design pleas'd the King and Father la haise was order'd to write a Letter to Conâ—â—ance congratulating his Conversion and withall to send him a Prayer Book â—ichly bound Good God! how was Constance over joyâ—d when he saw himself prevented and sought to by a Great King He answer'd the Kings kindness with all the marks of Protection that he was able to afford the French and besides that he wrote to his Majesty to â—ffer him his most humble Service proâ—esting withall that he should be always â—ady to undertake any thing in order â—hereunto He did the same to M. la Chaise with whom he engaâ—d himself â—â—om that time forward to hold a most â—â—timate Correspondence and to shew â—im that he intended to be as good as â—is word he insinuated the Jesuits into â—â—e Kings favour by means of the Maâ—â—ematicks which won him to that degree that he suffer'd 'em to Convert his Subjects in his very Court and more then that he bid 'em not be out of hopes of Converting himself And upon these hopes it was that Father Couplet a Dutchman born was sent into France with two men who styl'd themselves Mandarins to hear what was become of their Ambassadors tho the King of Siam never dreamt of any such thing This was so concerted to tempt his Majesty to send an Embassy thither which no body could take an oceasion to comment upon or tax him from thence for having beg'd the Friendship and Alliance of the Indian Prince Father Couplet had long and frequent Conferences with la Chaise concerning this Enterprize and shew'd him the great advantages that would redound to the Society which could hope no less then to engross the greatest part of the Immense Wealth which lies in the Pagods of those Countries And as for his Majesty not to speak of the great Honour it would be to him to have procur'd the Conversion of a Kingdom so far distant he had all the probabilities imaginable to make himself Master of it in time if the King of Siam could be once perswaded to admit French Forces into his Country upon pretence of defending him against the Hollanders after they had once perswaded him that they were his mortal Enemies who only sought an occasion to poure themselves into his Country and compleat the Conquest of it the business of Bantam very much assisting 'em to make him give credit to their Story The Father added that this design would be so much the more easie to the King in regard the Indians being nothing near so well train'd in War as the Europians they could not make any formidable resistance unless they were first instructed and exerciz'd by the French who were perfectly skill'd in military Discipline But in regard the King was a Prince extremely Generous and who made renown the only mark of all his great designs it might be readily believâ—d that he would not be sparing of Commanders and Officers This said Father Couplet is the Posture of Affairs which seem to me to be in such a very good condition as not to be neglected For in short altho there be no great likelihood of subduing this Empire so soon yet the King will have always one great advantage by this means viz. to be a perpetual Thorn in the Hollanders sides and so settle a good Trade for his own Subiects However certain it is that if the King undertakes this business he will prove more successful then I dare promise to my self M. Constance may be safely rely'd upon for he is a man who is already at our beck and a few more Caâ—esses and Marks of Distinction from he King will bring him entirely to his Devotion â—â—ther la Chaise being thus convinc'd himself easily overrul'd the King who appointed the Chevalier de Chaumont for â—is Ambassador and gave him six Jesuits learned in the Mathematicks to accompany him Father la Chaise wrote also to Father Verbiest at Pâ—quin to recommend 'em to him and that Letter was made publick however there is no credit to be given to it for it was a counterfeit Peice to hide from the Eyes of the World their old Practises and designs In the mean time the Hollanders who suspected the worst engag'd Sultan Agni King of Bantam to refuse the French Ambassador all manner of Audience Relief or Harbour in his Ports and to send him Orders to depart his Roads so that he was constrain'd to continue his Voyage for Siam where he was well receiv'd and when he went away he left the foremention'd Chevalier de Fourbin whom the King desir'd to have for his Lord High Admiral and in the Presence of the Ambassador gave him a Magnificent Scimitar which is the Present which he makes to all his Generals At the same time he sent Ambassadors to our Monarch who were receiv'd with extraordinary Magnificence and who were carriâ—d over all the Conquer'd Countries to imprint in 'em a high Idea of France They concluded a Treaty of Alliance with his Majesty and carry'd away with 'em a great number of Officers and Souldiers of the Kings Guards for the King their Master who had but a very ill time of it For the then King of Siam coming to dye and his Successor not enduring to be a King only in shadow while the French who were Masters of all his most considerable places were the real and substantial Kings caus'd his Subjects to fall upon 'em pell mell and put em all to the Sword especially the Jesuits 'T is true some few of the French escap'd and fled to the Hollanders who were so generous as to Protect 'em tho but a little before they had been with their Men of War to attack Paramaribo with a design to have made themselves Masters of Surinam from whence however they were repulsâ—d and forc'd to retire with loss Thus unfortunately ended the business of Siam which had been carriâ—d on by the Jesuits and undertaken by the Counsel and Advice of la Chaise which cost the King above three Millions and the Lives of above two thousand Men. Now then let us return to Europe again The King of England being resolv'd to abolish the Test and Penal Laws set forth a Declaration for Liberty of Consâ—ience and order'd the Archbishop of Canterbury and the rest of the Bishops to cause the said Declaration to be read in all Churches of their Diocesses at the end of Divine Service but the Bishops refusing to give obedience to the Kings Commands several of 'em who alleadgâ—d that it was contrary to the Laws of the Land and their own Consciences were sent to the Tower and orders given to proceed against 'em according to Law The King therefore finding he could not compass his ends this way took another course which was to send Commissioners all over England in order to perswade the people and Magistrates to admit of this new Imposition But they returning and declaring to the King the little inclination which they found in the People to so great a
I am Poyson'd So dy'd that poor Princess in the Twenty sixth Year of her Age and Fifteen Days over Now though they were not so Successful the first time to involve the King of England wholly in their Interests yet the Design was not given over To which purpose Father La Chaise propos'd to the King to make use of the Jesuits 'T is certain Sir said he that they are the fittest Persons in the World to manage both King Charles and his Brother the Duke of York For not to reck'n upon their being both Catholicks at the bottom of their Hearts in regar'd they have been bred up in our Religion Your Majesty knows that they are deeply oblig'd to the Society Had it not been for the Supplies of Money which they furnish'd 'em withal they had been in danger of making but a small Figure in the World Our Fathers of France alone by themselves allow'd him Twenty thousand Crowns a Year which there is little likelyhood will be ever re-pay'd ' em I speak this added he to let your Majesty know that a Jesuit will be no ominous sight to that Prince I believe it reply'd the King nor am I ignorant of the Kindnesses he has receiv'd from your Society So that there is good Reason to hope that he will do much upon their Sollicitations But with what an Eye d' you think will your Fathers be look'd upon in England Do you believe they will be safe there Never think it and if they should once come to be known there the Character of Agent or Envoy will never protect 'em from the Fury of the People I should rather choose to employ the Dutchess of Portsmouth who has hitherto serv'd me faithfully in several little Affairs that I have entrusted to her Management and I am persuaded she will be no less useful to me in great Ones She is very nimble and dexterous in Business and possesses altogether the very Heart and Soul of the King and frankly to tell you a Mistress has a Hunder'd Opportunities and Tricks to improve Perswasion which the most cunning Ministers can never meet with Sir reply'd La Chaise with a Smile your Majesty may speak knowingly in that particular I have nothing to object against it I am also convinc'd That the Dutchess of Portsmouth is now the only Person that can undertake this Affair with Success There needs no more then to instruct her well in your Majesty's Intentions and 't is only to that purpose that I have propos'd to send some of our People into that Country Very good reply'd the King I consent to it but whom shall we send Your Majesty answer'd La Chaise cannot make choice of a better Man then Father De Carnè He is near of Kin to the Dutchess and well-belov'd by the Duke of York and besides that he is one of the most Politick Head-pieces in our Order The King agreed to it and sent him away Fifteen Days after furnish'd with Three or Four Suits of Modish Apparel by way of Disguise So soon as he arriv'd at London he went to wait upon the Dutchess of Portsmouth who entertain'd him in a very courtly manner for above a Quarter of an Hour not knowing who he was However she bethought her self that she knew 〈◊〉 Face tho' after long tormenting her Brain she could not call to mind where she haâ— seen him or how she came acquainted with him so that at length she was constrain'd to ask his Name I find said the Father that Fortune and Grandeur have made you forget youâ— old Friends else you could never have banish'd poor Father Carnè so utterly from your Thoughts Is it possible cry'd the Dutchess that it should be you dear Cousin embracing him iâ— truth I beg your Pardon But good God what Business brings you hither D' you know the Danger you are in Should you once be discover'd by the Mobile there would be no way to save you Is your Zeal so warm as to embolden yee to come hither in search of Death with so much Gayety and Briskness I knew the time when you were more sparing of your Life The time past is not the present Madam answer'd he 'T is true that in my Youth I lov'd my Pleasures perhaps a little more than became a Person of my Coat but now I am become a Man that only seeks to serve God and his Prince and 't is upon that account only that I come hither 'T is from the King continu'd he that I come He expects from you an Important piece of Service and as I know you will be over-joy'd to have the Opportunity I shall not trouble you with long Remonstrances but only deliver his Letter into your Hands together with another from the Reverend Father La Chaise who has written to yee likewise and I am to give yee notice that you are beholding to him for the best part of the King's Resolutions to make choice of your self to serve him before his Embassador M. de Croissy the Lord Treasurer who is wholly at his Devotion and Twenty others who would have been glad to have given his Majesty Proofs of their Fidelity to him And so saying he presented the Letters to the Dutchess who open'd 'em immediately with a great deal of Earnestness The First of which from the King was as follows Madam Dutchess of Portsmouth THE sincere and true Affection which I bear the King of England my Brother and good Friend which I have endeavour'd to make known to him upon all Occasion having made me passionately desirous a long time since to join with him in a strict and lasting Alliance which uniting both our Empires in the Bond of Peace and Amity mighâ— enable us not only to repell the Assaults of our Enemies but also to repress their Boldness I sent to him Madam Henrietta Stuart our dear Sister of happy Memory to propound a Treaty which could not have been but very Advantageous to him But she found him so pre-possess'd by the Councils of certain Person about him who minding nothing but then voluptuous Pleasures would be at their Wâ—â— end to see him undertake any thing to his Honour that it was impossible to obtain any thing of him Nevertheless in regard I cannot without great Grief of Mind behold him under such a Lethargy so contrary to his Interest especially when the Hollanders out brave him to the highest Degree I thought it fit to write to your self requesting you to represent to him in my name how prejudicial such an excessive Love of his Repose will be to him a last the apparent Aim of the Hollanders being to establish their Commerce upon the Ruin of the Trade of England and to make themselves Masters of the Sea from which they do not think themselves far off since they already refuse to lore Sail to his Men of War and have violated the Laws of Nations in driving his Merchants from their settled Factories and Places of Trade Besides I cannot believe that he has
