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 he receiv'd in his hand at Tolhus a place where the Rhine divides it self and where is built the famous Fort of Schenk The 23 of the same month and of the same year the King put in possession of the Seals Messire Etienne Deligre and rais'd him the month of January An. 1674. to the place and dignity of Chancellor of the Kingdom for his merit and long services rendred to the State. He was Son of a Master his Father having been Chancellor and Keeper of the Seals Anno 1673. the War was declar'd betwixt France and Spain At the beginning of the year 1675. the King chose for his Confessor Father de la Chaize who has been Professor of Divinity in his Society Rector and Provincial of the Province of Lyons He is consummated in all sorts of Knowledge and particularly in the Moral Positive and Scholastick learning in the Mathematicks and in Medals whereof he has written a Book It 's a Chair of Truth and Piety whence issue Oracles to instruct and Examples to edifie it 's wherefore Loüis the Great by the high Lights which Heaven has communicated to him knowing his merit the solidity of his Understanding committed to him his Conscience and his Soul entirely He possesses in an eminent degree the excellent and great Qualities of those that have preceded him in the Office of Counsellor Confessor of our Kings the first was Aymon Auger the following Coton Arnoux Siguerand Suffren Malliand Gourdon a Scot Caussin Sirmond Dinet Paulin Annat and Ferrier Henry the Third was the first
the Citadel the twelfth Julius Caesar caus'd this great Town to be built whilst he was at Terouanne and the Emperour Charles the Fifth was born and baptiz'd there An. 1500. his Cradle is yet shewn there His Statue is seen in a Market-place on a Pedestal The Episcopal Church is call'd S. Bavon the Bishoprick is worth 30000 Crowns and the Prebendries 2 or 3000 Livres Father Boussingout relates that the Organ of the Church of Saint Michael has three thousand Pipes in a Book entituled The Guide of the Low Countries The most Christian King gave the Government of this place to Comte de Montbron It was restor'd to his Catholick Majesty by the Treaty of Peace concluded at Nimegen betwixt France and Spain In this Town a Cathedral-Church was built and detacht from Tornai An. 1559. by Pope Paul the Fourth at the request of Philip the Second King of Spain The 16th of March 1678. the King judg'd it convenient for the good of his affairs to withdraw his Troops from Messina which he had a long time kept there for the service of those of Messina who had implor'd his assistance The Duke de la Fueillade who succeeded the Duke of Vivonne permitted above four thousand Inhabitants of the Town to embarque themselves they being desirous to come into France to avoid the rigorous consequences of the Spanish Policy The third of May the Town of Ypres surrendred it self to the King it has the title of a Vicounty His Majesty gave the Government to the Marquess de la Trousse Lieutenant-General of his Armies Captain-Lieutenant of the Company of M. le Dauphin The third of May the Town and Fort of Lewe in Brabant were taken from the Spaniards by the Valour and Dexterity of the Sieurs Calvo and de la Breteche this person executed the Enterprize This place is incompass'd with a Marsh a great Trench and a Fore-trench full of water twelve foot deep The fifty Swimmers under the conduct of the Sieur de Cremeau Captain in the Regiment of Piemont did a bold action in passing courageously the waters with their Swords betwixt their teeth being assisted by two hundred Musketeers who openly advancing themselves fired continually on the Enemies to favourize the passage The 31th of the same month the Marshal Duke de Navaille took Puicerda Capital of Cerdaigne The King lessen'd six millions of Livres of the Tailles of the year 1678. and reduc'd them from forty millions to thirty four to be distributed or divided in all the Generalities and Countries Taillables His most Christian Majesty lessen'd them yet more by two millions An. 1679. The Tailles began under St. Loüis to maintain the charge of War against the Infidels in the twelfth age and the Gabelle or Impost on the Salt under Philip called the Long in the thirteenth age of the Incarnation Ancus Martius introduc'd it a long time before at Rome he has been blam'd by some and approv'd by others particularly the Emperour Justinian who assur'd that without the Gabelle it was impossible to make the Republick subsist because the Quiet of the People is preserv'd by Arms Arms by Pay Pay by Imposts Tributes and Tolls The Emperour Nero would have abolish'd the Gabelle but the Senate opposs'd it alleaging that to diminish the publick Revenue was to ruine the Empire In the month of July of the same year 1678. an ill Accident happen'd in America to the French Squadron commanded by the Count d'Estrées six or seven