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MICHIGAN
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E LE M E N T S
Elon
Lauder
88
OF THE
HISTORY OF FRANCE,
TRANSLATED FROM THE
A BB É MILLOT,.
CONFESSOR IN ORDINARY TO THE
FRENCH KING,
BY
тн Е
TRANSLATOR OF TALES FROM
MARMONT.E.L.
DUBLIN:
Printed for JAMES WILLIAMS, in Skinner-low,
M, DCC, LXXII.
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Ε L Ε Μ Ε Ν Τ S
OF THE
HISTORY OF FRANCE: ,
CHARLES
THE
"HE kingdom was more unhappy after the
death of Charles VI. than it had been after
that of king John. A ſtranger reigned in the ca-
pital. The whole nation had taken the oath to
the duke of Bedford, brother to Henry V. who was
declared regent of France during the minority of
Henry VI The lawful king, whom they called
Charles, the pretended dauphin, a prince of twen-
ty, as weak as mildas as voluptuoits as brave,
governed by his miniſtes, preferred pleaſure to
the affairs which he ought to have purived with
ardour.. Languedoc, Dauphiny, Auvergne, the
Bourbonnois, Berri, Poitou, Xaintonge, Tou-
rain, Orleans, and a part of Anjou, and of
Maine, was the whole he was pofféffed of; the
reſt was in the hands of the Engliſh, whoſe alli-
ance with the duke of Burgundy ſeemed to pre-
ſage ſtill more conqueſts, equally ſudden and
laſting. The duke of Britanny had embraced his
caule, driven by the torrent againſt his own in-
clinations.
is just the
:B
Charles
:
2
ELEMENTS OF THE
Charles VII. took ſome places; but the battle
of Verneul, which Bedford gained, weakened him
extremely. The French temerity again ſhewed
itſelf on this fatal day. So many misfortunes had
not fufficiently taught the commanding officers :
they knew how to fight, and yet neglected the
means of vanquiſhing. A quarrel arifing between
the duke of Burgundy and the regent of France,
gave the royaliſts time to breathe : they took ad-
vantage of it to - negociate an accommodation
with the duke of Britanny. The count of Rich-
mont his brother, accepted the ſword of conſta-
ble ; but on condition that the king ſhould dif-
grace his favourites. The monarch overwhelmed
with adverſity, " forgetting his duty in the lap of
pleaſure, could not diſcard the miniſters who, by
their flatteries, abuſed his confidence. - Thoſe
whom the conſtable diſmiſſed were, in ſpite of
him, replaced by others ſtill leſs worthy of go-
verning the king. The conſtable · put two to.
death without conſidering the favour of his fo-
vereign, who groaned under the tyranny of ſuch
a maſter, and the ſtorms of his court increaſed
the danger of his ſituation. Tremoille, his new
favourite, very ſoon embroiled himſelf as well as
Richmont, who was too abſolute and too haugh-
ty, but zealous for the ſtate. Friend and enemy,
all conſpired to the ruin of a monarch, who ſeem-
ed not willing to reign. One day, when he was
employed in preparations for a feaſt, the brave
La Hire came to take his orders. Charles having
demanded what he thought of this feaſt: "I
think,' replied he, ( that no one can loſe his
« kingdom more gaily.”.
The fiege of Orleans was likely to decide the
fate of the monarchy. The lngliſh beſieged this
place with vigour : the French as vigorouſly de-
fended it; but the king's courage walipot to be
raiſed
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
3
raiſed by that; on the contrary, he thought of
ſaving himſelf by retiring into Dauphiny. The
remonftrances and prayers of the queen, Mary of
Anjou, a princeſs of rare virtue, turned him from
this cowardly reſolution ; and Agnes Sorrel, his
miſtreſs, reanimated his drooping courage. Theſe
lines of Francis I. are much for her honour.
* Gentle Agnes, thou meriteſt more honour
• by having recovered France, than is due for any
thing that can be performed by a nun or a her-
mity within the walls of a cloiſter or a cell.'
But: Joan of Arc, ſo well known by the name
of the Maid of Orleans, was the deſtined inftru-
ment for the preſervation of her country. This
girl, born of poor parents in a village in the dio-
ceſe of Toul, was only ſeventeen when the appear-
ed on the ſcene of action; her devotion, her fim-
plicity, a lively imagination heated by a frequent
recital of the horrors of the war, rendered her ve-
ry ſuſceptible of thoſe extraordinary feelings which
agitated her foul, and threw her out of herſelf:
ſhe imagined herſelf inſpired. · St. Michael, St.
Margaret, and St. Catherine,' ſhe ſaid, all
$ appeared to her in ber ecſtacies, to acquaint her
with the decrees of God, which were, that ſhe
was to deliver Orleans, and to anoint the king
at Rheims?. Her viſion went no farther. Rau-
dricourt, the commander of Vaucouleurs,
whom the confided the ſecret, looked on her at
firſt as a viſionary. At length they preſented her
to the king, who had her examined. Prelates,
do&ors, and magiſtrates, all, after many interro-
gatories, acknowledged that there was ſomething
wonderful in this girl. She was herſelf ſtrongly për:
fuaded of ſucceſs, and perſuaded others to the fame
wayof thinking. They refolved to take advantage of a
reſcurce ſo unexpected. Thevirgin,armed from head
to foot, and a bapner in her hand, conducted the
B2
French
to
.
4
ELEMENTS OF THE
French army as the ſubſtitute of God, and filled them
with the ſame ardour and confidence with which the
felt herfelf-inſpired. She fought like an heroine ;
but was fcrupulous of taking away life. The
Engliſh were ftruck with a panic, and being con
tinually. beaten, they raiſed the fiege of Orleans
It is natural to imagine, that the generals, as well
the ſoldiers, attributed this revolution to ſome
ſupernatural cauſe. The duke of Bedford ſays,
in one of his letters; That the virgin waş'a true
i diſciple of Satan; and had made uſe of inchant:
is ments and witchcraft:* ! The fame perſon who,
to the French, appeared a tutelar'angel, appeared
to the Engliſh a magician ; and though bộth might
be miſtaken, their opinions were not the leſs likely
to produce a great effect upon credulous men.
- Joan of Arc, after the deliverance of Orleans,
preſſed the king to come to Rheims to be anointed
to do which he was obliged to croſs about fourſcore
leagues of land which were in the hands of his
enemies, with a handíul of men, and totally de-
ſtitute both of money and proviſions. Theſe were
dreadful obſtacles ; ýer all' was loft by the leaſt ap-
pearance of irreſolution: The authority: of the
virgin puſhed on the 'moft-timid: The Engliſh
were beatën at Patay, 11otwithſtanding the heroit
efforts of the fainous Talbot their general. Auxerre
refuſed to open its gates ; but furniſhed them, ,
nevertheleſs, with proviſions. Troyes and Chal-
ons ſubmitted, and Rheims received Charles VIII.
He was there anointed'; at which ceremony (ſb
much to her glory) the virgin affifted. After which,
looking on her miſſion as accomplished, ſhe was
deſirous of retiring; bút' the commands of the
king, ard perſuaſions of the court, detained her.
. Though they were jealous of her glory, yet they
found her preſence ureful to them; but. Heaven
now leemed to abandon her all at once wounded
and
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
-5
and taken priſoners in a fally againſt the enemy in
defence of Campaigne, which was afſaulted by
the duke of Burgundy, ſhe was delivered to the
Engliſh, who diſgraced themſelves by puniſhing
her for their defeats - They:ought to have treated
her as a prifonéru ofswar ; on the contrary, they
condemned her do be:burnisas al forcereſse ao here:
tüc, and an idolatera usThe Jacobine who perform
bd the office of inquiſitor ạt, Paris, and the univer-
fity in a body, through a ſcandalous: fanáticiſm;
folicited the Engliſh, in the warmeſt: terms; to
abandon he:tö: the judgment of an eccleſiaſtica!
tribunal.:: Heri enemies: jwerel but, too much difin
poſed to iti: Qaúchong, the biſhop of. Beauvais,
their partizan, a man deferring, of exedration,
with feveral other recclefiaftics and doctors, were
the miniſters of this barbarouss injuſtice. The
virgin made a reply which is greatly celebrated,
when ſhe was interrogared. why the had aſſiſted at
the anointing of Charles: VII. : with her ſtandard:
• It is juft, ſays ſhe," that the perſon who had
ſhare in the labour, ſhould alſo have a ſhare in
the honour.'. [The ſentence: was paſſed and ex-
écuted at Rouen,' It was one of the moſt fčand-
alous : monuments of the folly and wickedneſs' of
Iruman: nature. After ſeveral captious interroga-
tories, conformable to the genius of the inquiſi-
tion, there cruel divines could not convince the
hergine that her viſions were illuſive, or that ſhe
was not really inſpired. We know that a tribu-.
nal of prieſts could not condemn to death ; 'but to
abandon the beretic to the ſecular power, was to
deliver her: to the flames. The king afterwards
did: juſtice to the memory::of: Joan.of. Arc,..who,
as: Voltaire obſerves, was ſufficiently:shonoured
even by her-fufferings. Ther, baſtard of. Orleans,
that brave .count of Dungis, who Thad almoſt al-
ways accompanied her, affirmed with oaths, in an
B 3
advanced
a
6 ELEMENTS OF THE
advanced age, that all her actions had the ap-
pearance of ſomething fupernatural in them, and
had never given occaſion to the leaſt reproach. It
was, doubtleſs, only in ſo dark an age as what we
are now writing of, that the virgin could have
executed ſuch things. France would have received
the yoke, if: their reaſon had been ſufficiently
ſtrong to have diſbelieved her revelations; but, in
more enlightened times, they would have avoided
the faults and misfortunes which rendered ſuch a
seſource neceſſary.
Charles VII. beſet. by Tremoilley, and by his
iniftreffes, was loft in conſtant indolence. The
courage of the nobility ſupplied his defe&t. · The
conſtable of Richmont loft not his zeal though in
diſgrace: he ſuccoured Orleans in ſpite of all the
commands of the court to the contrary. It is ſaid,
that when the virgin adviſed the driving him back,
and the nobles, more prudent, determined to re-
ceive him as a friend, according to the hiſtory of
Britanny, Richmont addreſſed her in theſe words:
* Joan, they tell me that you have a mind to op-
poſe me. "I know not bý whom you are ſent,
• whether by God or by the devil; if by God,
* I have no reaſon to fear you, ſince God, is
privy to my intentions as well as yours ; andef
you are of the devil, my reaſon to fear you is
6 ftill leſs."
Whatever truth there may be in this curious
anecdote, certain it is, that the conſtable ventured
to ſeize. Tremoille in a caſtle where the king
himſelf had taken up his reſidence. He was the
third miniſter who had experienced his violence.
Charles, who was now diſguſted with this favou-
rite, countenanced the undertaking; and received
Richmont again into favour. In thus falling from
his dignity through weakrefs; he had the hap-
pineſs to gain himlelf an illuſtrious defender.
After
ܪ
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
7
After ſome years of war, where fortune ſeemed
equally to balance between the royaliſts and the
Engliſh, without any deciſive adion which might
be laid to fix her, Philip the Good, duke of Bur-
gundy, rendered at length that ſuperiority to the
houſe of France, which his o alliance with the
enemies of the ſtate had made them.lofe. The
pride of the duke of Bedford wounded him in a
lively manner. The 'affaſſination of his father
had been too ſeverely revenged by the misfortunes
of the monarchy: his natural generoſity intereſted
him in the miſeries of his countrymen. The coun-
cil of Bale ſolicited him to faerifice to his religion
a cruel reſentment. Peace could not be otherwiſe
than advantageous to him, and what could he gain
by depriving his own houſe of a crown in favour of
a ſtranger? He embraced that ſide which he ought
to have taken at firſt. The Engliſh having re-
jected the offers of the king, who had been wil.
ling to yield Normandy with Guienne, he made
his particular treaty at Arras, where the ambaſſa-
dors of all the Chriftian princes were aſſembled.
The ſtrongeſt impoſing conditions on the weakeſt.
It is ſaid of Charles VII. that he received the law
from his vaſſal. He theſe diſcharged him from all
future homage. He diſavowed the murder of John
Sans Peur, and promiſed to purſue the aſſaſſins. In a
word, he yielded all that was required ; happy, at
that price, to purchaſe a peace fo.deſirable. The
queen-mother, Iſabella of Bavaria, who had con-
pired with the duke of Burgundy the ruin of
the king and the ſtate, died this year at Paris, be-
ing ill uſed by the Engliſh, reduced to the laſt ne-
cefſity, covered with ſhame, and devoted to grief :
a faithleſs wife, an unnatural mother, an enemy
of France : ſhe is a moſt ſtriking example of the
misfortunes to which we expoſe ourſelves,
B4
when
8 ELEMENTS OF THE
when we contemn thoſe duties which we ought to
obſerve.
The Pariſians, much diſſatisfied with the Engliſh
dominion, of which they felt both the ignominy
and rigour, were deſirous of returning under their
lawful ſovereign. The conſtable treated of the
terms of agreement betwixt them ; in which he
promiſed a general pardon, and the preſervation of
their privileges. This prevailed, and they opened
the gate to him : the Engliſh having no longer any
partizans, were eaſily driven out. The king figna-
lized himſelf at the taking of Montereau ; he there
began the attack like a ſoldier, and was one of
the firſt who mounted the ramparts: it was ex-
poſing himſelf too much ; but an action of this
kind was, perhaps, neceſſary, to efface the re-
membranee of his indolence. It was twenty years
ſince he had entered Paris. The people received
him with triumph ; and, in fine, determined,
that his happineſs ſhould depend on his fidelity.
The diſorders of every kind, which abounded,
demanded quick redrefs. Charles gave his firſt
attendance to eccleſiaſtical affairs. He aſſembled
the clergy at Bourges : it was there that he made
the celebrated pragmatic fanction, conformable to
the decrees of the council of Bale, which then
endeavoured to limit the power of the popes, and
to re-eſtabliſh the liberty of the church. By this
pragmatic ſanction, they aboliſhed reſerves, ex-
pectatives, annates ; which were the rights
the popes arrogated of reſerving to themſelves the
collations of a crowd of benefices, of naming fuc-
ceffors before they were vacant, and of receiving
a year's revenue : they renewed, with great alacri-
ty, the ancient cuſtom of elections, which inducted
the c'ergy with the royal conſent ; they ſuppreſſed
thie abuſe of appealing to the pope', without hav-.
ing recourſe to the ordinary courts of juſtice; and
in
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
19.
)
in caſes where appeals werë lawful, they obliged
the pope to appoint commiſſaries ih their own king-
dom: in fine, the ſuperiority of general councils
over ihe pontiffs were authentically acknowledged.
The parliametits, known by the name of the prag-
matic;weise at odious to the court of Rome, as
they were dearito'the French.“- It'was not poſſible
to reconcile fuch different intereſts." The quarrel
of the couhcil of Bale with Eugene IV. the de-
poſition of that pope, the ſchiſm which it occaſi-
oned for ſome years, properly belongs to eccleſia-
ſtical hiſtory : let us only obſerve; that this coun-
cily tafter having made fuch wiſe regulations, dege-
nėratedeinto a conventicle ; whith paſſionately
purſued a lawful pontiff who was worthy of being
the head of the church, and which abuſed that
authority by which it had ſet hounds to the pontia
fical power. When things are at the worſt; they
generally mend ; ! but - rarely without violent con-
vulſions and dangerous ſtruggles.in is:
.) There was nothing of more importance to be
done than reſtraining the 'loldiery, who ruined the
people by their pillages. Charles lefſeried their
number, regulated their pay, and eſtabliſhed
military diſcipline; The ſame reformation was
neceſſary to reſtrain the rapacity of the officers,
as there was to ſet 'bounds to the licentiouineſs of
the foldiers: i Several nobles formed a-party : the
duke of Alençon'breathed into the dauphin (after-
wards Lewis XI., fentiments of rebellion, to
which he ſeemed by nature too prone. That
young prince appeared at the head of the factious.
The count of Dunois, jealous of the conſtable,
forgot hus duty, but very ſoon repented it, and
returned !o his maſter, who ſhewed, by his con-
duiet," that a great man ſhould forgive faults which
are not perſifted in. The vigour with which they
B 5
purſued
10
ELEMENTS OF THE
purſued the rebels ſoon ſtopped the courſe of their
enterpriſes. Lawis ſued for pardon, and obtained
it ; but afterwards threatened to return, if pardon
was not granted to Tremoille, and ſome other of
his partizans, " The doors, are open,? ſays the
king to him, and if they are not wide enough,
! I will throw down twenty fathoms: 'of the wall
,
to make. way for you : go, we ſhall find princes
o of our own blood who will ſerve us better than
you have done. The dauphin deſerved this
reprimand : he was filent, and did not attempt to
depart at that time.
Among an infinity of melancholy objects, hiſtory
here preſents us with an inſtance, of, generoſity
worthy of the most refined age: the duke of
Burgundy, Philip the Good, ſtifling the hatred
which divided his houſe and that, of Orleans, de-
livered the duke who bare that title, and who had
been priſoner in England from the battle of Agin-
court; not ſatisfied with paying his ranſom and
being his benefaộor, he became likewiſe his friend.
This opulent, magnificent, delightful prince, the
inſtitutor of the order of the golden fleece, diſtin-
guiſhed himſelf among the princes, his cotem,
poraries, leſs by his power and riches than by the
true merit of doing good.
Charles marched at the head of his troops, and
fupported his ſuperiority over the Engliſh. He
took Pantoife by aſſault, which Talbot in vain
endeavoured to ſuccour. An uniform detail of
other expeditions would be tedious and uſeleſs.
The contending parties had often entered on the
negociations of a peace ; but could produce only
a truce, during which the king executed his prca
jeet of reforming the military. He raiſed, fifteen
companies of ordrance, every one having a hundred
fighting men, and each fix horſes. At the ſamc
time,xhe eſtabliſhed a body of archers, in number
;;
four
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
II
four thouſand (muſkets not being then much in
uſe, and bows continuing to be ſo.) Theſe troops
were always to be under colours. In diſbanding
'the remainder of the militia, there was particular
care taken to make artificers or labourers of them,
to prevent their turning to banditti. The princi-
pal cities and countries furrounding them, were at
firſt charged with furniſhing a ſupport to the fold-
hiers which were quartered upon them: but, if we
may believe Mezerai, who is a little ſuſpected in
many affairs) the people, always affeted with
the preſent evil, and careleſs of what was to come,
preferred a tax in money for the payment of the
troops, without conſidering, that when it was once
eſtabliſhed, it would no longer depend on them,
either for duration or increaſe. I will not examine
the juſtice of this ſentiment. It is very certain,
that the prepetual tolls * were then eſtabliſhed for
the maintenan.e of the ſoldiers. Monarchy gained
nothing more by this than a regular militia fubfift:
ing on its vaſſals. The people might be ſaid to
gain much, being no longer expoſed to the into-
lerable vexations of theſe robbers; for they de-
ſerved no better rame. However, royal autho-
rity was certainly ſtrengthened by reformation;
the country was repeopled, commerce again be-
gan to flouriſh, and there was no longer any fear
of being robbed or murdered by thole who ſhould
have been the defenders of their properties. The
remainder of the taxes became perpetual under
this reign, which amounts to nine millions of cur
preſent current coin,
1
The ancient taxes were fo called, becauſe the
collectors rivarked on a little wooden tally whatever
they received or the contributors; the art of writing
ao, being then re:y.common,
Beſides
1 2
ELEMENTS OF THE
Beſides the companies of ordnance, every vil-
lage was to furniſh a free archer exempt from tal-
ly; which, altogether, formed a body of troops
ſufficiently numerous to defend the ſtate. The
Engliſh, weakened by many loſſes, deprived of
the duke of Bedford, one of the greateſt men of
his age, divided at London by couri intrigues,
were, nevertheleſs, intra&table. They broke the
truce, by ravaging a town belonging :o the duke
of Britanny, who was ſincerely attached to the
king. This imprudence, heightened by an air of
haughtineſs, coſt them dear. All Normandy was
foon after in the hands of the French.
James Caur, who had enriched himſelf by
commerce, perhaps contributed more than the
courage of the warriors 10 lo important a conqueſt.
The money which he furniſhed Charles with, en-
abled him to urdertake and to execute. A few
years after, this famous merchant becoming mi-
niſter of the finances, under the title of treaſurer
to the king, was condemned to exile, and loſs of
his poſſeſſions. Such is ſometimes the recompence
of ſervices.
The greateſt part of the world believed that he
fell a vi&im to jealouſy. Mr Villaret leaves ſome
doubt of his innocenee, and gives reaſon to think,
that part of the finances of the ſtate had ſwelled
his treaſury : but lie at the ſame time confelles,
that the commiſſaries employed in this proceſs
were willing to find him guilty. Indeed their con-
duet ſhewed more paſſion than equity ; beſides
that, they ſhared among themſelves the ſpoils of
his eſtate. Suppoſing him culpable of ſome tranſ-
greſſions, (for it was plainly proved that he was
not guilty of poiſoning Agnes Sorrel) we may yet
reckon him amongſt the illuſtrious victims of ingra-
titude and envy. A particul:ir worth remarking is
that in his proceſs the privileges of the clergy
were
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
13
to
not
were reſtrained. • A ſpecies of preſervation,' ſays
Mr. Villerette, which was always aſſumed
6
with precaution ; but which, in France, was
never able to abridge the courſe of juſtice.' Gui-
enne was retaken in leſs time than Normandy.
The Engliſh re-entered it only to be driven out a
fecond time. General Talbot, whom they called
their Achilles, loſt his life in battle. Bourdeaux and
other places ſubmitted, and were no more under
the dominion of the Engliſh. There remained
now in. The hands of the enemy, no other places in
the kingdom than Calais and Guienne. The kings
of England have, nevertheleſs, aſſumed
themſelves the tille of kings of France. Might
the king of France, with the fanie
right, have taken that of king of England, from
the reign of Philip the Auguſt ? This hopeleſs re-
volution, under a prince who too much neglected
buſineſs for pleaſure, was not only the effect of
the wiſdom of the generals, of the courage of the
nobles, of the diſcipline eſtabliſhed among the
troops, of the good order which they now kept in
their finances, of the troubles of England where
the houſe of York diſputed the ihrone with that of
Lancaſter ; but ſtill more of the zeal of the
French nation, taught by its miſtakes and its miſ-
fortunes; impatient of ſubmitting to a fatal yoke
which it had given itſelf, and more faithful in ſup-
porting the cauſe of the ſtate, than it had been
careleſs in ſuffering it to be betrayed. Nothing
more diſturbed the happineſs of Charles VII, than
the conduct of the dauphin. This young prince
full of wit and valour, already celebrated for his
exploits, tarniſhed ail his good qualities : by the
fierceneſs and turbulence of his ch. rader. In the
year 1446, he had retired from the court diſcon-
tented with the king and his miniflers, and enraged
againſt Agnes Sorrel, who indeed enjoyed the grea-
teſt
1
0
t
14
ELEMENTS OF THE
teft favour, but who, it muſt be confeſſed, 'had
made uſe of it for the good of the ſtate. No con-
fideration could induce him to return. He had
married, without the conſent of his father, a.
daughter of the duke of Savoy. He governed
Dauphiny as a ſovereign. Knowing that the king
would be deſirous of ſecuring his perion, he alk-
ed an aſylum of Philip the Good, and retired into
Brabant, where he lived in moderate tranquillity.
The duke of Alençon, a prince of the blood, guil-
ty of the ſame revolt with the dauphin, till held
a treaty with the Engliſh. Charles reſolved to ex-
tinguiſh, by a juſt ſeverity, theſe firſt glimmerings
of faction: he proceeded againſt the duke as a trai-
tor, and changed the condemnation of death to per-
petual impriſonment. He propoſed this queſtion
to parliament, If the king could aſlift at the judg-
ment of a law-ſuit entered againſt a peer of France ?
They replied, That he not only could, but that
his preferice was abſolutely neceſſary. The de-
ciſion was carried according to ancient cuſtom : 'A
cuſtom,' ſays Mr. de Voltaire, which has appeared
ſince univorthy of royal majeſty, ſince the pre-
• ſence of the lovereign ſeemed to conſtrain ſuf-
• frages ; and in a criminal affair, the ſame pre-
• ſence which ought :o announce nothing but mer-
cy, commanded rigour.' Mean-while the duke
of Britanny languiſhed in a diſorder which defi-
ed the force of medicine. Their ignorance made
them believe that lie was bewitched, and ſome ad-
viſed ſending for magicians to diſſolve the charm.
He himſelf oppoſed i, ſaying, “That he choſe
• rather to die by the hands of God, than thoſe of
• the devil.' By his death the inheritance of Bri-
tanny paſſed to a brother of the conſtable of Rich-
mont. This great captain preſerved the dignity
of conſtable ; ; becauſe that he was willing,' he
ſaid, ' to honour, in his old age, a place, which
is had
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
IS
had honoured him in his youth.'. He did homage
to the king, Tuch as he had done to his prede-
ceffors, declaring, that it was not a liege-homage.
Charleş' VII. full of acknowledgment, believed
thai hie vyght to reeal him to it. France and Bri-
țauny, very, foon afterwards loft Richmont. Though
the duke :of Burgundy, in receiving his eſtates
through the generoſity of the dauphin, had wiſe-
ly obſerved the regards due to a ſovereign ; yet
reciprocal complaints announced an approaching
rupture, which would, perhaps, have broken
out, if the king had lived much longer. Fear
and.chagrin cauſed his death. He had been per-
ſuaded, that the dauphin had a deſign of poiſoning
him. This idea troubled him to fuch a degree,
that he obſtinately, for ſeveral days, refuſed all
nouriſhment. He died at the age of ſixty. Fa-
ther Daniel infifts upon it, that it is doing an in-
jury to Charles VII not to look on him as one of
our greateſt king.' Mr. Hainault, nevertheleſs,
aſſures us, that he was only, a witneſs to the won-
ders of his reign. "They ſay,' added he, that
“ fortune, in deſpite of the monarch's indifference.
and for the ſake of doing ſomething ſingular,
choſe rather to give him, at that time, power-
! ful enemies and valiant defenders. It was not
that he had a vaſt deal of courage, but if he did
appear at the head of his armies, it was as a
warrior and not as a chief. The greateſt part
of his life was employed in gallantry and feaſts.'
Are not theſe reproaches exaggerated ? He cer-
tainly became, in a manner, another man when
he. began to enjoy his power ; few kings have
governed with more wiſdom, and laboured with
more ſucceſs for the happineſs of the nation : he
was then adored ; a circunſtance which has rot
happened to many good prirces. A cotemporary
author bears teſtimony of his aſiduity in council
,
and
i
16 ELEMENTS OE THÈ?
and his application to buſineſs. Suppoſing him of
a middling capacity, we ought at leaſt to acknow-
ledge his merit in the judgmeni he ſhewed, by be-
Rowing his confidence on great men, who ſecond-
ed his views. He knew how to recompenfe fert
vices by the infalible means of exciting emulation,
But if Agnes Sorrel had not loved the Itaté as well
as ſhe loved the monarch, Riihimont and Danois
would, perhaps, have miſcarried in their enter-
priſes; A. miffreſs of Charles's ſhared the glory of
his reign, while Mary of Anjou, his wife, was re-
duced to the oblcure merit of patiently fuffering
the infidelity of her huſband: Printing was in
vented in Gerinany towards the middle of this een-
tury. Thoſe who brought to Paris the fifft printed
books, paſſed for magicians ;. for they aſcribed
every thing to the power of magic.
It is unneceſſary to make reflections on the ig-
norance of theſe times for it is leſs aſtoniſhing
than the prodigies of the virgin, and the abſurd
proceſs which condemned her to the flames. Some
perſons of the higheſt rank knew fomething of
the value of letters, and eſteemed thoſe who un
derſtood them. Margaret of Scotland, firſt wife
of Lewis XI. having one day, found the learned
Allen Chartier 'alleep, gave him a kifs. The ex-
treme uglineſs of Chariier increaſed the ſurpriſe of
the ſpectators : The perceived it I do not,' ſays
ſhe,' kiſs the perſon bur the mouth, from whence
have proceeded ſuch fine things.' Thele fine
diſcourſes, then fo much adinired, are written in
an ucouth ftile, and with an ill-tafte. The uni-
verſity at this time reckoned twenty five thouſand
ſtudents, the greateſt part of whom learned no-
thing more than bad Latin and vain ſubtilties.
Charles VII, reformed a part of the abuſe, which
once rendered this body as dangerous as we now
ſee it uſeful. In rettraining its privileges, he ſub-
mitted
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
17
mitted it to the laws. They abrogated a ridiculous
ſtatute which excluded married men from the
practice of phyſic; as if the clerks could alone
teach an art, which it was not lawful to make uſe
of. In ſpite of the luxury and extravagance of the
modes of this time, they were ſo ignorant of the
conveniencies of life, that during the hard winter
in 1457, the lords and ladies of quality, who did not
dare to mount a horſe, were drawn along in a tub.
THE
cru-
LEWIS XI.
.
HE character of Lewis XI. was ſufficiently
known for them to expect a governor
el, abſolute, and whimſical. He began by affect-
ing a conduct entirely oppoſite to that of Charles
'VII. The court-rolls were almoſt entirely renew-
ed; the duke of Alençon and the count of Ar-
magnac, juſtly condemned'under the late reign for
- unpardonable crimes, again appeared. The mi-
niſtry and the people, very ſoon found out, that
the ſyſtem of the new king was to govern with an
abfolute empire; and that he would not be ſcru-
pulisus of the means of increaſing his authority.
Pius V. Eneas Silvius, who being ſecretary of the
council of Bael, had ſhewn the moſt ardent zeal
in defending the liberties of the church; but who,
ofterwards becoming cardinal and pope, had pub-
lickly changed his opinion, as his intereſt directed;
a man formed with finefl: fufficient to deceive
Lewis XI, offered, 'at a certain price, to aboliſh
the.pragmatic fanction. It was the king's intereſt
to ſupport this work of his predeceſſor; but in the
hope of replacing the houſe of Anjou on the
throne of Naples, now uſurped by Ferdinand of
Arragon, he ſacrificed to the pope one of the
most precious laws of France, though odious to
the court of Rome. He afterwards inſiſted on
the
ܪ
18 ELEMENTS OF THE
the rights of the houſe of Anjou. Pius V. fup.
ported Ferdinand, and having obtained that which
he wiſhed, made no other acknowledgment than
eulogiums. The parliament had courageoufly.op-
poſed the aboliſhment of the pragmatic fan&tion,
which they looked on as the rampart of the Gallic
church. Lewis XI. permitted the execution of
it ſtill to them, excepting ſome points: he could
not better revenge himſelf on the artifices of the
pope. The parliament, excommunicated on this
account, deſpiſed his cenſures, and, by that means
rendered them uſeleſs. This event was one of the
pretences which the principal lords . ſeized on to
league themſelves againſt the king. The more he
endeavoured to diſgrace the great men, whoſe
power gave him umbrage, the more he drew on
himſelf their hatred. The duke of Burgundy ſent
to him Chimai, to complain of the ſeveral infringe-
ments of the treaty of Arras. Lewis in a fit of hu-
mour demanded of Chimai, If the duke was made of
any other metal than other princes? He muſt be
• made of good metal,' replied the ambaſſador,
. ſince he received and prote&ted you when no other
perſon dared to do it.' Philip the Good. was too
pacific to diſturb the repoſe of the ſtate; but
Charles, the count of Charalois, impetuous and
violent, and bearing a mortal hatred to the king,
ſought occaſion to break out. The duke of Bri-
tanny likewiſe diſcontented, becauſe his unjuſt
pretenſions had been oppoſed, excited this young
prince to rebellion. They drew into their party
the duke of Bourbon, and afterwards the duke of
Berri, the king's brother, dangerous through the
weakneſs of his mind, which rendered him fup-
ple to the impreſſions of the cabal all at once.
Theſe rebels openly declared themſelves, under
the common pretext of reforming the ſtate, and
ſupporting the rights of the people, covering their
ambitious
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
19
ambitious deſigns under the ſpecious name of a
league for the public good. The famous Dunois
entered into this league. How little would it
have been capable of doing, under an equirable
government, and how unhappy are bad princes in
furniſhing pretences of rebellion to thoſe who are
the chief ſupports of their throne! They armed
on all ſides. The king took ſuch good meaſures,
that the count of Charalois in vain attempted to
ſurpriſe the capital : the army of France and that
of the Burgundians met near Montlheri, where
they fought a bloody battle. Lewis and the count
equally ſignalized their bravery, without being
able to decide the victory. The rebels beſieged
Paris, but very ſoon deſpaired of entering : ne-
vertheleſs, the king followed the counſel of Francis
S'force, duke of Milan, who adviſed him that,
in order to diffipate the league, he ought to pro-
miſe every thing, and afterwards judge whether his
circumſtances would oblige him to keep his pro-
miſes ; a maxim too conformable to his political
artifice. He then ſigned a deceitful treaty, by
which he yielded the fovereignty of Normandy to
his brother, and the dominion of ſeveral other
places to the principal chiefs. They afterwards
talked of the public good, without any other effect,
than that of gaining leſs to the people. The event
of this league made it be afterwards juſtly ſtiled
The league of public evil.
The following quarrels between the dukes of
Berri and Britanny, furniſhed to the king an oc-
caſion of breaking the treaty; at the ſame time
that he negociated with the Britons, he raiſed
Normandy againſt his brother. Always embroiled
in troubles and diſputes; deſpoiling ſome of their
fortunes, making informations againſt others; he
every day increaſed the diſcontent of the nobles ;
but he knew how to prevent their enterpriſes, by
dividing
20
EL EMENTS OF THE
dividing them. To juſtify his conduct with re-
gard to the duke of Berri, he reſolved to convoke
the ſtates, and to refer to their deciſion ſo impor-
tant an affair.; perſuaded that they would main:
tain the rights of the crown. He was not miſ-
taken in his confidence; the ſtates, declared, that
Normandy was inſeparably united to the crown;
and that the king had a right of holding it: to him-
ſelf from the declaration of Charles V. which fixed
the apenage of the children of France to
twelve thoufarid livres a year, to be raiſed on
lands which were erected into a dutchy or county;
but that having given the king's brother, Charles
duke of Berri, no leſs than ſixty thouſand livres,
agreed he ſhould be requeſted to inſert a clauſe in
the grant, to prevent its being made a precedent.
They promiſed him all kind of ſuccour in caſe of
war: and this aſſembly was a proof of the great
zeal they had for their lovereign. Philip the Good
having died the preceding year, the count of
Charalois, Charles, the Rath, his fon and ſucceſ:
for, an irreconcilable enemy to Lewis, prepared
himſelt for new hoftilities. The king reckoning
more on his policy than his arms, always preferred
negociations to battles. His confidence in the car-
dinal of Balue biſhop of Evreux, whoſe perfidy
he very ſoon experienced, made him take an im-
prudent ſtep, which had like to have, loft him
while his ambaſladors were endeavouring to fup-
port the people of Liege againſt the new duke of
Burgundy. Ralue perſuaded him to have a meet-
ing with that prince in the valley of Peronne, ac-
companied only by ſome noblemen : as ſoon as he.
had arrived there, they learned the revolt of the
people of Liege ; Lewis did not imagine it was.fo
near, but his agents::were but too well aſſure of
it, before they were appriſed of the interview. At
this news the duke, tranſported with fury, and
maſter
1
**
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
21
maſter of the perſon of the king, all at once took
the moſt violent reſolution. At length, from the
ſafe counfels of Calmont, he exacted of Lewis,
that he ſhould affiſt him againſt the people of
Liege... Lewis had every thing to fear and no-
thing to refuſe. He accompanied his vaſſal; he be-
came the miniſter of his vengeance. Liege was
overcome ; the duke ſet it on fire, and juſtified
the rebels, in ſome degree, by his barbarous
cruelty. The king was d'efirous of making terms
with his brother, as he had with the Burgundian :
he offered him Guienne for an apenage, and per-
fuaded him to marry: Iſabella: the fifter and heireſs
of the king of Caſtile: Mean-while, the man
whom he placed moſt confidence in, took every
meaſure to break his ſchemes. It was the cardinal
Balue, a perfon born in the loweſt ſtation, raiſed
through his : fuppleneſs, without virtue, without
breeding, and to whom, according to the obſerva-
tion of the ingenious Mr. Duclos, there was only
hypocriſy wanting to make up every vice. He
had purchaſed the purple robe, by obtaining letters
patent to aboliſh entirely the pragmatic fan&tion ;
letters which the parliament refuſed to inroll. He
forgot the duties of his own fun&tion, to review
the troops in the habit of a biſhop, which gave
occaſion for a nobleman to ſay to the king !
* I beg that you would ſend me to Evreux to
• ordain prieſts, fince the biſhop is come here to
review ſoldiers' United to the biſhop of Ver-
dun by: a conformity of character and intereſt,
Balue: deceived the maſter whofe. ſole favour he
pofféſſed. One of their letters diſcovered their
:. perfidy. Lewis had them arreſted, and incloſed in
iron cages inverted by the biſhop of Verdun.
They ought to have b eri profecuted according to
.the laws of krance; but the oppoſition of the
pope, though ſtrongly.ofpoſed by the king's am-
baffadors,
6 Sir,
22
ELEMENTS OF THE
baſſadors, ſtopped the courſe of this affair, and
the guil y were releaſed from priſon.
The duke of Berri accepted of the apenage
which was offered him ; but Iſabella of Caftile
married Ferdinand of Arragon, who became mar-
ter of Spain by this marriage. The two brothers
ftill diſpured on ſeveral articles : the death of the
new duke of Guienne terminated the difference.
He was, it was ſaid, poiſoned by a monk, his
confeffor. It was but little doubted in Europe
that Lewis had been the inſtigator of this crime,
who, when he was dauphin, had been feared as
a parricide by his father. Hiſtory ought not to
accuſe him without proofs ; but it muſt be allow-
ed to complain of his having deſerved ſuch a ſuf-
picion. Give me leave alſo to obſerve, that a
prince, culpable of avowed guilt, is, himſelf.
blameable for the raſh judgments which people
will naturally form on all his actions. :: Mr. de
Voltaire, from whom I print this remark, makes
it a truly uſeful leſſon, both to raſh accuſers of
the great, and to the great themſelves, that they
may not, by their conduct, provoke ſuch cenſure.
Nobody contributed more than the duke of Bur-
gundy to ſpread theſe ſuſpicions, through his own
fiery diſpoſition, his hatred for the king, and their
mutual vengeance againſt each other. Having
very foon broken the peace of Peronne, he
publiſhed in a manifeſto, that Lewis.deſigned to
murder his brother by evil practices, poiſon and
witchcraft ; that he was a parricide, a heretic,
and an idolater ; and that all the princes of Eu-
rope ought to unite againſt him.
whom they proclaimed as an idolater and heretic,
(accuſations contradictory to each other) was, in
fact, a devout zealot for religion; and ſuch abſur-
dity equally proves the injuſtice, the hatred, and
the ignorance which then reigned.
Charles
This king,
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
23
Charles the Raſh again took to arms, and made
war in a furious manner. He beſieged Beauvais.
The troubles of England had, for a long while,
freed France from the invaſions of its moſt power-
ful enemies. Henry VI. was dethroned, re-
eſtabliſhed after a long impriſonment, vanquiſhed
anew, and maſſacred with his ſon, by the orders.
of Edward IV. chief of the houſe of York :
which prince was no ſooner poſſeſſed of a crown
foiled with blood, than he renewed his ancient
pretenſions. Edward threatened Lewis to invade
France, if he did not reſtore Normandy and
Guienne.
6 Tell
your
mafter I will not be coun-
felled by him,' ſaid the king to his herald. This
anſwer ſeemed to imply a kind of reſolution for
fighting ; but Lewis, according to his old maxims,
embarraſſed the enemy without hazarding any
thing himſelf. Seeing the Engliſh in the kingdom,
he negociated with Edward: he promiſed to pay
him fifty thouſand crowns a year, and influenced
his principal officers to force on him preſents and
careſſes." Happily the duke of Burgundy, being
at war with the duke of Lorraine, had not ſecond-
ed the enemies, though he had folicited them to
this undertaking in a very lively manner.
With a
formidable army, they might have over-run
France; but intrigue and money preſerved the
king at the expence of his glory. The Burgun-
dian now deprived of his alliance with the Engliſh,
made a new treaty with his ſovereign. Never
were conventions and oaths made with, ſo little
truth. An illuſtrious victim was now ſacrificed to
the ſevere juſtice of the monarch. It was the
conſtable, St. Paul, his brother-in-law, who had
been tetrayed, outraged, and thrown on the ſide
of the duke of Burgundy, who then abandoned
him. His proſecution was carried on with rigour,
and he died on a ſcaffold. Lewis XI. in order to
reſtrain
24
ELEMENTS OF THE
>
reſtrain the great, was determined to ſacrifice the
heads of the ſtate. The count of Armagnac and
the duke of Alençon, condemned under Charles
VII. and re-eſtabliſhed in the beginning of this
reign, had already ſubmitted to puniſhment for
their new rebellion. We afterwards ſee, in 1477,
the duke of Namur, of the houſe of Armagnac,
die at the place of execution at Paris, after having
been put to torture, and his children drawn under
the ſcaffold, .by order of the king, to be bathed in.
the blood of their father. Horrible cruelty ! more
likely to make him hated as a tyrant than reſpected
as a monarch.
Charles the Raſh could not live in repoſe, nor
ſet any bounds to his ambition : imprudence and
fury precipitated him to extremes.
For a long
time he had been irritated againſt the Swifs;
whether it was becauſe they were allied to Lewis,
or whether it was to ſubject them to himſelf, he
made a moſt frivolous pretence for attacking them.
This warlike nation having ſhook off the yoke of
the houſe of Auſtria in 1037, and preſerved its
liberty by prodigies of conſtancy and valour, always
ready to defend itſelf; but deſirous of being at
peace with its neighbours, was forced to arm a-
gainſt the duke. It was repreſented to him, that
the bridles of his horſes were of more value than
all Switzerland. Deaf to all prayers and reaſons,
he made a campaign againſt them : the Swiſs
beat him in a defile ; all his baggage fell into their
hands.. Such was the ſimplicity of this people,
that the filver'veſſel which the duke uſed to drink
out of, was ſold as a vefſel of pewier ;' and his
richert diamond, which would now be eſteemed at
eighteen hundred thouſand livres, was fold for a
forin, and went through many hands at the ſame
prce. This battle cf Grårſon irritated the fury
of Charles, without curing 'him of his imprudence.
He
.
:
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
25
He very ſoon loſt a ſecond at Morat, where the
duke of Lorraine fought with the Swiſs the follow-
ing year. He was again defeated under the walls
of Nancy. It•was there that this wretched prince
periſhed. There were few who equalled him in
riches and power; but thoſe things which would
have made him happy were ever wanting, moder-
ation and wiſdom. He was always a torment to
himſelf, by being the ſcourge of the world. The
king did not diſſemble the joy which theſe events
cauſed him. His laſt treaty with the duke had
not hindered him from propoſing a caſe of con-
ſcience, which diſplayed his little integrity; it was
to know if he could, according to the laws of
God and his conſcience, permit, ſuffer, or tolerate,
any princes, lords, or communities, who had or
ſhould have a quarrel with the duke of Burgundy,
and whether, if they made war on him, he ſhould
indemnify them. Two princes, who engaged by
oath to ſerve for each other againſt all adverſaries,
at the ſame time mutually practiſed the contrary;
it was nevertheleſs decided, that the duke having
always ſhewn a reſpect for the king and kingdom,
the king ſhould leave other princes to act, and at
the ſame time give them to underſtand, that if
they would make war on the duke of Burgundy,
he ſhould be fatisfied, and would never oppoſe
them; but that he would neither folicit or give
them any ſuccours.
ſuccours. It is a doubt which is moſt to
be wondered at, the ſcruples which the king
fought in order to violate his promiſe, and at the
ſame time to quiet his conſcience, or the iniquity
of the caſuiſts who ſubtilly managed the
To aſk advice in a matter of this
kind, is to be before-hand a prevaricator : but
there never was a time, in which the ſecret of ac-
commodating morals to the paſſions of the great
was not known.
VOL. II.
.C
Maria
means.
26 ELEMENTS OF THE
Maria of Burgundy being the only heir to Char-
les, a part of his eſtates were of right to return to
the crown. The king loft not an inſtant ; he
fent troops and ambaſſadors to all parts. Bur-
gundy ſubmited without reſiſtance ; but Flanders
and Artois declared for the prirceſs. The world
in general reproach Lewis with not having married
her to the dauphin. Nothing could have been
more advantageous : he wiſhed this marriage to
take place. Maria was not at firſt averſe to it,
though the dauphin was but ſeven years old, and
ſhe near twenty ; but a falſe ſtep of the king
made her reject him, and redoubled the averſion
of the Flemings; . fo true it is, that fineffe is of-
ten oppoſite to good policy. Maximilian of Au-
ftria, ſon of the emperor Frederick III. was pre-
ferred; a fatal event, which produced above two
ages
of war and deſtruction. The huſband of
the heireſs of Burgundy of neceſſity became the
enemy
of France; as ſoon as he was married he
took to arms. He was as yet but weak; and
Lewis not loving war, a truce ſuſpended hoftilities.
This cunning monarch, who appeared to be car-
ried away entirely by his intereſt, ſhewed himſelf
truly generous in ſupporting the oppreſſed againſt
a violent and vindi&tive pope. The Medicis go-
verned Florence : enriched by their commerce,
happy through the courteſy of their manners,
jealouſy formed againſt them a horrible conſpiracy,
in which Sextus IV. had but too much part, and
of which the chief was Salviati archbiſhop of
Piſa. Laurence and Julian, grandſons of the great
Come of Medicis, were attacked in the church
during maſs; the youngeſt died on the ſpot, the
other eſcaped from thele murders. The people
very ſoon revenged him and became his benefac-
tors. The archbiſhop of Piſa was hanged on a
window. This was, for the pope, a moſt ſpecious
Pretex.
t
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
21
6
pretext to give himſelf up to the moſt cruel re-
ſentment; he carried it to the utmoſt exceſs. The
Florentines implored the ſuccours of Lewis : his
ambaſſadors ſpoke ſtrongly to Sextus, who affect-
ed to treat the family of the Medicis as merchants.
They were,' he ſaid, of the loweſt extra&ti-
on.'. In ſpite of all the turns of the policy of
Rome, the king forbid all commerce with that
court; and called together a national council to
renew the pragmatic ſanction: The pope, not
being very ſtrong, made peace with the republic
of Florence, withdrawing excommunications, and
foreſeeing all the conſequences of this affair,
Lewis, on his fide, was going to ſign, with the
king of England, a truce, which was to laſt a
hundred years after their death, when Maximilian
of Auſtria, though diſappointed of the aid which
he had expected from the Engliſh, broke the truce
which had been concluded the preceding year.
They took the French county in one campaign ;
they fought in Artois with a loſs pretty equal on
both ſides. Truces and hoſtilities ſucceeded each
other in an infinite number, till the death of
Maria of Burgundy in 1482. This unforeſeen
event changed the face of affairs. The indocile
Artois, leſs ſubmiflive ſtill to a ſtranger than to
their natural princes, ſeized on two children which
ſhe had had by Maximilian, forcing them to con-
clude the treaty of Arras with Lewis, by which they
gave in marriage to the dauphin. Margaret, daugh-
ter to the late princeſs, who was to have Artois
and the French county for her dowry. This prin-
ceſs was carried into the kingdom, but the mar-
riage never was concluded ; in like manner as we
fee under the reign of Charles VIII. that the
daughter of Edward IV. was promiſed to the
dauphin. The chagrin of ſeeing herſelf deceived,
cut ſhort her days.
The
C 2
28 ELEMENTS OF THE
The laſt years of the king were employed in
the ſame turbulence and intrigues which had filled
his whole reign: worn out by ſickneſs, he was
mot leſs jealous of his authority, and more atten-
tive to buſineſs : the fear of death, nevertheleſs,
terrified his foul. A legate had addreſs ſufficient
to give him fcruples on the detaining of the car-
dinal Balue and the biſhop of Verdun. The bim
fhop obtained his liberty, the cardinal was put in-
to the hands of the legate, under promiſe that he
ſhould be puniſhed at Rome, where he received
nothing but honour : how ftrange, when biſhops
leſs culpable than he, had periſhed on the ſcaf-
fold!! "While the king loft ſtrength from day to
day, fortune increaſed his dominions. The laſt
prirce of the houſe of Anjou left him Provence by
will, with his claim on the kingdom of Naples
and Sicily. Provence was very ſoon reunited to
the crown ; and Lewis was too circumſpect to
ſpread his ambition further : the conqueſt of a
foreign kingdom appeared to him as vain as dan-
gerous.' His ſucceſſor thought otherwiſe, and had
reaſon to repent of it. This prince ſo powerful,
became a prey to ſuſpicion, at the approach of
death, fearing his own ſon, changing his domeſ-
tics daily, giving continual orders for freſh execil-
tions, and was at the ſame time a ſlave to a phy-
fician both rapacious and inſolent, who threatened
to abandon him, and who dared to ſay to him,
• I know, that ſome morning you will ſend me
away as you have done others; but I ſwear by
God, that you will not live eight days after-
.6 wards.' The king, on this, redoubled his de-
votions : he loaded his pockets with relics ; he
bought a little image, which coſt one hundred and
fixty livres, was profuſe in his preſents to church-
es and monks, in the hopes of preſerving himſelf.
St. Francis, of Paul, a hermit of Calabre, was
ſent
6
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
29
ſent for from the midſt of Italy to his aſſiſtance:
he came, the king threw himſelf at his feet,
humbly conjuring him to cure him. Francis en-
deavoured to diſpoſe him for death, and to change
his ſuperſtition into virtue ; but Lewis's fear of
the loſs of life was ſtronger than his deſire to die
like a Chriſtian. Always ufurping arbitrary pow-
er, always inſpiring terror by his cruelties, he at
length died at the age of fixty!
We ſhall relate ſome particulars of him equally
uſeful and curious. Lewis XL. affected in his
dreſs a ſordid and indecent fimplicity. In an inter-
view between him and the king of Caſtile in 1463,
he appeared in
a habit of coarſe cloth, his
head covered with an old hat ornamented with a
leaden figure of our lady ; while the Caſtilian
ſparkled with the greateft magnificence. This
contraſt made him deſpicable in the eyes of the
Spaniards; but he had gained their miniſters by
bribery, and aſſured himſelf of ſucceſs in his de-
ſigns. The chief expence of his houſehold was
for his table ; from twelve thouſand livres he car-
sied it to thirty-ſeven : he not only invited the
lords of his court to eat with him, in order to
attach them the more ſtrongly to him, but even
ſtrangers from whom he could gather any thing :
ſometimes merchants; for he gave a particular
attention to commerce. A merchant named
Maſter John, flattered by this diſtinction, deter-
mined to aſk of him letters of nobility: the king
granted them ; but from that time took no further
notice of him. Maſter John teſtified his ſurpriſe :
Go, Mr. Gentleman, ſaid Lewis to him, when
"I made you ſit down at my table, I looked on
you as the firſt of your claſs; you are now the
• laft, and it would be an injury to others if I
• ſtill did you the ſame favour. An excellent
leffon this for thoſe who prefer vain titles to per-
fonal
G
C 3
30
ELEMENTS OF THE
fonal merit. He was often ſeen to mix with the
citizens, and, to inform himſelf of their affairs,
had his name inſcribed in the companies of the
artizans. · His anſwer which he made when he
was reproached with not ſupporting his dignity;
was this, - When pride goes before, ſhame and
• misfortune follow very near. A deſire of keep-
ing people of high birth under ſubjection, which
was a principal obje&t of his policy) was, without
doubt, a reaſon why he preferred thoſe who were
low born to offices, that he might deſtroy them
by a word. He had the addreſs, according to the
expreſſion of Francis I. of raiſing pages above
kings : but this was more owing to his cruelty than
any other method ; and he ſometimes ſeverely
proved how dangerous it was to give his confidence
to mean and baſe fouls, who were capable of in-
trigue and deſtitute of honour, and who flattered
him only to deceive him. He was often miſtaken
in his fineffe. It was a frequent expreſſion with
him, that he who knew not how to diſſemble,
knew not how to reign. “If,' ſays he, 'my hat
* was conſcious of my ſecret, I would burn it.'
By repeating too often this maxim, he, according
to the remark of Mr. Duclos, loſt the fruit of it.
We cannot think without liorror of the cruel exe-
cutions which provoſt Triſtan the hermit (who
was honoured with his friendſhip) performed by
his orders ; of the iron cages, enormous chains,
and the moſt cruel tortures, which became fo
common in the laſt years of his reign. Tyranny
can never be allied with true grandeur ; however,
this piece of juſtice muſt be rendered him, that
he made every one fulfil the duties of his office.
Having one day taken a review of the officers of
his houſehold, and finding the equipages not in
good order, he diſtributed to each of them eſcru-
tores, ſaying, ! ſince they would not ſerve him
o with
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
31
6 with their arms, they ſhould with their pens.'
This kind of correction had more effect on them
than the odious cruelties which he ſometimes
uſed. He would have deſerved commendation for
preferring treaties to war, if it had not been his
conſtant ſyſtem to deceive in negociations. It muſt,
however, be confeſſed, that he ſhewed real pru-
dence in always carefully avoiding quarrels at a
diſtance. Genoa having ſubmitted itſelf to France
under Charles VI. this unſteady people, after fre-
quent rebellions, again offered to, aeknowledge
Lewis XI. for their fovereign. He replied, "You
' give yourſelves to me, and I give you to the
• devil. The continual infidelity of the Genoeſë
juſtifies this anſwer. When we conſider, that
This perjured and wicked prince was the firſt of
our kings who always. bore the title of Moſt
Chriſtian ;. when we ſee himn delivering himſelf to
all the practices of a popular devotion, making
pilgrimages, wearing in his cap images of pewter
and lead, giving the county of Boulogne to the
Holy Virgio, demanding of the pope the right of
aſſiſting at the holy office with ſurplice and ameſs,
eſtabliſhing the cuſtom of reciting the angelus at
mid-day, &c. we know not how to reconcile ſo
many marks of religion with ſo many vices, which
humanity ſhrinks from ; but we often ſee in na-
ture ſtrange contraſts. · He had an odd-turned
mind, and a bad heart. "This oddity,' ſays Fa-
ther Daniel; ' made him.neglect the eſſential part
' of devotion, and content himſelf with exterior
practices. It rendered him ſcrupulous in trifles,
" when he heſitated not in things of the greateſt
importance. One of his fuperftitions was, that
he would never ſwear by a certain croſs of St.
Leo, which, it was ſaid, had the faculty of
ſtriking thoſe with death within a year who per-
jured themſelves on it ; but it was his conſtant
6
СА
practice
!
32
EL EMENTS OF THE
practice to oblige other's to ſwear by this very croſs.
Superftition and credulity always go together. He
entertained aſtrologers at his court ; but irritated
againſt one of theſe impoſtors who had foretold
the death of his miſtreſs, he ſent for him, refolv-
ed without doubt not to ſpare him :.' Thou who
feeſt into futurity,' ſays he,' tell me when
Ś thou ſhalt die.' The cun
The cunning aſtrologer ſaved
himſelf by this reply, ' I ſhall die three days be-
' fore your Majeſty. They from that time took
care of his perſon. Krowledge was then ſo far
from wife philoſophy, that the extravagant diſ-
pute between the realiſts ard the nominals became
at once a religious and a ſtate affair. He intereſt-
ed himſelf in it, to know if thirigs or words were
the objects of logic. This grand queſtion divided
all ihe ſchools, and extended itſelf to the myſtery
of the faith. The opponents on both ſides mu-
tually treated each other as heretics : they ſolicited
government to interfere : the king declared for the
realiſts, and called in all the books of the nomin-
als. He at length reſtored theſe rhapſodies to
their liberty, which no perſon has been able to
read for a long time ſince, while the memoirs of
Philip of Comines are in the hands of the whole
world. This ſtate hiſtorian would be ſtill more
eſtimable, if he had not abandoned the duke
of Burgundy his maſter, to attach himſelf to
Lewis XI. Several in giving his learning the de-
ſerved applauſe, reproach him with his falſe heart.
Lewis XI. eſtablifhed the poſt-office; and, to
give the finiſhing ſtroke to this uſeful inſtitution,
ordered that the places ſhould not be vacated but
by death, reſignation, or forfeiture. Seeming to
keep up to the ſtrict rules of juſtice, he examined
all the laws and cuſtoms. In fine, he made a fixed
code, and abridged the tediouſneſs of law-fuits.
He ordered that weights and meaſures ſhould be
uniform
*
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
33
uniform in his kingdom; a uſeful project, the
execution of which would be always deſirable.
He inſtituted the order of knighthood of St.
Michael, making it at once as, brilliant as that of
the golden fleece inſtituted by Philip the Good
duke of Burgundy. Theſe . orders contributed
very much to make the ancient chivalry fall to
the ground, already much decayed ſince the eſta-
bliſhment of the company of ordnance. It was a
wiſe policy to make thoſe titles of honour valua-
ble, which attached the ſubject to the ſovereign.
He had increaſed the tax to three millions, and
feven hundred thouſand livrés per annum, which
would amount to twenty-three millions at this
time. Charles VII. had never raiſed more than
eighteen hundred thouſand livres, though it may
be ſaid this prince did not draw money from his
ſubjects. to ſpare their blood. He exhorted his fon
to diminiſh theſe taxes ; a counſel often given by
dying monarchs, but rarely executed by their ſuc-
ceffors,
CHARLES VIIT.
HE last king had reſtrained his nobles and his
people by policy and rigour. This ſubmiſe
son could ſcarcely be ſupported under a king of
thirteen years old, weak of body, and of an un-
derſi anding too badly cultivated to ſuſtain the
weight of buſineſs. The beginning of Charles
V FLÌ.'s reign was troubled by a civil war. Ann
of France, his elder ſiſter, wife of Peter of Bour-
bon, lord of Beaujeu, a princeſs of uncommon
merit, governed the kingdom during the minority
C5
of
34
ELEMENTS OF THE
of her brother, according to the laſt will of Lewis
XI. ; ſhe found a competitor in the duke of Or-
leans, ſince Lewis XII. the preſumptive heir to
the crown, who, through his ambition, was the
diſturber of the kingdom, before he was the fa-
ther of it through his goodneſs. His intrigues a-
gainſt Madam Beaujeu were unſucceſsful. The
ſtates-general confirmed the orders of the late
king: the parliament, to whom it was afterwards
addreſſed, diſapproved of his pretenſions, and the
firſt preſident, James of Vaugerie, told him, that
the government, the war, and the finances, were
not the buſineſs of that tribunal. The diſinherited
duke revolted with a conſiderable party, and re-
tired into Britanny. The firſt year of this war
turned to the advantage of the king; and at length
the battle of St. Aubyn finiſhed the conqueſt of
the rebels. The duke of Orleans was made pri-
foner.
England then was the theatre of a new revolu-
tion, Henry VII. of the houſe of Lancaſter, by the
mother's ſide, having gained the crown from that
of York. Notwithſtanding which, there were
Engliſh engaged in the army of Britanny. Theſe
inoplacable enemies of France, ardently ſeized the
occaſion of tearing it to pieces. Mezerai remarks,
that a combat of Jays and Pyes ſeems to have pre-
ſaged the battle of St. Aubyn. How could an
eftimable hiſtorian, of a liberal mind, be ſo ſu-
perſtitious in theſe later ages, and ſo fond of the
marvellous, contrary to true hiſtory? The duke
of. Britanny dying without male-heirs, the govern-
ment immediately thought of the king's preten-
fions to this dutchy, which it was effential ſhould
be reunited to the crown. Maximilian of Auſtria
flattered himſelf with the acquiſition of it, by
eſpouſing Ann of Britanny. The marriage was
already made by proxy. It was afterwards broken,
and
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
35
and they reſolved to marry this princeſs to Charles
VIII. She had as much averſion for him as ſhe had
liking for. Maximilian ; her conſcience likewiſe
recoiled at the idea of an engagement incompati-
ble with the firſt which ſhe had made ; but Bri-
tanny being expoſed to French arms, the council of
Ann entered into the views of the court. The
advantages of peace, the ſuperior reaſons of ſtate
with regard to particular intereſts, the neceſſity
of yielding to circumſtances, were all ſo well repre-
ſented, that ſhe at length ſacrificed her repugnance
to them. By the treaty of peace and of marriage,
Charles and Änn mutually yielded their rights over
Britanny.' The duke of Orleans, whom the king
had generouſly releaſed from priſon, zealouſly
ſerved in this affair, though he was enamoured
with the ſame princeſs. He became from that
time as good a ſubject as he had been an ambiti-
ous head of party. Generous ſouls may ſometimes
be led into error but they can never be ungrateful,
and gratitude carries them very ſoon back to their
duty. This marriage was a double affront to Max-
imilian. He ſaw himſelf deprived of his wife ;
and his daughter Margaret," who was contracted
to the king by the treaty of Arras, had been ſent
back from France. He breathed out nothing
but inve&tives : he had recourſe to arms, to nego-
ciations; and, while his ambaſſadors were em-
ployed in England and Spain, he rendered himſelf
maſter of Arras. Charles having purchaſed peace
with England, found it no difficult matter to cruſh
a feeble enemy, to whom the emperor his father
would give no affiftance. Never was occaſion
more favourable to ſeize the ſpoils of the houſe of
Burgundy. The rage for foreign conqueſts blind-
ed the eyes of the young king. Heir by right of
the houſe of Anjou to the kingdom of Naples,
which had been loſt for a long time, he thought of
nothing
36
ELEMENTS OF THE
nothing but regaining it. He ſacrificed a certain
advantage to a deceitful hope. On one ſide, he
rendered to Ferdinánd, the Catholic king of Spain,
Rouſillon and Cerdagne, which had been engaged
to Lewis XI. without exa&ting any other
thing than neutrality in the war with Italy. It is
pretended, that two cordeliers, bribed by the art-
ful Ferdinand, contributed much to this treaty,
and that they made it an obligation of conſcience
to the king and Madam de Beaujeu. On the other
fide, he reſtored the French county and Artois ro
Maximilian, ſending him back his daughter. All
his wifhes bent towards Naples; young flatterers
excited his impetuofity.
