MEMOIRS (continued 4)

The Entrance into Turin thro’ the new Gate gives one a grand Idea of the City: We come first into a great and very long Street, the Houses of which are all of the same Architecture: About the middle of it is the Square of St. Charles, which is encompass’d with Houses perfectly uniform, which would make a much more grand Appearance, if the Piazza’s, that run round it, were but higher. After one has pass’d the Square of St. Charles, the same new Street brings us to a second Square, that fronts the King’s Palace, on the Right Hand of which stands the Palace where liv’d Madame Royale, the King’s Mother: These Two Palaces have a Communication with each other by a Gallery.

There is nothing magnificent in the Outside of the King’s Palace, but then the Apartments are of an elegant Taste, and richly furnish’d, and here’s a great Number of Paintings, which good Judges reckon excellent Pieces. The Apartment of the King and Queen takes up the first Story, and forms a double Apartment, with a Guard-Room before it. The finest Part of the Palace is the famous Chapel of the Holy Handkerchief; tho’ this Chapel be a Part of the Cathedral, I make no Scruple to call it the Chapel of the Palace, because the King always hears Mass there. I thought it a very gloomy Place, undoubtedly because ’tis lin’d with black Marble of a greenish Cast; and besides, there was no Brass nor Gilding to enliven all this Black. I ask’d, what could be the Reason, why they chose black Marble preferably to any other; and was told, that ’twas in Remembrance of the Death of our Saviour Jesus Christ, whose Holy Handkerchief is preserv’d over the Altar: This Altar is so made, that Two Priests may say Mass at it together, without seeing or interrupting one another.

On one Side of the King’s Palace stands, as I had the Honour to tell you, the Palace of Madame Royale the King’s Mother. This Building was very inconsiderable heretofore, the Apartments being very plain, and the only Stair-case leading to it extremely incommodious: But Madame Royale, who did not value Money, caus’d great Alterations to be made in it: Among other Embellishments she built one intire Front, for the Sake of having one of the finest Stair-cases to it in the World; for which Reason they say now, That here’s a Stair-case without a Palace, as they said before, That ’twas a Palace without a Stair-case. Indeed the rest of the Building is by no means answerable to the Magnificence of the Front and the Stair-case; yet, as mean an Appearance as it makes without, the Apartments within are magnificent; for look which way soever, one sees nothing but Marble, noble Gilding, Paintings by the greatest Masters, Pier-Glasses of a wonderful Size and Beauty, and other very rich Furniture. This Palace had only one Garden to it, which was encompass’d on the Three Sides by Streets and very fine Squares: The Back-Part look’d towards that call’d the Street of the Po, which is one of the finest in Turin.

The Royal Family consisted first and foremost of King Victor Amadeus, who marry’d a Granddaughter of France, nam’d Anna-Maria of Orleans, Daughter of Philip Duke of Orleans, Brother to Lewis XIV. and to Henrietta of England, by whom he has had Two Princes and Two Princesses: The first of the Princes was Philip-Joseph, who dy’d the 22d of March, 1715, at 15 Years of Age: The second, who is the present King by the Resignation of the King his Father, is Charles-Emanuel, who marry’d first Anne-Christina of Sultzbach, and his second Wife was Polyxena of Hesse Rhinfels.

The Two Princesses were Mary-Adelaide of Savoy, (marry’d to the Duke of Burgundy, Dauphin of France, Father of Lewis XV.) who dy’d the 12th of February, 1712: And Mary-Louisa of Savoy, (the first Wife of Philip V. the present King of Spain) who dy’d the 14th of February, 1714.

The Queen was still living while I was at Turin: She was one of the most courteous Princesses in the World, lov’d dearly to converse with her Courtiers, and was perfectly civil to Foreigners that had the Honour to be introduc’d to her: She dy’d the 26th of August, 1728.

Madame Royale the King’s Mother was very ancient; yet ’twas easy to discover, that she had once her Share of Beauty, and she had still a fine Shape and a majestic Air, in Spite of her great Age.

The first Prince of the Blood of the Savoy Family is Victor Amedeus, the Prince of Carignan: This Prince happen’d not to be at Turin when I was there, his Affairs having requir’d his Presence for some time in France: I had the Honour of paying my Compliments to the Princess his Consort, who, you know, is the King’s Daughter, by the Countess of Verrue. Before her Marriage she went by the Title of Madamoseille de Suza: This Princess is indeed not very tall, but she is a perfect Beauty, the Features of her Face, which are regular, being improv’d moreover by a fair clear Complexion. All these external Perfections are supported likewise by the best Sense and a generous Soul: She is so good-natur’d, so civil, and has such a happy manner of expressing herself, as wins the Hearts at the same time as it procures the Respect of those that hear her: She has a Vivacity of Temper, which charms, and a Generosity, which is not confin’d to Words only; and she is never better pleas’d, than when she has an Opportunity of doing Service: This, Madame, is not a feign’d Character, for I say no more than what I was Eye-Witness of myself, and what the whole City of Turin said of this Princess: And I saw with what Regret they parted with her, when she set out to see her Husband at Paris, which she did while I was at Turin.

I was a constant Attendant at Court to pay my Duty to the King and all the Royal Family: The Time that one had the Honour of speaking to his Majesty was commonly when he went from Mass, for it was very rare to see him the rest of the Day. After this the Company us’d to go to the Prince of Piedmont’s Apartment, which was over the King’s; but one had not the Pleasure of waiting on that Prince so often or so long as it were to be wish’d, because he was then very much taken up with his Studies: The best time to see him was in the Evening, when he came to the Queen’s Drawing-Room, which was open’d about 6 or 7 o’Clock: Then the Ladies came in their Court Dress, and were admitted into the Queen’s Chamber, where a Chair of State was plac’d between Two Rows of Stools: The Queen came out of her Closet with the Princesses, and as soon as she was in Reach of her Chair, she made a Curtesy to the Right and Left, and then sate down: The Princesses also seated themselves in Folding Chairs; but the Ladies stood behind the Princesses, and the Gentlemen behind the Ladies: The Queen, after a Conversation with the Princesses and the Ladies, arose, paid her Compliments again to the Right and Left, and then retir’d; tho’ sometimes she stopp’d in the same Chamber, to talk to such Ladies or Gentlemen as she had a Mind to distinguish.

From the Queen’s Drawing-Room the Company went to the Apartment of Madame Royale. This Princess had a Drawing-Room in the same manner as the Queen, only with this Difference, that the Prince of Piedmont was not there, and that after it was over, her Royal Highness permitted those Persons that she had a Mind to honour, to follow her into her Bedchamber, where she talk’d a long time with them, being supported all the while by one of her Equerries.

After her Drawing-Room was over, there was no other Person of the Royal Family to be seen more for that Night, and then the Nobility us’d to repair to the Princess of Villa-Franca’s Assembly, where there was Variety of Gaming: There were always several Tables for Ombre, Pharo, Lansquenet, &c. and I play’d there with Fortune very much on my Side, as I had done ever since I had been in Italy, where Gaming, in short, had defray’d all my Expences; insomuch that when I got to the other Side of the Mountains, I found that I was still a Gainer by about 200 Pistoles.

I found a great many Foreigners in the Service of the King of Sardinia: The Commander of his Forces was M. de Rhebinder, a Swede, who gave Foreigners a complete Reception, and his House was one of the best in Turin. M. de Schulembourg, whose Family you know perfectly well, was a Lieutenant-General: This Nobleman being a Lutheran, had obtain’d Leave to have a Chaplain of his own Religion. I shall not mention the other foreign Officers to you, because I had no particular Acquaintance with them.

Before I leave Turin, I fancy you will not be displeas’d with some Account of the King’s Houshold, which tho’ not numerous, is very magnificent. His Majesty has Three Companies of Life-Guards, which are distinguish’d by the Names of Sardinia, Savoy, and Piedmont, and are very well cloath’d. The King has a considerable Number of Pages, who are brought up much more carefully than at our German Courts, where one very often forgets that the Pages are Gentlemen. Their Livery is Scarlet, with a blue and white Velvet Lace.

The Prince of Piedmont was serv’d by the King’s Officers.

The Queen had her separate Houshold. She had a Lady of Honour, a Tire-Woman, and Six Maids of Honour, who were to be cashier’d, and they talk’d of appointing Six Ladies of the Bedchamber, that were marry’d, to attend the Queen’s Person in their room.

Madame Royale had also her Houshold and her Guards. As she was naturally fond of Splendor, all her Court made a very gay Appearance. She had likewise in her Service the same Number of Ladies and Maids of Honour as the Queen had.

There happen’d an Adventure at the Court of her Royal Highness which made a very great Noise. Among this Princess’s Maids of Honour, who were all very amiable, there was one that so far excell’d the rest, that her Beauty engag’d her a great many Admirers from all Parts. Among others that enter’d the Lists, was a young Piedmontese, whom I knew full well. He was a very handsome lively Man, but a mere Rattle; so that after having set all Engines at work to carry his Point, and sigh’d a long time, he found himself just as far advanc’d as the first Day that he began. However, this young Lover was not dishearten’d, but continu’d his Addresses with a Constancy which really deserv’d some Regard; but whether ’twas owing to Virtue, or perhaps to the Fear of disgusting some favourite Lover, the Damsel remain’d inflexible. The Piedmontese being thus rebuff’d, thought he was bound in Honour not to survive such Treatment; but in so critical an Affair he resolv’d to do nothing rashly. He believ’d that when the cruel Fair One saw the Despair into which she had cast him, and the dreadful Extreme to which he was reduc’d, it might engage her to treat him with less Severity; but it happen’d quite otherwise, insomuch that the silly young Fellow having declar’d in plain Terms that he would kill himself if he was to suffer Martyrdom any longer, the Damsel answer’d him very indifferently, Kill yourself if you will, what’s that to me? This Expression, indeed, made the young Piedmontese not so desirous to be his own Executioner as he pretended; but nevertheless he was resolv’d to frighten his Mistress, and leaving her very abruptly, he went and fill’d a Bladder with Blood, and putting it very artfully under his Shirt, he return’d to the Damsel, and threaten’d even to destroy himself in her Presence, if she persisted in her Refusal of his Addresses. The Answer he received being much of the same kind with the former, he cry’d out in a Passion, What, will you have my Life, Mademoiselle? Well then, so be it: At the same Instant he drew his Sword, and having prick’d the Bladder, he fell down as if he was a dead Man; Upon this the Damsel gave a dreadful Shriek, and Help came immediately. The great Effusion of Blood was terrifying at the first Sight; but when the young Spark was set upon his Legs, ’twas quickly perceiv’d by his Countenance, that the Sacrifice he had made did not cost him very dear. The worse Luck for him, it happen’d that Madame Royale was inform’d of it that very Instant; for the Tragi-Comedy being presently divulg’d in her Antichamber, that Princess, in order to teach the Puppy not to fail hereafter in the Respect due to Princes, caus’d him to be committed to a Castle not far from Turin, where he was for about Two Years a Prisoner.

