Bourdeaux was transferred some years since to Condom and afterward to Marmande from Marmande to la Reole This Parliament has at present for its first President N. d'Olide by the voluntary demission of Messire Arnaud de Pontac Dijon by the same King Loüis the Eleventh An. 1476. Meâ—â—e Loüis Laisne Chevalier Lord de la Margâ—â—â—â— after having been many years Counsellor to the Grand Council Master of Requests and having exercis'd divers Intendances of Justice Polity and Finances in Guienne Normandy Burgundy and had many important Commissions in Languedoc for the Kings service and in his Armies was created for his merit first President of the Parliament of Dijon An. 1653. and has kept the place with all the Splendour Honesty Honour and Understanding imaginable so far that his Majesty judg'd him necessary in his Council where he has been one of the most employed in the Affairs of State and of the Finances Messire Nicolas Brulard has been some years first President of this Parliament Roüen was establisht by Loüis the Twelfth An. 1499. The Author of the book entituled L'Etat de la France sets this Parliament after that of Tolose he speaks in these terms The Soveraign Court of Normandy regulated under the name of Echiquier by Philippe le Bel An. 1302. was made perpetual by Loüis the Twelfth An. 1499. though it did not bear the name of Parliament but under Francis the First An. 1515. Messire Claude Pellot is here President since his Intendances of Justice Aix An. 1501. by Loüis the Twelfth Late Messire Geofrey Camus Lord of Pont-carré Counsellor to the Parliament of Paris and Master of Requests was nominated after his Intendancies of Justice in Guienne Languedoc and Provence first President of the Parliament of Aix by Letters-Patents of King Henry the Fourth and call'd shortly after to the Council of his Majesty where he died Sub-dean and honourary Counsellor to the Parliament of Paris Late Messire Elie Laisné Chevalier Lord of Marguerie Father of Messire Loüis Laisné Lord of Marguerie Counsellor of State in Ordinary was also first President of the Parliament of Aix He has given the publick a Commentary on the Prophet Esay in folio which a great Pope honour'd with his esteem having said that it belong'd to a Counsellor of State to explain another Counsellor of State He has left a posthumous Work on Job Late Messire Jean de Mesgrigni Counsellor of State was the first President of this same Parliament Messire Arnoul Marin Lord of Chateneraye occupies at present this Tribunal Rennes by Henry the Second An. 1553. This Parliament was transferr'd to Vannes An. 1675. Messire Loüis Phelipeaux de Pont Chartran is at present its first President he succeeds Messire Francois d'Argouges now Counsellor of State Pau and Metz are the work of Loüis the Thirteenth Pau was created An. 1620. and Metz An. 1633. Messire Bernard de la Vie is in the head of the Parliament of Pau and Messire Thomas de Bragelone at that of Metz. Tornai by Loüis the Fourteenth An. 1675. The Order of the Session of Parliaments was regulated An. 1557. at the Estates General held at Paris under Henry the Second The first President of each Parliament wears on his Cap two Galloons of Gold and three Borders of Gold likewise on his Mantle lin'd with Hermines on the backside to distinguish him from other Presidents of the Cap who have but one on their Cap. The Presidents the Counsellors and their Atturneys and Sollicitors-general wear red with trimmings of black Velvet on the days of Ceremonies the Hoods are lin'd with Hermines The chief Register and the first Door-keeper wear also a red Robe this wears a Cap of Gold There are in France ten Courts or Chambers of Accounts The Towns where they are establisht are Paris Roüen Dijon Nantes Montpellier Grenoble Aix Pau Blois and Lille in Flanders That of Paris is very ancient its Presidents as also those of the Grand Council wear on the days of Ceremony a Robe of black Velvet A book entituled L'Etat de la France marks the Jurisdiction of all the Superiour Courts and after what manner the Officers are cloath'd on solemn days There are counted in the Kingdom twenty three Generalities about an hundred sixty four Elections There were counted three Chambers of Edict that of Grenoble that of Castelnaudari which was before at Castres and that of St. Machairus formerly at Bordeaux they were incorporated in their Parliaments An. 1679. These Chambers were instituted in favour of persons of the pretended reform'd Religion pursuant to the Edicts of Pacification made in the years 1576 1577 and 1578. This last is call'd the Edict of Nantes or of January These Courts or Chambers of Edict were called Miparties because they were compos'd of an equal number of Magistrates Catholick and of the pretended Religion The 22th of April 1666. the King set forth a Declaration which remov'd the affairs of persons converted to the Catholick Religion from the Chamber of Edict of Castres to that of Grenoble because many particular persons converted to the Roman Catholick Religion complain'd that they could not hope for any Justice in the Chamber of Edict of Castres The Archbishops and Bishops and other Ecclesiasticks deputed in the General Assembly of the Clergy carried their Complaints to his Majesty the 8th of September 1679. The Chambers of Edict of Paris and of Roüen were suppressed An. 1669. The Presidential Seats are in a very great number these are of a Jurisdiction of a vast extent the Castelet at Paris that of Tolose that of Lyons that of Poitiers that of Nismes and that of Rion in Auvergne The Sevenes Givodan and Vivarez plead at the Presidency of Nismes whereof the Marquess of Monfrin is Seneschal The Inhabitants of Velai have their Presidential Seat in the Town of Puy The Countries of State are BVrgundy Dolphine Provence Languedoc and Britany Remarkable things of these times happening from the year 1672. to the beginning of 1680. ANno 1672. the 7th of April there was publisht at Paris the Kings Proclamation by which his Majesty declar'd War against the States General of the Vnited Provinces both by Sea and Land His Majesty conquer'd in a little time on them above fifty or sixty places as well Towns as Forts and took a great number of Prisoners without speaking of the reducement of three Provinces By reason of these great Conquests it was deliberated in the Guild-hall of Amsterdam for carrying the Keys of their Town to the King of thirty six voices there were twenty seven An ancient Burgomaster assisted with eight persons of the contrary opinion reverst the Deliberation and caus'd the Sluces to be drawn up After that they were drawn up they would have sent this ancient Burgomaster into Spain with the Character of Embassadour he excused himself on the account of the weakness of his age M. le Prince drew very near Amsterdam and many persons think that he had entred it had it not been for the hurt
