MEMOIRSOF

VALOIS

DE

MARGUERITE

of

Wife

of France,

Queen

Henri

IV

OF

POMPADOUR

DE

MADAME
Of

the

Louis

of

Court

OF

AND

MEDICI

DE

CATHERINE
Queen

With

Special

and

of

Henri

Ifttroduction

Illustrations

NEW

Wife

of France,

XV

COLLIER
PUBLISHERS

YORK

"

SON

Copyright
By

p. F. Collier

1910

" Son

"CI.A305503

CONTENTS

LETTER

I
PAGE

Introduction.

Anecdotes

"

Used

Progress.

in

Catholicism.

Festivity
in Consequence

the

from

His

Charles

Her

Eloquent

Harangue.

Discourse

of
Her

Brother

Own

Anjou.

a
"

Engages

"

III.,

Favour

to

Her

"

Anjou's

"

Character."

Marguerite.

with

High

in

Interview.

Queen-mother's

Importance.
Is

"

Henri

Queen-mother.

the
Their

d'Anjou

Due

the

Afterwards

"

The

"

on

Interrupted.

13

and

Children.

for

"

II

Brother

Fondness

Court

The

"

"

Religion.

Suddenly

d'Anjou,

Due

New

the

to

LETTER

Message
King

Infancy.

Marguerite's
Her

Grand

"

Confusion

The

of
Convert

Confirmed

Is

She

to

deavours
En-

She

"

covers
Dis-

Her

Serve

to

with

Queen-

the

mother

21

III

LETTER

Le

Guast.
the

Character.

His

"

Guises.

"

Confidence

in

Introduces

Relieve

Guise

De

Marguerite
Portugal.

"

Sick.

in

Uneasy

Herself.

The

"

Loses

with
IV.

of
Her
of

Queen

the

Marriage
That

on

Match

Son,

France.

Described.
of

"

the

of

the
"

The

The

of

Sick

"

the
He

Chamber.

"

King

the

by

of

Contrives

"

to

Broken

Portugal

off.

2.7

Navarre,
for

Which
St.

Marriage

Marguerite's

"

Preparations

on

of

IV

Circumstances

Huguenots

Favour

Hypocrisy.

Account.

with

Navarre.

King

the

"

LETTER

Death

from

Anjou's
Marguerite's

into

Demanded
Made

She

"

Falls

and

Jealous of
Reposing

Be

to

Queen-mother

the

Marguerite.

Queen-mother

Affects

Anjou

"

Dissuades

Henri

Afterwards
That
Led

Bartholomew's

Solemnisation
to

the

Day

sacre
Mas.

33

Memoirs

"

^"^*

CONTENTS

LETTER
.XV"

PAGE

Massacre
"^1%^

St. Bartholomew's

of

Day

LETTER

39

VI

Henri,

of
d'Anjou, Elected
King
Poland, Leaves
Plots
the Due
Huguenot
to Withdraw
d'Alengon
and
the King
of Navarre
from
Court.
Discovered
and
Defeated
Draws
She
by Marguerite's Vigilance.
Up an
Her
Husband
Delivers
before
Eloquent Defence, Which
Committee
from
the Court
of Parliament.
a
Alengon
Her
Close
and
under
a
Husband,
Arrest, Regain Their
Liberty by the Death of Charles IX
Due
France.
"

"

"

"

LETTER
Accession
Faith

of Henri
in

III.

"

VII

Journey

to

Lyons.

Marguerite's

"

Supernatural Intelligence

Happened

at

48

VIII

LETTER

What

Lyons

52

LETTER

IX

Bussi
III.
Intrigues. Marriage of Henri
Assassination
and Narrowly
Escapes

Fresh

Arrives

"

"

at

58

Court

....

LETTER
Bussi

Is Sent

with

Torigni

from

Fit of
Dismissed

of Navarre
Court

and

Court.
Marguerite's Husband
Care
Great
Epilepsy. Her
"

from
Due

Service.

Marguerite's
d'Alengon Secretly Leave

"

Arrest.
Deliverance

Marguerite under

Her

Peace

Fortunate

of

"

the

XI

"

LETTER
The

"

64
LETTER

Queen

Attacked
Him.
The
King

of

"

the

44

Sens

betwixt

Henri

Attempt

on

Torigni's Life.
71

XII
III. and

the

Huguenots

76

CONTENTS
LETTER

5
XIII
PAGE

The

Declared
War
League.
against the Huguenots.
Marguerite Sets out for Spa
"

LETTER

Queen

"

83

XIV

Description of Queen Marguerite's Equipage. Her Journeyto

She Enters
with Success
Her
Liege Described.
upon
Mission.
tion
Striking Instance of Maternal
Duty and Affec"

"

"

in

Great

Lady.

Disasters

"

Close

the

near

of

the

Journey

92

LETTER
The

City of

XV

Liege Described.
Affecting
de
Tournon.
Fatal
Effects
of Mind
"

"

Anguish

LETTER

107

XVI

Queen

Marguerite, on Her Return

of Being
Prisoner.
Made
a
Narrow
Escapes, at La Fere

"

LETTER
Good

moiselle
Story of Madeof
Suppressed

from
She

Liege, Is in Danger
Arrives, after Some
113

XVII

of Queen
ders.
Marguerite's Negotiations in FlanObtains
Go to the King of Navarre
Leave
to
Her
but
trigues
InCourt
Husband,
Journey Is Delayed.
and Plots.
The
Due
d'Alengon Again Put under

Effects
She
"

Her

"

"

Arrest

125

LETTER
The

The

Brothers

Due

Reconciled.

d'Alengon

XVIII

Alengon Restored

"

LETTER

XIX

His

Escape

Makes

Marguerite's Fidelity Put

to

LETTER

Severe

from

Trial

His

to

Court.

Liberty. 134

Queen

"

143

....

XX

Queen

Marguerite Permitted
Is
Accompanied
"

to

by

Go to the King Her

the
Queen-mother.

"

Husband.
Mar-

CONTENTS

PAGE

Insulted

guerite
Harbours

by

during
The

War

Attention

Her

Jealousy.

Husband's

Her

She

Secretary.
to

King

the

"

Her

band
Hus-

"

an

Out

Breaks

Reconciliation.

Their

Indisposition.

"

"

Received

Affront

Afresh.

from

"

Marechal

de

Biron

151

LETTER

Situation

of

in

Affairs

XXI

Flanders.

d'Alengon's

Due

for
with

Negotiation.

Firing

on

Queen

Fosseuse.

About

Brought

Peace
"

Marechal

Biron

de

gises
Apolo-

"

Henri

Nerac.

Desperately

"

Marguerite

Discovers

by

in

Love

Fosseuse

to

"

Be
"

Which

Pregnant,

to

Denies.

Fosseuse

in

Labour,

"

Generous

Marguerite's

Return

She

Paris

Behaviour

to

Her.
"

Marguerite's
163

INTRODUCTION

queen

in

crisis

French

Europe

which

attaches

and

be

hardly

can

the

in

the

will

day

edly
undoubt-

momentous

first-hand

as

While

appeal

the

to

ments
docu-

the

discussions

intimate

time

religious history

overestimated.

the

they
in

mous
fa-

of

passage

actors

and

Navarre's

as

importance

their

to

of

manners

chief

history,
v^ell,their

as

which

Emanating

the

of

one

of

Henry

value

heighten.

to

from

do

of

possess

but

seems

of

Memoirs

Secret

The

interest

of

people

reader

the

at

outset.

of

Valois

de

Marguerite

Elizabeth

Queen

was

the

daughter

and

was

given

to

of

Henry

threatened

house
whom
but

all
of

it
St.

to

was

this

at

been

Marguerite,
Protestant

it
his

party
life

begun

the

precise

Bartholomew's
"

Catholics,

welding

have

said,

bride,
were

under

"

was

slain
such
7

of

the

petty

made
houses

lure

him

was

this

riage
mar-

but

ally
actu-

to

Paris,

the

bloody Massacre
self
himordered.
Henry

through
^but

she

of

France,

Catherine

and

to

that

of

king

two

snare

time

day
is

the

Protestant,

of

for

pretext

escaped

wedded

was

fanatical

seems

Although

waning
three

sons,

throne

star

the

did)

four

the

mother

Bourbon

it

afterwards
had

Marguerite
de Medicis,

scheming

ascendant

mounted

childless.

her

by

Catherine

Navarre

most

it

of

Valois.

Catherine

whose

eclipse (as

were

for

marriage

successively

state

the

in

nish
fur-

careers

parallel.

famous

the

contemporary

their

and

of

points

of

French

England,

Navarre,

to

of

of

curious

several

the

was

his

the

protection

adherents

in

by the thousands.
sanguinary auspices

of
the

A
was

INTRODUCTION

B
not

destined

end

to

happily. Indeed,

their

marriage

armed
truce, peaceas
an
nothing so much
able,
and
allowing both to pursue their several paths,
dissolved by mutual
and finally
consent, in 1598, when
forty-five.The closingyears
Queen Marguerite was
resembled

of her

life

in

of Usson,

spent in strict seclusion,at the Castle

were

Auvergne,

and

it was

this time

at

that she

probably wrote her Memoirs.

written in a clear
In the original,
the Memoirs
are
Their first
yigorous French, and in epistolaryform.
As
editor divided them
books.
into three sections,
or
of
the secret historyof the Court
a whole
they cover
France
from the years 1565 to 1582
seventeen
years
of extraordinaryinterest,comprising,as they do, the
Massacre
of St. Bartholomew, already referred to, the
formation
of the famous
League, the Peace of Sens,
and the bitter religious
at last
persecutionswhich were
ended
issued after Henry of
by the Edict of Nantes
Navarre
became
Besides
the
Henry IV. of France.
political
bearing of the letters,they give a picturesque
"

account

of Court

the fashions

and

life at the

end

of the

i6th

century,

of the time,

piquantdescriptions,
and amusing gossip,such as only a witty woman
could injectinto such
as
Marguerite certainlywas
in sprightly
subjects. The
letters,indeed, abound
manners

""

anecdote

"

and

small-talk,which

yet have

their value

in

lighteningup the whole situation.

The
coincides very nearly with the
period covered
first half of Marguerite's own
life. Incidents of her
girlhoodare given,leadingto more
important matters,
personal and political,
up to the twenty-ninth year of
her age.
The letters end, therefore,some
seven
years
priorto the death of her brother, Henry HI. of France,
and
while
still merely Queen
she was
of Navarre.
It will always be a matter
of regret that the latter half
of her life

was

not

likewise covered.

INTRODUCTION

appeared in printed form in

They
1628, thirteen years after their author's death.
translated
enjoyed great popularity,and in 1656 were
lowing
into English and
publishedin London, with the foltitle:
The
erroneous
grand Cabinet Counsels
of Court
unlocked; or, the most faithful Transaction
of the Civil
Continuance
and
Affairs, and Growth
in France, during the Reigns of Charles the last,
Wars
Henry III., and Henry IV., commonly called the
Great.
Most
excellentlywritten, in the French
Tongue, by Margaret de Valois, Sister to the two first
of the last. Faithfullytranslated
Kings, and Wife
Two
by Robert Codrington, Master of Arts."
years
later the work
was
again translated,this time under
These

Memoirs

first

''

the title of

*'

Memorials

of Court

Affairs."

The

leading
mis-

portion of Codrington'stitle is in regard to the

As
reign of Henry IV.
already shown, the letters
before
that time, although chroniclingmany
cease
of his earlycareer.
The present careful translation
events
has been made
direct from the original,
adhering
as
closelyas permissibleto the rugged but clear-cut
verbal expressionsof i6th century France.
Queen Marguerite herself is described by historians
both
and novelists as a singularly^tractive woman,
age
physicallyand mentally. Of a little above the averand graceful,
height,her figurewas well-rounded
her carriagedignified
writer
and commanding.
One
thus describes her :
Her
full,black, and
eyes were
sparkling;she had bright,chestnut-coloured
hair, and
icately
a complexion fresh and
blooming. Her skin was delwhite,and her neck admirably well formed ; and
this so generallyadmired
beauty,the fashion of dress,
in her time, admitted
of being fullydisplayed." To
her personal charms
added
a
were
ished
ready wit and polHer
manners.
spoken or
thoughts, whether
written, were
always clearlyand gracefullyexpressed.
"

INTRODUCTION

lo

In

her

retirement,
herself

amused
music

by

writing

Regarding
of
of

she

opinion

exalted

every

separation

from

the

scandalous

attack,

les

de

Amours

la

Pierre

de

known

by

final

the

Sieur

is

life

staunch

has

who

her

of

a
ou

but

Valois;

this
M.

considered.

Brantome

of

the

Satyrique,

(better
facts

many

Anecdotes

adherent

in

subject

the

gives

his

in

versity
di-

After

de

de

been

been

has

seriously

name),

later

there

Divorce

Le

never

was

skilfully.

was

Marguerite

Bourdeville,

her
France

entitled

Reyne

libel

anonymous

she

to

herself

personage.

king,

set

upon

there

indeed,

as,

"

nearly

case

character

often

she

accompanying

performed

personal

her

she

life,

which

verses

sang-,

lute, which

the

her

of

dose

afterwards

and

upon

the

at

Rois

des

hers.

cerning
con-

de
the

Ronsard,

Court
but

is

poet,

also

of

chiefly

her

have

romancers

Meyerbeer's
wedding,
known

the

novel,

in

This

keeping

doubtful
with

merely
of
the

pages

de

the
as

brilliant

this

of

her

half

as

phase,
fashion

possible
woman,

Memoirs.

her

upon

well-

Dumas's
her

what
some-

-tool, half -agent

of

the

for

historical

the
if

however,
of

and

subject.

based

gives

her,

poets

favourite
is

Valois,

mistress

the

as

Massacre.

ensuing

reputation,
and

life

Huguenots,

Marguerite

dubious

Catherine,

her

Les

opera,
and

Mole.

found

other

Numerous

beauty.

of

praises

his

in

extravagant

true,

times.

line

completing

who

lives

again

It

La

but

was

is
the

for

tioned
men-

trait
porus

in

ON

MARGUERITE
OF

QUEEN

VALOIS.

DE

NAVARRE.

,s

native land ! and

Dear

grandsire/ father,^and

(Where

proud castles! say

you,

brothers'

three

lay,

imperial wore),
will you own,
Me
bore?
daughter whom
your
you
Me, once
greatest boast and chiefest pride,
your
and Lorraine,*when
By Bourbon
sought a bride;
without
widowed
Now
wife,"a queen
a
throne,
each, in turn, the

Who

Midst

Fortune

yet hath

Nor
But

sets

Points
And

crown,

But

ah,

To

strive

Of

those

No; let
And

me

my

claims

the throne

call his

'

own.

late "

|
j

with Fate;

;
!

of my

to

live?

-l

yet survive?

I then

to

the grave

of Valois

the House

All the remains

I
|

beg relief?"
grief.

I carry

of the name,

Last

spite,
right,

contend

justlysaid

be

I then

too

and

die the victim

in estate, do

Dead

should

'tisnow

'gainstFortune
I slighted,can

me

can

henceforth

of mine

son

alas ! for

all her

enjoys

now

boy,^who

the

I alone.

wander

vented

up,^ who

one

to

mountains"

and

rocks

crown

have.

i
*
*
^

FranQois I.
Henri, King
Alluding to

of

divorce

her

Louis

^Alluding

to

XIII., the
the

Frangois II., Charles

Henri

from

of

Henri

betwixt

differences

de

after

IX., and

Henri

III.

Guise.
*

IV.

married

Henri
son

Due

Henri,

and

Navarre,

de' Medici, whom

Marie

II.

Henri

The

his

"

castle

divorce

of
from

guerite.
Mar-

de' Medici.
Marie
his queen,
Marguerite and Henri, her husand

\
'"

band.
"

]
I

Usson.

is

This

inclined

to

said

favour

with
the

allusion
suit of

to

the

the
Due

supposition
de

Guise

and

that

she

was

reject Henri

rather

for

!
]

husband.

II

MEMOIRS

THE

OF

MARGUERITE

DE

LETTER

SHOULD

commend

self-love

fearful

am

admire

fond

be

to

and

should

Yet

by

the

the

that, like

of

likeness

graces
render

them

them

from
in

Rendan,
her

who,

husband's

mirror

of

Whatever
am

their
you

Memoirs,

your

another

inclined

to

tell

think
I

more

consulted

seeing

on

with

her

am

proceeds
that

sure

impartially
13

it

myself.
painted

flattering
of

her

they

from
you
what

effaced

view

the

de

glass

see

since
in

the

is

this?"

me

now,

partiality

yourself,
you

self
my-

Madame

face

own

the

vexation

even

"Who

when

me

old

sex

women,

and

that

to

our

being

have
So

say,

of

with

trouble

me,

ward
for-

possessed

lady, exclaimed,

friends

affection.
consider

and

death,

my

to

of

other

in

were

ever

having

not

in

effect

most

are

however

recollection.

own

my

pride

visible, and

longer

no

this

do

appear

frailty

master,

assigned

have

usual

If

be.

may

you

able

so

who

to

justice.

should

chargeable

take

the

and
I

were

unwilling

am

reason

most

be

more

rather

blame

to

not

of

on

is the

It

that

hand

seem

the

flattery.

confess

much

Themistocles,

me.

wish

it; but

should

eloquence

praise

to

work

founded

be

to

their

in

praises

than

your

praised

lest my

so,

less

myself

VALOIS

have

of

when

said,

will

induced

be

believe, according

to

these

to

lines

Bellay:

Du

of

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

14

"

Rome
C'est chercher
rien de Rome
en

('Tis
And

seek

to

in

Rome,

herself

Rome

Rome,

en

Rome

Et

Rome

Rome

at

trouver."

ne

to

go,

know.)

not

pleasure the history of the Siege

of Troy, the magnificence of Athens, and other splendid
tirely
enflourished,but are now
so
once
cities,which
they
destroyed that scarcely the spot whereon
scribing
be traced, so you
stood can
please yourself with deof
excellences
these
no
are
beauty which
will be discoverable
which
and
only in your
more,
writings.
But

as

If you

Fortune,

had

taken

upon

you

could

not

which

upon
their

with

read

we

had

for, but what

from

only

that

not

and

I make

reason,

in the

the

to

appear

from

occasion

had

have

have

particulars.For
of

is made
likewise

Biron,
de

where
of

Camillac

to

five

which

undertake
or

is most

to

ested
inter-

writingmy

six observations

make

to

upon

your

misinformed

been

example,
Pau, and

you
Agen, and
from

hand

the

induced

more

eyes

own

of them.

truth

been

I have

no

from

Memoirs

these

be

to

of your

What

by Fortune, you know

hearsay, I need not tell you,
by ignorance or malice, and,
You
will for
depended on.
doubt, be pleased to receive

is liable to be influenced

therefore, is

trial of

done

was

hearsay;

theme

Memoirs.

your

evidence

the

made

have

subjectof

the

happier

and

Nature

contrast

chosen

descant, for both

to

strength on
Nature
did, you

vouch

to

you
have

speak

that

of

in

that

oirs
Mem-

which

work,

as

you
certain
respecting

part where

tion
men-

journey in France;
my
of the late Marechal
de

of

the

place.

sally of

the

Marquis

MARGUERITE
Memoirs

These

history from
shall prefer truth

the

of

will

which

its

most

is

who

one

father

of

fortune

to

I shall

IX., and
I

follow

I
ability;
ration
simple nar-

of my

unformed

begin

the

these

out

ings,
even-

to

mass,

chaos
is
a

tory
his-

trious
illus-

of

of the

on

of

man

born

Court

bellish
em-

Kings
ship
friend-

and

accomplished women
societyI have had the good
and

of union.

be the bond

set

in the

virtuous

most

life which

my

labours

Frenchman,

true

times, of which

our

give

nor

as

fact, to

brothers, allied in blood

and

the

to

an

you

parents, brought up
my

In

shape from your hands, or as a

have
already thrown light. Mine
from
assuredly worthy to come

you

honour,

to

come

the

are

name

in them,

leisure

than

more

no

They

events.

and
receive

neither

15

honourable

embellishment.

to

shall,therefore, do

the

contained

truths

story I have

my

merit

might

of

VALOIS

DE

Memoirs

with

the

fell within

reign of

first remarkable
remembrance.

my

Charles

event

of

Herein

of

geographical writers, who

having described the places within their knowledge,
tell you that all beyond them
are
tries
sandy deserts, counwithout
inhabitants, or seas
never
navigated.
Thus
I might say that all prior to the commencement
of these Memoirs
the barrenness
of my
was
infancy,
when
can
we
only be said to vegetate like plants,or
live, like brutes, according to instinct, and not as
human
To
those who
creatures, guided by reason.
had

example

in the

the direction

of

of my
earliest years
of my
transactions

I leave the task

relatingthe
infancy, if they
find them
tine
as
worthy of being recorded as the infanand
the
Alexander,
exploits of Themistocles
one
exposing himself to be trampled on by the horses
"

of

charioteer,who
to

unless

do

kings

so, and
were

to

would

not

the other
enter

stop them

when

quested
re-

refusingto run a race

the contest
against him.

i6

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

things might be related

the King my
the answer
I made
father,a short time
of
which
before
the fatal accident
deprived France
family of its chief glory. I was then
peace, and our
the
of age, when
five years
about
four
King,
or
his knee, entered
on
familiarlyinto chat
placing me
in the same
There
with me.
playing and
were,
room,
since
diverting themselves, the Prince de Joinville,
Due
de
unfortunate
the great and
Guise, and the
Marquis de Beaupreau, son of the Prince de la Rocheand
died
in his fourteenth
sur-Yon, who
by
year,
his country lost a youth of most
death
whose
ising
promother
the
talents.
discourse,
Amongst
King
asked

memorable

such

Amongst

which

I liked best.

said, "Why

of the
I

Princes

two

"

replied,

is not

He

so?

The

that

were

Marquis."
the

before
The

me

King

handsomest."

The

was
fair,with light-colouredhair,
Joinville
and the Marquis de Beaupreau brown, with dark hair.
I answered, "Because
he is the best behaved; whilst
will be
is always making mischief, and
the Prince
master
over
everybody."
have
of what
This was
seen
a
we
happen
presage
infected with heresy,
since,when the whole Court was
of Poissy. It was
about the time of the Conference
that I resisted and preserved mywith great difficulty
self
from
a
change of religionat that time.
Many
strove
to convert
ladies and lords belonging to Court
The
Due
to Huguenotism.
d'Anjou, since King
me
been
Henri
III. of France, then in his infancy, had
prevailed on to change his religion,and he often
of my
Hours
out
snatched
hand, and flung
my
Psalm
Books
and books
into the fire,giving me
them
I
of Huguenot prayers,
insistingon my using them.
took the first opportunity to give them
up to my
erness,
gov-

Prince

de

"

Madame

mercy

to

me,

"

de

caused

Curton,
to

whom

continue

God,

steadfast

out

in the

of

his

Cath-

THE

boise, whither

all the

to

which

me,

it off.

There

was

had

Rais, who

de
the

of

death

battle of

as

woman

remain.

ever

she

I,
an

The

of

notice
when

age

and

shall

since,and

admire

than

girls seldom

young

children,whereas

women

then

not

were

that, though older

was

reason

and

become

have

unworthy
charming a

was

first

the

was

who

and

She

we

yet young,

was

much

cousin.
as

mean

accomplished

so

friends

intimate

so

wife

your

d'Annebaut,

M.

de

friendshipwith

firm

repaired

Madame

aunt,

husband

The

named
for

have

to

her

Dreux.

had,

she

into

country

interrupteduntil her death broke

likewise your
cousin, the Duchesse
there of
the good fortune
to hear
brute of a husband, killed at the

never

was

the

your

came

entered

who

Dampierre,

of

ladies

them

With

us.

OF

MEMOIRS

i8

aunt

your

take
of

was

their innocence

and

gaging
en-

simplicity.
I remained

ready

was

time

she

did

at

to

Amboise

set

out

for

sent

me

on

until the
her

to

Queen

grand
to

come

progress,

her

mother

my
at

which

Court, which

quit afterwards.

not

I will not

this progress

undertake

give you
that, though the
a
description,
being still so young
is within my
whole
recollection,yet the particular
Of

of

passages
now

lost.

it appear
to me
I leave this task

but
to

to

dream, and are

others, of riperyears,
as

well remember
the
can
yourself. You
larly
displayed everywhere, particumagnificencethat was
raine,
at the baptism of my
nephew, the Due de Lorand
at
Bar-le-Duc; at the meeting of M.
de Savoy, in the cityof Lyons; the interview
Madame
betwixt
at Bayonne
sister,the Queen of Spain,
my
the Queen my
mother, and King Charles my brother.
as

In

you

your
to

by

the

were

of

this interview

mention

of the noble

account

make

Queen

my

mother,

on

an

you

would

not

entertainment

island,with the

get
for-

given
grand

MARGUERITE

dances, and

form

the

by

VALOIS

DE
of

for

19

the salon, which

such

seemed

propriat
ap-

it

being a
in the middle of the island,in the shape
large meadow
of an oval, surrounded
on
evea*y side by tall spreading
In this meadow
the Queen my
mother
trees.
had
disposed a circle of niches, each of them large enough
to

contain

platform

was

of turf.

Here

under

nature

table

of

twelve

At

covers.

raised, ascended
their

purpose,

by

Majestieswere

four

end

one

steps formed

seated

at

table

tables were
The
all served by
loftycanopy.
troops of shepherdesses dressed in cloth of gold and
satin, after the fashion of the different provincesof
France.
These
shepherdesses,during the passage of
the superb boats from
Bayonne to the island, were
each side
on
placed in separate bands, in a meadow
of

the

causeway,

raised

with

Majesties and the company

great salon, they danced.
followed
the barges were

whilst

turf; and

their

passing through the

On their passage
by water,
by other boats, having on
board
vocal and instrumental
musicians, habited like
After
Nereids, singing and playing the whole time.
before
landing,the shepherdesses I have mentioned
received
and

the

company
dances, after the

music

were

in separate troops, with

fashion and accompanied

songs

by

the

provinces they represented, the Poitevins playing on bagpipes; the Provengales on the viol
and
cymbal; the Burgundians and Champagners on
the hautboy, bass viol, and tambourine; in like manner
After
the
other
and
the Bretons
provincialists.
collation was
served
and the feast at an end, a large
of

the

"

like satyrs, was

to
seen
of a rock, well lighted up,

troop of musicians, habited

of

the

opening
whilst nymphs were
descending from the top in rich
into a grand
habits,who, as they came
down, formed
dance,
when, lo! fortune
no
longer favouring this
of rain came
brilliant festival,a sudden
storm
on,
come

out

"

MARGUERITE

20

and

for

all
town

of
matter

of

the

the

short,

to

as

get

they

laugh

festivity

account

or

like

nature

which

the

in

off

at

of

this

other,
succeeded

boats

the
The

could.

precipitate

this

entertainment

one

progress.

to

fast

as

consequence
much

glad

were

VALOIS

DE

confusion

next

had

excited

day

was

amidst
it

in

day

in

afforded

retreat

the

make

and

as

as

the

dour
splen-

admiration.
not

In

forgotten,

the

variety

the

course

of

of

on

the
this

LETTER

l\
^

reigned
-^

in

time

the

my

war,

last

letter, the

he

him

battle.
of

seeing

this

their

mouths,

to

son

all her
own

She

King
small

his

which

made

such

to

of

from

would

be

trophies

he

regret
ing
receiv-

their

own

ble,
valua-

more

had

he

victory

the

cause

conduct

the

on

service

crown

satisfaction

he

glory

should,

the

and

immediately

her.

She
of

Rais

had,

female
and

always
her

de
21

to

gained by

from
mother

ready

to

set

off

doted
sacrifice

happiness.

and

take

myself, her
attendants,
together
besides

Sauves.

She

you

dearly

who

life, for their

to

to

suggest

message

of

was

even

nay,

resolved

mind

the

on

children,

company
'Mesdames
de

the

have

our
hon-

happened,

good

King,

imagination

own

your

repose,

with

the

that

age,

the

which

than

the

not

his

of

for

give

victories.

impression

her

after

without

opinion,

former

I leave

on

world

satisfaction

"

two

beloved

so

day,

approbation

in his

the

at

religion and
death, he might

his

leaving

his

achieved

to

him

envying
early an

his

done

with

Fortune,

the

extremity

them

wish

to

that

an

before

Tours

at

Paris

mother

earnest

the

Anjou

to

force

to

renewed

came

such

to

days
his

looked-for

much

had

them

case

already

so

few

added

He

that, in

had

in

mentioned

brother

my

France),
Queen my

reduced

was

hoped

of

the

and

army

that

from

after

years

grand progress
Huguenots
having

III.

King

few

some

Charles

the

despatched

Henri

the

Huguenot

so

from

return

inform

and

France,

over

our

(afterwards

brother

magnanimous

my

gentleman,

II

flew

on

the
usual
with
the

MEMOIRS

THE

22

wings
three

maternal

of

days

with

and

and

reached

affection,and
A journey
half.

was
precipitation,

such

OF

from

inconveniences, of

some

Paris, made

unattended

not

with

nature

in

Tours

to

cidents
ac-

sion
occa-

laughter. The poor Cardinal de

Bourbon, who never
quittedher, and whose temper of
ill
mind, strength of body, and habits of life were
suited to encounter
privationsand hardships,suffered
greatlyfrom this rapid journey.
brother
found
We
Anjou at Plessis-leS-Tours,
my
mirth

much

and

the
principalofficers of his army, who were
In their
flower of the princes and nobles of France.
he delivered a harangue to the King, giving
presence
in the execution
of his charge,
a detail of his conduct
course
His disbeginning from the time he left the Court.
framed
with
much
so
was
eloquence, and
that it was
admired
spoken so gracefully,
by all present.
that a youth
It appeared matter
of astonishment
of sixteen should reason
with all the gravityand powers
of an
of ripe years.
comeliness
of
The
orator
which
his person,
at all times
pleads powerfully in
favour of a speaker,was
in him
set off by the laurels

with

the

obtained
say

victories.

in two

which

In short, it

contributed

most

make

to

is

words

equally as impossiblefor
the feelings
of my mother
on

loved

him

above

all her

painterto represent
father.

Such

an

discoverable

in

woman,

but

she

control

of

nothing

to

from

her

tion
the admira-

him

all his hearers.

of
It

difficult to

was

mind.

overflow
the
had

her

and

She

words,
was,

of

for

was

the

griefof Iphigenia's
have
been
joy would
actions

passions so

prudence and
be perceived in
her

it

the

of

looks

in

this occasion, who

children, as

canvas

on

describe

to

me

discretion
her

she

that

felt

any

other

under

much

there

the
was

gathered
inwardly in

countenance,

what

indeed,

of

or

perfect mistress

of

MARGUERITE

herself, and

regulated her

the rules of wisdom

by
a

DE

of

person

discourse

and

discretion

sound

does

is proper
to be done.
this occasion
with
on

what

which

issued

with

from

VALOIS
and

her

actions

policy,showing

that

all occasions

only

upon

She

did

not

and

self
her-

amuse

listeningto

mouth,

every

23

the

praises

sanction

them

her

own

pointsin

the

approbation; but, selectingthe chief

of
speech relative to the future conduct

the

she

laid them

war,

before

lords, to be deliberated
of

upon,

Princes

the

in order

and

settle

to

great
a

plan

operations.
To

plan a delay of some

days was
requisite.During this interval,the Queen my mother
of the Princes, my
walking in the park with some
brother Anjou begged me
to take a turn
with
or
two
in

him

such

arrange

retired walk.

"

following words
as

well

He

Dear

then

addressed

sister,the

me

in the

of blood,

nearness

urally,
having been brought up together,natYou
as
they ought, attach us to each other.
the partiality
I have
already have discovered

must

had

as

for

our

above

you

have

perceived

been

hitherto

the

led to

my

brothers,

and

same

in you

for

this

We

me.

that

have

without

deriving
it than the sole pleasureof
any other advantage from
conversing together. So far might be well enough
for our
childhood, but now
are
we
no
longer children.
You
know
the high situation in which, by the favour
of God
the Queen, I am
here
and our
good mother
the
be assured
are
that, as you
placed. You
may
person
you

in the world

will

I know
and
me

you

be

service

with

not

are

sensible

am

in my
obtained

me

always

whom

you

by nature,

I think

I love and

esteem

partaker of my
wanting in wit
have

it in your

the most,

advancement.
and

discretion,

to do
power
and preserve

Queen our mother,

present emplo3^ments. It is a great point
for me,
always to stand well in her favour.
the

MEMOIRS

THE

24
fearful

am

that

purpose,

from

Court.

is with

and

Whilst

into her

men

distance

has

good

This

graces.
to

fear, in the end,

King my brother is

The

me.

for

want

with

age,
cour-

hunting,

rather
to chase
ambitious, and choose
grow
may
than beasts;in such a case
I must
resign to him

commission

my
the

lieutenant.

his

as

greatest mortification

and

I would

and

I have
see

the

always be ready

to

know

proper

no

one

so

be

I should

and

not,

all that

of
a

support my

dential
confishall

cause.

to

yourself,

as

purpose

an

vention,
pre-

mother, who

have

You

me,

means

having

as

to

such

attentive

as

prove

Under

the

my

for that

myself.

which
fidelity,

Queen

espouse

will be, I doubt

who

feasible

so

about

person

of

would

happen

to it.

death

considered

none

This

could

that

prefer

even

apprehension

as

at

am

growing older every day. He does not

diverts himself
and, though he now
he

to
prejudicial

brother
the King my
away,
it in his power
self
himto insinuate
I

of disservice

be

may

absence
be
my
may
I must
necessarilybe

that

her, and

OF

interest

my

and
wit, discretion,

wanting, provided you

such a good office. In
will be so kind as to undertake
I shall have
that case
only to beg of you not to neglect
attending her morning and evening, to be the first
her

with
her
To

are

the

and

to

repose
make
her

last to

are

leave

confidence

the

and

open
to do

ready

more

This

her.

will induce
mind

her

to

you.
this, I shall take

and
opportunity to commend
good sense
your
understanding, and to tell her that I shall take it kind
in her to leave off treating you
a
as
child,which, I

every

shall say, will contribute to her

I am
well convinced
my

advice.
as

approve
to

obtain

Do
you

of it.
her

you
do

to

speak
me,

to

and

It will conduce

favour.

You

comfort

own

that
her

be
to

may

she

with
assured

and

isfaction.
sat-

will listen to
the

same

that

she

fidence
con-

will

happiness
do yourself service

your

own

MARGUERITE

26

relyon

than

for

act

would

you
These

more

As

brother

as

were

more

the

words

following
relating the

the

been

has

considers

neither

with

converse

you

I would

as

will

from

her
me

as

to

brother.

your

Your
have

you

longer

the

closet,

conversation

with

appear

''

to

no

were

walking,

into

me

of

use

great comfort

shall

zealously

as

This

words

you

It will be

shall I.

that

I made

with

retired

mother

my

regards

or

strongly impressed

returned

were

we

together; he

had

child,
to

me

For

freelyspeak your mind, and have

apprehensions of taking too great a liberty,for it
These
words
I wish."
what
me
a
pleasure
gave
future

satisfaction
caused

will

you

which

then

my

than

addressed

and

is

mother

of

soon

Queen

no

Queen my
yourself."

conveying an idea of.

fullyin my following letters.

capable

the

honours

assured

Be

the

for

mind

that

one

well

sentiments

my

upon

no

do.

with

you

is

there

as

more

you

as

me,

VALOIS

DE

am

and
to

me

childhood

unable

now
a

joy

feel.
as

which

express.

nothing

before

considered

now

vain

to

the
I

amusements.

had

felt
ever

pastimes
shunned

of

the

I
societyof my former companions of the same
age.
I thought beneath
disliked dancing and hunting, which
I strictly
attention.
complied with her agreeable
my
missed
being with her at her
injunction,and never
rising in the morning and going to rest at night.
in conthe honour, sometimes, to hold me
She did me
versation

for
was

so

two

and

three

hours

gracious with me that

she
and
thought she

at

I gave
could

time.

her

God

faction;
great satis-

sufficiently

not

ladies who
about
I
those
her.
to
were
praise me
stantly
conspoke of my brother's affairs to her, and he was
and opinion;
apprised by me of her sentiments
so

that

attached

he
to

had

every

reason

his interest.

to

suppose

was

firmly

LETTER

CONTINUED

to

mother,
battle

brought
brother,
siege

news

who

was

going

on.

be

have

to

the

of

near

him,

awaited

me.

and

always

for

the

had

life

ingratiated
he

he

atrocious

in

for
any

mind
nature.

one;

Guast

himself

own

and

far

his

eyes,

of

and
He

advised

interest; neither
not

to

promote
27

in

to
to

the

charged
dis-

me.

who

and

had
the

of
have

no

views

or

verted
permost

regard
put

nor

but

whole

whose

love

fidence
con-

spoke

and

maxims

him

pared
pre-

little

person,

favour

man,

was

brother

wickedness,

filled it with

rience,
expe-

had

my

his

his

evil-disposed
scene

it seems,
near

upon

mischief

that

reposed

into

with

joy

Fortune

which

be

train

enjoyed

of

had

to

so

only

saw

reverse

meeting,

continued

one

his

Le

This

dictated.

was

brother

last

our

malice

fidelity with

my

taken

had

his

but

trust

after

that
as

the

after

the

the

on

without

happiness

interview

this

at

me

expected,

Anjou

but

out

any

and

young

the

thought

continue;

to

Soon

still

w^as

could

he

great

that

suspicion

essary
nec-

customary

experienced

no

was

her

set

my

it

than

to

her, and

that

be

whilst

him

hastened

likewise

having

occasion,

it would

see

the

Queen
to
lay

about

present

to

the

near
was

that

be

her

be
he

and

anxious

with

my

Court,

the

to

to

that

word

more

attendants.

the

desirous

d'Angely,
King should

me

Queen

despatch

same

victory

She,

journey, taking

the

By

her

Jean

that

my

ever

the

satisfaction, until after

this

of

wrote

St.

to

to

with

time

my

Moncontour.

the

mother,

my

pass

greatly
of

III

trust

advan-

28

MEMOIRS

THE
of

tage

either

maxims

brother
Hke

of the

OF
sister.

or

and

These
from

nature, drawn

other
of

school

the

continually suggesting to him.

He
had
so
frequently inculcated them that they were
that, upon
strongly impressed on his mind, insomuch
arrival, when, after the first compliments, my
our
mother
began to open in my praise and express the
his
for him, this was
discovered
I had
attachment
coldness:
reply, which he delivered with the utmost
He
well pleased," he said, to have
succeeded
was
but that prudence
in the request he had made
to me;
MachiavelH,

he

was

"

"

directed

not

us

expedients,for
be

not

so

he

wished

for, of

and

that

all she

said

of

house,

that

to

any

withdraw

to

her

that

de

Guise

of my
she well

that
me;
and how

It

discovered

made
tunity
oppor-

ricated,
fab-

had

was

grown
to

marry
of such

like

knew

the

were,

would,

should

ambition
all

on

sions,
occa-

therefore, be

cate
future, communi-

but, by degrees,

proceeding from this

marked
evening. I reperniciousadvice on the very same
an
unwillingness on her part to speak to me
before
into
she entered
brother; and, as soon
as
my
discourse
This

with

command

the

might

passion for
discovering to him

not, for the

of
State to me,
matter
her confidence.
she

he

wished

ready they

ours.

the

desirous

danger

circumvent

that

proper

to

her.

very
entertain

I should

be

with

same

he

why

question afforded
relatinga story

M.
handsome,
that his uncles, too, were

match; and, if
him, there would

This

the

time

one

him

asked

She

of

use

profitableat

was

another."

make

to

purposely to ruin me
began with observing

He

me;

what

observation.

that

very

at

continue

to

him,
she

evil effects

she

commanded

repeated

quittedher closet,and left

he was
as
but, as soon

me

two

them

or

to

three

together in

gone,

I returned

go

to

bed.

times.

tion;
conversa-

and

en-

MARGUERITE
her

treated

have

to

as

had

let

to

done

with

dissemble

29

been

if I had

know

unhappy
anything,through ignorance, which
me

offence.

her

given

VALOIS

DE

She

; but

first incHned

at

was

so

to

length she said to me thus :

Daughter, your brother is prudent and cautious; you
ought not to be displeasedwith him for what he does,
believe what
I shall tell you
is right
and you
must
she
and
proper." She then related the conversation
had
with my
brother, as I have just written it; and
me

at

*'

she then

ordered

me

her in my

speak to

to

never

er's
broth-

presence.

These
into

convince

brother
my
I had
never

what

matter

I known

that, had

so

many

I did

confidence.

and

everything to

say

had

of my
told her.

no

purpose;

mentioned

heard

it, I should
brother's

my

said

omit

not

entire

her

it.

words

to

ignorance
it

was

before; and

certainlyhave

immediately acquainted with

her
to

I had

favour

her

daggers plunged
disgrace, I experienced as
my
before
joy on being received

In

grief as

into

like

were

breast.

my

much

of

words

All

made

I said

had

was

made

first

impression; they were

constantly present
mind, and outweighed probabilityand truth.

the

in her
When

this,I told her that I felt less uneasiness

I discovered

being deprived of my happiness than I did joy when

brother had taken it from
I had acquired it; for my
he had
as
given it. He had given it without
me,

at

reason

taken

had

he

had

praised me

did

not

for

merit

it

he

and

fictitious.

grounds wholly imaginary and

with

assuringher
behaviour

Hereupon
me

not

to

behaviour.

on

she
make
From

He

cause.

I
prudence when
fidelityon
suspected my

discretion

it, and

without

away

that I should

never

I concluded

forget my

er's
broth-

this occasion.
flew
the

into

passion and

least show

that

hour

she

of

commanded

resentment

at

his

graduallywithdrew

MEMOIRS

THE

30
from

favour

her

Her

me.

OF
the

became

son

of her

god

will she sacrificed

idolatry,at the shrine of whose
everything.
The
grief which I inwardly felt was
very great and
overpowered all my faculties,until it wrought so far
to my
constitution as to contribute
receiving
on
my
A
then
the infection which
prevailedin the army.
few days after I fell sick of a raging fever, attended
off numcarried
bers,
with purple spots, a malady which
cians
principalphysiand, amongst the rest, the two
belonging to the King and Queen, Chappelain
the
disorder
and
Castelan.
Indeed, few got over
after being attacked with it.
In this extremity the Queen my
mother, who
partly
of my
omitted
illness,
nothing that
guessed the cause
to remove
quences,
it; and, without fear of consemight serve
visited me
tributed
frequently. Her
goodness conmuch

hypocrisy

to

her

treacherous

of

so

so

ungratefulto
from

bed

my

anxiously

destroy
attention, after having
proceeding. After he

attentive

I had

received

only

and

to

night,

if

as

My

came

morning

friends.

that

he

me,

had

we

mouth

and

been

been

guilty
proved

had
the

at

of

foot

appeared
the

benefit

most

as

fect
per-

the

mand
comby
Queen our mother, so

the

his

answered

sat

shut

was

from

brother's

my
all the

sufficient to

was

from

received

but

recovery;

my

dissembled

up

with

concern

in the presence
of Nero, when
he
sighs, like Burrus
was
dying by the poison administered
by the hands
of that tyrant.
The
sighs,however, which I vented
in my
brother's presence,
him
that I
might convince

attributed

my

sickness

rather

to

his ill offices than

to

prevailingcontagion.

the

God
this

had

and
on
mercy
me,
After
dangerous illness.

the
fortnight,

army

changed

supported me
I had
kept

through
my

its quarters, and

bed
I

was

MARGUERITE

VALOIS

DE

31

conveyed away with it in a litter. At the end of each

day's march, I found King Charles at the door of my
quarters, ready, with the rest of the good gentlemen
belonging to the Court, to carry my litter up to my
In this manner
bedside.
I came
St.
to Angers from
sick in mind.
Jean d'Angely, sick in body, but more
Here, to my
misfortune, M. de Guise and his uncles
had

arrived

which

gave

afforded

it to

for he
M.

*'

him

to

God

you

as

chamber

were

As

soon

for

him.

He

foot for

was

take

recovered,

tended
pre-

De

Guise, and, to
frequent opportunities
at

brother

the

treaty

time,

same

"

This

in

as

make

would

practicebefore me, which M.

knew
seemed
not
to comprehend; but I, who
designs, lost all patience,yet did not
reproach him with his hypocrisy.
put

story.

constantlybrought

with

my

his

great mortification;

embracing him, crying out

to

it

pleasure, as

brother

my

and

regard
it, would

believe

Would

often

my

me,

sincerest

the

of

see

circumstance

great

already too

my

into

was

appearance

advantage

daily to

Guise

make

the

increase

came

de

brother

colourable

This

me.

good

my

discovered

soon

of

before

was

de

he

Guise

his
dare

set

licious
ma-

to

on

marriage betwixt the King of Portugal and

ambassador
an
having been sent for that purpose.
me,
The
commanded
to
mother
me
Queen my
prepare
I did
to
an
audience; which
give the ambassador
her believe that
accordingly. My brother had made
I was
to this marriage; accordingly,she took
averse
the subject,
to task upon
me
on
it,and questioned me
be angry
to
cause
expecting she should find some
with me.
I told her my
will had always been guided
she thought right for
by her own, and that whatever
do it. She answered
to do, I should
me
angrily,
me,
according as she had been wrought upon, that I did
of my
not
heart, for she well
speak the sentiments
a

MARGUERITE

32

VALOIS

DE

her

persuaded
I begged
into a promise of having his nephew.
this match
with the King of Portugal,
to forward

and

I would

knew
me

that

Cardinal

the

convince

Lorraine

de

obedience

of my

her

had

her

to

mands.
com-

matter
new
was
reported
Every day some
tions
machinaher against me.
All these were
to incense
In short,
of Le Guast.
worked
up by the mind
fresh
I was
mortification,
constantlyreceiving some
that I hardly passed a day in quiet. On
one
side,
so
endeavours
the King of Spain was
using his utmost
break
with
off the match
to
Portugal, and M. de
Guise, continuing at Court, furnished grounds for persecuting
other.
the
Still,not a single person
me
on

of the Guises
it

and

M.

me

the subject;

on

than

more

dresses
paying his adPorcian; but the slow
been

had

Princesse

the

to

that, for

Guise

de

word

known

well

was

twelvemonth,
to

mentioned

ever

de

in bringing this match

made
to
progress
said to be owing to his designs upon
was

conclusion
me.

discovery I resolved to
had
de Lorraine, who
write to my
sister,Madame
of Porcian, begging
a
great influence in the House
As

her

soon

to

from
the

use

as

her

Court,

this

made

endeavours

and

make

him

Princess, laying open

been

concerted

to

withdraw

to

conclude
her

to

ruin

the

Guises

the

de

Guise

his match

with

M.

plot which

had

and

She

me.

immediately to Court,
through it,came
from
the match, which
delivered
and
concluded
me
the aspersionscast on my
character,and convinced the
I had
the
that what
told her was
Queen my mother
time stopped the mouths
real truth.
This at the same
readily saw

of my

enemies

and

gave

me

length the King of

King of Portugal should
At

off the treaty which

marriage with him.

broke

my

some

repose.

Spain, unwilling that the

of his family,
out
marry
had

been

entered

upon

for

34

de Guise, the Princesse

Madame

myself

and

which

and

found

We

us.

of the

manner

priests,no

no

ourselves

at

whom

the

know

you

the

from

both

the
the

approached

Madame
more

shown

de

Nevers,

well

knew

the

great

the

mity
en-

the

Queen's hand,
it; after which,
tired
ground, she re-

curtseys, and kissed

curtsey to the very

low
many
making another
with

kept

had

to

all present, who

subsistingbetwixt them, took

were

We

and,

of

astonishment

simple

hated

Queen

bedside,

the

pomp

there

"

say,

curtains

bed, but

she
besides, and which
woman
any
in speech and by actions, Madame

than

her

with

in bed

demanded

not

distance

some

Nevers,

de

Queen

ments,
apart-

last duties

disposed with
of our
religion,but after
Huguenots; that is to say,
nor
holy water.
cross,
any

ceremonies

and

the

sisters,

de Conde, her
of Navarre's
those
pay
of blood

to

nearness

our

chamber

the

undrawn,

Queen

all went

we

rank

her

late

the

to

whither

of

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

"

rejoined us.

and

Queen's death, the Prince

then styled,
the King,
of Navarre, or rather,as he was
Paris
in deep mourning, attended
to
came
by eight
hundred
He
gentlemen, all in mourning habits.
was
received
with every
honour
by King Charles and the
few

whole

after

months

Court, and, in

marriage

was

the

few

solemnised

days
with

after

his

arrival,our

all

possiblemagnificence;
his retinue
putting

the

and
King of Navarre
off their mourning
and
in the
dressing themselves
most
The
whole
costly manner.
Court, too, was
richlyattired;all which you can better conceive than
I

able

am

out

in

had

most

with

head
and

I
a

to

the

blazed

express.

For

my
I

royal manner;
coet, or
regal
in

diamonds.

own
wore

close

part, I
a

gown

was

crown

on

of

set

my

ermine,

My blue-coloured
train to it of four ells in length,which
was
by three princesses. A platform had

robe
ported
sup-

been

MARGUERITE

DE

VALOIS

35

height from the ground, which led from

of Notre-Dame.
It
the Bishop'spalace to the Church
was
hung with cloth of gold; and below it stood the
with
people in throngs to view the procession,stifling
received at the church
door
heat.
We
were
by the
officiated for that day, and
Cardinal de Bourbon, who
this we
After
pronounced the nuptial benediction.
platform to the tribune which
proceeded on the same
raised, some

separates the
double

from

a
choir, where
was
leading into the choir, the other

nave

staircase,one

through

the

the church

to

nave

the

door.

The

King

of

passed by the latter and went out of church.

But
fortune, which is ever
changing, did not fail
This was
of this union.
to disturb the felicity
soon
received by the Admiral,
occasioned
by the wound
had wrought the Huguenots up to a degree of
which
reproached
desperation. The Queen my mother was
in such terms
that account
on
by the elder Pardaillan
other principalHuguenots, that she began
and
some
evil design. M. de Guise and my
to apprehend some
brother
III. of
the
King of Poland, since Henri
with
France, gave it as their advice to be beforehand
of a contrary
the Huguenots.
King Charles was
for M. de La Rochefoucauld,
opinion. He had a great esteem
other leading
Teligny,La Noue, and some
of the same
and, as I have since heard
men
religion;
he could
him say, it was
with the greatest difficulty
before
be prevailedupon
not
to give his consent, and
Navarre

he had

been

made

to

understand

that his

own

life and

safetyof his kingdom depended upon it.

The
King having learned that Maurevel had made
an
life,by firinga pistol
attempt upon the Admiral's
in which
him
at
attempt he
through a window,
der,
the Admiral
failed,having wounded
only in the shoulthis at
had
done
and
supposing that Maurevel

the

"

"

the instance

of

M.

de

Guise,

Memoirs

"

to

revenge

the death
VoL

of
1

THE

136
his father,whom
in the

same

arrest, if he

whole

was

mother

my

Charles
of

used

that

the

under

sight the

every

what

State;

an

him; and,

his

of

out

with

Guise

de

put M.

kept

not

Queen
convince
King
for the good

to

ment
argu-

been

had

this because,

and

before, the King had so great a

Admiral, La Noue, and Teligny, on

I observed

as

for

regard

had

declared
of

censed
in-

much

so

example

an

be killed

to

was

that he

have

The

day.

done

make

would

indeed, the King

an

Guise

de

would

he

caused

had

by Poltrot, he

manner

that

OF

the Admiral

against M.
oath

MEMOIRS

the

bravery, being himself a prince of a

in
noble
spirit,and
gallant and
esteeming others
he
similar
found
whom
a
disposition. Moreover,
these
insinuated
had
themselves
into
designing men
the King's favour by proposing an expeditionto Flanders,
and agwith a view of extending his dominions
grandisi
his power,
propositions which
they well
of their

account

would

knew

royal and
Upon

this occasion, the

the

had
and

his

over

King

Queen

the

life

was

mother

my

attempt
excusable

of

M.
in

sented
reprede

Guise

son

who,

of avenging
justice,had no other means
father's death.
Moreover, the Admiral, she said,
deprived her by assassination, during his minority

being
his

that

Admiral's

the

influence

an

mind.

generous

to

upon

themselves

to

secure

denied

her

regency,

of

faithful servant

Gharri, commander

of

the

in the person

King's body-guard,

of

which

deserving of the like treatment.

spoke
Notwithstanding that the Queen my mother
thus to the King, discovering
by her expressions and
she inwardly felt on
in her looks all the grief which
him

rendered

the

recollection

useful
to

save

to

of

the

serviceable

to

who

had

been

King Charles inclined

who, as he thought, would one day be
him, that he still persistedin his deter-

her; yet, so
those

loss of persons

much

was

DE

MARGUERITE
mination

to

strict search

punish
to

M.

VALOIS

37

de Guise, for whom

he ordered

be made.

length Pardaillan, disclosingby his menaces,

during the supper of the Queen my mother, the evil
intentions of the Huguenots, she plainlyperceived that
a
crisis,that, unless
brought to so near
things were
taken
that very
night to prevent it, the
steps were
in danger of being assassinated.
King and herself were
of declaring to
to the resolution
She, therefore,came
she
King Charles his real situation. For this purpose
de Rais as the most
thought of the Marechal
proper
the matter
to break
to the King, the Marshal
person
being greatlyin his favour and confidence.
went
to the King in his
Accordingly, the Marshal
the hours
of nine and
closet,between
ten, and told
faithful servant
him
he was
to discharge
a
come
as
his duty, and lay before him the danger in which
he
stood, if he persistedin his resolution of punishing
that the
M. de Guise, as he ought now
to be informed
At

attempt made

upon

the Admiral's

life

was

not

set

on

by him alone, but that his (the King's) brother

the King of Poland, and the Queen his mother, had
much
their shares in it;that he must
be sensible how
Gharri's assassination,for which
the Queen lamented
about
she had great reason,
having very few servants
her upon
whom
she could rely,and
it happened
as
during the King's minority, at the time, moreover,
foot

"

when
the

France

Huguenots,

former, and

divided

was

the

M.

de

between

Guise

Prince

de

the

being at
Conde

of

Catholics

the head
the

and

of the

latter,both

that
strivingto deprive him of his crown;
and kingdom had
through Providence, both his crown
of
been preserved by the prudence and good conduct
in this extremity found herself
the Queen Regent, who
powerfully aided by the said Gharri, for which reason

alike

she

had

vowed

to

avenge

his death; that, as

to

the

MARGUERITE

38
Admiral,
the

he

State,
for

in

they

which

kingdom

concluded

intention

Admiral

only,

kingdom;

his

in

design
his

attack,

to

mother,

his

and

them,

as

cause

on

the

to

of

his

make

alarm

take

the

in

the

ing
becomarms,

but

the

of

with

Queen

Poland,
to

Majesty's

posing
sup-

have

he

attempt,

his

with

up

Majesty,

for

the

unfortunate

so

King

his

ducing
re-

that

man

Guise,

de
the

as

of

Huguenots

to

M.

brother

well

Maurevel
but

only

not

the

resolve

to

away

been

and

tences,
pre-

design

obnoxious

attempt,

enough

desperate

mere

confusion.

make

having

tion
affecservice

his

observing

to

most

Maurevel

but

fail

to

the

as

of

with
been

had

for

real

to

of

as

his

state

zeal

considered

cover

to

Marshal

original

to

make

might

and

be

used

dangerous

as

he

person,
must

he

the
The

show

Majesty's

his

considered

ever

whatever

Flanders,

as

be

must

and

VALOIS

DE

manded
com-

ing
noth-

saw

safety,
"

well
his

part

resolution
for

him.

to

the

of

punish
reasons

Catholics,

the
M.

which

de

if

Guise,
he

as

had

he

persisted

of

the

just

as

in

nots,
Huguelaid

fore
be-

LETTER

CHARLES,

KING

of

prince

prudence,

great

his
to
paying a particular deference
attached
olic
Cathto the
mother, and being much
intentions
convinced
of the
of the
religion, now
ing
followresolution
of
adopted a sudden
Huguenots,
under
and
his mother's
counsel,
putting himself

always

of

safeguard

the

without
in

extreme

his

Catholics.

the

to

Teligny,

save

however,

not,

was

found

he

that

regret

power

It

he

it not

had

La

Noue,

and

de

the

Queen

his mother,

M.

Rochefoucauld.

La

He

went

for

sending

and

the

to

Catholic

that

was

Immediately
drawn
and

orders

quarters,
Guise

service

the
into

dagger,

to

his

alarm-bells

the

his

to

chains

it

of

the

other

Admiral's,

body

out

Besme,

of

slain

window

by

German

having

and

chamber,

the

Huguenots.
and

former,

the

the

to

attack

to

was

were

sounded,

were

post, according

whether

the

mew
Bartholo-

St.

work;

at

was

of

his

threw

of

and

upon.

those

or

hastened

in
gentleman
birth, forced
with

streets,

repaired
received,

had

Admiral's

resolved

Princes

all the

and

Massacre

hand,

every

man

he

de

"

night

the

across

every

M.

Guise

de

M.

officers, the

"

of

apartments

to

him
his

master.

perfectly ignorant

was

Huguenots,
Admiral's
not

have

in the

observed

every

driven

life,

to

and

justice

done

of

what
to

one

despair by
the

Guises,

them,

ear.

39

be
the

going

was

in

motion:

attack

fearing

whispering

upon

ward.
forthe
the

they should
all they met

The

Huguenots
the

to

This

being

matter

to

the

my

with

conversation

espied me, she bade

sister
taking leave, my
the same
at
stopped me,
"

tears

love

the

For

The

down.
some

she

on

me

seized

but,

as

bed.

cried

!"

soon

As

by the
shedding

God,"

this

this chamber

called

mother

should

Queen

sister to

my

my

I should

from

was

and

of

flood

she,

"

do

not

was

her,

go,

first victim

the

be

made

mother

I should

God,

as

hand

chid

and

her

sending
severely. My sister replied it was
to be sacrificed;
for, if any discoveryshould
I

mother

my

me

time

of

Queen
to

go

coffer, next
but remark,

not

one,

the

of

greatly alarmed
exclamation; perceivingwhich, the Queen my
of

stir out
at

bedchamber

into the

I went

my

in

the

syllableof

me.

appeared greatlycast
was

ried
mar-

was

Huguenot.

mother, I placed myself

sister Lorraine, who, I could

Queen

was

spoke

one

no

case,

night, when

At

Navarre, who

because

me

because

the CathoHcs

of

King

suspicious of

were

Catholic, and

was

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

40

receive

to

away

be made,

their

of

The

revenge.
that, if it

answer

hurt, but

no

me

it

very

was

pleased

necessary

prevent the suspicionthat might arise

staying.
perceived there
my

not

was

to

know,

something

was

but

it

what

anything they said.

The
Queen again bade me
tone.
My sister wished
tears
flowing apace, but she

foot

on

I could

was

which

make

not

from

out

word

more;

than

alive.

As

soon

myself
me

upon
into his

or

what, I

and

as

my

left the

reached
knees

my
and

bed

to

go

me

did

good

bedchamber

prayed

peremptory
night, her

dare

not

own

in

to

say

dead

more

closet, I threw
to

God

to

take

protectionand save me; but from whom

was
ignorant. Hereupon the King my

MEMOIRS

THE

k^2

OF

In this situation I screamed

aloud, and

he

cried

out

At
mutual.
fright was
length,byGod's providence,M. de Nangay, captainof the guard,
thus surinto the bedchamber, and, seeing me
rounded,
came
though he could not help pityingme, he was
scarcelyable to refrain from laughter. However, he
cretion,
reprimanded the archers very severely for their indis-

likewise, for

our

them

drove

and

chamber.

of the

out

At

my
his life,and I

request he granted the poor gentleman

to
had him put to bed in my
closet,caused his wounds
be dressed, and did not suffer him to quit my
ment
apartuntil

he

it

was

and, whilst

shift, because
man,
me

of

account

an

made

conducted

and

doing

was

the

half

dead.

all the

me

to

Lorraine,

de

Madame

me

As

doors

we

of

with

stained

so,

the

King

the

Nangay gave
the foregoing
husband

my

myself
I

up
of

wide

the

this

was

chamber.
King's bedin a cloak,
sister,
my

arrived

passed through

which

De

apartment

whither

of

my

blood

in the

moment

muffle

changed

the

of

transactions

that
night, assuring me
safe, and actuallyat that
He

perfectly cured.

was

more

than

antechamber,

gentleman
of the name
of Bourse, pursued by archers, was
run
through the body with a pike, and fell dead at my
if I had
feet. As
been killed by the same
stroke, I
fell, and
was
caught by M. de Nangay before I
reached the ground. As soon
I recovered
from this
as
I went
into my
sister's bedchamber, and
fainting-fit,
was
immediately followed by M. de Mioflano, first
gentleman to the King my husband, and Armagnac,
his first valet de chamhre, who
both came
to beg me
their lives. I went
and
threw
to save
myself on my
knees before the King and the Queen my
mother, and
obtained
Five

the
or

lives of both

six

in this

were

open,

of them.

days afterwards, those

plot,consideringthat it

who
was

were

gaged
en-

incomplete

MARGUERITE

King

the

whilst

of

the

likewise;
on

my
one

mother

believed

husband

my

you

divorce

that

was

did

she

difference,
"

respect.
put

the
to

suspected
was

other

any

question

to

remain

in

me,

as

design
order

I,

to

am;"
of
work

"

the

can

only

and

separating
some

such

ing
inform-

not

having

never

know

to

been

alike

since

I
me

mischief

in

you

declare

this

lady

Roman

for

Madame,

believe

answer

enough
had

men

cause,"
Be-

procure

to

to

that,

near

all

said

But,"

the

man

thought

her

her

breath,

stinking

his

chid

she

whether

easily

competent

he

when

Queen

men.

can

as

vised
de-

"

other

reply,

wife,

oath,

begged

made

chapel,

to

my

not,

only

husband,

approached

is

him."

could

and

of

he

sufficiently

not

her

him

if

be

Accordingly,

her

like

blood

the

to

upon

be

the

his

be

him.

upon

to

from

question,
to

*'

she,

from

her,

to

of

pose
dis-

to

could

to

Conde

only

suggested

me

de

not

attempt

waited

declare

to

me

said

when

holiday,

charged
I

divorcing

Prince

Princes

the

no

they

43

was

continued,

which

for

the

of

that

whilst

scheme

but

knowing

husband

my

and

design

their

as

Huguenots,
and

VALOIS

husband

my

ahve,

remained

DE

said

am

that
have
tent
con-

because

from

my

against

band
hus-

him.