his Crown he begg'd her of the King of France and his Sister who could not deny him so small a Favour Presently the King sent a Yatch and a Frigate to Brest to bring her from thence into England Where her Wit and her Beauty and her medling with State-Affairs rais'd her a great number of Enemies some in the Parliament some among the People and others among the Court-Ladies among whom there were few that equall'd her in Beauty But for all this the Love which she had for the King or her own Good Fortune which was the most likely enabl'd her to surmount all these Difficulties with an extraordinary Courage The chief Maxim of her Politicks was to keep in with the Duke of York and side with France and by that means she so well order'd her Business that she held on a Ruling Favourite till the Death of King Charles II and should I say till the Advancement of King WILLIAM I should not tell an Untruth She is moderately Tall well-Shap'd having the Air Gate of a Queen She has the loveliest Mouth and Teeth in the world and her Smiles penetrate to the bottom of the Heart When she has a mind to be Complaisant she is altogether lovely but the mischief is that she will not be Complaisant to All. And this is that which has procur'd her such a world of Envy and Ill-will She has a Wit so piercing that 't is impossible to disguize any thing from her Her prevailing Passion or rather her Idol is Ambition to which she sacrifices her Repose her Pleasures her Honour and all things in the World Now in regard she pants after nothing but Honour and that for several Years she has made a Considerable Figure in the World she has assum'd such an Air of Grandeur and Business which she will never leave off as long as she lives There is no Woman living so Proud as this Woman but the last Revolution in England by which she lost above Fifty thousand Crowns a Year caus'd a great Alteration in her Affairs However she put a good Face upon the Matter in hopes the Times would change again or else that the King of France would give her a Considerable Pension for the Service she did him But that sort of Gratitude is no longer in Fashion the Partridge must be plum'd while you have her in your Hands for if once you let her go 't is in vain to expect she will ever return The Dutchess of Portsmouth is a fair Example of this She defy'd all England to serve her French King and Countrey and for that reason was thrown out of all Since that she has been reduc'd to that necessity as to sell her Coaches Horses Moveables and to turn off three fourth Parts of her Servants no body offering her so much as a Pension of a Thousand Pistoles So that when all her Hopes fail'd her and that there was no likelihood of King James's Return she sent her Son into England where he became a Protestant and marry'd the Lord Bellasis's Widow with whom he had a great Fortune By which means he is upon as sure Grounds as before and I think he has done very well But leaving this Digression the Dutchess of Portsmouth was so over-joy'd that she was become so necessarily Instrumental to the Designs of a Great Monarch that in the Evening she return'd this Answer to the King SIR THE Honour which Your Majesty do's me surpasses far my Hopes and my Ambition I shall have henceforward some good Opinion of my self since my King has not thought me unworthy to do him the utmost of my most humble Services upon an Occasion of so high Importance But I dare be bold to say That Your Majesty did me ample Justice when you thought that my Zeal and my Fâ—delity would be inviolable Though I am remov'd into a Foreign Countrey yet I have not forgot the Advantage I enjoy to be bâ—â—â— your Subject nor that my Mother my Brother and all my Relations are still in your Kingdom And lastly That I am beholding to you for my good Fortune since it was your Majesty your self that gave me to the King by whom I have the Honour to be belov'd Thâ—â— Love Sir however it may Charm me dis never as yet render me so Glorious as now that it has procur'd me the Means to be serviceable to your Majesty and that you wâ—â— find by my extraordinary Diligence in performing your Commands But in regard the King has not hitherto appear'd to me so we inclin'd I beg your Majesty to give me a little Time and to afford me Leisure to take my Opportunities 'T is certain That many good Designs are ruin'd by too much Precipitation that might have been brought to a good Conclusion by Temporising a little And I am apt to think Sir that this is a Design of the same nature Should I open the Business to the King at an unseasonable minute and he should absolutely forbid me never to speak of it more to him should I not fall into a Misfortune to be unprofitable to your Majesty Which would be a Grief past Consolation to me Not but that I believe he will be brought to Reason But your Majesty your self acknowledges That the deceas'd Madam of Glorious Memory fail'd in her Attempt And therefore if you please to give me leave I will proceed gently in this Affair which by the Blessing of God will have a happy Issue at least I will not be sparing of my Endeavours to bring it about I am with a most profound Respect SIR Your Majesty's most humble c. London Decemb. 14. 1670. Afterwards she wrote the following Letter to Father La Chaise Most Reverend Father NEver complain more of the slender Occasions which have made me take the liberty to beg Favours of you That which you have now done me in perswading his Majesty to honour me with his Commands is so great that I shall be oblig'd to you as long as I live And it would be a violent Trouble to me not to be able to discharge the Obligations you have laid upon me did I not know that 't is alway your desire I should be beholding to you upon that account I consent then since it must be so but know Most Reverend Father That if it were in my power to repay you as great Services as that which you have now done me by an extreme Acknowledgment or an earnest Desire to do my Utmost for them from wheâ— I have receiv'd 'em I should owe you nothing There is no need Most Reverend Father of proposing me magnificent Rewards to engage me to do my Duty in the Negotiation wherewith you have entrusted me You will faâ— by the exact Account which I shall give you of all my Proceedings that I shall leave nothing omitted to bring it to a good Issue upon no other Motive then my Obedience to the King and to do him faithful Service But in regard this Affair requires a
private that when the King her Husband came to his Vltimate determinations whether in favour of the Emperor or the King of France he should always be mindful of his Obligations to our great Monarch You may impart to Count Tekeli what I have wrote to you and present him my humble Respects This Letter discover'd some part of the Fathers Plots and underhand Practices and tho he stiffly deny'd that ever he wrote it which he might the more easily do because it was not sign'd nevertheless the Secretary imprudently confessâ—d that it came from him His importunitys in Poland were also understood and the knowledge of 'em contributed not a little to prevent the Effect For M. Zierowsky the Emperors Ambassador at that Court so lively represented to the King the injury it would be to his Honour and his Interest to assist the Conquests of the Infidels in Christendom which would indeed be no more then a preparing of Shackles for himself since it was very evident the most dangerous Neighbour he had in the World was the Turk that he enter'd into a strict Alliance with his Imperial Majesty He also hearken'd to the complaints of M. Zierowsky against the Sieur Vernay Baucault calling himself extraordinary Embassador at the Court of Poland and against several others who held intelligence with Tekeli and the Male-Contents and fomented the Rebellion in Hungary so that Vernay was Expellâ—d out of Poland after the Emperors Ambassador had shew'd the King and the Senate his Letters written to Count Tekeli and Fagel Governor of Cassovia with their Answers which were intercepted by the Castellane of Presmslia In the Mean time the Infidels having forc'd the Pass of Raab which they never stay'd to besiege no more then they did Comorra advanc'd with a formidable Army as far a Vienna which they besieg'd and strook terror into all the Countries round about At the same time also the King of France who was very much tempted to lay hold upon the occasion brought four Armies into the Field one in Flanders another in Alsatia a third upon the Saone and another upon the Saonr Which alarm'd no less this part of Europe then the Ottamons did the other And certainly these were no frivolous fears for to speak the Truth the King had laid aside all Scruples and had made a most terrible Invasion if la Chaise had not stop'd him And this was the only time that his Councils were favourable to Europe But we owe him no thanks for this Obligation for if he had thought he had done well he would never have done it He advis'd the King not to enter by force of Arms into a Country which he might subdue when he pleas'd by bare perswasion That all the Princes of the Empire were generally in such a Consternation that if he did but send any person of Wit and Reputation to act among 'em 't was certain they would call him in themselves of their own accord and that he might reckon himself sure of the Elector of Cologne who without question possess'd the fairest Countries upon the Rhine And as for the rest it would be no hard matter to gain ' em But Sir said he should not this way succeed your Majesty will be always in a Condition to make use of your Power The King believ'd him and recall'd his Armies Presently the Furstembergs were written to in order to this Affair who faild not to do their utmost more especially William Bishop of Strasburgh a Creature so devoted to the King that he had not a person in all his Kingdom so much his purchas'd Slave as he A person who will afford us ample matter of discourse in the following Sheets and therefore it will not be amiss that the Reader should have a little taste of his character before hand He is a German by Birth of a Noble and Antient Family which has done the Emperors great Services at several different times for which they have receiv'd considerable advantages and were advanc'd to the Highest Dignities in the Empire The Emperor now Reigning rais'd this very Person to be a Prince of the Empire in his Youth and besides that bestow'd upon him and his Brothers several fair Fiefs of the Empire as well in the Circles of Austria as elsewhere But the Accumulation of so many Favours could not make him ere the more Greatful to his Benefactors he quitted his Party and went into France where the King who had his desire receiv'd him very nobly gave him a Pension of six thousand Crowns a Year and made him Collonel of a Regiment which he commanded several Years All this while his Brother was in the Service of the Elector of Cologne whose Prime Minister he was and whom Prince William gain'd over to the King in such a manner that while he liv'd he was no ill wisher to his side The War of 72 being broke out they began to talk of Peace as soon as it was begun and the next Year there was a Congress at Cologne of Plenipotentiaries from all the Princes of Europe Prince William was nominated for the Elector of Cologne but the Imperialists would not acknowledge him and which was worse he was seiz'd and carri'd to Vienna as a Rebel to his Prince and guilty of High Treason against him This mannner of proceeding which the King pretended was against the Law of Nations put an end to all the Negotiations and broke up the Assembly Tho the Court of France were very much afraid least the Prince of Furstenburgh would have been very severely proceeded against whether it were that the Emperor fear'd thereby to render the King irreconcileable or that he thought he had a pledge in his hands that would facilitate a Peace when he pleasâ—d himself I shall not dispute but however it were he only kept him Prisoner When the War was at an end he was releas'd and the King observing that as great a Bustler and as much a Boutefeu as he was he was no Soldier caus'd him to exchange his Sword for a Breviary and made him Bishop of Strasburgh Nor did his kindness for him bound it self there for he nominated him to a Cardinalship and put the Bonnet himself upon his Head in Jan. 87 and the next year causâ—d him to be elected Coadjutor to the Archbishop of Cologne which was done the 7th of Jan. by eight a Clock in the Morning But to return to the matter in hand he was employ'd during the Conjuncture of the Siege of Vienna to perswade the Princes of the Empire to have recourse to the King but his employing a suspected person was not the way to succeed he was too well known and it was enough for a proposition to come from him to render it suspitious So that all his jaunting to and fro signifi'd nothing but only to give the King of Poland leisure to joyn the Duke of Lorrain and Relieve Vienna into which they enter'd triumphant after the defeat of the Infidels of whom they made a most