That which he was
willing to loſe in France, he reckoned he ſhould
regain with an overplus in Italy. In ſpite of the
repreſentations of his ſiſter, then dutcheſs of Bour-
bon, and the chief heads of his council, he ſet
out with but few trocps, and hardly any money,
upon this dangerous expedition. Pope Alexander
VI. who at firſt exhorted him to it, afterwards
engaged in a league, as well as Peter of Medicis,
with Alphonfo of Arragon, king of Naples : but in-
trigue was better underſtood in Italy than the art of
war; the French had only to fhew themſelves
to ſpread terror. Florence opened its gates ; Rome
could not defend it'ſelf; the pope, incloſed within
the caſte of St. Angelo, haſted to capitulate, and
put into the hands of the king, Zezim, ſon of the
famous Mahomet II. who had conqurered Con-
ftantinople in 1453. Zezim, having diſputed the
empire with his brother Bajazet, was defeated,
and ſought an aſylum at Rhodes; the knights, de-
livered him up to the king, and the king to the
pope. Alexander VI. the moſt unworthy man in
ihe world to wear the tiara, applied to Bajazet the
ſultan of the Turks, to aſſiſt him with ſuccours
againſt the French ; in return for which, he cer..
tainly
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 37
tainly intended to have put Zezim into his hands.
But having infifted that the pope ſhould put him
again in poſſeſſion of this young prince, flattering
himſelf" that he ſhould, by this means, become
formidable to Bajazet, whom he propoſed to at-
tack, the pope was obliged to comply, Zezim was
ſent to Charles, ; but if ſome authors are to be
credited, he was poiſoned before his diſmiſſion,
and the poiſon was adminiſtered by the pope.
When we ſee the king of France, the maſter of
Rome, kifling the feet of Alexander VI. a mon.
fter ſtained with all the crimes of a Tiberius,
preſenting him the water to waſh after maſs, and
placing himſelf below the cardinals, we have, per-
haps, the ſtrongeſt inſtance thai can be produced,
of the force of cuſtom, or the reverence with
which religion inſpires us for its miniſters. -
Meanwhile, the king of Naples faw the ſtorm
riſe for his deſtruction ; his ciuelty had rendered
him odious, and he feared his own ſubjects no
leſs than his enemies. • Tyrants are generally
cowards; he gave up the kingdom to Ferdinand
his fon, and inſtantly diſappeared. Charles ad-
vanced towards Naples as if he had been only a
traveller ; nothing ſtopped him. He entered into
this capital five months after his departure from
France. The rapidity of his progreſs only in-
creaſed his imprudence ; and while he was giving
a looſe to pleafures, and making feaſts and tour-
naments, the pope, the emperor, the king of
Spain, the Venetians, and the duke of Milan,
entered into an alliance to wreſt from him a con-
queſt which he had taken no care to ſecure. In-
ftead of taking meaſures againſt their defignis, he
ſuddenly quitted Naples, leaving only three or four
thouſand men under the command of the count
de Montpenſier, a courageous pripce, but whoſe ·
talents were not equal to the importance of his
com.
38
ELEMENTS OF THE
commiſſion. The return of the king was not
eaſy: he was to crols the Apennine, and tranſport
the artillery through places where no carriage had
ever paſſed. The Swiſs drew them themſelves,
endeavouring to repair by this means a fault
which they had been guilty of, and which
had irritated the king againſt them. The confede-
racy waited for him at Tornoue near Placentia,
and his deftruâion ſeenied to be inevitable ; yet
with only ſeven or eight thouſand men, he defeat-
ed the Italian army in leſs than an hour, which
conſiſted of thirty thouſand combatants. Co-
mines aliures us, that this aſtoniſhing victory had
been predicted by Jerome Savonarola, a Domini-
can enthuſiaſt, who pretended to inſpiration at
Florence, declaimed againſt Alexander VI. and
was condemned to the fire as a cheat and ſeducer.
His predictions reſembled many others hazarded
with confidence by impoſtors or fanatics, and
ſometimes verified by the event; becauſe it is im-
poſſible but that ſometimes they ſhould be ſo.
Alexander VI. ſeeing the king diſtant from
Rome, dared to ſend to him to Turin, an order to
go dire@ly from Italy, and withdraw his troops
from the kingdom of Naples ; and in failure of
obedience, to come in perſon and render an account
of his conduct, urder pain of excommunication.
This bravado was received with contempt, Charles
oppoſing only iaillery to the inſult : but raillery was
nor fuitable to the ſtate of his affairs; he loſt his new
kingdom in as ſhort a time as he had gained it. The
Neapolitans.whether from national antipathy or juſt
fubject of complaint, very ſoon diſcovered great
enmity agai!ſt the French, who, on their fide, did
nothing to merit their affection. The king of Spain,
the famous Ferdinar.d the catholic, the moſt art-
fui poliucian of his age, to whom they had given
Rouſillon and Cerdagne, on condition that he
ſhould
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
39
ſhould not meddle in the war, had been buſy in it
from the beginning of the undertaking, leſs jealous
of his word than of the intereſt of his houſe,
eſtabliſhed on the throne of Naples. Gonfalo of
Cordoue, his general, very ſoon drove the French
out, who carried with them no fruit of their con-
queſts, but that ſhameful malady which is impro-
perly called. morbus gallicus, and which had been
brought from America to Spain in the fleet of
Chriſtopher Columbus, and carried into Italy by
the Spaniards.
The imprudence of Charles VIII. his inapplica-
tion, his amuſements, and the lightneſs of his
chara&er, were the principal cauſes of ſo ſad a re-
verſe; but the cardinal Briconet, his miniſter, is
ſuſpected of having betrayed him in favour of the
pope. "No perſon had been more ardent than he
for the expedition to Italy, when Alexander de-
fired it, when the pope changed his party, the
çardinal, perhaps, changed his fentiments: be that
as it will, misfortunes became a leſſon for the
king. He ſaw his faults, and endeavoured to re-
but death did not allow him time: an
accidental apoplexy carried him off in his twenty-
eighth year. He had had four children by Ann of
Britanny, who all died in their infancy. The
duke of Orleans was his fucceffor. Under this
reign the diſcovery of a new world, which had
been looked on as a chimera, confounded the
pre-
ſumptuous ignorance of thoſe who denied the An-
tipodes. Chriſtopher Columbus, a Genoeſe, witla
three little Spaniſh veſſels, had the courage to ſeek
and the glory to find America : he firſt diſcovered
the iſlands in the year 1492. Americh Veſpuſe,
a Florentine merchant, diſcovered the Continent
ſome years afterwards, and gave it his name, leſs
worthy of being celebrated than was that of the
firſt navigator, 'On the other hand, the Portu-
gueſe
pair them
;
40
ELEMENTS OF THE
gueſe opened a new way to the Eaſt Indies, by
making the tour of Africa. Theſe prodigies of
navigation were owing to the compaſs, which was
diſcovered by a Neapolitan towards the end of the
fourteenth century. Who would have believed,
that a needle, touched with a loadſtone, would be
able to condu& fleets beyond what was ſuppoſed
to be the limits of the world ; and who will dare
to ſay, that nature has not ftill ſome phænomena
in ſtore capable of producing as great effects.?
The commerce of the Europeans immediately
comprehended the whole circumference of the
earth; but it is a matter of doubt whether they
have gained or loſt by it.
L E W IS XII.
EWIS XII. ſeemed borri for the happineſs of
Franco ; humane, generrus, and equitable:
he had all the experier.ce which could be gained
from years and misfor: unes: his age was thirty-
fix : his lor.g ir prifcimert after the battle of St.
Aubin had much allayed the heat of his youth. If
he was fond of war and of pleaſure, he was ſtill
more fo of his people. From the firſt year of his
reign he diminiſhed the taxes, and he facrificed
his reſentments againſt the lords who had oppoſed
him with the greateſt obſtinacy and vigour. ' The
king of France,' ſaid he will never revenge.
the injuries dore to the duke of Orleans. All the
world admired this maxim ; the greateſt part bluſh-
ed whilft he pardoned them. He took particular
care of administering juſtice with the utmoſt inte-
grity, of abridging the pleadings of the courts, of
eſtabliſhing good order, and reſtraining the exceſs
of
1
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
41
of the ſtudents.of the univerſity. This body, in
ſpite of the reformation made by Charles VII.
preſerved the paſſion for its injurious privileges,
oppoſed theſe fage rules, and filenced, according
to ancient cuſtom, profeſſors and preachers, who,
in taking leave of their audience, failed not to in-
veigh againſt the king. Such oppoſitions being
already leſs dangerous
than ridiculous, the univer-
ſity was very ſoon reduced humbly to ſue for par-
don.
Queen Ann, who, from the death of Charles
VIII. had returned to the poſſeſſion of Britanny,
which province was of confequence to Lewis XII.
not to loſe, his former inclination for this princeſs
was fortified by reaſons of ſtate, which gave him
an inclination to marry her ; but he had already
been married a long time to Jare of France,
daughter to Lewis XI. who was equally deform-
ed and virtuous. Under pretence that this marriage
had been forced, that it had never been conſum-
mated, nor ever could, three commiſſaries of the
pope, after a judicial examination, pronounced a
ſentence of divorce, and the king married Ann of
Britanny. Alexander VI. by favouring him in an
affair ſo delicate, conſulted equity leſs than paf-
fion. He procured to Cæfar Borgia (his baſtard)
the dutchy of Valentinois, and an advantageous
eſtabliſhment. Every ſtep of this pontiff had for
its object his own intereſt, and the aggrandizing
of his family. He betrayed the king when he
thought he could gain by his treaſon.
If a taſte for conqueſt had not ſeduced Lewis
XII. the kingdom would have become morc flou-
riſhing and more happy than ever. Unhappily he
had claims upon Milan by Valentin Viſconti, his
grandfather, and he was not willing to renounce
the crown of Naples. Chimerical hopes had en-
gaged his predeceſſor in a fatal war, where the
rapidity
42
ELEMENTS OF THE
rapidity of his ſucceſs was followed by quick diſ-
grace. The king having joined the Venetians, to
deſpoil Ludovick Sforza,
who had ſeized on Milan,
fent a, little army to the other ſide of the Alps,
and in twenty days the Milaneſe and the Genoefe
ftates were conquered. The king made his entry
into Milan; but after his departure, a faction
aroſe among the French, and Ludovick drove
him out in a little time. Lewis foon repaired this
lofs. He returned to Milan, took Ludovick, and
carried him to France, where he died.
This firſt ſtep was a prelude to the conqueſt of
Naples: to aſſure himſelf of ſucceſs in it, Lewis
propoſed to Ferdinand, the Catholick king, that
he ſhould ſhare it with him, and they made a ſe-
cret treaty in concert with the pope. Gonſalvo
Cordoue, artful as Ferdinand his maſter, arrived
at Naples under pretext of oppoſing the Fren ;
all at once they publiſhed the treaty. The king of
Spain, according to cuſtom, coloured, with a mo-
tive of religion, the moſt manifeſt injuſtice. If
he wanted to ruin his relation, it was that he
might afterwards make war on the Turks. The
unhappy Frederick, king of Naples, overpowered
by the French and Spaniards, demanded an aſylum
in France, and retired thither ; while the victors
divided his dominions between them. This divi-
fion was an occaſion of diſpute, which produced
an open war. Gonſalvo, truly worthy (notwith-
ftanding his breach of faith) of the firname of
Great Captain, beat the French, and drove them
from place to place, till he had at length taken
from them all their conqueſts.
The king endeavoured to re-eſtabliſh his affairs
in Italy ; a numerous army which he ſent thither
gave him the greateſt hopes : they all: vaniſhed
through the fault of the cardinal of Amboiſe, his
miniſter. This man, hitherto reſpectable on ac-
count
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
43
count of his zeal for the king, a friend of the ſtate,
a miniſter (according to the remark of Mezerai)
without pride and without avarice, a cardinal with
only one benefice, could not reſiſt the ambition
of being pope. Alexander VI. happening to die, ,
being poiſoned at a feaſt, if we may believe com-
mon opinion, of the ſame poiſon which he had
deſtined for ſeveral cardinals, the conclave affem-
bled itſelf. The French army were at the gate
of Rome : Amboiſe kept it there too long : the
Italians perſuaded him to draw off the troops, to
render his election the more free. He believed
them, terror was diſſipated, and they elected an
Italian pope. Thus the cardinal had the chagrini
of being duped, by having neglected the intereſt of
his maſter.
The rainy ſeaſon put à ſtop to military expedi-
tions. Gonſalvo ftill vanquiſhed the Frer.ch. It
was there that the celebrated knight Bayard ſtopped
himſelf alone two hundred Spaniards at the foot
of a bridge ; but the exploits of a particular per-
ſon could not decide the ſucceſs of the war.
There had been ſome fruitleſs negociations between
Lewis and Ferdinand. The king diſmiſſed the
Spaniſh ambaſſadors, after having made com-
plaints of the perfidy of their maſter. One of
them having told Ferdinand, that he was reproach-
ed by that prince with having betrayed him twice,
he replied, “By God, the drunkard is a liar ; I
• have betrayed him above ten times.' This anec-
dote, recorded by Daniel, agrees very well with
the conduct of the king of Spain. Never were
treaties trifled with in a manner more odious. He
had aggrandized himſelf by violence on the ruins
of the Mahometan Moors, from whom he had
taken the kingdom of Grenada. He employed
fraud againſt the Chriftian princes, always affecting
that
44
ELEMENTS OF THE
that zeal for religion which renders villainy ſo dan-
gerous,
Lewis XII. more ſincere, was much leſs pru-
dent. We can neither conceive nor excuſe the
treaty of Blois, by which he promiſes his eldeſt
daughter to Charles of Auſtria, afterwards Char-
les V. grandſon of the emperor Maximilian. Bri-
tanny, Burgundy, Milan, and Genoa, were to be
the dowry of this princeſs, on condition that the
king died without male heirs. Such a diſmem-
bering would have been a mortal wounci to France.
The ſtates-general, aſſembled at Tours, foreſaw
this misfortune: they repreſented to the king the
inconveniency of the treaty, and the violence
which the laws of the kingdom would ſuffer by
the alienation of the dominion. Lewis already re-
penied of the ſtep he had taken. Several people
believed that he had engaged his word with a reſo-
lution of not keeping it ; for the falſeneſs of prin-
ces at that time ſeemed to authoriſe ſuch an artifice,
He agreed to the repreſentation of his ſtate, and
gave his daughter to the count of Angouleme, the
preſumptive heir to the crown.
Genoa, ſo many times rebellious, revolted anew,
Pope Julian II: had blown up this fire. This
pontiff, ambitious and a warrior, had thoughts
of extending the dominions of the Holy See. After
having deſpoiled Cæfar Borgia, the Machiavelian
hero, of the lands which Alexander VI. his father
had. procured him by criminal contrivances, he
endeavoured to drive from Italy all foreign princes;
and the power of Lewis excited his hatred as much
as his jealouſy. The king marched in perſon to
chaſtite theſe mutineers. Genoa yielded at dif-
cretion. He entered it ſword in hand, with all the
appearance of a victor who breathes vengeance ;
but his clemency diſarmed him, and he made him-
felf adored by pardoning
This
;
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
45
The pope
This rapid expedition was followed by the fa-
mous league of Cambray, which armed almoft all
Europe againſt one little republic of Italy. Venice,
once a little fiſhing place, was become, by in-
duſtry and commerce, a flouriſhing ſtate. As am-
bition grows with ſtrength, it had aggrandized it-
ſelf at the expence of its neighbours. Pope Julian
II. the emperor Maximilian, the king of France,
and the king of Spain, in ſpite of their particular
diviſions, united to cruſh this commercial republic.
Every one complained of ſome uſurpations, and
were deſirous of retaking their own.
breathed out anathemas, with which the Veneti-
ans were not affrighted. Lewis appeared at the
head of a formidable army; he was impatient of
fighting. It was reprefented to him, that he had
to do with a wiſe enemy, againſt whom he could
not be too much furniſhed with precautions, ']
will give,' ſaid he, ſo many fools to govern
them, that all their wiſdom ſhall not be able to
withſtand. The French impetuoſity effectual-
ly triumphed at the battle of Agnadel. The Ve-
netians were there defeated ; and the French im-
mediately ſeized on the greateſt part of their pla-
ces. They ſeemed loſt without reſource, but the
policy of the pope ſaved them. As ſoon as he ſaw
himſelf maſter of Romania, having that which he
deſired, his firſt reſolution was, to deprive others
of the fruits of their common league. He pardon-
ed'the Venetians to do hurt to his allies. The
emperor, whoſe negligence had always loft favou-
rable occaſions, began to act when there was no
more to vanquiſh. The king retook the road to
France ; Julian tried every method to raiſe up his
enemies againſt him, and detached the Swiſs from
his alliaace, with much leſs trouble; becauſe
this people, greedy of money, and becoming ne-
ceflitous, could not obtain the increaſe of their
penſions.
46
EL EMENTS OF THE
penſions. Lewis, in a fit of choler, expreffed
himſelf with regard to them in terms too little
guarded. It is aſtoniſhing,' ſaid he, 'that theſe
: miſerable mountaineers, to whom ſilver and gold
4 were unknown before my predeceffors gave it
them, ſhould dare to make laws for a king
*c of France. The Swiſs did not forget theſe in-
diſcreet words, and very well knew how to revenge
themſelves. Julian alſo gained Ferdinand the Ca-
tholic king by inveſting him with the full and en-
tire poſſeſſion of the kingdom of Naples. It was
of little conſequence to this prince.to violate his
faith, provided he could find his profit in ſo doing.
Maximilian alone remained faithful to the treaty,
becauſe his own intereſt exacted it of him. Lewis,
from this time, looked on the pope as a prince
armed againſt him, and Julian was rather more
jealous of this quality than the government of the
church. He acted as an enemy, not only by ne-
gociations, but by all kinds of hoſtilities : never-
theleſs, full of reſpe&t for the Holy See, the king
was not willing to take up arms, without conſult-
ing the clergy of his kingdom. Having aſſem-
bled them at Tours, he propoſed to them in form,
a caſe of conſcience, on different queſtions, rela-
tive to the conduct which he ſhould hold towards
the pope. The anſwers of the clergy were dictat-
ed by reaſon and the rights of the people; they
determined that the war was lawful, that it was
neceſſary to preſerve the pragmatic fanction, and
to fend no more money to Rome: at the ſame
time, they granted a ſubſidy on the eccleſiaſtical
eſtates, to maintain the honour of the. crown
againſt the Roman pontif. Julian was no leſs
fierce and obſtinaie; he courageouſly waited for
the French army, beſieging Miandole in perfon,
viſiting the trenches, expoſing himſelf to the fire
of the cannon, and at laſt entered this place
through
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
47
through a breach. While he thus maintained the
reputation of a warrior, the king of France and
the emperor cited him to appear at a general
council convoked at Piſa. He on his ſide had con-
voked one at Rome, He treated with the empe-
ror, with Ferdinand, with the Venetians, and
with England : he animated the Swiſs, perſuad-
ing them to invade the Milaneſe. The old pope
animated all Europe, and without being diſmayed
by any thing, purſued the war with a lively vi-
gour.' Gaſcon of Foix, duke of Namur, a young
prince as wiſe as valiant, commanded the French
army. He immortalized himſelf by exploits
which produced no ſolid fruit. The battle of
Revermo, which he gained, was at the fame time
a misfortune, ſince it coſt him lis life. Lewis
XI. lamented this event as a prince filled with
humanity. I would be glad,' ſaid he, 'not to
• have a grain of land in Italy, could I at that
price recover to life my nephew Gaſcon of Foix,
and all the brave men who have periſhed with
him. God preſerve us from ever more gaining
ſuch vi&tories. Nevertheleſs, the Swiſs, out-
rageous at the affront which they had received,
penetrated into the very heart of the country of
the Milaneſe, who were obliged to abandon pla-
ces which they had till then kept, and very ſhortly
the whole country was left vacant to the Swiſs.
It was in vain that the intrepid Bayard, firnamed
the Fearleſs and Irreproachable Knight, and feve-
ral other French heroes, did prodigies of valour.
The generals diſagreed among themſelves, the
king was ſparing of money, he was too far off to
take good meaſures, and the confederates had fu-
perior forces: An ill-concerted enterprize is like
to be ruined ſooner or later, not withſtanding the
firſt appearances of ſucceſs.
Ferdinand,
48
ELEMENTS OF THE
Ferdinand, after many uſurpations, was ſtill
defirous of taking the kingdom of Navarre from
Jane of Albert, a relation and ally of the king of
France. Either a real or imaginary bull from
Julian, which excommunicated and depoſed Jane
as an adherent to the council of Piſa, ferved as a
pretext to this new robbery. To obtain the
affiſtance of the Engliſh, he fraudulently flattered
them with an invaſion of Guienne. The
kingdom of Navarre, conquered by his arms and
his intrigues, has ever ſince been an appendage to
the crown of Spain. M. de Voltaire ſays, that he
was called in Spain the wiſe, the prudent ; in Italy
the pious ; in France and London the perfidious.
His actions will decide to which of the titles he
had moſt claim. The bull was not to be found
by which he pretended a right of uſurping the
dominions of his neighbour ; but Julian was of a
character to renew the enterpriſes of Gregory
VII. and Innocent III. He not only threw an in-
terdi&tion on the kingdom, and anathematiſed the
pragmatic ſanction, but he ſolicited the king of
England, Henry VIII. to turn all his forces againſt
France, promiſing him the depoſition of Lewis,
and the crown.
Europe was delivered. in 1513 from this auda-
cious pope: 'A man,' ſays Daniel, who had
greater talents for the government of any other
ſtate than that of the church. The cardinal of
Medicis fucceeded him under the name of Leo X.
The French, commanded by Lewis of Tremoille,
returned to the Milaneſe, and made a rew con-
queſt as rapid and as fruitleſs as the preceding.
The Swiſs, without artillery, without cavalry,
attacked Tremoille at Navarre, fighiing with a
. prodigious valour, and gained the victory. Milan
was retal:en, and Genoa revolted, as it had always
done in like circumſtances. Machiavel, cited by
M. He-
<
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
49
M. Henault, obſerves, that Lewis XII. wàs guil-
ty of five capital faults in Italy: he ruined the
weak; he increaſed the power of the ſtrong ; he
introduced a ſtranger who did not make it his
reſidence; and he ſent thither no colonies, The
politic Machiavel ſuppoſes, perhaps too lightly,
that colonies could be eſtabliſhed in ſo few years,
and in ſuch turbulent times. All theſe misfortunes,
by weakening the kingdom, increaſed the audaci
ty of their enemies. Henry VIII. king of England,
who had formed a league with the pope, made
an irruption in Picardy, having with him the em-
peror Maximilian, whoſe troops he paid, and to
whom he paid a crown a day for his table. So
much need or avarice degraded this emperor. The
French were put to the rout at Guinegate, which
is called the Day of Spurs, becauſe that day they
were more uſeful to our ſoldiers than their fwords.
Bayard being at length obliged to yield to numbers,
briſkly attacked a knight of the enemy's army, and
having diſarmed him, immediately ſurrendered
himſelf to his party. In a few days he demanded
his liberty; and your ranſom,' faid the knight ;
6 and yours,' replied Bayard ; ' for I have made
6 you my priſoner. Henry VIII. and the empe-
ror decided this diſpute in favour of the French
hero. · This anecdote appears remarkable, as it
ſhews the ſpirit of ancient chivalry.
The battle of Guinegate loft Terouanne and
Tournay; but the greateſt danger was in Burgun-
dy. Dijou was beſieged by the Swiſs, and terror
ſpread itſelf even to Paris. ' Dijou was ſaved only
by the addreſs of Lewis of Tremoille, governor of
Burgundy, who at length engaged the Swiſs to
raiſe the fiege, promiſing them all that they could
with, and more than they had power to grant,
The king, charmed with this event, affected to
complain of the governor, and refuſed to ratify
VOL. II.
D
the
50
ELEMENTS OF THE
the treaty. The Swiſs being departed, and win-
ter approaching, they had time to take precauti-
ons againſt another invaſion. During theſe tranſ-
actions, queen Anne of Britanny died. Through
a feruple as natural to her ſex as to her piety, ſhe
had often teazed the king on the ſubject of the
war with the pope ; and, according to ſome au-
thors, her importunate repreſentations hurt the
affairs in Italy. The hope of having a ſon, and
the neceſſity of weakening a too formidable league,
determined Lewis upon a new marriage. He ob-
tained the ſiſter of Henry VIII. ; but inſtead of
receiving a dowry, it coſt him a million of crowns.
The king of England enraged againſt Ferdinand
the Catholic, his father-in-law, who had often
deceived him as well as others, revenged himſelf
by this alliance. A league formed offenſive and
defenſive with the Engliſh, put Lewis XII. in a
ſituation of repairing his misfortunes. He made
great preparations for war, when a violent diſor-
der carried him off in the fifty-ſixth year of his
age. His paſſion for his young queen had abridg-
ed his days. "The good king,' ſays Bayard's
hiſtorian, to pleaſe his wife, had changed en-
tirely his manner of living ; for when, accord-
oing to his uſual cuſtom, he ſhould have dined at
eight o'clock, he deferred dining till twelve ;
" and, inſtead of going to bed at ſix o'clock, in
" the evening, he often ſtaid up till midnight."
We may ſee how different the cuſtoms of theſe
times were from ours.
Lewis XII. deſerved and received from the
nation the greateſt title that a king could bear,
the name of Father of his people. He leffened
the taxes almoſt one half. Never had he exacted
new ſubſidies but to defray the expences of a war.
If he employed a reſource dangerous, and till then
unknown, the making merchandiſe of placesy he
did
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
51
did not extend it to the offices of judicature: they
were noť to be purchaſed. The dignities of the
robe only were given to merit: It was a cuſtom,
that the parliament ſhould preſent three perſons
for a vacant place, and that the king ſhould name
one : thus being choſen from among the moſt cele-
brated advocates, they had, in ſome degree, ac-
quired a right of judging, by virtue of their
diſtinguiſhing knowledge.
Lewis is ſometimes reproached with a falſe
ceconomy. He had better, without doubt, have
increaſed the penſions of the Swiſs, and have ſent
ntore money into Italy ; but the fear of oppreſ-
ſing his ſubje&ts glorioufly juſtifies him from ſuch
a reproach. With a revenue of thirteen millions
of livres, equal to about fifty of the preſent timey
he ſupported the majeſty of the throne, and fur-
niſhed every thing that was wanting. The ſtate
was not in debt, plenty reigned in the provinces,
juſtice was done in a ſhort time, and almoſt with:
out expences; for the fees were forty times leſs
than they are now. By the edi&t of 1499, it is
ordered, that the law ſhould always be followed,
in ſpite of orders. contrary to the law which im-
portunity might extort from the king : an admi-
rable maxim, which, in ſecuring the public tran-
quillity, could not but confirm the ſovereign aus
thority. The peaſants were preſerved from the
violence of the ſoldiers. An example was made of
ſome of the gendarmes, and the reſt returned to
their duty.. If Lewis was neither a great hero
nor a great politician, (according to the remarks
of M. de Voltaire) he had, however, the more
deſirable glory of being a good king, and his me-
mory will be ever bleſſed by his poſterity.
D 2
FRAN-
52
ELEMENTS OF THE
FRANCIS
I.
RANCIS count of Angouleme was great
grandſon of the duke of Orleans, who was
aflaffinated by the duke of Burgundy. The crown
belonged to him as firſt prince of the blood. His
underſtanding, his talents, his courage; the great-
neſs of his ſoul, all.contributed to make him wor-
thy of it. He had faults which drew on him great
misfortunes. A fortunate and politic rival, whoſe
ſucceſs obſcured his glory ; but he ſhone even in
misfortune, and the memorable events of his reign
made an epocha as much more intereſting, as they
produced a revolution in the opinions of mankind.
A king of twenty-one years old, full of fire and con-
fidence, eager of reputation, born with the genius
of war, having the appearance and the ſentiments
of an hero, would naturally deliver himſelf to the
deſire of conqueſt and victory. ,
Lewis had made preparations for a new expedi-
tion in Milan ; Francis reſolved to make uſe of
them. The advice of the chancellor Prat furniſh-
ed him with a reſource for amaffing money: a re-
ſource which one would believe rather invented
by an Italian negociator, thạn by a chief juſtice ;
it was that of ſelling the poſts of judicature.
They created ſeveral in the parliament of Paris,
and thoſe of other places ; and the moſt impor-
tant of the functions began, from this time, to.
become venal. This abuſe, joined to an increaſe
of taxes, preſaged a reign leſs equitable than the
former.
After having ſigned treaties of peace with
Henry VIII. the Venetians, and Charles of Au-
ſtria,
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 53
ftria, (whom we ihall ſoon fee menace France)
the young king paſſed the Alps, and invaded the
Milaneſe. The Swiſs, who then took the title
of the pope's protectors, excited by the cardinal
of Siam, attacked him all at once, though he was
then in treaty with them. They loſt the famous
battle of Marignan: victory was diſputed two
days. Francis made himſelf admired among a
crowd of heroes : he paſſed the night upon a bat-
tery of cannon, not above fifty paces from a bat-
talion of the enemy. The duke of Bourbon,
the conſtable, acquired an immortal glory, which
he afterwards ſullied by his rebellion. Never had
the Swiſs fhewed themſelves ſo eager for combat ;
their long pikes formed a rampart almoſt inaccer-
fible. In ſpite of this defeat, which liad coſt them
more than ten thouſand men, they offered to the
duke of Milan, Maximilian S'force, to defend
him to the laſt extremity, if he would pay their
ſoldiery. His inability of doing this furniſhed them
with a pretext of drawing off, and the Milaneſe
very ſoon ſubmitted to the law of the victor.
The combat of the giants, which was the name
given to the Day of Marignan by the old marſhal
of Trivulce, who had been in eighteen battles,
gained to Francis I. the reputation of the moſt
valiant prince in Europe. Leo X. as ambitious,
but more ſupple and more the friend of
peace
than
his fierce predeceſſor, defired an accommodation;
for which purpoſe he failed 'not to flatter the king,
and pretended to approve the deſign which he had
of conquering Naples. One of the greateſt ob-
jeals of his policy was, that of annihilating the
pragmatic ſanction. They agreed to ſuppreſs it,
and fought expedients to accompliſh their purpoſe.
'The intereſts of the two courts were managed
with much art in the agreement, by which the
nomination of biſhops and abbots was left to the
king,
1
D3
54
ELEMENTS OF THE
1
king, who was to preſent to the pope the ſubjects
which he had named. Referves and expectatives
were aboliſhed on both ſides. The ſuperiority of
the general council over the pope was paſſed over
in ſilence. This treaty, the only means, perhaps,
of re-eſtabliſhing good intelligence with the court
of Rome, met in France with the moſt lively op-
poſition. The greateſt part of the people were
angry to ſee the decrees of the councils of Bale
and of Conſtance brought to nothing, the canoni-
cal elections again fuppreſſed, and annates reſtored
to the court of Rome ; for they agreed in this
point without inſerting it in the concordat, and it
has always ſubſiſted from that time. The clergy,
the parliament, the univerſity, all roſe in concert
againſt a law ſo oppoſite to the French maxims :
the king ſpoke as an abſolute maſter, and they
obeyed. If policy could have diſputed with the
pope the money of the kingdom, it was, it ſeems,
Jeſs able to diſpute with the king the nomination of
the great benefices; a cuſtom which had been
eſtablithed under the firſt race, though contrary to
ancient diſcipline. Ambition and intrigue rendered
the elections ſubject to an infinite abuſe; and
bifhops being conſiderable lords of fiefs, the public
tranquillity, perhaps, demanded that they ſhould
be choſen by the ſovereign. The Swiſs alſo en-.
tered into a treaty with Francis : they ſold him
their alliance dear; but they had but too well
proved how much their enmity was to be feared.
In the mean time, Charles V. began to excite
the jealouſy of a king twenty years older than
himſelf. He was heir to his two grandfathers,
Ferdinand the catholic king, and the emperor
Maximilian. In a tender age, with a ſolid under-
ſtanding, cultivated by the best education, he had
already given himſelf up to buſineſs, and was ca-
pable of the greateſt things. Ferdinand died in
1516.
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
55
1516. We muſt obſerve here,' that a Spaniſh
hiſtorian praiſes him in ſpite of his perfựdy and
perjuries, ſaying, • That he knew better than all
• other princes how to reconcile the law of God
r with the reaſons of ſtate.' It is thus that the
prejudices of a nation will ſometimes give the lie
to true hiſtory. The young Charles, already poſ-
feffor of the Low Countries, became by his death
king of Spain, of Naples, and of Sicily. Maxi-
milian, much leſs powerful, who had had the
ambition of being pope, and who had never ceaſed
to undertake without being able to execute, finiſh- .
ed his laborious career, and left him Auſtria, with
the hope of being elected emperor.
Francis I.
wiſhed for this dignity ; he employed intrigue and
money to aſſure himſelf of the ſuffrage : the pope
favoured him in appearance, and endeavoured un-
derhand to exclude both the candidates, whoſe
power in Italy he equally dreaded. The electors
fearing to give a maſter to Germany, found it dif-
ficult to decide either for one or the other ; but it
was neceſſary to have an emperor who would re-
ftrain the power of the Turks. Charles V. was
preferred, becauſe the diſtance of his dominions,
though large, gave the leaſt umbrage to the Ger-
manic liberty. They did not foreſee that the em-
pire would become hereditary in his houſe, and
that it might aſpire to univerſal monarchy. Be-
fore the election, the two rivals had affected to
appear cordially united. Francis I. ſaid, « That
. Charles's being a candidate did not at all offend
* him ; that they both made their court to the
farne miſtreſs; that the moſt fortunate would
carry her“; and that the other muſt be content."
This generous ſentiment, however, gave way
either to chagrin or policy. The firſt care of the
monarch was, to attach the king of England to
him, and to make him an ally againſt the emperor.
He
D A
56
ELEMENTS OE THE
leſs ex
He propoſed an interview near Calais : they met
each other with all the magnificence poſſible. This
interview, called the field of Cloth of Gold, be-
cauſe Francis was in a tent covered with gold
cloth, produced nothing more than feaſts and uſe-
expences. Charles V. knew how to prevent
its having any other effects. As ſoon as the two
kings were ſeparated, he went over into England
in order to gain cardinal Wolſey to his intereſt ; a.
miniſter, whoſe ſoul was as baſe as his birth, and
who always ſelling to the beſt bidder, forgot the
liberality of the king as ſoon as he hoped
to be better paid by the emperor. This cardinal
governed Henry VIII. and very ſoon raiſed to
France a neceſſary ally. On the other ſide, Leo
X. leſs occupied by the duties of a common father
than the pleaſures and temporal intereſts of his fee,
far from inſpiring theſe two princes with concord,
fowed the ſeeds of diviſion between them. Being
willing that they ſhould mutually weaken each
other by war, he at firſt promiſed to Charles V.
the poſſeſſion of the kingdom of Naples, not-
withſtanding the ancient law of the popes, which
ſays, ' That no king of Naples ſhall ever be em-
peror.' Afterwards, by a ſecret treaty, he pro-
miſed Francis I. to refuſe this inveſtiture, and to
leave him at liberty to attack Naples, under con-
ditions that tended to aggrandize the eccleſiaſtical
ftate. Some time after, leſs jealous of the cha-
racter of a good man than that of a ſubtle politici-
an, he declared himſelf for the emperor, whoſe
offers were the moſt advantageous. The king be-
gan, without doubt, to repent of having made
the agreement ; for it is certain, that he had the
ſtrongeſt reaſon fo to do. The French took the
advantage of the diſtance of Charles V. to retake
Navarre, and loſt it almoſt as ſoon as taken.
War began to appear in all the extremities of the
kingdom.
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
57
kingdom. The Milaneſe was again wreſted from
France; the pope and the emperor re-eſtabliſhed
there the houſe of S'forza. This revolution ap-
peared inevitable. Lautrec, governor of the coun-
try, had drawn on himſelf the hatred of the people
and the nobility, by the exceſs of his pride and
ſeverity. The king ſent no more money, diſſipat-
ing in vain expences the revenues of the ſtate. As
much as Lewis XII. had managed his ſubjects,
and as much ceconomy as he had ſhewn in the ad-
miniſtration of his finances, ſo much did Francis
neglect this eſſential part of government. With
ſuch a conduct, could he ſupport a conqueft ex-
poſed to fo many ſtorms? It is faid, that Leo X.
died of joy when he learned our misfortunes. The
faults of this voluptuous pontiff cannot tarniſh the
glory which he deſerved in making ſcience and
the fine arts flouriſh, through his protection. His
ſucceſſor was Achien VI. preceptor to Charles V.
who is cternally reproached with having diſdained
letters after being bytheir means raiſed to the higheſt
fortune. Lautrec, abandoned by the Swiſs for want
of money, and ſeeing his affairs deſperate in Italy, re-
turned to court. Francis reproached him on the loſs
of Milan : he replied with firmneſs, • That the king
' was himſelf the cauſe; that the foldiers had ſerved
eighteen months without touching a penny from?
the treaſury; that the Swifs had not been paid;
" that in fact the government ought to impute to it-
( felf their defection, and all the misfortunes of the
6 war.'
The king, who had given orders to Sem-
blancai, ſuperintendant of the finances, to ſend this
general four hundred thouſand crowns, ordered
him foon after to be arreſted. Seniblancai in vain
proteſted, that Madam de Angouleme, the mon-
arch's mother, had ſeized on this money. They
employed commiſſaries to judge him: the proſe-
cution was long in coming to an iſſue; but at
D5
length
58
ELEMENTS OF THE
The pope,
length the miniſter was condemned to be hanged,
and the ſentence executed at Montfaucon. He
was not the firſt ſuperintendant who had ſubmitted
to the ſame fate He was a reſpectable old man
j
a victim, perhaps to the avarice of Madam An-
gouleme, and to the jealouſy, of the chancellor
du Prat, who mortally hated him. The innocent
are always weak againſt ſuch enemies.
the
emperor, the king of England,
Ferdinand archduke of Auſtria, the duke of Milan,
the Florentines, the Venetians, and the Genoeſe,
all entered into a league againſt France. A confe-
deracy ſo formidable was leſs fatal than the rebel-
lion of the conſtable of Bourbon. This prince
had acquired the chief glory of the battle of Ma-
rignan. The greateſt ſervices are ſometimes re-
turned by injury and hatred : far from being re-
compenſed as he had deſerved, all occaſions had
been taken of mortifying him. To fill up the inea-
ſure of his misfortunes, the queen-mother became
enamoured of him : ſhe made him propoials of
marriage, and reſented a refuſal. The paſſion of
a vindi&tive woman, whoſe power was great at
court, was not eaſily moderated : chancellor du
Prat was the engine of her vengeance. They diſ-
puted with the conſtable the right he had to the
houſe of Bourbon, under pretence that he was
not deſcended from the elder branch in a dire&t
line. This law-ſuit, founded on chicanery rather
than juſtice, was given againſt him. The folici-
tation of Madam Angouleme gained an arreſt of
parliament to fequeſter the eſtate of the conſtable.
This reduced to deſpair a man, whom it was of
the greateſt conſequence to the nation to have
kept in good-humour. He immediately treated
with the emperor. The king being adviſed of it,
might have ſecured his perſon ; but through an
affected candour, of which he was often the dupe,
he
.
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
59
6 our.'
he continued to put confidence in the conſtable,
who gave him the fineſt words, and ſeized the firſt
occaſion of flying. Gui Chardin recounts, that a
Spaniſh lord refuſed to let this illuſtrious fugitive
be lodged in his palace. "I can refuſe nothing to
* your Majeſty,' ſaid he, to Charles V. who alk-
ed it of him ; but I declare to you, that if the
duke of Bourbon lodges in my houſe, I will.
• burn it as ſoon as he comes out of it, as a place
- infected with perfidy, and conſequently for ever
6 unworthy of being inhabited by people of hon-
So many enemies leagued againſt Francis I. did
not deprive him of his courage. He had employ-
ed every means to procure reſources, which the
diſſipation of the finances, had rendered neceſſary,
even ſo much as to ſeize upon a grating of mally
{ilver, worth about ſeven thouſand marks, with
which the prodigal devotion of Lewis XI. had a-
dorned the tomb of St. Martin. He was deſirous
of going into Italy ; but fearing that the revolt of
the conſtable would cauſe ſome inſurrection in the
kingdom, he ſatisfied himſelf with ſending thither
admiral de Bonivet, who overſet every thing:
Fortunately for him, his enemies did not fucceed
better in Picardy, in Flanders, or in Spain. The
French defended themſelves at home, and were
beaten beyond the Alps. Bonivet, too inferior to
cope with a number of confederates, and with the
genius of the marquis Peſcaire, John of Medicis,
and the conſtable, their three generals, being a-
bandoned by the Swiſs, attacked in his retreat from
Bagraffat, and wounded in the firſt charge, loft
all tope of conqueſt. The chevalier Bayard re-
ceived alſo a mortal wound : . they ſet him at
the foot of a tree; he there made his confeſſion to a
gentl. man who followed him. The duke of Bour-
lon ai rived juſt at that time, teſtifying his eſteem
and
60 ELEMENTS OF THE
and compaſſion. . I do not require your pity,'
ſaid Bayard to him, ' I die an honeſt man; but I
• pity you who fight againſt your king, your
4. country, and your oaths.” Thus died this great
man, an able and valiant commander, worthy of
leading armies, who, notwithſtanding, was never
chief in command, becauſe he was too little a
courtier to unite glory and fortune.
Charles V. after the advantage which he had
gained in Italy, was willing to make an irruption
into France. The duke of Bourbon, who had
inſpired him with this deſign, was deſirous of pene-
trating into the heart of the kingdom ; but they
began with the fiege of Marſeilles. The efforts
of the conſtable and of Peſcaire, were not able to
reduce this place. They decamped very much
diſcontented with each other, the fierceneſs of the
Italian having ſeveral times humbled the rebellious
prince. The duke of Bourbon had aſſured him,
that three ſtrokes of cannon would ſo terrify the
Marſeillians, that they would come with a rope a-
bout their necks, and bring them the keys of the
city. One day ſome people were killed in the
ſame tent with Peſcaire by a cannon ball. The
conſtable running out at the noiſe of this accident,
demanded what was the matter ; ' Here are,' re-
plied Peſcaire, the conſuls of Marſeilles, who
have brought us the keys of the city.” If
Francis I. had heard the advice of the wiſeſt of
his council, he would have avoided the misfortunęs
which awaited him in Italy. His imprudence
drew him over the mountains, and he there com-
mitted irreparable faults. Always directed by the
admiral de Bonivet, vihoſe advice was never other-
wiſe than pernicious, he beſieged Pavia, contrary
to the opinions of the veteran officers, and he
weakened his army by making a diverſion on the
ſide of Naples. While Pavia vigorouſly reſiſted
him,
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 61
1
him, the duke of Bourbon re-aſſembled his ſcatter-
ed troops in Germany, and brought them up.
The enemy offered him battle ; a falſe ſhame
hindered the king from raiſing the fiege, and
Bonivet confirined him in the reſolution of fight-
ing. This fatal battle reſembled thoſe of Poitiers
and Agincourt. The king, after having killed with
his own hands ſeven or eight men, ſurrendered
himſelf a priſoner to Pomperan, the only French
officer who had follow ed the conſtable. Pomperan
had the glory of ſaving him from the fury of the
foldiers, and of making tim prisoner. The mo-
narch received the duke of Bourbon his victor
with kindneſs; but he ought to have reproached
himſelf in a lively manner, for having ever made
himſelf ſuch an enemy. He wrote to the ducheſs
of Angouleme, his mother, the regent of the king-
dom, in theſe terms : Madam, every thing is
• loft except honour.? A letter worthy of a van-
quiſhed hero. Disgrace could not be ſupported
with more dignity. The emperor learning this
news, affected a moderation which was far from
real. He would not permit any public rejoicings,
ſaying, ' A vi&tory gained over Chriſtians ought
. to excite nothing but grief.
makes a ſhew of theſe fine ſentiments, it ought
to be ſupported by a ſuitable conduct. This veil of
modeſty covered the pride and anibition of Charles
V. Ti e biſhop of Oſme, his confeſſor, had re-
preſented to him the glory which he would acquire
in entering into a treaty with the king on reaſona-
ble terms on the contrary, he propoſed ſuch very
hard ones, as honour would not permit the other
to accept He in Gifted, that the French king ſhould
reſtore Burgundy to him, as a dominion which
had been uſurped from his houſe ; that he ſhould
yield Provence and Dauphiny to the duke of
Bourbon, for him to poſſeſs under the title of
a kinga
When any one
1
62
ELEMENTS OF THE
a kingdom ; that he ſhould renounce all his
pretenſions on Italy;
Italy; and that he ſhould
ſatisfy the king of England by giving back the
provinces of France, of which he had pretended
to recover the poſſeſſion. The reply of the king
was conformable to the greatneſs of his ſoul; he
proteſted, thai he would rather finiſh his days in
priſon, than thus tear his kingdom to pieces ;
adding, that if he was cowardly enough to do ity
his ſubje&s would have more ſpirit than to ſubmit.
Charles V. with his ambitious pretenſions, one
would have imagined, would have invaded France,
and have engaged Henry VIII. to have carried
fare and ſword into it; but inſtead of profiting by
this victory, he remained quiet at Madrid. He
no longer had the ſame intimacy with Henry and
Wolſey, which had formerly ſubſiſted betwixt
them; he blaſted their vanity in its meridian, and
detached himſelf entirely from their intereſts.
Meanwhilc, regret at impriſonment, and the
danger of Frarce, tad made the mind of Francis
I. more flexible : he was at length willing to come
into ſome of the conditions which were offered
him, in order to draw himſelf out of the hands
of his enemy, perſuaded that honour and conſci-
ence would allow him to break the promiſes which
violence had forced from him. The emperor,
who demanded to be put in poſſeſſion of Burgundy
beiore the releaſe of the king, relaxed on this
point, which they were not weak enough to agree
By the trealy concluded at Madrid, Francis
ceded Burgundy, and his rights of ſovereignty over
Artois, Flanders, &c. He engaged to return to
priſon, in caſe Burgundy was not reſtored in fix
weeks. His two ſons were to remain as hoſtages,
or elſe the dauphin, aitended by a number of the
chief people of the kingdom. In a word, the
empe.or ſecured to himlelf every advantage which
he
to
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
63
re-
plied,
he could reap from the ſituation of affairs. Marks
of friendſhip were mutually laviſhed betwixt them,
the falfity of which very ſoon appeared. At the
ſame time that the illuſtrious priſoner returned to
France, his two fons were delivered to the Spa-
niards. The queen-regent, by her courage and ex-
traordinary preſence of mind, choſe rather to ex-
poſe them both, than to give as hoſtages with the
dauphin, the great men who were the reſource of
the ſtate. Before this treaty was ſigned, Francis
had taken the uſeleſs precaution of making a ſe-
cret proteſtation againſt it. He did not lole a mo-
ment in publickly diſplaying his intentions :
ſummoned to execute his promiſe, he
That this affair intereſting the whole
kingdom, could not be finiſhed but in concert
with the States-general ; and above all, with the
States of Burgundy.' The Burgundians repre-
ſented to him, that he had no right to alienate a
domain of the crown, which the oath taken at his
coronation bound him to keep ; that in ſuch cir-
cumſtances, ſubjects were not obliged to keep to
their obedience, and that they would rather periſh
than come under a foreign yoke. The ambaſſador
of Charles V. ſeeing himſelf trifled with, inſiſted
upon the parole that the king had given, of re-
turning into Spain : but he eluded this demand,
complaining of the violence and injuſtice of the
emperor ; offering, nevertheleſs, two millions of
gold inſtead of the dutchy of Burgundy, for the
ranſom of his children. He had already engaged
by treaty with Clement VII. (the ancient Clement
VII. not being reckored amongſt the legitimate
popes). with the king of England, and the Vene-
tians, to give liberty to Italy, and to re-eſtabliſh
Francies S'force in Milan. Thus every thir:g
changes with the change of events. He who had
ruined S'force became all on a ſudden his defender.
Ву
64
ELEMENTS OF THE
By a ſingular fatality, the pope was the vi&tim of
this league. The duke of Bourbon, to whom
the emperor had promiſed the inveſtiture of the
dutchy of Milan, completed the conqueſt of it,
Wanting money to pay his trocps, he conducted
them to Rome, that they might be ſatisfied by
the pillage of it. In giving the aſſault to this city,
he received a mortal ſtroke, and periſhed at thirty-
eight years old, with all the glory of a hero, and
all the ignoming of a rebel. Rome was inhumanly
facked, Clement VII. was made the priſoner of
Charles V. who put on mourning at this victory;
but, nevertheleſs, exacied four hundred thouſand
ducats of the pontiff for his ranſom.
Meanwhile, the negociations concerning the
treaty of Madrid being ineffe&ual, Francis I. and
Henry VIII. folemnly declared war againſt the
emperor, who accuſed the king of France with
having broken his word; and declared, that he
would prove this charge againſt him hand to hand.
His rival, in a writing ſigned with his own hand,
gave him the lie in his throat, and ſummoned him
to appoint a field for a ſingle combat. They a-
bided by theſe mutual defiances of each other,
which were unworthy of the majeſty of two great
princes. But war was made in Italy with new
fury. Lautrec beſieged Naples, which defended
itſelf more than three months, the plague was in
1he army, and deſtroyed the general ; Andrew
Doria, whoſe gallies had beaten thoſe of the em-
peror, betrayed the French in Genoa ; Naples,
was delivered ; and Milan was not conquered.
Theſe miſerable wars in Italy, undertaken through
the ambition of kings, anſwered no other purpoſe
than to depopulate the kingdom. At length peace
was made at Cambray: the plenipotentiaries were
two women, the dutcheſs of Angouleme for Francis
I. and for Charles V. Margaret of Auſtria, go-
verneſs
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 65
verneſs of the Low Countries. This was the
ſame Margaret whom Charles VIII. was to have
married, and who was ſent back into Flanders.
The emperor defifted from his attempts upon Bur-
gundy, referring his pretenſions to a judicial deter-
mination. The king renounced all ſovereignty
over Flanders and Artois, and promiſed two milli-
ons of gold crowns for the ranſom of his children.
The finances were exhauſted as much by pleaſure
as war : Henry VIII. furniſhed money. The
divorce which he was deſirous of making with Ca-
therine of Arragon, the emperor's aunt, that he
might be at liberty to marry Anne Boleyn, the
daughter of a private gentleman, was a motive
for uniting himſelf more cloſely with Francis I.
He had need of his ſuccours againſt Charles V.
and he gave himſelf hopes, that the fuffrages of
the univerſity would be in favour of this divorce.
The Sorbonne in effect decided, that his marriage
was null, though it had been allowed for many
years by the diſpenſation of Julian II. becauſe it
was not lawful that a woman ſhould ſucceſſively
marry two brothers. Catherine of Arragon hav-
ing been married firſt to the brother of Henry
VIII. who died almoſt as ſoon as the ceremony
was over, and the marriage having never (accord-
ing to general opinion at leaſt) been conſummated,
the pope had permitted Henry to marry the
widow. It would have been reaſonable to ſuppoſe,
that the children, who were the conſequence of
their union, would have ſecured the mother from
an attempt to diffolve her marriage as illegal : but
nothing could moderate the paſſions of the king
of England; reſolved on this divorce, he uſed
every means of making Clement VII. conſent to
it. Already the bull which he folicited had arrived
in London ; but Charles V. broke all his mea-
ſures: the legate had orders to burn this
bull
66 ELEMENTS OF THE
bull, and the 'affair was to be tried at Rome.
Thefe delays and difficulties contrived by the pope,
irritated the deſires of the amorous prince: he
married Anne Boleyn. Clement, ready to launch
his thunders againſt him, fixed him a term for
anſwering and declaring his laſt reſolution: Henry
VIII, who had written againſt Luther, by which
he had gained the glorious title of defender of the
church, was not willing to break with Rome : un-
fortunately his courier did not arrive till the day
that had been fixed was paſt, and they made haſte
to fulminate the excommunication. Two days
after, however, the anſwer arrived, which might
have calmed the pontiff ; but the blow was al-
ready ſtruck, and the evil without remedy. Henry
ſeparated for ever from the church of Rome, and
eſtabliſhed himſelf chief of religion in England.
This precipitation of Clement VII. was the more
.imprudent, as the hereſy of Luther had already
raiſed a great part of Europe againſt the Holy See.
It is neceſſary here to give a ſketch of a revolu-
tion which embraced ſo many intereſting objects,
and the circumſtances of which are ſo eſſential to
our hiſtory.
Leo X. in 1519, being in want of money,
whether for the war which he was preparing a-
gainſt the Turks, or whether for the conſtruction
of the magnificent church of St. Peter, had re-
courſe to an expedient which was then too often
abuſed. He cauſed indulgences to be preached.
The Dominicans were charged with this com-
miſſion in Germany, to the prejudice of the Au-
guſtines, to whom it belonged by ancient cuſtom.
The manner in which they diſtributed theſe ſpiri-
tual graces much reſembled a public ſale : they
had indulgence-offices even in their inns. The
ayarice of the collectors did not leave them leiſure
to ſave appearances ; and the pope himſelf was
ſuſpected
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
67
ſuſpected of converting part of the alms to his own
profit
. This abuſe alone would have excited ſome
murmurs, if the reſentment of the Auguſtines had
not been of itſelf ſufficient. One of them, a bold,
zealous, eloquent man, full of pride and hatred,
undertook to revenge his order: he breathed in-
vectives againſt the Dominicans, ſpared not the
diſorders of the court of Rome or the clergy ;
and above all, he attacked the ſcandalous traffic of
indulgences. A theological war, from however
ſmall a beginning, always becomes important,
when an enthuſiaſt finds zealous ſectaries and puiſ-
fant adverſaries. Luther began by abuſe: he very
foon advanced to tenets. Free-will, juſtification,
indulgences, purgatory, the facraments, and au-
thority of the pope and the church, &c. exerciſed
his temerity. He made bold diſcuſſions, which
conduced to heretical aſſertions. His party in-
reaſed daily, as fuperftition, joined to irregulari-
ty of manners, had introduced into the church a
number of palpable diſorders, which had, for a
long time, demanded reformation. It was eaſy to
confound the Catholic religion with theſe abuſes,
which ſtill found ſuperſtitious apologiſts; and
moreover, the ſeducing charms of liberty captivat:
ed the people, and flattered their ſelf-love, by ſub-
jecting received doctrines to a new examination.
The art of printing had multiplied copies of the
Holy Scriptures, and they fortified themſelves in
error by many difficult texts, of which the church
only could fix the ſenſe. Though Luther rejected
confeſſion and abſtinence, he laid down ideas of
perfection and rigour, which are alway capable of
making novelties reſpectable. In fine, the princes
found great advantage in ſeizing upon the property
of the church, and in no more enriching Rome
the expence of their eſtates. Leo X. ought to
have fifled theſe feeds of ſchiſm by gaining over
Luther;
68 ELEMENTS OE THE
Luther ; but he deſpiſed him, and excommuni-
cated him in 1520. But this proud theologian,
ſupported by the duke of Saxony, was now be-
come an irreconcilable enemy to popery. Saxony,
Heffe, Brunſwick, Denmark, and Sweden, all
threw off the yoke. Zuinglius added to the errors
of Luther, and drew after him the greateſt part
of Switzerland. A ſhort time after, Genoa em-
braced theſe new opinions. One ſingle monk was
the author of this prodigious change. When we
reflect on the greatneſs of his abuſe againſt Leo
X. whom he called little popeling little pope;
when we reflect on the abſurd manner in which he
aboliſhed private maſſes, aſſuring the world, that
the devil had appeared to him, and had proved
that theſe maſſes were idolatry, it is not poſſible
to attribute the birth of proteſtantiſm to the pro-
greſs of literature ; it ſeems rather to be the fruit
of barbarity and fanaticiſm. Unfortunately they
had furniſhed too much matter to the falſe decla-
mations of Luther, and his ſucceſs made them
ſufficiently feel the wrong which ſuperſtition and
ignorance had done to truth. Charles V. was de-
ſirous at once to reſtrain the Lutherans, and take
advantage of theſe troubles, to ſubdue the princes
of Germany. But the diet of Spier, in 1529,
rendered a decree in favour of ancient religion uſe-
leſs : 'the reformed church proteſted againſt this
decree, and from thence took the name of Pro-
teſtants. They formed a league againſt the em-
peror, who was deſirous of ruining them, fearing
now that they would join the Turks, whoſe arms
threatened the empire. He granted them liberty
of conſcience, and with their fuccours ſet Soliman
at defiance.
Theſe troubles were favourable to the policy of
Francis I. By a whimſical contraſt, he burnt the
heretics of his own kingdom, at the ſame time that
he
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 69
he entered into a league with the heretics of Ger-
many. The ſchiſm of Henry VIII. gave him occa-
fion to complain of Clement VII. and he hinted one
day to the nuncio, that they ſhould ſhortly follow
in France the example of England. Freely,
Sire,' replied the nuncio ; you
will be the
« firſt hurt by it. A new religion among a people
demands afterwards a change of the prince. If
this maxim was not always verified, at leaſt it was
very ſoon proved, tbat a change of religion could
produce cabals and fury. Though, by the treaty
of Madrid and Cambray, the king had renounced
the dutchy of Milan,' he always attempted to
renew his claims when he could find any means
of doing it. Francis S’force furniſhed him with a
ſubject of war, by cutting off the head of the
French ambaſſador, becauſe his people had killed
an Italian gentleman.
S? force died; the king, not having yielded
Milan in his favour, heſitated not loudly to de-
clare his deſigns; he demanded poſſeſſion of it for
the duke of Orleans, his ſecond ſon. The empe-
ror at firſt promied it ; but afterwards evaded
that promiſe, lengthening out the affair from time
to time, and at length offering to agree, that they.
ſhould demand it for the duke of Angouleme, the
youngeſt ſon of France. He pretended that Italy
would be endangered if Milan belonged to the
duke of Orleans, who, from Catherine of Medi-
cis, his wife, had pretenſions on the dukedoms of
Urban and Florence. Proud of his expedition in
Africa, from whence he had come a conqueror
of the celebrated Barbaroſſa, Scliman’s general,
he affected an inperious haughtineſs with regard
to Francis I. He declaimed againſt him in the
hall of the con Giſtory, and carried his in!ult ſo far
as to ſay, " That if his captains and ſoldiers reſem-
bled thoſe of his enemy, he would tie a cord.
around
70
ELEMENTS OF THE
'
6 round his own neck, and demand mercy from
his enemy's hand.' He employed artifice to
render the ſame prince odious, whom he had once
loaded with flattery. All Germany was filled
with manifeſtos, where the king was accuſed of
having treated with Barbaroſſa againſt the empe-
ror. Italy retained the predi&tions which promiſed
the kingdom of France to the emperor. He
promiſed it to himſelf; and before he fet
out for this conqueſt, he told his hifiorian,
Paul Jove, to prepare plenty of paper and ink,
that he might ſufficiently tax the manufacture of
their hands. It would have been wiſer done, ac-
cording to the remark of Mr. Henault, to have
waited the event. Ready to enter into Provence,
which, through the perfidy of the marquis of Sa-
luces, had opened its gates to him, he aſked a
French gentleman, How many days there were
before he ſhould get to Paris ? Of days ! replied
the Frenchman ; If you mean by this word Bat-
- tles, I aſſure you that you have not leſs than a
• dozen at leaſt; and that the aggreſſors will be
6 the firſt beaten.' The marſhal of Montmo-
rency, directed by the king's orders, ſaved Pro-
vence.