VI

LETTER

WE

For

Beaumont.

as

from

efface

to

done

ungratefully
place in my
it

just about

the
into

factions
a

of

variety

Admiral,

the

and
to

avenge

had

Alengon,

it.

Before

St.

of

Queen

their

join

to

receive

firm
con-

from

form

to

of
band,
hus-

my

obligation
Day,

party,

They

leave

the

into

pass

two

death

King

written

him.

which

troops

he

to

the

to

and

the
a

the

Queen
matter

my

of

this

interests

by

now

the
suaded
per-

and

King

Champagne,
in

were

they

waiting

to

gentleman, having received

it so
design, considered
of
the
his master,
King

it to

plot of

State.

Catholic
of

communicated

frustrating
and

intimation

prejudicial

I had

some

Miossans,

an

that

and

return,

the

their

to

fancy;
in-

our

them.
de

M.

him

and

husband

on

for

same

spirit of the

the

to

over

so

happened

Bartholomew's

Flanders

securing
my

there

brother

the

me

which

on

had

he

divided,

from

brother

our
endeav-

departure

was

my

my

His

Huguenots,

obtained

had

gained

hope

The

plots.

he

made

me,

the

kingdom

the

which

before

during

sickness,

time, excited

same

far

obtain

to

held

he

Charles's

King

and

France,

which

as

every

ill offices

the

of
taking leave
and
promises.

on

oaths

by

used

solicited

He

me.

esteem

and,

had

mind

my

months

some

he

quitted France,

Poland

of

King

the

accompanied

so

much

with

danger
and

44

to
to

informed

importance

utmost

intention

the

immediately

went

mother,
the

me

to

of

themselves
the

King

them

that

lay

before

MARGUERITE

them;

but

would

be

ensue

from

it to

such

obtained

and

Alengon
intention,on the

very
troops, which

should

they

should

them,

to

name

for

death; and
be

made

their

the

upon

my

had

an

guenot
Hu-

fulfil

Admiral's

intention, I begged they

that

they might be prevented

discoverybeing made
any

excused, and

without
going away
that their designs had been found
were
granted me, and measures
to
stay them, that they had not
from

arrived

that

King my
next
day, of joiningsome
expected them, in order to

this

that their intended

them

husband

the

they had

engagement

might

harm

no

request, I told

my

brother

the

as

it unless

that

me

45

was
going
they would
put a stop to what
without
publishing their knowledge of it.

forward

Having

declare

not

pleased to promise

that

and

could

that

VALOIS

DE

evasion

was

All this

out.

was

prudently taken
the least suspicion

so

known.

Soon

after,

we
Germain, where
stayed some
All this
of the King's indisposition.
time, on account
he could
while my
brother Alengon used every means
himself
with me,
until at last I
devise to ingratiate
friendship,as I had before done
promised him my
brother the Kjng of Poland.
As he had been
to my
brought up at a distance from Court, we had hitherto
little of each other, and kept ourselves
known
very

we

at

at

distance.
in

resolved

receive

interest

myself in
however,
prejudice,
King Charles, whom
and
for me,
lived.

who

of

Meanwhile
and

the

that

Now

he

him

into

whatever

made

the

firm

he

gave

more

me

proofs

to

without

good brother

than

entertain

to

manner,

him,

concerned

I loved

first advances,

and
friendship,

to the interests of my

continued

which

had

affectionate

respectfuland

so

to

St.

any

sides,
be-

one

great regard

a
as

long

King Charles was daily growing

Huguenots constantly forming new

as

he

worse,

plots.

46

MEMOIRS

THE

They were
d'Alengon
Court.

desirous

very
and

OF

to

brother

get my

husband

the

King my
got intelHgence,from

time

the

Due
from

away

time, of their

to

feated
demother
the Queen my
designs; and, providentially,
their intentions when
a
day had been fixed on
for the arrival of the Huguenot troops at St. Germain.
To
avoid this visit,we
set ofif the
night before for
Paris, two hours after midnight, putting King Charles
in a litter,
and the Queen my mother
taking my brother
her
in her
husband
with
the
and
own
King my
carriage.
They did not experience on this occasion such mild
treatment
as
they had hitherto done, for the King
of Vincennes, they were
not
going to the Wood
mitted
perstanding
of the palace. This misunderto set foot out
far from
was
so
being mitigated by time,
that
the
mistrust
and
discontent
were
continually
increasing,owing to the insinuations and bad advice
the ruin and
offered to the King by those who
wished
downfall
of our
house.
To
these
such a height had
de Montmorency
jealousiesrisen that the Marechaux
and

de

Mole

Cosse
and

the

Comte

arrived

were

now

were

appointed

and

determine

'King my
desired
that

upon

de

Donas

such
the
the

close arrest, and

executed.

pitch that

Matters

commissioners

of Parliament

Court

of

case

hear

to

brother

my

La

the

and

husband.

having

draw

to

me

he

at

from

husband,

My

put under

were

might

up

no

his

counsellor
defence

implicate any

not

assist him,

to

in such
person,

manner

and,

at

the

time, clear

same

criminalityof

brother
and
himself
from
my
any
conduct.
With
God's
plished
help I accom-

this task

surpriseof
find them
As

it

so

was

the

to

his

great satisfaction,and

commissioners,

well

prepared

to

who

did

not

to

expect

the
to

justifythemselves.

apprehended, after

the

death

of La

Mole

MARGUERITE

in

danger,

of

de

Comte

the

and

and

from

were

not

in

had

intended
female

the

But

being

closely

one

bringing

could

Thus

they

them

wishing

never

be

to

the

agree
the

person

in

case,

twixt
be-

settling
behind

into

should

and

hazard.

point,

the

in

guards,

life

upon

nor

disguised

their

other's

who

the

them

lay

by

to

pass

unmask,

to

remain

watched

tirely
en-

women,

of

should

to

being

one

hazard

favour

guard

difficulty

the

the

at

my

This

which

of

escape

with

away

likewise

were

suffered

was

the

by

convey

habit.

they

whose

searched.

themselves

prison,

King,

coach,

my

ever

to

them

47

Hves

save

time.

required

coach

their

to

the

that

at

even

my

with

them

was

in

resolved

ruin

enjoyed

that

Donas,

had

own

my

VALOIS

DE

of

each
from

deliver

confinement.
Providence

But

by

which

means

This

was

no

who

was

the

brother
but

all

his

Charles,

advice
I

hands
the

during

and
lost

my

support
I

never

persecution
Anjou,

brother

credit.

everything.

In

imprisonment

unfortunate

death

and

stay

whose

through

the

their

to

very

than

only

who,

period

proved

other

from

good;

Angers,

put

word,

for

Charles,

King

of

of

"

anything

underwent

assisted
when

life,

my

received
I

me.

me

lost

at

with

King

VII

LETTER

this

FTER

l\
"^

France

for

-^

the

give

for

as

mischievous
his

the

conceived

had

he

Alencon.

brother

and

that,

to

create

to

work

by

means

dissolve

to

abominable

brother

my

myself,

as

wickedly

was

immediately

minds

of

of
I

good,
might

or

night

fatal

to

saw

upon

the

him

which

and

both

them

they

both

the

proved

the

King

wounded
she

his

ited.
vis-

source

well

as

conducted

to

it

as

of

my

the

bestowed

tournament

my

father,
the

eye,

and
48

mother,

kind;

the

awoke,

personages

protection,
have

Queen

in

great

and

that
them

on

intelligencer,to apprise them

this
Of
number
against evil.

them

before

has

excellence

intimations

very

necessary

husband,

betwixt

artfully

God

secret

or

warn

reckon

frequent

brother,

my

unhappiness,
as

under

superior

genius,

good

was

that

held

more

and

my

bond

the

was

my

which

of

designed.

have

Many

plot,

keep

to

be

whom

Sauves,

disquietude

much

so

rivalship

de

Madame

of

of

I
and

and

me

triguing
in-

insinuations

it would

union,

between

quarrel

up

husband

my

their

coolness

This
of

King

the

this

jealousy

that

suspected

much

left

man's

now

as

France

confirmed

most

He

connected

that

this

Through

together.

party

was

had
in

to

Poland,

King

behind

man

of

and

Lyons

to

went

new

ever,

unfortunate

as

King

the

as

was

we

The

Guast

Le

me,

to

France.

by

governed

which

event,

meeting

of

IIL

Henri

fatal

who

as

begged

had

particularly
which

she

has

proved

dreamed
it

that

the
so

she

really happened;
him

not

to

run

the pagans,
others, which

amongst
many

intention

my

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

so

apparition of

the

as

I shall not

narratives,but only

relate

to

it not

mention,

truth, and

the

the

able, that you

expeditionas I am
in possessionof my
sooner
story.
far from
worthy
supposing that I am
am

ingratitudetowards

of

received, which

I have

whilst
bound

bear

to

of

hath

shown

so

with

say

"De

mon

Mon

the poet

bien, ou
esprit m'est

of

of this I had
the
to

went

were

we

Amidst
in

welcome

together and

shiveringcome
perceived by those near
could

saluted
me.

conceal
the

This

thereafter
the

moment,
I discovered

other

some

what

or

to

the

tell.)

the arrival

me,

It

intimation

heat, I found

which

and

that

the

thought

King

of

forward

what

had

it

plainly

was

difficulty
King, having

the

strong impression

with

was

came

of

crowded

season,

felt when

mother,

mother
my
and
pliments
com-

embraces

warm

me.

secret

way,

ill befell,

with
stifling

my

some

oracle."

over

me,

mal,

mon

that

Queen
made

I received

convincing proof on
the Queen
Poland, when

universal

befell

him.

meet

of
as

of

King

can

"

(Whate'er of good
oracle
My mind was

And

that

ever

no

that I may

self
my-

benefits

the

so

me,

extraordinary accident
fortunate
whether
or
otherwise, but
in
or
warning of it,either by dream

declare

of these

knowledge
myself obliged to acI further believe myself
his goodness and power,

live; and

he

be

may

accuse

for

God

my

with

I esteem

testimony

mercies

the

and

should

admonitions; nevertheless,I

divine

such

that

much

as

being

with

Memoirs

illustrate these

to

and

Brutus

to

was
on

to

my

salute

happen
mind

at

shortly after,when

conceived

hatred

of

me

who

had

that

his

King

the

through

espoused

absence,
my

maHcious
him

made

my

and

husband

VALOIS

DE

MARGUERITE

suggestions
since

brother

Alengon's

cemented
and

the

beheve,

him.

friendship

51

of

Le

King's
party
betwixt

Guast,
death,

during
the

VIII

LETTER

opportunity

l\
"^

mies

-^

of

effect

to

betwixt

misunderstanding

King

the

diligently sought by
their design of bringing

in

me

husband,

my

their

of

in

for

love

mutual

jealousy

brother

my

Alengon,

by creating

me,

and

husband,

my
account

on

and

about

brother

my

ene-

my

was

and

band,
hus-

Madame

de

Sauves.

to

the

afternoon,

One

closet

her

finish

to

despatches which
time, Madame
some

for

Madame

kinswoman,

Nevers,

your

of

relations, Bourdeille,

your

would

whether

Pierre

to

visit

it.

she

said
not

with

of

persons

us;

and

of

there

Madame

on

the

merry
see

the

to

the

steps
as

well

on

the

handsome

by Divine

de

of

and

they
occasion,
nuns,

Providence

were

and
too.

that
52

the

us,

those

Curton,

Torigni's
as

of

attended

King,

and
in

the

it

was

the

pany
com-

she

went

carriage

have

was

mentioned,

lady

of

chamber,
bed-

my

Liancourt,

me.

Camille

she

as

as

Accordingly,

six

of

resolved

us,

it, except

of

Abbey

with

go

city.

niece

all

we

me

the

the
the

convent,

into

above

always

who

esquire

that

being

and

Over

to

distinction.

there

crowded.
was

convent,

gain admission

to

easy

in

aunt

an

that

us

begged

then

She

had

to

beautiful

was

Montigny,

de

asked

of

little

were

another

Rais,

Surgeres

see

de

observing

Usez,

Madame

de

and

to

Mademoiselle

Whereupon
St.

wish

not

retired

having

mother

my

some

there

her

detain

likely to

Queen

placed

first

themselves

selves
carriage, supporting themthemselves
able, making

saying they would

I look
I should

upon
have

it

as

go

and

ordered

Mademoiselle

MARGUERITE

DE

VALOIS

53

de

well acquainted
not
Montigny with me, who was
and
that
the two
with
lady of the company,
any
in the confidence
gentlemen just mentioned, who were
of King Henri, should
likewise be of the party, as
able to clear me
of the calumny intended
they were
to

be fixed
Whilst

upon

viewing

were

we

for

waited

me.

the

in the square.

us

convent,

In the

my

square

carriage

many

tlemen
gen-

belonging to the Court had their lodgings.

My carriage was easilyto be distinguished,as it was
with silver.
giltand lined with yellow velvet trimmed
the King
We
had not come
of the convent
when
out
passed through the square on his way to see Quelus,
then
had
He
who
sick.
with him
the King my
was
husband, D'O

and

the

fat fellow

Ruffe.

carriage,turned
There
and said :
husband
is your wife's coach,
to my
that is the house
and
where
Bide
lodges. Bide is
she is gone
word
a
sick, and I will engage
my
upon
and see whether
visit to him.
Go," said he to Ruffe,
In saying this,the King addressed
she is not there."
The

King, observingno

one

in my

"

"

himself

to

this fellow
I need

tool for his malicious

proper

Ruffe

tell you
knowing the
not

entirelydevoted

was

he

did

not

find

me

for
purpose,
Guast.
to Le

there;

ever,
how-

King's intention,he, to favour it,

husband
said loud enough for the King my
to hear
The
him :
birds have
been there, but they are
now
"

flown."

This
until

furnished

sufficient matter

for

sation
conver-

they reached home.

Upon this occasion,the King my husband displayed
all the good sense
and generosityof temper for which
he is remarkable.
He
saw
through the design,and
of it. The
he despised the maliciousness
King my
mother
the Queen
brother
anxious
to
was
see
my
covery,
before me,
he imparted the pretended disto whom
whom
she
and she, whether
on
to please a son

MEMOIRS

THE

54

whether

doted, or
had

credit to

reallygave

she

it to

related

OF

ladies

some

the

seeming

much

with

story,

anger.

had

afterwards

Soon

accompanied

with

returned

St.

to

me

who

ladies

the

Pierre's, entirelyignorant
found

the

King my
in our
husband
began to laugh on
apartments, who
immediately to the Queen
seeing me, and said: "Go
mother, but I promise you you will not return
your
him
the
and
well pleased." I asked
reason,
very
I shall tell you
had
what
happened. He answered :
nothing; but be assured of this,that I do not give the
I plainlyperceive to
least credit to the story, which
of

happened.

had

what

"

be

fabricated

in order

two, and break

brother
and
your
us

stir up

to

off the

betwixt

difference

between

friendlyintercourse

me."

the
on
Finding I could get no further information
the apartment
of the
to
him, I went
subject from
I met
de Guise
in the anteM.
chamber,
Queen my mother.
who
not
was
displeasedat the prospect of a
in our
dissension
family, hoping that he might make
in these
addressed
me
some
advantage of it. He
here expecting to see you, in order
I waited
words :
"

to

inform

with

the

ill office has

some

Queen."
of

learned

that

you

D'O
,

told

then

He

who,

the

me

being

been

de

mother

my

Nemours,

there.
the

rest

ladies, who

all

God!

your
you, for

the

would

the

exclaimed

Queen

advise

of

the

your
it,that he

of

did

but

is in such

present,

to

not

Madame

saw

princesses,and
seeing me :

on

mother

had

with

intimate

However,

you

story he

de Guise
M.
kinswoman, had informed
might apprise us.
I went
into the Queen's bedchamber,

find

done

keep

other
"

Good

rage;
of
out

we

her

sight.''
''

Yes," said I,

"

so

would,

had

I been

guiltyof

MARGUERITE

VALOIS

DE

55

the

all I
King has reported; but I assure
you
therefore
am
entirelyinnocent, and must
speak with
clear myself."
her and
I then
into her closet,which
went
was
separated
from
the bedchamber
by a slightpartitiononly, so
whole
that our
conversation
could be distinctly
heard.
what

She

set

sooner

no

eyes

than

me

upon

flew

she

into

said

great passion, and

everything that the fury of

her resentment
suggested. I related to her the whole
which
truth,and begged to refer her to the company
attended

to

me,

the number

of ten

or

twelve

persons,

desiringher not to relyon the testimonyof those more

but
examine
Mademoiselle
immediately about
me,'
Montigny, who did not belong to me, and Liancourt
the King's servants.
and
Camille, who were
hear a word
She would
I had to offer,but connot
tinued
rate

to

in

me

furious

it

whether

manner;

affection

for her son, or whether

she believed the story in earnest, I know
When
not.
her that I understood
the King had
to
I observed

through fear, or

was

done

ill office in

this

me

redoubled, and

was

that

by

had

she

of her

one

been

the

that

next

was
room.

chagrined;
found
"

Well,

anger

lieve
be-

me

of the circumstance

chamhre, who

of the matter,

self
him-

had
I gave

she became

no

more

incensed

more

All

informed

to

make

place. Perceiving that

the

credit to this account

and

opinion, her

endeavoured

valets de

own

at

me

seen

she

her

the
was

and

King

against me.
said was
perfectlyheard by those in
At
length I left her closet,much
returning to my own
apartments, I

it not

He, seeing me

husband

my

there, who

as

I told you

under

great

me:

"

concern,
"

said to

desired

me

not

and Camille
Liancourt
grieve about it,adding that
would
attend
the King that night in his bedchamber,
and to-morrow,"
and relate the affair as it reallywas;

to

S6
continued
in

you
''

"

he,

the

Queen

will

mother

your
"

received

But, monsieur," I replied, I have

with

too

public to forgive those who were

it;but that is nothing when
compared
fortune
malicious intention of causing so heavy a mis-

the

in

befall

to

me

create

to

as

betwixt

variance

me."

and

you

receive

different manner."

very

affront
an
gross
the occasion of

"

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

But,"

said he,

*'

God

be thanked,

they

failed

have

in it."
"

"

the more
beholden
I, I am
and your amiable
to God
tinued
disposition.However," conderive this good from
it, that it
I, we
may
ought to be a warning to us to put ourselves upon our
guard against the King's stratagems to bring about
disunion betwixt you and my
brother, by causing a
a

that," answered

For

"

rupture betwixt
Whilst

me."

brother

saying this, my

was

apartment, and

and

you

them

I made

their

protestations
promises can prevail
more
fullyin the

renew

friendship. But what oaths or

against love! This will appear
sequel of my story.

of

banker, who

Italian

An

the

entered

had

with

concerns

my

morning, and invited

husband, myself, the princesses,
King my
entertainment
in
other
and
ladies, to partake of an
it a constant
Having made
a
garden belonging to him.
rule, before and after I married, as long as I
in the Court
of the Queen my
remained
mother, to
place without her permission, I waited on
go to no

brother,
him, the

her,

at

present
and

to

came

her

said she
who

banquet.

did not
know

judge,
greatly mortified
Whilst

we

the

from

return

at this

to

him

were

at

care

my
this

next

and

mass,

She

refused

where

asked
to

to

be

give any leave,

I went.

temper,

leave

whether

I leave
I

was

you
not

rebuff.

enjoying

this

entertainment, the

IX

LETTER

time
at
went
to
staying some
Lyons, we
ZjL
Le
Guast, not
daring to hazard
Avignon.
any
"^ -^
fresh
conduct
finding that my
imposture, and
the
for
afforded
jealousy on
ground
no
part of my
husband,
not, by that
plainly perceived that he could
betwixt
a
misunderstanding
bring about
my
means,
husband.
He
the
therefore
and
brother
solved
reKing my
effect through
Madame
he could
de
to try what
fluence
insuch
do
In order
Sauves.
to
an
this, he obtained
that
she
her
acted
entirely as he directed;
over
insomuch
that, by his artful instructions, the passion

FTER

these

which

life, became

of
and

their
This

though
Le

To

of

these

only

rival.

carry

on

credit

From
towards

this

those
time

me,

whereas,

M.

any

one

he

shunning
before,

As

we

are

he
58

was

of

open

as

whom
the

fatuatio
in-

other

that

this

to

and
much
and

was

that

was

give

all she

believed

presence

Guise,

designs,

ready

distant

became

de

the

it

account

that,

was

husband

my

love, he

my

such

sinister

that

on

them

considered

each

King

we

absorbed

once

with

others,

Guast's

brother.

my
to

and

last, that

persuaded the
jealous of her, and
and

divided

brothers-in-law,

De

time

ambition

that

jealousy betwixt

woman

joined with

at

were

their

at

case

ering
wav-

woman.

were

the

hitherto

violent

so

duty

this

to

such

to

the

generally

Souvray,

De

conceived,

sudden

favours

her

of
his

occasioned

preferred

as

of

attentions

Guast,

she

is

obligation

every

by

as

cold,

and

had

men

young

I
ear

said.

reserved
as

sible;
pos-

communi-

MARGUERITE

VALOIS

DE

'59

well knowing that I yielded

sister,
far from
his pleasure in all things, and
to
was
harbouring jealousy of any kind.
I had dreaded, I now
What
to
perceivedhad come
the loss of his favour
This
and
was
good
pass.
opinion; to preserve which I had studied to gain his
confidence
by a ready compliance with his wishes,
forerunner
well knowing that mistrust is the sure
of
cative to

to

as

me

hatred.
I

turned

now

mind

my

to

endeavour

an

brother's affection from

Madame
my
in his
order to counterplot Le Guast
about

division, and

used

every

passion; but
pains proved

thereby to

means

with

the

fascination

ineffectual.

design to bring

effect

too

was

wean

Sauves, in

de

brother

my

to

ruin.

our

to

I
his

divert

strong, and

my

In

anything else,my brother

have
but
would
suffered himself
to be ruled by me;
Le
the charms
of this Circe, aided by that sorcerer,
advice.
too powerful to be dissolved by my
Guast, were
he from
So far was
profitingby my counsel that he
it to her.
So blind
weak
was
enough to communicate
lovers!

are

Her

was
vengeance
she now
entered

and
Le

the

make

King

insomuch

me;

He

In

Guast.

left her

by this communication,
fullyinto the designs of

excited
more

she

consequence,

conceive
husband
my
that he scarcelyever

late at

night,and,

to

all her

used

aversion

an

spoke

prevent

with

our

to

art

for
me.

meeting

to her at
morning, she directed him to come
the
she
duly attended; after
Queen's levee, which
which
he passed the rest of the day with her.
My

in the

brother

likewise

and
think

Thus

she

that
was

consequence,

had
he

followed
the

alone

her

had

and

the

ity,
greatest assidueach

make

artifice to

jealousy kept
disunion

with

any

place

up

betwixt

mutual

in

ruin!

her

them,

of

them

esteem.

and, in

MEMOIRS

THE

6o

OF

Avignon, whence
we
proceeded through Burgundy and Champagne to
the King's marriage was
celebrated.
Rheims, where
From
Rheims
to Paris, things going on
in
came
we
their usual train, and
Le
signs
Guast
prosecuting his deWe

made

with

brother

considerable

all the

could

he

success

at

stay

wish.

At

Paris

my

he received with
joined by Bussi, whom
all the favour
which
his bravery merited.
He
was
of which
inseparablefrom my brother, in consequence
I frequentlysaw
and
brother
I were
him, for my
always together, his household
being equally at my
was

devotion

as

this

Madame

of

uncle,

my

Savoie.

de

circumstance
thought this a favourable
complete his design. Accordingly, he suggested to

was

Sauves

de
on

brother's

make

husband
believe that
my
that
Bussi
I frequented my

to

of

account

constantly.
husband, being fullyinformed

apartments

The

so

King my
proceedings from
my
persons
attended me
everywhere, could
an

times

the

Guast

Madame
it

aunt,

my

ing
aunt, remarkthat
often told me

has

us,

recollection

her

to

Your

own.

my

betwixt

d'Orleans, and
Le

to

were

harmony

it called
M.

if it

ear

to

this story.

in
not

brother

and

me,

service

be induced

whose

King,
account

who
of

friendshipfor

who

to

Guast, findinghimself

Le

in this quarter, applied to the

inclined to listen to the tale,on
to my

his

of all

was

lend

foiled
well

his dislike
each

other

unpleasing to him.
incensed
Besides
this, he was
against Bussi, who,
devoted himself
being formerly attached to him, had now
wholly to my brother, an acquisitionwhich, on
for parts and
of Bussi's fame
of the celebrity
account
greatly to my brother's honour,
valour, redounded

was

"

whilst it increased
The

King,

thus

it to the

the malice

worked

Queen

my

and

envy

of his enemies.

tioned
by Le Guast, menmother, thinking it would

upon

MARGUERITE
the

have

effect

same

VALOIS

DE
her

on

the

as

6i

tale which

was

trumped up at Lyons. But she, seeing through the

whole
him
the improbabilityof the
design, showed
wicked
have some
people
story, adding that he must
about him, who
could put such notions in his head,
fallen
to have
observing that I was
very unfortunate
In my
such evil times.
days," said
upon
younger
allowed to converse
she, we were
freelywith all the
father,
gentlemen who
belonged to the King our
It was
the Dauphin, and M. d' Orleans, your uncles.
"

"

for them

common

to

assemble

Madame

Marguerite, your
thought
nothing was

in the

aunt,
it.

well

as

as

of

in mine,

ought it to
daughter in the
strange that Bussi sees
appear
my
of her husband's
not
servants.
They are
presence
and
shut up together. Bussi is a person
of quality,
holds the first place in your brother's family. What
grounds are there for such a calumny? At Lyons
to offer her an
affront, which I fear
you caused me
she will never
forget."
talk
his mother
astonished
The
to hear
King was
in this manner,
and
interrupted her with saying:
Madame, I only relate what I have heard."
is it," answered
But who
she, that tells you all
this?
I fear no
that intends you any good, but
one

and

of

bedchamber

Neither

"

"

"

rather

that

one

you all."
As soon
that

had

as

wishes

the

passed, and

live in these times."

left her

had

King

said
Then

"

divisions amongst

create

to

You

are

she

told

all

me

unfortunate

callingyour aunt,

to

Madame

ing
Dampierre, they entered into a discourse concernof the times
freedoms
the pleasures and innocent
scandal
and malevolence
were
they had seen, when

de

unknown
Le
in

at

Court.

Guast, findingthis plot miscarry, was

contrivinganother.

He

addressed

himself

not

long

for this

62

MEMOIRS

THE
certain

to

purpose

husband.

my
of

zeal

now

These

become

who

gentlemen

his

attended

the

King

been

had

Bussi, but, envying

were

OF

the

formerly the friends

glory he had obtained,

enemies.

Under

the

mask

for their master, they disguised the envy

in their breasts.
harboured
They entered

of

which

into a
they
design of assassinatingBussi as he left my brother to
generallyat a late
lodgings,which was
go to his own
hour.
that he was
always accompanied
They knew
home
by fifteen or sixteen gentlemen, belonging to
brother, and that, notwithstanding he wore
no
my
in the right arm,
sword, having been latelywounded
his presence
sufficient to inspire the rest with
was
courage.

In

order, therefore, to

make

work, they

sure

solved
re-

three
hundred
or
attacking him with two
the
a veil over
thinking that night would throw
men,
disgrace of such an assassination.
Le Guast, who
commanded
a
regiment of guards,
of men,
the requisitenumber
posed
furnished
whom
he disin five or
six divisions^in the street
through
on

which

he

the torches

was

and

to

pass.

Their

flambeaux,

and

orders
then

were

to

to

fire their

put

out

pieces,

after which

ing
observto charge his company,
they were
particularlyto attack one who had his right arm
slung in a scarf.
Fortunately they escaped the intended massacre,
Bussi' s lodgand, fightingtheir way through, reached
ings,
one
gentleman only being killed,who
was
ticularly
parattached
M.
de
to
was
Bussi, and who
probably mistaken for him, as he had his arm likewise
slung in a scarf.
An
Italian gentleman,who
belonged to my brother,
left them
at the
beginning of the attack, and came
As
he reached
as
soon
running back to the Louvre.
my

brother's

chamber

door,

he

cried

out

aloud:

MARGUERITE
"

!"

is assassinated

Bussi

VALOIS

DE

brother

My

63
going

was

out,

ber,
I, hearing the cry of assassination, left my chamby good fortune not being undressed, and stopped
mother
I then sent
for the Queen my
brother.
to

but

my

all haste

with

come

out,

he

as

in order

to

resolved

was

to

prevent him from going

do, regardlessof what

could
we
difficulty
stay
mother
represented the
darkness
of the night, and

with
might happen. It was
him, though the Queen my
hazard
his

he

from

ran

of

ignorance

have

been

away

his life.

have

all the

order

the

resolution

had

learned

entreaties

Her

little avail

of

to

of

attack, which
Le

had

God

had

Guast

take

to

used

not

be

to

where

barred,
she

her

thority
au-

taken

and

until she

was

reallyhappened.
had
thus miraculously preserved,

of mind

presence

for in time

doors

might

persuasions would

and

if she

remaining

what

Bussi, whom
that

of the

nature

purposely designed by

been

with

the

the

which

he

the

most

of battle and

so

was

able
remark-

imminent

ger,
dan-

consideringwithin himself when he reached home

he have
should
the anxiety of his master's
mind
ceived
refalse report, and
fearing he might expose
any
the first alarm
himself
hazard
to
being given
upon
the
if my
been
have
(which certainlywould
case,
mother
and
ately
had not interfered
prevented it),immediknow
of his people to let him
despatched one
circumstance.

every
The

without

next

the

day Bussi
least

himself

showed

dread

of

enemies,

the

at
as

Louvre

if what

had

ment.
happened had been merely the attack of a tournamuch
brother
exhibited
pleasure at the
My
at such
sight of Bussi, but expressed great resentment
able
and valuof so brave
to deprive him
a daring attempt
a

in any

servant,
other

way

man

than

Le

whom

by

base

Guast

durst

not

assassination.

attack

LETTER

Queen

THE

the
I

from

ever

affair, and
advised

sons,

for

and

consent.

Guast

would

take

the

which

in

noblemen

her

some

tence
pre-

In

existed

that

to

give

that

Le

an

followed

ture.
rup-

brother's
of
company
latter's
the

about

were

my

open

my

with

ment
fo-

to

betwixt

into

departed

this

counsel

rencounter

husband

everything,

bravest

betwixt

suppose

the

already

King my
who
implicitly

Bussi,
directions

of

advantage

the

and

consequences

Court.

to

reason

every

coolness

the

brother

had

from

one

any

united
through
our
prevailed upon
was

brother

my

evil

fall upon

to

away

and

of

dissension

brother

my

sending
joined her,

request,

his

fearing

Bussi

advice

foresight of

prudence and
knew,
apprehensive

with

endowed

woman

greatest

this

two

mother,

my

person.
Bussi

Le

was

Guast,
he

design

had

husband

my

One

my

husband

insensible

before.

However,

attended

him
he

survived

for

as
so

recovered,

he

the
the

in

accomplishing
disunite

to

help

not

of

attacked

was

for

with

that, if I had
called

failed

the

King

me.

supposed, by
knew
anything

when

machinations

"

never

the

long projected,

and

night

continued

likewise

who

of

from

removed

now

the

his
of

space

the

kind

was

my

much

of

care

duty
and

spoke of it to
perceived his
my

women,

fit.
64

he

sioned,
occa-

"

for

women,

happen

to

fit,and

hour,

an

with

excesses

it

with

so

him

to
to

do,

assiduity that,

every

ing
declar-

one,

indisposition
should

not

and

have

66

THE
He

MEMOIRS

forced

was

OF

comply, greatly contrary

to

to

his

will,and, as he has since declared to me, with much

he laid his
regret. Joining entreaties to commands,
injunctionson me
accordingly.
How
I plainlydiscovered
displeasingthis separation was
I shed
tears
on
by the many
receiving his
orders.
It was
in vain to represent to him
the injury
done
character
removal
of one
to my
by the sudden
who

had

with

been

from

me

my
and

earliest

years, and
confidence;he could

greatly in my esteem
not
give an ear to my reasons, being firmly bound by
the promise he had made
to the King.
that very
Accordingly, Torigni left me
day, and
of a relation,M.
went
Chastelas.
I was
to the house
so
greatly offended with this fresh indignity,after so
of the kind formerly received, that I could
not
many
cern
help yielding to resentment; and my grief and conof my
hibited
getting the upper hand
prudence, I exwas

so

great coolness

husband.

Le

successful

and

Guast

indifference

and

Madame

de

towards
Sauves

my
were

in

creating a like indifference on his part,

which, coincidingwith mine, separated us altogether,
and
neither spoke to each
other
we
nor
slept in the
same

bed.
few

days

the

person

the

plot which
to

of the

lead

first betwixt
him

and

after this,some

him

about

remarked
husband
to him
my
artifice
been concerted
with so much

King

had

him

faithful servants

to

his

and

ruin, by creatinga
brother, and next
my

division,
betwixt

in
those
thereby separating him from
whom
only he could hope for his principalsupport.
him
that
to
were
They observed
already matters
little
brought to such a pass that the King showed
appeared to despise him.
regard for him, and even
addressed
themselves
afterwards
to
They
my
situation was
in the least mended
not
brother, whose
me,

MARGUERITE

DE

VALOIS

67

since the

departure of Bussi, Le Guast causing fresh

to be offered him
indignities
daily. They represented
that the King my
husband
and he were
both
to him
circumstanced
ahke, and equally in disgrace,as Le
had

Guast
both

of

everything under

them

through him,
of the King,
it

was

''

to

any
and

direction; so

that

the

necessityof soliciting,
which
they might want

favours

when

which,

refused

them

become

dangerous

inevitable

was

under

were

his

with

demanded,

great contempt.
offer them

to

stantly
con-

were

Moreover,
service, as it

ruin

for any one

to do so.
Since, then," said they, your dissensions appear
be so
fatal to both, it would
be
likelyto prove
"

advisable

in you

of

both

unite

to

and

come

leavingthe Court; and,

friends

to

mination
deter-

after

collecting
require from

and

servants, to
together your
establishment
the King an
suitable to your
ranks."
They observed to my brother that he had never
yet
and
been put in possession of his appanage,
received
certain allowances, which
for his subsistence only some
not
were
regularlypaid him, as they passed through
of Le
the hands
at his disposal,to
Guast, and were
be discharged or
kept back, as he judged proper.
with observing that, with regard to
They concluded
the King my
of Guyenne
husband, the government
taken out of his hands; neither was
he permitted
was
to

visit that
It

was

or

any

hereupon

other

of his dominions.

resolved

to pursue

the counsel

now

given,and that the King my husband and my brother

from
Court.
themselves
should immediatelywithdraw
me
My brother made
acquainted with this resolution,
he were
and
now
observing to me, as my husband
friends again, that I ought to forget all that had
that
declared
had
to him
passed; that my husband
he was
things had so happened, that we had
sorry
been outwitted
reby our enemies, but that he was
Memoirs

"

Vol.

THE

68

MEMOIRS

OF

tion
solved,from henceforward, to show me every attenand give me
every proof of his love and esteem,
and he concluded with begging me
band
to make
my husand to be watchful for
every show of affection,
their interest duringtheir absence.

It

concerted

was

betwixt

them

brother

that my

making off in a carriagein the

departfirst,
he could;that,in a few days afterwards,
best manner
the King my husband
should follow,under pretence
of going on a huntingparty. They both expressed
their concern
that they could not take me
with them,
assuringme that I had no occasion to have any apprehensions,
it
would
that
had
no
soon
as
they
appear
design to disturb the peace of the kingdom, but
the safetyof their own
merely to ensure
persons, and
In short,it might well
to settletheir establishments.
be supposedthat,in their present situation,
they had
to apprehend danger to themselves from
such
reason
evil designsagainsttheir family.
as had
it was
dusk and before
as
soon
as
Accordingly,
the King'ssupper-time,
my brother changed his cloak,
and concealing
the lower part of his face to his nose
in it,left the palace,
attended by a servant
who was
littleknown, and went on foot to the gate of St. Howhere he found Simier waitingfor him in a
nore,
coach, borrowed of a lady for the purpose.
My brother threw himself into it,and went to a
house about a quarter of a leagueout of Paris,where
stationed ready; and at the distance of
horses were
he joineda party of two
about a leaguefarther,
or
should

three

hundred

horsemen

of

his servants, who

were
brother was
not missed till

awaitinghis coming. My
nine o'clock,
when the King
asked
them

the

me
as

reason

usual,and

I told them

I had

and the

Queen

mother
sup with

my

did not come

to
if I knew of his beingindisposed.
him since noon.
not seen
Therehe

fli

MARGUERITE
upon

they sent

back

that he

found.
flew
He
of

the

then
the

He

visit.

to
was

Court;
to

and

Princes

giving

bring him

power."
Many

of

ladies

whom

nowhere

was

he

be

to

the

against

Princes
these

the great officers

for a pursuit to be

and

orders

back, dead

is gone
to make
him
it is to
what

show

He

the

now

for all the

sent

and

of

apartments

brought
then given

was

The
general alarm.
King
me.
great passion, and began to threaten

There

into

made,
*'

was

accustomed

was

69

his apartments.
Word
there.
Orders
not
were

to

inquire at

to

VALOIS

DE

war

against

contend

and

or

alive,cried
; but

me

with

officers of

orders,

which

I will

king
State

they

out

of my

strated
remon-

observed

ought to be well weighed. They said that, as their

their lives
duty directed,they were
willingto venture
in the King's service; but to act against his brother
be pleasing to the King
certain would
not
they were
his brother
well convinced
himself; that they were
would
undertake
nothing that should give his Majesty
be productiveof danger to the realm;
or
displeasure,
that perhaps his leavingthe Court was
owing to some
advisable
be more
it would
to send
disgust, which
for
and
inquire into. Others, on the contrary, were
ever
putting the King's orders into execution; but, whatday before
expeditionthey could use, it was
then
late to overtake
too
they set off; and as it was
brother, they returned, being only equipped for
my
the pursuit.
parture
brother's deI was
in tears the whole night of my
seized with a violent
and the next
day was
succeeded
cold, which was
by a fever that confined
me

bed.
my
husband
Meanwhile
was
my
which
took
all the
up

from

to

his

visits to

Madame

de

preparing for
time

he

Sauves;

his departure

could
so

spare
that he

MARGUERITE

70

did

think

not

beds,

This

the

of

brother

my

it

away,
The

after

in

him
a

away.

few

did

former
the

he

quite

not

to

show

evasion,

under

of
the

but

This

coolness.

his

leaving
pretence

promise

when

and
of

the

of

went

favour

more

continued
the

he

to

me.

husband

my

levee,

usual.

forgot

leave

fore
be-

mother's

as

me;

taking

resolution

days,

Sauves,

speaking

brother's

my

de

separate

morning,

the

my

two

at

had

we

in
to

usual

as

as

and

went

case,

without

was

King

his

with

he

Madame

being

and,

him;

awake,
met

returned

morning,
heard

was

he

where

He

me.

the

seldom

in

of

in

three

or

VALOIS

DE

behave

to

more

Court,

hunting,

confirmed
so

he

that
went

LETTER

King,

THE

was

became

rage

Queen

so

one,

going

was

her

consent

and

well

was

great

be

different
the

kind

troubles

these

world

the

view,

second

look;

that,
with

change
he

might

in

enemies,
such

so
manner

was

the

least

violent,

cooled

in

aspect

things
that

so
changed,
there
might

us

lest
it

not

for
to

they

repose

should

advisable
our

enemies
71

known.

to

too
one

might,

should

in

much

day

peared
ap-

time

when
as

dence
pru-

confidence
become

our

ourselves
we

upon

measures
a

come

if

that

tranquil

and

conduct
as

At

now

services; that,

my

so

everything

pleasing

more

order

of

what

alarming,

and
a

that

so

she

consider

to

lasting; that

be

not

me,

hitherto

King

the

what
gave

treatment

to

I had

what

double

to

mother

anger

submission

occasion

friends,

our

my

in

them;

counselled

his

of

with

assume

have

any

discourse

horrible

as

with

to

might

him

to

King

that

advised

the

requested

she

bore

find

guard

however,

from

time

Queen
being

sel,
coun-

intelligence

as

to

her

She,

to

me

same

measure,

permitted

reconcile

Princes

think

to

follow

not

the

not

upon

communication

The

pleased

degree.

might
to

this

to

to

way

insisted

might

have

Court.

at

on

that

the

give

to

as

but

had

inclined

am

Giving

calm,

neither

that,

it, I

danger.

me,

over

husband,

my

in
more

being placed

violent

so

moderated

been

became

he

length

at

life had

my

strument
supposing that I was
a
principal inin aiding the
in their
Princes
tion,
deserhis
and
greatly incensed
against me,

mother

my

XI

had

in

hopes

MEMOIRS

THE

^2

they should hereafter

prudent remonstrances
the King from
me,

as

Guast

Le

become
did

friends.

our

such

By

the

Queen my mother
proceeding to extremities
otherwise
possibly have done.

would

he

OF

endeavoured

now

to

divert his

strain
re-

with

fury to

other
an-

in a most
sensitive
me
object,in order to wound
part. He prevailedon the King to adopt a design for
seizingTorigni, at the house of her cousin Chastelas,
and, under pretence of bringing her before the King,
her in a river which
to
drown
to
cross.
they were
this errand
The
admitted
was
by
party sent upon
Chastelas,not suspectingany evil design, without the
least difficulty,
into his house.
As soon
as
they had
the cruel
gained admission
they proceeded to execute
business
sent
they were
by fastening Torigni
upon,
with cords
and locking her up in a chamber, whilst
their horses
were
baiting. Meantime, according to
the
French
themselves, like
custom,
they crammed
afforded.
gluttons,with the best eatables the house

Chastelas, who
to

his

gain

substance,
is

sentence

respitethe

time

of discretion,was

man

was

at

the

expense
that
the
considering

part of

some

suspension of a
and that during this
a prolongation of life,
King's heart might relent, and he might

countermand

his former

he

of

pleased
dis-

not

was

orders.

induced

his

power

the

domestics, male

to

erations
consid-

these

submit, though

it

was

in

repel this
But
violence.
hath
God, who
constantly regarded
afflictions
and
afforded
me
protectionagainst the
my
malicious designs of my enemies, was
pleased to order
which
I could
Torigni to be delivered by means
poor
I been
have
had
devised
never
acquainted with the
I was
plot, of which
totally ignorant. Several of
house

in
of

to

have

called

With

as

for

well

fright,fearing the

this

assistance

as

to

female, had

insolence

troop of soldiers,who

and

left the

rude

behaved

as

ment
treat-

riot-

MEMOIRS

THE

74

of
sacrificing
purpose
the
mother,
Torigni to his vengeance,
Queen my
intimation
of
the
least
had
received
who
not
it,

notable

expedition,

to

came

for

OF

apartment

my

to

after

passed

alarms

had

hitherto

had

observe

of

account

on

as

abroad, in order
what

the

to

having

still

husband

and

brother.

myself

to

go

received

be

Court,

at

confined

I should

how

my

dressing

was

some

chamber,

my

not

health, and, in reality,

having perfectlyrecovered
my
in
as
being all the time as much
indisposed in mind
body.
me
My mother, perceivingmy intention, addressed
in these words :
My child,you are giving yourself
in dressing to go
Do
trouble
abroad.
unnecessary
I am
Your
be alarmed
not
at what
going to tell you.
will dictate to you that you ought not
own
good sense
of your
the conduct
to be surprisedif the King resents
"

brother

and

friendshipthat
that

He

hold

pledge

placed, with

by

not

done

of his counsellors,by whom

it

had

advise

your

your

I
measures,

free
brother

beg you
which,

will
if it

so

be

his

he
this

On

guards

to

suffer

to leave
you
with the advice

suggested that, if
might be induced to

was

husband
not

to him.

this

liberty,you
and

thinks

and

ordered
to

has

you

He

has

detain

to

is sensible how

He

dear

more

King

directions

apartments.

your

resolved

husband,

your

is

that

the

and

three, should supyou

pose
to their design of leaving the

for

beloved

it is that

account

be

no

love

between

this reason,
hostage for them.

the

knows

he

as

privy

has,

in it,as
you
much
you are
can

exist

were

you

Court.

and

husband,

of

their

offended

please God,

may

tions.
delibera-

with
not

these

be

of

I beg, moreover,
will not be
long continuance.
you
displeasedwith me if I do not pay you frequent visits,
be unwilling to create
I should
suspicions in
as
any
that
rest assured
the King's mind.
However,
you may

MARGUERITE

shall

that

prevent

may

use

endeavours

betwixt
I

was

that

it
to

that,

the

time

spoken

with

left

he
it

wife,
will

is

to

opportunity.
to

shall

few

did

nor

Now,

prevent."

he

trifling

When,

you

this

me

he

will
is

had

we

*'

she,

is

has

only
set

what

off
the

of

in

at

King

at

letter,

he

write
the

me

and

man

means,

to

ing
dur-

nothing

betwixt

such

not

me

leave

take

conveyed

by

from

visited

he

difference

words,

dissatisfied,

husband,

even

says

cated
communi-

be

to

my

had

arrest;

along

from

This,"

sweet

and

King

neither

affections,
him,

the

indignity

under

me

had

taken

"

rights.

your

come

wishes

to

set

regained
to

merely

which

tion
reconcilia-

great

all

had
he

to

other;

Court.

putting

cause

was

indisposition,

when

by

respect

each

taken

that

about

the

reply,

brother

just

Torigni

in

me

my

the

to

my

all;

to

true

me

but

her,

to

offered
was

and

you,

bring

to

being

brothers."

your

represented

that

to

75

from

steps

disagreeable

utmost

my

further

any

prove

VALOIS

DE

to

very

my

has
you

first
son

LETTER

Queen

THE

words.

visit from

saying

me,

his

by

friends

nearest

brave

none

and

in

me,

prove

Courts.
in

dwells

dearest

be

to

sure

tions.
connec-

who
tured
venonly one
of incurring disgrace.
hazard
at the
to visit me,
five or
six times
He
and
to
came
see
guards
me,
my
much
his resolution, and
awed
astonished
at
so
were
that
of
them
not
a
by his presence,
single Cerberus
The

would

all

Grillon

oner,
pris-

through the apprehension that

it is ever
Thus
injurious to their interests.
prosperity
Adversity is solitary, while
the
object of persecution being
crowd;
shunned

these

close

single person,
near
daring to come
such
a
step might

friends

intimate

most

my

left

part, I remained

my

without
of

mother

my

For

XII

venture

the

was

refuse

to

him

entrance

to

my

apartments.
the

Meanwhile,
States

under

King

husband

my

at

his

from

government.

Court.

Now

the

Being joined there by

his friends
and
dependents, they all represented to him
the indignity offered
to
me
by his quitting the Court
him
without
to
taking leave of me.
They observed
that I was
a
princess of good understanding, and that
it would
be for his interest to regain my
that,
esteem;
former
when
their
matters
were
footing, he
put on
himself
from
to
might derive
great advantage
my
presence

his

reached

Circe,

good advice.
charms, his

Madame

de

Absence
eyes

and

machinations

that

rupture

could

our

not

he

enemies,
but
76

tend

he

abated
he

at

was

Sauves,

having
opened;

were

of

that

could

the

to

the

listen

force

discovered
and

distance

of

the

to

her

plots

clearly perceived
ruin

of

us

both.

MARGUERITE

Accordingly,he
wherein

he

betwixt

us,

would

wrote

entreated

me

me

that

and

would

^y

affectionate

very

forget all

to

me

assuring
love

VALOIS

DE

that

from

had

letter,

passed

thenceforth

he

onstratio
demgive me
every
that he did so, desiringme
to inform
him
of what was
going on at Court, and how it fared with
brother.
and my
in Champagne
me
My brother was
and the King my
husband
in Gascony, and there had
been
communication
betwixt
no
them, though they
of friendship.
terms
on
w^ere
I received this letter during my
imprisonment, and
ever

it gave

great comfort

me

guards

my
to

mother

letters to
Some

him

that

strict orders

had

situation.

not

to

though
Al-

permit

me

him.
few

brother
so

purpose

that, had

him,

been

he

had

He

was,

contented

put under

in

love

of

of

his

effects

arrest,

chagrined
his country
resentment

cruel civil war^

to which
sufficient force entirelyat his devotion.

however,

himself

be driven

been

the

not

the

shown

mother, informing
should

I had

of it, which
intelligence

had

much

have

would

after

days

prevailed with

and

under

yet, as necessityis said to be the

pen to paper,
of invention, I found
to write
means
many

set

my

me,

with

her

upon

withheld

writing to

that, if I
some

by

his
the

patriotism,
Queen my

thus

treated, he
She,
desperate measure.
was

of an
fearing the consequence
rupture, and
open
struck, she should be
once
dreading lest,if blows were
iation
of bringing about a reconcildeprived of the power
betwixt
the
quences
brothers, represented the consehim well disposed to
to the King, and
found
lend

an

cooled

ear

to

her

reasons,

as

his

anger

was

by the apprehensions of being attacked

Gascony, Dauphiny, Languedoc, and Poitou, with
the King
under
the strength of the Huguenots
husband.

now

in
all
my

MEMOIRS

THE

78

OF

nots,
strong places held by the Huguemany
with him in Champagne,
brother had an army
my
composed chieflyof nobility,the bravest and best in
Besides

the

King

The

France.

that

found,

since

my

not,

either

by

could

he

brother's
threats

parture,
dewards,
re-

or

the princes and

single person among
did every
one
great lords to act against him, so much
in this quarrel, which
fear to intermeddle
sidered
they conof a family nature; and after having maturely
as
his situation,he acquiesced in my
reflected on
mother's
opinion, and begged her to fall upon some
She thereupon proposed goof reconcihation.
means
ing
with
her.
To the
and
brother
to my
taking me
the King had
of taking me,
an
objection,as
measure
and
husband
the hostage for my
he considered
me
as
then
brother.
She
behind, and
agreed to leave me
At
off without
set
knowledge of the matter.
my
brother represented to the Queen
their interview, my
fied
but be greatly dissatisthat he could not
mother
my
mortifications
he
with the King after the many
received
had
at Court; that the cruelty and
injustice
self;
hurt him
of confining me
equally as if done to himarrest
that, as if my
were
observing, moreover,
sufficient mortification,
be
not
a
Torigni must
poor
made
to suffer; and
concluding with the declaration

induce

of

his firm
until

peace

made

answer,

go

resolution
I
me

for

brother's

my

back

again

said, would
with

was

mother
my
returned

Queen
with

her

to

restored

to

listen to

and
liberty,

my

indignityI
being unable
Court

and

me,

for

obtain

to

other

any
acquainted the

determination.

with

reparation
sustained.
The

had

the

to

of

terms

any

Her

going

advice

without

King
to

was

me,

she

and if I went
very little purpose;
do
harm
than
more
disgust, it would

answer

in

good. Besides,
should

not

there

insist upon

was

going

reason

to

my

to

fear, in that

husband.

"

In

case,

short,"

MARGUERITE

VALOIS

DE

79
.

"

she,
says
and she must
The

us

for,
she

of

she

as

paved

the

the

to

to

my

as

to

one

procure

and

my

rupture,
party prevailed, as

for the

that

had

would

might

be

would
nations,
machihave

observed

She

be

she

else who

an

that,

twixt
good understandingbe-

brother, I should

but

not

that

Guast's

disquietude under
laboured, as, should
things
could

me

desire,and

relieve her

which

that cruel

she

sent

of Le

mind.

twixt
be-

I must

which

peace

was

was

was

sensible

could

brother

King's

that it

brother;

my

make

informed

was

of the reach

the

over

she

of any

those

by assistingher
the King
from

for peace;

way

power

as
satisfactory
put us entirelyout

influence

removed,

matters

Hereupon

her, she

to

promote

as

or

herself.

came

reconcile

to

eager

State, which

in her

now

as

was

when

desirous

as

it

and

had

good

sudden,

be

must

be satisfied in the best way

can."
we
agreed to follow her advice, and

King
on

now,

daughter'sguard

my

she at present
to

come

an

open

grieved, whichever

be

both
her
She
sons.
they were
therefore expressed her hopes that I would
forgetthe
injuriesI had received, and disposemyself to concur
in a peace, rather
than join in any plan of revenge.
She assured me
that the King was
sorry for what had
happened; that he had even
expressed his regret to
her

with

in his eyes,

tears

and

declared

had

that

he

satisfaction.
I replied
give me
every
that I was
willingto sacrifice everythingfor the good
for
of my
brothers
and of the State; that I wished
nothing so much as peace, and that I would exert myself
to the utmost
to bring it about.
into the
As I uttered these words, the King came
oured
of fine speeches, endeavcloset, and, with a number
was

ready

to

to

soften

friendship,to
show

him

my

which

I harboured

resentment

made
no

and
such

to

recover

returns

ill-will for

the

my

might
injuriesI
as

8o
had

received.
of

out

THE

MEMOIRS

induced

to

because

it

was

contempt, and

OF
such

King

good poHcy

was

satisfied with
go away
secret
a
Besides, I had found

the

behaviour

rather
to

let

me.

pleasure,during my
confinement, from the perusal of good books, to which
before
I had
given myself up with a dehght I never
experienced. I consider this as an obligation I owe
to fortune, or, rather,to Divine
Providence, in order
to bear
to prepare
by such efficacious means,
me,
up
calamities
that
awaited
and
against the misfortunes
in the universal book
which
me.
By tracing nature
led to the knowledge
is opened to all mankind, I was
Author.
Science
conducts
of the Divine
us, step by
rive,
step, through the whole range of creation,until we arMisfortune
God.
at length, at
prompts us to
utmost
cover
summon
our
strength to oppose grief and reuntil at length we
find a powerful
tranquillity,
love of God, whilst prosaid in the knowledge and
perity
hurries us away
overwhelmed
until we
are
by
tude
our
passions. My captivityand its consequent solithe double
afforded me
advantage of excitinga
vantages
passion for study, and an inclination for devotion, adI had never
experienced during the vanities
and splendour of my
prosperity.
As
I have
already observed, the King, discovering
in me
that the
no
me
signs of discontent,informed
was
going into Champagne to have
Queen my mother
interview with my
an
brother, in order to bring about
and
her
thither
to
a
begged me
peace,
accompany
and
best endeavours
to use
his views,
to forward
my
he knew
brother
as
was
always well disposed to
my
follow
with
counsel; and he concluded
saying
my
that the peace,
when
accomplished, he should ever
consider as being due to my
good ofiices,and should
himself
for it. I promised to
esteem
obliged to me
exert
myself in so good a work, which I plainlyper-

MARGUERITE

82
receive

the

to

Queen
The
both
At

peace
sides,the

this

begging

ask

leave

wish

to

entreaties.
such

gave

it, because

to

When

and

give

her

with

Court,

to

was

her

now

to

agreed

on,

see

to

husband's
own

my

to

averse

to

set

me

refused

Bartholomew's

her

Day,

commended

for

me

converted

that

he

had

Huguenot

that

consent

my

desire

on

return.

King

then

turned

was

I should

the

to

abjured
again, she
to

go

him.

going, she burst into a

upon
with her,
said, if I did not return

of tears, and
it would
her
prove

back

the

my

that, when
St.

as

still insisted

was

to

argument

refusal,and

my

flood

it

was

peace

after

religion; but

not

prepared

every

husband

my

Catholicism,
could

as

used

divorce

way

Catholic

ratified

and

letters from

observed

She

it

means.

I communicated

and

measure,

against it.
proposal of
she

mother

the

and

King

expressed a great

him.

to

such

concluded

soon

as

the

Queen my mother, and added

She
expressed herself greatly

the

to

he

me,

go

by

received

in which

husband,
me,

obtained

being thus
Queen my

instant

of

should, besides, consider

and

when

secure

VALOIS

particularfavour

mother,

my

more

DE

doing;
her;

ruin;
that

and

which

that

she

King would believe

promised to bring me

the

had

that, when

would

be

soon,

brother
my
she would

returned
her

give

consent.

We

returned

now

satisfied that

the
as

some

had

we

pleased with
Huguenots. He
soon

as

my

to

the

was

detained

to

his German

should

were,

two

found

peace;

the

resolved
return

the

King

though

articles concluded

renewing

get my
near

therefore

conditions

Huguenots

made

brother

pretext for

Paris, and

ever,
not, how-

in favour

of

within
to

himself,
Court, to find

These

war.

tageous
advan-

indeed, only granted the

brother

out

of

their

hands,

months, being employed

horse

well

and

the rest

who

in disbanding

of his army.

XIII

LETTER

/A
-^

"^

length

my

panied

by

followed

brother
all

his

very

graciously, and

how

much

he

died

the

under

him

for
to

up

body

had

been

made

of

which

the

the

to

King

inclination

an

After

by

some

told

me

The

and

means

to

could

the

of

to

King

leave.

from

83

going
showed

he

arrived
hasten

greatly

He,

part

his

another

as

and

us,

engage
them

make

me

of

manifested

wishes.

Duras

husband

not

to

strove

prevent

our

de

M.

time,

he

the

destruction

considered

both

had

soul

contrivances,

Accordingly
to

whose

price
diabolical
magic,
King, though now

thereby

be

gratify all

the

he

cious
gra-

death

one

as

the

upon

might

attention
to

his

and

malicious

this,

husband.

King my
I pressed
Hereupon,
his
it, and
give me
sent

of

his

effect

every
my

of

who

more,

demons

means

of

To

used

mark

every

prince of

entirely

that

no

now

the

against them,

he

with

debauchery;

the

thoughts

and

enemies;

of

Bussi,

on
Almighty
whose
perishing, and

of

instrument

brother

enemy,

was

of

the

to

Huguenots.

my

him,

likewise

constantly practised.

his

turned

kind

through

this

without

reception

having
operation of a particular regimen
dered
orself
had
He
given himby his physician.

over

he

had
him

return.

met

Guast

Le

judgment
long been

assistance

his

at

accom-

nobility who
King received

by his

brother,

every

the

seemed

pleased

my

reception.

The

showed,

Court,

to

Catholic

the

fortunes.

was

with

returned

returned

with

my
to

colour

to
me

at

Court,

at

departure.

think
his

well

of

refusal,

present,

as

MEMOIRS

THE

84
chief

the

was

keep
this

Httle

me

himself
and

answer

of

ornament

me

OF
his

longer, after
my

on

which
far

as

way

he

assurance,

M.

sent

would

he
as

he

that

Court;

must

pany
accom-

Poitiers.

With

de

back.

Duras

in order
to
purposely framed
ing
gain time until everything was
prepared for declarwar
against the Huguenots, and, in consequence,
against the King my husband, as he fully designed

These

to

were

excuses

do.
As

pretence

spread

was

the

with

to

abroad
of

Peace

with the Huguenots, a report

that the Catholics were
dissatisfied

break

Sens, and

thought
Huguenots.

the

of

terms

it

This
rumour
advantageous for the
succeeded, and produced all that discontent amongst
formed
the Catholics intended
by it. A league was
in the provinces and great cities,
which
was
joined by
too

numbers

of

the

the

head

of

as

Catholics.
This

all.

Guise

de

M.

well

was

named

was

known

pretended to be ignorant
King, who
going forward, though nothing else was

of

the

to

what

talked

was

of

at

Court.
States

The
to

my

the

brother

were

convened

opening
to

his

of this

to

meet

at

Blois.

vious
Pre-

assembly, the King called

closet, where

present

were

the

of the King's counsellors.

and some
Queen my mother
the
Catholic
He
represented the great consequence
his State and
to
authority,even
league was
though
they should appoint De Guise as the head of it;that
of the highest importance to them
such a measure
was
and
brother
both, meaning my
himself; that the
Catholics had very just reason
to be dissatisfied with
the peace,
and that it behoved
self
him, addressing himto my
brother, rather to join the Catholics than
this from
well as
conscience
the Huguenots, and
as
interest.

with

He

concluded

conjuring him,

as

his
a

son

address
of

to

France

my
and

brother
a

good

MARGUERITE

Catholic,to assist him

critical

both

order

to

ought
it,as

to

form

well
the

leader.
of

show

then

formidable

zeal

his

counsel

further

He
so

85
in this

the Catholic

and

crown

said

that, in

the

for

head

religionas
uniting under
any

from

proposed

to

himself

declare

ligion
re-

league,he

become

himself,and

Catholics
He

of

start

one

to

his
stake.

at

get the

his aid and

with

juncture,when

were

VALOIS

DE

to

of
vent
pre-

other

the head

league,which should be joined by my brother,

fices
and others holding ofprinces,nobles, governors,

the

under
reduced
tender

the

to

the

Government.

Thus

was

necessityof making

of his services

my

his

for the support and

brother

Majesty

maintenance

of the Catholic
The

religion.
King, having now

brother's

assistance

his sole view

in the

obtained
event

assurances

of

war,

of my
which
was

league which he had formed with

much
so
art, assembled
together the princes and chief
noblemen
of his Court, and, callingfor the roll of
the league, signed it first himself, next
callingupon
all present.
my brother to sign it,and, lastly,
upon
The
next
day the States opened their meeting,
the King, callingupon
when
the Bishops of Lyons,
Ambrune,
Vienne, and other prelatesthere present,
for their advice, was
told that,after the oath taken at
in the

his coronation,

him, and

no

therefore

with

the

oath
he

was

made

to

absolved

heretics
from

could

bind

his engagements

Huguenots.
This declaration being made
at the opening of the
declared
assembly, and war
against the Huguenots,
the King abruptly dismissed
the Huguefrom
Court
not,
arrived
few
had
Genisac, who
a
days before,
with
sion
commishusband
a
charged by the King my
to hasten
departure. The King very sharply
my
told him
lic,
that his sister had been given to a Cathoand not to a Huguenot; and that if the King my

expected

husband

have

to

he

me,

self
him-

declare

must

Catholic.

Every preparationfor

of

an
me

with.