bring this to pass he sought to strengthen himself by uniting Interests with those that were in Favour At that time the Count of Lausun was the Man that shin'd in greatest Lustre at the Court He was a Gentleman of that sort that there are not Ten thousand such in the Kingdom who had not above Six thousand a Year paternal Estate But Fortune was so favourable to him the from so small a Pittance he rose in a little time to the Pinacle of Honour He was Captain of the Guards of the Body Collonel-General of Dragoons and a Favourite exclusive He has a great deal of Wit and speaks with the greatest Grace in the World Moreover He is a Person of Worth and fit for great Enterprizes which he goes through with an extraordinary Prowess The History of Him and Mademoiselle whom he marry'd privately in despite of the King and several other Passages are Testimonials of this and if we would one Day afford the World the Memorials of his Life they would find therein many thing rare and singular But his chiefest Excellency lay in Courtship wherein he gave way neither to Bassompierre nor St. Aignan All the Ladies of the Court lov'd him and some in a very particular manner However La Valliere was not of that Number and in regard she lov'd the King to the Heighth of Delicacy and Niceness the least Kindness which he shew'd to any other Person whatever was a great Vexation to her The Love which he had for the Count of Lausun among others made her Mad. You love him a Hundred times better then you do me said she You hardly allow me your Company above Three or Four Hours in â— Day whereas you cannot live a Moment without him He never stirs from your side he is your Shadow Prithee my little lovely Creature reply'd the King what would'st thou have me to do Would'st have me drive him out of my Company when he comes to wait upon me Not so said La Valliere I would only have yee not be always leaning upon his Shoulder that he should not be perpetually whispering in your Ear and that Lausun should not be the only Person that always never said or did any thing but what was curious and brave One Day the King having lay'd himself upon the Bed â—n her Chamber and the Count discoursing to him by the Bed-side his Majesty had a mind to say something privately to him and to that purpose pull'd the Count by the Perriwig to bring his Head closer to his own that he might whisper in his Ear but the Discourse â—asted so long that the Count was constrain'd to fall all along upon the Bed by the King La Valliere coming in that â—ick of time to shew the Countess of Grancey a very curious Chrystal Looking-Glass Glass and finding Lausun in that familiâ—… Posture with the King was so terribly mad at it that she could not forbear 〈◊〉 shew it Truly Sir said she you aâ—… wonderful bold Who gave yâ—… leave to lye upon my Bed These 〈◊〉 very strange pieces of Impertinencies and therefore without any Complements pray withdraw On the otheâ—side the Count instead of giving hâ—… any Answer only smil'd and turning toward the King Your Majesty said he softly in his Ear must needs be very much pleas'd to see the full Extent of her Jealousie and so looking upon La Valliâ—… with an insulting Air and something 〈◊〉 Contempt in his Face he put her quiâ—… beside all Patience so that she fell upon him like a Mad-woman pull'd him 〈◊〉 the Perriwig tore his Cravat and gaâ—… him several Cornubs with her Fist The Count who never expected such a Tempest endeavour'd to get clear of it 〈◊〉 But I know not whether he would have found it so easie a thing had not the King and Madam De Grancey reliev'd him After that she fell a weeping and upbraiding the King with the little Love he had for her You take my Enemy's part said she and I find too well that I am unfortunate who after â— have sacrific'd all to your Majesty â—m to expect no other then to be â—he May-game of the Court But I shall take a care to prevent that continued â—he and since you have betray'd me in 〈◊〉 manner so unworthy of a great Monarch I will betake my self to a Nunâ—ery there to bewail all the remainder of my Life a Love from whence I promis'd my self so many sweet Satisfactions which now however renders me most miserable In a word she press'd her Grief so home that the King was forc'd to give Lausun a smart Reprimand and make him ask her Pardon and all that was little enough too to appease her This Falling-out did not a little perplex Father La Chaise who knew not well how to manage these Two Spirits so opposite one to the other Chiefly La Valliere who would admit of no Friends that took both sides and to whom he was particularly bound for his Preferment so that he could not in Policy desert her for fear of making known his Ingratitude to the King Thereupon he took her part altogether and having over-rul'd his own Judgment to join with Leuvois all Three united their Interests and agreed unanimously together to 〈◊〉 move from all Offices and managemâ—â—â— of publick Affairs all Persons that shoâ— be suspected in common or whoever 〈◊〉 were that either of 'em hated La Vâ—â—liere requir'd That Madame might 〈◊〉 sacrific'd to her Louvois and La Châ— resolv'd the ruin of the Prince 〈◊〉 all Three join'd together against Lauâ—â—â— whose Favour was an Eye-sore both 〈◊〉 the one and the other and for 〈◊〉 more security of the Triumvirate theâ— resolv'd to keep it Secret with all the 〈◊〉 imaginable The Prince who knew nothing of 〈◊〉 League and besides was none of the mâ— politick Flatterers or Dissemblers maâ— times vex'd La Chaise with some peâ— Mortifications which incens'd him 〈◊〉 much the more But that which maâ— him absolutely irreconcilable was thâ—â— same bloody Piece call'd The Impostâ— which Moliere brought upon the Stagâ— The Prince order'd him to make a Câ—medy wherein he represented the Câ—â—fessor so naturally to the Life that yâ— could not fail to know him for which the Prince promis'd him a Reward 〈◊〉 Two thousand Pistoles Nevertheless that famous Comedian who foresaw thâ— Consequence of the Thing altho' he set forth his Morals and his Genius to â—he Life yet forbore to personate his Figure The Prince therefore was not so fully satisfi'd with the Piece he would have had it spoken out more clearly and complain'd of it to Moliere who justify'd himself by giving the Prince to understand That besides that he should have expos'd himself to manifest Danger he could not find Players that would undertake to act it and so he should have â—ost the Play without being able to give his Highness that Satisfaction which he requir'd of him Thereupon the Prince resuming calmer Thoughts and having again perus'd it found that Moliere spoke nothing
altogether forgot these zealous Sentiments which I have formerly observ'd in him for the Catholick Religion and the Re-establishment of it in England which would be one of the most Glorious and Christian-like Designs that ever were set on Foot In the first place therefore the Pride of the Hollanders must be humbl'd and they themselves disablâ—d from being in a Condition to embroil their Neighbour Kingdoms I see nothing of Difficulty in it that Republick has more of Pride then Strength So that if the King my Brother will but join with me I make no question of Conquest by God's Assistance I flatter my self that he will do me so much Justice as to believe that 't is not my own Interest which makes me thus Importunate He is concern'd at least as much as I to bring 'em down it being certain that while that Commonwealth subsists 〈◊〉 will never suffer any Alteration in England either as to the Government or in Religion and that the Parliament who are well assur'd of it will take all opportunities to set their Feet upon his Neck so that if he does not betimes prevent the Effects of their Independant and Republican Humour he will fâ— himself reduc'd to be no more then the first Gentleman in his Parliament 'T is with a great deal of Sorrow that 〈◊〉 foretell the King my Brother a Misfortâ— of this Nature However I shall have 〈◊〉 least this Satisfaction within my self thâ— I have neglected nothing to let him know it and hinder it from falling upon him As to what remains in regard his Parliament whose Aims are far remote from wheâ— they ought to be will never consent to a Weâ— that will be so ruinous to it and therefore wilâ— never give him Subsidies to maintain it I offer to supply him with all the Money and Ammunition which he shall stand in need of for the setting out of his Fleet. Besides all this that I have said to you Father Carnè will more fully inform you of our Intentions I make no question but you will make use of all the Credit which your Deserts have acquir'd in the good Thoughts of the King my Brother so that I never stopp'd in my Considerations about the choice which it behov'd me to make of the Person fit for this Negotiation Do me then if it lies in your power this Service which I promise my self from your Friendship and leave to me the Care of Acknowledgment God have you in his Keeping Madam Dutchess of Portsmouth Fontainbleau November the 18th 1670. La Chaise's Letter ran thus Madam YOU will understand by the King's Letter the Glorious Distinction which he makes between Your Self and so many Persons whose Devotion and Fidelity for him are Inviolable He relies upon you for a Negotiation upon the Success of which depends the Destiny of Europe A Great Princess was entrusted with the same before you and tho' the Pains she took prov'd Unsuccessful His Majesty has better Hopes in Yours He knows Madam how difficult a thing it will be to refrain from yielding to the Persuasions of a Person whose particular Privilege it is to prevail over all Hearts Besides We are easily enclin'd to believe Thâ—â— a Wit so piercing so solid so insinuating 〈◊〉 Yours will easily find a way to accomply what you undertake and so much the rather because upon this occasion His Majesty proposes nothing to the King of England 〈◊〉 what is for his great Advantage However it be Madam the King expect from you the most important Piece of Service that can be done him by a Subject since 〈◊〉 concerns the most dazling and most magnificent Act of conspicuously glittering Honour that a mighty Prince could ever aim at 〈◊〉 mean the universal Monarchy which it iâ— in your power to facilitate him or rathâ—â— which you will assure him if you prosper 〈◊〉 the Affair which he entrusts in your Hands Judge Madam what Blessings and whâ—â— Honours are reserv'd for You. Make iâ— therefore of all the Power which your Beauty and your rare Endowments have given yâ—â— over the Heart of a Monarch that loves aâ—â— doats upon you You can never do it upon 〈◊〉 juster occasion since it concerns the Honour of your Prince the extirpation of Heresie and the exaltation of our Mother the Holy Church I dare be bold to say That whatever Courses you take of what Nature soever they be will be extreamly meritorious before God provided you direct your Intentions right and will infallibly procure yee eternal Bliss You see Madam that all manner of Reasons both spiritual and temporal oblige yee to leave nothing unomitted and I engage to make the King take notice of the Zeal and Affection wherewith you shall be pleas'd to serve him in this Affair Moreover Madam be convinc'd of my most humble Respects and of the real desire I have to give you Proofs of my profound Esteem by all manner of Services Grant me the Favour to accept my unworthy Offers and by that means rid me of the Trouble which it would be to me to think that I am in vain and unprofitably Yours c. Fontainbleau November the 18th 1670. When this Letter came to my Hands could not forbear laughing at the pleasant Method which Father La Chaise preâ—crib'd the Dutchess to gain Paradise 〈◊〉 know no body but would easily purâ—ue it could they confide in the Father's Assurances or could they believe that the Morals of this worthy Casuist were true The Dutchess who has a world of Wit â—ould not choose but be sensible of it but in regard that every body loves 〈◊〉 flatter themselves she took but little notice of it Certain it is that withouâ— making the least semblance of it to Father Carnè who would by no means have relish'd the least Jesting upon this particular she testify'd an extraordinary Satisfaction for the Honour which the King had done her and promis'd him largely whether the thing were feasible or whether it would be to her Honour or no. This Dutchess of Portsmouth was thâ— Daughter of the Marquiss of Kerouel 〈◊〉 of the most considerable Gentlemen 〈◊〉 the Province of Bretaigne whose Anâ—â—stors possess'd a large Estate in Lanâ— But as there are few Families that staâ— for many Ages together this was also 〈◊〉 much sunk in Reputation and Authority But for all that the Marquis had 1500 good Livres a Year when he present his Daughter to serve the Princess Herietta Stuart 'T is true he ow'd as 〈◊〉 as he was worth but he liv'd ne'er a wiâ—â— the less at his Ease for all that it being â— natural to the Bretaigne Gentlemen nâ— to pay what they owe that 't is a commâ— Proverb among the People of the Couâ—trey What a Gentleman of Bretaigne a Pay his Debts But to return to the Dutchess of Portsmouth She was put to wait upon Madame as I said before where the King of England first saw her and lov'd her ever after So that when he came to be restor'd to