for great Captains men of Brain and execution good for War and for Peace for Battles and for Treaties such as have not been like the Emperour Domitian who amus'd himself in running through slyes with a Golden Bodkin or Aropas King of Macedon who made Lanterns or Hartabus King of the Hircans who caught Moles or Biantes King of the Lydians who ran Frogs through It has in this Age Loüis de Bourbon Prince of Condé and the Duke d'Enguien Sons of Mars and Bellona to whom the number of Enemies does but add courage bloody occasions being their divertisements and for this reason they have done actions that might better be imagined than written Their Swords have painted them much more lively with the blood of the Spaniards and other Nations than they may be represented with a Quill The most intelligent know well that these are not chance-blows but ordinary effects of their dexterity and courage The famous and bloody Battle of Senef Crowns their Military Exploits They have joyned Learning with Arms and have an excellent Library where there are rare Greek and Latine Manuscripts The Father and the Son are living Libraries Prince Henry de la Tour d'Auvergne Vicount de Turenne FRance has its Marshals and its Captains and an infinite number of valiant and flesht Souldiers the greatest part of them capable of commanding and he that has commanded them so long time and so gloriously Henry de la Tour d'Auvergne Vicount de Turenne Marshal-General of the Kings Camps and Armies and Colonel-General of the French Cavalry is recommendable for his famous Exploits and for the important Victories that he has gained over the Enemies of the State and more in this happy day that renouncing the Errour in which he was born and in which he had lived he embraced with a sincere heart the Catholick Faith which leads to Eternal Salvation the Church Militant has not had less joy than the Triumphant Though Learning was familiar to this Prince and that he has been heard to say very convincing things for the proof and maintaining of Catholick Truths the Church is obliged to Cardinal de Boüillon his Nephew for having contributed to so illustrious a Conquest Italian Princes were heard to say to his Highness at his promotion to the Cardinalship La promotion di vestra Altezza al Cardinalato Colmo d'honore il Sacro Collegio I shall not omit that if the said Henry de la Tour left the Earth the Twenty first of July 1675. to rest from his labours being killed by a Cannon-shot near Satzbach as he went to take a view of a Post of the Imperial Army to the end to give it Battle after the loss of so great a Man the King to comfort himself made Nine Marshals of France the Count d'Estrade the Duke de Navailles the Count de Schomberg the Duke de Duras the Duke de Vivonne the Duke de la Feüillade the Duke de Luxembourg the Marquess de Rochefort and the Count de Lorge His Majesty honour'd them with the dignity of the Marshals staff the Thirtieth of July of the same year of Vicount Turenne's death The Ancientest Marshals of France living Anno 1680. are these THe Marshal Duke de Villeroy the Marshal Duke de la Ferte-Seneterre the Marshal de Crequi the Marshal de Bellefond and the Marshal d'Humieres these three last are of the penultimate Promotion The Marshal de Rochefort dyed An. 1676. he quitted the life Military for the glorious The Ministers and Secretaries of State IF the King be the Soul of the Monarchy his Ministers are the Organs by which he works His Majesty has carried the glory of France to so high a point that it may hope all things and its Enemies fear all Its Ministers and Secretaries of State are indefatigable in their pretious vigilancy and in the cares they take for the rest of the Kingdom They have all signalized themselves their spirit is filled with lights so shining that there is no cloud that they do not pierce nor no Forreign or Domestick Factions which they do not dissipate and subvert their experience is universal A very famous Preacher who is an Archbishop Preaching in Sorbon on the day of St Vrsula the Patroness Feast of that Colledge in the presence of Anne of Austriche Queen of France said that Cardinal Richlieu had the Spirit of the Prophet Elias and Cardinal Mazarine that of the Prophet Elizeas I believe that these have the Spirit of Elias and Elizeas Richlieu and Mazarine Nor is it to be wondred at all their lights being but necessary and favourable emanations of the great splendour of the Sun who animates and enlightens them The Chancellour MEssire Michael de Tellier Chevalier Chancellour and Keeper of the Seals of France Commander of the Kings Orders Lord of Chavilles Barbezieux and other places excels in Councel Understanding and Integrity he is consummated in the decision of affairs of greatest difficulty Italy has been the Theater of his great Actions as well as France For this reason Loüis the Thirteenth made him Secretary of State and Loüis the Fourteenth Created him Chancellour and Keeper of the Seals for the faithful and important Services that he has rendred his Majesty for above thirty six years in the functions of Minister and Secretary of State He has the esteem of all great persons and the applause of the people his Memory will be preserved eternally in the Chronicles of France The Arms of his House are Three Lizards which are friendly to Man That which renders particularly eminent the Office of Chancellour which this person possesses is that he is Chief Minister of the Kings Justice and of his Councel it is he who like another Legislatour Moses ascends into the Mountain he enters into the Cloud which environs the Throne of his Prince where the Rayes and Lightning of Royal Majesty display themselves and where he receives the Laws and Ordinances which he afterwards pronounces to all the people He never wears Mourning because in some sort he deposes his own person to represent for the future nought but Justice it being not decent for this vertue which is wholly Divine to shew a feeling of humane infirmities He has for exteriour mark of his high dignity on his Scutcheon a Cap of Honour of Cloth of Gold faced with Ermines topt with the figure of a Queen the Hieroglyphick of France with the Scepter in the right hand and the Seals of the Kingdom in the left behind the Scutcheon two great Maces of Silver gilt plac'd in Saltier with a Mantle like those of the Dukes and Peers of France adorned with rayes of Gold towards the top and lined with Ermins which encompass all the Scutcheon The door-keepers of the Chancery-Court carrying a Mace of Silver gilt on their Shoulders march before him and the other door-keepers in order In the Book entituled l'Estat de la France Printed An. 1678. pag. 199. I found these following Lords ranged in this following