Queen

the

the

to

still

brother
my
the
he had

mand
com-

and

formed
inmissed
dis-

been

closet

the

King.
by him,

the

found

mother, where

my

nothing

and

Huguenots,
Genisac came
given him.
army
he had
of the rough message
directlyto
Hereupon I went

obnoxious

more

made,

was

war

of at Court; and, to make

else talked

of

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

86

at being deceived
expressedmy resentment
me
and
at being cajoledby his promise to accompany
appeared,
Paris to Poitiers,which, as it now
from
mere
a
was
pretence. I representedthat I did not
choice, but entirelyagreeable to
own
by my
marry
mother,
of King Charles, the Queen my
the advice
for
and himself; that, since they had given him to me
from
ing
partakhusband, they ought not to hinder me
a

resolved to go to him,
of his fortunes; that I was
and that if I had not their leave, I would
get away
of my life. The
I could,even
King
at the hazard
how
"

answered

Sister,it is

not

now

time

importune

to

acknowledge that I have, as you say,

hitherto prevented you from going, in order to forbid
the time the King of Navarre
it altogether. From
a
Huguenot,
changed his religion,and again became
the
What
been against your
I have
going to him.
I are
and
doing is for your good.
Queen my mother
for leave.

me

determined

am

to

until this wretched

is of

so

carry

religionof

mischievous

nature,

sister,if you, who

their hands, you would

are

my

prevent

my

design.

seek their revenge

No,
us

you

in the

shall
manner

not

on

become

you

who

And

upon
go

me

the
is

Huguenots,

no

Catholic, were
a

hostage

knows

but

now

them;

and

which

Consider,

more.

by taking away

amongst
have

of extermination

war

once

for

me,

in
and

they might
your
if you

life?
leave

mentioned,rely upon

MARGUERITE

VALOIS

DE

mother

the Queen your

that you will make
that we
bitterest enemies, and
your
It

make

to

means

and,

moreover,
worse

will make
you
instead
of better."

from

went

both

belonging

sexes

friends, I found
at

They
the

war

for

me

open

all of

them

for

King

leave

pilgrimage,or

Princesse

de

visit to

be

Court

whilst

pretence of

kindred.

on

was

be

honourable

amongst

occasion, who

Court

the

of my

was

my

husband.

my

more

under

some

Roche-sur-Yon
the

upon

kingdom

the

of

it would
in

at

stay

lasted, saying it would

to

tion
situa-

I esteemed

remain

the
to

every

principalpersons

to

not

me

me

tion,
dissatisfac-

much

whom

me

use

husband's

opinion that

with

variance

recommended

the

Court

to

exceedingly improper
now

of

with

and

resentment;

our

your

this audience

and, taking advice

shall

effects of

feel the

you

87

those
the

The
I

sulted
con-

point

of

settingoff for Spa to take the waters there.

My brother was likewise present at the consultation,
and
brought with him Mondoucet, who had been to
he
in qualityof the King's agent, whence
Flanders
content
was
just returned to represent to the King the disthe
that
arisen
had
Flemings on
amongst
ernment
of infringements made
account
by the Spanish Govcommissioned
of

several

by
towns,

several
to

in their hearts

they were

laws.

the French

on

to

come

towards
a

that he

was

municipaHties
clined
inmuch
how
they were
ready
France, and how

nobles, and

declare

under

stated

He

French

the

government.

doucet,
Mon-

perceivingthe King not inclined to listen to

pied
wholly occuhis representation,
as
having his mind
into with the Huguehe had entered
nots,
by the war
to
resolved
he was
whom
punish for having
in it further
had
ceased to move
joined my brother,.
the
himself
on
subject
addressed
the King, and
to
brother.
to my
My brother, with that princelyspirit

88

MEMOIRS

THE
led him

which
lent

an

to

than

ear

keep

undertake

to

Mondoucet's

he

what

the

was

it,for

in

engage

to

to

OF
ily
great achievements, read-

he

proposition,and
born

was

to

conquer

Mondoucet's

conquered.
pleasing to

more

rather

ised
prom-

him

sition
propo-

it

as

not

was

what
to France
being, in fact, to recover
had been usurped by Spain.
had
er's
Mondoucet
nt)w
engaged himself in my brothFlanders
under
to
return
to
a
service, and was
de
Rochepretence of accompanying the Princesse
in her journey to Spa; and as this agent persur-Yon
ceived
it

unjust,
"

my

counsellors

for my
the

leaving
that

and

war,

be

to

Court

at

and

first

at

loss for

some

quittingFrance

Savoy

tence
preduring

proposed
Our
Lady
that I might

was

for

of
Lorraine, and then
be
Loretto, he suggested to my brother
in Flanders, if,under
the colour
of great use
to him
to drink
of any complaint, I should be recommended
de Rochethe Spa waters, and
go with the Princesse
sur-Yon.
My brother acquiesced in this opinion, and
came
saying: Oh, Queen! you need be no
up to me,
longer at a loss for a place to go to. I have observed
that you
have
frequently an erysipelason your arm,
the Princess
You
to Spa.
and you
must
accompany
must
physicians had ordered those waters
say your
not
for the complaint; but when
they did so, it was

retreat, then

my

'*

the

to

season

and

take
you

them.

That

hope

have

to

is

season

the

now

proachin
ap-

leave

King's

to

there."

go

brother

My
that

did

time, because
whom

he

he

The

the

wished

me

the

Cardinal

to

be

saw

to

de

all he
de

wished

to

Bourbon

was

friend to the Guises

through

promote

approved

company

Princesse

deliver

knew

Spain. However,
that

not

of my

Roche-sur-Yon

his real

his views
brother's
heard

say

at

present,
and to

design, and
in Flanders.

advice, and
the

proposal

Princesse

the

accompanying

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

90

there

Roche-sur-Yon,

de

journey to Spa.
She
approved of what I proposed, and expressed
taken
lution.
her satisfaction that I had
so
prudent a resoshe was
much
how
observed
She
chagrined
that the King, through the evil pershe found
when
suasions
of the bishops,had resolved to break through

present, in her

of

conditions

the

in

his

She

name.

saw

of this

hasty proceeding,as

King's

Council

This

her,

gave

think

to

in the

likelyto

would

already

the

ill effects

said, much

remain

not

best

at

servants.

it did

as

concern,

the

from

removed

ablest and

cluded
con-

wise
like-

without

Court

picion
creating jealousy and susThis being certainlywhat
of my
the consequence
staying, she
King to give me leave to set out on

advise

be
the

journey.

this

She

he

that

coursed
King diswith me
the subject without
exhibitingthe
on
well pleased now
resentment.
Indeed, he was
from
had
going to the King
prevented me
as

was

smallest

good

as

her

husband, for whom

my

had

it had

his

of

could

she

husband, or
King's mind.

offending my
was

many
she

which

last peace,

the

and

word,

he

had

to

be

the

the

conceived

greatest

animosity.
ordered

He
to

Don

King

immediately despatched

John of Austria, who

Spain in Flanders, to
"

of

"

necessary
under
cross

courier

passports for
his command,

part of

Flanders

obtain

from

free
as

to

for

commanded

passage
I should

reach

in

be

Spa,

bishopric of Liege.
All matters
being thus arranged, we
The
few
days after this interview.
I remained
and
brother
together was

the

him
the

the

tries
coun-

obliged
which

to

is in

the

him
had

in

giving me

undertaken

to

instructions
execute

for

for him

the

separated in
short

time

employed

my

by

commission

in Flanders.

The

MARGUERITE

to

the

and

King
be

Queen

the

near

which

ordered

had

then

attack

and

ing
besieg-

it

reduced,

being

Poitiers,

for

out

Mayenne,

Gascony

he

For

accompanied

tended
in-

was

the

King

de

Tournon,
male

My

Picardy,

at

principal
the

seven

other

towns,

of

M.

de

father-in-law

of

the

the

gentlemen

de

Comte

household,
of

my

Moiiy,

Lenoncourt,

Seigneur

de

brother

of

the

Chaligny,
my

ladies.

young
de

to

Chaste-

Mademoiselle

other

Cardinal

the

and

called

de

d'Atric^

eight

dame
Ma-

bedchamber,

my

Madame

Picardy,

were

Flanders

to

Roche-sur-Yon,

lady

or

present

steward

army,

other

journey

my

Mademoiselle

Langres,

Louise,

Queen

of

attendants
of

another

some

de

the

and

Bishop

on

Princesse

Moiiy

Millon,

De

and

out

set

Tournon,

Madame

of

took.

the

by

de

laine,

part,

my

Issoire

after

soon

command

the

besiege

to

wliich

and

de

place
into

brother

My

the

M.

set

91

husband.

my

de

of

march

to

mother

my

army

Brouage,

VALOIS

DE

chief

establishment.

with

my

esquires,

XIV

LETTER

cavalcade

THE

it

curiosity as
the

in

small

in

in

devices.

Spanish

the

by
Tournon,

my

followed

ten

their

of

lady

the

with

of

rest

My

the

in

the

to

sun

either

litter

lowed
fol-

was

Princesse
de

Madame

them

After

with

horseback,

on

all, six

ladies

whole,

the

motto,

other

the

of

coloured

the

was

one

honour^
last

and,

in

bedchamber.

the
of

maids

governess;

chariots,

in

and

Roche-sur-Yon,

de

its

had

the

it

of

lining

alluding

language.
in

others;

two

elled
trav-

glass, painted

had,

and

device

Italian

or

The

of

windows

Each

no

splendidly

was

different

and

were

and

reflected

colour, embroidered

gold

different

all

effects.

its

and

crimson

towns

appearance.

pillars.

windows

lining

devices,

forty

with

it

great

several

and

as

handsome

with

The

The

France,

on

of

velvet,

thread.

silk

journey,

devices

various

of

raised

litter

Spanish

was

in

made

the

through

my

excited

me

passed

credit

of

and

out,

set

course

degree

attended

that

all

and

and

coaches

female

our

attendants.
took

due

three

place, about
of

the

Cambresis,

guarantee)

what
to

meet

hour
me

Bishop

the

acknowledging

State
as

leagues

I
on

Le

at

distant
of
the

to

the

of

92

strong

frontier

only

Spain

gentleman to inquire
the
leave
should
place, as he
of his territory.
the borders
sent

all

astical
(an ecclesi-

Cambray
King

me

pay

Catelet,
from

which

in

towns

orders

King's

arrived

Being

honours.

the

Picardy,
the

received

had

province

of

road

the

of

me

intended

at

MARGUERITE

VALOIS

DE

93

Accordingly I found him there, attended by a number

of his people, who
appeared to be true Flemings,
and to have
all the rusticity
and
unpolished manners
of their country.
The
of the House
of
Bishop was
of the principalfamilies in Flanders.
Barlemont, one
themselves
All of this house have shown
Spaniards at
heart, and at that time were
firmlyattached to Don
John. The Bishop received me with great politeness
and
little of the Spanish ceremony.
not
a
Although the cityof Cambray is not so well built
in France, I thought it, notof our
towns
withstandin
as
some
far more
of these,
pleasantthan many
the streets
and squares
posed.
as
are
larger and better disThe
churches
mented,
are
grand and highly ornawhich

what
is

is, indeed, common

admired, above
all, was

the

finest

brother

had

citadel

named
and

best

M.

at

this

in

France; but
citadel, which
Christendom.

be strong whilst
possession. The governor

his

it in

the

constructed

Spaniards experiencedit

The

the

and

to

time

d'Ainsi,who

to

in every

was,

well-accomplishedman,

of

worthy

was

my

having

gentleman
respect, a polite

the

carriageand

perfectcourtiers,very
which
different from
the rude incivility
to be
appears
the characteristic of a Fleming.
after
and
The
Bishop gave us a grand supper,
behaviour

supper

of

one

of

our

ball,to which

most

he

had

invited

all the

ladies

drew,
opened he withbut
in accordance
with the Spanish ceremony;
for him, and
did the honours
M.
d'Ainsi
kept me
afterwards
during the ball, conducting me
company
at the
to a collation,
which, considering his command
/ speak from
I thought, imprudent.
citadel, was,
trary
experience,having been taught, to my cost, and consary
to my
desire, the caution and vigilancenecesin keeping such places. As my
to he observed
of the

city. As

soon

as

the ball

was

regard
I

MEMOIRS

THE

94
for my

brother

I had

thought

fair

in

instructions

opportunity to

his

forward

and

in me,

always predominant

was

his

continuallyhad

OF

in

views

and

mind,

open

now

sion
commis-

my

Flanders, this town

citadel, being, as it

Cambray, and especiallythe

a key to that
country. Accordingly I employed
were,
d'Ainsi
had
M.
all the talents God
to make
given me

of

friend

interest.

him,

much

so

conversation
the
accompany

Austria
he

had

weakness

to

master,

pleased

with

of

resolution

ing
solicit-

leave

him

grant

my

to

John of
in waiting to receive me,
was
observing that
view.
interwitness so splendid an
a great desire to
This
Spanish Fleming, the Bishop, had the
train for
my
he took every

embrace

better master

request, who

continued

twelve

ing
days. Duropportunity of discoursing

ten

or

the Prince

my

Cambray, I set
chief city of a

out

than

Don

well
that, in his heart, he was
the service of France,, wishing no

showed

and

where

Namur,

as

d'Ainsi's

grant M.

to

disposed to

far

as

me

this time
me,

the

to

came

his

Bishop,

followingin
with

he

that

brother's
my
I succeeded
with
to

d'Ainsi

M.

was

him

assistance

God's

Through

and

attach

and

France,

to

ing
brother, and declarthat he heartily despised being under
the command
of his Bishop, who, though his sovereign, was
his superiorby birth, being born
a
privategentleman
like himself, and, in every
other respect, greatly

not

his inferior.

Leaving
the
the

by
from

same

Cambresis

de

Bishop of
Montigny his

to

the

the

by

meet

amount

Where

name.

(as far as
Cambray),
brother,and
of

two

or

sleep

to

at

ciennes,
Valen-

called
part of Flanders
this country is divided
which
the
a

conducted

was

Comte

de

number

of

three

Lalain,

M.

gentlemen,
to
hundred, came

me.

Valenciennes

is

town

inferior

to

Cambray

in

MARGUERITE

point of strength,but equal

sqiiiares, and

churches,

fountains, as

the latter

ingenuityof

the Germans

clocks

few

it for the

former
with

are

beauty of

ornamented

curious

its

with

clocks.

The

construction

of their

of

great

surprise

amongst

whom

all my
before

clocks

and

to

95

in the

matter

attendants,
seen

the

"

was

VALOIS

DE

exhibitinga
playing a varietyof

number

had
of
in the

tunes

to

ever

moving figures,
most
agreeable

manner.

The
invited

Comte
the

de

Lalain, the

governor

of

the

city,

lords and

quet,
gentlemen of rny train to a banto
reserving himself to give an entertainment
the ladies on
arrival at Mons, where
should
our
we
find the Countess
his wife, his sister-in-law Madame
d'Aurec, and other ladies of distinction. Accordingly
the

Count,

with

the next

his attendants, conducted

thither
us
claimed a relationship
with the King

day. He
carried
who
a person
husband, and was, in reality,
my
fied
dissatismuch
was
great weight and authority. He
with the Spanish Government,
and had conceived
a

great dislike

for

it since

the

execution

of

Count

his near
kinsman.
Egmont, who was
Although he had hitherto abstained from entering
into the league with the Prince
of Orange and
the
Huguenots, being himself a steady Catholic, yet he
admitted
had
of an
interview
with
not
Don
John,
terest
neither would
he suffer him, nor
in the inone
any
his territories. Don
of Spain, to enter
upon
John was
unwillingto give the Count any umbrage,
lest he should
force him to unite the Catholic League
of Flanders, called the League of the States, to that
of the Prince
the Huguenots, well
of Orange and
foreseeingthat such a union would prove fatal to the
since expehave
other governors
as
Spanish interest,
rienced.
With
this dispositionof mind, the Comte
sufficient
Lalain
de
thought he could not give me

MEMOIRS

THE

p6
demonstrations
he

and

could

natural

joy

the

of

have

not

prince, nor

OF
felt

he

shown

by

my

presence;

honour

more

marks

displayed greater

his

to

zeal

of

affection.

and

On

arrival at Mons,

our

and

there

found

the

was

Countess

lodged
his wife,

in his house,
and

Court

ladies of the city

consistingof eighty or a hundred
rather
that of their
and
My reception was
country.
ish
sovereign lady than of a foreignprincess. The Flemladies are
naturallylively,affable,and engaging.
de Lalain
is remarkably so, and
The
Comtesse
is,
a

moreover,

of

woman

great

elevation

and

sense

of

in which

tenance,
particular,as well as in air and counthe
she carries a striking resemblance
to
became
We
immediately intimate,
lady your cousin.
first meetfirm friendshipat our
and
commenced
ing.
a

mind,

the

When

which

banquet,
rule

the

which
been

was,

Count's

whole

long a
them;
of
and

observed

week

as

by

long

to

at

stay

as

indeed, longer than

Mons

I strove

to

Count

whatever

I could

his

It had

night only, but

one

excuse

to

ball; and this

stayed at Mons,

obliginglady prevailedon
there.

down

intended.

stay, imagining it might be

but

sat

we

came,

succeeded

was

intention

my

the

the

Count

hour

supper

me

to

myself

pass
from

inconvenient

say availed
I was
under

a
so

to

nothing with
the necessity

lady,and
Countess
remaining with them
eight days. The
I were
familiar a footing that she stayed in
on
so
and

till
bedchamber
my
left me
then had she

late hour, and

imposed

not

would

have

not

herself
upon
of her rank,

task

which,
rarelyperformed by persons
however, placed the goodness of her dispositionin the
amiable
most
light. In fact, she gave suck to her
infant
and
one
day at table, sittingnext
me,
son;
in the promotion
absorbed
attention was
whose
whole
of my
brother's
interest, the table being the place

very

"

THE

98

of the

others

tigny,and

MEMOIRS

entertain

We

country.

country
at

off the

throw

to

loss how

should

amongst

betwixt

drive

soon

out

ourselves

for

their

If

renders

us

of

ancient

claim!

We

the

dislike

for

the

nothing

should

but,

could

we

the

as

we

this division

to

to

he

him

God

resolution

which

all receive

are

unite,

Would

come

to

much

so

religions,we

weak.

would
King your brother
reconquering this country,

the

of

Spaniards; but

the

our

families

tyranny;

different

effect it.

to

best

wish

of them

some

utmost

of

yoke

is divided

the

the

and

Spanish Government,
as

party,

same

all of

relations,and

near

OF

has

with

an

open

arms."
This

made
declaration,
by the Countess
without
premeditation,but it had been long agitated
that it
in the minds
of the people, who
considered
from
from
France
to hope for redress
was
they were
afflicted. I now
found
the evils with which
they were
I had
favourable
as
an
opening as I could wish for
errand.
I told her that the King of
to declare
my
eign
France
brother
to
was
averse
engaging in formy
in his
and
the Huguenots
the more
as
so
war,
too
kingdom were
strong to admit of his sending any
large force out of it.
My brother Alengon," said
and
to
I, has sufficient means,
might be induced
has
undertake
it. He
equal valour, prudence, and
the
benevolence
with
brother
of
or
King my
any
a

was

frank

''

"

his

esteemed
He

He

ancestors.

has

one

the

of

the

has

been

bravest

command

of

bred

to

arms,

and

is

generals of these times.

the
King's army
against

the

Huguenots, and has latelytaken a well-fortified

other places that were
called Issoire,and some
town,
in their possession. You
could
invite to your
not
has it so much
in his power
assistance a prince who
to
give it; being not only a neighbour, but having
a

kingdom

like France

at

his

devotion, whence

he

MARGUERITE
may

expect

The

Count

do

derive

to

ungrateful,but

may

his meritorious

service.

and

generous

who

do him

men

of honour

boast

of.

it

ready

to

best

noble

requitethose
admirer

an

of

accordinglyis

gallantry,and

France

men

hopes that a
the Huguenots,

with

is of

brother

is,moreover,

and

find him

price he pleases upon

in

am

reestablished

He

bravest

the

by

what

My
and
disposition,
and

will not

office he

set

favours.

99

aid and
succour.
necessary
be assured
that if he
may

the

husband
your
this good
brother

my

VALOIS

DE

lowed
fol-

has

to

be
will soon
peace
and
expect to find
If the Count
your

France.
return
to
my
husband
think
as
to
do^ and will permit me
you
to bring
speak to him on the subject,I will engage
brother
to the proposal, and, in that case,
over
my
so

on

your

country in general,and

your

will

be

him.

means,

well

satisfied with

brother

my

depend

may

brother

sister who

or

has

particular,
If, through your

establish himself

should

seeing

on

in

house

here, you

being

often, there

me

no

stronger affection for each

other."
The

with

appeared to listen to
great pleasure,and acknowledged

entered

not

observed
have

to

herself

this discourse

upon

regard

some

let

to

not

explainingto
to

me

the
war

for

her, she had

that

she

had

design.

She

her

the

resolved

honour

within

out
country withthe situation of it,and begging

depart

me
me

out

the aid of France

procure

of the

to

from

relieve them

apprehensions of livingin a state of perpetual

upon
She thereof submittingto Spanish tyranny.
or
entreated

conversation
to

without

that, having perceived I did

said

what

Countess

confer

this I

me

to

with

to

her
me

readilygave
Thus
we
passed

allow

her

husband,
on

to

and

relate

permit

subjectthe

the

next

consent.
my
the evening in discourse
Memoirs

"

present

our

both

them

day.

To

upon

the

Vol.

MEMOIRS

THE

100

OF

object of my mission, and I observed that she took a

ing
singularpleasure in talkingupon it in all our succeedI thought proper
conferences
when
to introduce
it.
ball being ended, we
hear
The
went
to
vespers
the

at

church

which

we

ladies

who

tender

age,

of

are

under

have

to

age

the

same

enclosure.

or

perhaps
of

In each

six

the

but

they

dress

at

of

like

houses

have

wear

the

the

pay

all

sleep

within

three,four,
of

an

the

old

abbess,
been

never

habit

service

of

the

there

ended,
visits, frequent balls,

they please. They

Count's

at

tillthey

not

are

as

such

others,

young

houses

detached

of these

girls never
church; and

in

the

do

girls,under the care

together with
governesses^

where

go

are

communities

They

of

nuns

their fortunes

married.

These

order

These

these

in

of

young

number

married.

and

be

in

improve

to

order

an

France.

roof, but

These

woman.

in

entered

in order

an

Canonesses,

none

are

an

are

the

of

itors
vis-

constant

were

danced

and

entertainments,

at

his balls.

The

Countess

when
the
of

she

had

an

conversation
the

and

business.

brought

her

thought the time long until

opportunity of relatingto
she
The

with

had

with

the

Count

opening

came

to

entered

He

her.

night,

the

she

morning

next

husband

and

me,

the

me,

into

detail of the

grievances the country laboured under,

and
the just reasons
for ridding it of the
he had
tyranny of Spain. In doing this, he said, he should
himself
consider
not
as
acting against his natural
sovereign,because he well knew he ought to look for
him
in the person
of the King of France.
He
plained
exthe means
to me
whereby my brother might
establish
himself
in Flanders, having possession of
a

Hainault, which
said
which

the

extended

difficultylay

is situated

betwixt

as

in

far

securing

Hainault

Brussels.

as

the

and

He

Cambresis,

Flanders.

It

MARGUERITE

DE

VALOIS

would, therefore, be necessary

in

business.

the

To

to

loi

M.

engage

d'Ainsi

this I

rephed that, as he was

his neighbour and
friend, it might be better that he
should open the matter
to him; and I begged he would
do so.
I next
that he might have
assured
him
the
most
perfectreliance on the gratitude and friendship
of my
brother, and be certain of receivingas large
of power
and authorityas such a service done
a share
by a person of his rank merited.
Lastly, we agreed
interview

an

upon

Montigny, the
take place at
business

betwixt

brother
La

should

of

Fere,
be

brother
and
my
the Count, which

upon

return,

my

arranged.

de
to

was

when
the

During

M.

this
I

time

stayed at Mons, I said all I could to confirm the Count

in this resolution,in which
I found
myself seconded
by the Countess.
The
arrived, to the
now
day of my departure was
great regret of the ladies of Mons, as well as myself.
The
Countess
which
expressed herself in terms
showed
she had conceived
the warmest
friendshipfor
and made
me
by way of that
me,
promise to return
let,
bracecity. I presented the Countess with a diamond
and

to the

of considerable

they

were,

I gave
value.
But

Count

became

more

riband

and

diamond

star

these presents, valuable

so^ in their estimation, as

as

the donor.

was

Of

the

ladies,none

except

Madame

Namur,

where

accompanied

d'Aurec.
I

slept that

She

me

from

went

night, and

this

with

me

place,

where

to

she

the Due
and
d'Arscot,
expected to find her husband
her
there
since the
had
been
brother-in-law,who
betwixt
the King of Spain and the States of
peace
Flanders.
both of the party
For
though they were
of the States,yet the Due
tier
d'Arscot,being an old courand having attended
King Philipin Flanders and
Court and
himself from
England, could not withdraw

MEMOIRS

THE

102

society of the great.

his nobles, conducted

the
all

Lalain, with
two
leagues beyond his
Don
John's company
de

Comte

The
me

until he

and

government,

OF

saw

then
He
me.
advancing to meet
Don
his leave of me,
took
being unwilling to meet
ter,
John; but M. d'Ainsi stayed with me, as his masin the
the
Spanish
Bishop of Cambray, was
in

distance

the

interest.
soon
having left me, I was
gallantcompany
after met
by Don
John of Austria, preceded by a
escorted
of running footmen, and
by
great number
He
attended by
was
only twenty or thirtyhorsemen.

This

number

of noblemen, and

d'Arscot,

the

amongst

the Due

rest

d'Aurec, the Marquis de Varenbon, and

the
for the King of
Balengon, governor,
younger
These
last two,
Spain, of the county of Burgundy.
who
Of
are
brothers, had ridden post to meet
me.
Don
there was
John's household
only Louis de Gonof any

zago

Duke

to

the

French

called himself

He

salute

fashion

to

After

mounted

until

it grew

an

horse, but

we

reached
as

relation of the

mean-looking people,
Don
John alightedfrom
which
litter,
was
opened
salute

the

after

the

d'Arscot, and M.
him, the Due
exchange of compliments, he

his

dark,

were

in my
returned

me

purpose.

d'Aurec.

me

rank.

of Mantua; the others

and of no consideration.

his horse
for

M.

continued

the

in discourse

city,which

off late, the

set

was

not

ladies

of

with
before
Mons

keeping me as long as they could, amusing themselves

with viewing my
and requiringan explanation
litter,
of

the

different

and

devices.

house

being illuminated,so
daylight.
in our
respective
apart-

However, as
the Spaniards excel in preserving good order, Namur
appeared with particularadvantage, for the streets
well

were

mottoes

lighted,every

that the blaze exceeded

Our

supper

was

that

served

to

of
us

MARGUERITE

DE

VALOIS

103

Don

John being unwilling,after the fatigue

with a banquet.
us
long a journey, to incommode
The
in which
house
I was
lodged had been
of receivingme.
It
newly furnished for the purpose
consisted of a magnificent large salon, with a private
and
apartment, consistingof lodging rooms
closets,
in the most
furnished
with furniture
costly manner,
of every
kind, and hung with the richest tapestry of
velvet and
satin, divided into compartments
umns
by colof silver embroidery, with
knobs
of gold, all
Within
these
wrought in the most
superb manner.
were
broidered
compartments
figures in antique habits, emin gold and silver.
The
Cardinal
de Lenoncourt, a man
of taste and
curiosity,
being one day in these apartments with the
Due
d'Arscot, who, as I have before observed, was
an
ornament
that
to Don
to him
John's Court, remarked
this furniture
seemed
for a great king
more
proper
than
unmarried
a
prince like Don John. To
young
which
the Due
d'Arscot
to him
repliedthat it came
as
a
present, having been sent to him by a bashaw
he had
belonging to the Grand
Seignior, whose sons
made
the
prisoners in a signal victoryobtained over
Turks.
Don
John having sent the bashaw's sons back
without
him
the father, in return, made
a
ransom,
present of a large quantity of gold, silver,and silk
he caused
to be wrought into tapestry
stuffs,which
in this
workmen
there
curious
at
are
Milan, where
and
he had the Queen's bedchamber
hung with
way;
he had
so
tapestry representing the battle in which
gloriouslydefeated the Turks.
The next morning Don
John conducted us to chapel,
after the Spanish
where
celebrated
heard
we
mass
with all kinds of music, after which
we
took
parmanner,
of a banquet prepared by Don
John. He and
ments,
of so

were

seated

at a

separate table, at

distance

of three

MEMOIRS

THE

104

yards from

which

stood

the

OF

great one, of which the

d'Aurec.
At this
by Madame
lords took their seats.
table the ladies and principal
Don
John was served with drink by Louis de Gontables being removed^ the ball
zago, kneeling.The
was
opened,and the dancing continued the whole
The
afternoon.
evening was
spent in conversation
betwixt Don John and me, who told me I greatly
sembled
rehe meant
the Queen his mistress,
by whom
he professed
the late Queen my sister,
and for whom
In short,Don
to have entertained a very high esteem.
John manifested,by every mark of attention and politeness,
the
well to me
to my
as
as
attendants, very
in
he
had
me.
receiving
great pleasure
honours

The

boats

done

which

were

to

convey

me

upon
under

the

the
Liege not all beingready,I was
of stayinganother day. The morning was
necessity
passedas that of the day before. After dinner,we
the river in a very beautiful boat,surembarked
rounded
on
by others havingon board musicians playing
on
hautboys,horns, and violins,and landed at an
island where Don John had caused a collation to be
preparedin a largebower formed with branches of
ivy, in which the musicians were
placed in small
their
instruments
recesses,
during
playing on
of supper.
the time
The
tables being removed,
the dances
time to
began, and lasted till it was
boat that conveyed
return, which I did in the same
that provided for my
me
thither,and which was
Meuse

were

to

voyage.
The next morning Don
boat,and there took a most

chargingM.
Huy,
where
gone

and

Madame

John conducted me
and courteous
polite
d'Aurec

to

see

me

to the

leave,
safe to

the firsttown

belongingto the Bishop of Liege,

I was
Don
to sleep. As
soon
as
John had
on
shore,M. d'Ainsi,who remained in the boat,

'mm

io6

MARGUERITE

the

morning,

next
waters

having

within

its

to

Don

to

sleep

that

off,

and

the

had
river

the

ceased,

being

confined

channel.
M.

Huy,
John

inundation

whole

run

usual

Leaving

VALOIS

DE

at

Namur,

night

at

Madame

and
and

Liege.

returned

d'Aurec

proceeded,

in

the

boat,

XVr

LETTER

THE

the

cordiality
from

He

Liege,
province,

and

behaviour,

and
the
He
several

counts,
a

is

noble

of

larger

the

Meuse

the

canons

than

streets

houses

and

of

the

churches
which

of

there

beautiful

clocks,

figures.
The
Bishop
conducted

the

city

citizens

well

if

all

are

and

spoke

of

me

to

his

as

which

noble

and

aces.
pal-

spacious,
large,

squares

them
a

of
in

The

bourhood;
neigh-

the

with

ornamented

variety

landed

from

of

marble,

of

moving
the

magnificent residence,
107

city

fountains.

entirely
quarries

must

in

of

built, the

The

it, having

houses

regular

self
it-

is

The

year.

The

are

dukes,

who

canons,

one

with

cities.

resembles

exhibit

received
me

riage
car-

considerable

fine

curious
raised

of

appearance

considerable

are

the

it.

the

as

they

and

have

with

appear

he

sons

in

of

much

through

ornamented

his

bishopric

brings

resident

and

Lyons,

reside

in

person

chapter,

The

amongst
and

running

with

his

that

his
all

number

from

descent,

The
the

State, which

is chosen

bishop

in

add

are

lords.

includes

and

endowed

by

who

German

sovereign

ments.
accomplish-

great

I may

the

expected

magnificent

attended

canons,

great

or

revenue,

be

his

of

be

agreeable

and

all

perfectly.

constantly

was

with

could

and

of

sovereign

me

nobleman

which

to

language

French

that

dignity

gracious

conversation,

is the

received

virtue,

and

singular prudence
and

his

indeed,

was,

who

respect

of

personage

of

Bishop
city and

boat,
orna-

io8

MEMOIRS

THE

OF

gardens, set off

all painted,superbly gilt,and enriched
with galleries,
with marble, beyond description.
of Spa being
The
spring which affords the waters
the
three or
than
four leagues from
distant no
more
ing
city of Liege, and there being only a village,consistwith

merited

of

three

delicious

or

four

fountains

small

and

houses,

spot, the

the

on

advised

resolved

de

to

Roche-sur-Yon

follow

the

was

advice

of

the

by

her

physicians
the waters
have
to stay at Liege and
brought
her
would
have
to
equal
her, which
they assured
and
before
if taken after sunset
sunrise, as
efficacy,
if drunk
well pleased that she
at the spring. I was
Princesse

doctors,

as

we

comfortably lodged and had an agreeable

society;for,besides his Grace (so the bishop is styled,
his Majesty, and a prince his
as
a
king is addressed
arrival being spread about,
of my
Highness), the news
from
lords and
ladies came
Germany to visit
many
the Countess
me.
d'Aremberg,
Amongst these was
the honour
had
who
to accompany
Queen Elizabeth
to marry
to Mezieres, to which
place she came
King
tion
Charles
brother, a lady very high in the estimamy
of the Empress, the Emperor, and all the princes
were

in

more

Christendom.

With

her

her

came

sister

the

d'Aremberg her daughter, M.

Landgravine, Madame
bleman,
d'Aremberg her son, a gallant and accomplished nothe perfectimage of his father, who
brought
the Spanish succours
to King Charles
brother, and
my
returned
and additional reputation.
with great honour
and
much
to
This meeting, so honourable
to me,
so
satisfaction, was
cern
damped by the grief and conmy
de Touroccasioned
by the loss of Mademoiselle
whose
non,
story, being of a singular nature, I shall
in
relate to you, agreeablyto the promise I made
now
my

last letter.
I must

begin with observing to

you

that

Madame

MARGUERITE
de Tournon,

VALOIS

DE

at this time

lady of

my
whom

109

bedchamber, had

M. de
married
daughters, the eldest of
for the King of Spain, in the
Balengon, governor,
her marriage,
county of Burgundy, This daughter, upon
had solicited her mother
of her taking
to admit
her sister,the young
now
lady whose
story I am
about to relate,to live with her, as she was
going to
she had
wherein
a
no
country strange to her, and
relations.
this her mother
To
consented; and the
for her modesty
lady,being universallyadmired
young
she cerand gracefulaccomplishments, for which
tainly
deserved
admiration, attracted the notice of the
The
Marquis, as I before
Marquis de Varenbon.
mentioned, is the brother of M. de Balengon, and was
for the Church; but, being violentlyenamintended
oured
Tournon
of Mademoiselle
de
(who, as he
lived in the same
house, he had frequent opportunities
of seeing),he now
sion
begged his brother's permisThe
to marry
her, not having yet taken orders.
he had likewise communicated
lady'sfamily,to whom
young
their consent, but
his wish, readilygave
to
refused
his brother
his, strongly advising him
change his resolution and put on the gown.
dame
her mother, Masituated when
Thus
matters
were
and pious lady,thinking
de Tournon,
a virtuous
her daughter to
she had cause
to be offended, ordered
de Balengon,
of her sister,Madame
leave the house

several

and

to

come

not
spirit,

up

and

The

her.

mother,

consideringthat

merited

mild

her

of

woman

daughter

treatment,

was

was

violent
grown

continually

for
lady, so that she was
poor
young
nothing
with tears in her eyes.
Still,there was
in the young
to blame
girl'sconduct, but such
the severityof the mother's
disposition.The

scolding the
ever

was

daughter,as
under

the

may
mother's
you

well suppose,

wished

to

tyrannicalgovernment,

be from
and

was

MEMOIRS

THE

no

OF

accordinglydelighted with the thoughts of attending

in this journey to Flanders, hoping, as it happened,
me
the Marquis de Varenbon
that she should meet
where
someroad, and that, as he had
thoughts of the Church, he would
the

on

all

marriage,

of

and

mentioned

that

his proposal

renew

from

her

take

abandoned

now

her

mother.

Marquis de
and
the
Varenbon
Balengon joined us at
younger
far from
Namur.
being
Young Balengon, who was
so
agreeableas his brother, addressed himself to the
lady, but the Marquis, during the whole time
young
paid not the least attention to
we
stayed at Namur,
been acquainted
if he had never
as
her, and seemed
I

have

with

her.

before

the

resentment,
grief, and disappointment
by a behaviour so slightingand unnatural

The

sioned
occawas

and her
necessarilystifled in her breast, as decorum
if she disregarded
sex's pride obligedher to appear
as
it;but when, after taking leave, all of them left the
boat, the anguish of her mind, which she had hitherto
ing
suppressed,could no longer be restrained,and, labourand
for vent, it stopped her respiration,
forced
from

her

lamentable

those

which

I have

ready
al-

for eight days

youth combated
with this uncommon
disorder, but at the expirationof
that time she died, to the great grief of her mother,
well as myself. I say of her mother, for, though
as
this daughter, she tenshe was
derly
so
over
rigidlysevere

spoken

loved

The

in the most

When

named

Her

her.

funeral

solemnized

from

of.

outcries

of

this unfortunate

all proper
honourable
manner,

with

great family,allied

as

she

Boessiere.

This

to

the

man

had

was

conducted
descended

was

Queen
the day of interment
arrived, four
of
were
appointed bearers, one
La

lady

young
ceremonies, and

my

mother.

of my

tlemen
gen-

whom

entertained

was
a

MARGUERITE

DE

VALOIS

iii

durst declare on
passion for her, which he never
of his family and
station.
of the inferiority
account
of her,
destined
bear the remains
He
to
was
now
he had long been dying, and was
dead, for whom
now
as
near
dying for her loss as he had before been for
The
her love.
melancholy processionwas
marching
it was
met
slowly along, when
by the Marquis de
secret

Varenbon,

who

had

been

the

sole occasion

of it. We

Marquis reflected
this unhappy young
his cruel behaviour
towards
upon
vived
lady; and his passion (wonderful to relate)being reby the absence of her who inspired it, though
scarcelyalive while she was
present, he had resolved
in marriage. He
and ask her of her mother
to come
he seldom
made
as
doubt, perhaps, of success,
no
failed in enterprises
of love; witness the great lady
he has since obtained
for a wife, in oppositionto the
will of her family. He might, besides, have flattered
himself
that he should
easilyhave gained a pardon
her by whom
from
he was
beloved, according to the
Italian proverb, Che la forza d'amore
non
riguarda
al delitto
(Lovers are not criminal in the estimation
of one
another). Accordingly,the Marquis solicited
Don
errand, and
John to be despatched to me on some
arrived,as I said before, at the very instant the corpse
of this ill-fated young
being borne to the
lady was
He
was
stopped by the crowd occasioned by
grave.
this solemn
procession. He contemplatesit for some
time.
ing,
He observes a long train of persons in mournhad

left Namur

not

long when

the

"

"

remarks

and

pall,and
the
answer

the coflin to be covered

He

white

chapletsof flowers laid

it is.
funeral
inquires whose

that there

coffin.

with

are

he receives is,that it is the funeral

of

upon

The

young

fails to

isfy
satlady. Unfortunately for him, this reply
led the
who
his curiosity.He makes
up to one
of the young
and eagerly asks the name
procession,

MARGUERITE

112

lady they

proceeding

are

answer!

falls

he
for

from

his

his

and

dead,
lies for

he

him

life.

of

Mademoiselle

of

name

hastened

the

bitterness

de

horse

obtain

to
to

premature
death

of

ing
doubt, leav-

no

her

to

up

where

house,

from

grave,

whom

return

he

to

taste

time.

second

is taken

He

pardon

the
than

pronounced

nearest
conveyed to
time
insensible; his soul,

his
had

hears

sooner

no

swoon.

of

reply which

Tournon

in

victim

the

He

oh, fatal

When,

the

body

had

bury.

to

wiUing to avenge
neglect, suggests

Love,

ingratitude and
nearly deprived

VALOIS

DE

of
performed the last offices to the remains
this poor
lady, I was
unwilling to discompose
young
the gaiety of the
here
on
society assembled
count
acmy
of grief. Accordingly,
I joined
show
by any
the
his
Bishop, or, as he is called, his Grace, and

Having

and

their

in

canons,

entertainments

at

different

houses,
its neighbourhood
tended
atmorning

in

the
gardens, of which
city and
afforded
variety. I was
a
every
the
to
by a numerous
company

which

drank

the

exercise

the

waters,

garden, in
of
walking

with
them.
be used
to
being recommended
them
advised
take
to
physician who
me
was
brother, they did not fail of their effect with

me;

for

these

six

since

head

I
of

complaint
invited

to

over,

heard
we

After
ball

vespers;

had

them,

erysipelas

the

another

which

years

drank

dinner.

ball; from

we

seven

on

usually proceeded

we

or

we

from

have

to

the

dinner
went

over

been

free

from

From

place
were

we

to

vespers

ball, or

gone

to

music

any

the

den
garwere

with

amused

supper,
on

my

we

convent,

some

and

this

where

the
own

my

are

arm.

my

As

where

and

river.

that

Lescar, I found
of

hands

the

of these

other

letters informed

These

from

great danger of fallinginto

in

was

or

one

brother, and

enabled

him

favourably
acquit himself of

to

confided

army

King's service;so that

and
driven the Huguenots
towns
agreeably to the design for

he

the

out

returned

raised; that he had

the King
Poitiers, where

was

the

as

new

face, he

he

had

been

the

King

no

had

been

so

service

mand
com-

the

taken

army

Court

the
in
in

stood

inces,
prov-

the

the

all

at

siege of
order
need

to

of;

it

putting on a
entirelychanged, so that

considered

more

no

the

Proteus, forever

found

had

my

of the

which
to

he

succours

is

Court

that,

had

stayed during
M.
de Mayenne,

to

near

whatever

him

afford

be

to

with

him, greatly to

to

benefit of the

Brouage,

departure

dealt

had

the

of

parties.

that, since my

me

God

Court,

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

114

if he

than

that

and

whatever;

graciouslylooked

had

done

Bussi,

who

and

before

upon

ing
dur-

this last war,

had done great personal service,and
had lost a brother at the storming of Issoire,was
very

coollyreceived, and

even

in

Guast; in

the

time

either he
He

or

further

of

Le

Bussi

as

maliciouslypersecuted as

experienced some

mentioned

that the

been

and

other

favourites

faithful

had

servants,

Hivarrot,

and

and

and

good

had

repented

and

that, to

laid to

other.

desert
to
him,
trusty men,
into the King's service;and, lastly,
that the

enter

King

which

indignityor

King's

his most
practising with
Maugiron, La Valette, Mauleon^

several

of

consequence

interceptme
for

which

of

giving me

counteract
on

my

my

leave

to

go

brother,

return, either

to

ders,
Flan-

plan was
by the Spaniards,
a

they had been told that I

had treated for deliveringup the country to him, or
brother
by the Huguenots, in revenge of the war
my
had
carried on
against them, after having formerly
assisted

them.

purpose

MARGUERITE

VALOIS

DE

115

required to be well considered, as

intelligence
of avoiding
seemed
to be an
utter impossibility
parties. I had, however, the pleasure to think
of my
of the principal persons
two
company

This
there
both
that

well

stood

Cardinal

with

de

either

one

Lenoncourt

had

Huguenot party, and

Bishop of Lisieux, was

de

in less than

Fere

with

tears
to

power

should

as

of them
advanced
on

that

could

we

only

God

it in his

had

such

self
my-

measures

advisable.

They observed that, as one

in a weak
state of health,and the other
was
in years, I might affect to make
short journeys
their account,
and
they would
put up with
seem

extricate

to

from

me

the

danger

in.
consulted

next

with

certainlyacted

gave

directions
attend

to

think

proper.

have

to

the Prince

Mondoucet
waited

the

to
me

As

him

and

the

with
it

to

Prince

obtain

known

was

of

to

return, and
until this time

he

no

to

stir without

laid
plan was
the next
morning.
a

to

should

we

his

religion.
might have
I

was

first

and

my
of the

passport; but,

entrap me,

I should

purpose.

by the Cardinal de Lenoncourt

esquire,the Chevalier Salviati, who were
not

hold
house-

Orange, I sent
was
acquainted

I believe I
to

his
as

favour

advised

party,

father, and

that

as

one,

far

as

necessary

the

Liege,who

of

master

his horses
was

of

like

me

grand

did not

for him

Bishop

towards

passport from

Mondoucet

out

me,

recommend

follow

then

reach

not

days, answered

I should

protection,and

most

with

six

or

that

us,

inconvenience

every
I was

five

Madame

and

Roche-sur-Yon

in their eyes,
preserve

his

to

de

tion
difficult situa-

our

who, consideringthat

Tournon,

La

been

I communicated

the Princesse

to

The

party.

thought to favour
M. Descartes, brother
to the
supposed to have the Spanish

the

interest at heart.

another

or

as

I resolved

same

I
to

pected
sus-

set

ii6

They
detain

with

declare

had

he

he had

found

enabled

have

six

for

or

incensed

Yon,

then

him

to

at

the

that

danger I incurred
was
required,to

my

leave of his Grace

diamond

his

worth

domestics

taken
other

our

Bishop

balance

not,
secretlya Hugueenough in his hands
incurred
at Liege,,

horses

this

detained.:

were

false, for,

was

gold

leave, we

I
as
town,
of Liege, but

in his hands

the

pay

The

affront

family

of

my

Princesse

de

Roche-sur-

put upon

me,

confusion;

and

seeing

the

money
I took

and

with

Bishop, presentinghim

thousand

crowns,

and

giving!

rings. Having
proceeded to Huy, without
God's good providence.
observed
before, belongs to
chains

was

now

and

expenses

their great

the

on

would

which

by staying,advanced

three

passport than

This

my
that

weeks.

seven

had

we

Salviati prevailed

Fere, I called for his accounts,

arrival at La

my

was

money

expenses

discovered

afterwards

the

not

that, in consequence,

and

who

treasurer,

my

discharge the

to

insufficient to

this pretence was

accordingly, the ChevaHer
that

saw

now

me;

to

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

and

in

state

of tumult

thus
any

the
and

generalrevolt of the Low

taking part with the NetherCountries,the townsmen
neutral
a
landers, notwithstanding the bishopric was
this account
On
State.
they paid no respect to the
of the Bishop's household, who
panied
accomgrand master
but, knowing Don
John had taken the
us,
cept
in order, as they supposed, to intercastle of Namur
as
me
on
return, these brutal people,as soon
my
confusion, on

I had

account

got into my

of the

quarters, rang

the

alarm-bell,drew

the streets, and

placed chains across
artillery,
kept us thus confined and separated the whole night,
giving us no opportunityto expostulatewith them on
suffered to
conduct.
In the morning we
were
such
the
further molestation,and
without
leave the town
lined with armed
men.
streets we
passed through were

up

their

MARGUERITE
there

From

VALOIS

DE

117

tended
proceeded to Dinant, where we into sleep;but, unfortunately for us, the townspeople
that day chosen
their burghermasters,
had on
in Gascony and
kind of officers like the consuls
a
In consequence
of this election,it was
France.
a
day
in the
of tumult, riot, and
debauchery; every one
town
was
drunk, no magistrate was
acknowledged.
In

all

word,

we

in confusion.

was

still worse,
household
and

considered

the

of Bacchus

regard

of the

inclined to

were

to

ill office,

people

States, but under

they paid no

Bishop's

some

The

uation
sit-

our

the

of

town

as

party of the

render

master

its enemy.
in their sober senses,

when
the

to

grand
formerly done

had

was

town,

the

To

any

vour
fa-

influence

the

not

party,

even

themselves.
As

alarmed

I had

as

soon

bottle and

number

the

at

reached
of

take

glass to

suburbs, they

the

quitted the

my

up

were

company,
their arms,

ately
immedi-

and

I had sent a gentlethe gates againstme.

man
before me,
with my
harbinger and quartermasters,

shut

beg

to

night

the

in the

put under

admit

magistratesto
I found

but

town,

me

to

officers

my

stay

one

been

had

from
to
out
us
They bawled
within, to tell us their situation,but could not make
themselves
heard.
At length I raised myself up in
a
litter,and, taking off my mask, made
sign to
my
a

townsman

was

drew

arrest.

an

nearest

desirous
near

which

to

me,

being

to

with

him

that

the best appearance,

As
with him.
soon

of

me,

he
as
speak
begged him to call out for silence,
some
obtained, I repredifficulty
sented

who

was,

and

occasion

the

of

my
do
to

intention
far from
journey; that it was
my
them harm; but, to prevent any suspicionsof the kind,
into their city
I only begged to be admitted
to
go
with
as

my

women,

they thought

and

as

proper,

few
and

others
that

of my
we

attendants

might

be

per-

ii8
mitted
my

stay there for

to

They

agreed

this

to

I then

entered

of my
principalpersons
company,
household.
This
of
the
master
Bishop's
who
was
eighty years of age,
white

as

as

girdle,'this venerable old

recognizedby the drunken
with

accosted

was

they
difficulty

the

and

was

of

it

his

to
sooner

rabble

from

sonage,
per-

wore

no

grossest abuse, and

restrained

were

and
down

I say,
armed

man,

"

reverend

reached

which

snow,

rest

opened their
the city with
and
the grand

and

the

beard

the

suburbs.

the

proposal,

admission.

gates for my

night, whilst

one

within

remained

company

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

than

with

was

laying

he

violent

ings,
lodggot him into my
fired at the house, the walls of which
were
only of plaster. Upon being thus attacked, I
of the house, who, fortunately,
inquired for the master
hands

him.
upon
but the mob

At

I entreated

speak from
the window, to some
without, to obtain permission
one
for my
I had some
to get him
being heard.
difficulty
At length, after much
to ventu-re
bawling
doing so.
from
the window,
the burghermasters came
to speak
but were
that they scarcely knew
drunk
to
so
me,
what
tirely
enthey said. I explained to them that I was
of the Bishop's
ignorant that the grand master
household
to whom
was
a person
they had a dislike,
I begged them
of
and
consider
the consequences
to
was

within.

length

giving offence to a person

of the principallords of
them
be

that

the

Comte

de

like me,
the

received

The
instant
the

who

was

States,

and

friend
assured

he

should

hear

how

I had

there.

of

Comte

the

effect,much
amongst

them

stammering,

if I

de

than

more

sovereign princes I

person

and

name

to

Lalain, in particular,would

greatly displeasedwhen

been

him

was

asked
was

Lalain
if I had

related
me,

to.

with

produced
mentioned
The

some

an

all

principal
hesitation

reallya particularfriend

MARGUERITE
of the Count's.
the

do

all the

to

that

Perceivingthat

would

Count

me

to

119

claim

service

more

friend

and

kindred

than

in Christendom,

Powers

both

was

VALOIS

DE

with

being

lated
re-

I answered

relation.

They then
stretchingforth
short, they now

apologies and conges,

their hands
in token
of friendship; in
behaved
with as much
before with rudeness.
as
civility
They begged my pardon for what had happened, and
of
promised that the good old man, the grand master
the Bishop's household, should
be no
insulted,
more
but be suffered
leave the city quietly,the next
to
morning, with me.
As soon
as
morning came, and while I was
ing
preparthere arrived the King's agent
to go to hear
mass,
Du
attached
much
to Don
Bois, a man
John, named
that he had
He
informed
to the Spanish interest
me
received orders from
the King my
brother to conduct
in safety on my
He
said that he had prereturn.
me
vailed
Don
Barlemont
to
to
escort
on
me
permit
John
with a troop of cavalry,and begged me
to Namur
to
made

obtain

me

many

leave

his troop to
orders.
my

of

the

enter

citizens to
the

town,

admit

that

Barlemont

they might

and
receive

they concerted a double plot;the one to

get possession of the town, the other of my person.
I saw
through the whole design,and consulted with
the Cardinal
de Lenoncourt,
communicating to him
as
unwilling to fall
suspicions. The Cardinal was
my
into the hands
of the Spaniards as I could be; he
therefore
people
thought it advisable to acquaintthe townsfrom
the
with the plot,and make
our
escape
cityby another road, in order to avoid meeting Barlemont's
It was
agreed betwixt us that the
troop.
Cardinal
should
keep Du Bois in discourse, whilst I
the principal
consulted
citizens in another
apartment.
I could, to
as
as
Accordingly, I assembled
many
Thus

had

whom

represented that if they admitted

advice

my

they would

make

to

Barlemont,

They

resolved
to

at

to

procure
road
by

betwixt

river

me

serve

promised
me
by a
should

be

houses

and

the hazard

counsel, and
my
of their lives. They

should

conduct

should

put the

John's forces, whereby

reach, and could be lodged

which

towns

gates.

Don

his

of

their

to

guide, who
following which I
me

and

me

out

according

act

tainly
cer-

Don

else,within

one

no

to

most

John. I gave it
of defence, to declare
show
by surprise,and to offer to

and

Barlemont

would

he

town,
it for

be taken

not

admit

offered

the

possession of

take
as

within

his troop

and

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

I20

in the

were

interest of

in

the

States

only.
This point being settled,I despatched them

admission

within

entered

might
into

and

rage,

him

were

that

follow

could

in

agent, Du

devise

pursuit of
Bois, used

M.

me.

every

done

was

to

his

they

Barlemont

argument
Namur,

flew

fire upon
with design

before

town

de

him

order

not

he

troop

citizens

they would

This
their great guns.
time
to leave the
give me

to

did

if he

as

his

putting

near

with

them

soon

that
the

Hereupon,

sight of the town,

of

as

gates, begged hard

told

They

out

the

the

violent

Barlemont, who,

de

in likewise.

come

death.
men

M.

to

give

to

and

they could
where
they

to go
to
persuade me
said Don
John waited to receive me.
I appeared to give way
to their persuasions,and,
and
after hearing mass
taking a hasty dinner, I left
armed
lodgings,escorted by two or three hundred
my
of them
and
Du
citizens,some
engaging Barlemont

Bois

to

in

conversation.

gate which
to

that

told

me

was

the

to

opens

leadingto

We

Namur.

not

talking,and

the

way

to

the

river, and
Du

going
as

all took

the

if I did

directlyopposite
Bois and his colleague
tinued
right way, but I connot

hear

them.

But

MEMOIRS

THE

122

appearance

upon

OF

eminence,

an

at

the distance

of about

yards. They, seeing our carriages in the

courtyard,and supposing that we ourselves had taken
resolved to stay where
to the strong tower,
they were
the next
that night,hoping to interceptme
morning.
yard
In this cruel situation were
we
placed, in a courtsurrounded
strong, and
by a wall by no means
and
shut up by a gate equally as weak
as
capable of
being forced, remonstrating from time to time with
and
all our
deaf
the
to
was
lady, who
prayers
a

thousand

entreaties.

her husband, M.
de FleuThrough God's mercy,
rines,himself appeared just as night approached. We
the
then
lady was
gained instant admission, and
for her incivility
greatlyreprimanded by her husband
been
indiscreet behaviour.
This gentleman had
and
de Lalain, with directions to consent
duct
by the Comte
me
belonging to the
through the several towns
States, the Count himself not being able to leave the
he had
the chief comof the States, of which
mand,
army
to

This
could

was

as

favourable

wish; for,
me

me.

accompany

into

M.

de

circumstance

Fleurines

France, the

towns

for

offeringto
we

had

me

as

pany
accom-

to

pass

were
through being of
party of the States, we
I had
everywhere quietlyand honourably received.
only the mortification of not being able to visit Mons,
the Comtesse
de
to
agreeably to my promise made
it than
to
Lalain, not passing nearer
Nivelle, seven
Count
long leagues distant from it. The
being at
Antwerp, and the war
being hottest in the neighbourhood
of Mons, I thus was
prevented seeing either of
I could only write to the Countthem
return.
ess
on
my
of the gentleman who
by a servant
was
now
my
she
conductor.
As
I
learned
at Nivelle,
soon
as
was
she sent some
gentlemen, natives of the part of Flan-

the

MARGUERITE
ders I
the

on

in, with

was

frontier

I had

DE

123

strong injunctionto

of

VALOIS
see

safe

me

France.

vour
through the Cambresis, partly in faof Spain and partly of the States.
Accordingly,
I set out
with these gentlemen, to lodge at CateauCambresis.
There
they took leave of me, in order
to return
to Mons, and
by them I sent the Countess a
of mine, which
had been greatly admired
gown
by her
I wore
when
it at Mons;
of black satin, curiit was
ously
to

pass

embroidered,
When

I arrived
sent

had

and

party of

design to attack

France.

hundred

Cateau-Cambresis,

at

that

me

nine

cost

me

the

the

on

crowns.

I had

Huguenot

gence
intelli-

troops

frontiers of Flanders

This

I communicated
to a
intelligence
few only of my
and
prepared to set off an
company,
I sent
before
for my
hour
litters
daybreak. When
much
such a kind of delay from
and horses, I found
the Chevalier
Salviati as I had before experienced at
done
designedly,I left
Liege, and suspecting it was

and

litter behind, and

my
attendants
such of my

By this means,
waylaid by my
the morning.
Fere, where

my

La

I intended

brother

peace

that,

was
as

had
I

as

wrote

ready

to

with

follow

me.

to

Catelet at ten

reached
I went

reside

to

my

house

until I learned

in

La

at

that

upon.

I found

soon

horseback,

on

assistance, I escaped being

there

From

brother, who

My

were

enemies, and

Fere

as

as

God's

concluded

was

peace
At

with

mounted

me

in waiting from
messenger
with all expeorders
to return
dition,
a

arrived, and

inform

word, by that

him

messenger,

of

it.

that

concluded, and the King returned to Paris;

rather
worse
was
to himself, his situation

ing
daily receivaffront or other, and continual quarrelswere
some
Bussi and
and
excited betwixt
the King's favourites
brother's principalattendants.
This, he added,
my
than

better;that

he

and

his

people were

MARGUERITE

124

had

made

him

his

sent

Angers,

it

and

amongst

noble

the

with

powerfully

is

society

happy
a

furies

paradise
to

seem

and

he

that

felt

how

Queen!

its

his

have
tortures

he

could

with

am

wherein

lately
!

*'

escaped

forth
when

Court,

him

affected
the

express

God!

My

from

every

hell,

isfaction
sat"

exclaiming,

enjoy

not

him

our

you.
I

had

longer

but

not

and

situation,

left,

just

frequently

by
I

of

quiet

had

himself

called

mind

sidered
con-

make

to

He

it

in

derly
ten-

so

enjoyed,

study

of

was

ever

him.

to

change

The

that

he

of

chief

continued

have

more.

felicities
my

this

achievements.

compared

and

with

whom

once

tendants,
at-

It

Fere.

one

honoured,

agreeable

generosity

great

see

became

here

willingly

to

me

to

twenty

or

La

at

me

after,

household

his

fifteen

greatest

it

delighted

would

to

to

the

all

him

post

greatly

residence

seemed

so

rode

accordingly,

his

might

immediately

and

and

with

taking

satisfaction
loved

to

Bussi

sent

and,

great

and,

back,

messenger

he

he

that

return,

my

me.

brother

my

for

impatient

visit

and

come

VALOIS

DE

Oh,
your

delight,
with

all

LETTER

XVII

passed nearly two months

appeared to us only as so

"E

him

gave

the

Flanders, and the

He
business.
approved

the

Comte

in

for him

Lalain's

de

of

account

an

together, which
days.
many

what

in which

state

of

done

I had

interview

the

in order

brother

had

left
with

settle the

to

ingly,
Accordexchange assurances.
de Montigny
the Comte
arrived, with four or
of Hainault.
of the county
five other
leading men
M.
of these
One
was
charged with a letter from
brother, and
d'Ainsi, offering his services to my
M.
de
of the citadel of Cambray.
assuring him

plan

operationsand

of

give

to

Artois, which
offers made
with

presents

As
for

to

I
the

meeting
At
my

to

to

which

prevailwith

was

anxious

journey,
me

at

St. Denis

them

the
I

and

future

his

everything for

my

favour;
his

considered

for

used

to

go

off

set

distance
was

his

raising

ing.
com-

on

the
cient
suffi-

the
returned
he
to
purpose
in this enterprise.
him
to assist him

to

and

and

Hainault

dismissed

brother

my
be

gagement
en-

These

of

prepare

and

of fine cities.
brother

assurance

measures

force, for

King,

of

gold medals, bearing

of

the meanwhile

necessary

number

accepted, my

and
effigies,
every
and they returned
In

counties

the

up

included
and

declaration

his brother's

delivered

Montigny

met

for

I made

Paris, my

ready
brother

day's journey.
by the King, the Queen

of

mother, Queen Louise, and

125

Gascony,
one

the

whole

Court.