From Turin I went the same Day to the Foot of Mount Cenis. I saw nothing remarkable all the Way, except the Town of Susa, in which were formerly kept the Titles and Charters of the House of Savoy; but the Emperor Frederic I. set Fire to it, and burnt them all.

At a little Distance from Susa is a Fortress call’d La Brunette, which is worth the Traveller’s Notice: It commands the Passage of the Alps, which hereafter will for that reason be more difficult for the French to pass than formerly. Next Day after my Arrival at the Foot of Mount Cenis, I prepared to pass that terrible Mountain: For this Purpose I dismounted my Chaise, and put it with my Trunks upon the Backs of Mules; after which I plac’d myself in a sort of Arm-Chair; and Two Men, who were reliev’d every now-and-then by Two others, carry’d me over it in Five Hours time. When I was on the Top of it I stopp’d, in hopes of discovering a great Tract of Country; but saw nothing, except a great Lake, and fine rich Meadows. On the Top of this Mountain there was a House of Entertainment, where the Mule-Drivers and Chair-Men always refresh themselves. This surely is the dismalest Place in the World, it being situate in the middle of a frightful Desert, which is always, or at least Nine Months in the Year, cover’d with Snow. One thing remarkable is, that no Robbery is committed in this wild Place, tho’ the People upon the Skirts of it are not to be trusted.

After I had been over Mount Cenis, I went to Lanebourg, the first Village in Savoy, where Travellers get again into their Chaises. As soon as my Equipage was remounted, I traveled to[26] Chambery, the Capital of Savoy. This is a City situate between Two Mountains, upon the Rivers Laise and Albans. ’Tis the Residence of a Parliament, consisting of Fifteen Senators and Four Presidents, which is oblig’d for its Institution to Amedeus VIII. Duke of Savoy.

From Chambery I went to Geneva, a little Republic, which is an Ally of the Swiss Cantons. The City stands upon a Lake, of which it claims the Sovereignty, as the Republic of Venice does that of the Adriatic Sea. This Lake contributes very much to the Embellishment of Geneva, which is built upon a Hill, in Form of an Amphitheatre; so that on one Side it looks over the Lake, on the Banks of which are Vineyards and very pretty Country-Houses; and on the other Side is a Prospect of a noble Plain, Gardens, very fine Pastures, and a curious Walk form’d by a very long Mall: On each Side are the Mountains of Savoy, the Tops of which being cover’d with Snow, form a very agreeable View.

’Tis true, that as to the Genevese, the Situation of their City would be much more advantageous, if their Prospect was not so confin’d; or, at least, if they had nothing to fear from that which forms so charming a Point of View: For which way soever these Republicans turn their Eyes, they easily see the Limits of their Dominions; and this little Republic only subsists by the Jealousy of the Sovereigns their Neighbours, who will not suffer any one of themselves to make a Conquest of it. Mean time these People make a Parade of their Forces, and have been at considerable Expence in fortifying the Place, tho’ for what Reason I cannot imagine; since if any one of the neighbouring Powers came to attack Geneva, and the City was not supported by the others, it would be oblig’d to surrender, whether fortify’d or not. I should have thought it better to have employ’d the Money expended on their new Fortifications, in embellishing their City, and to have contented themselves with the old Fortifications, which were more than sufficient to have given them Time for receiving Succours in case of an Attack.

I went to see the Arsenal, which appear’d to me to be well furnish’d, and they have always a considerable Garison, the Soldiers of which must be all Voluntiers; and if they once take a Dislike to the Service, they may demand their Dismission, and their Officer cannot refuse it: Yet notwithstanding this Liberty, the Garison is not always completer than it should be.

The Genevese have the Reputation of being rich, and not without Foundation; for they drive a considerable Trade, and every body there is either a Merchant or a Manufacturer. Yet they affect a great deal of Plainness, both in their Buildings and their Furniture. Their Houses are not lofty, nor the Apartments very large; and both their Houshold-stuff and Cloaths are very modest; there being a Decree of the Senate, which forbids them to make use of Gilding in their Furniture or Apparel, for fear, ’tis like, that Luxury, which formerly prov’d the Ruin of the Roman Republic, should be equally destructive to their petty State.

The Senate of Geneva commonly assembles in their Town-House, opposite to which is a Guard-Room, where the Soldiers present their Arms, as the Senators go in or out of the Assembly, or when they walk in Ceremony: Upon these Occasions the Senate and the Ministers form Two Rows, the former on the Right Hand, and the latter on the Left.

The Town-House has nothing very remarkable, every thing being very plain. In the great Hall I observ’d the Figures of Queen Anne of England, Frederic I. King of Prussia, Frederic William the Great Elector of Brandenbourg, and the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel; which are all so many Proofs of those Princes Communion with the Genevese. You know that they are all of the Calvinist Religion, and very careful not to suffer any other Sect to herd with them. The Lutherans have a little Chamber there, which serves for their Church, they being expresly forbid to build one. As for the Roman Catholics, they are look’d upon at Geneva to be all Idolaters; insomuch that the late King of France had much ado to get Leave for Mass to be said at his Resident’s House: The Genevese Ministers at the Time that Lewis XIV. caus’d this Demand to be made of the Republic, employ’d all their Engines to hinder its being granted; but all their Measures were in vain: and they were given to understand, that it would be imprudent to disoblige so great a Prince.

The Reverend Gentlemen their Ministers make so considerable a Figure in the State, that I must just mention them. They are reverenc’d as so many Bishops; every one of them in his respective Pulpit issues his Mandate, and decides Matters of Faith in the Dernier Resort: But tho’ they are all of the same Religion, they are some times very different from one another in Opinion. Nevertheless, be they ever so divided one among another, they join hand in hand when they have a Mind to inveigh against the Pope, the Court of Rome, the Bishops, and especially the Jesuits; for they can’t endure the latter: And ’tis rare for a Minister to be so much Master of his Temper, as to keep strictly to his Text, without rambling from it to lash those Fryars.

As to the Gentlemen of the Government, it must be confess’d they are very charitable. They have caus’d a magnificent Hospital to be built, on which they have settled great Revenues, and where the Poor are very well maintain’d. Here poor Passengers are admitted for one Day, and, after having been entertain’d with Lodging and Food, are dismiss’d the next Day, with some Money in their Pockets to proceed in their journey. This same Hospital serves also for a House of Correction for loose young Fellows and Women, over whom the Police at Geneva carries a very strict Hand. I wish I could say as much of the Trading Part of this City, who it may be are very civil People; but the Dispute I had with one of the most eminent of them, makes me very much suspect their Honesty; and this was what gave me an Opportunity to know a little of the Character of the Tradesmen of Geneva. ’Tis true, that I had nothing to do but with one of them; but as I was recommended to him alone, as a Man of the greatest Integrity in Geneva, I think I do not judge rashly of all the rest, by laying no more Dishonesty to their Charge than what I met with in this so much applauded Banker.

When I was preparing to quit Geneva, I had about the Value of 400 Pistoles, Part old Species and Part Spanish Pistoles; but I heard at the same time, that such Pieces were prohibited to pass in France, and therefore I was advis’d to get rid of them, and to take Bills of Exchange for them upon Lyons. I made no Hesitation to comply with this Advice, and went to find out the Man that was recommended to me for the honestest Banker in all Geneva. As Bills began at that time to sink very much in Credit, I bargain’d with him, that I should not be put off at Lyons, upon any Pretence whatever, with any thing less than ready Money. As all this was only verbal, the Banker made me the most solemn Promise, and back’d it with an Oath, that it should be as I would have it. Relying on Promises, which were in Appearance so authentic, I told down my Money, and when he took it, he added, That if the Banker at Lyons should happen to refuse me Specie, I need only send him back his Bill of Exchange, and I might depend on being paid in ready Money. Not doubting of this honest Man’s Sincerity, I set out from Geneva with his Bill of Exchange, and a small matter of Money that I had reserv’d, just to bear my Expences on the Road. As soon as I came to Lyons, I went to the Banker to whom the Genevese directed me, and presented my Bill of Exchange, for which I saw he was going to give me Paper; but I immediately refus’d to be paid in that sort of Coin, and told him the Agreement I had made at Geneva. He said to me, that he was not oblig’d to stand to an Agreement which he was no ways privy to, and advis’d me to send back my Bill to Geneva. I took his Advice, and wrote to my Banker, that what we had agreed upon would not be comply’d with; but he was so tedious in returning me an Answer, that I thought once I should have had neither Money nor Bills, and that by consequence my Case would have been very melancholy, the little Sum I had reserv’d for my Journey to Lyons being soon spent. However, at Three Weeks End the Genevese Banker sent back my Bill of Exchange, and stiffly deny’d that he had made any other Bargain with me, than that I should be paid in the Current Money, which was Bills. I plainly perceiv’d that there was no Remedy but Submission, therefore I took the Bills and set out Post from Lyons for Paris.

