MEMOIRES OF THE COURT of FRANCE Relating to the Amours of the Duke of Maine AND THE Marriages of the other Illegitimate Children of the French King with the Princes and Princesses of the Blood Written in French By Madam DAVNOIS the Famous Author of the Letters of Travels into Spain AND Done into English by Mr. A. B. LONDON Printed for E. Whitlock near Stationers-Hall 1697. THE Translator's PREFACE THE Lady who is the Author of these Memoires has gain'd so universal a Reputation that there 's little occasion to say any thing in her Favour Yet to recommend Her the more to the Esteem of the English World I shall observe that she is not tainted with the common Vice of French Writers Flattery but speaks now with as much liberty of the Court of France as she has formerly done of that of Spain Her Stile is sometimes Historical sometimes fitted to a free and loose Conversation and now and then interwoven with a delightful Variety of Verses and Love-Letters As for the Translation if any Hypercritick will take the trouble to compare it with the Original let him take this Declaration along with him That I have not study'd to make a verbal servile Version but have taken the freedom to add and retrench as occasion requir'd to make the Sence run clear in English and at the same time to preserve the Graces of the French If I have committed any Faults let this additional Account of the Royal Family of France as far as 't is necessary for the understanding of these Memoirs attone for them THE Royal Family of France THe King Lewis XIV The Dauphin the King's Son The Dauphiness the Dauphin's Wife now dead The Dauphin's Sons The Duke of Burgundy The Duke of Anjou The Duke of Berry Monsieur or The Duke of Orleans the King's Brother Madam or The Dutchess of Orleans Monsieur 's Wife The Duke of Chartres Monsieur's Son Madamoiselle or Mademoiselle de Chartres Monsieur's Daughter The Old Prince of Condé the King 's Cousin-German now dead The Duke of Anguien now Prince of Condé the Old Prince of Condé's Son The Duke of Bourbon his Son now Duke of Anguien Mademoiselle de Condé Daughter to the Duke of Aguien Mademoiselle de Bourbon her Sister The Prince of Conti the Old Prince of Condé's Nephew now dead The Prince of Roche-sur-yon the Prince of Conti's Brother now Prince of Conti who at this present time stands fair for the Crown of Poland The Duke of Vendosme the King 's base Cousin-German Madam la Valiere one of the King's Mistresses Mademoiselle de Vermandois Daughter to la Valiere and the King The Duke of Vermandois her Brother now dead Madam Montespan one of the King's Mistresses Sons to the King and Madam Montespan The Duke of Maine Count Verin now dead â—â—â—nt Tholouse Mademoiselle de Tours Daughter to the King and Madam de Montespan Madam de Nantes her Sister Madam Maintenon the present Favourite-Mistress to the King ERRATA Pag. 1. and elsewhere for Madamoiselle read Mademoiselle p. 4. l. 27. Would you not tell r. Would you tell p. 10. l. 10. Laughing r. Languishing p. 15. l. 1. pitying r. pining MEMOIRES OF THE Court of France c. HIS Highness the Duke of Maine as all the World knows is natural Son to Lewis the XIV It is no wonder then to see his Heart capable of the tenderest and softest Impressions being the Off-spring of a Monarch who has made and makes still the Fair Sex his chiefest Delight Madam Montespan Mother to the Duke being one Day with the King told him Sir if your Majesty would be pleas'd to match my Sons and Daughters with Princes and Princesses of the Blood I should eternally be thankful for the Kindness Madam answer'd the King I would willingly give you that satisfaction but the Prince of Conde my Cousin did not seem very well pleas'd when I propos'd a Match between the Duke of Maine and Madamoiselle de Conde his Grand-Daughter No doubt reply'd that Lady with a haughty Tone he will rather chuse to bestow her upon the Prince of Roche-sur-yon who is more able to make her Fortune Madam I can say nothing to that answer'd the King coldly But if you desire it I 'll speak to him again about it and endeavour to marry the Duke of Anguien his Grand-son to Madamoiselle de Tours your eldest Daughter As for Madamoiselle de Nantes her younger Sister I design her for my Nephew the Duke of Chartres Lord Sir cry'd Madam Montespan your Majesty don't consider what a noise this will make for the Duke of Orleans will never suffer the Duke of Chartres to marry my Daughter Madam said the King raising a little his Voice leave that to me 'T is not for nothing that I wear a Crown and would not you be surpriz'd if I should tell you that the Duke of Maine is already in Love with Madamoiselle de Chartres and that this Princess likes him so far as to make the World think that she would not be displeased to have him for a Husband That were surprizing indeed answer'd she How could Madamoiselle's high Spirit descend so low as the Duke of Maine No I cannot believe it Besides the Dutchess of Orleans cannot endure him Madam said the King there have been greater