It

126

St. Denis

at

was

it

there
I have
I

MEMOIRS

THE

was

that

that

was

received

narrow

amused

the

supper

of

the

and

graciously,and

very
I

meeting

most

sumptuously
the
recount

to

triumphant journey to Liege, and

I had
The magnificent entertainments
their admiration, and
they rejoiced

Queen
the

made

was

With

escapes.

in her

when
mother

my

excited

my

company

honour

just mentioned.

of
particulars
perilousreturn.

at

the

dine, and

stop and

to

was

had

entertained.

received

OF

my

coach,
ball
saw

together, to

mother
on

our

and
way

being ended, I
the
King and
address

conversation

such

the
to

rest

of

I
the

Paris, where,

took
the

an

tunity,
oppor-

Queen

my

them.

not
now
expressed my
hopes that they would
going to the King my husband; that now,
oppose
my
removed,
by the peace, the chief objectionto it was
fairs,
and if I delayed going, in the present situation of afit might be
prejudicialand discreditable to
Both of them
me.
mended
approved of my request, and comresolution.
added
The
Queen my mother
my
that she would
me
on
journey, as it
my
accompany
would
be for the King's service that she did so.
She
said the King must
with
the necessary
furnish
me
for the journey, to which
he readily assented.
means
I thought this a proper
time to settle everything,and
be no
would
prevent another journey to Court, which
longer pleasingafter my brother left it,who was
now
with
all haste.
pressing his expedition to Flanders
I therefore
to recollect
begged the Queen my mother
the promise she had made
brother
and me
soon
as
my
as
was
that, before my
agreed upon, which was
peace
departure for Gascony, I should have my marriage
in lands.
She
said that she
portion assigned to me
recollected it well, and the King thought it very reasonable,
and promised that it should be done.
I en-

MARGUERITE
treated
to

127

I wished
as
speedily,
their permission, at the beginning of
This, too, was
granted me, but

month.

next

VALOIS

it might be concluded

off, with

set

the

that

DE

of the Court; that is to say,

granted after the mode
instead of
notwithstandingmy constant
solicitations,
despatch, I experienced only delay; and thus it continued
for five or
six months
in negotiation.
My brother met with the like treatment, though he
was
continuallyurging the necessityfor his setting
for Flanders, and representingthat his expedition
out
for the glory and advantage of France,
was
for its
glory, as such an enterprise would, like Piedmont,
school of war
for the young
a
wherein
prove
nobility,
future
Montlucs, Brissacs, Termes, and Bellegardes
would
be bred, all of them
instructed in these wars,
and
afterwards, as
field-marshals, of the greatest
"

service

to

their country;

of France,
Flanders
such

for the
These

to

disturbance

be

no

over

of

aimed

their
their

malice
native

which
representations,
with

for the

vantage
ad-

for
prevent civil wars;
longer a country wherein

spiritsas

brood

be

it would

as

then

discontented

assemble

and

would

it would

and

truth, had

were

novelty could
and hatch plots

at

land.
both

reasonable

weight when
put
into the scale against the envy
excited by this advanceme
of my
brother's
fortune.
Accordingly,
him
from
used to hinder
delay was
collecting
every
his forces together,and
ders.
stop his expedition to FlanBussi and his other dependents were
offered a
thousand
tried,by
indignities.Every stratagem was
day as well as by night,to pick quarrelswith Bussi,
with
now
by Quelus, at another time by Grammont,
This
in them.
the hope that my
brother would
engage
had
unknown
to the King; but Maugiron, who
was
had
quitted
engrossed the King's favour, and who
brother's service,sought every means
to ruin him,
my
consonant

no

"

"

128

THE

MEMOIRS

OF

it is usual for those who have givenoffence to hate

the offended party.
Thus
did this man
take every occasion to brave
and insult my
tenance
brother;and relyingupon the counand blind affection shown
him by the King,
had leaguedhimself with Quelus, Saint-Luc,Saintas

Maigrin, Grammont, Mauleon, Hivarrot, and

who enjoyedthe King'sfavour. As
young men
"

other

those
followers at

favourites find a number

of
Court, these licentious young courtiers thoughtthey
might do whatever they pleased. Some new dispute
betwixt them
and
Bussi
was
constantlystarting.
who

are

Bussi

had

degreeof

courage

which

knew

not

how

to
giveway to any one; and my brother,unwilling
that such
giveumbrage to the King, and foreseeing
to
proceedingswould not forward his expedition,
avoid quarrels
and, at the same
time,to promote his
plans,resolved to despatchBussi to his duchy of
such troops as he
Alengon, in order to discipline
should find there.
My brother's amiable qualities
excited the jealousy
of Maugiron and the rest of his
cabal about the King's person, and their dislike for
to

Bussi
he was

was

not

so

much

on

his

account

own

as

because

attached to my brother. The slights

strongly
and disrespect
remarked
shown
brother were
to my
by every one at Court; but his prudence,and the
enabled him to
patiencenatural to his disposition,
the
in hopes of finishing
put up with their insults,
business of his Flemish expedition,
which would remove
him

to

This
and
whom

distance from

discreditable as

they strove
employ. M.

to

even

and

the

more

extended

to

was
persecution

it

them

injureby

nations.
their machi-

mortifying
his servants,

every means
at this time

they

had a
de la Chastre
could
lawsuit of considerable consequence
decided against
attached himself to my
him, because he had lately

^tm

THE

I30

MEMOIRS

OF

tion
to the resolusuitingwith M. de la Chastre, he came
in a few days on
of leaving the Court
a
hunting
still thought his absence
might stay their
party. He
malice, and afford him an opportunity the more
easily
his preparationsfor the Flemish
of settling
expedition
He
with the King.
went
immediately to the Queen
mother, who
was
was
present at the ball,and
my
parted
extremely sorry to learn what had happened, and imher
resolution,in his absence, to solicit the
de
M.
King to hasten his expedition to Flanders.
Villequierbeing present, she bade him acquaint the
sion
King with my brother's intention of taking the diverof hunting a few
she thought very
days; which
herself,as it would
put a stop to the disputes
proper
which

arisen

had

betwixt

him

and

the

men,

young

the

rest.
Maugiron, Saint-Luc, Quelus, and
ing
My brother retired to his apartment, and, considerhis leave as granted, gave
orders
to his domestics
main,
to set off the next
to prepare
morning for St. Gerhunt
the stag for a few
where
he should
days.
the
He directed the grand huntsman
to be ready with
retired to rest, thinking to withdraw
hounds, and
from
the intriguesof the Court, and
awhile
amuse
himself
with the sports of the field. M. de Villequier,
the
from
he had
received
agreeablyto the command
Queen my mother, asked for leave, and obtained it.
The
King, however, staying in his closet,like Rehothey
boam, with his council of five or six young
men,
er's
suggested suspicionsin his mind respectingmy brothCourt.
In short, they worked
departure from
his fears and
apprehensions so greatly,that he
upon

took
was

my

one
ev,er

of the most

decided

brother

arrest.

and

This

indiscretion

and

inconsiderate

in our
time; which
upon
all his principal servants

measure
as

rash

it had

was

been

executed

resolved

with
upon.

steps that
to

was

under
as

The

put
an

much

King,

MARGUERITE

DE

VALOIS

131

this

under

agitationof mind, late as it was, hastened

to the Queen my
mother, and seemed as if there was
a
general alarm and the enemy
at the gates, for he
exclaimed
on
could you, Madame,
seeingher : How
think of asking me
to let my
brother go hence?
Do
dangerous his going will prove
you not perceive how
to my
kingdom? Depend upon it that this hunting
is merely a pretence to cover
treacherous
sign.
desome
I am
going to put him and his people under
"

an

we

arrest, and
shall make
At

the time

have

his papers
examined.
great discoveries."

some

he said this he had

him

with

am

sure

the Sieur

de Cosse,

of Scottish
captainof the guard, and a number
archers.
The
Queen my mother, fearing,from
the King's haste and trepidation,
that some
mischief
might happen to my brother, begged to go with him.
Accordingly, undressed as she was, wrapping herself
in a night-gown, she followed
the King to my
up
brother's
bedchamber.
The
the
at
King knocked
door with great violence,ordering it to be immediately
himself.
there
opened, for that he was
My
brother started up in his bed, awakened
by the noise,
and, knowing that he had done nothing that he need
fear, ordered Cange, his valet de chambre, to open the
door.
The
King entered in a great rage, and asked
have
him when
he would
done plottingagainst him.
But I will show
you," said he, what it is to plot
against your sovereign." Hereupon he ordered the
the vaall the trunks, and turn
archers to take away
lets
*'

"

de

chamhre

brother's

bed

himself,

concealed

papers

received

in

The

King

refused

in it.

letter from

his hand,

kept

to

of

out

the
to

He

room.
see

if

brother

My
Madame

de

unwilling that

endeavoured

part with

to

force

"

could
had

my

find

that

any

evening

Sauves, which
it should
it from

be

he

seen.

He

him.

earnestlyentreated

it, and

Memoirs

he

searched

the

Vol.

would

King

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

132

insist upon

not

seeing it.

only

This

cited
ex-

have
it in his
to
King's anxiety the more
supposed it to be the key to
possession,as he now
which
would
the whole
plot,and the very document
At length,the
to him.
at once
bring conviction home
King having got it into his hands, he opened it in
of the Queen my
the presence
mother, and they were
when
both as much
confounded,
tents,
they read the con-

the

Cato

as

Senate, which

Caesar, in the

give

to

conspiracy against

other

than

But
to

the

shame

increase

the

asked

them

not

de

been

Cosse

and

admit

to

unwilling

was

served

without

who,

no

only
scending
conde-

brother, when
accused
of, gave
his

be

to

sister.

own

edly
repeathim

in

Scots, commanding

single person

contain

to

found

disappointment

had

he

M.

his

from

King's anger,
a
reply to my

what

of

charge

latter

Republic,

this

of

make

to

the

love-letter

the

letter from

Cato, supposing it

which

and

up;

obtained

he

when

was

speak

to

with

him.
It

was

o'clock

one

made

was

related.

feared

He

concern
a

prisoner in

violent

these

by the
shedding tears.

but

that

then

said

it

news

manner

brother
my
I have
now

might

the

M.

had

been

archers

enter

succeed

I remained

at

to,

in the

into discourse
of

full

"

her

will go

would

rather

libertywhilst
to

the

Queen

be
was

my

him,

de Cosse
brother
hear

loves

confined
in

he

room

liberty. M5
to

to

even

with
M.

me.

she

be much

to

witness

were

become

was

Cosse

de

to him
great comfort
I know
she
but," added
he,
as

have
you

he

to

what

was

entirelythat

beg

As

venture

answered

than

when

fatal event

some

scene

only asked

"

the

observed

He

affected

not

morning

under the greatproceedings,and he was

est
on
to be under
account, supposing me
my

like arrest.

would

in the

that

me

with

so
me

confinement,

mother,

and

desire

MARGUERITE

obtain

her

to

did

so,

in

occasion

that,

though

since

from

in

place

this,

beg

his
me

this

he

him,

archers
to

come

has

me."

with

He

to

and
in

particular

many

held

the

regard
mind

my

favours
foremost

remembrance.
had

him.

permission

received
made
M.

begged
acquaint

to

obligation

an

this

upon

friendship

always

daylight

brother

my

be

displayed

my

received

have

time

of

great

so

grateful

my

with

being

of

to

brother

my

sincerity

him,

the

By

which
the

sister

my

133

granted.

was

conferred

him

for

it

reHance

The

for

leave

and

VALOIS

DE

me

its

appearance.

de

Cosse

with

his

for

my
ing
See-

to

send

situation,

one

and

XVIII

LETTER

the

of

curtains
that

half

After
asked

him

answered

me

"

has

He

put

in his

wished

to

see

me.

under

as

if

he

in

else

one

not,

arrest.

an

not

"

to

it

for

all his

He

then

the

at

dream.

awakened,
archer.
!

What

send

French,

stared

Scottish

the

drew

broken

thought

affirmative.

no

He

my
into

came

being thoroughly

was

the

had

and

was,

and

pause,

he

replied

asleep.

me,

brother

my

still

told

awake

short

was

to

archer

bed, and

brother

my

man,

bedchamber,

my

happened

Scottish

the

when

and

brother,

had

what

of

ignorant

WAS

"

He

cried

by?

message

domestics

to

"

been

had

proceeded

I,

relate,

of the
explain himself, the events
for
preceding night, and the leave granted my brother
him
during his imprisonment.
being with
my
affected
be much
The
to
fellow, observing me
poor
and
to
whispered me
by this intelligence, drew
near,
this
Do
this
not
grieve yourself about
purport :
I know
brother
of
at
a
setting your
matter;
way
it, that I will do
liberty, and
depend upon
you
may
him."
with
off
I
I must
it; but, in that case,
go
him
that
assured
he
being as amply
might rely upon
as

well

could

he

as

"

rewarded

he

as

could

on

brother's

apartments.

him

followed

alone

traverse

the

whole

people, who,

at

another

time, would

forward
Fortune
me,

In

assistance, and,

such

going thither,
gallery, which

to

with

for

clothes,

huddling

my

wish

or

to

pay

seemed

appeared

their

respects

to

frown

as

if

upon

they did
134

to

not

they
see

me.

my

had

sion
occa-

was

filled

have

but,

me;
me,

to

pressed
now

all

that

avoided

MARGUERITE
brother's

into my
all affected

Coming
at

not

the

was

wrought
usual

by

what

of

his

his arms,

He

he

said

him

for

such

his arrest

had

happened;
that

mind,

received

he
to

ran

135

apartments, I found
had

and

change,

no

cheerfulness.

in

me

constancy

VALOIS

DE

meet

with

me

and

me,

taking

"Queen! I beg you to dry up your tears; in

much
so
grieve me
present situation,nothing can
to
am

for my
find you
under
concern;
any
of my
innocence
and
conscious
so

of my
conduct, that I can
If I should
enemies.
my

defy

the

chance

to

their

would

fear, because
world, which
but the

I have

evils of

and

death

my
as

own

part, I

the

integrity
malice

of

fall the victim

of

utmost

cruel
a
more
prove
than
who
have
to
me,
courage
it in a just cause.
It is not death I

injustice,my
punishment to them
sufficient to meet

his

tasted

life, and

I have

found

of
sufficiently
am
ready to
only the abode

I dread

circumstance

the

ties
calami-

leave

this

of sorrow;

is,that, not finding

to death, I shall be

most

me
sufficiently
guiltyto doom
condemned
to a long, solitary
imprisonment; though
I should
even
despise their tyranny in that respect,
could I but have the assurance
of being comforted
by
presence."
your
These
words, instead of stopping my
tears, only
me

served

to

make

sobbing, that
that

from

the

my

them

life and

power

affording him
that, if he

place,and
I would

I should
kill

afresh.

stream

of

alone

God

were

should

be

withheld

answered,

at

tion;
his devo-

could

assistance

my

be

fortune

under

prevent

every
transported from

from

me
tremity;
ex-

that

followinghim,

myself on the spot.

number
of
framed
a
discourse,we
Changing our
of
conjectures on what might be the probable cause
the King's angry
proceedings against him, but found
ourselves at a loss what
to.
to assign them

136

MEMOIRS

THE

OF

the hour
discussing this matter
for opening the palace gates, when
a
came
simple
man
belonging to Bussi presented himself for
young
entrance.
Being stopped by the guard and questioned
he was
to whither
as
going, he, panic-struck,replied
he was
This answer
going to M. de Bussi, his master.
fresh grounds
carried to the King, and gave
was
for
brother, supposing he
suspicion. It seems
my
should not be able to go to Flanders
for some
time,
and
resolvingto send Bussi to his duchy of Alengon
I have
as
already mentioned, had lodged him in the
him
tions
instructo take
Louvre, that he might be near
at every
opportunity.
L'Archant, the general of the guard, had received
in the Louvre
the King's commands
search
to make
a
Whilst

for him
He

and

entered
he

as

were

we

Simier, and
intimate

was

*'

with

Bussi,

father."

under

arrest.

ness,
great unwilling-

with

business

this

upon

both

put them

who

was

tomed
accus-

L'Archant,

going to
Simier's
him; and
though he
apartment, arrested
there
too, yet being unwilling to
judged Bussi was
find him, he was
Bussi, however, who
going away.
the bed, as not knowing
had
concealed
himself under
for his arrest
whom
the orders
to
might be given,
sensible that he
to be left there^ and
finding he was
be well treated
should
by L'Archant, called out to
in
his
droll
he
was
him, as
leaving the room,
manner
"

What,

papa,
I am

think

you
"

him

call

to

as

going

you

great

rogue

without

have

lost my

Bussi, being

man

arm

than

devoid

that

as

son," replied L'Archant,

Ah,

rather

are

have

"

me

Simier
would
with

Don't
?

"

much
"

you !
of all fear, observed
that
met

well with
him; then,
sign that things went
turning to Simier, who stood trembling with fear, he
his pusillanimity.L'Archant
rejeered him upon
it

was

quaint

with

us

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

138

crime

the

for

which

in

kept

were

we

confinement.
of the young
at the head
Combaut, who
was
counsellors, was
accordingly sent to us; and he, with
M.

de

that he came
us
gravity, informed
it was
from
the King to inquire what
wished
to
we
answered
that we
communicate
We
to his Majesty.
the King's person,
wished
to
near
one
speak to some
in order
what
to our
we
were
being informed
kept
in confinement
unable
to assign any
for, as we
were
for it ourselves.
He
answered, with great
reason
solemnity, that we
ought not to ask of God or the
for what
King reasons
they did; as all their actions
and
emanated
from
wisdom
justice. We
replied

deal

great

of

that

we

not

were

be

to

persons

like those

treated

Inquisition,who are left to guess at

of their being there.
the cause
from
We
could obtain
said, no
him, after all we
other satisfaction than his promise to interest himself
in our
behalf, and to do us all the service in his
shut

in

up

the

brother
this my
broke
I was
but I confess
too

At

power.

laughter;

his message

treat

scarcelyrefrain

with
from

such

into

out

alarmed

much

to

could

indifference,and

talking to

fit of

this messenger

as

he

deserved.
Whilst

Queen
great
such

he

mother

my

concern,

mildness
for

out

as

report to the King, the

her
chamber,
being under

well

may

be

supposed,

witness

to

She

welfare

submitting

with

his

plainly foresaw, in her prudence,

end
would
these
excesses
fatally,should
and
of my
his rebrother's disposition,
gard

the

She
the

making
kept

proceedings.
that

the

was

therefore

of
to

the
such

sent

for

State, be

once

repeated

acts

the

senior

wearied
of

France, who

all

were

of

members

Council, the chancellor,princes,nobles, and

of

tice.
injusshals
mar-

greatly scandalised

at

MARGUERITE
the

bad

counsel

and

told the

which

Queen

with

the

could

not

be

now

been

had

King

the

to

King,

that she

ought to
injusticeof

the

upon

observed

139

given

mother

my

proceedings. They

VALOIS

DE

that what

recalled,but

been

had

monstrate
re-

his

done

might yet

matters

be

right footing. The Queen my mother

to the King, followed
sellors,
hereupon went
by these counand
represented to him the ill consequences
which
might proceed from the steps he had taken.
The
by this time opened, and he
King's eyes were
set

upon

that

saw

begged

he

the

Queen
and to prevail on
happened, and to
young

been

had

ill advised.

mother

my
my

bear

things to rights,
brother
to forget all that had
resentment
no
against these

but to make

men,

Quelus.
Things being

therefore

He

to

set

the breach

up

betwixt

Bussi

and

which

had

been

told

apartment,
for

his

deliverance, for that

when

moment

life;that

the

King's temper

when

at

him

she

it to

pleasure
in

other

any

in

him

into

to

everything,in

future; and, for

that

such

the

upon

could

he took

give

himself

order

present,

and

measure,

would

execution, she

submit

his
to

been

discovered

have

was

had

imagination of danger,

putting it

from

there

missed,
dis-

despaired of saving

now

resolved

was
or

must

of mind

very

he

once

that

since he

the

herself

she

even

his

alarm

rightsagain, the guard

to

set

brother
was
placed over
my
mother, coming to
Queen my
him
he ought to return
thanks

the

and

God

thus

to

to

prevent

to

take

the

the

that,

no

vice
ad-

prevent

would
the

that

ommend
rec-

King's
the

like

earliest

opportunity of seeing the King, and to appear as if

about the past.
he thought no
more
sensible of
both of us
We
were
replied that we
the injusin delivering us
from
God's
tice
great mercy
of our
enemies, and that, next to God, our great-

did not
cause,

observed
himself
be

OF

her; but that my brother's rank

admit of his being put in confinement
without
it again without
released
from
and
the formality
of an
acknowledgment. Upon this,the Queen

obligationwas

est

MEMOIRS

THE

I40

that
to

effected
for

place. My

it

undo

to

was

what

to

not

in the

had

been

power

done; that what

his honour,

save

of

even

and

give

God
could
faction
satis-

him

of
irregularity

the

the arrest, should

brother, therefore, she observed,

have

ought

mollifythe King by addressinghim with

to
expressionsof regard to his person and attachment
his service; and, in the meantime, use
his influence
Bussi to reconcile him to Quelus, and to end all
over
She
then declared
that the
disputes betwixt them.
ants
principalmotive for putting my brother and his servstrive to

to

under
old

Bussi,
the

arrest

the

was

brave

to

prevent the combat

father

King's leave,

of

wherein

brave

for which

son,

had

licited
so-

he

proposed to be
his son's second, whilst the father of Quelus was
to
be his. These
four had agreed in this way
mine
to deterin dispute, and
the matter
give the Court no
further

disturbance.

My brother now
engaged himself to the Queen
that, as Bussi would see he could not be permittedto
decide his quarrel by combat, he should, in order to
deliver

from

himself

his

arrest,

do

as

she

had

commanded.

King,
brother
to liberty
him
to
restore
my
the King came
In order to which
with every honour.
to her apartment, followed
by the princes,noblemen,
of the Council, and sent for us by
and other members
went
M. de Villequier. As we
along we found all the
in their
with people, who, with tears
crowded
rooms
deliverance.
for our
God
Coming into
eyes, blessed
found
the apartments of the Queen my
mother, we
The

Queen
prevailed with

my

mother,

going

down

to

the

MARGUERITE

King

the

desired
been
the

done,
of

good

his

ought,

humbly

not

the

as

to

motive

before

related.

The

King

anything ill that

take

for

141

it

was

his

had
for

concern

kingdom, and not any bad intention

My brother repliedthat he had, as

himself.

was

as

brother

my

towards
he

attended

VALOIS

DE

his life to

devoted

governed by
begged him to

his

his service, and, therefore,

pleasure; but

consider

that

that

he

most

his

and
fidelity
attachment
did not merit the return
he had met
with;
he should impute it entirely
that, notwithstanding,
to
his own
be perfectlysatisfied
and should
ill-fortune,
if the King acknowledged his innocence.
Hereupon
the King said that he entertained
the least doubt
not
of his innocence, and
only desired him to believe he
held the same
he ever
had.
The
place in his esteem
then, taking both of them
Queen my mother
by the
made

hand,

them

Afterwards

embrace

the

King

each

other.

commanded

Bussi

reconciliation betwixt
a
brought forth, to make
and
time, for
Quelus, giving orders, at the same
of

release

Simier

into

the

him

he

must

him

to

say

He

then

Bussi,

"

and

with

room

be
a

word

if it is your

de la Chastre.

his usual

reconciled

commanded

friends

M.

grace,

Bussi
the

be

to

King

him
the

ing
com-

told

with

Quelus, and forbade

more
concerning their quarrel.
them
to embrace.
Sire," said
kiss and are
pleasure that we
ready to obey your command;"
"

again, I am
then, putting himself in the attitude of Pantaloon, he
him a hug, which
went
set all
up to Quelus and gave
present in a titter, notwithstanding they had been
which
had passed just
seriouslyaffected by the scene
before.

Many
done

was

brother
and

the

thought what had been

too
slighta reparation for the injuriesmy
the King
all was
had
received.
When
over,
Queen my mother, coming up to me, said it
persons

of discretion

MARGUERITE

142

would

incumbent

be
to

prevent

and

duty

to

the

on

that

respect
advice

affection

he

head
to

the

make

from

me

myself,
to

duty

that
or

had

he

owed

calling

never

him.

mind

to

King.

needed

given
to

and
him

the

that

attached
admonition

no

else;

the

replied

strongly

so

thing
any-

from

swerve

one

any

himself

conform

he

and

ours
endeav-

utmost

my

him
the

owed

service,

King's

use

from

prudent,

so

was

than

and

brother

my

should

brother

my

to

me

on

which

past

VALOIS

DE

that,
any

King's

with
other

ure
pleas-

XIX

LETTER

was

IT

mother

change

to

our

dined.

that

my
clothes

no

Queen
my
eat together,

should

we

(as the

dress

The

ordered

she

dinner,

afternoon, and

in the

yet

desirous

was

after

and,

had

present

one

o'clock

three

now

brother

and

had

we

me

were

on

melancholy situation)and
ball.
and
We
the King's supper
to
complied
come
far as a change of dress, but our
with her orders
as
still retained
the impressions of grief
countenances
which
resentment
and
we
inwardly felt.
that when
the tragi-comedy I
inform
I must
you
of was
the Queen
have
over,
given you an account
suitable

only

mother

my

said

"Well,"
"

of

she,

"

M.

not

I think

there

all is

this young
with
This

from

she

times
some-

of

man

his

some

cynical.

be

to

do

Seurre, what

enough

for

is too

you

yet; I

over
"

man

much

of it for

nest,
ear-

said, but

not

do

not

jest."

addressing himself
enough for the Queen

believe

was

de

Then
loud

sleepin

to

all this?"

Madame,
and

he

Seurre,

de

conversation

whose

inclined

rather

brother

my

delight because

but

Chevalier

the

to
to

in

and

took

think

round

recommended

bedchamber,
humour,

late

our

turned

she

whom

to

am

(meaning

to

me,

to

hear

very

my

he

him

"I

if

mistaken

much

brother)

"

rests

isfied
sat-

before

lated,
re-

this."

day having passed in the manner

the
wound
being only skinned
healed, the young

men

143

about

the

over

and

King's

far

person

themselves

set

MEMOIRS

THE

144

to

operate

OF

in

order

break

to

it out

afresh.
brother
selves,
judging of my
by themhaving sufficient experience to know
of
the minds
of duty over
of personages
the power
exalted rank and high birth, persuaded the King, still
sible
imposconnecting his case with their own, that it was
should
brother
ever
forgive the affront he
my
himself with the
had
received,and not seek to avenge
first opportunity.
The
King, forgetting the illhad so latelyinduced
men
judged steps these young
this new
him
to take, hereupon receives
impression,
and
gives orders to the officers of the guard to keep
These

persons,
and
not

the gates that his brother go not out,

and that his people be made
to leave the Louvre
every
in
his
such
of
them
as
usually slept
evening, except
strict watch

at

bedchamber

or

wardrobe.

My brother, seeing himself thus exposed to the

led
fellows, who
caprices of these headstrong young
the King according to their own
fancies, and fearing
might happen than what he had yet
something worse
experienced, at the end of three days, during which
time he laboured
under
apprehensions of this kind,
came

to

never

more

and

return

make
to

He

determination

preparations with

Court,

the

retire to

his

all haste

for

principality
his expedition

his

and

I considered

he

design
had

to

no

me,

view

other

safety, and that

providing for his own
his government
were
likelyto
King nor
injury by it.
When

consulted

we
we

from

my

opened

and

Flanders.

communicated

of it,as

it, but

to

leave

to

could

upon

find

no

the

other

of

means

than

the
on
window, which was
the ditch, for the gates
to

his

second
were

approved
in it than

neither
sustain

its

the
any

plishment,
accom-

descending
story and
so

closely

replied:

"

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

146

I did

but

it,Madame,

hear

not

I observe

your

given you uneasiness."

Yes/' said she, a great deal of uneasiness, for
I have
know
pledged myself to the King that
shall not
brother
depart hence, and Matignon

has

declared

it has

that

"

"

you

knows

that he

well

very

will not

he

be

to-morrow/'

here

myself under a great embarrassment;

to my
in danger either of proving unfaithful
I was
brother, and thereby bringing his life into jeopardy,
of being obliged to declare that to be truth which
or
I

found

now

I knew

this I would

false,and

be

to

guiltyof.
this extremity, if
be

than
In

I had

aided

been

not

by God,
plainly

my
have

without
speaking, would
countenance,
But
I wished
discovered
what
to conceal.

who

assists those

goodness
enabled
such
I

to

making

well,

mean

my
her to

understand

cleared

but

find

to

and,

to

as

life in

brother, I will

my
he

case

reconciliation

of

design,I should,
he

do

this

All
after

having

never

to

meant

was

as

from

yet

said

injury; and

me

any

we

should

be

place with

for

answer

him

is
us;

with

my

had

any

ignorant,
anything he

concealed

be

me."

by

me

brother's escape,

my

that

who

man,

hence, of which, if he
I am
well assured, not

goes

de

M.

that

friends, and

taken

has

truth.

the

to

sensible

is,besides, a busy, meddling kind

sorry

conscience

my

brother's

of my

one

be

than

more

no

declaration
contrary
any
in these
words:
her

is not

divine

whose

and

brother's
escape,
my
looks and suggested to me

and

know,

to

God,

in

cannot, Madame,

You

Matignon
he

gave

her

answered
"

compose

reply as

wished

who

discoverable

was

me

from
I

rather

died

have

in

case

with

they
of

discovered, I had

the

would
the

assurance

not

worst,

much

dare
and

rather

that,
to

do

when

pledge

MARGUERITE
my
and

life than

now

you

I smiled

and

say,
your

of honour,

chamber-women,

by

Simier

the

least

and

declaration,

Without

ing
scrutinis''

bound

ber
Rememfor him

life."
that

intention.
my
good night, I retired to my own
undressing myself in haste and

getting into bed, in order

maids

false

will be

you

"

answered

Then, wishing her a

bedchamber,
where,

147

:
speech, she replied

my

penalty of

the

on

soul by
my
brother's life.

hazard

endanger my
the import of
what

VALOIS

DE

and

to

there

was

dismiss

then

brother

my

such

came

the

ladies and

remaining only my
in, accompanied

Rising from my bed, we made

the cord fast,and having looked out at the window
to
discover if any one
in the ditch,with the assistance
was
of three of my
who
sleptin my room,
women,
had brought in the rope, we
let down
and the lad who
laughed and joked upon the occasion
my brother, who
without
the least apprehension,notwithstandingthe
considerable.
lowered
Simier
We
next
height was
into the ditch, who
in such
a
was
fright that he
had
scarcely strength to hold the rope fast; and
brother's
valet
de
chamhre,
lastly descended
my
Cange.
discovered,
Through God's providence my brother got off unand
going to Ste. Genevieve, he found
bot,
Bussi waiting there for him.
of the abBy consent
hole had been made
in the city wall, through
a
which
they passed,and horses being provided and in
waiting,they mounted, and reached Angers without
Cange.

accident.

Whilst

we

mentioned

were

before,

lowering
was

the

my

own

observed

last, we

ran
rising out of the ditch, who
adjoining to the tennis-court,in

to

Cange, who,

down

towards
the

the

direct way

as

man

lodge
ing
lead-

guard-house. I had no apprehensions on

account^ all my fears being absorbed by those

the

OF

brother; and now

with alarm, supposing this might
by M. de Matignon, and that my

dead
there

be taken.

Whilst

which

be

can

for

in

man

be

of

situation,my

placed

spy

brother
of

who

those

only by

almost

was

in this cruel state

was

judged

would

anxiety,

have
took

women

rienced
expea

caution
pre-

their own,
which
did not
the rope, that
This was
to burn
conviction
in case
the
to
our

safetyand

my

suggest itself

might

similar

for my

I entertained

it

MEMOIRS

THE

148

to

me.

not

appear
question had

been

occasioned

placed there
flame

watch

to

us.

in

burning,
it set fire to the chimney, which, being seen
that
to
the guard, who
from
ran
without, alarmed
us,
knocking violentlyat the door, callingfor it to be
opened.
brother was
I now
concluded
that my
stopped, and
undone.
both
that we
However,
were
as, by the
alone,
blessingof God and through his divine mercy
I have, amidst
danger with which I have been
every
repeatedly surrounded, constantlypreserved a presence
This

rope

of

mind

great

so

which

directed

what

best

was

to

be

than
not
more
observing that the rope was
half consumed, I told my
to go
to the door,
women
and speakingsoftly,
if I was
as
asleep,to ask the men
what
plied
they wanted.
They did so, and the archers rethat the chimney was
fire,and they came
on
it was
answered
of no
to extinguish it. My
women
and
they could put it out themselves,
consequence,
not
to
awake
This
alarm
thus
me.
begging them
passed off quietly,and they went
but, in two
away;

done,

hours

and

afterward,

King

the

and

of my

de

M.

the

Queen

brother's

by
intelligence
It

and

seems

the

it had

abbot,

in

Cosse
my

mother,
of

escape,

the

been
order

Abbot

concerted
to

for

came

to

which
of

Ste.

betwixt

prevent

the

me

to

go

give an
they had

to
count
acceived
re-

Genevieve.
my

brother

latter from

MARGUERITE

fallingunder
be supposed
abbot

disgrace,that, when
have

to

should

reached

to

Court,

put into confinement

whilst

and

that

had

released

go

he

the

149
brother

my

might

sufficient distance, the

and

inform

to

came

that

say

hole

the

been

being made,

was

King

had

he

as

soon

as

he

himself.

in

was

VALOIS

DE

bed,

I put
hastily,

for

it

yet night; and

was

rising

One
of my women
night-clothes.
indiscreet enough to hold me
round
the waist,
was
and exclaim
aloud, shedding a flood of tears, that she
should never
M. de Cosse, pushing her
more.
see
me
said

away,

on

my

to

me

devoted

enough
he,

''

"If

to

fear

Prince

brother
your
words
These
were
of my
threats

state

and
I

found

him

mother's
to
not

bed, in

believe
been

not

into
God

be

is out
very

trouble.

was

praised,by this
of danger."

however,

restrained

time

in the

the

present

to

violent rage that I am

inclined
have felt the effects of it,had he

such

I should

true

continued

But,"

the absence

by

brother and
of my
told me
that I had

mother's
They both
presence.
my
brother would
leave
not
assured
them
my
and that I pledged myself for his stay. I
it

said

has

woman

necessary,

oughly
thor-

person

fortifyit against the reproaches

the King.
had
to expect from
reason
sittingat the foot of the Queen my

mind,
I

were

service,this

your

bring you
nothing.

to

that

he had

was

ready

deceived
still to

me,

as

the

Court,

repliedthat

he had

them;

pledge my life that

operate to the prejudiceof

his

the
not
departure would
only
King's service,and that it would appear he was
ward
and forto give orders
to his own
principality
gone
his expeditionto Flanders.
mollified by
The
King appeared to be somewhat
this declaration, and now
turn
me
permissionto regave
to

received

afterwards
he
Soon
own
apartments.
my
letters from
brother, containing assurmy

of

ances

his

expressed.

by
made

no

defeat

in

attachment,
caused

This

of

show

it.

the

VALOIS

using

King's

of

but

complaints,

to

means

before

had

dissatisfaction,

assistance
every

terms

cessation

affording

secretly

was

the

removed

means

but
and

DE

MARGUERITE

150

his
to

who

tion,
expedifrustrate

XX

LETTER

NOW

renewed

King

the
on

should

in

refuse

not

with

brother.

He

he

could

the

by

me

with

the

to

friendship

ever

from

brother

that
utmost

portion

in

above

France,

every
made
he

territory,
benefices

the
he

my

Sens,

all vacant

in my

customary
another

gave

to

represent
to

of

that

with

his

useful

how

me

whereas

me;

in which

apartment,

"

swerve

to

my
no

firmly
was

could

my

of

arguments

had

be, my

appeared

assured

to

would

he
every

act

respect
151

this:

than

wish

earnest

in

to

fidelityI had
was
King

declaration

other

regain it by
service; that, with
to

The

established

never

well

the

brother.

insufficient

was

say

from

should

and

he
I

of

only injurious,

to

me

was,

which

Peace

to

of

to

in

the

and

visit

be

all he

me

observe

draw

to

be

However,

to

attachment

my

over

he

means

kind.

like

on

me

would

could

brother

by this

view

purse.

occasion

took

that

nomination

daughters

privy
daily paid

He

the

the

his

of

he

of

power

to

of

press

further

to

at

assignment

to

oblige me
fulfil the promise

strove

mother

my

this

my

of, and,

offices; and^

pension
out

think

an

all

and

therefore

Queen

gave

from

me

had

He

to

go

King, perceiving that

v/illing
longer, was

any

wishes,

my

withdraw

should

way

satisfied.

depart

complying

leave

m^y

to

I continued

The

opportunity.

every

could

he

which

husband,

my

leave

application for

my

his

exert

of
to

able

to

it

that
see

my

forfeited;

have

himself

duty

vowed

favour,

gracious
to

me

to

vail
pre-

the

rious
merito-

and

myself,

to

thought

THE

152

MEMOIRS

OF

obliged to him for the great honour he

did me
by repeated acts of generosity,that he might
with the King my
I was
be assured, when
husband
I should
consider
in duty to obey all
myself bound
he should
such
be pleased to give me;
commands
as
whole
that it would
be my
and
study to maintain the
in a submission
to his pleasure.
King my husband
the
brother
on
was
now
point of leaving
My
Alengon to go to Flanders; the Queen my mother
him
before
desirous
his departure. I
to
see
was
begged the King to permit me to take the opportunity
of accompanying her to take leave of my
brother,
it seemed, with great unwhich
he granted; but, as
willingness
returned
from
When
we
Alengon, I
solicited the King to permit me
self,
to take leave of himI had
as
everything prepared for my journey.
mother
The
Queen my
being desirous to go to
for the
her
was
Gascony, where
presence
necessary
King's service,was
unwilling that I should depart
her.
left Paris, the King accomwithout
When
panied
we
far as his palace of Dolinthe way
us
on
as
ville. There
we
stayed with him a few days, and
took
there we
our
leave, and in a little time reached
Guienne, which
belonging to, and being under the
of the King my
husband, I was
government
where
everythe
husband
received
as
My
Queen.
gave
mother
was
a
meeting at Reolle, which
Queen my
held by the Huguenots
a
as
cautionary town; and
the
quieted, she was
being sufficiently
country not
permitted to go no further.
mother
to
It was
the intention of the Queen my
I

was

so

much

short

stay; but

make

but

from

disputes betwixt

that

she

eighteen
her

was

under

months.

inclination, she

so

many

accidents

arose

Huguenots and Catholics,

the necessity of stopping there
much
this was
As
against
very
was

the

sometimes

inclined

to

think

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

154

until it was
being discovered
length the Huguenots espied them,
nearly over.
Pin, secretary to the King my
and ran
to acquaint Le
was
husband, who
greatly in his favour, and who
business
the
whole
relating to the new
conducted
Le
Pin
religion. Upon receiving this intelligence,
these poor
the guard to arrest
people, who
ordered
were
severely beaten in my presence, and afterwards
released
not
locked up in prison, whence
they were
fine.
without
paying a considerable
This
indignity gave me
great offence, as I never
plained
Accordingly, I comexpected anything of the kind.
of it to the King my
husband, begging him
for the release of these poor
Catholics,
to give orders
to be punished for coming to my
did not deserve
who
celebration of which
a
they had
chapel to hear mass,
Le
Pin, with
been so long deprived of the benefit.
him
took
the greatest disrespectto his master,
upon
to reply,without
waiting to hear what the King, had
the
that I ought not
told me
to trouble
He
to say.
that
what
such
about
husband
matters;
King my
had been done
was
rightand proper; that those
very
the
treatment
they met
people had justly merited
with, and all I could say would go for nothing, for it
be so; and that I ought to rest satisfied with
must
and
said to me
being permitted to have mass
my
of his
This insolent speech from
a
servants.
person
I entreated
condition incensed
inferior
me
greatly, and
the King my
husband, if I had the least share
the
in his good graces, to do me
justice,and avenge
insult offered me
by this low man.
The
husband,
perceiving that I was
King my
bration

of

offended,

not

mass,
At

as

had

indignity,ordered

to

reason

Le

Pin

to

and, expressing his

behaviour, who,

he

be, with

quit
concern

said,

was

our

this

gross
mediatel
impresence
at his secretary's

overzealous

in

MARGUERITE
the

of

religion,he
example of him.

cause

make

DE

an

said

he

he

would

VALOIS

promised
As

advise

to

the

with

155
he

that

would

Catholic

prisoners,
parliament

his

ought to be done for my satisfaction.

his closet,where
he
to
Having said this, he went
found
Le Pin, who, by dint of persuasion,made
him
that, fearing I
change his resolution; insomuch
insist upon
should
his dismissing his secretary, he
avoided
At
last, finding that I was
meeting me.
firmly resolved to leave him, unless he dismissed Le
Pin, he took advice of some
who, having
persons,
themselves
dislike to the secretary, represented that
a
he ought not to give me
of displeasurefor the
cause
sake of a man
of his small importance, especially
to be
one
who, like him, had given me
just reason
it became
known
to the King
offended; that, when
brother
and
the Queen my
mother, they would
my
certainlytake it ill that he had not only not resented
the contrary, still kept him
his
it, but, on
near
what

"

person.

This

counsel

prevailedwith

him, and he at length

discarded
his secretary.
The
tinued
King, however, conwith great coolness,
fluence
to behave
to me
being inhe afterwards
as
confessed, by the counsel
of M.
de Pibrac, who
acted the part of a double
front
afthat I ought not to pardon an
dealer,tellingme
offered by such a mean
fellow, but insist upon
his being dismissed; whilst he persuaded the King
for partingwith
that there was
no
reason
my husband
This
useful to him, for such a trivial cause.
a
so
man
duced,
done
was
by M. de Pibrac, thinking I might be infrom
such mortifications,
to return
to France,
he enjoyed the offices of presidentand King's
where
counsellor.
I

disquietudein my
for, Dayelle being gone, the King
present situation,
now

met

with

fresh

cause

for

husband

my

his

placed

artful

young
accordingly, she

was

an

me;

him.

with

power

In

affections

Rebours.

on

person,

and

did

me

all the

the

midst

and

God,

in

trust

my

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

156

had

of

he, moved

She

regard

no

for

ill offices in her

these

trials,I put

with

pity by

my
"

tle
litpermission for our leavingPau, that
Rebours
was
Geneva;" and, fortunately for me,
The
taken
ill and
King my husband
stayed behind.
lost sight of her than
he forgot her; he
sooner
no
tears, gave

his

turned

now

She

sense.

was

that

at

was

attention
and
eyes
handsomer
much
than

time

and

young,

reallya

Fos-

towards

the other, and

amiable
very

person.
the

Pursuing

called

littletown
my

husband

had

night

from

This
pains in his head.
days, during which time he
moved
continually reday, but was

or

bed

one

time,

whole

stopped at a
the night,the King
panied
high fever, accomwe

violent

for seventeen

rest

no

in

with

attacked

most

lasted

Montauban,

to

Eause, where,

was

with
fever

road

to

another.

stirring from

never

him

I nursed

his

the

bedside,

and

putting off my clothes. He took notice of my

extraordinary tenderness, and spoke of it to several
cousin M
and
to my
who,
particularly
persons,
acting the part of an affectionate relation,restored me
stood
that I never
so
to his favour, insomuch
highly
This happiness I had the good fortune
in it before.
mained
to
enjoy during the four or five years that I rewith him in Gascony.
Our residence,for the most
part of the time I have
never

mentioned,

brilliant that
from

to

de
the

of ladies

we

Court

the

Princesse

at

was

had

de

no

cause

France.

of

Navarre,

Due

where

Nerac,

my

Bar;

to

regret

We

had

husband's
there

belongingto myself.

Court

our

were

The

absence

our

with

us

since
sister,
besides

King

my

so

was

the
ried
mar-

number

husband

MARGUERITE

VALOIS

DE

157

by a numerous
body of lords and gentlemen,
in any
I have
all as gallant persons
seen
as
had
Court; and we
only to lament that they were
This
difference
of religion,however,
Huguenots.
husband
caused
no
dispute among
us; the King my
was

attended

and

the

Princess

his sister heard

and

my

servants

heard

park for
both

the

and,

purpose,

was
religions
over,
garden, ornamented

laurel and

of trees

avenue

of

Sometimes

three

of the

thousand

we

of

tiful
beau-

shaded

with

took

walk

in

long walks

with

banks

service

the

as

soon

as

chapel in the

joined company

we

trees.

cypress
in the park on the

I had

mass.

whilst

sermon,

river,bordered by an
yards in length. The

the

day was
passed in innocent amusements;
in the afternoon, or at night,we
commonly had

rest

and

ball.
The

King was
being dependent
bounds

which

had

But

as

happinesswas
fresh

and

The

war.

new

de

husband

my

Biron, who

had

This
that

all my

made

their

King

misfortune

myself

to

consequence

great

troubles

broke

be of

to

the

Catholics,and

King

my

husband

the

breach

in

close

it

were

separate complaints

to

in Guienne,
the

nots.
Huguewide

so

useless.
the

the

the Marechal

time

short

tinuance,
con-

rise to

gave

King's lieutenant
was
aggravated by

became

efforts to

and

long

betwixt

out

and

was

They
The

King.

husband
insisted on the removal
of the Marechal
my
de Biron, and
the Marshal
charged the King

husband, and
pretended reformed

my

peace.

herself

upon

too

difference,which

Fosseuse, who,

her.

to

our

King

and

brought

not

with

kept herself within the strict

Had
virtue.
she always done

me,

proved of such fatal

has

well

as

on

of honour

she

so,

assiduous

very

I saw,

the

with

rest

of

those

religion,with
great

concern,

who

were

of

the

designs contrary
that affairs

were

to

likelysoon

to

an

advised

Marshal

The

to

come

I had

rupture; and

open

no

prevent it.

to

power

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

158

the

King

to

come

to

Guienne

might be
himself,saying that in his presence matters
settled. The
Huguenots, hearing of this proposal,supposed
take possession of their towns,
the King would
to take up arms.
to a resolution
and, thereupon, came
in
become
sharer
I feared; I was
what
This
a
was
to be
husband's
now
fortune, and was
the King my
brother
and the religion
in oppositionto the King my
I gave
I had
been bred up in.
opinion upon this
my
his Council, and
and
husband
the King my
to
war
from
them
dissuade
to
strove
engaging in it. I
of carrying on
the hazards
a
represented to them
be opposed against so
able
to
when
war
they were
de Biron, who
would
not
a
general as the Marechal
spare them, as other generalshad done, he being their
I begged them
to consider
that, if the
private enemy.
tention
inforce against them, with
King brought his whole
it would
be
their religion,
not
to exterminate
in their power
to oppose
or
prevent it. But they were
ceeding
so
headstrong, and so blinded with the hope of sucin Languedoc
in the surpriseof certain towns
the honour,
and
Gascony, that, though the King did me
all occasions, to listen to my
advice, as did
upon
not
of the Huguenots, yet I could
most
prevail on
follow

them

to

until

it

their

cost, that

was

too

was

burst

now

stopping
strength.
of

my

my

husband

the

present situation

late, and
my

counsel

forth,
course

after

and
until

was

there

of

affairs,

they had found, to

good. The torrent
no
was
possibility

it had

spent its

utmost

quences,
period arrived, foreseeing the consethe
written
the King and
had
often
to
mother, to offer something to the King
But
by way of accommodating matters.

that

Before

Queen

its

it in

MARGUERITE
bent

they

were

that

matters

by

increased, and
The

that

recourse

than

they

the

my

husband

King

to, the

to

found

this

dissensions

force

collect

to

Cahors, which

more

together,

outnumbered

himself

In consequence,
de Biron.
by Marechal
religionfailed in
pretended reformed

except their attack upon

pleased

arms.

upon

able

were

be

pleased. In

he

reckoned

considerable
and

had

was

had

Huguenots

he

to

turn, being assured

it in his power
had

attended

not

was

whenever

Huguenots

advice

crisis my

such

Biron

de

the

crush

to

taken

159

seemed

against it, and

had

Marechal

VALOIS

DE

those
all their

of the

plans,

they took with

of men,
petards, after having lost a great number
in the town, disputing
commanded
M. de Vezins, who
three days, from
for two
street to
their entrance
or
The
from
house to house.
King my
street, and even
husband
displayedgreat valour and conduct upon the
himself
to be a
gallantand
occasion, and showed
the
brave
Huguenots succeeded
general. Though
in this attempt, their loss was
so
great that they
de
Marechal
Biron
it.
kept
gained nothing from
for
took
the
field,and
place that declared
every
to the
the Huguenots, putting all that opposed him
"

sword.
From
husband

the King my
of this war,
and comthe honour
to love me,
manding
doing me
not
to leave him, I had resolved to share
me

the commencement

his fortune, not

that this

war

without

was

in conscience, wish
cherished

of such
success

got the upper

Huguenots
as

much

as

regret, in observing

extreme

my

nature

that

I could

not,

either side; for if the

hand, the religionwhich I
to

life

was

lost, and

if the

un^
was
prevailed,the King my husband
done.
to my
But, being thus attached
husband, by
the duty I owed
him, and obliged by the attentions
he was
pleasedto show me, I could only acquaintthe

Catholics

i6o

MEMOIRS

THE

King

and

which

the

Queen

OF
with

mother

my

reduced^ occasioned

was

by

the situation
advice

my

to

to them

to.
I, therefore, prayed
having been attended
them, if they could not extinguishthe flames of war
of which
I was
in the midst
placed, at least to give

not

orders

to

Marechal

resided

in, and

ground,

and

to do

the

three

that

consider

to

the

town

it, as neutral
husband
get the King my
King granted me for Nerac,

leagues

I would

This

same.

Biron

de

the

round

not
was
there; but if he should
provided my husband
and
to cease,
enter
to remain
was
so
it,the neutrality
there.
This convention
was
as
long as he continued
I could
observed, on both sides,with all the exactness
desire.
to
not
was
However, the King my husband
be prevented from
often visitingNerac, which
was

the residence
the

of

his sister and

societyof ladies,and,
with

greatlyenamoured
in his affections
Fosseuse
husband

did
and

as
especially

me

which
no

Fosseuse, who
had

ill offices,so
to

perceivedme

live

was

at

was

moreover,

Rebours

I continued
he

He

me.

on

held

fond

of

that time
the

place
latelyoccupied.

that

very

the

King my
good terms,

unwillingto

oppose

his

inclinations.
to Nerac, once,
by such inducements, he came
with a body of troops, and stayed three days, not being
there.
he found
able to leave the agreeable company
for nothing so much
de Biron, who
wished
Marechal
such an opportunity,was
apprised of it,and, under
as
pretence of joining M. de Cornusson, the seneschal of
for
Toulouse, who was
expected with a reinforcement
he began his march; but, instead of pursuhis army,
ing
the road^ according to the orders
he had issued,he
Nerac,
suddenly ordered his troops to file off towards
and, before nine in the morning, his whole force was
drawn
up within sightof the town, and within cannon-

Led

shot

of it.

MARGUERITE

i62

King

husband

my

showed

be

much

the

them

forwarded

his

by
they
I
that

mentioned

but

received,

that

offence;
of
three
my

that,
and

his

do

to

what

that

made

gallant

my

adding,
without

presence,

certainly,
take

would
to

the

was

the

King

the

my

as

as

soon

could

not

me;

offended

opportunity
brother.

saying

strictly
orders

able
agree-

friends

of

ment
enjoy-

Nerac

attack

by

of

cause

in

and

know

the

me

had

he

would

him

company

attacking

first

his

permitted

greatly

ever
when-

prisoners

taken

the

giving

he

stantly
con-

And

was

like

officer

husband's
that

as

trumpeter,

and

have

might

he

he

treated

done

had

he

letters

my

belonged.

by

without

duty

King

the

days,

complaint

well

the

appeared

when

be

to

they

convention

the

unopened.

message

knew

well

whom

his

me

always

were

to

answered

to

how

they

army,

and
war

hands,

happened

have

people

my

to

the

his

into

fallen

occasion

respect,

During

the

him.

find

other

greatest

friend.

my

should

every

attack

to

were

he
on

me

frequently

have

orders

wherever

acknowledge

must

Marshal
to

his

which,

Besides

void.

VALOIS

DE

for
in

him,

concluding
his

conduct,

making

my

LETTER
lasted

XXI

time

advantag
longer,but with disthe Huguenots.
to
The
King my
husband
became
at length
desirous
to make
a
the subject to the King and the
I wrote
on
peace.
they both with
Queen my mother; but so elated were
de Biron's success
that they would
Marechal
not
agree

THE

to

war

any terms.
About
the time
been

had

some

this

delivered

broke

war

to

up

out,

brother

my

with me,
according to his engagement
related, was
besieged by the forces
brother

received

the

of this

news

Cambray, which
by M. d'Ainsi,
I have

as

of

before

Spain.

siegeat

My

his castle of

after
his
he
retired
had
Plessis-les-Tours, whither
from
return
Flanders, where, by the assistance of
the
Comte
been
invested
with
de
Lalain, he had
their
the government
of
Valenciennes, and
Mons,

dependencies.
My brother, being anxious to relieve Cambray, set
about raising an army
with all the expedition possible;
but, findingit could not be accomplished very speedily,
he

sent

of

M.

forward
de

himself
Whilst

left him

reinforcement

Balagny, to
with

he

Huguenot

the

succour

sufficient

was

in the midst

war

broke

under

place until

force

to

of these
the

out, and

the

men

raise

command
he arrived
the

siege.

preparationsthis
he

had

raised

with
the King's
incorporate themselves
which
had reached
Gascony.
army,
without
now
My brother was
hope of raisingthe
with
be attended
siege,and to lose Cambray would
to

163
Memoirs"

Vol.

the

MEMOIRS

THE

i64
loss of

Besides,
would

the

what

reduce

other
he

countries

should

OF
he

regret

great straits M.

had

just obtained.

more,

such

losses

Balagny and the

gallanttroops so nobly defending the place.
this occasion
His grief on
was
poignant, and, as his
excellent
him
with
judgment furnished
expedients
under
all his difficulties,
he resolved
to endeavour
to
bring about a peace.
Accordingly he despatched a
gentleman to the King with his advice to accede to
the treaty himself.
His
terms, offeringto undertake
design in offeringhimself as negotiatorwas to prevent
the treaty being drawn
out
to too
great a length, as
if confided
It was
others.
to
might be the case
that
he
should
speedily relieve Cambray,
necessary
for M. de Balagny, who
had
thrown
himself into the
city as I have before mentioned, had written to him
that he should
the place for six
be able to defend
that
within
months; but, if he received no succours
he
be all expended, and
time, his provisions would
should
of the
be obligedto give way
to the clamours
the town.
inhabitants,and surrender
induced
to listen to
By God's favour, the King was
brother's proposal of undertaking a negotiation
my
for a peace.
The
King hoped thereby to disappoint
in his expectationsin Flanders, which
him
he never
back
had approved. Accordingly he sent word
to my
brother that he should accept his profferof negotiating
and would
send him
for his coadjutors,M. de
a peace,
The
commission
Villeroy and M. de Bellievre.
my
brother was
charged with succeeded, and, after a stay
in Gascony, he settled a peace
and
of seven
months
left us, his thoughts being employed during the whole
of relievingCambray, which
the
the means
time
on
in being with us could not altogether
satisfaction he found
to

de

abate.
The

peace

my

brother

made,

as

I have

just men-

MARGUERITE

VALOIS

DE

165

judiciouslyframed that it gave equal

satisfaction to the King and the Catholics,and to the
and the Huguenots, and obtained
King my husband
likewise
of
both
him
the affections
parties. He
acquired from it the assistance of that able general,
of
the command
Marechal
de Biron, who
undertook
destined
raise the siege of Cambray.
the army
to
The
was
King my husband
equally gratifiedin the
chal
from
Marshal's
removal
Gascony and having Marede Matignon in his place.
desirous to bring
brother set off he was
Before
my
husband
reconciliation betwixt
the King my
about
a
Marechal
de Biron, provided the latter should
and
for his conduct
his apologiesto me
make
at Nerac.
dain,
My brother had desired me to treat him with all disbut I used this hasty advice with discretion,
considering
brother might one
that my
pent
day or other rehaving given it,as he had everything to hope,
in his present situation,from
the bravery of this
tioned,

was

so

officer.

accompanied by
Marechal
de Biron.
By his negotiationof a peace he
had acquired to himself great credit with both parties,
ing
of raisand secured a powerful force for the purpose
the siege of Cambray.
and success
But honours
followed by envy.
The
sion
are
King beheld this accesof glory to his brother with great dissatisfaction.
brother

My

returned

to

France

months, while my brother and

I were
together in Gascony, brooding over his malice,
and
be
that can
produced the strangest invention
imagined. He pretended to believe (what the King
He

had

been

my

husband

can

him
brother
all

for

to

the

go

easilyprove
to

credit

probable when

brother's

seven

affairs

war

of

that

making

to

be

false)that
might procure

it is considered

in

Flanders

This

peace.

the

sustained

gated
I instifor my

is not

at

prejudicemy
by the war.

But

what

discover

to

malice

and

envy

he

which

on

ruin

interest
brother's
my
and since.
Poland
chose

Fortune

till he

cease

mine.

and

that

months
during the seven
Gascony, he conceived

never

for

discovered
he

in

was

King's animosity; for,

brother
stayed in
my

the

favour

to

plished
accom-

had

time

the

during

hatred,

had

He

I had

attachment

for the

forgiven me

to

never

swore

of

altar

an

this

On

perceive.

can

raised

King

brother's

my

else

one

the

pretend

self -deceivers, and

are

no

frail foundation

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

i66

passion for Fosseuse, who

the doting piece of the King my
become
husband,
was
I have
as
already mentioned, since he had quitted
duced
inhad
brother
This
Rebours.
new
passion in my
with coldness,
husband
the King my
to treat
me
brother's
supposing that I countenanced
my
I

addresses.

with

brother,

my

this

succeeded

fortune; but
ambush, and
who

there
that
was

but

husband,

with

had

no

conduct
She
been

shunned

now

accustomed

strove

do

to

she

husband,
she

avoided

the

malice

of

and

ill-

my

another

secret

for

fatal nature;
passionately fond of the
hitherto

make

more

brother,

my
and

would

he

still behind

strated
remon-

seuse,
Fos-

King

my
sistent
incon-

granted no favours
modesty, piqued by

gave

herself

up

his

suddenly to

She
unfortunately became
pregnant.
this discovery, than
she altered her
made
before.
towards
me
entirelyfrom what it was

will,
sooner

of

begged him to give

speak to her again. I

defeat

was

prudence

jealousy of

to

not
to

way

I knew

as

repose.

pursuit,and

his

over

this than

discovered

sooner

no

sacrifice for my

every

his

me;

me
now

my
to

he

as

much

grew

betwixt
cold

us.

and

For

she

had

before

she

as

whereas

good office with

every
endeavoured
to make
able

was

presence
seek it, and

the

King

all the
his

my
chief
mis-

part, he

indifferent,and

since

MARGUERITE
ceased

Fosseuse
the

happy

four

that

moments

five years

or

we

we

were

discretion,

with

herself

conduct

to

167

VALOIS

DE

experienced during the

together in Gascony were

more.

no

being restored, and my brother departed for

band
France, as I have already related,the King my husPeace

and

I returned

than

there

Nerac.

to

Fosseuse

We

sooner

no

King my husband
Aigues-Caudes,in

the

persuaded

were

journey to the waters of

Beam,
perhaps with a design to rid herself of her
husband
burden
there.
I begged the
to
King my
excuse
accompanying him, as, since the affront
my
made
that I had received at Pau, I had
a
never
vow
foot in Beam
until the Catholic
to
set
religionwas
there.
reestablished
He pressed me
much
to go with
at my
him, and grew
persistingto refuse his
angry
that his little girl (for so
He
he
told me
request.
desirous to go there on
affected to call Fosseuse) was
she
felt frequent returns
of a colic,which
account
I answered
that I had no
of.
objectionto his taking
to make

her

with

unless

to

consent

He

without

me,

set

could

she

occasion

be avoided.

go

him, and, with

and

that

not

go

scandal,which

continued

to

press me
him, but at length I prevailedwith him

accompany

to

it would

that

well

as

said

then

He

I went;

might
to

him.

her,

of

two

and

her

to

take

companions,

Ville-Savin,together with the

out
accordingly,and I waited

Rebours

governess.

their

with

her

They
at

return

Baviere.
I had

how

matters

before

to

have

his

friend

to

affection

strove

This

been

was

all she

from

news

went.

but she
no

day

every

the

Rebours

before

had

could

to

my

mentioned

husband's

sion,
pas-

off,and, consequently,was

Fosseuse, who
she

I have

object of

cast

now

Rebours, informing me

had

held.

circumvent

place in
She, therefore,
her; and, indeed^

gained

that

i68

THE

fullyqualifiedfor
cunning, deceitful young

she
a

such

was

that

understand

ill office in her

OF

MEMOIRS
a

She

person.

laboured

Fosseuse

was

to

me

gave

do

to

she

as

purpose,

me

every

spoke of me with the

all occasions, and
expressed
greatest disrespect on
her expectationsof marrying the King herself,in case
should

she

be

divorced.

I would

that

go

when

son,

I should

when

the

had

with

to

was

be

King

resolved

to

him, whether

not.

far

was
intelligence

and

me,

said, further, that

returned
to Baviere, he

or

This

of

had

Pau, and

to

go

delivered

She

husband

my

that she

power;

I knew

what

not

from
to

being agreeable to
of

think

it.

I trusted

in the

goodness of God, and I had a reliance on the

generosityof the King my husband; yet I passed the
time I waited
for his return
but uncomfortably,and
often
than
tears
thought I shed more
they drank
The
Catholic
water.
hood
nobility of the neighbourBaviere

of

chagrin,

my
the

King

their utmost

used
for

the

husband

my

month

and

endeavours

five weeks

or

Fosseuse

to

stayed

at

vert
dithat

Aigues-

Caudes.
his

On

King

my

he

should

me

on

the

return,
husband
go

to

certain

with

Pau,

subject,but

the

nobleman

acquainted the
I

concern

whereupon
only said he

he

did

should

glad if I had consented to go with him.

by my tears and the expressions I made
I should
death
such
to
a
prefer even
altered

his intentions

and

we

returned

of Fosseuse
was
pregnancy
whole
The
Court talked of

under

was

to

lest

not

press

have

been

Perceiving,
use

of,

that

journey, he
Nerac.

longer a
secret.
it,and not only
I was
the Court, but all the country.
willingto prevent
the
from
and
scandal
spreading,
accordingly
the subject. With
this
resolved
talk to her on
to
closet,and spoke to
resolution, I took her into my
The

now

no

MEMOIRS

THE

I70

OF

few months
which
after, he never
was
a
delivery,
spoke to me.
her about
She found the pains of labour come
upon
in bed in the chamber
where
daybreak, whilst she was
the maids
of honour
cian,
slept. She sent for my physiand begged him
to go and
acquaint the King my
that she was
husband
taken ill. We
sleptin separate
beds in the same
chamber, and had done so for some
her

time.

directed, which
do

he

fearful

of

iWhat
was

to

that, without

losing

one

resolved

greatly
did
a

the

delivered

physician

The

embarrassed

know.

not

discovery; on

the

hand, he

one

other, he

assistance,there was
proper
In this
he so
much
loved.

was

husband.

my
the

On

he

as

message

foresaw

danger
dilemma,

of
he

implore my
and
advice, well knowing that, notwithstanding
had passed, I should be ready to do him
a pleasure.
this resolution,he withdrew
to
Having come
thus :
curtains, and
spoke to me
My dear, I

aid
what

apply

to

to

me,

confess

all,and

"

my
have

concealed
I

about

beg

what

I now
which
fess.
conyou
forgiveme, and to think no more
said to you
the subject. Will
on

obligeme

who

is taken

from

matter

to
you
I have

you
her

far

so

as

ill?

very

nothing.
hope you

and

answered

that

forget everything and

know
how
dearly I love her,
comply with my
request." I

offended

will
too

great

anything he should
immediately, and do

at

go to her
she were

meantime,
would

You

I had

well

am

draw

I removed

the chamber

child of my
to

go

away

out

own.

and

all his

respect for him

do,

and

that

for her

I advised

him,

people,and

the maids

of honours

as

be

if

in the

means

prevent

all convenient

to

I would

much

as

hunt, by which

Fosseuse, with
in which

Fosseuse,
that, in

go to
assured

will

present situation,you

resent

rise and

to

he

tattling.

haste, from
were,

to

MARGUERITE
in

one

some

for

wanted

nothing

since dead.
her

to

As

that

soon

be taken

was

she

as

back

bring forth

situation.

daughter,

delivered

was

chamber

the

to

in her

proper

she should

that

pleased God

It

171

retired part of the palace,got a physician

about
that she
her, and saw
women

more

and

VALOIS

DE

from

I ordered

which

she

been

brought. Notwithstanding these precautions,

it was
not
possibleto prevent the story from
the King my
through the palace. When
circulating
husband
returned
from
hunting he paid her a visit,
She begged that I might come
accordingto custom.
and
usual with me
of
when
see
one
her, as was
any
of honour
maids
taken
ill. By this means
was
my
she expected to put a stop to stories to her prejudice.
from
The
her into my
chamber,
bedcame
King my husband
and
in bed, as I was
found me
fatiguedand
required rest, after having been called up so early.
He
and pay her a visit. I told
to get up
begged me
I went
him
she
according to his desire before, when
of assistance,but now
stood in need
she wanted
no
be only
help; that to visit her at this time would
exposing her more, and cause
myself to be pointedat
He
seemed
to be greatlydispleased
by all the world.
I said, which
vexed
the more
I thought
at what
as
me
had

I did
done

his

at

request
all in

contributed
him

betwixt

such

deserve

not

and

in

her

after

treatment

the

morning;
to

power

what
she

aggravate

I had
likewise
matters

me.