manner as I place them If I have not well followed the order there will be no contest betwixt them for precedency each of them knowing very well his right and duty they teaching them to others M. de la Vrilliere MEssire Loüis Phelipeaux Chevalier Lord of Vrilliere Marquess of Chasteaux-Neuf on Loire and of Tanlai Count de S. Florentin Baron de Hervi and the ancientest Secretary of State was Sworn to his Office An. 1629. He has a great zeal for the welfare of the Church the general affairs of the pretended Reformed Religion are committed to him and many others Languedoc the County of Foix Guienne Rovergne and Quercy Broüage and the Country of Aunis Touraine Anjou le Main and le Perche Normandy Burgundy and Brest and all that is under his charge gives testimony of his Vertue and Merit He has a Son who possesses the See of the Patriarchal Archiepiscopal and private Church of Bourges Messire Pierre Balthazar Phelipeaux de la Vrilliere Marquess of Chasteau-Neuf who has the Reversion of the place of Secretary of State and of the Kings Orders treads in the glorious footsteps of his Father the marks which he daily gives are proofs of what he will be hereafter M. de Louvois MEssire Francois Michel de Tellier Chevalier Marquess of Louvois and of Courtanvau Councellor in ordinary to the King in his Councels Chancellour of his Orders Minister and Secretary of State and of his Majesties commands Vicar-General of the Order of Nostre Dame du Mount Carmel and of St. Lazarus of Hierusalem great Post-master and Superintendant of the Posts and Stages of France c. has given an infinite number of manifest proofs of his Consummated skill in Military Discipline It seems as though he had exercised himself in it all his life-time this shews that great men are capable of all things his name is known throughout the whole Earth the Hollanders Spaniards and others when the War was at the highest declared that he went like Lightning when the Service of his King and Country called upon him He possesses the eminent qualities of his Father the Chancellour of France Poitou la Marche Lionnois Dauphine Catalognia and Roussillon Pignerol Lorrain Alsatia the places Conquered and yeilded the Fortifications of these Generalities the War the Taxes raised for the support of the Souldiery and the Artillery are things belonging to his Charge M. Colbert MEssire John Baptist Colbert Chevalier Marquess of Seignelay Baron of Moneteau Beaumont Cheni Ormois Sceaux and other places Counsellor in ordinary to the King in his Councils and of the Royal Council General Controuler of the Kings Revenue Superintendant of the Navy Arts and Manufactures of France Minister and Secretary of State He has acted vigorously for the subsistance of the Armies of the French Monarchy in finding means to raise such Moneys as were necessary which are the Nerves of War He has the prudence of the Serpent as it is express'd in his Arms. Cardinal Mazarine considering his Desert before he died wisht the King to make use of him as his Minister for his fidelity and for his service His admirable Conduct daily manifests it self both in general and in particular even to the education of his Children and of his Illustrious Relations Messire Charles Edoüard Colbert Marquess of Seignelay is the eldest of the House he makes himself daily admir'd in the diversity of his Employs and Affairs wherewith he is taken up in his Majesties service he is Secretary of State Superintendant of the Maritine affairs both in the East and West I saw Anno 1677. Messire Julius Armandus Colbert Lord of Ormais at the age of fourteen years defend publick and general Theses of Philosophy in the University of Paris under the Presidency of his Brother the Abbot Messire Jacque Nicolas then Prior of Sorbonne to the admiration of all that there is of Great and Learned in the Kingdom I cannot hold from saying 〈◊〉 this noble Defender in his Orient what was said of St. John Baptist at his birth Quis puta◠puer iste erit It 's a rare thing to see a Brother perform that Office under a Brother and with so wonderful a presence of understanding These are Prodigies and Marks of their grea◠Genius It may well be said on this occasion Fortes creantur fortibus and with the Oracle Corona senum filii filiorum gloria filiorum patres eorum I shall not be more large lest I offend the modesty of the Father and of his Children I shall onely say that this wise Manager of the Kings Revenue has in his division Paris the Isle of France and the Country of Soissons as far as Noyon Orleanois Blezois the Kings House the Clergy what regards the Sea Trade and Manufactures As I write this Article the admirable and elegant Sermon which the Illustrious Abbot his Brother made one day on the Feast of St. John Baptist comes into my mind Paris rendered it self that day at Sceaux to hear it This Sermon was followed with many others in the Capital City of the Kingdom and always with excellent success This Abbot is Doctor of the House and Society of Sorbonne and Coadjutor to the Archbishop of Roüen since the second of Feb. 1680. M. Colbert Croissi MEssire Charles Colbert Chevalier Marquess of Croissi Minister and Secretary of State President of the Parliament of Paris formerly Master of Requests and Intendant of Justice has acquired the Political and Geographical knowledge of all the States of the World that of Ancient and Modern History and of all the Interests of the Princes and Potentates of Christendom in his Ordinary and Extraordinary Embassies at Rome in England Spain at Aix la Chappel and in quality of Embassadour and Plenipotentiary at Nimigen for the general Peace of Europe and at Bavaria for the Marriage of Monseigneur le Dauphin with the Electoral Princess and in other important Negotiations Holland shewed him the joy they received after the Peace concluded to see him in their Country and he manifested his by his profuse liberality of his Gold and Silver to the People in some Towns This Minister having seen so many Countries and Nations and all Courts it may be said of him what Homer said of Vlysses in the beginning of his Odysses according to the translation from the Greek into Latine Multorum autem hominum vidit urbes mores novit Champagne and Brie Provence Britany Berry Limosin Angoumois Xaintonge Bearn Bigorre the three Bishopricks of Metz Toul and Verdun the Principality of Sedan and the Forreign Countries which are also in his division have all a veneration for his Conduct and Generosity He succeeded to Messire Simon Arnaud Chevalier Lord of Pomponne in his Charge of Secretary and Minister of State which he demised in the Month of December An. 1679. The Councels THe Councels are composed of the Chancellour Keeper of the Seals of France of the Marshal Duke de Villeroy Chief of the Royal Council for the Kings