Miracles before now Love by a secret and unknown Power unites all things Sir reply'd Madam Montespan I am well enough pleas'd with that flattering Fancy but what shall we do with Count Vexin Your Majesty loves him he is the youngest of my Children and in my Opinion the most deserving That 's but your Fancy said that Monarch with a Smile The Duke of Maine has a great deal more Fire and Sprightliness than his younger Brother But Sir reply'd Madam Montespan Count Vexin's pretty little Ways are so wonderfully pleasing and endearing Yes said the King because you are more fond of him than all the rest But let me tell you Matrimony is not fit for him and therefore we must consecrate him to the Church I 'll not be against it reply'd she if he likes the Proposal But he seems to have as great a Passion for Women as his Brother who is a downright little Vulcan Why truly Madam answer'd that Prince smiling Do you think that because a Man marries the Church he must therefore renounce Women I thought you knew better things A black Coat hides a great many Mysteries of Love that would make a strange noise in the World without such a Cloak These Words were scarce out of the King's Mouth when the old Prince of Conde came in and after he had entertain'd the King according to his Desire Madam Montespan took an opportunity to expostulate with him the Contempt he had for her Son Never was Prince so surpriz'd but however he thought sit to dissemble his Uneasiness Madam said he I am so far from having any such Thoughts that I could wish the Duke of Auguien had Desert enough to merit one of
may as well Languish on his Throne as a Shepherd in his Sheep-Cot For Whilst the Baroness was thus going on the Abbot of Joli coeur entered and interupted her to whom turning about she thus Accosted her self You come my Lord Abbot cry'd she in good time Mariana was just entertaining me with Trifles that she says a Woman can never engage in without concern How reply'd the Abbot what says this lovely Charmer Sure then she was entertaining your Ladyship with Love Yes the same quoth the Baroness her Tongue is Eternally running upon that Subject She has Reason reply'd the Abbot For it is the greatest comfort of our Lives Hereupon the Baroness being sensibly affected with the Abbots Address retired immediately into her Closet and threw her self upon an Angel Bed where the Abbot Sighing followed her and Approaching Trembling told her with a Mournful Air That he was but too unhappy in being so Subject to a Woman's Eyes adding withal that his Misery was the greater in that his Function permitted him to go no farther than his Breviary How reply'd the Baroness smiling Your Breviary sure is no Woman That 's certain Madam answered the Abbot yet never theless therein Lent is strictly Commanded But prethee my Lord cry'd the Ladâ— interupting and taking him by the Hand Tell me if your Misfortune should proceeâ— so far as to occasion a Woman of some Quality to Confess she Lov'd you What would you do I pray Would you immediately hang your self in her Garters Is it possiblâ— Madam reply'd Joli-coeur that your Ladyship should be so unacquainted with mâ— sincerity It is most certain I should Loâ—â— her a Thousand times beyond my fell Enough quoth the Baroness you shall be farther considered hereafter Joli coeur by this time being desperately smitten instantly throws himself at the Baronesses Feet and after boldly Advanc'd to her Embraces where what they did I am not able to give any farther Account of Let us now return to the Duke of Maine who troubled his Head but little with any Mistresses except the Fair Camilla then under Tutelage of Madam Maintenon This Prince saw his amiable Object but seldom which was the extreamest occasion of his Grief nevertheless a Marriage being proposed for him with Mademoiselle de Bourbon Daughter to the Prince of Conde the greater part of his amorous Ideas were soon effac'd This Marriage being at length Consummated his Highness for some time was conformable to the Restrictions of Hymen After which the King perceiving that one of his natural Daughters was still unmarryd resolved to bestow her on the Duke of Chartres his Nephew and this by reason of a report made him by a certain Lord that the Duke was desperately in Love with Mademoiselle de Nantes Sister to the Duke of Maine Enough quoth the King I 'll soon turn the Scales whereupon one Day meeting this Prince with his Father the Duke of Orleans in his Closet he talk't to him Roundly about the matter when his Father the Duke briskly opposed his Complying Persisting that for his part he would never consent that his only Son should marry a Bastard To whom then would you marry him replyed the King to some German Princess I care not quoth the Duke providing she be but Legitimate Oh you must pass by these trifling Obstacles quoth the King and remember that she is the most Amiable as well as Beautifull Princess in Europe I do not pretend Sir reply'd the Duke to dispute her Beauty with your Majesty but