In the meantime,

King my brother, always well

of what
informed
is passing in the families of the
of his kingdom, was
actions
not ignorant of the transnobility
curious
He
of our
Court.
was
particularly
knew
to learn everything that happened with
us, and
every

minute

Thinking
vengeance

this
on

the

circumstance
a

me

that

I have

favourable

occasion

for

been

having

the

now

to
means

related.
wreak
of

his
my

MEMOIRS

THE

172

OF

reputationby the peace

acquiring so much
of the accident
he had
use
brought about, he made
Court to withdraw
from the
that happened in our
me
King my husband, and thereby reduce me to the state
this purTo
in.
to plunge me
of misery he wished
pose
mother
the Queen my
he prevailedon
to write
brother

to

and

me,

of

absence

an

that

anxious

desire to

to

She
added
that a
years.
would
be serviceable to
Court
well

the

the

as

seeing me, and that if I wanted

money
The King wrote
journey he would send it me.
and despatched Manique, the
same
purpose,
his household, with
with

length

of

contributed
made

time

unkind

the

to

me

usage

had

undertake

to

me

on

to

the

absent

been

I received

induce

to

instructions

use

my

desirous

was

for

of

of

after

me

see

six

or

as
King my husband
King my brother himself

affairs of

own;

five

of this sort

journey
the

her

express

the

to the

steward

every

journey.
in Gascony,

suasion
per-

The
and

of Fosseuse,

account

listen to

the

proposal

me.

I received
Queen both wrote to me.
three letters,in quick succession;and, that I
of
might have no pretence for staying,I had the sum
fifteen hundred
crowns
paid me to defray the expenses
that she
wrote
of my journey. The Queen my mother
would
give me the meeting in Saintonge,and that, if
would
husband
me
far,j
so
the. King my
accompany
him
she would
treat with
there, and give him every
But
the King
satisfaction with respect to the King.

The

she

and

he

King

had

were

been

and

the

desirous
before

to

with

have

him

at

their Court,

brother; and
pressed the matter
my

the

as

Mare-

with the
Matignon had
interfere with
to
King, that he might have no one
had too long experience of
I had
in Gascony.
him
to hope much
what
to be expected at their Court
was
I
made
to me.
all the fine promises that were
from
chal

de

DE

VALOIS

avail

myself

MARGUERITE

resolved,

had

of

might

however,

the

with

sight,
that

was

It

inclined

with

in

me,

his

for

would

that

the

had

to

my
to

of

instances

show

and
I

herein

leave

renewed
me.

refuse
as

and
I

as

could

do

ill-fortune
the
love

Fos-

passion

longer
to

the

in

his

other

some

and

was

attention
set

given

the

Queen

out

my

on

to

this
in

word
mother

my

received

even

band
hus-

my

unwilling

had

money

otherwise.

prevailed
King

King

more

to

had

not

take

King's

so

paid

should

King

go,

purpose,

And

begun

the

to

that

He

but,

France;

to

letters

my

rights.

to

no

removal,

Fosseuse.

that

hopes

journey

to

it

mischief.

me

difficulty

some

consent

leave

to

do

to

the

himself

tunity
oppor-

thinking

should

was

attach

the

matters

as

that

she

when

less

would
he

cool

might

was

that,

of

months,

setting

possible

was

he

or

of

thought

it

me,

might

her

for

few

means

which,

seuse

of

absence

an

prove

Besides

to

173

my

over

husband,

regard

which

the

tance
reluc-

after
he

the
had

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

AND

MADAME

DE

OF

POMPADOUR

LOUIS

XV.

INTRODUCTION

is

It

of

one

oldest

fiction.

than

stranger

the

The

of

truisms

present

truth

that

volume

is but

is
other
an-

striking example in point. The

legend of King
the Beggar
Maid
the
toric
hisand
palls before
Cophetua
obscure
Jeanne Poisson, an
story of a certain
wielded
French
and
his
a
king's favor
won
girl who
sceptre

for

twenty

further

from

the

but

famous

the

figure of

her

do

We

years.

Beggar Maid, after

became
Pompadour

day

in all France,

hear

not

she

anything

became

the

queen;

not

powerful
excepting the king
reign

most

himself.
veritable

These
to

her

attendant,

Memoirs

of

her

Madame

du

Hausset,

ascribed

are
a

of

woman

who
has
all, of good memory,
family and, above
of
her
remarkable
here
account
given us a faithful
opportunities for exact
subject. Her
knowledge may
mistress's
be
her
words
The
gathered from
own
:
look
king and I trust you so completely that we
upon
and
talk
ahead
with
as
we
might a cat or a dog,
you
freedom
much
there."
And
not
as
though you were
as
adds:
the critic, Sainte-Beuve,
"When
the destiny of
nation
is in a woman's
the best place for
bedroom,
a

good

"

historian

the

Hausset

by

her

is

seemed

position

in

created
and

ante-chamber.

the

for
her

this

role

Madame
of

character.

Suetonius
.A

du

good

ing
incapable of lying, and remainthe whole
on
quite respectable."
After
de
the
Madame
the
death
of
Pompadour,
fell into the
of
hands
journal of this waiting-woman
de Marigny,
brother
of the
whom
M.
favorite, with
woman,

furthermore,

179

INTRODUCTION

i8o

manuscript form for some

finallypublished,in 1802, ostensiblyas

it remained
was

from

the

lavie

"

Galopin,

It
years.
Drawn

in

Portfolio

Sou-

by

editors, ]\IM.
Soulavie
only lent

that

assert

Marechale

Vitrac

French

the

but

of the

*'

his

and
to

name

They also call attention to the fact that

de Pompadour, by Mile. Fouque,
a History of Madame
was
publishedin London, as early as 1759. But no
such general history,or biography,could possiblyhave
the

the

work.

intimate

of

value

document

written

at

the closest

"

These
Memoirs," say the
subject.
editors, give a faithful portraitof Madame
de Pompadour.
They are clearlyhostile,as are
preserved about her; for it was
nearly all documents
de Pompadour
to
of the evil fortunes of Madame
one
known
to
be made
us
chieflythrough her enemies,
D'Argenson, the Due de Luynes, and Richelieu."
of
The
above opinion sums
up neatly the consensus
She
historical opinion concerningthis famous
woman.
of her enemies, ever
has, indeed, been in the hands
this fact
since the day of her death, in 1764. But
mistress of a weak
is not surprising. The
monarch,
him
to
of her
she made
use
large influence over
ministers
ends and appoint her own
further her own
in fact, the King." Michelet,
She was,
to power.
that
she
in so
words
the
historian,asserts
many
although
reigned twenty years,"and he admits that
ever,
Howideas."
of mean
birth, she had some
patriotic
career
aside,
leaving the question of her political
range
French

its

of

"

"

"

"

the reader

for the moment,

the

acquaintance

Who

was

What

she?

this remarkable
was

the

secret

woman,

of

her

to

make

herself.

long

tinued
con-

Louis
XV.
riously
notoa
was
King?
have
whose
fickle monarch,
amours
many
fluence
exercised the ina
part of history. But none
all France, through him
and over
him
over

hold

become

of

will be interested

the

upon

"

"

INTRODUCTION
did this person of "
have
had to admit her
as

addition

to

her

mean

i8i
birth."

wonderful

womanly

Even
executive

charms.

These

her enemies
in
ability,
Memoirs,

answer
though rambling and without strict sequence,
our
questions interestingly.They have been
many
hold.
written, very evidently,by an inmate of the houseof the secret history
They give,in addition,much
of the Court
at this important period,and
point
out, to the discerningreader, a few of the chief causes
which were
to make
possiblethe French Revolution, at
the century'sclose.
Madame
de Pompadour's elevation to power
was

the result neither

nor

of

romance.

It

was

carefullylaid plan, on the part

of her parents and
certain scheming politicians,
to
make
of a beautiful girl to advance
their own
use
born in 1722, and at
interests.
Jeanne Poisson was
an
early age gave evidence of such unusual qualities,
and her guardian,M. Le Normant
that her mother
de
Tournehem
(who also is believed to be her father),
their energies to making her worthy of a
devoted
She had a fine natural talent for music,
placeat court.
excellent examples of
drawing, and engraving some
in the latter field still being preserved and
her work
united
she
with
these a rare
physicalbeauty. M.
Leroy, Keeper of the Park of Versailles,thus describes
her at the time of her meeting with the King :
She
taller than the average,
gant.
was
graceful,supple,and elefeatures
Her
comported well with her stature,
a perfectoval
face, framed by beautiful hair of a light
shade, largeeyes marked
hue,
by eyebrows of the same
teeth of exceptional
a perfectnose,
a charming mouth,
beauty displayed in a delicious smile, the rarest of
complexions,"etc., etc. He continues his superlative
the only
not
adjectives,
indicatingthat the King was
in the Park, finally
adding: The
susceptible
person
brought

about

of chance

by

"

"

"

*'

i82

INTRODUCTION

Marquise were
lightedby the play of
could one
cordance
infinite variety,but never
perceive any disAll was
harmony and grace." Truly, a
beauty!
worthy portraitof a famous
the age
of nineteen. Mile.
Poisson
her
At
gave
of her guardian, M.
Le
Normant
hand
to a kinsman
been the result
The marriage seems
d'Etoiles.
to have
looked
his part, but was
of a sincere passion on
upon
of convenience
by everybody else;
merely as a matter
find her luring the King
for not long thereafter we
delicious smile," while he was
with her
hunting in
stalled
the forest of Senart; and in 1745 she was
formally inthe title of the Marquise de
at Court, under
sound
This story, unadorned,
try,
palPompadour.
may
should
fall into the
not
commercial, but we
even
of judging it by twentieth
error
century standards.
features

of the

"

The

morals

the

of

Court,

French

never

austere,

were

reign of Louis XV., and galanthe

teries were
fashion, rather than the exception;
there
for the post of King's favorite
while
was
a
continual rivalryamong
high-born dames.
in this coveted
Once
position,the Marquise devoted
her energies to two
things, and these she kept ever
before her,- the pleasing of her royal master, and the
well she succeeded,
furtheringof her party'sinterests. How
especiallylax

in the

"

this book
the

which
the

elaborate

King by

these

career,

and

at

entertained

pageants, in the

she built,or

Hermitage

tout,"

She

shows.

remodelled.

Versailles,Menars,

and

amused

various

teaux
cha-

Bellevue, Choisy,
La Celle,Montre-

the monuments
of
among
in these palaces she accumulated

her

are

lavish

costlyart

bles,
porcelains,the Boulle marand
the sumptuous
hangings and fittingswhich
Herself
have
later been known
an
as
Pompadour."
artist and
set the pace
connoisseur, she
during a
period of unbridled luxury. She was
patroness of the

objects,such

as

the

Saxe

"

'^

"

INTRODUCTION
Sevres

famous

Marmontel,

Loo,

Voltaire

her

This

was

side must

She

ware.

dedicated

doting

Ambitious
monarch

exception of the Due

notoriouslyweak

were

for

with

de
and

"

deplorable

"

her

dling
med-

her
she

power,

her

this at

time

and

the

rounded
sur"

creatures

Choiseul,

Succession

of the Austrian

War

To

"

"

Florentin, Puisieux, Machault.

Rouille, Saint
the

Van

as

the
her brilliant side; but upon
her extravagance and
be reckoned

the

such

his Tancrede.

statecraft.

in

her

around

drew

Carle
Bouchardon,
Bernis, Crebillon, and Duclos.

Htterateurs

painters and

183

With

appointees
when

the

Years'

Seven

called for strong government.

Won
over
by the
of Maria
cousin,"
Theresa, who called her
cajoleries
War

"

King to accept the Austrian Alliance;

and again,in 1758, despiteBernis and other ministers,
it throughout the
him to maintain
she prevailedupon
which
disastrous war
was
only ended by the Treaty
she induced

the

addition

In

Paris.

of

to

this, she became

embroiled

bitter against
party, being especially
the Jesuits. It is no
wonder, therefore, that she left
with

her

in the

memory

that the

wonder
as

Church

the

well

those

as

in the

of her

seeds
of

bloody harvest
deluge! (" After

of

hands

her

her

enemies.

follyand

successor,

Du

of the Revolution.

"

It is

no

extravagance,

Barry, resulted
Apres nous
*'

deluge") was her sinister

in history,and it carried with it
famous
motto, now
the weight of prophecy.
in full power.
To the end she remained, exteriorally,
de PompaIn 1752 the Marquise was
made
Duchesse
dour;
le

and

Queen,
day of

us

the

"

"

to the
Dame
d'Honneur
years later
title of charmingly unconscious
irony! The

four

(1764) was stormy, and the King

the loss,
is said to have
been genuinelygrieved over
for
la Marquise has illweather
remarking : Madame
her journey."
her

demise
"

INTRODUCTION

i84
But

masterful.

naire,

it

duty

which

several
in

to

the

the

smile;

priest,
this

moi,

and

who

moment,

with

quip
le

of

the

cure,

to

(mot
nous

monsieur,

"

for

lips

uttered

rites

gion,
reli-

of

Attendez"

ensemble

partirons
we

of

her

coquette

elegance)

and

touch

set

last

the

her

d'

French

hidden^

decay;

of

air

the

had

felt

elegance

her

say

she

power,

She

of

pose

applied

ravages

"

death.

herself,"

which

into

way

the

she

extended

laughing

monsieur

("Wait

slow

the

years,

time

by

of

end

for

last

her

face

the

to

cheeks,

her

final

the

established

For

to

rouge

even

had
"

critics.

in

debon-

charming,

was

smiled

had

maintain

to

she

herself

she

She

smiled

she

and

last

the

to

will

set

forth

together").

house

His
but
who

small,

was

subjects were
and
it^is infinitelyto his
nothing was ever repeated.

visited

from

services

in the

me,

him

between

The

friendship for me.

habit of seeing me;
have

occasion

with

me.

and

received

had

of

the

he

King

in

was

little

some

frequent quarrels

sister,and

had

him

the

constant

shall

familiar

very

constraint

any

great

accident, which

an

without

talked

He

liked

relate, rendered

to

was

by Madame
family paid me
great

course

his

and

She

me.

much

and
livelywoman,
The^Baschi
de Pompadour.
de Marigny
M.
attention.
and

frank

theirs' that

and

honour

also

Countess

those

to

greatest intimacy with him.

with
the utmost
handled
freedom,

All

The

restricted

and

parties,

of

terms

on

were

all

frequented by people of

was

number

the

XV.

LOUIS

OF

MEMOIRS

i86

when

Pompadour's
and
left her chamber,
passed
illness I scarcely ever
panied
the night there.
Sometimes, though rarely,I accomDoctor
her in her carriage with
Quesnay, to
she scarcely spoke a word, though he was
a
whom
in the

was

The
said to me,
implicitconfidence in you, that

such

not

were

her
knew

I heard
it

was

wanted
of

any

dog,

and

There

has

usually sat
everything that
spoken in a low
to speak to her

when

of

the

when
or

side
she

with

of
had

other

the

altered,where

alone, and
in the

whither

chamber,

secret

business

important

unless

the

in the

with

went

where

room,

when

But

private,or
he

upon
if you

talking as
little nook, adjoining

was

said

look

we

since been

voice.

Ministers,

his

was

in

on

go

was

chamber, which

closet,by
retired

once

cat, or
there."

as

you

her,

nearly concerned
King and I have

which

affairs

many

with

alone

was

"

she

her, and

she

of

talked

she

When

great talents.

of

man

de

Madame

During

room.

with

persons;

her

King^

presence
into
she

the
as,

also

isters,
Minfor

MEMOIRS

OF

All

etc.

knowledge

my

allow

will neither

before

be related
de

first

; the

indebted

was

of
the payment
and he retained

his conduct

that

the

tell

that

so

gave
first place in her
the

of

Madame
a

de

faithless

King.

occasion

sides.

second

The

liked, was

very
many

He

which

written
Lusace

he

Abbe

him

any

way

he

de

when

of

received
in the

have

feel.

not

lightof
some
tice
jus-

in the
was

Bernis, M.

de

his

place.
Pompadour

was

gusted
dis-

soon

of

will he there.

the

saw

to

taken
of

his
the

great

ment,
splendid entertainplace on the very day
a

banishment, and

invitation

This

invited

had

He

his order

notes

the

absurdity of
singularspecimen of this on
she

distinction
to

was

did

de

She

party

him

retained

Bernis.

obey

to
a

gave

Madame

gave a
his dismissal.

day of
people

when

duty

Abbe

for the

Minister, whom

the

with
conduct.

But

might, probably,have

Machault

de

his

which

indifference

seals,

attributable

not

was

Pompadour regarded him

friend; and, perhaps, there

both

on

an

the

regard till the

Many people said

intentions;that he thought it
the King without
making himself in
and that his cold manners
to the affair,
appearance

him

She

bad

to

I ally
generfact may

record.

to

or

of time,

debts.

that

on

brought to
probity
things which

which

assassinate

to

attempt

was

the

Postmaster-

preceded it. Madame

isters
great friendship for three Minshe
de Machault, to whom
M.
regulationof her income, and

her

the

Police,

many

to

others

for

187

circumstances

order

had

Pompadour

these

me

without

wrote

of

great

POMPADOUR

DE

Lieutenant

instance, the
General,

MME.

Count

"

M.
was

Le

Comte

the brother

had
de
of

edly
deservof him
was
Dauphine, and this mention
King said, wittily
thought impertinent. The
She
will be there f'
and Moliere
enough, ''Lambert
scarcely ever
spoke of the Cardinal de Bernis after

the

his dismissal

from

the

Court.

i88

MEMOIRS

OF

LOUIS

XV.

a
extremely ridiculous,but he was
good
of man.
sort
Madame, the Infanta, died a little time
before, and, by the way, of such a complication of
putrid and malignant diseases, that the Capuchins
the men
who
bore the body, and
committed
who
it
to the grave,
Her
were
overcome
by the efSuvia.
appeared no less impure in the eyes of the
papers
King. He discovered that the Abbe de Bernis had
been intriguingwith her, and that they had deceived
him, and had obtained the Cardinal's hat by making
The
of his name.
use
so
King was
indignantthat he
near
was
refusing him the barrette. He did
very
have thrown
to
a bone
grant it but just as he would
a
dog. The Abbe had always the air of a protege
he was
de Pompawhen
in the company
of Madame
dour.
She had known
The
him in positivedistress.
Due
de Choiseul
was
situated; his
differently
very
him
claims to conbirth,his air, his manners,
sideration,
gave

He

was

"

and
the

of

art

illustrious

had
to

looked

nobles
and

her, and

sentiments

exceeded

himself
ingratiating
She

Minister,

far

he

the

sister

who

of

upon
the

other man
in
every
with Madame
de Pompadour.

him

as

of

one

Court,

the

as

him.

persons

"

Postmaster-General
de

Pompadour's

the

Lieutenant
were

less necessary
communicated

to

her

her

favourable

he
to

Police
in

much

he

Madame

that

Choiseul

the

secret

from

them:

of

the

and

time

system

the

women,

the

the

was

had

latter,however,

from

de
to M.
King
the post-office,
that is to say,
letters and
extracting matter

seul
Choi-

time

of

very
confidence;the
"

de

introduced

Minister, she saw

only with his eyes;
talent of amusing her, and
his manners
generally,were
extremely agreeable.
Two

able

had

the

From

most

most

M.

agreeable man.
and a wife, whom
he
sedulously cultivated
most

towards

the

came
bethe

of

opening
this

had

MEMOIRS

OF

been

never

imparted

favour

high

Choiseul
related
love

that

heard

have

his

friends

reposed in him,
ludicrous
stories,and

the

contained

which

letters

the

in

the

M.

confidence

the

affairs

189

d'Argenson, in spiteof

enjoyed.

he

POMPADOUR

DE
M.

to

abused
to

broken

MME.

de

and
the
were

plan they pursued, as I have

clerks of the
heard, was
simple. Six or seven
very
ordered
to
post-office
picked out the letters they were
break open, and took the impression of the seals with
ball of quicksilver. Then
a
they put each letter,
with

The

open.

the

seal downwards,

which

melted

It

then

was

it

The

desired

the

again, by

is the

This

of

account

Sundays.

on

this

Doctor
rage
that

noble

of

errand

extracts

Quesnay often, in my presence,

about that infamous Minister, as

he

foamed

with

the

General,"

said

dine

the

at

mouth.

hangman
the

with

as

It

Doctor.

flew in such

called him,

he

the
must

going

Ministers.

would

the

to

and

the

as

"

heard.

have

coming

seen

paper.

impression.

the

openly

as

the

matter

was

water,

extracted, and

matter

carried
He

glass of hot
injuring the

means

the

Postmaster-General

King

without

wax

opened,

sealed

was

on

the

over

soon

as

Postmaster-

edged
acknowl-

be

astonishing language to be
of the
uttered
in the apartments
King's mistress;
for twenty years without
on
being talked
yet it went
of.
It was
probityspeaking with earnestness," said
burst of spite or
and
M.
de Marigny,
not
a
mere
this

that

was

"

"

malignity."
The
friend

de

Due

of

M.

attendance

on

M.

de

de

Gontaut

and

Choiseul,

Madame

de

Choiseul, Madame

in
equally constant
for
sufficientlyaccount
Choiseul, whom
nobody

were

the

was

assiduous

was

Pompadour.
de

Grammont,

the

sister of

and

his wife

have

This

will

M.

de

ventured

to

ascendency

would

in his

The

attentions.

their

and

brother-in-law

of

MEMOIRS

I90

LOUIS

XV.

Chance, however, discovered

attack.

correspondence

of

the

related

was

to

who

man,

from

of

General,

Farmers

with

King,

This

station.

obscure

year,

OF

Parc-aux-cerfs, by whom

he

whom

Wearied

me

in

some

veryin the

hundred

of

the

to

the

ladies
young
recommended

was

place

secret

in

man

three

to

the

also connected

King. He was
de
Broglie, in

had

two

of

one

to

with

way

M.

dence.
King placed great confifinding that this correspondence

the

with

the
he
took
no
advancement,
procured him
view,
and
resolution of writing to me,
requesting an interde
I granted, after acquainting Madame
which
After
the
circumstance.
with
a
great
Pompadour
he said to me,
Can
deal of preamble and of flattery,
of
and
that
of hour,
word
give me
your
you
whatever
mention
Madame
de
Pompadour, that no
to the
of what
I am
going to tell you will be made
think
"I
I can
that, if you
assure
King?"
you
de Pompadour,
require such a promise from Madame
to the King's
and if it can
produce no ill consequence
his word
service,she will give it you." He gave me
bad
have
what
he
that
effect;
no
requested would
"

which
upon
shewed
me
of M.

de

listened

to

what

Choiseul, and

relative to

the

revealed
secret

had

to

say.

He

containing accusations

memorials,

several

he

some

functions

curious
of

the

stances
circumComte

tures
These, however, led rather to conjecof the
than
to
certainty,as to the nature
to the King.
services he rendered
Lastly,he shewed
I
several letters in the
King's handwriting.
me
request,"said he, that the Marquise de Pompadour
of
the place of Receiver-General
for me
will procure
of whatever
Finances; I will give her information
the
I send
King; I will write according to her
As I
instructions,and I will send her his answers."
the
liberties with
take
King's
did
choose
to
not

de

Broglie.

"

"

OF

MEMOIRS

MME.

POMPADOUR

DE

191

deliver the memorials.

to
only undertook
her word
de Pompadour
having given me
according to the conditions on which I had received
the
communication, I revealed to her everything I
I

papers,
Madame

had

She

heard.

Choiseul, who

memorials

the

sent

them

thought

Madame
cleverlywritten.
very
he had a long conference
to
as

be

given

to

person
I
What

made.

were

was

the

maliciously
Pompadour
reply that was

commissioned

and

and
to

disclosures

those

whom

by

the

very
de

de

M.

to

to

say

was

at
was
place of Receiver-General
much
occasion
too
present too important, and would
surprise and speculation;that it would not do to go
fifteen thousand
to
beyond a place worth
twenty
desire to
francs a year;
that they had
thousand
no
ence
pry into the King's secrets; and that his correspondthat
to any
ought not to be communicated
one;
I was
this did not apply to papers
like those of which
the bearer, which
might fall into his hands; that he
would
confer
an
obligationby communicating them,
in order
in the dark, and
directed
aimed
that blows
by malignity and imposture, might be parried. The
answer
was
respectfuland proper, in what related to
the King; it was,
however, calculated to counteract
the schemes
de Broglie,by making M.
of the Comte
de Choiseul
acquainted with his attacks, and with the
from
It was
of the weapons
nature
he employed.
that he received statements
the Count
relatingto the

this

the

that

and

to

with

him

concerning foreignaffairs,which
said, transacted
immediately

as

it

King.
to

was

The

the

Due

recommended

me

but

navy;

de

he

communication

war

Choiseul
to

the

had

no

the

Count,

with

the

who
spoke
got the man
out
Controller-General, with-

appearing in the business; he had the place

the
and
which
hope of a still
was
agreed upon,
the
to
me
better, and he entrusted
King's cor rehis

MEMOIRS

192

I told him

spondence,which

Pompadour,

Madame

de

He

several

sent

XV.

I should

according

memorials
of

accusations
This

LOUIS

OF

injunctions.
taining
Choiseul, conto the King.

de

him, addressed
enabled

timely information

to

her

to

M.

to

mention

not

him

refute

to

them

triumphantly.
of having little private
fond
The
King was
very
de
to Madame
correspondences, very often unknown
Pompadour: she knew, however, of the existence of
for he passed part of his mornings in writing
some,
his family, to the
to
King of Spain, to Cardinal
also to some
de Broglie, and
Tencin, to the Abbe
such people
It is,doubtless, from
obscure
persons.
these,''said she to me, one
as
day, that the King
For
learns expressions which
perfectlysurprise me.
a
man
instance,he said to me yesterday,when he saw
"

"

with

pass

an

He
that

'

old coat
once

on,

said to me,

parier" I took
more
likelyfrom

the

not

he

that

learns

his

un

he

il y

habit bien
to

meant

mine/
exa-

express

told
gros'; am
people,meaning, il y a
But is it
libertyto say,

probable,
thing was
a saying of the common

la

when
'

this is
gros

il y

"

ladies

young

at

the

Pare,

these

laughed, and said,

"

elegant expressions?" She

You
are
right; il y a gros/' The
these expressionsdesignedly,
and

King, however, used

with a laugh.
The
anecdotes, and there
King knew a great many
were
people enough who furnished him with such as
One
were
likelyto mortify the self-love of others.
where
into a room
Some
Choisy, he went
furniture,
employed about embroidered
people were
how
to see
going on; and looking out of
they were
of a long avenue
two
at the end
the window, he saw

day,

at

in

the

noblemen

men

up

her

Choisy
"

uniform.
Madame

said he.

glass,and

said,

"

"

They

Who

those

two

Pompadour took
the Due
d'Aumont,

de
are

are

MEMOIRS

194
from

end

one

of

the

who

those

OF

LOUIS

world

to

XV.

the

All

other.

men

this

powder, and
eagerlytheir services.
To
tender
them
is to
despise money,
despise happiness, liberty,in short, enjoyments of
A cordon
bleu passed under the window.
every kind."
That
nobleman," said I, is much
more
delighted
obey

possess

"

"

with

his cordon

bleu than

he

would

be with

ten

sand
thou-

"

I ask the
When
pieces of metal."
I say to him,
King for a pension," repliedQuesnay,
the means
Give
of having a better dinner, a
me
shelter me
from
the
warmer
coat, a carriage to
from
to
weather, and
place to place
transport me
who
without
asks him
for
fatigue.' But the man

of

your

"

that fine blue ribbon

and

as

say, if he had the courage

he feels, I am
vain, and
'

the

it will
me,
make

would

honesty to speak as
give me great satisfaction to see people look at
I pass, with
an
eye of stupid admiration, and

way

for

me;

wish,

when

I enter

room,

to

of those
and to excite the attention
effect,
I
I am
who
when
perhaps, laugh at me
gone;
may,
wish
Is
to be called Monseigneur
by the multitude.'
In scarcely any
all this mere
not
try
counempty air?
will this ribbon be of the slightest
to him; it
use
will give him no power.
My piecesof metal will give
the power
of assistingthe unfortunate
me
everywhere.
Long live the omnipotent powder of prelinpinpin!
last words, we
burst
At
these
heard
of laughter
a
the adjoining room,
from
which
was
only separated
The
door opened,
in.
by a door from the one we were
and
in came
the King, Madame
de Pompadour,
and
M. de Gontaut.
pin!''
Long live the powder of prelinpinsaid the King.
"Doctor, can you get me
any
It happened that, when
of it?"
the King returned
his walk, he was
struck with
from
a
fancy to listen
Madame
de Pompadour
conversation.
to
was
our
extremely kind to the Doctor, and the King went out

produce

an

"

"

Madame
in

meeting

de
her

Pompadour
admirer,

learns
the

of

the

likelihood

of

her

King.
"p.

From

the

painting

success

by

Casanova

Estorach.

182

OF

MEMOIRS

MME.

DE

POMPADOURj

195

of the
laughing,and talkingwith great admiration
I went
did the Doctor.
and
I
so
powder.
away,
this conversation
commit
to
immediately sat down
afterwards
told that M. Quesnay
to writing. I was
in certain matters
was
relatingto finance,
very learned
and

he

that

know

well

very

for certain

witty,and

what

is,that
a

that

he

was

able

very

and

made

had

communicated

clever,very

of

know

gay

and

Burgundy, whose
of, for a long time
Court.

the

far

so

him

to

I do

of

talked

the
to

as

Great
of

cause

assert

situation

excellent

an

very

find out

to

ill-nature went

who

What

not

physician.

much
was
intelligence
occupied the attention
were

I do

But

means.

the little Duke

illness of

The

great economiste.

was

at

ours
endeav-

his

malady,

that his nurse,

Versailles, had

nasty disease.

The

King

made

he
Pompadour the information
from, as to
procured from the province she came
A
conduct.
sillyBishop thought proper to say
had been very licentious in her youth. The
poor
that
he
and
told
of
this,
was
begged
might be
The
to explain himself.
Bishop replied,that

she

had

shewed
had
her
she
nurse

she

de

Madame

been

at

lived, and
The

uncovered.

heightof

that

she

poor

man

licentiousness.

first uneasy,
"

balls in the

several

when

he

had

gone

town

in

with

her

which
neck

actuallythought this the

had been at
The King, who
this,called out,

to

came

been

''

What

of

anxiety
died.
to the Court, the Duke
Nothing produces a
Princes, than the spectacle
stronger impression upon
of their equals dying.
Everybody is occupied about
while ill but as soon
them
as
they are dead, nobody
mentions
them.
The
King frequentlytalked about
about
death
and
funerals, and places of burial.
melancholy temperament.
Nobody could be of a more
that he experitold me
de Pompadour
Madame
once
a

fool!

After

having long

source

"

"

Memoirs

"

Vol.

MEMOIRS

196
enced

painful sensation

he

that

laugh, and
a

OF

LOUIS

whenever

often

had

XV.
he

droll story. He
smiled, and that
he had the most
gloomy ideas

all events.
^'

there

When

her

begged

was

new

forced

was

all.

was

off

break

to

tO'

In

eral,
gen-

concerning almost
Minister, he used

like all the rest, and

displayshis wares
promises the finest things in the world, not one
of
which
will be fulfilled.
this counHe
does not know
try
he will see!'
When
ing
new
projectsfor reinforc-

to

say,

He

the

navy

"

the twentieth

M.

de

I have
navy,

heard

"

him, he said,
this talked

I think."

This

of

This

is

France

"

I heard

from

Marigny.

never

the

at

time

will have

never

laid before

were

Madame

saw

taking of

de

Mahon.

Pompadour
The
King

so
was

rejoicedas
glad,
very

too, but he had no belief in the merit of his courtiers

^he looked upon
their success
the effect of chance.
as

"

Marechal

Saxe

was,

who

-inspiredhim
seen
scarcely ever

as

I have

with

great

him

in

his

been

told,the only
But

esteem.

man

had

he

playing the

closet,or

courtier.
lieu,
d'Argenson picked a quarrel with M. de Richeafter his victory,
This
about his return
to Paris.
umph.
intended
to prevent his coming to enjoy his triwas
He
Madame
tried to throw
the thing upon
de
who
enthusiastic
about
was
him, and
Pompadour,
called him
Minorcan/'
than the
by no other name
The
the favourite of the
Chevalier de Montaign was
beloved
for his great
by him
Dauphin, and much
fell ill,and
He
devotion.
underwent
an
operation
is performed by making an
called Vempieme, which
M.

"

incision between

the ribs,in order

it had, to

all appearance,
and
patientgrew worse,

attendants

this accident

and

could

favourable

could
not

retarded

to

not

cure.

the pus;

result, but

breathe.

conceive
his

let out

what
He

His

the

ical
med-

occasioned
died

almost

MEMOIRS

OF

MME.

POMPADOUR

DE

197

of the

Dauphin, who went every day to

The
him.
see
singularityof his disease determined
the body, and they found, in his
the surgeons
to open
tions
decocchest, part of the leaden syringe with which
had, as was
usual,been injectedinto the part in
of suppuration. The surgeon, who
committed
state
a
of his
this act of negligence,took care
to boast
not
This incident
the victim.
feat, and his patientwas
much
related it, I
talked of by the King, who
was
believe,not less than thirty times, according to his
in the

arms

custom;
about

by

but

the

his

what

occasioned

box, found
a
Montaign, was
side, containing haircloths, and shirts,

Chevalier

bed's

conversation

still more

de

This
circumstance
whips, stained with blood.
de
was
spoken of one evening at supper, at Madame
Pompadour's, and not one of the guests seemed at all
tempted to imitate the Chevalier.
Eight or ten days
sent
to the King,
afterwards, the following tale was
to Madame
de Pompadour, to the Baschi, and' to the
Due
At first nobody could understand
to
d'Ayen.
what
it referred:
at last,the Due
d'Ayen exclaimed.
How
stupid we are; this is a joke on the austerities
of the Chevalier de Montaign !
This appeared clear
much
the more
the copies were
so
enough
so, as
de St.
sent
to the Dauphin, the Dauphine, the Abbe
latter had the
The
Cyr, and to the Due de V
character of a pretender to devotion, and, in his copy,
and

"

"

"

there

was

this addition,

"

You

would

not

he such

Duke, as to he a faquir confess that

he very glad to he one
of those good monks
you would
de Richelieu
who
lead such a jollylife." The
Due
was
suspected of having employed one of his wits to
write the story. The
King was scandalised at it,and

fool,my

ordered

dear

the Lieutenant

"

of Police

the author, but either he

would
not betrayhim.
out

to

could

endeavour
not

succeed

to
or

find
he

MEMOIRS

198

OF

Tale.

Japanese
At

Japan,

is

there

of persons,
thither to
Three

of three

distance

leagues from

temple celebrated

of both

and

sexes,

worship

hundred

XV.

LOUIS

of all

consecrated

men

who

for the

capitalof
concourse

ranks, who

idol believed

an

the

to
to

work
the

crowd

miracles.
service

of

give proofs of ancient and

illustrious descent, serve
this temple, and
present to
the idol the offeringswhich
are
brought from all the
provinces of the empire.
They inhabit a vast and
rounded
magnificentedifice,
belonging to the temple, and surwith gardens where
has combined
with
art
I obtained
nature
to produce enchantment.
sion
permisthe temple, and
in the gardens.
to see
to walk
monk
advanced
but still full of vigour
A
in years,
and
I saw
several others,
accompanied me.
vivacity,

religion,and

of different ages,

surprised me

can

who
to

was

themselves

walking

were

see

great many

there.

what

But

of them

ing
amus-

various

sportive
agreeable and
with
girls elegantly dressed, listening
games
young
The
their songs,
and
to
joining in their dances.
ity
monk, who
accompanied me, listened with great civiland
kindness
the
to
questions I put to him
of
The
following is the sum
concerning his order.
his answers
to
numerous
interrogations. The
my
God
we
Faraki, whom
worship, is so called from a
all
word
which
signifiesthe fabricator. He made
that
He

behold

we

has

endowed

by

"

the
men

of the

of

with

pleasure,and
our
gratitude is to
doubtless,appear to you
sources

we

who

senses,

think

much

pass

sun,

etc.

so

many
ing
of shew-

only way
This opinion will,
rational than

more

inflict upon

melancholy privationsand

the

them.

use

faquirsof India, who

nature, and

stars, the
which
are

earth, the

that

their lives in thwarting

themselves

the most

severe

the

most

sufferings.

MEMOIRS

200

its zest
return

OF

by long continuance.
to the temple, to thank

incense.

From

thence

we

XV.

LOUIS
After

God, and
to

go

the

work,

our

to

we

offer him

delightful

most

hundred
find three
we
garden, where
of whom
form
girls,some
livelydances with
young
of our
the younger
serious
monks; the others execute
and
dances, which require neither strength nor agility,
which
ments.
only keep time to the sound of musical instru-

part

of

the

talk and

We
dressed

in

adorned

with

laugh with
light gauze,

companions,

our

and

whose

who

tresses

are
are

them
to partake of
flowers; we
press
exquisitesherbets,differently
prepared. The hour of
illuminated
being arrived, we repair to rooms
supper
with

the

amber.

lustre
The

of

thousand

tapers fragrant with

is surrounded

by three vast
ous
in which
are
galleries,
placed musicians, whose varifill the mind
with the most
instruments
able
pleasurand
the softest emotions.
The
girlsare
young
seated at table with us, and, towards
the conclusion
of the repast, they sing songs,
which
are
hymns in
honour
which

of

the

shed

promise
them.

supper-room

us

God

such
new

After

dance, and,

who
charm

has

endowed

the

hour

with

existence, and

over

pleasure from every

the repast is ended,
when

us

of

fresh
we

repose

senses

which

exercise

return

to

of
the

arrives, we

is
lottery,in which every one
of a prize that is a sumptuously decorated
sure
ing
sleepfor the night. These
allotted to
room
rooms
are
each by chance
to avoid
are
rooms
jealousy,since some
Thus
than others.
ends the day and gives
handsomer
place to a night of exquisiterepose in which we enjoy
well-earned
sleep,that most divine of earthlygifts.
and the goodness of Faraki,
the wisdom
We
admire
who
has implanted an
unconscious
attraction
mutual
between the sexes
that constantly
draws
them
towards
draw

from

kind

of

MEMOIRS
each

OF

ties,that make

the

that

from

away

What

should

we

he

whom

land, and

chose

Such

most

that

of life's
of

beautiful

house,

spoil the
the

lead

joys.
King
and

house,

cultivation

sterile,and

is the conduct

cut
selfishly

favourite

to

abandon

let it become

thorns ?

201

ties, those

lives,lose

say to the
had
received

fine estates, and

who
let it fall in ruins, to

who

those

these

lonely,morbid

narrow,

POMPADOUR

love, these invisible

brighter,cheerier, happier.

world

truly said

been

themselves

from

DE

It is this mutual

other.

It has

MME.

to

of the

covered

with

of the

faquirs of India,
condemn
who
themselves
the most
to
melancholy
and to the most
privations,
severe
sufferings.Is not
this insultingFaraki?
Is it not
saying to him, I
despise your gifts? Is it not misrepresentinghim
and
malevolent
and
are
cruel, and I
saying. You
know
that I can
otherwise
no
please you than by
offeringyou the spectacleof my miseries ? "I am
that you
told," added
he,
have, in your country,
faquirsnot less insane, not less cruel to themselves.''
I thought, with
the
that he
meant
some
reason,
fathers of La
recital of the matter
Trappe. The
afforded me
much
for reflection,
and I admired
matter
how
son
pervertedreastrange are the systems to which
gives birth.
"

The
and

was

great wealth.
"

at

supper,

me

with

had

de V

Due

Your

He

misfortune

to

the

high rank
King one evening

me

the favour

nobleman

said to

Majesty

great kindness

the

does

I should

fall under

of

to

be inconsolable
your

treat

if I

displeasure.

I should
deavour
ento befall me,
calamity were
ful
beautito divert my
griefby improving some
of mine
in such and such a province;" and
estates
he thereupon gave a descriptionof three or four fine
month
About
seats.
a
after, talkingof the disgrace
If

such

MEMOIRS

202

of

Minister, he said,

withdraw
misfortune

lose

to

anybody,

than

"

for

hope

from

favour

your

LOUIS

OF

Majesty will

your

me;

it, I should
I have

XV.

be

but

to

more

asylum

no

if

not

had
be

in which

the

pitied
to

hide

heard
the
had
present, who
of the beautiful country houses, looked at
description

my

All

head."

other

each

and

those

laughed.

The

King said

to

Madame
"

Pompadour, who sat next to him at table, People

are
right in saying that a liar ought to have a
very
f^
good memory
made
An
me
tremble, as well as
event, which
the familiarityof the King.
Madame,
procured me
into my
of the night, Madame
In the middle
came
chamber, en chemise, and in a state of distraction.
the King is dying." My
said she,
!
Here
! Here
I put on
be easilyimagined.
a
alarm
petticoat,
may
the King in her bed, panting. What
was
and found
threw
it was
done?
be
an
to
indigestion.We
de

"

"

**

"

water

upon

him, and

he

to

came

I made

himself.

drops, and he said to

make
Do
not
me,
any noise,but go to Quesnay; say
tell the Doctor's
ants
servmistress is ill;and
that your
it." Quesnay, who
to say nothing about
lodged
astonished
much
close by, came
immediately, and was
felt his pulse,and
He
the King in that state.
to see
sixty
said, The crisis is over; but, if the King were
He
went
old, this might have been serious."
years
dating
to seek some
drug, and, on his return, set about inunI forget the
the King with
perfumed water.
him
made
he
of the medicine
take, but the
name
the drops of
I believe it was
wonderful.
effect was
of the girlsof the
I called up one
General Lamotte.
wardrobe
to make
King
tea, as if for myself. The
swallow

him

some

Hoffman's

"

*'

took

three

cups, put on
to
stockings,and went

the

Doctor.

What

his

robe

de chamhre

his

own

room,

sight it

was

to

and

leaning
see

us

his

upon
all three

MEMOIRS

OF

naked!

half

I did

put

the

behind

clothes

POMPADOUR

DE

Madame

and
possible,

his

MME.

on

An

him.

the

soon

as

King changed

of

were

very

of

this short

the

attentions

spoke

after, I felt

hour

as

curtains, which

the

decentlyclosed. He afterwards
attack, and
expressed his sense
shown

robe

and

same,

203

the

greatest possible

in

thinkingthat the King might have died

in our
hands.
himself,
Happily, he quicklyrecovered
and none
of the domestics
perceived what had taken
to put
place. I merely told the girlof the wardrobe
Madame
everythingto rights,and she thought it was
had been indisposed. The
who
ing,
King, the next mornfor
secretly to Quesnay a little note
gave
terror

had

well,which

that

the

moment

and, touched
often

me

gave
made

and

Day,

twenty

louis d'or.

in the

me

put any

never

my

sent

told

apartment
constraint
Doctor

presence.

thousand

He

on

to

me,

that

Madame

as

himself

upon

on

received

Quesnay

of

and

looked

he

statue, and
of
account

pictureor

New

every

the amount

to

for his attention

crowns

From

graciousglances,
peculiarly

porcelain

me

am

for him, he

shown

little presents, and,

me

Year's

upon

of his

one

"

accustomed

interest I had

the

by

herself
certifyto you.

became

King

have

must

reassure

will

the Doctor

amie

chere

said. Ma

great fright,hut let her

now

he

in which

Madame,

pension of

silence,and

The
King gave
place for his son.
order
the Treasury for four thousand
me
an
upon
some
had presentedto her a very handfrancs,and Madame
box.
chiming-clockand the King's portraitin a snuff-

promise

the

of

habituallymelancholy,

The

King was
everything which

recalled

the

of the strongest fears of it.

de
instance : Madame
an
way

to

Crecy, when

one

of

idea

Of

of

and

liked

death, in spite

this,the followingis

was
Pompadour
the King's grooms

on

her
made

MEMOIRS

204

OF

LOUIS

XV.

to
stop, and told him that
sign to her coachman
broken
the King's carriage had
down, and
that,
knowing her to be at no great distance,His Majestyfor him.
him
forward
to beg her
to wait
sent
had
a

overtook

and

seated

He

soon

de

Pompadour's carriage,in

Madame

de

us,

Chateau-Renaud,

which
and

in Madame

were,

Madame

The

lords

attendance

de

think,
Mire-

in
placed themselves
other
behind, in a chaise,
some
carriages. I was
valet de
de Pompadour's
with
Gourbillon, Madame
We
chambre.
were
surprised in a short time by the
which
followed,
King stopping his carriage. Those
of course
King called a groom,
stopped also. The
that
little eminence
You
said to him,
and
see
;
it must
there are
certainly be a buryingcrosses;
ground ; go and see whether there are any graves newly
galloped up to it, returned, and
dug." The groom
three
There
said to the King,
are
quite freshly
she told me,
de Pompadour,
Madame
made."
as
her
head
with
turned
horror; and the little
away
Marechale
gailysaid, This is indeed enough to make
de Pompadour
water."
Madame
one's mouth
spoke
I was
of it when
undressing her in the evening.
What
a
strange pleasure,"said she, to endeavour
with
fill one's mind
to
images which one
ought to
is surendeavour
to
rounded
one
banish, especiallywhen
But
of happiness!
sources
by so many
he loves to talk about death.
that is the King's way;
He said,some
days ago, to M. de Fontanieu, who was
seized with
a
bleeding at the nose, at the levee,
of yourself;at your age it is a forerunner
Take
care
home
went
of apoplexy.' The
man
frightened,
poor
ill."
and absolutely
the King so
I never
saw
agitatedas during the
santly
incesThe
illness of the Dauphin.
physicianscame
of Madame
de Pompadour,
to the apartments

poix.

in

himself

"

**

'^

"

"

where
from
once

for
and

the

would

But

share

heir

You
know

you

called

man,
a

are

good

knew

heir

become

have

the
to

to

age

one

me,

surpriseat the
beyond measure
apparent.

He

not

the

to

to

children,
however;
were

look.
the

crown,

Madame

children.

have

one

I like you

papa;

how

was

Pousse, who

all your

are

we

d' Orleans, who

said

him

*'

Take
distress.
courage,
your
will recover."
Everybody's eyes

being past
my

odd

very

him,

said to

your son
the Due

205

There

King interrogatedthem.

Paris,
that.

POMPADOUR

DE

MME.

OF

MEMOIRS

upon
He

Queen
de

I was
expressing
day, when
King's grief, It would
annoy
"

have

to

does

not

Prince

of

like them,

the
and

blood
looks

relationshipto him as so remote, that he

would
feel humiliated
by it." And, in fact,when his
recovered, he said, The King of Spain would
son
It was
fine chance."
had
have
a
thought that he
was
rightin this,and that it would have been agreeable
d'Orleans
had
to justice;but that, if the Due
been supported by a party, he might have
supported
It was,
his pretensionsto the crown.
doubtless, to
this impression that he gave
a
magnificent
remove
of the Dauphin's
the occasion
fete at St. Cloud
on
said to Madame
de Pompadour
Madame
recovery.
wishes
He
to
de Brancas, speaking of this fete,
make
us
forget the chateau en Espagne he has been
dreaming of; in. Spain, however, they build them of
shew
so
The
solider materials."
people did not
much
They looked
joy at the Dauphin's recovery.
did nothing but sing
him
devotee, who
as
a
upon
psalms. They loved the Due d'Orleans, who lived in
of the King
and had acquired the name
the capital,
not
These
sentiments
were
just; the
of Paris.
Dauphin only sang. psalms when imitating the tones
of the chapel. The
of one
of the choristers
people
afterwards
acknowledged their error, and did justice
upon

their

"

"

2o6

MEMOIRS
his

to

LOUIS

XV.

d'Orleans

Due
Madame

to

court

Duchess,
that

The

virtues.

assiduous

OF

paid the most

the
Pompadour:
her.
It is possible

de

the contrary, detested

were
put into the Duchess's

on

words

uttered; but

mouth

which

certainly,often said
The
have
most
sent
cutting things.
King would
he
her
listened only to his resentinto exile, had
ment;
but he feared the eclat of such
a
proceeding,
would
he
knew
that
she
and
only be the more
d'Orleans
malicious.
The
Due
tremely
just then, exwas,
de Melfort; and
the
jealous of the Comte
Lieutenant
of Police
told the King
he had
strong
for believing that the Duke
stick at
would
reasons
of this gallant,and
that he
nothing to rid himself
thought it his duty to give the Count notice, that he
his guard.
The
ought to be upon
King said, He
she

never

she,

"

would

to

to

apprehend; but
surprisethem, and

rid of

Nay,

his cursed

have

to

this lover, she

she

de

last affairs
An

others

de

Madame

The

evening, about

d'Orleans

her

of

The

she

the
was

she

had

town,
very
made
but

he

talked

the

to-morrow.

instance, the

I'Aigle."

de

these

me

two

ogling a
a
fancy

one

handsome

to, from

short

known.

defended

himself

looselyto

taking

shocked.

herself

very

King.

the

man,
young
wanted
to- make

much

time,

same

herself

amused

Royal.

affirming that

had

took

Swiss, and
arrested;
stranger was

called

you
let him

clined
very well inbut if he got

reported to

she

whom

of the Palais

which

about

eight o'clock,with

woman

told

however,

of Police

window

at

up;
another

have

happened

Dutchman,

work,

shut

as

certain.

not

were

Duchesse

for

wife

me

at

the Lieutenant

young

will find

would

Pompadour,

adventure

which

he

for
this moment;
the
Comte
Colbert, and

has

Chevalier

such
violence
any
there is a better way:

attempt

to

seem

try

dare

not

She
The

by
him.

quet players,"said he, in that

some

verses,

them

to

you;

Intendant

they

are

he,

and

revenge

medical

se

was

men.

I have

and

I
M.

dered
ren-

written

will repeat

Rodot,

an

ing
very fond of abusI made
these verses

Hippocrates.

yEsculapiusand
Antoine

"

"

certain

upon

of the Marine, who

medicine
to

said

however,"

of his, which

tone

diverting.

said

he
ever5rthing

XV.

LOUIS

OF

MEMOIRS

2o8

mediclna

decriant la medicine,
En
mina
mains
de ses propres
fondemens
de sa machine:
Les
Tres
il opina
rarement
Et

Sans

bizarre

humeur

ou

chagrine,

Et, I'espritqui le domina

Etait
"

do

What

you

affiche

say

to

sur

sa

them?

mine.
"

said the Doctor.

My

companion thought them very pretty, and the Doctor

in his handwriting, begging me,
at the
them
me
gave
time, not to give any copies.
same
de Pompadour
Madame
joked my companion about
in
she reposed confidence
but sometimes
her hel-esprit,
often writing, she said
her.
Knowing that she was
You
to her,
are
writing a novel, which will appear
some
day or other; or, perhaps, the age of Louis
well."
I have
XV. : I beg you to treat me
no
reason
It signifies
that
to complain of her.
very little to me
talk more
about
she can
learnedly than I can
prose
"

and

verse.

She

never

me

her

real name;

but
"

one

day

was
one
enough to say to her, Some
de
maintaining,yesterday,that the family of Madame
of more
of good
Mar
was
importance than many
She
extraction.
They say it is the first in Cadiz.
had very honourable
alliances,and yet she has thought
de Pompadour's
it no degradation to be governess
to Madame
daughter. One day you will see her sons or
her nephews Farmers
General,and her granddaughters

was

malicious

told

OF

MEMOIRS
married

to

MME.

Dukes."

Pompadour
triplevanille

for
et

POMPADOUR

DE

I had

amhre,

that Madame

remarked

de

chocolate,

breakfast; and

her

at

taken

had

days

some

209

that she

celery soup: finding her in a very

with her about
heated
state, I one
day remonstrated
I then
attention.
her diet, to which
she paid no
thought it right to speak to her friend, the Duchesse
I had remarked
the same
de Brancas.
thing,"said
she, and I will speak to her about it before you."
ate

truffles and

"

"

After

she

dressed, Madame

was

told her

she

was

de

about

uneasy

ingly,
accord-

Brancas,
her

"

health.

just been talking to her about it," said the

and she is of my
Duchess, pointingto me,
opinion."
Madame
de Pompadour
seemed
at
a little displeased;
I immediately went
last,she burst into tears.
out,
shut the door, and
returned
to my
place to listen.
de Brancas,
My dear friend," she said to Madame
I am
agitatedby the fear of losingthe King's heart
Men, you know,
by ceasing to be attractive to him.
certain things,and I have the misfortune
set great value on
have

*'

"

"

to

be

of

determined

remedy
been

of

great

adopt

Brancas

took

after

service

felt its

threw

to

this defect, and

thought
and

cold

very

the

having

for
to

good
phial
smelt

it into the fire.

heating diet, in order

two
days this elixir

me,

or,

effects."
which
at

fore,
I, there-

temperament.

it,

Madame

at

''

Fie !

de

Duchesse
the

upon
"

has

least, I have

The

was

to

said

Pompadour

de

toilet,

she, and
scolded

"

her, and said, I don't like to be treated Hke a child."

She
what
don't know
wept again, and said, You
The
week
a
happened to me
King, under pretext
ago.
of the heat of the weather, lay down
upon
my
He
will take
sofa, and passed half the night there.
mistress."
another
You
and have
a
disgust to me
will not avoid that," repliedthe Duchess,
ing
by followdiet,and that diet will kill you; render
your new
"

''

''

MEMOIRS

2IO

your

by

: do
gentleness

your

let time

and

will bind

him

Madame

to

de

Madame
A

and

more

company

de

LOUIS

OF

you

the

then

They

recommended
diet

the

Brancas, and

after,she said

was

me,

ments,
mo-

of

habit

embraced;

secrecy
abandoned.
"

to

King

fond

chains

rest; the

for ever."

Pompadour

littlewhile

the

precious to
repulsehim in his

more

not

do

XV.

Our

to

is

master

is since I spoke to
This
pleased with me.
Quesnay, without, however, tellinghim all. He told
that to accomplish my
end, I must
me,
try to be in
good health,to digestwell, and, for that purpose, take
I think
the Doctor
exercise.
is right. I feel quite
I adore
that man
different creature.
a
(the King),
I wish so earnestly
to be agreeableto him ! But, alas !
sometimes
he says I am
a
macreuse
(a cold-blooded
aquatic bird). I would give my life to please him."
I
heated.
in very
much
One
day, the King came

better

withdrew

to

post, where

my

"

listened.

is

What

"The
Pompadour.
long robes and the clergy,"replied he, are always
drawn
at
by their quardaggers, they distract me
rels.
But
I detest the long robes the most.
My
faithful to
the
and
whole, is attached
clergy, on
the
in a
of
others
to
state
want
keep me
me;
de
tutelage." Firmness," said Madame
dour,
Pompais the only thing that
them."
subdue
can
I
is an
Robert
Saint
Vincent
incendiary, whom

the

matter?"

said

Madame

de

"

"

"

"

wish

I could

tumult.

the

On

softened
and
is

are

rely,and

can

a
a

some

who

secret

certain

V
to

hand,

make

would

Archbishop is an
pick quarrels. pily,
Hap-

Parliament
very

It costs

upon

me

furious

on

me

very

the other

few

whom

violent,but

pensions,to accomplish
serves

terrible

the

tries to

affect to be

who
be

that

in the

occasion.

upon

few

he appears

other

fellow, who

iron-hearted
there

banish, but

can

be

abbeys,

this.

There

well, while

side."

"

can

MEMOIRS
tell you

OF

MME.
of

news

some
"

Pompadour.

He

POMPADOUR

DE

211

Sire/' said

him,

Madame

de

yesterday,pretending
and
view."
that he is related to me,
begging for an interSee
Well," said the King, let him come.
him; and if he behaves well, we shall have a pretext
for giving him something." M. de Gontaut
in,
came
and
seeing that they were
talking seriously,said
in an
about
agitated
King walked
nothing. The
The
and suddenly exclaimed,
Regent was
manner,
the right of remonin restoringto them
strating;
very
wrong
''Ah,
they will end in ruining the State."
it is too
Sire," said M. de Gontaut,
strong to be
shaken
by a set of petty justices." You don't know
what
sembly
They are an asthey do, nor what they think.
of republicans; however, here is enough of
the subject. Things will last as they are as long as I
with
shall.
Talk
about
this on
Sunday, Madame,
wrote

to

me

"

"

"

''

''

Berrier."

M.

in.

d'Esparbes came
said

affairs.

answer

then

began

! here

de

come

to

purpose

about

his

was

necessary
and even,
subjects,

upon

these

same

story three

came

into the

betrayed

same

talk

to

It

Lansmatte.

to

day
are
"

or

room.

four

kittens,"

my

Madame

said to her,
fonder

than

I have

reason

"

over,

quillity,
tran-

serious
you

The

if

even

"

King

hear

to

and
on

the

persons

new

Pompadour

never

sometimes

suaded
per-

anew.

It appears
of the
ever
to

about

morning's sport,
to let the King go

de

She

begin his story

me."

sometimes,

times

least ennui.

the

him

that you

Ah

Madame

and

"

the

they

one

''

Pompadour ; all that we are

to them; but their gaiety restores
my
enables
attend
to
and
to
me
again
You, Sire, have the chase to divert

Madame

is Greek

d'Amblimont

Madame

"

to

me,

Madame,

Comtesse

be so," said she.

blimont."
d'Am"

She

to her friends, and

unique, I think, for her fidelity
four days
for her honour.
Listen, but tell nobody

is

"

MEMOIRS

212

King, passingher

ago,

the

her,

under

slipa

OF

note

the

XV.

to

supper,

go

approached

pretence of ticklingher, and

into her

hand.

put her hands

way,

to

LOUIS

D'Amblimont,
behind her back,

tried to

in her
and

the

cap
mad-

King

obligedto pick up the note, which had fallen on

Gontaut
the only person
the ground.
who
was
saw
after supper,
he went
all this,and
the little
to
up
excellent friend.'
I
an
are
lady, and said, You
did
duty,' said she, and immediately put her
my
finger on her lips to enjoin him to be silent. He,
of this act of friendshipof the
me
however, informed
little heroine,who
had not told me
I
of it herself."
was

'

the

admired

said,

Countess's
'*

She

virtue, and

Madame

de

padour
Pom-

is

giddy and headlong; but she has

and
more
sense
more
feelingthan a thousand
prudes
do as much
and devotees.
not
D'Esparbes would
than half-way.
most
him more
meet
likelyshe would
The
King appeared disconcerted,but he still pays her
You
will, doubtless, Madame,"
great attentions."
said I, show
conduct."
of such admirable
sense
your
need
You
doubt
but I don't
not
it," said she,
"

"

"

"

wish

"

her

to

think

that

am

informed

of

it."

The

King, prompted either by the remains of his liking,

from
the suggestions of Madame
de Pompadour,
or
Madame
to call on
one
morning went
d'Amblimont,
at Choisy, and
round
threw
her neck
monds
collar of diaa
and
between
emeralds, worth
fifty thousand
and
thousand
francs.
This
seventy-five
happened a
I have
long time after the circumstance
just related.
There
a
was
large sofa in a little room
adjoining
Madame
de Pompadour's, upon
I often reposed.
which
One
midnight, a bat flew into the
evening,towards
the Court
the King immediately
apartment where
was;
cried out, ''Where
is General
Crillon?"
(He
had just left the room.)
is the General
He
to command
This set everybody calling
against the bats."
''

MEMOIRS
out,

''

OF

in, and

the closet where

the

sleepat

the

of

the

with

case

Golden

into

but

for the

amusement

de Crillon
he

lent
very excelthe fault of

was

had

Fleece, whom
with

of the vainest

men

nobleman,

Madame

valet

her

was

Such, however,

exalted

another

hands

refrain

of

character.

shaking
one

flew

this kind, which, ever,

howthe result of his natural gaiety,and not of

subserviencyof

not

sword, and

asleep. I started out of

the King and all the company

furnished

of the

were

any

He

was.

bat, which

the

saw

evening. M.
and
agreeable man,
indulging in buffooneries
rest

the

after

soon

fast

was

This

me.

de Crillon

M.

upon

noise, and

around

213

enemy
his
off his coat, drew

attack

an

"

where

told

was

immediately threw
commenced

POMPADOUR

DE

Crillonf
etais-tu,

Ou

came

MME.

at

de

saw

chambre.
Madame

Court,

was

Knight
one
day
As

he

could

tellingthe circumstance to the King;

and, as he had no
employment at Court, the King
scarcelyever after named him on the Supper List.
married.
I had
cousin
Saint Cyr, who
at
was
a
ing
She was
greatlydistressed at having a relation waitoften
and
de Pompadour,
Madame
to
woman
Madame
in the most
treated me
mortifying manner.
this from
knew
Colin, her steward, and spoke of it
I am
not
to the King.
surprisedat it," said he;
of Saint Cyr.
this is a specimen of the silly
women
not

from

"

"

Madame
she
up

de

made
of

had

the

excellent

intentions, but

girlsare brought
that, unless they are all made
manner,
tinent."
palace, they are unhappy and imper-

great mistake.

in such

ladies

Maintenon

These

at my
after,this relation of mine was
house.
knew
Colin, who
her, though she did not
Do
know
said to me,
know
in. He
him, came
you
made
violent
has
Prince
the
that
de
a
Chimay
for being equerry
d'Henin
attack upon
the Chevalier

Some

time

"

MEMOIRS

214
the

to

At

Marquise."
"

right?