I found great Alterations in this City since I was here last. The Peace with Spain was establish’d: Most of the Prisoners that had been concern’d in the Prince of Cellamare’s Affair, were then at Liberty: Some, indeed, that were the most guilty, or the most useless to the State, had been banish’d the Kingdom; and the greatest Part were retir’d to Spain, where I saw some of them in such a poor Plight, that they wish’d themselves again in the Bastille, where they were at least well fed.

The Duke Regent, for his Part, after having thus pacify’d some Persons to whom his Authority gave Umbrage, had made Provision also for the Establishment of some of his Daughters. For the One he had provided the Abbey of Chelles, upon the Resignation of Madame de Villars, who was the Abbess. The Second, who was call’d Madamoiselle de Valois, had been just marry’d to the Hereditary Prince of Modena, and set out with a Paraphernalia more grand than what is given to the Daughters of France. The same Honours were paid to her upon the Road, as are commonly paid to the Daughters of the King; and that there might be Substance answerable to all this Splendor, the Duke of Modena had bargain’d for a very considerable Portion, payable in the Species of Italy, rather than be expos’d to all the Revolutions of the French Coin; in which that Prince made a wise Bargain, for every Day was remarkable for one Arret or other relating to the Species. Nevertheless, those Arrets did not look as if they would be long in Force; at least, the Thing which they had principally in View, absolutely came to nothing. There being therefore no Gold nor Silver of which they could lower the Value, it was thought expedient to touch the only Species left, I mean the Bank Bills, which in their Turn were subject to various Revolutions, that were of the worse Consequence to those wretched Effect; because, as they had no intrinsic Value, they might very easily relapse into their original Nothing. They say, that the Disaster which befel these Bills, was owing to Mr. Law’s Enemies, who envy’d the Credit which they saw this Foreigner had with the Regent; and of this nothing was a greater Demonstration than the Difficulty they had to succeed in their Undertaking. But at length they brought their Designs to bear; and after having remonstrated several times, but always to no Purpose, that the Bills did a considerable Injury to Trade; that several Merchants were oblig’d to shut up their Shops, because ’twas impossible to trade without Money; that private People, whose Substance lay intirely in Annuities, being paid off in Bills, could not subsist long, since Tradesmen would not accept of those Bills for more than the Value express’d upon them: In fine, the Regent being quite wearied out with the continual Solicitations of these Remonstrants, yielded to their Importunity, and consented to the suppressing of the Bills. But as it was very evident that it would be impossible to annul them all at once, it was resolv’d to do it by Degrees: Therefore, on the 21st of May, there came out an Arret, which lower’d the Bills from 10 per Cent. per Month, to one half of their Value. This Arret occasion’d some Tumult; all Paris was ready to rise in Arms, and so great was the Throng of People one pay to the Bank, that several were stifled in the Crowd, whose Bodies were carry’d by the mutinous Mob to the Court of the Royal Palace. Mr. Law, to whom they ow’d a Grudge for having given the Hint of so pernicious a Project, did not dare to shew his Head. In short, the Ferment seem’d to work so strong, that the Regent plainly perceiv’d ’twas impossible, at that Juncture, to inforce the Arret that had been newly issued; and chose to have it revok’d, in hopes of regaining the Confidence of the Public. But it was intirely lost, every one deserted the Bank; and notwithstanding the Menaces given out, that the Species would be lower’d, People rather chose to keep their Money, which would be always worth something, than to incumber themselves with Bills, which, whenever the Prince took the Whim, would only be attended with the melancholy Reflection by the Possessors, that they were once well to pass. In Fact, notwithstanding the Revocation of the Arret, the Bills sunk considerably every Day. Then it was that the Term of Realising became the favourite Word of the Time, that is to say, when the Generality of private Men, who had any Bills, endeavour’d to exchange them, not for Money, which at that Time seem’d to be bury’d again in the Earth, from whence its Original was dug, but for real Effects: Some bought Diamonds, others Plate, some Merchandize: In short, every wise Man got rid of his Paper; and even the Nobility turn’d Merchants: Particularly one of them, who was of the first Rank[27], had a considerable Warehouse stor’d with Coffee, Wax-Candles, Grocery-Wares, and the like Goods, to sell again. The Parliament took Cognisance of these Acquisitions, but his only Punishment was the Mortification he receiv’d from those Gentlemen; and he was left in Possession of the Grocery-Wares, Coffee, &c.

At this very critical Time, when the Bills were reduc’d, did I arrive at Paris; which City was then like a Wood for harbouring Robbers and Murderers; and, in Fact, the Ease of carrying the Fortunes of a great many People in a Pocket-Book was a great Temptation to Thieves: Moreover, notwithstanding the Scarcity of Money, Luxury, Debauchery and Gaming were arriv’d at the highest Pitch, and young Deboshees were guilty of the most shocking Enormities to satisfy their Extravagance: To this Purpose I was told a Story, that about the End of Lent 1721, the Count de Horn, a young Nobleman, related to the chief Families in Europe, was one of Three that basely murder’d a poor Wretch, who got his Livelihood by negociating Shares and Bills for other People: As this Man’s Letter-Case seem’d to be full of Effects, that must amount to a considerable Sum, the Count appointed him to come to a Tavern in St. Martin’s Street, on Pretence of buying some Shares of him; when he came, he took him into a Back-Room, which he had bespoke for the Purpose; and just as he was opening his Letter-Case upon the Table, the Count and Two Comrades threw a Cloth over his Head, and then cruelly stabb’d him with Daggers: The unhappy Man made such a Noise while they were in the Act of murdering him, that it brought some body up Stairs, but they had taken Care to fasten the Chamber-Door in the Inside, so that ’twas impossible to enter it, and the Count and his Accomplices made their Escape out of a Window, that look’d into a little Street on one Side of the Tavern, from whence, tho’ they were in the second Story, they got down very easily, by the Favour of some Beams, which were laid across the Street to support the Two Houses: The Count’s Comrades thought of nothing less than flying their Country, but there was only one of them that was so fortunate as to get into foreign Parts, the other was apprehended about the Fish-Market, and carry’d before a Commissary. The Count, on his Part, instead of endeavouring to make his Escape, went and complain’d to a Commissary, of an Attempt that had been made to assassinate him: His wild Stare and his bloody Hand and Ruffles made the Commissary suspect there was something more than ordinary in this Complaint, and he desir’d that he would carry him to the Place where he said that he ran such a Risque of his Life; which he scrupling to do, the Commissary sent for the Archers to carry him thither by Force. The Count, before he set out, desir’d Leave to step aside, to ease himself from the Impression, which he pretended the Danger had made upon him; but, as it came out afterwards, it was only to drop the Letter-Case, of which he had robb’d the Stockjobber, into the Privy: This done, he set out with the Commissary, and the Truth of the Fact was soon discover’d; for the Vintner having caus’d the Room to be broke open, the Sight of the Corpse and the bloody Daggers were so many Evidences of the Count’s Guilt, who was thereupon committed Prisoner to the Chatelet, try’d the following Week, and condemn’d, together with his Accomplice, to be broke alive upon the Wheel in the Place de Greve; which Sentence was executed accordingly on the Tuesday in the Holy Week. While he was yet a Prisoner, all the foreign Nobility at Paris labour’d hard to obtain his Pardon, or at least that he might only be beheaded; to the end that the Infamy of his Punishment on the Wheel might not be cast as a Reproach upon his Family: But the Duke Regent made no other Answer, than that the Count was as near akin to him as he was to them, but that ’twas the Crime, and not the Punishment, that brought a Stain upon Families: The Count de Horn made a truly Christian Exit; for the religious Principles, which he had once imbib’d from an Education suitable to his Birth, but which he had the Misfortune to stifle, reviv’d at this dreadful Crisis; and made him submit to dye with a Resignation which we seldom see in Persons that come to such a violent Death.

The Fall of the Bills was not the only Misfortune that France labour’d under; for it was visited at the same time by a Pestilence: I was one Day at the Duke Regent’s Levee, when he himself declar’d the melancholy News, that at Marseilles there was a Plague: This at first struck a sensible Damp upon People, but ’twas quickly forgot, and they abandon’d themselves more than ever to Pleasures, Feasting, Gallantry, &c. Gaming indeed was not carry’d to that Height as usual, because it could not be done without ready Money, the Bills having no Credit then, except what was forc’d; but as to Trade, it decay’d every Day more and more; and the Merchants, who had so long stiffly refus’d the Bank Bills, were nevertheless soon oblig’d to accept them, being sensible, that if they rejected them any longer, they should be under a Necessity, either to make no more Sales, or to sell upon Credit; which was an Alternative equally destructive of Trade, which is only to be supported by the Circulation of Species, or at least by something equivalent.

Humanity, and the Concern I had for the Fate of my Friends, made me a Sharer in the public Calamities; but for the rest, I pass’d my Time well enough: I went to an Estate of a Friend of mine near Orleans, where I spent about Six Weeks, and then return’d to Paris, where I stay’d no longer than just to make due Preparation for my Tour to Spain: I travell’d by the way of Lyons and Languedoc, purely for the Pleasure of seeing several of my Friends, who had Estates in those Places, and from Lyons I proceeded to Vienne in Dauphine: From thence I repass’d the Rhosne, and travelling thro’ the Vivarese, I went to an Estate near Nismes, that belong’d to a Friend of mine, with whom I stay’d a Month: At Nismes I went to take a View of the famous Amphitheatres, which are the precious Remains of the Roman Antiquities.

