been in the King's Power to take Advantage of any favourable Juncture if he cou'd not have dispatch'd his Orders without summoning a Meeting of the Chambers The Ease and Interest of the People on which these Innovations were pretended to be grounded was a meer frivolous pretext and never were they so miserably oppress'd as in those unhappy Times These were the convincing Reasons that Colbert urg'd to his Majesty and in complyance with which that Monarch laid aside the usual Custom of keeping his Seat of Justice in the Parliament and of sending the Princes with his Edicts to the Chamber of Accounts and the Court of Aids And besides he sav'd 100000 Livres which he must have given to the Duke of Orleans and 50000 to the Prince of Condé All the Edicts pass'd without dispute And the Parliament was afterwards humbl'd to such a degree that Colbert contented himself with sending the Edicts to that Assembly by one of the Conmmissaries of his Nephew Desmarets And by this means the Rates of Offices in that Company fell so low that they are now sold for 70000 Livres About the same time a stop was put to the Prosecution of the Farmers and an Amnesty was granted 'em by an Edict in December 1665 on condition they shou'd pay the Summs at which they were assess'd But all these important Affairs of State cou'd not make Colbert forget the embellishment of Versailles The Architecture was already brought to perfection there was nothing wanting to compleat that vast Design but suitable Furniture and the Ornaments of the inside and these he resolv'd to make the Object of his next Care He settl'd a Manufactory at the Gobelins and committed the Management of it to le Brun as the only fit Person for such an Employment That place was already famous for dying of Scarlet the Water of the River of Gobelins being endu'd with a peculiar quality to brighten the Colour and give it that shining Lustre which dazzles the Eye of the Beholder There Colbert order'd Tapestry-Hangings to be made for the King's use after le Brun's Designs And in the same place he employ'd Artists about Inlaid Stone-Work of such exquisite and costly contrivance that a square Foot of it amounted to above 1000 Crowns Only precious Stones were made use of in this Work and some of 'em were cut so small that 't was almost impossible to discern 'em before they were put in their proper Places This kind of Work is very tedious by reason of the hardness of the Materials and it requires several Years to finish one Square There he also caus'd those vast pieces of Goldsmith's-Work to be made that were since carry'd to Versailles such as Tables Stands Pitchers Bathing-Tubs Boxes for Orange-Trees and Candlesticks which were equally admirable for their Largeness and the Curiousness of the Sculpture In the same place there was a Gondola built for the Canal of Versailles and all the Ornaments were wrought for the great Gallery The Pilasters Cornices and generally all the parts of the Architecture and the Body of the Work is of Lapis Lazuli garnish'd with Ornaments of Brass gilt according to Mansard's Design The great Pannels between the Pilasters are full of large Looking-Glasses the Junctures of which are hid by Branches of Ornaments and Grotesque Figures spread over the Glasses with so artful a Negligence that twenty of the largest of 'em seem to be only one Piece The difficulty of bringing those large Glasses from Venice made Colbert set up a Glass-House in the Fauxburg of St. Anthony which he committed to the inspection of Ranchin Secretary of the Council of Finances Pecquot Clerk of the Council of Casualties and Poquelain Thither the rough and unwrought Glasses are brought from Normandy and there they are polish'd and sold There also the Quicksilver is laid on those that are design'd for Looking-Glasses which are less chargeable and some of 'em much larger than those that are brought from Venice tho' they are not so fine At the same time he settl'd a Manufactory of French Point to lessen the excessive chargeableness of the Point of Venice and Genoa the price of which was risen so high that one pair of 〈…〉 was sold for 7000 Livres The Count of Marsan youngest Son of the Count of Harcourt having sent to Brussels for Mademoiselle du Mont his Nurse with her four Daughters Petronille Manque Lisbette and Janeton She intreated that Prince for a Reward of the Care she had taken of him during his Infancy to obtain a Privilege for her to set up a Manufactory of French Point at Paris The Count spoke to Colbert in her favour who liking the Proposal settl'd her in the Fauxburg of St. Anthony and gave her one of the King 's Hundred Switzers to guard her Door Immediately she apply'd her self to the prosecution of her Project and gather'd together above two hundred Young-Women among whom were several Daughters of Persons of Quality by whose assistance she made such fine Work that the Venice-Point was generally slighted The Manufactory was afterwards remov'd to St. Saviours-street and at last to Chaumont-House near St. Denis's-Gate Mademoiselle du Mont having marry'd her