Revenue of Twelve ordinary Councellours of State Three Councellors of the Church and Three of the Sword Twelve attending every six Months The King regulating the Councel An. 1673. added the Controuler General of his Revenues and the two Intendants of them to have place in the Councels des Parties as they have in those of the Revenue The Councellours of State are chosen by his Majesty being such as have past the greatest part of all the Offices of the Robe having been Intendants of Justice or Ambassadors or first Presidents of the Parliaments these are at present the best and most sought-for Offices of the Kingdom and which come nearest the King who gives such persons daily the best employs and Commissions of greatest importance for the service of himself and the State To these Councels the Masters of Request have access which are to the number of Eighty whereof Twenty serve each Quarter after having been honoured with many Commissions and Intendancies they are preferred by his Majesty to Employs of the highest nature where he designs them The two Intendants of the Revenue are Messire Vicount Hotman and Messire Nicholas des Marests Colbert The first has been Councellor in the grand Councel Master of Requests and Intendant of Justice in Guyen and in Tourain Proctor-General of the Chamber of Justice and afterwards honoured by the King with a place in his Councels and with the Commission of Intendant of the Kings Revenue and of Justice in the generality of Paris all these great Employs are marks of his singular Merit which he has signalized in all occurrences Messire Nicolas des Marests has been Counsellour to the Parliament of Paris and is at present Master of Requests and Intendant of the Kings Revenues There is no man but knows that he has always done things with skill and integrity his Ability his Candour and the care that he takes appear in his Conduct as three great lights which make him known to those that will be enlightned When the waves are troubled the Vessel has most need of skilful Pilots the perfect knowledge that these two Intendants have of the Interests of the Provinces has served them as a Watch-tower to keep them from erring and the zeal they have for the advantage of his Majesties Revenue is another means for them to behave themselves well betwixt the Soveraign and his Subjects in a word to the end that the King may receive as much aid as his people comfort The Illustrious Controller General of the Kings Revenues of whom I have spoken before may rely on the fidelity of these two Intendants The Four Secretaries of the Kings Revenues are the Sieur Bechameil Berrier Ranchin and Coquille The Four Clerks of the Councel des Parties are the Sieurs Aguillaumie Pecot le Foüyn and Brunet The Keeper of the Royal Treasury in waiting enters into the Councel of the Kings Revenues and also the Treasurer of the casual Revenues in waiting when they are upon the Rolls of the casual Revenues this person stands behind the Chancellours Chair Besides the Councel of the Finances and the Councel des Parties the King has also a Councel of Dispatches a Councel of War and others according to different affairs the Councel of Dispatches is held in the Kings Chamber where attend the Duke of Orleans the Chancellour the Marshal de Villeroy the Four Secretaries of State and those that are received for that Office upon Survivorship His Majesty presides in the Councel of War the Princes the Marshals of France and other Lords skilful in the Military Art are ordinarily called to it France the Mountain of the Muses IF France be the field of Mars it is also the Mountain of the Muses and the refuge of Arts. Philosophy has left Egypt and Greece to make its residence in this Kingdom The Spaniards confess this truth by this Proverb used in the University of Salamanca Dat Lutetia Aristotelum Salamanca Deum It 's at Paris particularly where we find new Plato's and Aristotles in subtilty and solidness Consummated Divines Orators like Cicero and Quintilian Cujas's and Bartholus's for the Canon and Civil Laws second Galen's Hippocrates's and Esculapius's in Physick Astrology gives us in the House of the Observatory its Ptolomy's it s Alphonsus's and its Tico-Brahe's the Mathematicks Cluverius's Poesie it s Virgil's its Ovids its Martials and its Homers Painting its Apelles and Carvers its Phidias It 's in France where Forreigners come and suck the Ambrosia and drink large draughts of the Nectar of the Gods The ordinary places of Residence of their most Christian Majesties PAris Saint Germains in Laye Versailles Vincennes Fontainbleau Chambort Blois Compeinne These dwelling-places are truly Royal the Louvre the Chasteau des Tuilleries that of Fontainbleau and Versailles are a Miracle of Nature and a Prodigy of Art in all things and in a word the Centre of the Rarities and beautiful things of the world The Louvre PHILLIP August ended the Building of the Louvre An. 1214. This Palace being the first of the Kingdom and as a Master-piece some Authors think that this Monarch called it le Louvre as though he would say l'Oeuvre the Work by Excellency others think it so called from a street called Lupura or Lupara in which it is thought to be built Loüis the Fourteenth putting the last hand to it has so enlarged it that it is capable of receiving three Kings A Learned and excellent Wit of our time has made this Inscription for the Louvre which comprehends and expresses the greatness of the Building the greatness of the person and of the Name of King Loüis le Grand and the explication of his Devise or Motto Nec pluribus Impar in these terms Haec licet ampla domus longè tamen amplior