THE Mercury-Gallant Containing Many True and Pleasant RELATIONS Of what hath passed at PARIS From the First of January 1672. Till the KINGS Departure thence Translated from the French LONDON Printed by T. R. and N. T. for Dorman Newman at the Kings Arms in the Poultry and Jonathan Edwin at the Three Roses in Ludgate-street 1673. To my much honoured Friend George Bowerman Esquire SOme men not so good as you might perhaps think that while I have thus long been unfortunately hindred from paying the respects due to your many good Offices and Kindnesses I have blotted them quite out of my memory and become utterly undeserving both of them or any future Favour and there may possibly some Reasons be urged for the entertainment of such suspicions but I am more than half confident they cannot at all have reached you for as your Kindnesses were free and unconstrained out of your own pure and natural Goodness so I am bound to believe they were accompanied with a Judgment which cannot easily think it self deceived because it were both a sin and shame it should be And therefore to endeavour the best I can to disperse any such Clouds that may be gathering I have taken this course to let you perceive that I have preserved a Remembrance of You and your Kindnesses and am meditating of them even when you perhaps may believe they are least in my Thoughts and though this be the miserablest way in the World to requite Courtesies and can no way form an Aquittance for any Obligation yet at worst 'tis an Acknowledgment which generous Minds use to receive in good part and where they find it think the Defection of a Larger Satisfaction proceeds rather from Misfortune than Fault As such then Please to accept this small Present I now send you which when in the Original was thought worthy of being presented unto the FRENCH KING and was a Book He Himself passed the License for under His Seal when He officiated as His own CHANCELLOVR I will not prevent You with its Contents Let them speak for themselves Onely thus much I will say That in my Judgment it may be as Vseful for This Horizon as That for which it was Calculated And if the Pleasant Stories contained in it shall give You and other Gentlemen that shall peruse it any Divertisement I shall have received my Satisfaction and have no more to addle but to beg you to value me still as one that will ever be SIR Your most faithful and most humble Servant J. D. THE French Bookseller TO THE READER I Believe now I have hit on a Book will please all the world because of the diversity of matter it contains Those who are wholly addicted to Romantick writings will here find Stories though true yet as pleasing and divertisant as in any of the most exquisite Books of that Kind the curious and the Countrey Gentleman and the Stranger who never had the least knowledge of many persons of high birth and extraordinary worth will in this Volume and those shall follow it find the springs of their Renown and what has made them esteemable To know the value of any person you shall only need to turn over the Mercury-Gallant and find your wish Every Six months shall come forth a Volume and in the second shall be set down the express time of their coming out that people may know when to expect them and hereafter we shall take the liberty to speak of Forreign Courts and Countries The Author begins now to settle his correspondencies and to search out the ways of the most considerable assistances that nothing of Novelty may happen in the world which his Letters shall not speak of These are but Essayes but by what they are you may judge what will follow consider therefore this only as the design of a work which time will better polish Those who know any thing of Gallantry or worthy to be made publick may bring it to me who will engage the Author to entertain with it the person to whom he addresses his Letters I think my self likewise obliged to give notice that this Book has no resemblance with the Journal des scavans that treats only of such Books of Sciences as are published and this of pretty Love-stories and intrigues and of the worth of persons any way extraordinary though their Pens never made them famous It is not of necessity that all who have wit must be writers there are many proofs to the contrary and I will add that if here any Books be spoke of they are only Books of Gallantry and of which the Journal sayes nothing and that there is not in the whole Treatise twenty lines to that purpose ERRATA PAg. 21. l. 19. dele so p. 22. l. 10. for with r. the. p. 3â— l. 7. for woman r. women p. p. 33. l. 19. for foryed r. forced p. 44. l 1. for Balads r. Ballets p. 51. l. 14. dele and. p. 63. l. 11. for seventy r. severity l. 19. for her r. his p. 71. l. 3. for any r. an p. 72. l. 12. for sweezing r. squeezing l. 13. for his r. her p 73. l. 15. for unmatched r. unmasked p. 74. l. 2. after these r. perswasions l. 11. dele or l. p 81. l. 16. for it r. its p. 63. l. 18. for