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
War whereof he carries many honourable marks on his body for the service of our Monarch has perform'd according to his wont Military actions worthy of his Courage and Valour and particularly in the Campagne of 1677. against the Imperialists The taking of the Town and Citadel of Fribourg in Brisgaw by this Marshal deserves to be particulariz'd This important place opens the Hereditary Countries takes from the Emperour a part of his Dominion Fribourg has belong'd to the Dukes of Zeüringuen and afterward to Comte Egon of Fustemberg for having married Agnes their Heiress his Descendants were Masters of it to the year 1386. The Inhabitants of the Town gave up themselves to the Duke of Austria Marshal Horn and the Duke of Weimar besieg'd and took this place three times for the Swedes An. 1632 1634 1638. Marshal d'Humieres reduc'd to the Kings Obedience the Town of Saint Guillain by his Valour and Forecast the tenth of December of the same year 1677. This place is about two leagues from Mons its Abbot is Lord Spiritual and Temporal and the Abbey is the chief of Hainalt The 12th the Count d'Estrées having taken the Forts which the Hollanders held in the Isle of Gorea at Cape-Vert made himself Master after a long Navigation of the Isle of Tobago and of many Duch Men of War An. 1678. the first day of March the Town of Gand Capital of the Country of Flanders was invested by the Marshal d'Humieres and taken by his most Christian Majesty on composition the ninth of the same month and the Citadel the twelfth Julius Caesar caus'd this great Town to be built whilst he was at Teroüanne 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 Flyboats 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 February 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
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 are a Lion Argent arm'd and crown'd Or with a double tail noüed and pass'd in Saltier in a Field Gules Prague is the capital City its Dukes the Kings and Emperours have kept there a long time their Court it is divided into three the Small the Ancient and the New Praga ad Moldaviam fluvium the Molde waters it Its Inhabitants were govern'd by Dukes till Vratislaus was created the first King who was followed by many others till the Royal Line being extinct the House of Austria put themselves in possession of this Kingdom which has been made hereditary in the House of Austria by the Treaty of Peace of Munster The Ancients called Bohemia Bojemia or Bojohemia that is to say in the German Tongue the House or Residency of the Boyes a People of the Gauls who retir'd thither Some have said that this Elector was the last before that he was King His Chair at the Elections is of Sattin pursled with Gold and that of his Colleagues of Crimson Velvet onely Some would seem to say that he has onely a casting Voice and Suffrage when the other Electors do not accord for the Election of the Emperour but it is certain that he is effectively an Elector as the others and that his Royal quality gives him the first Seat amongst the Lay Electors Bohemia with the Provinces of Moravia and Silesia may be worth yearly twelve or thirteen Millions to its Prince The Emperour Frederic surnamed Barberossa made it a Kingdom it is he who said to Pope Alexander the Third Non tibi sed Petro. The Bohemians in the Ceremonies of the Mass sing the Epistle and Gospel in their Tongue and communicate under both kinds it has been permitted them as a thing which does not alter the essence of Faith The Town of Egra otherwise Eger belongs to this Crown the Gazettes often mention it There are pretious Stones found in the Mountains of Pinch whence is come the Proverb that men throw sometimes a Stone at a Cow which is worth more than the Cow The Inhabitants of Bohemia are call'd Bohemians with an Aspiration and the vagabond Egyptian Fortunetellers Boemians they appear'd in Europe An. 1417. They came from Hungary and Valachia Frontiers of Turky The Clocks of Bohemia are alter the Italian fashion they tell the hours there from one Sun-setting to the next twenty four hours consecutively Olmus is the capital Town of Moravia and Breslau of Silesia The Emperour Leopold declar'd Count Staremberg Chancellor of the Empire and Counsellor of his Privy-Council the 24th of January 1678. The Elector of Bavaria MAximilian Marie Count Palatine of the Rhine Duke of Bavaria Prince and Elector of the Empire Great Steward of the Imperial House came into the World An. 1662. is Cath. His Arms are three Shields together the first Sable a Lyon crowned Or which belongs to the Palatinate the second is fusile in bend of 21 pieces Argent and Azure which belongs to Bavaria the third Gules an Imperial Globe Or which belongs to the Electorate Saltzburg has fâ—rmerly been the Capital of this Country at present it 's Munic a very strong place some call it in Latin Monachum others Monachium The Germans Munchen on the River Iser This Elector resides at Munic his Palace is one of the stateliest of Germany The great Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden having taken the Town and the Dukes Palace which he did not demolish by reason of its beauty possess'd himself of the Dukes sine Library where were rare Manuscripts which he caâ—ried into Sweden Queen Christian his Daughter gave liberally of them to some learned persons amongst others to the Sieur Vossius Canon of Windsor in England to the Sieur des Cartes and others The Castle of Schelesheim two leagues from Munic is a Country-house of Pleasure where his Electoral Highness goes ordinarily to take the diversion of Hunting His Buccâ—ntaurus passes amongst the curious for a Wonder of this Age. It is on the Lake of Staremberg which is a league over and six leagues in length It is held to be as beautiful and as large as that of Venice whereof I speak in its place This Elector raises eighteen or twenty thousand men and sometimes more his Revenue is considerable His Dukedom which is in upper Germany is divided into upper and lower Bavaria Munic Ingolstat and Freisingen are in the upper Freisingen has the title of Bishoprick and Ingolstat of University Ratisbone in the German Tongue Regensburg Passau Landshut Straubingen and many others are of the lower Bavaria The great Church of Munic is the Burial-place of its Dukes The Electorate the upper Palatinate and the County of Chamb were granted to the House of Bavaria and its Successors as long as the Male-line should hold accoâ—â—ing to the tenth Article of the Treaty of Munster In the last War between France and Germany the Elector Ferdinand Marie stood Neuter He dyed suddenly at Schelesheim at forty three years of Age. Pope Innocent the Eleventh celebrated Mass for the Soul of this deceased person and the Emperour caus'd the Funeral-Obsequies to be solemniz'd at Vienna in the Church of the discalceated Augustins The Empire has been divers times in the House of Bavaria Its Princes have married eight Daughters of Emperours and eleven Daughters of Kings and among the Daughters of this House six have married Emperours three have been married to Kings and two to Dolphins of France Three Electors are of the same