hospes Ludovico magno nec totus sufficit orbis Sufficeret solus multis nec pluribus Impar The same Inscription in English This House though great the Person whose Command It owns is greater much Loüis le Grand Does find the world too scant for he alone Would serve for many fit for more than One. It 's in the Louvre where Learning has been stript of the gross Bark of the School it 's there where the Muses are habited a-la-mode and where they are given the fine turn of Politeness by the means of the French Academy instituted by Cardinal Richlieu An. 1635. for the pureness and perfection of the French Tongue Of late some Towns of this Kingdom have erected Academies for this purpose as Arles Suissons and others We shall here observe that in France in the time of the said Cardinal the Gazette which according to the term de Gaza signifies a heap of divers things began An. 1631. and that the first Gazettier called Theophrast Renaudot Physician of the faculty of Montpellier dedicated it to Loüis the Thirteenth I saw it in the Library of Colledge Mazarin it succeeded the French Mercury its dates and Chronologies were in the Margin The Tuilleries THe Tuilleries
Suffragans of Arles are Orange Marseilles Toulon and S. Paul Trois Chateaux Orange eighty eight Bishops from Constance to Messire Jean Jacques d'Obeille Marseille seventy one from S. Lazarus Brother of Mary Magdaleine and of Martha to Messire N. d'Estampes Toulon fifty from S. Honorat to Messire Vint-Mille du Luc before Bishop of Dignes S. Paul sixty eight from S. Sulpicius to Messire Loüis-Aube de la Roquemartine The Archbishoprick of Ambrun AMbrun seventy nine from S. Marcelin to Messire Brulart de Genlis The Suffragans are Digne Glandeve Grasse Nice Senez Vence Digne has had fifty two Bishops from S. Domninus to Messire Francois de Tellier who was nominated to this Bishoprick an 1677. He was before the Queens Almoner Curate and Archpriest of the Church of St. Severin of Paris Glandeve thirty one from Fraternus to Messire Leon Bacouë formerly Cordelier He succeeds Jean-Dominique Ithier Those are deceiv'd who have written that the See of Glandeve has been at Antibe they would say true if they said that the Episcopal See was transferred to Grasse because at Antibe they abus'd the Bishop of the place Grasse sixty three from Armenterius to Messire Loüis-Aube de la Roquemartine Dean of the Church of Arles Nice is in the nomination of Savoy Senez thirty three from Vrsus to Messire Loüis-Anne-Anbert de Villeserin Commander of the Kings Orders Some Authors have said falsely that Senez has been honour'd with a Council because having found cited in some Books Concilium Sinense they thought that it was a Council held at Senez not observing that it was at Sienna in Italy 1423. besides that the Town of Senez was then destroy'd and reduc'd to a pitiful Village There is an expectation from Rome of Bulls for the translation of the Episcopal See and Chapter of Senez to Castellane For these two hundred years and more its Bishops have labour'd for this Work to no purpose Messire Loüis de Villeserin has resum'd so just a designe and has transferr'd his Officialty his service and his ordinary Residency to the Town of Castellane This Diocess is one of the most considerable and most ancient of Provence This Prelate has set up a Confraternity of St. Francis of Sales in the Chappel of the Religious Women of the Visitation of St. Mary of Castellane he has also establisht in the same Town a Society des Dames de la Charite and has made other excellent Institutions which take from Usurers all sorts of occasions of maintaining their wicked Commerce and comfort the Poor Vence fifty two from St. Vsebius to Messire Loüis de Thomassin Lord and Baron of Vence where he has upheld the Rites of the Church with an extream vigour in which and on other occasions he has shewn himself a most zealous Defender of the Episcopacy and of the Ecclesiastical Discipline which appear'd by a famous Decree of the Council of State which he obtain'd An. 1679. The Archbishoprick of Tours TOurs an hundred and thirteen Bishops and Archbishops from S. Gassien to Messire Michel Amelot formerly Bishop of Lavaur Some Authors call the first Bishop of Tours Gratianus the Archives and Registers say Sanctus Grassianus and all the Canons of this Church pronounce it thus saying even in their Litanies S. Grassiane or a pro nobis The Suffragans are in great number Anger 's S. Brieux le Man 's Quimper or Cornoüaille Dol S. Paul de Leon S. Malo Nantes Rennes Triguier Vannes Anger 's has had seventy two Bishops from S. Defenseur to Messire Henry Arnaud S. Brieux sixty one from Bishop Adam to Messire N. de Coëtlogon Le Mans seventy four from S. Julien to Messire Loüis de Lavergne Montenard de Tressan first Almoner of Monsieur Philippes of France onely Brother to the King He succeeds Philippes Emmanuel de Beaumanoir de Lavardin after having been first Bishop of Vabres Quimper sixty two from Corenthin to Messire Francois de Coëtlogon Dol sixty seven from S. Samson to Messire Matthieu de Thoreau formerly Agent-General of the Clergy of France Dol has had formerly the Title of Archbishoprick wherefore the Bishops bear in their Arms the Archiepiscopal Cross S. Paul forty eight from S. Paul de Leon to Messire Pierre de Nebout de la Brousse S. Malo seventy one from S. Maclou to Messire Sebastien de Guemadeuc President of course of the Estates of Bretany formerly Agent-General of the Clergy â—he was nominated to the Bishoprick of Beziers which he did not occupy through a motion of love for his Country Nantes ninety four from S. Clair to Messire Gilles de Beauveau de Riveau He succeeds Messire Gilles de la Baume de la Valiere Rennes seventy four from S. Clair Moderan to Messire Jean Baptiste de Beaumanoir de Lavardin Triguier sixty one from S. Tudgual to Messire Ignace de Saillant He was formerly Captain in the Kings Armies and there were few there like him who joyn'd Valour with Understanding and who on all occasions could shew equally a strength of mind and that of the arm He was since Superiour of the House of the Priests of the Oratory of S. Honorius at Paris and Assistant of the Father General Vannes eighty nine from S. Patern to Messire Loüis Caset de Vautorte formerly Bishop of Leitoure The Archbishoprick of Aix AIx seventy Bishops and Archbishops from S. Maximin to the most Eminent Cardinal Jerôme Grimaldi This Eminency draws his Origine from the Princes of Monaco He was Vice-Legat of the Patrimony of S. Peter Nuncio Extraordinary