"I

CoHn

LOUIS

XV.

these

words, my
astonished, and
said,

much

very

said

OF

don't
''

but

"

to

mean

only

cousin
"

'

If you
were
only a man
family and poor, I should not blame

these

were

good

as

that

do,

there

ing,
know-

you,

hundreds

are

not

question,"
words, which
of moderately

repeat his

to

he

Was

that

into

enter

looked

such,

who

ladies of
quarrel for your place, as young
mistress.
family would, to be about
But,
your
relations
recollect, that your
are
princes of the
Empire, and that you bear their name.'
What,
of
sir," said my
relation, the Marquise's equerry
Of
of Chimay,"
the house
a
princelyhouse?"
of Alsace"
said he; "they take the name
witness
the Cardinal of that name.
Colin went
out
delighted
would

"

"

"

*'

"

what

at

"

he

said.

had

cannot

get

over

my
relation.

heard," said

my
true,"repliedI ;

(that is

the

with

cloak

the

"

"

you

family
of

cloak,

there is
From

no

of the

name

then

other

room,

time,

applied to me
husband, who was
wife

wished

remain

my
to

in

the

return."

cousin

let

alone;

me

company

he

be

may

with

if

antechamber,

till her

get

Chimay),
and walking

shoulders

her

cover

d'Henin

de

Madame

even

His

Princes

his arm,
upon
sedan-chair,in order that

and

that

the Chevalier

see

may

alongside her
ready, on her gettingin, to
her

I have
surprise at what
It is, nevertheless, very

of

loath to come
very
him
Madame
to thank

horse
and

nay,

she

for her

thank

me.

de

Pompadour;
lest she should
but the fear he had
tell him,
in consideration
of his relationship
that it was
to her
waiting-woman that he commanded
fiftyhorse, prevented
him.
It was,
however, a most
surprising
belonging to the house of Chimay
thing that a man
should
be in the service of any
lady whatever; and
the

commander

of

Alsace

returned

from

Malta

on

MEMOIRS

2i6

OF

LOUIS

XV.

the

girl,without appearing to take

eatingsome
any notice of the boy, who, while he was
which
were
brought, his attitudes and
figs and cakes
like those of the King, that Madame
so
gestures were
in the
de
utmost
astonishment.
was
Pompadour
King played with

said

'^Ah!"
what

"

said he.

that
"

she, "Sire,

I did

would

one

"

look

."

at

"At
"

Nothing," repliedMadame,
think

know,"

one

said

cept
ex-

his father."

saw

"

the

King, smiling, that

so
intimatelyacquainted with the Comte du
you were
You
."
L
him," said she,
ought to embrace
I will begin, then, with
handsome."
he is very
the young
them
lady," said the King, and embraced
not

"

"

"

in

cold, constrained

manner.

was

ing
present, hav-

I remarked
to
joined Mademoiselle's
governess.
in the
Madame,
evening, that the King had not
That
is his
appeared very cordial in his caresses.
way," said she; "but do not those children appear
If it was
for each other?
Louis
made
XIV., he
make
of the little boy; I do
Due
would
du Maine
a
ask so much; but a place and a dukedom
for his
not
and
it is because
he is his son
is very little;
that
son
I prefer him
of the Court.
to all the littleDukes
My
blend the resemblance
of their
grandchildrenwould
grandfather and grandmother; and this combination,
which' I hope to live to see, would, one
day, be my
into her eyes as
tears
came
greatest delight." The
she
alas! only six
months
spoke. Alas!
elapsed,
her darling daughter, the hope of her advanced
when
years, the object of her fondest wishes, died suddenly,
Madame
de Pompadour
was
inconsolable,and I must
the justice to say that he was
M.
do
de Marigny
beautiful as an angel,
deeply afflicted. His niece was
and
destined
to the
highest fortunes, and I always
thought that he had formed the design of marrying
her.
would
have
dukedom
A
given him rank; and
"

MEMOIRS

OF
to

would

have

had

man

of

age

was

as

place,and to the
her mother,
from
great importance.

sufficient to be

not

POMPADOUR

DE

his

that, joined
him

MME.

usual, said the

young

217

wealth
would
The

which
have

was

made

difference

great obstacle.

lady

she

poisoned;

of

People,
for

the

who
command
a
unexpected death of persons
large
of
publicattention always gives birth to these
portion
The
rumours.
King shewed
great regret, but more
for the grief of Madame
than on
of the loss
account
itself,though he had often caressed the child,and
loaded
her with presents. I owe
it,also, to justice,
de Marigny, the heir of all Madame
to say that M.
de
Pompadour's fortune,after the death of her daughter,
evinced
the sincerest and
deepest regret every time
she was
after, began to lay
seriouslyill. She, soon
Several young
ladies of
plans for his establishment.
the highest birth were
thought of; and, perhaps, he
would
have been made
a
Duke, but his turn of mind
either of marriage or
indisposed him for schemes
times
ambition.
been
Ten
he
made
might have
Prime
That
Minister, yet he never
aspired to it.
is a man,'' said Quesnay to me, one
day, who is very
little known; nobody talks of his talents or acquirements,
*'

''

of

nor

the arts:

no

his situation:

his zealous

man,

he

efficient patronage
since Colbert, has done so much
and

is, moreover,

of
in

able
extremely honourbut people will not see in him
anything but
man,
the brother of the favourite; and, because
he is fat,
he is thought dull and
all perheavy." This was
fectly
M.
de Marigny had travelled in Italy
true.
with
able artists, and
had
acquired taste, and
very
much
information
than any of his predecessors
more
had
possessed. As for the heaviness of his air, it
he grew
him when
fat; before that,
only came
upon
he had a delightful
then as handsome
He
face.
was
his sister.
He
to
as
nobody, had no
paid court
an

OF

MEMOIRS

2i8

vanity,and

confined

with

he

whom

into company
to ride with

duty

''

You

the

in

house
send

You

you.

lie in."

must,"

the

order

Avenue

the

to

day, into

St.

de

will there

her

closet,where

"

lady about

young
nothing, and

will be

You

of

the

goddesses,

is necessary,
in
ing
secretly,and accord-

Your

everythingmay
King's wish.

to

mute

was

mistress

of the fabulous

one

shall

Cloud, whither

find

said

King

accouchement.
that

the courtiers.

''

preside,like

and

house,

went

down
in a very serious
up and
said she, pass some
days in a

astonishment.

from

at

The

He

persons
rather more

after the

one

walking

was

societyof

the

to

ease.

among

called me,

King

mood.

in

him

XV.

King had taken him

his carriage,thinking it then his

himself

Madame
the

his

Court

at

shew

to

himself
at

was

LOUIS

presence

pass
You
will be

present

the

at

father
the
and
mother."
The
baptism, and name
King began to laugh, and said, The father is a very
honest
Madame
man;"
added, "beloved
by every
him."
adored
Madame
by those who know
one, and
then
took
from
little cupboard a small box, and
a
from
it an
drew
aigretteof diamonds, at the same
time
for it
I have
reasons
saying to the King,
my
It is but too much
not
so," said
being handsomer."
kind
the King; ''how
braced
are;" and he then emyou
who
Madame,
wept with emotion, and, putting
the King's heart, said, This
is what
her hand
upon
The
I wish
to secure."
King's eyes then filled with
I also began weeping, without
knowing
tears, and
will call
why. Afterwards, the King said, Guimard
day, to assist you with his advice,
you
every
upon
"

"

"

"

"'

and

at

You
moment

the

will

critical moment

say
after

that

you
that
letter,stating
course,

affect

to

will

you

the

you

expect

will

pretend

they
be

cannot

very

much

send

for

him.

and
sponsors,
have
received

to

a
a

will, of
embarrassed; and

come.

You

OF

MME.

then

say

MEMOIRS
will

POMPADOUR

DE

219

nothing for it
You
will then appoint
but to take the first comers.
man,
as
beggar, or chairgodfather and godmother some
and the servant
girl of the house, and to whom
will give but twelve
francs, in order not to
you
attention."
A
to
attract
louis," added
Madame,
It is
the other hand."
obviate anything singular,
on
stances,"
make
me
economical, under certain circumyou who
Do
remember
the
said the King.
you
driver of the Hacref
I wanted
to give him
a
louis,
will be known
and Due d' Ayen said, You
; so that I
He was
going to tell the whole
gave him a crown."
made
a
sign to him to be silent,
story. Madame
he obeyed, not without
considerable
reluctance.
which
Guimard

that

is

there

"

"

"

"

'

afterwards

She

told

me

that at the

fetes

of the

time

given on occasion of the Dauphin's marriage, the

in a
her
mother's
house
to
at her
see
King came
would
not go on, and
hackney-coach. The coachman
The police
have given him a louis.
the King would
will hear of it,if you do," said the Due d'Ayen, and
which
its spieswill make
will,perhaps, lead
inquiries,
to a discovery."
Guimard," continued the King, will tell you the
of the father and mother; he will be present
names
"

"

"

"

at

but

ceremony,
fair that you

which

himself.

take

of

care

no

kissed
the

the usual

also should

he said this,he gave

air that he could so
and

make

and

the

me

"

receive

yours

It is

and,

as

fiftylouis,with that gracious

well

assume

person

his

presents.

hand

in the
and

certain

upon

kingdom
"

wept.
not?

accouchee^ will you

had
You
She

sions,
occa-

but
will
is

good creature, who has not invented gunpowder, and

cellor
chanI confide her entirelyto your
direction; my
will tell you, the rest," he said, turning to
and
then quitted the room.
Well, what
Madame,
think you of the part I am
playing? asked Madame.
''

"

MEMOIRS

220

"

of

LOUIS

OF

XV.
and

superior woman,
friend,"I replied. It is his heart
It is that

"

"

she ;

said

all those

and

will

education

not

I wish

have

it from

with

away

secure,"

to

girlswho

young

run

excellent

an

no

me.

I to see
some
equally confident were
tempt
fine woman
belonging to the Court, or the city,athis conquest."
if the young
I asked
lady knew that the
Madame,
think
I do not
the father of her child?
King was
of
she does," repliedshe; "but, as he appeared fond
about her
to fear that those
reason
her, there is some
might be too ready to tell her; otherwise," said she,
shrugging her shoulders, she, and all the others, are

should

be

not

''

"

told

he

that

of

castle."

the

of

account

on

relation

in

apartments

contrived

was

nobleman,

Polish

has

who

Queen,
story

is

the

This

bleu,
lay aside,

the

cordon

always time to
because, to do that, he must
change his coat, and in
for his having a lodging in the castle
order to account
little rooms
two
the King.
There
by
were
so
near
the King retired from
the side of the chapel,whither
his apartment, without
by anybody but a
being seen
did not knchv
had his orders, and who
who
sentinel,
The
times
who
King somepassed through those rooms.
those
received
the Parc-aux-cerfs, or
to
went
has

w'hich

the

young

ladies in the apartments

King

not

mentioned.

I have

narrative, to relate
interrupt my
six
to
singular adventure, which is only known
I

seven

masters

persons,

attempt
he

here

must

had

assassinate

to

several

seen

manifested
at

more

Parc-aux-cerfs

and

managed

the Polish

so

Count

valets.

the

King,

At
a

times, and
than

tenderness

this horrible

the

or

The

event.

the

time

of

a
or

the

girl,whom
young
for whom
he had
for

most,

Mother-

tracted
dis-

was

Abbess

of

perceived her extraordinary grief,

as

to

was

make

the

her

King

confess
of

that

France.

she

She

knew
con-

MEMOIRS

OF
she had

that

fessed

of which

one

was

Abbe

the

from

for

afterwards,
the

knew
and

of

much
so

person

from

pocket two letters,

from
the King of Spain, the other
de
This
discovered
was
BrogHe.
she

all

the

nor

The

Mother-Abbess

girlwas

scolded,

de

had
the
chambre, who
these affairs,was
called; he took

carried

them

embarrassed
well

221

his

of the writers.

letters,and

very

taken

Lebel, first valet

M.

POMPADOUR

DE

neither

names

management
the

MME.

the

to

in what

informed

who

King,

to

manner

of his condition.

was

meet

The

girl

in

question, having perceived that the King came

to see
her companion, while she was
secretly
neglected,
watched
his arrival,and, at the moment
he entered
with
the Abbess, who
about
to
was
withdraw, she
rushed distractedly
into the room
her rival was.
where
She
immediately threw herself at the King's feet.
"Yes," said she, "you are King of all France; but
that would
be nothing to me
if you
also
not
were
of my
heart : do not forsake
when
nearly mad
sovereign; I was

monarch

attempted !

The

now."

mad
to

"

The

gettingher
the
where

she

of

out

the

unhappy

girl was

treated

was

Abbess

she

as

knew

and

taken

if she

days.

"

well

had

life
"

You

was
are

appeared

succeeded

few
to

beloved

in

wards
days aftera

been

madhouse,

insane, for

enough that she was

that the King had
not
reallybeen her lover.
so, and
This
lamentable
affair was
related to me
by the
I had some
Mother-Abbess, when
acquaintance with
her at the time of the accouchement
I have spoken of,
which
I never
had before, nor
since.
To
de Pompadour
return
to my
history:Madame
said to me,
Be
constantlywith the accouchee, to
the people of the house,
prevent any stranger, or even
from
speaking to her. You will always say that he
some

But

room,

my

your
cried out,
her, which

King embraced
to
tranquillity.
They

her

restore

Mother-

me,

is

in

nurse

on

church

will go to
conducted

if for

as

lady expects
dine

with

state

of

health
do

may

to

in

risk."

the

de

Abbess

and

five

to

or

leave

went,

rest.

an

The

the
You

be

must

young
will
you

six

days;

her

till she

that

Cloud,

Saint

Guimard,

the

wet-

is in

Parc-aux-cerfs, which

the

fortnight,as

running

any
Avenue

in

return
a

deliver

citizen.

substantial

will not

her, and

all

will

witness; everything

lie in

to

you

manage

as

will find

You

whom

to

will

Guimard

child.

devout.

house,

the

XV.

is obliged to
nobleman, who
of his relationship
account
to the

is very

who

Queen,

LOUIS

Polish

rich
very
himself
conceal

she

OF

MEMOIRS

222

imagine, without
same
evening, to

where

attendant

the

found

belonging

to

the

his
There
blue
coat.
were,
castle, but without
besides,a nurse, a wet-nurse, two old men-servants,
servant
and
a
a
was
something between
girl,who
The
and
tremely
exa
lady was
waiting-woman.
young
dressed
elegantly,though
very
pretty, and
the
too
not
remarkably. I supped with her and
Bertrand.
called Madame
was
Mother-Abbess, who
de Pompadour
I had presented the aigretteMadame
had
which
before
me
greatlydelighted
supper,
gave
in
she
the
was
high spirits.
lady, and
young
Bertrand
had been housekeeper to M. Lebel,
Madame
called her
He
to the King.
first valet de chambre
entirelyin his confidence.
Dominique, and she was
she
The
lady chatted with us after supper;
young
The
next
day, I talked
appeared to be very naive.
is the
How
said to me,
her in private. She
to
she called by this
the King whom
Count?"
(It was
be with me
not
to
He
will be very
title.)
sorry
a
he
long
but
was
obliged to set off on
now;
is very
He
journey." I assented to what she said.
all his
with
loves me
and
said
she,
handsome,"
He
an
allowance; but I love
heart.
promised me
''

"

"

"

MEMOIRS

224
into

the

me

increased

produce

to

he

ashamed

was

Pompadour

King

Court,

or

sometimes

had
from

de L

Madame

from

rendered

had

little mistresses

the

Besides

also

was

de

Madame

the

coldness

He

amours.

marks

XV.

procuring for
from
him, seemed
cause
towards
probably beme;
of my
knowing his obscure
embarrassed
by the services

secrets, far
of kindness

King's

me

LOUIS

OF

of

the

him

on

this

Parc-aux-cerfs,

intrigueswith

to him.
Paris, who wrote
who, though married

ladies of
There
to

amiable

and

man,

with

two

hundred

casion.
oc-

thousand

the
was

young

francs

his mistress.
absolutelyto become
contrived
to have
She
a
meeting with him: and the
persuaded that she
King, who knew who she was, was
There
is no
was
really madly in love with him.
she not
happened, had
might have
knowing what
a

year,

wished

died.

Madame

only

relieved

was

by

her

very

much

alarmed, and

death

from

inquietude. A

was

cumstanc
cir-

doubled
which
place at this time
had
who
rich man,
A
Madame's
friendship for me.
situation in the Revenue
a
Department, called on me
thing
one
day very secretly,and told me that he had somela
Madame
to
of importance to communicate
Marquise, but that he should find himself very much
it to her personally,
in communicating
embarrassed
it.
with
should
that he
and
prefer acquainting me
I already knew, that he had
what
a
then told me,
He
he
beautiful
was
passionately
wife, of whom
very
occasion
one
perceived her
fond; that having on
he endeavoured
to
get
kissing a little porte-feuille,
some
mystery
possession of it, supposing there was
attached
it. One
to
day that she suddenly left the
been
had
to go
upstairsto see her sister,who
room
brought to bed, he took the opportunity of opening
and was
the porte-feuille,
surprisedto find
very much
took

MEMOIRS
in it

MME.

POMPADOUR

DE

portraitof the King, and

Of
by His Majesty.

written

also

as

copy,

OF

of

an

unfinished

the

225
tender

very

latter he

letter of

his

letter
took

wife,

in

vehemently entreated the King to allow

interview
the pleasure of an
the means
her to have
She was
to go masked
she pointed out.
to the public
her
His Majesty could meet
ball at Versailles,where
she

which

"

favour

under

of

mask.

I assured

M.

that

de

with the affair,

who
would,
acquaint Madame
no
doubt, feel very grateful for the communication.
then added,
Tell Madame
la Marquise that my
He
wife is very clever and very intriguing. I adore her,
I should

"

and

should

me."

with

the

distracted

run

lost

not

affair and

in

moment

gave

she

were

her

the

to

be taken

from

acquaintingMadame
letter.

became

She

sulted
pensive,and I since learned that she conof Police, who, by a
M.
Berrier, Lieutenant
plan, put an
simple but ingeniouslyconceived
very
demanded
end to the designs of this lady. He
an
of the King, and told him that there was
audience
a
lady in Paris who was making free with His Majesty's
of a letter,
that he had
been given the copy
name;
supposed to have been written by His Majesty to the
lady in question. The copy he put into the King's
read it in great confusion, and then tore
hands, who
it furiouslyto pieces. M. Berrier added, that it was
that this lady was
His Majesty at
rumoured
to meet
it so
the public ball,and, at this very moment,
pened
hapthat a letter was
put into the King's hand,
which
the lady, appointing the
proved to be from
meeting; at least, M. Berrier judged so, as the King
appeared very much surprisedon reading it,and said,
of Police, that
It must
be allowed, M. le Lieutenant
I think
M. Berrier added,
you are well informed."
it my
duty to tell Your
Majesty that this lady passes
I believe," replied
for a very intriguingperson."

serious

and

"

"

"

MEMOIRS

226

"

King,

the

deserving it

without

it is not

that

XV.

LOUIS

OF

got that character."

she has

vexations
Pompadour had many
She often received
of all her grandeur.
letters,threatening her with poison or

greatest fear, however,

her

supplanted by

rival.

never

her

saw

dismissed

Having

never

Coaslin.

I think

de

evening,
imagine what
this

seemed

to

in

tout, in
should

at

the

have

tone, I have

at

of

game

in
two

relays to
three

or

so

the

cloak

her

air of

hrelan, and
men

us.

said

to

me,

Madame

as

you
and

at

her

cannot
women

de

Madame

times, looking

ill-

manner.

table with

same

watch

the

from

insolent

The

suffered.

she

being

greater

hurried

women,

anybody
seated

was

come

said

Coaslin

other

her
saw

in

herself

undressed

and

humour,

mous
anony-

nation:
assassi-

of

that

was

evening, on her return

agitationthan, one
drawing-room at Marly. She threw down
and
in, with an
muff, the instant she came

*'

in the

de

Madame

midst

that

me,

Va

I thought I
insulting manner.
she said, in a triumphant
fainted,when
had
Iwish
of kings.
the hrelan
you
most

"

the
Did
parting."
her
particular attention?"
King," said I, ''show
if he were
You
don't know
him," said she;
going
to
apartment, he
lodge her this very night in my
behave
would
coldly to her before people, and would
her

seen

to

courtesy

me

on

''

"

treat

of

me

his

with

the

education,

and

frank."

for

some

kindness.

utmost

for

he
de

Madame

months,

when

This

effect

is the

is, by nature, kind-hearted

Pompadour's alarms
she, one
day, said

lasted
to

me,

her
aim; she
haughty Marquise has missed
cessant
infrightened the King by her grand airs, and was
Now
teasing him for money.
you, perhaps,
that the King would
know
not
sign an order for
may
louis without
a
thought, and would
forty thousand
of his little private treasury with
out
give a hundred
"

That

MEMOIRS
the

OF

MME.

DE

greatest reluctance.
would

than

he

who

wrote

POMPADOUR
likes

Lebel, who

mistress

227
better

me

in my

place,either by
chance
tana
or
design had brought a charming little sulhas cooled the King
to the Parc-aux-cerfs, who
little towards
the haughty Vashti, by giving him
a
has received a hundred
thousand
occupation,
estate.
francs, some
jewels, and an
Jannette has
rendered
me
tracts
great service,by showing the King exthe letters broken
from
at the post-office,
open
de Coaslin
was
concerning the report that Madame
The
much
coming into favour.
King was
impressed
by a letter from an old counsellor of the Parliament,
quite

to

new

of

one

reasonable

as

that

female

friend

several

degrees, should

is desirable
is

and

he

that

friends

his

the

confidante^

high

birth
of

is

who

one

can

now

make

million

should

and

talked

her

have
in

we,

fortune

of will be
She

her.

francs

that

It is
a
our

indulge ourselves;but it
keep the one he has; she

so

gentle,injures nobody,

The

as

should

King
"

"

follows

as

year,

must

as

have

is made.

haughty
an

as

ance
allow-

since she is said to be

be made
excessively
extravagant; her relations must
of provinces,and Marshals, and, in
Dukes, Governors
the end, will surround
the King, and
the
overawe
Ministers."

which
Pompadour had this passage,
of
had been sent to her by M. Jannette,the Intendant
the Police, who
enjoyed the King's entire confidence.
the King's look, while he
He
had carefully
watched
of
that the arguments
read the letter,and he saw
disaffected person,
not
this counsellor, who
a
was
time
Some
him.
made
a
great impression upon
de
afterwards, Madame
Pompadour said to me,
like Mademoiselle
The
haughty Marquise behaved
This
not
was
Deschamps, and she is turned offf
A
relation of
Madame's
only subject of alarm.
Madame

de

"

Memoirs

"

Vol.

MEMOIRS

228

d'Estrades, wife

Madame
had

the

made

much

justly thought

were

the

XV.

Marquis de C

advances

was,

the

to

for

necessary

himself

who

and

France,

to

pointed

most

than

more

LOUIS

OF

man

who

him.

He

was

would

yield to
manifest.
He,
of

de

M.

in

man

King.

moreover,

with

fell in love

King,

handsomest

perfectlypersuaded that every woman

desire he might deign to
the slightest
matter
therefore, thought it a mere
women

the

course

that

Stainville

had

of that intrigue;and,
marring the success
who
was
soon
afterwards, the Marquise de C
her
tions,
confined
at
to
Marly, by her relaapartments
escaped through a closet to a rendezvous, and
in a corridor.
The
man
was
caught with a young
Spanish Ambassador, coming out of his apartments
a

in

hand

with

flambeaux,

scene.

Madame

this
who
witnessed
person
affected to know
d'Estrades
nothing
the

was

of her

cousin's intrigues,and

of

tenderest

attachment

kept

an

up
Madame

appearance

de

Pompadour,
she
whom
was
habitually betraying. She
acted as spy for M. d'Argenson, in the cabinets,and
in Madame
de Pompadour's apartments; and, when
she could discover nothing, she had
to her
recourse
lose her
that she might not
invention, in order
d'Estrades
importance with her lover. This Madame
the

owed

her

and

existence

whole

yet, ugly

as

to the

was,

she

bounties

of Madame,

tried to

had

get the
had
got

he
day, when
that
rather drunk
at Choisy (I think, the only time
board
on
ever
a beautiful
happened to him), he went
barge, whither Madame, being ill of an indigestion,

King

away

could

not

from

she

to

their

him.

accompany

seized this
on

One

her.

opportunity.

return,

as

it

She

was

d'Estrades

Madame

got into the barge, and,

dark,

she

King into a private closet,where he

be sleepingon
couch, and there
a

was

went

followed

the

believed
somewhat

to

MEMOIRS

beyond

OF

ordinary

any

of the matter
the
had

MME.

advances

Madame

to

POMPADOUR

DE

him.

to

229
Her

that she had

was,

account

her own
closet upon
affairs,and that the
followed
her, and had tried to ravish her.

full

into

gone

King"
She

story she

pleased,
for the
what
he had
said, nor
what
he had
done.
I shall finish this subjectby a
short historyconcerning a young
lady. I had been,
I
one
day, to the theatre at Compiegne. When
several questionsabout
asked
me
returned, Madame
and
the
much
there
was
play; whether
company,
beautiful
whether
I did not
a
see
girl. I
very
replied, That there was, indeed, a girlin a box near
surrounded
men
mine, who
was
by all the young
about
the Court."
She
smiled, and said, That is
Mademoiselle
Dorothee; she went, this evening, to
she is to
the King sup in public,and to-morrow
see
be taken to the hunt.
You
are
surprisedto find me
about
well informed, but I know
so
a great deal more
her.
She
was
brought here by a Gascon, named
was

at

libertyto make
neither
King knew

what

*'

"

Dubarre
France.

He

founds

all his

Mademoiselle

Dorothee's

King

resist.

She

cannot
was

whither

is the

Dubarri, who

or

pointed
she

taken

was

hopes

of advancement

charms, which
She

out

greatest scoundrel
he

is, really,very

to

me

to

walk

in
on

my

on

thinks

the

beautiful.

little

purpose.

in

garden,
She

is

daughter of a water-carrier,at Strasbourg, and

Minister
to
her charming lover demands
to be sent
Is it possible,
Madame,
Cologne, as a beginning."
rendered
that you
been
have
by such a
can
uneasy
that ?
replied^
creature
as
Nothing is impossible,"
she ;
scarcelydare
though I think the King would
scandal.
to give such
Besides, happily,Lebel, to
a
quiet his conscience, told the King that the beautiful
Dorothee's
lover is infected with a horrid disease;"
and, added he, Your
Majesty would not get rid of
the

"

"

"

"

"

MEMOIRS

230
that

as

OF. LOUIS

quite enough

was

**

done

have

you

keep

to

XV.

of

the

the

young

scrofula."

lady
said

pity you sincerely,Madame,"

Ah
you."
everybody else envies
I

"

*'

my

This

was

the

not

the

the

Valliere

suffered

herself
it

Montespan, but
effect of

with

case

was

to

XIV.
be

her

"

at

I,

tance.
dis-

"

while

replied she,
fare.
perpetual war-

the

who

woman

Madame

de

La

deceived
own

by Madame
fault,or, rather,

She
was
good nature.
of
she
entirely devoid
suspicion at first,because
could
believe her
friend
not
perfidious. Madame
de Montespan's empire was
shaken
de
by Madame
Mainde
Fontanges, and overthrown
by Madame
had already
tenon; but her haughtiness,her caprices,
the
such
alienated
had
not, however,
King. He
is my
rivals as
mine; it is true, their baseness
security. I have, in general,little to fear but casual
and
all be
the chance
that they may
not
infidelities,
sufficiently
transitoryfor my safety. The King likes
variety, but he is also bound
by habit; he fears
little
The
eclats,and detests manoeuvring women.
It is
Marechale
(de Mirepoix) one day said to me,
staircase that the King loves; he is accustomed
your
it. But, if he
found
and
down
another
to
go
up
ness
he could talk of hunting and busito whom
woman
be just the same
to
he does to you, it would
as
him
in three days.'
I write without
plan, order, or date, just as things
into my
mind; and I shall now
come
go to the Abbe
I liked very
de Bernis, whom
much, because he was
good-natured, and treated me kindly. One day, just
de Pompadour
had
finished dressing,M.
Madame
as
in private. I, acde Noailles asked
to speak to her
cordingly,
the

her

Christian, a

of Louis

favour

enjoyed
de

of

life is that

This

extreme

"

retired.

The

Count

looked

full of

im-

"

232

MEMOIRS

OF

LOUIS

XV.

padour gave this affair the best colouringshe could:

the King was,
nevertheless, greatly disgusted at it,
he
and
twenty times, since the Abbe's disgrace,when
that part of the park, he said,
This is
passed over
took his pleasure." The
the Abbe
where
King never
Madame
de Pompadour
told me
liked him; and
one
I was
sittingup with
night, after his disgrace,when
that she saw,
he had
before
been
her in her illness,
fit for his office.
Minister
not
a
week, that he was
If that hypocritical
Bishop," said she, speaking of
had not prevented the King
the Bishop of Mirepoix,
louis a
from
granting him a pension of four hundred
had
he
which
never
promised me, he would
year,
I should, afterwards,
have
been
appointed Ambassador.
of eight
have been able to give him an income
of
louis a year, perhaps the place of master
hundred
he would
have
been happier, and I
the chapel. Thus
erty
should
have
had
nothing to regret." I took the libThat
with her.
of saying that I did not agree
he could
he had
yet remaining advantages, of which
be deprived; that his exile would
not
terminate; and
of
that he would
then be a Cardinal, with an
income
is true," she
louis a year.
That
eight thousand
he has
of the mortifications
but I think
replied;
undergone, and of the ambition which devours him;
still
have
and, lastly,I think of myself. I should
clining
enjoyed his society,and should have had, in my deold and
amiable
an
friend, if he had
years,
in
Minister."
The
been
not
King sent him
away
and
was
strongly inclined to refuse him the
anger,
M.
months
hat.
afterwards,
Quesnay told me, some
that the Abbe
wanted
to be Prime
Minister; that he
had drawn
cult
up a memorial, settingforth that in difficrises the public good required that there should
be a central point (that was
his expression),towards
de
which
be directed.
Madame
everything should
"

"

"

"

"

MEMOIRS

OF

MME.

POMPADOUR

DE

233

would
he
not
Pompadour
present the memorial;
Yon will ruin yourinsisted,though she said to him,
self
The King cast his eyes over
and
said
it,
tral
cento be
point' that is to say himself, he wants
Prime
Minister."
Madame
tried to apologizefor him,
and
That
said,
expression might refer to the
Marechal
de Belle-Isle/'
Is he not just about to be
Cardinal?"
said the King.
made
"This
is a fine
of
he knows
well enough that, by means
manoeuvre;
that dignity,he would
semble
compel the Ministers to asbe the
at his house, and then M. I'Abbe would
central point. Wherever
in the
there is a Cardinal
council,he is sure, in the end, to take the lead. Louis
the
did not choose
to admit
XIV., for this reason,
Cardinal
de Janson into the council,in spite of his
for him.
The
Cardinal de Fleury told
great esteem
desire that the
the same
me
thing. He had some
should succeed him; but his sister
Cardinal
de Tencin
vised
such an
was
intrigantethat Cardinal de Fleury adto have nothing to do with the matter, and I
me
ceive
behaved
to undeto destroy all his hopes, and
as
so
M.
others.
d'Argenson has stronglyimpressed
stroyin
with the same
me
opinion,and has succeeded in de''

''

"

'

"

"

"

respect for him."

all my

the

is what

This

King said, according to my friend Quesnay, who, by

the bye, was
a
great genius,as everybody said,and a
He liked to chat with me
agreeableman.
very lively,
about
used

to

set

and
modes
the

of

talkingabout
Poitou, the wealth

me

culture.

While

than

with

man

whom

bred

the
he
the

with

He

farthest

lived at
best

anything
he

that

esteemed

best-natured

removed

Court, he
of

manner

passed
the

of

mandy
Nor-

of the farmers, and

the

was

from
was

the
in

man

trigue.
petty in-

much

more

cultivatingland

around

most

he

there, and

up

meadows

the

world, and

occupied

been

I had

the country.

was

The

him.
M.

de

la

234

MEMOIRS

'Riviere,a

Counsellor

of

XV.

Parliament,

who

fit

also

was

of

of the

person

LOUIS

Martinique; he looked upon

greatest genius, and thought him
for the financial department of

Intendant
man

OF

him

as

the

only

tration.
adminis-

d'Estrades,who owed everythingto

Madame
de Pompadour,
was
incessantlyintriguing
She was
clever enough to destroy all
against her.
but she could not so easily
proofs of her manoeuvres,
intimate connection
with M.
prevent suspicion. Her
d' Argenson gave
ofYence to Madame,
and, for some
reserved
with her.
wards,
time, she was
more
She, afterdid a thing which
justlyirritated the King and
Madame.
The
a
King, who wrote
great deal, had
written to Madame
de Pompadour
a
cerning
long letter conof Parliament,
an
assembly of the Chambers
The

Comtesse

and

had

was

ill,and

enclosed

bedside.

laid those

M.

trifles,as

came,

and

M.

Berrier.

on

letters

Gontaut

de

about

going to
Madame,

letter of

resume

the

time.

As

asked

what

soon
was

as

d'Estrades

bed,
she

talked

and

was

self
entered, placed her-

o'clock,and

said,

be
shut, the King will soon
order, and returned; and Madame
her the King's letter,which
was
other

papers.

her

there

not

findingthe letter,and,
the

"

and

nothing else.

was

had

been

in the

little Countess,

this letter.

that

her

I gave

It

can

is too

door
to
my
the
I gave

here."

to

me

table

the

on

some

called me,

Order

told

for

papers,

and

give
with
told

at
uneasy
enumerating the sons
pershe said,
It cannot
was

very

"

room,

nor

only
bad."

after

"

the

She

her

to

Madame

gone,

be

be

also

little time.
Just as I was
very
book
I had
been reading to
which

Comtesse

Madame's

who

and

d'Amblimont

Madame

usual.

by her
gossipped

stayed but

near

some

little table

in,

came

Madame

be

Gontaut,
the

The

who

Comtesse

King

came,

has

taken

d'Estrades;
and

was

MEMOIRS

OF

MME.

as
extremely angry,
afterwards, he sent

There

was

Madame

who

genson,

occurrence
was

bound

235
Two

me.

d'Estrades

that

King's handwriting had

This

told

Madame

doubt

no

POMPADOUR

DE

she

took

into

the

her,

as

the

of

Madame,
publicationof

and

her
M.

Madame

de

said, by his love of intrigue. This

his hatred

she accused

him

exile.

letter;the

probably awakened
great pain to
gave
to

days

osity.
curid'Arpadour
Pom-

redoubled
of favouring

in which
she was
libel,
sented
repreas
worn-out
reduced
a
the
vile
to
mistress,
occupation of providing new
objects to please her
lover's appetite. She was
characterised
as
tendent
superinof the Parc-aux-cerfs, which
said to cost
was
hundreds

of

thousands

of

louis

Madame

year.

de

of the
did, indeed, try to conceal some
Pompadour
knew
of the sultanas
King's weaknesses, but she never
one
of that seraglio. There
were, however, scarcely
than
two
at
and
often
ever
more
only one.
once,
When
they married, they received some
jewels, and
four

thousand

louis.
for five

The

Parc-aux-cerfs

six months.

was

times
some-

surprised,
time after, at seeing the Duchesse
de Luynes,
some
to the Queen, come
Lady of Honour
privatelyto see
Madame
de Pompadour.
She afterwards
came
openly.
One evening,after Madame
in bed, she called me,
was
and said, My dear, you will be delighted;the Queen
has given me
the place of Lady of the Palace; tomorrow
I am
make
to be presented to her: you
must
look well."
I knew
that the King was
well
not
me
so
afraid
he was
that it
pleased at this as she was;
would
give rise to scandal, and that it might be
forced
this nomination
the
thought he had
upon
Queen. He had, however, done no such thing. It
had been represented to the Queen that it was
act
an
of heroism
her part to forget the past; that all
on
vacant

or

was

''

scandal

would

be obliterated

when

Madame

de

Pom-

OF

MEMOIRS

^Z^
padour

was

and

manner;

belong to

to

seen

LOUIS
the

it would

that

XV.
in

Court

able
honour-

an

be the best

proof

that

subsisted between
than friendshipnow
nothing more
The
the King and the favourite.
Queen received her
devotees
flattered themselves
very graciously. The
and, for some
they should be protected by Madame,
full of her praises. Several
of the Dauphin's
time, were
in private to see
friends came
her, and some
ever,
howChevalier
du Muy,
obtained
promotion. The
The
refused
to
come.
King had the greatest
ing
possiblecontempt for them, and granted them nothwith a good grace.
He, one
day, said of a man
wished
to be made
of great family,who
Captain of the
He
is a double spy, who
wants
to be paid on
Guards,
*'

sides."

both
de

This

Pompadour

the moment

was

seemed

satisfaction.

to

me

to

enjoy

devotees

The

which

at

Madame

the most
visit

to

came

plete
com-

her

of
use
forget to make
Madame
serving themselves.
every
Doctor
the example.
The
had
de Lu
set them
laughed at this change in affairs,and was
very merry
the
the
of
saints.
You
must
ever,
at
allow, howexpense
be
that they are
consistent,"said I, and may
then
sincere."
"Yes," said he; "but
they should
not ask for anything."
Doctor
One
at
Quesnay's, whilst
day, I was
The
de Pompadour
the theatre.
Madame
at
was
came
in, and the conversation
Marquis de Mirabeau
for some
time, extremely tedious to me,
ning
runwas,
entirelyon net produce; at length,they talked of
other things.
'Mirabeau
said, I think the King looks ill,he

scruple,and
opportunity of

without

"

did

not

"

*'

"

"

grows
so

old."

much

the

"

So

raised

worse,

worse," said Quesnay

greatest possible loss

he

the

much

to

his hands, and

France

a
"

thousand
it would

if he

sighed deeply.

times
be the

died;" and
"

do

not

MEMOIRS
doubt

MME.

OF

that

attached

are

you

"

reason," said Mirabeau

but

never

saw

POMPADOUR

DE

you

;
so

to

King,

the

attached

am

and

with

him

to
"

moved."

much

237

Ah

too ;
"

said

"

"

follow."
Well,
Quesnay, I think of what would
Yes ; and full of good
the Dauphin is virtuous."
is he deficient in understanding; but
intentions;nor
canting hypocriteswould possess an absolute empire
who
Prince
a
over
regards them as oracles. The
Jesuitswould govern the kingdom, as they did at the
XIV.'s
end of Louis
reign: and you would see the
fanatical Bishop of Verdun
Prime
Minister, and La
other title. The
Vauguyon all-powerfulunder some
then mind
how
Parliaments
must
they behave; they
friends the philoswill not be better treated than my
ophers."
"But
they go too far," said Mirabeau;
plied
"why openly attack religion?" "I allow that," rebut how
is it possiblenot to be
the Doctor
;
rendered
indignant by the fanaticism of others, and
flowed
all the blood
ing
durthat has
by recollecting
*'

"

hundred

the last two

again irritate them, and

of Mary
in England.
and

I often

exhort

them

years ?
revive
But
to

You
in

must

France

what

is done

not

then

the

time

is done,

be moderate; I wish they

Duclos."
friend
of our

example
You
are
right,"repliedMirabeau ; he said to me
few days ago,
These
a
philosophersare going on at
such a rate that they will force me
to go to vespers
and high mass
; but, in fine,the Dauphin is virtuous,

would

follow

the

"

"

'

well-informed, and

intellectual."

"

It

is

the

mencement
com"

reign,I fear,"said Quesnay, when

friends will be repthe imprudent proceedingsof our
resented
unfavourable
him
in the most
to
point of
Molinists
will make
the Jansenistsand
view; when
and
be strongly supported by the
common
cause,
ate,
moderDauphine. I thought that M. de Muy was
and that he would
temper the headlong fury of
of his

LOUIS

OF

MEMOIRS

238

XV.

others; but I heard him say that Voltaire merited

condign punishment. Be assured, sir,that the times
and Jerome of Prague will return; but
of John Huss
of Voltaire
it. I approve
I hope not
to live to see
it not for
the Pompignans : were
having hunted down
geois
he covered
them, that bourthe ridicule with which
Marquis would have been preceptor to the young
have
ceeded
sucPrinces, and, aided by his brother, would
in again lightingthe faggots of persecution."
What
ought to give you confidence in the Dauphin,"
tion
said Mirabeau,
is, that, notwithstanding the devoA
into ridicule.
him
of Pompignan, he turns
short time
back, seeing him struttingabout with an
told it
who
air of inflated pride, he said to a person,
thing.'
Our friend Pompignan thinks that he is someto me,
down
this conversation.
On returning home, I wrote
the

"

"

'

"

"

day, found Quesnay in great distress.

is sent
said he,
to Vincennes, for his

I, one

beau,"
Mirawork

"

taxation.

on

herself

throw

to-day."
Madame's
Doctor

be

to

apartment,
concerned

much

Mirabeau.

the

at

am

for

sorry

de

"

to

it too,

You

into
the
must

friend
your
for I like his

lieving
Quesnay replied, I am very far from behim to be actuated by bad intentions,Madame
;
the people."
loves the King and
Yes," said
"

brother."

''

he

"

his Ami
she ;
At this moment

beau's
who
I

des

book?"

denounced
think

he

Lieutenant

him,

"

Have

"Yes,
it?"

might

did

Hommes

the

said to

Madame

"

going to
Pompadour

him,
disgrace of

said

Madame

in.

came

is

afterwards, I went
assist at her toilet,and

minutes

few

wife

Madame

feet of

the

at

arrest; his

his

denounced

have

General

Farmers

procured

and

him,

The

of
you

Madame;
"What

have

said

do

him

great honour."

Police
seen

entered, and
de

M.

but

it

you

think

almost

Miranot

was

of

it?"

all it contains

An

letter

anonymous
de
Madame

and

addressed

was

and,

Pompadour;
it should

that

anxious

very

XV.

LOUIS

OF

MEMOIRS

240

the

as

the

to

author

was

he

miscarry,

not

King
sent

copies to the Lieutenant of Police, sealed and directed

de Pompadour, and to M. de
to the King, to Madame
Marigny. This letter produced a strong impression
Madame, and on the King, and stillmore, I believe,
on
had received a similar
de Choiseul, who
the Due
on
knees to M. de Marigny, to preI went
on
vail
one.
my
I
show
that
to copy
him to allow me
it,
might
on
It is

it to the Doctor.
"

Sire

It is

"

zealous

as

follows

writes

who

servant

to

Your

always better, particularlyto

to
flattery,they see objects only
I
most
those colours
under
likelyto please them.
read much; and here is what
and
have reflected,
my
to lay before Your
meditations have suggested to me
to be invisible,
Majesty. They have accustomed
you
and inspiredyou with a timiditywhich
prevents you
is cut
from
speaking; thus all direct communication
and
his subjects. Shut up in
the master
off between
the interior of your
palace, you are becoming every
day like the Emperors of the East ; but see. Sire, their
'I have
fate!
troops,'Your
Majesty will say; such,
the only securityof
also, is their support: but, when
he is only, as one
his troops; when
a King rests
upon
these latter feel their
may
say, a King of the soldiers,
in the
finances are
strength,and abuse it. Your
own
greatest disorder, and the great majority of states
A
have
patrioticspirit
perished through this cause.
Majesty. Truth
Kings; habituated

sustained
the
money

the

safety of
has
the

is

states, and

ancient
their

taken

universal

In

country.

the

place

united

of

lever, and

this
you

the

all classes for

present times,

spirit;it
are

in want

spiritof finance afiFects every department

state; it reigns triumphant at Court; all have

has

of
of

come
beit.
the

become

venal ; and
Ministers

MME.

OF

MEMOIRS

POMPADOUR

DE

all distinction of rank

241

is broken

Your

up.

genius and capacity since the

You
dismissal of MM.
d'Argenson and de Machault.
because
alone cannot
they
judge of their incapacity,
lay before you what has been prepared by skilful
clerks,but which they pass as their own.
They provide
the
of
but
there
is
no
only for
necessity the day,
The
in their acts.
spirit of government
military
changes that have taken place disgustthe troops, and
the most
cause
deserving officers to resign; a sedi*
tious

are

flame

has

Parliaments;
is

without

worse

you
than

seek
the

in the very

up

sprung

corrupt them, and

to

disease.

It is

of

bosom

the

the
edy
rem-

introducingvice

into the
and gangrene
sanctuary of justice,
vital parts of the commonwealth.
Would
a corrupted
into

the

Parliament
order

well

to

have
preserve

the

fury

the

of

for the

crown

the

League, in
eign?
legitimatesover-

of Louis
XIV., who
Forgetting the maxims
the danger of confidingthe adminunderstood
istration
to

and

braved

given

even

much

noblemen,

heavier

him

burden

you

have

three
than

chosen

M.

departments;
that which

he

de Choiseul,
which

is

would

have

Minister, because the latter has

the details executed
only to oversee
by the Secretaries
of State.
The
public fullyappreciatethis dazzling
Minister.
He
is nothing more
than
a
petit-maUre,
without
talents or information, who
has a little phosphorus
in his mind.
is a thing well worthy of
There
carried on against
remark. Sire ; that is,the open war
there can
religion. Henceforward
spring up no new
sects, because the general belief has been shaken, that

to

support

as

Prime

feels inclined to occupy

himself with difference
of sentiment
of the articles. The Encyclosome
pedists,
upon

no

one

under

pretence of enlighteningmankind,

are

sapping the foundations of religion. All the different

kinds of libertyare
connected; the Philosophersand

the

OF

MEMOIRS

242

tend

towards

state

of

LOUIS

XV.

republicanism,as well
the Jansenists. The
as
Philosophers strike at the
root, the others lop the branches; and their efforts,
without
being concerted, will one
day lay the tree
Add
low.
to these the Economists, whose
object is
liberty,as that of the others is libertyof
political
the Government
find itself,in
worship, and
may
in every
direction,
twenty or thirtyyears, undermined
If Your
fall with a crash.
and
will then
Majesty,
for
struck by this picture,but too true, should ask me
to bring
a
remedy, I should say, that it is necessary
its principles,and, above
back the Government
to
all,to lose no time in restoringorder to the state of
the embarrassments
incident to
the finances, because
a

Protestants

country

in

debt

necessitate

fresh

taxes,

grinding the people,induce them towards

revolt.
It is my
Majesty would
opinion that Your
do well to appear
more
people; to shew
among
your
pleasure
approbation of useful services,and your disyour
and
and prevarications,
of errors
neglect of
that rewards
and
duty: in a word, to let it be seen
punishments, appointments and dismissals, proceed
will then inspiregratitude by
from
yourself. You
favours, and fear by your reproaches; you will
your
ment,
and
then be the object of immediate
personalattachreferred
instead of which, everything is now
The
confidence in the King, which
Ministers.
to your
tion,
is habitual to your
by the exclamapeople, is shewn
Ah ! if the
King
them,
so
common
among
it.' They love to believe that the King would
knew
of them.
But, on
remedy all their evils,if he knew
sort of ideas must
the other hand, what
they form of
of everything,
Kings, whose duty it is to be informed
the public,
and to superintendeverything,that concerns
nevertheless, ignorant of everything
but who
are,
the discharge of their functions
which
requiresthem

which,

after

'

MEMOIRS

OF

POMPADOUR

DE

243

regir,conduire
denote
sufficiently

ReXj roi, regere,

to know?

conduct

to

MME.

"

What

these

words

would

be

of

said

father

to

"

rule,

their duties.

who

got rid

charge of his children as of a burthen?

A time will come,
the people shall be
Sire, when
enlightened and that time is probably approaching.
of

the

"

"

Resume
firm

reins

the

hand, and

Fceminas

et

of

act,

so

volvit

scorta

it cannot

that

animo

et

with

them

hold

government,

said of you,

be
hcBC

principatus

Sire, if I see that my sincere advice

prcemia putat:
have
should
produced any change, I shall continue
it,and enter into more
details;if not, I shall remain
"

silent."

subject of anonymous
letters to the
that it is
just mention
ple
Peoimpossibleto conceive how frequent they were.
in tellingeither unwere
pleasant
extremely assiduous
jure
truths, or alarming lies,with a view to inNow

that

others.

the
upon
King, I must
am

As

instance, I shall transcribe

an

concerning Voltaire,who
when
he
de Pompadour
written long after
was
"

paid great
in

was

the

court

France.

to

one

Madame

This

letter

former.

just dedicated his

ing
this ought to be an offerto you;
tragedy of Tancred
of respect and gratitude;but it is, in fact, an
insult,and you will form the same
opinion of it as the
public has done if you read it with attention. You
tray
will see that this distinguished
to bewriter appears
that the subjectof his encomiums
a consciousness
to excuse
is not
worthy of them, and to endeavour
his words :
himself for them
to the public. These
are
'

Madame

have

"

seen

from
life I have

M.

your

homage

Voltaire

graces

and

has

talents

unfold

selves
them-

infancy. At all periods of

and
uniform
received proofs of your
your

kindness;
the

de

I pay

If any critic be found

to
have a heart
you, he must

your
changing
un-

censure

formed

MEMOIRS

244

OF

LOUIS

XV.

for

to
ingratitude. I am under great obligations
Madame, and these obligationsit is my duty to

"

do

What

these

words

feels it may
be
he should dedicate his work
Voltaire

but

small

of

share

you,
claim/
pro-

really signify,unless
thought extraordinary
to

that
that

who

woman

possesses
and
that the

the

public esteem,
of gratitude must
sentiment
plead his excuse?
Why
should
he suppose
that the homage he pays you
will
be censured,whilst we
dailysee dedications addressed
have
neither rank nor
to sillygossips who
celebrity,
of exceptionalconduct, without
to women
or
sure
any cenbeing attracted by it ?
M. de Marigny, and Colin, Madame
de Pompadour's
of the same
steward, were
opinion as Quesnay, that
the author
of this letter was
extremely malicious;
that he insulted Madame,
tried to injure Voland
taire;
in fact,right. Voltaire, from
but that he was,
that moment,
was
entirelyout of favour with Madame,
and with the King, and he certainly
discovered
never
a

"

the

cause.

The

Louis

King,
XIV.,

who

admired

and

recollected

had

been

Racines
was

indebted

his

had

but

saying,
Louis

them,

Moreover,

XIV.

given him,

having

treated
Louis

such

him.

He

have

treated

Racine

and

XIV.

of

age

and
who

monarch,

the

still he

for
I

that

the

Boileaus

the

in part, for

subjects. But

little esteem
"

that

protected by

flattered at

reign, was
among

to

everything of

lustre of

man

as

feared

Voltaire
and

him,

could
him

his

not
as

Boileau.

help

well
I

as

have

Racine, some
sions,
penand
of
in
is
It
a
place
gentleman
ordinary.
fault if he has committed
not
absurdities,and
my
has had the pretension to become
a
chamberlain, to
an
wear
order, and sup with a King. It is not the
fashion in France; and, as there are here a few more
as

gave

to

MEMOIRS
of

men

OF

wit

and

require that

noblemen

I should

them

And

245

in Prussia, it would

than

have

it."

all at

POMPADOUR

DE

MME.

very

large table

then

he

to

reckoned

semble
as-

upon

his

taire,
fingers,Maupertuis, Fontenelle, La Mothe, VolPiron, Destouches, Montesquieu, the Cardinal
Your
Polignac.
Majesty forgets,"said some
one,
D'Alembert
and
Clairaut."
And
Crebillon," said
And
la Chaussee, and the younger
he.
Crebillon,"
He
said some
one.
ought to be more
agreeable
"

*'

"

"

"

his

than

Prevot

''

father."

there

And

also

are

the

Abbes

"

d'Olivet."

Pretty well," said the King;

for the last twenty years
and
all that (tout cela)
would have dined and supped at my table."
Madame
de Pompadour
sation,
repeated to me this converI wrote
which
down
the same
evening. M. de
about
it.
Voltaire,"
Marigny, also, talked to me
said he,
has always had a fancy for being Ambassador,
the people
and
he did all he could to make
believe that he was
sion,
mischarged with some
political
and

*^

"

"

he visited Prussia."

the first time

of the attempt on the King's life

with transports of fury,and with the greatest distress.
of Madame
heard under the windows
iTheir cries were
The

de

people

heard

Mobs

Pompadour's apartment.

Madame

feared

friends

Her

roux.

fate

the

came

of

intelligence.Her room
church; everybody seemed
and

out

he

when

chose.

Madame

in, every

her

collected,and

were

at

was,
to

Some

claim

de

Chateau-

minute, to give
all times, like a
a
right to go in
under

came,

pretence

of

and manner.
sympathising,to observe her countenance
faint away.
did nothing but
and
She
weep
M.
did I.
left her, nor
de
Doctor
Quesnay never
St. Florentin

came

to

see

her

Comptroller-General,and
Machault
came

very

did

not

come.

M.
The

frequently. The

several times, so

Rouille;

but

Duchesse

de

Abbe

de

Bernis

did the
M.

de

Brancas
never

OF

MEMOIRS

246
left us,
tears

except

to

in his eyes

came

XV.

enquire for

to

go

LOUIS

whenever

the

King.

looked

he

at

The

Madame.

King five or six times a

There
is nothing to fear," said he to Madame.
day.
If it were
anybody else, he might go to a ball,"
the next
day, as he had done the day
My son went
the event
occurred, to see what was
going on at the
his return, that the Keeper
told us, on
He
Castle.
I sent
him
with the King.
of the Seals was
back,
he took on
what
to see
course
leaving the King. He
that
running back in half an hour, to tell me
came
the Keeper of the Seals had
to his own
house,
gone
of people. When
I told this to
followed
by a crowd
she burst into tears, and
said, ''Is that a
Madame,
The
de Bernis
not
Abbe
said,''You must
friend?
this." I reas
turned
judge him hastily,in such a moment
hour
about
into the drawing-room
after,
an
He
the Keeper of the Seals entered.
when
passed
Doctor

Quesnay

the

saw

^'

"

''

me,

his usual

with

de

Madame

I,
her

half

was

into

gave
her

her

with

her

I must

take

equerry.

her

orders,

of

He

to

to

tell

desire

is

"

plied
re-

on

remained

for
rang.

She

following me.
Abbe," said
water, in
then
She

to

she.

ver
siltold

she

calmly
everything prepared at
all her
people to get

came

have

to

Alas !

Madame

and

chattered.
He

How

passed

he

dear

my

"

her

in, and

coachman

not

to

be

She then shut herself up, to confer

way.
left her, to go to the
Abbe
de Bernis, who
then
door
Her
was
shut, except to the

the

the

Council.

and

go;

go,

teeth

hotel, -in Paris;

to

"

orange-flower

some

call her

him

Abbe

"

he.

said

returned
the

room,
"

her

ready
out

Abbe

The

"

retired, and

Everybody

goblet, for
to

look.

severe

imagine !

may

you

in tears.

I made

me

as

hour.

I went

and

Pompadour

"

closet.
an

cold

ladies with

whom

de

M.

Soubise,

intimate, M.
particularly
Gontaut, the Ministers,and some

she
de

was

day

from

returned

King

The

dismissed.

was

XV.

de Machault, the faithless

day, and

to

LOUIS

OF

MEMOIRS

248

Madame

to

I learnt,

usual.

friend,
de

de

by M.
day, with

Marigny,
M.
had
that the Abbe
been, one
d'Argento live on
to persuade him
friendly
son, to endeavour
and that he had been very coldly
with Madame,
terms
is the more
He
received.
arrogant,"said he, on
Pompadour,

as

"

"

for

clear

to

declare

having

I
war

ordered
she

where

told that

She

returned

much

out

piece,with

she
in

of

an

and

Abbe

to

her

gloves.
stood
"

she

was

went

to

gone

hour,

at

fixed

on

waited
She

look

but

out

visit M.

leaned
the

her

had

like

know

little,
cept
ex-

her

seemed

take

M.
off

in her

hands

very

chimney-

of it.

to

d'Argenson.
the

on

border

for

her

to

of the Ministers.

farthest,and

for

looking at

curious

was

the houses

spirits. She

eyes
I
entered.

Bernis

The

going, for

was

was

more

chaise,

her

church, and

to

cloak

experience, and more

fear that he will,therefore,be disposed
The
till death/'
next
day, Madame
has

who

him,

talent; and

leaves the field

dismissal,which

of Machault's

account

de

her

muff.

minutes;

some

in

at

reflecting
her reverie, and, throwing
mood."
from
She awoke
the easy-chair,
her muff
on
replied, It is a wolf
I went
the King
the sheep reflect."
makes
who
out:
de Pompadour
entered
shortlyafter,and I heard Madame
into my
and
sobbing. The Abbe came
room,
Hoffman's
told me
to
drops: the King
bring some
the draught with sugar,
and presented
himself
mixed
it to her in the kindest manner
possible. She smiled,
I left the room.
Two
and kissed the King's hands.
days after,very early in the morning, I heard of M.
deed,
inher doing, and
d'Argenson's exile. It was
was,
the strongest proof of her influence that could
genson,
d'Armuch
attached
be given. The
to M.
King was
and the war, then carryingon, both by sea and
last he

said,

You

sheep

"

OF

MEMOIRS

MME.

POMPADOUR

DE

the dismissal
of
land, rendered
extremely imprudent. This was

249

such

two

Ministers

the universal

opinion

at the time.

people talk

Many
the

to

Madame

to

genson

decided.

version

It

less

is much

whom

who,

person

founded

him

gave

is asserted

missed.
is dis-

Countess, and
Arboulin,

that

supposed

was

that

this

letter.

be the

to

the

Is

this

report

that it is ; but it
in the Count's
letter is written

I cannot

truth ?

on

dear

at

the very
day of the dismissal of the
Seals, bribed the Count's confidential

on

Keeper of the
courier, who

Seals

the

generally known

calls Bou-bou,

Madame

is,

of the field."

shall be masters

we

d'Ar-

doubtful

The

Keeper of
recalled,my

The

will be

You

"

the Comte

give it, according

d'Esparbes.

correct

most

length,

of the letter of

swear

vented
immediately have init?
the
It, however, appeared certain,from
extreme
displeasureof the King, that he had some
other
subject of complaint against M. d'Argenson,
with
Madame.
besides his refusing to be reconciled
attachment
to the
Nobody dares to show the slightest
I asked
the
ladies who
were
disgraced Minister.
intimate with Madame
de Pompadour,
well
most
as
of the matter;
as
friends, what they knew
own
my
dame
but they knew
why Manothing. I can understand

style.

Besides, who

did
moment.

not

let them

She

will be

littleabout

very

The
person

happy.
King

who

name

had

so

into

her

less reserved

it,since

said

whose

nobleman,

could

see

time.

did him

withheld

Madame
a

in

at

that
care

that she is well, and

thing,which
been

confidence

most

honour,
from

assiduous

pears
ap-

to

me.

courtier

A
of

said, rubbing his hands with an air of

the Comte
d'Argenson's
great joy, I have just seen
When
the King heard
him, he
baggage set out."
the

Count,

"

MEMOIRS

250
went

to

up

said,

"

And

I believe

denies

OF

shrugged his shoulders, and

immediately the cock crew."
from
this is taken
Peter
Scripture,where
I

Lord.

Our

those

the

dupe of
treacheryand
Madame

o'clock,to
''

taut

ill.

the

Council

with

called

brought

this

him,

the

and

King

gave
is not

that

hates

he

her

were

at

Paris, and

M.

seven

who
Gon-

de

Parliament

out,

in for
and

around

that

King," said she, will stay late at

evening; they are occupied with the

reading, and

she

It showed

*'

The

affairs of the
off

confess, this circumstance

ingratitude.
for me
sent
yesterday evening, at
read
something to her; the ladies

intimate

were

XV.

Madame,

great pleasure.

me

LOUIS

"

again." She bade me leave

I was
but
going to quit the room,
letter was
She
rose
Stop."
; a
she took

her, and
ill-humour.

it with

After

an

air of

considerable

patience
im-

time

she

began to talk openly, which only happened when

she was
of her confidential
extremely vexed; and, as none
friends
is from
dared
a

my

were

brother.

at

hand,

she

It is what

said to
he

''

me,

would

I had
he writes.
so
say to me,
marriage for him with the daughter of

not

have

arranged

to

title;he

This

man

of

appeared to be well inclined to it, and I,

He
tells me
that
therefore, pledged my word.
now
he has
made
inquiries;that the parents are
people
of insupportablehauteur; that the daughter is very
badly educated; and that he knows, from authority
she heard
this marriage
not
to be doubted, that when
discussed,she spoke of the connection with the most
contempt; that he is certain of this fact;and
supreme
still more
that I was
contemptuously spoken of than
himself.
In a word, he begs me
break
off the
to
he
treaty. But he has let me
far; and now
go too
will make
these people my
irreconcilable
enemies.
This has been put in his head
of his flatby some

OF

MEMOIRS

they

terers;

do

MME.
wish

not

POMPADOUR

DE
him

to

251
his way
received

change

of

by
and, though
his wife."
Madame,
to tell her so, I thought her brother
I did not venture
lies,and,
right. She persistedin saying these were
her
brother
the following Sunday, treated
on
very
if
he
that
at
time;
coldly. He said nothing to me
me
greatly.Madame
had, he would have embarrassed
for everything by procuring favours, which
atoned
the young
riage
of facilitating
the means
lady'smarwere
Her
conduct,
with a gentleman of the Court.
to
after marriage, compelled Madame
months
two
confess that her brother had been perfectlyright.
du Chiron.
I saw
Why,"
friend, Madame
my
to the
is the Marquise so violent an
said she,
enemy
she is wrong.
All-powerful
Jesuits? I assure
you
for their
find herself the worse
she is, she may
as
nothing about the
enmity." I repliedthat I knew
''It is, however, unquestionablya fact; and
matter.
cide
less might deshe does not feel that a word
or
more
would

few of them
very
I tried to soften

living; and

be

"

"

"

Well,

know

do

mean?"

you

"

explainmyself fully,"said she.

took
place at the time the King

attempt

an

was

made

to

I.

said

I will

what

stabbed:

"How

fate."

her

get her

out

You
was

of the

Jesuitshave no other object

of their penitents;but they are
the salvation
than
of it,
without their being aware
and hatred may,
men,
with a greater
influence their minds, and inspirethem
mand.
absolutelydedegree of severitythan circumstances
the other hand,
and partiality
Favour
on
may,
Castle

instantly. The

induce

the

the

confessor

shortest

if
especially

interval
any

her
all she

that

string.