eldest Daughter to a Norman call'd Marsan went to Portugal with Manque and Lisbette and left the charge of her Manufactory to Mademoiselle de Marsan But as all Modes and Fashions are subject to frequent changes in France People grew weary of this sort of Point both because of the difficulty of blanching it for they were forc'd to raise the Embroidery at each Washing and because its thickness made it seem less becoming on the Face There was Spanish Point made with little Flowers which being very fine was esteem'd more graceful by the Ladies And at last the Mechlin-Lace coming in fashion that Manufactory was entirely laid aside Tho' Colbert had no reason to doubt of his Master's Favour he thought fit to secure his Fortune by powerful Alliances On the 2d of February 1667 he marry'd his Daughter Joan Mary Teresa to Charles Honoré d' Albert Duke de Chevreuse Peer of France Knight of the King's Orders Count of Montfort Baron of Chars Lord of Marigni Maran c. and Captain-Lieutenant of his Majesty's Light-Horse The Duke de Chevreuse is the Son of Lewis Charles Albert Duke de Luines Marquess d' Albert Count de Tours Baron of Rochecorbon and Samblancey Knight of the King's Orders and Colonel of the Regiment of Auvergne who after the death of his first Wife Louise Mary Seguier the only Daughter of Lewis Seguier Marquiss d'O which happen'd on the 14th of September 1651 took for his second Wife in the Year 1661 Ann de Rohan Daughter of Hercules de Rohan Duke of Montbason and of Mary d' Avaugour his second Wife Charles Marquiss d' Albert Grandfather of the Duke de Chevreuse Favorite of Lewis XIII and Constable of France procur'd the Baronies of Luines Rochecorbon and Samblancey to be erected into a Dutchy and Peerage by the Title
Interest of Europe With Historical and Political Reflections on the ancient and present State of that Kingdom By the Famous Monsieur Vassor The Roman History from the Building of the City to the perfect Settlement of the Empire by Augustus Caesar Containing the Space of 727 Years Design'd as well for the Understanding of the Roman Authors as the Roman Affairs By Laurence Echard A. M. of Christ-College in Cambridge A New Voyage to Italy With a Description of the Chief Towns Churches Tombs Libraries Palaces Statues and Antiquities of that Country Together with useful Instructions for those who shall travel thither By Maximilian Misson Gent. Done into English and adorn'd with Figures In two Volumes 8vo Now in the Press and will be speedily Publish'd A New Voyage to the Levant Containing an Account of the most Remarkable Curiosities in Germany France Italy Malta and Turkey With Historical Observations relating to the present and ancient State of those Countries By the Sieur du Mont. Done into English and adorn'd with Figures The Compleat Horseman Discovering the surest Marks of the Beauty Goodness and Vices of Horses and describing the Signs and Causes of their Diseases and the True Method both of their Preservation and Cure With Reflections on the Regular and Preposterous Use of Bleeding and Purging Together with the Art of Shooing and a Description of several Kinds of Shooes adapted to the various Defects of Bad Feet and for the Preservation of those that are good and the Best Method of Breeding Colts with Directions to be observ'd in Backing 'em and Making their Mouths c. By the Sieur de Solleysell one of the Heads of the Royal Academy at Paris The Eighth Edition Review'd and methodically Augmented Done into English and Adorn'd with Figures Folio THE LIFE OF John Baptist Colbert Minister and Secretary of STATE THere is something so singular and surprizing both in the Quickness of Monsieur Colbert's Advancement and the Grandeur of his Fortune that After-Ages will hardly be induc'd to give Credit to that part of our Modern History if they be not inform'd by what Steps and Methods he rais'd himself to so high a Degree of Power He was of a middle Stature rather Lean than Fat his Hair was black and so thin that he was oblig'd to begin very soon to make use of a Cap. His Mien was low and dejected he had a gloomy Air and stern Aspect He spoke little and would never return a present Answer till he had first receiv'd a particular account in Writing of what was propos'd to him He manag'd Business with unweary'd Application and a surprizing Exactness the Clearness of his Judgment enabl'd him to expedite all sorts of Affairs speedily and without Confusion He was of a slow Conception but spoke judiciously of every thing after he had fully comprehended it He was a Lover of Learning tho' he never apply'd himself to the Study of it He was a great Pretender to Probity but tho' he endeavour'd to perswade the World that he neglected his own Interest and seem'd resolv'd to owe his Riches merely to the King's Bounty he scrupl'd not to fill his Coffers by indirect Methods He affected a great deal of Moderation in the beginning of his Ministery but assoon as he saw his Fortune secur'd by great Offices and powerful Alliances he gave a full Career to his vast Designs and spar'd nothing to advance