From Nismes I went to Montpelier, which in my Opinion is one of the most agreeable Cities in the World; and where, next to Paris, there’s the most good Company: The Situation of it is charming, it being not far from the Sea, and encompass’d with very fertile Fields, that form a very charming Prospect. The Houses are not well built, but are all very neat within, and well furnish’d: The Streets are so narrow, that ’tis difficult to pass them with an Equipage, so that Gentlemen commonly make Use of Sedans: The Out-parts of the Town are very pleasant, especially towards the Sea. In this Part is a great Square, in Form of a Terrace, surrounded with Trees, in the middle of which is a magnificent Equestrian Statue of Lewis XIV. on a great Pedestal of white Marble: The Connoisseurs say, ’tis a complete Piece in all its Parts.

After having spent some Days at Montpelier, I proceeded towards Toulouse: I went first thro’ Beziers, an Episcopal City, the Situation of which is so pleasant, that ’tis become a common Proverb, If God were to chuse his Residence upon Earth, he would certainly chuse Beziers. ’Tis even said, that the Inhabitants of the Country, the Gentry especially, have more Sense and Conduct than they have elsewhere: Yet, at different Courts, I have seen several Persons, Natives of this City, who were really so stupid, that the Notion I have of the Inhabitants of Beziers is the very contrary of what they would fain make me believe.

From Beziers I travell’d to Castelnaudari, in the Neighbourhood of which City was fought the Battle wherein the famous Constable Montmorency was taken in Arms against his King. Lewis XIII. having, at the Solicitation of Cardinal Richelieu, order’d his Head to be cut off, he receiv’d the Stroke of Death with a Constancy worthy of his Name, and of a better Cause.

From this City I went in a very little time to Toulouse, the Capital of Languedoc, and the Seat of a Parliament, which is the second in the Kingdom: The Cathedral, dedicated to St. Stephen, is a magnificent Pile of Building, in a large Square, adorn’d with a fine Fountain, in which rises an Obelisk, that is a complete Piece of Work: The Archbishop’s Palace, which joins to the Cathedral, is an entire new Building, wherein no Cost has been spar’d: As to the Houses of Toulouse, in common they are well enough built, but without any Ornament: The Streets are pretty broad, but very nasty; so that I inferr’d, the Civil Government here was not very strict: As to the People of Toulouse, I own to you, Madame, that I could like their Way of Living well enough: They have all a great Share of Wit, but the worst on’t is, they are conceited, which does them a Prejudice: But they are very civil, especially to Foreigners, whom they entertain perfectly well: I don’t think that I ever fed better, and liv’d more merrily than I did with these People, who are all of ’em good Jokers: The Accent of this Country too, especially of the Women, sets off whatever they say to such an Advantage, as seems to give a witty Turn to even the most common Thoughts: Little Songs or Ballads are, as it were, the Fruits of the Soil: Every one is a Sonneteer, and if their Verses are not equally good, yet they are all relish’d alike, they have such a happy way of setting them off.

To the Honour of the Languedocians be it spoken, there is not a Province in France, nor even in Europe, where ’tis pleasanter Travelling: The Roads are magnificent, the Inns well provided with every thing that a Traveller, were he hard to please, can desire; and all at a reasonable Price.

From Toulouse I travell’d to Pau, a City and Parliament of Bearn, famous for the Birth of Henry IV. on the 1st of December, Anno 1557, for which Reason Catherine de Medicis his Mother-in-Law, who did not love him, call’d him the Bearnois: In the Castle is still to be seen the Chamber where this Prince was born: This City consists but of one great Street, at the End whereof stands the Castle, which is very ancient. The Houses in general seem’d very inconsiderable, they being all low, small, and without Ornament; but the Suburbs are very pleasant: As one goes out of the Gate, towards the Pyrenees, there’s a very thick Wood, with several Alleys cut out in it, that form a noble Walk: From this Wood, which stands upon very high Ground to the Pyrenees, one sees an extensive Valley, in which runs a very fine River, on the Banks whereof are several scattering Villages and little Hamlets, that form one of the most agreeable Prospects.

In Travelling from Pau to Bayonne ’twas plain that we were got out of Languedoc, the Roads being terrible, and the Inns detestable, for which Reason I did not halt at all by the Way, but made Haste to Bayonne: The next Day after I arriv’d, I went to pay a Visit to the King’s Lieutenant, who commanded there: He was a Native of Canada, and, if I am not mistaken, had been a Major or Lieutenant-Colonel in the Regiment of Normandy: The Duke Regent had made him a Brigadier, and at the same time created him a Knight of St. Lewis, at that great Promotion of Knights which he made at the Beginning of the War with Spain: He had given him for his Assistant one Dadoncourt, as a Man that he could depend on; and ’twas this Gentleman that receiv’d me, the King’s Lieutenant being at that time absent from Bayonne: I lik’d this Dadoncourt at first Sight: He entertain’d me politely, and when I told him my Intention to go to Spain; he said, I might do as I pleas’d, and that he saw nothing to hinder it: He came next Day to see me, and invited me to dine with him: I accepted his Kindness, but afterwards repented it; for the Company was far from being select, and the Conversation very much disgusted me: In my first Interview with Dadoncourt I made Mention to him of a Visit that I had paid to the Count de S—— in Languedoc: He talk’d of this to me very much while we were at Dinner, and he declar’d his Astonishment, that the Duke Regent had restor’d him to his Liberty, instead of cutting off his Head, as he had deserv’d: Really, said he, with some Warmth of Temper, to which I fancy the Wine had in some measure contributed, His Royal Highness was too good-natur’d; all those Rascals, that presum’d to have a Hand in the Prince of Cellamare’s Affair, ought to have paid for it with their Heads: I could not help being amaz’d at the Man’s Pertness, and told him very mildly, that the Regent had behav’d most wisely, and that it would have been too cruel to put People of the first Quality to Death, the Spilling of whose Blood would perhaps have rous’d some Vengeance: Alas! Sir, said he, What could have been done? The Duke of Orleans was sure of the Guards and Garisons; every body in the Country would certainly have stood up in his Defence, and I myself would have been the Hangman to have tuck’d up the first Gentleman that had offer’d to make a Disturbance: I plainly saw that I had to do with a surly Companion; and perceiving also that he was fuddled, I let him run on as much as he would, in magnifying the Attachment he pretended he had to the Duke Regent; but made a Promise to myself, that it should be the last time I would visit a Man that was so bloody-minded.

After Dinner was over, I went to have Audience of the Queen of Spain, Mary-Anne of Neubourg, the Dowager of Charles II. When I came to the Palace, or rather to a very pitiful House, where the Queen was lodg’d, I found one of her Equerries, who carry’d me to an Antichamber, and leaving me for a few Moments, he came again, and conducted me to the Apartment of the Duchess of Liquares, Lady of Honour to the Queen; who was prodigiously civil to me, but, as she understood no Language besides the Spanish, it was impossible for us to converse, otherwise than by Signs, of which she gave me a good Number, and which I answer’d by as many Bows. As good Luck would have it, we were disengag’d from one another by an Order that came to her, to carry me to the Queen: I found her Majesty standing all alone in her Chamber, and dress’d in Black after the Spanish Mode: I saw in the next Chamber some of the Maids of Honour, who were also in the Spanish Dress, and peep’d in at the Door, which was left half open: The Queen receiv’d me very graciously, ask’d my Name and my Country, and seem’d overjoy’d to find a German, who was tolerably acquainted with a Country for which she had always an Affection: She inquir’d what News I brought of the Elector and the Princes her Brothers: I was qualify’d to satisfy her Majesty in all those Questions, because I had the Honour of paying my Court punctually to the Elector Palatine, and the Princes her Brothers: In fine, after an Audience of an Hour and more, the Queen dismiss’d me, when I stoop’d with one Knee to the Ground, and kiss’d her Hand, according to the Custom that is observ’d in Spain.

The next and the following Days I had the Honour to pay my Duty to her; sometimes in the Capuchins Convent, where she heard Mass very often; and sometimes in that of the Cordeliers, to which her Majesty went almost every Afternoon to Prayers: At other times I repair’d to a Garden behind the House, where her Majesty frequently took a Walk after she had din’d. This Princess always express’d herself in such a kind familiar manner as charm’d me, and she was often glad to be disencumber’d from that Ceremony, which is no less fatiguing to the Princes who grant Audience, than to those who are admitted to it: She did me the Honour to ask me one Day, Whether I did not wonder to see her in such mean Lodgings, and with such a despicable Court? I own’d to her, that at first I was a little surpriz’d at her Majesty’s preferring such a Mansion to the old Castle in the Town, which really look’d more like a Palace than the House she liv’d in: But, said she, I am so us’d to my little Habitation, that I can’t find in my Heart to leave it: I retir’d to it during the Contention between the Houses of Austria and Bourbon, that I might not be so much exposed to Company, as I must have been unavoidably, if I had resided in the Castle, where every Passenger, either from Spain or France, would no doubt have been desirous of seeing me; all which Visits would infallibly have given Umbrage to one or other of the Two Parties, if not to Both; and I had good Reasons to keep fair with each.

Another Day, when I had the Honour to discourse with her about Spain and Germany, I took the Freedom to tell her, that I wonder’d why her Majesty chose rather to stay at Bayonne, than to live in one or other of those Countries where I fancy’d she would have more Authority, and more People of Quality to attend her. As for your Persons of Quality, said the Queen, I do not give myself much Trouble about them: All Men are alike to crown’d Heads, and are great no farther than as we bring them to our Courts, and honour them with our Confidence. A Man that you now call a Scrub, perhaps, if I were to give him a Post To-morrow, and admit him to my Service, he is to me as great a Lord as if his Ancestors had liv’d and dy’d in the same Employment. And as for residing in Spain or in Germany, I have weighty Reasons against dwelling in either. For in Spain I should be oblig’d to live in a Convent, which is my utter Aversion. In Germany I should, indeed, have all my Family about me; but the Court of Spain would, perhaps, be uneasy at my living in the Empire, and I should be teiz’d in respect to my Dowry, which I am very willing to preserve.