He had ravaged the whole country, leav-
ing nothing but vines and trees, the fruits of which
would be the cauſe of fickneſs to the imperialiſts.
Intrenched in a camp near Avignon, he would not
hazard a doubtful battle. Nothing could be more
wife than theſe meaſures. The great army of
Charles V: was ſoon deſtroyed by famine and
ſickneſs ; he preſented himſelf beſore Marſeilles
and before Arles, without being able to beſiege
tliem. In fine, he repaſſed the Alps, haraſſed in
a lively manner by the country peaſants. The
Flemings ſucceeded no better in Picardy. ; the
fiege of Peronne was raiſed, after ſeveral aſſaults,
fupported with an admirable valour.
During
.
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 71
ons.
During the courſe of theſe fortunate events,
the dauphin died of the effects of poiſon. They
arreſted his cupbearer, who was an Italian; he
confeſſed himſelf guilty of this crime, and tuſpici-
ons at the ſame time fell on the emperor. A hate-
ful violence rendered him liable to ſuch accuſati-
It is ſcarely credible, that the moſt power-
ful ſovereign in Europe ſhould be cited to Paris
as a vaſſal guilty of felony. It however happen-
ed; under pretence that the emperor had violated
the treaty of Cambray, and that conſequently the
ceſſion of the rights of ſovereignty over Artois
and Flanders became null. The parliament, who
looked on themſelves as princes and their peers,
declared Charles of Auſtria notoriouſly attainted
of felony, and his counties of Flanders and Artois
confiſcated and reunited to the crown). This a&
of authority too much reſembled the laſt brava-
does of Charles V. which they had turned into
ridicule, from the time of his expedition to Pro-
. What power in the world could produce
an arreſt againſt the emperor? They were wil-
ling, without doubt, to teach him, that he had
done wrong, by inſulting his enemy.
The king took a much more uſeful ſtep in
making ſo powerful an alliance as that of Soliman.
Theſe ſort of alliances had, till now, been looked
on as unworthy of the Chriſtian profeſſion, in
fpite of the example which had been given by
Alexander VI. Francis was complained of bitterly
at the ſame time, for the turbulent ſcenes in Ger-
many, in order to render him odious as a friend of
the Turks; but policy fets aſide that imputation.
Chriſtians, Mahometans, Catholics and Heretics,
ought certainly to be united by the cloſe bonds of
nature, The greateſt crime is, the uniting a
part together, in order to ruin orhers. If religion
could not difarm the Chriſtian princes, is it aſto-
niſhing
vence.
17 2
ELEMENTS OF THE
niſhing that intereſt ſhould have an effect on the
infidels ?
In conſequence of this treaty, Barbaroſſa was
to attack Naples, while the French army invaded
Milan. The Turk kept his word; but the king
arrived too late to ſecond him. Italy would now
have drawn near a fatal revolution, if the two
princes had acted in concert. The emperor, mean-
while, ſeemed to ſhew no averſion for peace, and
concluded with the king a truce of ten years.
They met at Aigues Mortes, and there ſhewed all
the marks of a perfect reconciliation ; whether it
was really ſo or not, actioris alone could prove:
an occaſion for doing which preſented itſelf very
ſhortly. The Gantois having revolted againſt the
emperor, on account of a tax which he inſiſted on
contrary to their privileges, offered to be ſubjects
to the king, and to render him maſter of the Low
Countries. Francis generouſly refuſed it: he did
more, he granted Charles V. a paſſage through
France, on the promiſe of the inveſtiture of Milan,
and received him with all the magnificence poffi-
ble, without demanding this promiſe in writing.
A miſplaced franknes multiplied his faults : he
had the imprudence to act as a friend with a cun-
ning enemy, whoſe chara&er was very well
known. He confided his ſecrets to the king of
England, and furniſhed him with the means of
perplexing him, not only with the Engliſh, but
with the Turks.
As ſoon as the emperor was arrived in Flanders,
he was called upon to peiform his promiſe with
regard to Milan. He confidently replied, “That
"he had promiſed nothing. The anger of the
king diſcharged itſelf on the conſtable of Montmo-
rency, who loſt his favour for having adviſed him
to truſt to the word of the emperor. A promiſe
in writing would moſt likely have been as little
binding;
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
73
binding; but it would have ſerved as a proof of
the perfidy. The-bon-mot of the fool of the court,
named Tribolet, deſerves to be recorded. He had
written on his tablets, that Charles V, was more
a fool than he, in expoſing himſelf to paſs through
the kingdom ;. ' but,' ſaid the king to him, if
• I give him leave to paſs through the kingdom
without doing him any hurt, what wilt thou
ſay then ?' That is eaſily anſwered,' replied
Tribolet ; I would efface his name, and put in
yours.' Several people had the fame ſecret thoughts
as this buffoon, though he alone had the privilege
of ſpeaking them.
This new broil of the two princes ſeemed to
denounce a new war. The king, already furious
in ſeeing himſelf unworthily trified with, received
ſtill another affront. Two French ambaſſadors
were aſſaſſinated on the road, by the order of the
marquis of Guaſt, an officer belonging to the em-
peror. This was a reaſon more than ſufficient for
breaking the truce. Every thing was very ſoon in
an uproar. The duke of Orleans made conqueſts
in Flanders, and abandoned them to fly to the
other extremity of the kingdom, where he hoped
to partake of the glory of the battle in concert
with the dauphin Henry. He was cruelly deceiv-
ed in this hope. The dauphin miſcarried at the
ſiege of Perpignan ; the count Enguien fucceeded
no better at that of Nice ; the gallies of this king,
joined to thoſe of Barbaroſſa, (for the intrigues of
Charles V. had not been able to detach the Turks
from the French party) returned to Toulon after a
uſeleſs ſiege.
It was a ſtrange ſpectacle for Europe, to ſee
Chriſtians and Muſſulmen united in one common
army. It was for the emperor a fine occaſion of
invective. The king juſtified himſelf by a mani-
feſto, and alledged the example of Abraham,
Vol. II.
E
David,
74
ELEMENTS OF THE
U
David, and the Maccabees. All his reaſons were
leſs ſtrong than the authority of Charles V. who
at length went ſo far as to declare him an enemy of
the empire, and of the Chriſtian name in general.
The battle of Carizoles, which the count En-
guien had gained in Italy, produced no advantage;
becauſe a part of the army was recalled, which
was neceſſary for the defence of the kingdom.
Henry VIII. irritated againſt the king more than.
any thing on account of the confidence which he
had indiſcreetly put in the emperor, made a league
with the laſt, notwithſtanding their mutual refent-
ments. Policy made him forget Charles V. hiš
divorced aunt, and the perſecuted church of Eng-
laod. Henry beſieged and took Boulogne: the
emperor invaded Soiſſons. They negociated with
him afreſh. He fearing that this enterpriſe would
be as fruitleſs as that of Florence, conſented to
the peace, and promiſed to the duke of Orleans,
the king's ſecond ſon, his daughter in marriage,
with either Milan or the Low Countries. The
death of this young prince diſcharged him from an
obligation which he would perhaps have violated
without ſcruple.
Henry VIII. made peace in 1546, by which
Boulogne was to be rendered back to France in
eight years, for eight hundred thouſand golden
crowns. Religious diſputes already excited in France
a dangerous ferment; the love of novelty, ſo ſtrong
among the French ; a taſte for letters, which ex-
cited a confidence of mind ; the ſpecious reaſons
with which ſome learned Proteſtants covered their
falſe ſyſtems; the protection which had been given
thein by Margaret queen of Navarre, and ſiſter to
the king, a princeſs of diſtinguiſhed genius; and
the very fires into which they threw the heretics,
contributed to the rapid progreſs of hereſy. The
horrid executions of Mirandoland Cabrieres ſerved
only
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 75
only to ſtrengthen the ſpirit of the feet, which
was fond of hardening itſelf againſt rigour. Cab-
rieres, a little village of Comtat, and Mirandol,
a great borough of a province, preſerved the
errors of the ancient Vaudois ; but little different
from thoſe of the proteſtants. Luther had ſent
thither his miniſters, and theſe Vaudois did not
diſſemble their opinions. The parliaments of Pro-
vence made too ſevere a decree againſt them, the
execution of which was ſuſpended for ſome years ;
but the firſt preſident of Oppede having repreſent-
ed them to the court in the light of rebels, the
cardinal of Tournon engaged Francis to order that
the decree ſhould be executed. They foreſaw
not the atrocious exceſs to which Oppede and ad-
vocate-general Guerin would carry it. They fell
upon theſe unhappy people: a ſcore of heretics
only were condemned to death; but three thou-
ſand people, without diſtinction either of ſex or
age, were inhumanly maſſacred. Mirandol, Cab-
rieres, and twenty-five boroughs or villages, were
reduced to aſhes. What a means of honouring
religion! The king heard it with horror ; but
this barbarity was not puniſhed till the following
reign, by the death of Guerin : Oppede having
more credit at court, did not appear criminal.
It was now that Calviniſm began to tear religion
to pieces, and introduced the firſt ſeeds of a civil
war. Calvin, a native of Noyon, had already
made many profelytes. When he left his native
country in 1538, he became the chief of the re-
ligion of Geneva: he regulated the tenets and the
learning of this religion. His doctrine differing in
ſome points from that of Luther, was ſtill more
incompatible with the rights of the church than
his ; eſpecially with regard to the real preſence,
and the forms of exterior worſhip. The reformiſts
of France, of Switzerland, of Holland, and Eng-
land,
E 2
76 ELEMENTS OF THE
land, choſe it preferable to Lutheraniſm. The
frequent variation of the Proteſtants is a proof how
little ſolidity there is in their principles.
Henry VIII, did not long enjoy the peace
which he had concluded with Francis ; he died
tranquilly after having reigned tyrannically : of
fix wives whom he had married, two were divorced;
two others (of whom Anne Boleyn was one) were
beheaded. The zeal which he had at firſt ſhewn
againſt Luther, became furious againſt the Here-
tics, and againſt the Catholics : he equally em-
ployed tortures to ſupport his own ſchiſm and to
{tifle new opinions: a prince who piqued himſelf
ſo much on being a Catholic, that he would never
have ſeparated from Rome, if the pope had had
the prudence to conſult the intereſt of the church
rather than the reſentment of Charles V. The
King of France ſurvived him only a few months.
His libertiniſm had procured him that ſhameful diſ-
eaſe which was brought from America by the
Spaniards : he died at the age of fifty-two. Ac-
cording to Henault, he would have been the firſt
prince of his time, if he had been happy enough
to have added wiſdom to his courage. His temeri-
ty, his negligence, his taſte for expences and
pleaſures, contributed not a little to the misfor-
tunes which the cunning and fineſſe of his rival
had brought upon him. In the laſt years of his life,
taught by experience, no longer a ſlave to love,
he ſeriouſly applied himſelf to buſineſs. His great
qualities, whether of heart or mind appeared truly
ſólid when his paſſions were diſſipated; but they had
led him into faults which could never be repaired.
The art of war was no longer the ſame as un-
der the feudal government. They were convinced
of the neceſſity of infantry. From the time of
Lewis XL. the army had been almoſt entirely
compoſed of Swiſs and Germans; the laſt, known
under
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
77
under the name of Lanſquenets or Black Bands.
Francis I. eſtabliſhed a new infantry, divided into
feven legions, of fix thouſand men each, according
to the model of the ancient Roman legion. This
militia did not ſubſiſt; they returned to the ſyſtem
of the bands, which conſiſted only of five or ſix hun-
dred men.
The union of Britanny with the crown in 1532,
was a great political work; the Britons themſelves
demanded this union as neceſſary to the tranquility
of the kingdom. It was with great difficulty they
were brought to renounce the deſire they had of
having a prince among themſelves ; but in render-
ing their oaths to the court, they guarded them-
ſelves againſt thoſe wars which would have follow-
ed, had they inſiſted on a ſubject of that province.
Nothing could do more honour to Francis I. than
the title of Reſtorer of Letters. If they flouriſhed
with more eclat in Italy through the care of Leo
X. and the Medicis, they were, however, ſufficiently
cultivated in France to foretel the prodigies which
they would one day bring to light. Among the
men of quality, the cardinal of Bellai, William
and Martin of Langei, his brothers, became as
reſpectable for their ſcience as for their places.
Bude of Chaſtel, Laſcaris, who was one of the
ſcholars, eſcaping from the ruins of Conftantinople,
opened the ſources of true literature ; but Eraſmus
in Holland, through the brightneſs of his genius,
and the prodigious extent of his knowledge, gave,
in ſome degree, laws to the men of letters. It is
very well known how wittily he ridiculed doctors
who were ſtill attached to their old pedantry. Fran-
cis enriched the royal library with the moſt valu-
able books ; founded the royal college and print-
ing-houſe ; he ſuppreſſed the cuſtom of writing
the public acts in Latin ; the Romans were warn-
ed not to write their acts in Greek.
The
E 3
78
ELEMENTS OF THE
The fine arts generally follow letters ; archi-
tecture diſplayed its magnificence; Fountainbleau,
and ſeveral other edifices, are monuments of this
prince. He began the palace of the Louvre.
Women appearing at court inſenſibly ſoftened the
natural rudeneſs of manners, which belongs to a
warlike nation. Meanwhile, luxury had ſtill its
boundaries, the greateſt lords carrying their wives
behind them into the country ; all which they
ſtiled moſt magnificent. The ceremonies which
Thone with the greateſt eclat, were little in com-
pariſon of the objecs which every day ſtrike our
eyes.
H E N R Y II.
H.
TENRY II. fon of Francis I. mounted
the throne at twenty-nine years old: he
had all the qualities of a warrior rather than thoſe
of a king; much courage and addreſs, too much
deſire of leaving government to itſelf, and a blind
patſion for Diana of Poitiers, his miſtreſs, whom
he made 'ducheſs of Valentinois ; an intriguing
fpirited woman, artful enough to ſubdue to her
dominion (notwithſtanding her age being forty-
ſeyen) a young king, under whoſe name ſhe
reigned as ſovereign. The conſtable of Mont-
morency was recalled to court, and ſeveral of the
principal officers belonging to the late king were
diſgraced. They endeavoured in England, to
marry Edward VI. with Mary Stuart queen of
Scots. The union of theſe two kingdoms would
have been fatal to the French, which had always
profited
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
79
profited by their diviſions. Henry II. foreſaw
the danger, and married this princeſs to the dau-
phin. The Engliſh had been forced to yield up
Boulogne. A violent fedition in Guienne, on ac-
count of the rigours of the exciſe on ſalt, was
eaſily calmed. A war in Italy, on account of the
dukedoms of Parma and Placentia, given by
Paul III..10 Lewis Farneſe, his baſtard, produced
nothing conſiderable.
All the efforts of France were turned againſt
Charles V. His deſpotiſin made Germany revolt.
He kept the duke of Saxony and the Landgrave
of Heſſe priſoners. The famous regulation du-
ring the interim of 1548, by which he pretended
to refer religious diſputes to the general council,
being in ſome points favourable to the Lutherans,
permitting conimunion of two kinds, and allowing
the marriage of prieſts, excited the indignation
of the Catholics. In theſe circumſtances, Henry
II. leagued himſelf with ſome principal Germans
to defend the Germanic liberty. He went into
Lorraine, rapidly over-running Metz, Toule,
and Verdun ; but his allies made peace with the
emperor, who granted them liberty of conſcience.
This contrary ſtroke ſtopped the progreſs of his
He, notwithſtanding, entered the kingdom
with a full reſolution of preſerving his conqueſts.
The people having in ſome kind bought it,, by a
tax of twenty-five livres upon every belfrey, and
by another raiſed on the income of church taxes,
the greateſt part of which, it is ſaid, the dutcheſs
of Valentinois had applied to her own uſe.
Charles V. being quite eaſy on the part of
Germany, beſieged Metz with the moſt formida-
ble army that he had ever yet made a campaign
with. This great city was but badly fortified.
Francis of Lorraine, duke of Guiſe, took on him-
ſelf the care of defending it. A noble emulation
E 4
drew
arms,
Xo ELEMENTS OF THE
drew together to that place, almoſt all the firſt
Hobility of the kingdom. The prudence, activity,
and courage of the duke triumphed over the
forces of the emperor, who abandoned his enter-
priſe, after fixty-five days fiege. He revenged
himſelf on Terouane, a ſtrong city of the Low
countries. Ore of his generals took it and razed it to
the ground; ſo that its name does not now remain.
Heſdin ſubmitted to the ſame fate. It was on
ſuch ruins, and by thedding ſtreams of blood, that
theſe ambitious princes eſtabliſhed their grandeur ;
their hiſtory furniſhes ſubjects of tears for every
The following year they ravaged Erabart,
Hainault, and Cambreſes, gaining a vi&tcry over
the emperor, and yet drawing but little advantage
from it. They fought in Italy with the ſame
ſucceſs as in Flanders. The French lcft the
batile of Marcian; but they made themſelves ad-
mired at Sienne, where the brave Monthie,
whoſe memoirsare ſtill retained among us, ſupport-
ed a fiege for ſix months. In ſhort, the ſyſtem
of Europe changed all at once, by means of one
of thoſe events which are beyond human foreſight.
Charles V. after having put the nations of Europe
in ſuch commotion, reſolved to lead a life of ſo-
litude; whether it was through diſguſt, chagrin,
or a ſenſe of piety, he abandoned the govern-
ment to Philip II. his ſon, who had eſpouſed
Mary queen of England. The empire would
have given the finiſhing ſtroke to the grandeur of
Philip; but Ferdinand, brother of the emperor,
already choſen king of the Romans, would not be
perſuaded, wkatever inſtances were made to him
on that head, to renounce that title in favour of
his nephew ; ſo that the houſe of Auſtria was di-
vided into two branches. There is no doubt,
if we may believe report, but Charles V. when
he came to himſelf in the monaſtery, where he
paſſed
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 81
paffed two years, finding himſelf without authority,
or having any thing to do with worldly matters,
repented him that he had ſo readily reduced him-
ſelf to that condition. The pleaſures of ſolitude
are by no means formed for ambitious minds. We
may judge of the activity of this prince by the
continual journies that he made ; nine into Ger-
many, fix into Spain, ſeven to Italy, four to
France, ten to the Low Countries, two to Eng-
land, and two to Africa. Philip, from the depth
of his cloſet, fhook Europe with commotions.
The immenſe treaſures which he had drawn from
Mexico and Peru, diſcovered in the reign of his
father, put him in a condition of attempting any
enterpriſe he pleaſed. America ſwimming in the
blood of its own natives, was now if I may ſo
ſay, upon the eve of revenging itſelf on the cruel
avarice of the Europeans, in furniſhing them with
the means of deſtroying one another. · Wi: hout
making any reflections upon the conqueſt of the
new world, I would obſerve only, that the Spa-
niards, under pretext of planting there the faith,
cauſed the very name of Chriſtian to be abhorred,
by the barbarities they committed.
eaſily conceive every exceſs their paſſions could
occaſion ; but that the goſpel ſhould ſerve as a
cloke for inhumanity, is a thing that can be
ſcarcely credited.
After the example of the popes of the houſe of
Medicis, who had eſtabliſhed their relations, the
dukes of Tuſcany and of Paul III. who had given
Parma and Placentia to his ſon Farneſe, Paul IV.
Caraffee, being willing to put a principal in his
houſe, propoſed to the king the conqueſt of
Naples, ard to ſhare it with him. In vain the
conſtable of Montmorency repreſented the danger
of the enterpriſe. The cardinal of Lorraine and
the duke of Guiſe, his brother, each of them for
E
their
We may
Es
82 ELEMENTS OF THE
their own ambitious views, inſpired the monarch
with falſe hopes, with which they dazzled his
eyes. In conquering another kingdom, he was
like to have loſt his own. The duke of Guiſe,
who had the command of the army, did not find
thoſe aſſiſtances in Italy which the pope had pro-
miſed him, and but poorly ſupported his brilliant
reputation, while he made this country wretched
in a war, which was the rock that the French
nation ſplit upon. Emanuel l'hilabert, duke of
Savoy, one of the firſt generals of his time, be-
ſieged St. Quintin for the king of Spain. The
old conſtable commanded an army in Picardy.
He was willing to aſliſt the place, which was cou-
rageouſly defended by admiral Coligny his nephew.
Great men are ſometimes gulty of moſt egregicus
faults, when too much preſumption renders them
deaf againſt prudent counſel. He was obftinately
bent againſt the advice of the marſhal of St. A1-
drew, to make all his troops march at the riſk of
being attacked with much diſadvaníage. The
duke of Savoy found his account in it, and put
the French to rout. The battle of St. Quintin
may be compared to thoſe which had formerly
given the Engliſh half of the kingdom. The
duke of Enguien and a number of lords were
killed on the ſpot ; a much greater number,
among whom was the conſtable, were taken pri-
ſoners. Some days after, Philip II. ſhewed
himſelf at the camp: the duke of Savoy would
have kiſſed his hand, but he drew it away: It
ris 1,' ſaid he, that ſhould kils yours, who have
• procured me ſo glorious a victory' This mo-
narch, not being a warrior, could not do better
than place his confidence in great commanders,
Terror now ſpread itſelf throughout France.
If the king of Spain had marched ſtraight to Paris,
he might undoubtedly have taken it; but, whe-
ther
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
83
ther ſuch bold underlakings did not ſuit with his
character, or whether prudence made him fear
the reſources of a warlike and powerful nation,
which-ever it was,' he contented himſelf with
taking St. Quintin, Catelet, Ham, and Noyon.
The canons of St. Quintin retired from the place,
though they left-their benefices behind themi:
. We will not,' ſaid they, "remain in a city where
' it is not permitted us to pray publickly to God
' for the proſperity of France. Meanwhile,
the nobility gathered together on all ſides for the
defence of the kingdom : the principal cities were
eager in furniſhing money. The king was then
convinced, according 10 the remark of Mezerai,
of the truth of his father's dying words; Thai
the French were the beſt people in the world,
and that it was the worſt policy to torment then
with extraordinary taxes and ſeverity, ſince they
to liberally contributed where the neceſſity of the
ftate required it.
It was truly politic, as Francis I. had recom-
mended, not too much to lift up the princes of the
houſe of Lorraine, ſo conſiderable through their
birth and their merit; but they thought only on
the preſent moment, without preparing for futurity
"The duke of Guiſe was immediately recalled from
Italy, and Henry confided to him all his authori-
ty, under the title of lieutenant-general of the
kingdom. He could not place it in better hands.
The duke had no ſooner got his trcops together
than he formed a deciſive enterpriſe, the apparent
impoflibility of which facilitated the ſucceſs.
Mary queen of England, wife of the king of
Spain, having declared war againſt France, he
reſolved to beliege Calais, and to render back to
the crown a place which thcy had regretted for
more than two hundred years. The garriſon
were but few in number during winter. This
was
84.
ELEMENTS OF THE
was the time which they took to attack it. After
having deceived the enemy by feigned marches,
all on a ſudden he appeared before this city, which
was looked on as impregnable. In eight days,
in the month of January, he took Calais, which
had coſt eleven months fiege to Edward III.
Guines was alſo carried by aſſault. · The taking
of Thionville put the finiſhing ſtroke to the glory
of the general. lle was celebrated by every one
as the ſaviour of his country.
His amiable vir-
tues gained him all hearts, while his arms made
his enemies tremble.
The defeat of the marſhal of Termes, beaten
by the count of Egmont, gave a new relief to the
prince of Lorrain. The more reputation and
credit he acquired, the more the envious laboured
to ruin him at court. The dutcheſs of Valen-
tinois, conſtant miſtreſs of the heart and ſoul of
Henry, diſſatisfied with the cardinal of Lorraine,
took the part of, Montnoreney, the rival of
Guiſe. The conſtable was employed to négociate
peace with the king of Spain, even while he was
yet a priſoner. This monarch, having loſt his
wife, and Elizabeth, the daughter of Henry VIII.
and Anne Boleyn now beginning to reign in Eng-
l'ard, and refuſing to marry him, they each of
them ſeparately treated with France at Chateau
Cambrefis. -Elizabeth could
Elizabeth could not yield Calais
without offending the whole nation ; but conſent-
ed that the king ſhould keep it eight years, at the
end of which time he ſhould engage to give it
back again, or pay five hundred thouſand crews,
if the reſtitution was not made at the fixed tin:e.
They foreſaw, without doubt, that Calais would
remain with France ; at leaſt they would never
be able to regain it but by force. But this wile
princeſs found peace neceſſary, in order to fet
herſelf firmly on the throne. Philip II made a
treaty
HIS TORY OF FRANCE.
85
treaty infinitely more glorious : the duke of Sa-
voy was re-eſtabliſhed in his ſtate ; France render-
ed' back a great number of places; Metz, Toule,
and Verdun remained, in ſpite of the emperor
Ferdinand, whoſe intereſt the king of Spain ſeem-
ed to be little concerned about. This laſt prince
by the treaty of Chateau Cambreſis, was to marry a
daughter of Henry II. ; but the marriage feaſts
were very ſoon changed into mourning.
The cuſtom of tournaments, ſo common in
the times of chivalry, ſtill ſubſiſted, though for-
bidden by different popes. The king excelled in
theſe dangerous exerciſes : after having broken
ſeveral lances with ſucceſs, he infifted upon juſting
afreſh with the earl of Montgomery, and was
wounded in the eye by a ſtroke of the lance, of
which he dicd. Tournaments having often pro-
duced ſuch misfortunes, an en: oy from the ſultan
who aſſiſted under Charles VII. at this military
ſpectacle, ſaid like a wiſe man, “If this is all in
earneſt, it is not enough if it is a jeſt, it is too
much
;
but a noble warrior loves to brave danger
even in amuſement.' Duels were again ſo au-
thoriſed, that Henry, at the beginning of his
reign, was ſpectator of a duel where Chateigneraie,
his favourite, loft his life. Struck with this acci-
dent, he forbid an abule fo contrary to humanity.
Happy had it been for him if his wiſdom had ſet
the ſame bounds to tournaments.
The proteſtants were now burnt without mercy.
Some members of Parliament were arreſted for
having adviſed to moderate the rigour of the ordi-
That ſpirit of ſoftneſs, which Father
Daniel calls compaſſion out of ſeaſon, would per-
haps have produced better effects than ſuch tor-
ments; many of the religioniſts, being drawn
more from their hatred againſt the church than any
other motives, attached themſelves to error. They
©
nances.
were
86 ELEMENTS OF THE
were compared to the first Chriſtians perſecuted
under the Pagan emperors. They had enough to
confound them, by having the example of their
apoſtle Calvin oppoſed to them, who in 1552, had
burnt at Geneva the famous Michael Lewet, ac-
cuſed of not believing in the Trinity. It may
likewiſe be conjectured, that they would themſelves
hare become perfecutors, if they had not wanted
power ; but it is no leſs true, that their number
and obſtinacy increaled every day in the midſt of
theſe terrible executions. The court, the city,
the country, all orders of people. were infealed
with thele flying errors. D. Andelot, brother of
admiral de Coligny interrogated by the king on
his ſentiments, lad the hardineſs to blafpheme
againſt the mais. A viclent fermentation denoun-
ced the ſtorms which very ſoon broke out ; the
Engliſh for ever renounced the Catholic religion ;..
queen Mary, for the re-eſtabliſhment of it, had
employed every ſpecies of torture; Elizabeth de-
clared herſelf a Proteſtant, and had no difficulty
in fixing the faith by parliament and the chief con-
ſent of the nation. She was acknowledged for head
of the Engliſh church ; a whimſical title, which
ſhe conſtantly maintained as one of the preroga-
tives of the crown.
FRANCIS II.
TH
THE ſhort courſe of this reign, which was
cnly ſeventeen months, hatched the ſeeds of
a religious war, the moſt terrible ſcourge that the
kingdom could have proved. The ambition of
the great armed the fanaticiſm of the people ; it
reſulted from infinite evils, the memory of which
ought
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
87
ought to inſpire a lively horror for that ſpirit of
cabal, which falſe zeal fometimes changes into
frenzy. A king of thirteen years old, weak, and
incapable of governing, mounted the throne, at a
time when three powerful factions divided the
court. Thoſe of the princes of the blood were,
Anthony of Bourbon, king of Navarre, and his
brother the prince of Conde ; each of them hav-
ing been for a long time offended at not being
taken into buſineſs : that of Guiſe, to whom the
quality of uncles to the king, the queen Mary
Stuart being their niece, had given more credit
than they had under the late reign : and laſtly,
that of the. Montmorencys, the chief of whom,
by his long ſervices and by his dignity of conſtable,
believed he had a right to pretend to every thing.
The queen-mother, Catheririe of Medicis, a
princels of a ſupple artfui genius, of an Italian
policy, miſtreſs of that underſtanding which had
animated the ſoul of the dutchefs of Valenticois
her rival, immediately taking into conſideration the
pretenſions of theſe different parties, very foon
declared for the Guiſes, whom ſhe hated, but
whom ſhe believed ſhe had occaſion for. Francis
put at the head of the government the duke of
Guiſe and the cardinal of Lorrain ; the conſtable
of Montmorency was diſgraced, and the king of
Navarre baniſhed the court. If,
If, on
one ſide, it
was impoſſible to conciliate ſo many different inte-
refts ; on the other, by offending illuſtrious men,
they drew on themſelves powerful enemies. The
prince of Conde, as lively and enterpriſing as his
brother was irrefolute and phlegmatic, luſt no
time in plotting with Coligny arid Andelot, ne-
phews of the conſtable, declared partizans of Cal-
viniſm. It is to Coligny that the project of raiſing
an inſurrection among the Proteftants is attributed.
Every thing ſeemed to lead towards a revolt; ex-
ecutions
88 ELEMENTS OF THE
ecutions were not diſcontinued ; an inquiſition in
France exerciſed the authority of a bloody tribu-
nal, ſuch as the nation deteſted. Ann of Bourg,
a counſellor, clerk to the parliament of Paris, a
magiſtiate diſtinguiſhed by his birth, his manners
and his integrity, was firſt hanged, and afterwards
burnt at the Grere for hereſy. His death made
him bę looked on as a martyr. Enthuſiaſm and
deſpair viclently inflamed the minds of men. Ex-
perience very ſhortly ſhewed, that the Guiſes, in
affecting a too rigid zeal for religion, had done, no
good either to their own intereſt or that of the
cauſe they were engaged in. The famous confe-
deracy of de' Amboiſe was the firſt fruit of the
hatred with which they had inſpired the people. A
gentleman of Perigouardin, named Renaudie, was
the chief of a party, in which the prince of Con-
de (without appearing) was the ſcul. Several bo-
dies of Proteítants, conducted by brave captains,
were to come from different provinces to Amboiſe
where they held their court ; they were to ſeize on
the king and the Guiſes, to force from them an
ediet for liberty of conſcience, and to put into the
hands of the prince of Conde all miniſterial autho-
sity. The ſecret of the conſpiracy was happily
betrayed by a Calviniſt advocate, to whom Re-
naudie had the imprudence of confiding it; upon
which the dule of Guiſe was made lieutenant-ge-
neral of the kingdom. He took admirable mea-
ſures for unravelling this plot, and for preventing
the execution of it. On a certain day, i he rebels
arrived by different roads : they were met; they
were defeated : feveral with Renaudie periſhed
with tword in hand. Thoſe whom they ſeized,
except a ſmall number, were put to the greateſt
tortures. Amboiſe became a kind of ſlaughter-houſe.
The prince of Conde, who was come to court to
wait the effect of the conſpiracy, was arreſted on
4
vague
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
89
vague ſuſpicions, without the power of conviction.
He juſtified himſelf in full council with much elo-
quence, and finiſhed by declaring, that in ſpite of
his title of prir:ce of tlie blood, he defied to com-
bat any one who dared to accuſe him of a crime
ſo arrocious. The duke of Guiſe, to whom this
challenge was meant, perfe&ly pofTefled himſelf ;
he fuproried the innocence of the prince, and offe-
red him his ſword, if a duel was admitted as a
proof. They reſtored him to liberty, and wrote
to the king of Navarre and admiral Coligny, let-
ters full of confidence, though they ſuſpected them
more than the prince. They began at the fame
time to moderate the edicts againīt the calviniſts.
It was ordained, that thoſe alone ſhould be puniſh-
able who were convicted of violence and ſedition :
nothing could be more juſt, and policy here agreed .
with the ſpirit of Chriſtianity.
The celebrated Michael of the hoſpital, whoſe
merit had raiſed him to the dignity of chancellor,
had principles very different from thoſe of the
cardinal of Lorrain, and almoſt all the clergy : the
cardinal was deſirous of extirpating innovations,
and eſtabliſhing the tyranny of the inquiſition.
This would have been kindling a fire throughout
France : to avoid ſo great a misfortune, the chan-
cellor conſented to interdi& to the parliament, by
the edi&t of the Romerantin, the knowledge of
the crime of hereſy, and to attribute it to the
biſhops ; an edict which, according to the views of
the cardinal, would render the ſearches after the
heretics more exact and rigorous. This rigour, at
the ſame time, inſpired them with the ſentiments
of rebellion. In Dauphiny, in Provence, in Nor-
mandy, feditions were excited. • It is thus,'
ſays Daniel, " that a fire concealed under the
cinders produces all at once a flame throughout
" the kingdom; and that the Catholics, who had
o often
go
ELEMENTS OF THE
6
6
often blamed the rigorous edicts of Francis J.
' and Henry II. had learned from fatal experience,
that they could not take too much precaution
againſt novelties in matters of religion; and that,
independent of the zeal which every Catholic
ought to have for the true faith, the love of
their country was ſufficient to make them ne-
• glect nothing which could contribute to ſtifle
" theſe errors in their birth.' It is, without doubt
eſſential to ſtifle public plagues in their infancy;
but the historian might obſerve, that tortures have
always produced a contrary effect ; that far from
extinguiſhing a fire, it makes it burn with greater
fury ; that the more you would reſtrain the dif-
turbers of the ſtate, the more compaſſion you
ought to have for the unhappy people, whoſe only
crime is, being miſtaken. Is then zeal for religion
contrary to humanity? Is it by flames that you
muſt convince the underſtanding ? Muſt you burn
millions of citizens only becauſe they cannot be
brought to think juſt as the church does ? and, Is
it allowable for human juſtice, pitileſsly to punih
men for their ſecret opinions? Far from it: it
ſeemed rather good policy as well as true zeal to
oppoſe barriers to the progreſs of Calviniſm,
without furniſhing to the Calviniſts pretences for
a rebellion.
Elizabeth, by her conduct, equally firm and
prudent, took much better methods to ſupport her
authority and new religion. Mary Stuart having
pretenſions to the throne of England, they ſent
troops into Scotland, under pretence of defending
the Catholics, but really to form enterpriſes againſt
Elizabeth. That princeſs obliged the court to
make a treaty, by which Mary promiſed not to
bear on her eſcutcheons the arms of England, and
the king to recal his troops from Scotland. The
great nien aſſembled at Fountainbleau, according
to
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
91
to ancient cuſtom, in order to find out remedies
againſt the inteſtine diviſions. It was there that
Coligny preſented a requeſt, in the name of
the Proteſtants, to obtain liberty, of conſcience,
and the public exerciſe of their religion. The
biſhop of Valencia, John Montluc, counſellor
for the ſtate, was not afraid to ſpeak in their
favour. He attributed the public evils in a great
meaſure to the ignorance and diſorders of the
clergy: he ſpared neither the pope nor the
biſhops,' forty of whom,' ſaid he, have been
“ ſeen at the ſame time in Paris, where they have
been ſoftened with pleaſure, and forgot the duties
of their function. He repreſented, that the
rebels among the Calviniſts ought to be ſeverely
puniſhed ; but that thoſe who were faithful, and
who proved it by their ſubmiſſion and patience de-
ſerved to be tolerated. He concluded, that they
ought to be left freely to their own belief, and
only to be called to account when they held dan-
gerous aſſemblies. The archbiſhop of Vienne was
of the ſame opinion, and ſupported it by very
ſtrong reaſons. The admiral harangued with
more vehemence : he feared not the Guiſes,
whom he particularly reproached with deſtroying
the confidence between the ſovereign and his peo-
ple, by the numerous guard which ſurrounded his
perſon. From the time of the conſpiracy at Am-
boiſe, they had greatly increaſed the king's at-
tendants; which, nevertheleſs, was nothing in
compariſon of what it is now. The duke of Guiſe,
and the cardinal his brother, ſpoke according to
their principles in matters of government. The
reſult of this aſſembly was, the convocation of the
ſtates-general. The Guiſes were in hopes of
drawing there the king of Navarre and the prince
of Conde, whom the fear of ſome violence had
hindered from coming to the aſſembly. The latter
had
92
ELEMENTS OF THE
had openly declared himſelf a Calviniſt : he was
author of a new conſpiracy, diſcovered like that
of Amboiſe. The king of Navarre, though al-
ways fluctuating, appeared no leſs ſuſpicious, nor
leſs powerful. Francis ſent for them to meet the
ſtates at Orleans, promiſing them certain ſecurity
from violence; but as ſoon as they arrived, the
prince of Conde was put in priſon, and his bro-
ther kept from his fight. They named commiſ-
faries to carry on the proſecution againſt the prince :
he refuſed to anſwer them. He demanded being
judged, according to the privileges of his birth,
by the court of Peers ; they, notwithſtanding,
condemned him to death. The chancellor of the
hoſpital, and the count of Sancerre, generouſly
refuſed to ſign the warrant; he would, neverthe-
leſs, have been executed, (the Guiſes be-
coming more audacious from the time that they
had been his enemies, thinking themſelves ſure
of a complete triumph) if the ſudden death of
the king (at the age of ſeventeen) had not pre-
vented it. He is called by ſome, the Guiltleſs
King, on the account of the innocence of his
manners : " A title more glorious than any
• other,' ſays Mezerai judiciouſly, 6 when it is
founded on wisdom and virtue, and not on weak-
s neſs of mind.'
CHARLES IX.
TI
HE death of the late king increaſed the
heat of faction. Charles, his brother and
fucceffor, being only ten years old, Catherine of
Medicis took on herſelf the government. Her
well-
HISTORY OF FRANCE
93
well-directed policy managed all parties ſo as to
make uſe of one againſt the other. She took care
not to abandon the prince of Conde to the ambi-
tious vengeance of the Guiſes : fhe reconciled
herſelf with him, and with the king of Navarre,
by releaſing the firſt out of priſon, and in procur-
ing for the other the general lieutenantcy of the
kingdom. Theſe princes and the Guiſes ſeemed
to depoſite in her hands their mutual diſagreements.
More enemies than ever in their hearts, they acted
together with all the outward appearance of be-
nevolence. The conſtable of Montmorency was
recalled. On his arrival at Orleans, he aſked
what was the meaning of ſo many guards, and if
the king was not in ſafety in the midſt of his ſub-
jects. Without any further explanation, he ord-
ered the guards to withdraw, and was obeyed :
ati inſtance of what power a conſtable has.
The ſtates held in this city produced no real
good ; though the chancellor of the hoſpital, who,
in opening them, had blamed the violent zeal of
the religioniſts and Catholics had diſapproved of
the injurious names of Papiſts and Hugonots *
and exhorted all the world to reunite for the com-
mon good ; yet they made but feeble efforts for
the intereſt of the kingdom. The deputies of
the nobility, and the third ſtate, declaimed againſt
the clergy : thoſe of the clergy inveighed againſt
the Calviniſts, and demanded likewiſe, that who-
ever preſented, or ſhould preient requeſts for ob-
taining the free exerciſe of that religion, ſhould
be puniſhed as a heretic. 'This ſtroke was caſt di-
rectly at the admiral de Coligny, who did himſelf
juſt ice før he injury.
* It is likely, that the name of Hugonots, which
was given in France to the reformed, was from a
German word, which ſignifies allied by oath.
It
i.
94
ELEMENTS OF THE
It was eſſential to re-eſtabliſh the finances. The
debts amounted to forty-two million , though Henry
II. had found ſeventeen hundred thousand crown's
in the treaſury. It was propoſed, that thoſe who
had iaken care of the revenues of the king, ſhould
render him an account of them, in pariicular the
cardinal of Lorrain ; but this demand dropped
without any effect. All the fruit of ihe ſtates of
Orleans was reduced to a celebrated ordinance, by
which the adminiſtration of juflice was entirely
reſerved to the people of the robe, and the prág-
matic fanction re-eſtabliſhed according to election;
an article which the court of Rome could not
ſuffer to ſublift for any length of time.
Whatever knowledge of mankind Catherine de
Medicis was poſſeſſed of, it was yet impoſſible to
manage people's hearis in ſuch a manner as not
very ſoon to produce fatal changes, where ſo many
different paſſions and intereſts jarred with each
other. The king of Navarre, already diſcontented,
determined to quit the court. The conſtable fol-
lowed him : their retreat increaſed the power of
the Guiſes. The king who neither did or ſaid any
thing but as his mother directed, ordered the con-
itable to return.
This old warrior yielded, not-
withſtanding the ſolicitations of his nephews: he
hated novelty in matters of religion as much as
Coligny favoured it: it was that which, perhaps,
determined him to unite at laſt with the duke of
Guiſe, contrary to his family compact, and even
to the wiſh of his own heart. This change retain-
ned the king of Navarre ; he did not ceaſe to foli-
cit the queen-mother in favour of the Proteſtants,
whom he protected either through policy, through
generoſity, or through prejudice, witl:out being
operly of their party. Catherine had great defire
of fatisfying him, though ſhe had always declared
for the Catholics ; ſlie propoſed the dargerous
expedient
A
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
95
i
expedient of a public conference between the de-
fenders of each religion. Nothing could appear
more contrary to the intereſt of the Romiſh
church, than the bringing the doctrine of it into
diſpute, nor more conformable to the deſires of
its adverſaries, who found themſelves. by this
meāns on ſome degree of level with their judges;
but the vanity of the cardinal of Lorrain made
this project be adopted : ke flattered himſelf, that
he ſhould ſhine in the diſpute, and confound the
moſt famous miniſters of the reformation: There
conferences, so known under the name of the
Treaty of Poiſſi, ſerved only, as might have been
foreſeen, to render each party more firm in their
ſentiments. The cardinal of Lorrain on one ſide,
and on the other Theodore Beze, a diſciple of
Calvin, as amiable as his maſter was ſevere, ſig-
nalized their eloquence and their knowledge in
this place. Pius IV. could not prevent an aſſen-
bly, of which he apprehended the conſequence.
He had ſent thither a legate, accompanied by
father Laines, ſecond general of the Jeſuits. It
was in this aſſembly that he harangued with a
confidence which offended the queen. He ſaid,
addreſſing his ſpeech to her, " That neither ſhe,
. or any other prince, ought to treat on affairs of
religion, ſince ſuch conferences were capable of
altering the faith of the laity; and that they
& ought to abide by the judgment of the church,
s who had the ſole right of determining. If
Catherine de Medicis had given way to her re-
ſentment, it would, perhaps, have driven the
Jeſuits out of the kingdom ; but the credit of
Laines, the deſires of the cardinals de Lorrain
and de Tournou, made an act paſs for their efta-
bliſhment, forming a college which went by the
name of the Society of Jeſus, and which ſhould
ſubmit to the biſhop of the diocele. Such was
the
96
ELEMENTS OF THE
the weak beginning of a Society which very ſhortly
extended itſelf all over the kingdom, until it
became a body as powerful as celebrated. Rome
could not oppoſe its enemies with more zealous
defenders. According to Father Daniel, the trea-
ty of Poiſſi on each ſide attributed the victory to
themſelves, weakening the preventions of the king
of Navarre for the Calviniſts. The legate acted
more efficaciouſly on his heart, in making him
hope for the reſtitution of Navarre. Where things
are equal, intereſt very ſoon fixes an undetermined
chara&ter. This prince embraced with eagerneſs
the ſide of the Catholics, from which he had
been, till now, very diftant, He united himſelf
with the duke of Guiſe and the conſtable, who,
with the marſhal of Albon of St. Andrew, formed
what was called the Triumvirate.
The queen-mother, who held it as her favou-
rite maxim, that the art of reigning was that of
dividing, could only balance lo conſiderable a
faction, by fortifying the contrary one.
It was
this motive which gave occaſion for an ediet for
allowing liberty of conſcience to the Proteſtants,
on condition that they would hold their aſſem-
blies in the ſuburbs, and not in the city. An in-
finite number of people who had before feared to
declare themſelves, now threw off the maſk.
They began to preach; they deſerted the con-
vents; they inſulted the Catholics, as they had
inſulted the Hugonots. Mankind always carry
things to exceſs, and ſoon become furious in reli-
gious quarrels. The more they were reaſoned
wiili, the more they were inflamed, and there
was but little wanting to cauſe a general inſurrec-
tion. The mailacre of Vafli was the ſignal of
civil war.
The duke of Guiſe paſſing through
Vafli in his way to the country, ſome of his peo-
ple diſturbed a perſon who was preaching in a
barn;
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
97
barn; from abuſe they came at laſt to blows.
The prince endeavoured to appeale the tumult,
and was wounded by a ſtone : his people, tran-
ſported with fury, fell at once on the Hugonots,
of whom they killed more than ſixty. It is pre-
tended on this occaſion, that, as judge of the
place he recalled the edią of liberty of conſcience,
imprudently ſaying, putting his hand on his ſword,
See here the fruits of this deteſtable edict.'
It was a word eſcaped in choler; and the maſſacre
of Vaflı was an accident which happened contrary
to the intention of the duke of Guiſe. But the
Proteſtants waited only an occaſion for revolt.
While the Catholics were loud in their praiſes of
the prince of Lorrain, and the preachers.compar-
ed him to Moſes and Jehu, who, in ſhedding the
blood of the impious, had conlecrated their hands,
and revenged the quarrel of the Lord, they mean-
whi repreſented him as an execrable murderer,
as the tyrant of the nation, and enemy of the
laws. Both ſides breathed nothing but war.
The king of Navarre and the Triumvirate, in
order to aſſure themſelves of the perſon of the
king, forced him to quit Fountainbleau, and to
follow them to Paris. The queen-mother fo-
licited the prince of Conde to draw him out of
their hands. This ſpecious motive coloured re-
bellion. The religioniſts ran from all parts
forming an army for the prince, and eſtabliſhing
their chief. . Several conſiderable cities entered
iuto a league ; Conde ravaged Orleans, which he
made his place of arms. Too feeble againſt the
royaliſts, he treated with the queen of England,
and delivered Havre to her, in order to purchaſe
her fuccour. Rouen was taken and ſacked by the
Catholics ; the king of Navarre was there killed
by a ſhot from a hand-gun. * This prince,' ſays
a celebrated au: hor, merits a place in hiſtory,
VOL. II.
F
only
98 ELEMENTS OF THE
war..
only becauſe he was the father of the great
· Henry. IV.? As if it was not ſufficient for
France to tear itſelf to picces, it was delivered as
a prey to ſtrangers. On each ſide troops of Ger-
mans entered.it: The two armies at length met at
Dreux, with an eagerneſs which characteriſes civil
That which was the moſt fingular in this
day's work was the taking of the two generals, the
prince of Conde and the conſtable of Montmorency
The marſbail of St: Andrew periſhed there, after
having mucha contributed to the victory of the
royaliſts. It increaled the reputation of the duke
of Guile, who received fill more, honour from
the manner in which he treated the prince his pri-
foner. They both ſlept in the fame bed Conde
aſſures.us, that he never cloſed his eyes, and that
the duke ſlept as. tranquilly as if tliey had been
the moſt intimate friends. Rarely is ſuch great-
nleſs:of foul joined with animoſity and hatred ; but
there was nothing more wanting to the duke of
Guiſe, in order to make him a model for he-
roes, than the being able to bound his ambition to
the glory of ſignalizing his virtue. The ſiege of
Orleans, which he undertook after the battle of
Dreux, ſeemed to foretel the 'ruin of the rebels.
One of the out-places had been already taken by
aſſault, when this great man was aſſaſſinated by
Poltrot, a young Proteſtant gentleman; the firſt
example of frightful fanaticiſm which conſecrates
murder as an act of religion. Some hiſtorians re-
late, that another fanatical gentleman had made
the ſame attempt at the ſiege of Rouen : but the
duke avoided his deſign, demanding of him if he
had not done him ſome evil: No,' replied he : ;
.but I would revenge my religion, of which you
are the mortal enemy: Very well,' replied the
" duke, if your religion teaches you to kill me,
who have never offended you, from mine I learn
o to
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
99
sto pardon; I forgive you : judge from this
which of the two religions is bett.' It muſt be con-
feſſed, that this great reply was not concluſive,
ſince as much might be ſaid to aſſaſſins who were
zealous for a good cauſe. Both ſides niade pro-
feſſions of the goſpel, and equally delivered them-
ſelves to the fury of fanaticiſm. The infamy of
the reformed is the having given birth to this mon-
ſtrous deſtroyer : as for the reſt, there was no leſs
policy than zeal in the ſteps of the Guiſes ; fince
the duke and the cardinal, treating with the Pro-
teſtant princes in Germany in 1562, flattered
them with receiving into France the confeffion of
Augſbourg : but whatever was the ſecret motive of
their condual, the Catholic religion, without them,
had moſt likely been ſwallowed up in the kingdom.
The cowardly Poltrot being arreited after his
crime, accuſed admiral Coligny, Beze, and some
others, with having ſolicited him to it. Nothing
was leſs likely than this accuſation, if we may
judge from the character of thoſe wlio were the
objects of it. The admiral cried out againſt the
impofture, and inſtantly demanded, that they
would fufpend the execution of the aflaffin, till
he thould confront him ; but it was refuſed. As
hatred ſtrengthens the moſt urjuſt prejudices, Henry
of Guiſe, the eldeſt ſon of the deceaſed, conceived
from this moment the deſign of ruining Coligny.
A treaty of peace having at length terminated
civil war, liberty of conſcience was confirmed
afreſh, Catholics and Proteflants appeared united
in the fidelity which they owed their country;
iley took Havre by force, which queen Elizabeth
had refuſed to return to the king. By thus for-
feiting her word, ſhe furnithed a plauſible reaſon
for his not reſtoring Calais, as he had engaged by
the treaty of Chateau Cambreſis. Though Eng-
land had nothing more at heart than the reſtitu-
tion
F 2
100 ELEMENTS OF THE
tion of this place, yet it did not prevent Elizabeth
from concluding a peace with France.
From the beginning of Proteſtantiſm, the Ca-
tholics groaned for a general council, in the hope
that it would diſſipate herecy. Meanwhile, the
diviſions of the princes, and the policy of the popes
had put an obſtacle between them and their deſires,
the popes fearing an aſſembly where they would
not be maſters, and who would, by the exmple
of thoſe of Bale and of Conſtance, exerciſe au-
thority themſelves. Nevertheleſs, that fear which
kept in France a national council, more dangerous,
perhaps, to the court of Rome, determined Pius
ÎV. to re-aſſemble the council of Trent, began in
1545, and for a long time diſuſed. It was ended in
1563, after having confirmed the dogmas, with-
out convincing the innovators, who pretended to
be admitted to council among their judges. They
decried the work of the church as a production of
ſchool debates and cabals; but the Catholics at laſt
were confirmed in their belief. The publication
of the council was oppoſed in the kingdom ; whe-
ther on account of the laſt edict of pacification,
or whether becauſe it gave decrees of diſcipline
contrary to ſecular juriſdiction and Gallic liberty;
which ever it was, it did not prevent their looking
on the chief points of doctrine as articles of faith,
'This famous council was ſhaken by violent con-
teſt on the ſubject of precedency, between the
ambaſſadors of Charles IX. and Philip II. The
pope decided in favour of the French king. Dif- :
putes on this and other political affairs made the
buſineſs of religion for a long time be neglected;
for men are always ready to give up their ſpiritual
concerns when any temporal object employs their
ambition and vạnity.
an
Catherine of Medicis in vain flattered herſelf
with keeping a juſt balance betwixt two parties re-
ſolved
HISTORY OF FRANCE., :;
IOI
ſolved to deſtroy each other. She could neither
conciliate nor ſatisfy them. Her addreſs and diſſimu-
lation excited their hatred ; ſuſpicious of Calviniſm
and indifferent about religion, the affected the grea-
teſt exa&neſs, in keeping to the ceremonies of the
church. In taking a tour round the provinces
with the king, ſhe ſaw at Bayonne the queen of
Spain, her daughter, and had frequent conferences
with the duke of Albe, general of Philip II.
This monarch ſhewed himſelf extremely zealous
for the Catholics, though he had in realityno
other deſign in it than his own intereſt : he con-
tinually animated the court of France againſt the
fectaries, that he night himſelf profit by the dif-
cords and misfortunes of the kingdom. It was
thought that conferences tended towards their ruin.
A newaccident confirmed this opinion. The Low
Countries, (where, as u ell as other places,hereſy had
taken root) had rebelled againſt the king of Spain,
who endeavoured to govern them in a deſpotic
manner, depriving them of their privileges,
and taking pains to ſubmit them to the inquiſition.
He ſent the duke of Albe at the head of an army
to extirpate the rebels. Under pretence of necel-
fary precautions, in caſe this army ſhould attack
France, Catherine raiſed troops, and made a rein-
forcement of fix thouſand Swiſs. The Proteſtants
did not doubt but this was done with a deſign of
oppreſſing them. From that time they complain-
ed bitterly of the court: their liberties were re-
trained; the violence of the Catholics were no
more puniſhed. The cruelties which the duke of
Albe exerciſed in Flanders, made them dread a
like perſecution.
Theſe ſubjects of complaint and inquiétude gave
occaſion to a ſecond civil war. The prince of Conde,
by the counſel of Coligny, undertook to carry
F 3
the
102 ELEMENTS OF THE
6
the king to Meaux. In becoming maſters of his
perſon, they would have been fo of his govern-
ment. The court prevented their deſign almoſt at
the moment of execution. They employed the
Swifs in a uſeful manner to draw him from ſuch
great peril. They received the monarch into their
battalion, and conducted him to Paris, without
the rebels being able to break through them. Some
time after this, the conſtable attacked the prince
of Conde at St. Dennis, with an army three times
ſtronger than his own. This combat, the ſucceſs
of which was doubtful, finished the career of the
illuſtrious Montmorency: he there received a mor-
tal ftroke, and preſerved his firmneſs to the laſt.
It is pretended that he ſaid to his confeffor, Do
you think that I have lived forty-five years,
cand do not know how to die a quarter of an
« hour.' He had often in his mouth theſe words :
One faith, one law, one king. His place was
not filled up, becauſe it gave too much power for
a ſubject: the queen-mother choſe rather to make.
the duke of Anjou, brother of Charles IX. lieu-
tenant-general of the kingdom; a young prince
of great hopes, whoſe reputation ſeemed to pro-
miſe one day to grace the throne.
War was ſhortly concluded by a treaty not ſo
honourable for the king, as advantageous for the
Calviniſts : but it was not long before it broke out .
with much greater violence. As grievances mul-
tiplied every day, notwithſtanding reciprocal con-
ventions, Catherine imagined that ſhe ought to
cut the root of the evil by arreſting the chiefs of
the faction. Conde and Coligny, informed of her
deſign, fled to Rochelle for refuge, the bulwark
of the Proteſtants. This enterpriſe of the queen
was looked on as a declaration of war. It occaſi-
oned the diſgrace of the chancellor of the hoſpital :
a magiſtrate who tranſcended all praiſc, according
to
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
103
to the preſident Henault; but whofe religion was
ſuſpected, becauſe he was an enemy to exceſs
.
The Hugonots again took to arms, aſlifted by the
Engliſh and the Germans : the court revoked the
edicts for liberty of conſcience : ravages, hoftilities,
and maſſacres depopulated France, as if it had
been over-run by barbarians. Two great French
armies engaged at larnac, near Saintonge. The
duke of Anjou carried the day: the prince of
Conde was killed in cold blood by Monteſquieu, after
having given up his arms; a prince of extraordi-
mary courage and genius, worthy of being put on
the liſt with the moſt famous of his deſcendants ;
unhappy in having had the ambition of being
chief of a faction, and more eſpecially, in not
having had time to make amends for his rebellion.
Coligny, a man the moſt fertile in reſources of any
in the world, ſaved the French army, and made.
himſelf feared after the defeat of the prince of
Conde, whoſe loſs feemed to be the ruin of his
party. Another prince of the blood ſucceeded
him, born for a model to kings ; it was the prince
of Bearn, afterwards Henry IV. ſon of the queen of
Navarre, Jane of Albret, as zealous a Proteſtant
as her huſband had been a weak Catholic. She
herſelf preſented her ſon to the vanquiſhed, re-ani-
mating their hopes and their courage; and they
declared the young Henry chief of the league.
The admiral and the intrepid Andelot put every
thing in motion; while the cardinal of Chatillon,
their brother, (who was called the count of Beau-
vais, from the name of his biſhoprick) ſince the
time that he had abandoned the Romiſh church,
was uſing every means in England for the intereſt
of Calviniſm. The Proteftants of Germany alſo
ſignalized their zeal. The duke of Deuxports
was the head of it, ſurrounded by twelve thouſand
men, traverſing almoſt all France to join the army
F
of
F A
104
ELEMENTS OE THE
of the admiral. The famous William prince of
Orange, had great part in this enterpriſe, whoſe
ſucceſs was chiefly owing to the miſunderſtanding
of the Catholic generals. Many meaſures and
reſources were taken, and prevented. Coligny
raiſed the ſiege of Poictiers, and was defeated at
Montcontour by the duke of Anjou ; but, always
firm and courageous in misfortune, he ſupported
his part in ſuch a manner, that after four battles
lost, he was ſtill in a condition of reſiſting the royal
power. The prince of Bearn, who was only thir-
teen years old, looked on him .as his father ; his
mind was formed by him, and appeared worthy
of ſuch a maſter. Inſtead of purſuing the diſperſ-
ed rebels, the duke of Anjou imprudently ſtopped to
make fieges, and gained but little by the victory.
Poitou, Saintonge, Bearn, and Guienne, were
drenched in blood.
The fury of theſe two parties increaſed every
day, and the Proteſtants refuſed to lay down their
arms but on advantageous conditions ; which they
obtained by the treaty of St. Germain in Laie.
They were not only allowed the liberty of preach-
ing, but were granted four cities of ſafety, among
which was Rochelle : they were declared capable
of undertaking offices ; they were permitted to
object, in their law-ſuits with the Catholics, to
any certain number of judges, without aſſigning
a reaſon. This unhoped-for peace was a triumph
for them. In the views of Catherine de Medicis
it was moſt likely only a fatal deception : ſhe was
willing to deſtroy by perfidy thoſe whom ſhe could
conquer no other way. Charles IX. having im-
bibed her maxims, trained to diffimulation, in-
clinable to cruelty, perfe&ly ſeconded her deſign.
The moſt atrocious wickedneſs was covered under
the fineſt appearances. In order to draw the chiefs
of the Hugonot party to court, the king offered his
fifter
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
105
fiſter Margaret in marriage to the young prince of
Bearn. The queen of Navarre, charmed with
this mark of reconciliation, was deſirous of con-
cluding the treaty. Coming to France, ſhe was
loaded with honours and careffes. After the firſt
interview, Charles IX. aſked his mother, if he
had not played his part well : " Yes,' replied
Catherine ; but this is only a beginning, it muſt
• be well finiſhed. He replied, calling God to
witneſs it,' " That he would draw them all into
6 her nets.' The moſt difficult was to catch the
admiral; this wiſe man was not to be tempted by
a ſeducing appearance. The Gueux (which was
the name that was given to the religioniſts of the
Low Countries) had again rebelled againſt Spain,
and the prince of Orange, William of Naſſau,
took advantage of the rigours of a deipotic govern-
ment, to raiſe his ſubjects, and to found the repub-
lic of the United Provinces. In theſe circum-
ſtances, the king appeared difpoſed to make war
with Philip II. The violent zeal of this monarch,
and his ſtrait alliance with the Guiſes, made him
infinitely odious to the reformed. Propoſing to
Coligny a war of this kind, and offering him the
command, he was weak enough to take it, not-
withſtanding his juſt cauſe for hatred. He ap-
peared before Charles IX. who received him with
great teſtimonies of friendſhip, whoſe head he had
but a little while before put up at an opprobrious
price.
Meanwhile a ſudden death carried off the queen
of Navarre. A report of her being poiſoned was
every where ſpread without any proof to ſupport
it. The admiral was exhorted on all ſides to ac-
cuſe the count. A Calviniſt captain one day tak-
ing his leave of him, was aſked by him why he
retired into the country ; • Becauſe,' ſays he,
we are here overpowered with careſſes : I had
FS
6 rather
/
106 ELEMENTS OE THE
fame age
s rather ſave myſelf among fools, than periſh
( with thoſe who believe themſelves too wiſe.'