his Glory tho' he manag'd his private Affairs with a great deal of Frugality He sacrific'd Honour Integrity Gratitude and every thing else to the Interests of his Ambition The Hardness and Inflexibility of his Temper was altogether insupportable He beheld without concern the Misery of an infinite number of Families whom he had ruin'd to enrich his Master's Treasury But though he never employ'd his Power for the good of others it must be acknowledg'd that he never shed the Blood of his Enemies He was crafty and subtil His outward Behaviour was modest accompanied with a great deal of seeming Plainness and Simplicity He lov'd and was acquainted with ingenious Arts He slept little and was sober Though he was naturally sowre and morose he knew how to act the part of a Lover in the Company of those Ladies who had touch'd his Heart but he always treated 'em in publick with his accustom'd Gravity that he might not be thought capable of suffering himself to be govern'd by the fair Sex He was the Son of Nicholas Colbert Sieur de Vandieres and of Mary Pussort and was born at Rheims in Champaigne in November 1625. His Grand-father was a Wine-Merchant and his Father at first follow'd the same Occupation but afterwards he traded in Cloth and last of all in Silk Our future Minister was very young when his Father sent him to Paris to be instructed in the Arts of Merchandizing From thence he went to Lyons but falling out with his Master return'd to Paris where he was first Clerk to a Notary and then to Biterne Attorney of the Chastelet whom he left to serve Sabathier Treasurer of the Money rais'd by the Sale of Offices in the Quality of a Commissary or Deputy In the Year 1648. his Kinsman John Baptist Colbert Lord of S. Poüange preferr'd him to the Service of Michael le Tellier Secretary of State whose Sister he had marry'd and the Youth was quickly taken notice of for his Diligence and Exactness in executing all the Commissions that were entrusted to his Care One day his Master sent him to Cardinal Mazarin with a Letter written by the Queen-Mother and order'd him to bring back the Letter after that Minister had seen it Colbert arriving at Sedan where the Cardinal then was presented the Queen's Letter to him with another from le Tellier to his Eminency and returning the next day for an Answer he receiv'd only a seal'd Packet but not seeing the Queen's Letter he ask'd the Cardinal for it who told him that all was in the Packet and bid him return to his Master The wary Messenger not satisfi'd with that Answer broke up the Seal in the Cardinal's Presence who being surpriz'd at his Boldness chid him for his Sawciness and snatch'd the Packet out of his hand Colbert not in the least daunted with so rough a Treatment reply'd That he believ'd his Eminency had entrusted the Care of closing the Packet to one of his Secretaries who probably had forgotten to put in the Queen's Letter The Cardinal pretending Business put him off till the next Day but at last after several Delays and Denials seeing him always at the Closet-Door he restor'd the Letter which Colbert view'd very attentively to see whether it was the same he deliver'd and went away without seeming to take notice of the Cardinal's Anger who ask'd him whether he thought him capable of so much Baseness as to counterfeit a Paper Some time after the Cardinal returning to Court and wanting one to write his Agenda or Memorandums desir'd le Tellier to furnish him with a fit
Desmarets the Intendant's Brother was made Agent of the French Clergy with the Abbot of Bezons a Preferment that is usually a Step to a Bishoprick James Nicholas Colbert the Minister's second Son Licentiate of the Sorbon Abbot of Bec and Prior of la Charité was the same Year receiv'd into the French Academy in the room of Esprit and in the presence of several Persons of Note Anthony Martin Colbert his third Son who follow'd Arms was admitted Knight of Malta very young tho' 't is plain by the Account of his Descent in the begining of this Work that he cou'd produce but very slender Proofs of his Nobility but his Father's Grandeur supply'd that Defect and his Proofs were receiv'd without a rigorous Examination Some time after he obtain'd the Commandery of Boncourt and was afterwards made Colonel of the Regiment of Champaign On the 12th of February 1679 Mary Ann Colbert the Minister's youngest Daughter was marry'd at St. Germain en Laye to Lewis de Rochechoüart Duke of Mortemar and Peer of France who had obtain'd a Right of Survivorship to the Office of General of the Galleys and was the Son of Lewis Victor de Rochechoüart Duke of Vivone Peer and Mareschal of France and Governour of Champaign and Brie and of Antoinette Louise de Mesmes Daughter of Henry de Mesmes Lord of Roissy second President in the Parliament of Paris and of Mary de la Vallée-Fossez Marchioness of Everly Abbot Colbert was receiv'd Doctor of the Sorbonne in the following April and the Ceremony of giving him the Cap was perform'd by Francis de Harlay de Chanvalon Archbishop of Paris The Treaty of Nimmeghen having put an