All these Reasons, and what was more than all, a long Acquaintance, made her loth to quit Bayonne; and that Retirement she enjoy’d there, was more agreeable to her Taste, than the Bustle of a numerous Court, where very often the Prince and the Courtier tread on one another’s Toes. The Air of Freedom which reign’d at this little Court, and the Queen’s Goodness in conversing with me so often, was the reason that I put off my Journey to Spain from one Day to another. At last, however, after various Delays, I prepar’d in good earnest for my Departure. But at the very Time when I thought I had nothing more to do than to take my Leave of her Majesty, a very disgraceful Incident happen’d to me, which put me as much out of Conceit with Bayonne as I was before in Love with it. By some imprudent Jokes that I had thrown out in Conversation, I had incurr’d the Displeasure of the King’s Lieutenant, who made use of a specious Pretext in order to be reveng’d of me. I will tell you my Tale in a few Words as follows:

There was a Woman at the Queen’s Court, who, by her Frankness, in which there was a Mixture of Impertinence, made her Court to the Queen with so much Art, that her Majesty was kinder to her than any Services she was capable of performing could deserve at her Hands. This Woman’s Name was la Borde: She was a Merchant’s Widow, but married afterwards clandestinely to the Queen’s Major-Domo, and had the intire Government of her Majesty’s House, where she did not fail to give her daily Attendance.

The Queen having permitted this Woman to sit in her Presence, it made her so vain, that she forgot her mean Original, and affected the Air of a Princess; but so ill did it become her, that she was quickly hated for it, not only by the Queen’s Officers, but by the whole City of Bayonne. The only Person who was attach’d to her, was the King’s Lieutenant; and that, for no other Reason, but because this Officer being in a poor Plight when he came first to Bayonne, and having moreover little to depend on, was oblig’d to solicit the Queen for some Gratifications, in which Madame la Borde had employ’d her Interest to serve him: And serve him she did without much Difficulty, because the Queen is so good-natur’d and generous, that she is never better pleas’d than when she is bestowing Favours. The Grotesque Figure of the King’s Lieutenant, and the queer Dress of the Lady la Borde, were an inexhaustible Fund of Mirth for the Queen’s Houshold. In short, ’twas impossible for a Person of the most serious Gravity, not to laugh on the one hand at the old shock Pate of the Lieutenant, who was vulgarly call’d The Eternal Father, and on the other hand to see Dame la Borde, who was commonly wrapp’d up in Three or Four Night-Gowns of different Colours one over another, and one shorter than the other, whose favourite Head-Geer was Cornets fix’d on, with a careless Air, by Scarlet Ribbons, and who had a monstrous Nosegay of Flowers ty’d to one Side of her, with a Straw-colour’d Ribbon, and the Picture of some unknown Saint fasten’d also to the other, by a Ribbon of the same Colour: And to all these Gowns, a little Lackey, every whit as ridiculous as the Mistress, was the Train-Bearer. I profess to you, Madame, that I could not contain myself at the Sight of such ridiculous Figures; and therefore, being once with some Company at Supper, when I was in a gay Humour, I let fall some very severe Banters upon this charming Couple; of which the King’s Lieutenant being inform’d, vow’d Revenge; and I was advertis’d by a German Cordelier, who was the Queen’s Confessor, that there was a Design to apprehend me. But not being conscious of any Crime I had committed to deserve it, I thought, at first, ’twas only given out to terrify me. Nevertheless, I went to Dadoncourt, and, without mentioning any Name, acquainted him of the Warning that had been given to me. He swore by his Honour, and call’d to God to witness it, that he never had a Thought of arresting me; and that I was free to go when and where I pleas’d. Upon this I went back to my Quarters, almost persuaded that I had been falsly alarm’d; but no sooner was I in my Chamber, but the Major of the Place enter’d, with a subaltern Officer and a couple of Soldiers, with their Bayonets at the End of their Musquets. He told me, that he was come in the King’s Name to arrest me, and that he had Orders to commit me to the Citadel, together with my Valet de Chambre. He also demanded all my Papers, and the Keys of my Coffers; and whatever he ask’d for I gave him. He left my Cloaths, &c. to the Care of my Landlord, charging him to be answerable for them; and then carry’d me to the Citadel, where I was put into one Room, and my Valet de Chambre into another; and a Centinel was clapp’d at my Door, who was order’d to let no Person whatsoever come to speak to me. Towards the Evening, when they brought me Supper, I desir’d Pen, Ink, and Paper, which was presently granted, and I wrote to the King’s Lieutenant, to be inform’d of the Reason why he had put me under an Arrest, and at the same Time to know whether I might be permitted to write into France to the Duke Regent and my Friends. He sent me Answer next Day, that the only Cause of my being a Prisoner was, that I had discover’d too much Friendship to the Count de S——: That I ought to remember what I said of the Count before his Face, in Presence of Witnesses, which had given him a Suspicion that I was but too deeply concern’d in the Conspiracy he had fomented against the Regent: That in Consequence, especially as he had not the Honour to know me, he should have thought it a Failure of his Duty, if he had not secur’d my Person: That, for the rest, he would write to Court, and that, if it appear’d I was not guilty of any thing, I should soon be set at Liberty. He concluded his Letter with Assurances of his Friendship, and a Protestation that he would do what he could to serve me.

Since I knew not what I could do better, as my Circumstances then were, I was glad to depend upon the good Offices which the King’s Lieutenant proffer’d to do me; and in order to compose myself a little, I lay a Bed as long as ever ’twas possible; for the only Remedy that could render my Imprisonment tolerable was Sleep: But when I awak’d, a thousand different Thoughts rack’d my Brain: Projects brooded over Projects, and I imagin’d Schemes without Number for Deliverance out of my Scrape; but they were no other than so many Castles in the Air, which instantly vanish’d as soon as I came to serious Reflection.

Having pass’d my Time thus for several Days, I receiv’d a Visit, which at first did not please me. Who should enter my Room, but an Officer, a Serjeant, and Four Soldiers, with their Bayonets in their Musquets. The Officer told me I must go with him to the Major of the Citadel, who was appointed to examine me. Being in a Situation wherein ’twas my wisest way to be tractable, I follow’d the Officer. When we came before the Major, we found him sitting in an Elbow-Chair: He was wonderful civil to me, and desir’d me to excuse him for not rising up to receive me, because he was so afflicted with the Gout that he could not stir. Then he pray’d me to sit down, and ask’d me who and what I was, whence and whither I was bound, and the like: To all those Questions I return’d very Laconic Answers, which, together with the Questions, were reduc’d to Writing, and I was made to sign them; and then I was carry’d back to my Chamber.

Two Days after this my Valet de Chambre was set at Liberty, and had Leave to attend me. I was also permitted to receive a Visit from one Father Thomas, a German Capuchin. These two Favours, granted both at once, pleas’d me mightily; and I entertain’d great Hopes that my own Liberty was approaching: So that every time I heard the Rattle of the Keys, I imagin’d my Keeper was coming to tell me that I was no longer his Prisoner. I flatter’d myself that the Duke Regent would give Orders for my Discharge, and therefore was impatient to hear from him: But when I heard, the Message was very different from what I expected: For Dadoncourt sent me a Note, acquainting me, that he had receiv’d Orders from Court to confine me more closely. He not only executed his Orders, but I really believe he exceeded them; for, not content with depriving me a second Time of my Valet de Chambre, and forbidding Father Thomas to come near me, ’twas no Thanks to him that I had not been starv’d to Death with Hunger and Cold. He was afraid that my bare Imprisonment was not Punishment enough, and therefore he treated me with all the Severity that could be. My Commons were retrench’d one half; and as to Firing, it was intirely suppress’d, for fear I should set Fire to the Citadel. I therefore wrote to him, and made an Offer to purchase it at my own Expence, if he would give me Leave: But he made me Answer, that a Prussian could not be so chilly as to be sensible of the Cold in Guyenne; and he was so impertinent as to add, that if I was really cold, he would have me keep my Bed. Nor was this all: Money was so scarce with me, that I was resolv’d to discount the Bank Bills I had left, which were almost sunk to nothing. But Dadoncourt no sooner heard of it, than he sent the Banker an Order not to discount them, for fear, perhaps, that I should make use of the Money to corrupt my Keepers. Moreover, he abus’d his Authority to such a Degree, that he caus’d my Cloaths &c. to be sold, to pay for what I had run up at my Quarters while I stay’d at Bayonne. I would fain have prevented this Sale, but ’twas to no Purpose, for I could not get Leave so much as to send a Friend thither to take Care that every thing was done with tolerable Decency; so that Dadoncourt’s Valet de Chambre bought the whole for one Eighth Part of the Value; and I could never get a just Account what the Profit of the Sale amounted to. ’Tis true, that when I was restor’d to my Liberty, they did not demand any Money of me.

So many Injuries offer’d to me, one upon the Neck of another, exasperated me not a little. I wrote several Letters not only to the Duke of Orleans, but M. le Blanc, Secretary of War, and sent them to the Post-House at Acqs by a Soldier, who undertook to deliver them for some Money, which I handed to him, together with my Letters, thro’ a Chink of my Door: But it all signify’d nothing. I likewise wrote a Letter to the Queen of Spain, but that Princess, who then deem’d me a State Criminal, did not care to be concern’d for me: Which Denial of her’s completed my Despair, and I took it so much to Heart, that I fell sick, but they would not allow me a Physician.