great deal of Precaution I think it the best way to proceed slowly and dexterously to lay hold of Time and Opportunity This is the Course that I have resolv'd to take till I receive new Orders London Decemb. 14. 1670. I am c. These Dispatches finish'd she sent away a Courier immediately giving him other Letters for the Pretence of his Journey but sow'd up her Answers with her own Hand within the Lining of his Coat under his Badge In the mean time she sounded every day the King's Inclinations to the Proposal she had made him and not finding him so averse as she thought he would have been she expected with Impatience an Opportunity to speak to him in plain English Nor was it long before she met with one for the King having demanded a Summ of Money of the Parlament which they would not grant him the King complain'd of this Refusal and told the Duke of Buckingham That they us'd him like a Boy whose Parents deny'd to give him Money for fear he should mis-spend it But this was nothing to an Affront which he receiv'd a few Days after There is a Custom at London which has been time out of mind and which tho' abusive and insolent is very much in use among the Vulgar Sort. This is a certain Liberty the People take to abuse all those that go by Water let their Condition or Quality be what it will not excepting the King and Queen themselves who are often forc'd to hear themselves miscall'd and abus'd without being able to help themselves But this is only in Sport and lasts no longer then they are upon the Water for as soon as they land those Injuries cease and every body has that Respect given 'em which belongs to ' em This is a thing so delightful to the English that many times the Court Ladies and Lords will go by Water in an Eveing to provoke the Water-men and Basket-people to call 'em all to naught and so return back again as content as Queens Now it happen'd one Evening that the King went in his Barge with the Dutchess of Portsmouth Presently the Canaille having espy'd her cry'd out A Whore A Whore and ask'd 'em whether they were coming from a Bawdy-house or going to one and whether they were not the Persons that they saw Dressing at such a Surgeons All this the King lik'd well enough But when they came to ask the King how much Money the Parlament had given him to build his Palace and where he intended to erect it whether at London or at Windsor with a thousand other Impertinencies of the same nature he could no longer contain his Passion Par-bleu said he Would any but an unhappy King as I am endure these Insolencies I could find in my heart to put 'em all to the Sword Then the Dutchess put in seasonably and told him That he was not to exert his Anger against those pitiful Scoundrels but against the Parlament that were the Occasion of all this and who visibly went about to keep him under Pupillage She repeated the same thing to him when she came home At what time the King answer'd her That 't was true and that he began to be sensible of it and that he would take another Course He told her farther That he intended to Dissolve the Parlament and Call another that should better understand their Duty Sir said the Dutchess Your Majesty seems not to have rightly consider'd the Greatness of the Evil since you go about to apply such Feeble Remedies All England of which the Parlament makes but one part is animated with the same Spirit that will prevail no less in another Parlament when you have Call'd it then in this But you must go to the Bottom of the Mischief and pull it up by the Root otherwise you do nothing Afterwards she laid it before him That so long as the Parlament found themselves supported by the Hollanders they would be still playing the Masters more and more till they had confin'd his Authority within such narrow Bounds that when he would it should not be in his power to help himself The King who was then in the lucky Minute of Perswasion jump'd with the Dutchess in her Sentiments and told her He was very much afraid it would come to that at length and that he was very sorry he did not heark'n to the Proposals that were made him by the King of France Certain it is answer'd the Dutchess that he is the Prince of the World whose Alliance would be most advantagious for your Majesty He loves you and is much concern'd for your Honour He is Potent and the only Prince in a Condition to bring down and sink the Hollanders into Perdition upon whom you are to look as the only Obstacles of your Majesty's Grandeur The King gave ear to the Dutchess in such a manner as to make her think that he was no way displeas'd with her Discourse So that the Dutchess after a great deal more to the same Tune and still finding he took all patiently told him at length That Father De Carnè who was arriv'd in the Kingdom in the Quality of a Missionary had declar'd to her That the King his Master was extreme sorry that his Majesty would not accept of his Alliance That he foresaw to his great Grief the unavoidable Mischiefs which this Refusal would draw upon him and that the said Father had Orders to engage her to speak of it to his Majesty but that for fear of Displeasing him she had always kept her self upon the Reserve though with a great deal of Reluctancy because she knew the thing to be of great Importance Upon that the King interrupting her ask'd her where the Father was telling her withal That he should be glad to see him The next day she sent for him and the King discours'd with him a long while She also presented him to the Duke of York who made very much of him and promis'd to do his Utmost with the King So that in short the Dutchess of Portsmouth had leave to write to the King That his Majesty was enclin'd to negotiate with him a firm and good Alliance so soon as he should send any Person to that purpose And the Treaty was concluded in the Lodgings belonging to the Dutchess of Portsmouth who had the greatest share in it The Conditions were That the King of France should defray the Expences of the Fleet of which an Accompt should be drawn up and pay down Four millions before-hand That for defraying the other Expences the King of England should begin the War by setting upon the Smyrna Fleet Homeward-bound by which he would be a Gainer several Millions and that at the same time the King of France should enter Holland at the Head of 100000 Men. The Project was put in Execution Point by Point and the Hollanders seeing the King was making great Preparations for the Sea and not doubting but it would be against them for that in
Popes as Kings Pope Leo X. and Francis I. made an Agreement together That the Nomination to Benefices and the disposal of the Revenues during their Vacancy should belong to the Crown and that all Lapses Anticipations and the Right of Admitting Resignations should be in the Power of the Pope so that to speak the naked Truth they shar'd between 'em the Spoils of the poor Church of God This in short is the Original and Extent of this Prerogative which went no farther then the Lands and Provinces that were under the French Dominion at the time of the Agreement For since that time several have fall'n to the Crown that were not subject to it no more then are certain Congregations as that of St. Maur St. Francis St. Dominic c. The General Council of Lion also has made a Decision upon this Point and being desirous to prevent Abuses that might follow forbad the Introducing the Regale into such Churches where it was not in use And the Liberties of those Churches have been since acknowledg'd and confirm'd by several Ordinances Decrees and Declarations of Philip the Fair Philip de Valeis Lewis XII Henry IV. and Lewis XIII which are preserv'd in the Chamber of Accompts in Paris However in regard it is one of the most beautiful Flowers of the Crown Cardinal Richlieu who was the First who laid the Foundation of that Grandeur to which it is now arriv'd comprehended among the rest of his Projects the Extending it over all the Monarchy In short in the Year 1637. he began to set a-foot by the King's Counsel the general Contest about the Regale at what time there was a Decree of the 6th of October Ordaining all Bishops and Archbishops that pretended to be exempt from the Right of the Regale to send to the Registry of the Council the Titles upon which they claim'd their Privilege and which granted a surceasing of Processes su'd out or to be su'd forth upon that Occasion The Syndics of the Provinces of Languedoc Guienne Provence and Dauphinate presently obey'd the Order Protesting Nevertheless That by that Proceeding they did not go about to prejudice the Liberties of those Provinces which were not oblig'd to produce any Evidences provided they were not the Evidences of Privileges or Immunities granted by their Kings but of Liberties and Franchises more ancient then the Monarchy it self in Possession of which their Ancestors came under the French Dominion only that what they did was to shew their ready Obedience and Respect to his Majesty This Affair tho' it was not altogether neglected yet lay in a manner dormant till the Year 1673. that Father La Chaise the Author of all the Misfortunes of Christendom put it into the King's Head to move this Stone under which there lay a most venemous Serpent But in regard this Matchiavilist understands that the most certain way to please Princes is to procure 'em temporal Advantages he never minds at what rate they are to be purchas'd Besides he was afraid least the War wherein he had engag'd his Majesty should Miscarry and therefore sought which way to render himself necessary to the King upon some other Score thereby to prevent the Disgrace that threaten'd him At this time it was then that the King finish'd the general Claim by a Decree in Fbruary Importing That the King declar'd the Right of the Regale to be Inalienable and without the compass of Prescription and to belong universally to him in all the Bishopricks and Archbishopricks of his Kingdom Territories and Countries under his Obedience those only excepted which are exempt by Titre Onereux that is to say by being lyable to particular Duties and charges of Fines Annuities c. In pursuance of which His Majesty Ordains That the Bishops and Archbishops shall be bound in Two Months from the Day that they take their Oaths of Fidelity to take out Letters Pattents of Discharge and to Register 'em in the Chamber of Accompts of Paris and that they who have taken their Oaths of Fidelity before and have not obtain'd their Letters Pattents of Discharge shall be bound to take 'em out and Register 'em within Two Months in the said Chamber of Accompts after which and for defect of yielding Obedience within that time their Benefices subject to the Right of the Regale and dependant upon Royal Collations shall be declar'd void and subject to a new Grant by virtue of the Regale And by another