at the Court of the Emperour and Nuncio in France where he receiv'd from the Kings hand the Cardinals Cap. The Suffragans are Apt Sisteron Prejus Riez and Gap Apt has had sixty six Bishops from S. Auspice to Messire Jean de Gaillard Bishop and Prince of Apt formerly Theologal of the Church of Coûtance Sisteron sixty one from Valere to Messire Jacques Potier de Novion Frejus seventy one from Acceptus to Messire Lucid Aquin formerly Bishop of S. Paul de Trois Châteaux Riez seventy seven from S. Prosper to Messire Nicolas de Vallavoire Gap forty four or forty five from S. Demetrius to Messire Nicolas de Meliand Guillaume de Mescatin formerly Canon Great Keeper and Count of Lyons who died An. 1679. preceded him as the last Bishop save one The Archbishoprick of Paris PAris has had eighty seven Bishops and five Archbishops S. Denis was its first Bishop Pope Gregory the Fifteenth made this Town being the Capital of the Kingdom an Archbishoprick at the request of Loüis the Thirteenth An. 1622. The first Archbishop was Messire Jean Francois de Gondi Commander of the Kings Orders The second Cardinal de Retz Jean-Francois-Paul de Gondi He was made Coadjutor of the Church of Paris An. 1643. and resign'd his Archbishoprick An. 1661. into the Kings hands who gave him the Abbey of S. Denis He would have laid down his Cardinals Hat An. 1675. to retire himself from the World the Pope and his
An. 1679. in the month of June the King gave in his Council to the Archbishop Duke of Rheims a place of Counsellor of State in Ordinary who seats himself as first Duke and Peer above the Dean of the Council immediately after the Chancellor of France Amiens has had seventy six Bishops from St. Firmin to Messire Francois Faure he was Preacher in Ordinary to the late Queen Mother Ann of Austria Beauvais eighty nine from St. Lucien to Messire Toussaint Fourbin de Janson Count and Peer of France and Vidame of Gerbroi This Prelate carries the Mantle Royal at the Kings Consecration and Coronation He was Bishop of Dignes and afterward of Marseilles and a long time Embassadour in Poland I speak of it in the Tract of the Sarmathians he was propos'd by the Pope in his Consistory for the Bishoprick of Beauvais though he had not been precogniz'd because a Precognization is not necessary when his Holiness proposes a Subject The Cardinals with a common voice gave him gratis a half of the Bulls The 27th of November 1679. he was received in the Grand Chamber of the Parliament with the usual Ceremonies and took there his place betwixt the Bishop Duke of Langres and the Bishop Count de Noyon in the presence of the Duke d'Enguien of the Prince of Conti of the Prince de la Roche-sur-Yon and of seventeen Dukes and Peers whereof three were Ecclesiasticks He gave afterward a Dinner to the Princes of the Bloud and to the Dukes and Peers Boulogne has had sixty six Bishops comprizing those of Teroüanne to Messire Nicolas Lavocat Billard sixth Bishop of Boulogne formerly Canon of the Church of Paris The first Prelate of Teroüanne was call'd Antimondus or Aumondus the first of Boulogne Antoine de Crequy Three Bishopricks have been made of that of Teroüanne that of Boulogne that of St. Omer and that of Ypres Châlons eighty nine from St. Mamet to Messire Loüis-Antoine de Noailles Count and Peer of France He carries the Ring at the Consecration and Coronation of his Majesty Laon seventy seven from St. Genebaud or Genebal to Cardinal Caesar d'Estrées Duke and Peer of France he carries the holy Vial at the Kings Consecration and Coronation This Eminency holds his Hat from the Crown of Portugal whereof he is Protector His most Christian Majesty gave him An. 1679. the Abbey of St. Claude in Franche-Comte vacant by the death of Dom John of Austria Noyon ninty two from Hilary to Messire Francois de Clairmont de Yonnere Count and Peer of France He carries the Wast-belt at the Kings Coronation Senlis eighty nine from St. Regulus to Messire Denis Sanguin Soissons eighty one from St. Sixtus to Messire Charles Bourlon The Archbishoprick of Narbonne NArbonne seventy one both Bishops and Archbishops from St. Paul the Proconsul to Cardinal Pierre de Bonzi the Queens Grand Almoner formerly Embassadour of France at Venice in Poland and in Spain He was Bishop of Beziers sometime afterward Archbishop of Tolose and for some great good is made Archbishop of Norbanne which of course constitutes him President of the Estates of Languedoc who look upon him as their Protector and the King considers him at the same time as a faithful Support of his Authority His promotion to the Cardinalship happen'd the 22d of February 1672. and his late great Uncle Jean de Bonzi who was grand Almoner of Queen Marie de Medicis was made Cardinal at the nomination of France and this by that of Poland His Embassies have gain'd him very great lights The Suffragans of Narbonne are Agde Aleth Beziers Carcassonne Lodeve Montpellier Nismes S. Pons de Tomires and Vzez Agde sixty five Bishops from Beticus to Messire Loüis Foucquet Lord and Count of the Town of Agde Heaven makes known to this Prelate by experience that the Felicities of the Earth are mixt with bitterness Aleth twenty one from St. Bartholmew to Messire Loüis Alphonse de Valbelle He succeeds Nicholas Pavilion who wisht that Superiours were infallible in their Sentiments impeccable in their Conduct and far from all surprize Beziers seventy two from St. Afrodisius to Messire Armand Jean de Rotondis de Biscara This Prelate pass'd from the Bishoprick of Dignes to that of Lodeve and from Lodeve to Beziers He is arrived from degree to degree to one of the most considerable of Languedoc by his merit and by the services which himself and his have rendred the State The Organs of his Cathedral-Church have the reputation of being the fairest of France Carassonne seventy three from St. Guimera to Messire Loüis de Bourlemon Auditor of the Rota Lodeve a hundred and seven from St. Florus vulgarly St. Flour to Messire Claude Antoine de Chambonas Montpellier sixty three to Messire Charles de Pradel comprizing those of Maguelone which was transferr'd to Montpellier under Pope Paul the Third An. 1536. The first Bishop of Maguelone was call'd Ether or Ethere and the first fixt at Montpellier was Pellicie the Seventh of the name Messire Charles de Pardel was nominated Anno 1675. Coadjutor of his Uncle whose great services rendred to the Church and State even to the exposal of his life once while he was Intendant of Justice helpt to recompence the science and desert