At this very Time the Baron de Montbel came to Bayonne, and hearing that I was a Prisoner in the Citadel, he desir’d to see me. This Baron, who was by Birth a Frenchman, went to Berlin at the Time of the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes: He had an Employment given him at that Court, and had been a Captain in the Regiment which was my late Father’s. He was going at this Time to Spain. Dadoncourt refus’d point-blank to let him come and see me. Then the Baron desir’d Leave to send me his Compliments by my Valet de Chambre, which Dadoncourt granted, but ’twas only to affront me the more grosly; for my Valet de Chambre was no sooner enter’d into the Citadel, but he was search’d, in order to know if he had not Letters for me; and none being found upon him, Dadoncourt said he was sure that the Baron had given him Letters to deliver to me, and that he must and should produce them. My Man still denying that he had receiv’d any Letter, was thrown into a Dungeon, where he was threatened he should lie till he rotted, if he did not confess that Letters had been given or offer’d to him for me.

This, Madame, was my melancholy Situation at Bayonne, having been arrested on sham Pretences, pining with Hunger and Cold, depriv’d of all Help, abandon’d by a Princess on whose Protection I had great Dependance, and having nothing to comfort me: I had a good Conscience indeed, which did not reproach me with any thing laid to my Charge; but this is a weak Support, when a Man is to cope with such Enemies as make no more to destroy the Innocent than the Guilty! A Persecution so unjust plung’d me sometimes into Melancholy, and at other times made me raving mad; so that when I came to myself, I was afraid I should lose all my Reason. At last this Disturbance of my Mind, all these Passions subsided happily in a Philosophical Calm, which restor’d me to myself. When I was composed, I reason’d justly enough: I consider’d, that to fret and vex myself to Death, would be the greatest Folly I could be guilty of; and that there was no other Remedy but Time and Patience: I resolv’d therefore to acquiesce like a true Philosopher; and I said to myself, that I had nothing more to do but to be as easy as I could in the Citadel, till Lewis XV. was declar’d of Age.

I had just begun to be reconcil’d to my Chamber and to Silence, when News was brought me of my Liberty: ’Twas on the 31st of January that Dadoncourt’s Valet de Chambre came and told me, that his Master had received Orders from Court to let me out of the Citadel; but that, as it was late, he desir’d me to stay there that Night, and that next Day I might go where I pleas’d: I consented to lye one Night more in the Citadel; but next Day Dadoncourt, without Regard to the Assurance he had sent me that I should have my full Liberty, and, by Consequence, either stay or set out that Instant, as I pleas’d; sent to ask me what time I intended to go for Spain; adding, that he had received Orders to send me thither, and not to suffer me to stay any longer in Bayonne: I return’d him a short Answer, but said enough to him to give him to understand, that I was not in a Condition to set out, because, as my whole Substance consisted in Bank Bills, which were at that time worth little or nothing, I was under a Necessity of staying till I had discounted them, and that in the mean time I was content to remain in the Citadel, till I could raise Money, unless he himself would be so kind as to assist me: I added, that if I must not discount my Bills, I desir’d Leave at least to go to Holland, where I should find Relations or Friends who would serve me: Dadoncourt return’d me an Answer with all the Sauciness and Impertinence of a Man of his Kidney: He sent to tell me, that he was neither a Money-Changer, nor a Banker, to discount my Bills; that I could not stay in the Citadel, because he had Orders to turn me out of it; and lastly, that he would not suffer me to go to Holland, because he was by the same Order injoin’d to send me to Spain: I thought this a blunt Sort of an Answer; for, in short, as he knew who I was, he might, and even ought, to have us’d me more politely; and even supposing that his Orders were as urgent as he pretended, yet a Gentleman would have known better than to notify them in that manner: I therefore saw myself under a Necessity of travelling to Spain, with nothing but my Staff to support me; which would certainly have been the Case, had it not been for Father Thomas, who helped me to 40 Pistoles, upon Two thousand Livres worth of Bank Bills; which Money I made use of to bear my Travelling-Expences: The Luggage I had to carry was not very cumbersome; for I have had the Honour to acquaint you, that Dadoncourt had taken Care of that by selling off what I had. My Journey to Spain being reckon’d an Affair of the utmost Importance, I had a Guard put upon me to conduct me to the Frontiers, where they were so civil, as to shew me the Orders from Court, which were executed with the utmost Strictness: They were contain’d in a Letter directed to Dadoncourt from M. le Blanc the Secretary at War, in Substance as follows: His Royal Highness is willing, Sir, that you should release the Baron de Pollnitz, who is a Prisoner in the Citadel of Bayonne, on Condition that he depart the Kingdom; and for this Reason I desire you to cause him to be conducted to the Frontier of Spain.

My Guard took Leave of me on the Frontiers and I continued my Journey to Pampeluna: By the Way I saw the famous Pyrenean Mountains, the Passage of which is very different from that of the Alps, there being not an Inn to be met with but what looks much more like a Den of Thieves: The Inhabitants of these Mountains have something mischievous in their very Physiognomy, which makes Travellers afraid of ’em. I was forc’d to spend one Night with my Valet de Chambre in a Cabaret, where there being a Score of these Fellows, we resolv’d to sit up all Night without going to Bed; and I fancy, that in so doing, we acted very wisely, for those Mountaineers look’d like a Parcel of Cut-throats: I set out as early as possible in the Morning from this horrible Place for Pampeluna, where I arriv’d towards the Evening: I alighted at an Inn, which was recommended to me as the best in Town, but I found it every whit as bad as those that I had met with in my Passage from Bayonne: The Bread, the Wine, their Meat, Bedding and every thing was detestably bad: However, as I thought I had a better Chance for my Life there, than in the Houses of Entertainment among the Mountains; I made myself amends for sitting up all the last Night, and slept soundly till next Day.

I went and paid a Visit to the Prince of Castillone Viceroy of Navarre, who was prodigiously civil to me: I let him into the true State of my Affairs, and what I had suffer’d from the King’s Lieutenant at Bayonne: This Nobleman seem’d to be concern’d at my present Condition, and was so kind as to make me an Offer of whatever I wanted; but as to the Treatment I had met with from the King’s Lieutenant, it surpriz’d him not at all: He told me too, that I was not the first Man who had been so treated, and that he could not imagine how it happen’d, that the Regent was not informed of all the Acts of Injustice committed at Bayonne: He advis’d me to write to his Royal Highness, and to give him an exact Account of all my Treatment: If this, said he, does not procure you some Amends, I am certain, at least, that ’twill get him a Reprimand: I did as M. de Castillone advis’d me; I wrote both to the Regent and to M. le Blanc, but ’twas all to no Purpose; for my Enemies had made such a Devil of me to the Prince and the Minister, that not content with returning me no Answer, they wrote to M. de M——, who had the Care of the French Affairs at Madrid, to thwart me in every thing he could: And he, for his Part, punctually observ’d his Instructions, not so much in pure Obedience to his Prince, as for the Pleasure he took in doing me Mischief.

M. de Castillone was so good-natur’d as to shew me what was most remarkable at Pampeluna: We took a Walk together without the Town, the Situation of which I thought very fine: ’Tis encompass’d with Walls, and fortify’d with Bastions and Half-Moons: Yet all this Fortification would be of little Defence, were it not for the Citadel, which was repair’d, and considerably augmented, during the Ministry of the Cardinal Alberoni.

All the Road from Pampeluna to Madrid is quite disagreeable, there being nothing to be seen but rusty Fields, here and there a ragged Village; and what was still more vexatious, Houses of Entertainment, where there was scarce any thing to be had: But ’tis much worse when we leave Navarre, and enter Castile, there being nothing at all to be had in their Public-Houses: You are accommodated with a Chamber indeed, and that’s all; for if you want to eat any thing, you must send out your Domestics to buy it, and dress it yourselves: But, however, the Necessaries of Life may be easily had any where, and at a moderate Price: I travell’d thro’ the whole Country without meeting with any Disaster, which is not a little astonishing, Murders and Robberies being very common in Spain.

I arriv’d on a Sunday-Night at Alcala, a City in New-Castile, famous for its University: This City is oblig’d for its Magnificence to the Cardinal Ximenes, who, being Prime Minister under Ferdinand of Arragon, and Isabel of Castile, spar’d no Cost to render this City one of the most beautiful in Spain: The first thing that he did was to build very fine Colleges; and when he became Regent of Spain, after the Death of Ferdinand, he founded an University here.

’Tis but Seven Leagues from Alcala to Madrid, but this Capital is not to be seen till one comes just upon it, because it stands in a Bottom on the River Mancanares: The Entrance into Madrid has a feint Resemblance for a little way, with the Entrance into Rome, thro’ the Gate del Popoli: Three Streets, in the Shape of a Goose’s Foot, lead to the Centre of the City: I went into that on the Right Hand, which carry’d me to the Square of St. Domingo, where was a French Inn, to which I had been recommended: When I alighted out of my Chaise, I was heartily embrac’d by a Man whom I had formerly seen in the Service of King Stanislaus of Poland, and afterwards at Paris, but he was oblig’d to fly from that City, for Fear of falling into the Hands of Justice.