The admiral laughed at theſe falſe terrors and
panics; ſo true it is, that the wifeſt of us ſuffer
ourſelves to be deceived by that which flatters our
paſſions.
At length the prince of Bearn, who was now
called King of Navarre from the death of his
mother, arrived, with the prince of Conde, his
couſin, who' was pretty near the
with himſelf. The feventeenth of Auguſt was
fixed for the ceremony of his marriage with Mara
garet of France. The following days were to be
ſpent in feaſts and pleaſures : all hatred ſeemed to
be at an end; but the fire was concealed under the
cinders. The admiral going home on foot to his
hotel on the twenty ſecond, about one o'clock in
the morning, after having been playing with the
king at tennis, was wounded by a ball from a hand-
gun. • Behold,' ſays he,' the fruit of my re-
conciliation with the duke of Guiſe. This
duke had actually ſworn to revenge the death of
his father on him, whom he believed to be the au-
thor of it. Charles, at the news of the aſſaſſina-
tion, appeared tranſported with rage ; he went to
the admiral and promiſed him a ſtriking vengeance.
Was this diffimulation or ſincerity ? we can only
judge from his actions.
Meanwhile the Proteſtants murmured, and
highly threatened Catherine of Medicis, while
the ſecret council of the monarchimeditated the
maſſacre of St. Bartholomew. The duke of Guiſe
was charged with the execution, whom they would
have ſtopped after he had wounded the admiral.
Orders were given in a ſhort ſpace of time, with-
out the ſecret tranſpiring. The night of the twenty-
third or twenty-fourth of Auguſt began this fright-
ful butchery. Coligny was one of the firſt vic-
tims :
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
107
1
tims : Guile, his mortal enemy had his door
forced open ; ånd Beſme, a domeſtic of the duke's,
gave him thé firſt ſtroke.
Young man,' ſaid
the admiral to him with a tranquil air, thou
• oweſt refpe&t to my white locks; but do what
thou wilt; thou canſt only abridge life a few
days.? A number of lords and gentlemen were
murdered iti the Louvre the Catholics filled
Paris with càrriage : fèvetal, to revenge their
partièulář quáfrels; murdered thoſe of the ſame
perſuaſion with themielves, whom their hate had
transformed into Hugonots. Children, old men,
pregnant women; all fell beneath the ſword of the
aflaſlins. An artiſan boafted, that he had himſelf
killed four hundred people. The maſſacre laſted
ſeveral days, and it is well known, that Charles
himſelf ſhot with a long gun after the unhappy
people who took to flight. The corpſe of Coligny,
after being abuſively treated by the populace, and
hung on the gibbet of Montfaucon, was to him
an agreeable ſpectacle. Somebody ſaying that he
ſmelled offenſively, " The corpſe of an enemy
always ſmells well,' replied the king. A word
borrowed from Vitellius, and equally odious in the
mouth of either one or the other. It had been deli-
berated if the king of Navarre and the prince of
Conde ſhould be compriſed in this maſſacre. The
quality of princes of the blood ſaved their lives.
Charles commanded them to renounce Calviniſm,
'The firſt made ſome little reſiſtance; the ſecond
appeared at firſt inflexible. Mafs, Death, or
• the Baftile,' faid the king one day to him in
a rage. Fear decided his conſcience. Theſe forced
converſions feldom laſt larger than the motive whiclı
produces them. Paris was not the only theatre of
this tragedy : the order for maſſacring the Cal-
vinifts having been fent all over the kingdom, was
executed in ſeveral places with the ſame fury. A
celebrated
6
108 EL EMENTS OF THE
1
celebrated hiſtorian reckons about fixty thouſand
Frenchmen who were murdered under pretence
of religion. At this day the names of ſome go-
vernors of provinces who courageouſly refuſed to
be the butchers of their citizens are bleſſed. A
thing almoſt as ſtrange as the maſſacre is, that the
king was not aſhamed of taking on himſelf all the
odium. He declared in a bed of juſtice, that it
had been done by his orders: he there'expoſed his
reaſons. The firſt preſident, Chriſtopher de
Thou, praiſes his prudence, ſuppoſing a conſpira-
cy formed againſt the royal houſe.
: The parliament blaſted the memory of Colig-
ny, giving the remainder of his corpfe to the
hangman, and ordering, that there ſhould be a
proceſſion every year to thank God for the deli-
verance of the kingdom. Their heated ſpirits
had not as yet reflected on the atrociouſneſs of .
this barbarity. It was celebrated at Rome and
in Spain by pompous panegyrics, and in France
by a medal, the inſcription of which was, Pietas
ar mavit juftitiam, Piety armed by juſtice. Hap-
pily we know in our days, that piety can never
be bloody, nor juſtice barbarous ; and we are not
afraid, by the example of a wiſe prelate, to paint
the maſſacre of Bartholomew as an execrable
action, which never had, nor we hope through
the mercy of God, ever will have its likeneſs.
Mr.Henault relates here a ſtory well worth remark-
ing : There were found in the papers of the ad-
miral, advices to th: king to take care in aſſigning
the apenage of his brothers, not to give them
too great authority. The queen-mother had this
article read before the duke of Alençon, the
youngeſt brother of Charles IX. who ſhe knew
was greatly afflicted at the death of Coligny.
• This was your good friend,' ſays ſhe to him,
• only think of the counſel which he gave to the
king
7
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
109
king 'I know not,' replied the duke, 'whe-
ther he had any ſtrong affection for me or not;
but this I know, that ſuch counſel could never
• be given by a mian who was not a faithful ſub-
ject to his majeſty, and truly zealous for the
"ſtate.' If this anecdote does fome honour to
admiral Coligny, nothing could better efface the
notion of his being tainted with rebellion : a great
man armed againſt the laws is always an ſcourge.
It is ſhocking to ſee a country torn to pieces
by thoſe who ought to place their glory.in its fup-
port: but what a dreadful leſſon does Providence
ſeem to give to the ambitious, in the perſons of
all thoſe heads of party, ſo diſtinguiſhed by their
rank or by their merit. They every one periſhed
through violence. Francis of Guiſe, Lewis of
Conde, and the admiral, were unworthily aflaffi-
nated; the conſtable of Montmorency, the king
of Navarre, Anthony of Bourbon, and the marſhal
of St. Andrew, were killed in civil war. Every
one of them endeavouring to.overthrow govern-
ment, tormented themſelves while living; and
by the ſame means ſunk themſelves down to the
tomb. The effect of St. Bartholomew was quite
contrary to what they had hoped. Inſtead of ex-
tirpating Calviniſm, it rendered its partizans more
furious. Experience has proved a hundred times,
that religious zeal is irritated by blocdy perſecu-
tions; and that they give it ſtrength by reducing
it to deſpair.
Charles 1X. determined to take again into his
own poſſeſſion thoſe places of ſafety which he
had given to the Calvinifts. They refuſed to re-
turn them; protefir:g, that after the treachery.
which they had experienced when all ſeemed
peace, they could not truſt to the court; and
that they had rather periſh in defence of their
religion and liberty, ihan by the hard of an exe-
cutioner
110
ELEMENTS OF THE
cutioner. Thus the maſſacre ſerved no other
purpoſe than to rekindle war. The duke of Anjou
loft near twenty-four thouſand men at the fiege of
Rochelle. This place ſupported itſelf under nine
grand aſſaults, and an infinite number of ſnjaller
attacks. · The women uſed their endeavours as
much as the men to repulſe the aſſailants. The
people of Rochelle at length obtained a capitula-
tion which left them maſters of the place ; in
which was comprehended Nifmes and Montaubon.
It was ftipulated, that the king ſhould put in go-
vernors, but without a garriſon; the citizens
having hitherto governed themſelves.
This memorable fiege was leſs aſtoniſhing than
that of the little city of Sancerre. Nevei, fince
the taking of Jeruſalem by the Romans, has ſuch
a reſiſtance been known: the beſieged, deſtitute
of all proviſions, eat every thing that was moſt
diſguſtful among animals, and were at length re-
duced to eat the bones and fleſh of the dead,
parchments, and ſome ſay, their own children.
This was not done by ſoldiers, of whom they had
very few; but citizens, artiſans, huſbandmen,
animated by an invincible fanaticiſm.. They
fubmitted, in a tolerable condition, after a long
ſiege.
The reputation of the duke of Anjou, and the
intrigues of Montluc, the biſhop of Valencia,
had made the former be elected king of Poland.
Charles IX. extremely jealous of his brother,
was raviſhed on this occaſion, at having him af
ſuch a diſtance from liim: the more he preſſed his
departure, the more the duke feared to quit
France, where he lioped very ſoon to reign; nie-
vertheleſs, he was cbliged to go. "The queen-
mother, who had for him a particular affe&ion,
took the care of his intereſt upon herlelf: ſhe al-
ways preſerved her authority, whatever deſire
the
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 111
çon arreſted.
the king had to free himſelf from the yoke. The
troubles of the ſtate kept him ſtill in dependance.
The taſte for fa&ion was again renewed; they
formed themſelves afreſh, under the name of
Malcontents, or Politics, which put religion out
of the queſtion : they talked only of reforming the
kingdom; and above all, of lowering the pride
of the Guiſes, whoſe power had now ſcarcely any
bounds. The duke of Alençon, the king's bro-
ther, of a turbulent mind, light and inconſide-
rate, put himſelf at the head of this cabal, which
was excited by Montmorency ; the Proteftants
entered into it. Thus, when the king of Navarre
and the prince of Conde were much diſcontented
with the court, a plot for raiſing theſe princes
was diſcovered. A number of lords were impri-
foried, and the king of Navarre and duke of Alen-
The fury of war was again be-
ginning in the provinces, when the king died of
a violent diſorder at twenty-four years of age,
without male heirs, after having declared Cathe-
rine of Medicis regent, until the return of the
king of Poland, his brother and ſucceſſor.
Charles IX. had eſtimable qualities, under-
ſtanding, judgment, activity, and courage ; and
perhaps he would have been a great king if nature
had not been depraved in him. The marſhal de
Retz, a Florentine, abuſed his favour by cor-
rupring him; and his mother inípired him with
that deteſtable policy which Machiavel had taught
in Italy, Born with a violent temper, he had
ftill hardened the natural fierceneſs of his ſoul,
by the cuſtom of hunting: deep diffimulation,
joined to the heighth of cruelty, made him ca-
pable of commanding the maffacre of St. Barthor
lomew; nevertheleſs, it muſt be faid, he loved
letters and cultivated pcetry. Daurat, Ronſard,
and Baif, were honoured by his good graces ;
änd
II2
ELEMENTS OF THE
..
and he made his preceptor, Amiot, (the tran-
ſlator of Plutarch) grand almoner; whoſe merit,
perhaps, would have been loft in indigence under
another reign. He is not the firſt example of a
bloody prince who has had a taſte for literature.
The fineneſs of the underſtanding does not change
the bent of the heart.; a thing much more fin-
gulàr is, that our beſt laws were enacted amidſt
fuch barbarities and diſorders : we are irdebted
for them to the chancellor of the hoſpital, who
does honour to reaſon and juſtice, ſays Mr. He-
nault, by thinking them more ſtrong than arnied
men; and that they would have imprinted the
knowledge of right in mens hearts, if they had
known how to value it. The ordinances made
by this great man are full of deep thinking ; they
wculd have eſtabliſhed peace and order in the moſt
ſolid manner, if the rage of faction would have
ſuffered itſelf to have been ſo happily bridled.
The year hitherto beginning on Eaſter-eve, a
cuſtom ſubject to many inconveniencies, this being
a moveable feaſt, the ordinance of Rouſillon in
1564 fixed the beginning of the year on the firſt.
of January. The parliament did not conſent to
this reformation till 1567; ſo much does cuſtom
fometimes prevail over reaſon. In order to form
an idea of the manners of the court, which ne-
ceſſarily has an influence over the whole nation,
we muſt unite together all kinds of diſorders car-
ried to the greateſt exceis ; fuperftition, atheiſm,
wickedneſs and debauchery, treachery and cruelty,
Catherine of Medicis liad great faith in judicial
aſtrology. Nothig was common than
witchcraft, by which they believed that they
ſhould defeat their enemies. Unforturately they
joined to it a means more efficacious, I mean
poiſon. All theſe plagues came principally from
İtaly. The reſtoration of letters, by refining
5
more
nens
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
113
mens minds, ſeemed to have diſcloſed theſe per-
nicious talents. Impiety on one ſide, and herefy
on the other, corrupted the happineſs of ſociety,
The greateſt part of the people were ignorant of
the true principles which ought to regulate the
conduct of each particular, and the government
of the ſtate. At the ſame time, the nobility were
in general ſo ignorant, that they were obliged to
ſend an expreſs for two gentlemen to converfe in
Latin with the Poliſh ambaſſadors: nevertheleſs,
Michael Montagne, a gentleman of Gaſcony,
equally diftinguiſhed for his wit and knowledge,
peaceably cultivated philoſophy. , 'The nervous
ſtile and manly thoughts of his eſſays, are ſtill ad-
mired; a uſeful work for the knowledge of the
human heart, but where religion and manners are
not always ſufficiently reſpected.
Under this reign ſomething happened in Ameri-
ca which is worth taking notice of : admiral Co-
ligny had ſent a colony to eſtabliſh itſell in Flori-
da, the Spaniards were not willing to have ſuch
neighbours, as if they had excluſive rights over
this immenſe hemiſphere: they ſurpriſed the
French, and maſſacred them all, though there
was no war at that time betwixt the two nations.
The court of Madrid approved this cruel piece ·
of injuſtice ; that of Paris could not, or would
not revenge it. A gentleman of Gaſcony, named
Dominick Gourgues, undertook to do it without
afliſtance: he fold his eſtate in 1567 ; he equip-
ped ſome ſhips, attacked the Spaniards, took from
them their forts, and hung up thoſe Spaniards who
fell into his hands; and finding a monument of
their expedition, where they boaſt of having ex-
tirpated the inhabitants of the former colony, not
as Frenchmen, but as Lutherans, Gourgues .
had the recital of his victory engraved on the
ſame monument, where he faid, he had thus
treated
I14 ELEMENTS OF THE
treated the Spaniards, not as Spaniards, but as
traitors, robbers, and murderers. Far from be:
ing recompenſed at his return, he ran the riſk of
his life. The Guiſes, managing for Philip II.
demanded a proſecution againſt him. Injuſtice
was not ſuffered to be carried fo very far. Eliza-
beth, who knew better how to employ merit,
offered this brave captain the command of an
Engliſh fleeț. He was preparing for his departure
when he died. Can we help obſerving how much
theſe wor:s, but as Lutherans,' delineate the
fpirit of an age where religion was a pretence for
the moſt monſtrous horrors!
· HENRY III.
IT
T is aſtoniſhing, that Henry III. in his twenty-
third
year ſhould aſcend the throne, after two
of his brothers, Francis II. and Charles IX. It
is ſtill more ſo, that this prince, who had acquired
a brilliant reputation when only duke of Anjou,
ſhould render himſelf ſo deſpicable when he be-
came king. Grief lad devoured himn in Poland
;
impatient of returning to his country, and foreſee-
ing that the Polonele would put an obſtacle to
his return, he fled from them at night; like a
captive who breaks from his chains. The empe-
tor, the Venetians, and the wifeſt among the
French, in vain adviſed him to endeavour to ma-
nage the · Calviniſts, and
and once more eſtabliſh
calmneſs in a kingdom which had been agitated
by factions and murders. He at once declared
himſelf for vigour, as he had done at the time of
the
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
115
the maſſacre ; but it was not long before he had
cauſe to repent it. The little city of Livron,
which he endeavoured to take by force, 'reſiſted
him with inſult. • Approach, aſſaſſins,' cried
they from the top of the walls, you will not find
us aſleep as ġou did the admiral. In the begin-
ning of his reign, he ſhewed himſelf what he
was, an enemy to buſineſs, giving himſelf feri-
ouſly up to lightneſs and trifles, employing him-
ſelf with ſome young lords his minions in the moſt
infamous debauches, and increaſing the ſcandal of
his manners by the grimace of devotion. What
could one think of a king, who, covered with the
moſt abominable vices, affected to go in proceffion
with a ſack over his ſhoulders, among the commu-
nity of penitents, and to diſtinguith himſelf by
thoſe practices fo little known in France before his
time?
The duke of Alençon, to whom he had given
liberty, as well as to the king of Navarre, con-
fpired againſt his life. Henry pardoned liim,
being his brother. Afterwards, on feine freſh
ſuſpicions, he conjured the king of Navarre to
kill him, telling him, that he would, by this crime
become preſumptive heir to the crown; but he
was incapable of ſo black a deed, and refuſed to
lend a hand towards it, The common diſcontent
· united theſe two princes, though often quarrelling
through a natural antipathy, and diſputes on in-
trigues of gallantry. The duke of Alençon fled
from the court. The confederacy of the Politics
and the Proteſtants acquired new force, by having
the king's brother at their head. He was very
foon followed by the king of Navarre, who, by
the example of the prince of Conde, retracted
the abjuration which had been forced from him
under the late reign. The maſſacre of St. Bar-
tholomew had not made any real good Catholics.
The
116 ELEMENTS OF THE
The German troops had already come to the
aſſiſtance of the confederates. The French
found the neceflity of making peace ; and it was
not now a time that they could do it with honour,
ſo that they were obliged to make ſuch as the fac-
tion exacted from them. The greateſt advantages
were gained to the Calviniſts by the pacific edict ;
entire liberty of conſcience, and public exer-
ciſe of ilie pretended reformed religion (theſe were
the terms of the edi&t). A-court of Juſtice was
forined, wherć cre l'alf were Catholics, and the
other Proteſtants, in il:e eight parliaments of the
kingdor * The memory of the adıniral reinſtated
the chiefs of the confederacy, acknowledged for
gocd ard failful ſubjects. The aperage of the
duke of Alcuçon was increaſed, who, from that
time, became duke of Anjou : ard, to fill up the
meaſure of their diſgrace, they bought the depar-
ture of the Germans, who had been given to them
as hoſtages, and who were ſuffered with impu-
nity to pillage the provinces as they retired to their
own country. Theſe were the conſequences of the
maſſacre of St. Bartholomew, to which Henry III.
had not a little contributed. Never did hereſy appear
ſo triumphant, nor government ſo debaſed.
* From the time that the parliament had been
fixed at Paris, and they had been convinced of the
neceſſity of laws, and the advantage of tribunals to
diſtribute juſtice, one parliament only could not take
in every province; ſo that they afterwards ſucceſſive-
ly eſtablished ſeveral others : that of Toulouſe was
created by Philip the Handſome, and many more by
different kings. Their wiſdom fometimes failed them
in commotions ; but their eſtabliſhment, as is obo
ſerved by Løiſeau, ſaved the kingdom from being
torn to pieces, and has maintained it entire : Laws
are the firmett ramparts of a ſtate,
The
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 119
The indignation and zeal of the Catholics pro-
duced a ftill more fatal evil: the holy league took
birth, for ſo they ſtiled that dangerous confederacy,
the pretended motive of which was, the defence
of the church, the king and the ſtate ; but whoſe
principal deſign was, to overturn government,
affaffinate the king, and diſhonour the church.
The cardinal of Lorrain dying in 1574, was ſaid
to have given the rough draught of this plan ; a
work worthy of his exceſſive ambition. The Hu-
gonots, animated by a republican ſpirit, had
formed the like enterpriſes againſt ſovereign autho-
rity: Thoſe of the Catholics became in fome de-
gree a general revolt. In an article of aſſociation,
which is recorded by an authentic author, it is
faid, that for common defence they proceeded,
whether by the voice of juſtice or arms, without
exception of any one perſon: the form of addreſs
to Picardy, or the league, took place; the ſub-
ſtance of which was, that whoever ſhould refuſe
to enter into it, ſhould be reputed an enemy to
God, a deſerter of his religion, a rebel to his king,
a traitor and betrayer of his country ; ſhould be
abandoned by every body, and expoſed to all the
injuries and oppreſſions which could be offered him.
Henry of Guiſe, ſirnamed the Gaſhed, becauſe
of a wound he had received in the face, in fight-
ing with the Calviniſts, ſtrongly animated the
cabal, without as yet appearing at the head of it.
It made a rapid progreſs; the religioniſts were in-
fulted in ſeveral places, and the court, notwith-
ſtanding the edict of pacification, could ſcarcely
think of reſtraining theſe violences. Not being
able to counterbalance one ſide againſt the other,
they openly declared to the ſtates of Blois, againſt
thoſe whom they hoped to find the eaſieſt over-
powered, and revoked the edi&t which was grant-
ed to the Proteſtants. A ſmall matter was fuffi-!
cient
118 ELEMENTS OF THE
cient to furniſh a new pretence for war : the king,
by an inconceivable policy, authoriſed the league,
declaring himſelf the chief; he took the head of
a faction formed againſt himſelf. Such was the
fruit of the ſtates of Blois ; civil war, without
the aſſiſtance of money to ſupport themſelves
againſt it. They had ſcarce taken to arms before
the king deſired a peacé. A new edict of pacifi-
cation confirmed the former one in ſeveral points ;
and new places of ſafety were allotted for the
Calviniſts.
In this ſhort interval of tranquillity, Henry
III. inſtituted the order of the Holy Ghoſt, that
of St. Michael being fallen into fuch diſgrace,
that it was ſtiled the Collar of all Beaſts. The
Catholics only could be admitted into the new
order. It was a bait to draw in the Proteſtants ;
but the king, deſpiſed by the former, becauſe of
his fcandalous conduct, and deteſted by the latter,
as one of the authors of the maſſacre of St. Bara
tholomew, could fall upon no method of recalling
the affections of his people, and re-eſtabliſhing his
authority. . He laviſhed every thing for his own
luxury and that of his minions. He was in want
of all that was neceſſary for the ſupport of the
ſtate. Both parties ſaw in his perſon a weak de-
bauched prince, and a deſpicable hypocrite; and
both ſides braved him in their turns.
As the court was ſeldom faithful in its engage-
ments, the king of Navarre thought no more.of
them; he renewed the war, and acquired great
reputation at the ſiege of Cahors. On the other
fide, the duke of Anjou, (formerly the duke of
Alençon) whole huurnour could not ſuit itſelf with
that of Heary his brother, fled privately away,
and endeavoured to make an advantage to himſelf
of the troubles in the Low Countries, where the
Spaniſh dominion daily declined. All the blood
which
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
119
which had been fpilt by the orders of Philip II.
ſerved only to inflame the peoples hatred againſt
him, and that of the Proteſtants againſt the church.
The prince of Orange, whom he had proſcribed,
and whoſe head he had put up at a certain price,
at length determined the ſtates folemnly to declare
to him, that he had loſt the principality, having
violated, the privileges of the people, contrary to
his oath: for this..cauſe, added the proclamation,
the ſtates, following the permiſſion which king
Philip himſelf gave them when he was acknow-
ledged prince of Flanders, and being free and diſ-
engaged from the obedience which they then ſwcre
to him, chuſe for their prince, of their own will,
from their own good judgment, Francis of Valois,
duke of Alençon, brother to the king of France.
The king approved the election ; but notwith-
ſtanding the genius, and prudence of the duke of
Anjou, he was not able to ſupport his authority,
Diffatisfied that the United Provinces put any re-
ftraint on him, and jealous of the prince of Orange,
who had taken upon himſelf the place of abſolute
maſter, he endeavoured to ravage, the principal
cities. This enterpriſe ruined his affairs ; the
citizens of Anvers, repulſed the French, and made
a great carnage.
This unfortunate prince was
obliged to return into France, having loft, by his
fault, a ſtate where he might have been happy,
had he ſhewn any reſpect for national liberty. He
flattered himſelf with marrying the queen of Eng-
land, from whom he had received a ring, as a
pledge of her faith. It was the cuſtom of Eliz-
abeth, to encourage the hope of princes who
were defirous of reigning with her. She cheated
the duke of Anjou as ſhe liad many others; a prey
to chagrin, he died in 1584. The prince of
Orange having been aſſaſſinated by a fanatic, the
new republic offered to acknowledge the king for
ſovereign.
120
ELEMENTS OF THE
ſovereign. An offer ſo advantageous was not ac-
cepted. Under a weak government, all oppor-
tunities are loſt without being made any uſe of.
It now appeared, that the holy league, coloured
with an appearance of zeal, was in reality nothing
more than a conſpiracy of the principal chiefs
againſt the royal authority, and the fundamental
laws of the kingdom. The death of the duke of
Anjou diſcloſed the true deſign of thoſe who were
engaged in it. The king of Navarre being now
looked on as preſumptive heir to the crown, they
affected more than ever to groan for the dangers
of the church ; for the certain triumphs of hereſy,
in cafe an heretical prince ſhould ſucceed. Henry
himſelf was not ſpared in their invectives. The
pecuniary edi&ts with which he had loaded the peo-
ple, his prodigality to unworthy favourites, his
monſtrous debauches, his cabals, his frequent
proceſſions, the ſack with which he covered him-
ſelf, his diſcipline, and the rofary which he wore
at his girdle, furniſhed ample matter for ſatire.
In order to make him the more ridiculous, they
painted him as a favourer of hereſy, a ſecret friend
of the king of Navarre, and declared protector of
the Genevans and religious Flemings. The grea eft
part of the ecclefiaftics and monks, tranſported by
å blind zeal, blew up the fire of rebellion. They
eaſily drew after thein a credulous and eccleſiaſtic
people. The duke of Guiſe ſet every ſpring to
work with as much prudence as activity. A Jeſuit
of Lorrain, named Matthews, was one of his
principal agents; he was ſtiled the Courier of the
League : Gregory XIII. whom he was commif-
fioned to confult with in a caſe of conſcience,
whether the motive for ſupporting the Catholic
religion was ſufficient to diſpenſe with the obedience
due to the ſovereign, decided verbally, contrary
to the ancient maximis of Rome, that war in this
caſe
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
I 21
cafe was permitted againſt the king. The ſcru-
ples of tender conſciences being lulled by this re-
ply, they had nothing to do but with one voice to
cry out for arms.
The fanatic ambition of Henry
of Guiſe aſpired to the throne ; but he knew how
to caſt a veil over his deſigns. He perſuaded the
cardinal of Bourbon, uncle to the king of Navarre,
that his nephew, being a heretic, was incapable.
of reigning ; that he, therefore, ought to look on
himſelf as heir to the crown. This old ſimple
prelate eaſily imbibed the prejudices of dominion ;
he ſuffered himſelf to be dazzled by a chimerical
hope, which not a little redoubled the ardour of
his zeal. All on a ſudden, a manifeſto appeared,
in which he was declared the chief of the league,
expoſing the intentions of the leaguers. The
names of the pope, of the emperor, of the king
of Spain, and almoſt all the catholic fovereigns,
ſupported this declaration ; which declared. That
the whole confederacy had united in an oath of
keeping a ſtrong and armed hand, until ſuch time
as the church was re-eſtabliſhed in its dignity, the
Catholic religion ſupported, the people ſatisfied,
and the new taxes abcliſhed, &c. After this
ſignal of war, the people of the league very foon
took the field : Henry, though in a cordition to
diſſolve them, was ſatisfied to make his apology ;
he invised the king of Navarre to change his reli-
gion, and to ſecond him in their common intereſt:
The king replied, That he muſt firſt be convinced
of the error of his own religion; that he was not
obftinate in that article ; but that he muſt wait
the convi&tion of his conſcience.
The court had neither prudence nor courage.
Catherine of Medicis, whether through affea on
for the league, or whether from a deſire of tein-
poriſing, increaſed the terror of the king. Tlicy
made at Nemours, a treaty of peace very ad-
treaty
VOL. II.
vantageous
I 22
ELEMENTS OF THE
vantageous to the leaguers, and very likely to
make the Proteſtants rebel. They deſpoiled the
latter of all that had been given them; they gave
to the former all that rebels could wiſh for, in
order entirely to deſtroy the royal power. The
cardinal of Bourbon, and the princes of the houſe
of Guiſe, obtained guards, cities of ſafety, money,
and an authentic approbation of all that they had
done againſt the ſtate.
Meanwhile the league loſt its credit at Rome.
Sextus V. that fierce and enterpriſing pope, the
ſon of a huſbandman, bred in a cloiſter, foreſee-
ing, through the force of pontifical artifice, the
danger of this cabal, looked on them as undermin-
ing the religion of the kingdom. Though he
ſpoke of them with contempt, he nevertheleſs
furniſhed them with arms, publiſhing a famous
bull, by which he excommunicated the king of
Navarre and the prince of Conde, as relapſed
heretics, enemies of God and the church; calling
them a baſtard generation, and deteſtable to the
illuſtrious houſe of Bourbon ; declaring them de-
prived of all their rights, incapable of ſucceeding
to ſovereignty, and diſpenſing the ſubjects of the
king of Navarre from their oath. The parlia-
ment, diſpleaſed at this attempt, made it matter
of the ſtrongeſt remonftrances : a counſellor was
adviſed to burn this injurious bull. The two princes
called together a free council. The king of Na-
varre, in his proteſtation, gave the lie to Sextus
V. and added, That if the former kings and
princes, his anceſtors, were capable of chaſtiſing
the temerity of ſuch gallants as he the pretended
pope Sextus, when they forgot their duty, and
paſſed the bounds of their vocation, by confound-
ing temporal and ſpiritual things together, he hop-
ed that himſelf, who was nothing inferior to them,
ſhould, through the mercy of God, be able to
revenge
HISTORY OF FRANC E. 123
revenge the injury done to his king, to his houſe, to
his blood, and to all the courts of parliament of
France, &c. He had the courage to aflix this
placart in Romé itſelf.
The pope admired his
firmneſs : but the leaguers prevailed for the bull.
It was their intereſt to appear to attack only the
enemies of the church. Their cauſe thus became,
in the eyes of the people, the cauſe of religion,
Henry II. was forced to raiſe troops againſt the
king of Navarre and the Calviniſts. War tore the
provinces to 'pieces without producing any great
event. They were in want of reſources; and the
parliament rejected the pecuniary edicts, by which
the exhauſted French had already been made too
miſerable.' Catherine of Medicis ftill attempted
negociation : ſhe had a conference at Saintonge
with the king of Navarre; ſhe had taken with her
fome gallant women of the court ; a means of
ſeduction which had often fucceeded with him.
The prince ſeeing them, ſaid to the queen,
6. There is nothing of this that will do.'." What
then,' replied ſhe, have I taken uſeleſs pains ?
I, whoſe ſole deſire is repoſe and quiet.'
. Ma-
• dam,' replied the king, - I have nothing to an-
• ſwer for on that account : it'is not my fault that.
you do not fleep quietly in bed; but you prevent
' me from ſleeping in mine. The trouble that
you take pleaſes and nouriſhes you; repoſe is the
greateſt enemy of your life. The duke of
Nevers repreſented to him, that he had not the
power of raiſing a tax in Rochelle. He fiercely
replied, 'I do at Rochelle all that I deſire,, be-
cauſe I deſirë to do nothing but what l'ought.
This ſpeech may give us a high idea of Henry
IV: We Tall thus develope him, until, according
to the remark of M. de Voltaire, that name, ſo
celebrated, is become his proper name. As he
perſiſted in not abjuring Calviniſm, purely from a
motive
G 2
124
ELEMENTS OF THE
motive of intereſt, a conference ſuſpended hoſtili-
ties for ſome time.
A frightful event increaſed the hatred of the
Catholics againſt the religioniſts, and completed
an unheard of explanation of government. Mary
Stuart, queen of Scots, after the death of her
huſband, Francis II. bad retired to her own do-
minion. Elizabeth, who faw in her a dangerous
rival, diligently fomented a rebellion among the
Scotch proteſtants, more furious than any other,
becauſe they were more fanatic. The weakneſſes
of their queen, (for it is difficult, perhaps, fully
to juſtify her from gallantry) when we weigh the
teſtimonies for and againſt theſe foibles, might, it
is probable, be a circumſtance to irritate their
fanatics, and make them drive her from her king-
dom. . In the year 1568, ſhe ſought an aſylum
with her enemy, Elizabeth, leſs generous than
politic, who kept her in priſon ten years, and with an
inexcuſable cruelty, at laſt cut off her head, un-
der pretence of; inſurrections which ſhe had occa-
fioned in the kingdom. It is certain, that the
Catholics had formed ſome conſpiracies againſt
Elizabeth ; but what right could the queen of
England have over the life of the queen of Scots ?
This laſt met her death with a truly Chriſtian
heroiſm.
Henry III. could neither revenge his brother's
widow, nor the rights of his royalty : he had
every thing to fear for himſelf.
There was a new
faction ſprung up at this time infinitely dangerous,
called the League of Sixteen ; thus named, be-
cauſe they who compoſed it, were diſtributed
through the ſixteen quarters of Paris. It exiſted
two years, ſtraitly united in a grand confederacy,
and formed the deſign, not only of ſubjecting the
king, but what was ſtill more, of dethroning him.
After having been advertiſed of this plot, he was
neither
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
125
neither more aĉive’nor more quickſighted. The
leaders, whom he with reaſon looked on as his
mortal enemies, obliged him to continue a war
againſt the preſumptive heir of the crown: he
confided the command of the army to the duke of
Joyeuſe, one of his favourites, whoſe brilliant
qualities gilded over the vices which he poſſeſſed
in common with the court. This lord was de-
feated by Henry IV. at the battle of Coutras.
The difference of the armies ſeemed to foretel the
event of their conqueſt: the one, full of young
nobility, brave and impetuous; but without dif-
cipline, ſoftened by luxury, covered with gilded
armour and magnificent accoutrements: the other,
compoſed of true warriors, ſimply clad, hardened
by fatigue, and who thought of ſhining only by
their exploits. Before the battle, Henry ſaid to
the princes of Conde and Soiſſon, - Remember
S that you are of the blood of Bourbon
and as
• God lives, I will ſhew you to-day, that I am
your elder :'. And we,' replied they,' will
I make you confeſs that you have good juniors."
In leſs than an hour the victory was decided.
Never had the king of Navarre ſhewn ſo much
conduct, or ſo much valour; he diſtinguiſhed
himſelf ſtill more by his moderation, taking care
of the wounded, ſending back the priſoners with-
out ranſom, and appearing as worthy of love as
the league had repreſented him deſerving of hatred :
he rendered funeral honours to the duke of Joyeuſe,
who had been killed in cold blood after the battle.
Theſe kind of murders, the crimes of fanaticiſm,
diſhonoured each party in their turn. The duke
of Guiſe, on the other ſide, ſignalized himſelfagainſt
the Germans, who came to the ſuccour of the
Hugonots: their army conſiſted of eight thouſand
Reitres, and of five thouſand Lanſquenets, 10
whom they had joined ſixteen thouſand Swiſs.
The
G 3
I 26 ELEMENTS O-F THE
6
}
The Gerinan. cavalry..were called Reitres, and
the infantry Lanſquenets. This genereral, in the
end, endeavoured to diſſipate them. The enthu-
ſiaſm and inſolence of the leaders now redoubled
;
all Paris raiſed their idol to the clouds , the pul-
pits reſounded with his praiſes, and the preachers
affected to lower the king, by crying up the duke.
Theſe words, which they repeated with enthuſi-
aſm, Saul killed his thouſands, but David his
ten thouſands,' became the univerfal voice of
the populace; their minds were ſo ſtrangely
faſcinated, that the Sorbonne decided, in a ſecret
aſſembly, that it was in their power to take the
government out of the hands of a prince whom
they found not capable of governing, as they
would the adminiſtration from a guardian whom
they had reaſon to ſuſpect: a maxim dictated by
the ſixteen, and which they pretended to put in
practice. The death of the prince of Conde,
poiſoned at St. John of Angeli, increaſed their
confidence ; their proceeding with.impunity?..was,
a proof how much they were to be feared.
Meanwhile, the duke of Guiſe conſtantly em-
ployed his mind on great deſigns. While the king
remained buried in a ſtupid lethargy, the duke
aſſembled at Nancie the chiefs of the league, and
the princes of his houſe. They contrived among
them to make new demands on Henry; they ſent
him a memorial, begging' him to baniſh from court
thoſe ſuſpected people, whom they ſhould name
to him ; to publiſh the council of Trent ; to re-
eſtabliſh the tribunal of the inquiſition in the prin-
cipal cities, and commit the exerciſe of them to
ſtrangers rather than to Frenchmen, &c. Theſe
Taſt demands filled up the meaſure of rebellion.
The king diſſembled, reſolving to make an exam-
ple of the ſixteen. With this deſign, he affem-
bled ſome troops, and ſent an order to the duke of
Guiſe,
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
127
Guiſe, who was then at Soiſſons, forbidding him
to return to Paris. He would have given twenty-
five crowns to a courier to have carried this letter ;
but none was to be found, and it was ſent by the
poft. At the moment that they were waiting the
event, the duke of Guiſe arrived. He preſented
himſelf to the king, ſwearing that he had received
no orders to the contrary. Two days afterwards,
HenryIV. entered with the Swiſs to ſecure the city.
The ſeditious citizens took to arms, forming a
barricade to the Louvre, ſurrounding, or diſarm-
ing the foldiers ; the king filed, and abandoned his
capital to the rebel duke, who would undoubtedly
have ſeized on his perſon, if he had not appre-
hended making himſelf too odious by ſuch vio-
lence. The Pariſians adored him; Paris and the
Baſtile were at his diſpoſal; and he had very ſoon
re-eſtabliſhed order throughout. Achilles of Har-
lai, firſt preſident of the council, whom he viſited,
more enraged than-affrighted at his triumph, ſaid
to him, It is great pity when the ſervant drives
! out the maſter : there remains nothing more for
me than to give my ſoul to God, my heart to
my king, and leave my body in the hands of the
. wicked, who may do with it whatſoever they
6 will.' Thus this illuſtrious magiſtrate, by his
fidelity and virtue, raiſed himſelf far ſuperior to
the criminal hero.
The greateſt part of the members of parlia-
ment partook the ſentiments of their chief. There
remained now ſcarcely any other reſource. The
Pariſians very ſoon bluſhed at their exceſs, and
ſent a deputation to the monarch, demanding par-
don, and the parliament ſolicited mercy of the
people. Henry at firſt behaved with ſufficient
firmneſs ; but he afterwards, according to cuſtom,
granted to the rebels all they could with. The
edict of re-union, ſigned at Rouen, ſays, “That
the
G.4
128 ELEMENTS OF THE
6
6
the king ſwore to extirpate hereſy out of his
kingdom, and never to make either peace or
trụce with the Heretics, nor paſs one ediet in
their favour ; and that all his ſubjects ſhould
ſwear, not to receive, after his death, as king,
either an heretical prince, or favourer of the
Heretics : that all places ſhould be given to Ca-
- tholics : that his ſubjects ſhould break off all
intelligence, leagues, and aſſociations, either
(without doors or within : that a general pardon
• ſhould be paſſed ; and in particular for the Day
of the Barricades, fuppoſing all
was done
• through zeal for religion, &c. the only article
advantageous to the king. The ſurrender of the
Baſtile was never executed; others, in ſome de-
gree, delivered themſelves to the diſcretion of the
fa&tions. The more pliant government was in
theſe ſtorms, the more the chiefs of party took
advantage of circumſtances:
The prodigious armament of Philip II, to which
they gave the name of Invincible Fleet, perhaps
deteſmined the court to yield in ſo ſhameful a
manner. This fleet, compoſed of one hundred
and fifty large veſſels, where the maſter of Peru
had employed all his ſtrength, with a deſign of
dethroning Elizabeth, ſeemed to threaten France
as well as England; but it was beaten by the winds
and by the Engliſh, in ſuch a manner, that the
undertaking abſolutely produced nothing. The
king, aſhamed of the abaſement to which he had
been reduced by the leaguers, at length reſolved
to make uſe of ſome authority. Thoſe who had
adviſed him to mildneſs and reconciliation, loſt
his confidence ; the queen-mother in particulari,
who, indifferent to all parties, facrificed every
thing to the ambition of governing. The States
General were aſſembled at Blois ; they made
new demands, ſuch as were ſtill more aggravating;
they
HISTORY OF FRANCE. .
129
they inſiſted that he ſhould exclude the crown
from the king of Navarre by name, who was al-
ready excluded, in quality of Heretic, by the
treaty of Rouen : they propoſed anew the publi-
cation of the council of Trent; an infallible
means by which the duke of Guiſe attached him-
ſelf to the court of Rome. This propoſal excited
violent diſputes on the ſubje& of the liberties of
the Gallic church. Some prelates dared to repre-
ſent thoſe liberties as chimeras invented againſt the
authority of the Holy See ; but the advocate-
general of the court of judicature defended them isz
good French, as an ancient common right, which
France had been happy enough to preſerve.
The marquiſate of Saluces being invaded, under
pretence of zeal, by the duke of Savoy, who was
believed to hold intelligence with Henry of Guiſe ;
the deſigns of this laſt mentioned prince, whoſe end
evidently appeared to be dethroning the mo-
narch, the inſoleriće of the ſixteen, who were all
devoted to him, and who held the reins of domi-
nion in the third ſtate ; reſentment, choler, fear,
all determined Henry to put to death the head of
a party already grown ſo.powerful, that he obf-
cured, by his great qualities, almoſt all the princes
of his time. It was not a panic terrosy, ſays
Mr. Henault, but the fear of enterpriſes, which
• he had formed. He found himſelf in like cir-
• cumſtances to thoſe from which Pepin had pro-
• fited. Henry III. was not unlike the laſt kings
of the laſt race; and the pretence of religion
• had raiſed up popes of the ſame humour as
· Zachary.'
It appeared impoſſible, in ſuch circumſtances, to
proſecute a duke, whole power in the kingdom
was prodigious. An aſſaſſination was the moſt
ſure way, and they gave themſelves little concern
about its being the moſt odious. The king pro-
poſed
G 5
130
ELEMENTS OF THE
poſed this office to the brave Crillon : Crillon re-
plied, That he would undertake to kill this hero
in ſingle combat ; but that the office of an excuti-
oner was not at all ſuitable to him. The murderers
were then choſen among the guards known by the
name of the Forty-five. Henry diſtributing their
poignards to them, ſaid, ' It is an act of juſtice
that I command you to perform on the moſt cri-
• minal man in my kingdom : laws both human
and divine permit me to puniſh him ; but I can-
not do it, according to the common courle of
• juſtice ; I therefore aui horiſe you to it, by the
right of my royal power.' The duke of Ġuiſe
received advice from ſeveral different places, that
miſchief was plotting againſt him. A billet,
which he found under his napkin at dinner, de-
nounced his approaching cataſtrophe. He wrote on
this billet with a pencil, “ They dare not ;' and
threw it under the table. His intrepidity was his
ruin. The ſatellites wounded him evert in the
chamber with the king : they killed him with
many wounds. The next day they aſſaſſinated the
cardinal of Guiſe, his brother, a man as violent
as the duke was careful and circumſpect in his
ſteps. This famous author of the holy league,
who had always religion in his mouth, was ſo
little a Chriſtian in his manners, that he could
ſcarcely diſſemble his libertiniſm ; and was once
carried ſo far, as to challenge the third brother of
the duke of Mayenne to fight a duel, on account
of jealouſy for his miſtreſs. After theſe two great
men were aſſaſſinated, their corpſes were burnt,
and their cinders ſcattered in the air, for fear that
it ſhould be an cbject of fanaticiſm:to the people;
and that they ſhould render to their pretended re-
liets the ſame worſhip as they did to martyrs.
Inſtead of flying to Paris with his troops, and
taking advantage of the firſt conſternation which
the
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 135
the leaguers were thrown into the king fell back
into his general indolence : he took no meaſure,
nor gave any one order to prevent ſeditions. Very
ſoon all Paris was in a flame
;
the ſixteen aband-
oned themſelves to the laſt exceſs: their preachers
changed Chriſtian morality into maxims of rebel-,
lion and vengeance : fome of them exacted from
their audience an oath to revenge the maſſacred
princes. The Sorbonne declared the ſubjects of
France delivered from their obligations towards
their ſovereign. Three core and ten doctors fign-
ed this decree, and they gave it as the unanimous
opinion of the body, though there were
ſome opponents among the elders. Confeflion
ſerved to inſpire this crime, by making it be looked
on as a means of abſolution by the greateſt part of
the church. Some there were who had imbibed
the ſentiments of rebellion.
When the miniſters of religion forget them-
felves in this manner, others have no reſtraint.
Buſli'le Clerc, a procurator, to whom the duke of
Guife had confided the care of the Baſtile, as to
the moſt furious of the ſixteen, thewed himſelf at
the palace, followed by a trocp of fatellites. He
preſented a requeſt to the parliament, conformable
to the decree of the Sorbonne, that the ſubjects
were free from their oath of fidelity. Not find
ing this company in the dispofition to grant what
he exacted, he. ordered the firſt preſident, and
ſome others, to follow him. All the parliament
roſe, following Achilles of Harlai ; le forced
them into the Baſtile, and formed a new parlia-
ment, composed of magiftrates the Icaſt ſuſpected
by the leaguers. The requeſt of Bufli le Clerc
was paſſed, the league confirmed, and a reſolution
taken by oath, to revenge the death of the duke
and the cardinal of Guiſe, againſt all thoſe who
had been the authors or accomplices of that affaf-
ſination.
132
ELEMENTS OF THE
ſination. Againſt this multitude of attempts the
king oppoſed nothing but manifeſtos and apologies.
He loſt his mother Catherine of Medicis, who for
fifty years had, by her ambitious genius and poli-
tic perfidy, fomented every faction which ſerved .
to ſupport her own authority. Though the had
always hated the king of Navarre, ſhe recommend-
ed it to her ſon, with her dying breath, to recon-
cile himſelf with him ; and added, that he could
no otherwiſe re-eſtabliſh peace in the kingdom,
than by granting liberty of conſcience. The Ger-
man princes, and ſeveral other ſovereigns of his
age, having never been able by arms to pacify the
troubles cauſed by religion, neceſſity gave weight
to this double council, founded on palpable ex-
perience.
A new chief had filled up the place of the duke
of Guiſe. It was the duke of Mayenne, leſs
lively, leſs daring ; but in all other things a wor-
thy ſucceſſor of his brother. He had been at
Lyons during the time that the ſtates were held at
Blois. Henry III. having not ſecured his perſon
by force, vainly endeavoured to gain it by negoci-
ations. We may well imagine, that the murder
of his brothers excited his hatred, and authoriſed
his refuſal. The leaguers and their parliament
(the king having transferred the parliament of
Paris to Tours) declared him lieutenant-general of
the crown of France. They made him king un-
der another name ; for they ſuppoſed the throne
vacant, and that they could not do better than fill
it by him. A number of conſiderable cities ſtrong-
lý embraced the ſide of the duke, and there re-
mained only with the king ſome provir.ces held by
the authority of the governors. In theſe fatal
circumſtances, he at length treated with Henry
IV. whom he had forced to be his enemy. This
great prince, in ſpite of the terrors of his court,
heſitated
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
133
heſitated not to put himſelf into the hands of the
monarch. It was a very hazardous ſtep, after ſo
many examples of perfidy ; but the confidence of
a hero, eſpecially excited by the public good,
carried him above all perſonal conſiderations. The
two kings tenderly embraced each other, and
cloſely united againſt the league.
We ſhall paſs over all unneceſſary details; ne-
vertheleſs I cannot help taking notice of one par-
ticular circumſtance, which can never be too
much imprinted in the memory of man. La
Noue, a gentleman of Britanny, the glory of the
Proteſtants, and even admired by the Catholics
themſelves (ſo much does virtue gain the aſcen-
dant over all hearts) came readily to ſuccour
Senlis, which the army of the ſixteen had taken.
Ammunition was wanted there; it was all ready,
but the traders refuſed to deliver it without money
or ſome certain pledge. La Noue addreſſed him-
felf to the farmers of the revenue, who had en-
riched themſelves in the ſervice of the king;
but not one of them opened their purſes. Full
of indignation at their" avaricious ingratitude,
• It is very well,' ſaid he, “I will myſelf then
take upon me this expence. Let him keep his
money who eſteems it more than his honour :
« while I have a drop of blood, or an inch of
earth, I will employ them both for the deſence
of my country. Immediately he engaged his
eſtates to the tradeſmen, flew to the ſuccour of
Senlis, defeated the leaguers, and ſaved the
place.
The union of the two kings was a ſubject of
alarm to the Romiſh court. Though Sextus V.
had no regard for the league, he favoured it out
of policy. The maſſacre of the duke of Guiſe
had appeared to him an act of neceſſary juſtice ;
but that of a cardinal, and the impriſonment of
ſome
134
ELEMENTS OF THE
ſome prelates, were crying attempts againſt the
church and the Holy See. In vain the king de-
manded abſolution, without having been anathe-
matiſed. This auſtere pope, who had the ambi-
tion of governing ſovereigns, ſeeing him leagued
with an heretical prince, fulminated againſt him
monitory letters, by which he ordered him to ſet
the cardinal of Bourbon at liberty, and cited him
to appear before him in ſixty days, either in per-
ſon or by proxy, declaring him excommunicated
by virtue of the bull in Cæna Domini, if he did
not inform the Holy See in an authentic manner
of his obedience in the ſpace of thirty days. "This
bull in Cæna Domini, publiſhed in 1568 by Pius
V. which had been always rejected in France and
in ſome other ſtates, but had been conſtantly
read in Rome on Holy Thurſday, was a principal
obje&t for the immunities of the church, and for
excommunicating princes who exacted from eccle-
fiaftics any contributions which they were un-
willing to grant. The numerous excommunica-
tions which it made, were all reſerved for the
pope. It paſſed that cenſure on ſome who were
cailed to the future councils of his decrees or ſen-
tences, and ſome who were ſubmitted to general
council. All France was put under interdiction by
virtue of this bull. · One cannot conceive the uſe
of renewing what had been ſo long diſuſed. But
how inuch inconceivably does abufe take root by
cuſtom in all parts of the world! the timid king
was ſtruck with confternation at the monitory from
Rome; and Henry (V. had a great deal of trou-
ble to encourage him : " Let us vanquiſh,' ſaid
he, “and we ſhall have abſolution ; but if we are
beaten, we ſhall be excommunicated with ag-
gravations and re-aggravations. In effect, the
cardinal of Joyeute had written from Rome, that
they ſhould give or refuſe abſolution according to
the
6
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
135
the fate of their arms. He beſieged Paris, and
ſtifled the league by his ſtrength. An aid of
fixteen thouſand Swiſs, whom Sanci, maſter of
the requeſts, obtained without money, by a pro-
digy of zeal and knowledge, put the royal army
in a condition to form this enterpriſe. The king
took St. Cloud on the twenty-ninth of July. It
was there that fanaticiſm made its ſacrifice. A
young Dominican prieſt, named James Clement,
his head, heated by the declaration of the
preachers, by the current doctrine of regicide,
and by the daily diſcourſes of enthuſiaſts, thought
himſelf inſpired to deliver the kingdom from a
tyrant ; for they gave no other name to Henry III.
Bourgoin, his prior, confirmed him in bis refolu-
tion. There is reaſon to believe that people of
the firſt rank had been the inſtigators of this delu-
ſion, and the dutcheſs of Montpenſier, ſiſter to
the duke of Guiſe, was particularly ſuſpected.
A number of paſſports and letters of credit, which
Clement received from St. Cloud, were preſent-
ed by him to the king, under pretence of having
eſſential things to ſay to him. In cold blood, like
a villain, he plunged his dagger into his heart.
Henry III. died the next day in the arms of the
king of Navarre, whom he called his brother and
ſucceſſor. The race of Valois being extinct,
the crown belonged to him as firſt prince of the
blood. If the religious parricide had not been
killed upon the ſpot, they would, without doubt,
have forced from him ſtrange ſecrets.
The tran-
ſports of the Pariſians after this event appeared in
the ſpirit of the league. James Clement was ho-
noured as a faint. In the pulpits they compared
him to Judith, who had cut off the head of Holo-
fernes. They put up his image on the altars.
The pepe, on his account, expreſſed himſelf of
the ſame way of thinking with the leaguers. Al-
moſt
136
EL EMENTS OF THE
moſt all the Catholic divines maintained this atro-
cious and ab urd doctrine, which excited
murder, or even regicide, for the defence of the
church.
Nothing better proves the ſpirit of party than
the falſeneſs of that zeal which can extinguiſh not
only the lights of reaſon, but even thoſe of religion.
It muſt be confeſſed, that the conduct of Henry
III. contributed not a little to inſpire this madneſs;
ſuperſtition, joined to his other vices, rendered
him equally deſpicable and odious. He is re-
proached with the maſſacre of St. Bartholomew;
and the Catholics feein to be the revengers of the
Proteſtants. This prince, by an ordinance of
1579 declared, that the Plebeians who bought
fiefs of the nobles, ſhould not by that purchaſe
be themſelves ennobled, nor take rank as ſuch :
from whence the poſſeſſion of the fiefs were no
longer able to ennoble thoſe that belonged to them.
This abuſe introduced itſelf through the licence
of government, and debaſed the nobility, by ren-
dering it too common. It was likewiſe contrary
to the prerogative of the ſovereign, who had the
ſole right of conferring honour. Henry IV. in
the ſame manner, ſuppreſſed that which was ac-
quired by the profeſſion of arms. In order to be
enrobled, it was neceffary to procure letters from
the king, or from an office to which this privilege
was attached.
HENRY
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
137
H EN R Y IV.
FR
age of thir-
RANCE could never deſire a more worthy
maſter than Henry IV. to govern it, nor
one more capable of repairing its misfortunes.
He was a prince born with a great ſoul, a fine
genius, an admirable judgment, formed by a
maſculine and plain education, uſed to the fatigues
of war, tried by misfortunes, which teach kings
to know that they are men ;
of the
ty-ſix, when mind and body were at their higheſt
prime; full of frankneſs and adroitneſs, of gene-
roſity to his friends, and affection for his people;
too ſuſceptible of the weakneſſes of love, but
preferring glory and public good to his pleaſures ;
a moderate Calviniſt, without obftinacy, diſpoſed
to ſupport the religion of the kingdom, and em-
brace the ſame when he ſhould be convinced that
it was the true one : nevertheleſs, the greateſt
part of France refuſed to acknowledge him.
Vendoſme, the chief branch of the houſe of
Bourbon, a deſcendant from Robert, couſin of
Clement V. ſon of St. Lewis, though he was re-
lated to the late king only in the twenty-ſecond de-
gree, aſſured himſelf of the crown.
There was
nothing againſt Henry but his religion, an almoſt
inſurmountable barrier in a time of fanáticiſm and
revolt. The duke of Epernon, and other lords
and gentlemen of the army, retired at once, under
pretence that their conſcience would not permit
them to ſerve an heretical prince. Several others
remained faithful, on condition that it ſhould be
carried by the judgment of a council : but the
duke of Mayenne, whether from moderation or
policy, would not give him the title of king;
but
138 'EL EMENTS OF THE
but gave it to the old cardinal of Bourbon, who
was ſtill a priſoner, and whom they proclaimed
fome months afterwards, under the name of
Charles X.
The royal army, which was thirty thouſand
ſtrong, at the beginning of the fiege of Paris, di-
miniſhed conſiderably every day. Frequent de-
ſertions, and the retreat of a crowd of officers
who demanded their diſmiſſion ; the want of
money, the ſcruples of the Catholics, the hatred
of the Hugoncts; all contributed to weaken
them. Henry IV. raiſed the fiege, and retired
towards Dieppe, having no more than five or fix
thouſand fighting men. It was deliberated in
council, whether he thould go into England, or
not, ſo much the leaguers had the ſuperiority.
Mayenne purſued him with an army three or
four times more numerous than liis own. They
already boaſted of an infallible vi&ory. - The
Bearnois (for that was the name which the
league gave to the monarch) cannot,' ſaid
tliey,
selcape us by any other means than by
' throwing him!elf into the ſeas.' The danger
was frightful; but Henry was not eaſily terrified,
The battle of Arques confounded the hopes of
the rebels *. He there defeated them with his
little army. It was in part the fault of the
duke of Mayenne, too flow in his operations,
loaded by the great weight of his own body,
and who loſt too much time in bed and at
table. " If he does not change his manners.'
ſaid Henry IV.: "I am always ſure of beating
him in the field.' 'I he indefatigable activity,
* After this battle, Henry IV. wrote to Crillon,
in theſe terms : " Hang thyſelf, brave Crillon; we
have fought at Arques, and thou wait not there.'
and
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
139
and extreme fobriety of the king, gave him the
advantage over his enemy. It is ſaid, that they
uſed more boots than others uſed ſhoes.
After his victory, having received a re-inforce-
ment of four thouſand Engliſh, he carried terror
to the gates of Paris, where a falſe report of his
defeat had been ſpread. He took five boroughs
ſword in hand ; and, if the cannon had arrived a
little later, the city would have been ravaged. The
dukes of Mayenne and Nemours re-entered it juſt
in time to defend it : the whole kingdom was torn
to pieces, and the party of the league governed.
Some parliaments authoriſed rebellion that of
Toulouſe paſſed a fanatical act, which ordained
proceſſions in memory of the aſſaſſination of Henry
III. and which declared Henry IV. incapable of
ſucceeding to the crown.
Sextus V. had ſent a
legate with commiſſion to elect ſuch a king as
would be agreeable to the court of Rome. Philip
II. king of Spain, demanded the title of protector
of France, that he might diſmember it, to pleaſe
his own ambition. This artful prinçe, being wil.
ling to be maſter of the league, gave them moder-
ate fuccours, by which he propoſed to keep them
always in dependence; but the duke of Mayenne
reſolved not to receive him for a maſter, and a-
„voided his project, ihough at the ſame time he
made uſe of his aſſiſtance. He diminiſhed the
power of the ſixteen, whoſe audacity was grown
to the moſt unbridled height. The Day of Arques
had tarniſhed his reputation, and it was his place
to re-eſtabliſh it by ſome ſtriking action. He
marched againſt the king, who belieged Dreux
and Normandy, and who immediately raiſed the
ſiege that he might fight: notwithſtanding the
advantage and number, the duke was again den
feated at Ivri. This famous battle alone, was ſuf-
ficient to immortalizę Henry IV. both as a general
and
1
140
ELEMENTS OF THE
and ſoldier ; he ſhewed as much addreſs as he did
bravery. Before the action he ran through the
ranks with an air of gaiety which ſeemed to preſage
victory ; ſaying to the troops, . Children, if your
• ſtandards fail you, bring yourſelves together by
my white plume; you will always ſee it in the
( midſt of honour and glory : God is for us.'
Once it was thought that he was dead in the midſt
of them; but he ſoon again appeared, covered
with the blood of his enemies. His ſoldiers be-
came more than heroes. The marſhal of Biron
- commanding the corps of reſerwe, without being
the ſtrength of the battle, had great ſhare in the
victory. He felicitated the king in theſe terms :
• Sire, you have done to-day that which Biron
ought to have done, and Biron that which the
king ought to have done.' The clemency of the
victor raiſed the glory of his triumph. 6 Save the
French, cried he, as he purſued thoſe who fled.
Theſe little anecdotes ſerve to delineate this great
man, whoſe manners gained him the poſſeſſion of
all hearts. We cannot help mentioning, 2m.rs
the reft, the careſſes with which he honoured his
officers. The marſhal of Aumont coming in the
evening to take his orders, he tenderly embraced
him, and inſiſted on his ſtaying ſupper, ſeating
him at the table, he ſaid, “ It was very juſt that
• this ſhould be a feaſt, ſince,' ſays he, it may
• be called my nuptials.'
After fome interval, cauſed by the want of
money, Henry IV. formed the blockade of Paris.
The duke of Nemours, brother to the duke of
Mayenne, commanded there in quality of gover-
nor, he provided for every thing which might
happen, with prudence and ſingular activity.
Meanwhile, the cardinal of Bourbon died in
his priſon of Fontenoy at Poictou ; a good pre-
late, affectionate to the king, his nephew, and
who
HIS TORY OF FRANCE.
141
who was drawn in among the leaguers, leſs
through the ambition of a prince, than zeal for
the Catholic religion. The Sorbonne, which was
the moſt reſpectable court, was now infected with
the contagion, and folemnly decided, that Henry
of Bourbon, when he ſhould be abfolved from
cenſure, could not even then be admitted to the
crown; they being obliged, in conſcience, to take
all methods to prevent it; and that, if at length
they ſhould die for ſo holy a cauſe, they might
aſſure themſelves the palm of martyrdom. The
parliament, or rather the remainder of this illuſo
trious body, through cowardice or inconceivable
delirium, approved this decree, which was as full
of extravagance as fury, and forbid, under pain
of death, any one to ſpeak of a compromiſe with
the king; and, to fill up the meaſure of their
madneſs, they formed a kind of regiment of prieſts
and monks, who ran through the ſtreets in pro-
ceſſion, with a breaſt-plate before them, and their
muſkets on their ſhoulders : a ridiculous ſpectacle,
but very likely to excite the fanaticiſm of the
populace.