Men of War and five Fly-boats were lost near the Isle of Birds about ten leagues from Curassow being cast by the rapidness of the Currents on Rocks which are there high Many persons in them were drown'd Seven Vessels were sav'd viz. the Duke the Thunder the Star the Lyon the Vigilant the Merillon the Tempest three Fireships and two Flutes Of the Peace betwixt France Holland Spain the Emperour the Elector of Brandenburg and Denmark THe Treaty of Peace betwixt France and Holland was sign'd at Nimegen at the house of the Marshal d'Estrades An. 1678. the tenth of August about midnight The French and the Dutch embrac'd each other with tenderness and shew'd a great Joy to see their ancient Friendship perfectly reestablisht The Marshal d'Estrades Son of the Marshal of this name arriv'd the 15th of the same month from Nimegen at Saint Germains in Laye where he presented his most Christian Majesty the Treaty of Peace betwixt France and the States General of the Vnited Provinces The Ratifications were exchang'd the 20th of September and the 29th following the Peace was publisht at Paris with the accustomed Ceremonies The 5th of October the Marshal d Estrades Embassadour of the most Christian King and the Sieur Beverning Embassadour of the Estates General caus'd publick Rejoycings to be made at Nimegen for the Peace betwixt France and Holland In the same year the 17th of September the Treaty of Peace betwixt France and Spain was sign'd at Nimegen about eleven of the clock at night in the house of the Holland-Embassadours The Ratification followed some time after as also the publication An. 1679. the 5th of Febrnary the Treaty of Peace betwixt France and the Emperour was sign'd in the Chamber of Sir Leoline Jenkins Embassadour of England by the Marshal d'Estrades and the Sieur Colbert Marquess of Croissi Embassadours Plenipotentiaries for the most Christian King and by the Bishop and Prince de Gurk Count Kinski and the Sieur Stracman Embassadours Plenipotentiaries for the Emperour Signor Bevilaqua the Popes Nuncio has the reputation of having much contributed to this Peace The Treaty of Peace betwixt the Emperour and the King of Sweden was sign'd the same day by the Plenipotentiaries of the Emperour and by Count Oxenstern and Sieur Oliwenkans Embassadours Plenipotentiaries of Sweden The 19th of April the Ratification of the Emperour was exchang'd with that of the most Christian King. The 26th this Peace was publisht at Paris with the ordinary Ceremonies The 29th of June the Sieur Pomponne Minister and Secretary of State and the Sieur Minders Envoy Extraordinary of the Elector of Brandenburg sign'd the Treaty of Peace betwixt his most Christian Majesty and the Elector of Brandenburg Some time after the Peace was likewise sign'd betwixt France Sweden Denmark and the Duke of Holstein Gottorp The Marriage of the Princess Mary-Loüise of Orleans with the King of Spain ANno 1679. the second of July after the suit which the Marquess de los Balbazez made of Mademoiselle in the name for the King of Spain the Chancellor of France the Marshal Duke de Villeroy the Sieurs Colbert and de Pomponne Ministers and Secretaries of State were nominated by the King for drawing the Articles of the Contract of Marriage which was sign'd the ninth by the Commissaries nominated and the Marquess de los Balbazez Embassadour Extraordinary of Spain The 26th of August the Contract of Marriage of the King of Spain was sign'd in the King of France's Closet by all the Royal House and by
the three Kings or Magi who adored the Son of God in the Manger and it is believ'd that they are there entire The Church of St. Vrsula is famous by reason of the eleven thousand Virgins cast by a Tempest on the coasts of Germany There are seen an infinite number of bones all round the walls of the Quire in high Cupboards and many Tombs in the body of the Church and on an Altar many heads of silver where is that of St. Vrsula The Colledge of Sorbonne a Member of the faculty of Divinity of Paris has for Patronesses this holy Daughter of a King and her Companions Cardinal Baronius says in his Annotations on the Roman Martyrologie that the true History of these Virgins is lost thence it comes that we find many uncertain things of it Mr. Joli Canon of the Church of Paris has said remarkable things of it in his Book entituled A Voyage made to Munster in Westphalia and many other neighbouring places An. 1646 and 1647. Printed by Francis Clauzier Father Boussingault in his Guide of the Low Countries p. 101. and 219. says that the Church St. Mary of the Capitol has two Bodies and two Quires in the one of which the Canons say their Office and in the other the Canonesses where the one being on one side and the others on the other they sing the Praises of God. There is a like thing practis'd at Nivelle in Brabant the Canons come on certain days of the year into the Church of the Canonesses