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
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 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 Boüillon 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
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 on Christmas-day This Book treats of the Election of the King of the Romans of the Ceremonies that ought to be observ'd in the Election of the Emperour and of his Authority of the Devoir and Priviledges of the Electors and other Officers of the Empire and also of the means to preserve Peace The Emperour Charles the Fourth of the House of Luxembourg made this Bulle call'd by his name the Caroline in the presence and with the consent of the greatest part of the Princes Lords and other Estates of the Empire This Edict comprehending the Fundamental Laws of the Empire was seal'd with a great round Seal not on Wax nor on Lead nor on Silver but on Gold to shew that as this Metal is incorruptible and the noblest of all so that the Laws which this Bulle contains being the principal of the Empire ought not to be chang'd The Seal is fasten'd to red and yellow Strings of Silk on one side of it there is the Effigies of the Author seated in his Throne vested with the Imperial Mantle the Crown on his head the Septer in one hand and the Globe of the Empire in the other with this Inscription Carolus IV. divina favente Clementia Romanorum Imperator semper Augustus Bohemiae Rex On the other side there is a Castle with two Towns and this Devise Aurea Roma and in the circumference Roma Caput Mundi regit orbis fraena rotundi There is an Inscription on both sides because the Seal is impress'd and engrav'd on both sides on a great Medal hanging beneath the Bulle It is reported of this Prince that in recompensing the Treason of three Captains of Philip of Austria his Enemy as they deserv'd he caus'd them to be paid 600000 Crowns which he had promis'd them but it was in false Coin The Traytors complaining the Emperour said to them Go too false Money is well enough for those who have falsified their Faith to their Prince Prerogatives of the Emperour THe chief Prerogatives of the Emperour are to create Kings to require the Towns of the Empire by Proclamation to attend him on occasion to give the Investitute of Fiefs the Power of Legitimating and other Priviledges Fourteen Emperours of the House of Austria THe Empire has been in divers Houses according to the pleasure of the Electors There are counted fourteen Emperours of the House of Austria to Leopold reigning at present The first was Rodolphus of Alsatia Earl of Habsbourg Writers take notice of him for that before his Election as he was hunting a Priest carrying the Sacrament to a dying Peasant he alighted off his horse and made the Priest get up upon him and afterward taking the horse by the reins he accompanied the Sacrament a long difficult and troublesome way till he came to the Hut of the poor sick person This extraordinary act of Piety and Religion has been so well recompens'd by God that since that time this house is aggrandiz'd and rendred Illustrious throughout the whole Earth The Castle of Habsbourg the original Seat of the Emperours of the House of Austria is two leagues from Bâle there are now onely the Ruines to be seen the Switzers not suffering it to be rebuilt The chief Towns of Germany VIenna Prague Presburg Aix la Chappelle Ratisbonne Erfort Dresden Munic Strasbourg Hambourg Mayence Cologne Tréves Munster Magdeburg Lubec Nuremberg Ausburg Heyldeburg Francfort on the Meine Passau Visbourg Brunsvic Inspruch Bremen Brandenburg Berlin Hanover Francfort on the Oder and others The four Wood-land-Towns Valdshoüet Lauffembourg Seckinge and Reinfeld are so call'd because they are built in Woods The four Rustick Towns are Cologne Ratisbonne Constance and Saltzbourg Vienna is a Bulwark of Christendom against the Turks the Emperour Ferdinand the Third and Leopold Ignatius his Son fortified it with large and deep Trenches growing broader and broader from the bottom to the top with twelve great Bastions and high Ramparts There are but six Gates to pass into this Town and they are always shut before Sun-set those that come late from walking enter by a Wicket at the Gate of Italy which they must open with a silver Key Solyman the Second Emperour of the Turks besieg'd this Town with 300000 men the 26th of September of the year 1529. and was forc'd to raise the Siege the 14th of October following after having lost there a great part of his Souldiers some say fourscore thousand men A great number of Bassa's and other Commanders heads were planted on the Walls of this place which vigoroufly held out twenty Assaults Notwithstanding this firm Resistance Solyman would not withdraw himself till they had permitted him to cause the Crescent to be set up in Vienna this was accorded him pro bono pacis and as a Memorial of this Siege The Crescent is to be seen on the Pyramidal point of the Steeple of the Cathedral-Church of S. Steven The Town was not then fortified as it is at present being now the strongest of all Germany It s Bishop is Suffragan of the Archbishop of Saltzburg who has eleven The University of Vienna was founded by Albert the Third There are seen in the Emperours Library fourscore and seven Paper-writings hung up where it is exactly treated of the Vniversity of Paris of its Statutes and Priviledges The Plague destroy'd An. 1679. a world of people at Vienna and in all Austria Prague is the Capital City of the Kingdom of Bohemia whereof we shall