Declaration in the same Month of February the King in order to the Execution of the preceding Decree Authorises a Roll containing a Regulation of the Fees which shall be pay'd into the Chamber of Accompts by the Archbishops and Bishops of the Provinces of Languedoc Dauphinate Guienne and Province for the Registring the Letters of Discharge which they shall be bound to take forth This Declaration which was procur'd by the pernicious Counsells of the Confessor was the Apple of Discord which divided all the Clergy of France and the Pandora's Box out of which have flown all the Mischiefs that have over-whelm'd in a manner all Europe for near these Twenty Years A Work truly worthy the Author of it and which he looks upon without question with the same Eye as Nero formerly beheld the Flame which he himself had kindl'd to consume the City of Rome The greatest part of the Court-Prelates and Bishops People devoted to Ambition and their Pleasures obey'd without Murmuring and having obtain'd their Pattents of Release which they were order'd to take out caus'd 'em to be Register'd with their Oaths of Fidelity But others and among the rest the Bishops of Cahors Aleth and Pamiers greatly signaliz'd themselves in refusing to submit considering that their Submission would be a tacit Consent to the King's Pretensions or rather of his Ministers who were altogether unjust Thereupon the Court sent to every one of those Bishops certain Ecclesiasticks preferr'd by virtue of the Regale to some Benefices in their Cathedrals which were possess'd by others in Canonical Possession for several Years by lawful Titles and upon the refusal of the Chapters to admit 'em order'd 'em to be install'd by force These manifest Intrusions oblig'd those worthy Prelates the Latter of which Two was 70 Years of Age and had been Bishops the one 38 the other 34 Years during which time they had render'd themselves venerable for their Exemplary Piety and a Residence in their Diocesses so assiduous that they were never seen to appear at Court these Intrusions I say enforc'd those Prelates to issue forth Ordinances against the newly preserr'd and after that to write several reitterated Letters to the King Cardinal Bonsi and the Archbishop of Paris They also wrote to the Assembly of the Clergy which met in 1675. but there was no Favour to be shewn 'em and the Clergy rejected their Complaints not vouchsafing so much as to take Cognizance of the Affair Nor was it possible they should expect any other in regard the Archbishop of Paris whose
means to become more considerable in the Kingdom than he was already that it behov'd him to remember the trouble he had put him to during his Minority when his designs made such a noise that the Queen Mother was constrain'd to seize his Person and with what Animosity from his Enlargment in 1651 to 1659 he had made War against his Majesty who was forc'd by Treaty to receive him tho without advancing him to those high Places and Dignities which he had before that if at that time he thought it good Policy to keep him in a midling Condition to prevent him from attempting any thing to his prejudice the same reasons obliged his Majesty to look more narrowly after him That the Prince's Vexation and Discontents were visible and that maugre all the care which he took to conceal it he could not forbear to display his dissatisfactions upon several occasions by comparing his present condition with what he had been formerly So that his Majesty had all the reason in the world to be assur'd that his Great Heart and his Ambition importun'd him without ceasing to extraordinary Attempts and that all things being well consider'd he was the only Prince in a condition to oppose if not to stop the Career of his Majesties Glorious Designs that he ought to consider seriously the incumbrances he would meet with if the Prince should go about to Head the Huguenots of his Kingdom and at the same time make an Alliance with Holland that would not only be able to stop his Progress but also to introduce the Enemy into the Heart of his Kingdom and then the least mischief that could befall him would be to make an ignominious Peace and restore the Huguenots their Antient Privileges All these Reasons being urg'd by la Chaise and seconded by Louvois made the King resolve to confer no more Employments upon the Prince who on the other side perceiving the suspitions which the Court had of him and how he was lookt upon with an evil Eye retir'd to his Palace of Chantilli where he was in hopes to live and dye quietly without pretending any more to publick business But it was ordain'd that his Generosity and his great Heart should always be the cause of his misfortune For about the end of the year 1683 being inform'd by M. Montauzier of a Cruel Order which la Chaise had obtain'd of the King and which he was preparing to put in excution he could not endure such Barbarities without declaring his Mind Thereupon he went to the Court and throwing himself at the Kings Fleet laid before him how great a stain such a foul Action would be to his Honour that he himself had several times oblig'd himself by promise never to make use of Violent Courses and sanguinary Ways but tho he had never engag'd his Royal Word yet that the Interest of his Honour and his Fame were sufficient to divert him from so black an Eterprize and so misbecoming a most Christian King as that was that there were other ways for his Majesty to reduce the Protestants that they were already in so low a condition that they were not able to make Head against him and if the worst came to the worst he might banish 'em out of his Kingdom These Remonstrances of the Prince wrought so effectually upon the King that he revok'd his Order and la Chaise was disappointed But his Animosity upon this redoubling he made use of this occasion to let the King understand that the reason why the Prince of Conde oppos'd with so much heat the destruction of the Huguenots was only because it would utterly ruin those designs which he was meditating to put into their Heads and the Cunning Priest made use of several kindnesses which afterwards the Prince desir'd in favour of the Huguenots to render him odious to the King and cast him absolutely but of his Favour wherein he succeeded but too well it being certain that after that the King could hardly endure to see him 1686. At length this Great Prince dy'd the 16th of December 1686 at Fontain Bleau whither he went to see his Grandaughter the Dutchess of Bourbon who lay sick of the Small Pox and many People were of Opinion that the Jesuits did not a little contribute to hasten his Death He wrote a very Pathetick Letter to the King wherein he exprest his sorrow for having born Arms against his Majesty protesting withal that since his return he had never had any other than Sentiments of Respect and Affection for his Person and Fidelity to his Service whatever suspitions had been infus'd into him to the contrary as in regard he had been in part the cause of the Prince of Conti's misfortune he begg'd his pardon with an extraordinary submission in that Letter assuring the King that the Prince was as good and faithful a Subject as his Majesty could wish or desire adding withal that Father la Chaisè knew well what he said to be truth if he would vouchsafe to testifie the Truth Cardinal Camus also had incurr'd the Confessors displeasure much upon the same account and for the same Reason as the Prince He wrote to the King a Letter wherein he lai'd it before him that it was neither for his Honour nor did it become his Justice to use violent means that for his part he could not approve of 'em and therefore besought his Majesty not to take it amiss if within his own Diocess he qualifi'd and soften'd such boistrous proceedings as much as lay in his Power At which the King being provok'd wrote a threatning Letter to the Intendant of the Diocess against the Cardinal with orders to shew it him There upon the Cardinal wrote to the Intendant that Famous Letter wherein he proves that Rigorous and Bloody means are not to be made use of to reduce People to the Religion they have forsaken and that there is no other way to deal with the Conscience but by perswasion Our Jesuit therefore who is a sworn Enemy to all those who concur not blindly with his designs incens'd the King against him withal his might and obtain'd a Warrant also to send him to the Bastile which was revok'd soon after at the intercession of the Duke of Montauzier However afterwards this worthy Prelate was haunted with a thousand vexations tho the only person that we have in France that lives a life so exemplary and so like a true Bishop He was formerly a Courtier and one that had very far engag'd himself in vanity and a luxurious Life but at length retiring from the world leading a very Vertuous and Pious Life the King made him Bishop of Grenoble For which when he went to return thanks to his Majesty he took his leave of him for all his Life after where upon the King demanding the Reason why he bid him so long a farwell he answer'd that residence was of Divine Right and that he thought himself oblig'd to reside in his Diocess as he had
resolv'd to do till death After he came to be a Bishop he liv'd altogether upon Pulse and gave himself entirely up to all the care Functions of a Charitable Pastor Preaching himself to his people visiting the Poor the Widows and the Orphans whom he always reliev'd to the utmost of his power Such eminent Vertues and so rate a Piety produc'd him the Cardinals Cap and the particular affection of Innocent XI And this was that which rendred la Chaise so irreconcileable to him that he could not expect from him for the future any other then the utmost of mischief that he could do him 'T is impossible to speak of all things at once so that I had like to have omitted one of the blackest Circumstances of la Chaise's Life which was very injurious to Christendom and therefore I must be forcâ—d to run backward for some years All the world knows how the King fell upon Strasburgh by means of the Correspondence which he held with the new Burgomasters under pretence that that City was the Capital City of Alsatia and belong'd to him as a Dependance of that Province which was surrendred to him by the Peace of Munster The Emperor and all the Princes of Germany highly complain'd of this Breach which together with the Blocking up of Luxemburgh and detaining the Castle of Dinant which was to have been restor'd to the Prince of Liege were causes more than sufficient to renew the War with which they threaten'd him in Conjunction with Spain Expedients were propos'd in Council to prevent all this and it was de Louvois's advice to make an Alliance with the Turk the Truce between whom and the Emperor was ready to expire and who would be able to make a Powerful Diversion with never so little Assistance With all that it was necessary to engage the K. of Poland in the same League who had been beholding to France for his Crown to which purpose he should be tempted with the Conquest of Silesu that lay so convenient for him M. de Boncherat and M. Montausier were of a Contrary Opinion and laid before his Majesty that besides the stain it would be to his Honour it would be to call in an Enemy that would not be so easie to be driven out again whereas it was easie to dissipate this appearance of a League by raising the Blockade of Luxemburgh and letting his pretentions to the County of Alost sleep a while Which would suffice without doubt to oblige those Princes patiently to suffer the taking of Strasburgh But the Marquis of Louvois still insisted that an Alliance with the Turk was the only way to keep all the Princes of Germany in in awe who would be glad that his Majesty would grant 'em Peace which he might or might not do as he saw his Advantages But that he had great probability of a much better Progress it being certain that if the Turks got the upper hand and that the King of Poland acted his part the Princes of the Empire would of their own accord be forc'd to call his Majesty to their assistance and perhaps would be easily persuaded to declare him Emperor or at least the Crown of the King of the Romans could not fail the Dauphin Upon this there was at that time nothing concluded the King delaying the matter till he had consulted his Council of Conscience or rather his Confessor with whom he is infatuated for he hearkens to him as an Oracle The Father assur'd him that he might not only do it with a safe Conscience bâ—â— promis'd to set so many Engins at work that the thing should be successfully brought