Note 141 — Chapter XXI · THE HEIGHT AND DECLINE OF THE BOURBON MONARCHY

[As to the saying, “There are no more Pyrenees,” its history is this. The ambassador to Spain, as reported by Dangeau, spoke these words: “The journey became easy and presently the Pyrenees melted away,” which the Mercure on the following day rendered as follows: “What joy! There are no more Pyrenees, they are levelled, and we are one.” However, the phrase well expresses the situation and the aim of Louis XIV. If it did not fall from his lips, it was in the minds of all.c]