end to the War Colbert gave Orders to du Mets Keeper of the Royal Treasury to repay the Summs that were lent in 1674 by the Officers of the Civil Government to his Majesty for supplying the necessities of the State and those who were unwilling to receive their Reimbursements had Rents assign'd ' em The Archbishop of Paris perceiving that Colbert's Power and Favour with his Master encreas'd daily took occasion to oblige him in the Person of his Nephew the Abbot Desmarets on whom he bestow'd a Canonship of Nôtre-Dame vacant by the Death of the Abbot Salo Counsellor in the Parliament of Paris Charles Colbert at his return from Nimmeghen took possession of his Office of President à Mortier in the Parliament of Paris in September 1679. The Marquiss de Seignelay having had only one Daughter who died in her Infancy of his first Wife Mary Margaret Marchioness of Alegre was marry'd a second time on the sixth of the same Month to Catharin Teresa de Matignon Daughter of Henry Count of Thorigny his Majesty's Lieutenant-General in Normandy and of Frances de Luthumieres On the 11th Colbert carry'd all the Company that were present at his Son's Marriage to Sceaux and regal'd 'em with a magnificent Treat The Family of Matignon is one of the most ancient Houses in Normandy and the Count of Thorigny can reckon five or six Knights of the Order among his Ancestors since the time of Maréchal de Matignon who was one of the greatest Men of his Age. His Mother Eleonora of Orleans was a Princess of the House of Longueville and Daughter of Mary or Margaret de Bourbon Henry IV's Aunt The Marquiss de Seignelay after a short stay with his Bride took Post for Marseilles where he arriv'd on the 25th of the same Month and having visited the Arsenal took a Review of eight Galleys that were ready to depart after which he proceeded on his Journey to Dauphiné stopping at Toulon and some other Places where his Presence was necessary and having seen the above-mention'd Guns of a new Invention at St. Servais above St. Marcellin on the Banks of the Isere he return'd to Paris by the way of Lyons During his abode at Toulon he order'd two Companies of one hundred Men each by the name of Soldiers Guardians of the Ships to be levy'd under the command of the Captain of the Port and of the Chevalier de Levy Aid-Major of his Majesty's Naval Forces The last of these Officers rais'd his Company of one hundred chosen Men who had serv'd in the Marine consisting of twenty five Sergeants as many Corporals and fifty private Centinels all neatly cloath'd At the same time the President Colbert took Journey for Munich to treat of the Dauphin's Marriage with the Princess of Bavaria Assoon as he had concluded the Match he sent an Account of his Negotiation to his Brother who receiv'd it before that which was directed to his Majesty came to the Hands of Pompone Secretary of State who was gone into the Country where he had order'd some Buildings to be erected Colbert went immediately to Compliment the King on the happy success of the Treaty who was extreamly surpriz'd that he had not the first notice of it and when Pompone came afterwards to give him an Account of it his Majesty told him that he might return home since he was so full of Business and that in the mean time he would take care to put another into his Place who wou'd be more diligent in the performance of his Duty 'T is thought this Affair was concerted between the two Brothers and that a Courier was dispatch'd to Colbert before there was one sent to Pompone to lay a Snare for that Minister that his Disgrace might be a step to the Advancement of the President 's Fortune However 't is certain that Colbert obtain'd the vacant Place for his Brother and perform'd the Duties of it during his Absence There was no need of this new Accession to that vast Load of Business he was oblig'd to sustain for his Mind was so fatigu'd with such a multiplicity of Cares that notwithstanding his accustom'd Gravity he chose rather to commit an Action that was equally inconsistent with his Dignity and the Rules of Civility than to bear the importunity of a Lady of great Quality who was one Day urging him to do her a Piece of Service which he judg'd to be impracticable The Lady perceiving his Inflexibility threw her self at his Feet in the Hall of Audience in the presence of above one hundred Persons and bursting forth into Tears cry'd out I beg Your Grandeur in the Name of God to grant me this Favour And he kneeling down over-against her reply'd in the same mournful Tone I conjure You Madam in the Name of God not to disturb me Francis de Roxel de Medavy de Grancey Archbishop of Roüen having demanded a Coadjutor to assist him in the Government of his Diocess Colbert obtain'd of the King the Nomination to that Dignity for his Son the Abbot And while that Prelate was expecting his Bulls from Rome his Brother-in-Law the Duke of Mortemar began his Travels to Italy with a resolution to visit all the Courts in that Countrey He began with that of Savoy and from thence passing to Parma and Modena he went to Bologna