There were incloſed in Paris two hundred and
twenty thouſand people. Three months of block-
ade had exhauſted their proviſions : famine be-
came intolerable ; they were already reduced to
grind the bones of the dead to make them bread.
The religious, who firſt inſpired the ardour of
martyrdom, were not the moſt careleſs about life :
a viſit made in the convents developed their in-
tereſting contrivances. Mezerai affures us, that
they found amongſt the capuchins abundance of
proviſions. This diſcovery was a little reſource ;
but Paris would not have eſcaped Henry IV. if,
through an exceſs of goodneſs, he had not fuffered
thoſe who were uſeleſs to retire, and ordered his
own oíficers and ſoldiers to let refreſhments enter
for
142
ELEMENTS OF THE
for their friends. It is recorded, that two peaſants,
who were going to be hanged for having carried
bread in at a back-door, threw themſelves on their
knees, and repreſented to him, that they had no
other way of preſerving life.
« Go in peace,
ſaid he to them, giving them the money which he
had about him, “ the Bearnois is poor , if he had
more he would give it you. This conduct. was
undoubtedly imprudent; but it was an imprudence
well worthy admiration.
Meanwhile neceſſity rendered the Pariſians more
tractable : notwithſtanding the decrees of the
theological faculty, and the acts of the league-
parliaments, they made ſome overtures for an ac-
commodation. They offered to ſubmit, provided
that the king would renounce Calviniſm. He be-
lieving himſelf ſure of ſucceſs, was willing to
impoſe conditions himſelf. An unforeſeen event
made him loſe the fruit of ſo much labour. Philip
II. who feared the end of theſe troubles, and who
flattered himſelf with gaining the crown of France,
had ordered the duke of Parma, Alexander Far-
nefe, governor of the Low Countries, to march
to the ſuccour of Paris. Some danger there was
in leaving the provinces unfurniſhed, expoſed to
the enterpriſes of the Hollanders. This famous
general approached with a powerful army. Henry
IV. in deſpair, gave him battle, and ſent him
word, that he ſhould never eſcape him. For my
* part,' ſaid the duke of Parma, ' I will eſcape
expence, and whoever .can keep me here,
ſhall be more than I am.' The deliverance of
Paris was the end of his expedition ; he preſerved
it without much trouble.
This thunderbolt greatly diſcouraged the king's
troops : they were in want of inoney, clothes, and
nouriſhment. The king himſelf was in want of a
dinner, going to eat every day in the tent of Francis
d'O,
C
at his
а.
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
143
d’O, ſuperintendant of the finances, whoſe table
was not very well ſerved. After the departure of
the duke of Parma, who very ſoon retired into
the Low Countries, war continued in France
with the ſame animoſity, without producing any
thing memorable.
A foreign enemy increaſed the public misfor-
tunes. It was the duke of Savoy, who, not con-
tent with uſurping the marquilate of Saluces, en-
deavoured to invade Dauphiny and Provence.
Leſdeguieres, one of the greateſt ſoldiers of his
age, a rebel under the preceding reign, in qua-
lity of Calviniſt, faithful to Henry IV. and zea-
lous for his own fortune, preſerved Dauphiny,
and afterwards ſent to demand the government of
Grenoble. The king ai firſt refuſed it by the
advice of his council ; becauſe he had engaged
to preſerve governments for the Catholics. .
" Gentlemen,' ſaid the envoy from Lefdeguieres,
your ſudden reply has made me forget ſome-
thing which I ſhould have ſaid ; which is,
that ſince you do not think proper to give my
' maſter the government of Grenoble, you will
' at leaſt think of the means of taking it from
« him.' This boldneſs did not diſpleaſe Henry
IV. Leſdeguieres was all-powerful in his pro-
vince : they had want of him, and judged that,
in an extraordinary caſe, they might a little over-
look rules.
It is in theſe conjunctures that weakened autho-
rity is no longer able to ſupport itſelf. It was
with much trouble that they preſerved Dauphiny
from an invaſion. But the duke of Savoy was
more happy in Provence: they received him in
that country as if he had been the fovereign.
The parliament of Aix declared him governer,
and gave him the title of lieutenant-general under
the crown of France. The beſt of kings was
always
144
ELEMENTS OF THE
always looked upon as a tyrant by thoſe who
did not believe it poſſible for him to be a king
without being a Catholic; a fatal prejudice,
which ambition made uſe of in order to exerciſe
real tyranny.
Rome was always powerful in theſe turbulent
conjunctures. Sextus V. died, defpiſing the
league which he had favoured through a falſe
courteſy, and eſteeming Henry IV. whom he had
injured through policy. Gregory XIV: born in
the king of Spain's dominions, abuſed the ponti-
fical authority in a higher degree than even his
predeceſſor had done. He publiſhed monitories,
by which he ordered, under pain of excommuni-
cation, that every perſon ſhould quit the part of
a relapſed heretical king, who was a perſecutor
of the church, excommunicated, and conſequent-
ly diveſted of all his dominions (this was the
common ſtyle). He ſent money, and promiſed
troops to the leaguers. In vain the king inceflant-
ly proteſted, that he was willing to be convinced
of the Catholic religion, and that his enemies
had prevented him by an obſtinate war. They
deigned not to hear either his reaſons or promiſes,
and the ſpirit of faction was ſtill more envenomed
by the eagerneſs of falſe zeal. At Rome and Pa-
ris they oppoſed, leſs for the ſake of religion, than
to ſerve the king of Spain. This ambitious mo-
naich finttered himſelf with uſurping France,
As he had ready ravaged Portugal, he pretended
to reign diere, or at leaſt to make his daughter do
fo; reckoning much on his policy and his great
treafures. He already would often fay, My
i city of Paris, my city of Roan,' &c. The fix-
teen ardendly entered into his views. Their in-
ſolence increaſed every day, until they even
goverred the duke of Mayenne. Tranſported
with fury that the parliament had ſent back a
jar-
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
145
particular perſon unpuniſhed, whoſe death had
been ſolicited by the league, they ſeized three
magiſtrates, and among others the preſident
Briffon, who was then at the head of the parlia-
ments. They condemned them to be hanged,
and executed that ſentence on them. At the
news of this outrage, Mayenne, who was then
abſent, haftened to return. He diffembled for
fome days; but at length delivered a few of theſe
furious people to the torture, Buſſi le Clerc, the
moſt culpable of all, who was governor of the
Baſtile, obtained a permiſſion of retiring. Thus
was deſtroyed the tyranny of the ſixteen, a fa&ti-
on compoſed of ſome fanatical curates, and a
great number of other dregs of the people ; as
powerful to the chiefs of the league, as the heir
of the crown.
There was now formed a third party in favour
of the young cardinal of Bourbon, ſon to the
prince of Conde, who was killed at Jarnac. The
king diſcovered the intrigue, and ſtopt it by ſecur-
ing the perſon of the cardinal. Elizabeth, and
the Proteſtant princes of Germany, having ſent
him a reinforcement of troops, he undertook the
ſiege of Rouen, one of the bulwarks of the
league. It was ſaid of the Parifians, that they
knew better how to faſt than to fight; the con-
trary might be ſaid of Rouen.
Villas Brancas,
ſtrongly feconded by the garriſon and citizens, de-
fended himſelf with a valour of which there are
few examples in hiſtory. Henry IV. often expor-
ed himſelf as an officer of fortune. This attack
and defence were equally lively ; but the rebels
would have been at laſt overpowered, if the duke
of Parma had not come once more to their affift-
The king marched with part of the army
to give him battle, and was wounded by a ſtroke
froin a mukket, in an action, where, followed
VOL. II.
H
only
ance.
146 ELEMENTS OF THE
only by forty horſe, he rafhly affronted thirty
thouſand men. His enemies might have purſued
and taken him ; but the duke of Parma, .ſuppoſing
that he was ſupported by all his cavalry, loſt this
deciſive opportunity.
The ſoldiers murmured
and taxed his prudence with weakneſs. He juſti-
fied himſelf by ſaying, " That he imagined he
had an affair with a general of an army, and
. not with a captain of light horſe, ſuch as he
found the king of Navarre to be *'
Henry was conſtrained to raiſe the ſiege of
Rouen; but misfortunes only ſerved the more
eagerly to excite his courage. He purſued the
duke of Parma, who was engaged in the country
of Caux. This general, in want of proviſions,
ſcarcely recovered from a diſorder which was oc-
caſioned by a wound, found himſelf, in his turn,
in extreme danger. There were no means for
his eſcaping but by paſſing the Seine at Caude-
bec, which is very wide. The undertaking ap-
peared impoſſible. The king, at the ſame time,
did not contrive to put any obſtacle in his way:
& bridge of boats was found ready, of which he
had not the leaſt ſuſpicion. The enemies paſſed,
deſtroyed the bridge and returned to Paris. It is
faid that the duke of Parma having ſent to demand
of the king what he thought of his retreat, he
briſkly replied, “That he did know what retreat
was ;
and that the beſt retreat in the world ap-
peared nothing more than a flight.' (Daniel.) This
C
* Dupleſſis Mournai wrote to Henry IV. on the
ſubject of this action : 'Sire, you have already been
Alexander ; it is time that you ſhould now be
Auguſtus : it is our part to die for you, and it is
your glory, Sire, that you ſhould live for France ;
and I dare tell you that it is your duty to do ſo.'
expreſſion
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
147
expreſſion was not worthy of fo enlightened a
prince, ſo juſt an eſtimator of merit. I ſhould
rather believe, as is aſſured us, that he eſteemed
this retreat more glorious than two battles; ac-
knowledging, that the chief work of a great cap-
tain does not depend more on fighting and van-
quiſhing, than in atchieving an enterpriſe without
hazarding a combat. According to the ſame au-
thor, the marſhal of Biron, engaged in the pro-
longing of the war, neglected an opportunity of
deſtroying the Spaniſh army. His ſon demand-
ing of him ſome troops for an eſſential and infal-
lible enterpriſe, What, thou fool!' ſaid the
marſhal to hirn, fwearing, “ Who wouldſt thou
ſend to plant laurels for Biron?' It is the cuſtom
of the ambitious to prefer their own intereſts to
that of their king and country.
If Biron
did not really ſay what the hiſtorian makes him
do, we may preſume that he thought ſo, as
his actions ſeemed to be governed by that prin-
ciple.
Affairs in Provence now took a better turn,
where the duke of Savoy loſt all his conqueſts, or
rather his uſurpations. Leſdeguieres had difſipat-
ed the troops of the pope ; the league had loſt its
hero, the chevalier of Aumale, prince of
Lorrain, who was killed in attacking St. Dennis ;
but the king alſo regretted the brave and virtuous
la Noue, who was killed at the ſiege of Lumbale :
the provinces were all drenched in ſlaughter ; the
cities taken and relaken; the country ravaged,
and an infinite number of bye-battles extirpated
the nobility, and depopulated the kingdom. The
marſhal of Biron had his head carried off by a
cannon ball before the city of Epernai. This
was the firſt general of France : Henry IV. was
much indebted to him, and would have been in-
finitely ſenſible of his loſs, if the pride and pre-
tenſions
H 2
148
ELEMENTS OF THE
tenſions of this lord had not a little weakened the
obligation of his ſervices.
In this violent criſis of the ſtate, Paris was the
center of troubles. There were at this time two
factions in it; thoſe of the ſixteen, conſiderably
fallen, devoted to the Spaniards, irritated againſt
Mayenne, endeavouring to make the young duke
of Guiſe king, who had eſcaped from the priſon
where he had been ſhut up after the murder of
his father, and the political party, compoſed of
gentlemen, magiſtrates, and the top citizens.
They only demanded the acknowledgment of
Henry IV. who was willing to ſubmit to the
church. The duke of Mayenne contriving alſo
for peace, managed with great addreſs betwixt
the king of Spain, whom he did not break with,
and the king of France, whoſe party he pretended
to be of. The zealous leaguers demanded an
aſſembly of the ſtates for the election of a king.
Clement VIII, who followed the ſteps of Gre-
gory XIV, ordered the French to reunite, or
rather to diſpofe of the crown. Mayenne affem-
bled their pretended ſtates general. "The pope's
legate dared at firſt to demand of them an oath
not to be reconciled with the king of Navarre,
when he abjured hereſy. The Spaniards, on their
ſide, demanded an aboliſhment of the Salique law,
and that the infanta of Spain ſhould be, declared
queen of France. How could the citizens of
France help fighing under theſe propoſals ? Su-
perſtition had then changed the nature of the con-
ſtitution.
Never had Henry been in ſuch cruel perplexi-
ties. A king elected by the ſtates would moſt
likely have drawn after him all the Catholics. Thoſe
few of that religion who were of his party, were
much diſpleaſed at his perſeverance in a deteſtable
fect: he had no other reſource but to wage eter-
nal
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
149
nal war, or to change his religion. The wifeſt
among the Hugonots adviſed him to decide im-
mediately. The cannon of the mafs,' ſay they,
« will be the beſt means of reducing the rebels.
Roſni, afterwards duke of Sully, though fincerely
atrached to Calviniſm, endeavoured to make him
look on this ſtep as not only juſt but neceſſary,
Some Proteſtant miniſters, who were more mode-
rate than others, forwarded the deſign, by own-
ing that he might meet with falvation in the
Romiſh church. If we may believe Daniel, he
was already a Catholic in his heart; but ſtrong
reaſons make us at leaſt doubt it : whatever he
was, (for God only knows the foul) he promiſed
to embrace the Catholic religion without delay.
It was now that the people of that religion attach-
ed themſelves to his perfon, and propoſed con-
ferences to thoſe of Paris. The legate, the
Spaniards, and their partizans, vainly endeavour-
ed to fight againft ſo reaſonable a project. The
conferences were opened at Surenne : the prelates
leaguers, carrying their prejudices againſt the
king to that place, affected to revoke it, doubting
his fincerity, and alledging proofs of his attach-
ment to hereſy; inſiſting likewiſe, that nothing
could be concluded on without the conſent of the
pope: that he had forbidden any treaty with an
heretical prince ; and that obedience due to the
chief of the church oaght to be a' reigning prin-
ciple againſt all others. The archbiſhop of Bour-
ges refuted their chicaneries by the juſt principles
of the right of crowns, and the liberties of the na-
tional church. It was eaſily ſeen that the intereſt
of the univerſal church, as well as that of the
ftate, exacted, on this occafion, a wiſe condeſcen-
fion; but the proud and obftinate zealots, not
feeing that they ruined religion, gloried in ſupport-
ing
H 3
150
ELEMENTS OF THE
ing their opinions; and theſe conferences produced
little effect.
Meanwhile, the Spaniſh ambaſſador inſiſted on
their electing the infanta. At length, to forward
his deſign, he declared, that the intention of
Philip was, that ſhe ſhould marry the duke of
Guiſe, who ſhould be elected fovereign jointly
with her. The ſixteen aſked no more. The duke
of Mayenne had no other care but to conſent. In
the midſt of theſe agitations, the parliament,
though captive and maimed, (theſe were the terms
of Perifexe) regaining its ancient vigour, pub-
liſhed a decree for the ſupport of the fundamen-
tal laws of the kingdom, and to prevent thoſe,
who, under pretence of religion, were for tranſ-
ferring the crown into the hands of a ſtranger.
The Spaniard was diſſatisfied with the proclama-
tion, and ſtill more by the converſion of Henry
IV, who, after one or two days conference with
the biſhops, made his abjuration at St. Dennis,
before the archbiſhop of Bourges, and received
from him abſolution from all cenſures. This was
the moſt happy event that could be deſired : the
legate, inſtead of laying his hands on him, for-
bid, under pain of excommunication, any one to
affiſt at the ceremony, The Pariſians, rotwith-
ſtanding, ran in crowds. It now appeared, that
their diſlike for the religion of the king, extended
not'to his perſon : but there were ſome of theſe
men who were fanatics through ſyſtem, who
were, with more difficulty, reconciled, than the
body of the people. Dr. Boucher, a furious
leaguer, gave a looſe in his pulpit againſt the Ca-
tholic monarch. Several theologians and preachers
decliamed, writing againſt him with redoubled
frenzy.
This year, Henry ran the riſk of being allar-
fipated;
a young failor named Barriere, had
formed
HISTORY OF FRANC.E.
151
Holy
formed the deſign: being diſcovered, and put to
the queſtion, he mentioned a capuchin, a Jeſuit, a
curate of Paris, and another prieſt, who, he
ſaid, had put him upon this attempt. The maxims
of the leaguers all led, ſooner or later, to the moſt
execrable parricide. Mayenne ſigned a truce of
three months, promiſing, notwithſtanding, to the
legate by. oath, the ſupport of the league, and
not to make peace. His policy taught him to
ſeek the countenance of the court of Rome; and
to aſſure himſelf of it, he made the council of
Trent be received by the ſtates, and publiſhed it
without any reſtrictions or regulations ; a ſtep as
vain as this aſſembly was illegal. Cleinent VIII.
remained always inflexible on the ſubject of re-
fuſing audience to the king's ambaſſador.
• father,' ſaid an Italian auditor of the high court
to hin, if the devil ſhould demand audience of
' you, and there were any hopes of converting
' him, would your conſcience ſuffer you to re-
fuſe it?'
Notwithſtanding this obſtacle, the French, by
degrees, returned to their duty; the league loit
its power and credit; the fatire called Manippe,
which appeared at that time, rendering it ridicu-
lous, perhaps, gave it the moſt mortal wound;
for there is no country in which ridicule touches ſo
nearly as in France. As ſoon as refleâion fuc-
ceeded fury among the parties, Meaux, Pontoiſe,
Orleans, Bourges, and Lyons ſubmitted. The
duke of Mayenne quitted Paris, not thinking him-
ſelf in ſafety. He had made the count of Briſac
governor, who preferred the duty of a ſubject to
all other engagements, and who, by his prudence,
introduced the king without tumult or battle.
The Spaniards were reduced to capitulate ; and
ſuffered to leave the place with the honours of
war. Henry IV. looking out at a window at them
H4
as
}
152 ELEMENTS OF THE
as they paſſed, faluted the officers with a good
grace;
Gentlemen,' ſaid he, remember me
kindly to your maſter ; but never return here
' any more. The legate obſtinately bent not to
ſee him, obtained permiſſion to retire, taking with
him the curate of Aubri, and the Jeſuit Verade, the
two people whom Barriere had accuſed as his ac-
complices. This moderation ought to have ſof-
tened the.court of Rome.
Nothing was of more conſequence than to re-
eſtabliſh the parliament in its former glory, and to
confirm monarchy by the authority of law's. The
faithful magiſtrates returned into the capital, hav-
ing Achilles of Harlai at their head ; 'the others
were re-eſtabliſhed on condition that they
ſhould remain on the ſpot. From this time the
ancient ſpirit of patriotiſm again ſhone forth in the
parliament. It cancelled all acts, decrees, and
oaths which were made ſince 1588, and which
were found prejudicial to the authority of the
king, and the laws of the kingdom, as having been
extorted by force : it revoked the power given to
the duke of Mayenne, and annulled the acts of
the laft aſſembly at Paris, under the name of the
States-General. All that fanaticiſm had inſpired,
ſeemed condemned to oblivion ; a bleſſed change
of circumſtances ! If any thing had been capable
of uniting the hearts of the kingdom, it was the
conduct of the king. We may judge of him by
this particular circumſtance: when he was enter-
ing into Paris, fome officers had ſtopped the bag-
gage of La Noue, for debts that his father had
contracted in the ſervice of the ſtate. This gen-
tleman, truly worthy of conſideration, complain-
ed of this violence. Henry IV. publickly replied
to him, ' La Noue, he muſt pay his debts ; I
* regularly pay mine :' and taking him aſide, he
gave him jewels to redeem the baggage which
they
HISTORY OF FRANCÉ.
153
they had feized. But fo much generoſity had
power only weakly to draw the principal lords of
the league ; intereft alone could fully carry them:
they ſet their fubmiffion at the higheſt price,
proving, by fuch behaviour, that religiori was the
leaft motive of their rebellion. Villiers ſurren-
dered Rouen, exacting for it prodigious-ſums, be
fides the appointment of ſeveral places. Accord-
ing to the Memoirs of Sully, it coſt thirty-two
millions to ſatisfy the avarice of three rapacious
men. Any other prince would have eluded the
promiſes which neceſſity had extorted from him ;
but Henry fáithfully acquitteď' his, when he was in
a condition of violating them with impunity.
Meanwhile, the fuperftitious ſpirit of the league
ſkill fubfifted. The atrocious crimes which pro-
ceed from the prejudices of religion are not eafily
effaced. The attempı projected by Barriere was
executed by John Chattel, the ſon of a tradeſman
at Paris, a young man, fuſceptible of all the im-
preſſions of fanaticiſm. Having flid into the
chamber among a crowd which environed the
king, he gave him a ſtroke with a dagger in the
throat; happily for. Henry, being ſtooping to
embrace a lord, the ſtroke only wounded his lip,
and broke a tooth. They arreſted the affaffin, and
ir:terrogating him on his crime, he faid, " That
knowing liimielf, to be guilty of great fins, he
thoughť 10' avoid hell by this a&tion, which he
" looked on as juſt and meritorious ; becauſe the
' king was not reconciled to the church, and had
r been reputed a tyrant : that be, liad heard it
• determined on in ſeveral places, cſpecially in the
« houſe of the Jeſuits, where it was made a part
r of their ſtudies. He added, That theſe fa-
thers had often introduced him into a chamber
of meditations, full of frightful figures of hell;'
with which without doubt, his imagination had
H
been
154 ELEMENTS OF THE
been too much agirated. 'They then believed,
that theſe figures were proper to imprint eternal
truths on the ſoul, which ought to enter there ra-
ther by faith than ſenſe. 'The Jeſuits were hated
by an infinite number of conſiderable people, be-
fides the Proteſtants, (whoſe hatred they made it
their glory to excite) but whoſe confidence, per-
haps, it would have been better to have gained,
in order to bring them back to the boſom of the
church. The parliament had always vigorouſly
oppoſed their eſtabliſhment. The univerſity could
not pardon them the injury that the competition
had done at their colleges. This body of people
raiſed a grand proſecution, where Parquier and
Arnaud, celebrated advocates, attacked the inſti-
tution of the Jeſuits by nearly the ſame means
which have been uſed in our days. The depoſition
of John Chattel precipitated their diſgrace. It is
certain, that it reproached the chief part of the
body of Paris. Many eccleſiastics of theſe religi-
ous had a blind zeal for the court of Rome, a cri-
minal attachment for the king of Spain, and the
deteſtable maxims which lead to parricide ; but
the deſign was, to make an example of thoſe
men who were moſt attached in general to the
Ultramontaine opinions, and moſt capable, by
their talents, by their employments, and by their
regularity, of ſpreading it wherever they had a
mind it ſhould be maintained. The ſociety had
too much contributed to the birth and progreſs of
the league ; for the fall of one was not fatal to the
other. The parliament baniſhed the Jeſuits as
corrupters of ycuth, diſturbers of the public re-
poſe, and enemies of the king and ſtate. Guignard,
librarian to the college, was hanged for having
preſerved the ſeditious writings of which he was
author. The ſame extravagancies were expreſſed
there which had been retailed in the pulpits ; ſuch
4S,
HISTORY OF FRANCE
195
as, James Clement, inſpired by the Holy Ghoſt,
ſays, . If they can make the Bearnois royal, his
• royalty will then preſerve him ; but if they
cannot, he ſhall be aſſaſſinated, &c.' This
miſerable wretch in vain pleaded the general par-
don. It was ordered, that all works of this kind,
written before the proclamation of pardon, ſhould
be burnt. In controverting the act, he expoſed
himſelf to ſeverity, and they judged him accord-
ing to the rigour of the laws. The parliament of
Bourdeaux and Tolouſe retained the Jeſuits ;
that of Paris, founding itſelf on the motive of
the king's ſafety, in their eagerneſs. to baniſh
them, had not obſerved the common forms,
which made their recal the more eaſy. In order
to avoid all pretences for a rebellion, they ſtrongly
ſolicited an abſolution for Henry IV, from Rome.
Du Perren and d'Oflat, afterwards cardinals, en-
deavoured it with as much prudence as activity,
while the court of Spain made uſe of gold to cor-
rupt the ſacred college. The cardinal Tolet,
though a Jeſuit and a Spaniard, faithfully ſeconds
ed the views of France. The pope was at length
moved. Olivieri, auditor of the chief court,
ſpoke freely to him, and ſtruck him one day by
theſe words, ſo full of reaſon; Clement VII.
. loft England by reſolving to pleale Charles V.
6 Clement VIII. will loſe France if he continues
i to carry on his complaiſance to Philip II.' No-
thing in effect could be ſtronger than bringing to
mind the late ſchiſms, in order to mollify the ex-
treme rigour of the pontiff. The cardinals of the
Spaniſh fa&tion were, however, deſirous of mak-
ing conditions conformable to their own ſenti-
ments; they demanded, that the clauſe of the act
againſt Chattel, ſhould be effaced, and that the
king ſhould not be acknowledged without having
the abſoluiion of the pope. Their cabal, was not
able
1
Igo
ELEMENTS OF THE
able to prevail over the manifeft intereſt of the
church. Clement granted the abſolution in a
manner which ſatisfied Henry, and Rome teſtified
an extraordinary joy.
Among a ſmall number of lords who perſiſted
in rebellion, the duke of Mayenne was the
moſt dangerous and the moſt culpable. The king
attacked him in his government of Burgundy. He
there found a Spaniſh army under the orders of
the contable of Caſtile. Having been recon-
noitred by the enemy, at the head of three hundred
horſe, he met all at once an entire army. They
began the attack briſkly.
. Follow me,' cried
he, «; and do as you ſee me do.' Never had he
run ſo much, Fiſk, or ſhewn ſo much valour, as in
this day of French Fontaine.
The Spaniſh gene-
Fal was not willing to hazard a battle, and being
perſuaded, as was formerly ihe duke of Parma,
that the king would not expoſe himſelf in this
manner without having a larger party of his troops
at hand; precipitately retired, vanquiſhed by a
graſp." of his enemies. Henry IV. faid, " That
formerly he had fought for victory; but on this
• occaſion he had done it for life.' 'He granted a
truce to the duke of Mayenne, and peace was
concluded the following year. This illuſtrious
chief of the party', whom they were not willing to
puſh to the laſt extremity, obtained conditions
more advantageous than he could have hoped for.
The goodneſs and policy of the king brought him
back to his duty ; loaded with careſſes when he
came to render him homage, he aſſured him that
it was then only that his ſovereign had vanquiſhed
him. Mayenne was extremely fat'; Henry hav.
ing tired him with pleaſure in a hunting party,
faid to him, laughing, “ This, coufin, is the on-
ly evil that I thall ever do you as long as I live.'
The duke was transformed into a faithful ſubject,
and
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 157
and all the kingdom returned to obedience, except
a party which was in Britanny, under the duke of
Merceur, one of the princes of the houſe of
Lorrain, ſo fruitful in producing powerful oppo:
fers to the kings of France.
Henry at length declared war againſt Philip,
the principal actor in theſe civil troubles ; and this
war was the beginning of misfortunes. The
Spaniards took Cambray. They made, in 1596,
more important conqueſts, taking Calais and
Ardres. An excellent French officer, named
Roſnes, procured them this advantage by a ſingu-
lar fatality. Reſolved to return to the ſervice of
the king, he treated ſecretly with the court, which
the enemy having diſcovered, in order to avoid a
death which was prepared for him, and to diffi-
pate their ſuſpicions by the ſtrength of his ſervices,
he offered to beſiege thoſe two places, of which
they themſelves did not dare to think. The king
ſolicited the affiftance of Elizabeth. She appeas --
ed extremely diſpleaſed at his change of religion,
and went ſo far as even to make him reproaches,
for a ſtep which ſhe would, without doubt, have
taken in the fame circumſtances. Her ambaſa-
dor promiſed, nevertheleſs, to make uſe of all his
efforts to ſave Calais, on condition that they ſhould
return the place to the Engliſh until the payment
of the ſum which the queen ſhould lend them.
The noble pride of the monarch would not ſuffer
him to ſubſcribe to this propoſal. He refuſed it,
ſaying, "That if he was to be bit, he choſe rather
that it ſhould be by a lion than a lioneſs.' Preſſed
by neceflity, and deprived of aſſiſtance, he con-
voked at Rouen an aſſembly of notables, a kind
of States-General, to ſupply the necefli.ies of the
kingdom. He ihere pronounced a ſpeech, which
it is impoflible to read without feeling a tender ad-
miration : ' If,' ſays he, ' I had any glory in
paſſing
159
ELEMENTS OF THE
5
paſſing for an excellent orator, I ſhould make ufe
' of more fine words than good deeds; but my
ambition leads to ſomething more than talking
well; I aſpire to the glorious title of deliverer
and reſtorer of France; already, through the
favour of Heaven, through the councils of my
faithful ſervants, and by the ſwords of my brave
• and generous nobility (by which I do not mean
to diſtinguiſh princes only, the quality of
gen-
s tleman being the greateſt title that we can pos-
ſeſs) I have drawn this country from ſervitude
( and ruin : I defire now to raile it to its former
' greatneſs and ancient ſplendour. Partake with
me, my ſubjects, in this ſecond glory, as you
« have done in the firſt. I do not call you toge-
- ther, as ſome of my predeceſſors haye, blindly
s to follow
my
will; I have aſſembled you to re-
ceive your counſels, to believe, to follow them;
' in a word, 10 put myſelf into your hands, to be
• tutored by you. It is a deſire which is feldom
• made by kings, by grey hairs, and by the vic-
torious, ſuch as I am ;
but the love which I bear
' to my ſubjects, and the extreme deſire which I
• have to preſerve my ſtate, makes me find every
" thing eaſy and honourable.' The affem-
bly teftified great zeal and did nothing. A radical
vice, for which the king had not been able to find
a remedy; the bad adminiſtration of the finances,
sendered the beſt deſigns uſeleſs * He gave this
place a little time after to the famous Roſney, and
The king wrote to Sully during the war againſt
Spain, in theſe terms : ! I am very near my enemies,
and have not a horſe on which I can fight : my ſhirts
are all torn to pieces ; my coat is out at the elbows,
" and for theſe two days paſt, I have dined ſometimes
with one, and ſometiines with another, my purveyors
' not being able to furniſhi my table.?
the
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
199
the face of every thing was immediately changed.
Extortions 'cealed; the avarice of the noblemen
and financiers were reſtrained ; order was re-eſta-
bliſhed throughout, and the people's money car-
ried directly to the treaſury, and conſecrated to
public uſe the taxes levied with wiſdom, and
the debts faithfully acquitted. A juſt ceconomy
enriched the prince and kingdom. In a word,
during the interval of fifteen years, which time
Sully was miniſter in ſpite of the conſiderable di-
minution of all kinds of taxes, and the payment of
debts, 'the revenues of the crown increaſed four
millions; and in what circumſtances did this hap-
pen! but let us alſo conſider what a king and what
a miniſter !
Let us now return to the thread of events. The
Spaniards took Amiens by ſurpriſe, while the ci-
tizens were at maſs. Thoſe who were on the ſpot
were unfortunately bent to defend the city, whoſe
imprudence coſt them dear. Under another reign,
this accident would have produced a revolution.
Danger threatened Paris, and terror ſpread itſelf
in all parts. The king was the more uneaſy, as
the Calviniſts, at the ſame time, gave him no
little inquietude: not content with the liberty of
conſcience which had been granted them, and
which the Catholics had wiſely judged neceffa-
ry, they were determired to preach throughout
the kingdom. They demanded money, whether
to furniſh the garriſon of their cities of ſafety,
or whether for ihe appointment of their miniſters,
is uncertain ; but the fediticus afſemblies, and
inſolent enterpriſes againſt the royal authority,
gave occaſion to apprehend an approaching rebel-
lirin. Leldeguieres, though attached to their
feet, reproached them for a conduct ſo contrary
to the duty of citizens; but Henry IV. could not
be prevented from ſatisfying them. His great ob-
ject
160
ELEMENTS OF THE
1
ject was then, to recover the capital of Picardy.
I am now fufficiently king of France,' ſaid he,
one day, “it is time I ſhould be alſo king of
· Navarre. He befieged Amiens, and gave new
proofs of his valour. A Spanifh army arrived in
the Low Countries, and retired without daring to
attack his line. The garriſon capitulated, after a
vigorous reſiſtance. The commandant ſaid to the
vičtor, " That he returned this city to a foldier
• king, fince he had no more a mafter that could
ſuccour bim by ſoldier captains. No nobleman
diſtinguifhed himſelf more at the fiege than the
marſhal of Biton, the fon of him of whom we
have formerly ſpoken. Henry, always ready to
excite and recompenſe merit, made him a com-
pliment in that delicate and ingenious manner
which engraves itſelf on the memory of mankind :
the provoſt of the tradeſmen, and the fheriffs of
Paris being come out to compliment him on his
return, • Gentlemen,' ſaid he to them, behold
" the marſhal of Biron, whom I willingly preſént
friends as well as my enemies."
There remained nothing more than to make
the duke of Marcæur ſubmit, who was continu-
ally rebelling in his government of Britanny,
where the king had not as yet appeared. He at
length went there : the cities preſſed to receive
hin, and the duke was too happy in being able
to obtain peace by giving his daughter, heireſs to
his whole fortune, to the dake of Vendofine,
natural ſon of Henry IV.
During this voyage, the Calvinifts obtained the
edict of Nantes, lo favourable on their ſide;
entire liberty of conſcience, and public exerciſe
of their religion; in ſeveral cities, ability of pof-
ſeſſing all kinds of places and employments ; places
of ſafety for eight years ; and forty-five thouſand
crowns annually, to ſupport their minifters. This
to my
WAS
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 161
6
6
6
was more than had ever been granted them. Their
inclination to rebellion, and the neceſſity of pre-
vending freſh troubles, made the king determine on
theſe ſteps. He found much reſiſtance on the fide
of the parliament; but his reaſons carried it.
• The Catholic religion,' ſaid he to the Catho-
lics, ' can only be maintained by peace; and the
peace of the ſtate is the peace of the church.
. I reſemble it to a ſhepherd who would lead his
ſheep into the fold by mild behaviour. There
is no other diſtinction between the Catholics and
the Hugonots ; they ſhould all be good French-
men, and I Mould wiſh the Catholics to con-
vert the Hugonots by tl:e example of a good
life. When they made edicts' againſt thoſe of
'the religion of which I then was, I rejoiced and
ſaid, Praiſe be to God, whether we have four
' thouſand men, or whether we have ſix thou-
fand; and we ſhall at laſt find, that thoſe who
were formerly difperfed, will be conſtrained to
reunite. If I had a defire to hurt the Catholic
' religion, you would rot be able to hinder it ; I
'fhould come with twenty thouſand men; and
• I ſhould drive from hence whomſoever I pleaf-
ed; I ſhould ſay to the judges, My lords, you
muſt verify the ediet, or I will put you to death;
but I ſhould then be a tyrant,' &c. They faw,
by this little diſcourſe, that Henry IV. could not
ſeparate the intereſts of religion from thoíc of the
ftate. If, in the beginning of their troubles, the
ſame maxims had prevailed, hereſy had not ferv-
ed as a pretence for the intrigues of the league ;
nor had the league concluded by increaſing the
advantages of hereſy. Experience is the ſchool
for wiſe government; and when we reflect on the
events of every age, we cannot help feeling how
preferable, in eccleſiaſtical quarrels, a circum-
fpect moderation is to dangerous violence.
The
6
162 ELEMENTS OF THE
The treaty of Vervins with the king of Spain
finiſhed the eſtabliſhment of the tranquillity of the
kingdom. It could not be more honourable. The
Spaniards gave back all that they had taken in
Picardy: Henry IV. returned nothing. Philip
II. died a little afterwards. His policy had put all
Europe in agitation, without gaining any thing to
himſelf: Holland drew itſelf from his dominion :
France delivered itſelf from his injuſtice. Five
thouſand five hundred millions of gold, diſſipated in
fruitleſs projects, proved that he was the moſt
powerful monarch in Europe, but not the greateſt
king. His affected zeal againſt Proteſtantiſm did
not hinder him from animating the Proteſtants
againſt the Catholics, when it was agreeable to
his intereſt ſo to do He drew on himſelf more
hatred than glory: he was called the Dæmon of
the South : religion cught rather to have rendered
him an angel of peace. The Spaniſh monarchy
languiſhed under Philip III. his ſucceſſor.
We are grieved that truth will not ſuffer us to
conceal the weakneſs of great men ; but we ought
to make good uſe of their faults, by drawing from
them uſeful leſſons for human life. Henry IV.
triumphing over his enemies, was himſelf á ſlave
to love. Gabriella of Efree, the dutcheſs of
Beaufort, held him in ſuch captivity, that it is ſaid
he had even thoughts of making her his queen.
For a long time he had lived ſeparate from his
wife, Margaret of Valois ;-a mutual antipathy,
which could never be conquered, divided them;
they each of them deſired a divorce, and they
ſolicited it at Rome. The motive' on which they
founded their pretences was, that their marriage
had been forced, and that they had not had necel-
ſary diſpenſations. Meanwhile a ſudden death
ſnatched away the lovely Gabriella. The king
ſoon after fell deſperately in love with Madam
d'Entragues,
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 163
d'Entragues, daughter of a miſtreſs of Charles
IX. She took pains to increaſe his paffion, and
then declared, that ſhe would never ſatisfy it,
without a promiſe of marriage. The promiſe
was ſigned ; Henry IV. fhewed it to Sully *, ard
aſked his advice. This courageous miniſter took
the paper, and made no other reply than tearing it
to pieces
How, morbleu, cried the king,
enraged, I believe you are mad.' Sully cold-
ly replied, . It is true, Sire, I am mad,
and I ſhould wiſh to be outrageouſly fo, could
I be the only madman in France. He made no
doubt of his diſgrace; but, on the contrary, ſome
days afterwards, he was made grand-maſter the
artillery. His zeal was ſtill better recompenfed by
the reſolution which the king tock of concluding a
marriage more worthy of him. The commilla-
ries of the pope having pronounced the ſentence
of divorce, he married Mary of Medicis, by
whom he had Lewis XIII. During the time in
which gallantry ſeemed to enſlave him, he vigor-
oufly allerted' his right on the marquilate of
Saluces, which the duke of Savoy had ſeized un-
der the fate reign. This artful cunning prince
came into France to treat with the king, flatter-
ing himſelf either to preſerve by addreſs the fruit
of his uſurpation, or to form a party of malcon-
tents in the kingdom ; but he had to do with the
moſt prudent and moſt firm monarch in the world.
Henry, while he ſhewed him every mark of
friendſhip, ſtill inſiſted on the reſtitution of Sa-
luces. The duke promiſed it, and retired; but
broke his word. Immediately war was declared,
* The land of Sully was not erected into a dutchy
till ſeveral years after ; but it is time to give to Rol-
ney the name by which he is ſo celebrated.
Savoy
164 ELEMENTS OF THE
Savoy and Breſt were conquered in three months.
The enemy made 'peace, and yielded Breft and
Bugei for the marquifate of Saluces. According
to ſome hiſtorians, Lefdeguieres faid, " That the
• king had concluded this peace like a tradeſman,
' and the duke of Savoy like a prince.' But be-
fides that, the change was very advantageous,
Saluces being nothing more than a continual ex-
pence. The king preferred ſolid glory to vain chi-
meras. He had it more at heart to heal the wounds
of France, than to open for himſelf a paffage into
Italy. Meanwhile the leaven of rebellion fo-
mented in ſome turbulent minds; and it was ne-
ceſſary for him to finiſh the war, that he might
be able to reſtrain it. We may obſerve, during
theſe divided politics, a fingular diſpute in religion,
between two men who were not made for agree-
ment. Dupleffis Mornai, a great man of war,
and grand negociator, a Calviniſt, equally zealous
for his feet and for his king, whom they named
the Pope of the Hugonots, having publiſhed a
book againſt the maſs, the biſhop of Evreux, du
Perone, ſtrongly engaged himſelf to prove, that
there were more than five hundred falſe paffages in
this book. The author accepted the challenge ;
the king named judges, and himſelf affifted at the
conferences with a numerous aſſembly. Mornai
endeavoured to prove a multitude of paſſages
amaſſed by compilers; ordinary people, who were
not very exact, and who, according to the obfer-
vation of Mezerai, did not remember to furniſh
good materials, provided that they could but furniſh
a quantity. This was an enterpriſe too hazardous
for the Calviniſt, who had not given himſelf
trouble to examine the originals. Du Perone had
all the advantage of the diſpute : it was to have
been carried on the following days; but a ſudden
malady, cauſed perhaps by chagrin, drew Mornai
out
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 165
1
out of this perplexity. During the conference,
which he had ſo badly maintained, the king faid
to Sully, Well, what think you of your pope?".
" It ſeems to me,' replied he, - that he is more a
« pope than you imagine; for, is it not apparent
to you, that he will give a red hat to Monſieur
• Evreux ?' The red hat was in reality the re-
ward of the biſhop. Theſe two antagorifts, ac-
cording to the judgment of M. Huet, had both
of them more reputation than knowledge. Their
rank undoubtedly contributed much to this reputa-
tion. "That which would be paſſed over in a man
of no conſequence, is often admired in one of high
ſtation, whoſe glory, of this kind, depends much
on thoſe whom he employs.
Whatever zeál Henry had to ſatisfy the people,
it was impoſſible, after ſuch violent agitations, to
enjoy a perfect tranquillity. A tax laid on by the
aſſembly of notables held at Rouen, excited mur-
murs, murmurs produced feditions, on the ſide of
the Loire. The preſerce of the king, who ap-
peared at Poietiers, his goodneſs, his promiſes,
eaſily calmed their minds: from which we may
fee, that they reſpected his authority. He ſigna-
lized his benevolence in fuppreſſing this tax. The
perfidy of the marſhal of Biron gave him much
more cruel chagrins. This nobleman inherited the
vices as well as the military talents of his father.
He paſſed for the greateſt general of the kingdom.
The ſcars with which he was covered, were glo-
rious marks of his valour ; but a boundleſs am-
bition, a pride and inſupportable arrogance, tar-
niſhed his glory. The friendſhip and goodneſs
of the king, only rendered him more ungrateful.
When the duke of Savoy: came into France, the
marſhal attached himſelf ſtrongly to him, notwith-
ſtanding the advice of his maſter, who ſaid to
hiin one day, “Do not let this man approach you;
he
,
166 ELEMENTS OF THE
he is contagious; he will ruin you.' His in-
trigues continued, he had entered into a treaty
with the duke and with the Spaniards. The king
having certain proofs of the conſpiracy, uſed eve-
sy means in private converſations to engage Biron
to acknowledge his crime, reſolving to pardon
him if he repented. The haughty fierceneſs and
inflexibility of this guilty man obliged him,
contrary to his inclinations, to make him an
example. Biron was arreſted, tried, and the par-
·liament condemned him to loſe his head. This
hero, ſo intrepid in battle, became weak and def-
perate at the approach of death. He had the
double ſhame of having deſerved that puniſhment,
and of not having learned to die. The duke of
Bouillon had a fhare in this plot : they in vain
endeavoured to recal him to court; his reſtleſs
genius meditated new enterpriſes, which very ſoon
broke cut. Elizabeth, after the moſt glorious
reign that had ever been ſeen in England, died at
fixty-nine years of age, leaving her kingdom to
James, enriched by commerce, and powerful to
--foreigners through her´navy. She left a leſſon to
ſovereigns, that authority managed with wiſdom
could maintain calmneſs in a ſtate, in ſpite of the
diverſity of religions : but all ages reproach her
with the death of Mary Stuart. Henry loſt in her
an ally from whom he had had great ſupport. The
new king, the firſt who united England, Ireland,
and Scotland, was of great conſequerce in the
affairs of Europe. Sully was ſent as ambaſſador
to engage him in the intereſt of France. He tri-
umphed over the intrigues of Spain, over the ill-
will of the Engliſh miniſter, and concluded a de-
fenſive league in favour of the United Provinces,
who were engaged in continual war with the Spa-
niards. They alſo renewed an alliance with the
Swiſs. Theſe wiſe meaſures fecured the ſafety of
the kingdom.
For
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 167
For a long time the pope had ſolicited the re-
eſtabliſhment of the Jeſuits. It was, according
to all appearance, one of the ſecret conditions of
the king's abſolution. Father Coton, by his un-
derſtanding, his ſoftneſs, his inſinuating manners,
and his fermons, had gained the good graces of
Henry, and did not loſe ſight of the intereſts of
his fociety. Sully, leſs as a Proteſtant than as a
miniſter of ſtate, was not willing to admit the Je-
fuits; inſiſting particularly on the blind obedience
that they were accuſed of ſwearing to their gene-
ral; but he yielded to this reaſon of his maſter,
that if they were capable of bad deſigns, they
would at leaſt have leſs to fear from them
if they endeavoured to gain them by benefits, ra-
ther than provoke them by rigour. The edict of
recal was ſent to the parliament. The firſt preſs-
dent of Artois oppoſed it with remonſtrances capa-
ble of ſhaking the monarch, had he been leſs firm
in his reſolutions. He replied by a diſcourſe very
honourable to the Jeſuits, and ordered the regiſter-
ing of them. One of the articles of the edi& was,
that there ſhould be always at court a religious of
this order, in quality of preacher to the king, to
anfwer for the conduct of his brethren. Theſe
conditions, which appeared humiliating, became
the principal ſource of their power. Charged
with the conſcience of princes, and able to profit
from conjun&tures, they very ſoon acquired that
dangerous credit which is but little compatible
with religious fimplicity, and more likely to make
ſecret enemies than declared partizans. Vows of
obedience, in theſe men, could not be pardoned,
where a deſire of dominion, and intriguing diípo-
ſition, which was the ſole ambition of this body,
drew the public hatred on thoſe whoſe talents and
virtues would otherwiſe have rendered them truly
reſpectable.
We
#
168 ELEMENTS OF THE
We are now arrived at the moſt glorious æra
of the reign of Henry IV. The whole kingdom
reaped, in the boſom of peace, the fruits of a
government full of wiſdom, juſtice, and cecono-
my. Arts, commerce, and agriculture, inſenſi-
bly made amends for all former misfortunes; three
hundred and thirty millions of debts, which, in our
times, would make eight hundred and two, did
not frighten the zeal of the ſuperintendant * ;
the indefatigable genius of Sully found reſources
for every thing. In this age, manufa&tures of ta-
peſtry, glazed filk, and rich ſtuffs, were much
improved. A French colony eſtabliſhed itſelf in
Canada. The king, by economy in his finances,
was enabled to raiſe fuperb edifices. The gallery
of the Louvre and the Pont-Neuf, are his works.
He began the canal of Briare, which joins the
Seine to the Loire. Amidſt all his works, equal-
ly noble and uſeful, his unhappy weakneſs for
women diew on him new troubles. Madam En-
tragues, whom he had made marchioneſs of Ver-
neuil, , preſerved too much empire over his heart.
Queen Maria of Medicis was cruelly wounded by
it, and gave herſelf up to tlie moſt poignant grief.
This great prince proved, as well as many others,
the bitterneis of the paſſions. D’Entragues the
* In 1607, he had paid off four hundred and fifty-
ſeven millions; the financiers had enriched them-
ſelves by the revenues of the ſtate, the fifth part of
which had never entered the treaſury. Sully had
need of all his undertandiig to ſee through their ma-
chinations, and all his courage to reſt:ain them. Theſe
harpies had gained credit at court, where the great
took advantage of their depredations ; but the ſuper-
intendant feared not making hinſelf enemies to ſerve
his king and country.
father,
HISTORY OF FRANCE,
169
father, and the marchioneſs of Verneuil, carried
their ingratitude ſo far, as to con pire againſt him,
endeavouring to make him perform the promiſe
of marriage which he had the imprudence to
give. They were proiecuted, condemned, and
obtained mercy.
On the other ſide, the duke of
Bouillon, though indebted to Henry IV. for his
marriage with the heireſs of Sedan, took every
meaſure in his power to raiſe an inſurrection
amongſt the Hugonots. The king gaining no-
thing by fair nieans, took the reſoluiion of em-
ploying force : he ſet out with his troops : the
duke humbled himſelf, and gave up Sedan, which
was rendered back to him almoſt immediately.
The quarrel of the Republic of Venice with
Paul V. furniſhed the king with a new occaſion
for glory. This pope, being too. zealous for ec-
cleſiaſtical immunities, which he was willing to
ſupport in their ancient extenſion, the Venetians
had forbidden the building of monaſteries, and
applied the eſtates of the people to the uie of the
church, without the permiſſion of the Senate;
they had arreſted a canon and an abbot, who were
guilty of enormous crimes. Paul looked on theſe
acts of authority as attempts againſt God and
againſt the church : his threats and his orders were
not heard ; the intereſt of the citizens appeared
preferable to the pretenſions of the court of Rome.
The pope, irritated, threw out thunders and ex
communications againſt the doge and the ſenate,
and pronounced a general interdi&tion on the Re-
public. The Jeſuits alone, with the capuchins,
thought they ought to ſubmit; the firit, who
were more feared than others, were baniſhed.
Every thing ſeemed to threaten a war :"the pope
prepared to execute the cenſures he had denounc-
ed, and the Venetians to ſupport the rights of
their ſovereignty. Henry IV. that truly Chriſtian
Vol. II.
I
prince,
170 ELEMENTS OF THE
A furious war,
prince, offered to mediate betwixt them. For a
long time the court of France had loſt its credit
at Rome, where Spain had been the favourite
power. Nevertheleſs he had the glory of being
choſen for mediator, and of terminating the dif-
pute. Paul V. could not obtain the re-eſtabliſh-
ment of the Jeſuits, which was one of the objects
he had moſt at heart : they were not recalled till
near fifty years after, and they ſtill feel at Venice
- the effects of their former diſgrace. The title of
peace-maker, more worthy of a great prince than
that of conqueror, was now reſerved for the king
of France. He managed the firſt treaty betwixt
Spain and the United Provinces.
which had laſted for forty years, ſeemed to have
rendered them irreconcilable. On one ſide, Mau-
rice the prince of Orange endeavoured to conti-
nue it for his own particular intereſt, while the
wiſe Barnevelt deſired to put an end to it for the
good of his country. On the other, the Spaniards
treating the Hollanders always as rebels, were far
from ſatisfying them. The preſident Jeannin,
ambaſſador in Holland, fulfilled the beneficent
views of Henry IV. By a wonderful negociation,
he managed their different diſpoſitions with ſo
much addreſs, that all obſtacles diſappeared
Philip III. concluded with the States a truce of-a
dozen years, acknowledging them for free provin-
ces, over which he pretended no authority. Thus
was their 'liberty and ſovereignty authentically
eſtabliſhed; monument of the courage and
protection of France.
We will here mention an anecdote which we
are told of theſe redoubtable republicans. It is
ſaid that the ambaſſadors of Spain going to the.
Hague in, 1608, met the deputies of the State
: fitting on the graſs eating their dinner ; every one
had brought their proviſions, which conſiſted of
bread,
)
a
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 179
"
The young
bread, cheeſe, and beer. At this fight the Spa-
niards, ſeized with aſtoniſhment, cried out ;
« Behold the people who cannot be conquered,
and with whom it is then neceſſary we ſhould
make peace.
Nothing was now wanting to complete the hap-
pineſs and glory of the king but the ſurmounting
the moſt dangerous of all paſſions *.
prince of Conde was deſirous of marrying the
daughter of the marſhal of Montmorency. The
charms of that princeſs had, at the ſame time,
ftruck Henry in the moſt lively manner. He diſ-
ſembled not his inclination, and by it drew on
himſelf freſh" troubles. All at once the firſt prince
of the blood diſappeared, and carried his wife with
him to Bruſſels, where the court of Spain was not
wanting in offering him every aſliſtance. The
king was extremely afflicted at this evaſion. The
more occaſion he had to reproach himſelf for his
licentious love, the more he endeavoured to make
amends for it by his care of government, and his
great enterpriſes. He very ſoon carried the war
into Germany. The houſe of Auſtria diſputed
with thoſe of Brandenbourg and Newbourg the
ſucceſſion of Cleves and Juliers. In ſupporting
the rights of his allies, he took occaſion to lower
the Auſtrian power, and reſtrain it within juſt
limits. This was undoubtedly the object of his
ermament. Perhaps he had conceived a project
which is attributed to him, of forming out of the
fifteen European powers, a body called Chriſtian
* Among the women whom he loved, we ought
to diſtinguiſh Catherine of Rohan. When he made
her a declaration of his paſſion, the replied, 'I am
' too poor to be your wife, and of too good a family
to be
iniftreſs.'
I 2
Repub-
be your
172
EL E MENTS OF THE
Republic, which ſhould have his laws, his coun-
ſel, his arms, and who ſhould unite together to
maintain an equilibrium againſt thoſe who would
break it : an admirable project in ſpeculation, but
of which there is not one trace remaining, and
the execution of which appeared too chimerical
for fo enlightened a prince to flatter himſelf with
bringing to any concluſion. On the contrary,
the houſe of Auſtria was threatened with almoſt
an inevitable revolution. The meaſures were all
concerted; forty millions were deſtined for this
war, innumerable well diſciplined troops, vaft
proviſions, ſure alliances, with numberleſs forces
and reſources, and an experienced and courageous
king, who ſaw no enemies in a ſtate where he
was the head. He preſſed the departure with ex-
treme impatience. It is ſaid, that forebodings,
and very ſenſible uneaſineſs that he felt, plainly
indicated ſome fatal ſtroke. Several hiſtorians
ſpeak of predi&tions and preſages, which appear
ſo magyellous, that they fufficiently deſtroy their
own credit. It is too certain, though hardly to
be credited, that the beſt of kings was aſſaſſinat-
ed in the midſt of his people. Ravilliac had, for
a long time, contrived the parricide. He ſeized
the opportunity when the coach of Henry IV.
was ſtopt, by being intangled with ſome chariots,
and plunged his dagger into his breaſt. This vil-
lain, born at Angouleme, and who had been no-
vice at the houſe of the Feullans at Paris, was in-
ſpired, like John Chatel, with the fanaticiſm of
the league. The name of Hugonot alone made
him groan with horror, and he hoped to extirpate
his crimes by martyrdom, in murdering a hero
whoſe religion ſome madmen ſuſpected. He con-
ftantly denied his having any accomplices. This
was: at leaſt the fifth conſpiracy againſt the life of
Henry the Great. Two Dominicans of Flanders,
and
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
173
and a capuchin brother, of Milan, had come ex-
preſs to kill him, and had been puniſhed with
death. Over ſuch deeds we ſhould caſt a veil, to
hide them from the knowledge of mankind : they
ought to make us abhor the frenzy of falſe zeal,
and to make us adore the true maxims of the
evangeliſts. If, inſtead of heating their heads
by atrocious invectives, they had preached up
that mildneſs and chriſtian charity which charac-
teriſes the moſt holy of all religions, ſhould we
then have ſeen a Poltrot, a James Clement, a
John Chatel, or a Ravilliac, and an infinite num-
ber of others, endeavour, by affaffination, to open
to themſelves the gates of Heaven? Would the
Calvinifts of France have lighted the fires of
civil war to ſupport perſecution ? and would the
Catholics of England have attempted, in 1605,
to deſtroy James I. the royal family, and all the
peers of the realm, by the gunpowder plot ? an
event, which we mention as a new proof of the
fatal madneſs which had then ſpread itſelf through-
out Europe. The firſt Chriftians, who mingled
not the purity of worſhip and morality with con-
tentious ſyſtems, or ridiculous and arbitrary prac-
tices, were the moſt mild, the moſt patient, and
moſt humble of men. Are we taught any other
faith? or have wê any other maxims given us to
practiſe
Henry IV: being a model for men as well as
for kings, the deſign of this work permits us to
add ſome ſtrokes to the abridgment of his reign.
He united to extreme freedom, the beſt directed
policy ; to the moſt exalted ſentiments, the moſt
charming ſimplicity of manners; and to the cou-
rage of a ſoldier, an inexhauſtible fund of huma-
nity: (Henault.) : Every thing in him ſeemed
the expreſſion of an amiable ſoul. Often he con-
verſed familiarly with his ſoldiers and the people,
in
I 3
174
EL EMENTS OF THE
in ſuch manner, as ſtill to acquire freſh reſpect.
Sometimes ſitting amidſt his guards, he eat a piece
of black bread, in order to teach his troops pati-
ence; ſometimes he comforted the peaſants for
.: the miſeries which were brought on them by the.
league, by declaring that he would ſhare them
with them. His greateſt ambition was, to render
his fubjects happy. The duke of Savoy one day
demanded of him, at what he valued the revenues
of France. "It is worth what I pleaſe,' ſaid he
to him : yes, what I pleaſe; becauſe that, having
" the hearts of my people, I can do what I wil!.
* If God gives me life, the time ſhall come,
- when there ſhall not be a labourer in my king-
dom, who has it not in his power to have a
fowl in his pot; and if ſo,' added he fiercely,
" I ſhall ſtill continue to be able to ſupport my
ſoldiers in ſubjecting thoſe to reaſon who would
deprive me of my authority.” Some peaſants
houſes having been pillaged in Champagne,
was told of it, and immediately ſent for the cap-
tains, who were at Paris, ſaying to them in a ſe-
vere tone; Look after them diligently; keep
them in order : you will aſk me what I mean.
. If they ruin my people, who will nouriſh me?
• who will ſupport the public charges ? who will
. pay your penſions? Gentlemen, as God lives,
to take from my ſubjects, is taking from me.' He
was, nevertheleſs, a friend of his officers as well
as the father of his people. The Spaniſh am-
baſſador one day teftified ſome ſurpriſe at ſeeing
him ſurrounded by a crowd of gentlemen. If you
• had ſeen me in a day of battle,' ſaid he to him,
" they would have preſſed about me ſtill more.
This goodneſs did not degenerate into a weak com-
plaiſance : le knew how to refuſe on.proper oc-
caſions, ar.d would make them ſee the juſtice of
his
6
he
2
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
175
(
his refuſal. A man of rank once demanded mercy
for his nephew, who had been guilty of murder.
His reply was that of a good prince who was defi-
rous of pardoning, but who could not excuſe
himſelf from puniſhing where it was deſerved.
. I am very ſorry,' ſays he,' that I cannot grant
what you aſk; it becomes you to be the uncle,
but me to be the king ; I excuſe your requeſt
. do you excuſe my refuſal.' If he was ſome-
times prodigal to ill-diſpoſed noblemen, and re-
compenſed leſs generouſly the ſervices of his
faithful captains *; if he eſtabliſhed paulette,
a kind of impoſition which perpetuates in families
thoſe places which ought to be the reward of
merit; if he ſuffered many abuſes to ſubſiſt ; if
he did not do all the good which might have been
done in other times, it was leſs his fault than that
of his particular circumſtances. Everything was
to be reformed, every thing was to be renewed ;
but he conquered and pacified his kingdom ; he
ftified the league and religious wars; re-eſtabliſhed
order in his finances ; made himſelf beloved by
France, and reſpected by foreign poners; in fine,
he reigned gloriouſly in ſpite of many obſtacles,
many diſorders, and many enemies, and was a
prodigy which nothing in hiſtory can equal. One
of the greateſt objects of his policy, conformable
* It is ſurpriſing, that a king fo warlike, ſuppreſſed,
in 1606, the nobility, which was gained by the pro-
feſſion of arms, as Henry. III. had ſuppreſſed that
which was enjoyed by the poſſeſſion of fiefs. Military
ſervices had certainly a particular right to his ac-
knowledgments. Lewis XV. by his edict to the
nobles in 1750, eternizes his reign by this new law,
as well as by the eſtabliſhment of a military ſchool,
Henault,
to
I
176
ELEMENTS OF THE
to the principles of Sully, was the enlivening the
provinces by agriculture, the true ſource of riches.
An enemy to luxury, which has always more in-
conveniencies than advantages in it in a vaſt mo-
narchy, he diſcredited it by his example and diſ-
courſes. He incited the noblemen to retire to their
eſtates, teaching them," ſays Perifexe; - that
• the beſt dependance they had was from good
management. He rallied thoſe who carried
their mills and their high foreſts of trees on their
backs, which was one of the jocular expreſſions
of this great king. The ſimplicity of his own
habit was a leffon ſufficient of itſelf. From the
time of his abjuration, he had always appeared
ſincerely attached to the church. The clergy
having made him remonſtrances in 1598, on di-
vers abuſes, eſpecially in the nomination of benefi-
ces, he replied, “That this abuſe was real; that
- he had found it eſtabliſhed, that he hoped to
reform it, and put the church again into a
' flouriſhing ſtate; but,' continued he, do
you, on your ſide, contribute a little towards
. it; ſet good examples, that the people may be
- incited to follow them; and that you going be-
· fore, they may be turned to the right way. You
have exhorted me to my duty, I will exhort
' you to yours. Let us mutually do well at the
· deſire of each other.' . Unfortunately he did not
always find in the eccleſiaſtics that love for virtue
which eſtabliſhes itſelf better by example than
words; and he would ſometimes ſay, I know
very well what they preach ; but they do not
think that I know what they do.'