her Birth only Monsieur continu'd the King with some heat oblige me to and let it Suffice that He has no ordinary kindness for my Daughter The Duke of Orleans being one of the best Natur'd and none of the Wisest Princes in Europe soon suffered himself to be ouer-perswaded by the King insomuch that that very Night the Contract was sign'd between 'em with out the Dutchesse's Privity who afterwards coming to know it raved most Immoderately and express'd her Indignation in these Words What says she have I prevented my Daughter's Marrying the Duke of Maine and must his Sister come in her place These are some of the Kings laudable Actions who never yet had any other consideration then his VVill. Whilst the Dutchess was thus Toâ—menting her self the Marriage of her Son went on apace and being atlength Finish d the Dutchess of Chartres would needs pay her Duty to her Mother-in-law the Dutchess of Orleans Who receiv'd her but coldly and told her moreover with a great deal of Contempt that she could easily have dispenc with such a Visit and that so mean a Person as she must never think hereafter to nitrench upon her Retirement Very well might the Dutchess be concern'd at such a Compliment nevertheless some Days after telling it to her Husband he comforted her extreamly there upon and likewise endeavou'd to extenuate his Mothers Conduct But the Duke of Maine for his part was to grievously affronted at the Duchesse 's Haughty Carriage as well in regard to himself as his Sister that it was a great while after before he would be wrought upon to go to Court Altho' his Highness the Duke of Maine was now Marry'd he could yet never get the Incomparable Camilla out of his Head It was easy for him to have frequent access to her Madam Maintenon her Governess being the principal Confident of his Amours Moreover before the King pich't upon her for his Mistress this Lady was likewise Governess to Mademoiselle de Tours and de Nantes his Highness's Sisters as also to the Count of Tolouse his Brother all which reasons were more then sufficient to engage the Superiour of St. Cir to his side who entertains in her Breast even to this Dâ—y both his Pleasures and Disgusts It was necessary for a Prince so Gallant and Misterious as his most Serene Highness to have a Consident Discreet and Intriguing as the Sage Maintenon This Lady therefore perceiving how tenderly he Lov'd the Young Camilla and that it was impossible for her to disengage him after having endeavour'd by a great many Arguments to convince him of his Conjugal Tie at length resolv'd to afford him secretly the sight of this charming Creature Hereupon St. Cir was destin'd for the Rendevous where he afterwards often Surfeited upon inconceivable Delights One Day as he was at Dinner with his Dutchess the Freak took him all of a sudden to go to St. Cir whereupon this Princess ask'd him seriously what Pleasure he could find in that place Ah! Madam reply'd the Prince the charms I there meet with are a ravishing Innocence and a most intrancing Tranquility insomuch that I cannot forbear approving the Scituation of that House which is much more fine and Singular then those either of the Jnvalides or Academies of Gentlemen over and above which we may there like wise see a great number of fine young Ladies whom the King has plac'd under the conduct of a Person of eminent Virtue so that this noble Retreat may
be when we have well Din'd before This thought of the Dukes made every body Laugh likewise and all thereupon were of Opinion that there were false Moralls in the World as also of different kinds don't ye know continu'd the Duke that those Thieves who do not kill have one kind of Morality and such Women as cannot Cuckold their Husbands another Both these pretend an Obligation to 'em for not driving things to Extremity so that almost every body has a Morality according to his own Fancie I likewise am resolv'd to have one of my Choosing and intend Faithfully to obey the Dictates it Inspires You have had one a good while my Lord reply'd the Duchess which has fill'd your Head top full of generous Notions and Madam quoth the Duke interrupting her being unwilling to enter into particulars of his Conduct with his Wife nothing confirms Friend ship more than a lasting Conversation and t is therefore that when I was a Boy having an Extraordinary Kindness for the fair Cephisa the amiable Object will never be root'd out of my mind What a malicious Creature art thou Prince quoth the Duke of Bourbon clapping him on the Shoulder to endeavour to make my Sister believe thou couldst have a greater respect for any other than her who Loves thee so dearly Prince reply'd the Duke angrily If I had but thought I should ever have been a slave to a Woman I would never have been Marry'd but as it is let my Wife Pursue her Inclinations and I 'll follow mine He had no sooner spoke this but he instantly left the Company with out so much as a Word more Ah! cry'd the Prince of Conde dissembling his Displeasure see here is a Prince rash