Note 471 — Chapter XVIII

M. Chéruel, who arrives at the conclusion that Fouquet died in March, 1680, observes, with reason, that a passage from the Mémoires de Gourville is alone in contradiction with other contemporary testimony, but that the contradiction is only apparent. According to Bussy-Rabutin, Fouquet was authorised in 1680 to go to the waters of Bourbon. We have not referred to this authorisation, because no document makes mention of it. But the report was spread about at Paris, and it is not surprising that Gourville, writing his recollections long after the events, should have confounded the authorisation with the realization of this journey, and have said: “M. Fouquet having been set at liberty——.” It is nevertheless in reference to this passage that Voltaire writes in his Siècle de Louis XIV., “Hence it is not known where this unfortunate man died, whose most insignificant actions were of importance while he was powerful.” Voltaire has sacrificed truth to effect of style. Madame de Sévigné knew of it: “Poor Monsieur Fouquet is dead, I regret it; I have never lost so many friends.” Bussy knew of it: “You know, I think of the death of Fouquet by apoplexy at the time he was permitted to take the Bourbon waters.” The family knew of it, since several of its members were at Pignerol in March, 1680. Gourville was the only one who was not correctly informed; but we have just seen in what manner and why he differs from other contemporaries.