Note 228 — VII PORTRAITS
Reading edition
Nicolas de Catinat commanded with success the French army in Piedmont in the campaigns of 1690-1696 against Victor-Amédée of Savoy. His most important victory was gained at Staffarde in 1690. He was created a Marshal in the following year. In the War of the Spanish Succession he was less successful. In a short portrait (IX. 188-189) Saint-Simon does full justice to his character, “to his wisdom, his modesty, his disinterestedness, his great ability as a commander,” and he compares him in his simplicity, his frugality, his contempt for the world, his peace of soul, to the great Roman generals who after their well-merited triumphs returned to their plough, faithful lovers of their country, which they had served so well, and heedless of its ingratitude.