This Man was accus’d of being One in Three who had robb’d and murder’d an Abbe: Tho’ he was run away, the Trial took its Course, and he was condemn’d in Outlawry to be broke alive on the Wheel, which Sentence was executed accordingly in Effigie: After several Tours he came at last to Madrid, where all that come from France are receiv’d with open Arms: He had chang’d his Name of Le G—— for that of the Baron D——. I recollected him perfectly the very Moment that he embraced me, but his Affair in France was still so fresh in my Memory, that I did not think fit to make a very affectionate Return for the Civilities of this new Baron, but ask’d a great many Pardons that I could not call him to Mind: The Man seem’d still very eager to be known to me, and said, Pray, are not you the Baron de Pollnitz? Don’t you remember to have seen me at Berlin, then at Hanover, &c. I still pretended Ignorance; but my Gentleman proceeded to rub up my Memory, and talk’d a great deal to me of his Journey to Paris, and mention’d several Circumstances: Being at last fatigued with all this long Detail, I thought it would oblige him to give him some Glimpse that I knew him; and therefore mention’d the Names of several People that we had been with together, to make him believe that I was in Quest of his; and at length seeing him overjoy’d to think that I was like to find out his Name by beating the Bush, I chose to give him that Satisfaction, and said to him, tho’ with an Air of great Uncertainty, Pray, Sir, Was not your NameLe G——? At the very Mention of this Name my Friend chang’d Countenance, turn’d from red to pale, and retir’d at last without giving me an Answer, or, at least, ’twas with such a low Voice, that I could not understand a Syllable of what he said. For my own Part, I thought of nothing but calling to my Landlord for a Room; and after I had rested myself a little, I went down at Night to sup at my Landlord’s Table, where some of the Company happen’d to be the very same Officers that had seen me talking with Le G——. They ask’d me, if I was acquainted with the Gentleman that accosted me, and what was his Name: I made no Scruple to satisfy them, and not knowing that he had alter’d his Name upon his leaving France, I said, without thinking any Harm, that ’twas Le G——, I had no sooner pronounc’d his Name, but one of the Company cry’d out, Ah! Morblieu! the very Man that assassinated the Abbe V. How durst such a Villain come hither to sollicit an Employment! I plainly saw that I had committed an Oversight, in discovering a Name to those Strangers, which had put the Person who bore it so much out of Countenance; but I thought at the same time, that Le G—— had been guilty of a much greater, in putting me under that Necessity: I endeavour’d to set all to Rights again, by saying, that perhaps I was mistaken, and that the Baron D—— was not Le G——: but they would not admit of it; they all exaggerated the Baseness of the Murder that had forc’d him to fly from France; and, in short, the Story was so toss’d about in an Instant, that the pretended Baron was oblig’d to leave Madrid: I have been told since, that he retir’d to Portugal, where Fortune has been pretty Favourable to him.

I had not been long at Madrid before I met with several of my Acquaintance: The very Day after my Arrival I receiv’d Visits from above a Score of Officers, French and Germans, whom I had seen at several Courts: At my Quarters I also found the Baron de Montbel, who had taken so much fruitless Pains to inquire after my Health when I was a Prisoner in the Citadel of Bayonne: To be short, in a very little time, I found as many, and even more Acquaintance than I wanted, especially at my first coming to Madrid, where I did not aim at keeping any Company more than was necessary to my obtaining an Employment: I thought immediately how I should be introduc’d to the King and Queen: The Person who procur’d me Audience from his Majesty was one la Roche, a Frenchman by Birth, who was the King’s chief Valet de Chambre, Secretary of his Dispatches, and likewise Introducer of Ambassadors.

’Twas in a private Audience that I had the Honour of waiting on his Majesty: This is different from a public Audience, in that the latter, which is generally for common People, is granted with the Doors open, and in Presence of the Grandees, who are standing on both Sides of the Hall, and cover’d: The King is then seated in a Chair of State, plac’d under a Canopy: From the Entrance of the Audience Room to the King’s Chair Three Genuflections are made; and when the Persons, who are honour’d with the Audience, are advanc’d near his Majesty’s Person, they deliver what they have to say upon their Knees: Philip V. never makes any other Answer, than I will see, I will consider it. After such Audience is ended, the Person who officiates as Master of the Ceremonies gives Notice with an audible Voice, when there is to be a private Audience. The Grandees then retire, and the Doors are shut, and I had my Audience in the manner following: I found the King alone in his Chamber, made my Three Obeisances to him, and when I came near to him fell on my Knees: I then said to him, that having heard his Majesty’s Piety and his Zeal for the Catholic Religion highly extoll’d in all Places where-ever I had been; I thought I could not do better than to come and prostrate myself at his Feet, and to offer him my most humble Service; that I had incurr’d the Displeasure of my Sovereign, and lost all Expectation of ever being able to serve with Satisfaction in my own Country, because I had embrac’d the Romish Religion, whereof I shew’d his Majesty a Testimonial, sign’d by the Cardinal de Noailles: I also shew’d him a Letter from the King of Prussia, with the Grant of the first Pension annex’d to the Office of Gentleman of the Bedchamber, which I had still no doubt enjoy’d, had I not alter’d my Religion: The King took the King of Prussia’s Letter, and the Testimonial of the Cardinal de Noailles, look’d upon both of them, and return’d them to me, saying, I will consider your Request, and will soon dispatch you: I then presented a Memorial to him, which he put in his Pocket, after which I arose, and went backwards out of the Chamber, repeating my Three Obeisances.

From the King’s Audience I went to that of the Queen, to which I was introduc’d by her chief Major-Domo: This Princess was dress’d in the Amazons Habit, because she was going a Hunting with the King; her first Lady of Honour and some of the Ladies of the Bedchamber were present: I also saw in the Door-way between the Chamber of Audience and the Queen’s own Chamber the Prince of Asturias, who dy’d King of Spain in 1724, the Infantes his Brothers, and the Infanta Maria-Anna Victoria. I deliver’d myself to the Queen in very near the same Words as I had just before to the King, and she return’d me a gracious Answer, that She should be always glad to serve me as far as lay in her Power: I withdrew, hugely delighted with so obliging an Answer.

This, Madame, was my first setting out at the Court of Spain: It was natural, in the first Place, to look after the Main-Chance; for, as I have had the Honour to acquaint you, I had but little Cash; and what was worse Luck than all, no Effects, from which I could hope to raise any, so that if I had thrown myself ever so little into Company, I should have run the Risque of being soon a Beggar: The obliging manner in which the King and Queen had been pleas’d to receive me, was a reviving Cordial to my drooping Spirits: I began to entertain fresh Hopes, and thinking myself already in some Share of Favour, I went abroad among my Acquaintance, I found old Friends, and made new ones, and I had good Success at Play, which I thought a happy Omen, and enabled me to frequent the Court with that Ease and Freedom, which Persons seldom discover whose Finances are out of Order.

I am now to give you a short Account of the Court, and of those who made the greatest Figure at it; I need not treat of the King, all Mankind knows, and the late Wars sufficiently prov’d, that Lewis, Dauphin of France, Son to Lewis XIV. was his Father: He marry’d to his first Wife Maria-Louisa Galeriela of Savoy, who dy’d at Madrid the 14th of February, 1714, and whose Memory is still dear to the Spaniards; they greatly miss the Savoyard, as they call this Princess; The King of Spain had several Children by her; the Eldest was Don Lewis, Prince of Asturias, afterwards King of Spain, by the Resignation of the King his Father in 1724, but this young Prince dy’d the same Year: The Name of the second was Don Philip, who was born at Madrid in 1712, and dy’d in 1721; and the third Don Ferdinand, now Prince of Asturias.

After the Death of that Princess the King marry’d Elizabeth Farnese, Niece and Daughter-in-Law to the Duke of Parma: By this Princess the King has also had several Princes and Princesses: The Eldest Prince is Don Carlos, and was destin’d by the Quadruple Alliance to the Succession of Tuscany and the Duchies of Parma and Placentia: The second is Don Philip, who was born the 15th of March, 1720.

The Queen is tall and handsome, well-shap’d, but slender, and much pitted with the Small-Pox. She has a vast and enterprizing Genius, which no Difficulties can terrify. She made it very plain as soon as she set her Foot on Spanish Ground, that she would not suffer herself to be led by the Nose: For before she had even seen the Face of the King, she banish’d the Princess of Ursins, both from the Court and Kingdom, because of the Ascendant she knew that Princess had over the King. She thought also of removing the French from about him, and endeavour’d to put his Majesty out of Conceit with his own Countrymen. The Spaniards were at first well enough pleas’d with all these Alterations, and hop’d that at length one of their own Nation would be singled out for Prime Minister; but they had the Mortification to see themselves govern’d by a Foreigner. The Abbot (afterwards Cardinal) Alberoni, by Birth a Parmesan, was advanc’d to the chief Dignities both in Church and State, and govern’d Spain with such seeming Success, as made the Subjects entertain great Hopes of him. He gave the Queen a Glimpse of mighty Fortune that was to befal her Son: But a more refin’d Set of Politics knock’d all those vain Projects on the Head; and the Queen was so prejudic’d against him, that she was the first who persuaded the King to remove the Cardinal; which happen’d in the Manner that I have already had the Honour to acquaint you. The Credit of the Queen herself, however, suffer’d some Shock by this Alteration; for the King was for a while undetermin’d what Measures to take, but at length he replac’d all his Confidence in the Queen, and ’tis she that still governs, tho’, indeed, she is supported by Ministers who have great Talents for Government.

The Person who had the Charge of Foreign Affairs when I arriv’d at Madrid, was the Marquis Grimaldo, who had the Reputation of a Man of the strictest Honour and Probity. I had the Favour to see him more than once, and he always receiv’d me with very great Civility. I have been told, that he thorowly knows the King’s good Pleasure with regard to such private Men as make their Court to him; and that when he tells a Person the King has a Respect for him, he need not despair of carrying any Point. Nevertheless, I question whether such a Compliment could be safely depended on; for, I observ’d, he paid it to a great many People: And, as for my own Part, M. Grimaldo said to me, that the King was so gracious as to esteem me, before I had even the Honour of paying my Duty to his Majesty.

M. de Campo Florido had the Management of the Finances. He was a very polite disinterested Minister; and ’tis certain that he made none of those Purchases which are always the Consequence of a splendid Fortune. But notwithstanding his being so disinterested, this Minister had the same Fate as all that have the Management of the Finances, not to be belov’d: And tho’ when he first came to the Direction of the Finances, he found them in a very bad State, no Allowance was made him upon that Score, but an Account was demanded from him of the Wealth which others had squander’d.

M. de Castelar was Secretary at War, and had been just preferr’d to that Employment as I arriv’d at Madrid. He is the civillest Minister I ever knew: And tho’ he had such a Weight of Affairs upon him, he had an easy Air, which was a Pleasure to all that had any Business with him. He had another Quality, not very common to Gentlemen in the Ministry, which was to keep no body in Suspence; for People very soon knew what they had to trust to: And whether ’twas a Grant or a Refusal, they were equally satisfy’d with the Minister, who gave with Pleasure, and never refus’d a Request but when ’twas not in his Power to grant it.