It was reſerved to the age of Henry IV. to
reform the manners of the clergy, as well as to
poliſh thoſe of the nation. When his moderation
and firmneſs to the Calviniſts had, with no little
trouble, ſtopped the courſe of their cabals, they
6
6
ore
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
177
1
C
one day aſked of him places of ſafety; ſaying,
that they had obtained them of the late king.
• I am,' replied he, myſelf the only aſſurance
• of ſafety to my ſubjects. I have never broken
my faith. Henry III. you feared and did not
love ; but me you love, and have no reaſon to
• fear.' His ſyſtem was to gain people's minds
by mildneſs, giving for a reaſon, that you might
gain more mouths with a ſpoonful of honey, than
with a ton of vinegar. He is juſtly reproached
with an exceſs of paſſion for women and for play.
Theſe are the blemiſhes of a great ſoul. It is
Tare to find great virtues without ſome mixture of
vicė. Happy the people whoſe prince makes them
forget his
faults by his humanity, the
wiſdom and the glory of his government.
Henry IV. had fix children by Mary de
Medicis, and eight by different miſtreſſes, beſides
thoſe which he did not own.
Al France wept
his death: the troubles with which it was very
foon agitated, made it ſtill feel, in a greater de-
gree, the misfortune of having loſt him.
L E W IS XIII.
A
S ſoon as the noiſe of the affaffination of
Henry
had reached the Louvre, the queen
went out of her cloſet all in tears, and ſaid to the
chancellor of Silleri whom ſhe met, The king is
dead ! « Madam,' replied that magiſtrate, with-
out taking any notice of her emotion,
jefty muſt excuſe me, kings never die in France.'
They diſſembled this misfortune, in order to take
neceſſary meaſures. Lewis XIII. was then only
nine years old ; the regency was wanting; the
duke of Epernon, one of the noblemen who had
been
your maa
IS
178
ELEMENTS OF THE
been the moſt turbulent under the late reign, ran
to the parliament, reſolved to name Mary of
Medicis ; he ſeated himſelf on the bench by his
peers, and putting his hand on his ſword, “It is
as yet in the ſcabbard," ſaid he, but it will foon
« unſheath itſelf, if you do not in an inſtant grant
the queen's mother a title which is her due, by
the laws of nature and juſtice. The circum-
ſtances demanded quickneſs; the threats of the
duke, who was as powerful as haughty, made
great impreſſion on the magiftrates, and the queen
was immediately proclaimed regent.
There was now a new form of government
which ſeemed to foretel the decay of the kingdom.
The queen was governed by the Florentine Con-
cini, and ſtill more by his wife Eleanor Gelagai,
who were entirely taken up with making their
own fortunes, and had no other regard for France
than to enrich themſelves with its ſpoils. The
council was a confuſed aſſembly, where no ſalu-
tary meaſures could be reſolved on. They a-
bandoned the great project of Henry IV. who
had it at heart to revenge himſelf on the court of
Spain : and, on the contrary, they ſhewed the
utmost deſire to reconcile themſelves with it. :In
vain Sully endeavoured to ſupport the honour of
the nation. A treaty which had been made with
the duke of Savoy to affiſt him in conquering the
Milaneſe was ſhamefully broken, and this prince
obliged to aſk pardon of Philip III, The greateſt
man who then belonged to the ſtate, the duke of
Sully, ever deteſtable to the courtiers and finan-
ciers, whoſe injuſtice he had brought to light, and
whoſe murmurs he had, contemned, too form to
change his views and ſentiments in order to con-
form to the new court, in a ſhort time loſt all his
credit: he ſurrendered his places and retired. Be-
ing recalled ſome years afterwards, when they had
need
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
179
need of his advice, his dreſs, his manners, which
were entirely different from the mode, were turned
into ridicule by the young courtiers. - This is
. unworthy treatment, Sire,' ſaid he, to Lewis
XIII: “ when the king your father did me the
honour of conſulting me, he previouſly ſent
away all the buffoons and coxcombs of the
court.' Sully died in his retirement, in 1641.
Such men were made for Henry IV.
Another illuſtrious, perſonage, the preſident of
Thou, an hiſtorian equal to Titus Livy and
Salluſt, was incapable of ſucceeding his relation,
Achilles of Harila, in the place of firſt preſident,
becauſe his hiſtory had blaſted the court of Rome.
This, among many others, was an evil preſage
for the ſtate, when acknowledged merit ſunk un-
der the weight of prejudice and intrigue. In the
fame degree as government grew weak and de-
generate, faction and diſcontent became audacious :
the ſpirit of rebellion, which Henry with difficul.-
ty reſtrained, broke out among the proteſtants
even in the heart of the court. The prince of
Conde, the duke of Vendoſme, and the grand
prior of France, natural ſons of the late king ;
the young duke of Mayenne, the dukes of Lan-
gueville, of Guiſe, of Nevers, &c. left the
court, and all took to arms. The duke of Bouil-
lon blew up the fire of diſcord; he excited the
princes againſt the marquis of Ancre, Concini
.
this bafe Florentine,' ſaid he, who has had
the infolence to oppreſs us.' The complaints
againſt the favourite were caſt indireally on the
queen, who wanted ſtrength and prudence to van-
quiſh ſo powerful a party,
The malcontents
obtained all that they deſired by the treaty of St.
Menehoud. One of the principal obje of their
demards was a convocation of the States General,
which was held at Paris, and produc-a nothing
6
more
"180
ELEMENTS OF THE
more than what often happens from ſuch tumul-
tuous aſſemblies, many diſputes and uſeleſs remon-
Atrárces. The clergy ſolicited in very warm terms
the publication of the council of Trent. The
third ſtate oppoſed it with an equal ardor, and de-
monſtrated their zeal by demanding that a formal
law ſhould be eſtabliſhed, which ſhould prohibit
any one power, either ſpiritual or temporal, from
a right of diſpoſing of the kingdom, or diſpenſing
the ſubje&s from their oath of fidelity; and that.
the opinion, that it was lawful to put kings to
death, was impious, and deteſtable. The clergy
agreed, that it was not permitted to kill kings ;
but oppoſed the foregoing part of the propoſition,
and drew the nobility into their ſentiments : ſuch
was ftill the empire of theſe prejudices over men's
minds, which are now become deſpicable in the
eyes of the French. The cardinal of Perron
ſpoke with a zeal truly Italian, on the temporal
power of the 'popes. In our age he would have
thought otherwiſe ; but how could they even at
that time ſupport fo pernicious a chimera ? How
could the court in particular be blind, or cowardly
enough, to favour an opinion contrary to ſovereign
authority? A proclamation of parliament was
fuppreſſed, by which the independence of the
crown was declared a fundamental law of the
kingdom. The States preſented them immenſe
ſheets which they promiſed to read, but diſmiſſed
the aſſembly without doing any thing. It was
the laſt of that nature which has been held in
France. The parliament, to ſupply the place of
it, called together the peers, under the good
pleaſure of the king. The end of which was, to
conſult in general on the propoſals which ſhould
be for his ſervice, the ſupport of his people, and
the good of the ſtate. This proclamation offend-
ed the court, and the peers were forbidden to be
preſent
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 181
1
dam, you
preſent at the convocation. The parliament made
remonftrances, particularly complaining of the
diflipaiion of the treaſure of Henry IV. of which
there remained but little, of the increaſe of royal
expences, and an infinite number of abuſes. "I
I have heard your remonstrances,' replied the
king, (who was already declared major) - and I
am not ſatisfied with them; the queen my mo-
"ther will tell you the reſt. A proclamation
from the council decided, that the parliament
had no right to take cognizance of the affairs of
ſtate. Mary of Medicis ordered the procurator-
general Mole to be the bearer of the proclamati-
on; who, after having in vain begged on his
knees to be excuſed from that office, faid, Ma-
force me to carry a flambeau that
. will rekindle a fire in the cinders that will not be
foon extinguiſhed, and of which we have great
reaſon to fear the event.' What event, replied
the queen ? is it that the people will be rebellious ?
• No, madam,' replied Mole ; ' but we have
reaſon to fear a change in their affections, and
• the deſtroying of the great companies of the king-
• dom, who exerciſe juſtice, by which kings
reign.' Lewis cut him ſhort by theſe words :
• It is my will, and the queen’s alſo.' Mean-
while the proclamation of the council remained
unexecuted; as the remonftrances of parliament
had no effect. The prince of Conde rebelled
anew, and engaged the proteſtants, whom he did
not love, to declare themſelves for him : he pub-
liſhed his intention in a violent manifeſto, where
the marquis of Ancre, who was now become
marſhal of France, was painted in the blackeſt
colours. The deſigns of the rebels did not hinder
the queen from conducting her ſon to Bourdeaux,
to receive Ann of Auſtria, the Infanta of Spain,
whoſe marriage with the king had for a long time
excited
182 EL EMENTS OF THE
excited many murmurs. A ſhameful peace ſup-
preſſed a civil war: the prince returned with the
hopes of governing. He was ſtopped in the mid-
dle of the Louvre by Themines, who received in
recompence the ſtaff of marſhal. The keeper of
the feals of Vair, the preſident Jeaniri and Vil".
leroi, miniſters of credit, not approving the con-
duct of the queen, were facrificed to the marſhal
of Ancre; and Richlieu biſhop of Lucar, his
creature was named ſecretary of ſtate. His ambition
had for a long time aſpired to the miniſtry where he
was born to have the greateſt ſucceſs.
The fourth civil.war now broke out under this
reign, through the diſcontent of the princes and no-
bles. The marſhal of Ancre offered to raiſe at his own
expence an army of ſeven thouſand men; he who
formerly had not ſufficient to pay a domeſtic. His
fortune ſufficiently juſtified the cries of the public;
but he was not able to ſupport himſelf againſt ſo
many ſtorms. The fall of the Italian was as
ſtrange as his elevation: princes had not as yet
been able to overthrow him ; but young de Luines
brought about this ſcheme. . This gentleman, born
in Comtat, had been page to Henry IV. and had
inſinuated himſelf into the good graces of Lewis
by diſciplining birds of prey. His favour daily
increaſed : maſter of the confidence of the king,
whoſe weak foul ſuffered himſelf always to be
governed, he ſuggeſted to him a deſire of with-
drawing himſelf from the tutorage of a mother,
who reigned under his name, and perſuaded him to
begin, by calling to an account the marſhal, who
exerciſed all the authority of the queen. Vitri,
captain of the body guards, was charged to arreſt
him, with orders to kill him if he reſiſted. They
took care to interpret this order in ſuch a manner,
that Concini did not eſcape death: he was ſhot
by a piſtol in entering the Louvre. Vitri imme-
diately
HISTORY OF FRANCE, 183
ner.
diately cried out, Long live the king ! Lewis
appeared at the window, and approved the deed.
The captain of the guards was honoured with the
ſtaff of marſhal of France. It was an abaſement
of theſe great places to beſtow them in ſuch a mag-
The duke of Bouillon, ſpeaking of Vitri
and Themines, faid, (as we are aſſured) . That
t he ſhould bluſh to be marſhal, ſince that dignity
6 was the recompence of a ſerjeant and an aſſallin .
For a long time the marſhals of France had
commanded the army under the conftable; their
office was formerly moveable, it had been ſo two
or three times : Francis. I. had. created four, and
made a rule that they ſhould continue for life.
The number had not been fixed ſince his reign.
As ſoon as Concini was dead, the queen-mother
was made priſoner in the Louvre, and afterwards
removed to Blois. Her ſon now ſhewed as much
cruelty as he had formerly ſubmiſſion: the mar-
chioneſs of Ancre might have been ſent back into
Italy; there was no reaſon for purſuing her, and
humanity ſeemed to ſpeak in her favour : never-
theleſs, the parliament was ordered to proſecute
her. Sorcery and magic were the principal crimes
which were laid to her charge. She and her
huſband had, in reality, drawn together a num-
ber of thoſe Impoſtors, who, under the name of
aſtrologers and divines, abuſed the credulity of
the great. But being interrogated by the com-
miſſary of parliament on what charms ſhe had
made uſe of to faſcinate the queen mother; the
replied, "The aſcendancy. that a ſuperior ſoul muſt
• always have over a weak one.' The queen had
ſo little underſtanding, the ſometimes ſaid, that
there was no occaſion for ſorcery in order to
govern hier. The parliament declared her criminal
of an offence to majeſty, human and divine.
Without ſpecifying the nature of the laſt crime,
ſhe
184 ELEMENTS OF THE
ſhe was burnt as one whom they believed a force-
reſs. A great deal of riches, accumulated by
ſelling pardons, made, without doubt, the princi-
pal fault for which ſhe died; and they were wil-
ling to ſeize on her eſtates and thoſe of the
marſhal. The king beſtowed the ſpoil on his fa-
vourite. Luines became all ai once one of the
richeſt noblemen in the kingdom. He alſo mar-
ried a Rohan, being able to aſpire to any thing
under a maſter whoſe will he dictated. In order
to cover his intrigues, under an appearance of
zeal, he engaged Lewis XIII. to call together an
aſſembly of notables at Rouen, where they deli-
berated on the means of reforming abuſes. This
aſſembly was no more than a pretence for continu-
ing taxes; it propoſed good laws to which it had
not the leaſt regard: the only fruit which the
people drew from it, was the ſuppreſſion of the
paulette, by an edict which was revoked thrée
years afterwards. Luines had put an end to the
civil war by putting Concini to death; but he had
ſucceeded to the hatred which was borne that
man, by ſucceeding to the fortune which had ren-
dered him odious, and peace could never ſupport
itſelf under general diſcontent. The fierce duke
of Eperncn conſpired with the queen-mother.
She flew from Blois, and followed him to An-
gouleme. They wrote letters to the king full of
fubmiffion, at the ſame time that they were raiſing
troops againſt him. This war ended in a difho-
nourable accommodation : they gave the queen
the government of Anjou, inſtead of that of Nor-
mandy. The duke of Epernon, though guilty of
an offence againſt majeſty, preſerved all his pla-
ces, and might be ſaid in ſome degree to triumph
over his ſovereign. Meanwhile the fortune of
Luines freed itſelf from all obſtacles. He was al-
seady duke, peer and marſhal of France, and it was
not
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
185
not at all doubted but he would obtain the place of
conſtable, vacated by the death of Henry of Mont-
morency. The duke of Mayenne had ſaid with
great truth, That it would be very aſtoniſhing a
man ſhould be made conſtable who did not know,
the weight of a ſword. The quality of the fa-
vourite ſupplied all the deficiency, and Luines
very ſoon obtained the place of conſtable. He
had procured the deliverance of the prince of Con-
de, hoping to gain his aſſiſtance to ſupport him
againſt jealouſy. This prince did not forget his
duty, but factions increaſed every where. The
malcontents from all parts crouded to Mary de
Medicis, who held her court at Angiers, and who
refuſed to return to Paris. The mother and ſon
took up arms againſt each other, till a new treaty
ſeemed to reſtore tranquility. This was the work
of the biſhop of Luçon, Richlieu, whoſe fortune
rapidly advanced. Far from regulating his con-
duet by the court, or the opinion of his dioceſe,
after the fall of Concini, he had affected in his
retreat to write books of devotion, while he was
waiting an opportunity of rebelling. The queen-
mother having occaſion for him, he had made
himſelf maſter of her council, through the
ſtrength of his genius and policy. It was thought
that he ſecretly held a treaty with Luines, with a
deſign of accommodating matters to his own inter-
eft, and that the favourite, in order to gain him,
had promiſed him a cardinal's hat. Richlieu, at
leaft, was of ſome ſervice to the ſtate, at the
ſame time that he was working for his own
intereſt.
Theſe little civil wars were finiſhed almoſt as
foon as begun,without producing any thing conſide-
rable. The diverſity of religion cauſed the moſt
obſtinate and moſt bloody conteſts. The zealous
Catholics bore with impatience the liberty which
the
186 EL EMENTS OF THE
the edict of Nantz procured to the Calviniſts: the
latter, with a zeal as ardent, increaſed by con-
tradiction, held cabals for the ſupport of their pri-
vileges. Lewis XIII, had taken from them the
ecclefiaftical land of Bern, which had been in their
poſſeſſion for fixty years: he had himſelf fup-
ported this act of authority which the parliament
of Paris had in vain oppoſed. The uneaſineſs of
the Religioniſts did not keep itſelf within the
bounds of uſeleſs murmurs; their ſeditious aſſem-
blies proclaimed a revolt: they formed at Rochelle
the project of changing France into a republic ;
the new conſtable flattered himſelf with being able
to cruſh them, and war was refolved.on. Dupleſſis
Mornai governor of Saumur, one of their moſt
important places of ſafety, would not enter into
this rebellion. The king went to Saumụr. A pro-
poſal was there made to Mornai, to give up his
government for one hundred thouſand crowns,
and for the marſhal's ſtaff. He fiercely replied,
“That he preferred his truſt before ſo many.
6 millions, and that he was more zealous of deſerv-.
' ing the place that he had, that of obtaining ever
' ſo many others by importunities and baſeneſs;
and that he could not reſolve to ſell the liberty.
s and ſafety of his citizens, for which he looked
upon himſelf to be reſponſible.' The king, ne-,
vertheleſs, ordered him to put the place for
three months into the hands of another. He
obeyed, and never more entered it. The chief
of the Calviniſts was the duke of Rohan, attach-
ed through convi&tion to their party, and very
capable of ſupporting it by his ſuperior qualities.
The duke of Soubiſe, his brother, being ſummon-
ed to render up St. John of Angeli, replied by
this billet, I am the king's very humble ſervant,
F but I do not execute his commands when they
are not in my power.' The city capįtulated ;
Mon-
C
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
187
6 You
Montaubon was beſieged by Lewis in perſon.
The duke of Rohan appeared there, in order to
animate the courage of the Calviniſts.
' have, ſworn,' ſaid he, to them, in my preſence,
the union of the churches. This oath is ſacred ;
you ought inviolably to keep it. When there
are left only two perſons of this religion, I will
? be one of the two : my houſes and my revenues
are ſeized, my ſword and my life remains,
and I will employ them both in your defence.'
He kept his word in vain : the conſtable, his ally,
in a conference which he had with him, would
have forced him to enter into an accommodation.
The duke, too little ſenſible of his own particu-
lar intereſt, inſiſted on a general peace : they
continued the ſiege only to have the ſhame of
raiſing' it: men and women fought on the ram-
parts with an invincible ardour ; while the chiefs
of the royal army heard nothing among themſelves,
but that Leſdeguieres was not attended to, and
that Luines had commanded badly, which was the
fault of inexperience. The duke of Mayenne was
killed at the ſiege of Montaubon, and ſucceſs in-
famed the courage of the rebels. There was
ſome memorable enterprize wanting, in order to
efface the affront which the king had received
before Montaubon, but he fatisfied himſelf with
only beſieging the little city of Monheur. About
this time, Luines was attacked with a fever, of
which he died at forty-three years old : he was
at the ſame time conſtable and maſter of the ſeals,
nobody had more addreſs to take advantage of
favour. Lewis had already felt that he had given
himſelf a maſter; ſeing him come one day with
a kind of affected ſtatelineſs, he ſaid to a lord,
Behold the king who enters ! or, according to
ſome authors, Behold king Luines ! But perhaps
he never would have had ſufficient peſolution to
break
188 ELEMENTS OF THE
break his chains. He complained, but knew not
how to reign as valiant as Henry IV.; he was
wanting in that ſtrength of mind and courage of
ſoul which forms great men and true heroes,
The following campaign procured that glory of
which he was moſt deſirous; he expoſed himfelf
to dangers, and ſeveral times faced death. The
marſhal of Lefdeguieres, fo celebrated for his
exploits, ſerved him in quality of conſtable (who
had at length facrificed his religion to his fortune ;
for the ſword of conſtable could only be given to
Catholics).
Lewis, after divers expeditions in Poitou and in
Saintongue, beſieged Montpelier. This city de-
fended itſelf as Montaubon had done, and ap-
peared reſolute in the laſt extremities. A negoci-
ation took place, and peace was made on advan-
tageous conditions for the Hugonots : they obtained
a confirmation of the edi&t of Nantz, and all their
privileges : the king could not enter Montpelier,
but with his guards and Swiſs. A general pardon
was paſſed, and eight hundred thouſand livres or-
dered for the duke of Rohan. The weakneſs of
the monarch reduced him to recompenſe the chiefs
of the rebellion. The marquis de la Force, who
had maintained the ſiege of Montaubon, had al-
ready been rewarded with two hundred thouſand
crowns, and the marthal's ſtaff. From ſuch trea-
ties, neither fubmiflion from the feditious, nor
zeal from good citizens, could proceed.
During theſe troubles in the kingdom, a reli-
gious war had been the cauſe of the ſame mil-
fortunes in Germany : the Proteſtants of Bohe.
mia, having ſhaken off the yoke of the emperor,
had given themſelves to the ele&tor Palatine Fre-
deric V. This prince, ſon-in-law to James I.
(the puſillanimous king of England) had received
no ſuccour from him. The battle of Prague, in
1620,
HISTORY OF FRANCE189
.
.
1620, loft him not only Bohemia, but his own
eſtate. Never was a better opportunity for ſub-
jecting the houſe of Auſtria. Richlieu would not
have loſt it, but he no longer governed. Lewis
favoured the emperor Ferdinand II. chuſing
rather to make war on his own ſubjects than to
weaken the power of the natural enemy of his
crown. He had need of ſome great genius to cor-
rect theſe political blunders : ſuch a one exifted,
and very ſoon removed all the obſtacles which ſtope
his fortune. The queen-mother, from the time
of her reconciliation with the king, liad re-entered
the council, and was deſirous of introducing Rich-
lieu ; who at length became cardinal. The
miniſters, fearing his ambition, and more than all,
the ſuperiority of his underſtanding, decried his
diſpoſition to Lewis. The gallantries with which
they reproached him, could not fail of hurting
him in the eyes of a devout prince, too ſuſpicious
of others, and too jealous of his own authority
not to, fear him who had been painted to him as
the moſt ambitious of courtiers. Mary of Me-
dicis was not ſo rebuffed ; the chancellor of Sil-
leri, and Puizieux his ſon, both of them of an
oppoſite party to the Cardinal, were diſgraced ;
and his enemies had the chagrin. to ſee him ad-
mitted into the miniſtry. The more he ſecretly
deſired this place, the more repugnancy he affec-
ted to receive it : his bad health, he ſaid, rende-
red him incapable of any long conſultations ; all
that he was able to do, was to aſliſt in the council
from time to time, without mixing in affairs of
ſtate. The king was thus deceived, but Richlieu
had other views : and ſome
years
afterwards the
royal authority was entirely in his hands. From
the time that he entered into the council, the
go..
verrment ſeemed to have changed its policy.
They conceived the greateſt deſigns, and took
the
190
ELEMENTS OF THE
The beſt meaſures. They concluded a marriage
between Henrietta of France, the king's fifter,
and the prince of Wales (Charles I ), on conditi-
on that that princeſs and her houſehold ſhould enjoy
the free exerciſe of the Catholic religion, and that
their children ſhould be brought up with them till
twelve years old. They made a new treaty with
Holland, who had taken up arms againſt : Spain,
·and who had torn themſelves to pieces by a theo-
logical war ; in which the celebrated Barnevelt,
the fa’her and defender of his country, had been
the victim ; the ambition of the prince of Orange
having found a pretence for putting him to death.
At length, the expedition of the Valteline, in
fome meaſure, reſtored the honour of France.
The king of Spain had taken Griſons, that little
province, for fear, as he ſaid, that hereſy ſhould
find a paſſage there ; but in reality, to make a way
for himſelf into Italy. Lewis, till now, had kept
within the bounds of the negociatiori, though the
enterpriſe of the Spaniards was contrary to the good
of the kingdom all that he gained by it was,
that the pope held in ſequeſtration the places of
the Valteline. Richlieu convinced him, That both
his glory' and intereſt demanded more vigour.
· This miniſter fiercely declared, in ſpite of the pope
that they ſhould follow.other maxims ; for that
they had no longer 'madmen in the council. The
marquis of Cæuvres, at the head of an army,
entered the Valteline, treated with the inhabitants,
and delivered them from the yoke of Spain and
Rome.
Before the end of this expedition, the Hugonots
had again rebelled : they always complained of
the little regard that was paid to the treaties made
with them, and their inclination for fedition never
wantei p ctences. The dukes of Rohan and Sou-
bile aniniated thera-by their ſpeeches. Richlieu,
already
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
191
already maſter of the government, though not"
prime miniſter, engaged the Engliſh and Hollan-
ders to turn their arms againſt thoſe whom they
ought to have looked on as their brethren. They
employed foreign veffels to fight the feet of Ro-
chelle, which was more conſiderable than all the
marine of France. The rebels were beaten on
the ſea, and driven to the Iſle of Rhe Notwith-
ſtanding theſe advantages, they granted them
peace on the ſame conditions as before the cardinal
meditated their' ruin : but the chief point he la-
boured at was, to humble the houſe of Auſtria
;
for to execute this great deſign, he could, he ſaid,
diſpenſe with ſcandaliſing himſelf to the world
once more, by appearing favourable to the here-
tics, for which he was ſtigmatiſed by libels full of
malice and fanaticiſm. He was called the Cardinal
of Rochelle, the Pontiff of the Calviniſts, the
Patriarch of the Atheiſts. Theſe kinds of inju-
ries are the arms of people who have but little
reaſon; and the beſt reply to make to them, is
contempt. Richlieu, by ſhewing himſelf too
ſenſible of them, increaſed their ſtrokes of ſatire,
which obſtinately purſued him. At length a trea-
ty was concluded with Spain, on the ſubject of
the Valteline, which reſtored theni Griſons, and
finiſhed this war ; the concluſion of which was
ſo much deſired by Richlieu, for the ſake of con-
firming the royal authority and power,
Before he acted abroad, he propoſed ſtifling
the factions at home. The princes and great
people about court were become too powerful,
under a king who knew not how to reſtrain them :
maſters in their governments, they, held ca-
bals. Gaſton duke of Orleans, brother
Lewis, had a party : the marſhal of Ornano,
his governor, had irritated him againſt his ſove-
reign and the miniſter. He formed a plot to af-
ſaflinate
to
192
ELEMENTS OF THE
ſaſſinate Richlieu. It was thought that Gafton
pretended both to the crown and the wife of his
brother.
Now began the rigours which made this reign
like that of Lewis XI. Ornano was put in pri-
ſon ; Meſſrs. de Vendoſme were arreſted ; Cha-
lais, maſter of the guard robe, was judged at
Nantz, and died on a ſcaffold. The apartment
of queen Ann of Auſtria, if we may believe Baf-
ſompierre, was forbidden lo men in the abſence
of the king; whoſe averſion for her from that
time became inſurmountable. Gaſton .conſented
to marry the heireſs of Monpenſier, and be re-
conciled with Lewis. This was only ſtifing his
enmity for a moment, which burſt out with freſh
violence, when excited by his confidents. The
danger which the cardinal had run, made him
have a company of guards to attend his perſon :
he was become neceſſary to the king, and when
he demanded to retire, he at the ſame time forced
the monarch to retain him. This artful courtier
offered to yield the dignity of miniſter to Baruda,
a new favourite (for he himſelf was always one);
but the favourite which he diſliked was very foon
facrificed to the miniſter. His power increaſed
ſtill more by the ſuppreſſion of the places of ad-
miral and conſtable. Leſdeguieres was dead,
and
his poſt was not filled up, becauſe a conſtable had
been too powerful. The duke of Montmorency
gave up the admiralty, and obtained a million of
money as a recompence. The cardinal, under
the title of fuperintendant of the navigation, was
maſter of the marine ; which was entirely ruined.
He felt the neceſſity of re-eſtabliſhing it, and
made it the object of his cares to authoriſe the
changes which he meditated. They convoked an
aſſembly of notables : it was there repreſented, that
the revenues amounted to no more than thirteen
millions,
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
193
1
millions, and that the annual expences were near
fourteen ; that they ought to leſſen the goings out,
and increaſe the comings in ; that the king ought
to make conſiderable retrenchments in his private
expences, to endeavour to give liſe to commerce, and
encourage the marine ; to prevent the diffipation of
the finances; and to endeavour to be ſparing him-
felf, without taking from the people. Richlieu made
his propoſals, and wiſely ſaid, That he ſhould en-
deavour leis to make laws than to procure an actual
execution of what were made : that he hoped rather
to act than talk. The whole aſſembly approved of all,
except one demand, which he had not made, if it
could have been approved of; it was that of mode-
rating the puniſhments made uſe of againſt ſtate-cri-
minals. He endeavoured to gain the reputation of
mildneſs, which his conduct continually contradict-
ed. Though he pardoned ſtate-criminals, yet he
was inexorable to the Counts of Chapelles
and Boutteville, noblemen diſtinguiſhed by their
bravery, whoſe only crime was that of having
fought duels: their heads were cut off in 1627.
The
rage
for duels at that time made terrible ra-
vages : they reckoned near eight thouſand letters
of mercy granted in leſs than twenty years to
gentlemen who had killed others in ſingle combat.
This was what hail determined Henry IV. to re-
new the prohibition againſt duels ; but imbibing,
perhaps, himſelf certain prejudices on the ſide of
bravery, he winked on the infringements of the
law. The ſeverity of Lewis XIII. or rather of
Richlieu, ſeemed neceſſary to extirpate this abuſe
nevertheleſs it was not in their power to put a ſtop
to it. Humanity and reaſon have more force than
Jaws againſt a bar barcus prejudice : it ſoftens the
manners of mankind, and makes them ſee the
abſurdity. of a point of honour which fullies them
with murder, and renders them guilty of injuſtice.
VOL. II.
K
While
194
ELEMENTS OF THE
While the cardinal of Richlieu diſpoſed of every
thing in the kingdom as he pleaſed, the duke of
Buckingham, miniſter and favourite to Charles I.
engaged England in a war againſt France. The
French Catholics who accompanied Henrietta to
London, had given much umbrage to the Eng-
lith by the imprudence of their zeal. It was a
ſubject of complaints and perſecụtions ; but the
vanity of Buckingham alone was the cauſe of the
rupture betwixt the two crowns. He was infa-
tuated by a romantic paſſion for queen Anne of
Auſtria. He had dared to make a confeſſion of
it, and wiſhed to return to Paris, under pretence
of ſigning a treaty againſt Spain, in order to be
nearer the object of his love. Lewis XIII. re-
fuſed him permiſſion. Piqued at this refuſal, and
jealous of the cardinal, he reſolved upon a war,
excited the Rochellers to a new revolt, and him-
ſelf failed to aſſiſt them. The temerity of the
Engliſh miniſter was the ruin of Rochelle, Rich-
lieu undertook to ſubject this bulwark of Cal-
viniſm. Buckingham, as bad a general as he was
an audacious courtier, was beaten at the Iſle of
Rhe, where the marquis of Thoiras purſued the
Engliſh. Rochelle was inveſted: famine would
have forced them to yield ; but how could the
.gates be ſhut againſt the Engliſh fleet? Richlieu
imitated Alexander. He conſtructed in the ocean
a prodigious bank, the deſign of which was look-
ed upon as chimerical. 'Lewis left him command-
er of the ſiege, in quality of general. He, on
this occafion, gave an example how much genius
could ſupply the want of experience, even in
war; order, diſcipline, and abundance, was not
wanting. The cardinal aſtoniſhed the foldiers by
his valour, and his captains by his addreſs : ne-
vertheleſs Rochelle ſeemed invincible. · The peo-
ple had elected for their mayor, a man ſuperior to
all
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 195
all danger. Guiton, that was the name of this
intrepid magiſtrate, after ſome reluctance, accept-
ed of the charge aſſigned him : taking a poignard,
and ſhewing it to the citizens, ' I will be mayor,
''ſince you will have it fo,' ſaid he, on condi-
tion that I ſhall plunge this poignard into the
o breaſt of che firſt man who talks of ſurrender-
ing, and they ſhall make uſe ºf it againſt me,
o if I make any propoſals of capitulation ; for
• this uſe, I inlift that it be always left upon the
council table. The ſiege was drawn out for a
length of time. The English had ſhewed them-
ſelves without doing any thing ; but Buckingham
was embarking with a more powerful army, when
a fanatic Iriſhman aſſaſſinated him. All the hor-
rors of famine were 'at length felt by the inhabi.
tants of Rochelle, which made them refuſe to
feed any uſeleſs people. An infinite number of
wretched creatures periſhed with miſery and def-
pair. When it was repreſented to the mayor,
that theie would very ſoon-remain no more than
a handful of inhabitants, " Very well,' replied
he, without being at all moved, it is ſufficient
that there remains one to ſhut the gates' Gui-
ton declared in full council, that he would, if they
choſe it, be killed, and give his body for their
nouriſhment, rather than conſent to ſurrender to
the enemy. His boldneſs was feconded by the
fanaticiſm of the miniſters. The mother and
ſiſter of the duke of Rohan, martyrs to their ſect,
gave the example of an heroic patience; but the
Engliſh fleet, ſo long expected, not being able to
force the bank, and having been repulſed, all hope
of ſuccour vaniſhed with them, hunger damped
the courage of the Rochellers, and they ſurrend-
ered, after eleven months refiftance. The king
returned to the ſiege, and ſignalized himſelf there
by his valour ; the cardinal, nevertheleſs, ſaid,
that
K 2
196 ELEMENTS OF THE
that he had taken Rochelle in ſpite of the king of
Spain, the king of England, and more eſpecially
the king of France. The enemies of this miniſter
ſtrongly endeavoured to give to Lewis the praiſe
of ſo glorious an enterpriſe. The chief part of
the great men, more attached to their fortune
than the good of the ſtate, feared the ruin of a
party from which they could, on occaſion, draw
ſuch great advantages ; and the marſhal of Bar-
ſompiere dared publickly to ſay, ' We ſhall, per-
haps, find ourſelves ſufficiently fooliſh in taking
« Rochelle.' This famous city, which, through
its power and its rebellion, had rendered itſelf of
conſequence to its fovereigns for above two hundred
years, always ready to riſe againſt them in the
moſt critical circumſtances, was no longer maſter
of its laws or the exerciſe of its religion. Its for-
tifications were raſed, and its privileges aboliſhed.
It had coſt fourteen millions to reduce it to obe-
dience. The loſs of it had given Calviniſm a
mortal ſtroke ; but it again raiſed its head through
the firmneſs of the duke of Rohan ; a man the
moſt proper to be the ſoul and the ſupport of a
party
They continued the war in Languedoc. Lewis,
in the meanwhile, went to the ſuccour of the new
duke of Mantua, a prince devoted to France,
againſt whoſe ſtate, the emperor, the king of Spain,
and the duke of Savoy, had united. He himſelf
in perſon forced the paſs of Suza, took that city,
delivered Caſſel, which was beſieged by the
Spániards, and returned triumphant to ſubject the
Hugonots. A treaty concluded with England left
them no hope of fuccour. The duke of Rohan
was reduced to extremity, and forced to ſue for
peace. That lord, whom the parliament of
Toulouſe had executed in eſsgy, obtained, not-
withſtanding, the abolition of all that was paſſed
for
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 197
for the rebels, and one hundred thouſand crowns
for himſelf; but it was exacted of him to go out
of the kingdom until the king ſhould order it
otherwiſe. The Calviniſts having loſt their ſtrong
places, had no longer power to wreſtle with the
monarch. If France had not had a Richlieu,
they would, perhaps, have executed that grand
project of a republic, of which they ſaw a model
in the United Provinces. Liberty of conſcience
was, however, not reſtrained ; temples and prea-
chers fubfifted; every one was left at liberty to
follow his religion without troubling the ſtate.;
and this was not the ſmalleſt fruit of the cardinal's
policy.
Theſe glorious enterpriſes executed, could not
fail of irritating the jealouſy and hatred of his
enemies. Arriving at court, he was ill-received
by the queen-mother, whoſe confidence he had
hitherto enjoyed. The cardinal of Berulle, found-
er and general of the oratory, at that time go-
verned her, and gave her an ill opinion of the
miniſter. When he appeared, this princeſs coldly
enquired after his health. I am very well,' re-
plied he, in preſence of Berulle, though thoſe
who are here would not have it fo.' Neverthe-
leſs the king, more through policy than affection,
gave him the patent for prime miniſter, and the
title of lieutenant-general of the army of Italy,
with ſuch vaſt power, that ſome of the wags a-
bout court ſaid, he reſerved to himſelf only the
art of curing the king's evil.
While Richlieu made war in Italy for the duke
of Mantua, and endeavoured, by his negociati-
ons, to undermine the houſe of Auſtria, Mary of
Medicis redoubled her efforts to ruin him. He
expected to be the victim. Lewis being danger-
ouſly ill at Lyons, the continual intreaties and
importunities of his mother tore from him a pro-
miſe
}
K 3
198 ELEMENTS OF THE
miſe of fending the cardinal away ; and every one
expected a change of ſcenes which would over-
turn the kingdom. As ſoon as Richlieu heard it,
he endeavoured by every means to reconcile him-
felf. He threw himſelf often at the feet of the
queen, without being able to make any impreſſion
on her. . I will rather give myſelf to the devil,'
ſaid ſhe, than not be revenged.' The king,
much diſpleaſed with this diſcourſe, had, not-
withſtandirg, fo little reſolution as to yield. The
miniſter, ſome time afterwards, ſaw the moment
approach of inevitable diſgrace. He was on the
point of taking leave; he had already ſecured his
treaſures in a place of ſafety; the favourite, St.
Simon, at that moment, brought him word, that
his maſter was deſirous of ſeeing him once more.
He immediately ran to Verſailles, while Mary de
Medicis imprudently triumphed in her palace of
Luxembcurg. The ſtorm was immediately dif-
Lipated, and Richlieu was received as a regretted
friend? " Continue to ſerve me as you have
. done,' ſaid the monarch to him, and I will
* fupport you againſt all the intrigues of your
• enemies.". This day was called the Day of
Dupes. There has been ſcarcely ſeen, in the
courſe of the hiſtory, a revolution more fingular,
or more fatal to thoſe who believed themſelves in
the height of favour. Marilac, the keeper of
the great ſeals, the marſhal of Marilac, his bro-
ther, both creatures of Mary de Medicis, hoped
to ſucceed to the credit of the firſt miniſter ; but
they felt all the weight of his vengeance: one
was forced to render back tlie ſeals ; and the other
was arreſted in Italy, in the midſt of the army
which he commanded. His long ſervices, his
wounds, his fidelity, it might be imagined, would
have put a ſtop to ſuch a criminal procedure ; but
Richlieu was willing to make him a terrible.ex-
ample ;
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
199
ample; and commiſſaries were named to proſe-
cute, the marſhal. In vain the parliament pre-
tended to have a right of judging him : authority
ſuſpended the ordinary courſe of juſtice ; and
they ſhewed ſo little candour on this occaſion, that
they chofe, among the number of the judges,
the author of a cruel ſatire againſt the Marilacs.
This famous proceſs, which laited two years,
turned only on the extortions and illicit profits of
which the marſhal had been ſometimes guilty,
beyond the example of almoſt all his equals. His
fentence was pronounced at the miniſter's country-
houſe : he was there condemned to the puniſh-
ment of ſtate criminals. It is a ſtrange thing.'
ſaid he, that they have purſued me in the man-
ner they have done. They have talked of no-
' thing in my profecution but of my hay, of wood,
' of ſtones, of ſtraw and of chalk. It is not what
they would chaſtiſe a lacquey for. A man of
my quality accuſed of fraud -The enemy of
a vindi&ive and powerful miniſter was, in the
eyes of the commiſſaries, an enemy of the king.
His head was cut off in 1632. The greateſt
number of the authors of thefe days aſſure us,
that Richlieu 'ſaid at the ſame time : "It muſt
• be confeſſed, that God gave to the judges
" lights which others had not; for it can never be
• imagined that there appeared ſufficient cauſe to
(condemn the marſhal of Marilac to death.' If
he really talked in this manner, it was undoubte
edly in order to throw on the judges the odium of
this affair : but theſe words could not impoſe on
the public ; they ſaw plainly, that his reſentment
had dictated the judgment which had paſſed. If he
had ſincerely deſired at any time to leſſen the puniſh-
ment of ſtate-criminals why did he not aſk mercy for
a lord whom he believed not worthy of death? It
deplorable fatality, that public intereft could
K 4
not
200
LLEMENTS OF THE
not extinguiſh perſonal hatred, and that the mi-
niſter neceſſary to a king, was a ſubject of dif-
cord in the royal family. The two queens were
furious againſt him. The duke of Orleans, after a
falſe reconciliation, declared himſelf his mortal
enemy, and retired into Lorrain, under pretence
of flying from his tyranny.
Nothing but diffentions were to be ſeen at court.
Richlieu, though he owed his fortune to Mary dę
Medicis, was forced, by his circumſtances, to be-
come her perſecutor. Lewis took part againſt his
mother, on the ſide of a ſubject who was of uſe
to him : he left her priſoner at Compeigne ;
and baniſhed or arreſted her friends and domeſtics,
The marſhal of Baſſompiere, on the ſlighteſt fuf-
picions, was ſhut up for a dozen years in the
Baſtile. Thoſe who followed the duke of Orle-
ans, were declared criminals againſt majeſty, and
the parliament treated them with rigour. The
cardinal raiſed himſelf more and more on the ruins
of his adverſaries: the lands of Richlieu were erect-
ed into a dutchy for him and his family : Bruſſels,
where the queen-mother had taken refuge, threw
out an infinite number of atrocious libels againſt
this miniſter ; but theſe ſtrokes, given him at a
diſtance, did him the leſs wrong as the ſucceſs of
his policy was more brilliant. He terminated the
war in Italy by advantageous treaties. The duke
of Mantua was re-eſtabliſhed, and the duke of
Savoy had yielded Pignerole. The grand project
of abaſing the houſe of Auſtria began to be exe-
cuted. Ferdinand 11. in ordering the reſtitution
of the Catholic eſtates, which had been taken by
the Proteſtants, drew into his arms a part of Ger-
many; and Richlieu, in ſpite of the clamours of
the Catholics, animated the Proteſtant alliance,
which was favourable to his project. Religion
was the people's motive for war, and reaſons of
ſtate
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
201
{tate determined the politicians. The moſt
pow-
erful of the Lutheran princes, the famous Guſta-
vus Adolphus king of Sweden, was armed againſt
: the emperor : his victories ſhook the foundation of
that monarch's dominions. France furniſhed mo-
ney, and the valour of Guftavus. did all the reſt.
Gafton, afliſted by the duke of Lorrain, whoſe
fifter he had married, diſpoſed himſelf to civil
war, to be revenged on the cardinal, who, in the
meanwhile, was not ignorant of all his ſteps : he
had Spies every where who ſerved himí zealouſly,
becauſe their ſervices were well rewarded. The
correſpondence of Monſieur (for ſo they
called the king's brother) with the
queen-mother, and the court of Spain ; his in-
trigues to eigage the noblemen to a rebellion; his
obſtinacy, and his invectives, could not remain
unpuniſhed under a government firm and fevere.
The duke of Lorrain was the firſt vi&tim : the
king ſeized ſome of his beſt places, and made
him promiſe, by two treaties, to abandon Gaſton
entirely. Thislaft mentioned prince liad now no
other reſource but the duke of Montmorency,
governor of Languedoc, one of the braveſt and
moſt amiable noblemen of his time, brother-in-
law to the prince of Conde. Happy would it have
been for him.could he have bounded his defires;
but he would fain have been conſtable ; and he
complained of the court, whoſe ambition would
not grant him all that he wiſhed. The duke of
Orleans having drawn him into his party, took the
route to Languedoc with ſome foreign troops : lie
publiſhed a manifeſto againſt the miniſter, giving
himſelf che title of lieutenant-general to the king,
for the reformation of the diſorders introduced
into the kindom by cardinal Richlieu. Gaſton,
ſtill more weak than his brother, gave himſelf i1p
to his favourites, without their having any merit,
K5
imagining
i
202
ELEMENTS OF THE
:
imagining thať a manifefto, and three or four
thouſand ſoldiers; would very foon draw after him
a croud of partizans. No perſon ſtirred in his fa-
vour : the cities cloſed their gates againſt him
his little army ſubfifted only on rapine.
Richlieu kept all in obedience, either through
fear or a ſenſe of duty. Montmorency, exhauſt-
ed by debts, could not, on his ſide, aſſemble ma-
ny troops, nor make any conſiderable party. As
foon as he arrived in Languedoc, the prince was
purſued by the royal army; a fhirmith rather
ihan a battle finiſhed the war, on the day of
Caſtelnaudari. The impetuous Montmorency
having paſſed a mote almoſt alone, threw himſelf
in the midſt of the ſquadrons of the marſhal of
Schomberg, and received a wound from a piſtol in
the mouth, and fell, covered with wounds, after
having fought in a furious manner. Gaſton,
whether through cowardice, or whether through
deference for his favourites, retired without
fighting, though he had the advantage of numbers;
and Schomberg did not think it adviſable to purſue
any further the preſumptive heir of the crown.
This deciſive day brought propoſals of a peace.
The king pardoned his brother, who promiſed to
remain faithful to him, and to love the cardinal.
'The hope of obtaining merċý for the duke of
Montmorency, inſpired thefe vain promiſes; but
Richlieu knew not what clemency was, and he
was determined to frighten the great by an infexi-
ble feverity. The priſoner at once ſaw his danger :
a ſurgeon felicitated him that his wounds were
not dangerous. "You deceive yourſelf,' ſaid he
to him, for there is not oné, not even the ſmall-
eft, but what is mortal. The parliament of
Toulouſe received orders to loſe no time in profer
cuting him. All efforis imaginable were uſed to
incline the king to favour a man who was moſt
beloved
HISTORY OF FRANÉ E.
203
beloved in France. Naturally ſevere, and excited
to rigour by the advice of his minifter, he ſhut
his ears to their prayers: I ſhall not be a king,"
replied he, if I have particular feelings. The
conftancy with which the marſhal of Montmorency
fubmitted to his fate, increaſed the regret of the
court and the public. He would not endeavour to
decline the juriſdi&tion of Toulouſe. "My part
is reſolved on,' ſaid he, at once ;
« I will never
• gain my life by chicanery. On the day of ex-
ecution, the ſtreets of Toulouſe, even the apart-
ment of Lewis XIII. which was in this city, rang
with groans. The illuſtrious victim confeffed his
crime, and repented of it. His pardon would
have gained all hearts : his death increaſed their
haired againſt the authors of it. Gafton quitted
France in a fury, and retired to Bruffels, accufing
his brother of having broke his word. It is thought
that the king had really promiſed to fhew mercy
to the marſhal; but it had not been ſtipulated by
treaty : and it appeared, that the diſcontented
princes took vague words for poſitive promiſes.
Some biſhops of Languedoc, who had embraced
his party, were judged by the pope's commiſſaries.
There were only two depoſed. The archbiſhop
of Alba, having had great part in the rebellion,
might have expected a more rigorous treatment;
and the cardinal would not, undoubtedly, have
ſpared him, if he had not been a great lord. The
whole kingdom trembled; exiles, impriſonments,
and executions, increaſed every day.
Richlieu braved hatred, and always followed the
plan of policy which he had laid down. Guſtavus,
with his ſuccours, cruſhed in Italy the powerful
Auſtrian. This hero was killed at the battle of
Lutzen. The Swedes were not to be conquered.
A new treaty was made with the king of Sweden,
ſupporting the Proteſtant alliance, and at thc fame
time
204
ELEMENTS OF THE
.
time encouraging to rebellion the celebrated Val-
ſtein, general to the emperor. The genius of the
cardinal ſeemed to move all Europe in what man-
ner he pleaſed. Meanwhile the duke of Lorrain,
more through lightneſs of character than zeal for
the houſe of Auſtria, again violated his promiſe,
and drew on himſelf a freſh ſtorm. The king
took Nantz, and reſolved to keep it until he could
return it unto Margaret of Lorrain, whom Gaſton
had ſecretly married. The marriage had been
performed in preſence of witneſſes, with the con-
ſent of the duke and the princes of his houſe.
The univerſity of Lorrain had declared it indiſfo-
luble ; but the doctors of Paris declared it null, as
contrary to the laws of the ſtate, for want of the
king's confent ; a conſent the more indiſpenſible, as
Gaſton was ſtill preſumptive heir to the crown. The
parliament broke this marriage; but Gaſton re-
mained firm to it, notwithſtanding his weakneſs
and inconſtancy of mind. The bonds which he
had entered into with Spain, made him deſire to
return into that kingdom. Perilaurens, his fav-
ourite, gained by the offers of the miniſter,
brought him back, and obtained as a reward the
niece of Richlieu, with the dignity of duke and
peer. Too proud of his elevation, and faithleſs
to his engagements, he confirmed the duke of
Orleans in the deſign of ſupporting his marriage,
"in which not having the cardinal's approbation, he
might be ſaid to run on certain ruin.
The new
duke was put into the Baftile, where he died ſome
time after. Gaſton forgot him the moment he
was diſgraced : if ſuch is the general friendſhip of
great, it is not aſtoniſhing that people attach
themſelves to their fortunes rather than their per-
ſons.
In the midſt of cabals and conſpiracies, which
were inceſſantly forming against Richlier, he
mediiated
t
the
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
205
meditated new enterpriſes againſt the houſe of
Auſtria : it was the means of rendering himſelf
more and more neceſſary to the king, who was
incapable of ſupporting alone ſo great an under-
taking. By a treaty concluded with Holland, they
engaged themſelves to make war with the king of
Spain, Philip IV. if he did not give fatisfaction
on different grievances of which France com-
plained. They projected the conqueſt of the Low
Spaniſh Countries; and were ſo ſure of ſucceſs,
as to make the diviſion before they began the
campaign. Philip IV. informed of this deſign,
ſurpriſed the city of Trieves, where the elector
was taken priſoner, under pretence that lie had
violated the law of nations, with regard to a prince
who was a friend to France. The king ſent to
him to declare war by a herald, a cermony which
had not been practiſed for a lorg time. A French
army marched into the Low Countries, while the
cardinal of Vallette took the command in Ger-
many. They were not able to ſucceed at once,
either in Germany or in Flanders. The Flemings
remained faithful, becauſe the Spaniſh govern-
ment, either more moderate or more wile than
under Philip II. let them enjoy their privileges.
The Hollanders acted feebly, for fear that the
Republic ſhould not become the frontier of the
kingdom. The cardinal of Vallette being in want
of proviſions, was obliged to return immediately :
a like famine. had rendered the expedition to the
Low Countries fruitleſs. Lewis complained bit-
terly of the little ſucceſs of his arms; but Richlieu
managed with ſo much addreſs, that theſe com-
plaints did him no harm. He had the wiſdom to
recall the duke of Rchan, whoſe ſuperior talents
were ar length employed in the ſervice of the ſtate.
This great general ſeveral times beat the Spaniards
in
206
ELEMENTS OF THE
in the Valteline, and ſhewed as much zeal for
his ſovereign as he had done for the Proteſtant
party:
As war exhauſted the finances, they had re-
courſe to pecuniary edicts. The king, in a bed of
juſtice, made them be regiſtered forty-two times,
without their being read or examiredTwo days
after, fome members of parliament demanded an
examination of the edicts : they particularly com-
plained of the creation of ſeveral new places.
This means of getting money, was always the
leaſt conformable to true policy : it degraded ma-
giſtracy by multiplying judges, who were already
too many in number. The parliament made re-
monftrances ; a hazardous ſtep' under ſo abſolute
a miniſter. Five magiſtrates were at once baniſh-
ed: the remonſtrances were afterwards received,
and the court made ſome ſlight alteration in its
orders. Urban VIII, was much diſſatisfied with
the cardinal of Vallette, whom he accuſed of
fighting againſt the Catholics on the ſide of the
Proteſtants, and for.bid him any longer to com-
mand the German army. Richlieu complained
highly of it, and quoted the example of cardinal
Infant, who commanded the Spaniſh troops. The
pope replied, That one attacked the Heretics and
the other the Catholics: to which it was anſwered,
That religion was... not concerned in this war.
Vallette was ſupported in the command; but the
pope from thence ſeized the occaſion of mortifying
the miniſter, by refuſing to conſecrate a hat for
father Jofeph Tremblai, that famous capuchin,
the confident of Richlieu, who was employed not
* only in the greateſt part of court intrigues, but in
negociations with foreign powers. A capuchin
could not help meddling in the affairs of ſtate;
and cardinals marched at the head of the army.
Theſe
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
207
<
Theſe extravagances demonſtrate too great a
careleſſneſs with regard to Christian benevolence.
On the other ſide, violent diſputes between the
archbiſhop of Bourdeaux, Sourdis, with the duke
of Epernon and the marſhal Vitry, gave offence
to the whole kingdom. The ſecretary of ſtate
wrote to the cardinal of Vallette : * My lord arch-
biſhop of Bourdeaux has taken a great prize
6 from the marſhal of Vitry; but he has received
' ſome twenty ſtrokes from a cane or cudgel,
( whichever you pleaſe to call it. I believe he
• has a deſign of fighting with the whole world,
6 and to fill France with excommunications?
This warlike archbiſhop affectedly revenged him-
ſelf by cenſures, with as little decency as he ſhew-
ed in his quarrels.
To repair the ill ſucceſs of the laſt campaign,
Richlieu adopied a new plan, which again failed
in execution. Though the French county had
made a treaty of neutrality with France, he un-
dertook the conqueſt of that province, under pre-
tence of ſome infractions which had been ſuffi-
ciently juſtified. The prince of Conde was ap-
pointed to beſiege Dole, a place, it was ſaid,
which could not hold out above ſeven or eight
days, but when the inhabitants were fummoned to
ſurrender, they replied, “ Nothing obliges us 10
it. After a year's liege we will deliberate on what
! reply we ſhall make you.' This was not a vain
rhodomontade ; their refiftance very ſoon diſcon-
certed the French. A capuchin, who conducted
the artillery of the city, wonderfully ſeconded the
valour of the beſieged. Meanwhile the Spaniards
entered the Low Countries in Picardy, and in a
few days took Chapelle, Corbie, and Catelet.
Richlieu had neglected to fortify this frontier. He
imputed to the commanders a los which was at-
tributed by the reſt of the world to his own
negligence.
1
208
EL EM ENTS OF THE
point
negligence. Terror ſpread itſelf through Paris
and the court ; but zeal re-animated them in this
peril. The whole body were eager in offering
their aſſiſtance to the king. Lewis: gave audience
to their deputies; he embraced theſe bunglers,
through the force of adverſity, which, as an au-
thor of the times obſerves, humbles all men.
They ſent orders to the prince of Conde to raiſe
the fjege of Dole after three months uſeleſs efforts,
and thought of nothing hut driving the enemy
from the kingdom.
In theſe fad circumſtances Richlieu having
drawn on himſelf the utmoſt hatred, was on the
of quitting the miniſtry, when Father
Jofeph encouraged him, and perſuaded him to
ſhew himſelf without guards in the principal
ſtreets of Paris. Whether it calmed the people by
an air of confidence, or whether it (truck them
with an awe, by letting them ſee that he feared
nothing, the event juſtified this counſel. The
cardinal flattered the people, and received from
them repeated benedictions. Very well,' ſaid
the capuchin to him on his return,
6 have I not
rightly ſaid, that you are nothing more than a
* wet hen, and that with a little courage and
' firmneſs you may re-eſtabliſh affairs ? More
powerful enemies wove a thread for the deſtruction
of the miniſter. Tlie duke of Orleans and the
count de Soiſſons, 'who commanded the army in
Picardy, reſolved 10 have him ftabbed, even in
the very houſe of the king, as he was coming
from council. The moment for execution was
come: the affafſins only waited for a ſignal from
Gafton, when that prince, ever changing and
irreſolute, was ſhocked all at once with the idea
of being reckoned an affaſlin ; he retired with pre-
cipitation, and Richlieu, without knowing it,
eſcaped the danger of an inevitable death. The
!
plotters
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
209
plotters could not be long unknown. The two
· princes quitted the court; a new ſubject for in-
quietude to the cardinal, at a time when enemies
without doors were too much to be feared. He
entered into an accommodation, and the king, in
order to regain his brother, promiſed to give his
ſanction to his marriage with Margaret of Lorrain.
The Spaniards were
were driven from Picardy. .
The cardinal of Vallette and the duke of
Weimar repulſed the duke of Lorrain and .
the imperialiſts, who had penetrated into Burgun-
dy.
There was, notwithſtanding, always one
great obſtacle to the ſucceſs of his arms, the
want of money. The not putting in execution
the laſt edicts, by which they created new places
of judicature, irritated Lewis againſt the parlia-
ment. He made very lively reproaches to the de-
puties of that body. • The money that I aſk of
you,' ſaid he, is not to play with, rior to
• throw away in fooliſh expences ; it is not for
myſelf that I aſk it, it is for my ftate; it is to
puniſh thoſe who contradi&t my will, and do
me more injury than the Spaniards. You ſee I
have occaſion for you, and you are obſtinate ;
6 but. I will find means of being revenged.'
The æconomy of Henry IV. would have an-
ſwered the end better than all theſe reſources,
Unfortunately it did not agree with the ſtate of
Richlieu: the expences of his houſe alone abſor-
bed four millions every year : he had lived like a
king, and entirely eclipſed the ſplendor of the
throne. Lewis often taking notice of theſe parti-
culars, was what perhaps engaged the cardinal to
make him a preſent of the palace which he had
built, which is now the palace-royal, and in
which magnificence fhines forth in the greateſt
height. He is continually reproached by poſteri-
ty with not having managed the revenues of the
ftatc
6
210
ELEMENTS OF THE
ftate as Sully had done, and with having made
ſumptuary laws for others, without ſetting any
bounds to his own luxury. The want of finances
made him loſe the Valteline : they were not able
to ſend ſubidies to the duke of Rohan, who had
rendered himſelf maſter of it : he was therefore
obliged to abandon this important conqueſt and re-
tire to Geneva, for fear that the miniſter ſhould
puniſh in him a misfortune which was cauſed by
himſelf.
The little intrigues at court gave more inquietude
to Richlieu than the events of war. He had given
Lewis father Cauſſin as a confeſſor. He was the
author of a book of devotion, which is now
laughed at. The cardinal believed him a ſimple
man, incapable of creating any troubles, and who
would eaſily enter into all his views ; but it hap-
pened that, in a little time the ſimplicity of this
Jeſuit changed the face of government. His pre-
judices made him look on the alliances with the
Proteſtants againſt the houſe of Auſtria, as an
abominable thing : he dared attribute it to the am-
bition of the cardinal : he accuſed him of loading
the people with taxes, of treating the queen-
mother inhumanly, who lived at Bruſſels in want
of every thing, and of rendering the government
odious by his injuſtice. The devout monarch
lent a willing ear to the diſcourſe of the impru-
dent confeſſor. 'He loved to hear the miniſter
declaimed againſt; he was the firſt to blame him
in ſecret
;
he defcended to the more minute detail
of his private life, and found every thing bad':
for example, that he never ſaid the breviary,
though he had ſo many benefices. The confolati-
on of weak ſouls is to complain without the power
of a&ting. Lewis would very ſoon have funk un-
der the yoke of the cardinal, and ingenuouſly con-
feſſed, that he did not dare to ſpeak of certain
things,
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
211
things, nevertheleſs, fcruples agitated him, and
the confeffor gained ground; but Richlieu did not
fleep. In a diſcourſe which he had with the
king, he, without much trouble, through the
ſtrength of reaſon and eloquence, diſpelled the im-
preſſions which the Jeſuit had made on his flexible
mind. He revenged himſelf by the baniſhment of
Cauſſin, who carried nothing but blame with him
to his own country. He obliged, at the fame time,
the dutcheſs of Savoy to ſend back to court father
Monord, another Jefuit, confeſſor to that prin-
ceſs, who, had, it is ſaid, more wit and malice than
Cauſſin had ſimplicity and ignorance. Monord
openly attacked him. . His diſgrace was a ſtate
affair, for the miniſter had no way of ſupporting
himſelf but by ſtraining authority. The Jeſuits
had need of all their addreſs and credit to prevent
the ſtorms which theſe raſh confeſſors drew on
them.
War, raiſed in Europe through the policy of
the cardinal, produced an infinite number of
events, the detail of which furniſhes no inſtructi-
. The duke of Weimar at length fixed his
fortune by gaining the battle of Rheinfeld, where
four generals belonging to the emperor were made
priſoners. The French arms were leſs happy,
and the prince of Conde ſucceeded no better at
the fiege of Fonterahrie than at that of Dole. It
was the cuſtom of Richlieu, after any reverſe of
fortune, to puniſh ſome illuſtrious vi&tim, either
to ſatisfy his vengeance, or to excite duty by
ſpreading terror. He made the duke of Vallette,
whom he did not love, reſponſible for raiſing the
ſiege of Fonterabrie: he had him judged by com-
miſſaries whoſe ſteps he regulated by his own
power : the king himſelf preſided at judgment.