about And indeed it was by his instigation that the Jesuits of Vienna perswaded the Emperor to torment the Protestants of Hungary more then ever that so they might be provok'd to revolt and furnish'd Court Tekeli with means to support himself who unless that Persecution had been redoubl'd would have run the hazard of being abandon'd by his own Party He was also suppli'd from France with what money he wanted And Father la Chaise it was that recommended to the K. the person who was most of all employ'd by him in that Negotiation one Rouvrai of Normandy a new Catholick and allurâ—d with a good Pension He was a Man of Wit and bold even to daringness And as he had occasion several times to pass to and fro through Vienna he perform'd the Office of a Spie to observe what past in that Court not at all terrifi'd with the accident at that time newly befallen the Secretary of M. Seppeville the French Agent That Secretary was another Spie who convey'd many a French Letter to Count Tekeli and gave an account to both Parties of what past in Vienna by the assistance of one Bohan a French Officer in the Service of the Count and who for a long time drove the same trade with Rouvrai But the Secretary was surpiz'd in this dangerous Calling and put in Prison from whence he had never got out again safe and sound had not the King so soon as he heard of it seiz'd upon Count Mansfield the Emperors Ambassador at Paris by way of Reprisal When this Secretary was taken there was found in his Pocket a Letter which la Chaise had written to Rouvrai and which was seen by all that were then at the Court of Vienna of which that which follows is a Copy SIR I Have spoken to the King very earnestly about what you wrote in your last that Count Tekeli wants Money for the payment of his Men and moreover that he desires to be well supported from Turky without which he cannot long subsist As to the first you may assure his Excellency that the difficulty of finding a way to return the Money has been the only reason that the King's Promises have been hitherto delay'd But I spoke to an Armenian about two days since who has promis'd to pay him a hundred thousand Livres in two Months and M. Colbert has orders the said sum to be paid him within a Week As to the other point the Kings Ambassador at the Port makes us believe 't will not be long now before he comes to a conclusion He has wrote to his Majesty that there only are wanting two Millions of ready Money three thousand Muskets and a duty of five per Cent. upon all Merchandise that shall be Exported or Imported under French Colours Which are obstruction which will not be insisted upon As to what remains his Excellency may be sure of all the Service that M. de Nointel can do him who has the Kings order for so doing and besides that was an intimate friend of Count Tekeli's Father deceas'd and Count Serini this he told me positively in one of his Letters I have also thus much more good Neâ—â— to tell you that the King of Poland he requir'd time to give an Answer to whâ—â— the Marquis of Vitry propos'd to hiâ— in his Majesties Name but that the Queen told him in
Paris to put in an Appeal to a future Council in reference to what the Pope had acted and this was done Jan. 22. 1688. But this Appeal how injurious soever it were to the Holy See was nothing in comparison of the Decree that was given ouâ— the next day and the famous Plea that accompaniâ—d it to which I refer the Reader being too long to be here inserted tho it were a piece that was hammerd in la Chaises Shop to whom the King gave order to consult the drawing it up with M. Talon under whose name it appear'd T is true that Talon drew up the first draught of it and shew'd it to the King but Father la Chase who was present and read it to his Majesty told him that the Writing was excellently well penn'd but that it was not smart enough neither did it sufficiently set forth his Majesties causes of complaint against the Pope and that it was of great Importance to shew to all the World and to Posterity the Partialy and Passion of the Holy Father upon that occasion Thereupon the King bid 'em meet both together in the afternoon and to add or alter what they thought proper This order very much displeas'd M. Talon who could not digest it that a Priest should be put upon him to teach him his Trade and two days after he testifi'd his resentment to Villeroy to whom he said in express terms that tho every body should meddle with his Trade the Cows would be never a whit the better kept for all that However he obey'd without saying a word and all that day they labour'd about that famous declamation which has made such a noise and which is only stuft with threats of a National Council which would impower the Bishops to Consecrate one another if the Pope refus'd to do it and to Excommunicate his Holiness himself if he went about to thunder out his Excommunications Si Excommunicatus veniret Excommuicatus abiret There was nothing discours'd of but Passion desire of Domineering Vsurpations of the Court of Rome The Holy Father was contemn'd and slighted as a man of a weak and shallow Pate not able to bear the burthen of Affairs and sometimes they call'd him declar'd favorour and Protector of the Quietists and Jansenists In short they Curst and Anathamatiz'd him in express terms A Curse and Anathema says the Writing on all those who either through Interest or Capricio trouble the correspondency that is to be between the Priesthood and the Royalty who seem to have no other Prospect but to raise Schism in the Church and with fatal Divisions to disturb the Peace of all Europe which has been procur'd by the Wisdom of our Invincible Monarch That which was more to be wonder'd at was that Lavardin caus'd both the Plea and the Decree to be fix'd upon the Doors of the Vatican The Pope surpriz'd at such an act of daring presumption as that forbid all the Churches to admit the Priests who had officiated in the Parish of St. Lewis And one poor Almoner belonging to the Ambassador having taken a walk imprudently toward the Vatican was seiz'd upon and clapt into the Inquisition for having audaciously adventur'd to say Mass in the Ambassadors Chapel In the mean time in France the King order'd the Bishops to send for the Superiors of the Convents in their Dioâ—â—sses and to forbid em under rigorous Penalties to suffer any one of their Monks to write or teach any thing contrary to the Rights of his Majesty or the differences between him and the Pope The Archbishop of Paris among the Rest zealous as he always uses to be for the Kings Interest put this Order exactly in execution He chose to that purpose for his Official one Cheron a man learned and fit for business whom he sent to all the Conventual Houses to let 'em know the Kings intentions And indeed the Generality of the Ecclesiasticks as well Monks as others surrender'd themselves to that blind obedience that was expected Only some three or four Doctors of the Sorbonne and some Capuchins and Dominicans took the Popes part but they were reduc'd to reason by a Privy Signet Letter that sent 'em to make a noise above a hunderâ—d Leagues off upon which all the rest lay'd their Fingers upon their Mouths The Pope inform'd of all this would not make use of his Ecclesiastical Thunders for fear of exposing 'em to the derision of a Prince that little regarded 'em but rather desiring to find out some expedient for an accommodation he order'd Cardinal de Estree to be acquainted that he would willingly hearken to him in reference to the Differences which he had with the Most Christian King The Cardinal answer'd the Pope that he was infinitely oblig'd to his Holiness for his particular goodness toward him and that he was at his wits end to see that he could not correspon'd with it the King his Master having ty'd up his hands in this Affair and forbid him to meddle with it so long as his Ambassador was at Rome An answer so dry and sapless did not however extinguish his Holinesse's desire to contribute all that lay in his power toward an Amicable conclusion of this Contest and touch'd with the misfortunes which his Excommunication would bring upon Christendom through the King of Frances obstinacy which he had made appear by so many publick Acts he resolv'd to take it off By this means St. Lewis's Church became fâ—ee to all the world and as well Italians as French resorted to it This manner of procedure was lookt upon as a great Weakness in the Holy Father and a most inexcusable want of Courage after such a Stiffness as the Pope had shew'd but if we rightly consider things we shall find that the Pope never did a more prudent Act nor more charitable or more becoming the Vicar of Christ He knew those spiritual Weapons so terrible to all the truly faithful were not put into his hands but only to reduce under obedience such as obstinately stray'd from the Truth and to prevent others through a holy fear from following their Example For these reasons therefore he thought it behov'd him to make use of 'em upon this occasion piously perswaded that Corruption and Error were not got up to that high degree in France as to be in sensible of such Celestial Chastisements But when he saw they had not that success which he expected rather quite the Contrary that his proceeding in that manner how just so ever it were had exasperated the minds of men against him that all the Clergy was ready to revolt and that he had all the reason in the world to be afraid of a Schism in the Church he relented on a sudden to stop the Torrent of Perdition He never consulted Flesh or Blood but without any regard to what all the World could say of him upon such a Relaxation he thought it his duty to sacrifice a vain point of Honour to the Glory of
Lady of her condition was not to be so rudely dealt with and that assuredly the least mischief that could befall her House would be this that she would dishonour the Convent by some Foppish Trick or other to prevent which the best way would be to marry her privately and send her to her Mother till the Duke could be brought to hear reason which he would undertake himself to do After which he propos'd the Marquiss of Richlieu which the Abbes at first did not think a suitable match nevertheless she submitted to his Reasons What do you find a miss in the Marquiss said he is he not descended from a Wedlock equal to that of the Duke of Mazarin It may be he is not so rich but good Cousin be pleas'd to consider that the Riches of this World are but Vanities â—nd when the eternal salvation of a â—oul is the thing in question as it is â—ow the case of Mademoiselle de Mazarin we are not in the least to insist upon Wealth Thus the business was concluded between the Father and the Abbes and the Bishop of St. Malo's was in the Plot. For that Bishop who has actually a Wife and Children living many times busies himself with other matters besides saying his Breviary and was one of the Principal Actors in that Comedy Thereâ—pon the Marquiss of Richlieâ— was presenâ—ed to the fair Lady and the marriage discours'd of at the same time 'T is true likewise at first his Meeâ— and his want of Wit did somewhat disrelish her but at length she rather chose to accept him than to live all her days in a Cloyster Presently she was marriâ—d in the Convent it self and the Prelate before mention'd perform'd the Ceremony Which done they procur'd a Man's Habit for the new Marchioness and in that dress she went into her Husbands Coach They drove directly to Cours la Rheme where they found one of the Bishops travalling Coacheâ— ready which carry'd 'em to St Deâ— where they took laid Horses rode Poâ— to Callies and thence got over intâ— England But some scrupulous persons that would have an Author give 'em an account of every thing he sees will ask me perhaps how Father la Chaise came to intrigue himself so far in this Affair I can say nothing as to that unless it were perchance out of his Affection for Madam de Mazarin who was his Patron and his Benefactors Neice It might be also that the fifty thousand Livres which the Marquis of Richlieu charg'd upon the Banker Grusle for his Brother M. la Chaise might contribute something toward the matter For he knew not well other wise how to raise the money which he was to pay for Captain of the Guards of the Gate which he had purchas'd of the Marquiss of St. Vaâ—ier for four hundred thousand Livers which was a cheap penny worth considering it had been sold for five hunder'd However 't was too much for a Begger as he was to raise and if beside the fifty thousand Livres the Confessor had not made a