of him who occupies the See at present Nismes ninty six from Crocus to Messire Jaques Seguier formerly Bishop of Lombez before Canon and Theologal of the Church of Paris The King considering that Heresie had laid very deep roots for a long time in the Diocess of Nismes and that it was a thing of importance to establish there a Pastor of an extraordinary Zeal nominated him to this Bishoprick an 1671. where this Prelate incessantly pursues the wild Beast which has spoil'd in divers places the Vineyard of the Lord. St. Tomieres nineteen from Raymond to Messire Pierre-Jean-Francois de Montgaillard Vzez sixty from Constance to Messire Michel Poncet de la Riviere Doctor of the House and Society of Sorbonne Bishop and Count of Vzez As soon as he entred into this Diocess infected with Heresie he began with the reformation of his Clergy and afterward cast the Apostolical Net and drew up into the Vessel of the Church many Fish I mean men according to the promise which the Son of God made to his Apostles that they should be fishers of men instead of fish Faciam vos fieri piscatores hominum The Town of St. Ambrose whereof he is Pryor and Lord knows it by experience where after having put the last hand to a very fair Church and having consecrated in an 1679. he gave in one day the Absolution of Heresie to forty seven persons The Archbishoprick of Bourges BOurges a hundred and two Prelates from St. Vrsin to Messire Phelipeaux de la Vrilliere St. Rodulphe forty fourth Bishop of Bourges was declared Archbishop Primate and Patriarch The ordinary Suffragans were eleven Albi Cahors Castres Clermont in Auvergne Limoges Mande le Puy Rhodez St. Flour Tulles and Vabres Since
of Tarbes He expected his Bulls for S Omer An. 1679. A Historiographer of France says that he has been assur'd that the custom of defending Theses in Greek pass'd from S. Omer to Paris in a Book entituled Les Entretiens de Luxembourg p. 193. The Archbishoprick of Bezancon BEzancon ninety four Prelates and Archbishops from S. Lin to Messire Antoine de Gramont The Canons of his Cathedral bear in their Arms a Camail of Silk Azure doubled with Taffety Gules with a Crosier and a Mitre The Suffragans are Bellai Bâle Lausane These two last are in Switzerland Bellai has had eighty six Bishops from Audax to Messire Pierre du Laurens There was given to this Prelate for devise in a These dedicated to him Crescit suo sydere laurus by allusion to his Arms. Bâle sixty from Justinian to blessed Ramestein who died An. 1651. After that Bâle was entirely Protestant the Episcopal See was plac'd at Potentru Lauzane sixty three from S Beat to Messire Jean de Vateville who died An. 1649. The See is at Fribourg in Brisgou Buntruc is the ordinary Seat of the Bishop Metz Toul and Verdun are Suffragans of Treves which has been taken and retaken Metz has had eighty nine Bishops from St. Clement to Messire George d' Aubusson de la Fueillade Commander of the Kings Orders Prince of the Empire formerly Archbishop of Ambrun and Embassadour at Venice Henry de Bourbon Duke of Verneüil Jule Mazarin and Prince Guillaume de Fustemberg though in the Catalogue of the Bishops of Metz not occupy the Episcopal See Toul eighty six from Mansuet to Messire Jacques de Fieux Prince of the Empire Verdun ninety four or ninety five from St. Sanctin to Messire N. de Bethune Bishop and Count of Verdun and Prince of the Empire He succeeds Messire Armand de Monchi d'Hoquincourt The Rank and Seats of the Prelates THe Archbishops and Bishops have Rank and Seat in the General Assemblies of the Clergy according to the antiquity of their Consecration The Prelates which are Dukes and Peers of France have the precedency above the others at the Ceremony of the Consecration of the Kings and in the Seats of Parliament and enter with their Coaches into the Court of the Louvre Agents General of the Clergie of France THe Clergy has two Agents General at Court to mind Eccesiastical affairs the Archbishops and Suffragan Bishops name them alternatively They hold their Charge five years because at each General Assembly of the Clergy two are created who are deputed each by the Province which names at his turn Messieurs the Abbots of Maretz Colbert and of Bezons Doctors of Sorbonne were created Agents An. 1680. having been nominated the one by the Archbishop of Rheims and the other by him of Narbonne Bourges and Vienne gave Agents An. 1675. It is observ'd that there is no Prelate who has been Agent-General of the Clergy but that he understands affairs for as men do business so business makes men The Clergy has also its Treasurer call'd otherwise Receiver-General Those that would know the continuation and succession of all the Archbishops and Bishops of France must read a Book of a great labour in four Volumes in Folio compos'd by the Sieurs de Sainte-Marthe entituled Gallia Christiana there are seen there a great number of Popes Bulls the day of the creation of the Prelates their Qualities their Arms the names and the number of Abbeys This Work was printed An. 1656. and is worth a thousand other Impressions There is to be seen also another Book on this subject which has for Title Series Episcoporum Pierre Frison has given the publick Gallia Purpurata Since some time the King seldom gives Archbishopricks to Ecclesiastical persons if they are not actually Bishops These Archbishopricks contain many Suffragans under them our Conquests increase the number The sole Province of Languedoc has had to this time twenty two Bishops and as many Barons entring yearly into the Estates The Duke of Verneüil is Governour of this Province the Marquess de Cauvisson the Comte de Roure and the Marquess de Montanegue are Lieutenants General for the King and Messire Henry d' Aguessau Master of Requests and President of the Grand Council is there Intendant of Justice Polity and Finances He succeeds Messire Claude de Bezons Counsellor of State in Ordinary who liv'd there a long time and who manag'd well the Kings affairs We shall remark in favour of this Province that the Law of Aubeine or Escheatage has no place here by priviledge and exemption of the King nor in the Vicounty of Turenne Laurence Bouchet Advocate in the Court of Parliament of Paris is formal in the point in his Book entituled La Bibliotheque ou Tresor du droit des Francois in which are treated civil criminal and beneficial matters govern'd as well by the Ordinances and Customs of France as decided by Decrees of Soveraign Courts summarily extracted from the most famous French Lawyers