Faries r. Farces p. 98. l. 14. for Jestu r. Testu THE TABLE OF Matters contained in this Treatise Letter I. THe Design of the Work The Story of the Neclace of Pearl Honours paid to the memory of the late Madam de Montausier The establishment of the Academy of Architecture of which the Sieur Blondel is to be Professor Letter II. The Story of the Green Silk Stockings The reception of the Duke de Feuillade to the charge of Collonel of the French Regiment of Guards Elogy of the Marshal du Plessis Discourse on Bajazet a Tragedy of the Sieur Racines Adventures happened to a French man at Constantinople by which Turkish Gallantry may be judged of Letter III. The Story of a Lady chose rather to burn with her Husband then see him disloyal A Discourse on the Marriage of Bacchus an Heroick Comedy The arrival of Monsieur Courtine in Sweden The departure of the Duke d'Estrees extraordinary Ambassador at Rome Letter IV. The History of the Family of hope The publick entrance of the Marquis de Villars into Madrid Monsieur de Pompone's return from Sweden Letter V. The Story of the maiden Souldier Elogy of the Duke of Coaslin Letter VI. The Death of the Chancellor and his Elogy Praise of the Marquis of Louvoy Death of the Princess of Conty Letter VII The Elogy of six Coansellors of Estate and six masters of Request chosen by the King to be Assistants to the Seal An accident happened to a young Marchioness on the death of Monsieur Gualtier the most excellent master of the Lute Letter VIII The Story of a man who would believe he had made himself a Cuckold Monsieur de Pachau's
worth acknowledged by the King Meffieurs de Vendosme their return from Italy The Kings choise of Monsieur de Camus for first President of the Court of Aids Letter IX The death of Monsieur Despincha Marquis de Ternes The Reception of the Cavalier d'Arquien into his fathers Charge Letter X. The death of Monsieur de la Motte Houdancourt The promotton of Monsieur the Arch Bishop of Tholouse to the Cardinalate Discourse on Ariana a Tradegy of the younger Corneilles Letter XI The Story of the Closet of Looking-glasses Discourse on a Comedy of Molieres called les Femmes scavantes or the wise Women Letter XII The occasien of the French Academies Voyage to Versailles under the Conduct of the Arch Bishop of Paris Monsieur the Marquis de Angeau his treating the Academy Letter XIII The Establishment of all the King of France his Forces as well Horse as Foot with the Names of all the Regiments the Companies they contain and the number of their Men. Letter XIV Discourse of the Waters Gardens and new imbelishments of Versailles with the Names of the Statuaries Letter XV. The Praises of Cardinal de Retz The Estates of Brittain presented by Monsieur the Duke of Chaune the Duke of Bethune mode Lieutenant General of Picardy and the Duke de Duras Captain of the Gardes du Corps Letter XVI The Institution of the Academy Des belles Lettres with the names of the Academians An account of the Iugenuity of Gas Madam the Marquis of Deshoulieres Spaniel The Death of Monsieur de Morangis Praises of the Baron of Schonborn Nephew to the Elector of Magence and bis extraordinary Envoy The Entrance and Audience of Conde de Molina extraordinary Ambassador from Spain with Observations thereupon Letter XVII An account of the new Modes as well for Men and Women as for the furniture of the house The Marriage of the primier Presidents Son to Madamoiselle Chaluces The Kings choise of Physitians Discourse on the Journal des scavans Letter XVIII The Names of the General Officers of the Army The Names of the Ships and Commanders of the French Kings Navy Royal. Letter XIX Discourse on several Books of Gallantry The Namcs of the Authors quoted by Monsieur Menage in his Book intituled Observations on the French Tongue The Speech of the Colledge of Physitians to the three principal Physitians Observations on the Kings giving the Seals to Monsieur d'Aligre The departure of the Baggages of the Army Descourse on the preparation of a Mausoleum of which Monsieur de Bruâ— is the designer The Audience of the several Ambassadors and Residents of the King as also of the Sovereign Courts and Provost of Merchants The Kings departure some words much in Mode the story of Megius and his Companion or the Philosophers Stone THE MERCURY GALLANT Letter I. Madam I Needed not have been put in mind of the promise I made you at your going from Paris to send you often an account of such Novelties as were worthy of the curiosity of the most ingenious persons of that Countrey which is like for so long a time to be made happy with your residence They which have the person continually in their thoughts seldom forget their promises I doubt not Madam but you understand so well what that means that I need explain it no further Proceed we therefore to our News or rather first to the order I have resolved to observe in giving you these accounts I will punctually write to you once in eight