + not the slightest mistrust of her. On this occasion, because of the + want of dancers, the King made older people dance than was customary, + and among others M. de Luxembourg. Everybody was compelled to be + masked. M. de Luxembourg spoke on this subject to M. le Prince, who, + malicious as any monkey, determined to divert all the Court and + himself at the Duke's expense. He invited M. de Luxembourg to supper, + and after that meal was over, masked him according to his fancy. + </p> + <p> + Soon after my arrival at the ball, I saw a figure strangely clad in + long flowing muslin, and with a headdress on which was fixed the horns + of a stag, so high that they became entangled in the chandelier. Of + course everybody was much astonished at so strange a sight, and all + thought that that mask must be very sure of his wife to deck himself + so. Suddenly the mask turned round and showed us M. de Luxembourg. The + burst of laughter at this was scandalous. Good M. de Luxembourg, who + never was very remarkable for wit, benignly took all this laughter as + having been excited simply by the singularity of his costume, and to + the questions addressed him, replied quite simply that his dress had + been arranged by M. le Prince; then, turning to the right and to the + left, he admired himself and strutted with pleasure at having been + masked by M. le Prince. In a moment more the ladies arrived, and the + King immediately after them. The laughter commenced anew as loudly as + ever, and M. de Luxembourg presented himself to the company with a + confidence that was ravishing. His wife had heard nothing of this + masquerading, and when she saw it, lost countenance, brazen as she + was. Everybody stared at her and her husband, and seemed dying of + laughter. M. le Prince looked at the scene from behind the King, and + inwardly laughed at his malicious trick. This amusement lasted + throughout all the ball, and the King, self-contained as he usually + was, laughed also; people were never tired of admiring an invention + so, cruelly ridiculous, and spoke of it for several days. + </p> + <p> + No evening passed on which there was not a ball. The chancellor's wife + gave one which was a fete the most gallant and the most magnificent + possible. There were different rooms for the fancy-dress ball, for the + masqueraders, for a superb collation, for shops of all countries, + Chinese, Japanese, &c., where many singular and beautiful things + were sold, but no money taken; they were presents for the Duchesse de + Bourgogne and the ladies. Everybody was especially diverted at this + entertainment, which did not finish until eight o'clock in the + morning. Madame de Saint-Simon and I passed the last three weeks of + this time without ever seeing the day. Certain dancers were only + allowed to leave off dancing at the same time as the Duchesse de + Bourgogne. One morning, at Marty, wishing to escape too early, the + Duchess caused me to be forbidden to pass the doors of the salon; + several of us had the same fate. I was delighted when Ash Wednesday + arrived; and I remained a day or two dead beat, and Madame de + Saint-Simon could not get over Shrove Tuesday. + </p> + <p> + La Bourlie, brother of Guiscard, after having quitted the service, had + retired to his estate near Cevennes, where he led a life of much + licence. About this time a robbery was committed in his house; he + suspected one of the servants, and on his own authority put the man to + the torture. This circumstance could not remain so secret but that + complaints spread abroad. The offence was a capital one. La Bourlie + fled from the realm, and did many strange things until his death, + which was still more strange; but of which it is not yet time to + speak. + </p> + <p> + Madame la Duchesse, whose heavy tradesmen's debts the King had paid + not long since, had not dared to speak of her gambling debts, also + very heavy. They increased, and, entirely unable to pay them, she + found herself in the greatest embarrassment. She feared, above all + things, lest M. le Prince or M. le Duc should hear of this. In this + extremity she addressed herself to Madame de Maintenon, laying bare + the state of her finances, without the slightest disguise. Madame de + Maintenon had pity on her situation, and arranged that the King should + pay her debts, abstain from scolding her, and keep her secret. Thus, + in a few weeks, Madame la Duchesse found herself free of debts, + without anybody whom she feared having known even of their existence. + </p> + <p> + Langlee was entrusted with the payment and arrangement of these debts. + He was a singular kind of man at the Court, and deserves a word. Born + of obscure parents, who had enriched themselves, he had early been + introduced into the great world, and had devoted himself to play, + gaining an immense fortune; but without being accused of the least + unfairness. With but little or no wit, but much knowledge of the + world, he had succeeded in securing many friends, and in making his + way at the Court. He joined in all the King's parties, at the time of + his mistresses. Similarity of tastes attached Langlee to Monsieur, but + he never lost sight of the King. At all the fetes Langlee was present, + he took part in the journeys, he was invited to Marly, was intimate + with all the King's mistresses; then with all the daughters of the + King, with whom indeed he was so familiar that he often spoke to them + with the utmost freedom. He had become such a master of fashions and + of fetes that none of the latter were given, even by Princes of the + blood, except under his directions; and no houses were bought, built, + furnished, or ornamented, without his taste being consulted. There + were no marriages of which the dresses and the presents were not + chosen, or at least approved, by him. He was on intimate terms with + the most distinguished people of the Court; and often took improper + advantage of his position. To the daughters of the King and to a + number of female friends he said horribly filthy things, and that too + in their own houses, at St. Cloud or at Marly. He was often made a + confidant in matters of gallantry, and continued to be made so all his + life. For he was a sure man, had nothing disagreeable about him, was + obliging, always ready to serve others with his purse or his + influence, and was on bad terms with no one. + </p> + <p> + While everybody, during all this winter, was at balls and amusements, + the beautiful Madame de Soubise—for she was so still—employed + herself with more serious matters. She had just bought, very cheap, + the immense Hotel de Guise, that the King assisted her to pay for. + Assisted also by the King, she took steps to make her bastard son + canon of Strasbourg; intrigued so well that his birth was made to pass + muster, although among Germans there is a great horror of + illegitimacy, and he was received into the chapter. This point gained, + she laid her plans for carrying out another, and a higher one, nothing + less than that of making her son Archbishop of Strasbourg. + </p> + <p> + But there was an obstacle, in the way. This obstacle was the Abbe + d'Auvergne (nephew of Cardinal de Bouillon), who had the highest + position in the chapter, that of Grand Prevot, had been there much + longer than the Abbe de Soubise, was older, and of more consequence. + His reputation, however, was against him; his habits were publicly + known to be those of the Greeks, whilst his intellect resembled theirs + in no way. By his stupidity he published his bad conduct, his perfect + ignorance, his dissipation, his ambition; and to sustain himself he + had only a low, stinking, continual vanity, which drew upon him as + much disdain as did his habits, alienated him from all the world, and + constantly subjected him to ridicule. + </p> + <p> + The Abbe de Soubise had, on the contrary, everything smiling in his + favour, even his exterior, which showed that he was born of the + tenderest amours. Upon the farms of the Sorbonne he had much + distinguished himself. He had been made Prior of Sorbonne, and had + shone conspicuously in that position, gaining eulogies of the most + flattering kind from everybody, and highly pleasing the King. After + this, he entered the seminary of Saint Magloire, then much in vogue, + and gained the good graces of the Archbishop of Paris, by whom that + seminary was favoured. On every side the Abbe de Soubise was regarded, + either as a marvel of learning, or a miracle of piety and purity of + manners. He had made himself loved everywhere, and his gentleness, his + politeness, his intelligence, his graces, and his talent for securing + friends, confirmed more and more the reputation he had established. + </p> + <p> + The Abbe d'Auvergne had a relative, the Cardinal de Furstenberg, who + also had two nephews, canons of Strasbourg, and in a position to + become claimants to the bishopric. Madame de Soubise rightly thought + that her first step must be to gain over the Cardinal to her side. + There was a channel through which this could be done which at once + suggested itself to her mind. Cardinal Furstenberg, it was said, had + been much enamoured of the Comtesse de La Marck, and had married her + to one of his nephews, in order that he might thus see her more + easily. It was also said that he had been well treated, and it is + certain that nothing was so striking as the resemblance, feature for + feature, of the Comte de La Marck to Cardinal de Furstenberg. If the + Count was not the son of the Cardinal he was nothing to him. The + attachment of Cardinal Furstenberg for the Comtesse de La Marck did + not abate when she became by her marriage Comtesse de Furstenberg; + indeed he could not exist without her; she lived and reigned in his + house. Her son, the Comte de La Marck, lived there also, and her + dominion over the Cardinal was so public, that whoever had affairs + with him spoke to the Countess, if he wished to succeed. She had been + very beautiful, and at fifty-two years of age, still showed it, + although tall, stout, and coarse featured as a Swiss guard in woman's + clothes. She was, moreover, bold, audacious, talking loudly and always + with authority; was polished, however, and of good manners when she + pleased. Being the most imperious woman in the world, the Cardinal was + fairly tied to her apron-strings, and scarcely dared to breathe in her + presence. In dress and finery she spent like a prodigal, played every + night, and lost large sums, oftentimes staking her jewels and her + various ornaments. She was a woman who loved herself alone, who wished + for everything, and who refused herself nothing, not even, it was + said, certain gallantries which the poor Cardinal was obliged to pay + for, as for everything else. Her extravagance was such, that she was + obliged to pass six or seven months of the year in the country, in + order to have enough to spend in Paris during the remainder of the + year. + </p> + <p> + It was to the Comtesse de Furstenberg, therefore, that Madame de + Soubise addressed herself in order to gain over the support of + Cardinal de Furstenberg, in behalf of her son. Rumour said, and it was + never contradicted, that Madame de Soubise paid much money to the + Cardinal through the Countess, in order to carry this point. It is + certain that in addition to the prodigious pensions the Cardinal drew + from the King, he touched at this time a gratification of forty + thousand crowns, that it was pretended had been long promised him. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Soubise having thus assured herself of the Countess and the + Cardinal (and they having been privately thanked by the King), she + caused an order to be sent to Cardinal de Bouillon, who was then at + Rome, requesting him to ask the Pope in the name of the King, for a + bull summoning the Chapter of Strasbourg to meet and elect a coadjutor + and a declaration of the eligibility of the Abbe de Soubise. + </p> + <p> + But here a new obstacle arose in the path of Madame de Soubise. + Cardinal de Bouillon, a man of excessive pride and pretension, who + upon reaching Rome claimed to be addressed as "Most Eminent Highness," + and obtaining this title from nobody except his servants, set himself + at loggerheads with all the city—Cardinal de Bouillon, I say, + was himself canon of Strasbourg, and uncle of the Abbe d'Auvergne. So + anxious was the Cardinal to secure the advancement of the Abbe + d'Auvergne, that he had already made a daring and fraudulent attempt + to procure for him a cardinalship. But the false representations which + he made in order to carry his point, having been seen through, his + attempt came to nothing, and he himself lost all favour with the King + for his deceit. He, however; hoped to make the Abbe d'Auvergne bishop + of Strasbourg, and was overpowered, therefore, when he saw this + magnificent prey about to escape him. The news came upon him like a + thunderbolt. It was bad enough to see his hopes trampled under foot; + it was insupportable to be obliged to aid in crushing them. Vexation + so transported and blinded him, that he forgot the relative positions + of himself and of Madame de Soubise, and imagined that he should be + able to make the King break a resolution he had taken, and an + engagement he had entered into. He sent therefore, as though he had + been a great man, a letter to the King, telling him that he had not + thought sufficiently upon this matter, and raising scruples against + it. At the same time he despatched a letter to the canons of + Strasbourg, full of gall and compliments, trying to persuade them that + the Abbe de Soubise was too young for the honour intended him, and + plainly intimating that the Cardinal de Furstenberg had been gained + over by a heavy bribe paid to the Comtesse de Furstenberg. These + letters. made a terrible uproar. + </p> + <p> + I was at the palace on Tuesday, March 30th, and after supper I saw + Madame de Soubise arrive, leading the Comtesse de Furstenberg, both of + whom posted themselves at the door of the King's cabinet. It was not + that Madame de Soubise had not the privilege of entering if she + pleased, but she preferred making her complaint as public as the + charges made against her by Cardinal de Bouillon had become. I + approached in order to witness the scene. Madame de Soubise appeared + scarcely able to contain herself, and the Countess seemed furious. As + the King passed, they stopped him. Madame de Soubise said two words in + a low tone. The Countess in a louder strain demanded justice against + the Cardinal de Bouillon, who, she said, not content in his pride and + ambition with disregarding the orders of the King, had calumniated her + and Cardinal de Furstenberg in the most atrocious manner, and had not + even spared Madame de Soubise herself. The King replied to her with + much politeness, assured her she should be contented, and passed on. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Soubise was so much the more piqued because Cardinal de + Bouillon had acquainted the King with the simony she had committed, + and assuredly if he had not been ignorant of this he would never have + supported her in the affair. She hastened therefore to secure the + success of her son, and was so well served by the whispered authority + of the King, and the money she had spent, that the Abbe de Soubise was + elected by unanimity Coadjutor of Strasbourg. + </p> + <p> + As for the Cardinal de Bouillon, foiled in all his attempts to prevent + the election, he wrote a second letter to the King, more foolish than + the first. This filled the cup to overflowing. For reply, he received + orders, by a courier, to quit Rome immediately and to retire to Cluni + or to Tournus, at his choice, until further orders. This order + appeared so cruel to him that he could not make up his mind to obey. + He was underdoyen of the sacred college. Cibo, the doyen, was no + longer able to leave his bed. To become doyen, it was necessary to be + in Rome when the appointment became vacant. Cardinal de Bouillon wrote + therefore to the King, begging to be allowed to stay a short time, in + order to pray the Pope to set aside this rule, and give him permission + to succeed to the doyenship, even although absent from Rome when it + became vacant. He knew he should not obtain this permission, but he + asked for it in order to gain time, hoping that in the meanwhile + Cardinal Cibo might die, or even the Pope himself, whose health had + been threatened with ruin for some time. This request of the Cardinal + de Bouillon was refused. There seemed nothing for him but to comply + with the orders he had received. But he had evaded them so long that + he thought he might continue to do so. He wrote to Pere la Chaise, + begging him to ask the King for permission to remain at Rome until the + death of Cardinal Cibo, adding that he would wait for a reply at + Caprarole, a magnificent house of the Duke of Parma, at eight leagues + from Rome. He addressed himself to Pere la Chaise, because M. de + Torcy, to whom he had previously written, had been forbidden to open + his letters, and had sent him word to that effect. Having, too, been + always on the best of terms with the Jesuits, he hoped for good + assistance from Pere la Chaise. But he found this door closed like + that of M. de Torcy. Pere la Chaise wrote to Cardinal de Bouillon that + he too was prohibited from opening his letters. At the same time a new + order was sent to the Cardinal to set out immediately. Just after he + had read it Cardinal Cibo died, and the Cardinal de Bouillon hastened + at once to Rome to secure the doyenship, writing to the King to say + that he had done so, that he would depart in twenty-four hours, and + expressing a hope that this delay would not be refused him. This was + laughing at the King and his orders, and becoming doyen in spite of + him. The King, therefore, displayed his anger immediately he learnt + this last act of disobedience. He sent word immediately to M. de + Monaco to command the Cardinal de Bouillon to surrender his charge of + grand chaplain, to give up his cordon bleu, and to take down the arms + of France from the door of his palace; M. de Monaco was also ordered + to prohibit all French people in Rome from seeing Cardinal de + Bouillon, or from having any communication with him. M. de Monaco, who + hated the Cardinal, hastened willingly to obey these instructions. The + Cardinal appeared overwhelmed, but he did not even then give in. He + pretended that his charge of grand chaplain was a crown office, of + which he could not be dispossessed, without resigning. The King, out + of all patience with a disobedience so stubborn and so marked, + ordered, by a decree in council, on the 12th September, the seizure of + all the Cardinal's estates, laical and ecclesiastical, the latter to + be confiscated to the state, the former to be divided into three + portions, and applied to various uses. The same day the charge of + grand chaplain was given to Cardinal Coislin, and that of chief + chaplain to the Bishop of Metz. The despair of the Cardinal de + Bouillon, on hearing of this decree, was extreme. Pride had hitherto + hindered him from believing that matters would be pushed so far + against him. He sent in his resignation only when it was no longer + needed of him. His order he would not give up. M. de Monaco warned him + that, in case of refusal, he had orders to snatch it from his neck. + Upon this the Cardinal saw the folly of holding out against the orders + of the King. He quitted then the marks of the order, but he was + pitiful enough to wear a narrow blue ribbon, with a cross of gold + attached, under his cassock, and tried from time to time to show a + little of the blue. A short time afterwards, to make the best of a bad + bargain, he tried to persuade himself and others, that no cardinal was + at liberty to wear the orders of any prince. But it was rather late in + the day to think of this, after having worn the order of the King for + thirty years, as grand chaplain; and everybody thought so, and laughed + at the idea. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII + </h2> + <p> + Chateauneuf, Secretary of State, died about this time. He had asked + that his son, La Vrilliere, might be allowed to succeed him, and was + much vexed that the King refused this favour. The news of + Chateauneuf's death was brought to La Vrilliere by a courier, at five + o'clock in the morning. He did not lose his wits at the news, but at + once sent and woke up the Princesse d'Harcourt, and begged her to come + and see him instantly. Opening his purse, he prayed her to go and see + Madame de Maintenon as soon as she got up, and propose his marriage + with Mademoiselle de Mailly, whom he would take without dowry, if the + King gave him his father's appointments. The Princesse d'Harcourt, + whose habit it was to accept any sum, from a crown upwards, willingly + undertook this strange business. She went upon her errand immediately, + and then repaired to Madame de Mailly, who without property, and + burdened with a troop of children—sons and daughters, was in no + way averse to the marriage. + </p> + <p> + The King, upon getting up, was duly made acquainted with La + Vrilliere's proposal, and at once agreed to it. There was only one + person opposed to the marriage, and that was Mademoiselle de Mailly. + She was not quite twelve years of age. She burst out a-crying, and + declared she was very unhappy, that she would not mind marrying a poor + man, if necessary, provided he was a gentleman, but that to marry a + paltry bourgeois, in order to make his fortune, was odious to her. She + was furious against her mother and against Madame de Maintenon. She + could not be kept quiet or appeased, or hindered from making grimaces + at La Vrilliere and all his family, who came to see her and her + mother. + </p> + <p> + They felt it; but the bargain was made, and was too good to be broken. + They thought Mademoiselle de Mailly's annoyance would pass with her + youth—but they were mistaken. Mademoiselle de Mailly always was + sore at having been made Madame de la Vrilliere, and people often + observed it. + </p> + <p> + At the marriage of Monseigneur the Duc de Bourgogne, the King had + offered to augment considerably his monthly income. The young Prince, + who found it sufficient, replied with thanks, and said that if money + failed him at any time he would take the liberty, of asking the King + for more. Finding himself short just now, he was as good as his word. + The King praised him highly, and told him to ask whenever he wanted + money, not through a third person, but direct, as he had done in this + instance. The King, moreover, told the Duc de Bourgogne to play + without fear, for it was of no consequence how much such persons as he + might lose. The King was pleased with confidence, but liked not less + to see himself feared; and when timid people who spoke to him + discovered themselves, and grew embarrassed in their discourse, + nothing better made their court, or advanced their interests. + </p> + <p> + The Archbishop of Rheims presided this year over the assembly of the + clergy, which was held every five years. It took place on this + occasion at Saint Germains, although the King of England occupied the + chateau. M. de Rheims kept open table there, and had some champagne + that was much vaunted. The King of England, who drank scarcely any + other wine, heard of this and asked for some. The Archbishop sent him + six bottles. Some time after, the King of England, who had much + relished the wine, sent and asked for more. The Archbishop, more + sparing of his wine than of his money, bluntly sent word that his wine + was not mad, and did not run through the streets; and sent none. + However accustomed people might be to the rudeness of the Archbishop, + this appeared so strange that it was much spoken of: but that was all. + </p> + <p> + M. de Vendome took another public leave of the King, the Princes, and + the Princesses, in order to place himself again under the doctor's + hands. He perceived at last that he was not cured, and that it would + be long before he was; so went to Anet to try and recover his health, + but without success better than before. He brought back a face upon + which his state was still more plainly printed than at first. Madame + d'Uzes, only daughter of the Prince de Monaco, died of this disease. + She was a woman of merit—very virtuous and unhappy—who + merited a better fate. M. d'Uzes was an obscure man, who frequented + the lowest society, and suffered less from its effects than his wife, + who was much pitied and regretted. Her children perished of the same + disease, and she left none behind her.—[Syphilis. D.W.] + </p> + <p> + Soon after this the King ordered the Comtes d'Uzes and d'Albert to go + to the Conciergerie for having fought a duel against the Comtes de + Rontzau, a Dane, and Schwartzenberg, an Austrian. Uzes gave himself + up, but the Comte d'Albert did not do so for a long Time, and was + broken for his disobedience. He had been on more than good terms with + Madame de Luxembourg—the Comte de Rontzau also: hence the + quarrel; the cause of which was known by everybody, and made a great + stir. Everybody knew it, at least, except M. de Luxembourg, and said + nothing, but was glad of it; and yet in every direction he asked the + reason; but, as may be imagined, could find nobody to tell him, so + that he went over and over again to M. le Prince de Conti, his most + intimate friend, praying him for information upon the subject. M. de + Conti related to me that on one occasion, coming from Meudon, he was + so solicited by M. de Luxembourg on this account, that he was + completely embarrassed, and never suffered to such an extent in all + his life. He contrived to put off M. de Luxembourg, and said nothing, + but was glad indeed to get away from him at the end of the journey. + </p> + <p> + Le Notre died about this time, after having been eighty-eight years in + perfect health, and with all his faculties and good taste to the very + last. He was illustrious, as having been the first designer of those + beautiful gardens which adorn France, and which, indeed, have so + surpassed the gardens of Italy, that the most famous masters of that + country come here to admire and learn. Le Notre had a probity, an + exactitude, and an uprightness which made him esteemed and loved by + everybody. He never forgot his position, and was always perfectly + disinterested. He worked for private people as for the King, and with + the same application—seeking only to aid nature, and to attain + the beautiful by the shortest road. He was of a charming simplicity + and truthfulness. The Pope, upon one occasion, begged the King to lend + him Le Notre for some months. On entering the Pope's chamber, instead + of going down upon his knees, Le Notre ran to the Holy Father, clasped + him round the neck, kissed him on the two cheeks, and said—"Good + morning, Reverend Father; how well you look, and how glad I am to see + you in such good health." + </p> + <p> + The Pope, who was Clement X., Altieri, burst out laughing with all his + might. He was delighted with this odd salutation, and showed his + friendship towards the gardener in a thousand ways. Upon Le Notre's + return, the King led him into the gardens of Versailles, and showed + him what had been done in his absence. About the Colonnade he said + nothing. The King pressed him to give his opinion thereupon. + </p> + <p> + "Why, sire," said Le Notre, "what can I say? Of a mason you have made + a gardener, and he has given you a sample of his trade." + </p> + <p> + The King kept silence and everybody laughed; and it was true that this + morsel of architecture, which was anything but a fountain, and yet + which was intended to be one, was much out of place in a garden. A + month before Le Notre's death, the King, who liked to see him and to + make him talk, led him into the gardens, and on account of his great + age, placed him in a wheeled chair, by the side of his own. Upon this + Le Notre said, "Ah, my poor father, if you were living and could see a + simple gardener like me, your son, wheeled along in a chair by the + side of the greatest King in the world, nothing would be wanting to my + joy!" + </p> + <p> + Le Notre was Overseer of the Public Buildings, and lodged at the + Tuileries, the garden of which (his design), together with the Palace, + being under his charge. All that he did is still much superior to + everything that has been done since, whatever care may have been taken + to imitate and follow him as closely as possible. He used to say of + flower- beds that they were only good for nurses, who, not being able + to quit the children, walked on them with their eyes, and admired them + from the second floor. He excelled, nevertheless, in flowerbeds, as in + everything concerning gardens; but he made little account of them, and + he was right, for they are the spots upon which people never walk. + </p> + <p> + The King of England (William III.) lost the Duke of Gloucester, heir- + presumptive to the crown. He was eleven years of age, and was the only + son of the Princess of Denmark, sister of the defunct Queen Mary, wife + of William. His preceptor was Doctor Burnet, Bishop of Salisbury, who + was in the secret of the invasion, and who passed into England with + the Prince of Orange at the Revolution, of which Revolution he has + left a very fraudulent history, and many other works of as little + truth and good faith. The underpreceptor was the famous Vassor, author + of the "History of Louis XIII.," which would be read with more + pleasure if there were less spite against the Catholic religion, and + less passion against the King. With those exceptions it is excellent + and true. Vassor must have been singularly well informed of the + anecdotes that he relates, and which escape almost all historians. I + have found there, for instance, the Day of the Dupes related precisely + as my father has related it to me, and several other curious things + not less exact. This author has made such a stir that it is worth + while to say something about him. He was a priest of the Oratory, and + in much estimation as a man whose manners were without reproach. After + a time, however, he was found to have disclosed a secret that had been + entrusted to him, and to have acted the spy on behalf of the Jesuits. + The proofs of his treason were found upon his table, and were so + conclusive that there was nothing for him but to leave the Oratory. He + did so, and being deserted by his Jesuit employers, threw himself into + La Trappe. But he did not enter the place in a proper spirit, and in a + few days withdrew. After this he went to the Abbey of Perseigne, hired + a lodging there, and remained several months. But he was continually + at loggerheads with the monks. Their garden was separate from his only + by a thick hedge; their fowls could jump over it. He laid the blame + upon the monks, and one day caught as many of their fowls as he could; + cut off their beaks and their spurs with a cleaver, and threw them + back again over the hedge. This was cruelty so marked that I could not + refrain from relating it. + </p> + <p> + Vassor did not long remain in this retreat, but returned to Paris, and + still being unable to gain a living, passed into Holland, from rage + and hunger became a Protestant, and set himself to work to live by his + pen. His knowledge, talent, and intelligence procured him many + friends, and his reputation reached England, into which country he + passed, hoping to gain there more fortune than in Holland. Burnet + received him with open arms, and obtained for him the post of + under-preceptor to the Duke of Gloucester. It would have been + difficult to have found two instructors so opposed to the Catholics + and to France, or so well suited to the King as teachers of his + successor. + </p> + <p> + Among so many things which paved the way for the greatest events, a + very strange one happened, which from its singularity merits a short + recital. For many years the Comtesse de Verrue lived at Turin, + mistress, publicly, of M. de Savoie. The Comtesse de Verrue was + daughter of the Duc de Luynes, and had been married in Piedmont, when + she was only fourteen years of age, to the Comte de Verrue, young, + handsome, rich, and honest; whose mother was lady of honour to Madame + de Savoie. + </p> + <p> + M. de Savoie often met the Comtesse de Verrue, and soon found her much + to his taste. She saw this, and said so to her husband and her + mother-in- law. They praised her, but took no further notice of the + matter. M. de Savoie redoubled his attentions, and, contrary to his + usual custom, gave fetes, which the Comtesse de Verrue felt were for + her. She did all she could not to attend them, but her mother-in-law + quarrelled with her, said she wished to play the important, and that + it was her vanity which gave her these ideas. Her husband, more + gentle, desired her to attend these fetes, saying that even if M. de + Savoie were really in love with her, it would not do to fail in + anything towards him. Soon after M. de Savoie spoke to the Comtesse de + Verrue. She told her husband and her mother-in- law, and used every + entreaty in order to prevail upon them to let her go and pass some + time in the country. They would not listen to her, and seeing no other + course open, she feigned to be ill, and had herself sent to the waters + of Bourbon. She wrote to her father, the Duc de Luynes, to meet her + there, and set out under the charge of the Abbe de Verrue; uncle of + her husband. As soon as the Duc de Luynes arrived at Bourbon, and + became acquainted with the danger which threatened his daughter; he + conferred with the Abbe as to the best course to adopt, and agreed + with him that the Countess should remain away from Turin some time, in + order that M. de Savoie might get cured of his passion. M. de Luynes + little thought that he had conferred with a wolf who wished to carry + off his lamb. The Abbe de Verrue, it seems, was himself violently in + love with the Countess, and directly her father had gone declared the + state of his heart. Finding himself only repulsed, the miserable old + man turned his love into hate; ill-treated the Countess, and upon her + return to Turin, lost no opportunity of injuring her in the eyes of + her husband and her mother-in-law. + </p> + <p> + The Comtesse de Verrue suffered this for some time, but at last her + virtue yielded to the bad treatment she received. She listened to M. + de Savoie, and delivered herself up to him in order to free herself + from persecution. Is not this a real romance? But it happened in our + own time, under the eyes and to the knowledge of everybody. + </p> + <p> + When the truth became known, the Verrues were in despair, although + they had only themselves to blame for what had happened. Soon the new + mistress ruled all the Court of Savoy, whose sovereign was at her feet + as before a goddess. She disposed of the favours of her lover, and was + feared and courted by the ministry. Her haughtiness made her hated; + she was poisoned; M. de Savoie gave her a subtle antidote, which + fortunately cured her, and without injury to her beauty. Her reign + still lasted. After a while she had the small-pox. M. de Savoie tended + her during this illness, as though he had been a nurse; and although + her face suffered a little by it, he loved her not the less. But he + loved her after his own fashion. He kept her shut up from view, and at + last she grew so tired of her restraint that she determined to fly. + She conferred with her brother, the Chevalier de Luynes, who served + with much distinction in the navy, and together they arranged the + matter. + </p> + <p> + They seized an opportunity when M. de Savoie had gone on a tour to + Chambery, and departed furtively. Crossing our frontier, they arrived + m Paris, where the Comtesse de Verrue, who had grown very rich, took a + house, and by degrees succeeded in getting people to come and see her, + though, at first, owing to the scandal of her life, this was + difficult. In the end, her opulence gained her a large number of + friends, and she availed herself so well of her opportunities, that + she became of much importance, and influenced strongly the government. + But that time goes beyond my memoirs. She left in Turin a son and a + daughter, both recognised by M. de Savoie, after the manner of our + King. He loved passionately these, illegitimate children, and married + the daughter to the Prince de Carignan. + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle de Conde died at Paris on October 24th, after a long + illness, from a disease in the chest, which consumed her less than the + torments she experienced without end from M. le Prince, her father, + whose continual caprices were the plague of all those over whom he + could exercise them. Almost all the children of M. le Prince were + little bigger than dwarfs, which caused M. le Prince, who was tall, to + say in pleasantry, that if his race went on always thus diminishing it + would come to nothing. People attributed the cause to a dwarf that + Madame la Princesse had had for a long time near her. + </p> + <p> + At the funeral of Mademoiselle de Conde, a very indecorous incident + happened. My mother, who was invited to take part in the ceremony, + went to the Hotel de Conde, in a coach and six horses, to join + Mademoiselle d'Enghien. When the procession was about to start the + Duchesse de Chatillon tried to take precedence of my mother. But my + mother called upon Mademoiselle d'Enghien to prevent this, or else to + allow her to return. Madame de Chatillon persisted in her attempt, + saying that relationship decided the question of precedence on these + occasions, and that she was a nearer relative to the deceased than my + mother. My mother, in a cold but haughty tone, replied that she could + pardon this mistake on account of the youth and ignorance of Madame de + Chatillon; but that in all such cases it was rank and not relationship + which decided the point. The dispute was at last put to an end by + Madame de Chatillon giving way. But when the procession started an + attempt was made by her coachman to drive before the coach of my + mother, and one of the company had to descend and decide the dispute. + On the morrow M. le Prince sent to apologise to my mother for the + occurrence that had taken place, and came himself shortly afterwards + full of compliments and excuses. I never could understand what induced + Madame de Chatillon to take this fancy into her head; but she was much + ashamed of it afterwards, and made many excuses to my mother. + </p> + <p> + I experienced, shortly after this, at Fontainebleau, one of the + greatest afflictions I had ever endured. I mean the loss of M. de La + Trappe, These Memoirs are too profane to treat slightly of a life so + sublimely holy, and of a death so glorious and precious before God. I + will content myself with saying here that praises of M. de La Trappe + were so much the more great and prolonged because the King eulogised + him in public; that he wished to see narrations of his death; and that + he spoke more than once of it to his grandsons by way of instruction. + In every part of Europe this great loss was severely felt. The Church + wept for him, and the world even rendered him justice. His death, so + happy for him and so sad for his friends, happened on the 26th of + October, towards half-past twelve, in the arms of his bishop, and in + presence of his community, at the age of nearly seventy-seven years, + and after nearly forty years of the most prodigious penance. I cannot + omit, however, the most touching and the most honourable mark of his + friendship. Lying upon the ground, on straw and ashes, in order to die + like all the brethren of La Trappe, he deigned, of his own accord, to + recollect me, and charged the Abbe La Trappe to send word to me, on + his part, that as he was quite sure of my affection for him, he + reckoned that I should not doubt of his tenderness for me. I check + myself at this point; everything I could add would be too much out of + place here. + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VOLUME 3. + </h2> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII + </h2> + <p> + For the last two or three years the King of Spain had been in very + weak health, and in danger of his life several times. He had no + children, and no hope of having any. The question, therefore, of the + succession to his vast empire began now to agitate every European + Court. The King of England (William III.), who since his usurpation + had much augmented his credit by the grand alliance he had formed + against France, and of which he had been the soul and the chief up to + the Peace of Ryswick, undertook to arrange this question in a manner + that should prevent war when the King of Spain died. His plan was to + give Spain, the Indies, the Low Countries, and the title of King of + Spain to the Archduke, second son of the Emperor; Guipuscoa, Naples, + Sicily, and Lorraine to France; and the Milanese to M. de Lorraine, as + compensation for taking away from him his territory. + </p> + <p> + The King of England made this proposition first of all to our King; + who, tired of war, and anxious for repose, as was natural at his age, + made few difficulties, and soon accepted. M. de Lorraine was not in a + position to refuse his consent to a change recommended by England, + France, and Holland. Thus much being settled, the Emperor was next + applied to. But he was not so easy to persuade: he wished to inherit + the entire succession, and would not brook the idea of seeing the + House of Austria driven from Italy, as it would have been if the King + of England's proposal had been carried out. He therefore declared it + was altogether unheard of and unnatural to divide a succession under + such circumstances, and that he would hear nothing upon the subject + until after the death of the King of Spain. The resistance he made + caused the whole scheme to come to the ears of the King of Spain, + instead of remaining a secret, as was intended. + </p> + <p> + The King of Spain made a great stir in consequence of what had taken + place, as though the project had been formed to strip him, during his + lifetime, of his realm. His ambassador in England spoke so insolently + that he was ordered to leave the country by William, and retired to + Flanders. The Emperor, who did not wish to quarrel with England, + intervened at this point, and brought about a reconciliation between + the two powers. The Spanish ambassador returned to London. + </p> + <p> + The Emperor next endeavoured to strengthen his party in Spain. The + reigning Queen was his sister-in-law and was all-powerful. Such of the + nobility and of the ministers who would not bend before her she caused + to be dismissed; and none were favoured by her who were not partisans + of the House of Austria. The Emperor had, therefore, a powerful ally + at the Court of Madrid to aid him in carrying out his plans; and the + King was so much in his favour, that he had made a will bequeathing + his succession to the Archduke. Everything therefore seemed to promise + success to the Emperor. + </p> + <p> + But just at this time, a small party arose in Spain, equally opposed + to the Emperor, and to the propositions of the King of England. This + party consisted at first of only five persons: namely, Villafranca, + Medina- Sidonia, Villagarcias, Villena, and San Estevan, all of them + nobles, and well instructed in the affairs of government. Their wish + was to prevent the dismemberment of the Spanish kingdom by conferring + the whole succession upon the son of the only son of the Queen of + France, Maria Theresa, sister of the King of Spain. There were, + however, two great obstacles in their path. Maria Theresa, upon her + marriage with our King, had solemnly renounced all claim to the + Spanish throne, and these renunciations had been repeated at the Peace + of the Pyrenees. The other obstacle was the affection the King of + Spain bore to the House of Austria,—an affection which naturally + would render him opposed to any project by which a rival house would + be aggrandised at its expense. + </p> + <p> + As to the first obstacle, these politicians were of opinion that the + renunciations made by Maria Theresa held good only as far as they + applied to the object for which they were made. That object was to + prevent the crowns of France and Spain from being united upon one + head, as might have happened in the person of the Dauphin. But now + that the Dauphin had three sons, the second of whom could be called to + the throne of Spain, the renunciations of the Queen became of no + import. As to the second obstacle, it was only to be removed by great + perseverance and exertions; but they determined to leave no stone + unturned to achieve their ends. + </p> + <p> + One of the first resolutions of this little party was to bind one + another to secrecy. Their next was to admit into their confidence + Cardinal Portocarrero, a determined enemy to the Queen. Then they + commenced an attack upon the Queen in the council; and being supported + by the popular voice, succeeded in driving out of the country Madame + Berlips, a German favourite of hers, who was much hated on account of + the undue influence she exerted, and the rapacity she displayed. The + next measure was of equal importance. Madrid and its environs groaned + under the weight of a regiment of Germans commanded by the Prince of + Darmstadt. The council decreed that this regiment should be disbanded, + and the Prince thanked for his assistance. These two blows following + upon each other so closely, frightened the Queen, isolated her, and + put it out of her power to act during the rest of the life of the + King. + </p> + <p> + There was yet one of the preliminary steps to take, without which it + was thought that success would not be certain. This was to dismiss the + King's Confessor, who had been given to him by the Queen, and who was + a zealous Austrian. + </p> + <p> + Cardinal Portocarrero was charged with this duty, and he succeeded so + well, that two birds were killed with one stone. The Confessor was + dismissed, and another was put in his place, who could be relied upon + to do and say exactly as he was requested. Thus, the King of Spain was + influenced in his conscience, which had over him so much the more + power, because he was beginning to look upon the things of this world + by the glare of that terrible flambeau that is lighted for the dying. + The Confessor and the Cardinal, after a short time, began unceasingly + to attack the King upon the subject of the succession. The King, + enfeebled by illness, and by a lifetime of weak health, had little + power of resistance. Pressed by the many temporal, and affrighted by + the many spiritual reasons which were brought forward by the two + ecclesiastics, with no friend near whose opinion he could consult, no + Austrian at hand to confer with, and no Spaniard who was not opposed + to Austria;—the King fell into a profound perplexity, and in + this strait, proposed to consult the Pope, as an authority whose + decision would be infallible. The Cardinal, who felt persuaded that + the Pope was sufficiently enlightened and sufficiently impartial to + declare in favour of France, assented to this step; and the King of + Spain accordingly wrote a long letter to Rome, feeling much relieved + by the course he had adopted. + </p> + <p> + The Pope replied at once and in the most decided manner. He said he + saw clearly that the children of the Dauphin were the next heirs to + the Spanish throne, and that the House of Austria had not the smallest + right to it. He recommended therefore the King of Spain to render + justice to whom justice was due, and to assign the succession of his + monarchy to a son of France. This reply, and the letter which had + given rise to it, were kept so profoundly secret that they were not + known in Spain until after the King's death. + </p> + <p> + Directly the Pope's answer had been received the King was pressed to + make a fresh will, and to destroy that which he had previously made in + favour of the Archduke. The new will accordingly was at once drawn up + and signed; and the old one burned in the presence, of several + witnesses. Matters having arrived at this point, it was thought + opportune to admit others to the knowledge of what had taken place. + The council of state, consisting of eight members, four of whom were + already in the secret, was made acquainted with the movements of the + new party; and, after a little hesitation, were gained over. + </p> + <p> + The King, meantime, was drawing near to his end. A few days after he + had signed the new will he was at the last extremity, and in a few + days more he died. In his last moments the Queen had been kept from + him as much as possible, and was unable in any way to interfere with + the plans that had been so deeply laid. As soon as the King was dead + the first thing to be done was to open his will. The council of state + assembled for that purpose, and all the grandees of Spain who were in + the capital took part in it, The singularity and the importance of + such an event, interesting many millions of men, drew all Madrid to + the palace, and the rooms adjoining that in which the council + assembled were filled to suffocation. All the foreign ministers + besieged the door. Every one sought to be the first to know the choice + of the King who had just died, in order to be the first to inform his + court. Blecourt, our ambassador, was there with the others, without + knowing more than they; and Count d'Harrach, ambassador from the + Emperor, who counted upon the will in favour of the Archduke, was + there also, with a triumphant look, just opposite the door, and close + by it. + </p> + <p> + At last the door opened, and immediately closed again. The Duc + d'Abrantes, a man of much wit and humour, but not to be trifled with, + came out. He wished to have the pleasure of announcing upon whom the + successorship had fallen, and was surrounded as soon as he appeared. + Keeping silence, and turning his eyes on all sides, he fixed them for + a moment on Blecourt, then looked in another direction, as if seeking + some one else. Blecourt interpreted this action as a bad omen. The Duc + d'Abrantes feigning at last to discover the Count d'Harrach, assumed a + gratified look, flew to him, embraced him, and said aloud in Spanish, + "Sir, it is with much pleasure;" then pausing, as though to embrace + him better, he added: "Yes, sir, it is with an extreme joy that for + all my life," here the embraces were redoubled as an excuse for a + second pause, after which he went on—"and with the greatest + contentment that I part from you, and take leave of the very august + House of Austria." So saying he clove the crowd, and every one ran + after him to know the name of the real heir. + </p> + <p> + The astonishment and indignation of Count d'Harrach disabled him from + speaking, but showed themselves upon his face in all their extent. He + remained motionless some moments, and then went away in the greatest + confusion at the manner in which he had been duped. + </p> + <p> + Blecourt, on the other hand, ran home without asking other + information, and at once despatched to the King a courier, who fell + ill at Bayonne, and was replaced by one named by Harcourt, then at + Bayonne getting ready for the occupation of Guipuscoa. The news + arrived at Court (Fontainebleau) in the month of November. The King + was going out shooting that day; but, upon learning what had taken + place, at once countermanded the sport, announced the death of the + King of Spain, and at three o'clock held a council of the ministers in + the apartments of Madame de Maintenon. This council lasted until past + seven o'clock in the evening. Monseigneur, who had been out + wolf-hunting, returned in time to attend it. On the next morning, + Wednesday, another council was held, and in the evening a third, in + the apartments of Madame de Maintenon. However accustomed persons were + at the Court to the favour Madame de Maintenon enjoyed there, they + were extremely surprised to see two councils assembled in her rooms + for the greatest and most important deliberation that had taken place + during this long reign, or indeed during many others. + </p> + <p> + The King, Monseigneur, the Chancellor, the Duc de Brinvilliers, Torcy, + and Madame de Maintenon, were the only persons who deliberated upon + this affair. Madame de Maintenon preserved at first a modest silence; + but the King forced her to give her opinion after everybody had spoken + except herself. The council was divided. Two were for keeping to the + treaty that had been signed with King William, two for accepting the + will. Monseigneur, drowned as he was in fat and sloth, appeared in + quite another character from his usual ones at these councils. To the + great surprise of the King and his assistants, when it was his turn to + speak he expressed himself with force in favour of accepting the + testament. Then, turning towards the King in a respectful but firm + manner, he said that he took the liberty of asking for his + inheritance, that the monarchy of Spain belonged to the Queen his + mother, and consequently to him; that he surrendered it willingly to + his second son for the tranquillity of Europe; but that to none other + would he yield an inch of ground. These words, spoken with an inflamed + countenance, caused excessive surprise, The King listened very + attentively, and then said to Madame de Maintenon, "And you, Madame, + what do you think upon all this?" She began by affecting modesty; but + pressed, and even commanded to speak, she expressed herself with + becoming confusion; briefly sang the praises of Monseigneur, whom she + feared and liked but little—sentiments perfectly reciprocated—and + at last was for accepting the will. + </p> + <a name="image-0001" id="image-0001"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img src="images/front1.jpg" + alt="Madame Maintenon in Conferance--painted by Sir John Gilbert " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <!-- IMAGE END --> + <p> + The King did not yet declare himself. He said that the affair might + well be allowed to sleep for four-and-twenty hours, in order that they + might ascertain if the Spaniards approved the choice of their King. He + dismissed the council, but ordered it to meet again the next evening + at the same hour and place. Next day, several couriers arrived from + Spain, and the news they brought left no doubt upon the King's mind as + to the wishes of the Spanish nobles and people upon the subject of the + will. When therefore the council reassembled in the apartments of + Madame de Maintenon, the King, after fully discussing the matter, + resolved to accept the will. + </p> + <p> + At the first receipt of the news the King and his ministers had been + overwhelmed with a surprise that they could not recover from for + several days. When the news was spread abroad, the Court was equally + surprised. The foreign ministers passed whole nights deliberating upon + the course the King would adopt. Nothing else was spoken of but this + matter. The King one evening, to divert himself, asked the princesses + their opinion. They replied that he should send M. le Duc d'Anjou (the + second son of Monseigneur), into Spain, and that this was the general + sentiment. "I am sure," replied the King, "that whatever course I + adopt many people will condemn me." + </p> + <p> + At last, on Tuesday, the 16th of November, the King publicly declared + himself. The Spanish ambassador had received intelligence which proved + the eagerness of Spain to welcome the Duc d'Anjou as its King. There + seemed to be no doubt of the matter. The King, immediately after + getting up, called the ambassador into his cabinet, where M. le Duc + d'Anjou had already arrived. Then, pointing to the Duke, he told the + ambassador he might salute him as King of Spain. The ambassador threw + himself upon his knees after the fashion of his country, and addressed + to the Duke a tolerably long compliment in the Spanish language. + Immediately afterwards, the King, contrary to all custom, opened the + two folding doors of his cabinet, and commanded everybody to enter. It + was a very full Court that day. The King, majestically turning his + eyes towards the numerous company, and showing them M. le Duc d'Anjou + said—"Gentlemen, behold the King of Spain. His birth called him + to that crown: the late King also has called him to it by his will; + the whole nation wished for him, and has asked me for him eagerly; it + is the will of heaven: I have obeyed it with pleasure." And then, + turning towards his grandson, he said, "Be a good Spaniard, that is + your first duty; but remember that you are a Frenchman born, in order + that the union between the two nations may be preserved; it will be + the means of rendering both happy, and of preserving the peace of + Europe." Pointing afterwards with his finger to the Duc d'Anjou, to + indicate him to the ambassador, the King added, "If he follows my + counsels you will be a grandee, and soon; he cannot do better than + follow your advice." + </p> + <p> + When the hubbub of the courtiers had subsided, the two other sons of + France, brothers of M. d'Anjou, arrived, and all three embraced one + another tenderly several times, with tears in their eyes. The + ambassador of the Emperor immediately entered, little suspecting what + had taken place, and was confounded when he learned the news. The King + afterwards went to mass, during which at his right hand was the new + King of Spain, who during the rest of his stay in France, was publicly + treated in every respect as a sovereign, by the King and all the + Court. + </p> + <p> + The joy of Monseigneur at all this was very great. He seemed beside + himself, and continually repeated that no man had ever found himself + in a condition to say as he could, "The King my father, and the King + my son." If he had known the prophecy which from his birth had been + said of him, "A King's son, a King's father, and never a King," which + everybody had heard repeated a thousand times, I think he would not + have so much rejoiced, however vain may be such prophecies. The King + himself was so overcome, that at supper he turned to the Spanish + ambassador and said that the whole affair seemed to him like a dream. + In public, as I have observed, the new King of Spain was treated in + every respect as a sovereign, but in private he was still the Duc + d'Anjou. He passed his evenings in the apartments of Madame de + Maintenon, where he played at all sorts of children's games, + scampering to and fro with Messeigneurs his brothers, with Madame la + Duchesse de Bourgogne, and with the few ladies to whom access was + permitted. + </p> + <p> + On Friday, the 19th of November, the new King of Spain put on + mourning. Two days after, the King did the same. On Monday, the 22nd, + letters were received from the Elector of Bavaria, stating that the + King of Spain had been proclaimed at Brussels with much rejoicing and + illuminations. On Sunday, the 28th, M. Vaudemont, governor of the + Milanese, sent word that he had been proclaimed in that territory, and + with the same demonstrations of joy as at Brussels. + </p> + <p> + On Saturday, the 4th of December, the King of Spain set out for his + dominions. The King rode with him in his coach as far as Sceaux, + surrounded in pomp by many more guards than usual, gendarmes and light + horse, all the road covered with coaches and people; and Sceaux, where + they arrived a little after midday, full of ladies and courtiers, + guarded by two companies of Musketeers. There was a good deal of + leave-taking, and all the family was collected alone in the last room + of the apartment; but as the doors were left open, the tears they shed + so bitterly could be seen. In presenting the King of Spain to the + Princes of the blood, the King said—"Behold the Princes of my + blood and of yours; the two nations from this time ought to regard + themselves as one nation; they ought to have the same interests; + therefore I wish these Princes to be attached to you as to me; you + cannot have friends more faithful or more certain." All this lasted a + good hour and a half. But the time of separation at last came. The + King conducted the King of Spain to the end of the apartment, and + embraced him several times, holding him a long while in. his arms. + Monseigneur did the same. The spectacle was extremely touching. + </p> + <p> + The King returned into the palace for some time, in order to recover + himself. Monseigneur got into a caleche alone, and went to Meudon; and + the King of Spain, with his brother, M. de Noailles, and a large + number of courtiers, set out on his journey. The King gave to his + grandson twenty-one purses of a thousand louis each, for pocket-money, + and much money besides for presents. Let us leave them on their + journey, and admire the Providence which sports with the thoughts of + men and disposes of states. What would have said Ferdinand and + Isabella, Charles V. and Philip II., who so many times attempted to + conquer France, and who have been so frequently accused of aspiring to + universal monarchy, and Philip IV., even, with all his precautions at + the marriage of the King and at the Peace of the Pyrenees,—what + would they have said, to see a son of France become King of Spain, by + the will and testament of the last of their blood in Spain, and by the + universal wish of all the Spaniards— without plot, without + intrigue, without a shot being fired on our part, and without the + sanction of our King, nay even to his extreme surprise and that of all + his ministers, who had only the trouble of making up their minds and + of accepting? What great and wise reflections might be made thereon! + But they would be out of place in these Memoirs. + </p> + <p> + The King of Spain arrived in Madrid on the 19th February. From his + first entrance into the country he had everywhere been most warmly + welcomed. Acclamations were uttered when he appeared; fetes and + bull-fights were given in his honour; the nobles and ladies pressed + around him. He had been proclaimed in Madrid some time before, in the + midst of demonstrations of joy. Now that he had arrived among his + subjects there, that joy burst out anew. There was such a crowd in the + streets that sixty people were stifled! All along the line of route + were an infinity of coaches filled with ladies richly decked. The + streets through which he passed were hung in the Spanish fashion; + stands were placed, adorned with fine pictures and a vast number of + silver vessels; triumphal arches were built from side to side. It is + impossible to conceive a greater or more general demonstration of joy. + The Buen-Retiro, where the new King took up his quarters, was filled + with the Court and the nobility. The junta and a number of great men + received him at the door, and the Cardinal Portocarrero, who was + there, threw himself on his knees, and wished to kiss the King's hand. + But the King would not permit this; raised the Cardinal, embraced him, + and treated him as his father. The Cardinal wept with joy, and could + not take his eyes off the King. He was just then in the flower of his + first youth—fair like the late King Charles, and the Queen his + grandmother; grave, silent, measured, self- contained, formed exactly + to live among Spaniards. With all this, very attentive in his + demeanour, and paying everybody the attention due to him, having taken + lessons from d'Harcourt on the way. Indeed he took off his hat or + raised it to nearly everybody, so that the Spaniards spoke on the + subject to the Duc d'Harcourt, who replied to them that the King in + all essential things would conform himself to usage, but that in + others he must be allowed to act according to French politeness. It + cannot be imagined how much these trifling external attentions + attached all hearts to this Prince. + </p> + <p> + He was, indeed, completely triumphant in Spain, and the Austrian party + as completely routed. The Queen of Spain was sent away from Madrid, + and banished to Toledo, where she remained with but a small suite, and + still less consideration. Each day the nobles, the citizens, and the + people had given fresh proof of their hatred against the Germans and + against the Queen. She had been almost entirely abandoned, and was + refused the most ordinary necessaries of her state. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX + </h2> + <p> + Shortly after his arrival in Madrid, the new King of Spain began to + look about him for a wife, and his marriage with the second daughter + of M. de Savoie (younger sister of Madame de Bourgogne) was decided + upon as an alliance of much honour and importance to M. de Savoie, + and, by binding him to her interest, of much utility to France. An + extraordinary ambassador (Homodei, brother of the Cardinal of that + name) was sent to Turin to sign the contract of marriage, and bring + back the new Queen into Spain. He was also appointed her Ecuyer, and + the Princesse des Ursins was selected as her 'Camarera Mayor', a very + important office. The Princesse des Ursins seemed just adapted for it. + A Spanish lady could not have been relied upon: a lady of our court + would not have been fit for the post. The Princesse des Ursins was, as + it were, both French and Spanish—French by birth, Spanish by + marriage. She had passed the greater part of her life in Rome and + Italy, and was a widow without children. I shall have more hereafter + to say of this celebrated woman, who so long and so publicly governed + the Court and Crown of Spain, and who has made so much stir in the + world by her reign and by her fall; at present let me finish with the + new Queen of Spain. + </p> + <p> + She was married, then, at Turin, on the 11th of September, with but + little display, the King being represented by procuration, and set out + on the 13th for Nice, where she was to embark on board the Spanish + galleys for Barcelona. The King of Spain, meanwhile, after hearing + news that he had been proclaimed with much unanimity and rejoicing in + Peru and Mexico, left Madrid on the 5th of September, to journey + through Aragon and Catalonia to Barcelona to meet his wife. He was + much welcomed on his route, above all by Saragossa, which received him + magnificently. + </p> + <p> + The new Queen of Spain, brought by the French galleys to Nice, was so + fatigued with the sea when she arrived there, that she determined to + finish the rest of the journey by land, through Provence and + Languedoc. Her graces, her presence of mind, the aptness and the + politeness of her short replies, and her judicious curiosity, + remarkable at her age, surprised everybody, and gave great hopes to + the Princesse des Ursins. + </p> + <p> + When within two days' journey of Barcelona, the Queen was met by a + messenger, bearing presents and compliments from the King. All her + household joined her at the same time, being sent on in advance for + that purpose, and her Piedmontese attendants were dismissed. She + appeared more affected by this separation than Madame de Bourgogne had + been when parting from her attendants. She wept bitterly, and seemed + quite lost in the midst of so many new faces, the most familiar of + which (that of Madame des Ursins) was quite fresh to her. Upon + arriving at Figueras, the King, impatient to see her, went on before + on horseback. In this first embarrassment Madame des Ursins, although + completely unknown to the King, and but little known to the Queen, was + of great service to both. + </p> + <p> + Upon arriving at Figueras, the bishop diocesan married them anew, with + little ceremony, and soon after they sat down to supper, waited upon + by the Princesse des Ursins and the ladies of the palace, half the + dishes being French, half Spanish. This mixture displeased the ladies + of the palace and several of the Spanish grandees, who plotted with + the ladies openly to mark their displeasure; and they did so in a + scandalous manner. Under one pretext or another—such as the + weight or heat of the dishes— not one of the French dishes + arrived upon the table; all were upset; while the Spanish dishes, on + the contrary, were served without any accident. The affectation and + air of chagrin, to say the least of it, of the ladies of the palace, + were too visible not to be perceived. But the King and Queen were wise + enough to appear not to notice this; and Madame des Ursins, much + astonished, said not a word. + </p> + <p> + After a long and disagreeable supper, the King and Queen withdrew. + Then feelings which had been kept in during supper overflowed. The + Queen wept for her Piedmontese women. Like a child, as she was, she + thought herself lost in the hands of ladies so insolent; and when it + was time to go to bed, she said flatly that she would not go, and that + she wished to return home. Everything was done to console her; but the + astonishment and embarrassment were great indeed when it was found + that all was of no avail. The King had undressed, and was awaiting + her. Madame des Ursins was at length obliged to go and tell him the + resolution the Queen had taken. He was piqued and annoyed. He had + until that time lived with the completest regularity; which had + contributed to make him find the Princess more to his taste than he + might otherwise have done. He was therefore affected by her + 'fantaisie', and by the same reason easily persuaded that she would + not keep to it beyond the first night. They did not see each other + therefore until the morrow, and after they were dressed. It was lucky + that by the Spanish custom no one was permitted to be present when the + newly-married pair went to bed; or this affair, which went no further + than the young couple, Madame des Ursins, and one or two domestics, + might have made a very unpleasant noise. + </p> + <p> + Madame des Ursins consulted with two of the courtiers, as to the best + measures to be adopted with a child who showed so much force and + resolution. The night was passed in exhortations and in promises upon + what had occurred at the supper; and the Queen consented at last to + remain Queen. The Duke of Medina-Sidonia and Count San Estevan were + consulted on the morrow. They were of opinion that in his turn the + King, in order to mortify her and reduce her to terms, should not + visit the Queen on the following night. This opinion was acted upon. + The King and Queen did not see each other in private that day. In the + evening the Queen was very sorry. Her pride and her little vanity were + wounded; perhaps also she had found the King to her taste. + </p> + <p> + The ladies and the grand seigneurs who had attended at the supper were + lectured for what had occurred there. Excuses, promises, demands for + pardon, followed; all was put right; the third day was tranquil, and + the third night still more agreeable to the young people. On the + fourth day they went to Barcelona, where only fetes and pleasures + awaited them. Soon after they set out for Madrid. + </p> + <p> + At the commencement of the following year (1702), it was resolved, + after much debate, at our court, that Philip V. should make a journey + to Italy, and on Easter-day he set out. He went to Naples, Leghorn, + Milan, and Alessandria. While at the first-named place a conspiracy + which had been hatching against his life was discovered, and put down. + But other things which previously occurred in Italy ought to have been + related before. I must therefore return to them now. + </p> + <p> + From the moment that Philip V. ascended the Spanish throne it was seen + that a war was certain. England maintained for some time an obstinate + silence, refusing to acknowledge the new King; the Dutch secretly + murmured against him, and the Emperor openly prepared for battle. + Italy, it was evident at once, would be the spot on which hostilities + would commence, and our King lost no time in taking measures to be + ready for events. By land and by sea every preparation was made for + the struggle about to take place. + </p> + <p> + After some time the war, waited for and expected by all Europe, at + last broke out, by some Imperialist troops firing upon a handful of + men near Albaredo. One Spaniard was killed, and all the rest of the + men were taken prisoners. The Imperialists would not give them up + until a cartel was arranged. The King, upon hearing this, at once + despatched the general officers to Italy. Our troops were to be + commanded by Catinat, under M. de Savoie; and the Spanish troops by + Vaudemont, who was Governor-General of the Milanese, and to whom, and + his dislike to our King, I have before alluded. + </p> + <p> + Vaudemont at once began to plot to overthrow Catinat, in conjunction + with Tesse, who had expected the command, and who was irritated + because it had not been given to him. They were in communication with + Chamillart, Minister of War, who aided them, as did other friends at + Court, to be hereafter named, in carrying out their object. It was all + the more easy because they had to do with a man who depended for + support solely upon his own talent, and whose virtue and simplicity + raised him above all intrigue and scheming; and who, with much ability + and intelligence, was severe in command, very laconic, disinterested, + and of exceeding pure life. + </p> + <p> + Prince Eugene commanded the army of the Emperor in Italy. The first + two generals under him, in order of rank, were allied with Vaudemont: + one, in fact, was his only son; the other was the son of a friend of + his. The least reflection ought to have opened all eyes to the conduct + of Vaudemont, and to have discerned it to be more than suspicious. + Catinat soon found it out. He could plan nothing against the enemy + that they did not learn immediately; and he never attempted any + movement without finding himself opposed by a force more than double + his own; so gross was this treachery. + </p> + <p> + Catinat often complained of this: he sent word of it to the Court, but + without daring to draw any conclusion from what happened. Nobody + sustained him at Court, for Vaudemont had everybody in his favour. He + captured our general officers by his politeness, his magnificence, + and, above all, by presenting them with abundant supplies. All the + useful, and the agreeable, came from his side; all the dryness, all + the exactitude, came from Catinat. It need not be asked which of the + two had all hearts. In fine, Tesse and Vaudemont carried out their + schemes so well that Catinat could do nothing. + </p> + <p> + While these schemes were going on, the Imperialists were enabled to + gain time, to strengthen themselves, to cross the rivers without + obstacle, to, approach us; and, acquainted with everything as they + were, to attack a portion of our army on the 9th July, at Capri, with + five regiments of cavalry and dragoons. Prince Eugene led this attack + without his coming being in the least degree suspected, and fell + suddenly upon our troops. Tesse, who was in the immediate + neighbourhood with some dragoons, advanced rapidly upon hearing this, + but only with a few dragoons. A long resistance was made, but at last + retreat became necessary. It was accomplished in excellent order, and + without disturbance from the enemy; but our loss was very great, many + officers of rank being among the dead. + </p> + <p> + Such was our first exploit in Italy; all the fault of which was + attributed to Catinat. Tesse and Vaudemont did everything in their + power to secure his disgrace. The King, indeed, thus prejudiced + against Catinat, determined to take from him the command, and + appointed the Marechal de Villeroy as his successor. The surprise of + everybody at this was very great, for no one expected that the + Marechal de Villeroy would repair the fault of Catinat. On the evening + of his appointment, this general was exposed in a very straightforward + and public manner by M. de Duras. He did not like the Marechal de + Villeroy; and, while everybody else was applauding, took the Marechal + by the arm, and said, "Monsieur le Marechal, everybody is paying you + compliments upon your departure to Italy, I keep mine until you + return;" and then, bursting out laughing, he looked round upon the + company. Villeroy remained confounded, without offering a word. + Everybody smiled and looked down. The King took no notice. + </p> + <p> + Catinat, when the command was taken out of his hands by the Marechal + de Villeroy, made himself admired on every side by the moderation and + tranquillity with which he conducted himself. If Vaudemont was + satisfied with the success of his schemes, it was far otherwise with + Tesse, who had merely intrigued against Catinat for the purpose of + obtaining the command of the army. He did all in his power to + ingratiate himself into the favour of the Marechal de Villeroy; but + the Marechal received these advances very coldly. Tesse's schemes + against Catinat were beginning to be scented out; he was accused of + having wished the Imperialists to succeed at Capri, and of indirectly + aiding them by keeping back his troops; his tirades against Catinat, + too, made him suspected. The Marechal de Villeroy would have nothing + to do with him. His conduct was contrasted with that of Catinat, who, + free after his fall to retire from the army, continued to remain + there, with rare modesty, interfering in nothing. + </p> + <p> + The first campaign passed without notable incident, except an + unsuccessful attack upon Chiari, by our troops on the 1st of + September. M. de Savoie led the attack; but was so firmly met by + Prince Eugene, who was in an excellent position for defence, that he + could do nothing, and in the end was compelled to retire + disgracefully. We lost five or six colonels and many men, and had a + large number wounded. This action much astonished our army, and + encouraged that of the enemy, who did almost as they wished during the + rest of the campaign. + </p> + <p> + Towards the end of this campaign, the grand airs of familiarity which + the Marechal de Villeroy gave himself with M. de Savoie drew upon him + a cruel rebuke, not to say an affront. M. de Savoie being in the midst + of all the generals and of the flower of the army, opened, while + talking, his snuff-box, and was about to take a pinch of snuff, when + M. de Villeroy, who was standing near, stretched out his hand and put + it into the box without saying a word. M. de Savoie flushed up, and + instantly threw all the snuff upon the ground, gave the box to one of + his attendants, and told him to fill it again. The Marechal, not + knowing what to do with himself, swallowed his shame without daring to + say a word, M. de Savoie continuing the conversation that he had not + interrupted, except to ask for the fresh snuff. + </p> + <p> + The campaign passed away, our troops always retreating, the + Imperialists always gaining ground; they continually increasing in + numbers; we diminishing little by little every day. The Marechal de + Villeroy and Prince Eugene each took up his winter quarters and + crossed the frontier: M. de Savoie returned to Turin, and Catinat went + to Paris. The King received him well, but spoke of nothing but + unimportant matters, and gave him no private audience, nor did he ask + for one. + </p> + <p> + Prince Eugene, who was more knowing than the Marechal de Villeroy, had + obliged him to winter in the midst of the Milanese, and kept him + closely pressed there, while his own troops enjoyed perfect liberty, + by means of which they much disturbed ours. In this advantageous + situation, Prince Eugene conceived the design of surprising the centre + of our quarters, and by that blow to make himself master of our + positions, and afterwards of Milan, and other places of the country, + all in very bad order; thus finishing effectively and suddenly his + conquest. + </p> + <p> + Cremona was our centre, and it was defended by a strong garrison. + Prince Eugene ascertained that there was at Cremona an ancient + aqueduct which extended far out into the country, and which started + from the town in the vault of a house occupied by a priest. He also + learnt that this aqueduct had been recently cleaned, but that it + carried very little water, and that in former times the town had been + surprised by means of it. He caused the entrance of the aqueduct, in + the country, to be reconnoitred, he gained over the priest in whose + vault it ended, and who lived close to one of the gates of the city, + which was walled up and but little guarded; he sent into Cremona as + many chosen soldiers as he could, disguised as priests or peasants, + and these hiding themselves in the house of the friendly priest, + obtained secretly as many axes as they could. Then the Prince + despatched five hundred picked men and officers to march by the + aqueduct to the priest's vault; he put Thomas de Vaudemont, son of the + Governor General of the Milanese, at the head of a large detachment of + troops, with orders to occupy a redoubt that defended the Po, and to + come by the bridge to his assistance, when the struggle commenced in + the town; and he charged the soldiers secreted in the priest's house + to break down the walled-up gate, so as to admit the troops whom he + would lead there. + </p> + <p> + Everything, thus concerted with exactness, was executed with + precision, and with all possible secrecy and success. It was on the + 1st of February, 1702, at break of day, that the surprise was + attempted. The Marechal de Villeroy had only arrived in the town on + the previous night. The first person who got scent of what was going + forward was the cook of the Lieutenant-General Crenan, who going out + in the early morning to buy provisions, saw the streets full of + soldiers, whose uniforms were unknown to him. He ran back and awakened + his master. Neither he nor his valets would believe what the cook + said, but nevertheless Crenan hurriedly dressed himself, went out, and + was only too soon convinced that it was true. + </p> + <p> + At the same time, by a piece of good luck, which proved the saving of + Cremona, a regiment under the command of D'Entragues, drew up in + battle array in one of the public places. D'Entragues was a bold and + skilful soldier, with a great desire to distinguish himself. He wished + to review this regiment, and had commenced business before the dawn. + While the light was still uncertain and feeble, and his battalions + were under arms, he indistinctly perceived infantry troops forming at + the end of the street, in front of him. He knew by the order's given + on the previous evening that no other review was to take place except + his own. He immediately feared, therefore, some surprise, marched at + once to these troops, whom he found to be Imperialists, charged them, + overthrew them, sustained the shock of the fresh troops which arrived, + and kept up a defence so obstinate, that he gave time to all the town + to awake, and to the majority of the troops to take up arms. Without + him, all would have been slaughtered as they slept. + </p> + <p> + Just at dawn the Marechal de Villeroy, already up and dressed, was + writing in his chamber. He heard a noise, called for a horse, and + followed by a single aide-de-camp and a page, threaded his way through + the streets to the grand place, which is always the rendezvous in case + of alarm. At the turning of one of the streets he fell into the midst + of an Imperialist corps de garde, who surrounded him and arrested him. + Feeling that it was impossible to defend himself, the Marechal de + Villeroy whispered his name to the officer, and promised him ten + thousand pistoles, a regiment, and the grandest recompenses from the + King, to be allowed to escape. The officer was, however, above all + bribes, said he had not served the Emperor so long in order to end by + betraying him, and conducted the Marechal de Villeroy to Prince + Eugene, who did not receive him so well as he himself would have been + received, under similar circumstances, by the Marechal. While in the + suite of Prince Eugene, Villeroy saw Crenan led in prisoner, and + wounded to the death, and exclaimed that he should like to be in his + place. A moment after they were both sent out of the town, and passed + the day, guarded, in the coach of Prince Eugene. + </p> + <p> + Revel, become commander-in-chief by the capture of the Marechal de + Villeroy, tried to rally the troops. There was a fight in every + street; the troops dispersed about, some in detachments, several + scarcely armed; some only in their shirts fought with the greatest + bravery. They were driven at last to the ramparts, where they had time + to look about them, to rally and form themselves. If the enemy had not + allowed our troops time to gain the ramparts, or if they had driven + them beyond this position, when they reached it, the town could never + have held out. But the imperialists kept themselves entirely towards + the centre of the town, and made no effort to fall upon our men, or to + drive them from the ramparts. + </p> + <p> + Praslin, who had the command of our cavalry, put himself at the head + of some Irish battalions which under him did wonders. Although + continually occupied in defending and attacking, Praslin conceived the + idea that the safety of Cremona depended upon the destruction of the + bridge of the Po, so that the Imperialists could not receive + reinforcements from that point. He repeated this so many times, that + Revel was informed of it, and ordered Praslin to do what he thought + most advisable in the matter. Thereupon, Praslin instantly commanded + the bridge to be broken down: There was not a moment to lose. Thomas + de Vaudemont was already approaching the bridge at the head of his + troops. But the bridge, nevertheless, was destroyed before his eyes, + and with all his musketeers he was not able to prevent it. + </p> + <p> + It was now three o'clock in the afternoon. Prince Eugene was at the + Hotel de Ville, swearing in the magistrates. Leaving that place, and + finding that his troops were giving way, he ascended the cathedral + steeple to see what was passing in different parts of the town, and to + discover why the troops of Thomas de Vaudemont did not arrive. He had + scarcely reached the top of the steeple, when he saw his detachments + on the banks of the Po, and the bridge broken, thus rendering their + assistance useless. He was not more satisfied with what he discovered + in every other direction. Furious at seeing his enterprise in such bad + case, after having been so nearly successful, he descended, tearing + his hair and yelling. From that time, although superior in force, he + thought of nothing but retreat. + </p> + <p> + Revel, who saw that his troops were overwhelmed by hunger, fatigue, + and wounds, for since the break of day they had had no repose or + leisure, thought on his side of withdrawing his men into the castle of + Cremona, in order, at least, to defend himself under cover, and to + obtain a capitulation. So that the two opposing chiefs each thought at + one and the same time of retreat. + </p> + <p> + Towards the evening therefore the combat slackened on both sides, + until our troops made a last effort to drive the enemy from one of the + gates of the town; so as to have that gate free and open during the + night to let in assistance. The Irish seconded so well this attack, + that it was at length successful. A tolerably long calm succeeded this + last struggle. Revel, nevertheless, thought of withdrawing his troops + to the castle, when Mahony, an Irish officer who had fought bravely as + a lion all day, proposed to go and see what was passing all around. It + was already growing dark; the reconnoiterers profited by this. They + saw that everything was tranquil, and understood that the enemy had + retreated. This grand news was carried to Revel, who, with many around + him, was a long time in believing it. Persuaded at last, he left + everything as it was then, until broad daylight, when he found that + the enemy had gone, and that the streets and public places were filled + with the wounded, the dying, and the dead. He made arrangements for + everything, and dispatched Mahony to the King. + </p> + <p> + Prince Eugene retreated all that night with the detachment he had led, + and made the Marechal de Villeroy, disarmed and badly mounted, follow + him, very indecently. The Marechal was afterwards sent to Gratz in + Styria. Crenan died in the coach of the Marechal de Villeroy. + D'Entragues, to whose valour the safety of Cremona was owing, did not + survive this glorious day. Our loss was great; that of the enemy + greater. + </p> + <p> + The news of this, the most surprising event that has been heard of in + recent ages, was brought to the King at Marly on the 9th of February, + 1702, by Mahony. Soon after it arrived I heard of it, and at once + hastened to the chateau, where I found a great buzzing and several + groups of people talking. Mahony was closeted a long time with the + King. At the end of an hour the King came out of his cabinet, and + spoke strongly in praise of what had occurred. He took pleasure in + dwelling at great length upon Mahony, and declared that he had never + heard anybody give such a clear and good account of an occurrence as + he. The King kindly added that he should bestow a thousand francs a + year upon Mahony, and a brevet of Colonel. + </p> + <p> + In the evening M. le Prince de Conti told me that the King had + decorated Revel, and made Praslin Lieutenant-General. As the latter + was one of my particular friends, this intelligence gave me much joy. + I asked again to be more sure of the news. The other principal + officers were advanced in proportion to their grades, and many + received pensions. + </p> + <p> + As for the Marechal de Villeroy he was treated as those who excite + envy and then become unfortunate are always treated. The King, + however, openly took his part; and in truth it was no fault of the + Marechal, who had arrived at Cremona the day before the surprise, that + he was taken prisoner directly he set his foot in the street.—How + could he know of the aqueduct, the barred-up gate, and the concealed + soldiers? Nevertheless, his friends were plunged into the greatest + grief, and his wife, who had not been duped by the eclat which + accompanied her husband upon his departure for Italy, but who feared + for the result, was completely overwhelmed, and for a long time could + not be prevailed upon to see anybody. + </p> + <p> + M. de Vendome was appointed successor to M. de Villeroy, in command of + the army in Italy. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX + </h2> + <p> + But it is time now for me to go back to other matters, and to start + again from the commencement of 1701, from which I have been led by + reciting, in a continuous story, the particulars of our first campaign + in Italy. + </p> + <p> + Barbezieux had viewed with discontent the elevation of Chamillart. His + pride and presumption rose in arms against it; but as there was no + remedy he gave himself up to debauch, to dissipate his annoyance. He + had built between Versailles and Vaucresson, at the end of the park of + Saint Cloud, a house in the open fields, called l'Etang, which though + in the dismalest position in the world had cost him millions. He went + there to feast and riot with his friends; and committing excesses + above his strength, was seized with a fever, and died in a few days, + looking death steadily in the face. He was told of his approaching end + by the Archbishop of Rheims; for he would not believe Fagon. + </p> + <p> + He was thirty-three years of age, with a striking and expressive + countenance, and much wit and aptitude for labour. He was remarkable + for grace, fine manners, and winning ways; but his pride and ambition + were excessive, and when his fits of ill-temper came, nothing could + repress them. Resistance always excited and irritated him. He had + accustomed the King—whenever he had drunk too much, or when a + party of pleasure was toward—to put off work to another time. It + was a great question, whether the State gained or lost most by his + death? + </p> + <p> + As soon as he was dead, Saint-Pouange went to Marly to tell the news + to the King, who was so prepared for it that two hours before, + starting from Versailles, he had left La Vrilliere behind to put the + seals everywhere. Fagon, who had condemned him at once, had never + loved him or his father, and was accused of over-bleeding him on + purpose. At any rate he allowed, at one of his last visits, + expressions of joy to escape him because recovery was impossible. + Barbezieux used to annoy people very much by answering aloud when they + spoke to him in whispers, and by keeping visitors waiting whilst he + was playing with his dogs or some base parasite. + </p> + <p> + Many people, especially divers beautiful ladies, lost much by his + death. Some of the latter looked very disconsolate in the salon at + Marly; but when they had gone to table, and the cake had been cut (it + was Twelfth Night), the King manifested a joy which seemed to command + imitation. He was not content with exclaiming "The Queen drinks," but + as in a common wine-shop, he clattered his spoon and fork on his + plate, and made others do so likewise, which caused a strange din, + that lasted at intervals all through the supper. The snivellers made + more noise than the others, and uttered louder screams of laughter; + and the nearest relatives and best friends were still more riotous. On + the morrow all signs of grief had disappeared. + </p> + <p> + Chamillart was appointed in the place of Barbezieux, as Secretary of + State; and wanted to give up the Finance, but the King, remembering + the disputes of Louvois and Colbert, insisted on his occupying both + posts. Chamillart was a very worthy man, with clean hands and the best + intentions; polite, patient, obliging, a good friend, and a moderate + enemy, loving his country, but his King better; and on very good terms + with him and Madame de Maintenon. His mind was limited and; like all + persons of little wit and knowledge, he was obstinate and pig-headed— + smiling affectedly with a gentle compassion on whoever opposed reasons + to his, but utterly incapable of understanding them—consequently + a dupe in friendship, in business, in everything; governed by all who + could manage to win his admiration, or on very slight grounds could + claim his affection. His capacity was small, and yet he believed he + knew everything, which was the more pitiable, as all this came to him + with his places, and arose more from stupidity than presumption—not + at all from vanity, of which he was divested. The most remarkable + thing is that the chief origin of the King's tender regard for him was + this very incapacity. He used to confess it to the King at every + opportunity; and the King took pleasure in directing and instructing + him, so that he was interested in his successes as if they had been + his own, and always excused him. The world and the Court excused him + also, charmed by the facility with which he received people, the + pleasure he felt in granting requests and rendering services, the + gentleness and regretfulness of his refusals, and his indefatigable + patience as a listener. His memory was so great that he remembered all + matters submitted to him, which gave pleasure to people who were + afraid of being forgotten. He wrote excellently; and his clear, + flowing, and precise style was extremely pleasing to the King and + Madame de Maintenon, who were never weary of praising him, encouraging + him, and congratulating themselves for having placed upon such weak + shoulders two burdens, each of which was sufficient to overwhelm the + most sturdy. + </p> + <p> + Rose, secretary in the King's cabinet, died, aged about eighty-six, at + the commencement of the year 1701. For nearly fifty years he had held + the office of the "pen," as it is called. To have the "pen," is to be + a public forger, and to do what would cost anybody else his life. This + office consists in imitating so exactly the handwriting of the King; + that the real cannot be distinguished from the counterfeit. In this + manner are written all the letters that the King ought or wishes to + write with his own hand, but which, nevertheless, he will not take the + trouble to write. Sovereigns and people of high rank, even generals + and others of importance, employ a secretary of this kind. It is not + possible to make a great King speak with more dignity than did Rose; + nor with more fitness to each person, and upon every subject. The King + signed all the letters Rose wrote, and the characters were so alike it + was impossible to find the smallest difference. Many important things + had passed through the hands of Rose: He was extremely faithful and + secret, and the King put entire trust in him. + </p> + <p> + Rose was artful, scheming, adroit, and dangerous. There are stories + without number of him; and I will relate one or two solely because + they characterise him, and those to whom they also relate. + </p> + <p> + He had, near Chantilly, a nice house and grounds that he much liked, + and that he often visited. This little property bordered the estate of + M. le Prince, who, not liking so close a neighbour, wished to get rid + of him. M. le Prince endeavoured to induce Rose to give up his house + and grounds, but all to no effect; and at last tried to annoy him in + various ways into acquiescence. Among other of his tricks, he put + about four hundred foxes, old and young, into Rose's park. It may be + imagined what disorder this company made there, and the surprise of + Rose and his servants at an inexhaustible ant-hill of foxes come to + one night! + </p> + <p> + The worthy fellow, who was anger and vehemence itself, knew only too + well who had treated him thus scurvily, and straightway went to the + King, requesting to be allowed to ask him rather a rough question. The + King, quite accustomed to him and to his jokes,—for he was + pleasant and very witty, demanded what was the matter. + </p> + <p> + "What is the matter, Sire?" replied Rose, with a face all flushed. + "Why, I beg you will tell me if we have two Kings in France?" + </p> + <p> + "What do you mean?" said the King, surprised, and flushing in his + turn. + </p> + <p> + "What I mean, Sire, is, that if M. le Prince is King like you, folks + must weep and lower their heads before that tyrant. If he is only + Prince of the blood, I ask justice from you, Sire, for you owe it to + all your subjects, and you ought not to suffer them to be the prey of + M. le Prince," said Rose; and he related everything that had taken + place, concluding with the adventure of the foxes. + </p> + <p> + The King promised that he would speak to M. le Prince in a manner to + insure the future repose of Rose; and, indeed, he ordered all the + foxes to be removed from the worthy man's park, all the damages they + had made to be repaired, and all the expenses incurred to be paid by + M. le Prince. M. le Prince was too good a courtier to fail in obeying + this order, and never afterwards troubled Rose in the least thing; + but, on the contrary, made all the advances towards a reconciliation. + Rose was obliged to receive them, but held himself aloof, + nevertheless, and continually let slip some raillery against M. le + Prince. I and fifty others were one day witnesses of this. + </p> + <p> + M. le Prince was accustomed to pay his court to the ministers as they + stood waiting to attend the council in the King's chamber; and + although he had nothing to say, spoke to them with the mien of a + client obliged to fawn. One morning, when there was a large assembly + of the Court in this chamber, and M. le Prince had been cajoling the + ministers with much suppleness and flattery, Secretary Rose, who saw + what had been going on, went up to him on a sudden, and said aloud, + putting one finger under his closed eye, as was sometimes his habit, + "Sir, I have seen your scheming here with all these gentlemen, and for + several days; it is not for nothing. I have known the Court and + mankind many years; and am not to be imposed upon: I see clearly where + matters point:" and this with turns and inflections of voice which + thoroughly embarrassed M. le Prince, who defended himself as he could. + Every one crowded to hear what was going on; and at last Rose, taking + M. le Prince respectfully by his arm, said, with a cunning and meaning + smile; "Is it not that you wish to be made first Prince of the blood + royal?" Then he turned on his heel, and slipped off. The Prince was + stupefied; and all present tried in vain to restrain their laughter. + </p> + <p> + Rose had never pardoned M. de Duras an ill turn the latter had served + him. During one of the Court journeys, the carriage in which Rose was + riding broke down. He took a horse; but, not being a good equestrian, + was very soon pitched into a hole full of mud. While there M. de Duras + passed, and Rose from the midst of the mire cried for help. But M. de + Duras, instead of giving assistance, looked from his coach-window, + burst out laughing, and cried out: "What a luxurious horse thus to + roll upon Roses!"—and with this witticism passed gently on + through the mud. The next comer, the Duc de Coislin, was more + charitable; he picked up the worthy man, who was so furious, so + carried away by anger, that it was some time before he could say who + he was. But the worst was to come; for M. de Duras, who feared nobody, + and whose tongue was accustomed to wag as freely as that of Rose, told + the story to the King and to all the Court, who much laughed at it. + This outraged Rose to such a point, that he never afterwards + approached M. de Duras, and only spoke of him in fury. Whenever he + hazarded some joke upon M. de Duras, the King began to laugh, and + reminded him of the mud-ducking he had received. + </p> + <p> + Towards the end of his life, Rose married his granddaughter, who was + to be his heiress, to Portail, since Chief President of the + Parliament. The marriage was not a happy one; the young spouse + despised her husband; and said that instead of entering into a good + house, she had remained at the portal. At last her husband and his + father complained to Rose. He paid no attention at first; but, tired + out at last, said if his granddaughter persisted in her bad conduct, + he would disinherit her. There were no complaints after this. + </p> + <p> + Rose was a little man, neither fat nor lean, with a tolerably handsome + face, keen expression, piercing eyes sparkling with cleverness; a + little cloak, a satin skull-cap over his grey hairs, a smooth collar, + almost like an Abbe's, and his pocket-handkerchief always between his + coat and his vest. He used to say that it was nearer his nose there. + He had taken me into his friendship. He laughed very freely at the + foreign princes; and always called the Dukes with whom he was + familiar, "Your Ducal Highness," in ridicule of the sham Highnesses. + He was extremely neat and brisk, and full of sense to the last; he was + a sort of personage. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI + </h2> + <p> + On Saturday, the 19th of March, in the evening, the King was about to + undress himself, when he heard cries in his chamber, which was full of + courtiers; everybody calling for Fagon and Felix. Monseigneur had been + taken very ill. He had passed the day at Meudon, where he had eaten + only a collation; at the King's supper he had made amends by gorging + himself nigh to bursting with fish. He was a great eater, like the + King, and like the Queens his mother and grandmother. He had not + appeared after supper, but had jest gone down to his own room from the + King's cabinet, and was about to undress himself, when all at once he + lost consciousness. His valets, frightened out of their wits, and some + courtiers who were near, ran to the King's chambers, to his chief + physician and his chief surgeon with the hubbub which I have mentioned + above. The King, all unbuttoned, started to his feet immediately, and + descended by a little dark, narrow, and steep staircase towards the + chamber of Monseigneur. Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne arrived at the + same time, and in an instant the chamber, which was vast, was filled. + </p> + <p> + They found Monseigneur half naked: his servants endeavouring to make + him walk erect, and dragging rather than leading him about. He did not + know the King, who spoke to him, nor anybody else; and defended + himself as long as he could against Felix, who, in this pressing + necessity, hazarded bleeding him, and succeeded. Consciousness + returned. Monseigneur asked for a confessor; the King had already sent + for, the cure. Many emetics were given to him: but two hours passed + before they operated. At half- past two in the morning, no further + danger appearing, the King, who had shed tears, went to bed, leaving + orders that he was to be awakened if any fresh accident happened. At + five o'clock, however, all the effect having passed, the doctors went + away, and made everybody leave the sick chamber. During the night all + Paris hastened hither. Monseigneur was compelled to keep his room for + eight or ten days; and took care in future not to gorge himself so + much with food. Had this accident happened a quarter of an hour later, + the chief valet de chambre, who slept in his room, would have found + him dead in his bed. + </p> + <p> + Paris loved Monseigneur, perhaps because he often went to the opera. + The fish-fags of the Halles thought it would be proper to exhibit + their affection, and deputed four stout gossips to wait upon him: they + were admitted. One of them took him round the neck and kissed him on + both cheeks; the others kissed his hand. They were all very well + received. Bontems showed them over the apartments, and treated them to + a dinner. Monseigneur gave them some money, and the King did so also. + They determined not to remain in debt, and had a fine Te Deum sung at + Saint Eustache, and then feasted. + </p> + <p> + For some time past Monsieur had been sorely grieved that his son, M. + le Duc de Chartres, had not been appointed to the command of an army. + When M. de Chartres married, the King, who had converted his nephew by + force into a son-in-law, promised him all kinds of favours; but except + those which were written down in black and white had not given him + any. M. de Chartres, annoyed at this, and at the manner m which the + illegitimate children were promoted over his head, had given himself + up to all kinds of youthful follies and excesses. The King was + surprised to find Monsieur agree with his son's ambition; but gave a + flat refusal when overtures were made to him on the subject. All hope + of rising to a high command was thus forbidden to the Duc de Chartres; + so that Madame had a fine excuse for sneering at the weakness which + had been shown by Monsieur, who, on his part, had long before repented + of it. He winked, therefore, at all the escapades performed or + threatened by his son, and said nothing, not being sorry that the King + should become uneasy, which was soon the case. + </p> + <p> + The King at last spoke to Monsieur; and being coldly received, + reproached him for not knowing how to exercise authority over his son. + Upon this Monsieur fired up; and, quite as much from foregone decision + as from anger, in his turn asked the King what was to be done with a + son at such an age: who was sick of treading the galleries of + Versailles and the pavement of the Court; of being married as he was, + and of remaining, as it were, naked, whilst his brothers-in-law were + clothed in dignities, governments, establishments, and offices,—against + all policy and all example. His son, he said, was worse off than any + one in the King's service, for all others could earn distinction; + added, that idleness was the mother of all vice, and that it gave him + much pain to see his only son abandon himself to debauchery and bad + company; but that it would be cruel to blame a young man, forced as it + were into these follies, and to say nothing against him by whom he was + thus forced. + </p> + <p> + Who was astonished to hear this straightforward language? Why, the + King. Monsieur had never let out to within a thousand leagues of this + tone, which was only the more annoying because supported by + unanswerable reasons that did not convince. Mastering his + embarrassments however, the King answered as a brother rather than as + a sovereign; endeavouring, by gentle words, to calm the excitement of + Monsieur. But Monsieur was stung to the quick by the King's neglect of + M. de Chartres, and would not be pacified; yet the real subject of the + annoyance was never once alluded to, whilst the one kept it steadily + in his mind; and the other was determined not to yield. The + conversation lasted very long, and was pushed very far; Monsieur + throughout taking the high tone, the King very gentle. They separated + in this manner,—Monsieur frowning, but not daring to burst out; + the King annoyed, but not wishing to estrange his brother, much less + to let their squabble be known. + </p> + <p> + As Monsieur passed most of his summers at Saint Cloud, the separation + which this occasioned put them at their ease whilst waiting for a + reconciliation; and Monsieur came less often than before, but when he + did filled all their private interviews with bitter talk. In public + little or nothing appeared, except that familiar people remarked + politeness and attention on the King's part, coldness on that of + Monsieur—moods not common to either. Nevertheless, being advised + not to push matters too far, he read a lecture to his son, and made + him change his conduct by degrees. But Monsieur still remained + irritated against the King; and this completely upset him, accustomed + as he always had been to live on the best of terms with his brother, + and to be treated by him in every respect as such—except that + the King would not allow Monsieur to become a great personage. + </p> + <p> + Ordinarily, whenever Monsieur or Madame were unwell, even if their + little finger ached, the King visited them at once; and continued his + visits if the sickness lasted. But now, Madame had been laid up for + six weeks with a tertian fever, for which she would do nothing, + because she treated herself in her German fashion, and despised physic + and doctors. The King, who, besides the affair of M. le Duc de + Chartres, was secretly angered with her, as will presently be seen, + had not been to see her, although Monsieur had urged him to do so + during those flying visits which he made to Versailles without + sleeping there. This was taken by Monsieur, who was ignorant of the + private cause of indignation alluded to, for a public mark of extreme + disrespect; and being proud and sensitive he was piqued thereby to the + last degree. + </p> + <p> + He had other mental troubles to torment him. For some time past he had + had a confessor who, although a Jesuit, kept as tight a hand over him + as he could. He was a gentleman of good birth, and of Brittany, by + name le Pere du Trevoux. He forbade Monsieur not only certain strange + pleasures, but many which he thought he could innocently indulge in as + a penance for his past life. He often told him that he had no mind to + be damned on his account; and that if he was thought too harsh let + another confessor be appointed. He also told him to take great care of + himself, as he was old, worn out with debauchery, fat, short-necked, + and, according to all appearance, likely to die soon of apoplexy. + These were terrible words to a prince the most voluptuous and the most + attached to life that had been seen for a long time; who had always + passed his days in the most luxurious idleness and who was the most + incapable by nature of all serious application, of all serious + reading, and of all self-examination. He was afraid of the devil; and + he remembered that his former confessor had resigned for similar + reasons as this new one was actuated by. He was forced now, therefore, + to look a little into himself, and to live in a manner that, for him, + might be considered rigid. From time to time he said many prayers; he + obeyed his confessor, and rendered an account to him of the conduct he + had prescribed in respect to play and many other things, and patiently + suffered his confessor's long discourses. He became sad, dejected, and + spoke less than usual—that is to say, only about as much as + three or four women—so that everybody soon saw this great + change. It would have been strange if all these troubles together had + not made a great revolution in a man like Monsieur, full-bodied, and a + great eater, not only at meals, but all the day. + </p> + <p> + On Thursday, the 8th of June, he went from Saint Cloud to dine with + the King at Marly; and, as was his custom, entered the cabinet as soon + as the Council of State went out. He found the King angry with M. de + Chartres for neglecting his wife, and allowing her to seek consolation + for this neglect in the society of others. M. de Chartres was at that + time enamoured of Mademoiselle de Sary, maid of honour to Madame, and + carried on his suit in the most open and flagrant manner. The King + took this for his theme, and very stiffly reproached Monsieur for the + conduct of his son. Monsieur, who needed little to exasperate him, + tartly replied, that fathers who had led certain lives had little + authority over their children, and little right to blame them. The + King, who felt the point of the answer, fell back on the patience of + his daughter, and said that at least she ought not to be allowed to + see the truth so clearly. But Monsieur was resolved to have his fling, + and recalled, in the most aggravating manner, the conduct the King had + adopted towards his Queen, with respect to his mistresses, even + allowing the latter to accompany him in his journeys—the Queen + at his side, and all in the same coach. This last remark drove the + King beyond all patience, and he redoubled his reproaches, so that + presently both were shouting to each other at the top of their voices. + The door of the room in which they wrangled was open, and only covered + by a curtain, as was the custom at Marly, and the adjoining room was + full of courtiers, waiting to see the King go by to dinner. On the + other side was a little salon, devoted to very private purposes, and + filled with valets, who could hear distinctly every word of what + passed. The attendant without, upon hearing this noise, entered, and + told the King how many people were within hearing, and immediately + retired. The conversation did not stop, however; it was simply carried + on in a lower tone. Monsieur continued his reproaches; said that the + King, in marrying his daughter to M. de Chartres, had promised + marvels, and had done nothing; that for his part he had wished his son + to serve, to keep him out of the way of these intrigues, but that his + demands had been vain; that it was no wonder M. de Chartres amused + himself, by way of consolation, for the neglect he had been treated + with. Monsieur added, that he saw only too plainly the truth of what + had been predicted, namely, that he would have all the shame and + dishonour of the marriage without ever deriving any profit from it. + The King, more and more carried away by anger, replied, that the war + would soon oblige him to make some retrenchments, and that he would + commence by cutting down the pensions of Monsieur, since he showed + himself so little accommodating. + </p> + <p> + At this moment the King was informed that his dinner was ready, and + both he and Monsieur left the room and went to table, Monsieur, all + fury, flushed, and with eyes inflamed by anger. His face thus + crimsoned induced some ladies who were at table, and some courtiers + behind—but more for the purpose of saying something than + anything else—to make the remark, that Monsieur, by his + appearance, had great need of bleeding. The same thing had been said + some time before at Saint Cloud; he was absolutely too full; and, + indeed, he had himself admitted that it was true. Even the King, in + spite of their squabbles, had more than once pressed him to consent. + But Tancrede, his head surgeon, was old, and an unskilful bleeder: he + had missed fire once. Monsieur would not be bled by him; and not to + vex him was good enough to refuse being bled by another, and to die in + consequence. + </p> + <p> + Upon hearing this observation about bleeding, the King spoke to him + again on the subject; and said that he did not know what prevented him + from having him at once taken to his room, and bled by force. The + dinner passed in the ordinary manner; and Monsieur ate extremely, as + he did at all his meals, to say nothing of an abundant supply of + chocolate in the morning, and what he swallowed all day in the shape + of fruit, pastry, preserves, and every kind of dainties, with which + indeed the tables of his cabinets and his pockets were always filled. + </p> + <p> + Upon rising from the table, the King, in his carriage, alone went to + Saint Germain, to visit the King and Queen of England. Other members + of the family went there likewise separately; and Monsieur, after + going there also, returned to Saint Cloud. + </p> + <p> + In the evening, after supper, the King was in his cabinet, with + Monseigneur and the Princesses, as at Versailles, when a messenger + came from Saint Cloud, and asked to see the King in the name of the + Duc de Chartres. He was admitted into the cabinet, and said that + Monsieur had been taken very ill while at supper; that he had been + bled, that he was better, but that an emetic had been given to him. + The fact was, Monsieur had supped as usual with the ladies, who were + at Saint Cloud. During the meal, as he poured out a glass of liqueur + for Madame de Bouillon, it was perceived that he stammered, and + pointed at something with his hand. As it was customary with him + sometimes to speak Spanish, some of the ladies asked what he said, + others cried aloud. All this was the work of an instant, and + immediately afterwards Monsieur fell in a fit of apoplexy upon M. de + Chartres, who supported him. He was taken into his room, shaken, moved + about, bled considerably, and had strong emetics administered to him, + but scarcely any signs of life did he show. + </p> + <p> + Upon hearing this news, the King, who had been accustomed to fly to + visit Monsieur for a mere nothing, went to Madame de Maintenon's, and + had her waked up. He passed a quarter of an hour with her, and then, + towards midnight, returning to his room, ordered his coach to be got + ready, and sent the Marquis de Gesvres to Saint Cloud, to see if + Monsieur was worse, in which case he was to return and wake him; and + they went quickly to bed. Besides the particular relations in which + they were at that time, I think that the King suspected some artifice; + that he went in consequence to consult Madame de Maintenon, and + preferred sinning against all laws of propriety to running the chance + of being duped. Madame de Maintenon did not like Monsieur. She feared + him. He paid her very little court, and despite all his timidity and + his more than deference, observations escaped him at times, when he + was with the King, which marked his disdain of her, and the shame that + he felt of public opinion. She was not eager, therefore, to advise the + King to go and visit him, still less to commence a journey by night, + the loss of rest, and the witnessing a spectacle so sad, and so likely + to touch him, and make him make reflections on himself; for she hoped + that if things went quietly he might be spared the trouble altogether. + </p> + <p> + A moment after the King had got into bed, a page came to say that + Monsieur was better, and that he had just asked for some Schaffhausen + water, which is excellent for apoplexy. An hour and a half later, + another messenger came, awakened the King, and told him that the + emetic had no effect, and that Monsieur was very ill. At this the King + rose and set out at once. On the way he met the Marquis de Gesvres, + who was coming to fetch him, and brought similar news. It may be + imagined what a hubbub and disorder there was this night at Marly, and + what horror at Saint Cloud, that palace of delight! Everybody who was + at Marly hastened as he was best able to Saint Cloud. Whoever was + first ready started together. Men and women jostled each other, and + then threw themselves into the coaches without order and without + regard to etiquette. Monseigneur was with Madame la Duchesse. He was + so struck by what had occurred, and its resemblance to what he himself + had experienced, that he could scarcely stand, and was dragged, almost + carried, to the carriage, all trembling. + </p> + <p> + The King arrived at Saint Cloud before three o'clock in the morning. + Monsieur had not had a moment's consciousness since his attack. A ray + of intelligence came to him for an instant, while his confessor, Pere + du Trevoux, went to say mass, but it returned no more. The most + horrible sights have often ridiculous contrasts. When the said + confessor came back, he cried, "Monsieur, do you not know your + confessor? Do you not know the good little Pere du Trevoux, who is + speaking to you?" and thus caused the less afflicted to laugh + indecently. + </p> + <p> + The King appeared much moved; naturally he wept with great facility; + he was, therefore, all tears. He had never had cause not to love his + brother tenderly; although on bad terms with him for the last two + months, these sad moments recalled all his tenderness; perhaps, too, + he reproached himself for having hastened death by the scene of the + morning. And finally, Monsieur was younger than he by two years, and + all his life had enjoyed as good health as he, and better! The King + heard mass at Saint Cloud; and, towards eight o'clock in the morning, + Monsieur being past all hope, Madame de Maintenon and Madame la + Duchesse de Bourgogne persuaded the King to stay no longer, and + accordingly returned with him in his carriage to Marly. As he was + going out and was showing some sign of affection to M. de Chartres—both + weeping very much—that young Prince did not fail to take + advantage of the opportunity. "Oh Sire!" he exclaimed, embracing the + King's thighs, "what will become of me? I lose Monsieur, and I know + that you do not like me." The King, surprised and much touched, + embraced him, and said all the tender things he could. + </p> + <p> + On arriving at Marly, the King went with the Duchesse de Bourgogne to + Madame de Maintenon. Three hours after came M. Fagon, who had been + ordered not to leave Monsieur until he was dead or better—which + could not be but by miracle. The King said, as soon as he saw him: + "Well! M. Fagon, my brother is dead?"—"Yes, Sire," said Fagon, + "no remedy has taken effect." + </p> + <p> + The King wept a good deal. He was pressed to dine with Madame de + Maintenon; but he would not do so, and had his dinner, as usual, with + the ladies. The tears often ran down his cheek, during the meal, which + was short. After this, he shut himself up in Madame de Maintenon's + rooms until seven o'clock, and then took a turn in his garden. + Afterwards he worked with Chamillart and Pontchartrain; and arranged + all the funeral ceremonies of Monsieur. He supped an hour before his + customary time, and went to bed soon afterwards. + </p> + <p> + At the departure from St. Cloud of the King, all the crowd assembled + there little by little withdrew, so that Monsieur dying, stretched + upon a couch in his cabinet, remained exposed to the scullions and the + lower officers of the household, the majority of whom, either by + affection or interest, were much afflicted. The chief officers and + others who lost posts and pensions filled the air with their cries; + whilst all the women who were at Saint Cloud, and who lost their + consideration and their amusement, ran here and there, crying, with + dishevelled hair, like Bacchantes. The Duchesse de la Ferme, who had + basely married her daughter to one of Monsieur's minions, named La + Carte, came into the cabinet; and, whilst gazing on the Prince, who + still palpitated there, exclaimed, giving vent to her profound + reflections, "Pardi! Here is a daughter well married!" + </p> + <p> + "A very important matter!" cried Chatillon, who himself lost + everything by this death. "Is this a moment to consider whether your + daughter is well married or not?" + </p> + <p> + Madame, who had never had great affection or great esteem for + Monsieur, but who felt her loss and her fall, meanwhile remained in + her cabinet, and in the midst of her grief cried out, with all her + might, "No convent! Let no one talk of a convent! I will have nothing + to do with a convent!" The good Princess had not lost her judgment. + She knew that, by her compact of marriage, she had to choose, on + becoming a widow, between a convent and the chateau of Montargis. She + liked neither alternative; but she had greater fear of the convent + than of Montargis; and perhaps thought it would be easier to escape + from the latter than the former. She knew she had much to fear from + the King, although she did not yet know all, and although he had been + properly polite to her, considering the occasion. + </p> + <p> + Next morning, Friday, M. de Chartres, came to the King, who was still + in bed, and who spoke to him in a very friendly manner. He said that + the Duke must for the future regard him as his father; that he would + take care of his position and his interests; that he had forgotten all + the little causes of anger he had had against him; that he hoped the + Duke would also forget them; that he begged that the advances of + friendship he made, might serve to attach him to him, and make their + two hearts belong to one another again. It may easily be conceived how + well M. de Chartres answered all this. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII + </h2> + <p> + After such a frightful spectacle as had been witnessed, so many tears + and so much tenderness, nobody doubted that the three, days which + remained of the stay at Marly would be exceedingly sad. But, on the + very morrow of the day on which Monsieur died, some ladies of the + palace, upon entering the apartments of Madame de Maintenon, where was + the King with the Duchesse de Bourgogne, about twelve o'clock, heard + her from the chamber where they were, next to hers, singing opera + tunes. A little while after, the King, seeing the Duchesse de + Bourgogne very sad in a corner of the room, asked Madame de Maintenon, + with surprise, why the said Duchess was so melancholy; set himself to + work to rouse her; then played with her and some ladies of the palace + he had called in to join in the sport. This was not all. Before rising + from the dinner table, at a little after two o'clock, and twenty-six + hours after the death of Monsieur, Monseigneur the Duc de Bourgogne + asked the Duc de Montfort if he would play at brelan. + </p> + <p> + "At brelan!" cried Montfort, in extreme astonishment; "you cannot mean + it! Monsieur is still warm." + </p> + <p> + "Pardon me," replied the Prince, "I do mean it though. The King does + not wish that we should be dull here at Marly, and has ordered me to + make everybody play; and, for fear that nobody should dare to begin, + to set, myself, the example;" and with this he began to play at + brelan; and the salon was soon filled with gaming tables. + </p> + <p> + Such was the affection of the King: such that of Madame de Maintenon! + She felt the loss of Monsieur as a deliverance, and could scarcely + restrain her joy; and it was with the greatest difficulty she + succeeded in putting on a mournful countenance. She saw that the King + was already consoled; nothing could therefore be more becoming than + for her to divert him, and nothing suited her better than to bring + things back into their usual course, so that there might be no more + talk of Monsieur nor of affliction. For propriety of appearance she + cared nothing. The thing could not fail, however, to be scandalous; + and in whispers was found so. Monseigneur, though he had appeared to + like Monsieur, who had given him all sorts of balls and amusements, + and shown him every kind of attention and complaisance, went out wolf + hunting the very day after his death; and, upon his return, finding + play going on in the salons, went without hesitation and played + himself like the rest. Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne and M. le Duc + de Berry only saw Monsieur on public occasions, and therefore could + not be much moved by his loss. But Madame la Duchesse was extremely + touched by this event. He was her grandfather; and she tenderly loved + her mother, who loved Monsieur; and Monsieur had always been very kind + to her, and provided all kinds of diversion for her. Although not very + loving to anybody, she loved Monsieur; and was much affected not to + dare to show her grief, which she indulged a long time in private. + What the grief of Madame was has already been seen. + </p> + <p> + As for M. de Chartres, he was much affected by his loss. The father + and son loved each other extremely. Monsieur was a gentle and + indulgent parent, who had never constrained his son. But if the Duke's + heart was touched, his reason also was. Besides the great assistance + it was to him to have a father, brother of the King, that father was, + as it were, a barrier between him and the King, under whose hand he + now found himself directly placed. His greatness, his consideration, + the comfort of his house and his life, would, therefore, depend on him + alone. Assiduity, propriety of conduct, a certain manner, and, above + all, a very different deportment towards his wife, would now become + the price of everything he could expect to obtain from the King. + Madame la Duchesse de Chartres, although well treated by Monsieur, was + glad to be delivered from him; for he was a barrier betwixt her and + the King, that left her at the mercy of her husband. She was charmed + to be quit of the duty of following Monsieur to Paris or Saint Cloud, + where she found herself, as it were, in a foreign country, with faces + which she never saw anywhere else, which did not make her welcome; and + where she was exposed to the contempt and humour of Madame, who little + spared her. She expected for the future never to leave the Court, and + to be not only exempt from paying her court to Monsieur, but that + Madame and her husband would for the future be obliged to treat her in + quite another manner. + </p> + <p> + The bulk of the Court regretted Monsieur, for it was he who set all + pleasure a-going; and when he left it, life and merriment seemed to + have disappeared likewise. Setting aside his obstinacy with regard to + the Princes, he loved the order of rank; preferences, and + distinctions: he caused them to be observed as much as possible, and + himself set the example. He loved great people; and was so affable and + polite, that crowds came to him. The difference which he knew how to + make, and which he never failed to make, between every one according + to his position, contributed greatly to his popularity. In his + receptions, by his greater or less, or more neglectful attention, and + by his words, he always marked in a flattering manner the differences + made by birth and dignity, by age and merit, and by profession; and + all this with a dignity natural to him, and a constant facility which + he had acquired. His familiarity obliged, and yet no rash people ever + ventured to take advantage of it. He visited or sent exactly when it + was proper; and under his roof he allowed a complete liberty, without + injury to the respect shown him, or to a perfect court air. + </p> + <p> + He had learned from the Queen his mother, and well remembered this + art. The crowd, therefore, constantly flocked towards the Palais + Royal. + </p> + <p> + At Saint Cloud, where all his numerous household used to assemble, + there were many ladies who, to speak the truth, would scarcely have + been received elsewhere, but many also of a higher set, and great + store of gamblers. The pleasures of all kinds of games, and the + singular beauty of the place, where a thousand caleches were always + ready to whirl even the most lazy ladies through the walks, soft music + and good cheer, made it a palace of delight, grace, and magnificence. + </p> + <p> + All this without any assistance from Madame, who dined and supped with + the ladies and Monsieur, rode out sometimes in a caleche with one of + them, often sulked with the company, made herself feared for her harsh + and surly temper—frequently even for her words; and passed her + days in a little cabinet she had chosen, where the windows were ten + feet from the ground, gazing perpetually on the portraits of Paladins + and other German princes, with which she had tapestried the walls; and + writing every day with her own hand whole volumes of letters, of which + she always kept autograph copies. Monsieur had never been able to bend + her to a more human way of life; and lived decently with her, without + caring for her person in any way. + </p> + <p> + For his part, Monsieur, who had very gallantly won the battle of + Cassel, and who had always shown courage in the sieges where he had + served, had only the bad qualities that distinguish women. With more + knowledge of the world than wit, with no reading, though he had a vast + and exact acquaintance with noble houses, their births and marriages, + he was good for nothing. Nobody was so flabby in body and mind, no one + so weak, so timid, so open to deception, so led by the nose, so + despised by his favourites, often so roughly treated by them. He was + quarrelsome in small matters, incapable of keeping any secret, + suspicious, mistrustful; fond of spreading reports in his Court to + make mischief, to learn what was really going on or just to amuse + himself: he fetched and carried from one to the other. With so many + defects, unrelated to any virtue, he had such an abominable taste, + that his gifts and the fortunes that he gave to those he took into + favour had rendered him publicly scandalous. He neither respected + times nor places. His minions, who owed him everything, sometimes + treated him most insolently; and he had often much to do to appease + horrible jealousies. He lived in continual hot water with his + favourites, to say nothing of the quarrels of that troop of ladies of + a very decided character—many of whom were very malicious, and, + most, more than malicious—with whom Monsieur used to divert + himself, entering into all their wretched squabbles. + </p> + <p> + The Chevaliers de Lorraine and Chatillon had both made a large fortune + by their good looks, with which he was more smitten than with those of + any other of his favourites. Chatillon, who had neither head, nor + sense, nor wit, got on in this way, and acquired fortune. The other + behaved like a Guisard, who blushes at nothing provided he succeeds; + and governed Monsieur with a high hand all his life, was overwhelmed + with money and benefices, did what he liked for his family, lived + always publicly as the master with Monsieur; and as he had, with the + pride of the Guises, their art and cleverness, he contrived to get + between the King and Monsieur, to be dealt with gingerly, if not + feared by both, and was almost as important a man with the one as with + the other. He had the finest apartments in the Palais Royal and Saint + Cloud, and a pension of ten thousand crowns. He remained in his + apartments after the death of Monsieur, but would not from pride + continue to receive the pension, which from pride was offered him. + Although it would have been difficult to be more timid and submissive + than was Monsieur with the King—for he flattered both his + ministers and his mistresses—he, nevertheless, mingled with his + respectful demeanour the demeanour of a brother, and the free and easy + ways of one. In private, he was yet more unconstrained; always taking + an armed chair, and never waiting until the King told him to sit. In + the Cabinet, after the King appeared, no other Prince sat besides him, + not even Monseigneur. But in what regarded his service, and his manner + of approaching and leaving the King, no private person could behave + with more respect; and he naturally did everything with grace and + dignity. He never, however, was able to bend to Madame de Maintenon + completely, nor avoid making small attacks on her to the King, nor + avoid satirising her pretty broadly in person. It was not her success + that annoyed him; but simply the idea that La Scarron had become his + sister- in-law; this was insupportable to him. Monsieur was extremely + vain, but not haughty, very sensitive, and a great stickler for what + was due to him. Upon one occasion he complained to the King that M. le + Duc had for some time neglected to attend upon him, as he was bound, + and had boasted that he would not do it. The King replied, that it was + not a thing to be angry about, that he ought to seek an opportunity to + be served by M. le Duc, and if he would not, to affront him. + Accordingly, one morning at Marly, as he was dressing, seeing M. le + Duc walking in the garden, Monsieur opened the window and called to + him. Monsieur le Duc came up, and entered the room. Then, while one + remark was leading to another, Monsieur slipped off his dressing-gown, + and then his shirt. A valet de chambre standing by, at once slipped a + clean shirt into the hands of M. le Duc, who, caught thus in a trap, + was compelled to offer the garment to Monsieur, as it was his duty to + do. As soon as Monsieur had received it, he burst out laughing, and + said—"Good-bye, cousin, go away. I do not want to delay you + longer." M. le Duc felt the point of this, and went away very angry, + and continued so in consequence of the high tone Monsieur afterwards + kept up on the subject. + </p> + <p> + Monsieur was a little round-bellied man, who wore such high-heeled + shoes that he seemed mounted always upon stilts; was always decked out + like a woman, covered everywhere with rings, bracelets, jewels; with a + long black wig, powdered, and curled in front; with ribbons wherever + he could put them; steeped in perfumes, and in fine a model of + cleanliness. He was accused of putting on an imperceptible touch of + rouge. He had a long nose, good eyes and mouth, a full but very long + face. All his portraits resembled him. I was piqued to see that his + features recalled those of Louis XIII., to whom; except in matters of + courage, he was so completely dissimilar. + </p> + <p> + On Saturday, the 11th of June, the Court returned to Versailles. On + arriving there the King went to visit Madame and her son and + daughter-in- law separately. Madame, very much troubled by reflection + on her position with regard to the King, had sent the Duchesse de + Ventadour to Madame de Maintenon. The latter replied to the message + only in general terms; said she would visit Madame after dinner, and + requested that the Duchess might be present at the interview. It was + Sunday, the morning after the return from Marly. After the first + compliments, every one went out except Madame de Ventadour. Then + Madame requested Madame de Maintenon to sit down; and she must have + felt her position keenly to bring her to this. + </p> + <p> + She began the conversation by complaining of the indifference with + which the King had treated her during her illness. Madame de Maintenon + allowed her to talk on; and when she had finished, said that the King + had commanded her to say that their common loss effaced all the past, + provided that he had reason to be better satisfied for the future, not + only as regarded M. le Duc de Chartres, but other matters also. Upon + this Madame exclaimed and protested that, except in as far as regarded + her son, she had never given cause for displeasure; and went on + alternating complaints and justifications. Precisely at the point when + she was most emphatic, Madame de Maintenon drew forth a letter from + her pocket and asked if the handwriting was known to her. It was a + letter from Madame to the Duchess of Hanover, in which she said, after + giving news of the Court, that no one knew what to say of the + intercourse between the King and Madame de Maintenon, whether it was + that of marriage or of concubinage; and then, touching upon other + matters, launched out upon the misery of the realm: that, she said, + was too great to be relieved. This letter had been opened at the post—as + almost all letters were at that time, and are indeed still—and + sent to the King. It may be imagined that this was a thunderstroke to + Madame: it nearly killed her. She burst into tears; and Madame de + Maintenon very quietly and demurely began to represent to her the + contents of the letter in all its parts, especially as it was + addressed to a foreign country. Madame de Ventadour interposed with + some twaddle, to give Madame time to breathe and recover sufficiently + to say something. The best excuse was the admission of what could not + be denied, with supplications for pardon, expressions of repentance, + prayers, promises. But Madame de Maintenon had not finished yet. + Having got rid of the commission she had been charged with by the + King, she next turned to her own business: she asked Madame how it + was, that after being so friendly with her a long time ago, she had + suddenly ceased to bestow any regard upon her, and had continued to + treat her with coldness ever since. At this, Madame thinking herself + quite safe, said that the coldness was on the part of Madame de + Maintenon, who had all on a sudden discontinued the friendly + intercourse which formerly existed between them. As before, Madame de + Maintenon allowed Madame to talk her fill before she replied. She then + said she was about to divulge a secret which had never escaped her + mouth, although she had for ten years been at liberty to tell it; and + she forthwith related a thousand most offensive things which had been + uttered against her by Madame to the late Madame la Dauphine. This + latter, falling out with Madame, had related all these things to + Madame de Maintenon, who now brought them forward triumphantly. + </p> + <p> + At this new blow, Madame was thunderstruck, and stood like a statue. + There was nothing for it but to behave as before—that is to say, + shed tears, cry, ask pardon, humble herself, and beg for mercy. Madame + de Maintenon triumphed coldly over her for a long time,—allowing + her to excite herself in talking, and weeping, and taking her hands, + which she did with increasing energy and humility. This was a terrible + humiliation for such a haughty German. Madame de Maintenon at last + gave way, as she had always meant to do after having satiated her + vengeance. They embraced, promised forgetfulness on both sides, and a + new friendship from that time. The King, who was not ignorant of what + had occurred, took back Madame into favour. She went neither to a + convent nor to Montargis, but was allowed to remain in Paris, and her + pension was augmented. As for M. le Duc de Chartres, he was + prodigiously well treated. The King gave him all the pensions Monsieur + had enjoyed, besides allowing him to retain his own; so that he had + one million eight hundred thousand livres a year; added to the Palais + Royal, Saint Cloud, and other mansions. He had a Swiss guard, which + none but the sons of France had ever had before; in fact he retained + all the privileges his father had enjoyed, and he took the name of Duc + d'Orleans. The pensions of Madame de Chartres were augmented. All + these honours so great and so unheard of bestowed on M. de Chartres, + and an income of a hundred thousand crowns more than his father, were + due solely to the quarrel which had recently taken place between + Monsieur and the King, as to the marriage M. de Chartres had made. + People accustom themselves to everything, but this prodigious good + fortune infinitely surprised everybody. The Princes of the blood were + extremely mortified. To console them, the King immediately gave to M. + le Prince all the advantages of a first Prince of the blood, and added + ten thousand crowns to his pension. + </p> + <p> + Madame wore deep mourning for forty days, after which she threw it + almost entirely aside, with the King's permission. He did not like to + see such sad-looking things before his eyes every day. Madame went + about in public, and with the Court, in her half-mourning, under + pretence that being with the King, and living under his roof, she was + of the family. But her conduct was not the less thought strange in + spite of this excuse. During the winter, as the King could not well go + to the theatre, the theatre cane to him, in the apartments of Madame + de Maintenon, where comedies with music were played. The King wore + mourning for six months, and paid all the expenses of the superb + funeral which took place on the 13th of June. + </p> + <p> + While upon the subject of Monsieur, I will relate an anecdote known to + but few people, concerning the death of his first wife, Henriette + d'Angleterre, whom nobody doubts was poisoned. Her gallantries made + Monsieur jealous; and his tastes made her furious. His favourites, + whom she hated, did all in their power to sow discord between them, in + order to dispose of Monsieur at their will. The Chevalier de Lorraine, + then in the prime of his first youth (having been born in 1643) + completely ruled over Monsieur, and made Madame feel that he had this + power. She, charming and young, could not suffer this, and complained + to the King, so that M. de Lorraine was exiled. When Monsieur heard + this, he swooned, then melted into tears, and throwing himself at the + feet of the King, implored him to recall M. de Lorraine. But his + prayers were useless, and, rushing away in fury, he retired into the + country and remained there until, ashamed of a thing so publicly + disgraceful, he returned to Paris and lived with Madame as before. + </p> + <p> + Although M. de Lorraine was banished, two of his intimate friends, + D'Effiat and the Count de Beuvron, remained in the household of + Monsieur. The absence of M. de Lorraine nipped all their hopes of + success, and made them fear that some other favourite might arrive + from whom they could hope for nothing. They saw no chance that M. de + Lorraine's exile would speedily terminate; for Madame (Henriette + d'Angleterre) was in greater favour with the King than ever, and had + just been sent by him into England on a mysterious errand in which she + had perfectly succeeded. She returned triumphant and very well in + health. This gave the last blow to the hopes of D'Effiat and Beuvron, + as to the return of M. de Lorraine, who had gone to Italy to try to + get rid of his vexation. I know not which of the three thought of it + first, but the Chevalier de Lorraine sent a sure and rapid poison to + his two friends by a messenger who did not probably know what he + carried. + </p> + <p> + At Saint Cloud, Madame was in the habit of taking a glass of endive- + water, at about seven o'clock in the evening. A servant of hers used + to make it, and then put it away in a cupboard where there was some + ordinary water for the use of Madame if she found the other too + bitter. The cupboard was in an antechamber which served as the public + passage by which the apartments of Madame were reached. D'Effiat took + notice of all these things, and on the 29th of June, 1670, he went to + the ante-chamber; saw that he was unobserved and that nobody was near, + and threw the poison into the endive-water; then hearing some one + approaching, he seized the jug of common water and feigned to be + putting it back in its place just as the servant, before alluded to, + entered and asked him sharply what he was doing in that cupboard. + D'Effiat, without losing countenance, asked his pardon, and said, that + being thirsty, and knowing there was some water in the cupboard, he + could not resist drinking. The servant grumbled; and D'Effiat, trying + to appease him, entered the apartments of Madame, like the other + courtiers, and began talking without the slightest emotion. + </p> + <p> + What followed an hour afterwards does not belong to my subject, and + has made only too much stir throughout all Europe. Madame died on the + morrow, June 30, at three o'clock in the morning; and the King was + profoundly prostrated with grief. Apparently during the day, some + indications showed him that Purnon, chief steward of Madame, was in + the secret of her decease. Purnon was brought before him privately, + and was threatened with instant death, unless he disclosed all; full + pardon being on the contrary promised him if he did. Purnon, thus + pressed, admitted that Madame had been poisoned, and under the + circumstance I have just related. "And my brother," said the King, + "did he know of this?"— "No, Sire, not one of us was stupid + enough to tell him; he has no secrecy, he would have betrayed us." On + hearing this answer the King uttered a great "ah!" like a man + oppressed, who suddenly breathes again. + </p> + <p> + Purnon was immediately set at liberty; and years afterwards related + this narrative to M. Joly de Fleury, procureur-general of the + Parliament, by which magistrate it was related to me. From this same + magistrate I learned that, a few days before the second marriage of + Monsieur, the King took Madame aside and told her that circumstance, + assuring her that he was too honest a man to wish her to marry his + brother, if that brother could be capable of such a crime. Madame + profited by what she heard. Purnon remained in her service; but after + a time she pretended to find faults in him, and made him resign; he + sold his post accordingly, towards the end of 1674, to Maurel de + Vaulonne, and quitted her service. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII + </h2> + <p> + A the breaking out of the war in Italy this year Segur bought the + government of the Foix country from Tallard, one of the generals + called away to serve in that war. Segur had been in his youth a very + handsome fellow; he was at that time in the Black Musketeers, and this + company was always quartered at Nemours while the Court was at + Fontainebleau. Segur played very well upon the lute; but found life + dull, nevertheless, at Nemours, made the acquaintance of the Abbesse + de la Joye, a place hard by, and charmed her ears and eyes so much + that she became with child by him. After some months the Abbess + pleaded illness, left the convent, and set out for the waters, as she + said. Putting off her journey too long, she was obliged to stop a + night at Fontainebleau; and in consequence of the Court being there, + could find no accommodation, except in a wretched little inn already + full of company. She had delayed so long that the pangs of labour + seized her in the night, and the cries she uttered brought all the + house to her assistance. She was delivered of a child then and there; + and the next morning this fact was the talk of the town. + </p> + <p> + The Duc de Saint Aignan, one of the first of the courtiers who learned + it, went straight to the King, who was brisk and free enough in those + days, and related to him what had occurred; the King laughed heartily + at the poor Abbess, who, while trying to hide her shame, had come into + the very midst of the Court. Nobody knew then that her abbey was only + four leagues distant, but everybody learned it soon, and the Duc de + Saint Aignan among the first. + </p> + <p> + When he returned to his house, he found long faces on every side. His + servants made signs one to another, but nobody said a word. He + perceived this, and asked what was the matter; but, for some time, no + one dared to reply. At last a valet-de-chambre grew bold enough to say + to Saint Aignan, that the Abbess, whose adventure had afforded so much + mirth, was his own daughter; and that, after he had gone to the King, + she had sent for assistance, in order to get out of the place where + she was staying. + </p> + <p> + It was now the Duke's turn to be confused. After having made the King + and all the Court laugh at this adventure, he became himself the + laughing-stock of everybody. He bore the affair as well as he could; + carried away the Abbess and her baggage; and, as the scandal was + public, made her send in her resignation and hide herself in another + convent, where she lived more than forty years. + </p> + <p> + That worthy man, Saint-Herem, died this year at his house in Auvergne, + to which he had retired. Everybody liked him; and M. de Rochefoucauld + had reproached the King for not making him Chevalier of the Order. The + King had confounded him with Courtine, his brother-in-law, for they + had married two sisters; but when put right had not given the favour. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Saint-Herem was the most singular creature in the world, not + only in face but in manners. She half boiled her thigh one day in the + Seine, near Fontainebleau, where she was bathing. The river was too + cold; she wished to warm it, and had a quantity of water heated and + thrown into the stream just above her. The water reaching her before + it could grow cold, scalded her so much that she was forced to keep + her bed. + </p> + <p> + When it thundered, she used to squat herself under a couch and make + all her servants lie above, one upon the other, so that if the + thunderbolt fell, it might have its effect upon them before + penetrating to her. She had ruined herself and her husband, though + they were rich, through sheer imbecility; and it is incredible the + amount of money she spent in her absurdities. + </p> + <p> + The best adventure which happened to her, among a thousand others, was + at her house in the Place Royale, where she was one day attacked by a + madman, who, finding her alone in her chamber, was very enterprising. + The good lady, hideous at eighteen, but who was at this time eighty + and a widow, cried aloud as well as she could. Her servants heard her + at last, ran to her assistance, and found her all disordered, + struggling in the hands of this raging madman. The man was found to be + really out of his senses when brought before the tribunal, and the + story amused everybody. + </p> + <p> + The health of the King of England (James II.), which had for some time + been very languishing, grew weaker towards the middle of August of + this year, and by the 8th of September completely gave way. There was + no longer any hope. The King, Madame de Maintenon, and all the royal + persons, visited him often. He received the last sacrament with a + piety in keeping with his past life, and his death was expected every + instant. In this conjuncture the King made a resolve more worthy of + Louis XII., or Francis I., than of his own wisdom. On Tuesday, the + 13th of September, he went from Marly to Saint Germain. The King of + England was so ill that when the King was announced to him he scarcely + opened his eyes for an instant. The King told him that he might die in + peace respecting the Prince of Wales, whom he would recognise as King + of England, Scotland, and Ireland. + </p> + <p> + The few English who were there threw themselves upon their knees, but + the King of England gave no signs of life. The gratitude of the Prince + of Wales and of his mother, when they heard what the King had said, + may be imagined. Returned to Marly, the King repeated to all the Court + what he had said. Nothing was heard but praises and applause. + </p> + <p> + Yet reflections did not fail to be made promptly, if not publicly. It + was seen, that to recognise the Prince of Wales was to act in direct + opposition to the recognition of the Prince of Orange as King of + England, that the King had declared at the Peace of Ryswick. It was to + wound the Prince of Orange in the tenderest point, and to invite + England and Holland to become allies of the Emperor against France. As + for the Prince of Wales, this recognition was no solid advantage to + him, but was calculated to make the party opposed to him in England + only more bitter and vigilant in their opposition. + </p> + <p> + The King of England, in the few intervals of intelligence he had, + appeared much impressed by what the King had done. He died about three + o'clock in the afternoon of the 16th September of this year, 1701. He + had requested that there might he no display at his funeral, and his + wish was faithfully observed. He was buried on the Saturday, at seven + o'clock in the evening, in the church of the English Benedictines at + Paris, Rue St. Jacques, without pomp, and attended by but few + mourners. His body rests in the chapel, like that of the simplest + private person, until the time, apparently very distant, when it shall + be transported to England. His heart is at the Filles de Sainte Marie, + of Chaillot. + </p> + <p> + Immediately afterwards, the Prince of Wales was received by the King + as King of England, with all the formalities and state with which his + father before him had been received. Soon afterwards he was recognised + by the new King of Spain. + </p> + <p> + The Count of Manchester, English ambassador in France, ceased to + appear at Versailles after this recognition of the Prince of Wales by + the King, and immediately quitted his post and left the country + without any leave- taking. King William heard, while in Holland, of + the death of James II. and of this recognition. He was at table with + some German princes and other lords when the news arrived; did not + utter a word, except to announce the death; but blushed, pulled down + his hat, and could not keep his countenance. He sent orders to London, + to drive out Poussin, acting as French ambassador, immediately; and + Poussin directly crossed the sea and arrived at Calais. + </p> + <p> + This event was itself followed by the signing of the great treaty of + alliance, offensive and defensive, against France and Spain, by + Austria, England, and Holland; in which they afterwards succeeded in + engaging other powers, which compelled the King to increase the number + of his troops. + </p> + <p> + Just after the return of the Court from Fontainebleau, a strange scene + happened at St. Maur, in a pretty house there which M. le Duc + possessed. He was at this house one night with five or six intimate + friends, whom he had invited to pass the night there. One of these + friends was the Comte de Fiesque. At table, and before the wine had + begun to circulate, a dispute upon some historical point arose between + him and M. le Duc. The Comte de Fiesque, who had some intellect and + learning, strongly sustained his opinion. M. le Duc sustained his; and + for want of better reasons, threw a plate at the head of Fiesque, + drove him from the table and out of the house. So sudden and strange a + scene frightened the guests. The Comte de Fiesque, who had gone to M. + le Duc's house with the intention of passing the night there, had not + retained a carriage, went to ask shelter of the cure, and got back to + Paris the next day as early in the morning as he could. It may be + imagined that the rest of the supper and of the evening was terribly + dull. M. le Duc remained fuming (perhaps against himself, but without + saying so), and could not be induced to apologise for the affront. It + made a great stir in society, and things remained thus several months. + After a while, friends mixed themselves in the matter; M. le Duc, + completely himself again, made all the advances towards a + reconciliation. The Comte de Fiesque received them, and the + reconciliation took place. The most surprising thing is, that after + this they continued on as good terms as though nothing had passed + between them. + </p> + <p> + The year 1702 commenced with balls at Versailles, many of which were + masquerades. Madame du Maine gave several in her chamber, always + keeping her bed because she was in the family-way; which made rather a + singular spectacle. There were several balls at Marly, but the + majority were not masquerades. The King often witnessed, but in strict + privacy, and always in the apartments of Madame de Maintenon, sacred + dramas such as "Absalon," "Athalie," &c. Madame la Duchesse de + Bourgogne, M. le Duc d'Orleans, the Comte and Comtesse d'Anjou, the + young Comte de Noailles, Mademoiselle de Melun, urged by the Noailles, + played the principal characters in very magnificent stage dresses. + Baron, the excellent old actor, instructed them and played with them. + M. de Noailles and his clever wife were the inventors and promoters of + these interior pleasures, for the purpose of intruding themselves more + and more into the society of the King, in support of the alliance of + Madame de Maintenon. + </p> + <p> + Only forty spectators were admitted to the representations. Madame was + sometimes invited by the King, because she liked plays. This favour + was much sought after. Madame de Maintenon wished to show that she had + forgotten the past. + </p> + <p> + Longepierre had written a very singular piece called "Electra," which + was played on a magnificent stage erected in Madame de Conti's house, + and all the Court flocked several times to see it. This piece was + without love, but full of other passions and of most interesting + situations. I think it had been written in the hopes that the King + would go and see it. But he contented himself with hearing it talked + about, and the representation was confined to the Hotel de Conti. + Longepierre would not allow it to be given elsewhere. He was an + intriguing fellow of much wit, gentle, insinuating, and who, under a + tranquillity and indifference and a very deceitful philosophy, thrust + himself everywhere, and meddled with everything in order to make his + fortune. He succeeded in intruding himself into favour with the Duc + d'Orleans, but behaved so badly that he was driven away. + </p> + <p> + The death of the Abbe de Vatteville occurred at the commencement of + this year, and made some noise, on account of the prodigies of the + Abbe's life. This Vatteville was the younger son of a Franche-Comte + family; early in life he joined the Order of the Chartreux monks, and + was ordained priest. He had much intellect, but was of an impetuous + spirit, and soon began to chafe under the yoke of a religious life. He + determined, therefore, to set himself free from it, and procured some + secular habits, pistols, and a horse. Just as he was about to escape + over the walls of the monastery by means of a ladder, the prior + entered his cell. + </p> + <p> + Vatteville made no to-do, but at once drew a pistol, shot the prior + dead, and effected his escape. + </p> + <p> + Two or three days afterwards, travelling over the country and avoiding + as much as possible the frequented places, he arrived at a wretched + roadside inn, and asked what there was in the house. The landlord + replied—"A leg of mutton and a capon."—"Good!" replied our + unfrocked monk; "put them down to roast." + </p> + <p> + The landlord replied that they were too much for a single person, and + that he had nothing else for the whole house. The monk upon this flew + into a passion, and declared that the least the landlord could do was + to give him what he would pay for; and that he had sufficient appetite + to eat both leg of mutton and capon. They were accordingly put down to + the fire, the landlord not daring to say another word. While they were + cooking, a traveller on horseback arrived at the inn, and learning + that they were for one person, was much astonished. He offered to pay + his share to be allowed to dine off them with the stranger who had + ordered this dinner; but the landlord told him he was afraid the + gentleman would not consent to the arrangement. Thereupon the + traveller went upstairs, and civilly asked Vatteville if he might dine + with him on paying half of the expense. Vatteville would not consent, + and a dispute soon arose between the two; to be brief, the monk served + this traveller as he had served the prior, killed him with a pistol + shot. After this he went downstairs tranquilly, and in the midst of + the fright of the landlord and of the whole house, had the leg of + mutton and capon served up to him, picked both to the very bone, paid + his score, remounted his horse, and went his way. + </p> + <p> + Not knowing what course to take, he went to Turkey, and in order to + succeed there, had himself circumcised, put on the turban, and entered + into the militia. His blasphemy advanced him, his talents and his + colour distinguished him; he became Bacha, and the confidential man in + the Morea, where the Turks were making war against the Venetians. He + determined to make use of this position in order to advance his own + interests, and entering into communication with the generalissimo of + the Republic, promised to betray into his hands several secret places + belonging to the Turks, but on certain conditions. These were, + absolution from the Pope for all crimes of his life, his murders and + his apostasy included; security against the Chartreux and against + being placed in any other Order; full restitution of his civil rights, + and liberty to exercise his profession of priest with the right of + possessing all benefices of every kind. The Venetians thought the + bargain too good to be refused, and the Pope, in the interest of the + Church, accorded all the demands of the Bacha. When Vatteville was + quite assured that his conditions would be complied with, he took his + measures so well that he executed perfectly all he had undertaken. + Immediately after he threw himself into the Venetian army, and passed + into Italy. He was well received at Rome by the Pope, and returned to + his family in Franche- Comte, and amused himself by braving the + Chartreux. + </p> + <p> + At the first conquest of the Franche-Comte, he intrigued so well with + the Queen-mother and the ministry, that he was promised the + Archbishopric of Besancon; but the Pope cried out against this on + account of his murders, circumcision, and apostasy. The King sided + with the Pope, and Vatteville was obliged to be contented with the + abbey of Baume, another good abbey in Picardy, and divers other + advantages. + </p> + <p> + Except when he came to the Court, where he was always received with + great distinction, he remained at his abbey of Baume, living there + like a grand seigneur, keeping a fine pack of hounds, a good table, + entertaining jovial company, keeping mistresses very freely; + tyrannising over his tenants and his neighbours in the most absolute + manner. The intendants gave way to him, and by express orders of the + Court allowed him to act much as he pleased, even with the taxes, + which he regulated at his will, and in his conduct was oftentimes very + violent. With these manners and this bearing, which caused him to be + both feared and respected, he would often amuse himself by going to + see the Chartreux, in order to plume himself on having quitted their + frock. He played much at hombre, and frequently gained 'codille' (a + term of the game), so that the name of the Abbe Codille was given to + him. He lived in this manner always with the same licence and in the + same consideration, until nearly ninety years of age. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV + </h2> + <p> + The changes which took place in the army after the Peace of Ryswick, + were very great and very strange. The excellence of the regiments, the + merits of the officers, those who commanded, all were forgotten by + Barbezieux, young and impetuous, whom the King allowed to act as he + liked. My regiment was disbanded, and my company was incorporated with + that of Count d'Uzes, brother-in-law of Duras, who looked well after + the interests of his relative. I was thus deprived of command, without + regiment, without company, and the only opportunity offered me was to + serve in a regiment commanded by Saint Morris, where I should have + been, as it were, at the lowest step of the ladder, with my whole + military career to begin over again. + </p> + <p> + I had served at the head of my regiment during four campaigns, with + applause and reputation, I am bold enough to say it. I thought + therefore I was entitled to better treatment than this. Promotions + were made; five officers, all my juniors, were placed over my head. I + resolved then to leave the service, but not to take a rash step. I + consulted first with several friends before sending in my resignation. + All whom I consulted advised me to quit the service, but for a long + time I could not resolve to do so. Nearly three months passed, during + which I suffered cruel anguish of mind from my irresolution. I knew + that if I left the army I should be certain to incur the anger of the + King, and I do not hesitate to say that this was not a matter of + indifference to me. The King was always annoyed when anybody ceased to + serve; he called it "quitting him;" and made his anger felt for a long + time. At last, however, I determined on my course of action. + </p> + <p> + I wrote a short letter to the King, in which, without making any + complaints, I said that as my health was not good (it had given me + some trouble on different occasions) I begged to be allowed to quit + his service, and said that I hoped I should be permitted to console + myself for leaving the army by assiduously attending upon him at the + Court: After despatching this letter I went away immediately to Paris. + </p> + <p> + I learnt afterwards from my friends, that upon receiving my letter the + King called Chamillart to him, and said with emotion: "Well! Monsieur, + here is another man who quits us!—" and he read my letter word + for word. I did not learn that anything else escaped him. + </p> + <p> + As for me, I did not return to Versailles for a whole week, or see the + King again until Easter Monday. After his supper that evening, and + when about to undress himself, he paid me a distinction, a mere trifle + I admit, and which I should be ashamed to mention if it did not under + the circumstances serve as a characteristic of him. + </p> + <p> + Although the place he undressed in was very well illuminated, the + chaplain at the evening prayers there held in his hand a lighted + candle, which he gave afterwards to the chief valet-de-chambre, who + carried it before the King until he reached his arm-chair, and then + handed it to whomever the King ordered him to give it to. On this + evening the King, glancing all around him, cast his eye upon me, and + told the valet to give the candle to me. It was an honour which he + bestowed sometimes upon one, sometimes upon another, according to his + whim, but which, by his manner of bestowing it, was always coveted, as + a great distinction. My surprise may be imagined when I heard myself + named aloud for this office, not only on this but on many other + occasions. It was not that there was any lack of people of + consideration to hold the candle; but the King was sufficiently piqued + by my retirement not to wish everybody to see that he was so. + </p> + <p> + For three years he failed not to make me feel to what extent he was + angry with me. He spoke to me no longer; he scarcely bestowed a glance + upon me, and never once alluded to my letter. To show that his + annoyance did not extend to my wife, but that it was solely and wholly + directed against me, he bestowed, about eight months after, several + marks of favour upon Madame de Saint-Simon. She was continually + invited to the suppers at Trianon—an honour which had never + before been granted her. I only laughed at this. Madame de Saint-Simon + was not invited to Marly; because the husbands always, by right, + accompanied their wives there, apartments being given for both. At + Trianon it was different. Nobody was allowed to sleep there except + those absolutely in attendance. The King wished, therefore, the better + to mark by this distinction that the exclusion was intended for me + alone, and that my wife had no part in it. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding this; I persevered in my ordinary assiduity, without + ever asking to be invited to Marly, and lived agreeably with my wife + and my friends. I have thought it best to finish with this subject at + once—now I must go back to my starting point. + </p> + <p> + At the commencement of this year (1702) it seemed as though the + flatterers of the King foresaw that the prosperity of his reign was at + an end, and that henceforth they would only have to praise him for his + constancy. The great number of medals that had been struck on all + occasions—the most ordinary not having been forgotten—were + collected, engraved, and destined for a medallic history. The Abbes + Tallemant, Toureil, and Dacier, three learned members of the Academy, + were charged with the explanation to be placed opposite each of these + medals, in a large volume of the most magnificent impression of the + Louvre. As the history commenced at the death of Louis XIII., his + medal was placed at the head of the book, and thus it became necessary + to say something of him in the preface. + </p> + <p> + As it was known that I had a correct knowledge of Louis XIII., I was + asked to write that portion of the preface which related to him. I + consented to this, but on condition that I should be spared the + ridicule of it in society, and that the matter should be faithfully + kept secret. I wrote my theme then, which cost me little more than a + morning, being of small extent. I had the fate of authors: my writing + was praised, and appeared to answer all expectations. I congratulated + myself, delighted at having devoted two or three hours to a grateful + duty—for so I considered it. + </p> + <p> + But when my essay was examined, the three gentlemen above-named were + affrighted. There are truths the unstudied simplicity of which emits a + lustre which obscures all the results of an eloquence which + exaggerates or extenuates; Louis XIII. furnished such proofs in + abundance. I had contented myself by showing them forth; but this + picture tarnished those which followed—so at least it appeared + to those who had gilded the latter. They applied themselves, + therefore, to cut out, or weaken, everything that might, by + comparison, obscure their hero. But as they found at last that it was + not me they had to correct, but the thing itself, they gave up the + task altogether, threw aside my writing, and printed the history + without any notice whatever of Louis XIII. under his portrait—except + to note that his death caused his son to ascend the throne. + </p> + <p> + Reflections upon this kind of iniquity would carry me too far. + </p> + <p> + In the early part of this year (1702), King William (of England), worn + out before his time with labours and business, in which he had been + engaged all his life, and which he had carried on with a capacity, an + address, a superiority of genius that acquired for him supreme + authority in Holland, the crown of England, the confidence, and, to + speak the truth, the complete dictatorship of all Europe—except + France;—King William, I say, had fallen into a wasting of + strength and of health which, without attacking or diminishing his + intellect, or causing him to relax the infinite labours of his + cabinet, was accompanied by a deficiency of breath, which aggravated + the asthma he had had for several years. He felt his condition, and + his powerful genius did not disavow it. Under forged names he + consulted the most eminent physicians of Europe, among others, Fagon; + who, having to do, as he thought, with a cure, replied in all + sincerity, and with out dissimulation, that he must prepare for a + speedy death. His illness increasing, William consulted Fagon, anew, + but this time openly. The physician recognised the malady of the cure—he + did not change his opinion, but expressed it in a less decided manner, + and prescribed with much feeling the remedies most likely if not to + cure, at least to prolong. These remedies were followed and gave + relief; but at last the time had arrived when William was to feel that + the greatest men finish like the humblest and to see the nothingness + of what the world calls great destinies. + </p> + <p> + He rode out as often as he could; but no longer having the strength to + hold himself on horseback, received a fall, which hastened his end by + the shock it gave him. He occupied himself with religion as little as + he had all his life. He ordered everything, and spoke to his ministers + and his familiars with a surprising tranquillity, which did not + abandon him until the last moment. Although crushed with pain, he had + the satisfaction of thinking that he had consummated a great alliance, + which would last after his death, and that it would strike the great + blow against France, which he had projected. This thought, which + flattered him even in the hour of death, stood in place of all other + consolation,—a consolation frivolous and cruelly deceitful, + which left him soon the prey to eternal truths! For two days he was + sustained by strong waters and spirituous liquors. His last + nourishment was a cup of chocolate. He died the 19th March, 1702, at + ten o'clock in the morning. + </p> + <p> + The Princess Anne, his sister-in-law, wife of Prince George of + Denmark, was at the same time proclaimed queen. A few days after, she + declared her husband Grand Admiral and Commander-in-Chief + (generalissimo), recalled the Earl of Rochester, her maternal uncle, + and the Earl of Sunderland, and sent the Count of Marlborough, + afterwards so well known, to Holland to follow out there all the plans + of his predecessor. + </p> + <p> + The King did not learn this death until the Saturday morning + following, by a courier from Calais. A boat had escaped, in spite of + the vigilance which had closed the ports. The King was silent upon the + news, except to Monseigneur and to Madame de Maintenon. On the next + day confirmation of the intelligence arrived from all parts. The King + no longer made a secret of it, but spoke little on the subject, and + affected much indifference respecting it. With the recollection of all + the indecent follies committed in Paris during the last war, when it + was believed that William had been killed at the battle of the Boyne + in Ireland, the necessary precautions against falling into the same + error were taken by the King's orders. + </p> + <p> + The King simply declared that he would not wear mourning, and + prohibited the Duc de Bouillon, the Marechal de Duras and the Marechal + de Lorges, who were all related to William, from doing so—an act + probably without example. Nearly all England and the United Provinces + mourned the loss of William. Some good republicans alone breathed + again with joy in secret, at having recovered their liberty. The grand + alliance was very sensibly touched by this loss, but found itself so + well cemented, that the spirit of William continued to animate it; and + Heinsius, his confidant, perpetuated it, and inspired all the chiefs + of the republic, their allies and their generals, with it, so that it + scarcely appeared that William was no more. + </p> + <p> + I have related, in its proper place, all that happened to Catinat in + Italy, when the schemes of Tesse and M. de Vaudemont caused him to be + dismissed from the command of the army. After the signing of the + alliance against France by the Emperor, England, and Holland, the war + took a more extended field. It became necessary to send an army to the + Rhine. There was nothing for it but to have recourse to Catinat. + </p> + <p> + Since his return from Italy, he had almost always lived at his little + house of Saint Gratien, beyond Saint Denis, where he bore with wisdom + the injury that had been done him and the neglect he had experienced + upon his return, surrounded by his family and a small number of + friends. Chamillart one day sent for him, saying that he had the + King's order to talk with him. Catinat went accordingly to Chamillart, + from whom he learned that he was destined for the Rhine; he refused + the command, and only accepted it after a long dispute, by the + necessity of obedience. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow, the 11th of March, the King called Catinat into his + cabinet. The conversation was amiable on the part of the King, serious + and respectful on the part of Catinat. The King, who perceived this, + wished to make him speak about Italy, and pressed him to explain what + had really passed there. Catinat excused himself, saying that + everything belonged to the past, and that it was useless now to rake + up matters which would give him a bad opinion of the people who served + him, and nourish eternal enmity. The King admired the sagacity and + virtue of Catinat, but, wishing to sound the depths of certain things, + and discover who was really to blame, pressed him more and more to + speak out; mentioning certain things which Catinat had not rendered an + account of, and others he had been silent upon, all of which had come + to him from other sources. + </p> + <p> + Catinat, who, by his conversation of the previous evening with + Chamillart, suspected that the King would say something to him, had + brought his papers to Versailles. Sure of his position, he declared + that he had not in any way failed to render account to Chamillart or + to the King, and detailed the very things that had just been mentioned + to him. He begged that a messenger might be despatched in order to + search his cassette, in which the proofs of what he had advanced could + be seen, truths that Chamillart, if present, he said, would not dare + to disavow. The King took him at his word, and sent in search of + Chamillart. + </p> + <p> + When he arrived, the King related to him the conversation that had + just taken place. Chamillart replied with an embarrassed voice, that + there was no necessity to wait for the cassette of Catinat, for he + admitted that the accusation against him was true in every respect. + The King, much astonished, reproved him for his infidelity in keeping + silence upon these comments, whereby Catinat had lost his favour. + </p> + <p> + Chamillart, his eyes lowered, allowed the King to say on; but as he + felt that his anger was rising; said. "Sire, you are right; but it is + not my fault." + </p> + <p> + "And whose is it, then?" replied the King warmly. "Is it mine?" + </p> + <p> + "Certainly not, Sire," said Chamillart, trembling; "but I am bold + enough to tell you, with the most exact truth, that it is not mine." + </p> + <p> + The King insisting, Chamillart was obliged to explain, that having + shown the letters of Catinat to Madame de Maintenon, she had commanded + him to keep them from his Majesty, and to say not a syllable about + them. Chamillart added, that Madame de Maintenon was not far off, and + supplicated the King to ask her the truth of this matter. + </p> + <p> + In his turn, the King was now more embarrassed than Chamillart; + lowering his voice, he said that it was inconceivable how Madame de + Maintenon felt interested in his comfort, and endeavoured to keep from + him everything that might vex him, and without showing any more + displeasure, turned to Marshal Catinat, said he was delighted with an + explanation which showed that nobody was wrong; addressed several + gracious remarks to the Marshal; begged him to remain on good terms + with Chamillart, and hastened to quit them and enter into his private + cabinet. + </p> + <p> + Catinat, more ashamed of what he had just heard and seen than pleased + with a justification so complete, paid some compliments to Chamillart, + who, out of his wits at the perilous explanation he had given, + received them, and returned them as well as he could. They left the + cabinet soon after, and the selection of Catinat by the King for the + command of the army of the Rhine was declared. + </p> + <p> + Reflections upon this affair present themselves of their own accord. + The King verified what had been said that very evening with Madame de + Maintenon. They were only on better terms than ever in consequence. + She approved of Chamillart for avowing all; and this minister was only + the better treated afterwards by the King and by Madame de Maintenon. + </p> + <p> + As for Catinat, he took the command he had been called to, but did not + remain long in it. The explanations that had passed, all the more + dangerous because in his favour, were not of a kind to prove otherwise + than hurtful to him. He soon resigned his command, finding himself too + much obstructed to do anything, and retired to his house of Saint + Gratien, near Saint Denis, which he scarcely ever left, and where he + saw only a few private friends, sorry that he had ever left it, and + that he had listened to the cajoleries of the King. + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0031" id="link2H_4_0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VOLUME 4. + </h2> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV + </h2> + <p> + Canaples, brother of the Marechal de Crequi, wished to marry + Mademoiselle de Vivonne who was no longer young, but was distinguished + by talent, virtue and high birth; she had not a penny. The Cardinal de + Coislin, thinking Canaples too old to marry, told him so. Canaples + said he wanted to have children. "Children!" exclaimed the Cardinal. + "But she is so virtuous!" Everybody burst out laughing; and the more + willingly, as the Cardinal, very pure in his manners, was still more + so in his language. His saying was verified by the event: the marriage + proved sterile. + </p> + <p> + The Duc de Coislin died about this time. I have related in its proper + place an adventure that happened to him and his brother, the Chevalier + de Coislin: now I will say something more of the Duke. He was a very + little man, of much humour and virtue, but of a politeness that was + unendurable, and that passed all bounds, though not incompatible with + dignity. He had been lieutenant-general in the army. Upon one + occasion, after a battle in which he had taken part, one of the + Rhingraves who had been made prisoner, fell to his lot. The Duc de + Coislin wished to give up to the other his bed, which consisted indeed + of but a mattress. They complimented each other so much, the one + pressing, the other refusing, that in the end they both slept upon the + ground, leaving the mattress between them. The Rhingrave in due time + came to Paris and called on the Duc de Coislin. When he was going, + there was such a profusion of compliments, and the Duke insisted so + much on seeing him out, that the Rhingrave, as a last resource, ran + out of the room, and double locked the door outside. M. de Coislin was + not thus to be outdone. His apartments were only a few feet above the + ground. He opened the window accordingly, leaped out into the court, + and arrived thus at the entrance-door before the Rhingrave, who + thought the devil must have carried him there. The Duc de Coislin, + however, had managed to put his thumb out of joint by this leap. He + called in Felix, chief surgeon of the King, who soon put the thumb to + rights. Soon afterwards Felix made a call upon M. de Coislin to see + how he was, and found that the cure was perfect. As he was about to + leave, M. de Coislin must needs open the door for him. Felix, with a + shower of bows, tried hard to prevent this, and while they were thus + vying in politeness, each with a hand upon the door, the Duke suddenly + drew back; he had put his thumb out of joint again, and Felix was + obliged to attend to it on the spot! It may be imagined what laughter + this story caused the King, and everybody else, when it became known. + </p> + <p> + There was no end to the outrageous civilities of M. de Coislin. On + returning from Fontainebleau one day, we, that is Madame de + Saint-Simon and myself, encountered M. de Coislin and his son, M. de + Metz, on foot upon the pavement of Ponthierry, where their coach had + broken down. We sent word, accordingly, that we should be glad to + accommodate them in ours. But message followed message on both sides; + and at last I was compelled to alight and to walk through the mud, + begging them to mount into my coach. M. de Coislin, yielding to my + prayers, consented to this. M. de Metz was furious with him for his + compliments, and at last prevailed on him. When M. de Coislin had + accepted my offer and we had nothing more to do than to gain the + coach, he began to capitulate, and to protest that he would not + displace the two young ladies he saw seated in the vehicle. I told him + that the two young ladies were chambermaids, who could well afford to + wait until the other carriage was mended, and then continue their + journey in that. But he would not hear of this; and at last all that + M. de Metz and I could do was to compromise the matter, by agreeing to + take one of the chambermaids with us. When we arrived at the coach, + they both descended, in order to allow us to mount. During the + compliments that passed—and they were not short—I told the + servant who held the coach-door open, to close it as soon as I was + inside, and to order the coachman to drive on at once. This was done; + but M. de Coislin immediately began to cry aloud that he would jump + out if we did not stop for the young ladies; and he set himself to do + so in such an odd manner, that I had only time to catch hold of the + belt of his breeches and hold him back; but he still, with his head + hanging out of the window, exclaimed that he would leap out, and + pulled against me. At this absurdity I called to the coachman to stop; + the Duke with difficulty recovered himself, and persisted that he + would have thrown himself out. The chambermaid was ordered to mount, + and mount she did, all covered with mud, which daubed us; and she + nearly crushed M. de Metz and me in this carriage fit only for four. + </p> + <p> + M. de Coislin could not bear that at parting anybody should give him + the "last touch;" a piece of sport, rarely cared for except in early + youth, and out of which arises a chase by the person touched, in order + to catch him by whom he has been touched. One evening, when the Court + was at Nancy, and just as everybody was going to bed, M. de + Longueville spoke a few words in private to two of his torch-bearers, + and then touching the Duc de Coislin, said he had given him the last + touch, and scampered away, the Duke hotly pursuing him. Once a little + in advance, M. de Longueville hid himself in a doorway, allowed M. de + Coislin to pass on, and then went quietly home to bed. Meanwhile the + Duke, lighted by the torch-bearers, searched for M. de Longueville all + over the town, but meeting with no success, was obliged to give up the + chase, and went home all in a sweat. He was obliged of course to laugh + a good deal at this joke, but he evidently did not like it over much. + </p> + <p> + With all his politeness, which was in no way put on, M. de Coislin + could, when he pleased, show a great deal of firmness, and a + resolution to maintain his proper dignity worthy of much praise. At + Nancy, on this same occasion, the Duc de Crequi, not finding + apartments provided for him to his taste on arriving in town, went, in + his brutal manner, and seized upon those allotted to the Duc de + Coislin. The Duke, arriving a moment after, found his servants turned + into the street, and soon learned who had sent them there. M. de + Crequi had precedence of him in rank; he said not a word, therefore, + but went to the apartments provided for the Marechal de Crequi + (brother of the other), served him exactly as he himself had just been + served, and took up his quarters there. The Marechal de Crequi arrived + in his turn, learned what had occurred, and immediately seized upon + the apartments of Cavoye, in order to teach him how to provide + quarters in future so as to avoid all disputes. + </p> + <p> + On another occasion, M. de Coislin went to the Sorbonne to listen to a + thesis sustained by the second son of M. de Bouillon. When persons of + distinction gave these discourses, it was customary for the Princes of + the blood, and for many of the Court, to go and hear them. M. de + Coislin was at that time almost last in order of precedence among the + Dukes. When he took his seat, therefore, knowing that a number of them + would probably arrive, he left several rows of vacant places in front + of him, and sat himself down. Immediately afterwards, Novion, Chief + President of the Parliament, arrived, and seated himself in front of + M. de Coislin. Astonished at this act of madness, M. de Coislin said + not a word, but took an arm-chair, and, while Novion turned his head + to speak to Cardinal de Bouillon, placed that arm-chair in front of + the Chief President in such a manner that he was as it were + imprisoned, and unable to stir. M. de Coislin then sat down. This was + done so rapidly, that nobody saw it until it was finished. When once + it was observed, a great stir arose. Cardinal de Bouillon tried to + intervene. M. de Coislin replied, that since the Chief President had + forgotten his position he must be taught it, and would not budge. The + other presidents were in a fright, and Novion, enraged by the offence + put on him, knew not what to do. It was in vain that Cardinal de + Bouillon on one side, and his brother on the other, tried to persuade + M. de Coislin to give way. He would not listen to them. They sent a + message to him to say that somebody wanted to see him at the door on + most important business. But this had no effect. "There is no business + so important," replied M. de Coislin, "as that of teaching M. le + Premier President what he owes me, and nothing will make me go from + this place unless M. le President, whom you see behind me, goes away + first." + </p> + <p> + At last M. le Prince was sent for, and he with much persuasion + endeavoured to induce M. de Coislin to release the Chief President + from his prison. But for some time M. de Coislin would listen as + little to M. le Prince as he had listened to the others, and + threatened to keep Novion thus shut up during all the thesis. At + length, he consented to set the Chief President free, but only on + condition that he left the building immediately; that M. le Prince + should guarantee this; and that no "juggling tricks" (that was the + term he made use of), should be played off to defeat the agreement. M. + le Prince at once gave his word that everything should be as he + required, and M. de Coislin then rose, moved away his arm-chair, and + said to the Chief President, "Go away, sir! go away, sir!" Novion did + on the instant go away, in the utmost confusion, and jumped into his + coach. M. de Coislin thereupon took back his chair to its former + position and composed himself to listen again. + </p> + <p> + On every side M. de Coislin was praised for the firmness he had shown. + The Princes of the blood called upon him the same evening, and + complimented him for the course he had adopted; and so many other + visitors came during the evening that his house was quite full until a + late hour. On the morrow the King also praised him for his conduct, + and severely blamed the Chief President. Nay more, he commanded the + latter to go to M. de Coislin, at his house, and beg pardon of him. It + is easy to comprehend the shame and despair of Novion at being ordered + to take so humiliating a step, especially after what had already + happened to him. He prevailed upon M. le Coislin, through the + mediation of friends, to spare him this pain, and M. de Coislin had + the generosity to do so. He agreed therefore that when Novion called + upon him he would pretend to be out, and this was done. The King, when + he heard of it, praised very highly the forbearance of the Duke. + </p> + <p> + He was not an old man when he died, but was eaten up with the gout, + which he sometimes had in his eyes, in his nose, and in his tongue. + When in this state, his room was filled with the best company. He was + very generally liked, was truth itself in his dealings and his words, + and was one of my friends, as he had been the friend of my father + before me. + </p> + <p> + The President de Novion, above alluded to, was a man given up to + iniquity, whom money and obscure mistresses alone influenced. Lawyers + complained of his caprices, and pleaders of his injustice. At last, he + went so far as to change decisions of the court when they were given + him to sign, which was not found out for some time, but which led to + his disgrace. He was replaced by Harlay in 1689; and lived in ignominy + for four years more. + </p> + <p> + About this time died Petit, a great physician, who had wit, knowledge, + experience, and probity; and yet lived to the last without being ever + brought to admit the circulation of the blood. + </p> + <p> + A rather strange novelty was observed at Fontainebleau: Madame + publicly at the play, in the second year of her mourning for Monsieur! + She made some objections at first, but the King persuaded her, saying + that what took place in his palace ought not to be considered as + public. + </p> + <p> + On Saturday, the 22nd of October of this year (1702), at about ten in + the morning, I had the misfortune to lose my father-in-law, the + Marechal de Lorges, who died from the effects of an unskilful + operation performed upon him for the stone. He had been brought up as + a Protestant, and had practised that religion. But he had consulted on + the one hand with Bossuet, and on the other hand with M. Claude, + (Protestant) minister of Charenton, without acquainting them that he + was thus in communication with both. In the end the arguments of + Bossuet so convinced him that he lost from that time all his doubts, + became steadfastly attached to the Catholic religion, and strove hard + to convert to it all the Protestants with whom he spoke. M. de + Turenne, with whom he was intimately allied, was in a similar state of + mind, and, singularly enough, his doubts were resolved at the same + time, and in exactly the same manner, as those of M. de Lorges. The + joy of the two friends, who had both feared they should be estranged + from each other when they announced their conversion, was very great. + The Comtesse de Roye, sister to M. de Lorges, was sorely affected at + this change, and she would not consent to see him except on condition + that he never spoke of it. + </p> + <p> + M. de Lorges commanded with great distinction in Holland and + elsewhere, and at the death of M. de Turenne, took for the time, and + with great honour, his place. He was made Marshal of France on the + 21st of February, 1676, not before he had fairly won that distinction. + The remainder of his career showed his capacity in many ways, and + acquired for him the esteem of all. His family were affected beyond + measure at his loss. That house was in truth terrible to see. Never + was man so tenderly or so universally regretted, or so worthy of being + so. Besides my own grief, I had to sustain that of Madame de + Saint-Simon, whom many times I thought I should lose. Nothing was + comparable to the attachment she had for her father, or the tenderness + he had for her; nothing more perfectly alike than their hearts and + their dispositions. As for me, I loved him as a father, and he loved + me as a son, with the most entire and sweetest confidence. + </p> + <p> + About the same time died the Duchesse de Gesvres, separated from a + husband who had been the scourge of his family, and had dissipated + millions of her fortune. She was a sort of witch, tall and lean, who + walked like an ostrich. She sometimes came to Court, with the odd look + and famished expression to which her husband had brought her. Virtue, + wit, and dignity distinguished her. I remember that one summer the + King took to going very often in the evening to Trianon, and that once + for all he gave permission to all the Court, men and women, to follow + him. There was a grand collation for the Princesses, his daughters, + who took their friends there, and indeed all the women went to it if + they pleased. One day the Duchesse de Gesvres took it into her head to + go to Trianon and partake of this meal; her age, her rarity at Court, + her accoutrements, and her face, provoked the Princesses to make fun + of her in whispers with their fair visitors. She perceived this, and + without being embarrassed, took them up so sharply, that they were + silenced, and looked down. But this was not all: after the collation + she began to talk so freely and yet so humorously about them that they + were frightened, and went and made their excuses, and very frankly + asked for quarter. Madame de Gesvres was good enough to grant them + this, but said it was only on condition that they learned how to + behave. Never afterwards did they venture to look at her + impertinently. Nothing was ever so magnificent as these soirees of + Trianon. All the flowers of the parterres were renewed every day; and + I have seen the King and all the Court obliged to go away because of + the tuberoses, the odour of which perfumed the air, but so powerfully, + on account of their quantity, that nobody could remain in the garden, + although very vast, and stretching like a terrace all along the canal. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVI + </h2> + <p> + The Prince d'Harcourt at last obtained permission to wait on the King, + after having never appeared at Court for seventeen years. He had + followed the King in all his conquests in the Low Countries and + Franche- Comte; but he had remained little at the Court since his + voyage to Spain, whither he had accompanied the daughter of Monsieur + to the King, Charles II., her husband. The Prince d'Harcourt took + service with Venice, and fought in the Morea until the Republic made + peace with the Turks. He was tall, well made; and, although he looked + like a nobleman and had wit, reminded one at the same time of a + country actor. He was a great liar, and a libertine in body and mind; + a great spendthrift, a great and impudent swindler, with a tendency to + low debauchery, that cursed him all his life. Having fluttered about a + long time after his return, and found it impossible either to live + with his wife—which is not surprising—or accommodate + himself to the Court or to Paris, he set up his rest at Lyons with + wine, street-walkers, a society to match, a pack of hounds, and a + gaming-table to support his extravagance and enable him to live at the + expense of the dupes, the imbeciles, and the sons of fat tradesmen, + whom he could lure into his nets. Thus he spent many years, and seemed + to forget that there existed in the world another country besides + Lyons. At last he got tired, and returned to Paris. The King, who + despised him, let him alone, but would not see him; and it was only + after two months of begging for him by the Lorraines, that he received + permission to present himself. His wife, the Princesse d'Harcourt, was + a favourite of Madame de Maintenon. The origin of their friendship is + traced to the fact that Brancas, the father of the Princess, had been + one of the lovers of Madame de Maintenon. No claim less powerful could + have induced the latter to take into her favour a person who was so + little worthy. Like all women who know nothing but what chance has + taught them, and who have long languished in obscurity before arriving + at splendour, Madame de Maintenon was dazzled by the very name of + Princess, even if assumed: as to a real Princess, nothing equalled her + in her opinion. The Princess then tried hard to get the Prince invited + to Marly, but without success. Upon this she pretended to sulk, in + hopes that Madame de Maintenon would exert all her influence; but in + this she was mistaken. The Prince accordingly by degrees got disgusted + with the Court, and retired into the provinces for a time. + </p> + <p> + The Princesse d'Harcourt was a sort of personage whom it is good to + make known, in order better to lay bare a Court which did not scruple + to receive such as she. She had once been beautiful and gay; but + though not old, all her grace and beauty had vanished. The rose had + become an ugly thorn. At the time I speak of she was a tall, fat + creature, mightily brisk in her movements, with a complexion like + milk-porridge; great, ugly, thick lips, and hair like tow, always + sticking out and hanging down in disorder, like all the rest of her + fittings out. Dirty, slatternly, always intriguing, pretending, + enterprising, quarrelling—always low as the grass or high as the + rainbow, according to the person with whom she had to deal: she was a + blonde Fury, nay more, a harpy: she had all the effrontery of one, and + the deceit and violence; all the avarice and the audacity; moreover, + all the gluttony, and all the promptitude to relieve herself from the + effects thereof; so that she drove out of their wits those at whose + house she dined; was often a victim of her confidence; and was many a + time sent to the devil by the servants of M. du Maine and M. le Grand. + She, however, was never in the least embarrassed, tucked up her + petticoats and went her way; then returned, saying she had been + unwell. People were accustomed to it. + </p> + <p> + Whenever money was to be made by scheming and bribery, she was there + to make it. At play she always cheated, and if found out stormed and + raged; but pocketed what she had won. People looked upon her as they + would have looked upon a fish-fag, and did not like to commit + themselves by quarrelling with her. At the end of every game she used + to say that she gave whatever might have been unfairly gained to those + who had gained it, and hoped that others would do likewise. For she + was very devout by profession, and thought by so doing to put her + conscience in safety; because, she used to add, in play there is + always some mistake. She went to church always, and constantly took + the sacrament, very often after having played until four o'clock in + the morning. + </p> + <p> + One day, when there was a grand fete at Fontainebleau, Madame la + Marechale de Villeroy persuaded her, out of malice, to sit down and + play, instead of going to evening prayers. She resisted some time, + saying that Madame de Maintenon was going; but the Marechale laughed + at her for believing that her patron could see who was and who was not + at the chapel: so down they sat to play. When the prayers were over, + Madame de Maintenon, by the merest accident—for she scarcely + ever visited any one —went to the apartments of the Marechale de + Villeroy. The door was flung back, and she was announced. This was a + thunderbolt for the Princesse d'Harcourt. "I am ruined," cried she, + unable to restrain herself; "she will see me playing, and I ought to + have been at chapel!" Down fell the cards from her hands, and down + fell she all abroad in her chair. The Marechale laughed most heartily + at so complete an adventure. Madame de Maintenon entered slowly, and + found the Princess in this state, with five or six persons. The + Marechale de Villeroy, who was full of wit, began to say that, whilst + doing her a great honour, Madame was the cause of great disorder; and + showed her the Princesse d'Harcourt in her state of discomfiture. + Madame de Maintenon smiled with majestic kindness, and addressing the + Princesse d'Harcourt, "Is this the way," said she; "that you go to + prayers?" Thereupon the Princess flew out of her half-faint into a + sort of fury; said that this was the kind of trick that was played off + upon her; that no doubt the Marechale knew that Madame de Maintenon + was coming, and for that reason had persecuted her to play. + "Persecuted!" exclaimed the Marechale, "I thought I could not receive + you better than by proposing a game; it is true you were for a moment + troubled at missing the chapel, but your tastes carried the day. + —This, Madame, is my whole crime," continued she, addressing + Madame de Maintenon. Upon this, everybody laughed louder than before: + Madame de Maintenon, in order to stop the quarrel; commanded them both + to continue their game; and they continued accordingly, the Princesse + d'Harcourt, still grumbling, quite beside herself, blinded with fury, + so as to commit fresh mistakes every minute. So ridiculous an + adventure diverted the Court for several days; for this beautiful + Princess was equally feared, hated, and despised. + </p> + <p> + Monseigneur le Duc and Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne continually + played off pranks upon her. They put, one day, crackers all along the + avenue of the chateau at Marly, that led to the Perspective where she + lodged. She was horribly afraid of everything. The Duke and Duchess + bribed two porters to be ready to take her into the mischief. When she + was right in the middle of the avenue the crackers began to go off; + and she to cry aloud for mercy; the chairman set her down and ran for + it. There she was, then, struggling in her chair, furiously enough to + upset it, and yelling like a demon. At this the company, which had + gathered at the door of the chateau to see the fun, ran to her + assistance, in order to have the pleasure of enjoying the scene more + fully. Thereupon she set to abusing everybody right and left, + commencing with Monseigneur and Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne. At + another time M. de Bourgogne put a cracker under her chair in the + salon, where she was playing at piquet. As he was about to set fire to + this cracker, some charitable soul warned him that it would maim her, + and he desisted. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes they used to send about twenty Swiss guards, with drums, + into her chamber, who roused her from her first sleep by their horrid + din. Another time—and these scenes were always at Marly—they + waited until very late for her to go to bed and sleep. She lodged not + far from the post of the captain of the guards, who was at that time + the Marechal de Lorges. It had snowed very hard, and had frozen. + Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne and her suite gathered snow from the + terrace which is on a level with their lodgings; and, in order to be + better supplied, waked up, to assist them, the Marechal's people, who + did not let them want for ammunition. Then, with a false key, and + lights, they gently slipped into the chamber of the Princesse + d'Harcourt; and, suddenly drawing the curtains of her bed, pelted her + amain with snowballs. The filthy creature, waking up with a start, + bruised and stifled in snow, with which even her ears were filled, + with dishevelled hair, yelling at the top of her voice, and wriggling + like an eel, without knowing where to hide, formed a spectacle that + diverted people more than half an hour: so that at last the nymph swam + in her bed, from which the water flowed everywhere, slushing all the + chamber. It was enough to make one die of laughter. On the morrow she + sulked, and was more than ever laughed at for her pains. + </p> + <p> + Her fits of sulkiness came over her either when the tricks played were + too violent, or when M. le Grand abused her. He thought, very + properly, that a person who bore the name of Lorraine should not put + herself so much on the footing of a buffoon; and, as he was a rough + speaker, he sometimes said the most abominable things to her at table; + upon which the Princess would burst out crying, and then, being + enraged, would sulk. The Duchesse de Bourgogne used then to pretend to + sulk, too; but the other did not hold out long, and came crawling back + to her, crying, begging pardon for having sulked, and praying that she + might not cease to be a source of amusement! After some time the + Duchess would allow herself to be melted, and the Princess was more + villainously treated than ever, for the Duchesse de Bourgogne had her + own way in everything. Neither the King nor Madame de Maintenon found + fault with what she did, so that the Princesse d'Harcourt had no + resource; she did not even dare to complain of those who aided in + tormenting her; yet it would not have been prudent in any one to make + her an enemy. + </p> + <p> + The Princesse d'Harcourt paid her servants so badly that they + concocted a plan, and one fine day drew up on the Pont Neuf. The + coachman and footmen got down, and came and spoke to her at the door, + in language she was not used to hear. Her ladies and chambermaid got + down, and went away, leaving her to shift as she might. Upon this she + set herself to harangue the blackguards who collected, and was only + too happy to find a man, who mounted upon the seat and drove her home. + Another time, Madame de Saint-Simon, returning from Versailles, + overtook her, walking in full dress in the street, and with her train + under her arms. Madame de Saint- Simon stopped, offered her + assistance, and found that she had been left by her servants, as on + the Pont Neuf. It was volume the second of that story; and even when + she came back she found her house deserted, every one having gone away + at once by agreement. She was very violent with her servants, beat + them, and changed diem every day. + </p> + <p> + Upon one occasion, she took into her service a strong and robust + chambermaid, to whom, from the first day of her arrival, she gave many + slaps and boxes on the ear. The chambermaid said nothing, but after + submitting to this treatment for five or six days, conferred with the + other servants; and one morning, while in her mistress's room, locked + the door without being perceived, said something to bring down + punishment upon her, and at the first box on the ear she received, + flew upon the Princesse d'Harcourt, gave her no end of thumps and + slaps, knocked her down, kicked her, mauled her from her head to her + feet, and when she was tired of this exercise, left her on the ground, + all torn and dishevelled, howling like a devil. The chambermaid then + quitted the room, double- locked the door on the outside, gained the + staircase, and fled the house. + </p> + <p> + Every day the Princess was fighting, or mixed up in some adventures. + Her neighbours at Marly said they could not sleep for the riot she + made at night; and I remember that, after one of these scenes, + everybody went to see the room of the Duchesse de Villeroy and that of + Madame d'Espinoy, who had put their bed in the middle of their room, + and who related their night vigils to every one. + </p> + <p> + Such was this favourite of Madame de Maintenon; so insolent and so + insupportable to every one, but who had favours and preferences for + those who brought her over, and who had raised so many young men, + amassed their wealth, and made herself feared even by the Prince and + minister. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVII + </h2> + <p> + In a previous page I have alluded to the Princesse des Ursins, when + she was appointed 'Camerera Mayor' to the Queen of Spain on her + marriage. As I have now to occupy myself more particularly with her, + it may be as well to give a description of this extraordinary woman, + which I omitted when I first spoke of her. + </p> + <p> + Anne Marie de la Tremoille, was daughter of M. de Noirmoutiers, who + figured sufficiently in the troubles of the minority to be made a 'Duc + a brevet'. She first married M. Talleyrand, who called himself Prince + de Chalais, and who was obliged to quit the kingdom for engaging in + the famous duel against Messieurs de la Frette. She followed her + husband to Spain, where he died. Having gone to Rome, she got into + favour with the Cardinals de Bouillon and d'Estrees, first on account + of her name and nation, and afterwards for more tender reasons. In + order to detain her at Rome, these dignitaries thought of obtaining + her an establishment. She had no children, and almost no fortune, they + wrote to Court that so important a man as the Duc de Bracciano, Prince + des Ursins, was worth gaining; and that the way to arrive at this + result was to have him married to Madame de Chalais. The Duke was + persuaded by the two Cardinals that he was in love with Madame de + Chalais: and so the affair was arranged. Madame des Ursins displayed + all her wit and charms at Rome; and soon her palace became a sort of + court, where all the best company assembled. It grew to be the fashion + to go there. + </p> + <p> + The husband amidst all this counts for not much. There was sometimes a + little disagreement between the two, without open rupture; yet they + were now and then glad to separate. This is why the Duchesse de + Bracciano made two journeys to France: the second time she spent four + or five years there. It was then I knew her, or rather formed a + particular friendship with her. My mother had made her acquaintance + during her previous visit. She lodged near us. Her wit, her grace, her + manners enchanted me: she received me with tenderness and I was always + at her house. It was she who proposed to me a marriage with Mlle. de + Royan, which I rejected for the reason already given. + </p> + <p> + When Madame des Ursins was appointed 'Camerera Mayor', she was a + widow, without children. No one could have been better suited for the + post. A lady of our court would not have done: a Spanish lady was not + to be depended on, and might have easily disgusted the Queen. The + Princesse des Ursins appeared to be a middle term. She was French, had + been in Spain, and she passed a great part of her life at Rome, and in + Italy. She was of the house of La Tremoille: her husband was chief of + the house of Ursins, a grandee of Spain, and Prince of the Soglio. She + was also on very good terms with the Duchess of Savoy, and with the + Queen of Portugal. The Cardinal d'Estrees, also, was known to have + remained her friend, after having been something more in their youth; + and he gave information that the Cardinal Portocarrero had been much + in love with her at Rome, and that they were then on very good terms. + As it was through the latter Cardinal that it was necessary to govern + everything, this circumstance was considered very important. + </p> + <p> + Age and health were also appropriate; and likewise her appearance. She + was rather tall than otherwise, a brunette, with blue eyes of the most + varied expression, in figure perfect, with a most exquisite bosom; her + face, without being beautiful, was charming; she was extremely noble + in air, very majestic in demeanour, full of graces so natural and so + continual in everything, that I have never seen any one approach her, + either in form or mind. Her wit was copious and of all kinds: she was + flattering, caressing, insinuating, moderate, wishing to please for + pleasing's sake, with charms irresistible when she strove to persuade + and win over; accompanying all this, she had a grandeur that + encouraged instead of frightening; a delicious conversation, + inexhaustible and very amusing, for she had seen many countries and + persons; a voice and way of speaking extremely agreeable, and full of + sweetness. She had read much, and reflected much. She knew how to + choose the best society, how to receive them, and could even have held + a court; was polite, distinguished; and above all was careful never to + take a step in advance without dignity and discretion. She was + eminently fitted for intrigue, in which, from taste; she had passed + her time at Rome; with much ambition, but of that vast kind, far above + her sex, and the common run of men—a desire to occupy a great + position and to govern. A love for gallantry and personal vanity were + her foibles, and these clung to her until her latest day; + consequently, she dressed in a way that no longer became her, and as + she advanced in life, removed further from propriety in this + particular. She was an ardent and excellent friend—of a + friendship that time and absence never enfeebled; and, consequently, + an implacable enemy, pursuing her hatred to the infernal regions. + While caring little for the means by which she gained her ends, she + tried as much as possible to reach them by honest means. Secret, not + only for herself, but for her friends, she was yet, of a decorous + gaiety, and so governed her humours, that at all times and in + everything she was mistress of herself. Such was the Princesse des + Ursins. + </p> + <p> + From the first moment on which she entered the service of the Queen of + Spain, it became her desire to govern not only the Queen, but the + King; and by this means the realm itself. Such a grand project had + need of support from our King, who, at the commencement, ruled the + Court of Spain as much as his own Court, with entire influence over + all matters. + </p> + <p> + The young Queen of Spain had been not less carefully educated than her + sister, the Duchesse de Bourgogne. She had even when so young much + intelligence and firmness, without being incapable of restraint; and + as time went on, improved still further, and displayed a constancy and + courage which were admirably set off by her meekness and natural + graces. According to everything I have heard said in France and in + Spain, she possessed all qualities that were necessary to make her + adored. Indeed she became a divinity among the Spaniards, and to their + affection for her, Philip V. was more than once indebted for his + crown. Lords, ladies, soldiers, and the people still remember her with + tears in their eyes; and even after the lapse of so many years, are + not yet consoled for her loss. + </p> + <p> + Madame des Ursins soon managed to obtain the entire confidence of this + Queen; and during the absence of Philip V. in Italy, assisted her in + the administration of all public offices. She even accompanied her to + the junta, it not being thought proper that the Queen should be alone + amid such an assemblage of men. In this way she became acquainted with + everything that was passing, and knew all the affairs of the + Government. + </p> + <p> + This step gained, it will be imagined that the Princesse des Ursins + did not forget to pay her court most assiduously to our King and to + Madame de Maintenon. She continually sent them an exact account of + everything relating to the Queen—making her appear in the most + favourable light possible. Little by little she introduced into her + letters details respecting public events; without, however, conveying + a suspicion of her own ambition, or that she wished to meddle in these + matters. Anchored in this way, she next began to flatter Madame de + Maintenon, and by degrees to hint that she might rule over Spain, even + more firmly than she ruled over France, if she would entrust her + commands to Madame des Ursins. Madame des Ursins offered, in fact, to + be the instrument of Madame de Maintenon; representing how much better + it would be to rule affairs in this manner, than through the + instrumentality of the ministers of either country. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Maintenon, whose passion it was to know everything, to mix + herself in everything, and to govern everything, was, enchanted by the + siren. This method of governing Spain without ministers appeared to + her an admirable idea. She embraced it with avidity, without + reflecting that she would govern only in appearance, since she would + know nothing except through the Princesse des Ursins, see nothing + except in the light in which she presented it. From that time dates + the intimate union which existed between these two important women, + the unbounded authority of Madame des Ursins, the fall of all those + who had placed Philip V. upon the throne, and of all our ministers in + Spain who stood in the way of the new power. + </p> + <p> + Such an alliance being made between the two women, it was necessary to + draw the King of Spain into the same net. This was not a very arduous + task. Nature and art indeed had combined to make it easy. + </p> + <p> + Younger brother of an excitable, violent, and robust Prince, Philip V, + had been bred up in a submission and dependence that were necessary + for the repose of the Royal family. Until the testament of Charles + II., the Duc d'Anjou was necessarily regarded as destined to be a + subject all his life; and therefore could not be too much abased by + education, and trained to patience and obedience: That supreme law, + the reason of state, demanded this preference, for the safety and + happiness of the kingdom, of the elder over the younger brother. His + mind for this reason was purposely narrowed and beaten down, and his + natural docility and gentleness greatly assisted in the process, He + was quite formed to be led, although he had enough judgment left to + choose the better of two courses proposed to him, and even to express + himself in good phrase, when the slowness, not to say the laziness, of + his mind did not prevent him from speaking at all. His great piety + contributed to weaken his mind; and, being joined to very lively + passions, made it disagreeable and even dangerous for him to be + separated from his Queen. It may easily be conceived, therefore, how + he loved her; and that he allowed himself to be guided by her in all + things. As the Queen herself was guided in all things by Madame des + Ursins, the influence of this latter was all- powerful. + </p> + <p> + Soon, indeed, the junta became a mere show. Everything was brought + before the King in private, and he gave no decision until the Queen + and Madame des Ursins had passed theirs. This conduct met with no + opposition from our Court, but our ministers at the Court of Spain and + the Spanish ministers here soon began to complain of it. The first to + do so were Cardinals d'Estrees and Portocarrero. Madame de Maintenon + laughed at them, and Madame des Ursins, of whom they were old friends, + soon showed them that she did not mean to abate one jot of her power. + She first endeavoured to bring about a coldness between the two, and + this succeeded so well, that in consequence of the quarrels that + resulted, the Spanish Cardinal, Portocarrero (who, it will be + remembered, had played an important part in bringing Philip to the + Spanish throne) wished to quit the junta. But Madame des Ursins, who + thought that the time had not yet arrived for this step, persuaded him + to remain, and endeavoured to flatter his vanity by an expedient + altogether ridiculous. She gave him the command of a regiment of + guards, and he, priest, archbishop, primate and cardinal, accepted it, + and was, of course, well laughed at by everybody for his pains. The + two cardinals soon after became reconciled to each other, feeling, + perhaps, the necessity of uniting against the common enemy. But they + could come to no better understanding with her. Disagreements + continued, so that at last, feeling her position perfectly secure, the + Princesse des Ursins begged permission to retire into Italy, knowing + full well that she would not be taken at her word, and hoping by this + means to deliver herself of these stumbling-blocks in her path. + </p> + <p> + Our ministers, who felt they would lose all control over Spanish + affairs if Madame des Ursins was allowed to remain mistress, did all + in their power to support the D'Estrees. But Madame de Maintenon + pleaded so well with the King, representing the good policy of + allowing a woman so much attached to him, and to the Spanish Queen, as + was Madame des Ursins, to remain where she was, that he entirely + swallowed the bait; the D'Estrees were left without support; the + French ambassador at Madrid was virtually deprived of all power: the + Spanish ministers were fettered in their every movement, and the + authority of Madame des Ursins became stronger than ever. All public + affairs passed through her hands. The King decided nothing without + conferring with the Queen and her. + </p> + <p> + While excluding almost all the ministers from public offices, Madame + des Ursins admitted a few favourites into her confidence. Amongst them + was D'Harcourt, who stood well with Madame de Maintenon, and who cared + little for the means by which he obtained consideration; Orry, who had + the management of the finances; and D'Aubigny, son of a Procureur in + Paris. The last was a tall, handsome fellow, well made, and active in + mind and body; who for many years had been with the Princess, as a + sort of squire, and on very intimate terms with her. One day, when, + followed by some of the ministers, she entered a room in which he was + writing, he burst out into exclamations against her, without being + aware that she was not alone, swore at her, asked her why she could + not leave him an hour in peace, called her by the strangest names, and + all this with so much impetuosity that she had no time to show him who + were behind her. When he found it out, he ran from the room, leaving + Madame des Ursins so confused that the ministers looked for two or + three minutes upon the walls of the room in order to give her time to + recover herself. Soon after this, D'Aubigny had a splendid suite of + apartments, that had formerly been occupied by Maria Theresa + (afterwards wife of Louis XIV.), placed at his disposal, with some + rooms added, in despite of the murmurs that arose at a distinction so + strange accorded to this favourite. + </p> + <p> + At length, Cardinal d'Estrees, continually in arms against Madame des + Ursins, and continually defeated, could not bear his position any + longer, but asked to be immediately recalled. All that the ministry + could do was to obtain permission for the Abbe d'Estrees (nephew of + the Cardinal) to remain as Ambassador of France at Madrid. As for + Portocarrero, seeing the step his associate had taken, he resolved to + quit public business also, and resigned his place accordingly. Several + others who stood in the way of the Princesse des Ursins were got rid + of at the same time, so that she was now left mistress of the field. + She governed absolutely in all things; the ministers became + instruments in her hands; the King and Queen agents to work out her + will. She was at the highest pinnacle of power. Together with Orry she + enjoyed a power such as no one had ever attained since the time of the + Duke of Lerma and of Olivares. + </p> + <p> + In the mean time the Archduke was declared King of Spain by the + Emperor, who made no mystery of his intention of attacking Spain by + way of Portugal. The Archduke soon afterwards was recognised by + Holland, England, Portugal, Brandenburg, Savoy, and Hanover, as King + of Spain, under the title of Charles III., and soon after by the other + powers of Europe. The Duke of Savoy had been treacherous to us, had + shown that he was in league with the Emperor. The King accordingly had + broken off all relations with him, and sent an army to invade his + territory. It need be no cause of surprise, therefore, that the + Archduke was recognised by Savoy. While our armies were fighting with + varied fortune those of the Emperor and his allies, in different parts + of Europe, notably upon the Rhine, Madame des Ursins was pressing + matters to extremities in Spain. Dazzled by her success in expelling + the two cardinals from public affairs, and all the ministers who had + assisted in placing Philip V. upon the throne, she committed a blunder + of which she soon had cause to repent. + </p> + <p> + I have said, that when Cardinal d'Estrees quitted Spain, the Abbe + d'Estrees was left behind, so that France should not be altogether + unrepresented in an official manner at the Court of Madrid. Madame des + Ursins did not like this arrangement, but as Madame de Maintenon + insisted upon it, she was obliged to accept it with as good grace as + possible. The Abbe, vain of his family and of his position, was not a + man much to be feared as it seemed. Madame des Ursins accordingly + laughed at and despised him. He was admitted to the council, but was + quite without influence there, and when he attempted to make any + representations to Madame des Ursins or to Orry, they listened to him + without attending in the least to what he said. The Princess reigned + supreme, and thought of nothing but getting rid of all who attempted + to divide her authority. At last she obtained such a command over the + poor Abbe d'Estrees, so teased and hampered him, that he consented to + the hitherto unheard-of arrangement, that the Ambassador of France + should not write to the King without first concerting his letter with + her, and then show her its contents before he despatched it. But such + restraint as this became, in a short time, so fettering, that the Abbe + determined to break away from it. He wrote a letter to the King, + without showing it to Madame des Ursins. She soon had scent of what he + had done; seized the letter as it passed through the post, opened it, + and, as she expected, found its contents were not of a kind to give + her much satisfaction. But what piqued her most was, to find details + exaggerating the authority of D'Aubigny, and a statement to the effect + that it was generally believed she had married him. Beside herself + with rage and vexation, she wrote with her own hand upon the margin of + the letter, 'Pour mariee non' ("At any rate, not married"), showed it + in this state to the King and Queen of Spain, to a number of other + people, always with strange clamouring, and finally crowned her folly + by sending it to the King (Louis XIV.), with furious complaints + against the Abbe for writing it without her knowledge, and for + inflicting upon her such an atrocious injury as to mention this + pretended marriage. Her letter and its enclosure reached the King at a + very inopportune moment. Just before, he had received a letter, which, + taken in connection with this of the Princesse des Ursins, struck a + blow at her power of the most decisive kind. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVIII + </h2> + <p> + Some little time previously it had been thought necessary to send an + army to the frontiers of Portugal to oppose the Archduke. A French + general was wanted to command this army. Madame des Ursins, who had + been very intimate with the King of England (James II.) and his Queen, + thought she would please them if she gave this post to the Duke of + Berwick, illegitimate son of King James. She proposed this therefore; + and our King, out of regard for his brother monarch, and from a + natural affection for bastards, consented to the appointment; but as + the Duke of Berwick had never before commanded an army, he stipulated + that Pursegur, known to be a skilful officer, should go with him and + assist him with his counsels and advice. + </p> + <p> + Pursegur set out before the Duke of Berwick. From the Pyrenees as far + as Madrid, he found every provision made for the subsistence of the + French troops, and sent a very advantageous account to the King of + this circumstance. Arrived at Madrid, he had interviews with Orry + (who, as I have already mentioned, had the finances under his control, + and who was a mere instrument in the hands of Madame des Ursins), and + was assured by the minister that all the magazines along the line of + route to the frontiers of Portugal were abundantly filled with + supplies for the French troops, that all the money necessary was + ready; and that nothing, in fact, should fail in the course of the + campaign. Pursegur, who had found nothing wanting up to that time, + never doubted but that these statements were perfectly correct; and + had no suspicion that a minister would have the effrontery to show him + in detail all these precautions if he had taken none. Pleased, then, + to the utmost degree, he wrote to the King in praise of Orry, and + consequently of Madame des Ursins and her wise government. Full of + these ideas, he set out for the frontier of Portugal to reconnoitre + the ground himself, and arrange everything for the arrival of the army + and its general. What was his surprise, when he found that from Madrid + to the frontier not a single preparation had been made for the troops, + and that in consequence all that Orry had shown him, drawn out upon + paper, was utterly fictitious. His vexation upon finding that nothing + upon which he had reckoned was provided, may be imagined. He at once + wrote to the King, in order to contradict all that he had recently + written. + </p> + <p> + This conduct of Orry—his impudence, I may say—in deceiving + a man who immediately after would have under his eyes the proof of his + deceit, is a thing past all comprehension. It is easy to understand + that rogues should steal, but not that they should have the audacity + to do so in the face of facts which so quickly and so easily could + prove their villainy. + </p> + <p> + It was Pursegur's letter then, detailing this rascality on the part of + Orry, that had reached the King just before that respecting the Abbe + d'Estrees. The two disclosed a state of things that could not be + allowed any longer to exist. Our ministers, who, step by step, had + been deprived of all control over the affairs of Spain, profited by + the discontentment of the King to reclaim their functions. Harcourt + and Madame de Maintenon did all they could to ward off the blow from + Madame des Ursins, but without effect. The King determined to banish + her to Rome and to dismiss Orry from his post. + </p> + <p> + It was felt, however, that these steps must be taken cautiously, to + avoid offending too deeply the King and Queen of Spain, who supported + their favourite through every emergency. + </p> + <p> + In the first place, then, a simple reprimand was sent to the Princesse + des Ursins for the violation of the respect due to the King, by + opening a letter addressed to him by one of his ambassadors. The Abbe + d'Estrees, who expected that Madame des Ursins would be at once + disgraced, and who had made a great outcry when his letter was opened, + fell into such despair when he saw how lightly she was let off, that + he asked for his dismissal. He was taken at his word; and this was a + new triumph for Madame des Ursins, who thought herself more secure + than ever. Her triumph was of but short duration. The King wrote to + Philip, recommending him to head in person the army for the frontiers + of Portugal, which, in spite of Orry's deception, it was still + determined to send. No sooner was Philip fairly away, separated from + the Queen and Madame des Ursins, and no longer under their influence, + than the King wrote to the Queen of Spain, requesting her, in terms + that could not be disputed, to dismiss at once and for ever her + favourite 'Camerera Mayor'. The Queen, in despair at the idea of + losing a friend and adviser to whom she had been so much attached, + believed herself lost. At the same time that the King wrote to the + Queen of Spain, he also wrote to the Princesse des Ursins, ordering + her to quit Madrid immediately, to leave Spain, and to retire into + Italy. + </p> + <p> + At this conjuncture of affairs, when the Queen was in despair, Madame + des Ursins did not lose her composure. She opened her eyes to all that + had passed since she had violated D'Estrees' letter, and saw the + vanity of the triumph she had recently enjoyed. She felt at once that + for the present all was lost, that her only hope was to be allowed to + remain in France. She made all her arrangements, therefore, so that + affairs might proceed in her absence as much as possible as though she + were present, and then prepared to set out. Dawdling day by day, she + put off her departure as long as could be, and when at length she left + Madrid only went to Alcala, a few leagues distant. She stopped there + under various pretexts, and at length, after five weeks of delay, set + out for Bayonne, journeying as slowly as she could and stopping as + often as she dared. + </p> + <p> + She lost no opportunity of demanding an audience at Versailles, in + order to clear herself of the charge which weighed upon her, and her + importunities at length were not without effect. The most terrible + storms at Court soon blow over. The King (Louis XIV.) was satisfied + with the success of his plans. He had been revenged in every way, and + had humbled the pride of the Princesse des Ursins. It was not + necessary to excite the anger of the Queen and King of Spain by too + great harshness against their fallen friend. Madame de Maintenon took + advantage of this change in the temper of the King, and by dint of + persuasion and scheming succeeded in obtaining from him the permission + for Madame des Ursins to remain in France. Toulouse was fixed upon for + her residence. It was a place that just suited her, and from which + communication with Spain was easy. Here accordingly she took up her + residence, determined to watch well the course of events, and to avail + herself of every opportunity that could bring about her complete + reconciliation with the King (Louis XIV.), and obtain for her in + consequence the permission to return to Madrid. + </p> + <p> + In the mean time, the King and Queen of Spain, distressed beyond + measure at the loss of their favourite, thought only of the best means + of obtaining her recall. They plotted with such ministers as were + favourable to her; they openly quarrelled with and thwarted those who + were her opponents, so that the most important matters perished in + their hands. Nay more, upon the King of Spain's return, the Queen + persuaded him to oppose in all things the wishes of the King (Louis + XIV.), his grandfather, and to neglect his counsels with studied care. + Our King complained of this with bitterness. The aim of it was to tire + him out, and to make him understand that it was only Madame des + Ursins, well treated and sent back, who could restore Spanish affairs + to their original state, and cause his authority to be respected. + Madame de Maintenon, on her side, neglected no opportunity of pressing + the King to allow Madame des Ursins, not to return into Spain—that + would have been to spoil all by asking too much but simply to come to + Versailles in order to have the opportunity of justifying herself for + her past conduct. From other quarters the King was similarly + importuned. Tired at last of the obstinate opposition he met with in + Spain from the Queen; who governed completely her husband, he gave + permission to Madame des Ursins to come to Versailles to plead her own + cause. Self-imprisoned as he was in seclusion, the truth never + approached him, and he was the only man in the two kingdoms who had no + suspicion that the arrival of Madame ales Ursins at the Court was the + certain sign of her speedy return to Spain more powerful than ever. + But he was fatigued with the constant resistance he met with; with the + disorder which this occasioned in public affairs at a time too when, + as I will afterwards explain, the closest union was necessary between + the two crowns in order to repel the common enemy, and these motives + induced him, to the astonishment of his ministers, to grant the favour + requested of him. + </p> + <p> + However well informed Madame des Ursins might be of all that was being + done on her account, this permission surpassed her hopes. Her joy + accordingly was very great; but it did not at all carry her away. She + saw that her return to Spain would now depend upon herself. She + determined to put on the air of one who is disgraced, but who hopes, + and yet is humiliated. She instructed all her friends to assume the + same manner; took all measures with infinite presence of mind; did not + hurry her departure, and yet set out with sufficient promptness to + prevent any coldness springing up, and to show with what eagerness she + profited by the favour accorded to her, and which she had so much + wished. + </p> + <p> + No sooner was the courier gone who carried this news to her, than the + rumour of her return was whispered all over the Court, and became + publicly confirmed a few days afterwards. The movement that it + produced at Court was inconceivable. Only the friends of Madame des + Ursins were able to remain in a tolerably tranquil state. Everybody + opened his eyes and comprehended that the return of such an important + personage was a fact that could not be insignificant. People prepared + themselves for a sort of rising sun that was going to change and renew + many things in nature. On every side were seen people who had scarcely + ever uttered her name, and who now boasted of their intimacy with her + and of her friendship for them. Other people were seen, who, although + openly allied with her enemies, had the baseness to affect transports + of joy at her forthcoming return, and to flatter those whom they + thought likely to favour them with her. + </p> + <p> + She reached Paris on Sunday, the 4th of January, 1705. The Duc d'Albe + met her several miles out of the city, escorted her to his house, and + gave a fete in her honour there. Several persons of distinction went + out to meet her. Madame des Ursins had reason to be surprised at an + entry so triumphant: she would not, however, stay with the Duc and + Duchesse d'Albe, but took up her quarters with the Comtesse d'Egmont, + niece of the Archbishop of Aix; the said Archbishop having been + instrumental in obtaining her recall. The King was at Marly. I was + there with Madame de Saint-Simon. During the remainder of the stay at + Marly everybody flocked to the house of Madame des Ursins, anxious to + pay her their court. However flattered she may have been by this + concourse, she had matters to occupy her, pleaded want of repose, and + shut her door to three people out of four who called upon her. + Curiosity, perhaps fashion, drew this great crowd to her. The + ministers were startled by it. Torcy had orders from the King to go, + and see her: he did so; and from that moment Madame des Ursins changed + her tone. Until then her manner had been modest, supplicating, nearly + timid. She now saw and heard so much that from defendant, which she + had intended to be, she thought herself in a condition to become + accuser; and to demand justice of those who, abusing the confidence of + the King, had drawn upon her such a long and cruel punishment, and + made her a show for the two kingdoms. All that happened to her + surpassed her hopes. Several times when with me she has expressed her + astonishment; and with me has laughed at many people, often of much + consideration, whom she scarcely knew, or who had been strongly + opposed to her, and who basely crouched at her feet. + </p> + <p> + The King returned to Versailles on Saturday, the 10th of January. + Madame des Ursins arrived there the same day. I went immediately to + see her, not having been able to do so before, because I could not + quit Marly. My mother had seen a great deal of Madame des Ursins at + Paris. I had always been on good terms with her, and had received on + all occasions proofs of her friendship. She received me very well, + spoke with much freedom, and said she promised herself the pleasure of + seeing me again, and of talking with me more at her ease. On, the + morrow, Sunday, she dined at home alone, dressed herself in grand + style, and went to the King, with whom she remained alone two hours + and a half conversing in his cabinet. From there she went to the + Duchesse de Bourgogne, with whom she also conversed a long time alone. + In the evening, the King said, while in Madame de Maintenon's + apartments, that there were still many things upon which he had not + yet spoken to Madame des Ursins. The next day she saw Madame de + Maintenon in private for a long time, and much at her ease. She had an + interview soon after with the King and Madame de Maintenon, which was + also very long. + </p> + <p> + A month after this a special courier arrived from the King and Queen + of Spain, to thank the King (Louis XIV.) for his conduct towards the + Princesse des Ursins. From that moment it was announced that she would + remain at Court until the month of April, in order to attend to her + affairs and her health. It was already to have made a grand step to be + mistress enough to announce thus her stay. Nobody in truth doubted of + her return to Spain, but the word was not yet said. She avoided all + explanations, and it may be believed did not have many indiscreet + questions put to her upon the subject. + </p> + <p> + So many and such long audiences with the King, followed by so much + serenity, had a great effect upon the world, and the crowd that + flocked to see Madame des Ursins was greater than ever; but under + various pretences she shut herself up and would see only a few + intimate friends, foremost among which were Madame de Saint-Simon and + myself. Whilst triumphant beyond all her hopes in Paris, she was at + work in Spain, and with equal success. Rivas, who had drawn up the + will of the late King Charles II., was disgraced, and never afterwards + rose to favour. The Duc de Grammont, our ambassador at Madrid, was so + overwhelmed with annoyance, that he asked for his recall. Amelot, whom + Madame des Ursins favoured, was appointed in his place, and many who + had been disgraced were reinstated in office; everything was ordered + according to her wishes. + </p> + <p> + We returned to Marly, where many balls took place. It need not be + doubted that Madame des Ursins was among the invited. Apartments were + given her, and nothing could equal the triumphant air with which she + took possession of them, the continual attentions of the King to her, + as though she were some little foreign queen just arrived at his + Court, or the majestic fashion in which she received them, mingled + with grace and respectful politeness, then almost out of date, and + which recalled the stately old dames of the Queen-mother. She never + came without the King, who appeared to be completely occupied with + her, talking with her, pointing out objects for her inspection, + seeking her opinion and her approbation with an air of gallantry, even + of flattery, which never ceased. The frequent private conversations + that she had with him in the apartment of Madame de Maintenon, and + which lasted an hour, and sometimes double that time; those that she + very often had in the morning alone with Madame de Maintenon, rendered + her the divinity of the Court. The Princesses encircled her the moment + she appeared anywhere, and went to see her in her chamber. Nothing was + more surprising than the servile eagerness with which the greatest + people, the highest in power and the most in favour, clustered around + her. Her very glances were counted, and her words, addressed even to + ladies of the highest rank, imprinted upon them a look of ravishment. + </p> + <p> + I went nearly every morning to her house: she always rose very early, + dressed herself at once, so that she was never seen at her toilette. I + was in advance of the hour fixed for the most important visitors, and + we talked with the same liberty as of yore. I learnt from her many + details, and the opinion of the King and of Madame de Maintenon upon + many people. We often used to laugh in concert at the truckling to her + of persons the most considerable, and of the disdain they drew upon + themselves, although she did not testify it to them. We laughed too at + the falsehood of others, who after having done her all the injury in + their power ever since her arrival, lavished upon her all kinds of + flatteries, and boasted of their affection for her and of zeal in her + cause. I was flattered with this confidence of the dictatress of the + Court. It drew upon me a sudden consideration; for people of the + greatest distinction often found me alone with her in the morning, and + the messengers who rained down at that time reported that they had + found me with her, and that they had not been able to speak to her. + Oftentimes in the salon she called me to her, or at other times I went + to her and whispered a word in her ear, with an air of ease and + liberty much envied but little imitated. She never met Madame de + Saint-Simon without going to her, praising her, making her join in the + conversation that was passing around; oftentimes leading her to the + glass and adjusting her head-dress or her robe as she might have done + in private to a daughter. People asked with surprise and much + annoyance whence came such a great friendship which had never been + suspected by anybody? What completed the torment of the majority, was + to see Madame des Ursins, as soon as she quitted the chamber of Madame + de Maintenon, go immediately to Madame de Saint-Simon, lead her aside, + and speak to her in a low tone. This opened the eyes of everybody and + drew upon us many civilities. + </p> + <p> + A more solid gratification to us were the kind things Madame des + Ursins said in our behalf to the King and Madame de Maintenon. She + spoke in the highest praise of Madame de Saint-Simon, and declared + that there was no woman at Court so fitting as she, so expressly made + by her virtue, good conduct, and ability, to be lady of the Palace, or + even lady-of-honour to Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne, should the + post become vacant. Madame des Ursins did not forget me; but a woman + was more susceptible of her praise. It made, therefore, all the more + impression. This kind manner towards us did not change during all her + stay at Court. + </p> + <p> + At all the balls which Madame des Ursins attended, she was treated + with much distinction, and at one she obtained permission for the Duc + and Duchesse d'Albe to be present, but with some little trouble. I say + with some little trouble, because no ambassador, no foreigner, had + ever, with one exception, been admitted to Marly. It was a great + favour, therefore, for Madame des Ursins to obtain. The King, too, + treated the Duc and Duchesse d'Albe, throughout the evening with + marked respect, and placed the latter in the most distinguished + position, not only in the ball-room but at supper. When he went to + bed, too, he gave the Duc d'Albe his candlestick; an honour the + importance of which I have already described. + </p> + <p> + At the other balls Madame des Ursins seated herself near the Grand + Chamberlain, and looked at everybody with her lorgnette. At every + moment the King turned round to speak to her and Madame de Maintenon, + who came for half an hour or so to these balls, and on her account + displaced the Grand Chamberlain, who put himself behind her. In this + manner she joined Madame des Ursins, and was close to the King—the + conversation between the three being continual. What appeared + extremely singular was to see Madame des Ursins in the salon with a + little spaniel in her arms, as though she had been in her own house. + People could not sufficiently express their astonishment at a + familiarity which even Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne would not have + dared to venture; still less could they do so when they saw the King + caress this little dog over and over again. In fine, such a high + flight has never been seen. People could not accustom themselves to + it, and those who knew the King and his Court are surprised still, + when they think of it, after so many years. There was no longer any + doubt that Madame des Ursins would return into Spain. All her frequent + private conversations with the King and Madame de Maintenon were upon + that country. I will only add here that her return took place in due + time; and that her influence became more paramount than ever. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIX + </h2> + <p> + In relating what happened to Madame des Ursins upon her return to + Spain, I have carried the narrative into the year 1705. It is not + necessary to retrace our steps. Towards the end of 1703 Courtin died. + He had early shone at the Council, and had been made Intendant of + Picardy. M. de Chaulnes, whose estates were there, begged him to tax + them as lightly as possible. Courtin, who was a very intimate friend + of M. de Chaulnes, complied with his request; but the next year, in + going over his accounts, he found that to do a good turn to M. de + Chaulnes he had done an ill turn to many others—that is to say, + he had relieved M. de Chaulnes at the expense of other parishes, which + he had overcharged. The trouble this caused him made him search deeply + into the matter, and he found that the wrong he had done amounted to + forty thousand francs. Without a second thought he paid back this + money, and asked to be recalled. As he was much esteemed, his request + was not at once complied with, but he represented so well that he + could not pass his life doing wrong, and unable to serve his friends, + that at last what he asked was granted. He afterwards had several + embassies, went to England as ambassador, and was very successful in + that capacity. I cannot quit Courtin without relating an adventure he + had one day with Fieubet, a Councillor of State like himself. As they + were going to Saint Germain they were stopped by several men and + robbed; robbery was common in those days, and Fieubet lost all he had + in his pockets. When the thieves had left them, and while Fieubet was + complaining of his misfortune, Courtin began to applaud himself for + having saved his watch and fifty pistoles that he had time to slip + into his trowsers. Immediately on hearing this, Fieubet put his head + out of the coach window, and called back the thieves, who came sure + enough to see what he wanted. + </p> + <p> + "Gentlemen," said he, "you appear to be honest folks in distress; it + is not reasonable that you should be the dupes of this gentleman, who + his swindled you out of fifty pistoles and his watch." And then + turning to Courtin, he smilingly said: "You told me so yourself, + monsieur; so give the things up like a man, without being searched." + </p> + <p> + The astonishment and indignation of Courtin were such that he allowed + money and watch to be taken from him without uttering a single word; + but when the thieves were gone away, he would have strangled Fieubet + had not this latter been the stronger of the two. Fieubet only laughed + at him; and upon arriving at Saint Germain told the adventure to + everybody he met. Their friends had all the trouble in the world to + reconcile them. + </p> + <p> + The year finished with an affair in which I was not a little + interested. During the year there were several grand fetes, at which + the King went to High Mass and vespers. On these occasions a lady of + the Court, named by the Queen, or when there was none, by the + Dauphiness, made a collection for the poor. The house of Lorraine, + always anxious to increase its importance, shirked impudently this + duty, in order thereby to give itself a new distinction, and + assimilate its rank to that of the Princes of the blood. It was a long + time before this was perceived. At last the Duchesse de Noailles, the + Duchesse de Guiche, her daughter, the Marechal de Boufflers, and + others, took notice of it; and I was soon after informed of it. I + determined that the matter should be arranged, and that justice should + be done. + </p> + <p> + The Duchesse de Lude was first spoken to on the subject; she, weak and + timid, did not dare to do anything; but at last was induced to speak + to Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne, who, wishing to judge for herself + as to the truth of the matter, ordered Madame de Montbazon to make the + collection for the poor at the next fete that took place. Although + very well, Madame de Montbazon pretended to be ill, stopped in bed + half a day, and excused herself on this ground from performing the + duty. Madame de Bourgogne was annoyed, but she did not dare to push + matters farther; and, in consequence of this refusal, none of the + Duchesses would make the collection. Other ladies of quality soon + perceived this, and they also refused to serve; so that the collection + fell into all sorts of hands, and sometimes was not made at all. + Matters went on so far, indeed, that the King at last grew angry, and + threatened to make Madame de Bourgogne herself take this office. But + refusals still followed upon refusals, and the bomb thus at length was + ready to burst. + </p> + <p> + The King, who at last ordered the daughter of M. le Grand to take the + plate on New Year's Day, 1704., had, it seems, got scent of the part I + was taking in this matter, and expressed himself to Madame de + Maintenon, as I learnt, as very discontented with me and one or two + other Dukes. He said that the Dukes were much less obedient to him + than the Princes; and that although many Duchesses had refused to make + the collection, the moment he had proposed that the daughter of M. le + Grand should take it, M. le Grand consented. On the next day, early in + the morning, I saw Chamillart, who related to me that on the previous + evening, before he had had time to open his business, the King had + burst out in anger against me, saying it was very strange, but that + since I had quitted the army I did nothing but meddle in matters of + rank and bring actions against everybody; finishing, by declaring that + if he acted well he should send me so far away that I should be unable + to importune him any more. Chamillart added, that he had done all in + his power to appease the King, but with little effect. + </p> + <p> + After consulting with my friends, I determined to go up to the King + and boldly ask to speak to him in his cabinet, believing that to be + the wisest course I could pursue. He was not yet so reconciled to me + as he afterwards became, and, in fact, was sorely out of humour with + me. This step did not seem, therefore, altogether unattended with + danger; but, as I have said, I resolved to take it. As he passed, + therefore, from his dinner that same day, I asked permission to follow + him into his cabinet. Without replying to me, he made a sign that I + might enter, and went into the embrasure of the window. + </p> + <p> + When we were quite alone I explained, at considerable length, my + reasons for acting in this matter, declaring that it was from no + disrespect to his Majesty that I had requested Madame de Saint-Simon + and the other Duchesses to refuse to collect for the poor, but simply + to bring those to account who had claimed without reason to be exempt + from this duty. I added, keeping my eyes fixed upon the King all the + time, that I begged him to believe that none of his subjects were more + submissive to his will or more willing to acknowledge the supremacy of + his authority in all things than the Dukes. Until this his tone and + manner had been very severe; but now they both softened, and he said, + with much goodness and familiarity, that "that was how it was proper + to speak and think," and other remarks equally gracious. I took then + the opportunity of expressing the sorrow I felt at seeing, that while + my sole endeavour was to please him, my enemies did all they could to + blacken me in his eyes, indicating that I suspected M. le Grand, who + had never pardoned me for the part I took in the affair of the + Princesse d'Harcourt, was one of the number. After I had finished the + King remained still a moment, as if ready to hear if I had anything + more to say, and then quitted me with a bow, slight but very gracious, + saying it was well, and that he was pleased with me. + </p> + <p> + I learnt afterwards that he said the same thing of me in the evening + to Chamillart, but, nevertheless, that he did not seem at all shaken + in his prejudice in favour of M. le Grand. The King was in fact very + easy to prejudice, difficult to lead back, and most unwilling to seek + enlightenment, or to listen to any explanations, if authority was in + the slightest degree at stake. Whoever had the address to make a + question take this shape, might be assured that the King would throw + aside all consideration of justice, right, and reason, and dismiss all + evidence. It was by playing on this chord that his ministers knew how + to manage him with so much art, and to make themselves despotic + masters, causing him to believe all they wished, while at the same + time they rendered him inaccessible to explanation, and to those who + might have explained. + </p> + <p> + I have, perhaps, too much expanded an affair which might have been + more compressed. But in addition to the fact that I was mixed up in + it, it is by these little private details, as it seems to me, that the + characters of the Court and King are best made known. + </p> + <p> + In the early part of the next year, 1704., the King made La Queue, who + was a captain of cavalry, campmaster. This La Queue was seigneur of + the place of which he bore the name, distant six leagues from + Versailles, and as much from Dreux. He had married a girl that the + King had had by a gardener's wife. Bontems, the confidential valet of + the King, had brought about the marriage without declaring the names + of the father or the mother of the girl; but La Queue knew it, and + promised himself a fortune. The girl herself was tall and strongly + resembled the King. Unfortunately for her, she knew the secret of her + birth, and much envied her three sisters—recognised, and so + grandly married. She lived on very good terms with her husband—always, + however, in the greatest privacy— and had several children by + him. La Queue himself, although by this marriage son-in-law of the + King, seldom appeared at the Court, and, when there, was on the same + footing as the simplest soldier. Bontems did not fail from time to + time to give him money. The wife of La Queue lived very melancholily + for twenty years in her village, never left it, and scarcely ever went + abroad for fear of betraying herself. + </p> + <p> + On Wednesday, the 25th of June, Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne had a + son born to him. This event caused great joy to the King and the + Court. The town shared their delight, and carried their enthusiasm + almost to madness, by the excess of their demonstration and their + fetes. The King gave a fete at Marly, and made the most magnificent + presents to Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne when she left her bed. But + we soon had reason to repent of so much joy, for the child died in + less than a year—and of so much money unwisely spent, in fetes + when it was wanted for more pressing purposes. Even while these + rejoicings were being celebrated, news reached us which spread + consternation in every family, and cast a gloom over the whole city. + </p> + <p> + I have already said that a grand alliance, with the Emperor at its + head, had been formed against France, and that our troops were + opposing the Allies in various parts of Europe. The Elector of Bavaria + had joined his forces to ours, and had already done us some service. + On the 12th of August he led his men into the plain of Hochstedt, + where, during the previous year, he had gained a victory over the + Imperialists. In this plain he was joined by our troops, who took up + positions right and left of him, under the command of Tallard and + Marsin. The Elector himself had command of all. Soon after their + arrival at Hochstedt, they received intelligence that Prince Eugene, + with the Imperialist forces, and the Duke of Marlborough with the + English were coming to meet them. Our generals had, however, all the + day before them to choose their ground, and to make their + dispositions. It would have been difficult to succeed worse, both with + the one and the other. A brook, by no means of a miry kind, ran + parallel to our army; and in front of it a spring, which formed a long + and large quagmire, nearly separated the two lines of Marshal Tallard. + It was a strange situation for a general to take up, who is master of + a vast plain; and it became, as will be seen, a very sad one. At his + extreme right was the large village of Blenheim, in which, by a + blindness without example, he had placed twenty-six battalions of + infantry, six regiments of dragoons, and a brigade of cavalry. It was + an entire army merely for the purpose of holding this village, and + supporting his right, and of course he had all these troops the less + to aid him in the battle which took place. The first battle of + Hochstedt afforded a lesson which ought to have been studied on this + occasion. There were many officers present, too, who had been at that + battle; but they were not consulted. One of two courses was open, + either to take up a position behind the brook, and parallel to it, so + as to dispute its passage with the enemies, or to take advantage of + the disorder they would be thrown into in crossing it by attacking + them then. Both these plans were good; the second was the better; but + neither was adopted. What was done was, to leave a large space between + our troops and the brook, that the enemy might pass at their ease, and + be overthrown afterwards, as was said. With such dispositions it is + impossible to doubt but that our chiefs were struck with blindness. + The Danube flowed near enough to Blenheim to be of sufficient support + to our right, better indeed than that village, which consequently + there was no necessity to hold. + </p> + <p> + The enemies arrived on the 13th of August at the dawn, and at once + took up their position on the banks of the brook. Their surprise must + have been great to see our army so far off, drawn up in battle array. + They profited by the extent of ground left to them, crossed the brook + at nearly every point, formed themselves in several lines on the side + to which they crossed, and then extended themselves at their ease, + without receiving the slightest opposition. This is exact truth, but + without any appearance of being so; and posterity will with difficulty + believe it. It was nearly eight o'clock before all these dispositions, + which our troops saw made without moving, were completed. Prince + Eugene with his army had the right; the Duke of Marlborough the left. + The latter thus opposed to the forces of Tallard, and Prince Eugene to + those of Marsin. + </p> + <p> + The battle commenced; and in one part was so far favourable to us that + the attack of Prince Eugene was repulsed by Marsin, who might have + profited by this circumstance but for the unfortunate position of our + right. Two things contributed to place us at a disadvantage. The + second line, separated by the quagmire I have alluded to from the + first line, could not sustain it properly; and in consequence of the + long bend it was necessary to make round this quagmire, neither line, + after receiving or making a charge, could retire quickly to rally and + return again to the attack. As for the infantry, the twenty-six + battalions shut up in Blenheim left a great gap in it that could not + fail to, be felt. The English, who soon perceived the advantage they + might obtain from this want of infantry, and from the difficulty with + which our cavalry of the right was rallied, profited by these + circumstances with the readiness of people who have plenty of ground + at their disposal. They redoubled their charges, and to say all in one + word, they defeated at their first attack all this army, + notwithstanding the efforts of our general officers and of several + regiments to repel them. The army of the Elector, entirely + unsupported, and taken in flank by the English, wavered in its turn. + All the valour of the Bavarians, all the prodigies of the Elector, + were unable to remedy the effects of this wavering. Thus was seen, at + one and the same time, the army of Tallard beaten and thrown into the + utmost disorder; that of the Elector sustaining itself with great + intrepidity, but already in retreat; and that of Marsin charging and + gaining ground upon Prince Eugene. It was not until Marsin learnt of + the defeat of Tallard and of the Elector, that he ceased to pursue his + advantages, and commenced his retreat. This retreat he was able to + make without being pursued. + </p> + <a name="image-0002" id="image-0002"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img src="images/p354.jpg" + alt="After the Battle of Blenheim--painted by R. Canton Woodville " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <!-- IMAGE END --> + <p> + In the mean time the troops in Blenheim had been twice attacked, and + had twice repulsed the enemy. Tallard had given orders to these troops + on no account to leave their positions, nor to allow a single man even + to quit them. Now, seeing his army defeated and in flight, he wished + to countermand these orders. He was riding in hot haste to Blenheim to + do so, with only two attendants, when all three were surrounded, + recognised, and taken prisoners. + </p> + <p> + These troops shut up in Blenheim had been left under the command of + Blansac, camp-marshal, and Clerembault, lieutenant-general. During the + battle this latter was missed, and could nowhere be found. It was + known afterwards that, for fear of being killed, he had endeavoured to + escape across the Danube on horseback attended by a single valet. The + valet passed over the river in safety, but his master went to the + bottom. Blansac, thus left alone in command, was much troubled by the + disorders he saw and heard, and by the want which he felt of fresh + orders. He sent a messenger to Tallard for instructions how to act, + but his messenger was stopped on the road, and taken prisoner. I only + repeat what Blansac himself reported in his defence, which was equally + ill-received by the King and the public, but which had no + contradictors, for nobody was witness of what took place at Blenheim + except those actually there, and they all, the principals at least, + agreed in their story. What some of the soldiers said was not of a + kind that could altogether be relied upon. + </p> + <p> + While Blansac was in this trouble, he saw Denonville, one of our + officers who had been taken prisoner, coming towards the village, + accompanied by an officer who waved a handkerchief in the air and + demanded a parley. Denonville was a young man, very handsome and well + made, who being a great favourite with Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne + had become presumptuous and somewhat audacious. Instead of speaking in + private to Blansac and the other principal officers—since he had + undertaken so strange a mission—Denonville, who had some + intellect, plenty of fine talk, and a mighty opinion of himself, set + to work haranguing the troops, trying to persuade them to surrender + themselves prisoners of war, so that they might preserve themselves + for the service of the King. Blansac, who saw the wavering this caused + among the troops, sharply told Denonville to hold his tongue, and + began himself to harangue the troops in a contrary spirit. But it was + to late. The mischief was done. Only one regiment, that of Navarre, + applauded him, all the rest maintained a dull silence. I remind my + readers that it is Blansac's version of the story I am giving. + </p> + <p> + Soon after Denonville and his companion had returned to the enemy, an + English lord came, demanding a parley with the commandant. He was + admitted to Blansac, to whom he said that the Duke of Marlborough had + sent him to say that he had forty battalions and sixty pieces of + cannon at his disposal, with reinforcements to any extent at command; + that he should surround the village on all sides; that the army of + Tallard was in flight, and the remains of that of the Elector in + retreat; that Tallard and many general officers were prisoners; that + Blansac could hope for no reinforcements; and that, therefore, he had + better at once make an honourable capitulation, and surrender, himself + with all his men prisoners of war, than attempt a struggle in which he + was sure to be worsted with great loss. Blansac wanted to dismiss this + messenger at once, but the Englishman pressed him to advance a few + steps out of the village, and see with his own eyes the defeat of the + Electoral army, and the preparations that were made on the other side + to continue the battle. Blansac accordingly, attended by one of his + officers, followed this lord, and was astounded to see with his own + eyes that all he had just heard was true. Returned into Bleinheim, + Blansac assembled all his principal officers, made them acquainted + with the proposition that had been made, and told them what he had + himself seen. Every one comprehended what a frightful shock it would + be for the country when it learnt that they had surrendered themselves + prisoners of war; but all things well considered, it was thought best + to accept these terms, and so preserve to the King the twenty-six + battalions and the twelve squadrons of dragoons who were there. This + terrible capitulation was at once, therefore, drawn up and signed by + Blansac, the general officers, and the heads of every corps except + that of Navarre, which was thus the sole one which refused. + </p> + <p> + The number of prisoners that fell to the enemy in this battle was + infinite. The Duke of Marlborough took charge of the most + distinguished, until he could carry them away to England, to grace his + triumph there. He treated them all, even the humblest, with the utmost + attention, consideration, and politeness, and with a modesty that did + him even more honour than his victory. Those that came under the + charge of Prince Louis of Baden were much less kindly treated. + </p> + <p> + The King received the cruel news of this battle on the 21st of August, + by a courier from the Marechal de Villeroy. By this courier the King + learnt that a battle had taken place on the 13th; had lasted from + eight o'clock in the morning until evening; that the entire army of + Tallard was killed or taken prisoners; that it was not known what had + become of Tallard himself, or whether the Elector and Marsin had been + at the action. The private letters that arrived were all opened to see + what news they contained, but no fresh information could be got from + them. For six days the King remained in this uncertainty as to the + real losses that had been sustained. Everybody was afraid to write bad + news; all the letters which from time to time arrived, gave, + therefore, but an unsatisfactory account of what had taken place. The + King used every means in his power to obtain some news. Every post + that came in was examined by him, but there was little found to + satisfy him. Neither the King nor anybody else could understand, from + what had reached them, how it was that an entire army had been placed + inside a village, and had surrendered itself by a signed capitulation. + It puzzled every brain. At last the details, that had oozed out little + by little, augmented to a perfect stream, by the arrival of one of our + officers, who, taken prisoner, had been allowed by the Duke of + Marlborough to go to Paris to relate to the King the misfortune that + had happened to him. + </p> + <p> + We were not accustomed to misfortunes. This one, very reasonably, was + utterly unexpected. It seemed in every way the result of bad + generalship, of an unjustifiable disposition of troops, and of a + series of gross and incredible errors. The commotion was general. + There was scarcely an illustrious family that had not had one of its + members killed, wounded, or taken prisoner. Other families were in the + same case. The public sorrow and indignation burst out without + restraint. Nobody who had taken part in this humiliation was spared; + the generals and the private soldiers alike came in for blame. + Denonville was ignominiously broken for the speech he had made at + Blenheim. The generals, however, were entirely let off. All the + punishment fell upon certain regiments, which were broken, and upon + certain unimportant officers—the guilty and innocent mixed + together. The outcry was universal. The grief of the King at this + ignominy and this loss, at the moment when he imagined that the fate + of the Emperor was in his hands, may be imagined. At a time when he + might have counted upon striking a decisive blow, he saw himself + reduced to act simply on the defensive, in order to preserve his + troops; and had to repair the loss of an entire army, killed or taken + prisoners. The sequel showed not less that the hand of God was weighty + upon us. All judgment was lost. We trembled even in the midst of + Alsace. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of all this public sorrow, the rejoicing and the fetes + for the birth of the Duc de Bretagne son of Monseigneur le Duc de + Bourgogne, were not discontinued. The city gave a firework fete upon + the river, that Monseigneur, the Princes, his sons, and Madame la + Duchesse de Bourgogne, with many ladies and courtiers, came to see + from the windows of the Louvre, magnificent cheer and refreshments + being provided for them. This was a contrast which irritated the + people, who would not understand that it was meant for magnanimity. A + few days afterwards the King gave an illumination and a fete at Marly, + to which the Court of Saint Germain was invited; and which was all in + honour of Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne. He thanked the Prevot des + Marchand for the fireworks upon the river, and said that Monseigneur + and Madame had found them very beautiful. + </p> + <p> + Shortly after this, I received a letter from one of my friends, the + Duc de Montfort, who had always been in the army of the Marechal de + Villeroy. He sent word to me, that upon his return he intended to + break his sword, and retire from the army. His letter was written in + such a despairing tone that, fearing lest with his burning courage he + might commit some martial folly, I conjured him not to throw himself + into danger for the sake of being killed. It seemed that I had + anticipated his intentions. A convoy of money was to be sent to + Landau. Twice he asked to be allowed to take charge of this convoy, + and twice he was told it was too insignificant a charge for a + camp-marshal to undertake. The third time that he asked this favour, + he obtained it by pure importunity. He carried the money safely into + Landau, without meeting with any obstacle. On his return he saw some + hussars roving about. Without a moment's hesitation he resolved to + give chase to them. He was with difficulty restrained for some time, + and a last, breaking away, he set off to attack them, followed by only + two officers. The hussars dispersed themselves, and retreated; the Duc + de Montfort followed them, rode into the midst of them, was surrounded + on all sides, and soon received a blow which overturned him. In a few + moments after, being carried off by his men, he died, having only had + time to confess himself, and to arrive at his quarters. He was + infinitely regretted by everybody who had known him. The grief of his + family may be imagined. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXX + </h2> + <p> + The King did not long remain without some consolation for the loss of + the battle of Hochstedt (Blenheim). The Comte de Toulouse—very + different in every respect from his brother, the Duc du Maine—was + wearied with cruising in the Mediterranean, without daring to attack + enemies that were too strong for him. He had, therefore, obtained + reinforcements this year, so that he was in a state to measure his + forces with any opponent. The English fleet was under the command of + Admiral Rooks. The Comte de Toulouse wished above all things to + attack. He asked permission to do so, and, the permission being + granted, he set about his enterprise. He met the fleet of Admiral + Rooks near Malaga, on the 24th of September of this year, and fought + with it from ten o'clock in the morning until eight o'clock in the + evening. The fleets, as far as the number of vessels was concerned, + were nearly equal. So furious or so obstinate a sea-fight had not been + seen for a long time. They had always the wind upon our fleet, yet all + the advantage was on the side of the Comte de Toulouse, who could + boast that he had obtained the victory, and whose vessel fought that + of Rooks, dismasted it, and pursued it all next day towards the coast + of Barbary, where the Admiral retired. The enemy lost six thousand + men; the ship of the Dutch Vice-Admiral was blown up; several others + were sunk, and some dismasted. Our fleet lost neither ship nor mast, + but the victory cost the lives of many distinguished people, in + addition to those of fifteen hundred soldiers or sailors killed or + wounded. + </p> + <p> + Towards evening on the 25th, by dint of maneuvers, aided by the wind, + our fleet came up again with that of Rooks. The Comte de Toulouse was + for attacking it again on the morrow, and showed that if the attack + were successful, Gibraltar would be the first result of the victory. + That famous place, which commands the important strait of the same + name, had been allowed to fall into neglect, and was defended by a + miserable garrison of forty men. In this state it had of course easily + fallen into the hands of the enemies. But they had not yet had time to + man it with a much superior force, and Admiral Rooks once defeated, it + must have surrendered to us. + </p> + <p> + The Comte de Toulouse urged his advice with all the energy of which he + was capable, and he was supported in opinion by others of more + experience than himself. But D'O, the mentor of the fleet, against + whose counsel he had been expressly ordered by the King never to act, + opposed the project of another attack with such disdainful + determination, that the Comte had no course open but to give way. The + annoyance which this caused throughout the fleet was very great. It + soon was known what would have become of the enemy's fleet had it been + attacked, and that Gibraltar would have been found in exactly the same + state as when abandoned. The Comte de Toulouse acquired great honour + in this campaign, and his stupid teacher lost little, because he had + little to lose. + </p> + <p> + M. de Mantua having surrendered his state to the King, thereby + rendering us a most important service in Italy, found himself ill at + ease in his territory, which had become the theatre of war, and had + come incognito to Paris. He had apartments provided for him in the + Luxembourg, furnished magnificently with the Crown furniture, and was + very graciously received by the King. The principal object of his + journey was to marry some French lady; and as he made no secret of + this intention, more than one plot was laid in order to provide him + with a wife. M. de Vaudemont, intent upon aggrandizing the house of + Lorraine, wished. M de Mantua to marry a member of that family, and + fixed upon Mademoiselle d'Elboeuf for his bride. The Lorraines did all + in their power to induce M. de Mantua to accept her. But M. le Prince + had also his designs in this matter. He had a daughter; whom he knew + not how to get off his hands, and he thought that in more ways than + one it would be to his advantage to marry her to the Duke of Mantua. + He explained his views to the King, who gave him permission to follow + them out, and promised to serve him with all his protection. But when + the subject was broached to M. de Mantua, he declined this match in + such a respectful, yet firm, manner that M. le Prince felt he must + abandon all hope of carrying it out. The Lorraines were not more + successful in their designs. When M. de Vaudemont had first spoken of + Mademoiselle d'Elboeuf, M. de Mantua had appeared to listen + favourably. This was in Italy. Now that he was in Paris he acted very + differently. It was in vain that Mademoiselle d'Elboeuf was thrust in + his way, as though by chance, at the promenades, in the churches; her + beauty, which might have touched many others, made no impression upon + him. The fact was that M. de Mantua, even long before leaving his + state, had fixed upon a wife. + </p> + <p> + Supping one evening with the Duc de Lesdiguieres, a little before the + death of the latter, he saw a ring with a portrait in it; upon the + Duke's finger. He begged to be allowed to look at the portrait, was + charmed with it, and said he should be very happy to have such a + beautiful mistress. The Duke at this burst out laughing, and said it + was the portrait of his wife. As soon as the Duc de Lesdiguieres was + dead, de Mantua thought only of marrying the young widowed Duchess. He + sought her everywhere when he arrived in Paris, but without being able + to find her; because she was in the first year of her widowhood. He + therefore unbosomed himself to Torcy, who reported the matter to the + King. The King approved of the design of M. de Mantua, and charged the + Marechal de Duras to speak to the Duchesse de Lesdiguieres, who was + his daughter. The Duchess was equally surprised and afflicted when she + learned what was in progress. She testified to her father her + repugnance to abandon herself to the caprices and the jealousy of an + old Italian 'debauche' the horror she felt at the idea of being left + alone with him in Italy; and the reasonable fear she had of her + health, with a man whose own could not be good. + </p> + <p> + I was promptly made acquainted with this affair; for Madame de + Lesdiguieres and Madame de Saint-Simon were on the most intimate + terms. I did everything in my power to persuade Madame de + Lesdirguieres to content to the match, insisting at once on her family + position, on the reason of state, and on the pleasure of ousting + Madame d'Elboeuf,—but it was all in vain. I never saw such + firmness. Pontchartrain, who came and reasoned with her, was even less + successful than I, for he excited her by threats and menaces. M. le + Prince himself supported us—having no longer any hope for + himself, and fearing, above all things, M. de Mantua's marriage with a + Lorraine—and did all he could to persuade Madame de Lesdiguieres + to give in. I renewed my efforts in the same direction, but with no + better success than before. Nevertheless, M. de Mantua, irritated by + not being able to see Madame de Lesdirguieres, resolved to go and wait + for her on a Sunday at the Minimes. He found her shut up in a chapel, + and drew near the door in order to see her as she went out. He was not + much gratified; her thick crape veil was lowered; it was with + difficulty he could get a glance at her. Resolved to succeed, he spoke + to Torcy, intimating that Madame de Lesdiguieres ought not to refuse + such a slight favour as to allow herself to be seen in a church. Torcy + communicated this to the King, who sent word to Madame de Lesdiguieres + that she must consent to the favour M. de Mantua demanded. She could + not refuse after this. M. de Mantua went accordingly, and waited for + her in the same place, where he had once already so badly seen her. He + found her, in the chapel, and drew near the door, as before. She came + out, her veil raised, passed lightly before him, made him a sliding + courtesy as she glided by, in reply to his bow, and reached her coach. + </p> + <p> + M. de Mantua was charmed; he redoubled his efforts with the King and + M. de Duras; the matter was discussed in full council, like an affair + of state—indeed it was one; and it was resolved to amuse M. de + Mantua, and yet at the same time to do everything to vanquish this + resistance of Madame de Lesdiguieres, except employing the full + authority of the King, which the King himself did not wish to exert. + Everything was promised to her on the part of the King: that it should + be his Majesty who would make the stipulations of the marriage + contract; that it should be his Majesty who would give her a dowry, + and would guarantee her return to France if she became a widow, and + assure her his protection while she remained a wife; in one word, + everything was tried, and in the gentlest and most honourable manner, + to persuade her. Her mother lent us her house one afternoon, in order + that we might speak more at length and more at our ease there to + Madame de Lesdiguieres than we could at the Hotel de Duras. We only + gained a torrent of tears for our pains. + </p> + <p> + A few days after this, I was very much astonished to hear Chamillart + relate to me all that had passed at this interview. I learnt + afterwards that Madame de Lesdiguieres, fearing that if, entirely + unsupported, she persisted in her refusal, it might draw upon her the + anger of the King, had begged Chamillart to implore his Majesty not to + insist upon this marriage. M. de Mantua hearing this, turned his + thoughts elsewhere; and she was at last delivered of a pursuit which + had become a painful persecution to her. Chamillart served her so well + that the affair came to an end; and the King, flattered perhaps by the + desire this young Duchess showed to remain his subject instead of + becoming a sovereign, passed a eulogium upon her the same evening in + his cabinet to his family and to the Princesses, by whom it was spread + abroad through society. + </p> + <p> + I may as well finish this matter at once. The Lorraines, who had + watched very closely the affair up to this point, took hope again + directly they heard of the resolution M. de Mantua had formed to + abandon his pursuit of Madame de Lesdiguieres. They, in their turn, + were closely watched by M. le Prince, who so excited the King against + them, that Madame d'Elboeuf received orders from him not to continue + pressing her suit upon M. de Mantua. That did not stop them. They felt + that the King would not interfere with them by an express prohibition, + and sure, by past experience, of being on better terms with him + afterwards than before, they pursued their object with obstinacy. By + dint of much plotting and scheming, and by the aid of their creatures, + they contrived to overcome the repugnance of M. de Mantua to + Mademoiselle d'Elboeuf, which at bottom could be only caprice—her + beauty, her figure, and her birth taken into account. But Mademoiselle + d'Elboeuf, in her turn, was as opposed to marriage with M. de Mantua + as Madame de Lesdiguieres had been. She was, however, brought round + ere long, and then the consent of the King was the only thing left to + be obtained. The Lorraines made use of their usual suppleness in order + to gain that. They represented the impolicy of interfering with the + selection of a sovereign who was the ally of France, and who wished to + select a wife from among her subjects, and succeeded so well, that the + King determined to become neutral; that is to say, neither to prohibit + nor to sanction this match. M. le Prince was instrumental in inducing + the King to take this neutral position; and he furthermore caused the + stipulation to be made, that it should not be celebrated in France, + but at Mantua. + </p> + <p> + After parting with the King, M. de Mantua, on the 21st of September, + went to Nemours, slept there, and then set out for Italy. At the same + time Madame and Mademoiselle d'Elboeuf, with Madame de Pompadour, + sister of the former, passed through Fontainebleau without going to + see a soul, and followed their prey lest he should change his mind and + escape them until the road he was to take branched off from that they + were to go by; he in fact intending to travel by sea and they by land. + On the way their fears redoubled. Arrived at Nevers, and lodged in a + hostelrie, they thought it would not be well to commit themselves + further without more certain security: Madame de Pompadour therefore + proposed to M. de Mantua not to delay his happiness any longer, but to + celebrate his marriage at once. He defended himself as well as he + could, but was at last obliged to give in. During this indecent + dispute, the Bishop was sent to. He had just died, and the Grand + Vicar, not knowing what might be the wishes of the King upon this + marriage, refused to celebrate it. The chaplain was therefore appealed + to, and he at once married Mademoiselle d'Elboeuf to M. de Mantua in + the hotel. As soon as the ceremony was over, Madame d'Elboeuf wished + to leave her daughter alone with M. de Mantua, and although he + strongly objected to this, everybody quitted the room, leaving only + the newly married couple there, and Madame de Pompadour outside upon + the step listening to what passed between them. But finding after a + while that both were very much embarrassed, and that M. de Mantua did + little but cry out for the company to return, she conferred with her + sister, and they agreed to give him his liberty. Immediately he had + obtained it, he mounted his horse, though it was not early, and did + not see them again until they reached Italy—though all went the + same road as far as Lyons. The news of this strange celebration of + marriage was soon spread abroad with all the ridicule which attached + to it. + </p> + <p> + The King was very much annoyed when he learnt that his orders had been + thus disobeyed. The Lorraines plastered over the affair by + representing that they feared an affront from M. de Mantua, and indeed + it did not seem at all unlikely that M. de Mantua, forced as it were + into compliance with their wishes, might have liked nothing better + than to reach Italy and then laugh at them. Meanwhile, Madame + d'Elboeuf and her daughter embarked on board the royal galleys and + started for Italy. On the way they were fiercely chased by some + African corsairs, and it is a great pity they were not taken to finish + the romance. + </p> + <p> + However, upon arriving in Italy, the marriage was again celebrated, + this time with all the forms necessary for the occasion. But Madame + d'Elboeuf had no cause to rejoice that she had succeeded in thus + disposing of her daughter. The new Duchesse de Mantua was guarded by + her husband with the utmost jealousy. She was not allowed to see + anybody except her mother, and that only for an hour each day. Her + women entered her apartment only to dress and undress her. The Duke + walled up very high all the windows of his house, and caused his wife + to, be guarded by old women. She passed her days thus in a cruel + prison. This treatment, which I did not expect, and the little + consideration, not to say contempt, shown here for M. de Mantua since + his departure, consoled me much for the invincible obstinacy of Madame + de Lesdiguieres. Six months after, Madame d'Elboeuf returned, beside + herself with vexation, but too vain to show it. She disguised the + misfortune of her daughter, and appeared to be offended if it was + spoken of; but all our letters from the army showed that the news was + true. The strangest thing of all is, that the Lorraines after this + journey were as well treated by the King as if they had never + undertaken it; a fact which shows their art and ascendency. + </p> + <p> + I have dwelt too long perhaps upon this matter. It appeared to me to + merit attention by its singularity, and still more so because it is by + facts of this sort that is shown what was the composition of the Court + of the King. + </p> + <p> + About this time the Comtesse d'Auvergne finished a short life by an + illness very strange and uncommon. When she married the Comte + d'Auvergne she was a Huguenot, and he much wanted to make her turn + Catholic. A famous advocate of that time, who was named Chardon, had + been a Huguenot, and his wife also; they had made a semblance, + however, of abjuring, but made no open profession of Catholicism. + Chardon was sustained by his great reputation, and by the number of + protectors he had made for himself. + </p> + <p> + One morning he and his wife were in their coach before the Hotel-Dieu, + waiting for a reply that their lackey was a very long time in bringing + them. Madame Chardon glanced by chance upon the grand portal of Notre + Dame, and little by little fell into a profound reverie, which might + be better called reflection. Her husband, who at last perceived this, + asked her what had sent her into such deep thought, and pushed her + elbow even to draw a reply from her. She told him then what she was + thinking about. Pointing to Notre Dame, she said that it was many + centuries before Luther and Calvin that those images of saints had + been sculptured over that portal; that this proved that saints had + long since been invoked; the opposition of the reformers to this + ancient opinion was a novelty; that this novelty rendered suspicious + other dogmas against the antiquity of Catholicism that they taught; + that these reflections, which she had never before made, gave her much + disquietude, and made her form the resolution to seek to enlighten + herself. + </p> + <p> + Chardon thought his wife right, and from that day they laid themselves + out to seek the truth, then to consult, then to be instructed. This + lasted a year, and then they made a new abjuration, and both ever + afterwards passed their lives in zeal and good works. Madame Chardon + converted many Huguenots. The Comte d'Auvergne took his wife to her. + The Countess was converted by her, and became a very good Catholic. + When she died she was extremely regretted by all the relatives of her + husband, although at first they had looked upon her coldly. + </p> + <p> + In the month of this September, a strange attempt at assassination + occurred. Vervins had been forced into many suits against his + relatives, and was upon the point of gaining them all, when one of his + cousins- german, who called himself the Abbe de Pre, caused him to be + attacked as he passed in his coach along the Quai de la Tournelle, + before the community of Madame de Miramion. Vervins was wounded with + several sword cuts, and also his coachman, who wished to defend him. + In consequence of the complaint Vervins made, the Abbe escaped abroad, + whence he never returned, and soon after, his crime being proved, was + condemned to be broken alive on the wheel. Vervins had long been + menaced with an attack by the Abbe. Vervins was an agreeable, + well-made man, but very idle. He had entered the army; but quitted it + soon, and retired to his estates in Picardy. There he shut himself up + without any cause of disgust or of displeasure, without being in any + embarrassment, for on the contrary he was well to do, and all his + affairs were in good order, and he never married; without motives of + piety, for piety was not at all in his vein; without being in bad + health, for his health was always perfect; without a taste for + improvement, for no workmen were ever seen in his house; still less on + account of the chase, for he never went to it. Yet he stayed in his + house for several years, without intercourse with a soul, and, what is + most incomprehensible, without budging from his bed, except to allow + it to be made. He dined there, and often all alone; he transacted what + little business he had to do there, and received while there the few + people he could not refuse admission to; and each day, from the moment + he opened his eyes until he closed them again, worked at tapestry, or + read a little; he persevered until his death in this strange fashion + of existence; so uniquely singular, that I have wished to describe it. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXI + </h2> + <p> + There presents itself to my memory an anecdote which it would be very + prudent perhaps to be silent upon, and which is very curious for + anybody who has seen things so closely as I have, to describe. What + determines me to relate it is that the fact is not altogether unknown, + and that every Court swarms with similar adventures. Must it be said + then? We had amongst us a charming young Princess who, by her graces, + her attentions, and her original manners, had taken possession of the + hearts of the King, of Madame de Maintenon, and of her husband, + Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne. The extreme discontent so justly felt + against her father, M. de Savoie, had not made the slightest + alteration in their tenderness for her. The King, who hid nothing from + her, who worked with his ministers in her presence whenever she liked + to enter, took care not to say a word in her hearing against her + father. In private, she clasped the King round the neck at all hours, + jumped upon his knees, tormented him with all sorts of sportiveness, + rummaged among his papers, opened his letters end read them in his + presence, sometimes in spite of him; and acted in the same manner with + Madame de Maintenon. Despite this extreme liberty, she never spoke + against any one: gracious to all, she endeavoured to ward off blows + from all whenever she could; was attentive to the private comforts of + the King, even the humblest: kind to all who served her, and living + with her ladies, as with friends, in complete liberty, old and young; + she was the darling of the Court, adored by all; everybody, great and + small, was anxious to please her; everybody missed her when she was + away; when she reappeared the void was filled up; in a word, she had + attached all hearts to her; but while in this brilliant situation she + lost her own. + </p> + <p> + Nangis, now a very commonplace Marshal of France, was at that time in + full bloom. He had an agreeable but not an uncommon face; was well + made, without anything marvellous; and had been educated in intrigue + by the Marechale de Rochefort, his grandmother, and Madame de Blansac, + his mother, who were skilled mistresses of that art. Early introduced + by them into the great world of which they were, so to speak, the + centre, he had no talent but that of pleasing women, of speaking their + language, and of monopolising the most desirable by a discretion + beyond his years, and which did not belong to his time. Nobody was + more in vogue than he. He had had the command of a regiment when he + was quite a child. He had shown firmness, application, and brilliant + valour in war, that the ladies had made the most of, and they sufficed + at his age; he was of the Court of Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne, + about the same age, and well treated by him. + </p> + <p> + The Duc de Bourgogne, passionately in love with his wife, was not so + well made as Nangis; but the Princess reciprocated his ardor so + perfectly that up to his death he never suspected that her glances had + wandered to any one else. They fell, however, upon Nangis, and soon + redoubled. Nangis was not ungrateful, but he feared the thunderbolt; + and his heart, too, was already engaged. Madame de la Vrilliere, who, + without beauty, was pretty and grateful as Love, had made this + conquest. She was, as I have said, daughter of Madame de Mailly, Dame + d'Atours of Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne; and was always near her. + Jealousy soon enlightened her as to what was taking place. Far from + yielding her conquest to the Duchess; she made a point of preserving + it, of disputing its possession, and carrying it off. This struggle + threw Nangis into a terrible embarrassment. He feared the fury of + Madame de la Vrilliere, who affected to be more ready to break out + than in reality she was. Besides his love for her, he feared the + result of an outburst, and already saw his fortune lost. On the other + hand, any reserve of his towards the Duchess, who had so much power in + her hands—and seemed destined to have more—and who he knew + was not likely to suffer a rival —might, he felt, be his ruin. + This perplexity, for those who were aware of it, gave rise to + continual scenes. I was then a constant visitor of Madame de Blansac, + at Paris, and of the Marechale de Rochefort, at Versailles; and, + through them and several other ladies of the Court, with whom I was + intimate, I learnt, day by day, everything that passed. In addition to + the fact that nothing diverted me more, the results of this affair + might be great; and it was my especial ambition to be well informed of + everything. At length, all members of the Court who were assiduous and + enlightened understood the state of affairs; but either through fear + or from love to the Duchess, the whole Court was silent, saw + everything, whispered discreetly, and actually kept the secret that + was not entrusted to it. The struggle between the two ladies, not + without bitterness, and sometimes insolence on the part of Madame de + la Vrilliere, nor without suffering and displeasure gently manifested + on the part of Madame de Bourgogne, was for a long time a singular + sight. + </p> + <p> + Whether Nangis, too faithful to his first love, needed some grains of + jealousy to excite him, or whether things fell out naturally, it + happened that he found a rival. Maulevrier, son of a brother of + Colbert who had died of grief at not being named Marshal of France, + was this rival. He had married a daughter of the Marechal de Tesse, + and was not very agreeable in appearance—his face, indeed, was + very commonplace. He was by no means framed for gallantry; but he had + wit, and a mind fertile in intrigues, with a measureless ambition that + was sometimes pushed to madness. His wife was pretty, not clever, + quarrelsome, and under a virginal appearance; mischievous to the last + degree. As daughter of a man for whom Madame de Bourgogne had much + gratitude for the part he had taken in negotiating her marriage, and + the Peace of Savoy, she was easily enabled to make her way at Court, + and her husband with her. He soon sniffed what was passing in respect + to Nangis, and obtained means of access to Madame de Bourgogne, + through the influence of his father-in- law; was assiduous in his + attentions; and at length, excited by example, dared to sigh. Tired of + not being understood, he ventured to write. It is pretended that he + sent his letters through one of the Court ladies, who thought they + came from Tesse, delivered them, and handed him back the answers, as + though for delivery by him. I will not add what more was believed. I + will simply say that this affair was as soon perceived as had been the + other, and was treated, with the same silence. + </p> + <p> + Under pretext of friendship, Madame de Bourgogne went more than once—on + account of the speedy departure of her husband (for the army), + attended some, times by La Maintenon,—to the house of Madame de + Maulevrier, to weep with her. The Court smiled. Whether the tears were + for Madame de Maulevrier or for Nangis, was doubtful. But Nangis, + nevertheless, aroused by this rivalry, threw Madame de la Vrilliere + into terrible grief, and into a humour over which she was not + mistress. + </p> + <p> + This tocsin made itself heard by Maulevrier. What will not a man think + of doing when possessed to excess by love or ambition? He pretended to + have something the matter with his chest, put himself on a milk diet, + made believe that he had lost his voice, and was sufficiently master + of himself to refrain from uttering an intelligible word during a + whole year; by these means evading the campaign and remaining at the + Court. He was mad enough to relate this project, and many others, to + his friend the Duc de Lorges, from whom, in turn, I learnt it. The + fact was, that bringing himself thus to the necessity of never + speaking to anybody except in their ear, he had the liberty of + speaking low to—Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne before all the + Court without impropriety and without suspicion. In this manner he + said to her whatever he wished day by day, and was never overheard. He + also contrived to say things the short answers to which were equally + unheard. He so accustomed people to this manner of speaking that they + took no more notice of it than was expressed in pity for such a sad + state; but it happened that those who approached the nearest to Madame + la Duchesse de Bourgogne when Maulevrier was at her side, soon knew + enough not to be eager to draw near her again when she was thus + situated. This trick lasted more than a year: his conversation was + principally composed of reproaches—but reproaches rarely succeed + in love. Maulevrier, judging by the ill-humour of Madame de la + Vrilliere, believed Nangis to be happy. Jealousy and rage transported + him at last to the extremity of folly. + </p> + <p> + One day, as Madame de Bourgogne was coming from mass and he knew that + Dangeau, her chevalier d'honneur, was absent, he gave her his hand. + The attendants had accustomed themselves to let him have this honour, + on account of his distinguished voice, so as to allow him to speak by + the way, and retired respectfully so as not to hear what he said. The + ladies always followed far behind, so that, in the midst of all the + Court, he had, from the chapel to the apartments of Madame de + Bourgogne, the full advantages of a private interview—advantages + that he had availed himself of several times. On this day he railed + against Nangis to Madame de Bourgogne, called him by all sorts of + names, threatened to tell everything to the King and to Madame de + Maintenon, and to the Duc de Bourgogne, squeezed her fingers as if he + would break them, and led her in this manner, like a madman as he was, + to her apartments. Upon entering them she was ready to swoon. + Trembling all over she entered her wardrobe, called one of her + favourite ladies, Madame de Nogaret, to her, related what had + occurred, saying she knew not how she had reached her rooms, or how it + was she had not sunk beneath the floor, or died. She had never been so + dismayed. The same day Madame de Nogaret related this to Madame de + Saint-Simon and to me, in the strictest confidence. She counselled the + Duchess to behave gently with such a dangerous madman, and to avoid + committing herself in any way with him. The worst was, that after this + he threatened and said many things against Nangis, as a man with whom + he was deeply offended, and whom he meant to call to account. Although + he gave no reason for this, the reason was only too evident. The fear + of Madame de Bourgogne at this may be imagined, and also that of + Nangis. He was brave and cared for nobody; but to be mixed up in such + an affair as this made him quake with fright. He beheld his fortune + and his happiness in the hands of a furious madman. He shunned + Maulevrier from that time as much as possible, showed himself but + little, and held his peace. + </p> + <p> + For six weeks Madame de Bourgogne lived in the most measured manner, + and in mortal tremors of fear, without, however, anything happening. I + know not who warned Tesse of what was going on. But when he learnt it + he acted like a man of ability. He persuaded his son-in-law, + Maulevrier, to follow him to Spain, as to a place where his fortune + was assured to him. He spoke to Fagon, who saw all and knew all. He + understood matters in a moment, and at once said, that as so many + remedies had been tried ineffectually for Maulevrier, he must go to a + warmer climate, as a winter in France would inevitably kill him. It + was then as a remedy, and as people go to the waters, that he went to + Spain. The King and all the Court believed this, and neither the King + nor Madame de Maintenon offered any objections. As soon as Tesse knew + this he hurried his son-in-law out of the realm, and so put a stop to + his follies and the mortal fear they had caused. To finish this + adventure at once, although it will lead me far beyond the date of + other matters to be spoken of after, let me say what became of + Maulevrier after this point of the narrative. + </p> + <p> + He went first to Spain with Tesse. On the way they had an interview + with Madame des Ursins, and succeeded in gaining her favour so + completely, that, upon arriving at Madrid, the King and Queen of + Spain, informed of this, welcomed them with much cordiality. + Maulevrier soon became a great favourite with the Queen of Spain. It + has been said, that he wished to please her, and that he succeeded. At + all events he often had long interviews with her in private, and these + made people think and talk. + </p> + <p> + Maulevrier began to believe it time to reap after having so well sown. + He counted upon nothing less than being made grandee of Spain, and + would have obtained this favour but for his indiscretion. News of what + was in store for him was noised abroad. The Duc de Grammont, then our + ambassador at Madrid, wrote word to the King of the rumours that were + in circulation of Maulevrier's audacious conduct towards the Queen of + Spain, and of the reward it was to meet with. The King at once sent a + very strong letter to the King of Spain about Maulevrier, who, by the + same courier, was prohibited from accepting any favour that might be + offered him. He was ordered at the same time to join Tesse at + Gibraltar. He had already done so at the instance of Tesse himself; so + the courier went from Madrid to Gibraltar to find him. His rage and + vexation upon seeing himself deprived of the recompense he had + considered certain were very great. But they yielded in time to the + hopes he formed of success, and he determined to set off for Madrid + and thence to Versailles. His father-in-law tried to retain him at the + siege, but in vain. His representations and his authority were alike + useless. Maulevrier hoped to gain over the King and Queen of Spain so + completely, that our King would be forced, as it were, to range + himself on their side; but the Duc de Grammont at once wrote word that + Maulevrier had left the siege of Gibraltar and returned to Madrid. + This disobedience was at once chastised. A courier was immediately + despatched to Maulevrier, commanding him to set out for France. He + took leave of the King and Queen of Spain like a man without hope, and + left Spain. The most remarkable thing is, that upon arriving at Paris, + and finding the Court at Marly, and his wife there also, he asked + permission to go too, the husbands being allowed by right to accompany + their wives there, and the King, to avoid a disturbance, did not + refuse him. + </p> + <p> + At first everything seemed to smile upon Maulervrier. He had, as I + have said, made friends with Madame des Ursins when he was on the road + to Spain. He had done so chiefly by vaunting his intimacy with Madame + de Bourgogne, and by showing to Madame des Ursins that he was in many + of the secrets of the Court. Accordingly, upon his return, she took + him by the hand and showed a disposition towards him which could not + fail to reinstate him in favour. She spoke well of him to Madame de + Maintenon, who, always much smitten with new friends, received him + well, and often had conversations with him which lasted more than + three hours. Madame de Maintenon mentioned him to the King, and + Maulevrier, who had returned out of all hope, now saw himself in a + more favourable position than ever. + </p> + <p> + But the old cause of trouble still existed, and with fresh + complications. Nangis was still in favour, and his appearance made + Maulevrier miserable. There was a new rival too in the field, the Abbe + de Polignac. + </p> + <p> + Pleasing, nay most fascinating in manner, the Abbe was a man to gain + all hearts. He stopped at no flattery to succeed in this. One day when + following the King through the gardens of Marly, it came on to rain. + The King considerately noticed the Abbe's dress, little calculated to + keep off rain. "It is no matter, Sire," said De Polignac, "the rain of + Marly does not wet." People laughed much at this, and these words were + a standing reproach to the soft-spoken Abbe. + </p> + <p> + One of the means by which the Abbe gained the favour of the King was + by being the lover of Madame du Maine. His success at length was great + in every direction. He even envied the situations of Nangis and + Maulevrier; and sought to participate in the same happiness. He took + the same road. Madame d'O and the Marechale de Coeuvres became his + friends. + </p> + <p> + He sought to be heard, and was heard. At last he faced the danger of + the Swiss, and on fine nights was seen with the Duchess in the + gardens. Nangis diminished in favour. Maulevrier on his return + increased in fury. The Abbe met with the same fate as they: everything + was perceived: people talked about the matter in whispers, but silence + was kept. This triumph, in spite of his age, did not satisfy the Abbe: + he aimed at something more solid. He wished to arrive at the + cardinalship, and to further his views he thought it advisable to + ingratiate himself into the favour of Monsieur de Bourgogne. He sought + introduction to them through friends of mine, whom I warned against + him as a man without scruple, and intent only upon advancing himself. + My warnings were in vain. My friends would not heed me, and the Abbe + de Polignac succeeded in gaining the confidence of Monsieur de + Bourgogne, as well as the favour of Madame de Bourgogne. + </p> + <p> + Maulevrier had thus two sources of annoyance—the Abbe de + Polignac and Nangis. Of the latter he showed himself so jealous, that + Madame de Maulevrier, out of pique, made advances to him. Nangis, to + screen himself the better, replied to her. Maulevrier perceived this. + He knew his wife to be sufficiently wicked to make him fear her. So + many troubles of heart and brain transported him. He lost his head. + </p> + <p> + One day the Marechale de Coeuvres came to see him, apparently on some + message of reconciliation. He shut the door upon her; barricaded her + within, and through the door quarrelled with her, even to abuse, for + an hour, during which she had the patience to remain there without + being able to see him. After this he went rarely to Court, but + generally kept himself shut up at home. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes he would go out all alone at the strangest hours, take a + fiacre and drive away to the back of the Chartreux or to other remote + spots. Alighting there, he would whistle, and a grey-headed old man + would advance and give him a packet, or one would be thrown to him + from a window, or he would pick up a box filled with despatches, + hidden behind a post. I heard of these mysterious doings from people + to whom he was vain and indiscreet enough to boast of them. He + continually wrote letters to Madame de Bourgogne, and to Madame de + Maintenon, but more frequently to the former. Madame Cantin was their + agent; and I know people who have seen letters of hers in which she + assured Maulevrier, in the strongest terms, that he might ever reckon + on the Duchess. + </p> + <p> + He made a last journey to Versailles, where he saw his mistress in + private, and quarrelled with her cruelly. After dining with Torcy he + returned to Paris. There, torn by a thousand storms of love, of + jealousy, of ambition, his head was so troubled that doctors were + obliged to be called in, and he was forbidden to see any but the most + indispensable persons, and those at the hours when he was least ill. A + hundred visions passed through his brain. Now like a madman he would + speak only of Spain, of Madame de Bourgogne, of Nangis, whom he wished + to kill or to have assassinated; now full of remorse towards M. de + Bourgogne, he made reflections so curious to hear, that no one dared + to remain with him, and he was left alone. At other times, recalling + his early days, he had nothing but ideas of retreat and penitence. + Then a confession was necessary in order to banish his despair as to + the mercy of God. Often he thought himself very ill and upon the point + of death. + </p> + <p> + The world, however, and even his nearest friends persuaded themselves + that he was only playing a part; and hoping to put an end to it, they + declared to him that he passed for mad in society, and that it behoved + him to rise out of such a strange state and show himself. This was the + last blow and it overwhelmed him. Furious at finding that this opinion + was ruining all the designs of his ambition, he delivered himself up + to despair. Although watched with extreme care by his wife, by + particular friends, and by his servants, he took his measures so well, + that on the Good Friday of the year 1706, at about eight o'clock in + the morning, he slipped away from them all, entered a passage behind + his room, opened the window, threw himself into the court below, and + dashed out his brains upon the pavement. Such was the end of an + ambitious man, who, by his wild and dangerous passions, lost his wits, + and then his life, a tragic victim of himself. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Bourgogne learnt the news at night. In public she showed no + emotion, but in private some tears escaped her. They might have been + of pity, but were not so charitably interpreted. Soon after, it was + noticed that Madame de Maintenon seemed embarrassed and harsh towards + Madame de Bourgogne. It was no longer doubted that Madame de Maintenon + had heard the whole story. She often had long interviews with Madame + de Bourgogne, who always left them in tears. Her sadness grew so much, + and her eyes were so often red, that Monsieur de Bourgogne at last + became alarmed. But he had no suspicion of the truth, and was easily + satisfied with the explanation he received. Madame de Bourgogne felt + the necessity, however, of appearing gayer, and showed herself so. As + for the Abbe de Polignac, it was felt that that dangerous person was + best away. He received therefore a post which called him away, as it + were, into exile; and though he delayed his departure as long as + possible, was at length obliged to go. Madame de Bourgogne took leave + of him in a manner that showed how much she was affected. Some rather + insolent verses were written upon this event; and were found written + on a balustrade by Madame, who was not discreet enough or good enough + to forget them. But they made little noise; everybody loved Madame de + Bourgogne, and hid these verses as much as possible. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXII + </h2> + <p> + At the beginning of October, news reached the Court, which was at + Fontainebleau, that M. de Duras was at the point of death. Upon + hearing this, Madame de Saint-Simon and Madame de Lauzun, who were + both related to M. Duras, wished to absent themselves from the Court + performances that were to take place in the palace that evening. They + expressed this wish to Madame de Bourgogne, who approved of it, but + said she was afraid the King would not do the same. He had been very + angry lately because the ladies had neglected to go full dressed to + the Court performances. A few words he had spoken made everybody take + good care not to rouse his anger on this point again. He expected so + much accordingly from everybody who attended the Court, that Madame de + Bourgogne was afraid he would not consent to dispense with the + attendance of Madame de Saint-Simon and Madame de Lauzun on this + occasion. They compromised the matter, therefore, by dressing + themselves, going to the room where the performance was held, and, + under pretext of not finding places, going away; Madame de Bourgogne + agreeing to explain their absence in this way to the King. I notice + this very insignificant bagatelle to show how the King thought only of + himself, and how much he wished to be obeyed; and that that which + would not have been pardoned to the nieces of a dying man, except at + the Court, was a duty there, and one which it needed great address to + escape from, without seriously infringing the etiquette established. + </p> + <p> + After the return of the Court from Fontainebleau this year, Puysieux + came back from Switzerland, having been sent there as ambassador. + Puysieux was a little fat man, very agreeable, pleasant, and witty, + one of the best fellows in the world, in fact. As he had much wit, and + thoroughly knew the King, he bethought himself of making the best of + his position; and as his Majesty testified much friendship for him on + his return, and declared himself satisfied with his mission in + Switzerland, Puysieux asked if what he heard was not mere compliment, + and whether he could count upon it. As the King assured him that he + might do so, Puysieux assumed a brisk air, and said that he was not so + sure of that, and that he was not pleased with his Majesty. + </p> + <p> + "And why not?" said the King. + </p> + <p> + "Why not?" replied Puysieux; "why, because although the most honest + man in your realm, you have not kept to a promise you made me more + than fifty years ago." + </p> + <p> + "What promise?" asked the King. + </p> + <p> + "What promise, Sire?" said Puysieux; "you have a good memory, you + cannot have forgotten it. Does not your Majesty remember that one day, + having the honour to play at blindman's buff with you at my + grandmother's, you put your cordon bleu on my back, the better to hide + yourself; and that when, after the game, I restored it to you, you + promised to give it me when you became master; you have long been so, + thoroughly master, and nevertheless that cordon bleu is still to + come." + </p> + <p> + The King, who recollected the circumstance, here burst out laughing, + and told Puysieux he was in the right, and that a chapter should be + held on the first day of the new year expressly for the purpose of + receiving him into the order. And so in fact it was, and Puysieux + received the cordon bleu on the day the King had named. This fact is + not important, but it is amusing. It is altogether singular in + connection with a prince as serious and as imposing as Louis XIV.; and + it is one of those little Court anecdotes which are curious. + </p> + <p> + Here is another more important fact, the consequences of which are + still felt by the State. Pontchartrain, Secretary of State for the + Navy, was the plague of it, as of all those who were under his cruel + dependence. He was a man who, with some-amount of ability, was + disagreeable and pedantic to an excess; who loved evil for its own + sake; who was jealous even of his father; who was a cruel tyrant + towards his wife, a woman all docility and goodness; who was in one + word a monster, whom the King kept in office only because he feared + him. An admiral was the abhorrence of Pontchartrain, and an admiral + who was an illegitimate son of the King, he loathed. There was + nothing, therefore, that he had not done during the war to thwart the + Comte de Toulouse; he laid some obstacles everywhere in his path; he + had tried to keep him out of the command of the fleet, and failing + this, had done everything to render the fleet useless. + </p> + <p> + These were bold strokes against a person the King so much loved, but + Pontchartrain knew the weak side of the King; he knew how to balance + the father against the master, to bring forward the admiral and set + aside the son. In this manner the Secretary of State was able to put + obstacles in the way of the Comte de Toulouse that threw him almost + into despair, and the Count could do little to defend himself. It was + a well-known fact at sea and in the ports where the ships touched, and + it angered all the fleet. Pontchartrain accordingly was abhorred + there, while the Comte de Toulouse, by his amiability and other good + qualities, was adored. + </p> + <p> + At last, the annoyance he caused became so unendurable, that the Comte + de Toulouse, at the end of his cruise in the Mediterranean, returned + to Court and determined to expose the doings of Pontchartrain to the + King. + </p> + <p> + The very day he had made up his mind to do this, and just before he + intended to have his interview with the King, Madame Pontchartrain, + casting aside her natural timidity and modesty, came to him, and with + tears in her eyes begged him not to bring about the ruin of her + husband. The Comte de Toulouse was softened. He admitted afterwards + that he could not resist the sweetness and sorrow of Madame de + Pontchartrain, and that all his resolutions, his weapons, fell from + his hands at the thought of the sorrow which the poor woman would + undergo, after the fall of her brutal husband, left entirely in the + hands of such a furious Cyclops. In this manner Pontchartrain was + saved, but it cost dear to the State. The fear he was in of succumbing + under the glory or under the vengeance of an admiral who was son of + the King determined him to ruin the fleet itself, so as to render it + incapable of receiving the admiral again. He determined to do this, + and kept to his word, as was afterwards only too clearly verified by + the facts. The Comte de Toulouse saw no more either ports or vessels, + and from that time only very feeble squadrons went out, and even those + very seldom. Pontchartrain, had the impudence to boast of this before + my face. + </p> + <p> + When I last spoke of Madame des Ursins, I described her as living in + the midst of the Court, flattered and caressed by all, and on the + highest terms of favour with the King and Madame de Maintenon. She + found her position, indeed, so far above her hopes, that she began to + waver in her intention of returning to Spain. The age and the health + of Madame de Maintenon tempted her. She would have preferred to govern + here rather than in Spain. Flattered by the attentions paid her, she + thought those attentions, or, I may say, rather those servile + adorations, would continue for ever, and that in time she might arrive + at the highest point of power. The Archbishop of Aix and her brother + divined her thoughts, for she did not dare to avow them, and showed + her in the clearest way that those thoughts were calculated to lead + her astray. They explained to her that the only interest Madame de + Maintenon had in favouring her was on account of Spain. Madame des + Ursins—once back in that country, Madame de Maintenon looked + forward to a recommencement of those relations which had formerly + existed between them, by which the government of Spain in appearance, + if not in reality, passed through her hands. They therefore advised + Madame des Ursins on no account to think of remaining in France, at + the same time suggesting that it would not be amiss to stop there long + enough to cause some inquietude to Madame de Maintenon, so as to gain + as much advantage as possible from it. + </p> + <p> + The solidity of these reasons persuaded Madame des Ursins to follow + the advice given her. She resolved to depart, but not until after a + delay by which she meant to profit to the utmost. We shall soon see + what success attended her schemes. The terms upon which I stood with + her enabled me to have knowledge of all the sentiments that had passed + through her mind: her extreme desire, upon arriving in Paris, to + return to Spain; the intoxication which seized her in consequence of + the treatment she received, and which made her balance this desire; + and her final resolution. It was not until afterwards, however, that I + learnt all the details I have just related. + </p> + <p> + It was not long before Madame de Maintenon began to feel impatient at + the long-delayed departure of Madame des Ursins. She spoke at last + upon the subject, and pressed Madame des Ursins to set out for Spain. + This was just what the other wanted. She said that as she had been + driven out of Spain like a criminal, she must go back with honour, if + Madame de Maintenon wished her to gain the confidence and esteem of + the Spaniards. That although she had been treated by the King with + every consideration and goodness, many people in Spain were, and would + be, ignorant of it, and that, therefore, her return to favour ought to + be made known in as public and convincing a manner as was her + disgrace. This was said with all that eloquence and persuasiveness for + which Madame des Ursins was remarkable. The effect of it exceeded her + hopes. + </p> + <p> + The favours she obtained were prodigious. Twenty thousand livres by + way of annual pension, and thirty thousand for her journey. One of her + brothers, M. de Noirmoutiers, blind since the age of eighteen or + twenty, was made hereditary duke; another, the Abbe de la Tremoille, + of exceeding bad life, and much despised in Rome, where he lived, was + made cardinal. What a success was this! How many obstacles had to be + overcome in order to attain it! Yet this was what Madame des Ursins + obtained, so anxious was Madame de Maintenon to get rid of her and to + send her to reign in Spain, that she might reign there herself. + Pleased and loaded with favour as never subject was before, Madame des + Ursins set out towards the middle of July, and was nearly a month on + the road. It may be imagined what sort of a reception awaited her in + Spain. The King and the Queen went a day's journey out of Madrid to + meet her. Here, then, we see again at the height of power this woman, + whose fall the King but a short time since had so ardently desired, + and whose separation from the King and Queen of Spain he had applauded + himself for bringing about with so much tact. What a change in a few + months! + </p> + <p> + The war continued this year, but without bringing any great success to + our arms. Villars, at Circk, outmanoeuvred Marlborough in a manner + that would have done credit to the greatest general. Marlborough, + compelled to change the plan of campaign he had determined on, + returned into Flanders, where the Marechal de Villeroy was stationed + with his forces. Nothing of importance occurred during the campaign, + and the two armies went into winter quarters at the end of October. + </p> + <p> + I cannot quit Flanders without relating another instance of the + pleasant malignity of M. de Lauzun. In marrying a daughter of the + Marechal de Lorges, he had hoped, as I have already said, to return + into the confidence of the King by means of the Marechal, and so be + again entrusted with military command. Finding these hopes frustrated, + he thought of another means of reinstating himself in favour. He + determined to go to the waters of Aix-la-Chapelle, not, as may be + believed, for his health, but in order to ingratiate himself with the + important foreigners whom he thought to find there, learn some of the + enemy's plans, and come back with an account of them to the King, who + would, no doubt, reward him for his zeal. But he was deceived in his + calculation. Aix-la-Chapelle, generally so full of foreigners of rank, + was this year, owing to the war, almost empty. M. de Lauzun found, + therefore, nobody of consequence from whom he could obtain any useful + information. Before his return, he visited the Marechal de Villeroy, + who received him with all military honours, and conducted him all over + the army, pointing out to him the enemy's post; for the two armies + were then quite close to each other. His extreme anxiety, however, to + get information, and the multitude of his questions, irritated the + officers who were ordered to do the honours to him; and, in going + about, they actually, at their own risk, exposed him often to be shot + or taken. They did not know that his courage was extreme; and were + quite taken aback by his calmness, and, his evident readiness to push + on even farther than they chose to venture. + </p> + <p> + On returning to Court, M. de Lauzun was of course pressed by everybody + to relate all he knew of the position of the two armies. But he held + himself aloof from all questioners, and would not answer. On the day + after his arrival he went to pay his court to Monseigneur, who did not + like him, but who also was no friend to the Marechal de Villeroy. + Monseigneur put many questions to him upon the situation of the two + armies, and upon the reasons which had prevented them from engaging + each other. M. de Lauzun shirked reply, like a man who wished to be + pressed; did not deny that he had well inspected the position of the + two armies, but instead of answering Monseigneur, dwelt upon the + beauty of our troops, their gaiety at finding themselves so near an + enemy, and their eagerness to fight. Pushed at last to the point at + which he wished to arrive, "I will tell you, Monseigneur," said he, + "since you absolutely command me; I scanned most minutely the front of + the two armies to the right and to the left, and all the ground + between them. It is true there is no brook, and that I saw; neither + are there any ravines, nor hollow roads ascending or descending; but + it is true that there were other hindrances which I particularly + remarked." + </p> + <p> + "But what hindrance could there be," said Monseigneur, "since there + was nothing between the two armies?" + </p> + <p> + M. de Lauzun allowed himself to be pressed upon this point, constantly + repeating the list of hindrances that did not exist, but keeping + silent upon the others. At last, driven into a corner, he took his + snuff-box from his pocket. + </p> + <p> + "You see," said he, to Monseigneur, "there is one thing which much + embarrasses the feet, the furze that grows upon the ground, where M. + le Marechal de Villeroy is encamped. The furze, it is true, is not + mixed with any other plant, either hard or thorny; but it is a high + furze, as high, as high, let me see, what shall I say?"—and he + looked all around to find some object of comparison—"as high, I + assure you, as this snuffbox!" + </p> + <p> + Monseigneur burst out laughing at this sally, and all the company + followed his example, in the midst of which M. de Lauzun turned on his + heel and left the room. His joke soon spread all over the Court and + the town, and in the evening was told to the King. This was all the + thanks M. de Villeroy obtained from M. de Lauzun for the honours he + had paid him; and this was M. de Lauzun's consolation for his + ill-success at Aix- la-Chapelle. + </p> + <p> + In Italy our armies were not more successful than elsewhere. From time + to time, M. de Vendome attacked some unimportant post, and, having + carried it, despatched couriers to the King, magnifying the importance + of the exploit. But the fact was, all these successes led to nothing. + On one occasion, at Cassano, M. de Vendome was so vigorously attacked + by Prince Louis of Baden that, in spite of his contempt and his + audacity, he gave himself up for lost. When danger was most imminent, + instead of remaining at his post, he retired from the field of battle + to a distant country-house, and began to consider how a retreat might + be managed. The Grand Prieur, his brother, was in command under him, + and was ordered to remain upon the field; but he was more intent upon + saving his skin than on obeying orders, and so, at the very outset of + the fight, ran away to a country-house hard by. M. de Vendome + strangely enough had sat down to eat at the country-house whither he + had retired, and was in the midst of his meal when news was brought + him that, owing to the prodigies performed by one of his officers, Le + Guerchois, the fortunes of the day had changed, and Prince Louis of + Baden was retiring. M. Vendome had great difficulty to believe this, + but ordered his horse, mounted, and, pushing on, concluded the combat + gloriously. He did not fail, of course, to claim all the honours of + this victory, which in reality was a barren one; and sent word of his + triumph to the King. He dared to say that the loss of the enemy was + more than thirteen thousand; and our loss less than three thousand—whereas, + the loss was at least equal. This exploit, nevertheless, resounded at + the Court and through the town as an advantage the most complete and + the most decisive, and due entirely to the vigilance, valour, and + capacity of Vendome. Not a word was said of his country-house, or the + interrupted meal. These facts were only known after the return of the + general officers. As for the Grand Prieur, his poltroonery had been so + public, his flight so disgraceful—for he had taken troops with + him to protect the country-house in which he sought shelter—that + he could not be pardoned. The two brothers quarrelled upon these + points, and in the end the Grand Prieur was obliged to give up his + command. He retired to his house at Clichy, near Paris; but, tiring of + that place, he went to Rome, made the acquaintance there of the + Marquise de Richelieu, a wanderer like himself, and passed some time + with her at Genoa. Leaving that city, he went to Chalons-sur-Saone, + which had been fixed upon as the place of his a exile, and there gave + himself up to the debaucheries in which he usually lived. From this + time until the Regency we shall see nothing more of him. I shall only + add, therefore, that he never went sober to bed during thirty years, + but was always carried thither dead drunk: was a liar, swindler, and + thief; a rogue to the marrow of his bones, rotted with vile diseases; + the most contemptible and yet most dangerous fellow in the world. + </p> + <p> + One day-I am speaking of a time many years previous to the date of the + occurrences just related-one day there was a great hunting party at + Saint Germain. The chase was pursued so long, that the King gave up, + and returned to Saint Germain. A number of courtiers, among whom was + M. de Lauzun, who related this story to me, continued their sport; and + just as darkness was coming on, discovered that they had lost their + way. After a time, they espied a light, by which they guided their + steps, and at length reached the door of a kind of castle. They + knocked, they called aloud, they named themselves, and asked for + hospitality. It was then between ten and eleven at night, and towards + the end of autumn. The door was opened to them. The master of the + house came forth. He made them take their boots off, and warm + themselves; he put their horses into his stables; and at the same time + had a supper prepared for his guests, who stood much in need of it. + They did not wait long for the meal; yet when served it proved + excellent; the wines served with it, too, were of several kinds, and + excellent likewise: as for the master of the house, he was so polite + and respectful, yet without being ceremonious or eager, + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0040" id="link2H_4_0040"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VOLUME 5. + </h2> + <a name="link2HCH0033" id="link2HCH0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIII + </h2> + <p> + Two very different persons died towards the latter part of this year. + The first was Lamoignon, Chief President; the second, Ninon, known by + the name of Mademoiselle de l'Enclos. Of Lamoignon I will relate a + single anecdote, curious and instructive, which will show the + corruption of which he was capable. + </p> + <p> + One day—I am speaking of a time many years previous to the date + of the occurrences just related—one day there was a great + hunting party at Saint Germain. The chase was pursued so long, that + the King gave up, and returned to Saint Germain. A number of + courtiers, among whom was M. de Lauzun, who related this story to me, + continued their sport; and just as darkness was coming on, discovered + that they had lost their way. After a time, they espied a light, by + which they guided their steps, and at length reached the door of a + kind of castle. They knocked, they called aloud, they named + themselves, and asked for hospitality. It was then between ten and + eleven at night, and towards the end of autumn. The door was opened to + them. The master of the house came forth. He made them take their + boots off, and warm themselves; he put their horses into his stables; + and at the same time had a supper prepared for his guests, who stood + much in need of it. They did not wait long for the meal; yet when + served it proved excellent; the wines served with it, too, were of + several kinds, and excellent likewise: as for the master of the house, + he was so polite and respectful, yet without being ceremonious or + eager, that it was evident he had frequented the best company. The + courtiers soon learnt that his name vitas Fargues, that the place was + called Courson, and that he had lived there in retirement several + years. After having supped, Fargues showed each of them into a + separate bedroom, where they were waited upon by his valets with every + proper attention. In the morning, as soon as the courtiers had dressed + themselves, they found an excellent breakfast awaiting them; and upon + leaving the table they saw their horses ready for them, and as + thoroughly attended to as they had been themselves. Charmed with the + politeness and with the manners of Fargues, and touched by his + hospitable reception of them, they made him many offers of service, + and made their way back to Saint Germain. Their non-appearance on the + previous night had been the common talk, their return and the + adventure they had met with was no less so. + </p> + <p> + These gentlemen were then the very flower of the Court, and all of + them very intimate with the King. They related to him, therefore, + their story, the manner of their reception, and highly praised the + master of the house and his good cheer. The King asked his name, and, + as soon as he heard it, exclaimed, "What, Fargues! is he so near here, + then?" The courtiers redoubled their praises, and the King said no + more; but soon after, went to the Queen-mother, and told her what had + happened. + </p> + <p> + Fargues, indeed, was no stranger, either to her or to the King. He had + taken a prominent part in the movements of Paris against the Court and + Cardinal Mazarin. If he had not been hanged, it was because he was + well supported by his party, who had him included in the amnesty + granted to those who had been engaged in these troubles. Fearing, + however, that the hatred of his enemies might place his life in danger + if he remained in Paris, he retired from the capital to this + country-house which has just been mentioned, where he continued to + live in strict privacy, even when the death of Cardinal Mazarin seemed + to render such seclusion no longer necessary. + </p> + <p> + The King and the Queen-mother, who had pardoned Fargues in spite of + themselves, were much annoyed at finding that he was living in + opulence and tranquillity so near the Court; thought him extremely + bold to do so; and determined to punish him for this and for his + former insolence. They directed Lamoignon, therefore, to find out + something in the past life of Fargues for which punishment might be + awarded; and Lamoignon, eager to please, and make a profit out of his + eagerness, was not long in satisfying them. He made researches, and + found means to implicate Fargues in a murder that had been committed + in Paris at the height of the troubles. Officers were accordingly sent + to Courson, and its owner was arrested. + </p> + <p> + Fargues was much astonished when he learnt of what he was accused. He + exculpated himself, nevertheless, completely; alleging, moreover, that + as the murder of which he was accused had been committed during the + troubles, the amnesty in which he was included effaced all memory of + the deed, according to law and usage, which had never been contested + until this occasion. The courtiers who had been so well treated by the + unhappy man, did everything they could with the judges and the King to + obtain the release of the accused. It was all in vain. Fargues was + decapitated at once, and all his wealth was given by way of recompense + to the Chief- President Lamoignon, who had no scruple thus to enrich + himself with the blood of the innocent. + </p> + <p> + The other person who died at the same time was, as I have said, Ninon, + the famous courtesan, known, since age had compelled her to quit that + trade, as Mademoiselle de l'Enclos. She was a new example of the + triumph of vice carried on cleverly and repaired by some virtue. The + stir that she made, and still more the disorder that she caused among + the highest and most brilliant youth, overcame the extreme indulgence + that, not without cause, the Queen-mother entertained for persons + whose conduct was gallant, and more than gallant, and made her send + her an order to retire into a convent. But Ninon, observing that no + especial convent was named, said, with a great courtesy, to the + officer who brought the order, that, as the option was left to her, + she would choose "the convent of the Cordeliers at Paris;" which + impudent joke so diverted the Queen that she left her alone for the + future. Ninon never had but one lover at a time— but her + admirers were numberless—so that when wearied of one incumbent + she told him so frankly, and took another: The abandoned one might + groan and complain; her decree was without appeal; and this creature + had acquired such an influence, that the deserted lovers never dared + to take revenge on the favoured one, and were too happy to remain on + the footing of friend of the house. She sometimes kept faithful to + one, when he pleased her very much, during an entire campaign. + </p> + <p> + Ninon had illustrious friends of all sorts, and had so much wit that + she preserved them all and kept them on good terms with each other; + or, at least, no quarrels ever came to light. There was an external + respect and decency about everything that passed in her house, such as + princesses of the highest rank have rarely been able to preserve in + their intrigues. + </p> + <p> + In this way she had among her friends a selection of the best members + of the Court; so that it became the fashion to be received by her, and + it was useful to be so, on account of the connections that were thus + formed. + </p> + <p> + There was never any gambling there, nor loud laughing, nor disputes, + nor talk about religion or politics; but much and elegant wit, ancient + and modern stories, news of gallantries, yet without scandal. All was + delicate, light, measured; and she herself maintained the conversation + by her wit and her great knowledge of facts. The respect which, + strange to say, she had acquired, and the number and distinction of + her friends and acquaintances, continued when her charms ceased to + attract; and when propriety and fashion compelled her to use only + intellectual baits. She knew all the intrigues of the old and the new + Court, serious and otherwise; her conversation was charming; she was + disinterested, faithful, secret, safe to the last degree; and, setting + aside her frailty, virtuous and full of probity. She frequently + succoured her friends with money and influence; constantly did them + the most important services, and very faithfully kept the secrets or + the money deposits that were confided to her. + </p> + <p> + She had been intimate with Madame de Maintenon during the whole of her + residence at Paris; but Madame de Maintenon, although not daring to + disavow this friendship, did not like to hear her spoken about. + </p> + <p> + She wrote to Ninon with amity from time to time, even until her death; + and Ninon in like manner, when she wanted to serve any friend in whom + she took great interest, wrote to Madame de Maintenon, who did her + what service she required efficaciously and with promptness. + </p> + <p> + But since Madame de Maintenon came to power, they had only seen each + other two or three times, and then in secret. + </p> + <p> + Ninon was remarkable for her repartees. One that she made to the last + Marechal de Choiseul is worth repeating. The Marechal was virtue + itself, but not fond of company or blessed with much wit. One day, + after a long visit he had paid her, Ninon gaped, looked at the + Marechal, and cried: + </p> + <p> + "Oh, my lord! how many virtues you make me detest!" + </p> + <p> + A line from I know not what play. The laughter at this may be + imagined. L'Enclos lived, long beyond her eightieth year, always + healthy, visited, respected. She gave her last years to God, and her + death was the news of the day. The singularity of this personage has + made me extend my observations upon her. + </p> + <p> + A short time after the death of Mademoiselle de l'Enclos, a terrible + adventure happened to Courtenvaux, eldest son of M. de Louvois. + Courtenvaux was commander of the Cent-Suisses, fond of obscure + debauches; with a ridiculous voice, miserly, quarrelsome, though + modest and respectful; and in fine a very stupid fellow. The King, + more eager to know all that was passing than most people believed, + although they gave him credit for not a little curiosity in this + respect, had authorised Bontems to engage a number of Swiss in + addition to those posted at the doors, and in the parks and gardens. + These attendants had orders to stroll morning, noon, and night, along + the corridors, the passages, the staircases, even into the private + places, and, when it was fine, in the court-yards and gardens; and in + secret to watch people, to follow them, to notice where they went, to + notice who was there, to listen to all the conversation they could + hear, and to make reports of their discoveries. This was assiduously + done at Versailles, at Marly, at Trianon, at Fontainebleau, and in all + the places where the King was. These new attendants vexed Courtenvaux + considerably, for over such new-comers he had no sort of authority. + This season, at Fontainebleau, a room, which had formerly been + occupied by a party of the Cent-Suisses and of the body-guard, was + given up entirely to the new corps. The room was in a public passage + of communication indispensable to all in the chateau, and in + consequence, excellently well adapted for watching those who passed + through it. Courtenvaux, more than ever vexed by this new arrangement, + regarded it as a fresh encroachment upon his authority, and flew into + a violent rage with the new-comers, and railed at them in good set + terms. They allowed him to fume as he would; they had their orders, + and were too wise to be disturbed by his rage. The King, who heard of + all this, sent at once for Courtenvaux. As soon as he appeared in the + cabinet, the King called to him from the other end of the room, + without giving him time to approach, and in a rage so terrible, and + for him so novel, that not only Courtenvaux, but Princes, Princesses, + and everybody in the chamber, trembled. Menaces that his post should + be taken away from him, terms the most severe and the most unusual, + rained upon Courtenvaux, who, fainting with fright, and ready to sink + under the ground, had neither the time nor the means to prefer a word. + The reprimand finished by the King saying, "Get out." He had scarcely + the strength to obey. + </p> + <p> + The cause of this strange scene was that Courtenvaux, by the fuss he + had made, had drawn the attention of the whole Court to the change + effected by the King, and that, when once seen, its object was clear + to all eyes. The King, who hid his spy system with the greatest care, + had counted upon this change passing unperceived, and was beside + himself with anger when he found it made apparent to everybody by + Courtenvaux's noise. He never regained the King's favour during the + rest of his life; and but for his family he would certainly have been + driven away, and his office taken from him. + </p> + <p> + Let me speak now of something of more moment. + </p> + <p> + The war, as I have said, still continued, but without bringing us any + advantages. On the contrary, our losses in Germany and Italy by + sickness, rather than by the sword, were so great that it was resolved + to augment each company by five men; and, at the same time, + twenty-five thousand militia were raised, thus causing great ruin and + great desolation in the provinces. The King was rocked into the belief + that the people were all anxious to enter this militia, and, from time + to time, at Marly, specimens of those enlisted were shown to him, and + their joy and eagerness to serve made much of. I have heard this + often; while, at the same time, I knew from my own tenantry, and from + everything that was said, that the raising of this militia carried + despair everywhere, and that many people mutilated themselves in order + to exempt themselves from serving. Nobody at the Court was ignorant of + this. People lowered their eyes when they saw the deceit practised + upon the King, and the credulity he displayed, and afterwards + whispered one to another what they thought of flattery so ruinous. + Fresh regiments, too, were raised at this time, and a crowd of new + colonels and staffs created, instead of giving a new battalion or a + squadron additional to regiments already in existence. I saw quite + plainly towards what rock we were drifting. We had met losses at + Hochstedt, Gibraltar, and Barcelona; Catalonia and the neighbouring + countries were in revolt; Italy yielding us nothing but miserable + successes; Spain exhausted; France, failing in men and money, and with + incapable generals, protected by the Court against their faults. I saw + all these things so plainly that I could not avoid making reflections, + or reporting them to my friends in office. I thought that it was time + to finish the war before we sank still lower, and that it might be + finished by giving to the Archduke what we could not defend, and + making a division of the rest. My plan was to leave Philip V. + possession of all Italy, except those parts which belonged to the + Grand Duke, the republics of Venice and Genoa, and the ecclesiastical + states of Naples and Sicily; our King to have Lorraine and some other + slight additions of territory; and to place elsewhere the Dukes of + Savoy, of Lorraine, of Parma, and of Modem. I related this plan to the + Chancellor and to Chamillart, amongst others. The contrast between + their replies was striking. The Chancellor, after having listened to + me very attentively, said, if my plan were adopted, he would most + willingly kiss my toe for joy. Chamillart, with gravity replied, that + the King would not give up a single mill of all the Spanish + succession. Then I felt the blindness which had fallen upon us, and + how much the results of it were to be dreaded. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, the King, as if to mock at misfortune and to show his + enemies the little uneasiness he felt, determined, at the commencement + of the new year, 1706, that the Court should be gayer than ever. He + announced that there would be balls at Marly every time he was there + this winter, and he named those who were to dance there; and said he + should be very glad to see balls given to Madame de Bourgogne at + Versailles. Accordingly, many took place there, and also at Marly, and + from time to time there were masquerades. One day, the King wished + that everybody, even the most aged, who were at Marly, should go to + the ball masked; and, to avoid all distinction, he went there himself + with a gauze robe above his habit; but such a slight disguise was for + himself alone; everybody else was completely disguised. M. and Madame + de Beauvilliers were there perfectly disguised. When I say they were + there, those who knew the Court will admit that I have said more than + enough. I had the pleasure of seeing them, and of quietly laughing + with them. At all these balls the King made people dance who had long + since passed the age for doing so. As for the Comte de Brionne and the + Chevalier de Sully, their dancing was so perfect that there was no age + for them. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0034" id="link2HCH0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIV + </h2> + <p> + In the midst of all this gaiety, that is to say on the 12th of + February, 1706, one of our generals, of whom I have often spoken, I + mean M. de Vendome, arrived at Marly. He had not quitted Italy since + succeeding to Marechal de Villeroy, after the affair of Cremona. His + battles, such as they were, the places he had taken, the authority he + had assumed, the reputation he had usurped, his incomprehensible + successes with the King, the certainty of the support he leaned on,—all + this inspired him with the desire to come and enjoy at Court a + situation so brilliant, and which so far surpassed what he had a right + to expect. But before speaking of the reception which was given him, + and of the incredible ascendancy he took, let me paint him from the + life a little more completely than I have yet done. + </p> + <p> + Vendome was of ordinary height, rather stout, but vigorous and active: + with a very noble countenance and lofty mien. There was much natural + grace in his carriage and words; he had a good deal of innate wit, + which he had not cultivated, and spoke easily, supported by a natural + boldness, which afterwards turned to the wildest audacity; he knew the + world and the Court; was above all things an admirable courtier; was + polite when necessary, but insolent when he dared—familiar with + common people—in reality, full of the most ravenous pride. As + his rank rose and his favour increased, his obstinacy, and + pig-headedness increased too, so that at last he would listen to no + advice whatever, and was inaccessible to all, except a small number of + familiars and valets. No one better than he knew the subserviency of + the French character, or took more advantage of it. Little by little + he accustomed his subalterns, and then from one to the other all his + army, to call him nothing but "Monseigneur," and "Your Highness." In + time the gangrene spread, and even lieutenant-generals and the most + distinguished people did not dare to address him in any other manner. + </p> + <p> + The most wonderful thing to whoever knew the King—so gallant to + the ladies during a long part of his life, so devout the other, and + often importunate to make others do as he did—was that the said + King had always a singular horror of the inhabitants of the Cities of + the Plain; and yet M. de Vendome, though most odiously stained with + that vice—so publicly that he treated it as an ordinary + gallantry—never found his favour diminished on that account. The + Court, Anet, the army, knew of these abominations. Valets and + subaltern officers soon found the way to promotion. I have already + mentioned how publicly he placed himself in the doctor's hands, and + how basely the Court acted, imitating the King, who would never have + pardoned a legitimate prince what he indulged so strangely in Vendome. + </p> + <p> + The idleness of M. de Vendome was equally matter of notoriety. More + than once he ran the risk of being taken prisoner from mere indolence. + He rarely himself saw anything at the army, trusting to his familiars + when ready to trust anybody. The way he employed his day prevented any + real attention to business. He was filthy in the extreme, and proud of + it. Fools called it simplicity. His bed was always full of dogs and + bitches, who littered at his side, the pops rolling in the clothes. He + himself was under constraint in nothing. One of his theses was, that + everybody resembled him, but was not honest enough to confess it as he + was. He mentioned this once to the Princesse de Conti—the + cleanest person in the world, and the most delicate in her + cleanliness. + </p> + <p> + He rose rather late when at the army. In this situation he wrote his + letters, and gave his morning orders. Whoever had business with him, + general officers and distinguished persons, could speak to him then. + He had accustomed the army to this infamy. At the same time he gobbled + his breakfast; and whilst he ate, listened, or gave orders, many + spectators always standing round.... (I must be excused these + disgraceful details, in order better to make him known).... On shaving + days he used the same vessel to lather his chin in. This, according to + him, was a simplicity of manner worthy of the ancient Romans, and + which condemned the splendour and superfluity of the others. When all + was over, he dressed; then played high at piquet or hombre; or rode + out, if it was absolutely necessary. All was now over for the day. He + supped copiously with his familiars: was a great eater, of wonderful + gluttony; a connoisseur in no dish, liked fish much, but the stale and + stinking better than the good. The meal prolonged itself in theses and + disputes, and above all in praise and flattery. + </p> + <p> + He would never have forgiven the slightest blame from any one. He + wanted to pass for the first captain of his age, and spoke with + indecent contempt of Prince Eugene and all the others. The faintest + contradiction would have been a crime. The soldier and the subaltern + adored him for his familiarity with them, and the licence he allowed + in order to gain their hearts; for all which he made up by excessive + haughtiness towards whoever was elevated by rank or birth. + </p> + <p> + On one occasion the Duke of Parma sent the bishop of that place to + negotiate some affair with him; but M. de Vendome took such disgusting + liberties in his presence, that the ecclesiastic, though without + saying a word, returned to Parma, and declared to his master that + never would he undertake such an embassy again. In his place another + envoy was sent, the famous Alberoni. He was the son of a gardener, who + became an Abbe in order to get on. He was full of buffoonery; and + pleased M. de Parma as might a valet who amused him, but he soon + showed talent and capacity for affairs. The Duke thought that the + night-chair of M. de Vendome required no other ambassador than + Alberoni, who was accordingly sent to conclude what the bishop had + left undone. The Abbe determined to please, and was not proud. M. de + Vendome exhibited himself as before; and Alberoni, by an infamous act + of personal adoration, gained his heart. He was thenceforth much with + him, made cheese-soup and other odd messes for him; and finally worked + his way. It is true he was cudgelled by some one he had offended, for + a thousand paces, in sight of the whole army, but this did not prevent + his advancement. Vendome liked such an unscrupulous flatterer; and yet + as we have seen, he was not in want of praise. The extraordinary + favour shown him by the King—the credulity with which his + accounts of victories were received—showed to every one in what + direction their laudation was to be sent. + </p> + <p> + Such was the man whom the King and the whole Court hastened to caress + and flatter from the first moment of his arrival amongst us. There was + a terrible hubbub: boys, porters, and valets rallied round his + postchaise when he reached Marly. Scarcely had he ascended into his + chamber, than everybody, princes, bastards and all the rest, ran after + him. The ministers followed: so that in a short time nobody was left + in the salon but the ladies. M. de Beauvilliers was at Vaucresson. As + for me, I remained spectator, and did not go and adore this idol. + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes Vendome was sent for by the King and Monseigneur. As + soon as he could dress himself, surrounded as he was by such a crowd, + he went to the salon, carried by it rather than environed. Monseigneur + stopped the music that was playing, in order to embrace him. The King + left the cabinet where he was at work, and came out to meet him, + embracing him several times. Chamillart on the morrow gave a fete in + his honour at L'Etang, which lasted two days. Following his example, + Pontchartrain, Torcy, and the most distinguished lords of the Court, + did the same. People begged and entreated to give him fetes; people + begged and entreated to be invited to them. Never was triumph equal to + his; each step he took procured him a new one. It is not too much to + say, that everybody disappeared before him; Princes of the blood, + ministers, the grandest seigneurs, all appeared only to show how high + he was above them; even the King seemed only to remain King to elevate + him more. + </p> + <p> + The people joined in this enthusiasm, both in Versailles and at Paris, + where he went under pretence of going to the opera. As he passed along + the streets crowds collected to cheer him; they billed him at the + doors, and every seat was taken in advance; people pushed and squeezed + everywhere, and the price of admission was doubled, as on the nights + of first performances. Vendome, who received all these homages with + extreme ease, was yet internally surprised by a folly so universal. He + feared that all this heat would not last out even the short stay he + intended to make. To keep himself more in reserve, he asked and + obtained permission to go to Anet, in the intervals between the + journeys to Marly. All the Court, however, followed him there, and the + King was pleased rather than otherwise, at seeing Versailles half + deserted for Anet, actually asking some if they had been, others, when + they intended to go. + </p> + <p> + It was evident that every one had resolved to raise M. de Vendome to + the rank of a hero. He determined to profit by the resolution. If they + made him Mars, why should he not act as such? He claimed to be + appointed commander of the Marechals of France, and although the King + refused him this favour, he accorded him one which was but the + stepping-stone to it. M. de Vendome went away towards the middle of + March to command the army in Italy, with a letter signed by the King + himself, promising him that if a Marechal of France were sent to + Italy, that Marechal was to take commands from him. M. de Vendome was + content, and determined to obtain all he asked on a future day. The + disposition of the armies had been arranged just before. Tesse, for + Catalonia and Spain; Berwick, for the frontier of Portugal; Marechal + Villars, for Alsace; Marsin, for the Moselle; Marechal de Villeroy, + for Flanders; and M. de Vendome, as I have said, for Italy. + </p> + <p> + Now that I am speaking of the armies, let me give here an account of + all our military operations this year, so as to complete that subject + at once. + </p> + <p> + M. de Vendome commenced his Italian campaign by a victory. He attacked + the troops of Prince Eugene upon the heights of Calcinato, drove them + before him, killed three thousand men, took twenty standards, ten + pieces of cannon, and eight thousand prisoners. It was a rout rather + than a combat. The enemy was much inferior in force to us, and was + without its general, Prince Eugene, he not having returned to open the + campaign. He came back, however, the day after this engagement, soon + re-established order among his troops, and M. de Vendome from that + time, far from being able to recommence the attack, was obliged to + keep strictly on the defensive while he remained in Italy. He did not + fail to make the most of his victory, which, however, to say the + truth, led to nothing. + </p> + <p> + Our armies just now were, it must be admitted, in by no means a good + condition. The generals owed their promotion to favour and fantasy. + The King thought he gave them capacity when he gave them their + patents. Under M. de Turenne the army had afforded, as in a school, + opportunities for young officers to learn the art of warfare, and to + qualify themselves step by step to take command. They were promoted as + they showed signs of their capacity, and gave proof of their talent. + Now, however, it was very different. Promotion was granted according + to length of service, thus rendering all application and diligence + unnecessary, except when M. de Louvois suggested to the King such + officers as he had private reasons for being favourable to, and whose + actions he could control. He persuaded the King that it was he himself + who ought to direct the armies from his cabinet. The King, flattered + by this, swallowed the bait, and Louvois himself was thus enabled to + govern in the name of the King, to keep the generals in + leading-strings, and to fetter their every movement. In consequence of + the way in which promotions were made, the greatest ignorance + prevailed amongst all grades of officers. None knew scarcely anything + more than mere routine duties, and sometimes not even so much as that. + The luxury which had inundated the army, too, where everybody wished + to live as delicately as at Paris, hindered the general officers from + associating with the other officers, and in consequence from knowing + and appreciating them. As a matter of course, there were no longer any + deliberations upon the state of affairs, in which the young might + profit by the counsels of the old, and the army profit by the + discussions of all. The young officers talked only of pay and women; + the old, of forage and equipages; the generals spent half their time + in writing costly despatches, often useless, and sending them away by + couriers. The luxury of the Court and city had spread into the army, + so that delicacies were carried there unknown formerly. Nothing was + spoken of but hot dishes in the marches and in the detachments; and + the repasts that were carried to the trenches, during sieges, were not + only well served, but ices and fruits were partaken of as at a fete, + and a profusion of all sorts of liqueurs. Expense ruined the officers, + who vied with one another in their endeavours to appear magnificent; + and the things to be carried, the work to be done, quadrupled the + number of domestics and grooms, who often starved. For a long time, + people had complained of all this; even those who were put to the + expenses, which ruined them; but none dared to spend less. At last, + that is to say, in the spring of the following year, the King made + severe rules, with the object of bringing about a reform in this + particular. There is no country in Europe where there are so many fine + laws, or where the observance of them is of shorter duration. It often + happens, that in the first year all are infringed, and in the second, + forgotten. Such was the army at this time, and we soon had abundant + opportunities to note its incapacity to overcome the enemies with whom + we had to contend. + </p> + <p> + The King wished to open this campaign with two battles; one in Italy, + the other in Flanders. His desire was to some extent gratified in the + former case; but in the other he met with a sad and cruel + disappointment. Since the departure of Marechal de Villeroy for + Flanders, the King had more than once pressed him to engage the enemy. + The Marechal, piqued with these reiterated orders, which he considered + as reflections upon his courage, determined to risk anything in order + to satisfy the desire of the King. But the King did not wish this. At + the same time that he wished for a battle in Flanders, he wished to + place Villeroy in a state to fight it. He sent orders, therefore, to + Marsin to take eighteen battalions and twenty squadrons of his army, + to proceed to the Moselle, where he would find twenty others, and then + to march with the whole into Flanders, and join Marechal de Villeroy. + At the same time he prohibited the latter from doing anything until + this reinforcement reached him. Four couriers, one after the other, + carried this prohibition to the Marechal; but he had determined to + give battle without assistance, and he did so, with what result will + be seen. + </p> + <p> + On the 24th of May he posted himself between the villages of Taviers + and Ramillies. He was superior in force to the Duke of Marlborough, + who was opposed to him, and this fact gave him confidence. Yet the + position which he had taken up was one which was well known to be bad. + The late M. de Luxembourg had declared it so, and had avoided it. M. + de Villeroy had been a witness of this, but it was his destiny and + that of France that he should forget it. Before he took up this + position he announced that it was his intention to do so to M. + d'Orleans. M. d'Orleans said publicly to all who came to listen, that + if M. de Villeroy did so he would be beaten. M. d'Orleans proved to be + only too good a prophet. + </p> + <p> + Just as M. de Villeroy had taken up his position and made his + arrangements, the Elector arrived in hot haste from Brussels. It was + too late now to blame what had been done. There was nothing for it but + to complete what had been already begun, and await the result. + </p> + <p> + It was about two hours after midday when the enemy arrived within + range, and came under our fire from Ramillies. It forced them to halt + until their cannon could be brought into play, which was soon done. + The cannonade lasted a good hour. At the end of that time they marched + to Taviers, where a part of our army was posted, found but little + resistance, and made themselves masters of that place. From that + moment they brought their cavalry to bear. They perceived that there + was a marsh which covered our left, but which hindered our two wings + from joining. They made good use of the advantage this gave them. We + were taken in the rear at more than one point, and Taviers being no + longer able to assist us, Ramillies itself fell, after a prodigious + fire and an obstinate resistance. The Comte de Guiche at the head of + the regiment of Guards defended it for four hours, and performed + prodigies, but in the end he was obliged to give way. All this time + our left had been utterly useless with its nose in the marsh, no enemy + in front of it, and with strict orders not to budge from its position. + </p> + <a name="image-0003" id="image-0003"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img src="images/p418.jpg" + alt="Marlborough at Ramillies--painted by R. Canton Woodville " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <!-- IMAGE END --> + <p> + Our retreat commenced in good order, but soon the night came and threw + us into confusion. The defile of Judoigne became so gorged with + baggage and with the wrecks of the artillery we had been able to save, + that everything was taken from us there. Nevertheless, we arrived at + Louvain, and then not feeling in safety, passed the canal of Wilworde + without being very closely followed by the enemy. + </p> + <p> + We lost in this battle four thousand men, and many prisoners of rank, + all of whom were treated with much politeness by Marlborough. Brussels + was one of the first-fruits he gathered of this victory, which had + such grave and important results. + </p> + <p> + The King did not learn this disaster until Wednesday, the 26th of May, + at his waking. I was at Versailles. Never was such trouble or such + consternation. The worst was, that only the broad fact was known; for + six days we were without a courier to give us details. Even the post + was stopped. Days seemed like years in the ignorance of everybody as + to details, and in the inquietude of everybody for relatives and + friends. The King was forced to ask one and another for news; but + nobody could tell him any. Worn out at last by the silence, he + determined to despatch Chamillart to Flanders to ascertain the real + state of affairs. Chamillart accordingly left Versailles on Sunday, + the 30th of May, to the astonishment of all the Court, at seeing a man + charged with the war and the finance department sent on such an + errand. He astonished no less the army when he arrived at Courtrai, + where it had stationed itself. Having gained all the information he + sought, Chamillart returned to Versailles on Friday, the 4th of June, + at about eight o'clock in the evening, and at once went to the King, + who was in the apartments of Madame de Maintenon. It was known then + that the army, after several hasty marches, finding itself at Ghent, + the Elector of Bavaria had insisted that it ought at least to remain + there. A council of war was held, the Marechal de Villeroy, who was + quite discouraged by the loss he had sustained, opposed the advice of + the Elector. Ghent was abandoned, so was the open country. The army + was separated and distributed here and there, under the command of the + general officers. In this way, with the exception of Namur, Mons, and + a very few other places, all the Spanish Low Countries were lost, and + a part of ours, even. Never was rapidity equal to this. The enemies + were as much astonished as we. + </p> + <p> + However tranquilly the King sustained in appearance this misfortune, + he felt it to the quick. He was so affected by what was said of his + body- guards, that he spoke of them himself with bitterness. Court + warriors testified in their favour, but persuaded nobody. But the King + seized these testimonies with joy, and sent word to the Guards that he + was well contended with them. Others, however, were not so easily + satisfied. + </p> + <p> + This sad reverse and the discontent of the Elector made the King feel + at last that his favourites must give way to those better able to fill + their places. Villeroy, who, since his defeat, had quite lost his + head, and who, if he had been a general of the Empire, would have lost + it in reality in another manner, received several strong hints from + the King that he ought to give up his command. But he either could not + or would not understand them, and so tired out the King's patience, at + length. But he was informed in language which admitted of no + misapprehension that he must return. Even then, the King was so kindly + disposed towards him, that he said the Marechal had begged to be + recalled with such obstinacy that he could not refuse him. But M. de + Villeroy was absurd enough to reject this salve for his honour; which + led to his disgrace. M. de Vendome had orders to leave Italy, and + succeed to the command in Flanders, where the enemies had very + promptly taken Ostend and Nieuport. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0035" id="link2HCH0035"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXV + </h2> + <p> + Meanwhile, as I have promised to relate, in a continuous narrative, + all our military operations of this year, let me say what passed in + other directions. The siege of Barcelona made no progress. Our + engineers were so slow and so ignorant, that they did next to nothing. + They were so venal, too, that they aided the enemy rather than us by + their movements. According to a new rule made by the King, whenever + they changed the position of their guns, they were entitled to a + pecuniary recompense. Accordingly, they passed all their time in + uselessly changing about from place to place, in order to receive the + recompense which thus became due to them. + </p> + <p> + Our fleet, too, hearing that a much superior naval force was coming to + the assistance of the enemy, and being, thanks to Pontchartrain, + utterly unable to meet it, was obliged to weigh anchor, and sailed + away to Toulon. The enemy's fleet arrived, and the besieged at once + took new courage. Tesse, who had joined the siege, saw at once that it + was useless to continue it. We had for some time depended upon the + open sea for supplies. Now that the English fleet had arrived, we + could depend upon the sea no longer. The King of Spain saw, at last, + that there was no help for it but to raise the siege. + </p> + <p> + It was raised accordingly on the night between the 10th and 11th of + May, after fourteen days' bombardment. We abandoned one hundred pieces + of artillery; one hundred and fifty thousand pounds of powder; thirty + thousand sacks of flour; twenty thousand sacks of sevade, a kind of + oats; and a great number of bombs, cannon-balls, and implements. As + Catalonia was in revolt, it was felt that retreat could not take place + in that direction; it was determined, therefore, to retire by the way + of the French frontier. For eight days, however, our troops were + harassed in flank and rear by Miquelets, who followed us from mountain + to mountain. It was not until the Duc de Noailles, whose father had + done some service to the chiefs of these Miquelets, had parleyed with + them, and made terms with them, that our troops were relieved from + these cruel wasps. We suffered much loss in our retreat, which, with + the siege, cost us full four thousand men. The army stopped at + Roussillon, and the King of Spain, escorted by two regiments of + dragoons, made the best of his way to Madrid. That city was itself in + danger from the Portuguese, and, indeed, fell into their hands soon + after. The Queen, who, with her children, had left it in time to avoid + capture, felt matters to be in such extremity, that she despatched all + the jewels belonging to herself and her husband to France. They were + placed in the custody of the King. Among them was that famous + pear-shaped pearl called the Peregrine, which, for its weight, its + form, its size, and its water, is beyond all price and all comparison. + </p> + <p> + The King of Spain effected a junction with the army of Berwick, and + both set to work to reconquer the places the Portuguese had taken from + them. In this they were successful. The Portuguese, much harassed by + the people of Castille, were forced to abandon all they had gained; + and the King of Spain was enabled to enter Madrid towards the end of + September, where he was received with much rejoicing. + </p> + <p> + In Italy we experienced the most disastrous misfortunes. M. de + Vendome, having been called from the command to go into Flanders, M. + d'Orleans, after some deliberation, was appointed to take his place. + M. d'Orleans set out from Paris on the 1st of July, with twenty-eight + horses and five chaises, to arrive in three days at Lyons, and then to + hasten on into Italy. La Feuillade was besieging Turin. M. d'Orleans + went to the siege. He was magnificently received by La Feuillade, and + shown all over the works. He found everything defective. La Feuillade + was very young, and very inexperienced. I have already related an + adventure of his, that of his seizing upon the coffers of his uncle, + and so forestalling his inheritance. To recover from the disgrace this + occurrence brought upon him, he had married a daughter of Chamillart. + Favoured by this minister, but coldly looked upon by the King, he had + succeeded in obtaining command in the army, and had been appointed to + conduct this siege. Inflated by the importance of his position, and by + the support of Chamillart, he would listen to no advice from any one. + M. d'Orleans attempted to bring about some changes, and gave orders to + that effect, but as soon as he was gone, La Feuillade countermanded + those orders and had everything his own way. The siege accordingly + went on with the same ill-success as before. + </p> + <p> + M. d'Orleans joined M. de Vendome on the 17th of July, upon the + Mincio. The pretended hero had just made some irreparable faults. He + had allowed Prince Eugene to pass the Po, nearly in front of him, and + nobody knew what had become of twelve of our battalions posted near + the place where this passage had been made. Prince Eugene had taken + all the boats that we had upon the river. We could not cross it, + therefore, and follow the enemy without making a bridge. Vendome + feared lest his faults should be perceived. He wished that his + successor should remain charged with them. M. d'Orleans, indeed, soon + saw all the faults that M. de Vendome had committed, and tried hard to + induce the latter to aid him to repair them. But M. de Vendome would + not listen to his representations, and started away almost immediately + to take the command of the army in Flanders, leaving M. d'Orleans to + get out of the difficulty as he might. + </p> + <p> + M. d'Orleans, abandoned to himself (except when interfered with by + Marechal de Marsin, under whose tutelage he was), could do nothing. He + found as much opposition to his plans from Marsin as he had found from + M. de Vendome. Marsin wished to keep in the good graces of La + Feuillade, son-in-law of the all-powerful minister, and would not + adopt the views of M. d'Orleans. This latter had proposed to dispute + the passage of the Tanaro, a confluent of the Po, with the enemy, or + compel them to accept battle. An intercepted letter, in cypher, from + Prince Eugene to the Emperor, which fell into our hands, proved, + subsequently, that this course would have been the right one to adopt; + but the proof came too late; the decyphering table having been + forgotten at Versailles! M. d'Orleans had in the mean time been forced + to lead his army to Turin, to assist the besiegers, instead of waiting + to stop the passage of the troops that were destined for the aid of + the besieged. He arrived at Turin on the 28th of August, in the + evening. La Feuillade, now under two masters, grew, it might be + imagined, more docile. But no! He allied himself with Marsin (without + whom M. d'Orleans could do nothing), and so gained him over that they + acted completely in accord. When M. d'Orleans was convinced, soon + after his arrival, that the enemy was approaching to succour Turin, he + suggested that they should be opposed as they attempted the passage of + the Dora. + </p> + <p> + But his advice was not listened to. He was displeased with everything. + He found that all the orders he had given had been disregarded. He + found the siege works bad, imperfect, very wet, and very ill-guarded. + He tried to remedy all these defects, but he was opposed at every + step. A council of war was held. M. d'Orleans stated his views, but + all the officers present, with one honourable exception, servilely + chimed in with the views of Marsin and La Feuillade, and things + remained as they were. M. d'Orleans, thereupon, protested that he + washed his hands of all the misfortunes that might happen in + consequence of his advice being neglected. He declared that as he was + no longer master over anything, it was not just that he should bear + any part of the blame which would entail to those in command. He + asked, therefore, for his post-chaise, and wished immediately to quit + the army. La Feuillade and Marsin, however, begged him to remain, and + upon second thoughts he thought it better to do so. The simple reason + of all this opposition was, that La Feuillade, being very young and + very vain, wished to have all the honours of the siege. He was afraid + that if the counsel of M. d'Orleans prevailed, some of that honour + would be taken from him. This was the real reason, and to this France + owes the disastrous failure of the siege of Turin. + </p> + <p> + After the council of war, M. d'Orleans ceased to take any share in the + command, walked about or stopped at home, like a man who had nothing + to do with what was passing around him. On the night of the 6th to the + 7th of September, he rose from his bed alarmed by information sent to + him in a letter, that Prince Eugene was about to attack the castle of + Pianezza, in order to cross the Dora, and so proceed to attack the + besiegers. He hastened at once to Marsin, showed him the letter, and + recommended that troops should at once be sent to dispute the passage + of a brook that the enemies had yet to cross, even supposing them to + be masters of Pianezza. Even as he was speaking, confirmation of the + intelligence he had received was brought by one of our officers. But + it was resolved, in the Eternal decrees, that France should be struck + to the heart that day. + </p> + <p> + Marsin would listen to none of the arguments of M. d'Orleans. He + maintained that it would be unsafe to leave the lines; that the news + was false; that Prince Eugene could not possibly arrive so promptly; + he would give no orders; and he counselled M. d'Orleans to go back to + bed. The Prince, more piqued and more disgusted than ever, retired to + his quarters fully resolved to abandon everything to the blind and + deaf, who would neither see nor hear. + </p> + <p> + Soon after entering his chamber the news spread from all parts of the + arrival of Prince Eugene. He did not stir. Some general officers came, + and forced him to mount his horse. He went forth negligently at a + walking pace. What had taken place during the previous days had made + so much noise that even the common soldiers were ashamed of it. They + liked him, and murmured because he would no longer command them. One + of them called him by his name, and asked him if he refused them his + sword. This question did more than all that the general officers had + been able to do. M. d'Orleans replied to the soldier, that he would + not refuse to serve them, and at once resolved to lend all his aid to + Marsin and La Feuillade. + </p> + <p> + But it was no longer possible to leave the lines. The enemy was in + sight, and advanced so diligently, that there was no time to make + arrangements. Marsin, more dead than alive, was incapable of giving + any order or any advice. But La Feuillade still persevered in his + obstinacy. He disputed the orders of the Duc d'Orleans, and prevented + their execution, possessed by I know not what demon. + </p> + <p> + The attack was commenced about ten o'clock in the morning, was pushed + with incredible vigour, and sustained, at first, in the same manner. + Prince Eugene poured his troops into those places which the smallness + of our forces had compelled us to leave open. Marsin, towards the + middle of the battle, received a wound which incapacitated him from + further service, end was taken prisoner immediately after. Le + Feuillade ran about like a madman, tearing his hair, and incapable of + giving any order. The Duc d'Orleans preserved his coolness, and did + wonders to save the day. Finding our men beginning to waver, he called + the officers by their names, aroused the soldiers by his voice, and + himself led the squadrons and battalions to the charge. Vanquished at + last by pain, and weakened by the blood he had lost, he was + constrained to retire a little, to have his wounds dressed. He + scarcely gave himself time for this, however, but returned at once + where the fire was hottest. Three times the enemy had been repulsed + and their guns spiked by one of our officers, Le Guerchois, with his + brigade of the old marine, when, enfeebled by the losses he had + sustained, he called upon a neighbouring brigade to advance with him + to oppose a number of fresh battalions the enemy had sent against him. + This brigade and its brigadier refused bluntly to aid him. It was + positively known afterwards, that had Le Guerchois sustained this + fourth charge, Prince Eugene would have retreated. + </p> + <p> + This was the last moment of the little order that there had been at + this battle. All that followed was only trouble, confusion, disorder, + flight, discomfiture. The most terrible thing is, that the general + officers, with but few exceptions, more intent upon their equipage and + upon what they had saved by pillage, added to the confusion instead of + diminishing it, and were worse than useless. + </p> + <p> + M. d'Orleans, convinced at last that it was impossible to re-establish + the day, thought only how to retire as advantageously as possible. He + withdrew his light artillery, his ammunition, everything that was at + the siege, even at the most advanced of its works, and attended to + everything with a presence of mind that allowed nothing to escape him. + Then, gathering round him all the officers he could collect, he + explained to them that nothing but retreat was open to them, and that + the road to Italy was that which they ought to pursue. By this means + they would leave the victorious army of the enemy in a country + entirely ruined and desolate, and hinder it from returning into Italy, + where the army of the King, on the contrary, would have abundance, and + where it would cut off all succour from the others. + </p> + <p> + This proposition dismayed to the last degree our officers, who hoped + at least to reap the fruit of this disaster by returning to France + with the money with which they were gorged. La Feuillade opposed it + with so much impatience, that the Prince, exasperated by an effrontery + so sustained, told him to hold his peace and let others speak. Others + did speak, but only one was for following the counsel of M. d'Orleans. + Feeling himself now, however, the master, he stopped all further + discussion, and gave orders that the retreat to Italy should commence. + This was all he could do. His body and his brain were equally + exhausted. After having waited some little time, he was compelled to + throw himself into a post-chaise, and in that to continue the journey. + </p> + <p> + The officers obeyed his orders most unwillingly. They murmured amongst + each other so loudly that the Duc d'Orleans, justly irritated by so + much opposition to his will, made them hold their peace. The retreat + continued. But it was decreed that the spirit of error and vertigo + should ruin us and save the allies. As the army was about to cross the + bridge over the Ticino, and march into Italy, information was brought + to M. d'Orleans, that the enemy occupied the roads by which it was + indispensable to pass. M. d'Orleans, not believing this intelligence, + persisted in going forward. Our officers, thus foiled, for it was + known afterwards that the story was their invention, and that the + passes were entirely free, hit upon another expedient. They declared + there were no more provisions or ammunition, and that it was + accordingly impossible to go into Italy. M. d'Orleans, worn out by so + much criminal disobedience, and weakened by his wound, could hold out + no longer. He threw himself back in the chaise, and said they might go + where they would. The army therefore turned about, and directed itself + towards Pignerol, losing many equipages from our rear-guard during the + night in the mountains, although that rear-guard was protected by + Albergotti, and was not annoyed by the enemy. + </p> + <p> + The joy of the enemy at their success was unbounded. They could + scarcely believe in it. Their army was just at its last gasp. They had + not more than four days' supply of powder left in the place. After the + victory, M. de Savoie and Prince Eugene lost no time in idle + rejoicings. They thought only how to profit by a success so unheard of + and so unexpected. They retook rapidly all the places in Piedmont and + Lombardy that we occupied, and we had no power to prevent them. + </p> + <p> + Never battle cost fewer soldiers than that of Turin; never was retreat + more undisturbed than ours; yet never were results more frightful or + more rapid. Ramillies, with a light loss, cost the Spanish Low + Countries and part of ours: Turin cost all Italy by the ambition of La + Feuillade, the incapacity of Marsin, the avarice, the trickery, the + disobedience of the general officers opposed to M, d'Orleans. So + complete was the rout of our army, that it was found impossible to + restore it sufficiently to send it back to Italy, not at least before + the following spring. M. d'Orleans returned therefore to Versailles, + on Monday, the 8th of November, and was well received by the King. La + Feuillade arrived on Monday, the 13th of December, having remained + several days at Paris without daring to go to Versailles. He was taken + to the King by Chamillart. As soon as the King saw them enter he rose, + went to the door, and without giving them time to utter a word, said + to La Feuillade, "Monsieur, we are both very unfortunate!" and + instantly turned his back upon him. La Feuillade, on the threshold of + the door that he had not had time to cross, left the place + immediately, without having dared to say a single word. The King + always afterwards turned his eye from La Feuillade, and would never + speak to him. Such was the fall of this Phaeton. He saw that he had no + more hope, and retired from the army; although there was no baseness + that he did not afterwards employ to return to command. I think there + never was a more wrong-headed man or a man more radically dishonest, + even to the marrow of his bones. As for Marsin, he died soon after his + capture, from the effect of his wounds. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0036" id="link2HCH0036"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXVI + </h2> + <p> + Such was our military history of the year 1706—history of losses + and dishonour. It may be imagined in what condition was the exchequer + with so many demands upon its treasures. For the last two or three + years the King had been obliged, on account of the expenses of the + war, and the losses we had sustained, to cut down the presents that he + made at the commencement of the year. Thirty-five thousand louis in + gold was the sum he ordinarily spent in this manner. This year, 1707, + he diminished it by ten thousand Louis. It was upon Madame de + Montespan that the blow fell. Since she had quitted the Court the King + gave her twelve thousand Louis of gold each year. This year he sent + word to her that he could only give her eight. Madame de Montespan + testified not the least surprise. She replied, that she was only sorry + for the poor, to whom indeed she gave with profusion. A short time + after the King had made this reduction, that is, on the 8th of + January, Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne gave birth to a son. The joy + was great, but the King prohibited all those expenses which had been + made at the birth of the first-born of Madame de Bourgogne, and which + had amounted to a large sum. The want of money indeed made itself felt + so much at this time, that the King was obliged to seek for resources + as a private person might have done. A mining speculator, named Rodes, + having pretended that he had discovered many veins of gold in the + Pyrenees, assistance was given him in order that he might bring these + treasures to light. + </p> + <p> + He declared that with eighteen hundred workmen he would furnish a + million (francs' worth of gold) each week. Fifty-two millions a-year + would have been a fine increase of revenue. However, after waiting + some little time, no gold was forthcoming, and the money that had been + spent to assist this enterprise was found to be pure loss. + </p> + <p> + The difficulty of finding money to carry on the affairs of the nation + continued to grow so irksome that Chamillart, who had both the finance + and the war departments under his control, was unable to stand against + the increased trouble and vexation which this state of things brought + him. More than once he had represented that this double work was too + much for him. But the King had in former times expressed so much + annoyance from the troubles that arose between the finance and war + departments, that he would not separate them, after having once joined + them together. At last, Chamillart could bear up against his heavy + load no longer. The vapours seized him: he had attacks of giddiness in + the head; his digestion was obstructed; he grew thin as a lath. He + wrote again to the King, begging to be released from his duties, and + frankly stated that, in the state he was, if some relief was not + afforded him, everything would go wrong and perish. He always left a + large margin to his letters, and upon this the King generally wrote + his reply. Chamillart showed me this letter when it came back to him, + and I saw upon it with great surprise, in the handwriting of the King, + this short note: "Well! let us perish together." + </p> + <p> + The necessity for money had now become so great, that all sorts of + means were adopted to obtain it. Amongst other things, a tax was + established upon baptisms and marriages. This tax was extremely + onerous and odious. The result of it was a strange confusion. Poor + people, and many of humble means, baptised their children themselves, + without carrying them to the church, and were married at home by + reciprocal consent and before witnesses, when they could find no + priest who would marry them without formality. In consequence of this + there were no longer any baptismal extracts; no longer any certainty + as to baptisms or births; and the children of the marriages solemnised + in the way I have stated above were illegitimate in the eyes of the + law. Researches and rigours in respect to abuses so prejudicial were + redoubled therefore; that is to say, they were redoubled for the + purpose of collecting the tax. + </p> + <p> + From public cries and murmurs the people in some places passed to + sedition. Matters went so far at Cahors, that two battalions which + were there had great difficulty in holding the town against the armed + peasants; and troops intended for Spain were obliged to be sent there. + It was found necessary to suspend the operation of the tax, but it was + with great trouble that the movement of Quercy was put down, and the + peasants, who had armed and collected together, induced to retire into + their villages. In Perigord they rose, pillaged the bureaux, and + rendered themselves masters of a little town and some castles, and + forced some gentlemen to put themselves at their head. They declared + publicly that they would pay the old taxes to King, curate, and lord, + but that they would pay no more, or hear a word of any other taxes or + vexation. In the end it was found necessary to drop this tax upon + baptism and marriages, to the great regret of the tax-gatherers, who, + by all manner of vexations and rogueries, had enriched themselves + cruelly. + </p> + <p> + It was at this time, and in consequence, to some extent, of these + events, that a man who had acquired the highest distinction in France + was brought to the tomb in bitterness and grief, for that which in any + other country would have covered him with honour. Vauban, for it is to + him that I allude, patriot as he was, had all his life been touched + with the misery of the people and the vexations they suffered. The + knowledge that his offices gave him of the necessity for expense, the + little hope he had that the King would retrench in matters of + splendour and amusement, made him groan to see no remedy to an + oppression which increased in weight from day to day. Feeling this, he + made no journey that he did not collect information upon the value and + produce of the land, upon the trade and industry of the towns and + provinces, on the nature of the imposts, and the manner of collecting + them. Not content with this, he secretly sent to such places as he + could not visit himself, or even to those he had visited, to instruct + him in everything, and compare the reports he received with those he + had himself made. The last twenty years of his life were spent in + these researches, and at considerable cost to himself. In, the end, he + convinced himself that the land was the only real wealth, and he set + himself to work to form a new system. + </p> + <p> + He had already made much progress, when several little books appeared + by Boisguilbert, lieutenant-general at Rouen, who long since had had + the same views as Vauban, and had wanted to make them known. From this + labour had resulted a learned and profound book, in which a system was + explained by which the people could be relieved of all the expenses + they supported, and from every tax, and by which the revenue collected + would go at once into the treasury of the King, instead of enriching, + first the traitants, the intendants, and the finance ministers. These + latter, therefore, were opposed to the system, and their opposition, + as will be seen, was of no slight consequence. + </p> + <p> + Vauban read this book with much attention. He differed on some points + with the author, but agreed with him in the main. Boisguilbert wished + to preserve some imposts upon foreign commerce and upon provisions. + Vauban wished to abolish all imposts, and to substitute for them two + taxes, one upon the land, the other upon trade and industry. His book, + in which he put forth these ideas, was full of information and + figures, all arranged with the utmost clearness, simplicity, and + exactitude. + </p> + <p> + But it had a grand fault. It described a course which, if followed, + would have ruined an army of financiers, of clerks, of functionaries + of all kinds; it would have forced them to live at their own expense, + instead of at the expense of the people; and it would have sapped the + foundations of those immense fortunes that are seen to grow up in such + a short time. This was enough to cause its failure. + </p> + <p> + All the people interested in opposing the work set up a cry. They saw + place, power, everything, about to fly from their grasp, if the + counsels of Vauban were acted upon. What wonder, then, that the King, + who was surrounded by these people, listened to their reasons, and + received with a very ill grace Marechal Vauban when he presented his + book to him. The ministers, it may well be believed, did not give him + a better welcome. From that moment his services, his military capacity + (unique of its kind), his virtues, the affection the King had had for + him, all were forgotten. The King saw only in Marechal Vauban a man + led astray by love for the people, a criminal who attacked the + authority of the ministers, and consequently that of the King. He + explained himself to this effect without scruple. + </p> + <p> + The unhappy Marechal could not survive the loss of his royal master's + favour, or stand up against the enmity the King's explanations had + created against him; he died a few months after consumed with grief, + and with an affliction nothing could soften, and to which the King was + insensible to such a point, that he made semblance of not perceiving + that he had lost a servitor so useful and so illustrious. Vauban, + justly celebrated over all Europe, was regretted in France by all who + were not financiers or their supporters. + </p> + <p> + Boisguilbert, whom this event ought to have rendered wise, could not + contain himself. One of the objections which had been urged against + his theories, was the difficulty of carrying out changes in the midst + of a great war. He now published a book refuting this point, and + describing such a number of abuses then existing, to abolish which, he + asked, was it necessary to wait for peace, that the ministers were + outraged. Boisguilbert was exiled to Auvergne. I did all in my power + to revoke this sentence, having known Boisguilbert at Rouen, but did + not succeed until the end of two months. He was then allowed to return + to Rouen, but was severely reprimanded, and stripped of his functions + for some little time. He was amply indemnified, however, for this by + the crowd of people, and the acclamations with which he was received. + </p> + <p> + It is due to Chamillart to say, that he was the only minister who had + listened with any attention to these new systems of Vauban and + Boisguilbert. He indeed made trial of the plans suggested by the + former, but the circumstances were not favourable to his success, and + they of course failed. Some time after, instead of following the + system of Vauban, and reducing the imposts, fresh ones were added. Who + would have said to the Marechal that all his labours for the relief of + the people of France would lead to new imposts, more harsh, more + permanent, and more heavy than he protested against? It is a terrible + lesson against all improvements in matters of taxation and finance. + </p> + <p> + But it is time, now, that I should retrace my steps to other matters, + which, if related in due order of time, should have found a place ere + this. And first, let me relate the particulars concerning a trial in + which I was engaged, and which I have deferred allusion to until now, + so as not to entangle the thread of my narrative. + </p> + <p> + My sister, as I have said in its proper place, had married the Duc de + Brissac, and the marriage had not been a happy one. After a time, in + fact, they separated. My sister at her death left me her universal + legatee; and shortly after this, M. de Brissac brought an action + against me on her account for five hundred thousand francs. After his + death, his representatives continued the action, which I resisted, not + only maintaining that I owed none of the five hundred thousand francs, + but claiming to have two hundred thousand owing to me, out of six + hundred thousand which had formed the dowry of my sister. + </p> + <p> + When M. de Brissac died, there seemed some probability that his + peerage would become extinct; for the Comte de Cosse, who claimed to + succeed him, was opposed by a number of peers, and but for me might + have failed to establish his pretensions. I, however, as his claim was + just, interested myself in him, supported him with all my influence, + and gained for him the support of several influential peers: so that + in the end he was recognised as Duc de Brissac, and received as such + at the parliament on the 6th of May, 1700. + </p> + <p> + Having succeeded thus to the titles and estates of his predecessor, he + succeeded also to his liabilities, debts, and engagements. Among these + was the trial against me for five hundred thousand francs. Cosse felt + so thoroughly that he owed his rank to me, that he offered to give me + five hundred thousand francs, so as to indemnify me against an adverse + decision in the cause. Now, as I have said, I not only resisted this + demand made upon me for five hundred thousand francs, but I, in my + turn, claimed two hundred thousand francs, and my claim, once + admitted, all the personal creditors of the late Duc de Brissac + (creditors who, of course, had to be paid by the new Duke) would have + been forced to stand aside until my debt was settled. + </p> + <p> + I, therefore, refused this offer of Cosse, lest other creditors should + hear of the arrangement, and force him to make a similar one with + them. He was overwhelmed with a generosity so little expected, and we + became more intimately connected from that day. + </p> + <p> + Cosse, once received as Duc de Brissac, I no longer feared to push + forward the action I had commenced for the recovery of the two hundred + thousand francs due to me, and which I had interrupted only on his + account. I had gained it twice running against the late Duc de + Brissac, at the parliament of Rouen; but the Duchesse d'Aumont, who in + the last years of his life had lent him money, and whose debt was in + danger, succeeded in getting this cause sent up for appeal to the + parliament at Paris, where she threw obstacle upon obstacle in its + path, and caused judgment to be delayed month after month. When I came + to take active steps in the matter, my surprise—to use no + stronger word—was great, to find Cosse, after all I had done for + him, favouring the pretensions of the Duchesse d'Aumont, and lending + her his aid to establish them. However, he and the Duchesse d'Aumont + lost their cause, for when it was submitted to the judges of the + council at Paris, it was sent back to Rouen, and they had to pay + damages and expenses. + </p> + <p> + For years the affair had been ready to be judged at Rouen, but M. + d'Aumont every year, by means of his letters of state, obtained a + postponement. At last, however, M. d'Aumont died, and I was assured + that the letters of state should not be again produced, and that in + consequence no further adjournment should take place. I and Madame de + Saint-Simon at once set out, therefore, for Rouen, where we were + exceedingly well received, fetes and entertainments being continually + given in our honour. + </p> + <p> + After we had been there but eight or ten days, I received a letter + from Pontchartrain, who sent me word that the King had learnt with + surprise I was at Rouen, and had charged him to ask me why I was + there: so attentive was the King as to what became of the people of + mark, he was accustomed to see around him! My reply was not difficult. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile our cause proceeded. The parliament, that is to say, the + Grand Chamber, suspended all other business in order to finish ours. + The affair was already far advanced, when it was interrupted by an + obstacle, of all obstacles the least possible to foresee. The letters + of state had again been put in, for the purpose of obtaining another + adjournment. + </p> + <p> + My design is not to weary by recitals, which interest only myself; but + I must explain this matter fully. It was Monday evening. The + parliament of Rouen ended on the following Saturday. If we waited + until the opening of the next parliament, we should have to begin our + cause from the beginning, and with new presidents and judges, who + would know nothing of the facts. What was to be done? To appeal to the + King seemed impossible, for he was at Marly, and, while there, never + listened to such matters. By the time he left Marly, it would be too + late to apply to him. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Saint-Simon and others advised me, however, at all hazards, + to go straight to the King, instead of sending a courier, as I thought + of doing, and to keep my journey secret. I followed their advice, and + setting out at once, arrived at Marly on Tuesday morning, the 8th of + August, at eight of the clock. The Chancellor and Chamillart, to whom + I told my errand, pitied me, but gave me no hope of success. + Nevertheless, a council of state was to be held on the following + morning, presided over by the King, and my petition was laid before + it. The letters of state were thrown out by every voice. This + information was brought to me at mid-day. I partook of a hasty dinner, + and turned back to Rouen, where I arrived on Thursday, at eight + o'clock in the morning, three hours after a courier, by whom I had + sent this unhoped-for news. + </p> + <p> + I brought with me, besides the order respecting the letters of state, + an order to the parliament to proceed to judgment at once. It was laid + before the judges very early on Saturday, the 11th of August, the last + day of the parliament. From four o'clock in the morning we had an + infinite number of visitors, wanting to accompany us to the palace. + The parliament had been much irritated against these letters of state, + after having suspended all other business for us. The withdrawal of + these letters was now announced. We gained our cause, with penalties + and expenses, amid acclamations which resounded through the court, and + which followed us into the streets. We could scarcely enter our + street, so full was it with the crowd, or our house, which was equally + crowded. Our kitchen chimney soon after took fire, and it was only a + marvel that it was extinguished, without damage, after having strongly + warned us, and turned our joy into bitterness. There was only the + master of the house who was unmoved. We dined, however, with a grand + company; and after stopping one or two days more to thank our friends, + we went to see the sea at Dieppe, and then to Cani, to a beautiful + house belonging to our host at Rouen. + </p> + <p> + As for Madame d'Aumont, she was furious at the ill-success of her + affair. It was she who had obtained the letters of state from the + steward of her son-in-law. Her son-in-law had promised me that they + should not be used, and wrote at once to say he had had no hand in + their production. M. de Brissac, who had been afraid to look me in the + face ever since he had taken part in this matter, and with whom I had + openly broken, was now so much ashamed that he avoided me everywhere. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0037" id="link2HCH0037"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXVII + </h2> + <p> + It was just at the commencement of the year 1706, that I received a + piece of news which almost took away my breath by its suddenness, and + by the surprise it caused me. I was on very intimate terms with + Gualterio, the nuncio of the Pope. Just about this time we were + without an ambassador at Rome. The nuncio spoke to me about this post; + but at my age—I was but thirty—and knowing the + unwillingness of the King to employ young men in public affairs, I + paid no attention to his words. Eight days afterwards he entered my + chamber-one Tuesday, about an hour after mid- day-his arms open, joy + painted upon his face, and embracing me, told me to shut my door, and + even that of my antechamber, so that he should not be seen. I was to + go to Rome as ambassador. I made him repeat this twice over: it seemed + so impossible. If one of the portraits in my chamber had spoken to me, + I could not have been more surprised. Gualterio begged me to keep the + matter secret, saying, that the appointment would be officially + announced to me ere long. + </p> + <p> + I went immediately and sought out Chamillart, reproaching him for not + having apprised me of this good news. He smiled at my anger, and said + that the King had ordered the news to be kept secret. I admit that I + was flattered at being chosen at my age for an embassy so important. I + was advised on every side to accept it, and this I determined to do. I + could not understand, however, how it was I had been selected. Torcy, + years afterwards, when the King was dead, related to me how it came + about. At this time I had no relations with Torcy; it was not until + long afterwards that friendship grew up between us. + </p> + <p> + He said, then, that the embassy being vacant, the King wished to fill + up that appointment, and wished also that a Duke should be ambassador. + He took an almanack and began reading the names of the Dukes, + commencing with M. de Uzes. He made no stop until he came to my name. + Then he said (to Torcy), "What do you think of him? He is young, but + he is good," &c. The King, after hearing a few opinions expressed + by those around him, shut up the almanack, and said it was not worth + while to go farther, determined that I should be ambassador, but + ordered the appointment to be kept secret. I learnt this, more than + ten years after its occurrence, from a true man, who had no longer any + interest or reason to disguise anything from me. + </p> + <p> + Advised on all sides by my friends to accept the post offered to me, I + did not long hesitate to do so. Madame de Saint-Simon gave me the same + advice, although she herself was pained at the idea of quitting her + family. I cannot refuse myself the pleasure of relating here what the + three ministers each said of my wife, a woman then of only + twenty-seven years of age. All three, unknown to each other, and + without solicitation on my part, counselled me to keep none of the + affairs of my embassy secret from her, but to give her a place at the + end of the table when I read or wrote my despatches, and to consult + her with deference upon everything. I have rarely so much relished + advice as I did in this case. Although, as things fell out, I could + not follow it at Rome, I had followed it long before, and continued to + do so all my life. I kept nothing secret from her, and I had good + reason to be pleased that I did not. Her counsel was always wise, + judicious, and useful, and oftentimes she warded off from me many + inconveniences. + </p> + <p> + But to continue the narrative of this embassy. It was soon so + generally known that I was going to Rome, that as we danced at Marly, + we heard people say, "Look! M. l'Ambassadeur and Madame l'Ambassadrice + are dancing." After this I wished the announcement to be made public + as soon as possible, but the King was not to be hurried. Day after day + passed by, and still I was kept in suspense. At last, about the middle + of April, I had an interview with Chamillart one day, just after he + came out of the council at which I knew my fate had been decided. I + learnt then that the King had determined to send no ambassador to + Rome. The Abbe de La Tremoille was already there; he had been made + Cardinal, and was to remain and attend to the affairs of the embassy. + I found out afterwards that I had reason to attribute to Madame de + Maintenon and M. du Maine the change in the King's intention towards + me. Madame de Saint-Simon was delighted. It seemed as though she + foresaw the strange discredit in which the affairs of the King were + going to fall in Italy, the embarrassment and the disorder that public + misfortunes would cause the finances, and the cruel situation to which + all things would have reduced us at Rome. As for me, I had had so much + leisure to console myself beforehand, that I had need of no more. I + felt, however, that I had now lost all favour with the King, and, + indeed, he estranged himself from me more and more each day. By what + means I recovered myself it is not yet time to tell. + </p> + <p> + On the night between the 3rd and 4th of February, Cardinal Coislin, + Bishop of Orleans, died. He was a little man, very fat, who looked + like a village curate. His purity of manners and his virtues caused + him to be much loved. Two good actions of his life deserve to be + remembered. + </p> + <p> + When, after the revocation of the edict of Nantes, the King determined + to convert the Huguenots by means of dragoons and torture, a regiment + was sent to Orleans, to be spread abroad in the diocese. As soon as it + arrived, M. d'Orleans sent word to the officers that they might make + his house their home; that their horses should be lodged in his + stables. He begged them not to allow a single one of their men to + leave the town, to make the slightest disorder; to say no word to the + Huguenots, and not to lodge in their houses. He resolved to be obeyed, + and he was. The regiment stayed a month; and cost him a good deal. At + the end of that time he so managed matters that the soldiers were sent + away, and none came again. This conduct, so full of charity, so + opposed to that of nearly all the other dioceses, gained as many + Huguenots as were gained by the barbarities they suffered elsewhere. + It needed some courage, to say nothing of generosity, to act thus, and + to silently blame, as it were, the conduct of the King. + </p> + <p> + The other action of M. d'Orleans was less public and less dangerous, + but was not less good. He secretly gave away many alms to the poor, in + addition to those he gave publicly. Among those whom he succoured was + a poor, broken-down gentleman, without wife or child, to whom he gave + four hundred livres of pension, and a place at his table whenever he + was at Orleans. One morning the servants of M. d'Orleans told their + master that ten pieces of plate were missing, and that suspicion fell + upon the gentleman. M. d'Orleans could not believe him guilty, but as + he did not make his appearance at the house for several days, was + forced at last to imagine he was so. Upon this he sent for the + gentleman, who admitted himself to be the offender. + </p> + <p> + M. d'Orleans said he must have been strangely pressed to commit an + action of this nature, and reproached him for not having mentioned his + wants. Then, drawing twenty Louis from his pocket, he gave them to the + gentleman, told him to forget what had occurred, and to use his table + as before. M. d'Orleans prohibited his servants to mention their + suspicions, and this anecdote would never have been known, had it not + been told by the gentleman himself, penetrated with confusion and + gratitude. + </p> + <p> + M. d'Orleans, after he became cardinal, was often pressed by his + friends to give up his bishopric. But this he would not listen to. The + King had for him a respect that was almost devotion. When Madame de + Bourgogne was about to be delivered of her first child, the King sent + a courier to M. d'Orleans requesting him to come to Court immediately, + and to remain there until after the delivery. When the child was born, + the King would not allow it to be sprinkled by any other hand than + that of M. d'Orleans. The poor man, very fat, as I have said, always + sweated very much;—on this occasion, wrapped up in his cloak and + his lawn, his body ran with sweat in such abundance, that in the + antechamber the floor was wet all round where he stood. All the Court + was much afflicted at his death; the King more than anybody spoke his + praises. It was known after his death, from his valet de chambre, that + he mortified himself continually with instruments of penitence, and + that he rose every night and passed an hour on his knees in prayer. He + received the sacraments with great piety, and died the night following + as he had lived. + </p> + <p> + Heudicourt the younger, a species of very mischievous satyr, and much + mixed up in grand intrigues of gallantry, made, about this time, a + song upon the grand 'prevot' and his family. It was so simple, so true + to nature, withal so pleasant, that some one having whispered it in + the ear of the Marechal de Boufflers at chapel, he could not refrain + from bursting into laughter, although he was in attendance at the mass + of the King. The Marechal was the gravest and most serious man in all + France; the greatest slave to decorum. The King turned round + therefore, in surprise, which augmented considerably when he saw the + Marechal de Boufflers nigh to bursting with laughter, and the tears + running down his cheeks. On turning into his cabinet, he called the + Marechal, and asked what had got him in that state at the mass. The + Marechal repeated the song to him. Thereupon the King burst out louder + than the Marechal had, and for a whole fortnight afterwards could not + help smiling whenever he saw the grand 'prevot' or any of his family. + The song soon spread about, and much diverted the Court and the town. + </p> + <p> + I should particularly avoid soiling this page with an account of the + operation for fistula which Courcillon, only son of Dangeau, had + performed upon him, but for the extreme ridicule with which it was + accompanied. Courcillon was a dashing young fellow, much given to + witty sayings, to mischief, to impiety, and to the filthiest + debauchery, of which latter, indeed, this operation passed publicly as + the fruit. His mother, Madams Dangeau, was in the strictest intimacy + with Madame de Maintenon. They two alone, of all the Court, were + ignorant of the life Courcillon led. Madame was much afflicted; and + quitted his bed-side, even for a moment, with pain. Madame de + Maintenon entered into her sorrow, and went every day to bear her + company at the pillow of Courcillon. Madame d'Heudicourt, another + intimate friend of Madame de Maintenon, was admitted there also, but + scarcely anybody else. Courcillon listened to them, spoke devotionally + to them, and uttered the reflections suggested by his state. They, all + admiration, published everywhere that he was a saint. Madame + d'Heudicourt and a few others who listened to these discourses, and + who knew the pilgrim well, and saw him loll out his tongue at them on + the sly, knew not what to do to prevent their laughter, and as soon as + they could get away went and related all they had heard to their + friends. Courcillon, who thought it a mighty honour to have Madame de + Maintenon every day for nurse, but who, nevertheless, was dying of + weariness, used to see his friends in the evening (when Madame de + Maintenon and his mother were gone), and would relate to them, with + burlesque exaggeration, all the miseries he had suffered during the + day, and ridicule the devotional discourses he had listened to. All + the time his illness lasted, Madame de Maintenon came every day to see + him, so that her credulity, which no one dared to enlighten, was the + laughing-stock of the Court. She conceived such a high opinion of the + virtue of Courcillon, that she cited him always as an example, and the + King also formed the same opinion. Courcillon took good care not to + try and cultivate it when he became cured; yet neither the King nor + Madame de Maintenon opened their eyes, or changed their conduct + towards him. Madame de Maintenon, it must be said, except in the + sublime intrigue of her government and with the King, was always the + queen of dupes. + </p> + <p> + It would seem that there are, at certain times, fashions in crimes as + in clothes. At the period of the Voysins and the Brinvilliers, there + were nothing but poisoners abroad; and against these, a court was + expressly instituted, called ardente, because it condemned them to the + flames. At the time of which I am now speaking, 1703, for I forgot to + relate what follows in its proper place, forgers of writings were in + the ascendant, and became so common, that a chamber was established + composed of councillors of state and others, solely to judge the + accusations which this sort of criminals gave rise to. + </p> + <p> + The Bouillons wished to be recognised as descended, by male issue, of + the Counts of Auvergne, and to claim all kinds of distinctions and + honours in consequence. They had, however, no proofs of this, but, on + the contrary, their genealogy proved it to be false. All on a sudden, + an old document that had been interred in the obscurity of ages in the + church of Brioude, was presented to Cardinal Bouillon. It had all the + marks of antiquity, and contained a triumphant proof of the descent of + the house of La Tour, to which the Bouillons belonged, from the + ancient Counts of Auvergne. The Cardinal was delighted to have in his + hands this precious document. But to avoid all suspicion, he affected + modesty, and hesitated to give faith to evidence so decisive. He spoke + in confidence to all the learned men he knew, and begged them to + examine the document with care, so that he might not be the dupe of a + too easy belief in it. + </p> + <p> + Whether the examiners were deceived by the document, or whether they + allowed themselves to be seduced into believing it, as is more than + probable, from fear of giving offence to the Cardinal, need not be + discussed. It is enough to say that they pronounced in favour of the + deed, and that Father Mabillon, that Benedictine so well known + throughout all Europe by his sense and his candour, was led by the + others to share their opinion. + </p> + <p> + After this, Cardinal de Bouillon no longer affected any doubt about + the authenticity of the discovery. All his friends complimented him + upon it, the majority to see how he would receive their + congratulations. It was a chaos rather than a mixture, of vanity the + most outrageous, modesty the most affected, and joy the most + immoderate which he could not restrain. + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately, De Bar, who had found the precious document, and who + had presented it to Cardinal de Bouillon, was arrested and put in + prison a short time after this, charged with many forgeries. This + event made some stir, and caused suspicion to fall upon the document, + which was now attentively examined through many new spectacles. + Learned men unacquainted with the Bouillons contested it, and De Bar + was so pushed upon this point, that he made many delicate admissions. + Alarm at once spread among the Bouillons. They did all in their power + to ward off the blow that was about to fall. Seeing the tribunal firm, + and fully resolved to follow the affair to the end, they openly + solicited for De Bar, and employed all their credit to gain his + liberation. At last, finding the tribunal inflexible, they were + reduced to take an extreme resolution. M. de Bouillon admitted to the + King, that his brother, Cardinal de Bouillon, might, unknown to all of + them, have brought forward facts he could not prove. He added, that + putting himself in the King's hands, he begged that the affair might + be stopped at once, out of consideration for those whose only guilt + was too great credulity, and too much confidence in a brother who had + deceived them. The King, with more of friendship for M. de Bouillon + than of reflection as to what he owed by way of reparation for a + public offence, agreed to this course. + </p> + <p> + De Bar, convicted of having fabricated this document, by his own + admission before the public tribunal, was not condemned to death, but + to perpetual imprisonment. As may be believed, this adventure made a + great stir; but what cannot be believed so easily is, the conduct of + the Messieurs Bouillon about fifteen months afterwards. + </p> + <p> + At the time when the false document above referred to was discovered, + Cardinal de Bouillon had commissioned Baluze, a man much given to + genealogical studies, to write the history of the house of Auvergne. + In this history, the descent, by male issue; of the Bouillons from the + Counts of Auvergne, was established upon the evidence supplied by this + document. At least, nobody doubted that such was the case, and the + world was strangely scandalised to see the work appear after that + document had been pronounced to be a forgery. Many learned men and + friends of Baluze considered him so dishonoured by it, that they broke + off all relations with him, and this put the finishing touch to the + confusion of this affair. + </p> + <p> + On Thursday, the 7th of March, 1707, a strange event troubled the + King, and filled the Court and the town with rumours. Beringhen, first + master of the horse, left Versailles at seven o'clock in the evening + of that day, to go to Paris, alone in one of the King's coaches, two + of the royal footmen behind, and a groom carrying a torch before him + on the seventh horse. The carriage had reached the plain of + Bissancourt, and was passing between a farm on the road near Sevres + bridge and a cabaret, called the "Dawn of Day," when it was stopped by + fifteen or sixteen men on horseback, who seized on Beringhen, hurried + him into a post-chaise in waiting, and drove off with him. The King's + carriage, with the coachman, footmen, and groom, was allowed to go + back to Versailles. As soon as it reached Versailles the King was + informed of what had taken place. He sent immediately to his four + Secretaries of State, ordering them to send couriers everywhere to the + frontiers, with instructions to the governors to guard all the + passages, so that if these horsemen were foreign enemies, as was + suspected, they would be caught in attempting to pass out of the + kingdom. It was known that a party of the enemy had entered Artois, + that they had committed no disorders, but that they were there still. + Although people found it difficult, at first, to believe that + Beringhen had been carried off by a party such as this, yet as it was + known that he had no enemies, that he was not reputed sufficiently + rich to afford hope of a large ransom, and that not one of our + wealthiest financiers had been seized in this manner, this explanation + was at last accepted as the right one. + </p> + <p> + So in fact it proved. A certain Guetem, a fiddler of the Elector of + Bavaria, had entered the service of Holland, had taken part in her war + against France, and had become a colonel. Chatting one evening with + his comrades, he laid a wager that he would carry off some one of mark + between Paris and Versailles. He obtained a passport, and thirty + chosen men, nearly all of whom were officers. They passed the rivers + disguised as traders, by which means they were enabled to post their + relays [of horses]. Several of them had remained seven or eight days + at Sevres, Saint Cloud, and Boulogne, from which they had the + hardihood to go to Versailles and see the King sup. One of these was + caught on the day after the disappearance of Beringhen, and when + interrogated by Chamillart, replied with a tolerable amount of + impudence. Another was caught in the forest of Chantilly by one of the + servants of M. le Prince. From him it became known that relays of + horses and a post-chaise had been provided at Morliere for the + prisoner when he should arrive there, and that he had already passed + the Oise. + </p> + <p> + As I have said, couriers were despatched to the governors of the + frontiers; in addition to this, information of what had taken place + was sent to all the intendants of the frontier, to all the troops in + quarters there. Several of the King's guards, too, and the grooms of + the stable, went in pursuit of the captors of Beringhen. + Notwithstanding the diligence used, the horsemen had traversed the + Somme and had gone four leagues beyond Ham-Beringhen, guarded by the + officers, and pledged to offer no resistance—when the party was + stopped by a quartermaster and two detachments of the Livry regiment. + Beringhen was at once set at liberty. Guetem and his companion were + made prisoners. + </p> + <p> + The grand fault they had committed was to allow the King's carriage + and the footmen to go back to Versailles so soon after the abduction. + Had they led away the coach under cover of the night, and so kept the + King in ignorance of their doings until the next day, they would have + had more time for their retreat. Instead of doing this they fatigued + themselves by too much haste. They had grown tired of waiting for a + carriage that seemed likely to contain somebody of mark. The + Chancellor had passed, but in broad daylight, and they were afraid in + consequence to stop him. M. le Duc d'Orleans had passed, but in a + post-chaise, which they mistrusted. At last Beringhen appeared in one + of the King's coaches, attended by servants in the King's livery, and + wearing his cordon Neu, as was his custom. They thought they had found + a prize indeed. They soon learnt with whom they had to deal, and told + him also who they were. Guetem bestowed upon Beringhen all kinds of + attention, and testified a great desire to spare him as much as + possible all fatigue. He pushed his attentions so far that they caused + his failure. He allowed Beringhen to stop and rest on two occasions. + The party missed one of their relays, and that delayed them very much. + </p> + <p> + Beringhen, delighted with his rescue, and very grateful for the good + treatment he had received, changed places with Guetem and his + companions, led them to Ham, and in his turn treated them well. He + wrote to his wife and to Charnillart announcing his release, and these + letters were read with much satisfaction by the King. + </p> + <p> + On Tuesday, the 29th of March, Beringhen arrived at Versailles, about + eight o'clock in the evening, and went at once to the King, who was in + the apartments of Madame de Maintenon, and who received him well, and + made him relate all his adventures. But the King was not pleased when + he found the officers of the stable in a state of great delight, and + preparing fireworks to welcome Beringhen back. He prohibited all these + marks of rejoicing, and would not allow the fireworks to be let off. + He had these little jealousies. He wished that all should be devoted + to him alone, without reserve and without division. All the Court, + however, showed interest in this return, and Beringhen was consoled by + the public welcome he received for his fatigue. + </p> + <p> + Guetem and his officers, while waiting the pleasure of the King, were + lodged in Beringhen's house in Paris, where they were treated above + their deserts. Beringhen obtained permission for Guetem to see the + King. He did more; he presented Guetem to the King, who praised him + for having so well treated his prisoner, and said that war always + ought to be conducted properly. Guetem, who was not without wit, + replied, that he was so astonished to find himself before the greatest + King in the world, and to find that King doing him the honour of + speaking to him, that he had not power enough to answer. He remained + ten or twelve days in Beringhen's house to see Paris, the Opera and + the Comedy, and became the talk of the town. People ran after him + everywhere, and the most distinguished were not ashamed to do + likewise. On all sides he was applauded for an act of temerity, which + might have passed for insolence. Beringhen regaled him, furnished him + with carriages and servants to accompany him, and, at parting, with + money and considerable presents. Guetem went on his parole to Rheims + to rejoin his comrades until exchanged, and had the town for prison. + Nearly all the others had escaped. The project was nothing less than + to carry off Monseigneur, or one of the princes, his sons. + </p> + <p> + This ridiculous adventure gave rise to precautions, excessive in the + first place, and which caused sad obstructions of bridges and gates. + It caused, too, a number of people to be arrested. The hunting parties + of the princes were for some time interfered with, until matters + resumed their usual course. But it was not bad fun to see, during some + time, the terror of ladies, and even of men, of the Court, who no + longer dared go abroad except in broad daylight, even then with little + assurance, and imagining themselves everywhere in marvellous danger of + capture. + </p> + <p> + I have related in its proper place the adventure of Madame la + Princesse de Conti with Mademoiselle Choin and the attachment of + Monseigneur for the latter. This attachment was only augmented by the + difficulty of seeing each other. + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle Choin retired to the house of Lacroix, one of her + relatives at Paris, where she lived quite hidden. She was informed of + the rare days when Monseigneur dined alone at Meudon, without sleeping + there. She went there the day before in a fiacre, passed through the + courts on foot, ill clad, like a common sort of woman going to see + some officer at Meudon, and, by a back staircase, was admitted to + Monseigneur who passed some hours with her in a little apartment on + the first floor. In time she came there with a lady's-maid, her parcel + in her pocket, on the evenings of the days that Monseigneur slept + there. + </p> + <p> + She remained in this apartment without seeing anybody, attended by her + lady's-maid, and waited upon by a servant who alone was in the secret. + </p> + <p> + Little by little the friends of Monseigneur were allowed to see her; + and amongst these were M. le Prince de Conti, Monseigneur le Duc de + Bourgogne, Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne, and M. le Duc de Berry. + There was always, however, an air of mystery about the matter. The + parties that took place were kept secret, although frequent, and were + called parvulos. + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle Choin remained in her little apartment only for the + convenience of Monseigneur. She slept in the bed and in the grand + apartment where Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne lodged when the King + was at Meudon. She always sat in an arm-chair before Monseigneur; + Madame de Bourgogne sat on a stool. Mademoiselle Choin never rose for + her; in speaking of her, even before Monseigneur and the company, she + used to say "the Duchesse de Bourgogne," and lived with her as Madame + de Maintenon did excepting that "darling" and "my aunt," were terms + not exchanged between them, and that Madame de Bourgogne was not + nearly so free, or so much at her ease, as with the King and Madame de + Maintenon. Monsieur de Bourgogne was much in restraint. His manners + did not agree with those of that world. Monseigneur le Duc de Berry, + who was more free, was quite at home. + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle Choin went on fete-days to hear mass in the chapel at six + o'clock in the morning, well wrapped up, and took her meals alone, + when Monseigneur did not eat with her. When he was alone with her, the + doors were all guarded and barricaded to keep out intruders. People + regarded her as being to Monseigneur, what Madame de Maintenon was to + the King. All the batteries for the future were directed and pointed + towards her. People schemed to gain permission to visit her at Paris; + people paid court to her friends and acquaintances, Monseigneur le Duc + de Bourgogne sought to please her, was respectful to her, attentive to + her friends, not always with success. She acted towards Monseigneur le + Duc de Bourgogne like a mother-in-law, and sometimes spoke with such + authority and bluntness to Madame de Bourgogne as to make her cry. + </p> + <p> + The King and Madame de Maintenon were in no way ignorant of all this, + but they held their tongues, and all the Court who knew it, spoke only + in whispers of it. This is enough for the present; it will serve to + explain many things, of which I shall speak anon. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0038" id="link2HCH0038"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXVIII + </h2> + <p> + On Wednesday, the 27th of May, 1707, at three o'clock in the morning, + Madame de Montespan, aged sixty, died very suddenly at the waters of + Bourbon. Her death made much stir, although she had long retired from + the Court and from the world, and preserved no trace of the commanding + influence she had so long possessed. I need not go back beyond my own + experience, and to the time of her reign as mistress of the King. I + will simply say, because the anecdote is little known, that her + conduct was more the fault of her husband than her own. She warned him + as soon as she suspected the King to be in love with her; and told him + when there was no longer any doubt upon her mind. She assured him that + a great entertainment that the King gave was in her honour. She + pressed him, she entreated him in the most eloquent manner, to take + her away to his estates of Guyenne, and leave her there until the King + had forgotten her or chosen another mistress. It was all to no + purpose; and Montespan was not long before repentance seized him; for + his torment was that he loved her all his life, and died still in love + with her—although he would never consent to see her again after + the first scandal. + </p> + <p> + Nor will I speak of the divers degrees which the fear of the devil at + various times put to her separation from the Court; and I will + elsewhere speak of Madame de Maintenon, who owed her everything, who + fed her on serpents, and who at last ousted her from the Court. What + no one dared to say, what the King himself dared not, M. du Maine, her + son, dared. M. de Meaux (Bossuet) did the rest. She went in tears and + fury, and never forgave M. du Maine, who by his strange service gained + over for ever to his interests the heart and the mighty influence of + Madame de Maintenon. + </p> + <p> + The mistress, retired amongst the Community of Saint Joseph, which she + had built, was long in accustoming herself to it. She carried about + her idleness and unhappiness to Bourbon, to Fontevrault, to D'Antin; + she was many years without succeeding in obtaining mastery over + herself. At last God touched her. Her sin had never been accompanied + by forgetfulness; she used often to leave the King to go and pray in + her cabinet; nothing could ever make her evade any fast day or meagre + day; her austerity in fasting continued amidst all her dissipation. + She gave alms, was esteemed by good people, never gave way to doubt of + impiety; but she was imperious, haughty and overbearing, full of + mockery, and of all the qualities by which beauty with the power it + bestows is naturally accompanied. Being resolved at last to take + advantage of an opportunity which had been given her against her will, + she put herself in the hands of Pere de la Tour, that famous General + of the Oratory. From that moment to the time of her death her + conversion continued steadily, and her penitence augmented. She had + first to get rid of the secret fondness she still entertained for the + Court, even of the hopes which, however chimerical, had always + flattered her. She was persuaded that nothing but the fear of the + devil had forced the King to separate himself from her, that it was + nothing but this fear that had raised Madame de Maintenon to the + height she had attained; that age and ill-health, which she was + pleased to imagine, would soon clear the way; that when the King was a + widower, she being a widow, nothing would oppose their reunion, which + might easily be brought about by their affection for their children. + These children entertained similar hopes, and were therefore assiduous + in their attention to her for some time. + </p> + <p> + Pere de la Tour made her perform a terrible act of penitence. It was + to ask pardon of her husband, and to submit herself to his commands. + To all who knew Madame de Montespan this will seem the most heroic + sacrifice. M. de Montespan, however, imposed no restraint upon his + wife. He sent word that he wished in no way to interfere with her, or + even to see her. She experienced no further trouble, therefore, on + this score. + </p> + <p> + Little by little she gave almost all she had to the poor. She worked + for them several hours a day, making stout shirts and such things for + them. Her table, that she had loved to excess, became the most frugal; + her fasts multiplied; she would interrupt her meals in order to go and + pray. Her mortifications were continued; her chemises and her sheets + were of rough linen, of the hardest and thickest kind, but hidden + under others of ordinary kind. She unceasingly wore bracelets, + garters, and a girdle, all armed with iron points, which oftentimes + inflicted wounds upon her; and her tongue, formerly so dangerous, had + also its peculiar penance imposed on it. She was, moreover, so + tormented with the fear of death, that she employed several women, + whose sole occupation was to watch her. She went to sleep with all the + curtains of her bed open, many lights in her chamber, and her women + around her. Whenever she awoke she wished to find them chatting, + playing, or enjoying themselves, so as to re-assure herself against + their drowsiness. + </p> + <p> + With all this she could never throw off the manners of a queen. She + had an arm-chair in her chamber with its back turned to the foot of + the bed. There was no other in the chamber, not even when her natural + children came to see her, not even for Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans. + She was oftentimes visited by the most distinguished people of the + Court, and she spoke like a queen to all. She treated everybody with + much respect, and was treated so in turn. I have mentioned in its + proper place, that a short time before her death, the King gave her a + hundred thousand francs to buy an estate; but this present was not + gratis, for she had to send back a necklace worth a hundred and fifty + thousand, to which the King made additions, and bestowed it on the + Duchesse de Bourgogne. + </p> + <p> + The last time Madame de Montespan went to Bourbon she paid all her + charitable pensions and gratuities two years in advance and doubled + her alms. Although in good health she had a presentiment that she + should return no more. This presentiment, in effect, proved correct. + She felt herself so ill one night, although she had been very well + just before, that she confessed herself, and received the sacrament. + Previous to this she called all her servants into her room and made a + public confession of her public sins, asking pardon for the scandal + she had caused with a humility so decent, so profound, so penitent, + that nothing could be more edifying. She received the last sacrament + with an ardent piety. The fear of death which all her life had so + continually troubled her, disappeared suddenly, and disturbed her no + more. She died, without regret, occupied only with thoughts of + eternity, and with a sweetness and tranquillity that accompanied all + her actions. + </p> + <p> + Her only son by Monsieur de Montespan, whom she had treated like a + mother-in-law, until her separation from the King, but who had since + returned to her affection, D'Antin, arrived just before her death. She + looked at him, and only said that he saw her in a very different state + to what he had seen her at Bellegarde. As soon as she was dead he set + out for Paris, leaving orders for her obsequies, which were strange, + or were strangely executed. Her body, formerly so perfect, became the + prey of the unskilfulness and the ignorance of a surgeon. The + obsequies were at the discretion of the commonest valets, all the rest + of the house having suddenly deserted. The body remained a long time + at the door of the house, whilst the canons of the Sainte Chapelle and + the priests of the parish disputed about the order of precedence with + more than indecency. It was put in keeping under care of the parish, + like the corpse of the meanest citizen of the place, and not until a + long time afterwards was it sent to Poitiers to be placed in the + family tomb, and then with an unworthy parsimony. Madame de Montespan + was bitterly regretted by all the poor of the province, amongst whom + she spread an infinity of alms, as well as amongst others of different + degree. + </p> + <p> + As for the King, his perfect insensibility at the death of a mistress + he had so passionately loved, and for so many years, was so extreme, + that Madame de Bourgogne could not keep her surprise from him. He + replied, tranquilly, that since he had dismissed her he had reckoned + upon never seeing her again, and that thus she was from that time dead + to him. It is easy to believe that the grief of the children he had + had by her did not please him. Those children did not dare to wear + mourning for a mother not recognised. Their appearance, therefore, + contrasted with that of the children of Madame de la Valliere, who had + just died, and for whom they were wearing mourning. Nothing could + equal the grief which Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans, Madame la + Duchesse, and the Comte de Toulouse exhibited. The grief of Madame la + Duchesse especially was astonishing, for she always prided herself on + loving nobody; still more astonishing was the grief of M. le Duc, so + inaccessible to friendship. We must remember, however, that this death + put an end to many hopes. M. du Maine, for his part, could scarcely + repress his joy at the death of his mother, and after having stopped + away from Marly two days, returned and caused the Comte de Toulouse to + be recalled likewise. Madame de Maintenon, delivered of a former + rival, whose place she had taken, ought, it might have been thought, + to have felt relieved. It was otherwise; remorse for the benefits she + had received from Madame de Montespan, and for the manner in which + those benefits had been repaid, overwhelmed her. Tears stole down her + cheeks, and she went into a strange privacy to hide them. Madame de + Bourgogne, who followed, was speechless with astonishment. + </p> + <p> + The life and conduct of so famous a mistress, subsequent to her forced + retirement, have appeared to me sufficiently curious to describe at + length; and what happened at her death was equally characteristic of + the Court. + </p> + <p> + The death of the Duchesse de Nemours, which followed quickly upon that + of Madame de Montespart, made still more stir in the world, but of + another kind. Madame de Nemours was daughter, by a first marriage, of + the last Duc de Longueville. She was extremely rich, and lived in + great splendour. She had a strange look, and a droll way of dressing, + big eyes, with which she could scarcely see, a shoulder that + constantly twitched, grey hairs that she wore flowing, and a very + imposing air. She had a very bad temper, and could not forgive. When + somebody asked her if she said the Pater, she replied, yes, but that + she passed by without saying it the clause respecting pardon for our + enemies. She did not like her kinsfolk, the Matignons, and would never + see nor speak to any of them. One day talking to the King at a window + of his cabinet, she saw Matignon passing in the court below. Whereupon + she set to spitting five or six times running, and then turned to the + King and begged his pardon, saying, that she could never see a + Matignon without spitting in that manner. It may be imagined that + devotion did not incommode her. She herself used to tell a story, that + having entered one day a confessional, without being followed into the + church, neither her appearance nor her dress gave her confessor an + idea of her rank. She spoke of her great wealth, and said much about + the Princes de Conde and de Conti. The confessor told her to pass by + all that. She, feeling that the case was a serious one, insisted upon + explaining and made allusion to her large estates and her millions. + The good priest believed her mad, and told her to calm herself; to get + rid of such ideas; to think no more of them; and above all to eat good + soups, if she had the means to procure them. Seized with anger she + rose and left the place. The confessor out of curiosity followed her + to the door. When he saw the good lady, whom he thought mad, received + by grooms, waiting women, and so on, he had like to have fallen + backwards; but he ran to the coach door and asked her pardon. It was + now her turn to laugh at him, and she got off scot-free that day from + the confessional. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Nemours had amongst other possessions the sovereignty of + Neufchatel. As soon as she was dead, various claimants arose to + dispute the succession. Madame de Mailly laid claim to it, as to the + succession to the principality of Orange, upon the strength of a very + doubtful alliance with the house of Chalons, and hoped to be supported + by Madame de Maintenon. But Madame de Maintenon laughed at her + chimeras, as they were laughed at in Switzerland. + </p> + <p> + M. le Prince de Conti was another claimant. He based his right upon + the will of the last Duc de Longueville, by which he had been called + to all the Duke's wealth, after the Comte de Saint Paul, his brother, + and his posterity. In addition to these, there were Matignon and the + dowager Duchesse de Lesdiguieres, who claimed Neufchatel by right of + their relationship to Madame de Nemours. + </p> + <p> + Matignon was an intimate friend of Chamillart, who did not like the + Prince de Conti, and was the declared enemy of the Marechal de + Villeroy, the representative of Madame de Lesdiguieres, in this + affair. Chamillart, therefore, persuaded the King to remain neutral, + and aided Matignon by money and influence to get the start of the + other claimants. + </p> + <p> + The haughty citizens of Neufchatel saw then all these suitors begging + for their suffrages, when a minister of the Elector of Brandenbourg + appeared amongst them, and disputed the pretensions of the Prince de + Conti in favour of his master, the Elector of Brandenbourg (King of + Prussia), who drew his claim from the family of Chalons. It was more + distant; more entangled if possible, than that of Madame de Mailly. He + only made use of it, therefore, as a pretext. His reasons were his + religion, in conformity with that of the country; the support of the + neighbouring Protestant cantons, allies, and protectors of Neufchatel; + the pressing reflection that the principality of Orange having fallen + by the death of William III. to M. le Prince de Conti, the King (Louis + XIV.) had appropriated it and recompensed him for it: and that he + might act similarly if Neufchatel fell to one of his subjects; lastly, + a treaty produced in good form, by which, in the event of the death of + Madame de Nemours, England and Holland agreed to declare for the + Elector of Brandenbourg, and to assist him by force in procuring this + little state. This minister of the Elector was in concert with the + Protestant cantons, who upon his declaration at once sided with him; + and who, by the money spent, the conformity of religion, the power of + the Elector, the reflection of what had happened at Orange, found + nearly all the suffrages favourable. So striking while the iron was + hot, they obtained a provisional judgment from Neufchatel, which + adjudged their state to the Elector until the peace; and in + consequence of this, his minister was put into actual possession, and + M. le Prince de Conti saw himself constrained to return more + shamefully than he had returned once before, and was followed by the + other claimants. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Mailly made such an uproar at the news of this intrusion of + the Elector, that at last the attention of our ministers was awakened. + They found, with her, that it was the duty of the King not to allow + this morsel to be carried off from his subjects; and that there was + danger in leaving it in the hands of such a powerful Protestant + prince, capable of making a fortified place of it so close to the + county of Burgundy, and on a frontier so little protected. Thereupon, + the King despatched a courier to our minister in Switzerland, with + orders to go to Neufchatel, and employ every means, even menaces, to + exclude the Elector, and to promise that the neutrality of France + should be maintained if one of her subjects was selected, no matter + which one. It was too late. The affair was finished; the cantons were + engaged, without means of withdrawing. They, moreover, were piqued + into resistance, by an appeal to their honour by the electoral + minister, who insisted on the menaces of Puysieux, our representative, + to whose memoir the ministers of England and Holland printed a violent + reply. The provisional judgment received no alteration. Shame was + felt; and resentment was testified during six weeks; after which, for + lack of being able to do better, this resentment was appeased of + itself. It may be imagined what hope remained to the claimants of + reversing at the peace this provisional judgment, and of struggling + against a prince so powerful and so solidly supported. No mention of + it was afterwards made, and Neufchatel has remained ever since fully + and peaceably to this prince, who was even expressly confirmed in his + possession at the peace by France. + </p> + <p> + The armies assembled this year towards the end of May, and the + campaign commenced. The Duc de Vendome was in command in Flanders, + under the Elector of Bavaria, and by his slothfulness and inattention, + allowed Marlborough to steal a march upon him, which, but for the + failure of some of the arrangements, might have caused serious loss to + our troops. The enemy was content to keep simply on the defensive + after this, having projects of attack in hand elsewhere to which I + shall soon allude. + </p> + <p> + On the Rhine, the Marechal de Villars was in command, and was opposed + by the Marquis of Bayreuth, and afterwards by the Duke of Hanover, + since King of England. Villars was so far successful, that finding + himself feebly opposed by the Imperials, he penetrated into Germany, + after having made himself master of Heidelberg, Mannheim, and all the + Palatinate, and seized upon a number of cannons, provisions, and + munitions of war. He did not forget to tax the enemy wherever he went. + He gathered immense sums—treasures beyond all his hopes. Thus + gorged, he could not hope that his brigandage would remain unknown. He + put on a bold face and wrote to the King, that the army would cost him + nothing this year. Villars begged at the same time to be allowed to + appropriate some of the money he had acquired to the levelling of a + hill on his estate which displeased him. Another than he would have + been dishonoured by such a request. But it made no difference in his + respect, except with the public, with whom, however, he occupied + himself but little. His booty clutched, he thought of withdrawing from + the enemy's country, and passing the Rhine. + </p> + <p> + He crossed it tranquilly, with his army and his immense booty, despite + the attempts of the Duke of Hanover to prevent him, and as soon as he + was on this side, had no care but how to terminate the campaign in + repose. Thus finished a campaign tolerably brilliant, if the sordid + and prodigious gain of the general had not soiled it. Yet that + general, on his return, was not less well received by the King. + </p> + <p> + At sea we had successes. Frobin, with vessels more feeble than the + four English ones of seventy guns, which convoyed a fleet of eighteen + ships loaded with provisions and articles of war, took two of those + vessels of war and the eighteen merchantmen, after four hours' + fighting, and set fire to one of the two others. Three months after he + took at the mouth of the Dwiria seven richly-loaded Dutch + merchant-ships, bound for Muscovy. He took or sunk more than fifty + during this campaign. Afterwards he took three large English ships of + war that he led to Brest, and sank another of a hundred guns. The + English of New England and of New York were not more successful in + Acadia; they attacked our colony twelve days running, without success, + and were obliged to retire with much loss. + </p> + <p> + The maritime year finished by a terrible tempest upon the coast of + Holland, which caused many vessels to perish in the Texel, and + submerged a large number of districts and villages. France had also + its share of these catastrophes. The Loire overflowed in a manner + hitherto unheard of, broke down the embankments, inundated and covered + with sand many parts of the country, carried away villages, drowned + numbers of people and a quantity of cattle, and caused damage to the + amount of above eight millions. This was another of our obligations to + M. de la Feuillade—an obligation which we have not yet escaped + from. Nature, wiser than man, had placed rocks in the Loire above + Roanne, which prevented navigation to that place, the principal in the + duchy of M. de la Feuillade. His father, tempted by the profit of this + navigation, wished to get rid of the rocks. Orleans, Blois, Tours, in + one word, all the places on the Loire, opposed this. They represented + the danger of inundations; they were listened to, and although the M. + de la Feuillade of that day was a favourite, and on good terms with M. + Colbert, he was not allowed to carry out his wishes with respect to + these rocks. His son, the M. de la Feuillade whom we have seen + figuring with so little distinction at the siege of Turin, had more + credit. Without listening to anybody, he blew up the rocks, and the + navigation was rendered free in his favour; the inundations that they + used to prevent have overflowed since at immense loss to the King and + private individuals. The cause was clearly seen afterwards, but then + it was too late. + </p> + <p> + The little effort made by the enemy in Flanders and Germany, had a + cause, which began to be perceived towards the middle of July. We had + been forced to abandon Italy. By a shameful treaty that was made, all + our troops had retired from that country into Savoy. We had given up + everything. Prince Eugene, who had had the glory of driving us out of + Italy, remained there some time, and then entered the county of Nice. + </p> + <p> + Forty of the enemy's vessels arrived at Nice shortly afterwards, and + landed artillery. M. de Savoie arrived there also, with six or seven + thousand men. It was now no longer hidden that the siege of Toulon was + determined on. Every preparation was at once made to defend the place. + Tesse was in command. The delay of a day on the part of the enemy + saved Toulon, and it may be said, France. M. de Savoie had been + promised money by the English. They disputed a whole day about the + payment, and so retarded the departure of the fleet from Nice. In the + end, seeing M. de Savoie firm, they paid him a million, which he + received himself. But in the mean time twenty-one of our battalions + had had time to arrive at Toulon. They decided the fortune of the + siege. After several unsuccessful attempts to take the place, the + enemy gave up the siege and retired in the night, between the 22nd and + 23rd of August, in good order, and without being disturbed. Our troops + could obtain no sort of assistance from the people of Provence, so as + to harass M. de Savoie in his passage of the Var. They refused money, + militia, and provisions bluntly, saying that it was no matter to them + who came, and that M. de Savoie could not torment them more than they + were tormented already. + </p> + <p> + The important news of a deliverance so desired arrived at Marly on + Friday, the 26th of August, and overwhelmed all the Court with joy. A + scandalous fuss arose, however, out of this event. The first courier + who brought the intelligence of it, had been despatched by the + commander of the fleet, and had been conducted to the King by + Pontchartrain, who had the affairs of the navy under his control. The + courier sent by Tesse, who commanded the land forces, did not arrive + until some hours after the other. Chamillart, who received this second + courier, was piqued to excess that Pontchartrain had outstripped him + with the news. He declared that the news did not belong to the navy, + and consequently Pontchartrain had no right to carry it to the King. + The public, strangely enough, sided with Chamillart, and on every side + Pontchartrain was treated as a greedy usurper. Nobody had sufficient + sense to reflect upon the anger which a master would feel against a + servant who, having the information by which that master could be + relieved from extreme anxiety, should yet withhold the information for + six or eight hours, on the ground that to tell it was the duty of + another servant! + </p> + <p> + The strangest thing is, that the King, who was the most interested, + had not the force to declare himself on either side, but kept silent. + The torrent was so impetuous that Pontchartrain had only to lower his + head, keep silent, and let the waters pass. Such was the weakness of + the King for his ministers. I recollect that, in 1702, the Duc de + Villeroy brought to Marly the important news of the battle of Luzzara. + But, because Chamillart was not there, he hid himself, left the King + and the Court in the utmost anxiety, and did not announce his news + until long after, when Chamillart, hearing of his arrival, hastened to + join him and present him to the King. The King was so far from being + displeased, that he made the Duc de Villeroy Lieutenant-General before + dismissing him. + </p> + <p> + There is another odd thing that I must relate before quitting this + affair. Tesse, as I have said, was charged with the defence of Toulon + by land. It was a charge of no slight importance. He was in a country + where nothing was prepared, and where everything was wanting; the + fleet of the enemy and their army were near at hand, commanded by two + of the most skilful captains of the day: if they succeeded, the + kingdom itself was in danger, and the road open to the enemy even to + Paris. A general thus situated would have been in no humour for + jesting, it might have been thought. But this was not the case with + Tesse. He found time to write to Pontchartrain all the details of the + war and all that passed amongst our troops in the style of Don + Quixote, of whom he called himself the wretched squire and the Sancho; + and everything he wrote he adapted to the adventures of that romance. + Pontchartrain showed me these letters; they made him die with + laughing, he admired them so; and in truth they were very comical, and + he imitated that romance with more wit than I believed him to possess. + It appeared to me incredible, however, that a man should write thus, + at such a critical time, to curry, favour with a secretary of state. I + could not have believed it had I not seen it. + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0047" id="link2H_4_0047"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VOLUME 6. + </h2> + <a name="link2HCH0039" id="link2HCH0039"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIX + </h2> + <p> + I went this summer to Forges, to try, by means of the waters there, to + get rid of a tertian fever that quinquina only suspended. While there + I heard of a new enterprise on the part of the Princes of the blood, + who, in the discredit in which the King held them, profited without + measure by his desire for the grandeur of the illegitimate children, + to acquire new advantages which were suffered because the others + shared them. This was the case in question. + </p> + <p> + After the elevation of the mass—at the King's communion—a + folding-chair was pushed to the foot of the altar, was covered with a + piece of stuff, and then with a large cloth, which hung down before + and behind. At the Pater the chaplain rose and whispered in the King's + ear the names of all the Dukes who were in the chapel. The King named + two, always the oldest, to each of whom the chaplain advanced and made + a reverence. During the communion of the priest the King rose, and + went and knelt down on the bare floor behind this folding seat, and + took hold of the cloth; at the same time the two Dukes, the elder on + the right, the other on the left, each took hold of a corner of the + cloth; the two chaplains took hold of the other two corners of the + same cloth, on the side of the altar, all four kneeling, and the + captain of the guards also kneeling and behind the King. The communion + received and the oblation taken some moments afterwards, the King + remained a little while in the same place, then returned to his own, + followed by the two Dukes and the captain of the guards, who took + theirs. If a son of France happened to be there alone, he alone held + the right corner of the cloth, and nobody the other; and when M. le + Duc d'Orleans was there, and no son of France was present, M. le Duc + d'Orleans held the cloth in like manner. If a Prince of the blood were + alone present, however, he held the cloth, but a Duke was called + forward to assist him. He was not privileged to act without the Duke. + </p> + <p> + The Princes of the blood wanted to change this; they were envious of + the distinction accorded to M. d'Orleans, and wished to put themselves + on the same footing. Accordingly, at the Assumption of this year, they + managed so well that M. le Duc served alone at the altar at the King's + communion, no Duke being called upon to come and join him. The + surprise at this was very great. The Duc de la Force and the Marechal + de Boufflers, who ought to have served, were both present. I wrote to + this last to say that such a thing had never happened before, and that + it was contrary to all precedent. I wrote, too, to M. d'Orleans, who + was then in Spain, informing him of the circumstance. When he returned + he complained to the King. But the King merely said that the Dukes + ought to have presented themselves and taken hold of the cloth. But + how could they have done so, without being requested, as was + customary, to come forward? What would the king have thought of them + if they had? To conclude, nothing could be made of the matter, and it + remained thus. Never then, since that time, did I go to the communions + of the King. + </p> + <p> + An incident occurred at Marly about the same time, which made much + stir. The ladies who were invited to Marly had the privilege of dining + with the King. Tables were placed for them, and they took up positions + according to their rank. The non-titled ladies had also their special + place. It so happened one day; that Madame de Torcy (an untitled lady) + placed herself above the Duchesse de Duras, who arrived at table a + moment after her. Madame de Torcy offered to give up her place, but it + was a little late, and the offer passed away in compliments. The King + entered, and put himself at table. As soon as he sat down, he saw the + place Madame de Torcy had taken, and fixed such a serious and + surprised look upon her, that she again offered to give up her place + to the Duchesse de Duras; but the offer was again declined. All + through the dinner the King scarcely ever took his eyes off Madame de + Torcy, said hardly a word, and bore a look of anger that rendered + everybody very attentive, and even troubled the Duchesse de Duras. + </p> + <p> + Upon rising from the table, the King passed, according to custom, into + the apartments of Madame de Maintenon, followed by the Princesses of + the blood, who grouped themselves around him upon stools; the others + who entered, kept at a distance. Almost before he had seated himself + in his chair, he said to Madame de Maintenon, that he had just been + witness of an act of "incredible insolence" (that was the term he + used) which had thrown him into such a rage that he had been unable to + eat: that such an enterprise would have been insupportable in a woman + of the highest quality; but coming, as it did, from a mere bourgeoise, + it had so affected him, that ten times he had been upon the point of + making her leave the table, and that he was only restrained by + consideration for her husband. After this outbreak he made a long + discourse upon the genealogy of Madame de Torcy's family, and other + matters; and then, to the astonishment of all present, grew as angry + as ever against Madame de Torcy. He went off then into a discourse + upon the dignity of the Dukes, and in conclusion, he charged the + Princesses to tell Madame de Torcy to what extent he had found her + conduct impertinent. The Princesses looked at each other, and not one + seemed to like this commission; whereupon the King, growing more + angry, said; that it must be undertaken however, and left the robes; + The news of what had taken place, and of the King's choler, soon + spread all over the Court. It was believed, however, that all was + over, and that no more would be heard of the matter. Yet the very same + evening the King broke out again with even more bitterness than + before. On the morrow, too, surprise was great indeed, when it was + found that the King, immediately after dinner, could talk of nothing + but this subject, and that, too, without any softening of tone. At + last he was assured that Madame de Torcy had been spoken to, and this + appeased him a little. Torcy was obliged to write him a letter, + apologising for the fault of Madame de Torcy; and the King at this + grew content. It may be imagined what a sensation this adventure + produced all through the Court. + </p> + <p> + While upon the subject of the King, let me relate an anecdote of him, + which should have found a place ere this. When M. d'Orleans was about + to start for Spain, he named the officers who were to be of his suite. + Amongst others was Fontpertius. At that name the King put on a serious + look. + </p> + <p> + "What! my nephew," he said. "Fontpertius! the son of a Jansenist—of + that silly woman who ran everywhere after M. Arnould! I do not wish + that man to go with you." + </p> + <p> + "By my faith, Sire," replied the Duc d'Orleans, "I know not what the + mother has done; but as for the son, he is far enough from being a + Jansenist, I'll answer for it; for he does not believe in God." + </p> + <p> + "Is it possible, my nephew?" said the King, softening. + </p> + <p> + "Nothing more certain, Sire, I assure you." + </p> + <p> + "Well, since it is so," said the King, "there is no harm: you can take + him with you." + </p> + <p> + This scene—for it can be called by no other name—took + place in the morning. After dinner M. d'Orleans repeated it to me, + bursting with laughter, word for word, just as I have written it. When + we had both well laughed at this, we admired the profound instruction + of a discreet and religious King, who considered it better not to + believe in God than to be a Jansenist, and who thought there was less + danger to his nephew from the impiety of an unbeliever than from the + doctrines of a sectarian. M. d'Orleans could not contain himself while + he told the story, and never spoke of it without laughing until the + tears came into his eyes. It ran all through the Court and all over + the town, and the marvellous thing was, that the King was not angry at + this. It was a testimony of his attachment to the good doctrine which + withdrew him further and further from Jansenism. The majority of + people laughed with all their heart. Others, more wise, felt rather + disposed to weep than to laugh, in considering to what excess of + blindness the King had reached. + </p> + <p> + For a long time a most important project had knocked at every door, + without being able to obtain a hearing anywhere. The project was this:— + Hough, an English gentleman full of talent and knowledge, and who, + above all, knew profoundly the laws of his country, had filled various + posts in England. As first a minister by profession, and furious + against King James; afterwards a Catholic and King James's spy, he had + been delivered up to King William, who pardoned him. He profited by + this only to continue his services to James. He was taken several + times, and always escaped from the Tower of London and other prisons. + Being no longer able to dwell in England he came to France, where he + occupied himself always with the same line of business, and was paid + for that by the King (Louis XIV.) and by King James, the latter of + whom he unceasingly sought to re- establish. The union of Scotland + with England appeared to him a favourable conjuncture, by the despair + of that ancient kingdom at seeing itself reduced into a province under + the yoke of the English. The Jacobite party remained there; the + vexation caused by this forced union had increased it, by the desire + felt to break that union with the aid of a King that they would have + reestablished. Hough, who was aware of the fermentation going on, made + several secret journeys to Scotland, and planned an invasion of that + country; but, as I have said, for a long time could get no one to + listen to him. + </p> + <p> + The King, indeed, was so tired of such enterprises, that nobody dared + to speak to him upon this. All drew back. No one liked to bell the + cat. At last, however, Madame de Maintenon being gained over, the King + was induced to listen to the project. As soon as his consent was + gained to it, another scheme was added to the first. This was to + profit by the disorder in which the Spanish Low Countries were thrown, + and to make them revolt against the Imperialists at the very moment + when the affair of Scotland would bewilder the allies, and deprive + them of all support from England. Bergheyck, a man well acquainted + with the state of those countries, was consulted, and thought the + scheme good. He and the Duc de Vendome conferred upon it in presence + of the King. + </p> + <p> + After talking over various matters, the discussion fell, upon the + Meuse, and its position with reference to Maastricht. Vendome held + that the Meuse flowed in a certain direction. Bergheyck opposed him. + Vendome, indignant that a civilian should dare to dispute military + movements with him, grew warm. The other remained respectful and cool, + but firm. Vendome laughed at Bergheyck, as at an ignorant fellow who + did not know the position of places. Bergheyck maintained his point. + Vendome grew more and more hot. If he was right, what he proposed was + easy enough; if wrong, it was impossible. It was in vain that Vendome + pretended to treat with disdain his opponent; Bergheyck was not to be + put down, and the King, tired out at last with a discussion upon a + simple question of fact, examined the maps. He found at once that + Bergheyck was right. Any other than the King would have felt by this + what manner of man was this general of his taste, of his heart, and of + his confidence; any other than Vendome would have been confounded; but + it was Bergheyck in reality who was so, to see the army in such hands + and the blindness of the King for him! He was immediately sent into + Flanders to work up a revolt, and he did it so well, that success + seemed certain, dependent, of course, upon success in Scotland. + </p> + <p> + The preparations for the invasion of that country were at once + commenced. Thirty vessels were armed at Dunkerque and in the + neighbouring ports. The Chevalier de Forbin was chosen to command the + squadron. Four thousand men were brought from Flanders to Dunkerque; + and it was given out that this movement was a mere change of garrison. + The secret of the expedition was well kept; but the misfortune was + that things were done too slowly. The fleet, which depended upon + Pontchartrain, was not ready in time, and that which depended upon + Chamillart, was still more behindhand. The two ministers threw the + fault upon each other; but the truth is, both were to blame. + Pontchartrain was more than accused of delaying matters from + unwillingness; the other from powerlessness. + </p> + <p> + Great care was taken that no movement should be seen at Saint Germain. + The affair, however, began in time to get noised abroad. A prodigious + quantity of arms and clothing for the Scotch had been embarked; the + movements by sea and land became only too visible upon the coast. At + last, on Wednesday, the 6th of March, the King of England set out from + Saint Germain. He was attended by the Duke of Perth, who had been his + sub-preceptor; by the two Hamiltons, by Middleton, and a very few + others. But his departure had been postponed too long. At the moment + when all were ready to start, people learned with surprise that the + English fleet had appeared in sight, and was blockading Dunkerque. Our + troops, who were already on board ship, were at once landed. The King + of England cried out so loudly against this, and proposed so eagerly + that an attempt should be made to pass the enemy at all risks, that a + fleet was sent out to reconnoitre the enemy, and the troops were + re-embarked. But then a fresh mischance happened. The Princess of + England had had the measles, and was barely growing convalescent at + the time of the departure of the King, her brother. She had been + prevented from seeing him, lest he should be attacked by the same + complaint. In spite of this precaution, however, it declared itself + upon him at Dunkerque, just as the troops were re-embarked. He was in + despair, and wished to be wrapped up in blankets and carried on board. + The doctors said that it would kill him; and he was obliged to remain. + The worst of it was, that two of five Scotch deputies who had been + hidden at Montrouge near Paris, had been sent into Scotland a + fortnight before, to announce the immediate arrival of the King with + arms and troops. The movement which it was felt this announcement + would create, increased the impatience for departure. At last, on + Saturday, the 19th of March, the King of England, half cured and very + weak, determined to embark in spite of his physicians, and did so. The + enemy's vessels hats retired; so, at six o'clock in the morning, our + ships set sail with a good breeze, and in the midst of a mist, which + hid them from view in about an hour. + </p> + <p> + Forty-eight hours after the departure of our squadron, twenty-seven + English ships of war appeared before Dunkerque. But our fleet was + away. The very first night it experienced a furious tempest. The ship + in which was the King of England took shelter afterwards behind the + works of Ostend. During the storm, another ship was separated from the + squadron, and was obliged to take refuge on the coast of Picardy. This + vessel, a frigate, was commanded by Rambure, a lieutenant. As, soon as + he was able he sailed after the squadron that he believed already in + Scotland. He directed his course towards Edinburgh, and found no + vessel during all the voyage. As he approached the mouth of the river, + he saw around him a number of barques and small vessels that he could + not avoid, and that he determined in consequence to approach with as + good a grace as possible. The masters of these ships' told him that + the King was expected with impatience, but that they had no news of + him, that they had come out to meet him, and that they would send + pilots to Rambure, to conduct him up the river to Edinburgh, where all + was hope and joy. Rambure, equally surprised that the squadron which + bore the King of England had not appeared, and by the publicity of his + forthcoming arrival, went up towards Edinburgh more and more + surrounded by barques, which addressed to him the same language. A + gentleman of the country passed from one of these barques upon the + frigate. He told Rambure that the principal noblemen of Scotland had + resolved to act together, that these noblemen could count upon more + than twenty thousand men ready to take up arms, and that all the towns + awaited only the arrival of the King to proclaim him. + </p> + <p> + More and more troubled that the squadron did not appear, Rambure, + after a time, turned back and went in search of it. As he approached + the mouth of the river, which he had so lately entered, he heard a + great noise of cannon out at sea, and a short time afterwards he saw + many vessels of war there. Approaching more and more, and quitting the + river, he distinguished our squadron, chased by twenty-six large ships + of war and a number of other vessels, all of which he soon lost sight + of, so much was our squadron in advance. He continued on his course in + order to join them; but he could not do so until all had passed by the + mouth of the river. Then steering clear of the rear-guard of the + English ships, he remarked that the English fleet was hotly chasing + the ship of the King of England, which ran along the coast, however, + amid the fire of cannon and oftentimes of musketry. Rambure tried, for + a long time, to profit by the lightness of his frigate to get ahead; + but, always cut off by the enemy's vessels, and continually in danger + of being taken, he returned to Dunkerque, where he immediately + despatched to the Court this sad and disturbing news. He was followed, + five or six days after, by the King of England, who returned to + Dunkerque on the 7th of April, with his vessels badly knocked about. + </p> + <p> + It seems that the ship in which was the Prince, after experiencing the + storm I have already alluded to, set sail again with its squadron, but + twice got out of its reckoning within forty-eight hours; a fact not + easy to understand in a voyage from Ostend to Edinburgh. This + circumstance gave time to the English to join them; thereupon the King + held a council, and much time was lost in deliberations. When the + squadron drew near the river, the enemy was so close upon us, that to + enter, without fighting either inside or out, seemed impossible. In + this emergency it was suggested that our ships should go on to + Inverness, about eighteen or twenty leagues further off. But this was + objected to by Middleton and the Chevalier Forbin, who declared that + the King of England was expected only at Edinburgh, and that it was + useless to go elsewhere; and accordingly the project was given up, and + the ships returned to France. + </p> + <p> + This return, however, was not accomplished without some difficulty. + The enemy's fleet attacked the rear guard of ours, and after an + obstinate combat, took two vessels of war and some other vessels. + Among the prisoners made by the English were the Marquis de Levi, Lord + Griffin, and the two sons of Middleton; who all, after suffering some + little bad treatment, were conducted to London. + </p> + <p> + Lord Griffin was an old Englishman, who deserves a word of special + mention. A firm Protestant, but much attached to the King of England, + he knew nothing of this expedition until after the King's departure. + He went immediately in quest of the Queen. With English freedom he + reproached her for the little confidence she had had in him, in spite + of his services and his constant fidelity, and finished by assuring + her that neither his age nor his religion would hinder him from + serving the King to the last drop of his blood. He spoke so feelingly + that the Queen was ashamed. After this he went to Versailles, asked M. + de Toulouse for a hundred Louis and a horse, and without delay rode + off to Dunkerque, where he embarked with the others. In London he was + condemned to death; but he showed so much firmness and such disdain of + death, that his judges were too much ashamed to avow the execution to + be carried out. The Queen sent him one respite, then another, although + he had never asked for either, and finally he was allowed to remain at + liberty in London on parole. He always received fresh respites, and + lived in London as if it his own country, well received everywhere. + Being informed that these respites would never cease, he lived thus + several years, and died very old, a natural death. The other prisoners + were equally well treated. It was in this expedition that the King of + England first assumed the title of the Chevalier de Saint George, and + that his enemies gave him that of the Pretender; both of which have + remained to him. He showed much will and firmness, which he spoiled by + a docility, the result of a bad education, austere and confined, that + devotion, ill understood, together with the desire of maintaining him + in fear and dependence, caused the Queen (who, with all her sanctity, + always wished to dominate) to give him. He asked to serve in the next + campaign in Flanders, and wished to go there at once, or remain near + Dunkerque. Service was promised him, but he was made to return to + Saint Germain. Hough, who had been made a peer of Ireland before + starting, preceded him with the journals of the voyage, and that of + Forbin, to whom the King gave a thousand crowns pension and ten + thousand as a recompense. + </p> + <p> + The King of England arrived at Saint Germain on Friday, the 20th of + April, and came with the Queen, the following Sunday, to Marly, where + our King was. The two Kings embraced each other several times, in the + presence of the two Courts. But the visit altogether was a sad one. + The Courts, which met in the garden, returned towards the Chateau, + exchanging indifferent words in an indifferent way. + </p> + <p> + Middleton was strongly suspected of having acquainted the English with + our project. They acted, at all events, as if they had been informed + of everything, and wished to appear to know nothing. They made a + semblance of sending their fleet to escort a convoy to Portugal; they + got in readiness the few troops they had in England and sent them + towards Scotland; and the Queen, under various pretexts, detained in + London, until the affair had failed, the Duke of Hamilton, the most + powerful Scotch lord; and the life and soul of the expedition. When + all was over, she made no arrests, and wisely avoided throwing + Scotland into despair. This conduct much augmented her authority in + England, attached all hearts to her, and took away all desire of + stirring again by taking away all hope of success. Thus failed a + project so well and so secretly conducted until the end, which was + pitiable; and with this project failed that of the Low Countries, + which was no longer thought of. + </p> + <p> + The allies uttered loud cries against this attempt on the part of a + power they believed at its last gasp, and which, while pretending to + seek peace, thought of nothing less than the invasion of Great + Britain. The effect of our failure was to bind closer, and to irritate + more and more this formidable alliance. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0040" id="link2HCH0040"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XL + </h2> + <p> + Brissac, Major of the Body-guards, died of age and ennui about this + time, more than eighty years old, at his country-house, to which he + had not long retired. The King had made use of him to put the Guards + upon that grand military footing they have reached. He had acquired + the confidence of the King by his inexorable exactitude, his honesty, + and his aptitude. He was a sort of wild boar, who had all the + appearance of a bad man, without being so in reality; but his manners + were, it must be admitted, harsh and disagreeable. The King, speaking + one day of the majors of the troops, said that if they were good, they + were sure to be hated. + </p> + <p> + "If it is necessary to be perfectly hated in order to be a good + major," replied M. de Duras, who was behind the King with the baton, + "behold, Sire, the best major in France!" and he took Brissac, all + confusion, by the arm. The King laughed, though he would have thought + such a sally very bad in any other; but M. de Duras had put himself on + such a free footing, that he stopped at nothing before the King, and + often said the sharpest things. This major had very robust health, and + laughed at the doctors—very often, even before the King, at + Fagon, whom nobody else would have dared to attack. Fagon replied by + disdain, often by anger, and with all his wit was embarrassed. These + short scenes were sometimes very amusing. + </p> + <p> + Brissac, a few years before his retirement, served the Court ladies a + nice turn. All through the winter they attended evening prayers on + Thursdays and Sundays, because the King went there; and, under the + pretence of reading their prayer-books, had little tapers before them, + which cast a light on their faces, and enabled the King to recognise + them as he passed. On the evenings when they knew he would not go, + scarcely one of them went. One evening, when the King was expected, + all the ladies had arrived, and were in their places, and the guards + were at their doors. Suddenly, Brissac appeared in the King's place, + lifted his baton, and cried aloud, "Guards of the King, withdraw, + return to your quarters; the King is not coming this evening." The + guards withdrew; but after they had proceeded a short distance, were + stopped by brigadiers posted for the purpose, and told to return in a + few minutes. What Brissac had said was a joke. The ladies at once + began to murmur one to another. In a moment or two all the candles + were put out, and the ladies, with but few exceptions, left the + chapel. Soon after the King arrived, and, much astonished to see so + few ladies present, asked how it was that nobody was there. At the + conclusion of the prayers Brissac related what he had done, not + without dwelling on the piety of the Court ladies. The King and all + who accompanied him laughed heartily. The story soon spread, and these + ladies would have strangled Brissac if they had been able. + </p> + <p> + The Duchesse de Bourgogne being in the family way this spring, was + much inconvenienced. The King wished to go to Fontainebleau at the + commencement of the fine season, contrary to his usual custom; and had + declared this wish. In the mean time he desired to pay visits to + Marly. Madame de Bourgogne much amused him; he could not do without + her, yet so much movement was not suitable to her state. Madame de + Maintenon was uneasy, and Fagon gently intimated his opinion. This + annoyed the King, accustomed to restrain himself for nothing, and + spoiled by having seen his mistresses travel when big with child, or + when just recovering from their confinement, and always in full dress. + The hints against going to Marly bothered him, but did not make him + give them up. All he would consent to was, that the journey should put + off from the day after Quasimodo to the Wednesday of the following + week; but nothing could make him delay his amusement, beyond that + time, or induce him to allow the Princess to remain at Versailles. + </p> + <a name="image-0004" id="image-0004"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img src="images/p484.jpg" + alt="The King's Walk at Versailles--painted by J. L. Jerome " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <!-- IMAGE END --> + <p> + On the following Saturday, as the King was taking a walk after mass, + and amusing himself at the carp basin between the Chateau and the + Perspective, we saw the Duchesse de Lude coming towards him on foot + and all alone, which, as no lady was with the King, was a rarity in + the morning. We understood that she had something important to say to + him, and when he was a short distance from her, we stopped so as to + allow him to join her alone. The interview was not long. She went away + again, and the King came back towards us and near the carps without + saying a word. Each saw clearly what was in the wind, and nobody was + eager to speak. At last the King, when quite close to the basin, + looked at the principal people around, and without addressing anybody, + said, with an air of vexation, these few words: + </p> + <p> + "The Duchesse de Bourgogne is hurt." + </p> + <p> + M. de la Rochefoucauld at once uttered an exclamation. M. de Bouillon, + the Duc de Tresmes, and Marechal de Boufflers repeated in a low tone + the words I have named; and M. de la Rochefoucauld returning to the + charge, declared emphatically that it was the greatest misfortune in + the world, and that as she had already wounded herself on other + occasions, she might never, perhaps, have any more children. + </p> + <p> + "And if so," interrupted the King all on a sudden, with anger, "what + is that to me? Has she not already a son; and if he should die, is not + the Duc de Berry old enough to marry and have one? What matters it to + the who succeeds me,—the one or the other? Are the not all + equally my grandchildren?" And immediately, with impetuosity he added, + "Thank God, she is wounded, since she was to be so; and I shall no + longer be annoyed in my journeys and in everything I wish to do, by + the representations of doctors, and the reasonings of matrons. I shall + go and come at my pleasure, and shall be left in peace." + </p> + <p> + A silence so deep that an ant might be heard to walk, succeeded this + strange outburst. All eyes were lowered; no one hardly dared to + breathe. All remained stupefied. Even the domestics and the gardeners + stood motionless. + </p> + <p> + This silence lasted more than a quarter of an hour. The King broke it + as he leaned upon a balustrade to speak of a carp. Nobody replied. He + addressed himself afterwards on the subject of these carps to + domestics, who did not ordinarily join in the conversation. Nothing + but carps was spoken of with them. All was languishing, and the King + went away some time after. As soon as we dared look at each other—out + of his sight, our eyes met and told all. Everybody there was for the + moment the confidant of his neighbour. We admired—we marvelled—we + grieved, we shrugged our shoulders. However distant may be that scene, + it is always equally present to me. M. de la Rochefoucauld was in a + fury, and this time without being wrong. The chief ecuyer was ready to + faint with affright; I myself examined everybody with my eyes and + ears, and was satisfied with myself for having long since thought that + the King loved and cared for himself alone, and was himself his only + object in life. + </p> + <p> + This strange discourse sounded far and wide-much beyond Marly. + </p> + <p> + Let me here relate another anecdote of the King—a trifle I was + witness of. It was on the 7th of May, of this year, and at Marly. The + King walking round the gardens, showing them to Bergheyck, and talking + with him upon the approaching campaign in Flanders, stopped before one + of the pavilions. It was that occupied by Desmarets, who had recently + succeeded Chamillart in the direction of the finances, and who was at + work within with Samuel Bernard, the famous banker, the richest man in + Europe, and whose money dealings were the largest. The King observed + to Desmarets that he was very glad to see him with M. Bernard; then + immediately said to this latter: + </p> + <p> + "You are just the man never to have seen Marly—come and see it + now; I will give you up afterwards to Desmarets." + </p> + <p> + Bernard followed, and while the walk lasted the King spoke only to + Bergheyck and to Bernard, leading them everywhere, and showing them + everything with the grace he so well knew how to employ when he + desired to overwhelm. I admired, and I was not the only one, this + species of prostitution of the King, so niggard of his words, to a man + of Bernard's degree. I was not long in learning the cause of it, and I + admired to see how low the greatest kings sometimes find themselves + reduced. + </p> + <p> + Our finances just then were exhausted. Desmarets no longer knew of + what wood to make a crutch. He had been to Paris knocking at every + door. But the most exact engagements had been so often broken that he + found nothing but excuses and closed doors. Bernard, like the rest, + would advance nothing. Much was due to him. In vain Desmarets + represented to him the pressing necessity for money, and the enormous + gains he had made out of the King. Bernard remained unshakeable. The + King and the minister were cruelly embarrassed. Desmarets said to the + King that, after all was said and done, only Samuel Bernard could draw + them out of the mess, because it was not doubtful that he had plenty + of money everywhere; that the only thing needed was to vanquish his + determination and the obstinacy—even insolence—he had + shown; that he was a man crazy with vanity, and capable of opening his + purse if the King deigned to flatter him. + </p> + <p> + It was agreed, therefore, that Desmarets should invite Bernard to + dinner —should walk with him—and that the King should come + and disturb them as I have related. Bernard was the dupe of this + scheme; he returned from his walk with the King enchanted to such an + extent that he said he would prefer ruining himself rather than leave + in embarrassment a Prince who had just treated him so graciously, and + whose eulogiums he uttered with enthusiasm! Desmarets profited by this + trick immediately, and drew much more from it than he had proposed to + himself.. + </p> + <p> + The Prince de Leon had an adventure just about this time, which made + much noise. He was a great, ugly, idle, mischievous fellow, son of the + Duc de Rohan, who had given him the title I have just named. He had + served in one campaign very indolently, and then quitted the army, + under pretence of ill-health, to serve no more. Glib in speech, and + with the manners of the great world, he was full of caprices and + fancies; although a great gambler and spendthrift, he was miserly, and + cared only for himself. He had been enamoured of Florence, an actress, + whom M. d'Orleans had for a long time kept, and by whom he had + children, one of whom is now Archbishop of Cambrai. M. de Leon also + had several children by this creature, and spent large sums upon her. + When he went in place of his father to open the States of Brittany, + she accompanied him in a coach and six horses, with a ridiculous + scandal. His father was in agony lest he should marry her. He offered + to insure her five thousand francs a-year pension, and to take care of + their children, if M. de Leon would quit her. But M. de Leon would not + hear of this, and his father accordingly complained to the King. The + King summoned M. de Leon into his cabinet; but the young man pleaded + his cause so well there, that he gained pity rather than condemnation. + Nevertheless, La Florence was carried away from a pretty little house + at the Ternes, near Paris, where M. de Leon kept her, and was put in a + convent. M. de Leon became furious; for some time he would neither see + nor speak of his father or mother, and repulsed all idea of marriage. + </p> + <p> + At last, however, no longer hoping to see his actress, he not only + consented, but wished to marry. His parents were delighted at this, + and at once looked about for a wife for him. Their choice, fell upon + the eldest daughter of the Duc de Roquelaure, who, although humpbacked + and extremely ugly, she was to be very rich some day, and was, in + fact, a very good match. The affair had been arranged and concluded up + to a certain point, when all was broken off, in consequence of the + haughty obstinacy with which the Duchesse de Roquelaure demanded a + larger sum with M. de Leon than M. de Rohan chose to give. + </p> + <p> + The young couple were in despair: M. de Leon, lest his father should + always act in this way, as an excuse for giving him nothing; the young + lady, because she, feared she should rot in a convent, through the + avarice of her mother, and never marry. She was more than twenty-four + years, of age; he was more than eight-and-twenty. She was in the + convent of the Daughters of the Cross in the Faubourg Saint Antoine. + </p> + <p> + As soon as M. de Leon learnt that the marriage was broken off, he + hastened to the convent; and told all to Mademoiselle de Roquelaure; + played the passionate, the despairing; said that if they waited for + their parents' consent they would never marry; and that she would rot + in her convent. He proposed, therefore, that, in spite of their + parents, they should marry and be their own guardians. She agreed to + this project; and he went away in order to execute it. + </p> + <p> + One of the most intimate friends of Madame de Roquelaure was Madame de + la Vieuville, and she was the only person (excepting Madame de + Roquelaure herself) to whom the Superior of the convent had permission + to confide Mademoiselle de Roquelaure. Madame de la Vieuville often + came to see Mademoiselle de Roquelaure to take her out, and sometimes + sent for her. M. de Leon was made acquainted with this, and took his + measures accordingly. He procured a coach of the same size, shape, and + fittings as that of Madame de la Vieuville, with her arms upon it, and + with three servants in her livery; he counterfeited a letter in her + handwriting and with her seal, and sent this coach with a lackey well + instructed to carry the letter to the convent, on Tuesday morning, the + 29th of May, at the hour Madame de la Vieuville was accustomed to send + for her. + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle de Roquelaure, who had been let into the scheme, carried + the letter to the Superior of the convent, and said Madame de la + Vieuville had sent for her. Had the Superior any message to send? + </p> + <p> + The Superior, accustomed to these invitations; did not even look at + the letter, but gave her consent at once. Mademoiselle de Roquelaure, + accompanied solely by her governess, left the convent immediately, and + entered the coach, which drove off directly. At the first turning it + stopped, and the Prince de Leon, who had been in waiting, jumped-in. + The governess at this began to cry out with all her might; but at the + very first sound M. de Leon thrust a handkerchief into her mouth and + stifled the noise. The coachman meanwhile lashed his horses, and the + vehicle went off at full speed to Bruyeres near Menilmontant, the + country-house of the Duc de Lorges, my brother-in-law, and friend of + the Prince de Leon, and who, with the Comte de Rieux, awaited the + runaway pair. + </p> + <p> + An interdicted and wandering priest was in waiting, and as soon as + they arrived married them. My brother-in-law then led these nice young + people into a fine chamber, where they were undressed, put to bed, and + left alone for two or three hours. A good meal was then given to them, + after which the bride was put into the coach, with her attendant, who + was in despair, and driven back to the convent. + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle de Roquelaure at once went deliberately to the Superior, + told her all that happened, and then calmly went into her chamber, and + wrote a fine letter to her mother, giving her an account of her + marriage, and asking for pardon; the Superior of the convent, the + attendants, and all the household being, meanwhile, in the utmost + emotion at what had occurred. + </p> + <p> + The rage of the Duchesse de Roquelaure at this incident may be + imagined. In her first unreasoning fury, she went to Madame de la + Vieuville, who, all in ignorance of what had happened, was utterly at + a loss to understand her stormy and insulting reproaches. At last + Madame de Roquelaure saw that her friend was innocent of all + connection with the matter; and turned the current of her wrath upon + M. de Leon, against whom she felt the more indignant, inasmuch as he + had treated her with much respect and attention since the rupture, and + had thus, to some extent, gained her heart. Against her daughter she + was also indignant, not only for what she had done, but because she + had exhibited much gaiety and freedom of spirit at the marriage + repast, and had diverted the company by some songs. + </p> + <p> + The Duc and Duchesse de Rohan were on their side equally furious, + although less to be pitied, and made a strange uproar. Their son, + troubled to know how to extricate himself from this affair, had + recourse to his aunt, Soubise, so as to assure himself of the King. + She sent him to Pontchartrain to see the chancellor. M. de Leon saw + him the day after this fine marriage, at five o'clock in the morning, + as he was dressing. The chancellor advised him to do all he could to + gain the pardon of his father and of Madame de Roquelaure. But he had + scarcely begun to speak, when Madame de Roquelaure sent word to say, + that she was close at hand, and wished the chancellor to come and see + her. He did so, and she immediately poured out all her griefs to him, + saying that she came not to ask, his advice, but to state her + complaint as to a friend (they were very intimate), and as to the + chief officer of justice to demand justice of him. When he attempted + to put in a word on behalf of M. de Leon, her fury burst out anew; she + would not listen to his words, but drove off to Marly, where she had + an interview with Madame de Maintenon, and by her was presented to the + King. + </p> + <p> + As soon as she was in his presence, she fell down on her knees before + him, and demanded justice in its fullest extent against M. de Leon. + The King raised her with the gallantry of a prince to whom she had not + been indifferent, and sought to console her; but as she still insisted + upon justice, he asked her if she knew fully what she asked for, which + was nothing less than the head of M. de Leon. She redoubled her + entreaties notwithstanding this information, so that the King at last + promised her that she should have complete justice. With that, and + many compliments, he quitted her, and passed into his own rooms with a + very serious air, and without stopping for anybody. + </p> + <p> + The news of this interview, and of what had taken place, soon spread + through the chamber. Scarcely had people begun to pity Madame de + Roquelaure, than some, by aversion for the grand imperial airs of this + poor mother,—the majority, seized by mirth at the idea of a + creature, well known to be very ugly and humpbacked, being carried off + by such an ugly gallant,—burst out laughing, even to tears, and + with an uproar completely scandalous. Madame de Maintenon abandoned + herself to mirth, like the rest, and corrected the others at last, by + saying it was not very charitable, in a tone that could impose upon no + one. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Saint-Simon and I were at Paris. We knew with all Paris of + this affair, but were ignorant of the place of the marriage and the + part M. de Lorges had had in it, when the third day after the + adventure I was startled out of my sleep at five o'clock in the + morning, and saw my curtains and my windows open at the same time, and + Madame de Saint-Simon and her brother (M. de Lorges) before me. They + related to me all that had occurred, and then went away to consult + with a skilful person what course to adopt, leaving me to dress. I + never saw a man so crestfallen as M. de Lorges. He had confessed what + he had done to a clever lawyer, who had much frightened him. After + quitting him, he had hastened to us to make us go and see + Pontchartrain. The most serious things are sometimes accompanied with + the most ridiculous. M. de Lorges upon arriving knocked at the door of + a little room which preceded the chamber of Madame de Saint-Simon. My + daughter was rather unwell. Madame de Saint-Simon thought she was + worse, and supposing it was I who had knocked, ran and opened the + door. At the sight of her brother she ran back to her bed, to which he + followed her, in order to relate his disaster. She rang for the + windows to be opened, in order that she might see better. It so + happened that she had taken the evening before a new servant, a + country girl of sixteen, who slept in the little room. M. de Lorges, + in a hurry to be off, told this girl to make haste in opening the + windows, and then to go away and close the door. At this, the simple + girl, all amazed, took her robe and her cotillon, and went upstairs to + an old chambermaid, awoke her, and with much hesitation told her what + had just happened, and that she had left by the bedside of Madame de + Saint Simon a fine gentleman, very young, all powdered, curled, and + decorated, who had driven her very quickly out of the chamber. She was + all of a tremble, and much astonished. She soon learnt who he was. The + story was told to us, and in spite of our disquietude, much diverted + us. + </p> + <p> + We hurried away to the chancellor, and he advised the priest, the + witnesses to the signatures of the marriage, and, in fact, all + concerned, to keep out of the way, except M. de Lorges, who he assured + us had nothing to fear. We went afterwards to Chamillart, whom we + found much displeased, but in little alarm. The King had ordered an + account to be drawn up of the whole affair. Nevertheless, in spite of + the uproar made on all sides, people began to see that the King would + not abandon to public dishonour the daughter of Madame de Roquelaure, + nor doom to the scaffold or to civil death in foreign countries the + nephew of Madame de Soubise. + </p> + <p> + Friends of M. and Madame de Roquelaure tried to arrange matters. They + represented that it would be better to accept the marriage as it was + than to expose a daughter to cruel dishonour. Strange enough, the Duc + and Duchesse de Rohan were the most stormy. They wished to drive a + very hard bargain in the matter, and made proposals so out of the way, + that nothing could have been arranged but for the King. He did what he + had never done before in all his life; he entered into all the + details; he begged, then commanded as master; he had separate + interviews with the parties concerned; and finally appointed the Duc + d'Aumont and the chancellor to draw up the conditions of the marriage. + </p> + <p> + As Madame de Rohan, even after this, still refused to give her + consent, the King sent for her, and said that if she and her husband + did not at once give in, he would make the marriage valid by his own + sovereign authority. Finally, after so much noise, anguish, and + trouble, the contract was signed by the two families, assembled at the + house of the Duchesse de Roquelaure. The banns were published, and the + marriage took place at the church of the Convent of the Cross, where + Mademoiselle de Roquelaure had been confined since her beautiful + marriage, guarded night and day by five or six nuns. She entered the + church by one door, Prince de Leon by another; not a compliment or a + word passed between them; the curate said mass; married them; they + mounted a coach, and drove off to the house of a friend some leagues + from Paris. They paid for their folly by a cruel indigence which + lasted all their lives, neither of them having survived the Duc de + Rohan, Monsieur de Roquelaure, or Madame de Roquelaure. They left + several children. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0041" id="link2HCH0041"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLI + </h2> + <p> + The war this year proceeded much as before. M. d'Orleans went to Spain + again. Before taking the field he stopped at Madrid to arrange + matters. There he found nothing prepared, and every thing in disorder. + He was compelled to work day after day, for many hours, in order to + obtain the most necessary supplies. This is what accounted for a delay + which was maliciously interpreted at Paris into love for the Queen. M. + le Duc was angry at the idleness in which he was kept; even Madame la + Duchesse, who hated him, because she had formerly loved him too well, + industriously circulated this report, which was believed at Court, in + the city, even in foreign countries, everywhere, save in Spain, where + the truth was too well known. It was while he was thus engaged that he + gave utterance to a pleasantry that made Madame de Maintenon and + Madame des Ursins his two most bitter enemies for ever afterwards. + </p> + <p> + One evening he was at table with several French and Spanish gentlemen, + all occupied with his vexation against Madame des Ursins, who governed + everything, and who had not thought of even the smallest thing for the + campaign. The supper and the wine somewhat affected M. d'Orleans. + Still full of his vexation, he took a glass, and, looking at the + company, made an allusion in a toast to the two women, one the + captain, the other the lieutenant, who governed France and Spain, and + that in so coarse and yet humorous a manner, that it struck at once + the imagination of the guests. + </p> + <p> + No comment was made, but everybody burst out laughing, sense of + drollery overcoming prudence, for it was well known that the + she-captain was Madame de Maintenon, and the she-lieutenant Madame des + Ursins. The health was drunk, although the words were not repeated, + and the scandal was strange. + </p> + <p> + Half an hour at most after this, Madame des Ursins was informed of + what had taken place. She knew well who were meant by the toast, and + was transported with rage. She at once wrote an account of the + circumstance to Madame de Maintenon, who, for her part, was quite as + furious. 'Inde ira'. They never pardoned M. d'Orleans, and we shall + see how very nearly they succeeded in compassing his death. Until + then, Madame de Maintenon had neither liked nor disliked M. d'Orleans. + Madame des Ursins had omitted nothing in order to please him. From + that moment they swore the ruin of this prince. All the rest of the + King's life M. d'Orleans did not fail to find that Madame de Maintenon + was an implacable and cruel enemy. The sad state to which she + succeeded in reducing him influenced him during all the rest of his + life. As for Madame des Ursins, he soon found a change in her manner. + She endeavoured that everything should fail that passed through his + hands. There are some wounds that can never be healed; and it must be + admitted that the Duke's toast inflicted one especially of that sort. + He felt this; did not attempt any reconciliation; and followed his + usual course. I know not if he ever, repented of what he had said, + whatever cause he may have had, so droll did it seem to him, but he + has many times spoken of it since to me, laughing with all his might. + I saw all the sad results which might arise from his speech, and + nevertheless, while reproaching M. d'Orleans, I could not help + laughing myself, so well, so simply; and so wittily expressed was his + ridicule of the government on this and the other side of the Pyrenees. + </p> + <p> + At last, M. le Duc d'Orleans found means to enter upon his campaign, + but was so ill-provided, that he never was supplied with more than a + fortnight's subsistence in advance. He obtained several small + successes; but these were more than swallowed up by a fatal loss in + another direction. The island of Sardinia, which was then under the + Spanish Crown, was lost through the misconduct of the viceroy, the + Duke of Veragua, and taken possession of by the troops of the + Archduke. In the month of October, the island of Minorca also fell + into the hands of the Archduke. Port Mahon made but little resistance; + so that with this conquest and Gibraltar, the English found themselves + able to rule in the Mediterranean, to winter entire fleets there, and + to blockade all the ports of Spain upon that sea. Leaving Spain in + this situation, let us turn to Flanders. + </p> + <p> + Early in July, we took Ghent and Bruges by surprise, and the news of + these successes was received with the most unbridled joy at + Fontainebleau. It appeared easy to profit by these two conquests, + obtained without difficulty, by passing the Escaut, burning Oudenarde, + closing the country to the enemies, and cutting them off from all + supplies. Ours were very abundant, and came by water, with a camp that + could not be attacked. M. de Vendome agreed to all this; and alleged + nothing against it. There was only one difficulty in the way; his + idleness and unwillingness to move from quarters where he was + comfortable. He wished to enjoy those quarters as long as possible, + and maintained, therefore, that these movements would be just as good + if delayed. Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne maintained on the + contrary, with all the army—even the favourites of M. de Vendome—that + it would be better to execute the operation at once, that there was no + reason for delay, and that delay might prove disastrous. He argued in + vain. Vendome disliked fatigue and change of quarters. They interfered + with the daily life he was accustomed to lead, and which I have + elsewhere described. He would not move. + </p> + <p> + Marlborough clearly seeing that M. de Vendome did not at once take + advantage of his position, determined to put it out of his power to do + so. To reach Oudenarde, Marlborough had a journey to make of + twenty-five leagues. Vendome was so placed that he could have gained + it in six leagues at the most. Marlborough put himself in motion with + so much diligence that he stole three forced marches before Vendome + had the slightest suspicion or information of them. The news reached + him in time, but he treated it with contempt according to his custom, + assuring himself that he should outstrip the enemy by setting out the + next morning. Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne pressed him to start + that evening; such as dared represented to him the necessity and the + importance of doing so. All was vain—in spite of repeated + information of the enemy's march. The neglect was such that bridges + had not been thought of for a little brook at the head of the camp, + which it was necessary to cross. + </p> + <p> + On the next day, Wednesday, the 11th of July, a party of our troops, + under the command of Biron, which had been sent on in advance to the + Escaut, discovered, after passing it as they could, for the bridges + were not yet made, all the army of the enemy bending round towards + them, the rear of their columns touching at Oudenarde, where they also + had crossed. Biron at once despatched a messenger to the Princes and + to M. de Vendome to inform them of this, and to ask for orders. + Vendome, annoyed by information so different to what he expected, + maintained that it could not be true. As he was disputing, an officer + arrived from Biron to confirm the news; but this only irritated + Vendome anew, and made him more obstinate. A third messenger arrived, + and then M. de Vendome, still affecting disbelief of the news sent + him, flew in a passion, but nevertheless mounted his horse, saying + that all this was the work of the devil, and that such diligence was + impossible. He sent orders to Biron to attack the enemy, promising to + support him immediately. He told the Princes, at the same time, to + gently follow with the whole of the army, while he placed himself at + the head of his columns, and pushed on briskly to Biron. + </p> + <p> + Biron meanwhile placed his troops as well as he could, on ground very + unequal and much cut up. He wished to execute the order he had + received, less from any hopes of success in a combat so vastly + disproportioned than to secure himself from the blame of a general so + ready to censure those who did not follow his instructions. But he was + advised so strongly not to take so hazardous a step, that he + refrained. Marechal Matignon, who arrived soon after, indeed specially + prohibited him from acting. + </p> + <p> + While this was passing, Biron heard sharp firing on his left, beyond + the village. He hastened there, and found an encounter of infantry + going on. He sustained it as well as he could, whilst the enemy were + gaining ground on the left, and, the ground being difficult (there was + a ravine there), the enemy were kept at bay until M. de Vendome came + up. The troops he brought were all out of breath. As soon as they + arrived, they threw themselves amidst the hedges, nearly all in + columns, and sustained thus the attacks of the enemies, and an + engagement which every moment grew hotter, without having the means to + arranging themselves in any order. The columns that arrived from time + to time to the relief of these were as out of breath as the others; + and were at once sharply charged by the enemies; who, being extended + in lines and in order, knew well how to profit by our disorder. The + confusion was very great: the new-comers had no time to rally; there + was a long interval between the platoons engaged and those meant to + sustain them; the cavalry and the household troops were mixed up + pell-mell with the infantry, which increased the disorder to such a + point that our troops no longer recognised each other. This enabled + the enemy to fill up the ravine with fascines sufficient to enable + them to pass it, and allowed the rear of their army to make a grand + tour by our right to gain the head of the ravine, and take us in flank + there. + </p> + <p> + Towards this same right were the Princes, who for some time had been + looking from a mill at so strange a combat, so disadvantageously + commenced. As soon as our troops saw pouring down upon them others + much more numerous, they gave way towards their left with so much + promptitude that the attendants of the Princes became mixed up with + their masters,— and all were hurried away towards the thick of + the fight, with a rapidity and confusion that were indecent. The + Princes showed themselves everywhere, and in places the most exposed, + displaying much valour and coolness, encouraging the men, praising the + officers, asking the principal officers what was to be done, and + telling M. de Vendome what they thought. + </p> + <p> + The inequality of the ground that the enemies found in advancing, + after having driven in our right, enabled our them to rally and to + resist. But this resistance was of short duration. Every one had been + engaged in hand-to-hand combats; every one was worn out with lassitude + and despair of success, and a confusion so general and so unheard-of. + The household troops owed their escape to the mistake of one of the + enemy's officers, who carried an order to the red coats, thinking them + his own men. He was taken, and seeing that he was about to share the + peril with our troops, warned them that they were going to be + surrounded. They retired in some disorder, and so avoided this. + </p> + <p> + The disorder increased, however, every moment. Nobody recognised his + troop. All were pell-mell, cavalry, infantry, dragoons; not a + battalion, not a squadron together, and all in confusion, one upon the + other. + </p> + <p> + Night came. We had lost much ground, one-half of the army had not + finished arriving. In this sad situation the Princes consulted with M. + de Vendome as to what was to be done. He, furious at being so terribly + out of his reckoning, affronted everybody. Monseigneur le Duc de + Bourgogne wished to speak; but Vendome intoxicated with choler and + authority; closed his mouth, by saying to him in an imperious voice + before everybody, "That he came to the army only on condition of + obeying him." These enormous words, pronounced at a moment in which + everybody felt so terribly the weight of the obedience rendered to his + idleness and obstinacy, made everybody tremble with indignation. The + young Prince to whom they were addressed, hesitated, mastered himself, + and kept silence. Vendome went on declaring that the battle was not + lost—that it could be recommenced the next morning, when the + rest of the army had arrived, and so on. No one of consequence cared + to reply. + </p> + <p> + From every side soon came information, however, that the disorder was + extreme. Pursegur, Matignon, Sousternon, Cheladet, Purguyon, all + brought the same news. Vendome, seeing that it was useless to resist, + all this testimony, and beside himself with rage, cried, "Oh, very + well, gentlemen! I see clearly what you wish. We must retire, then;" + and looking at Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne, he added, "I know you + have long wished to do so, Monseigneur." + </p> + <p> + These words, which could not fail to be taken in a double sense, were + pronounced exactly as I relate them, and were emphasized in a manner + to leave no doubt as to their signification. Monseigneur le Duc de + Bourgogne remained silent as before, and for some time the silence was + unbroken. At last, Pursegur interrupted it, by asking how the retreat + was to be executed. Each, then, spoke confusedly. Vendome, in his + turn, kept silence from vexation or embarrassment; then he said they + must march to Ghent, without adding how, or anything else. + </p> + <p> + The day had been very fatiguing; the retreat was long and perilous. + The Princes mounted their horses, and took the road to Ghent. Vendome + set out without giving any orders, or seeing to anything. The general + officers returned to their posts, and of themselves gave the order to + retreat. Yet so great was the confusion, that the Chevalier Rosel, + lieutenant-general, at the head of a hundred squadrons, received no + orders. In the morning he found himself with his hundred squadrons, + which had been utterly forgotten. He at once commenced his march; but + to retreat in full daylight was very difficult, as he soon found. He + had to sustain the attacks of the enemy during several hours of his + march. + </p> + <p> + Elsewhere, also, the difficulty of retreating was great. Fighting went + on at various points all night, and the enemy were on the alert. Some + of the troops of our right, while debating as to the means of retreat, + found they were about to be surrounded by the enemy. The Vidame of + Amiens saw that not a moment was to be lost. He cried to the light + horse, of which he was captain, "Follow me," and pierced his way + through a line of the enemy's cavalry. He then found himself in front + of a line of infantry, which fired upon him, but opened to give him + passage. At the same moment, the household troops and others, + profiting by a movement so bold, followed the Vidame and his men, and + all escaped together to Ghent, led on by the Vidame, to whose sense + and courage the safety of these troops was owing. + </p> + <p> + M. de Vendome arrived at Ghent, between seven and eight o'clock in the + morning. Even at this moment he did not forget his disgusting habits, + and as soon as he set foot to ground.... in sight of all the troops as + they came by,—then at once went to bed, without giving any + orders, or seeing to anything, and remained more than thirty hours + without rising, in order to repose himself after his fatigues. He + learnt that Monseigneur de Bourgogne and the army had pushed on to + Lawendeghem; but he paid no attention to it, and continued to sup and + to sleep at Ghent several days running, without attending to anything. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0042" id="link2HCH0042"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLII + </h2> + <p> + As soon as Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne arrived at Lawendeghem, he + wrote a short letter to the King, and referred him for details to M. + de Vendome. But at the same time he wrote to the Duchess, very clearly + expressing to her where the fault lay. M. de Vendome, on his side, + wrote to the King, and tried to persuade him that the battle had not + been disadvantageous to us. A short time afterwards, he wrote again, + telling the King that he could have beaten the enemies had he been + sustained; and that, if, contrary to his advice, retreat had not been + determined on, he would certainly have beaten them the next day. For + the details he referred to Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne. + </p> + <p> + I had always feared that some ill-fortune would fall to the lot of + Monseigneur, le Duc de Bourgogne if he served under M. de Vendome at + the army. When I first learned that he was going to Flanders with M. + de Vendome, I expressed my apprehensions to M. de Beauvilliers, who + treated them as unreasonable and ridiculous. He soon had good cause to + admit that I had not spoken without justice. Our disasters at + Oudenarde were very great. We had many men and officers killed and + wounded, four thousand men and seven hundred officers taken prisoners, + and a prodigious quantity missing and dispersed. All these losses + were, as I have shown, entirely due to the laziness and inattention of + M. de Vendome. Yet the friends of that general—and he had many + at the Court and in the army— actually had the audacity to lay + the blame upon Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne. This was what I had + foreseen, viz., M. de Vendome, in case any misfortune occurred, would + be sure to throw the burden of it upon Monseigneur le Duc de + Bourgogne. + </p> + <p> + Alberoni, who, as I have said, was one of M. de Vendome's creatures, + published a deceitful and impudent letter, in which he endeavoured to + prove that M. de Vendome had acted throughout like a good general, but + that he had been thwarted by Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne. This + letter was distributed everywhere, and well served the purpose for + which it was intended. Another writer, Campistron—-a poor, + starving poet, ready to do anything to live—went further. He + wrote a letter, in which Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne was + personally attacked in the tenderest points, and in which Marechal + Matignon was said to merit a court-martial for having counselled + retreat. This letter, like the other, although circulated with more + precaution, was shown even in the cafes and in the theatres; in the + public places of gambling and debauchery; on the promenades, and + amongst the news-vendors. Copies of it were even shown in the + provinces, and in foreign countries; but always with much + circumspection. Another letter soon afterwards appeared, apologising + for M. de Vendome. This was written by Comte d'Evreux, and was of much + the same tone as the two others. + </p> + <p> + A powerful cabal was in fact got up against Monseigneur de Bourgogne. + Vaudeville, verses, atrocious songs against him, ran all over Paris + and the provinces with a licence and a rapidity that no one checked; + while at the Court, the libertines and the fashionables applauded; so + that in six days it was thought disgraceful to speak with any measure + of this Prince, even in his father's house. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Bourgogne could not witness all this uproar against her + husband, without feeling sensibly affected by it. She had been made + acquainted by Monseigneur de Bourgogne with the true state of the + case. She saw her own happiness and reputation at stake. Though very + gentle, and still more timid, the grandeur of the occasion raised her + above herself. She was cruelly wounded by the insults of Vendome to + her husband, and by all the atrocities and falsehoods his emissaries + published. She gained Madame de Maintenon, and the first result of + this step was, that the King censured Chamillart for not speaking of + the letters in circulation, and ordered him to write to Alberoni and + D'Evreux (Campistron, strangely enough, was forgotten), commanding + them to keep silence for the future. + </p> + <p> + The cabal was amazed to see Madame de Maintenon on the side of Madame + de Bourgogne, while M. du Maine (who was generally in accord with + Madame de Maintenon) was for M. de Vendome. They concluded that the + King had been led away, but that if they held firm, his partiality for + M. de Vendome, for M. du Maine, and for bastardy in general, would + bring him round to them. In point of fact, the King was led now one + way, and now another, with a leaning always towards M. de Vendome. + </p> + <p> + Soon after this, Chamillart, who was completely of the party of M. de + Vendome, thought fit to write a letter to Monseigneur le Duc de + Bourgogne, in which he counselled him to live on good terms with his + general. Madame de Bourgogne never forgave Chamillart this letter, and + was always annoyed with her husband that he acted upon it. His + religious sentiments induced him to do so. Vendome so profited by the + advances made to him by the young Prince, that he audaciously brought + Alberoni with him when he visited Monseigneur de Bourgogne. This + weakness of Monseigneur de Bourgogne lost him many friends, and made + his enemies more bold than ever: Madame de Bourgogne, however, did not + despair. She wrote to her husband that for M. de Vendome she had more + aversion and contempt than for any one else in the world, and that + nothing would make her forget what he had done. We shall see with what + courage she knew how to keep her word. + </p> + <p> + While the discussions upon the battle of Oudenarde were yet + proceeding, a league was formed with France against the Emperor by all + the states of Italy. The King (Louis XIV.) accepted, however, too + late, a project he himself ought to have proposed and executed. He + lost perhaps the most precious opportunity he had had during all his + reign. The step he at last took was so apparent that it alarmed the + allies, and put them on their guard. Except Flanders, they did nothing + in any other spot, and turned all their attention to Italy. + </p> + <p> + Let us return, however, to Flanders. + </p> + <p> + Prince Eugene, with a large booty gathered in Artois and elsewhere, + had fixed himself at Brussels. He wished to bear off his spoils, which + required more than five thousand waggons to carry it, and which + consisted in great part of provisions, worth three million five + hundred thousand francs, and set out with them to join the army of the + Duke of Marlborough. Our troops could not, of course, be in ignorance + of this. M. de Vendome wished to attack the convoy with half his + troops. The project seemed good, and, in case of success, would have + brought results equally honourable and useful. Monseigneur de + Bourgogne, however, opposed the attack, I know not why; and M. de + Vendome, so obstinate until then, gave in to him in this case. His + object was to ruin the Prince utterly, for allowing such a good chance + to escape, the blame resting entirely upon him. Obstinacy and audacity + had served M. de Vendome at Oudenarde: he expected no less a success + now from his deference. + </p> + <p> + Some anxiety was felt just about this time for Lille, which it was + feared the enemy would lay siege to. Boufflers went to command there, + at his own request, end found the place very ill-garrisoned with raw + troops, many of whom had never smelt powder. M. de Vendome, however, + laughed at the idea of the siege of Lille, as something mad and + ridiculous. Nevertheless, the town was invested on the 12th of August, + as the King duly learned on the 14th. Even then, flattery did its + work. The friends of Vendome declared that such an enterprise was the + best, thing that could happen to France, as the besiegers, inferior in + numbers to our army, were sure to be miserably beaten. M. de Vendome, + in the mean time, did not budge from the post he had taken up near + Ghent. The King wrote to him to go with his army to the relief of + Lille. M. de Vendome still delayed; another courier was sent, with the + same result. At this, the King, losing temper, despatched another + courier, with orders to Monseigneur de Bourgogne, to lead the army to + Lille, if M. de Vendome refused to do so. At this, M. de Vendome awoke + from his lethargy. He set out for Lille, but took the longest road, + and dawdled as long as he could on the way, stopping five days at Mons + Puenelle, amongst other places. + </p> + <p> + The agitation, meanwhile, in Paris, was extreme. The King demanded + news of the siege from his courtiers, and could not understand why no + couriers arrived. It was generally expected that some decisive battle + had been fought. Each day increased the uneasiness. The Princes and + the principal noblemen of the Court were at the army. Every one at + Versailles feared for the safety of a relative or friend. Prayers were + offered everywhere. Madame de Bourgogne passed whole nights in the + chapel, when people thought her in bed, and drove her women to + despair. Following her example, ladies who had husbands at the army + stirred not from the churches. Gaming, conversation ceased. Fear was + painted upon every face, and seen in every speech, without shame. If a + horse passed a little quickly, everybody ran without knowing where. + The apartments of Chamillart were crowded with lackeys, even into the + street, sent by people desiring to be informed of the moment that a + courier arrived; and this terror and uncertainty lasted nearly a + month. The provinces were even more troubled than Paris. The King + wrote to the Bishop, in order that they should offer up prayers in + terms which suited with the danger of the time. It may be judged what + was the general impression and alarm. + </p> + <p> + It is true, that in the midst of this trepidation, the partisans of M. + de Vendome affected to pity that poor Prince Eugene, and to declare + that he must inevitably fail in his undertaking; but these discourses + did not impose upon me. I knew what kind of enemies we had to deal + with, and I foresaw the worst results from the idleness and + inattention of M. de Vendome. One evening, in the presence of + Chamillart and five or six others, annoyed by the conversation which + passed, I offered to bet four pistoles that there would be no general + battle, and that Lille would be taken without being relieved. This + strange proposition excited much surprise, and caused many questions + to be addressed to me. I would explain nothing at all; but sustained + my proposal in the English manner, and my bet was taken; Cani, who + accepted it, thanking me for the present of four pistoles I was making + him, as he said. The stakes were placed in the hand of Chamillart. + </p> + <p> + By the next day, the news of my bet had spread a frightful uproar. The + partisans of M. de Vendome, knowing I was no friend to them, took this + opportunity to damage me in the eyes of the King. They so far + succeeded that I entirely lost favour with him, without however + suspecting it, for more than two months. All that I could do then, was + to let the storm pass over my head and keep silent, so as not to make + matters worse. Meanwhile, M. de Vendome continued the inactive policy + he had hitherto followed. In despite of reiterated advice from the + King, he took no steps to attack the enemy. Monseigneur de Bourgogne + was for doing so, but Vendome would make no movement. As before, too, + he contrived to throw all the blame of his inactivity upon Monseigneur + de Bourgogne. He succeeded so well in making this believed, that his + followers in the army cried out against the followers of Monseigneur + de Bourgogne wherever they appeared. Chamillart was sent by the King + to report upon the state and position of our troops, and if a battle + had taken place and proved unfavourable to us, to prevent such sad + results as had taken place after Ramillies. Chamillart came back on + the 18th of September. No battle had been fought, but M. de Vendome + felt sure, he said, of cutting off all supplies from the enemy, and + thus compelling them to raise the siege. The King had need of these + intervals of consolation and hope. Master as he might be of his words + and of his features, he profoundly felt the powerlessness to resist + his enemies that he fell into day by day. What I have related, about + Samuel Bernard, the banker, to whom he almost did the honours of his + gardens at Marly, in order to draw from him the assistance he had + refused, is a great proof of this. It was much remarked at + Fontainebleau, just as Lille was invested, that, the city of Paris + coming to harangue him on the occasion of the oath taken by Bignon, + new Prevot des Marchand, he replied, not only with kindness, but that + he made use of the term "gratitude for his good city," and that in + doing so he lost countenance,—two things which during all his + reign had never escaped him. On the other hand, he sometimes had + intervals of firmness which edificed less than they surprised. When + everybody at the Court was in the anxiety I have already described, he + offended them by going out every day hunting or walking, so that they + could not know, until after his return, the news which might arrive + when he was out. + </p> + <p> + As for Monseigneur, he seemed altogether exempt from anxiety. After + Ramillies, when everybody was waiting for the return of Chamillart, to + learn the truth, Monseigneur went away to dine at Meudon, saying he + should learn the news soon enough. From this time he showed no more + interest in what was passing. When news was brought that Lille was + invested, he turned on his heel before the letter announcing it had + been read to the end. The King called him back to hear the rest. He + returned and heard it. The reading finished, he went away, without + offering a word. Entering the apartments of the Princesse de Conti, he + found there Madame d'Espinoy, who had much property in Flanders, and + who had wished to take a trip there. + </p> + <p> + "Madame," said he, smiling, as he arrived, "how would you do just now + to get to Lille?" And at once made them acquainted with the + investment. These things really wounded the Princesse de Conti. + Arriving at Fontainebleau one day, during the movements of the army, + Monseigneur set to work reciting, for amusement, a long list of + strange names of places in the forest. + </p> + <p> + "Dear me, Monseigneur," cried she, "what a good memory you have. What + a pity it is loaded with such things only!" If he felt the reproach, + he did not profit by it. + </p> + <p> + As for Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne, Monseigneur (his father) was + ill- disposed towards him, and readily swallowed all that was said in + his dispraise. Monseigneur had no sympathy with the piety of his son; + it constrained and bothered him. The cabal well profited by this. They + succeeded to such an extent in alienating the father from the son, + that it is only strict truth to say that no one dared to speak well of + Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne in the presence of Monseigneur. From + this it may be imagined what was the licence and freedom of speech + elsewhere against this Prince. They reached such a point, indeed, that + the King, not daring to complain publicly against the Prince de Conti, + who hated Vendome, for speaking in favour of Monseigneur de Bourgogne, + reprimanded him sharply in reality for having done so, but ostensibly + because he had talked about the affairs of Flanders at his sister's. + Madame de Bourgogne did all she could to turn the current that was + setting in against her husband; and in this she was assisted by Madame + de Maintenon, who was annoyed to the last degree to see that other + people had more influence over the King than she had. + </p> + <p> + The siege of Lille meanwhile continued, and at last it began to be + seen that, instead of attempting to fight a grand battle, the wisest + course would be to throw assistance into the place. An attempt was + made to do so, but it was now too late. + </p> + <p> + The besieged, under the guidance of Marechal Boufflers, who watched + over all, and attended to all, in a manner that gained him all hearts, + made a gallant and determined resistance. A volume would be necessary + in order to relate all the marvels of capacity and valour displayed in + this defence. Our troops disputed the ground inch by inch. They + repulsed, three times running, the enemy from a mill, took it the + third time, and burnt it. They sustained an attack, in three places at + once, of ten thousand men, from nine o'clock in the evening to three + o'clock in the morning, without giving way. They re-captured the sole + traverse the enemy had been able to take from them. They drove out the + besiegers from the projecting angles of the counterscarp, which they + had kept possession of for eight days. They twice repulsed seven + thousand men who attacked their covered way and an outwork; at the + third attack they lost an angle of the outwork; but remained masters + of all the rest. + </p> + <p> + So many attacks and engagements terribly weakened the garrison. On the + 28th of September some assistance was sent to the besieged by the + daring of the Chevalier de Luxembourg. It enabled them to sustain with + vigour the fresh attacks that were directed against them, to repulse + the enemy, and, by a grand sortie, to damage some of their works, and + kill many of their men. But all was in vain. The enemy returned again + and again to the attack. Every attempt to cut off their supplies + failed. Finally, on the 23rd of October, a capitulation was signed. + The place had become untenable; three new breaches had been made on + the 20th and 21st; powder and ammunition were failing; the provisions + were almost all eaten up there was nothing for it but to give in. + </p> + <p> + Marechal Boufflers obtained all he asked, and retired into the citadel + with all the prisoners of war, after two months of resistance. He + offered discharge to all the soldiers who did not wish to enter the + citadel. But not one of the six thousand he had left to him accepted + it. They were all ready for a new resistance, and when their chief + appeared among them their joy burst out in the most flattering praises + of him. It was on Friday, the 26th of October, that they shut + themselves up in the citadel. + </p> + <p> + The enemy opened their trenches before the citadel on the 29th of + October. On the 7th of November they made a grand attack, but were + repulsed with considerable loss. But they did not flinch from their + work, and Boufflers began to see that he could not long hold out. By + the commencement of December he had only twenty thousand pounds of + powder left; very little of other munitions, and still less food. In + the town and the citadel they had eaten eight hundred horses. + Boufflers, as soon as the others were reduced to this food, had it + served upon his own table, and ate of it like the rest. The King, + learning in what state these soldiers were, personally sent word to + Boufflers to surrender, but the Marechal, even after he had received + this order, delayed many days to obey it. + </p> + <p> + At last, in want of the commonest necessaries, and able to protract + his defence no longer, he beat a parley, signed a capitulation on the + 9th of December, obtaining all he asked, and retired from Lille. + Prince Eugene, to whom he surrendered, treated him with much + distinction and friendship, invited him to dinner several times,—overwhelmed + him, in fact, with attention and civilities. The Prince was glad + indeed to have brought to a successful issue such a difficult siege. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0043" id="link2HCH0043"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLIII + </h2> + <p> + The position of Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne at the army continued + to be equivocal. He was constantly in collision with M. de Vendome. + The latter, after the loss of Lille, wished to defend the Escaut, + without any regard to its extent of forty miles. The Duc de Bourgogne, + as far as he dared, took the part of Berwick, who maintained that the + defence was impossible. The King, hearing of all these disputes, + actually sent Chamillart to the army to compose them; and it was a + curious sight to behold this penman, this financier, acting as arbiter + between generals on the most delicate operations of war. Chamillart + continued to admire Vendome, and treated the Duc de Bourgogne with + little respect, both at the army, and, after his return, in + conversation with the King. His report was given in presence of Madame + de Maintenon, who listened without daring to say a word, and repeated + everything to the Duchesse de Bourgogne. We may imagine what passed + between them, and the anger of the Princess against the minister. For + the present, however, nothing could be done. Berwick was soon + afterwards almost disgraced. As soon as he was gone, M. de Vendome + wrote to the King, saying, that he was sure of preventing the enemy + from passing the Escaut—that he answered for it on his head. + With such a guarantee from a man in such favour at Court, who could + doubt? Yet, shortly after, Marlborough crossed the Escaut in four + places, and Vendome actually wrote to the King, begging him to + remember that he had always declared the defence of the Escaut to be, + impossible! + </p> + <p> + The cabal made a great noise to cover this monstrous audacity, and + endeavoured to renew the attack against the Duc de Bourgogne. We shall + see what success attended their efforts. The army was at Soissons, + near Tournai, in a profound tranquillity, the opium of which had + gained the Duc de Bourgogne when news of the approach of the enemy was + brought. M. de Vendome advanced in that direction, and sent word to + the Duke, that he thought he ought to advance on the morrow with all + his army. The Duke was going to bed when he received the letter; and + although it was too late to repulse the enemy, was much blamed for + continuing to undress himself, and putting off action till the morrow. + </p> + <p> + To this fault he added another. He had eaten; it was very early; and + it was no longer proper to march. It was necessary to wait fresh + orders from M. de Vendome. Tournai was near. The Duc de Bourgogne went + there to have a game at tennis. This sudden party of pleasure strongly + scandalized the army, and raised all manner of unpleasant talk. + Advantage was taken of the young Prince's imprudence to throw upon him + the blame of what was caused by the negligence of M. de Vendome. + </p> + <p> + A serious and disastrous action that took place during these + operations was actually kept a secret from the King, until the Duc de + la Tremoille, whose son was engaged there, let out the truth. Annoyed + that the King said nothing to him on the way in which his son had + distinguished himself, he took the opportunity, whilst he was serving + the King, to talk of the passage of the Escaut, and said that his + son's regiment had much suffered. "How, suffered?" cried the King; + "nothing has happened." Whereupon the Duke related all to him. The + King listened with the greatest attention, and questioned him, and + admitted before everybody that he knew nothing of all this. His + surprise, and the surprise it occasioned, may be imagined. It happened + that when the King left table, Chamillart unexpectedly came into his + cabinet. He was soon asked about the action of the Escaut, and why it + had not been reported. The minister, embarrassed, said that it was a + thing of no consequence. The king continued to press him, mentioned + details, and talked of the regiment of the Prince of Tarento. + Chamillart then admitted that what happened at the passage was so + disagreeable, and the combat so disagreeable, but so little important, + that Madame de Maintenon, to whom he had reported all, had thought it + best not to trouble the King upon the matter, and it had accordingly + been agreed not to trouble him. Upon this singular answer the King + stopped short in his questions, and said not a word more. + </p> + <p> + The Escaut being forced, the citadel of Lille on the point of being + taken, our army exhausted with fatigue was at last dispersed, to the + scandal of everybody; for it was known that Ghent was about to be + besieged. The Princes received orders to return to Court, but they + insisted on the propriety of remaining with the army. M. de Vendome, + who began to fear the effect of his rashness and insolence, tried to + obtain permission to pass the winter with the army on the frontier. + </p> + <p> + He was not listened to. The Princes received orders most positively to + return to Court, and accordingly set out. + </p> + <p> + The Duchesse de Bourgogne was very anxious about the way in which the + Duke was to be received, and eager to talk to him and explain how + matters stood, before he saw the King or anybody else. I sent a + message to him that he ought to contrive to arrive after midnight, in + order to pass two or three hours with the Duchess, and perhaps see + Madame de Maintenon early in the morning. My message was not received; + at any rate not followed. The Duc de Bourgogne arrived on the 11th of + December, a little after seven o'clock in the evening, just as + Monseigneur had gone to the play, whither the Duchess had not gone, in + order to wait for her husband. I know not why he alighted in the Cour + des Princes, instead of the Great Court. I was put then in the + apartments of the Comtesse de Roncy, from which I could see all that + passed. I came down, and saw the Prince ascending the steps between + the Ducs de Beauvilliers and De la Rocheguyon, who happened to be + there. He looked quite satisfied, was gay, and laughing, and spoke + right and left. I bowed to him. He did me the honour to embrace me in + a way that showed me he knew better what was going on than how to + maintain his dignity. He then talked only to me, and whispered that he + knew what I had said. A troop of courtiers met him. In their midst he + passed the Great Hall of the Guards, and instead of going to Madame de + Maintenon's by the private door, though the nearest way, went to the + great public entrance. There was no one there but the King and Madame + de Maintenon, with Pontchartrain; for I do not count the Duchesse de + Bourgogne. Pontchartrain noted well what passed at the interview, and + related it all to me that very evening. + </p> + <p> + As soon as in Madame de Maintenon's apartment was heard the rumour + which usually precedes such an arrival, the King became sufficiently + embarrassed to change countenance several times. The Duchesse de + Bourgogne appeared somewhat tremulous, and fluttered about the room to + hide her trouble, pretending not to know exactly by which door the + Prince would arrive. Madame de Maintenon was thoughtful. Suddenly all + the doors flew open: the young Prince advanced towards the King, who, + master of himself, more than any one ever was, lost at once all + embarrassment, took two or three steps towards his grandson, embraced + him with some demonstration of tenderness, spoke of his voyage, and + then pointing to the Princess, said, with a smiling countenance: "Do + you say nothing to her?" The Prince turned a moment towards her, and + answered respectfully, as if he dared not turn away from the King, and + did not move. He then saluted Madame de Maintenon, who received him + well. Talk of travel, beds, roads, and so forth, lasted, all standing, + some half-quarter of an hour; then the King said it would not be fair + to deprive him any longer of the pleasure of being alone with Madame + la Duchesse de Bourgogne, and that they would have time enough to see + each other. The Prince made a bow to the King, another to Madame de + Maintenon, passed before the few ladies of the palace who had taken + courage to put their heads into the room, entered the neighbouring + cabinet, where he embraced the Duchess, saluted the ladies who were + there, that is, kissed them; remained a few moments, and then went + into his apartment, where he shut himself up with the Duchesse de + Bourgogne. + </p> + <p> + Their tete-a-tete lasted two hours and more: just towards the end, + Madame d'O was let in; soon after the Marechal d'Estrees entered, and + soon after that the Duchesse de Bourgogne came out with them, and + returned into the great cabinet of Madame de Maintenon. Monseigneur + came there as usual, on returning from the comedy. Madame la Duchesse + de Bourgogne, troubled that the Duke did not hurry himself to come and + salute his father, went to fetch him, and came back saying that he was + putting on his powder; but observing that Monseigneur was little + satisfied with this want of eagerness, sent again to hurry him. Just + then the Marechale d'Estrees, hair-brained and light, and free to say + just what came into her head, began to attack Monseigneur for waiting + so tranquilly for his son, instead of going himself to embrace him. + This random expression did not succeed. Monseigneur replied stiffly + that it was not for him to seek the Duc de Bourgogne; but the duty of + the Duc de Bourgogne to seek him. He came at last. The reception was + pretty good, but did not by any means equal that of the King. Almost + immediately the King rang, and everybody went to the supper-room. + </p> + <p> + During the supper, M. le Duc de Berry arrived, and came to salute the + King at table. To greet him all hearts opened. The King embraced him + very tenderly. Monseigneur only looked at him tenderly, not daring to + embrace his (youngest) son in presence of the King. All present + courted him. He remained standing near the King all the rest of the + supper, and there was no talk save of post-horses, of roads, and such + like trifles. The King spoke sufficiently at table to Monseigneur le + Duc de Bourgogne; but to the Duc de Berry, he assumed a very different + air. Afterwards, there was a supper for the Duc de Berry in the + apartments of the Duchesse de Bourgogne; but the conjugal impatience + of the Duc de Bourgogne cut it rather too short. + </p> + <p> + I expressed to the Duc de Beauvilliers, with my accustomed freedom, + that the Duc de Bourgogne seemed to me very gay on returning from so + sad a campaign. He could not deny this, and made up his mind to give a + hint on the subject. Everybody indeed blamed so misplaced a gaiety. + Two or three days after his arrival the Duc de Bourgogne passed three + hours with the King in the apartments of Madame de Maintenon. I was + afraid that, his piety would withhold him from letting out on the + subject of M. de Vendome, but I heard that he spoke on that subject + without restraint, impelled by the advice of the Duchesse de + Bourgogne, and also by the Duc de Beauvilliers, who set his conscience + at ease. His account of the campaign, of affairs, of things, of + advices, of proceedings, was complete. Another, perhaps, less + virtuous, might have used weightier terms; but at any rate everything + was said with a completeness beyond all hope, if we consider who spoke + and who listened. The Duke concluded with an eager prayer to be given + an army in the next campaign, and with the promise of the King to that + effect. Soon after an explanation took place with Monseigneur at + Meudon, Mademoiselle Choin being present. With the latter he spoke + much more in private: she had taken his part with Monseigneur. The + Duchesse de Bourgogne had gained her over. The connection of this girl + with Madame de Maintenon was beginning to grow very close indeed. + </p> + <p> + Gamaches had been to the army with the Duc do Bourgogne, and being a + free-tongued man had often spoken out very sharply on the puerilities + in which he indulged in company with the Duc de Berry, influenced by + his example. One day returning from mass, in company with the Duke on + a critical day, when he would rather have seen him on horseback; he + said aloud, "You will certainly win the kingdom of heaven; but as for + the kingdom of the earth, Prince Eugene and Marlborough know how to + seek it better than you." What he said quite as publicly to the two + Princes on their treatment of the King of England, was admirable. That + Prince (known as the Chevalier de Saint George) served incognito, with + a modesty that the Princes took advantage of to treat him with the + greatest indifference and contempt. Towards the end of the campaign, + Gamaches, exasperated with their conduct, exclaimed to them in the + presence of everybody: "Is this a wager? speak frankly; if so, you + have won, there can be no doubt of that; but now, speak a little to + the Chevalier de Saint George, and treat him more politely." These + sallies, however, were too public to produce any good effect. They + were suffered, but not attended to. + </p> + <p> + The citadel of Lille capitulated as we have seen, with the consent of + the King, who was obliged to acknowledge that the Marechal de + Boufflers had done all he could, and that further defence was + impossible. Prince Eugene treated Boufflers with the greatest possible + consideration. The enemy at this time made no secret of their + intention to invest Ghent, which made the dispersal of our army the + more shameful; but necessity commanded, for no more provisions were to + be got. + </p> + <p> + M. de Vendome arrived at Versailles on the morning of December 15th, + and saluted the King as he left table. The King embraced him with a + sort of enthusiasm that made his cabal triumph. He monopolised all + conversation during the dinner, but only trifles were talked of. The + King said he would talk to him next day at Madame de Maintenon's. This + delay, which was new to him, did not seem of good augury. He went to + pay his respects to M. de Bourgogne, who received him well in spite of + all that had passed. Then Vendome went to wait on Monseigneur at the + Princesse de Coriti's: here he thought himself in his stronghold. He + was received excellently, and the conversation turned on nothings. He + wished to take advantage of this, and proposed a visit to Anet. His + surprise and that of those present were great at the uncertain reply + of Monseigneur, who caused it to be understood, and rather stiffly + too, that he would not go. Vendome appeared embarrassed, and abridged + his visit. I met him at the end of the gallery of the new wing, as I + was coming from M. de Beauvilliers, turning towards the steps in the + middle of the gallery. He was alone, without torches or valets, with + Alberoni, followed by a man I did not know. I saw him by the light of + my torches; we saluted each other politely, though we had not much + acquaintance one with the other. He seemed chagrined, and was going to + M. du Maine, his counsel and principal support. + </p> + <p> + Next day he passed an hour with the King at Madame de Maintenon's. He + remained eight or ten days at Versailles or at Meudon, and never went + to the Duchesse de Bourgogne's. This was nothing new for him. The + mixture of grandeur and irregularity which he had long affected seemed + to him to have freed him from the most indispensable duties. His Abbe + Alberoni showed himself at the King's mass in the character of a + courtier with unparalleled effrontery. At last they went to Anet. Even + before he went he perceived some diminution in his position, since he + lowered himself so far as to invite people to come and see him, he, + who in former years made it a favour to receive the most distinguished + persons. He soon perceived the falling-off in the number of his + visitors. Some excused themselves from going; others promised to go + and did not. Every one made a difficulty about a journey of fifteen + leagues, which, the year before, was considered as easy and as + necessary as that of Marly. Vendome remained at Anet until the first + voyage to Marly, when he came; and he always came to Marly and Meudon, + never to Versailles, until the change of which I shall soon have + occasion to speak. + </p> + <p> + The Marechal de Boufflers returned to Court from his first but + unsuccessful defence of Lille, and was received in a triumphant + manner, and overwhelmed with honours and rewards. This contrast with + Vendome was remarkable: the one raised by force of trickery, heaping + up mountains like the giants, leaning on vice, lies, audacity, on a + cabal inimical to the state and its heirs, a factitious hero, made + such by will in despite of truth;—the other, without cabal, with + no support but virtue and modesty, was inundated with favours, and the + applause of enemies was followed by the acclamations of the public, so + that the nature of even courtiers changed, and they were happy in the + recompenses showered upon him! + </p> + <p> + Some days after the return of the Duc de Bourgogne Cheverny had an + interview with him, on leaving which he told me what I cannot refrain + from relating here, though it is necessarily with confusion that I + write it. He said that, speaking freely with him on what had been + circulated during the campaign, the Prince observed that he knew how + and with what vivacity I had expressed myself, and that he was + informed of the manner in which the Prince de Conti had given his + opinion, and added that with the approval of two such men, that of + others might be dispensed with. Cheverny, a very truthful man, came + full of this to tell it to me at once. I was filled with confusion at + being placed beside a man as superior to me in knowledge of war as he + was in rank and birth; but I felt with gratitude how well M. de + Beauvilliers had kept his word and spoken in my favour. + </p> + <p> + The last evening of this year (1708) was very remarkable, because + there had not yet been an example of any such thing. The King having + retired after supper to his cabinet with his family, as usual, + Chamillart came without being sent for. He whispered in the King's ear + that he had a long despatch from the Marechal de Boufflers. + Immediately the King said good-night to Monseigneur and the + Princesses, who went out with every one else; and the King actually + worked for an hour with his minister before going to bed, so excited + was he by the great project for retaking Lille! + </p> + <p> + Since the fall of Lille, in fact, Chamillart, impressed with the + importance of the place being in our possession, had laid out a plan + by which he were to lay siege to it and recapture it. One part of his + plan was, that the King should conduct the siege in person. Another + was that, as money was so difficult to obtain, the ladies of the Court + should not accompany the King, as their presence caused a large + increase of expense for carriages, servants, and so on. He confided + his project to the King, under a strict promise that it would be kept + secret from Madame de Maintenon. He feared, and with reason, that if + she heard of it she would object to being separated from the King for + such a long time as would be necessary for the siege: Chamillart was + warned that if he acted thus, hiding his plant from Madame de + Maintenon, to whom he owed everything, she would assuredly ruin him, + but he paid no attention to the warning. He felt all the danger he + ran, but he was courageous; he loved the State, and, if I may say so, + he loved the King as a mistress. He followed his own counsels then, + and made the King acquainted with his project. + </p> + <p> + The King was at once delighted with it. He entered into the details + submitted to him by Chamillart with the liveliest interest, and + promised to carry out all that was proposed. He sent for Boufflers, + who had returned from Lille, and having, as I have said, recompensed + him for his brave defence of that place with a peerage and other marks + of favour, despatched him privately into Flanders to make preparations + for the siege. The abandonment of Ghent by our troop, after a short + and miserable defence, made him more than ever anxious to carry out + this scheme. + </p> + <p> + But the King had been so unused to keep a secret from Madame de + Maintenon, that he felt himself constrained in attempting to do so + now. He confided to her, therefore, the admirable plan of Chamillart. + She had the address to hide her surprise, and the strength to + dissimulate perfectly her vexation; she praised the project; she + appeared charmed with it; she entered into the details; she spoke of + them to Chamillart; admired his zeal, his labour, his diligence, and, + above all, his ability, in having conceived and rendered possible so + fine and grand a project. + </p> + <p> + From that moment, however, she forgot nothing in order to ensure its + failure. The first sight of it had made her tremble. To be separated + from the King during a long siege; to abandon him to a minister to + whom he would be grateful for all the success of that siege; a + minister, too, who, although her creature, had dared to submit this + project to the King without informing her; who, moreover, had recently + offended her by marrying his son into a family she considered inimical + to her, and by supporting M. de Vendome against Monseigneur de + Bourgogne! These were considerations that determined her to bring + about the failure of Chamillart's project and the disgrace of + Chamillart himself. + </p> + <p> + She employed her art so well, that after a time the project upon Lille + did not appear so easy to the King as at first. Soon after, it seemed + difficult; then too hazardous and ruinous; so that at last it was + abandoned, and Boufflers had orders to cease his preparations and + return to France! She succeeded thus in an affair she considered the + most important she had undertaken during all her life. Chamillart was + much touched, but little surprised: As soon as he knew his secret had + been confided to Madame de Maintenon he had feeble hope for it. Now he + began to fear for himself. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0044" id="link2HCH0044"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLIV. + </h2> + <p> + One of the reasons Madame de Maintenon had brought forward, which much + assisted her in opposing the siege of Lille, was the excessive cold of + this winter. The winter was, in fact, terrible; the memory of man + could find no parallel to it. The frost came suddenly on Twelfth + Night, and lasted nearly two months, beyond all recollection. In four + days the Seine and all the other rivers were frozen, and,—what + had never been seen before,—the sea froze all along the coasts, + so as to bear carts, even heavily laden, upon it. Curious observers + pretended that this cold surpassed what had ever been felt in Sweden + and Denmark. The tribunals were closed a considerable time. The worst + thing was, that it completely thawed for seven or eight days, and then + froze again as rudely as before. This caused the complete destruction + of all kinds of vegetation—even fruit-trees; and others of the + most hardy kind, were destroyed. The violence of the cold was such, + that the strongest elixirs and the most spirituous liquors broke their + bottles in cupboards of rooms with fires in them, and surrounded by + chimneys, in several parts of the chateau of Versailles. As I myself + was one evening supping with the Duc de Villeroy, in his little + bedroom, I saw bottles that had come from a well- heated kitchen, and + that had been put on the chimney-piece of this bed- room (which was + close to the kitchen), so frozen, that pieces of ice fell into our + glasses as we poured out from them. The second frost ruined + everything. There were no walnut-trees, no olive-trees, no + apple-trees, no vines left, none worth speaking of, at least. The + other trees died in great numbers; the gardens perished, and all the + grain in the earth. It is impossible to imagine the desolation of this + general ruin. Everybody held tight his old grain. The price of bread + increased in proportion to the despair for the next harvest. The most + knowing resowed barley where there had been wheat, and were imitated + by the majority. They were the most successful, and saved all; but the + police bethought themselves of prohibiting this, and repented too + late! Divers edicts were published respecting grain, researches were + made and granaries filled; commissioners were appointed to scour the + provinces, and all these steps contributed to increase the general + dearness and poverty, and that, too, at a time when, as was afterwards + proved, there was enough corn in the country to feed all France for + two years, without a fresh ear being reaped. + </p> + <p> + Many people believed that the finance gentlemen had clutched at this + occasion to seize upon all the corn in the kingdom, by emissaries they + sent about, in order to sell it at whatever price they wished for the + profit of the King, not forgetting their own. The fact that a large + quantity of corn that the King had bought, and that had spoiled upon + the Loire, was thrown into the water in consequence, did not shake + this opinion, as the accident could not be hidden. It is certain that + the price of corn was equal in all the markets of the realm; that at + Paris, commissioners fixed the price by force, and often obliged the + vendors to raise it in spite of themselves; that when people cried + out, "How long will this scarcity last?" some commissioners in a + market, close to my house, near Saint Germain-des-Pres, replied + openly, "As long as you please," moved by compassion and indignation, + meaning thereby, as long as the people chose to submit to the + regulation, according to which no corn entered Paris, except on an + order of D'Argenson. D'Argenson was the lieutenant of police. The + bakers were treated with the utmost rigour in order to keep up the + price of bread all over France. In the provinces, officers called + intendents did what D'Argenson did at Paris. On all the markets, the + corn that was not sold at the hour fixed for closing was forcibly + carried off; those who, from pity, sold their corn lower than the + fixed rate were punished with cruelty! + </p> + <p> + Marechal, the King's surgeon, had the courage and the probity to tell + all these things to the King, and to state the sinister opinions it + gave rise to among all classes, even the most enlightened. The King + appeared touched, was not offended with Marechal, but did nothing. + </p> + <p> + In several places large stores of corn were collected; by the + government authorities, but with the greatest possible secrecy. + Private people were expressly forbidden to do this, and informers were + encouraged to; betray them. A poor fellow, having bethought himself of + informing against one of the stores alluded to above, was severely + punished for his pains. The Parliament assembled to debate upon these + disorders. It came to the resolution of submitting various proposals + to the King, which it deemed likely to improve the condition of the + country, and offered to send its Conseillers to examine into the + conduct of the monopolists. As soon as the King heard of this, he flew + into a strange passion, and his first intention was to send a harsh + message to the Parliament to attend to law trials, and not to mix with + matters that did not concern it. The chancellor did not dare to + represent to, the King that what the Parliament wished to do belonged + to its province, but calmed him by representing the respect and + affection with which the Parliament regarded him, and that he was + master either to accept or refuse its offers. No reprimand was given, + therefore, to the Parliament, but it was informed that the King + prohibited it from meddling with the corn question. However accustomed + the Parliament, as well as all the other public bodies, might be to + humiliations, it was exceedingly vexed by this treatment, and obeyed + with the greatest grief. The public was, nevertheless, much affected + by the conduct of the Parliament, and felt that if the Finance + Ministry had been innocent in the matter, the King would have been + pleased with what had taken place, which was in no respect an attack + on the absolute and unbounded authority of which he was so vilely + jealous. + </p> + <p> + In the country a somewhat similar incident occurred. The Parliament of + Burgundy, seeing the province in the direst necessity, wrote to the + Intendant, who did not bestir himself the least in the world. In this + pressing danger of a murderous famine, the members assembled to debate + upon the course to adopt. Nothing was said or done more than was + necessary, and all with infinite discretion, yet the King was no + sooner informed of it than he grew extremely irritated. He sent a + severe reprimand to this Parliament; prohibited it from meddling again + in the matter; and ordered the President, who had conducted the + assembly, to come at once to Court to explain his conduct. He came, + and but for the intervention of M. le Duc would have been deprived of + his post, irreproachable as his conduct had been. He received a sharp + scolding from the King, and was then allowed to depart. At the end of + a few weeks he returned to Dijon, where it had been resolved to + receive him in triumph; but, like a wise and experienced man, he + shunned these attentions, arranging so that he arrived at Dijon at + four o'clock in the morning. The other Parliaments, with these + examples before them, were afraid to act, and allowed the Intendants + and their emissaries to have it all their own way. It was at this time + that those commissioners were appointed, to whom I have already + alluded, who acted under the authority of the Intendants, and without + dependence of any kind upon the Parliaments. True, a court of appeal + against their decisions was established, but it was a mere mockery. + The members who composed it did not set out to fulfil their duties + until three months after having been appointed. + </p> + <p> + Then, matters had been so arranged that they received no appeals, and + found no cases to judge. All this dark work remained, therefore, in + the hands of D'Argenson and the Intendants, and it continued to be + done with the same harshness as ever. + </p> + <p> + Without passing a more definite judgment on those who invented and + profited by this scheme, it may be said that there has scarcely been a + century which has produced one more mysterious, more daring, better + arranged, and resulting in an oppression so enduring, so sure, so + cruel. The sums it produced were innumerable; and innumerable were the + people who died literally of hunger, and those who perished afterwards + of the maladies caused by the extremity of misery; innumerable also + were the families who were ruined, whose ruin brought down a torrent + of other ills. + </p> + <p> + Despite all this, payments hitherto most strictly made began to cease. + Those of the customs, those of the divers loans, the dividends upon + the Hotel de Ville—in all times so sacred—all were + suspended; these last alone continued, but with delays, then with + retrenchments, which desolated nearly all the families of Paris and + many others. At the same time the taxes—increased, multiplied, + and exacted with the most extreme rigour—completed the + devastation of France. + </p> + <p> + Everything rose incredibly in price, while nothing was left to buy + with, even at the cheapest rate; and although—the majority of + the cattle had perished for want of food, and by the misery of those + who kept them, a new monopoly was established upon, horned beasts. A + great number of people who, in preceding years, used to relieve the + poor, found, themselves so reduced as to be able to subsist only with + great difficulty, and many of them received alms in secret. It is + impossible to say how many others laid siege to the hospitals, until + then the shame and punishment of the poor; how many ruined hospitals + revomited forth their inmates to the public charge—that is to + say, sent them away to die actually of hunger; and how many decent + families shut themselves up in garrets to die of want. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible to say, moreover, how all this misery warmed up zeal + and charity, or how immense were the alms distributed. But want + increasing each instant, an indiscreet and tyrannical charity imagined + new taxes for the benefit of the poor. They were imposed, and, added + to so many others, vexed numbers of people, who were annoyed at being + compelled to pay, who would have preferred giving voluntarily. Thus, + these new taxes, instead of helping the poor, really took away + assistance from them, and left them worse off than before. The + strangest thing of all is, that these taxes in favour of the poor + were, perpetuated and appropriated by the King, and are received by + the financiers on his account to this day as a branch of the revenue, + the name of them not having even been changed. The same thing has + happened with respect to the annual tax for keeping up the highways + and thoroughfares of the kingdom. The majority of the bridges were + broken, and the high roads had become impracticable. Trade, which + suffered by this, awakened attention. The Intendant of Champagne + determined to mend the roads by parties of men, whom he compelled to + work for nothing, not even giving them bread. He was imitated + everywhere, and was made Counsellor of State. The people died of + hunger and misery at this work, while those who overlooked them made + fortunes. In the end the thing was found to be impracticable, and was + abandoned, and so were the roads. But the impost for making them and + keeping them up did not in the least stop during this experiment or + since, nor has it ceased to be appropriated as a branch of the King's + revenue. + </p> + <p> + But to return to the year 1709. People never ceased wondering what had + become of all the money of the realm. Nobody could any longer pay, + because nobody was paid: the country-people, overwhelmed with + exactions and with valueless property, had become insolvent: trade no + longer yielded anything—good faith and confidence were at an + end. Thus the King had no resources, except in terror and in his + unlimited power, which, boundless as it was, failed also for want of + having something to take and to exercise itself upon. There was no + more circulation, no means of re-establishing it. All was perishing + step by step; the realm was entirely exhausted; the troops, even, were + not paid, although no one could imagine what was done with the + millions that came into the King's coffers. The unfed soldiers, + disheartened too at being so badly commanded, were always + unsuccessful; there was no capacity in generals or ministers; no + appointment except by whim or intrigue; nothing was punished, nothing + examined, nothing weighed: there was equal impotence to sustain the + war and bring about peace: all suffered, yet none dared to put the + hand to this arch, tottering as it was and ready to fall. + </p> + <p> + This was the frightful state to which we were reduced, when envoys + were sent into Holland to try and bring about peace. The picture is + exact, faithful, and not overcharged. It was necessary to present it + as it was, in order to explain the extremity to which we were reduced, + the enormity of the concessions which the King made to obtain peace, + and the visible miracle of Him who sets bounds to the seas, by which + France was allowed to escape from the hands of Europe, resolved and + ready to destroy her. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the money was re-coined; and its increase to a third more + than its intrinsic value, brought some profit to the King, but ruin to + private people, and a disorder to trade which completed its + annihilation. + </p> + <p> + Samuel Bernard, the banker, overthrew all Lyons by his prodigious + bankruptcy, which caused the most terrible results. Desmarets assisted + him as much as possible. The discredit into which paper money had + fallen, was the cause of his failure. He had issued notes to the + amount of twenty millions, and owed almost as much at Lyons. Fourteen + millions were given to him in assignats, in order to draw him out of + his difficulties. It is pretended that he found means to gain much by + his bankruptcy, but this seems doubtful. + </p> + <p> + The winter at length passed away. In the spring so many disorders took + place in the market of Paris, that more guards than usual were kept in + the city. At Saint Roch there was a disturbance, on account of a poor + fellow who had fallen, and been trampled under foot; and the crowd, + which was very large, was very insolent to D'Argenson, Lieutenant of + Police, who had hastened there. M. de la Rochefoucauld, who had + retired from the Court to Chenil, on account of his loss of sight, + received an atrocious letter against the King, in which it was plainly + intimated that there were still Ravaillacs left in the world; and to + this madness was added an eulogy of Brutus. M. de la Rochefoucauld at + once went in all haste to the King with this letter. His sudden + appearance showed that something important had occurred, and the + object of his visit, of course, soon became known. He was very ill + received for coming so publicly on such an errand. The Ducs de + Beauvilliers and de Bouillon, it seems, had received similar letters, + but had given them to the King privately. The King for some days was + much troubled, but after due reflection, he came to the conclusion + that people who menace and warn have less intention of committing a + crime than of causing alarm. + </p> + <p> + What annoyed the King more was, the inundation of placards, the most + daring and the most unmeasured, against his person, his conduct, and + his government—placards, which for a long time were found pasted + upon the gates of Paris, the churches, the public places; above all + upon the statues; which during the night were insulted in various + fashions, the marks being seen the next morning, and the inscriptions + erased. There were also, multitudes of verses and songs, in which + nothing was spared. + </p> + <p> + We were in this state until the 16th of May. The procession of Saint + Genevieve took place. This procession never takes place except in + times of the direst necessity; and then, only in virtue of orders from + the King, the Parliament, or the Archbishop of Paris. On the one hand, + it was hoped that it would bring succour to the country; on the other, + that it would amuse the people. + </p> + <p> + It was shortly after this, when the news of the arrogant demands of + the allies, and the vain attempts of the King to obtain an honourable + peace became known, that the Duchesse de Grammont conceived the idea + of offering her plate to the King, to replenish his impoverished + exchequer, and to afford him means carry on the war. She hoped that + her example would be followed by all the Court, and that she alone + would have the merit and the profit of suggesting the idea. + Unfortunately for this hope, the Duke, her husband, spoke of the + project to Marechal Boufflers, who thought it so good, that he noised + it abroad, and made such a stir, exhorting everybody to adopt it, that + he passed for the inventor, and; no mention was made of the Duke or + the old Duchesse de Grammont, the latter of whom was much enraged at + this. + </p> + <p> + The project made a great hubbub at the Court. Nobody dared to refuse + to offer his plate, yet each offered it with much regret. Some had + been keeping it as a last resource, which they; were very sorry to + deprive themselves of; others feared the dirtiness of copper and + earthenware; others again were annoyed at being obliged to imitate an + ungrateful fashion, all the merit of which would go to the inventor. + It was in vain that Pontchartrain objected to the project, as one from + which only trifling benefit could be derived, and which would do great + injury to France by acting as a proclamation of its embarrassed state + to all the world, at home and abroad. The King would not listen to his + reasonings, but declared himself willing to receive all the plate that + was sent to him as a free-will offering. He announced this; and two + means were indicated at the same time, which all good citizens might + follow. One was, to send their plate to the King's goldsmith; the + other, to send it to the Mint. Those who made an unconditional gift of + their plate, sent it to the former, who kept a register of the names + and of the number of marks he received. The King regularly looked over + this list; at least at first, and promised in general terms to restore + to everybody the weight of metal they gave when his affairs permitted—a + promise nobody believed in or hoped to see executed. Those who wished + to be paid for their plate sent it to the Mint. It was weighed on + arrival; the names were written, the marks and the date; payment was + made according as money could be found. Many people were not sorry + thus to sell, their plate without shame. But the loss and the damage + were inestimable in admirable ornaments of all kinds, with which much + of the plate of the rich was embellished. When an account came to be + drawn up, it was found that not a hundred people were upon the list of + Launay, the goldsmith; and the total product of the gift did not + amount to three millions. I confess that I was very late in sending + any plate. When I found that I was almost the only one of my rank + using silver, I sent plate to the value of a thousand pistoles to the + Mint, and locked up the rest. All the great people turned to + earthenware, exhausted the shops where it was sold, and set the trade + in it on fire, while common folks continued to use their silver. Even + the King thought of using earthenware, having sent his gold vessels to + the Mint, but afterwards decided upon plated metal and silver; the + Princes and Princesses of the blood used crockery. + </p> + <p> + Ere three months were over his head the King felt all the shame and + the weakness of having consented to this surrendering of plate, and + avowed that he repented of it. The inundations of the Loire, which + happened at the same time, and caused the utmost disorder, did not + restore the Court or the public to good humour. The losses they + caused, and the damage they did, were very considerable, and ruined + many private people, and desolated home trade. + </p> + <p> + Summer came. The dearness of all things, and of bread in particular, + continued to cause frequent commotions all over the realm. Although, + as I have said, the guards of Paris were much increased, above all in + the markets and the suspected places, they were unable to hinder + disturbances from breaking out. In many of these D'Argenson nearly + lost his life. + </p> + <p> + Monseigneur arriving and returning from the Opera, was assailed by the + populace and by women in great numbers crying, "Bread! Bread!" so that + he was afraid, even in the midst of his guards, who did not dare to + disperse the crowd for fear of worse happening. He got away by + throwing money to the people, and promising wonders; but as the + wonders did not follow, he no longer dared to go to Paris. + </p> + <p> + The King himself from his windows heard the people of Versailles + crying aloud in the street. The discourses they held were daring and + continual in the streets and public places; they uttered complaints, + sharp, and but little measured, against the government, and even + against the King's person; and even exhorted each other no longer to + be so enduring, saying that nothing worse could happen to them than + what they suffered, dying as they were of starvation. + </p> + <p> + To amuse the people, the idle and the poor were employed to level a + rather large hillock which remained upon the Boulevard, between the + Portes Saint Denis and Saint Martin; and for all salary, bad bread in + small quantities was distributed to these workers. If happened that on + Tuesday morning, the 20th of August, there was no bread for a large + number of these people. A woman amongst others cried out at this, + which excited the rest to do likewise. The archers appointed to watch + over these labourers, threatened the woman; she only cried the louder; + thereupon the archers seized her and indiscreetly put her in an + adjoining pillory. In a moment all her companions ran to her aid, + pulled down the pillory, and scoured the streets, pillaging the bakers + and pastrycooks. One by one the shops closed. The disorder increased + and spread through the neighbouring streets; no harm was done anybody, + but the cry was "Bread! Bread!" and bread was seized everywhere. + </p> + <p> + It so fell out that Marechal Boufflers, who little thought what was + happening, was in the neighbourhood, calling upon his notary. + Surprised at the fright he saw everywhere, and learning, the cause, he + wished of himself to appease it. Accompanied by the Duc de Gramont, he + directed himself towards the scene of the disturbance, although + advised not to do so. When he arrived at the top of the Rue Saint + Denis, the crowd and the tumult made him judge that it would be best + to alight from his coach. He advanced, therefore, on foot with the Duc + de Grammont among the furious and infinite crowd of people, of whom he + asked the cause of this uproar, promised them bread, spoke his best + with gentleness but firmness, and remonstrated with them. He was + listened to. Cries, several times repeated, of "Vive M. le Marechal de + Boufflers!" burst from the crowd. M. de Boufflers walked thus with M. + de Grammont all along the Rue aux Ours and the neighbouring streets, + into the very centre of the sedition, in fact. The people begged him + to represent their misery to the King, and to obtain for them some + food. He promised this, and upon his word being given all were + appeased and all dispersed with thanks and fresh acclamations of "Vive + M. le Marechal de Boufflers!" He did a real service that day. + D'Argenson had marched to the spot with troops; and had it not been + for the Marechal, blood would have been spilt, and things might have + gone very far. + </p> + <p> + The Marechal had scarcely reached his own house in the Place Royale + than he was informed that the sedition had broken out with even + greater force in the Faubourg Saint Antoine. He ran there immediately, + with the Duc de Grammont, and appeased it as he had appeased the + other. He returned to his own home to eat a mouthful or two, and then + set out for Versailles. Scarcely had he left the Place Royale than the + people in the streets and the shopkeepers cried to him to have pity on + them, and to get them some bread, always with "Vive M. le Marechal de + Boufflers!" He was conducted thus as far as the quay of the Louvre. + </p> + <p> + On arriving at Versailles he went straight to the King, told him what + had occurred, and was much thanked. He was even offered by the King + the command of Paris,—troops, citizens, police, and all; but + this he declined, Paris, as he said, having already a governor and + proper officers to conduct its affairs. He afterwards, however, + willingly lent his aid to them in office, and the modesty with which + he acted brought him new glory. + </p> + <p> + Immediately after, the supply of bread was carefully looked to. Paris + was filled with patrols, perhaps with too many, but they succeeded so + well that no fresh disturbances took place. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0045" id="link2HCH0045"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLV + </h2> + <p> + After his return from the campaign, M. de Vendome continued to be paid + like a general serving in winter, and to enjoy many other advantages. + From all this, people inferred that he would serve during the + following campaign; nobody dared to doubt as much, and the cabal + derived new strength therefrom. But their little triumph was not of + long continuance. M. de Vendome came to Versailles for the ceremony of + the Order on Candlemas-Day. He then learned that he was not to serve, + and that he was no longer to receive general's pay. The blow was + violent, and he felt it to its fullest extent; but, with a prudence + that equalled his former imprudence, he swallowed the pill without + making a face, because he feared other more bitter ones, which he felt + he had deserved. This it was that, for the first time in his life, + made him moderate. He did not affect to conceal what had taken place, + but did not say whether it was in consequence of any request of his, + or whether he was glad or sorry,—giving it out as an indifferent + piece of news; and changed nothing but his language, the audacity of + which he diminished as no longer suited to the times. He sold his + equipages. + </p> + <p> + M. le Prince de Conti died February 22, aged not quite forty-five. His + face had been charming; even the defects of his body and mind had + infinite graces. His shoulders were too high; his head was a little on + one side; his laugh would have seemed a bray in any one else; his mind + was strangely absent. He was gallant with the women, in love with + many, well treated by several; he was even coquettish with men. He + endeavoured to please the cobbler, the lackey, the porter, as well as + the Minister of State, the Grand Seigneur, the General, all so + naturally that success was certain. He was consequently the constant + delight of every one, of the Court, the armies; the divinity of the + people, the idol of the soldiers, the hero of the officers, the hope + of whatever was most distinguished, the love of the Parliament, the + friend of the learned, and often the admiration of the historian, of + jurisconsults, of astronomers, and mathematicians, the most profound. + He was especially learned in genealogies, and knew their chimeras and + their realities. With him the useful and the polite, the agreeable and + the deep, all was distinct and in its place. He had friends, knew how + to choose them, cultivate them, visit them, live with them, put + himself on their level without haughtiness or baseness. But this man, + so amiable, so charming, so delicious, loved nothing. He had and + desired friends, as other people have and desire articles of + furniture. Although with much self-respect he was a humble courtier, + and showed too much how greatly he was in want of support and + assistance from all sides; he was avaricious, greedy of fortune, + ardent and unjust. The King could not bear him, and was grieved with + the respect he was obliged to show him, and which he was careful never + to trespass over by a single jot. Certain intercepted letters had + excited a hatred against him in Madame de Maintenon, and an + indignation in the King which nothing could efface. The riches, the + talents, the agreeable qualities, the great reputation which this + Prince had acquired, the general love of all, became crimes in him. + The contrast with M. du Maine excited daily irritation and jealousy. + The very purity of his blood was a reproach to him. Even his friends + were odious, and felt that this was so. At last, however, various + causes made him to be chosen, in the midst of a very marked disgrace, + to command the army in Flanders. He was delighted, and gave himself up + to the most agreeable hopes. But it was no longer time: he had sought + to drown his sorrow at wearing out his life unoccupied in wine and + other pleasures, for which his age and his already enfeebled body were + no longer suited. His health gave way. He felt it soon. The tardy + return to favour which he had enjoyed made him regret life more. He + perished slowly, regretting to have been brought to death's door by + disgrace, and the impossibility of being restored by the unexpected + opening of a brilliant career. + </p> + <p> + The Prince, against the custom of those of his rank, had been very + well educated. He was full of instruction. The disorders of his life + had clouded his knowledge but not extinguished it, and he often read + to brush up his learning. He chose M. de la Tour to prepare him, and + help him to die well. He was so attached to life that all his courage + was required. For three months crowds of visitors filled his palace, + and the people even collected in the place before it. The churches + echoed with prayers for his life. The members of his family often went + to pay for masses for him; and found that others had already done so. + All questions were about his health. People stopped each other in the + street to inquire; passers- by were called to by shopmen, anxious to + know whether the Prince de Conti was to live or to die. Amidst all + this, Monseigneur never visited him; and, to the indignation of all + Paris, passed along the quay near the Louvre going to the Opera, + whilst the sacraments were being carried to the Prince on the other + side. He was compelled by public opinion to make a short visit after + this. The Prince died at last in his arm-chair, surrounded by a few + worthy people. Regrets were universal; but perhaps he gained by his + disgrace. His heart was firmer than his head. He might have been timid + at the head of an army or in the Council of the King if he had entered + it. The King was much relieved by his death; Madame de Maintenon also; + M. le Duc much more; for M. du Maine it was a deliverance, and for M. + de Vendome a consolation. Monseigneur learned it at Meudon as he was + going out to hunt, and showed no feeling of any kind. + </p> + <p> + The death of M. le Prince de Conti seemed to the Duc de Vendome a + considerable advantage, because he was thus delivered from a rival + most embarrassing by the superiority of his birth, just when he was + about to be placed in a high military position. I have already + mentioned Vendome's exclusion from command. The fall of this Prince of + the Proud had been begun we have now reached the second step, between + which and the third there was a space of between two and three months; + but as the third had no connection with any other event, I will relate + it at once. + </p> + <p> + Whatever reasons existed to induce the King to take from M. de Vendome + the command of his armies, I know not if all the art and credit of + Madame de Maintenon would not have been employed in vain, together + with the intrigues of M. du Maine, without an adventure, which I must + at once explain, to set before the reader's eyes the issue of the + terrible struggle, pushed to such extremes, between Vendome, seconded + by his formidable cabal, and the necessary, heir of the Crown, + supported by his wife, the favourite of the King, and Madame de + Maintenon, which last; to speak clearly, as all the Court saw, for + thirty years governed him completely. + </p> + <p> + When M. de Vendome returned from Flanders, he had a short interview + with the King, in which he made many bitter complaints against + Pursegur, one of his lieutenant-generals, whose sole offence was that + he was much attached to M. de Bourgogne. Pursegur was a great + favourite with the King, and often, on account of the business of the + infantry regiment, of which the thought himself the private colonel, + had private interviews with him, and was held in high estimation for + his capacity and virtue. He, in his turn, came back from Flanders, and + had a private audience of the King. The complaints that had been made + against him by M. de Vendome were repeated to him by the King, who, + however, did not mention from whom they came. Pursegur defended + himself so well, that the King in his surprise mentioned this latter + fact. At the name of Vendome, Pursegur lost all patience. He + described, to the King all the faults, the impertinences; the + obstinacy, the insolence of M. de Vendome, with a precision and + clearness which made his listener very attentive and very fruitful in + questions. Pursegur, seeing that he might go on, gave himself rein, + unmasked M. de Vendome from top to toe, described his ordinary life at + the army, the incapacity of his body, the incapacity of his judgment, + the prejudice of his mind, the absurdity and crudity of his maxims, + his utter ignorance of the art of war, and showed to demonstration, + that it was only by a profusion of miracles France had not been ruined + by him—lost a hundred times over. + </p> + <p> + The conversation lasted more than two hours. The' King, long since + convinced of the capacity, fidelity, and truthfulness of Pursegur, at + last opened his eyes to the truth respecting this Vendome, hidden with + so much art until then, and regarded as a hero and the tutelary genius + of France. He was vexed and ashamed of his credulity, and from the + date of this conversation Vendome fell at once from his favour. + </p> + <p> + Pursegur, naturally humble, gentle, and modest, but truthful, and on + this occasion piqued, went out into the gallery after his + conversation, and made a general report of it to all, virtuously, + braving Vendome and all his cabal. This cabal trembled with rage; + Vendome still more so. They answered by miserable reasonings, which + nobody cared for. This was what led to the suppression of his pay, and + his retirement to Anet, where he affected a philosophical + indifference. + </p> + <p> + Crestfallen as he was, he continued to sustain at Meudon and Marly the + grand manners he had usurped at the time of his prosperity. After + having got over the first embarrassment, he put on again his haughty + air, and ruled the roast. To see him at Meudon you would have said he + was certainly the master of the saloon, and by his free and easy + manner to Monseigneur, and, when he dared, to the King, he would have + been thought the principal person there. Monseigneur de Bourgogne + supported this—his piety made him do so—but Madame de + Bourgogne was grievously offended, and watched her opportunity to get + rid of M. de Vendome altogether. + </p> + <p> + It came, the first journey the King made to Marly after Easter. + 'Brelan' was then the fashion. Monseigneur, playing at it one day with + Madame de Bourgogne and others, and being in want of a fifth player, + sent for M. de Vendome from the other end of the saloon, to come and + join the party. That instant Madame de Bourgogne said modestly, but + very intelligibly, to Monseigneur, that the presence of M. de Vendome + at Marly was sufficiently painful to her, without having him at play + with her, and that she begged he might be dispensed with. Monseigneur, + who had sent for Vendome without the slightest reflection, looked + round the room, and sent for somebody else. When Vendome arrived, his + place was taken, and he had to suffer this annoyance before all the + company. It may be imagined to what an extent this superb gentleman + was stung by the affront. He served no longer; he commanded no longer; + he was no longer the adored idol; he found himself in the paternal + mansion of the Prince he had so cruelly offended, and the outraged + wife of that Prince was more than a match for him. He turned upon his + heel, absented himself from the room as soon as he could, and retired + to his own chamber, there to storm at his leisure. + </p> + <p> + Other and more cruel annoyances were yet in store for him, however. + Madame de Bourgogne reflected on what had just taken place. The + facility with which she had succeeded in one respect encouraged her, + but she was a little troubled to know how the King would take what she + had done, and accordingly, whilst playing, she resolved to push + matters still further, both to ruin her guest utterly and to get out + of her embarrassment; for, despite her extreme familiarity, she was + easily embarrassed, being gentle and timid. The 'brelan' over, she ran + to Madame de Maintenon; told her what had just occurred; said that the + presence of M. de Vendome at Marly was a continual insult to her; and + begged her to solicit the King to forbid M. de Vendome to come there. + Madame de Maintenon, only too glad. to have an opportunity of + revenging herself upon an enemy who had set her at defiance, and + against whom all her batteries had at one time failed, consented to + this request. She spoke out to the King, who, completely weary of M. + de Vendome, and troubled to have under his eyes a man whom he could + not doubt was discontented, at once granted what was asked. Before + going to bed, he charged one of his valets to tell M. de Vendome the + next morning, that henceforth he was to absent himself from Marly, his + presence there being disagreeable to Madame de Bourgogne. + </p> + <p> + It may be imagined into what an excess of despair M. de Vendome fell, + at a message so unexpected, and which sapped the foundations of all + his hopes. He kept silent, however, for fear of making matters worse, + did not venture attempting, to speak to the King, and hastily retired + to Clichy to hide his rage and shame. The news of his banishment from + Marly soon spread abroad, and made so much stir, that to show it was + not worth attention, he returned two days before the end of the visit, + and stopped until the end in a continual shame and embarrassment. He + set out for Anet at the same time that the King set out for + Versailles, and has never since put his foot in Marly. + </p> + <p> + But another bitter draught was to be mixed for him. Banished from + Marly, he had yet the privilege of going to Meudon. He did not fail to + avail himself of this every time Monseigneur was there, and stopped as + long as he stopped, although in the times of his splendour he had + never stayed more than one or two days. It was seldom that Monseigneur + visited Meudon without Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne going to see + him. And yet M. de Vendome never failed audaciously to present himself + before her, as if to make her feel that at all events in Monseigneur's + house he was a match for her. Guided by former experience, the + Princess gently suffered this in silence, and watched her opportunity. + It soon came. + </p> + <p> + Two months afterwards it happened that, while Monseigneur was at + Meudon, the King, Madame de Maintenon; and Madame de Bourgogne, came + to dine with him. Madame de Maintenon wished to talk with Mademoiselle + Choin without sending for her to Versailles, and the King, as may be + believed, was in the secret. I mention this to account for the King's + visit. M. de Vendome, who was at Meudon as usual, was stupid enough to + present himself at the coach door as the King and his companions + descended. Madame de Bourgogne was much offended, constrained herself + less than usual, and turned away her head with affectation, after a + sort of sham salute. He felt the sting, but had the folly to approach + her again after dinner, while she was playing. He experienced the same + treatment, but this time in a still more marked manner. Stung to the + quick and out of countenance, he went up to his chamber, and did not + descend until very late. During this time Madame de Bourgogne spoke to + Monseigneur of the conduct of M. de Vendorne, and the same evening she + addressed herself to Madame de Maintenon, and openly complained to the + King. She represented to him how hard it was to her to be treated by + Monseigneur with less respect than by the King: for while the latter + had banished M. de Vendome from Marly, the former continued to grant + him an asylum at Meudon. + </p> + <p> + M. de Vendome, on his side, complained bitterly to Monseigneur of the + strange persecution that he suffered everywhere from Madame de + Bourgogne; but Monseigneur replied to him so coldly that he withdrew + with tears in his eyes, determined, however, not to give up until he + had obtained some sort of satisfaction. He set his friends to work to + speak to Monseigneur; all they could draw from him was, that M. de + Vendome must avoid Madame de Bourgogne whenever she came to Meudon, + and that it was the smallest respect he owed her until she was + reconciled to him. A reply so dry and so precise was cruelly felt; but + M. de Vendome was not at the end of the chastisement he had more than + merited. The next day put an end to all discussion upon the matter. + </p> + <p> + He was card-playing after dinner in a private cabinet, when D'Antin + arrived from Versailles. He approached the players, and asked what was + the position of the game, with an eagerness which made M. de Vendome + inquire the reason. D'Antin said he had to render an account to him of + the matter he had entrusted him with. + </p> + <p> + "I!" exclaimed Vendome, with surprise, "I have entrusted you with + nothing." + </p> + <p> + "Pardon me," replied D'Antin; "you do not recollect, then, that I have + an answer to make to you?" + </p> + <p> + From this perseverance M. de Vendome comprehended that something was + amiss, quitted his game, and went into an obscure wardrobe with + D'Antin, who told him that he had been ordered by the King to beg + Monseigneur not to invite M. de Vendome to Meudon any more; that his + presence there was as unpleasant to Madame de Bourgogne as it had been + at Marly. Upon this, Vendome, transported with fury, vomited forth all + that his rage inspired him with. He spoke to Monseigneur in the + evening, but was listened to as coldly as before. Vendome passed the + rest of his visit in a rage and embarrassment easy to conceive, and on + the day Monseigneur returned to Versailles he hurried straight to + Anet. + </p> + <p> + But he was unable to remain quiet anywhere; so went off with his dogs, + under pretence of going a hunting, to pass a month in his estate of La + Ferme-Aleps, where he had no proper lodging and no society, and gave + there free vent to his rage. Thence he returned again to Anet, where + he remained abandoned by every one. Into this solitude, into this + startling and public seclusion, incapable of sustaining a fall so + complete, after a long habit of attaining everything, and doing + everything he pleased, of being the idol of the world, of the Court, + of the armies, of making his very vices adored, and his greatest + faults admired, his defects commended, so that he dared to conceive + the prodigious design of ruining and destroying the necessary heir of + the Crown, though he had never received anything but evidences of + tenderness from him, and triumphed over him for eight months with the + most scandalous success; it was, I say, thus that this Colossus was + overthrown by the breath of a prudent and courageous princess, who + earned by this act merited applause. All who were concerned with her, + were charmed to see of what she was capable; and all who were opposed + to her and her husband trembled. The cabal, so formidable, so lofty, + so accredited, so closely united to overthrow them, and reign, after + the King, under Monseigneur in their place—these chiefs, male + and female, so enterprising and audacious, fell now into mortal + discouragement and fear. It was a pleasure to see them work their way + back with art and extreme humility, and turn round those of the + opposite party who remained influential, and whom they had hitherto + despised; and especially to see with what embarrassment, what fear, + what terror, they began to crawl before the young Princess, and + wretchedly court the Duc de Bourgogne and his friends, and bend to + them in the most extraordinary manner. + </p> + <p> + As for M. de Vendome, without any resource, save what he found in his + vices and his valets, he did not refrain from bragging among them of + the friendship of Monseigneur for him, of which he said he was well + assured. Violence had been done to Monseigneur's feelings. He was + reduced to this misery of hoping that his words would be spread about + by these valets, and would procure him some consideration from those + who thought of the future. But the present was insupportable to him. + To escape from it, he thought of serving in Spain, and wrote to Madame + des Ursins asking employment. The King was annoyed at this step, and + flatly refused to let him go to Spain. His intrigue, therefore, came + to an end at once. + </p> + <p> + Nobody gained more by the fall of M. de Vendome than Madame de + Maintenon. Besides the joy she felt in overthrowing a man who, through + M. du Maine, owed everything to her, and yet dared to resist her so + long and successfully, she felt, also, that her credit became still + more the terror of the Court; for no one doubted that what had + occurred was a great example of her power. We shall presently see how + she furnished another, which startled no less. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0046" id="link2HCH0046"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLVI. + </h2> + <p> + It is time now to retrace my steps to the point from which I have been + led away in relating all the incidents which arose out of the terrible + winter and the scarcity it caused. + </p> + <p> + The Court at that time beheld the renewal of a ministry; which from + the time it had lasted was worn down to its very roots, and which was + on that account only the more agreeable to the King. On the 20th of + January, the Pere La Chaise, the confessor of the King, died at a very + advanced age. He was of good family, and his father would have been + rich had he not had a dozen children. Pere La Chaise succeeded in 1675 + to Pere Ferrier as confessor of the King, and occupied that post + thirty-two years. The festival of Easter often caused him politic + absences during the attachment of the King for Madame de Montespan. On + one occasion he sent in his place the Pere Deschamps, who bravely + refused absolution. The Pere La Chaise was of mediocre mind but of + good character, just, upright, sensible, prudent, gentle, and + moderate, an enemy of informers, and of violence of every kind. He + kept clear of many scandalous transactions, befriended the Archbishop + of Cambrai as much as he could, refused to push the Port Royal des + Champs to its destruction, and always had on his table a copy of the + New Testament of Pere Quesnel, saying that he liked what was good + wherever he found it. When near his eightieth year, with his head and + his health still good, he wished to retire, but the King would not + hear of it. Soon after, his faculties became worn out, and feeling + this, he repeated his wish. The Jesuits, who perceived his failing + more than he did himself, and felt the diminution of his credit, + exhorted him to make way for another who should have the grace and + zeal of novelty. For his part he sincerely desired repose, and he + pressed the King to allow him to take it, but all in vain. He was + obliged to bear his burthen to the very end. Even the infirmities and + the decrepitude that afflicted could not deliver him. Decaying legs, + memory extinguished, judgment collapsed, all his faculties confused, + strange inconveniences for a confessor—nothing could disgust the + King, and he persisted in having this corpse brought to him and + carrying on customary business with it. At last, two days after a + return from Versailles, he grew much weaker, received the sacrament, + wrote with his own hand a long letter to the King, received a very + rapid and hurried one in reply, and soon after died at five o'clock in + the morning very peaceably. His confessor asked him two things, + whether he had acted according to his conscience, and whether he had + thought of the interests and honour of the company of Jesuits; and to + both these questions he answered satisfactorily. + </p> + <p> + The news was brought to the King as he came out of his cabinet. He + received it like a Prince accustomed to losses, praised the Pere La + Chaise for his goodness, and then said smilingly, before all the + courtiers, and quite aloud, to the two fathers who had come to + announce the death: "He was so good that I sometimes reproached him + for it, and he used to reply to me: 'It is not I who am good; it is + you who are hard.'" + </p> + <p> + Truly the fathers and all the auditors were so surprised at this that + they lowered their eyes. The remark spread directly; nobody was able + to blame the Pere La Chaise. He was generally regretted, for he had + done much good and never harm except in self-defence. Marechal, first + surgeon of the King, and possessed of his confidence, related once to + me and Madame de Saint-Simon, a very important anecdote referring to + this time. He said that the King, talking to him privately of the Pere + La Chaise, and praising him for his attachment, related one of the + great proofs he had given of it. A few years before his death the Pere + said that he felt getting old, and that the King might soon have to + choose a new confessor; he begged that that confessor might be chosen + from among the Jesuits, that he knew them well, that they were far + from deserving all that had been said against them, but still—he + knew them well—and that attachment for the King and desire for + his safety induced him to conjure him to act as he requested; because + the company contained many sorts of minds and characters which could + not be answered for, and must not be reduced to despair, and that the + King must not incur a risk—that in fact an unlucky blow is soon + given, and had been given before then. Marechal turned pale at this + recital of the King, and concealed as well as he could the disorder it + caused in him. We must remember that Henry IV. recalled the Jesuits, + and loaded them with gifts merely from fear of them. The King was not + superior to Henry IV. He took care not to forget the communication of + the Pere La Chaise, or expose himself to the vengeance of the company + by choosing a confessor out of their limits. He wanted to live, and to + live in safety. He requested the Ducs de Chevreuse and de Beauvilliers + to make secret inquiries for a proper person. They fell into a trap + made, were dupes themselves, and the Church and State the victims. + </p> + <p> + The Pere Tellier, in fact, was chosen as successor of Pere La Chaise, + and a terrible successor he made. Harsh, exact, laborious, enemy of + all dissipation, of all amusement, of all society, incapable of + associating even with his colleagues, he demanded no leniency for + himself and accorded none to others. His brain and his health were of + iron; his conduct was so also; his nature was savage and cruel. He was + profoundly false, deceitful, hidden under a thousand folds; and when + he could show himself and make himself feared, he yielded nothing, + laughed at the most express promises when he no longer cared to keep + to them, and pursued with fury those who had trusted to them. He was + the terror even of the Jesuits, and was so violent to them that they + scarcely dared approach him. His exterior kept faith with his + interior. He would have been terrible to meet in a dark lane. His + physiognomy was cloudy, false, terrible; his eyes were burning, evil, + extremely squinting; his aspect struck all with dismay. The whole aim + of his life was to advance the interests of his Society; that was his + god; his life had been absorbed in that study: surprisingly ignorant, + insolent, impudent, impetuous, without measure and without discretion, + all means were good that furthered his designs. + </p> + <p> + The first time Pere Tellier saw the King in his cabinet, after having + been presented to him, there was nobody but Bloin and Fagon in a + corner. Fagon, bent double and leaning on his stick, watched the + interview and studied the physiognomy of this new personage his + duckings, and scrapings, and his words. The King asked him if he were + a relation of MM. le Tellier. The good father humbled himself in the + dust. "I, Sire!" answered he, "a relative of MM. le Tellier! I am very + different from that. I am a poor peasant of Lower Normandy, where my + father was a farmer." Fagon, who watched him in every movement, + twisted himself up to look at Bloin, and said, pointing to the Jesuit: + "Monsieur, what a cursed ————!" Then shrugging + his shoulders, he curved over his stick again. + </p> + <p> + It turned out that he was not mistaken in his strange judgment of a + confessor. This Tellier made all the grimaces, not to say the + hypocritical monkey-tricks of a man who was afraid of his place, and + only took it out of, deference to his company. + </p> + <p> + I have dwelt thus upon this new confessor, because from him have come + the incredible tempests under, which the Church, the State, knowledge, + and doctrine, and many good people of all kinds, are still groaning; + and, because I had a more intimate acquaintance with this terrible + personage than had any man at the Court. He introduced himself to me + in fact, to my surprise; and although I did all in my power to shun + his acquaintance, I could not succeed. He was too dangerous a man to + be treated with anything but great prudence. + </p> + <p> + During the autumn of this year, he gave a sample of his quality in the + part he took in the destruction of the celebrated monastery of Port + Royal des Champs. I need not dwell at any great length upon the origin + and progress of the two religious parties, the Jansenists and the + Molinists; enough has been written on both sides to form a whole + library. It is enough for me to say that the Molinists were so called + because they adopted the views expounded by, the Pere Molina in a book + he wrote against the doctrines of St. Augustine and of the Church of + Rome, upon the subject of spiritual grace. The Pere Molina was a + Jesuit, and it was by the Jesuits his book was brought forward and + supported. Finding, however, that the views it expounded met with + general opposition, not only throughout France, but at Rome, they had + recourse to their usual artifices on feeling themselves embarrassed, + turned themselves into accusers instead of defendants, and invented a + heresy that had neither author nor follower, which they attributed to + Cornelius Jansenius, Bishop of Ypres. Many and long were the + discussions at Rome upon this ideal heresy, invented by the Jesuits + solely for the purpose of weakening the adversaries of Molina. To + oppose his doctrines was to be a Jansenist. That in substance was what + was meant by Jansenism. + </p> + <p> + At the monastery of Port Royal des Champs, a number of holy and + learned personages lived in retirement. Some wrote, some gathered + youths around them, and instructed them in science and piety. The + finest moral works, works which have thrown the most light upon the + science and practice, of religion, and have been found so by + everybody, issued from their hands. These men entered into the quarrel + against Molinism. This was enough to excite against them the hatred of + the Jesuits and to determine that body to attempt their destruction. + </p> + <p> + They were accused of Jansenism, and defended themselves perfectly; but + at the same time they carried the war into the enemy's camp, + especially by the ingenious "Provincial Letters" of the famous Pascal. + </p> + <p> + The quarrel grew more hot between the Jesuits and Port Royal, and was + telling against the former, when the Pere Tellier brought all his + influence to bear, to change the current of success. He was, as I have + said, an ardent man, whose divinity was his Molinism, and the company + to which he belonged. Confessor to the King, he saw himself in a good + position to exercise unlimited authority. He saw that the King was + very ignorant, and prejudiced upon all religious matters; that he was + surrounded by people as ignorant and as prejudiced as himself, Madame + de Maintenon, M. de Beauvilliers, M. de Chevreuse, and others, and he + determined to take good advantage of this state of things. + </p> + <p> + Step by step he gained over the King to his views, and convinced him + that the destruction of the monastery of Port Royal des Champs was a + duty which he owed to his conscience, and the cause of religion. This + point gained, the means to destroy the establishment were soon + resolved on. + </p> + <p> + There was another monastery called Port Royal, at Paws, in addition to + the one in question. It was now pretended that the latter had only + been allowed to exist by tolerance, and that it was necessary one + should cease to exist. Of the two, it was alleged that it was better + to preserve the one, at Paris. A decree in council was, therefore, + rendered, in virtue of which, on the night from the 28th to the 29th + of October, the abbey of Port Royal des Champs was secretly invested + by troops, and, on the next morning, the officer in command made all + the inmates assemble, showed them a 'lettre de cachet', and, without + giving them more than a quarter of an hour's warning, carried off + everybody and everything. He had brought with him many coaches, with + an elderly woman in each; he put the nuns in these coaches, and sent + them away to their destinations, which were different monasteries, at + ten, twenty, thirty, forty, and even fifty leagues distant, each coach + accompanied by mounted archers, just as public women are carried away + from a house of ill-fame! I pass in silence all the accompaniments of + this scene, so touching and so strangely new. There have been entire + volumes written upon it. + </p> + <p> + The treatment that these nuns received in their various prisons, in + order to force them to sign a condemnation of themselves, is the + matter of other volumes, which, in spite of the vigilance of the + oppressors, were soon in everybody's hands; public indignation so + burst out, that the Court and the Jesuits even were embarrassed with + it. But the Pere Tellier was not a man to stop half-way anywhere. He + finished this matter directly; decree followed decree, 'Lettres de + cachet' followed 'lettres de cachet'. The families who had relatives + buried in the cemetery of Port Royal des Champs were ordered to exhume + and carry them elsewhere. All the others were thrown into the cemetery + of an adjoining parish, with the indecency that may: be imagined. + Afterwards, the house, the church, and all the buildings were razed to + the ground, so that not one stone was left upon another. All the + materials were sold, the ground was ploughed up, and sown—not + with salt, it is true, but that was all the favour it received! The + scandal at this reached even to Rome. I have restricted myself to this + simple and short recital of an expedition so military and so odious. + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0056" id="link2H_4_0056"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VOLUME 7. + </h2> + <a name="link2HCH0047" id="link2HCH0047"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLVII + </h2> + <p> + The death of D'Avaux, who had formerly been our ambassador in Holland, + occurred in the early part of this year (1709). D'Avaux was one of the + first to hear of the project of William of Orange upon England, when + that project was still only in embryo, and kept profoundly secret. He + apprised the King (Louis XIV.) of it, but was laughed at. Barillon, + then our ambassador in England, was listened to in preference. He, + deceived by Sunderland and the other perfidious ministers of James + II.; assured our Court that D'Avaux's reports were mere chimeras. It + was not until it was impossible any longer to doubt that credit was + given to them. The steps that we then took, instead of disconcerting + all the measures of the conspirators, as we could have done, did not + interfere with the working out of any one of their plans. All liberty + was left, in fact, to William to carry out his scheme. The anecdote + which explains how this happened is so curious, that it deserves to be + mentioned here. + </p> + <p> + Louvois, who was then Minister of War, was also superintendent of the + buildings. The King, who liked building, and who had cast off all his + mistresses, had pulled down the little porcelain Trianon he had made + for Madame de Montespan, and was rebuilding it in the form it still + retains. One day he perceived, for his glance was most searching, that + one window was a trifle narrower than the others. He showed it to + Louvois, in order that it might be altered, which, as it was not then + finished, was easy to do. Louvois sustained that the window was all + right. The King insisted then, and on the morrow also, but Louvois, + pigheaded and inflated with his authority, would not yield. + </p> + <p> + The next day the King saw Le Notre in the gallery. Although his trade + was gardens rather than houses, the King did not fail to consult him + upon the latter. He asked him if he had been to Trianon. Le Notre + replied that he had not. The King ordered him to go. On the morrow he + saw Le Notre again; same question, same answer. The King comprehended + the reason of this, and a little annoyed, commanded him to be there + that afternoon at a given time. Le Notre did not dare to disobey this + time. The King arrived, and Louvois being present, they returned to + the subject of the window, which Louvois obstinately said was as broad + as the rest. The King wished Le Notre to measure it, for he knew that, + upright and true, he would openly say what he found. Louvois, piqued, + grew angry. The King, who was not less so, allowed him to say his say. + Le Notre, meanwhile, did not stir. At last, the King made him go, + Louvois still grumbling, and maintaining his assertion with audacity + and little measure. Le Notre measured the window, and said that the + King was right by several inches. Louvois still wished to argue, but + the King silenced him, and commanded him to see that the window was + altered at once, contrary to custom abusing him most harshly. + </p> + <p> + What annoyed Louvois most was, that this scene passed not only before + all the officers of the buildings, but in presence of all who followed + the King in his promenades, nobles, courtiers, officers of the guard, + and others, even all the rolete. The dressing given to Louvois was + smart and long, mixed with reflections upon the fault of this window, + which, not noticed so soon, might have spoiled all the facade, and + compelled it to be re-built. + </p> + <p> + Louvois, who was not accustomed to be thus treated, returned home in + fury, and like a man in despair. His familiars were frightened, and in + their disquietude angled to learn what had happened. At last he told + them, said he was lost, and that for a few inches the King forgot all + his services, which had led to so many conquests; he declared that + henceforth he would leave the trowel to the King, bring about a war, + and so arrange matters that the King should have good need of him! + </p> + <p> + He soon kept his word. He caused a war to grow out of the affair of + the double election of Cologne, of the Prince of Bavaria, and of the + Cardinal of Furstenberg; he confirmed it in carrying the flames into + the Palatinate, and in leaving, as I have said, all liberty to the + project upon England; he put the finishing touch to his work by + forcing the Duke of Savoy into the arms of his enemies, and making him + become, by the position of his country, our enemy, the most difficult + and the most ruinous. All that I have here related was clearly brought + to light in due time. + </p> + <p> + Boisseuil died shortly after D'Avaux. He was a tall, big man, warm and + violent, a great gambler, bad tempered,—who often treated M. le + Grand and Madame d'Armagnac, great people as they were, so that the + company were ashamed,—and who swore in the saloon of Marly as if + he had been in a tap-room. He was feared; and he said to women + whatever came uppermost when the fury of a cut-throat seized him. + During a journey the King and Court made to Nancy, Boisseuil one + evening sat down to play in the house of one of the courtiers. A + player happened to be there who played very high. Boisseuil lost a + good deal, and was very angry. He thought he perceived that this + gentleman, who was only permitted on account of his play, was + cheating, and made such good use of his eyes that he soon found this + was the case, and all on a sudden stretched across the table and + seized the gambler's hand, which he held upon the table, with the + cards he was going to deal. The gentleman, very much astonished, + wished to withdraw his hand, and was angry. Boisseuil, stronger than + he, said that he was a rogue, and that the company should see it, and + immediately shaking his hand with fury put in evidence his deceit. The + player, confounded, rose and went away. The game went on, and lasted + long into the night. When finished, Boisseuil went away. As he was + leaving the door he found a man stuck against the wall—it was + the player—who called him to account for the insult he had + received. Boisseuil replied that he should give him no satisfaction, + and that he was a rogue. + </p> + <p> + "That may be," said the player, "but I don't like to be told so." + </p> + <p> + They went away directly and fought. Boisseuil received two wounds, + from one of which he was like to die. The other escaped without + injury. + </p> + <p> + I have said, that after the affair of M. de Cambrai, Madame de + Maintenon had taken a rooted dislike to M. de Beauvilliers. She had + become reconciled to him in appearance during the time that + Monseigneur de Bourgogne was a victim to the calumnies of M. de + Vendome, because she had need of him. Now that Monseigneur de + Bourgogne was brought back to favour, and M. de Vendome was disgraced, + her antipathy for M, de Beauvilliers burst out anew, and she set her + wits to work to get rid of him from the Council of State, of which he + was a member. The witch wished to introduce her favourite Harcourt + there in his place, and worked so well to bring about this result that + the King promised he should be received. + </p> + <p> + His word given, or rather snatched from him, the King was embarrassed + as to how, to keep it, for he did not wish openly to proclaim Harcourt + minister. It was agreed, therefore, that at the next Council Harcourt + should be present, as though by accident, in the King's ante-chamber; + that, Spanish matters being brought up, the King should propose to + consult Harcourt, and immediately after should direct search to be + made far him, to see if, by chance, he was close at hand; that upon + finding him, he should be conducted to the Council, made to enter and + seat himself, and ever afterwards be regarded as a Minister of State. + </p> + <p> + This arrangement was kept extremely secret, according to the express + commands of the King: I knew it, however, just before it was to be + executed, and I saw at once that the day of Harcourt's entry into the + Council would be the day of M. de Beauvilliers' disgrace. I sent, + therefore, at once for M. de Beauvilliers, begging him to come to my + house immediately, and that I would then tell him why I could not come + to him. Without great precaution everything becomes known at Court. + </p> + <p> + In less than half an hour M. de Beauvilliers arrived, tolerably + disturbed at my message. I asked him if he knew anything, and I turned + him about, less to pump him than to make him ashamed of his ignorance, + and to persuade him the better afterwards to do what I wished. When I + had well trotted out his ignorance, I apprised him of what I had just + learnt. He was astounded; he so little expected it! I had not much + trouble to persuade him that, although his expulsion might not yet be + determined on, the intrusion of Harcourt must pave the way for it. He + admitted to me that for some days he had found, the King cold and + embarrassed with him, but that he had paid little attention to the + circumstance, the reason of which was now clear. There was no time to + lose. In twenty-four hours all would be over. I therefore took the + liberty in the first instance of scolding him for his profound + ignorance of what passed at the Court, and was bold enough to say to + him that he had only to thank himself for the situation he found + himself in. He let me say to the end without growing angry, then + smiled, and said, "Well! what do you think I ought to do?" + </p> + <p> + That was just what I wanted. I replied that there was only one course + open to him, and that was to have an interview with the King early the + next morning; to say to him, that he had been informed Harcourt was + about to enter the Council; that he thought the affairs of State would + suffer rather than otherwise if Harcourt did so; and finally, to + allude to the change that had taken place in the King's manner towards + him lately, and to say, with all respect, affection, and submission, + that he was equally ready to continue serving the King or to give up + his appointments, as his Majesty might desire. + </p> + <p> + M. de Beauvilliers took pleasure in listening to me. He embraced me + closely, and promised to follow the course I had marked out. + </p> + <p> + The next morning I went straight to him, and learned that he had + perfectly succeeded. He had spoken exactly as I had suggested. The + King appeared astonished and piqued that the secret of Harcourt's + entry into the Council was discovered. He would not hear a word as to + resignation of office on the part of M. de Beauvilliers, and appeared + more satisfied with him than ever. Whether, without this interview, he + would have been lost, I know not, but by the coldness and + embarrassment of the King before that interview, and during the first + part of it, I am nearly persuaded that he would. M. de Beauvilliers + embraced me again very tenderly—more than once. + </p> + <p> + As for Harcourt, sure of his good fortune, and scarcely able to + contain his joy, he arrived at the meeting place. Time ran on. During + the Council there are only the most subaltern people in the + antechambers and a few courtiers who pass that way to go from one wing + to another. Each of these subalterns eagerly asked M. d'Harcourt what + he wanted, if he wished for anything, and importuned him strongly. He + was obliged to remain there, although he had no pretext. He went and + came, limping with his stick, not knowing what to reply to the + passers-by, or the attendants by whom he was remarked. At last, after + waiting long, he returned as he came, much disturbed at not having + been called. He sent word so to Madame de Maintenon, who, in her turn, + was as much disturbed, the King not having said a word to her, and she + not having dared to say a word to him. She consoled Harcourt, hoping + that at the next Council he would be called. At her wish he waited + again, as before, during another Council, but with as little success. + He was very much annoyed, comprehending that the affair had fallen + through. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Maintenon did not, however, like to be defeated in this way. + After waiting some time she spoke to the King, reminding him what he + had promised to do. The King replied in confusion that he had thought + better of it; that Harcourt was on bad terms with all the Ministers, + and might, if admitted to the Council, cause them much embarrassment; + he preferred, therefore, things to remain as they were. This was said + in a manner that admitted of no reply. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Maintenon felt herself beaten; Harcourt was in despair. M. + de Beauvilliers was quite reestablished in the favour of the King. I + pretended to have known nothing of this affair, and innocent asked + many questions about it when all was over. I was happy to the last + degree that everything had turned out so well. + </p> + <p> + M. le Prince, who for more than two years had not appeared at the + Court, died at Paris a little after midnight on the night between + Easter Sunday and Monday, the last of March and first of April, and in + his seventy- sixth year. No man had ever more ability of all kinds, + extending even to the arts and mechanics more valour, and, when it + pleased him, more discernment, grace, politeness, and nobility. But + then no man had ever before so many useless talents, so much genius of + no avail, or an imagination so calculated to be a bugbear to itself + and a plague to others. Abjectly and vilely servile even to lackeys, + he scrupled not to use the lowest and paltriest means to gain his + ends. Unnatural son, cruel father, terrible husband, detestable + master, pernicious neighbour; without friendship, without friends—incapable + of having any jealous, suspicious, ever restless, full of slyness and + artifices to discover and to scrutinise all, (in which he was + unceasingly occupied, aided by an extreme vivacity and a surprising + penetration,) choleric and headstrong to excess even for trifles, + difficult of access, never in accord with himself, and keeping all + around him in a tremble; to conclude, impetuosity and avarice were his + masters, which monopolised him always. With all this he was a man + difficult to be proof against when he put in play the pleasing + qualities he possessed. + </p> + <p> + Madame la Princesse, his wife, was his continual victim. She was + disgustingly ugly, virtuous, and foolish, a little humpbacked, and + stunk like a skunk, even from a distance. All these things did not + hinder M. le Prince from being jealous of her even to fury up to the + very last. The piety, the indefatigable attention of Madame la + Princesse, her sweetness, her novice-like submission, could not + guarantee her from frequent injuries, or from kicks, and blows with + the fist, which were not rare. She was not mistress even of the most + trifling things; she did not dare to propose or ask anything. He made + her set out from one place to another the moment the fancy took him. + Often when seated in their coach he made her descend, or return from + the end of the street, then recommence the journey after dinner, or + the next day. This see-sawing lasted once fifteen days running, before + a trip to Fontainebleau. At other times he sent for her from church, + made her quit high mass, and sometimes sent for her the moment she was + going to receive the sacrament; she was obliged to return at once and + put off her communion to another occasion. It was not that he wanted + her, but it was merely to gratify his whim that he thus troubled her. + </p> + <p> + He was always of, uncertain habits, and had four dinners ready for him + every day; one at Paris, one at Ecouen, one at Chantilly, and one + where the Court was. But the expense of this arrangement was not + great; he dined on soup, and the half of a fowl roasted upon a crust + of bread; the other half serving for the next day. He rarely invited + anybody to dinner, but when he did, no man could be more polite or + attentive to his guests. + </p> + <p> + Formerly he had been in love with several ladies of the Court; then, + nothing cost too much. He was grace, magnificence, gallantry in person— + a Jupiter transformed into a shower of gold. Now he disguised himself + as a lackey, another time as a female broker in articles for the + toilette; and now in another fashion. He was the most ingenious man in + the world. He once gave a grand fete solely for the purpose of + retarding the journey into Italy of a lady with whom he was enamoured, + with whom he was on good terms, and whose husband he amused by making + verses. He hired all the houses on one side of a street near Saint + Sulpice, furnished them, and pierced the connecting walls, in order to + be able thus to reach the place of rendezvous without being suspected. + </p> + <p> + Jealous and cruel to his mistresses, he had, amongst others, the + Marquise de Richelieu; whom I name, because she is not worth the + trouble of being silent upon. He was hopelessly smitten and spent + millions upon her and to learn her movements. He knew that the Comte + de Roucy shared her favours (it was for her that sagacious Count + proposed to put straw before the house in order to guarantee her + against the sound of the church bells, of which she complained). M. le + Prince reproached her for favouring the Count. She defended herself; + but he watched her so closely, that he brought home the offence to her + without her being able to deny it. The fear of losing a lover so rich + as was M. le Prince furnished her on the spot with an excellent + suggestion for putting him at ease. She proposed to make an + appointment at her own house with the Comte de Roucy, M. le Prince's + people to lie in wait, and when the Count appeared, to make away with + him. Instead of the success she expected from a proposition so humane + and ingenious, M. le Prince was so horror- struck, that he warned the + Comte de Roucy, and never saw the Marquise de Richelieu again all his + life. + </p> + <p> + The most surprising thing was, that with so much ability, penetration, + activity, and valour, as had M. le Prince, with the desire to be as + great a warrior as the Great Conde, his father, he could never succeed + in understanding even the first elements of the military art. + Instructed as he was by his father, he never acquired the least + aptitude in war. It was a profession was not born for, and for which + he could not qualify himself by study. During the last fifteen or + twenty years of his life, he was accused of something more than + fierceness and ferocity. Wanderings were noticed in his conduct, which + were not exhibited in his own house alone. Entering one morning into + the apartment of the Marechale de Noailles (she herself has related + this to me) as her bed was being made, and there being only the + counterpane to put on, he stopped short at the door, crying with + transport, "Oh, the nice bed, the nice bed!" took a spring, leaped + upon the bed, rolled himself upon it seven or eight times, then + descended and made his excuses to the Marechale, saying that her bed + was so clean and so well-made, that he could not hinder himself from + jumping upon it; and this, although there had never been anything + between them; and when the Marechale, who all her life had been above + suspicion, was at an age at which she could not give birth to any. Her + servants remained stupefied, and she as much as they. She got out of + the difficulty by laughing and treating it as a joke. It was whispered + that there were times when M. le Prince believed himself a dog, or + some other beast, whose manners he imitated; and I have known people + very worthy of faith who have assured me they have seen him at the + going to bed of the King suddenly throw his head into the air several + times running, and open his mouth quite wide, like a dog while + barking, yet without making a noise. It is certain, that for a long + time nobody saw him except a single valet, who had control over him, + and who did not annoy him. + </p> + <p> + In the latter part of his life he attended in a ridiculously minute + manner to his diet and its results, and entered into discussions which + drove his doctors to despair. Fever and gout at last attacked him, and + he augmented them by the course he pursued. Finot, our physician and + his, at times knew not what to do with him. What embarrassed Finot + most, as he related to us more than once, was that M. le Prince would + eat nothing, for the simple reason, as he alleged, that he was dead, + and that dead men did not eat! It was necessary, however, that he + should take something, or he would have really died. Finot, and + another doctor who attended him, determined to agree with him that he + was dead, but to maintain that dead men sometimes eat. They offered to + produce dead men of this kind; and, in point of fact, led to M. le + Prince some persons unknown to him, who pretended to be dead, but who + ate nevertheless. This trick succeeded, but he would never eat except + with these men and Finot. On that condition he ate well, and this + jealousy lasted a long time, and drove Finot to despair by its + duration; who, nevertheless, sometimes nearly died of laughter in + relating to us what passed at these repasts, and the conversation from + the other world heard there. + </p> + <p> + M. le Prince's malady augmenting, Madame la Princesse grew bold enough + to ask him if he did not wish to think of his conscience, and to see a + confessor. He amused himself tolerably long in refusing to do so. Some + months before he had seen in secret Pere de la Tour. He had sent to + the reverend father asking him to, come by night and disguised. Pere + de la Tour, surprised to the last degree at so wild a proposition, + replied that the respect he owed to the cloth would prevent him + visiting M. le Prince in disguise; but that he would come in his + ordinary attire. M. le Prince agreed to this last imposed condition. + He made the Pere de la Tour enter at night by a little back door, at + which an attendant was in waiting to receive him. He was led by this + attendant, who had a lantern in one hand and a key in the other, + through many long and obscure passages; and through many doors, which + were opened and closed upon him as he passed. Having arrived at last + at the sick-chamber, he confessed M. le Prince, and was conducted out + of the house in the same manner and by the same way as before. These + visits were repeated during several months. + </p> + <p> + The Prince's malady rapidly increased and became extreme. The doctors + found him so ill on the night of Easter Sunday that they proposed to + him the sacrament for the next day. He disputed with them, and said + that if he was so very bad it would be better to take the sacraments + at once, and have done with them. They in their turn opposed this, + saying there was no need of so much hurry. At last, for fear of + incensing him, they consented, and he received all hurriedly the last + sacraments. A little while after he called M. le Duc to him, and spoke + of the honours he wished at his funeral, mentioning those which had + been omitted at the funeral of his father, but which he did not wish + to be omitted from his. He talked of nothing but this and of the sums + he had spent at Chantilly, until his reason began to wander. + </p> + <p> + Not a soul regretted him; neither servants, nor friends, neither child + nor wife. Indeed the Princess was so ashamed of her tears that she + made excuses for them. This was scarcely to be wondered at. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0048" id="link2HCH0048"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLVIII. + </h2> + <p> + It is time now that I should speak of our military operations this + year and of the progress of the war. Let me commence by stating the + disposition of our armies at the beginning of the campaign. + </p> + <p> + Marechal Boufflers, having become dangerously ill, was unable to take + command in Flanders. Marechal de Villars was accordingly appointed in + his stead under Monseigneur, and with him served the King of England, + under his incognito of the previous year, and M. le Duc de Berry, as + volunteers. The Marechal d'Harcourt was appointed to command upon the + Rhine under Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne. M. d'Orleans commanded in + Spain; Marechal Berwick in Dauphiny; and the Duc de Noailles in + Roussillon, as usual. The generals went to their destinations, but the + Princes remained at the Court. + </p> + <p> + Before I relate what we did in war, let me here state the strange + opposition of our ministers in their attempts to bring about peace. + Since Villars had introduced Chamillart to Court, he had heard it said + that M. de Louvois did everybody's business as much as he could; and + took it into his head that having succeeded to M. de Louvois he ought + to act exactly like him. For some time past, accordingly, Chamillart, + with the knowledge of the King, had sent people to Holland and + elsewhere to negotiate for peace, although he had no right to do so, + Torcy being the minister to whose department this business belonged. + Torcy likewise sent people to Holland and elsewhere with a similar + object, and these ambassadors of the two ministers, instead of working + in common, did all in their power thwart each other. They succeeded so + well that it was said they seemed in foreign countries ministers of + different powers, whose interests were quite opposed. This manner of + conducting business gave a most injurious idea of our government, and + tended very much to bring it into ridicule. Those who sincerely wished + to treat with us, found themselves so embarrassed between the rival + factions, that they did not know what to do; and others made our + disagreements a plausible pretext for not listening to our + propositions. + </p> + <p> + At last Torcy was so annoyed with the interference of Chamillart, that + he called the latter to account for it, and made him sign an agreement + by which he bound himself to enter into no negotiations for peace and + to mix himself in no foreign affairs; and so this absurdity came to an + end. + </p> + <p> + In Italy, early this year, we received a check of no small importance. + I have mentioned that we were invited to join in an Italian league, + having for its object to oppose the Emperor. We joined this league, + but not before its existence had been noised abroad, and put the + allies on their guard as to the danger they ran of losing Italy. + Therefore the Imperialists entered the Papal States, laid them under + contribution, ravaged them, lived there in true Tartar style, and + snapped their fingers at the Pope, who cried aloud as he could obtain + no redress and no assistance. Pushed at last to extremity by the + military occupation which desolated his States, he yielded to all the + rashes of the Emperor, and recognised the Archduke as King of Spain. + Philip V. immediately ceased all intercourse with Rome, and dismissed + the nuncio from Madrid. The Imperialists, even after the Pope had + ceded to their wishes, treated him with the utmost disdain, and + continued to ravage, his territories. The Imperialist minister at Rome + actually gave a comedy and a ball in his palace there, contrary to the + express orders of the Pope, who had forbidden all kinds of amusement + in this period of calamity. When remonstrated with by the Pope, this + minister said that he had promised a fete to the ladies, and could not + break his word, The strangest thing is, that after this public + instance of contempt the nephews of the Pope went to the fete, and the + Pope had the weakness to suffer it. + </p> + <p> + In Spain, everything went wrong, and people began to think it would be + best to give up that country to the house of Austria, under the hope + that by this means the war would be terminated. It was therefore + seriously resolved to recall all our troops from Spain, and to give + orders to Madame des Ursins to quit the country. Instructions were + accordingly sent to this effect. The King and Queen of Spain, in the + greatest alarm at such a violent determination, cried aloud against + it, and begged that the execution of it might at least be suspended + for a while. + </p> + <p> + At this, our King paused and called a Council to discuss the subject. + It was ultimately agreed to leave sixty-six battalions of our troops + to the King of Spain, but to withdraw all the rest. This compromise + satisfied nobody. Those who wished to support Spain said this + assistance was not enough. The other party said it was too much. + </p> + <p> + This determination being arrived at, it seemed as though the only + thing to be done was to send M. d'Orleans to Spain to take command + there. But now will be seen the effect of that mischievous pleasantry + of his upon Madame de Maintenon and Madame des Ursins, the + "she-captain," and the "she-lieutenant"—as he called them, in + the gross language to which I have before alluded. Those two ladies + had not forgiven him his witticism, and had determined to accomplish + his disgrace. His own thoughtless conduct assisted them it bringing + about this result. + </p> + <p> + The King one day asked him if he had much desire to return into Spain. + He replied in a manner evidencing his willingness to serve, marking no + eagerness. He did not notice that there might be a secret meaning, + hidden under this question. When he related to me what had passed + between him and the King, I blamed the feebleness of his reply, and + represented to him the ill effect it would create if at such a time he + evinced any desire to keep out of the campaign. He appeared convinced + by my arguments, and to wish with more eagerness than before to return + to Spain. + </p> + <p> + A few days after, the King asked him, on what terms he believed + himself with the Princesse des Ursins; and when M. d'Orleans replied + that he believed himself to be on good terms with her, as he had done + all in his power to be so, the King said that he feared it was not + thus, since she had asked that he should not be again sent to Spain, + saying that he had leagued himself with all her enemies there, and + that a secretary of his, named Renaut, whom he had left behind him, + kept up such strict and secret intercourse with those enemies, that + she was obliged to demand his recall lest he might do wrong to the + name of his master. + </p> + <p> + Upon this, M. d'Orleans replied that he was infinitely surprised at + these complaints of Madame des Ursins, since he had done nothing to + deserve them. The King, after reflecting for a moment, said he + thought, all things considered, that M. d'Orleans had better not + return to Spain. In a few days it was publicly known that he would not + go. The withdrawal of so many of our troops from Spain was the reason + alleged. At the same time the King gave orders to M. d'Orleans to send + for his equipages from Spain, and added in his ear, that he had better + send some one of sense for them, who might be the bearer of a protest, + if Philip V. quitted his throne. At least this is what M. d'Orleans + told me, although few people believed him in the end. + </p> + <p> + M. d'Orleans chose for this errand a man named Flotte, very skilful in + intrigue, in which he had, so to speak, been always brought up. He + went straight to Madrid, and one of his first employments when he + arrived there was to look for Renaut, the secretary just alluded to. + But Renaut was nowhere to be found, nor could any news be heard of + him. Flotte stayed some time in Madrid, and then went to the army, + which was still in quarters. He remained there three weeks, idling + from quarter to quarter, saluting the Marechal in command, who was + much surprised at his long stay, and who pressed him to return into + France. At last Flotte took leave of the Marechal, asking him for an + escort for himself and a commissary, with whom he meant to go in + company across the Pyrenees. Twenty dragoons were given him as escort, + and he and the commissary set out in a chaise. + </p> + <p> + They had not proceeded far before Flotte perceived that they were + followed by other troops besides those guarding them. Flotte fearing + that something was meant by this, slipped a pocket-book into the hands + of the commissary, requesting him to take care of it. Shortly + afterwards the chaise was surrounded by troops, and stopped; the two + travellers were made to alight. The commissary was ordered to give up + the pocket-book, an order that he complied with very rapidly, and + Flotte was made prisoner, and escorted back to the spot he had just + left. + </p> + <p> + The news of this occurrence reached the King on the 12th of July, by + the ordinary courier from Madrid. + </p> + <p> + The King informed M. d'Orleans of it, who, having learnt it by a + private courier six days before, affected nevertheless surprise, and + said it was strange that one of his people should have been thus + arrested, and that as his Majesty was concerned, it was for him to + demand the reason. The King replied, that in fact the injury regarded + him more than M. d'Orleans, and that he would give orders to Torcy to + write as was necessary to Spain. + </p> + <p> + It is not difficult to believe that such an explosion made a great + noise, both in France and Spain; but the noise it made at first was + nothing to that which followed. A cabal was formed against Monsieur le + Duc d'Orleans. It was said that he had plotted to place himself upon + the Spanish throne, by driving out Philip V., under pretext of his + incapacity, of the domination of Madame des Ursins, and of the + abandonment of the country by France; that he had treated with + Stanhope, commander of the English troops in Spain, and with whom he + was known to be on friendly terms, in order to be protected by the + Archduke. This was the report most widely spread. Others went further. + In these M. d'Orleans was accused of nothing less than of intending to + divorce himself from Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans, as having been + married to her by force; of intending to marry the sister of the + Empress (widow of Charles II.), and of mounting with her upon the + Spanish throne; to marry Madame d'Argenton, as the Queen Dowager was + sure to have no children, and finally, to poison Madame d'Orleans. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the reply from Spain came not. The King and Monseigneur + treated M. d'Orleans with a coldness which made him sorely ill at + ease; the majority of the courtiers, following this example, withdrew + from him. He was left almost alone. + </p> + <p> + I learnt at last from M. d'Orleans how far he was deserving of public + censure, and what had given colouring to the reports spread against + him. He admitted to me, that several of the Spanish grandees had + persuaded him that it was not possible the King of Spain could stand, + and had proposed to him to hasten his fall, and take his place; that + he had rejected this proposition with indignation, but had been + induced to promise, that if Philip V. fell of himself, without hope of + rising, he would not object to mounting the vacant throne, believing + that by so doing he would be doing good to our King, by preserving + Spain to his house. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I heard this, I advised him to make a clean breast of it to + the King, and to ask his pardon for having acted in this matter + without his orders and without his knowledge. He thought my advice + good, and acted upon it. But the King was too much under the influence + of the enemies of M. d'Orleans, to listen favourably to what was said + to him. The facts of the case, too, were much against M. d'Orleans. + Both Renaut and Flotte had been entrusted with his secret. The former + had openly leagued himself with the enemies of Madame des Ursins, and + acted with the utmost imprudence. He had been privately arrested just + before the arrival of Flotte. When this latter was arrested, papers + were found upon him which brought everything to light. The views of M. + d'Orleans and of those who supported him were clearly shown. The King + would not listen to anything in favour of his nephew. + </p> + <p> + The whole Court cried out against M. d'Orleans; never was such an + uproar heard. He was accused of plotting to overthrow the King of + Spain, he, a Prince of the blood, and so closely allied to the two + crowns! Monseigneur, usually so plunged in apathy, roused himself to + fury against M. d'Orleans, and insisted upon nothing less than a + criminal prosecution. He insisted so strongly upon this, that the King + at last consented that it should take place, and gave orders to the + chancellor to examine the forms requisite in such a case. While the + chancellor was about this work, I went to see him one day, and + represented to him so strongly, that M. d'Orleans' misdemeanour did + not concern us at all, and could only be judged before a Spanish + tribunal, that the idea of a criminal trial was altogether abandoned + almost immediately after. M. d'Orleans was allowed to remain in peace. + </p> + <p> + Madame des Ursins and Madame de Maintenon had so far triumphed, + however, that M. d'Orleans found himself plunged in the deepest + disgrace. He was universally shunned. Whenever he appeared, people + flew away, so that they might not be seen in communication with him. + His solitude was so great, that for a whole month only one friend + entered his house. In the midst of this desertion, he had no resource + but debauchery, and the society of his mistress, Madame d'Argenton. + The disorder and scandal of his life had for a long time offended the + King, the Court, and the public. They now unhappily confirmed + everybody in the bad opinion they had formed of him. That the long + disgrace he suffered continued to confirm him in his bad habits, and + that it explains to some extent his after-conduct, there can be no + doubt. But I must leave him now, and return to other matters. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0049" id="link2HCH0049"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLIX + </h2> + <p> + But, meanwhile, a great change had taken place at Court. Chamillart + had committed the mistake of allowing the advancement of D'Harcourt to + the head of an army. The poor man did not see the danger; and when + warned of it, thought his cleverness would preserve him. Reports of + his fall had already begun to circulate, and D'Antin had been spoken + of in his place. I warned his daughter Dreux, the only one of the + family to whom it was possible to speak with profit. The mother, with + little wit and knowledge of the Court, full of apparent confidence and + sham cunning, received all advice ill. The brothers were imbecile, the + son was a child and a simpleton, the two other daughters too + light-headed. I had often warned Madame de Dreux of the enmity of the + Duchesse de Bourgogne; and she had spoken to her on the subject. The + Princess had answered very coldly that she was mistaken, that she had + no such enmity. At last I succeeded, in this indirect way, in forcing + Chamillart to speak to the King on the reports that were abroad; but + he did so in a half-and-half way, and committed the capital mistake of + not naming the successor which public rumour mentioned. The King + appeared touched, and gave him all sorts of assurances of friendship, + and made as if he liked him better than ever. I do not know if + Chamillart was then near his destruction, and whether this + conversation set him up again; but from the day it took place all + reports died away, and the Court thought him perfectly re-established. + </p> + <p> + But his enemies continued to work against him. Madame de Maintenon and + the Duchesse de Bourgogne abated not a jot in their enmity. The + Marechal d'Harcourt lost no opportunity of pulling him to pieces. One + day, among others, he was declaiming violently against him at Madame + de Maintenon's, whom he knew he should thus please. She asked him whom + he would put in his place. "M. Fagon, Madame," he replied coldly. She + laughed, but said this was not a thing to joke about; but he + maintained seriously that the old doctor would make a much better + minister than Chamillart, for he had some intelligence, which would + make up for his ignorance of many matters; but what could be expected + of a man who was ignorant and stupid too? The cunning Norman knew well + the effect this strange parallel would have; and it is indeed + inconceivable how damaging his sarcasm proved. A short time + afterwards, D'Antin, wishing also to please, but more imprudent, + insulted the son of Chamillart so grossly, and abused the father so + publicly, that he was obliged afterwards to excuse himself. + </p> + <p> + The King held, for the first time in his life, a real council of war. + He told the Duc de Bourgogne of it, saying rather sharply: "Come, + unless you prefer going to vespers." The council lasted nearly three + hours; and was stormy. The Marechals were freer in their language than + usual, and complained of the ministers. All fell upon Chamillart, who + was accused, among other things, of matters that concerned Desmarets, + on whom, he finished by turning off the King's anger. Chamillart + defended himself with so much anger that his voice was heard by people + outside. + </p> + <p> + But he had of late heaped fault on fault. Besides setting Madame de + Maintenon and the Duchesse de Bourgogne against him, he rather + wantonly irritated Monseigneur, at that time more than ever under the + government of Mademoiselle Choin. The latter had asked him a favour, + and had been refused even with contempt. Various advances at + reconciliation she made were also repulsed with contumely. Yet every + one, even the Duchesse de Bourgogne, crawled before this creature—the + favourite of the heir to the throne. Madame de Maintenon actually + caused the King to offer her apartments at Versailles, which she + refused, for fear of losing the liberty she enjoyed at Meudon. + D'Antin, who saw all that was going on, became the soul of a + conspiracy against Chamillart. It was infinitely well managed. + Everything moved in order and harmony—always prudently, always + knowingly. + </p> + <p> + The King, quietly attacked on all hands, was shaken; but he had many + reasons for sticking to Chamillart. He was his own choice. No minister + had stood aside so completely, and allowed the King to receive all the + praise of whatever was done. Though the King's reason way, therefore, + soon influenced, his heart was not so easily. But Madame de Maintenon + was not discouraged. Monseigneur, urged by Mademoiselle Choin, had + already spoken out to the King. She laboured to make him speak again; + for, on the previous occasion, he had been listened to attentively. + </p> + <p> + So many machines could not be set in motion without some noise being + heard abroad. There rose in the Court, I know not what confused + murmurs, the origin of which could not be pointed out, publishing that + either the State or Chamillart must perish; that already his ignorance + had brought the kingdom within an ace of destruction; that it was a + miracle this destruction had not yet come to pass; and that it would + be madness to tempt Providence any longer. Some did not blush to abuse + him; others praised his intentions, and spoke with moderation of + faults that many people reproached him bitterly with. All admitted his + rectitude, but maintained that a successor of some kind or other was + absolutely necessary. Some, believing or trying to persuade others + that they carried friendship to as far a point as was possible, + protested that they should ever preserve this friendship, and would + never forget the pleasure and the services that they had received from + Chamillart; but delicately confessed that they preferred the interests + of the State to their own personal advantage and the support they + would lose; that, even if Chamillart were their brother, they would + sorrowfully admit the necessity of removing him! At last, nobody could + understand either how such a man could ever have been chosen, or how + he could have remained so long in his place! All his faults and all + his ridicules formed the staple of Court conversation. If anybody + referred to the great things he had done, to the rapid gathering of + armies after our disasters, people turned on their heels and walked + away. Such were the presages of the fall of Chamillart. + </p> + <p> + The Marechal de Boufflers, who had never forgiven the causes that led + to the loss of Lille, joined in the attack on Chamillart; and assisted + in exciting the King against him. Chamillart has since related to me + that up to the last moment he had always been received equally + graciously by the King—that is, up to two days before his fall. + Then, indeed, he noticed that the King's countenance was embarrassed; + and felt inclined to ask if he was displeasing to him, and to offer to + retire. Had he done so, he might, if we may judge from what transpired + subsequently, have remained in office. But now Madame de Maintenon had + come personally into the field, and, believing herself sure of + success, only attacked Chamillart. What passed between her and the + King was quite private and never related; but there seems reason to + believe that she did not succeed without difficulty. + </p> + <p> + On Sunday morning, November 9, the King, on entering the Council of + State, called the Duc de Beauvilliers to him, and requested him to go + in the afternoon and tell Chamillart that he was obliged, for motives + of public interest, to ask him to resign his office; but that, in + order to give him a mark of his esteem and satisfaction with his + services, he continued his pension of Minister—that is to say, + twenty thousand francs—and added as much more, with one to his + son of twenty thousand francs likewise. He added that he should have + liked to see Chamillart, but that at first it would grieve him too + much: he was not to come till sent for; he might live in Paris, and go + where he liked. The Duc de Beauvilliers did all he could to escape + from carrying so harsh a message, but could only obtain permission to + let the Duc de Chevreuse accompany him. + </p> + <p> + They went to Chamillart, and found him alone, working in his cabinet. + The air of consternation with which they entered, told the unfortunate + Minister that something disagreeable had happened; and without giving + them time to speak, he said, with a serene and tranquil countenance, + "What is the matter, gentlemen? If what you have to say concerns only + me, you may speak: I have long been prepared for everything." This + gentle firmness touched them still more. They could scarcely explain + what they came about. Chamillart listened without any change of + countenance, and said, with the same air and tone as at first: "The + King is the master. I have endeavoured to serve him to the best of my + ability. I hope some one else will please him better, and be more + lucky." He then asked if he had been forbidden to write to the King, + and being told not, he wrote a letter of respect and thanks, and sent + it by the two Dukes, with a memoir which he had just finished. He also + wrote to Madame de Maintenon. He sent a verbal message to his wife; + and, without complaint, murmur, or sighs, got into his carriage, and + drove to L'Etang. Both then and afterwards he showed the greatest + magnanimity. Every one went, from a sort of fashion, to visit him. + When I went, the house looked as if a death had taken place; and it + was frightful to see, in the midst of cries and tears, the dead man + walking, speaking with a quiet, gentle air, and serene brow,—unconstrained, + unaffected, attentive to every one, not at all or scarcely different + from what he was accustomed to be. + </p> + <p> + Chamillart, as I have said, had received permission to live at Paris, + if he liked; but soon afterwards he innocently gave umbrage to Madame + de Maintenon, who was annoyed that his disgrace was not followed by + general abandonment. She caused him to be threatened secretly, and he + prudently left Paris, and went far away, under pretence of seeking for + an estate to buy. + </p> + <p> + Next day after the fall of Chamillart, it became known that the + triumph of Madame de Maintenon was completed, and that Voysin, her + creature, was the succeeding Secretary of State. This Voysin had the + one indispensable quality for admission into the counsels of Louis + XIV.—not a drop of noble blood in his veins. He had married, in + 1683, the daughter of Trudaine. She had a very agreeable countenance, + without any affectation. She appeared simple and modest, and occupied + with her household and good works; but in reality, had sense, wit, + cleverness, above all, a natural insinuation, and the art of bringing + things to pass without being perceived. She kept with great tact a + magnificent house. It was she who received Madame de Maintenon at + Dinan, when the King was besieging Namur; and, as she had been + instructed by M. de Luxembourg in the way to please that lady, + succeeded most effectually. Among her arts was her modesty, which led + her prudently to avoid pressing herself on Madame de Maintenon, or + showing herself more than was absolutely necessary. She was sometimes + two whole days without seeing her. A trifle, luckily contrived, + finished the conquest of Madame de Maintenon. It happened that the + weather passed suddenly from excessive heat to a damp cold, which + lasted a long time. Immediately, an excellent dressing-gown, simple, + and well lined, appeared in the corner of the chamber. This present, + by so much the more agreeable, as Madame de Maintenon had not brought + any warm clothing, touched her also by its suddenness, and by its + simple appearance, as if of its own accord. + </p> + <p> + In this way, the taste of Madame de Maintenon for Madame Voysin was + formed and increased. Madame Voysin obtained an appointment for her + husband, and coming to Paris, at last grew extremely familiar with + Madame de Maintenon. Voysin himself had much need of the wife that + Providence had given him. He was perfectly ignorant of everything but + the duties of an Intendant. He was, moreover, rough and uncivil, as + the courtiers soon found. He was never unjust for the sake of being + so, nor was he bad naturally; but he knew nothing but authority, the + King and Madame de Maintenon, whose will was unanswerable—his + sovereign law and reason. The choice was settled between the King and + Madame de Maintenon after supper, the day of Chamillart's fall. Voysin + was conducted to the King by Bloin, after having received the orders + and instructions of his benefactress. In the evening of that day, the + King found Madame Voysin with Madame de Maintenon, and kissed her + several times to please his lady. + </p> + <p> + Voysin's first experience of the duties of his office was unpleasant. + He was foolish enough, feeling his ignorance, to tell the King, that + at the outset he should be obliged to leave everything to his Majesty, + but that when he knew better, he would take more on himself. The King, + to whom Chamillart used himself to leave everything, was much offended + by this language; and drawing himself up, in the tone of a master, + told Voysin to learn, once for all, that his duties were to receive, + and expedite orders, nothing else. He then took the projects brought + to him, examined them, prescribed the measures he thought fit, and + very stiffly sent away Voysin, who did not know where he was, and had + great want of his wife to set his head to rights, and of Madame de + Maintenon to give him completer lessons than she had yet been able to + do. Shortly afterwards he was forbidden to send any orders without + submitting them to the Marechal de Boufflers. He was supple, and sure + of Madame de Maintenon, and through her of the Marechal, waited for + time to release him from this state of tutelage and showed nothing of + his annoyance, especially to Boufflers himself. + </p> + <p> + Events soon happened to alter the position of the Marechal de + Boufflers. + </p> + <p> + Flanders, ever since the opening of the campaign, had been the + principal object of attention. Prince Eugene and Marlborough, joined + together, continued their vast designs, and disdained to hide them. + Their prodigious preparations spoke of sieges. Shall I say that we + desired them, and that we thought of nothing but how to preserve, not + use our army? + </p> + <p> + Tournai was the first place towards which the enemies directed their + arms. After a short resistance it fell into their hands. Villars, as I + have said, was coriander in Flanders. Boufflers feeling that, in the + position of affairs, such a post must weigh very heavily upon one man, + and that in case of his death there was no one to take his place, + offered to go to assist him. The King, after some little hesitation, + accepted this magnanimous offer, and Boufflers set out. I say + magnanimous offer, because Boufflers, loaded with honours and glory, + might well have hoped to pass the rest of his life in repose. It was + hardly possible, do what he might, that he could add to his + reputation; while, on the other hand, it was not unlikely that he + might be made answerable for the faults or shortcomings of others, and + return to Paris stripped of some of the laurels that adorned his brow. + But he thought only of the welfare of the State, and pressed the King + to allow him to depart to Flanders. The King, as I have said, at last + consented. + </p> + <p> + The surprise was great in the army when he arrived there. The general + impression was that he was the bearer of news of peace. Villars + received him with an air of joy and respect, and at once showed every + willingness to act in concert with him. The two generals accordingly + worked harmoniously together, taking no steps without consulting each + other, and showing great deference for each other's opinions. They + were like one man. + </p> + <a name="image-0005" id="image-0005"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img src="images/p596.jpg" + alt="Marlborough at Malplaquet--painted by R. Canton Woodville " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <!-- IMAGE END --> + <p> + After the fall of Tournai, our army took up position at Malplaquet, + the right and the left supported by two woods, with hedges and woods + before the centre, so that the plain was, as it were, cut in two. + Marlborough and Prince Eugene marched in their turn, fearing lest + Villars should embarrass them as they went towards Mons, which place + they had resolved to besiege. They sent on a large detachment of their + army, under the command of the Prince of Hesse, to watch ours. He + arrived in sight of the camp at Malpladuet at the same time that we + entered it, and was quickly warned of our existence by, three cannon + shots that Villars, out of braggadocio, fired by way of appeal to + Marlborough and Prince Eugene. Some little firing took place this day + and the next, the 10th of September, but without doing much harm on + either side. + </p> + <p> + Marlborough and Prince Eugene, warned of the perilous state in which + the Prince of Hesse was placed—he would have been lost if + attacked hastened at once to join him, and arrived in the middle of + the morning of the 10th. Their first care was to examine the position + of our army, and to do so, while waiting for their rear-guard, they + employed a stratagem which succeeded admirably. + </p> + <p> + They sent several officers, who had the look of subalterns, to our + lines, and asked to be allowed to speak to our officers. Their request + was granted. Albergotti came down to them, and discoursed with them a + long time. They pretended they came to see whether peace could not be + arranged, but they, in reality, spoke of little but compliments, which + signified nothing. They stayed so long, under various pretexts, that + at last we were obliged to threaten them in order to get rid of them. + All this time a few of their best general officers on horseback, and a + larger number of engineers and designers on foot, profited by these + ridiculous colloquies to put upon paper drawings of our position, thus + being able to see the best positions for their cannon, and the best + mode, in fact, in which all their disposition might be made. We learnt + this artifice afterwards from the prisoners. + </p> + <p> + It was decided that evening to give us battle on the morrow, although + the deputies of the States-General, content with the advantages that + had been already gained, and not liking to run the risk of failure, + were, opposed to an action taking place. They were, however, persuaded + to agree, and on the following morning the battle began. + </p> + <p> + The struggle lasted many hours. But our position had been badly + chosen, and, in spite of every effort, we were unable to maintain it. + Villars, in the early part of the action, received a wound which + incapacitated him from duty. All the burden of command fell upon + Boufflers. He bore it well; but after a time finding his army + dispersed, his infantry overwhelmed, the ground slipping from under + his feet, he thought only of beating a good and honourable retreat. He + led away his army in such good order, that the enemy were unable to + interfere with it in the slightest degree. During all the march, which + lasted until night, we did not lose a hundred stragglers, and carried + off all the cannon with the exception of a few pieces. The enemy + passed the night upon the battle-field, in the midst of twenty-five + thousand dead, and marched towards Mons the next evening. They frankly + admitted that in men killed and wounded, in general officers and + privates, in flags and standards, they had lost more than we. The + battle cost them, in fact, seven lieutenant-generals, five other + generals, about eighteen hundred officers killed or wounded, and more + than fifteen thousand men killed or rendered unfit for service. They + openly avowed, also, how much they had been surprised by the valour of + the majority of our troops, above all of the cavalry, and did not + dissimulate that we should have gained the day, had we been better + led. + </p> + <p> + Why the Marechal Villars waited ten days to be attacked in a position + so disadvantageous, instead of at once marching upon the enemies and + overcoming, as he might at first easily have done, it is difficult to + understand. He threw all the blame upon his wound, although it was + well known that the fate of the day was decided long before he was + hurt. + </p> + <p> + Although forced to retire, our men burned with eagerness to engage the + enemies again. Mons had been laid siege to. Boufflers tried to make + the besiegers give up the undertaking. But his men were without bread + and without pay: the subaltern officers were compelled to eat the + regulation bread, the general-officers were reduced to the most + miserable shifts, and were like the privates, without pay, oftentimes + for seven or eight days running. There was no meat and no bread for + the army. The common soldiers were reduced to herbs and roots for all + sustenance. Under these circumstances it was found impossible to + persevere in trying to save Mons. Nothing but subsistence could be + thought of. + </p> + <p> + The Court had now become so accustomed to defeats that a battle lost + as was Malplaquet seemed half a victory. Boufflers sent a courier to + the King with an account of the event, and spoke so favourably of + Villars, that all the blame of the defeat fell upon himself. Villars + was everywhere pitied and applauded, although he had lost an important + battle: when it was in his power to beat the enemies in detail, and + render them unable to undertake the siege of Mons, or any other siege. + If Boufflers was indignant at this, he was still more indignant at + what happened afterwards. In the first dispatch he sent to the King he + promised to send another as soon as possible giving full details, with + propositions as to how the vacancies which had occurred in the army + might be filled up. On the very evening he sent off his second + dispatch, he received intelligence that the King had already taken his + dispositions with respect to these vacancies, without having consulted + him upon a single point. This was the first reward Boufflers received + for the services he had just rendered, and that, too, from a King who + had said in public that without Boufflers all was lost, and that + assuredly it was God who had inspired him with the idea of going to + the army. From that time Boufflers fell into a disgrace from which he + never recovered. He had the courage to appear as usual at the Court; + but a worm was gnawing him within and destroyed him. Oftentimes he + opened his heart to me without rashness, and without passing the + strict limits of his virtue; but the poniard was in his heart, and + neither time nor reflection could dull its edge. He did nothing but + languish afterwards, yet without being confined to his bed or to his + chamber, but did not live more than two years. Villars, on the + contrary, was in greater favour than ever. He arrived at Court + triumphant. The King made him occupy an apartment at Versailles, so + that his wound might be well attended to. + </p> + <p> + What a contrast! What a difference between the services, the merit, + the condition, the virtue, the situation of these two men! What + inexhaustible funds of reflection. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0050" id="link2HCH0050"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER L + </h2> + <p> + I have described in its proper place the profound fall of M. le Duc + d'Orleans and the neglect in which he lived, out of all favour with + the King, hated by Madame de Maintenon and Monseigneur, and regarded + with an unfavourable eye by the public, on account of the scandals of + his private life. I had long seen that the only way in which he could + hope to recover his position would be to give up his mistress, Madame + d'Argenton, with whom he had been on terms of intimacy for many years + past, to the knowledge and the scandal of all the world. I knew it + would be a bold and dangerous game to play, to try to persuade him to + separate himself from a woman he had known and loved so long; but I + determined to engage in it, nevertheless, and I looked about for some + one to assist me in this enterprise. At once I cast my eyes upon the + Marechal de Besons, who for many long years had been the bosom friend + of M. d'Orleans. He applauded the undertaking, but doubted, he said, + its success; nevertheless he promised to aid me to the utmost of his + power, and, it will be seen, was as good as his word. For some time I + had no opportunity of accosting M. d'Orleans, and was obliged to keep + my project in abeyance, but I did not lose sight of it; and when I saw + my way clear, I took the matter in hand, determined to strain every + nerve in order to succeed. + </p> + <p> + It was just at the commencement of the year 1710, that I first spoke + to M. d'Orleans. I began by extracting from him an admission of the + neglect into which he had fallen—the dislike of the King, the + hatred of Monseigneur, who accused him of wishing to replace his son + in Spain; that of Madame de Maintenon, whom he had offended by his bon + mot; the suspicions of the public, who talked of his chemical + experiments—and then, throwing off all fear of consequences, I + said that before he could hope to draw back his friends and the world + to him, he must reinstate himself in the favour of the King. He + appeared struck with what I had said, rose after a profound silence, + paced to and fro, and then asked, "But how?" Seeing the opportunity so + good, I replied in a firm and significant tone, "How? I know well + enough, but I will never tell you; and yet it is the only thing to + do."—"Ah, I understand you," said he, as though struck with a + thunderbolt; "I understand you perfectly;" and he threw himself upon + the chair at the end of the room. There he remained some time, without + speaking a word, yet agitated and sighing, and with his eyes lowered. + I broke silence at last, by saying that the state which he was in had + touched me to the quick, and that I had determined in conjunction with + the Marechal de Besons to speak to him upon the subject, and to + propose the only means by which he could hope to bring about a change + in his position. He considered some time, and then giving me + encouragement to proceed, I entered at some length upon the proposal I + had to make to him and left him evidently affected by what I had said, + when I thought I had for the time gone far enough. + </p> + <p> + The next day, Thursday, January 2nd, Besons, to whom I had written, + joined me; and after I had communicated to him what had passed the + previous evening, we hastened to M. d'Orleans. He received us well, + and we at once commenced an attack. In order to aid my purpose as much + as possible, I repeated to M. d'Orleans, at this meeting, the odious + reports that were in circulation against him, viz., that he intended + to repudiate his wife forced upon him by the King, in order to marry + the Queen Dowager of Spain, and by means of her gold to open up a path + for himself to the Spanish throne; that he intended to wait for his + new wife's death, and then marry Madame D'ARGENSON, to whom the genii + had promised a throne; and I added, that it was very fortunate that + the Duchesse d'Orleans had safely passed through the dangers of her + confinement, for already some wretches had begun to spread the saying, + that he was not the son of Monsieur for nothing. (An allusion to the + death of Henriette d'Angleterre.) + </p> + <p> + On hearing these words, the Duke was seized with a terror that cannot + be described, and at the same time with a grief that is above + expression. I took advantage of the effect my discourse had had upon + him to show how necessary it was he should make a great effort in + order to win back the favour of the King and of the public. I + represented to him that the only way to do this was to give up Madame + d'Argenton, at once and for ever, and to announce to the King that he + had done so. At first he would not hear of such a step, and I was + obliged to employ all my eloquence, and all my firmness too, to make + him listen to reason. One great obstacle in our way was the repugnance + of M. d'Orleans for his wife. He had been married, as I have described + in the early part of these memoirs, against his will, and with no sort + of affection for the woman he was given to. It was natural that he + should look upon her with dislike ever since she had become his wife. + I did what I could to speak in praise of Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans, + and Besons aided me; but we did little else than waste our breath for + sometime. Our praises in fact irritated M. d'Orleans, and to such a + point, that no longer screening things or names, he told us what we + should have wished not to hear, but what it was very lucky we did + hear. He had suspicions, in fact, of his wife's honour; but + fortunately I was able to prove clearly and decisively that those + suspicions were unfounded, and I did so. The joy of M. d'Orleans upon + finding he had been deceived was great indeed; and when we separated + from him after mid-day, in order to go to dinner, I saw that a point + was gained. + </p> + <p> + A little before three o'clock I returned to M. d'Orleans, whom I found + alone in his cabinet with Besons. He received me with pleasure, and + made me seat myself between him and the Marechal, whom he complimented + upon his diligence. Our conversation recommenced. I returned to the + attack with all the arguments I could muster, and the Marechal + supported me; but I saw with affright that M. d'Orleans was less + reduced than when we had quitted him in the morning, and that he had + sadly taken breath during our short absence. I saw that, if we were to + succeed, we must make the best use we could of our time, and + accordingly I brought all my powers into play in order to gain over M. + d'Orleans. + </p> + <p> + Feeling that everything was now to be lost or gained, I spoke out with + all the force of which I was capable, surprising and terrifying + Marechal Besons to such a point, with my hardihood, that he had not a + word to say in order to aid me. When I had finished, M. d'Orleans + thanked me in a piteous tone, by which I knew the profound impression + I had made upon his mind. I proposed, while he was still shaken, that + he should at once send to Madame de Maintenon, to know when she, would + grant him an audience; for he had determined to speak to her first of + his intention to give up Madame d'Argenton. Besons seconded me; and + while we were talking together, not daring to push our point farther, + M. d'Orleans much astonished us by rising, running with impetuosity to + the door, and calling aloud for his servants. One ran to him, whom he + ordered in a whisper to go to Madame de Maintenon, to ask at what hour + she would see him on the morrow. He returned immediately, and threw + himself into a chair like a man whose strength fails him and who is at + his last gasp. Uncertain as to what he had just done, I asked him if + he had sent to Madame de Maintenon. "Yes, Monsieur," said he, in a + tone of despair. Instantly I started towards him, and thanked him with + all the contentment and all the joy imaginable. This terrible + interview, for the struggle we had all gone through was very great, + was soon after brought to a close, and Besons and myself went our way, + congratulating each other on the success of this day's labour. + </p> + <p> + On the next day, Friday, the 3rd of January, I saw M. d'Orleans as he + preceded the King to mass, and in my impatience I approached him, and + speaking in a low tone, asked him if he had seen "that woman." I did + not dare to mention names just then. He replied "yes," but in so + lackadaisical a tone that I feared he had seen her to effect, and I + asked him if he had spoken to her. Upon receiving another "yes," like + the other, my emotion redoubled. "But have you told her all?" I said. + "Yes," he replied, "I have told her all."—"And are you content?" + said I. "Nobody could be more so," he replied; "I was nearly an hour + with her, she was very much surprised and ravished." + </p> + <p> + I saw M. d'Orleans under better circumstances at another period of the + day, and then I learnt from him that since meeting me he had spoken to + the King also, and told him all. "Ah, Monsieur," cried I with + transport, "how I love you!" and advancing warmly toward him, I added, + "How glad I am to see you at last delivered; how did you bring this to + pass?"— "I mistrusted myself so much," replied he, "and was so + violently agitated after speaking to Madame de Maintenon, that I + feared to run the risk of pausing all the morning; so, immediately + after mass I spoke to the King, and—" here, overcome by his + grief, his voice faltered, and he burst into sighs, into tears, and + into sobs. I retired into a corner. A moment after Besons entered: the + spectacle and the profound silence astonished him. He lowered his + eyes, and advanced but little. At last we gently approached each + other. I told him that M. d'Orleans had conquered himself, and had + spoken to the King. The Marechal was so bewildered with surprise and + joy that he remained for some moments speechless and motionless: then + running towards M. d'Orleans, he thanked him, felicitated him, and + wept for very joy. M. d'Orleans was cruelly agitated, now maintaining + a ferocious silence, and now bursting into a torrent of sighs, sobs, + and tears. He said at last that Madame de Maintenon had been extremely + surprised with the resolution he had taken, and at the same time + delighted. She assured him that it would put him on better terms than + ever with the King, and that Madame d'Argenton should be treated with + every consideration. I pressed M. d'Orleans to let us know how the + King had received him. He replied that the King had appeared very much + surprised, but had spoken coldly. I comforted him for this + disappointment by assuring him that the King's coldness arose only + from his astonishment, and that in the end all would be well. + </p> + <p> + It would be impossible to describe the joy felt by Besons and myself + at seeing our labours brought to this satisfactory point. I knew I + should make many enemies when the part I had taken in influencing M. + d'Orleans to give up Madame d'Argenton came to be known, as it + necessarily would; but I felt I had done rightly, and left the + consequences to Providence. Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans showed me the + utmost gratitude for what I had done. She exhibited, too, so much + intelligence, good sense, and ability, in the conversation I had with + her, that I determined to spare no pains to unite her husband to her + more closely; being firmly persuaded that he would nowhere find a + better counsellor than in her. The surprise of the whole Court, when + it became known that M. d'Orleans had at last separated himself from + Madame d'Argenton, was great indeed. It was only equalled by the + vexation of those who were opposed to him. Of course in this matter I + was not spared. For several days nothing was spoken of but this + rupture, and everywhere I was pointed out as the author of it. + </p> + <p> + Besons being scarcely alluded to. I parried the thrust made at me as + well as I could, as much for the purpose of leaving all the honour to + M. d'Orleans, as for the purpose of avoiding the anger of those who + were annoyed with me; and also from a just fear of showing that I had + too much influence over the mind of a Prince not without faults, and + who could not always be led. + </p> + <p> + As for Madame d'Argenton, she received the news that her reign was + over with all the consternation, rage, and despair that might have + been expected. Mademoiselle de Chausseraye was sent by Madame de + Maintenon to announce the ill news to her. When Mademoiselle de + Chausseraye arrived at Madame l'Argenton's house, Madame d'Argenton + was out she had gone to supper with the Princesse de Rohan. + Mademoiselle de Chausseraye waited until she returned, and then broke + the matter to her gently, and after much preamble and circumlocution, + as though she were about to announce the death of some one. + </p> + <p> + The tears, the cries, the howlings of Madame d'Argenton filled the + house, and announced to all the domestics that the reign of felicity + was at an end there. After a long silence on the part of Mademoiselle + de Chausseraye, she spoke her best in order to appease the poor lady. + She represented to her the delicacy and liberality of the arrangements + M. d'Orleans had made in her behalf. In the first place she was free + to live in any part of the realm except Paris and its appanages. In + the next place he assured to her forty-five thousand livres a year, + nearly all the capital of which would belong to the son he had had by + her, whom he had recognised and made legitimate, and who has since + become Grandee of Spain, Grand Prieur of France, and General of the + Galleys (for the best of all conditions in France is to have none at + all, and to be a bastard). Lastly he undertook to pay all her debts up + to the day of the rupture, so that she should not be importuned by any + creditor, and allowed her to retain her jewellery, her plate, her + furniture—worth altogether about four hundred thousand livres. + His liberality amounted to a total of about two million livres, which + I thought prodigious. + </p> + <p> + Madame d'Argenton, in despair at first, became more tractable as she + learnt the provisions which had been made for her, and the delicacy + with which she was treated. She remained four days in Paris, and then + returned to her father's house near Port-Sainte-Maxence, the Chevalier + d'Orleans, her son, remaining at the Palais Royal. The King after his + first surprise had worn away, was in the greatest joy at the rupture; + and testified his gratification to M. d'Orleans, whom he treated + better and better every day. Madame de Maintenon did not dare not to + contribute a little at first; and in this the Prince felt the + friendship of the Jesuits, whom he had contrived to attach to him. + </p> + <p> + The Duchesse de Bourgogne did marvels of her own accord; and the Duc + de Bourgogne, also, being urged by M. de Beauvilliers. Monseigneur + alone remained irritated, on account of the Spanish affair. + </p> + <p> + I must here mention the death of M. le Duc. He was engaged in a trial + which was just about to be pleaded. He had for some time suffered from + a strange disease, a mixture of apoplexy and epilepsy, which he + concealed so carefully, that he drove away one of his servants for + speaking of it to his fellows. + </p> + <p> + For some time he had had a continual headache. This state troubled the + gladness he felt at being delivered from his troublesome father and + brother-in-law. One evening he was riding in his carriage, returning + from a visit to the Hotel de Coislin, without torches, and with only + one servant behind, when he felt so ill that he drew the string, and + made his lackey get up to tell him whether his mouth was not all on + one side. This was not the case, but he soon lost speech and + consciousness after having requested to be taken in privately to the + Hotel de Conde. They there put him in bed. Priests and doctors came. + But he only made horrible faces, and died about four o'clock in the + morning. + </p> + <p> + Madame la Duchesse did not lose her presence of mind, and, whilst her + husband was dying, took steps to secure her future fortune. Meanwhile + she managed to cry a little, but nobody believed in her grief. As for + M. le Duc, I have already mentioned some anecdotes of him that exhibit + his cruel character. He was a marvellously little man, short, without + being fat. A dwarf of Madame la Princesse was said to be the cause. He + was of a livid yellow, nearly always looked furious, and was ever so + proud, so audacious, that it was difficult to get used to him. His + cruelty and ferocity were so extreme that people avoided him, and his + pretended friends would not invite him to join in any merriment. They + avoided him: he ran after them to escape from solitude, and would + sometimes burst upon them during their jovial repasts, reproach them + with turning a cold shoulder to him, and change their merriment to + desolation. + </p> + <p> + After the death of M. le Duc, a grand discussion on precedence at the + After-suppers, set on foot by the proud Duchesse d'Orleans, was,—after + an elaborate examination by the King, brought to a close. The King + ordered his determination to be kept secret until he formally declared + it. It is necessary to set forth in a few words the mechanism of the + After-suppers every day. The King, on leaving table, stopped less than + a half-quarter of an hour with his back leaning against the balustrade + of his chamber. He there found in a circle all the ladies who had been + at his supper, and who came there to wait for him a little before he + left table, except the ladies who sat, who came out after him, and + who, in the suite of the Princes and the Princesses who had supped + with him, advanced one by one and made him a courtesy, and filled up + the remainder of the standing circle; for a space was always left for + them by the other ladies. The men stood behind. The King amused + himself by observing the dresses, the countenances, and the + gracefulness of the ladies courtesies, said a word to the Princes and + Princesses who had supped with him, and who closed the circle near him + an either hand, then bowed to the ladies on right and left, bowed once + or twice more as he went away, with a grace and majesty unparalleled, + spoke sometimes, but very rarely, to some lady in passing, entered the + first cabinet, where he gave the order, and then advanced to the + second cabinet, the doors from the first to the second always + remaining open. There he placed himself in a fauteuil, Monsieur, while + he was there, in another; the Duchesse de Bourgogne, Madame (but only + after the death of Monsieur), the Duchesse de Berry (after her + marriage), the three bastard-daughters, and Madame du Maine (when she + was at Versailles), on stools on each side. Monseigneur, the Duc de + Bourgogne, the Duc de Berry, the Duc d'Orleans, the two bastards, M. + le Duc (as the husband of Madame la Duchesse), and afterwards the two + sons of M. du Maine, when they had grown a little, and D'Antin, came + afterwards, all standing. It was the object of the Duchesse d'Orleans + to change this order, and make her daughters take precedence of the + wives of the Princes of the blood; but the King declared against her. + When he made the public announcement of his decision, the Duc + d'Orleans took the opportunity of alluding to a marriage which would + console him for everything. "I should think so," replied the King, + dryly, and with a bitter and mocking smile. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0051" id="link2HCH0051"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LI + </h2> + <p> + It was the desire of the Duc and Duchesse d'Orleans to marry + Mademoiselle (their daughter) to the Duc de Berry (third son of + Monseigneur, and consequently brother of the Duc de Bourgogne and of + the King of Spain). There were many obstacles in the way—partly + the state of public affairs —partly the fact that the King, + though seemingly, was not really quite reconciled—partly the + recollection of that cruel 'bon mot' in Spain— partly the fact + that Monseigneur would naturally object to marry his favourite son + with the daughter of a man toward whom he always testified hatred in + the most indecent manner. The recent union between Madame de + Maintenon, Mademoiselle Choin, and Monseigneur was also a great + obstacle. In fact after what M. le Duc d'Or leans had been accused of + in Spain, with his abilities and talents it seemed dangerous to make + him the father-in-law of M. le Duc de Berry. + </p> + <p> + For my part I passionately desired the marriage of Mademoiselle, + although I saw that all tended to the marriage of Mademoiselle de + Bourbon, daughter of Madame la Duchesse, in her place. I had many + reasons, private and public, for acting against the latter marriage; + but it was clear that unless very vigorous steps were taken it would + fall like a mill-stone upon my head, crush me, and wound the persons + to whom I was attached. M. le Duc d'Orleans and Madame la Duchesse + d'Orleans were immersed in the deepest indolence. They desired, but + did not act. I went to them and explained the state of the case—pointed + out the danger of Madame la Duchesse—excited their pride, their + jealousy, their spite. Will it be believed that it was necessary to + put all this machinery in motion? At last, by working on them by the + most powerful motives, I made them attend to their own interests. The + natural but extreme laziness of the Duchesse d'Orleans gave way this + time, but less to ambition than to the desire of defeating a sister + who was so inimical to her. We next concerted how we should make use + of M. d'Orleans himself. + </p> + <p> + That Prince, with all his wit and his passion for Mademoiselle—which + had never weakened since her birth—was like a motionless beam, + which stirred only in obedience to our redoubled efforts, and who + remained so to the conclusion of this great business. I often + reflected on the causes of this incredible conduct, and was led to + suppose that the knowledge of the irremediable nature of what had + taken place in Spain was the rein that restrained him. However this + may have been, I was throughout obliged to use main force to bring him + to activity. I determined to form and direct a powerful cabal in order + to bring my views to pass. The first person of whom it was necessary + to make sure was the Duchesse de Bourgogne. That Princess had many + reasons for the preference of Mademoiselle over Mademoiselle de + Bourbon (daughter of Madame la Duchesse). She knew the King perfectly; + and could not be ignorant of the power of novelty over his mind, of + which power she had herself made a happy experiment. What she had to + fear was another herself—I mean a Princess on the same terms + with the King as she was, who, being younger than she, would amuse him + by new childish playfulness no longer suited to her age, and yet which + she (the Duchess) was still obliged to employ. The very contrast of + her own untimely childishness, with a childishness so much more + natural, would injure her. The new favourite would, moreover, not have + a husband to support; for the Duc de Berry was already well liked. The + Duc de Bourgogne, on the contrary, since the affair of Flanders, had + fallen into disgrace with his father, Monseigneur; and his scruples, + his preciseness, his retired life, devoted to literal compliance with + the rules of devotion, contrasted unfavourably with the free life of + his younger brother. + </p> + <p> + The present and the future—whatever was important in life—were + therefore at stake with Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne; and yet her + great duty to herself was perpetually in danger of being stifled by + the fictitious and petty duties of daily life. It was necessary to + stimulate her. She felt these things in general; and that it was + necessary that her sister-in-law should be a Princess, neither able + nor willing to give her umbrage, and over whom she should be mistress. + But in spite of her wit and sense, she was not capable of feeling in a + sufficiently lively manner of herself all the importance of these + things, amidst the effervescence of her youth, the occupation of her + successive duties, the private and general favour she seemed to enjoy, + the greatness of a rank in expectation of a throne, the round of + amusements which dissipated her mind and her days: gentle, light, easy—perhaps + too easy. I felt, however, that from the effect of these + considerations upon her I should derive the greatest assistance, on + account of the influence she could exert upon the King, and still more + on Madame de Maintenon, both of whom loved her exceedingly; and I felt + also that the Duchesse d'Orleans would have neither the grace nor the + fire necessary to stick it in deep enough —on account of her + great interest in the matter. + </p> + <p> + I influenced the Duchesse de Villeroy and Madame de Levi, who could + work on the Duchess, and also Madame d'O; obtained the indirect + assistance of M. du Maine—and by representing to the Ducs de + Chevreuse, and de Beauvilliers, that if M. de Berry married + Mademoiselle de Bourbon, hatred would arise between him and his + brother, and great danger to the state, enlisted them also on my side. + I knew that the Joie de Berry was a fort that could only be carried by + mine and assault. Working still further, I obtained the concurrence of + the Jesuits; and made the Pere de Trevoux our partisan. Nothing is + indifferent to the Jesuits. They became a powerful instrument. As a + last ally I obtained the co-operation of the Marechal de Boufflers. + Such were the machines that my friendship for those to whom I was + attached, my hatred for Madame la Duchesse, my care of my present and + future situation, enabled me to discover, to set going, with an exact + and compassed movement, a precise agreement, and the strength of a + lever—which the space of one Lent commenced and perfected + —all whose movements, embarrassments, and progress in their + divers lines I knew; and which I regularly wound up in reciprocal + cadence every day! + </p> + <p> + Towards the end of the Lent, the Duchesse de Bourgogne, having sounded + the King and Madame de Maintenon, had found the latter well disposed, + and the former without any particular objection. One day that + Mademoiselle had been taken to see the King at the apartments of + Madame de Maintenon, where Monseigneur happened to be, the Duchesse de + Bourgogne praised her, and when she had gone away, ventured, with that + freedom and that predetermined impulsiveness and gaiety which she + sometimes made use of, to say: "What an excellent wife for M. le Duc + de Berry!" This expression made Monseigneur redden with anger, and + exclaim, "that would be an excellent method of recompensing the Duc + d'Orleans for his conduct in Spain!" When he had said these words he + hastily left the company, all very much astonished; for no one + expected a person seemingly so indifferent and so measured to come out + so strongly. The Duchesse de Bourgogne, who had only spoken so to feel + the way with Monseigneur in presence of the King, was bold and clever + to the end. Turning with a bewildered look towards Madame de + Maintenon, "My Aunt," quoth she to her, "have I said something + foolish?" the King, piqued, answered for Madame de Maintenon, and + said, warmly, that if Madame la Duchesse was working upon Monseigneur + she would have to deal with him. Madame de Maintenon adroitly + envenomed the matter by wondering at a vivacity so uncommon with + Monseigneur, and said that if Madame la Duchesse had that much of + influence, she would soon make him do other things of more + consequence. The conversation, interrupted in various ways and + renewed, advanced with emotion, and in the midst of reflections that + did more injury to Mademoiselle de Bourbon than the friendship of + Monseigneur for Madame la Duchesse could serve her. + </p> + <p> + When I learned this adventure, I saw that it was necessary to attack + Monseigneur by piquing the King against Madame la Duchesse, and making + him fear the influence of that Princess on Monseigneur and through + Monseigneur on himself; that no opportunity should be lost to impress + on the King the fear of being governed and kept in pupilage by his + children; that it was equally important to frighten Madame de + Maintenon, and show her the danger she was in from the influence of + Monseigneur. I worked on the fears of the Duchesse de Bourgogne, by + Madame de Villeroy and de Levi; on the Duc de Bourgogne, by M. de + Beauvilliers; on Madame de Maintenon, by the Marechal de Boufflers; on + the King himself, by the Pere Tellier; and all these batteries + succeeded. + </p> + <p> + In order not to hurry matters too much, I took a turn to La Ferme, and + then came back to Marly just as the King arrived. Here I had a little + alarm, which did not, however, discourage me. I learned, in fact, that + one day the Duchesse de Bourgogne, urged perhaps rather too much on + the subject of Mademoiselle by Madame d'O, and somewhat annoyed, had + shown an inclination for a foreign marriage. Would to God that such a + marriage could have been brought about! I should always have preferred + it, but there were many reasons to render it impossible. + </p> + <p> + On my arrival at Marly, I found everything in trouble there: the King + so chagrined that he could not hide it—although usually a master + of himself and of his face: the Court believing that some new disaster + had happened which would unwillingly be declared. Four or five days + passed in this way: at last it became known what was in the wind. The + King, informed that Paris and all the public were murmuring loudly + about the expenses of Marly—at a time when it was impossible to + meet the most indispensable claims of a necessary and unfortunate war—was + more annoyed this time than on any other occasion, although he had + often received the same warnings. Madame de Maintenon had the greatest + difficulty to hinder him from returning straight to Versailles. The + upshot was that the King declared with a sort of bitter joy, that he + would no longer feed the ladies at Marly; that for the future he would + dine alone, simply, as at Versailles; that he would sup every day at a + table for sixteen with his family, and that the spare places should be + occupied by ladies invited in the morning; that the Princesses of his + family should each have a table for the ladies they brought with them; + and that Mesdames Voysin and Desmarets should each have one for the + ladies who did not choose to eat in their own rooms. He added + bitterly, that by making retrenchments at Marly he should not spend + more there than at Versailles, so that he could go there when he + pleased without being exposed to the blame of any one. He deceived + himself from one end of this business to the other, but nobody but + himself was deceived, if indeed he was in any other way but in + expecting to deceive the world. The truth is, that no change was made + at Marly, except in name. The same expenses went on. The enemies + insultingly ridiculed these retrenchments. The King's subjects did not + cease to complain. + </p> + <p> + About this time an invitation to Marly having been obtained by Madame + la Duchesse for her daughters, Mademoiselles de Bourbon and de + Charolois, the King offered one to Mademoiselle. This offer was + discussed before the Duc and Duchesse d'Orleans and me. We at last + resolved to leave Mademoiselle at Versailles; and not to be troubled + by seeing Mademoiselle de Bourbon passing her days in the same salon, + often at the same play- table with the Duc de Berry, making herself + admired by the Court, fluttering round Monseigneur, and accustoming + the eye of the King to her. We knew that these trifles would not bring + about a marriage; and it was still more important not to give up + Mademoiselle to the malignity of the Court, to exposure, and + complaints, from which it might not always be possible to protect her. + </p> + <p> + But I had felt that it was necessary to act vigorously, and pressed + the Duc d'Orleans to speak to the King. To my surprise he suddenly + heaped up objections, derived from the public disasters, with which a + princely marriage would contrast disagreeably. The Duchesse d'Orleans + was strangely staggered by this admission; it only angered me. I + answered by repeating all my arguments. At last he gave way, and + agreed to write to the King. Here, again, I had many difficulties to + overcome, and was obliged, in fact, to write the letter myself, and + dictate it to him. He made one or two changes; and at last signed and + sealed it. But I had the greatest difficulty yet in inciting him to + give it to the King. I had to follow him, to urge him, to pique him, + almost to push him into the presence. The King received the letter + very graciously; it had its effect; and the marriage was resolved on. + </p> + <p> + When the preliminaries were settled, the Duc and Duchesse d'Orleans + began to show their desire that Madame de Saint-Simon should be lady + of honour to their daughter when she had become the Duchesse de Berry. + I was far from flattered by this distinction and refused as best I + might. Madame de Saint-Simon went to have an audience of the Duchesse + de Bourgogne, and asked not to be appointed; but her objections were + not listened to, or listened to with astonishment. Meanwhile I + endeavoured to bring about a reconciliation of the Duc d'Orleans with + La Choin; but utterly failed. La Choin positively refused to have + anything to do with the Duke and Duchess. I was much embarrassed to + communicate this news to them, to whom I was attached. It was + necessary; however, to do so. I hastened to Saint-Cloud, and found the + Duc and Duchesse d'Orleans at table with Mademoiselle and some ladies + in a most delightful menagerie, adjoining the railing of the avenue + near the village, with a charming pleasure- garden attached to it. All + this belonged, under the name of Mademoiselle, to Madame de Mare, her + governess. I sat down and chatted with them; but the impatience of the + Duc d'Orleans to learn the news could not be checked. He asked me if I + was very satisfied. "Middling," I replied, not to spoil his dinner; + but he rose at once and took me into the garden. He was much affected + to hear of the ill-success of my negotiation; and returned downcast to + table. I took the first opportunity to blame his impatience, and the + facility with which he allowed the impressions he received to appear. + Always in extreme, he said he cared not; and talked wildly of planting + cabbages—talk in which he indulged often without meaning + anything. + </p> + <p> + Soon after, M. le Duc d'Orleans went aside with Mademoiselle, and I + found myself placed accidentally near Madame de Fontaine-Martel. She + was a great friend of mine, and much attached to M. d'Orleans; and it + was by her means that I had become friendly with the Duke. She felt at + once that something was going on; and did not doubt that the marriage + of Mademoiselle was on the carpet. She said so, but I did not answer, + yet without assuming an air of reserve that would have convinced her. + Taking her text from the presence of M. le Duc d'Orleans with + Mademoiselle, she said to me confidentially, that it would be well to + hasten this marriage if it was possible, because all sorts of horrible + things were invented to prevent it; and without waiting to be too much + pressed, she told me that the most abominable stories were in + circulation as to the friendship of father and daughter. The hair of + my head stood on end. I now felt more heavily than ever with what + demons we had to do; and how necessary it was to hurry on matters. For + this reason, after we had walked about a good deal after dark, I again + spoke with M. d'Orleans, and told him that if, before the end of this + voyage to Marly, he did not carry the declaration of his daughter's + marriage, it would never take place. + </p> + <p> + I persuaded him; and left him more animated and encouraged than I had + seen him. He amused himself I know not in what other part of the + house. I then talked a little with Madame de Mare, my relation and + friend, until I was told that Madame de Fontaine-Martel wished to + speak to me in the chateau. When I went there I was taken to the + cabinet of the Duchesse d'Orleans, when I learnt that she had just + been made acquainted with the abominable reports spread against her + husband and daughter. We deplored together the misfortune of having to + do with such furies. The Duchess protested that there was not even any + seeming in favour of these calumnies. The Duke had ever tenderly loved + his daughter from the age of two years, when he was nearly driven to + despair by a serious illness she had, during which he watched her + night and day; and this tenderness had gone on increasing day by day, + so that he loved her more than his son. We agreed that it would be + cruel, wicked, and dangerous to tell M. d'Orleans what was said. + </p> + <p> + At length the decisive blow was struck. The King had an interview with + Monseigneur; and told him he had determined on the marriage, begging + him to make up his mind as soon as possible. The declaration was soon + made. What must have been the state of Madame la Duchesse! I never + knew what took place in her house at this strange moment; and would + have dearly paid for a hiding-place behind the tapestry. As for + Monseigneur, as soon as his original repugnance was overcome, and he + saw that it was necessary to comply, he behaved very well. He received + the Duc and Duchesse d'Orleans very well, and kissed her and drank + their health and that of all the family cheerfully. They were + extremely delighted and surprised. + </p> + <p> + My next visit to Saint-Cloud was very different from that in which I + reported the failure of my endeavours with Mademoiselle Choin. I was + received in triumph before a large company. To my surprise, + Mademoiselle, as soon as I appeared, ran towards me, kissed me on both + cheeks, took me by the hand, and led me into the orangery. Then she + thanked me, and admitted that her father had constantly kept her + acquainted with all the negotiations as they went on. I could not help + blaming his easiness and imprudence. She mingled all with testimonies + of the most lively joy; and I was surprised by her grace, her + eloquence, the dignity and the propriety of the terms she used. I + learned an immense number of things in this half-hour's conversation. + Afterwards Mademoiselle took the opportunity to say and do all manner + of graceful things to Madame de Saint-Simon. + </p> + <p> + The Duchesse d'Orleans now returned once more to the charge, in order + to persuade my wife to be dame d'honneur to her daughter. I refused as + firmly as I could. But soon after the King himself named Madame de + Saint-Simon; and when the Duchesse de Bourgogne suggested a doubt of + her acceptance, exclaimed, almost piqued: "Refuse! O, no! not when she + learns that it is my desire." In fact, I soon received so many + menacing warnings that I was obliged to give in; and Madame de + Saint-Simon received the appointment. This was made publicly known by + the King, who up to that very morning remained doubtful whether he + would be met by a refusal or not; and who, as he was about to speak, + looked at me with a smile that was meant to please and warn me to be + silent. Madame de Saint-Simon learned the news with tears. She was + excellently well received by the King, and complimented agreeably by + Madame de Maintenon. + </p> + <p> + The marriage took place with the usual ceremonies. The Duc de + Beauvilliers and Madame de Saint-Simon drew the curtains of the couple + when they went to bed; and laughed together at being thus employed. + The King, who had given a very mediocre present of diamonds to the new + Duchesse de Berry, gave nothing to the Duc de Berry. The latter had so + little money that he could not play during the first days of the + voyage to Marly. The Duchesse de Bourgogne told this to the King, who, + feeling the state in which he himself was, said that he had only five + hundred pistoles to give him. He gave them with an excuse on the + misfortunes of the time, because the Duchesse de Bourgogne thought + with reason that a little was better than nothing, and that it was + insufferable not to be able to play. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Mare was now set at liberty. The place of Dame d'Atours was + offered to her; but she advanced many reasons for not accepting it, + and on being pressed, refused with an obstinacy that surprised every + one. We were not long in finding out the cause of her obstinate + unwillingness to remain with Madame la Duchesse de Berry. The more + that Princess allowed people to see what she was—and she never + concealed herself—the more we saw that Madame de Mare was in the + right; and the more we admired the miracle of care and prudence which + had prevented anything from coming to light; and the more we felt how + blindly people act in what they desire with the most eagerness, and + achieve with much trouble and much joy; and the more we deplored + having succeeded in an affair which, so far from having undertaken and + carried out as I did, I should have traversed with still greater zeal, + even if Mademoiselle de Bourbon had profited thereby without knowing + it, if I had known half a quarter—what do I say? the thousandth + part—of what we unhappily witnessed! I shall say no more for the + present; and as I go on, I shall only say what cannot be concealed; + and I say thus much so soon merely because the strange things that + soon happened began to develop themselves a little during this first + voyage to Marly. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0052" id="link2HCH0052"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LII + </h2> + <p> + On Saturday, the 15th of February, the King was waked up at seven + o'clock in the morning, an hour earlier than usual, because Madame la + Duchesse de Bourgogne was in the pains of labour. He dressed himself + diligently in order to go to her. She did not keep him waiting long. + At three minutes and three seconds after eight o'clock, she brought + into the world a Duc d'Anjou, who is the King Louis XV., at present + reigning, which caused a great joy. This Prince was soon after + sprinkled by Cardinal de Janson in the chamber where he was born, and + then carried upon the knees of the Duchesse de Ventadour in the sedan + chair of the King into the King's apartments, accompanied by the + Marechal de Boufflers and by the body- guards with officers. A little + while after La Villiere carried to him the cordon bleu, and all the + Court went to see him, two things which much displeased his brother, + who did not scruple to show it. Madame de Saint- Simon, who was in the + chamber of Madame la Dauphine, was by chance one of the first who saw + this new-born Prince. The accouchement passed over very well. + </p> + <p> + About this time died the Marechale de la Meilleraye, aged eighty-eight + years. She was the paternal aunt of the Marechal de Villeroy and the + Duc de Brissac, his brother-in-law. It was she who unwittingly put the + cap on MM. de Brissac, which they have ever since worn in their arms, + and which has been imitated. She was walking in a picture gallery of + her ancestors one day with her niece, a lively, merry person, whom she + obliged to salute and be polite to each portrait, and who in pleasant + revenge persuaded her that one of the said portraits wore a cap which + proved him to be an Italian Prince. She swallowed this, and had the + cap introduced into her, arms, despite her family, who are now obliged + to keep it, but who always call it, "My Aunt's cap." On another + occasion, people were speaking in her presence of the death of the + Chevalier de Savoie, brother of the Comte de Soissons, and of the + famous Prince Eugene, who died very young, very suddenly, very + debauched; and full of benefices. The talk became religious. She + listened some time, and then, with a profound look of conviction, + said: "For my part, I am persuaded that God will think twice about + damning a man of such high birth as that!" This caused a burst of + laughter, but nothing could make her change her opinion. Her vanity + was cruelly punished. She used to affect to apologise for having + married the Marechal de la Meilleraye. After his death, being in love + with Saint-Ruth, her page, she married him; but took care not to + disclose her marriage for fear of losing her distinction at Court. + Saint-Ruth was a very honourable gentleman, very poor, tall, and well + made, whom everybody knew; extremely ugly—I don't know whether + he became so after his marriage. He was a worthy man and a good + soldier. But he was also a rough customer, and when his distinguished + wife annoyed him he twirled his cudgel and belaboured her soundly. + This went so far that the Marechale, not being able to stand it any + longer, demanded an audience of the King, admitted her weakness and + her shame, and implored his protection. The King kindly promised to + set matters to rights. He soundly rated Saint-Ruth in his cabinet, and + forbade him to ill-treat the Marechale. But what is bred in the bone + will never get out of the flesh. The Marechale came to make fresh + complaints. The King grew angry in earnest, and threatened Saint-Ruth. + This kept him quiet for some time. But the habit of the stick was too + powerful; and he flourished it again. The Marechale flew as usual to + the King, who, seeing that Saint-Ruth was incorrigible, was good + enough to send him to Guyenne under pretence, of employment. + Afterwards he was sent to Ireland; where he was killed. + </p> + <p> + The Marechale de la Meilleraye had been perfectly beautiful, and was + full of wit. She so turned the head of the Cardinal de Retz, that he + wanted to turn everything topsy-turvy in France, in order to make + himself, a necessary man and force the King to use his influence at + Rome in order to obtain a dispensation by which he (the Cardinal) + should be allowed, though a priest—and a consecrated bishop, to + marry the Marechale de la Meilleraye while her husband was alive and + she on very good terms with him! This madness is inconceivable and yet + existed. + </p> + <p> + I have described in its place the disgrace of Cardinal de Bouillon, + and the banishment to which he was sentenced. Exile did not improve + him. He languished in weariness and rage, and saw no hope that his + position would ever change. Incapable of repose, he had passed all his + long enforced leisure in a monastic war. The monks of Cluni were his + antagonists. He was constantly bringing actions against them, which + they as constantly defended. He accused them of revolt—they + accused him of scheming. They profited by his disgrace, and omitted + nothing to shake off the yoke which, when in favour, he had imposed on + them. These broils went on, until at last a suit, which Cardinal de + Bouillon had commenced against the refractory monks, and which had + been carried into Grand Council of Paris, was decided against him, + notwithstanding all the efforts he made to obtain a contrary verdict. + This was the last drop which made the too full cup overflow, and which + consummated the resolution that Cardinal had long since had in his + head, and which he now executed. + </p> + <p> + By the terms of his exile, he was allowed to visit, without restraint, + his various abbeys, situated in different parts of the realm. He took + advantage of this privilege, gave out that he was going to Normandy, + but instead of doing so, posted away to Picardy, stopped briefly at + Abbeville, gained Arras, where he had the Abbey of Saint-Waast, thence + feigning to go and see his abbey of Vigogne, he passed over into the + camp of the enemy, and threw himself into the arms of the Duke of + Marlborough and Prince Eugene. The Prince d'Auvergne, his nephew, had + deserted from France in a similar manner some time before, as I have + related in its place, and was in waiting to receive the Cardinal, who + was also very graciously welcomed by Prince Eugene and the Duke of + Marlborough, who introduced him to the heads of the army, and lavished + upon him the greatest honours. + </p> + <p> + Such a change of condition appeared very sweet to this spirit so + haughty and so ulcerated, and marvellously inflated the Cardinal's + courage. He recompensed his dear hosts by discourses, which were the + most agreeable to them, upon the misery of France (which his frequent + journeys through the provinces had placed before his eyes), upon its + powerlessness to sustain the war; upon the discontent which reigned + among the people; upon the exhaustion of the finances; in fine, he + spared nothing that perfidy or ingratitude could suggest to flatter + them and gain their favour. + </p> + <p> + No sooner had the Cardinal had time to turn round among his new + friends than he wrote a letter to the King announcing his flight—a + letter which was such a monstrous production of insolence, of madness, + of felony, and which was written in a style so extravagant and + confused that it deserves to be thus specially alluded to. In this + letter, as full of absurdities, impudence, and of madness, as of + words, the Cardinal, while pretending much devotion for the King, and + much submission to the Church, plainly intimated that he cared for + neither. Although this was as the sting of a gnat upon an elephant, + the King was horribly piqued at it. He received the letter on the 24th + of May, gave it the next day to D'Aguesseau, attorney-general, and + ordered him to commence a suit against Cardinal de Bouillon, as guilty + of felony. At the same time the King wrote to Rome, enclosing a copy + of Bouillon's letter, so that it might be laid before the Pope. This + letter received little approbation. People considered that the King + had forgotten his dignity in writing it, it seemed so much like a + justification and so little worthy, of a great monarch. As for the + Cardinal de Bouillon, he grew more haughty than ever. He wrote a + letter upon the subject of this trial with which he was threatened, + even more violent than his previous letter, and proclaimed that + cardinals were not in any way amenable to secular justice, and could + not be judged except by the Pope and all the sacred college. + </p> + <p> + So in fact it seemed to, be; for although the Parliament commenced the + trial, and issued an order of arrest against the Cardinal, they soon + found themselves stopped by difficulties which arose, and by this + immunity of the cardinals, which was supported by many examples. After + all the fuss made, therefore, this cause fell by its own weakness, and + exhaled itself, so to speak, in insensible perspiration. A fine lesson + this for the most powerful princes, and calculated to teach them that + if they want to be served by Rome they should favour those that are + there, instead of raising their own subjects, who, out of Rome, can be + of no service to the State; and who are good only to seize three or + four hundred thousand livres a year in benefices, with the quarter of + which an Italian would be more than recompensed. A French cardinal in + France is the friend of the Pope, but the enemy of the King, the + Church, and the State; a tyrant very often to the clergy and the + ministers, at liberty to do what he likes without ever being punished + for anything. + </p> + <p> + As nothing could be done in this way against the Cardinal, other steps + were taken. The fraudulent "Genealogical History of the House of + Auvergne," which I have previously alluded to, was suppressed by royal + edict, and orders given that all the copies of it should be seized. + Baluze, who had written it, was deprived of his chair of Professor of + the Royal College, and driven out of the realm. A large quantity of + copies of this edict were printed and publicly distributed. The little + patrimony that Cardinal de Bouillon had not been able to carry away, + was immediately confiscated: the temporality of his benefices had been + already seized, and on the 7th of July appeared a declaration from the + King, which, depriving the Cardinal of all his advowsons, distributed + them to the bishops of the dioceses in which those advowsons were + situated. + </p> + <p> + These blows were very sensibly felt by the other Bouillons, but it was + no time for complaint. The Cardinal himself became more enraged than + ever. Even up to this time he had kept so little within bounds that he + had pontifically officiated in the church of Tournai at the Te Deum + for the taking of Douai (by the enemies); and from that town + (Tournai), where he had fixed his residence, he wrote a long letter to + M. de Beauvais,— bishop of the place, when it yielded, and who + would not sing the Te Deum, exhorting him to return to Tournai and + submit to the new rule. Some time after this, that is to say, towards + the end of the year, he was guilty of even greater presumption. The + Abbey of Saint-Arnaud, in Flanders, had just been given by the King to + Cardinal La Tremoille, who had been confirmed in his possession by + bulls from the Pope. Since then the abbey had fallen into the power of + the enemy. Upon this, Cardinal de Bouillon caused himself to be + elected Abbot by a minority of the monks and in spite of the + opposition of the others. It was curious to see this dutiful son of + Rome, who had declared in his letter to the King, that he thought of + nothing except the dignity of the King, and how he could best. serve + God and the Church, thus elect him self in spite of the bull of the + Pope, in spite of the orders of the King, and enjoy by force the + revenues of the abbey, protected solely by heretics! + </p> + <p> + But I have in the above recital alluded to the taking of Douai: this + reminds me that I have got to speak of our military movements, our + losses, and our victories, of this year. In Flanders and in Spain they + were of some importance, and had better, perhaps, have a chapter or + more to themselves. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0053" id="link2HCH0053"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LIII + </h2> + <p> + The King, who had made numberless promotions, appointed this year the + same generals to the same armies. Villars was chosen for Flanders, as + before. Having, arrived at the very summit of favour, he thought he + might venture, for the first time in his life, to bring a few truths + before the King. He did nothing then but represent to the ministers, + nay, even to the King and Madame de Maintenon themselves, the wretched + state of our magazines and our garrisons; the utter absence of all + provision for the campaign, and the piteous condition of the troops + and their officers, without money and without pay. This was new + language in the mouth of Villars, who hitherto had owed all his + success to the smiling, rose-tinted account he had given of + everything. It was the frequency and the hardihood of his falsehoods + in this respect that made the King and Madame de Maintenon look upon + him as their sole resource; for he never said anything disagreeable, + and never found difficulties anywhere. Now that he had raised this + fatal curtain, the aspect appeared so hideous to them, that they found + it easier to fly into a rage than to reply. From that moment they + began to regard Villars with other eyes. Finding that he spoke now the + language which everybody spoke, they began to look upon him as the + world had always looked upon him, to find him ridiculous, silly, + impudent, lying, insupportable; to reproach themselves with having + elevated him from nothing, so rapidly and so enormously; they began to + shun him, to put him aside, to make him perceive what they thought, + and to let others perceive it also. + </p> + <p> + Villars in his turn was frightened. He saw the prospect of losing what + he had gained, and of sinking into hopeless disgrace. With the + effrontery that was natural to him, he returned therefore to his usual + flatteries, artifices, and deceits; laughed at all dangers and + inconveniences, as having resources in himself against everything! The + coarseness of this variation was as plain as possible; but the + difficulty of choosing another general was equally plain, and Villars + thus got out of the quagmire. He set forth for the frontier, + therefore, in his coach, and travelling easy stages, on account of his + wound, arrived in due time at the army. + </p> + <p> + Neither Prince Eugene nor the Duke of Marlborough wished for peace; + their object was, the first, from personal vengeance against the King, + and a desire to obtain a still greater reputation; the second, to get + rich, for ambition was the prominent passion of one, and avarice of + the other— their object was, I say, to enter France, and, + profiting by the extreme weakness and straitened state of our troops + and of our places, to push their conquests as far as possible. + </p> + <p> + As for the King, stung by his continual losses, he wished passionately + for nothing so much as a victory, which should disturb the plans of + the enemies, and deliver him from the necessity of continuing the sad + and shameful negotiations for peace he had set an foot at + Gertruydemberg. But the enemies were well posted, end Villars had + imprudently lost a good opportunity of engaging them. All the army had + noticed this fault; he had been warned in time by several general + officers, and by the Marechal de Montesquiou, but he would not believe + them. He did not dare to attack the enemies, now, after having left + them leisure to make all their dispositions. The army cried aloud + against so capital a fault. Villars answered with his usual + effrontery. He had quarrelled with his second in command, the Marechal + de Montesquiou, and now knew not what to do. + </p> + <p> + In this crisis, no engagement taking place, the King thought it + fitting to send Berwick into Flanders to act as mediator, even, to + some extent, as dictator to the army. He was ordered to bring back an + account of all things, so that it might be seen whether a battle could + or could not be fought. + </p> + <p> + I think I have already stated who Berwick was; but I will here add a + few more words about him to signalise his prodigious and rapid + advancement. + </p> + <p> + We were in the golden age of bastards, and Berwick was a man who had + reason to think so. Bastard of James II., of England, he had arrived + in France, at the age of eighteen, with that monarch, after the + Revolution of 1688. At twenty-two he was made lieutenant-general, and + served as such in Flanders, without having passed through any other + rank. At thirty-three he commanded in chief in Spain with a patent of + general. At thirty-four he was made, on account of his victory at + Almanza, Grandee of Spain, and Chevalier of the Golden Fleece. He + continued to command in chief until February, 1706, when he was made + Marshal of France, being then not more than thirty-six years old. He + was an English Duke, and although as such he had no rank in France, + the King had awarded it to him, as to all who came over with James. + This was making a rapid fortune with a vengeance, under a King who + regarded people of thirty-odd as children, but who thought no more of + the ages of bastards than of those of the gods. + </p> + <p> + For more than a year past Berwick had coveted to be made Duke and + Peer; But he could not obtain his wish. Now, however, that he was to + be sent into Flanders for the purpose I have just described, it seemed + a good opportunity to try again. He did try, and was successful. He + was made Duke and Peer. He had been twice married. By his first wife + he had had a son. By his second several sons and daughters. Will it be + believed, that he was hardy enough to propose, and that we were weak + enough to accord to him, that his son of the first bed should be + formally excluded from the letters-patent of Duke and Peer, and that + those of the second bed should alone be entered there? Yet so it was. + Berwick was, in respect to England, like the Jews, who await the + Messiah. He coaxed himself always with the hope of a revolution in + England, which should put the Stuarts on the throne again, and + reinstate him in his wealth and honours. He was son of the sister of + the Duke of Marlborough, by which general he was much loved, and with + whom, by permission of the King, and of King James, he kept up a + secret intercourse, of which all three were the dupes, but which + enabled Berwick to maintain other intercourses in England, and to + establish his batteries there, hoping thus for his reinstatement even + under the government established. This explains his motive for the + arrangement he made in the letters-patent. He wished his eldest son to + succeed to his English dukedom and his English estates; to make the + second Duke and Peer of France, and the third Grandee of Spain. Three + sons hereditarily elevated to the three chief dignities of the three, + chief realms in Europe, it must be agreed was not bad work for a man + to have achieved at fifty years of age! But Berwick failed in his + English projects. Do what he could all his life to court the various + ministers who came from England, he never could succeed in + reestablishing himself. + </p> + <p> + The scandal was great at the complaisance of the King in consenting to + a family arrangement, by which a cadet was put over the head of his + elder brother; but the time of the monsters had arrived. Berwick + bought an estate that he created under the name of Fitz-James. The + King, who allowed him to do so, was shocked by the name; and, in my + presence, asked Berwick the meaning of it; he, without any + embarrassment, thus explained it. + </p> + <p> + The Kings of England, in legitimatising their children gave them a + name and arms, which pass to their posterity. The name varies. Thus + the Duke of Richmond, bastard of Charles II., had the name of + "Lennox;" the Dukes of Cleveland and of Grafton, by the same king, + that of "Fitz-Roi," which means "son of the king;" in fine, the Duke + of Berwick had the name of "Fitz-James;" so that his family name for + his posterity is thus "Son of James;" as a name, it is so ridiculous + in French, that nobody could help laughing at it, or being astonished + at the scandal of imposing it in English upon France. + </p> + <p> + Berwick having thus obtained his recompense beforehand, started off + for Flanders, but not until he had seen everything signed and sealed + and delivered in due form. He found the enemy so advantageously + placed, and so well prepared, that he had no difficulty in subscribing + to the common opinion of the general officers, that an attack could no + longer be thought of. He gathered up all the opinions he could, and + then returned to Court, having been only about three weeks absent. His + report dismayed the King, and those who penetrated it. Letters from + the army soon showed the fault of which Villars had been guilty, and + everybody revolted against this wordy bully. + </p> + <p> + He soon after was the subject of common talk at the Court, and in the + army, in consequence of a ridiculous adventure, in which he was the + hero. His wound, or the airs that he gave himself in consequence of + it, often forced him to hold his leg upon the neck of his horse, + almost in the same manner as ladies do. One day, he let slip the + remark that he was sick to death of mounting on horseback like those + "harlots" in the suite of Madame de Bourgogne. Those "harlots," I will + observe parenthetically, were all the young ladies of the Court, and + the daughters of Madame la Duchesse! Such a remark uttered by a + general not much loved, speedily flew from one end of the camp to the + other, and was not long in making its way to the Court and to Paris. + The young horsewomen alluded to were offended; their friends took up + arms for them, and Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne could not help + showing irritation, or avoid complaining. + </p> + <p> + Villars was apprised of all, and was much troubled by this increase of + enemies so redoubtable, of whom just then he assuredly had no need. He + took it into his head to try and discover who had blabbed; and found + it was Heudicourt, whom Villars, to advance his own interests, by + means of Heudicourt's mother (who was the evil genius of Madame de + Maintenon,) had protected; and to whom even, much against his custom, + he had actually not lent, but given money. + </p> + <p> + This Heudicourt (whom I have previously allluded to, 'a propos' of a + song he wrote) was a merry wag who excelled in making fun of people, + in highly-seasoned pleasantry, and in comic songs. Spoiled by the + favour which had always sustained him, he gave full licence to his + tongue, and by this audacity had rendered himself redoubtable. He was + a scurrilous wretch, a great drunkard, and a debauchee; not at all + cowardly, and with a face hideous as that of an ugly satyr. He was not + insensible to this; and so, unfitted for intrigues himself, he + assisted others in them, and, by this honest trade, had acquired many + friends amongst the flower of the courtiers of both sexes—above + all with the ladies. By way of contrast to his wickedness, he was + called "the good little fellow" and "the good little fellow" was mixed + up in all intrigues; the ladies of the Court positively struggled for + him; and not one of them, even of the highest ranks, would have dared + to fall out with him. Thus protected, he was rather an embarrassing + customer for Marechal de Villars, who, nevertheless, falling back as + usual upon his effrontery, hit upon a bright project to bring home to + Heudicourt the expedient he had against him. + </p> + <p> + He collected together about fifteen general officers, and Heudicourt + with them. When they had all arrived, he left his chamber, and went to + them. A number of loiterers had gathered round. This was just what + Villars wanted. He asked all the officers in turn, if they remembered + hearing him utter the expression attributed to him. Albergotti said he + remembered to have heard Villars apply the term "harlots" to the + sutlers and the camp creatures, but never to any other woman. All the + rest followed in the same track. Then Villars, after letting out + against this frightful calumny, and against the impostor who had + written and sent it to the Court, addressed himself to Heudicourt, + whom he treated in the most cruel fashion. "The good little fellow" + was strangely taken aback, and wished to defend himself; but Villars + produced proofs that could not be contradicted. Thereupon the + ill-favoured dog avowed his turpitude, and had the audacity to + approach Villars in order to speak low to him; but the Marechal, + drawing back, and repelling him with an air of indignation, said to + him, aloud, that with scoundrels like him he wished for no privacy. + Gathering up, his pluck at this, Heudicourt gave rein to all his + impudence, and declared that they who had been questioned had not + dared to own the truth for fear of offending a Marechal; that as for + himself he might have been wrong in speaking and writing about it, but + he had not imagined that words said before such a numerous company; + and in such a public place, could remain secret, or that he had done + more harm in writing about them that so, many others who had acted + likewise. + </p> + <p> + The Marechal, outraged upon hearing so bold and so truthful a reply, + let out with, greater violence than ever against Heudicourt, accused + him of ingratitude and villainy, drove him away, and a few minutes + after had him arrested and conducted as a prisoner to the chateau at + Calais. This violent scene made as much stir at the Court and in the + army as that which had caused it. The consistent and public conduct of + Villars was much approved. The King declared that he left Heudicourt + in his hands: Madame de Maintenon and, Madame de Bourgogne, that they + abandoned him; and his friends avowed that his fault was inexcusable. + But the tide soon turned. After the first hubbub, the excuse of "the + good little fellow" appeared excellent to the ladies who had their + reasons for liking him and for fearing to irritate him; and also to + the army, where the Marechal was not liked. Several of the officers + who had been publicly interrogated by Villars, now admitted that they + had been taken by surprise, and had not wished to compromise + themselves. It was even, going into base details, argued that the + Marechal's expression could not apply to the vivandieres and the other + camp women, as they always rode astride, one leg on this side one leg + on the other, like men, a manner very different from that of the + ladies of Madame de Bourgogne. People contested the power of a general + to deal out justice upon his inferiors for personal matters in which + the service was in nowise concerned; in a word, Heudicourt was soon + let out of Calais, and remained "the good little fellow" in fashion in + spite of the Marechal, who, tormented by so many things this campaign, + sought for and obtained permission to go and take the waters; and did + so. He was succeeded by Harcourt, who was himself in weak health. Thus + one cripple replaced another. One began, the other ended, at + Bourbonne. Douai, Saint-Venant, and Aire fell into the hands of the + enemy during this 'campaign, who thus gained upon us more and more, + while we did little or nothing. This was the last campaign in Flanders + of the Duke of Marlborough. On the Rhine our troops observed and + subsisted: nothing more; but in Spain there was more movement, and I + will therefore turn my glances towards that country, and relate what + took place there. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0054" id="link2HCH0054"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LIV + </h2> + <p> + Before I commence speaking of the affairs of Spain, let me pass + lightly over an event which, engrafted upon some others, made much + noise, notwithstanding the care taken to stifle it. + </p> + <p> + Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne supped at Saint-Cloud one evening with + Madame la Duchesse de Berry and others—Madame de Saint-Simon + absenting herself from the party. Madame la Duchesse de Berry and M. + d'Orleans— but she more than he—got so drunk, that Madame + la Duchesse d'Orleans, Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne, and the rest + of the numerous company there assembled, knew not what to do. M. le + Duc de Berry was there, and him they talked over as well as they + could; and the numerous company was amused by the Grand Duchess as + well as she was able. The effect of the wine, in more ways than one, + was such, that people were troubled. In spite of all, the Duchesse de + Berry could not be sobered, so that it became necessary to carry her, + drunk as she was; to Versailles. All the servants saw her state, and + did not keep it to themselves; nevertheless, it was hidden from the + King, from Monseigneur, and from Madame de Maintenon. + </p> + <p> + And now, having related this incident, let me turn to Spain. + </p> + <p> + The events which took place in that country were so important, that I + have thought it best to relate them in a continuous narrative without + interruption. We must go back to the commencement of the year, and + remember the dangerous state which Spain was thrown into, delivered up + to her own weakness, France being too feeble to defend her; finding it + difficult enough, in fact, to defend herself, and willing to abandon + her ally entirely in the hope by this means to obtain peace. + </p> + <p> + Towards the end of March the King of Spain set out from Madrid to put + himself at the head of his army in Aragon. Villadatias, one of his + best and oldest general officers, was chosen to command under him. The + King of Spain went from Saragossa to Lerida, where he was received + with acclamations by the people and his army. He crossed the Segre on + the 14th of May, and advanced towards Balaguier; designing to lay + siege to it. But heavy rains falling and causing the waters to rise, + he was obliged to abandon his project. Joined a month afterwards by + troops arrived from Flanders, he sought to attack the enemy, but was + obliged to content himself for the moment by scouring the country, and + taking some little towns where the Archduke had established stores. + All this time the Count of Staremberg, who commanded the forces of the + Archduke, was ill; this circumstance the King of Spain was profiting + by. But the Count grew well again quicker than was expected; promptly + assembled his forces; marched against the army of the King of Spain; + engaged it, and obliged it, all astonished, to retire under Saragossa. + This ill-success fell entirely on Villadarias, who was accused of + imprudence and negligence. The King of Spain was desperately in want + of generals, and M. de Vendome, knowing this, and sick to death of + banishment, had asked some little time before to be allowed to offer + his services. At first he was snubbed. But the King of Spain, who + eagerly wished for M. de Vendome, despatched a courier, after this + defeat, begging the King to allow him to come and take command. The + King held out no longer. + </p> + <p> + The Duc de Vendome had prepared everything in advance; and having got + over a slight attack of gout, hastened to Versailles. M. du Maine had + negotiated with Madame de Maintenon to obtain permission to take + Vendome to the Duchesse de Bourgogne. The opportunity seemed + favourable to them. Vendome was going to Spain to serve the brother + and sister of the Duchess; and his departure without seeing her would + have had a very disagreeable effect. The Duc du Maine, followed by + Vendome, came then that day to the toilette of the Duchesse de + Bourgogne. There happened that there was a very large company of men + and ladies. The Duchess rose for them, as she always did for the + Princes of the blood and others, and for all the Dukes and Duchesses, + and sat down again as usual; but after this first glance, which could + not be refused, she, though usually very talkative and accustomed to + look round, became for once attentive to her adornment, fixed her eyes + on her mirror, and spoke no more to any one. M. du Maine, with M. de + Vendome stuck by his side, remained very disconcerted; and M. du + Maine, usually so free and easy, dared not utter a single word. Nobody + went near them or spoke to them. They remained thus about half a + quarter of an hour, with an universal silence throughout the chamber—all + eyes being fixed on them; and not being able to stand this any longer, + slunk away. This reception was not sufficiently agreeable to induce + Vendome to pay his respects at parting; for it would have been more + embarrassing still if, when according to custom he advanced to kiss + the Duchesse de Bourgogne, she had given him the unheard-of affront of + a refusal. As for the Duc de Bourgogne, he received Vendome tolerably + politely, that is to say, much too well. + </p> + <p> + Staremberg meanwhile profited by the advantage he had gained; he + attacked the Spanish army under Saragossa and totally defeated it. + Artillery, baggage, all was lost; and the rout was complete. This + misfortune happened on the 20th of August. The King, who had witnessed + it from Saragossa, immediately afterwards took the road for Madrid. + Bay, one of his generals, gathered together eighteen thousand men, + with whom he retired to Tudela, without any impediment on the part of + the enemy. + </p> + <p> + M. de Vendome learnt the news of this defeat while on his way to + Spain. Like a prudent man as he was, for his own interests, he stopped + at once so as to see what turn affairs were taking, and to know how to + act. He waited at Bayonne, gaining time there by sending a courier to + the King for instructions how to act, and remaining until the reply + came. After its arrival he set out to continue his journey, and joined + the King of Spain at Valladolid. + </p> + <p> + Staremberg, after his victory, was joined by the Archduke, and a + debate soon took place as to the steps next to be taken. Staremberg + was for giving battle to the army of eighteen thousand men under Bay, + which I have just alluded to, beating it, and then advancing little by + little into Spain, to make head against the vanquished army of the + King. Had this advice been acted on, it could scarcely have failed to + ruin the King of Spain, and the whole country must have fallen into + the hands of the enemy. But it was not acted on. Stanhope, who + commanded the English and Dutch troops, said that his Queen had + ordered him to march upon Madrid when possible, in preference to every + other place. He therefore proposed that they should go straight to + Madrid with the Archduke, proclaim him King there, and thus terrify + all Spain by seizing the capital. Staremberg, who admitted that the + project was dazzling, sustained, however, that it was of little use, + and of great danger. He tried all in his power to shake the + inflexibility of Stanhope, but in vain, and at last was obliged to + yield as being the feebler of the two. The time lost in this dispute + saved the wreck of the army which had just been defeated. What was + afterwards done saved the King of Spain. + </p> + <p> + When the plan of the allies became known, however, the consternation + at Madrid, which was already great, was extreme. The King resolved to + withdraw from a place which could not defend itself, and to carry away + with him the Queen, the Prince, and the Councils. The grandees + declared that they would follow the King and his fortune everywhere, + and very few failed to do so; the departure succeeded the declaration + in twenty-four hours. The Queen, holding the Prince in her arms, at a + balcony of the palace, spoke to the people assembled beneath, with so + much grace, force, and courage, that the success she had is + incredible. The impression that the people received was communicated + everywhere, and soon gained all the provinces. The Court thus left + Madrid for the second time in the midst of the most lamentable cries, + uttered from the bottom of their hearts, by people who came from town + and country, and who so wished to follow the King and Queen that + considerable effort was required in order to induce them to return, + each one to his home. + </p> + <p> + Valladolid was the retreat of this wretched Court, which in the most + terrible trouble it had yet experienced, lost neither judgment nor + courage. Meanwhile the grandest and rarest example of attachment and + of courage that had ever been heard of or seen was seen in Spain. + Prelates and the humblest of the clergy, noblemen and the poorest + people, lawyers and artisans all bled themselves of the last drop of + their substance, in order to form new troops and magazines, and to + provide all kinds of provisions for the Court, and those who had + followed it. Never nation made more efforts so surprising, with a + unanimity and a concert which acted everywhere at once. The Queen sold + off all she possessed, received with her own hands sometimes even as + little as ten pistoles, in order to content the zeal of those; who + brought, and thanked them with as much affection as they themselves + displayed. She would continually say that she should like to put + herself at the head of her troops, with her son in her arms. With this + language and her conduct, she gained all hearts, and was very useful + in such a strange extremity. + </p> + <p> + The Archduke meanwhile arrived in Madrid with his army. He entered + there in triumph, and caused himself to be proclaimed King of Spain, + by the violence of his troops, who dragged the trembling Corregidor + through the streets, which for the most part were deserted, whilst the + majority of the houses were without inhabitants, the few who remained + having barricaded their doors and windows, and shut themselves up in + the most remote places, where the troops did not dare to break in upon + them, for fear of increasing the visible and general despair, and in + the hope of gaining by gentleness. The entry of the Archduke was not + less sad than his proclamation. A few scarcely audible and feeble + acclamations were heard, but were so forced that the Archduke, + sensibly astonished, made them cease of himself. He did not dare to + lodge in the palace, or in the centre of Madrid, but slept at the + extremity of the city, and even there only for two or three nights. + Scarcely any damage was inflicted upon the town. Staremberg was + careful to gain over the inhabitants by conciliation and clemency; yet + his army perished of all kinds of misery. + </p> + <p> + Not a single person could be found to supply it with subsistence for + man or beast—not even when offered money. Prayers, menaces, + executions, all were perfectly useless. There was not a Castilian who + would not have believed himself dishonourable in selling the least + thing to the enemies, or in allowing them to take it. It is thus that + this magnanimous people, without any other help than their courage and + their fidelity, sustained themselves in the midst of their enemies, + whose army they caused to perish; while at the same time; by + inconceivable prodigies, they formed a new army for themselves, + perfectly equipped and furnished, and put thus, by themselves; alone, + and for the second time, the crown upon the head of their King; with a + glory for ever an example to all the people of Europe; so true it is + that nothing approaches the strength which is found in the heart of a + nation for the succour and re-establishment of kings! + </p> + <p> + Stanhope, who had not failed to see the excellence of Staremberg's + advice from the first moment of their dispute, now said insolently, + that having executed the orders of his Queen, it was for Staremberg to + draw the army out of its embarrassment. As for himself, he had nothing + more to do in the matter! When ten or twelve days had elapsed, it was + resolved to remove from Madrid towards Toledo. From the former place + nothing was taken away, except same of the king's tapestry; which + Stanhope was not ashamed to carry off, but which he did not long keep. + This act of meanness was blamed even by his own countrymen. Staremberg + did not make a long stay at Toledo, but in quitting the town, burnt + the superb palace in the Moorish style that Charles Quint had built + there, and that, was called the Alcazar. This was an irreparable + damage, which he made believe happened accidentally. + </p> + <p> + As nothing now hindered the King of Spain from going to see his + faithful subjects at Madrid, he entered that city on the 2nd of + December, in the midst of an infinite crowd and incredible + acclamations. He descended at the church of Notre Dame d'Atocha, and + was three hours in arriving at the palace, so prodigious was the + crowd. The city made a present to him of twenty thousand pistoles. On + the fourth day after his arrival at Madrid, the King left, in order to + join M. de Vendeme and his army. + </p> + <p> + But a little while before, this monarch was a fugitive wanderer, + almost entirely destroyed, without troops, without money, and without + subsistence. Now he found himself at the head of ten or fifteen + thousand men well armed, well clad, well paid, with provisions, money, + and ammunition in abundance; and this magical change was brought about + by the sudden universal conspiracy of the unshakable fidelity and + attachment— without example, of all the orders of his subjects; + by their efforts and their industry, as prodigious the one as the + other. + </p> + <p> + Vendome, in the utmost surprise at a change so little to be hoped for, + wished to profit by it by joining the army under Bay, which was too + weak itself to appear before Staremberg. Vendome accordingly set about + making this junction, which Staremberg thought only how to hinder. He + knew well the Duc de Vendome. In Savoy he had gained many a march upon + him; had passed five rivers in front of him; and in spite of him had + led his troops to M. de Savoie. Staremberg thought only therefore in + what manner he could lay a trap for M. de Vendome, in which he, with + his army, might fall and break his neck without hope of escape. With + this view he put his army into quarters access to which was easy + everywhere, which were near each other, and which could assist each + other in case of need. He then placed all his English and Dutch, + Stanhope at their head, in Brighuega, a little fortified town in good + condition for defence. It was at the head of all the quarters of + Staremberg's army, and at the entrance of a plain over which M. de + Vendome had to pass to join Bay. + </p> + <p> + Staremberg was on the point of being joined by his army of + Estremadura, so that in the event of M. de Vendeme attacking + Brighuega, as he hoped, he had a large number of troops to depend + upon. + </p> + <p> + Vendome, meanwhile, set out on his march. He was informed of + Staremberg's position, but in a manner just such as Staremberg wished; + that is to say, he was led to believe that Stanhope had made a wrong + move in occupying Brighuega, that he was too far removed from + Staremberg to receive any assistance from him, and that he could be + easily overpowered. That is how matters appeared to Vendome. He + hastened his march, therefore, made his dispositions, and on the 8th + of December, after mid- day, approached Brighuega, called upon it to + surrender, and upon its refusal, prepared to attack it. + </p> + <p> + Immediately afterwards his surprise was great, upon discovering that + there were so many troops in the town, and that instead of having to + do with a mere outpost, he was engaged against a place of some + consequence. He did not wish to retire, and could not have done so + with impunity. He set to therefore, storming in his usual manner, and + did what he could to excite his troops to make short work, of a + conquest so different from what he had imagined, and so dangerous to + delay. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, the weight of his mistake pressed upon him as the hours + passed and he saw fresh enemies arrive. Two of his assaults had + failed: he determined to play at double or quits, and ordered a third + assault. While the dispositions were being made, on the 9th of + December he learnt that Staremberg was marching against him with four + or five thousand men, that is to say, with just about half of what he + really led. In this anguish, Vendome did not hesitate to stake even + the Crown of Spain upon the hazard of the die. His third attack was + made with all the force of which he was capable. Every one of the + assailants knew the extremity of the danger, and behaved with so much + valour and impetuosity, that the town was carried in spite of an + obstinate resistance. The besieged were obliged to yield, and to the + number of eight battalions and eight squadrons, surrendered themselves + prisoners of war, and with them, Stanhope, their general, who, so + triumphant in Madrid, was here obliged to disgorge the King's + tapestries that he had taken from the palace. + </p> + <p> + While the capitulation was being made, various information came to + Vendome of Staremberg's march, which it was necessary, above all, to + hide from the prisoners, who, had they known their liberator was only + a league and a half distant from them, as he was then, would have + broken the capitulation; and defended themselves. M. de Vendome's + embarrassment was great. He had, at the same time, to march out and + meet Staremberg and to get rid of, his numerous prisoners. All was + done, however, very successfully. Sufficient troops were left in + Brighuega to attend to the evacuation, and when it was at an end, + those troops left the place themselves and joined their comrades, who, + with M. de Vendome, were waiting for Staremberg outside the town, at + Villaviciosa, a little place that afterwards gave its name to the + battle. Only four hundred men were left in Brighuega. + </p> + <p> + M. de Vendome arranged his army in order of battle in a tolerably open + plain, but embarrassed by little knolls in several places; very + disadvantageous for the cavalry. Immediately afterwards the cannon + began to fire on both sides, and almost immediately the two links of + the King of Spain prepared to charge. After the battle had proceeded + some time, M. de Vendome perceived that his centre began to give way, + and that the left of his cavalry could not break the right of the + enemies. He thought all was lost, and gave orders accordingly to his + men to retire towards Torija. Straightway, too, he directed himself in + that direction, with the King of Spain and a good part of his troops. + While thus retreating, he learnt that two of his officers had charged + the enemy's infantry with the cavalry they had at their orders, had + much knocked it about and had rendered themselves masters, on the + field of battle, of a large number of-prisoners, and of the artillery + that the enemy had abandoned. News so agreeable and so little expected + determined the Duc de Vendome and the King of Spain to return to the + battle with the troops that had followed them. The day was, in fact, + won just as night came on. The enemies abandoned twenty pieces of + cannon, two mortars, their wounded and their equipages; and numbers of + them were taken prisoners. But Staremberg, having all the night to + himself, succeeded in retiring in good order with seven or eight + thousand men. His baggage and the majority of his waggons fell a prey + to the vanquisher. Counting the garrison of Brighuega, the loss to the + enemy was eleven thousand men killed or taken, their ammunition, + artillery, baggage, and a great number of flags and standards. + </p> + <p> + When we consider the extreme peril the Crown of Spain ran in these + engagements, and that this time, if things had gone ill there was no + resource, we tremble still. Had a catastrophe happened, there was + nothing to hope from France. Its exhaustion and its losses would not + have enabled it to lend aid. In its desire for peace, in fact, it + would have hailed the loss of the Spanish Crown as a relief. The + imprudence, therefore, of M. de Vendome in so readily falling into the + snare laid for him, is all the more to be blamed. He takes no trouble + to inform himself of the dispositions of the enemy; he comes upon a + place which he believes a mere post, but soon sees it contains a + numerous garrison, and finds that the principal part of the enemy's + army is ready to fall upon him as he makes the attack. Then he begins + to see in what ship he has embarked; he sees the double peril of a + double action to sustain against Stanhope, whom he must overwhelm by + furious assault, and against Staremberg, whom he must meet and defeat; + or, leave to the enemies the Crown of Spain, and perhaps the person of + Philip V., as price of his folly. Brighuega is gained, but it is + without him. Villaviciosa is gained, but it is also without him. This + hero is not sharp-sighted enough to see success when it comes. He + thinks it defeat, and gives orders for retreat. When informed that the + battle is gained, he returns to the field, and as daylight comes + perceives the fact to be so. He is quite without shame for his stupid + mistake, and cries out that he has vanquished, with an impudence to + which the Spaniards were not accustomed; and, to conclude, he allows + Staremberg's army to get clean off, instead of destroying it at once, + as he might have done, and so finished the war. Such were the exploits + of this great warrior, so desired in Spain to resuscitate it, and + such, were the first proofs of his capacity upon arriving in that + country! + </p> + <p> + At the moment that the King of Spain was led back to the battle-field + by Vendome, and that they could no longer doubt their good fortune, he + sent a courier to the Queen. Her mortal anguish was on the instant + changed into so great a joy, that she went out immediately on foot + into the streets of Vittoria, where all was delight; as it soon was + over all Spain. The news of the victory was brought to the King (of + France) by Don Gaspard de Zuniga, who gave an exact account of all + that had occurred, hiding nothing respecting M. de Vendome, who was + thus unmasked and disgraced, in spite of every effort on the part of + his cabal to defend him. + </p> + <p> + Among the allies, all the blame, of this defeat fell upon Stanhope. + Seven or eight hours more of resistance on his part at Brighuega would + have enabled Staremberg to come up to his assistance, and all the + resources of Spain would then have been annihilated. Staremberg, + outraged at the ill-success of his undertaking, cried out loudly + against Stanhope. Some of the principal officers who had been at + Brighuega seconded these complaints. Stanhope even did not dare to + deny his fault. He was allowed to demand leave of absence to go home + and defend himself. He was badly received, stripped of all military + rank in England and Holland, and (as well as the officers under him) + was not without fear of his degradation, and was even in danger of his + life. + </p> + <p> + This recital of the events that took place in Spain has led me away + from other matters of earlier date. It is time now that I should + return to them. + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0065" id="link2H_4_0065"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VOLUME 8. + </h2> + <a name="link2HCH0055" id="link2HCH0055"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LV + </h2> + <p> + Although, as we have just seen, matters were beginning to brighten a + little in Spain, they remained as dull and overcast as ever in France. + The impossibility of obtaining peace, and the exhaustion of the realm, + threw, the King into the most cruel anguish, and Desmarets into the + saddest embarrassment. The paper of all kinds with which trade was + inundated, and which had all more or less lost credit, made a chaos + for which no remedy could be perceived. State-bills, bank-bills, + receiver- general's-bills, title-bills, utensil-bills, were the ruin + of private people, who were forced by the King to take them in + payment, and who lost half, two-thirds, and sometimes more, by the + transaction. This depreciation enriched the money people, at the + expense of the public; and the circulation of money ceased, because + there was no longer any money; because the King no longer paid + anybody, but drew his revenues still; and because all the specie out + of his control was locked up in the coffers of the possessors. + </p> + <p> + The capitation tax was doubled and trebled, at the will of the + Intendants of the Provinces; merchandise and all kinds of provision + were taxed to the amount of four times their value; new taxes of all + kinds and upon all sorts of things were exacted; all this crushed + nobles and roturiers, lords and clergy, and yet did not bring enough + to the King, who drew the blood of all his subjects, squeezed out + their very marrow, without distinction, and who enriched an army of + tax-gatherers and officials of all kinds, in whose hands the best part + of what was collected remained. + </p> + <p> + Desmarets, in whom the King had been forced to put all his confidence + in finance matters, conceived the idea of establishing, in addition to + so many taxes, that Royal Tithe upon all the property of each + community and of each private person of the realm, that the Marechal + de Vauban, on the one hand, and Boisguilbert on the other, had + formerly proposed; but, as I have already described, as a simple and + stile tax which would suffice for all, which would all enter the + coffers of the King, and by means of which every other impost would be + abolished. + </p> + <p> + We have seen what success this proposition met with; how the fanciers + trembled at it; how the ministers blushed at it, with what anathemas + it was rejected, and to what extent these two excellent and skilful + citizens were disgraced. All this must be recollected here, since + Desmarets, who had not lost sight of this system (not as relief and + remedy—unpardonable crimes in the financial doctrine), now had + recourse to it. + </p> + <p> + He imparted his project to three friends, Councillors of State, who + examined it well, and worked hard to see how to overcome the obstacles + which arose in the way of its execution. In the first place, it was + necessary, in order to collect this tax, to draw from each person a + clear statement of his wealth, of his debts, and so on. It was + necessary to demand sure proofs on these points so as not to be + deceived. Here was all the difficulty. Nothing was thought of the + desolation this extra impost must cause to a prodigious number of men, + or of their despair upon finding themselves obliged to disclose their + family secrets; to hate a lamp thrown, as it were, upon their most + delicate parts; all these things, I say, went for nothing. Less than a + month sufficed these humane commissioners to render an account of this + gentle project to the Cyclops who had charged them with it. Desmarets + thereupon proposed it to the King, who, accustomed as he was to the + most ruinous imposts, could not avoid being terrified at this. For a + long while he had heard nothing talked of but the most extreme misery; + this increase saddened him in a manner so evident, that his valets + perceived it several days running, and were so disturbed at it, that + Marechal (who related all this curious anecdote to me) made bold to + speak to the King upon this sadness, fearing for his health. The King + avowed to him that he felt infinite trouble, and threw himself vaguely + upon the state of affairs. Eight or ten days. after (during which he + continued to feel the same melancholy), the King regained his usual + calmness, and called Marechal to explain the cause of his trouble. + </p> + <p> + The King related to Marechal that the extremity of his affairs had + forced him to put on furious imposts; that setting aside compassion, + scruples had much tormented him for taking thus the wealth of his + subjects; that at last he had unbosomed himself to the Pere Tellier, + who had asked for a few days to think upon the matter, and that he had + returned after having had a consultation with some of the most skilful + doctors of the Sorbonne, who had decided that all the wealth of his + subjects was his, and that when he took it he only took what belonged + to him! The King added, that this decision had taken away all his + scruples, and had restored to him the calm and tranquillity he had + lost. Marechal was so astonished, so bewildered to hear, this recital, + that he could not offer one word. Happily for him, the King quitted + him almost immediately, and Marechal remained some time in the same + place, scarcely knowing where he was. + </p> + <p> + After the King had been thus satisfied by his confessor, no time was + lost in establishing the tax. On Tuesday, the 30th of September, + Desmarets entered the Finance Council with the necessary edict in his + bag. + </p> + <p> + For some days everybody had known of this bombshell in the air, and + had trembled with that remnant of hope which is founded only upon + desire; all the Court as well as all Paris waited in a dejected + sadness to see what would happen. People whispered to each other, and + even when the project was rendered public, no one dared to talk of it + aloud. + </p> + <p> + On the day above-named, the King brought forward this measure in the + Council, by saying, that the impossibility of obtaining peace, and the + extreme difficulty of sustaining the war, had caused Desmarets to look + about in order to discover some means, which should appear good, of + raising money; that he had pitched upon this tax; that he (the King), + although sorry to adopt such a resource, approved it, and had no doubt + the Council would do so likewise, when it was explained to them. + Desmarets, in a pathetic discourse, then dwelt upon the reasons which + had induced him to propose this tax, and afterwards read the edict + through from beginning to end without interruption. + </p> + <p> + No one spoke, moreover, when it was over, until the King asked + D'Aguesseau his opinion. D'Aguesseau replied, that it would be + necessary for him to take home the edict and read it through very + carefully before expressing an opinion. The King said that D'Aguesseau + was right—it would take a long time to examine the edict—but + after all, examination was unnecessary, and would only be loss of + time. All remained silent again, except the Duc de Beauvilliers, who, + seduced by the nephew of Colbert, whom he thought an oracle in + finance, said a few words in favour of the project. + </p> + <p> + Thus was settled this bloody business, and immediately after signed, + sealed, and registered, among stifled sobs, and published amidst the + most gentle but most piteous complaints. The product of this tax was + nothing like so much as had been imagined in this bureau of Cannibals; + and the King did not pay a single farthing more to any one than he had + previously done. Thus all the fine relief expected by this tax ended + in smoke. + </p> + <p> + The Marechal de Vauban had died of grief at the ill-success of his + task and his zeal, as I have related in its place. Poor Boisguilbert, + in the exile his zeal had brought him, was terribly afflicted, to find + he had innocently given advice which he intended for the relief of the + State, but which had been made use of in this frightful manner. Every + man, without exception, saw himself a prey to the tax-gatherers: + reduced to calculate and discuss with them his own patrimony, to + receive their signature and their protection under the most terrible + pains; to show in public all the secrets of his family; to bring into + the broad open daylight domestic turpitudes enveloped until then in + the folds of precautions the wisest and the most multiplied. Many had + to convince the tax agents, but vainly, that although proprietors, + they did not enjoy the tenth part of them property. All Languedoc + offered to give up its entire wealth, if allowed to enjoy, free from + every impost, the tenth part of it. The proposition not only was not + listened to, but was reputed an insult and severely blamed. + </p> + <p> + Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne spoke openly against this tax; and + against the finance people, who lived upon the very marrow of the + people; spoke with a just and holy anger that recalled the memory of + Saint-Louis, of Louis XII., Father of the People, and of Louis the + Just. Monseigneur, too, moved by this indignation, so unusual, of his + son, sided with him, and showed anger at so many exactions as + injurious as barbarous, and at so many insignificant men so + monstrously enriched with the nation's blood. Both father and son + infinitely surprised those who heard them, and made themselves looked + upon, in some sort as resources from which something might hereafter + be hoped for. But the edict was issued, and though there might be some + hope in the future, there was none in the present. And no one knew who + was to be the real successor of Louis XIV., and how under the next + government we were to be still more overwhelmed than under this one. + </p> + <p> + One result of this tax was, that it enabled the King to augment all + his infantry with five men per company. + </p> + <p> + A tax was also levied upon the usurers, who had much gained by + trafficking in the paper of the King, that is to say, had taken + advantage of the need of those to whom the King gave this paper in + payment. These usurers are called 'agioteurs'. Their mode was, + ordinarily, to give, for example, according as the holder of paper was + more or less pressed, three or four hundred francs (the greater part + often in provisions), for a bill of a thousand francs! This game was + called 'agio'. It was said that thirty millions were obtained from + this tax. Many people gained much by it; I know not if the King was + the better treated. + </p> + <p> + Soon after this the coin was re-coined, by which much profit was made + for the King, and much wrong done to private people and to trade. In + all times it has, been regarded as a very great misfortune to meddle + with corn and money. Desmarets has accustomed us to tricks with the + money; M. le Duc and Cardinal Fleury to interfere with corn and to + fictitious famine. + </p> + <p> + At the commencement of December, the King declared that he wished + there should be, contrary to custom, plays and "apartments" at + Versailles even when Monseigneur should be at Meudon. He thought + apparently he must keep his Court full of amusements, to hide, if it + was possible, abroad and at home, the disorder and the extremity of + affairs. For the same reason, the carnival was opened early this + season, and all through the winter there were many balls of all kinds + at the Court, where the wives of the ministers gave very magnificent + displays, like fetes, to Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne and to all + the Court. + </p> + <p> + But Paris did not remain less wretched or the provinces less + desolated. + </p> + <p> + And thus I have arrived at the end of 1710. + </p> + <p> + At the commencement of the following year, 1711, that is to say, a few + days after the middle of March, a cruel misfortune happened to the + Marechal de Boufflers. His eldest son was fourteen years of age, + handsome, well made, of much promise, and who succeeded marvellously + at the Court, when his father presented him there to the King to thank + his Majesty for the reversion of the government of Flow and of Lille. + He returned afterwards to the College of the Jesuits, where he was + being educated. I know not what youthful folly he was guilty of with + the two sons of D'Argenson; but the Jesuits, wishing to show that they + made no distinction of persons, whipped the little lad, because, to + say the truth, they had nothing to fear from the Marechal de + Boufflers; but they took good care to left the others off, although + equally guilty, because they had to reckon with D'Argenson, lieutenant + of the police, of much credit in book matters, Jansenism, and all + sorts of things and affairs in which they were interested. + </p> + <p> + Little Boufflers, who was full of courage, and who had done no more + than the two Argensons, and with them, was seized with such despair, + that he fell ill that same day. He was carried to the Marechal's + house, but it was impossible to save him. The heart was seized, the + blood diseased, the purples appeared; in four days all was over. The + state of the father and mother may be imagined! The King, who was much + touched by it, did not let them ask or wait for him. He sent one of + his gentlemen to testify to them the share he had in their loss, and + announced that he would give to their remaining son 'what he had + already given to the other. As for the Jesuits, the universal cry + against them was prodigious; but that was all. This would be the + place, now that I am speaking of the Jesuits, to speak of another + affair in which they were concerned. But I pass over, for the present, + the dissensions that broke out at about this time, and that ultimately + led to the famous Papal Bull Unigenitus, so fatal to the Church and to + the State, so shameful far Rome, and so injurious to religion; and I + proceed to speak of the great event of this year which led to others + so memorable and so unexpected. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0056" id="link2HCH0056"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LVI + </h2> + <p> + But in Order to understand the part I played in the event I have + alluded to and the interest I took in it, it is necessary for me to + relate some personal matters that occurred in the previous year. Du + Mont was one of the confidants of Monseigneur; but also had never + forgotten what his father owed to mine. Some days after the + commencement of the second voyage to Marly, subsequently to the + marriage of the Duchesse de Berry, as I was coming back from the + King's mass, the said Du Mont, in the crush at the door of the little + salon of the chapel, took an opportunity when he was not perceived, to + pull me by my coat, and when I turned round put a finger to his lips, + and pointed towards the gardens which are at the bottom of the river, + that is to say, of that superb cascade which the Cardinal Fleury has + destroyed, and which faced the rear of the chateau. At the same time + du Mont whispered in my car: "To the arbours!" That part of the garden + was surrounded with arbours palisaded so as to conceal what was + inside. It was the least frequented place at Marly, leading to + nothing; and in the afternoon even, and the evening, few people within + them. + </p> + <p> + Uneasy to know what Du Mont wished to communicate with so much + mystery, I gently went towards the arbours where, without being seen, + I looked through one of the openings until I saw him appear. He + slipped in by the corner of the chapel, and I went towards him. As he + joined me he begged me to return towards the river, so as to be still + more out of the way; and then we set ourselves against the thickest + palisades, as far as possible from all openings, so as to be still + more concealed. All this surprised and frightened me: I was still more + so when I learned what was the matter. + </p> + <p> + Du Mont then told me, on condition that I promised not to show that I + knew it, and not to make use of my knowledge in any way without his + consent, that two days after the marriage of the Duc de Berry, having + entered towards the end of the morning the cabinet of Monseigneur, he + found him alone, looking very serious. He followed Monseigneur, + through the gardens alone, until he entered by the window the + apartments of the Princesse de Conti, who was also alone. As he + entered Monseigneur said with an air not natural to him, and very + inflamed—as if by way of interrogation—that she "sat very + quietly there." This frightened her so, that she asked if there was + any news from Flanders, and what had happened. Monseigneur answered, + in a tone of great annoyance, that there was no news except that the + Duc de Saint-Simon had said, that now that the marriage of the Duc de + Berry was brought about, it would be proper to drive away Madame la + Duchesse and the Princesse de Conti, after which it would be easy to + govern "the great imbecile," meaning himself. This was why he thought + she ought not to be so much at her ease. Then, suddenly, as if lashing + his sides to get into a greater rage, he spoke in a way such a speech + would have deserved, added menaces, said that he would have the Duc de + Bourgogne to fear me, to put me aside, and separate himself entirely + from me. This sort of soliloquy lasted a long time, and I was not told + what the Princesse de Conti said to it; but from the silence of Du + Mont, her annoyance at the marriage, I had brought about, and other + reasons, it seems to me unlikely that she tried to soften Monseigneur. + </p> + <p> + Du Mont begged me not, for a long time at least, to show that I knew + what had taken place, and to behave with the utmost prudence. Then he + fled away by the path he had come by, fearing to be seen. I remained + walking up and down in the arbour all the time, reflecting on the + wickedness of my enemies, and the gross credulity of Monseigneur. Then + I ran away, and escaped to Madame de Saint-Simon, who, as astonished + and frightened as I, said not a word of the communication I had + received. + </p> + <p> + I never knew who had served me this ill-turn with Monseigneur, but I + always suspected Mademoiselle de Lillebonne. After a long time, having + obtained with difficulty the consent of the timid Du Mont, I made + Madame de Saint-Simon speak to the Duchesse de Bourgogne, who + undertook to arrange the affair as well as it could be arranged. The + Duchesse spoke indeed to Monseigneur, and showed him how ridiculously + he had been deceived, when he was persuaded that I could ever have + entertained the ideas attributed to me. Monseigneur admitted that he + had been carried away by anger; and that there was no likelihood that + I should have thought of anything so wicked and incredible. + </p> + <p> + About this time the household of the Duc and Duchesse de Berry was + constituted. Racilly obtained the splendid appointment of first + surgeon, and was worthy of it; but the Duchesse de Berry wept + bitterly, because she did not consider him of high family enough. She + was not so delicate about La Haye, whose appointment she rapidly + secured. The fellow looked in the glass more complaisantly than ever. + He was well made, but stiff, and with a face not at all handsome, and + looking as if it had been skinned. He was happy in more ways than one, + and was far more attached to his new mistress than to his master. The + King was very angry when he learned that the Duc de Berry had supplied + himself with such an assistant. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, I continued on very uneasy terms with Monseigneur, since I + had learned his strange credulity with respect to me. I began to feel + my position very irksome, not to say painful, on this account. Meudon + I would not go to—for me it was a place infested with demons—yet + by stopping away I ran great risks of losing the favour and + consideration I enjoyed at Court. Monseigneur was a man so easily + imposed upon, as I had already experienced, and his intimate friends + were so unscrupulous that there was no saying what might be invented + on the one side and swallowed on the other, to my discredit. Those + friends, too, were, I knew, enraged against me for divers weighty + reasons, and would stop at nothing, I was satisfied, to procure my + downfall. For want of better support I sustained myself with courage. + I said to myself, "We never experience all the evil or all the good + that we have apparently the most reason to expect." I hoped, + therefore, against hope, terribly troubled it must be confessed on the + score of Meudon. At Easter, this year, I went away to La Ferme, far + from the Court and the world, to solace myself as I could; but this + thorn in my side was cruelly sharp! At the moment the most + unlooked-for it pleased God to deliver me from it. + </p> + <p> + At La Ferme I had but few guests: M. de Saint-Louis, an old brigadier + of cavalry, and a Normandy gentleman, who had been in my regiment, and + who was much attached to me. On Saturday, the 11th of the month, and + the day before Quasimodo, I had been walking with them all the + morning, and I had entered all-alone into my cabinet a little before + dinner, when a courier sent by Madame de Saint-Simon, gave me a letter + from her, in which I was informed that Monseigneur was ill! + </p> + <p> + I learnt afterwards that this Prince, while on his way to Meudon for + the Easter fetes, met at Chaville a priest, who was carrying Our Lord + to a sick person. Monseigneur, and Madame de Bourgogne, who was with + him, knelt down to adore the Host, and then Monseigneur inquired what + was the malady of the patient. "The small-pox," he was told. That + disease was very prevalent just then. Monseigneur had had it, but very + lightly, and when young. He feared it very much, and was struck with + the answer he now received. In the evening he said to Boudin, his + chief doctor, "I should not be surprised if I were to have the + small-pox." The day, however, passed over as usual. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow, Thursday, the 9th, Monseigneur rose, and meant to go + out wolf-hunting; but as he was dressing, such a fit of weakness + seized him, that he fell into his chair. Boudin made him get into bed + again; but all the day his pulse was in an alarming state. The King, + only half informed by Fagon of what had taken place, believed there + was nothing the matter, and went out walking at Marly after dinner, + receiving news from time to time. Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne and + Madame de Bourgogne dined at Meudon, and they would not quit + Monseigneur for one moment. The Princess added to the strict duties of + a daughter-in-law all that her gracefulness could suggest, and gave + everything to Monseigneur with her own hand. Her heart could not have + been troubled by what her reason foresaw; but, nevertheless, her care + and attention were extreme, without any airs of affectation or acting. + The Duc de Bourgogne, simple and holy as he was, and full of the idea + of his duty, exaggerated his attention; and although there was a + strong suspicion of the small-pox, neither quitted Monseigneur, except + for the King's supper. + </p> + <p> + The next day, Friday, the 10th, in reply to his express demands, the + King was informed of the extremely dangerous state of Monseigneur. He + had said on the previous evening that he would go on the following + morning to Meudon, and remain there during all the illness of + Monseigneur whatever its nature might be. He was now as good as his + word. Immediately after mass he set out for Meudon. Before doing so, + he forbade his children, and all who had not had the small-pox, to go + there, which was suggested by a motive of kindness. With Madame de + Maintenon and a small suite, he had just taken up his abode in Meudon, + when Madame de Saint-Simon sent me the letter of which I have just + made mention. + </p> + <p> + I will continue to speak of myself with the same truthfulness I speak + of others, and with as much exactness as possible. According to the + terms on which I was with Monseigneur and his intimates, may be + imagined the impression made upon me by this news. I felt that one way + or other, well or ill, the malady of Monseigneur would soon terminate. + I was quite at my ease at La Ferme. I resolved therefore to wait there + until I received fresh particulars. I despatched a courier to Madame + de Saint-Simon, requesting her to send me another the next day, and I + passed the rest of this day, in an ebb and flow of feelings; the man + and the Christian struggling against the man and the courtier, and in + the midst of a crowd of vague fancies catching glimpses of the future, + painted in the most agreeable colours. + </p> + <p> + The courier I expected so impatiently arrived the next day, Sunday, + after dinner. The small-pox had declared itself, I learnt, and was + going on as well as could be wished. I believed Monseigneur saved, and + wished to remain at my own house; nevertheless I took advice, as I + have done all my life, and with great regret set out the next morning. + At La queue, about six leagues from Versailles, I met a financier of + the name of La Fontaine, whom I knew well. He was coming from Paris + and Versailles, and came up to me as I changed horses. Monseigneur, he + said, was going on admirably; and he added details which convinced me + he was out of all danger. I arrived at Versailles, full of this + opinion, which was confirmed by Madame de Saint-Simon and everybody I + met, so that nobody any longer feared, except on account of the + treacherous nature of this disease in a very fat man of fifty. + </p> + <p> + The King held his Council, and worked in the evening with his + ministers as usual. He saw Monseigneur morning and evening, oftentimes + in the afternoon, and always remained long by the bedside. On the + Monday I arrived he had dined early, and had driven to Marly, where + the Duchesse de Bourgogne joined him. He saw in passing on the + outskirts of the garden of Versailles his grandchildren, who had come + out to meet him, but he would not let them come near, and said, "good + day" from a distance. The Duchesse de Bourgogne had had the small-pox, + but no trace was left. + </p> + <p> + The King only liked his own houses, and could not bear to be anywhere + else. This was why his visits to Meudon were few and short, and only + made from complaisance. Madame de Maintenon was still more out of her + element there. Although her chamber was everywhere a sanctuary, where + only ladies entitled to the most extreme familiarity entered, she + always wanted another retreat near at hand entirely inaccessible + except to the Duchesse de Bourgogne alone, and that only for a few + instants at a time. Thus she had Saint-Cyr for Versailles and for + Marly; and at Marly also a particular retiring place; at Fontainebleau + she had her town house. Seeing therefore that Monseigneur was getting + on well, and that a long sojourn it Meudon would be necessary, the + upholsterers of the King were ordered to furnish a house in the park + which once belonged to the Chancellor le Tellier, but which + Monseigneur had bought. + </p> + <p> + When I arrived at Versailles, I wrote to M. de Beauvilliers at Meudon + praying him to apprise the King that I had returned on account of the + illness of Monseigneur, and that I would have gone to see him, but + that, never having had the small-pox, I was included in the + prohibition. M. de Beauvilliers did as I asked, and sent word back to + me that my return had been very well timed, and that the King still + forbade me as well as Madame de Saint-Simon to go to Meudon. This + fresh prohibition did not distress me in the least. I was informed of + all that was passing there; and that satisfied me. + </p> + <p> + There were yet contrasts at Meudon worth noticing. Mademoiselle Choin + never appeared while the King was with Monseigneur, but kept close in + her loft. When the coast was clear she came out, and took up her + position at the sick man's bedside. All sorts of compliments passed + between her and Madame de Maintenon, yet the two ladies never met. The + King asked Madame de Maintenon if she had seen Mademoiselle Choin, and + upon learning that she had not, was but ill-pleased. Therefore Madame + de Maintenon sent excuses and apologies to Mademoiselle Choin, and + hoped she said to see her soon,—strange compliments from one + chamber to another under the same roof. They never saw each other + afterwards. + </p> + <p> + It should be observed, that Pere Tellier was also incognito at Meudon, + and dwelt in a retired room from which he issued to see the King, but + never approached the apartments of Monseigneur. + </p> + <p> + Versailles presented another scene. Monseigneur le Duc and Madame la + Duchesse de Bourgogne held their Court openly there; and this Court + resembled the first gleamings of the dawn. All the Court assembled + there; all Paris also; and as discretion and precaution were never + French virtues, all Meudon came as well. People were believed on their + word when they declared that they had not entered the apartments of + Monseigneur that day, and consequently could not bring the infection. + When the Prince and Princess rose, when they weft to bed, when they + dined and supped with the ladies,—all public conversations—all + meals—all assembled—were opportunities of paying court to + them. The apartments could not contain the crowd. The characteristic + features of the room were many. Couriers arrived every quarter of an + hour, and reminded people of the illness of Monseigneur—he was + going on as well as could be expected; confidence and hope were easily + felt; but there was an extreme desire to please at the new Court. The + young Prince and the Princess exhibited majesty and gravity, mixed + with gaiety; obligingly received all, continually spoke to every one; + the crowd wore an air of complaisance; reciprocal satisfaction showed + in every face; the Duc and Duchesse de Berry ware treated almost as + nobody. Thus five days fled away in increasing thought of future + events—in preparation to be ready for whatever might happen. + </p> + <p> + On Tuesday, the 14th of April, I went to see the chancellor, and asked + for information upon the state of Monseigneur. He assured me it was + good, and repeated to me the words Fagon had spoken to him, "that + things were going an according to their wishes, and beyond their + hopes." The Chancellor appeared to me very confident, and I had faith + in him, so much the more, because he was on extremely good footing + with Monseigneur. The Prince, indeed, had so much recovered, that the + fish-women came in a body the self-same day to congratulate him, as + they did after his attack of indigestion. They threw the themselves at + the foot of his bed, which they kissed several times, and in their joy + said they would go back to Paris and have a Te Deum sung. But + Monseigneur, who was not insensible to these marks of popular + affection, told them it was not yet time, thanked them, and gave them + a dinner and some money. + </p> + <p> + As I was going home, I saw the Duchesse d'Orleans walking on a + terrace. She called to me; but I pretended not to notice her, because + La Montauban was with her, and hastened home, my mind filled with this + news, and withdrew to my cabinet. Almost immediately afterwards Madame + la Duchesse d'Orleans joined me there. We were bursting to speak to + each other alone, upon a point on which our thoughts were alike. She + had left Meudon not an hour before, and she had the same tale to tell + as the Chancellor. Everybody was at ease there she said; and then she + extolled the care and capacities of the doctors, exaggerating their + success; and, to speak frankly and to our shame, she and I lamented + together to see Monseigneur, in spite of his age and his fat, escape + from so dangerous an illness. She reflected seriously but wittily, + that after an illness of this sort, apoplexy was not to be looked for; + that an attack of indigestion was equally unlikely to arise, + considering the care Monseigneur had taken not to over-gorge himself + since his recent danger; and we concluded more than dolefully, that + henceforth we must make up our minds that the Prince would live and + reign for a long time. In a word, we let ourselves loose in this rare + conversation, although not without an occasional scruple of conscience + which disturbed it. Madame de Saint- Simon all devoutly tried what she + could to put a drag upon our tongues, but the drag broke, so to speak, + and we continued our free discourse, humanly speaking very reasonable + on our parts, but which we felt, nevertheless, was not according to + religion. Thus two hours passed, seemingly very short. Madame + d'Orleans went away, and I repaired with Madame de Saint-Simon to + receive a numerous company. + </p> + <p> + While thus all was tranquillity at Versailles, and even at Meudon, + everything had changed its aspect at the chateau. The King had seen + Monseigneur several times during the day; but in his after-dinner + visit he was so much struck with the extraordinary swelling of the + face and of the head, that he shortened his stay, and on leaving the + chateau, shed tears. He was reassured as much as possible, and after + the council he took a walk in the garden. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless Monseigneur had already mistaken Madame la Princesse de + Conti for some one else; and Boudin, the doctor, was alarmed. + Monseigneur himself had been so from the first, and he admitted, that + for a long time before being attacked, he had been very unwell, and so + much on Good Friday, that he had been unable to read his prayer-book + at chapel. + </p> + <p> + Towards four o'clock he grew worse, so much so that Boudin proposed to + Fagon to call in other doctors, more familiar with the disease than + they were. But Fagon flew into a rage at this, and would call in + nobody. He declared that it would be better to act for themselves, and + to keep Monseigneur's state secret, although it was hourly growing + worse, and towards seven o'clock was perceived by several valets and + courtiers. But nobody dared to open his mouth before Fagon, and the + King was actually allowed to go to supper and to finish it without + interruption, believing on the faith of Fagon that Monseigneur was + going on well. + </p> + <p> + While the King supped thus tranquilly, all those who were in the sick- + chamber began to lose their wits. Fagon and the others poured down + physic on physic, without leaving time for any to work. The Cure, who + was accustomed to go and learn the news every evening, found, against + all custom, the doors thrown wide open, and the valets in confusion. + He entered the chamber, and perceiving what was the matter, ran to the + bedside, took the hand of Monseigneur, spoke to him of God, and seeing + him full of consciousness, but scarcely able to speak, drew from him a + sort of confession, of which nobody had hitherto thought, and + suggested some acts of contrition. The poor Prince repeated distinctly + several words suggested to him, and confusedly answered others, struck + his breast, squeezed the Cure's hand, appeared penetrated with the + best sentiments, and received with a contrite and willing air the + absolution of the Cure. + </p> + <p> + As the King rose from the supper-table, he well-nigh fell backward + when Fagon, coming forward, cried in great trouble that all was lost. + It may be imagined what terror seized all the company at this abrupt + passage from perfect security to hopeless despair. The King, scarcely + master of himself, at once began to go towards the apartment of + Monseigneur, and repelled very stiffly the indiscreet eagerness of + some courtiers who wished to prevent him, saying that he would see his + son again, and be quite certain that nothing could be done. As he was + about to enter the chamber, Madame la Princesse de Conti presented + herself before him, and prevented him from going in. She pushed him + back with her hands, and said that henceforth he had only to think of + himself. Then the King, nearly fainting from a shock so complete and + so sudden, fell upon a sofa that stood near. He asked unceasingly for + news of all who passed, but scarce anybody dared to reply to him. He + had sent for here Tellier, who went into Monseigneur's room; but it + was no longer time. It is true the Jesuit, perhaps to console the + King, said that he gave him a well-founded absolution. Madame de + Maintenon hastened after the King, and sitting down beside him on the + same sofa, tried to cry. She endeavoured to lead away the King into + the carriage already waiting for him in the courtyard, but he would + not go, and sat thus outside the door until Monseigneur had expired. + </p> + <p> + The agony, without consciousness, of Monseigneur lasted more than an + hour after the King had come into the cabinet. Madame la Duchesse and + Madame la Princesse de Conti divided their cares between the dying man + and the King, to whom they constantly came back; whilst the faculty + confounded, the valets bewildered, the courtiers hurrying and + murmuring, hustled against each other, and moved unceasingly to and + fro, backwards and forwards, in the same narrow space. At last the + fatal moment arrived. Fagon came out, and allowed so much to be + understood. + </p> + <p> + The King, much afflicted, and very grieved that Monseigneur's + confession had been so tardily made, abused Fagon a little; and went + away led by Madame de Maintenon and the two Princesses. He was + somewhat struck by finding the vehicle of Monseigneur outside; and + made a sign that he would have another coach, for that one made him + suffer, and left the chateau. He was not, however, so much occupied + with his grief that he could not call Pontchartrain to arrange the + hour of the council on the next day. I will not comment on this + coolness, and shall merely say it surprised extremely all present; and + that if Pontchartrain had not said the council could be put off, no + interruption to business would have taken place. The King got into his + coach with difficulty, supported on both sides. Madame de Maintenon + seated herself beside him. A crowd of officers of Monseigneur lined + both sides of the court on their knees, as he passed out, crying to + him with strange howlings to have compassion on them, for they had + lost all, and must die of hunger. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0057" id="link2HCH0057"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LVII + </h2> + <p> + While Meudon was filled with horror, all was tranquil at Versailles, + without the least suspicion. We had supped. The company some time + after had retired, and I was talking with Madame de Saint-Simon, who + had nearly finished undressing herself to go to bed, when a servant of + Madame la Duchesse de Berry, who had formerly belonged to us, entered, + all terrified. He said that there must be some bad news from Meudon, + since Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne had just whispered in the ear of + M. le Duc de Berry, whose eyes had at once become red, that he left + the table, and that all the company shortly after him rose with + precipitation. So sudden a change rendered my surprise extreme. I ran + in hot haste to Madame la Duchesse de Berry's. Nobody was there. + Everybody had gone to Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne. I followed on + with all speed. + </p> + <p> + I found all Versailles assembled on arriving, all the ladies hastily + dressed—the majority having been on the point of going to bed—all + the doors open, and all in trouble. I learnt that Monseigneur had + received the extreme unction, that he was without consciousness and + beyond hope, and that the King had sent word to Madame de Bourgogne + that he was going to Marly, and that she was to meet him as he passed + through the avenue between the two stables. + </p> + <p> + The spectacle before me attracted all the attention I could bestow. + The two Princes and the two Princesses were in the little cabinet + behind the bed. + </p> + <p> + The bed toilette was as usual in the chamber of the Duchesse de + Bourgogne, which was filled with all the Court in confusion. She came + and went from the cabinet to the chamber, waiting for the moment when + she was to meet the King; and her demeanour, always distinguished by + the same graces, was one of trouble and compassion, which the trouble + and compassion of others induced them to take for grief. Now and then, + in passing, she said a few rare words. All present were in truth + expressive personages. Whoever had eyes, without any knowledge of the + Court, could see the interests of all interested painted on their + faces, and the indifference of the indifferent; these tranquil, the + former penetrated with grief, or gravely attentive to themselves to, + hide their emancipation and their joy. + </p> + <p> + For my part, my first care was to inform myself thoroughly of the + state of affairs, fearing lest there might be too much alarm for too + trifling a cause; then, recovering myself, I reflected upon the misery + common to all men, and that I myself should find myself some day at + the gates of death. Joy, nevertheless, found its way through the + momentary reflections of religion and of humanity, by which I tried to + master myself. My own private deliverance seemed so great and so + unhoped for, that it appeared to me that the State must gain + everything by such a loss. And with these thoughts I felt, in spite of + myself, a lingering fear lest the sick man should recover, and was + extremely ashamed of it. + </p> + <p> + Wrapped up thus in myself, I did not fail, nevertheless, to cast + clandestine looks upon each face, to see what was passing there. I saw + Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans arrive, but her countenance, majestic and + constrained, said nothing. She went into the little cabinet, whence + she presently issued with the Duc d'Orleans, whose activity and + turbulent air marked his emotion at the spectacle more than any other + sentiment. They went away, and I notice this expressly, on account of + what happened afterwards in my presence. + </p> + <p> + Soon afterwards I caught a distant glimpse of the Duc de Bourgogne, + who seemed much moved and troubled; but the glance with which I probed + him rapidly, revealed nothing tender, and told merely of a mind + profoundly occupied with the bearings of what had taken place. + </p> + <p> + Valets and chamber-women were already indiscreetly crying out; and + their grief showed well that they were about to lose something! + </p> + <p> + Towards half-past twelve we had news of the King, and immediately + after Madame de Bourgogne came out of the little cabinet with the + Duke, who seemed more touched than when I first saw him. The Princess + took her scarf and her coifs from the toilette, standing with a + deliberate air, her eyes scarcely wet—a fact betrayed by + inquisitive glances cast rapidly to the right and left—and, + followed only by her ladies, went to her coach by the great staircase. + </p> + <p> + I took the opportunity to go to the Duchesse d'Orleans, where I found + many people. Their presence made me very impatient; the Duchess, who + was equally impatient, took a light and went in. I whispered in the + ear of the Duchesse de Villeroy, who thought as I thought of this + event. She nudged me, and said in a very low voice that I must contain + myself. I was smothered with silence, amidst the complaints and the + narrative surprises of these ladies; but at last M. le Duc d'Orleans + appeared at the door of his cabinet, and beckoned me to come to him. + </p> + <p> + I followed him into the cabinet, where we were alone. What was my + surprise, remembering the terms on which he was with Monseigneur, to + see the tears streaming from his eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Sir!" exclaimed I, rising: He understood me at once; and answered in + a broken voice, really crying: "You are right to be surprised—I + am surprised myself; but such a spectacle touches. He was a man with + whom I passed much of my life, and who treated me well when he was + uninfluenced. I feel very well that my grief won't last long; in a few + days I shall discover motives of joy; at present, blood, relationship, + humanity,—all work; and my entrails are moved." I praised his + sentiments, but repeated my surprise. He rose, thrust his head into a + corner, and with his nose there, wept bitterly and sobbed, which if I + had not seen I could not have believed. + </p> + <p> + After a little silence, however, I exhorted him to calm himself. I + represented to him that, everybody knowing on what terms he had been + with Monseigneur, he would be laughed at, as playing a part, if his + eyes showed that he had been weeping. He did what he could to remove + the marks of his tears, and we then went back into the other room. + </p> + <p> + The interview of the Duchesse de Bourgogne with the King had not been + long. She met him in the avenue between the two stables, got down, and + went to the door of the carriage. Madame de Maintenon cried out, + "Where are you going? We bear the plague about with us." I do not know + what the King said or did. The Princess returned to her carriage, and + came back to Versailles, bringing in reality the first news of the + actual death of Monseigneur. + </p> + <p> + Acting upon the advice of M. de Beauvilliers, all the company had gone + into the salon. The two Princes, Monseigneur de Bourgogne and M. de + Berry, were there, seated on one sofa, their Princesses at their + sides; all the rest of the company were scattered about in confusion, + seated or standing, some of the ladies being on the floor, near the + sofa. There could be no doubt of what had happened. It was plainly + written on every face in the chamber and throughout the apartment. + Monseigneur was no more: it was known: it was spoken of: constraint + with respect to him no longer existed. Amidst the surprise, the + confusion, and the movements that prevailed, the sentiments of all + were painted to the life in looks and gestures. + </p> + <p> + In the outside rooms were heard the constrained groans and sighs of + the valets—grieving for the master they had lost as well as for + the master that had succeeded. Farther on began the crowd of courtiers + of all kinds. The greater number—that is to say the fools—pumped + up sighs as well as they could, and with wandering but dry eyes, sung + the praises of Monseigneur—insisting especially on his goodness. + They pitied the King for the loss of so good a son. The keener began + already to be uneasy about the health of the King; and admired + themselves for preserving so much judgment amidst so much trouble, + which could be perceived by the frequency of their repetitions. + Others, really afflicted—the discomfited cabal—wept + bitterly, and kept themselves under with an effort as easy to notice + as sobs. The most strong-minded or the wisest, with eyes fixed on the + ground, in corners, meditated on the consequences of such an event—and + especially on their own interests. Few words passed in conversation—here + and there an exclamation wrung from grief was answered by some + neighbouring grief—a word every quarter of an hour —sombre + and haggard eyes—movements quite involuntary of the hands— + immobility of all other parts of the body. Those who already looked + upon the event as favourable in vain exaggerated their gravity so as + to make it resemble chagrin and severity; the veil over their faces + was transparent and hid not a single feature. They remained as + motionless as those who grieved most, fearing opinion, curiosity, + their own satisfaction, their every movement; but their eyes made up + for their immobility. Indeed they could not refrain from repeatedly + changing their attitude like people ill at ease, sitting or standing, + from avoiding each other too carefully, even from allowing their eyes + to meet—nor repress a manifest air of liberty—nor conceal + their increased liveliness—nor put out a sort of brilliancy + which distinguished them in spite of themselves. + </p> + <p> + The two Princes, and the two Princesses who sat by their sides, were + more exposed to view than any other. The Duc de Bourgogne wept with + tenderness, sincerity, and gentleness, the tears of nature, of + religion, and patience. M. le Duc de Berry also sincerely shed + abundance of tears, but bloody tears, so to speak, so great appeared + their bitterness; and he uttered not only sobs, but cries, nay, even + yells. He was silent sometimes, but from suffocation, and then would + burst out again with such a noise, such a trumpet sound of despair, + that the majority present burst out also at these dolorous + repetitions, either impelled by affliction or decorum. He became so + bad, in fact, that his people were forced to undress him then and + there, put him to bed, and call in the doctor, Madame la Duchesse de + Berry was beside herself, and we shall soon see why. The most bitter + despair was painted with horror on her face. There was seen written, + as it were, a sort of furious grief, based on interest, not affection; + now and then came dry lulls deep and sullen, then a torrent of tears + and involuntary gestures, yet restrained, which showed extreme + bitterness of mind, fruit of the profound meditation that had + preceded. Often aroused by the cries of her husband, prompt to assist + him, to support him, to embrace him, to give her smelling-bottle, her + care for him was evident; but soon came another profound reverie—then + a gush of tears assisted to suppress her cries. As for Madame la + Duchesse de Bourgogne she consoled her husband with less trouble than + she had to appear herself in want of consolation. Without attempting + to play a part, it was evident that she did her best to acquit herself + of a pressing duty of decorum. But she found extreme difficulty in + keeping up appearances. When the Prince her brother-in-law howled, she + blew her nose. She had brought some tears along with her and kept them + up with care; and these, combined with the art of the handkerchief, + enabled her to redden her eyes, and make them swell, and smudge her + face; but her glances often wandered on the sly to the countenances of + all present. + </p> + <p> + Madame arrived, in full dress she knew not why, and howling she knew + not why, inundated everybody with her tears in embracing them, making + the chateau echo with renewed cries, and furnished the odd spectacle + of a Princess putting on her robes of ceremony in the dead of night to + come and cry among a crowd of women with but little on except their + night- dresses,—almost as masqueraders. + </p> + <p> + In the gallery several ladies, Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans, Madame de + Castries, and Madame de Saint-Simon among the rest, finding no one + close by, drew near each other by the side of a tent-bedstead, and + began to open their hearts to each other, which they did with the more + freedom, inasmuch as they had but one sentiment in common upon what + had occurred. In this gallery, and in the salon, there were always + during the night several beds, in which, for security's sake, certain + Swiss guards and servants slept. These beds had been put in their + usual place this evening before the bad news came from Meudon. In the + midst of the conversation of the ladies, Madame de Castries touched + the bed, felt something move, and was much terrified. A moment after + they saw a sturdy arm, nearly naked, raise on a sudden the curtains, + and thus show them a great brawny Swiss under the sheets, half awake, + and wholly amazed. The fellow was a long time in making out his + position, fixing his eyes upon every face one after the other; but at + last, not judging it advisable to get up in the midst of such a grand + company, he reburied himself in his bed, and closed the curtains. + Apparently the good man had gone to bed before anything had + transpired, and had slept so soundly ever since that he had not been + aroused until then. The saddest sights have often the most ridiculous + contrasts. This caused some of the ladies to laugh, and Madame + d'Orleans to fear lest the conversation should have been overheard. + But after reflection, the sleep and the stupidity of the sleeper + reassured her. + </p> + <p> + I had some doubts yet as to the event that had taken place; for I did + not like to abandon myself to belief, until the word was pronounced by + some one in whom I could have faith. By chance I met D'O, and I asked + him. He answered me clearly that Monseigneur was no more. Thus + answered, I tried not to be glad. I know not if I succeeded well, but + at least it is certain, that neither joy nor sorrow blunted my + curiosity, and that while taking due care to preserve all decorum, I + did not consider myself in any way forced to play the doleful. I no + longer feared any fresh attack from the citadel of Meudon, nor any + cruel charges from its implacable garrison. I felt, therefore, under + no constraint, and followed every face with my glances, and tried to + scrutinise them unobserved. + </p> + <p> + It must be admitted, that for him who is well acquainted with the + privacies of a Court, the first sight of rare events of this nature, + so interesting in so many different respects, is extremely + satisfactory. Every countenance recalls the cares, the intrigues, the + labours employed in the advancement of fortunes—in the overthrow + of rivals: the relations, the coldness, the hatreds, the evil offices + done, the baseness of all; hope, despair, rage, satisfaction, express + themselves in the features. See how all eyes wander to and fro + examining what passes around—how some are astonished to find + others more mean, or less mean than was expected! Thus this spectacle + produced a pleasure, which, hollow as it may be, is one of the + greatest a Court can bestow. + </p> + <p> + The turmoil in this vast apartment lasted about an hour, at the end of + which M. de Beauvilliers thought it was high time to deliver the + Princes of their company. The rooms were cleared. M. le Duc de Berry + went away to his rooms, partly supported by his wife. All through the + night he asked, amid tears and cries, for news from Meudon; he would + not understand the cause of the King's departure to Marly. When at + length the mournful curtain was drawn from before his eyes, the state + he fell into cannot be described. The night of Monseigneur and Madame + de Bourgogne was more tranquil. Some one having said to the Princess, + that having—no real cause to be affected, it would be terrible + to play a part, she replied, quite naturally, that without feigning, + pity touched her and decorum controlled her; and indeed she kept + herself within these bounds with truth and decency. Their chamber, in + which they invited several ladies to pass the night in armchairs, + became immediately a palace of Morpheus. All quietly fell asleep. The + curtains were left open, so that the Prince and Princess could be seen + sleeping profoundly. They woke up once or twice for a moment. In the + morning the Duke and Duchess rose early, their tears quite dried up. + They shed no more for this cause, except on special and rare + occasions. The ladies who had watched and slept in their chamber, told + their friends how tranquil the night had been. But nobody was + surprised, and as there was no longer a Monseigneur, nobody was + scandalised. Madame de Saint-Simon and I remained up two hours before + going to bed, and then went there without feeling any want of rest. In + fact, I slept so little that at seven in the morning I was up; but it + must be admitted that such restlessness is sweet, and such + re-awakenings are savoury. + </p> + <p> + Horror reigned at Meudon. As soon as the King left, all the courtiers + left also, crowding into the first carriages that came. In an instant + Meudon was empty. Mademoiselle Choin remained alone in her garret, and + unaware of what had taken place. She learned it only by the cry + raised. Nobody thought of telling her. At last some friends went up to + her, hurried her into a hired coach, and took her to Paris. The + dispersion was general. One or two valets, at the most, remained near + the body. La Villiere, to his praise be it said, was the only courtier + who, not having abandoned Monseigneur during life, did not abandon him + after his death. He had some difficulty to find somebody to go in + search of Capuchins to pray over the corpse. The decomposition became + so rapid and so great, that the opening of the windows was not enough; + the Capuchins, La Vrilliere, and the valets, were compelled to pass + the night outside. + </p> + <p> + At Marly everybody had felt so confident that the King's return there + was not dreamt of. Nothing was ready, no keys of the rooms, no fires, + scarcely an end of candle. The King was more than an hour thus with + Madame de Maintenon and other ladies in one of the ante-chambers. The + King retired into a corner, seated between Madame de Maintenon and two + other ladies, and wept at long intervals. At last the chamber of + Madame de Maintenon was ready. The King entered, remained there an + hour, and then 'went to bed at nearly four o'clock in the morning. + </p> + <p> + Monseigneur was rather tall than short; very fat, but without being + bloated; with a very lofty and noble aspect without any harshness; and + he would have had a very agreeable face if M. le Prince de Conti had + not unfortunately broken his nose in playing while they were both + young. He was of a very beautiful fair complexion; he had a face + everywhere covered with a healthy red, but without expression; the + most beautiful legs in the world; his feet singularly small and + delicate. He wavered always in walking, and felt his way with his + feet; he was always afraid of falling, and if the path was not + perfectly even and straight, he called for assistance. He was a good + horseman, and looked well when mounted; but he was not a bold rider. + When hunting—they had persuaded him that he liked this amusement—a + servant rode before him; if he lost sight of this servant he gave + himself up for lost, slicked his pace to a gentle trot, and oftentimes + waited under a tree for the hunting party, and returned to it slowly. + He was very fond of the table, but always without indecency. Ever + since that great attack of indigestion, which was taken at first for + apoplexy, he made but one real meal a day, and was content,—although + a great eater, like the rest of the royal family. Nearly all his + portraits well resemble him. + </p> + <p> + As for his character he had none; he was without enlightenment or + knowledge of any kind, radically incapable of acquiring any; very + idle, without imagination or productiveness; without taste, without + choice, without discernment; neither seeing the weariness he caused + others, nor that he was as a ball moving at hap-hazard by the + impulsion of others; obstinate and little to excess in everything; + amazingly credulous and accessible to prejudice, keeping himself, + always, in the most pernicious hands, yet incapable of seeing his + position or of changing it; absorbed in his fat and his ignorance; so + that without any desire to do ill he would have made a pernicious + King. + </p> + <p> + His avariciousness, except in certain things, passed all belief. He + kept an account of his personal expenditure, and knew to a penny what + his smallest and his largest expenses amounted to. He spent large sums + in building, in furniture, in jewels, and in hunting, which he made + himself believe he was fond of. + </p> + <p> + It is inconceivable the little he gave to La Choin, whom he so much + loved. It never exceeded four hundred Louis a quarter in gold, or + sixteen hundred Louis a year, whatever the Louis might be worth. He + gave them to her with his own hand, without adding or subtracting a + pistole, and, at the most, made her but one present a year, and that + he looked at twice before giving. It was said that they were married, + and certain circumstances seemed to justify this rumour. As for + instance, during the illness of Monseigneur, the King, as I have said, + asked Madame de Maintenon if she had seen Mademoiselle Choin, and upon + receiving negative reply, was displeased. Instead of driving her away + from the chateau he inquired particularly after her! This, to say the + least, looked as though Mademoiselle Choin was Monseigneur's Maintenon—but + the matter remained incomprehensible to the last. Mademoiselle Choin + threw no light upon it, although she spoke on many other things + concerning Monseigneur. In the modest home at Paris, to which she had + retired for the rest of her days. The King gave her a pension of + twelve thousand livres. + </p> + <p> + Monseigneur was, I have said, ignorant to the last degree, and had a + thorough aversion for learning; so that, according to his own + admission, ever since he had been released from the hands of teachers + he had never read anything except the article in the "Gazette de + France," in which deaths and marriages are recorded. His timidity, + especially before the King, was equal to his ignorance, which indeed + contributed not a little to cause it. The King took advantage of it, + and never treated him as a son, but as a subject. He was the monarch + always, never the father. Monseigneur had not the slightest influence + with the King. If he showed any preference for a person it was enough! + That person was sure to be kept back by the King. The King was so + anxious to show that Monseigneur could do nothing, that Monseigneur + after a time did not even try. He contented himself by complaining + occasionally in monosyllables, and by hoping for better times. + </p> + <p> + The body of Monseigneur so soon grew decomposed; that immediate burial + was necessary. At midnight on Wednesday he was carried, with but + little ceremony, to Saint-Denis, and deposited in the royal vaults. + His funeral services were said at Saint-Denis on the 18th of the + following June, and at Notre Dame on the 3rd of July. As the + procession passed through Paris nothing but cries, acclamations, and + eulogiums of the defunct were heard. Monseigneur had, I know not how, + much endeared himself to the common people of Paris, and this + sentiment soon gained the provinces; so true it is, that in France it + costs little to its Princes to make themselves almost adored! + </p> + <p> + The King soon got over his affliction for the loss of this son of + fifty. Never was a man so ready with tears, so backward with grief, or + so promptly restored to his ordinary state. The morning after the + death of Monseigneur he rose late, called M. de Beauvilliers into his + cabinet, shed some more tears, and then said that from that time + Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne and Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne + were to enjoy the honours, the rank, and the name of Dauphin and of + Dauphine. Henceforth I shall call them by no other names. + </p> + <p> + My joy at this change may be imagined. In a few days all my causes of + disquietude had been removed, and I saw a future opening before me + full of light and promise. Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne become + Dauphin, heir to the throne of France; what favour might I not hope + for? I could not conceal or control my satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + But alas! it was soon followed by sad disappointment and grievous + sorrow. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0058" id="link2HCH0058"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LVIII + </h2> + <p> + The death of Monseigneur, as we have seen, made a great change in the + aspect of the Court and in the relative positions of its members. But + the two persons to whom I must chiefly direct attention are the + Duchesse de Bourgogne and the Duchesse de Berry. The former, on + account of her husband's fall in the opinion of his father, had long + been out of favour likewise. Although Monseigneur had begun to treat + her less well for a long time, and most harshly during the campaign of + Lille, and above all after the expulsion of the Duc de Vendome from + Marly and Meudon; yet after the marriage of the Duc de Berry his + coldness had still further increased. The adroit Princess, it is true, + had rowed against the current with a steadiness and grace capable of + disarming even a well-founded resentment; but the persons who + surrounded him looked upon the meeting of them as dangerous for their + projects. The Duc and Duchesse de Bourgogne were every day still + further removed in comparative disgrace. + </p> + <p> + Things even went so far that apropos of an engagement broken off, the + Duchesse resolved to exert her power instead of her persuasion, and + threatened the two Lillebonnes. A sort of reconciliation was then + patched up, but it was neither sincere nor apparently so. + </p> + <p> + The cabal which laboured to destroy the Duc and Duchesse de Bourgogne + was equally assiduous in augmenting the influence of the Duc de Berry, + whose wife had at once been admitted without having asked into the + sanctuary of the Parvulo. The object was to disunite the two brothers + and excite jealousy between then. In this they did not succeed even in + the slightest degree. But they found a formidable ally in the Duchesse + de Berry, who proved as full of wickedness and ambition as any among + them. The Duc d'Orleans often called his Duchess Madame Lucifer, at + which she used to smile with complacency. He was right, for she would + have been a prodigy of pride had she not, had a daughter who far + surpassed her. This is not yet the time to paint their portraits; but + I must give a word or two of explanation on the Duchesse de Berry. + </p> + <p> + That princess was a marvel of wit, of pride, of ingratitude and folly— + nay, of debauchery and obstinacy. + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had she been married a week when she began to exhibit herself + in all these lights,—not too manifestly it is true, for one of + the qualities of which she was most vain was her falsity and power of + concealment, but sufficiently to make an impression on those around + her. People soon perceived how annoyed she was to be the daughter of + an illegitimate mother, and to have lived under her restraint however + mild; how she despised the weakness of her father, the Duc d'Orleans, + and how confident she was of her influence over him; and how she had + hated all who had interfered in her marriage—merely because she + could not bear to be under obligations to any one—a reason she + was absurd enough publicly to avow and boast of. Her conduct was now + based on those motives. This is an example of how in this world people + work with their heads in a sack, and how human prudence and wisdom are + sometimes confounded by successes which have been reasonably desired + and which turn out to be detestable! We had brought about this + marriage to avoid a marriage with Mademoiselle de Bourbon and to + cement the union of the two brothers. We now discovered that there was + little danger of Mademoiselle de Bourbon, and then instead of her we + had a Fury who had no thought but how to ruin those who had + established her, to injure her benefactors, to make her husband and + her brother quarrel; and to put herself in the power of her enemies + because they were the enemies of her natural friends. It never + occurred to her that the cabal would not be likely to abandon to her + the fruit of so much labour and so many crimes. + </p> + <p> + It may easily be imagined that she was neither gentle nor docile when + Madame la Duchesse began to give her advice. Certain that her father + would support her, she played the stranger and the daughter of France + with her mother. Estrangement, however, soon came on. She behaved + differently in form, but in effect the same with the Duchesse de + Bourgogne, who wished to guide her as a daughter, but who soon gave up + the attempt. The Duchesse de Berry's object could only be gained by + bringing about disunion between the two brothers, and for this purpose + she employed as a spring the passion of her husband for herself. + </p> + <p> + The first night at Versailles after the death of Monseigneur was + sleepless. The Dauphin and Dauphine heard mass early next morning. I + went to see them. Few persons were present on account of the hour. The + Princess wished to be at Marly at the King's waking. Their eyes were + wonderfully dry, but carefully managed; and it was easy to see they + were more occupied with their new position than with the death of + Monseigneur. A smile which they exchanged as they spoke, in whispers + convinced me of this. One of their first cares was to endeavour to + increase their good relations with the Duc and Duchesse de Berry. They + were to see them before they were up. The Duc de Berry showed himself + very sensible to this act, and the Duchess was eloquent, clever, and + full of tears. But her heart was wrung by these advances of pure + generosity. The separation she had planned soon followed: and the two + princesses felt relieved at no longer being obliged to dine together. + </p> + <p> + Thus never was change greater or more marked than that brought about + by the death of Monseigneur. That prince had become the centre of all + hope and of all fear, a formidable cabal had seized upon him, yet + without awakening the jealousy of the King, before whom all trembled, + but whose anxieties did not extend beyond his own lifetime, during + which, and very reasonably, he feared nothing. + </p> + <p> + Before I go any further, let me note a circumstance characteristic of + the King. Madame la Dauphine went every day to Marly to see him. On + the day after the death of Monseigneur she received, not without + surprise, easily understood, a hint from Madame de Maintenon. It was + to the effect that she should dress herself with some little care, + inasmuch as the negligence of her attire displeased the King! The + Princess did not think that dress ought to occupy her then; and even + if she had thought so, she would have believed, and with good reason, + that she was committing a grave fault against decorum, a fault which + would have been less readily pardoned, since in every way she had + gained too much by what had just occurred not to be very guarded in + her behaviour. On the next day she took more pains with her toilette; + but what she did not being found sufficient, the day following she + carried with her some things and dressed herself secretly in Madame de + Maintenon's rooms; and resumed there her ordinary apparel before + returning to Versailles. Thus she avoided offence both to the King and + to society. The latter certainly would with difficulty have been + persuaded that in this ill-timed adornment of her person, her own + tastes went for nothing. The Comtesse de Mailly, who invented the + scheme, and Madame de Nogaret, who both liked Monseigneur, related + this to me and were piqued by it. From this fact and from the + circumstance that all the ordinary pleasures and occupations were + resumed immediately after the death of Monseigneur, the King passing + his days without any constraint,—it may be assumed that if the + royal grief was bitter its evidences were of a kind to promise that it + would not be of long duration. + </p> + <p> + M. le Dauphin, for, as I have said, it is by that title I shall now + name Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne—M. le Dauphin, I say, soon + gained all hearts. In the first days of solitude following upon the + death of Monseigneur, the King intimated to M. de Beauvilliers that he + should not care to see the new Dauphin go very often to Meudon. This + was enough. M. le Dauphin at once declared that he would never set his + foot in that palace, and that he would never quit the King. He was as + good as his word, and not one single visit did he ever afterwards pay + to Meudon. The King wished to give him fifty thousand livres a month, + Monseigneur having had that sum. M. le Dauphin would not accept them. + He had only six thousand livres per month. He was satisfied with + double that amount and would not receive more. This disinterestedness + much pleased the public. M. le Dauphin wished for nothing special on + his account, and persisted in remaining in nearly everything as he was + during the life of Monseigneur. These auguries of a prudent and + measured reign, suggested the brightest of hopes. + </p> + <p> + Aided by his adroit spouse, who already had full possession of the + King's heart and of that of Madame de Maintenon, M. le Dauphin + redoubled his attentions in order to possess them also. These + attentions, addressed to Madame de Maintenon, produced their fruit. + She was transported with pleasure at finding a Dauphin upon whom she + could rely, instead of one whom she did not like, gave herself up to + him accordingly, and by that means secured to him the King's favour. + The first fortnight made evident to everybody at Marly the + extraordinary change that had come over the King with respect to the + Dauphin. His Majesty, generally severe beyond measure with his + legitimate children, showed the most marked graciousness for this + prince. The effects of this, and of the change that had taken place in + his state, were soon most clearly visible in the Dauphin. Instead of + being timid and retiring, diffident in speech, and more fond of his + study than of the salon, he became on a sudden easy and frank, showing + himself in public on all occasions, conversing right and left in a + gay, agreeable, and dignified manner; presiding, in fact, over the + Salon of Marly, and over the groups gathered round him, like the + divinity of a temple, who receives with goodness the homage to which + he is accustomed, and recompenses the mortals who offer it with gentle + regard. + </p> + <p> + In a short time hunting became a less usual topic of conversation. + History, and even science, were touched upon lightly, pleasantly, and + discreetly, in a manner that charmed while it instructed. The Dauphin + spoke with an eloquent freedom that opened all eyes, ears and hearts. + People sometimes, in gathering near him, were less anxious to make + their court than to listen to his natural eloquence, and to draw from + it delicious instruction. It is astonishing with what rapidity he + gained universal esteem and admiration. The public joy could not keep + silent. People asked each other if this was really the same man they + had known as the Duc de Bourgogne, whether he was a vision or a + reality? One of M. le Dauphin's friends, to whom this question was + addressed, gave a keen reply. He answered, that the cause of all this + surprise was, that previously the people did not, and would not, know + this prince, who, nevertheless, to those who had known him, was the + same now as he had ever been; and that this justice would be rendered + to him when time had shown how much it was deserved. + </p> + <p> + From the Court to Paris, and from Paris to the provinces, the + reputation of the Dauphin flew on rapid wings. However founded might + be this prodigious success, we need not believe it was entirely due to + the marvellous qualities of the young prince. It was in a great + measure a reaction against the hostile feeling towards him which had + been excited by the cabal, whose efforts I have previously spoken of. + Now that people saw how unjust was this feeling, their astonishment + added to their admiration. Everybody was filled with a sentiment of + joy at seeing the first dawn of a new state of things, which promised + so much order and happiness after such a long confusion and so much + obscurity. + </p> + <p> + Gracious as the King showed himself to M. le Dauphin, and accustomed + as the people grew to his graciousness, all the Court was strangely + surprised at a fresh mark of favour that was bestowed one morning by + his Majesty on this virtuous prince. The King, after having been + closeted alone with him for some time, ordered his ministers to work + with the Dauphin whenever sent for, and, whether sent for or not, to + make him acquainted with all public affairs; this command being given + once for all. + </p> + <p> + It is not easy to describe the prodigious movement caused at the Court + by this order, so directly opposed to the tastes, to the disposition, + to the maxims, to the usage of the King, who thus showed a confidence + in the Dauphin which was nothing less than tacitly transferring to him + a large part of the disposition of public affairs. This was a + thunderbolt for the ministers; who, accustomed to have almost + everything their own way, to rule over everybody and browbeat + everybody at will, to govern the state abroad and at home, in fact, + fixing all punishments, all recompenses, and always sheltering + themselves behind the royal authority "the King wills it so" being the + phrase ever on their lips,—to these officers, I say, it was a + thunderbolt which so bewildered them, that they could not hide their + astonishment or their confusion. The public joy at an order which + reduced these ministers, or rather these kings, to the condition of + subjects, which put a curb upon their power, and provided against the + abuses they committed, was great indeed! The ministers were compelled + to bend their necks, though stiff as iron, to the yoke. They all went, + with a hang-dog look, to show the Dauphin a feigned joy and a forced + obedience to the order they had received. + </p> + <p> + Here, perhaps, I may as well speak of the situation in which I soon + afterwards found myself with the Dauphin, the confidence as to the + present and the future that I enjoyed with him, and the many + deliberations we had upon public affairs. The matter is curious and + interesting, and need no longer be deferred. + </p> + <p> + The Court being changed by the death of Monseigneur, I soon began + indeed to think of changing my conduct with regard to the new Dauphin. + M. de Beauvilliers spoke to me about this matter first, but he judged, + and I shared his opinion, that slandered as I had been on previous + occasions, and remaining still, as it were, half in disgrace, I must + approach the Dauphin only by slow degrees, and not endeavour to + shelter myself under him until his authority with the King had become + strong enough to afford me a safe asylum. I believed, nevertheless, + that it would be well to sound him immediately; and one evening, when + he was but thinly accompanied, I joined him in the gardens at Marly + and profited by his gracious welcome to say to him, on the sly, that + many reasons, of which he was not ignorant, had necessarily kept me + until then removed from him, but that now I hoped to be able to follow + with less constraint my attachment and my inclination, and that I + flattered myself this would be agreeable to him. He replied in a low + tone, that there were sometimes reasons which fettered people, but in + our case such no longer existed; that he knew of my regard for him, + and reckoned with pleasure that we should soon see each other more + frequently than before. I am writing the exact words of his reply, on + account of the singular politeness of the concluding ones. I regarded + that reply as the successful result of a bait that had been taken as I + wished. Little by little I became more assiduous at his promenades, + but without following them when the crowd or any dangerous people do + so; and I spoke more freely. I remained content with seeing the + Dauphin in public, and I approached him in the Salon only when if I + saw a good opportunity. + </p> + <p> + Some days after, being in the Salon, I saw the Dauphin and the + Dauphine enter together and converse. I approached and heard their + last words; they stimulated me to ask the prince what was in debate, + not in a straightforward manner, but in a sort of respectful + insinuating way which I already adopted. He explained to me that he + was going to Saint-Germain to pay an ordinary visit; that on this + occasion there would be some change in the ceremonial; explained the + matter, and enlarged with eagerness on the necessity of not abandoning + legitimate rights. + </p> + <p> + "How glad I am to see you think thus," I replied, "and how well you + act in advocating these forms, the neglect of which tarnishes + everything." + </p> + <p> + He responded with warmth; and I seized the moment to say, that if he, + whose rank was so great and so derided, was right to pay attention to + these things, how such we dukes had reason to complain of our losses, + and to try to sustain ourselves! Thereupon he entered into the + question so far as to become the advocate of our cause, and finished + by saying that he regarded our restoration as an act of justice + important to the state; that he knew I was well instructed in these + things, and that I should give him pleasure by talking of them some + day. He rejoined at that, moment the Dauphine, and they set off for + Saint-Germain. + </p> + <p> + A few days after this the Dauphin sent for me. I entered by the + wardrobe, where a sure and trusty valet was in waiting; he conducted + me to a cabinet in which the Dauphin was sitting alone. Our + conversation at once commenced. For a full hour we talked upon the + state of affairs, the Dauphin listening with much attention to all I + said, and expressing himself with infinite modesty, sense, and + judgment. His view, I found, were almost entirely in harmony with + mine. He was sorry, and touchingly said so, for the ignorance of all + things in which the King was kept by his ministers; he was anxious to + see the power of those ministers restricted; he looked with dislike + upon the incredible elevation of the illegitimate children; he wished + to see the order to which I belonged restored to the position it + deserved to occupy. + </p> + <p> + It is difficult to express what I felt in quitting the Dauphin. A + magnificent and near future opened out before me. I saw a prince, + pious, just, debonnaire, enlightened, and seeking to become more so; + with principles completely in accord with my own, and capacity to + carry out those principles when the time for doing so arrived. I + relished deliciously a confident so precious and so full upon the most + momentous matters and at a first interview. I felt all the sweetness + of this perspective, and of my deliverance from a servitude which, in + spite of myself, I sometimes could not help showing myself impatient + of. I felt, too, that I now had an opportunity of elevating myself, + and of contributing to those grand works, for the happiness and + advantage of the state I so much wished to see accomplished. + </p> + <p> + A few days after this I had another interview with the Dauphin. I was + introduced secretly as before, so that no one perceived either my + coming or my departure. The same subjects we had previously touched + upon we now entered into again, and more amply than on the former + occasion. The Dauphin, in taking leave of me, gave me full permission + to see him in private as often as I desired, though in public I was + still to be circumspect. + </p> + <p> + Indeed there was need of great circumspection in carrying on even + private intercourse with the Dauphin. From this time I continually saw + him in his cabinet, talking with him in all liberty upon the various + persons of the Court, and upon the various subjects relating to the + state; but always with the same secrecy as at first. This was + absolutely necessary; as I have just said, I was still in a sort of + half disgrace the King did not regard me with the eyes of favour; + Madame de Maintenon was resolutely averse to me. If they two had + suspected my strict intimacy with the heir to the throne, I should + have been assuredly lost. + </p> + <p> + To show what need there was of precaution in my private interviews + with the Dauphin, let me here recall an incident which one day + occurred when we were closeted together, and which might have led to + the greatest results. The Prince lodged then in one of the four grand + suites of apartments, on the same level as the Salon, the suite that + was broken up during an illness of Madame la Princesse de Conti, to + make way for a grand stair case, the narrow and crooked one in use + annoying the King when he ascended it. The chamber of the Dauphine was + there; the bed had its foot towards the window; by the chimney was the + door of the obscure wardrobe by which I entered; between the chimney + and one of the two windows was a little portable bureau; in front of + the ordinary entrance door of the chamber and behind the bureau was + the door of one of the Dauphine's rooms; between the two windows was a + chest of drawers which was used for papers only. + </p> + <p> + There were always some moments of conversation before the Dauphin set + himself down at his bureau, and ordered me to place myself opposite + him. Having become more free with him, I took the liberty to say one + day in these first moments of our discourse, that he would do well to + bolt the door behind him, the door I mean of the Dauphine's chamber. + He said that the Dauphine would not come, it not being her hour. I + replied that I did not fear that princess herself, but the crowd that + always accompanied her. He was obstinate, and would not bolt the door. + I did not dare to press him more. He sat down before his bureau, and + ordered me to sit also. Our deliberation was long; afterwards we + sorted our papers. Here let me say this—Every time I went to see + the Dauphin I garnished all my pockets with papers, and I often smiled + within myself passing through the Salon, at seeing there many people + who at that moment were in my pockets, and who were far indeed from + suspecting the important discussion that was going to take place. To + return: the Dauphin gave, me his papers to put in my pockets, and kept + mine. He locked up some in his cupboard, and instead of locking up the + others in his bureau, kept them out, and began talking to me, his back + to the chimney, his papers in one hand, his keys in the other. I was + standing at the bureau looking for some other papers, when on a sudden + the door in front of me opened, and the Dauphine entered! + </p> + <p> + The first appearance of all three—for, thank God! she was alone—the + astonishment, the countenance of all have never left my memory. Our + fixed eyes, our statue-like immobility, and our embarrassment were all + alike, and lasted longer than a slow Pater-poster. The Princess spoke + first. She said to the Prince in a very ill-assured voice, that she + had not imagined him in such good company; smiling upon him and upon + me. I had scarce time to smile also and to lower my eyes, before the + Dauphin replied. + </p> + <p> + "Since you find me so," said he, smiling in turn, "leave me so." + </p> + <p> + For an instant she looked on him, he and she both smiling at each + other more; then she looked on me, still smiling with greater liberty + than at first, made a pirouette, went away and closed the door, beyond + the threshold of which she had not come. + </p> + <p> + Never have I seen woman so astonished; never man so taken aback, as + the Prince after the Dauphine's departure; and never man, to say + truth, was so afraid as I was at first, though I quickly reassured + myself when I found that our intruder was alone. As soon as she had + closed the door, "Well, Monsieur," said I to the Dauphin, "if you had + drawn the bolt?" + </p> + <p> + "You were right," he replied, "and I was wrong. But no harm is done. + She was alone fortunately, and I guarantee to you her secrecy." + </p> + <p> + "I am not troubled," said I to him, (yet I was so mightily) "but it is + a miracle she was alone. With her suite you would have escaped with a + scolding perhaps but for me, I should have been utterly lost." + </p> + <p> + He admitted again he had, been wrong, and assure me more and more that + our secret was safe. The Dauphine had caught us, not only tete-a-tete— + of which no one had the least suspicion—she had caught us in the + fact, so to say, our crimes in out hands. I felt that she would not + expose the Dauphin, but I feared an after-revelation through some + over-easy confidant. Nevertheless our secret was so well kept if + confided that it never transpired. We finished, I to pocket, the + Prince to lock up, the papers. The rest of the conversation was short, + and I withdrew by the wardrobe as usual. M. de Beauvilliers, to whom I + related this adventure shortly afterwards, grew pale at first, but + recovered when I said the Dauphine was alone. He blamed the imprudence + of the Dauphin, but assured me my secret was safe. Ever since that + adventure the Dauphine often smiled upon me when we met, as if to + remind me of it, and showed marked attention to me. + </p> + <p> + No sooner did I feel myself pretty firmly established on this footing + of delicious intimacy with the Dauphin than I conceived the desire to + unite him with M. le Duc d'Orleans through the means of M. de + Beauvilliers. At the very outset, however, an obstacle arose in my + path. + </p> + <p> + I have already said, that the friendship of M. d'Orleans for his + daughter, Madame la Duchesse de Berry, had given employment to the + tongues of Satan, set in Motion by hatred and jealousy. Evil reports + even reached M. le Duc de Berry, who on his part, wishing to enjoy the + society of his wife in full liberty, was importuned by the continual + presence near her, of her father. To ward off a quarrel between + son-in- law and father-in-law, based upon so false and so odious a + foundation, appeared to Madame de Saint-Simon and myself a pressing + duty. + </p> + <p> + I had already tried to divert M. le Duc d'Orleans from an assiduity + which wearied M. le Duc de Berry; but I had not succeeded. I believed + it my duty then to return to the charge more hotly; and remembering my + previous ill-success, I prefaced properly, and then said what I had to + say. M. d'Orleans was astonished; he cried out against the horror of + such a vile imputation and the villainy that had carried it to M. le + Duc de Berry. He thanked me for having warned him of it, a service few + besides myself would have rendered him. I left him to draw the proper + and natural conclusion on the conduct he should pursue. This + conversation passed one day at Versailles about four o'clock in the + afternoon. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow Madame de Saint-Simon related to me, that returning home + the previous evening, from the supper and the cabinet of the King with + Madame la Duchesse de Berry, the Duchess had passed straight into the + wardrobe and called her there; and then with a cold and angry air, + said she was very much astonished that I wished to get up a quarrel + between her and M. le Duc d'Orleans. Madame Saint-Simon exhibited + surprise, but Madame la Duchesse de Berry declared that nothing was so + true; that I wished to estrange M. d'Orleans from her, but that I + should not succeed; and immediately related all that I had just said + to her father. He had had the goodness to repeat it to her an hour + afterwards! Madame de Saint-Simon, still more surprised, listened + attentively to the end, and replied that this horrible report was + public, that she herself could see what consequences it would have, + false and abominable as it might be, and feel whether it was not + important that M. le Duc d'Orleans should be informed of it. She + added, that I had shown such proofs of my attachment for them and of + my desire for their happiness, that I was above all suspicion. Then + she curtsied and leaving the Princess went to bed. This scene appeared + to me enormous. + </p> + <p> + For some time after this I ceased entirely to see Duc d'Orleans and + Madame la Duchesse de Berry. They cajoled me with all sorts of + excuses, apologies, and so forth, but I remained frozen. They + redoubled their excuses and their prayers. Friendship, I dare not say + compassion, seduced me, and I allowed myself to be led away. In a + word, we were reconciled. I kept aloof, however, from Madame la + Duchesse de Berry as much as possible, visiting her only for form's + sake; and as long as she lived never changed in this respect. + </p> + <p> + Being reconciled with M. d'Orleans, I again thought of my project of + uniting him to the Dauphin through M. de Beauvilliers. He had need of + some support, for on all sides he was sadly out of favour. His + debauchery and his impiety, which he had quitted for a time after + separating himself from Madame d'Argenton, his mistress, had now + seized on him again as firmly as ever. It seemed as though there were + a wager between him and his daughter, Madame la Duchesse de Berry, + which should cast most contempt on religion and good manners. + </p> + <p> + The King was nothing ignorant of the conduct of his nephew. He had + been much shocked with the return to debauchery and low company. The + enemies of M. d'Orleans, foremost among whom was M. du Maine, had + therefore everything in their favour. As I have said, without some + support M. d'Orleans seemed in danger of being utterly lost. + </p> + <p> + It was no easy matter to persuade M. de Beauvilliers to, fall in with + the plan I had concocted, and lend his aid to it. But I worked him + hard. I dwelt upon the taste of the Dauphin for history, science, and + the arts, and showed what a ripe knowledge of those subjects M. + d'Orleans had, and what agreeable conversation thereon they both might + enjoy together. In brief I won over M. de Beauvilliers to my scheme. + M. D'Orleans, on his side, saw without difficulty the advantage to him + of union with the Dauphin. To bring it about I laid before him two + conditions. One, that when in the presence of the Prince he should + suppress that detestable heroism of impiety he affected more than he + felt, and allow no licentious expressions to escape him. The second + was to go less often into evil company at Paris, and if he must + continue his debauchery, to do so at the least within closed doors, + and avoid all public scandal. He promised obedience, and was faithful + to his promise. The Dauphin perceived and approved the change; little + by little the object of my desire was gained. + </p> + <p> + As I have already said, it would be impossible for me to express all + the joy I felt at my deliverance from the dangers I was threatened + with during the lifetime of Monseigneur. My respect, esteem, and + admiration for the Dauphin grew more and more day by day, as I saw his + noble qualities blossom out in richer luxuriance. My hopes, too, took + a brighter colour from the rising dawn of prosperity that was breaking + around me. Alas! that I should be compelled to relate the cruel manner + in which envious fortune took from me the cup of gladness just as I + was raising it to my lips. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0059" id="link2HCH0059"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LIX + </h2> + <p> + On Monday, the 18th of January, 1712, after a visit to Versailles, the + King went to Marly. I mark expressly this journey. No sooner were we + settled there than Boudin, chief doctor of the Dauphine, warned her to + take care of herself, as he had received sure information that there + was a plot to poison her and the Dauphin, to whom he made a similar + communication. Not content with this he repeated it with a terrified + manner to everybody in the salon, and frightened all who listened to + him. The King spoke to him about it in private. Boudin declared that + this information was good, and yet that he did not know whence it + came; and he stuck to this contradiction. For, if he did not know + where the information came from how could he be assured it was + trustworthy? + </p> + <p> + The most singular thing is, that twenty-four hours after Boudin had + uttered this warning, the Dauphin received a similar one from the King + of Spain, vague, and without mentioning whence obtained, and yet also + declared to be of good source. In this only the Dauphin was named + distinctly—the Dauphine obscurely and by implication—at + least, so the Dauphin explained the matter, and I never heard that he + said otherwise. People pretended to despise these stories of origin + unknown, but they were struck by them nevertheless, and in the midst + of the amusements and occupations of the Court, seriousness, silence, + and consternation were spread. + </p> + <p> + The King, as I have said, went to Marly on Monday, the 18th of + January, 1712. The Dauphine came there early with a face very much + swelled, and went to bed at once; yet she rose at seven o'clock in the + evening because the King wished her to preside in the salon. She + played there, in morning-dress, with her head wrapped up, visited the + King m the apartment of Madame de Maintenon just before his supper, + and then again went to bed, where she supped. On the morrow, the 19th, + she rose only to play in the salon, and see the King, returning to her + bed and supping there. On the 20th, her swelling diminished, and she + was better. She was subject to this complaint, which was caused by her + teeth. She passed the following days as usual. On Monday, the 1st of + February, the Court returned to Versailles. + </p> + <p> + On Friday, the 5th of February, the Duc de Noailles gave a very fine + box full of excellent Spanish snuff to the Dauphine, who took some, + and liked it. This was towards the end of the morning. Upon entering + her cabinet (closed to everybody else), she put this box upon the + table, and left it there. Towards the evening she was seized with + trembling fits of fever. She went to bed, and could not rise again + even to go to the King's cabinet after the supper. On Saturday, the + 6th of February, the Dauphine, who had had fever all night, did not + fail to rise at her ordinary hour, and to pass the day as usual; but + in the evening the fever returned. She was but middling all that + night, a little worse the next day; but towards ten o'clock at night + she was suddenly seized by a sharp pain under the temple. It did not + extend to the dimensions of a ten sous piece, but was so violent that + she begged the King, who was coming to see her, not to enter. This + kind of madness of suffering lasted without intermission until Monday, + the 8th, and was proof against tobacco chewed and smoked, a quantity + of opium, and two bleedings in the arms. Fever showed itself more then + this pain was a little calmed; the Dauphine said she had suffered more + than in child-birth. + </p> + <p> + Such a violent illness filled the chamber with rumours concerning the + snuff-box given to the Dauphine by the Duc de Noailles. In going to + bed the day she had received it and was seized by fever, she spoke of + the snuff to her ladies, highly praising it and the box, which she + told one of them to go and look for upon the table in the cabinet, + where, as I have said, it had been left. The box could not be found, + although looked for high and low. This disappearance had seemed very + extraordinary from the first moment it became known. Now, joined to + the grave illness with which the Dauphine was so cruelly assailed, it + aroused the most sombre suspicions. Nothing, however, was breathed of + these suspicions, beyond a very restricted circle; for the Princess + took snuff with the knowledge of Madame de Maintenon, but without that + of the King, who would have made a fine scene if he had discovered it. + This was what was feared, if the singular loss of the box became + divulged. + </p> + <p> + Let me here say, that although one of my friends, the Archbishop of + Rheims, believed to his dying day that the Duc de Noailles had + poisoned the Dauphine by means of this box of Spanish snuff, I never + could induce myself to believe so too. The Archbishop declared that in + the manner of the Duc de Noailles, after quitting the chamber of the + Princess, there was something which suggested both confusion and + contentment. He brought forward other proofs of guilt, but they made + no impression upon me. I endeavoured, on the contrary, to shake his + belief, but my labour was in vain. I entreated him, however, at least + to maintain the most profound silence upon this horrible thought, and + he did so. + </p> + <p> + Those who afterwards knew the history of the box—and they were + in good number—were as inaccessible to suspicion as I; and + nobody thought of charging the Duc de Noailles with the offence it was + said he had committed. As for me, I believed in his guilt so little + that our intimacy remained the same; and although that intimacy grew + even up to the death of the King, we never spoke of this fatal + snuff-box. + </p> + <p> + During the night, from Monday to Tuesday, the 9th of February, the + lethargy was great. During the day the King approached the bed many + times: the fever was strong, the awakenings were short; the head was + confused, and some marks upon the skin gave tokens of measles, because + they extended quickly, and because many people at Versailles and at + Paris were known to be, at this time, attacked with that disease. The + night from Tuesday to Wednesday passed so much the more badly, because + the hope of measles had already vanished. The King came in the morning + to see Madame la Dauphine, to whom an emetic had been given. It + operated well, but produced no relief. The Dauphin, who scarcely ever + left the bedside of his wife, was forced into the garden to take the + air, of which he had much need; but his disquiet led him back + immediately into the chamber. The malady increased towards the + evening, and at eleven o'clock there was a considerable augmentation + of fever. The night was very bad. On Thursday, the 11th of February, + at nine o'clock in the morning, the King entered the Dauphine's + chamber, which Madame de Maintenon scarcely ever left, except when he + was in her apartments. The Princess was so ill that it was resolved to + speak to her of receiving the sacrament. Prostrated though she was she + was surprised at this. She put some questions as to her state; replies + as little terrifying as possible were given to her, and little by + little she was warned against delay. Grateful for this advice, she + said she would prepare herself. + </p> + <p> + After some time, accidents being feared, Father la Rue, her (Jesuit) + confessor, whom she had always appeared to like, approached her to + exhort her not to delay confession. She looked at him, replied that + she understood him, and then remained silent. Like a sensible man he + saw what was the matter, and at once said that if she had any + objection to confess to him to have no hesitation in admitting it. + Thereupon she indicated that she should like to have M. Bailly, priest + of the mission of the parish of Versailles. He was a man much + esteemed, but not altogether free from the suspicion of Jansenism. + Bailly, as it happened, had gone to Paris. This being told her, the + Dauphine asked for Father Noel, who was instantly sent for. + </p> + <p> + The excitement that this change of confessor made at a moment so + critical may be imagined. All the cruelty of the tyranny that the King + never ceased to exercise over every member of his family was now + apparent. They could not have a confessor not of his choosing! What + was his surprise and the surprise of all the Court, to find that in + these last terrible moments of life the Dauphine wished to change her + confessor, whose order even she repudiated! + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the Dauphin had given way. He had hidden his own illness as + long as he could, so as not to leave the pillow of his Dauphine. Now + the fever he had was too strong to be dissimulated; and the doctors, + who wished to spare him the sight of the horrors they foresaw, forgot + nothing to induce him to stay in his chamber, where, to sustain him, + false news was, from time to time, brought him of the state of his + spouse. + </p> + <p> + The confession of the Dauphine was long. Extreme unction was + administered immediately afterwards; and the holy viaticum directly. + An hour afterwards the Dauphine desired the prayers for the dying to + be said. They told her she was not yet in that state, and with words + of consolation exhorted her to try and get to sleep. Seven doctors of + the Court and of Paris were sent for. They consulted together in the + presence of the King and Madame de Maintenon. All with one voice were + in favour of bleeding at the foot; and in case it did not have the + effect desired, to give an emetic at the end of the night. The + bleeding was executed at seven o'clock in the evening. The return of + the fever came and was found less violent than the preceding. The + night was cruel. The King came early next morning to see the Dauphine. + The emetic she took at about nine o'clock had little effect. The day + passed in symptoms each more sad than the other; consciousness only at + rare intervals. All at once towards evening, the whole chamber fell + into dismay. A number of people were allowed to enter although the + King was there. Just before she expired he left, mounted into his + coach at the foot of the grand staircase, and with Madame de Maintenon + and Madame de Caylus went away to Marly. They were both in the most + bitter grief, and had not the courage to go to the Dauphin. Upon + arriving at Marly the King supped in his own room; and passed a short + time with M. d'Orleans and his natural children. M. le Duc de Berry, + entirely occupied with his affliction, which was great and real, had + remained at Versailles with Madame la Duchesse de Berry, who, + transported with joy upon seeing herself delivered from a powerful + rival, to whom, however, she owed all, made her face do duty for her + heart. + </p> + <p> + Monseigneur le Dauphin, ill and agitated by the most bitter grief, + kept his chamber; but on Saturday morning the 13th, being pressed to + go to Marly to avoid the horror of the noise overhead where the + Dauphine was lying dead, he set out for that place at seven o'clock in + the morning. Shortly after arriving he heard mass in the chapel, and + thence was carried in a chair to the window of one of his rooms. + Madame de Maintenon came to see him there afterwards; the anguish of + the interview was speedily too much for her, and she went away. Early + in the morning I went uninvited to see M. le Dauphin. He showed me + that he perceived this with an air of gentleness and of affection + which penetrated me. But I was terrified with his looks, constrained, + fixed and with something wild about them, with the change in his face + and with the marks there, livid rather than red, that I observed in + good number and large; marks observed by the others also. The Dauphin + was standing. In a few minutes he was apprised that the King had + awaked. The tears that he had restrained, now rolled from his eyes; he + turned round at the news but said nothing, remaining stock still. His + three attendants proposed to him, once or twice, that he should go to + the King. He neither spoke nor stirred. I approached and made signs to + him to go, then softly spoke to the same effect. Seeing that he still + remained speechless and motionless, I made bold to take his arm, + representing to him that sooner or later he must see the King, who + expected him, and assuredly with the desire to see and embrace him; + and pressing him in this manner, I took the liberty to gently push + him. He cast upon me a look that pierced my soul and went away: I + followed him some few steps and then withdrew to recover breath; I + never saw him again. May I, by the mercy of God, see him eternally + where God's goodness doubtless has placed him! + </p> + <p> + The Dauphin reached the chamber of the King, full just then of + company. As soon as, he appeared the King called him and embraced him + tenderly again and again. These first moments, so touching, passed in + words broken by sobs and tears. + </p> + <p> + Shortly afterwards the King looking at the Dauphin was terrified by + the same things that had previously struck me with affright. Everybody + around was so, also the doctors more than the others. The King ordered + them to feel his pulse; that they found bad, so they said afterwards; + for the time they contented themselves with saying it was not regular, + and that the Dauphin would do wisely to go to bed. The King embraced + him again, recommended him very tenderly to take care of himself, and + ordered him to go to bed. He obeyed and rose no more! + </p> + <p> + It was now late in the morning. The King had passed a cruel night and + had a bad headache; he saw at his dinner, the few courtiers who + presented themselves, and after dinner went to the Dauphin. The fever + had augmented: the pulse was worse than before. The King passed into + the apartments of Madame de Maintenon, and the Dauphin was left with + his attendants and his doctors. He spent the day in prayers and holy + reading. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow, Sunday, the uneasiness felt on account of the Dauphin + augmented. He himself did not conceal his belief that he should never + rise again, and that the plot Boudin had warned him of, had been + executed. He explained himself to this effect more than once, and + always with a disdain of earthly grandeur and an incomparable + submission and love of God. It is impossible to describe the general + consternation. On Monday the 15th, the King was bled. The Dauphin was + no better than before. The King and Madame de Maintenon saw him + separately several times during the day, which was passed in prayers + and reading. + </p> + <p> + On Tuesday, the 16th, the Dauphin was worse. He felt himself devoured + by a consuming fire, which the external fever did not seem to justify; + but the pulse was very extraordinary and exceedingly menacing. This + was a deceptive day. The marks on the Dauphin's face extended over all + the body. They were regarded as the marks of measles. Hope arose + thereon, but the doctors and the most clear-sighted of the Court could + not forget that these same marks had shown themselves on the body of + the Dauphine; a fact unknown out of her chamber until after death. + </p> + <p> + On Wednesday, the 17th, the malady considerably increased. I had news + at all moments of the Dauphin's state from Cheverny, an excellent + apothecary of the King and of my family. He hid nothing from us. He + had told us what he thought of the Dauphine's illness; he told us now + what he thought of the Dauphin's. I no longer hoped therefore, or + rather I hoped to the end, against all hope. + </p> + <p> + On Wednesday the pains increased. They were like a devouring fire, but + more violent than ever. Very late into the evening the Dauphin sent to + the King for permission to receive the communion early the next + morning, without ceremony and without display, at the mass performed + in his chamber. Nobody heard of this, that evening; it was not known + until the following morning. I was in extreme desolation; I scarcely + saw the King once a day. I did nothing but go in quest of news several + times a day, and to the house of M. de Chevreuse, where I was + completely free. M. de Chevreuse—always calm, always sanguine—endeavoured + to prove to us by his medical reasonings that there was more reason to + hope than to fear, but he did so with a tranquillity that roused my + impatience. I returned home to pass a cruel night. + </p> + <p> + On Thursday morning, the 18th of February, I learned that the Dauphin, + who had waited for midnight with impatience, had heard mass + immediately after the communion, had passed two hours in devout + communication with God, and that his reason then became embarrassed. + Madame de Saint-Simon told me afterwards that he had received extreme + unction: in fine, that he died at half-past eight. These memoirs are + not written to describe my private sentiments. But in reading them,—if, + long after me, they shall ever appear, my state and that of Madame de + Saint-Simon will only too keenly be felt. I will content myself with + saying, that the first days after the Dauphin's death scarcely + appeared to us more than moments; that I wished to quit all, to + withdraw from the Court and the world, and that I was only hindered by + the wisdom, conduct, and power over me of Madame de Saint-Simon, who + yet had much trouble to subdue my sorrowful desires. Let me say + something now of the young prince and his spouse, whom we thus lost in + such quick succession. + </p> + <p> + Never did princess arrive amongst us so young with so much + instruction, or with such capacity to profit by instruction. Her + skilful father, who thoroughly knew our Court, had painted it to her, + and had made her acquainted with the only manner of making herself + happy there. From the first moment of her arrival she had acted upon + his lessons. Gentle, timid, but adroit, fearing to give the slightest + pain to anybody, and though all lightness and vivacity, very capable + of far-stretching views; constraint, even to annoyance, cost her + nothing, though she felt all its weight. Complacency was natural to + her, flowed from her, and was exhibited towards every member of the + Court. + </p> + <p> + Regularly plain, with cheeks hanging, a forehead too prominent, a nose + without meaning, thick biting lips, hair and eye-brows of dark + chestnut, and well planted; the most speaking and most beautiful eyes + in the world; few teeth, and those all rotten, about which she was the + first to talk and jest; the most beautiful complexion and skin; not + much bosom, but what there was admirable; the throat long, with the + suspicion of a goitre, which did not ill become her; her head carried + gallantly, majestically, gracefully; her mien noble; her smile most + expressive; her figure long, round, slender, easy, perfectly-shaped; + her walk that of a goddess upon the clouds: with such qualifications + she pleased supremely. Grace accompanied her every step, and shone + through her manners and her most ordinary conversation. An air always + simple and natural, often naive, but seasoned with wit-this with the + ease peculiar to her, charmed all who approached her, and communicated + itself to them. She wished to please even the most useless and the + most ordinary persons, and yet without making an effort to do so. You + were tempted to believe her wholly and solely devoted to those with + whom she found herself. Her gaiety—young, quick, and active—animated + all; and her nymph-like lightness carried her everywhere, like a + whirlwind which fills several places at once, and gives them movement + and life. She was the ornament of all diversions, the life and soul of + all pleasure, and at balls ravished everybody by the justness and + perfection of her dancing. She could be amused by playing for small + sums but liked high gambling better, and was an excellent, + good-tempered, and bold gamester. + </p> + <p> + She spared nothing, not even her health, to gain Madame de Maintenon, + and through her the King. Her suppleness towards them was without + example, and never for a moment was at fault. She accompanied it with + all the discretion that her knowledge of them, acquired by study and + experience, had given her, and could measure their dispositions to an + inch. In this way she had acquired a familiarity with them such as + none of the King's children, not even the bastards, had approached. + </p> + <p> + In public, serious, measured, with the King, and in timid decorum with + Madame de Maintenon, whom she never addressed except as my aunt, thus + prettily confounding friendship and rank. In private, prattling, + skipping, flying around them, now perched upon the sides of their arm- + chairs, now playing upon their knees, she clasped them round the neck, + embraced them, kissed them, caressed them, rumpled them, tickled them + under the chin, tormented them, rummaged their tables, their papers, + their letters, broke open the seals, and read the contents in spite of + opposition, if she saw that her waggeries were likely to be received + in good part. When the King was with his ministers, when he received + couriers, when the most important affairs were under discussion, she + was present, and with such liberty, that, hearing the King and Madame + de Maintenon speak one evening with affection of the Court of England, + at the time when peace was hoped for from Queen Anne, "My aunt," she + said, "you must admit that in England the queens govern better than + the kings, and do you know why, my aunt?" asked she, running about and + gambolling all the time, "because under kings it is women who govern, + and men under queens." The joke is that they both laughed, and said + she was right. + </p> + <p> + The King really could not do without her. Everything went wrong with + him if she was not by; even at his public supper, if she were away an + additional cloud of seriousness and silence settled around him. She + took great care to see him every day upon arriving and departing; and + if some ball in winter, or some pleasure party in summer, made her + lose half the night, she nevertheless adjusted things so well that she + went and embraced the King the moment he was up, and amused him with a + description of the fete. + </p> + <p> + She was so far removed from the thoughts of death, that on + Candlemas-day she talked with Madame de Saint-Simon of people who had + died since she had been at Court, and of what she would herself do in + old age, of the life she would lead, and of such like matters. Alas! + it pleased God, for our misfortune, to dispose of her differently. + </p> + <p> + With all her coquetry—and she was not wanting in it—never + woman seemed to take less heed of her appearance; her toilette was + finished in a moment, she cared nothing for finery except at balls and + fetes; if she displayed a little at other times it was simply in order + to please the king. If the Court subsisted after her it was only to + languish. Never was princess so regretted, never one so worthy of it: + regrets have not yet passed away, the involuntary and secret + bitterness they caused still remain, with a frightful blank not yet + filled up. + </p> + <p> + Let me now turn to the Dauphin. + </p> + <p> + The youth of this prince made every one tremble. Stern and choleric to + the last degree, and even against inanimate objects; impetuous with + frenzy, incapable of suffering the slightest resistance even from the + hours and the elements, without flying into a passion that threatened + to destroy his body; obstinate to excess; passionately fond of all + kind of voluptuousness, of women, with even a worse passion strongly + developed at the same time; fond not less of wine, good living, + hunting, music, and gaming, in which last he could not endure to be + beaten; in fine, abandoned to every passion, and transported by every + pleasure; oftentimes wild, naturally disposed towards cruelty; + barbarous in raillery, and with an all-powerful capacity for ridicule. + </p> + <p> + He looked down upon all men as from the sky, as atoms with whom he had + nothing in common; even his brothers scarcely appeared connecting + links between himself and human nature, although all had been educated + together in perfect equality. His sense and penetration shone through + everything. His replies, even in anger, astonished everybody. He + amused himself with the most abstract knowledge. The extent and + vivacity of his intellect were prodigious, and rendered him incapable + of applying himself to one study at a time. + </p> + <p> + So much intelligence and of such a kind, joined to such vivacity, + sensibility, and passion, rendered his education difficult. But God, + who is the master of all hearts, and whose divine spirit breathes + where he wishes, worked a miracle on this prince between his + eighteenth and twentieth years. From this abyss he came out affable, + gentle, humane, moderate, patient, modest, penitent, and humble; and + austere, even more than harmonised with his position. Devoted to his + duties, feeling them to be immense, he thought only how to unite the + duties of son and subject with those he saw to be destined for + himself. The shortness of each day was his only sorrow. All his force, + all his consolation, was in prayer and pious reading. He clung with + joy to the cross of his Saviour, repenting sincerely of his past + pride. The King, with his outside devotion, soon saw with secret + displeasure his own life censured by that of a prince so young, who + refused himself a new desk in order to give the money it would cost to + the poor, and who did not care to accept some new gilding with which + it was proposed to furnish his little room. Madame la Duchesse de + Bourgogne, alarmed at so austere a spouse, left nothing undone in + order to soften him. Her charms, with which he was smitten, the + cunning and the unbridled importunities of the young ladies of her + suite, disguised in a hundred different forms—the attraction of + parties and pleasures to which he was far from insensible, all were + displayed every day.. But for a long time he behaved not like a prince + but like a novice. On one occasion he refused to be present at a ball + on Twelfth Night, and in various ways made himself ridiculous at + Court. In due time, however, he comprehended that the faithful + performance of the duties proper to the state in which he had been + placed, would be the conduct most agreeable to God. The bark of the + tree, little by little, grew softer without affecting the solidity of + the trunk. He applied himself to the studies which were necessary, in + order to instruct himself in public affairs, and at the same time he + lent himself more to the world, doing so with so much grace, with such + a natural air, that everybody soon began to grow reconciled to him. + </p> + <p> + The discernment of this prince was such, that, like the bee, he + gathered the most perfect substance from the best and most beautiful + flowers. He tried to fathom men, to draw from them the instruction and + the light that he could hope for. He conferred sometimes, but rarely, + with others besides his chosen few. I was the only one, not of that + number, who had complete access to him; with me he opened his heart + upon the present and the future with confidence, with sageness, with + discretion. A volume would not describe sufficiently my private + interviews with this prince, what love of good! what forgetfulness of + self! what researches! what fruit! what purity of purpose!—May I + say it? what reflection of the divinity in that mind, candid, simple, + strong, which as much as is possible here below had preserved the + image of its maker! + </p> + <p> + If you had business, and thought of opening it to him, say for a + quarter of an hour or half an hour, he gave you oftentimes two hours + or more, according as he found himself at liberty. Yet he was without + verbiage, compliments, prefaces, pleasantries, or other hindrances; + went straight to the point, and allowed you to go also. + </p> + <p> + His undue scruples of devotion diminished every day, as he found + himself face to face with the world; above all, he was well cured of + the inclination for piety in preference to talent, that is to say, for + making a man ambassador, minister, or general, rather on account of + his devotedness than of his capacity or experience. He saw the danger + of inducing hypocrisy by placing devotion too high as a qualification + for employ. + </p> + <p> + It was he who was not afraid to say publicly, in the Salon of Marly, + that "a king is made for his subjects, and not the subjects for him;" + a remark that, except under his own reign, which God did not permit, + would have been the most frightful blasphemy. + </p> + <p> + Great God! what a spectacle you gave to us in him. What tender but + tranquil views he had! What submission and love of God! What a + consciousness of his own nothingness, and of his sins! What a + magnificent idea of the infinite mercy! What religious and humble + fear! What tempered confidence! What patience! + </p> + <p> + What constant goodness for all who approached him! France fell, in + fine, under this last chastisement. God showed to her a prince she + merited not. The earth was not worthy of him; he was ripe already for + the blessed eternity! + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0060" id="link2HCH0060"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LX + </h2> + <p> + The consternation at the event that had taken place was real and + general; it penetrated to foreign lands and courts. Whilst the people + wept for him who thought only of their relief, and all France lamented + a prince who only wished to reign in order to render it flourishing + and happy, the sovereigns of Europe publicly lamented him whom they + regarded as their example, and whose virtues were preparing him to be + their arbitrator, and the peaceful and revered moderator of nations. + The Pope was so touched that he resolved of himself to set aside all + rule and hold expressly a consistory; deplored there the infinite loss + the church and all Christianity had sustained, and pronounced a + complete eulogium of the prince who caused the just regrets of all + Europe. + </p> + <p> + On Saturday, the 13th, the corpse of the Dauphine was left in its bed + with uncovered face, and opened the same evening at eleven in presence + of all the faculty. On the 15th it was placed in the grand cabinet, + where masses were continually said. + </p> + <p> + On Friday, the 19th, the corpse of Monseigneur le Dauphin was opened, + a little more than twenty-four hours after his death, also in presence + of all the faculty. His heart was immediately carried to Versailles, + and placed by the side of that of Madame la Dauphine. Both were + afterwards taken to the Val de Grace. They arrived at midnight with a + numerous cortege. All was finished in two hours. The corpse of + Monseigneur le Dauphin was afterwards carried from Marly to + Versailles, and placed by the side of Madame la Dauphine on the same + estrade. + </p> + <p> + On Tuesday, the 23rd February, the two bodies were taken from + Versailles to Saint-Denis in the same chariot. The procession began to + enter Paris by the Porte Saint-Honore at two o'clock in the morning, + and arrived between seven and eight o'clock in the morning at + Saint-Denis. There was great order in Paris, and no confusion. + </p> + <p> + On Tuesday, the 8th March, Monseigneur le Duc de Bretagne, eldest son + of Monsieur le Dauphin, who had succeeded to the name and rank of his + father, being then only five years and some months old, and who had + been seized with measles within a few days, expired, in spite of all + the remedies given him. His brother, M. le Duc d'Anjou, who still + sucked, was taken ill at the same time, but thanks to the care of the + Duchesse de Ventadour, whom in after life he never forgot, and who + administered an antidote, escaped, and is now King. + </p> + <p> + Thus three Dauphins died in less than a year, and father, mother, and + eldest son in twenty-four days! On Wednesday, the 9th of March, the + corpse of the little Dauphin was opened at night, and without any + ceremony his heart was taken to the Val de Grace, his body to Saint- + Denis, and placed by the side of those of his father and mother. M. le + Duc d'Anjou, now, sole remaining child, succeeded to the title and to + the rank of Dauphin. + </p> + <p> + I have said that the bodies of the Dauphin and the Dauphine were + opened in presence of all the faculty. The report made upon the + opening of the latter was not consolatory. Only one of the doctors + declared there were no signs of poison; the rest were of the opposite + opinion. When the body of the Dauphin was opened, everybody was + terrified. His viscera were all dissolved; his heart had no + consistency; its substance flowed through the hands of those who tried + to hold it; an intolerable odour, too, filled the apartment. The + majority of the doctors declared they saw in all this the effect of a + very subtle and very violent poison, which had consumed all the + interior of the body, like a burning fire. As before, there was one of + their number who held different views, but this was Marechal, who + declared that to persuade the King of the existence of secret enemies + of his family would be to kill him by degrees. + </p> + <p> + This medical opinion that the cause of the Dauphin's and the + Dauphine's death was poison, soon spread like wildfire over the Court + and the city. Public indignation fell upon M. d'Orleans, who was at + once pointed out as the poisoner. The rapidity with which this rumour + filled the Court, Paris, the provinces, the least frequented places, + the most isolated monasteries, the most deserted solitudes, all + foreign countries and all the peoples of Europe, recalled to me the + efforts of the cabal, which had previously spread such black reports + against the honour of him whom all the world now wept, and showed that + the cabal, though dispersed, was not dissolved. + </p> + <p> + In effect M. du Maine, now the head of the cabal, who had all to gain + and nothing to lose by the death of the Dauphin and Dauphine, from + both of whom he had studiously held aloof, and who thoroughly disliked + M. d'Orleans, did all in his power to circulate this odious report. He + communicated it to Madame de Maintenon, by whom it reached the King. + In a short time all the Court, down to the meanest valets, publicly + cried vengeance upon M. d'Orleans, with an air of the most unbridled + indignation and of perfect security. + </p> + <p> + M. d'Orleans, with respect to the two losses that afflicted the + public, had an interest the most directly opposite to that of M. du + Maine; he had everything to gain by the life of the Dauphin and + Dauphine, and unless he had been a monster vomited forth from hell he + could not have been guilty of the crime with which he was charged. + Nevertheless, the odious accusation flew from mouth to mouth, and took + refuge in every breast. + </p> + <p> + Let us compare the interest M. d'Orleans had in the life of the + Dauphin with the interest M. du Maine had in his death, and then look + about for the poisoner. But this is not all. Let us remember how M. le + Duc d'Orleans was treated by Monseigneur, and yet what genuine grief + he displayed at the death of that prince. What a contrast was this + conduct with that of M. du Maine at another time, who, after leaving + the King (Louis XIV.) at the point of death, delivered over to an + ignorant peasant, imitated that peasant so naturally and so + pleasantly, that bursts of laughter extended to the gallery, and + scandalized the passers- by. This is a celebrated and very + characteristic fact, which will find its proper place if I live long + enough to carry these memoirs up to the death of the King. + </p> + <p> + M. d'Orleans was, however, already in such bad odour, that people were + ready to believe anything to his discredit. They drank in this new + report so rapidly, that on the 17th of February, as he went with + Madame to give the holy water to the corpse of the Dauphine, the crowd + of the people threw out all sorts of accusations against him, which + both he and Madame very distinctly heard, without daring to show it, + and were in trouble, embarrassment, and indignation, as may be + imagined. There was even ground for fearing worse from an excited and + credulous populace when M. d'Orleans went alone to give the holy water + to the corpse of the Dauphin. For he had to endure on his passage + atrocious insults from a populace which uttered aloud the most + frightful observations, which pointed the finger at him with the + coarsest epithets, and which believed it was doing him a favour in not + falling upon him and tearing him to pieces! + </p> + <p> + Similar circumstances took place at the funeral procession. The + streets resounded more with cries of indignation against M. d'Orleans + and abuse of him than with grief. Silent precautions were not + forgotten in Paris in order to check the public fury, the boiling over + of which was feared at different moments. The people recompensed + themselves by gestures, cries, and other atrocities, vomited against + M. d'Orleans. Near the Palais Royal, before which the procession + passed, the increase of shouts, of cries, of abuse, was so great, that + for some minutes everything was to be feared. + </p> + <p> + It may be imagined what use M. du Maine contrived to make of the + public folly, the rumours of the Paris cafes, the feeling of the salon + of Marly, that of the Parliament, the reports that arrived from the + provinces and foreign countries. In a short time so overpowered was M. + d'Orleans by the feeling against him everywhere exhibited, that acting + upon very ill- judged advice he spoke to the King upon the subject, + and begged to be allowed to surrender himself as a prisoner at the + Bastille, until his character was cleared from stain. + </p> + <p> + I was terribly annoyed when I heard that M. d'Orleans had taken this + step, which could not possibly lead to good. I had quite another sort + of scheme in my head which I should have proposed to him had I known + of his resolve. Fortunately, however, the King was persuaded not to + grant M. d'Orleans' request, out of which therefore nothing came. The + Duke meanwhile lived more abandoned by everybody than ever; if in the + salon he approached a group of courtiers, each, without the least + hesitation, turned to the right or to the left and went elsewhere, so + that it was impossible for him to accost anybody except by surprise, + and if he did so, he was left alone directly after with the most + marked indecency. In a word, I was the only person, I say distinctly, + the only person, who spoke to M. d'Orleans as before. Whether in his + own house or in the palace I conversed with him, seated myself by his + side in a corner of the salon, where assuredly we had no third person + to fear, and walked with him in the gardens under the very windows of + the King and of Madame de Maintenon. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, all my friends warned me that if I pursued this conduct + so opposite to that in vogue, I should assuredly fall into disgrace. I + held firm. I thought that when we did not believe our friends guilty + we ought not to desert them, but, on the contrary, to draw closer to + them, as by honour bound, give them the consolation due from us, and + show thus to the world our hatred for calumny. My friends insisted; + gave me to understand that the King disapproved my conduct, that + Madame de Maintenon was annoyed at it: they forgot nothing to awaken + my fears. But I was insensible to all they said to me, and did not + omit seeing M. d'Orleans a single day; often stopping with him two and + three hours at a time. + </p> + <p> + A few weeks had passed over thus, when one morning M. de Beauvilliers + called upon me, and urged me to plead business, and at once withdraw + to La Ferme; intimating that if I did not do so of my own accord, I + should be compelled by an order from the King. He never explained + himself more fully, but I have always remained persuaded that the King + or Madame de Maintenon had sent him to me, and had told him that I + should be banished if I did not banish myself. Neither my absence nor + my departure made any stir; nobody suspected anything. I was carefully + informed, without knowing by whom, when my exile was likely to end: + and I returned, after a month or five weeks, straight to the Court, + where I kept up the same intimacy with M. d'Orleans as before. + </p> + <p> + But he was not yet at the end of his misfortunes. The Princesse des + Ursins had not forgiven him his pleasantry at her expense. Chalais, + one of her most useful agents, was despatched by her on a journey so + mysterious that its obscurity has never been illuminated. He was + eighteen days on the road, unknown, concealing his name, and passing + within two leagues of Chalais, where his father and mother lived, + without giving them any signs of life, although all were on very good + terms. He loitered secretly in Poitou, and at last arrested there a + Cordelier monk, of middle age, in the convent of Bressuire, who cried, + "Ah! I am lost!" upon being caught. Chalais conducted him to the + prison of Poitiers, whence he despatched to Madrid an officer of + dragoons he had brought with him, and who knew this Cordelier, whose + name has never transpired, although it is certain he was really a + Cordelier, and that he was returning from as journey in Italy and + Germany that had extended as far as Vienna. Chalais pushed on to + Paris, and came to Marly on the 27th of April, a day on which the King + had taken medicine. After dinner he was taken by Torcy to the King, + with whom he remained half an hour, delaying thus the Council of State + for the same time, and then returned immediately to Paris. So much + trouble had not been taken for no purpose: and Chalais had not + prostituted himself to play the part of prevot to a miserable monk + without expecting good winnings from the game. Immediately afterwards + the most dreadful rumours were everywhere in circulation against M. + d'Orleans, who, it was said, had poisoned the Dauphin and Dauphine by + means of this monk, who, nevertheless, was far enough away from our + Prince and Princess at the time of their death. In an instant Paris + resounded with these horrors; the provinces were inundated with them, + and immediately afterwards foreign countries—this too with an + incredible rapidity, which plainly showed how well the plot had been + prepared—and a publicity that reached the very caverns of the + earth. Madame des Ursins was not less served in Spain than M. du Maine + and Madame de Maintenon in France. The anger of the public was + doubled. The Cordelier was brought, bound hand and foot, to the + Bastille, and delivered up to D'Argenson, Lieutenant of Police. + </p> + <p> + This D'Argenson rendered an account to the King of many things which + Pontchartrain, as Secretary of State, considered to belong to his + department. Pontchartrain was vexed beyond measure at this, and could + not see without despair his subaltern become a kind of minister more + feared, more valued, more in consideration than he, and conduct + himself always in such manner that he gained many powerful friends, + and made but few enemies, and those of but little moment. M. d'Orleans + bowed before the storm that he could not avert; it could not increase + the general desertion; he had accustomed himself to his solitude, and, + as he had never heard this monk spoken of, had not the slightest fear + on his account. D'Argenson, who questioned the Cordelier several + times, and carried his replies daily to the King, was sufficiently + adroit to pay his court to M. d'Orleans, by telling him that the + prisoner had uttered nothing which concerned him, and by representing + the services he did M. d'Orleans with the King. Like a sagacious man, + D'Argenson saw the madness of popular anger devoid of all foundation, + and which could not hinder M. d'Orleans from being a very considerable + person in France, during a minority that—the age of the King + showed to be pretty near. He took care, therefore, to avail himself of + the mystery which surrounded his office, to ingratiate himself more + and more with M. d'Orleans, whom he had always carefully though + secretly served; and his conduct, as will be seen in due time, + procured him a large fortune. + </p> + <p> + But I have gone too far. I must retrace my steps, to speak of things I + have omitted to notice in their proper place. + </p> + <p> + The two Dauphins and the Dauphine were interred at Saint-Denis, on + Monday, the 18th of April. The funeral oration was pronounced by + Maboul, Bishop of Aleth, and pleased; M. de Metz, chief chaplain, + officiated; the service commenced at about eleven o'clock. As it was + very long, it was thought well to have at hand a large vase of + vinegar, in case anybody should be ill. M. de Metz having taken the + first oblation, and observing that very little wine was left for the + second, asked for more. This large vase of vinegar was supposed to be + wine, and M. de Metz, who wished to strengthen himself, said, washing + his fingers over the chalice, "fill right up." He swallowed all at a + draught, and did not perceive until the end that he had drunk vinegar; + his grimace and his complaint caused some little laughter round him; + and he often related this adventure, which much soured him. On Monday, + the 20th of May, the funeral service for the Dauphin and Dauphine was + performed at Notre Dame. + </p> + <p> + Let me here say, that before the Prince and his spouse were buried, + that is to say, the 6th of April, the King gave orders for the + recommencement of the usual play at Marly; and that M. le Duc de Berry + and Madame la Duchesse de Berry presided in the salon at the public + lansquenet and brelan; and the different gaming tables for all the + Court. In a short time the King dined in Madame de Maintenon's + apartments once or twice a week, and had music there. And all this, as + I have remarked, with the corpse of the Dauphin and that of the + Dauphine still above ground. + </p> + <p> + The gap left by the death of the Dauphine could not, however, be + easily filled up. Some months after her loss, the King began to feel + great ennui steal upon him in the hours when he had no work with his + ministers. The few ladies admitted into the apartments of Madame de + Maintenon when he was there, were unable to entertain him. Music, + frequently introduced, languished from that cause. Detached scenes + from the comedies of Moliere were thought of, and were played by the + King's musicians, comedians for the nonce. Madame de Maintenon + introduced, too, the Marechal de Villeroy, to amuse the King by + relating their youthful adventures. + </p> + <p> + Evening amusements became more and more frequent in Madame de + Maintenon's apartments, where, however, nothing could fill up the void + left by the poor Dauphine. + </p> + <p> + I have said little of the grief I felt at the loss of the prince whom + everybody so deeply regretted. As will be believed, it was bitter and + profound. The day of his death, I barricaded myself in my own house, + and only left it for one instant in order to join the King at his + promenade in the gardens. The vexation I felt upon seeing him followed + almost as usual, did not permit me to stop more than an instant. All + the rest of the stay at Versailles, I scarcely left my room, except to + visit M. de Beauvilliers. I will admit that, to reach M. de + Beauvilliers' house, I made a circuit between the canal and the + gardens of Versailles, so as to spare myself the sight of the chamber + of death, which I had not force enough to approach. I admit that I was + weak. I was sustained neither by the piety, superior to all things, of + M. de Beauvilliers, nor by that of Madame de Saint-Simon, who + nevertheless not the less suffered. The truth is, I was in despair. To + those who know my position, this will appear less strange than my + being able to support at all so complete a misfortune. I experienced + this sadness precisely at the same age as that of my father when he + lost Louis XIII.; but he at least had enjoyed the results of favour, + whilst I, 'Gustavi paululum mellis, et ecce morior.' Yet this was not + all. + </p> + <p> + In the casket of the Dauphin there were several papers he had asked me + for. I had drawn them up in all confidence; he had preserved them in + the same manner. There was one, very large, in my hand, which if seen + by the King, would have robbed me of his favour for ever; ruined me + without hope of return. We do not think in time of such catastrophes. + The King knew my handwriting; he did not know my mode of thought, but + might pretty well have guessed it. I had sometimes supplied him with + means to do so; my good friends of the Court had done the rest. The + King when he discovered my paper would also discover on what close + terms of intimacy I had been with the Dauphin, of which he had no + suspicion. My anguish was then cruel, and there seemed every reason to + believe that if my secret was found out, I should be disgraced and + exiled during all the rest of the King's reign. + </p> + <p> + What a contrast between the bright heaven I had so recently gazed upon + and the abyss now yawning at my feet! But so it is in the Court and + the world! I felt then the nothingness of even the most desirable + future, by an inward sentiment, which, nevertheless, indicates how we + cling to it. Fear on account of the contents of the casket had + scarcely any power over me. I was obliged to reflect in order to + return to it from time to time. Regret for this incomparable Dauphin + pierced my heart, and suspended all the faculties of my soul. For a + long time I wished to fly from the Court, so that I might never again + see the deceitful face of the world; and it was some time before + prudence and honour got the upper hand. + </p> + <p> + It so happened that the Duc de Beauvilliers himself was able to carry + this casket to the King, who had the key of it. M. de Beauvilliers in + fact resolved not to trust it out of his own hands, but to wait until + he was well enough to take it to the King, so that he might then try + to hide my papers from view. This task was difficult, for he did not + know the position in the casket of these dangerous documents, and yet + it was our only resource. This terrible uncertainty lasted more than a + fortnight. + </p> + <p> + On Tuesday, the 1st of March, M. de Beauvilliers carried the casket to + the King. He came to me shortly after, and before sitting down, + indicated by signs that there was no further occasion for fear. He + then related to me that he had found the casket full of a mass of + documents, finance projects, reports from the provinces, papers of all + kinds, that he had read some of them to the King on purpose to weary + him, and had succeeded so well that the King soon was satisfied by + hearing only the titles; and, at last, tired out by not finding + anything important, said it was not worth while to read more, and that + there was nothing to do but to throw everything into the fire. The + Duke assured me that he did not wait to be told twice, being all the + more anxious to comply, because at the bottom of the casket he had + seen some of my handwriting, which he had promptly covered up in + taking other papers to read their titles to the King; and that + immediately the word "fire" was uttered, he confusedly threw all the + papers into the casket, and then emptied it near the fire, between the + King and Madame de Maintenon, taking good care as he did so that my + documents should not be seen,—even cautiously using the tongs in + order to prevent any piece flying away, and not quitting the fireplace + until he had seen every page consumed. We embraced each other, in the + relief we reciprocally felt, relief proportioned to the danger we had + run. + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0072" id="link2H_4_0072"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VOLUME 9. + </h2> + <a name="link2HCH0061" id="link2HCH0061"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXI + </h2> + <p> + Let me here relate an incident which should have found a place + earlier, but which has been omitted in order that what has gone before + might be uninterrupted. On the 16th of the previous July the King made + a journey to Fontainebleau, where he remained until the 14th of + September. I should suppress the bagatelle which happened on the + occasion of this journey, if it did not serve more and more to + characterize the King. + </p> + <p> + Madame la Duchesse de Berry was in the family way for the first time, + had been so for nearly three months, was much inconvenienced, and had + a pretty strong fever. M. Fagon, the doctor, thought it would be + imprudent for her not to put off travelling for a day or two. Neither + she nor M, d'Orleans dared to speak about it. M. le Duc de Berry + timidly hazarded a word, and was ill received. Madame la Duchesse + d'Orleans more timid still, addressed herself to Madame, and to Madame + de Maintenon, who, indifferent as they might be respecting Madame la + Duchesse de Berry, thought her departure so hazardous that, supported + by Fagon, they spoke of it to the King. It was useless. They were not + daunted, however, and this dispute lasted three or four days. The end + of it was, that the King grew thoroughly angry and agreed, by way of + capitulation, that the journey should be performed in a boat instead + of a coach. + </p> + <p> + It was arranged that Madame la Duchesse de Berry should leave Marly, + where the King then was, on the 13th, sleep at the Palais Royal that + night and repose herself there all the next day and night, that on the + 15th she should set out for Petit-Bourg, where the King was to halt + for the night, and arrive like him, on the 16th, at Fontainebleau, the + whole journey to be by the river. M. le Duc de Berry had permission to + accompany his wife; but during the two nights they were to rest in + Paris the King angrily forbade them to go anywhere, even to the Opera, + although that building joined the Palais Royal, and M. d'Orleans' box + could be reached without going out of the palace. + </p> + <p> + On the 14th the King, under pretence of inquiry after them, repeated + this prohibition to M. le Duc de Berry and Madame his wife, and also + to M. d'Orleans and Madame d'Orleans, who had been included in it. He + carried his caution so far as to enjoin Madame de Saint-Simon to see + that Madame la Duchesse de Berry obeyed the instructions she had + received. As may be believed, his orders were punctually obeyed. + Madame de Saint-Simon could not refuse to remain and sleep in the + Palais Royal, where the apartment of the queen-mother was given to + her. All the while the party was shut up there was a good deal of + gaming in order to console M. le Duc de Berry for his confinement. + </p> + <p> + The provost of the merchants had orders to prepare boats for the trip + to Fontainebleau. He had so little time that they were ill chosen. + Madame la Duchesse de Berry embarked, however, on the 15th, and + arrived, with fever, at ten o'clock at night at Petit-Bourg, where the + King appeared rejoiced by an obedience so exact. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow the journey recommenced. In passing Melun, the boat of + Madame la Duchesse de Berry struck against the bridge, was nearly + capsized, and almost swamped, so that they were all in great danger. + They got off, however, with fear and a delay. Disembarking in great + disorder at Valvin, where their equipages were waiting for there, they + arrived at Fontainebleau two hours after midnight. The King, pleased + beyond measure, went the next morning to see Madame la Duchesse de + Berry in the beautiful apartment of the queen-mother that had been + given to her. From the moment of her arrival she had been forced to + keep her bed, and at six o'clock in the morning of the 21st of July + she miscarried and was delivered of a daughter, still-born. Madame de + Saint-Simon ran to tell the King; he did not appear much moved; he had + been obeyed! The Duchesse de Beauvilliers and the Marquise de + Chatillon were named by the King to carry the embryo to Saint-Denis. + As it was only a girl, and as the miscarriage had no ill effect, + consolation soon came. + </p> + <p> + It was some little time after this occurrence, that we heard of the + defeat of the Czar by the Grand Vizier upon the Pruth. The Czar, + annoyed by the protection the Porte had accorded to the King of Sweden + (in retirement at Bender), made an appeal to arms, and fell into the + same error as that which had occasioned the defeat of the King of + Sweden by him. The Turks drew him to the Pruth across deserts supplied + with nothing; if he did not risk all, by a very unequal battle, he + must perish. The Czar was at the head of sixty thousand men: he lost + more than thirty thousand on the Pruth, the rest were dying of hunger + and misery; and he, without any resources, could scarcely avoid + surrendering himself and his forces to the Turks. In this pressing + extremity, a common woman whom he had taken away from her husband, a + drummer in the army, and whom he had publicly espoused after having + repudiated and confined his own wife in a convent,—proposed that + he should try by bribery to induce the Grand Vizier to allow him and + the wreck of his forces to retreat The Czar approved of the + proposition, without hoping for success from it. He sent to the Grand + Vizier and ordered him to be spoken to in secret. The Vizier was + dazzled by the gold, the precious stones, and several valuable things + that were offered to him. He accepted and received them; and signed a + treaty by which the Czar was permitted to retire, with all who + accompanied him, into his own states by the shortest road, the Turks + to furnish him with provisions, with which he was entirely unprovided. + The Czar, on his side, agreed to give up Azof as soon as he returned; + destroy all the forts and burn all the vessels that he had upon the + Black Sea; allow the King of Sweden to return by Pomerania; and to pay + the Turks and their Prince all the expenses of the war. + </p> + <p> + The Grand Vizier found such an opposition in the Divan to this treaty, + and such boldness in the minister of the King of Sweden, who + accompanied him, in exciting against him all the chiefs of the army, + that it was within an ace of being broken; and the Czar, with every + one left to him, of being made prisoner. The latter was in no + condition to make even the least resistance. The Grand Vizier had only + to will it, in order to execute it on the spot. In addition to the + glory of leading captive to Constantinople the Czar, his Court, and + his troops, there would have been his ransom, which must have cost not + a little. But if he had been thus stripped of his riches, they would + have been for the Sultan, and the Grand Vizier preferred having them + for himself. He braved it then with authority and menaces, and + hastened the Czar's departure and his own. The Swedish minister, + charged with protests from the principal Turkish chiefs, hurried to + Constantinople, where the Grand Vizier was strangled upon arriving. + </p> + <p> + The Czar never forgot this service of his wife, by whose courage and + presence of mind he had been saved. The esteem he conceived for her, + joined to his friendship, induced him to crown her Czarina, and to + consult her upon all his affairs and all his schemes. Escaped from + danger, he was a long time without giving up Azof, or demolishing his + forts on the Black Sea. As for his vessels, he kept them nearly all, + and would not allow the King of Sweden to return into Germany, as he + had agreed, thus almost lighting up a fresh war with the Turk. + </p> + <p> + On the 6th of November, 1711, at about eight o'clock in the evening, + the shock of an earthquake was felt in Paris and at Versailles; but it + was so slight that few people perceived it. In several places towards + Touraine and Poitou, in Saxony, and in some of the German towns near, + it was very perceptible at the same day and hour. At this date a new + tontine was established in Paris. + </p> + <p> + I have so often spoken of Marshal Catinat, of his virtue, wisdom, + modesty, and disinterestedness; of the rare superiority of his + sentiments, and of his great qualities as captain, that nothing + remains for me to say except that he died at this time very advanced + in years, at his little house of Saint-Gratien, near Saint-Denis, + where he had retired, and which he seldom quitted, although receiving + there but few friends. By his simplicity and frugality, his contempt + for worldly distinction, and his uniformity of conduct, he recalled + the memory of those great men who, after the best-merited triumphs, + peacefully returned to the plough, still loving their country and but + little offended by the ingratitude of the Rome they had so well + served. Catinat placed his philosophy at the service of his piety. He + had intelligence, good sense, ripe reflection; and he never forgot his + origin; his dress, his equipages, his furniture, all were of the + greatest simplicity. His air and his deportment were so also. He was + tall, dark, and thin; had an aspect pensive, slow, and somewhat mean; + with very fine and expressive eyes. He deplored the signal faults that + he saw succeed each other unceasingly; the gradual extinction of all + emulation; the luxury, the emptiness, the ignorance, the confusion of + ranks; the inquisition in the place of the police: he saw all the + signs of destruction, and he used to say it was only a climax of + dangerous disorder that could restore order to the realm. + </p> + <p> + Vendome was one of the few to whom the death of the Dauphin and the + Dauphine brought hope and joy. He had deemed himself expatriated for + the rest of his life. He saw, now, good chances before him of + returning to our Court, and of playing a part there again. He had + obtained some honour in Spain; he aimed at others even higher, and + hoped to return to France with all the honours of a Prince of the + Blood. His idleness, his free living, his debauchery, had prolonged + his stay upon the frontier, where he had more facilities for + gratifying his tastes than at Madrid. In that city, it is true, he did + not much constrain himself, but he was forced to do so to some extent + by courtly usages. He was, then, quite at home on the frontier; there + was nothing to do; for the Austrians, weakened by the departure of the + English, were quite unable to attack; and Vendome, floating upon the + delights of his new dignities, thought only of enjoying himself in the + midst of profound idleness, under pretext that operations could not at + once be commenced. + </p> + <p> + In order to be more at liberty he separated from the general officers, + and established himself with his valets and two or three of his most + familiar friends, cherished companions everywhere, at Vignarez, a + little isolated hamlet, almost deserted, on the sea-shore and in the + kingdom of Valencia. His object was to eat fish there to his heart's + content. He carried out that object, and filled himself to repletion + for nearly a month. He became unwell—his diet, as may be + believed, was enough to cause this—but his illness increased so + rapidly, and in so strange a manner, after having for a long time + seemed nothing that the few around him suspected poison, and sent on + all sides for assistance. But the malady would not wait; it augmented + rapidly with strange symptoms. Vendome could not sign a will that was + presented to him; nor a letter to the King, its which he asked that + his brother might be permitted to return to Court. Everybody near flew + from him and abandoned him, so that he remained in the hands of three + or four of the meanest valets, whilst the rest robbed him of + everything and decamped. He passed thus the last two or three days of + his life, without a priest,—no mention even had been made of + one,—without other help than that of a single surgeon. The three + or four valets who remained near him, seeing him at his last + extremity, seized hold of the few things he still possessed, and for + want of better plunder, dragged off his bedclothes and the mattress + from under him. He piteously cried to them at least not to leave him + to die naked upon the bare bed. I know not whether they listened to + him. + </p> + <p> + Thus died on Friday, the 10th of June, 1712, the haughtiest of men; + and the happiest, except in the later years of his life. After having + been obliged to speak of him so often, I get rid of him now, once and + for ever. He was fifty-eight years old; but in spite of the blind and + prodigious favour he had enjoyed, that favour had never been able to + make ought but a cabal hero out of a captain who was a very bad + general, and a man whose vices were the shame of humanity. His death + restored life and joy to all Spain. + </p> + <p> + Aguilar, a friend of the Duc de Noailles, was accused of having + poisoned him; but took little pains to defend himself, inasmuch as + little pains were taken to substantiate the accusation. The Princesse + des Ursins, who had so well profited by his life in order to increase + her own greatness, did not profit less by his death. She felt her + deliverance from a new Don Juan of Spain who had ceased to be supple + in her hands, and who might have revived, in the course of time, all + the power and authority he had formerly enjoyed in France. She was not + shocked them by the joy which burst out without constraint; nor by the + free talk of the Court, the city, the army, of all Spain. But in order + to sustain what she had done, and cheaply pay her court to M. du + Maine, Madame de Maintenon, and even to the King, she ordered that the + corpse of this hideous monster of greatness and of fortune should be + carried to the Escurial. This was crowning the glory of M. de Vendome + in good earnest; for no private persons are buried in the Escurial, + although several are to be found in Saint-Denis. But meanwhile, until + I speak of the visit I made to the Escurial—I shall do so if I + live long enough to carry these memoirs up to the death of M. + d'Orleans,—let me say something of that illustrious sepulchre. + </p> + <p> + The Pantheon is the place where only the bodies of kings and queens + who have had posterity are admitted. In a separate place, near, though + not on the same floor, and resembling a library, the bodies of + children, and of queens who have had no posterity, are ranged. A third + place, a sort of antechamber to the last named, is rightly called "the + rotting room;" whilst the other improperly bears the same name. In + whilst third room, there is nothing to be seen but four bare walls and + a table in the middle. The walls being very thick, openings are made + in them in which the bodies are placed. Each body has an opening to + itself, which is afterwards walled up, so that nothing is seen. When + it is thought that the corpse has been closed up sufficiently long to + be free from odour the wall is opened, the body taken out, and put in + a coffin which allows a portion of it to be seen towards the feet. + This coffin is covered with a rich stuff and carried into an adjoining + room. + </p> + <p> + The body of the Duc de Vendome had been walled up nine years when I + entered the Escurial. I was shown the place it occupied, smooth like + every part of the four walls and without mark. I gently asked the + monks who did me the honours of the place, when the body would be + removed to the other chamber. They would not satisfy my curiosity, + showed some indignation, and plainly intimated that this removal was + not dreamt of, and that as M. de Vendome had been so carefully walled + up he might remain so! + </p> + <p> + Harlay, formerly chief-president, of whom I have so often had occasion + to speak, died a short time after M. de Vendome. I have already made + him known. I will simply add an account of the humiliation to which + this haughty cynic was reduced. He hired a house in the Rue de + l'Universite with a partition wall between his garden and that of the + Jacobins of the Faubourg Saint-Germain. The house did not belong to + the Jacobins, like the houses of the Rue Saint-Dominique, and the Rue + du Bac, which, in order that they might command higher rents, were put + in connection with the convent garden. These mendicant Jacobins thus + derive fifty thousand livres a-year. Harlay, accustomed to exercise + authority, asked them for a door into their garden. He was refused. He + insisted, had them spoken to, and succeeded no better. Nevertheless + the Jacobins comprehended that although this magistrate, recently so + powerful, was now nothing by himself, he had a son and a cousin, + Councillors of State, whom they might some day have to do with, and + who for pride's sake might make themselves very disagreeable. The + argument of interest is the best of all with monks. The Jacobins + changed their mind. The Prior, accompanied by some of the notabilities + of the convent, went to Harlay with excuses, and said he was at + liberty, if he liked, to make the door. Harlay, true to his character, + looked at them askance, and replied, that he had changed his mind and + would do without it. The monks, much troubled by his refusal, + insisted; he interrupted them and said, "Look you, my fathers, I am + grandson of Achille du Harlay, Chief-President of the Parliament, who + so well served the State and the Kingdom, and who for his support of + the public cause was dragged to the Bastille, where he expected to be + hanged by those rascally Leaguers; it would ill become me, therefore, + to enter the house, or pray to God there, of folks of the same stamp + as that Jacques Clement." And he immediately turned his back upon + them, leaving them confounded. This was his last act of vigour. He + took it into his head afterwards to go out visiting a good deal, and + as he preserved all his old unpleasant manners, he afflicted all he + visited; he went even to persons who had often cooled their heels in + his antechambers. By degrees, slight but frequent attacks of apoplexy + troubled his speech, so that people had great difficulty in + understanding him, and he in speaking. In this state he did not cease + his visits and could not perceive that many doors were closed to him. + He died in this misery, and this neglect, to the great relief of the + few who by relationship were obliged to see him, above all of his son + and his domestic. + </p> + <p> + On the 17th July, a truce between France and England was published in + Flanders, at the head of the troops of the two crowns. The Emperor, + however, was not yet inclined for peace and his forces under Prince + Eugene continued to oppose us in Flanders, where, however, the tide at + last turned in our favour. The King was so flattered by the overflow + of joy that took place at Fontainebleau on account of our successes, + that he thanked the country for it, for the first time in his life. + Prince Eugene, in want of bread and of everything, raised the siege of + Landrecies, which he had been conducting, and terrible desertion took + place among his troops. + </p> + <p> + About this time, there was an irruption of wolves, which caused great + disorders in the Orleannais; the King's wolf-hunters were sent there, + and the people were authorised to take arms and make a number of grand + battues. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0062" id="link2HCH0062"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXII. + </h2> + <p> + Peace was now all but concluded between France and England. There was, + however, one great obstacle still in its way. Queen Anne and her + Council were stopped by the consideration that the king of Spain would + claim to succeed to the Crown of France, if the little Dauphin should + die. Neither England nor any of the other powers at war would consent + to see the two principal crowns of Europe upon the same head. It was + necessary, then, above all things to get rid of this difficulty, and + so arrange the order of succession to our throne, that the case to be + provided against could never happen. Treaties, renunciations, and + oaths, all of which the King had already broken, appeared feeble + guarantees in the eyes of Europe. Something stronger was sought for. + It could not be found; because there is nothing more sacred among men + than engagements which they consider binding on each other. What was + wanting then in mere forms it was now thought could be supplied by + giving to those forms the greatest possible solemnity. + </p> + <p> + It was a long time before we could get over the difficulty. The King + would accord nothing except promises in order to guarantee to Europe + that the two crowns should never be united upon the same head. His + authority was wounded at the idea of being called upon to admit, as it + were, a rival near it. Absolute without reply, as he had become, he + had extinguished and absorbed even the minutest trace, idea, and + recollection of all other authority, all other power in France except + that which emanated from himself alone. The English, little accustomed + to such maxims, proposed that the States-General should assemble in + order to give weight to the renunciations to be made. They said, and + with reason, that it was not enough that the King of Spain should + renounce France unless France renounced Spain; and that this formality + was necessary in order to break the double bonds which attached Spain + to France, as France was attached to Spain. Accustomed to their + parliaments, which are in effect their States-General, they believed + ours preserved the same authority, and they thought such authority the + greatest to be obtained and the best capable of solidly supporting + that of the King. + </p> + <p> + The effect of this upon the mind of a Prince almost deified in his own + eyes, and habituated to the most unlimited despotism, cannot be + expressed. To show him that the authority of his subjects was thought + necessary in order to confirm his own, wounded him in his most + delicate part. The English were made to understand the weakness and + the uselessness of what they asked; for the powerlessness of our + States- General was explained to them, and they saw at once how vain + their help would be, even if accorded. + </p> + <p> + For a long time nothing was done; France saying that a treaty of + renunciation and an express confirmatory declaration of the King, + registered in the Parliament, were sufficient; the English replying by + reference to the fate of past treaties. Peace meanwhile was arranged + with the English, and much beyond our hopes remained undisturbed. + </p> + <p> + In due time matters were so far advanced in spite of obstacles thrown + in the way by the allies, that the Duc d'Aumont was sent as ambassador + into England; and the Duke of Hamilton was named as ambassador for + France. This last, however, losing his life in a duel with Lord Mohun, + the Duke of Shrewsbury was appointed in his stead. + </p> + <p> + At the commencement of the new year the Duke and Duchess of Shrewsbury + arrived in Paris. The Duchess was a great fat masculine creature, more + than past the meridian, who had been beautiful and who affected to be + so still; bare bosomed; her hair behind her ears; covered with rouge + and patches, and full of finicking ways. All her manners were that of + a mad thing, but her play, her taste, her magnificence, even her + general familiarity, made her the fashion. She soon declared the + women's head-dresses ridiculous, as indeed they were. They were + edifices of brass wire, ribbons, hair, and all sorts of tawdry rubbish + more than two feet high, making women's faces seem in the middle of + their bodies. The old ladies wore the same, but made of black gauze. + If they moved ever so lightly the edifice trembled and the + inconvenience was extreme. The King could not endure them, but master + as he was of everything was unable to banish them. They lasted for ten + years and more, despite all he could say and do. What this monarch had + been unable to perform, the taste and example of a silly foreigner + accomplished with the most surprising rapidity. From extreme height, + the ladies descended to extreme lowness, and these head-dresses, more + simple; more convenient, and more becoming, last even now. Reasonable + people wait with impatience for some other mad stranger who will strip + our dames of these immense baskets, thoroughly insupportable to + themselves and to others. + </p> + <p> + Shortly after the Duke of Shrewsbury arrived in Paris, the Hotel de + Powis in London, occupied by our ambassador the Duc d'Aumont, was + burnt to the ground. A neighbouring house was pulled down to prevent + others catching fire. The plate of M. d'Aumont was saved. He pretended + to have lost everything else. He pretended also to have received + several warnings that his house was to be burnt and himself + assassinated, and that the Queen, to whom he had mentioned these + warnings, offered to give him a guard. People judged otherwise in + London and Paris, and felt persuaded he himself had been the + incendiary in order to draw money from the King and also to conceal + some monstrous smuggling operations, by which he gained enormously, + and which the English had complained of ever since his arrival. This + is at least what was publicly said in the two courts and cities, and + nearly everybody believed it. + </p> + <p> + But to return to the peace. The renunciations were ready, towards the + middle of March, and were agreed upon. The King was invited to sign + them by his own most pressing interest; and the Court of England, to + which we owed all, was not less interested in consummating this grand + work, so as to enjoy, with the glory of having imposed it upon all the + powers, that domestic repose which was unceasingly disturbed by the + party opposed to the government, which party, excited by the enemies + of peace abroad, could not cease to cause disquiet to the Queen's + minister, while, by delay in signing, vain hopes of disturbing the + peace or hindering its ratification existed in people's minds. The + King of Spain had made his renunciations with all the solidity and + solemnity which could be desired from the laws, customs, and usages of + Spain. It only remained for France to imitate him. + </p> + <p> + For the ceremony that was to take place, all that could be obtained in + order to render it more solemn was the presence of the peers. But the + King was so jealous of his authority, and so little inclined to pay + attention to that of others, that he wished to content himself with + merely saying in a general way that he hoped to find all the peers at + the Parliament when the renunciations were made. I told M. d'Orleans + that if the King thought such an announcement as this was enough he + might rely upon finding not a single peer at the Parliament. I added, + that if the King did not himself invite each peer, the master of the + ceremonies ought to do so for him, according to the custom always + followed. This warning had its effect. We all received written + invitations, immediately. Wednesday, the 18th of May, was fixed for + the ceremony. + </p> + <p> + At six o'clock on the morning of that day I went to the apartments of + M. le Duc de Berry, in parliamentary dress, and shortly afterwards M. + d'Orleans came there also, with a grand suite. It had been arranged + that the ceremony was to commence by a compliment from the + Chief-President de Mesmes to M. le Duc de Berry, who was to reply to + it. He was much troubled at this. Madame de Saint-Simon, to whom he + unbosomed himself; found means, through a subaltern, to obtain the + discourse of the Chief- President, and gave it to M. le Duc de Berry, + to regulate his reply by. This, however, seemed too much for him; he + admitted so to Madame de Saint-Simon, and that he knew not what to do. + She proposed that I should take the work off his hands; and he was + delighted with the expedient. I wrote, therefore, a page and a half + full of common-sized paper in an ordinary handwriting. M. le Duc de + Berry liked it, but thought it too long to be learnt. I abridged it; + he wished it to be still shorter, so that at last there was not more + than three-quarters of a page. He had learned it by heart, and + repeated it in his cabinet the night before the ceremony to Madame de + Saint-Simon, who encouraged him as much as she could. + </p> + <p> + At about half-past six o'clock we set out—M. le Duc d'Orleans, + M. le Duc de Berry, myself, and M. le Duc de Saint-Aignan, in one + coach, several other coaches following. M. le Duc de Berry was very + silent all the journey, appearing to be much occupied with the speech + he had learned by heart. M. d'Orleans, on the contrary, was full of + gaiety, and related some of his youthful adventures, and his wild + doings by night in the streets of Paris. We arrived gently at the + Porte de la Conference, that is to say—for it is now pulled down—at + the end of the terrace, and of the Quai of the Tuileries. + </p> + <p> + We found there the trumpeters and drummers of M. le Duc de Berry's + guard, who made a great noise all the rest of our journey, which ended + at the Palais de justice. Thence we went to the Sainte-Chapelle to + hear mass. The Chapelle was filled with company, among which were many + people of quality. The crowd of people from this building to the grand + chamber was so great that a pin could not have fallen to the ground. + On all sides, too, folks had climbed up to see what passed. + </p> + <p> + All the Princes of the blood, the bastards, the peers and the + parliament, were assembled in the palace. When M. le Duc de Berry + entered, everything was ready. Silence having with difficulty been + obtained, the Chief-President paid his compliment to the Prince. When + he had finished, it was for M. le Duc de Berry to reply. He half took + off his hat, immediately put it back again, looked at the + Chief-President, and said, "Monsieur;" after a moment's pause he + repeated "Monsieur." Then he looked at the assembly, and again said, + "Monsieur." Afterwards he turned towards M. d'Orleans, who, like + himself, was as red as fire, next to the Chief-President, and finally + stopped short, nothing else than "Monsieur" having been able to issue + from his mouth. + </p> + <p> + I saw distinctly the confusion of M. le Duc de Berry, and sweated at + it; but what could be done? The Duke turned again towards M. + d'Orleans, who lowered his head. Both were dismayed. At last the + Chief-President, seeing there was no other resource, finished this + cruel scene by taking off his cap to M. le Duc de Berry, and inclining + himself very low, as if the response was finished. Immediately + afterwards he told the King's people to begin. The embarrassment of + all the courtiers and the surprise of the magistracy may be imagined. + </p> + <p> + The renunciations were then read; and by these the King of Spain and + his posterity gave up all claim to the throne of France, and M. le Duc + d'Orleans, and M. le Duc de Berry to succeed to that of Spain. These + and other forms occupied a long time. The chamber was all the while + crowded to excess. There was not room for a single other person to + enter. It was very late when all was over. + </p> + <p> + When everything was at an end M. de Saint-Aignan and I accompanied M. + le Duc de Berry and M. le Duc d'Orleans in a coach to the Palais + Royal. On the way the conversation was very quiet. M. le Duc de Berry + appeared dispirited, embarrassed, and vexed. Even after we had + partaken of a splendid and delicate dinner, to which an immense number + of other guests sat down, he did not improve. We were conducted to the + Porte Saint- Honore with the same pomp as that in the midst, of which + we had entered Paris. During the rest of the journey to Versailles M. + le Duc de Berry was as silent as ever. + </p> + <p> + To add to his vexation, as soon as he arrived at Versailles the + Princesse de Montauban, without knowing a word of what had passed, set + herself to exclaim, with her usual flattery, that she was charmed with + the grace and the appropriate eloquence with which he had spoken at + the Parliament, and paraphrased this theme with all the praises of + which it was susceptible. M. le Duc de Berry blushed with vexation + without saying a word; she recommenced extolling his modesty, he + blushing the more, and saying nothing. When at last he had got rid of + her, he went to his own apartments, said not, a word to the persons he + found there, scarcely one to Madame his wife, but taking Madame de + Saint-Simon with him, went into his library, and shut himself up alone + there with her. + </p> + <p> + Throwing himself into an armchair he cried out that he was + dishonoured, and wept scalding tears. Then he related to Madame de + Saint-Simon, in the midst of sobs, how he had stuck fast at the + Parliament, without being able to utter a word, said that he should + everywhere be regarded as an ass and a blockhead, and repeated the + compliments he had received from Madame de Montauban, who, he said, + had laughed at and insulted him, knowing well what had happened; then, + infuriated against her to the last degree, he called her by all sots + of names. Madame de Saint-Simon spared no exertion in order to calm M. + de Berry, assuring him that it was impossible Madame de Montauban + could know what had taken place at the Parliament, the news not having + then reached Versailles, and that she had had no other object than + flattery in addressing him. Nothing availed. Complaints and silence + succeeded each other in the midst of tears. Then, suddenly falling + upon the Duc de Beauvilliers and the King, and accusing the defects of + his education: "They thought only;" he exclaimed, "of making me + stupid, and of stifling all my powers. I was a younger son. I coped + with my brother. They feared the consequences; they annihilated me. I + was taught only to play and to hunt, and they have succeeded in making + me a fool and an ass, incapable of anything, the laughing-stock and + disdain of everybody." Madame de Saint-Simon was overpowered with + compassion, and did everything to calm M. de Berry. Their strange + tete-a-tete lasted nearly two hours, and resumed the next day but with + less violence. By degrees M. le Duc de Berry became consoled, but + never afterwards did any one dare to speak to him of his misadventure + at the peace ceremony. + </p> + <p> + Let me here say that, the ceremony over, peace was signed at Utrecht + on the 20th April, 1713, at a late hour of the night. It was published + in Paris with great solemnity on the 22nd. Monsieur and Madame du + Maine, who wished to render themselves popular, came from Sceaux to + see the ceremony in the Place Royale, showed themselves on a balcony + to the people, to whom they threw some money—a liberality that + the King would not have permitted in anybody else. At night fires were + lighted before the houses, several of which were illuminated: On the + 25th a Te Deum was sung at Notre Dame, and in the evening there was a + grand display of fireworks at the Grave, which was followed by a + superb banquet given at the Hotel de Ville by the Duc de Tresmes, the + Governor of Paris, to a large number of distinguished persons of both + sexes of the Court and the city, twenty-four violins playing during + the repast. + </p> + <p> + I have omitted to mention the death of M. de Chevreise, which took + place between seven and eight o'clock in the morning on Saturday, the + 5th of November; of the previous year (1712). I have so often alluded + to M. de Chevreuse in the course of these pages, that I will content + myself with relating here two anecdotes of him, which serve to paint a + part of his character. + </p> + <p> + He was very forgetful, and adventures often happened to him in + consequence, which diverted us amazingly. Sometimes his horses were + put to and kept waiting for him twelve or fifteen hours at a time. + Upon one occasion in summer this happened at Vaucresson, whence he was + going to dine at Dampierre. The coachman, first, then the postilion, + grew tired of looking after the horses, and left them. Towards six + o'clock at night the horses themselves were in their turn worn out, + bolted, and a din was heard which shook the house. Everybody ran out, + the coach was found smashed, the large door shivered in pieces; the + garden railings, which enclosed both sides of the court, broken down; + the gates in pieces; in short, damage was done that took a long time + to repair. M. de Chevreuse, who had not been disturbed by this uproar + even for an instant, was quite astonished when he heard of it. M. de + Beauvilliers amused himself for a long time by reproaching him with + it, and by asking the expense. + </p> + <p> + Another adventure happened to him also at Vaucresson, and covered him + with real confusion, comical to see, every time it was mentioned. + About ten o'clock one morning a M. Sconin, who had formerly been his + steward, was announced. "Let him take a turn in the garden," said M. + de Chevreuse, "and come back in half an hour." He continued what he + was doing, and completely forgot his man. Towards seven o'clock in the + evening Sconin was again announced. "In a moment," replied M. de + Chevreuse, without disturbing himself. A quarter of an hour afterwards + he called Sconin, and admitted him. "Ah, my poor Sconin!" said he, "I + must offer you a thousand excuses for having caused you to lose your + day." + </p> + <p> + "Not at all, Monseigneur," replied Sconin. "As I have had the honour + of knowing you for many years, I comprehended this morning that the + half- hour might be long, so I went to Paris, did some business there, + before and after dinner, and here I am again." + </p> + <p> + M. de Chevreuse was confounded. Sconin did not keep silence, nor did + the servants of the house. M. de Beauvilliers made merry with the + adventure when he heard of it, and accustomed as M. de Chevreuse might + be to his raillery, he could not bear to have this subject alluded to. + I have selected two anecdotes out of a hundred others of the same + kind, because they characterise the man. + </p> + <p> + The liberality of M. du Maine which we have related on the occasion of + the proclamation of peace at Paris, and which was so popular, and so + surprising when viewed in connection with the disposition of the King, + soon took new development. The Jesuits, so skilful in detecting the + foibles of monarchs, and so clever in seizing hold of everything which + can protect themselves and answer their ends, showed to what extent + they were masters of these arts. A new and assuredly a very original + History of France, in three large folio volumes, appeared under the + name of Father Daniel, who lived at Paris in the establishment of the + Jesuits. The paper and the printing of the work were excellent; the + style was admirable. Never was French so clear, so pure, so flowing, + with such happy transitions; in a word, everything to charm and entice + the reader; admirable preface, magnificent promises, short, learned + dissertations, a pomp, an authority of the most seductive kind. As for + the history, there was much romance in the first race, much in the + second, and much. mistiness in the early times of the third. In a + word, all the work evidently appeared composed in order to persuade + people—under the simple air of a man who set aside prejudices + with discernment, and who only seeks the truth—that the majority + of the Kings of the first race, several of the second, some even of + the third, were, bastards, whom this defect did not exclude from the + throne, or affect in any way. + </p> + <p> + I say bluntly here what was very delicately veiled in the work, and + yet plainly seen. The effect of the book was great; its vogue such, + that everybody, even women, asked for it. The King spoke of it to + several of his Court, asked if they had read it; the most sagacious + early saw how much it was protected; it was the sole historical book + the King and Madame de Maintenon had ever spoken of. Thus the work + appeared at Versailles upon every table, nothing else was talked + about, marvellous eulogies were lavished upon it, which were sometimes + comical in the mouths of persons either very ignorant, or who, + incapable of reading, pretended to read and relish this book. + </p> + <p> + But this surprising success did not last. People perceived that this + history, which so cleverly unravelled the remote part, gave but a + meagre account of modern days, except in so far as their military + operations were concerned; of which even the minutest details were + recorded. Of negotiations, cabals, Court intrigues, portraits, + elevations, falls, and the main springs of events, there was not a + word in all the work, except briefly, dryly, and with precision as in + the gazettes, often more superficially. Upon legal matters, public + ceremonies, fetes of different times, there was also silence at the + best, the same laconism; and when we come to the affairs of Rome and + of the League, it is a pleasure to see the author glide over that + dangerous ice on his Jesuit skates! + </p> + <p> + In due time critics condemned the work which, after so much applause, + was recognised as a very wretched history, which had very + industriously and very fraudulently answered the purpose for which it + was written. It fell to the ground then; learned men wrote against it; + but the principal and delicate point of the work was scarcely touched + in France with the pen, so great was the danger. + </p> + <p> + Father Daniel obtained two thousand francs' pension for his history,— + a prodigious recompense,—with a title of Historiographer of + France. He enjoyed the fruits of his falsehood, and laughed at those + who attacked him. Foreign countries did not swallow quite so readily + these stories that declared such a number of our early kings bastards; + but great care was taken not to let France be infected by the + disagreeable truths therein published. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0063" id="link2HCH0063"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXIII + </h2> + <p> + It is now time that I should say something of the infamous bull + 'Unigenitus', which by the unsurpassed audacity and scheming of Father + Le Tellier and his friends was forced upon the Pope and the world. + </p> + <p> + I need not enter into a very lengthy account of the celebrated Papal + decree which has made so many martyrs, depopulated our schools, + introduced ignorance, fanaticism, and misrule, rewarded vice, thrown + the whole community into the greatest confusion, caused disorder + everywhere, and established the most arbitrary and the most barbarous + inquisition; evils which have doubled within the last thirty years. I + will content myself with a word or two, and will not blacken further + the pages of my Memoirs. Many pens have been occupied, and will be + occupied, with this subject. It is not the apostleship of Jesus Christ + that is in question, but that of the reverend fathers and their + ambitious clients. + </p> + <p> + It is enough to say that the new bull condemned in set terms the + doctrines of Saint-Paul (respected like oracles of the Holy Spirit + ever since the time of our Saviour), and also those of Saint-Augustin, + and of other fathers; doctrines which have always been adopted by the + Popes, by the Councils, and by the Church itself. The bull, as soon as + published, met with a violent opposition in Rome from the cardinals + there, who went by sixes, by eights, and by tens, to complain of it to + the Pope. They might well do so, for they had not been consulted in + any way upon this new constitution. Father Tellier and his friends had + had the art and the audacity to obtain the publication of it without + submitting it to them. The Pope, as I have said, had been forced into + acquiescence, and now, all confused, knew not what to say. He + protested, however, that the publication had been made without his + knowledge, and put off the cardinals with compliments, excuses, and + tears, which last he could always command. + </p> + <p> + The constitution had the same fate in France as in Rome. The cry + against it was universal. The cardinals protested that it would never + be received. They were shocked by its condemnation of the doctrines of + Saint-Augustin and of the other fathers; terrified at its condemnation + of Saint-Paul. There were not two opinions upon this terrible + constitution. The Court, the city, and the provinces, as soon as they + knew the nature of it, rose against it like one man. + </p> + <p> + In addition to the articles of this constitution which I have already + named, there was one which excited infinite alarm and indignation, for + it rendered the Pope master of every crown! As is well known, there is + a doctrine of the Church, which says: + </p> + <p> + "An unjust excommunication ought got to hinder [us] from doing our + duty." + </p> + <p> + The new constitution condemned this doctrine, and consequently + proclaimed that: + </p> + <p> + "An unjust excommunication ought to hinder [us] from doing our duty." + </p> + <p> + The enormity of this last is more striking than the simple truth of + the proposition condemned. The second is a shadow which better throws + up the light of the first. The results and the frightful consequences + of the condemnation are as clear as day. + </p> + <p> + I think I have before said that Father Tellier, without any advances + on my part, without, in fact, encouragement of any kind, insisted upon + keeping up an intimacy with me, which I could not well repel, for it + came from a man whom it would have been very dangerous indeed to have + for an- enemy. As soon as this matter of the constitution was in the + wind, he came to me to talk about it. I did not disguise my opinion + from him, nor did he disguise in any way from me the unscrupulous + means he meant to employ in order to get this bull accepted by the + clergy. Indeed, he was so free with me, showed me so plainly his + knavery and cunning, that I was, as it were, transformed with + astonishment and fright. I never could comprehend this openness in a + man so false, so artificial, so profound, or see in what manner it + could be useful to him. + </p> + <p> + One day he came to me by appointment, with a copy of the constitution + in his hand in order that we might thoroughly discuss it. I was at + Versailles. In order to understand what I am going to relate, I must + give some account of my apartments there. Let me say, then, that I had + a little back cabinet, leading out of another cabinet, but so arranged + that you would not have thought it was there. It received no light + except from the outer cabinet, its own windows being boarded up. In + this back cabinet I had a bureau, some chairs, books, and all I + needed; my friends called it my "shop," and in truth it did not ill + resemble one. + </p> + <p> + Father Tellier came at the hour he had fixed. As chance would have it, + M. le Duc and Madame la Duchesse de Berry had invited themselves to a + collation with Madame de Saint-Simon that morning. I knew that when + they arrived I should no longer be master of my chamber or of my + cabinet. I told Father Tellier this, and he was much vexed. He begged + me so hard to find some place where we might be inaccessible to the + company, that at last, pressed by him to excess, I said I knew of only + one expedient by which we might become free: and I told him that he + must dismiss his 'vatble' (as the brother who always accompanies a + monk is called), and that then, furnished with candles, we would go + and shut ourselves up in my back cabinet, where we could neither be + seen nor heard, if we took care not to speak loud when anybody + approached. He thought the expedient admirable, dismissed his + companion, and we sat down opposite each other, the bureau between us, + with two candles alight upon it. + </p> + <p> + He immediately began to sing the praises of the Constitution + Unigenitus, a copy of which he placed on the table. I interrupted him + so as to come at once to the excommunication proposition. We discussed + it with much politeness, but with little accord. I shall not pretend + to report our dispute. It was warm and long. I pointed out to Father + Tellier, that supposing the King and the little Dauphin were both to + die, and this was a misfortune which might happen, the crown of France + would by right of birth belong to the King of Spain; but according to + the renunciation just made, it would belong to M. le Duc de Berry and + his branch, or in default to M. le Duc d'Orleans. "Now," said I, "if + the two brothers dispute the crown, and the Pope favouring the one + should excommunicate the other, it follows, according to our new + constitution, that the excommunicated must abandon all his claims, all + his partisans, all his forces, and go over to the other side. For you + say, an unjust excommunication ought to hinder us from doing our duty. + So that in one fashion or another the Pope is master of all the crowns + in his communion, is at liberty to take them away or to give them as + he pleases, a liberty so many Popes have claimed and so many have + tried to put in action." + </p> + <p> + My argument was simple, applicable, natural, and pressing: it offered + itself, of itself. Wherefore, the confessor was amazed by it; he + blushed, he beat about the bush, he could not collect himself. By + degrees he did so, and replied to me in a manner that he doubtless + thought would convince me at once. "If the case you suggest were to + happen," he said, "and the Pope declaring for one disputant were to + excommunicate the other and all his followers, such excommunication + would not merely be unjust, it would be false; and it has never been + decided that a false excommunication should hinder us from doing our + duty." + </p> + <p> + "Ah! my father," I said, "your distinction is subtle and clever, I + admit. I admit, too, I did not expect it, but permit me some few more + objections, I beseech you. Will the Ultramontanes admit the nullity of + the excommunication? Is it not null as soon as it is unjust? If the + Pope has the power to excommunicate unjustly, and to enforce obedience + to his excommunication, who can limit power so unlimited, and why + should not his false (or nullified) excommunication be as much obeyed + and respected as his unjust excommunication? Suppose the case I have + imagined were to happen. Suppose the Pope were to excommunicate one of + the two brothers. Do you think it would be easy to make your subtle + distinction between a false and an unjust excommunication understood + by the people, the soldiers, the bourgeois, the officers, the lords, + the women, at the very moment when they would be preparing to act and + to take up arms? You see I point out great inconveniences that may + arise if the new doctrine be accepted, and if the Pope should claim + the power of deposing kings, disposing of their crowns, and releasing + their subjects from the oath of fidelity in opposition to the formal + words of Jesus Christ and of all the Scripture." + </p> + <p> + My words transported the Jesuit, for I had touched the right spring in + spite of his effort to hide it. He said nothing personal to me, but he + fumed. The more he restrained himself for me the less he did so for + the matter in hand. As though to indemnify himself for his moderation + on my account, he launched out the more, upon the subject we were + discussing. In his heat, no longer master of himself, many things + escaped him, silence upon which I am sure he would afterwards have + bought very dearly. He told me so many things of the violence that + would be used to make his constitution accepted, things so monstrous, + so atrocious, so terrible, and with such extreme passion that I fell + into a veritable syncope. I saw him right in front of me between two + candles, only the width of the table between us (I have described + elsewhere his horrible physiognomy). My hearing and my sight became + bewildered. I was seized, while he was speaking, with the full idea of + what a Jesuit was. Here was a man who, by his state and his vows, + could hope for nothing for his family or for himself; who could not + expect an apple or a glass of wine more than his brethren; who was + approaching an age when he would have to render account of all things + to God, and who, with studied deliberation and mighty artifice, was + going to throw the state and religion into the most terrible flames, + and commence a most frightful persecution for questions which affected + him in nothing, nor touched in any way the honour of the School of + Molina! + </p> + <p> + His profundities, the violence he spoke of—all this together, + threw me into such an ecstasy, that suddenly I interrupted him by + saying: + </p> + <p> + "My father, how old are you?" + </p> + <p> + The extreme surprise which painted itself upon his face as I looked at + him with all my eyes, fetched back my senses, and his reply brought me + completely to myself. "Why do you ask?" he replied, smiling. The + effort that I made over myself to escape such a unique 'proposito', + the terrible value of which I fully appreciated, furnished me an + issue. "Because," said I, "never have I looked at you so long as I + have now, you in front of me, these two candles between us, and your + face is so fresh and so healthy, with all your labours, that I am + surprised at it." + </p> + <p> + He swallowed the answer, or so well pretended to do so, that he said + nothing of it then nor since, never ceasing when he met me to speak to + me as openly, and as frequently as before, I seeking him as little as + ever. He replied at that time that he was seventy-four years old; that + in truth he was very well; that he had accustomed himself, from his + earliest years, to a hard life and to labour; and then went back to + the point at which I had interrupted him. We were compelled, however, + to be silent for a time, because people came into my cabinet, and + Madame de Saint- Simon, who knew of our interview, had some difficulty + to keep the coast clear. + </p> + <p> + For more than two hours we continued our discussion, he trying to put + me off with his subtleties and authoritativeness, I offering but + little opposition to him, feeling that opposition was of no use, all + his plans being already decided. We separated without having persuaded + each other, he with many flatteries upon my intelligence, praying me + to reflect well upon the matter; I replying that my reflections were + all made, and that my capacity could not go farther. I let him out by + the little back door of my cabinet, so that nobody perceived him, and + as soon as I had closed it, I threw myself into a chair like a man out + of breath, and I remained there a long time alone, reflecting upon the + strange kind of ecstasy I had been in, and the horror it had caused + me. + </p> + <p> + The results of this constitution were, as I have said, terrible to the + last degree; every artifice, every cruelty was used, in order to force + it down the throats of the clergy; and hence the confusion and sore + trouble which arose all over the realm. But it is time now for me to + touch upon other matters. + </p> + <p> + Towards the close of this year, 1713, peace with the Emperor seemed so + certain, that the King disbanded sixty Battalions and eighteen men per + company of the regiment of the guards, and one hundred and six + squadrons; of which squadrons twenty-seven were dragoons. At peace now + with the rest of Europe he had no need of so many troops, even + although the war Against the Empire had continued; fortunately, + however it did not. Negotiations were set on foot, and on the 6th of + March of the following year, 1714, after much debate, they ended + successfully. On that day, in fact, peace was signed at Rastadt. It + was shortly afterwards published at Paris, a Te Deum sung, and + bonfires lighted at night; a grand collation was given at the Hotel de + Ville by the Duc de Tresmes, who at midnight also gave, in his own + house, a splendid banquet, at which were present many ladies, + foreigners, and courtiers. + </p> + <p> + This winter was fertile in balls at the Court; there were several, + fancy- dress and masked, given by M. le Duc de Berry, by Madame la + Duchesse de Berry, M. le Duc, and others. There were some also at + Paris, and at Sceaux, where Madame du Maine gave many fetes and played + many comedies, everybody going there from Paris and the Court—M. + du Maine doing the Honours. Madame la Duchesse de Berry was in the + family way, and went to no dances out of her own house. The King + permitted her, on account of her condition, to sup with him in a robe + de chambre, as under similar circumstances he had permitted the two + Dauphines to do. + </p> + <p> + At the opera, one night this winter, the Abbe Servien, not liking + certain praises of the King contained in a Prologue, let slip a bitter + joke in ridicule of them. The pit took it up, repeated it, and + applauded it. Two days afterwards, the Abbe Servien was arrested and + taken to Vincennes, forbidden to speak to anybody and allowed no + servant to wait upon him. For form's sake seals were put upon his + papers, but he was not a man likely to have any fit for aught else + than to light the fire. Though more than sixty-five years old, he was + strangely debauched. + </p> + <p> + The Duc de la Rochefoucauld died on Thursday, the 11th of January, at + Versailles, seventy-nine years of age, and blind. I have spoken of him + so frequently in the course of these memoirs, that I will do nothing + more now than relate a few particulars respecting him, which will + serve in some sort to form his portrait. + </p> + <p> + He had much honour, worth, and probity. He was noble, good, + magnificent, ever willing to serve his friends; a little too much so, + for he oftentimes wearied the King with importunities on their behalf. + Without any intellect or discernment he was proud to excess, coarse + and rough in his manners—disagreeable even, and embarrassed with + all except his flatterers; like a man who does not know how to receive + a visit, enter or leave a room. He scarcely went anywhere except to + pay the indispensable compliments demanded by marriage, death, etc., + and even then as little as he could. He lived in his own house so shut + up that no, one went to see him except on these same occasions. He + gave himself up almost entirely to his valets, who mixed themselves in + the conversation; and you were obliged to treat them with all sorts of + attentions if you wished to become a frequenter of the house. + </p> + <p> + I shall never forget what happened to us at the death of the Prince of + Vaudemont's son, by which M. de la Rochefoucauld's family came in for + a good inheritance. We were at Marly. The King had been stag-hunting. + M. de Chevreuse, whom I found when the King was being unbooted, + proposed that we should go and pay our compliments to M. de la + Rochefoucauld. We went. Upon entering, what was our surprise, nay, our + shame, to find M. de la Rochefoucauld playing at chess with one of his + servants in livery, seated opposite to him! Speech failed us. M. de la + Rochefoucauld perceived it, and remained confounded himself. He + stammered, he grew confused, he tried to excuse what we had seen, + saying that this lackey played very well, and that chess-players + played with everybody. M. de Chevreuse had not come to contradict him; + neither had I; we turned the conversation, therefore, and left as soon + as possible. As soon as we were outside we opened our minds to each + other, and said what we thought of this rare meeting, which, however, + we did not make public. + </p> + <p> + M. de Rochefoucauld, towards the end of his career at Court, became so + importunate, as I have said, for his friends, that the King was much + relieved by his death. Such have been his sentiments at the death of + nearly all those whom he had liked and favoured. + </p> + <p> + Of the courage of M. de la Rochefoucauld, courtier as he was, in + speaking to the King, I will relate an instance. It was during one of + the visits at Marly, in the gardens of which the King was amusing + himself with a fountain that he set at work. I know not what led to + it, but the King, usually so reserved, spoke with him of the bishop of + Saint-Pons, then in disgrace on account of the affairs of Port Royal. + M. de la Rochefoucauld let him speak on to the end, and then began to + praise the bishop. The discouraging silence of the King warned him; he + persisted, however, and related how the bishop, mounted upon a mule, + and visiting one day his diocese, found himself in a path which grew + narrower at every step; and which ended in a precipice. There were no + means of getting out of it except by going back, but this was + impossible, there not being enough space to turn round or to alight. + The holy bishop (for such was his term as I well remarked) lifted his + eyes to Heaven, let go the bridle, and abandoned himself to + Providence. Immediately his mule rose up upon its hind legs, and thus + upright, the bishop still astride, turned round until its head was + where its tail had been. The beast thereupon returned along the path + until it found an opening into a good road. Everybody around the King + imitated his silence, which excited the Duke to comment upon what he + had just related. This generosity charmed me, and surprised all who + were witness of it. + </p> + <p> + The day after the death of M. de la Rochefoucauld, the Chancellor took + part in a very tragic scene. A Vice-bailli of Alencon had just lost a + trial, in which, apparently, his honour, or his property, was much + interested. He came to Pontchartrain's, where the Chancellor was at + the moment, and waited until he came out into the court to get into + his carriage. The Vice-bailli then asked him for a revision of the + verdict. The Chancellor, with much gentleness and goodness represented + to the man that the law courts were open to him if he insisted to + appeal, but that as to a revision of the verdict; it was contrary to + usage; and turned to get into his coach. While he was getting in; the + unhappy bailli said there was a shorter way of escaping from trouble, + and stabbed himself twice with a poniard. At the dies of the domestics + the Chancellor descended from the coach, had the man carried into a + room, and sent for a doctor, and a confessor. The bailli made + confession very peacefully, and died an hour afterwards. + </p> + <p> + I have spoken in its time of the exile of Charmel and its causes, of + which the chief was his obstinate refusal to present himself before + the King. The vexation of the King against people who withdrew from + him was always very great. In this case, it never passed away, but + hardened into a strange cruelty, to speak within limits. Charmel, + attacked with the stone, asked permission to come to Paris to undergo + an operation. The permission was positively refused. Time pressed. The + operation was obliged to be done in the country. It was so severe, and + perhaps so badly done, that Charmel died three days afterwards full of + penitence and piety. He had led a life remarkable for its goodness, + was without education, but had religious fervour that supplied the + want of it. He was sixty-eight years of age. + </p> + <p> + The Marechale de la Ferme died at Paris, at the same time, more than + eighty years old. She was sister of the Comtesse d'Olonne, very rich + and a widow. The beauty of the two sisters, and the excesses of their + lives, made a great stir. No women, not even those most stigmatized + for their gallantry, dared to see them, or to be seen anywhere with + them. That was the way then; the fashion has changed since. When they + were old and nobody cared for them, they tried to become devout. They + lodged together, and one Ash Wednesday went and heard a sermon. This + sermon, which was upon fasting and penitence, terrified them. + </p> + <p> + "My sister," they said to each other on their return, "it was all + true; there was no joke about it; we must do penance, or we are lost. + But, my sister, what shall we do?" After having well turned it over: + "My sister," said Madame d'Olonne, "this is what we must do; we must + make our servants fast." Madame d'Olonne thought she had very well met + the difficulty. However, at last she set herself to work in earnest, + at piety and penitence, and died three months after her sister, the + Marechale de la Ferme. It will not be forgotten, that it was under + cover of the Marechale that a natural child was first legitimated + without naming the mother, in order that by this example, the King's + natural children might be similarly honoured, without naming Madame de + Montespan, as I have related in its place. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0064" id="link2HCH0064"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXIV + </h2> + <p> + The Queen of Spain, for a long time violently attacked with the king's + evil around the face and neck, was just now at the point of death. + Obtaining no relief from the Spanish doctors, she wished to have + Helvetius, and begged the King by an express command to send him to + her. Helvetius, much inconvenienced, and knowing besides the condition + of the Princess, did not wish to go, but the King expressly commanded + him. He set out then in a postchaise, followed by another in case his + own should break down, and arrived thus at Madrid on the 11th of + February, 1714. As soon as he had seen the Queen, he said there was + nothing but a miracle could save her. The King of Spain did not + discontinue sleeping with her until the 9th. On the 14th she died, + with much courage, consciousness, and piety. + </p> + <p> + Despair was general in Spain, where this Queen was universally adored. + There was not a family which did not lament her, not a person who has + since been consoled. The King of Spain was extremely touched, but + somewhat in a royal manner. Thus, when out shooting one day, he came + close to the convoy by which the body of his queen was being conveyed + to the Escurial; he looked at it, followed it with his eyes, and + continued his sport! Are these princes made like other human beings? + </p> + <p> + The death of the Queen led to amazing changes, such as the most + prophetic could not have foreseen. Let me here, then, relate the + events that followed this misfortune. + </p> + <p> + I must commence by saying, that the principal cause which had so long + and scandalously hindered us from making peace with the Emperor, was a + condition, which Madame des Ursins wished to insert in the treaty, + (and which the King of Spain supported through thick and thin) to the + effect that she should be invested with a bona fide sovereignty. She + had set her heart upon this, and the king of Spain was a long time + before he would consent to any terms of peace that did not concede it + to her. It was not until the King had uttered threats against him that + he would give way. As for Madame des Ursins, she had counted upon this + sovereignty with as much certainty as though it were already between + her fingers. She had counted, too, with equal certainty upon + exchanging it with our King, for the sovereignty of Touraine and the + Amboise country; and had actually charged her faithful Aubigny to buy + her some land near Amboise to build her there a vast palace, with + courts and outbuildings; to furnish it with magnificence, to spare + neither gilding nor paintings, and to surround the whole with the most + beautiful gardens. She meant to live there as sovereign lady of the + country. Aubigny had at once set about the work to the surprise of + everybody: for no one could imagine for whom such a grand building + could be designed. He kept the secret, pretended he was building a + house for himself and pushed on the work so rapidly that just as peace + was concluded without the stipulation respecting Madame des Ursins + being inserted in the treaty, nearly all was finished. Her sovereignty + scheme thoroughly failed; and to finish at once with that mad idea, I + may as well state that, ashamed of her failure, she gave this palace + to Aubigny, who lived there all the rest of his life: Chanteloup, for + so it was called, has since passed into the hands of Madame + d'Armantieres, his daughter. It is one of the most beautiful and most + singular places in all France, and the most superbly furnished. + </p> + <p> + This sovereignty, coveted by Madame des Ursins, exceedingly offended + Madame de Maintenon and wounded her pride. She felt, with jealousy, + that the grand airs Madame des Ursins gave herself were solely the + effect of the protection she had accorded her. She could not bear to + be outstripped in importance by the woman she herself had elevated. + The King, too, was much vexed with Madame des Ursins; vexed also to + see peace delayed; and to be obliged to speak with authority and + menace to the King of Spain, in order to compel him to give up the + idea of this precious sovereignty. The King of Spain did not yield + until he was threatened with abandonment by France. It may be imagined + what was the rage of Madame des Ursins upon missing her mark after + having, before the eyes of all Europe, fired at it with so much + perseverance; nay, with such unmeasured obstinacy. From this time + there was no longer the same concert between Madame de Maintenon and + Madame des Ursins that had formerly existed. But the latter had + reached such a point in Spain, that she thought this was of no + consequence. + </p> + <p> + It has been seen with what art Madame des Ursins had unceasingly + isolated the King of Spain; in what manner she had shut him up with + the Queen, and rendered him inaccessible, not only to his Court but to + his grand officers, his ministers, even his valets, so that he was + served by only three or four attendants, all French, and entirely + under her thumb. At the death of the Queen this solitude continued. + Under the pretext that his grief demanded privacy, she persuaded the + King to leave his palace and to instal himself in a quiet retreat, the + Palace of Medina-Celi, near the Buen-Retiro, at the other end of the + city. She preferred this because it was infinitely smaller than the + Royal Palace, and because few people, in consequence, could approach + the King. She herself took the Queen's place; and in order to have a + sort of pretext for being near the King, in the same solitude, she + caused herself to be named governess of his children. But in order to + be always there, and so that nobody should know when they were + together, she had a large wooden corridor made from the cabinet of the + King to the apartment of his children, in which she lodged. By this + means they could pass from one to the other without being perceived, + and without traversing the long suite of rooms, filled with courtiers, + that were between the two apartments. In this manner it was never + known whether the King was alone or with Madame des Ursins; or which + of the two was in the apartments of the other. When they were together + or how long is equally unknown. This corridor, roofed and glazed, was + proceeded with in so much haste, that the work went on, in spite of + the King's devotion, on fete days and Sundays. The whole Court, which + perfectly well knew for what use this corridor was intended, was much + displeased. Those who directed the work were the same. Of this good + proof was given. One day, the Comptroller of the royal buildings, who + had been ordered to keep the men hard at it, Sundays and fete days, + asked the Pere Robinet, the King's confessor, and the only good one he + ever had; he asked, I say, in one of those rooms Madame des Ursins was + so anxious to avoid, and in the presence of various courtiers, if the + work was to be continued on the morrow, a Sunday, and the next day, + the Fete of the Virgin. Robinet replied, that the King had said + nothing to the contrary; and met a second appeal with the same answer. + At the third, he added, that before saying anything he would wait till + the King spoke on the subject. At the fourth appeal, he lost patience, + and said that if for the purpose of destroying what had been + commenced, he believed work might be done even on Easter-day itself; + but if for the purpose of continuing the corridor, he did not think a + Sunday or a fete day was a fitting time. All the Court applauded; but + Madame des Ursins, to whom this sally was soon carried, was much + irritated. + </p> + <p> + It was suspected that she thought of becoming something more than the + mere companion of the King. There were several princes. Reports were + spread which appeared equivocal and which terrified. It was said that + the King had no need of posterity, with all the children it had + pleased God to bless him with; but now he only needed a wife who could + take charge of those children. Not content with passing all her days + with the King, and allowing him, like the deceased Queen, to work with + his ministers only in her presence, the Princesse des Ursins felt that + to render this habit lasting she must assure herself of him at all + moments. He was accustomed to take the air, and he was in want of it + all the more now because he had been much shut up during the last days + of the Queen's illness, and the first which followed her death. Madame + des Ursins chose four or five gentlemen to accompany him, to the + exclusion of all others, even his chief officers, and people still + more necessary. These gentlemen charged with the amusement of the + King, were called recreadores. With so much circumspection, + importunity, preparation, and rumour carefully circulated, it was not + doubted that Madame des Ursins intended to marry him; and the opinion, + as well as the fear, became general. The King (Louis XIV.), was + infinitely alarmed; and Madame de Maintenon, who had twice tried to be + proclaimed Queen and twice failed, was distracted with jealousy. + However, if Madame des Ursins flattered herself then, it was not for + long. + </p> + <p> + The King of Spain, always curious to learn the news from France, often + demanded them of his confessor, the only man to whom he could speak + who was not under the thumb of Madame des Ursins. The clever and + courageous Robinet, as disturbed as others at the progress of the + design, which nobody in the two Courts of France and Spain doubted was + in execution, allowed himself to be pressed by questions—in an + embrasure where the King had drawn him—played the reserved and + the mysterious in order to excite curiosity more. When he saw it was + sufficiently excited, he said that since he was forced to speak, his + news from France was the same as that at Madrid, where no one doubted + that the King would do the Princesse des Ursins the honour to espouse + her. The King blushed and hastily replied, "Marry her! oh no! not + that!" and quitted him. + </p> + <p> + Whether the Princesse des Ursins was informed of this sharp repartee, + or whether she despaired already of success, she changed about; and + judging that this interregnum in the Palace of Medina-Celi could not + last for ever, resolved to assure herself of the King by a Queen who + should owe to her such a grand marriage, and who, having no other + support, would throw herself into her arms by gratitude and necessity. + With this view she explained herself to Alberoni, who, since the death + of the Duc de Vendome, had remained at Madrid charged with the affairs + of Parma; and proposed to him the marriage of the Princess of Parma, + daughter of the Duchess and of the late Duke of Parma, who had married + the widow of his brother. + </p> + <p> + Alberoni could with difficulty believe his ears. An alliance so + disproportioned appeared to him so much the more incredible, because + he thought the Court of France would never consent to it, and that + without its consent the marriage could not be concluded. The Princess + in question was the issue of double illegitimacy; by her father + descended from a pope, by her mother from a natural daughter of + Charles Quint. She was daughter of a petty Duke of Parma, and of a + mother, entirely Austrian, sister of the Dowager Empress and of the + Dowager Queen of Spain (whose acts had excited such disapproval that + she was sent from her exile at Toledo to Bayonne), sister too of the + Queen of Portugal, who had induced the King, her husband, to receive + the Archduke at Lisbon, and to carry the war into Spain. It did not + seem reasonable, therefore, that such a Princess would be accepted as + a wife for the King of Spain. + </p> + <p> + Nothing of all this, however, stopped the Princesse des Ursins; her + own interest was the most pressing consideration with her; the will of + the King of Spain was entirely subject to her; she felt all the change + towards her of our King and of Madame de Maintenon; she no longer + hoped for a return of their favour; she believed that she must look + around for support against the very authority which had established + her so powerfully, and which could destroy her; and occupied herself + solely in pushing forward a marriage from which she expected + everything by making the same use of the new queen as she had made of + the one just dead. The King of Spain was devout, he absolutely wanted + a wife, the Princesse des Ursins was of an age when her charms were + but the charms, of art; in a word, she set Alberoni to work, and it + may be believed she was not scrupulous as to her means as soon as they + were persuaded at Parma that she was serious and not joking. Orry, + always united with Madame des Ursins, and all-powerful, by her means, + was her sole confidant in this important affair. + </p> + <p> + At that time the Marquis de Brancas was French ambassador at Madrid. + He had flattered himself that Madame des Ursins would make him one of + the grandees of Spain. Instead of doing so she simply bestowed upon + him the order of the Golden Fleece. He had never pardoned her for + this. Entirely devoted to Madame de Maintenon, he became on that very + account an object of suspicion to Madame des Ursins, who did not doubt + that he cherished a grudge against her, on account of the favour he + had missed. She allowed him no access to her, and had her eyes open + upon all he did. Brancas in like manner watched all her doings. The + confessor, Robinet, confided to him his fears respecting Madame des + Ursins, and the chiefs of a court universally discontented went and + opened their hearts to him, thinking it was France alone which could + set to rights the situation of Spain. + </p> + <p> + Brancas appreciated all the importance of what was told him, but + warned by the fate of the Abbe d'Estrees, fearing even for his + couriers, he took the precaution of sending word to the King that he + had pressing business to acquaint him with, which he could not trust + to paper, and that he wished to be allowed to come to Versailles for a + fortnight. The reply was the permission asked for, accompanied, + however, with an order to communicate en route with the Duc de + Berwick, who was about to pass to Barcelona. + </p> + <p> + Madame des Ursins, who always found means to be informed of + everything, immediately knew of Brancas's projected journey, and + determined to get the start of him. At once she had sixteen relays of + mules provided upon the Bayonne road, and suddenly sent off to France, + on Holy Thursday, Cardinal del Giudice, grand inquisitor and minister + of state, who had this mean complaisance for her. She thus struck two + blows at once; she got rid, at least for a time, of a Cardinal + minister who troubled her, and anticipated Brancas, which in our Court + was no small point. + </p> + <p> + Brancas, who felt all the importance of arriving first, followed the + Cardinal on Good Friday, and moved so well that he overtook him at + Bayonne, at night while he was asleep; Brancas passed straight on, + charging the Commandant to amuse and to delay the Cardinal as long as + possible on the morrow; gained ground, and arrived at Bordeaux with + twenty-eight post-horses that he had carried off with him from various + stations, to keep them from the Cardinal. He arrived in Paris in this + manner two days before the other, and went straight to Marly where the + King was, to explain the business that had led him there. He had a + long audience with the King, and received a lodging for the rest of + the visit. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal del Giudice rested four or five days at Paris, and then + came to Marly, where he was introduced to the King. The Cardinal was + somewhat embarrassed; he was charged with no business; all his mission + was to praise Madame des Ursins, and complain of the Marquis de + Brancas. These praises of Madame des Ursins were but vague; she had + not sufficient confidence in the Cardinal to admit to him her real + position in our Court, and to give him instructions accordingly, so + that what he had to say was soon all said; against the Marquis de + Brancas he had really no fact to allege, his sole crime that he was + too sharp-sighted and not sufficiently devoted to the Princess. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal was a courtier, a man of talent, of business, of + intrigue, who felt, with annoyance, that for a person of his condition + and weight, such a commission as he bore was very empty. He appeared + exceedingly agreeable in conversation, of pleasant manners, and was + much liked in good society. He was assiduous in his attentions to the + King, without importuning him for audiences that were unnecessary; and + by all his conduct, he gave reason for believing that he suspected + Madame des Ursins' decadence in our Court, and sought to gain esteem + and confidence, so as to become by the support of the King, prime + minister in Spain; but as we shall soon see, his ultramontane hobbies + hindered the accomplishment of his measures. All the success of his + journey consisted in hindering Brancas from returning to Spain. This + was no great punishment, for Brancas had nothing more to hope for from + Madame des Ursins, and was not a man to lose his time for nothing. + </p> + <p> + Up to this period not a word had been said to the King (Louis XIV.) by + the King of Spain upon the subject of his marriage; not a hint had + been given that he meant to remarry, much less with a Parma princess. + This proceeding, grafted upon the sovereignty claimed by the Princesse + des Ursine, and all her conduct with the King of Spain since the death + of the Queen, resolved our King to disgrace her without appeal. + </p> + <p> + A remark upon Madame des Ursins, accompanied by a smile, escaped from + the King, generally so complete a master of himself, and appeared + enigmatical to such an extent, although striking, that Torcy, to wham + it was addressed, understood nothing. In his surprise, he related to + Castries what the King had said; Castries told it to Madame la + Duchesse d'Orleans, who reported it to M. d'Orleans and to me. We + racked our brains to comprehend it, but in vain; nevertheless such an + unintelligible remark upon a person like Madame des Ursins, who up to + this time had been on such good terms with the King and Madame de + Maintenon, did not appear to me to be favourable. I was confirmed in + this view by what had just happened with regard to her sovereignty; + but I was a thousand leagues from the thunderbolt which this lightning + announced, and which only declared itself to us by its fall. + </p> + <p> + It wits not until the 27th of June that the King was made acquainted + by the King of Spain with his approaching marriage. Of course, through + other channels, he had not failed to hear of it long before. He passed + in the lightest and gentlest manner in the world over this project, + and the mystery so long and so complete! with which it had been kept + from him, stranger, if possible, than the marriage itself. He could + not hinder it; but from this moment he was sure of his vengeance + against her who had arranged and brought it about in this manner. The + disgrace of Madame des Ursine was in fact determined on between the + King and Madame de Maintenon, but in a manner a secret before and + since, that I know nobody who has found out by whom or how it was + carried out. It is good to admit our ignorance, and not to give + fictions and inventions in place of what we are unacquainted with. + </p> + <p> + I know not why, but a short time after this, the Princesse des Ursine + conceived such strong suspicion of the lofty and enterprising spirit + of the Princess of Parma that she repented having made this marriage; + and wished to break it off. She brought forward; therefore, I know not + what difficulties, and despatched a courier to Rome to Cardinal + Acquaviva, who did the King of Spain's business there, ordering him to + delay his journey to Parma, where he had been commanded to ask the + hand of the Princess, and to see her provisionally espoused. But + Madame des Ursins had changed her mind too late. The courier did not + find Acquaviva at Rome. That Cardinal was already far away on the road + to Parma, so that there were no means of retreat. + </p> + <p> + Acquaviva was received with great honour and much magnificence; he + made his demand, but delayed the espousals as long as he could, and + this caused much remark. The marriage, which was to have been + celebrated on the 25th of August, did not take place until the 15th of + September. Immediately after the ceremony the new Queen set out for + Spain. + </p> + <p> + An envoy from Parma, with news of the marriage of the Princess, + arrived at Fontainebleau on the 11th October, and had an audience with + the King. This was rather late in the day: For dowry she had one + hundred thousand pistoles, and three hundred thousand livres' worth of + jewels. She had embarked for Alicante at Sestri di Levante. A violent + tempest sickened her of the sea. She landed, therefore, at Monaco, in + order to traverse by land Provence, Languedoc, and Guienne, so as to + reach Bayonne, and see there the Queen Dowager of Spain; sister of her + mother, and widow of Charles II. Desgranges, master of the ceremonies, + was to meet her in Provence, with orders to follow her, and to command + the governors, lieutenants-general, and intendants to follow her also, + and serve her, though she travelled incognito. + </p> + <p> + The new Queen of Spain, on arriving at Pau, found the Queen Dowager, + her aunt, had come expressly from Bayonne to meet her. As they + approached each other, they both descended at the same time, and after + saluting, mounted alone into a beautiful caleche that the Queen + Dowager had brought with her, and that she presented to her niece. + They supped together alone. The Queen Dowager conducted her to + Saint-Jean Pied-de-Port (for in that country, as in Spain, the + entrances to mountain passes are called ports). They separated there, + the Queen Dowager making the Queen many presents, among others a + garniture of diamonds. The Duc de Saint-Aignan joined the Queen of + Spain at Pau, and accompanied her by command of the King to Madrid. + She sent Grillo, a Genoese noble, whom she has since made grandee of + Spain, to thank the King for sending her the Duc de Saint-Aignan, and + for the present he brought with him. The officers of her household had + been named by Madame des Ursins. + </p> + <p> + The Queen of Spain advanced towards Madrid with the attendants sent to + accompany her. She was to be met by the King of Spain at Guadalaxara, + which is about the same distance from Madrid as Paris is from + Fontainebleau. He arrived there, accompanied by the attendants that + the Princesse des Ursins had placed near him, to keep him company, and + to allow no one else to approach him. She followed in her coach, so as + to arrive at the same time, and immediately afterwards he shut himself + up alone with her, and saw nobody until he went to bed. This was on + the 22nd of December. The next day the Princesse des Ursins set out + with a small suite for a little place, seven leagues further, called + Quadraque, where the Queen was to sleep that night. Madame des Ursins + counted upon enjoying all the gratitude that the queen would feel for + the unhoped-for grandeur she had obtained by her means; counted upon + passing the evening with her, and upon accompanying her next day to + Guadalaxara. She found, upon arriving at Quadraque, that the Queen had + already reached there. She at once entered into a lodging that had + been prepared for her, opposite that of the Queen. She was in a full + Court dress. After adjusting it in a hurried manner, she went to the + Queen. The coldness and stiffness of her reception surprised her + extremely. She attributed it in the first place to the embarrassment + of the Queen, and tried to melt this ice. Everybody withdrew, in order + to leave the two alone. + </p> + <p> + Then the conversation commenced. The Queen would not long allow Madame + des Ursins to continue it; but burst out into reproaches against her + for her manners, and for appearing there in a dress that showed want + of respect for the company she was in. Madame des Ursins, whose dress + was proper, and who, on account of her respectful manners and her + discourse, calculated to win the Queen, believed herself to be far + from meriting this treatment, was strangely surprised, and wished to + excuse herself; but the Queen immediately began to utter offensive + words, to cry out, to call aloud, to demand the officers of the guard, + and sharply to; command Madame des Ursins to leave her presence. The + latter wished to speak and defend herself against the reproaches she + heard; but the Queen, increasing her fury and her menaces, cried out + to her people to drive this mad woman from her presence and from the + house; and absolutely had her turned out by the shoulders. Immediately + afterwards, she called Amenzaga, lieutenant of the body-guard, and at + the same time the ecuyer who had the control of her equipages. She + ordered the first to arrest Madame des Ursins, and not quit her until + he had placed her in a coach, with two sure officers of the guard and + fifteen soldiers as sentinels over her; the second she commanded to + provide instantly a coach and six, with two or three footmen, and send + off in it the Princesse des Ursins towards Burgos and Bayonne, without + once stopping on the road. Amenzago tried to represent to the Queen + that the King of Spain alone had the power to give such commands; but + she haughtily asked him if he had not received an order from the King + of Spain to obey her in everything, without reserve and without + comment. It was true he had received such an order, though nobody knew + a word about it. + </p> + <p> + Madame des Ursins was then immediately arrested, and put into a coach + with one of her waiting-women, without having had time to change her + costume or her head-dress, to take any precaution against the cold, to + provide herself with any money or other things, and without any kind + of refreshment in the coach, or a chemise; nothing, in fact, to change + or to sleep in! She was shipped off thus (with two officers of the + guard; who were ready as soon as the coach), in full Court dress, just + as she left the Queen. In the very short and tumultuous interval which + elapsed, she sent a message to the Queen, who flew into a fresh + passion upon not being obeyed, and made her set out immediately. + </p> + <p> + It was then nearly seven o'clock in the evening, two days before + Christmas, the ground all covered with snow and ice, and the cold + extreme and very sharp and bitter, as it always is in Spain. As soon + as the Queen learned that the Princesse des Ursins was out of + Quadraque, she wrote to the King of Spain, by an officer of the guards + whom she despatched to Guadalaxara. The night was so dark that it was + only by means of the snow that anything could be seen. + </p> + <p> + It is not easy to represent the state of Madame des Ursins in the + coach. An excess of astonishment and bewilderment prevailed at first, + and suspended all other sentiment; but grief, vexation, rage, and + despair, soon followed. In their turn succeeded sad and profound + reflections upon a step so violent, so unheard-of, and so + unjustifiable as she thought. Then she hoped everything from the + friendship of the King of Spain and his confidence in her; pictured + his anger and surprise, and those of the group of attached servitors, + by whom she had surrounded him, and who would be so interested in + exciting the King in her favour. The long winter's night pissed thus; + the cold was, terrible, there was nothing to ward it off; the coachman + actually lost the use of one hand. The morning advanced; a halt was + necessary in order to bait the horses; as for the travellers there is + nothing for them ever in the Spanish inns. You are simply told where + each thing you want is sold. The meat is ordinarily alive; the wine, + thick, flat, and strong; the bread bad; the water is often worthless; + as to beds, there are some, but only for the mule- drivers, so that + you must carry everything with you, and neither Madame des Ursins nor + those with her had anything whatever. Eggs, where they could find any, + were their sole resource; and these, fresh or not, simply boiled, + supported them during all the journey. + </p> + <p> + Until this halt for the horses, silence had been profound and + uninterrupted; now it was broken. During all this long night the + Princesse des Ursins had had leisure to think upon the course she + should adopt, and to compose her face. She spoke of her extreme + surprise, and of the little that had passed between her and the Queen. + In like manner the two officers of the guard accustomed, as was all + Spain, to fear and respect her more than their King, replied to her + from the bottom of that abyss of astonishment from which they had not + yet arisen. The horses being put to, the coach soon started again. + Soon, too, the Princesse des Ursins found that the assistance she + expected from the King did not arrive. No rest, no provisions, nothing + to put on, until Saint-Jean de Luz was reached. As she went further + on, as time passed and no news came, she felt she had nothing more to + hope for. It may be imagined what rage succeeded in a woman so + ambitious, so accustomed to publicly reign, so rapidly and shamefully + precipitated from the summit of power by the hand that she herself had + chosen as the most solid support of her grandeur. The Queen had not + replied to the last two letters Madame des Ursins had written to her. + This studied negligence was of bad augury, but who would have imagined + treatment so strange and so unheard of? + </p> + <p> + Her nephews, Lanti and Chalais, who had permission to join her, + completed her dejection. Yet she was faithful to herself. Neither + tears nor regrets, neither reproaches nor the slightest weakness + escaped her; not a complaint even of the excessive cold, of the + deprivation of all things, or of the extreme fatigue of such a + journey. The two officers who guarded her could not contain their + admiration. + </p> + <p> + At Saint-Jean de Luz, where she arrived on the 14th of January, 1715, + she found at last her corporeal ills at an end. She obtained a bed, + change of dress, food, and her liberty. The guards, their officers, + and the coach which had brought her, returned; she remained with her + waiting-maid and her nephews. She had leisure to think what she might + expect from Versailles. In spite of her mad sovereignty scheme so long + maintained, and her hardihood in arranging the King of Spain's + marriage without consulting our King, she flattered herself she should + find resources in a Court she had so long governed. It was from + Saint-Jean de Luz that she despatched a courier charged with letters + for the King, for Madame de Maintenon, and for her friends. She + briefly gave us an account in those letters of the thunderbolt which + had fallen on her, and asked permission to come to the Court to + explain herself more in detail. She waited for the return of her + courier in this her first place of liberty and repose, which of itself + is very agreeable. But this first courier despatched, she sent off + Lanti with letters written less hastily, and with instructions. Lanti + saw the King in his cabinet on the last of January, and remained there + some moments. From him it was known that as soon as Madame des Ursins + despatched her first courier, she had sent her compliments to the + Queen Dowager of Spain at Bayonne, who would not receive them. What + cruel mortifications attend a fall from a throne! Let us now return to + Guadalaxara. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0065" id="link2HCH0065"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXV + </h2> + <p> + The officer of the guards, whom the Queen despatched with a letter for + the King of Spain as soon as Madame des Ursins was out of Quadraque, + found the King upon the point of going to bed. He appeared moved, sent + a short reply to the Queen, and gave no orders. The officer returned + immediately. What is singular is, that the secret was so well kept + that it did not transpire until the next morning at ten o'clock. It + may be imagined what emotion seized the whole Court, and what divers + movements there were among all at Guadalaxara. However, nobody dared + to speak to the King, and much expectation was built upon the reply he + had sent to the Queen. The morning passed and nothing was said; the + fate of Madame des Ursins then became pretty evident. + </p> + <p> + Chalais and Lanti made bold to ask the King for permission to go and + join the Princess in her isolation. Not only he allowed them to do so, + but charged them with a letter of simple civility, in which he told + her he was very sorry for what had happened; that he had not been able + to oppose the Queen's will; that he should continue to her her + pensions, and see that they were punctually paid. He was as good as + his word: as long as she lived she regularly received them. + </p> + <p> + The Queen arrived at Guadalaxara on the afternoon of the day before + Christmas day, at the hour fixed, and as though nothing had occurred. + The King received her in the same manner on the staircase, gave her + his hand, and immediately led her to the chapel, where the marriage + was at once celebrated; for in Spain the custom is to marry after + dinner. After that he led her to her chamber, and straightway went to + bed; it was before six o'clock in the evening, and both got up again + for the midnight mass. What passed between them upon the event of the + previous evening was entirely unknown, and has always remained so. The + day after Christmas day the King and Queen alone together in a coach, + and followed by all the Court, took the road for Madrid, where there + was no more talk of Madame des Ursins than if the King had never known + her. Our King showed not the least surprise at the news brought to him + by a courier despatched from Guadalaxara by the Duc de Saint-Aignan, + though all the Court was filled with emotion and affright after having + seen Madame des Ursins so triumphant. + </p> + <p> + Let us now look about for some explanations that will enable us to + pierce this mystery—that remark to Torcy which escaped the King, + which Torcy could not comprehend, and which he related to Castries, + who told it to Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans, from whom I learned it! + Can we imagine that a Parma princess brought up in a garret by an + imperious mother, would have dared to take upon herself, while six + leagues from the King of Spain whom she had never seen, a step so bold + and unheard-of, when we consider against whom directed, a person + possessing the entire confidence of that King and reigning openly? The + thing is explained by the order, so unusual and so secret, that + Amenzago had from the King of Spain to obey the Queen in everything, + without reserve and without comment; an order that became known only + at the moment when she gave orders to arrest Madame des Ursins and + take her away. + </p> + <p> + Let us remark, too, the tranquillity with which our King and the King + of Spain received the first intelligence of this event; the inactivity + of the latter, the coldness of his letters to Madame des Ursins, and + his perfect indifference what became of a person who was so cherished + the day before, and who yet was forced to travel deprived of + everything, by roads full of ice and snow. We must recollect that when + the King banished Madame des Ursins before, for opening the letter of + the Abbe d'Estrees, and for the note she sent upon it, he did not dare + to have his orders executed in the presence of the King of Spain. It + was on the frontier of Portugal, where our King wished him to go for + the express purpose, that the King of Spain signed the order by which + the Princesse des Ursins was forced to withdraw from the country. Now + we had a second edition of the same volume. Let me add what I learnt + from the Marechal de Brancas, to whom Alberoni related, a long while + after this disgrace, that one evening as the Queen was travelling from + Parma to Spain, he found her pacing her chamber, with rapid step and + in agitation muttering to herself, letting escape the name of the + Princesse des Ursins, and then saying with heat, "I will drive her + away, the first thing." He cried out to the Queen and sought to + represent to her the danger, the madness, the inutility of the + enterprise which overwhelmed him: "Keep all this quiet," said the + Queen, "and never let what you have heard escape you. Not a word! I + know what I am about." + </p> + <p> + All these things together threw much light upon a catastrophe equally + astonishing in itself and in its execution, and clearly show our King + to have been the author of it; the King of Spain a consenting party + and assisting by the extraordinary order given to Amenzago; and the + Queen the actress, charged in some mariner by the two Kings to bring + it about. The sequel in France confirmed this opinion. + </p> + <p> + The fall of the Princesse des Ursins caused great changes in Spain. + The Comtesse d'Altamire was named Camarera Mayor, in her place. She + was one of the greatest ladies in all Spain, and was hereditary + Duchess of Cardonne. Cellamare, nephew of Cardinal del Giudice, was + named her grand ecuyer; and the Cardinal himself soon returned to + Madrid and to consideration. As a natural consequence, Macanas was + disgraced. He and Orry had orders to leave Spain, the latter without + seeing the King. He carried with him the maledictions of the public. + Pompadour, who had been named Ambassador in Spain only to amuse Madame + des Ursins, was dismissed, and the Duc de Saint-Aignan invested with + that character, just as he was about to return after having conducted + the Queen to Madrid. + </p> + <p> + In due time the Princesse des Ursins arrived in Paris, and took up her + quarters in the house of the Duc de Noirmoutiers, her brother, in the + Rue Saint-Dominique, close to mine. This journey must have appeared to + her very different from the last she had made in France, when she was + Queen of the Court. Few people, except her former friends and those of + her formal cabal, came to see her; yet, nevertheless, some curious + folks appeared, so that for the first few days there was company + enough; but after that, solitude followed when the ill-success of her + journey to Versailles became known. M. d'Orleans, reunited now with + the King of Spain, felt that it was due to his interest even more than + to his vengeance to show in a striking manner, that it was solely + owing to the hatred and artifice of Madame des Ursins that he had + fallen into such disfavour on account of Spain, and had been in danger + of losing his head. Times had changed. Monseigneur was dead, the + Meudon cabal annihilated; Madame de Maintenon had turned her back upon + Madame des Ursins; thus M. d'Orleans was free to act as he pleased. + Incited by Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans, and more still by Madame, he + begged the King to prohibit Madame des Ursins from appearing anywhere + (Versailles not even excepted) where she might meet Madame la Duchesse + de Berry, Madame, Monsieur le Duc, and Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans, + who at the same time strictly forbade their households to see her, and + asked the persons to whom they were particularly attached to hold no + intercourse with her. This made a great stir, openly showed that + Madame des Ursins had utterly lost the support of Madame de Maintenon + and the King, and much embarrassed her. + </p> + <p> + I could not feel that M. d'Orleans was acting wrong, in thus paying + off his wrongs for the injuries she had heaped upon him, but I + represented to him, that as I had always been an intimate friend of + Madame des Ursins, putting aside her conduct towards him and making no + comparison between my attachment for him and my friendship for her, I + could not forget the marks of consideration she had always given me, + particularly in her last triumphant journey (as I have already + explained), and that it would be hard if I could not see her. We + capitulated then, and M. le Duc and Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans + permitted me to see her twice—once immediately; once when she + left—giving my word that I would not see her three times, and + that Madame de Saint-Simon should not see her at all; which latter + clause we agreed to very unwillingly, but there was no remedy. As I + wished at least to profit by my chance, I sent word to Madame des + Ursins, explaining the fetters that bound me, and saying that as I + wished to see her at all events at my ease since I should see her so + little, I would let pass the first few days and her first journey to + Court, before asking her for an audience. + </p> + <p> + My message was very well received; she had known for many years the + terms on which I was with M. d'Orleans; she was not surprised with + these fetters, and was grateful to me for what I had obtained. Some + days after she had been to Versailles, I went to her at two o'clock in + the day. She at once closed the door to all comers, and I was + tete-a-tete with her until ten o'clock at night. + </p> + <p> + It may be imagined what a number of things were passed in review + during this long discourse. Our eight hours of conversation appeared + to me like eight moments. She related to me her catastrophe, without + mixing up the King or the King of Spain, of whom she spoke well; but, + without violently attacking the Queen, she predicted what since has + occurred. We separated at supper time, with a thousand reciprocal + protestations and regret that Madame de Saint-Simon could not see her. + She promised to inform me of her departure early enough to allow us to + pass another day together. + </p> + <p> + Her journey to Versailles did not pass off very pleasantly. She dined + with the Duchesse de Luders, and then visited Madame de Maintenon; + waited with her for the King, but when he came did not stop long, + withdrawing to Madame Adam's, where she passed the night. The next day + she dined with the Duchesse de Ventadour, and returned to Paris. She + was allowed to give up the pension she received from the King, and in + exchange to have her Hotel de Ville stock increased, so that it + yielded forty thousand livres a-year. Her income, besides being + doubled, was thus much more sure than would have been a pension from + the King, which she doubted not M. d'Orleans, as soon as he became + master, would take from her. She thought of retiring into Holland, but + the States-General would have nothing to do with her, either at the + Hague, or at Amsterdam. She had reckoned upon the Hague. She next + thought of Utrecht, but was soon out of conceit with it, and turned + her regards towards Italy. + </p> + <p> + The health of the King, meanwhile, visibly declining, Madame des + Ursins feared lest she should entirely fall into the clutches of M. + d'Orleans. She fully resolved, therefore, to make off, without + knowing, however, where to fix herself; and asked permission of the + King to come and take leave of him at Marly. She came there from Paris + on Tuesday, the 6th of August, so as to arrive as he left dinner, that + is, about ten o'clock. She was immediately admitted into the cabinet + of the King, with whom she remained tete-a-tete full half an hour. She + passed immediately to the apartments of Madame de Maintenon, with whom + she remained an hour; and then got into her coach and returned to + Paris. I only knew of this leave-taking by her arrival at Marly, where + I had some trouble in meeting her. As chance would have it, I went in + search of her coach to ask her people what had become of her, and was + speaking to them when, to and behold! she herself arrived. She seemed + very glad to see me, and made me mount with her into her coach, where + for little less than an hour we discoursed very freely. She did not + dissimulate from me her fears; the coldness the King and Madame de + Maintenon had testified for her through all their politeness; the + isolation she found herself in at the Court, even in Paris; and the + uncertainty in which she was as to the choice of a retreat; all this + in detail, and nevertheless without complaint, without regret, without + weakness; always reassured and superior to events, as though some one + else were in question. She touched lightly upon Spain, upon the + ascendency the Queen was acquiring already over the King, giving me to + understand that it could not be otherwise; running lightly and + modestly over the Queen, and always praising the goodness of the King + of Spain. Fear, on account of the passers-by, put an end to our + conversation. She was very gracious to me; expressed regret that we + must part; proceeded to tell me when she should start in time for us + to have another day together; sent many compliments to Madame de + Saint-Simon; and declared herself sensible of the mark of friendship I + had given her, in spite of my engagement with M. d'Orleans. As soon as + I had seen her off, I went to M. d'Orleans, to whom I related what I + had just done; said I had not paid a visit, but had had simply a + meeting; that it was true I could not hinder myself from seeking it, + without prejudice to the final visit he had allowed me. Neither he nor + Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans complained. They had fully triumphed over + their enemy, and were on the point of seeing her leave France for + ever, without hope in Spain. + </p> + <p> + Until now, Madame des Ursins amused by a residue of friends, increased + by those of M. de Noirmoutiers with whom she lodged and who had money, + had gently occupied herself with the arrangement of her affairs, + changed as they were, and in withdrawing her effects from Spain. The + fear lest she should find herself in the power of a Prince whom she + had so cruelly offended, and who showed, since her arrival in France, + that he felt it, hurried all her measures. Her terror augmented by the + change in the King that she found at this last audience had taken + place since her first. She no longer doubted that his end was very + near; and all her attention was directed to the means by which she + might anticipate it, and be well informed of his health; this she + believed her sole security in France. Terrified anew by the accounts + she received of it, she no longer gave herself time for anything, but + precipitately set out on the 14th August, accompanied as far as + Essonne by her two nephews. She had no time to inform me, so that I + have never seen her since the day of our conversation at Marly in her + coach. She did not breathe until she arrived at Lyons. + </p> + <p> + She had abandoned the project of retiring into Holland, where the + States- General would not have her. She herself, too, was disgusted + with the equality of a republic, which counterbalanced in her mind the + pleasure of the liberty enjoyed there. But she could not resolve to + return to Rome, the theatre of her former reign, and appear there + proscribed and old, as in an asylum. She feared, too, a bad reception, + remembering the quarrels that had taken place between the Courts of + Rome and Spain. She had lost many friends and acquaintances; in + fifteen years of absence all had passed away, and she felt the trouble + she might be subjected to by the ministers of the Emperor, and by + those of the two Crowns, with their partisans. Turin was not a Court + worthy of her; the King of Sardinia had not always been pleased with + her, and they knew too much for each other. At Venice she would have + been out of her element. + </p> + <p> + Whilst agitated in this manner, without being able to make up her + mind, she learned that the King was in extreme danger, a danger + exaggerated by rumour. Fear seized her lest he should die whilst she + was in his realm. She set off immediately, therefore, without knowing + where to go; and solely to leave France went to Chambery, as the + nearest place of safety, arriving there out of breath, so to say. + </p> + <p> + Every place being well examined, she preferred Genoa; its liberty + pleased her; there was intercourse there with a rich and numerous + nobility; the climate and the city were beautiful; the place was in + some sort a centre and halting-point between Madrid, Paris, and Rome, + with which places she was always in communication, and always hungered + after all that passed there. Genoa determined on, she went there. She + was well received, hoped to fix her tabernacle there, and indeed + stayed some years. But at last ennui seized her; perhaps vexation at + not being made enough of. She could not exist without meddling, and + what is there for a superannuated woman to meddle with at Genoa? She + turned her thoughts, therefore, towards Rome. Then, on sounding, found + her course clear, quitted Genoa, and returned to her nest. + </p> + <p> + She was not long there before she attached herself to the King and + Queen of England (the Pretender and his wife), and soon governed them + openly. What a poor resource! But it was courtly and had a flavour of + occupation for a woman who could not exist without movement. She + finished her life there remarkably healthy in mind and body, and in a + prodigious opulence, which was not without its use in that deplorable + Court. For the rest, Madame des Ursins was in mediocre estimation at + Rome, was deserted by the Spanish, little visited by the French, but + always faithfully paid by France and Spain, and unmolested by the + Regent. She was always occupied with the world, and with what she had + been, but was no longer; yet without meanness, nay, with courage and + dignity. + </p> + <p> + The loss she experienced in January, 1720, of the Cardinal de la + Tremoille, although there was no real friendship between them, did not + fail, to create a void in her. She survived him three years, preserved + all her health, her strength, her mind until death, and was carried + off, more than eighty years of age, at Rome, on the 5th of December, + 1722, after a very short illness. + </p> + <p> + She had the pleasure of seeing Madame de Maintenon forgotten and + annihilated in Saint-Cyr, of surviving her, of seeing at Rome her two + enemies, Giudice and Alberoni, as profoundly disgraced as she,—one + falling from the same height, and of relishing the forgetfulness, not + to say contempt, into which they both sank. Her death, which, a few + years before, would have resounded throughout all Europe, made not the + least sensation. The little English Court regretted her, and some + private friends also, of whom I was one. I did not hide this, + although,—on account of M. le Duc d'Orleans, I had kept up no + intercourse with her; for the rest, nobody seemed to perceive she had + disappeared. She was, nevertheless, so extraordinary a person, during + all the course of her long life, everywhere, and had so grandly + figured, although in various ways; had such rare intellect, courage, + industry, and resources; reigned so publicly and so absolutely in + Spain; and had a character so sustained and so unique, that her life + deserves to be written, and would take a place among the most curious + fragments of the history of the times in which she lived. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0066" id="link2HCH0066"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LVI + </h2> + <p> + But I must return somewhat now, in order to make way for a crowd of + events which have been pressing forward all this time, but which I + have passed by, in going straightforward at once to the end of Madame + des Ursins' history. + </p> + <p> + On Monday, the 30th April, 1714., the King took medicine, and worked + after dinner with Pontchartrain. This was at Marly. About six o'clock, + he went to M. le Duc de Berry, who had had fever all night. M. le Duc + de Berry had risen without saying anything, had been with the King at + the medicine-hour, and intended to go stag-hunting; but on leaving the + King's chamber shivering seized him, and forced him to go back again. + He was bled while the King was in his chamber, and the blood was found + very bad; when the King went to bed the doctors told him the illness + was of a nature to make them hope that it might be a case of + contagion. M. le Duc de Berry had vomited a good deal—a black + vomit. Fagon said, confidently, that it was from the blood; the other + doctors fastened upon some chocolate he had taken on the Sunday. From + this day forward I knew what was the matter. Boulduc, apothecary of + the King, and extremely attached to Madame de Saint-Simon and to me, + whispered in my ear that M. le Duc de Berry would not recover, and + that, with some little difference, his malady was the same as that of + which the Dauphin and Dauphine died. He repeated this the next day, + and never once varied afterwards; saying to me on the third day, that + none of the doctors who attended the Prince were of a different + opinion, or hid from him what they thought. + </p> + <p> + On Tuesday, the 1st of May, the Prince was bled in the foot at seven + o'clock in the morning, after a very bad night; took emetics twice, + which had a good effect; then some manna; but still there were two + accesses. The King went to the sick-room afterwards, held a finance + council, would not go shooting, as he had arranged, but walked in his + gardens. The doctors, contrary to their custom, never reassured him. + The night was cruel. On Wednesday; the 2nd of May, the King went, + after mass, to M. le Duc de Berry, who had been again bled in the + foot. The King held the Council of State, as usual, dined in Madame de + Maintenon's rooms, and afterwards reviewed his Guards. Coettenfao, + chevalier d'honneur of Madame la Duchesse de Berry, came during the + morning to beg the King, in her name, that Chirac, a famous doctor of + M. d'Orleans, should be allowed to see M. le Duc de Berry. The King + refused, on the ground that all the other doctors were in accord, and + that Chirac, who might differ with them, would embarrass them. After + dinner Mesdames de Pompadour and La Vieuville arrived, on the part of + Madame la Duchesse de Berry, to beg the King that she might be allowed + to come and see her husband, saying that she would come on foot rather + than stay away. It would have been better, surely, for her to come in + a coach, if she so much wished, and, before alighting, to send to the + King for permission so to do. But the fact is, she had no more desire + to come than M. de Berry had to see her. He never once mentioned her + name, or spoke of her, even indirectly. The King replied to those + ladies by saying that he would not close the door against Madame la + Duchesse de Berry, but, considering the state she was in, he thought + it would be very imprudent on her part to come. He afterwards told M. + le Duc and Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans to go to Versailles and hinder + her from coming. Upon returning from the review the King went again to + see M. le Duc de Berry. He had been once more bled in the arm, had + vomited all day much blood too—and had taken some Robel water + three times, in order to stop his sickness. This vomiting put off the + communion. Pere de la Rue had been by his side ever since Tuesday + morning, and found him very patient and resigned. + </p> + <p> + On Thursday, the 3rd, after a night worse than ever, the doctors said + they did not doubt that a vein had been broken in the stomach. It was + reported that this accident had happened by an effort M. de Berry made + when out hunting on the previous Thursday, the day the Elector of + Bavaria arrived. His horse slipped; in drawing the animal up, his body + struck against the pommel of the saddle, so it was said, and ever + since he had spit blood every day. The vomiting ceased at nine o'clock + in the morning, but the patient was no better. The King, who was going + stag- hunting, put it off. At six o'clock at night M. de Berry was so + choked that he could no longer remain in bed; about eight o'clock he + found himself so relieved that he said to Madame, he hoped he should + not die; but soon after, the malady increased so much that Pere de la + Rue said it was no longer time to think of anything but God, and of + receiving the sacrament. The poor Prince himself seemed to desire it. + </p> + <p> + A little after ten o'clock at night the King went to the chapel, where + a consecrated Host had been kept prepared ever since the commencement + of the illness. M. le Duc de Berry received it, with extreme unction, + in presence of the King, with much devotion and respect. The King + remained nearly an hour in the chamber, supped alone in his own, did + not receive the Princesses afterwards, but went to bed. M. le Duc + d'Orleans, at ten o'clock in the morning, went again to Versailles, as + Madame la Duchesse de Berry wished still to come to Marly. M. le Duc + de Berry related to Pere de la Rue, who at least said so, the accident + just spoken of; but, it was added, "his head was then beginning to + wander." After losing the power of speech, he took the crucifix Pere + de la Rue held, kissed it, and placed it upon his heart. He expired on + Friday, the 4th of May, 1714, at four o'clock in the morning, in his + twenty-eighth year, having been born at Versailles, the last day of + August, 1686. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc de Berry was of ordinary height, rather fat, of a beautiful + blonde complexion, with a fresh, handsome face, indicating excellent + health. He was made for society, and for pleasure, which he loved; the + best, gentlest, most compassionate and accessible of men, without + pride, and without vanity, but not without dignity or + self-appreciation. He was of medium intellect, without ambition or + desire, but had very good sense, and was capable of listening, of + understanding, and of always taking the right side in preference to + the wrong, however speciously put. He loved truth, justice, and + reason; all that was contrary to religion pained him to excess, + although he was not of marked piety. He was not without firmness, and + hated constraint. This caused it to be feared that he was not supple + enough for a younger son, and, indeed, in his early youth he could not + understand that there was any difference between him and his eldest + brother, and his boyish quarrels often caused alarm. + </p> + <p> + He was the most gay, the most frank, and consequently the most loved + of the three brothers; in his youth nothing was spoken of but his + smart replies to Madame and M. de la Rochefoucauld. He laughed at + preceptors and at masters—often at punishment. He scarcely knew + anything except how to read and write; and learned nothing after being + freed from the necessity of learning. This ignorance so intimidated + him, that he could scarcely open his mouth before strangers, or + perform the most ordinary duties of his rank; he had persuaded himself + that he was an ass and a fool; fit for nothing. He was so afraid of + the King that he dared not approach him, and was so confused if the + King looked hard at him, or spoke of other things than hunting, or + gaming, that he scarcely understood a word, or could collect his + thoughts. As may be imagined, such fear does not go hand in hand with + deep affection. + </p> + <p> + He commenced life with Madame la Duchesse de Berry as do almost all + those who marry very young and green. He became extremely amorous of + her; this, joined to his gentleness and natural complaisance, had the + usual effect, which was to thoroughly spoil her. He was not long in + perceiving it; but love was too strong for him. He found a woman + proud, haughty, passionate, incapable of forgiveness, who despised + him, and who allowed him to see it, because he had infinitely less + head than she; and because, moreover, she was supremely false and + strongly determined. She piqued herself upon both these qualities, and + on her contempt for religion, ridiculing M. le Duc de Berry for being + devout; and all these things became insupportable to him. Her + gallantries were so prompt, so rapid, so unmeasured, that he could not + help seeing them. Her endless private interviews with M. le Duc + d'Orleans, in which everything languished if he was present, made him + furious. Violent scenes frequently took place between them; the last, + which occurred at Rambouillet, went so far that Madame la Duchesse de + Berry received a kick * * * * , and a menace that she should be shut + up in a convent for the rest of her life; and when M. le Duc de Berry + fell ill, he was thumbing his hat, like a child, before the King, + relating all his grievances, and asking to be delivered from Madame la + Duchesse de Berry. Hitherto I have only alluded to Madame la Duchesse + de Berry, but, as will be seen, she became so singular a person when + her father was Regent, that I will here make her known more completely + than I have yet done. + </p> + <p> + She was tall, handsome, well made, with, however, but little grace, + and had something in her, eyes which made you fear what she was. Like + her father and mother, she spoke well and with facility. Timid in + trifles, yet in other things terrifyingly bold,—foolishly + haughty sometimes, and sometimes mean to the lowest degree,—it + may be said that she was a model of all the vices, avarice excepted; + and was all the more dangerous because she had art and talent. I am + not accustomed to over-colour the picture I am obliged to present to + render things understood, and it will easily be perceived how strictly + I am reserved upon the ladies, and upon all gallantries, not + intimately associated with what may be called important matters. I + should be so here, more than in any other case, from self-love, if not + from respect for the sex and dignity of the person. The considerable + part I played in bringing about Madame la Duchesse de Berry's + marriage, and the place that Madame de Saint-Simon, in spite of + herself and of me, occupied in connection with her, would be for me + reasons more than enough for silence, if I did not feel that silence + would throw obscurity over all the sequel of this history. It is then + to the truth that I sacrifice my self-love, and with the same + truthfulness I will say that if I had known or merely suspected, that + the Princess was so bad as she showed herself directly after her + marriage, and always more and more since, she would never have become + Duchesse de Berry. + </p> + <p> + I have already told how she annoyed M. le Duc de Berry by ridiculing + his devotion. In other ways she put his patience to severe trials, and + more than once was in danger of public exposure. She partook of few + meals in private, at which she did not get so drunk as to lose + consciousness, and to bring up all she had taken on every side. The + presence of M. le Duc de Berry, of M. le Duc and Madame la Duchesse + d'Orleans, of ladies with whom she was not on familiar terms, in no + way restrained her. She complained even of M. le Duc de Berry for not + doing as she did. She often treated her father with a haughtiness + which was terrifying on all accounts. + </p> + <p> + In her gallantries she was as unrestrained as in other things. After + having had several favourites, she fixed herself upon La Haye, who + from King's page had become private ecuyer of M. le Duc de Berry. The + oglings in the Salon of Marly were perceived by everybody; nothing + restrained them. At last, it must be said, for this fact encloses all + the rest, she wished La Haye to run away with her from Versailles to + the Low Countries, whilst M. le Duc de Berry and the King were both + living. La Haye almost died with fright at this proposition, which she + herself made to him. His refusal made her furious. From the most + pressing entreaties she came to all the invectives that rage could + suggest, and that torrents of tears allowed her to pronounce. La Haye + had to suffer her attacks—now tender, now furious; he was in the + most mortal embarrassment. It was a long time before she could be + cured of her mad idea, and in the meanwhile she subjected the poor + fellow to the most frightful persecution. Her passion for La Haye + continued until the death of M. le Duc de Berry, and some time after. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc de Berry was buried at Saint-Denis on Wednesday, the 16th of + May; M. le Duc d'Orleans was to have headed the procession, but the + same odious reports against him that had circulated at the death of + the Dauphin had again appeared, and he begged to be let off. M. le Duc + filled his place. Madame la Duchesse de Berry, who was in the family + way, kept her bed; and in order that she should not be seen there when + people came to pay her the usual visits of condolence, the room was + kept quite dark. Many ridiculous scenes and much indecent laughter, + that could not be restrained, thus arose. Persons accustomed to the + room could see their way, but those unaccustomed stumbled at every + step, and had need of guidance. For want of this, Pere du Trevoux, and + Pere Tellier after him, both addressed their compliments to the wall; + others to the foot of the bed. This became a secret amusement, but + happily did not last long. + </p> + <p> + As may be imagined, the death of M. le Duc de Berry was a deliverance + for Madame la Duchesse de Berry. She was, as I have said, in the + family way; she hoped for a boy, and counted upon enjoying as a widow + more liberty than she had been able to take as a wife. She had a + miscarriage, however, on Saturday, the 16th of June, and was delivered + of a daughter which lived only twelve hours. The little corpse was + buried at Saint- Denis, Madame de Saint-Simon at the head of the + procession. Madame la Duchesse de Berry, shortly before this event, + received two hundred thousand livres income of pension; but the + establishment she would have had if the child had been a boy was not + allowed her. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0067" id="link2HCH0067"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXVII. + </h2> + <p> + It is time now that I should say something about an event that caused + an immense stir throughout the land, and was much talked of even in + foreign parts. I must first introduce, however, a sort of a personage + whose intimacy was forced upon me at this period; for the two + incidents are in a certain degree associated together. + </p> + <p> + M. d'Orleans for some little time had continually represented to me, + how desirous one of his acquaintances was to secure my friendship. + This acquaintance was Maisons, president in the parliament, grandson + of that superintendent of the finances who built the superb chateau of + Maisons, and son of the man who had presided so unworthily at the + judgment of our trial with M. de Luxembourg, which I have related in + its place. Maisons was a person of much ambition, exceedingly anxious + to make a name, gracious and flattering in manners to gain his ends, + and amazingly fond of grand society. + </p> + <p> + The position of Maisons, where he lived, close to Marly, afforded him + many opportunities of drawing there the principal people of the Court. + It became quite the fashion to go from Marly to his chateau. The King + grew accustomed to hear the place spoken of, and was in no way + displeased. Maisons had managed to become very intimate with M. le Duc + and M. le Prince de Conti. These two princes being dead, he turned his + thoughts towards M, d'Orleans. He addressed himself to Canillac, who + had always been an intimate friend of M. d'Orleans, and by him soon + gained the intimacy of that prince. But he was not yet satisfied. He + wished to circumvent M. d'Orleans more completely than he could by + means of Canillac. He cast his eye, therefore, upon me. I think he was + afraid of me on account of what I have related concerning his father. + He had an only son about the same age as my children. For a long time + he had made all kinds of advances, and visited them often. The son's + intimacy did not, however, assist the father; so that at last Maisons + made M. le Duc d'Orleans speak to me himself. + </p> + <p> + I was cold; tried to get out of the matter with compliments and + excuses. M. d'Orleans, who believed he had found a treasure in his new + acquaintance, returned to the charge; but I was not more docile. A few + days after, I was surprised by an attack of the same kind from M. de + Beauvilliers. How or when he had formed an intimacy with Maisons, I + have never been able to unravel; but formed it, he had; and he + importuned me so much, nay exerted his authority over me, that at last + I found I must give way. Not to offend M. d'Orleans by yielding to + another after having refused to yield to him, I waited until he should + again speak to me on the subject, so that he might give himself the + credit of vanquishing me. I did not wait long. The Prince attacked me + anew, maintained that nothing would be more useful to him than an + intimacy between myself and Maisons, who scarcely dared to see him, + except in secret, and with whom he had not the same leisure or liberty + for discussing many things that might present themselves. I had + replied to all this before; but as I had resolved to surrender to the + Prince (after the authority of the Duc de Beauvilliers had vanquished + me), I complied with his wish. + </p> + <p> + Maisons was soon informed of it, and did not let my resolution grow, + cold. M. le Duc d'Orleans urged me to go and sleep a night in Paris. + Upon arriving there, I found a note from Maisons, who had already sent + an ocean of compliments to me by the Prince and the Duke. This note, + for reasons to be told me afterwards, appointed a meeting at eleven + o'clock this night, in the plain behind the Invalides, in a very + mysterious manner. I went there with an old coachman of my mother's + and a lackey to put my people off the scent. There was a little + moonlight. Maisons in a small carriage awaited me. We soon met. He + mounted into my coach. I never could comprehend the mystery of this + meeting. There was nothing on his part but advances, compliments, + protestations, allusions to the former interview of our fathers; only + such things, in fact, as a man of cleverness and breeding says when he + wishes to form a close intimacy with any one. Not a word that he said + was of importance or of a private nature. + </p> + <p> + I replied in the civillest manner possible to the abundance he + bestowed upon me. I expected afterwards something that would justify + the hour, the place, the mystery, in a word, of our interview. What + was my surprise to hear no syllable upon these points. The only reason + Maisons gave for our secret interview was that from that time he + should be able to come and see me at Versailles with less + inconvenience, and gradually increase the number and the length of his + visits until people grew accustomed to see him there! He then begged + me not to visit him in Paris, because his house was always too full of + people. This interview lasted little less than half an hour. It was + long indeed, considering what passed. We separated with much + politeness, and the first time he went to Versailles he called upon me + towards the middle of the day. + </p> + <p> + In a short time he visited me every Sunday. Our conversation by + degrees became more serious. I did not fail to be on my guard, but + drew him out upon various subjects; he being very willing. + </p> + <p> + We were on this footing when, returning to my room at Marly about + midday- on Sunday, the 29th of July, I found a lackey of Maisons with + a note from him, in which he conjured me to quit all business and come + immediately to his house at Paris, where he would wait for me alone, + and where I should find that something was in question, that could not + suffer the slightest delay, that could not even be named in writing, + and which was of the most extreme importance. This lackey had long + since arrived, and had sent my people everywhere in search of me. I + was engaged that day to dine with M. and Madame de Lauzun. To have + broken my engagement would have been to set the curiosity and the + malignity of M. de Lauzun at work. I dared not disappear; therefore I + gave orders to my coachman, and as soon as I had dined I vanished. + Nobody saw me get into my chaise; and I quickly arrived at Paris, and + immediately hastened to Maisons' with eagerness easy to imagine. + </p> + <p> + I found him alone with the Duc de Noailles. At the first glance I saw + two dismayed men, who said to me in an exhausted manner, but after a + heated though short preface, that the King had declared his two + bastards and their male posterity to all eternity, real princes of the + blood, with full liberty to assume all their dignities, honours, and + rank, and capacity to succeed to the throne in default of the others. + </p> + <p> + At this news, which I did not expect, and the secret of which had + hitherto been preserved, without a particle of it transpiring, my arms + fell. I lowered my head and remained profoundly silent, absorbed in my + reflections. They were soon disturbed by cries which aroused me. These + two men commenced pacing the chamber; stamped with their feet; pushed + and struck the furniture; raged as though each wished to be louder + than the other, and made the house echo with their noise. I avow that + so much hubbub seemed suspicious to me on the part of two men, one so + sage and so measured, and to whom this rank was of no consequence; the + other always so tranquil, so crafty, so master of himself. I knew not + why this sudden fury succeeded to such dejected oppression; and I was + not without suspicion that their passion was put on merely to excite + mine. If this was their design, it succeeded ill. I remained in my + chair, and coldly asked them what was the matter. My tranquillity + sharpened their fury. Never in my life have I seen anything so + surprising. + </p> + <p> + I asked them if they had gone mad, and if instead of this tempest it + would not be better to reason, and see whether something could not be + done. They declared it was precisely because nothing could be done + against a thing not only resolved on, but executed, declared, and sent + to the Parliament, that they were so furious; that M. le Duc + d'Orleans, on the terms he was with the King, would not dare even to + whisper objections; that the Princes of the blood, mere children as + they were, could only tremble; that the Dukes had no means of + opposition, and that the Parliament was reduced to silence and + slavery. Thereupon they set to work to see who could cry the louder + and reviled again, sparing neither things nor persons. + </p> + <p> + I, also, was in anger, but this racket kept me cool and made me smile. + I argued with them and said, that after all I preferred to see the + bastards princes of the blood, capable of succeeding to the throne, + than to see them in the intermediary rank they occupied. And it is + true that as soon as I had cooled myself, I felt thus. + </p> + <p> + At last the storm grew calm, and they told me that the Chief-President + and the Attorney-General—who, I knew, had been at Marly very + early in the morning at the Chancellor's—had seen the King in + his cabinet soon after he rose, and had brought back the declaration, + all prepared. Maisons must, however, have known this earlier; because + when the lackey he sent to me set out from Paris, those gentlemen + could not have returned there. Our talk led to nothing, and I regained + Marly in all haste, in order that my absence might not be remarked. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless it was towards the King's supper hour when I arrived. I + went straight to the salon, and found it very dejected. People looked, + but scarcely dared to approach each other; at the most, a sign or a + whisper in the ear, as the courtiers brushed by one another, was + ventured out. I saw the King sit down to table; he seemed to me more + haughty than usual, and continually looked all around. The news had + only been known one hour; everybody was still congealed and upon his + guard. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the King was seated (he had looked very hard at me in + passing) I went straight to M. du Maine's. Although the hour was + unusual, the doors fell before me; I saw a man, who received me with + joyful surprise, and who, as it were, moved through the air towards + me, all lame that he was. I said that I came to offer him a sincere + compliment, that we (the Dukes) claimed no precedence over the Princes + of the blood; but what we claimed was, that there should be nobody + between the Princes of the blood and us; that as this intermediary + rank no longer existed, we had nothing more to say, but to rejoice + that we had no longer to support what was insupportable. The joy of M. + du Maine burst forth at my compliments, and he startled me with a + politeness inspired by the transport of triumph. + </p> + <p> + But if he was delighted at the declaration of the King, it was far + otherwise with the world. Foreign dukes and princes fumed, but + uselessly. The Court uttered dull murmurs more than could have been + expected. Paris and the provinces broke out; the Parliament did not + keep silent. Madame de Maintenon, delighted with her work, received + the adoration of her familiars. + </p> + <p> + As for me, I will content myself with but few reflections upon this + most monstrous, astounding, and frightful determination of the King. I + will simply say, that it is impossible not to see in it an attack upon + the Crown; contempt for the entire nation, whose rights are trodden + under foot by it; insult to all the Princes of the blood; in fact the + crime of high treason in its most rash and most criminal extent. Yes! + however venerable God may have rendered in the eyes of men the majesty + of Kings and their sacred persons, which are his anointed; however + execrable may be the crime known as high treason, of attempting their + lives; however terrible and singular may be the punishments justly + invented to prevent that crime, and to remove by their horror the most + infamous from the infernal resolution of committing it, we cannot help + finding in the crime in question a plenitude not in the other, however + abominable it may be: Yes! to overthrow the most holy laws, that have + existed ever since the establishment of monarchy; to extinguish a + right the most sacred—the most important—the most inherent + in the nation: to make succession to the throne, purely, supremely, + and despotically arbitrary; in a word, to make of a bastard a crown + prince, is a crime more black, more vast, more terrible, than that of + high treason against the chief of the State. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0068" id="link2HCH0068"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXVIII + </h2> + <p> + But let me now explain by what means the King was induced to arrive + at, and publish this terrible determination. + </p> + <p> + He was growing old, and though no external change in him was visible, + those near him had for some time begun to fear that he could not live + long. This is not the place to descant upon a health hitherto so good + and so even: suffice it to mention, that it silently began to give + way. Overwhelmed by the most violent reverses of fortune after being + so long accustomed to success, the King was even more overwhelmed by + domestic misfortunes. All his children had disappeared before him, and + left him abandoned to the most fatal reflections. At every moment he + himself expected the same kind of death. Instead of finding relief + from his anguish among those who surrounded him, and whom he saw most + frequently, he met with nothing but fresh trouble there. Excepting + Marechal, his chief surgeon, who laboured unceasingly to cure him of + his suspicions, Madame de Maintenon, M. du Maine, Fagon, Bloin, the + other principal valets sold to the bastard and his former governors,—all + sought to augment these suspicions; and in truth it was not difficult + to do so. Nobody doubted that poison had been used, nobody could + seriously doubt it; and Marechal, who was as persuaded as the rest, + held a different opinion before the King only to deliver him from a + useless torment which could not but do him injury. But M. du Maine, + and Madame de Maintenon also, had too much interest to maintain him in + this fear, and by their art filled him with horror against M. + d'Orleans, whom they named as the author of these crimes, so that the + King with this prince before his eyes every day, was in a perpetual + state of alarm. + </p> + <p> + With his children the King had lost, and by the same way, a princess, + who in addition to being the soul and ornament of his court, was, + moreover, all his amusement, all his joy, all his affection, in the + hours when he was not in public. Never, since he entered the world, + had he become really familiar with any one but her; it has been seen + elsewhere to what extent. Nothing could fill up this great void: The + bitterness of being deprived of her augmented, because he could find + no diversion. This unfortunate state made him seek relief everywhere + in abandoning himself more and more to Madame de Maintenon and M. du + Maine. + </p> + <p> + They soon managed to obtain possession of him, as it were, entirely; + leaving no art unexhausted in order to flatter, to amuse, to please, + and to interest him. He was made to believe that M. du Maine was + utterly without ambition; like a good father of a family, solely + occupied with his children, touched with the grandeur of his nearness + to the King, simple, frank, upright, and one who after working at his + duties all day, and after giving himself time for prayer and piety, + amused himself in hunting, and drew upon his natural gaiety and + cheerfulness, without knowing anything of the Court, or of what was + passing! Compare this portrait with his real character, and we shall + feel with terror what a rattlesnake was introduced into the King's + privacy. + </p> + <p> + Established thus in the mind and heart of the King, the opportunity + seemed ripe for profiting by precious time that could not last long. + Everybody smiled upon the project of M. du Maine and Madame de + Maintenon. They had rendered M. d'Orleans odious in the eyes of the + King and of the whole country, by the most execrable calumnies. How + could he defend himself? shut up as the King was, how oppose them? how + interfere with their dark designs? M. du Maine wished not only to be + made prince of the blood, but to be made guardian of the heir to the + throne, so as to dwarf the power of the Regent as much as possible. He + flattered himself that the feeling he had excited against M. d'Orleans + in the Court, in Paris, and in the provinces would be powerfully + strengthened by dispositions so dishonourable; that he should find + himself received as the guardian and protector of the life of the + royal infant, to whom was attached the salvation of France, of which + he would then become the idol; that the independent possession of the + young King, and of his military and civil households, would strengthen + with the public applause the power with which he would be invested in + the state by this testament; that the Regent, reviled and stripped in + this manner, not only would be in no condition to dispute anything, + but would be unable to defend himself from any attempts the bastard + might afterwards make against him. M. du Maine wished in fact to take + from M. d'Orleans everything, except the name of Regent, and to divide + all the power between himself and his brother. Such was his scheme, + that the King by incredible art was induced to sanction and approve. + </p> + <p> + But the schemers had tough work before they obtained this success. + They found that the King would not consent to their wishes without + much opposition. They hit upon a devilish plan to overpower his + resistance. Hitherto, they had only been occupied in pleasing him, in + amusing him, in anticipating his wishes, in praising him—let me + say the word— in adoring him. They had redoubled their + attention, since, by the Dauphine's death, they had become his sole + resource. + </p> + <p> + Not being able now to lead him as they wished, but determined to do so + at all cost, they adopted another system, certain as they were that + they could do so with impunity. Both became serious, often times + dejected, silent, furnishing nothing to the conversation, letting pass + what the King forced himself to say, sometimes not even replying, if + it was not a direct interrogation. In this manner all the leisure + hours of the King were rendered dull and empty; his amusements and + diversions were made fatiguing and sad and a weight was cast upon him, + which he was the more unable to bear because it was quite new to him, + and he was utterly without means to remove it. The few ladies who were + admitted to the intimacy of the King knew not what to make of the + change they saw in Madame de Maintenon. They were duped at first by + the plea of illness; but seeing at last that its duration passed all + bounds, that it had no intermission, that her face announced no + malady, that her daily life was in no way deranged, that the King + became as serious and as sad as she, they sounded each other to find + out the cause. Fear, lest it should be something in which they, + unknowingly, were concerned, troubled them; so that they became even + worse company to the King than Madame de Maintenon. + </p> + <p> + There was no relief for the King. All his resource was in the + commonplace talk of the Comte de Toulouse, who was not amusing, + although ignorant of the plot, and the stories of his valets, who lost + tongue as soon as they perceived that they were not seconded by the + Duc du Maine in his usual manner. Marechal and all the rest, + astonished at the mysterious dejection of the Duc du Maine, looked at + each other without being able to divine the cause. They saw that the + King was sad and bored; they trembled for his health, but not one of + them dared to do anything. Time ran on, and the dejection of M. du + Maine and Madame de Maintenon increased. This is as far as the most + instructed have ever been able to penetrate. To describe the interior + scenes that doubtless passed during the long time this state of things + lasted, would be to write romance. Truth demands that we should relate + what we know, and admit what we are ignorant of. I cannot go farther, + therefore, or pierce deeper into the density of these dark mysteries. + </p> + <p> + What is certain is, that cheerfulness came back all at once, with the + same surprise to the witnesses of it, as the long-continued dejection + had caused them, simply because they understood no more of the end + than of the commencement. The double knowledge did not come to them + until they heard the frightful crash of the thunderbolt which fell + upon France, and astonished all Europe. + </p> + <p> + To give some idea of the opposition from the King, M. du Maine and + Madame de Maintenon had to overcome, and to show how reluctantly he + consented to their wishes, more than one incident may be brought + forward. Some days before the news transpired, the King, full of the + enormity of what he had just done for his bastards, looked at them in + his cabinet, in presence of the valets, and of D'Antin and D'O, and in + a sharp manner, that told of vexation, and with a severe glance, + suddenly thus addressed himself to M. du Maine: + </p> + <p> + "You have wished it; but know that however great I may make you, and + you may be in my lifetime, you are nothing after me; and it will be + for you then to avail yourself of what I have done for you, if you + can." + </p> + <p> + Everybody present trembled at a thunder-clap so sudden, so little + expected, so entirely removed from the character and custom of the + King, and which showed so clearly the extreme ambition of the Duc du + Maine, and the violence he had done to the weakness of the King, who + seemed to reproach himself for it, and to reproach the bastard for his + ambition and tyranny. The consternation of M. du Maine seemed extreme + at this rough sally, which no previous remark had led to. The King had + made a clean breast of it. Everybody fixed his eyes upon the floor and + held his breath. The silence was profound for a considerable time: it + finished only when the King passed into his wardrobe. In his absence + everybody breathed again. The King's heart was full to bursting with + what he had just been made to do; but like a woman who gives birth to + two children, he had at present brought but one into the world, and + bore a second of which he must be delivered, and of which he felt all + the pangs without any relief from the suffering the first had caused + him. + </p> + <p> + Again, on Sunday, the 27th August, the Chief-President and the + Attorney- General were sent for by the King. He was at Versailles. As + soon as they were alone with him, he took from a drawer, which he + unlocked, a large and thick packet, sealed with seven seals (I know + not if by this M. du Maine wished to imitate the mysterious book with + Seven Seals, of the Apocalypse, and so sanctify the packet). In + handing it to them, the King said: "Gentlemen, this is my will. No one + but myself knows its contents. I commit it to you to keep in the + Parliament, to which I cannot give a greater testimony of my esteem + and confidence than by rendering it the depository of it. The example + of the Kings my predecessors, and that of the will of the King, my + father, do not allow me to be ignorant of what may become of this; but + they would have it; they have tormented me; they have left me no + repose, whatever I might say. Very well! I have bought my repose. Here + is the will; take it away: come what may of it, at least, I shall have + rest, and shall hear no more about it." + </p> + <p> + At this last word, that he finished with a dry nod, he turned his back + upon them, passed into another cabinet, and left them both nearly + turned into statues. They looked at each other frozen by what they had + just heard, and still more by what they had just seen in the eyes and + the countenance of the King; and as soon as they had collected their + senses, they retired, and went to Paris. It was not known until after + dinner that the King had made a will and given it to them. In + proportion as the news spread, consternation filled the Court, while + the flatterers, at bottom as much alarmed as the rest, and as Paris + was afterwards, exhausted themselves in praises and eulogies. + </p> + <p> + The next day, Monday, the 28th, the Queen of England came from + Chaillot, where she almost always was, to Madame de Maintenon's. As + soon as the King perceived her, "Madame," said he to her, like a man + full of something and angry, "I have made my will; I have been + tormented to do it;" then casting his eyes upon Madame de Maintenon, + "I have bought repose; I know the powerlessness and inutility of it. + We can do all we wish while we live; afterwards we are less than the + meanest. You have only to see what became of my father's will + immediately after his death, and the wills of so many other Kings. I + know it well; but nevertheless they have wished it; they gave me no + rest nor repose, no calm until it was done; ah, well! then, Madame, it + is done; come what may of it, I shall be no longer tormented." + </p> + <p> + Words such as these so expressive of the extreme violence suffered by + the King, of his long and obstinate battle before surrendering, of his + vexation, and uneasiness, demand the clearest proofs. I had them from + people who heard them, and would not advance them unless I were + perfectly persuaded of their exactness. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the Chief-President and the Attorney-General returned to + Paris, they sent for some workmen, whom they led into a tower of the + Palace of justice, behind the Buvette, or drinking-place of the grand + chamber and the cabinet of the Chief-President. They had a big hole + made in the wall of this tower, which is very thick, deposited the + testament there, closed up the opening with an iron door, put an iron + grating by way of second door, and then walled all up together. The + door and the grating each had three locks, the same for both; and a + different key for each of the three, which consequently opened each of + the two locks, the one in the door and the one in the grating. The + Chief-President kept one key, the Attorney-General another, and the + Chief-Greffier of the Parliament the third. The Parliament was + assembled and the Chief- President flattered the members as best he + might upon the confidence shown them in entrusting them with this + deposit. + </p> + <p> + At the same time was presented to the Parliament an edict that the + Chief- President and the Attorney-General had received from the hand + of the Chancellor at Versailles the same morning the King had given + them his will, and the edict was registered. It was very short. It + declared that the packet committed to the Chief-President and to the + Attorney-General contained the will of the King, by which he had + provided for the protection and guardianship of the young King, and + had chosen a Regency council, the dispositions of which—for good + reasons he had not wished to publish; that he wished this deposit + should be preserved during his life in the registry of the Parliament, + and that at the moment when it should please God to call him from the + world, all the chambers of the Parliament, all the princes of the + royal house, and all the peers who might be there, should assemble and + open the will; and that after it was read, all its dispositions should + be made public and executed, nobody to be permitted to oppose them in + any way. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding all this secrecy, the terms of the will were pretty + generally guessed, and as I have said, the consternation was general. + It was the fate of M. du Maine to obtain what he wished; but always + with the maledictions of the public. This fate did not abandon him + now, and as soon as he felt it, he was overwhelmed, and Madame de + Maintenon exasperated, and their attentions and their care redoubled, + to shut up the King, so that the murmurs of the world should not reach + him. They occupied themselves more than ever to amuse and to please + him, and to fill the air around him with praises, joy, and public + adoring at an act so generous and so grand, and at the same time so + wise and so necessary to the maintenance of good order and + tranquillity, which would cause him to reign so gloriously even after + his reign. + </p> + <p> + This consternation was very natural, and is precisely why the Duc du + Maine found himself deceived and troubled by it. He believed he had + prepared everything, smoothed everything, in rendering M. d'Orleans so + suspected and so odious; he had succeeded, but not so much as he + imagined. His desires and his emissaries had exaggerated everything; + and he found himself overwhelmed with astonishment, when instead of + the public acclamations with which he had flattered himself the will + would be accompanied, it was precisely the opposite. + </p> + <p> + It was seen very clearly that the will assuredly could not have been + made in favour of M. d'Orleans, and although public feeling against + him had in no way changed, no one was so blind as not to see that he + must be Regent by the incontestable right of his birth; that the + dispositions of the testament could not weaken that right, except by + establishing a power that should balance his; and that thus two + parties would be formed in the state the chief of each of which would + be interested in vanquishing the other, everybody being necessitated + to join one side or other, thereby running a thousand risks without + any advantage. The rights of the two disputants were compared. In the + one they were found sacred, in the other they could not be found at + all. The two persons were compared. Both were found odious, but M. + d'Orleans was deemed superior to M. du Maine. I speak only of the mass + of uninstructed people, and of what presented itself naturally and of + itself. The better informed had even more cause to arrive at the same + decision. + </p> + <p> + M. d'Orleans was stunned by the blow; he felt that it fell directly + upon him, but during the lifetime of the King he saw no remedy for it. + Silence respectful and profound appeared to him the sole course open; + any other would only have led to an increase of precautions. The King + avoided all discourse with him upon this matter; M. du Maine the same. + M. d'Orleans was contented with a simple approving monosyllable to + both, like a courtier who ought not to meddle with anything; and he + avoided conversation upon this subject, even with Madame la Duchesse + d'Orleans, and with anybody else. I was the sole person to whom he + dared to unbosom himself; with the rest of the world he had an open, + an ordinary manner, was on his guard against any discontented sign, + and against the curiosity of all eyes. The inexpressible abandonment + in which he was, in the midst of the Court, guaranteed him at least + from all remarks upon the will. It was not until the health of the + King grew more menacing that he began to speak and be spoken to + thereon. + </p> + <p> + As for M. du Maine, despite his good fortune, he was not to be envied + At Sceaux, where he lived, the Duchesse du Maine, his wife, ruined him + by her extravagance. Sceaux was more than ever the theatre of her + follies, and of the shame and embarrassment of her husband, by the + crowd from the Court and the town, which abounded there and laughed at + them. She herself played there Athalie (assisted by actors and + actresses) and other pieces several times a week. Whole nights were + passed in coteries, games, fetes, illuminations, fireworks, in a word, + fancies and fripperies of every kind and every day. She revelled in + the joy of her new greatness—redoubled her follies; and the Duc + du Maine, who always trembled before her, and who, moreover, feared + that the slightest contradiction would entirely turn her brain, + suffered all this, even piteously doing the honours as often as he + could without ceasing in his conduct to the King. + </p> + <p> + However great might be his joy, whatever the unimaginable greatness to + which he had arrived, he was not tranquil. Like those tyrants who have + usurped by their crimes the sovereign power, and who fear as so many + conspiring enemies all their fallen citizens they have enslaved—he + felt as though seated under that sword that Dionysius, tyrant of + Syracuse, suspended by a hair over his table, above the head of a man + whom he placed there because he believed him happy, and in this manner + wished to make him feel what passed unceasingly in himself. M. du + Maine, who willingly expressed in pleasantry the most serious things, + frankly said to his familiars, that he was "like a louse between two + fingernails" (the Princes of the blood and the peers), by which he + could not fail to be cracked if he did not take care! This reflection + troubled the excess of his pleasure, and that of the greatness and the + power to which so many artifices had elevated him. He feared the + Princes of the blood as soon as they should be of age to feel the + infamy and the danger of the wound he had given them; he feared the + Parliament, which even under his eyes had not been able to dissimulate + its indignation at the violence he had committed against the most holy + and the most inviolable laws; he even feared the Dukes so timid are + injustice and tyranny! + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0069" id="link2HCH0069"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXIX + </h2> + <p> + Let me return to Maisons. Five days after the King's will had been + walled up, in the manner I have described, he came to me and made a + pathetic discourse upon the injustice done to M. le Duc d'Orleans by + this testament, and did all he could to excite me by railing in good + set terms against dispositions intended to add to the power and + grandeur of the bastards. + </p> + <p> + When he had well harangued, I said he had told me nothing new; that I + saw the same truths as he with the same evidence; that the worst thing + I found was that there was no remedy. + </p> + <p> + "No remedy!" he exclaimed, interrupting me, with his sly and cunning + laugh; "courage and ability can always find one for everything, and I + am astonished that you, who have both, should have nothing to suggest + while everybody is going to confusion." + </p> + <p> + I asked him how it was possible to suppress a will registered by + edict; a document solemn and public deposited with ceremony in the + very depths of the palace, with precautions known to everybody—nature + and art combining to keep it in safety? + </p> + <p> + "You are at a loss to know!" replied Maisons to me. "Have ready at the + instant of the King's death sure troops and sensible officers, all + ready and well instructed; and with them, masons and lock-smiths—march + to the palace, break open the doors and the wall, carry off the will, + and let it never be seen." + </p> + <p> + In my extreme surprise I asked him, what he expected would be the + fruit of such violence? I pointed out that to seize by force of arms a + public and solemn document, in the midst of the capital, in despite of + all—all law and order, would be to put weapons into the hands of + the enemies of M. le Duc d'Orleans, who assuredly would be justified + in crying out against this outrage, and who would find the whole + country disposed to echo their cries. I said too, that if in the + execution of such an odious scheme a sedition occurred, and blood were + shed, universal hatred and opprobrium would fall upon the head of M, + le Duc d'Orleans, and deservedly so. + </p> + <p> + We carried on our discussion a long time, but Maisons would in no way + give up his scheme. After leaving me he went to M. le Duc d'Orleans + and communicated it to him. Happily it met with no success with the + Duke, indeed, he was extremely astonished at it; but what astonished + us more was, that Maisons persisted in it up to his death, which + preceded by some few days that of the King, and pressed it upon M. le + Duc d'Orleans and myself till his importunity became persecution. + </p> + <p> + It was certainly not his fault that I over and over again refused to + go to the Grand Chamber of the Parliament to examine the place, as + Maisons wished me to do; I who never went to the Parliament except for + the reception of the peers or when the King was there. Not being able + to vanquish what he called my obstinacy, Maisons begged me at the + least to go and fix myself upon the Quai de la Megisserie, where so + much old iron is sold, and examine from that spot the tower where the + will was; he pointed it out to me; it looked out upon the Quai des + Morforidus, but was behind the buildings on the quai. What information + could be obtained from such a point of view may be imagined. I + promised to go there, not to stop, and thus awake the attention of the + passers-by, but to pass along and see what was to be seen; adding, + that it as simply out of complaisance to him, and not because I meant + to agree in any way to his enterprise. What is incomprehensible is, + that for a whole year Maisons pressed his charming project upon us. + The worst enemy of M. le Duc d'Orleans could not have devised a more + rash and ridiculous undertaking. I doubt whether many people would + have been found in all Paris sufficiently deprived of sense to fall in + with it. What are we to think then of a Parliamentary President of + such consideration as Maisons had acquired at the Palace of justice, + at the Court, in the town, where he had always passed for a man of + intellect, prudent, circumspect, intelligent, capable, measured? Was + he vile enough, in concert with M. du Maine, to open this gulf beneath + our feet, to push us to our ruin, and by the fall of M. le Duc + d'Orleans—the sole prince of the blood old enough to be Regent—to + put M. le Duc du Maine in his place, from which to the crown there was + only one step, as none are ignorant, left to be taken? It seems by no + means impossible: M. du Maine, that son of darkness, was, judging him + by what he had already done, quite capable of adding this new crime to + his long list. + </p> + <p> + The mystery was, however, never explained. Maisons died before its + darkness could be penetrated. His end was terrible. He had no + religion; his father had had none. He married a sister of the Marechal + de Villars, who was in the same case. Their only son they specially + educated in unbelief. Nevertheless, everything seemed to smile upon + them. They had wealth, consideration, distinguished friends. But mark + the end. + </p> + <p> + Maisons is slightly unwell. He takes rhubarb twice or thrice, + unseasonably; more unseasonably comes Cardinal de Bissy to him, to + talk upon the constitution, and thus hinder the operation of the + rhubarb; his inside seems on fire, but he will not believe himself + ill; the progress of his disease is great in a few hours; the doctors, + though soon at their wits' ends, dare not say so; the malady visibly + increases; his whole household is in confusion; he dies, forty-eight + years of age, midst of a crowd of friends, of clients, without the + power or leisure to think for a moment what is going to happen to his + soul! + </p> + <p> + His wife survives him ten or twelve years, opulent, and in + consideration, when suddenly she has an attack of apoplexy in her + garden. Instead of thinking of her state, and profiting by leisure, + she makes light of her illness, has another attack a few days after, + and is carried off on the 5th of May, 1727, in her forty-sixth year, + without having had a moment free. + </p> + <p> + Her son, for a long time much afflicted, seeks to distinguish himself + and acquire friends. Taking no warning from what has occurred, he + thinks only of running after the fortune of this world, and is + surprised at Paris by the small-pox. He believes himself dead, thinks + of what he has neglected all his life, but fear suddenly seizes him, + and he dies in the midst of it, on the 13th of September, 1731, + leaving an only son, who dies a year after him, eighteen months old, + all the great wealth of the family going to collateral relatives. + </p> + <p> + These Memoirs are not essays on morality, therefore I have contented + myself with the most simple and the most naked recital of facts; but I + may, perhaps, be permitted to apply here those two verses of the 37th + Psalm, which appear so expressly made for the purpose: "I have seen + the impious exalted like the cedars of Lebanon: Yea, he passed away, + and, lo, he was not; yea, I sought him, but he could not be found." + </p> + <p> + But let me leave this subject now, to treat of other matters. On + Friday, the last day of August, I lost one of the best and most + revered of friends, the Duc de Beavilliers. He died at Vaucresson + after an illness of about two months, his intellect clear to the last, + aged sixty-six years, having been born on the 24th of Oct 1648. + </p> + <p> + He was the son of M. de Saint-Aignan, who with honour and valour was + truly romantic in gallantry, in belles-lettres, and in arms. He was + Captain of the Guards of Gaston, and at the end of 1649 bought of the + Duc de Liancourt the post of first-gentleman of the King's chamber. He + commanded afterwards in Berry against the party of M. le Prince, and + served elsewhere subsequently. In 1661 he was made Chevalier of the + Order, and in 1661 Duke and Peer. His first wife he lost in 1679. At + the end of a year he married one of her chambermaids, who had been + first of all engaged to take care of her dogs. She was so modest, and + he so shamefaced, that in despite of repeated pressing on the part of + the King, she could not be induced to take her tabouret. She lived in + much retirement, and had so many virtues that she made herself + respected all her life, which was long. M. de Beauvilliers was one of + the children of the first marriage. I know not what care M. and Madame + de Saint-Aignan took of the others, but they left him, until he was + six or seven years of age, to the mercy of their lodge-keeper. Then he + was confided to the care of a canon of Notre Dame de Clery. The + household of the canon consisted of one maid-servant, with whom the + little boy slept; and they continued to sleep together until he was + fourteen or fifteen years old, without either of them thinking of + evil, or the canon remarking that the lad was growing into a man. The + death of his eldest brother called M. de Beauvilliers home. He entered + the army, served with distinction at the head of is regiment of + cavalry, and was brigadier. + </p> + <p> + He was tall, thin, had a long and ruddy face, a large aquiline nose, a + sunken mouth, expressive, piercing eyes, an agreeable smile, a very + gentle manner but ordinarily retiring, serious, and concentrated. B + disposition he was hasty, hot, passionate, fond of pleasure. Ever + since God had touched him, which happened early in his life, he had + become gentle, mildest, humble, kind, enlightened, charitable, and + always full of real piety and goodness. In private, where he was free, + he was gay, joked, and bantered pleasantly, and laughed with good + heart. He liked to be made fun of there was only the story of his + sleeping with the canon's servant that wounded his modesty, and I have + seen him embarrassed when Madame de Beauvilliers has related it,—smiling, + however, but praying her sometimes not to tell it. His piety, which, + as I have said, commenced early in life, separated him from companions + of his own age. At the army one day, during a promenade of the King, + he walked alone, a little in front. Some one remarked it, and + observed, sneeringly, that "he was meditating." The King, who heard + this, turned towards the speaker, and, looking at him, said, "Yes, + 'tis M. de Beauvilliers, one of the best men of the Court, and of my + realm." This sudden and short apology caused silence, and food for + reflection, so that the fault-finders remained in respect before his + merit. + </p> + <p> + The King must have entertained a high regard for him, to give him, in + 1670, the very delicate commission he entrusted to him. Madame had + just been so openly poisoned, the conviction was so complete and so + general that it was very difficult to palliate it. Our King and the + King of England, between whom she had just become a stronger bond, by + the journey she had made into England, were penetrated by grief and + indignation, and the English could not contain themselves. The King + chose the Duc de Beauvilliers to carry his compliments of condolence + to the King of England, and under this pretext to try to prevent this + misfortune interfering with their friendship and their union, and to + calm the fury of London and the nation. The King was not deceived: the + prudent dexterity of the Duc de Beauvilliers brought round the King of + England, and even appeased London and the nation. + </p> + <p> + M. de Beauvilliers had expressed a wish to be buried at Montargis, in + the Benedictine monastery, where eight of his daughters had become + nuns. Madame de Beauvilliers went there, and by an act of religion, + terrible to think of, insisted upon being present at the interment. + She retired to her house at Paris, where during the rest of her life + she lived in complete solitude, without company or amusement of any + kind. For nearly twenty years she remained there, and died in 1733, + seventy-five years of age, infinitely rich in alms and all sorts of + good works. + </p> + <p> + The King taxed the infantry regiments, which had risen to an excessive + price. This venality of the only path by which the superior grades can + be reached is a great blot upon the military system, and stops the + career of many a man who would become an excellent soldier. It is a + gangrene which for a long time has eaten into all the orders and all + the parties of the state, and under which it will be odd if all do not + succumb. Happily it is unknown, or little known, in all the other + countries of Europe! + </p> + <p> + Towards the end of this year Cardinal d'Estrees died in Paris at his + abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Pres, nearly eighty-seven years of age, + having always enjoyed perfect health of body and mind until this + illness, which was very short, and which left his intellect clear to + the last. It is proper and curious to pause for a moment upon a + personage, all his life of importance, and who at his death was + Cardinal, Bishop of Albano, Abbe of Longpont, of Mount Saint-Eloi, of + Saint-Nichoas-aux-Bois, of La Staffarde in Piedmont (where Catinat + gained a celebrated battle before being Marechal of France), of + Saint-Claude in Franche-Comte, of Anchin in Flanders, and of + Saint-Germain-des-Pres in Paris. He was also Commander of the Order of + the promotion of 1688. + </p> + <p> + Merit, aided by the chances of fortune, made out of an obscure family + of the Boulonais country, a singularly illustrious race in the fourth + generation, of which Mademoiselle de Tourbes alone remains. The + Cardinal, brother of the last Marechal d'Estrees, their uncle, used to + say; that he knew his fathers as far as the one who had been page of + Queen Anne, Duchess of Brittany; but beyond that he knew nothing, and + it was not worth while searching. Gabrielle d'Estrees, mistress of + Henry IV., whose beauty made her father's fortune, and whose history + is too well known to be here alluded to, was sister of the Cardinal's + father, but died thirty years before he was born. It was through her + that the family became elevated. The father of Cardinal d'Estrees was + distinguished all his life by his merit, his capacity, and the + authority and elevated posts he held. He was made Marshal of France in + 1626, and it is a thing unique that he, his son, and his grandson were + not only Marshals of France, but all three were in succession seniors + of that corps for a long time. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal d'Estrees was born in 1627, and for forty years lived + with his father, profiting by his lessons and his consideration. He + was of the most agreeable manners, handsome, well made, full of + humour, wit, and ability; in society the pleasantest person in the + world, and yet well instructed; indeed, of rare erudition, generous, + obliging, dignified, incapable of meanness, he was with so much talent + and so many great and amiable qualities generally loved and respected, + and deserved to be. He was made Cardinal in 1671, but was not declared + until after many delays had occurred. These delays much disturbed him. + It was customary, then, to pay more visits. One evening the Abbe de la + Victoire, one of his friends, and very witty, arrived very late at a + supper, in a house where he was expected. The company inopportunely + asked him where he had been, and what had delayed him. + </p> + <p> + "Alas!" replied the Abbe, in a tone of sadness, "where have I been? I + have been all day accompanying the body of poor M. de Laon." [The + Cardinal d'Estrees was then Bishop and Duke of Laon.] + </p> + <p> + "M. de Laon!" cried everybody, "M. de Laon dead! Why, he was quite + well yesterday. 'Tis dreadful. Tell us what has happened." + </p> + <p> + "What has happened?" replied the Abbe, still with the same tone. "Why, + he took me with him when he paid his visits, and though his body was + with me, his spirit was at Rome, so that I quitted him very wearied." + At this recital grief changed into merriment. + </p> + <p> + That grand dinner at Fontainebleau for the Prince of Tuscany, at which + the Prince was to be the only guest, and yet never received his + invitation from the Cardinal, I have already mentioned. He was + oftentimes thus absent, but never when business or serious matters + were concerned, so that his forgetfulness was amusing. He never could + bear to hear of his domestic affairs. Pressed and tormented by his + steward and his maitre d'hotel to overlook their accounts, that he had + not seen for many years, he appointed a day to be devoted to them. The + two financiers demanded that he should close his door so as not to be + interrupted; he consented with difficulty, then changed his mind, and + said that if Cardinal Bonzi came he must be admitted, but that it was + not likely he would come on that particular day. Directly afterwards + he sent a trusty servant to Cardinal Bonzi, entreating him to come on + such and such a day, between three and four o'clock, conjuring him not + to fail, and begging him above all to come as of his own accord, the + reason to be explained afterwards. On the appointed day Cardinal + d'Estrees told his porter to let no one enter in the afternoon except + Cardinal Bonzi, who assuredly was not likely to come, but who was not + to be sent away if he did. His people, delighted at having their + master to themselves all day without interruption, arrived about three + o'clock; the Cardinal quitted his family and the few friends who had + that day dined with him, and passed into a cabinet where his business + people laid out their papers. He said a thousand absurdities to them + upon his expenditure, of which he understood nothing, and unceasingly + looked towards the window, without appearing to do so, secretly + sighing for a prompt deliverance. A little before four o'clock, a + coach arrived in the court-yard; his business people, enraged with the + porter, exclaimed that there will then be no more opportunity for + working. The Cardinal in delight referred to the orders he had given. + "You will see," he added, "that it is Cardinal Bonzi, the only man I + excepted, and who, of all days in the world, comes to-day." + </p> + <p> + Immediately afterwards, the Cardinal was announced, and the intendant + and maitre d'hotel were forced to make off with their papers and their + table. As soon as he was alone with Bonzi, he explained why he had + requested this visit, and both laughed heartily. Since then his + business people have never caught him again, never during the rest of + his life would he hear speak of them. + </p> + <p> + He must have had honest people about him; for every day his table was + magnificent, and filled at Paris and at the Court with the best + company. His equipages were so, also; he had numberless domestics, + many gentlemen, chaplains, and secretaries. He gave freely to the + poor, and to his brother the Marechal and his children (who were not + well off), and yet died without owing a crown to a living soul. + </p> + <p> + His death, for which he had been long prepared, was fine-edifying and + very Christian-like. He was universally regretted. A joke of his with + the King is still remembered. One day, at dinner, where he always paid + much attention to the Cardinal, the King complained of the + inconvenience he felt in no longer having teeth. + </p> + <p> + "Teeth, sire!" replied the Cardinal; "why, who has any teeth?" + </p> + <p> + The joke is that the Cardinal, though old, still had very white and + very beautiful teeth, and that his mouth, large, but agreeable, was so + shaped that it showed them plainly in speaking. Therefore the King + burst out laughing at this reply, and all present also, including the + Cardinal, who was not in the slightest degree embarrassed. I might go + on forever telling about him, but enough, perhaps, has been already + said. + </p> + <p> + The commencement of the new year, 1715, was marked by the death of + Fenelon, at Cambrai, where he had lived in disgrace so many years. I + have already said something about him, so that I have now but little + to add. His life at Cambrai was remarkable for the assiduity with + which he attended to the spiritual and temporal wants of his flock. He + was indefatigable in the discharge of his functions, and in + endeavouring to gain all hearts. Cambrai is a place much frequented; + through which many people pass. During the war the number of wounded + soldiers he had received into his house or attended to in the + hospitals passes all belief. He spared nothing for them, neither + physical comforts nor spiritual consolations. Thus it is incredible to + what an extent he became the idol of the whole army. His manners, to + high and low, were most affable, yet everywhere he was the prelate, + the gentleman, the author of "Telemachus." He ruled his diocese with a + gentle hand, in no way meddled with the Jansenists; he left all + untouched. Take him for all in all, he had a bright genius and was a + great man. His admiration true or feigned for Madame Guyon remained to + the last, yet always without suspicion of impropriety. He had so + exactly arranged his affairs that he died without money, and yet + without owing a sou to anybody. + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0082" id="link2H_4_0082"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VOLUME 10. + </h2> + <a name="link2HCH0070" id="link2HCH0070"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXX + </h2> + <p> + The reign of Louis XIV. was approaching its conclusion, so that there + is now nothing more to relate but what passed during the last month of + his life, and scarcely so much. These events, indeed, so curious and + so important, are so mixed up with those that immediately followed the + King's death, that they cannot be separated from them. It will be + interesting and is necessary to describe the projects, the thoughts, + the difficulties, the different resolutions, which occupied the brain + of the Prince, who, despite the efforts of Madame de Maintenon and M. + du Maine, was of necessity about to be called to the head of affairs + during the minority of the young King. This is the place, therefore, + to explain all these things, after which we will resume the narrative + of the last month of the King's life, and go on to the events which + followed his death. + </p> + <p> + But, as I have said, before entering upon this thorny path, it will be + as well to make known, if possible, the chief personage of the story, + the impediments interior and exterior in his path, and all that + personally belonged to him. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans was, at the most, of mediocre stature, full-bodied + without being fat; his manner and his deportment were easy and very + noble; his face was broad and very agreeable, high in colour; his hair + black, and wig the same. Although he danced very badly, and had but + ill succeeded at the riding-school, he had in his face, in his + gestures, in all his movements, infinite grace, and so natural that it + adorned even his most ordinary commonplace actions. With much ease + when nothing constrained him, he was gentle, affable, open, of facile + and charming access; the tone of his voice was agreeable, and he had a + surprisingly easy flow of words upon all subjects which nothing ever + disturbed, and which never failed to surprise; his eloquence was + natural and extended even to his most familiar discourse, while it + equally entered into his observations upon the most abstract sciences, + on which he talked most perspicuously; the affairs of government, + politics, finance, justice, war, the court, ordinary conversation, the + arts, and mechanics. He could speak as well too upon history and + memoirs, and was well acquainted with pedigrees. The personages of + former days were familiar to him; and the intrigues of the ancient + courts were to him as those of his own time. To hear him, you would + have thought him a great reader. Not so. He skimmed; but his memory + was so singular that he never forgot things, names, or dates, + cherishing remembrance of things with precision; and his apprehension + was so good, that in skimming thus it was, with him, precisely as + though he had read very laboriously. He excelled in unpremeditated + discourse, which, whether in the shape of repartee or jest, was always + appropriate and vivacious. He often reproached me, and others more + than he, with "not spoiling him;" but I often gave him praise merited + by few, and which belonged to nobody so justly as to him; it was, that + besides having infinite ability and of various kinds, the singular + perspicuity of his mind was joined to so much exactness, that he would + never have made a mistake in anything if he had allowed the first + suggestions of his judgment. He oftentimes took this my eulogy as a + reproach, and he was not always wrong, but it was not the less true. + With all this he had no presumption, no trace of superiority natural + or acquired; he reasoned with you as with his equal, and struck the + most able with surprise. Although he never forgot his own position, + nor allowed others to forget it, he carried no constraint with him, + but put everybody at his ease, and placed himself upon the level of + all others. + </p> + <p> + He had the weakness to believe that he resembled Henry IV. in + everything, and strove to affect the manners, the gestures, the + bearing, of that monarch. Like Henry IV. he was naturally good, + humane, compassionate; and, indeed, this man, who has been so cruelly + accused of the blackest and most inhuman crimes, was more opposed to + the destruction of others than any one I have ever known, and had such + a singular dislike to causing anybody pain that it may be said, his + gentleness, his humanity, his easiness, had become faults; and I do + not hesitate to affirm that that supreme virtue which teaches us to + pardon our enemies he turned into vice, by the indiscriminate + prodigality with which he applied it; thereby causing himself many sad + embarrassments and misfortunes, examples and proofs of which will be + seen in the sequel. + </p> + <p> + I remember that about a year, perhaps, before the death of the King, + having gone up early after dinner into the apartments of Madame la + Duchesse d'Orleans at Marly, I found her in bed with the megrims, and + M. d'Orleans alone in the room, seated in an armchair at her pillow. + Scarcely had I sat down than Madame la Duchesse began to talk of some + of those execrable imputations concerning M. d'Orleans unceasingly + circulated by Madame de Maintenon and M. du Maine; and of an incident + arising therefrom, in which the Prince and the Cardinal de Rohan had + played a part against M. d'Orleans. I sympathised with her all the + more because the Duke, I knew not why, had always distinguished and + courted those two brothers, and thought he could count upon them. "And + what will you say of M. d'Orleans," added the Duchesse, "when I tell + you that since he has known this, known it beyond doubt, he treats + them exactly the same as before?" + </p> + <p> + I looked at M. d'Orleans, who had uttered only a few words to confirm + the story, as it was being told, and who was negligently lolling in + his chair, and I said to him with warmth: + </p> + <p> + "Oh, as to that, Monsieur, the truth must be told; since Louis the + Debonnaire, never has there been such a Debonnaire as you." + </p> + <p> + At these words he rose in his chair, red with anger to the very whites + of his eyes, and blurted out his vexation against me for abusing him, + as he pretended, and against Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans for + encouraging me and laughing at him. + </p> + <p> + "Go on," said I, "treat your enemies well, and rail at your friends. I + am delighted to see you angry. It is a sign that I have touched the + sore point, when you press the finger on it the patient cries. I + should like to squeeze out all the matter, and after that you would be + quite another man, and differently esteemed." + </p> + <p> + He grumbled a little more, and then calmed down. This was one of two + occasions only, on which he was ever really angry with me. + </p> + <p> + Two or three years after the death of the King, I was chatting in one + of the grand rooms of the Tuileries, where the Council of the Regency + was, according to custom, soon to be held, and M. d'Orleans at the + other end was talking to some one in a window recess. I heard myself + called from mouth to mouth, and was told that M. d'Orleans wished to + speak to me. This often happened before the Council. I went therefore + to the window where he was standing. I found a serious bearing, a + concentrated manner, an angry face, and was much surprised. + </p> + <p> + "Monsieur," said he to me at once, "I have a serious complaint against + you; you, whom I have always regarded as my best of friends." + </p> + <p> + "Against me! Monsieur!" said I, still more surprised. "What is the + matter, then, may I ask?" + </p> + <p> + "The matter!" he replied with a mien still more angry; "something you + cannot deny; verses you have made against me." + </p> + <p> + "I—verses!" was my reply. "Why, who the devil has been telling + you such nonsense? You have been acquainted with me nearly forty + years, and do you not know, that never in my life have I been able to + make a single verse—much less verses?" + </p> + <p> + "No, no, by Heaven," replied he, "you cannot deny these;" and + forthwith he began to sing to me a street song in his praise, the + chorus of which was: 'Our Regent is debonnaire, la la, he is + debonnaire,' with a burst of laughter. + </p> + <p> + "What!" said I, "you remember it still!" and smiling, I added also, + "since you are revenged for it, remember it in good earnest." He kept + on laughing a long time before going to the Council, and could not + hinder himself. I have not been afraid to write this trifle, because + it seems to me that it paints the man. + </p> + <p> + M. d'Orleans loved liberty, and as much for others as for himself. He + extolled England to me one day on this account, as a country where + there are no banishments, no lettres de cachet, and where the King may + close the door of his palace to anybody, but can keep no one in + prison; and thereupon related to me with enjoyment, that besides the + Duchess of Portsmouth, Charles the Second had many subordinate + mistresses; that the Grand Prieur, young and amiable in those days, + driven out of France for some folly, had gone to England to pass his + exile and had been well received by the King. By way of thanks, he + seduced one of those mistresses, by whom the King was then so smitten, + that he sued for mercy, offered money to the Grand Prieur, and + undertook to obtain his reconciliation in France. The Grand Prieur + held firm. Charles prohibited him the palace. He laughed at this, and + went every day to the theatre, with his conquest, and placed himself + opposite the King. At last, Charles, not knowing what to do to deliver + himself from his tormentor, begged our King to recall him, and this + was done. But the Grand Prieur said he was very comfortable in England + and continued his game. Charles, outraged, confided to the King (Louis + XIV.) the state he was thrown into by the Grand Prieur, and obtained a + command so absolute and so prompt, that his tormentor was afterwards + obliged to go back into France. + </p> + <p> + M. d'Orleans admired this; and I know not if he would not have wished + to be the Grand Prieur. He always related this story with delight. + Thus, of ambition for reigning or governing, he had none. If he made a + false move in Spain it was because he had been misdirected. What he + would have liked best would have been to command armies while war + lasted, and divert himself the rest of the time without constraint to + himself or to others. He was, in fact, very fit for this. With much + valour, he had also much foresight, judgment, coolness, and vast + capacity. It may be said that he was captain, engineer, and army + purveyor; that he knew the strength of his troops, the names and the + company of the officers, and the most distinguished of each corps; + that he knew how to make himself adored, at the same time keeping up + discipline, and could execute the most difficult things, while + unprovided with everything. Unfortunately there is another side of + this picture, which it will be as well now to describe. + </p> + <p> + M. d'Orleans, by disposition so adapted to become the honour and the + master-piece of an education, was not fortunate in his teachers. + Saint- Laurent, to whom he was first confided, was, it is true, the + man in all Europe best fitted to act as the instructor of kings, but + he died before his pupil was beyond the birch, and the young Prince, + as I have related, fell entirely into the hands of the Abbe Dubois. + This person has played such an important part in the state since the + death of the King, that it is fit that he should be made known. The + Abbe Dubois was a little, pitiful, wizened, herring-gutted man, in a + flaxen wig, with a weazel's face, brightened by some intellect. In + familiar terms, he was a regular scamp. All the vices unceasingly + fought within him for supremacy, so that a continual uproar filled his + mind. Avarice, debauchery, ambition; were his gods; perfidy, flattery, + foot-licking his means of action; complete impiety was his repose; and + he held the opinion as a great principle, that probity and honesty are + chimeras, with which people deck themselves, but which have no + existence. In consequence, all means were good to him. He excelled in + low intrigues; he lived in them, and could not do without them; but + they always had an aim, and he followed them with a patience + terminated only by success, or by firm conviction that he could not + reach what he aimed at, or unless, as he wandered thus in deep + darkness, a glimmer of light came to him from some other cranny. He + passed thus his days in sapping and counter-sapping. The most impudent + deceit had become natural to him, and was concealed under an air that + was simple, upright, sincere, often bashful. He would have spoken with + grace and forcibly, if, fearful of saying more than he wished, he had + not accustomed himself to a fictitious hesitation, a stuttering—which + disfigured his speech, and which, redoubled when important things were + in question, became insupportable and sometimes unintelligible. He had + wit, learning, knowledge of the world; much desire to please and + insinuate himself, but all was spoiled by an odour of falsehood which + escaped in spite of him through every pore of his body—even in + the midst of his gaiety, which made whoever beheld it sad. Wicked + besides, with reflection, both by nature and by argument, treacherous + and ungrateful, expert in the blackest villainies, terribly brazen + when detected; he desired everything, envied everything, and wished to + seize everything. It was known afterwards, when he no longer could + restrain himself, to what an extent he was selfish, debauched, + inconsistent, ignorant of everything, passionate, headstrong, + blasphemous and mad, and to what an extent he publicly despised his + master, the state, and all the world, never hesitating to sacrifice + everybody and everything to his credit, his power, his absolute + authority, his greatness, his avarice, his fears, and his vengeance. + </p> + <p> + Such was the sage to whom M. le Duc d'Orleans was confided in early + youth! + </p> + <p> + Such a good master did not lose his pains with his new disciple, in + whom the excellent principles of Saint-Laurent had not had time to + take deep root, whatever esteem and affection he may have preserved + through life for that worthy man. I will admit here, with bitterness, + for everything should be sacrificed to the truth, that M. le Duc + d'Orleans brought into the world a failing—let us call things by + their names—a weakness, which unceasingly spoiled all his + talents, and which were of marvellous use to his preceptor all his + life. Dubois led him into debauchery, made him despise all duty and + all decency, and persuaded him that he had too much mind to be the + dupe of religion, which he said was a politic invention to frighten + ordinary, intellects, and keep the people in subjection. He filled him + too with his favourite principle, that probity in man and virtue in + woman, are mere chimeras, without existence in anybody except a few + poor slaves of early training. This was the basis of the good + ecclesiatic's doctrines, whence arose the license of falsehood, + deceit, artifice, infidelity, perfidy; in a word, every villainy, + every crime, was turned into policy, capacity, greatness, liberty and + depth of intellect, enlightenment, good conduct, if it could be + hidden, and if suspicions and common prejudices could be avoided. + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately all conspired in M. d'Orleans to open his heart and his + mind to this execrable poison: a fresh and early youth, much strength + and health, joy at escaping from the yoke as well as vexation at his + marriage, the wearisomeness produced by idleness, the impulse of his + passions, the example of other young men, whose vanity and whose + interest it was to make him live like them. Thus he grew accustomed to + debauchery, above all to the uproar of it, so that he could not do + without it, and could only divert himself by dint of noise, tumult, + and excess. It is this which led him often into such strange and such + scandalous debauches, and as he wished to surpass all his companions, + to mix up with his parties of pleasure the most impious discourses, + and as a precious refinement, to hold the most outrageous orgies on + the most holy days, as he did several times during his Regency on Good + Friday, by choice, and on other similar days. The more debauched a man + was, the more he esteemed him; and I have unceasingly seen him in + admiration, that reached almost to veneration for the Grand Prieur,—because + for forty years he had always gone to bed drunk, and had never ceased + to keep mistresses in the most public manner, and to hold the most + impious and irreligious discourses. With these principles, and the + conduct that resulted from them, it is not surprising that M. le Duc + d'Orleans was false to such an extent, that he boasted of his + falsehood, and plumed himself upon being the most skilful deceiver in + the world. He and Madame la Duchesse de Berry sometimes disputed which + was the cleverer of the two; and this in public before M. le Duc de + Berry, Madame de Saint-Simon, and others! + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans, following out the traditions of the Palais Royal, + had acquired the detestable taste and habit of embroiling people one + with the other, so as to profit by their divisions. This was one of + his principal occupations during all the time he was at the head of + affairs, and one that he liked the best; but which, as soon as + discovered, rendered him odious, and caused him a thousand annoyances. + He was not wicked, far from it; but he could not quit the habits of + impiety, debauchery, and deceit into which Dubois had led him. A + remarkable feature in his character is, that he was suspicious and + full of confidence at the same time with reference to the very same + people. + </p> + <p> + It is surprising that with all his talents he was totally without + honest resources for amusing himself. He was born bored; and he was so + accustomed to live out of himself, that it was insufferable to him to + return, incapable as he was of trying even to occupy himself. He could + only live in the midst of the movement and torrent of business; at the + head of an army for instance, or in the cares that arose out of the + execution of campaign projects, or in the excitement and uproar of + debauchery. He began to languish as soon as he was without noise, + excess, and tumult, the time painfully hanging upon his hands. He cast + himself upon painting, when his great fancy for chemistry had passed + or grown deadened, in consequence of what had been said upon it. He + painted nearly all the afternoon at Versailles and at Marly. He was a + good judge of pictures, liked them, and made a collection, which in + number and excellence was not surpassed by those of the Crown. He + amused himself afterwards in making composition stones and seals over + charcoal, the fumes of which often drove me away; and the strongest + perfumes, which he was fond of all his life, but from which I turned + him because the King was very much afraid of them, and soon sniffed + them. In fact, never was man born with so many talents of all kinds, + so much readiness and facility in making use of them, and yet never + was man so idle, so given up to vacuity and weariness. Thus Madame + painted him very happily by an illustration from fairy tales, of which + she was full. + </p> + <p> + She said, that all the fairies had been invited to his birth; that all + came, and that each gave him some talent, so that he had them all. + But, unfortunately, an old fairy, who had disappeared so many years + ago that she was no longer remembered, had been omitted from the + invitation lists. Piqued at this neglect, she came supported upon her + little wand, just at the moment when all the rest had endowed the + child with their gifts. More and more vexed, she revenged herself by + rendering useless all the talents he had received from the other + fairies, not one of which, though possessing them all, in consequence + of her malediction, was he able to make use of. It must be admitted, + that on the whole this is a speaking portrait. + </p> + <p> + One of the misfortunes of this Prince was being incapable of following + up anything, and an inability to comprehend, even, how any one else + could do so. Another, was a sort of insensibility which rendered him + indifferent to the most mortal and the most dangerous offences; and as + the nerve and principle of hatred and friendship, of gratitude and + vengeance, are the same, and as they were wanting in him, the + consequences were infinite and pernicious. He was timid to excess, + knew it, and was so ashamed that he affected to be exactly the + reverse, and plumed himself upon his daring. But the truth is, as was + afterwards seen, nothing could be obtained from him, neither grace, + nor justice, except by working upon his fears, to which he was very + susceptible; or by extreme importunity. He tried to put people off by + words, then by promises, of which he was monstrously prodigal, but + which he only kept when made to people who had good firm claws. In + this manner he broke so many engagements that the most positive became + counted as nothing; and he promised moreover to so many different + people, what could only be given to one, that he thus opened out a + copious source of discredit to himself and caused much discontent. + Nothing deceived or injured him more than the opinion he had formed, + that he could deceive all the world. He was no longer believed, even + when he spoke with the best faith, and his facility much diminished + the value of everything he did. To conclude, the obscure, and for the + most part blackguard company, which he ordinarily frequented in his + debauches, and which he did not scruple publicly to call his roues, + drove away all decent people, and did him infinite harm. + </p> + <p> + His constant mistrust of everything and everybody was disgusting, + above all when he was at the head of affairs. The fault sprang from + his timidity, which made him fear his most certain enemies, and treat + them with more distinction than his friends; from his natural + easiness, from a false imitation of Henry IV., in whom this quality + was by no means the finest; and from the unfortunate opinion which he + held, that probity was a sham. He was, nevertheless, persuaded of my + probity; and would often reproach me with it as a fault and prejudice + of education which had cramped my mind and obscured my understanding, + and he said as much of Madame de Saint-Simon, because he believed her + virtuous. + </p> + <p> + I had given him so many proofs of my attachment that he could not very + well suspect me; and yet, this is what happened two or three years + after the establishment of the Regency. I give it as one of the most + striking of the touches that paint his portrait. + </p> + <p> + It was autumn. M. d'Orleans had dismissed the councils for a + fortnight. I profited by this to go and spend the time at La Ferme. I + had just passed an hour alone with the Duke, and had taken my leave of + him and gone home, where in order to be in repose I had closed my door + to everybody. In about an hour at most, I was told that Biron, with a + message from M. le Duc d'Orleans, was at the door, with orders to see + me, and that he would not go away without. I allowed Biron to enter, + all the more surprised because I had just quitted M. le Duc d'Orleans, + and eagerly asked him the news. Biron was embarrassed, and in his turn + asked where was the Marquis de Ruffec (my son). At this my surprise + increased, and I demanded what he meant. Biron, more and more + confused, admitted that M. le Duc d'Orleans wanted information on this + point, and had sent him for it. I replied, that my son was with his + regiment at Besancon, lodging with M. de Levi, who commanded in + Franche-Comte. + </p> + <p> + "Oh," said Biron, "I know that very well; but have you any letter from + him?" + </p> + <p> + "What for?" I asked. + </p> + <p> + "Because, frankly, since I must tell you all," said he, "M. le Duc + d'Orleans wishes to see his handwriting." + </p> + <p> + He added, that soon after I had quitted M. le Duc d'Orleans, whilst he + was walking at Montmartre ma garden with his 'roues' and his harlots, + some letters had been brought to him by a post-office clerk, to whom + he had spoken in private; that afterwards he, Biron, had been called + by the Duke, who showed him a letter from the Marquis de Ruffec to his + master, dated "Madrid," and charged him, thereupon, with this present + commission. + </p> + <p> + At this recital I felt a mixture of anger and compassion, and I did + not constrain myself with Biron. I had no letters from my son, because + I used to burn them, as I did all useless papers. I charged Biron to + say to M. le Duc d'Orleans a part of what I felt; that I had not the + slightest acquaintance with anybody in Spain; that I begged him at + once to despatch a courier there in order to satisfy himself that my + son was at Besancon. + </p> + <p> + Biron, shrugging his shoulders, said all that was very good, but that + if I could find a letter from the Marquis de Ruffec it would be much + better; adding, that if one turned up and I sent it to him, he would + take care that it reached M. le Duc d'Orleans, at table, in spite of + the privacy of his suppers. I did not wish to return to the Palais + Royal to make a scene there, and dismissed Biron. Fortunately, Madame + de Saint-Simon came in some time after. I related to her this + adventure. She found the last letter of the Marquis de Ruffec, and we + sent it to Biron. It reached the table as he had promised. M. le Duc + d'Orleans seized it with eagerness. The joke is that he did not know + the handwriting. Not only did he look at the letter, but he read it; + and as he found it diverting, regaled his company with it; it became + the topic of their discourse, and entirely removed his suspicions. + Upon my return from La Ferme, I found him ashamed of himself, and I + rendered him still more so by what I said to him on the subject. + </p> + <p> + I learnt afterwards that this Madrid letter, and others that followed, + came from a sham Marquis de Ruffec, that is to say, from the son of + one of Madame's porters, who passed himself off as my son. He + pretended that he had quarrelled with me, and wrote to Madame de + Saint-Simon, begging her to intercede for him; and all this that his + letters might be seen, and that he might reap substantial benefits + from his imposture in the shape of money and consideration. He was a + well-made fellow, had much address and effrontery, knew the Court very + well, and had taken care to learn all about our family, so as to speak + within limits. He was arrested at Bayonne, at the table of Dadoncourt, + who commanded there, and who suddenly formed the resolution, + suspecting him not to be a gentleman, upon seeing him eat olives with + a fork! When in gaol he confessed who he was. He was not new at the + trade and was confined some little time. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0071" id="link2HCH0071"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXXI + </h2> + <h3> + But to return to M. le Duc d'Orleans. + </h3> + <p> + His curiosity, joined to a false idea of firmness and courage, had + early led him to try and raise the devil and make him speak. He left + nothing untried, even the wildest reading, to persuade himself there + was no God; and yet believed meanwhile in the devil, and hoped to see + him and converse with him! This inconsistency is hard to understand, + and yet is extremely common. He worked with all sorts of obscure + people; and above all with Mirepoix, sublieutenant of the Black + Musketeers, to find out Satan. They passed whole nights in the + quarries of Vanvres and of Vaugirard uttering invocations. M. le Duc + d'Orleans, however, admitted to me that he had never succeeded in + hearing or seeing anything, and at last had given up this folly. + </p> + <p> + At first it was only to please Madame d'Argenton, but afterwards from + curiosity, that he tried to see the present and the future in a glass + of water; so he said, and he was no liar. To be false and to be a liar + are not one and the same thing, though they closely resemble each + other, and if he told a lie it was only when hard pressed upon some + promise or some business, and in spite of himself, so as to escape + from a dilemma. + </p> + <p> + Although we often spoke upon religion, to which I tried to lead him so + long as I had hope of success, I never could unravel the system he had + formed for himself, and I ended by becoming persuaded that he wavered + unceasingly without forming any religion at all. + </p> + <p> + His passionate desire, like that of his companions in morals, was + this, that it would turn out that there is no God; but he had too much + enlightenment to be an atheist; who is a particular kind of fool much + more rare than is thought. This enlightenment importuned him; he tried + to extinguish it and could not. A mortal soul would have been to him a + resource; but he could not convince himself of its existence. A God + and an immortal soul, threw him into sad straits, and yet he could not + blind himself to the truth of both the one and the other. I can say + then this, I know of what religion he was not; nothing more. I am + sure, however, that he was very ill at ease upon this point, and that + if a dangerous illness had overtaken him, and he had had the time, he + would have thrown himself into the hands of all the priests and all + the Capuchins of the town. His great foible was to pride himself upon + his impiety and to wish to surpass in that everybody else. + </p> + <p> + I recollect that one Christmas-time, at Versailles, when he + accompanied the King to morning prayers and to the three midnight + masses, he surprised the Court by his continued application in reading + a volume he had brought with him, and which appeared to be, a prayer + book. The chief femme de chambre of Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans, much + attached to the family, and very free as all good old domestics are, + transfixed with joy at M. le Duc d'Orleans's application to his book, + complimented him upon it the next day, in the presence of others. M. + le Duc d'Orleans allowed her to go on some time, and then said, "You + are very silly, Madame Imbert. Do you know what I was reading? It was + 'Rabelais,' that I brought with me for fear of being bored." + </p> + <p> + The effect of this reply may be imagined. The thing was too true, and + was pure braggadocio; for, without comparison of the places, or of the + things, the music of the chapel was much superior to that of the + opera, and to all the music of Europe; and at Christmas it surpassed + itself. There was nothing so magnificent as the decoration of the + chapel, or the manner in which it was lighted. It was full of people; + the arches of the tribune were crowded with the Court ladies, in + undress, but ready for conquest. There was nothing so surprising as + the beauty of the spectacle. The ears were charmed also. M. le Duc + d'Orleans loved music extremely; he could compose, and had amused + himself by composing a kind of little opera, La Fare writing the + words, which was performed before the King. This music of the chapel, + therefore, might well have occupied him in the most agreeable manner, + to say nothing of the brilliant scene, without his having recourse to + Rabelais. But he must needs play the impious, and the wag. + </p> + <p> + Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans was another kind of person. She was tall, + and in every way majestic; her complexion, her throat, her arms, were + admirable; she had a tolerable mouth, with beautiful teeth, somewhat + long; and cheeks too broad, and too hanging, which interfered with, + but did not spoil, her beauty. What disfigured her most was her + eyebrows, which were, as it were, peeled and red, with very little + hair; she had, however, fine eyelashes, and well-set chestnut-coloured + hair. Without being hump-backed or deformed, she had one side larger + than the other, and walked awry. This defect in her figure indicated + another, which was more troublesome in society, and which + inconvenienced herself. She had a good deal of intellect, and spoke + with much ability. She said all she wished, and often conveyed her + meaning to you without directly expressing it; saying, as it were, + what she did not say. Her utterance was, however, slow and + embarrassed, so that unaccustomed ears with difficulty followed her. + </p> + <p> + Every kind of decency and decorum centred themselves in her, and the + most exquisite pride was there upon its throne. Astonishment will be + felt at what I am going to say, and yet, however, nothing is more + strictly true: it is, that at the bottom of her soul she believed that + she, bastard of the King, had much honoured M. d'Orleans in marrying + him! M. le Duc d'Orleans often laughed at her pride, called her Madame + Lucifer, in speaking to her, and she admitted that the name did not + displease her. She always received his advances with coldness, and a + sort of superiority of greatness. She was a princess to the backbone, + at all hours, and in all places. Yet, at the same time, her timidity + was extreme. The King could have made her feel ill with a single + severe look; and Madame de Maintenon could have done likewise, + perhaps. At all events, Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans trembled before + her; and upon the most commonplace matters never replied to either him + or her without hesitation, fear printed on her face. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc and Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans lived an idle, languishing, + shameful, indecent, and despised life, abandoned by all the Court. + This, I felt, was one of the first things that must be remedied. + Accordingly, I induced Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans to make an effort + to attract people to her table. She did so, persevering against the + coldness and aversion she met with, and in time succeeded in drawing a + tolerably numerous company to her dinners. They were of exquisite + quality, and people soon got over their first hesitation, when they + found everything orderly, free, and unobjectionable. At these dinners, + M. d'Orleans kept within bounds, not only in his discourse, but in his + behaviour. But oftentimes his ennui led him to Paris, to join in + supper parties and debauchery. Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans tried to + draw him from these pleasures by arranging small parties at her pretty + little villa, l'Etoile (in the park of Versailles), which the King had + given to her, and which she had furnished in the most delightful + manner. She loved good cheer, the guests loved it also, and at table + she was altogether another person —free, gay, exciting, + charming. M. le Duc d'Orleans cared for nothing but noise, and as he + threw off all restraint at these parties, there was much difficulty in + selecting guests, for the ears of many people would have been much + confused at his loose talk, and their eyes much astonished to see him + get drunk at the very commencement of the repast, in the midst of + those who thought only of amusing and recreating themselves in a + decent manner, and who never approached intoxication. + </p> + <p> + As the King became weaker in health, and evidently drew near his end, + I had continued interviews with Madame d'Orleans upon the subject of + the Regency, the plan of government to be adopted, and the policy she + should follow. Hundreds of times before we had reasoned together upon + the faults of the Government, and the misfortunes that resulted from + them. What we had to do was to avoid those faults, educate the young + King in good and rational maxims, so that when he succeeded to power + he might continue what the Regency had not had time to finish. This, + at least, was my idea; and I laboured hard to make it the idea of M. + le Duc d'Orleans. As the health of the King diminished I entered more + into details; as I will explain. + </p> + <p> + What I considered the most important thing to be done, was to + overthrow entirely the system of government in which Cardinal Mazarin + had imprisoned the King and the realm. A foreigner, risen from the + dregs of the people, who thinks of nothing but his own power and his + own greatness, cares nothing for the state, except in its relation to + himself. He despises its laws, its genius, its advantages: he is + ignorant of its rules and its forms; he thinks only of subjugating + all, of confounding all, of bringing all down to one level. Richelieu + and his successor, Mazarin, succeeded so well in this policy that the + nobility, by degrees, became annihilated, as we now see them. The pen + and the robe people, on the other hand, were exalted; so that now + things have reached such a pretty pass that the greatest lord is + without power, and in a thousand different manners is dependent upon + the meanest plebeian. It is in this manner that things hasten from one + extreme to the other. + </p> + <p> + My design was to commence by introducing the nobility into the + ministry, with the dignity and authority due to them, and by degrees + to dismiss the pen and robe people from all employ not purely + judicial. In this manner the administration of public affairs would be + entirely in the hands of the aristocracy. I proposed to abolish the + two offices of secretary of state for the war department, and for + foreign affairs, and to supply their place by councils; also, that the + offices of the navy should be managed by a council. I insisted upon + the distinct and perfect separation of these councils, so that their + authority should never be confounded, and the public should never have + the slightest trouble in finding out where to address itself for any + kind of business. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans exceedingly relished my project, which we much + discussed. This point arrived at, it became necessary to debate upon + the persons who were to form these councils. I suggested names, which + were accepted or set aside, according as they met his approval or + disapprobation. "But," said M. le Duc d'Orleans, after we had been a + long time at this work, "you propose everybody and never say a word of + yourself. What do you wish to be?" + </p> + <p> + I replied, that it was not for me to propose, still less to choose any + office, but for him to see if he wished to employ me, believing me + capable, and in that case to determine the place he wished me to + occupy. This was at Marly, in his chamber, and I shall never forget + it. + </p> + <p> + After some little debate, that between equals would have been called + complimentary, he proposed to me the Presidency of the Council of + Finance. But I had good reasons for shrinking from this office. I saw + that disordered as the finances had become there was only one remedy + by which improvement could be effected; and this was National + Bankruptcy. Had I occupied the office, I should have been too strongly + tempted to urge this view, and carry it out, but it was a + responsibility I did not wish to take upon myself before God and man. + Yet, I felt as I said, that to declare the State bankrupt would be the + wisest course, and I am bold enough to think, that there is not a man, + having no personal interest in the continuance of imposts, who of two + evils, viz., vastly increased taxation, and national failure, would + not prefer the latter. We were in the condition of a man who + unfortunately must choose between passing twelve or fifteen years in + his bed, in continual pain, or having his leg cut off. Who can doubt + this? he would prefer the loss of his leg by a painful operation, in + order to find himself two months after quite well, free from suffering + and in the enjoyment of all his faculties. + </p> + <p> + I shrunk accordingly from the finances for the reason I have above + given, and made M. le Duc d'Orleans so angry by my refusal to accept + the office he had proposed to me, that for three weeks he sulked and + would not speak to me, except upon unimportant matters. + </p> + <p> + At the end of that time, in the midst of a languishing conversation, + he exclaimed, "Very well, then. You stick to your text, you won't have + the finances?" + </p> + <p> + I respectfully lowered my eyes and replied, in a gentle tone, that I + thought that question was settled. He could not restrain some + complaints, but they were not bitter, nor was he angry, and then + rising and taking a few turns in the room, without saying a word, and + his head bent, as was his custom when embarrassed, he suddenly spun + round upon me, and exclaimed, "But whom shall we put there?" + </p> + <p> + I suggested the Duc de Noailles, and although the suggestion at first + met with much warm opposition from M. le Duc d'Orleans, it was + ultimately accepted by him. + </p> + <p> + The moment after we had settled this point he said to me, "And you! + what will you be?" and he pressed me so much to explain myself that I + said at last if he would put me in the council of affairs of the + interior, I thought I should do better there than elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + "Chief, then," replied he with vivacity. + </p> + <p> + "No, no! not that," said I; "simply a place in the council." + </p> + <p> + We both insisted, he for, I against. "A place in that council," he + said, "would be ridiculous, and cannot be thought of. Since you will + not be chief, there is only one post which suits you, and which suits + me also. You must be in the council I shall be in the Supreme + Council." + </p> + <p> + I accepted the post, and thanked him. From that moment this + distinction remained fixed. + </p> + <p> + I will not enter into all the suggestions I offered to M. le Duc + d'Orleans respecting the Regency, or give the details of all the + projects I submitted to him. Many of those projects and suggestions + were either acted upon only partially, or not acted upon at all, + although nearly every one met with his approval. But he was variable + as the winds, and as difficult to hold. In my dealings with him I had + to do with a person very different from that estimable Dauphin who was + so rudely taken away from us. + </p> + <p> + But let me, before going further, describe the last days of the King, + his illness, and death, adding to the narrative a review of his life + and character. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0072" id="link2HCH0072"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXXII + </h2> + <p> + LOUIS XIV. began, as I have before remarked, sensibly to decline, and + his appetite, which had always been good and uniform, very + considerably diminished. Even foreign countries became aware of this. + Bets were laid in London that his life would not last beyond the first + of September, that is to say, about three months, and although the + King wished to know everything, it may be imagined that nobody was + very eager to make him acquainted with the news. He used to have the + Dutch papers read to him in private by Torcy, often after the Council + of State. One day as Torcy was reading, coming unexpectedly—for + he had not examined the paper—upon the account of these bets, he + stopped, stammered, and skipped it. The King, who easily perceived + this, asked him the cause of his embarrassment; what he was passing + over, and why? Torcy blushed to the very whites of his eyes, and said + it was a piece of impertinence unworthy of being read. The King + insisted; Torcy also: but at last thoroughly confused, he could not + resist the reiterated command he received, and read the whole account + of the bets. The King pretended not to be touched by it, but he was, + and profoundly, so that sitting down to table immediately afterwards, + he could not keep himself from speaking of it, though without + mentioning the gazette. + </p> + <p> + This was at Marly, and by chance I was there that day. The King looked + at me as at the others, but as though asking for a reply. I took good + care not to open my mouth, and lowered my eyes. Cheverny, (a discreet + man,) too, was not so prudent, but made a long and ill-timed rhapsody + upon similar reports that had come to Copenhagen from Vienna while he + was ambassador at the former place seventeen or eighteen years before. + The King allowed him to say on, but did not take the bait. He appeared + touched, but like a man who does not wish to seem so. It could be seen + that he did all he could to eat, and to show that he ate with + appetite. But it was also seen that the mouthfuls loitered on their + way. This trifle did not fail to augment the circumspection of the + Court, above all of those who by their position had reason to be more + attentive than the rest. It was reported that an aide-decamp of Lord + Stair, who was then English ambassador to our Court, and very much + disliked for his insolent bearing and his troublesome ways, had caused + these bets by what he had said in England respecting the health of the + King. Stair, when told this, was much grieved, and said 'twas a + scoundrel he had dismissed. + </p> + <p> + As the King sensibly declined I noticed that although terror of him + kept people as much away from M. d'Orleans as ever, I was approached + even by the most considerable. I had often amused myself at the + expense of these prompt friends; I did so now, and diverted M. + d'Orleans by warning him beforehand what he had to expect. + </p> + <p> + On Friday, the 9th of August, 1715, the King hunted the stag after + dinner in his caleche, that he drove himself as usual. 'Twas for the + last time. Upon his return he appeared much knocked up. There was a + grand concert in the evening in Madame de Maintenon's apartment. + </p> + <p> + On Saturday, the 10th of August, he walked before dinner in his + gardens at Marly; he returned to Versailles about six o'clock in the + evening, and never again saw that strange work of his hands. In the + evening he worked with the Chancellor in Madame de Maintenon's rooms, + and appeared to everybody very ill. On Sunday, the eleventh of August, + he held the Council of State, walked, after dinner to Trianon, never + more to go out again during life. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow, the 12th of August, he took medicine as usual, and + lived as usual the following days. It was known that he complained of + sciatica in the leg and thigh. He had never before had sciatica, or + rheumatism, or a cold; and for a long time no touch of gout. In the + evening there was a little concert in Madame de Maintenon's rooms. + This was the last time in his life that he walked alone. + </p> + <p> + On Tuesday, the 13th of August, he made a violent effort, and gave a + farewell audience to a sham Persian ambassador, whom Pontchartrain had + imposed upon him; this was the last public action of his life. The + audience, which was long, fatigued the King. He resisted the desire + for sleep which came over him, held the Finance Council, dined, had + himself carried to Madame de Maintenon's, where a little concert was + given, and on leaving his cabinet stopped for the Duchesse de la + Rochefoucauld, who presented to him the Duchesse de la Rocheguyon, her + daughter-in-law, who was the last lady presented to him. She took her + tabouret that evening at the King's grand supper, which was the last + he ever gave. On the morrow he sent some precious stones to the + Persian ambassador just alluded to. It was on this day that the + Princesse des Ursins set off for Lyons, terrified at the state of the + King as I have already related. + </p> + <p> + For more than a year the health of the King had diminished. His valets + noticed this first, and followed the progress of the malady, without + one of them daring to open his mouth. The bastards, or to speak + exactly, M, du Maine saw it; Madame de Maintenon also; but they did + nothing. Fagon, the chief physician, much fallen off in mind and body, + was the only one of the King's intimates who saw nothing. Marechal, + also chief physician, spoke to him (Fagon) several times, but was + always harshly repulsed. Pressed at last by his duty and his + attachment, he made bold one morning towards Whitsuntide to go to + Madame de Maintenon. He told her what he saw and how grossly Fagon was + mistaken. He assured her that the King, whose pulse he had often felt, + had had for some time a slow internal fever; that his constitution was + so good that with remedies and attention all would go well, but that + if the malady were allowed to grow there would no longer be any + resource. Madame de Maintenon grew angry, and all he obtained for his + zeal was her anger. She said that only the personal enemies of Fagon + could find fault with his opinion upon the King's health, concerning + which the capacity, the application, the experience of the chief + physician could not be deceived. The best of it is that Marechal, who + had formerly operated upon Fagon for stone, had been appointed chief + surgeon by him, and they had always lived on the best of terms. + Marechal, annoyed as he related to me, could do nothing more, and + began from that time to lament the death of his master. Fagon was in + fact the first physician in Europe, but for a long time his health had + not permitted him to maintain his experience; and the high point of + authority to which his capacity and his favour had carried him, had at + last spoiled him. He would not hear reason, or submit to reply, and + continued to treat the King as he had treated him in early years; and + killed him by his obstinacy. + </p> + <p> + The gout of which the King had had long attacks, induced Fagon to + swaddle him, so to say, every evening in a heap of feather pillows, + which made him sweat all night to such an extent that it was necessary + in the morning to rub him down and change his linen before the grand + chamberlain and the first gentleman of the chamber could enter. For + many years he had drunk nothing but Burgundy wine, half mixed with + water, and so old that it was used up instead of the best champagne + which he had used all his life. He would pleasantly say sometimes that + foreign lords who were anxious to taste the wine he used, were often + mightily deceived. At no time had he ever drunk pure wine, or made use + in any way of spirits, or even tea, coffee, or chocolate. Upon rising, + instead of a little bread and wine and water, he had taken for a long + time two glasses of sage and veronica; often between his meals, and + always on going to bed, glasses of water with a little orange-flower + water in them, and always iced. Even on the days when he had medicine + he drank this, and always also at his meals, between which he never + ate anything except some cinnamon lozenges that he put into his pocket + at his dessert, with a good many cracknels for the bitches he kept in + his cabinet. + </p> + <p> + As during the last year of his life the King became more and more + costive, Fagon made him eat at the commencement of his repasts many + iced fruits, that is to say, mulberries, melons, and figs rotten from + ripeness; and at his dessert many other fruits, finishing with a + surprising quantity of sweetmeats. All the year round he ate at supper + a prodigious quantity of salad. His soups, several of which he partook + of morning and evening, were full of gravy, and were of exceeding + strength, and everything that was served to him was full of spice, to + double the usual extent, and very strong also. This regimen and the + sweetmeats together Fagon did not like, and sometimes while seeing the + King eat, he would make most amusing grimaces, without daring however + to say anything except now and then to Livry and Benoist, who replied + that it was their business to feed the King, and his to doctor him. + The King never ate any kind of venison or water-fowl, but otherwise + partook of everything, fete days and fast days alike, except that + during the last twenty years of his life he observed some few days of + Lent. + </p> + <p> + This summer he redoubled his regime of fruits and drinks. At last the + former clogged his stomach, taken after soup, weakened the digestive + organs and took away his appetite, which until then had never failed + him all his life, though however late dinner might be delayed he never + was hungry or wanted to eat. But after the first spoonfuls of soup, + his appetite came, as I have several times heard him say, and he ate + so prodigiously and so solidly morning and evening that no one could + get accustomed to see it. So much water and so much fruit unconnected + by anything spirituous, turned his blood into gangrene; while those + forced night sweats diminished its strength and impoverished it; and + thus his death was caused, as was seen by the opening of his body. The + organs were found in such good and healthy condition that there is + reason to believe he would have lived beyond his hundredth year. His + stomach above all astonished, and also his bowels by their volume and + extent, double that of the ordinary, whence it came that he was such a + great yet uniform eater. Remedies were not thought of until it was no + longer time, because Fagon would never believe him ill, or Madame de + Maintenon either; though at the same time she had taken good care to + provide for her own retreat in the case of his death. Amidst all this, + the King felt his state before they felt it, and said so sometimes to + his valets: Fagon always reassured him, but did nothing. The King was + contented with what was said to him without being persuaded: but his + friendship for Fagon restrained him, and Madame de Maintenon still + more. + </p> + <p> + On Wednesday, the 14th of August, the King was carried to hear mass + for the last time; held the Council of State, ate a meat dinner, and + had music in Madame de Maintenon's rooms. He supped in his chamber, + where the Court saw him as at his dinner; was with his family a short + time in his cabinet, and went to bed a little after ten. + </p> + <p> + On Thursday, the Festival of the Assumption, he heard mass in his bed. + The night had been disturbed and bad. He dined in his bed, the + courtiers being present, rose at five and was carried to Madame de + Maintenon's, where music was played. He supped and went to bed as on + the previous evening. As long as he could sit up he did the same. + </p> + <p> + On Friday, the 16th of August, the night had been no better; much + thirst and drink. The King ordered no one to enter until ten. Mass and + dinner in his bed as before; then he was carried to Madame de + Maintenon's; he played with the ladies there, and afterwards there was + a grand concert. + </p> + <p> + On Saturday, the 17th of August, the night as the preceding. He held + the Finance Council, he being in bed; saw people at his dinner, rose + immediately after; gave audience in his cabinet to the General of the + order of Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie; passed to Madame de + Maintenon's, where he worked with the Chancellor. At night, Fagon + slept for the first time in his chamber. + </p> + <p> + Sunday, the 18th of August, passed like the preceding days, Fagon + pretended there had been no fever. The King held a Council of State + before and after his dinner; worked afterwards upon the fortifications + with Pelletier; then passed to Madame de Maintenon's, where there was + music. + </p> + <p> + Monday, the 19th, and Tuesday, the 20th of August, passed much as the + previous days, excepting that on the latter the King supped in his + dressing-gown, seated in an armchair; and that after this evening he + never left his room or dressed himself again. That same day Madame de + Saint-Simon, whom I had pressed to return, came back from the waters + of Forges. The king, entering after supper into his cabinet, perceived + her. He ordered his chair to be stopped; spoke to her very kindly upon + her journey and her return; then had himself wheeled on by Bloin into + the other cabinet. She was the last Court lady to whom he spoke. I + don't count those who were always near him, and who came to him when + he could no longer leave his room. Madame de Saint-Simon said to me in + the evening that she should not have recognised the King if she had + met him anywhere else. Yet she had left Marly for Forges only on the + 6th of July. + </p> + <p> + On Wednesday, the 21st of August, four physicians saw the King, but + took care to do nothing except praise Fagon, who gave him cassia. For + some days it had been perceived that he ate meat and even bread with + difficulty, (though all his life he had eaten but little of the + latter, and for some time only the crumb, because he had no teeth). + Soup in larger quantity, hash very light, and eggs compensated him; + but he ate very sparingly. + </p> + <p> + On Thursday, the 22nd of August, the King was still worse. He saw four + other physicians, who, like the first four, did nothing but admire the + learned and admirable treatment of Fagon, who made him take towards + evening some Jesuit bark and water and intended to give him at night, + ass's milk. This same day, the King ordered the Duc de la + Rochefoucauld to bring him his clothes on the morrow, in order that he + might choose which he would wear upon leaving off the mourning he wore + for a son of Madame la Duchesse de Lorraine. He had not been able to + quit his chamber for some days; he could scarcely eat anything solid; + his physician slept in his chamber, and yet he reckoned upon being + cured, upon dressing himself again, and wished to choose his dress! In + like manner there was the same round of councils, of work, of + amusements. So true it is, that men do not wish to die, and + dissimulate from themselves the approach of death as long as possible. + Meanwhile, let me say, that the state of the King, which nobody was + ignorant of, had already changed M. d'Orleans' desert into a crowded + city. + </p> + <p> + Friday, the 23rd of August, the night was as usual, the morning also. + The King worked with Pere Tellier, who tried, but in vain, to make him + fill up several benefices that were vacant; that is to say, Pere + Tellier wished to dispose of them himself, instead of leaving them to + M. le Duc d'Orleans. Let me state at once, that the feebler the King + grew the more Pere Tellier worried him; so as not to lose such a rich + prey, or miss the opportunity of securing fresh creatures for his + service. But he could not succeed. The King declared to him that he + had enough to render account of to God, without charging himself with + this nomination, and forbade him to speak again upon the subject. + </p> + <p> + On Saturday evening, the 24th of August, he supped in his + dressing-gown, in presence of the courtiers, for the last time. I + noticed that he could only swallow liquids, and that he was troubled + if looked at. He could not finish his supper, and begged the courtiers + to pass on, that is to say, go away. He went to bed, where his leg, on + which were several black marks, was examined. It had grown worse + lately and had given him much pain. He sent for Pere Tellier and made + confession. Confusion spread among the doctors at this. Milk, and + Jesuit bark and water had been tried and abandoned in turns; now, + nobody knew what to try. The doctors admitted that they believed he + had had a slow fever ever since Whitsuntide; and excused themselves + for doing nothing on the ground that he did not wish for remedies. + </p> + <p> + On Sunday, the 25th of August, no more mystery was made of the King's + danger. Nevertheless, he expressly commanded that nothing should be + changed in the usual order of this day (the fete of St. Louis), that + is to say, that the drums and the hautboys, assembled beneath his + windows, should play their accustomed music as soon as he awoke, and + that the twenty-four violins should play in the ante-chamber during + his dinner. He worked afterwards with the Chancellor, who wrote, under + his dictation, a codicil to his will, Madame de Maintenon being + present. She and M. du Maine, who thought incessantly of themselves, + did not consider the King had done enough for them by his will; they + wished to remedy this by a codicil, which equally showed how + enormously they abused the King's weakness in this extremity, and to + what an excess ambition may carry us. By this codicil the King + submitted all the civil and military household of the young King to + the Duc du Maine, and under his orders to Marechal de Villeroy, who, + by this disposition became the sole masters of the person and the + dwelling place of the King, and of Paris, by the troops placed in + their hands; so that the Regent had not the slightest shadow of + authority and was at their mercy; certainly liable to be arrested or + worse, any time it should please M. du Maine. + </p> + <p> + Soon after the Chancellor left the King, Madame de Maintenon, who + remained, sent for the ladies; and the musicians came at seven o'clock + in the evening. But the King fell asleep during the conversation of + the ladies. He awoke; his brain confused, which frightened them and + made them call the doctors. They found his pulse so bad that they did + not hesitate to propose to him, his senses having returned, to take + the sacrament without delay. Pere Tellier was sent for; the musicians + who had just prepared their books and their instruments, were + dismissed, the ladies also; and in a quarter of an hour from that + time, the King made confession to Pere Tellier, the Cardinal de Rohan, + meanwhile, bringing the Holy Sacrament from the chapel, and sending + for the Cure and holy oils. Two of the King's chaplains, summoned by + the Cardinal, came, and seven or eight candlesticks were carried by + valets. The Cardinal said a word or two to the King upon this great + and last action, during which the King appeared very firm, but very + penetrated with what he was doing. As soon as he had received Our + Saviour and the holy oils, everybody left the chamber except Madame de + Maintenon and the Chancellor. Immediately afterwards, and this was + rather strange, a kind of book or little tablet was placed upon the + bed, the codicil was presented to the King, and at the bottom of it he + wrote four or five lines, and restored the document to the Chancellor. + </p> + <p> + After this, the King sent for M. le Duc d'Orleans, showed him much + esteem, friendship, and confidence; but what is terrible with Jesus + Christ still upon his lips—the Sacrament he had just received—he + assured him, he would find nothing in his will with which he would not + feel pleased. Then he recommended to him the state and the person of + the future King. + </p> + <p> + On Monday, the 26th of August, the King called to him the Cardinals de + Rohan and de Bissy, protested that he died in the faith, and in + submission to the Church, then added, looking at them, that he was + sorry to leave the affairs of the Church as they were; that they knew + he had done nothing except what they wished; that it was therefore for + them to answer before God for what he had done; that his own + conscience was clear, and that he was as an ignorant man who had + abandoned himself entirely to them. What a frightful thunderbolt was + this to the two Cardinals; for this was an allusion to the terrible + constitution they had assisted Pere Tellier in forcing upon him. But + their calm was superior to all trial. They praised him and said he had + done well, and that he might be at ease as to the result. + </p> + <p> + This same Monday, 26th of August, after the two Cardinals had left the + room, the King dined in his bed in the presence of those who were + privileged to enter. As the things were being cleared away, he made + them approach and addressed to them these words, which were stored up + in their memory:—"Gentlemen, I ask your pardon for the bad + example I have given you. I have much to thank you for the manner in + which you have served me, and for the attachment and fidelity you have + always shown for me. I am very sorry I have not done for you all I + should have wished to do; bad times have been the cause. I ask for my + grandson the same application and the same fidelity you have had for + me. He is a child who may experience many reverses. Let your example + be one for all my other subjects. Follow the orders my nephew will + give you; he is to govern the realm; I hope he will govern it well; I + hope also that you will all contribute to keep up union, and that if + any one falls away you will aid in bringing him back. I feel that I am + moved, and that I move you also. I ask your pardon. Adieu, gentlemen, + I hope you will sometimes remember me." + </p> + <p> + A short time after he called the Marechal de Villeroy to him, and said + he had made him governor of the Dauphin. He then called to him M. le + Duc and M. le Prince de Conti, and recommended to them the advantage + of union among princes. Then, hearing women in the cabinet, questioned + who were there, and immediately sent word they might enter. Madame la + Duchesse de Berry, Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans, and the Princesses of + the blood forthwith appeared, crying. The King told them they must not + cry thus, and said a few friendly words to them, and dismissed them. + They retired by the cabinet, weeping and crying very loudly, which + caused people to believe outside that the King was dead; and, indeed, + the rumour spread to Paris, and even to the provinces. + </p> + <p> + Some time after the King requested the Duchesse de Ventadour to bring + the little Dauphin to him. He made the child approach, and then said + to him, before Madame de Maintenon and the few privileged people + present, "My child, you are going to be a great king; do not imitate + me in the taste I have had for building, or in that I have had for + war; try, on the contrary, to be at peace with your neighbours. Render + to God what you owe Him; recognise the obligations you are under to + Him; make Him honoured by your subjects. Always follow good counsels; + try to comfort your people, which I unhappily have not done. Never + forget the obligation you owe to Madame de Ventadour. Madame + (addressing her), let me embrace him (and while embracing him), my + dear child, I give you my benediction with my whole heart." + </p> + <p> + As the little Prince was about to be taken off the bed, the King + redemanded him, embraced him again, and raising hands and eyes to + Heaven, blessed him once more. This spectacle was extremely touching. + </p> + <p> + On Tuesday, the 27th of August, the King said to Madame de Maintenon, + that he had always heard, it was hard to resolve to die; but that as + for him, seeing himself upon the point of death, he did not find this + resolution so difficult to form. She replied that it was very hard + when we had attachments to creatures, hatred in our hearts, or + restitutions to make. "Ah," rejoined the King, "as for restitutions, + to nobody in particular do I owe any; but as for those I owe to the + realm, I hope in the mercy of God." + </p> + <p> + The night which followed was very agitated. The King was seen at all + moments joining his hands, striking his breast, and was heard + repeating the prayers he ordinarily employed. + </p> + <p> + On Wednesday morning, the 28th of August, he paid a compliment to + Madame de Maintenon, which pleased her but little, and to which she + replied not one word. He said, that what consoled him in quitting her + was that, considering the age she had reached, they must soon meet + again! + </p> + <p> + About seven o'clock in the morning, he saw in the mirror two of his + valets at the foot of the bed weeping, and said to them, "Why do you + weep? Is it because you thought me immortal? As for me, I have not + thought myself so, and you ought, considering my age, to have been + prepared to lose me." + </p> + <p> + A very clownish Provencal rustic heard of the extremity of the King, + while on his way from Marseilles to Paris, and came this morning to + Versailles with a remedy, which he said would cure the gangrene. The + King was so ill, and the doctors so at their wits' ends, that they + consented to receive him. Fagon tried to say something, but this + rustic, who was named Le Brun, abused him very coarsely, and Fagon, + accustomed to abuse others, was confounded. Ten drops of Le Brun's + mixture in Alicante wine were therefore given to the King about eleven + o'clock in the morning. Some time after he became stronger, but the + pulse falling again and becoming bad, another dose was given to him + about four o'clock, to recall him to life, they told him. He replied, + taking the mixture, "To life or to death as it shall please God." + </p> + <p> + Le Brun's remedy was continued. Some one proposed that the King should + take some broth. The King replied that it was not broth he wanted, but + a confessor, and sent for him. One day, recovering from loss of + consciousness, he asked Pere Tellier to give him absolution for all + his sins. Pere Tellier asked him if he suffered much. "No," replied + the King, "that's what troubles me: I should like to suffer more for + the expiation of my sins." + </p> + <p> + On Thursday, the 29th of August, he grew a little better; he even ate + two little biscuits steeped in wine, with a certain appetite. The news + immediately spread abroad that the King was recovering. I went that + day to the apartments of M. le Duc d'Orleans, where, during the + previous eight days, there had been such a crowd that, speaking + exactly, a pin would not have fallen to the ground. Not a soul was + there! As soon as the Duke saw me he burst out laughing, and said, I + was the first person who had been to see him all the day! And until + the evening he was entirely deserted. Such is the world! + </p> + <p> + In the evening it was known that the King had only recovered for the + moment. In giving orders during the day, he called the young Dauphin + "the young King." He saw a movement amongst those around him. "Why + not?" said he, "that does not trouble me." Towards eight o'clock he + took the elixir of the rustic. His brain appeared confused; he himself + said he felt very ill. Towards eleven o'clock his leg was examined. + The gangrene was found to be in the foot and the knee; the thigh much + inflamed. He swooned during this examination. He had perceived with + much pain that Madame de Maintenon was no longer near him. She had in + fact gone off on the previous day with very dry eyes to Saint-Cyr, not + intending to return. He asked for her several times during the day. + Her departure could not be hidden. He sent for her to Saint-Cyr, and + she came back in the evening. + </p> + <p> + Friday, August the 30th, was a bad day preceded by a bad night. The + King continually lost his reason. About five o'clock in the evening + Madame de Maintenon left him, gave away her furniture to the + domestics, and went to Saint-Cyr never to leave it. + </p> + <p> + On Saturday, the 31st of August, everything went from bad to worse. + The gangrene had reached the knee and all the thigh. Towards eleven + o'clock at night the King was found to be so ill that the prayers for + the dying were said. This restored him to himself. He repeated the + prayers in a voice so strong that it rose above all the other voices. + At the end he recognised Cardinal de Rohan, and said to him, "These + are the last favours of the Church." This was the last man to whom he + spoke. He repeated several times, "Nunc et in hora mortis", then said, + "Oh, my God, come to my aid: hasten to succour me." + </p> + <p> + These were his last words. All the night he was without consciousness + and in a long agony, which finished on Sunday, the 1st September, + 1715, at a quarter past eight in the morning, three days before he had + accomplished his seventy-seventh year, and in the seventy-second of + his reign. He had survived all his sons and grandsons, except the King + of Spain. Europe never saw so long a reign or France a King so old. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0073" id="link2HCH0073"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXXIII + </h2> + <p> + I shall pass over the stormy period of Louis XIV.'s minority. At + twenty- three years of age he entered the great world as King, under + the most favourable auspices. His ministers were the most skilful in + all Europe; his generals the best; his Court was filled with + illustrious and clever men, formed during the troubles which had + followed the death of Louis XIII. + </p> + <p> + Louis XIV. was made for a brilliant Court. In the midst of other men, + his figure, his courage, his grace, his beauty, his grand mien, even + the tone of his voice and the majestic and natural charm of all his + person, distinguished him till his death as the King Bee, and showed + that if he had only been born a simple private gentlemen, he would + equally have excelled in fetes, pleasures, and gallantry, and would + have had the greatest success in love. The intrigues and adventures + which early in life he had been engaged in—when the Comtesse de + Soissons lodged at the Tuileries, as superintendent of the Queen's + household, and was the centre figure of the Court group—had + exercised an unfortunate influence upon him: he received those + impressions with which he could never after successfully struggle. + From this time, intellect, education, nobility of sentiment, and high + principle, in others, became objects of suspicion to him, and soon of + hatred. The more he advanced in years the more this sentiment was + confirmed in him. He wished to reign by himself. His jealousy on this + point unceasingly became weakness. He reigned, indeed, in little + things; the great he could never reach: even in the former, too, he + was often governed. The superior ability of his early ministers and + his early generals soon wearied him. He liked nobody to be in any way + superior to him. Thus he chose his ministers, not for their knowledge, + but for their ignorance; not for their capacity, but for their want of + it. He liked to form them, as he said; liked to teach them even the + most trifling things. It was the same with his generals. He took + credit to himself for instructing them; wished it to be thought that + from his cabinet he commanded and directed all his armies. Naturally + fond of trifles, he unceasingly occupied himself with the most petty + details of his troops, his household, his mansions; would even + instruct his cooks, who received, like novices, lessons they had known + by heart for years. This vanity, this unmeasured and unreasonable love + of admiration, was his ruin. His ministers, his generals, his + mistresses, his courtiers, soon perceived his weakness. They praised + him with emulation and spoiled him. Praises, or to say truth, + flattery, pleased him to such an extent, that the coarsest was well + received, the vilest even better relished. It was the sole means by + which you could approach him. Those whom he liked owed his affection + for them to their untiring flatteries. This is what gave his ministers + so much authority, and the opportunities they had for adulating him, + of attributing everything to him, and of pretending to learn + everything from him. Suppleness, meanness, an admiring, dependent, + cringing manner—above all, an air of nothingness—were the + sole means of pleasing him. + </p> + <p> + This poison spread. It spread, too, to an incredible extent, in a + prince who, although of intellect beneath mediocrity, was not utterly + without sense, and who had had some experience. Without voice or + musical knowledge, he used to sing, in private, the passages of the + opera prologues that were fullest of his praises. + </p> + <p> + He was drowned in vanity; and so deeply, that at his public suppers—all + the Court present, musicians also—he would hum these self-same + praises between his teeth, when the music they were set to was played! + </p> + <p> + And yet, it must be admitted, he might have done better. Though his + intellect, as I have said, was beneath mediocrity, it was capable of + being formed. He loved glory, was fond of order and regularity; was by + disposition prudent, moderate, discreet, master of his movements and + his tongue. Will it be believed? He was also by disposition good and + just! God had sufficiently gifted him to enable him to be a good King; + perhaps even a tolerably great King! All the evil came to him from + elsewhere. His early education was so neglected that nobody dared + approach his apartment. He has often been heard to speak of those + times with bitterness, and even to relate that, one evening he was + found in the basin of the Palais Royal garden fountain, into which he + had fallen! He was scarcely taught how to read or write, and remained + so ignorant, that the most familiar historical and other facts were + utterly unknown to him! He fell, accordingly, and sometimes even in + public, into the grossest absurdities. + </p> + <p> + It was his vanity, his desire for glory, that led him, soon after the + death of the King of Spain, to make that event the pretext for war; in + spite of the renunciations so recently made, so carefully stipulated, + in the marriage contract. He marched into Flanders; his conquests + there were rapid; the passage of the Rhine was admirable; the triple + alliance of England, Sweden, and Holland only animated him. In the + midst of winter he took Franche-Comte, by restoring which at the peace + of Aix-la- Chapelle, he preserved his conquests in Flanders. All was + flourishing then in the state. Riches everywhere. Colbert had placed + the finances, the navy, commerce, manufactures, letters even, upon the + highest point; and this age, like that of Augustus, produced in + abundance illustrious men of all kinds,-even those illustrious only in + pleasures. + </p> + <p> + Le Tellier and Louvois, his son, who had the war department, trembled + at the success and at the credit of Colbert, and had no difficulty in + putting into the head of the King a new war, the success of which + caused such fear to all Europe that France never recovered from it, + and after having been upon the point of succumbing to this war, for a + long time felt the weight and misfortune of it. Such was the real + cause of that famous Dutch war, to which the King allowed himself to + be pushed, and which his love for Madame de Montespan rendered so + unfortunate for his glory and for his kingdom. Everything being + conquered, everything taken, and Amsterdam ready to give up her keys, + the King yields to his impatience, quits the army, flies to + Versailles, and destroys in an instant all the success of his arms! He + repaired this disgrace by a second conquest, in person, of + Franche-Comte, which this time was preserved by France. + </p> + <p> + In 1676, the King having returned into Flanders, took Conde; whilst + Monsieur took Bouchain. The armies of the King and of the Prince of + Orange approached each other so suddenly and so closely, that they + found themselves front to front near Heurtebise. According even to the + admission of the enemy, our forces were so superior to those of the + Prince of Orange, that we must have gained the victory if we had + attacked. But the King, after listening to the opinions of his + generals, some for, and some against giving battle, decided for the + latter, turned tail, and the engagement was talked of no more. The + army was much discontented. Everybody wished for battle. The fault + therefore of the King made much impression upon the troops, and + excited cruel railleries against us at home and in the foreign courts. + The King stopped but little longer afterwards in the army, although we + were only in the month of May. He returned to his mistress. + </p> + <p> + The following year he returned to Flanders, and took Cambrai; and + Monsieur besieged Saint-Omer. Monsieur got the start of the Prince of + Orange, who was about to assist the place, gave him battle near + Corsel, obtained a complete victory, immediately took Saint-Omer, and + then joined the King. This contrast so affected the monarch that never + afterwards did he give Monsieur command of an army! External + appearances were perfectly kept up, but from that moment the + resolution was taken and always well sustained. + </p> + <p> + The year afterwards the King led in person the siege of Ghent. The + peace of Nimeguen ended this year the war with Holland, Spain, &c.; + and on the commencement of the following year, that with the Emperor + and the Empire. America, Africa, the Archipelago, Sicily, acutely felt + the power of France, and in 1684 Luxembourg was the price of the delay + of the Spaniards in fulfilling all the conditions of the peace. Genoa, + bombarded, was forced to come in the persons of its doge and four of + its senators, to sue for peace at the commencement of the following + year. From this date, until 1688, the time passed in the cabinet less + in fetes than in devotion and constraint. Here finishes the apogeum of + this reign, and the fulness of glory and prosperity. The great + captains, the great ministers, were no more, but their pupils + remained. The second epoch of the reign was very different from the + first; but the third was even more sadly dissimilar. + </p> + <p> + I have related the adventure which led to the wars of this period; how + an ill-made window-frame was noticed at the Trianon, then building; + how Louvois was blamed for it; his alarm lest his disgrace should + follow; his determination to engage the King in a war which should + turn him from his building fancies. He carried out his resolve: with + what result I have already shown. France was ruined at home; and + abroad, despite the success of her arms, gained nothing. On the + contrary, the withdrawal of the King from Gembloux, when he might have + utterly defeated the Prince of Orange, did us infinite harm, as I have + shown in its place. The peace which followed this war was disgraceful. + The King was obliged to acknowledge the Prince of Orange as King of + England, after having so long shown hatred and contempt for him. Our + precipitation, too, cost us Luxembourg; and the ignorance of our + plenipotentiaries gave our enemies great advantages in forming their + frontier. Such was the peace of Ryswick, concluded in September, 1697. + </p> + <p> + This peace seemed as though it would allow France some breathing time. + The King was sixty years of age, and had, in his own opinion, acquired + all sorts of glory. But scarcely were we at peace, without having had + time to taste it, than the pride of the King made him wish to astonish + all Europe by the display of a power that it believed prostrated. And + truly he did astonish Europe. But at what a cost! The famous camp of + Compiegne—for 'tis to that I allude—was one of the most + magnificent spectacles ever seen; but its immense and misplaced + prodigality was soon regretted. Twenty years afterwards, some of the + regiments who took part in it were still in difficulties from this + cause. + </p> + <p> + Shortly afterwards,—by one of the most surprising and unheard-of + pieces of good fortune, the crown of Spain fell into the hands of the + Duc d'Anjou, grandson of the King. It seemed as though golden days had + come back again to France. Only for a little time, however, did it + seem so. Nearly all Europe, as it has been seen, banded against + France, to dispute the Spanish crown. The King had lost all his good + ministers, all his able generals, and had taken good pains they should + leave no successors. When war came, then, we were utterly unable to + prosecute it with success or honour. We were driven out of Germany, of + Italy, of the Low Countries. We could not sustain the war, or resolve + to make peace. Every day led us nearer and nearer the brink of the + precipice, the terrible depths of which were for ever staring us in + the face. A misunderstanding amongst our enemies, whereby England + became detached from the grand alliance; the undue contempt of Prince + Eugene for our generals, out of which arose the battle of Denain; + saved us from the gulf. Peace came, and a peace, too, infinitely + better than that we should have ardently embraced if our enemies had + agreed amongst themselves beforehand. Nevertheless, this peace cost + dear to France, and cost Spain half its territory—Spain, of + which the King had said not even a windmill would he yield! But this + was another piece of folly he soon repented of. + </p> + <p> + Thus, we see this monarch, grand, rich, conquering, the arbiter of + Europe; feared and admired as long as the ministers and captains + existed who really deserved the name. When they were no more, the + machine kept moving some time by impulsion, and from their influence. + But soon afterwards we saw beneath the surface; faults and errors were + multiplied, and decay came on with giant strides; without, however, + opening the eyes of that despotic master, so anxious to do everything + and direct everything himself, and who seemed to indemnify himself for + disdain abroad by increasing fear and trembling at home. + </p> + <p> + So much for the reign of this vain-glorious monarch. + </p> + <p> + Let me touch now upon some other incidents in his career, and upon + some points in his character. + </p> + <p> + He early showed a disinclination for Paris. The troubles that had + taken place there during his minority made him regard the place as + dangerous; he wished, too, to render himself venerable by hiding + himself from the eyes of the multitude; all these considerations fixed + him at Saint- Germain soon after the death of the Queen, his mother. + It was to that place he began to attract the world by fetes and + gallantries, and by making it felt that he wished to be often seen. + </p> + <p> + His love for Madame de la Valliere, which was at first kept secret, + occasioned frequent excursions to Versailles, then a little card + castle, which had been built by Louis XIII.—annoyed, and his + suite still more so, at being frequently obliged to sleep in a + wretched inn there, after he had been out hunting in the forest of + Saint Leger. That monarch rarely slept at Versailles more than one + night, and then from necessity; the King, his son, slept there, so + that he might be more in private with his mistress, pleasures unknown + to the hero and just man, worthy son of Saint-Louis, who built the + little chateau. + </p> + <p> + These excursions of Louis XIV. by degrees gave birth to those immense + buildings he erected at Versailles; and their convenience for a + numerous court, so different from the apartments at Saint-Germain, led + him to take up his abode there entirely shortly after the death of the + Queen. He built an infinite number of apartments, which were asked for + by those who wished to pay their court to him; whereas at + Saint-Germain nearly everybody was obliged to lodge in the town, and + the few who found accommodation at the chateau were strangely + inconvenienced. + </p> + <p> + The frequent fetes, the private promenades at Versailles, the + journeys, were means on which the King seized in order to distinguish + or mortify the courtiers, and thus render them more assiduous in + pleasing him. + </p> + <p> + He felt that of real favours he had not enough to bestow; in order to + keep up the spirit of devotion, he therefore unceasingly invented all + sorts of ideal ones, little preferences and petty distinctions, which + answered his purpose as well. + </p> + <p> + He was exceedingly jealous of the attention paid him. Not only did he + notice the presence of the most distinguished courtiers, but those of + inferior degree also. He looked to the right and to the left, not only + upon rising but upon going to bed, at his meals, in passing through + his apartments, or his gardens of Versailles, where alone the + courtiers were allowed to follow him; he saw and noticed everybody; + not one escaped him, not even those who hoped to remain unnoticed. He + marked well all absentees from the Court, found out the reason of + their absence, and never lost an opportunity of acting towards them as + the occasion might seem to justify. With some of the courtiers (the + most distinguished), it was a demerit not to make the Court their + ordinary abode; with others 'twas a fault to come but rarely; for + those who never or scarcely ever came it was certain disgrace. When + their names were in any way mentioned, "I do not know them," the King + would reply haughtily. Those who presented themselves but seldom were + thus Characterise: "They are people I never see;" these decrees were + irrevocable. He could not bear people who liked Paris. + </p> + <p> + Louis XIV. took great pains to be well informed of all that passed + everywhere; in the public places, in the private houses, in society + and familiar intercourse. His spies and tell-tales were infinite. He + had them of all species; many who were ignorant that their information + reached him; others who knew it; others who wrote to him direct, + sending their letters through channels he indicated; and all these + letters were seen by him alone, and always before everything else; + others who sometimes spoke to him secretly in his cabinet, entering by + the back stairs. These unknown means ruined an infinite number of + people of all classes, who never could discover the cause; often + ruined them very unjustly; for the King, once prejudiced, never + altered his opinion, or so rarely, that nothing was more rare. He had, + too, another fault, very dangerous for others and often for himself, + since it deprived him of good subjects. He had an excellent memory; in + this way, that if he saw a man who, twenty years before, perhaps, had + in some manner offended him, he did not forget the man, though he + might forget the offence. This was enough, however, to exclude the + person from all favour. The representations of a minister, of a + general, of his confessor even, could not move the King. He would not + yield. + </p> + <p> + The most cruel means by which the King was informed of what was + passing— for many years before anybody knew it—was that of + opening letters. The promptitude and dexterity with which they were + opened passes understanding. He saw extracts from all the letters in + which there were passages that the chiefs of the post-office, and then + the minister who governed it, thought ought to go before him; entire + letters, too, were sent to him, when their contents seemed to justify + the sending. Thus the chiefs of the post, nay, the principal clerks + were in a position to suppose what they pleased and against whom they + pleased. A word of contempt against the King or the government, a + joke, a detached phrase, was enough. It is incredible how many people, + justly or unjustly, were more or less ruined, always without resource, + without trial, and without knowing why. The secret was impenetrable; + for nothing ever cost the King less than profound silence and + dissimulation. + </p> + <p> + This last talent he pushed almost to falsehood, but never to deceit, + pluming himself upon keeping his word,—therefore he scarcely + ever gave it. The secrets of others he kept as religiously as his own. + He was even flattered by certain confessions and certain confidences; + and there was no mistress, minister, or favourite, who could have + wormed them out, even though the secret regarded themselves. + </p> + <p> + We know, amongst many others, the famous story of a woman of quality, + who, after having been separated a year from her husband, found + herself in the family way just as he was on the point of returning + from the army, and who, not knowing what else to do, in the most + urgent manner begged a private interview of the King. She obtained it, + and confined to him her position, as to the worthiest man in his + realm, as she said. The King counselled her to profit by her distress, + and live more wisely for the future, and immediately promised to + retain her husband on the frontier as long as was necessary, and to + forbid his return under any pretext, and in fact he gave orders the + same day to Louvois, and prohibited the husband not only all leave of + absence, but forbade him to quit for a single day the post he was to + command all the winter. The officer, who was distinguished, and who + had neither wished nor asked to be employed all the winter upon the + frontier, and Louvois, who had in no way thought of it, were equally + surprised and vexed. They were obliged, however, to obey to the + letter, and without asking why; and the King never mentioned the + circumstance until many years afterwards, when he was quite sure + nobody could find out either husband or wife, as in fact they never + could, or even obtain the most vague or the most uncertain suspicion. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0074" id="link2HCH0074"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXXIV + </h2> + <p> + Never did man give with better grace than Louis XIV., or augmented so + much, in this way, the price of his benefits. Never did man sell to + better profit his words, even his smiles,—nay, his looks. Never + did disobliging words escape him; and if he had to blame, to + reprimand, or correct, which was very rare, it was nearly always with + goodness, never, except on one occasion (the admonition of + Courtenvaux, related in its place), with anger or severity. Never was + man so naturally polite, or of a politeness so measured, so graduated, + so adapted to person, time, and place. Towards women his politeness + was without parallel. Never did he pass the humblest petticoat without + raising his hat; even to chamber- maids, that he knew to be such, as + often happened at Marly. For ladies he took his hat off completely, + but to a greater or less extent; for titled people, half off, holding + it in his hand or against his ear some instants, more or less marked. + For the nobility he contented himself by putting his hand to his hat. + He took it off for the Princes of the blood, as for the ladies. If he + accosted ladies he did not cover himself until he had quitted them. + All this was out of doors, for in the house he was never covered. His + reverences, more or less marked, but always light, were incomparable + for their grace and manner; even his mode of half raising himself at + supper for each lady who arrived at table. Though at last this + fatigued him, yet he never ceased it; the ladies who were to sit down, + however, took care not to enter after supper had commenced. + </p> + <p> + If he was made to wait for anything while dressing, it was always with + patience. He was exact to the hours that he gave for all his day, with + a precision clear and brief in his orders. If in the bad weather of + winter, when he could not go out, he went to Madame de Maintenon's a + quarter of an hour earlier than he had arranged (which seldom + happened), and the captain of the guards was not on duty, he did not + fail afterwards to say that it was his own fault for anticipating the + hour, not that of the captain of the guards for being absent. Thus, + with this regularity which he never deviated from, he was served with + the utmost exactitude. + </p> + <p> + He treated his valets well, above all those of the household. It was + amongst them that he felt most at ease, and that he unbosomed himself + the most familiarly, especially to the chiefs. Their friendship and + their aversion have often had grand results. They were unceasingly in + a position to render good and bad offices: thus they recalled those + powerful enfranchised slaves of the Roman emperors, to whom the senate + and the great people paid court and basely truckled. These valets + during Louis XIV.'s reign were not less courted. The ministers, even + the most powerful, openly studied their caprices; and the Princes of + the blood, nay, the bastards,—not to mention people of lower + grade, did the same. The majority were accordingly insolent enough; + and if you could not avoid their insolence, you were forced to put up + with it. + </p> + <p> + The King loved air and exercise very much, as long as he could make + use of them. He had excelled in dancing, and at tennis and mall. On + horseback he was admirable, even at a late age. He liked to see + everything done with grace and address. To acquit yourself well or ill + before him was a merit or a fault. He said that with things not + necessary it was best not to meddle, unless they were done well. He + was very fond of shooting, and there was not a better or more graceful + shot than he. He had always, in his cabinet seven or eight pointer + bitches, and was fond of feeding them, to make himself known to them. + He was very fond, too, of stag hunting; but in a caleche, since he + broke his arm, while hunting at Fontainebleau, immediately after the + death of the Queen. He rode alone in a species of "box," drawn by four + little horses—with five or six relays, and drove himself with an + address and accuracy unknown to the best coachmen. His postilions were + children from ten to fifteen years of age, and he directed them. + </p> + <p> + He liked splendour, magnificence, and profusion in everything: you + pleased him if you shone through the brilliancy of your houses, your + clothes, your table, your equipages. Thus a taste for extravagance and + luxury was disseminated through all classes of society; causing + infinite harm, and leading to general confusion of rank and to ruin. + </p> + <p> + As for the King himself, nobody ever approached his magnificence. His + buildings, who could number them? At the same time, who was there who + did not deplore the pride, the caprice, the bad taste seen in them? He + built nothing useful or ornamental in Paris, except the Pont Royal, + and that simply by necessity; so that despite its incomparable extent, + Paris is inferior to many cities of Europe. Saint-Germain, a lovely + spot, with a marvellous view, rich forest, terraces, gardens, and + water he abandoned for Versailles; the dullest and most ungrateful of + all places, without prospect, without wood, without water, without + soil; for the ground is all shifting sand or swamp, the air + accordingly bad. + </p> + <p> + But he liked to subjugate nature by art and treasure. + </p> + <p> + He built at Versailles, on, on, without any general design, the + beautiful and the ugly, the vast and the mean, all jumbled together. + His own apartments and those of the Queen, are inconvenient to the + last degree, dull, close, stinking. The gardens astonish by their + magnificence, but cause regret by their bad taste. You are introduced + to the freshness of the shade only by a vast torrid zone, at the end + of which there is nothing for you but to mount or descend; and with + the hill, which is very short, terminate the gardens. The violence + everywhere done to nature repels and wearies us despite ourselves. The + abundance of water, forced up and gathered together from all parts, is + rendered green, thick, muddy; it disseminates humidity, unhealthy and + evident; and an odour still more so. I might never finish upon the + monstrous defects of a palace so immense and so immensely dear, with + its accompaniments, which are still more so. + </p> + <p> + But the supply of water for the fountains was all defective at all + moments, in spite of those seas of reservoirs which had cost so many + millions to establish and to form upon the shifting sand and marsh. + Who could have believed it? This defect became the ruin of the + infantry which was turned out to do the work. Madame de Maintenon + reigned. M. de Louvois was well with her, then. We were at peace. He + conceived the idea of turning the river Eure between Chartres and + Maintenon, and of making it come to Versailles. Who can say what gold + and men this obstinate attempt cost during several years, until it was + prohibited by the heaviest penalties, in the camp established there, + and for a long time kept up; not to speak of the sick,—above + all, of the dead,—that the hard labour and still more the much + disturbed earth, caused? How many men were years in recovering from + the effects of the contagion! How many never regained their health at + all! And not only the sub-officers, but the colonels, the brigadiers + and general officers, were compelled to be upon the spot, and were not + at liberty to absent themselves a quarter of an hour from the works. + The war at last interrupted them in 1688, and they have never since + been undertaken; only unfinished portions of them exist which will + immortalise this cruel folly. + </p> + <p> + At last, the King, tired of the cost and bustle, persuaded himself + that he should like something little and solitary. He searched all + around Versailles for some place to satisfy this new taste. He + examined several neighbourhoods, he traversed the hills near + Saint-Germain, and the vast plain which is at the bottom, where the + Seine winds and bathes the feet of so many towns, and so many + treasures in quitting Paris. He was pressed to fix himself at + Lucienne, where Cavoye afterwards had a house, the view from which is + enchanting; but he replied that, that fine situation would ruin him, + and that as he wished to go to no expense, so he also wished a + situation which would not urge him into any. He found behind Lucienne + a deep narrow valley, completely shut in, inaccessible from its + swamps, and with a wretched village called Marly upon the slope of one + of its hills. This closeness, without drain or the means of having + any, was the sole merit of the valley. The King was overjoyed at his + discovery. It was a great work, that of draining this sewer of all the + environs, which threw there their garbage, and of bringing soil + thither! The hermitage was made. At first, it was only for sleeping in + three nights, from Wednesday to Saturday, two or three times a-year, + with a dozen at the outside of courtiers, to fill the most + indispensable posts. + </p> + <p> + By degrees, the hermitage was augmented, the hills were pared and cut + down, to give at least the semblance of a prospect; in fine, what with + buildings, gardens, waters, aqueducts, the curious and well known + machine, statues, precious furniture, the park, the ornamental + enclosed forest,—Marly has become what it is to-day, though it + has been stripped since the death of the King. Great trees were + unceasingly brought from Compiegne or farther, three-fourths of which + died and were immediately after replaced; vast spaces covered with + thick wood, or obscure alleys, were suddenly changed into immense + pieces of water, on which people were rowed in gondolas; then they + were changed again into forest (I speak of what I have seen in six + weeks); basins were changed a hundred times; cascades the same; carp + ponds adorned with the most exquisite painting, scarcely finished, + were changed and differently arranged by the same hands; and this an + infinite number of times; then there was that prodigious machine just + alluded to, with its immense aqueducts, the conduit, its monstrous + resources solely devoted to Marly, and no longer to Versailles; so + that I am under the mark in saying that Versailles, even, did not cost + so much as Marly. + </p> + <p> + Such was the fate of a place the abode of serpents, and of carrion, of + toads and frogs, solely chosen to avoid expense. Such was the bad + taste of the King in all things, and his proud haughty pleasure in + forcing nature; which neither the most mighty war, nor devotion could + subdue! + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0075" id="link2HCH0075"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXXV + </h2> + <p> + Let me now speak of the amours of the King in which were even more + fatal to the state than his building mania. Their scandal filled all + Europe; stupefied France, shook the state, and without doubt drew upon + the King those maledictions under the weight of which he was pushed so + near the very edge of the precipice, and had the misfortune of seeing + his legitimate posterity within an ace of extinction in France. These + are evils which became veritable catastrophes and which will be long + felt. + </p> + <p> + Louis XIV., in his youth more made for love than any of his subjects— + being tired of gathering passing sweets, fixed himself at last upon La + Valliere. The progress and the result of his love are well known. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Montespan was she whose rare beauty touched him next, even + during the reign of Madame de La Valliere. She soon perceived it, and + vainly pressed her husband to carry her away into Guienne. With + foolish confidence he refused to listen to her. She spoke to him more + in earnest. In vain. At last the King was listened to, and carried her + off from her husband, with that frightful hubbub which resounded with + horror among all nations, and which gave to the world the new + spectacle of two mistresses at once! The King took them to the + frontiers, to the camps, to the armies, both of them in the Queen's + coach. The people ran from all parts to look at the three queens; and + asked one another in their simplicity if they had seen them. In the + end, Madame de Montespan triumphed, and disposed of the master and his + Court with an eclat that knew no veil; and in order that nothing + should be wanting to complete the licence of this life, M. de + Montespan was sent to the Bastille; then banished to Guienne, and his + wife was appointed superintendent of the Queen's household. + </p> + <p> + The accouchements of Madame de Montespan were public. Her circle + became the centre of the Court, of the amusements, of the hopes and of + the fears of ministers and the generals, and the humiliation of all + France. It was also the centre of wit, and of a kind so peculiar, so + delicate, and so subtle, but always so natural and so agreeable, that + it made itself distinguished by its special character. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Montespan was cross, capricious, ill-tempered, and of a + haughtiness in everything which, readied to the clouds, and from the + effects of which nobody, not even the King, was exempt. The courtiers + avoided passing under her windows, above all when the King was with + her. They used to say it was equivalent to being put to the sword, and + this phrase became proverbial at the Court. It is true that she spared + nobody, often without other design than to divert the King; and as she + had infinite wit and sharp pleasantry, nothing was more dangerous than + the ridicule she, better than anybody, could cast on all. With that + she loved her family and her relatives, and did not fail to serve + people for whom she conceived friendship. The Queen endured with + difficulty her haughtiness—very different from the respect and + measure with which she had been treated by the Duchesse de la + Valliere, whom she always loved; whereas of Madame de Montespan she + would say, "That strumpet will cause my death." The retirement, the + austere penitence, and the pious end of Madame de Montespan have been + already described. + </p> + <p> + During her reign she did not fail to have causes for jealousy. There + was Mademoiselle de Fontange, who pleased the King sufficiently to + become his mistress. But she had no intellect, and without that it was + impossible to maintain supremacy over the King. Her early death + quickly put an end to this amour. Then there was Madame de Soubise, + who, by the infamous connivance of her husband, prostituted herself to + the King, and thus secured all sorts of advantages for that husband, + for herself, and for her children. The love of the King for her + continued until her death, although for many years before that he had + ceased to see her in private. Then there was the beautiful Ludre, + demoiselle of Lorraine, and maid of honour to Madame, who was openly + loved for a moment. But this amour was a flash of lightning, and + Madame de Montespan remained triumphant. + </p> + <p> + Let us now pass to another kind of amour which astonished all the + world as much as the other had scandalised it, and which the King + carried with him to the tomb. Who does not already recognise the + celebrated Francoise d'Aubigne, Marquise de Maintenon, whose permanent + reign did not last less than thirty-two years? + </p> + <p> + Born in the American islands, where her father, perhaps a gentleman, + had gone to seek his bread, and where he was stifled by obscurity, she + returned alone and at haphazard into France. She landed at La + Rochelle, and was received in pity by Madame de Neuillant, mother of + the Marechale Duchesse de Navailles, and was reduced by that + avaricious old woman to keep the keys of her granary, and to see the + hay measured out to her horses, as I have already related elsewhere. + She came afterwards to Paris, young, clever, witty, and beautiful, + without friends and without money; and by lucky chance made + acquaintance with the famous Scarron. He found her amiable; his + friends perhaps still more so. Marriage with this joyous and learned + cripple appeared to her the greatest and most unlooked-for good + fortune; and folks who were, perhaps, more in want of a wife than he, + persuaded him to marry her, and thus raise this charming unfortunate + from her misery. + </p> + <p> + The marriage being brought about, the new spouse pleased the company + which went to Scarron's house. It was the fashion to go there: people + of the Court and of the city, the best and most distinguished went. + Scarron was not in a state to leave his house, but the charm of his + genius, of his knowledge, of his imagination, of that incomparable and + ever fresh gaiety which he showed in the midst of his afflictions, + that rare fecundity, and that humour, tempered by so much good taste + that is still admired in his writings, drew everybody there. + </p> + <p> + Madame Scarron made at home all sorts of acquaintances, which, + however, at the death of her husband, did not keep her from being + reduced to the charity of the parish of Saint-Eustace. She took a + chamber for herself and for a servant, where she lived in a very + pinched manner. Her personal charms by degrees improved her condition. + Villars, father of the Marechal; Beuvron, father of D'Harcourt; the + three Villarceaux, and many others kept her. + </p> + <p> + This set her afloat again, and, step by step, introduced her to the + Hotel d'Albret, and thence to the Hotel de Richelieu, and elsewhere; + so she passed from one house to the other. In these houses Madame + Scarron was far from being on the footing of the rest of the company. + She was more like a servant than a guest. She was completely at the + beck and call of her hosts; now to ask for firewood; now if a meal was + nearly ready; another time if the coach of so-and-so or such a one had + returned; and so on, with a thousand little commissions which the use + of bells, introduced a long time after, differently disposes of. + </p> + <p> + It was in these houses, principally in the Hotel de Richelieu, much + more still in the Hotel d'Albret, where the Marechal d'Albret lived in + great state, that Madame Scarron made the majority of her + acquaintances. The Marechal was cousin-german of M. de Montespan, very + intimate with him, and with Madame de Montespan. When she became the + King's mistress he became her counsellor, and abandoned her husband. + </p> + <p> + To the intimacy between the Marechal d'Albret and Madame de Montespan, + Madame de Maintenon owed the good fortune she met with fourteen or + fifteen years later. Madame de Montespan continually visited the Hotel + d'Albret, and was much impressed with Madame Scarron. She conceived a + friendship for the obliging widow, and when she had her first children + by the King—M. du Maine and Madame la Duchesse, whom the King + wished to conceal—she proposed that they should be confided to + Madame Scarron. A house in the Marais was accordingly given to her, to + lodge in with them, and the means to bring them up, but in the utmost + secrecy. Afterwards, these children were taken to Madame de Montespan, + then shown to the King, and then by degrees drawn from secrecy and + avowed. Their governess, being established with them at the Court, + more and more pleased Madame de Montespan, who several times made the + King give presents to her. He, on the other hand, could not endure + her; what he gave to her, always little, was by excess of complaisance + and with a regret that he did not hide. + </p> + <p> + The estate of Maintenon being for sale, Madame de Montespan did not + let the King rest until she had drawn from him enough to buy it for + Madame Scarron, who thenceforth assumed its name. She obtained enough + also for the repair of the chateau, and then attacked the King for + means to arrange the garden, which the former owners had allowed to go + to ruin. + </p> + <p> + It was at the toilette of Madame de Montespan that these demands were + made. The captain of the guards alone followed the King there. M. le + Marechal de Lorges, the truest man that ever lived, held that post + then, and he has often related to me the scene he witnessed. The King + at first turned a deaf ear to the request of Madame de Montespan, and + then refused. Annoyed that she still insisted, he said he had already + done more than enough for this creature; that he could not understand + the fancy of Madame de Montespan for her, and her obstinacy in keeping + her after he had begged her so many times to dismiss her; that he + admitted Madame Scarron was insupportable to him, and provided he + never saw her more and never heard speak of her, he would open his + purse again; though, to say truth, he had already given too much to a + creature of this kind! Never did M. le Marechel de Lorges forget these + words; and he has always repeated them to me and others precisely as + they are given here, so struck was he with them, and much more after + all that he saw since, so astonishing and so contradictory. Madame de + Montespan stopped short, very much troubled by having too far pressed + the King. + </p> + <p> + M. du Maine was extremely lame; this was caused, it was said, by a + fall he had from his nurse's arms. Nothing done for him succeeded; the + resolution was then taken to send him to various practicians in + Flanders, and elsewhere in the realm, then to the waters, among others + to Bareges. The letters that the governess wrote to Madame de + Montespan, giving an account of these journeys, were shown to the + King. He thought them well written, relished them, and the last ones + made his aversion for the writer diminish. + </p> + <p> + The ill-humour of Madame de Montespan finished the work. She had a + good deal of that quality, and had become accustomed to give it full + swing. The King was the object of it more frequently than anybody; he + was still amorous; but her ill-humour pained him. Madame de Maintenon + reproached Madame de Montespan for this, and thus advanced herself in + the King's favour. The King, by degrees, grew accustomed to speak + sometimes to Madame de Maintenon; to unbosom to her what he wished her + to say to Madame de Montespan; at last to relate to her the chagrin + this latter caused him, and to consult her thereupon. + </p> + <p> + Admitted thus into the intimate confidence of the lover and the + mistress, and this by the King's own doing, the adroit waiting-woman + knew how to cultivate it, and profited so well by her industry that by + degrees she supplanted Madame de Montespan, who perceived, too late, + that her friend had become necessary to the King. Arrived at this + point, Madame de Maintenon made, in her turn, complaints to the King + of all she had to suffer, from a mistress who spared even him so + little; and by dint of these mutual complaints about Madame de + Montespan, Madame de Maintenon at last took her place, and knew well + how to keep it. + </p> + <p> + Fortune, I dare not say Providence, which was preparing for the + haughtiest of kings, humiliation the most profound, the most-public, + the most durable, the most unheard-of, strengthened more and more his + taste for this woman, so adroit and expert at her trade; while the + continued ill-humour and jealousy of Madame de Montespan rendered the + new union still more solid. It was this that Madame de Sevigne so + prettily paints, enigmatically, in her letters to Madame de Grignan, + in which she sometimes talks of these Court movements; for Madame de + Maintenon had been in Paris in the society of Madame de Sevigne, of + Madame de Coulange, of Madame de La Fayette, and had begun to make + them feel her importance. Charming touches are to be seen in the same + style upon the favour, veiled but brilliant enjoyed by Madame de + Soubise. + </p> + <p> + It was while the King was in the midst of his partiality for Madame de + Maintenon that the Queen died. It was at the same time, too, that the + ill-humour of Madame de Montespan became more and more insupportable. + This imperious beauty, accustomed to domineer and to be adored, could + not struggle against the despair, which the prospect of her fall + caused her. What carried her beyond all bounds, was that she could no + longer disguise from herself, that she had an abject rival whom she + had supported, who owed everything to her; whom she had so much liked + that she had several times refused to dismiss her when pressed to do + so by the King; a rival, too, so beneath her in beauty, and older by + several years; to feel that it was this lady's-maid, not to say this + servant, that the King most frequently went to see; that he sought + only her; that he could not dissimulate his uneasiness if he did not + find her; that he quitted all for her; in fine, that at all moments + she (Madame de Montespan) needed the intervention of Madame de + Maintenon, in order to attract the King to reconcile her with him, or + to obtain the favours she asked for. It was then, in times so + propitious to the enchantress, that the King became free by the death + of the Queen. + </p> + <p> + He passed the first few days at Saint-Cloud, at Monsieur's, whence he + went to Fontainebleau, where he spent all the autumn. It was there + that his liking, stimulated by absence, made him find that absence + insupportable. Upon his return it is pretended—for we must + distinguish the certain from that which is not so—it is + pretended, I say, that the King spoke more freely to Madame de + Maintenon, and that she; venturing to put forth her strength, + intrenched herself behind devotion and prudery; that the King did not + cease, that she preached to him and made him afraid of the devil, and + that she balanced his love against his conscience with so much art, + that she succeeded in becoming what our eyes have seen her, but what + posterity will never believe she was. + </p> + <p> + But what is very certain and very true, is, that some time after the + return of the King from Fontainebleau, and in the midst of the winter + that followed the death of the Queen (posterity will with difficulty + believe it, although perfectly true and proved), Pere de la Chaise, + confessor of the King, said mass at the dead of night in one of the + King's cabinets at Versailles. Bontems, governor of Versailles, chief + valet on duty, and the most confidential of the four, was present at + this mass, at which the monarch and La Maintenon were married in + presence of Harlay, Archbishop of Paris, as diocesan, of Louvois (both + of whom drew from the King a promise that he would never declare this + marriage), and of Montchevreuil. This last was a relative and friend + of Villarceaux, to whom during the summer he lent his house at + Montchevreuil, remaining there himself, however, with his wife; and in + that house Villarceaux kept Madame Scarron, paying all the expenses + because his relative was poor, and because he (Villarceaux) was + ashamed to take her to his own home, to live in concubinage with her + in the presence of his wife whose patience and virtue he respected. + </p> + <p> + The satiety of the honeymoon, usually so fatal, and especially the + honeymoon of such marriages, only consolidated the favour of Madame de + Maintenon. Soon after, she astonished everybody by the apartments + given to her at Versailles, at the top of the grand staircase facing + those of the King and on the same floor. From that moment the King + always passed some hours with her every day of his life; wherever she + might be she was always lodged near him, and on the same floor if + possible. + </p> + <p> + What manner of person she was,—this incredible enchantress,—and + how she governed all-powerfully for more than thirty years, it behoves + me now to explain! + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0076" id="link2HCH0076"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXXVI + </h2> + <p> + Madame de Maintenon was a woman of much wit, which the good company, + in which she had at first been merely suffered, but in which she soon + shone, had much polished; and ornamented with knowledge of the world, + and which gallantry had rendered of the most agreeable kind. The + various positions she had held had rendered her flattering, + insinuating, complaisant, always seeking to please. The need she had + of intrigues, those she had seen of all kinds, and been mixed up in + for herself and for others, had given her the taste, the ability, and + the habit of them. Incomparable grace, an easy manner, and yet + measured and respectful, which, in consequence of her long obscurity, + had become natural to her, marvellously aided her talents; with + language gentle, exact, well expressed, and naturally eloquent and + brief. Her best time, for she was three or four years older than the + King, had been the dainty phrase period;—the superfine gallantry + days,—in a word, the time of the "ruelles," as it was called; + and it had so influenced her that she always retained evidences of it. + She put on afterwards an air of importance, but this gradually gave + place to one of devoutness that she wore admirably. She was not + absolutely false by disposition, but necessity had made her so, and + her natural flightiness made her appear twice as false as she was. + </p> + <p> + The distress and poverty in which she had so long lived had narrowed + her mind, and abased her heart and her sentiments. Her feelings and + her thoughts were so circumscribed, that she was in truth always less + even than Madame Scarron, and in everything and everywhere she found + herself such. Nothing was more repelling than this meanness, joined to + a situation so radiant. + </p> + <p> + Her flightiness or inconstancy was of the most dangerous kind. With + the exception of some of her old friends, to whom she had good reasons + for remaining faithful, she favoured people one moment only to cast + them off the next. You were admitted to an audience with her for + instance, you pleased her in some manner, and forthwith she unbosomed + herself to you as though you had known her from childhood. At the + second audience you found her dry, laconic, cold. You racked your + brains to discover the cause of this change. Mere loss of time!—Flightiness + was the sole reason of it. + </p> + <p> + Devoutness was her strong point; by that she governed and held her + place. She found a King who believed himself an apostle, because he + had all his life persecuted Jansenism, or what was presented to him as + such. This indicated to her with what grain she could sow the field + most profitably. + </p> + <p> + The profound ignorance in which the King had been educated and kept + all his life, rendered him from the first an easy prey to the Jesuits. + He became even more so with years, when he grew devout, for he was + devout with the grossest ignorance. Religion became his weak point. In + this state it was easy to persuade him that a decisive and tremendous + blow struck against the Protestants would give his name more grandeur + than any of his ancestors had acquired, besides strengthening his + power and increasing his authority. Madame de Maintenon was one of + those who did most to make him believe this. + </p> + <p> + The revocation of the edict of Nantes, without the slightest pretext + or necessity, and the various proscriptions that followed it, were the + fruits of a frightful plot, in which the new spouse was one of the + chief conspirators, and which depopulated a quarter of the realm, + ruined its commerce, weakened it in every direction, gave it up for a + long time to the public and avowed pillage of the dragoons, authorised + torments and punishments by which so many innocent people of both + sexes were killed by thousands; ruined a numerous class; tore in + pieces a world of families; armed relatives against relatives, so as + to seize their property and leave them to die of hunger; banished our + manufactures to foreign lands, made those lands flourish and overflow + at the expense of France, and enabled them to build new cities; gave + to the world the spectacle of a prodigious population proscribed, + stripped, fugitive, wandering, without crime, and seeking shelter far + from its country; sent to the galleys, nobles, rich old men, people + much esteemed for their piety, learning, and virtue, people well off, + weak, delicate, and solely on account of religion; in fact, to heap up + the measure of horror, filled all the realm with perjury and + sacrilege, in the midst of the echoed cries of these unfortunate + victims of error, while so many others sacrificed their conscience to + their wealth and their repose, and purchased both by simulated + abjuration, from which without pause they were dragged to adore what + they did not believe in, and to receive the divine body of the Saint + of Saints whilst remaining persuaded that they were only eating bread + which they ought to abhor! Such was the general abomination born of + flattery and cruelty. From torture to abjuration, and from that to the + communion, there was often only twenty-four hours' distance; and + executioners were the conductors of the converts and their witnesses. + Those who in the end appeared to have been reconciled, more at leisure + did not fail by their flight, or their behaviour, to contradict their + pretended conversion. + </p> + <a name="image-0006" id="image-0006"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img src="images/front2.jpg" + alt="The Edict of Nantes--painted by Jules Girardet " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <!-- IMAGE END --> + <p> + The King received from all sides news and details of these + persecutions and of these conversions. It was by thousands that those + who had abjured and taken the communion were counted; ten thousand in + one place; six thousand in another—all at once and instantly. + The King congratulated himself on his power and his piety. He believed + himself to have renewed the days of the preaching of the Apostles, and + attributed to himself all the honour. The bishops wrote panegyrics of + him, the Jesuits made the pulpit resound with his praises. All France + was filled with horror and confusion; and yet there never was so much + triumph and joy—never such profusion of laudations! The monarch + doubted not of the sincerity of this crowd of conversions; the + converters took good care to persuade him of it and to beatify him + beforehand. He swallowed their poison in long. draughts. He had never + yet believed himself so great in the eyes of man, or so advanced in + the eyes of God, in the reparation of his sins and of the scandals of + his life. He heard nothing but eulogies, while the good and true + Catholics and the true bishops, groaned in spirit to see the orthodox + act towards error and heretics as heretical tyrants and heathens had + acted against the truth, the confessors, and the martyrs. They could + not, above all, endure this immensity of perjury and sacrilege. They + bitterly lamented the durable and irremediable odium that detestable + measure cast upon the true religion, whilst our neighbours, exulting + to see us thus weaken and destroy ourselves, profited by our madness, + and built designs upon the hatred we should draw upon ourselves from + all the Protestant powers. + </p> + <p> + But to these spearing truths, the King was inaccessible. Even the + conduct of Rome in this matter, could not open his eyes. That Court + which formerly had not been ashamed to extol the Saint-Bartholomew, to + thank God for it by public processions, to employ the greatest masters + to paint this execrable action in the Vatican; Rome, I say, would not + give the slightest approbation to this onslaught on the Huguenots. + </p> + <p> + The magnificent establishment of Saint-Cyr, followed closely upon the + revocation of the edict of Nantes. Madame de Montespan had founded at + Paris an establishment for the instruction of young girls in all sorts + of fine and ornamental work. Emulation gave Madame de Maintenon higher + and vaster views which, whilst gratifying the poor nobility, would + cause her to be regarded as protectress in whom all the nobility would + feel interested. She hoped to smooth the way for a declaration of her + marriage, by rendering herself illustrious by a monument with which + she could amuse both the King and herself, and which might serve her + as a retreat if she had the misfortune to lose him, as in fact it + happened. + </p> + <p> + This declaration of her marriage was always her most ardent desire. + She wished above all things to be proclaimed Queen; and never lost + sight of the idea. Once she was near indeed upon seeing it gratified. + The King had actually given her his word, that she should be declared; + and the ceremony was forthwith about to take place. But it was + postponed, and for ever, by the representations of Louvois to the + King. To this interference that minister owed his fall, and under + circumstances so surprising and so strange, that I cannot do better, I + think, than introduce an account of them here, by way of episode. They + are all the more interesting because they show what an unlimited power + Madame de Maintenon exercised by subterranean means, and with what + patient perseverance she undermined her enemies when once she had + resolved to destroy them. + </p> + <p> + Lauvois had gained the confidence of the King to such an extent, that + he was, as I have said, one of the two witnesses of the frightful + marriage of his Majesty with Madame de Maintenon. He had the courage + to show he was worthy of this confidence, by representing to the King + the ignominy of declaring that marriage, and drew from him his word, + that never in his life would he do so. + </p> + <p> + Several years afterwards, Louvois, who took care to be well informed + of all that passed in the palace, found out that Madame de Maintenon + had been again scheming in order to be declared Queen; that the King + had had the weakness to promise she should be, and that the + declaration was about to be made. He put some papers in his hand, and + at once went straight to the King, who was in a very private room. + Seeing Louvois at an unexpected hour, he asked him what brought him + there. "Something pressing and important," replied Louvois, with a sad + manner that astonished the King, and induced him to command the valets + present to quit the room. They went away in fact, but left the door + open, so that they could hear all, and see all, too, by the glass. + This was the great danger of the cabinets. + </p> + <p> + The valets being gone, Louvois did not dissimulate from the King his + mission. The monarch was often false, but incapable of rising above + his own falsehood. Surprised at being discovered, he tried to shuffle + out of the matter, and pressed by his minister, began to move so as to + gain the other cabinet where the valets were, and thus deliver himself + from this hobble. But Louvois, who perceived what he was about, threw + himself on his knees and stopped him, drew from his side a little + sword he wore, presented the handle to the King, and prayed him to + kill him on the spot, if he would persist in declaring his marriage, + in breaking his word, and covering himself in the eyes of Europe with + infamy. The King stamped, fumed, told Louvois to let him go. But + Louvois squeezed him tighter by the legs for fear he should escape; + represented to him the shame of what he had decided on doing; in a + word, succeeded so well, that he drew for the second time from the + King, a promise that the marriage should never be declared. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Maintenon meanwhile expected every moment to be proclaimed + Queen. At the end of some days disturbed by the silence of the King, + she ventured to touch upon the subject. The embarrassment she caused + the King much troubled her. He softened the affair as much as he + could, but finished by begging her to think no more of being declared, + and never to speak of it to him again! After the first shock that the + loss of her hopes caused her, she sought to find out to whom she was + beholden for it. She soon learned the truth; and it is not surprising + that she swore to obtain Louvois's disgrace, and never ceased to work + at it until successful. She waited her opportunity, and undermined her + enemy at leisure, availing herself of every occasion to make him + odious to the King. + </p> + <p> + Time passed. At length it happened that Louvois, not content with the + terrible executions in the Palatinate, which he had counselled, wished + to burn Treves. He proposed it to the King. A dispute arose between + them, but the King would not or could not be persuaded. It may be + imagined that Madame de Maintenon did not do much to convince him. + </p> + <p> + Some days afterwards Louvois, who had the fault of obstinacy, came as + usual to work with the King in Madame de Maintenon's rooms. At the end + of the sitting he said, that he felt convinced that it was + scrupulousness alone which had hindered the King from consenting to so + necessary an act as the burning, of Treves, and that he had, + therefore, taken the responsibility on himself by sending a courier + with orders to set fire to the place at once. + </p> + <p> + The King was immediately, and contrary to his nature, so transported + with anger that he seized the tongs, and was about to make a run at + Louvois, when Madame de Maintenon placed herself between them, crying, + "Oh, Sire, what are you going to do?" and took the tongs from his + hands. + </p> + <p> + Louvois, meanwhile, gained the door. The King cried after him to + recall him, and said, with flashing eyes: "Despatch a courier + instantly with a counter order, and let him arrive in time; for, know + this: if a single house is burned your head shall answer for it." + Louvois, more dead than alive, hastened away at once. + </p> + <p> + Of course, he had sent off no courier. He said he had, believing that + by this trick the King, though he might be angry, would be led to give + way. He had reckoned wrongly, however, as we have seen. + </p> + <p> + From this time forward Louvois became day by day more distasteful to + the King. In the winter of 1690, he proposed that, in order to save + expense, the ladies should not accompany the King to the siege of + Mons. Madame de Maintenon, we may be sure, did not grow more kindly + disposed towards him after this. But as it is always the last drop of + water that makes the glass overflow, so a trifle that happened at this + siege, completed the disgrace of Louvois. + </p> + <p> + The King, who plumed himself upon knowing better than anybody the + minutest military details, walking one day about the camp, found an + ordinary cavalry guard ill-posted, and placed it differently. Later + the same day he again visited by chance the spot, and found the guard + replaced as at first. He was surprised and shocked. He asked the + captain who had done this, and was told it was Louvois. + </p> + <p> + "But," replied the King, "did you not tell him 'twas I who had placed + you?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, Sire," replied the captain. The King piqued, turned towards his + suite, and said: "That's Louvois's trade, is it not? He thinks himself + a great captain, and that he knows everything," and forthwith he + replaced the guard as he had put it in the morning. It was, indeed, + foolishness and insolence on the part of Louvois, and the King had + spoken truly of him. The King was so wounded that he could not pardon + him. After Louvois's death, he related this incident to Pomponne, + still annoyed at it, as I knew by means of the Abbe de Pomponne. + </p> + <p> + After the return from Mons the dislike of the King for Louvois + augmented to such an extent, that this minister, who was so + presumptuous, and who thought himself so necessary, began to tremble. + The Marechale de Rochefort having gone with her daughter, Madame de + Blansac, to dine with him at Meudon, he took them out for a ride in a + little 'calache', which he himself drove. They heard him repeatedly + say to himself, musing profoundly, "Will he? Will he be made to? No—and + yet—no, he will not dare." + </p> + <p> + During this monologue Louvois was so absorbed that he was within an + ace of driving them all into the water, and would have done so, had + they not seized the reins, and cried out that he was going to drown + them. At their cries and movement, Louvois awoke as from a deep sleep, + drew up, and turned, saying that, indeed, he was musing, and not + thinking of the vehicle. + </p> + <p> + I was at Versailles at that time, and happened to call upon Louvois + about some business of my father's. + </p> + <p> + The same day I met him after dinner as he was going to work with the + King. About four o'clock in the afternoon I learned that he had been + taken rather unwell at Madame de Maintenon's, that the King had forced + him to go home, that he had done so on foot, that some trifling remedy + was administered to him there, and that during the operation of it he + died! + </p> + <p> + The surprise of all the Court may be imagined. Although I was little + more than fifteen years of age, I wished to see the countenance of the + King after the occurrence of an event of this kind. I went and waited + for him, and followed him during all his promenade. He appeared to me + with his accustomed majesty, but had a nimble manner, as though he + felt more free than usual. I remarked that, instead of going to see + his fountains, and diversifying his walk as usual, he did nothing but + walk up and down by the balustrade of the orangery, whence he could + see, in returning towards the chateau, the lodging in which Louvois + had just died, and towards which he unceasingly looked. + </p> + <p> + The name of Louvois was never afterwards pronounced; not a word was + said upon this death so surprising, and so sudden, until the arrival + of an officer, sent by the King of England from Saint-Germain, who + came to the King upon this terrace, and paid him a compliment of + condolence upon the loss he had received. + </p> + <p> + "Monsieur," replied the King, in a tone and with a manner more than + easy, "give my compliments and my thanks to the King and Queen of + England, and say to them in my name, that my affairs and theirs will + go on none the worse for what has happened." + </p> + <p> + The officer made a bow and retired, astonishment painted upon his + face, and expressed in all his bearing. I anxiously observed all this, + and also remarked, that all the principal people around the King + looked at each other, but said no word. The fact was, as I afterwards + learned, that Louvois, when he died, was so deeply in disgrace, that + the very next day he was to have been arrested and sent to the + Bastille! The King told Chamillart so, and Chamillart related it to + me. This explains, I fancy, the joy of the King at the death of his + minister; for it saved him from executing the plan he had resolved on. + </p> + <p> + The suddenness of the disease and death of Louvois caused much talk, + especially when, on the opening of the body, it was discovered that he + had been poisoned. A servant was arrested on the charge; but before + the trial took place he was liberated, at the express command of the + King, and the whole affair was hushed up. Five or six months + afterwards Seron, private physician of Louvois, barricaded himself in + his apartment at Versailles, and uttered dreadful cries. People came + but he refused to open; and as the door could not be forced, he went + on shrieking all day, without succour, spiritual or temporal, saying + at last that he had got what he deserved for what he had done to his + master; that he was a wretch unworthy of help; and so he died + despairing, in eight or ten hours, without having spoken of any ones + or uttered a single name! + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0077" id="link2HCH0077"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXXVII + </h2> + <p> + It must not be imagined that in order to maintain her position Madame + de Maintenon had need of no address. Her reign, on the contrary, was + only one continual intrigue; and that of the King a perpetual dupery. + </p> + <p> + Her mornings, which she commenced very early, were occupied with + obscure audiences for charitable or spiritual affairs. Pretty often, + at eight o'clock in the morning, or earlier, she went to some + minister; the ministers of war, above all those of finance, were those + with whom she had most business. + </p> + <p> + Ordinarily as soon as she rose, she went to Saint-Cyr, dined in her + apartment there alone, or with some favourite of the house, gave as + few audiences as possible, ruled over the arrangements of the + establishment, meddled with the affairs of convents, read and replied + to letters, directed the affairs of the house, received information + and letters from her spies, and returned to Versailles just as the + King was ready to enter her rooms. When older and more infirm, she + would lie down in bed on arriving between seven and eight o'clock in + the morning at Saint-Cyr, or take some remedy. + </p> + <p> + Towards nine o'clock in the evening two waiting-women came to undress + her. Immediately afterwards, her maitre d'hotel, or a valet de chambre + brought her her supper—soup, or something light. As soon as she + had finished her meal, her women put her to bed, and all this in the + presence of the King and his minister, who did not cease working or + speak lower. This done, ten o'clock had arrived; the curtains of + Madame de Maintenon were drawn, and the King went to supper, after + saying good night to her. + </p> + <p> + When with the King in her own room, they each occupied an armchair, + with a table between them, at either side of the fireplace, hers + towards the bed, the King's with the back to the wall, where was the + door of the ante-chamber; two stools were before the table, one for + the minister who came to work, the other for his papers. + </p> + <p> + During the work Madame de Maintenon read or worked at tapestry. She + heard all that passed between the King and his minister, for they + spoke out loud. Rarely did she say anything, or, if so, it was of no + moment. The King often asked her opinion; then she replied with great + discretion. Never did she appear to lay stress on anything, still less + to interest herself for anybody, but she had an understanding with the + minister, who did not dare to oppose her in private, still less to + trip in her presence. When some favour or some post was to be granted, + the matter was arranged between them beforehand; and this it was that + sometimes delayed her, without the King or anybody knowing the cause. + </p> + <p> + She would send word to the minister that she wished to speak to him. + He did not dare to bring anything forward until he had received her + orders; until the revolving mechanism of each day had given them the + leisure to confer together. That done, the minister proposed and + showed a list. If by chance the King stopped at the name Madame de + Maintenon wished, the minister stopped too, and went no further. If + the King stopped at some other, the minister proposed that he should + look at those which were also fitting, allowed the King leisure to + make his observations, and profited by them, to exclude the people who + were not wanted. Rarely did he propose expressly the name to which he + wished to come, but always suggested several that he tried to balance + against each other, so as to embarrass the King in his choice. Then + the King asked his opinion, and the minister, after touching upon + other names, fixed upon the one he had selected. + </p> + <p> + The King nearly always hesitated, and asked Madame de Maintenon what + she thought. She smiled, shammed incapacity, said a word upon some + other name, then returned, if she had not fixed herself there at + first, to that which the minister had proposed; so that three-fourths + of the favours and opportunities which passed through the hands of the + ministers in her rooms—and three-fourths even of the remaining + fourth-were disposed of by her. Sometimes when she had nobody for whom + she cared, it was the minister, with her consent and her help, who + decided, without the King having the least suspicion. He thought he + disposed of everything by himself; whilst, in fact, he disposed only + of the smallest part, and always then by chance, except on the rare + occasions when he specially wished to favour some one. + </p> + <p> + As for state matters, if Madame de Maintenon wished to make them + succeed, fail, or turn in some particular fashion (which happened much + less often than where favours and appointments were in the wind), the + same intelligence and the same intrigue were carried on between + herself and the minister. By these particulars it will be seen that + this clever woman did nearly all she wished, but not when or how she + wished. + </p> + <p> + There was another scheme if the King stood out; it was to avoid + decision by confusing and spinning out the matter in hand, or by + substituting another as though arising, opportunely out of it, and by + which it was turned aside, or by proposing that some explanations + should be obtained. The first ideas of the King were thus weakened, + and the charge was afterwards returned to, with the same address, + oftentimes with success. + </p> + <p> + It is this which made the ministers so necessary to Madame de + Maintenon, and her so necessary to them: She rendered them, in fact, + continual services by means of the King, in return for the services + they rendered her. The mutual concerns, therefore, between her and + them were infinite; the King, all the while, not having the slightest + suspicion of what was going on! + </p> + <p> + The power of Madame de Maintenon was, as may be imagined, immense. She + had everybody in her hands, from the highest and most favoured + minister to the meanest subject of the realm. Many people have been + ruined by her, without having been able to discover the author of + their ruin, search as they might. All attempts to find a remedy were + equally unsuccessful. + </p> + <p> + Yet the King was constantly on his guard, not only against Madame de + Maintenon, but against his ministers also. Many a time it happened + that when sufficient care had not been taken, and he perceived that a + minister or a general wished to favour a relative or protege of Madame + de Maintenon, he firmly opposed the appointment on that account alone, + and the remarks he uttered thereupon made Madame de Maintenon very + timid and very measured when she wished openly to ask a favour. + </p> + <p> + Le Tellier, long before he was made Chancellor, well knew the mood of + the King. One of his friends asked him for some place that he much + desired. Le Tellier replied that he would do what he could. The friend + did not like this reply, and frankly said that it was not such as he + expected from a man with such authority. "You do not know the ground," + replied Le Tellier; "of twenty matters that we bring before the King, + we are sure he will pass nineteen according to our wishes; we are + equally certain that the twentieth will be decided against them. But + which of the twenty will be decided contrary to our desire we never + know, although it may be the one we have most at heart. The King + reserves to himself this caprice, to make us feel that he is the + master, and that he governs; and if, by chance, something is presented + upon which he is obstinate, and which is sufficiently important for us + to be obstinate about also, either on account of the thing itself, or + for the desire we have that it should succeed as we wish, we very + often get a dressing; but, in truth, the dressing over, and the affair + fallen through, the King, content with having showed that we can do + nothing, and pained by having vexed us, becomes afterwards supple and + flexible, so that then is the time at which we can do all we wish." + </p> + <p> + This is, in truth, how the King conducted himself with his ministers, + always completely governed by them, even by the youngest and most + mediocre, even by the least accredited and the least respected—yet + always on his guard against being governed, and always persuaded that + he succeeded fully in avoiding it. + </p> + <p> + He adopted the same conduct towards Madame de Maintenon, whom at times + he scolded terribly, and applauded himself for so doing. Sometimes she + threw herself on her knees before him, and for several days was really + upon thorns. When she had appointed Fagon physician of the King in + place of Daquin, whom she dismissed, she had a doctor upon whom she + could certainly rely, and she played the sick woman accordingly, after + those scenes with the King, and in this manner turned them to her own + advantage. + </p> + <p> + It was not that this artifice had any power in constraining the King, + or that a real illness would have had any. He was a man solely + personal, and who counted others only as they stood in relation to + himself. His hard-heartedness, therefore, was extreme. At the time + when he was most inclined towards his mistresses, whatever + indisposition they might labour under, even the most opposed to + travelling and to appearing in full court dress, could not save them + from either. When enceinte, or ill, or just risen from child birth, + they must needs be squeezed into full dress, go to Flanders or + further, dance; sit up, attend fetes, eat, be merry and good company; + go from place to place; appear neither to fear, nor to be + inconvenienced by heat, cold, wind, or dust; and all this precisely to + the hour and day, without a minute's grace. + </p> + <p> + His daughters he treated in the same manner. It has been seen, in its + place, that he had no more consideration for Madame la Duchesse de + Berry, nor even for Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne—whatever + Fagon, Madame de Maintenon, and others might do or say. Yet he loved + Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne as tenderly as he was capable of + loving anybody: but both she and Madame la Duchesse de Berry had + miscarriages, which relieved him, he said, though they then had no + children. + </p> + <p> + When he travelled, his coach was always full of women; his mistresses, + afterwards his bastards, his daughters-in-law, sometimes Madame, and + other ladies when there was room. In the coach, during his journeys, + there were always all sorts of things to eat, as meat, pastry, fruit. + A quarter of a league was not passed over before the King asked if + somebody would not eat. He never ate anything between meals himself, + not even fruit; but he amused himself by seeing others do so, aye, and + to bursting. You were obliged to be hungry, merry, and to eat with + appetite, otherwise he was displeased, and even showed it. And yet + after this, if you supped with him at table the same day, you were + compelled to eat with as good a countenance as though you had tasted + nothing since the previous night. He was as inconsiderate in other and + more delicate matters; and ladies, in his long drives and stations, + had often occasion to curse him. The Duchesse de Chevreuse once rode + all the way from Versailles to Fontainebleau in such extremity, that + several times she was well-nigh losing consciousness. + </p> + <p> + The King, who was fond of air, liked all the windows to be lowered; he + would have been much displeased had any lady drawn a curtain for + protection against sun, wind, or cold. No inconvenience or incommodity + was allowed to be even perceived; and the King always went very + quickly, most frequently with relays. To faint was a fault past hope + of pardon. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Maintenon, who feared the air and many other inconveniences, + could gain no privilege over the others. All she obtained, under + pretence of modesty and other reasons, was permission to journey + apart; but whatever condition she might be in, she was obliged to + follow the King, and be ready to receive him in her rooms by the time + he was ready to enter them. She made many journeys to Marly in a state + such as would have saved a servant from movement. She made one to + Fontainebleau when it seemed not unlikely that she would die on the + road! In whatever condition she might be, the King went to her at his + ordinary hour and did what he had projected; though several times she + was in bed, profusely sweating away a fever. The King, who as I have + said, was fond of air, and feared warm rooms, was astonished upon + arriving to find everything close shut, and ordered the windows to be + opened; would not spare them an inch; and up to ten o'clock, when he + went to supper, kept them open, utterly regardless of the cool night + air, although he knew well what a state she was in. If there was to be + music, fever or headache availed not; a hundred wax candles flashed + all the same in her eyes. The King, in fact, always followed his own + inclination, without ever asking whether she was inconvenienced. + </p> + <p> + The tranquillity and pious resignation of the King during the last + days of his illness, was a matter of some surprise to many people, as, + indeed, it deserved to be. By way of explanation, the doctors said + that the malady he died of, while it deadens and destroys all bodily + pain, calms and annihilates all heart pangs and agitation of the mind. + </p> + <p> + They who were in the sick-chamber, during the last days of his + illness, gave another reason. + </p> + <p> + The Jesuits constantly admit the laity, even married, into their + company. This fact is certain. There is no doubt that Des Noyers, + Secretary of State under Louis XIII., was of this number, or that many + others have been so too. These licentiates make the same vow as the + Jesuits, as far as their condition admits: that is, unrestricted + obedience to the General, and to the superiors of the company. They + are obliged to supply the place of the vows of poverty and chastity, + by promising to give all the service and all the protection in their + power to the Company, above all, to be entirely submissive to the + superiors and to their confessor. They are obliged to perform, with + exactitude, such light exercises of piety as their confessor may think + adapted to the circumstances of their lives, and that he simplifies as + much as he likes. It answers the purpose of the Company to ensure to + itself those hidden auxiliaries whom it lets off cheaply. But nothing + must pass through their minds, nothing must come to their knowledge + that they do not reveal to their confessor; and that which is not a + secret of the conscience, to the superiors, if the confessor thinks + fit. In everything, too, they must obey without comment, the superior + and the confessors. + </p> + <p> + It has been pretended that Pere Tellier had inspired the King, long + before his death, with the desire to be admitted, on this footing, + into the Company; that he had vaunted to him the privileges and + plenary indulgences attached to it; that he had persuaded him that + whatever crimes had been committed, and whatever difficulty there + might be in making amends for them, this secret profession washed out + all, and infallibly assured salvation, provided that the vows were + faithfully kept; that the General of the Company was admitted into the + secret with the consent of the King; that the King pronounced the vows + before Pere Tellier; that in the last days of his life they were + heard, the one fortifying, the other resposing upon these promises; + that, at last, the King received from Pere Tellier the final + benediction of the Company, as one of its members; that Pere Tellier + made the King offer up prayers, partly heard, of a kind to leave no + doubt of the matter; and that he had given him the robe, or the almost + imperceptible sign, as it were, a sort of scapulary, which was found + upon him. To conclude, the majority of those who approached the King + in his last moments attributed his penitence to the artifices and + persuasions of the Jesuits, who, for temporal interests, deceive + sinners even up to the edge of the tomb, and conduct them to it in + profound peace by a path strewn with flowers. + </p> + <p> + However it is but fair to say, that Marechal, who was very trustful, + assured me he had never perceived anything which justified this idea, + and that he was persuaded there was not the least truth in it; and I + think, that although he was not always in the chamber or near the bed, + and although Pere Tellier might mistrust and try to deceive him, still + if the King had been made a Jesuit as stated, Marechal must have had + sore knowledge or some suspicion of the circumstance. + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0091" id="link2H_4_0091"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VOLUME 11. + </h2> + <a name="link2HCH0078" id="link2HCH0078"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXXVIII + </h2> + <p> + After having thus described with truth and the most exact fidelity all + that has come to my knowledge through my own experience, or others + qualified to speak of Louis XIV. during the last twenty-two years of + his life: and after having shown him such as he was, without prejudice + (although I have permitted myself to use the arguments naturally + resulting from things), nothing remains but to describe the outside + life of this monarch, during my residence at the Court. + </p> + <p> + However insipid and perhaps superfluous details so well known may + appear after what has been already given, lessons will be found + therein for kings who may wish to make themselves respected, and who + may wish to respect themselves. What determines me still more is, that + details wearying, nay annoying, to instructed readers, who had been + witnesses of what I relate, soon escape the knowledge of posterity; + and that experience shows us how much we regret that no one takes upon + himself a labour, in his own time so ungrateful, but in future years + so interesting, and by which princes, who have made quite as much stir + as the one in question, are characterise. Although it may be difficult + to steer clear of repetitions, I will do my best to avoid them. + </p> + <p> + I will not speak much of the King's manner of living when with the + army. His hours were determined by what was to be done, though he held + his councils regularly; I will simply say, that morning and evening he + ate with people privileged to have that honour. When any one wished to + claim it, the first gentleman of the chamber on duty was appealed to. + He gave the answer, and if favourable you presented yourself the next + day to the King, who said to you, "Monsieur, seat yourself at table." + That being done, all was done. Ever afterwards you were at liberty to + take a place at the King's table, but with discretion. The number of + the persons from whom a choice was made was, however, very limited. + Even very high military rank did not suffice. M. de Vauban, at the + siege of Namur, was overwhelmed by the distinction. The King did the + same honour at Namur to the Abbe de Grancey, who exposed himself + everywhere to confess the wounded and encourage the troops. No other + Abbe was ever so distinguished. All the clergy were excluded save the + cardinals, and the bishops, piers, or the ecclesiastics who held the + rank of foreign princes. + </p> + <p> + At these repasts everybody was covered; it would have been a want of + respect, of which you would have been immediately informed, if you had + not kept your hat on your head. The King alone was uncovered. When the + King wished to speak to you, or you had occasion to speak to him, you + uncovered. You uncovered, also, when Monseigneur or Monsieur spoke to + you, or you to them. For Princes of the blood you merely put your hand + to your hat. The King alone had an armchair. All the rest of the + company, Monseigneur included, had seats, with backs of black morocco + leather, which could be folded up to be carried, and which were called + "parrots." Except at the army, the King never ate with any man, under + whatever circumstances; not even with the Princes of the Blood, save + sometimes at their wedding feasts. + </p> + <p> + Let us return now to the Court. + </p> + <p> + At eight o'clock the chief valet de chambre on duty, who alone had + slept in the royal chamber, and who had dressed himself, awoke the + King. The chief physician, the chief surgeon, and the nurse (as long + as she lived), entered at the same time; the latter kissed the King; + the others rubbed and often changed his shirt, because he was in the + habit of sweating a great deal. At the quarter, the grand chamberlain + was called (or, in his absence, the first gentleman of the chamber), + and those who had what was called the 'grandes entrees'. The + chamberlain (or chief gentleman) drew back the curtains which had been + closed again; and presented the holy- water from the vase, at the head + of the bed. These gentlemen stayed but a moment, and that was the time + to speak to the King, if any one had anything to ask of him; in which + case the rest stood aside. When, contrary to custom, nobody had ought + to say, they were there but for a few moments. He who had opened the + curtains and presented the holy- water, presented also a prayer-book. + Then all passed into the cabinet of the council. A very short + religious service being over, the King called, they re-entered, The + same officer gave him his dressing-gown; immediately after, other + privileged courtiers entered, and then everybody, in time to find the + King putting on his shoes and stockings, for he did almost everything + himself and with address and grace. Every other day we saw him shave + himself; and he had a little short wig in which he always appeared, + even in bed, and on medicine days. He often spoke of the chase, and + sometimes said a-word to somebody. No toilette table was near him; he + had simply a mirror held before him. + </p> + <p> + As soon as he was dressed, he prayed to God, at the side of his bed, + where all the clergy present knelt, the cardinals without cushions, + all the laity remaining standing; and the captain of the guards came + to the balustrade during the prayer, after which the King passed into + his cabinet. + </p> + <p> + He found there, or was followed by all who had the entree, a very + numerous company, for it included everybody in any office. He gave + orders to each for the day; thus within a half a quarter of an hour it + was known what he meant to do; and then all this crowd left directly. + The bastards, a few favourites; and the valets alone were left. It was + then a good opportunity for talking with the King; for example, about + plans of gardens and buildings; and conversation lasted more or less + according to the person engaged in it. + </p> + <p> + All the Court meantime waited for the King in the gallery, the captain + of the guard being alone in the chamber seated at the door of the + cabinet. At morning the Court awaited in the saloon; at Trianon in the + front rooms as at Meudon; at Fontainebleau in the chamber and + ante-chamber. During this pause the King gave audiences when he wished + to accord any; spoke with whoever he might wish to speak secretly to, + and gave secret interviews to foreign ministers in presence of Torcy. + They were called "secret" simply to distinguish them from the uncommon + ones by the bedsides. + </p> + <p> + The King went to mass, where his musicians always sang an anthem. He + did not go below—except on grand fetes or at ceremonies. Whilst + he was going to and returning from mass, everybody spoke to him who + wished, after apprising the captain of the guard, if they were not + distinguished; and he came and went by the door of the cabinet into + the gallery. During the mass the ministers assembled in the King's + chamber, where distinguished people could go and speak or chat with + them. The King amused himself a little upon returning from mass and + asked almost immediately for the council. Then the morning was + finished. + </p> + <p> + On Sunday, and often on Monday, there was a council of state; on + Tuesday a finance council; on Wednesday council of state; on Saturday + finance council: rarely were two held in one day or any on Thursday or + Friday. Once or twice a month there was a council of despatches on + Monday morning; but the order that the Secretaries of State took every + morning between the King's rising and his mass, much abridged this + kind of business. All the ministers were seated accordingly to rank, + except at the council of despatches, where all stood except the sons + of France, the Chancellor, and the Duc de Beauvilliers. + </p> + <p> + Thursday morning was almost always blank. It was the day for audiences + that the King wished to give—often unknown to any—back-stair + audiences. It was also the grand day taken advantage of by the + bastards, the valets, etc., because the King had nothing to do. On + Friday after the mass the King was with his confessor, and the length + of their audiences was limited by nothing, and might last until + dinner. At Fontainebleau on the mornings when there was no council, + the King usually passed from mass to Madame de Maintenon's, and so at + Trianon and Marly. It was the time for their tete-a-tete without + interruption. Often on the days when there was no council the dinner + hour was advanced, more or less for the chase or the promenade. The + ordinary hour was one o'clock; if the council still lasted, then the + dinner waited and nothing was said to the King. + </p> + <p> + The dinner was always 'au petit couvert', that is, the King ate by + himself in his chamber upon a square table in front of the middle + window. It was more or less abundant, for he ordered in the morning + whether it was to be "a little," or "very little" service. But even at + this last, there were always many dishes, and three courses without + counting the fruit. The dinner being ready, the principal courtiers + entered; then all who were known; and the gentleman of the chamber on + duty informed the King. + </p> + <p> + I have seen, but very rarely, Monseigneur and his sons standing at + their dinners, the King not offering them a seat. I have continually + seen there the Princes of the blood and the cardinals. I have often + seen there also Monsieur, either on arriving from Saint-Cloud to see + the King, or arriving from the council of despatches (the only one he + entered), give the King his napkin and remain standing. A little while + afterwards, the King, seeing that he did not go away, asked him if he + would not sit down; he bowed, and the King ordered a seat to be + brought for him. A stool was put behind him. Some moments after the + King said, "Nay then, sit down, my brother." Monsieur bowed and seated + himself until the end of the dinner, when he presented the napkin. + </p> + <p> + At other times when he came from Saint-Cloud, the King, on arriving at + the table, asked for a plate for Monsieur, or asked him if he would + dine. If he refused, he went away a moment after, and there was no + mention of a seat; if he accepted, the King asked for a plate for him. + The table was square, he placed himself at one end, his back to the + cabinet. Then the Grand Chamberlain (or the first gentleman of the + chamber) gave him drink and plates, taking them from him as he + finished with them, exactly as he served the King; but Monsieur + received all this attention with strongly marked politeness. When he + dined thus with the King he much enlivened the conversation. The King + ordinarily spoke little at table unless some family favourite was + near. It was the same at hid rising. Ladies scarcely ever were seen at + these little dinners. + </p> + <p> + I have, however, seen the Marechale de la Mothe, who came in because + she had been used to do so as governess to the children of France, and + who received a seat, because she was a Duchess. Grand dinners were + very rare, and only took place on grand occasions, and then ladies + were present. + </p> + <p> + Upon leaving the table the King immediately entered his cabinet. That + was the time for distinguished people to speak to him. He stopped at + the door a moment to listen, then entered; very rarely did any one + follow him, never without asking him for permission to do so; and for + this few had the courage. If followed he placed himself in the + embrasure of the window nearest to the door of the cabinet, which + immediately closed of itself, and which you were obliged to open + yourself on quitting the King. This also was the time for the bastards + and the valets. + </p> + <p> + The King amused himself by feeding his dogs, and remained with them + more or less time, then asked for his wardrobe, changed before the + very few distinguished people it pleased the first gentleman of the + chamber to admit there, and immediately went out by the back stairs + into the court of marble to get into his coach. From the bottom of + that staircase to the coach, any one spoke to him who wished. + </p> + <p> + The King was fond of air, and when deprived of it his health suffered; + he had headaches and vapours caused by the undue use he had formerly + made of perfumes, so that for many years he could not endure any, + except the odour of orange flowers; therefore if you had to approach + anywhere near him you did well not to carry them. + </p> + <p> + As he was but little sensitive to heat or cold, or even to rain, the + weather was seldom sufficiently bad to prevent his going abroad. He + went out for three objects: stag-hunting, once or more each week; + shooting in his parks (and no man handled a gun with more grace or + skill), once or twice each week; and walking in his gardens for + exercise, and to see his workmen. Sometimes he made picnics with + ladies, in the forest at Marly or at Fontainebleau, and in this last + place, promenades with all the Court around the canal, which was a + magnificent spectacle. Nobody followed him in his other promenades but + those who held principal offices, except at Versailles or in the + gardens of Trianon. Marly had a privilege unknown to the other places. + On going out from the chateau, the King said aloud, "Your hats, + gentlemen," and immediately courtiers, officers of the guard, + everybody, in fact, covered their heads, as he would have been much + displeased had they not done so; and this lasted all the promenade, + that is four or five hours in summer, or in other seasons, when he + dined early at Versailles to go and walk at Marly, and not sleep + there. + </p> + <p> + The stag-hunting parties were on an extensive scale. At Fontainebleau + every one went who wished; elsewhere only those were allowed to go who + had obtained the permission once for all, and those who had obtained + leave to wear the justau-corps, which was a blue uniform with silver + and gold lace, lined with red. The King did not like too many people + at these parties. He did not care for you to go if you were not fond + of the chase. He thought that ridiculous, and never bore ill-will to + those who stopped away altogether. + </p> + <p> + It was the same with the play-table, which he liked to see always well + frequented—with high stakes—in the saloon at Marly, for + lansquenet and other games. He amused himself at Fontainebleau during + bad weather by seeing good players at tennis, in which he had formerly + excelled; and at Marly by seeing mall played, in which he had also + been skilful. Sometimes when there was no council, he would make + presents of stuff, or of silverware, or jewels, to the ladies, by + means of a lottery, for the tickets of which they paid nothing. Madame + de Maintenon drew lots with the others, and almost always gave at once + what she gained. The King took no ticket. + </p> + <p> + Upon returning home from walks or drives, anybody, as I have said, + might speak to the King from the moment he left his coach till he + reached the foot of his staircase. He changed his dress again, and + rested in his cabinet an hour or more, then went to Madame de + Maintenon's, and on the way any one who wished might speak to him. + </p> + <p> + At ten o'clock his supper was served. The captain of the guard + announced this to him. A quarter of an hour after the King came to + supper, and from the antechamber of Madame de Maintenon to the table—again, + any one spoke to him who wished. This supper was always on a grand + scale, the royal household (that is, the sons and daughters of France) + at table, and a large number of courtiers and ladies present, sitting + or standing, and on the evening before the journey to Marly all those + ladies who wished to take part in it. That was called presenting + yourself for Marly. Men asked in the morning, simply saying to the + King, "Sire, Marly." In later years the King grew tired of this, and a + valet wrote up in the gallery the names of those who asked. The ladies + continued to present themselves. + </p> + <p> + After supper the King stood some moments, his back to the balustrade + of the foot of his bed, encircled by all his Court; then, with bows to + the ladies, passed into his cabinet, where, on arriving, he gave his + orders. + </p> + <p> + He passed a little less than an hour there, seated in an armchair, + with his legitimate children and bastards, his grandchildren, + legitimate and otherwise, and their husbands or wives. Monsieur in + another armchair; the Princesses upon stools, Monseigneur and all the + other Princes standing. + </p> + <p> + The King, wishing to retire, went and fed his dogs; then said good + night, passed into his chamber to the 'ruelle' of his bed, where he + said his prayers, as in the morning, then undressed. He said good + night with an inclination of the head, and whilst everybody was + leaving the room stood at the corner of the mantelpiece, where he gave + the order to the colonel of the guards alone. Then commenced what was + called the 'petit coucher', at which only the specially privileged + remained. That was short. They did not leave until be got into bed. It + was a moment to speak to him. Then all left if they saw any one buckle + to the King. For ten or twelve years before he died the 'petit + coucher' ceased, in consequence of a long attack of gout be had had; + so that the Court was finished at the rising from supper. + </p> + <p> + On medicine days, which occurred about once a month, the King remained + in bed, then heard mass. The royal household came to see him for a + moment, and Madame de Maintenon seated herself in the armchair at the + head of his bed. The King dined in bed about three o'clock, everybody + being allowed to enter the room, then rose, and the privileged alone + remained. He passed afterwards into his cabinet, where he held a + council, and afterwards went, as usual, to Madame de Maintenon's and + supped at ten o'clock, according to custom. + </p> + <p> + During all his life, the King failed only once in his attendance at + mass, It was with the army, during a forced march; he missed no fast + day, unless really indisposed. Some days before Lent, he publicly + declared that he should be very much displeased if any one ate meat or + gave it to others, under any pretext. He ordered the grand prevot to + look to this, and report all cases of disobedience. But no one dared + to disobey his commands, for they would soon have found out the cost. + They extended even to Paris, where the lieutenant of police kept watch + and reported. For twelve or fifteen years he had himself not observed + Lent, however. At church he was very respectful. During his mass + everybody was obliged to kneel at the Sanctus, and to remain so until + after the communion of the priest; and if he heard the least noise, or + saw anybody talking during the mass, he was much displeased. He took + the communion five times a year, in the collar of the Order, band, and + cloak. On Holy Thursday, he served the poor at dinner; at the mass he + said his chaplet (he knew no more), always kneeling, except at the + Gospel. + </p> + <p> + He was always clad in dresses more or less brown, lightly embroidered, + but never at the edges, sometimes with nothing but a gold button, + sometimes black velvet. He wore always a vest of cloth, or of red, + blue, or green satin, much embroidered. He used no ring; and no + jewels, except in the buckles of his shoes, garters, and hat, the + latter always trimmed with Spanish point, with a white feather. He had + always the cordon bleu outside, except at fetes, when he wore it + inside, with eight or ten millions of precious stones attached. + </p> + <p> + Rarely a fortnight passed that the King did not go to Saint-Germain, + even after the death of King James the Second. The Court of + Saint-Germain came also to Versailles, but oftener to Marly, and + frequently to sup there; and no fete or ceremony took place to which + they were not invited, and at which they were not received with all + honours. Nothing could compare with the politeness of the King for + this Court, or with the air of gallantry and of majesty with which he + received it at any time. Birth days, or the fete days of the King and + his family, so observed in the courts of Europe, were always unknown + in that of the King; so that there never was the slightest mention of + them, or any difference made on their account. + </p> + <p> + The King was but little regretted. His valets and a few other people + felt his loss, scarcely anybody else. His successor was not yet old + enough to feel anything. Madame entertained for him only fear and + considerate respect. Madame la Duchesse de Berry did not like him, and + counted now upon reigning undisturbed. M. le Duc d'Orleans could + scarcely be expected to feel much grief for him. And those who may + have been expected did not consider it necessary to do their duty. + Madame de Maintenon was wearied with him ever since the death of the + Dauphine; she knew not what to do, or with what to amuse him; her + constraint was tripled because he was much more with her than before. + She had often, too, experienced much ill-humour from him. She had + attained all she wished, so whatever she might lose in losing him, she + felt herself relieved, and was capable of no other sentiment at first. + The ennui and emptiness of her life afterwards made her feel regret. + As for M. du Maine, the barbarous indecency of his joy need not be + dwelt upon. The icy tranquillity of his brother, the Comte de + Toulouse, neither increased nor diminished. Madame la Duchesse + d'Orleans surprised me. I had expected some grief, I perceived only a + few tears, which upon all occasions flowed very readily from her eyes, + and which were soon dried up. Her bed, which she was very fond of, + supplied what was wanting during several days, amidst obscurity which + she by no means disliked. + </p> + <p> + But the window curtains were soon withdrawn and grief disappeared. + </p> + <p> + As for the Court, it was divided into two grand parties, the men + hoping to figure, to obtain employ, to introduce themselves: and they + were ravished to see the end of a reign under which they had nothing + to hope for; the others; fatigued with a heavy yoke, always + overwhelming, and of the ministers much more than of the King, were + charmed to find themselves at liberty. Thus all, generally speaking, + were glad to be delivered from continual restraint, and were eager for + change. + </p> + <p> + Paris, tired of a dependence which had enslaved everything, breathed + again in the hope of liberty, and with joy at seeing at an end the + authority of so many people who abused it. The provinces in despair at + their ruin and their annihilation breathed again and leaped for joy; + and the Parliament and the robe destroyed by edicts and by + revolutions, flattered themselves the first that they should figure, + the other that they should find themselves free. The people ruined, + overwhelmed, desperate, gave thanks to God, with a scandalous eclat, + for a deliverance, their most ardent desires had not anticipated. + </p> + <p> + Foreigners delighted to be at last, after so many years, quit of a + monarch who had so long imposed his law upon them, and who had escaped + from them by a species of miracle at the very moment in which they + counted upon having subjugated him, contained themselves with much + more decency than the French. The marvels of the first three quarters + of this reign of more than seventy years, and the personal magnanimity + of this King until then so successful, and so abandoned afterwards by + fortune during the last quarter of his reign—had justly dazzled + them. They made it a point of honour to render to him after his death + what they had constantly refused him during life. No foreign Court + exulted: all plumed themselves upon praising and honouring his memory. + The Emperor wore mourning as for a father, and although four or five + months elapsed between the death of the King and the Carnival, all + kinds of amusements were prohibited at Vienna during the Carnival, and + the prohibition was strictly observed. A monstrous fact was, that + towards the end of this period there was a single ball and a kind of + fete that the Comte du Luc our own ambassador, was not ashamed to give + to the ladies, who seduced him by the ennui of so dull a Carnival. + This complaisance did not raise him in estimation at Vienna or + elsewhere. In France people were contented with ignoring it. + </p> + <p> + As for our ministry and the intendants of the provinces, the + financiers and what may be called the canaille, they felt all the + extent of their loss. We shall see if the realm was right or wrong in + the sentiments it held, and whether it found soon after that it had + gained or lost. + </p> + <p> + To finish at once all that regards the King, let me here say, that his + entrails were taken to Notre Dame, on the 4th of September, without + any ceremony, by two almoners of the King, without accompaniment. On + Friday, the 6th of September, the Cardinal de Rohan carried the heart + to the Grand Jesuits, with very little accompaniment or pomp. Except + the persons necessary for the ceremony, not half a dozen courtiers + were present. It is not for me to comment upon this prompt + ingratitude, I, who for fifty-two years have never once missed going + to Saint-Denis on the anniversary of the death of Louis XIII., and + have never seen a single person there on the same errand. On the 9th + of September, the body of the late King was buried at Saint-Denis. The + Bishop of Aleth pronounced the oration. Very little expense was gone + to; and nobody was found who cared sufficiently for the late King to + murmur at the economy. On Friday, the 25th of October, his solemn + obsequies took place at Saint- Denis in a confusion, as to rank and + precedence, without example. On Thursday, the 28th of November, the + solemn obsequies were again performed, this time at Notre Dame, and + with the usual ceremonies. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0079" id="link2HCH0079"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXXIX + </h2> + <p> + The death of the King surprised M. le Duc d'Orleans in the midst of + his idleness as though it had not been foreseen. He had made no + progress in numberless arrangements, which I had suggested he should + carry out; accordingly he was overwhelmed with orders to give, with + things to settle, each more petty than the other, but all so + provisional and so urgent that it happened as I had predicted, he had + no time to think of anything important. + </p> + <p> + I learnt the death of the King upon awaking. Immediately after, I went + to pay my respects to the new monarch. The first blood had already + passed. I found myself almost alone. I went thence to M. le Duc + d'Orleans, whom I found shut in, but all his apartments so full that a + pin could not have fallen to the ground. I talked of the Convocation + of the States-General, and reminded him of a promise he had given me, + that he would allow the Dukes to keep their hats on when their votes + were asked for; and I also mentioned various other promises he had + made. All I could obtain from him was another promise, that when the + public affairs of pressing moment awaiting attention were disposed of, + we should have all we required. Several of the Dukes who had been + witnesses of the engagement M. le Duc d'Orleans had made, were much + vexed at this; but ultimately it was agreed that for the moment we + would sacrifice our own particular interests to those of the State. + </p> + <p> + Between five and six the next morning a number of us met at the house + of the Archbishop of Rheims at the end of the Pont Royal, behind the + Hotel de Mailly, and there, in accordance with a resolution previously + agreed upon, it was arranged that I should make a protest to the + Parliament before the opening of the King's will there, against + certain other usurpations, and state that it was solely because M. le + Duc d'Orleans had given us his word that our complaints should be + attended to as soon as the public affairs of the government were + settled, that we postponed further measures upon this subject. It was + past seven before our debate ended, and then we went straight to the + Parliament. + </p> + <p> + We found it already assembled, and a few Dukes who had not attended + our meeting, but had promised to be guided by us, were also present; + and then a quarter of an hour after we were seated the bastards + arrived. M. du Maine was bursting with joy; the term is strange, but + his bearing cannot otherwise be described. The smiling and satisfied + air prevailed over that of audacity and of confidence, which shone, + nevertheless, and over politeness which seemed to struggle with them. + He saluted right and left, and pierced everybody with his looks. His + salutation to the Presidents had an air of rejoicing. To the peers he + was serious, nay, respectful; the slowness, the lowness of his + inclination, was eloquent. His head remained lowered even when he + rose, so heavy is the weight of crime, even at the moment when nothing + but triumph is expected. I rigidly followed him everywhere with my + eyes, and I remarked that his salute was returned by the peers in a + very dry and cold manner. + </p> + <p> + Scarcely were we re-seated than M. le Duc arrived, and the instant + after M. le Duc d'Orleans. I allowed the stir that accompanied his + appearance to subside a little, and then, seeing that the + Chief-President was about to speak, I forestalled him, uncovered my + head, and then covered it, and made my speech in the terms agreed + upon. I concluded by appealing to M. le Duc d'Orleans to verify the + truth of what I had said, in so far as it affected him. + </p> + <p> + The profound silence with which I was listened to showed the surprise + of all present. M. le Duc d'Orleans uncovered himself, and in a low + tone, and with an embarrassed manner, confirmed what I had said, then + covered himself again. + </p> + <p> + Immediately afterwards I looked at M. du Maine, who appeared, to be + well content at being let off so easily, and who, my neighbours said + to me, appeared much troubled at my commencement. + </p> + <p> + A very short silence followed my protest, after which I saw the Chief- + President say something in a low tone to M. le Duc d'Orleans, then + arrange a deputation of the Parliament to go in search of the King's + will, and its codicil, which had been put in the same place. Silence + continued during this great and short period of expectation; every one + looked at his neighbour without stirring. We were all upon the lower + seats, the doors were supposed to be closed, but the grand chamber was + filled with a large and inquisitive crowd. The regiment of guards had + secretly occupied all the avenues, commanded by the Duc de Guiche, who + got six hundred thousand francs out of the Duc d'Orleans for this + service, which was quite unnecessary. + </p> + <p> + The deputation was not long in returning. It placed the will and the + codicil in the hands of the Chief-President, who presented them, + without parting with them, to M. le Duc d'Orleans, then passed them + from hand to hand to Dreux, 'conseiller' of the Parliament, and father + of the grand master of the ceremonies, saying that he read well, and + in a loud voice that would he well heard by everybody. It may be + imagined with what silence he was listened to, and how all eyes? and + ears were turned towards him. Through all his; joy the Duc du Maine + showed that his soul was, troubled, as though about to undergo an + operation that he must submit to. M. le Duc d'Orleans showed only a + tranquil attention. + </p> + <p> + I will not dwell upon these two documents, in which nothing is + provided but the grandeur and the power of the bastards, Madame de + Maintenon and Saint-Cyr, the choice of the King's education and of the + council of the regency, by which M. le Duc d'Orleans was to be shorn + of all authority to the advantage of M. le Duc du Maine. + </p> + <p> + I remarked a sadness and a kind of indignation which were painted upon + all cheeks, as the reading advanced, and which turned into a sort of + tranquil fermentation at the reading of the codicil, which was + entrusted to the Abbe Menguy, another conseiller. The Duc du Maine + felt it and grew pale, for he was solely occupied in looking at every + face, and I in following his looks, and in glancing occasionally at M. + le Duc d'Orleans. + </p> + <p> + The reading being finished, that prince spoke, casting his eyes upon + all the assembly, uncovering himself, and then covering himself again, + and commencing by a word of praise and of regret for the late King; + afterwards raising his voice, he declared that he had only to approve + everything just read respecting the education of the King, and + everything respecting an establishment so fine and so useful as that + of Saint-Cyr; that with respect to the dispositions concerning the + government of the state, he would speak separately of those in the + will and those in the codicil; that he could with difficulty harmonise + them with the assurances the King, during the last days of his life, + had given him; that the King could not have understood the importance + of what he had been made to do for the Duc du Maine since the council + of the regency was chosen, and M. du Maine's authority so established + by the will, that the Regent remained almost without power; that this + injury done to the rights of his birth, to his attachment to the + person of the King, to his love and fidelity for the state, could not + be endured if he was to preserve his honour; and that he hoped + sufficiently from the esteem of all present, to persuade himself that + his regency would be declared as it ought to be, that is to say, + complete, independent, and that he should be allowed to choose his own + council, with the members of which he would not discuss public + affairs, unless they were persons who, being approved by the public, + might also have his confidence. This short speech appeared to make a + great impression. + </p> + <p> + The Duc du Maine wished to speak. As he was about to do so, M. le Duc + d'Orleans put his head in front of M. le Duc and said, in a dry tone, + "Monsieur, you will speak in your turn." In one moment the affair + turned according to the desires of M. le Duc d'Orleans. The power of + the council of the regency and its composition fell. The choice of the + council was awarded to M. le Duc d'Orleans, with all the authority of + the regency, and to the plurality of the votes of the council, the + decision of affairs, the vote of the Regent to be counted as two in + the event of an equal division. Thus all favours and all punishments + remained in the hands of M. le Duc d'Orleans alone. The acclamation + was such that the Duc du Maine did not dare to say a word. He reserved + himself for the codicil, which, if adopted, would have annulled all + that M. le Duc d'Orleans had just obtained. + </p> + <p> + After some few moments of silence, M. le Duc d'Orleans spoke again. He + testified fresh surprise that the dispositions of the will had not + been sufficient for those who had suggested them, and that, not + content with having established themselves as masters of the state, + they themselves should have thought those dispositions so strange that + in order to reassure them, it had been thought necessary to make them + masters of the person of the King, of the Regent, of the Court, and of + Paris. He added, that if his honour and all law and rule had been + wounded by the dispositions of the will, still more violated were they + by those of the codicil, which left neither his life nor his liberty + in safety, and placed the person of the King in the absolute + dependence of those who had dared to profit by the feeble state of a + dying monarch, to draw from him conditions he did not understand. He + concluded by declaring that the regency was impossible under such + conditions, and that he doubted not the wisdom of the assembly would + annul a codicil which could not be sustained, and the regulations of + which would plunge France into the greatest and most troublesome + misfortune. Whilst this prince spoke a profound and sad silence + applauded him without explaining itself. + </p> + <p> + The Duc du Maine became of all colours, and began to speak, this time + being allowed to do so. He said that the education of the King, and + consequently his person, being confided to him, as a natural result, + entire authority over his civil and military household followed, + without which he could not properly serve him or answer for his + person. Then he vaunted his well-known attachment to the deceased + King, who had put all confidence in him. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans interrupted him at this word, and commented upon + it. M. du Maine wished to calm him by praising the Marechal de + Villeroy, who was to assist him in his charge. M. le Duc d'Orleans + replied that it would be strange if the chief and most complete + confidence were not placed in the Regent, and stranger still if he + were obliged to live under the protection and authority of those who + had rendered themselves the absolute masters within and without, and + of Paris even, by the regiment of guards. + </p> + <p> + The dispute grew warm, broken phrases were thrown from one to the + other, when, troubled about the end of an altercation which became + indecent and yielding to the proposal that the Duc de la Force had + just made me in front of the Duc de la Rochefoucauld, who sat between + us, I made a sign with my hand to M. le Duc d'Orleans to go out and + finish this discussion in another room leading out of the grand + chamber and where there was nobody. What led me to this action was + that I perceived M. du Maine grew stronger, that confused murmurs for + a division were heard, and that M. le Duc d'Orleans did not shine to + the best advantage since he descended to plead his cause, so to speak, + against that of the Duc du Maine. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans was short-sighted. He was entirely absorbed in + attacking and repelling; so that he did not see the sign I made. Some + moments after I increased it, and meeting with no more success, rose, + advanced some steps, and said to him, though rather distant, + "Monsieur, if you passed into the fourth chamber with M. du Maine you + could speak there more easily," and advancing nearer at the same time + I pressed him by a sign of the head and the eyes that he could + distinguish. He replied to me with another sign, and scarcely was I + reseated than I saw him advance in front of M. le Duc to the Duc du + Maine, and immediately after both rose and went into the chamber I had + indicated. I could not see who of the scattered group around followed + them, for all present rose at their departure, and seated themselves + again directly in complete silence. Some time after, M. le Comte de + Toulouse left his place and went into the Chamber. M. le Duc followed + him in a little while soon again the Duc de la Force did the same. + </p> + <p> + He did not stay long. Returning to the assembly; he passed the Duc de + la Rochefoucauld and me, put his head between that of the Duc de Sully + and mine, because he did not wish to be heard by La Rochefoucauld, and + said to me, "In the name of God go there; things are getting on badly. + M. le Duc d'Orleans gives way; stop the dispute; make M. le Duc + d'Orleans come back; and, as soon as he is in his place, let him say + that it is too late to finish, that the company had better go to + dinner, and return to finish afterwards, and during this interval," + added La Force, "send the King's people to the Palais Royal, and let + doubtful peers be spoken to, and the chiefs among other magistrates." + </p> + <p> + The advice appeared to me good and important. I left the assembly and + went to the chamber. I found a large circle of spectators. M. le Duc + d'Orleans and the Duc du Maine stood before the fireplace, looking + both very excited. I looked at this spectacle some moments; then + approached the mantelpiece like a man who wishes to speak. "What is + this, Monsieur?" said M. le Duc d'Orleans to me, with an impatient + manner. "A pressing word, Monsieur, that I have to say to you," said + I. He continued speaking to the Duc du Maine, I being close by. I + redoubled my instances; he lent me his ear. "No, no," said I, "not + like that, come here," and I took him into a corner by the chimney. + The Comte de Toulouse, who was there, drew completely back, and all + the circle on that side. The Duc du Maine drew back also from where he + was. + </p> + <p> + I said to M. le Duc d'Orleans, in his ear, that he could not hope to + gain anything from M. du Maine, who would not sacrifice the codicil to + his reasonings; that the length of their conference became indecent, + useless, dangerous; that he was making a sight of himself to all who + entered; that the only thing to be done was to return to the assembly, + and, when there, dissolve it. "You are right," said he, "I will do + it."—"But," said I, "do it immediately, and do not allow + yourself to be amused. It is to M. de la Force you owe this advice: he + sent me to give it you." He quitted me without another word, went to + M. du Maine, told him in two words that it was too late, and that the + matter must be finished after dinner. + </p> + <p> + I had remained where he left me. I saw the Duc du Maine bow to him + immediately, and the two separated, and retired at the same moment + into the assembly. + </p> + <p> + The noise which always accompanies these entrances being appeased, M. + le Duc d'Orleans said it was too late to abuse the patience of the + company any longer; that dinner must be eaten, and the work finished + afterwards. He immediately added, he believed it fitting that M. le + Duc should enter the council of the regency as its chief; and that + since the company had rendered the justice due to his birth and his + position as Regent, he would explain what he thought upon the form to + be given to the government, and that meanwhile he profited by the + power he had to avail himself of the knowledge and the wisdom of the + company, and restored to them from that time their former liberty of + remonstrance. These words were followed by striking and general + applause, and the assembly was immediately adjourned. + </p> + <p> + I was invited this day to dine with the Cardinal de Noailles, but I + felt the importance of employing the time so precious and so short, of + the interval of dinner, and of not quitting M. le Duc d'Orleans, + according to a suggestion of M. le Duc de la Force. I approached M. le + Duc d'Orleans, and said in his ear, "The moments are precious: I will + follow you to the Palais Royal," and went back to my place among the + peers. Jumping into my coach, I sent a gentleman with my excuses to + the Cardinal de Noailles, saying, I would tell him the reason of my + absence afterwards. Then I went to the Palais Royal, where curiosity + had gathered together all who were not at the palace, and even some + who had been there. All the acquaintances I met asked me the news with + eagerness. I contented myself with replying that everything went well, + and according to rule, but that all was not yet finished. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans had passed into a cabinet, where I found him alone + with Canillac, who had waited for him. We took our measures there, and + M. le Duc d'Orleans sent for the Attorney-General, D'Aguesseau, + afterwards Chancellor, and the chief Advocate-General, Joly de Fleury, + since Attorney-General. It was nearly two o'clock. A little dinner was + served, of which Canillac, Conflans, M. le Duc d'Orleans, and myself + partook; and I will say this, by the way, I never dined with him but + once since, namely, at Bagnolet. + </p> + <p> + We returned to the Parliament a little before four o'clock. I arrived + there alone in my carriage, a moment before M. le Duc d'Orleans, and + found everybody assembled. I was looked at with much curiosity, as it + seemed to me. I am not aware if it was known whence I came. I took + care that my bearing should say nothing. I simply said to the Duc de + la Force that his advice had been salutary, that I had reason to hope + all success from it, and that I had told M. le Duc d'Orleans whence it + came. That Prince arrived, and (the hubbub inseparable from such a + numerous suite being appeased) he said that matters must be + recommenced from the point where they had been broken off in the + morning; that it was his duty to say to the Court that in nothing had + he agreed with M. du Maine and to bring again before all eyes the + monstrous clauses of a codicil, drawn from a dying prince; clauses + much more strange than the dispositions of the testament that the + Court had not deemed fit to be put in execution, and that the Court + could not allow M. du Maine to be master of the person of the King, of + the camp, of Paris, consequently of the State, of the person, life, + and liberty of the Regent, whom he would be in a position to arrest at + any moment as soon as he became the absolute and independent master of + the civil and military household of the King; that the Court saw what + must inevitably result from an unheard-of novelty, which placed + everything in the hands of M. du Maine; and that he left it to the + enlightenment, to the prudence, to the wisdom, to the equity of the + company, and its love for the State, to declare what they thought on + this subject. + </p> + <p> + M. du Maine appeared then as contemptible in the broad open daylight + as he had appeared redoubtable in the obscurity of the cabinets. He + had the look of one condemned, and his face, generally so + fresh-coloured, was now as pale as death. He replied in a very low and + scarcely intelligible voice, and with an air as respectful and as + humble as it had been audacious in the morning. + </p> + <p> + People opined without listening to him; and tumultuously, but with one + voice, the entire abrogation of the codicil was passed. This was + premature, as the abrogation of the testament had been in the morning— + both caused by sudden indignation. D'Aguesseauand Fleury both spoke, + the first in a few words, the other at greater length, making a very + good speech. As it exists, in the libraries, I will only say that the + conclusions of both orators were in everything favourable to M. le Duc + d'Orleans. + </p> + <p> + After they had spoken, the Duc du Maine, seeing himself totally shorn, + tried a last resource. He represented, with more force than could have + been expected from his demeanour at this second sitting, but yet with + measure, that since he had been stripped of the authority confided to + him by the codicil, he asked to be discharged from the responsibility + of answering for the person of the King, and to be allowed simply to + preserve the superintendence of his education. M, le Duc d'Orleans + replied, "With all my heart, Monsieur; nothing more is wanted." + Thereupon the Chief. President formally put the question to the vote. + A decree was passed by which all power was taken from the hands of M. + du Maine and placed in those of the Regent, with the right of placing + whom he pleased in the council; of dismissing anybody as it should + seem good to him; and of doing all he might think fit respecting the + form to be given to the government; authority over public affairs, + nevertheless, to remain with the council, and decision to be taken by + the plurality of votes, the vote of the Regent to count double in case + of equal division; M. le Duc to be chief of the council under him, + with the right to enter it at once and opine there. + </p> + <p> + During all this time, and until the end of the sitting, M. du Maine + had his eyes always cast down, looked more dead than alive, and + appeared motionless. His son and his brother gave no sign of taking + interest in anything. + </p> + <p> + The decree was followed by loud acclamations of the crowd scattered + outside, and that which filled the rest of the palace replied as soon + as they learnt what had been decided. + </p> + <p> + This noise, which lasted some time, being appeased, the Regent thanked + the company in brief, polished, and majestic terms; declared with what + care he would employ for the good of the state, the authority with + which he was invested; then said it was time he should inform them + what he judged ought to be established in order to aid him in the + administration of affairs. He added that he did so with the more + confidence, because what he proposed was exactly what M. le Duc de + Bourgogne ('twas thus he named him) had resolved, as shown by papers + found in his bureau. He passed a short and graceful eulogy upon the + enlightenment and intentions of that prince; then declared that, + besides the council of the regency, which would be the supreme centre + from which all the affairs of the government would spring, he proposed + to establish a council for foreign affairs, one for war, one for the + navy, one for finance, one for ecclesiastical matters, and one for + home affairs and to choose some of the magistrates of the company to + enter these last two councils, and aid them by their knowledge upon + the police of the realm, the jurisprudence, and what related to the + liberties of the Gallican church. + </p> + <p> + The applause of the magistrates burst out at this, and all the crowd + replied to it. The Chief-President concluded the sitting by a very + short compliment to the Regent, who rose, and at the same time all the + assembly, which then broke up. + </p> + <p> + On Friday, the 6th of September, 1715, the Regent performed an action + of most exquisite merit, if it had been actuated by the love of God, + but which was of the utmost meanness, religion having no connection + with it. He went at eight o'clock in the morning to see Madame de + Maintenon at Saint-Cyr. He was nearly an hour with this enemy, who had + wished to cut off his head, and who quite recently had sought to + deliver him, tied hand and foot, to M. du Maine, by the monstrous + dispositions of the King's will and codicil. + </p> + <p> + The Regent assured her during this visit that the four thousand livres + the King had given her every month should be continued, and should be + brought to her the first day of every month by the Duc de Noailles, + who had apparently induced the Prince to pay this visit, and promise + this present. He said to Madame de Maintenon that if she wished for + more she had only to speak, and assured her he would protect + Saint-Cyr. In leaving he was shown the young girls, all together in + classes. + </p> + <p> + It must be remembered, that besides the estate of Maintenon, and the + other property of this famous and fatal witch, the establishment of + Saint-Cyr, which had more than four hundred thousand livres yearly + income, and much money in reserve, was obliged by the rules which + founded it, to receive Madame de Maintenon, if she wished to retire + there; to obey her in all things, as the absolute and sole superior; + to keep her and everybody connected with her, her domestics, her + equipages, as she wished, her table, etc., at the expense of the + house, all of which was very punctually done until her death. Thus she + needed not this generous liberality, by which her pension of + forty-eight thousand livres was continued to her. It would have been + quite enough if M. le Duc d'Orleans had forgotten that she was in + existence, and had simply left her untroubled in Saint-Cyr. + </p> + <p> + The Regent took good care not to inform me of his visit, before or + after; and I took good care not to reproach him with it, or make him + ashamed of it. It made much noise, and was not approved of. The + Spanish affair was not yet forgotten, and the will and codicil + furnished other matter for all conversations. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0080" id="link2HCH0080"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXXX + </h2> + <p> + Saturday, the 7th of September, was the day fixed for the first Bed of + Justice of the King (Louis XV.); but he caught a cold during the + night, and suffered a good deal. The Regent came alone to Paris. The + Parliament had assembled, and I went to a door of the palace, where I + was informed of the countermand which had just arrived. The + Chief-President and the King's people were at once sent for to the + Palais Royal, and the Parliament, which was about to adjourn, was + continued for all the rest of the month for general business. On the + morrow, the Regent, who was wearied with Versailles,—for he + liked to live in Paris, where all his pleasures were within easy + reach,—and who met with opposition from the Court doctors, all + comfortably lodged at Versailles, to the removal of the person of the + King to Vincennes, under pretext of a slight cold, fetched other + doctors from Paris, who had been sent for to see the deceased King. + These practitioners, who had nothing to gain by recommending + Versailles, laughed at the Court doctors, and upon their opinion it + was resolved to take the King to Vincennes, where all was ready for + him on the morrow. + </p> + <p> + He set out, then, that day from Versailles, at about two o'clock in + the day, in company with the Regent, the Duchesse de Ventadour, the + Duc du Maine, and the Marechal de Villeroy, passed round the ramparts + of Paris, without entering the city, and arrived at Vincennes about + five o'clock, many people and carriages having come out along the road + to see him. + </p> + <p> + On the day after the arrival of the King at Vincennes, the Regent + worked all the morning with all the Secretaries of State separately, + whom he had charged to bring him the list of all the 'lettres de + cachet' issued from their bureaux, and a statement of the reasons for + which they were delivered, as such oftentimes were slight. The + majority of the 'lettres de cachet' of exile and of imprisonment had + been drawn up against Jansenists, and people who had opposed the + constitution; numbers the reasons of which were known only to the + deceased King, and to those who had induced him to grant them; others + were of the time of previous ministers, and among them were many which + had been long forgotten and unknown. The Regent restored everybody to + liberty, exiles and prisoners, except those whom he knew to have been + arrested for grave crimes, or affairs of State; and brought down + infinite benedictions upon himself by this act of justice and + humanity. + </p> + <p> + Many very singular and strange stories were then circulated, which + showed the tyranny of the last reign, and of its ministers, and caused + the misfortunes of the prisoners to be deplored. Among those in the + Bastille was a man who had been imprisoned thirty-five years. Arrested + the day he arrived in Paris, on a journey from Italy, to which country + he belonged. It has never been known why he was arrested, and he had + never been examined, as was the case with the majority of the others: + people were persuaded a mistake had been made. When his liberty was + announced to him, he sadly asked what it was expected he could do with + it. He said he had not a farthing; that he did not know a soul in + Paris, not even a single street, or a person in all France; that his + relatives in Italy had, doubtless, died since he left; that his + property, doubtless, had been divided, so many years having elapsed + during which no news had been received from him; that he knew not what + to do. He asked to be allowed to remain in the Bastille for the rest + of his days, with food and lodging. This was granted, with as much + liberty as he wished. + </p> + <p> + As for those who were taken from the dungeons where the hatred of the + ministers; of the Jesuits; and of the Constitution chiefs, had cast + them, the horrible state they appeared in terrified everybody, and + rendered credible all the cruel stories which, as soon as they were + fully at liberty, they revealed. + </p> + <p> + The same day on which this merciful decision was come to, died Madame + de la Vieuville, not old, of a cancer in the breast, the existence of + which she had concealed until two days before her death, and thus + deprived herself of help. + </p> + <p> + A few days after, the finances being in such a bad state, the Regent + made Crosat treasurer of the order, in return for which he obtained + from him a loan of a million, in bars of silver, and the promise of + another two million. Previous to this, the hunting establishments of + the King had been much reduced. Now another retrenchment was made. + There were seven intendants of the finances, who, for six hundred + thousand livres, which their places had cost them, enjoyed eighty + thousand livres each per annum. They were all suppressed, and simply + the interest of their purchase-money paid to them; that is to say, + thirty thousand livres each, until that purchase-money could be paid. + It was found that there were sixteen hundred thousand francs owing to + our ambassadors, and to our agents in foreign countries, the majority + of whom literally had not enough to pay the postage of their letters, + having spent all they possessed. This was a cruel discredit to us, all + over Europe. I might fill a volume in treating upon the state and the + arrangements of our finances. But this labour is above my strength, + and contrary to my taste. I will simply say that as soon as money + could be spared it was sent to our ambassadors abroad. They were dying + of hunger, were over head and ears in debt, had fallen into utter + contempt, and our affairs were suffering accordingly. + </p> + <p> + The council of the regency, let me say here, was composed of the + following persons: M. le Duc d'Orleans, M. le Duc, the Duc du Maine, + the Comte de Toulouse, Voysin the Chancellor, myself—since I + must name myself,—Marechal de Villeroy, Marechal d'Harcourt, + Marechal de Besons, the Late Bishop of Troyes, and Torcy, with a right + to vote; with La Vrilliere, who kept the register, and Pontchartrain, + both without the right to vote. + </p> + <p> + I have already alluded to the presence of Lord Stair at this time in + our Court, as ambassador from England. By means of intrigues he had + succeeded in ingratiating himself into the favour of the Regent, and + in convincing him that the interests of France and England were + identical. One of the reasons—the main one—which he + brought forward to show this, was that King George was an usurper; and + that if anything happened to our King, M. le Duc d'Orleans would + become, in mounting the throne of France, an usurper also, the King of + Spain being the real heir to the French monarchy; that, in consequence + of this, France and England ought to march together, protect each + other; France assisting England against the Pretender, and England + assisting France, if need be, against the King of Spain. M. le Duc + d'Orleans had too much penetration not to see this snare; but, + marvellous as it may seem, the crookedness of this policy, and not the + desire of reigning, seduced him. I am quite prepared, if ever these + memoirs see the day, to find that this statement will be laughed at; + that it will throw discredit on others, and cause me to be regarded as + a great ass, if I think to make my readers, believe it; or for an + idiot, if I have believed it myself. Nevertheless, such is the pure + truth, to which I sacrifice all, in despite of what my readers may + think of me. However incredible it may be, it is, as I say, the exact + verity; and I do not hesitate to advance, that there are many such + facts, unknown to history, which would much surprise if known; and + which are unknown, only because scarcely any history has been written + at first hand. + </p> + <p> + Stair wished, above all, to hinder the Regent from giving any + assistance to the Pretender, and to prevent him passing through the + realm in order to reach a seaport. Now the Regent was between two + stools, for he had promised the Pretender to wink at his doings, and + to favour his passage through France, if it were made secretly, and at + the same time he had assented to the demand of Stair. Things had + arrived at this pass when the troubles increased in England, and the + Earl of Mar obtained some success in Scotland. Soon after news came + that the Pretender had departed from Bar, and was making his way to + the coast. Thereupon Stair ran in hot haste to M. le Duc d'Orleans to + ask him to keep his promise, and hinder the Pretender's journey. The + Regent immediately sent off Contade, major in the guards, very + intelligent, and in whom he could trust, with his brother, a + lieutenant in the same regiment, and two sergeants of their choice, to + go to Chateau-Thierry, and wait for the Pretender, Stair having sure + information that he would pass there. Contade set out at night on the + 9th of November, well resolved and instructed to miss the person he + was to seek. Stair, who expected as much, took also his measures, + which were within an inch of succeeding; for this is what happened. + </p> + <p> + The Pretender set out disguised from Bar, accompanied by only three or + four persons, and came to Chaillot, where M. de Lauzun had a little + house, which he never visited, and which he had kept for mere fancy, + although he had a house at Passy, of which he made much use. It was in + this, Chaillot's house, that the Pretender put up, and where he saw + the Queen, his mother, who often stopped at the Convent of the Filles + de Sainte Marie-Therese. Thence he set out in a post-chaise of + Torcy's, by way of Alencon, for Brittany, where he meant to embark. + </p> + <p> + Stair discovered this scheme, and resolved to leave nothing undone in + order to deliver his party of this, the last of the Stuarts. He + quietly despatched different people by different roads, especially by + that from Paris to Alencon. He charged with this duty Colonel Douglas + (who belonged to the Irish (regiments) in the pay of France), who, + under the protection of his name, and by his wit and his intrigues, + had insinuated himself into many places in Paris since the + commencement of the regency; had placed himself on a footing of + consideration and of familiarity with the Regent; and often came to my + house. He was good company; had married upon the frontier of Metz; was + very poor; had politeness and much experience of the world; the + reputation of distinguished valour; and nothing which could render him + suspected of being capable of a crime. + </p> + <p> + Douglas got into a post-chaise, accompanied by two horsemen; all three + were well armed, and posted leisurely along this road. Nonancourt is a + kind of little village upon this route, at nineteen leagues from + Paris; between Dreux, three leagues further, and Verneuil au Perche, + four leagues this side. It was at Nonancourt that he alighted, ate a + morsel at the post-house, inquired with extreme solicitude after a + post-chaise which he described, as well as the manner in which it + would be accompanied, expressed fear lest it had already passed, and + lest he had not been answered truly. After infinite inquiries, he left + a third horseman, who had just reached him, on guard, with orders to + inform him when the chaise he was in search of appeared; and added + menaces and promises of recompense to the post people, so as not to be + deceived by their negligence. + </p> + <p> + The post-master was named L'Hospital; he was absent, but his wife was + in the house, and she fortunately was a very honest woman, who had + wit, sense, and courage. Nonancourt is only five leagues from La + Ferme, and when, to save distance, you do not pass there, they send + you relays upon the road. Thus I knew very well this post-mistress, + who mixed herself more in the business than her husband, and who has + herself related to me this adventure more than once. She did all she + could, uselessly, to obtain some explanation upon these alarms. All + that she could unravel was that the strangers were Englishmen, and in + a violent excitement about something, that something very important + was at stake,—and that they meditated mischief. She fancied + thereupon that the Pretender was in question; resolved to save him; + mentally arranged her plans, and fortunately enough executed them. + </p> + <p> + In order to succeed she devoted herself to the service of these + gentlemen, refused them nothing, appeared quite satisfied, and + promised that they should infallibly be informed. She persuaded them + of this so thoroughly, that Douglas went away without saying where, + except to this third horseman just arrived, but it was close at hand; + so that he might be warned in time. He took one of his valets with + him; the other remained with the horseman to wait and watch. + </p> + <p> + Another man much embarrassed the post-mistress; nevertheless, she laid + her plans. She proposed to the horseman to drink something, because + when he arrived Douglas had left the table. She served him in her best + manner, and with her best wine, and kept him at table as long as she + could, anticipating all his orders. She had placed a valet, in whom + she could trust, as guard, with orders simply to appear, without a + word, if he saw a chaise; and her resolution was to lock up the + Englishman and his servant, and to give their horses to the chaise if + it came. But it came not, and the Englishman grew tired of stopping at + table. Then she manoeuvred so well that she persuaded him to go and + lie down, and to count upon her, her people, and upon the valet + Douglas had left. The Englishman told this valet not to quit the + threshold of the house, and to inform him as soon as the chaise + appeared. He then suffered himself to be led to the back of the house, + in order to lie down. The post- mistress, immediately after, goes to + one of her friends in a by-street, relates her adventure and her + suspicions, makes the friend agree to receive and secrete in her + dwelling the person she expected, sends for an ecclesiastic, a + relative of them both, and in whom she could repose confidence, who + came and lent an Abbe's dress and wig to match. This done, Madame + L'Hospital returns to her home, finds the English valet at the door, + talks with him, pities his ennui, says he is a good fellow to be so + particular, says that from the door to the house there is but one + step, promises him that he shall be as well informed as by his own + eyes, presses him to drink something, and tips the wink to a trusty + postilion, who makes him drink until he rolls dead drunk under the + table. During this performance, the wary mistress listens at the door + of the English gentleman's room, gently turns the key and locks him + in, and then establishes herself upon the threshold of her door. + </p> + <p> + Half an hour after comes the trusty valet whom she had put on guard: + it was the expected chaise, which, as well as the three men who + accompanied it, were made, without knowing why, to slacken speed. It + was King James. Madame L'Hospital accosts him, says he is expected, + and lost if he does not take care; but that he may trust in her and + follow her. At once they both go to her friends. There he learns all + that has happened, and they hide him, and the three men of his suite + as well as they could. Madame L'Hospital returns home, sends for the + officers of justice, and in consequence of her suspicions she causes + the English gentleman and the English valet, the one drunk, the other + asleep, locked in the room where she had left him, to be arrested, and + immediately after despatches a postilion to Torcy. The officers of + justice act, and send their deposition to the Court. + </p> + <p> + The rage of the English gentleman on finding himself arrested, and + unable to execute the duty which led him there, and his fury against + the valet who had allowed himself to be intoxicated, cannot be + expressed. As for Madame L'Hospital he would have strangled her if he + could; and she for a long time was afraid of her life. + </p> + <p> + The Englishman could not be induced to confess what brought him there, + or where was Douglas, whom he named in order to show his importance. + He declared he had been sent by the English ambassador, though Stair + had not yet officially assumed that title, and exclaimed that that + minister would never suffer the affront he had received. They civilly + replied to him, that there were no proofs he came from the English + ambassador,—none that he was connected with the minister: that + very suspicious designs against public safety on the highway alone + were visible; that no harm or annoyance should be caused him, but that + he must remain in safety until orders came, and there upon he was + civilly led to prison, as well as the intoxicated valet. + </p> + <p> + What became of Douglas at that time was never known, except that he + was recognised in various places, running, inquiring, crying out with + despair that he had escaped, without mentioning any name. Apparently + news came to him, or he sought it, being tired of receiving none. The + report of what had occurred in such a little place as Nonancourt would + easily have reached him, close as he was to it; and perhaps it made + him set out anew to try and catch his prey. + </p> + <p> + But he journeyed in vain. King James had remained hidden at + Nonancourt, where, charmed with the attentions of his generous + post-mistress, who had saved him from his assassins, he admitted to + her who he was, and gave her a letter for the Queen, his mother. He + remained there three days, to allow the hubbub to pass, and rob those + who sought him of all hope; then, disguised as an Abbe, he jumped into + a post-chaise that Madame L'Hospital had borrowed in the neighbourhood—to + confound all identity—and continued his journey, during which he + was always pursued, but happily was never recognised, and embarked in + Brittany for Scotland. + </p> + <p> + Douglas, tired of useless searches, returned to Paris, where Stair + kicked up a fine dust about the Nonancourt adventure. This he + denominated nothing less than an infraction of the law of nations, + with an extreme audacity and impudence, and Douglas, who could not be + ignorant of what was said about him, had the hardihood to go about + everywhere as usual; to show himself at the theatre; and to present + himself before M. le Duc d'Orleans. + </p> + <p> + This Prince ignored as much as he could a plot so cowardly and so + barbarous, and in respect to him so insolent. He kept silence, said to + Stair what he judged fitting to make him be silent likewise, but gave + liberty to his English assassins. Douglas, however, fell much in the + favour of the Regent, and many considerable people closed their doors + to him. He vainly tried to force mine. But as for me I was a perfect + Jacobite, and quite persuaded that it was the interest of France to + give England domestic occupation, which would long hinder her from + thinking of foreign matters. I then, as may be supposed, could not + look upon the odious enterprise with a favourable eye, or pardon its + authors. Douglas complained to me of my disregard for him, but to no + purpose. Soon after he disappeared from Paris. I know not what became + of him afterwards. His wife and his children remained there living by + charity. A long time after his death beyond the seas, the Abbe de + Saint-Simon passed from Noyan to Metz, where he found his widow in + great misery. + </p> + <p> + The Queen of England sent for Madame L'Hospital to Saint-Germain, + thanked her, caressed her, as she deserved, and gave her her portrait. + This was all; the Regent gave her nothing; a long while after King + James wrote to her, and sent her also his portrait. Conclusion: she + remained post- mistress of Nonancourt as before, twenty or twenty-five + years after, to her death; and her son and her daughter-in-law keep + the post now. She was a true woman; estimated in her neighbourhood; + not a single word that she uttered concerning this history has been + contradicted by any one. What it cost her can never be said, but she + never received a farthing. She never complained, but spoke as she + found things, with modesty, and without seeking to speak. Such is the + indigence of dethroned Kings, and their complete forgetfulness of the + greatest perils and the most signal services. + </p> + <p> + Many honest people avoided Stair, whose insolent airs made others + avoid him. He filled the cup by the insupportable manner in which he + spoke upon that affair, never daring to admit he had directed it, or + deigning to disculpate himself. The only annoyance he showed was about + his ill- success. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0081" id="link2HCH0081"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXXXI + </h2> + <p> + I must say a few words now of Madame la Duchesse de Berry, who, as may + be imagined, began to hold her head very high indeed directly the + regency of Monsieur her father was established. Despite the + representations of Madame de Saint-Simon, she usurped all the honours + of a queen; she went through Paris with kettle-drums beating, and all + along the quay of the Tuileries where the King was. The Marechal de + Villeroy complained of this next day to M. le Duc d'Orleans, who + promised him that while the King remained in Paris no kettle-drums + should be heard but his. Never afterwards did Madame la Duchesse de + Berry have any, yet when she went to the theatre she sat upon a raised + dais in her box, had four of her guards upon the stage, and others in + the pit; the house was better lighted than usual, and before the + commencement of the performance she was harangued by the players. This + made a strange stir in Paris, and as she did not dare to continue it + she gave up her usual place, and took at the opera a little box where + she could scarcely be seen, and where she was almost incognito. As the + comedy was played then upon the opera stage for Madame, this little + box served for both entertainments. + </p> + <p> + The Duchess desired apparently to pass the summer nights in all + liberty in the garden of the Luxembourg. She accordingly had all the + gates walled up but one, by which the Faubourg Saint-Germain, which + had always enjoyed the privilege of walking there, were much deprived. + M. le Duc thereupon opened the Conti garden to make up to the public + for their loss. As may be imagined, strange things were said about the + motives which led to the walling up of the garden. + </p> + <p> + As the Princess found new lovers to replace the old ones, she tried to + pension off the latter at the expense of the public. She had a place + created expressly for La Haye. She bought, or rather the King for her, + a little house at the entry of the Bois de Boulogne, which was pretty, + with all the wood in front, and a fine garden behind. It was called La + Muette. + </p> + <p> + After many amours she had become smitten with Rion, a younger son of + the house of Aydic. He was a fat, chubby, pale little fellow, who had + so many pimples that he did not ill resemble an abscess. He had good + teeth, but had no idea he should cause a passion which in less than no + time became ungovernable, and which lasted a long while without + however interfering with temporary and passing amours. He was not + worth a penny, but had many brothers and sisters who had no more than + he. He was a lieutenant of dragoons, relative of Madame Pons, dame + d'atours of Madame la Duchesse de Berry, who sent for him to try and + do something for him. Scarcely had he arrived than the passion of the + Duchess declared itself, and he became the master of the Luxembourg + where she dwelt. M. de Lauzun, who was a distant relative, was + delighted, and chuckled inwardly. He thought he saw a repetition of + the old times, when Mademoiselle was in her glory; he vouchsafed his + advice to Rion. + </p> + <p> + Rion was gentle and naturally polished and respectful, a good and + honest fellow. He soon felt the power of his charms, which could only + have captivated the incomprehensible and depraved fantasy of such a + princess. He did not abuse this power; made himself liked by + everybody; but he treated Madame la Duchesse de Berry as M. de Lauzun + had treated Mademoiselle. He was soon decorated with the most + beautiful lace and the richest clothes covered with silver, loaded + with snuffboxes, jewels, and precious stones. He took pleasure in + making the Princess long after him, and be jealous; affecting to be + still more jealous of her. He often made her cry. Little by little, he + obtained such authority over her that she did not dare to do anything + without his permission, not even the most indifferent things. If she + were ready to go to the opera, he made her stay away; at other times + he made her go thither in spite of herself. He made her treat well + many ladies she did not like, or of whom she was jealous, and treat + ill persons who pleased her, but of whom he pretended to be jealous. + Even in her finery she had not the slightest liberty. He amused + himself by making her disarrange her head-dress, or change her + clothes, when she was quite dressed; and that so often and so + publicly, that he accustomed her at last to take over night his orders + for her morning's dress and occupation, and on the morrow he would + change everything, and the Princess wept as much as she could, and + more. At last she actually sent messages to him by trusty valets,—for + he lived close to the Luxembourg,—several times during her + toilet, to know what ribbons she should wear; the same with her gown + and other things; and nearly always he made her wear what she did not + wish for. If ever she dared to do the least thing without his + permission, he treated her like a serving-wench, and her tears lasted + sometimes several days. This princess, so haughty, and so fond of + showing and exercising the most unmeasured pride, disgraced herself by + joining in repasts with him and obscure people; she, with whom no man + could lawfully eat if he were not a prince of the blood! + </p> + <p> + A Jesuit, named Pere Riglet, whom she had known as a child, and whose + intimacy she had always cultivated since, was admitted to these + private repasts, without being ashamed thereof, and without Madame la + Duchesse de Berry being embarrassed. Madame de Mouchy was the + confidante of all these strange parties she and Rion invited the + guests, and chose the days. La Mouchy often reconciled the Princess to + her lover, and was better treated by him than she, without her daring + to take notice of it, for fear of an eclat which would have caused her + to lose so dear a lover, and a confidante so necessary. This life was + public; everybody at the Luxembourg paid court to M. de Rion, who, on + his side, took care to be on good terms with all the world, nay, with + an air of respect that he refused, even in public, to his princess. He + often gave sharp replies to her in society, which made people lower + their eyes, and brought blushes to the cheek of Madame la Duchesse de + Berry, who, nevertheless, did not attempt to conceal her submission + and passionate manners, even before others. A remarkable fact is, that + in the midst of this life, she took an apartment at the Convent of the + Carmelites of the Faubourg Saint- Germain, where she sometimes went in + the afternoon, always slept there on grand religious fete days, and + often remained there several days running. She took with her two + ladies, rarely three, scarcely a single domestic; she ate with her + ladies what the convent could supply for her table; attended the + services, was sometimes long in prayer, and rigidly fasted on the + appointed days. + </p> + <p> + Two Carmelites, of much talent, and who knew the world, were charged + to receive her, and to be near her. One was very beautiful: the other + had been so. They were rather young, especially the handsomer; but + were very religious and holy, and performed the office entrusted to + them much against their inclination. When they became more familiar + they spoke freely to the Princess, and said to her that if they knew + nothing of her but what they saw, they should admire her as a saint, + but, elsewhere, they learnt that she led a strange life, and so + public, that they could not comprehend why she came to their convent. + Madame la Duchesse de Berry laughed at this, and was not angry. + Sometimes they lectured her, called people and things by their names, + and exhorted her to change so scandalous a life; but it was all in + vain. She lived as before, both at the Luxembourg and at the + Carmelites, and caused wonderment by this surprising conduct. + </p> + <p> + Madame la Duchesse de Berry returned with usury to her father, the + severity and the domination she suffered at the hands of Rion—yet + this prince, in his weakness, was not less submissive to her, + attentive to her, or afraid of her. He was afflicted with the public + reign of Rion, and the scandal of his daughter; but he did not dare to + breathe a word, or if he did (after some scene, as ridiculous as it + was violent, had passed between the lover and the Princess, and become + public), he was treated like a negro, pouted at several days, and did + not know how to make his peace. + </p> + <p> + But it is time now to speak of the public and private occupations of + the Regent himself, of his conduct, his pleasure parties, and the + employment of his days. + </p> + <p> + Up to five o'clock in the evening he devoted himself exclusively to + public business, reception of ministers, councils, etc., never dining + during the day, but taking chocolate between two and three o'clock, + when everybody was allowed to enter his room. After the council of the + day, that is to say, at about five o'clock, there was no more talk of + business. It was now the time of the Opera or the Luxembourg (if he + had not been to the latter place before his chocolate), or he went to + Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans' apartments, or supped, or went out + privately, or received company privately; or, in the fine season, he + went to Saint- Cloud, or elsewhere out of town, now supping there, or + at the Luxembourg, or at home. When Madame was at Paris, he spoke to + her for a moment before his mass; and when she was at Saint-Cloud he + went to see her there, and always paid her much attention and respect. + </p> + <p> + His suppers were always in very strange company. His mistresses, + sometimes an opera girl, often Madame la Duchesse de Berry, and a + dozen men whom he called his rows, formed the party. The requisite + cheer was prepared in places made expressly, on the same floor, all + the utensils were of silver; the company often lent a hand to the + cooks. It was at these parties that the character of every one was + passed in review, ministers and favourites like the rest, with a + liberty which was unbridled license. The gallantries past and present + of the Court and of the town; all old stories, disputes, jokes, + absurdities were raked up; nobody was spared; M. le Duc d'Orleans had + his say like the rest, but very rarely did these discourses make the + slightest impression upon him. The company drank as much as they + could, inflamed themselves, said the filthiest things without stint, + uttered impieties with emulation, and when they had made a good deal + of noise and were very drunk, they went to bed to recommence the same + game the next day. From the moment when supper was ready, business, no + matter of, what importance, no matter whether private or national, was + entirely banished from view. Until the next morning everybody and + everything were compelled to wait. + </p> + <p> + The Regent lost then an infinite amount of time in private, in + amusements, and debauchery. He lost much also in audiences too long, + too extended, too easily granted, and drowned himself in those same + details which during the lifetime of the late King we had both so + often reproached him with. Questions he might have decided in half an + hour he prolonged, sometimes from weakness, sometimes from that + miserable desire to set people at loggerheads, and that poisonous + maxim which occasionally escaped him or his favourite, 'divide et + impera'; often from his general mistrust of everybody and everything; + nothings became hydras with which he himself afterwards was much + embarrassed. His familiarity and his readiness of access extremely + pleased people, but were much abused. Folks sometimes were even + wanting in respect to him, which at last was an inconvenience all the + more dangerous because he could not, when he wished, reprimand those + who embarrassed him; insomuch as they themselves did not feel + embarrassed. + </p> + <p> + What is extraordinary is, neither his mistress nor Madame la Duchesse + de Berry, nor his 'roues', could ever draw anything from him, even + when drunk, concerning the affairs of the government, however + important. He publicly lived with Madame de Parabere; he lived at the + same time with others; he amused himself with the jealousy and + vexation of these women; he was not the less on good terms with them + all; and the scandal of this public seraglio, and that of the daily + filthiness and impiety at his suppers, were extreme and spread + everywhere. + </p> + <p> + Towards the end of the year (1715) the Chevalier de Bouillon, who + since the death of the son of the Comte d'Auvergne had taken the name + of the Prince d'Auvergne, proposed to the Regent that there should be + a public ball, masked and unmasked, in the opera three times a week, + people to pay upon entering, and the boxes to be thrown open to those + who did not care to dance. It was believed that a public ball, guarded + as is the opera on days of performance, would prevent those adventures + which happened so often at the little obscure balls scattered + throughout Paris; and indeed close them altogether. The opera balls + were established on a grand scale, and with all possible effect. The + proposer of the idea had for it six thousand livres pension; and a + machine admirably invented and of easy and instantaneous application, + was made to cover the orchestra, and put the stage and the pit on the + same level. The misfortune was, that the opera was at the Palais + Royal, and that M. le Duc d'Orleans had only one step to take to reach + it after his suppers and show himself there, often in a state but + little becoming. The Duc de Noailles, who strove to pay court to him, + went there from the commencement so drunk that there was no indecency + he did not commit. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0082" id="link2HCH0082"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXXXII + </h2> + <h3> + Let me speak now of another matter. + </h3> + <p> + A Scotchman, I do not know of what family, a great player and + combiner, who had gained much in various countries he had been in, had + come to Paris during the last days of the deceased King. His name was + Law; but when he became more known, people grew so accustomed to call + him Las, that his name of Law disappeared. He was spoken of to M. le + Duc d'Orleans as a man deep in banking and commercial matters, in the + movements of the precious metals, in monies and finance: the Regent, + from this description, was desirous to see him. He conversed with Law + some time, and was so pleased with him, that he spoke of him to + Desmarets as a man from whom information was to be drawn. I recollect + that the Prince spoke of him to me at the same time. Desmarets sent + for Law, and was a long while with him several times; I know nothing + of what passed between them or its results, except that Desmarets was + pleased with Law, and formed some esteem for him. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans, after that, only saw him from time to time; but + after the first rush of affairs, which followed the death of the King, + Law, who had formed some subaltern acquaintances at the Palais Royal, + and an intimacy with the Abbe Dubois, presented himself anew before M. + le Duc d'Orleans, soon after conversed with him in private, and + proposed some finance plans to him. The Regent made him work with the + Duc de Noailles, with Rouille, with Amelot—this last for + commercial matters. The first two were afraid of an intruder, favoured + by the Regent, in their administration; so that Law was a long time + tossed about, but was always backed by the Duc d'Orleans. At last, the + bank project pleased that Prince so much that he wished to carry it + out. He spoke in private to the heads of finance, in whom he found + great opposition. He had often spoken to me of it, and I had contented + myself with listening to him upon a matter I never liked, and which, + consequently, I never well understood; and the carrying out of which + appeared to me distant. When he had entirely formed his resolution, he + summoned a financial and commercial assembly, in which Law explained + the whole plan of the bank he wished to establish (this was on the + 24th of October, 1715). He was listened to as long as he liked to + talk. Some, who saw that the Regent was almost decided, acquiesced; + but the majority opposed. + </p> + <p> + Law was not disheartened. The majority were spoken to privately in + very good French. Nearly the same assembly was called, in which, the + Regent being present, Law again explained his project. This time few + opposed and feebly. The Duc de Noailles was obliged to give in. The + bank being approved of in this manner, it had next to be proposed to + the regency council. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans took the trouble to speak in private to each + member of the council, and gently to make them understand that he + wished the bank to meet with no opposition. He spoke his mind to me + thoroughly: therefore a reply was necessary. I said to him that I did + not hide my ignorance or my disgust for all finance matters; that, + nevertheless, what he had just explained to me appeared good in + itself, that without any new tax, without expense, and without + wronging or embarrassing anybody, money should double itself at once + by means of the notes of this bank, and become transferable with the + greatest facility. But along with this advantage I found two + inconveniences, the first, how to govern the bank with sufficient + foresight and wisdom, so as not to issue more notes than could be paid + whenever presented: the second, that what is excellent in a republic, + or in a monarchy where the finance is entirely popular, as in England, + is of pernicious use in an absolute monarchy, such as France, where + the necessities of a war badly undertaken and ill sustained, the + avarice of a first minister, favourite, or mistress, the luxury, the + wild expenses, the prodigality of a King, might soon exhaust a bank, + and ruin all the holders of notes, that is to say, overthrow the + realm. M. le Duc d'Orleans agreed to this; but at the same time + maintained that a King would have so much interest in never meddling + or allowing minister, mistress, or favourite to meddle with the bank, + that this capital inconvenience was never to be feared. Upon that we + for a long time disputed without convincing each other, so that when, + some few days afterwards, he proposed the bank to the regency council, + I gave my opinion as I have just explained it, but with more force and + at length: and my conclusion was to reject the bank, as a bait the + most fatal, in an absolute country, while in a free country it would + be a very good and very wise establishment. + </p> + <p> + Few dared to be of this opinion: the bank passed. Duc d'Orleans cast + upon me some little reproaches, but gentle, for having spoken at such + length. I based my excuses upon my belief that by duty, honour, and + conscience, I ought to speak according to my persuasion, after having + well thought over the matter, and explained myself sufficiently to + make my opinion well understood, and the reason I had for forming it. + Immediately after, the edict was registered without difficulty at the + Parliament. This assembly sometimes knew how to please the Regent with + good grace in order to turn the cold shoulder to him afterwards with + more efficacy. + </p> + <p> + Some time after, to relate all at once, M. le Duc d'Orleans wished me + to see Law in order that he might explain to me his plans, and asked + me to do so as a favour. I represented to him my unskilfulness in all + finance matters; that Law would in vain speak a language to me of + which I understood nothing, that we should both lose our time very + uselessly. I tried to back out thus, as well as I could. The Regent + several times reverted to the charge, and at last demanded my + submission. Law came then to my house. Though there was much of the + foreigner in his bearing, in his expressions, and in his accent, he + expressed himself in very good terms, with much clearness and + precision. He conversed with me a long while upon his bank, which, + indeed, was an excellent thing in itself, but for another country + rather than for France, and with a prince less easy than the Regent. + Law had no other solutions to give me, of my two objections, than + those the Regent himself had given, which did not satisfy me. But as + the affair had passed, and there was nothing now to do but well direct + it, principally upon that did our conversation turn. I made him feel + as much as I could the importance of not showing such facility, that + it might be abused, with a Regent so good, so easy, so open, so + surrounded. I masked as well as I could what I wished to make him + understand thereupon; and I dwelt especially upon the necessity of + being prepared to satisfy instantly all bearers of notes, who should + demand payment: for upon this depended the credit or the overthrow of + the bank. Law, on going out, begged me to permit him to come sometimes + and talk with me; we separated mutually satisfied, at which the Regent + was still more so. + </p> + <p> + Law came several other times to my house, and showed much desire to + grow intimate with me. I kept to civilities, because finance entered + not into my head, and I regarded as lost time all these conversations. + Some time after, the Regent, who spoke to me tolerably often of Law + with great prepossession, said that he had to ask of me, nay to demand + of me, a favour; it was, to receive a visit from Law regularly every + week. I represented to him the perfect inutility of these + conversations, in which I was incapable of learning anything, and + still more so of enlightening Law upon subjects he possessed, and of + which I knew naught. It was in vain; the Regent wished it; obedience + was necessary. Law, informed of this by the Regent, came then to my + house. He admitted to me with good grace, that it was he who had asked + the Regent to ask me, not daring to do so himself. Many compliments + followed on both sides, and we agreed that he should come to my house + every Tuesday morning about ten o'clock, and that my door should be + closed to everybody while he remained. This first visit was not given + to business. On the following Tuesday morning he came to keep his + appointment, and punctually came until his discomfiture. An + hour-and-a-half, very often two hours, was the ordinary time for our + conversations. He always took care to inform me of the favour his bank + was obtaining in France and foreign countries, of its products, of his + views, of his conduct, of the opposition he met with from the heads of + finance and the magistracy, of his reasons, and especially of his + balance sheet, to convince me that he was more than prepared to face + all holders of notes whatever sums they had to ask for. + </p> + <p> + I soon knew that if Law had desired these regular visits at my house, + it was not because he expected to make me a skilful financier; but + because, like a man of sense—and he had a good deal—he + wished to draw near a servitor of the Regent who had the best post in + his confidence, and who long since had been in a position to speak to + him of everything and of everybody with the greatest freedom and the + most complete liberty; to try by this frequent intercourse to gain my + friendship; inform himself by me of the intrinsic qualities of those + of whom he only saw the outside; and by degrees to come to the + Council, through me, to represent the annoyances he experienced, the + people with whom he had to do; and lastly, to profit by my dislike to + the Duc de Noailles, who, whilst embracing him every day, was dying of + jealousy and vexation, and raised in his path, under-hand, all the + obstacles and embarrassments possible, and would have liked to stifle + him. The bank being in action and flourishing, I believed it my duty + to sustain it. I lent myself, therefore, to the instructions Law + proposed, and soon we spoke to each other with a confidence I never + have had reason to repent. I will not enter into the details of this + bank, the other schemes which followed it, or the operations made in + consequence. This subject of finance would fill several volumes. I + will speak of it only as it affects the history of the time, or what + concerns me in particular. It is the history of my time I have wished + to write; I should have been too much turned from it had I entered + into the immense details respecting finance. I might add here what Law + was. I defer it to a time when this curiosity will be more in place. + </p> + <p> + Arouet, son of a notary, who was employed by my father and me until + his death, was exiled and sent to Tulle at this time (the early part + of 1716), for some verses very satirical and very impudent. + </p> + <p> + I should not amuse myself by writing down such a trifle, if this same + Arouet, having become a great poet and academician under the name of + Voltaire, had not also become—after many tragical adventures—a + manner of personage in the republic of letters, and even achieved a + sort of importance among certain people. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0083" id="link2HCH0083"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXXXIII + </h2> + <p> + I have elsewhere alluded to Alberoni, and shown what filthy baseness + he stooped to in order to curry favour with the infamous Duc de + Vendome. I have also shown that he accompanied the new Queen of Spain + from Parma to Madrid, after she had been married, by procuration, to + Philip V. He arrived at the Court of Spain at a most opportune moment + for his fortune. Madame des Ursins had just been disgraced; there was + no one to take her place. Alberoni saw his opportunity and was not + slow to avail himself of it. During the journey with the new Queen, he + had contrived to ingratiate himself so completely into her favour, + that she was, in a measure, prepared to see only with his eyes. The + King had grown so accustomed to be shut out from all the world, and to + be ruled by others, that he easily adapted himself to his new chains. + The Queen and Alberoni, then, in a short time had him as completely + under their thumb, as he had before been under that of Madame des + Ursins. + </p> + <p> + Alberoni, unscrupulous and ambitious, stopped at nothing in order to + consolidate his power and pave the way for his future greatness. + Having become prime minister, he kept the King as completely + inaccessible to the courtiers as to the world; would allow no one to + approach him whose influence he had in any way feared. He had Philip + completely in his own hands by means of the Queen, and was always on + his guard to keep him there. + </p> + <p> + Ever since the Regent's accession to power an intimacy had gradually + been growing up between the two governments of France and England. + This was mainly owing to the intrigues of the Abbe Dubois, who had + sold himself to the English Court, from which he secretly received an + enormous pension. He was, therefore, devoted heart and soul—if + such a despicable personage can be said to have the one or the other—to + the interests of King George, and tried to serve them in every way. He + had but little difficulty—comparatively speaking—in + inducing M. le Duc d'Orleans to fall into his nets, and to declare + himself in favour of an English alliance. Negotiations with this end + in view were, in fact, set on foot, had been for some time; and about + the month of September of this year (1716), assumed a more smiling + face than they had yet displayed. + </p> + <p> + Both France and England, from different motives, wished to draw Spain + into this alliance. The Regent, therefore, in order to further this + desire, obtained from England a promise that she would give up + Gibraltar to its former owners, the Spaniards. The King of England + consented to do so, but on one condition: it was, that in order not to + expose himself to the cries of the party opposed to him, this + arrangement should be kept profoundly secret until executed. In order + that this secrecy might be secured, he stipulated that the negotiation + should not in any way pass through the hands of Alberoni, or any + Spanish minister, but be treated directly between the Regent and the + King of Spain, through a confidential agent chosen by the former. + </p> + <p> + This confidential agent was to take a letter respecting the treaty to + the King of Spain, a letter full of insignificant trifles, and at the + same time a positive order from the King of England, written and + signed by his hand, to the Governor of Gibraltar, commanding him to + surrender the place to the King of Spain the very moment he received + this order, and to retire with his garrison, etc., to Tangiers. In + order to execute this a Spanish general was suddenly to march to + Gibraltar, under pretence of repressing the incursions of its + garrison,—summon the Governor to appear, deliver to him the King + of England's order, and enter into possession of the place. All this + was very weakly contrived; but this concerned the King of England, not + us. + </p> + <p> + I must not be proud; and must admit that I knew nothing of all this, + save at second-hand. If I had, without pretending to be very clever, I + must say that I should have mistrusted this fine scheme. The King of + England could not be ignorant with what care and with what jealousy + the Queen and Alberoni kept the King of Spain locked up, inaccessible + to everybody—and that the certain way to fail, was to try to + speak to him without their knowledge, in spite of them, or unaided by + them. However, my opinion upon this point was not asked, and + accordingly was not given. + </p> + <p> + Louville was the secret agent whom the Regent determined to send. He + had already been in Spain, had gained the confidence of the King, and + knew him better than any other person who could have been chosen. + Precisely because of all these reasons, I thought him the most unfit + person to be charged with this commission. The more intimate he had + been with the King of Spain, the more firm in his confidence, the more + would he be feared by the Queen and Alberoni; and the more would they + do to cover his embassy with failure, so as to guard their credit and + their authority. I represented my views on this subject to Louville, + who acknowledged there was truth in them, but contented himself with + saying, that he had not in his surprise dared to refuse the mission + offered to him; and that if he succeeded in it, the restitution to + Spain of such an important place as Gibraltar, would doubtless be the + means of securing to him large arrears of pensions due to him from + Philip the First: an object of no small importance in his eyes. + Louville, therefore, in due time departed to Madrid, on his strange + and secret embassy. + </p> + <p> + Upon arriving he went straight to the house of the Duc de + Saint-Aignan, our ambassador, and took up his quarters there. + Saint-Aignan who had received not the slightest information of his + arriving, was surprised beyond measure at it. Alberoni was something + more than surprised. As fortune would have it, Louville when at some + distance from Madrid was seen by a courier, who straightway told + Alberoni of the circumstance. As may be imagined, tormented as + Alberoni was by jealousy and suspicion, this caused him infinite + alarm. He was quite aware who Louville was; the credit he had attained + with the King of Spain; the trouble Madame des Ursins and the deceased + Queen had had to get him out of their way; the fear, therefore, that + he conceived on account of this unexpected arrival, was so great that + he passed all bounds, in order to free himself from it. + </p> + <p> + He instantly despatched a courier to meet Louville with an order + prohibiting him to approach any nearer to Madrid. The courier missed + Louville, but a quarter of an hour after this latter had alighted at + Saint-Aignan's, he received a note from Grimaldo inclosing an order + from the King of Spain, commanding him to leave the city that instant! + Louville replied that he was charged with a confidential letter from + the King of France, and with another from M. le Duc d'Orleans, for the + King of Spain; and with a commission for his Catholic Majesty which + would not permit him to leave until he had executed it. In consequence + of this reply, a courier was at once despatched to the Prince de + Cellamare, Spanish ambassador at Paris, ordering him to ask for the + recall of Louville, and to declare that the King of Spain so disliked + his person that he would neither see him, nor allow him to treat with + any of the ministers! + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the fatigue of the journey followed by such a reception so + affected Louville, that during the night he had an attack of a disease + to which he was subject, so that he had a bath prepared for him, into + which he got towards the end of the morning. + </p> + <p> + Alberoni, not satisfied with what he had already done, came himself to + the Duc de Saint-Aignan's, in order to persuade Louville to depart at + once. Despite the representations made to him, he insisted upon + penetrating to the sick-chamber. There he saw Louville in his bath. + Nothing could be more civil than the words of Alberoni, but nothing + could be more dry, more negative, or more absolute than their + signification. He pitied the other's illness and the fatigue of his + journey; would have wished to have known of this journey beforehand, + so as to have prevented it; and had hoped to be able to overcome the + repugnance of the King of Spain to see him, or at least to obtain + permission for him to remain some days in Madrid. He added that he had + been unable to shake his Majesty in any way, or to avoid obeying the + very express order he had received from him, to see that he (Louville) + departed at once. + </p> + <p> + Louville, however, was in a condition which rendered his departure + impossible. Alberoni admitted this, but warned him that his stay must + only last as long as his illness, and that the attack once over, he + must away. Louville insisted upon the confidential letters, of which + he was the bearer, and which gave him an official character, + instructed as he was to execute an important commission from the King + of France, nephew of the King of Spain, such as his Majesty could not + refuse to hear direct from his mouth, and such as he would regret not + having listened to. The dispute was long and warm, despite the illness + of Louville, who could gain nothing. He did not fail to remain five or + six days with the Duc de Saint-Aignan, and to make him act as + ambassador in order to obtain an audience of the King, although + Saint-Aignan was hurt at being kept ignorant of the object of the + other's mission. + </p> + <p> + Louville did not dare to call upon a soul, for fear of committing + himself, and nobody dared to call upon him. He hazarded, however, for + curiosity, to go and see the King of Spain pass through a street, and + ascertain if, on espying him, he would not be tempted to hear him, in + case his arrival, as was very possible, had been kept a secret. But + Alberoni had anticipated everything. Louville saw the King pass, + certainly, but found it was impossible to make himself perceived by + his Majesty. Grimaldo came afterwards to intimate to Louville an + absolute order to depart, and to inform the Duc de Saint-Aignan that + the King of Spain was so angry with the obstinacy of this delay, that + he would not say what might happen if the stay of Louville was + protracted; but that he feared the respect due to a representative + minister, and above all an ambassador of France, would be disregarded. + </p> + <p> + Both Louville and Saint-Aignan clearly saw that all audience was + impossible, and that in consequence a longer stay could only lead to + disturbances which might embroil the two crowns; so that, at the end + of seven or eight days, Louville departed, returning as he came. + Alberoni began then to breathe again after the extreme fear he had + had. He was consoled by this proof of his power, which showed he need + no longer fear that any one could approach the King without his aid, + or that any business could be conducted without him. Thus Spain lost + Gibraltar, and she has never been able to recover it since. + </p> + <p> + Such is the utility of prime ministers! + </p> + <p> + Alberoni spread the report in Spain and in France, that Philip V. had + taken a mortal aversion against Louville, since he had driven him out + of the country for his insolence and his scheming; that he would never + see him, and was offended because he had passed the Pyrenees; that + Louville had no proposition to make, or commission to execute; that he + had deceived the Regent, in making him believe that if once he found a + pretext for appearing before the King of Spain, knowing him so well as + he did, that prince would be ravished by the memory of his former + affection, would reinstate him in his former credit, and thus France + would be able to make Spain do all she wished. In a word, Alberoni + declared that Louville had only come into the country to try and + obtain some of the pensions he had been promised on quitting the King + of Spain, but that he had not gone the right way to work to be so soon + paid. + </p> + <p> + Nothing short of the effrontery of Alberoni would have been enough for + the purpose of spreading these impostures. No one had forgotten in + Spain what Madame des Ursins had done to get rid of Louville, how the + King of Spain had resisted; that she was not able to succeed without + the aid of France and her intrigues with Madame de Maintenon; and that + the King, afflicted to the utmost, yielding to the orders given by + France to Louville, had doubled the pensions which had for a long time + been paid to him, given him a sum of money in addition, and the + government of Courtray, which he lost only by the misfortune of the + war that followed the loss of the battle of Ramillies. With respect to + the commission, to deny it was an extreme piece of impudence, a man + being concerned so well known as Louville, who descends at the house + of the ambassador of France, says he has letters of trust from the + King and the Regent, and an important mission which he can only + confide to the King of Spain, the self-same ambassador striving to + obtain an audience for him. Nothing was so easy as to cover Louville + with confusion, if he had spoken falsely, by making him show his + letters; if he had none he would have been struck dumb, and having no + official character, Alberoni would have been free to punish him. Even + if with confidential letters, he had only a complaint to utter in + order to introduce himself and to solicit his pay, Alberoni would very + easily have been able to dishonour him, because he had no commission + after having roundly asserted that he was charged with one of great + importance. But omnipotence says and does with impunity whatever it + pleases. + </p> + <p> + Louville having returned, it was necessary to send word to the King of + England of all he had done in Spain; and this business came to + nothing, except that it set Alberoni against the Regent for trying to + execute a secret commission without his knowledge; and that it set the + Regent against Alberoni for frustrating a project so openly, and for + showing the full force of his power. Neither of the two ever forgot + this matter; and the dislike of Alberoni to the Regent led, as will be + seen, to some strange results. + </p> + <p> + I will add here, that the treaty of alliance between France and + England was signed a short time after this event. I did my utmost to + prevent it, representing to the Regent that his best policy was to + favour the cause of the Pretender, and thus by keeping the attention + of Great Britain continually fixed upon her domestic concerns, he + would effectually prevent her from influencing the affairs of the + continent, and long were the conversations I had with him, insisting + upon this point. But although, while he was with me, my arguments + might appear to have some weight with him, they were forgotten, clean + swept from his mind, directly the Abbe Dubois, who had begun to obtain + a most complete and pernicious influence over him, brought his + persuasiveness to bear. Dubois' palm had been so well greased by the + English that he was afraid of nothing. He succeeded then in inducing + the Regent to sign a treaty with England, in every way, it may safely + be said, advantageous to that power, and in no way advantageous to + France. Amongst other conditions, the Regent agreed to send the + so-called Pretender out of the realm, and to force him to seek an + asylum in Italy. This was, in fact, executed to the letter. King + James, who for some time had retired to Avignon, crossed the Alps and + settled in Rome, where he lived ever afterwards. I could not but + deplore the adoption of a policy so contrary to the true interests of + France; but the business being done I held my peace, and let matters + take their course. It was the only course of conduct open to me. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0084" id="link2HCH0084"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXXXIV + </h2> + <p> + I have already shown in these memoirs, that the late King had made of + the lieutenant of police a species of secret and confidential + minister; a sort of inquisitor, with important powers that brought him + in constant relation with the King. The Regent, with less authority + than the deceased monarch, and with more reasons than he to be well + informed of everything passing, intrigues included, found occupying + this office of lieutenant of police, Argenson, who had gained his good + graces chiefly, I fancy, when the affair of the cordelier was on the + carpet, as shown in its place. Argenson, who had much intelligence, + and who had desired this post as the entry, the basis, and the road of + his fortune, filled it in a very superior manner, and the Regent made + use of him with much liberty. The Parliament, very ready to show the + extent of its authority everywhere, at the least as though in + competition with that of the Regent, suffered impatiently what it + called the encroachments of the Court. It wished to indemnify itself + for the silence it had been compelled to keep thereon under the last + reign, and to re-obtain at the expense of the Regent all it had lost + of its authority over the police, of which it is the head. The + lieutenant of police is answerable to this body—even receives + his orders from it, and its reprimands (in public audiences, standing + uncovered at the bar of the Parliament) from the mouth of the + Chief-President, or of him who presides, and who calls him neither + Master nor Monsieur, but nakedly by his name, although the lieutenant + of police might have claimed these titles, being then Councillor of + State. + </p> + <p> + The Parliament wished, then, to humiliate Argenson (whom it hated + during the time of the deceased King); to give a disagreeable lesson + to the Regent; to prepare worse treatment still for his lieutenant of + police; to make parade of its power, to terrify thus the public, and + arrogate to itself the right of limiting the authority of the Regent. + </p> + <p> + Argenson had often during the late reign, and sometimes since, made + use of an intelligent and clever fellow, just suited to him, and named + Pomereu, to make discoveries, arrest people, and occasionally keep + them a short time in his own house. The Parliament believed, and + rightly, that in arresting this man under other pretexts, it would + find the thread of many curious and secret tortuosities, which would + aid its design, and that it might plume itself upon protecting the + public safety against the tyranny of secret arrests and private + imprisonments. To carry out its aim it made use of the Chamber of + justice, so as to appear as little as possible in the matter. This + Chamber hastened on so well the proceedings, for fear of being stopped + on the road, that the first hint people had of them was on learning + that Pomereu was, by decree of this Chamber, in the prisons of the + Conciergerie, which are those of the Parliament. Argenson, who was + informed of this imprisonment immediately it took place, instantly + went to the Regent, who that very moment sent a 'lettre de cachet', + ordering Pomereu to be taken from prison by force if the gaoler made + the slightest difficulty in giving him up to the bearers of the + 'lettre de cachet'; but that gentleman did not dare to make any. The + execution was so prompt that this man was not an hour in prison, and + they who had sent him there had not time to seize upon a box of papers + which had been transported with him to the Conciergerie, and which was + very carefully carried away with him. At the same time, everything in + any way bearing upon Pomereu, or upon the things in which he had been + employed, was carefully removed and secreted. + </p> + <p> + The vexation of the Parliament upon seeing its prey, which it had + reckoned upon making such a grand use of, carried off before its eyes, + may be imagined. It left nothing undone in order to move the public by + its complaints, and by its cries against such an attack upon law. The + Chamber of justice sent a deputation to the Regent, who made, fun of + it, by gravely giving permission to the deputies to re-take their + prisoner, but without saying a single word to them upon his escape + from gaol. He was in Paris, in a place where he feared nobody. The + Chamber of justice felt the derisiveness of the Regent's permission, + and ceased to transact business. It thought to embarrass the Regent + thus, but 'twould have been at its own expense. This lasted only a day + or two. The Duc de Noailles spoke to the Chamber; the members felt + they could gain nothing by their strike, and that if they were + obstinate they would be dispensed with, and others found to perform + their duties. They recommenced their labours then, and the Parliament + gained nothing by its attack, but only showed its ill-will, and at the + same time its powerlessness. + </p> + <p> + I have forgotten something which, from its singularity, deserves + recollection, and I will relate it now lest it should escape me again. + </p> + <p> + One afternoon, as we were about to take our places at the regency + council, the Marechal de Villars drew me aside and asked me if I knew + that Marly was going to be destroyed. I replied, "No;" indeed, I had + not heard speak of it; and I added that I could not believe it. "You + do not approve of it?" said the Marechal. I assured him I was far from + doing so. He repeated that the destruction was resolved on, that he + knew it beyond all doubt, and that if I wished to hinder it, I had not + a moment to lose. I replied that when we took our places I would speak + to M. le Duc d'Orleans. "Immediately," quickly replied the Marechal; + "speak to him this instant, for the order is perhaps already given." + </p> + <p> + As all the council were already seated I went behind to M. le Duc + d'Orleans, and whispered in his ear what I had just learnt without + naming from whom, and begged him, if my information was right, to + suspend execution of his project until I had spoken to him, adding + that I would join him at the Palais Royal after the council. He + stammered a little, as if sorry at being discovered, but nevertheless + agreed to wait for me: I said so in leaving to the Marechal de + Villars, and went to the Palais Royal, where M. le Duc d'Orleans + admitted the truth of the news I had heard. I said I would not ask who + had given such a pernicious counsel. He tried to show it was good by + pointing to the saving in keeping up that would be obtained; to the + gain that would accrue from the sale of so many water-conduits and + materials; to the unpleasant situation of a place to which the King + would not be able to go for several years; and to the expense the King + was put to in keeping up so many other beautiful houses, not one of + which admitted of pulling down. + </p> + <p> + I replied to him, that these were the reasons of the guardian of a + private gentleman that had been presented to him, the conduct of whom + could in no way resemble that of the guardian of a King of France; + that the expenses incurred in keeping up Marly were necessary, and + that, compared with the total of those of the King, they were but as + drops in the ocean. I begged him to get rid of the idea that the sale + of the materials would yield any profit,—all the receipts would + go in gifts and pillage, I said; and also that it was not these petty + objects he ought to regard, but that he should consider how many + millions had been buried in this ancient sewer, to transform it into a + fairy palace, unique as to form in all Europe—unique by the + beauty of its fountains, unique also by the reputation that the + deceased King had given to it; and that it was an object of curiosity + to strangers of every rank who came to France; that its destruction + would resound throughout Europe with censure; that these mean reasons + of petty economy would not prevent all France from being indignant at + seeing so distinguished an ornament swept away; that although neither + he nor I might be very delicate upon what had been the taste and the + favourite work of the late King, the Regent ought to avoid wounding + his memory,—which by such a long reign, so many brilliant years, + so many grand reverses so heroically sustained, and escaped from in so + unhoped-for a manner—had left the entire world in veneration of + his person: in fine, that he might reckon all the discontented, all + the neutral even, would join in chorus with the Ancient Court, and cry + murder; that the Duc du Maine, Madame de Ventadour, the Marechal de + Villeroy would not hesitate to look upon the destruction of Marly as a + crime against the King,—a crime they would not fail to make the + best of for their own purposes during all the regency, and even after + it was at an end. I clearly saw that M. le Duc d'Orleans had not in + the least reflected upon all this. He agreed that I was right: + promised that Marly should not be touched, that it should continue to + be kept up, and thanked me for preserving him from this fault. + </p> + <p> + When I was well assured of him, "Admit," said I, "that the King, in + the other world, would be much astonished if he could know that the + Duc de Noailles had made you order the destruction of Marly, and that + it was who hindered it." + </p> + <p> + "Oh! as to that," he quickly replied, "it is true he could not believe + it." In effect Marly was preserved and kept up; and it is the Cardinal + Fleury, with his collegiate proctor's avarice, who has stripped it of + its river, which was its most superb charm. + </p> + <p> + I hastened to relate this good resolve to the Marechal de Villars. The + Duc de Noailles, who, for his own private reasons, had wished the + destruction of Marly, was furious when he saw his proposal fail. To + indemnify himself in some degree for his vexation, he made the Regent + agree, in the utmost secrecy, for fear of another failure, that all + the furniture, linen, etc., should be sold. He persuaded M. le Duc + d'Orleans that all these things would be spoiled and lost by the time + the King was old enough to use them; that in selling them a large sum + would be gained to relieve expenses; and that in future years the King + could furnish Marly as he pleased. There was an immense quantity of + things sold, but owing to favour and pillage they brought very little; + and to replace them afterwards, millions were spent. I did not know of + this sale, at which anybody bought who wished, and at very low prices, + until it had commenced; therefore I was unable to hinder this very + damaging parsimoniousness. + </p> + <p> + The Regent just about this time was bestowing his favours right and + left with a very prodigal hand; I thought, therefore, I was fully + entitled to ask him for one, which, during the previous reign, had + been so rare, so useful, and accordingly so difficult to obtain; I + mean the right of entering the King's room—the 'grandes entrees'—as + it was called, and I attained it at once. + </p> + <p> + Since the occasion offers, I may as well explain what are the + different sorts of entrees. The most precious are called the "grand," + which give the right to enter into all the retired places of the + King's apartments, whenever the grand chamberlain and the chief + gentlemen of the chamber enter. The importance of this privilege under + a King who grants audiences with difficulty, need not be insisted on. + Enjoying it, you can speak with him, tete-a-tete, whenever you please, + without asking his permission, and without the knowledge of others; + you obtain a familiarity, too, with him by being able to see him thus + in private. + </p> + <p> + The offices which give this right are, those of grand chamberlain, of + first gentleman of the chamber, and of grand master of the wardrobe on + annual duty; the children, legitimate and illegitimate, of the King, + and the wives and husbands of the latter enjoy the same right. As for + Monsieur and M. le Duc d'Orleans they always had these entrees, and as + sons of France, were at liberty to enter and see the King at all + hours, but they did not abuse this privilege. The Duc du Maine and the + Comte de Toulouse had the same, which they availed themselves of + unceasingly, but by the back stairs. + </p> + <p> + The second entrees, simply called entrees, were purely personal; no + appointment or change gave them. They conferred the right to see the + King at his rising, after the grandes, and also to see him, but under + difficulties, during all the day and evening. + </p> + <p> + The last entrees are those called chamber entrees. They also give the + right to see the King at his rising, before the distinguished + courtiers; but no other privilege except to be present at the booting + of the King. This was the name employed when the King changed his + coat, in going or returning from hunting or a walk. At Marly, all who + were staying there by invitation, entered to see this ceremony without + asking; elsewhere, those who had not the entree were excluded. The + first gentleman of the chamber had the right, and used it sometimes, + to admit four or five persons at the most, to the "booting," if they + asked, and provided they were people of quality, or of some + distinction. + </p> + <p> + Lastly, there were the entrees of the cabinet which gave you the right + to wait for the King there when he entered after rising, until he had + given orders for the day, and to pay your court to him, and to enter + there when he entered to change his coat. Beyond this, the privilege + attached to these admissions did not extend. The Cardinals and the + Princes of the blood had the entrees of the chamber and those of the + cabinet, so had all the chief officials. + </p> + <p> + I was the first who had the 'grandes entrees' from the Regent. D'Antin + asked for them next. Soon after, upon this example, they were accorded + to D'O. M. le Prince de Conti, the sole prince of the blood who had + them not, because he was the sole prince of the blood who did not come + from Madame de Montespan, received them next, and little by little the + privilege was completely prostituted as so many others were. + </p> + <p> + By extremely rare good fortune a servant employed in the diamond mines + of the Great Mogul found means to secrete about his person a diamond + of prodigious size, and what is more marvellous, to gain the seashore + and embark without being subjected to the rigid and not very delicate + ordeal, that all persons not above suspicion by their name or their + occupation, are compelled to submit to, ere leaving the country. He + played his cards so well, apparently, that he was not suspected of + having been near the mines, or of having had anything to do with the + jewel trade. To complete his good fortune he safely arrived in Europe + with his diamond. He showed it to several princes, none of whom were + rich enough to buy, and carried it at last to England, where the King + admired it, but could not resolve to purchase it. A model of it in + crystal was made in England, and the man, the diamond, and the model + (perfectly resembling the original) were introduced to Law, who + proposed to the Regent that he should purchase the jewel for the King. + The price dismayed the Regent, who refused to buy. + </p> + <p> + Law, who had in many things much grandour of sentiment, came + dispirited to me, bringing the model. I thought, with him, that it was + not consistent with the greatness of a King of France to be repelled + from the purchase of an inestimable jewel, unique of its kind in the + world, by the mere consideration of price, and that the greater the + number of potentates who had not dared to think of it, the greater + ought to be his care not to let it escape him. Law, ravished to find + me think in this manner, begged me to speak to M. le Duc d'Orleans. + The state of the finances was an obstacle upon which the Regent much + insisted. He feared blame for making so considerable a purchase, while + the most pressing necessities could only be provided for with much + trouble, and so many people were of necessity kept in distress. I + praised this sentiment, but I said that he ought not to regard the + greatest King of Europe as he would a private gentleman, who would be + very reprehensible if he threw away 100,000 livres upon a fine + diamond, while he owed many debts which he could not pay: that he must + consider the honour of the crown, and not lose the occasion of + obtaining, a priceless diamond which would efface the lustre of all + others in Europe: that it was a glory for his regency which would last + for ever; that whatever might be the state of the finances the saving + obtained by a refusal of the jewel would not much relieve them, for it + would be scarcely perceptible; in fact I did not quit M. le Duc + d'Orleans until he had promised that the diamond should be bought. + </p> + <p> + Law, before speaking to me, had so strongly represented to the dealer + the impossibility of selling his diamond at the price he hoped for, + and the loss he would suffer in cutting it into different pieces, that + at last he made him reduce the price to two millions, with the + scrapings, which must necessarily be made in polishing, given in. The + bargain was concluded on these terms. The interest upon the two + millions was paid to the dealer until the principal could be given to + him, and in the meanwhile two millions' worth of jewels were handed to + him as security. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans was agreeably deceived by the applause that the + public gave to an acquisition so beautiful and so unique. This diamond + was called the "Regent." It is of the size of a greengage plum, nearly + round, of a thickness which corresponds with its volume, perfectly + white, free from all spot, speck, or blemish, of admirable water, and + weighs more than 500 grains. I much applauded myself for having + induced the Regent to make so illustrious a purchase. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0085" id="link2HCH0085"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXXXV + </h2> + <p> + In 1716 the Duchesse de Lesdiguieres died at Paris in her fine hotel. + She was not old, but had been long a widow, and had lost her only son. + She was the last relic of the Gondi who were brought into France by + Catherine de' Medici, and who made so prodigious a fortune. She left + great wealth. She was a sort of fairy, who, though endowed with much + wit, would see scarcely anybody, still less give dinners to the few + people she did see. She never went to Court, and seldom went out of + her house. The door of her house was always thrown back, disclosing a + grating, through which could be perceived a true fairy palace, such as + is sometimes described in romances. Inside it was nearly desert, but + of consummate magnificence, and all this confirmed the first + impression, assisted by the singularity of everything, her followers, + her livery, the yellow hangings of her carriage, and the two great + Moors who always followed her. She left much to her servants, and for + pious purposes, but nothing to her daughter-in-law, though poor and + respectful to her. Others got magnificent legacies. + </p> + <p> + Cavoye died about the same time. I have said enough about him and his + wife to have nothing to add. Cavoye, away from Court, was like a fish + out of water; and he could not stand it long. If romances have rarely + produced conduct like that of his wife towards him, they would with + still greater difficulty describe the courage with which her lasting + love for her husband sustained her in her attendance on his last + illness, and the entombment to which she condemned herself afterwards. + She preserved her first mourning all her life, never slept away from + the house where he died, or went out, except to go twice a day to + Saint-Sulpice to pray in the chapel where he was buried. She would + never see any other persons besides those she had seen during the last + moments of her husband, and occupied herself with good works also, + consuming herself thus in a few years without a single sign of + hesitation. A vehemence so equal and so maintained is perhaps an + example, great, unique, and assuredly very respectable. + </p> + <p> + Peter I., Czar of Muscovy, has made for himself, and justly, such a + great name, in his own country, in all Europe, and in Asia, that I + will not undertake to describe so grand, so illustrious a prince—comparable + to the greatest men of antiquity—who has been the admiration of + his age, who will be that of years to come, and whom all Europe has + been so much occupied in studying. The singularity of the journey into + France of so extraordinary a prince, has appeared to me to deserve a + complete description in an unbroken narrative. It is for this reason + that I place my account of it here a little late, according to the + order of time, but with dates that will rectify this fault. + </p> + <p> + Various things relating to this monarch have been seen in their place; + his various journeys to Holland, Germany, Vienna, England, and to + several parts of the North; the object of those journeys, with some + account of his military actions, his policy, his family. It has been + shown that he wished to come into France during the time of the late + King, who civilly refused to receive him. There being no longer this + obstacle, he wished to satisfy his curiosity, and he informed the + Regent through Prince Kourakin, his ambassador at Paris, that he was + going to quit the Low Countries, and come and see the King. + </p> + <p> + There was nothing for it but to appear very pleased, although the + Regent would gladly have dispensed with this visit. The expenses to be + defrayed were great; the trouble would be not less great with a prince + so powerful and so clear-sighted, but full of whims, with a remnant of + barbarous manners, and a grand suite of people, of behaviour very + different from that common in these countries, full of caprices and of + strange fashions, and both they and their master very touchy and very + positive upon what they claimed to be due or permitted to them. + </p> + <p> + Moreover the Czar was at daggers drawn with the King of England, the + enmity between them passing all decent limits, and being the more + bitter because personal. This troubled not a little the Regent, whose + intimacy with the King of England was public, the private interest of + Dubois carrying it even to dependence. The dominant passion of the + Czar was to render his territories flourishing by commerce; he had + made a number of canals in order to facilitate it; there was one for + which he needed the concurrence of the King of England, because it + traversed a little corner of his German dominions. From jealousy + George would not consent to it. Peter, engaged in the war with Poland, + then in that of the North, in which George was also engaged, + negotiated in vain. He was all the more irritated, because he was in + no condition to employ force; and this canal, much advanced, could not + be continued. Such was the source of that hatred which lasted all the + lives of these monarchs, and with the utmost bitterness. + </p> + <p> + Kourakin was of a branch of that ancient family of the Jagellons, + which had long worn the crowns of Poland, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. + He was a tall, well-made man, who felt all the grandeur of his origin; + had much intelligence, knowledge of the way of managing men, and + instruction. He spoke French and several languages very fairly; he had + travelled much, served in war, then been employed in different courts. + He was Russian to the backbone, and his extreme avarice much damaged + his talents. The Czar and he had married two sisters, and each had a + son. The Czarina had been repudiated and put into a convent near + Moscow; Kourakin in no way suffered from this disgrace; he perfectly + knew his master, with whom he kept on very free terms, and by whom he + was treated with confidence and consideration. His last mission had + been to Rome, where he remained three years; thence he came as + ambassador to Paris. At Rome he was without official character, and + without business except a secret one, with which the Czar had + entrusted him, as to a sure and enlightened man. + </p> + <p> + This monarch, who wished to raise himself and his country from + barbarism, and extend his power by conquests and treaties, had felt + the necessity of marriages, in order to ally himself with the chief + potentates of Europe. But to form such marriages he must be of the + Catholic religion, from which the Greeks were separated by such a + little distance, that he thought his project would easily be received + in his dominions, if he allowed liberty of conscience there. But this + prince was sufficiently sagacious to seek enlightenment beforehand + upon Romish pretensions. He had sent for that purpose to Rome a man of + no mark, but capable of well fulfilling his mission, who remained + there five or six months, and who brought back no very satisfactory + report. Later he opened his heart in Holland to King William, who + dissuaded him from his design, and who counselled him even to imitate + England, and to make himself the chief of his religion, without which + he would never be really master in his own country. This counsel + pleased the Czar all the more, because it was by the wealth and by the + authority of the patriarchs of Moscow, his grandfathers, and + great-grandfathers, that his father had attained the crown, although + only of ordinary rank among the Russian nobility. + </p> + <p> + These patriarchs were dependent upon those of the Greek rite of + Constantinople but very slightly. They had obtained such great power, + and such prodigious rank, that at their entry into Moscow the Czar + held their stirrups, and, on foot, led their horse by the bridle: + Since the grandfather of Peter, there had been no patriarch at Moscow. + Peter I., who had reigned some time with his elder brother, incapable + of affairs, long since dead, leaving no son, had, like his father, + never consented to have a patriarch there. The archbishops of Novgorod + supplied their place in certain things, as occupying the chief see + after that of Moscow, but with scarcely any authority that the Czar + did not entirely usurp, and more carefully still after King William + had given him the counsel before alluded to; so that by degrees he had + become the real religious chief of his vast dominions. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, the passionate desire he had to give to his posterity + the privilege of marrying with Catholic princes, the wish he had, + above all, for the honour of alliances with the house of France, and + that of Austria, made him return to his first project. He tried to + persuade himself that the man whom he had secretly sent to Rome had + not been well informed, or had ill understood; he resolved, therefore, + to fathom his doubts, so that he should no longer have any as to the + course he ought to adopt. + </p> + <p> + It was with this design that he chose Prince Kourakin, whose knowledge + and intelligence were known to him, and sent him to Rome under + pretence of curiosity, feeling that a nobleman of his rank would find + the best, the most important, and the most distinguished society there + ready to receive him; and that by remaining there, under pretext of + liking the life he led, and of wishing to see and admire at his ease + all the marvels of so many different kinds collected there, he should + have leisure and means to return perfectly instructed upon everything + he wished to know. Kourakin, in fact, remained in Rome three years, + associating with the savans on the one hand and the best company on + the other, whence by degrees he obtained all he wished to know; all + the more readily because this Court boasts of its temporal pretensions + and of its conquests of this kind, instead of keeping them secret. In + consequence of the long and faithful report that Kourakin made to the + Czar, that prince heaved a sigh, saying that he must be master in his + own country, and could not place there anybody greater than himself; + and never afterwards did he think of turning Catholic. + </p> + <p> + This fact respecting the Czars and Rome, Prince Kourakin did not hide. + Everybody who knew him has heard him relate it. I have eaten with him + and he with me, and I have talked a good deal with him, and heard him + talk, with pleasure, upon many things. + </p> + <p> + The Regent, informed by him of the forthcoming arrival in France of + the Czar by sea, sent the King's equipages; horses, coaches, vehicles, + waggons, and tables and chambers with Du Libois, one of the King's + gentlemen in ordinary, to go and wait for the Czar at Dunkerque, pay + the expenses incurred by him and his suite on the way to Paris, and + everywhere render him the same honour as to the King. The Czar + proposed to allot a hundred days to his journey. The apartment of the + Queen- mother at the Louvre was furnished for him, the councils + usually held there taking place in the houses of the chiefs of these + councils. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans discussing with me as to the nobleman best fitted + to be appointed to wait upon the Czar during his stay, I recommended + the Marechal de Tesse, as a man without occupation, who well knew the + language and usages of society, who was accustomed to foreigners by + his journeys and negotiations in Spain, Turin, Rome, and in other + courts of Italy, and who, gentle and polite, was sure to perform his + duties well. M. le Duc d'Orleans agreed with me, and the next day sent + for him and gave him his orders. + </p> + <p> + When it was known that the Czar was near Dunkerque, the Regent sent + the Marquis de Neelle to receive him at Calais, and accompany him + until they met the Marechal de Tesse, who was not to go beyond + Beaumont to wait for him. At the same time the Hotel de Lesdiguieres + was prepared for the Czar and his suite, under the idea that he might + prefer a private house, with all his people around him, to the Louvre. + The Hotel de Lesdiguieres was large and handsome, as I have said at + the commencement of this chapter, adjoined the arsenal, and belonged + by succession to the Marechal de Villeroy, who lodged at the + Tuileries. Thus the house was empty, because the Duc de Villeroy, who + was not a man fond of display, had found it too distant to live in. It + was entirely refurnished, and very magnificently, with the furniture + of the King. + </p> + <p> + The Czar arrived at Beaumont on Friday, the 7th of May, 1717, about + mid- day. Tesse made his reverences to him as he descended from his + coach, had the honour of dining with him, and of escorting him that + very day to Paris. + </p> + <p> + The Czar entered the city in one of Tesse's coaches, with three of his + suite with him, but not Tesse himself. The Marechal followed in + another coach. The Czar alighted at nine o'clock in the evening at the + Louvre, and walked all through the apartments of the Queen-mother. He + considered them to be too magnificently hung and lighted, jumped into + his coach again, and went to the Hotel de Lesdiguieres, where he + wished to lodge. He thought the apartment destined for him too fine + also, and had his camp-bed immediately spread out in a wardrobe. The + Marechal de Tesse, who was to do the honours of his house and of his + table, to accompany him everywhere, and not quit the place where he + might be, lodged in an apartment of the Hotel de Lesdiguieres, and had + enough to do in following and sometimes running after him. Verton, one + of the King's maitres d'hotel, was charged with serving him and all + the tables of the Czar and his suite. The suite consisted of forty + persons of all sorts, twelve or fifteen of whom were considerable + people in themselves, or by their appointments; they all ate with the + Czar. + </p> + <p> + Verton was a clever lad, strong in certain company, fond of good cheer + and of gaming, and served the Czar with so much order, and conducted + himself so well, that this monarch and all the suite conceived a + singular friendship for him. + </p> + <p> + The Czar excited admiration by his extreme curiosity, always bearing + upon his views of government, trade, instruction, police, and this + curiosity embraced everything, disdained nothing in the smallest + degree useful; it was marked and enlightened, esteeming only what + merited to be esteemed, and exhibited in a clear light the + intelligence, justness, ready appreciation of his mind. Everything + showed in the Czar the vast extent of his knowledge, and a sort of + logical harmony of ideas. He allied in the most surprising manner the + highest, the proudest, the most delicate, the most sustained, and at + the same time the least embarrassing majesty, when he had established + it in all its safety with a marked politeness. Yet he was always and + with everybody the master everywhere, but with gradations, according + to the persons he was with. He had a kind of familiarity which sprang + from liberty, but he was not without a strong dash of that ancient + barbarism of his country, which rendered all his actions rapid; nay, + precipitous, his will uncertain, and not to be constrained or + contradicted in anything. Often his table was but little decent, much + less so were the attendants who served, often too with an openness of + kingly audacity everywhere. What he proposed to see or do was entirely + independent of means; they were to be bent to his pleasure and + command. His desire for liberty, his dislike to be made a show of, his + free and easy habits, often made him prefer hired coaches, common cabs + even; nay, the first which he could lay his hands on, though belonging + to people below him of whom he knew nothing. He jumped in, and had + himself driven all over the city, and outside it. On one occasion he + seized hold of the coach of Madame de Mattignon, who had come to gape + at him, drove off with it to Boulogne and other country places near + Paris. The owner was much astonished to find she must journey back on + foot. On such occasions the Marechal de Tesse and his suite had often + hard work to find the Czar, who had thus escaped them. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0086" id="link2HCH0086"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXXXVI + </h2> + <p> + The Czar was a very tall man, exceedingly well made; rather thin, his + face somewhat round, a high forehead, good eyebrows, a rather short + nose, but not too short, and large at the end, rather thick lips, + complexion reddish brown, good black eyes, large, bright, piercing, + and well open; his look majestic and gracious when he liked, but when + otherwise, severe and stern, with a twitching of the face, not often + occurring, but which appeared to contort his eyes and all his + physiognomy, and was frightful to see; it lasted a moment, gave him a + wild and terrible air, and passed away. All his bearing showed his + intellect, his reflectiveness, and his greatness, and was not devoid + of a certain grace. He wore a linen collar, a round-brown wig, as + though without powder, and which did not reach to his shoulders; a + brown coat tight to the body, even, and with gold buttons; vest, + breeches, stockings, no gloves or ruffles, the star of his order over + his coat, and the cordon under it, the coat itself being frequently + quite unbuttoned, his hat upon the table, but never upon his head, + even out of doors. With this simplicity ill-accompanied or ill mounted + as he might be, the air of greatness natural to him could not be + mistaken. + </p> + <p> + What he ate and drank at his two regular meals is inconceivable, + without reckoning the beer, lemonade, and other drinks he swallowed + between these repasts, his suite following his example; a bottle or + two of beer, as many more of wine, and occasionally, liqueurs + afterwards; at the end of the meal strong drinks, such as brandy, as + much sometimes as a quart. This was about the usual quantity at each + meal. His suite at his table drank more and ate in proportion, at + eleven o'clock in the morning and at eight at night. There was a + chaplain who ate at the table of the Czar, who consumed half as much + again as the rest, and with whom the monarch, who was fond of him, + much amused himself. Prince Kourakin went every day to the Hotel de + Lesdiguieres, but lodged elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + The Czar well understood French, and I think could have spoken it, if + he had wished, but for greatness' sake he always had an interpreter. + Latin and many other languages he spoke very well. There was a + detachment of guards in his house, but he would scarcely ever allow + himself to be followed by them. He would not set foot outside the + Hotel de Lesdiguieres, whatever curiosity he might feel, or give any + signs of life, until he had received a visit from the King. + </p> + <p> + On Saturday, the day after his arrival, the Regent went in the morning + to see the Czar. This monarch left his cabinet, advanced a few paces, + embraced Monsieur d'Orleans with an air of great superiority, pointed + to the door of the cabinet, and instantly turning on his heel, without + the slightest compliment, entered there. The Regent followed, and + Prince Kourakin after him to serve as interpreter. They found two + armchairs facing each other, the Czar seated himself in the upper, the + Regent in the other. The conversation lasted nearly an hour without + public affairs being mentioned, after which the Czar left his cabinet; + the Regent followed him, made him a profound reverence, but slightly + returned, and left him in the same place as he had found him on + entering. + </p> + <p> + On Monday, the 10th of May, the King went to see the Czar, who + received him at the door, saw him alight from his coach, walked with + him at his left into his chamber, where they found two armchairs + equally placed. The King sat down in the right-hand one, the Czar in + the other, Prince Kourakin served as interpreter. It was astonishing + to see the Czar take the King under both arms, hoist him up to his + level, embrace him thus in the air; and the King, young as he was, + show no fear, although he could not possibly have been prepared for + such a reception. It was striking, too, to see the grace which the + Czar displayed before the King, the air of tenderness he assumed + towards him, the politeness which flowed as it were naturally, and + which nevertheless was mixed with greatness, with equality of rank, + and slightly with superiority of age: for all these things made + themselves felt. He praised the King, appeared charmed with him, and + persuaded everybody he was. He embraced him again and again. The King + paid his brief compliment very prettily; and M. du Maine, the Marechal + de Villeroy, and the distinguished people present, filled up the + conversation. The meeting lasted a short quarter of an hour. The Czar + accompanied the King as he had received him, and saw him to his coach. + </p> + <p> + On Tuesday, the 11th of May, between four and five o'clock, the Czar + went to see the King. He was received by the King at his carriage + door, took up a position on his right, and was conducted within. All + these ceremonies had been agreed on before the King went to see him. + The Czar showed the same affection and the same attentions to the King + as before; and his visit was not longer than the one he had received, + but the crowd much surprised him. + </p> + <p> + He had been at eight o'clock in the morning to see the Place Royal, + the Place des Victoires, and the Place de Vendome, and the next day he + went to the Observatoire, the Gobelins, and the King's Garden of + Simples. Everywhere he amused himself in examining everything, and in + asking many questions. + </p> + <p> + On Thursday, the 13th of May, he took medicine, but did not refrain + after dinner from calling upon several celebrated artificers. On + Friday, the 14th, he went at six o'clock in the morning into the grand + gallery of the Louvre, to see the plans in relief of all the King's + fortified places, Hasfield, with his engineers, doing the honours. The + Czar examined all these plans for a long time; visited many other + parts of the Louvre, and descended afterwards into the Tuileries + garden, from which everybody had been excluded. They were working then + upon the Pont Tournant. The Czar industriously examined this work, and + remained there a long time. In the afternoon he went to see, at the + Palais Royal, Madame, who had sent her compliments to him by her + officer. The armchair excepted, she received him as she would have + received the King. M. le Duc d'Orleans came afterwards and took him to + the Opera, into his grand box, where they sat upon the front seat upon + a splendid carpet. Sometime after, the Czar asked if there was no beer + to be had. Immediately a large goblet of it was brought to him, on a + salver. The Regent rose, took it, and presented it to the Czar, who + with a smile and an inclination of politeness, received the goblet + without any ceremony, drank, and put it back on the salver which the + Regent still held. In handing it back, the Regent took a plate, in + which was a napkin, presented it to the Czar, who without rising made + use of it, at which the house appeared rather astonished. At the + fourth act the Czar went away to supper, but did not wish the Regent + to leave the box. The next morning he jumped into a hired coach, and + went to see a number of curiosities among the workmen. + </p> + <p> + On the 16th of May, Whit Sunday, he went to the Invalides, where he + wished to see and examine everything. At the refectory he tasted the + soldiers' soup and their wine, drank to their healths, struck them on + the shoulders, and called them comrades. He much admired the church, + the dispensary, and the infirmary, and appeared much pleased with the + order of the establishment. The Marechal de Villars did the honours; + the Marechale went there to look on. The Czar was very civil to her. + </p> + <p> + On Monday, the 17th, he dined early with Prince Ragotzi, who had + invited him, and afterwards went to Meudon, where he found some of the + King's horses to enable him to see the gardens and the park at his + ease. Prince Ragotzi accompanied him. + </p> + <p> + On Tuesday, the 18th, the Marechal d'Estrees took him, at eight + o'clock in the morning, to his house at Issy, gave him a dinner, and + much amused him during the day with many things shown to him relating + to the navy. + </p> + <p> + On Monday, the 24th, he went out early to the Tuileries, before the + King was up. He entered the rooms of the Marechal de Villeroy, who + showed him the crown jewels. They were more beautiful and more + numerous than he suspected, but he said he was not much of a judge of + such things. He stated that he cared but little for the beauties + purely of wealth and imagination, above all for those he could not + attain. Thence he wished to go and see the King, who spared him the + trouble by coming. It had been expressly arranged thus, so that his + visit should appear one of chance. They met each other in a cabinet, + and remained there. The King, who held a roll of paper in his hand, + gave it to him, and said it was the map of his territories. This + compliment much pleased the Czar, whose politeness and friendly + affectionate bearing were the same as before, with much grace and + majesty. + </p> + <p> + In the afternoon he went to Versailles, where the Marechal de Tesse + left him to the Duc d'Antin. The apartment of Madame la Dauphine was + prepared for him, and he slept in the room of Monseigneur le Dauphin + (the King's father), now made into a cabinet for the Queen. + </p> + <p> + On Tuesday, the 25th, he had traversed the gardens, and had been upon + the canal early in the morning, before the hour of his appointment + with D'Antin. He saw all Versailles, Trianon, and the menagerie. His + principal suite was lodged at the chateau. They took ladies with them, + and slept in the apartments Madame de Maintenon had occupied, quite + close to that in which the Czar slept. Bloin, governor of Versailles, + was extremely scandalised to see this temple of prudery thus profaned. + Its goddess and he formerly would have been less shocked. The Czar and + his people were not accustomed to restraint. + </p> + <p> + The expenses of this Prince amounted to six hundred crowns a day, + though he had much diminished his table since the commencement. + </p> + <p> + On Sunday, the 30th of May, he set out with Bellegarde, and many + relays, to dine at Petit Bourg, with D'Antin, who received him there, + and took him in the afternoon to see Fontainebleau, where he slept, + and the morrow there was a stag-hunt, at which the Comte de Toulouse + did the honours. Fontainebleau did not much please the Czar, and the + hunt did not please him at all; for he nearly fell off his horse, not + being accustomed to this exercise, and finding it too violent. When he + returned to Petit Bourg, the appearance of his carriage showed that he + had eaten and drunk a good deal in it. + </p> + <p> + On Friday, the 11th of June, he went from Versailles to Saint-Cyr, + where he saw all the household, and the girls in their classes. He was + received there like the King. He wished to see Madame de Maintenon, + who, expecting his curiosity, had buried herself in her bed, all the + curtains closed, except one, which was half-open. The Czar entered her + chamber, pulled back the window-curtains upon arriving, then the + bed-curtains, took a good long stare at her, said not a word to her,—nor + did she open her lips,—and, without making her any kind of + reverence, went his way. I knew afterwards that she was much + astonished, and still more mortified at this; but the King was no + more. The Czar returned on Saturday, the 12th of June, to Paris. + </p> + <p> + On Tuesday, the 15th of June, he went early to D'Antin's Paris house. + Working this day with M. le Duc d'Orleans, I finished in half an hour; + he was surprised, and wished to detain me. I said, I could always have + the honour of finding him, but not the Czar, who was going away; that + I had not yet seen him, and was going to D'Antin's to stare at my + ease. Nobody entered except those invited, and some ladies with Madame + la Duchesse and the Princesses, her daughters, who wished to stare + also. I entered the garden, where the Czar was walking. The Marechal + de Tesse, seeing me at a distance, came up, wishing to present me to + the Czar. I begged him to do nothing of the kind, not even to perceive + me, but to let me gape at my ease, which I could not do if made known. + I begged him also to tell this to D'Antin, and with these precautions + I was enabled to satisfy my curiosity without interruption. I found + that the Czar conversed tolerably freely, but always as the master + everywhere. He retired into a cabinet, where D'Antin showed him + various plans and several curiosities, upon which he asked several + questions. It was there I saw the convulsion which I have noticed. I + asked Tesse if it often happened; he replied, "several times a day, + especially when he is not on his guard to prevent it." Returning + afterwards into the garden, D'Antin made the Czar pass through the + lower apartments, and informed him that Madame la Duchesse was there + with some ladies, who had a great desire to see him. He made no reply, + but allowed himself to be conducted. He walked more gently, turned his + head towards the apartment where all the ladies were under arms to + receive him; looked well at them all, made a slight inclination of the + head to the whole company at once, and passed on haughtily. I think, + by the manner in which he received other ladies, that he would have + shown more politeness to these if Madame la Duchesse had not been + there, making her visit too pretentious. He affected even not to + inquire which she was, or to ask the name of any of the others. I was + nearly an hour without quitting him, and unceasingly regarding him. At + last I saw he remarked it. This rendered me more discreet, lest he + should ask who I was. As he was returning, I walked away to the room + where the table was laid. D'Antin, always the same, had found means to + have a very good portrait of the Czarina placed upon the chimney-piece + of this room, with verses in her praise, which much pleased and + surprised the Czar. He and his suite thought the portrait very like. + </p> + <p> + The King gave the Czar two magnificent pieces of Gobelins tapestry. He + wished to give him also a beautiful sword, ornamented with diamonds, + but he excused himself from accepting it. The Czar, on his side, + distributed 60,000 livres to the King's domestics, who had waited upon + him; gave to D'Antin, Marechal d'Estrees, and Marechal Tesse, his + portrait, adorned with diamonds, and five gold and eleven silver + medals, representing the principal actions of his life. He made a + friendly present to Verton, whom he begged the Regent to send to him + as charge d'affaires of the King, which the Regent promised. + </p> + <p> + On Wednesday, the 16th of June, he attended on horseback a review of + the two regiments of the guards; gendarmes, light horse, and + mousquetaires. There was only M. le Duc d'Orleans with him; the Czar + scarcely looked at these troops, and they perceived it. He partook of + a dinner-supper at Saint Ouen, at the Duc de Tresmes, where he said + that the excessive heat and dust, together with the crowd on horseback + and on foot, had made him quit the review sooner than he wished. The + meal was magnificent; the Czar learnt that the Marquise de Bethune, + who was looking on, was the daughter of the Duc de Tresriles; he + begged her to sit at table; she was the only lady who did so, among a + crowd of noblemen. Several other ladies came to look on, and to these + he was very civil when he knew who they were. + </p> + <p> + On Thursday, the 17th, he went for the second time to the + Observatoire, and there supped with the Marechal de Villars. + </p> + <p> + On Friday, the 18th of June, the Regent went early to the Hotel de + Lesdiguieres, to say adieu to the Czar, remaining some time with him, + with Prince Kourakin present. After this visit the Czar went to say + goodbye to the King at the Tuileries. It had been agreed that there + should be no more ceremonies between them. It was impossible to + display more intelligence, grace, and tenderness towards the King than + the Czar displayed on all these occasions; and again on the morrow, + when the King came to the Hotel de Lesdiguieres to wish him a pleasant + journey, no ceremony being observed. + </p> + <p> + On Sunday, the 20th of June, the Czar departed, and slept at Ivry, + bound straight for Spa, where he was expected by the Czarina. He would + be accompanied by nobody, not even on leaving Paris. The luxury he + remarked much surprised him; he was moved in speaking upon the King + and upon France, saying, he saw with sorrow that this luxury would + soon ruin the country. He departed, charmed by the manner in which he + had been received, by all he had seen, by the liberty that had been + left to him, and extremely desirous to closely unite himself with the + King; but the interests of the Abbe Dubois, and of England, were + obstacles which have been much deplored since. + </p> + <p> + The Czar had an extreme desire to unite himself to France. Nothing + would have been more advantageous to our commerce, to our importance + in the north, in Germany, in all Europe. The Czar kept England in + restraint as to her commerce, and King George in fear for his German + states. He kept Holland respectful, and the Emperor measured. It + cannot be denied that he made a grand figure in Europe and in Asia, or + that France would have infinitely profited by close union with him. He + did not like the Emperor; he wished to sever us from England, and it + was England which rendered us deaf to his invitations, unbecomingly + so, though they lasted after his departure. Often I vainly pressed the + Regent upon this subject, and gave him reasons of which he felt all + the force, and to which he could not reply. He was bewitched by + Dubois, who panted to become Cardinal, and who built all his hopes of + success upon England. The English saw his ambition, and took advantage + of it for their own interests. Dubois' aim was to make use of the + intimacy between the King of England and the Emperor, in order that + the latter might be induced by the former to obtain a Cardinalship + from the Pope, over whom he had great power. It will be seen, in due + time, what success has attended the intrigues of the scheming and + unscrupulous Abbe. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0087" id="link2HCH0087"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXXXVII + </h2> + <p> + Courson, Intendant, or rather King of Languedoc, exercised his + authority there so tyrannically that the people suffered the most + cruel oppressions at his hands. He had been Intendant of Rouen, and + was so hated that more than once he thought himself in danger of + having his brains beaten out with stones. He became at last so odious + that he was removed; but the credit of his father saved him, and he + was sent as Intendant to Bordeaux. He was internally and externally a + very animal, extremely brutal, extremely insolent, his hands by no + means clean, as was also the case with those of his secretaries, who + did all his work for him, he being very idle and quite unfit for his + post. + </p> + <p> + Amongst other tyrannic acts he levied very violent and heavy taxes in + Perigueux, of his own good will and pleasure, without any edict or + decree of the Council; and seeing that people were not eager to + satisfy his demands, augmented them, multiplied the expenses, and at + last threw into dungeons some sheriffs and other rich citizens. He + became so tyrannical that they sent a deputation to Paris to complain + of him. But the deputies went in vain the round of all the members of + the council of the regency, after having for two months kicked their + heels in the ante- chamber of the Duc de Noailles, the minister who + ought to have attended to their representations. + </p> + <p> + The Comte de Toulouse, who was a very just man, and who had listened + to them, was annoyed that they could obtain no hearing of the Duc de, + Noailles, and spoke to me on the subject. I was as indignant as he. I + spoke to M. le Duc d'Orleans, who only knew the matter superficially. + I showed him the necessity of thoroughly examining into complaints of + this nature; the injustice of allowing these deputies to wear out + hope, patience, and life, in the streets of Paris, without giving some + audience; the cruelty of suffering honest citizens to languish in + dungeons, without knowing why or by what authority they were there. He + agreed with me, and promised to speak to the Duc de Noailles. At the + first finance council after this, I apprised the Comte de Toulouse, + and we both asked the Duc de Noailles when he meant to bring forward + the affair of these Perigueux people. + </p> + <p> + He was utterly unprepared for this question, and wished to put us off. + I said to him that for a long time some of these people had been in + prison, and others had wandered the streets of Paris; that this was + shameful, and could not be longer endured. The Comte de Toulouse spoke + very firmly, in the same sense. M. le Duc d'Orleans arrived and took + his place. + </p> + <p> + As the Duc de Noailles opened his bag, I said very loudly to M. le Duc + d'Orleans that M. le Comte de Toulouse and I had just asked M. de + Noailles when he would bring forward the Perigueux affair; that these + people, innocent or guilty, begged only to be heard and tried; and + that it appeared to me the council was in honour bound to keep them in + misery no longer. On finishing, I looked at the Comte de Toulouse, who + also said something short but rather strong. M. le Duc d'Orleans + replied that we could not have done better. The Duc de Noailles began + muttering something about the press of business; that he had not time, + and so forth. I interrupted him by saying that he must find time, and + that he ought to have found it long before; that nothing was so + important as to keep people from ruin, or to extricate others from + dungeons they were remaining in without knowing why. M. le Duc + d'Orleans said a word to the same effect, and ordered the Duc de + Noailles to get himself ready to bring forward the case in a week. + </p> + <p> + From excuse to excuse, three weeks passed over. At last I said openly + to M. le Duc d'Orleans that he was being laughed at, and that justice + was being trodden under foot. At the next council it appeared that M. + le Duc d'Orleans had already told the Duc de Noailles he would wait no + longer. M. le Comte de Toulouse and I continued to ask him if at last + he would bring forward the Perigueux affair. We doubted not that it + would in the end be brought forward, but artifice was not yet at an + end. + </p> + <p> + It was on a Tuesday afternoon, when M. le Duc d'Orleans often abridged + the council to go to the opera. Knowing this, the Duc de Noailles kept + all the council occupied with different matters. I was between him and + the Comte de Toulouse. At the end of each matter I said to him, "And + the Perigueux affair?"—"Directly," he replied, and at once + commenced something else. At last I perceived his project, and + whispered so to the Comte de Toulouse, who had already suspected it, + and resolved not to be its dupe. When the Duc de Noailles had + exhausted his bag, it was five o'clock. After putting back his papers + he closed his bag, and said to M. le Duc d'Orleans that there was + still the Perigueux affair which he had ordered him to bring forward, + but that it would be long and detailed; that he doubtless wished to go + to the opera; that it could be attended to next week; and at once, + without waiting for a reply, he rises, pushes back his stool, and + turns to go away. I took him by the arm. + </p> + <p> + "Gently," said I. "You must learn his highness's pleasure. Monsieur," + said I to M. le Duc d'Orleans, still firmly holding the sleeve of the + Duc de Noailles, "do you care much to-day for the opera?" + </p> + <p> + "No, no," replied he; "let us turn to the Perigueux affair." + </p> + <p> + "But without strangling it," replied I. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said M. le Duc d'Orleans: then looking at M. le Duc, who + smiled; "you don't care to go there?" + </p> + <p> + "No, Monsieur, let us see this business," replied M. le Duc. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, sit down again then, Monsieur," said I to the Duc de Noailles in + a very firm tone, pulling him sharply; "take your rest, and re-open + your bag." + </p> + <p> + Without saying a word he drew forward his stool with a great noise, + and threw himself upon it as though he would smash it. Rage beamed + from his eyes. The Comte de Toulouse smiled; he had said his word, + too, upon the opera, and all the company looked at us; nearly every + one smiling, but astounded also. + </p> + <p> + The Duc de Noailles displayed his papers, and began reading them. As + various documents were referred to, I turned them over, and now and + then took him up and corrected him. He did not dare to show anger in + his replies, yet he was foaming. He passed an eulogy upon Basville + (father of the Intendant), talked of the consideration he merited; + excused Courson, and babbled thereupon as much as he could to + extenuate everything, and lose sight of the principal points at issue. + Seeing that he did not finish, and that he wished to tire us, and to + manage the affair in his own way, I interrupted him, saying that the + father and the son were two people; that the case in point respected + the son alone, and that he had to determine whether an Intendant was + authorised or not, by his office, to tax people at will; to raise + imposts in the towns and country places of his department, without + edicts ordering them, without even a decree of council, solely by his + own particular ordonnances, and to keep people in prison four or five + months, without form or shadow of trial, because they refused to pay + these heavy taxes, rendered still more heavy by expenses. Then, + turning round so as to look hard at him, "It is upon that, Monsieur," + added I, "that we must decide, since your report is over, and not + amuse ourselves with a panegyric upon M. de Basville, who is not mixed + up in the case." + </p> + <p> + The Duc de Noailles, all the more beside himself because he saw the + Regent smile, and M. le Duc, who looked at me do the same, but more + openly, began to speak, or rather to stammer. He did not dare, + however, to decide against the release of the prisoners. + </p> + <p> + "And the expenses, and the ordonnance respecting these taxes, what do + you do with them?" + </p> + <p> + "By setting the prisoners at liberty," he said, "the ordonnance falls + to the ground." + </p> + <p> + I did not wish to push things further just then. The liberation of the + prisoners, and the quashing of the ordonnance, were determined on: + some voices were for the reimbursement of the charges at the expense + of the Intendant, and for preventing him to do the like again. + </p> + <p> + When it was my turn to speak, I expressed the same opinions, but I + added that it was not enough to recompense people so unjustly + ill-treated; that I thought a sum of money, such as it should please + the council to name, ought to be adjudged to them; and that as to an + Intendant who abused the authority of his office so much as to usurp + that of the King and impose taxes, such as pleased him by his own + ordinances, and who threw people into dungeons as he thought fit by + his private authority, pillaging thus a province, I was of opinion + that his Royal Highness should be asked to make such an example of him + that all the other Intendants might profit by it. + </p> + <p> + The majority of those who had spoken before me made signs that I was + right, but did not speak again. Others were against me. M. le Duc + d'Orleans promised the liberation of the prisoners, broke Courson's + ordonnance, and all which had followed it; said that as for the rest, + he would take care these people should be well recompensed, and + Courson well blamed; that he merited worse, and, but for his father, + would have received it. As we were about to rise, I said it would be + as well to draw up the decree at once, and M. le Duc d'Orleans + approved. Noailles pounced, like a bird of prey, upon paper and ink, + and commenced writing. I bent down and read as he wrote. He stopped + and boggled at the annulling of the ordonnance, and the prohibition + against issuing one again without authorisation by edict or decree of + council. I dictated the clause to him; he looked at the company as + though questioning all eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said I, "it was passed like that—you have only to ask + again." M. le Duc d Orleans said, "Yes." Noailles wrote. I took the + paper, and read what he had written. He received it back in fury, cast + it among the papers pell-mell into his bag, then shoved his stool + almost to the other end of the room, and went out, bristling like a + wild boar, without looking at or saluting anybody—we all + laughing. M. le Duc and several others came to me, and with M. le + Comte de Toulouse, were much diverted. M. de Noailles had, in fact, so + little command over himself, that, in turning to go out, he struck the + table, swearing, and saying he could endure it no longer. + </p> + <p> + I learnt afterwards, by frequenters of the Hotel de Noailles, who told + it to my friends, that when he reached home he went to bed: and would + not see a soul; that fever seized him, that the next day he was of a + frightful temper, and, that he had been heard to say he could no + longer endure the annoyances I caused him. It may be imagined whether + or not this softened me. The Duc de Noailles had, in fact, behaved + towards me with such infamous treachery, and such unmasked impudence, + that I took pleasure at all times and at all places in making him + feel, and others see, the sovereign disdain I entertained for him. I + did not allow my private feelings to sway my judgment when public + interests were at stake, for when I thought the Duc de Noailles right, + and this often occurred, I supported him; but when I knew him to be + wrong, or when I caught him neglecting his duties, conniving at + injustice, shirking inquiry, or evading the truth, I in no way spared + him. The incident just related is an illustration of the treatment he + often received at my hands. Fret, fume, stamp, storm, as he might, I + cared nothing for him. His anger to me was as indifferent as his + friendship. I despised both equally. Occasionally he would imagine, + after there had been no storm between us for some time, that I had + become reconciled to him, and would make advances to me. But the stern + and terrible manner in which I met them, —or rather refused to + meet them, taking no more notice of his politeness and his + compliments, than as if they made no appeal whatever to my eyes or + ears,—soon convinced him of the permanent nature of our quarrel, + and drove him to the most violent rage and despair. + </p> + <p> + The history of the affair was, apparently, revealed by somebody to the + deputies of Perigueux (for this very evening it was talked of in + Paris), who came and offered me many thanks. Noailles was so afraid of + me, that he did not keep their business unsettled more than two days. + </p> + <p> + A few months afterwards Courson was recalled, amid the bonfires of his + province. This did not improve him, or hinder him from obtaining + afterwards one of the two places of councillor at the Royal Council of + Finance, for he was already Councillor of State at the time of this + affair of Perigueux. + </p> + <p> + An amusement, suited to the King's age, caused a serious quarrel. A + sort of tent had been erected for him on the terrace of the Tuileries, + before his apartments, and on the same level. The diversions of kings + always have to do with distinction. He invented some medals to give to + the courtiers of his own age, whom he wished to distinguish, and those + medals, which were intended to be worn, conferred the right of + entering this tent without being invited; thus was created the Order + of the Pavilion. The Marechal de Villeroy gave orders to Lefevre to + have the medals made. He obeyed, and brought them to the Marechal, who + presented them to the King. Lefevre was silversmith to the King's + household, and as such under the orders of the first gentleman of the + chamber. The Duc de Mortemart, who had previously had some tiff with + the Marechal de Villeroy, declared that it devolved upon him to order + these medals and present them to the King. He flew into a passion + because everything had been done without his knowledge; and complained + to the Duc d'Orleans. It was a trifle not worth discussing, and in + which the three other gentlemen of the chamber took no part. Thus the + Duc de Mortemart, opposed alone to the Marechal de Villeroy, stood no + chance. M. le Duc d'Orleans, with his usual love for mezzo termine, + said that Lefevre had not made these medals, or brought them to the + Marechal as silversmith, but as having received through the Marechal + the King's order, and that nothing more must be said. The Duc de + Mortemart was indignant, and did not spare the Marechal. + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0102" id="link2H_4_0102"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VOLUME 12. + </h2> + <a name="link2HCH0088" id="link2HCH0088"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXXXVIII + </h2> + <p> + The Abbe Alberoni, having risen by the means I have described, and + acquired power by following in the track of the Princesse des Ursins, + governed Spain like a master. He had the most ambitious projects. One + of his ideas was to drive all strangers, especially the French, out of + the West Indies; and he hoped to make use of the Dutch to attain this + end. But Holland was too much in the dependence of England. + </p> + <p> + At home Alberoni proposed many useful reforms, and endeavoured to + diminish the expenses of the royal household. He thought, with reason, + that a strong navy was the necessary basis of the power of Spain; and + to create one he endeavoured to economise the public money. He + flattered the King with the idea that next year he would arm forty + vessels to protect the commerce of the Spanish Indies. He had the + address to boast of his disinterestedness, in that whilst working at + all manner of business he had never received any grace from the King, + and lived only on fifty pistoles, which the Duke of Parma, his master, + gave him every month; and therefore he made gently some complaints + against the ingratitude of princes. + </p> + <p> + Alberoni had persuaded the Queen of Spain to keep her husband shut up, + as had the Princesse des Ursins. This was a certain means of governing + a prince whose temperament and whose conscience equally attached him + to his spouse. He was soon completely governed once more—under + lock and key, as it were, night and day. By this means the Queen was + jailoress and prisoner at the same time. As she was constantly with + the King nobody could come to her. Thus Alberoni kept them both shut + up, with the key of their prison in his pocket. + </p> + <p> + One of the chief objects of his ambition was the Cardinal's hat. It + would be too long to relate the schemes he set on foot to attain his + end. He was opposed by a violent party at Rome; but at last his + inflexible will and extreme cunning gained the day. The Pope, no + longer able to resist the menaces of the King of Spain, and dreading + the vengeance of the all-powerful minister, consented to grant the + favour that minister had so pertinaciously demanded. Alberoni was made + Cardinal on the 12th of July, 1717. Not a soul approved this promotion + when it was announced at the consistory. Not a single cardinal uttered + a word in praise of the new confrere, but many openly disapproved his + nomination. Alberoni's good fortune did not stop here. At the death, + some little time after, of the Bishop of Malaga, that rich see, worth + thirty thousand ecus a year, was given to him. He received it as the + mere introduction to the grandest and richest sees of Spain, when they + should become vacant. The King of Spain gave him also twenty thousand + ducats, to be levied upon property confiscated for political reasons. + Shortly after, Cardinal Arias, Archbishop of Seville, having died, + Alberoni was named to this rich archbishopric. + </p> + <p> + In the middle of his grandeur and good luck he met with an adventure + that must have strangely disconcerted him. + </p> + <p> + I have before explained how Madame des Ursins and the deceased Queen + had kept the King of Spain screened from all eyes, inaccessible to all + his Court, a very palace-hermit. Alberoni, as I have said, followed + their example. He kept the King even more closely imprisoned than + before, and allowed no one, except a few indispensable attendants, to + approach him. These attendants were a small number of valets and + doctors, two gentlemen of the chamber, one or two ladies, and the + majordomo-major of the King. This last post was filled by the Duc + d'Escalone, always called Marquis de Villena, in every way one of the + greatest noblemen in Spain, and most respected and revered of all, and + justly so, for his virtue, his appointment, and his services. + </p> + <p> + Now the King's doctors are entirely under the authority of the + majordomo- major. He ought to be present at all their consultations; + the King should take no remedy that he is not told of, or that he does + not approve, or that he does not see taken; an account of all the + medicines should be rendered to him. Just at this time the King was + ill. Villena wished to discharge the duties attached to his post of + majordomo-major. Alberoni caused it to be insinuated to him, that the + King wished to be at liberty, and that he would be better liked if he + kept at home; or had the discretion and civility not to enter the + royal chamber, but to ask at the door for news. This was language the + Marquis would not understand. + </p> + <p> + At the end of the grand cabinet of the mirrors was placed a bed, in + which the King was laid, in front of the door; and as the room is vast + and long, it is a good distance from the door (which leads to the + interior) to the place where the bed was. Alberoni again caused the + Marquis to be informed that his attentions were troublesome, but the + Marquis did not fail to enter as before. At last, in concert with the + Queen, the Cardinal resolved to refuse him admission. The Marquis, + presenting himself one afternoon, a valet partly opened the door and + said, with much confusion, that he was forbidden to let him enter. + </p> + <p> + "Insolent fellow," replied the Marquis, "stand aside," and he pushed + the door against the valet and entered. In front of him was the Queen, + seated at the King's pillow; the Cardinal standing by her side, and + the privileged few, and not all of them, far away from the bed. The + Marquis, who, though full of pride, was but weak upon his legs, + leisurely advanced, supported upon his little stick. The Queen and the + Cardinal saw him and looked at each other. The King was too ill to + notice anything, and his curtains were closed except at the side where + the Queen was. Seeing the Marquis approach, the Cardinal made signs, + with impatience, to one of the valets to tell him to go away, and + immediately after, observing that the Marquis, without replying, still + advanced, he went to him, explained to him that the King wished to be + alone, and begged him to leave. + </p> + <p> + "That is not true," said the Marquis; "I have watched you; you have + not approached the bed, and the King has said nothing to you." + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal insisting, and without success, took him by the arm to + make him go. The Marquis said he was very insolent to wish to hinder + him from seeing the King, and perform his duties. The Cardinal, + stronger than his adversary, turned the Marquis round, hurried him + towards the door, both talking the while, the Cardinal with measure, + the Marquis in no way mincing his words. Tired of being hauled out in + this manner, the Marquis struggled, called Alberoni a "little + scoundrel," to whom he would teach manners; and in this heat and dust + the Marquis, who was weak, fortunately fell into an armchair hard by. + Angry at his fall, he raised his little stick and let it fall with all + his force upon the ears and the shoulders of the Cardinal, calling him + a little scoundrel—a little rascal— a little blackguard, + deserving a horsewhipping. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal, whom he held with one hand, escaped as well as he could, + the Marquis continuing to abuse him, and shaking the stick at him. One + of the valets came and assisted him to rise from his armchair, and + gain the door; for after this accident his only thought was to leave + the room. + </p> + <p> + The Queen looked on from her chair during all this scene, without + stirring or saying a word; and the privileged few in the chamber did + not dare to move. I learned all this from every one in Spain; and + moreover I asked the Marquis de Villena himself to give me the full + details; and he, who was all uprightness and truth, and who had + conceived some little friendship for me, related with pleasure all I + have written. The two gentlemen of the chamber present also did the + same, laughing in their sleeves. One had refused to tell the Marquis + to leave the room, and the other had accompanied him to the door. The + most singular thing is, that the Cardinal, furious, but surprised + beyond measure at the blows he had received, thought only of getting + out of reach. The Marquis cried to him from a distance, that but for + the respect he owed to the King, and to the state in which he was, he + would give him a hundred kicks in the stomach, and haul him out by the + ears. I was going to forget this. The King was so ill that he saw + nothing. + </p> + <p> + A quarter of an hour after the Marquis had returned home, he received + an order to retire to one of his estates at thirty leagues from + Madrid. The rest of the day his house was filled with the most + considerable people of Madrid, arriving as they learned the news, + which made a furious sensation through the city. He departed the next + day with his children. The Cardinal, nevertheless, remained so + terrified, that, content with the exile of the Marquis, and with + having got rid of him, he did not dare to pass any censure upon him + for the blows he had received. Five or six months afterwards he sent + him an order of recall, though the Marquis had not taken the slightest + steps to obtain it. What is incredible is, that the adventure, the + exile, the return, remained unknown to the King until the fall of the + Cardinal! The Marquis would never consent to see him, or to hear him + talked of, on any account, after returning, though the Cardinal was + the absolute master. His pride was much humiliated by this worthy and + just haughtiness; and he was all the more piqued because he left + nothing undone in order to bring about a reconciliation, without any + other success than that of obtaining fresh disdain, which much + increased the public estimation in which this wise and virtuous + nobleman was held. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0089" id="link2HCH0089"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER LXXXIX + </h2> + <p> + I must not omit to mention an incident which occurred during the early + part of the year 1718, and which will give some idea of the character + of M. le Duc d'Orleans, already pretty amply described by me. + </p> + <p> + One day (when Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans had gone to Montmartre, + which she quitted soon after) I was walking alone with M. le Duc + d'Orleans in the little garden of the Palais Royal, chatting upon + various affairs, when he suddenly interrupted me, and turning towards + me; said, "I am going to tell you something that will please you." + </p> + <p> + Thereupon he related to me that he was tired of the life he led, which + was no longer in harmony with his age or his desires, and many similar + things; that he was resolved to give up his gay parties, pass his + evenings more soberly and decently, sometimes at home, often with + Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans; that his health would gain thereby, and + he should have more time for business; that in a little while I might + rely upon it —there would be no more suppers of "roues and + harlots" (these were his own terms), and that he was going to lead a + prudent and reasonable life adapted to his age and state. + </p> + <p> + I admit that in my extreme surprise I was ravished, so great was the + interest I took in him. I testified this to him with overflowing + heart, thanking him for his confidence. I said to him that he knew I + for a long time had not spoken to him of the indecency of his life, or + of the time he lost, because I saw that in so doing I lost my own; + that I had long since despaired of his conduct changing; that this had + much grieved me; that he could not be ignorant from all that had + passed between us at various times, how much I desired a change, and + that he might judge of the surprise and joy his announcement gave me. + He assured me more and more that his resolution was fixed, and + thereupon I took leave of him, the hour for his soiree having arrived. + </p> + <p> + The next day I learned from people to whom the roues had just related + it, that M. le Duc d'Orleans was no sooner at table than he burst out + laughing, and applauded his cleverness, saying that he had just laid a + trap for me into which I had fallen full length. He recited to them + our conversation, at which the joy and applause were marvellous. It is + the only time he ever diverted himself at my expense (not to say at + his own) in a matter in which the fib he told me, and which I was + foolish enough to swallow, surprised by a sudden joy that took from me + reflection, did honour to me, though but little to him. I would not + gratify him by telling him I knew of his joke, or call to his mind + what he had said to me; accordingly he never dared to speak of it. + </p> + <p> + I never could unravel what fantasy had seized him to lead him to hoax + me in this manner, since for many years I had never opened my mouth + concerning the life he led, whilst he, on his side, had said not a + word to me relating to it. Yet it is true that sometimes being alone + with confidential valets, some complaints have escaped him (but never + before others) that I ill-treated him, and spoke hastily to him, but + all was said in two words, without bitterness, and without accusing me + of treating him wrongfully. He spoke truly also; sometimes, when I was + exasperated with stupidity or error in important matters which + affected him or the State, or when he had agreed (having been + persuaded and convinced by good reasons) to do or not to do some + essential thing, and was completely turned from it by his feebleness, + his easy-going nature (which he appreciated as well as I)—cruelly + did I let out against him. But the trick he most frequently played me + before others, one of which my warmth was always dupe, was suddenly to + interrupt an important argument by a 'sproposito' of buffoonery. I + could not stand it; sometimes being so angry that I wished to leave + the room. I used to say to him that if he wished to joke I would joke + as much as he liked, but to mix the most serious matters with + tomfoolery was insupportable. He laughed heartily, and all the more + because, as the thing often happened, I ought to have been on my + guard; but never was, and was vexed both at the joke and at being + surprised; then he returned to business. But princes must sometimes + banter and amuse themselves with those whom they treat as friends. + Nevertheless, in spite of his occasional banter, he entertained really + sincere esteem and friendship for me. + </p> + <p> + By chance I learnt one day what he really thought of me. I will say it + now, so as to leave at once all these trifles. M. le Duc d'Orleans + returning one afternoon from the Regency Council at the Tuileries to + the Palais Royal with M. le Duc de Chartres (his son) and the Bailli + de Conflans (then first gentleman of his chamber) began to talk of me, + passing an eulogium upon me I hardly dare to repeat. I know not what + had occurred at the Council to occasion it. All that I can say is that + he insisted upon his happiness in having a friend so faithful, so + unchanging at all times, so useful to him as I was, and always had + been; so sure, so true, so disinterested, so firm, such as he could + meet with in no one else, and upon whom he could always count. This + eulogy lasted from the Tuileries to the Palais Royal, the Regent + saying to his son that he wished to teach him how to make my + acquaintance, as a support and a source of happiness (all that I + relate here is in his own words); such as he had always found in my + friendship and counsel. The Bailli de Conflans, astonished at this + abundant eloquence, repeated it to me two days after, and I admit that + I never have forgotten it. And here I will say that whatever others + might do, whatever I myself (from disgust and vexation at what I saw + ill done) might do, the Regent always sought reconciliation with me + with shame, confidence, confusion, and he has never found himself in + any perplexity that he has not opened his heart to me, and consulted + me, without however always following my advice, for he was frequently + turned from it by others. + </p> + <p> + He would never content himself with one mistress. He needed a variety + in order to stimulate his taste. I had no more intercourse with them + than with his roues. He never spoke of them to me, nor I to him. I + scarcely ever knew anything of their adventures. His roues and valets + were always eager to present fresh mistresses to him, from which he + generally selected one. Amongst these was Madame de Sabran, who had + married a man of high rank, but without wealth or merit, in order to + be at liberty. There never was a woman so beautiful as she, or of a + beauty more regular, more agreeable, more touching, or of a grander or + nobler bearing, and yet without affectation. Her air and her manners + were simple and natural, making you think she was ignorant of her + beauty and of her figure (this last the finest in the world), and when + it pleased her she was deceitfully modest. With much intellect she was + insinuating, merry, overflowing, dissipated, not bad-hearted, + charming, especially at table. In a word, she was all M. le Duc + d'Orleans wanted, and soon became his mistress without prejudice to + the rest. + </p> + <p> + As neither she nor her husband had a rap, they were ready for + anything, and yet they did not make a large fortune. One of the + chamberlains of the Regent, with an annual salary of six thousand + livres, having received another appointment, Madame de Sabran thought + six thousand livres a year too good to be lost, and asked for the post + for her husband. She cared so little for him, by the way, that she + called him her "mastiff." It was she, who, supping with M. le Duc + d'Orleans and his roues, wittily said, that princes and lackeys had + been made of one material, separated by Providence at the creation + from that out of which all other men had been made. + </p> + <p> + All the Regent's mistresses had one by one their turn. Fortunately + they had little power, were not initiated into any state secrets, and + received but little money. + </p> + <p> + The Regent amused himself with them, and treated them in other + respects exactly as they deserved to be treated. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0090" id="link2HCH0090"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XC + </h2> + <p> + It is time now that I should speak of matters of very great + importance, which led to changes that filled my heart with excessive + joy, such as it had never known before. + </p> + <p> + For a long time past the Parliament had made many encroachments upon + the privileges belonging to the Dukes. Even under the late King it had + begun these impudent enterprises, and no word was said against it; for + nothing gave the King greater pleasure than to mix all ranks together + in a caldron of confusion. He hated and feared the nobility, was + jealous of their power, which in former reigns had often so + successfully balanced that of the crown; he was glad therefore of any + opportunity which presented itself that enabled him to see our order + weakened and robbed of its dignity. + </p> + <p> + The Parliament grew bolder as its encroachments one by one succeeded. + It began to fancy itself armed with powers of the highest kind. It + began to imagine that it possessed all the authority of the English + Parliament, forgetting that that assembly is charged with the + legislative administration of the country, that it has the right to + make laws and repeat laws, and that the monarch can do but little, + comparatively speaking, without the support and sanction of this + representative chamber; whereas, our own Parliament is but a tribunal + of justice, with no control or influence over the royal authority or + state affairs. + </p> + <p> + But, as I have said, success gave it new impudence. Now that the King + was dead, at whose name alone it trembled, this assembly thought that + a fine opportunity had come to give its power the rein. It had to do + with a Regent, notorious for his easy-going disposition, his + indifference to form and rule, his dislike to all vigorous measures. + It fancied that victory over such an opponent would be easy; that it + could successfully overcome all the opposition he could put in action, + and in due time make his authority secondary to its own. The + Chief-President of the Parliament, I should observe, was the principal + promoter of these sentiments. He was the bosom friend of M. and Madame + du Maine, and by them was encouraged in his views. Incited by his + encouragement, he seized an opportunity which presented itself now, to + throw down the glove to M. le Duc d'Orleans, in the name of the + Parliament, and to prepare for something like a struggle. The + Parliament of Brittany had recently manifested a very turbulent + spirit, and this was an additional encouragement to that of Paris. + </p> + <p> + At first the Parliament men scarcely knew what to lay hold of and + bring forward, as an excuse for the battle. They wished of course to + gain the applause of the people as protectors of their interests—likewise + those who for their private ends try to trouble and embroil the State—but + could not at first see their way clear. They sent for Trudaine, Prevot + des Marchand, Councillor of State, to give an account to them of the + state of the Hotel de Ville funds. He declared that they had never + been so well paid, and that there was no cause of complaint against + the government. Baffled upon this point, they fastened upon a edict, + recently rendered, respecting the money of the realm. They deliberated + thereon, deputed a commission to examine the matter, made a great + fuss, and came to the conclusion that the edict would, if acted upon, + be very prejudicial to the country. + </p> + <p> + Thus much done, the Parliament assembled anew on Friday morning, the + 17th of June, 1718, and again in the afternoon. At the end they + decided upon sending a deputation to the Regent, asking him to suspend + the operation of the edict, introduce into it the changes suggested by + their body, and then send it to them to be registered. The deputation + was sent, and said all it had to say. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow the Parliament again assembled, morning and afternoon, + and sent a message to the Regent, saying, it would not separate until + it had received his reply. That reply was very short and simple. The + Regent sent word that he was tired of the meddling interference of the + Parliament (this was not the first time, let me add, that he + experienced it), that he had ordered all the troops in Paris, and + round about, to hold themselves ready to march, and that the King must + be obeyed. Such was in fact true. He had really ordered the soldiers + to keep under arms and to be supplied with powder and shot. + </p> + <p> + The message did not intimidate the Parliament. The next day, Sunday, + the Chief-President, accompanied by all the other presidents, and by + several councillors, came to the Palais Royal. Although, as I have + said, the leader of his company, and the right-hand man of M. and + Madame du Maine, he wished for his own sake to keep on good terms with + the Regent, and at the same time to preserve all authority over his + brethren, so as to have them under his thumb. His discourse then to + the Regent commenced with many praises and much flattery, in order to + smooth the way for the three fine requests he wound up with. The first + of these was that the edict should be sent to the Parliament to be + examined, and to suffer such changes as the members should think fit + to introduce, and then be registered; the second, that the King should + pay attention to their remonstrances in an affair of this importance, + which they believed prejudicial to the State; the third, that the + works recently undertaken at the mint for recasting the specie should + be suspended! + </p> + <p> + To these modest requests the Regent replied that the edict had been + registered at the Cour des Monnaies, which is a superior court, and + consequently sufficient for such registration; that there was only a + single instance of an edict respecting the money of the realm having + been sent before the Parliament, and then out of pure civility; that + the matter had been well sifted, and all its inconveniences weighed; + that it was to the advantage of the State to put in force this edict; + that the works of the Mint could not be interfered with in any way; + finally, that the King must be obeyed! It was quite true that the + edict had been sent to the Parliament out of courtesy, but at the + suggestion of the Regent's false and treacherous confidants, valets of + the Parliament, such as the Marechals de Villeroy, and Huxelles, and + Besons, Canillac, Effiat, and Noailles. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the decisive answer they had received, the Parliament + met the very next day, and passed a decree against the edict. The + council of the regency, at its sitting on the afternoon of the same + day, abrogated this decree. Thus, since war was in a measure declared + between the Regent's authority and that of the Parliament, the orders + emanating from the one were disputed by the other, and vice versa. A + nice game of shuttlecock this, which it was scarce likely could last + long! + </p> + <p> + The Regent was determined to be obeyed. He prohibited, therefore, the + printing and posting up of the decree of the Parliament. Soldiers of + the guards, too, were placed in the markets to hinder the refusal of + the new money which had been issued. The fact is, by the edict which + had been passed, the Louis worth thirty livres was taken at thirty-six + livres, and the crown piece, worth a hundred sous, at six livres + instead of five. By this edict also government notes were made legal + tender until the new money should be ready. The finances were thus + relieved, and the King gained largely from the recasting of the coin. + But private people lost by this increase, which much exceeded the + intrinsic value of the metal used, and which caused everything to rise + in price. Thus the Parliament had a fine opportunity for trumpeting + forth its solicitude for the public interest, and did not fail to + avail itself of it. + </p> + <p> + During the night a councillor of the Parliament was surprised on + horseback in the streets tearing down and disfiguring the decree of + the Regency Council, which abrogated that of the Parliament. He was + taken to prison. + </p> + <p> + On Monday, the 27th of June, the Chief-President, at the head of all + the other presidents, and of forty councillors, went to the Tuileries, + and in the presence of the Regent read the wire-drawn remonstrance of + the Parliament upon this famous edict. The Keeper of the Seals said + that in a few days the King would reply. Accordingly on Saturday, the + 2nd of July, the same deputation came again to the Tuileries to hear + the reply. The Regent and all the Princes of the blood were there, the + bastards also. Argenson, who from lieutenant of police had been made + keeper of the seals, and who in his former capacity had often been + ill-used—nay, even attacked by the Parliament—took good + care to show his superiority over that assembly. He answered that + deputation in the name of the King, and concluded by saying that the + edict would in no way be altered, but would receive complete + application. The parliamentary gentlemen did not expect so firm a + reply, and withdrew, much mortified. + </p> + <p> + They were not, however, vanquished. They reassembled on the 11th and + 12th of August, and spat forth all their venom in another decree + specially aimed at the authority of the Regent. By this decree the + administration of the finances was henceforth entirely to be at the + mercy of the Parliament. Law, the Scotchman, who, under the favour of + M. le Duc d'Orleans, had been allowed some influence over the State + money matters, was to possess that influence no longer; in fact, all + power on the part of the Regent over the finances was to be taken from + him. + </p> + <p> + After this the Parliament had to take but one step in order to become + the guardian of the King and the master of the realm (as in fact it + madly claimed to be), the Regent more at its mercy than the King, and + perhaps as exposed as King Charles I. of England. Our parliamentary + gentlemen began as humbly as those of England, and though, as I have + said, their assembly was but a simple court of justice, limited in its + jurisdiction like the other courts of the realm, to judge disputes + between private people, yet by dint of hammering upon the word + parliament they believed themselves not less important than their + English brethren, who form the legislative assembly, and represent all + the nation. + </p> + <p> + M. and Madame du Maine had done not a little to bring about these + fancies, and they continued in secret to do more. Madame du Maine, it + may be recollected, had said that she would throw the whole country + into combustion, in order not to lose her husband's prerogative. She + was as good as her word. Encouraged doubtless by the support they + received from this precious pair, the Parliament continued on its mad + career of impudent presumption, pride, and arrogance. It assembled on + the 22nd of August, and ordered inquiry to be made of the Regent as to + what had become of all the state notes that had been passed at the + Chamber of justice; those which had been given for the lotteries that + were held every month; those which had been given for the Mississippi + or Western Company; finally, those which had been taken to the Mint + since the change in the specie. + </p> + <p> + These questions were communicated to the Regent by the King's + officers. In reply he turned his back upon them, and went away into + his cabinet, leaving these people slightly bewildered. Immediately + after this occurrence it was rumoured that a Bed of justice would soon + be held. The Regent had not then thought of summoning such an + important assembly, and his weakness and vacillation were such that no + one thought he would dare to do so. + </p> + <p> + The memoirs of Cardinal de Retz, of Joly, of Madame Motteville, had + turned all heads. These books had become so fashionable, that in no + class was the man or woman who did not have them continually in hand. + Ambition, the desire for novelty, the skill of those who circulated + these books, made the majority of people hope to cut a figure or make + a fortune, and persuaded them there was as little lack of personages + as in the last minority. People looked upon Law as the Mazarin of the + day— (they were both foreign)—upon M. and Madame du Maine, + as the chiefs of the Fronde; the weakness of M. le Duc d'Orleans was + compared to that of the Queen-mother, and so on. + </p> + <p> + To say the truth, all tended towards whatever was extreme—moderation + seemed forgotten—and it was high time the Regent aroused himself + from a supineness which rendered him contemptible, and which + emboldened his enemies and those of the State to brave all and + undertake all. This lethargy, too, disheartened his servants, and made + all healthy activity on their part impossible. It had at last led him + to the very verge of the precipice, and the realm he governed to + within an inch of the greatest confusion. He had need, indeed, to be + up and doing! + </p> + <p> + The Regent, without having the horrible vice or the favourites of + Henry III., had even more than that monarch become notorious for his + daily debauches, his indecency, and his impiety. Like Henry III., too, + he was betrayed by his most intimate councillors and domestics. This + treachery pleased him (as it had pleased that King) because it induced + him to keep idle, now from fear, now from interest, now from disdain, + and now from policy. This torpor was agreeable to him because it was + in conformity with his humour and his tastes, and because he regarded + those who counselled it as good, wise, and enlightened people, not + blinded by their private interests, but seeing clearly things as they + were; while he was importuned with opinions and explanations which + would have disclosed the true state of affairs and suggested remedies. + </p> + <p> + He looked upon such people as offered these opinions and explanations + as impetuous counsellors, who hurried everything and suggested + everything, who wished to discount the future in order to satisfy + their ambition, their aversion, their different passions. He kept on + his guard against them; he applauded himself for not being their dupe. + Now, he laughed at them; often he allowed them to believe he + appreciated their reasoning, that he was going to act and rouse from + his lethargy. He amused them thus, gained time, and diverted himself + afterwards with the others. Sometimes he replied coldly to them, and + when they pressed him too much he allowed his suspicions to peep out. + </p> + <p> + Long since I had perceived M. le Duc d'Orleans' mode of action. At the + first movements of the Parliament, of the bastards, and of those who + had usurped the name of nobility, I had warned him. I had done so + again as soon as I saw the cadence and the harmony of the designs in + progress. I had pointed out to him their inevitable sequel; how easy + it was to hinder them at the commencement; how difficult after, + especially for a person of his character and disposition. But I was + not the man for such work as this. I was the oldest, the most + attached, the freest spoken of all his servitors; I had given him the + best proofs of this in the most critical times of his life, and in the + midst of his universal abandonment; the counsels I had offered him in + these sad days he had always found for his good; he was accustomed to + repose in me the most complete confidence; but, whatever opinion he + might have of me, and of my truth and probity, he was on his guard + against what he called my warmth, and against the love I had for my + dignity, so attacked by the usurpations of the bastards, the designs + of the Parliament, and the modern fancies of a sham nobility. As soon + as I perceived his suspicions I told him so, and I added that, content + with having done my duty as citizen and as his servitor, I would say + no more on the subject. I kept my word. For more than a year I had not + of myself opened my mouth thereon. If he was sometimes spoken to + before me, and I could not keep quite silent without being suspected + of sulking or pique, I carelessly said something indefinite, with as + little meaning in it as possible, and calculated to make us drop the + subject. + </p> + <p> + Judge of my surprise, therefore, when as I was working as usual one + afternoon with the Regent, he interrupted me to speak with bitterness + of the Parliament. I replied with my accustomed coldness and pretended + negligence, and continued my business. He stopped me, and said that he + saw very well that I would not reply to him concerning the Parliament. + I admitted it was true, and added that he must long since have + perceived this. Pressed and pressed beyond measure, I coldly remarked + that he could not but remember what I had said to him of the + Parliament both before and after his accession to the regency, that + other counsels had prevailed over mine, and that finding my opinions + were misinterpreted by him, I had resolved to hold my tongue, and had + done so. As the subject was now reopened I reminded him of a prophecy + I had uttered long before, that he had missed the opportunity of + governing the Parliament when he might have done so with a frown, and + that step by step he would allow himself to be conducted by his + easy-going disposition, until he found himself on the very verge of + the abyss; that if he wished to recover his position he must begin at + once to retrace his steps, or lose his footing for ever! + </p> + <p> + Such strong words (from my mouth they had been rare of late), + pronounced with a slow, firm coldness, as though I were indifferent to + the course he might adopt, made him feel how little capable I believed + him of vigorous and sustained action, and what trifling trouble I took + to make him adopt my views. Dubois, Argenson, and Law had also spoken + to him, urging him to take strong measures against the Parliament; the + effect of my speech was therefore marvellous. + </p> + <p> + It was indeed high time to do something, as I have before remarked. + The Parliament, we found, after passing its last decree, had named a + commission to inquire into the financial edict; this commission was + working in the utmost secrecy; a number of witnesses had already been + examined, and preparations were quietly making to arrest Law some fine + morning, and hang him three hours after within the enclosure of the + Palais de justice. + </p> + <p> + Immediately this fact became known, the Duc de la Force and Fagon + (Councillor of State) went to the Regent—'twas on the 19th of + August, 1718—and spoke to him with such effect, that he ordered + them to assemble with Law that very day at my house in order to see + what was to be done. They came, in fact, and this was the first + intimation I had that the Regent had begun to feel the gravity of his + position, and that he was ready to do something. In this conference at + my house the firmness of Law, hitherto so great, was shaken so that + tears escaped him. Arguments did not satisfy us at first, because the + question could only be decided by force, and we could not rely upon + that of the Regent. The safe- conduct with which Law was supplied + would not have stopped the Parliament an instant. On every side we + were embarrassed. Law, more dead than alive, knew not what to say; + much less what to do. His safety appeared to us the most pressing + matter to ensure. If he had been taken it would have been all over + with him before the ordinary machinery of negotiation (delayed as it + was likely to be by the weakness of the Regent) could have been set in + motion; certainly, before there would have been leisure to think of + better, or to send a regiment of guards to force open the Palais de + justice; a critical remedy at all times, and grievous to the last + degree, even when it succeeds; frightful, if instead of Law, only his + suspended corpse had been found! + </p> + <p> + I advised Law, therefore, to retire to the Palais Royal, and occupy + the chamber of Nancre, his friend, then away in Spain. Law breathed + again at this suggestion (approved by de la Force and Fagon), and put + it in execution the moment he left my house. He might have been kept + in safety at the Bank, but I thought the Palais Royal would be better: + that his retirement there would create more effect, and induce the + Regent to hold firm to his purpose, besides allowing his Royal + Highness to see the financier whenever he pleased. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0091" id="link2HCH0091"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XCI + </h2> + <p> + This done I proposed, and the others approved my proposition, that a + Bed of Justice should be held as the only means left by which the + abrogation of the parliamentary decrees could be registered. But while + our arguments were moving, I stopped them all short by a reflection + which came into my mind. I represented to my guests that the Duc du + Maine was in secret the principal leader of the Parliament, and was + closely allied with Marechal de Villeroy; that both would oppose might + and main the assembling of a Bed of justice, so contrary to their + views, to their schemes, to their projects; that to hinder it they, as + guardians of the young King, would plead on his behalf, the heat, + which was in fact extreme, the fear of the crowd, of the fatigue, of + the bad air; that they would assume a pathetic tone in speaking of the + King's health, calculated to embarrass the Regent; that if he + persisted they would protest against everything which might happen to + His Majesty; declare, perhaps, that in order not to share the blame, + they would not accompany him; that the King, prepared by them, would + grow frightened, perhaps, and would not go to the Parliament without + them; that then all would be lost, and the powerlessness of the + Regent, so clearly manifested, might rapidly lead to the most + disastrous results. + </p> + <p> + These remarks stopped short our arguments, but I had not started + objections without being prepared with a remedy for them. I said, "Let + the Bed of justice be held at the Tuileries; let it be kept a profound + secret until the very morning it is to take place; and let those who + are to attend it be told so only a few hours before they are to + assemble. By these means no time will be allowed for anybody to object + to the proceeding, to plead the health of the King, the heat of the + weather, or to interfere with the arrangement of the troops which it + will be necessary to make." + </p> + <p> + We stopped at this: Law went away, and I dictated to Fagon the full + details of my scheme, by which secrecy was to be ensured and all + obstacles provided against. We finished about nine o'clock in the + evening, and I counselled Fagon to carry what he had written to the + Abbe Dubois, who had just returned from England with new credit over + the mind of his master. + </p> + <p> + The next day I repaired to the Palais Royal about four o'clock. A + moment after La Vrilliere came and relieved me of the company of + Grancey and Broglio, two roues, whom I had found in the grand cabinet, + in the cool, familiarly, without wigs. When M. le Duc d'Orleans was + free he led me into the cabinet, behind the grand salon, by the Rue de + Richelieu, and on entering said he was at the crisis of his regency, + and that everything was needed in order to sustain him on this + occasion. He added that he was resolved to strike a heavy blow at the + Parliament; that he much approved my proposition respecting the Bed of + justice at the Tuileries, and that it would be held exactly as I had + suggested. + </p> + <p> + I was delighted at his animation, and at the firmness he appeared to + possess, and after having well discussed with him all the + inconveniences of my plan, and their remedy, we came at last to a very + important matter, the mechanical means, so to speak, by which that + plan was to be put in force. There was one thing to be provided for, + which may appear an exceedingly insignificant matter, but which in + truth was of no light importance. When a Bed of justice is held, seats + one above another must be provided for those who take part in it. No + room in the Tuileries possessed such seats and how erect them without + noise, without exciting remarks, without causing inquiries and + suspicions, which must inevitably lead to the discovery and perhaps + thereby to the failure of our project? I had not forgotten this + difficulty, however, and I said to the Regent I would go in secret to + Fontanieu, who controlled the crown furniture, explain all to him, and + arrange matters with him so that these seats should be erected at the + very last moment, in time for our purpose, but too late to supply + information that could be made use of by our enemies. I hurried off + accordingly, as soon as I could get away, in search of Fontanieu. + </p> + <p> + I had already had some relations with him, for he had married his + daughter to the son of the sister of my brother-in-law, M. de Lauzun. + I had done him some little service, and had therefore every reason to + expect he would serve me on this occasion. Judge of my annoyance when + upon reaching his house I learned that he had gone almost to the other + end of the town, to the Marais, to conduct a suit at law, in which + Monsieur and Madame de Lauzun were concerned, respecting an estate at + Rondon they claimed! + </p> + <p> + The porter seeing me so vexed at being obliged to journey so far in + search of Fontanieu, said, that if I would go and speak to Madame + Fontanieu, he would see if his master was not still in the + neighbourhood, at a place he intended to visit before going to the + Marais. I acted upon this suggestion and went to Madame Fontanieu, + whom I found alone. I was forced to talk to her of the suit of + Monsieur and Madame de Lauzun, which I pretended was the business I + came upon, and cruelly did I rack my brains to say enough to keep up + the conversation. When Fontanieu arrived, for he was soon found, + fortunately, I was thrown into another embarrassment, for I had all + the pains in the world to get away from Madame Fontanieu, who, aided + by her husband, begged me not to take the trouble to descend but to + discuss the subject where I was as she was as well informed upon the + case as he, I thought once or twice I should never escape her. At + last, however, I led away Fontanieu, by dint of compliments to his + wife, in which I expressed my unwillingness to weary her with this + affair. + </p> + <p> + When Fontanieu and I were alone down in his cabinet, I remained some + moments talking to him upon the same subject, to allow the valets who + had opened the doors for us time to retire. Then, to his great + astonishment, I went outside to see if there were no listeners, and + carefully closed the doors. After this I said to Fontanieu that I had + not come concerning the affair of Madame de Lauzun, but upon another + very different, which demanded all his industry, a secrecy proof + against every trial, and which M. le Duc d'Orleans had charged me to + communicate to him; but that before explaining myself he must know + whether his Royal Highness could certainly count upon him. + </p> + <p> + It is strange what an impression the wildest absurdities leave if they + are spread abroad with art. The first thing Fontanieu did was to + tremble violently all over and become whiter than his shirt. With + difficulty he stammered out a few words to the effect that he would do + for M. le Duc d'Orleans as much as his duty would permit him to do. I + smiled, looking fixedly at him, and this smile warned him apparently + that he owed me an excuse for not being quite at ease upon any affair + that passed through my hands; he directly made me one, at all events, + and with the confusion of a man who sees that his first view has + dazzled the second, and who, full of this first view, does not show + anything, yet lets all be seen. + </p> + <p> + I reassured him as well as I could, and said that I had answered for + him to M. le Duc d'Orleans, and afterwards that a Bed of justice was + wanted, for the construction of which we had need of him. + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had I explained this, than the poor fellow began to take + breath, as though escaping from stifling oppression, or a painful + operation for the stone, and asked me if that was what I wanted? + </p> + <p> + He promised everything, so glad was he to be let off thus cheaply, and + in truth he kept to his word, both as to the secret and the work. He + had never seen a Bed of justice, and had not the slightest notion what + it was like. I sat down on his bureau, and drew out the design of one. + I dictated to him the explanations in the margin, because I did not + wish them to be in my handwriting. I talked more than an hour with + him; I disarranged his furniture, the better to show to him the order + of the assembly, and explained to him what was to be done, so that all + might be carried to the Tuileries and erected in a very, few moments. + When I found I had made everything sufficiently clear, and he had + understood me, I returned to the Palais Royal as though recollecting + something, being already in the streets, to deceive my people. + </p> + <p> + A servant awaited me at the top of the staircase, and the concierge of + the Palais Royal at the door of M. le Duc d'Orleans' room, with orders + to beg me to write. It was the sacred hour of the roues and the + supper, at which all idea of business was banished. I wrote, + therefore, to the Regent in his winter cabinet what I had just done, + not without some little indignation that he could not give up his + pleasure for an affair of this importance. I was obliged to beg the + concierge not to give my note to M. le Duc d'Orleans unless he were in + a state to read it and to burn it afterwards. + </p> + <p> + Our preparations for the Bed of justice continued to be actively but + silently made during the next few days. In the course of the + numberless discussions which arose upon the subject, it was agreed, + after much opposition on my part, to strike a blow, not only at the + Parliament, but at M. du Maine, who had fomented its discontent. M. le + Duc, who had been admitted to our councils, and who was heart and soul + against the bastards, proposed that at the Bed of justice the + education of the young King should be taken out of the control of M. + du Maine and placed in his hands. He proposed also that the title of + Prince of the Blood should be taken from him, with all the privileges + it conferred, and that he should be reduced to the rank of a simple + Duke and Peer, taking his place among the rest according to the date + of his erection; thus, at a bound, going down to the bottom of the + peerage! + </p> + <p> + Should these memoirs ever see the light, every one who reads them will + be able to judge how such a proposition as this harmonised with my + personal wishes. I had seen the bastards grow in rank and importance + with an indignation and disgust I could scarcely contain. I had seen + favour after favour heaped upon them by the late King, until he + crowned all by elevating them to the rank of Princes of the Blood in + defiance of all law, of all precedent, of all decency, if I must say + the word. What I felt at this accumulation of honours I have more than + once expressed; what I did to oppose such monstrous innovations has + also been said. No man could be more against M. du Maine than I, and + yet I opposed this proposition of M. le Duc because I thought one blow + was enough at a time, and that it might be dangerous to attempt the + two at once. M. du Maine had supporters, nay; he was at the head of a + sort of party; strip him of the important post he held, and what might + not his rake, his disappointment, and his wounded ambition lead him to + attempt? Civil war, perhaps, would be the result of his disgrace. + </p> + <p> + Again and again I urged these views, not only upon M. le Duc + d'Orleans, but upon M. le Duc. Nay, with this latter I had two long + stolen interviews in the Tuileries Gardens, where we spoke without + constraint, and exhausted all our arguments. But M. le Duc was not to + be shaken, and as I could do no more than I had done to move him, I + was obliged at last to give in. It was resolved, however, that + disgrace should fall upon M. du Maine alone; that his brother, the + Comte de Toulouse, an account of the devotion to the State he had ever + exhibited, and his excellent conduct since the death of the late King, + should, when stripped of his title like the other, receive it back + again the moment after, in acknowledgment of the services he had + rendered to the Regent as Councillor of State, and as an expression of + personal good feeling towards him, which his excellent qualities so + justly merited. + </p> + <p> + I returned home from my last interview with M. le Duc, and went to + mass at the Jacobins, to which I entered from my garden. It was not + without a distracted mind. But I prayed to God sincerely and earnestly + to guide my steps, so that I might labour for His glory and the good + of the State without private ends. My prayer was heard, and in the + sequel I had nothing to reproach myself with. I followed the straight + road without turning to the right or to the left. + </p> + <p> + Fontanieu was waiting for me in my house as I returned home from mass, + and I was obliged to listen to his questions and to reply to them, as + though I had nothing on my mind. I arranged my chamber like a Bed of + Justice, I made him understand several things; connected with the + ceremonial that he had not under stood before, and that it was + essential he should in no way omit. Thus everything went on + satisfactorily, and I began to count the hours, by day as well as by + night, until the great day was to arrive on which the arrogant pride + of the Parliament was to receive a check, and the false plumage which + adorned the bastards was to be plucked from them. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of the sweet joy that I felt, no bitterness entered. I + was satisfied with the part I had played in this affair, satisfied + that I had acted sincerely, honestly, that I had not allowed my own + private motives to sway me; that in the interests of the State, as + opposed to my own interests, I had done all in my power to save the + Duc du Maine. And yet I did not dare to give myself up to the rosy + thoughts suggested by the great event, now so rapidly approaching. I + toyed with them instead of allowing myself to embrace them. I shrunk + from them as it were like a cold lover who fears the too ardent + caresses of his mistress. I could not believe that the supreme + happiness I had so long pined for was at last so near. Might not M. le + Duc d'Orleans falter at the last moment? Might not all our + preparations, so carefully conducted, so cleverly planned, weigh upon + his feebleness until they fell to the ground? It was not improbable. + He was often firm in promises. How often was he firm in carrying them + out? All these questions, all these restless doubts— natural as + it appears to me under the circumstances—winged their way + through my mind, and kept me excited and feverish as though life and + death were hanging on one thread. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of my reflections, a messenger from M. le Duc d'Orleans, + Millain by name, arrived at my house. It was on the afternoon of + Thursday, the 25th of August, 1718. His message was simple. M. le Duc + d'Orleans was in the same mood as ever, and I was to join him at the + Palais Royal, according to previous agreement, at eight o'clock in the + evening. The Bed of justice was to be held on the morrow. + </p> + <p> + Never was kiss given to a beautiful mistress sweeter than that which I + imprinted upon the fat old face of this charming messenger! A close + embrace, eagerly repeated, was my first reply, followed afterwards by + an overflow of feeling for M. le Duc, and for Millain even, who had + worthily served in this great undertaking. + </p> + <p> + The rest of the day I passed at home with the Abbe Dubois, Fagon, and + the Duc de la Force, one after the other finishing up our work. We + provided against everything: If the Parliament refused to come to the + Tuileries, its interdiction was determined on: if any of the members + attempted to leave Paris they were to be arrested; troops were to be + assembled in order to carry out the Regent's orders; we left no + accident without its remedy. + </p> + <p> + The Abbe Dubois arranged a little code of signals, such as crossing + the legs, shaking a handkerchief, or other simple gestures, to be + given the first thing in the morning to the officers of the + body-guards chosen to be in attendance in the room where the Bed of + Justice was to be held. They were to fix their eyes upon the Regent, + and when he made any of the above signals, immediately to act upon it + according to their written instructions. The Abbe Dubois also drew out + a sort of programme for M. le Duc d'Orleans, of the different orders + he was to give during the night, fixing the hour for each, so that + they might not arrive a minute too soon or a minute too late, and + secrecy thus be maintained to the very latest moment. + </p> + <p> + Towards eight o'clock in the evening I went to they Palais Royal. I + was horror-struck to find M. le Duc d'Orleans in bed with fever, as he + said; I felt his pulse. Fever, he had, sure enough; perhaps from + excitement caused by the business in hand. I said to him it was only + fatigue of body and mind, of which he would be quit in twenty-four + hours; he, on his side, protested that whatever it might be, he would + hold the Bed of justice on the morrow. M. le Duc, who had just + entered, was at his pillow; the chamber lighted by a single wax + candle. We sat down, M. le Duc and I, and passed in review the orders + given and to give, not without much apprehension on account of this + fever, come so strangely out of season to the healthiest man in the + world, and who had never had it before. + </p> + <p> + I exhorted the Regent to take as much repose as he could, so that he + might be fully able to execute the great work of the morrow, the + safety of the Regency itself being at stake. After this I felt his + pulse again, not without fear. I assured him, however, his illness + would be nothing; without, it is true, being too sure of it myself. I + took my leave about ten o'clock, and went out of the room with + Millain. When I found myself alone with him in the cabinet, through + which we passed, I embraced him with an extreme pleasure. We had + entered by the backstairs; we descended by the same, so as not to be + observed. It was dark, so that on both occasions we were obliged to + grope our way. Upon arriving at the bottom I could not refrain from + again embracing Millain, so great was my pleasure, and we separated + each to his home. + </p> + <p> + The arrangements respecting the troops and for summoning the + Parliament, etc., were all carried out to the letter during the night + and early morning. At the hours agreed upon M. le Duc d'Orleans gave + the various orders. About four o'clock in the morning the Duc du + Maine, as colonel- general of the Swiss guards, was aroused. He had + not been in bed above an hour, having just returned from a fete given + at the arsenal by Madame du Maine. He was doubtless much astonished, + but contained himself, hid his fear, and sent at once to instruct his + companies of Swiss guards of the orders they were to execute. I don't + think he slept very well after this, uncertain as he must have been + what was going to happen. But I never knew what he or Madame du Maine + did after being thus rudely disturbed. + </p> + <p> + Towards five o'clock in the morning drums began to be heard throughout + the town, and soon soldiers were seen in movement. At six o'clock a + message was sent to the Parliament requesting it to attend at the + Tuileries. The reply was that the request should be obeyed. The + members thereupon debated whether they should go to the Tuileries in + coaches or on foot. The last mode was adopted as being the most + ordinary, and in the hope of stirring the people and arriving at the + Tuileries with a yelling crowd. What happened will be related in its + place. + </p> + <p> + At the same time, horsemen went to all the Peers and officers of the + Crown, and to all the chevaliers of the order, the governors and + lieutenant-governors of the provinces (who were to accompany the + King), informing them of the Bed of Justice. The Comte de Toulouse had + been to supper at the house of M. de Nevers, near Saint-Denis, and did + not return until late into the night. The French and Swiss guards were + under arms in various quarters; the watch, the light horse, and the + two companies of musketeers all ready in their barracks; the usual + guard at the Tuileries. + </p> + <p> + If I had slept but little during the last eight days, I slept still + less that night, so near to the most considerable events. I rose + before six o'clock, and shortly after received my summons to the Bed + of justice, on the back of which was a note that I was not to be + awakened, a piece of politeness due to the knowledge of the bearer, + who was aware that this summons would teach me nothing I did not know. + All the others had been awakened, surprised thereby to an extent that + may be imagined. + </p> + <p> + Towards eight o'clock in the morning a messenger from M. le Duc + d'Orleans came to remind me of the Regency Council at eight o'clock, + and to attend it in my mantle. I dressed myself in black, because I + had only that suit with a mantle, and another, a magnificent one in + cloth of gold, which I did not wish to wear lest it should cause the + remark to be made, though much out of season, that I wished to insult + the Parliament and M. du Maine. I took two gentlemen with me in my + coach, and I went in order to witness all that was to take place. I + was at the same time full of fear, hope, joy, reflection, and mistrust + of M. le Duc d'Orleans' weakness, and all that might result from it. I + was also firmly resolved to do my best, whatever might happen, but + without appearing to know anything, and without eagerness, and I + resolved to show presence of mind, attention, circumspection, modesty, + and much moderation. + </p> + <p> + Upon leaving my house I went to Valincourt, who lived behind the hotel + of the Comte de Toulouse. He was a very honourable man, of much + intellect, moving among the best company, secretary-general of the + navy, devoted to the Comte de Toulouse ever since his early youth, and + possessing all his confidence. I did not wish to leave the Comte de + Toulouse in any personal fear, or expose him to be led away by his + brother. I sent therefore for Valincourt, whom I knew intimately, to + come and speak to me. He came half-dressed, terrified at the rumours + flying over the town, and eagerly asked me what they all meant. I drew + him close to me and said, "Listen attentively to me, and lose not a + word. Go immediately to M. le Comte de Toulouse, tell him he may trust + in my word, tell him to be discreet, and that things are about to + happen to others which may displease him, but that not a hair of his + head shall be touched. I hope he will not have a moment's uneasiness. + Go! and lose not an instant." + </p> + <p> + Valincourt held me in a tight embrace. "Ah, Monsieur," said he, "we + foresaw that at last there would be a storm. It is well merited, but + not by M. le Comte, who will be eternally obliged to you." And, he + went immediately with my message to the Comte de Toulouse, who never + forgot that I saved him from the fall of his brother. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0092" id="link2HCH0092"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XCII + </h2> + <p> + Arrived at the grand court of the Tuileries about eight o'clock + without having remarked anything extraordinary on the way. The coaches + of the Duc de Noailles, of Marechal de Villars, of Marechal + d'Huxelles, and of some others were already there. I ascended without + finding many people about, and directed the two doors of the Salle des + Gardes, which were closed, to be opened. The Bed of justice was + prepared in the grand ante- chamber, where the King was accustomed to + eat. I stopped a short time to see if everything was in proper order, + and felicitated Fontanieu in a low voice. He said to me in the same + manner that he had arrived at the Tuileries with his workmen and + materials at six o'clock in the morning; that everything was so well + constructed and put up that the King had not heard a sound; that his + chief valet de chambre, having left the room for some commission about + seven o'clock in the morning, had been much astonished upon seeing + this apparatus; that the Marechal de Villeroy had only heard of it + through him, and that the seats had been erected with such little + noise that nobody had heard anything. After having well examined + everything with my eyes I advanced to the throne, then being finished; + wishing to enter the second ante-chamber, some servants came to me, + saying that I could not go in, all being locked up. I asked where I + was to await the assembling of the Council, and was admitted to a room + upstairs, where I found a good number of people already congregated. + </p> + <p> + After chatting some time with the Keeper of the Seals, the arrival of + M. le Duc d'Orleans was announced. We finished what we had to say, and + went downstairs separately, not wishing to be seen together. + </p> + <p> + The Council was held in a room which ever since the very hot weather + the King had slept in. The hangings of his bed, and of the Marechal de + Villeroy's were drawn back. The Council table was placed at the foot + of one of the beds. Upon entering the adjoining chamber I found many + people whom the first rumours of such an unexpected occurrence had no + doubt led there, and among the rest some of the Council. M. le Duc + d'Orleans was in the midst of a crowd at the end of the room, and, as + I afterwards learned, had just seen the Duc du Maine without speaking + to him, or being spoken to. + </p> + <p> + After a passing glance upon this crowd I entered the Council chamber. + I found scattered there the majority of those who composed the Council + with serious and troubled looks, which increased my seriousness. + Scarcely anybody spoke; and each, standing or seated here and there, + kept himself in his place. The better to examine all, I joined nobody. + A moment after M. le Duc d'Orleans entered with a gay, easy, + untroubled air, and looked smilingly upon the company. I considered + this of good augury. Immediately afterwards I asked him his news. He + replied aloud that he was tolerably well; then approaching my ear, + added that, except when aroused to give his orders, he had slept very + well, and that he was determined to hold firm. This infinitely pleased + me, for it seemed to me by his manner that he was in earnest, and I + briefly exhorted him to remain so. + </p> + <p> + Came, afterwards, M. le Duc, who pretty soon approached me, and asked + if I augured well from the Regent, and if he would remain firm. M. le + Duc had an air of exceeding gaiety, which was perceptible to those + behind the scenes. The Duc de Noailles devoured everything with his + eyes, which sparkled with anger because he had not been initiated into + the secret of this great day. + </p> + <p> + In due time M. du Maine appeared in his mantle, entering by the King's + little door. Never before had he made so many or such profound + reverences as he did now—though he was not usually very stingy + of them— then standing alone, resting upon his stick near the + Council table, he looked around at everybody. Then and there, being in + front of him, with the table between us, I made him the most smiling + bow I had ever given him, and did it with extreme volupty. He repaid + me in the same coin, and continued to fix his eyes upon everybody in + turn; his face agitated, and nearly always speaking to himself. + </p> + <p> + A few minutes after M. le Duc came to me, begging me to exhort M. le + Duc d'Orleans to firmness: then the Keeper of the Seals came forth for + the same purpose. M. le Duc d'Orleans himself approached me to say + something a moment afterwards, and he had no sooner quitted my side + than M. le Duc, impatient and troubled, came to know in what frame of + mind was the Regent. I told him good in a monosyllable, and sent him + away. + </p> + <p> + I know not if these movements, upon which all eyes were fixed, began + to frighten the Duc du Maine, but no sooner had M. le Duc joined the + Regent, after quitting me, than the Duc du Maine went to speak to the + Marechal de Villeroy and to D'Effiat, both seated at the end of the + room towards the King's little door, their backs to the wall. They did + not rise for the Duc du Maine, who remained standing opposite, and + quite near them, all three holding long discourses, like people who + deliberate with embarrassment and surprise, as it appeared to me by + the faces of the two I saw, and which I tried not to lose sight of. + </p> + <p> + During this time M. le Duc d'Orleans and M. le Duc spoke to each other + near the window and the ordinary entrance door; the Keeper of the + Seals, who was near, joined them. At this moment M. le Duc turned + round a little, which gave me the opportunity to make signs to him of + the other conference, which he immediately saw. I was alone, near the + Council table, very attentive to everything, and the others scattered + about began to become more so. A little while after the Duc du Maine + placed himself where he had been previously: the two he quitted + remained as before. M. du Maine was thus again in front of me, the + table between us: I observed that he had a bewildered look, and that + he spoke to himself more than ever. + </p> + <p> + The Comte de Toulouse arrived as the Regent had just quitted the two + persons with whom he had been talking. The Comte de Toulouse was in + his mantle, and saluted the company with a grave and meditative + manner, neither accosting nor accosted: M. le Duc d'Orleans found + himself in front of him and turned towards me, although at some + distance, as though to testify his trouble. I bent my head a little + while looking fixedly at him, as though to say, "Well, what then?" + </p> + <p> + A short time afterwards the Comte de Toulouse had a conversation with + his brother, both speaking with agitation and without appearing to + agree very well. Then the Count approached M. le Duc d'Orleans, who + was talking again to M. le Duc, and they spoke at some length to each + other. As their faces were towards the wall, nothing but their backs + could be seen, no emotion and scarcely a gesture was visible. + </p> + <p> + The Duc du Maine had remained where he had spoken to his brother. He + seemed half dead, looked askance upon the company with wandering eyes, + and the troubled agitated manner of a criminal, or a man condemned to + death. Shortly afterwards he became pale as a corpse, and appeared to + me to have been taken ill. + </p> + <p> + He crawled to the end of the table, during which the Comte de Toulouse + came and said a word to the Regent, and began to walk out of the room. + </p> + <p> + All these movements took place in a trice. The Regent, who was near + the King's armchair, said aloud, "Now, gentlemen, let us take our + places." Each approached to do so, and as I looked behind mine I saw + the two brothers at the door as though about to leave the room. I + leaped, so to speak, between the King's armchair and M. le Duc + d'Orleans, and whispered in the Regent's ear so as not to be heard by + the Prince de Conti: + </p> + <p> + "Monsieur, look at them. They are going." + </p> + <p> + "I know it," he replied tranquilly. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," I exclaimed with animation, "but do you know what they will do + when they are outside." + </p> + <p> + "Nothing at all," said he: "the Comte de Toulouse has asked me for + permission to go out with his brother; he has assured me that they + will be discreet." + </p> + <p> + "And if they are not?" I asked. + </p> + <p> + "They will be. But if they are not, they will be well looked after." + </p> + <p> + "But if they commit some absurdity, or leave Paris?" + </p> + <p> + "They will be arrested. Orders have been given, and I will answer for + their execution." + </p> + <p> + Therefore, more tranquil, I sat down in my place. Scarcely had I got + there than the Regent called me back, and said that since they had + left the room, he should like to tell the Council what was going to be + done with respect to them. I replied that the only objection to this, + their presence, being now removed—I thought it would be wrong + not to do so. He asked M. le Duc in a whisper, across the table, + afterwards called to the Keeper of the Seals; both agreed, and then we + really seated ourselves. + </p> + <p> + These movements had augmented the trouble and curiosity of every one. + The eyes of all, occupied with the Regent, had been removed from the + door, so that the absence of the bastards was by no means generally + remarked. As soon as it was perceived, everybody looked inquiringly + around, and remained standing in expectation. I sat down in the seat + of the Comte de Toulouse. The Duc de Guiche, who sat on the other side + of me, left a seat between us, and still waited for the bastards. He + told me to approach nearer to him, saying I had mistaken my place. I + replied not a word, looking on at the company, which was a sight to + see. At the second or third summons, I replied that he, on the + contrary, must approach me. + </p> + <p> + "And M. le Comte de Toulouse?" replied he. + </p> + <p> + "Approach," said I, and seeing him motionless with astonishment, + looking towards the Duc du Maine's seat, which had been taken by the + Keeper of the Seals, I pulled him by his coat (I was seated), saying + to him, "Come here and sit down." + </p> + <p> + I pulled him so hard that he seated himself near me without + understanding aught. + </p> + <p> + "But what is the meaning of all this?" he demanded; "where are these + gentlemen?" + </p> + <p> + "I don't know," replied I, impatiently; "but they are not here." + </p> + <p> + At the same time, the Duc de Noailles, who sat next to the Duc de + Guiche, and who, enraged at counting for nothing in preparations for + such a great day, had apparently divined that I was in the plot, + vanquished by his curiosity, stretched over the table in front of the + Duc de Guiche, and said to me: + </p> + <p> + "In the name of Heaven, M. le Duc, do me the favour to say what all + this means?" + </p> + <p> + I was at daggers-drawn with him, as I have explained, and had no mercy + for him. I turned, therefore, towards him with a cold and disdainful + air, and, after having heard him out, and looked at him, I turned away + again. That was all my reply. The Duc de Guiche pressed me to say + something, even if it was only that I knew all. I denied it, and yet + each seated himself slowly, because intent only upon looking around, + and divining what all this could mean, and because it was a long time + before any one could comprehend that we must proceed to business + without the bastards, although nobody opened his mouth. + </p> + <p> + When everybody was in his place M. le Duc d'Orleans after having far a + moment looked all around, every eye fixed upon him, said that he had + assembled this Regency Council to hear read the resolutions adopted at + the last; that he had come to the conclusion that there was no other + means of obtaining the registration of the finance edict recently + passed than that of holding a Bed of justice; that the heat rendering + it unadvisable to jeopardise the King's health in the midst of the + crowd of the Palais de justice, he had thought it best to follow the + example of the late King, who had sometimes sent for the Parliament to + the Tuileries; that, as it had become necessary to hold this Bed of + justice, he had thought it right to profit by the occasion, and + register the 'lettres de provision' of the Keeper of the Seals at the + commencement of the sitting; and he ordered the Keeper of the Seals to + read them. + </p> + <p> + During this reading, which had no other importance than to seize an + occasion of forcing the Parliament to recognize the Keeper of the + Seals, whose person and whose commission they hated, I occupied myself + in examining the faces. + </p> + <p> + I saw M. le Duc d'Orleans with an air of authority and of attention, + so new that I was struck with it. M. le Duc, gay and brilliant, + appeared quite at his ease, and confident. The Prince de Conti, + astonished, absent, meditative, seemed to see nothing and to take part + in nothing. The Keeper of the Seals, grave and pensive, appeared to + have too many things in his head; nevertheless, with bag, wax, and + seals near him, he looked very decided and very firm. The Duc de la + Force hung his head, but examined on the sly the faces of us all. + Marechal Villeroy and Marechal de Villars spoke to each other now and + then; both had irritated eyes and long faces. Nobody was more composed + than the Marechal de Tallard; but he could not hide an internal + agitation which often peeped out. The Marechal d'Estrees had a + stupefied air, as though he saw nothing but a mist before him. The + Marechal de Besons, enveloped more than ordinarily in his big wig, + appeared deeply meditative, his look cast down and angry. Pelletier, + very buoyant, simple, curious, looking at everything. Torcy, three + times more starched than usual, seemed to look at everything by + stealth. Effiat, meddlesome, piqued, outraged, ready to boil over, + fuming at everybody, his look haggard, as it passed precipitously, and + by fits and starts, from side to side. Those on my side I could not + well examine; I saw them only by moments as they changed their + postures or I mine; and then not well or for long. I have already + spoken of the astonishment of the Duc de Guiche, and of the vexation + and curiosity of the Duc de Noailles. D'Antin, usually of such easy + carriage, appeared to me as though in fetters, and quite scared. The + Marechal d'Huxelles tried to put a good face on the matter, but could + not hide the despair which pierced him. Old Troyes, all abroad, showed + nothing but surprise and embarrassment, and did not appear to know + where he was. + </p> + <p> + From the first moment of this reading and the departure of the + bastards, everybody saw that something was in preparation against + them. What that something was to be, kept every mind in suspense. A + Bed of justice, too, prepared in secret, ready as soon as announced, + indicated a strong resolution taken against the Parliament, and + indicated also so much firmness and measure in a Prince, usually + supposed to be entirely incapable of any, that every one was at sea. + All, according as they were allied to the Parliament or to the + bastards, seemed to wait in fear what was to be proposed. Many others + appeared deeply wounded because the Regent had not admitted them + behind the scenes, and because they were compelled to share the common + surprise. Never were faces so universally elongated; never was + embarrassment more general or more marked. In these first moments of + trouble I fancy few people lent an ear to the letters the Keeper of + the Seals was reading. When they were finished, M. le Duc d'Orleans + said he did not think it was worth while to take the votes one by one, + either upon the contents of these letters or their registration; but + that all would be in favour of commencing the Bed of justice at once. + </p> + <p> + After a short but marked pause, the Regent developed, in few words, + the reasons which had induced the Council at its last sitting, to + abrogate the decree of the Parliament. He added, that judging by the + conduct of that assembly, it would have been to jeopardise anew the + King's authority, to send for registration this act of abrogation to + the Parliament, which would assuredly have given in public a proof of + formal disobedience, in refusing to register; that there being no + other remedy than a Bed of justice, he had thought it best to assemble + one, but in secret, so as not to give time or opportunity to the + ill-disposed to prepare for disobedience; that he believed, with the + Keeper of the Seals, the frequency and the manner of the parliamentary + remonstrances were such that the Parliament must be made to keep + within the limits of its duty, which, long since, it seemed to have + lost sight of; that the Keeper of the Seals would now read to the + Council the act of abrogation, and the rules that were to be observed + in future. Then, looking at the Keeper of the Seals, "Monsieur," said + he, "you will explain this better than I. Have the goodness to do so + before reading the decree." + </p> + <p> + The Keeper of the Seals then spoke, and paraphrased what his Royal + Highness had said more briefly; he explained in what manner the + Parliament had the right to remonstrate, showed the distinction + between its power and that of the Crown; the incompetence of the + tribunals in all matters of state and finance; and the necessity of + repressing the remonstrances of Parliament by passing a code (that was + the term used), which was to serve as their inviolable guide. All this + explained without lengthiness, with grace and clearness, he began to + read the decree, as it has since been printed and circulated + everywhere, some trifling alteration excepted. + </p> + <p> + The reading finished, the Regent, contrary to his custom, showed his + opinion by the praises he gave to this document: and then, assuming + the Regent's tone and air he had never before put on, and which + completed the astonishment of the company, he added, "To-day, + gentlemen, I shall deviate from the usual rule in taking your votes, + and I think it will be well to do so during all this Council." + </p> + <p> + Then after a slight glance upon both sides of the table, during which + you might have heard a worm crawl, he turned towards M. le Duc and + asked him his opinion. M. le Duc declared for the decree, alleging + several short but strong reasons. The Prince de Conti spoke in the + same sense. I spoke after, for the Keeper of the Seals had done so + directly his reading was finished. My opinion was given in more + general terms so as not to fall too heavily upon the Parliament, or to + show that I arrogated to myself the right to support his Royal + Highness in the same manner as a prince of the blood. The Duc de la + Force was longer. All spoke, but the majority said but little, and + some allowed their vexation to be seen, but did not dare to oppose, + feeling that it would be of no use. Dejection was painted upon their + faces; it was evident this affair, of the Parliament was not what they + expected or wished. Tallard was the only one whose face did not betray + him; but the suffocated monosyllable of the Marechal d'Huxelles tore + off the rest of the mask. The Duc de Noailles could scarcely contain + himself, and spoke more than he wished, with anguish worthy of + Fresnes. M. le Duc d'Orleans spoke last, and with unusual force; then + made a pause, piercing all the company with his eyes. + </p> + <p> + At this moment the Marechal de Villeroy, full of his own thoughts, + muttered between his teeth, "But will the Parliament come?" This was + gently taken up. M. le Duc d'Orleans replied that he did not doubt it; + and immediately afterwards, that it would be as well to know when they + set out. The Keeper of the Seals said he should be informed. M. le Duc + d'Orleans replied that the door-keepers must be told. Thereupon up + jumps M. de Troyes. + </p> + <p> + I was seized with such a sudden fear lest he should go and chatter at + the door with some one that I jumped up also, and got the start of + him. As I returned, D'Antin, who had turned round to lay wait for me, + begged me for mercy's sake to tell him what all this meant. I sped on + saying that I knew nothing. "Tell that to others! Ho, ho!" replied he. + When he had resumed his seat, M. le Duc d'Orleans said something, I + don't know what, M. de Troyes still standing, I also. In passing La + Vrilliere, I asked him to go to the door every time anything was + wanted, for fear of the babbling of M. de Troyes; adding, that distant + as I was from the door, going there looked too peculiar. La Vrilliere + did as I begged him all the rest of the sitting. + </p> + <p> + As I was returning to my place, D'Antin, still in ambush, begged me in + the name of heaven, his hands joined, to tell him something. I kept + firm, however, saying, "You will see." The Duc de Guiche pressed me as + resolutely, even saying, it was evident I was in the plot. I remained + deaf. + </p> + <p> + These little movements over, M. le Duc d'Orleans, rising a little in + his seat, said to the company, in a tone more firm, and more like that + of a master than before, that there was another matter now to attend + to, much more important than the one just heard. This prelude + increased the general astonishment, and rendered everybody motionless. + After a moment of silence the Regent said, that the peers had had for + some time good grounds of complaint against certain persons, who by + unaccustomed favour, had been allowed to assume rank and dignity to + which their birth did not entitle them; that it was time this + irregularity should be stopped short, and that with this view, an + instrument had been drawn up, which the Keeper of the Seals would read + to them. + </p> + <p> + A profound silence followed this discourse, so unexpected, and which + began to explain the absence of the bastards. Upon many visages a + sombre hue was painted. As for me I had enough to do to compose my own + visage, upon which all eyes successively passed; I had put upon it an + extra coat of gravity and of modesty; I steered my eyes with care, and + only looked horizontally at most, not an inch higher. As soon as the + Regent opened his mouth on this business, M. le Duc cast upon me a + triumphant look which almost routed my seriousness, and which warned + me to increase it, and no longer expose myself to meet his glance. + Contained in this manner, attentive in devouring the aspect of all, + alive to everything and to myself, motionless, glued to my chair, all + my body fixed, penetrated with the most acute and most sensible + pleasure that joy could impart, with the most charming anxiety, with + an enjoyment, so perseveringly and so immoderately hoped for, I + sweated with agony at the captivity of my transport, and this agony + was of a voluptuousness such as I had never felt before, such as I + have never felt since. How inferior are the pleasures of the senses to + those of the mind! and how true it is that the balance-weight of + misfortunes, is the good fortune that finishes them! + </p> + <p> + A moment after the Regent had ceased speaking, he told the Keeper of + the Seals to read the declaration. During the reading, which was more + than music to my ears, my attention was again fixed on the company. I + saw by the alteration of the faces what an immense effect this + document, which embodied the resolutions I have already explained, + produced upon some of our friends. The whole of the reading was + listened to with the utmost attention, and the utmost emotion. + </p> + <p> + When it was finished, M. le Duc d'Orleans said he was very sorry for + this necessity, but that justice must be done to the peers as well as + to the princes of the blood: then turning to the Keeper of the Seals + asked him for his opinion. + </p> + <p> + This latter spoke briefly and well; but was like a dog running over + hot ashes. He declared for the declaration. His Royal Highness then + called upon M. le Duc for his opinion. It was short, but nervous, and + polite to the peers. M. le Prince de Conti the same. Then the Regent + asked me my opinion. I made, contrary to my custom, a profound + inclination, but without rising, and said, that having the honour to + find myself the eldest of the peers of the Council, I offered to his + Royal Highness my very humble thanks and those of all the peers of + France, for the justice so ardently desired, and touching so closely + our dignity and our persons, that he had resolved to render us; that I + begged him to be persuaded of our gratitude, and to count upon our + utmost attachment to his person for an act of equity so longed for, + and so complete; that in this sincere expression of our sentiments + consisted all our opinion, because, being pleaders, we could not be + judges also. I terminated these few words with a profound inclination, + without rising, imitated by the Duc de la Force at the same moment; + all the rest of the Council briefly gave their opinions, approving + what the majority of them evidently did not approve at all. + </p> + <p> + I had tried to modulate my voice, so that it should be just heard and + no more, preferring to be indistinct rather than speak too loudly; and + confined all my person to express as much as possible, gravity, + modesty, and simple gratitude. M. le Duc maliciously made signs to me + in smiling, that I had spoken well. But I kept my seriousness, and + turned round to examine all the rest. + </p> + <p> + It would be impossible to describe the aspect of the company. Nothing + was seen but people, oppressed with surprise that overwhelmed them, + meditative, agitated, some irritated, some but ill at ease, like La + Force and Guiche, who freely admitted so to me. + </p> + <p> + The opinions taken almost as soon as demanded, M. le Duc d'Orleans + said, "Gentlemen, it is finished, then justice is done, and the rights + of Messieurs the Peers are in safety. I have now an act of grace to + propose to you, and I do so with all the more confidence, because I + have taken care to consult the parties interested, who support me; and + because, I have drawn up the document in a manner to wound no one. + What I am going to explain to you, regards the Comte de Toulouse + alone. + </p> + <p> + "Nobody is ignorant how he has disapproved all that has been done in + favour of him and his brother, and that he has sustained it since the + regency only out of respect for the wishes of the late King. Everybody + knows also his virtue, his merit, his application, his probity, his + disinterestedness. Nevertheless, I could not avoid including him in + the declaration you have just heard. Justice furnishes no exception in + his favour, and the rights of the Peers must be assured. Now that they + are no longer attacked, I have thought fitly to render to merit what + from equity I have taken from birth; and to make an exception of M. le + Comte de Toulouse, which (while confirming the rule), will leave him + in full possession of all the honours he enjoys to the exclusion of + every other. Those honours are not to pass to his children, should he + marry and have any, or their restitution be considered as a precedent + to be made use of at any future time. + </p> + <p> + "I have the pleasure to announce that the Princes of the Blood consent + to this, and that such of the Peers to whom I have been able to + explain myself, share my sentiments. I doubt not that the esteem he + has acquired here will render this proposition agreeable to you." And + then turning to the Keeper of the Seals, "Monsieur, will you read the + declaration?" + </p> + <p> + It was read at once. + </p> + <p> + I had, during the discourse of his Royal Highness, thrown all my + attention into an examination of the impression it made upon the + assembly. The astonishment it caused was general; it was such, that to + judge of those addressed, it seemed that they understood nothing; and + they did not recover themselves during all the reading. I inwardly + rejoiced at success so pleasingly demonstrated and did not receive too + well the Duc de Guiche, who testified to me his disapprobation. + Villeroy confounded, Villars raging, Effiat rolling his eyes, Estrees + beside himself with surprise, were the most marked. Tallard, with his + head stretched forward, sucked in, so to speak, all the Regent's words + as they were proffered, and those of the declaration, as the Keeper of + the Seals read them. Noailles, inwardly distracted, could not hide his + distraction; Huxelles, entirely occupied in smoothing himself, forgot + to frown. I divided my attention between the declaration and these + persons. + </p> + <p> + The document read, M. le Duc d'Orleans praised it in two words, and + called upon the Keeper of the Seals to give his opinion. He did so + briefly, in favour of the Comte de Toulouse. M. le Duc the same; M. le + Prince de Conti the same. After him, I testified to his Royal Highness + my joy at seeing him conciliate the justice and the safety of the + peers with the unheard-of favour he had just rendered to the virtue of + M. le Comte de Toulouse, who merited it by his moderation, his + truthfulness, his attachment to the State; thus the more he had + recognised the injustice of his elevation to the rank to which he was + raised, the more he had rendered himself worthy of it, and the more it + was advantageous to the peers to yield to merit, (when this exception + was confined solely to his person, with formal and legal precautions, + so abundantly supplied by the declaration) and voluntarily contribute + thus to an elevation without example, (so much the more flattering + because its only foundation was virtue), so as to incite that virtue + more and more to the service and utility of the state; that I declared + therefore with joy for the declaration, and did not fear to add the + very humble thanks of the peers, since I had the honour to be the + oldest present. + </p> + <p> + As I closed my mouth I cast my eyes in front of some, and plainly saw + that my applause did not please, and, perhaps, my thanks still less. + The others gave their opinion with heavy heart, as it were, to so + terrible a blow, some few muttered I know not what between their + teeth, but the thunderbolt upon the Duc du Maine's cabal was more and + more felt, and as reflection succeeded to the first feeling of + surprise, so a bitter and sharp grief manifested itself upon their + faces in so marked a manner, that it was easy to see it had become + high time to strike. + </p> + <p> + All opinions having been expressed, M. le Duc cast a brilliant leer at + me, and prepared to speak; but the Keeper of the Seals, who, from his + side of the table did not see this movement, wishing also to say + something, M. le Duc d'Orleans intimated to him that M. le Duc had the + start of him. Raising himself majestically from his seat, the Regent + then said: "Gentlemen, M. le Duc has a proposition to make to you. I + have found it just and reasonable; I doubt not, you will find it so + too." Then turning towards M. le Duc, he added, "Monsieur, will you + explain it?" + </p> + <p> + The movement these few words made among the company is inexpressible. + 'Twas as though I saw before me people deprived of all power, and + surprised by a new assembly rising up from the midst of them in an + asylum they had breathlessly reached. + </p> + <p> + "Monsieur," said M. le Duc, addressing himself to the Regent, as + usual; "since you have rendered justice to the Dukes, I think I am + justified in asking for it myself. The deceased King gave the + education of his Majesty to M. le Duc du Maine. I was a minor then, + and according to the idea of the deceased King, M. du Maine was prince + of the blood, capable of succeeding to the crown. Now I am of age, and + not only M. du Maine is no longer prince of the blood, but he is + reduced to the rank of his peerage. M. le Marechal de Villeroy is now + his senior, and precedes him everywhere; M. le Marechal can therefore + no longer remain governor of the King, under the superintendence of M. + du Maine. I ask you, then, for M. du Maine's post, that I think my + age, my rank, my attachment to the King and the State, qualify me for. + I hope," he added, turning towards his left, "that I shall profit by + the lessons of M. le Marechal de Villeroy, acquit myself of my duties + with distinction, and merit his friendship." + </p> + <p> + At this discourse the Marechal de Villeroy almost slipped off his + chair. As soon, at least, as he heard the Words, "Superintendence of + the King's education," he rested his forehead upon his stick, and + remained several moments in that posture. He appeared even to + understand nothing of the rest of the speech. Villars and D'Effiat + bent their backs like people who had received the last blow. I could + see nobody on my own side except the Duc de Guiche, who approved + through all his prodigious astonishment. Estrees became master of + himself the first, shook himself, brightened up, and looked at the + company like a man who returns from the other world. + </p> + <p> + As soon as M. le Duc had finished, M. le Duc d'Orleans reviewed all + the company with his eyes, and then said, that the request of M. le + Duc was just; that he did not think it could be refused; that M. le + Marechal de Villeroy could not be allowed to remain under a person + whom he preceded in rank; that the superintendence of the King's + education could not be more worthily filled than by M. le Duc; and + that he was persuaded all would be of one voice in this matter. + Immediately afterwards, he asked M. le Prince de Conti to give his + opinion, who did so in two words; then he asked the Keeper of the + Seals, whose reply was equally brief; then he asked me. + </p> + <p> + I simply said, looking at M. le Duc, that I was for the change with + all my heart. The rest, M. de la Force excepted (who said a single + word), voted without speaking, simply bowing; the Marshals and + D'Effiat scarcely moved their eyes, and those of Villars glistened + with fury. + </p> + <p> + The opinions taken, the Regent turning towards M. le Duc, said, + "Monsieur, I think you would like to read what you intend to say to + the King at the Bed of Justice." + </p> + <p> + Therefore M. le Duc read it as it has been printed. Some moments of + sad and profound silence succeeded this reading, during which the + Marechal de Villeroy, pale and agitated, muttered to himself. At last, + like a man who has made up his mind, he turned with bended head, + expiring eyes, and feeble voice, towards the Regent, and said, "I will + simply say these two words; here are all the dispositions of the late + king overturned, I cannot see it without grief. M. du Maine is very + unfortunate." + </p> + <p> + "Monsieur," replied the Regent, in a loud and animated tone, "M. du + Maine is my brother-in-law, but I prefer an open enemy to a hidden + one." + </p> + <p> + At this great declaration several lowered their heads. The Marechal de + Villeroy nearly swooned; sighs began to make themselves heard near me, + as though by stealth; everybody felt by this that the scabbard was + thrown away. + </p> + <p> + The Keeper of the Seals, to make a diversion; proposed to read the + speech he had prepared to serve as preface to the decree to be read at + the Bed of justice, abrogating the Parliament decrees; as he was + finishing it, some one entered to say he was asked for at the door. + </p> + <p> + He went out, returning immediately afterwards, not to his place, but + to M. le Duc d'Orleans, whom he took into a window, meditative silence + reigning around. The Regent having returned back to his place, said to + the company, he had received information that the Chief-President of + the Parliament, notwithstanding the reply previously made, had + proposed that the Parliament should not go to the Tuileries, asking, + "What it was to do in a place where it would not be free?" that he had + proposed to send a message to the King, stating that "his Parliament + would hear his wishes in their ordinary place of meeting, whenever it + should please him to come or to send." The Regent added that these + propositions had made considerable sensation, and that the Parliament + were at that moment debating upon them. The Council appeared much + astounded at this news, but M. le Duc d'Orleans said, in a very + composed manner, that he did not expect a refusal; he ordered the + Keeper of the Seals, nevertheless, to propose such measures as it + would be best to take, supposing the motion of the Chief-President + should be carried. + </p> + <p> + The Keeper of the Seals declared that he could not believe the + Parliament would be guilty of this disobedience, contrary to all law + and usage. He showed at some length that nothing was so pernicious as + to expose the King's authority to a formal opposition, and decided in + favour of the immediate interdiction of the Parliament if it fell into + this fault. M. le Duc d'Orleans added that there was no other course + open, and took the opinion of M. le Duc, which was strongly in his + favour. M. le Prince de Conti the same, mine also, that of M. de la + Force and of M. de Guiche still more so. The Marechal de Villeroy, in + a broken voice, seeking big words, which would not come in time to + him, deplored this extremity, and did all he could to avoid giving a + precise opinion. Forced at last by the Regent to explain himself, he + did not dare to oppose, but added that he assented with regret, and + wished to explain the grievous results of the proposed measure. But + the Regent, interrupting him, said he need not take the trouble: + everything had been foreseen; that it would be much more grievous to + be disobeyed by the Parliament than to force it into obedience; and + immediately after asked the Duc de Noailles his opinion, who replied + that it would be very sad to act thus, but that he was for it. Villars + wished to paraphrase, but contained himself, and said he hoped the + Parliament would obey. Pressed by the Regent, he proposed to wait for + fresh news before deciding; but, pressed more closely, he declared for + the interdiction, with an air of warmth and vexation, extremely + marked. Nobody after this dared to hesitate, and the majority voted by + an inclination of the head. + </p> + <p> + A short time afterwards it was announced to M. le Duc d'Orleans that + the Parliament had set out on foot, and had begun to defile through + the palace. This news much cooled the blood of the company, M. le Duc + d'Orleans more than that of any one else. + </p> + <p> + After this the Regent, in a cheerful manner, called upon the + Presidents of the Councils to bring forward any business they might + have on hand, but not one had any. The Marechal de Villars said, + however, that he had a matter to produce, and he produced it + accordingly, but with a clearness which, under the circumstances, was + extraordinary. I fancy, however, that very few knew what he was + talking about. We were all too much occupied with more interesting + matters, and each voted without speaking. Bad luck to those who had + had business to bring forward this day; they who conducted it would + have known but little what they said: they who listened, still less. + </p> + <p> + The Council finished thus, from lack of matter, and a movement was + made to adjourn it as usual. I stepped in front of M. le Prince de + Conti to M. le Duc d'Orleans, who understood me, and who begged the + company to keep their seats. La Vrilliere went out by order for news, + but there was nothing fresh. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0093" id="link2HCH0093"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XCIII + </h2> + <p> + It was now a little after ten. We remained a good half-hour in our + places, talking a little with each other, but on the whole rather + silent. At the end some grew fidgety and anxious, rose and went to the + windows. M. le Duc d'Orleans restrained them as well as he could; but + at length Desgranges entered to say that the Chief-President had + already arrived, in his coach, and that the Parliament was near. So + soon as he had retired, the Council rose by groups, and could no + longer be kept seated. M. le Duc d'Orleans himself at last rose, and + all he could do was to prohibit everybody from leaving the room under + any pretext, and this prohibition he repeated two or three times. + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had we risen when M. le Duc came to me, rejoiced at the + success that had hitherto been had, and much relieved by the absence + of the bastards. Soon after I quitted him the Duc d'Orleans came to + me, overpowered with the same sentiment. I said what I thought of the + consternation of every one; and painted the expression of M. d'Effiat, + at which he was not surprised. He was more so about Besons. I asked if + he was not afraid the bastards would come to the Bed of justice; but + he was certain they would not. I was resolved, however, to prepare his + mind against that contingency. + </p> + <p> + I walked about, slowly and incessantly without fixing myself on any + one, in order that nothing should escape me, principally attending to + the doors. I took advantage of the opportunity to say a word here and + a word there, to pass continually near those who were suspected, to + skim and interrupt all conversations. D'Antin was often joined by the + Duc de Noailles, who had resumed his habit of the morning, and + continually followed me with his eyes. He had an air of consternation, + was agitated and embarrassed in countenance—he commonly so free + and easy! D'Antin took me aside to see whether he could not, + considering his position, be excused from attending the Bed of + Justice. He received permission from the Regent on certain conditions. + </p> + <p> + I went then to break in upon the colloquy of D'Effiat and his friends, + and taking them by surprise, caused D'Effiat to say that he had just + heard strange resolutions, that he did not know who had advised them, + that he prayed that M. d'Orleans would find them advantageous. I + replied, agreeing with him. The Marechal de Villeroy sighed, muttered, + and shook his wig, Villars spoke more at length, and blamed sharply + what had been done. I assented to everything, being there not to + persuade but to watch. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless we grew weary of the slowness of the Parliament, and + often sent out for news. Several of the Council tried to leave the + room, perhaps to blab, but the Regent would allow no one but La + Vrilliere to go out, and seeing that the desire to leave increased, + stood at the door himself. I suggested to him that Madame d'Orleans + would be in a great state of uneasiness, and suggested that he should + write to her; but he could not be persuaded to do it, though he + promised. + </p> + <p> + At last the Parliament arrived, and behold us! like children, all at + the windows. The members came in red robes, two by two, by the grand + door of the court, which they passed in order to reach the Hall of the + Ambassadors, where the Chief-President, who had come in his carriage + with the president Haligre, awaited them. + </p> + <p> + The Parliament being in its place, the peers having arrived, and the + presidents having put on their furs behind the screens arranged for + that purpose in an adjoining room, a messenger came to inform us that + all was ready. The question had been agitated, whether the King should + dine meanwhile, and I had it carried in the negative, fearing lest + coming immediately after to the Bed of justice, and having eaten + before his usual hour, he might be ill, which would have been a + grievous inconvenience. As soon as it was announced to the Regent that + we could set out, his Royal Highness sent word to the Parliament, to + prepare the deputation to receive the King; and then said aloud to the + company, that it was time to go in search of his Majesty. + </p> + <p> + At these words I felt a storm of joy sweep over me, at the thought of + the grand spectacle that was going to pass in my presence, which + warned me to be doubly on my guard. I tried to furnish myself with the + strongest dose of seriousness, gravity, and modesty. I followed M. le + Duc d'Orleans, who entered the King's room by the little door, and who + found the King in his cabinet. On the way the Duc d'Albret made me + some very marked compliments, with evident desire to discover + something. I put him off with politeness, complaints of the crowd, of + the annoyance of my dress, and gained thus the King's cabinet. + </p> + <p> + The King was dressed as usual. When the Duc d'Orleans had been a few + moments with him, he asked him if he would be pleased to go: and the + way was instantly' cleared, a procession formed, and the King moved + towards the Hall of the Swiss Guard. + </p> + <p> + I now hastened to the chamber, where the Bed of justice was to be + held. The passage to it was tolerably, free. The officers of the + body-guard made place for me and for the Duc de la Force, and Marechal + de Villars, who followed me, one by one. I stopped a moment in the + passage at the entrance to the room, seized with joy upon seeing this + grand spectacle, and at the thought of the grand movement that was + drawing nigh, I needed a pause in order to recover myself sufficiently + to see distinctly what I looked at, and to put on a new coat of + seriousness and of modesty. I fully expected I should be well examined + by a company which had been carefully taught not to like me, and by + the curious spectators waiting to see what was to be hatched out of so + profound a secret, in such an important assembly, summoned so hastily. + Moreover, nobody was ignorant that I knew all, at least from the + Council of the Regency I had just left. + </p> + <p> + I did not deceive myself. As soon as I appeared, all eyes were fixed + upon me. I slowly advanced towards the chief greffier, and introducing + myself between the two seats, I traversed the length of the room, in + front of the King's people, who saluted me with a smiling air, and I + ascended over three rows of high seats, where all the peers were in + their places, and who rose as I approached the steps. I respectfully + saluted them from the third row. + </p> + <p> + Seated in my elevated place, and with nothing before me, I was able to + glance over the whole assembly. I did so at once, piercing everybody + with my eyes. One thing alone restrained me; it was that I did not + dare to fix my eyes upon certain objects. I feared the fire and + brilliant significance of my looks at that moment so appreciated by + everybody: and the more I saw I attracted attention, the more anxious + was I to wean curiosity by my discreetness. I cast, nevertheless, a + glittering glance upon the Chief-President and his friends, for the + examination of whom I was admirably placed. I carried my looks over + all the Parliament, and saw there an astonishment, a silence, a + consternation, such as I had not expected, and which was of good + augury to me. The Chief-President, insolently crest-fallen, the other + presidents disconcerted, and attentive to all, furnished me the most + agreeable spectacle. The simply curious (among which I rank those who + had no vote) appeared to me not less surprised (but without the + bewilderment of the others), calmly surprised; in a word, everybody + showed much expectation and desire to divine what had passed at the + Council. + </p> + <p> + I had but little leisure for this examination, for the King + immediately arrived. The hubbub which followed his entrance, and which + lasted until his Majesty and all who accompanied him were in their + places, was another singularity. Everybody sought to penetrate the + Regent, the Keeper of the Seals, and the principal personages. The + departure of the bastards from the cabinet of the Council had + redoubled attention, but everybody did not know of that departure; now + everybody perceived their absence. The consternation of the Marechals—of + their senior—(the governor of the King) was evident. It + augmented the dejection of the Chief-President, who not seeing his + master the Duc du Maine, cast a terrible glance upon M. de Sully and + me, who exactly occupied the places of the two brothers. In an instant + all the eyes of the assembly were cast, at the same time, upon us; and + I remarked that the meditativeness and expectation increased in every + face. That of the Regent had an air of gentle but resolute majesty + completely new to it, his eyes attentive, his deportment grave, but + easy. M. le Duc, sage, measured, but encircled by I know not what + brilliancy, which adorned all his person and which was evidently kept + down. M. le Prince de Conti appeared dull, pensive, his mind far away + perhaps. I was not able during the sitting to see them except now and + then, and under pretext of looking at the King, who was serious, + majestic, and at the same time as pretty as can be imagined; grave, + with grace in all his bearing, his air attentive, and not at all + wearied, playing his part very well and without embarrassment. + </p> + <p> + When all was ready, Argenson, the Keeper of the Seals, remained some + minutes at his desk motionless, looking down, and the fire which + sprang from his eyes seemed to burn every breast. An extreme silence + eloquently announced the fear, the attention, the trouble, and the + curiosity of all the expectants. The Parliament, which under the + deceased King had often summoned this same Argenson, and as lieutenant + of police had often given him its orders, he standing uncovered at the + bar of the house; the Parliament, which since the regency had + displayed its ill-will towards him so far as to excite public remark, + and which still detained prisoners and papers to vex him; this Chief + President so superior to him, so haughty, so proud of his Duc du + Maine; this Lamoignon, who had boasted he would have him hanged at his + Chamber of justice, where he had so completely dishonoured himself: + this Parliament and all saw him clad in the ornaments of the chief + office of the robe, presiding over them, effacing them, and entering + upon his functions to teach them their duty, to read them a public + lesson the first time he found himself at their head! These vain + presidents were seen turning their looks from a man who imposed so + strongly upon their pride, and who annihilated their arrogance in the + place even whence they drew it, and rendered them stupid by regards + they could not sustain. + </p> + <p> + After the Keeper of the Seals (according to the manner of the + preachers) had accustomed himself to this august audience, he + uncovered himself, rose, mounted to the King, knelt before the steps + of the throne, by the side of the middle of the steps, where the grand + chamberlain was lying upon cushions, and took the King's orders, + descended, placed himself in his chair and covered himself. Let us say + it once for all, he performed the same ceremony at the commencement of + each business, and likewise before and after taking the opinion upon + each; at the bar of justice neither he nor the chamberlain ever speaks + otherwise to the King; and every time he went to the King on this + occasion the Regent rose and approached him to hear and suggest the + orders. Having returned back into his place, he opened, after some + moments of silence, this great scene by a discourse. The report of the + Bed of justice, made by the Parliament and printed, which is in the + hands of everybody, renders it unnecessary for me to give the + discourse of the Keeper of the Seals, that of the Chief-President, + those of the King's people, and the different papers that were read + and registered. I will simply content myself with some observations. + This first discourse, the reading of the letters of the Keeper of the + Seals, and the speech of the Advocate-General Blancmesnil which + followed, the opinions taken, the order given, sometimes reiterated to + keep the two double doors open, did not surprise anybody; served only + as the preface to all the rest; to sharpen curiosity more and more as + the moment approached in which it was to be satisfied. + </p> + <p> + This first act finished, the second was announced by the discourse of + the Keeper of the Seals, the force of which penetrated all the + Parliament. General consternation spread itself over their faces. + Scarcely one of the members dared to speak to his neighbour. I + remarked that the Abbe Pucelle, who, although only counsellor-clerk, + was upon the forms in front of me, stood, so that he might hear better + every time the Keeper of the Seals spoke. Bitter grief, obviously full + of vexation, obscured the visage of the Chief-President. Shame and + confusion were painted there. + </p> + <p> + After the vote, and when the Keeper of the Seals had pronounced, I saw + the principal members of the Parliament in commotion. The Chief- + President was about to speak. He did so by uttering the remonstrance + of the Parliament, full of the most subtle and impudent malice against + the Regent, and of insolence against the King. The villain trembled, + nevertheless, in pronouncing it. His voice broken, his eyes + constrained, his flurry and confusion, contradicted the venomous words + he uttered; libations he could not abstain from offering to himself + and his company. This was the moment when I relished, with delight + utterly impossible to express, the sight of these haughty lawyers (who + had dared to refuse us the salutation), prostrated upon their knees, + and rendering, at our feet, homage to the throne, whilst we sat + covered upon elevated seats, at the side of that same throne. These + situations and these postures, so widely disproportioned, plead of + themselves with all the force of evidence, the cause of those who are + really and truly 'laterales regis' against this 'vas electum' of the + third estate. My eyes fixed, glued, upon these haughty bourgeois, with + their uncovered heads humiliated to the level of our feet, traversed + the chief members kneeling or standing, and the ample folds of those + fur robes of rabbit-skin that would imitate ermine, which waved at + each long and redoubled genuflexion; genuflexions which only finished + by command of the King. + </p> + <p> + The remonstrance being finished, the Keeper of the Seals mentioned to + the King their wishes, asking further opinions; took his place again; + cast his eyes on the Chief-President, and said: The King wishes to be + obeyed, and obeyed immediately. + </p> + <p> + This grand speech was a thunder-bolt which overturned councillors and + presidents in the most marked manner. All of them lowered their heads, + and the majority kept them lowered for a long time. The rest of the + spectators, except the marshals of France, appeared little affected by + this desolation. + </p> + <p> + But this—an ordinary triumph—was nothing to that which was + to follow. After an interval of some few minutes, the Keeper of the + Seals went up again to the King, returned to his place, and remained + there in silence some little time. Then everybody clearly saw that the + Parliamentary affair being finished, something else must be in the + wind. Some thought that a dispute which the Dukes had had with the + Parliament, concerning one of its usurpations, was now to be settled + in our favour. Others who had noticed the absence of the bastards, + guessed it was something that affected them; but nobody divined what, + much less its extent. + </p> + <p> + At last the Keeper of the Seals opened his mouth, and in his first + sentence announced the fall of one brother and the preservation of the + other. The effect of this upon every one was inexpressible. However + occupied I might be in containing mine, I lost nothing. Astonishment + prevailed over every other sentiment. Many appeared glad, either from + hatred to the Duc du Maine, or from affection for the Comte de + Toulouse; several were in consternation. The Chief-President lost all + countenance; his visage, so self-sufficient and so audacious, was + seized with a convulsive movement; the excess alone of his rage kept + him from swooning. It was even worse at the reading of the + declaration. Each word was legislative and decreed a fresh fall. The + attention was general; every one was motionless, so as not to lose a + word; all eyes were fixed upon the 'greffier' who was reading. A third + of this reading over, the Chief- President, gnashing the few teeth + left in his head, rested his forehead upon his stick that he held in + both hands, and in this singular and marked position finished + listening to the declaration, so overwhelming for him, so + resurrectionary for us. + </p> + <p> + Yet, as for me, I was dying with joy. I was so oppressed that I feared + I should swoon; my heart dilated to excess, and no longer found room + to beat. The violence I did myself, in order to let nothing escape me, + was infinite; and, nevertheless, this torment was delicious. I + compared the years and the time of servitude; the grievous days, when + dragged at the tail of the Parliamentary car as a victim, I had served + as a triumph for the bastards; the various steps by which they had + mounted to the summit above our heads; I compared them, I say, to this + court of justice and of rule, to this frightful fall which, at the + same time, raised us by the force of the shock. I thanked myself that + it was through me this had been brought about. I had triumphed, I was + revenged; I swam in my vengeance; I enjoyed the full accomplishment of + desires the most vehement and the most continuous of all my life. I + was tempted to fling away all thought and care. Nevertheless, I did + not fail to listen to this vivifying reading (every note of which + sounded upon my heart as the bow upon an instrument), or to examine, + at the same time, the impressions it made upon every one. + </p> + <p> + At the first word the Keeper of the Seals said of this affair, the + eyes of the two bishop-peers met mine. Never did I see surprise equal + to theirs, or so marked a transport of joy. I had not been able to + speak to them on account of the distance of our places; and they could + not resist the movement which suddenly seized them. I swallowed + through my eyes a delicious draught of their joy, and turned away my + glance from theirs, lest I should succumb beneath this increase of + delight. I no longer dared to look at them. + </p> + <p> + The reading finished, the other declaration in favour of the Comte de + Toulouse was immediately commenced by the 'greffier', according to the + command of the Keeper of the Seals, who had given them to him both + together. It seemed to complete the confusion of the Chief-President + and the friends of the Duc du Maine, by the contrast between the + treatment of the two brothers. + </p> + <p> + After the Advocate-General had spoken, the Keeper of the Seals mounted + to the King, with the opinions of the Princes of the Blood; then came + to the Duc de Sully and me. Fortunately I had more memory than he had, + or wished to have; therefore it was exactly my affair. I presented to + him my hat with a bunch of feathers in the front, in an express manner + very marked, saying to him loudly enough: "No, Monsieur, we cannot be + judges; we are parties to the cause, and we have only to thank the + King for the justice he renders us." + </p> + <p> + He smiled and made an excuse. I pushed him away before the Duc de + Sully had time to open his mouth; and looking round I saw with + pleasure that my refusal had been marked by everybody. The Keeper of + the Seals retired as he came, and without taking the opinions of the + peers, or of the bishop- peers, went to the marshals of France; thence + descended to the Chief- President and to the 'presidents a mortier', + and so to the rest of the lower seats; after which, having been to the + King and returned to his place, he pronounced the decree of + registration, and thus put the finishing touch to my joy. + </p> + <p> + Immediately after M. le Duc rose, and having made his reverences to + the King forgot to sit down and cover himself to speak, according to + the uninterrupted right and usage of the peers of France; therefore + not one of us rose. He made, then, slowly and uncovered, the speech + which has been printed at the end of the preceding ones, and read it + not very intelligibly because his organ was not favourable. As soon as + he had finished, M. le Duc d'Orleans rose, and committed the same + fault. He said, also standing and uncovered, that the request of M. le + Duc appeared to him just; and after some praises added, that M. le Duc + du Maine was now reduced to the rank given to him by his peerage, M. + le Marechal de Villeroy, his senior, could no longer remain under him, + which was a new and very strong reason in addition to those M. le Duc + had alleged. This request had carried to the highest point the + astonishment of the assembly and the despair of the Chief-President, + and the handful of people who appeared by their embarrassment to be + interested in the Duc du Maine. The Marechal de Villeroy, without + knitting his brow, had a disturbed look, and the eyes of the chief + accuser oftener were inundated with tears. I was not able to + distinguish well his cousin and intimate friend the Marechal + d'Huxelles, who screened himself beneath the vast brim of his hat, + thrust over his eyes, and who did not stir. The Chief- President, + stunned by this last thunder-bolt, elongated his face so surprisingly, + that I thought for a moment his chin had fallen upon his knees. + </p> + <p> + However, the Keeper of the Seals having called upon the King's people + to speak, they replied that they had not heard the proposition of M. + le Duc, therefore his paper was passed to them from hand to hand, + during which the Keeper of the Seals repeated very kindly what the + Regent had added upon the seniority of the Marechal de Villeroy over + the Duc du Maine. Blancmesnil merely threw his eyes upon the paper of + M. le Duc, and spoke, after which the Keeper of the Seals put it to + the vote. I gave mine loud enough, and said, "As for this affair I + vote with all my heart for giving the superintendence of the King's + education to M. le Duc." + </p> + <p> + The votes being taken, the Keeper, of the Seals called the chief + 'greffier', ordered him to bring his paper and his little bureau near + his, so as to do all at once; and in presence of the King register + everything that had been read and resolved, and signed also. This was + done without any difficulty, according to forms, under the eyes of the + Keeper of the Seals, who never raised them: but as there were five or + six documents to register they took up a long time. + </p> + <p> + I had well observed the King when his education was in question, and I + remarked in him no sort of alteration, change, or constraint. This was + the last act of the drama: he was quite lively now the registrations + commenced. However, as there were no more speeches to occupy him, he + laughed with those near, amused himself with everything, even + remarking that the Duc de Louvigny had on a velvet coat, and laughed + at the heat he must feel, and all this with grace. This indifference + for M. du Maine struck everybody, and publicly contradicted what his + partisans tried to publish, viz., that his eyes had been red, but that + neither at the Bed of justice, nor since, he had dared to show his + trouble. The truth is he had his eyes dry and serene the whole time, + and pronounced the name of the Duc du Maine only once since, which was + after dinner the same day, when he asked where he had gone, with a + very indifferent air, without saying a word more, then or since, or + naming his children, who took little trouble to see him; and when they + went it was in order to have even in his presence their little court + apart, and to divert themselves among themselves. As for the Duc du + Maine, either from policy or because he thought it not yet time, he + only, saw the King in the morning, sometimes in his bed, and not at + all during the rest of the day, except when obliged by his functions. + </p> + <p> + During the registration I gently passed my eyes over the whole + assembly., and though I constantly constrained them, I could not + resist the temptation to indemnify myself upon the Chief-President; I + perseveringly overwhelmed him, therefore, a hundred different times + during the sitting, with my hard-hitting regards. Insult, contempt, + disdain, triumph, were darted at him from my eyes,—and pierced + him to the very marrow often he lowered his eyes when he caught my + gaze once or twice he raised his upon me, and I took pleasure in + annoying him by sly but malicious smiles which completed his vexation. + I bathed myself in his rage, and amused myself by making him feel it. + I sometimes played with him by pointing him out to my two neighbours + when he could perceive this movement; in a word, I pressed upon him + without mercy, as heavily as I could. + </p> + <p> + At last the registration finished, the King descended the throne, and + was followed by the Regent, the two Princes of the Blood, and the + necessary gentlemen of the suite. At the same time the Marshals of + France descended, and while the King traversed the room, accompanied + by the deputation which had received him, they passed between the + seats of the councillors opposite us, to follow him to the door by + which his Majesty departed; and at the same time the two bishop-peers, + passing before the throne, came to put themselves at our head, and + squeezed my hands and my head (in passing before me) with warm + gratification. + </p> + <p> + We followed them two by two according to seniority, and went straight + forward to the door. The Parliament began to move directly afterwards. + Place was made for us to the steps. The crowd, the people, the display + contrasted our conversation and our joy. I was sorry for it. + </p> + <p> + I immediately gained my coach, which I found near, and which took me + skilfully out of the court, so that I met with no check, and in a + quarter of an hour after leaving the sitting, I was at home. + </p> + <p> + I had need of a little rest, for pleasure even is fatigue, and + happiness, pure and untroubled as it may be, wearies the spirit. I + entered my house, then, at about two o'clock in the afternoon, + intending to repose myself, and in order to do so in security, I + closed my door to everybody. + </p> + <p> + Alas! I had not been many minutes at home when I was called away to + perform one of the most painful and annoying commissions it was ever + my ill fortune to be charged with. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0094" id="link2HCH0094"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XCIV. + </h2> + <p> + A little while before leaving the Cabinet of the Council for the Bed + of Justice, M. le Duc d'Orleans had begged me to go to the Palais + Royal with the Keeper of the Seals immediately after the ceremony had + ended. As I saw that nothing had been undertaken, I thought myself + free of this conference, and was glad to avoid a new proof that I had + been in a secret which had excited envy. I went, therefore, straight + home, arriving between two and three. I found at the foot of the steps + the Duc d'Humieres, Louville, and all my family, even my mother, whom + curiosity had drawn from her chamber, which she had not left since the + commencement of the winter. We remained below in my apartment, where, + while changing my coat and my shirt, I replied to their eager + questions; when, lo! M. de Biron, who had forced my door which I had + closed against everybody, in order to obtain a little repose, was + announced. + </p> + <p> + Biron put his head in at my door, and begged to be allowed to say a + word to me. I passed, half-dressed, into my chamber with him. He said + that M. le Duc d'Orleans had expected me at the Palais Royal + immediately after the Bed of justice, and was surprised I had not + appeared. He added that there was no great harm done; and that the + Regent wished to see me now, in order that I might execute a + commission for him. I asked Biron what it was? He replied that it was + to go to Saint-Clerc to announce what had taken place to Madame la + Duchesse d'Orleans! + </p> + <p> + This was a thunder-bolt for me. I disputed with Biron, who exhorted me + to lose no time, but to go at once to the Palais Royal, where I was + expected with impatience. I returned into my cabinet with him, so + changed in aspect that Madame de Saint-Simon was alarmed. I explained + what was the matter, and after Biron had chatted a moment, and again + pressed me to set out at once, he went away to eat his dinner. Ours + was served. I waited a little time in order to recover myself, + determined not to vex M. le Duc d'Orleans by dawdling, took some soup + and an egg, and went off to the Palais Royal. + </p> + <p> + It was in vain that, using all the eloquence I could command and all + the liberty I dared employ, I protested against being employed for + this duty. I represented to the Regent what an ill-chosen messenger I + should be to carry to Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans news of the + disgrace of her brother the Duc du Maine; I, who had always been such + an open and declared enemy to the bastards! I represented to him that + people would say I went on purpose to triumph over her at what had + been done, and that she herself would look upon my presence as a kind + of insult. In vain! in vain! were my arguments, my entreaties, my + instances. M. le Duc d'Orleans had determined that I should go on this + errand, and go I must. + </p> + <p> + As I left his house to execute my luckless commission, I found one of + Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans' pages, booted and spurred, who had just + arrived from Saint-Cloud. I begged him to return at once, at a gallop, + and say, on arriving, to the Duchesse Sforze (one of Madame la + Duchesse d'Orleans' ladies) that I should be there soon with a message + from M. le Duc d'Orleans, and to ask her to meet me as I descended + from my coach. My object was to charge her with the message I had to + deliver, and not to see Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans at all. But my + poor prudence was confounded by that of the page, who had not less + than I. He took good care not to be the bearer of such ill news as he + had just learned at the Palais Royal, and which was now everywhere + public. He contented himself with saying that I was coming, sent by M. + le Duc d'Orleans, spoke not a word to the Duchesse Sforze, and + disappeared at once. This is what I afterwards learned, and what I saw + clearly enough on arriving at Saint- Cloud. + </p> + <p> + I went there at a gentle trot, in order to give time to the page to + arrive before me, and to the Duchesse Sforze to receive me. During the + journey I applauded myself for my address, but feared lest I should be + obliged to see Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans after Madame Sforze. I + could not imagine that Saint-Cloud was in ignorance of what had + occurred, and, nevertheless, I was in an agony that cannot be + expressed, and this increased as I approached the end of my journey. + If it is disagreeable to announce unpleasant news to the indifferent, + how much more is it to announce them to the deeply interested! + </p> + <p> + Penetrated with this dolorous sentiment I arrived in the grand court + of Saint-Cloud, and saw everybody at the windows, running from all + parts. I alighted, and asked the first comer to lead me to the + Duchesse Sforze, the position of whose apartments I am unacquainted + with. I was told that Madame Sforze was in the chapel with Madame la + Duchesse d'Orleans. Then I asked for the Marechale de Rochefort, and + after a time she arrived, hobbling along with her stick. I disputed + with her, wishing to see Madame Sforze, who was not to be found. I was + anxious at all events to go to her room and wait, but the inexorable + Marechale pulled me by the arm, asking what news I brought. Worn out + at last, I said, "News? news that you are acquainted with." + </p> + <p> + "How, acquainted with?" she asked. "We know nothing, except that a Bed + of justice has been held, and we are expiring to know why, and what + has passed there." + </p> + <p> + My astonishment at this ignorance was extreme, and I made her swear + and repeat four times over that nothing was known at Saint-Cloud. I + told her thereupon what had happened, and she, in her turn, + astonished, almost fell backwards! But where was Madame Sforze? she + came not, and do what I must, say what I might, I was forced to carry, + my message to Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans. I was sorely loth to do + so, but was dragged by the hand almost as a sheep is led to the + slaughter. + </p> + <p> + I stood before Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans after having passed + through an apartment filled with her people, fear painted upon all + their faces. I saluted her; but, oh! how differently from my usual + manner! She did not perceive this at first, and begged me, with a + cheerful natural air, to approach her; but seeing my trouble, she + exclaimed, "Good Heavens, Monsieur, what a face you wear! What news + bring you?" + </p> + <p> + Seeing that I remained silent and motionless, she became more moved, + and repeated her questions. I advanced a few steps towards her, and at + her third appeal, I said: "Madame, you know nothing then?" + </p> + <p> + "No, Monsieur; I simply know that there has been a Bed of justice: + what has passed there I am quite ignorant of." + </p> + <p> + "Ah, Madame," I replied, half turning away; "I am more unhappy, then, + than I thought to be." + </p> + <p> + "What is the matter?" exclaimed she; "what has happened?" (rising and + sitting bolt upright on the sofa she was stretched upon.) "Come near + and sit down!" + </p> + <p> + I approached; stated that I was in despair. She, more and more moved, + said to me, "But speak; better to learn bad news from one's friend + than from others." + </p> + <p> + This remark pierced me to the heart, and made me sensible of the grief + I was going to inflict upon her. I summoned up courage, and I told her + all. + </p> + <p> + The tears of Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans flowed abundantly at my + recital. She did not answer a word, uttered no cry, but wept bitterly. + She pointed to a seat and I sat down upon it, my eyes during several + instants fixed upon the floor. Afterwards I said that M. le Duc + d'Orleans, who had rather forced upon me this commission, than charged + me with it, had expressly commanded me to tell her that he had very + strong proofs in his hands against M. du Maine; that he had kept them + back a long time, but could no longer do so now. She gently replied to + me that her brother was very unfortunate and shortly afterwards asked + if I knew what his crime was. I said that M. le Duc d'Orleans had not + told me; and that I had not dared to question him upon a subject of + this nature, seeing that he was not inclined to talk of it. + </p> + <p> + More tears shortly afterwards filled her eyes. Her brother must be + very criminal, she said, to be so treated. + </p> + <p> + I remained some time upon my seat, not daring to raise my eyes, in the + most painful state possible, and not knowing whether to remain or go + away. At last I acquainted her with my difficulty; said I fancied she + would like to be alone some little time before giving me her orders, + but that respect kept me equally in suspense as to whether I should go + or stay. After a short silence, she said she should like to see her + women. I rose, sent them to her, and said to them, if her Royal + Highness asked for me, I should be with the Duchesse Sforze, or the + Marechale Rochefort; but I could find neither of these two ladies, so + I went up to Madame. + </p> + <p> + She rose as soon as I appeared, and said to me, with eagerness, "Well, + Monsieur, what news?" At the same time her ladies retired, and I was + left alone with her. + </p> + <p> + I commenced by an excuse for not coming to see her first, as was my + duty, on the ground that M. le Duc d'Orleans had assured me she would + not object to my commencing with Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans. She did + not object, in fact, but asked me for my news with much eagerness. I + told her what had happened. Joy spread over her face. She replied with + a mighty, "At last!" which she repeated, saying, her son long since + ought to have struck this blow, but that he was too good. I mentioned + to her that she was standing, but for politeness she remained so. + After some further talk she begged me to state all the details of this + celebrated morning. + </p> + <p> + I again recalled to her mind that she was standing, and represented + that what she desired to learn would take a long time to relate; but + her ardor to know it was extreme. I began then my story, commencing + with the very morning. At the end of a quarter of an hour, Madame + seated herself, but with the greatest politeness. I was nearly an hour + with her, continually telling and sometimes replying to her questions. + She was delighted at the humiliation of the Parliament, and of the + bastards, and that her son had at last displayed some firmness. + </p> + <p> + At this point the Marechale de Rochefort entered, and summoned me back + to Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans. I found that princess extended upon + the sofa where I had left her, an inkstand upon her knees and a pen in + her hand. She had commenced a reply to M. le Duc d'Orleans, but had + not been able to finish it. Looking at me with an air of gentleness + and of friendship, she observed, "Tears escape me; I have begged you + to descend in order to render me a service; my hand is unsteady, I + pray you finish my writing for me;" and she handed to me the inkstand + and her letter. I took them, and she dictated to me the rest of the + epistle, that I at once added to what she had written. + </p> + <p> + I was infinitely amazed at the conciseness and appropriateness of the + expressions she readily found, in the midst of her violent emotion, + her sobs, and her tears. She finished by saying that she was going to + Montmartre to mourn the misfortunes of her brother, and pray God for + his prosperity. I shall regret all my life I did not transcribe this + letter. All its expressions were so worthy, so fitting, so measured, + everything being according to truth and duty; and the letter, in fact, + being so perfectly well written, that although I remember it roughly, + I dare not give it, for fear of spoiling it. What a pity that a mind + capable of such self-possession, at such a moment, should have become + valueless from its leaning towards illegitimacy. + </p> + <p> + After this I had another interview with Madame, and a long talk with + my sure and trusty friend Madame Sforze. Then I set out for Paris, + went straight to the Palais Royal, and found M. le Duc d'Orleans with + Madame la Duchesse de Berry. He was delighted when he heard what + Madame had said respecting him; but he was not particularly pleased + when he found that Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans (who after telling me + she would go to Montmartre, had changed her mind), was coming to the + Palais Royal. + </p> + <p> + I learned afterwards that she came about half an hour after I left. At + first she was all humility and sorrow, hoping to soften the Regent by + this conduct. Then she passed to tears, sobs, cries, reproaches, + expecting to make him by these means undo what he had done, and + reinstate M. du Maine in the position he had lost. But all her efforts + proving vain, she adopted another course: her sorrow turned to rage,—her + tears to looks of anger. Still in vain. She could gain nothing; vex + and annoy M. le Duc d'Orleans as she might by her conduct. At last, + finding there was no remedy to be had, she was obliged to endure her + sorrow as best she might. + </p> + <p> + As for me, I was erased entirely from her books. She looked upon me as + the chief cause of what had occurred, and would not see me. I remained + ever afterwards at variance with her. I had nothing to reproach myself + with, however, so that her enmity did not very deeply penetrate me. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0095" id="link2HCH0095"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XCV + </h2> + <p> + It was scarcely to be expected, perhaps, that M. du Maine would remain + altogether quiet under the disgrace which had been heaped upon him by + the proceedings at the Bed of Justice. Soon indeed we found that he + had been secretly working out the most perfidious and horrible schemes + for a long time before that assembly; and that after his fall, he gave + himself up with redoubled energy to his devilish devices. + </p> + <p> + Towards the end of this memorable year, 1718, it was discovered that + Alberoni, by means of Cellamare, Spanish Ambassador at our Court, was + preparing a plot against the Regent. The scheme was nothing less than + to throw all the realm into revolt against the government of M. le Duc + d'Orleans; to put the King of Spain at the head of the affairs of + France, with a council and ministers named by him, and a lieutenant, + who would in fact have been regent; this self-same lieutenant to be no + other than the Duc du Maine! + </p> + <p> + This precious plot was, fortunately, discovered before it had come to + maturity. Had such not happened, the consequences might have been very + serious, although they could scarcely have been fatal. The + conspirators counted upon the Parliaments of Paris and of Brittany, + upon all the old Court accustomed to the yoke of the bastards, and to + that of Madame de Maintenon; and they flung about promises with an + unsparing hand to all who supported them. After all, it must be + admitted, however, that the measures they took and the men they + secured, were strangely unequal to the circumstances of the case, when + the details became known; in fact, there was a general murmur of + surprise among the public, at the contemptible nature of the whole + affair. + </p> + <p> + But let me relate the circumstances accompanying the discovery of M. + du Maine's pitiable treachery. + </p> + <p> + Cellamare, as I have said, was Spanish Ambassador at our Court. He had + been one of the chief movers in the plot. He had excited, as much as + lay in his power, discontent against the Regent's government; he had + done his best to embroil France with Spain; he had worked heart and + soul with M. du Maine, to carry out the common end they had in view. + So much preparation had been made; so much of the treason train laid, + that at last it became necessary to send to Alberoni a full and clear + account of all that had been done, so as to paint exactly the position + of affairs, and determine the measures that remained to be taken. But + how to send such an account as this? To trust it to the ordinary + channels of communication would have been to run a great risk of + exposure and detection. To send it by private hand would have been + suspicious, if the hand were known, and dangerous if it were not: + Cellamare had long since provided for this difficulty. + </p> + <p> + He had caused a young ecclesiastic to be sent from Spain, who came to + Paris as though for his pleasure. There he was introduced to young + Monteleon, son of a former ambassador at our Court, who had been much + liked. The young ecclesiastic was called the Abbe Portocarrero, a name + regarded with favour in France. Monteleon came from the Hague, and was + going to Madrid. Portocarrero came from Madrid, and was going back + there. What more natural than that the two young men should travel in + company? What less natural than that the two young men, meeting each + other by pure accident in Paris, should be charged by the ambassador + with any packet of consequence, he having his own couriers, and the + use, for the return journey, of those sent to him from Spain? In fact, + it may be believed that these young people themselves were perfectly + ignorant of what they were charged with, and simply believed that, as + they were going to Spain, the ambassador merely seized the occasion to + entrust them with some packet of no special importance. + </p> + <p> + They set out, then, at the commencement of December, furnished with + passports from the King—(for Alberoni had openly caused almost a + rupture between the two Courts)—with a Spanish banker, who had + been established in England, where he had become bankrupt for a large + amount, so that the English government had obtained permission from + the Regent to arrest him, if they could, anywhere in France. It will + sometimes be perceived that I am ill-instructed in this affair; but I + can only tell what I know: and as for the rest, I give my conjectures. + In fact, the Abbe Dubois kept everybody so much in the dark, that even + M. le Duc d'Orleans was not informed of all. + </p> + <p> + Whether the arrival of the Abbe Portocarrero in Paris, and his short + stay there, seemed suspicious to the Abbe Dubois and his emissaries, + or whether he had corrupted some of the principal people of the + Spanish Ambassador and this Court, and learned that these young men + were charged with a packet of importance; whether there was no other + mystery than the bad company of the bankrupt banker, and that the + anxiety of Dubois to oblige his friends the English, induced him to + arrest the three travellers and seize their papers, lest the banker + should have confided his to the young men, I know not: but however it + may have been, it is certain that the Abbe Dubois arrested the three + travellers at Poitiers, and carried off their papers, a courier + bringing these papers to him immediately afterwards. + </p> + <p> + Great things sometimes spring from chance. The courier from Poitiers + entered the house of the Abbe Dubois just as the Regent entered the + opera. Dubois glanced over the papers, and went and related the news + of this capture to M. le Duc Orleans, as he left his box. This prince, + who was accustomed to shut himself up with his roues at that hour, did + so with a carelessness to which everything yielded, under pretext that + Dubois had not had sufficient time to examine all the papers. The + first few hours of the morning he was not himself. His head, still + confused by the fumes of the wine and by the undigested supper of the + previous night, was not in a state to understand anything, and the + secretaries of state have often told me that was the time they could + make him sign anything. This was the moment taken by Dubois to + acquaint the Regent with as much or as little of the contents of the + papers as he thought fit. The upshot of their interview was, that the + Abbe was allowed by the Duc d'Orleans to have the control of this + matter entirely in his own hands. + </p> + <p> + The day after the arrival of the courier from Poitiers, Cellamare, + informed of what had occurred, but who flattered himself that the + presence of the banker had caused the arrest of the young men, and the + seizure of their papers, hid his fears under a very tranquil bearing, + and went, at one o'clock in the day, to M. le Blanc, to ask for a + packet of letters he had entrusted to Portocarrero and Monteleon on + their return to Spain. Le Blanc (who had had his lesson prepared + beforehand by the Abbe Dubois) replied that the packet had been seen; + that it contained important things, and that, far from being restored + to him, he himself must go back to his hotel under escort, to meet + there M. l'Abbe Dubois. The ambassador, who felt that such a + compliment would not be attempted with out means having been prepared + to put it in execution, made no difficulty, and did not lose for a + moment his address or his tranquillity. + </p> + <p> + During the three hours, at least, passed in his house, in the + examination of all his bureaux and his boxes, and his papers, + Cellamare, like a man who fears nothing, and who is sure of his game, + treated M. le Blanc very civilly; as for the Abbe Dubois, with whom he + felt he had no measure to keep (all the plot being discovered), he + affected to treat him with the utmost disdain. Thus Le Blanc, taking + hold of a little casket, Cellamare cried, "M. le Blanc, M. le Blanc, + leave that alone; that is not for you; that is for the Abbe Dubois" + (who was then present). Then looking at him, he added, "He has been a + pander all his life, and there are nothing but women's letters there." + </p> + <a name="image-0007" id="image-0007"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img src="images/front3.jpg" + alt="Search of the Spanish Ambassador--painted by Maurice Leloir " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <!-- IMAGE END --> + <p> + The Abbe Dubois burst out laughing, not daring to grow angry. + </p> + <p> + When all was examined, the King's seal, and that of the ambassador, + were put upon all the bureaux and the caskets which contained papers. + The Abbe Dubois and Le Blanc went off together to give an account of + their proceedings to the Regent, leaving a company of musketeers to + guard the ambassador and his household. + </p> + <p> + I heard of the capture effected at Poitiers, at home, the morning + after it occurred, without knowing anything of those arrested. As I + was at table, a servant came to me from M. le Duc d'Orleans, summoning + me to a council of the regency, at four o'clock that day. As it was + not the usual day for the council, I asked what was the matter. The + messenger was surprised at my ignorance and informed me that the + Spanish ambassador was arrested. As soon as I had eaten a morsel, I + quitted my company, and hastened to the Palais Royal, where I learnt + from M. le Duc d'Orleans all that I have just related. Our + conversation took up time, and, when it was over, I went away to the + Tuileries. I found there astonishment painted upon several faces; + little groups of two, three, and four people together; and the + majority struck by the importance of the arrest, and little disposed + to approve it. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans arrived shortly after. He had, better than any man + I have ever known, the gift of speech, and without needing any + preparation he said exactly what he wanted to say, neither more nor + less; his expressions were just and precise, a natural grace + accompanied them with an air of proper dignity, always mixed with an + air of politeness. He opened the council with a discourse upon the + people and the papers seized at Poitiers, the latter proving that a + very dangerous conspiracy against the state was on the eve of + bursting, and of which the Ambassador of Spain was the principal + promoter. His Royal Highness alleged the pressing reasons which had + induced him to secure the person of this ambassador, to examine his + papers, and to place them under guard. He showed that the protection + afforded by the law of nations did not extend to conspiracies, that + ambassadors rendered themselves unworthy of that protection when they + took part in them, still more when they excited people against the + state where they dwelt. He cited several examples of ambassadors + arrested for less. He explained the orders he had given so as to + inform all the foreign ministers in Paris of what had occurred, and + had ordered Dubois to render an account to the council of what he had + done at the ambassador's, and offered to read the letters from + Cellamare to Cardinal Alberoni, found among the papers brought from + Poitiers. + </p> + <p> + The Abbe Dubois stammered out a short and ill-arranged recital of what + he had done at the ambassador's house, and dwelt upon the importance + of the discovery and upon that of the conspiracy as far as already + known. The two letters he read left me no doubt that Cellamare was at + the head of this affair, and that Alberoni had entered into it as far + as he. We were much scandalised with the expressions in these letters + against M. le Duc d'Orleans, who was in no way spared. + </p> + <p> + This prince spoke again, to say he did not suspect the King or Queen + of Spain to be mixed up in this affair, but that he attributed it all + to the passion of Alberoni, and that of his ambassador to please him, + and that he would ask for justice from their Catholic Majesties. He + showed the importance of neglecting no means in order to clear up an + affair so capital to the repose and tranquillity of the kingdom, and + finished by saying, that until he knew more he would name nobody who + was mixed up in the matter. All this speech was much applauded, and I + believe there were some among the company who felt greatly relieved + when they heard the Regent say he would name nobody nor would he allow + suspicions to be circulated until all was unravelled. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless the next day, Saturday, the 10th of December, more than + one arrest was made. Others took place a few days afterwards. + </p> + <p> + On Tuesday, the 13th of December, all the foreign ministers went to + the Palais Royal, according to custom; not one made any complaint of + what had happened. A copy of the two letters read at the council was + given to them. In the afternoon, Cellamare was placed in a coach with + a captain of cavalry and a captain of dragoons, chosen to conduct him: + to Blois, until Saint-Aignan, our ambassador in Spain, should arrive + in France. + </p> + <p> + The position of our ambassador, Saint-Aignan, at Madrid, was, as may + be imagined, by no means agreeable. The two courts were just upon the + point of an open rupture, thanks to the hatred Alberoni had made it a + principle to keep up in Spain against M. le Duc d'Orleans, by crying + down his actions, his government, his personal conduct, his most + innocent acts, and by rendering suspicious even his favourable + proceedings with regard to Spain. Alberoni for a long time had ceased + to keep on even decent terms with Saint-Aignan, scandalising thus even + the most unfavourably disposed towards France. Saint-Aignan only + maintained his position by the sagacity of his conduct, and he was + delighted when he received orders to return to France. He asked for + his parting audience, and meanwhile bade adieu to all his friends and + to all the Court. Alberoni, who every moment expected decisive news + from Cellamare respecting the conspiracy, wished to remain master of + our ambassador, so as, in case of accident, to have a useful hostage + in his hands as security for his own ambassador. He put off therefore + this parting audience under various pretexts. At last, Saint-Aignan, + pressed by his reiterated orders (orders all the more positive because + suspicion had already begun to foresee a disturbance ever alarming), + spoke firmly to the Cardinal, and declared that if this audience were + not at once accorded to him, he would do without it! Therefore the + Cardinal, in anger, replied with a menace, that he knew well enough + how to hinder, him, from acting thus. + </p> + <p> + Saint-Aignan wisely contained himself; but seeing to what sort of a + man he was exposed, and judging rightly why he was detained at Madrid, + took his measures so secretly and so well, that he set out the same + night, with his most necessary equipage, gained ground and arrived at + the foot of the Pyrenees without being overtaken and arrested; two + occurrences which he expected at every moment, knowing that Alberoni + was a man who would stick at nothing. + </p> + <p> + Saint-Aignan, already so far advanced, did not deem it advisable to + expose himself any longer, bothered as he would be among the mountains + by his carriages. He and the Duchess, his wife, followed by a + waiting-woman and three valets, with a very trusty guide, mounted upon + mules and rode straight for Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port without stopping a + moment more on the road than was necessary. He sent on his equipages + to Pampeluna at a gentle pace, and placed in his carriage an + intelligent valet de chambre and a waiting-woman, with orders to pass + themselves off as the ambassador and ambassadress of France, and in + case they were arrested to cry out a good deal. The arrest did not + fail to happen. The people despatched by Alberoni soon came up with + the carriage. The pretended ambassador and ambassadress played their + parts very well, and they who had arrested them did not doubt for a + moment they had made a fine capture, sending news of it to Madrid, and + keeping the prisoners in Pampeluna, to which the party returned. + </p> + <p> + This device saved M. and Madame de Saint-Aignan, and gave them means + to reach Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port; as soon as they arrived there they + sent for assistance and carriages to Bayonne, which they gained in + safety, and reposed after their fatigue. The Duc de Saint-Aignan sent + word of all this to M. le Duc d'Orleans by a courier, and, at this + arrival in Bayonne, despatched a message to the Governor of Pampeluna, + begging him to send on his equipages. Alberoni's people were very much + ashamed of having been duped, but Alberoni when he heard of it flew + into a furious rage, and cruelly punished the mistake. The equipages + were sent on to Bayonne. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0096" id="link2HCH0096"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XCVI + </h2> + <h3> + To return now to what took place at Paris. + </h3> + <p> + On Sunday, the 25th of December, Christmas Day, M. le Duc d'Orleans + sent for me to come and see him at the Palais Royal, about four + o'clock in the afternoon. I went accordingly, and after despatching + some business with him, other people being present, I followed him + into his little winter cabinet at the end of the little gallery, M. le + Duc being present. + </p> + <p> + After a moment of silence, the Regent told me to see if no one was + outside in the gallery, and if the door at the end was closed. I went + out, found the door shut, and no one near. + </p> + <p> + This being ascertained, M. le Duc d'Orleans said that we should not be + surprised to learn that M. and Madame du Maine had been mixed up all + along with this affair of the Spanish Ambassador Cellamare; that he + had written proofs of this, and that the project was exactly that + which I have already described. He added, that he had strictly + forbidden the Keeper of the Seals, the Abbe Dubois, and Le Blanc, who + alone knew of this project, to give the slightest sign of their + knowledge, recommended to me the same secrecy, and the same + precaution; and finished by saying that he wished, above all things, + to consult M. le Duc and me upon the course he ought to adopt. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc at once went to the point and said M. and Madame du Maine + must at once be arrested and put where they could cause no + apprehension. I supported this opinion, and showed the perilous + annoyances that might arise if this step were not instantly taken; as + much for the purpose of striking terror into the conspirators, as for + disconcerting their schemes. I added that there was not a moment to + lose, and that it was better to incur uncertain danger than to wait + for that which was certain. + </p> + <p> + Our advice was accepted by M. le Duc d'Orleans, after some little + debate. But now the question arose, where are the prisoners to be put? + The Bastille and Vincennes both seemed to me too near to Paris. + Several places were named without one appearing to suit. At lasts M. + le Duc d'Orleans mentioned Dourlens. I stopped him short at the name, + and recommended it warmly. I knew the governor, Charost, and his son + to be men of probity, faithful, virtuous, and much attached to the + state. Upon this it was agreed to send M. du Maine to Dourlens. + </p> + <p> + Then we had to fix upon a place for his wife, and this was more + difficult; there were her sex, her fiery temper, her courage; her + daring,—all to be considered; whereas, her husband, we knew, so + dangerous as a hidden enemy, was contemptible without his mask, and + would fall into the lowest state of dejection in prison, trembling all + over with fear of the scaffold, and attempting nothing; his wife, on + the contrary, being capable of attempting anything: + </p> + <p> + Various places discussed, M. le Duc d'Orleans smiled, and proposed the + chateau of Dijon! Now, the joke of this suggestion was, that Dijon + belonged to M. le Duc, and that he was nephew of Madame du Maine, whom + the Regent proposed to lock up there! M. le Duc smiled also, and said + it was a little too bad to make him the gaoler of his aunt! But all + things considered, it was found that a better choice than Dijon could + not be made, so M. le Duc gave way. I fancy he had held out more for + form's sake than for any other reason. These points settled, we + separated, to meet another time, in order to make the final + arrangements for the arrest. + </p> + <p> + We met accordingly, the Monday and Tuesday following, and deliberated + with the same secrecy as before. On Wednesday we assembled again to + put the final touch to our work. Our conference was long, and the + result of it was, that M. and Madame du Maine were to be arrested on + the morrow; all the necessary arrangements were made, and, as we + thought, with the utmost secrecy. Nevertheless, the orders given to + the regiment of the guards, and to the musketeers somehow or other + transpired during the evening, and gave people reason to believe that + something considerable was in contemplation. On leaving the + conference, I arranged with Le Blanc that, when the blow was struck, + he should inform me by simply sending a servant to inquire after my + health. + </p> + <p> + The morrow, about ten o'clock in the morning, having noiselessly and + without show placed the body-guard around Sceaux, La Billardiere, + lieutenant of the regiment, entered there, and arrested the Duc du + Maine as he was leaving his chapel after hearing mass, and very + respectfully begged him not to re-enter the house, but to mount + immediately into a coach which he had brought. M. du Maine, who had + expected this arrest, and who had had time to put his papers in order, + mad not the slightest resistance. He replied that he had anticipated + this compliment for some days, and at once moved into the coach. La + Billardiere placed himself by his side, and in front was an exempt of + the bodyguards, and Favancourt, brigadier in the first company of + musketeers, destined to guard him in his prison. + </p> + <p> + As these two latter persons did not appear before the Duc du Maine + until the moment he entered the coach, be appeared surprised and moved + to see Favancourt. + </p> + <p> + He would not have been at the exempt, but the sight of the other + depressed him. He asked La Billardiere what this meant. Billardiere + could not dissimulate that Favancourt had orders to accompany him, and + to remain with him in the place to which they were going. Favancourt + himself took this moment to pay his compliments as best he might to + the Duc du Maine, to which the Duke replied but little, and that in a + civil and apprehensive manner. These proceedings conducted them to the + end of the avenue of Sceaux, where the bodyguards appeared. The sight + of them made the Duc du Maine change colour. + </p> + <p> + Silence was but little interrupted in the coach. Now and then M. du + Maine would say that he was very innocent of the accusation which had + been formed against him; that he was much attached to the King, and + not less so to M. le Duc d'Orleans, who could not but recognise it; + and that it was very unfortunate his Royal Highness should put faith + in his enemies (he never named anybody). All this was said in a broken + manner, and amid many sighs; from time to time signs of the cross; low + mumblings as of prayers; and plunges at each church or each cross they + passed. He took his meals in the coach, ate very little, was alone at + night, but with good precautions taken. He did not know until the + morrow that he was going to Dourlens. He showed no emotion thereupon. + All these details I learnt from Favancourt, whom I knew very well, and + who was in the Musketeers when I served in that corps. + </p> + <p> + At the moment of the arrest of M. du Maine, Ancenis, captain of the + body- guard, arrested the Duchesse du Maine in her house in the Rue + St. Honore. A lieutenant, and an exempt of the foot body-guards, with + other troops, took possession of the house at the same time, and + guarded the doors. The compliment of the Duc d'Ancenis was sharply + received. Madame du Maine wished to take away some caskets. Ancenis + objected. She demanded, at the least, her jewels; altercations very + strong on one side, very modest on the other: but she was obliged to + yield. She raged at the violence done to a person of her rank, without + saying anything too disobliging to M. d'Ancenis, and without naming + anybody. She delayed her departure as long as she could, despite the + instances of d'Ancenis, who at last presented his hand to her, and + politely, but firmly, said she must go. She found at her door two + six-horse coaches, the sight of which much shocked her. She was + obliged, however, to mount. Ancenis placed himself by her side, the + lieutenant and the exempt of the guard in front, two chambermaids whom + she had chosen were in the other coach, with her apparel, which had + been examined. The ramparts were followed, the principal streets + avoided; there was no stir, and at this she could not restrain her + surprise and vexation, or check a tear, declaiming by fits and starts + against the violence done her. She complained of the rough coach, the + indignity it cast upon her, and from time to time asked where she was + being led to. She was simply told that she would sleep at Essonne, + nothing more. Her three guardians maintained profound silence. At + night all possible precautions were taken. When she set out the next + day, the Duc d'Ancenis took leave of her, and left her to the + lieutenant and to the exempt of the body-guards, with troops to + conduct her. She asked where they were leading her to: he simply + replied, "To Fontainebleau." The disquietude of Madame du Maine + augmented as she left Paris farther behind, but when she found herself + in Burgundy, and knew at last she was to go to Dijon, she stormed at a + fine rate. + </p> + <p> + It was worse when she was forced to enter the castle, and found + herself the prisoner of M. le Duc. Fury suffocated her. She raged + against her nephew, and the horrible place chosen for her. + Nevertheless, after her first transports, she returned to herself, and + began to comprehend that she was in no place and no condition to play + the fury. Her extreme rage she kept to herself, affected nothing but + indifference for all, and disdainful security. The King's lieutenant + of the castle, absolutely devoted to M. le Duc, kept her fast, and + closely watched her and her chambermaids. The Prince de Dombes and the + Comte d'Eu (her sons) were at the same time exiled to Eu, where a + gentleman in ordinary always was near them; Mademoiselle du Maine was + sent to Maubuisson. + </p> + <p> + Several other people were successively arrested and placed either in + the Bastille or Vincennes. The commotion caused by the arrest and + imprisonment of M. and Madame du Maine was great; many faces, already + elongated by the Bed of justice, were still further pulled out by + these events. The Chief-President, D'Effiat, the Marechal de Villeroy, + the Marechal de Villars, the Marechal d'Huxelles, and other devoted + friends of M. du Maine, were completely terrified; they did not dare + to say a word; they kept out of the way; did not leave their houses + except from necessity; fear was painted upon their faces. All their + pride was put aside; they became polite, caressing, would have eaten + out of your hand; and by this sudden change and their visible + embarrassment betrayed themselves. + </p> + <p> + As for the Comte de Toulouse he remained as upright and loyal as ever. + The very day of the double arrest he came to M. le Duc d'Orleans and + said that he regarded the King, the Regent, and the State as one and + the same thing; that he should never be wanting in his duty or in his + fidelity towards them; that he was very sorry at what had happened to + his brother, but that he was in no way answerable for him. The Regent + stated this to me the same day, and appeared, with reason, to be + charmed with such straightforward honesty. + </p> + <p> + This arrest of M. and Madame du Maine had another effect. For some + time past, a large quantity of illicit salt had been sold throughout + the country. The people by whom this trade was conducted, 'faux + sauniers', as they were called, travelled over the provinces in bands + well armed and well organized. So powerful had they become that troops + were necessary in order to capture them. There were more than five + thousand faux saumers, who openly carried on their traffic in + Champagne and Picardy. They had become political instruments in the + hands of others, being secretly encouraged and commanded by those who + wished to sow trouble in the land. It could not be hidden that these + 'faux sauniers' were redoubtable by their valour and their + arrangements; that the people were favourable to them, buying as they + did from them salt at a low price, and irritated as they were against + the gabelle and other imposts; that these 'faux sauniers' spread over + all the realm, and often marching in large bands, which beat all + opposed to them, were dangerous people, who incited the population by + their examples to opposition against the government. + </p> + <p> + I had proposed on one occasion the abolition of the salt tax to the + Regent, as a remedy for these evils; but my suggestion shared the fate + of many others. It was favourably listened to, and nothing more. And + meanwhile the 'faux sauniers' had gone on increasing. I had no + difficulty in discovering by whom they were encouraged, and the event + showed I was right. Directly after the arrest of M. and Madame du + Maine, the 'faux sauniers' laid down their arms, asked, and obtained + pardon. This prompt submission showed dearly enough by whom they had + been employed, and for what reason. I had uselessly told M. le Duc + d'Orleans so long before, who admitted that I was right, but did + nothing. It was his usual plan. + </p> + <p> + Let me finish at once with all I shall have to say respecting M. and + Madame du Maine. + </p> + <p> + They remained in their prisons during the whole of the year 1719, + supplied with all the comforts and attentions befitting their state, + and much less rigorously watched than at first, thanks to the easy + disposition of M. le Duc d'Orleans, whose firmness yielded even more + rapidly than beauty to the effects of time. The consequence of his + indulgence towards the two conspirators was, that at about the + commencement of the following year, 1720, they began to play a very + ridiculous comedy, of which not a soul was the dupe; not even the + public, nor the principal actors, nor the Regent. + </p> + <p> + The Duc and Duchesse du Maine, thanks to the perfidy of the Abbe + Dubois, had had time to hide away all their papers, and to arrange + together the different parts they should play. Madame du Maine, + supported by her sex and birth, muffled herself up in her dignity, + when replying to the questions addressed to her, of which just as + many, and no more, were read to the replying counsel as pleased the + Abbe Dubois; and strongly accusing Cellamare and others; protected as + much as possible her friends, her husband above all, by charging + herself with all; by declaring that what she had done M. du Maine had + no knowledge of; and that its object went no farther than to obtain + from the Regent such reforms in his administration as were wanted. + </p> + <p> + The Duc du Maine, shorn of his rank and of his title of prince of the + blood, trembled for his life. His crimes against the state, against + the blood royal, against the person of the Regent, so long, so + artfully, and so cruelly offended, troubled him all the more because + he felt they deserved severe punishment. He soon, therefore, conceived + the idea of screening himself beneath his wife's petticoats. His + replies, and all his observations were to the same tune; perfect + ignorance of everything. Therefore when the Duchess had made her + confessions, and they were communicated to him, he cried out against + his wife,—her madness, her felony,—his misfortune in + having a wife capable of conspiring, and daring enough to implicate + him in everything without having spoken to him; making him thus a + criminal without being so the least in the world; and keeping him so + ignorant of her doings, that it was out of his power to stop them, to + chide her, or inform M. le Duc d'Orleans if things had been pushed so + far that he ought to have done so! + </p> + <p> + From that time the Duc du Maine would no longer hear talk of a woman + who, without his knowledge, had cast him and his children into this + abyss; and when at their release from prison, they were permitted to + write and send messages to each other, he would receive nothing from + her, or give any signs of life. Madame du Maine, on her side, + pretended to be afflicted at this treatment; admitting, nevertheless, + that she had acted wrongfully towards her husband in implicating him + without his knowledge in her schemes. They were at this point when + they were allowed to come near Paris. M. du Maine went to live at + Clagny, a chateau near Versailles, built for Madame de Montespan. + Madame du Maine went to Sceaux. They came separately to see M. le Duc + d'Orleans at Paris, without sleeping there; both played their parts, + and as the Abbe Dubois judged the time had come to take credit to + himself in their eyes for finishing their disgrace, he easily + persuaded M. le Duc d'Orleans to, appear convinced of the innocence of + M. du Maine. + </p> + <p> + During their stay in the two country-houses above named, where they + saw but little company, Madame du Maine made many attempts at + reconciliation with her husband, which he repelled. This farce lasted + from the month of January (when they arrived at Sceaux and at Clagny) + to the end of July. Then they thought the game had lasted long enough + to be put an end to. They had found themselves quit of all danger so + cheaply, and counted so much upon the Abbe Dubois, that they were + already thinking of returning to their former considerations; and to + work at this usefully, they must be in a position to see each other, + and commence by establishing themselves in Paris, where they would of + necessity live together. + </p> + <p> + The sham rupture had been carried to this extent, that the two sons of + the Duc du Maine returned from Eu to Clagny a few days after him, did + not for a long time go and see Madame du Maine, and subsequently saw + her but rarely, and without sleeping under her roof. + </p> + <p> + At last a resolution being taken to put an end to the comedy, this is + how it was terminated by another. + </p> + <p> + Madame la Princesse made an appointment with the Duc du Maine, at + Vaugirard on the last of July, and in the house of Landais, treasurer + of the artillery. She arrived there a little after him with the + Duchesse du Maine, whom she left in her carriage. She said to M. du + Maine she had brought a lady with her who much desired to see him. The + thing was not difficult to understand; the piece had been well + studied. The Duchesse du Maine was sent for. The apparent + reconcilement took place. The three were a long time together. To play + out the comedy, M. and Madame du Maine still kept apart, but saw and + approached each other by degrees, until at last the former returned to + Sceaux, and lived with his wife as before. + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0112" id="link2H_4_0112"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VOLUME 13. + </h2> + <a name="link2HCH0097" id="link2HCH0097"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XCVII + </h2> + <h3> + To go back, now, to the remaining events of the year 1719. + </h3> + <p> + The Marquise de Charlus, sister of Mezieres, and mother of the Marquis + de Levi, who has since become a duke and a peer, died rich and old. + She was the exact picture of an "old clothes" woman and was thus + subject to many insults from those who did not know her, which she by + no means relished. To relieve a little the seriousness of these + memoirs, I will here relate an amusing adventure of which she was + heroine. + </p> + <p> + She was very avaricious, and a great gambler. She would have passed + the night up to her knees in water in order to play. Heavy gambling at + lansquenet was carried on at Paris in the evening, at Madame la + Princesse de Conti's. Madame de Charlus supped there one Friday, + between the games, much company being present. She was no better clad + than at other times, and wore a head-dress, in vogue at that day, + called commode, not fastened, but put on or taken off like a wig or a + night-cap. It was fashionable, then, to wear these headdresses very + high. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Charlus was near the Archbishop of Rheims, Le Tellier. She + took a boiled egg, that she cracked, and in reaching for some salt, + set her head dress on fire, at a candle near, without perceiving it. + The Archbishop, who saw her all in flames, seized the head-dress and + flung it upon the ground. Madame de Charlus, in her surprise, and + indignant at seeing her self thus uncovered, without knowing why, + threw her egg in the Archbishop's face, and made him a fine mess. + </p> + <p> + Nothing but laughter was heard; and all the company were in + convulsions of mirth at the grey, dirty, and hoary head of Madame de + Charlus, and the Archbishop's omelette; above all, at the fury and + abuse of Madame de Charlus, who thought she had been affronted, and + who was a long time before she would understand the cause, irritated + at finding herself thus treated before everybody. The head-dress was + burnt, Madame la Princesse de Conti gave her another, but before it + was on her head everybody had time to contemplate her charms, and she + to grow in fury. Her, husband died three months after her. M. de Levi + expected to find treasures; there had been such; but they had taken + wing and flown away. + </p> + <p> + About this time appeared some verses under the title of Philippiques, + which were distributed with extraordinary promptitude and abundance. + La Grange, formerly page of Madame la Princesse de Conti, was the + author, and did not deny it. All that hell could vomit forth, true and + false, was expressed in the most beautiful verses, most poetic in + style, and with all the art and talent imaginable. M. le Duc d'Orleans + knew it, and wished to see the poem, but he could not succeed in + getting it, for no one dared to show it to him. + </p> + <p> + He spoke of it several times to me, and at last demanded with such + earnestness that I should bring it to him, that I could not refuse. I + brought it to him accordingly, but read it to him I declared I never + would. He took it, therefore, and read it in a low tone, standing in + the window of his little cabinet, where we were. He judged it in + reading much as it was, for he stopped from time to time to speak to + me, and without appearing much moved. But all on a sudden I saw him + change countenance, and turn towards me, tears in his eyes, and + himself ready to drop. + </p> + <p> + "Ah," said he, "this is too much, this horrible poem beats me + completely." + </p> + <p> + He was at the part where the scoundrel shows M. le Duc d'Orleans + having the design to poison the King, and quite ready to execute his + crime. It is the part where the author redoubles his energy, his + poetry, his invocations, his terrible and startling beauties, his + invectives, his hideous pictures, his touching portraits of the youth + and innocence of the King, and of the hopes he has, adjuring the + nation to save so dear a victim from the barbarity of a murderer; in a + word, all that is most delicate, most tender, stringent, and blackest, + most pompous, and most moving, is there. + </p> + <p> + I wished to profit by the dejected silence into which the reading of + this poem had thrown M. le Duc d'Orleans, to take from him the + execrable paper, but I could not succeed; he broke out into just + complaints against such horrible wickedness, and into tenderness for + the King; then finished his reading, that he interrupted more than + once to speak to me. I never saw a man so penetrated, so deeply + touched, so overwhelmed with injustice so enormous and sustained. As + for me, I could not contain myself. To see him, the most prejudiced, + if of good faith, would have been convinced he was innocent of the + come imputed to him, by the horror he displayed at it. I have said + all, when I state that I recovered myself with difficulty, and that I + had all the pains in the world to compose him a little. + </p> + <p> + This La Grange, who was of no personal value, yet a good poet—only + that, and never anything else—had, by his poetry, insinuated + himself into Sceaux, where he had become one of the great favourites + of Madame du Maine. She and her husband knew his life, his habits, and + his mercenary villainy. They knew, too, haw to profit by it. He was + arrested shortly afterwards, and sent to the Isle de Sainte + Marguerite, which he obtained permission to leave before the end of + the Regency. He had the audacity to show himself everywhere in Paris, + and while he was appearing at the theatres and in all public places, + people had the impudence to spread the report that M. le Duc d'Orleans + had had him killed! M. le Duc d'Orleans and his enemies have been + equally indefatigable; the latter in the blackest villainies, the + Prince in the most unfruitful clemency, to call it by no more + expressive name. + </p> + <p> + Before the Regent was called to the head of public affairs, I + recommended him to banish Pere Tellier when he had the power to do so. + He did not act upon my advice, or only partially; nevertheless, + Tellier was disgraced, and after wandering hither and thither, a very + firebrand wherever he went, he was confined by his superiors in La + Fleche. + </p> + <p> + This tyrant of the Church, furious that he could no longer move, which + had been his sole consolation during the end of his reign and his + terrible domination, found himself at La Fleche, reduced to a position + as insupportable as it was new to him. + </p> + <p> + The Jesuits, spies of each other, and jealous and envious of those who + have the superior authority, are marvellously ungrateful towards those + who, having occupied high posts, or served the company with much + labour and success, become useless to it, by their age or their + infirmities. They regard them with disdain, and instead of bestowing + upon them the attention merited by their age, their services, and + their merit, leave them in the dreariest solitude, and begrudge them + even their food! + </p> + <p> + I have with my own eyes seen three examples of this in these Jesuits, + men of much piety and honour, who hid filled positions of confidence + and of talent, and with whom I was very intimate. The first had been + rector of their establishment at Paris, was distinguished by excellent + works of piety, and was for several years assistant of the general at + Rome, at the death of whom he returned to Paris; because the rule is, + that the new general has new assistants. Upon his return to the Paris + establishment he was put into a garret, at the very top of the house, + amid solitude, contempt, and want. + </p> + <p> + The direction of the royal conscience had been the principal + occupation of the two others, one of whom had even been proposed as + confessor to Madame la Dauphine. One was long ill of a malady he died + of. He was not properly nourished, and I sent him his dinner every + day, for more than five months, because I had seen his pittance. I + sent him even remedies, for he could not refrain from admitting to me + that he suffered from the treatment he was subjected to. + </p> + <p> + The third, very old and very infirm, had not a better fate. At last, + being no longer able to hold out, he asked to be allowed to pay a + visit to my Versailles house (after having explained himself to me), + under pretext of fresh air. He remained there several months, and died + at the noviciate in Paris. Such is the fate of all the Jesuits, + without excepting the most famous, putting aside a few who having + shone at the Court and in the world by their sermons and their merit, + and having made many friends—as Peres Bordaloue, La Rue, + Gaillard—have been guaranteed from the general disgrace, + because, often visited by the principal persons of the Court and the + town, policy did not permit them to be treated like the rest, for fear + of making so many considerable people notice what they would not have + suffered without disturbance and scandal. + </p> + <p> + It was, then, in this abandonment and this contempt that Pere Tellier + remained at La Fleche, although he had from the Regent four thousand + livres pension. He had ill-treated everybody. When he was confessor of + the King, not one of his brethren approached him without trembling, + although most of them were the "big-wigs" of the company. Even the + general of the company was forced to bend beneath the despotism he + exercised upon all. There was not a Jesuit who did not disapprove the + violence of his conduct, or who did not fear it would injure the + society. All hated him, as a minister is hated who is coarse, harsh, + inaccessible, egotistical, and who takes pleasure in showing his power + and his disdain. + </p> + <p> + His exile, and the conduct that drew it upon him, were fresh motives + for hatred against him, unveiling, as they did, a number of secret + intrigues he had been concerned in, and which he had great interest in + hiding. All these things together did not render agreeable to Tellier + his forced retirement at La Fleche. He found there sharp superiors and + equals, instead of the general terror his presence had formerly caused + among the Jesuits. All now showed nothing but contempt for him, and + took pleasure in making him sensible of it. This King of the Church, + in part of the State, and in private of his society, became a common + Jesuit like the rest, and under superiors; it may be imagined what a + hell this was to a man so impetuous and so accustomed to a domination + without reply, and without bounds, and abused in every fashion. Thus + he did not endure it long. Nothing more was heard of him, and he died + after having been only six months at La Fleche. + </p> + <p> + There was another death, which I may as well mention here, as it + occurred about the same time. + </p> + <p> + On Saturday evening, the 15th of April, 1719, the celebrated and fatal + Madame de Maintenon died at Saint-Cyr. What a stir this event would + have made in Europe, had it happened a few years earlier. It was + scarcely mentioned in Paris! + </p> + <p> + I have already said so much respecting this woman, so unfortunately + famous, that I will say but little more now. Her life at Saint-Cyr was + divided between her spiritual duties, the letters she received, from + her religious correspondents, and the answers she gave to them. She + took the communion twice a-week, ordinarily between seven and eight + o'clock in the morning; not, as Dangeau says in his Memoires, at + midnight or every day. She was very rich, having four thousand livres + pension per month from the Regent, besides other emoluments. She had, + too, her estate at Maintenon, and some other property. With all this + wealth, too, she had not a farthing of expense at Saint-Cyr. + Everything was provided for herself and servants and their horses, + even wood, coals, and candles. She had nothing to buy, except dress + for herself and for her people. She kept a steward, a valet, people + for the horses and the kitchen, a coach, seven or eight horses, one or + two others for the saddle, besides having the young ladies of + Saint-Cyr, chambermaids, and Mademoiselle d'Aumale to wait upon her. + </p> + <p> + The fall of the Duc du Maine at the Bed of justice struck the first + blow at her. It is not too much to presume that she was well informed + of the measures and the designs of this darling, and that this hope + had sustained her; but when she saw him arrested she succumbed; + continuous fever seized her, and she died at eighty-three years of + age, in the full possession of all her intellect. + </p> + <p> + Regret for her loss, which was not even universal in Saint-Cyr, + scarcely passed the walls of that community. Aubigny, Archbishop of + Rouen, her pretended cousin, was the only man I ever heard of, who was + fool enough to die of grief on account of it. But he was so afflicted + by this loss, that he fell ill, and soon followed her. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0098" id="link2HCH0098"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XCVII. + </h2> + <p> + Madame la Duchesse de Berry was living as usual, amid the loftiest + pride, and the vilest servitude; amid penitence the most austere at + the Carmelite convent of the Faubourg Saint-Germain, and suppers the + most profaned by vile company, filthiness, and impiety; amid the most + shameless debauchery, and the most horrible fear of the devil and + death; when lo! she fell ill at the Luxembourg. + </p> + <p> + I must disguise nothing more, especially as what I am relating belongs + to history; and never in these memoirs have I introduced details upon + gallantry except such as were necessary to the proper comprehension of + important or interesting matters to which they related. Madame la + Duchesse de Berry would constrain herself in nothing; she was + indignant that people would dare to speak of what she did not take the + trouble to hide from them; and nevertheless she was grieved to death + that her conduct was known. + </p> + <p> + She was in the family way by Rion, but hid—it as much as she + could. Madame de Mouchy was their go-between, although her conduct was + as clear as day. Rion and Mouchy, in fact, were in love with each + other, and had innumerable facilities for indulging their passion. + They laughed at the Princess, who was their dupe, and from whom they + drew in council all they could. In one word, they were the masters of + her and of her household, and so insolently, that M. le Duc and Madame + la Duchesse d'Orleans, who knew them and hated them, feared them also + and temporised with them. Madame de Saint-Simon, sheltered from all + that, extremely loved and respected by all the household, and + respected even by this couple who made themselves so much dreaded and + courted, only saw Madame la Duchesse de Berry during the moments of + presentation at the Luxembourg, whence she returned as soon as all was + finished, entirely ignorant of what was passing, though she might have + been perfectly instructed. + </p> + <p> + The illness of Madame la Duchesse de Berry came on, and this illness, + ill prepared for by suppers washed down by wine and strong liquors, + became stormy and dangerous. Madame de Saint-Simon could not avoid + becoming assiduous in her attendance as soon as the peril appeared, + but she never would yield to the instances of M. le Duc and Madame la + Duchesse d'Orleans, who, with all the household; wished her to sleep + in the chamber allotted to her, and which she never put foot in, not + even during the day. She found Madame la Duchesse de Berry shut up in + a little chamber, which had private entrances—very useful just + then, with no one near her but La Mouchy and Rion, and a few trusty + waiting-women. All in attendance had free entrance to this room. M. le + Duc and Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans were not allowed to enter when + they liked; of course it was the same with the lady of honour, the + other ladies, the chief femme de chambre, and the doctors. All entered + from time to time, but ringing for an instant. A bad headache or want + of sleep caused them often to be asked to stay away, or, if they + entered, to leave directly afterwards. They did not press their + presence upon the sick woman, knowing only too well the nature of her + malady; but contented themselves by asking after her through Madame de + Mouchy, who opened the door to reply to them, keeping it scarcely + ajar: This ridiculous proceeding passed before the crowd of the + Luxembourg, of the Palais Royal, and of many other people who, for + form's sake or for curiosity, came to inquire the news, and became + common town-talk. + </p> + <p> + The danger increasing, Languet, a celebrated cure of Saint-Sulpice, + who had always rendered himself assiduous, spoke of the sacraments to + M. le Duc d'Orleans. The difficulty was how to enter and propose them + to Madame la Duchesse de Berry. But another and greater difficulty + soon appeared. It was this: the cure, like a man knowing his duty, + refused to administer the sacrament, or to suffer it to be + administered, while Rion or Madame de Mouchy remained in the chamber, + or even in the Luxembourg! He declared this aloud before everybody, + expressly in presence of M. le Duc d'Orleans, who was less shocked + than embarrassed. He took the cure aside, and for a long time tried to + make him give way. Seeing him inflexible, he proposed reference to the + Cardinal de Noailles. The cure immediately agreed, and promised to + defer to his orders, Noailles being his bishop, provided he was + allowed to explain his reasons. The affair passed, and Madame la + Duchesse de Berry made confession to a Cordelier, her confessor. M. le + Duc d'Orleans flattered himself, no doubt, he would find the diocesan + more flexible than the cure. If he hoped so he deceived himself. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal de Noailles arrived; M. le Duc d'Orleans took him aside + with the cure, and their conversation lasted more than half an hour. + As the declaration of the cure had been public, the Cardinal + Archbishop of Paris judged it fitting that his should be so also. As + all three approached the door of the chamber, filled with company, the + Cardinal de Noailles said aloud to the cure, that he had very worthily + done his duty, that he expected nothing less from such a good, + experienced, and enlightened man as he was; that he praised him for + what he had demanded before administering the sacrament to Madame la + Duchesse de Berry; that he exhorted him not to give in, or to suffer + himself to be deceived upon so important a thing; and that if he + wanted further authorisation he, as his bishop, diocesan, and + superior, prohibited him from administering the sacraments, or + allowing them to be administered, to Madame la Duchesse de Berry while + Rion and Madame de Mouchy were in the chamber, or even in the + Luxembourg. + </p> + <p> + It may be imagined what a stir such inevitable scandal as this made in + a room so full of company; what embarrassment it caused M. le Duc + d'Orleans, and what a noise it immediately made everywhere. Nobody, + even the chiefs of the constitution, the mass without, enemies of the + Cardinal de Noailles, the most fashionable bishops, the most + distinguished women, the libertines even—not one blamed the cure + or his archbishop: some because they knew the rules of the Church, and + did not dare to impugn them; others, the majority, from horror of the + conduct of Madame la Duchesse de Berry, and hatred drawn upon her by + her pride. + </p> + <p> + Now came the question between the Regent, the Cardinal, and the cure, + which should announce this determination to Madame la Duchesse de + Berry, who in no way expected it, and who, having confessed, expected + every moment to see the Holy Sacrament enter, and to take it. After a + short colloquy urged on by the state of the patient, the Cardinal and + the cure withdrew a little, while M. le Duc d'Orleans slightly opened + the door and called Madame de Mouchy. Then, the door ajar, she within, + he without, he told her what was in debate. La Mouchy, much + astonished, still more annoyed, rode the high horse, talked of her + merit, and of the affront that bigots wished to cast upon her and + Madame la Duchesse de Berry, who would never suffer it or consent to + it, and that she would die—in the state she was—if they + had the impudence and the cruelty to tell it to her. + </p> + <p> + The conclusion was that La Mouchy undertook to announce to Madame la + Duchesse de Berry the resolution that had been taken respecting the + sacraments—what she added of her own may be imagined. A negative + response did not fail to be quickly delivered to M. le Duc d'Orleans + through the half-opened door. Coming through such a messenger, it was + just the reply he might have expected. Immediately after, he repeated + it to the Cardinal, and to the cure; the cure, being supported by his + archbishop, contented himself with shrugging his shoulders. But the + Cardinal said to M. le Duc d'Orleans that Madame de Mouchy, one of the + two who ought to be sent away, was not a fit person to bring Madame la + Duchesse to reason; that it was his duty to carry this message to her, + and to exhort her to do her duty as a Christian shortly about to + appear before God; and the Archbishop pressed the Regent to go and say + so to her. It will be believed, without difficulty, that his eloquence + gained nothing. This Prince feared too much his daughter, and would + have been but a feeble apostle with her. + </p> + <p> + Reiterated refusals determined the Cardinal to go and speak to Madame + la Duchesse de Berry, accompanied by the cure, and as he wished to set + about it at once, M. le Duc d'Orleans, who did not dare to hinder him, + but who feared some sudden and dangerous revolution in his daughter at + the sight and at the discourses of the two pastors, conjured him to + wait until preparations could be made to receive him. He went, + therefore, and held another colloquy through the door with Madame de + Mouchy, the success of which was equal to the other. Madame la + Duchesse de Berry flew into fury, railed in unruly terms against these + hypocritical humbugs, who took advantage of her state and their + calling to dishonour her by an unheard- of scandal, not in the least + sparing her father for his stupidity and feebleness in allowing it. To + have heard her, you would have thought that the cure and the Cardinal + ought to be kicked downstairs. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans returned to the ecclesiastics, looking very small, + and not knowing what to do between his daughter and them. However, he + said to them that she was so weak and suffering that they must put off + their visit, persuading them as well as he could. The attention and + anxiety of the large company which filled the room were extreme: + everything was known afterwards, bit by bit, during the day. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal de Noailles remained more than two hours with M. le Duc + d'Orleans, round whom people gathered at last. The Cardinal, seeing + that he could not enter the chamber without a sort of violence, much + opposed to persuasion, thought it indecent and useless to wait any + longer. In going away, he reiterated his orders to the cure, and + begged him to watch so as not to be deceived respecting the + sacraments, lest attempts were made to administer them clandestinely. + He afterwards approached Madame de Saint-Simon, took her aside, + related to her what had passed, and deplored with her a scandal that + he had not been able to avoid. M. le Duc d'Orleans hastened to + announce to his daughter the departure of the Cardinal, at which he + himself was much relieved. But on leaving the chamber he was + astonished to find the cure glued against the door, and still more so + to hear he had taken up his post there, and meant to remain, happen + what might, because he did not wish to be deceived respecting the + sacraments. And, indeed, he remained there four days and four nights, + except during short intervals for food and repose that he took at + home, quite close to the Luxembourg, and during which his place was + filled by two priests whom he left there. At last, the danger being + passed, he raised the siege. + </p> + <p> + Madame la Duchesse de Berry, safely delivered of a daughter, had + nothing to do but to re-establish herself; but she remained firm + against the cure and the Cardinal de Noailles, neither of whom she + ever pardoned. She became more and more bewitched by the two lovers, + who laughed at her, and who were attached to her only for their + fortune and their interest. She remained shut up without seeing M. and + Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans, except for a few moments; no one, + commencing with Madame de Saint-Simon, showed any eagerness to see + her, for everybody knew what kept the door shut. + </p> + <p> + Madame la Duchesse de Berry, infinitely pained by the manner in which + everybody, even the people, looked upon her malady, thought to gain a + little lost ground by throwing open the gardens of the Luxembourg to + the public, after having long since closed them. People were glad: + they profited by the act; that was all. She made a vow that she would + give herself up to religion, and dress in white—that is, devote + herself to the service of the Virgin—for six months. This vow + made people laugh a little. + </p> + <p> + Her illness had begun on the 26th of March, 1719, and Easter-day fell + on the 9th of April. She was then quite well, but would not see a + soul. A new cause of annoyance had arisen to trouble her. Rion, who + saw himself so successful as the lover of Madame la Duchesse de Berry, + wished to improve his position by becoming her husband. He was + encouraged in this desire by his uncle, M. de Lauzun, who had also + advised him to treat her with the rigour, harshness—nay, + brutality, which I have already described. The maxim of M. de Lauzun + was, that the Bourbons must be ill- used and treated with a high hand + in order to maintain empire over them. Madame de Mouchy was as + strongly in favour of this marriage as Rion. She knew she was sure of + her lover, and that when he became the husband of Madame la Duchesse + de Berry, all the doors which shut intimacy would be thrown down. A + secret marriage accordingly took place. + </p> + <p> + This marriage gave rise to violent quarrels, and much weeping. In + order to deliver herself from these annoyances, and at the same time + steer clear of Easter, the Duchess resolved to go away to Meudon on + Easter Monday. It was in vain that the danger was represented to her, + of the air, of the movement of the coach, and of the change of place + at the end of a fortnight. Nothing could make her endure Paris any + longer. She set out, therefore, followed by Rion and the majority of + her ladies and her household. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans informed me then of the fixed design of Madame la + Duchesse de Berry to declare the secret marriage she had just made + with Rion. Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans was at Montmartre for a few + days, and we were walking in the little garden of her apartments. The + marriage did not surprise me much, knowing the strength of her + passion, her fear of the devil, and the scandal which had just + happened. But I was astonished, to the last degree, at this furious + desire to declare the marriage, in a person so superbly proud. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans dilated upon his troubles, his anger, that of + Madame (who wished to proceed to the most violent extremities), and + the great resolve of Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans. Fortunately the + majority of the officers destined to serve against Spain, (war with + that country had just been declared) were leaving every day, and Rion + had remained solely on account of the illness of Madame la Duchesse de + Berry, M. le Duc d'Orleans thought the shortest plan would be to + encourage hope by delay, in forcing Rion to depart, flattering himself + that the declaration would be put off much more easily in his absence + than in his presence. I strongly approved this idea, and on the + morrow, Rion received at Meudon a curt and positive order to depart at + once and join his regiment in the army of the Duc de Berwick. Madame + la Duchesse de Berry was all the more outraged, because she knew the + cause of this order, and consequently felt her inability to hinder its + execution. Rion on his side did not dare to disobey it. He set out, + therefore; and M. le Duc d'Orleans, who had not yet been to Meudon, + remained several days without going there. + </p> + <p> + Father and daughter feared each other, and this departure had not put + them on better terms. She had told him, and repeated it, that she was + a rich widow, mistress of her own actions, independent of him; had + flown into a fury, and terribly abused M. le Duc d'Orleans when he + tried to remonstrate with her. He had received much rough handling + from her at the Luxembourg when she was better; it was the same at + Meudon during the few visits he paid her there. She wished to declare + her marriage; and all the art, intellect, gentleness, anger, menace, + prayers, and interest of M. le Duc d'Orleans barely sufficed to make + her consent to a brief delay. + </p> + <p> + If Madame had been listened to, the affair would have been finished + before the journey to Meudon; for M. le Duc d'Orleans would have + thrown Rion out of the windows of the Luxembourg! + </p> + <p> + The premature journey to Meudon, and quarrels so warm, were not + calculated to re-establish a person just returned from the gates of + death. The extreme desire she had to hide her state from the public, + and to conceal the terms on which she was with her father ( for the + rarity of his visits to her began to be remarked), induced her to give + a supper to him on the terrace of Meudon about eight o'clock one + evening. In vain the danger was represented to her of the cool evening + air so soon after an illness such as she had just suffered from, and + which had left her health still tottering. It was specially on this + account that she stuck more obstinately to her supper on the terrace, + thinking that it would take away all suspicion she had been confined, + and induce the belief that she was on the same terms as ever with M. + le Duc d'Orleans, though the uncommon rarity of his visits to her had + been remarked. + </p> + <p> + This supper in the open air did not succeed. The same night she was + taken ill. She was attacked by accidents, caused by the state in which + she still was, and by an irregular fever, that the opposition she met + with respecting the declaration of her marriage did not contribute to + diminish. She grew disgusted with Meudon, like people ill in body and + mind, who in their grief attribute everything to the air and the + place. She was annoyed at the few visits she received from M. le Duc + and Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans,-her pride, however, suffering more + than her tenderness. + </p> + <p> + In despite of all reason, nothing could hinder her from changing her + abode. She was transferred from Meudon to the Muette, wrapped up in + sheets, and in a large coach, on Sunday, the 14th of May, 1719. + Arrived so near Paris, she hoped M. le Duc and Madame la Duchesse + d'Orleans would come and see her more frequently, if only for form's + sake. + </p> + <p> + This journey was painful by the sufferings it caused her, added to + those she already had, which no remedies could appease, except for + short intervals, and which became very violent. Her illness augmented; + but hopes and fears sustained her until the commencement of July. + During all this time her desire to declare her marriage weakened, and + M. le Duc and Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans, as well as Madame, who + passed the summer at Saint-Cloud, came more frequently to see her. The + month of July became more menacing because of the augmentation of pain + and fever. These ills increased so much, in fact, that, by the 14th of + July, fears for her life began to be felt. + </p> + <p> + The night of the 14th was so stormy, that M. le Duc d'Orleans was sent + to at the Palais Royal, and awakened. At the same time Madame de Pons + wrote to Madame de Saint-Simon, pressing her to come and establish + herself at La Muette. Madame de Saint-Simon, although she made a point + of scarcely ever sleeping under the same roof as Madame la Duchesse de + Berry (for reasons which need no further explanation than those + already given), complied at once with this request, and took up her + quarters from this time at La Muette. + </p> + <p> + Upon arriving, she found the danger great. Madame la Duchesse de Berry + had been bled in the arm and in the foot on the 10th, and her + confessor had been sent for. But the malady still went on increasing. + As the pain which had so long afflicted her could not induce her to + follow a regimen necessary for her condition, or to think of a future + state, relations and doctors were at last obliged to speak a language + to her, not used towards princesses, except at the most urgent + extremity. This, at last, had its effect. She submitted to the medical + treatment prescribed for her, and received the sacrament with open + doors, speaking to those present upon her life and upon her state, but + like a queen in both instances. After this sight was over, alone with + her familiars, she applauded herself for the firmness she had + displayed, asked them if she had not spoken well, and if she was not + dying with greatness and courage. + </p> + <p> + A day or two after, she wished to receive Our Lord once more. She + received, accordingly, and as it appeared, with much piety, quite + differently from the first time. + </p> + <p> + At the extremity to which she had arrived, the doctors knew not what + to do; everybody was tried. An elixir was spoken of, discovered by a + certain Garus, which made much stir just then, and the secret of which + the King has since bought. Garus was sent for and soon arrived. He + found Madame la Duchesse de Berry so ill that he would answer for + nothing. His remedy was given, and succeeded beyond all hopes. Nothing + remained but to continue it. Above all things, Garus had begged that + nothing should, on any account, be given to Madame la Duchesse de + Berry except by him, and this had been most expressly commanded by M. + le Duc and Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans. Madame la Duchesse de Berry + continued to be more and more relieved and so restored, that Chirac, + her regular doctor, began to fear for his reputation, and taking the + opportunity when Garus was asleep upon a sofa, presented, with + impetuosity, a purgative to Madame la Duchesse de Berry, and made her + swallow it without saying a word to anybody, the two nurses standing + by, the only persons present, not daring to oppose him. + </p> + <p> + The audacity of this was as complete as its villainy, for M. le Duc + and Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans were close at hand in the salon. From + this moment to that in which the patient fell into a state worse than + that from which the elixir had drawn her, there was scarcely an + interval. Garus was awaked and called. Seeing this disorder, he cried + that a purgative had been given, and whatever it might be, it was + poison in the state to which the princess was now reduced. He wished + to depart, he was detained, he was taken to Madame la Duchesse + d'Orleans. Then followed a great uproar, cries from Garus, impudence + and unequalled hardihood of Chirac, in defending what he had done. + </p> + <p> + He could not deny it, for the two nurses had been questioned, and had + told all. Madame la Duchesse de Berry drew near her end during this + debate, and neither Chirac nor Garus could prevent it. She lasted, + however, the rest of the day, and did not die until about midnight. + Chirac, seeing the death-agony advance, traversed the chamber, made an + insulting reverence at the foot of the bed, which was open, and wished + her "a pleasant journey" (in equivalent terms), and thereupon went off + to Paris. The marvel is that nothing came of this, and that he + remained the doctor of M. le Duc d'Orleans as before! + </p> + <p> + While the end was yet approaching, Madame de Saint-Simon, seeing that + there was no one to bear M. le Duc d'Orleans company, sent for me to + stand by him in these sad moments. It appeared to me that my arrival + pleased him, and that I was not altogether useless to him in relieving + his grief. The rest of the day was passed in entering for a moment at + a time into the sick-chamber. In the evening I was nearly always alone + with him. + </p> + <p> + He wished that I should charge myself with all the funeral + arrangements, and in case Madame la Duchesse de Berry, when opened, + should be found to be enceinte, to see that the secret was kept. I + proposed that the funeral should be of the simplest, without show or + ceremonial. I explained my reasons, he thanked me, and left all the + orders in my hands. Getting rid of these gloomy matters as quickly as + possible, I walked with him from time to time in the reception rooms, + and in the garden, keeping him from the chamber of the dying as much + as possible. + </p> + <p> + The night was well advanced, and Madame la Duchesse de Berry grew + worse and worse, and without consciousness since Chirac had poisoned + her. M. le Duc d'Orleans returned into the chamber, approached the + head of the bed—all the curtains being pulled back; I allowed + him to remain there but a few moments, and hurried him into the + cabinet, which was deserted just then. The windows were open, he + leaned upon the iron balustrade, and his tears increased so much that + I feared lest they should suffocate him. When this attack had a little + subsided, he began to talk of the misfortunes of this world, and of + the short duration of its most agreeable pleasures. I urged the + occasion to say to him everything God gave me the power to say, with + all the gentleness, emotion, and tenderness, I could command. Not only + he received well what I said to him, but he replied to it and + prolonged the conversation. + </p> + <p> + After we had been there more than an hour, Madame de Saint-Simon + gently warned me that it was time to try and lead M. le Duc d'Orleans + away, especially as there was no exit from the cabinet, except through + the sick-chamber. His coach, that Madame de Saint-Simon had sent for, + was ready. It was without difficulty that I succeeded in gently moving + away M. le Duc d'Orleans, plunged as he was in the most bitter grief. + I made him traverse the chamber at once, and supplicated him to return + to Paris. At last he consented. He wished me to remain and give + orders, and begged, with much positiveness, Madame de Saint-Simon to + be present when seals were put upon the effects, after which I led him + to his coach, and he went away. I immediately repeated to Madame de + Saint-Simon the orders he had given me respecting the opening of the + body, in order that she might have them executed, and I hindered her + from remaining in the chamber, where there was nothing now but horror + to be seen. + </p> + <p> + At last, about midnight, on the 21st of July, 1819, Madame la Duchesse + de Berry died, ten days after Chirac had consummated his crime. M. le + Duc d'Orleans was the only person touched. Some people grieved; but + not one of them who had enough to live upon appeared ever to regret + her loss. Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans felt her deliverance, but paid + every attention to decorum. Madame constrained herself but little. + However affected M. le Duc d'Orleans might be, consolation soon came. + The yoke to which he had submitted himself, and which he afterwards + found heavy, was severed. Above all, he was free from all annoyance on + the score of Rion's marriage, and its results, annoyance that would + have been all the greater, inasmuch as at the opening of the poor + princess she was found to be again enceinte; it was also found that + her brain was deranged. These circumstances were for the time + carefully hidden. It may be imagined what a state Rion fell into in + learning at the army the death of Madame la Duchesse de Berry. All his + romantic notions of ambition being overturned, he was more than once + on the point of killing himself, and for a long time was always kept + in sight by his friends. He sold out at the end of the campaign. As he + had been gentle and polite to his friends, they did not desert him. + But he ever afterwards remained in obscurity. + </p> + <p> + On account of this death the theatres were closed for eight days. + </p> + <p> + On Saturday, the 22nd of July, the heart of Madame la Duchesse de + Berry was taken to the Val-de-Grace. + </p> + <p> + On Sunday, the 23rd of July, her body was carried in an eight-horse + coach to Saint-Denis. There was very little display; only about forty + torches were carried by pages and guards. + </p> + <p> + The funeral service was performed at Saint-Denis in the early part of + September. There was no funeral oration. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Saint-Simon had been forced, as I have shown, to accept the + post of lady of honour to Madame la Duchesse de Berry, and had never + been able to quit it. She had been treated with all sorts of + consideration, had been allowed every liberty, but this did not + console her for the post she occupied; so that she felt all the + pleasure, not to say the satisfaction, of a deliverance she did not + expect, from a princess twenty-four years of age. But the extreme + fatigue of the last days of the illness, and of those which followed + death, caused her a malignant fever, which left her at death's portal + during six weeks in a house at Passy. She was two months recovering + herself. + </p> + <p> + This accident, which almost turned my head, sequestered me from + anything for two months, during which I never left the house, scarcely + left the sick-chamber, attended to nothing, and saw only a few + relatives or indispensable friends. + </p> + <p> + When my wife began to be re-established, I asked M. le Duc d'Orleans + for a lodging at the new chateau at Meudon. He lent me the whole + chateau; completely furnished. We passed there the rest of this + summer, and several other summers afterwards. It is a charming place + for rides or drives. We counted upon seeing only our friends there, + but the proximity to Paris overwhelmed us with people, so that all the + new chateau was sometimes completely filled, without reckoning the + people of passage. + </p> + <p> + I have little need to say anything more of Madame la Duchesse de + Berry. These pages have already painted her. She was a strange mixture + of pride and shamelessness. Drunkenness, filthy conversation, + debauchery of the vilest kind, and impiety, were her diversions, + varied, as has been seen, by occasional religious fits. Her indecency + in everything, language, acts, behaviour, passed all bounds; and yet + her pride was so sublime that she could not endure that people should + dare to speak of her amid her depravity, so universal and so public; + she had the hardihood to declare that nobody had the right to speak of + persons of her rank, or blame their most notorious actions! + </p> + <p> + Yet she had by nature a superior intellect, and, when she wished, + could be agreeable and amiable. Her face was commanding, though + somewhat spoiled at last by fat. She had much eloquence, speaking with + an ease and precision that charmed and overpowered. What might she not + have become, with the talents she possessed! But her pride, her + violent temper, her irreligion, and her falsehood, spoiled all, and + made her what we have seen her. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0099" id="link2HCH0099"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XCIX + </h2> + <p> + Law had established his Mississippi Company, and now began to do + marvels with it. A sort of language had been invented, to talk of this + scheme, language which, however, I shall no more undertake to explain + than the other finance operations. Everybody was mad upon Mississippi + Stock. Immense fortunes were made, almost in a breath; Law, besieged + in his house by eager applicants, saw people force open his door, + enter by the windows from the garden, drop into his cabinet down the + chimney! People talked only of millions. + </p> + <p> + Law, who, as I have said, came to my house every Tuesday, between + eleven and twelve, often pressed me to receive some shares for + nothing, offering to manage them without any trouble to me, so that I + must gain to the amount of several millions! So many people had + already gained enormously by their own exertions that it was not + doubtful Law could gain for me even more rapidly. But I never would + lend myself to it. Law addressed himself to Madame de Saint-Simon, + whom he found as inflexible. He would have much preferred to enrich me + than many others; so as to attach me to him by interest, intimate as + he saw me with the Regent. He spoke to M. le Duc d'Orleans, even, so + as to vanquish me by his authority. The Regent attacked me more than + once, but I always eluded him. + </p> + <p> + At last, one day when we were together by appointment, at Saint-Cloud, + seated upon the balustrade of the orangery, which covers the descent + into the wood of the goulottes, the Regent spoke again to me of the + Mississippi, and pressed me to receive some shares from Law. + </p> + <p> + The more I resisted, the more he pressed me, and argued; at last he + grew angry, and said that I was too conceited, thus to refuse what the + King wished to give me (for everything was done in the King's name), + while so many of my equals in rank and dignity were running after + these shares. I replied that such conduct would be that of a fool, the + conduct of impertinence, rather than of conceit; that it was not mine, + and that since he pressed me so much I would tell him my reasons. They + were, that since the fable of Midas, I had nowhere read, still less + seen, that anybody had the faculty of converting into gold all he + touched; that I did not believe this virtue was given to Law, but + thought that all his knowledge was a learned trick, a new and skilful + juggle, which put the wealth of Peter into the pockets of Paul, and + which enriched one at the expense of the other; that sooner or later + the game would be played out, that an infinity of people would be + ruined; finally, that I abhorred to gain at the expense of others, and + would in no way mix myself up with the Mississippi scheme. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans knew only too well how to reply to me, always + returning to his idea that I was refusing the bounties of the King. I + said that I was so removed from such madness, that I would make a + proposition to him, of which assuredly I should never have spoken, but + for his accusation. + </p> + <p> + I related to him the expense to which my father had been put in + defending Blaye against the party of M. le Prince in years gone by. + How he had paid the garrison, furnished provisions, cast cannon, + stocked the place, during a blockade of eighteen months, and kept up, + at his own expense, within the town, five hundred gentlemen, whom he + had collected together. How he had been almost ruined by the + undertaking, and had never received a sou, except in warrants to the + amount of five hundred thousand livres, of which not one had ever been + paid, and that he had been compelled to pay yearly the interest of the + debts he had contracted, debts that still hung like a mill-stone upon + me. My proposition was that M. le Duc d'Orleans should indemnify me + for this loss, I giving up the warrants, to be burnt before him. + </p> + <p> + This he at once agreed to. He spoke of it the very next day to Law: my + warrants were burnt by degrees in the cabinet of M. le Duc d'Orleans, + and it was by this means I paid for what I had done at La Ferme. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the Mississippi scheme went on more swimmingly than ever. It + was established in the Rue Quincampoix, from which horses and coaches + were banished. About the end of October of this year, 1817, its + business so much increased, that the office was thronged all day long, + and it was found necessary to place clocks and guards with drums at + each end of the street, to inform people, at seven o'clock in the + morning, of the opening of business, and of its close at night: fresh + announcements were issued, too, prohibiting people from going there on + Sundays and fete days. + </p> + <p> + Never had excitement or madness been heard of which approached this. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans distributed a large number of the Company's shares + to all the general officers and others employed in the war against + Spain. A month after, the value of the specie was diminished; then the + whole of the coin was re-cast. + </p> + <p> + Money was in such abundance—that is to say, the notes of Law, + preferred then to the metallic currency—that four millions were + paid to Bavaria, and three millions to Sweden, in settlement of old + debts. Shortly after, M. le Duc d'Orleans gave 80,000 livres to Meuse; + and 80,000 livres to Madame de Chateauthiers, dame d'atours of Madame. + The Abbe Alari, too, obtained 2000 livres pension. Various other + people had augmentation of income given to them at this time. + </p> + <p> + Day by day Law's bank and his Mississippi increased in favour. The + confidence in them was complete. People could not change their lands + and their houses into paper fast enough, and the result of this paper + was, that everything became dear beyond all previous experience. All + heads were turned, Foreigners envied our good fortune, and left + nothing undone to have a share in it. The English, even, so clear and + so learned in banks, in companies, in commerce, allowed themselves to + be caught, and bitterly repented it afterwards. Law, although cold and + discreet, felt his modesty giving way. He grew tired of being a + subaltern. He hankered after greatness in the midst of this splendour; + the Abbe Dubois and M. le Duc d'Orleans desired it for him more than + he; nevertheless, two formidable obstacles were in the way: Law was a + foreigner and a heretic, and he could not be naturalised without a + preliminary act of abjuration. To perform that, somebody must be found + to convert him, somebody upon whom good reliance could be placed. The + Abbe Dubois had such a person all ready in his pocket, so to speak. + The Abbe Tencin was the name of this ecclesiastic, a fellow of + debauched habits and shameless life, whom the devil has since pushed + into the most astonishing good fortune; so true it is that he + sometimes departs from his ordinary rules, in order to recompense his + servitors, and by these striking examples dazzle others, and so secure + them. + </p> + <p> + As may be imagined, Law did not feel very proud of the Abbe who had + converted him: more especially as that same Abbe was just about this + time publicly convicted of simony, of deliberate fraud, of right-down + lying (proved by his own handwriting), and was condemned by the + Parliament to pay a fine, which branded him with infamy, and which was + the scandal of the whole town. Law, however, was converted, and this + was a subject which supplied all conversation. + </p> + <p> + Soon after, he bought, for one million livres, the Hotel Mazarin for + his bank, which until then had been established in a house he hired of + the Chief-President, who had not need of it, being very magnificently + lodged in the Palace of the Parliament by virtue of his office. Law + bought, at the same time, for 550,000 livres, the house of the Comte + de Tesse. + </p> + <p> + Yet it was not all sunshine with this famous foreigner, for the sky + above him was heavy with threatening clouds. In the midst of the + flourishing success of his Mississippi, it was discovered that there + was a plot to kill him. Thereupon sixteen soldiers of the regiment of + the Guards were given to him as a protection to his house, and eight + to his brother, who had come to Paris some little time before. + </p> + <p> + Law had other enemies besides those who were hidden. He could not get + on well with Argenson, who, as comptroller of the finances, was + continually thrown into connection with him. The disorder of the + finances increased in consequence every day, as well as the quarrels + between Law and Argenson, who each laid the blame upon the other. The + Scotchman was the best supported, for his manners were pleasing, and + his willingness to oblige infinite. He had, as it were, a finance tap + in his hand, and he turned it on for every one who helped him. M. le + Duc, Madame la Duchesse, Tesse, Madame de Verue, had drawn many + millions through this tap, and drew still. The Abbe Dubois turned it + on as he pleased. These were grand supports, besides that of M. le Duc + d'Orleans, who could not part with his favourite. + </p> + <p> + Argenson, on the contrary, was not much liked. He had been at the head + of the police so long that he could not shake off the habits he had + acquired in that position: He had been accustomed to give audiences + upon all sorts of police matters at dead of night, or at the small + hours of the morning, and he appeared to see no reason why he should + not do the same now that he was Keeper of the Seals. He irritated + people beyond all bearing, by making appointments with them at these + unreasonable hours, and threw into despair all who worked under him, + or who had business with him. The difficulty of the finances, and his + struggles with Law, had thrown him into ill-humour, which extended + through all his refusals. Things, in fact, had come to such a pass, + that it was evident one or the other must give up an administration + which their rivalry threw into confusion. + </p> + <p> + Argenson saw the storm coming, and feeling the insecurity of his + position, wished to save himself. He had too much sense and too much + knowledge of the world not to feel that if he obstinately clung to the + finances he should not only lose them but the seals also. He yielded + therefore to Law, who was at last declared comptroller-general of the + finances, and who, elevated to this (for him) surprising point, + continued to visit me as usual every Tuesday morning, always trying to + persuade me into belief of his past miracles, and of those to come. + </p> + <p> + Argenson remained Keeper of the Seals, and skilfully turned to account + the sacrifice he had made by obtaining through it the permission to + surrender his appointment of Chancellor of the Order of Saint-Louis to + his eldest son, and the title, effectively, to his younger son. His + place of Conseiller d'Etat, that he had retained,—he also gave + to his eldest son, and made the other lieutenant of police. The murmur + was great upon seeing a foreigner comptroller-general, and all + abandoned to a finance system which already had begun to be + mistrusted. But Frenchmen grow accustomed to everything, and the + majority were consoled by being no longer exposed to the sharp humour + of Argenson, or his strange hours of business. + </p> + <p> + But Law's annoyances were not over when this change had been made. M. + le Prince de Conti began to be troublesome. He was more grasping than + any of his relatives, and that is not saying a little. He accosted Law + now, pistol in hand, so to speak, and with a perfect "money or your + life" manner. He had already amassed mountains of gold by the easy + humour of M. le Duc d'Orleans; he had drawn, too, a good deal from + Law, in private. Not content with this, he wished to draw more. M. le + Duc d'Orleans grew tired, and was not over-pleased with him. The + Parliament just then was at its tricks again; its plots began to peep + out, and the Prince de Conti joined in its intrigues in order to try + and play a part indecent, considering his birth; little fitting his + age; shameful, after the monstrous favours unceasingly heaped upon + him. + </p> + <p> + Repelled by the Regent, he turned, as I have said, towards Law, hoping + for more success. His expectations were deceived; prayers, cringing + meanness (for he stopped at nothing to get money) being of no effect, + he tried main strength, and spared Law neither abuse nor menaces. In + fact, not knowing what else to do to injure his bank, he sent three + waggons there, and drove them away full of money, which he made Law + give him for paper he held. Law did not dare to refuse, and thus show + the poverty of his metallic funds, but fearing to accustom so + insatiable a prince to such tyranny as this, he went, directly the + waggons left, to M. le Duc d'Orleans, and complained of what had + occurred. The Regent was much annoyed; he saw the dangerous results, + and the pernicious example of so violent a proceeding, directed + against an unsupported foreigner, whom rather lightly he had just made + comptroller-general. He flew into a violent rage, sent for the Prince + de Conti, and, contrary to his nature, reprimanded him so severely, + that he was silenced and cried for mercy. But annoyed at having + failed, and still more at the sharp scolding he had received, the + Prince de Conti consoled himself, like a woman, by spreading all sorts + of reports against Law, which caused him but little fear, and did him + still less harm, but which did slight honour to M. le Prince de Conti, + because the cause of these reports, and also the large sums he had + drawn from the financier, were not unknown to the public; blame upon + him was general, and all the more heavy, because Law had fallen out of + public favour, which a mere trifle had changed into spite and + indignation. + </p> + <p> + This is the trifle. The Marechal de Villeroy, incapable of inspiring + the King with any solid ideas, adoring even to worship the deceased + King, full of wind, and lightness, and frivolity, and of sweet + recollections of his early years, his grace at fetes and ballets, his + splendid gallantries, wished that the King, in imitation of the + deceased monarch, should dance in a ballet. It was a little too early + to think of this. This pleasure seemed a trifle too much of pain to so + young a King; his timidity should have been vanquished by degrees, in + order to accustom him to society which he feared, before engaging him + to show himself off in public, and dance upon a stage. + </p> + <p> + The deceased King,—educated in a brilliant Court, where rule and + grandeur were kept up with much distinction, and where continual + intercourse with ladies, the Queen-mother, and others of the Court, + had early fashioned and emboldened him, had relished and excelled in + these sorts of fetes and amusements, amid a crowd of young people of + both sexes, who all rightfully bore the names of nobility, and amongst + whom scarcely any of humble birth were mixed, for we cannot call thus + some three or four of coarser stuff, who were admitted simply for the + purpose of adding strength and beauty to the ballet, by the grace of + their faces and the elegance of their movements, with a few + dancing-masters to regulate and give the tone to the whole. Between + this time and that I am now speaking of was an abyss. The education of + those days instructed every one in grace, address, exercise, respect + for bearing, graduated and delicate politeness, polished and decent + gallantry. The difference, then, between the two periods is seen at a + glance, without time lost in pointing it out. + </p> + <p> + Reflection was not the principal virtue of the Marechal de Villeroy. + He thought of no obstacle either on the part of the King or elsewhere, + and declared that his Majesty would dance in a ballet. Everything was + soon ready for the execution. It was not so with the action. It became + necessary to search for young people who could dance: soon, whether + they danced ill or well, they were gladly received; at last the only + question was, "Whom can we get?" consequently a sorry lot was + obtained. Several, who ought never to have been admitted, were, and so + easily, that from one to the other Law had the temerity to ask M. le + Duc d'Orleans to allow his son, who danced very well, to join the + ballet company! The Regent, always easy, still enamoured of Law, and, + to speak truth, purposely contributing as much as possible to + confusion of rank, immediately accorded the demand, and undertook to + say so to the Marechal de Villeroy. + </p> + <p> + The Marechal, who hated and crossed Law with might and main, reddened + with anger, and represented to the Regent what, in fact, deserved to + be said: the Regent, in reply, named several young people, who, + although of superior rank, were not so well fitted for the ballet as + young Law; and although the answer to this was close at hand, the + Marechal could not find it, and exhausted himself in vain + exclamations. He could not, therefore, resist the Regent; and having + no support from M. le Duc, superintendent of the King's education and + a great protector of Law and of confusion, he gave in, and the + financier's son was named for the ballet. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible to express the public revolt excited by this + bagatelle, at which every one was offended. Nothing else was spoken of + for some days; tongues wagged freely, too; and a good deal of dirty + water was thrown upon other dancers in the ballet. + </p> + <p> + At last the public was satisfied. The small-pox seized Law's son, and + (on account of its keeping him from the ballet) caused universal joy. + The ballet was danced several times, its success answering in no way + to the Marechal de Villeroy. The King was so wearied, so fatigued, + with learning, with rehearsing, and with dancing this ballet, that he + took an aversion for these fetes and for everything offering display, + which has never quitted him since, and which does not fail to leave a + void in the Court; so that this ballet ceased sooner than was + intended, and the Marechal de Villeroy never dared to propose another. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans, either by his usual facility, or to smooth down + the new elevation of Law to the post of comptroller-general, bestowed + a number of pecuniary favours; he gave 600,000 livres to La Fare, + captain of his guard; 200,000 livres to Castries, chevalier d'honneur + to Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans; 200,000 livres to the old Prince de + Courtenay, who much needed them; 20,000 livres pension to the Prince + de Talmont; 6000 livres to the Marquise de Bellefonds, who already had + a similar sum; and moved by cries on the part of M. le Prince de + Conti, 60,000 livres to the Comte de la Marche his son, scarcely three + years old; he gave, also, smaller amounts to various others. Seeing so + much depredation, and no recovery to hope for, I asked M. le Duc + d'Orleans to attach 12,000 livres, by way of increase, to my + government of Senlis, which was worth only 1000 livres, and of which + my second son had the reversion. I obtained it at once. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0100" id="link2HCH0100"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER C + </h2> + <p> + About the commencement of the new year, 1720, the system of Law + approached its end. If he had been content with his bank his bank + within wise and proper limits—the money of the realm might have + been doubled, and an extreme facility afforded to commerce and to + private enterprise, because, the establishment always being prepared + to meet its liabilities, the notes it issued would have been as good + as ready money, and sometimes even preferable, on account of the + facility of transport. It must be admitted, however, as I declared to + M. le Duc d'Orleans in his cabinet, and as I openly said in the + Council of the Regency when the bank passed there, that good as this + establishment might be in itself, it could only be so in a republic, + or in a monarchy, like that of England, where the finances are + absolutely governed by those who furnish them, and who simply furnish + as much or as little as they please; but in a trivial, changing, and + more than absolute state like France solidity necessarily is wanting, + consequently confidence (at least of a discreet and proper kind): + since a king, and under his name, a mistress, a minister, favourites; + still more, extreme necessities, such as the deceased King experienced + in the years 1707-8-9 and 10,—a hundred things, in fact, could + overthrow the bank, the allurements of which were, at once, too great + and too easy. But to add to the reality of this bank, the chimera of + the Mississippi, with its shares, its special jargon, its science (a + continual juggle for drawing money from one person to give it to + another), was to almost guarantee that these shares should at last end + in smoke (since we had neither mines, nor quarries of the + philosopher's stone), and that the few would be enriched at the + expense of the many, as in fact happened. + </p> + <p> + What hastened the fall of the bank, and of the system, was the + inconceivable prodigality of M. le Duc d'Orleans, who, without bounds, + and worse still, if it can be, without choice, could not resist the + importunities even of those whom he knew, beyond all doubt, to have + been the most opposed to him, and who were completely despicable, but + gave with open hands; and more frequently allowed money to be drawn + from him by people who laughed at him, and who were grateful only to + their effrontery. People with difficulty believe what they have seen; + and posterity will consider as a fable what we ourselves look upon as + a dream. At last, so much was given to a greedy and prodigal nation, + always covetous and in want on account of its luxury, its disorder, + and its confusion of ranks, that paper became scarce, and the mills + could not furnish enough. + </p> + <p> + It may be imagined by this, what abuse had been made of a bank, + established as a resource always ready, but which could not exist as + such without being always delicately adjusted; and above all, kept in + a state to meet the obligations it had contracted. I obtained + information on this point from Law, when he came to me on Tuesday + mornings; for a long time he played with me before admitting his + embarrassments, and complained modestly and timidly, that the Regent + was ruining everything by his extravagance. I knew from outsiders more + than he thought, and it was this that induced me to press him upon his + balance-sheet. In admitting to me, at last, although faintly, what he + could no longer hide, he assured me he should not be wanting in + resources provided M. le Duc d'Orleans left him free. That did not + persuade me. Soon after, the notes began to lose favour; then to fall + into discredit, and the discredit to become public. Then came the + necessity to sustain them by force, since they could no longer be + sustained by industry; and the moment force showed itself every one + felt that all was over. Coercive authority was resorted to; the use of + gold, silver, and jewels was suppressed (I speak of coined money); it + was pretended that since the time of Abraham,—Abraham, who paid + ready money for the sepulchre of Sarah,—all the civilised + nations in the world had been in the greatest error and under the + grossest delusion, respecting money and the metals it is made of; that + paper alone was useful and necessary; that we could not do greater + harm to our neighbours—jealous of our greatness and of our + advantages—than to send to them all our money and all our + jewels; and this idea was in no way concealed, for the Indian Company + was allowed to visit every house, even Royal houses, confiscate all + the louis d'or, and the coins it could find there; and to leave only + pieces of twenty sous and under (to the amount of not more than 200 + francs), for the odd money of bills, and in order to purchase + necessary provisions of a minor kind, with prohibitions, strengthened + by heavy punishment, against keeping more; so that everybody was + obliged to take all the ready money he possessed to the bank, for fear + of its being discovered by a valet. But nobody, as may be imagined, + was persuaded of the justice of the power accorded to the Company, and + accordingly authority was more and more exerted; all private houses + were searched, informations were laid against people in order that no + money might be kept back, or if it were, that the guilty parties might + be severely punished. + </p> + <p> + Never before had sovereign power been so violently exercised, never + had it attacked in such a manner the temporal interests of the + community. Therefore was it by a prodigy, rather than by any effort or + act of the government, that these terribly new ordonnances failed to + produce the saddest and most complete revolutions; but there was not + even talk of them; and although there were so many millions of people, + either absolutely ruined or dying of hunger, and of the direst want, + without means to procure their daily subsistence, nothing more than + complaints and groans was heard. + </p> + <p> + This violence was, however, too excessive, and in every respect too + indefensible to last long; new paper and new juggling tricks were of + necessity resorted to; the latter were known to be such—people + felt them to be such—but they submitted to them rather than not + have twenty crowns in safety in their houses; and a greater violence + made people suffer the smaller. Hence so many projects, so many + different faces in finance, and all tending to establish one issue of + paper upon another; that is to say, always causing loss to the holders + of the different paper (everybody being obliged to hold it), and the + universal multitude. This is what occupied all the rest of the + government, and of the life of M. le Duc d'Orleans; which drove Law + out of the realm; which increased six-fold the price of all + merchandise, all food even the commonest; which ruinously augmented + every kind of wages, and ruined public and private commerce; which + gave, at the expense of the public, sudden riches to a few noblemen + who dissipated it, and were all the poorer in a short time; which + enabled many financiers' clerks, and the lowest dregs of the people, + profiting by the general confusion, to take advantage of the + Mississippi, and make enormous fortunes; which occupied the government + several years after the death of M. le Duc d'Orleans; and which, to + conclude, France never will recover from, although it may be true that + the value of land is considerably augmented. As a last affliction, the + all-powerful, especially the princes and princesses of the blood, who + had been mixed up, in the Mississippi, and who had used all their + authority to escape from it without loss, re-established it upon what + they called the Great Western Company, which with the same juggles and + exclusive trade with the Indies, is completing the annihilation of the + trade of the realm, sacrificed to the enormous interest of a small + number of private individuals, whose hatred and vengeance the + government has not dared to draw upon itself by attacking their + delicate privileges. + </p> + <p> + Several violent executions, and confiscations of considerable sums + found in the houses searched, took place. A certain Adine, employed at + the bank, had 10,000 crowns confiscated, was fined 10,000 francs, and + lost his appointment. Many people hid their money with so much + secrecy, that, dying without being able to say where they had put it, + these little treasures remained buried and lost to the heirs. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of the embarrassments of the finances, and in spite of + them, M. le Duc d'Orleans continued his prodigal gifts. He attached + pensions of 6000 livres and 4000 livres to the grades of + lieutenant-general and camp-marshal. He gave a pension of 20,000 + livres to old Montauban; one of 6000 livres to M. de Montauban + (younger brother of the Prince de Guemene); and one of 6000 livres to + the Duchesse de Brissac. To several other people he gave pensions of + 4000 livres; to eight or ten others, 3000 or 2000 livres. I obtained + one of 8000 livres for Madame Marechal de Lorges; and one of 6000 + livres was given to the Marechal de Chamilly, whose affairs were much + deranged by the Mississippi. M. de Soubise and the Marquis Noailles + had each upwards of 200,000 livres. Even Saint- Genies, just out of + the Bastille, and banished to Beauvais, had a pension of 1000. + Everybody in truth wanted an augmentation of income, on account of the + extreme high price to which the commonest, almost necessary things had + risen, and even all other things; which, although at last diminshed by + degrees, remain to this day much dearer than they were before the + Mississippi. + </p> + <p> + The pensions being given away, M. le Duc d'Orleans began to think how + he could reduce the public expenditure. Persuaded by those in whose + financial knowledge he had most confidence, he resolved to reduce to + two per cent. the interest upon all the funds. This much relieved + those who paid, but terribly cut down the income of those who + received, that is to say, the creditors of the state, who had lent + their money at five per cent., according to the loan—and, public + faith and usage, and who had hitherto peacefully enjoyed that + interest. M. le Duc d'Orleans assembled at the Palais Royal several + financiers of different rank, and resolved with them to pass this + edict. It made much stir among the Parliament men, who refused to + register it. But M. le Duc d'Orleans would not change his + determination, and maintained his decree in spite of them. + </p> + <p> + By dint of turning and turning around the Mississippi, not to say of + juggling with it, the desire came to establish, according to the + example of the English, colonies in the vast countries beyond the + seas. In order to people these colonies, persons without means of + livelihood, sturdy beggars, female and male, and a quantity of public + creatures were carried off. If this had been executed with discretion + and discernment, with the necessary measures and precautions, it would + have ensured the object proposed, and relieved Paris and the provinces + of a heavy, useless, and often dangerous burthen; but in Paris and + elsewhere so much violence, and even more roguery, were mixed up with + it, that great murmuring was excited. Not the slightest care had been + taken to provide for the subsistence of so many unfortunate people, + either while in the place they were to embark from, or while on the + road to reach it; by night they were shut up, with nothing to eat, in + barns, or in the dry ditches of the towns they stopped in, all means + of egress being forbidden them. They uttered cries which excited pity + and indignation; but the alms collected for them not being sufficient, + still less the little their conductors gave them, they everywhere died + in frightful numbers. + </p> + <a name="image-0008" id="image-0008"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img src="images/p1176.jpg" + alt="Mississippi Colonization--painted by C. E. Delort " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <!-- IMAGE END --> + <p> + This inhumanity, joined to the barbarity of the conductors, to + violence of a kind unknown until this, and to the rascality of + carrying off people who were not of the prescribed quality, but whom + others thus got rid of by whispering a word in the ear of the + conductors and greasing their palms; all these things, I say, caused + so much stir, so much excitement, that the system, it was found, could + not be kept up. Some troops had been embarked, and during the voyage + were not treated much better than the others. The persons already + collected were set at liberty, allowed to do what they pleased, and no + more were seized. Law, regarded as the author of these seizures, + became much detested, and M. le Duc d'Orleans repented having ever + fallen in with the scheme. + </p> + <p> + The 22nd of May of this year, 1720, became celebrated by the + publication of a decree of the Council of State, concerning the shares + of the Company of the Indies (the same as that known under the name of + Mississippi) and the notes of Law's bank. This decree diminished by + degrees, and from month to month, the value of the shares and the + notes, so that, by the end of the year, that value would have been + reduced one-half. + </p> + <p> + This, in the language of finance and of bankruptcy, was to turn tail + with a vengeance: and its effect, while remedying nothing, was to make + people believe that things were in a worse state than was actually the + case. Argenson, who, as we have seen, had been turned out of the + finances to make room for Law, was generally accused of suggesting + this decree out of malice, already foreseeing all the evils that must + arise from it. The uproar was general and frightful. There was not a + rich person who did not believe himself lost without resource; not a + poor one who did not see himself reduced to beggary. The Parliament, + so opposed to the new money system, did not let slip this fine + opportunity. It rendered itself the protector of the public by + refusing to register the decree, and by promptly uttering the + strongest remonstrance against it. The public even believed that to + the Parliament was due the sudden revocation of the edict, which, + however, was simply caused by the universal complaining, and the tardy + discovery of the fault committed in passing it. The little confidence + in Law remaining was now radically extinguished; not an atom of it + could ever be set afloat again. Seditious writings and analytical and + reasonable pamphlets rained on all sides, and the consternation was + general. + </p> + <p> + The Parliament assembled on Monday, the 27th of May, in the morning, + and named certain of its members to go to M. le Duc d'Orleans, with + remonstrances against the decree. About noon of the same day, M. le + Duc d'Orleans sent La Vrilliere to say to the Parliament that he + revoked that decree, and that the notes would remain as before. La + Vrilliere, finding that the Parliament had adjourned, went to the + Chief-President, to say with what he was charged. After dinner the + Parliamentary deputies came to the Palais Royal, where they were well + received; M. le Duc d'Orleans confirmed what they had already heard + from La Vrilliere, and said to them that he would re-establish the + funds of the Hotel de Ville at two-and-a- half percent. The deputies + expected that in justice and in goodness he ought to raise them to at + least three per cent. M. le Duc d'Orleans answered, that he should + like not only to raise them to three, but to four, nay, five per + cent.; but that the state of affairs would not permit him to go beyond + two-and-a-half. On the next day was published the counter-decree, + which placed the shares and actions as they were before the 22nd of + May. The decree of that date was therefore revoked in six days, after + having caused such a strange effect. + </p> + <p> + On Wednesday, the 29th, a pretty little comedy was played. Le Blanc, + Secretary of State, went to Law, told him that M. le Duc d'Orleans + discharged him from his office as comptroller-general of the finances, + thanked him for the attention he had given to it, and announced that + as many people in Paris did not like him, a meritorious officer should + keep guard in his house to prevent any accident that might happen to + him. At the same time, Benzualde, major of the regiment of Swiss + guards, arrived with sixteen of his men to remain night and day in + Law's house. + </p> + <p> + The Scotchman did not in the least expect this dismissal or this + guard, but he appeared very tranquil respecting both, and maintained + his usual coolness. The next day he was taken by the Duc de la Force + to the Palais Royal. Then comedy number two was played. M. le Duc + d'Orleans refused to see the financier, who went away without an + interview. On the day after, however, Law was admitted by the back + stairs, closeted with the Regent, and was treated by him as well as + ever. The comedies were over. + </p> + <p> + On Sunday, the 2nd of June, Benzualde and his Swiss withdrew from + Law's house. Stock-jobbing was banished at the same time from the Rue + Quincampoix, and established in the Place Vendome. In this latter + place there was more room for it. The passers-by were not incommoded. + Yet some people did not find it as convenient as the other. At this + time the King gave up to the bank one hundred million of shares he had + in it. + </p> + <p> + On the 5th July, a decree of the Council was issued, prohibiting + people from possessing jewels, from keeping them locked up, or from + selling them to foreigners. It may be imagined what a commotion + ensued. This decree was grafted upon a number of others, the object of + all, too visibly, being to seize upon all coin, in favour of the + discredited paper, in which nobody could any longer have the slightest + confidence. In vain M. le Duc d'Orleans, M. le Duc, and his mother, + tried to persuade others, by getting rid of their immense stores of + jewels, that is to say, by sending them abroad on a journey—nothing + more: not a person was duped by this example; not a person omitted to + conceal his jewels very carefully: a thing much more easy to + accomplish than the concealment of gold or silver coin, on account of + the smaller value of precious stones. This jewellery eclipse was not + of long duration. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0101" id="link2HCH0101"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER CI + </h2> + <p> + Immediately after the issue of this decree an edict was drawn up for + the establishment of an Indian commercial company, which was to + undertake to reimburse in a year six, hundred millions of bank notes, + by paying fifty thousand dollars per month. Such was the last resource + of Law and his system. For the juggling tricks of the Mississippi, it + was found necessary to substitute something real; especially since the + edict of the 22nd of May, so celebrated and so disastrous for the + paper. Chimeras were replaced by realities—by a true India + Company; and it was this name and this thing which succeeded, which + took the place of the undertaking previously known as the Mississippi. + It was in vain that the tobacco monopoly and a number of other immense + monopolies were given to the new company; they could not enable it to + meet the proper claims spread among the public, no matter what trouble + might be taken to diminish them at all hazard and at all loss. + </p> + <p> + It was now necessary to seek other expedients. None could be found + except that of rendering this company a commercial one; this was, + under a gentler name, a name vague and unpretending, to hand over to + it the entire and exclusive commerce of the country. It may be + imagined how such a resolution was received by the public, exasperated + by the severe decree, prohibiting people, under heavy penalties, from + having more than five-hundred livres, in coin, in their possession, + subjecting them to visits of inspection, and leaving them nothing but + bank notes to, pay for the commonest necessaries of daily life. Two + things resulted; first, fury, which day by day was so embittered by + the difficulty of obtaining money for daily subsistence, that it was a + marvel all Paris did not revolt at once, and that the emeute was + appeased; second, the Parliament, taking its stand upon this public + emotion, held firm to the end in refusing to register the edict + instituting the new company. + </p> + <p> + On the 15th of July, the Chancellor showed in his own house the + draught of the edict to deputies from the Parliament, who remained + with him until nine o'clock at night, without being persuaded. On the + morrow, the 16th, the edict was brought forward in the Regency + Council. M. le Duc d'Orleans, sustained by M. le Duc, spoke well upon + it, because he could not speak ill, however bad his theme. Nobody said + a word, and all bowed their necks. It was resolved, in this manner, to + send the edict to the Parliament on the morrow, the 17th of July. + </p> + <p> + That same 17th of July, there was such a crowd in the morning, at the + bank and in the neighbouring streets, for the purpose of obtaining + enough money to go to market with, that ten or twelve people were + stifled. Three of the bodies were tumultuously carried to the Palais + Royal, which the people, with loud cries, wished to enter. A + detachment of the King's guards at the Tuileries was promptly sent + there. La Vrilliere and Le Blanc separately harangued the people. The + lieutenant of police came; brigades of the watch were sent for. The + dead bodies were afterwards carried away, and by gentleness and + cajoleries the people were at length dispersed. The detachment of the + King's guards returned to the Tuileries. By about ten o'clock in the + morning, all being over, Law took it into his head to go to the Palais + Royal. He received many imprecations as he passed through the streets. + M. le Duc d'Orleans thought it would be well not to let him leave the + Palais Royal, and gave him a lodging there. He sent back Law's + carriage, however, the windows of which were smashed on the way by the + stones thrown at them. Law's house, too, was attacked, amid much + breaking of windows. All this was known so late in our quarter of the + Jacobins of the Saint-Dominique, that when I arrived at the Palais + Royal there was not a vestige visible of any disturbance. M. le Duc + d'Orleans, in the midst of a very small company, was very tranquil, + and showed that you would not please him unless you were so also. I + did not stop long, having nothing to do or say. + </p> + <p> + This same morning the edict was carried to the Parliament, which + refused to register it, and sent a deputation to M. le Duc d'Orleans + with its reasons for this, at which the Regent was much vexed. The + next morning an ordonnance of the King was pasted all over the town, + prohibiting the people, under heavy penalties, to assemble, and + announcing that in consequence of the disturbances which had taken + place the previous day at the bank, that establishment would remain + closed until further notice, and no more money would be paid by it. + Luck supplied the place of prudence; for people knew not how they were + to live in the meanwhile, yet no fresh disturbance occurred fact which + shows the goodness and obedience of the people, subjected to so many + and to such strange trials. Troops, however, were collected at + Charenton, who were at work upon the canal of Montargis: some + regiments of cavalry and of dragoons were stationed at Saint-Denis, + and the King's regiment was posted upon the heights of Chaillot. Money + was sent to Gonesse to induce the bakers to come as usual, and for + fear they should refuse bank notes, like the Paris workmen and + shopkeepers, nearly all of whom would no longer receive any paper, the + regiment of the guards had orders to hold itself ready, and the + musketeers to keep within their quarters, their horses saddled and + bridled. + </p> + <p> + As for the Parliament, M. le Duc d'Orleans determined to punish its + disobedience by sending it to Blois. This resolution was carried in + full council. The Regent hoped that the Parliamentary men, accustomed + to the comfort of their Paris homes, and to the society there of their + wives; children, and friends, would soon grow tired of being separated + from them, and of the extra expense they would be put to, and would + give in. I agreed to the project, although I saw, alas! that by this + exile the Parliament would be punished, but would be neither + conciliated nor tamed into submission. To make matters worse, Blois + was given up, and Pontoise was substituted for it! This latter town + being close to Paris, the chastisement became ridiculous, showed the + vacillating weakness of the Regent, and encouraged the Parliament to + laugh at him. One thing was, however, well done. The resolution taken + to banish the Parliament was kept so secret that that assembly had not + the slightest knowledge of it. + </p> + <p> + On Sunday, the 21st of July, squadrons of the guards, with officers at + their head, took possession, at four o'clock in the morning, of all + the doors of the Palais de justice. The musketeers seized at the same + time upon the doors of the Grand Chamber, whilst others invaded the + house of the Chief-President, who was in much fear during the first + hour. Other musketeers went in parties of four to all the officers of + the Parliament, and served them with the King's order, commanding them + to repair to Pontoise within twice twenty-four hours. All passed off + very politely on both sides, so that there was not the slightest + complaint: several members obeyed the same day and went to Pontoise. + </p> + <p> + Rather late in the evening M. le Duc d'Orleans sent to the Attorney- + General 200,000 livres in coin, and as much in bank notes of 100 + livres, and of 10 livres to be given to those who should need them for + the journey, but not as gifts. The Chief-President was more brazen and + more fortunate; he made so many promises, showed so much meanness, + employed so much roguery, that abusing by these means the feebleness + and easiness of the Regent, whom he laughed at, he obtained more than + 100,000 ecus for his expenses. The poor prince gave him the money, + under the rose, in two or three different payments, and permitted the + Duc de Bouillon to lend him his house at Pontoise, completely + furnished, and the garden of which, on the banks of the river, is + admirable and immense, a masterpiece of its kind, and had been the + delight of Cardinal Bouillon, being perhaps the only thing in France + he regretted. With such fine assistance the Chief- President—on + bad terms with his companions, who had openly despised him for some + time—perfectly made it up with them. He kept at Pontoise open + table for the Parliament; all were every day at liberty to use it if + they liked, so that there were always several tables, all equally, + delicately, and splendidly served. He sent, too, to those who asked + for them, liquors, etc., as they could desire. Cooling drinks and + fruits of all kinds were abundantly served every afternoon, and there + were a number of little one and two-horse vehicles always ready for + the ladies and old men who liked a drive, besides play-tables in the + apartments until supper time. The result of all this magnificence was, + as I have said, that the Chief-President completely reinstated himself + in the good graces of his companions; but it was at the expense of the + Regent, who was laughed at for his pains. A large number of the + members of the Parliament did not go to Pontoise at all, but took + advantage of the occasion to recreate themselves in the country. Only + a few of the younger members mounted guard in the assembly, where + nothing but the most trivial and make- believe business was conducted. + Everything important was deliberately neglected. Woe! to those, + therefore, who had any trial on hand. The Parliament, in a word, did + nothing but divert itself, leave all business untouched, and laugh at + the Regent and the government. Banishment to Pontoise was a fine + punishment! + </p> + <p> + This banishment of the Parliament to Pontoise was followed by various + financial operations and by several changes in the administrations. + Des Forts had the general control of the finances and all authority, + but without the name. The disordered state of the exchequer did not + hinder M. le Duc d'Orleans from indulging in his strange liberalities + to people without merit and without need, and not one of whom he could + possibly care a straw for. He gave to Madame la Grande Duchesse an + augmentation of her pension of 50,000 livres; one of 8,000 livres to + Trudaine: one of 9,000 livres to Chateauneuf; one of 8,000 livres to + Bontems, chief valet de chambre of the King; one of 6,000 livres to + the Marechal de Montesquieu; one of 3,000 livres to Faucault; and one + of 9,000 livres to the widow of the Duc d'Albemarle, secretly + remarried to the son of Mahoni. + </p> + <p> + All this time the public stock-jobbing still continued on the Place + Vendome. The Mississippi had tempted everybody. It was who should fill + his pockets first with millions, through M. le Duc d'Orleans and Law. + The crowd was very great. One day the Marechal de Villars traversed + the Place Vendome in a fine coach, loaded with pages and lackeys, to + make way for which the mob of stock-jobbers had some difficulty. The + Marechal upon this harangued the people in his braggart manner from + the carriage window, crying out against the iniquity of stock-jobbing, + and the shame it cast upon all. Until this point he had been allowed + to say on, but when he thought fit to add that his own hands were + clean, and that he had never dabbled in shares, a voice uttered a + cutting sarcasm, and all the crowd took up the word, at which the + Marechal, ashamed and confounded, despite his ordinary authority, + buried himself in his carriage and finished his journey across the + Place Vendome at a gentle trot in the midst of a hue and cry, which + followed him even beyond, and which diverted Paris at his expense for + several days, nobody pitying him. + </p> + <p> + At last it was found that this stock-jobbing too much embarrassed the + Place Vendome and the public way; it was transferred, therefore, to + the vast garden of the Hotel de Soissons. This was, in fact, its + proper place. Law, who had remained at the Palais Royal some time, had + returned to his own house, where he received many visits. The King + several times went to see the troops that had been stationed near + Paris; after this they were sent away again. Those which had formed a + little camp at Charenton, returned to Montargis to work at the canal + making there. + </p> + <p> + Law, for commercial reasons, had some time ago caused Marseilles to be + made a free port. The consequence of this was that an abundance of + vessels came there, especially vessels from the Levant, and from want + of precautions the plague came also, lasted a long while, desolated + the town, province; and the neighbouring provinces. The care and + precautions afterwards taken restrained it as much as possible, but + did not hinder it from lasting a long time, or from creating frightful + disorders. These details are so well known that they can be dispensed + with here. + </p> + <p> + I have a few more words to say of Law and his Mississippi. The bubble + finally burst at the end of the year (1720). Law, who had no more + resources, being obliged secretly to depart from the realm, was + sacrificed to the public. His flight was known only through the eldest + son of Argenson, intendant at Mainbeuge, who had the stupidity to + arrest him. The courier he despatched with the news was immediately + sent back, with a strong reprimand for not having deferred to the + passport with which Law had been furnished by the Regent. The + financier was with his son, and they both went to Brussels where the + Marquis de Prie, Governor of the Imperial Low Countries, received them + very well, and entertained them. Law did not stop long, gained Liege + and Germany, where he offered his talents to several princes, who all + thanked him; nothing more. After having thus roamed, he passed through + the Tyrol, visited several Italian courts, not one of which would have + him, and at last retired to Venice. This republic, however, did not + employ him. His wife and daughter followed him some time after. I + don't know what became of them or of the son. + </p> + <p> + Law was a Scotchman; of very doubtful birth; tall and well made; of + agreeable face and aspect; gallant, and on very good terms with the + ladies of all the countries he had travelled in. His wife was not his + wife; she was of a good English family and well connected; had + followed Law for love; had had a son and a daughter by him, passed for + his wife, and bore his name without being married to him. This was + suspected towards the end; after his departure it became certain. She + had one eye and the top of one cheek covered by an ugly stain as of + wine; otherwise she was well made, proud, impertinent in her + conversation and in her manners, receiving compliments, giving next to + none, paying but few visits, these rare and selected, and exercising + authority in her household. I know not whether her credit over her + husband was great; but he appeared full of regard, of care, and of + respect for her; at the time of their departure they were each about + fifty and fifty-five years old. Law had made many acquisitions of all + kinds and still more debts, so that this tangle is not yet unravelled + by the committee of the council appointed to arrange his affairs with + his creditors. I have said elsewhere, and I repeat it here, that there + was neither avarice nor roguery in his composition. He was a gentle, + good, respectable man, whom excess of credit and fortune had not + spoiled, and whose deportment, equipages, table, and furniture could + not scandalise any one. He suffered with singular patience and + constancy all the vexations excited by his operations, until towards + the last, when, finding himself short of means and wishing to meet his + difficulty, he became quick and bad- tempered, and his replies were + often ill-measured. He was a man of system, of calculation, of + comparison, well and profoundly instructed in these things, and, + without ever cheating, had everywhere gained at play by dint of + understanding—which seems to me incredible—the + combinations of cards. + </p> + <p> + His bank, as I have elsewhere said, was an excellent thing for a + republic, or for a country like England, where finance is as in a + republic. His Mississippi he was the dupe of, and believed with good + faith he should make great and rich establishments in America. He + reasoned like an Englishman, and did not know how opposed to commerce + and to such establishments are the frivolity of the (French) nation, + its inexperience, its avidity to enrich itself at once, the + inconvenience of a despotic government, which meddles with everything, + which has little or no consistency, and in which what one minister + does is always destroyed by his successor. + </p> + <p> + Law's proscription of specie, then of jewels, so as to have only paper + in France, is a system I have never comprehended, nor has anybody, I + fancy, during all the ages which have elapsed since that in which + Abraham, after losing Sarah, bought, for ready-money, a sepulchre for + her and for her children. But Law was a man of system, and of system + so deep, that nobody ever could get to the bottom of it, though he + spoke easily, well and clearly, but with a good deal of English in his + French. + </p> + <p> + He remained several years at Venice, upon very scanty means, and died + there a Catholic, having lived decently, but very humbly, wisely, and + modestly, and received with piety the last sacraments of the Church. + </p> + <p> + Thus terminates all I have to say of Law. But a painful truth remains. + I have to speak of the woful disorder in the finances which his system + led to, disorder which was not fully known until after his departure + from France. Then people saw, at last, where all the golden schemes + that had flooded upon popular credulity had borne us;—not to the + smiling and fertile shores of Prosperity and Confidence, as may be + imagined; but to the bleak rocks and dangerous sands of Ruin and + Mistrust, where dull clouds obscure the sky, and where there is no + protection against the storm. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0102" id="link2HCH0102"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER CII + </h2> + <p> + Not long after the flight of Law, that is to say, on Sunday, the 24th + of January, of the new year, 1721, a council was held at the + Tuileries, at four o'clock in the afternoon, principally for the + purpose of examining the state of the finances and of Law's Bank and + India Company. It was, in fact, high time to do something to diminish + the overgrown disorder and confusion everywhere reigning. For some + time there had been complete stagnation in all financial matters; the + credit of the King had step by step diminished, private fortune had + become more and more uncertain. The bag was at last empty, the cards + were cast aside, the last trick was played: The administration of the + finances had passed into the hands of La Houssaye, and his first act + was to call the attention of the Regency Council to the position of + the bank and the company. We were prepared to hear that things were in + a very bad state, but we were scarcely prepared to find that they so + closely resembled utter ruin and bankruptcy. + </p> + <p> + I need not relate all that passed at this council; the substance of it + is enough. From the statement there of M. le Duc d'Orleans, it + appeared that Law had issued 1,200,000,000 livres of bank notes more + than he ought to have issued. The first 600,00,000 livres had not done + much harm, because they had been kept locked up in the bank; but after + the 22nd of May, another issue of 600,000,000 had taken place, and + been circulated among the public, without the knowledge of the Regent, + without the authorisation of any decree. "For this," said M. le Duc + d'Orleans, "Law deserved to be hanged, but under the circumstances of + the case, I drew him from his embarrassment, by an ante-dated decree, + ordering the issue of this quantity of notes." + </p> + <p> + Thereupon M. le Duc said to the Regent, "But, Monsieur, why, knowing + this, did you allow him to leave the realm?" + </p> + <p> + "It was you who furnished him with the means to do so," replied M. le + Duc d'Orleans. + </p> + <p> + "I never asked you to allow him to quit the country," rejoined M. le + Duc. + </p> + <p> + "But," insisted the Regent, "it was you yourself who sent him his + passports." + </p> + <p> + "That's true," replied M. le Duc, "but it was you who gave them to me + to send to him; but I never asked you for them, or to let him leave + the realm. I know that I have the credit for it amongst the public, + and I am glad of this opportunity to explain here the facts of the + case. I was against the proposition for sending M. Law to the + Bastille, or to any other prison, because I believed that it was not + to your interest to sanction this, after having made use of him as you + had; but I never asked you to let him leave the realm, and I beg you, + Monsieur, in presence of the King, and before all these gentlemen, to + say if I ever did." + </p> + <p> + "'Tis true," replied the Regent, "you never asked me; I allowed him to + go, because I thought his presence in France would injure public + credit, and the operations of the public." + </p> + <p> + "So far was I from asking you," said M. le Duc, "that if you had done + me the honour to demand my opinion, I should have advised you to take + good care not to let him depart from the country." + </p> + <p> + This strange conversation, which roused our astonishment to an + incredible point, and which was sustained with so much out-spoken + freedom by M. le Duc, demands a word or two of explanation. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc was one of those who, without spending a farthing, had drawn + millions from Law's notes and shares. He had had large allotments of + the latter, and now that they had become utterly valueless, he had + been obliged to make the best of a bad bargain, by voluntarily giving + them up, in order to lighten the real responsibilities of the Company. + This he had done at the commencement of the Council, M. le Prince de + Conti also. But let me explain at greater length. + </p> + <p> + The 22nd of May, the day of the decree, was the period at which + commenced the final decay of the Company, and of the bank, and the + extinction of all confidence by the sad discovery that there was no + longer any money wherewith to pay the bank notes, they being so + prodigiously in excess of the coin. After this, each step had been but + a stumble: each operation a very feeble palliation. Days and weeks had + been gained, obscurity had been allowed to give more chance, solely + from fear of disclosing the true and terrible state of affairs, and + the extent of the public ruin. Law could not wash his hands of all + this before the world; he could not avoid passing for the inventor and + instrument, and he would have run great risk at the moment when all + was unveiled. M. le Duc d'Orleans, who, to satisfy his own + prodigality, and the prodigious avidity of his friends, had compelled + Law to issue so many millions of livres of notes more than he had any + means of paying, and who had thus precipitated him into the abyss, + could not let him run the chance of perishing, still less to save him, + could he proclaim himself the real criminal. It was to extricate + himself from this embarrassment that he made Law leave the country, + when he saw that the monstrous deceit could no longer be hidden. + </p> + <p> + This manifestation, which so strongly interested the shareholders, and + the holders of bank notes, especially those who had received shares or + notes as favours due to their authority, and who could show no other + title to them, threw every one into despair. The most important + holders, such as the Princes of the Blood, and others, whose profits + had been immense, had by force or industry delayed this manifestation + as long as possible. As they knew the real state of affairs, they felt + that the moment all the world knew it also, their gains would cease, + and their paper become worthless, that paper from which they had drawn + so much, and which had not cost them a farthing! This is what induced + M. le Duc d'Orleans to hide from them the day of this manifestation, + so as to avoid being importuned by them; and by a surprise, to take + from them the power of preparing any opposition to the measures it was + proposed to carry out. M. le Duc, when he learned this, flew into a + fury, and hence the strange scene between him and M. le Duc d'Orleans, + which scandalised and terrified everybody in the Council. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans, who, from taste, and afterwards from necessity, + lived upon schemes and trickery, thought he had done marvels in + saddling M. le Duc with the passport of Law. He wished to lay the + blame of Law's departure upon M. le Duc; but as I have shown, he was + defeated by his own weapons. He had to do with a man as sharp as + himself. M. le Duc, who knew he had nothing to fear, would not allow + it to be supposed that he had sanctioned the flight of the financier. + That was why he pressed M. le Duc d'Orleans so pitilessly, and forced + him to admit that he had never asked him to allow Law to leave the + country. + </p> + <p> + The great and terrible fact brought out by this Council was, that Law, + without the knowledge or authority of the Regent, had issued and + disseminated among the public 600,000,000 livres of notes; and not + only without being authorised by any edict, but contrary to express + prohibition. But when the Regent announced this, who did he suppose + would credit it? Who could believe that Law would have had the + hardihood to issue notes at this rate without the sanction and + approbation of his master? + </p> + <p> + However, to leave once and for all these unpleasant matters, let me + say what was resolved upon by way of remedy to the embarrassments + discovered to exist. The junction of the India Company with the bank, + which had taken place during the previous February, had led to + transactions which made the former debtor to the latter to an immense + amount. But the bank being a governmental establishment, the King + became thus the creditor of the Company. It was decreed, in fact, that + the Company should be considered as debtor to the King. It was + decided, however, that other debtors should receive first attention. + Many private people had invested their money in the shares of the + Company. It was not thought just that by the debt of the Company to + the King, these people should be ruined; or, on the other hand, that + those who had left the Company in good time, who had converted their + shares into notes, or who had bought them at a low price in the + market, should profit by the misfortune of the bona fide shareholders. + Accordingly, commissioners, it was decided, were to be named, to + liquidate all these papers and parchments, and annul those which did + not proceed from real purchases. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc said, upon this, "There are at least eighty thousand + families, the whole of whose wealth consists of these effects; how are + they to live during this liquidation?" + </p> + <p> + La Houssaye replied, that so many commissioners could be named, that + the work would soon be done. + </p> + <p> + And so the Council ended. + </p> + <p> + But I must, perforce, retrace my steps at this point to many other + matters, which I have left far behind me in going on at once to the + end of this financial labyrinth. And first let me tell what happened + to that monstrous personage, Alberoni, how he fell from the lofty + pinnacle of dower on which he had placed himself, and lost all + consideration and all importance in the fall. The story is mightily + curious and instructive. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0103" id="link2HCH0103"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER CIII + </h2> + <p> + Alberoni had made himself detested by all Europe,—for all + Europe, in one way or another, was the victim of his crimes. He was + detested as the absolute master of Spain, whose guides were perfidy, + ambition, personal interest, views always oblique, often caprice, + sometimes madness; and whose selfish desires, varied and diversified + according to the fantasy of the moment, were hidden under schemes + always uncertain and oftentimes impossible of execution. Accustomed to + keep the King and Queen of Spain in chains, and in the narrowest and + obscurest prison, where he allowed them to communicate with no one, + and made them see, feel, and breathe through him, and blindly obey his + every wish; he caused all Spain to tremble, and had annihilated all + power there, except his own, by the most violent acts, constraining + himself in no way, despising his master and his mistress, whose will + and whose authority he had utterly absorbed. He braved successively + all the powers of Europe, and aspired to nothing less than to deceive + them all, then to govern them, making them serve all his ends; and + seeing at last his cunning exhausted, tried to execute alone, and + without allies, the plan he had formed. + </p> + <p> + This plan was nothing less than to take away from the Emperor all that + the peace of Utrecht had left him in Italy; all that the Spanish house + of Austria had possessed there; to dominate the Pope and the King of + Sicily; to deprive the Emperor of the help of France and England, by + exciting the first against the Regent through the schemes of the + ambassador Cellamare and the Duc du Maine; and by sending King James + to England, by the aid of the North, so as to keep King George + occupied with a civil war. In the end he wished to profit by all these + disorders, by transporting into Italy (which his cardinalship made him + regard as a safe asylum against all reverses) the immense treasures he + had pillaged and collected m Spain, under pretext of sending the sums + necessary to sustain the war, and the conquests he intended to make; + and this last project was, perhaps, the motive power of all the rest. + The madness of these schemes, and his obstinacy in clinging to them, + were not discovered until afterwards. The astonishment then was great + indeed, upon discovering the poverty of the resources with which he + thought himself capable of carrying out these wild projects. Yet he + had made such prodigious preparations for war, that he had entirely + exhausted the country without rendering it able for a moment to oppose + the powers of Europe. + </p> + <p> + Alberoni, abhorred in Spain as a cruel tyrant, in France, in England, + in Rome, and by the Emperor as an implacable and personal enemy, did + not seem to have the slightest uneasiness. Yet he might have had some, + and with good cause, at the very moment when he fancied himself most + powerful and most secure. + </p> + <p> + The Regent and the Abbe Dubois, who for a long time had only too many + reasons to regard Alberoni as their personal enemy, were unceasingly + occupied in silently plotting his fall; they believed the present + moment favourable, and did not fail to profit by it. How they did so + is a curious fact, which, to my great regret, has never reached me. M. + le Duc d'Orleans survived Dubois such a few months that many things I + should have liked to have gained information upon, I had not the time + to ask him about; and this was one. + </p> + <p> + All I know is, that what Alberoni always dreaded, at last happened to + him. He trembled, at every one, no matter of how little importance, + who arrived from Parma (the Queen of Spain, it has not been forgotten, + was of that Duchy); he omitted nothing by the aid of the Duke of + Parma, and by other means, to hinder the Parmesans from coming to + Madrid; and was in terror of the few of those whose journey he could + not hinder, and whose dismissal he could not obtain. + </p> + <p> + Among these few people there was nobody he feared so much as the + Queen's nurse, whom he drew up with a round turn occasionally, so to + speak, but less from policy than ill-temper. This nurse, who was a + rough country- woman of Parma, was named Donna Piscatori Laura. She + had arrived in Spain some years after the Queen, who had always liked + her, and who made her, shortly after her arrival, her 'assofeta', that + is to say, her chief 'femme de chambre'; an office more considerable + in Spain than with us. Laura had brought her husband with her, a + peasant in every way, seen and known by nobody; but Laura had + intelligence, shrewdness, cleverness, and ambitious views, in spite of + the external vulgarity of her manners, which she had preserved either + from habit, or from policy, for make herself less suspected. Like all + persons of this extraction, she was thoroughly selfish. She was not + unaware how impatiently Alberoni endured her presence, and feared her + favour with the Queen, whom he wished to possess alone; and, more + sensible to the gentle taps she from time to time received from him, + than to his ordinary attentions, she looked upon him simply as a very + formidable enemy, who kept her within very narrow limits, who hindered + her from profiting by the favour of the Queen, and whose design was to + send her back to Parma, and to leave nothing undone until he had + carried it out. + </p> + <p> + This is all the information I have ever been able to obtain. The + probability is, that Donna Laura was gained by the money of the Regent + and the intrigues gained Dubois; and that she succeeded in convincing + the Queen of Spain that Alberoni was a minister who had ruined the + country, who was the sole obstacle in the way of peace, and who had + sacrificed everything and everybody to his personal views, their + Catholic Majesties included. However, as I relate only what I know, I + shall be very brief upon this interesting event. + </p> + <p> + Laura succeeded. Alberoni, at the moment he least expected it, + received a note from the King of Spain ordering him to withdraw at + once, without attempting to see him or the Queen, or to write to them; + and to leave Spain in twice twenty-four hours! An officer of the + guards was to accompany him until his departure: How this overruling + order was received, and what the Cardinal did, I know not; I only know + that he obeyed it, and took the road for Arragon. So few precautions + had been taken, that he carried off an immense number of papers, + money, and jewels; and it was not until a few days had elapsed, that + the King of Spain was informed that the original will of Charles the + Second could not be found. It was at once supposed that Alberoni had + carried away this precious document (by which Charles the Second named + Philippe V. King of Spain), in order to offer it, perhaps, to the + Emperor, so as to gain his favour and good graces. Alberoni was + stopped. It was not without trouble, the most terrible menaces, and + loud cries from him, that he surrendered the testament, and some other + important papers which it was perceived were missing. The terror he + had inspired was so profound, that, until this moment, no one had + dared to show his joy, or to speak, though the tyrant was gone. But + this event reassured every one against his return, and the result was + an unexampled overflow of delight, of imprecations, and of reports + against him, to the King and Queen, of the most public occurrences + (which they alone were ignorant of) and of. private misdeeds, which it + was no longer thought necessary to hide. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans did not restrain his joy, still less the Abbe + Dubois; it was their work which had overthrown their personal enemy; + with him fell the wall of separation, so firmly erected by Alberoni + between the Regent and the King of Spain; and (at the same time) the + sole obstacle against peace. This last reason caused joy to burst out + in Italy, in Vienna, in London; and peace between France, and Spain + soon resulted. + </p> + <p> + The allied princes felicitated themselves on what had happened; even + the Dutch were ravished to be delivered of a minister so + double-dealing, so impetuous, so powerful. M. le Duc d'Orleans + dispatched the Chevalier de Morcieu, a very skilful and intelligent + man, and certainly in the hands of the Abbe Dubois, to the extreme + confines of the frontiers to wait for Alberoni, accompanying him until + the moment of his embarkation in Provence for Italy; with orders never + to lose sight of him, to make him avoid the large towns and principal + places as much as possible; suffer no honours to be rendered to him; + above all, to hinder him from communicating with anybody, or anybody + with him; in a word, to conduct him civilly, like a prisoner under + guard. + </p> + <p> + Morcieu executed to the letter this disagreeable commission; all the + more necessary, because, entirely disgraced as was Alberoni, + everything was to be forced from him while traversing a great part of + France, where all who were adverse to the Regent might have recourse + to him. Therefore it was not without good reason that every kind of + liberty was denied him. + </p> + <p> + It may be imagined what was suffered by a man so impetuous, and so + accustomed to unlimited power; but he succeeded in accommodating + himself to such a great and sudden change of condition; in maintaining + his self- possession; in subjecting himself to no refusals; in being + sage and measured in his manners; very reserved in speech, with an air + as though he cared for nothing; and in adapting himself to everything + without questions, without pretension, without complaining, + dissimulating everything, and untiringly pretending to regard Morcieu + as an accompaniment of honour. He received, then, no sort of civility + on the part of the Regent, of Dubois, or of anybody; and performed the + day's journeys, arranged by Morcieu, without stopping, almost without + suite, until he arrived on the shores of the Mediterranean, where he + immediately embarked and passed to the Genoa coast. + </p> + <p> + Alberoni, delivered of his Argus, and arrived in Italy, found himself + in another trouble by the anger of the Emperor, who would suffer him + nowhere, and by the indignation of the Court of Rome, which prevailed, + on this occasion, over respect for the purple. Alberoni for a long + time was forced to keep out of the way, hidden and a fugitive, and was + not able to approach Rome until the death of the Pope. The remainder + of the life of this most extraordinary man is not a subject for these + memoirs. But what ought not to be forgotten is the last mark of rage, + despair, and madness that he gave in traversing France. He wrote to M. + le Duc d'Orleans, offering to supply him with the means of making a + most dangerous war against Spain; and at Marseilles, ready to embark, + he again wrote to reiterate the same offers, and press them on the + Regent. + </p> + <p> + I cannot refrain from commenting here upon the blindness of allowing + ecclesiastics to meddle with public affairs; above all, cardinals, + whose special privilege is immunity from everything most infamous and + most degrading. Ingratitude, infidelity, revolt, felony, independence, + are the chief characteristics of these eminent criminals. + </p> + <p> + Of Alberoni's latter days I will say but a few words. + </p> + <p> + At the death of Clement XI., legal proceedings that had been taken to + deprive Alberoni of his cardinalship, came to an end. Wandering and + hidden in Italy, he was summoned to attend a conclave for the purpose + of electing a new Pope. Alberoni was the opprobrium of the sacred + college; proceedings, as I have said, were in progress to deprive him + of his cardinalship. The King and Queen of Spain evidently stimulated + those proceedings: the Pope just dead had opposed him; but the + cardinals would not agree to his disgrace; they would not consent to + strip him of his dignity. The example would have been too dangerous. + That a cardinal, prince, or great nobleman, should surrender his hat + in order to marry, the store of his house demands it; well and good; + but to see a cardinal deprive himself of his hat by way of penitence, + is what his brethren will not endure. A cardinal may be poisoned, + stabbed, got rid of altogether, but lose his dignity he never can. + Rome must be infallible, or she is nothing. + </p> + <p> + It was decided, that if, at the election of the new Pope, Alberoni + were not admitted to take part in the proceedings, he always might + protest against them, and declare them irregular. Therefore he was, as + I have said, admitted to the conclave. He arrived in Rome, without + display, in his own coach, and was received in the conclave with the + same honours as all the other cardinals, and performed all the duties + of his position. + </p> + <p> + A few days after the election, he absented himself from Rome, as + though to see whether proceedings would be continued against him. But + they fell of themselves. The new Pope had no interest in them. The + cardinals wished only for silence. Spain felt at last the inutility of + her cries. Dubois was in favour of throwing a veil over his former + crimes, so that, after a short absence, Alberoni hired in Rome a + magnificent palace, and returned there for good, with the attendance, + expense, and display his Spanish spoils supplied. He found himself + face to face with the Cardinal Giudice, and with Madame des Ursins. + The three formed a rare triangle, which caused many a singular scene + in home. After seeing them both die, Alberoni became legate at + Ferrara, continued there a long time, little esteemed at Rome, where + he is now living, sound in mind and body, and eighty-six years of age. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0104" id="link2HCH0104"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER CIV + </h2> + <p> + The King attended the Royal Council for the first time on Sunday, the + 18th of February, 1720. He said nothing while there, or on going away, + excepting that when M. le Duc d'Orleans, who feared he might grow + weary of the proceedings, proposed to him to leave, he said he would + stop to the end. After this he did not come always, but often, + invariably remaining to the last, without moving or speaking. His + presence changed nothing in the order of our arrangements, because his + armchair was always there, alone, at the end of the table, and M. le + Duc d'Orleans, whether his Majesty came or not, had but a "stool" + similar to those we all sat upon. Step by step this council had been + so much increased, that now, by the entry of the Duc de Berwick, it + numbered sixteen members! To say truth, we were far too many, and we + had several among us who would have been much better away. I had + tried, but in vain, to make the Regent see this. He did see at last, + but it was too late; and meanwhile we were, as I have stated, sixteen + in the council. I remember that one day, when the King came, a kitten + followed him, and some time after jumped upon him, and thence upon the + table, where it began to walk; the Duc de Noailles immediately crying + out, because he did not like cats. M. le Duc d'Orleans wished to drive + the animal away. I smiled, and said, "Oh, leave the kitten alone, it + will make the seventeenth." + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans burst out laughing at this, and looked at the + company, who laughed also, the King as well. His Majesty briefly spoke + of it to me on the morrow, as though appreciating the joke, which, by + the way, immediately ran over all Paris. + </p> + <p> + The Abbe Dubois still maintained his pernicious influence over the + Regent, and still looked forward to a cardinalship as the reward of + his scheming, his baseness, and his perfidy. In the meantime, the + Archbishopric of Cambrai became vacant (by the death, at Rome, of the + Cardinal Tremoille). That is to say, the richest archbishopric, and + one of the best posts in the Church. The Abbe Dubois was only + tonsured; 150,000 livres, a year tempted him, and perhaps this + position, from which he could more easily elevate himself to the + cardinalship. Impudent as he might be, powerful as might be the empire + he had acquired over his master, he was much embarrassed, and masked + his effrontery under a trick. He said to M. le Duc d'Orleans, he had a + pleasant dream; and related to him that he had dreamt he was + Archbishop of Cambrai! The Regent, who smelt the rat, turned on his + heel, and said nothing. Dubois, more and more embarrassed, stammered, + and paraphrased his dream; then, re-assuring himself by an effort, + asked, in an offhand manner, why he should not obtain it, His Royal + Highness, by his will alone, being able thus to make his fortune. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans was indignant, even terrified, little scrupulous + as he might be as to the choice of bishops, and in a tone of contempt + replied to Dubois, "What, you Archbishop of Cambrai!" making him thus + feel his low origin, and still more the debauchery and scandal of his + life. Dubois was, however, too far advanced to stop on the road, and + cited examples; unfortunately these were only too many. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans, less touched by such bad reasoning than + embarrassed how to resist the ardor of a man whom for a long time he + had not dated to contradict, tried to get out of the difficulty, by + saying, "But you being such a scoundrel, where will you find another + to consecrate you?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, if it's only that!" exclaimed Dubois, "the thing is done. I know + very well who will consecrate me; he is not far from here." + </p> + <p> + "And who the devil is he who will dare to do so?" asked the Regent. + </p> + <p> + "Would you like to know?" replied the Abbe, "and does the matter rest + only upon that?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, who?" said the Regent. + </p> + <p> + "Your chief chaplain," replied Dubois, "who is close at hand. Nothing + will please him better; I will run and speak to him." + </p> + <p> + And thereupon he embraces the knees of M. le Duc d'Orleans (who, + caught thus in his own trap, had not the strength to refuse), runs to + the Bishop of Nantes, says that he is to have Cambrai, begs the Bishop + to consecrate him, and receives his promise to do so, returns, wheels + round, tells M. le Duc d'Orleans that his chief chaplain has agreed to + the consecration; thanks, praises, admires the Regent, fixes more and + more firmly the office by regarding it as settled, and by persuading + M. le Duc d'Orleans, who dares not say no; and in this manner was + Dubois made Archbishop of Cambrai! + </p> + <p> + The extreme scandal of this nomination caused a strange, stir. + Impudent as was the Abbe Dubois, he was extremely embarrassed; and M. + le Duc d'Orleans so much ashamed, that it was soon remarked he was + humbled if you spoke to him upon the subject. The next question was, + from whom Dubois was to receive holy orders? The Cardinal de Noailles + was applied to, but he stoutly refused to assist in any way. It may be + imagined what an affront this was to Dubois. He never in his life + pardoned the Cardinal, who was nevertheless universally applauded for + his refusal. But the Abbe Dubois was not a man to be daunted by an + ordinary obstacle; he turned his glances elsewhere, and soon went + through all the formalities necessary. + </p> + <p> + The very day he took orders there was a Regency Council at the old + Louvre, because the measles, which were then very prevalent, even in + the Palais Royal, hindered us from meeting as usual in the Tuileries. + A Regency Council without the Abbe Dubois present was a thing to + marvel at, and yet his arrival to-day caused even more surprise than + his absence would have caused. But he was not a man to waste his time + in thanksgiving for what had just happened to him. This was a new + scandal, which revived and aggravated the first. Everybody had arrived + in the cabinet of the council, M. le Duc d'Orleans also; we were + scattered about and standing. I was in a corner of the lower end, when + I saw Dubois enter in a stout coat, with his ordinary bearing. We did + not expect him on such a day, and naturally enough cried out + surprised. M. le Prince de Conti, with his father's sneering manner, + spoke to the Abbe Dubois, on his appearance among us on the very day + of taking orders, and expressed his surprise at it with the most + pathetic malignity imaginable. + </p> + <p> + Dubois, who had not had time to reply one word, let him say to the + end; then coldly observed, that if he had been a little more familiar + with ancient history, he would not have found what astonished him very + strange, since he (the Abbe) had only followed the example of Saint- + Ambrose, whose ordination he began to relate. I did not wait for his + recital; at the mere mention of Saint-Ambrose I flew to the other end + of the cabinet, horror-struck at the comparison Dubois had just made, + and fearing lest I should be tempted to say to him, that the + ordination of Saint-Ambrose had been forced upon him in spite of his + resistance. This impious citation of Saint-Ambrose ran all over the + town with the effect that may be imagined. The nomination and this + ordination took place towards the end of February. + </p> + <p> + I will finish at once all that relates to this matter, so as not to + separate it, or have to return to it. Dubois had his bulls at the + commencement of May, and the consecration was fixed for Sunday the 9th + of June. All Paris and the Court were invited to it, myself excepted. + I was on bad terms with Dubois, because I in no way spared him when + with M. le Duc d'Orleans. He on his side, fearing the power I had over + the Regent, the liberty I enjoyed with him, and the freedom with which + I spoke to him, did as much as he could to injure me, and to weaken + the confidence of M. le Duc d'Orleans in me. Dubois and I continued, + nevertheless, to be on good terms with each other in appearance, but + it was in appearance only. + </p> + <p> + This consecration was to be magnificent, and M. le Duc d'Orleans was + to be present at it. If the nomination and the ordination of the Abbe + Dubois had caused much stir, scandal, and horror, the superb + preparations for the consecration caused even more: Great was the + indignation against M. le Duc d'Orleans. I went, therefore, to him the + evening before this strange ceremony was to take place, to beg him not + to attend it. I represented to him that the nomination and ordination + of the Abbe Dubois had created frightful effect upon the public, and + that the consecration of a man of such low extraction, and whose + manners and mode of life were so notorious; would create more. I + added, that if he attended this ceremony, people would say it was + simply for the purpose of mocking God, and insulting His Church; that + the effect of this would be terrible, and always much to be feared; + and that people would say the Abbe Dubois abused the mastery he had + over him, and that this was evidence of dependence would draw down + upon him hatred, disdain, and shame, the results of which were to be + dreaded. I concluded by saying, that I spoke to him as his + disinterested servitor; that his absence or his presence at this + consecration would change in, nothing the fortune of the Abbe Dubois, + who would be Archbishop of Cambrai all the same without prostituting + his master in the eyes of all France, and of all Europe, by compelling + him to be guilty of a measure to which it would be seen he had been + urged by force. I conjured him not to go; and to show him on what + terms I was with the Abbe Dubois, I explained to him I was the sole + man of rank he had not invited to his consecration; but that, + notwithstanding this circumstance, if he would give me his word that + he would not go, I on my side would agree to go, though my horror at + doing so would be very great. + </p> + <p> + My discourse, pronounced with warmth and developed with freedom, was + listened to from beginning to end. I was surprised to hear the Regent + say I was right, but I opened my eyes very wide when he embraced me, + said that I spoke like a true friend, and that he would give me his + word, and stick to it, he would not go. We parted upon this, I + strengthening him in his resolution, promising anew I would go, and he + thanking me for this effort. He showed no impatience, no desire that I + should go; for I knew him well, and I examined him to the very bottom + of his soul, and quitted him much pleased at having turned him from a + measure so disgraceful and so extraordinary. Who could have guessed + that he would not keep his word? But so it happened. + </p> + <p> + Although as I have said I felt sure of him, yet the extreme weakness + of this prince, and the empire the Abbe Dubois had acquired over him; + induced me to be quite certain of him before going to the + consecration. I sent therefore the next morning to the Palais Royal to + inquire after M. le Duc d'Orleans; keeping my carriage all ready for a + start. But I was much confused, accustomed as I might be to his + miserable vacillation, to hear from the person I had sent, that he had + just seen the Regent jump into his coach, surrounded by all the pomp + usual on grand occasions, and set out for the consecration. I had my + horses put up at once, and locked myself into my cabinet. + </p> + <p> + A day or two after I learnt from a friend of Madame de Parabere, then + the reigning Sultana, but not a faithful one, that M. le Duc d'Orleans + had been with her the previous night, and had spoken to her in praise + of me, saying he would not go to the ceremony, and that he was very + grateful to me for having dissuaded him from going. La Parabere + praised me, admitted I was right, but her conclusion was that he would + go. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans, surprised, said to her she was then mad. + </p> + <p> + "Be it so," replied she, "but you will go." + </p> + <p> + "But I tell you I will not go," he rejoined. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, yes, I tell you," said she; "you will go." + </p> + <p> + "But," replied he, "this is admirable. You say M. de Saint-Simon is + quite right, why then should I go?" + </p> + <p> + "Because I wish it," said she. + </p> + <p> + "Very good," replied he, "and why do you wish I should go—what + madness is this?" + </p> + <p> + "I wish it because—," said she. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, because," replied he, "that's no reason; say why you wish it." + </p> + <p> + (After some dispute) "You obstinately desire then to know? Are you not + aware that the Abbe Dubois and I quarreled four days ago, and that we + have not yet made it up. He mixes in everything. He will know that you + have been with me to-night. If to-morrow you do not go to his + consecration, he will not fail to believe it is I who have hindered + you; nothing will take this idea out of his head; he will never pardon + me; he will undermine in a hundred ways my credit with you, and finish + by embroiling us. But I don't wish such a thing to happen, and for + that reason you must go to his consecration, although M. de + Saint-Simon is right." + </p> + <p> + Thereupon ensued a feeble debate, then resolution and promise to go, + which was very faithfully kept. + </p> + <p> + As for me I could only deplore the feebleness of the Regent, to whom I + never afterwards spoke of this consecration, or he to me; but he was + very much ashamed of himself, and much embarrassed with me afterwards. + I do not know whether he carried his weakness so far as to tell Dubois + what I had said to hinder him from going to the ceremony or whether + the Abbe was told by La Parabere, who thought thus to take credit to + herself for having changed the determination of M. le Duc d'Orleans, + and to show her credit over him. But Dubois was perfectly informed of + it, and never pardoned me. + </p> + <p> + The Val de Grace was chosen for the consecration as being a royal + monastery, the most magnificent of Paris, and the most singular + church. It was superbly decorated; all France was invited, and nobody + dared to stop away or to be out of sight during the whole ceremony. + </p> + <p> + There were tribunes with blinds prepared for the ambassadors and + Protestant ministers. There was another more magnificent for M. le Duc + d'Orleans and M. le Duc de Chartres, whom he took there. There were + places for the ladies, and as M. le Duc d'Orleans entered by the + monastery, and his tribune was within, it was open to all comers, so + that outside and inside were filled with refreshments of all kinds, + which officers distributed in profusion. This disorder continued all + day, on account of the large number of tables that were served without + and within for the subordinate people of the fete and all who liked to + thrust themselves in. The chief gentlemen of the chamber of M. le Duc + d'Orleans, and his chief officers did the business of the ceremony; + placed distinguished people in their seats, received them, conducted + them, and other of his officers paid similar attentions to less + considerable people, while, all the watch and all the police were + occupied in looking after the arrival and departure of the carriages + in proper and regular order. + </p> + <p> + During the consecration, which was but little decent as far as the + consecrated and the spectators were concerned, above all when leaving + the building, M. le Duc d'Orleans evinced his satisfaction at finding + so many considerable people present, and then went away to Asnieres to + dine with Madame Parabere—very glad that a ceremony was over + upon which he had bestowed only indirect attention, from the + commencement to the end. All the prelates, the distinguished Abbes, + and a considerable number of the laity, were invited during the + consecration by the chief officers of M. le Duc d'Orleans to dine at + the Palais Royal. The same officers did the honours of the feast, + which was served with the most splendid abundance and delicacy. There + were two services of thirty covers each, in a large room of the grand + suite of apartments, filled with the most considerable people of + Paris, and several other tables equally well served in adjoining rooms + for people less distinguished. M. le Duc d'Orleans gave to the new + Archbishop a diamond of great price to serve him as ring. + </p> + <p> + All this day was given up to that sort of triumph which draws down + neither the approbation of man nor the blessing of God. I saw nothing + of it all, however, and M. le Duc d'Orleans and I never spoke of it. + </p> + <p> + The Comte de Horn had been in Paris for the last two months, leading + an obscure life of gaming and debauchery. He was a man of + two-and-twenty, tall and well made, of that ancient and grand family + of Horn, known in the eleventh century among the little dynasties of + the Low Countries, and afterwards by a long series of illustrious + generations. The Comte de Horn in question had been made captain in + the Austrian army, less on account of his youth than because he was + such an ill-behaved dog, causing vast trouble to his mother and + brother. They heard so much of the disorderly life he was leading in + Paris, that they sent there a confidential gentleman with money to pay + his debts, to try and persuade him to return, and failing in this, to + implore the authority of the Regent (to whom, through Madame, the + Horns were related), in order to compel him to do so. As ill-luck + would have it, this gentleman arrived the day after the Comte had + committed the crime I am about to relate. + </p> + <p> + On Friday, the 22nd of March, 1720, he went to the Rue Quincampoix, + wishing, he said, to buy 100,000 ecus worth of shares, and for that + purpose made an appointment with a stockbroker in a cabaret. The + stock- broker came there with his pocket-book and his shares; the + Comte de Horn came also, accompanied, as he said, by two of his + friends; a moment after, they all three threw themselves upon this + unfortunate stock- broker; the Comte de Horn stabbed him several times + with a poniard, and seized his pocket-book; one of his pretended + friends (a Piedmontese named Mille), seeing that the stock-broker was + not dead, finished the work. At the noise they made the people of the + house came, not sufficiently quick to prevent the murder, but in time + to render themselves masters of the assassins, and to arrest them. In + the midst of the scuffle, the other cut-throat escaped, but the Comte + de Horn and Mille were not so fortunate. The cabaret people sent for + the officers of justice, who conducted the criminals to the + Conciergerie. This horrible crime, committed in broad daylight, + immediately made an immense stir, and several kinsmen of this + illustrious family at once went to M. le Duc d'Orleans to beg for + mercy; but the Regent avoided speaking to them as much as possible, + and very rightly ordered full and prompt justice to be done. + </p> + <p> + At last, the relatives of Horn penetrated to the Regent: they tried to + make the Count pass for mad, saying even that he had an uncle confined + in an asylum, and begging that he might be confined also. But the + reply was, that madmen who carried their madness to fury could not be + got rid of too quickly. Repulsed in this manner, they represented what + an infamy it would be to their illustrious family, related to nearly + all the sovereigns of Europe, to have one of its members tried and + condemned. M. le Duc d'Orleans replied that the infamy was in the + crime, and not in the punishment. They pressed him upon the honour the + family had in being related to him. "Very well, gentlemen," said he, + "I will divide the shame with you." + </p> + <p> + The trial was neither long nor difficult. Law and the Abbe Dubois, so + interested in the safety of the stock-jobbers (without whom the paper + must have fallen at once), supported M. le Duc d'Orleans might and + main, in order to render him inexorable, and he, to avoid the + persecutions he unceasingly experienced on the other side, left + nothing undone in order to hurry the Parliament into a decision; the + affair, therefore; went full speed, and it seemed likely that the + Comte de Horn would be broken on the wheel. + </p> + <p> + The relatives, no longer hoping to save the criminal, thought only of + obtaining a commutation of the sentence. Some of them came to me, + asking me to save them: though I was not related to the Horn family, + they explained to me, that death on the wheel would throw into despair + all that family, and everybody connected with it in the Low Countries, + and in Germany, because in those parts there was a great and important + difference between the punishments of persons of quality who had + committed crimes; that decapitation in no way influenced the family of + the decapitated, but that death on the wheel threw such infamy upon + it, that the uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters, and the three next + generations, were excluded from entering into any noble chapter, + which, in addition to the shame, was a very injurious deprivation, + annihilating the family's chance of ecclesiastic preferment; this + reason touched me, and I promised to do my best with M. le Duc + d'Orleans to obtain a commutation of the sentence. + </p> + <p> + I was going off to La Ferme to profit by the leisure of Holy Week. I + went therefore to M. le Duc d'Orleans, and explained to him what I had + just learnt. I said that after the detestable crime the Comte de Horn + had committed, every one must feel that he was worthy of death; but + that every one could not admit it was necessary to break him on the + wheel, in order to satisfy the ends of justice. I showed him how the + family would suffer if this sentence were carried out, and I concluded + by proposing to the Regent a 'mezzo termine', such as he was so fond + of. + </p> + <p> + I suggested that the decree ordering death by the wheel should be + pronounced. That another decree should at the same time be prepared + and kept ready signed and sealed, with only a date to fill in, + revoking the first, and changing the punishment into decapitation. + That at the last moment this second decree should be produced, and + immediately afterwards the head of the Comte de Horn be cut off. M. le + Duc d'Orleans offered no objection, but consented at once to my plan. + I said to him, by way of conclusion, that I was going to set out the + next day, and that I begged him not to be shaken in the determination + he had just formed, by the entreaties of Dubois or Law, both of whom + were strongly in favour of punishment by the wheel. He assured me he + would keep firm; reiterated the assurance; I took leave of him; and + the next day went to La Ferme. + </p> + <p> + He was firm, however, in his usual manner. Dubois and Law besieged + him, and led the attack so well that he gave in, and the first thing I + learnt at La Ferme was that the Comte de Horn had been broken alive on + the wheel at the Greve, on Holy Friday; the 26th March, 1720, about 4 + o'clock in the afternoon, and the scoundrel Mille with him on the same + scaffold, after having both suffered torture. + </p> + <p> + The result of this was as I anticipated. The Horn family and all the + grand nobility of the Low Countries, many of Germany, were outraged, + and contained themselves neither in words nor in writings. Some of + them even talked of strange vengeance, and a long time after the death + of M. le Duc d'Orleans, I met with certain of the gentlemen upon whose + hearts the memory of this punishment still weighed heavily. + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0121" id="link2H_4_0121"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VOLUME 14 + </h2> + <a name="link2HCH0105" id="link2HCH0105"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER CV + </h2> + <p> + For a long time a species of war had been declared between the King of + England and his son, the Prince of Wales, which had caused much + scandal; and which had enlisted the Court on one side, and made much + stir in the Parliament. George had more than once broken out with + indecency against his son; he had long since driven him from the + palace, and would not see him. He had so cut down his income that he + could scarcely subsist. The father never could endure this son, + because he did not believe him to be his own. He had more than + suspected the Duchess, his wife, to be in relations with Count + Konigsmarck. He surprised him one morning leaving her chamber; threw + him into a hot oven, and shut up his wife in a chateau for the rest of + her days. The Prince of Wales, who found himself ill- treated for a + cause of which he was personally innocent, had always borne with + impatience the presence of his mother and the aversion of his father. + The Princess of Wales, who had much sense, intelligence, grace, and + art, had softened things as much as possible; and the King was unable + to refuse her his esteem, or avoid loving her. She had conciliated all + England; and her Court, always large, boasted of the presence of the + most accredited and the most distinguished persons. The Prince of + Wales feeling his strength, no longer studied his father, and blamed + the ministers with words that at least alarmed them. They feared the + credit of the Princess of Wales; feared lest they should be attacked + by the Parliament, which often indulges in this pleasure. These + considerations became more and more pressing as they discovered what + was brewing against them; plans such as would necessarily have + rebounded upon the King. They communicated their fears to him, and + indeed tried to make it up with his son, on certain conditions, + through the medium of the Princess of Wales, who, on her side, felt + all the consciousness of sustaining a party against the King, and who + always had sincerely desired peace in the royal family. She profited + by this conjuncture; made use of the ascendency she had over her + husband, and the reconciliation was concluded. The King gave a large + sum to the Prince of Wales, and consented to see him. The ministers + were saved, and all appeared forgotten. + </p> + <p> + The excess to which things had been carried between father and son had + not only kept the entire nation attentive to the intestine disorders + ready to arise, but had made a great stir all over Europe; each power + tried to blow this fire into a blaze, or to stifle it according as + interest suggested. The Archbishop of Cambrai, whom I shall continue + to call the Abbe Dubois, was just then very anxiously looking out for + his cardinal's hat, which he was to obtain through the favour of + England, acting upon that of the Emperor with the Court of Rome. + Dubois, overjoyed at the reconciliation which had taken place, wished + to show this in a striking manner, in order to pay his court to the + King of England. He named, therefore, the Duc de la Force to go to + England, and compliment King George on the happy event that had + occurred. + </p> + <p> + The demonstration of joy that had been resolved on in France was soon + known in England. George, annoyed by the stir that his domestic + squabbles had made throughout all Europe, did not wish to see it + prolonged by the sensation that this solemn envoy would cause. He + begged the Regent, therefore, not to send him one. As the scheme had + been determined on only order to please him, the journey of the Duc de + la Force was abandoned almost as soon as declared. Dubois had the + double credit, with the King of England, of having arranged this + demonstration of joy, and of giving it up; in both cases solely for + the purpose of pleasing his Britannic Majesty. + </p> + <p> + Towards the end of this year, 1720, the Duc de Brissac married Mlle. + Pecoil, a very rich heiress, whose father was a 'maitre des requetes', + and whose mother was daughter of Le Gendre, a very wealthy merchant of + Rouen. The father of Mlle. Pecoil was a citizen of Lyons, a wholesale + dealer, and extremely avaricious. He had a large iron safe, or strong- + box, filled with money, in a cellar, shut in by an iron door, with a + secret lock, and to arrive at which other doors had to be passed + through. He disappeared so long one day, that his wife and two or + three valets or servants that he had sought him everywhere. They well + knew that he had a hiding-place, because they had sometimes seen him + descending into his cellar, flat-candlestick in hand, but no one had + ever dared to follow him. + </p> + <p> + Wondering what had become of him, they descended to the cellar, broke + open the doors, and found at last the iron one. They were obliged to + send for workmen to break it open, by attacking the wall in which it + was fixed. After much labour they entered, and found the old miser + dead in his strong-box, the secret spring of which he had apparently + not been able to find, after having locked himself in; a horrible end + in every respect. + </p> + <p> + The Brissacs have not been very particular in their alliances for some + time, and yet appear no richer. The gold flies away; the dross + remains. + </p> + <p> + I had almost forgotten to say that in the last day of this year, 1720, + a Prince of Wales was born at Rome. + </p> + <p> + The Prince was immediately baptised by the Bishop; of Montefiascone, + and named Charles. The event caused a great stir in the Holy City. The + Pope sent his compliments to their Britannic Majesties, and forwarded + to the King of England (the Pretender) 10,000 Roman crowns, gave him, + for his life, a country house at Albano, which until then, he had only + lent him, and 2000 crowns to furnish it. A Te Deum was sung in the + chapel of the Pope, in his presence, and there were rejoicings at + Rome. When the Queen of England was able to see company, Cardinal + Tanora came in state, as representative of the Sacred College, to + congratulate her. + </p> + <p> + The birth of the Prince also made much stir at the Court of England, + and among the priests and Jacobites of that country. For very + different reasons, not only the Catholics and Protestants, enemies of + the government, were ravished at it, but nearly all the three realms + showed as much joy as they dared; not from any attachment to the + dethroned house, but for the satisfaction of seeing a line continue + with which they could always menace and oppose their kings and the + royal family. + </p> + <a name="image-0009" id="image-0009"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img src="images/p1208.jpg" + alt="Jacobites Drinking to the Pretender--painted by F. Willems " + width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <!-- IMAGE END --> + <p> + In France we were afraid to show any public feeling upon the event. We + were too much in the hands of England; the Regent and Dubois too much + the humble servants of the house of Hanover; Dubois especially, + waiting, as he was, so anxiously for his cardinal's hat. He did not, + as will be seen, have to wait much longer. + </p> + <p> + The new Pope had given, in writing, a promise to Dubois, that if + elected to the chair of St. Peter he would make him cardinal. Time had + flown, and the promise was not yet fulfilled. The impatience of Dubois + increased with his hopes, and gave him no repose. He was much + bewildered when he learnt that, on the 16th of June, 1721, the Pope + had elevated to the cardinalship; his brother, who for ten years had + been Bishop of Terracine and Benedictine monk of Mount Cassini. Dubois + had expected that no promotion would be made in which he was not + included. But here was a promotion of a single person only. He was + furious; this fury did not last long, however; a month after, that is + to say, on the 16th of July, the Pope made him cardinal with Dion + Alexander Alboni, nephew of the deceased Pope, and brother of the + Cardinal Camarlingue. + </p> + <p> + Dubois received the news and the compliment that followed with extreme + joy, but managed to contain himself with some little decency, and to + give all the honour of his nomination to M. le Duc d'Orleans, who, + sooth to say, had had scarcely anything to do with it. But he could + not prevent himself from saying to everybody that what honoured him + more than the Roman purple was the unanimous eagerness of all the + European powers to procure him this distinction; to press the Pope to + award it; to desire that his promotion would be hastened without + waiting for their nominations. He incessantly blew these reports about + everywhere without ever being out of breath; but nobody was the dupe + of them. + </p> + <p> + Shortly after this, that is, on the last day of July, the King, who + had until then been in perfect health, woke with headache and pain in + the throat; shivering followed, and towards afternoon, the pains in + the head and throat being augmented, he went to bed. I repaired the + next day about twelve to inquire after him. I found he had passed a + bad night, and that within the last two hours he had grown worse. I + saw everywhere consternation. I had the grandes entrees, therefore I + went into his chamber. I found it very empty. M. le Duc d'Orleans, + seated in the chimney corner, looked exceedingly downcast and + solitary. I approached him for a moment, then I went to the King's + bed. At this moment Boulduc, one of the apothecaries, gave him + something to take. The Duchesse de la Ferme, who, through the Duchesse + de Ventadour, her sister, had all the entrees as godmother to the + King, was at the heels of Boulduc, and turning round to see who was + approaching, saw me, and immediately said in a tone neither high nor + low, "He is poisoned! he is poisoned!" + </p> + <p> + "Hold your tongue, Madame," said I. "This is terrible." + </p> + <p> + But she kept on, and spoke so loudly that I feared the King would hear + her. Boulduc and I looked at each other, and I immediately withdrew + from the bed and from this mad woman, with whom I was in no way + familiar. During this illness, which lasted only five days (but of + which the first three were violent) I was much troubled, but at the + same time I was exceedingly glad that I had refused to be the King's + governor, though the Regent had over and over again pressed me to + accept the office. There were too many evil reports in circulation + against M. le Duc d'Orleans for me to dream of filling this position. + For was I not his bosom friend known to have been on the most intimate + terms with him ever since his child hood—and if anything had + happened to excite new suspicions against him, what would not have + been said? The thought of this so troubled me during the King's + illness, that I used to wake in the night with a start, and, oh, what + joy was mine when I remembered that I had not this duty on my head! + </p> + <p> + The malady, as I have said, was not long, and the convalescence was + prompt, which restored tranquillity and joy, and caused an overflow of + Te Deums and rejoicing. Helvetius had all the honour of the cure; the + doctors had lost their heads, he preserved his, and obstinately + proposed bleeding at the foot, at a consultation at which M. le Duc + d'Orleans was present; his advice prevailed, change for the better + immediately took place, cure soon after. + </p> + <p> + The Marechal de Villeroy (the King's governor) did not let slip this + occasion for showing all his venom and his baseness; he forgot + nothing, left nothing undone in order to fix suspicion upon M. le Duc + d'Orleans, and thus pay his court to the robe. No magistrate, however + unimportant, could come to the Tuileries whom he did not himself go to + with the news of the King and caresses; whilst to the first nobles he + was inaccessible. The magistrates of higher standing he allowed to + enter at all times into the King's chamber, even to stand by his bed + in order to see him, while they who had the 'grandes entrees' with + difficulty enjoyed a similar privilege. + </p> + <p> + He did the same during the first days of convalescence, which he + prolonged as much as possible, in order to give the same distinction + to the magistrates, come at what time they might, and privately to the + great people of the Court and the ambassadors. He fancied himself a + tribune of the people, and aspired to their favour and their dangerous + power. From this he turned to other affectations which had the same + aim against M. le Duc d'Orleans. He multiplied the Te Deums that he + induced the various ranks of petty officers of the King to have sung + on different days and in different churches; he attended all, took + with him as many people as he could, and for six weeks continued this + game. A Te Deum was sung in every church in Paris. He spoke of nothing + else, and above the real joy he felt at the King's recovery, he put on + a false one which had a party smell about it, and which avowed designs + not to be mistaken. + </p> + <p> + The King went in state to Notre Dame and Saint Genevieve to thank God. + These mummeries, thus prolonged, extended to the end of August and the + fete Saint-Louis. Each year there, is on that day a concert in the + garden. The Marechal de Villeroy took care that on this occasion, the + concert should become a species of fete, to which he added a display + of fireworks. Less than this would have been enough to draw the crowd. + It was so great that a pin could not have fallen to the ground through + the mass of people wedged against each other in the garden. The + windows of the Tuileries were ornamented, and were filled with people. + All the roofs of the Carrousel, as well as the Place, were covered + with spectators. + </p> + <p> + The Marechal de Villeroy was in; his element, and importuned the King, + who tried to hide himself in the corners at every moment. The Marechal + took him by the arm, and led him, now to the windows where he could + see the Carrousel, and the houses covered with people; now to those + which looked upon the garden, full of the innumerable crowd waiting + for the fete. Everybody cried 'Vive le Roi!' when he appeared, but had + not the Marechal detained him, he would have run away and hid himself. + </p> + <p> + "Look, my master," the Marechal would say, "all that crowd, all these + people are yours, all belong to you; you are the master of them: look + at them a little therefore, to please them, for they are all yours, + they are all devoted to you." + </p> + <p> + A nice lesson this for a governor to give to a young King, repeating + it every time he leads him to the windows, so fearful is he lest the + boy- sovereign shall forget it! I do not know whether he received + similar lessons from those who had the charge of his education. At + last the Marechal led him upon the terrace, where, beneath a dais, he + heard the end of the concert, and afterwards saw the fireworks. The + lesson of the Marechal de Villeroy, so often and so publicly repeated, + made much stir, and threw but little honour upon him. He himself + experienced the first effect of is fine instruction. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans conducted himself in a manner simple, so prudent, + that he infinitely gained by it. His cares and his reasonable anxiety + were measured; there was much reserve in his conversation, an exact + and sustained attention in his language, and in his countenance, which + allowed nothing to escape him, and which showed as little as possible + that he was the successor to the crown; above all, he never gave cause + for people to believe that he thought the King's illness more or less + serious than it was, or that his hopes were stronger than his fears. + </p> + <p> + He could not but feel that in a conjuncture so critical, all eyes were + fixed upon him, and as in truth he never wished for the crown (however + unlikely the statement may seem), he had no need to constrain himself + in any way, but simply to be measured in his bearing. His conduct was, + in fact, much remarked, and the cabal opposed to him entirely reduced + to silence. Nobody spoke to him upon the event that might happen, not + even his most familiar friends and acquaintances, myself included; and + at this he was much pleased. He acted entirely upon the suggestions of + his own good sense. + </p> + <p> + This was not the first time, let me add, that the Marechal de + Villeroy, in his capacity of governor of the King, had tacitly + insulted M. le Duc d'Orleans. He always, in fact, affected, in the + discharge of his duties, a degree of care, vigilance, and scrutiny, + the object of which was evident. He was particularly watchful of the + food of the King, taking it up with his own hands, and making a great + show of this precaution; as though the King could not have been + poisoned a thousand times over in spite of such ridiculous care. 'Twas + because M. le Duc d'Orleans was vexed with this childish behaviour, so + calculated to do him great injury, that he wished me to supersede the + Marechal de Villeroy as governor of the King. This, as before said, I + would never consent to. As for the Marechal, his absurdities met with + their just reward, but at a date I have not yet come to. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0106" id="link2HCH0106"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER CVI + </h2> + <p> + Before this illness of the King, that is to say, at the commencement + of June, I went one day to work with M, le Duc d'Orleans, and found + him alone, walking up and down the grand apartment. + </p> + <p> + "Holloa! there," said he, as soon as he saw me; then, taking me by the + hand, "I cannot leave you in ignorance of a thing which I desire above + all others, which is of the utmost importance to me, and which will + cause you as much joy as me; but you must keep it profoundly secret." + Then bursting out laughing, "If M. de Cambrai knew that I had told it + to you, he would never pardon me." And he proceeded to state that + perfect reconciliation had been established between himself and the + King and Queen of Spain; that arrangements had been made by which our + young King was to marry the Infanta of Spain, as soon as he should be + old enough; and the Prince of the Asturias (the heir to the Spanish + throne) was to marry Mademoiselle de Chartres, the Regent's daughter. + </p> + <p> + If my joy at this was great, my astonishment was even greater; M. le + Duc d'Orleans embraced me, and the first surprise over, I asked him + how he had contrived to bring about these marriages; above all, that + of his daughter. He replied that it had all been done in a trice by + the Abbe Dubois, who was a regular devil when once he had set his mind + upon anything; that the King of Spain had been transported at the idea + of the King of France marrying the Infanta; and that the marriage of + the Prince of the Asturias had been the 'sine qua non' of the other. + </p> + <p> + After we had well talked over the matter and rejoiced thereon, I said + to the Regent that the proposed marriage of his daughter must be kept + profoundly secret until the moment of her departure for Spain; and + that of the King also, until the time for their execution arrived; so + as to prevent the jealousy of all Europe. At this union, so grand and + so intimate, of the two branches of the royal family, such a union + having always been the terror of Europe and disunion the object of all + its policy—this policy having only too well succeeded—I + urged that the sovereigns must be left as long as possible in the + confidence they had acquired, the Infanta above all, being but three + years old (she was born at Madrid on the morning of the 30th of March, + 1718), by which means the fears of Europe upon the marriage of + Mademoiselle de Chartres with the Prince of the Asturias would be + coloured—the Prince could wait, he having been born in August, + 1707, and being accordingly only fourteen years of age. "You are quite + right," replied M. le Duc d'Orleans, "but this can't be, because in + Spain they wish to make public the declarations of marriage at once, + indeed, as soon as the demand is made and the declaration can be + signed." + </p> + <p> + "What madness!" cried I; "what end can this tocsin have except to + arouse all Europe and put it in movement! They must be made to + understand this, and we must stick to it; nothing is so important." + </p> + <p> + "All this is true," said M. le Duc d'Orleans. "I think exactly like + you, but they are obstinate in Spain; they have wished matters to be + arranged thus, and their wishes have been agreed to. Everything is + arranged, fixed, finished. I am so much interested in the matter that + you surely would not have advised me to break off for this condition." + </p> + <p> + I said of course not, shrugging my shoulders at his unseasonable + impatience. + </p> + <p> + During the discussion which followed, I did not forget to think of + myself, the occasion being so opportune for making the fortunes of my + second son. I remembered then, that as matters were advanced to this + point, a special ambassador must be sent to Spain, to ask the hand of + the Infanta for the King, and to sign the compact of marriage; that + the ambassador must be a nobleman of mark and title, and thus I begged + the Duke to give me this commission, with a recommendation to the King + of Spain, so as to make my second son, the Marquis of Ruffec, grandee + of Spain. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans scarcely allowed me to finish, immediately + accorded me what I had asked, promised me the recommendation with many + expressions of friendship, and asked me to keep the whole matter + secret, and make no preparation that would disclose it. + </p> + <p> + I knew well enough why he enjoined me to secrecy. He wished to have + the time to make Dubois swallow this pill. My thanks expressed, I + asked him two favours; first, not to pay me as an ambassador, but to + give me a round sum sufficient to provide for all my expenses without + ruining myself; second, not to entrust any business to me which might + necessitate a long stay in Spain, inasmuch as I did not wish to quit + him, and wanted to go to Spain simply for the purpose of obtaining the + honour above alluded to for my second son. The fact is, I feared that + Dubois, not being able to hinder my embassy, might keep me in Spain in + a sort of exile, under pretence of business, in order to get rid of me + altogether. Events proved that my precaution was not altogether + useless. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans accorded both the favours I asked, with many + obliging remarks, and a hope that my absence would not be long. I + thought I had then done great things for my family, and went home much + pleased. But, mon Dieu! what are the projects and the successes of + men! + </p> + <p> + Dubois, as I expected, was vexed beyond measure at my embassy, and + resolved to ruin me and throw me into disgrace. I was prepared for + this, and I soon saw it was so. At first, I received from him nothing + but professions of friendship and of attachment for me, + congratulations that M. le Duc d'Orleans had accorded to me an embassy + my merit deserved, and which would be productive of such useful + results for my children. He took care, however, in the midst of these + fine phrases, to introduce not one word upon my arrangements, so that + he might be able to drive me into a corner at the last moment, and + cause me all the inconvenience possible. He slipped through my hands + like an eel until the moment for my departure drew near. As he saw it + approach, he began to preach to me of magnificence, and wished to + enter into details respecting my suite. I described it to him, and + everybody else would have been satisfied, but as his design was to + ruin me, he cried out against it, and augmented it by a third. I + represented to him the excessive expense this augmentation would + cause, the state of the finances, the loss upon the exchange: his sole + reply was that the dignity of the King necessitated this expense and + show; and that his Majesty would bear the charge. I spoke to M. le Duc + d'Orleans, who listened to me with attention, but being persuaded by + the Cardinal, held the same language. + </p> + <p> + This point settled, the Cardinal must needs know how many coats I + should take, and how many I should give to my sons.—in a word, + there was not a single detail of table or stable that he did not enter + into, and that he did not double. My friends exhorted me not to be + obstinate with a man so impetuous, so dangerous, so completely in + possession of M. le Duc d'Orleans, pointing out to me that when once I + was away he might profit by my absence, and that, meanwhile, + everything relating to my embassy must pass through his hands. All + this was only too true. I was obliged, therefore, to yield, although I + felt that, once embarked, the King's purse would be spared at the + expense of mine. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the marriages were declared, I asked to be declared as + ambassador, so that I might openly make my preparations, which, it + will be remembered, I had been forbidden to do. Now that there was no + secret about the marriage, I fancied there need be no secret as to the + ambassador by whom they were to be conducted. I was deceived: Whatever + I might allege, the prohibition remained. The Cardinal wished to put + me to double the necessary expense, by compelling me to have my + liveries, dresses, etc., made in the utmost precipitation; and this + happened. He thought, too, I should not be able to provide myself with + everything in time; and that he might represent this to M. le Duc + d'Orleans, and in Spain, as a fault, and excite envious cries against + me. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, I did not choose to press him: to announce my embassy, + at the same time trying to obtain from him the instructions I was to + receive, and which, passing through him and the Regent done, told + nothing to the public, as my preparations would have done. But I could + not obtain them. Dubois carelessly replied to me, that in one or two + conversations the matter would be exhausted. He wished me to know + nothing, except vaguely; to leave no time for reflection, for + questions, for explanations; and to throw me thus into embarrassments, + and to cause me to commit blunders which he intended to make the most + of. + </p> + <p> + At last, tired of so many and such dangerous postponements, I went on + Tuesday, the 23rd of September, to M. le Duc d'Orleans, arranging my + visit so that it took place when he was in his apartments at the + Tuileries; there I spoke with such effect, that he said I had only to + show myself to the King. He led me to his Majesty at once, and there + and then my embassy was announced. Upon leaving the King's cabinet, M. + le Duc d'Orleans made me jump into his coach, which was waiting for + him, and took me to the Palais Royal, where we began to speak + seriously upon the affairs of my embassy. + </p> + <p> + I fancy that Cardinal Dubois was much annoyed at what had been done, + and that he would have liked to postpone the declaration yet a little + longer. But this now was impossible. The next day people were sent to + work upon my equipments, the Cardinal showing as much eagerness and + impatience respecting them, as he had before shown apathy and + indifference. He urged on the workmen; must needs see each livery and + each coat as it was finished; increased the magnificence of each; and + had all my coats and those of my children sent to him. At last, the + hurry to make me set out was so great, that such of the things as were + ready he sent on by rapid conveyance to Bayonne, at a cost by no means + trifling to me. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal next examined the list of persons I intended to have with + me, and approved it. To my extreme surprise he said, however, that I + must add forty officers of cavalry and infantry, from the regiments of + my sons. I cried out against the madness and the expense of such a + numerous military accompaniment. I represented that it was not usual + for ambassadors, with a peaceful mission, to take with them such an + imposing force by way of escort; I showed that these officers, being + necessarily gay men, might be led away into indiscreet gallantries, + which would give me more trouble than all the business of my embassy. + Nothing could be more evident, true, and reasonable than my + representations, nothing more useless or worse received. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal had resolved to ruin me, and to leave me in Spain with + all the embarrassment, business, and annoyances he could. He rightly + thought that nothing was more likely to make him succeed than to + charge me with forty officers. Not finding them, I took only + twenty-nine, and if the Cardinal succeeded as far as concerned my + purse, I was so fortunate, and these gentlemen were so discreet, that + he succeeded in no other way. + </p> + <p> + Let me add here, before I give the details of my journey to Spain, in + what manner the announcement of these two marriages was received by + the King and the public. + </p> + <p> + His Majesty was by no means gratified when he heard that a wife had + been provided for him. At the first mention of marriage he burst out + crying. The Regent, M. le Duc, and M. de Frejus, had all the trouble + in the world to extract a "yes" from him, and to induce him to attend + the Regency Council, in which it was necessary that he should announce + his consent to the proposed union, or be present while it was + announced for him. The council was held, and the King came to it, his + eyes swollen and red, and his look very serious. + </p> + <p> + Some moments of silence passed, during which M. le Duc d'Orleans threw + his eyes over all the company (who appeared deeply expectant), and + then fixed them on the King, and asked if he might announce to the + council the marriage of his Majesty. The King replied by a dry "yes," + and in a rather low tone, but which was heard by the four or five + people on each side of him, and the Regent immediately announced the + marriage. Then, after taking the opinions of the council, which were + for the most part favorable, he turned towards the King with a smiling + air, as though inviting him to assume the same, and said, "There, + then, Sire, your marriage is approved and passed, and a grand and + fortunate matter finished." The council then broke up. + </p> + <p> + The news of what had taken place immediately ran over all Paris. The + Tuileries and the Palais Royal were soon filled with people who came + to present themselves before the King to compliment him and the Regent + on the conclusion of this grand marriage, and the crowd continued the + following days. The King had much difficulty in assuming some little + gaiety the first day, but on the morrow he was less sombre, and by + degrees he quite recovered himself. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans took care not to announce the marriage of his + daughter with the Prince of the Asturias at the same time that the + other marriage was announced. He declared it, however, the next day, + and the news was received with the utmost internal vexation by the + cabal opposed to him. Men, women, people of all conditions who + belonged to that cabal, lost all countenance. It was a pleasure to me, + I admit, to look upon them. They were utterly disconcerted. + Nevertheless, after the first few days of overthrow, they regained + courage, and set to work in order to break off both the marriages. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0107" id="link2HCH0107"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER CVII + </h2> + <p> + I have already said that Dubois looked most unfavourably upon my + embassy to Spain, and that I saw he was determined to do all in his + power to throw obstacles in its way. I had fresh proofs of this. + First, before my departure: when he gave me my written instructions, + he told me that in Spain I must take precedence of everybody during + the signing of the King's contract of marriage, and at the chapel, at + the two ceremonies of the marriage of the Prince of the Asturias, + allowing no one to be before me! + </p> + <p> + I represented to him that the Pope's nuncio would be present, and that + to him the ambassadors of France gave place everywhere, and even the + ambassadors of the Emperor also, who, without opposition, preceded + those of the King. He replied that that was true, except in special + cases like the present, and that his instructions must be obeyed: My + surprise was great at so strange an order. I tried to move him by + appealing to his pride; asking him how I should manage with a + cardinal, if one happened to be present, and with the majordomo-major, + who corresponds, but in a very superior degree, with our grand master + of France. He flew in a rage, and declared that I must precede the + majordomo-major also; that there would be no difficulty in doing so; + and that, as to the cardinals, I should find none. I shrugged my + shoulders, and begged him to think of the matter. Instead of replying, + to me, he said he had forgotten to acquaint me with a most essential + particular: it was, that I must take care not to visit anybody until I + had been first visited. + </p> + <p> + I replied that the visiting question had not been forgotten in my + instructions, and that those instructions were to the effect that I + should act in this respect as the Duc de Saint-Aignan had acted, and + that the usage he had followed was to pay the first visit to the + Minister of Foreign Affairs, and to the Councillors of State (when + there were any), who are the same as are known here under the name of + ministers. Thereupon he broke out afresh, prated, talked about the + dignity of the King, and did not allow me the opportunity of saying + another word. I abridged my visit, therefore, and went away. + </p> + <p> + However strange might appear to me these verbal orders of such a new + kind, I thought it best to speak to the Duc de Saint-Aignan and Amelot + on the subject, so as to convince myself of their novelty. Both these + ambassadors, as well as those who had preceded them, had visited in an + exactly opposite manner; and they thought it extravagant that I should + precede the nuncio, no matter where. Amelot told me, moreover, that I + should suffer all sorts of annoyances, and succeed in nothing, if I + refused the first visit to the Minister of Foreign Affairs; that as + for the Councillors of State, they existed only in name, the office + having fallen into desuetude; and that I must pay other visits to + certain officers he named (three in number), who would be justly + offended and piqued if I refused them what every one who had preceded + me had rendered them. He added that I had better take good care to do + so, unless I wished to remain alone in my house, and have the cold + shoulder turned upon me by every principal person of the Court. + </p> + <p> + By this explanation of Amelot I easily comprehended the reason of + these singular verbal orders. The Cardinal wished to secure my failure + in Spain, and my disgrace in France: in Spain by making me offend at + the outset all the greatest people and the minister through whose + hands all my business would pass; draw upon myself thus complaints + here, which, as I had no written orders to justify my conduct, he + (Dubois) would completely admit the justice of, and then disavow me, + declaring he had given me exactly opposite orders. If I did not + execute what he had told me, I felt that he would accuse me of + sacrificing the King's honour and the dignity of the Crown, in order + to please in Spain, and obtain thus honours for myself and my sons, + and that he would prohibit the latter to. accept them. There would + have been less uproar respecting the nuncio; but if I preceded him, + Dubois felt persuaded that the Court of Rome would demand justice; and + this justice in his hands would have been a shameful recall. + </p> + <p> + My position appeared so difficult, that I resolved to leave nothing + undone in order to change it. I thought M. le Duc d'Orleans would not + resist the evidence I should bring forward, in order to show the + extraordinary nature of Dubois' verbal instructions: I deceived + myself. It was in vain that I spoke to M. le Duc d'Orleans. I found + nothing but feebleness under the yoke of a master; by which I judged + how much I could hope for during my absence. Several times I argued + with him and the Cardinal; but in vain. They both declared that if + preceding ambassadors had paid the first visits, that was no example + for me, in an embassy so solemn and distinguished as that I was about + to execute. I represented that, however solemn and however + distinguished might be my embassy, it gave me no rank superior to that + of extraordinary ambassadors, and that I could claim none. Useless! + useless! To my arguments there was no reply, but obstinacy prevailed; + and I clearly saw the extreme malignity of the valet, and the + unspeakable weakness of the master. It was for me to manage as I + could. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal now began ardently to press my departure; and, in fact, + there was no more time to lose. He unceasingly hurried on the workmen + who were making all that I required,—vexed, perhaps, that being + in such prodigious number, he could not augment them. There was + nothing more for him to do but to give me the letters with which I was + to be charged. He delayed writing them until the last moment previous + to my departure, that is to say; the very evening before I started; + the reason will soon be seen. The letters were for their Catholic + Majesties, for the Queen Dowager at Bayonne, and for the Prince of the + Asturias; letters from the King and from the Duc d'Orleans. But before + giving them to me, the Regent said he would write two letters to the + Prince of the Asturias, both alike, except in this respect, that in + the one he would address the Prince as "nephew," and in the other as + "brother and nephew," and that I was to try and deliver the latter, + which he passionately wished; but that if I found too much difficulty + in doing so, I must not persevere but deliver the former instead. + </p> + <p> + I had reason to believe that here was another plot of Dubois, to cause + me trouble by embroiling me with M. le Duc d'Orleans. The Regent was + the last man in the world to care for these formalities. The Prince of + the Asturias was son of the King and heir to the Crown, and, in + consequence, of the rank of a son of France. In whatever way regarded, + M. le Duc d'Orleans was extremely inferior in rank to him; and it was + something new and adventurous to treat him on terms of equality. This, + however, is what I was charged with, and I believe, in the firm hope + of Cardinal Dubois that I should fail, and that he might profit by my + failure. + </p> + <p> + Finally, on the morning of the day before my departure, all the papers + with which I was to be charged were brought to me. I will not give the + list of them. But among these letters there was none from the King to + the Infanta! I thought they had forgotten to put it with the others. I + said so to the persons who brought them to me. What was my surprise + when they told me that the letter was not written, but that I would + have it in the course of the day. + </p> + <p> + This appeared so strange to me, that my mind was filled with + suspicion. I spoke of the letter to the Cardinal and to M. le Duc + d'Orleans, who assured me that I should have it in the evening. At + midnight it had not arrived. I wrote to the Cardinal. Finally I set + out without it. He wrote to me, saying I should receive it before + arriving at Bayonne; but nothing less. I wrote him anew. He replied to + me, saying that I should have it before I arrived at Madrid. A letter + from the King to the Infanta was not difficult to write; I could not + doubt, therefore, that there was some design in this delay. Whatever + it might be, I could not understand it, unless the intention was to + send the letter afterwards, and make me pass for a heedless fellow who + had lost the first. + </p> + <p> + Dubois served me another most impudent turn, seven or eight days + before my departure. He sent word to me, by his two devoted slaves, Le + Blanc and Belleisle, that as he had the foreign affairs under his + charge, he must have the post, which he would not and could not any + longer do without; that he knew I was the intimate friend of Torcy + (who had the post in his department), whose resignation he desired; + that he begged me to write to Torcy, and send my letter to him by an + express courier to Sable (where he had gone on an excursion); that he + should see by my conduct on this occasion, and its success, in what + manner he could count upon me, and that he should act towards me + accordingly. To this his two slaves added all they could to persuade + me to comply, assuring me that Dubois would break off my embassy if I + did not do as he wished. I did not for a moment doubt, after what I + had seen of the inconceivable feebleness of M. le Duc d'Orleans, that + Dubois was really capable of thus affronting and thwarting me, or that + I should have no aid from the Regent. At the same time I resolved to + run all hazards rather than lend myself to an act of violence against + a friend, so sure; so sage, and so virtuous, and who had served the + state with such reputation, and deserved so well of it. + </p> + <p> + I replied therefore to these gentlemen that I thought the commission + very strange, and much more so their reasoning of it; that Torcy was + not a man from whom an office of this importance could be taken unless + he wished to give it up; that all I could do was to ask him if he + wished to resign, and if so, on what conditions; that as to exhorting + him to resign, I could do nothing of the kind, although I was not + ignorant of what this refusal might cost me and my embassy. They tried + in vain to reason with me; all they could obtain was this firm + resolution. + </p> + <p> + Castries and his brother, the Archbishop, were intimate friends of + Torcy and of myself. I sent for them to come to me in the midst of the + tumult of my departure. They immediately came, and I related to them + what had just happened. They were more indignant at the manner and the + moment, than at the thing itself; for Torcy knew that sooner or later + the Cardinal would strip him of the post for his own benefit. They + extremely praised my reply, exhorted me to send word to Torcy, who was + on the point of departing from Sable, or had departed, and who would + make his own terms with M. le Duc d'Orleans much more advantageously, + present, than absent. I read to them the letter I had written to + Torcy, while waiting for them, which they much approved, and which I + at once despatched. + </p> + <p> + Torcy of himself, had hastened his return. My courier found him with + his wife in the Parc of Versailles, having passed by the Chartres + route. He read my letter, charged the courier with many compliments + for me (his wife did likewise), and told me to say he would see me the + next day. I informed M. Castries of his arrival. We all four met the + next day. Torcy warmly appreciated my conduct, and, to his death, we + lived on terms of the greatest intimacy, as may be imagined when I say + that he committed to me his memoirs (these he did not write until long + after the death of M. le Duc d'Orleans), with which I have connected + mine. He did not seem to care for the post, if assured of an + honourable pension. + </p> + <p> + I announced then his return to Dubois, saying it would be for him and + M. le Duc d'Orleans to make their own terms with him, and get out of + the matter in this way. Dubois, content at seeing by this that Torcy + consented to resign the post, cared not how, so that the latter made + his own arrangements, and all passed off with the best grace on both + sides. Torcy had some money and 60,000 livres pension during life, and + 20,000 for his wife after him. This was arranged before my departure + and was very well carried out afterwards. + </p> + <p> + A little while after the declaration of the marriage, the Duchesse de + Ventadour and Madame de Soubise, her granddaughter, had been named, + the one governess of the Infanta, the other successor to the office; + and they were both to go and meet her at the frontier, and bring her + to Paris to the Louvre, where she was to be lodged a little while + after the declaration of my embassy: the Prince de Rohan, her + son-in-law, had orders to go and make the exchange of the Princesses + upon the frontier, with the people sent by the King of Spain to + perform the same function. I had never had any intimacy with them, + though we were not on bad terms. But these Spanish commissions caused + us to visit each other with proper politeness. I forgot to say so + earlier and in the proper place. + </p> + <p> + At last, viz., on the 23rd of October, 1721, I set out, having with me + the Comte de Lorge, my children, the Abbe de Saint-Simon, and his + brother, and many others. The rest of the company joined me at Blaye. + We slept at Orleans, at Montrichard; and at Poictiers. On arriving at + Conte my berline broke down. This caused a delay of three hours, and I + did not arrive at Ruffec until nearly midnight. Many noblemen of the + neighbourhood were waiting for me there, and I entertained them at + dinner and supper during the two days I stayed. I experienced real + pleasure in embracing Puy-Robert, who was lieutenant-colonel of the + Royal Roussillon Regiment when I was captain. + </p> + <p> + From Ruffec I went in two days to La Cassine, a small house at four + leagues from Blaye, which my father had built on the borders of his + marshes of Blaye, and which I felt much pleasure in visiting; I + stopped there during All Saints' Day and the evening before, and the + next day I early betook myself to Blaye again, where I sojourned two + days. I found several persons of quality there, many of the nobility + of the country and of the adjoining provinces, and Boucher, Intendant + of Bordeaux, brother- in-law of Le Blanc, who was waiting for me, and + whom I entertained with good cheer morning and evening during this + short stay. + </p> + <p> + We crossed to Bordeaux in the midst of such bad weather that everybody + pressed me to delay the trip; but I had so few, days at my command + that I did not accede to their representations. Boucher had brought + his brigantine magnificently equipped, and boats enough to carry over + all my company, most of whom went with us. The view of the port and + the town of Bordeaux surprised me, with more than three hundred ships + of all nations ranged in two lines upon my passage, decked out in all + their finery, and with a great noise from their cannons and those of + the Chateau Trompette. + </p> + <p> + Bordeaux is too well known to need description at my hands: I will + simply say that after Constantinople it presents the finest view of + any other port. Upon landing we received many compliments, and found + many carriages, which conducted us to the Intendant's house, where the + Jurats came to compliment me in state dress. I invited them to supper + with. me, a politeness they did not expect, and which they appeared to + highly appreciate. I insisted upon going to see the Hotel de Ville, + which is amazingly ugly, saying to the Jurats that it was not to + satisfy my curiosity, but in order to pay a visit to them, that I + went. This extremely pleased. + </p> + <p> + After thanking M. and Madame Boucher for their attention, we set out + again, traversed the great Landes, and reached in due time Bayonne. + The day after my arrival there, I had an audience with the Queen + Dowager of Spain. I was astonished upon arriving at her house. It had + only two windows in front, looked upon a little court, and had but + trifling depth. The room I entered was very plainly furnished. I found + the Queen, who was waiting for me, accompanied by the Duchesse de + Linorez and very few other persons. I complimented her in the name of + the King, and presented to her his letter. Nothing could be more + polite than her bearing towards me. + </p> + <p> + Passing the Pyrenees, I quitted with France, rain and bad weather, and + found a clear sky, a charming temperature, with views and perspectives + which changed at each moment, and which were not less charming. We + were all mounted upon mules, the pace of which is good but easy. I + turned a little out of my way to visit Loyola, famous by the birth of + Saint Ignatius, and situated all alone in a narrow valley. We found + there four or five Jesuits, very polite and instructed, who took care + of the prodigious building erected there for more than a hundred + Jesuits and numberless scholars. A church was there nearly finished, + of rotunda shape, of a grandeur and size which surprised me. Gold, + painting, sculpture, the richest ornaments of all kinds, are + distributed everywhere with prodigality but taste. The architecture is + correct and admirable, the marble is most exquisite; jasper, porphyry, + lapis, polished, wreathed, and fluted columns, with their capitals and + their ornaments of gilded bronze, a row of balconies between each + altar with little steps of marble to ascend them, and the cage + encrusted; the altars and that which accompanied them admirable. In a + word, the church was one of the most superb edifices in Europe, the + best kept up, and the most magnificently adorned. We took there the + best chocolate I ever tasted, and, after some hours of curiosity and + admiration, we regained our road. + </p> + <p> + On the 15th, we arrived at Vittoria, where I found a deputation of the + province, whom I invited to supper, and the next day to breakfast. + They spoke French and I was surprised to see Spaniards so gay and such + good company at table. Joy on account of my journey burst out in every + place through which I passed in France and Spain, and obtained for me + a good reception. At Salinas, among other towns which I passed through + without stopping, ladies, who, to judge by their houses and by + themselves, appeared to me to be quality folks, asked me with such + good grace to let them see the man who was bringing happiness to + Spain, that I thought it would only be proper gallantry to enter their + dwellings. They appeared ravished, and I had all the trouble in the + world to get rid of them, and to continue my road. + </p> + <p> + I arrived on the 18th at Burgos, where I meant to stay at least one + day, to see what turn would take a rather strong fever which had + seized my eldest son; but I was so pressed to hasten on that I was + obliged to leave my son behind with nearly all his attendants. + </p> + <p> + I left Burgos therefore on the 19th. We found but few relays, and + those ill-established. We travelled night and day without going to + bed, until we reached Madrid, using such vehicles as we could obtain. + I performed the last twelve leagues on a posthorse, which cost twice + as much as in France. In this manner we arrived in Madrid on Friday, + the 21st, at eleven o'clock at night. + </p> + <p> + We found at the entrance of the town (which has neither gates nor + walls, neither barriers nor faubourgs,) people on guard, who asked us + who we were, and whence we came. They had been placed there expressly + so as to know the moment of my arrival. As I was much fatigued by + travelling incessantly from Burgos without stopping, I replied that we + were the people of the Ambassador of France, who would arrive the next + day. + </p> + <p> + I learnt afterwards, that the minister had calculated that I could not + reach Madrid before the 22d. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0108" id="link2HCH0108"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER CVIII + </h2> + <p> + Early the next morning I received a visit from Grimaldo, Minister of + Foreign Affairs, who, overjoyed at my arrival, had announced it to + their Catholic Majesties before coming to me. Upon his example, + apparently, the three other ministers, whom, according to usage, I + ought to have visited first, came also; so that one infamous + difficulty which Cardinal Dubois had placed in my path was happily + overcome without effort on my part. + </p> + <p> + Grimaldo at once conducted me to the palace, and introduced me to the + King. I made a profound reverence to him; he testified to me his joy + at my arrival, and asked me for news of the King, of M. le Duc + d'Orleans, of my journey, and of my eldest son, whom, as he knew, I + had left behind at Burgos. He then entered alone into the Cabinet of + the Mirrors. I was instantly surrounded by all the Court with + compliments and indications of joy at the marriages and union of the + crowns. Nearly all the seigneurs spoke French, and I had great + difficulty in replying to their numberless compliments. + </p> + <p> + A half quarter of an hour after the King had entered his cabinet, he + sent for me. I entered alone into the Hall of Mirrors, which is very + vast, but much less wide than long. The King, with the Queen on his + left, was nearly at the bottom of the salon, both their Majesties + standing and touching each other. I approached with three profound + reverences, and I will remark, once for all, that the King never + covers himself except at public audiences, and when he goes to and + comes from his mass. The audience lasted half an hour, and was + principally occupied, on the part of the King and Queen, with + compliments and expressions of joy at the marriages that were to take + place. At its close, the Queen asked me if I would like to see the + children, and conducted me to them. + </p> + <p> + I never saw prettier boys than Don Carlos and Don Ferdinand, nor a + prettier babe than Don Philip. The King and Queen took pleasure in + making me look at them, and in making them turn and walk before me + with very good grace. Their Majesties entered afterwards into the + Infanta's chamber, where I tried to exhibit as much gallantry as + possible. In fact, the Infanta was charming-like a little woman—and + not at all embarrassed. The Queen said to me that she already had + begun to learn French, and the King that she would soon forget Spain. + </p> + <p> + "Oh!" cried the Queen, "not only Spain, but the King and me, so as to + attach herself to the King, her husband, alone." Upon this I tried not + to remain dumb, and to say what was appropriate. Their Majesties + dismissed me with much goodness, and I was again encircled by the + crowd with many compliments. + </p> + <p> + A few moments after the King recalled me, in order to see the Prince + of the Asturias, who was with their Majesties in the same Hall of + Mirrors. I found him tall, and really made to be painted; fine + light-brown hair, light fresh-coloured complexion, long face, but + agreeable; good eyes, but too near the nose. I found in him also much + grace and politeness. He particularly asked after the King, M. le Duc + d'Orleans, and Mademoiselle de Montpensier, to whom he was to be + betrothed. + </p> + <p> + Their Catholic Majesties testified much satisfaction to me at the + diligence I had used; said that a single day would be sufficient for + the ceremonies that had to be gone through (demanding the hand of the + Infanta, according it, and signing the marriage contract). Afterwards + they asked me when all would be ready. I replied it would be any day + they pleased; because, as they wished to go into the country, I + thought it would be best to throw no delay in their path. They + appeared much pleased at this reply, but would not fix the day, upon + which I proposed the following Tuesday. Overjoyed at this promptness, + they fixed the Thursday for their departure, and left me with the best + possible grace. + </p> + <p> + I had got over one difficulty, as I have shown, that connected with + the first visits, but I had others yet to grapple with. And first, + there was my embarrassment at finding no letter for the Infanta. I + confided this fact to Grimaldo, who burst out laughing, was to have my + first audience with the Infanta the next day, and it was then that the + letter ought to be produced. Grimaldo said he would arrange so that + when I—went, the governess should come into the antechamber, and + say that the Infanta was asleep, and upon offering to awake her, I + should refuse to allow her, take my leave, and wait until the letter + from the King arrived before I visited her again. Everything happened + just as it had been planned, and thus the second obstacle which the + crafty and malicious Cardinal had put in my path, for the sake of + overturning me, was quietly got over. Grimaldo's kindness encouraged + me to open my heart under its influence. I found that the Spanish + minister knew, quite as, well as I did, what manner of person Dubois + was. + </p> + <p> + On Sunday, the 23rd, I had in the morning my first private audience of + the King and Queen, together, in the Hall of Mirrors, which is the + place where they usually give it. I was accompanied by Maulevrier, our + ambassador. I presented to their Catholic Majesties the Comte de + Lorge, the Comte de Cereste, my second son, and the Abbe de + Saint-Simon and his bother. I received many marks of goodness from the + Queen in this audience. + </p> + <p> + On Tuesday, the 25th of November, I had my solemn audience. I went to + the palace in a magnificent coach, belonging to the King, drawn by + eight grey horses, admirably dappled. There were no postillions, and + the coachman drove me, his hat under his arm. Five of my coaches + filled with my suite followed, and about twenty others (belonging to + noblemen of the Court, and sent by them in order to do me honour), + with gentlemen in each. The King's coach was surrounded by my + musicians, liveried servants on foot, and by officers of my household. + On arriving at the open place in front of the palace, I thought myself + at the Tuileries. The regiments of Spanish guards, clad, officers and + soldiers, like the French guards, and the regiment of the Walloon + guards, clad, officers and, soldiers, like the Swiss guards, were + under arms; the flags waved, the drums beat, and the officers saluted + with the half-pike. On the way, the streets were filled with people, + the shops with dealers and artisans, all the windows were crowded. Joy + showed itself on every face, and we heard nothing but benedictions. + </p> + <p> + The audience passed off admirably. I asked the hand of the Infanta in + marriage on the part of the King; my request was graciously complied + with, compliments passed on both sides, and I returned to my house, + well pleased with the reception I had met with from both their + Catholic Majesties. + </p> + <p> + There was still the marriage contract to be signed, and this was to + take place in the afternoon. Here was to be my great trial, for the + majordomo-major and the nuncio of the Pope were to be present at the + ceremony, and, according to the infamous and extraordinary + instructions I had received from Dubois, I was to precede them! How + was this to be done? I had to bring all my ingenuity to bear upon the + subject in order to determine. In the embarrassment I felt upon this + position, I was careful to affect the most marked attention to the + nuncio and the majordomo-major every time I met them and visited them; + so as to take from them all idea that I wished to precede them, when I + should in reality do so. + </p> + <p> + The place the majordomo-major was to occupy at this ceremony was + behind the King's armchair, a little to the right, so as to allow room + for the captain of the guards on duty; to put myself there would be to + take his place, and push the captain of the guards away, and those + near him. The place of the nuncio was at the side of the King, his + face to the armchair; to take it would have been to push him beyond + the arm of the chair, which assuredly he would no more have submitted + to than the majordomo-major on the other side. I resolved, therefore, + to hazard a middle term; to try and introduce myself at the top of the + right arm of the chair, a little sideways, so as to take the place of + neither, entirely; but, nevertheless, to drive them out, and to cover + this with an air of ignorance and of simplicity; and, at the same + time, of eagerness, of joy, of curiosity, of courtier-like desire to + speak to the King as much as possible: and all this I exactly + executed, in appearance stupidly, and in reality very successfully! + </p> + <p> + When the time for the audience arrived, I took up my position, + accordingly, in the manner I have indicated. The majordomo-major and + the nuncio entered, and finding me thus placed, and speaking to the + King, appeared much surprised. I heard Signor and Sefor repeated right + and left of me, and addressed to me—for both expressed + themselves with difficulty in French—and I replied with bows to + one and to the other with the smiling air of a man entirely absorbed + in joy at his functions, and who understands nothing of what is meant; + then I recommenced my conversation with the King, with a sort of + liberty and enthusiasm, so that the nuncio and majordomo-major: soon + grew tired of appealing to a man whose spirit was so transported that + he no longer knew where he was, or what was said to him. In this + manner I defeated the craft, cunning, and maliciousness of Dubois. At + the conclusion of the ceremony, I accompanied the King and Queen to + the door of the Hall of Mirrors, taking good care then to show every + deference to the majordomo-major and the nuncio, and yielding place to + them, in order to remove any impression from their minds that I had + just acted in a contrary manner from design. As soon as their Catholic + Majesties had departed, and the door of the salon was closed upon + them, I was encircled and, so to speak, almost stifled by the company + present, who, one after the other, pressed upon me with the greatest + demonstrations of joy and a thousand compliments. I returned home + after the ceremony, which had lasted a long time. While I occupied my + stolen position I was obliged, in order to maintain it, to keep up an + incessant conversation with the King, and at last, no longer knowing + what to talk about, I asked him for an audience the next day, which he + readily accorded me. But this direct request was contrary to the usage + of the Court, where the ambassadors, the other foreign ministers, and + the subjects of the country of, whatever rank, address their requests + to an officer who is appointed to receive them, who communicates with + the King, and names the day and the hour when his Majesty will grant + the interview. + </p> + <p> + Grimaldo, a little after the end of ceremony, had gone to work with + the King and Queen, as was customary.—I was surprised, an hour + after returning home, to receive a letter from this minister, asking + me if I had anything to say to the King I did not wish the Queen to + hear, referring to the audience I had asked of the King for the + morrow, and begging me to tell him what it was for. I replied to him + instantly, that having found the opportunity good I had asked for this + audience; but if I had not mentioned the Queen, it was because I had + imagined she was so accustomed to be present that there was no + necessity to allude to her: but as to the rest, I had my thanks to + offer to the King upon what had just passed, and nothing to say to him + that I should not wish to say to the Queen, and that I should be very + sorry if she were not present. + </p> + <p> + As I was writing this reply, Don Gaspard Giron invited me to go and + see the illuminations of the Place Mayor. I quickly finished my + letter; we jumped into a coach, and the principal people of my suite + jumped into others. We were conducted by detours to avoid the light of + the illuminations in approaching them, and we arrived at a fine house + which looks upon the middle of the Place, and which is that where the + King and Queen go to see the fetes that take place. We perceived no + light in descending or in ascending the staircase. Everything had been + closed, but on entering into the chamber which looks upon the Place, + we were dazzled, and immediately we entered the balcony speech failed + me, from surprise, for more than seven or eight minutes. + </p> + <p> + This Place is superficially much vaster than any I had ever seen in + Paris or elsewhere, and of greater length than breadth. The five + stories of the houses which surround it are all of the same level; + each has windows at equal distance, and of equal size, with balconies + as deep as they are long, guarded by iron balustrades, exactly alike + in every case. Upon each of these balconies two torches of white wax + were placed, one at each end of the balcony, supported upon the + balustrade, slightly leaning outwards, and attached to nothing. The + light that this—gives is incredible; it has a splendour and a + majesty about it that astonish you and impress you. The smallest type + can be read in the middle of the Place, and all about, though the + ground-floor is not illuminated. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I appeared upon the balcony, all the people beneath + gathered round and began to cry, Senor! tauro! tauro! The people were + asking me to obtain for them a bull-fight, which is what they like + best in the world, and what the King had not permitted for several + years from conscientious principles. Therefore I contented myself the + next day with simply telling him of these cries, without asking any + questions thereon, while expressing to him my astonishment at an + illumination so surprising and so admirable. + </p> + <p> + Don Gaspard Giron and the Spaniards who were with me in the house from + which I saw the illumination, charmed with the astonishment I had + displayed at this spectacle, published it abroad with all the more + pleasure because they were not accustomed to the admiration of the + French, and many noblemen spoke of it to me with great pleasure. + Scarcely had I time to return home and sup after this fine + illumination than I was obliged to go to the palace for the ball that + the King had prepared there, and which lasted until past two in the + morning. + </p> + <p> + The salon was very vast and splendid;'the dresses of the company were + sumptuous; the appearance of our finest fancy-dress balls did not + approach the appearance of this. + </p> + <p> + What seemed strange to me was to see three bishops in lawn sleeves and + cloaks in the ball-room, remaining, too, all the evening, and to see + the accoutrement of the camerara-mayor, who held exposed in her hand a + great chaplet, and who, while talking and criticising the ball and the + dancers, muttered her prayers, and continued to do so while the ball + lasted. What I found very strange was, that none of the men present + (except six special officers and Maulevrier and myself) were allowed + to sit, not even the dancers; in fact, there was not a single seat in + the whole salon, not even at the back, except those I have specified. + </p> + <p> + In Spain, men and women of all ages wear all sorts of colours, and + dance if they like, even when more than sixty years old, without + exciting the slightest ridicule or astonishment. I saw several + examples of this among men and women. + </p> + <p> + Amongst the company present was Madame Robecque, a Frenchwoman, one of + the Queen's ladies, whom I had known before she went to Spain. In + former days we had danced together at the Court. Apparently she said + so to the Queen, for after having danced with one of the children, she + traversed the whole length of the salon, made a fine curtsey to their + Catholic Majesties, and came to dislodge me from my retreat, asking me + with a curtsey and a smile to dance. I replied to her by saying she + was laughing at me; dispute, gallantries; finally, she went to the + Queen, who called me and told me that the King and she wished me to + dance. + </p> + <p> + I took the liberty to represent to her that she wished to divert + herself at my expense; that this order could not be serious; I alleged + my age, my position, the number of years since I had danced; in a + word, I did all I could to back out. But all was useless. The King + mixed himself in the matter; both he and the Queen begged me to + comply, tried to persuade me I danced very well; at last commanded me, + and in such a manner that I was obliged to obey. I acquitted myself, + therefore, as well as I could. + </p> + <p> + The ball being finished, the Marquis de Villagarcias, one of the + majordomos, and one of the most honest and most gracious of men I ever + saw (since appointed Viceroy of Peru), would not let me leave until I + had rested in the refreshment-room, where he made me drink a glass of + excellent neat wine, because I was all in a sweat from the minuets and + quadrilles I had gone through, under a very heavy coat. + </p> + <p> + This same evening and the next I illuminated my house within and + without, not having a moment's leisure to give any fete in the midst + of the many functions I had been so precipitately called upon to + fulfil. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0109" id="link2HCH0109"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER CIX + </h2> + <p> + On Thursday, the 27th of November, the King and Queen were to depart + from Madrid to Lerma, a pretty hamlet six leagues from Burgos, where + they had a palace. On the same day, very early in the morning, our + ambassador, Maulevrier, came to me with despatches from Cardinal + Dubois, announcing that the Regent's daughter, Mademoiselle de + Montpensier, had departed on the 18th of November for Spain, and + giving information as to the places she would stop at, the people she + would be accompanied by, the day she would arrive at the frontier, and + the persons charged with the exchange of the Princesses. + </p> + <p> + Maulevrier and I thought this news so important that we felt there was + no time to lose, and at once hastened away to the palace to + communicate it to their Majesties, who we knew were waiting for it + most impatiently. We arrived at such an early hour that all was + deserted in the palace, and when we reached the door of the Hall of + Mirrors, we were obliged to knock loudly in order to be heard. A + French valet opened the door, and told us that their Catholic + Majesties were still in bed. We did not doubt it, and begged him to + apprise them that we wished to have the honour of speaking to them. + Such an honour was unheard of, except under extraordinary + circumstances; nevertheless the valet quickly returned, saying that + their Majesties would receive us, though it was against all rule and + usage to do so while they were in bed. + </p> + <p> + We traversed therefore the long and grand Hall of Mirrors, turned to + the left at the end into a large and fine room, then short off to the + left again into a very little chamber, portioned off from the other, + and lighted by the door and by two little windows at the top of the + partition wall. There was a bed of four feet and a half at most, of + crimson damask, with gold fringe, four posts, the curtains open at the + foot and at the side the King occupied. The King was almost stretched + out upon pillows with a little bed-gown of white satin; the Queen + sitting upright, a piece of tapestry in her hand, at the left of the + King, some skeins of thread near her, papers scattered upon the rest + of the bed and upon an armchair at the side of it. She was quite close + to the King, who was in his night-cap, she also, and in her bed-gown, + both between the sheets, which were only very imperfectly hidden by + the papers. + </p> + <p> + They made us abridge our reverences, and the King, raising himself a + little impatiently, asked us our business. We were alone, the valet + having retired after showing us the door. + </p> + <p> + "Good news, Sire," replied I. "Mademoiselle de Montpensier set out on + the 18th; the courier has this instant brought us the news, and we + have at once come to present ourselves to you and apprise your + Majesties of it." + </p> + <p> + Joy instantly painted itself on their faces, and immediately they + began to question us at great length upon the details the courier had + brought us. After an animated conversation, in which Maulevrier took + but little part, their Catholic Majesties dismissed us, testifying to + us the great pleasure we had caused them by not losing a minute in + acquainting them with the departure of Mademoiselle de Montpensier, + above all in not having been stopped by the hour, and by the fact that + they were in bed. + </p> + <p> + We went back to my house to dine and returned to the palace in order + to see the King and Queen depart. I again received from them a + thousand marks of favour. Both the King and Queen, but especially the + latter, several times insisted that I must not lose any time in + following them to Lerma; upon which I assured them they would find me + there as they alighted from their coach. + </p> + <p> + I set out, in fact, on the 2nd of December, from Madrid, to join the + Court, and was to sleep at the Escurial, with the Comtes de Lorges and + de Cereste, my second son, the Abbe de Saint-Simon and his brother, + Pacquet, and two principal officers of the King's troops, who remained + with me as long as I stayed in Spain. In addition to the orders of the + King of Spain and the letters of the Marquis de Grimaldo, I was also + furnished with those of the nuncio for the Prior of the Escurial, who + is, at the same time, governor, in order that I might he shown the + marvels of this superb and prodigious monastery, and that everything + might be opened for me that I wished to visit; for I had been warned + that, without the recommendation of the nuncio, neither that of the + King and his minister, nor any official character, would have much + served me. It will be seen that, after all, I did not fail to suffer + from the churlishness and the superstition of these coarse + Jeronimites. + </p> + <p> + They are black and white monks, whose dress resembles that of the + Celestins; very idle, ignorant, and without austerity, who, by the + number of their monasteries and their riches, are in Spain much about + what the Benedictines are in France, and like them are a congregation. + They elect also, like the Benedictines, their superiors, local and + general, except the Prior of the Escurial, who is nominated by the + King, remains in office as long as the King likes and no more, and who + is yet better lodged at the Escurial than his Catholic Majesty. 'Tis a + prodigy, this building, of extent, of structure, of every kind of + magnificence, and contains an immense heap of riches, in pictures, in + ornaments, in vases of all kinds, in precious stones, everywhere + strewn about, and the description of which I will not undertake, since + it does not belong to my subject. Suffice it to say that a curious + connoisseur of all these different beauties might occupy himself there + for three months without cessation, and then would not have examined + all. The gridiron (its form, at least) has regulated all the + ordonnance of this sumptuous edifice in honour of Saint-Laurent, and + of the battle of Saint-Quentin, gained by Philippe II., who, seeing + the action from a height, vowed he would erect this monastery if his + troops obtained the victory, and asked his courtiers, if such were the + pleasures of the Emperor, his father, who in fact did not go so far + for them as that. + </p> + <p> + There is not a door, a lock, or utensil of any kind, or a piece of + plate, that is not marked with a gridiron. + </p> + <p> + The distance from Madrid to the Escurial is much about the same as + that from Paris to Fontainebleau. The country is very flat and becomes + a wilderness on approaching the Escurial, which takes its name from a + large village you pass, a league off. It is upon an eminence which you + ascend imperceptibly, and upon which you see endless deserts on three + sides; but it is backed, as it were, by the mountain of Guadarama, + which encircles Madrid on three sides, at a distance of several + leagues, more or less. There is no village at the Escurial; the + lodging of their Catholic Majesties forms the handle of the gridiron. + The principal grand officers, and those most necessary, are lodged, as + well as the Queen's ladies, in the monastery; on the side by which you + arrive all is very badly built. + </p> + <p> + The church, the grand staircase, and the grand cloister, surprised me. + I admired the elegance of the surgery, and the pleasantness of the + gardens, which, however, are only a long and wide terrace. The + Pantheon frightened me by a sort of horror and majesty. The + grand-altar and the sacristy wearied my eyes, by their immense + opulence. The library did not satisfy me, and the librarians still + less: I was received with much civility, and invited to a good supper + in the Spanish style, at which the Prior and another monk did the + honours. After this fast repast my people prepared my meals, but this + fat monk always supplied one or two things that it would not have been + civil to refuse, and always ate with me; for, in order that he might + conduct us everywhere, he never quitted our sides. Bad Latin supplied + the place of French, which he did not understand; nor even Spanish. + </p> + <p> + In the sanctuary at the grand altar, there are windows behind the + seats of the priest and his assistants, who celebrate the grand mass. + These windows, which are nearly on a level with the sanctuary (very + high), belong to the apartment that Philippe II. had built for + himself, and in which he died. He heard service through these windows. + I wished to see this apartment, which was entered from behind. I was + refused. It was in vain that I insisted on the orders of the King and + of the nuncio, authorising me to see all I wished. I disputed + uselessly. They told me this apartment had been closed ever since the + death of Philippe II., and that nobody had entered it. I maintained + that King Philippe V. and his suite had seen it. They admitted the + fact, but at the same time told me that he had entered by force as a + master, threatening to break in the doors, that he was the only King + who had entered since Philippe II., and that they would not open the + apartment to anybody. I understood nothing of all this superstition, + but I was forced to rest content in my ignorance. Louville, who had + entered with the King, had told me that the place contained only five + or six dark chambers, and some holes and corners with wainscots + plastered with mud; without tapestry, when he saw it, or any kind of + furniture; thus I did not lose much by not entering. + </p> + <p> + In the Rotting-Room, which I have elsewhere described, we read the + inscriptions near us, and the monk read others as we asked him. We + walked thus, all round, talking and discoursing thereon. Passing to + the bottom of the room, the coffin of the unhappy Don Carlos offered + itself to our sight. + </p> + <p> + "As for him," said I, "it is well known why, and of what he died." At + this remark, the fat monk turned rusty, maintained he had died a + natural death, and began to declaim against the stories which he said + had been spread abroad about him. I smiled, saying, I admitted it was + not true that his veins had been opened. This observation completed + the irritation of the monk, who began to babble in a sort of fury. I + diverted myself with it at first in silence; then I said to him, that + the King, shortly after arriving in Spain; had had the curiosity to + open the coffin of Don Carlos, and that I knew from a man who was + present ('twas Louville), that his head had been found between his + legs; that Philippe II., his father, had had it cut off before him in + the prison. + </p> + <p> + "Very well!" cried the monk in fury, "apparently he had well deserved + it; for Philippe II., had permission from the Pope to do so!" and, + thereupon, he began to cry with all his might about the marvels of + piety and of justice of Philippe II., and about the boundless power of + the Pope, and to cry heresy against any one who doubted that he could + not order, decide, and dispose of all. + </p> + <p> + Such is the fanaticism of the countries of the Inquisition, where + science is a crime, ignorance and superstition the first of virtues. + Though my official character protected me, I did not care to dispute, + and cause a ridiculous scene with this bigot of a monk. I contented + myself with smiling, and by making a sign of silence as I did so to + those who were with me. The monk, therefore, had full swing, and + preached a long time without giving over. He perceived, perhaps, by + our faces, that we were laughing at him, although without gestures or + words. At last he showed us the rest of the chamber, still fuming; + then we descended to the Pantheon. They did me the singular favour to + light about two-thirds of the immense and admirable chandelier, + suspended from the middle of the roof, the lights of which dazzled us, + and enabled us to distinguish in every part of the Rotting-Room; not + only the smallest details of the smallest letter, but the minutest + features of the place. + </p> + <p> + I passed three days in the Escurial, lodged in a large and fine + apartment, and all that were with me well lodged also. Our monk, who + had always been in an ill-humour since the day of the Rotting-Room, + did not recover himself until the parting breakfast came. We quitted + him without regret, but not the Escurial, which would pleasantly + occupy a curious connoisseur during more than a three months' stay. On + the road we met the Marquis de Montalegre, who invited, us to dinner + with him. The meal was so good that we little regretted the dinner my + people had prepared for us. + </p> + <p> + At last we arrived on the 9th, at our village of Villahalmanzo, where + I found most comfortable quarters for myself and all who were with me. + I found there, also, my eldest son, still merely, convalescent, with + the Abbe de Monthon, who came from Burgos. We supped very gaily, and I + reckoned upon taking a good excursion the next day, and upon amusing + myself in reconnoitring the village and the environs; but fever seized + me during the night, augmented during the day, became violent the + following night, so that there was no more talk of going on the 11th + to meet the King and Queen at Lerma, as they alighted from their + coach, according to arrangement. + </p> + <p> + The malady increased with such rapidity that I was found to be in + great danger, and immediately after, on the point of death. I was bled + shortly after. The small-pox, with which the whole country was filled, + appeared. The climate was such this year that it froze hard twelve or + fourteen hours every day, while from eleven o'clock in 'the morning + till nearly four, the sun shone as brightly as possible, and it was + too hot about mid-day for walking! Yet in the shade it did not thaw + for an instant. This cold weather was all the more sharp because the + air was purer and clearer, and the sky continually of the most perfect + serenity. + </p> + <p> + The King of Spain, who was dreadfully afraid of the small-pox, and who + with reason had confidence only in his chief doctor, sent him to me as + soon as he was informed of my illness, with orders not to quit me + until I was cured. I had, therefore, five or six persons continually + around me, in addition to the domestics who served me, one of the best + and most skilful physicians in Europe, who, moreover, was capital + company, and who did not quit me night or day, and three very good + surgeons. The small- pox came out very abundantly all over me; it was + of a good kind, and I had no dangerous accident. Every one who waited + upon me, master or man, was cut off from all intercourse with the rest + of the world; even those who cooked for us, from those who did not. + </p> + <p> + The chief physician nearly every day provided new remedies in case of + need, and yet administered none to me, except in giving me, as my sole + beverage, water, in which, according to its quantity, oranges were + thrown, cut in two with their skins on, and which gently simmered + before my fire; occasionally some spoonful of a gentle and agreeable + cordial during the height of the suppuration, and afterwards a little + Rota wine, and some broth, made of beef and partridge. + </p> + <p> + Nothing was wanting, then, on the part of those who had charge of me. + I was their only patient, and they had orders not to quit me, and + nothing was wanting for my amusement, when I was in a condition to + take any, so much good company being around me, and that at a time + when convalescents of this malady experience all the weariness and + fretfulness of it. At the end of my illness I was bled and purged + once, after which I lived as usual, but in a species of solitude. + </p> + <p> + During the long interval in which this illness shut me out from all + intercourse with the world, the Abbe de Saint-Simon corresponded for + me with Cardinal Dubois, Grimaldo, Sartine, and some others. + </p> + <p> + The King and Queen, not content with having sent me their chief + physician, M. Hyghens, to be with me night and day, wished to hear how + I was twice a day, and when I was better, unceasingly showed to me a + thousand favours, in which they were imitated by all the Court. + </p> + <p> + But I was six weeks ill in all. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0110" id="link2HCH0110"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER CX + </h2> + <p> + Here I think will be the fitting place to introduce an account of the + daily life of the King and Queen of Spain, which in many respects was + entitled to be regarded as singular. During my stay at the Court I had + plenty of opportunity to mark it well, so that what I relate may be + said to have passed under my own eyes. This, then, was their daily + life wherever they were, and in all times and seasons. + </p> + <p> + The King and Queen never had more than one apartment, and one bed + between them, the latter exactly as I have described it when relating + my visit with Maulevrier to their Catholic Majesties to carry to them + the news of the departure from Paris of the future Princess of the + Asturias. During fevers, illness, no matter of what kind, or on whose + side, childbirth even,—never were they a single night apart, and + even when the deceased Queen was eaten up with the scrofula, the King + continued to sleep with her until a few nights before her death! + </p> + <p> + About nine o'clock in the morning the curtains were drawn by the + Asafeta, followed by a single valet carrying a basin full of caudle. + Hyghens, during my convalescence, explained to me how this caudle was + made, and in fact concocted some for me to taste. It is a light + mixture of broth, milk, wine (which is in the largest quantity), one + or two yolks of eggs, sugar, cinnamon, and a few cloves. It is white; + has a very strong taste, not unmixed with softness. I should not like + to take it habitually, nevertheless it is not disagreeable. You put in + it, if you like, crusts of bread, or, at times, toast, and then it + becomes a species of soup; otherwise it is drunk as broth; and, + ordinarily, it was in this last fashion the King took it. It is + unctuous, but very warm, a restorative singularly good for retrieving + the past night, and, for preparing you for the next. + </p> + <p> + While the King partook of this brief breakfast, the Asafeta brought + the Queen some tapestry to work at, passed bed-gowns to their + Majesties, and put upon the bed some of the papers she found upon the + adjoining seats, then withdrew with the valet and what he had brought. + Their Majesties then said their morning prayers. Grimaldo afterwards + entered. Sometimes they signalled to him to wait, as he came in, and + called him when their prayer was over, for there was nobody else, and + the bedroom was very small. Then Grimaldo displayed his papers, drew + from his pocket an inkstand, and worked with the King; the Queen not + being hindered by her tapestry from giving her opinion. + </p> + <p> + This work lasted more or less according to the business, or to the + conversation. Grimaldo, upon leaving with his papers, found the + adjoining room empty, and a valet in that beyond, who, seeing him + pass, entered into the empty room, crossed it, and summoned the + Asafeta, who immediately came and presented to the King his slippers + and his dressing- gown; he at once passed across the empty room and + entered into a cabinet, where he dressed himself, followed by three + valets (never changed) and by the Duc del Arco, or the Marquis de + Santa Cruz, and after by both, nobody else ever being present at the + ceremony. + </p> + <p> + The Queen, as soon as the King had passed into his cabinet, put on her + stockings and shoes alone with the Asafeta, who gave her her dressing- + gown. It was the only moment in which this person could speak to the + Queen, or the Queen to her; but this moment did not stretch at the + most to more than half a quarter of an hour. Had they been longer + together the King would have known it, and would have wanted to hear + what kept them. The Queen passed through the empty chamber and entered + into a fine large cabinet, where her toilette awaited her. When the + King had dressed in his cabinet—where he often spoke to his + confessor—he went to the Queen's toilette, followed by the two + seigneurs just named. A few of the specially—privileged were + also admitted there. This toilette lasted about three-quarters of an + hour, the King and all the rest of the company standing. + </p> + <p> + When it was over, the King half opened the door of the Hall of + Mirrors, which leads into the salon where the Court assembled, and + gave his orders; then rejoined the Queen in that room which I have so + often called the empty room. There and then took place the private + audiences of the foreign ministers, and of, the seigneurs, or other + subjects who obtained them. Once a week, on Monday, there was a public + audience, a practice which cannot be too much praised where it is not + abused. The King, instead of half opening the door, threw it wide + open, and admitted whoever liked to enter. People spoke to the King as + much as they liked, how they liked, and gave him in writing what they + liked. But the Spaniards resemble in nothing the French; they are + measured, discreet, respectful, brief. + </p> + <p> + After the audiences, or after amusing himself with the Queen—if + there are none, the King went to dress. The Queen accompanied him, and + they took the communion together (never separately) about once a week, + and then they heard a second mass. The confession of the King was said + after he rose, and before he went to the Queen's toilette. + </p> + <p> + Upon returning from mass, or very shortly after, the dinner was + served. It was always in the Queen's apartment, as well as the supper, + but the King and Queen had each their dishes; the former, few, the + latter, many, for she liked eating, and ate of everything; the King + always kept to the same things—soup, capon, pigeons, boiled and + roast, and always a roast loin of veal—no fruit; or salad, or + cheese; pastry, rarely, never maigre; eggs, often cooked in various + fashion; and he drank nothing but champagne; the Queen the same. When + the dinner was finished, they prayed to God together. If anything + pressing happened, Grimaldo came and gave them a brief account of it. + </p> + <p> + About an hour after dinner, they left the apartment by a short passage + accessible to the court, and descended by a little staircase to their + coach, returning by the same way. The seigneurs who frequented the + court pretty constantly assembled, now one, now another, in this + passage, or followed their Majesties to their coaches. Very often I + saw them in this passage as they went or returned. The Queen always + said something pleasant to whoever was there. I will speak elsewhere + of the hunting- party their Majesties daily made. + </p> + <p> + Upon returning, the King gave his orders. If they had not partaken of + a collation in the coach, they partook of one upon arriving. It was + for the King, a morsel of bread, a big biscuit, some water and wine; + and for the Queen, pastry and fruit in season, sometimes cheese. The + Prince and the Princess of the Asturias, and the children, followed + and waited for them in the inner apartment. This company withdrew in + less than half a quarter of an hour. Grimaldo came and worked + ordinarily for a long time; it was the time for the real work of the + day. When the Queen went to confession this also was the time she + selected. Except what related to the confession, she and her confessor + had no time to say anything to each other. The cabinet in which she + confessed to him was contiguous to the room occupied by the King, and + when the latter thought the confession too long, he opened the door + and called her. Grimaldo being gone, they prayed together, or + sometimes occupied themselves with spiritual reading until supper. It + was served like the dinner. At both meals there were more dishes in + the French style than in the Spanish, or even the Italian. + </p> + <p> + After supper, conversation or prayers conducted them to the hour for + bed, when nearly the same observances took place as in the morning. + Finally, their Catholic Majesties everywhere had but one wardrobe + between them, and were never in private one from another. + </p> + <p> + These uniform days were the same in all places, and even during the + journeys taken by their Majesties, who were thus never separated, + except for a few minutes at a time. They passed their lives in one + long tete-a- tete. When they travelled it was at the merest snail's + pace, and they slept on the road, night after night, in houses + prepared for them. In their coach they were always alone; when in the + palace it was the same. + </p> + <p> + The King had been accustomed to this monotonous life by his first + queen, and he did not care for any other. The new Queen, upon + arriving, soon found this out, and found also that if she wished to + rule him, she must keep him in the same room, confined as he had been + kept by her predecessor. Alberoni was the only person admitted to + their privacy. This second marriage of the King of Spain, entirely + brought about by Madame des Ursins, was very distasteful to the + Spaniards, who detested that personage most warmly, and were in + consequence predisposed to look unfavourably upon anyone she favoured. + It is true, the new Queen, on arriving, drove out Madame des Ursins, + but this showed her to be possessed of as much power as the woman she + displaced, and when she began to exercise that power in other + directions the popular dislike to her was increased. She made no + effort to mitigate it—hating the Spaniards as much as they hated + her—and it is incredible to what an extent this reciprocal + aversion stretched. + </p> + <p> + When the Queen went out with the King to the chase or to the atocha, + the people unceasingly cried, as well as the citizens in their shops, + "Viva el Re y la Savoyana, y la Savoyana," and incessantly repeated, + with all their lungs, "la Savoyana," which is the deceased Queen (I + say this to prevent mistake), no voice ever crying "Viva la Reina." + The Queen pretended to despise this, but inwardly raged (as people + saw), she could not habituate herself to it. She has said to me very + frequently and more than once: "The Spaniards do not like me, and in + return I hate them," with an air of anger and of pique. + </p> + <p> + These long details upon the daily life of the King and Queen may + appear trivial, but they will not be judged so by those who know, as I + do, what valuable information is to be gained from similar + particulars. I will simply say in passing, that an experience of + twenty years has convinced me that the knowledge of such details is + the key to many others, and that it is always wanting in histories, + often in memoirs the most interesting and instructive, but which would + be much more so if they had not neglected this chapter, regarded by + those who do not know its price, as a bagatelle unworthy of entering + into a serious recital. Nevertheless, I am quite certain, that there + is not a minister of state, a favourite, or a single person of + whatever rank, initiated by his office into the domestic life of + sovereigns, who will not echo my sentiments. + </p> + <p> + And now let me give a more distinct account of the King of Spain than + I have yet written. + </p> + <p> + Philip V. was not gifted with superior understanding or with any stock + of what is called imagination. He was cold, silent, sad, sober, fond + of no pleasure except the chase, fearing society, fearing himself, + unexpansive, a recluse by taste and habits, rarely touched by others, + of good sense nevertheless, and upright, with a tolerably good + knowledge of things, obstinate when he liked, and often then not to be + moved; nevertheless, easy at other times to govern and influence. + </p> + <p> + He was cold. In his campaigns he allowed himself to be led into any + position, even under a brisk fire, without budging in the slightest; + nay, amusing himself by seeing whether anybody was afraid. Secured and + removed from danger he was the same, without thinking that his glory + could suffer by it. He liked to make war, but was indifferent whether + he went there or not; and present or absent, left everything to the + generals without doing anything himself. + </p> + <p> + He was extremely vain; could bear no opposition in any of his + enterprises; and what made me judge he liked praise, was that the + Queen invariably praised him—even his face; and asked me one + day, at the end of an audience which had led us into conversation, if + I did not think him very handsome, and more so than any one I knew?—His + piety was only custom, scruples, fears, little observances, without + knowing anything of religion: the Pope a divinity when not opposed to + him; in fact he had the outside religion of the Jesuits, of whom he + was passionately fond. + </p> + <p> + Although his health was very good, he always feared for it; he was + always looking after it. A physician, such as the one Louis XI. + enriched so much at the end of his life; a Maitre Coythier would have + become a rich and powerful personage by his side; fortunately his + physician was a thoroughly good and honourable man, and he who + succeeded him devoted to the Queen. Philip V. could speak well—very + well, but was often hindered by idleness and self-mistrust. To the + audiences I had with him, however, he astonished me by the precision, + the grace, the easiness of his words. He was good, easy to serve, + familiar with a few. His love of France showed itself in everything. + He preserved much gratitude and veneration for the deceased King, and + tenderness for the late Monsieur; above all for the Dauphin, his + brother, for whose loss he was never consoled. I noticed nothing in + him towards any other of the royal family, except the King; and he + never asked me concerning anybody in the Court, except, and then in a + friendly manner, the Duchesse de Beauvilliers. + </p> + <p> + He had scruples respecting his crown, that can with difficulty be + reconciled with the desire he had to return, in case of misfortune, to + the throne of his fathers, which he had more than once so solemnly + renounced. He believed himself an usurper! and in this idea nourished + his desire to return to France, and abandon Spain and his scruples at + one and the same time. It cannot be disguised that all this was very + ill- arranged in his head, but there it was, and he would have + abandoned Spain had it been possible, because he felt compelled by + duty to do so. It was this feeling which principally induced him, + after meditating upon it long before I arrived in Spain, to abdicate + his throne in favour of his son. It was the same usurpation in his + eyes, but not being able to obey his scruples, he contented himself by + doing all he could in abdicating. It was still this feeling which, at + the death of his son, troubled him so much, when he saw himself + compelled to reascend the throne; though, during his abdication, that + son had caused him not a little vexation. As may well be imagined, + Philip V. never spoke of these delicate matters to me, but I was not + less well informed of them elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + The Queen desired not less to abandon Spain, which she hated, and to + return into France and reign, where she hoped to lead a life of less + seclusion, and much more agreeable. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding all I have said, it is perfectly true that Philip V. + was but little troubled by the wars he made, that he was fond of + enterprises, and that his passion was to be respected and dreaded, and + to figure grandly in Europe. + </p> + <p> + But let me now more particularly describe the Queen. + </p> + <p> + This princess had much intellect and natural graces, which she knew + how to put to account. Her sense, her reflection, and her conduct, + were guided by that intellect, from which she drew all the charms and, + all the advantages possible. Whoever knew her was astonished to find + how her intelligence and natural capacity supplied the place of her + want of knowledge of the world, of persons, of affairs, upon all of + which subjects, her garret life in Parma, and afterwards her secluded + life with the King of Spain, hindered her from obtaining any real + instruction. The perspicuity she possessed, which enabled her to see + the right side of everything that came under her inspection, was + undeniable, and this singular gift would have become developed in her + to perfection if its growth had not been interrupted by the ill-humour + she possessed; which it must be admitted the life she led was more + than enough to give her. She felt her talent and her strength, but did + not feel the fatuity and pride which weakened them and rendered them + ridiculous. The current of her life was simple, smooth, with a natural + gaiety even, which sparkled through the eternal restraint of her + existence; and despite the ill- temper and the sharpness which this + restraint without rest gave her, she was a woman ordinarily without + pretension, and really charming. + </p> + <p> + When she arrived in Spain she was sure, in the first place, of driving + away Madame des Ursins, and of filling-her place in the government at + once. She seized that place, and took possession also of the King's + mind, which she soon entirely ruled. As to public business, nothing + could be hidden from her. The King always worked in her presence, + never otherwise; all that he saw alone she read and discussed with + him. She was always present at all the private audiences that he gave, + whether to his subjects or to the foreign ministers; so that, as I + have before remarked, nothing possibly could escape her. + </p> + <p> + As for the King, the eternal night and day tete-a-tete she had with + him enabled her to sound him thoroughly, to know him by heart, so to + speak. She knew perfectly the time for preparatory insinuations, their + success; the resistance, when there was any, its course and how to + overcome it; the moments for yielding, in order to return afterwards + to the charge, and those for holding firm and carrying everything by + force. She stood in need of all these intrigues, notwithstanding her + credit with the King. If I may dare to say it, his temperament was her + strong point, and she sometimes had recourse to it. Then her coldness + excited tempests. The King cried and menaced; now and then went + further; she held firm, wept, and sometimes defended herself. In the + morning all was stormy. The immediate attendants acted towards King + and Queen often without penetrating the cause of their quarrel. Peace + was concluded at the first opportunity, rarely to the disadvantage of + the Queen, who mostly had her own way. + </p> + <p> + A quarrel of this sort arose when I was at Madrid; and I was advised, + after hearing details I will not repeat, to mix myself up in it, but I + burst out laughing and took good care not to follow this counsel. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0111" id="link2HCH0111"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER CXI. + </h2> + <p> + The chase was every day the amusement of the King, and the Queen was + obliged to make it hers. But it was always the same. Their Catholic + Majesties did me the singular honour to invite me to it once, and I + went in my coach. Thus I saw this pleasure well, and to see it once is + to see it always. Animals to shoot are not met with in the plains. + They must be sought for among the mountains,—and there the + ground is too rugged for hunting the stag, the wild boar, and other + beasts as we hunt the hare,—and elsewhere. The plains even are + so dry, so hard, so full of deep crevices (that are not perceived + until their brink is reached), that the best hounds or harriers would + soon be knocked up, and would have their feet blistered, nay lamed, + for a long time. Besides, the ground is so thickly covered with sturdy + vegetation that the hounds could not derive much help from their + noses. Mere shooting on the wing the King had long since quitted, and + he had ceased to mount his horse; thus the chase simply resolved + itself into a battue. + </p> + <p> + The Duc del Orco, who, by his post of grand ecuyer, had the + superintendence of all the hunting arrangements, chose the place where + the King and Queen were to go. Two large arbours were erected there, + the one against the other, entirely shut in, except where two large + openings, like windows, were made, of breast-height. The King, the + Queen, the captain of the guards, and the grand ecuyer were in the + first arbour with about twenty guns and the wherewithal to load them. + In the other arbour, the day I was present, were the Prince of the + Asturias, who came in his coach with the Duc de Ponoli and the Marquis + del Surco, the Marquis de Santa Cruz, the Duc Giovenazzo, majordomo, + major and grand ecuyer to the Queen, Valouse, two or three officers of + the body-guard, and I myself. We had a number of guns, and some men to + load them. A single lady of the palace followed the Queen all alone, + in another coach, which she did not quit; she carried with her, for + her consolation, a book or some work, for no one approached her. Their + Majesties and their suite went to the chase in hot haste with relays + of guards and of coach horses, for the distance was at least three or + four leagues; at the least double that from Paris to Versailles. The + party alighted at the arbours, and immediately the carriages, the poor + lady of the palace, and all the horses were led away far out of sight, + lest they should frighten the beasts. + </p> + <p> + Two, three, four hundred peasants had early in the morning beaten the + country round, with hue and cry, after having enclosed it and driven + all the animals together as near these arbours as possible. When in + the arbour you were not allowed to stir, or to make the slightest + remarks, or to wear attractive colours; and everybody stood up in + silence. + </p> + <p> + This period of expectation lasted an hour and a half, and did not + appear to me very amusing. At last we heard loud cries from afar, and + soon after we saw troops of animals pass and repass within shot and + within half-shot of us; and then the King and the Queen banged away in + good earnest. This diversion, or rather species of butchery, lasted + more than half an hour, during which stags, hinds, roebucks, boars, + hares, wolves, badgers, foxes, and numberless pole-cats passed; and + were killed or lamed. + </p> + <p> + We were obliged to let the King and Queen fire first, although pretty + often they permitted the grand ecuyer and the captain of the guard to + fire also; and as we did not know from whom came the report, we were + obliged to wait until the King's arbour was perfectly silent; then let + the Prince shoot, who very often had nothing to shoot at, and we still + less. Nevertheless, I killed a fox, but a little before I ought to + have done so, at which, somewhat ashamed, I made my excuses to the + Prince of the Asturias, who burst out laughing, and the company also, + I following their example and all passing very politely. + </p> + <p> + In proportion as the peasants approach and draw nearer each other, the + sport advances, and it finishes when they all come close to the + arbours, still shouting, and with nothing more behind them. Then the + coaches return, the company quits the arbours, the beasts killed are + laid before the King. They are placed afterwards behind the coaches. + During all this, conversation respecting the sport rolls on. We + carried away this day about a dozen or more beasts, some hares, foxes, + and polecats. The night overtook us soon after we quitted the arbours. + </p> + <p> + And this is the daily diversion of their Catholic Majesties. + </p> + <p> + It is time now, however, to resume the thread of my narrative, from + which these curious and little-known details have led me. + </p> + <p> + I have shown in its place the motive which made me desire my embassy; + it was to obtain the 'grandesse' for my second son, and thus to + "branch" my house. I also desired to obtain the Toison d'Or for my + eldest son, that he might derive from this journey an ornament which, + at his age, was a decoration. I had left Paris with full liberty to + employ every aid, in order to obtain these things; I had, too, from M. + le Duc d'Orleans, the promise that he would expressly ask the King of + Spain for the former favour, employing the name of the King, and + letters of the strongest kind from Cardinal Dubois to Grimaldo and + Father Aubenton. In the midst of the turmoil of affairs I spoke to + both of these persons, and was favourably attended to. + </p> + <p> + Grimaldo was upright and truthful. He conceived a real friendship for + me, and gave me, during my stay at Madrid, all sorts of proofs of it. + He said that this union of the two Courts by the two marriages might + influence the ministers. His sole point of support, in order to + maintain himself in the post he occupied, so brilliant and so envied, + was the King of Spain. The Queen, he found, could never be a solid + foundation on which to repose. He wished, then, to support himself + upon France, or at least to have no opposition from it, and he + perfectly well knew the duplicity and caprices of Cardinal Dubois. The + Court of Spain, at all times so watchful over M. le Duc d'Orleans, in + consequence of what had passed in the time of the Princesse des + Ursins, and during the Regency, was not ignorant of the intimate and + uninterrupted confidence of this prince in me, or of the terms on + which I was with him. These sort of things appear larger than they + are, when seen from afar, and the choice that had been made of me for + this singular embassy confirmed it still more! Grimaldo, then, might + have thought to assure my friendship in his behalf, and my influence + with M. le Duc d'Orleans, occasion demanding it; and I don't think I + am deceiving myself in attributing to him this policy while he aided + me to obtain a favour, at bottom quite natural, and which could cause + him no inconvenience. + </p> + <p> + I regarded the moment at which the marriage would be celebrated as + that at which I stood most chance of obtaining what I desired, and I + considered that if it passed over without result to me, all would grow + cold, and become uncertain, and very disagreeable. I had forgotten + nothing during this first stay in Madrid, in order to please + everybody, and I make bold to say that I had all the better succeeded + because I had tried to give weight and merit to my politeness, + measuring it according to the persons I addressed, without + prostitution and without avarice, and that's what made me hasten to + learn all I could of the birth, of the dignities, of the posts, of the + alliances, of the reputation of each, so as to play my cards well, and + secure the game. + </p> + <p> + But still I needed the letters of M. le Duc d'Orleans, and of Cardinal + Dubois. I did not doubt the willingness of the Regent, but I did + doubt, and very much too, that of his minister. It has been seen what + reason I had for this. + </p> + <p> + These letters ought to have arrived at Madrid at the same time that I + did, but they had not come, and there seemed no prospect of their + arriving. What redoubled my impatience was that I read them + beforehand, and that I wished to have the time to reflect, and to turn + round, in order to draw from them, in spite of them, all the help I + could. I reckoned that these letters would be in a feeble spirit, and + this opinion made me more desirous to fortify my batteries in Spain in + order to render myself agreeable to the King and Queen, and to inspire + them with the desire to grant me the favours I wished. + </p> + <p> + A few days before going to Lerma I received letters from Cardinal + Dubois upon my affair. Nobody could be more eager or more earnest than + the Cardinal, for he gave me advice how to arrive at my aim, and + pressed me to look out for everything which could aid me; assuring me + that his letters, and those of M. le Duc d'Orleans, would arrive in + time. In the midst of the perfume of so many flowers, the odour of + falsehood could nevertheless be smelt. I had reckoned upon this. I had + done all in my power to supply the place of these letters. I received + therefore not as gospel, all the marvels Dubois sent me, and I set out + for Lerma fully resolved to more and more cultivate my affair without + reckoning upon the letters promised me; but determined to draw as much + advantage from them as I could. + </p> + <p> + Upon arriving at Lerma I fell ill as I have described, and the + small-pox kept me confined forty days: The letters so long promised + and so long expected did not arrive until the end of my quarantine. + They were just what I expected. Cardinal Dubois explained himself to + Grimaldo in turns and circumlocution, and if one phrase displayed + eagerness and desire, the next destroyed it by an air of respect and + of discretion, protesting he wished simply what the King of Spain + would himself wish, with all the seasoning necessary for the + annihilation of his good offices under the pretence that he did not + wish to press his Majesty to anything or to importune him. + </p> + <p> + This written stammering savoured of the bombast of a man who had no + desire to serve me, but who, not daring to break his word, used all + his wits to twist and overrate the little he could not hinder himself + from saying. This letter was simply for Grimaldo, as the letter of M. + le Duc d'Orleans was simply for the King of Spain. The last was even + weaker than the first. It was like a design in pencil nearly effaced + by the rain, and in which nothing, connected appeared. It scarcely + touched upon the real point, but lost itself in respects, in + reservations, in deference, and would propose nothing that was not + according to the taste of the King! In a word, the letter withdrew + rather than advanced, and was a sort of ease-conscience which could + not be refused, and which did not promise much success. + </p> + <p> + It is easy to understand that these letters much displeased me. + Although I had anticipated all the malice of Cardinal Dubois, I found + it exceeded my calculations, and that it was more undisguised than I + imagined it would be. + </p> + <p> + Such as the letters were I was obliged to make use of them. The Abbe + de Saint-Simon wrote to Grimaldo and to Sartine, enclosing these + letter, for I myself did not yet dare to write on account of the + precautions I was obliged to use against the bad air. Sartine and + Grimaldo, to whom I had not confided my suspicions that these + recommendations would be in a very weak tone, were thrown into the + utmost surprise on reading them. + </p> + <p> + They argued together, they were indignant, they searched for a bias to + strengthen that which had so much need of strength, but this bias + could not be found; they consulted together, and Grimaldo formed a + bold resolution, which astonished me to the last degree, and much + troubled me also. + </p> + <p> + He came to the conclusion that these letters would assuredly do me + more harm than good; that they must be suppressed, never spoken of to + the King, who must be confirmed without them in the belief that in + according me these favours he would confer upon M. le Duc d'Orleans a + pleasure, all the greater, because he saw to what point extended all + his reserve in not speaking to him about this matter, and mine in not + asking for these favours through his Royal Highness, as there was + every reason to believe I should do. Grimaldo proposed to draw from + these circumstances all the benefit he proposed to have drawn from the + letters had they been written in a fitting spirit, and he said he + would answer for it; I should have the 'grandesse' and the 'Toison + d'Or' without making the slightest allusion to the cold + recommendations of M. le Duc d'Orleans to the King of Spain, and of + Dubois to him. + </p> + <p> + Sartine, by his order, made this known to the Abbe de Saint-Simon, who + communicated it to me, and after having discussed together with + Hyghens, who knew the ground as well as they, and who had really + devoted himself to me, I blindly abandoned myself to the guidance and + friendship of Grimaldo, with full success, as will be seen. + </p> + <p> + In relating here the very singular fashion by which my affair + succeeded, I am far indeed from abstracting from M. le Duc d'Orleans + all gratitude. If he had not confided to me the double marriage, + without the knowledge of Dubois, and in spite of the secrecy that had + been asked for, precisely on my account, I should not have been led to + beg of him the embassy. + </p> + <p> + I instantly asked for it, declaring that my sole aim was the grandesse + for my second son, and he certainly accorded it to me with this aim, + and promised to aid me with his recommendation in order to arrive at + it, but with the utmost secrecy on account of the vexation Dubois + would feel, and in order to give himself time to arrange with the + minister and induce him to swallow the pill. + </p> + <p> + If I had not had the embassy in this manner, it would certainly have + escaped me; and thus would have been lost all hope of the grandesse, + to obtain which there would have been no longer occasion, reason, or + means. + </p> + <p> + The friendship and the confidence of this prince prevailed then over + the witchery which his miserable preceptor had cast upon him, and if + he afterwards yielded to the roguery, to the schemes, to the folly + which Dubois employed in the course of this embassy to ruin and + disgrace me, and to bring about the failure of the sole object which + had made me desire it, we must only blame his villainy and the + deplorable feebleness of M. le Duc d'Orleans, which caused me many sad + embarrassments, and did so much harm, but which even did more harm to + the state and to the prince himself. + </p> + <p> + It is with this sad but only too true reflection that I finish the + year 1721. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0112" id="link2HCH0112"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER CXII + </h2> + <p> + The Regent's daughter arrived in Spain at the commencement of the year + 1722, and it was arranged that her marriage with the Prince of the + Asturias should be celebrated on the 30th of January at Lerma, where + their Catholic Majesties were then staying. It was some little + distance from my house. I was obliged therefore to start early in the + morning in order to arrive in time. On the way I paid a visit of + ceremony to the Princess, at Cogollos, ate a mouthful of something, + and turned off to Lerma. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I arrived there, I went to the Marquis of Grimaldo's + apartments. His chamber was at the end of a vast room, a piece of + which had been portioned off, in order to serve as a chapel. Once + again I had to meet the nuncio, and I feared lest he should remember + what had passed on a former occasion, and that I should give Dubois a + handle for complaint. I saw, therefore, but very imperfectly, the + reception of the Princess; to meet whom the King and Queen (who lodged + below) and the Prince precipitated themselves, so to speak, almost to + the steps of the coach. I quietly went up again to the chapel. + </p> + <p> + The prie-dieu of the King was placed in front of the altar, a short + distance from the steps, precisely as the King's prie-dieu is placed + at Versailles, but closer to the altar, and with a cushion on each + side of it. The chapel was void of courtiers. I placed myself to the + right of the King's cushion just beyond the edge of the carpet, and + amused myself there better than I had expected. Cardinal Borgia, + pontifically clad, was in the corner, his face turned towards me, + learning his lesson between two chaplains in surplices, who held a + large book open in front of him. The good prelate did not know how to + read; he tried, however, and read aloud, but inaccurately. The + chaplains took him up, he grew angry, scolded them, recommenced, was + again corrected, again grew angry, and to such an extent that he + turned round upon them and shook them by their surplices. I laughed as + much as I could; for he perceived nothing, so occupied and entangled + was he with his lesson. + </p> + <p> + Marriages in Spain are performed in the afternoon, and commence at the + door of the church, like baptisms. The King, the Queen, the Prince, + and the Princess arrived with all the Court, and the King was + announced. "Let them wait," said the Cardinal in choler, "I am not + ready." They waited, in fact, and the Cardinal continued his lesson, + redder than his hat, and still furious. At last he went to the door, + at which a ceremony took place that lasted some time. Had I not been + obliged to continue at my post, curiosity would have made me follow + him. That I lost some amusement is certain, for I saw the King and + Queen laughing and looking at their prie-dieu, and all the Court + laughing also. The nuncio arriving and seeing by the position I had + taken up that I was preceding him, again indicated his surprise to me + by gestures, repeating, "Signor, signor;" but I had resolved to + understand nothing, and laughingly pointed out the Cardinal to him, + and reproached him for not having better instructed the worthy prelate + for the honour of the Sacred College. The nuncio understood French + very well, but spoke it very badly. This banter and the innocent air + with which I gave it, without appearing to notice his demonstrations, + created such a fortunate diversion, that nobody else was thought of; + more especially as the poor cardinal more and more caused amusement + while continuing the ceremony, during which he neither knew where he + was nor what he was doing, being taken up and corrected every moment + by his chaplains, and fuming against them so that neither the King nor + the Queen could; contain themselves. It was the same with everybody + else who witnessed the scene. + </p> + <p> + I could see nothing more than the back of the Prince and the Princess + as they knelt each upon a cushion between the prie-dieu and the altar, + the Cardinal in front making grimaces indicative of the utmost + confusion. Happily all I had to think of was the nuncio, the King's + majordomo-major having placed himself by the side of his son, captain + of the guards. The grandees were crowded around with the most + considerable people: the rest filled all the chapel so that there was + no stirring. + </p> + <p> + Amidst the amusement supplied to us by the poor Cardinal, I remarked + extreme satisfaction in the King and Queen at seeing this grand + marriage accomplished. The ceremony finished, as it was not long, only + the King, the Queen, and, when necessary, the Prince and Princess + kneeling, their Catholic Majesties rose and withdrew towards the left + corner of their footcloth, talked together for a short time, after + which the Queen remained where she was, and the King advanced to me, I + being where I had been during all the ceremony. + </p> + <p> + The King did me the honour to say to me, "Monsieur, in every respect I + am so pleased with you, and particularly for the manner in which you + have acquitted yourself of your embassy, that I wish to give you some + marks of my esteem, of my satisfaction; of my friendship. I make you + Grandee of Spain of the first class; you, and, at the same time, + whichever of your sons you may wish to have the same distinction; and + your eldest son I will make chevalier of the Toison d'Or." + </p> + <p> + I immediately embraced his knees, and I tried to testify to him my + gratitude and my extreme desire to render myself worthy of the favour + he deigned to spread upon me, by my attachment, my very humble + services, and my most profound respect. Then I kissed his hand, turned + and sent for my children, employing the moments which had elapsed + before they came in uttering fresh thanks. As soon as my sons + appeared, I called the younger and told him, to embrace the knees of + the King who overwhelmed us with favours, and made him grandee of + Spain with me. He kissed the King's hand in rising, the King saying he + was very glad of what he had just done. I presented the elder to him + afterwards, to thank him for the Toison. He simply bent very low and + kissed the King's hand. As soon as this was at an end, the King went + towards the Queen, and I followed him with my children. I bent very + low before the Queen, thanked her, then presented to her my children, + the younger first, the elder afterwards. The Queen received us with + much goodness, said a thousand civil things, then walked away with the + King, followed by the Prince, having upon his arm the Princess, whom + we saluted in passing; and they returned to their apartments. I wished + to follow them, but was carried away, as it were, by the crowd which + pressed eagerly around me to compliment me. I was very careful to + reply in a fitting manner to each, and with the utmost politeness, and + though I but little expected these favours at this moment, I found + afterwards that all this numerous court was pleased with me. + </p> + <p> + A short time after the celebration of the marriage between the + Regent's daughter and the Prince of the Asturias, the day came on + which my eldest son was to receive the Toison d'Or. The Duc de Liria + was to be his, godfather, and it was he who conducted us to the place + of ceremony. His carriage was drawn by four perfectly beautiful + Neapolitan horses; but these animals, which are often extremely + fantastical, would not stir. The whip was vigorously applied; results—rearing, + snorting, fury, the carriage in danger of being upset. Time was + flying; I begged the Duc de Liria, therefore, to get into my carriage, + so that we might not keep the King and the company waiting for us. It + was in vain I represented to him that this function of godfather would + in no way be affected by changing his own coach for mine, since it + would be by necessity. He would not listen to me. The horses continued + their game for a good half hour before they consented to start. + </p> + <p> + All my cortege followed us, for I wished by this display to show the + King of Spain how highly I appreciated the honours of his Court. On + the way the horses again commenced their pranks. I again pressed the + Duc de Liria to change his coach, and he again refused. Fortunately + the pause this time was much shorter than at first; but before we + reached the end of our journey there came a message to say that the + King was waiting for us. At last we arrived, and as soon as the King + was informed of it he entered the room where the chapter of the order + was assembled. He straightway sat himself down in an armchair, and + while the rest of the company were placing themselves in position; the + Queen, the Princess of the Asturias, and their suite, seated + themselves as simple spectators at the end of the room. + </p> + <p> + All the chapter having arranged themselves in order, the door in front + of the King, by which we had entered, was closed, my son remaining + outside with a number of the courtiers. Then the King covered himself, + and all the chevaliers at the same time, in the midst of a silence, + without sign, which lasted as long as a little prayer. After this, the + King very briefly proposed that the Vidame de Chartres should be + received into the order. All the chevaliers uncovered themselves, made + an inclination, without rising, and covered themselves again. After + another silence, the King called the Duc de Liria, who uncovered + himself, and with a reverence approached the King; by whom he was thus + addressed: "Go and see if the Vidame de Chartres is not somewhere + about here." + </p> + <p> + The Duc de Liria made another reverence to the King, but none to the + chevaliers (who, nevertheless, were uncovered at the same time as he), + went away, the door was closed upon him, and the chevaliers covered + themselves again. The reverences just made, and those I shall have + occasion to speak of in the course of my description, were the same as + are seen at the receptions of the chevaliers of the Saint-Esprit, and + in all grand ceremonies. + </p> + <p> + The Duc de Liria remained outside nearly a quarter of an hour, because + it is assumed that the new chevalier is ignorant of the proposition + made for him, and that it is only by chance he is found in the palace, + time being needed in order to look for him. The Duc de Liria returned, + and immediately after the door was again closed, and he advanced to + the King, as before, saying that the Vidame de Chartres was in the + other room. + </p> + <p> + Upon this the King ordered him to go and ask the Vidame if he wished + to accept the Order of the Toison d'Or, and be received into it, and + undertake to observe its statutes, its duties, its ceremonies, take + its oaths, promise to fulfil all the conditions submitted: to every + one who is admitted into it, and agree to conduct himself in + everything like a good, loyal, brave, and virtuous chevalier. The Duc + de Liria withdrew as he had before withdrawn. The door was again + closed. He returned after having been absent a shorter time than at + first. The door was again closed, and he approached the King as + before, and announced to him the consent and the thanks of the Vidame. + "Very well," replied the King. "Go seek him, and bring him here." + </p> + <p> + The Duc de Liria withdrew, as on the previous occasions, and + immediately returned, having my son on his left. The door being open, + anybody was at liberty to enter, and see the ceremony. + </p> + <p> + The Duc de Liria conducted my son to the feet of the King, and then + seated himself in his place. My son, in advancing, had lightly + inclined himself to the chevaliers, right and left; and, after having + made in the middle of the room a profound bow, knelt before the King, + without quitting his sword, and having his hat under his arm, and no + gloves on. The chevaliers, who had uncovered themselves at the entry + of the Duc de Liria, covered themselves when he sat down; and the + Prince of the Asturias acted precisely as they acted. + </p> + <p> + The King repeated to my son the same things, a little more lengthily, + that had been said to him by the Duc de Liria, and received his + promise upon each in succession. Afterwards, an attendant, who was + standing in waiting behind the table, presented to the King, from + between the table and the chair, a large book, open, and in which was + a long oath, that my son repeated to the King, who had the book upon + his knees, the oath in French, and on loose paper; being in it. This + ceremony lasted rather a long time: Afterwards, my son kissed the + King's hand, and the King made him rise and pass, without reverence; + directly before the table, towards the middle of which he knelt, his + back to the Prince of the Asturias, his face to the attendant, who + showed him (the table being between them) what to do. There was upon + this table a great crucifix of enamel upon a stand, with a missal open + at the Canon, the Gospel of Saint-John, and forms, in French, of + promises and oaths to be made, whilst putting the hand now upon the + Canon, now upon the Gospel. The oath-making took up some time; after + which my son came back and knelt before the King again as before. + </p> + <p> + Then, the Duc del Orco, grand ecuyer, and Valouse, premier ecuyer, who + have had the Toison since, and who were near me, went away, the Duke + first, Valouse behind him, carrying in his two hands, with marked care + and respect, the sword of the Grand Captain, Don Gonzalvo de Cordova, + who is never called otherwise. They walked, with measured step, + outside the right-hand seats of the chevaliers, then entered the + chapter, where the Duc de Liria had entered with my son, marched + inside the left-hand seats of the chevaliers, without reverence, but + the Duke inclining himself; Valouse not doing so on account of the + respect due to the sword; the grandees did not incline themselves. + </p> + <p> + The Duke on arriving between the Prince of the Asturias and the King, + knelt, and Valouse knelt behind him. Some moments after, the King made + a sign to them; Valouse drew the sword from its sheath which he put + under his arm, held the naked weapon by the middle of the blade, + kissed the hilt, and presented it to the King, who, without uncovering + himself, kissed the pommel, took the sword in both hands by the + handle, held it upright some moments; then held it with one hand, but + almost immediately with the other as well, and struck it three times + upon each shoulder of my son, alternately, saying to him, "By + Saint-George and Saint-Andrew I make you Chevalier." And the weight of + the sword was so great that the blows did not fall lightly. While the + King was striking them, the grand ecuyer and the premier remained in + their places kneeling. The sword was returned as it had been + presented, and kissed in the same manner. Valouse put it back into its + sheath, after which the grand ecuyer and the premier ecuyer returned + as they came. + </p> + <p> + This sword, handle included, was more than four feet long; the blade + four good digits wide, thick in proportion, insensibly diminishing in + thickness and width to the point, which was very small. The handle + appeared to me of worked enamel, long and very large; as well as the + pommel; the crossed piece long, and the two ends wide, even, worked, + without branch. I examined it well, and I could not hold it in the air + with one-hand, still less handle it with both hands except with much + difficulty. It is pretended that this is the sword the Great Captain + made use of, and with which he obtained so many victories. + </p> + <p> + I marvelled at the strength of the men in those days, with whom I + believe early habits did much. I was touched by the grand honour + rendered to the Great Captain's memory; his sword becoming the sword + of the State, carried even by the King with great respect. I repeated, + more than once, that if I were the Duc de Scose (who descends in a + direct line from the Great Captain by the female branch, the male + being extinct), I would leave nothing undone to obtain the Toison, in + order to enjoy the honour and the sensible pleasure of being struck by + this sword, and with such great respect for my ancestor. But to return + to the ceremony from which this little digression has taken me. + </p> + <p> + The accolade being given by the King after the blows with the sword, + fresh oaths being taken at his feet, then before the table as at + first, and on this occasion at greater length, my son returned and + knelt before the King, but without saying anything more. Then Grimaldo + rose and, without reverence, left the chapter by the left, went behind + the right- hand seats of the chevaliers, and took the collar of the + Toison which was extended at the end of the table. At this moment the + King told my son to rise, and so remain standing in the same place. + The Prince of the Asturias, and the Marquis de Villena then rose also, + end approached my son, both covered, all the other chevaliers + remaining seated and covered. Then Grimaldo, passing between the table + and the empty seat of the Prince of the Asturias, presented; standing, + the collar to the King, who took it with both hands, and meanwhile + Grimaldo, passing behind the Prince of the Asturias, went and placed + himself behind my son. As soon as he was there, the King told my son + to bend very low, but without kneeling, and then leaning forward, but + without rising, placed the collar upon him, and made him immediately + after stand upright. The King then took hold of the collar, simply + holding the end of it in his hand. At the same time, the collar was + attached to the left shoulder by the Prince of the Asturias, to the + right shoulder by the Marquis de Villena, and behind by Grimaldo; the + King still holding the end. + </p> + <p> + When the collar was attached, the Prince of the Asturias, the Marquis + de Villena, and Grimaldo, without making a reverence and no chevalier + uncovering himself, went back to their places, and sat down; at, the + same moment my son knelt before the King, and bared, his head. Then + the Duc de Liria, without reverence, and uncovered (no chevalier + uncovering himself), placed himself before the King at the left, by + the side of my son, and both made their reverences to the King; turned + round to the Prince of the Asturias, did the same to him, he rising + and doing my son the honour to embrace him, and as soon as he was + reseated they made a reverence to him; then, turning to the King, made + him one; afterwards they did the same to the Marquis de Villena, who + rose and embraced my son. Then he reseated himself; upon which they + made a reverence to him, then turning again towards the King, made + another to him; and so an from right to left until every chevalier had + been bowed to in a similar manner. Then my son sat down, and the Duc + de Liria returned to his place. + </p> + <p> + After this long series of bows, so bewildering for those who play the + chief part in it, the King remained a short time in his armchair, them + rose, uncovered himself, and retired into his apartment as he came. I + had instructed my son to hurry forward and arrive before him at the + door of his inner apartment. He was in time, and I also, to kiss the + hand of the King, and to express our thanks, which were well received. + The Queen arrived and overwhelmed us with compliments. I must observe + that the ceremony of the sword and the accolade are not performed at + the reception of those who, having already another order, are supposed + to have received them; like the chevaliers of the Saint-Esprit and of + Saint-Michel, and the chevaliers of Saint-Louis. + </p> + <p> + Their Catholic Majesties being gone, we withdrew to my house, where a + very grand dinner was prepared. The usage is, before the reception, to + visit all the chevaliers of the Toison, and when the day is fixed, to + visit all those invited to dinner on the day of the ceremony; the + godfather, with the other chevalier by whom he is accompanied, also + invites them at the palace before they enter the chapter, and aids the + new chevalier to do the honours of the repast. I had led my son with + me to pay these visits. Nearly all the chevaliers came to dine with + us, and many other nobles. The Duc d'Albuquerque, whom I met pretty + often, and who had excused himself from attending a dinner I had + previously given, on account of his stomach (ruined as he said in the + Indies), said he, would not refuse me twice, on condition that I + permitted him to take nothing but soup, because meat was too solid for + him. He came, and partook of six sorts of soup, moderately of all; he + afterwards lightly soaked his bread in such ragouts as were near him, + eating only the end, and finding everything very good. He drank + nothing but wine and water. The dinner was gay, in spite of the great + number of guests. The Spaniards eat as much as, nay more than, we, and + with taste, choice, and pleasure: as to drink, they are very modest. + </p> + <p> + On the 13th of March, 1722, their Catholic Majesties returned from + their excursion to the Retiro. The hurried journey I had just made to + the former place, immediately after the arrival of a courier, and in + spite of most open prohibitions forbidding every one to go there, + joined to the fashion, full of favour and goodness, with which I had + been distinguished by their Majesties ever since my arrival in Spain, + caused a most ridiculous rumour to obtain circulation, and which, to + my great surprise, at once gained much belief. + </p> + <p> + It was reported there that I was going to quit my position of + ambassador from France, and be declared prime minister of Spain! The + people who had been pleased, apparently, with the expense I had kept + up, and to whom not one of my suite had given the slightest cause of + complaint, set to crying after me in the streets; announcing my + promotion, displaying joy at it, and talking of it even in the shops. + A number of persons even assembled round my house to testify to me + their pleasure. I dispersed them as civilly and as quickly as + possible, assuring them the report was not true, and that I was + forthwith about to return to France. + </p> + <p> + This was nothing more than the truth. I had finished all my business. + It was time to think about setting out. As soon, however, as I talked + about going, there was nothing which the King and the Queen did not do + to detain me. All the Court, too, did me the favour to express much + friendship for me, and regret at my departure. I admit even that I + could not easily make up my mind to quit a country where I had found + nothing but fruits and flowers, and to which I was attached, as I + shall ever be, by esteem and gratitude. I made at once a number of + farewell visits among the friends I had been once acquainted with; and + on the 21st of March I had my parting state audiences of the King and + Queen separately. I was surprised with the dignity, the precision, and + the measure of the King's expressions, as I had been surprised at my + first audience. I received many marks of personal goodness, and of + regret at my departure from his Catholic Majesty, and from the Queen + even more; from the Prince of the Asturias a good many also. But in + another direction I met with very different treatment, which I cannot + refrain from describing, however ridiculous it may appear. + </p> + <p> + I went, of course, to say my adieux to the Princess of the Asturias, + and I was accompanied by all my suite. I found the young lady standing + under a dais, the ladies on one side, the grandees on the other; and I + made my three reverences, then uttered my compliments. I waited in + silence her reply, but 'twas in vain. She answered not one word. + </p> + <p> + After some moments of silence, I thought I would furnish her with + matter for an answer; so I asked her what orders she had for the King; + for the Infanta, for Madame, and for M. and Madame la Duchesse + d'Orleans. By way of reply, she looked at me and belched so loudly in + my face, that the noise echoed throughout the chamber. My surprise was + such that I was stupefied. A second belch followed as noisy as the + first. + </p> + <p> + I lost countenance at this, and all power of hindering myself from + laughing. Turning round, therefore, I saw everybody with their hands + upon their mouths, and their shoulders in motion. At last a third + belch, still louder than the two others, threw all present into + confusion, and forced me to take flight, followed by all my suite, + amid shouts of laughter, all the louder because they had previously + been kept in. But all barriers of restraint were now thrown down; + Spanish gravity was entirely disconcerted; all was deranged; no + reverences; each person, bursting with laughter, escaped as he could, + the Princess all the while maintaining her countenance. Her belches + were the only answers she made me. In the adjoining room we all + stopped to laugh at our ease, and express our astonishment afterwards + more freely. + </p> + <p> + The King and Queen were soon informed of the success of this audience, + and spoke of it to me after dinner at the Racket Court. They were the + first to laugh at it, so as to leave others at liberty to do so too; a + privilege that was largely made use of without pressing. I received + and I paid numberless visits; and as it is easy to flatter one's self, + I fancied I might flatter myself that I was regretted. + </p> + <p> + I left Madrid on the 24th of March, after having had the honour of + paying my court to their Catholic Majesties all the afternoon at the + Racket Court, they overwhelming me with civilities, and begging me to + take a final adieu of them in their apartments. I had devoted the last + few days to the friends whom, during my short stay of six months, I + had made. Whatever might be the joy and eagerness I felt at the + prospect of seeing Madame de Saint-Simon and my Paris friends again, I + could not quit Spain without feeling my heart moved, or without + regretting persons from whom I had received so many marks of goodness, + and for whom, all I had seen of the nation, had made me conceive + esteem, respect, and gratitude. I kept up, for many years, a + correspondence with Grimaldo, while he lived, in fact, and after his + fall and disgrace, which occurred long after my departure, with more + care and attention than formerly. My attachment, full of respect and + gratitude for the King and Queen of Spain, induced me to do myself the + honour of writing to them on all occasions. They often did me the + honour to reply to me; and always charged their new ministers in + France and the persons of consideration who came there, to convey to + me the expression of their good feeling for me. + </p> + <p> + After a journey without particular incident, I embarked early one + morning upon the Garonne, and soon arrived at Bordeaux. The jurats did + me the honour to ask, through Segur, the under-mayor, at what time + they might come and salute me. I invited them to supper, and said to + Segur that compliments would be best uttered glass in hand. They came, + therefore, to supper, and appeared to me much pleased with this + civility: On the morrow, the tide early carried me to Blaye, the + weather being most delightful. I slept only one night there, and to + save time did not go to Ruffec. + </p> + <p> + On the 13th of April, I arrived, about five o'clock in the afternoon, + at Loches. I slept there because I wished to write a volume of details + to the Duchesse de Beauvilliers, who was six leagues off, at one of + her estates. I sent my packet by an express, and in this manner I was + able to say what I liked to her without fearing that the letter would + be opened. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow, the 14th, I arrived at Etampes, where I slept, and the + 15th, at ten o'clock in the morning, I reached Chartres, where Madame + de Saint-Simon was to meet me, dine, and sleep, so that we might have + the pleasure of opening our hearts to each other, and of finding + ourselves together again in solitude and in liberty, greater than + could be looked for in Paris during the first few days of my return. + The Duc d'Humieres and Louville came with her. She arrived an hour + after me, fixing herself in the little chateau of the Marquis + d'Arpajan, who had lent it to her, and where the day appeared to us + very short as well as the next morning, the 16th of April. + </p> + <p> + To conclude the account of my journey, let me say that I arrived in + Paris shortly after, and at once made the best of my way to the Palais + Royal, where M. le Duc d'Orleans gave me a sincere and friendly + welcome. + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0130" id="link2H_4_0130"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VOLUME 15. + </h2> + <a name="link2HCH0113" id="link2HCH0113"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER CXIII + </h2> + <p> + Few events of importance had taken place during my absence in Spain. + Shortly after my return, however, a circumstance occurred which may + fairly claim description from me. Let me, therefore, at once relate + it. + </p> + <p> + Cardinal Dubois, every day more and more firmly established in the + favour of M. le Duc d'Orleans, pined for nothing less than to be + declared prime minister. He was already virtually in that position, + but was not publicly or officially recognised as being so. He wished, + therefore, to be declared. + </p> + <p> + One great obstacle in his path was the Marechal de Villeroy, with whom + he was on very bad terms, and whom he was afraid of transforming into + an open and declared enemy, owing to the influence the Marechal + exerted over others. Tormented with agitating thoughts, every day that + delayed his nomination seemed to him a year. Dubois became doubly + ill-tempered and capricious, more and more inaccessible, and + accordingly the most pressing and most important business was utterly + neglected. At last he resolved to make a last effort at reconciliation + with the Marechal, but mistrusting his own powers, decided upon asking + Cardinal Bissy to be the mediator between them. + </p> + <p> + Bissy with great willingness undertook the peaceful commission; spoke + to Villeroy, who appeared quite ready to make friends with Dubois, and + even consented to go and see him. As chance would have it, he went, + accompanied by Bissy, on Tuesday morning. I at the same time went, as + was my custom, to Versailles to speak to M. le Duc d'Orleans upon some + subject, I forget now what. + </p> + <p> + It was the day on which the foreign ministers had their audience of + Cardinal Dubois, and when Bissy and Villeroy arrived, they found these + ministers waiting in the chamber adjoining the Cardinal's cabinet. + </p> + <p> + The established usage is that they have their audience according to + the order in which they arrive, so as to avoid all disputes among them + as to rank and precedence. Thus Bissy and Villeroy found Dubois + closeted with the Russian minister. It was proposed to inform the + Cardinal at once, of a this, so rare as a visit from the Marechal de + Villeroy; but the Marechal would not permit it, and sat down upon a + sofa with Bissy to wait like the rest. + </p> + <p> + The audience being over, Dubois came from his cabinet, conducting the + Russian minister, and immediately saw his sofa so well ornamented. He + saw nothing but that in fact; on the instant he ran there, paid a + thousand compliments to the Marechal for anticipating him, when he was + only waiting for permission to call upon him, and begged him and Bissy + to step into the cabinet. While they were going there, Dubois made his + excuses to the ambassadors for attending to Villeroy before them, + saying that his functions and his assiduity as governor of the King + did not permit him to be long absent from the presence of his Majesty; + and with this compliment he quitted them and returned into his + cabinet. + </p> + <p> + At first nothing passed but reciprocal compliments and observations + from Cardinal Bissy, appropriate to the subject. Then followed + protestations from Dubois and replies from the Marechal. Thus far, the + sea was very smooth. But absorbed in his song, the Marechal began to + forget its tune; then to plume himself upon his frankness and upon his + plain speaking; then by degrees, growing hot in his honours, he gave + utterance to divers naked truths, closely akin to insults. + </p> + <p> + Dubois, much astonished, pretended not to feel the force of these + observations, but as they increased every moment, Bissy tried to call + back the Marechal, explain things to him, and give a more pleasant + tone to the conversation. But the mental tide had begun to rise, and + now it was entirely carrying away the brains of Villeroy. From bad to + worse was easy. The Marechal began now to utter unmistakable insults + and the most bitter reproaches. In vain Bissy tried to silence him; + representing to him how far he was wandering from the subject they + came to talk upon; how indecent it was to insult a man in his own + house, especially, after arriving on purpose to conclude a + reconciliation with him. All Bissy could say simply had the effect of + exasperating the Marechal, and of making him vomit forth the most + extravagant insults that insolence and disdain could suggest. + </p> + <p> + Dubois, stupefied and beside himself, was deprived of his tongue, + could not utter a word; while Bissy, justly inflamed with anger, + uselessly tried to interrupt his friend. In the midst of the sudden + fire which had seized the Marechal, he had placed himself in such a + manner that he barred the passage to the door, and he continued his + invectives without restraint. Tired of insults, he passed to menaces + and derision, saying to Dubois that since he had now thrown off all + disguise, they no longer were on terms to pardon each other, and then + he assured Dubois that, sooner or later, he would do him all the + injury possible, and gave him what he called good counsel. + </p> + <p> + "You are all powerful," said he; "everybody bends before you; nobody + resists you; what are the greatest people in the land compared with + you? Believe me, you have only one thing to do; employ all your power, + put yourself at ease, and arrest me, if you dare. Who can hinder you? + Arrest me, I say, you have only that course open." + </p> + <p> + Thereupon, he redoubled his challenges and his insults, like a man who + is thoroughly persuaded that between arresting him and scaling Heaven + there is no difference. As may well be imagined, such astounding + remarks were not uttered without interruption, and warm altercations + from the Cardinal de Bissy, who, nevertheless, could not stop the + torrent. At last, carried away by anger and vexation, Bissy seized the + Marechal by the arm and the shoulder, and hurried him to the door, + which he opened, and then pushed him out, and followed at his heels. + Dubois, more dead than alive, followed also, as well as he could—he + was obliged to be on his guard against the foreign ministers who were + waiting. But the three disputants vainly tried to appear composed; + there was not one of the ministers who did not perceive that some + violent scene must have passed in the cabinet, and forthwith + Versailles was filled with this news; which was soon explained by the + bragging, the explanations, the challenges, and the derisive speeches + of the Marechal de Villeroy. + </p> + <p> + I had worked and chatted for a long time with M. le Duc d'Orleans. He + had passed into his wardrobe, and I was standing behind his bureau + arranging his papers when I saw Cardinal Dubois enter like a + whirlwind, his eyes starting out of his head. Seeing me alone, he + screamed rather than asked, "Where is M. le Duc d'Orleans?" I replied + that he had gone into his wardrobe, and seeing him so overturned, I + asked him what was the matter. + </p> + <p> + "I am lost, I am lost!" he replied, running to the wardrobe. His reply + was so loud and so sharp that M. le Duc d'Orleans, who heard it, also + ran forward, so that they met each other in the doorway. They returned + towards me, and the Regent asked what was the matter. + </p> + <p> + Dubois, who always stammered, could scarcely speak, so great was his + rage and fear; but he succeeded at last in acquainting us with the + details I have just given, although at greater length. He concluded by + saying that after the insults he had received so treacherously, and in + a manner so basely premeditated, the Regent must choose between him + and the Marechal de Villeroy, for that after what had passed he could + not transact any business or remain at the Court in safety and honour, + while the Marechal de Villeroy remained there! + </p> + <p> + I cannot express the astonishment into which M. le Duc d'Orleans and I + were thrown. We could not believe what we had heard, but fancied we + were dreaming. M. le Duc d'Orleans put several questions to Dubois, I + took the liberty to do the same, in order to sift the affair to the + bottom. But there was no variation in the replies of the Cardinal, + furious as he was. Every moment he presented the same option to the + Regent; every moment he proposed that the Cardinal de Bissy should be + sent for as having witnessed everything. It may be imagined that this + second scene, which I would gladly have escaped, was tolerably + exciting. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal still insisting that the Regent must choose which of the + two be sent away, M. le Duc d'Orleans asked me what I thought. I + replied that I was so bewildered and so moved by this astounding + occurrence that I must collect myself before speaking. The Cardinal, + without addressing himself to me but to M. le Duc d'Orleans, who he + saw was plunged Memoirs in embarrassment, strongly insisted that he + must come to some resolution. Upon this M. le Duc d'Orleans beckoned + me over, and I said to him that hitherto I had always regarded the + dismissal of the Marechal de Villeroy as a very dangerous enterprise, + for reasons I had several times alleged to his Royal Highness: but + that now whatever peril there might be in undertaking it, the + frightful scene that had just been enacted persuaded me that it would + be much more dangerous to leave him near the King than to get rid of + him altogether. I added that this was my opinion, since his Royal + Highness wished to know it without giving me the time to reflect upon + it with more coolness; but as for the execution, that must be well + discussed before being attempted. + </p> + <p> + Whilst I spoke, the Cardinal pricked up his ears, turned his eyes upon + me, sucked in all my words, and changed colour like a man who hears + his doom pronounced. My opinion relieved him as much as the rage with + which he was filled permitted. M. le Duc d'Orleans approved what I had + just said, and the Cardinal, casting a glance upon me as of thanks, + said he was the master, and must choose, but that he must choose at + once, because things could not remain as they were. Finally, it was + agreed that the rest of the day (it was now about twelve) and the + following morning should be given to reflection upon the matter, and + that the next day, at three o'clock in the afternoon, I should meet M. + le Duc d'Orleans. + </p> + <p> + The next day accordingly I went to M. le Prince, whom I found with the + Cardinal Dubois. M. le Duc entered a moment after, quite full of the + adventure. Cardinal Dubois did not fail, though, to give him an + abridged recital of it, loaded with comments and reflections. He was + more his own master than on the preceding day, having had time to + recover himself, we cherishing hopes that the Marechal would be sent + to the right about. It was here that I heard of the brag of the + Marechal de Villeroy concerning the struggle he had had with Dubois, + and of the challenges and insults he had uttered with a confidence + which rendered his arrest more and more necessary. + </p> + <p> + After we had chatted awhile, standing, Dubois went away. M. le Duc + d'Orleans sat down at his bureau, and M. le Duc and I sat in front of + him. There we deliberated upon what ought to be done. After a few + words of explanation from the Regent, he called upon me to give my + opinion. I did so as briefly as possible, repeating what I had said on + the previous day. M. le Duc d'Orleans, during my short speech, was + very attentive, but with the countenance of a man much embarrassed. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I had finished, he asked M. le Duc what he thought. M. le + Duc said his opinion was mine, and that if the Marechal de Villeroy + remained in his office there was nothing for it but to put the key + outside the door; that was his expression. He reproduced some of the + principal reasons I had alleged, supported them, and concluded by + saying there was not a moment to lose. M. le Duc d'Orleans summed up a + part of what had been said, and agreed that the Marechal de Villeroy + must be got rid of. M. le Duc again remarked that it must be done at + once. Then we set about thinking how we could do it. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans asked me my advice thereon. I said there were two + things to discuss, the pretext and the execution. That a pretext was + necessary, such as would convince the impartial, and be unopposed even + by the friends of the Marechal de Villeroy; that above all things we + had to take care to give no one ground for believing that the disgrace + of Villeroy was the fruit of the insults he had heaped upon Cardinal + Dubois; that outrageous as those insults might be, addressed to a + cardinal, to a minister in possession of entire confidence, and at the + head of affairs, the public, who envied him and did not like him, well + remembering whence he had sprung, would consider the victim too + illustrious; that the chastisement would overbalance the offence, and + would be complained of; that violent resolutions, although necessary, + should always have reason and appearances in their favour; that + therefore I was against allowing punishment to follow too quickly upon + the real offence, inasmuch as M. le Duc d'Orleans had one of the best + pretexts in the world for disgracing the Marechal, a pretext known by + everybody, and which would be admitted by everybody. + </p> + <p> + I begged the Regent then to remember that he had told me several times + he never had been able to speak to the King in private, or even in a + whisper before others; that when he had tried, the Marechal de + Villeroy had at once come forward poking his nose between them, and + declaring that while he was governor he would never suffer any one, + not even his Royal Highness, to address his Majesty in a low tone, + much lest to speak to him in private. I said that this conduct towards + the Regent, a grandson of France, and the nearest relative the King + had, was insolence enough to disgust every one, and apparent as such + at half a glance. I counselled M. le Duc d'Orleans to make use of this + circumstance, and by its means to lay a trap for the Marechal into + which there was not the slightest doubt he would fall. The trap was to + be thus arranged. M. le Duc d'Orleans was to insist upon his right to + speak to the King in private, and upon the refusal of the Marechal to + recognise it, was to adopt a new tone and make Villeroy feel he was + the master. I added, in conclusion, that this snare must not be laid + until everything was ready to secure its success. + </p> + <p> + When I had ceased speaking, "You have robbed me," said the Regent; "I + was going to propose the same thing if you had not. What do you think + of it, Monsieur?" regarding M. le Duc. That Prince strongly approved + the proposition I had just made, briefly praised every part of it, and + added that he saw nothing better to be done than to execute this plan + very punctually. + </p> + <p> + It was agreed afterwards that no other plan could be adopted than that + of arresting the Marechal and sending him right off at once to + Villeroy, and then, after having allowed him to repose there a day or + two, on account of his age, but well watched, to see if he should be + sent on to Lyons or elsewhere. The manner in which he was to be + arrested was to be decided at Cardinal Dubois' apartments, where the + Regent begged me to go at once. I rose accordingly, and went there. + </p> + <p> + I found Dubois with one or two friends, all of whom were in the secret + of this affair, as he, at once told me, to put me at my ease. We soon + therefore entered upon business, but it would be superfluous to relate + here all that passed in this little assembly. What we resolved on was + very well executed, as will be seen. I arranged with Le Blanc, who was + one of the conclave, that the instant the arrest had taken place, he + should send to Meudon, and simply inquire after me; nothing more, and + that by this apparently meaningless compliment, I should know that the + Marechal had been packed off. + </p> + <p> + I returned towards evening to Meudon, where several friends of Madame + de Saint-Simon and of myself often slept, and where others, following + the fashion established at Versailles and Paris, came to dine or sup, + so that the company was always very numerous. The scene between Dubois + and Villeroy was much talked about, and the latter universally blamed. + Neither then nor during the ten days which elapsed before his arrest, + did it enter into the head of anybody to suppose that anything worse + would happen to him than general blame for his unmeasured violence, so + accustomed were people to his freaks, and to the feebleness of M. le + Duc d'Orleans. I was now delighted, however, to find such general + confidence, which augmented that of the Marechal, and rendered more + easy the execution of our project against him; punishment he more and + more deserved by the indecency and affectation of his discourses, and + the audacity of his continual challenges. + </p> + <p> + Three or four days after, I went to Versailles, to see M. le Duc + d'Orleans. He said that, for want of a better, and in consequence of + what I had said to him on more than one occasion of the Duc de + Charost, it was to him he intended to give the office of governor of + the King: that he had secretly seen him that Charost had accepted with + willingness the post, and was now safely shut up in his apartment at + Versailles, seeing no one, and seen by no one, ready to be led to the + King the moment the time should arrive. The Regent went over with me + all the measures to be taken, and I returned to Meudon, resolved not + to budge from it until they were executed, there being nothing more to + arrange. + </p> + <p> + On Sunday, the 12th of August, 1722, M. le Duc d'Orleans went, towards + the end of the afternoon, to work with the King, as he was accustomed + to do several times each week; and as it was summer time now, he went + after his airing, which he always took early. This work was to show + the King by whom were to be filled up vacant places in the church, + among the magistrates and intendants, &c., and to briefly explain + to him the reasons which suggested the selection, and sometimes the + distribution of the finances. The Regent informed him, too, of the + foreign news, which was within his comprehension, before it was made + public. At the conclusion of this labour, at which the Marechal de + Villeroy was always present, and sometimes M. de Frejus (when he made + bold to stop), M. le Duc d'Orleans begged the King to step into a + little back cabinet, where he would say a word to him alone. + </p> + <p> + The Marechal de Villeroy at once opposed. M. le Duc d'Orleans, who had + laid this snare far him, saw him fall into it with satisfaction. He + represented to the Marechal that the King was approaching the age when + he would govern by himself, that it was time for him, who was + meanwhile the depository of all his authority, to inform him of things + which he could understand, and which could only be explained to him + alone, whatever confidence might merit any third person. The Regent + concluded by begging the Marechal to cease to place any obstacles in + the way of a thing so necessary and so important, saying that he had, + perhaps, to reproach himself for,—solely out of complaisance to + him, not having coerced before. + </p> + <p> + The Marechal, arising and stroking his wig, replied that he knew the + respect he owed, him, and knew also quite as well the respect he owed + to the King, and to his place, charged as he was with the person of + his Majesty, and being responsible for it. But he said he would not + suffer his Royal Highness to speak to the King in private (because he + ought to know everything said to his Majesty), still less would he + suffer him to lead the King into a cabinet, out of his sight, for + 'twas his (the Marechal's) duty never to lose sight of his charge, and + in everything to answer for it. + </p> + <p> + Upon this, M. le Duc d'Orleans looked fixedly at the Marechal and + said, in the tone of a master, that he mistook himself and forgot + himself; that he ought to remember to whom he was speaking, and take + care what words he used; that the respect he (the Regent) owed to the + presence of the King, hindered him from replying as he ought to reply, + and from continuing this conversation. Therefore he made a profound + reverence to the King, and went away. + </p> + <p> + The Marechal, thoroughly angry, conducted him some steps, mumbling and + gesticulating; M. le Duc d'Orleans pretending to neither see nor hear + him, the King astonished, and M. de Frejus laughing in his sleeve. The + bait so well swallowed,—no one doubted that the Marechal, + audacious as he was, but nevertheless a servile and timid courtier, + would feel all the difference between braving, bearding, and insulting + Cardinal Dubois (odious to everybody, and always smelling of the vile + egg from which he had been hatched) and wrestling with the Regent in + the presence of the King, claiming to annihilate M. le Duc d'Orleans' + rights and authority, by appealing to his own pretended rights and + authority as governor of the King. People were not mistaken; less than + two hours after what had occurred, it was known that the Marechal, + bragging of what he had just done, had added that he should consider + himself very unhappy if M. le Duc d'Orleans thought he had been + wanting in respect to him, when his only idea was to fulfil his + precious duty; and that he would go the next day to have an + explanation with his Royal Highness, which he doubted not would be + satisfactory to him. + </p> + <p> + At every hazard, all necessary measures had been taken as soon as the + day was fixed on which the snare was to be laid for the Marechal. + Nothing remained but to give form to them directly it was known that + on the morrow the Marechal would come and throw himself into the + lion's mouth. + </p> + <p> + Beyond the bed-room of M. le Duc d'Orleans was a large and fine + cabinet, with four big windows looking upon the garden, and on the + same floor, two paces distant, two other windows; and two at the side + in front of the chimney, and all these windows opened like doors. This + cabinet occupied the corner where the courtiers awaited, and behind + was an adjoining cabinet, where M. le Duc d'Orleans worked and + received distinguished persons or favourites who wished to talk with + him. + </p> + <p> + The word was given. Artagnan, captain of the grey musketeers, was in + the room (knowing what was going to happen), with many trusty officers + of his company whom he had sent for, and former musketeers to be made + use of at a pinch, and who clearly saw by these preparations that + something important was in the wind, but without divining what. There + were also some light horse posted outside these windows in the same + ignorance, and many principal officers and others in the Regent's + bed-room, and in the grand cabinet. + </p> + <p> + All things being well arranged, the Marechal de Villeroy arrived about + mid-day, with his accustomed hubbub, but alone, his chair and porters + remaining outside, beyond the Salle des Gardes. He enters like a + comedian, stops, looks round, advances some steps. Under pretext of + civility, he is environed, surrounded. He asks in an authoritative + tone, what M. le Duc d'Orleans is doing: the reply is, he is in his + private room within. + </p> + <p> + The Marechal elevates his tone, says that nevertheless he must see the + Regent; that he is going to enter; when lo! La Fare, captain of M. le + Duc d'Orleans' guards, presents himself before him, arrests him, and + demands his sword. The Marechal becomes furious, all present are in + commotion. At this instant Le Blanc presents himself. His sedan chair, + that had been hidden, is planted before the Marechal. He cries aloud, + he is shaking on his lower limbs; but he is thrust into the chair, + which is closed upon him and carried away in the twinkling of an eye + through one of the side windows into the garden, La Fare and Artagnan + each on one side of the chair, the light horse and musketeers behind, + judging only by the result what was in the wind. The march is + hastened; the party descend the steps of the orangery by the side of + the thicket; the grand gate is found open and a coach and six before + it. The chair is put down; the Marechal storms as he will; he is cast + into the coach; Artagnan mounts by his side; an officer of the + musketeers is in front; and one of the gentlemen in ordinary of the + King by the side of the officer; twenty musketeers, with mounted + officers, surround the vehicle, and away they go. + </p> + <p> + This side of the garden is beneath the window of the Queen's + apartments (when occupied by the Infanta). This scene under the + blazing noon-day sun was seen by no one, and although the large number + of persons in M. le Duc d'Orleans' rooms soon dispersed, it is + astonishing that an affair of this kind remained unknown more than ten + hours in the chateau of Versailles. The servants of the Marechal de + Villeroy (to whom nobody had dared to say a word) still waited with + their master's chair near the Salle des Gardes. They were, told, after + M. le Duc d'Orleans had seen the King, that the Marechal had gone to + Villeroy, and that they could carry to him what was necessary. + </p> + <p> + I received at Meudon the message arranged. I was sitting down to + table, and it was only towards the supper that people came from + Versailles to tell us all the news, which was making much sensation + there, but a sensation very measured on account of the surprise and + fear paused by the manner in which the arrest had been executed. + </p> + <p> + It was no agreeable task, that which had to be performed soon after by + the Regent; I mean when he carried the news of the arrest to the King. + He entered into his Majesty's cabinet, which he cleared of all the + company it contained, except those people whose post gave them aright + to enter, but of them there were not many present. At the first word, + the King reddened; his eyes moistened; he hid his face against the + back of an armchair, without saying a word; would neither go out nor + play. He ate but a few mouthfuls at supper, wept, and did not sleep + all night. The morning and the dinner of the next day, the 14th, + passed off but little better. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0114" id="link2HCH0114"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER CXIV + </h2> + <p> + That same 14th, as I rose from dinner at Meudon, with much company, + the valet de chambre who served me said that a courier from Cardinal + Dubois had a letter for me, which he had not thought good to bring me + before all my guests. I opened the letter. The Cardinal conjured me to + go instantly and see him at Versailles, bringing with me a trusty + servant, ready to be despatched to La Trappe, as soon as I had spoken + with him, and not to rack my brains to divine what this might mean, + because it would be impossible to divine it, and that he was waiting + with the utmost impatience to tell it to me. I at once ordered my + coach, which I thought a long time in coming from the stables. They + are a considerable distance from the new chateau I occupied. + </p> + <p> + This courier to be taken to the Cardinal, in order to be despatched to + La Trappe, turned my head. I could not imagine what had happened to + occupy the Cardinal so thoroughly so soon after the arrest of + Villeroy. The constitution, or some important and unknown fugitive + discovered at La Trappe, and a thousand other thoughts, agitated me + until I arrived at Versailles. + </p> + <p> + Upon reaching the chateau, I saw Dubois at a window awaiting me, and + making many signs to me, and upon reaching the staircase, I found him + there at the bottom, as I was about to mount. His first word was to + ask me if I had brought with me a man who could post to La Trappe. I + showed him my valet de chambre, who knew the road well, having + travelled over it with me very often, and who was well known to the + Cardinal, who, when simple Abbe Dubois, used very frequently to chat + with him while waiting for me. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal explained to me, as we ascended the stairs, the cause of + his message. Immediately after the departure of the Marechal de + Villeroy, M. le Frejus, the King's instructor, had been missed. He had + disappeared. He had not slept at Versailles. No one knew what had + become of him! The grief of the King had so much increased upon + receiving this fresh blow—both his familiar friends taken from + him at once—that no one knew what to do with him. He was in the + most violent despair, wept bitterly, and could not be pacified. The + Cardinal concluded by saying that no stone must be left unturned in + order to find M. de Frejus. That unless he had gone to Villeroy, it + was probable he had hid himself in La Trappe, and that we must send + and see. With this he led me to M. le Duc d'Orleans. He was alone, + much troubled, walking up and down his chamber, and he said to me that + he knew not what would become of the King, or what to do with him; + that he was crying for M. de Frejus, and—would listen to + nothing; and the Regent began himself to cry out against this strange + flight. + </p> + <p> + After some further consideration, Dubois pressed me to go and write to + La Trappe. All was in disorder where we were; everybody spoke at once + in the cabinet; it was impossible, in the midst of all this noise, to + write upon the bureau, as I often did when I was alone with the King. + My apartment was in the new wing, and perhaps shut up, for I was not + expected that day. I went therefore, instead, into the chamber of + Peze, close at hand, and wrote my letter there. The letter finished, + and I about to descend, Peze, who had left me, returned, crying, "He + is found! he is found! your letter is useless; return to M. le Duc + d'Orleans." + </p> + <p> + He then related to me that just before, one of M. le Duc d'Orleans' + people, who knew that Frejus was a friend of the Lamoignons, had met + Courson in the grand court, and had asked him if he knew what had + become of Frejus; that Courson had replied, "Certainly: he went last + night to sleep at Basville, where the President Lamoignon is;" and + that upon this, the man hurried Courson to M. le Duc d'Orleans to + relate this to him. + </p> + <p> + Peze and I arrived at M. le Duc d'Orleans' room just after Courson + left it. Serenity had returned. Frejus was well belaboured. After a + moment of cheerfulness, Cardinal Dubois advised M. le Duc d'Orleans to + go and carry this good news to the King, and to say that a courier + should at once be despatched to Basville, to make his preceptor + return. M. le Duc d'Orleans acted upon the suggestion, saying he would + return directly. I remained with Dubois awaiting him. + </p> + <p> + After having discussed a little this mysterious flight of Frejus, + Dubois told me he had news of Villeroy. He said that the Marechal had + not ceased to cry out against the outrage committed upon his person, + the audacity of the Regent, the insolence of Dubois, or to hector + Artagnan all the way for having lent himself to such criminal + violence; then he invoked the Manes of the deceased King, bragged of + his confidence in him, the importance of the place he held, and for + which he had been preferred above all others; talked of the rising + that so impudent an enterprise would cause in Paris, throughout the + realm, and in foreign countries; deplored the fate of the young King + and of all the kingdom; the officers selected by the late King for the + most precious of charges, driven away, the Duc du Maine first, himself + afterwards; then he burst out into exclamations and invectives; then + into praises of his services, of his fidelity, of his firmness, of his + inviolable attachment to his duty. In fact, he was so astonished, so + troubled, so full of vexation and of rage, that he was thoroughly + beside himself. The Duc de Villeroy, the Marechal de Tallard and Biron + had permission to go and see him at Villeroy: scarcely anybody else + asked for it. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans having returned from the King, saying that the + news he had carried had much appeased his Majesty, we agreed we must + so arrange matters that Frejus should return the next morning, that M. + le Duc d'Orleans should receive him well, as though nothing had + happened, and give him to understand that it was simply to avoid + embarrassing him, that he had not been made aware of the secret of the + arrest (explaining this to him with all the more liberty, because + Frejus hated the Marechal, his haughtiness, his jealousy, his + capriciousness, and in his heart must be delighted at his removal, and + at being able to have entire possession of the—King), then beg + him to explain to the King the necessity of Villeroy's dismissal: then + communicate to Frejus the selection of the Duc de Charost as governor + of the King; promise him all the concert and the attention from this + latter he could desire; ask him to counsel and guide Charost; finally, + seize the moment of the King's joy at the return of Frejus to inform + his Majesty of the new governor chosen, and to present Charost to him. + All this was arranged and very well, executed next day. + </p> + <p> + When the Marechal heard of it at Villeroy, he flew into a strange + passion against Charost (of whom he spoke with the utmost contempt for + having accepted his place), but above all against Frejus, whom he + called a traitor and a villain! His first moments of passion, of fury, + and of transport, were all the more violent, because he saw by the + tranquillity reigning everywhere that his pride had deceived him in + inducing him to believe that the Parliament, the markets, all Paris + would rise if the Regent dared to touch a person so important and so + well beloved as he imagined himself to be. This truth, which he could + no longer hide from himself, and which succeeded so rapidly to the + chimeras that had been his food and his life, threw him into despair, + and turned his head. He fell foul of the Regent, of his minister, of + those employed to arrest him, of those who had failed to defend him, + of all who had not risen in revolt to bring him back in triumph, of + Charost, who had dared to succeed him, and especially of Frejus, who + had deceived him in such an unworthy manner. Frejus was the person + against whom he was the most irritated. Reproaches of ingratitude and + of treachery rained unceasingly upon him; all that the Marechal had + done for him with the deceased King was recollected; how he had + protected, aided, lodged, and fed him; how without him (Villeroy) he + (Frejus) would never have been preceptor of the King; and all this was + exactly true. + </p> + <p> + The treachery to which he alluded he afterwards explained. He said + that he and Frejus had agreed at the very commencement of the regency + to act in union; and that if by troubles or events impossible to + foresee, but which were only too common in regencies, one of them + should be dismissed from office, the other not being able to hinder + the dismissal, though not touched himself, should at once withdraw and + never return to his post, until the first was reinstated in his. And + after these explanations, new cries broke out against the perfidy of + this miserable wretch—(for the most odious terms ran glibly from + the end of his tongue)—who thought like a fool to cover his + perfidy with a veil of gauze, in slipping off to Basville, so as to be + instantly sought and brought back, in fear lest he should lose his + place by the slightest resistance or the slightest delay, and who + expected to acquit himself thus of his word, and of the reciprocal + engagement both had taken; and then he returned to fresh insults and + fury against this serpent, as he said, whom he had warmed and + nourished so many years in his bosom. + </p> + <p> + The account of these transports and insults, promptly came from + Villeroy to Versailles, brought, not only by the people whom the + Regent had placed as guards over the Marechal, and to give an exact + account of all he said and did, day by day, but by all the domestics + who came and went, and before whom Villeroy launched out his speeches, + at table, while passing through his ante-chambers, or while taking a + turn in his gardens. + </p> + <p> + All this weighed heavily upon Frejus by the rebound. Despite the + apparent tranquillity of his visage, he appeared confounded. He + replied by a silence of respect and commiseration in which he + enveloped himself; nevertheless, he could not do so to the Duc de + Villeroy, the Marechal de Tallard, and a few others. He tranquilly + said to them, that he had done all he could to fulfil an engagement + which he did not deny, but that after having thus satisfied the call + of honour, he did not think he could refuse to obey orders so express + from the King and the Regent, or abandon the former in order to bring + about the return of the Marechal de Villeroy, which was the object of + their reciprocal engagement, and which he was certain he could not + effect by absence, however prolonged. But amidst these very sober + excuses could be seen the joy which peeped forth from him, in spite of + himself, at being freed from so inconvenient a superior, at having to + do with a new governor whom he could easily manage, at being able when + he chose to guide himself in all liberty towards the grand object he + had always desired, which was to attach himself to the King without + reserve, and to make out of this attachment, obtained by all sorts of + means, the means of a greatness which he did not yet dare to figure to + himself, but which time and opportunity would teach him how to avail + himself of in the best manner, marching to it meanwhile in perfect + security. + </p> + <p> + The Marechal was allowed to refresh himself, and exhale his anger five + or six days at Villeroy; and as he was not dangerous away from the + King, he was sent to Lyons, with liberty to exercise his functions of + governor of the town and province, measures being taken to keep a + watch upon him, and Des Libois being left with him to diminish his + authority by this manifestation of precaution and surveillance, which + took from him all appearance of credit. He would receive no honours on + arriving there. A large quantity of his first fire was extinguished; + this wide separation from Paris and the Court, where not even the + slightest movement had taken place, everybody being stupefied and in + terror at an arrest of this importance; took from him all remaining + hope, curbed his impetuosity, and finally induced him to conduct + himself with sagacity in order to avoid worse treatment. + </p> + <p> + Such was the catastrophe of a man, so incapable of all the posts he + had occupied, who displayed chimeras and audacity in the place of + prudence and sagacity, who everywhere appeared a trifler and a + comedian, and whose universal and profound ignorance (except of the + meanest arts of the courtier) made plainly visible the thin covering + of probity and of virtue with which he tried to hide his ingratitude, + his mad ambition, his desire to overturn all in order to make himself + the chief of all, in the midst of his weakness and his fears, and to + hold a helm he was radically incapable of managing. I speak here only + of his conduct since the establishment of the regency. Elsewhere, in + more than one place, the little or nothing he was worth has been + shown; how his ignorance and his jealousy lost us Flanders, and nearly + ruined the State; how his felicity was pushed to the extreme, and what + deplorable reverses followed his return. Sufficient to say that he + never recovered from the state into which this last madness threw him, + and that the rest of his life was only bitterness, regret, contempt! + He had persuaded the King that it was he, alone, who by vigilance and + precaution had preserved his life from poison that others wished to + administer to him. This was the source of those tears shed by the King + when Villeroy was carried off, and of his despair when Frejus + disappeared. He did not doubt that both had been removed in order that + this crime might be more easily committed. + </p> + <p> + The prompt return of Frejus dissipated the half, of his fear, the + continuance of his good health delivered him by degrees from the + other. The preceptor, who had a great interest in preserving the King, + and who felt much relieved by the absence of Villeroy, left nothing + undone in order to extinguish these gloomy ideas; and consequently to + let blame fall upon him who had inspired them. He feared the return of + the Marechal when the King, who was approaching his majority, should + be the master; once delivered of the yoke he did not wish it to be + reimposed upon him. He well knew that the grand airs, the ironies, the + authoritative fussiness in public of the Marechal were insupportable + to his Majesty, and that they held together only by those frightful + ideas of poison. To destroy them was to show the Marechal uncovered, + and worse than that to show to the King, without appearing to make a + charge against the Marechal, the criminal interest he had in exciting + these alarms, and the falsehood and atrocity of such a venomous + invention. These reflections; which the health of the King each day + confirmed, sapped all esteem, all gratitude, and left his Majesty in + full liberty of conscience to prohibit, when he should be the master, + all approach to his person on the part of so vile and so interested an + impostor. + </p> + <p> + Frejus made use of these means to shelter himself against the + possibility of the Marechal's return, and to attach himself to the + King without reserve. The prodigious success of his schemes has been + only too well felt since. + </p> + <p> + The banishment of Villeroy, flight and return of Frejus, and + installation of Charost as governor of the King, were followed by the + confirmation of his Majesty by the Cardinal de Rohan, and by his first + communion, administered to him by this self-same Cardinal, his grand + almoner. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0115" id="link2HCH0115"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER CXV + </h2> + <p> + Villeroy being banished, the last remaining obstacle in Dubois' path + was removed. There was nothing: now, to hinder him from being + proclaimed prime minister. I had opposed it as stoutly as I could; but + my words were lost upon M. le Duc d'Orleans. Accordingly, about two + o'clock in the afternoon of the 23rd of August, 1722, Dubois was + declared prime minister by the Regent, and by the Regent at once + conducted to the King as such. + </p> + <p> + After this event I began insensibly to withdraw from public affairs. + Before the end of the year the King was consecrated at Rheims. The + disorder at the ceremony was inexpressible. All precedent was + forgotten. Rank was hustled and jostled, so to speak, by the crowd. + The desire to exclude the nobility from all office and all dignity was + obvious, at half a glance. My spirit was ulcerated at this; I saw + approaching the complete re-establishment of the bastards; my heart + was cleft in twain, to see the Regent at the heels of his unworthy + minister. He was a prey to the interest, the avarice, the folly, of + this miserable wretch, and no remedy possible. Whatever experience I + might have had of the astonishing weakness of M. le Duc d'Orleans, it + had passed all bounds when I saw him with my own eyes make Dubois + prime minister, after all I had said to him on the subject,—after + all he had said to me. The year 1723 commenced, and found me in this + spirit. It is at the end of this year I have determined to end those + memoirs, and the details of it will not be so full or so abundant as + of preceding years. I was hopelessly wearied with M. le Duc d'Orleans; + I no longer approached this poor prince (with so many great and + useless talents buried in him)—except with repugnance. I could + not help feeling for him what the poor, Israelites said to themselves + in the desert about the manna: "Nauseat anima mea suffer cibum istum + tevissimum." I no longer deigned to speak to him. He perceived this: I + felt he was pained at it; he strove to reconcile me to him, without + daring, however, to speak of affairs, except briefly, and with + constraint, and yet he could not hinder himself from speaking of them. + I scarcely took the trouble to reply to him, and I cut his + conversation as short as possible. I abridged and curtailed my + audiences with him; I listened to his reproaches with coldness. In + fact, what had I to discuss with a Regent who was no longer one, not + even over himself, still less over a realm plunged in disorder? + </p> + <p> + Cardinal Dubois, when he met me, almost courted me. He knew not how to + catch me. The bonds which united me to M. le Duc d'Orleans had always + been so strong that the prime minister, who knew their strength, did + not dare to flatter himself he could break them. His resource was to + try to disgust me by inducing his master to treat me with a reserve + which was completely new to him, and which cost him more than it cost + me; for, in fact, he had often found my confidence very useful to him, + and had grown accustomed to it. As for me, I dispensed with his + friendship more than willingly, vexed at being no longer able to + gather any fruit from it for the advantage of the State or himself, + wholly abandoned as he was to his Paris pleasures and to his minister. + The conviction of my complete inutility more and more kept me in the + background, without the slightest suspicion that different conduct + could be dangerous to me, or that, weak and abandoned to Dubois as was + the Regent, the former could ever exile me, like the Duc de Roailles, + and Cariillac, or disgust me into exiling myself. I followed, then, my + accustomed life. That is to say, never saw M. le Duc d'Orleans except + tete-a-tete, and then very seldom at intervals that each time grew + longer, coldly, briefly, never talking to him of business, or, if he + did to me, returning the conversation, and replying it! a manner to + make it drop. Acting thus, it is easy to see that I was mixed up in + nothing, and what I shall have to relate now will have less of the + singularity and instructiveness of good and faithful memoirs, than of + the dryness and sterility of the gazettes. + </p> + <p> + First of all I will finish my account of Cardinal Dubois. I have very + little more to say of him; for he had scarcely begun to enjoy his high + honours when Death came to laugh at him for the sweating labour he had + taken to acquire them. + </p> + <p> + On the 11th of June, 1723, the King went to reside at Meudon, + ostensibly in order that the chateau of Versailles might be cleared—in + reality, to accommodate Cardinal Dubois. He had just presided over the + assembly of the day, and flattered to the last degree at this, wished + to repose upon the honour. He desired, also, to be present sometimes + at the assembling of the Company of the Indies. Meudon brought him + half-way to Paris, and saved him a journey. His debauchery had so + shattered his health that the movement of a coach gave him pains which + he very carefully hid. + </p> + <p> + The King held at Meudon a review of his household, which in his pride + the Cardinal must needs attend. It cost him dear. He mounted on + horseback the better, to enjoy his triumph; he suffered cruelly, and + became so violently ill that he was obliged to have assistance. The + most celebrated doctors and physicians were called in, with great + secrecy. They shook their heads, and came so often that news of the + illness began to transpire. Dubois was unable to go to Paris again + more than once or twice, and then with much trouble, and solely to + conceal his malady, which gave him no repose. + </p> + <p> + He left nothing undone, in fact, to hide it from the world; he went as + often as he could to the council; apprised the ambassadors he would go + to Paris, and did not go; kept himself invisible at home, and bestowed + the most frightful abuse upon everybody who dared to intrude upon him. + On Saturday, the 7th of August, he was so ill that the doctors + declared he must submit to an operation, which was very urgent, and + without which he could hope to live but a few days; because the + abscess he had having burst the day he mounted on horseback, gangrene + had commenced, with an overflow of pus, and he must be transported, + they added, to Versailles, in order to undergo this operation. The + trouble this terrible announcement caused him, so overthrew him that + he could not be moved the next day, Sunday, the 8th; but on Monday he + was transported in a litter, at five o'clock in the morning. + </p> + <p> + After having allowed him to repose himself a little, the doctors and + surgeons proposed that he should receive the sacrament, and submit to + the operation immediately after. This was not heard very peacefully; + he had scarcely ever been free from fury since the day of the review; + he had grown worse on Saturday, when the operation was first announced + to him. Nevertheless, some little time after, he sent for a priest + from Versailles, with whom he remained alone about a quarter of an + hour. Such a great and good man, so well prepared for death, did not + need more: Prime ministers, too, have privileged confessions. As his + chamber again filled, it was proposed that he should take the + viaticum; he cried out that that was soon said, but there was a + ceremonial for the cardinals, of which he was ignorant, and Cardinal + Bissy must be sent to, at Paris, for information upon it. Everybody + looked at his neighbour, and felt that Dubois merely wished to gain + time; but as the operation was urgent, they proposed it to him without + further delay. He furiously sent them away, and would no longer hear + talk of it. + </p> + <p> + The faculty, who saw the imminent danger of the slightest delay, sent + to Meudon for M. le Duc d'Orleans, who instantly came in the first + conveyance he could lay his hands on. He exhorted the Cardinal to + suffer the operation; then asked the faculty, if it could be performed + in safety. They replied that they could say nothing for certain, but + that assuredly the Cardinal had not two hours to live if he did not + instantly agree to it. M. le Duc d'Orleans returned to the sick man, + and begged him so earnestly to do so, that he consented. + </p> + <p> + The operation was accordingly performed about five o'clock, and in + five minutes, by La Peyronie, chief surgeon of the King, and successor + to Marechal, who was present with Chirac and others of the most + celebrated surgeons and doctors. The Cardinal cried and stormed + strongly. M. le Duc d'Orleans returned into the chamber directly after + the operation was performed, and the faculty did not dissimulate from + him that, judging by the nature of the wound, and what had issued from + it, the Cardinal had not long to live. He died, in fact, twenty-four + hours afterwards, on the 10th, of August, at five o'clock in the + morning, grinding his teeth against his surgeons and against Chirac, + whom he had never ceased to abuse. + </p> + <p> + Extreme unction was, however, brought to him. Of the communion, + nothing more was said—or of any priest for him—and he + finished his life thus, in the utmost despair, and enraged at quitting + it. Fortune had nicely played with him; slid made him dearly and + slowly buy her favours by all sorts of trouble, care, projects, + intrigues, fears, labour, torment; and at last showered down upon him + torrents of greater power, unmeasured riches, to let him enjoy them + only four years (dating from the time when he was made Secretary of + State, and only two years dating from the time when he was made + Cardinal and Prime Minister), and then snatched them from him, in the + smiling moment when he was most enjoying them, at sixty- six years of + age. + </p> + <p> + He died thus, absolute master of his master, less a prime minister + than an all-powerful minister, exercising in full and undisturbed + liberty the authority and the power of the King; he was superintendent + of the post, Cardinal, Archbishop of Cambrai, had seven abbeys, with + respect to which he was insatiable to the last; and he had set on foot + overtures in order to seize upon those of Citeaux, Premonte, and + others, and it was averred that he received a pension from England of + 40,000 livres sterling! I had the curiosity to ascertain his revenue, + and I have thought what I found curious enough to be inserted here, + diminishing some of the benefices to avoid all exaggeration. I have + made a reduction, too, upon what he drew from his place of prime + minister, and that of the post. I believe, also, that he had 20,000 + livres from the clergy, as Cardinal, but I do not know it as certain. + What he drew from Law was immense. He had made use of a good deal of + it at Rome, in order to obtain his Cardinalship; but a prodigious sum + of ready cash was left in his hands. He had an extreme quantity of the + most beautiful plate in silver and enamel, most admirably worked; the + richest furniture, the rarest jewels of all kinds, the finest and + rarest horses of all countries, and the most superb equipages. His + table was in every way exquisite and superb, and he did the honours of + it very well, although extremely sober by nature and by regime. + </p> + <p> + The place of preceptor of M. le Duc d'Orleans had procured for him the + Abbey of Nogent-sous-Coucy; the marriage of the Prince that of Saint- + Just; his first journeys to Hanover and England, those of Airvause and + of Bourgueil: three other journeys, his omnipotence. What a monster of + Fortune! With what a commencement, and with what an end! + </p> + ACCOUNT OF HIS RICHES: +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Benefices .............................324,000 livres + Prime Minister and Past ...............250,000 " + Pension from England ................ 960,000 " + ———— + 1,534,000 " +</pre> + <p> + On Wednesday evening, the day after his death, Dubois was carried from + Versailles to the church of the chapter of Saint-Honore, in Paris, + where he was interred some days after. Each of the academies of which + he was a member had a service performed for him (at which they were + present), the assembly of the clergy had another (he being their + president); and as prime minister he had one at Notre Dame, at which + the Cardinal de Noailles officiated, and at which the superior courts + were present. There was no funeral oration at any of them. It could + not be hazarded. His brother, more modest than he, and an honest man, + kept the office of secretary of the cabinet, which he had, and which + the Cardinal had given him. This brother found an immense heritage. He + had but one son, canon of Saint-Honore, who had never desired places + or livings, and who led a good life. He would touch scarcely anything + of this rich succession. He employed a part of it in building for his + uncle a sort of mausoleum (fine, but very modest, against the wall, at + the end of the church, where the Cardinal is interred, with a + Christian-like inscription), and distributed the rest to the poor, + fearing lest this money should bring a curse upon him. + </p> + <p> + It was found some time after his death that the Cardinal had been long + married, but very obscurely! He paid his wife to keep silent when he + received his benefices; but when he dawned into greatness became much + embarrassed with her. He was always in agony lest she should come + forward and ruin him. His marriage had been made in Limousin, and + celebrated in a village church. When he was named Archbishop of + Cambrai he resolved to destroy the proofs of this marriage, and + employed Breteuil, Intendant of Limoges, to whom he committed the + secret, to do this for him skilfully and quietly. + </p> + <p> + Breteuil saw the heavens open before him if he could but succeed in + this enterprise, so delicate and so important. He had intelligence, + and knew how to make use of it. He goes to this village where the + marriage had been celebrated, accompanied by only two or three valets, + and arranges his journey so as to arrive at night, stops at the cure's + house, in default of an inn, familiarly claims hospitality like a man + surprised by the night, dying of hunger and thirst, and unable to go a + step further. + </p> + <p> + The good cure; transported with gladness to lodge M. l'Intendant, + hastily prepared all there was in the house, and had the honour of + supping with him, whilst his servant regaled the two valets in another + room, Breteuil having sent them all away in order to be alone with his + host. Breteuil liked his glass and knew how to empty it. He pretended + to find the supper good and the wine better. The cure, charmed with + his guest, thought only of egging him on, as they say in the + provinces. The tankard was on the table, and was drained again and + again with a familiarity which transported the worthy priest. + Breteuil; who had laid his project, succeeded in it, and made the good + man so drunk that he could not keep upright, or see, or utter a word. + When Breteuil had brought him to this state, and had finished him off + with a few more draughts of wine, he profited by the information he + had extracted from him during the first quarter of an hour of supper. + He had asked if his registers were in good order, and how far they + extended, and under pretext of safety against thieves, asked him where + he kept them, and the keys of them, so that the moment Breteuil was + certain the cure could no longer make use of his senses, he took his + keys, opened the cupboard, took from it the register of the marriage + of the year he wanted, very neatly detached the page he sought (and + woe unto that marriage registered upon the same page), put it in his + pocket, replaced the registers where he had found them, locked up the + cupboard, and put back the keys in the place he had taken them from. + His only thought after this was to steal off as soon as the dawn + appeared, leaving the good cure snoring away the effects of the wine, + and giving, some pistoles to the servant. + </p> + <p> + He went thence to the notary, who had succeeded to the business and + the papers of the one who had made the contract of marriage; liked + himself up with him, and by force and authority made him give up the + minutes of the marriage contract. He sent afterwards for the wife of + Dubois (from whose hands the wily Cardinal had already obtained the + copy of the contract she possessed), threatened her with dreadful + dungeons if she ever dared to breathe a word of her marriage, and + promised marvels to her if she kept silent. + </p> + <p> + He assured her, moreover, that all she could say or do would be thrown + away, because everything had been so arranged that she could prove + nothing, and that if she dared to speak, preparations were made for + condemning her as a calumniator and impostor, to rot with a shaven + head in the prison of a convent! Breteuil placed these two important + documents in the hands of Dubois, and was (to the surprise and scandal + of all the world) recompensed, some time after, with the post of war + secretary, which, apparently; he had done nothing to deserve, and for + which he was utterly unqualified. The secret reason of his appointment + was not discovered until long after. + </p> + <p> + Dubois' wife did not dare to utter a whisper. She came to Paris after + the death of her husband. A good proportion was given to her of what + was left. She lived obscure, but in easy circumstances, and died at + Paris more than twenty years after the Cardinal Dubois, by whom she + had had no children. The brother lived on very good terms with her. He + was a village doctor when Dubois sent for him to Paris: In the end + this history was known, and has been neither contradicted nor + disavowed by anybody. + </p> + <p> + We have many examples of prodigious fortune acquired by insignificant + people, but there is no example of a person so destitute of all talent + (excepting that of low intrigue), as was Cardinal Dubois, being thus + fortunate. His intellect was of the most ordinary kind; his knowledge + the most common-place; his capacity nil; his exterior that of a + ferret, of a pedant; his conversation disagreeable, broken, always + uncertain; his falsehood written upon his forehead; his habits too + measureless to be hidden; his fits of impetuosity resembling fits of + madness; his head incapable of containing more than one thing at a + time, and he incapable of following anything but his personal + interest; nothing was sacred with him; he had no sort of worthy + intimacy with any one; had a declared contempt for faith, promises, + honour, probity, truth; took pleasure at laughing at all these things; + was equally voluptuous and ambitious, wishing to be all in all in + everything; counting himself alone as everything, and whatever was not + connected with him as nothing; and regarding it as the height of + madness to think or act otherwise. With all this he was soft, + cringing, supple, a flatterer, and false admirer, taking all shapes + with the greatest facility, and playing the most opposite parts in + order to arrive at the different ends he proposed to himself; and + nevertheless was but little capable of seducing. His judgment acted by + fits and starts, was involuntarily crooked, with little sense or + clearness; he was disagreeable in spite of himself. Nevertheless, he + could be funnily vivacious when he wished, but nothing more, could + tell a good story, spoiled, however, to some extent by his stuttering, + which his falsehood had turned into a habit from the hesitation he + always had in replying and in speaking. With such defects it is + surprising that the only man he was able to seduce was M. le Duc + d'Orleans, who had so much intelligence, such a well-balanced mind, + and so much clear and rapid perception of character. Dubois gained + upon him as a child while his preceptor; he seized upon him as a young + man by favouring his liking for liberty, sham fashionable manners and + debauchery, and his disdain of all rule. He ruined his heart, his + mind, and his habits, by instilling into him the principles of + libertines, which this poor prince could no more deliver himself from + than from those ideas of reason, truth, and conscience which he always + took care to stifle. + </p> + <p> + Dubois having insinuated himself into the favour of his master in this + manner, was incessantly engaged in studying how to preserve his + position. He never lost sight of his prince, whose great talents and + great defects he had learnt how to profit by. The Regent's feebleness + was the main rock upon which he built. As for Dubois' talent and + capacity, as I have before said, they were worth nothing. All his + success was due to his servile pliancy and base intrigues. + </p> + <p> + When he became the real master of the State he was just as incompetent + as before. All his application was directed towards his master, and it + had for sole aim that that master should not escape him. He wearied + himself in watching all the movements of the prince, what he did, whom + he saw, and for how long; his humour, his visage, his remarks at the + issue of every audience and of every party; who took part in them, + what was said and by whom, combining all these things; above all, he + strove to frighten everybody from approaching the Regent, and kept no + bounds with any one who had the temerity to do so without his + knowledge and permission. This watching occupied all his days, and by + it he regulated all his movements. This application, and the orders he + was obliged to give for appearance sake, occupied all his time, so + that he became inaccessible except for a few public audiences, or for + others to the foreign ministers. Yet the majority of those ministers + never could catch him, and were obliged to lie in wait for him upon + staircases or in passages, where he did not expect to meet them. Once + he threw into the fire a prodigious quantity of unopened letters, and + then congratulated himself upon having got rid of all his business at + once. At his death thousands of letters were found unopened. + </p> + <p> + Thus everything was in arrear, and nobody, not even the foreign + ministers, dared to complain to M. le Duc d'Orleans, who, entirely + abandoned to his pleasures, and always on the road from Versailles to + Paris, never thought of business, only too satisfied to find himself + so free, and attending to nothing except the few trifles he submitted + to the King under the pretence of working with his Majesty. Thus, + nothing could be settled, and all was in chaos. To govern in this + manner there is no need for capacity. Two words to each minister + charged with a department, and some care in garnishing the councils + attended by the King, with the least important despatches (settling + the others with M. le Duc d'Orleans) constituted all the labour of the + prime minister; and spying, scheming, parade, flatteries, defence, + occupied all his time. His fits of passion, full of insults and + blackguardism, from which neither man nor woman, no matter of what + rank, was sheltered, relieved him from an infinite number of + audiences, because people preferred going to subalterns, or neglecting + their business altogether, to exposing themselves to this fury and + these affronts. + </p> + <p> + The mad freaks of Dubois, especially when he had become master, and + thrown off all restraint, would fill a volume. I will relate only one + or two as samples. His frenzy was such that he would sometimes run all + round the chamber, upon the tables and chairs, without touching the + floor! M. le Duc d'Orleans told me that he had often witnessed this. + </p> + <p> + Another sample: + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal de Gesvres came over to-day to complain to M. le Duc + d'Orleans that the Cardinal Dubois had dismissed him in the most + filthy terms. On a former occasion, Dubois had treated the Princesse + de Montauban in a similar manner, and M. le Duc d'Orleans had replied + to her complaints as he now replied to those of the Cardinal de + Gesvres. He told the Cardinal, who was a man of good manners, of + gravity, and of dignity (whereas the Princess deserved what she got) + that he had always found the counsel of the Cardinal Dubois good, and + that he thought he (Gesvres ) would do well to follow the advice just + given him! Apparently it was to free himself from similar complaints + that he spoke thus; and, in fact, he had no more afterwards. + </p> + <p> + Another sample: + </p> + <p> + Madame de Cheverny, become a widow, had retired to the Incurables. Her + place of governess of the daughters of M. le Duc d'Orleans had been + given to Madame de Conflans. A little while after Dubois was + consecrated, Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans asked Madame de Conflans if + she had called upon him. Thereupon Madame de Conflans replied + negatively and that she saw no reason for going, the place she held + being so little mixed up in State affairs. Madame la Duchesse + d'Orleans pointed out how intimate the Cardinal was with M. le Duc + d'Orleans. Madame de Conflans still tried to back out, saying that he + was a madman, who insulted everybody, and to whom she would not expose + herself. She had wit and a tongue, and was supremely vain, although + very polite. Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans burst out laughing at her + fear, and said, that having nothing to ask of the Cardinal, but simply + to render an account to him of the office M. le Duc d'Orleans had + given her, it was an act of politeness which could only please him, + and obtain for her his regard, far from having anything disagreeable, + or to be feared about it; and finished by saying to her that it was + proper, and that she wished her to go. + </p> + <p> + She went, therefore, for it was at Versailles, and arrived in a large + cabinet, where there were eight or ten persons waiting to speak to the + Cardinal, who was larking with one of his favourites, by the + mantelpiece. Fear seized upon Madame de Conflans, who was little, and + who appeared less. Nevertheless, she approached as this woman retired. + The Cardinal, seeing her advance, sharply asked her what she wanted. + </p> + <p> + "Monseigneur," said she,—"Oh, Monseigneur—" + </p> + <p> + "Monseigneur," interrupted the Cardinal, "I can't now." + </p> + <p> + "But, Monseigneur," replied she— + </p> + <p> + "Now, devil take me, I tell you again," interrupted the Cardinal, + "when I say I can't, I can't." + </p> + <p> + "Monseigneur," Madame de Conflans again said, in order to explain that + she wanted nothing; but at this word the Cardinal seized her by the + shoulders; and pushed her out, saying, "Go to the devil, and let me + alone." + </p> + <p> + She nearly fell over, flew away in fury, weeping hot tears, and + reached, in this state, Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans, to whom, through + her sobs, she related the adventure. + </p> + <p> + People were so accustomed to the insults of the Cardinal, and this was + thought so singular and so amusing, that the recital of it caused + shouts of laughter, which finished off poor Madame de Conflans, who + swore that, never in her life, would she put foot in the house of this + madman. + </p> + <p> + The Easter Sunday after he was made Cardinal, Dubois woke about eight + o'clock, rang his bells as though he would break them, called for his + people with the most horrible blasphemies, vomited forth a thousand + filthy expressions and insults, raved at everybody because he had not + been awakened, said that he wanted to say mass, but knew not how to + find time, occupied as he was. After this very beautiful preparation, + he very wisely abstained from saying mass, and I don't know whether he + ever did say it after his consecration. + </p> + <p> + He had taken for private secretary one Verrier, whom he had unfrocked + from the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Pres, the business of which he had + conducted for twenty years, with much cleverness and intelligence. He + soon accommodated himself to the humours of the Cardinal, and said to + him all he pleased. + </p> + <p> + One morning he was with the Cardinal, who asked for something that + could not at once be found. Thereupon Dubois began to blaspheme, to + storm against his clerks, saying that if he had not enough he would + engage twenty, thirty, fifty, a hundred, and making the most frightful + din. Verrier tranquilly listened to him. The Cardinal asked him if it + was not a terrible thing to be so ill-served, considering the expense + he was put to; then broke out again, and pressed him to reply. + </p> + <p> + "Monseigneur," said Verrier, "engage one more clerk, and give him, for + sole occupation, to swear and storm for you, and all will go well; you + will have much more time to yourself and will be better served." + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal burst out laughing, and was appeased. + </p> + <p> + Every evening he ate an entire chicken for his supper. I know not by + whose carelessness, but this chicken was forgotten one evening by his + people. As he was about to go to bed he bethought him of his bird, + rang, cried out, stormed against his servants, who ran and coolly + listened to him. Upon this he cried the more, and complained of not + having been served. He was astonished when they replied to him that he + had eaten his chicken, but that if he pleased they would put another + down to the spit. + </p> + <p> + "What!" said he, "I have eaten my chicken!" + </p> + <p> + The bold and cool assertion of his people persuaded him, and they + laughed at him. + </p> + <p> + I will say no more, because, I repeat it, volumes might be filled with + these details. I have said enough to show what was this monstrous + personage, whose death was a relief to great and little, to all + Europe, even to his brother, whom he treated like a negro. He wanted + to dismiss a groom on one occasion for having lent one of his coaches + to this same brother, to go somewhere in Paris. + </p> + <p> + The most relieved of all was M. le Duc d'Orleans. For a long time he + had groaned in secret beneath the weight of a domination so harsh, and + of chains he had forged for himself. Not only he could no longer + dispose or decide upon anything, but he could get the Cardinal to do + nothing, great or small, he desired done. He was obliged, in + everything, to follow the will of the Cardinal, who became furious, + reproached him, and stormed at him when too much contradicted. The + poor Prince felt thus the abandonment into which he had cast himself, + and, by this abandonment, the power of the Cardinal, and the eclipse + of his own power. He feared him; Dubois had become insupportable to + him; he was dying with desire, as was shown in a thousand things, to + get rid of him, but he dared not—he did not know how to set + about it; and, isolated and unceasingly wretched as he was, there was + nobody to whom he could unbosom himself; and the Cardinal, well + informed of this, increased his freaks, so as to retain by fear what + he had usurped by artifice, and what he no longer hoped to preserve in + any other way. + </p> + <p> + As soon as Dubois was dead, M. le Duc d'Orleans returned to Meudon, to + inform the King of the event. The King immediately begged him to + charge himself with the management of public affairs, declared him + prime minister, and received, the next day, his oath, the patent of + which was immediately sent to the Parliament, and verified. This + prompt declaration was caused by the fear Frejus had to see a private + person prime minister. The King liked M. le Duc d'Orleans, as we have + already seen by the respect he received from him, and by his manner of + working with him. The Regent, without danger of being taken at his + word, always left him master of all favours, and of the choice of + persons he proposed to him; and, besides, never bothered him, or + allowed business to interfere with his amusements. In spite of all the + care and all the suppleness Dubois had employed in order to gain the + spirit of the King, he never could succeed, and people remarked, + without having wonderful eyes, a very decided repugnance of the King + for him. The Cardinal was afflicted, but redoubled his efforts, in the + hope at last of success. But, in addition to his own disagreeable + manners, heightened by the visible efforts he made to please, he had + two enemies near the King, very watchful to keep him away from the + young prince—the Marechal de Villeroy, while he was there, and + Frejus, who was much more dangerous, and who was resolved to overthrow + him. Death, as we have seen, spared him the trouble. + </p> + <p> + The Court returned from Meudon to Paris on the 13th of August. Soon + after I met M. le Duc d'Orleans there. + </p> + <p> + As soon as he saw me enter his cabinet he ran to me, and eagerly asked + me if I meant to abandon him. I replied that while his Cardinal lived + I felt I should be useless to him, but that now this obstacle was + removed, I should always be very humbly at his service. He promised to + live with me on the same terms as before, and, without a word upon the + Cardinal, began to talk about home and foreign affairs. If I flattered + myself that I was to be again of use to him for any length of time, + events soon came to change the prospect. But I will not anticipate my + story. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0116" id="link2HCH0116"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER CXVI + </h2> + <p> + The Duc de Lauzun died on the 19th of November, at the age of ninety + years and six months. The intimate union of the two sisters I and he + had espoused, and our continual intercourse at the Court (at Marly, we + had a pavilion especially for us four), caused me to be constantly + with him, and after the King's death we saw each other nearly every + day at Paris, and unceasingly frequented each other's table. He was so + extraordinary a personage, in every way so singular, that La Bruyere, + with much justice, says of him in his "Characters," that others were + not allowed to dream as he had lived. For those who saw him in his old + age, this description seems even more just. That is what induces me to + dwell upon him here. He was of the House of Caumont, the branch of + which represented by the Ducs de la Force has always passed for the + eldest, although that of Lauzun has tried to dispute with it. + </p> + <p> + The mother of M. de Lauzun was daughter of the Duc de la Force, son of + the second Marechal Duc de la Force, and brother of the Marechale de + Turenne, but by another marriage; the Marechale was by a first + marriage. The father of M. de Lauzun was the Comte de Lauzun, + cousin-german of the first Marechal Duc de Grammont, and of the old + Comte de Grammont. + </p> + <p> + M. de Lauzun was a little fair man, of good figure, with a noble and + expressively commanding face, but which was without charm, as I have + heard people say who knew him when he was young. He was full of + ambition, of caprice, of fancies; jealous of all; wishing always to go + too far; never content with anything; had no reading, a mind in no way + cultivated, and without charm; naturally sorrowful, fond of solitude, + uncivilised; very noble in his dealings, disagreeable and malicious by + nature, still more so by jealousy and by ambition; nevertheless, a + good friend when a friend at all, which was rare; a good relative; + enemy even of the indifferent; hard upon faults, and upon what was + ridiculous, which he soon discovered; extremely brave, and as + dangerously bold. As a courtier he was equally insolent and satirical, + and as cringing as a valet; full of foresight, perseverance, intrigue, + and meanness, in order to arrive at his ends; with this, dangerous to + the ministers; at the Court feared by all, and full of witty and sharp + remarks which spared nobody. + </p> + <p> + He came very young to the Court without any fortune, a cadet of + Gascony, under the name of the Marquis de Puyguilhem. The Marechal de + Grammont, cousin-german of his brother, lodged him: Grammont was then + in high consideration at the Court, enjoyed the confidence of the + Queen-mother, and of Cardinal Mazarin, and had the regiment of the + guards and the reversion of it for the Comte de Guiche, his eldest + son, who, the prince of brave fellows, was on his side in great favour + with the ladies, and far advanced in the good graces of the King and + of the Comtesse de Soissons, niece of the Cardinal, whom the King + never quitted, and who was the Queen of the Court. This Comte de + Guiche introduced to the Comtesse de Soissons the Marquis de + Puyguilhem, who in a very little time became the King's favourite. The + King, in fact, gave him his regiment of dragoons on forming it, and + soon after made him Marechal de Camp, and created for him the post of + colonel-general of dragoons. + </p> + <p> + The Duc de Mazarin, who in 1669 had already retired from the Court, + wished to get rid of his post of grand master of the artillery; + Puyguilhem had scent of his intention, and asked the King for this + office. The King promised it to him, but on condition that he kept the + matter secret some days. The day arrived on which the King had agreed + to declare him. Puyguilhem, who had the entrees of the first gentleman + of the chamber (which are also named the grandes entrees), went to + wait for the King (who was holding a finance council), in a room that + nobody entered during the council, between that in which all the Court + waited, and that in which the council itself was held. He found there + no one but Nyert, chief valet de chambre, who asked him how he + happened to come there. Puyguilhem, sure of his affair, thought he + should make a friend of this valet by confiding to him what was about + to take place. Nyert expressed his joy; then drawing out his watch, + said he should have time to go and execute a pressing commission the + King had given him. He mounted four steps at a time the little + staircase, at the head of which was the bureau where Louvois worked + all day—for at Saint-Germain the lodgings were little and few—and + the ministers and nearly all the Court lodged each at his own house in + the town. Nyert entered the bureau of Louvois, and informed him that + upon leaving the council (of which Louvois was not a member), the King + was going to declare Puyguilhem grand master of the artillery, adding + that he had just learned this news from Puyguilhem himself, and saying + where he had left him. + </p> + <p> + Louvois hated Puyguilhem, friend of Colbert, his rival, and he feared + his influence in a post which had so many intimate relations with his + department of the war, the functions and authority of which he invaded + as much as possible, a proceeding which he felt Puyguilhem was not the + kind of man to suffer. He embraces Nyert, thanking him, dismisses him + as quickly as possible, takes some papers to serve as an excuse, + descends, and finds Puyguilhem and Nyert in the chamber, as above + described. Nyert pretends to be surprised to see Louvois arrive, and + says to him that the council has not broken up. + </p> + <p> + "No matter," replied Louvois, "I must enter, I have something + important to say to the King;" and thereupon he enters. The King, + surprised to see him, asks what brings him there, rises, and goes to + him. Louvois draws him into the embrasure of a window, and says he + knows that his Majesty is going to declare Puyguilhem grand master of + the artillery; that he is waiting in the adjoining room for the + breaking up of the council; that his Majesty is fully master of his + favours and of his choice, but that he (Louvois) thinks it his duty to + represent to him the incompatibility between Puyguilhem and him, his + caprices, his pride; that he will wish to change everything in the + artillery; that this post has such intimate relations with the war + department, that continual quarrels will arise between the two, with + which his Majesty will be importuned at every moment. + </p> + <p> + The King is piqued to see his secret known by him from whom, above + all, he wished to hide it; he replies to Louvois, with a very serious + air, that the appointment is not yet made, dismisses him, and reseats + himself at the council. A moment after it breaks up. The King leaves + to go to mass, sees Puyguilhem, and passes without saying anything to + him. Puyguilhem, much astonished, waits all the rest of the day, and + seeing that the promised declaration does not come, speaks of it to + the King at night. The King replies to him that it cannot be yet, and + that he will see; the ambiguity of the response, and the cold tone, + alarm Puyguilhem; he is in favour with the ladies, and speaks the + jargon of gallantry; he goes to Madame de Montespan, to whom he states + his disquietude, and conjures her to put an end to it. She promises + him wonders, and amuses him thus several days. + </p> + <p> + Tired of this, and not being able to divine whence comes his failure, + he takes a resolution—incredible if it was not attested by all + the Court of that time. The King was in the habit of visiting Madame + de Montespan in the afternoon, and of remaining with her some time. + Puyguilhem was on terms of tender intimacy with one of the + chambermaids of Madame de Montespan. She privately introduced him into + the room where the King visited Madame de Montespan, and he secreted + himself under the bed. In this position he was able to hear all the + conversation that took place between the King and his mistress above, + and he learned by it that it was Louvois who had ousted him; that the + King was very angry at the secret having got wind, and had changed his + resolution to avoid quarrels between the artillery and the war + department; and, finally, that Madame de Montespan, who had promised + him her good offices, was doing him all the harm she could. A cough, + the least movement, the slightest accident, might have betrayed the + foolhardy Puyguilhem, and then what would have become of him? These + are things the recital of which takes the breath away, and terrifies + at the same time. + </p> + <p> + Puyguilhem was more fortunate than prudent, and was not discovered. + The King and his mistress at last closed their conversation; the King + dressed himself again, and went to his own rooms. Madame de Montespan + went away to her toilette, in order to prepare for the rehearsal of a + ballet to which the King, the Queen, and all the Court were going. The + chambermaid drew Puyguilhem from under the bed, and he went and glued + himself against the door of Madame de Montespan's chamber. + </p> + <p> + When Madame de Montespan came forth, in order to go to the rehearsal + of the ballet, he presented his hand to her, and asked her, with an + air of gentleness and of respect, if he might flatter himself that she + had deigned to think of him when with the King. She assured him that + she had not failed, and enumerated services she had; she said, just + rendered him. Here and there he credulously interrupted her with + questions, the better to entrap her; then, drawing near her, he told + her she was a liar, a hussy, a harlot, and repeated to her, word for + word, her conversation with the King! + </p> + <p> + Madame de Montespan was so amazed that she had not strength enough to + reply one word; with difficulty she reached the place she was going + to, and with difficulty overcame and hid the trembling of her legs and + of her whole body; so that upon arriving at the room where the + rehearsal was to take place, she fainted. All the Court was already + there. The King, in great fright, came to her; it was not without much + trouble she was restored to herself. The same evening she related to + the King what had just happened, never doubting it was the devil who + had so promptly and so precisely informed Puyguilhem of all that she + had said to the King. The King was extremely irritated at the insult + Madame de Montespan had received, and was much troubled to divine how + Puyguilhem had been so exactly and so suddenly instructed. + </p> + <p> + Puyguilhem, on his side, was furious at losing the artillery, so that + the King and he were under strange constraint together. This could + last only a few days. Puyguilhem, with his grandes entrees, seized his + opportunity and had a private audience with the King. He spoke to him + of the artillery, and audaciously summoned him to keep his word. The + King replied that he was not bound by it, since he had given it under + secrecy, which he (Puyguilhem) had broken. + </p> + <p> + Upon this Puyguilhem retreats a few steps, turns his back upon the + King, draws his sword, breaks the blade of it with his foot, and cries + out in fury, that he will never in his life serve a prince who has so + shamefully broken his word. The King, transported with anger, + performed in that moment the finest action perhaps of his life. He + instantly turned round, opened the window, threw his cane outside, + said he should be sorry to strike a man of quality, and left the room. + </p> + <p> + The next morning, Puyguilhem, who had not dared to show himself since, + was arrested in his chamber, and conducted to the Bastille. He was an + intimate friend of Guitz, favourite of the King, for whom his Majesty + had created the post of grand master of the wardrobe. Guitz had the + courage to speak to the King in favour of Puyguilhem, and to try and + reawaken the infinite liking he had conceived for the young Gascon. He + succeeded so well in touching the King, by showing him that the + refusal of such a grand post as the artillery had turned Puyguilhem's + head, that his Majesty wished to make amends far this refusal. He + offered the post of captain of the King's guards to Puyguilhem, who, + seeing this incredible and prompt return of favour, re-assumed + sufficient audacity to refuse it, flattering himself he should thus + gain a better appointment. The King was not discouraged. Guitz went + and preached to his friend in the Bastille, and with great trouble + made him agree to have the goodness to accept the King's offer. As + soon as he had accepted it he left the Bastille, went and saluted the + King, and took the oaths of his new post, selling that which he + occupied in the dragoons. + </p> + <p> + He had in 1665 the government of Berry, at the death of Marechal de + Clerembault. I will not speak here of his adventures with + Mademoiselle, which she herself so naively relates in her memoirs, or + of his extreme folly in delaying his marriage with her (to which the + King had consented), in order to have fine liveries, and get the + marriage celebrated at the King's mass, which gave time to Monsieur + (incited by M. le Prince) to make representations to the King, which + induced him to retract his consent, breaking off thus the marriage. + Mademoiselle made a terrible uproar, but Puyguilhem, who since the + death of his father had taken the name of Comte de Lauzun, made this + great sacrifice with good grace, and with more wisdom than belonged to + him. He had the company of the hundred gentlemen, with battle-axes, of + the King's household, which his father had had, and he had just been + made lieutenant-general. + </p> + <p> + Lauzun was in love with Madame de Monaco, an intimate friend of + Madame, and in all her Intrigues: He was very jealous of her, and was + not pleased with her. One summer's afternoon he went to Saint-Cloud, + and found Madame and her Court seated upon the ground, enjoying the + air, and Madame de Monaco half lying down, one of her hands open and + outstretched. Lauzun played the gallant with the ladies, and turned + round so neatly that he placed his heel in the palm of Madame de + Monaco, made a pirouette there, and departed. Madame de Monaco had + strength enough to utter no cry, no word! + </p> + <p> + A short time after he did worse. He learnt that the King was on + intimate terms with Madame de Monaco, learnt also the hour at which + Bontems, the valet, conducted her, enveloped in a cloak, by a back + staircase, upon the landing-place of which was a door leading into the + King's cabinet, and in front of it a private cabinet. Lauzun + anticipates the hour, and lies in ambush in the private cabinet, + fastening it from within with a hook, and sees through the keyhole the + King open the door of the cabinet, put the key outside (in the lock) + and close the door again. Lauzun waits a little, comes out of his + hiding-place, listens at the door in which the King had just placed + the key, locks it, and takes out the key, which he throws into the + private cabinet, in which he again shuts himself up. + </p> + <p> + Some time after Bontems and the lady arrive. Much astonished not to + find the key in the door of the King's cabinet, Bontems gently taps at + the door several times, but in vain; finally so loudly does he tap + that the King hears the sound. Bontems says he is there, and asks his + Majesty to open, because the key is not in the door. The King replies + that he has just put it there. Bontems looks on the ground for it, the + King meanwhile trying to open the door from the inside, and finding it + double- locked. Of course all three are much astonished and much + annoyed; the conversation is carried on through the door, and they + cannot determine how this accident has happened. The King exhausts + himself in efforts to force the door, in spite of its being + double-locked. At last they are obliged to say good-bye through the + door, and Lauzun, who hears every word they utter, and who sees them + through the keyhole, laughs in his sleeve at their mishap with + infinite enjoyment. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0117" id="link2HCH0117"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER CXVII + </h2> + <p> + In 1670 the King wished to make a triumphant journey with the ladies, + under pretext of visiting his possessions in Flanders, accompanied by + an army, and by all his household troops, so that the alarm was great + in the Low Countries, which he took no pains to appease. He gave the + command of all to Lauzun, with the patent of army-general. Lauzun + performed the duties of his post with much intelligence, and with + extreme gallantry and magnificence. This brilliancy, and this + distinguished mark of favour, made Louvois, whom Lauzun in no way + spared, think very seriously. He united with Madame de Montespan (who + had not pardoned the discovery Lauzun had made, or the atrocious + insults he had bestowed upon her), and the two worked so well that + they reawakened in the King's mind recollections of the broken sword, + the refusal in the Bastille of the post of captain of the guards, and + made his Majesty look upon Lauzun as a man who no longer knew himself, + who had suborned Mademoiselle until he had been within an inch of + marrying her, and of assuring to himself immense wealth; finally, as a + man, very dangerous on account of his audacity, and who had taken it + into his head to gain the devotion of the troops by his magnificence, + his services to the officers, and by the manner in which he had + treated them during the Flanders journey, making himself adored. They + made him out criminal for having remained the friend of, and on terms + of great intimacy with, the Comtesse de Soissons, driven from the + Court and suspected of crimes. They must have accused Lauzun also of + crimes which I have never heard of, in order to procure for him the + barbarous treatment they succeeded in subjecting him to. + </p> + <p> + Their intrigues lasted all the year, 1671, without Lauzun discovering + anything by the visage of the King, or that of Madame de Montespan. + Both the King and his mistress treated him with their ordinary + distinction and familiarity. He was a good judge of jewels (knowing + also how to set them well), and Madame de Montespan often employed him + in this capacity. One evening, in the middle of November, 1671, he + arrived from Paris, where Madame de Montespan had sent him in the + morning for some precious stones, and as he was about to enter his + chamber he was arrested by the Marechal de Rochefort, captain of the + guards. + </p> + <p> + Lauzun, in the utmost surprise, wished to know why, to see the King or + Madame de Montespan—at least, to write to them; everything was + refused him. He was taken to the Bastille, and shortly afterwards to + Pignerol, where he was shut up in a low-roofed dungeon. His post of + captain of the body-guard was given to M. de Luxembourg, and the + government of Berry to the Duc de la Rochefoucauld, who, at the death + of Guitz, at the passage of the Rhine, 12th June, 1672, was made grand + master of the wardrobe. + </p> + <p> + It may be imagined what was the state of a man like Lauzun, + precipitated, in a twinkling, from such a height to a dungeon in the + chateau of Pignerol, without seeing anybody, and ignorant of his + crime. He bore up, however, pretty well, but at last fell so ill that + he began to think about confession. I have heard him relate that he + feared a fictitious priest, and that, consequently, he obstinately + insisted upon a Capuchin; and as soon as he came he seized him by the + beard, and tugged at it, as hard as he could, on all sides, in order + to see that it was not a sham one! He was four or five years in his + gaol. Prisoners find employment which necessity teaches them. There + ware prisoners above him and at the side of him. They found means to + speak to him. This intercourse led them to make a hole, well hidden, + so as to talk more easily; then to increase it, and visit each other. + </p> + <p> + The superintendent Fouquet had been enclosed near them ever since + December, 1664. He knew by his neighbours (who had found means of + seeing him) that Lauzun was under them. Fouquet, who received no news, + hoped for some from him, and had a great desire to see him. He, had + left Lauzun a young man, dawning at the Court, introduced by the + Marechal de Grammont, well received at the house of the Comtesse de + Soissons, which the King never quitted, and already looked upon + favourably. The prisoners, who had become intimate with Lauzun, + persuaded him to allow himself to be drawn up through their hole, in + order to see Fouquet in their dungeon. Lauzun was very willing. They + met, and Lauzun began relating, accordingly, his fortunes and his + misfortunes, to Fouquet. The unhappy superintendent opened wide his + ears and eyes when he heard this young Gasepan (once only too happy to + be welcomed and harboured by the Marechal de Grammont) talk of having + been general of dragoons, captain of the guards, with the patent and + functions of army-general! Fouquet no longer knew where he was, + believed Lauzun mad, and that he was relating his visions, when he + described how he had missed the artillery, and what had passed + afterwards thereupon: but he was convinced that madness had reached + its climax, and was afraid to be with Lauzun, when he heard him talk + of his marriage with Mademoiselle, agreed to by the King, how broken, + and the wealth she had assured to him. This much curbed their + intercourse, as far as Fouquet was concerned, for he, believing the + brain of Lauzun completely turned, took for fairy tales all the + stories the Gascon told him of what had happened in the world, from + the imprisonment of the one to the imprisonment of the other. + </p> + <p> + The confinement of Fouquet was a little relieved before that of + Lauzun. His wife and some officers of the chateau of Pignerol had + permission to see him, and to tell him the news of the day. One of the + first things he did was to tell them of this poor Puyguilhem, whom he + had left young, and on a tolerably good footing for his age, at the + Court, and whose head was now completely turned, his madness hidden + within the prison walls; but what was his astonishment when they all + assured him that what he had heard was perfectly true! He did not + return to the subject, and was tempted to believe them all mad + together. It was some time before he was persuaded. + </p> + <p> + In his turn, Lauzun was taken from his dungeon, and had a chamber, and + soon after had the same liberty that had been given to Fouquet; + finally, they were allowed to see each other as much as they liked. I + have never known what displeased Lauzun, but he left Pignerol the + enemy of Fouquet, and did him afterwards all the harm he could, and + after his death extended his animosity to his family. + </p> + <p> + During the long imprisonment of Lauzun, Madame de Nogent, one of his + sisters, took such care of his revenues that he left Pignerol + extremely rich. + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle, meanwhile, was inconsolable at this long and harsh + imprisonment, and took all possible measures to deliver Lauzun. The + King at last resolved to turn this to the profit of the Duc du Maine, + and to make Mademoiselle pay dear for the release of her lover. He + caused a proposition to be made to her, which was nothing less than to + assure to the Duc du Maine, and his posterity after her death, the + countdom of Eu, the Duchy of Aumale, and the principality of Domfes! + The gift was enormous, not only as regards the value, but the dignity + and extent of these three slices. Moreover, she had given the first + two to Lauzun, with the Duchy of Saint-Forgeon, and the fine estate of + Thiers, in Auvergne, when their marriage was broken off, and she would + have been obliged to make him renounce Eu and Aumale before she could + have disposed of them in favour of the Duc du Maine. Mademoiselle + could not, make up her mind to this yoke, or to strip Lauzun of such + considerable benefits. She was importuned to the utmost, finally + menaced by the ministers, now Louvois, now Colbert. With the latter + she was better pleased, because he had always been on good terms with + Lauzun, and because he handled her more gently than Louvois, who, an + enemy of her lover, always spoke in the harshest terms. Mademoiselle + unceasingly felt that the King did not like her, and that he had never + pardoned her the Orleans journey, still less her doings at the + Bastille, when she fired its cannons upon the King's troops, and saved + thus M. le Prince and his people, at the combat of the Faubourg + Saint-Antoine. Feeling, therefore, that the King, hopelessly estranged + from her, and consenting to give liberty to Lauzun only from his + passion for elevating and enriching his bastards, would not cease to + persecute her until she had consented—despairing of better + terms, she agreed to the gift, with the most bitter tears and + complaints. But it was found that, in order to make valid the + renunciation of Lauzun, he must be set at liberty, so that it was + pretended he had need of the waters of Bourbon, and Madame de + Montespan also, in order that they might confer together upon this + affair. + </p> + <p> + Lauzun was taken guarded to Bourbon by a detachment of musketeers, + commanded by Maupertuis. Lauzun saw Madame de Montespan at Bourbon; + but he was so indignant at the terms proposed to him as the condition + of his liberty, that after long disputes he would hear nothing more on + the subject, and was reconducted to Pignerol as he had been brought. + </p> + <p> + This firmness did not suit the King, intent upon the fortune of his + well- beloved bastard. He sent Madame de Nogent to Pignerol; then + Borin (a friend of Lauzun, and who was mixed up in all his affairs), + with menaces and promises. Borin, with great trouble, obtained the + consent of Lauzun, and brought about a second journey to Bourbon for + him and Madame de Montespan, with the same pretext of the waters. + Lauzun was conducted there as before, and never pardoned Maupertuis + the severe pedantry of his exactitude. This last journey was made in + the autumn of 1680. Lauzun consented to everything. Madame de + Montespan returned triumphant. Maupertuis and his musketeers took + leave of Lauzun at Bourbon, whence he had permission to go and reside + at Angers; and immediately after, this exile was enlarged, so that he + had the liberty of all Anjou and Lorraine. The consummation of the + affair was deferred until the commencement of February, 1681, in order + to give him a greater air of liberty. Thus Lauzun had from + Mademoiselle only Saint-Forgeon and Thiers, after having been on the + point of marrying her, and of succeeding to all her immense wealth. + The Duc du Maine was instructed to make his court to Mademoiselle, who + always received him very coldly, and who saw him take her arms, with + much vexation, as a mark of his gratitude, in reality for the Sake of + the honour it brought him; for the arms were those of Gaston, which + the Comte de Toulouse afterwards took, not for the same reason, but + under pretext of conformity with his brother; and they have handed + them down to their children. + </p> + <p> + Lauzun, who had been led to expect much more gentle treatment, + remained four years in these two provinces, of which he grew as weary + as was Mademoiselle at his absence. She cried out in anger against + Madame de Montespan and her son; complained loudly that after having + been so pitilessly fleeced, Lauzun was still kept removed from her; + and made such a stir that at last she obtained permission for him to + return to Paris, with entire liberty; on condition, however, that he + did not approach within two leagues of any place where the King might + be. + </p> + <p> + Lauzun came, therefore, to Paris, and assiduously visited his + benefactors. The weariness of this kind of exile, although so + softened, led him into high play, at which he was extremely + successful; always a good and sure player, and very straightforward, + he gained largely. Monsieur, who sometimes made little visits to + Paris, and who played very high, permitted him to join the gambling + parties of the Palais Royal, then those of Saint-Cloud. Lauzun passed + thus several years, gaining and lending much money very nobly; but the + nearer he found himself to the Court, and to the great world, the more + insupportable became to him the prohibition he had received. + </p> + <p> + Finally, being no longer able to bear it, he asked the King for + permission to go to England, where high play was much in vogue. He + obtained it, and took with him a good deal of money, which secured him + an open-armed reception in London, where he was not less successful + than in Paris. + </p> + <p> + James II., then reigning, received Lauzun with distinction. But the + Revolution was already brewing. It burst after Lauzun had been in + England eight or ten months. It seemed made expressly for him, by the + success he derived from it, as everybody is aware. James II., no + longer knowing what was to become of him—betrayed by his + favourites and his ministers, abandoned by all his nation, the Prince + of Orange master of all hearts, the troops, the navy, and ready to + enter London—the unhappy monarch confided to Lauzun what he held + most dear—the Queen and the Prince of Wales, whom Lauzun happily + conducted to Calais. The Queen at once despatched a courier to the + King, in the midst of the compliments of which she insinuated that by + the side of her joy at finding herself and her son in security under + his protection, was her grief at not daring to bring with her him to + whom she owed her safety. + </p> + <p> + The reply of the King, after much generous and gallant sentiment, was, + that he shared this obligation with her, and that he hastened to show + it to her, by restoring the Comte de Lauzun to favour. + </p> + <p> + In effect, when the Queen presented Lauzun to the King, in the Palace + of Saint-Germain (where the King, with all the family and all the + Court, came to meet her), he treated him as of old, gave him the + privilege of the grandes entrees, and promised him a lodging at + Versailles, which he received immediately after. From that day he + always went to Marly, and to Fontainebleau, and, in fact, never after + quitted the Court. It may be imagined what was the delight of such an + ambitious courtier, so completely re-established in such a sudden and + brilliant manner. He had also a lodging in the chateau of + Saint-Germain, chosen as the residence of this fugitive Court, at + which King James soon arrived. + </p> + <p> + Lauzun, like a skilful courtier, made all possible use of the two + Courts, and procured for himself many interviews with the King, in + which he received minor commissions. Finally, he played his cards so + well that the King permitted him to receive in Notre Dame, at Paris, + the Order of the Garter, from the hands of the King of England, + accorded to him at his second passage into Ireland the rank of + lieutenant-general of his auxiliary army, and permitted at the same + time that he should be of the staff of the King of England, who lost + Ireland during the same campaign at the battle of the Boyne. He + returned into France with the Comte de Lauzun, for whom he obtained + letters of the Duke; which were verified at the Parliament in May, + 1692. What a miraculous return of fortune! But what a fortune, in + comparison with that of marrying Mademoiselle, with the donation of + all her prodigious wealth, and the title and dignity of Duke and Peer + of Montpensier. What a monstrous pedestal! And with children by this + marriage, what a flight might not Lauzun have taken, and who can say + where he might have arrived? + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0118" id="link2HCH0118"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER CXVIII + </h2> + <p> + I have elsewhere related Lauzun's humours, his notable wanton tricks, + and his rare singularity. + </p> + <p> + He enjoyed, during the rest of his long life, intimacy with the King, + distinction at the Court, great consideration, extreme abundance, kept + up the state of a great nobleman, with one of the most magnificent + houses of the Court, and the best table, morning and evening, most + honourably frequented, and at Paris the same, after the King's death: + All this did not content him. He could only approach the King with + outside familiarity; he felt that the mind and the heart of that + monarch were on their guard against him, and in an estrangement that + not all his art nor all his application could ever overcome. This is + what made him marry my sister-in-law, hoping thus to re-establish + himself in serious intercourse with the King by means of the army that + M. le Marechal de Lorge commanded in Germany; but his project failed, + as has been seen. This is what made him bring about the marriage of + the Duc de Lorge with the daughter of Chamillart, in order to + reinstate himself by means of that ministry; but without success. This + is what made him undertake the journey to Aix- la-Chapelle, under the + pretext of the waters, to obtain information which might lead to + private interviews with the King, respecting the peace; but he was + again unsuccessful. All his projects failed; in fact, he unceasingly + sorrowed, and believed himself in profound disgrace—even saying + so. He left nothing undone in order to pay his court, at bottom with + meanness, but externally with dignity; and he every year celebrated a + sort of anniversary of his disgrace, by extraordinary acts, of which + ill-humour and solitude were oftentimes absurdly the fruit. He himself + spoke of it, and used to say that he was not rational at the annual + return of this epoch, which was stronger than he. He thought he + pleased the King by this refinement of attention, without perceiving + he was laughed at. + </p> + <p> + By nature he was extraordinary in everything, and took pleasure in + affecting to be more so, even at home, and among his valets. He + counterfeited the deaf and the blind, the better to see and hear + without exciting suspicion, and diverted himself by laughing at fools, + even the most elevated, by holding with them a language which had no + sense. His manners were measured, reserved, gentle, even respectful; + and from his low and honeyed tongue, came piercing remarks, + overwhelming by their justice, their force, or their satire, composed + of two or three words, perhaps, and sometimes uttered with an air of + naivete or of distraction, as though he was not thinking of what he + said. Thus he was feared, without exception, by everybody, and with + many acquaintances he had few or no friends, although he merited them + by his ardor in seeing everybody as much as he could, and by his + readiness in opening his purse. He liked to gather together foreigners + of any distinction, and perfectly did the honours of the Court. But + devouring ambition poisoned his life; yet he was a very good and + useful relative. + </p> + <p> + During the summer which followed the death of Louis XIV. there was a + review of the King's household troops, led by M. le Duc d'Orleans, in + the plain by the side of the Bois de Boulogne. Passy, where M. de + Lauzun had a pretty house, is on the other side. Madame de Lauzun was + there with company, and I slept there the evening before the review. + Madame de Poitiers, a young widow, and one of our relatives, was there + too, and was dying to see the review, like a young person who has seen + nothing, but who dares not show herself in public in the first months + of her mourning. + </p> + <p> + How she could be taken was discussed in the company, and it was + decided that Madame de Lauzun could conduct her a little way, buried + in her carriage. In the midst of the gaiety of this party, M. de + Lauzun arrived from Paris, where he had gone in the morning. He was + told what had just been decided. As soon as he learnt it he flew into + a fury, was no longer master of himself, broke off the engagement, + almost foaming at the mouth; said the most disagreeable things to his + wife in the strongest, the harshest, the most insulting, and the most + foolish terms. She gently wept; Madame de Poitiers sobbed outright, + and all the company felt the utmost embarrassment. The evening + appeared an age, and the saddest refectory repast a gay meal by the + side of our supper. He was wild in the midst of the profoundest + silence; scarcely a word was said. He quitted the table, as usual, at + the fruit, and went to bed. An attempt was made to say something + afterwards by way of relief, but Madame de Lauzun politely and wisely + stopped the conversation, and brought out cards in order to turn the + subject. + </p> + <p> + The next morning I went to M. de Lauzun, in order to tell him in plain + language my opinion of the scene of the previous evening. I had not + the time. As soon as he saw me enter he extended his arms, and cried + that I saw a madman, who did not deserve my visit, but an asylum; + passed the strongest eulogies upon his wife (which assuredly she + merited), said he was not worthy of her, and that he ought to kiss the + ground upon which she walked; overwhelmed himself with blame; then, + with tears in his eyes, said he was more worthy of pity than of anger; + that he must admit to me all his shame and misery; that he was more + than eighty years of age; that he had neither children nor survivors; + that he had been captain of the guards; that though he might be so + again, he should be incapable of the function; that he unceasingly + said this to himself, and that yet with all this he could not console + himself for having been so no longer during the many years since he + had lost his post; that he had never been able to draw the dagger from + his heart; that everything which recalled the memory of the past made + him beside himself, and that to hear that his wife was going to take + Madame de Poitiers to see a review of the body-guards, in which he now + counted for nothing, had turned his head, and had rendered him wild to + the extent I had seen; that he no longer dared show himself before any + one after this evidence of madness; that he was going to lock himself + up in his chamber, and that he threw himself at my feet in order to + conjure me to go and find his wife, and try to induce her to take pity + on and pardon a senseless old man, who was dying with grief and shame. + This admission, so sincere and so dolorous to make, penetrated me. I + sought only to console him and compose him. The reconciliation was not + difficult; we drew him from his chamber, not without trouble, and he + evinced during several days as much disinclination to show himself, as + I was told, for I went away in the evening, my occupations keeping me + very busy. + </p> + <p> + I have often reflected, apropos of this, upon the extreme misfortune + of allowing ourselves to be carried away by the intoxication of the + world, and into the formidable state of an ambitious man, whom neither + riches nor comfort, neither dignity acquired nor age, can satisfy, and + who, instead of tranquilly enjoying what he possesses, and + appreciating the happiness of it, exhausts himself in regrets, and in + useless and continual bitterness. But we die as we have lived, and + 'tis rare it happens otherwise. This madness respecting the captaincy + of the guards so cruelly dominated M. de Lauzun, that he often dressed + himself in a blue coat, with silver lace, which, without being exactly + the uniform of the captain of, the body-guards, resembled it closely, + and would have rendered him ridiculous if he had not accustomed people + to it, made himself feared, and risen above all ridicule. + </p> + <p> + With all his scheming and cringing he fell foul of everybody, always + saying some biting remark with dove-like gentleness. Ministers, + generals, fortunate people and their families, were the most + ill-treated. He had, as it were, usurped the right of saying and doing + what he pleased; nobody daring to be angry with him. The Grammonts + alone were excepted. He always remembered the hospitality and the + protection he had received from them at the outset of his life. He + liked them; he interested himself in them; he was in respect before + them. Old Comte Grammont took advantage of this and revenged the Court + by the sallies he constantly made against Lauzun, who never returned + them or grew angry, but gently avoided him. He always did a good deal + for the children of his sisters. + </p> + <p> + During the plague the Bishop of Marseilles had much signalised himself + by wealth spent and danger incurred. When the plague had completely + passed away, M. de Lauzun asked M. le Duc d'Orleans for an abbey for + the Bishop. The Regent gave away some livings soon after, and forgot + M. de Marseilles. Lauzun pretended to be ignorant of it, and asked M. + le Duc d'Orleans if he had had the goodness to remember him. The + Regent was embarrassed. The Duc de Lauzun, as though to relieve him + from his embarrassment, said, in a gentle and respectful tone, + "Monsieur, he will do better another time," and with this sarcasm + rendered the Regent dumb, and went away smiling. The story got abroad, + and M. le Duc d'Orleans repaired his forgetfulness by the bishopric of + Laon, and upon the refusal of M. de Marseilles to change, gave him a + fat abbey. + </p> + <p> + M. de Lauzun hindered also a promotion of Marshal of France by the + ridicule he cast upon the candidates. He said to the Regent, with that + gentle and respectful tone he knew so well how to assume, that in case + any useless Marshals of France (as he said) were made, he begged his + Royal Highness to remember that he was the oldest lieutenant-general + of the realm, and that he had had the honour of commanding armies with + the patent of general. I have elsewhere related other of his witty + remarks. He could not keep them in; envy and jealousy urged him to + utter them, and as his bon-mots always went straight to the point, + they were always much repeated. + </p> + <p> + We were on terms of continual intimacy; he had rendered me real solid + friendly services of himself, and I paid him all sorts of respectful + attentions, and he paid me the same. Nevertheless, I did not always + escape his tongue; and on one occasion, he was perhaps within an inch + of doing me much injury by it. + </p> + <p> + The King (Louis XIV.) was declining; Lauzun felt it, and began to + think of the future. Few people were in favour with M. le Duc + d'Orleans; nevertheless, it was seen that his grandeur was + approaching. All eyes were upon him, shining with malignity, + consequently upon me, who for a long time had been the sole courtier + who remained publicly attached to him, the sole in his confidence. M. + de Lauzun came to dine at my house, and found us at table. The company + he saw apparently displeased him; for he went away to Torcy, with whom + I had no intimacy, and who was also at table, with many people opposed + to M. le Duc d'Orleans, Tallard, among others, and Tesse. + </p> + <p> + "Monsieur," said Lauzun to Torcy, with a gentle and timid air, + familiar to him, "take pity upon me, I have just tried to dine with M. + de Saint- Simon. I found him at table, with company; I took care not + to sit down with them, as I did not wish to be the 'zeste' of the + cabal. I have come here to find one." + </p> + <p> + They all burst out laughing. The remark instantly ran over all + Versailles. Madame de Maintenon and M. du Maine at once heard it, and + nevertheless no sign was anywhere made. To have been angry would only + have been to spread it wider: I took the matter as the scratch of an + ill- natured cat, and did not allow Lauzun to perceive that I knew it. + </p> + <p> + Two or three years before his death he had an illness which reduced + him to extremity. We were all very assiduous, but he would see none of + us, except Madame de Saint-Simon, and her but once. Languet, cure of + Saint- Sulpice, often went to him, and discoursed most admirably to + him. One day, when he was there, the Duc de la Force glided into the + chamber: M. de Lauzun did not like him at all, and often laughed at + him. He received him tolerably well, and continued to talk aloud with + the cure. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly he turned to the cure, complimented and thanked him, said he + had nothing more valuable to give him than his blessing, drew his arm + from the bed, pronounced the blessing, and gave it to him. Then + turning to the Duc de la Force, Lauzun said he had always loved and + respected him as the head of his house, and that as such he asked him + for his blessing. + </p> + <p> + These two men, the cure and the Duc de la Force, were astonished, + could not utter a word. The sick man redoubled his instances. M. de la + Force, recovering himself, found the thing so amusing, that he gave + his blessing; and in fear lest he should explode, left the room, and + came to us in the adjoining chamber, bursting with laughter, and + scarcely able to relate what had happened to him. + </p> + <p> + A moment after, the cure came also, all abroad, but smiling as much as + possible, so as to put a good face on the matter. Lauzun knew that he + was ardent and skilful in drawing money from people for the building + of a church, and had often said he would never fall into his net; he + suspected that the worthy cure's assiduities had an interested motive, + and laughed at him in giving him only his blessing (which he ought to + have received from him), and in perseveringly asking the Duc de la + Force for his. The cure, who saw the point of the joke, was much + mortified, but, like a sensible man, he was not less frequent in his + visits to M. de Lauzun after this; but the patient cut short his + visits, and would not understand the language he spoke. + </p> + <p> + Another day, while he was still very ill, Biron and his wife made bold + to enter his room on tiptoe, and kept behind his curtains, out of + sight, as they thought; but he perceived them by means of the glass on + the chimney- piece. Lauzun liked Biron tolerably well, but Madame + Biron not at all; she was, nevertheless, his niece, and his principal + heiress; he thought her mercenary, and all her manners insupportable + to him. In that he was like the rest of the world. He was shocked by + this unscrupulous entrance into his chamber, and felt that, impatient + for her inheritance, she came in order to make sure of it, if he + should die directly. He wished to make her repent of this, and to + divert himself at her expense. He begins, therefore; to utter aloud, + as though believing himself alone, an ejaculatory orison, asking + pardon of God for his past life, expressing himself as though + persuaded his death was nigh, and saying that, grieved at his + inability to do penance, he wishes at least to make use of all the + wealth he possesses, in order to redeem his sins, and bequeath that + wealth to the hospitals without any reserve; says it is the sole road + to salvation left to him by God, after having passed a long life + without thinking of the future; and thanks God for this sole resource + left him, which he adopts with all his heart! + </p> + <p> + He accompanied this resolution with a tone so touched, so persuaded, + so determined, that Biron and his wife did not doubt for a moment he + was going to execute his design, or that they should be deprived of + all the succession. They had no desire to spy any more, and went, + confounded, to the Duchesse de Lauzun, to relate to her the cruel + decree they had just heard pronounced, conjuring her to try and + moderate it. Thereupon the patient sent for the notaries, and Madame + Biron believed herself lost. It was exactly the design of the testator + to produce this idea. He made the notaries wait; then allowed them to + enter, and dictated his will, which was a death-blow to Madame de + Biron. Nevertheless, he delayed signing it, and finding himself better + and better, did not sign it at all. He was much diverted with this + farce, and could not restrain his laughter at it, when reestablished. + Despite his age, and the gravity of his illness, he was promptly cured + and restored to his usual health. + </p> + <p> + He was internally as strong as a lion, though externally very + delicate. He dined and supped very heartily every day of an excellent + and very delicate cheer, always with good company, evening and + morning; eating of everything, 'gras' and 'maigre', with no choice + except that of his taste and no moderation. He took chocolate in the + morning, and had always on the table the fruits in season, and + biscuits; at other times beer, cider, lemonade, and other similar + drinks iced; and as he passed to and fro, ate and drank at this table + every afternoon, exhorting others to do the same. In this way he left + table or the fruit, and immediately went to bed. + </p> + <p> + I recollect that once, among others, he ate at my house, after his + illness, so much fish, vegetables, and all sorts of things (I having + no power to hinder him), that in the evening we quietly sent to learn + whether he had not felt the effects of them. He was found at table + eating with good appetite. + </p> + <p> + His gallantry was long faithful to him. Mademoiselle was jealous of + it, and that often controlled him. I have heard Madame de Fontenelles + ( a very enviable woman, of much intelligence, very truthful, and of + singular virtue), I have heard her say, that being at Eu with + Mademoiselle, M. de Lauzun came there and could not desist from + running after the girls; Mademoiselle knew it, was angry, scratched + him, and drove him from her presence. The Comtesse de Fiesque + reconciled them. Mademoiselle appeared at the end of a long gallery; + Lauzun was at the other end, and he traversed the whole length of it + on his knees until he reached the feet of Mademoiselle. These scenes, + more or less moving, often took place afterwards. Lauzun allowed + himself to be beaten, and in his turn soundly beat Mademoiselle; and + this happened several times, until at last, tired of each other, they + quarrelled once for all and never saw each other again; he kept + several portraits of her, however, in his house or upon him, and never + spoke of her without much respect. Nobody doubted they had been + secretly married. At her death he assumed a livery almost black, with + silver lace; this he changed into white with a little blue upon gold, + when silver was prohibited upon liveries. + </p> + <p> + His temper, naturally scornful and capricious, rendered more so by + prison and solitude, had made him a recluse and dreamer; so that + having in his house the best of company, he left them to Madame de + Lauzun, and withdrew alone all the afternoon, several hours running, + almost always without books, for he read only a few works of fancy—a + very few—and without sequence; so that he knew nothing except + what he had seen, and until the last was exclusively occupied with the + Court and the news of the great world. I have a thousand times + regretted his radical incapacity to write down what he had seen and + done. It would have been a treasure of the most curious anecdotes, but + he had no perseverance, no application. I have often tried to draw + from him some morsels. Another misfortune. He began to relate; in the + recital names occurred of people who had taken part in what he wished + to relate. He instantly quitted the principal object of the story in + order to hang on to one of these persons, and immediately after to + some other person connected with the first, then to a third, in the + manner of the romances; he threaded through a dozen histories at once, + which made him lose ground and drove him from one to the other without + ever finishing anything; and with this his words were very confused, + so that it was impossible to learn anything from him or retain + anything he said. For the rest, his conversation was always + constrained by caprice or policy; and was amusing only by starts, and + by the malicious witticisms which sprung out of it. A few months after + his last illness, that is to say, when he was more than ninety years + of age, he broke in his horses and made a hundred passades at the Bois + de Boulogne (before the King, who was going to the Muette), upon a + colt he had just trained, surprising the spectators by his address, + his firmness, and his grace. These details about him might go on for + ever. + </p> + <p> + His last illness came on without warning, almost in a moment, with the + most horrible of all ills, a cancer in the mouth. He endured it to the + last with incredible patience and firmness, without complaint, without + spleen, without the slightest repining; he was insupportable to + himself. When he saw his illness somewhat advanced, he withdrew into a + little apartment (which he had hired with this object in the interior + of the Convent of the Petits Augustins, into which there was an + entrance from his house) to die in repose there, inaccessible to + Madame de Biron and every other woman, except his wife, who had + permission to go in at all hours, followed by one of her attendants. + </p> + <p> + Into this retreat Lauzun gave access only to his nephews and + brothers-in- law, and to them as little as possible. He thought only + of profiting by his terrible state, of giving all his time to the + pious discourses of his confessor and of some of the pious people of + the house, and to holy reading; to everything, in fact, which best + could prepare him for death. When we saw him, no disorder, nothing + lugubrious, no trace of suffering, politeness, tranquillity, + conversation but little animated, indifference to what was passing in + the world, speaking of it little and with difficulty; little or no + morality, still less talk of his state; and this uniformity, so + courageous and so peaceful, was sustained full four months until the + end; but during the last ten or twelve days he would see neither + brothers-in-law nor nephews, and as for his wife, promptly dismissed + her. He received all the sacraments very edifyingly, and preserved his + senses to the last moment: The morning of the day during the night of + which he died, he sent for Biron, said he had done for him all that + Madame de Lauzun had wished; that by his testament he gave him all his + wealth, except a trifling legacy to the son of his other sister, and + some recompenses to his domestics; that all he had done for him since + his marriage, and what he did in dying, he (Biron) entirely owed to + Madame de Lauzun; that he must never forget the gratitude he owed her; + that he prohibited him, by the authority of uncle and testator, ever + to cause her any trouble or annoyance, or to have any process against + her, no matter of what kind. It was Biron himself who told me this the + next day, in the terms I have given. M. de Lauzun said adieu to him in + a firm tone, and dismissed him. He prohibited, and reasonably, all + ceremony; he was buried at the Petits Augustins; he had nothing from + the King but the ancient company of the battle-axes, which was + suppressed two days after. A month before his death he had sent for + Dillon (charged here with the affairs of King James, and a very + distinguished officer general), to whom he surrendered his collar of + the Order of the Garter, and a George of onyx, encircled with + perfectly beautiful and large diamonds, to be sent back to the Prince. + </p> + <p> + I perceive at last, that I have been very prolix upon this man, but + the extraordinary singularity of his life, and my close connexion with + him, appear to me sufficient excuses for making him known, especially + as he did not sufficiently figure in general affairs to expect much + notice in the histories that will appear. Another sentiment has + extended my recital. I am drawing near a term I fear to reach, because + my desires cannot be in harmony with the truth; they are ardent, + consequently gainful, because the other sentiment is terrible, and + cannot in any way be palliated; the terror of arriving there has + stopped me—nailed me where I was—frozen me. + </p> + <p> + It will easily be seen that I speak of the death (and what a death!) + of M. le Duc d'Orleans; and this frightful recital, especially after + such a long attachment (it lasted all his life, and will last all + mine), penetrates me with terror and with grief for him. The Regent + had said, when he died he should like to die suddenly: I shudder to my + very marrow, with the horrible suspicion that God, in His anger, + granted his desire. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0119" id="link2HCH0119"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER CXIX + </h2> + <p> + The new chateau of Meudon, completely furnished, had been restored to + me since the return of the Court to Versailles, just as I had had it + before the Court came to Meudon. The Duc and Duchesse d'Humieres were + with us there, and good company. One morning towards the end of + October, 1723, the Duc d'Humieres wished me to conduct him to + Versailles, to thank M. le Duc d'Orleans. + </p> + <p> + We found the Regent dressing in the vault he used as his wardrobe. He + was upon his chair among his valets, and one or two of his principal + officers. His look terrified me. I saw a man with hanging head, a + purple-red complexion, and a heavy stupid air. He did not even see me + approach. His people told him. He slowly turned his head towards me, + and asked me with a thick tongue what brought me. I told him. I had + intended to pass him to come into the room where he dressed himself, + so as not to keep the Duc d'Humieres waiting; but I was so astonished + that I stood stock still. + </p> + <p> + I took Simiane, first gentleman of his chamber, into a window, and + testified to him my surprise and my fear at the state in which I saw + M. le Duc d'Orleans. + </p> + <p> + Simiane replied that for a long time he had been so in the morning; + that to-day there was nothing extraordinary about him, and that I was + surprised simply because I did not see him at those hours; that + nothing would be seen when he had shaken himself a little in dressing. + There was still, however, much to be seen when he came to dress + himself. The Regent received the thanks of the Duc d'Humieres with an + astonished and heavy air; he who always was so gracious and so polite + to everybody, and who so well knew how to express himself, scarcely + replied to him! A moment after, M. d'Humieres and I withdrew. We dined + with the Duc de Gesvres, who led him to the King to thank his Majesty. + </p> + <p> + The condition of M. le Duc d'Orleans made me make many reflections. + For a very long time the Secretaries of State had told me that during + the first hours of the morning they could have made him pass anything + they wished, or sign what might have been the most hurtful to him. It + was the fruit of his suppers. Within the last year he himself had more + than once told me that Chirac doctored him unceasingly, without + effect; because he was so full that he sat down to table every evening + without hunger, without any desire to eat, though he took nothing in + the morning, and simply a cup of chocolate between one and two o'clock + in the day (before everybody), it being then the time to see him in + public. I had not kept dumb with him thereupon, but all my + representations were perfectly useless. I knew moreover, that Chirac + had continually told him that the habitual continuance of his suppers + would lead him to apoplexy, or dropsy on the chest, because his + respiration was interrupted at times; upon which he had cried out + against this latter malady, which was a slow, suffocating, annoying + preparation for death, saying that he preferred apoplexy, which + surprised and which killed at once, without allowing time to think of + it! + </p> + <p> + Another man, instead of crying out against this kind of death with + which he was menaced, and of preferring another, allowing him no time + for reflection, would have thought about leading a sober, healthy, and + decent life, which, with the temperament he had, would have procured + him a very long time, exceeding agreeable in the situation—very + probably durable— in which he found himself; but such was the + double blindness of this unhappy prince. + </p> + <p> + I was on terms of much intimacy with M. de Frejus, and since, in + default of M. le Duc d'Orleans, there must be another master besides + the King, until he could take command, I preferred this prelate to any + other. I went to him, therefore, and told him what I had seen this + morning of the state of M. le Duc d'Orleans. I predicted that his + death must soon come, and that it would arrive suddenly, without + warning. I counselled Frejus, therefore, to have all his arrangements + ready with the King, in order to fill up the Regent's place of prime + minister when it should become vacant. M. de Frejus appeared very + grateful for the advice, but was measured and modest as though he + thought the post much above him! + </p> + <p> + On the 22nd of December, 1723, I went from Meudon to Versailles to see + M. le Duc d'Orleans; I was three-quarters of an hour with him in his + cabinet, where I had found him alone. We walked to and fro there, + talking of affairs of which he was going to give an account to the + King that day. I found no difference in him, his state was, as usual, + languid and heavy, as it had been for some time, but his judgment was + clear as ever. I immediately returned to Meudon, and chatted there + some time with Madame de Saint-Simon on arriving. On account of the + season we had little company. I left Madame de Saint-Simon in her + cabinet, and went into mine. + </p> + <p> + About an hour after, at most, I heard cries and a sudden uproar. I ran + out and I found Madame de Saint-Simon quite terrified, bringing to me + a groom of the Marquis de Ruffec, who wrote to me from Versailles, + that M. le Duc d'Orleans was in a apoplectic fit. I was deeply moved, + but not surprised; I had expected it, as I have shown, for a long + time. I impatiently waited for my carriage, which was a long while + coming, on account of the distance of the new chateau from the + stables. I flung myself inside; and was driven as fast as possible. + </p> + <p> + At the park gate I met another courier from M. de Ruffec, who stopped + me, and said it was all over. I remained there more than half an hour + absorbed in grief and reflection. At the end I resolved to go to + Versailles, and shut myself up in my rooms; I learnt there the + particulars of the event. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc d'Orleans had everything prepared to go and work with the + King. While waiting the hour, he chatted with Madame Falari, one of + his mistresses. They were close to each other, both seated in + armchairs, when suddenly he fell against her, and never from that + moment had the slightest glimmer of consciousness. + </p> + <p> + La Falari, frightened as much as may be imagined, cried with all her + might for help, and redoubled her cries. Seeing that nobody replied, + she supported as best she could this poor prince upon the contiguous + arms of the two chairs, ran into the grand cabinet, into the chamber, + into the ante-chambers, without finding a soul; finally, into the + court and the lower gallery. It was the hour at which M. le Duc + d'Orleans worked with the King, an hour when people were sure no one + would come and see him, and that he had no need of them, because he + ascended to the King's room by the little staircase from his vault, + that is to say his wardrobe. At last La Falari found somebody, and + sent the first who came to hand for help. Chance; or rather + providence, had arranged this sad event at a time when everybody was + ordinarily away upon business or visits, so that a full half-hour + elapsed before doctor or surgeon appeared, and about as long before + any domestics of M. le Duc d'Orleans could be found. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the faculty had examined the Regent; they judged his case + hopeless. He was hastily extended upon the floor, and bled, but he + gave not the slightest sign of life, do what they might to him. In an + instant, after the first announcement, everybody flocked to the spot; + the great and the little cabinet were full of people. In less than two + hours all was over, and little by little the solitude became as great + as the crowd had been. As soon as assistance came, La Falari flew away + and gained Paris as quickly as possible. + </p> + <p> + La Vrilliere was one of the first who learnt of the attack of + apoplexy. He instantly ran and informed the King and the Bishop of + Frejus. Then M. le Duc, like a skilful courtier, resolved to make the + best of his time; he at once ran home and drew up at all hazards the + patent appointing M. le Duc prime minister, thinking it probable that + that prince would be named. Nor was he deceived. At the first + intelligence of apoplexy, Frejus proposed M. le Duc to the King, + having probably made his arrangements in advance. M. le Duc arrived + soon after, and entered the cabinet where he saw the King, looking + very sad, his eyes red and tearful. + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had he entered than Frejus said aloud to the King, that in + the loss he had sustained by the death of M. le Duc d'Orleans (whom he + very briefly eulogised), his Majesty could not do better than beg M. + le Duc, there present, to charge himself with everything, and accept + the post of prime minister M. le Duc d'Orleans had filled. The King, + without saying a word, looked at Frejus, and consented by a sign of + the head, and M. le Duc uttered his thanks. + </p> + <p> + La Vrilliere, transported with joy at the prompt policy he had + followed, had in his pocket the form of an oath taken by the prime + minister, copied from that taken by M. le Duc d'Orleans, and proposed + to Frejus to administer it immediately. Frejus proposed it to the King + as a fitting thing, and M. le Duc instantly took it. Shortly after, M. + le Duc went away; the crowd in the adjoining rooms augmented his + suite, and in a moment nothing was talked of but M. le Duc. + </p> + <p> + M. le Duc de Chartres (the Regent's son), very awkward, but a + libertine, was at Paris with an opera dancer he kept. He received the + courier which brought him the news of the apoplexy, and on the road + (to Versailles), another with the news of death. Upon descending from + his coach, he found no crowd, but simply the Duc de Noailles, and De + Guiche, who very 'apertement' offered him their services, and all they + could do for him. He received them as though they were + begging-messengers whom he was in a hurry to get rid of, bolted + upstairs to his mother, to whom he said he had just met two men who + wished to bamboozle him, but that he had not been such a fool as to + let them. This remarkable evidence of intelligence, judgment, and + policy, promised at once all that this prince has since performed. It + was with much trouble he was made to comprehend that he had acted with + gross stupidity; he continued, nevertheless, to act as before. + </p> + <p> + He was not less of a cub in the interview I shortly afterwards had + with him. Feeling it my duty to pay a visit of condolence to Madame la + Duchesse d'Orleans, although I had not been on terms of intimacy with + her for a long while, I sent a message to her to learn whether my + presence would be agreeable. I was told that Madame la Duchesse + d'Orleans would be very glad to see me. I accordingly immediately went + to her. + </p> + <p> + I found her in bed, with a few ladies and her chief officers around, + and M. le Duc de Chartres making decorum do double duty for grief. As + soon as I approached her she spoke to me of the grievous misfortune—not + a word of our private differences. I had stipulated thus. M. le Duc de + Chartres went away to his own rooms. Our dragging conversation I put + an end to as soon as possible. + </p> + <p> + From Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans I went to M. le Duc de Chartres. He + occupied the room his father had used before being Regent. They told + me he was engaged. I went again three times during the same morning. + At the last his valet de chambre was ashamed, and apprised him of my + visit, in despite of me. He came across the threshold of the door of + his cabinet, where he had been occupied with some very common people; + they were just the sort of people suited to him. + </p> + <p> + I saw a man before me stupefied and dumfounded, not afflicted, but so + embarrassed that he knew not where he was. I paid him the strongest, + the clearest, the most energetic of compliments, in a loud voice. He + took me, apparently, for some repetition of the Ducs de Guiche and de + Noailles, and did not do me the honour to reply one word. + </p> + <p> + I waited some moments, and seeing that nothing would come out of the + mouth of this image, I made my reverence and withdrew, he advancing + not one step to conduct me, as he ought to have done, all along his + apartment, but reburying himself in his cabinet. It is true that in + retiring I cast my eyes upon the company, right and left, who appeared + to me much surprised. I went home very weary of dancing attendance at + the chateau. + </p> + <p> + The death of M. le Duc d'Orleans made a great sensation abroad and at + home; but foreign countries rendered him incomparably more justice, + and regretted him much more, than the French. Although foreigners knew + his feebleness, and although the English had strangely abused it, + their experience had not the less persuaded them of the range of his + mind, of the greatness of his genius and of his views, of his singular + penetration, of the sagacity and address of his policy, of the + fertility of his expedients and of his resources, of the dexterity of + his conduct under all changes of circumstances and events, of his + clearness in considering objects and combining things; of his + superiority over his ministers, and over those that various powers + sent to him; of the exquisite discernment he displayed in + investigating affairs; of his learned ability in immediately replying + to everything when he wished. The majority of our Court did not regret + him, however. The life he had led displeased the Church people; but + more still, the treatment they had received from his hands. + </p> + <p> + The day after death, the corpse of M. le Duc d'Orleans was taken from + Versailles to Saint-Cloud, and the next day the ceremonies commenced. + His heart was carried from Saint-Cloud to the Val de Grace by the + Archbishop of Rouen, chief almoner of the defunct Prince. The burial + took place at Saint-Denis, the funeral procession passing through + Paris, with the greatest pomp. The obsequies were delayed until the + 12th of February. M. le Duc de Chartres became Duc d'Orleans. + </p> + <p> + After this event, I carried out a determination I had long resolved + on. I appeared before the new masters of the realm as seldom as + possible— only, in fact, upon such occasions where it would have + been inconsistent with my position to stop away. My situation at the + Court had totally changed. The loss of the dear Prince, the Duc de + Bourgogne, was the first blow I had received. The loss of the Regent + was the second. But what a wide gulf separated these two men! + </p> + <br /><br /><br /> + <h2> + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A cardinal may be poisoned, stabbed, got rid of altogether + A good friend when a friend at all, which was rare + A King's son, a King's father, and never a King + A lingering fear lest the sick man should recover + A king is made for his subjects, and not the subjects for him + Admit our ignorance, and not to give fictions and inventions + Aptitude did not come up to my desire + Arranged his affairs that he died without money + Artagnan, captain of the grey musketeers + Believed that to undertake and succeed were only the same things + But with a crawling baseness equal to her previous audacity + Capacity was small, and yet he believed he knew everything + Compelled to pay, who would have preferred giving voluntarily + Conjugal impatience of the Duc de Bourgogne + Countries of the Inquisition, where science is a crime + Danger of inducing hypocrisy by placing devotion too high + Death came to laugh at him for the sweating labour he had taken + Depopulated a quarter of the realm + Desmarets no longer knew of what wood to make a crutch + Enriched one at the expense of the other + Exceeded all that was promised of her, and all that I had hoped + Few would be enriched at the expense of the many + For penance: "we must make our servants fast" + For want of better support I sustained myself with courage + Found it easier to fly into a rage than to reply + From bad to worse was easy + He had pleased (the King) by his drugs + He limped audaciously + He was often firm in promises + He was so good that I sometimes reproached him for it + He was born bored; he was so accustomed to live out of himself + He liked nobody to be in any way superior to him + He was scarcely taught how to read or write + He was accused of putting on an imperceptible touch of rouge + Height to which her insignificance had risen + His death, so happy for him and so sad for his friends + His habits were publicly known to be those of the Greeks + His great piety contributed to weaken his mind + I abhorred to gain at the expense of others + Ignorance and superstition the first of virtues + Imagining themselves everywhere in marvellous danger of capture + In order to say something cutting to you, says it to himself + Indiscreet and tyrannical charity + Interests of all interested painted on their faces + It is a sign that I have touched the sore point + Jesuits: all means were good that furthered his designs + Juggle, which put the wealth of Peter into the pockets of Paul + King was being wheeled in his easy chair in the gardens + Less easily forget the injuries we inflict than those received + Madame de Maintenon in returning young and poor from America + Make religion a little more palpable + Manifesto of a man who disgorges his bile + Mightily tired of masters and books + Monseigneur, who had been out wolf-hunting + More facility I have as King to gratify myself + My wife went to bed, and received a crowd of visitors + Never been able to bend her to a more human way of life + Never was a man so ready with tears, so backward with grief + No means, therefore, of being wise among so many fools + Not allowing ecclesiastics to meddle with public affairs + Of a politeness that was unendurable + Oh, my lord! how many virtues you make me detest + Omissions must be repaired as soon as they are perceived + Others were not allowed to dream as he had lived + People who had only sores to share + People with difficulty believe what they have seen + Persuaded themselves they understood each other + Polite when necessary, but insolent when he dared + Pope excommunicated those who read the book or kept it + Pope not been ashamed to extol the Saint-Bartholomew + Promotion was granted according to length of service + Received all the Court in her bed + Reproaches rarely succeed in love + Revocation of the edict of Nantes + Rome must be infallible, or she is nothing + Said that if they were good, they were sure to be hated + Saw peace desired were they less inclined to listen to terms + Scarcely any history has been written at first hand + Seeing him eat olives with a fork! + She lose her head, and her accomplice to be broken on the wheel + Spark of ambition would have destroyed all his edifice + Spoil all by asking too much + Spoke only about as much as three or four women + Sulpicians + Supported by unanswerable reasons that did not convince + Suspicion of a goitre, which did not ill become her + Teacher lost little, because he had little to lose + The clergy, to whom envy is not unfamiliar + The porter and the soldier were arrested and tortured + The shortness of each day was his only sorrow + The most horrible sights have often ridiculous contrasts + The argument of interest is the best of all with monks + The nothingness of what the world calls great destinies + The safest place on the Continent + There was no end to the outrageous civilities of M. de Coislin + Touched, but like a man who does not wish to seem so + Unreasonable love of admiration, was his ruin + We die as we have lived, and 'tis rare it happens otherwise + Whatever course I adopt many people will condemn me + Whitehall, the largest and ugliest palace in Europe + Who counted others only as they stood in relation to himself + Wise and disdainful silence is difficult to keep under reverses + With him one's life was safe + World; so unreasoning, and so little in accord with itself + World; so unreasoning, and so little in accord with itself +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Memoirs of Louis XIV., His Court +and The Regency, Complete, by Duc de Saint-Simon + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MEMOIRS OF LOUIS XIV., *** + +***** This file should be named 3875-h.htm or 3875-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.net/3/8/7/3875/ + +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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