and Practitioners and compar'd in many places with the Laws and Customs of Foreign Nations This book was printed at Paris An. 1629. There may be seen also thereon the book of the Province which contains its Priviledges The ordinary List of the Parliaments of France and the time of their erection PAris Tolose Grenoble Bordeaux Dijon Roüen Aix Rennes Pau and Metz. There are added Tornai and Dole its Parliament was plac'd at Bezancon An. 1674. Perpignan has a soveraign Council which judges without appeal as also Pignerol Brisac and other places That which the French call Parliament that is to say conference and debate concerning things belonging to Justice the Spaniards name Soveraign Council and the Savoyards the Senate The Parliament of Paris was made of constant Session on the place by Philippes le Bel An. 1302. and according to Chorier An. 1288. It was before liable to be remov'd from place ro place The 19th of May 1678. Loüis the Fourteenth nominated Messire Nicolas Potier Chevalier Lord of Novion and of Vilbon President of the Cap to the place of first President of this Parliament This place has been long due to his Merit to his Integrity to his great Lights and to that long experience of the Parliament-house which he has acquir'd with an indefatigable and wholly wonderful Assiduity He has rendred himself considerable on all occasions and particularly on those great days which he held at Clermont in Auvergne 1665. Tolose was instituted by the same Philippe le Bel and in the same year as Paris An. 1302. and made fixt An. 1443. and according to Chorier An. 1320. Its first President is at this day Messire Gaspart de Fieubet Grenoble by the Dolphin Loüis Son and Successor of Charles le Bel who confirm'd Anno 1453. by his Letters-Patents that which the Dolphin had done Its first President at this day is call'd Denis le Goux de la Berchere Bourdeaux by Loüis the Eleventh An. 1462. Bourdeaux and Grenoble sit by turns That of
Majesty signified to him that he judg'd it convenient to have him near him to assist him with his Counsel It is coucht in these terms according to an Extract taken from the London-Gazette of the fifth of Feb. 1677. The Copy of the Letter of the King of Spain writ to Don John of Austria DOn Juan of Austria my Brother of the Council of State Governour and Captain-General of the Spanish Low Countries and Commander General of all our Sea-Forces the Affairs of this Monarchy being at present in such a condition that I find my self oblig'd to seek all sorts of ways for setling them as they ought to be and having considered that you are therein so very much interessed and that I must impart to you the greatest part of my Resolutions I propos'd to my self to require you to repair hither without any delay to assist me in a juncture so important it 's what I promise my self from the zeal which I have always found in you for the good of the State God keep you in his protection as I wish From Madrid the 24th of Decem. 1676. EGO REX By the Command of our Lord the King D. Hierom de Eguia The Copy of the Letter of the Queen-Mother to Don John THe King my Son has resolv'd as you may understand by the Letter which he has written to you that you repair hither as soon as may be to assist him in the administration of the Affairs of the Monarchy and I may tell you that there is nothing which can please me more than to see you embrace the direction with all the diligence which the juncture of affairs requires In which I shall rely on your zeal and good intentions assuring you that for as much as shall be in my power I shall always use my endeavours for procuring you all satisfaction From Madrid the 27th of Decem. 1676. The Answer of Don Juan to the Queens Letter NOt doubting but your Majesty sees the Answer which I have made to the Letter of the King my Brother whom God preserve it would be to no purpose for me to repeat it to you assuring your Majesty that you never may have had nor never will have any person who wishes and wishes again to your Majesty with a more sincere intention that which I take God to witness to be most beneficial and advantageous for the service of your Majesty At whose feet I cast my self praying God to maintain your Majesty a long uninterrupted course of years in Posterity From Sarragossa the first of Jan. 1671. In the same year the Marquess de Villa Seria lost the Kings Favour His Catholick Majesty arriv'd at Sarragossa accompanied with Prince Don Juan the Duke Medina Coeli Great Chamberlain the Constable of Castille Great Steward of the Kings Household the Count de Talaras the Duke de Montery and with Count d Arcot The Queen was in her Government of Toledo Some time afterward the new Corrigidor of Madrid or the chief Governour of the Polity for remedying the inconveniencies which ordinarily happen in the night ordain'd the seventh of October conformably to what has been practis'd of late years at Paris and at Amsterdam for the publick good that for the future there should be expos'd throughout the whole Town of Madrid Lights in the Streets by the means of Lanterns and ordered that from five to five houses there should be a Light for which the five houses should contribute proportionally This Sentence has been put in execution At the beginning of the year 1678. the Council gave sentence in the case of Don Ferdinand of Valenzuela Marquess of Villa Seria who was condemn'd to a perpetual banishment and sent to the Philippine Islands Intelligence was given An. 1680. that the King of Spain call'd him back from banishment from the Islands where Don Juan had caus'd him to be banisht The 17th of September Don Juan of Austria natural Son of the late King Philip the Fourth died being fifty years of age His Body was carried to the Escurial This Prince died at the same hour the same day and the same month as the late King his Father 1666. He was a great Captain fearless in War a man of great Reservation a great Minister of State penetrating all things and neglecting nothing The Kings Marriage CHarles the Second King of Spain being given to understand that the King of France had granted him the Princess Mary Loüise of Orleans for Spouse made extraordinary Rejoycings at Madrid all the Town appear'd in fire for many days the People cryed with a loud voice That France had always giv'n them good Queens At their Arrival the Patriarch of the Judges gave their Catholick Majesties the second Benediction The 13th of January 1680. the Queen of Spain made her publick and solemn Entrance at Madrid FINIS