to sing with them The Abbess as Lady spiritual and temporal of the Town of Nivelle it being of her Jurisdiction presides in the Chapter the Canons and Canonesses joyntly confer the Benefices which are vacant by the death or by the marryage of the Canonesses The Ladies wear in the Church a Rochet with a black Mantle over it which trains on the ground a starcht Linnen-cloath on their arm instead of the Aumusse or the furr'd Ornament worn by Canons and a Couvre-chef on their head St. Bruno Founder of the Charthusians was born at Cologne and Mary de Medicis dyed there the third of July 1643. In the same year dyed Loüis the Thirteenth and Cardinal Richelieu Cologne has had eighty Bishops and Archbishops from Matternus to Maximilian Henry of Bavaria seventeen Bishops preceded there the Metropolitans St. Agilulfe was its first Archbishop Pope Zachary declar'd this Church Metropolitan An. 744. The Suffragans are Munster Minden and Osnaburg An Observation on the three Ecclesiastical Electors YOu must observe that the three Ecclesiastical Electors have no Passive Voice in the Assemblies of Election that is to say they cannot nominate themselves Emperours they may nominate and give their Suffrages for others but not for themselves it having not been judg'd proper that one and the same head should wear the Miter and the Imperial Crown and one and the same hand carry the Cross and the Sword and to the end that since they cannot arrive at the Crown they may keep the other Electors within the bounds of their devoir Another Observation on the Lay Electors THe Secular Electors may nominate themselves Sigismond of Luxembourg King of Bohemia nominated himself after the death of Robert of Bavaria and the other Electors acknowledging his merit gave him unanimously their Voices and Suffrages The Ecclesiastical Electors are elected by their Chapters who may exercise the Archiepiscopal Functions during the vacancy of the See but not the Electoral The Electoral Habit. THe Electoral Habit comes near that of the Presidents of Soveraign Courts That of the Ecclesiastical Electors is of Scarlet Cloath and that of the Lay Electors is of Crimson Velvet They are all lin'd with Hermines as likewise their Cap. There are some of them to be seen drawn at large with their ceremonial Habits in one of the fairest and richest Galleries of Duke Mazarin formerly belonging to the Cardinal of this name The King of Bohemia instead of the Electoral Cap wears a Royal Crown on his head You must observe that An. 1673. the Town of Cologne was chosen to treat there of a Peace betwixt the Kings of France and of Great Britain and the Hollanders and the Assembly was held at the Convent of the Carmelites a place very convenient His most Christian Majesty sent thither for his Plenipotentiaries the Duke of Chaulne and the Sieurs Courtin and de Barillon who arriv'd there the first the King shewing that he would not retard the work of Peace where so many Princes concern'd themselves though loaded with Victories They were followed by three Embassadours of Sweden who had a deference of Honour from all the rest they being then in quality of Mediators Two Plenipotentiaries came afterward from England and they expected for third the Earl of Sunderland chief of the Embassie During his absence Sir Joseph Williamson perform'd for him Those of Holland came to the number of four and afterward the Plenipotentiaries of Spain who had no other quality but of Envoys The Elector of Cologne had one Embassadour Prince William of Fustemberg the Elector of Brandenburg sent thither the Baron of Zminzin who had a Colleague The Emperour deputed the Baron d'Isola and others and the Bishop of Munster sent two there He was one of the Parties concern'd This Illustrious Assembly had no success because the seizing and carrying away by force the person of Prince William of Furstemberg by the Imperialists though vested with the character of Plenipotentiary in a place which ought to be a Sanctuary oblig'd his most Christian Majesty considering the Laws of Nations violated to recal his Nimegen was since made choice on for renewing the Conferences of the general Peace The Duke de Vitry the Sieur Colbert Marquess of Croissi and the Sieur de Mesmes Count of Avaux were appointed Plenipotentiaries of France Anno 1675. Marshal d' Estrade succeeded the Duke de Vitry. The 11th of August 1677. the Bishop and Prince of Gurc chief of the Embassie of Germany for the Conferences of the Peace arrived at Nimegen accompanied with Count Kinski and with Sieur Straman his Colleagues who went before him All the other Plenipotentiaries repair'd thither The Estates of the Vnited Provinces of the Low Countries appointed for their Plenipotentiaries the Sieur Hieromy Beverning Lord of Teylingen Curator of the University of Leiden the Sieur William of Nassau Lord of Odik Cortegene c. and the Sieur William Haren Grietman du Bildt The Treaties of Peace and of Commerce Navigation and Maritime affairs betwixt France and the States General of the Vnited Provinces of the Low Countries were concluded at Nimegen the 10th of August 1678. In the same year the Treaty of Peace betwixt France and Spain was sign'd and the year following 1679. that of France and of the Emperour whereof we have spoken elsewhere The Elector and King of Bohemia THe King of Bohemia one of the seven Electors formerly the Emperours great Cup-bearer is at present the Emperour himself Cath. His Arms