shift to sell some Benefices in hugger mugger he had never had as now he has the Keys of the Louvre in his Custody But let us leave these trifles and proceed to Affairs of greater consequence About this time Monsieur Sebret Envoy Extraordinary to Siam return'd home and with him came Father Tachart a Jesuit Ambassador from the New Convert to his Holiness and his Most Christian Majesty He was accompani'd by eight Mandarins who attended him as his Gentlemen This Father brought to the King the Ratification of the Treaty of Alliance made with the King of Siam by virtue of which that Prince surrender'd into his hands several Places of great Importance The Chevalier Fourbin return'd also in the same Vessel whose too great favour had render'd him odious to M. Constance who was afraid of being thrown out of the Saddle by him and therefore could no longer suffer him in Place So that Fourbin was forc'd to give way to the strongest and be gone But this giving way did not satisfie the others Ambitious and Revengeful spirit He wrote therefore to Father la Chaise upon this Subject complaining highly of Fourbin calling him Braggadochio and Boutefeu who setting a high value upon himself yet having a very small Fortune was more like to spoyle then accomodate Affairs However fearing he should not be believ'd upon his word and that his Majesty should resent the ill usage of the Chevalier he engag'd Father de Fontenay Superiour of the House of Siam to write in the same stile wherein he serv'd Constance so well that the poor Chevalier tho Nepew to the Bishop of Beauvais was glad of a Fregate of twelve Guns after he had been Admiral of the Siam Seas More then this they seizâ—d all his Baggage in Britagn under pretence of goods that were lyable to pay Custom nor could he get 'em again without a great deal of trouble after they had been search'd and detain'd above six month But 't was no wonder they were so kind to the Sieur Constance in regard he was the Man to whom the King was beholding for all the Power which he has in Siam This Man was a Grecian by Birth born at Cephalonia an Island belonging to the Venetians of very mean extraction tho Father Trachart will have him to be the Son of the Governour wherein he is much deceivâ—d for I have been at Cephalonia my self and know his Family His name is Constance Queralcky and not Phancon as the same Father asserts or if he assum'd that name it was only the better to conceal himself Now in regard he was reduc'd so low as to beg Alms his Mother got him to be a Ship-Boy in an English Vessel where he was instructed in the Protestant Religion Afterwards he came to be a common Seaman and as such a one went to the East Indies where it was no difficult thing for a young fellow that had wit to get money with which he traded for himself and in process of time was Consul for the English By that means he became known at Court and particularly at that of the Baccalon or Prime Minister of Siam who at the end of his Consulship took him for his Secretary In that Employment he won the very heart of the Boccalon and he the Affection of the King by his Secretaries management so that offering to undertake an Ambassy at half the expence which the Moors requir'd he was sent and upon his return the Boccalon being dead he was preferr'd in his Room At that time it was that the Jesuits perceiving how useful he might be to 'em ceas'd not to haunt him till they had over rul'd him to quit the Protestant Religion which he abjur'd before Father Thomas and Father Maldonnar who immediately wrote to la Chaise joyntly with Father Verbiest and then propos'd to him the Project of settling the French in that Kingdom and by consequence the ruin of the Dutch Trade in that Country This
of having an Elector at his Devotion The second in obstinately insisting to have Furstenburgh made Bishop of Liege and refusing the Election of the Cardinal Bouillon to which the Chapter had so many times endeavourâ—d to gain his consent So that he could not forbear manifesting his displeasure against la Chaise by whose advice he had been guided more then by any other mans In so much that he told him in very harsh language that never any business that was manag'd by a Jesuit came to good And that it would be better for em to mind their Paedagoging in their Schools then to meddle with State Affairs After which he was above a month before he would so much as speak to him again so that the Father thought himself lost forever He came to Madam Maintenon all in an Alarum importunately beseeching her to speak to the King in his behalf who went about to make him answerable for the ill success of his Affiairs And yet Madam said he you can bear me witness that there is no man more purely zealous for his Majesty then my self and that for these twenty years I have labour'd day and night in his Service without taking any rest You know it Madam you have seen with your eyes the greatest part of what I have done Nevertheless as the reward of all my labours the King forsakes me quite forlorn and treats me as if I had betrayâ—d him and his Kingdom and all this because the business of Cardinal Furstenburgh wherein God knows I took a world of pains has not succeeded to his wish Tell me reply'd Madam Maintenon whatâ—s the reason you have thus engag'd him in a War the consequences of which are enough to be fear'd could you be ignorant that the advancement of Cardinal Furstenburgh to the Bishoprick of the Deceas'd Elector of Cologne might have secur'd us against the League of Auspurg which is now pouring down upon Us like a flight of Vultures For in short when once the Hollanders Arm it is a signal to all the rest Oh! Madam reply'd the Father they were well beaten in the preceding War tho England did not take our side what may we not then assure our selves now England and we are joyn'd together The King of England reply'd Madam de Maintenon has need of his Forces at home and believe me he is in no condition to succour his Neighbours Let it be never so little reply'd the Father it will be always something After all the King is in a condition to prevent his Enemies by a strong Invasion of the Rhine and by renewing his Alliance with the Turks will find 'em work enough But suppose nothing of all this were true or probable must I bear the blame of a misfortune which in good Policy could not be prevented I do not say so replyâ—d Madam Maintenon interupting him but that his Majesty ought to have regard to the integrity of your intentions and the services which you have done him and should restore you to his favour I promise you to do my utmost and I make no question but easily to bring it to pass for the King is a person of too much reason not to consider the Fatality of the Thing Never then torment your self so much but assure your self this storm will soon blow over You are not accustom'd to Disgraces No indeed Madam answerâ—d the Father and I must confess 't is a very hard case to see my self thus ill treated by a Prince to whose Interestâ—d have without the least scruple of Conscience sacrific'd the Church the Holy See my own Order and my self to â—oâ—t and so saying the Tears dropt froâ— his Eyes as big as Pearls such was his Greif and Anguish of mind But Madam de Mâ—iâ—â—â—â—â— spoke to the King in his behalf and within a few days he was admitted and his Oracular Counsel as much consulted as ever The K. sent to Rome the Sieur de Chauh to deliver a Letter to his Holiness touching the differences that were between 'em but the Pope refus'd to receive it so that Cardinal d' Estree was constrainâ—d to Print it In the mean while the King seizâ—d Avignon and threaten'd to enter Italy He also forbid Cardinal Ranonci to stir out of Paris and told him he should have the same usage as his Ambassador met with And in regard the King was afraid least the Pope should come to excommunicate him together with all the rest of his Subjects to prevent that blow he appeal'd to a future Council in reference to all whatever the Pope might do against him and confirm'd his Appeal by a Decree of Parlament In the mean time great Preparations were made for the War on every side The Hollanders more especially set forth a potent Fleet which gave great jealousie to the Kings of France and England who were both perswaded that these preparations concern'd Them Their Ambassadors therefore presented Memoirs to the States to represent their just suspitions upon their setting forth such a Fleet and at a season when others began to lay up their Ships and therefore they desir'd their High and Mightinesses to let 'em know to what end all these preparations tended The French Ambassador added that he made no question but that their Fleet was design'd against England but if it were his Master declarâ—d that the strict Alliance and Obligations that were between that Prince and Him would not permit him to suffer such an Innovation without succouring him with all his Forces of which he was willing to give 'em notice before it came to open War to the end they might not plead ignrance He told 'em more over that the King was resolvâ—d to uphold the Cardinal of Furstenburgh and the Chapter of Cologne in the full and free enjoyment of their Rights and Priviledges against all that should give 'em any disturbance And in regard he was inform'd of new motions and new Cabals to their prejudice he was no less desirous to let 'em understand his Sentiments in that particular This was the Declaration of the French Ambassador by which it may be seen that the King was not absolutely ignorant of the Hollanders design at least that his suspitions were conformable to the truth Nevertheless through a Fatality which I apprehend so much the less because it is not usual for that Prince to be guilty of such failings he heard the Thunder grumble and saw the Arm just lifted up to strike without taking any just measures to ward off the Blow and upon this occasion where there was no need of any more then following the Light of common Sence to guard himself from the danger that threaten'd him it seem'd as if he had been well pleasâ—d to have it fall upon him In short if instead of sending the Dauphin with an Army to the Rhine had he march'd directly to Mastricht or had enterâ—d Holland by the way of Bon of which the Cardinal of Furstenburgh was then Master as he did in the year 72 or
for a Jesuit But for obtaining it there was a necessity of the Popes Favour and he had justly provok'd him to be his Enemy and by that means he ruinâ—d all his Pretensions for otherwise I am apt to belieee he might at length have provâ—d successful in his attempt He being therefore rejected Father John Paul d' Oliva was elected in despight of the French who protested against him and gave advice of it to Father la Chaise promising withal to do whatever he could desire of 'em upon this occasion Thereupon the King sent an Order to all the French Jesuits to return into France to the end they might there unanimously joyn with others in the choice of a General of their own Nation which had no dependance upon the General elected Which Order was signifi'd to Father d' Oliva with a Protestation of the French Jesuits before they departed not to acknowledge for the future either themselves or their brethren of France any other superior than the Vicar General whom the King should appoint to govern the Company This division happening in the Society of Jesus made a great noise and no body question'd but there would be very suddainly two great Schisms in the Church the one General by a separation of the Gallican Church which threaten'd a National Council and other particular of the French Jesuits who were about to make a Body by themselves Nevertheless nothing of this fell out for as to the first every body knows the reason the Pope dy'd and his Successor proving a very good French man the French never scrupl'd to acknowlegde him And as to the second 't is an Affair that has something more of mistery in it Father la Chaise who was very near being nominated considering that this Preferment would signifie no great matter and would oblige him to quit his Place of Confessor to the King which was of more moment to him besides that he could not enjoy it without the Popes approbation who would never allow it but rather excommunicate 'em all that then he should be constrain'd to have recourse to Indulgence in quitting the Generalship and so between two Stools he should quite fall to the Ground These Reasons well weigh'd caus'd him to change his Battery and therefore resolv'd to make the honour of a forc'd acquital of his Interest redown'd to