It is recorded that the preſident of Bellievre had
the
on.
I 2
ELEMENTS OF THE
8
the courage to ſay to him : Can your majeſty
• bear the ſight of a gentleman at the bar, who,
as ſoon as he quits your preſence, dies on a
' fcaffold ? It is certainly incompatible with royal
* dignity; the appearance of a prince ſhould
ſpread mercy around him; and thoſe who ſtand
• before him ought to retire pleaſed and happy.”
But Lewis had as much deſire for extreme ſeverity
as his miniſter. He reproached the parliament
with not ſhewing regard to his abſolute com-
inands : « Thoſe who tell me,' added he, that I
cannot give what judges I pleaſe to my ſubjects
when they have offended me, are ignorant, and
' unworthy of poſſeſſing their places. The duke
of Vallette was condemned to death, and executed
in effigy. Many people looked on this ſentence
as an overturning of the laws. It was annulled
the beginning of the reign of Lewis XIV.
Four hundred new patent places created in the
parliament of Paris, and other extraordinary
means employed to gain money, increaſed the
murmurs of the nation, and raiſed a great rebelli-
on in Normandy, which was ftified by military
executions. The parliament of Rouen was inter-
dicted for not having ſhewed fufficient vigour
againſt the ſeditious. Under a hard, ſevere, and
pitileſs government, would the people have dared
to rebel, if miſery had not reduced them to def-
Notwithſtanding theſe obſtacles, the
French had ſeveral campaigns abroad, and con-
.tinued the war with more ſucceſs than before.
The count of Harcourt gained immortal honour
by the taking of Turenne. His camp was be-
ſieged while he beſieged that place. För twenty-
two days he was almoſt entirely without provifi-
The famous John de Wert, having learned
the circumſtances of this fiege, ſaid, "That he had
rather be general Harcourt than the emperor.'
Thc
pair
ons.
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
213
• He is very
The conqueſt of Arras was not leſs glorious. It
gave the lie to the ancient proverb uſed in that
city; when the French take Arras, the mice
I will be too hard for the rats. The marſhal of
Chatillon ſignalized his zeal by an action worthy
commemoration. His ſon having been wounded
by a muſquet-ſhot, a report ſpread through the
army that he was dead, and the news preſently
reached the ears of the marſhal.
happy,' ſaid he, 'to die on ſo glorious an occaſi-
on as the ſervice of the king. This generous
father had very ſoon the pleaſure of ſeeing his ſon
return, covered with glory.
The taking of Arras was not the moſt fatal
ſtroke to Spain. Philip IV. or rather the duke de
Olivares, the Spaniſh Richlieu, committed the
ſame fault with regard to the Catelonians, which
had formerly occaſioned the rebellion againſt
Philip II. This people, infinitely jealous of their
privileges, could not bear to ſee themſelves depriv-
ed of them. Troops fent into the province,
purchaſed by violence and profanations, inſpired
a hatred for government.
The Catelonians en-
tirely ſhook off the yoke, and afterwards gave
themſelves to France. The intrigues of Rich-
lieu contributed much to this revolution : he alſo
ſowed feeds of diſlention which detached Portu-
gal from the Spaniſh monarchy. Philip II. had
overrun that country in prejudice to the houſe of
Bragance. An unforeſeen conſpiracy re-eſtabliſh-
ed that houſe on the throne, which it ſtill enjoys.
Thus Spain, too powerful under Charles V.
weakened itſelf all at once, anſwerable to the der
ſires of the French minifter. There is, in all em-
pires, a point of elevation, from which they
cannot, in the general way, be degraded, when
circumſtances are foreſeen ; but it is a Richlieu
only who can profit froin ſuch circumſtances.
Mean-
214 ELEMENTS OF THE
Meanwhile the count of Soflon, who had al-
ways found a retreat at Sedan, prepared himſelf
for a civil war. He held a correſpondence with
Spain, and was ſupported by the dukes of
Bouillon and Guiſe. Before the plot broke out,
Richlieu endeavoured to engage the brave Gaſſion,
who was then nothing more than a colonel, to
pretend to embrace the part of the count; by
which means he might dive into his ſecrets, and
betray them to the court. This was an infallible
means of riſing to the higheſt fortune. Gafſion
diſdained to be exalted by ſuch diſhonourable
means : • If I had nothing to loſe but my life,'
ſaid he, to the miniſter, I would willingly give
• it for the ſervice of your eminence
but I can
never facrifice my honour.' • It is enough,
replied the cardinal,- your fortune will ſuffer by
sit; but you will not loſe my eſteem.' Gallion
kept the ſecret, and Richlieu, who had a noble
ſoul, teſtified his approbation of his behaviour.
Meanwhile the rebels got together a conſiderable
army. The marſhal of Chatillon commanded
that of the king : he was beaten at Morſee by
the count of Soiſſon. If that prince had not been
killed in battle, his victory would, without doubt,
have been of great conſequence. The duke of
Bouillon, to prelerve to himſelf Sedan, haſtily
made deceitful terms, and entered into a new
conſpiracy, while he was ſwearing inviolable
fidelity. Cinqmars, a favourite of Lewis XII.
was the principal author of the plot, of which
Richlieu was to be the victim.
This young man being raiſed to the dignity of
grand eſquire, owed all his fortune to the cardinal,
who had taught him the manner of captivating
the heart of the king. Ambition ſtifled all ſenſe
of gratitude. He deteſted his benefactor becauſe
he pretended to govern him. He had no more
real.
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 215
real regard for the monarch, whoſe ſerious and
melancholy turn made him find extreme fault
with his taſte for luxury and pleaſure. I am
very unhappy,' ſaid he, to his friends, 'to live
with a man who condemns me from morning till
'
evening.' He difſembled not this ſentiment to
the king. It was between them a ſubject for
continual diſputes, without the favourite being
leſs beloved., ſo much the weakneſs of the prince
had given him the empire over him. Lewis
palled all over for the ſake of the little ſatisfaction
of blaming, to his confident, the miniſter to
whom he had abandoned the reins of government.
Cinqmars changed entirely his manner of acting.
Once he had appeared deſirous of favour, once he
had endeavoured to cultivate it ; but now, ſeduced
by the hope of ſupplanting the miniſter and the
governor of the kingdom, he excited the duke of
Orleans to rebellion : he drew the duke of Bouillon
into his cabal, and they ſent an emiſſary into Spain
to make a treaty, in the name of Gafton, to open
France to its enemies. Lewis went in perſon to
conquer Rouſſillon. Never did the credit of
Cingmars appear greater than in this voyage. He
no longer concealed any thing ; he openly pro-
feſſed his hatred of the cardinal ; he propoſed to
the king, either to have him aſſaſſinated, or to drive
him from court. The king ſeemed reſolved to
do the latter ; and Richlieu, dangerouſly ill at
Teraſcon, had no longer any doubt of his diſgrace;
but his good fortune drew him from this danger :
he diſcovered the treaty concluded by the factious
with Spain, and gave advice of it to the king.
The face of affairs ſoon changed ; the imprudent
Cinqmars was put in priſon; the duke of Bouillon
was arreſted in Italy, where he commanded the
French army. The ſon of the famous preſident
de Thou, their friend and confident, ſubmitted
te
;**
216
ELEMENTS OF THE
to the fame fate. There were not ſufficient proofs
to condemn them. Monſieur was not aſhamed to
be witneſs againſt them, in order to purchaſe
mercy for himſelf. Such had always been the
actions of this prince; rebellious through caprice,
and ſacrificing his friends through cowardice.
The proſecution was begun at Lyons, un-
der the eyes of the miniſter ; who determined, that
de Thor ſhould be treated like Cinqmars, though
his crime was only the concealing a conſpiracy of
which he diſapproved. He repreſented, that by
accuſing the king's brother, the duke of Bouillon,
and the grand eſquire, without having proofs
for their conviction he ſhould have paſſed for a
calumniator. The judges, however, condemned
him, with his friend, to loſe his head, founded
on an edict of Lewis XI. which Richlieu him-
ſelf cited to the chancellor, and which was for-
gotten as too rigid a law. The duke of Bouillon
was pardoned, on condition of yielding his prin-
cipality of Sedan to the king; he received in ex-
change the revenues of a land much more conſi-
derable. Monſieur humbly ſubmitted to live as a
private man, without guards, without government,
and without credit. After the execution of Cinq-
mars and de Thou, the cardinal having received
the news of the taking of Perpignan, wrote to
the king, who was returned to Paris, Sire, your
enemies are dead, and your arms are in Per-
pignan.' Triumphant over his own enemies ra-
ther than thoſe of-the king, but worn out by fick-
neſs, he took the road to court, and made part
of the journey in a kind of a chamber covered
with damaſk, which his guards carried on their
ſhoulders. The decline of his body had not at
all hurt the vigour of his mind. He ſtill promiſed
himſelf the regency after the deceaſe of Lewis
XIII, when he himſelf died at fifty-ſeven years
old. In receiving the extreme unction, he took
God
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
217
God to witneis, that in ihe courſe of his miniſtry,
he ha i never had any other view than the good of
religion and the ſtate.
1 he voice of the public
did not rendcr hira fo flattering a teſtimony ; but
his ambition, his deſpotiſm, his cruel revenge,
his little jcalouſies, and his vapity of an author,
could not efface the glory of his great enterpriſes
He is reproached with having ſacrificed the laws
of humanity to his paſſions ; nevertheleſs, it muſt
be ſaid he conquered Rochelle, reftrained the
ſeditious, and rendered France reſpectable to it's
enemies. He was heard to ſay one day, ' I never
* dare undertake any thing without having well
* thought upon it, but having once taken a re-
r ſolution, I cariy, it through: I overthrow every
thing which ſtands in my way; I mow down
all which oppoſes me, and at length I incloſe it
" all together under my red caflock.? Such was
his character; much depth in projecting, and
force in executingi, The Czar Peter had ſo high
an idea of this minifter, that, at the fight of his
tomb in the church of the Sorbonne, he cried, in a
tranſport of enthuſiaſm,' great man ! if thou
« waſt ſtill alive, I would give half of my empire
to learn of thee how to govern the other halfi'
Marc Aurelius would have preferred a minifter
who was zealous for the honour of the nation;
an effential object, which Richlieu had neglected
too much. He founded the French academy in
1625. France would, perhaps, have gained more
by the culture of talents than by that cruel war,
fo fatal to the houſe of Auſtria.
The queen-mother, Mary de Medicis, died in
indigence at Cologne. Lewis did not ſurvive
her long. Ann of Auſtria, after twenty-three
years barrenneſs, had brought him iwo ſons. He
would not leave the government to that princeſs,
whom he did not love, nor to the duke of Orleans,
VOL. II.
L
who
218
ELEMENTS OF THE
who merited leſs his eſteem and tenderneſs. He
made a declaration, by which, in giving the re-
gency to his wife, and the title of lieutenant-
general of the minor king to his brother, he eſta-
bliſhed a council of regency to reſtrain each
other's authority. There was very little effect of
this declaration after his death: ( Son and father
• to two of our greateſt kings,' ſays Mr. Henault,
he fixed the ſtill tottering throne of Henry IV.
• and prepared the wonders of the age of Lewis
« XIV.? This is not ſo much making an elogium
on Lewis XIII. as on the cardinal de Richlieu,
who might be truly ſaid to be the reigning prince.
The other was always governed'; 'but 'he preſerv-
ed, in ſpite of his diſguſts and jealouſies, a mi-
niſter, without whom he would, in all probabili-
ty, have been the ſport of the factious of his un-
worthy favourites, and of fome miftreffes, to
whom he delivered himſelf without paſſion, that
he might confide with them his uneaſineſs and
trouble.' If it is true what is ſaid by ſome hiſto-
rians, that he had, in his infancy, the firname of
Juſt, becauſe he was born under the ſign of the
Balance; this pompous name did not do him
much honour, but caft a ridicule on the fuperfti-
tion of his age.
: During this reign, the human mind began to dif-
pel the clouds of error and barbariſm which cover-
ed it. Malherbe and Corneille might be ſaid to
create our poeſy. Deſcartes baniſhed the abſur-
dity of the ſchools, and opened, by a wiſe doubt,
the road to truth. · Chancellor Bacon in England
cultivated the ſtem of an infinite deal of uſeful
knowledge. Gallilee in Italy demonſtrated the
movement of the earth round the ſun ; but
pre-
judices always blind the multitude. The inquiſi-
tion impriſoned Gallilee as an impious man, be-
cauſe he knew the heavens ; and Deſcartes was
accuſed
1
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
219
accuſed of atheiſm, becauſe he had greater ideas
of God and Nature than his weak accuſers. It is
ſcarcely to be credited, that the parliament of
Paris at this time forbid, under pain of death, the
teaching of any doctrine contrary to that of Arif-
totle. The proſecution of Urban Grandiere, a
prieſt at Loudun, condemned' to the fire, in
1634, for having, it was ſaid, bewitched a whole
convent of Religious, is ſtill a celebrated monu-
ment of the ignorance of our anceſtors. This
ignorance dictated unjuſt laws, and made thoſe
unhappy people periſh in torments whom they
falſely, ſuppoſed culpable. Surely we have nothing
more to do to make us ſenſible of the neceſſity
and advantage of ſcience, than to look into the
account of the abuſes and miſeries from which it
has redeemed the human ſpecies. If fanaticiſm
no longer bathes itſelf in blood ; if ſuperſtition no
longer ſtifles natural underſtanding; if religion,
preached with candour, and practiſed with wif-
dom, tends only to make mankind happy ; if we
peaceably enjoy a mild and poliſhed ſociety, let
us: render thanks to that fuperior reaſon which be-
gan, under the reign of Lewis XII). the great
work that has ſince been brought to perfection.
LE W IS XIV.
,
. , began
Lweakness
and troubles of a horny minority,
a reign, which carried to the higheſt degree the
glory of the nation and the royal power. His
mother, Ann of Auſtria, llad, by act of parlia-
ment, the abſolute regency; and the limits.wliich
Lewis XIII had ſet were buried in oblivion. It
L 2
was
220
ELEMENTS OF THE
was not the firſt time that the wills of ſovereigns
had been annulled after their deceaſe. Actual au-
thority eaſily overpowered that which no longer
exiſted. The queen changed the council in what
manner the judged moſt proper, and appointed
cardinal Jules Mazarin prime miniſter : he became
from thence, though a foreigner, maſter of the
government of the ſtate. Richlieu had been ac-
quainted with him during the war in Italy, where
Mazarin negociated for the duke of Savoy. He
had afterwards fixed him in France as a man ca-
pable of feconding his views, and managing buſi-
neſs with addreſs. The prudent Italian juſtified
his choice; but was a proof how dangerous it was
to ſucceed him. The war undertaken againſt
the powerful Auſtrian had been an occaſion of
murmur to the nation for a long time, who bore
the expences, and groaned beneath the neceſſity
of them. The plan of the late reign was ſtill pur-
fued, and glorious vi&ories rendered the French
name ſtill more and more reſpectable. Its ene-
mies were on the frontiers of Champagrie. The
duke of Eriguien, ſon to the prince of Conde, an
hero of twenty-one years, old, gave them battle
before Rocroi, in ſpite of the orders of the court,
and deſtroyed the veteran Spaniſh bands, who
were eſteemed the beſt troops in Europe. The
count de Fuentes, their general, was killed at their
head ; and the prince ſaid, he would either follow
him, or vanquiſh,
The next year he defeated the Imperialiſts at
Fribourg. Some hiſtorians aſſure us, that, to
animate the troops, he threw his ſtaff of command
into the intrenchments of the enemy, and attacked
them ſword in hand. Though the pummel of his
ſaddle was carried away by a cannon-ſhot, and the
ſheath of his ſword broken by the fire from a muſ-
que
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
221
6
quet, yet the impetuoſity of his courage .equalled
that vivacity of genius which had already render-
ed him fuperior to the greateſt men of his time.
Thionville, Philipſbourg, and Mayence, were
the fruits of theſe two victories, The duke of
Orleans took Gravelines in the Low Countries
;
but little did he think that this conqueſt would be
fatal to him through jealouſy of rank. The mar-
fals of Meileraie and Gaſſion diſputed who it was
that took poſſeſſion of the place. They were
preparing to give battle; their regiments were on
the point of charging: when the marquis de
Lambert, marſhal of the camp, threw himſelf
between them with a noble boldneſs, and ad-
dreſſed theſe words to the regiments: Gentle-
men,' ſaid he, you are the king's troops ;
• the miſunderſtanding of two generals ought not
to make
you cut each other's throats. I com-
• mand you, on the ſide of the king, not to obey
o either M. de la Meileraie or M. de Gallion
;
s and I ſhall give advice of all which has paſſed
to my lord duke of Orleans, that he may iſſue
• what orders he thinks proper. Theſe words
ſtruck them with awe ;, they ſuddenly ſtopt, and
the prince terminated the difference. It raiſes our
admiration, to ſee an inferior riſe above the un-
ruly fierceneſs of his ſuperiors, only by ſtanding
firm to his duty:
The marſhal of Turenne, whoſe reputation
was not yet as brilliant as that of the duke of En-
guïen, who was much younger than himſelf, had
been ſurprized by general Merci at Mariandel.
The vietor of Rocroi marched to his aſſiſtance,
and gained the battle of Norlingue, where Merci
was killed.' He took Dunkirk, that place of ſo
much importance to the kingdom. They after-
wards ſent him to Catalonia to beſiege Lerida,
which the Spaniards had retaken. 'This ſiege he
L 3
Was
222 EL EMENTS OF THE
re-
was not able to ſupport for want of fuccour. His
ſervices had already excited more jealouſy than
acknowledgment, and the enemies of his glory
endeavoured to bury them in oblivion. During
theſe tranſactions, Holland, in ſpite of its authen-
tic promiſes not to enter into any treaty without
France, made.peace with the king of Spain, Philip
IV. who abandoned all kind of right over the
United Provinces, and re-acknowledged their ſo-
vereignty.' A general peace had been a long time
in agitation, but did not prevent the war from be-
ing zealouſly carried on. The prince of Conde
(which was the title ihat the duke of Enguien had
fucceeded to by the death of his father) was choſen
to fight the Spaniards in Flanders, who began now
to be feared; he gained the famous battle of Lens.
Friends, cried he, before the action,
member Rocroi, Fribourg, and Norlingue.'
Theſe words, but ſtill more his own example,
rendered the army invincible. Turenne, his rin
val in glory, contributed much to his ſucceſs.
The foul of a great man is not capable of that baſe
jealouſy which tetrays the common cauſe through
perſonal intereſt.
At length, after bloody expeditions, the detail
of which would fill ſeveral volumes, the treaty of
Weſtphalia re-eſtabliſhed a calm in, part of Eu-
rope. It ſet proper bounds to the power of the
emperor, and fixed the claims of the different
princes of Germany; at the ſame time confirm-
ing the Proteſtants of that country in the poffeffi-
of eccleſiaſtical lands which had been taken
from them. The king of France made them
yield the ſovereignty of Metz, Toul, and Ver-
dune, which he already poſſeſſed, and that
of Alſace, which increaſed his power. The
Swedes obtained more conſiderable advantages.
The
on
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 223
"The wonderful valour and diſcipline of their troops
had decided great part of the ſucceſs of the war.
This army of heroes coſt a million of livres an-
nually to France, and ruined the deſpotiſm of the
houſe of Auſtria. The catholics ſigned at Munſter
the treaty of Weſtphalia, and the Proteſtants.at
Oſnaburg. Spain refuſed to agree to it. Civil
war lighted up a flame in the kingdom, which
offered a fine occaſion for vengeance.
Though Mazarin had affected in the beginning
as much modeſty and mildneſs as Richlieu had
newed haughtineſs and cruelty, he was, not-
withſtanding, the object of public hatred. They
could not pardon a foreigner being poſſeſſed of
that immenſe fortune which rendered him maſter
of the ſtate. They ridiculed his perſon, his man-
ners, and his bad pronunciation. Ridicule in
France is capable of producing very ſerious effects.
Some pecuniary ediets ſent to parliament.excited
a general murmur. The preſident of Blanc Menil,
and the counſellor Brouſſel, having oppoſed ſome
meaſures of the court (with which they were
particularly diſſatisfied) more ſtrenuouſly than
others ventured to do, were arreſted in a manner
likely to raiſe an inſurrection among the people.
This event very ſoon put the capital in confuſion
A Prelate, as much given to libertiniſm as he was
to faction, the coadjutor of Paris, afterwards
cardinal of Retz, was the great incendiary in this
rebellion. In leſs than two hours, there were in
the city more than twelve hundred barricades;
the laſt of which the citizens made uſe of as a
place of ſafety for their troops. It was obliged
to be given up to the two magiftrates. The
Frondeurs (that was the name which was given
to the feditious) became more and more audaci-
ous. They had at their head the duke of Beau-
fort, the coadjutor, the prince of Conti, the
duke
I
224
ELEMENTS OF THE
1
duke of Bouillon, the marſhal of Turenne his
brother, &c. but Conde was for the court. A ſmall
ſpark lighted up civil war. Never was any thing
more fantaſtical than its principles and its events.
The parliament, drawn by the violence of
factions, made acts which favoured the war; and
a biſhop employed his whole genius to foment
diſcord," without any one pretence of religion.
Lewis XIV. who gave laws to Europe, by the
tạeaty of Weſtphalia was obliged to leave his ca-
pital. Conti beſitged it, and the parliament raiſed
trcops for its defence. What fingularly charac-
terifes this rebellion is, the ridicule with which it
was accompanied. They jeſted with their ſwords
in their hands. The duke of Beaufort, grand-
ſon to Henry IV. was called the king of the mob,
becauſe his popular manners enchanted the peo-
ple. The regiment belonging to the coadjutor
was atiled the Corinthian regiment, becauſe its
chief bore the title of Archbiſhop of Corinth.
Having been beaten in a ſally his rout became a ſub-
ject for bon mets. It was called the firſt of Corinth
ians. Twenty new created counſellors, who had each
of them furniſhed fifteen thouſand livres at the
beginning of the war, were known under the
name of the fifteen Scores. While the ſtate was
menaced with ruin, their taſte for raillery be-
came every day more lively. Meanwhile the
Spaniards took advantage of theſe circumſtances;
and the fear of ſeeing them very ſoon in France,
produced an accommodation, with which neither
the court nor the Frondeurs were ſatisfied. Mazarin
preſerved his place, and the parliament its authority
Some time after, the prince of Conde, think-
ing himfelf not well recompenſed for his ſervịces,
inſulted the miniſter, braved the government, and
united himſelf with the prince of Conti his bro-
ther, and the duke de Longueville his brother-
in-law..
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
225
in-law. The queen arreſted theſe three princes,
as if the government was ſufficiently confirmed
to ſupport fo hazardous a ſtep. Thię people,
equally blind and wilful, celebrated their impri-
fonment by bonfireș. Parties were, howevery:
very foon formed to draw them out of priſon;
and the parliament made acts againſt Mazarin.
That miniſter, delirous of rendering himſelf popu-
lar by the deliverance of the princes, went" in
perſon to ſet them at liberty ; for which good.
ſervice he received from them nothing
but contempt. At length, yielding to the violence
of the ſtorm, he quitted the kingdom, without
foſing any of his credit with the queen, who
pretended to be reconciled with the prince of
Conde ;. but worked underhand to draw the hatred
of the Frondeurs upon him. The vivacity of
this hero carried him out of himſelf; tộo fiere
to manage either party properly, he defied both,
civil war appearing preferable in his eyes to this
ftate of perplexity; he became a rebe! through
eaprice and imprudence, he precipitately quitted
the court: They diſpatched a courier to him,
loaded with propoſals, which qught to have en-
gaged him to return immediately. The courier
deceived himſelf, confounded Angerville with
Augerville, and executed not his commiſſion in
time. What a ſmall matter often determines the
fate of people! The prince confeſſed, that if he
had received the letter at Angerville, the offers
of the court would have prevented his going.fur-
ther, off.
At the firſt ſignal of civil war, Mazarin re-
entered France at the head of ſeven thouſand
men, Meanwhile his life was put at a certain
rice by an act of parliament, they being deter-
mined to pnrſue the miniſter. He at the ſame time
proclaimed the prince of Conde (his enemy)
guilty
I s
226 ELEMENTS OF THE
>
guilty of leſe majeſty, who being leagued with
the Spaniards and Turenne, had abandoned them
to ingratiate himſelf with the court. Theſe two
great men ſhortly tried their ſtrength at Gien,
where Turenne afterwards ſaved the king and royal
family under the walls of Paris, at the battle of
St. Antoine, ſo celebrated for the valour of its
combatants, and the addreſs of its generals. Conde
had been vanquiſhed, if Mademoiſelle, daughter
of Gaſton, had not cauſed the cannon of the
Baſtile to be drawn over the royal .army.
• This
is
cannon was brought there to kill her huſband,
ſays Mazarine, ſpeaking of that princeſs, who
• deſired an eſtabliſhment worthy of her birth,
• and who, from that time, was forgotten by the
• king:
Though Lewis XIV. had attained to the age of
majority, the parliament declared the feeble
Gaſton lieutenant-general of the kingdom ; always
unſtable through character, but now fixed by the
preſence of the prince of Conde. In order to
puniſh the parliament, they transferred it to Poin-
toiſe. Some of its members obeyed. The great,
eft number aded in oppoſition to the court; but
the king ſacrificed his new miniſter to the good of
the country. The departure of Mazarin appeaſed
theſe troubles. Paris returned to its obedience,
and Conde fought an aſylum in the Low Coun-
tries, where the king of Spain made him gene-
raliſimo of his army.
Charles I. king of England,, loſt his head on
a ſcaffold, for having, at the beginning of his
. troubles, given up the life of Strafford his friend
to his parliament. Lewis XIV. on the contrary,
became the peaceable maſter of his kingdom, by
fuffering the exile of Mazarin. Thus the ſame
weakness had very different ſucceſs.. The king.
off
HISTORY OF FRANCE
227
of England, by abandoning his favourite, encou-
raged a people who breathed nothing but war,
and who hated kings; while Lewis XIV. or ra-
ther the queen-mother,); by ſending away the
cardinal, took away all pretence of rebellion from
a people who were tired of war, and who loved
royalty. (Age of Lewis XIV.)
This contraſt delineates the character of the
two nations; but we ought to obſerve a more
eſſential difference in the two wars. · A ſpirit of
cabal without any fixed object, without any deep-
views, full of lightneſs and caprice, had agitated
France, as a flying: ſtorm troubles the ſurface of
the ſea, inſtead of that violent fanaticiſm and en-
thuſiaſm of liberty which had armed the Engliſh
againſt the unhappy Charles. The puritans and
independents, more fanatical than the leaguers
under Henry III. made it a religious duty to cruſh
the throne : and the hypocrite Cromwell knew
how to employ theſe powerful reſources which
tranſported men out of themſelves. After having
vanquiſhed his maſter, and ſubdued his party, he
dictated the horrible ſentence by which the ſub-
ject held a court of judicature on the life of a
king, worthy of their love and veneration. It
cannot be denied but that the cardinal Richlieu,
diffatisfied with the court of England, had foment-
ed the firſt diſturbances of the puritans. He
undoubtedly did not foreſee the cataſtrophe; but
to underſtand what cannot be miſtaken, (theſe
are his terms) ought he to have rendered his poli-
cy odious, by favouring the enemy of reaſon, of
religion, and of royalty ?
The Fronde diſappeared as ſoon as the king had
entered into his capital. He regulated the future
conduct of his uncle Gaſton, who finiſhed his
days at Blois, having never merited either the
glory of a good ſubject, or the reputation of a
chief
228
ELEMENTS OF THE
chief of party ; always fa&ious without courage
and without firmneſs, fearing every thing fór
himfelf, and nothing for thoſe who ſerved him.
The coadjutor, raiſed to the rank of cardinal by
his intrigues, more audacious than the duke of
Orleans was timid, braved danger by ſhewing
himſelf at court. They ſent him to priſon. The
archbichop of Paris being dead, he took poffeffi-
on of the archbiſhopric by proxy, and ſefuſed,
for a long time, to give it up. The famous
cardinal de Retz, after having played ſo great a
part, was no more any thing in the ſtate. He
lived till the year 1679, when he died in his re-
treat, where he had been the delight of his
friends. For Mazarin, the object of ſo much
hatred and conſpiracy, he returned to Paris in
triumph: the people and the parliament at the
fame time, received him with great honours.
The prince of Conti married one of his. nieces
and at length, by the force of mildneſs and pati.
ence, he became as abſolute as Richlieu. What
then were the fruits of the civil war ? Ridicule,
diſgrace for the Frondeurs, and an increaſe of
authority to the miniſter whom they deſired to
diſgracę.
The Spaniards, profiting by the folly of the
Frenç, retook Barcelona, Caffel, Gravelines,
and Dunkirk. Turenne ſtopt them, and raiſed
the fiege of Arras, where the prince of Conde,
who had the misfortune of fighting againſt his
country, met with a thouſand diſagreeable cir-
cumſtances in the ſervice of Spain. He always.
Thewed himſelf a great general, but his deſtiny
ſemed to be to vanquiſh only for France. So ob .
ftinate a: war had exhauſted the two nations.
They each of them endeavoured to make an alli-
ance with Cromwell; which attempt was general-
ly abhorred. This uncommon man reigned under
the
j
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
229
the title of Protector, making maritime affairs
and juſtice flouriſh in England. After he had
fullied himſelf with the blood of his king, the
crowned heads endeavoured to draw him into
their party, ſo much policy ſometimes overcomes
benevolence Mazarin decided it againſt the
Spaniard ; and the condition of the treaty was,
that they ſhould abandon Charles II. It was. ne-
ceſſary to ſacrifice the cauſe of the king to an
uſurper. The queen of England, Henrietta,
daughter of Henry IV. lived in France in an
indigent manner : her two ſons retired into Spain,
The Spaniards filled Europe with invectives
againſt the French miniſter, as if they had been
ignorant of the offers which had been made by
themſelves to the Protector.
In the expeditions to Flanders, Conde and
Turenne increaſed their reputation by fighting
againſt each other. The firſt had the glory of
ſaving Cambray, where he arrived before they
had completed the inveſting of the city ; but he
loft the battle of Dunes, followed by the taking of
Dunkirk. This place was delivered to the Eng-
lith. It had been promiſed to Cromwell, who
died very ſoon after, in thoſe troubles which were
Inſeparable from tyranny. At length France and
Spain concluded a war which was equally fatal to
the two nations. The conferences for a peace
were held in the iſle of. Faiſans, on the confines of
the two kingdoms. Mazarin, and Don Lewis
de Haro, held the negociation together for ſeve-
ral months: they there reproached each other
with always endeavouring to deceive, and the fi- :
neſle of the Italian found great obſtacles in the
pride of the Spaniard; nevertheleſs the treaty was
concluded in an advantageous manner.
France
kept Rouſſillon and a part of. Artois; the king of
Spain renounced his pretenſions over Allace;
the
230.
ELEMENTS OF THE
the infanta Maria. Therefa was given to Lewis
XIV. This marriage had been for a long time
the principal objeą of Mazarin's policy, who
foreſaw the uſeleſſneſs of the renunciations which
they exacted from the infanta, if there ſhould
happen to be no male heir to the Spanish mo-
narchy. Thereſa in effect renounced the ſuccelli-
on; but her claim was, notwithſtanding, revived,
and her poſterity enjoy at this time the crown of
their fathers. The re-eſtabliſhment of the prince
of Conde was one of the conditions of the peace:
Mazarin would not have conſented to it if the
Spaniards had not appeared diſpoſed to give that
prince ſtrong places in the Low Countries. Was
it not rather a duty to preſs and facilitate the re-
turn of this great man, who was born for the
defence and glory of his country? A dethroned
and fugitive king, related to the crowns of France
and Spain, the unfortunate Charles II. could not
obtain any mention of -himſelf in this treaty; the
two miniſters, for fear of offending the Engliſh,
refuſed at the ſame time to ſee him : he was;
notwithſtanding, re-eſtabliſhed ſome months after-
wards by one of the ſudden revolutions of which
England alorie furniſhes ſo many examples,
Another prince, whom lighneſs, imprudence, ,
and want of fidelitv tad always made unhappy,
Charles IV. duke of Lorrain, obtained the reſti-
tution of his ſtate ; but on condition that he
ſhould no longer keep up a ſtanding army, and
that the fortification of Nanci ſhould be demoliſh-
ed. Thus the treaty of the Pyrennees conſum,
mated the grand work of the peace, which that
of Weſtphalia had already much advanced; and
both of them increaſed the glory of Mazarin, a
glory preferable in one ſenſe to that of Richlieu,
who?e policy fet Europe in a blaze, and left to
his
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 231
his ſucceſſor the trouble of extinguiſhing the
flames.
Lewis XIV. went to meet his wife on the
borders of Spain. Before. thiş negociation took
place he had been enamoured with a niece of the
cardinal's. That minifter, it was ſaid, once
flattered himſelf that he would marry her, and
ſpoke of it to the queen-mother, pretending a
fear that ambition would undoubtedly make his
kinſwoman accept of it, and begging the queen
to make uſe of her power to prevent it. If
the king was capable of ſuch an indignity,' ſaid
Ann of Auſtria, I would put myſelf with my
5 ſecond ſon at the head of the nation againſt him,
. and againſt you. Whatever truth is in this
anecdote, Mazarin, exhauſted by labour, died,
as Richlieu had, before he reached fixty: ' As
the one was naturally proud, courageous, and
exalted; the
the other was mild, cunning, and
circumfpe&. His riches, which amounted to
near 200 millions of our real money, was a proof
of the inſatiable avarice with which he was accuf-
ed. The cares of the ſtate rendered this opulent
miniſter too odious not to lower him in the public
judgment. A&tuated by remorſe, at the end of
his career, he made a donation to the king of all
his lands. The king returned it to him, as he
had, without doubt, foreſeen; and appeared
ſincerely to regret him, though he was impatient
of exerciſing his own authority. In 1655, after his
firſt campaign, he had ſhewed in a ſtriking man-
ner how jealous he was of it. The parliament
being aſſembled on the ſubject of ſome edicts,
he entered the hall in a hunting dreſs, with boots
on, and a whip in his hand, and in the tone of an
irritated and abſolute maſter, he ordered theni to
break up the aſſembly, forbidding them at the
ſame time to make any new ones.
His orders
were
232
ELEMENTS OF THE
+
were accompanied with all the royal dignity, and
were reſpected as ſuch.
The time was come when France was to change
its appearance: two all powerful miniſters had
governed with ſucceſs, without making it happy.
Divided between their own intereſts and that of.
the nation, in procuring themſelves glory, they
had left the nation poor, and leſs flouriſhing than
it had been under Henry IV. But they now fais
what it was to have a king, who joined nobleneſs
.
of ſentiment to a penetrating mind, and applica-
tion to buſineſs. From the time that Lewis XIV..
began to reign he became the idol of France, and
excited the admiration of Europe. He was almofte
the only ſovereign who was now diſtinguished by
perſonal merit.
The daughter of Guſtavus Adolphus, Chriſti-
na, queen of Sweden, had abdicated her crown,.
in 1654, to cultivate. (in Rome) philoſophy and,
the fine arts. A ſingular inſtance, which drew:
from people of letters more eulogiums than her.
character or, conduct merited ; for the true glory.
of kings conſiſts in making the happineſs of their
people. It was not expected that a monarch of:
22 years old, a lover of pleaſures, having, to,
avoid the trouble of politics, ſo long a time ſub-
mitted to the will of. Mazarin, would take on
himſelf the reins of government, and be capable
of ſupporting it But his reſolution was taken,,
and he executed it on the ſpot: At the firſt coun--
cil which was held after the death of the minifter,.
he declared that he would ſee for himſelf, and
forbid the doing any thing without his orders:
6. The face of the theatre is changed,' added he ;,
"I will have other principles in the government
• of my ſtate, in the regulation of my finances,
6. and in the negociations without doors, than what
6 were in the time of Monſieur the cardinal: you.
« know
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
233
• know my will; it is your duty now, Gentle-
men, to execute it.' From that moment the
council took a reſpectable form. Mazarin had in
ſome kind abated it by holding it in his chamber,
while he ſhaved himſelf, while he dreſſed himſelf,
and diverted himſelf with a bird and a monkey.
The king loved order and decency in the moſt
common things.
One of the moſt dangerous wounds to a king-
dom is the waſte of its finances, equally fatal to
the prince, whoſe deſigns it croſſes, and to the
fubje&s from whom it draws taxes. Lewis felt
the neceſſity of remedying it. The depredations
of the ſuperintendant Fouquet, as profuſe as Ma-
zarin was avaricious ja the expence of the ſtate,
had determined the king to puniſh him ; he had
him arreſted, after having loaded him with caref-
ſes. The fear of rebellion, not very probable,
was the motive of this ſtrange diſimulation. Cod
bert, one of the authors of the ruin of Fouquet,
fucceeded him, under the title of comptroller-
general of the finances, and the place of ſuperin-
tendant was aboliſhed. Much zeal, application,
and ſagacity rendered this miniſter worthy the
choice of Lewis. Taxes were at once conſide-
rably diminiſhed, and commerce became in a
little time a ſource of abundant riches.
After
three years profecution they condemned the ſuper-
intendant to baniſhment, which was changed into
perpetual impriſonment. . The academician Peliſ-
fon had the courage to defend him, while the
greateſt part of his friends abandoned him in his
Diſgrace.' This ſtroke of generoſity ought always
to be celebrated in the annals of literature.
It is actions which develope the character of a
The king, naturally fierce and paſſionate
for glory, of which he had not perfect juſt ideas,
very foon learned to what height he ought to be
reſpected
man.
234
: ELEMENTS OF THE
was
reſpected abroad. His ambaſſador at London
having been inſulted by the Spaniſh one, whọ
diſputed precedency with him, he threatened
Philip IV. his father-in-law, again to take up
arms againſt him, if he did not make amends for
this inſult. The king of Spain had the prudence,
or meanneſs, to comply. An extraordinary am-
baſſador, which he ſent expreſs to Lewis, declar-
ed publicly, that the Spaniſh- miniſters were no
longer on a footing with thoſe of France. The
pope Alexander VII. at the ſame time,
cbliged to humble himſelf before the young mo-
narch. The lacquey of the French ambaſſador
had attacked an eſcort of the body guard in the
middle of Rome. Theſe kind of violences were
then too frequent amongſt the French, whoſe
audacity and infolence often braved all ſort of dif-
cipline. The guards furiouſly beſieged the hotel
of the ambaſſador, and killed ſome of his do-
meſtics. At this news the king demanded fatis-
faction of the pope. The court of 'Romé en
deavoured to gain time to draw itſelf o’t of this
embarraſſment
;
but the French ſeized on Avig-
non, which was an eaſy means of bringing it to
the terms deſired. Alexander fent the Cardinal
Chigi, his nephew, to aſk the king's pardon ;
he had the body guard caſhiered, and raiſed a
pyramid in memory of this event. So much vi-
gour in affairs of ſmall conſequence Thewed the
European princes what they were to expect from
a young king, ſo delicate on the point of
horour.
He acquired a more ſolid glory by ſuccouring
the emperor againſt the Turks, and in procuring
to the kingdom real advantages. Charles II. fold
him Dunkirk, før five millions. We muſt ob-
ſerve that money was then 26 livres to a mark,
and that it is now 49 and a half. This port, by
the
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
235
the immenſe works which were made in it, be-
came an object of terror and jealouſy to the Eng-
liſh, who never pardoned Charles a ſtep fo con-
trary to the good of the nation. The finances
which. Colbert had re-eſtabliſhed, put Lewis in a
condition to form the greateſt deſigns; he had al-
ready renewed the age of Auguſtus, by the prodi-
gious benefactions which he beſtowed on people
of letters, as well on foreigners as his own ſub-
jects. He now began the wonderful canal of
Languedoc, which joined the two ſeas, in ſpite
of the mountains which ſeparated them. He '
founded the Eaſt India company, and a number of
manufactures likely to enrich the kingdom. He
built a new navy, which was the more neceſſary
as the ſhips of Holland and England covered the
ocean, while the French had ſcarcely 15 cr 16.
His policy was concealed for ſome time in the
European affairs, and he only waited an occaſion
of ſignalizing himſelf by ſtriking enterprizes.
His ambition was too much inclined to that kind of
glory which coſts tears to human nature, the de-
fire of conquering; an occaſion of acquiring
which very ſoon preſented itſelf.
After the death of Philip IV. it was pretended
in France that queen Maria Thereſa of Auſtria,
his daughter by the firſt marriage, had a claim on
Flanders and the French County, to the excluſion
of the new king of Spain, a child by the ſecond
marriage. ' If the cauſes of kings,' - ſays M.
Voliaire, ' could be judged by the law of na-
tions, a diſinterefted tribunal, the affair would
« have admitted but little doubt. It appeared
certain to thoſe whom Lewis charged with exa-
mining it ; they paid no regard to the renuncia-
tions made by the queen ; they complained to the
court of Madrid that her dowry had never been
paid. Their reſpective claims were diſcuſſed in
various
236 ELEMENTS OF THE
various works publiſhed in France and Spain ;
but arms were to decide the proceſs. An abſolute
monarch, rich, and well ſerved, was ſure of
conquering Spain, which was then governed by
Jeſuits. The marquis of Louvois, miniſter of war
adniirable in that department, made all the diffi-
culties of conqueſt ealy; he eſtabliſhed magazines
for the ſubſiſtence of the troops, an excellent
method, unknown in leſs happy ages. The king,
having under him the marſhal of Turenne, with
troops perfectly well diſciplined, made himſelf
maſter, in one campaign alone, of almoſt all
Flanders. Lifle, the ſtrongeſt place in the coun-
try, ſupported only nine days ſiege. As ſoon as
the victor had recovered himſelf from theſe fa-
tigues, he attacked the French County in the
heart of winter. Conde followed him in this ex-
pedition Provence
was conquered in three
weeks : they there found traitors which the
French money had power to corrupt. Nothing
refifted him ; Dole itſelf, which had made ſo
gocda defence againſt the father of the great
Conde, was taken by Lewis the fourth day of
the fiege.
Theſe rapid conqueſts could not fail of making
him many enemies; ihey denounced an ambition
and power capable of alarming all Europe. Hol-
land feared ſuch a neighbour as France, whoſe
affiftance had till then been ſo advantageous to
her : ſhe entered into a league all at once with
England, her enemy, and with the Swedes, who
liad been for a long time friends of France, in
favour of Spain, againſt whom ſhe had always
fought. It was then that policy broke through all
alliances, and formed new ones in ſpite of preſent
intereſt. The king foreſaw the effects of this
triple alliance, and offered peace to Spain. It
was ſigned at Aix-la-Chapelle; they gave back
the
i
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
237
Vau-
the French County, but kept all the conqueſts
in Flanders, Charlerois, Ath, Douay, Lilly,
Oudenarde, Courray, Armentieres, &c.
ban had already fortified ſome of theſe places
according to the new method. That great en-
gineer, inſtead of raiſing fortifications as they
had hitherto done, put them almoſt on a level
with the country, by this means being leſs expof-
ed to the cannon, the approaches of the enemy
were rendered more difficult.
The art of war improved every day, but other
people profited by the French example. While
Lewis inſpired foreigners with terror, he neglect-
ed no means of rendering his kingdom more and
more flourifhing. The fine arts, excited by his
benefactions, increaſed the riches and happineſs
of the nation. Paris became moſt delightful and
magnificent ; all the ſtreets were paved and
lighted with lanterns during the night; an exact
policy, unknown before, ſecured the ſafety of the
inhabitants. It had been ordered under the reign
of Henry IV. that ſhows ſhould begin in winter
about two o'clock; fo much dirt obſcured the
city, and the ſtreets were ſo infefted with thieves,
as to render them impaſſable at the cloſe of the
day. The good order which is now eſtabliſhed was,
not the leaſt work of Lewis XIV. he founded
the hoſpital for invalids; he forced nature at
Verſailles with too much expence ; he raiſed the
ſplendor of the throne by fumptuous feaſts, with-
out loſing ſight of the principal affairs of Europe.
An aid of 7000 men, which he had ſent to Can-
0. dia, retarded for more than three months the
taking of that important place, which the 'Turks
were befieging. Other princes had occaſion to
bluſh at an example of generoſity which they
could none of them imitate.
Exceflively
238
ELEMENTS OF THE
.
Exceſſively jealous of his glory, he could not
pardon the Hollanders having dared to contradict
his deſigns. The fierce republican their ambaſſa-
dor, Van Heuninghen, had offended him at the
time that they negociated the laſt treaty with
Spain. It was to him that this queſtion from the
miniſter was put : “ Will you not truſt to the
word of a king ?? He frankly replied, I am igno-
rant of what a king will do, I conſider only what
he can do.' The infolence of the Dutch Gazet-
teers, and ſome proud medals which were ftruck
in their country, appeared an attempt. againſt the
perſon of Lewis XIV. This republic, whoſe
lands were ſo barren, and whoſe ability was ſo
ſmall, was become, through induſtry and com-
merce, as powerful as proud. Its conqueſts, its
eſtabliſhments in the Eaſt Indies, and a prodigi-
ous navy, had made it diſpute with the Engliſh
the empire of the ocean, and it had often fought
for the vain honour of the flag. It ceaſed to be
friends with France when it could no longer be
ſupported by it; for the Dutch policy was not very
ſcrupulous in the common duties of ſociety. · The
king knew how to defpiſe things of this nature, by
demanding ſatisfaction of the States. Mode-
ration was rot a proper epithet to be given him in
his eulogium, he rather choſe to make his great-
neſs conſpicuous by a terrible vengeance. Relolved
to ſubdue Holland, he detached himſelf all at once
from the intereſt of the king of England, Charles
II. a voluptuous and extravagant prince, whoni
the want of money had rendered very tractable.
The Swede, gained over alſo, renounced the triple
alliance. Every meaſure being taken with as much
ſecrecy as a ctivity, war was declared and begun.
More than 200,000 men were deſtined to conquer
a little ſtate, which had not more than 25,000
fcldiers for its defence. The ki..g entered it, fol-
lowed
HISTORY OF FRANCE,
239
lowed by his brother, Conde, Turenne, Luxem-
bourg, Vauban, Louvois, &c. ſpreading all a-
round him terror and deſpair. The paſſage of
the Rhine, celebrated perhaps with too much
emphaſis, was an action leſs perilous than brilliant;
the heat and dryneſs of the weather had rendered
an arm of this river fordable ; the cavalry found
themſelves under a kind of neceſſity of ſwimming,
and diffipated with little trouble ſome troops which
guarded the coaſt. The infantry paſſed afterwards
over a bridge of boats. They loſt the young
duke of Longueville in this battle, but he was
killed through his own fault, though the enemy
demanded quarter, he puſhed on them, grying,
No quarter for this, mob;' when immediately a
diſcharge from the cannon laid him in the bed of
death.
The rapid ſucceſs of this campaign was prodi-
gious ; three provinces, and more than four forti-
fied places, were conqured in leſs than a month.
Amſterdam faw almoſt all France at its gates, in
ſpite of the prince of Orange, who oppoſed the
grand penſionary John de Witt.' The States im-
plored the clemency of the victor. The conditions
of peace which were propoſed appeared dreadful
to a free people, whoſe courage, as it after hap-
pened, was re-animated by deſp ir. John de
Witt, whoſe long ſervices ought to have made him
reſpected, became odious, through his deſire for
peace ; thc unjuſt fury of the populace cruelly
ſacrificed him to the hatred of the prince of
Orange. They thought only of ſaving the repub-
lic, or of burying themſelves under its ruins : for
this purpoſe they opened the dykes of the ſea, ex-
poſing themſelves by ſuch an inundation to the
greateſt inconveniences. A pint of freſh water
was ſold for fix pence ; but the love of liberty
and of their country produced the moſt heroic
efforts.
240
ELEMENTS OF THE
efforts. While Holland was under water, or in the
hands of the French, the Dutch feet often fought
wiih thoſe of France and England, and the fa-
mous admiral Ruytter ſupported the honour of the
nátion. Meanwhile the emperor Leopold, Char-
les JI. king of Spain, and the greateſt part of the
prir.ces of the empire, alarmed by the conqueſts
öf Lewis, united themfelves with Holland, to ſtop
a torrent which ſeemed to threaten all Europe.
The king of England was forced by his parliament
to make peace. The French now repented of
having not followed the counſel of Conde and Tu-
renne, by demoliſhing a number of places, the
garriſons of which had too much weakened
the army. Lewis, after the fiege of Ma-
ſtricht, where he merited much glory had the
chagrin of abandoning three provinces which he
had rapidly ſubjected. A great part of Europe
fell beneath his arms; which was for him a new
ſubject for triumph. He knew how to make ſtill
freſh conqueſts, and to defend thofe which he had
made. The French County ſubmitted, for the
fecond time, in fix weeks. It was taken without
returning to the Spaniſh monarchy, under which
this province had formed a kind of republic, cou-
tented in poverty to enjoy its privileges. On the
ſide of Germany, Turerne, with an army very
inferior to that of his enemies, diſconcerted all
their meaſures, and brought back conſiderable ad-
vantages. The devaſtation of the palatinate,
where 2 cities and 25 villages were unpitiably
reduced to aſhes, revenged the French for the
cruelties which had been exerciſed upon ſome par-
ticular people. The miniſter had ordered this
vengeance ; and the virtuous Turenne was, in
fpite of himſelf, the inſtrument. Conde at the
ſame time headed the army in the Low Countries
againſt the prince of Orange, who was more than
half
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
241
half as ſtrong again through the number of his
troops. The bloody battle of Senef deſtroyed
men, without producing any good ; according to
the report of the prieſts they buried 25,000 corpſe
in a ſpace of two leagues. The prince of Conde
had three horſes killed under him ; he took no
more care of his own perſon than of his ſoldiers.
All theſe horrors of war fell on the human ſpecies;
victims too little regretted, through the ambition
of kings and the glory of heroes. On each fide
they chanted Te Deum, when they had much
more reaſon to weep than too rejoice.
The emperor ſent the celebrated general Monte-
cuculli againſt the marſhal Turenne; theſe two
rivals, after having excited the admiration of Eu-
rope, by marches and campaigns more glorious
than vi&torious, were on the point of coming to
a deciſive action, when Turenne was killed by a
cannon ball as he was examining a battery. The
fame bullet having carried away the arm of Monſ.
de St. Hillary, lieutenant general, his ſon ran to
him all in tears, My ſon, cried St. Hillary, 'it
is not for me that you ſhould weep, but for
" that great man. Turenne deſerved ſuch an
eulogium, more through the qualities of his ſoul
than the fuperiority of his talents. He had abju-
red Calviniſm in 1668. The proteſtants, greatly
hurt by his converſion, did not believe it ſincere :
they ſuſpected that he aſpired to the dignity of
conſtable ; but his frankneſs, and his noble fim-
plicity, ought to have prevented theſe malign con-
jectures. If love had made him commit any
faults, as he grew in years he covered them with
many virtues. As well then, as in the lightneſs
of his youth, it would be hard to find in our hiſ-
tory a warrior worthy to be compared with him.
The marquis of Louvois was jealous af this hero,
and rejoiced at his death, with which he ought to
have been afflicted, as a miniſter and a citizen.
VOL. II.
M
Monte
A
242 EL EMENTS OF THE
Montecuculli, profiting by the conſternation of
the army, paſſed the Rhine, piercing into Alſace.
The great Conde marched againſt him and ſtopped
him. At length, renouncing a command which
his health would not permit him to ſupport, he
retired to enjoy by himſelf glory, ſciences, letters,
and the fine arts. Montecuculli quitted the ſervice
of the emperor, becauſe he ſaid, ' A man that had
• fought againſt the Condes and Turenne, could
not fet his reputation againſt the generals who
6 were hardly begun to be ſuch.'
The ſtrength of government was raiſed to that
height, ſuch were the reſources of the miniſter, the
addreſs of the generals, the diſcipline and courage
of the troops, that France preſerved its ſuperiorty
until the end of this war. Sicily revolted againſt
Spain, giving itſelf up to the French. Ruyter
came to the ſuccour of the Spanịards, but he
found in the celebrated Du Quefne a formidable
enemy. Our fleet was three times victorious
and Holland loft Ruyter, whom Lewis XIV.
himſelf honoured with regret. : From a cabbin-
boy on board a ſhip he was become by his merit
one of the firſt men of the republic, and the
lowneſs of his origin gave new glory to his name.
The king made two campaigns in Flanders, as
victorious as the firſt. His brother, though en-
ervated by ſoftneſs, alſo ſignalized his valour.
The taking of Valenciennes, of Cambray, of
St. Omers, and the battle of Caffel, were memo-
rable events in the year 1677. Lewis
Lewis on his re-
turn to Verſailles in the month of May, ſaid to
Racine, and his hiſtorians, I am ſorry that you
could not come to this laſt campaign ; you would
have ſeen the war, and your journey would not
have been long?" Your majeſty,' replied Racine,
* did not give us time to make up our cloaths.'
An ingenious reply, which ſhewed the art, ſo
common in courts, of finely ſeaſoning flattery.
This
6
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
243
This great poet was perhaps too much a courtier
to fulfil with veracity the duties of an hiſtorian.
The hiſtory of our kings, generally ſpeaking,
ought not to be written under their eyes.
The king, triuinphant on all ſides, either
through himſelf or ihrough his generals, though
he had evacuated Sicily, whom the licentiouſneſs
of the French had often taught to rebel, yet the
ſucceſs of his arms made him the arbitrator of
Europe; he gave them peace, and impoſed on
them conditions. The treaty of Nimeguen was
his work. The Hollanders alone loſt, not any of
their cities; Spain yielded the French County,
and a great part of Flariders. The emperor
gave up Fribourg. The young duke of Lorrain, fuc-
ceffor to Charles IV. was to be re-eſtabliſhed in
his ſtate ; but on ſuch conditions as he had the
courage to refuſe, rather chuſing to live a ruined
fugitive, than to ſubmit to the law of Lewis.
Four days after the treaty of Nimeguen had been
ſigned with Holland, the prince of Orange, who
could not help knowing, and indeed could not doubt,
that the peace was approaching, came at the
head of 50,000 men to attack the marſhal of
Luxembourg near Mons. This ſucceſſor of the
great Conde, having received news of a peace,
expected nothing leſs than a battle; he had
however the glory of repulſing the enemy; and
the prince of Orange could ſcarcely juſtify to the
eyes of the public the having lavished human blood
through a cruel and fruitleſs ambition.
Lewis was now at the height of his greatneſs ;
they gave him in France the firname of Grand,
and the jealouſy of Europe dared not contradi&
this title. The peace, of which he preſcribed
the conditions, did not hinder him from ſtill ex-
lending his dominiors. Two chambers eſtabliſh-
ed at Metz and Briffac, to reunite to the crown
all the ancient dependencies of the three biſhoprics
and
M 2
244
ELEMENTS OF THE
and of Alſace, made decrees by which they ſeized
on a great number of lordſhips whoſe ſovereigns
had enjoyed them for a long time. Straſbourgh
ſtill preſerved its liberty, a powerful city, which
was the more ſo for having a bridge over the
Rhine, by which means it could open a paſſage
into the kingdom for the enemy. Louvois under-
took to reduce it ; he treated with : the magiſ-
trates, gaining fome, intimidating others, at the
ſame time a French army threatened Straſbourgh.
The treaty of redu&tion was concluded in ſpite of
the groans of a republican people; and, in a ſhort
time, this great place fortified by Urban, became
the French rampart on the ſide of Germany.
Colbert had put the marine in ſo flouriſhing a
tate that the king ordered him to make all the
Spaniſh veſſels lower their flags. He had 60,000
feamen. Neither England nor Holland could ſup-
port fo large a number. The corſairs which in
fefted the Mediterranean diſappeared before his
ſquadron. Du Queſne bombarded Algiers, and
for the firſt time made uíe of bomb veſſels, in-
vented by a Frenchman, but from which their
enemies profited in their turn againſt France :
till now they had not thought it poſſible to play
mortars with any effect in a Hoating machine.
Algiers, after having been beaten, fent to make
ſubmiſſion. Tunis and Tripoli ſubmitted in the
ſame way. Lewis, diſpleaſed with the Genoeſe,
who had fold powder to the Corſairs, made them
feel the weight of his vengeance ; 14,000 bombs
deſtroyed a great part of this ſuperb city ; and
the Doge was obliged to come in perſon to de-
mand a pardon. In the midſt of the magnificence
of Verſailles, he was aſked, What he found the
moſt ſtriking? he replied, Seeing myſelf here.'
M. de Voltaire added, that the Doge was
charmed with the politeneſs of the morarch, and
wounded by the inſolence of his miniſters. “The
• king,
HISTORY OF FRANCE, .
245
• king, faid he, deprives our hearts of liberty,
by the manner in which he receives us ; but
his minifters give it us back again. It was
more glorious to Lewis to merit this eulogi-
um, than to fee at his feet the chief of a republic
treared with ſo much rigour, for what appears a
venal fault.
Meanwhile pope Innocent XI. ſtern and inflexi-
ble though .virtuous, braved this powerful mo-
narch. They had quarrelled for a long time on
the ſubject of the regale, which was a particular
claim belonging to the kings of France, and
which had taken riſe from the beginning of mo-
narchy. It gave them a right of receiving the
revenues of vacant biſhoprics, and nominating the
benefices which were dependent on the biſhopric.
Some churches pretended exemption from this
law. Lewis, by an edi&t in 1673, declared that
the regale extended itſelf throughout the kingdom.
The-biſhops of Aleth and Pamiers, celebrated for
their oppoſition to the formulary concerning
Janſeniſts, of which we ſhall ſpeak elſewhere,
dared ſingly oppoſe themſelves againſt the royal
authority; and what was ſtill more extraordinary,
were ſupported in it by Innocent XI. though
rebels to a decree of one of his predeceſſors. The
diſpute grew warm; the general afſembly of the
clergy took the ſide of the court. The pope
having condemned this ſtep, they ſeized the occa-
fion of examining the rights and pretenſions of the
pope himſell, and ſignalized themſelves by the
four famous articles which expoſed the do&rine
of the Gallic church. The ſubſtance of which
were; ift, That the ecclefiaftical power had no
authority over the temporal affairs of princes :
2dly, That the general council was ſuperior to the
pope, according to the deciſion of the council of
Conſtance: 3dly, That the cuſtoms and laws
received in the Gallic church ought to be main-
M
tained
246
ELEMENTS OF THE
tained : 4thly, That the judgment of the fove-
reign pontiff in matters of faith was.only infallible,
after the conſent of the church. Truths which
plain good ſenſe muſt make every unprejudiced
man feel, ſeemed then hard to be decided. Rome
was taxed with error, and the Italian prejudices
which had inſpired the league were not yet ſtifled
in the kingdom. The affair made much noiſe,
it would not have done ſo in our days. Innocent
II. more irritated than ever, condemned the pro-
poſitions of the clergy, and refuſed the bulls to
all the biſhops nominated by the king. . This in-
flexible harſhneſs produced a ſchiſm : ſeveral
people already talked much in France of eſtabliſh-
ing a patriarch, independent of Rome; the reli-
gion of the king prevented them from coming to
this extremity:
But he was too haughty to yield to the pope.
He was determined to aboliſh the freedom of the
ambaſſadors, whoſe hotels, and the places ſur
sounding thein, were inviolable afylums; thieves
and aſſaſſins had fled there, and hid themfelves
from juſtice. Such an abuſe, in the capital of a
Chriſtian kingdom, could not ſubſiſt, becauſe the
honour of crowned heads appeared intereſted in it.
The emperor, and the kings of Spain and Poland,
entered into the views of Innocent. Lewis, it is
ſaid, openly declared, that he would never regu-
late his actions by the example of others, but
that it was their places to follow his.' This pride
was fupported by acts. The marquis
. of Laver-
din, a new ambaſſador from France, entered
Rome in 1687, with a train of ſoldiers, and af-
feated to brave the pontiff, who had abſolutely
ſuppreſſed their freedoms. The cenſures which
he paſſed upon them ſerved only tó enrage the
king. They took Avignon ; and if Lewis had
had leſs reſpect for the Holy See, the imprudence
of the pope would doubtleſs have drawn on him
the
HISTORY OF FRANCE 247
the greateſt misfortunes, France, in the opinion
of politicians, was tied to Rome only by a thread
which was ready to break.