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 Boâ—illon 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 Mâ—rshâ—ls 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 Jacques 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 of this noble Defender in his Orient what was said of St. John Baptist at his birth Quis putas 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 great 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
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 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. Messire Loüis Laisne Chevalier Lord de la Margrie 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
the Marquess de los Balbazez and afterward the Affiances were made by Cardinal Boüillon great Almoner of France The Ceremony of the Marriage was perform'd in the Chappel of the House of Fontainebleau The 20th of September the Queen of Spain parted from Fontainebleau for Spain she went into a Coach with the King the Queen M. le Dauphin Monsieur and Madame they went together two leagues on the way and parted from each other after having bid an Adieu very tenderly Her Catholick Majesty accompanied with Monsieur and Madam went on her way the Marquess and Marchioness de los Balbazez went the Journey with her The 30th of December of the year before-mentioned 1679. was sign'd at Munic the Contract of Marriage of M. le Dauphin with the Electoral Princess of Bavaria Mary An-Christian Victoir A Continuation of Affairs of this time THe King re-establisht by an Edict of 1679. the study of the Civil Law which had not been taught since the Ordinance of Blois of the year 1579. Messieurs Boucherat and de Bezons Counsellors of State who were nominated Commissioners for determining the difficulties which might hinder the execution of the Edict were present at the Harang which the Sieur Deloy Professor made the 17th of December in the Schools of Law to thank his Majesty for the favour granted Some time after the King to render more flourishing the study of the Civil Law of Paris made a Society of twelve Doctors who took the Oath tendred them by the same two Counsellors of State nominated Commissaries for this effect the Sieurs Boccager and le Gendre are of the number of the associated Doctors for their particular merit His most Christian Majesty appointed 200000 Livres to be distributed in the Diocesses of Narbonne Beziers Agde and S. Pons by reason of the Damages that they had suffered by the drought of the same year An. 1680. on the 15th of January the Contract of Marriage of Loüis Armand de Bourbon Prince of Conti with Mademoiselle de Blois Ann Mary de Bourbon was sign'd in the Kings Chamber the next day after Cardinal Boüillon perform'd the Ceremony of Marriage in the Chappel of the House of S. Germain in Laye The King nominated Abbot Hervaux to the Office of Auditor of the Rota possess'd before by Messire Charles de Bourlemont LORAIN LOrain Lotharingia took its name from Lotharius Grandchild of the Emperour Charlemagne The Ducal and Soveraign House of Lorain contains many Escotcheons over all a Bend Gules charg'd with three Alerions Argent in memory of Godefroy de Bouillon who at one sole shoot of an Arrow broacht three little Birds on it Its Princes bear also in their Arms the Cross of Hierusalem by reason of their pretences to the two Sicilies whereof the Kings were also Kings of Hierusalem Lorain has for capital City Nancy two Duchies that of Lorain and that of Bar. They count there three Bailiwicks or Seats of Judicature to wit that of Nancy that of Germany Lorain and that of Vauge These Bailiwicks comprize a great many Lands and Lordships as the County of Vaudemont the Marquisat Nomeni the Marquisat Hatonchatel the Lordships of Epinal on the Moselle Marsal Blamont Salverdin Boulai c. Charles the Fourth Duke of Lorain Uncle of Charles the Fifth Son of Francis Count of Vaudemont was depriv'd of his Estates for some years and restor'd to them upon the general Peace by special Articles the 3d of March 1661. The King of France and the King of Spain have been Masters the one of the Estates of this Prince and the other of his Person Henry the Second King of France conquer'd Metz Toul and Verdun these three Towns were straitly united to the Crown of France by the Treaty of Munster and by that of the Pyreneans Loüis the Thirteenth conquer'd the