days and then give you the most particular and curious relation I can of all that has happened in the week aforegoing Sending you things which the Gazets give no account of or at least not so full and clear a one The most minute things that pass here shall not escape my Quill You shall have all Deaths and Weddings of consequence with such Circumstances as may create that delight in such news which they have not in themselves I will endeavour to unravel the truth of all great actions where valour shall make it self observable in the Army and will often lay naked before you things which fame gives but at random because she not staying to search the depth of them the first rumours she spreads are for the most part short of truth I will not forget to tell you who receive favours from our great Monarch he gives with so endearing a grace that â—hough his gifts are always considerable â—he obliging manner with which he gives â—reeds often as much delight in the hearer â—s the magnificence of his gifts in the receiâ—er and whereas there often happens proâ—eedings so extraordinary and so full of â—ntrigue that the best invented Romances â—ome short of them I shall nor fail to diâ—ertise you with them and send you the â—eal Circumstances which are seldom â—nown but to persons who make diligent â—arch after them Curiosity bringing to Paris â—ot only many brave people from all Proâ—inces of France but likewise numbers of â—â—rangers I will give you advice of the â—orth of those attract any admiration I â—ill send you all such witty pieces as have â—y reputation as Songs Verses or oâ—â—er such like works I will send you the â—â—ccess of all new Plays and what Books 〈◊〉 Gallantry are Printed I say of Gallanâ—â—y because I pretend not to speak of â—â—ose which concern Arts or Sciences not being able to perform it so well as those who every fifteen days give us an account of them But I will do somewhat more then I have yet promised and often send you some new adventures in form of Histories Paris is big enough to furnish me with them and every day something considerable happens there and those who make it part of their business to understand the Town often hear of strange adventures and are sometimes witness to them so that I fear not the giving you a new Story almost every week and when Paris fails by chance to furnish me I cannot doubt to learn somewhat divertsiing from the great number of strangers are continually in this City I will add to this all the News worth hearing from the Ruelleâ— Balls or any meetings and here with not omit the new Modes the Countrey is generally well pleased to know them nor can I readily tâ—ll any thing they more desire I believe likewise you will be of my mind that the Misses of Paris will often furnish me with pleasant subjects and that all these things together and apart will continually supply me with a sack full of news wherewithall to entertain you I shall yet meddle little with forreign news or matters of State and speak only of those great publick news of which people discourse every where who make no profession of understanding them but as there is no news so publick but has something of privacy in it I will send you the opinions of those who should know things best If I prosecute my design and you keep my Letters they may for the future serve
Monsieur M. Monsieur de Pierrefite The King has nominated Monsieur de Sainsandoux Major of the Regiment of Guards Major General of his Army he has likewise nominated Monsieur Tracy Captain of the Guards Major General to the Prince and Monsieur de la Marrilliere Lieutenant Collonel of the Queens Regiment Major general of the third Army General Officers of the Armies of the Allies Monsieur de Luxembourg Lieutenant General to the Bishop of Munster Monsieur de Chamilly Lieutenant General to the Bishop of Cullen Monsieur de Renel to command the Horse Monsieur de Mornas to command the Foot Monsieur de Beaudevis to command The Army of Rossillon to be Commanded by Monsieur le Bret. I fancy that after this account of the Land-Armies you may likewise be desirous to know the force by Sea and that these-veral names of the Ships may divertize A LIST of the several Ships of the Fleet appointed for Service this year 1672. At Rochefort Names of the Captains and Ships Monsieur de Rabinieres Le Superbe 1300 Tuns 70 Guns Monsieur Gabaret LeFoudrogant 1300 Tuns 68 Guns Monsieur Gombaut Le Grand 1100 Tuns 64 Guns Monsieur Michaut LeConquerant 1100 Tuns 64 Guns Monsieur de Grancay L' Illustre 1100 Tuns 70 Guns Monsieur de Beaulieu L' Admirable 1100 Tuns 70 Guns Mons Le Comandeur de Verdille L' Invincible 1100 Tuns 70 Guns Monsieur Destivall Le Sans-pareil 1100 Tuns 62 Guns Monsieur D'Ymagnion L' Excellent 1000 Tuns 56 Guns Monsieur de Blenac Le Fort 1000 Tuns 54 Guns Monsieur de Tourville Le Gallant 700 Tuns 44 Guns Monsieur de Villeneuf Ferier Le Brillant 600 Tuns 40 Guns Monsieur de la Vigery Le Hazardeux 550 Tuns 