During theſe violent quarrels with Innocent,
Lewis ſignalized his zeal for the Catholic religion,
by giving the moſt mortal wound to Calviniſm,
From the taking of Rochelle, the Calviniſts, far
from forming themſelves into factions, peaceably
enjoyed their privileges, without diſquieting
the
government. A ſeditious genius had been
loft under fupreme authoriiy. The monarch
did not fear them, and gained profit from their
labours; but he was eaſily perſuaded that the
glory and intereſt of his crown demanded the ex-
tinction of Hereſy, which ought to yield to his
will. Full of theſe flattering ideas, ambitious
likewife of ſerving religion, notwithſtanding the
caufe of complaint he had againſt the pope, he
i began to oppreſs the Proteſtants, reſtraining them
more and more in their liberty, and very
foon em-
ployed that violence which never ſupplies the
place of perſuaſion. Miſſionaries ſent into the
provinces, and money diſtributed to the convert-
ed, produced no very rapid effect. Troops were
ſent to inſpire them with terror. The chancellor
Téllier, and Louvois his ſon, were naturally car-
Tied into the dangerous meaſures of deſpotiſm,
The death of Colbert, who had protected the
Calviniſts as citizens, left thefe two miniſters the
boundleſs power of following their inclinations.
Louvois expreſſes his opinion thus, in letters writ-
ten with his own hand: ? His majeſty would do
well to try extreme rigour with thoſe who will
• not come in to his religion, and who have the
folly to glory in remaining ſtill firm to their
errors ; they ought to be puſhed to the laſt ex-
'tremity. As if people's thoughts could be re-
gulated by the order of the court. The troops
charged with this comimiſſion, eſpecially dragoons,
'were
M 4
248 ELEMENTS OF THE
0
were too quick in executing it. Europe rung
with complaints, excited by their violence; and
in the Proteſtant churches the dragoonade was
compared to the perſecution in the primitive
church. This rigour produced the general effe&t;
it changed at once the zeal of the Calviniſts into
enthuſiaſm. They looked on their country only
as a new Babylon; and the more precautions
were taken to prevent their flying from it, the
more they believed themſelves obliged to break
their fetters. At length Lewis revoked the fa-
mous edict of Nantes, given by Henry IV. and
confirmed by Lewis XIII. Liberty of conſcience
was denied to the Proteſtants, their churches
demoliſhed, and their children torn from the arms
of their parents to be bred in the Catholic religion.
They were forbidden going out of the kingdom.
Guards, in ſhoals, covered the coaſts and fron-
tiers. The natural love of their country, the ties
-of blood, and the intereſt of fortune, nothing
could ſtop theſe men, who were drawn by fanati-
ciſm or deſpair; they deſerted by thouſands.
Holland, England, and Germany opened their
arms to receive them. They carried with them
immenfe furns, and, what was ſtill more valua-
ble, manufactures, their induſtry in which en-
riched the kingdom. In a few years France loſt
near 500,000 citizens, ſome ſay 800,000, a loſs
not eaſily repaired. It was undoubtedly a great
happineſs to re-eſtabliſh uniformity in worſhip and
belief; but it was a great misfortune, both for
the king and for religion, to excite the hatred of
an infinite number of Frenchmen, who became
from that time the moſt implacable enemies to
their country and to the church.
Several,
through a warm zeal, have admired this ſtep of
Lewis XIV. but human policy, balancing the
account of one and the other, prefers the conduct
of Henry IV. It is impoflible to conciliate with
evad-
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
249
evangelic maxims, fo very different from thoſe of
the miniſter Louvois, the cruelties which, inſtead
of converting, made them deſperate. It was not
till after theſe vexations that the Calviniſts were
troubleſome to the ſtate. Queen Chriſtina wrote
from Rome, where ſhe had abjured Proteſtantiſm,
in theſe terms:
• I look on France as a ſurgeon,
« who cuts off arms and legs to cure a malady
which a little patience and gentle treatment
< would have entirely healed; but I very much fear
that the diſorder will now increaſe, and at laſt
become incurable.'
The pride and power of the king created him
almoſt as many enemies as there were princes in
Europe. The moſt dangerous of all, whether
from his exceffive ambition, or whether from his
profound policy, was William prince of Orange,
now deſpiſed by the French, becauſe he had not
been happy in the war, but they were very ſoon
taught to what his genius was capable of riſing.
He was the mover of the famous league, ſecretly
projected at Augſbourg in 1686, and concluded at
Venice the following year. The emperor, and
the greateſt part of the empire, the king of Spain
Holland, the duke of Savoy, and almoſt all (taly,
united againſt France. Innocent XI. as proud as
Lewis, whoſe reſentment he now proved, fe-
conded by his intrigues thoſe of the Dutch prince.
A Pope and a Proteſtant, without acting in con-
cert, endeavoured, with an equal zeal, to lower
the moſt Chriſtian king. As ſoon as Lewis knew
that they deſigned to attack him, he determined
to give the firſt blow. The dauphin, ſtiled Mon-
figneur, was commiſſioned to take Philipibourg,
which was the key of all Germany. “My ſon,
ſaid the king tobim, at his departure, 'in ſending
you to command my armies, I give you an op
portunity of diſplaying your merit to the worl;
go and convince all Europe, that whenever I
2
MS
thall
250
ELEMENTS OF THE
5
• ſhall reſign my breath, they will not be able to
perceive that the king is dead.' The dauphin,
in effect, ſhewed himſelf worthy of his confi-
dence; adored by his troops, careſſed by the
whole world, full of mildneſs and courage, (but
ſuch a courage, as like that of his father, was
under the command of prudence) he acquired
glory by the taking of Philipſbourg, which cauſed
an univerſal joy in the kingdom. The duke of
Montauſier, his governor, wrote to hina after this
event in theſe terms :::* My lord, I will make you
no compliment on the taking of Philipſbourg,
you had a good army, bombs, cannon, and
• Vauban; nor will I tell you that you are brave,
• it is an hereditary virtue in your houſe, but I
rejoice to find you liberal, generous, humane,
and rendering your fervices valuable by making
• them conduce to the general good.' Montauſer
had the happineſs of pleaſing himſelf with having
ſucceſsfully cultivated the virtue of his pupil.
This was no more than the firſt ſparkle of a
war. The revolution, which drove the Stuarts
from the throne of England, made it blaze out.
Charles II, had left the crown to James Il. his
brother, who became a Catholic, and confequent-
ly odious to his people, and the more ſo, as he
believed himſelf abſolute, and was deſirous of
being ſo, and paid no reſpect to their paſſion for
liberty. Engliſh biſhops put in priſon, a Popiſh
Nuncio received at court, the Jeſuits in favour,
one of them governing the mind of the king, the
ill-concerted projed of re-eſtabliſhing the Catho-
lic religion, which the Englith were determined
never to ſuffer, the whole conduct of James dif-
poſed them to a revolt. 'Che imprudence of his
zeal was blamed by Rome. The fages foreſaw
that he would himſelf be the victim of it; and.
that, far from ſerving the church, he would for
ever ruin it in England. After uſeleſs complaints,
the
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
25:1
;
1
the Engliſh conſpired. The prince of Orange,
being ſolicited to put himſelf at their head, was
too ambitious not to ſeize this fortunate occaſion.
The plot was concerted with a ſecret and wonder-
ful prudence. James, ſurpriſed, made but a
feeble reſiſtance. Several officers abandoned him
among others, his favourite Churchill, who foon
after immortalized himſelf under the name of the
duke of Marlborough. The unkappy king fell
into the hands of the prince of Orange, his fon-.
in-law and oppreſſor. He was permitted to fly,
and fought an aſylum with Lewis XIV. whoſe
advice he had neglected, and whoſe aſſiſtance he
had refuſed. The uſurper was declared king of
England, under the name of William III. jointly
with his wife, daughter of the dethroned king;
and the nation confined the royal authority with-
in ſtreighter limits.
It was now that Lewis began an open war with
England. Holland and Spain alſo declared itſelf
againſt James. Having received this prince in the
moft
generous manner, he uſed his utmoſt efforts
to re-eſtabliſh him. A conſiderable fleet was very
ſoon ready to conduct him to Ireland. The king
in taking leave of him, ſaid, “I can wiſh
you no-
• thing better than never to ſee
you more. "
The
French ſquadron diffipated that of their enemies.
Vice-admiral Tourville obtained a celebrated vic-
tory in 1690, after which they dared fhew them-
ſelves no more.
Lewis XIV. for two years pre-
ſerved the empire of the ſea ; he who at the be-
ginning of his reign had ſcarcely any ſhips. But
all this aſſiſtance did not change the deſtiny of
James II. His former valour feemed to have for-
laken him with his fortune ; he was defeated by
his ſon-in-law, at the decìive battle of the Boyne,
and returned into France, finiſhing his days in-
gloriouſly but piouſly. A report was ſpread, that
the prince of Orange was killed in battle, becauſe his
ſhoulder
252 ELEMENTS OF THE
ſhoulder had been grazed by a cannon ball. At
this news the people of Paris, without regard for
decency, gave way to a ridiculous joy, and burnt
him in effigy, not conſidering that theſe kind of
rejoicings did more honour than injury to a con-
quering enemy.
Germany, the Low Countries, and the fron-
tiers of Spain and Italy, were all at once the thea-
tre of war. It is ſufficient to mention the princi-
pal events. They had taken the Palatinate, one
of the fineſt countries of the empire, where there
remained no traces of the conflagration executed
by Turenne, to prevent the enemy from fubfifting
there. Lewis followed the counſel of. Louvois,
commanding a new conflagration. Cities, caſtles,
villages were ſet in flames, with the moſt exceſſive
rigour; they ſhewed no reſpect even to the tombs
of the Palatine 'electors. The ſoldiers opened
them in hopes of finding gold, and ſcattered the
aſhes which were incloſed in them in the wind.
This dreadful expedition was generally deteſted.
The king undoubtedly did not imagine that his or-
ders would have produced ſo much miſery; but
the cowardly fear of bridling a greedy and brutal
ſoldiery made it, be caried to the greateſt exceſs.
If the laws of war authoriſed things which were
repugnant to humanity, policy, as was then obſer-
ved, ſeemed to exact a little more prudence in the
management of them. Their enemies might, in
their turn, have invaded their kingdom, and who
could ſay they had not a right of making repriſals ?
The duke of Lorrain, Charles V. a prince
without lands, but a formidable general, comman-
ded the imperialiſts; he retook Bofme and May-
ence, where the French gloriouſly defended them-
ſelves, though theſe two places were badly forti-
fied. After 21 attacks the marquis of Uxelles
ſurrendered Layence for want of powder. He cer-
tainly was deſerving of commendation, but he was
received
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
253
received in Paris with hooting in a full theatre. Such
is often the injuſtice of a light people, who decide
without examining, and who hang or admire with-
out reaſon, not loſing their ridiculous prejudices till
after they have inſulted merit, or paid incenſe to
fortune.
In the Low Countries and in Italy, the firſt year
of the war were a continual.link of memorable
victories. The marſhal of Luxembourg walked
in the ſteps of the great Conde, whom he imitated
in his genius, vivacity, and courage; he gained
the battle of Fleurus by the ſuperiorty of his ta-
lents. Surpriſed at Steinkirk by a ſtratagem of
king William's, he gained the glory, though fick
of repulſing and vanquiſhing that hero. Several prin-
ces of the blood, at the head of the king's horſe,
acted on this occafion prodigies of valour, which
decided the victory. The following year, Lux-
embourg, in company with the ſame heroes, fur-
priſed William himſelf at Nurvinde, and gained
a new battle ; 20,000 men ſurrounded there were
killed, among which were 8000 French. During
this interval, the king in perſon took Mons and
Namur. The marſhal of Catenat, a true philo-
ſopher and great captain, who owed his rank only
to his merit, defeated the duke of Savoy at Staf-
arde and at Marſeilles. The marſhal of Noailles
was conqueror in Catalonia ; the marſhal of
Lorges had been ſo in Germany. Never were ſo
many ſtriking victories; one only would have
been ſufficient to have produced a revolution.;
notwithſtanding every thing remained a little longer
in the ſame ſtate.
Lewis, in ſpite of all theſe conqueſts, no longer
appeared invincible ; he loft 14 large veſſels in
1692, after the battle of La Hogue, where
Tourville by his orders attacked the enemy's fleet,
now more numerous than the laſt. The death
of Luxembourg ſtopt the courſe of their triumphs
i in
254
ELEMENTS OF THE
in Flanders. King William, often beaten, but.
who knew admirablely well how to repair his
loffes, retook Namur, within fight of an army of
80,000 men, without their being able to lend any
aſliſtance to the place. The Engliſh fleet bom-
barded Dieppe, Le Havre, St. Maloes, Calais
and Dunkirk.. Courage diininiſhed throughout
the army, recruits became difficult, the finances
had been greatly diminiſhed fince the death of
Colbert ; nevertheleſs the chief in the naval
command took Carthagena in America, where the
Spaniards loft near 20 millions. Dugue Trouin,
the moſt celebrated of the privateers, ruined the
maritime commerce of the enemies. The ſcourge
of war was felt by the whole world, and the king
deſired peace; he began by detaching the league
from the duke of Savoy, Victor Amedee, who
was much leſs fcrupulous of his engagements than.
zealous for his intereft. Catenat was the negoci-
ator of the treaty. They gave this prince back.
his dominions, and deſtined his daughter for wife
10 the duke of Burgundy, ſon to the dauphin.
This event, followed by the taking of Barcelona
by Vendoſme, haftened the ſucceſs of the negoci-
ations which were made at Ryſwick with other.
confederates. The king ſhewed a moderation of
which Europe did not believe him capable. He .
facrificed the. cungueſts which he had made in.
Spain, Luxembourg, Mons, Ath, Couthay, &c.
all that had been reunited to the crown by the
chambers of Metz, and of Briſac,. Fribourgh,
and Philipſbourg,
liere reſtored
to the
empire. William was acknowledged. for lawfu
king of England, James II. abandoned, and the
duke of Lorrain re-eſtabliſhed. Charles V.
no more (that great general of the emperor) ; but.
his ſon Leopold ſucceeded him, who proved the
father of his ſubjects, and whoſe memory Lorrain
eternally bleſſes, as they do that of Staniſlaus the
bene-
was
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
255
beneficent. The peace of Ryſwick was in France
not a ſubject of joy, but of diſcontent and mur-
murs. It appeared fhameful, that the king, who
was accuſtomed to give laws to nations, ſhould
yield ſo many advantages to his enemies, not with
ſtanding the ſuperiority of his arms. Several
thought it was a politic ſtroke, to prevent the
ſucceſſion of Spain ; and that they were willing to
avoid the reproach of ambition, and gain time to
make preparations, to concert meaſures, and raiſe
obſtacles. The Author of the Age of Lewis XIV.
proves the falſeneſs of theſe conjectures. They
made peace, according to him, becauſe they were
tired of war. Virtuous ſentiments,' added-he,
certainly influenced them. Thoſe who think
that kings and their miniſters ſacrifice to their am-
bition inceſſantly, and without meaſure, deceive
themſelves, no leſs than thoſe who believe that
they always ſacrifice to the good of mankind.
When they were on the point of figning the
general peace at Ryſwick the Abbe of Polignac,
through his wit and eloquence, got the prince of
Conti elected king of Poland, whoſe valour had
fhone at Steinkirk and at Nervinde. Two hours
afterwards, another party, much leſs numerous
proclaimed the elector of Saxony. The firſt
election was the only lawful one ; but the Saxon
money prevailed. Lewis could nct give the prince
of Conti ſufficient aſſiſtance, whichi, had he been
able to have done, it would, perlaps, have pre-
vented his making a falfe ftep. This prince going
to ſhew himſelf in the road of Dantzick, they
fhut the gates againft him, and he returned imme-
diately. All Europe now enjoyed a profound
peace. It ſeemed that this ſtate of happineſs was
a violence upon human kind by the ſhortneſs of its
duration The north was very foon overrun by a.
bloody war. Ambition inſtigated the young king of
Sweden, Charles XII. to this, who was a hero
and
256 ELEMENTS OF THE
and general at fixteen years old. Other powers, who had
quitted Arms, took to them almoſt as ſoon, againſt the
king, on the ſubject of the ſucceſſion of Spain. We
cannot too much admire the order of Providence, who
links events in an inexplicable manner, and who con-
ducts every thing to its end by means which often ſeem
oppoſite to the effects which reſult from them.
Charles II. king of Spain declined, without having
any poſterity to ſucceed him : his neareſt heirs were
Monſeigneur, ſon of Lewis XIV. and Joſeph king of the
Romans, ſon of the emperor Leopold; but Maria Thie-
reſa of Auſtria, mother to the dauphin, was older than
the mother of Joſeph. Europe equally feared the reunion-
of Spain, whether to the crown of France, or to the
German branch called Auſtria. King William propoſed
0 ſhare the ſuccellion, as a proper means to maintain
the equilibriuin, of which Holland and England were
fo jealous. The dauphin was to have Sicily, Naples, and
ſeveral cities in Spain. Milan was deſtined for the arch-
duke Charles, and the remainder for the young prince
of Bavaria, a child of eight years old. The king of
Spain, diſpleaſed with having his dominions diſpoſed of
before his death, made a will in favour of the young
prince of Bavaria, declaring him his fole heir. 'This child
dying, a new treaty of partition was concerted between
the king of France, the king of England, and the States-
General. Charles II. would not ſuffer any more than
the Spaniards, the idea of diſmembering the monarchy.
He now offered all his dominions to the emperor, for
the archduke, his ſecond ſon, foreſeeing, that if he
gave it to the elder, all Europe would agree to ravage
this large inheritance. The proud contempt of the court
of Vienna, the thorns which ſhe ſtrewed in this negoci-
ation, made her hateful, while the marſhal of Harcourt
the French ambaſſador at Madrid, began to make his
nation beloved by the amiableneſs of his
conduct, which
was equally full of wiſdom and dignity. Meanwhile the
unhappy monarch, as weak in mind as body, torn by
inquietude and irreſolution, approached the tomb,
without knowing to whom to leave his claimed domi-
nion. He appeared to reconcile himſelf with the empe-
ror ; on which Lewis threatened to recall his ambaſſa-
dor,
1
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
257
dor, and raiſe troops. Some grandees of Spain per-
ſuaded their dying maſter, that, in order to avoid the
diſmembering of the monarchy, he ought to give it to
a little grandſon of the king of France, niore capable of.
defending it, than a diſtant prince, who would find in
his road an infinite number of obſtacles. In vain they
oppoſed a renunciation of Maria Thereſa, the object
of this renunciation being full of the meaſures which
they took to avoid the reunion of the two crowns in the
fame ſtate. Spain was to be ſhared between the young-
er branch, and not to paſs to the elder. Theſe reaſons
were plauſible. Charles, through the delicacy of his
conſcience, conſulted the divines, and aſked the advice
of the pope. The divines were of the ſame opinion
with the grandees. Pope Innocent XII. replied, “That
the laws of Spain and the good of Chriſtianity exacted
that he ſhould prefer the houſe of France.' He no lon-
ger doubted of chuſing the duke of Anjou for his heir
the ſecond ſon of the dauphin ; declaring, That in de-
fault of the younger branch of France, the ſucceſſion
Thould return to the archduke, in ſuch a manner that
Spain and the empire ſhould never be united. This laſt
will of Charles II. was ſo diſcreet, that after his death,
the ambaſſador of Vienna looked upon it as ſtill favour-
able to the archduke. What was their ſurprize, as well
as that of all Europe, when they faw a Frenchman heir,
to this vaſt monarchy; which for above two hundred
years, had been at perpetual war with France. Lewis
was looked on as the author of a will in which he had
no ſhare, and from which he had nothing to hope. It
was deliberated in council, whether they ſhould accept
of it, or ſtick to the firſt treaty of partition. Some pre-
ferred the ſecond part, to avoid a dangerous war. The
king accepted the teſtament.' Which-ever ſide I take,
ſaid he, I know I ſhall be condeinned.' But he relied
on his ſtrength, and was determined to ſupport the
glory of his houſe. The duke of Anjou was declared
king of Spain, under the name of Philip V. The king
ſaid to him at his departure,
« The Pirenees are.no
inore :' a fine ſpeech to explain the future union of the
two people. As ſoon as England and Holland were ac-
quainted with it, the duke of Savoy, whoſe daughter
he
258 ELEMENTS OF THE
he was to have married, ſhewed himſelf zealous for his
intereſt. Theſe three powers were foon in arms.
Lewis, far from endeavouring to manage the Engliſh
in theſë very critical circumſtances, irritated them by
a piece of generoſity which they looked on as an outrage.
James II. being dead, he gave his ſon, the prince of
Wales, the title of King of England, contrary to the
unanimous advice of his council, to which he had
fubſcribed himſelf, The tears of tlie widow of the
deceaſed, joined to the intreaties of Madam de Main-
tenon, made him ſuddenly change his defign, and he
acknowledged James III. the ſame day that he had
promiſed not to acknowledge him. A couple of women
were too mighty for the reaſons of council; becauſe
their deſires were fuitable to the inclinations of the
king, which were bent on glorious 'enterpriſes. This,
added to the aggrandiſing of the Bourbons, was a ter-
rible ſtroke to England and Holland ; they waited to
ſee them take arms, that they might be furniſhed with
a pretence. England and Holland were not tardy in
uniting themfelves with the emperor. William, though
in a languiſhing and infirm ſtate of health, encouraged
this alliance ; but died in the midſt of his preparations :
a dangerous enemy, whoſe genius and policy in refour-
ces were inexhauſtible. Without being beloved by the
Engliſh, he reigned tranquilly, treating with reſpect
the liberty of a proud and curbulent people ; but he
had always more power in his country than in his kirg-
dom. He was called the Stadtholder of the Engliſh, and
the King of Holland. The princeſs Anne, his fifter-in-
law, daughter of James II. and wife of the prince of
Denmark, fucceeded him, and at firſt followed all his
ſteps, becauſe they were conformable to the views of
the nation. From all parts a terrible ſtorm ſeemed to
threaten France.
Before the other ailies declared themſelves, the em-
peror, began the war in Italy. His general was prince
Eugene of Savoy, born in France, ſon of the count de
Soiffons, and of a niece of cardinal Mazarin, known at
court in his youth, under the name of the Abbé de Sa-
voy, and ſo much forgotten now, that when he quitted
the kingdom in 1684, Lewis feemed to deſpiſe him, and
the
HISTORY OF FRANCE,
259
the courtiers ſpoke of him as a madman, incapable
of doing any thing. Never was prejudice more unjuſt,
nor proved more falſe by actions. Prince Eugene, with
all the qualities of a great man, could not fail of one
day making thoſe repent who had not rendered him
juſtice. Thirty-three years old, and already celebrated
for his victories over the Turks, he cominanded thirty
thouſand men, whom he diſpoſed of in what mannner
he thought proper. Catenat, an adverſary worthy of
bim, was obliged to yield to ſuperior orders, which pre-
vented his ſupporting himſelf, by putting trammels on
his genius. He made an unfortunate campaign, always
fying before Eugene, and loſt a great extent of land.
The marſhal of Villeroi; a favourite of Lewis XIV.
full of courage and confidence, but who was rather a
great lord than a great captain, flattered himſelf with
being able to repair this misfortune. They gave hiin
the command of the army under the duke of Savoy.
This prince, with the title of generaliffimo, was almoſt
without authority; the diſdainful airs of the marſhal pro-
voked him to a rupture. Meanwhile he valiantly fecond-
ed Chiari, where Villeroi was beaten through his own
imprudence, and where Catenat made a good retreat,
after having in vain endeavoured to meet with death.
The following year, in the depth of winter, prince
Eugene introduced the troops into Cremoni by a ſtrata-
gem. The marfhal of Villeroi ſlept tranquilly; he was
fuddenly awaked, and going out of his houſe fell into the
hands of his enemies. Cremoni would have been taken,
if a French regiment, which was pafling in review, had
not put itſelf that morning under arms. Its réſiſtance gave
the remainder of the garriſon time to reconnoitre. The
enemy was driven out, after an obftinate bartle. The
duke of Vendoſme was ſent to ranſom the captain
general: This grandſon of Henry IV. had paſſed through
all the military gradations ; his great faults, unmeaſur-
able prodigality, unpardonable negligence and ſoftneſs,
with little care in fupporting difcipline, were all effaced
by great talents. The foldiers adored him, and in days
of action his genius, excited by peril, diſcloſed itſelf in
an aſtoniſhing manner. Prince Eugene alone was able
to nake head againſt him. They fought the battle of
Lugara,
260 ELEMENTS OF THE
j
Lugara, where they found the young king of Spain.
The French had 'the advantage, and the Imperialiſts
attributed it equally to themſelves. Very ſoon after-
wards, Victor Amadee deceived France. Father-in-law
to the king of Spain and the duke of- Burgundy, he
abandoned his ſons to avail himſelf of advantageous
offers made by the emperor. If policy approved this.
ſtep, it reckoned as things of little conſequence the laws
of nature and honour. The war in the Low Countries
was ſtill more unhappy than that in Italy. The famous
duke of Marlbourgh, the ſame Churchill who had be-
trayed James II. commanded the Engliſh and Dutch
troops. His ſublime talents, both in command and in
negociations, made him much to be feared. Queen
Anne, the Engliſh parlianient, and the States-General,
all entered into his views. He had the advantage of the
Campaign over the duke of Burgundy, a prince moſt
reſpectable for his virtues; and over the marſhal of
Boufflers, one of the greateſt men of France but Vil-
lars, who was then only lieutenant-general, and who was
ordained one day to ſave the ſtate, gained in Germany
the
battle of Fredlingue, after which he received the
-ſtaff of niarſhal, which the fuffrage of the army had
given him before. Re-united with the elector of Bava-
ria, the king's ally, he was forced in a manner to fight
in the plains of Hockftet near Donavert, and gained a
ſecond victory. The marquis of Tallard was alſo victor
at Spire. They advanced towards Vienna. The em-
peror trembled for his capital. Unfortunately, the proud
impetuou's character of Villars ſo much diſpleaſed the
elector of Bavaria, that that prince recalled him. The
marſhal was employed in the Cevennes, where the
mountain Hugonots, in a fanatic deliriun, excited by
their prophets and proheteſſes, raiſed the ſtandard of
rebellion. No taxes, and liberty of conſcience, was the
cry of war, too likely to infame the fury of a fanatic
populace.Villars reſtrained theſe furious people; but he
would have been employed to better purpoſe in Germany,
The emperor would have been conquered if Eugene
and Marlborough had not fled to his ſuccour. Thele
Wo generals encountered the French and Bavarian
army in the ſame plain of Hockſtet where they had
van
HISTORY OF FRANCE
>
261
vanquiſhed the preceding year. Had they avoided bat-
tle, che enemies would have been diſperſed for want
of. forage. The ſuperiority of numbers, and hope of
a ſecond victory, determined them to take a more
dangerous part. The marſhals of Tallard and Marſin,
joined to the elector of Bavaria, were entirely defeated,
A body of twelve thouſand men, of the beſt troops in
France, incloſed in a village, were obliged to ſurrender
without giving battle. If the generals had not com-
mitted this great overſight; if Tallard, whoſe views
were very weak, had not thrown himſelf in the midſt
of a ſquadron of the enemy, where he was taken priſon- ·
er, this army, till then victorious, would undoubtedly
have had more ſucceſs, or at leaſt not quite ſo much
misfortune. Inſtead of fixty thouſand men, they could
ſcarcely aſſemble twenty thouſand,
Villars having
learned at Cevennes the diſpoſition made by our gene-
rals, had foreſeen that they would be beaten. It is a
thing much to be regretted, when the deſtiny of the
people depends only upon one head. The battle of
Hockſtet, or Blenheim, as it is called by the Engliſh,
loft near one hundred leagues of country. On one ſide,
the victors poured into Bavaria ; and on the other,
they penetrated into Alſace. France was in the utmoſt
confternation. The remembrance of former proſperity
rendered this diſaſter the more terrible. M. de Chamil-
lard, who had no other merit than being an honeſt
man, became, through the credit of Madam de Main-
tenon, miniſter of war and the finances. He had need
of the genius of Colbert and Louvois, to ſupport the
honour of the nation. Since the death of theſe two
minifters, the cords of government had relaxed by lit-
tle and little. The firſt falſe ſtep ſoon draws after it the
moſt fatal conſequences.
The Engliſh made a conſiderable armament againſt
Spain, where they endeavoured to conquer the arci -
duke. They took Gibraltar, which was looked on as
an impregnable place, and by that means opened the
cominunication of the two ſeas. The efforts which
were made uſe of to retake this place, anſwered no
other end but to ruin the French fleet. In a ſhort tiine
the provinces of Valencia and Catalonia ſubmitted to
th:
262
ELEMENTS OF THE
the yoke of the enemy. Barcelona was taken in the
ſame manner as Gibraltar, rather by a lucky hit than by
ſtrength of arms. The great ſucceſs of the French forces
in Italy conforted them for theſe loſſes. Vendoíme re-
pulle prince Eugene, and gained, in his abſence, the
battle of Calſinato. Victor Amadee, as a puniſhment
for his detection, was almoft entirely ruined. They
were going to take his capital when the battle of Ramil-
lies or Ramillie, in Flanders, deſtroyed the hopes of the
French. The marſhal of Villeroi got out of priſon ; al-
ways depending on the friendſhip of Lewis, and too
confident of not committing faults, he commanded an
army of eighty thouſand men. Marlborough offered
him battle: he accepted it, againſt the advice of the
officers and generals ; he was obſtinate in following an
ill-concerted plan, of which they pointed him out the
danger: In leſs than half an hour, this great army was
put to rout, and all Spanish Flanders ſubmitted to the
law of the victor. Nothing better diſplayed the greatneſs
of the king's ſoul than the manner in which he received
his general ; no ill-humour, 10 reproaches.' My lord
marſhal,' ſaid he, to him, 'this is an unfortunate age
to us ; but every one ſaid that it would have been
more happy under an able chief.'
The duke of Vendoſme was now recalled from Italy,
as a general worthy of being ſet in oppoſition to Marl-
borough. Before his departure, he had declined advanc-
ing againſt prince Eugene, who had come to the affir-
tance of Turin. This place was beſieged by the duke
de Feuillade, ſon in law to the miniſter, a nobleman
diſtinguiſhed by his wit, his courage, and his magnifi-
cence, but full of that light vivacity with which the
French are often reproached, and the greateſt incon-
venience of which is, the not reflecting ſufficiently
before they undertake enterpriſes of conſequence.
Notwithſtanding the prodigious preparations made by
Chamillard for the ſucceſs of the expedition, the fiege
went on very novily ; becauſe Feuillade was taken
ill, he had neglected the orders of the marſhal of
Vauban, who, like a good citizen, had offered to
ferve under him as a volunteer. Proudly diſdaining
ſuch aſliſtance, he made himſelf reſponſible, in the
eyes
HISTORY OF FRANCE
263
eyes of the public, for the ſucceeding events. The
king ſent his nephew, the duke of Orleans, to fill up
the place of Vendofme in Italy. This prince, not
being able to ſtop. Eugene, joined the duke of Feuil-
lade before Turin. He propoſed marching againſt
the enemy, rather than ſuffering them to attack the
lines, where they would have found it too great a
difficulty to defend themſelves. The council of war
believed that this was the moſt prudent as well as the
moſt honourable part. Unfortunately the court de-
termined the contrary : the marſhal of Marfin fhewed
a ſecret order, which prevented theia going any fur-
ther. Prince Eugene very ſoon forced the entrench-
ments. Sixty thouſand French were diſperſed; one
hundred and forty pieces of cannon, proviſion, bag-
gage, and military accoutrements, all remained in
the power of the enemy. They ravaged Millanois,
Piemont, Mantua, and the kingdom of Naples. It is
believed that Feuillade had promiſed the dutcheſs of
Burgundy, daughter of Victor Amedee, not to take
Turin. This flying ſtory may, perhaps, be put to the
number of popular reports which the malignity and cre-
dulity of mankind have received at once without exami-
nation, and which diſſipates inſenſibly like other errors.
In Spain, Philip V. was preſſed, in a lively man-
ner, by the archduke, his competitor, or rather by
the Engliſh, enemies to the houſe of France. He en-
deavoured to retake Barcelona : the marshal of Teffe,
commanding under him, could ſupport him no better
than he did at the ſiege of Gibraltar. My lord Gallo-
way was proclaimed archduke of Madrid at the ſame
time ; but the fidelity of the Caſtilians was incor-
ruprible. The more obſtinate they ſeemed 'bent to
give them a king in ſpite of them, the more they ſeem-
ed determined to ſupport him whom they had choſen.
Their zeal increaſed in proportion to their obſtacles.
Lewis, though vanquiſhed, fent them freſh ſupplies.
The marshal of Berwick re-eſtabliſhed the affairs of
the king of Spain, by gaining the battle of Almanza,
where it was remarked with ſurpriſe, that neither
Philip V. nor the archduke appeared at the head of
their armies. The duke of Orleans took Lereda,
where
:
264 EL EMENTS OF THE
where the great Conde had formerly raiſed the ſiege.
Till now France, though we. kened by ſo many
ſtrokes, was not diſheartened: Prince Eugene and
the duke of Savoy at length entered their country.
Toulon was befieged: the loſs of this important place
would have drawn after it Marſeilles. It was likewiſe
to be feared, that Dauphiny and Provence would alſo
fall into the power of its enemies. Sickneſs, ſcarcity
of proviſions, and the efforts of the marſhal of Teſle,
prevented their enterpriſe. Provence was always the
rock of the Auſtrians, as Italy had been that of France.
Lewis XIV. in the midſt of his misfortunes, pre-
ſerved that elevation of character which raiſed him to
the greateſt undertaking. Attacked on all fides, he ftill
endeavoured to do that in favour of the ſon of James,
which he had endeavoured to do for the father. He
undertook to replace him on the throne : the cheva-
lier de Forbin was to conduct him into Scotland, .
where a conſiderable party waited to declare them-
felves. The Engliſh foreſeeing this inſurrection, pre-
vented the ſucceſs. Forbin ſaved the feet, though
the enemy's veſſels covered the ſea ; but they ſuflained
new diſaſters on land. The duke of Burgundy was
in the Low Countries, at the head of near one hundred
thouſand men and Vendoſne commanded under
him. They were looked on as the laſt reſource of the
ftate. Acting in concert with ſuperior forces, they
might have effaced the ſhame of former defeats ; but
the miſunderſtanding which was among them, was as
fatal to them as the union which reigned between
Marlborough and prince Eugene. Vendorme not
being pleaſed with the counſel of the duke of Burgun-
dy, neglected his advice; they contradicted each other
inſtead of hearing : they committed faults, from
which their enemies took advantage. Lilly was be-
fieged in ſight of this formidable aj my; and, in ſpite
of the great defence of the marſhal de Boufleurs, this
important place was taken, after four months ſiege.
The Author of the Age of Lewis XIV. aſſures us,
That a courtier belonging to the duke of Burgundy
ſaid one day to the duke of Vendofnie, 'See what it
is never to go to maſs ; are you not convinced this is
" the
HISTORY OF FRANC-E.
265
the cauſe of our diſgrace ?' The general replied,
• Do you believe then that Marlborough goes there
oftener than 1? Vendoſme ſhould undoubtedly
have imicated the religion of the prince ; but thoſe
who ſeek in the conduct of men a natural cauſe for
events, muſt be convinced, that the diviſion of the
chiefs was, of itſelf, ſufficient to produce their diſ
grace. We ought certainly in every thing to adore
Providence ; and it is reaſonable to ſuppoſe, that he
carries his deſigns into exécution by ſecond cauſes,
Would the moſt religious man wait for the alliſtance
of a miracle, when he bad it in his own power to take
proper meaſures for his ſafety?
The kingdoin was already open to its enemies. A
Dutch party advanced towards Verſailles, and ſeized on
a nobleman, whom they took for the dauphin. Money was
wanting to pay thë troops, and the people ſaw them-
ſelves ready to falta prey to the greedy rapine of trai-
tors. Some courageous merchants brought fromPeru
thirty millions, half of which they lent to the king.
This was a precious reſource ; but the winter of 1709
having ruined all hope of harveſt, miſery and defolati-
on were ſo great; that the king ſent two miniſters into
Holland to demand peace. The enemy, fluſhed with
ſucceſs, treated him with more haughtineſs than he
had ſhewn to them in time of proſperity. They ex-
acted not only the ceſſion of Alface, and ſeveral cities
cf Flanders; but inſiſted, that Lewis bimſelf ſhould
join with them to dethrone Philip V. his grandſon.
Humanity groaned at this propoſal. Since I must be
at war, ſaid the king; . * I had rather be fo with my
enemies tha'n my children. The nation, who
mured under an almoſt intoleráble burden, was as
much: diſpleafed as hė, at the low ebb to which ill.
fòrtune bad reduced them. They redoubled their
efforts to ſecond him. Tournay was taken; and Mons
threatened with a fiége : Villars went into Flanders at
the head of mear eighly thouſand men. Boufleurs,
full of that patriotic zeal, of which there are ſo few
examples; and which is ro glorious, begged, though
his ſenior, to ſerve under him. Eugene and Mark:
borougb gave them battle near the village of Malpla-
quet: a more bloody day had not been known for a
VÖL, II.
N
length
muir-
266 ELEMENTS OF THE
و
length of time. The Dutch were cut in pieces ; but
Marlborough was incloſed in the center of the army.
Villars received a wound, and the battle was loſt. They
reckoned near thirty thouſand dead or wounded, among
which were only eight or nine thouſand French men,
Our foldiers had been in want of bread a whole day :
they had juſt received ſome when the drums beat to
arms, and they threw away a part of it to ruſh to battle.
Their courage was admirable. The retreat which the
marshal de Boufleurs made, was no leſs ſo. Meanwhile
the enemy, notwithſtanding their loſs, beſieged Mons,
and took it : ſo much the name only of a battle gains
influence ſometimes on the ſucceſs of a campaign.
The poverty of the ſtate, and the miſery of the peo-
ple, increaſed more and more ; and Lewis was under
the cruel neceffity of humbling himſelf afreſh before
his victors. : He demanded peace with a kind of ſub-
miſſion, offering to acknowledge the archduke for king
of Spain, and himſelf to give money for dethroning hig
"grandſon. During the negociation, the enemy. ravag-
ed. Douai, Bethune, Aire, and St. Venent. Their
inhumanity increaſed with their foriune : they infifted.
abſolutely, that he alone ſhould drive Philip from
Spain. The emperor Jofeph, ſon of Leopold, had
already forced. Clement XI. to acknowledge the arch-
duke, his brother, notwithſtanding the inclination the
pontiff-had for the houſe of France.' The battle of
Saragoffa, gained by Staremberg, an Auſtrian general,
ſeemed to fixthe crown on the head of that prince. Philip
flew far from Madrid. The few troops which remained
with him were recalled to defend France. The council of
Spain now demanded of Lewis one man only, the duke
of Vendofme, who was no more employed. The preſence
of this general produced a revolution. They were eager in
furniſhing him with money : they ran in crowds to
range themſelves under his banners. The victors flew
before him; he purſued them rapidly, and gained a
complete victory at Villa vicioſa. This day was as glo-
rious as deciſive for Philip V., who fought ai the head
of the right wing. It is recounted; that after the battle,
not having a bed for the monarch, I am going,' ſaid
· Vendorme to him, to make you the fineſt bed that
ever king lay.on.' He made him ſleep on the ſtand-
ards of the enemy.
Little
1
1
1
HISTORY OF FRANCE. 267
Little court intrigues led more than this great event
to the concluſion of a peace. The dutcheſs of Marl-
borough governed queen Anne, while the duke go-
verned the ſtate. The quarrels of women are often
about trifles : the queen changed her favourite, and
ſoon afterwards the miniſtry. Marlborough loſt his
credit: he was bent on continuing a war, which was
advantageous to his fortune; but they no longer ſecond-
ed his views : they perceived that the national intereſt
ought not to be exhauſted in favour of a fallen power.
The death of the emperor Joſeph diſſipated all uncer-
tainty. The archduke, his brother, Charles VI, fuc-
ceeding him in the empire, ftill endeavoured to add to
it the crown of Spain, being willing to re-eſtabliſh the
houſe of Auſtria in its former greatneſs. The hatred
againſt Lewis XIV. was fufficiently ſatisfied. Why
ſhould not a people be comforted who had ſuffered to
many ſcourges ? Theſe conſiderations determined the
council of London. A ſuſpenſion of arms was con-
cluded between France and England ; and Dunkirk
was put into the hands of the Engliſh as a pledge for.
the performance of engagements.
Meanwhile prince Eugene continued to make in
Flanders freſh acquiſitions. He beſieged Landreci.
The domeſtic misfortunes of the king put the finiſhing
ſtroke to the misfortunes of his people. My lord the
dauphin had been dead ſome months, a mild and wiſe
prince, who promiſed a pacific government: the duke
of Burgundy, his eldeſt ſon, that worthy pupil of
Fenelon, who had been taught by him to exerciſe all
the virtues of a throne, and to govern mankind as a
Chriſtian philoſopher, died alſo at thirty years old.
Of two ſons which he left behind, one followed him
very ſoon to the grave; and the ſecond, ftiled the
duke of Anjou, afterwards Lewis XV. was at the
point of death. Lewis XIV. could no more be called
the moſt happy of kings ; but might be rather ſtiled.
the moſt unfortunate of men. Landreci not being able
to ſupport a long ſiege, they deliberated whether the
king ſhould not fly from the capital. Always firm in
adverſity, he anſwered, “That ſhould any new miſ-
' fortune happen, he would call together all the nobi-
lity of his kingdom, whom he would conduct to the
enemy,
N 2
-268 ELEMENTS OF THE
1
enemy, notwithſtanding his age of ſeventy-four
years; and that he would die at their head.' The
marſhal of Villars drew Lewis and France from this
extreme peril. The lines of prince Eugene did not ex-
tend themſelves a great way. Villars made a feint of
attacking him in his camp of Landreci : he gave the
charge, and forced the entrenchments of the duke of
· Albemarle at Douai: Victory was decided when Eu-
gene arrived: they repulſed him, and beſieged Mar-
chiennes, the depoſitory of his magazines. This city
was taken in about three days, and Landręci deliver-
ed. Douai, Quenoi, and Bouchain were taken from
the enemy, and forty battalions made priſoners during
the courſe of the campaign. Villars ought to have
been looked upon as the ſaviour of France ; yet ma-
lice obſerved no bounds in her rage againſt him,
which, indeed, he himſelf irritated not a little by the
fierceneſs and infolence of his temper. It was well
known, that once, in taking leave of the king, he
openly ſaid to him, 'Sire, I am going to fight your
majefty's enemies, and I leave you in the midſt of
mine'. A ſuperior merit could not be wanting in ren-
dering juſtice to itſelf, which it rarely obtains from others,
when it ſeems to trample with diſdain on their love.
The peace, fo deſirable and ſo neceſſary, was
the fruit of the marſhal's ſucceſs. It was at length
figned at Utrecht. Philip V. renounced his claiins to
the crown of France : the duke of Savoy had Sicily,
with the title of king : Spaniſh Flanders was left to the
enigeror, and ſeveral cities were delivered to the Hol-
landers, to ſerve for a barrier for them, but without
which they would have had the dominion. England
kept Gibralțår and the Iſland of Minorca. The king,
was obliged to demoliſh the port of Dunkirk, which
had coft him immenſe fums. He abandoned a part of
his former conqueſts in the Low Countries. "Lilly,
Bethune, and St. Venent, were ſurrendered to him.
The emperor Charles VI. would not enter into this
negociation, and had reafon to repent it. Villars paffed
the Rhine, retook Landau, which the enemy had ra-
vaged, forced their lines in Briſgau, and rendered him-
ſelf maſter of Fribourg. Theſe exploits produced the
fame advantage which did the victory of Douai. The
Court
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
269
ourt of Vienna haftened to make peace : the marſhal
fixed the conditions at Radftat with prince Eugene.
Of all that France had offered, as Straſbourg, Alſace,
&c. the emperor had nothing, by being greedy of hav-
ing too much. He re-eſtabliſhed the electors of Ba-
varia and Cologne. Naples and Sardinia remained his,
· torn from the Spaniſh monarchy.
Such was the end of this unhappy war, which had
reduced Lewis XIV, to the laſt extremity, and which
threatened to take from him feveral provinces, and
deprive his grandſon of the ſucceſſion ; for which all.
Europe had been embroiled. France only loſt ſome
of its conqueſts. Philip V. remained poffeſſor of the
kingdom of Spain, and of the richeſt countries in
America. The Catalonians at firſt refuſed obedience
to their king, and puſhed their rebellion to an ex-
ceſs of madneſs; but the marſhal of Berwick tamed
thein. Barcelona ſurrendered itſelf at diſcretion, after
ſixty-one days open defiance. This furious reſiſtance
was in part the work of fanaticiſm : the eccleſiaſtics
and religious heated the imaginations of the people by
their example, as much as by their diſcourſes. It is pre-
tended that more than five hundred died ſword in hand.
Paternal love inſpired the king to declare the heirs
of his crown, in default of the princes of the blood, the
duke of Mayenne and count of Toulouſe ; his na-
tural fons were legitimated; their ſtate was to be equal
in every thing to that of the princes of the blood.
The edict made on this occaſion was regiſtered
without obſtacle. Lewis XV. afterwards revoked it,
leaving the legitimate children all the honours which
they enjoyed. The death of the king being to be fol-
lowed by a minority, he eſtabliſhed by his will a court
cil of regency, of which the duke of Orleans was the
chief. 'I have made,' ſaid he, a princeſs, becaufe
' they would have it ſo ; but it will fare with me as it
• did with my father ; when my eyes are cloſed they
' will have no regard to my teſtament.' In effect, the
title of regent was given witłout reſtriction to the
duke of Orleans, a perſon ſo capable, through the
ſuperiority of his genius, to govern the kingdom.
Lewis XIV, in death ſupported the firmneſs of
his character. The ſentiments of religion, with which
N3
he
27.0
· ELEMENTS OF THE:
Why
he was penetrated, gave him new ſtrength.
do'ye weep for me?' ſaid he, to his domeſtics, Is it
not time that I ſhould go off the ſtage? You have. :
" had a long while to prepare to lofe me...
did
you
• believe me immortal is He made thé dauphin, his.
great grandſon, be brought to him, and taking him in
his armis, he addreſſed to him theſe memorable words:
.. My child, you are going very ſoon to be king of a
great kingdom ; what I recommend moſt ſtrongly to.
you is, never to forget the obligations that you owe
to God, remember he inade you what you are, and
endeavour to preſerve peace with your neighbours.
* I have been too fond of war ; do not imitate me
in
that, any more than in the great expences. that I
• have run into. Take counſel in every thing : endea-
vour, to know what is beſt, and always follow it.
Support your people rather than yourſelf, and do
" that which I have had the misfortune of never.be-
*ing able to do. He expired the firft
. of September
1715, at ſeventy-ſeven years old.
We do not pretend to juſtify the memory of Lewis
XIV. in thoſe things with which he reproached him-
ſelf in the leſſons that he gave to the young king, his
..
ſucceſſor : .100 great a. paſſion for war;. too great a
haughtineſs with regard to his neighbours.; too much,
taſte for magnificent and ſuperfluous expences, and a
certain vanity in his conduct, ſupported by the exceſ-
five praiſes of flatterers, were undoubtedly his errors.
Without theſe faults, from which a better education
would perhaps have preſerved him, what a bleſſing.
would he have been to mankind ? ſince even they did
not hinder him from doing things equally uſeful and
admirable. The poets and orators of his time, in
fome ſort, deified him; bui, taking away from their
eulogiums all that a rigid philoſopher could find worthy
of blame, we ſhall ftill ſee in Lewis the great man
and the great king. His private life was a model of .
decency, he had the weakneſs which we find in an
infinite number of heroes, that of being ſeduced by
the charms of pleaſuțe ; but he always honoured the
queen ; and, when he was told of her death.in: 1684,
he ſaid, " This is the firſt uneaſineſs, that the ever
• gave me.' He ten pered the majeſty of his perſon
by
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
271.
by an amiable politeneſs : attentive co good-breeding,
and poſſeſſing more than any prince ever did, the art
of enchanting hearts by a word properly placed. Ma-
dam, the ducheſs of Burgundy, when ſhe was yet
very young, diverted herſelf one night at fupper with
the uglineſs of an officer wh) was preſent. I think,
• madam,' ſaid the kingx. ' that he is one of the hand-
• ſomeft men'in my kingdom ; for I am ſure he is one.
" of the braveſt. His education, had been much ne-
glected, which made him feel the importance of being.
careful, with regard to that of his children. Men
truly illuſtrious through their virtues, their talents, and
their doctrine ; a. Montauſier, a Beauvilliers, a Bof-
fuet, a Huet, and a Fenelon, were the people in
whoſe hands this valuable charge was intruſted. Ne-
ver did any choice deſerve more. applauſe. Madam
de Maintenon, a woman full of wit and wiſdom, gave
Lewis a dilguſt to gallantry, and rendered herſelf ſo
much miſtrels of his heart, that he ſecretly married
her in 1686. The affection which he had for her might
have made her fortune ; but lier diſintereſtedneſs,
whether for herſelf or her family, made her deny her-
ſelf every thing in a place where ſhe had the power of
diſpoſing of all. The king gave her very Little, be-
cauſe ſhe would have no more. The melancholy to
which ſhe was a prey ſhould teach us, that ambition
cannot make happineſs. • Do you not fee,' ſays ſhe,
one day to a friend, that I conſumé with grief, in a
rank of life in which it would ſcarcely be imagined I
" could feel any ?' She had gleat part in the foundation
of St. Cyr for the education of two hundred and fifty
noblemen's daughters. This eſtabliſhment, and that
of the invalids, do more honour to Lewis XIV. than
all his trophies, or that magnificent cafile of Verſailles,
where he expended ſo many millions .
Things are valualle only according to their public
utility. Every thing roſe to perfection in France : com-
inerce, which enriched the ſtate, become one of the
principal objects of policy ; agriculture, more effential
ſtill, was leſs atterded to; and it was in this, that
the adminiſtration of Sully appeared preferable to that
of Colbert. If Lewis XIV. leit two hundred thouſand
and ſix hurdred millions of debts, at twenty eight
livres
272
ELEMENTS OF THE
livres the mark, inſtead of which Henry IV, left a
ſpare treaſury behind him ; if he was obliged to bave
recourſe to treaties which Henry IV. had happily
eſcaped, it was alınoſt inevitably owing to the pro-
digious expences of the court, as well as the misfor-
tunes of war. The capitulation eſtabliſhed in 1695,
the tenth impoſition in 1710, ſeveral enormous taxes,
the alteration of the money, the invention of a multi-
tude of ridiculous expedients to amaſs gold ; all theſe
evils ſpread in the kingdom, towards the end of the
reign, an univerſal diſcontent. More æcononiy would
have fayed the nation from many evils, and the king
from the terrible chagrin of loſing the affection of his
ſubjects,
One of his principles of government was, that after
having examined affairs, he would have an opinion of
his own, and fick to it with firmneſs. There is an
obfervation written with his own hand, in which he
ſays, 'Thoſe faults which I have been guilty of, and
· which have given me the moſt uneaſineſs, have been
through complaiſance, and letting myſelf be blindly
guided by the advice of others. Nothing is ſo dan-
gerous as weakneſs, let it be of what nature it will. At
the beginning of his reign, he was deſirous of taſting
the ſweets of friend fhip; but he made an ill choice. '
fought for friends, faid he,' and found nothing but
• intriguers.' Upon another occaſion he ſays, ' Every
' tinie I give away a vacant place, I make a hundred
' diſcontented perſons, and an ungrateful one. Thoſe
who envy the fate of great men, need only reflect up-
on theſe words.
The laws were conſiderably reformed by his aſlidui-
ly; but chicanery always ſubſiſted, and can never be
extirpated but by a maſterpiece of legiſlation. His
feverity, in a great meaſure, reſtrained the fury of
duels. Reafon, perhaps, was" sow ſufficiently im-
proved to extinguilh them. The uniform of the regi-
ments, the uſe of the bayonets, the eſtabliſhment of .
the grenadiers, the regular exerciſe of the troops, and
the inflitution of the order of St. I ewis, contributed
much to bring the military art to perfection ; this art,
equally fatal and uſeful, which ſecures the ſafety of
kingdoms, at the ſanje time that it is the ſcourge of
huinan
--
HISTORY OF FRANCE, 273
human kind. We have ſeen the birth, the progreſs, and
the fall of the navy. Experience.too much proved how
neceſſary it was to re-eſtabliſh it. It was what might and
ſhould have been the care of the cardinal de Fleury in a
peaceable miniſtry. His views extended not fo. far; with
admirable ports in the two ſeas,.with greater advantages
for navigation than any maritime power could have
beſides, France is ſtill far from being in a ſituation to
defend her commerce and colonies. Misfortune at leaſt
ought to teach her, to value her own intereſt.
What principally immortalized Lewis XIV. was the
flouriſhing ſtate of ſcience and letters under his reign,
and through his protection. The greateſt talents diſ-
cloſed themſelves; the moſt ſhining works of all kinds
were then publiſhed, and the age of Auguſtus ap-
peared renewed. Corneille, Racine, and Moliere
eclipſed the glory of the Greek theatre, Deſpreaux
gave rules and examples of good taſte ; ſublime elo-
quence broke forth in Boſſuet ; Bourdaloue united the
force of reaſon with the proſound truths of the evange-
lifts : Fenelon, with the charms of his ftile, rendered
the auítere lefions of morality amiable : the French
language, till then vulgar and unformed, roſe to per-
fection, and crowds of good writers employed then-
ſelves in the ſame things of which the icholars ſeemed
to have preſerved the knowledge to themſelves. Every
body read their works. The whole nation became en-
lightened. Three literary academies brought together
in Paris thoſe geniuſes who were born for the initruc-
tion of the world. Now that men of letters were no
more debaſed by a ſhameful abuſe of their talents,
they became much more reſpectable, as they ſerved
not only for. the glory but the happineſs of ſociety.
Knowledge and politeneſs ſpread themſelves in the
midſt of the provinces. Though pedantry fill reigned
in the ſchools without the burleſque proclamation of
Deſpreaux, the parliament, deceived by falle reports,
would have renewed the prohibition of teaching any
other philofophy than that of the Peripatetics.
Such is the empire of old eſtabliſhed prejudices. Self-
love, intereſt, weakneſs, change of principle, and fear
of novelty, puſhed beyond their bounds, often pre-
vail over uſeful truths, which time has not yet made us
approve ;
274 lei
E L EMENTS OF THE
approve ; but when the door is opened to true ſtudy,
the progreſs of philoſophy neceſſarily follows that of.
tafte. France having had excellent poets produced
likewiſe excellent philoſophers. Fontenelle was one of
the firft and moſt illuftrious ; his example raiſed rivals
who have furpaſſed him.
While people of letters peaceably cultivated their
reaſon, theological quarrels diſquieted the ſtage : that
of Quietiſme, occaſioned by the extravagant myſteries
of a devotee, nained Madain Guion, cauſed the dif-
grace of the celebrated archbiſhop of Cambray. The
piety of Fenelon loſt itſelf in a falſe ſyſtem of ſpiritua-
lity. While he believed himſelf engaged in rectifying
the dreams of that woman, and the pure love of God,
he gave occaſion for cenſure. The biſhop of, Meaux,
Boſſuet, whoſe diſciple he had been, jealous per-
haps of his reputacion (for great men have their
weakneſſes, and paſſion generally mixes itſelf with
zeal) ſpoke of him to the king as an innovaior. The
affair was carried to Rome; they there condemned
the holy maxims of the archbiſhop, who, far from
defending himſelf after judgment.paffed, as he had
done at the beginning of the diſpute, made himſelf
admired by an humble and unreſerved ſubmiſſion. He
heſitated not to condemn himſelf, -retiring into his dio-
ceſe, and regretting, more than any thing at court,
his pupil, the duke of Burgundy : he relieved him-
ſelf from the fatigues of epiſcopal functions by works
of literature. While there is taſte and humanity
ainong men, the author of Telemachus will be quoted
as one of the greateſt maſters in the art of writing, as,
w:l as that of inſpiring the love of virtue.
If the divines had been in general bleſſed with the
noble docility of Fenelon, Janſeniſın would have been
long ſince, forgotten. Five propoſitions, drawn from a
great Latin book of Janſenius on grace, and condemned
by Innocent X. in 1653, raiſed in the chụrch of
France that unhappy war which is not yet extinguiſh-
ed. : Its principle was a myſtery which reaſon could
neither enlighten nor conceive. The ſpirit of conten-
tion has niore room for play in obſcurity. The Jeſuits,
zealous defenders of the Romiſh decree, and of their
theological ſyſtem on grace, found adverſaries as pow-
erful
HISTORY OF FRANCE.
275
erful in France througli the talent of writing, as by
the extent of their doctrine. The famous Arnaud, a
deep and inflexible, genius, decried their caſuiſtry
with an extraordinary vehemence. : he ſharp ridi-
cule which Paſcal threw, more eſpecially on their
provincial letters, made an impreſſion which can never
be effaced. They took mediators to appeaſe the
quarrel. The writers of Port-royal, and their parti-
fans, rejected the five propofitions, without being
able to convict thoſe which were found in Janſenius.
This point, though a matter of indifference at the
firſt glance of the eye, re-animated animoſity and dif-
cord. They ſigned a formulary at Rome, where it
was announced in a ſolemn manner; and thoſe who
oppoſed it, were treated as Heretics. In vain the
religious of Port-royal proteſted, that, not under-
ſtanding the Latin, they could not ſign what Janſeni-
us had put in his book, it being a doctrine which
they condemned. Their ſingular obſtinacy irritated
Lewis XIV. He diſperſed the religious, and demo-
liſhed their houſe, Some time after appeared moral
reflections from father Queſnel, of the oratory on the
New Teſtament. This book furniſhed occaſion for
freſh vexations. The cardinal de Noailles, archbiſhop
of Paris, leis diſtinguiſhed for his rank than his perfo-
nal qualities, was the declared protector of a work,
wbich he looked on as likely to inſpire Chriſtian vir-
tues. This was ſufficient for him to loſe his credit at
court. Father Telliere, the king's confeſſor, whoſe
violent character conſidered nothing, and whoſe credit
was fufficient to cru ih every thing, carried it againſt
Queſnel, and againſt thoſe whom he ſuſpected of Jan-
ſeniſm, to ſuch an exceſs, than it drew from the Je-
fuits an irreconcilable hatred.. He was inafter of the
feelings of Lewis XIV. who was weakened by age,
and who did not foreſee that puſhing to extreinity:
warm and extravagant minds, would be a means, of
perpetuating a diſpute which prudence ſhould havę.
endeavoured to ſmother. The monarch demanded of
the pope, Clement XI. the condemnation of Queſnel.
One hundred and one of his propofitions fent from
France were cenſured in 1713, by the famous bull
Unigenitus. Some which appeared exact, becane
the
.
276 ELEMENTS OF, &c.
can we
the pretence of a thouſand reclamations. If the author
had attached himielf to "wrong ſenſe, his apologiſts
could not convince.' And how, ſay they
" afſure ourfelves of the ſenſe of the author ?'. Lewis
ordered, that the bull ſhould be accepted. Forty bi-
ſhops accepted of it, explaining that which they judg-
ed had need of explanation ; but the cardinal of No-
ailles, a ſmall number of other biſhops, and a multi-
tude of particular. people, as well as communities,
refuſed the deciſion of the pope, which they looked
on as the work of the Jeſuits. Letters de Cachet,
the manœuvres of Tellier, envenomed their hearts.
The king was unhappy enough to finiſh'his days in the
midſt of theſe eccleſiaſtical tempefts, which in another
age would have produced a civil war. They have
agitated the kingdom even in our days, in ſpite of the
moderation of a monarch who is the friend of peace,
and attentive to the means of preſerving. it. The
church groans under diſcord, the infidels triumph,
and the wiſe are aſtoniſhed, that they ſhould tear
each other to pieces through zeal, inſtead of uniting
through the ſpirit of charity: They think, that by
diſputing leſs on the doginas, and practiſing better
the moral part of religion, they would not only be
better citizens, but better Chriftians ; but the ſpirit
of party is always blind; the object which inflames it
diſcloſes the importance of others, and it looks upon
the ſuffrages of inoderate men as of very little conſe-
quence, provided, it can be applauded by thoſe un-
quiet and turbulent fouls, whoſe ſhort-lived eulogi-
ums give the lie to the public. Judgment, decency,
religious morality, and the underſtanding, which has
characteriſed cur clergy for the laſt age, inakes us
hope for more tranquil.days, when religion will once
more be the bond of a fociety which fanaticiſm has
for ſo long a time rendered unfortunate.
Lewis XIV. might, in fome degree, be ſaid to form
a new nation, very fuperior to the ancient. French
There remains ſtiil much to be done, much evil
to be rooted up: this will perhaps be the work of fe-
veral ages ; but nothing is impoſſible to a wiſe govern-
ment, enlightened by ieaſon, and aniinated by a love.
for the public goodle
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