Town Bar le Duc and all the Country of Barrois and also the strong places Moyenvic Stenai Dun Jametz and the County of Clermont which ought to continue incorporated to France according to the Treaty of Peace made in the Isle of Faisans 1659. Loüis the Fourteenth on consideration of this Peace restor'd Prince Charles to the possession of the Dutchy of Lorain after having caus'd his Fortifications of Nancy to be demolish'd on condition that the Duke should leave off all Leagues Intelligences Associations and Practices with any Prince whatsoever which having not perform'd his Majesty dispossess'd him Since this Treaty of Peace Duke Charles has yielded up to the most Christian King the Property and Soveraignty of his Duchy of Lorain and Bar. The most learned Genealogists draw the Origine of the House of Lorain from above 2000 years It descends from Echinoal Maire of the Palace under Clovis the Second King of France 648. It 's the same Family with that of Austria at present Its Princes repair not to the Diets of the Empire fearing lest they should not have that place allow'd them which they pretend to conformable to their Birth The Dutchy of Bar is a Fief holding of the Crown of France The chief Towns of Lorain are NAncy Mireout Luneville Spinal Remiremont Diuze Valdegrange Rosieres Neufchatel c. Those of the Dutchy of Bar BAr le Duc S. Mihiel Pont-Amousson Stenay Estein Vizelise Moyenvic Commerci Pont-Amousson has the title of University its principal Founder was Prince Charles the Third The Country Messin contains a great many Towns Burroughs Villages Hamlets Castles c. At Luneville near Rosieres there is a fair House of Pleasure belonging to the Dukes of Lorain Mausoleums of the Dukes of Lorain THeir Tombs are in divers Abbeys to wit in that of Clairlieu Clairfountain Beaupre and since these three hundred years at Nancy at S. Georges and at the Cordeliers There are in Lorain four famous Abbeys of Ladies Canonesses to wit of Remiremont Epinal Poussai and Boussiere these Ladies may marry themselves excepting the Abbesses and others of the chief they are of Noble extraction Lorain is very fertile both in Corn Wine and Pasturage it brings forth good Horses and divers Animals Venison is almost as common as Beef in a great many Butchers stalls Fish abound there by reason of the River Maes and other Rivers very full of them as the Moselle the Sare the Meurte and the Selle This issues from the Pond Indre of which the Carps alone bring its Master once in three years 16000 Livres of Rent as it has been attested to me by some of the chief Officers of the late Prince Charles the Fourth The other Ponds are considerable there are four or five of this greatness If Switzerland has great Lakes Lorain has Ponds very full of Fish A Lake is distinguisht from a Pond or Marsh that the first is a deep water and has Springs which never dry and a Pond is a gathering together of waters more subject to diminish Ponds are emptied but not Lakes This Country has Salt-works of a great revenue Rosieres Dieuze Marsal Moyenvic Salone and Chasteau are places of Salt-works and
excellent Baths particularly those of a place call'd Plombieres whose warm waters are of a great vertue it 's a work of the Romans The Salt-work of Dieuse furnishes Salt to Alsatia that of Rosieres to the three Bishopricks They make no farther use of Marsal and Salone because the others supply abundantly The Switzers take their Salt in Franche Comte The Mountains are fill'd with Mines of Brass Lead Silver Alabaster and particularly of Iron The Forests are full of Game We see there Glass-houses the Sieur de Rochefort says in his Book of Voyages T. 4. p. 374. That there is sometimes danger in seeing them alone when they are in a retired place in the Woods because the Workmen may throw a man into the Furnace to make their Glass as clear and beautiful as Crystal wherefore in regard he would not that they try'd it on him he contented himself with seeing that of Venice and went on his way The Lorainers will not grant this Article The Soyl is so dispos'd to bring forth Trees that if it were not till'd it would all run up to a Forest All Lorain is forty leagues in length and thirty in breadth An. 1220. one of its Dukes Matthew the Second caus'd an evil Justice to be flea'd by reason of the Thefts he had committed and his Skin to be put on the Judicial Seat for his Son to sit on to whom he gave the Office and the terrour of being us'd after the like manner This Prince followed the Example of Cambyses King of Persia with this difference that he caus'd the Judge Chunrad to be flea'd after his death but the other caus'd Sisames to be flea'd alive The House of Lorain has yielded many Saints The Marriage of Prince Charles of Lorain PRince Charles the Fifth is married with the Queen Dowager of Poland the Sister of the Emperour Leopold the Bishop Count Kalonitz gave them the Nuptial Benediction