These, Madame, were the Ministers then employ’d in the several Offices. At that time there was no Prime Minister in Spain; for, after Cardinal Alberoni’s Disgrace, the King manag’d Affairs himself, or rather the Queen govern’d as the real Sovereign. But as great as her Sway was, she had much ado to get the better of the King’s Confessor, who had a great Share in all Affairs. This was the famous Father Daubanton, a Jesuit, who had an Ascendant over the King to such a Degree, that nothing of Moment was transacted without his Opinion. He was therefore, in Reality, the Prime Minister of Spain; at least he only wanted the Title, for he perform’d the Functions of such a one, but without the Wit, the Finesse, and the Policy of the disgrac’d Minister; for he was severe, merciless, and so hard-hearted, that when he saw Officers reduc’d to the last Extremity for want of their Pay, it gave him no Disturbance. To him I apply’d, as every body else did, to beg the Honour of his Protection; and when I came near him, I found him a haughty proud Man, and one that was extremely rigid. ’Tis true, that when he had to do with Persons from whom he expected any Services, all this Stateliness was laid aside; he was then quite another Man: And was so perfect a Matter of the Art of dissembling, that Civility, Good-nature, and Humility seem’d painted so strongly in his Features, as would induce one to think nothing could be more sincere, and that this external Appearance was the pure Expression of his secret Thoughts. The Roman Purple was, they say, the Centre of all his Views; and, being wholly ambitious of this Dignity, he thought every Measure equally right that had a Tendency to a red Hat. Cardinal Alberoni wheedled him with the Hopes of it one while, just to get some Services of him that he then stood in need of. The Regent of France also gave him a Prospect of it, as a Reward that he might infallibly depend on, if he could prevail on his Catholic Majesty to sign the Treaty of the Quadruple Alliance. This Jesuit set heartily about it, and succeeded; but the Hat, so much aspir’d after, was given to another; and all the Thanks that the Reverend Father had for his Pains, was an Abbey for one pf his Nephews. Something offer’d before I left Spain, which will give me occasion to speak to you of this Cardinal again.

Cardinal Borgia was also in very high Favour, but a wrong Person to apply to for Services; which indeed was owing to his Indolence more than any other Reason; for, as to a friendly Temper, I do not think there ever was a Man who possess’d that Virtue in a more eminent Degree. He was withal very devout, but was reckon’d so unlearned, that I have been assur’d he did not know a word of Latin; and upon this Head I heard the following Story, which I do not retail to you for Gospel. I was told, that when the Duke of St. Aignan, the Ambassador of France, was preparing to make this Cardinal a Visit, he was appris’d that his Eminency did not understand French. The Ambassador thought it would do every whit as well if he convers’d with him in Latin, and therefore he greeted him in that Language; but he found, to his great Surprize, that the Prelate made Answer to him in Spanish, that he did not understand the French Tongue; and somebody, who was present at the Audience, telling the Cardinal, that the Ambassador spoke to him not in French but in Latin, the Cardinal said, Aye, but I do not understand Latin-French: So that there was a Necessity of carrying on the Conversation by an Interpreter.

Tho’ the Characters of the Ministers and Favourites were so different, there was a Necessity of my conforming to them all, in Hopes that the Steps I had taken would not be in vain. I took great Care therefore to see them all, to desire them to speak in my Favour. Whether they did so, I know not; nor whether the little Ray of Fortune which began to shine upon me, but soon vanish’d, was the Effect of their Recommendations, or to an Impression I had made upon the King’s Heart, by the Narrative I had given him of the State of my Affairs, the Disorder of which had been owing in the first Place to my changing my Religion, which had forc’d me to quit the Service of my Sovereign. Be this as it will, I received a very favourable Answer to the Memorial which I had the Honour of presenting to the King: He granted me a Lieutenant-Colonel’s Commission in the future Regiment of Sicily, together with the Soldo vivo, which amounted to about Sixteen Pistoles a Month. What they call the Soldo vivo in Spain is, when the same Pay is advanc’d as if the Corps was actually on an Establishment or Footing. I thought this very handsome Pay, and that my Affairs were already in a promising way. I found that with such a Sum an Officer might maintain himself very well in his Quarters. I actually form’d Schemes for a Settlement; and, having paid dear for my Folly, I began to talk of House-keeping. I computed, that with what would now be my Income from Spain, and what was to revert to me from my own Family, I should be able to repair my tatter’d Equipage, and to appear in a decent Manner, till such time as Fortune, which now began to be something kinder than usual, had put me in a Condition to make the Figure I aspir’d to.

As soon as the King had admitted me into his Service, I did not fail to wait on him with my most humble Acknowledgments: I had also the Honour of thanking the Queen, to whom I made my Compliment in High-Dutch, and that Princess return’d me her Answer in the same Language. Soon after this I set out for Arragon, where the Regiment in which I was to serve was then in Quarters. But as I came into Spain with very little Money, I was soon oblig’d to return to Madrid, to desire some small Gratuity, till I receiv’d my Pay. Some of my Friends advis’d me to ask boldly for a handsome round Sum, or for a Pension upon Benefices; because if I depended on my Pay for Subsistance, I should be very much out in my Reckoning; that in Spain, more than elsewhere, they were backward in their Pay, and always one Year in Arrear, and sometimes two or three, according as they dun the Minister, or dawb the Treasurer’s Fist. This News put me a little out of Temper, and from that time I began to perceive that Fortune would jilt me as much in Spain as she had done elsewhere: Nevertheless, my Courage did not quite fail me, I apply’d to the Secretary at War, who referred me to Father Daubanton, and the latter told me, with all the Solemnity that could be, that ’twas none of his Business. You see, Madame, that this was a fine Setting out: However, I was not dishearten’d: And being so much us’d as I was to Rebuffs, I had as lieve be deny’d twice as once. I rapp’d at various Doors, but they were all either shut against me, or, if open’d, ’twas to no Purpose. I resolv’d to address myself immediately to the King, and had the Honour of presenting a Petition to him, in which I gave him an Account of my present Situation: 1st, By the Disaster of the Bank Bills; and, 2dly, by the strange Procedure of the King’s Lieutenant at Bayonne. The King, when he took my Petition, answer’d, I will consider it. It must be observ’d, that the King was then at Aranjuez, for which Reason there was no Minister with him but M. de Grimaldo. This was the Minister to whom the other Secretaries of War and the Finances, and the President of the Council of Castile, were oblig’d to address their Dispatches, which was some Hindrance to Business; but, in short, such is the Practice of the Spanish Court. For the Councils only attend the King at Buen Retiro, and this because ’tis in Madrid itself; for as soon as the King goes from his Capital City, all Affairs pass thro’ the Hands of a single Minister.

I waited therefore upon M. de Grimaldo, to know the Result of my Petition. This Minister, according to his laudable Custom, told me, that the King had a very great Esteem for me: This thread-bare Answer was very little Comfort to me; and even tho’ it were true that his Majesty honour’d me with his Esteem, I saw plainly that mine was a Situation in which the Esteem of Princes is mere Whip-Cream, if it be not accompany’d with something solid. I earnestly press’d M. de Grimaldo that he would be so kind as to procure me something else besides Esteem. At last, after several Goings backward and forward, the Minister said to me one Day, with a Smile, that my Affairs went on swimmingly: I immediately thought my Business done, and wanted nothing but to know the Value of the Gratuity or Pension that was granted to me: But there was nothing in it; the good Turn that my Affairs had taken, was only to be referr’d back again to Father Daubanton. I waited, therefore, on the Reverend Father, and, with all possible Respect, ask’d him, what was the Effect of a Petition that had been referr’d to him? And to this humble Request I added another, still more humble, which was to obtain the Honour of his Protection: But my Compliment and my Respects were not very welcome, and he answer’d me, very short: Do you imagine, Sir, that I have nothing else to do, but to think of your Petition: I have not yet seen it, Sir, nor do I know whether it has ever been sent to me. I reply’d, but still with the profoundest Respect, that M. de Grimaldo had told me that——Alas! said he, interrupting me, M. de Grimaldo! M. de Grimaldo! And the Words were no sooner out of his Mouth, but he whipp’d into his Closet, and slapp’d the Door in my Face. I saw plainly that the Wind did not sit right for his Reverence, and therefore lay by till next Day: Then I made up to him again much about the Time that I knew he us’d to go to the King, and planted myself in a Nook of his Entry, in the humble Posture of a Supplicant: The Jesuit, his Companion, seeing me there, desir’d me to walk into the Antichamber; but I could not be prevail’d on to accept of an Honour which I said did not belong to me; tho’ the Truth was, that I chose to stay in the Entry, as the surest Place of speaking with the Confessor; for I had observ’d, that the Reverend Father often put the Bite upon People that waited for him in the Antichamber, by stealing out at a private Door that open’d into the Entry where I then was. I stay’d there a full Hour, when, as I had before imagin’d, I saw my Gentleman slipping out at the private Door: I accosted him in the Passage, and humbly put him in Mind, that I had the Honour of speaking to him the Day before: I found him in a little better Humour than he was then, for he promis’d me that he would speak to the King, and bid me attend him for the Answer next Day. You will imagine that I did not fail to be there: He told me then, that he had not an Opportunity as yet of speaking to the King about my Affair, but that he would infallibly mention it to him in a few Days: Mean time these Days amounted insensibly to Weeks, and the Weeks to Months, which had like to have put me out of all manner of Patience. I could not be reproach’d with Want of Solicitation, for certainly there was not a Morning but I took my Walk in the Confessor’s Antichamber, where he saw me sure enough, and would sometimes honour me with a Nod, and at other times with a Frown: And, in fine, after having so often danc’d Attendance, all I could obtain was a formal Denial.