and Violent but who nevertheless being Young there is some hopes of his reforming All the company agreed with his Highness and afterwards taking a Turn or two in the Garden plac'd themselves in a green Arbour which might better be call'd a little Isle being surrounded by a small Stream which fell thence into a green turfed Bason causing an agreable Murmure but which nevertheless did not interupt the Conversation a whit Every body except the Dutchess of Maine was affected with this pleasant Retirement but she Melancholy and Heavy soon return'd to her Apartment I must needs be very unhappy said she sighing to one of her Confidentes to have a Person of the Duke of Maine's humour to my Husband who 't is plain will never fail to follow the Footsteps of his Father Lewis the Great and his Mother Madam Montespan who is the most Voluptuous and Libidinous Woman in the World and if I had but minded my Grand-Father the deceas'd Prince of Conde who had a most distinguishing Head and could foresee things at the greatest distance I had never consented to this Mariage which is like to give me so much trouble and Vexation Madam answered the Confident a great deal of Care must be taken in the Choice of what one Pitches upon and likewise to know why we prefer one thing to another that we may be able to give an Account when requir'd If any body blame your choice whose fault is it Your illustrious Spouse perhaps pleas'd you without knowing whether the esteem your profess'd for him was well grounded or not we must know how to limit the bounds of our Passion and Admiration without suffering it to transport us beyond Reason Thou sayst true my dear Marchioness reply'd the Dutchess I did not examine far enough into the Duke's Temper before I suffer'd my self to be overcome by his Wit Address and a certain foolish wanton Air which we Women are not able to withstand And lastly into his false pretended Love which nevertheless he swore a Thousand times to be sincere and without Ceasing Ah Madam answer'd the Confident these are the ordinary means that render our well meaning bubbled by the Treachery and Perjury of Men who never fail to deceive us whenever it comes into their Power No doubt your Highness has shew'd but too much Fondness and Kindness to my Lord Duke There would have been less danger in giving some Innocent Proofs of your Passion to a Lover who for Family Reasons could not marry than to shew so much Love to a Husband I have experienced what I assert to my loss and therefore I hope may be the better Credited I own Madam reply'd the Dutchess that Marriage seems to me a Rock design'd to Ship wrack Humane Felicity as likewise that 't is my Opinion Love ought only to be a Sojourner with us during our Infancy and that we would do well only to marry Fools or great Lords to keep up our Families But to enter the Matrimonial Noose with design either to meet with Happiness or Content is an extream Folly True Madam answer'd the Marchioness All the Attendants of Hymen are vain Hopes and tedious Disappointments and that to be truly Happy in this World the best way were to turn Philosopher that is to enjoy the present take no Care for the future and to make Indifference and Quiet our chief Favourites These Lessons reply'd the Dutchess Mournfully were admirable for those that could Practice 'em but on the contrary How many do we Daily see in the World who make a thousand Resolutions never to marry Yet by a fatal Lot most opposite to their Intentions Course the Bridal-God about like Mad People till by that Ignis fatuus they are led through Brakes and Briers into the very Whirlpool of all Misery Madam reply'd the Lady don 't your Highness know which is the best Path to follow in this Labyrinth you should never suffer your self to be Guided by Passion but altogether by Reason and Interest But answer'd the Dutchess What shall they then do that Love has the greatest Power over Constraint you know is an inexpressible Torment I grant you that reply'd the Lady but where their Misfortune is so great as to favour a Man before they have marry'd him he will not fail afterwards to believe that they can have the same kindness for any Body else When we design to take any Man to our Arms we ought only to acquaint him with our esteem for his Merit and conceal the Love we have for his Person Will a Man think you Madam interposed the Count of Tolouse walking up to 'em be content with such Indifference I have Over-heard continu'd he part of your Conversation I cant tell that Sir reply'd the Lady Smiling Men I grant you must be made alittle much of otherwise they 'l scon desert Nevertheless continu'd he In case of Husbands it must needs be a grievous Misfortune to an honest Man to dote upon a Woman whose slame is wholy Extinguish'd But for my part I declare my self an utter Enemy to Marriage and my reason is because the last Mistress I had play'd me false when I afterwards observing in her Eyes that she had a mind to come on again I thank'd her kindly for her Love and sung