assisted with two other Bishops in the presence of their Imperial Majesties and of all the Court in the Church of Loretta of Neustad The Marriage was consummated the sixth of February 1678. The tenth of February the King of Spain honour'd Prince Charles the Fifth above-mention'd with the Coller of the Order of the Golden Fleece GERMANY LEopold the First of the name of the House of Austria Emperour of Germany was born the 9th of June 1640. was chosen King of Hungary An. 1655. King of Bohemia An. 1656. elected King of the Romans An. 1658. and crown'd Emperour at Francfort on the Main An. 1659. where the three Ecclesiastical Electors and the Elector Palatine repair'd the others sent thither their Embassadours as also the King of France the King of Spain and others The Emperours of Germany are Catholicks The Empire bears Or an Eagle displayed sable membred langued becked and adorn'd with a Diadem Gules It has for Device Vno avulso non desicit alter The Livery of the Emperours of the House of Austria is yellow The 14th of October 1676. the Emperour Leopold some time after the death of the Empress Margaret of Austria Daughter of Philip the Fourth King of Spain and Sister of the Queen of France declar'd for his future Spouse the Princess Mary Magdalen-Therese-Eleonor of Newburg The Marriage was consummated at Passau the 14th of December following The Bishop of that Town bless'd it assisted with two Prelates he of Aicstad was of the number Their Imperial Majesties made their solemn Entries at Vienna the 20th of January 1677. The Canons of the Arsenal were carried on the Ramparts and all the Citizens put themselves in Arms by the order of the Magistrate Count Montecuculi was declar'd Prince of Amalfo the 31th of March 1678. The 26th of July of the same year on the day of S. Anne the Empress was brought to bed of a Prince who is call'd the Archduke of Austria He was given at the Font of Baptism the names of Joseph James John Ignatius Antony and Eutache The Dutchess of Newburg presented to the Empress her Daugher a Bed and a Cradle of silver Vienna in Austria on the Danubins is the Capital City and the ordinary place of residence of the Emperour His Palace is August though it appears very ancient It has four Pavilions The chief Imperial Houses of Pleasure in the Country LVxembourg Favorites Neustad Kanisburg Ebersdorf and others The Church of the Capucins of Vienna is the ordinary bural place of the Emperors of the House of Austria in a Vault and many Obsequies are solemniz'd for three days in the Church of the little discalceated Augustins The Cathedral-Church is dedicated to S. Steven The Coronation of the Emperour with the signification of the three Crowns THe Emperour is crown'd ordinarily with three sorts of Crowns the first is of Iron the second of Silver the third of Gold. The Crown of Iron denotes the Strength which an Emperour ought to have that of Silver signifies the Pureness that of Gold the Charity The Emperours formerly went to Milan to receive the Crown of Silver and to Rome for that of Gold at present they go no longer the Pope confirms the Election and Coronation Since Charles the Fifth no Emperour has been crown'd by the hands of his Holiness At Aix la Chappelle is kept the Crown of Iron with one of Silver and at Nuremberg many Ornaments which are made use of at the Coronation of the Emperours There are to be seen there the Dalmatica of Charlemagne the Imperial Mantle the Globe the golden Scepter and the Sword the golden Bull also enjoyning him that is elected Emperour to receive at Aix la Chappelle the first Crown which is of Iron and if he receives it elsewhere the Imperial Ornaments are carried thither and a great Sword after the Persian fashion The Emperour after his Coronation receives the Oath from the Imperial Towns the Town of Strasburg refus'd it praying Count de Hanau who had Orders to receive it for Leopold to assure the Emperour that they would continue within the bounds of Duty and Acknowledgment towards his Imperial Majesty but that having not taken an Oath to any of his Predecessors for three hundred years they would not swear and could not innovate any thing You may see thereon Loüis du Mai Knight in his Book of the State of the Empire T. 1. p. 365. and T. 2. p. 203. The Emperour does not command absolutely out of his Hereditary Countries but governs by the way of Diets which are General Assemblies and as it were Estates General He is the Chief of the Empire and the Electors are the principal Members His hereditary Estates are those of Austria and Bohemia those of Hungary are Elective The Golden Bull. THe Constitutions of the Empire are contain'd in the Golden Bull which is a little Book its Original is writ on Parchment containing twenty four Leaves and thirty Chapters the twenty three first were publisht at Nuremberg 1356. the tenth of January and the other seven at Metz in the same year