34 Guns Fire-Ships Monsieur Rocachon Le Fin. Monsieur Ozcer Thomas Le Perilleux Monsieur Vidaut Le Voile Monsieur du Rivault L' Inconnu Monsieur Serpaut De Deguise Monsieur Chabosseau L' Entreprenant At Brest Monsieur Le Comte d' Estrees L' St. Philip Admiral Monsieur de Quesne Lieutenant General Le Terrible Monsieur des Ardans Le Tonnant Monsieur de Vallebelle Le Brave Monsieur de Suerdis Le Valliant Monsieur de Larcou Le Temeraire Monsieur de Quyovet L' Oriflame Monsieur de Queruville Le Bourbon Monsieur d' Infreville Le Rubes Monsieur Desbeville Le Duc. Monsieur de Coquelin Lacolle Monsieur Panetier L' Heureux Monsieur de Bleor L' Alcion Monsieur La Rocque Souftreet Le Hardy Light Frigats Monsieur La Tempest Monsieur de Bellemont L' Aurora Monsieur de Gravencon La Railleuse Monsieur de St. Michel La Subtile Monsieur de Grosbois La Lutine Monsieur Delmonts La Galliarde Brulots Le Trompeur Le Serpent Foists Two Tartans Monsieur du Quesne is to Guard the Coast of Rochel with a Squadron of fourteen Ships Monsieur Martel to Command a Squadron of fourteen Ships for a Reserve Paris 23 April 1672. Letter XIX MAdam I now send you a part of the New Books are lately published by Monsieur Barbin The Beralde of an unknown Author you will find well writ The Exiles of Madam de Velledieu will divertize you extreamly the Contrivances are well laid and delicately handled and that witty Lady all whose Writings have yet gain'd applause will deserve renewed Praises I send you likewise the Second Tome of the Works of Monsieur le Paiis The former had great success be you Judge of this I will send to you within this eight days a new Book of Monsieur Menage they are farther Observations on the French Tongue Though a work is not always to be valued by its success yet may we judge of the worth of this by the general repute it has gained since it is with Justice it pleases and I doubt not but in a little time in stead of saying Parler Vaugelas speak Vaugelas to praise those that speak well we shall say Parler Menage This great man for so we may call him for his abundance of Learning exposes now all the different manners of speaking which signifie or which we would have signifie the same thing he quotes all those have made use of them and after having given their true derivation determines for the most part in favour of Custom which he says is the Soveraign Master of Language which we should most apply our selves to and following which though we break the Rules we yet speak well This decision of so famous an Author will be very profitable and will in the future bring all the world to understand and speak things in the same way the contrary of which has been practised hitherto for some knowing men have spoke according to Custom and others according to fancy that is sometimes one way sometimes another which in time has much obscured the Language Therefore Madam all France is much obliged to Monsieur Menage for the pains he has taken to teach them to speak Do but observe the Authors he quotes Monsieur Vaugelas whom he often approves and often condemns Messieurs Balzack Malherbe Sarazin Vecture Mamard St. Amant Brebeuf Ablancourt Colletet Gombaut the Father Rapin Racon Mairet the Father Chiflet Desmarests Gomberville the Abbot Chasteliu the Abbot Sassy Mereray Sorel Charpentier Briauville the Bishop of Vauce Pellison la Mothe le Vayer the Father Bohours Patru Chapelain Segrais Marolles Benserade Corneille Dandilly the Author of the Count du Gabalis Bary La Fountaine Talleucant Messieurs du Port Royal and Madamoiselle de Scudery I have not observed the degrees of these Great Wits 't would be too bold an Enterprize Monsieur Menage has not observed them not having quoted them but as he had occasion of their Works to authorize his opinions He has spoken of some a dozen others but their Worth being grown old I thought it not necessary to enlarge my Letter with their Names The King has given the Seals to Monsieur D' Aligre I have told you his Worth already and his sundry Employs and Embassies His Majesty at making him this Great Present spoke much in his praise letting by what he said all the World know the Confidence he had in him It is to be observed that a Chancellours Son was never before made Keeper of the Seal All Paris are running every day to the Fathers of the Oratory to see the Mausoleum of the Late Chancellour erected by the Contrivance of Monsieur de Brun When I have seen it I will tell you more both of the Work and the Contriver The Physicians in a Body and in their Doctors Habit and having the Sieur Puylon their Director in the head of them have been at St. Germains to complement the Three Principal Physitians to their Majesties What a brave thing it is to have these Employments which bring Honour and something else The Equipages of the King Monsieur the Princes and Officers of the Army are gone hence this Week Never was any thing seen so great and for eight days all the Windows were