Note 149 — LETTERS TO MADAME DE GRIGNAN[11] FROM 1671 TO 1690. (continued 4)

This old ferula is apparently the Marchioness de Castelnau, who was long and publicly the mistress of M. de Termes. The Amours des Gaules, in which this is found, has very much defamed this marquis. If this part was written by Bussy as well as the rest, he must have been very wicked, for his letters show that the Marquis de Termes was his steady friend. He also possessed all the requisites to excite his jealousy. He was one of those in whom Boileau acknowledged a superior mind. “M. de Termes,” said he, “is always of the opinion of others, and this is true politeness.” (Vide la Boleana.)