On

may

decent

stay

said, but

to

at

great concessions; and

favourite,
a
suffice to save

make

pretext

Court."
told

her

on
reflecting

can

that

for longing
proher in
with

be found

agreed
I

dared

not

this conversation

touch
after-

OF

MEMOIRS

252

LOUIS

XV.

forciblystruck with this fresh proof of

wards, I was
the intriguesof the Jesuits,
which, indeed, I knew well
plied
already. I thought that, in spite of what I had redu Chiron, I ought to communicate
to Madame
for the ease
of my
de Pompadour,
this to Madame
abstain from making any
conscience ; but that I would
du
Your
it.
reflection
friend, Madame
upon
is, I perceive, affiliated to the
Chiron," said she,
she says
does
not
originatewith
Jesuits,and what
reverend
is commissioned
herself.
She
by some
cordingly,
by whom."
Spies were, acfather,and I will know
covered
her movements,
and they disset to watch
Father
de Saci, and, still more
that one
ticularly
parFather
one
Frey, guided this lady'sconduct,
that the Abbe
What
to me,
a pity,"said Madame
"

"

"

"

Chauvelin

enemy

du

Chiron

this."

know

cannot

of

the

He

I would

fathers with

not
as

much

fathers.

reverend

always looked

upon
the
espouse

warmth

as

the

was

most

midable
for-

Madame

cause
Jansenist,beinterests of the good

me

she

as

did.

in the
de
Abbe
completely absorbed
she
thinks capable of anything; she
Bernis, whom
talks of him
incessantly.Apropos of this Abbe, I
relate an
lieve
bemust
one
anecdote, which almost makes
in conjurors. A year, or fifteen months, before
her disgrace,Madame
de Pompadour,
being at Fonwhich
to write
at a desk, over
tainebleau,sat down
ting
shutWhile
she was
hung a portraitof the King.
finished writing, the
the desk, after she had
the head.
picture fell,and struck her violentlyon
the accident were
The persons
who
saw
alarmed, and
He
for Dr. Quesnay.
asked
the circumstances
sent
of the case, and ordered bleedingand anodynes. Just
de Brancas
she had
been bled, Madame
as
entered,
and
all in confusion
and
saw
us
agitation, and
Madame
lyingon her chaise-longue.She asked what

Madame

is

MEMOIRS
the

was

OF

just come
the
him

told

him, and
her

making

inform

to

she

her

withhold

to

told

then

King

send
instantly
that the Marquise
questing
letter,merely re-

what

his

that

of the

will

fortune-tellers

from

nothing
thing was

The

uneasy."

and

write

to

pressed
ex-

her, she said,

and

Madame,

de Bernis, and

goodness

having

consoled

in),that they

courier to the Abbe

will have

of

253

After

told.

having

favour

POMPADOUR

DE
was

regret, and
as

had

(who
a

it

I ask

and

matter,
her

"

MME.

the

done

of

fear
she

as

sired,
de-

La

Bontemps had
the dregs in the coffee-cup,in which
us

predicted,from
she read everything,that the head
in danger, but that no
fatal
was

of her

best friend
would

consequences

ensue.

The

day, the Abbe

next

Bontemps also said

black,"

almost

to

and

him,

which

and

she

You

time,

some

at

foot

the

looked

often

said

that

she

This

attributed

of his mother's
It

represented

basket

Moor

He

fact.

was

at.

bringing to Cleopatra a
bite
containingthe asp by whose
a

into the world

the

was

Madame

that

came

this

that

lasted for
colour, which
to a picture which
hung

bed,

word

wrote
"

she

also told him,

of

flowers,

self.
destroyed her"

You

have

belong
and that he had actuallyin his pocket two
to you ;
Valliere.
hundred
louis for the Due
de La
Lastly,
I
he informed
that she said, looking in the cup,
us
of your
the best
friends
a
see
one
distinguished
lady,threatened with an accident ; that he confessed
that,in spiteof all his philosophy,he turned pale;that
she remarked
tinued,
this,looked again into the cup, and conHer
will be slightlyin danger, but
head
great deal of money

about

you,

but

it does

not

"

"

"

"

"

"

of this

no

appearance

It

appeared
some

so

will remain

half

an

hour

wards."
after-

the facts.
to doubt
They
im.possible
surprising to the King, that he desired

was

inquiry

to

be

made

concerning

the

fortune-

MEMOIRS

254
teller.

who

the

This

was

have

it believed

day,

the

I.?

de

St. Germain, who

he had
lived several

Comte
that

said

toilet,Madame

What

presence,

tune-telle
astonishingas this forMadame
de
Pompadour.

visited

her

at
"

''

from

her

quite as

was

often

Francis

XV.

the Police.

man,

One

LOUIS

however, protected

Madame,

pursuitof
A

OF

to

centuries.

him,

in

my

the

was

He

to

wished

was

of
personal appearance
King I should have liked."

main;
indeed, very captivating,"said St. Gerand he proceeded to describe his face and
son
perdoes
that
has
of
as
one
a
one
man
accurately
It is a pity he was
observed.
ardent.
I could
too
have given him some
good advice, which would have
all his misfortunes; but he would
saved
him from
not
if a fatality
attended
have followed
as
it;for it seems
Princes,forcing them to shut their ears, those of the
mind, at least,to the best advice, and especiallyin
He

was,

"

the

''

said Madame,
much

say
"

he.

''

critical moments."

most

what

good
the

Was

do
or

"Very brilHant;but
surpassed it. In the
of

Valois

it

Francis

him?
of

Constable,"
"

''

not
can-

him," replied

I. very

brilliant ?

"

of his

those

grandsons infinitely
garet
Mary Stuart and Mar-

of

time
a

was

the

say of
harm

you
much

of

Court

And

of

land

enchantment

"

pleasures of every kind; those of

the mind
not
were
neglected. The two Queens were
and
spoke with
captivating
learned, wrote
verses,
and
said, laughing,
eloquence." Madame
grace
temple,

"

You

sacred

to

to

seem

have

memory,"
of

with

France
not

said he,

great

by making,

lived in old

however,

and

Comtesse

de

times."

"

care.

but
"

'*

all this."

seen

by
You

and

have

I have

read

I sometimes

the

do

not

tell

amuse

me

for very

your
old.
to

cellent
ex-

history

lettingit be believed

give yourselfout
Gergy, who was Ambassadress
you

an

self,
mythat I
age,
The

Venice,

MEMOIRS

256

LOUIS

OF

XV.

and said that M.

de St. Germain
be
must
surprise,
if he had also the secret of
Worth milHons, especially
of small
of a number
out
making large diamonds
that he had
He
neither said that he had, nor
ones.
asserted that he could make
not; but he positively
The
pearlsgrow, and give them the finest water.
King paid him great attention,and so did Madame
It was
from her I learnt what I have
de Pompadour.
justrelated. M. Quesnay said,talkingof the pearls,
They are produced by a disease in the oyster. It is
of it;but, be that as it
possibleto know the cause
may, he is not the less a quack, since he pretendsto
and to have lived several centuhave the elixir vitce,
ries.
Our
master
is, however, infatuated by him,
"

talks of him

sometimes

and

thin;he had an acute,

simply, but in good
very
in his rings,watch,
fine diamonds
one
day, to visit Madame
came,

fifty;he was neither fat

look, dressed
intelligent
taste ;

he

wore

very
He
snuff-box.

and
de

Pompadour,
with
splendour,
the

had

King

antechamber
be

said
He

to

the

and

equal to

they

were

value, and

would

not

contempt.

King

of

at

with

least

so

believe
them

others

to

in the

'jpresent,

was

eight thousand

louis.

of inestimable

perfectly

were

this
by what means
remarkable;but the King
spoken of with ridicule or

could find out

rich and

suffer him
He

so

into the

went

brought

time, a snuff-box
ruby sleeve-buttons,which

dazzling.Nobody
became

He

Gontaut, who

at the same

wore,

man

them.

compared

de

both

said she did not

off,and

take them
Due

in full

was

shoe-buckles of diamonds

knee and

any

the Court

time when

at a

examined; they were

room,

nor

brilliantthat Madame

fine and

lustriou
il-

frequ"|tly
: he appearedto be about

him

seen

were

I have

if his descent

as

was

Portugal.

to

so

be

said to be

bastard

son

of the

MEMOIRS

OF

I learnt, from

MME.

DE

POMPADOUR

257

Marigny, that the relations of

the good little Marechale
(de Mirepoix) had been
her, for what
extremely severe
they called the
upon
baseness
of her conduct, with regard to Madame
de
of the
Pompadour.
They said she held the stones
in her carriage,in her
Madame
cherries which
ate
beautiful
of

the

de

little hands,

and

carriage,while

in the

seat

M.

inside.

that

she

Madame

The

truth

in the

sate

occupied
was,

front
whole

the

that, in going

to

insupportablyhot day, they both wished

to sit alone, that they might be cooler; and
to the
as
of the cherries, the villagers
matter
having brought
them
refresh
to
themselves,
some,
they ate them
while
the horses
were
changed; and the Marechale
emptied her pocket-handkerchief, into which
they
had
both thrown
the cherry-stones,out of the carriage
window.
The
were
people who
changing the
version
of the affair.
horses had given their own
I had, as you know, a very pretty room
at Madame's
hotel,whither I generallywent privately. I had, one
day, had visits from two or three Paris representatives,
and
told me
who
Madame,
having sent
news;
Crecy,

for me,

of
"

to

an

I went

to

her, and

found

her with

M.

de Gon"

help instantly
saying to her, You
action
be much
at the noble
pleased, Madame,
."
Madame
the Marquis de
replied,drily,

taut.
must

on

Hold

I could

found

the

listen to

tongue, and

your

you."

not

returned

Comtesse

I have

what

little room,
d'Amblimont, to whom
to

my

to

say
I
where
I

tioned
men-

''

what
I know
reception of me.
relation to you.
is the matter," said she; "it has no
has
I will explain it to you.
The
Marquis de
at
told all Paris, that, some
days ago, going home
night, alone, and on foot, he heard cries in a street
Madame's

called Ferou, which

over;

that

he

drew

is dark, and, in great part, arched

the
down
his sword, and
went

MEMOIRS

258

he

street, in which
handsome

OF

by

saw,

the

whom

to

woman,

LOUIS

XV.

lightof

lamp,

ruffians

some

were

very
ing
offer-

violence ; that he approached, and that the woman

cried out,
Save me ! save
! that he rushed
me
upon
*

'

wretches,
hand, whilst a
the

of

two

whom

fought him,

held the woman,

and tried to stop
he wounded
in the arm
one
; and that

; that

mouth

the

ruffians, hearing people pass

the

at

to
fearingthey might come
he went
up to the lady, who

fled; that

in

third

her

street, and

sword

of

end

the

his assistance,
told him
that

not
robbers, but villains,one of whom
they were
was
desperatelyin love with her; and that the lady knew
how
her gratitude; that she had begged
not
to express

him
a

follow

to

not

fiacre; that

that

she

insisted

her,

after

would

not

he

had

conducted

tell him

her

her

to

but

name,

accepting a little ring, as a

token of remembrance;
and
that she promised to see
him
again, and to tell him her whole history,if he
this reher his address; that he complied with
quest
gave
he represented as a charming
of the lady, whom
and who, in the overflowing of her gratitude,
person,
she

embraced
said

far,"
The
the
arm,

him

spoke

him

told him

Due

de

night

went

that

continued

on

the

d'Estillac, an
in the

"

himself

everywhere

bound

ribbon

his

round

ceived
part he said: he had rerelated his story to everybody,

to

dine

upon

it

with

the

after

his

own

Dauphin, who

bravery, and of his fair unknown,

he had
already complimented the
I forgot to tell you,"
the affair.
d'Amblimont,
that, on the very
"

Madame

of

black

commented

of his

and

four

He

wound.

He

to

exhibited
a

is all very fine,so

but hear the rest.

This

wrist, in which

everybody

fashion.

times.

d'Amblimont,

Madame

the

the
and

several

Marquis de
next
day, with
near

his

on

adventure,

he

called

on

is
house
gambler, whose
morning; that everybody there
old

Madame
open
was

till
sur--

Madame

From

the

de

original'paintingby

Pompadour.
Nattier

Scotland,

in the

Royal Gallery in

MEMOIRS

OF

that

his

was

cut, and

DE

disordered

the

prisedat

MME.

bagwig

King,

and

him

he

appeared;

had

fallen off, one

skirt of
his right hand
bleeding. That

it up, and
ago, the Due

days

259

in which

state

bound
Four

POMPADOUR

sat

him
gave
de C

M.

near

de

his coat

they

Rota

some

St. Florentin.

wine.

with

supped

stantly
in-

the

talked

He

of his relation's

adventure, and asked him if

he had made
any inquiriesconcerning the lady. M.
de St. Florentin
coldlyanswered, 'No;' and M. de
C
further quesremarked, on asking him some
tions,
that he kept his eyes fixed on
his plate,looking
in monosyllables. He
answered
embarrassed, and
asked him the reason
of this,upon
M. de Flowhich
rentin
that it was
told him
to
extremely distressing
to

him
you
de

to

him

see

know

under

such

that, supposing it
*

is

Nothing

'

mistake.

to be

fact ?

the

How
'

can

said

M.

prove,'replied
de St. Florentin.
You
imagine that, as
may
informed
's adventure,
I was
of the Marquis de
as
I set on
foot inquiries,
the result of which
said to
that,on the night when this affair was
taken place, a party of the watch
set in
was
.

more

to

easy

'

M.
soon

was,

have

ambuscade

this very
thief who
was
in

catchinga

house ; that this party was

the slightestnoise.'
not
incensed

at

this

street, for

coming
M.

out

four

there

de

which
recital,

the

hours, and

C
M.

of

of
purpose
the gaming

was

de

heard

greatly

St. Florentin

the King.
to
ought, indeed, to have communicated
He
has ordered, or will order, his relation to retire to
his province.
After this,you will judge, my
dear, whether
you
were
you
very likelyto be graciouslyreceived when
quise.
went
open-mouthed with your compliment to the Marreminded
This
she,
adventure," continued
about fifteen years
the King of one
which
occurred
*'

"

ago.

The

Comte

d'E

who

was

what

is called

Memoirs"

Vol.

26o

LOUIS

OF

MEMOIRS

XV.

Dauphin, and about fourteen

into the Dauphin's apartments, one
years of age, came
and his ruffles
evening, with his bag-wig snatched ofif,
rather
late near
torn, and said that, having walked
des Suisses,he had
been attacked
the piece of water
robbers; that he had refused to give them
by two
his sword, and
in an
anything, drawn
put himself
of the robbers was
armed
attitude of defence; that one
with a sword, the other with a large stick,from which
several
had
received
he
blows, but that he had
in the arm,
and
wounded
that, hearing a noise
one
at that moment,
they had fled. But unluckily for the
that people were
little Count, it was
known
the
on
spot at the precisetime he mentioned, and had heard
of his
nothing. The Count was pardoned, on account
him
the truth,
confess
Dauphin made
youth. The
enfant d'honneur

and

it

to

looked

was

the

as

upon

childish

freak

pie talking about him."

The
King disliked the King of Prussia
knew

his

that

the

mistress,

latter
and

kind

the

habit

in the

was

life

of

he

because

peo^

he

jesting upon
led.

It

was

said, that the

his most
steadfast ally and
not
friend, as
King was
each
much
as
other; but
sovereigns can be towards
had
the jestingsof Frederick
stung him, and made
Frederick's

him

the

conclude

Madame's

entered
and

fault,as

said,

man;

wishes

"

The

he loves
make

to

foreign

men

of

to set

have

One
day, he
treaty of Versailles.
apartment with a paper in his hand,
King of Prussia is certainlya great
of talent,and, like Louis
XIV., he

Europe ring with

savans.

it

heard

is

There

his favours

letter

from

towards

him,

dressed
ad-

acquaint
of my
a
kingdom (D'Alembert) that
superieur man
he has granted him
a
pension;" and, looking at the
know
You
must
letter,he read the following words :
to

Milord

Marshal, ordering

him

to

"

that there

is in

Paris

man

of

the

greatest merit.

OF

MEMOIRS

262

XV.

LOUIS

suggested to the King that he had

a
better give D'Alembert
pension of twice the value,
This
forbid him to take the King of Prussia's.
and
not
he would
advice
take, because he looked upon
infidel.
M. de Marigny took a copy
D'Alembert
as an

that his sister had

of

letter,which he lent
at
certain nobleman,

the
A

glances

tender

wholly

Court,
indeed, he

he

believe that

you

enough
?

dare

to

"

is

Madame

man

this illustrious nobleman

and

necessityfor visitinghis
thought
would

that there
have

not

"

Court

to

of my

one

so

advised

was

insolent

daughters
exasperated,
to
feign a

remained

He

estates.

Pompadour's
said, Would

in my

him

Arguses
it, and,

there

long after, that she

the King
to which
tortures

told me,

Madame

months.

two

de

seen

never

of

was

it himself.

perceived

raise his eyes

had

Madame

are

told

course,

cast

to

She

there

as

great passion,and

there
to

it; but,

into

came

in

Adelaide.

of
was,
he had

King
thought

day,

one

room

of

the

that

know

time, affected

one

Madame

on

unconscious

at

me.

were

no

condemned

who

man

any

had

seduced

Adelaide, at the time

daughters. Madame
finite
a
question,was
charming person, and united inand
much
talent, to a most
agreeable
grace,
of his

one

in

face.
courier

A
on

the

reading which
of
intelligence

Soubise

sent

his

fortune

have

said M.
*'

It

into

the battle of

tears.

Rosbach,

all the

her, with

Pompadour

details.

letter,

It contained
which
I

M.

heard

de
her

Belle-Isle,
wiping her eyes,
inconsolable; he does not try to
conduct, he sees nothing but the disastrous

which

however,

burst

she

say to the Marechal

"
is
M.
de Soubise
excuse

de

Madame

brought

is very

de

"

him."

pursues

M.

de

Soubise

must,

half,"
bethings to urge in his own
many
de Belle-Isle, and so I told the King."
"

noble

in

you,

Marshal,

not

to

suffer

MEMOIRS

OF

unfortunate

an

furious

are

it?

deserve

kinder

''

There

in the

man

the

give

to

battle

whose

sen,

French
old

Marshal

with

him.
de

the

the
the

M.

of

out

at

"

made

with

said
not

you

Colin, her

to

delighted at

"

told her

I asked

just been

pointsof

attack
said

You,"

gold,
in

will

advice

not

is

him

the

well."

what

intreatingmy
Minister

''

cause.

sister not

was

upon

the

herself."

Doctor,

'*

are

the

of

heaping coals
favourite
ought not

that she

head.

shewn

knew

does

to

swer.
an-

she

le Normand-de-Mezi

own

her

unimportant, or
promotion; nobody
This unpopularity

she

Are

battle,was

was

his

and

the

delighted

so

enchanted

friends.

her,
toilet,

humour.

said he,

you

forced

was

pressed him further, he replied that

been ill,
and had seen
nobody for a week.
de Marigny came
to see
me
one
day, very much

he had

in

plain
ex-

embraced

was

was

embarrassed, and

was

As

M.

will

victory M. de Soubise has gained? What

public say of it? He has taken his revenge

Colin

"

Madame

from
her

at

in
I

King

have

dared, she

of it but Madame's

steward,

duty

for whom

Soubise

would

offended

were

man

nor

of

But, either it

success.

concealed

was

to

Saxe-Hildbourgshaufirst,and carried along the

had

of France

public

talked

de

Soubise, having gained

Marshal
friend's

The

M.

Prince

Madame

if she

to

done

fulfil my

only

esteem.

how

fled

troops

troops."

M.

the

by

he

pubHc

honourable

more

the

has

what

truth, and

Madame,

you,

and

world.

the

263

overwhelmed;

is not

profound

most

to

be

against him,
"

POMPADOUR

DE

to

man

doing justiceto
have

MME.

have,"

I
to

make

Marine.

of fire upon
to

The

worth

multiply

Doctor
your

I
her
the

entered.

weight

and
capacity you have
good sense
office,and for your moderation, but
your
be appreciated as you
never
deserve; your
be a ship taken
there will never
excellent;

for

the

264
but

MEMOIRS

OF

will be

Madame

held

LOUIS

XV.

responsible for

it

the

to

public,and you are very wise not to think of being in

the Ministry yourself."
One
at Paris, I went
to dine with
day, when I was
the Doctor, who
happened to be there at the same
a
time; there were,
contrary to his usual
custom,
people, and, among
others, a handsome
good many
Master
took a title from
of the Requests, who
young
of which
I have
some
place,the name
forgotten,but
who
of M.
a
son
was
Turgot, the prevot des marchands.
tion,
They talked a great deal about administrawhich
not
was
amusing to me; they then
very
fell upon
bear to
thg subject of the love Frenchmen
their Kings.
M. Turgot here joined in the conversation,
and
said, This is not a blind attachment ; it is
a
deeply rooted sentiment, arisingfrom an indistinct
"

recollection
may

go

"

of

King
*'

of great benefits.
farther
Europe, and

whatever
and

The

French

all mankind,

nation

"

to

owe

"

forgotten his name)

(I have
munes
libertythey enjoy. He established com-

France

conferred

on

immense

an

number

of

men

civil existence.

am

aware

that

it may

be

said,

with

his own
interests by
justice,that he served
granting these franchises; that the cities paid him
ments
instruthem
to use
as
taxes, and that his design was
of great nobles; but
of weakening the power
what
once

but that this

prove,
and
humane?"
useful, politic,
does

that

measure

was

at

From

Kings

in

Louis XV., and

turned
general the conversation
upon
that his reign would
be always
M. Turgot remarked
celebrated
of
progress
that Louis

for

the

advancement

knowledge,
XV.

was

of

the

sciences, the

philosophy. He added
deficient in the quality which
and

of

possessed to excess; that is to say, in a

well-informed;
good opinion of himself; that he was
of the topogthat nobody was
more
perfectlymaster
Louis

XIV.

MEMOIRS

OF

MME.

POMPADOUR

DE

raphy of France; that his opinion in

judicious;and that
always the most
that he

be lamented
that

or

had

did

he

not

the
it

Council
much

was

confidence

more

rely

not

265

to

in himself,

Minister

some

upon

was

enjoyed the confidence of the nation.

Everybody
I begged M.
agreed with him.
Quesnay to write
it to
what
down
Turgot had said, and showed
young
Madame.
She
of the Requests
praised this Master
It is a good
greatly,and spoke of him to the King.
who

''

breed," said he.

I

walk, and saw, on my

people going and coming, and
return, a great many
evident that
speaking to each other privately:it was
something extraordinary had happened. I asked a
of my
the matter.
was
acquaintance what
person
One

"

day,

!"

Alas

said

King,

have

corps,

who

carried

in

them

in

clothes

Count
to

of

that

"

speak

said
to

in the

Chevalier

some

her,

and

was

Sosent,

he

with

multitude

is all

What

her

to

long.

closet
I

Madame's

Gourbillon,

this.

expressly

come

was

not

hastened

got in, she

she

''

arrested."

and

when

retired

they

drawing-room,
de

are

besiegedby

said

conference

in quest
people,dressed

Gontaut,

Noailles.
He

she.

Police

the

had

gether.
tomained
re-

equerry,
valet de

her

tails
destrangers. A great many
were
being little more
related; but, the wounds
scratches, and the garde-du-corpshaving let fall

chambre,
than

de

described

already

alarmed:

was

has

some

are

door

her

Comte

The

the

he

as

de

M.

found

She

colour,

garde-ducorridor; he is

on

dark

coats, the

men's

with

the

in

them

hospital:and

people, and

found

wounds

all directions,and

Madame

home.
of

the
these

of

saw

formed

overheard

of

"

tears

inflicted several

to

colour

to

in his eyes,
some
sassins,
asthe projectof murdering the

he, with

had

who

out

went

and

some

contradictions,it

was

thought

that

he

was

an

266

MEMOIRS

proved

was

the

be

to

XV.

all this

Before

favour.

into

LOUIS

invented

had

impostor, who
himself

OF

the

bring

over,

this

I believe, from

his

night

fact, and,

to

story
was

The

confession.

King came, that evening,to see

de Pompadour;
he spoke of this occurrence
Madame
with great sang froid,and said, The gentleman who
wanted
this is a low
to kill me
was
a wicked
madman;
own

"

scoundrel."

spoke of Damiens, which was

only while
his trial lasted,he never
called him
anything but that
gentleman.
I have
it said that he proposed having him
heard
shut up in a dungeon for life;but that the horrible
the judges insist upon
of the crime made
his
nature
like occasions.
inflicted upon
sufferingall the tortures
had
Great numbers, many
of them
rous
barbaa
women,
the
execution; amongst
curiosity to witness
he

When

others, Madame

de

and

the

of

wife

window

placesat

of

in the

General.

Farmer

beautiful

very

for twelve

She

louis,and

woman,

hired

two

played a

game
execution

waiting for the

this being told to the King, he covered
to begin. On
his
hands
and
his eyes
with
exclaimed,
Fi, la
I have
told that
Vilaine!''
been
she, and others,
thought to pay their court in this way, and signalise
their attachment
to the King's person.
Two
related to me
things were
by M. Duclos at the
time of the attempt on the King's life.
The
de Sponheim, who
relative to the Comte
first,
in succession
de Deux-Ponts, and
the Due
next
was
cards

whilst

room

''

to

the Palatinate

thought
made

to

the

de

great friend

long sojourns in

several
to

Due

be

see

Madame.

Deux-Ponts,

attempt

Electorate

and

on

the

M.

of Bavaria.
to

the

France.
Duclos

He

King,
He
told

and
came

us

that

was

had
quently
frethe

having learned, at Deux-Ponts,

King's life,immediately set out

MEMOIRS
in
"

OF

MME.

"

carriagefor Versailles
spiritof courtisanerie

the

of

Elector

Bavaria

POMPADOUR

DE

and

267

remark,"
Prince, who

But

of

Palatinate

the

said he,
be

may

to-morrow.

he arrived within
ten
enough. When
enormous
an
pair of
leagues of Paris, he put on
a
post-horse,and arrived in the
jack-boots,mounted
If this had
of the palace cracking his whip.
court
been real impatience,and not charlatanism, he would
Paris."
I
have
taken
horse
twenty leagues from
I did
don't agree with you," said a gentleman whom
seizes one
towards
know
not
impatience sometimes
;
of an
the end
employs the
undertaking, and one

This

not

was

"

''

readiest
de
on

then

means

Besides, the Due

in one's power.

might wish, by showing himself thus

the King, to whom
he is attached,
horseback, to serve
how
by proving to Frenchmen
greatly he is

Deux-Ponts

beloved

honoured

and
"

resumed

in

*'

Well," said he,

The

countries."

other

do

first

the

know

you
the

Duclos

story

pany,
comday
King saw
de C
after the attempt of Damiens,
M.
pushed so vigorouslythrough the crowd that he was
of the first to come
into the King's presence, but
one
he had on
so
shabby a black coat that it caught the
King's attention, who burst out laughing, and said,

of

M.

de

Look

at

he has had

skirt of his coat

the

torn

off.'

M.

looked

de C

as

if he

first

only then

was

'

loss,and said, Sire, there is such a

multitude
hurrying to see Your Majesty, that I was
obliged to fightmy way through them, and, in the
has been torn.'
coat
effort, my
Fortunately it was
and
worth
not
much,' said the Marquis de Souvre,
of his

conscious

'

'

you
the

could

occasion.'
de

Madame
advised

to

have

not

chosen

to

one

worse

sacrifice

on

"

Pompadour

get her

Constantinople,as

had

husband,
Ambassador.

M.

been
le

very

judiciously

Normand,

This

would

sent

have

to
a

268

MEMOIRS

and

he

was

But

with

Pompadour,

Court,

husband

her

habits, that

he

XV.

dame
by seeing Mathe title of Marquise, at
caused

General

Farmer

attached

so

LOUIS

scandal

the

little diminished
de

OF

to

could

Paris

Paris.

at

life,and

to

his

be

prevailed upon to
Madame
employed a certain M. d'Arboulin, with
go.
she had
been
whom
at
acquainted before she was
He
Court, to negotiate this affair.
applied to a
had
Mademoiselle
been
an
Rem, who
opera-dancer,
opera

and

who

was

him

very

fine

M.

le Normand's

promises ; but
life.

Paris

not

She

she

would

mistress.
like

was

do

She

him,

nothing

made

and

ferred
pre-

in it.

in the
acted
little
plays were
of my
a
lieutenancy for one
apartments, I obtained
the value
which
relations,by a singularmeans,
proves
the greatest people set upon
the slightest
to the
access
did not like to ask anything of M.
Madame
Court.
family, who
d'Argenson, and, being pressed by my
it could be
could not imagine that, situated as I was,
difficult for me
for a good soldier,
to obtain a command
I determined
ask the Comte
to go and
son.
d'ArgenI made
request, and presented my memorial.
my
received me
He
coldly,and gave me vague answers.
I went
who
in
was
out, and the Marquis de V
At

the

time

that

his closet,followed me.

said he; "there
for

me
me

give
have

one

of

my

"

is

wish

You
one

to

vacant,

obtain

mand,"
com-

which

proteges; but

is ised
promif you
will do
I will
for me,

in return, or
obtain one
it to you.
I want
and
to be a police officer,
you
it in your
to get me
a
place." I told him
power
favour

I did not

understand
''

the purport
Tartuife is

of

his

jest.

"

I will

you," said he ;
going to be acted in
the cabinets,and there is the part of a police officer,
Prevail upon
which
only consists of a few lines.
that part, and
de Pompadour
Madame
to assign me
is yours." I promised nothing,but I rethe command
tell

MEMOIRS

270

who

woman,

OF

was

such

woman

was

the
when

XV.

and
poor,
she had
which
be

plunged
bounty

excessive

admirable

an

assumed

who

very

illustrious name,
to
fear lest she should
bestow

LOUIS

an

The

right.

no

into vice led him

and

her;

upon

dissembler.

She

to

the

went

to

with
a
Archbishop's, covered
great hood, and,
she left him, she amused
herself with a variety

of lovers.

people have the bad habit of talking very

M. de Gontaut
before their servants.
once
indiscreetly
these
said
words
covertly, as he thought, to the
Great

"

de

Due

That

had

measures

would, probably,have

the

effect of

Archbishop to go to Rome, with

and
that, if he desired it,he was

taken

been

to

which

determining the
Cardinal's
have

hat;

tor."
coadju-

plausible
pretext had been found for making
for rendering it flattering
this proposition,and
to the
The
Archbishop, and agreeable to his sentiments.
affair had been
adroitlybegun, and success
peared
apvery
the
The
certain.
King had the air, towards
of what
was
Archbishop, of entire unconsciousness
The
only
negotiator acted as if he were
going on.
mind, for the
following the suggestions of his own
friend of the Archbishop,
a
general good. He was
A

and
Due

very

was

de

very

of

sure

Gontaut,

liberal reward.

handsome

very

young

valet

of the

fellow,had
spoken in a

of what
was
perfectlycaught the sense
of the lovers of the
He
one
was
mysterious manner.
louis a year, and had heard her
lady of the hundred
relation she pretended
talk of the Archbishop, whose
her good graces
He
to be.
thought he should secure
being made
by informing her that great efforts were
to

induce

to

get him

the

her

patron

away

Archbishop,

to

from
as

she

reside

Paris.
was

at

Rome,

with

view

lady instantlytold
afraid of losingher penThe

MEMOIRS

OF

sion

if he

with

the

had

information

negotiationthen
with

letters

found

271

squared

so

well

foot, that the Archbishop

on

of its truth.

his conversations

POMPADOUR

DE

The

went.

doubt

no

MME.

He

cooled, by degrees,in

he regarded
negotiator,whom
a
traitor,and ended by breaking with him.
as
details were
known
till long afterwards.
These
not
The lover of the lady having been sent to the Bicetre,
some

among

of the affair,and

scent

were

the

he

was

his papers, which gave

the
made
to confess

rest.

In
the

order

King

the

Due

de

told that the valet had

come

to

not

was

compromise

to

of the business
in his master's

do

by

The

information

the

had

obtained

not
*'

She

robbed

is

of the money
knows
God

me

once

my

said,

not

the
to

me

promising me
she

did

eyes

asked

as

wretch," said

unhappy

an

pension,I

before

in the

object to

But

poor.
a

the

submitted
proofs which were
him; he said,with perfectcalmness, that she was
to
his relation;and, raising his hands
heaven,
to

to

the

of

found

had

lady, his protegee.

with
found
She was
guiltyof swindling, in concert
her
beloved
valet; but, before her punishment was
ordered
of Police was
to lay
the Lieutenant
inflicted,
of
of the conduct
before Monseigneur a full account
ing
his relation and pensioner. The Archbishop had noth-

concerning

conduct

he

edge
knowl-

his revenge
enabled
was

King took
Archbishop,which he

of

means

he

letter which

clothes.

by humiliatingthe
to

from

Gontaut,

she
on

that

had

which

lightly. I had,
of

example
grant

her

would

hitherto

leaving me,

who

so

at

the

woman

seventy

louis

must

on
Monseigneur, since the way
against me.' The unhappy creature

large
time,
who

year,
ously,
virtu-

live very
I refused
her, and

always
I

has

for the

her

young

done.
'

"

destined

was

that, in giving

act

she

he,

turn

to

the

right is
has kept her

the

left,
closed
word

OF

MEMOIRS

2/2
but

faro-table

XV.
of

means

house, which

her

at

the

joins to

found

She

well.

too

LOUIS

is

tolerated; and

profligateconduct

most

of

trade

establishinga

in her

corrupter of

own

she

person

; her

house
youth
of every
vice.
is the abode
Think, sir, after that,
it was
act of prudence, on
whether
not an
part, to
my
in question a pension, suitable to
grant the woman
I thought her born, to prevent her
the rank in which
abusing the giftsof youth, beauty, and talents,which
tion
she possessed,to her own
perdition,and the destructhe infamous

of

others."

of

Lieutenant

The

Police

told

the

and
the
with the candour
touched
King that he was
I never
his
doubted
noble simplicityof the prelate.
be
but I wish he would
virtues," repliedthe King,
Archbishop gave a pension of fifty
quiet." This same
"

"

louis
a

year
poet, who

to

the

in Paris.

greatest scoundrel

writes

abominable

verses;

is

He

this

pension

that
his poems
condition
never
are
granted on
printed. I learned this fact from M. de Marigny, to
is

he

whom

recited

some

of his horrible

verses

one

ing,
even-

with
supped with him, in company
in his
some
people of quality. He chinked the money
is my
This
pocket.
good Archbishop's,"said he,
laughing; I keep my word with him: my poem will
be printed during my
not
life,but I read it. What
the good prelate say if he knew
would
that I shared
last quarter's allowance
with
a
charming little
my
It is the Archbishop,then, who
keeps
opera-dancer?
droll that is !
me,' said she to me ; Oh, la ! how
much
The
scandalised
at
King heard this, and was
it.
How
difficult it is to do good !
said he.
de
The
into Madame
Pompadour's
King came
one
finishingdressing. I
day, as she was
room,
have
just had a strange adventure," said he : would
into
believe that, in going out of my
wardroom
you
bedroom, I met a gentleman face to face ?
My
my
he

when

"

"

''

'

"

"

"

"

''

"

God

MME.

OF

MEMOIRS

POMPADOUR

DE

"

terrified.
! Sire," cried Madame,
*'
repliedhe ; but I confess I was

273
It

ing,"
noth-

was

prised:
greatly sur-

tion.
appeared speechlesswith consternacried I, civilly.He
do you do here ?
What
threw himself on his knees, saying, Pardon
Sire;
me,
searched.'
He
all, have
me
instantly
and, above
emptied his pockets himself; he pulledoff his coat in
at last he told me
the greatest agitationand terror:

the

man

'

'

'

that

he

cook

was

and

to

mistaken

visit;that he had
staircase,and, finding all the doors

whom

he

to

came

into the

wandered
he

came,

and

a-tete

with

to

with

him

whole
and

was

After

honest

an
certainly

besides, be
of
'

another

into

man,

palace

poor

said

Guimard
and

tells the

easilyascertained.'

the

found

came

and

room,

this, the

his coat.

on

he

open,

had

him, and

have

person.

put

in which

room

the

left: I rang;
Guimard
instantly
astonished
enough at findingme tetein his shirt.
He
man
begged Guimard

would

which

go

of Beccari,

friend

devil
to

'

me,

of

happened

his

returned,
is

He

truth; this

Another

in, and

search

to

may,

the

vants
ser-

know

to
*

good man,' said he, who,

in the
the best hoeuf a Vecarlate
makes
moreover,
As I saw
world.'
the man
so
was
agitatedthat he
could
stand steady, I took fiftylouis out of my
not
bureau, and said, Here, sir, are fiftylouis,to quiet
He
alarms.'
went
out, after throwing himself
your
feet."
exclaimed
the impropriety
Madame
at my
on
accessible to
of having the
thus
King's bedroom
everybody. He talked with great calmness of this
that he conevident
trolled
strange apparition,but it was
him.

I will

for this

answer

himself,

and

that

he

had, in fact, been

much

to be. Madame
frightened,as, indeed, he had reason
the more
highly approved of the gift; and she was
in the
by no means
right in applauding it,as it was
I
M. de Marigny said,when
King's usual manner.

MEMOIRS

274
told

wagered
a

this

of

him
a

LOUIS

OF

that

adventure,
louis

thousand

XV.
he

would

against the King's making

present of fifty,if anybody but I had

the

circumstance.

he,

"

to

all of

that

excess

who

IV.

"It

said

to

because

be

avaricious.

he

could

played with the

fortune
depends on
through ostentation.
he

he,

"

reflect

to

preciselythe
reproached

rather

have

him

been

with

case

with

gave
them

refuse
a

the

avarice.

He

of
eagerness
the
game.

of

to

bons,
BourHenri

tresses,
his mis-

nothing;
whose

man

liberal

whole

XIV.

Louis

but

gave

It is most

what

on

told

singularfact," continued

of Valois

race

this is not
are

was

the

is

have

astonishing,"added
might have happened. The

in his
might actually have been assassinated
chamber, without
anybody knowing anything of the
and
without
matter
a
possibilityof discovering the

King

murderer."
not

get

For

that

and

both

him

to

noblemen

were

marry
of

him

create

Madame
her

time

all

except for

could

quarrel with her brother,

made
in the right. Proposals were
to
of the greatest
the daughter of one
the Court, and
the King consented
to

Duke,

she had

and

was

right

things, and
a

person

that
he

make

to

even

brother, but he declared

above

fortnightMadame

this incident.

over

About

than

more

in

wishing

that
he

the

he

would

reallyloved.

to

valued
not

He

title hereditary.

aggrandise
his liberty
sacrifice it
was

true

of great capacity,
Epicurean philosopher,and a man
according to the report of those who knew him well,
and
entirelyat his
judged him impartially. It was
option to have had the reversion of M. de St. Florentin's place,and the place of Minister of Marine, when
M.
de Machault
retired;he said to his sister,at 'the
vexations, by depriving you
time, I spare you many
of a slightsatisfaction.
The
people would be unjust
however
well I might fulfil the duties of my
to me,
"

MEMOIRS
As

office.

OF
to

M.

MME.

POMPADOUR'

DE

St. Florentin's

de

five-and-twenty years, so that

better for it. Kings' mistresses
their own
they need
account;
themselves

the

Ministers."
to

M.

hatred

which

Ouesnay

place,he
should

I
are

hated

not

also

is

repeated

of

live

may

be

not

the

enough
draw

directed

on

upon

against

this conversation

me.

King had another mistress,who

She
uneasiness.
Pompadour some
of the
and the wife of one
quality,

The
de

275

Madame

gave
was

most

woman

assiduous

courtiers.
A

man

in immediate

and

who

had

the

attendance
care

of

on

his

the

King's person,

clothes, came

to

much
that, as he was
day, and told me
very
because she was
attached to Madame,
good and useful
inform
to
to the King, he wished
me
that, a letter
having fallen out of the pocket of a coat which His
Majesty had taken off, he had had the curiosityto
the Comtesse
de
found
it to be from
read it, and
who
had already yieldedto the King's desires.
In this letter,she requiredthe King to give her fifty
of her
in money,
thousand
a regiment for one
crowns
relations,and a bishopric for another, and to dismiss
I
of
fifteen
in
the
Madame
days, etc.
space
told me, and
this man
with what
acquainted Madame
She said
she acted with singulargreatness of mind.
the King of this breach of
I ought to inform
to me,
of his servant, who
trust
means,
by the same
may,
bad use
make
of,
to the knowledge of, and
a
come
to ruin
important secrets; but I feel a repugnance
the man:
however, I cannot
permit him to remain
I shall do:
and
the King's person,
here is what
near
francs
Tell him that there is a place of ten thousand
in one
of the provinces;let him solicit
a
year vacant
for it,and it shall be granted
the Minister
of Finance
disclose through what
ever
to him; but, if he should
me

one

*'

LOUIS

OF

MEMOIRS

2^6

XV.

it,the King shall be made

I think
By this means,
acquainted with his conduct.
and
attachment
all that my
done
I shall have
duty
prescribe. I rid the King of a faithless domestic,
I did as
Madame
without
ruining the individual."
her
ordered
me:
delicacy and address inspired me
he

interest

obtained

has

She

admiration.

with

alarmed

not

was

account

on

"

She
lady,seeing what her pretensionswere.
will cerand
tainly
drives too quick,"remarked
Madame,
The
the road."
be overturned
lady died.
on
is ; all is corruption there,
the Court
See what
the highest to the lowest," said I to Madame,
from
facts
speaking to me of some
one
day, when she was
I could tell you
that had
to my
knowledge.
come
little
the
"but
others," replied Madame;
many
furnish you
chamber, where you often remain, must
little nook,
This
a
with a sufficient number."
was
I could hear a great part of what
from whence
passed
of the

"

"

"

in

Madame's

sometimes
waited

secretly

came

there.

Three

also

found

and

several

manner,

of

hearts, enemies
these
the

had

men

their

this

to

four

or

in,

way

Mirepoix

had

Prince

de

among

these

not

to

of

the

death

would

still less
The

station

Prince
he

held.

not

it for

even

have
to

was,

in the

Marechale

brother,

de
the

not
Muy was
promise of being

him
his

last

Sometimes,

by ambitious people,who

seat

du

the

the

her

tempted
betray
to

their

in

were,

the

Chevalier

The

apostates ;

Madame,

Dauphin.

requested

eration,
high consida
mysterious

Guards; and this

the

it if

obtained

Beauvan.

High Constable

in

petty objects in
of a province; another,

have

would

and

But
Pompadour.
view : one
required

de

Council; a third,a Captaincy of

man

of

devotees, who
Madame

Police

apartment,

persons,

not

government

of

Lieutenant

The

apartment.

to

make

master,

up
the

degree, weary

when

teased

to

pretended to be Catos,

MEMOIRS

2^%

He
principles.
and

reHgion, morals, nor

noise in the world,
to make
a
Julian,the Apostate, did the
the King so animated
before,"

wants

will succeed.

he

"

sam6."

saw

never

Madame,

observed

XV.

neither

has

he

though

game,

LOUIS

OF

when

he

was

"

out

gone

and

reallythe comparison with Julian,the Apostate, is

of the King of
not
amiss, consideringthe irreligion
of
If he gets out
his perplexities,
Prussia.
rounded
surof the
as he is by his enemies, he will be one
in history."
greatest men
Madame
is correct
in her
M* de Bernis remarked,
his
to pronounce
judgment, for she has no reason
praises;nor have I, though I agree with what she
de Pompadour
never
enjoyed so
says." Madame
"

much

influence

became
Abbe

of

one

de

she

he had

he

the

had

when
From

afforded

to

know

but

Choiseul

M.

de

the

time

him

been employed in

said

was

time

Ministry.

the

Bernis

support, and
of which

at

as

her

of

the

constant

foreignaffairs,
little. Madame

Treaty of Vienna, though the first idea of

I have
furnished her by the Abbe.
it was
certainly
been informed
by several persons that the King often
talked to Madame
this subject; for my
own
upon
relative to it,
heard
conversation
part, I never
any
the
by her on
except the high praises bestowed
she had
Empress and the Prince de Kaunitz, whom
deal of.
She said that he had a clear
known
a good
she
One day, when
head, the head of a statesman.
tried to cast
one
was
talking in this strain, some
of the stylein
the Prince on
account
ridicule upon
made

which

the

he

wore

his

hair, and

the

four

valets

de

tions,
hair-powder fly in all direcwhile Kaunitz
about that he might only
ran
catch the superfine
part of it. "Aye," said Madame,
justas Alcibiades cut off his dog's tail in order to
give the Athenians something to talk about, and to

chambre, who

"

made

the

MEMOIRS
turn

OF

MME.

attention

their

POMPADOUR

DE

from

those

279

things he

wished

to

conceal."
Never

inflamed
so
public mind
against
Madame
de Pompadour
when
arrived of the
news
as
battle of Rosbach.
Every day she received anonymous
atrocious
full
of
the
letters,
grossest abuse;
She continued
verses, threats of poison and assassination.
and
acute
long a prey to the most
sorrow,
could get no
tent
sleepbut from opiates. All this disconexcited
was
by her protectingthe Prince of
of Police had
Soubise; and the Lieutenant
great
of the people. The
in allayingthe ferment
difficulty
his fault.
du
M.
not
King affirmed that it was
in everything
the confidant of Madame
Verney was
relatingto war; a subject which he well understood,
by profession. The old
though not a militaryman
eral
Marechal
de Noailles called him, in derision,the Genof the flour,but Marechal
Saxe, one
day, told
that du Verney knew
of militarymatMadame
ters
more
than the old Marshal.
Du
paid a
Verney once
found
her in
visit to Madame
and
de Pompadour,
of War, and
with the King, the Minister
company
the plan of a
to them
two
Marshals; he submitted
was
generallyapplauded. It was
campaign, which
through his influence that M. de Richelieu was
pointed
apMarechal

of

the command

to

d'Estrees.
I

after,when
about

men

is the

He

art

of

make
reason

war,
a

the

army,
to

came

him.

with

was

the

"Military
but what

the

was

The
and

instead

the

Quesnay two days

ing
Doctor
began talkhe

said,

their

art;

I remember

great mystery

that young

of

Princes

of

always
they are

have

Why, because
their
active and daring. When
Sovereigns command
they perform! Clearly,
troops in person what exploits
because
they are at libertyto run all risks." These
observations
made
a
lastingimpressionon my mind.
the

most

brilliant success?

LOUIS

first physiciancame,

The
he

OF

MEMOIRS

28o

madmen

talking of

was

XV.

one

day,

and

madness.

to

Madame:

see

The

King

everything relatingto disease of

The
first physician said
interested him.
kind
of approachthe symptoms
he could distinguish
ing
present, and

was

any
that

likelyto

about the Court

persons
"
I know
the King.
one
him

tell the

to

last

At

time.

said,
"

Controller-General."
"

asked."
you
though that might

It

what

is

That

said

pressed
for

spite against

to

grant

not

true," said
me

some

Sechelles, the

would

possibly incline

King

he

any

"

in less

de

have

You

mad

himself

is M.

''because

Madame,

him," said

"

there

imbecile

The

excused

He

name.

he

will be

who

Are

become

replied he.

months,"

three

than

"

beforehand.

six months

madness

"

he,
tell

but

agreeabl
dis-

invent
make
not
one.
me
truth, it would
is losing his intellects from
He
debility. He affects
gallantryat his age, and I perceive the connection in
feeble and
his ideas is becoming
irregular." The
he came
afterwards
King laughed; but three months
to
Madame,
saying, Sechelles gives evident proofs
We
must
cessor
of dotage in the Council.
appoint a sucof
told me
Madame
de Pompadour
to him."
time
Some
the way
to Choisy.
this on
afterwards^
and
to see
the first physician came
Madame,
spoke to
attached
M.
You
to
her in private.
are
Berryer^
*'

"

said he,

Madame,"
that

you

long.

one

of

those

meant

to

I went

chin.

Hold

and
of

your
not

the

to

when

wild, and
'

and

to

am

will be attacked

he

before

sittingon
are
only

"

saw

to

have

by madness, or
this morning

him

low

very

to

warn

lepsy,
by cataat chapel,

little chairs, which

his
His knees touched
upon.
after mass;
his house
his eyes were

kneel

spoke to him,
pen's business is

his secretary

A
tongue, pen.
Madame,
speak/

Seals, was

sorry

"

very

much

who

liked the

concerned, and

he
to

said,
write,

Keeper
begged

OF

MEMOIRS

MME.

281

POMPADOUR

DE

he had perwhat
physiciannot to mention
ceived.
seized
M.
Four
Berryer was
days after this,
after having talked incoherently.This
with catalepsy,
I did not know
is a disease which
even
by name, and
for me.
The
patient remains
got it written down
the same
in precisely
positionin which the fit seizes
elevated, the eyes wide open,
him; one
leg or arm
or
just as it may
happen. This latter affair was
of the Keeper
all the Court
known
to
at the death
first

the

of the

Seals.

When
in

the

Marechal

persuaded the

battle,Madame

father

visit.

He

said to him, with

-"

Barbara

Croit

! dont I'orgueil
d'un sujet trop paye

barbarous

As

as

this solemn

him

I gave

gentleman in ordinary, and

in state
The
King went
followed
by all the Court;
that

d'un coup

on

to

call

and

it

visit consoled

asked

who

it

was.

surpriseat learningthat these

abounding

man

Court

put

out

The
"

He

; the

of

dead

in honours

Marshal

and

for

the

to

his

name.

carried

with

covered

bearers
was

How
were

Marshal,

the

some

great

was

the remains

in riches.

always in fault, and

are

place
the King.

certainlyappeared

the

hand-barrow,

common

verses

of

the

on

shabby cloth. I met the body. The

laughing and singing. I thought it
and

fine

pension,"said

loss of his son, the sole heir to his

the Marshal
When
died, he was
house

Madame

d'oeil."

'*

am,

his

pay

playful:

Whose
said,
''Voltaire's," said Madame

those?"

are

to

half

killed

was

King

air half angry,

an

son

reluctant, and

rather

was

King laughed, and

The
*'

le sang

Belle-Isle's

de

Such
cannot

were
vant,
ser-

my

of

is the
be

sight too

soon.

King said, M. Fouquet is dead, I hear."

no
was
longer Fouquet," replied the Due
"

2^2

MEMOIRS
"

OF

XV.

LOUIS

Majesty had permitted him to change

that name,
under which, however, he acquired all his
reputation."The King shrugged his shoulders. His
Majesty had, in fact,granted him letters patent, permitting
him not to sign Fouquet during his Ministry.
the occasion
this on
I heard
in question. M.
de
Choiseul
had the war
He
department at his death.
and more
in favour.
Madame
was
day more
every
treated him with greater distinction than any previous
her were
the most
towards
Minister,and his manners
agreeable it is possibleto conceive, at once
respectful
and gallant. He
never
passed a day without seeing
her. M. de Marigny could not endure M. de Choiseul,
but he never
spoke of him, except to his intimate
friends.
Calling,one day, at Quesnay's,I found him
He
there.
talkingof M. de Choiseul.
They were
is a mere
and, if he
petitmaitre/' said the Doctor,
handsome
were
just fit to be one of Henri the Third's
M.
de
and
favourites."
The
Marquis de Mirabeau
This
beau,
Riviere
in.
La
came
kingdom," said Mirais neither nais in a deplorablestate.
There
tional
the only substitute for it money."
nor
energy,
It can
only be regenerated,"said La Riviere, by
a
great
conquest^ like that of China, or by some
live to see
who
internal convulsion; but woe
to those
that ! The French
peopledo not do thingsby halves."

d'Ayen;

Your

"

"

*'

"

"

*'

"

words

These
of

the

room.

made
M.

appearing

without
said.

"

don't

be

Doctor's

You

heard

alarmed,
are

me

Marigny

de

De
the

La

I hastened

by

though
same,
had
what
been

Riviere," said he,

"

conversations

repeated;

out

the

did

all affected

at

never

tremble, and

these

that
are

"

but

pass at the
honourable

where
not
though rather chimerical. They know
in the right way;
I think, however, they are
to stop.
this
only, unfortunately,
they go too far." I wrote
men,

down

immediately.

MEMOIRS
Comte

The
de

her

emeralds.

and

furnish

to

came

283
see

Madame

and lay on the sofa, He

ill,
little box, containing topazes, rubies,
He
enough to
appeared to have
who

was

treasury.

POMPADOUR

DE

St. Germain

de

Pompadour,

shewed

MME.

OF

Madame

for

sent

to

me

see

all

things. I looked at them with an air

of the utmost
astonishment, but I made
signs to
Count
all false. The
that I thought them
Madame
felt for something in his pocketbook,about twice as
and, at length,drew out two
large as a spectacle-case,
he unfolded, and
three little paper packets,which
or
exhibited a superb ruby. He threw on the table,with
these

beautiful

white

of green and
air, a little cross
I looked
at it and
said, That is not

contemptuous

"

stones.

it on,

despised." I put
Count
begged me
me

to

take

it.

to

and

admired

accept it.
then

Madame

to

be

greatly. The
refused
^he urged
it

"

refused

it for

At

me.

length,he pressed it upon me so warmly that Madame,

seeing that it could not be worth above forty louis,
I took the cross, much
made
a sign to accept it.
me
and, some
days after,
pleased at the Count's politeness
Madame
presentedhim with an enamelled box, upon
of some
Grecian sage (whose
the portrait
which
was
she compared him.
I don't recollect),
to whom
name
who
valued it at
the cross
I shewed
to a jeweller,
offered to bring Madame
Count
louis. The
sixty-five
enamel
some
by Petitot, to look at, and she
portraits,
after dinner, while the King
told him to bring them
after which
his portraits,
was
hunting. He shewed
Madame

said to

him,

"

I have

heard

great deal of

charming story you told two days ago, at supper,

witnessed
le Premier's, of an
occurrence
at M.
you
fiftyor sixty years ago." He smiled and said, It is
the better," said she, with
So, much
rather long."
and the ladies
de Gontaut
air of delight. Madame
an
a

"

"

came

in, and

the

door

was

shut; Madame

made

MEMOIRS

284
sign to

to

me

OF
behind

sit down

LOUIS
the

XV.
The

screen.

Count

apologies for the ennui which his storyone

would, perhaps, occasion. He said, Sometimes
tell a story pretty well; at other times it is quite
can
different thing."
a
''At the beginning of this century, the Marquis de
from
Ambassador
St. Gilles was
Spain to the Hague.
intimate
with the
In his youth he had been particularly
of
of Moncade, a grandee of Spain, and
Count
one

made

many

"

the

nobles

richest

of

that

Some

country.

months

Marquis's arrival at the Hague, he received

the Count, entreating him, in the name
letter from
a
of their former
friendship,to render him the greatest
You
quis,
know,' said he, my dear Marpossibleservice.
after the

'

the

mortification

likelyto

was

pleased heaven
a

he

son:

of his

to

felt that

expire with

hear

early

gave

the
me.

name

At

of

cade
Mon-

length, it

prayers, and to grant me

promise of dispositionsworthy
my

time since,formed
birth,but he, some
and
to the
disgraceful attachment
actress

of

the company

of Toledo.

an

most

tunate
unforbrated
cele-

I shut my

man
imprudence on the part of a young
conduct
whose
had, till then, caused me
unmingled
satisfaction.
But, having learnt that he was
so
this girl,
and
blinded by passion as to intend to marry
bound
himself by a written promise
that he had
even
her placed
to that effect,I solicited the King to have
of
in confinement.
My son, having got information
intentions
the steps I had
taken, defeated
by
my
escaping with the object of his passion. For more
cover
disI have
than
six months
to
vainly endeavoured
he has concealed
where
himself, but I have now
The
Count
to think he is at the Hague.'
reason
some
the most
earnestly conjured the Marquis to make
rigidsearch, in order to discover his son's retreat, and
his
him
to
to
return
endeavour
to
to
prevail upon

eyes

to

this

MEMOIRS

286

enter; and, being

woman

LOUIS

XV.

certain

now

the Ambassador.

inform

to

ran

OF

followed

He

the

desired

The

Marquis de St.
inn, wrapped in a

and
two
servantspage
show
him to the room
of

who

The

so, unless

page

to

woman,

house.

refused to do
name.

landlord

and

man
young
time
in his

his

by

had

the

Marquis
to

take

for

lodged

landlord, for

told him

he

success,

The

Gilles immediately repaired to the

cloak, and

of

notice

time,

some

would

some

give

their

that he

was

the

Spanish Ambassador, who had strong

the persons
for wishing to see
in question.
reasons
The innkeepersaid they wished
not
to be known,
and
that they had absolutelyforbidden
him to admit anybody

speaking to

by

into their apartment who

did not
but that, since the Ambassador
name;

he

would

them

up

him

show
to

their

He

room.

dirty,miserable garret.

for them

ask

desired

then
He

it,

conducted
knocked

at

the

time; he then knocked

door, and waited for some
halfagain pretty loudly, upon which the door was
his
and
opened. At the sight of the Ambassador
suite,the person who opened it immediately closed it
The
again,exclaimingthat they had made a mistake.
Ambassador
pushed hard against him, forced his way
a
in, made
sign to his people to wait outside, and
remained
handsome

in

the

were

with

the

saw

before

him

appearance
description, and

remarkably

very

perfectly

whose

of great beauty, and

woman,

whose

man,

young

corresponded

He

room.

young
fine person,

form, colour of the hair, etc.,

countenance,
also preciselythose described
by the Count of

plained
comspoke first. He
in breaking into the
used
of the violence
apartment of a stranger, livingin a free country, and
Ambassador
the protection of its laws.
The
under
less
stepped forward to embrace him, and said, It is useI do
dear Count; I know
to feign,my
you, and

Moncade.

The

young

man

MEMOIRS
not

here

come

whose

interests

appearance

repliedthat

man

not

give pain

to

he

to

287
this

to

or

you

extremely/ The
totallymistaken ; that

was

Count, but the

POMPADOUR

DE

MME.

OF

me

of

son

young
he was

of Cadiz ; that

merchant

lady,

travelling
lady was his wife; and, that they were
for pleasure.The Ambassador, castinghis eyes round
the miserably furnished
which
contained but
room,
one
bed, and some
packages of the shabbiest kind,
Is this, my
dear
lying in disorder about the room,
child (allow me
to address
by a title which is
you
warranted
by my tender regard for your father),is
the

'

this

fit residence

cade ?

'

The

of

use

any

for the

of

induce

him

to

he

tears; and

declared

but

Moncade,

woman

Mon-

still protested against the

man
young
such language, as addressed
At
to him.

by the entreaties of
length,overcome
he confessed, weeping, that he was
Count

of

of the Count

son

to

return

adored.

tellinghim

the

that

The

of

son

nothing

the

should

abandon

his father,if he must

herself

threw

the Ambassador,

burst into
woman
young
sador,
at the feet of the Ambas-

that she would

be the

not

the ruin of the young

Count; and
enable her to
rather, love, would

cause

of

that

or
generosity,
disregardher own

happiness,and, for his sake, to separate herself from

him.

The

The
received
He

her declaration
his

reproached

would

young

suffer the sublime

generosityof

against herself.

The

Count
her

of

Moncade

miserable,and
her

with

Spain, or
sentiments,and
into

sum

to

far

that he

was

live where

that

wishing to

commissioned

sufficient to enable
she

her

liked.

genuine tenderness,

he

he
nor

to be turned

told him

from

that

creature,

her heart

Ambassador

was

contrary,

declared

estimable

so

interest
dis-

desperategrief.

the most

mistress, and

abandon

never

the

on

man,

with

noble

her

admired

Ambassador

render
to

to

Her

the

vide
pro-

return

noble

said, inspired

288

the

with

him

him

induce

to

LOUIS

OF

MEMOIRS

greatest interest
the utmost

to

go

XV.

her, and

for
Hmits

would

of his powers,

give her; that he, therefore,

promised her ten thousand florins,that is to say, about
would
be given her the
twelve hundred
louis,which
the promise of marriage she
she surrendered
moment
took up his
had
received, and the Count of Moncade
in the Ambassador's
abode
house, and promised to
seemed
to Spain. The
return
woman
perfectly
young
indifferent to the sum
proposed, and wholly absorbed
in the grief of leaving him.
She
in her lover, and
insensible to everything but the cruel sacrifice
seemed
demanded.
At
and her love itself,
her reason,
which
length,drawing from a littleportfoliothe promise of
I know
his heart
marriage, signed by the Count,
she kissed it
too
well,' said she, to need it.' Then
ered
again and again, with a sort of transport, and delivstood
it to the Ambassador, who
by, astonished
He
at the grandeur of soul he witnessed.
promised
in

the

he

sum

to

was

'

her

that

interest

he
in

would
her

to

cease

never

fate, and

assured

take
the

the

liveliest
of

Count

forgiveness. He will receive with

arms,' said he, the prodigal son, returning
of his distressed family; the heart of a
bosom
father's

'

is

an

his

exhaustless mine

of tenderness.