himself he told the King after he had prepossessâ—d him by thousand returns of submissive thanks and acknowledgments of his goodness in this Particular that having seriously consider'd the thing he found it would prove prejudicial to his Majesties Service because this Schism in the Order would divide his most considerable interests and for that they from whom his Majesty might expect considerable Services would no longer be engag'd Which he had already experienc'd in Father Vaudorn who sent him no more intelligence from Vienna and in Father Ferres in Spain who had written frankly to him that he would no longer have any Commerce with him So that your Majesty said he will loose your best Correspondencies and your most faithful Servants I will not be the cause of so much mischief and therefore beseech your Majesty to forbear carrying the business any higher for my sake Afterwards he gave the King to understand that he had sure expedients to set all things right again without engaging the Kings Honour That there needed no more then to propose under hand to General Oliva the writing a submissive Letter to his Majesty wherein he should assure him of his extraordinary respect with a Protestation that he never thought his Majesty concern'd in the oppositions that were made against his Election and that if he had known it he would never have accepted the Preferment to which he was to add that if it pleas'd his Majesty to vouchsafe him his consent he would endeavour upon all occasions to make known his inviolable Zeal and Devotion for his Service upon which his Majesty might relax his Pretentions The King had much ado to yield foreseeing it would be a feeble condeâ—â—ension in a matter begun with so much noise and heat But at last he suffer'd himself to be over-rul'd and great applause was given to la Chaise who in his opinion had â—offer'd the King a very fair Sacrifice Paul d' Ervaux Auditor of the Rota was employ'd to manage this accommodation which was soon brought to a conclusion the Party that sought it standing upon their terms and so the French Jesuits return'd to Rome together with Fontaine who was appointed Assistant General But this advantagious return could not preserve 'em from a very great mortification that befell 'em a little after their arrival under the new Pontificate of Alexander the VII This was the condemnation of their two Thesis's maintain'd in their Colleges the one at Pont a Mousson in Lorrain Jan. 14. 1689. the other at Dijon three years before in 1686 which were declarâ—d Rash Scandalous and Heretical by a Decree of the Inquisition at Rome the Pope then Present bearing date August 24. 1690. 'T was the Archbishop of Reims who was the occasion that this misfortune befell 'em as being the Scourge of the Society and tho his Brother were la Chaises intimate Friend â—â—â—nere a whitt the less their Enemy for all that He is always lying perdue to examine the Conduct of those worthy Fathers and when he finds any thing go a miss he never pardons 'em for he is inexorable as to Them So soon therefore as these two Thesis's came to his hand he faild not to send 'em to the Pope In the first is to be discover'd that fundamental opinion of the Society which is the Source of all their irregularities It dispences with the Command of loving God in the course of a moral Life and maintains that it is sufficient to render our actions good if they tend to the supream end which is the glory of God interpretatively and indirectly Which is just the Doctrine unfolded before in the conversations of Father de Vaux with Father la Chaise The second contain'd a Doctrine as damnable as the former Philosophick sin according to this Doctrine is a Humane action contrary to that which agrees with rational nature and right reason This is their definition of Philosophical or Moral Sin Now hear their Proposition Philosophical Sin how grevious soever being committed by him who has no knowledge of God or who does not actually think of God is a grievous sin but it is no offence to God nor any Mortal Sin which breaks off the Amity of God with man nor which merits eternal Pains This foundation being allow'd there needs no more than for a man never to think of God to the end he may never be guilty of sin during the whole course of a moral Life Innocent XI dy'd upon the 12. of August 1689. of the same faction with Innocent the XI The French give out that he was a Collonel of Horse and that playing one day at Picquet with a
solid Arguments In this Posture things continu'd for some days till Monsieur Jurieux desirous to sound the bottom of his heart touch'd him in the most sensible part and ask'd him what course of Life he intended to live when he had made a publick Cenfession of his Faith For in short said the Minister to him there is nothing more commonly done in this Country by People of your Coat and the State is so burthen'd with the vast number of Refugees that they have much a do to relieve 'em so that you must advise with your self how to provide for an honest Livelihood either by the labour of your hands or by some other way The Monk reply'd That that Consideration never needed to trouble him for he came not to be a Burthen to the Church for that he had wherewithal to maintain himself Which very much startl'd Monsieur Jurieux who could not apprehend how a Monk that quitted his Convent to change his Religion could have wherewithal to subsist with out begging and began to suspect him for a Spy Which the other perceiving confess'd ingeniously to undeceive him That before he fled the Convent he had found out a way to rob the Community of a considerable Sum of Money and to bring it along with him My Father said he gave 'em a great deal of Money when I took the Habit upon me against my Will and I thought I might with a safe Conscience make my self Master of what was my own This free Confession surpriz'd M. Jurieux much mâ—re who after that had never any good opinion of him But he had far worse sentiments of him some few days after when the Minister put it a little too close upon him It behoves me Sir said he to tell you all nor could I think to whom better to make my addresses then your self I have a design to deliver the Church of God from the greatest Tyrant that ever was upon the Earth Jurieux astonish'd ask'd him what deliverance and what Tyrant he meant The King of France reply'd the Monk whom I will kill with my own hands provided I may have that incouragement in this Country which I expect M. Jurieux trembl'd at the Proposal and repuls'd him with indignation asking him where he learnt that the Protestant Religion ever authoriz'd Assassinates telling him with all it was the Doctrine of the Schools from whence he came but that the Reformed had always abhor'd as Traytors and Villains those that taught or practis'd it and so saying thrust him out a Dores He was no sooner gone but in came a friend of M. Jurieux's who perceiving him in some disorder ask'd him the reason of so much unwonted disturbance in his Countenance He thereupon told him in short the story as it lay Upon which his friend put him in mind of the error he had committed in not stopping the Fellow admonishing him that it was a matter of great consequence So that M. Jurieux upon second thoughts acquainted the Sheriffs with it who committed the wretch to Prison the same Evening After that the States wrote to the King of France and gave him information of the tragical design which the infamous Ruffian had projected assuring him with all that tho they were at Wars with his Majesty yet they were so far from approving any thing so wicked and Treacherous that they were ready to inflict the utmost severity of Justice upon the proposer To which purpose they thought it their duty to detain the Traytor till they knew his Majesties farther pleasure This was altogether Generous Great and Noble and merits Immortality among men of worth and Virtue but the Advice was not receiv'd as it ought to have been So fâ—r from that that M. de Montauzier to whom the Letter was directed return'd an answer as harsh and surly as it ought to have been obliging For he sent 'em word That the King so little minded Parricides and those that disclos'd 'em that he knew very well that if they could have attempted any thing against his Person they would have done it long ago but that thanks be to God he had a good Guard that secur'd him from that danger I am at my wits end when I consider that such an Answer should come from a King so Great and Generous and for whom I have so much love and respect Should it have been sent from the King of the Wild Arabs or the Kan of the Tartars I should not have wondr'd but from a Most Christian King It vexes me to the Soul This is doing Virtue little â—ustice and ancient Pagan Princes as much Heathens as they were had more of Honour in ' em I have stay'd somewhat long upon this Point to shew that England and Holland quite disgrace and shame France which at all times has produc'd these Monsters and Courtiers that sollicit and encourage 'em as we have lately seen in the business of Granval That which is the greatest wonder as to that Conspiracy is that the Jesuits appear not to have any hand in it That the Criminal who charg'd several considerable Persons in his Interrogatories says not one word against them which makes many People believe that they were no way concern'd in it But I that know the humour and the morals of those Fathers know what I have reason to think There is a French Proverb that says a Workman is known by his Workmanship and it can never be better appli'd then to this occasion That piece of Villany came infallibly out of their Shop And indeed to whom can it be better attributed then to people who have render'd themselves famous by several attempts of the same Nature and have compos'd whole Books to justifie the Legality of Assassinating Heretick Kings Add to this M. de Maintenon is la Chaises intimate and she good Woman would hardly have consented to such a peice of Treachery without the Fathers privity and advice Beside the furious desire that he and his Society have to reinthrone a Prince who only lost himself by adhearing so much to their Counseâ—s The Jesuit la Chaise adove all is the most capable of such a design and I shall never forget an interlocutary discourse between him and the Duke of Coaslin with which I will conclude my Book 'T was a little after the Duke of Savoy had declar'd against the French The Duke was remonstrating to him how much the Confederates were superiour in Number the losses sustain'd in Ireland and the little likelihood of long maintaining the War with such an inequality of Forces For in short said he Reverend Father the King makes his last Efforts at the beginning of the War he has laid Tax upon Tax Impost upon Impost he has created an infinite number of Offices never heard of before The Communities and Corporations as well Ecclesiastick as Secular have contributed several times beyond their strength in short they have pillag'd the Altars and dispoil'd 'em of all their Ornaments Tell me seriously Father do you believe that France is an inexhaustible Mine of Money No without doubt the bottom will disclose it self sooner then you think for and then it will come to pass that the King being no longer able to pay his men nor to defray the prodigious expence he is forc'd to be at as well by Sea as by Land we may expect to see the Germans come and press the Vintages of our Campagne Grapes while the English on the other side invading our Coasts despoil and ransack all our lovely Provinces that for so many years have not known what War means We are not come to that yet reply'd the Father interrupting him and before that come to pass there are a great many Engins that will be set at work I believe it reply'd the Duke but our mischiefs it may be will befall us before they have done working in that case Father What secret will you find out to expel 'em from our Territories What secret answer'd the Father in a heat you are too hasty hold a little there is still a remedy for all things good Monsieur le Duke and let one word suffice for all that if the King of Spain were dead 't would be no difficult thing to divide this formidable Vnion which you stand so much in dread of I leave it to the judgment of oothers what he meant by this For for my part I tremble to unfold my conjecture Nevertheless I was willing to repeat his own words to shew that there is nothing which we ought not to be afraid of from that abominable Society which God Almighty seems to tolerate to be the Scourge of his Church FINIS