How

open
the
to

father

great will

the receiptof these

of my
friend on
felicity
how
tidings, after his long anxiety and affliction;
of
myself, at being the instrument
happy do I esteem
that felicity
!
Such was, in part, the language of the
which
Ambassador,
appeared to produce a strong
ing
But, fearinglest,durman.
impression on the young
should
the night, love
regain all his power,
the generous
resolution of
should
and
triumph over
to
Count
the lady, the Marquis pressed the young

be the

'

accompany

him

anguish, which

to

his

marked

hotel.

The

this cruel

tears, the

cries of

separation,cannot

MEMOIRS

OF

POMPADOUR

DE

MME.

289

the heart
of the
described; they deeply touched
the young
over
Ambassador, who promised to watch
difficult to
not
lady. The Count's Httle baggage was
installed in
and, that very evening, he was
remove,

be

finest apartment

the

Marquis

was

house
of

its
as

of the Ambassador's

overjoyed
of Moncade

as

the

young

The

trious
the illus-

to

the heir of its greatness, and

magnificentdomains.
soon

restored

having

at

house.

On

the

Count

ing,
followingmorn-

was

up,

he

found

dealers in cloth,lace,stuffs,etc., out of which

tailors,
Two
valets de chamhre, and
he had only to choose.
for their
three laquais,chosen
by the Ambassador
in waiting in his
and good conduct, were
intelligence
antechamber, and presented themselves, to receive his
orders.

The

Ambassador

shewed

the

young

Count

just written to his father, in which

noble
he congratulated
him on possessinga son
whose
sentiments
and strikingqualities
were
worthy of his
his speedy return.
illustrious blood, and
announced
The young
not
lady was
forgotten;he confessed that
mission
to her generosityhe was
partlyindebted for the subof her lover, and expressed his conviction that
would
the Count
not disapprove the gifthe had made
florins. That sum
remitted,
was
her, of ten thousand
the same
on
day, to this noble and interesting
girl,
left the Hague without
who
delay. The preparations
robe
for the Count's journey were
made; a splendid wardembarked
at
excellent
and
an
carriage were
board
for France, on
in a ship bound
Rotterdam,
which
secured for the Count, who
was
a
was
passage
able
that country to Spain. A considerto proceed from
of money,
and letters of credit on
Paris,
sum
were
given him at his departure; and the parting

the

letter he

between
most

with

the

had

Ambassador

and

the

young

Count

was

Marquis de St. Gilles awaited

touching. The
and enjoyed his
impatiencethe Count's answer,

OF

MEMOIRS

290

LOUIS

XV.

friend's

delight by anticipation. At the expiration

of four months, he received this long-expectedletter.
It would
be utterlyimpossible to describe his surprise
on
Heaven, my dear
reading the following words,
granted me the happiness of becoming
Marquis, never
*

wealth
and
father, and, in the midst of abundant
honours, the grief of having no heirs, and seeing an
a

illustrious

race

bitterness

over

in my person, has
whole
existence.

end

my
regret, that

shed

the greatest
I see, with
treme
ex-

been

have

imposed upon by a
has taken
adventurer, who
advantage of the
young
obtained, of our
knowledge he had, by some
means,
old friendship. But your
Excellency must not be the
sufferer.
The
of Moncade
Count
is, most
assuredly,
the person whom
your
repay what

you

wished

you

to

serve

; he

is bound

to

vance,
friendshiphastened to adhe
in order to procure
him a happiness which
quis,
would
have felt most
deeply. I hope, therefore. Marthat your
Excellency will have no hesitation in
accepting the remittance contained in this letter,of
louis of France, of the disbursal of
three thousand

which
The

sent

you

the

me

an

account.'

in which

manner

spoke, in

generous

characters

mistress, and

the

"

of the

young
made
Ambassador,

the

St. Germain

de

Comte

adventurer, his
his

audience

The
laugh by turns.
story is true in every
adventurer
Gusman
the
particular, and
surpasses
in address, according to the report of
d'Alfarache
de
Madame
Pompadour
some
present.
persons
this
on
thought of having a play written, founded
it to her in writing,from
sent
story; and the Count

and

weep

which
M.
with
or

it.

I transcribed

Duclos
his usual

three

Ministers

to

came

warmth.
"

the

Doctor's,

I heard

him

harangued
saying to two

and

People are unjust to great men.

persons,
and
Princes; nothing, for instance,is more

MEMOIRS

OF
than

common

POMPADOUR

DE

MME.

their intellect.

undervalue

to

291
I astonished

of these littlegentlemen of the corps of the

by tellinghim that I could prove that
infallihles,
one

been

had

there

more

the

for

Bourbon,

said

sneeringly. Yes,"
and

the Duchesse

wittiest

that

Prince

acquirement. The
King of Poland,
and, in poetry,

Conti,

the

successful
of

Duke

The

any

somebody,
fool;

no

was

of the

one

as

Regent

was

of talent and

who

for

celebrated

was

was

St. Aulaire.

and

de

cited

kind

every

in

I will tell you

and

The

lived.

ever

said

of

house

than

will allow,

equals,in

few

had

''

Longuevilleis

de

women

who

man

Duclos;

great Conde, you

The

the

years,

that?"

prove

"

how.

hundred

last

"You

family."

other

abilityin

of

men

elected

was

his

intelligence,

rival of

Burgundy

La

Fare

learned

was

enlightened.His Duchess, the daughter of Louis

epigrams
XIV., was
remarkably clever, and wrote
is generallyspoken
Due
du Maine
and couplets. The
of only for his weakness, but nobody had
a
more
tensive
agreeablewit. His wife was mad, but she had an exacquaintancewith letters,
good taste in poetry,
and a brilliant and inexhaustible
imagination. Here
instances enough, I think," said he ;
and, as I
are

and

"

hate

flatterer,and

no

am

to

I will not

one,

appear

astonished at
speak of the living." His hearers were
this enumeration, and all of them
agreed in the truth
he had
said.
He
of what
we
daily
added, "Don't

"

of

hear

natured
there
him
a

M.

sillyD'Argenson, because
air,and a bourgeoistone?

have

in

pen,

been

not

in

Duclos

to

to

Doctor's

tell her

"

how

the

good-

yet, I believe,

comparable

conversation
Memoirs"

he

had

10

begged
he

had

bestowed

on

names

that to the
arose,

to

I took

table, and

all the

me

mentioned, and the eulogium

each.
If," said he, you show
"

has

enlightenedviews."

the

repeat

and

Ministers

many

knowledge and
which
lay on

he

and

Marquise,
that

I did
Vol.

MEMOIRS

292
not

order

it in

say

LOUIS

OF
it

that

XV.

might

her

to

come

ears,

eventually,perhaps, to those of another

person.
and
I
will render
but
I am
an
justice,
historiographer,
I will answer
inflict it."
for
I shall, also, often
will be repand our
master
that," said the Doctor,
resented
he reallyis. Louis XIV.
liked verses, and
as
well, perhaps, in his
patronisedpoets; that was
very
must
one
begin with something; but
time, because
this age
will be very
superior to the last. It must
mers
be acknowledged that Louis XV., in sending astronoand

"

"

Mexico

to

higher claim
He

opposed

the

clamour

of

shook
down

all I had

copied by

to

the earth, has

measure

if he

respect than

our

thrown

down

directed

barriers

the

an

which

philosophy, in spite of the

the Encyclopaedia will do
reign." Duclos, during this speech,

head.

part which

Peru,

of
progress
the devotees:
his

to

his

to

has

opera.

honour

and

went

and

away,

heard, while

it

valet, who

wrote

fresh.

was

of

related to the Princes

a

tried

the

to

I had

Bourbon

beautiful

hand,

write
the
race

and

she said
But
Pompadour.
is Duclos
"What!
to me,
an
acquaintance of yours?
Do
bel esprit,my
dear
to play the
want
good
you
will not
That
sit well upon
woman?
you." The
truth
be
from
further
is, that nothing can
my
I told her that I met
inclination.
him
accidentally
hour
the Doctor's, where
he generally spent an
at
he came
when
The
to Versailles.
King knows him
to be a worthy man," said she.
Madame
de Pompadour
and the King came
was
ill,
her several times
to see
a
day. I generally left the
he
when
room
entered, but, having stayed a few
ory
minutes, on one occasion, to give her a glass of chicthe King mention
Madame
water, I heard
d'Egraised her eyes to heaven, and said,
Madame
mont.
That
name
melancholy
always recalls to me a most
I gave

it to

Madame

de

"

"

MEMOIRS

294

and,
her

damnation.

eternal

calm
do ?

her
'

and

own

said

she,

this

'

Consecrate

director,

barbarous
director

the

unhappy

'

and

avert

tried

What

to

can

yourself wholly
thus expiate your

the

tyranny
about

were

but

woman;

young
it. The

King,
Queen to

prevent

'

mind.

to

The

the

and

Villars

to

about

King

daughter
d'Egmont

Countess, in her terror, promised

and
they asked,
proposed to enter the
of it, and
informed
was
spoke to the

whatever
Carmelites.

mother's

her.

to

crime.'

mother's

XV.

Madame

her

God,' repliedthe

to

LOUIS

knees, besought her

her

on

OF

with

de

exercise

to

knew

we

the

Duchesse

over

how

not

kindness,

utmost

offer her the situation of

prevailed on the
Lady of the Palace, and desired the Duchess's friends
her daughter
to persuade her
to endeavour
to deter
It was
from
all in vain; the
becoming a Carmelite.
wretched

victim

Madame

took

sacrificed."

was

it into her

head

to

consult

teller,
fortune-

Bontemps, who had told M. de

Bernis's fortune, as I have
already related,and had
surprised him by her predictions. M. de Choiseul,
called Madame

to

whom
had

woman

"

foot

how

she

still."

fine

things that

to

were

the

pen
hap-

it,"said she, and, in return,

carriage,but the poor woman
goes
told

Madame

then, for fear it should

I

that

"

I know
a

said

matter,

this, and

me

disguiseherself,so
I dared
being known.

days after,
which

the

could

without
scheme

foretold

her

promised

you

mentioned

also

him.

to

on

she

talked

as

not

to
not

see

asked
the

propose

me

woman

any

succeed; but, two

the art,
about
surgeon
practise,of counterfeitingsores,
to

her

beggars
He
said that was
and
alteringtheir features.
easy
enough. I let the thing drop, '^nd, after an interval
of some
could change one's
minutes, I said, If one
features,one
might have great diversion at the opera,
some

"

or

at

balls.

What

alterations

would

it be

necessary

MEMOIRS

OF

MME.

POMPADOUR

DE

295

to make

in me, now,
it impossibleto recogto render
nise
"In
me?"
the first place,"said he, ''you must

alter the

colour

false nose,
*'

wart,

or

Help

to
to

in

hairs."

years;
tell him

and

to

I shall

quarter of an hour."
of your nose," said he;
I will have

"

brown

surgeon
the

two

her

had

told

to

me

the

noses,

do

she

was

and

dying

am

can

it with

get

flaxen

what

delightedat
own,

wax,

it.

the

I took

and

carried

who, in two
days, gave
surgeon,
and a wart, which
Madame
stuck

left eye,

one

go to bed,
the measure

Madame

of my

no

to

and

take

you

to

take

you

repeated

of her nose,

measure

them

wig."

or

face,
said,

and

things which

I must

made:

nose

but

ball ; I have

next

home,

come

"

or

laughed,

twenty

and

for

one

have

must

you

part of your

some

this for the

tell him.

can

on

contrive

puzzle somebody,
but I

spot

few

hair, then

your

put

or

me

been

not

and

of

the

me

under

paint for the eyebrows. The

most
were
noses
delicately
made, of a bladder, I think,
it imposand these, with the other disguises,
rendered
sible
to
recognize the face, and yet did not produce
All
this being accomplished
shocking appearance.
any
but to give notice to the
nothing remained
waited
for a little excursion
to
fortune-teller;
we
Madame
to
take, to look at her
Paris, which
was
house.

I then
to

de

She

some

got

speak

Ruffec, to
made

and

to

obtain

person,
a

with

waiting-woman
an

interview

I had

whom

no

nection,
con-

of the Duchesse

with

the

woman.

of the Police ; but

account
on
difficulty,
ing.
we
promised secrecy, and appointed the place of meetde
Nothing could be more
contrary to Madame
of extreme
one
was
Pompadour's character, which
in such an
But
adventure.
timidity,than to engage
her curiositywas
raised to the highest pitch, and,
well arranged that there
so
everything was
moreover,
the slightest
risk.
Madame
had let M.
de
not
was
some

OF

MEMOIRS

296

hired

latter had

The

de

valet

her

and

Gontaut,

two

XV.

LOUIS

chambre,

into

for

his

rooms

Madame's
at Versailles,near
ill,
in the evening, followed
went
out
by
safe
and by
a
chambre, who was
man,
to

steps

hotel.

She

sofa.

the

The

in the other.

we

half

fires.

were

had

unstudied

face, in an
fire,leaning on

value.

small

little servant-girl
let her
the

room

and

the

lying on

were

clothes, of

table, on

the

where

The

thrown

concealed
I

which

was

us,

fortune-teller
then

went

dles.
cansome

rang

to

"

wait

in

Coffee-cups,

were.

I had

set; and

near

two

were

chairs,near

in, and

rooms,

in one,
herself on

manner.

gentlemen

were
coffee-pot,

small

night-cap, which

on

hundred

two

remained

men

had

Madame

her

There

two

de

Duke, all

the

into two

shown

were

We

valet

the

farthest,above

at

not,

We

go.

in which
and

had

We

foot.

secret.

niece, who

then

was

on

the

taken

care

to

little buffet,some
a
cakes, and a bottle
place, upon
of Malaga wine, having heard that Madame
Bontemps
assisted her inspirationwith that liquor. Her
face,
Is that lady ill?
indeed, sufficiently
proclaimed it.
said she, seeing Madame
de
stretched
Pompadour
'*

"

the

languidly on

sofa.

be better,but

her

that

she

would

for a
kept her room
week.
She heated
the coffee,and
prepared the two
she carefully
ing
wiped, observingthat nothcups, which
into this operation. I affected
enter
impure must
soon

to

be

give
which

into

oracle

for

two
not
one

or

to

three

have

of the two

had

glass of wine, in order to

pretext for assuaging her thirst,

she did, without

drunk
care

anxious

very
our

that she

told

much

entreaty.

she had

When

small

glasses (for I had taken

large ones), she poured the coffee
This is yours,"said
large cups.
"

"

this is your
she ;
and
friend's ; let them
little." She then observed
hands
and
our

after which

she

drew

from
looking-glass

stand
our

her

faces;

pocket,

MEMOIRS

OF

told

she

which

into

the reflections of

look, while

to

us

faces.

our

POMPADOUR

DE

MME.

She

S97
looked

she
took

next

at

glass of

thusiasm,
immediately threw herself into a fit of enand
ered
considshe
while
inspected my
cup,
all the lines formed
by the dregs of the coffee
she had poured out.
She began by saying, That is
tresses.
diswell
prosperity but there is a black mark
A man
becomes
a comforter. Here, in this
is he
Ah! who
corner
are
friends,who support you.
But
that persecutes them?
justicetriumphs after
rain, sunshine
a long journey successfid. There, do
which
has
is money
That
these little bags?
see
you
That is well.
been paid
to you,
of course, I mean.

wine,

and

''

"

"

"

"

"

"

Do

you

'^

that armf

see

Yes."

"That

is

arm

an

veiled;I see her; it

I hear, as it were,
is you.
All this is clear to me.
a
voice speaking to me.
I
You are no longer attacked.
see
it,because the clouds in that direction are passed
I see
off (pointing to a clearer spot). But, stay
branch
small lines which
out
from the main spot.
that is pretty
These
are
daughters, nephews
sons,
well.'' She appeared overpowered with the effort she
That
is all.
was
making. At length, she added,
You
have had good luck first misfortuneafterward.
has exerted himselfwith
You
have had a friend,who
have had lawYou
to extricate you from it.
success
suits
been reconciled
to you,
at length fortune has
another
will change no
more.''
She drank
and
glass
of wine.
said she to the
Your
health, Madame,"
ceremonies
Marquise, and went
through the same
with the cup.
At length, she broke
out, "Neither
fair nor foul. I see there,in the distance, a serene
sky ; and then all these things that appear to ascend
is a grave
all these things are applauses. Here
man,

supportingsomething: a

woman

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

who

sir

etches
"

out

That

his

arms.

is true"

Do

said

you

see?

Madame

"

look
de

tentivel
at-

Pom-

XV.

LOUIS

OF

MEMOIRS

298

indeed, some
surprise (there was,
pearance
ap''He
of the kind).
points to something
th^irtis an
But,
open coffer. Fine weather.square
and
clouds of azure
round
look! there are
gold, which surthe high sea?
that ship on
Do
see
you
you.
How
favourablethe wind is! You are on hoard; you
the
become
land in a beautifulcountry, of which
you
there
look at
Look
what
do I see?
Ah!
Queen.
is pursuing you
who
that hideous, crooked, lame
man,
I see
but he is going on
a
a
fooVs errand.
very
Here, look!
great man, who supports you in his arms.
is a great deal of gold
he is a kind of giant. There
But
silver
and
a
few clouds here and there.
you
have
nothing to fear. The vessel will be sometimes
Madame
tossed about, but it will not be lost. Dixi."
with

padour,

"

"

"

"

"

"

said,

"

of

die, and

shall I

When

disease?

what

"

"

speak of that," said she; ''see here, rather

how
but fate will not
permit it. I will shew
you
fate confounds everything'' shewing her several
confused
lumps of the coffee-dregs. Well, never
of
the kind
mind
to the time, then, only tell me
as
never

"

"

"

death."

fortune-teller

The

looked

in

the

cup,

and

yourself.''I
her only two
markable.
louis, to avoid doing anything regave
She left us, after begging us to keep her
secret, and we
rejoined the Due de Gontaut, to whom
related everything that had
we
passed. He laughed
like the
coffee-dregs are
heartily,and said, Her
what
clouds
see
you please in them."
you may
There
one
was
thing in my horoscope which struck
uncles
the comforter; because
of my
that was
one
me,
"

said,

You

zvill have

time

to

prepare

"

"

had
the

taken

the

Madame

care

essential

most

of

me,

services.

had

and
It

is

also

rendered
true

that

me

there
important lawsuit;and, lastly,
into my
hands
which had come
through
money
de Pompadour's patronage and bounty. As

afterwards
was

great
had

an

MEMOIRS

OF
her

for Madame,

enough by the
which

of

with

she

POMPADOUR

the

lame

and

recognizedthe
deformed.

adventure

299

representedaccurately
coffer;then the country

Queen seemed
Court; but the

at

much

her

was

crooked

the
thing was
thought

with

husband

became

she

very

DE

man

present situation

was

MME.

relate to

to

remarkable

most

in whom

man,

Due

her

dame
Ma-

de V

who
,

Madame

delighted

was

she
horoscope, which
remarkably with the truth.
de St. Florentin,
for M.

her

and

thought corresponded very

Two
days after, she sent
and begged him not to molest the fortune-teller.
He
laughed,and repliedthat he knew why she interceded
Madame
for this woman.
asked him why he laughed.
of her expedition with
He
related every circumstance
astonishingexactness; but he knew nothing of what
had been said,or, at least,so he pretended. He promised
Madame
that, provided Bontemps did nothing
called for notice, she

which

should

not

be obstructed

if she followed
profession,especially
I know
it in secret.
her," added he, and I,
the curiosityto consult
had
like other people,have
She is the wife of a soldier in the guards. She
her.

in the exercise

of her

"

''

is

clever

five years
de
Madame

or

could

Duchess

her

her

sun,

to

that

made

she

was

mind

of

believe

she

the

on

her

Four

would
beauty, which
at
twenty-five.The

drugs of which this elixir is

sometimes
they are bad : sometimes,
not
exposed, was
ful
powerthey were

high for

which

she

she drinks.

hold

elixir of

an

what

; and

but

way,

got such

she

Ruffec,
to

pays

compounded
the

ago,

procure

restore

in her

woman

the

enough; sometimes,
was
wanting.

the

influence of

Sometimes,

she

certain
has

the

stellation
con-

age
cour-

really is grown
lieve
and
handsomer,
actuallysucceeds in making her beit."
But the history of this woman's
daughter
beautiful,
She was
curious.
is still more
exquisitely
to

assure

the

Duchess

that

she

MEMOIRS

300
the

and

OF

LOUIS

XV.

brought her up
predictedto the girl,in

in

Duchess

Bontemps

would

she

that

This

marry

her

the

Duchess's

of

man

house.

own

presence,
thousand

two

likelyto happen to
the daughter of a soldier
guards. It did happen,
The
little Bontemps
nevertheless.
married
the
mad.
President Beaudouin, who
was
But, the tragical
had also foretold
part of the story is,that her mother
die in child-birth of her first child,and
that she would
that she did actuallydie in child-birth,at the age of
eighteen,doubtless under a strong impression of her
mother's
prophecy, to which the improbable event of
her marriage had
given such extraordinary weight.
her curiosity
told the King of the adventure
Madame
he laughed, and
said he
led her into, at which
had
louis

year.

very
in the

had

arrested
"

sensible remark.

very
"

Police

the

wished

not

was

of

the

truth

or

In

her.

order

falsehood

of

to

such

He

added

judge," said he,

predictions,one

It would
be found that
fiftyof them.
almost always made
phrases,
up of the same
hit
and
sometimes
sometimes
which
are
inapplicable,
But
the first are
the mark.
rarelymentioned, while
the others are always insisted on."
I have
heard, and, indeed, it is certainly
true, that
of intimacy with Madame,
M. de Bridge lived on terms
collect

ought to
they are

she

when

with

horseback
that
it
the

he

Madame

was

natural

was

lover

something

her, and,

retained

has

of

more

d'Etioles.

the

enough

as
name

that

very handsome
this.
than
"

he

is

He
so

the

he

should

was

to

ride

handsome

of

woman.

used

handsome
be

on

man

man,

thought

I have

told that the

heard

King

Bridge, Confess, now, that you were

I
and
has
her lover.
She
acknowledged it to me,
de
from
this proof of sincerity." M.
exact
you
de Pompadour
at
was
Bridge replied,that Madame
amuselibertyto say what she pleased for her own
said to

M.

de

MEMOIRS

302

ular
time

and

manner;

stopped

that

the

adjust matters,

to

LOUIS

talk

to

moment

closet with

the

OF

and

XV.

King

to

having, happily,
ladies,there was

some

so

that

M.

de

Madame

of

out

came

Choiseul,as if we had
been all three sitting
together. It is very true that I
in to carry something to Madame,
without knowwent
ing
that the King was
and
that she came
out
come,
of the closet with M.
de Choiseul, who
had a paper
in his hand, and
that I followed
her a few
minutes
The
after.
King asked M. de Choiseul what that
he had
He
in his hand.
which
was
repliedthat
paper
it contained
Three
and

me

the

four

or

as, with

the

women,

and

whom

ladies witnessed

I will not
treated

the

Parliament.

what

on

because

name,

with

me

but

none

the

lent
all excel-

question,

brother

her

picions
sus-

my

in

one

relate,

now

exception of one, they were

greatly attached to Madame,

fall

could

from

remonstrance

has

ways
al-

Madame

great kindness.

de

bility,
livelyimaginationand great sensiexceed
of her
but nothing could
the coldness
It would, besides,have been extremely
temperament.
she was,
difficult for her, surrounded
to keep up
as
had

Pompadour

an

of that

intercourse

kind

with

any

It is true

man.

in the
have
been diminished
would
difficulty
had
of an
constant
case
all-powerful Minister, who
a
pretexts for seeing her in private. But there was

that this

much

charming

mistress

knew
some

Kinski, who
that
All

he

fact

decisive

more

soon

these

sufficient to

"

M.

the Princesse

"

Choiseul

de
de

had
and

dame
Ma-

often

it,and
remains

of

followed

spoke of
liking for

him

after discovered
circumstances
deter

Madame

from
how

He

sides,
had, be-

Princesse

the

Vienna.
ridiculous

combined
from

her.

It is true
she

was.

surely,

were,

engaging

de

in

love

Duke; but his talents and agreeable

He
not
was
handsome, but
captivatedher.
qualities

affair with

the

MEMOIRS
he

OF

MME.

POMPADOUR

DE

303

pecuHar to himself,
delightfulgaiety; this was

had

an

manners

agreeable
the general

vivacity,a
attached
much
He
to
was
opinion of his character.
be inspired
and though this might, at first,
Madame,
ship
of the importance of her friendby a consciousness
ficient
had
to his interest,yet, after he
acquired sufnot
politicalstrength to stand alone, he was
the less devoted

said

to

dear

Madame

state

of

Try
of

to

the
One

her

not

very

assure

son.

said,

guards ?

"

''

I.

thought

retired

had

to

d'Amblimont

''

the

D'Amblimont, who shall have

Stop a moment," said she ;
Choiseul."

de

M.

"

''

let
is

That

bad

the

are

you

d'Amblimont
communicate

my

He

M.

left us,

''

idea

to

"

de Gontaut,
has
who
first person

thought,"said

immediately
said, I'll lay a

room,

favourite

the

called me
to
Gontaut, who
moment
after, M. de Gontaut

council

you,

it."

de

Madame

in and

so

Pompadour
Madame
Berryer.

M.

my

existence!

in

into

melancholy.

of

for

fate

de

Madame

with

call my

me

What

greatest monarch

talk about

Swiss

die

one

afraid, my

will sink

she

that

Hausset,

her."

divert

closet with

came

"

complete dejection,and

day,

stayed

du

he

and

friendshipfor me,
great feeling, I am

with

me,

in his attentions

less assiduous

nor

her

knew

He

day

her,

to

de

M.

very shortly,and, M.
de
he said to Madame

wager

suggested
Madame

and
is

he

but

going

Choiseul."

He

to
turned
re-

Berryer having left the

A singular
Pompadour,
"

"

head."
What
thought has entered d'Amblimont's
Not
said Madame.
so
great an
absurdity now ?
the
Swiss
She
absurdity neither," said he.
says
guards ought to be given to M. de Choiseul, and,
promised M. de
really,if the King has not positively
"

"

"

Soubise,

I don't

see

what

he

can

do

better."

King has promised nothing,"said Madame,

of the vaguest kind.
hopes I gave him were

"

"

Th^

and

the

only

MEMOIRS

304
it

told him

LOUIS

OF

possible. But

was

XV.

though

I have

great

regard for M. de Soubise, I do not think his merits

the
When
comparable to those of M. de Choiseul."
doubtless, told him of this
in, Madame,
King came
suggestion. A quarter of an hour afterwards, I went
I heard
the King
to speak to her, and
into the room
the Due
du Maine,
will see that, because
You
say,
that place, he
will think he
his children, had
and
of his rank
Prince
as
ought to have it, on account
de Bassompierre was
(Soubise); but the Marechal
not
a
Prince; and, by the bye, the Due de Choiseul is
''

for

him

be.

to

Her

name

was

She

Romans.

was

Majesty is brtter acquaintedwith the historyof France

Two
than
days after
anybody," replied Madame.
I have
said to me,
de
two
great
this,Madame
delights; M. de Soubise will not have the Swiss guards,
will be ready to burst with
de Marsan
Madame
and
*'

rage

at it ;

them;

this is the

There
whom

for

this is the first: and

was

the
him

King
be.

to

M.

will have

de Choiseul

greatest."
universal
was

as

Her

talk of

in love

much

was

name

young
as

it

was

lady with
possible
She

Romans.

was

de Pompadour
charming girl. Madame
and her confidantes brought
knew
of the King's visits,
her most
alarming reports of the affair. The Marechale de Mirepoix, who
had the best head in Madame's
the only one
I
who
council, was
encouraged her.
tell you," said she,
do not
that he loves you
better
than
her; and if she could be transported hither by
the stroke of a fairy's
wand; if she could entertain him
this evening at supper;
if she were
familiar with all his
for
tastes, there would, perhaps, be sufficient reason

said to be

*'

"

tremble
for your
But
to
you
power.
above
all, pre-eminently the slaves of

King's

attachment

apartment,

your

to

you

is like that

furniture.

You

he

have

Princes

habit.
bears
formed

to

are,

The
your
your-

self to his
and

and

manners

POMPADOUR

DE

MME.

OF

MEMOIRS

3051

know

habits;you

how

his stories; he is under

he has no fear of boring you.

reply

with

to

you;
think he could

resolution

have

to

constraint

no

How

do you
all this in a

uproot

and
establishment,

listen

to

make

public
exhibition of himself by so strikinga change in
The
his arrangements ?
lady became
nant;
pregyoung
the reports current
the people,and even
among
those at Court, alarmed
Madame
dreadfully. It was
the child, and to
said that the King meant
to legitimate
All that," said Madame
de
give the mother a title.
such digMirepoix, is in the styleof Louis XIV.
nified
ter."
proceedings are very unlike those of our masday, to form

new

to

"

"

"

"

Mademoiselle
the

King by

treated with

indiscreet

her

harshness

and

been

had
King's paternity,
birth
of

name

of
France
future

to

fixed upon
du Maine.

finest laces.

Charles

mother

She

She

there gave

suck

to
great curiosity

manufactory at
projected. After
"

I want

and

to

gave

spot where

portant,
im-

and

go
orders

she

to her

eyes

and

child

down

to

the

wished

son

soon

was

bought

some

with

de

stop

alight. She

had

Madame

day, to the
what

cups,

Bois
to

de

the grass in a
well known,

royal babe.

coachman
to

all

covered

were

upon

in the

walk

of

herself,and

him

her,and

she had

the

tain
Cap-

in her

took me, one

Sevres, without tellingme
see

lengthshe

Bourbon,

beheld

the

under

the

no

was

of basket to the Bois

sort

sat

de

suckled

solitaryspot, which, however,

and

At

thought

her, and

she used to carry him in

Boulogne. Both mother
the

in

were

christened

was

of

son

The

Horse.

Due

even

house

withdrawn.

who

son,

Bourbon,

were

was

her

those

gave

Her

over

seized; but the most

papers
which
substantiated
the fact of

and

searched,

boasting. She
violence,which

Madame.

instigatedby

degree

lost all her influence

Romans

she

she said,

Boulogne,"
at

had

certain

got the

directions,and

accurate

mosi

young

lady's haunt

bonnet

over

her

before

the

lower

she

eyes, and

turned

confined

and

up,

drew
arm,

near

the

drew

her

held her

pocket-handkerchief
We
face.
walked, for

by

whence

diamond

could

we

jet black

Her

child.

lady suckling her

the

she

her

me

gave

path, from

XV.

when

part of her

in

minutes,

some

LOUIS

OF

MEMOIRS

3o6

see

hair

was

She

comb.

Madame
bowed
to her, and
earnestlyat us.
Speak
by the elbow,
whispered to me, pushing me
What
I stepped forward, and
exclaimed,
to her."
Yes, Madame,"
replied she, I
a
lovely child !
his mother."
that he is, though I am
confess
must
had
hold of my
trembled, and I
who
Madame,
arm,
looked

"

"

Romans
Mademoiselle
very firm.
live in this neighbourhood ?
you

not

was
*'

"

"

"

"

Do

"

said to me,
dame,"
Yes, Ma-

replied I, I live at Auteuil with this iady,

ache."
is just now
sufferingfrom a most dreadful tooththat tormenting
I pity her sincerely,for I know
pain well." I looked all around, for fear any
I took
should come
might recogniseus.
up who
"

who

"

one

ask

to

courage
handsome

her
"

man.

whether

child's father

the

Very handsome, and,

do."
Madame,
you
in
rencontre, said a few words

probably
for

having intruded
behind

looked

We

child

mention

King
he
he

had

come

up

her,

low

and

the

while

infant
we

have

leave.

our

if

were

we

being

ceived.
per-

and

mother
"
"

not

to

If the
eyes.
there, do you think
his

has

"

have

would,

both

that

were

recognised us?"
then
and
Madame,
been in, and what

took

we

repeatedly,to see
the carriage without
confessed

I have

did, some
tone, apologizing

fearing,as
a

you
the

"Most

creatures," said Madame

father;

the

would

should

be

It must

beautiful

are

us,

got into

followed, and
*'

upon

if I told
"

with me."
would
his name,
agree
you
of knowing him, then, Madame?"
honour

was

I don't

what
a

scene

an

doubt

that

agitation I

it would

have

MEMOIRS

OF

MME.

POMPADOUR

DE

307

bystanders!and, above all,what a

her !
made
In the evening Madame
present of the cups she had bought, but
her walk, for fear Mademoiselle
mention

for the

been

to

King

did not

should
had

tell him

her there

met

said

that

such
"

Madame,

to

Be

will not

troubled

has

with

of notice he

sort

day.

the
she
mans
Ro-

him,

knew
de

Madame

assured, the

children;he

be

ladies, who

two

little about

what

prise
sur-

"

King

Mirepoix

cares

very

enough

of them, and

mother

or

the

takes

the

he
See

son.

de L

of the Comte

who

is

and

like
strikingly
convinced

am

for him.
under

Ambassadress

Some

hear

Fel and

and

had

been

I had

in which

my

her.

Clerk

Head

anything

the

heard

no

been

de

Madame

in

made

fore,
longer,as heretopermitted to sit,

Caffarelli,and, in later times. Mademoiselle

more
frequently
Jeliotte.I, therefore, went

lodgings in town, where

when
friends : more
particularly
M. de
little hermitage, whither

to

often

had

I had

and

rooms,

the niche
to

do

never

this remark.

alterations

Pompadour's

will

I tell you, we
do not live
been
de Mirepoix had
Madame

London,

to

English make

he

never

again

XIV."

Louis

He

that

and

Again

him.

speaks of him,

usually received

commonly

Gontaut

Chiron,
War-Office, came

in the

visited her

Madame

du

Madame

my

wife

the

companied
ac-

of the
"

to

see

me.

feel," said she, greatly embarrassed, in speaking to

about
will, perhaps, embarrass
an
affair,which
you
''

you

This

also.
to

woman,

is the state
be

pretends to
Here
Pompadour.
said that
and
true, her
du Chiron

the

that

is her
had

woman

was

relation

my

of

very

poor

sistance,
given a little asthe Marquise de

petition."I read it, and

dame,
better write directlyto Ma-

sure,

applicationwould
followed

case.

sometimes

I have

whom

of the

if what
be

advice.

she

asserted

successful.
The

woman

was

Madame
wrote

she

MEMOIRS

3o8

XV.
I learnt

depth of poverty, and

in the lowest

was

LOUIS

OF

louis until she could

six

her

Madame

sent

accurate

information

the

to

as

gain

of

truth

her

that
more

story.,

made
to take the money,
CoHn, who was commissioned
inquiriesof M. de Malvoisin, a relation of Madame,
fact was
found
and
respectableofficer. The
a
very
be

to
a

That

in.

come

He

asked

the

day

hour, and

unusual

an

who

it

"

was.

It is
''

did

she

thank

beg

to

"What

she.

said

out.

relation of

then,

came,

"To

for

me

a'

her," said she, blushing

rendered

I have

little service

lation,
re-

poor

going

poor

very

She

for, then?"

come

"No,"

assistance?"

some

her

this person

saw

mine," replied Madame.

for

from

procured decent clothes to

in
King happened to come

had

she

great expedition,

with

done

was

her

sent

pension of sixty

visit of thanks

as

soon

as

at

had

Madame

and

her

promised

All this

year.

then

Madame

it.

stated

louis,and

hundred

louis

had

she

as

seeming to boast of her liberality^

since she is your
relation,
Well," said the King ;
I
the pleasure of serving her too.
allow me
to have
will give her fiftylouis a year out of my privatepurse,
send
lowance
for the first year's aland, you know, she may
from

the

of

fear

"

"

to-morrow."
kissed

the

this three

Madame

burst

King's hand several

days afterwards,when

slightattack of
weeping myself at
a

fever.

day, I called on
tell her of the good fortune
to
forgot to say that,after Madame
The

to

me,

next

I told her

approved
friend
showed

my
of the
no

what

conduct,

and

Madame

part I had
allowed

du

her

taken
me

from

to

Chiron

protegee;

related

had

in

ness.
King's kind-

the

of

me

her

refrain

not

of

told

nursing

was

could

this instance

She

times.
I

tears, and

into

the

fair
af-

in it.

She

inform

my

King's goodness. This action, which

less delicate politenesstowards
her than

to
sensibility

the

of
sufferings

the poor

woman,

made

OF

MEMOIRS

3IO

LOUIS

XV.

had
de Pompadour
a very
King and Madame
de Choiseul.
Madame
said,
high opinion of Madame
She always says the right thing in the rightplace."
not so agreeableto them;
de Grammont
Madame
was
in part, to
to be attributed,
I think that this was
and
of
of her voice, and to her blunt manner
the sound
of great
said to be a woman
speaking; for she was
Madame
to the King and
sense, and devotedly attached
Some
de Pompadour.
people pretended that she tried
to
to
supplant Madame:
captivate the King, and
probable
ridiculouslyimfalse,or more
nothing could be more

The

"

Madame

saw

of

great deal

these

two

She one
extremely attentive to her.
to the Due
d'Ayen, that M. de Choiseul
day remarked
I know
it,Madame,"
was
very fond of his sisters.
the better for that."
sisters are
and many
said he,
said she.
?
do you mean
What
Why," said he, as
ionable
it is thought fashde Choiseul loves his sister,
the Due
whose
and I know
to do the same;
sillygirls,
brothers
formerly cared nothing about them, who
does their
No
sooner
most
now
tenderlybeloved.
are
littlefingerache, than their brothers are
running about
ter
all corners
of Paris. They flatto fetch physiciansfrom
that somebody will say, in M. de Choithemselves
de
M.
How
seul's drawing-room,
passionately
loves his sister;he would
certainlydie if he had the

ladies,who

were

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

misfortune

brother,

give it
said,

"

so

that

in

I have

much

I loved

very

had

the

she

adding, that

comic

in the Duke's

related this to her

Madame

presence,

my

left her
not

lose her."

to

manner.

start

of them

M.

de

could

not

Marigny

all,without

ing
mak-

noise; and my dear little sister knows

mont
de GramMadame
her tenderly before
Due
The
convent.
d'Ayen, however, is

wrong;

he

but
lively manner,
repliedMadame,
"

made

has

of

most
"

it in his

I forgot,"
partly true."
the Duke
exsaid, I want

it is
that

the

MEMOIRS

tremely

family

de

Gontaut

Due

conversation,

to

talk

of

she

kept

his

sister,

is

that

least,

and

gay,

is

favourite.
for

jealousy,

in

foot

the

know
much

to

the

his

might

be

as

cure

days

some

spirits.

the

told

attributed

him

attentions

that
to

the

that
I

thought
same

cause.

excite
called
so

bleeding

but

King
I

and

don't

contribute

as

Choiseul

de

appeared
this

nothing

The

not

M.

increased

solicitude;

she

very

was

miracle.

did

at

for

for

her;

bleeding.

after,

was

He

about

by

began

cannot

illness

greatest

the

he

one

Somebody

asks

nothing.

if

as

it,

furniture

others;
in

her

with

whether

and

alarmed

were

we

laugh,

Madame's

cured

her

watched

meddles

Eunuch.
that

of

this

think,

gaiety.

piece

for

or

he

and

rapidly

her

himself

White

the

makes

of

He

creating

excellent

an

He

either

of

art

These

also

Roure.

The

mentioned.

he

"

repeated

de

du

Madame

"

whole

the

M.

is

Madame.

Madame

name

the

had

he

said,

the

said

incarnate,

mad.'

during

bed.

her

devil

shall

d'Armagnac

Duke,"

laughed,

sister

half

is

immoderately.

when

day,

Marck

la

portraits,

fine

is

Madame

drinks,

de

Madame

bore,

311

which

but

Caumont

de

Villars

de

POMPADOUR

DE

fashion,

the

Madame

Madame

are

in

be

to

up?

take

MME.

OF

in

marked,
re-

better

improvement

THE

OF

MEMOIRS

CATHERINE

DE

BY

ABBE

THE

BRANTOME

MEDICI

INTRODUCTION

figureof Catherine de Medici

historyas being the pivotalpoint for

The
in

than

the

French

centred

ever

monarch,

dominant

the

mother

other

any
three

of

Queen

the wife

of

others, and

Court which
glittering
wise
of
her
daughters like-

behind

force

about

versy
contro-

more

descent, she became

Italian

Of

of France,
one

has

is remarkable

that

eulogises. Both
the wife
ascended
thrones, Elisabeth, became
of Philip 11. of Spain; while
Marguerite (whose
in this volume) wedded
memoirs
found
elsewhere
are
rival of the ambitious
Henry of Navarre, the life-long
destined to become
Henry
was
Queen Mother, who
her tottering
IV., displacing
dynasty.
Brant6me''s tribute to this famous
Queen will be read
with great interest,
to caution the
but it is unnecessary
reader to accept it ctim
salts; for Brantome's
grano
Brantome

"

likes and
his

dislikes

historical

introduction

are

at

all times

the French

to

Says Louis

judgment.

to

apt

run

away

Moland

edition of the Abbe's

with
in

an

works

grand
of depictingso
he has the honour
princesseswhom
influences him that, despitehis notorious
credulityon
this point,he shows them
all,or nearly all,as perfectly
virtuous."
though coloured
Nevertheless, his portraits,
"The

with

admiration

the

most

which

favourable

professes for

he

tints, are

these

of great value

as

there," are his

it,""I was
portraitsfrom life. "I saw
favourite expressionsin narrating an incident.
The
study of Catherine is a typicalexample of his
315

INTRODUCTION

3i6
had

He

work.

answering
her

accurate.

careful

actuallya

received

many
the task of

himself

sets

nov^

and

work, "Sur

extended

more

designated as

is

Medicis/' which

de

is

Balzac's

de

and

paying a tribute to
mirable,
This spiritof chivalry is certainlyadthe results may
show
as
more
partisan
this with
It is interestingto compare

albeit

Honore

He

calumniators

her

memory.

than

Court

her

at

hands.

at her

favours

lived

but

romance

portraitof

historical

rine
Cathe-

the

Queen.

Catherine's whole

life may
be said to have combined
the
history. She was
daughter of

with

romance

Lorenzo

de

Machiavelli

whom

left

orphan

an

the

at

on

the

as

for

ten

years

Francis
she

she

was

left there

at

sent

to

for
been

fourteen

afterwards

made

vent
con-

come
be-

to

II.

Henry

the celebrated

was

first bold

her

way

of

wife

at

to

of

or
son;
your
serve
another, let me

On

hearing

With

King

at

able
favour-

expressed

royal will.

if it may
of
one
as

sons,
rea-

Italian

his feet, and

the

state

"Do

with

remain

me

the

please you
her

to

humblest

the heart
of Francis,
speech won
reinstated in favour, and finally
had the happiness
bringing him grandchildren ere he died. This

one

Catherine

Brantome

submit

divorce,

for

decree

stroke.

the

to

herself

with

childless.

her

threw

attendants."
was

threatened

remained

remained

Catherine

choose, sire,"she said; "let

you

choose

reign

consideringthis

willingnessto

dutiful

his
even

she

planned

moment,

was

was

was

finesse she

she

Having

Dauphin,

During

other.

obscurity,and

as

his "Prince."

royal father-in-law

Her

in

me

of Florence

rival of Henry VIII. of England,

I.,the life-long
the one
hand, and the Emperor Charles V.,

Francis

her

ruler

early age,

an

of the

wife

of France.

that

wrote

be educated, but

to

on

famous

that

Medici,

Her

reason

for

always
alludes.

the

held

great veneration
his

memory,

and

in

which

to

which

INTRODUCTION

'318
to

obtain it

what

of

system

stronger
stronger from
felt

she

she

lean

to

seems

to

much

his book

she

which

succumbed.

Bourbon

follows

yet she

more

face

to

ambitions

'Balafres,' the

she

ally.
natur-

presents

of
the pages
writer."
modern
on

Balzac

that

His

''Catherine

saved

has

summingde Medici
almost

than

error

the

with

such

of the houses
de
de

Princes

two

her

any

throne

of

cumstanc
royal authority'under cirthan one
great prince would

the Cardinals

as

to

the

Face

factions,and

tempt

popular

maintained
to

have

as

and
.

to

when

this with

to

as

temptation
already mentioned.

from

more

woman

France,

such

this

is

of her character

has suffered

the

calculated

preciselyto

yielded,in

belonged

Medici,

from

Far

religion and

developed in plain truth

is

is well

Mezeray

other

lest
the

with

party; and

that

to

de

Catherine

herself and

up

caution,

moments

are

Reformed

perhaps, than
sincerity,

It is

of

out

extinguisheither.'

the

to

too

grant

The

of

side

Catholic, there

too"

more

faction,

one

her; sometimes

crush

intention

being always
to

time

ing'
'see-saw-

today

necessity; at times standingneutral when

both sides,
herself strong enough to command

but without

wish

feeblest

should

the

call

should

we

tinual
con-

lowering another; uniting herself

the

with

for this purpose

elevating for

'rousingand
putting to sleep or
"

sometimes

using

by craft,and

Lorraine

Conde,

leaders

of

Guise

and

the

Henry

of
and
two

IV.,

forced
to
Colignys, she was
put
essential gifts
fine qualities,
the most
forth the rarest
the fire of the Calvinist press.
of statesmanship,under
These, at any rate, are indisputablefacts. And to the
student who
digs deep into the historyof the sixteenth
de Medici
century in France, the figure of Catherine

Montmorency,

stands

out

"Hemmed

as

the

that of
in

between

themselves

the

great king
a

race

heirs

of

princes who
Charlemagne,

of

proclaimed
and
a

INTRODUCTION
factious younger
Constable

that

Bourbon's

de

obHged too,

branch

319

the

under

treason

bury

to

eager

was

the

throne;

the verge of
a heresy on
fightdown
monarchy, without friends,and aware

vouring
de-

to

the

of

party and of
treachery in the chiefs of the CathoHc
the
used
repubhcanism in the Calvinists,Catherine
most
dangerous but the surest of pohticalweapons
Craft.
She determined
to deceive
by turns the party
"

that

anxious

was

to

of Valois, the Bourbons

.

Valois

sat

Indeed,

the

of this

worth

death

hearing of her
Royalty that dies in

on

Tt

as

the house
and

she lived,the
de Thou

great M.

he

when

woman

of

the Crown,

at

long

so

The

the throne.

on

aimed

who

the Reformers.

downfall

the

secure

is not

derstood
un-

exclaimed
it is

woman,

her' !"

will follow the genialDumas

the contrary, if one
through the pages of his Valois Romances, he will find
On

writer

French

does

not

to

paint

is here

the

assassination

at

stop

while

hesitate
She

colors.

who,

point, indeed,

this

low

gain

to

historians

do

loyal to

the

woman

kingly line,
in unlovely

intriguerwho
her
and

On

ends.
romancers

does

not

only

one

seem

to

commonplace.
always interesting^never
fills a definite niche in an
important period,and
be handled
as
a
thing
personal reputationmust
she is

agree:

She
her

"

apart.
of a series
is one
portraitof her by Brantome
comprising his "Lives of Illustrious Ladies,"
papers
of the Ladies."
he preferredto call it,"Book
or
as

This
of
"

Brantome

lived

himself

Perigord in 1537,

he

than

here

the queen

he

Bourdeilles,was
in that
"I

can

that

of

one

province.
assert

was

"Not

none

keeping; they have

life.

adventurous

an

Born

in

only eighteenyears younger

His family, the de
discusses.
the oldest and most
respected
to boast of myself,"he says,

of my

spent

as

race

much

has

ever

time

been

home-

in travels and

INTRODUCTION

320

wars

as

Court

his

mother

which
than

bestowed

II.

of

record

The

in

adventure

when

Renaissance,

Abbe

is

Guise

de

back

Scottish

her

to

in

beauty

that

he

during

his

busy,

down

although

and
the

publication

form,

They
have

in
were

been

his

his

of

spirit

the

life,

castle

his
of

in

finally published

frequently

finds

he
and

passed

in

reprinted

And
set

to

but

all

the

time.
in

doubtedly
un-

1614,

related

half

Ley den,

her

Some

left

were

for

de

by

away

expressly

since.

Mary,

time

of

they

Due

hears.

manners

Richemont,

the

her.

to

and

works

and

which

of

all

smitten

scandalous,

will

the

Marguerite

the

his

and

of

with

books

sees

Brantome

clause

of

he

travel

Queen,

so

life

which

smack

long

all

of

in
goes

is

Brantome.

"

visits

and

adventurous

things

stories

He

dedicates

reflect
After

throne.

of

intrigues

widowed

young

retirement

her

many
these

the

escort

to

He

King

period

the

flourish,

home!

at

sixteen

one

"

rather

militant,

conquests,

song

equally

Valois

of

and

is

It
and

wars

poetry

romances,
our

lands.

many

is

est
young-

priesthood

Abbey

the

thereafter

life

his

the

at

whom

to

the

only

when

him

upon

L,
was

the

from

and

side"

spiritual

he

for

destined

was

regarded

always

the

Henry

he

family,

he

As

life,

Court

Francis

of

lady-in-waiting.

was

the

of

sister

Marguerite,

of

the

in

experience

first

his

had

Pierre

young

The

France."

in

be,

they

who

matter

no

any,

in

in

to

MS.

century.

1665,

^^^

MEMOIRS

THE

MEDICI

DE

CATHERINE

wondered

HAVE

OF

that, with

hundred

been

times, and

tonished,
as-

good writers as we
in France
of them
have
had
day, none
sketches
have been inquisitive
enough to bring out some
the hfe and deeds of the Queen-Mother, Catherine
on
de Medici, since she has given ample material, and did
much
fine work
done by a queen
ever
as
as
was
as
Giovio on his
said the Emperor Charles to Paolo
once
in the "Goulette,"
from
his triumphant voyage
return
when
against King Francis,
wishing to declare war
that it was
only necessary to be provided with paper
of work.
and ink, to supply him with any amount
much
True
it is that this Queen cut out
work,
so
that any clever and industrious writer might build from
it a complete Iliad ; but the writers have all proven
lazy
never
or
niggardly to
ungrateful,although she was
so

many
in our

"

learned

who

several

name

for this

of

was

one,

writers

derived

do I

reason

There

those

or

men,

accuse

of her

favors
them

however, who

who

the

Queen,
ingratitude.

from
of

than

truth, as

The

errors

are

thus

The
to

she

herself said, when

she

an

saw

glaringas to be apparent
easilynoted and rejected.
are

author
her

so

wished

name,

to

her
her

mortal

harm, and

station, to her
321

and

did attempt to write

which
he
little book

brought out a
Life of Catherine,"but it is
called "The
and
not
worthy of belief,since it is more
her, and

I could

times.

imposture
full of lies
the book.
to

was

all,and
cal
inimi-

life,to

her

honor
be

OF
for this

nature, and

to her

and

he should

reason

rejected.
As

myself, I would

for
I had

that

At

fluent

rate, be my

any

speak well, or
that I might

command
my
deserves.

she

as

I could

that

at

pen

praise her

exalt and

at

MEMOIRS

THE

322

I shall

it may,

what

pen

use

it

all hazards.

descended, on her father's side, from

of the noblest and
most
of the Medici, one
the race
tendom.
illustrious families,not
only in Italy but in ChrisThis

is

Queen

be

said,she

the

Medici

foreigner to these
cannot
parts, since the alliances of the royal houses
with those within their kingdoms.
commonly be made
is it often for the best, since foreign marriages
Nor
often more
nearer
are
advantageous than those made
Whatever

may

was

has

ever

home.
The
the

of

House
of

Crown

that

Louis

King

alliance and
On
of

that
of

mother's

the

noblest
in

French

truly

great

granted

that

Ueiir-de-lys

the

house

as

token

of

perpetual confederation.

her

one

XI

still bears

and

France,

allied with

been

house

side

of

houses
in

race,

of

France;

Boulogne

and

of

to

decide

house

in

and

heart

from

descended

is

she

affection,

County

the

Auvergne.
Thus

these

it is difficult to
houses

two

memorable
Here

by
is what

Bourges,

is the

say

or

grander, or

which

of

which
is the

more

its deeds.
is said of them

he of the house

by

of Beaune,

the
as

Archbishop
great

of

scholar

worthy a prelate as there is in Christendom

who
a trifle
(although there are some
say that he was
unsteady in belief,and of little worth in the scales of
M. Saint-Michel,who
weighs good Christians for the
day of judgment, or so 'tis said). It is found in the
and

as

CATHERINE
funeral oration

MEDICI

DE

which

Archbishop

the

323
made

the

upon

said

Queen at Blois.
In the days when

great captain of the Gauls,

that

Brennus, led his forces through Italyand Greece, there

in his troop two
French
named
were
nobles, one
Felsinus,the other named Bono, who seeingthe wicked

designsof Brennus to invade and desecrate the temple

of Delphos, after his great conquests, withdrew
their
forces and
passed into Asia with their ships and
followers.

They pushed on until they entered the sea of Medes,

which is near
Lydia and Persia.
victories and obtaining
Thence, after gaining many
conquests, they retired,and while returning
many
through Italyon their way to France, Felsinus stopped
the site of what

on

Arno,

place which

he

beautiful

was

saw

manding
com-

placewhich

another

as

and

had

in the country of the Medes.

he built the citywhich
to-day is Florence.

pleasedhim
His

Florence, beside the river

now

situated much

and
There

is

much

companion, Bono, built

city which
Bologna.
Henceforth

called

he

Felsinus

just as

by his

of his victories and

quests
con-

became

the

name

read

we

Medicus

called

was

intimates,in commemoration
the Medes,
among

family name,

second, and neighboring

Bononia, the modern
a

of

that
Paulus

being

sur-

of
of his conquest
account
Macedonicus, on
from
Macedonia
Perseus, and of Scipio being called

named

Af ricanus
I do
his

not

for

doing the
from

know

like in Africa.
what

source

M.

de Beaune

got

that, speaking as he
very probable,
King and such an august assembly,
for, the funeral of the Queen, M. de

history,but it is

did

before

there
Beaune

the

convened

would

not

have

the

made

statement

without

good authority.
Memoirs

"

11

Vol.

MEMOIRS

THE

324
This

descent

invented

and

OF

is very different from the modern

story
attributed without
to the Medici
cause

family, according to that lying book

the Queen, which I have mentioned.
Furthermore, continues
reads in
de Beaune, one
Everard

Medici,

de

afterwards,
assistance

chronicles
of

Sieur

with

went

aforementioned

the
the

that

Florence,
of

many

the

on

his

life of

Sieur
a

certain

years
subjects to the
many

Charlemagne in his expedition in Italy

against Didier, king of the Lombards, and having
and assisted him was
granted
courageously succoured
and invested with the lordshipof Florence.
de Medici, also a
Many years later,one Anemond
jects,
Sieur of Florence, accompanied, with many
of his subGodefroy de Bouillon to the Holy Land, where
he died at the siegeof Nicsea in Asia.
in that family down
Such greatness continued
to the
time when
Florence
reduced
to a republicby the
was
and the
the emperors
in Italybetween
internecine wars
of this family continually
people, the illustrious members
manifesting their valour and grandeur from
Cosmo
time to time, as we
in these later days, how
see
his navy
and
de Medici, with his arms,
ships struck
of

into the

Turks

in the

distant

East;

matter

how

terror

him

great he

the

on

so

that

may

and

Mediterranean
none

have

since

been,

his
has

even

time, no
surpassed

corded
strength,valour and wealth, as has been reby Raffaelle Volaterano.
built by him,
sacred
The
shrines
temples and
the
far
as
as
by him, even
hospitals founded
Jerusalem, all give ample proof of his piety and
magnanimity.

in

Then
Great

there
on

account

great popes,
and

was

Leo

the
Medici, sumamed
of his virtuous
deeds, and the two
and Clement, besides many
cardinals

great personages

Lorenzo

de

of the name,

includingthe Grand

MEMOIRS

THE

^26
I will leave

Boulogne
heard
Pope

of

it to

was

Pius

IV

he

yea,

so

the

house

great it is that I

say, while
made
he had

after
gave
cardinals,that the house

dinner

therefore, whether

you,

great

OF

table

sittingat
Ferrara

and

once

at

Guise

of

Boulogne was so great and

in France, no
matter
noble he knew
none
which, that
it in antiquity,
could surpass
valour, and grandeur.
All this is much
againstthose malicious detractors,
of
Florentine
said that this Queen was
have
who
a
lowly birth,as one can see the contrary to be the case.
since she brought to
not
so
Moreover, she was
poor
France
as
portion of her marriage estates which are
valued
livres,such as the
to-day twenty-sixthousand
Counties
of Auvergne and Lauragais, the seigneuries
of Leverons, Donzenac,
Boussac, Gorreges, Hondecourt, and
Her

other

lands

"

dowry included
ducats, which

all inherited

also

more

from
than

her
two

mother.

hundred

four
to-day over
ture,
thousand
hundred
; as well as great quantitiesof furniprecious stones, jewels,includingthe finest and
the largest pearlsever
in such quantities,
seen
pearls
of Scotland
that she afterwards
to the Queen
gave
I have seen
whom
[Mary Stuart],her daughter-in-law,
Besides all this,many
houses,
wearing them.
manors,
deeds, and claims which she possessed in Italy.
than
all else, her
But, more
marriage caused a
strengtheningin the fortunes of France, which had
been so shaken
by the imprisonment of the King and
by his losses at Milan and Naples.
King Francis, it is well known, knew that such a
there
marriage greatlyhelped his interests. Therefore
was
given to this Queen, as a device,a rainbow, which
she bore as long as she was
married, with these words
in Greek, ^'"'9 ^^^p^^^jdkyaXf"7]v,which
is the equivalent
of saying that just as this fire and bow
in the heavens
brings and signifies
good weather, just so this Queen
thousand

are

worth

CATHERINE

DE

MEDICI

327

sign of clearness, o" serenityand of the

is thus translated :
The
Greek
of peace.
tranquillity
she
Lucent
brings light and
fert et serenitatem
serenity.
After
that the Emperor
[Charles V] no
longer
"Ever
dared
his ambitious
motto
to
:
push forward
farther."
isted
For^ notwithstandingthe truce which exand
himself
between
King Francis, he was
nursing his ambition with the plan of gaining always
was

true

"

from

France

he

whatever

could; and

he

was

much

surprisedat this alliance with the Pope [Clement VII],

man,
yet recognisingthe latter as an able,a courageous
of his imprisonment by the
but vindictive on
account
imperialtroops at the sack of Rome.
Such
a
displeasingto him so much
marriage was
truthful lady of the Court
that I have
heard
a
say
to the Empress, he
that if he had not been married
alliance with the Pope himself,
have
made
would
an
and espoused his niece [Catherinede Medici], as much
for the help of so strong a part}^ as because he feared
the Pope would
help in losing for him Naples, Milan
and
Genoa ; for the Pope had promised King Francis,
in

authentic

an

document,

when

of his niece's dowry and

money
make
the dowry
that he would

had

he

the

rings and jewels,

riage
worthy of such a marher

inestimable

by adding to it three pearlsof

excessive
splendour of which

the

delivered

caused

envy

value,
and

the greatest of kings,meaning the

it canAnd
Genoa.
and
not
three cities of Naples, Milan
be doubted
that if the Pope had lived the natural
covetousness

of his life he

span

too, and
order
she
all

So

among

to

made
enrich

him

would
pay

have

sold out

the

Emperor

imprisonment,in
kingdom to which

well for that

his niece

and

the

and
joined. But Clement VII died too soon
this blow.
these expected gains could not withstand
that our
Queen, having lost her mother, Magdelaine
was

MEMOIRS

THE

Z2S

OF

Boulogne, and Lorenzo de Medici, Duke of Urbino,

her father,in her earlyHfe, was
given in marriage to
France
VII, and was
by her uncle, Pope Clement
brought by sea in great triumph to Marseilles,where
de

the

at

fourteen

of

age

she

with

wedded

was

great

ceremony.

She

herself

made

father-in-law,and
after

beloved

King,

her

by King Henry, her husband,

passed and still no heir being

that

so

the

by

born
years had
endeavoured
to her, and
to perthough many
persons
suade
the
King and the Dauphin, her husband, to
ten

divorce

they
the

her, neither

love her.

the

would

consent,

greatlydid

so

with
years, in accordance
of the Medici
family,who

after ten

But

of

nature

one

women

conceiving,she began to furnish

heirs,the first being King Francis II.
After him was
born the Queen of Spain, and then
that fine and illustrious progeny
whom
we
consecutively,
were

slow

ever

in

have

all seen,

than

they died, by great

this

of

the

reason

more,
an

make
all the

besides

and

in such

love

and

women

had

her

who

that

good

his
vary
in the world
for
cause

loved

he, who

and

who

was

fatality.For
her

and

was

said
none

did any
for saying this,for she

love-making, nor

more

naturally
greatly liked to

loves, often
there

born

sooner

no

and

husband,

manner

to

were

misfortune

temperament,

amorous

his wife
He

King,

others

that
who

of
celled
ex-

equal her.
trulywas

of
She
princessbeautiful as well as lovable.
was
fine and stately
of great majesty, at the same
presence;
time gentle when
occasion required it ; of noble appearance
and good grace, her face handsome
and agreeable,
her bosom
full,beautiful,and exquisitely
fair,her body
also very
fair,the flesh firm, the skin smooth, as I
have heard
from
of a good
several ladies-in-waiting;
plumpness as well, the leg and thigh well formed
(as
I have heard too from
the same
ladies).
a

CATHERINE
She

also took

MEDICI

DE

great pride in being'well shod

up without

drawn
having her stockingstightly
Besides all this she possessed the
that

was

ever

seen,

praisedAurora
but

I think

329

believe.

as

for her fine hands

The

and

wrinkles.
hand

beautiful

most

in

and

poets

once

taperingfingers
;

Queen would surpass her in that ; and

she carefullyguarded and maintained
this beauty to
her dying day.
of this
King Henry III, her son, inherited much
beauty of the hand.
herself well and suMoreover
she always dressed
perbly,
our

with

often

new

some

and

pretty conceit.

in herself
charms
many
I remember
that at Lyons

short, she had

well

loved.

to
one

In
her

make

day she
painted

Corneille who
had
painternamed
and exhibited in a spaciousroom
portraitsof all the
great seigneurs,princes,cavaliers,queens, princesses,
ladies and maids of honour
of the Court, and she being
in this room
all saw
there her portrait
with us
we
painted true to life,showing her in all her beauty and
with a cap,
apparelledas a Frenchwoman
perfection,
wide
whose
showing her great pearls,and a gown
sleeves of silver tissue were
with lynx ^the
trimmed
whole
picture,which also showed the portraitsof her
three daughters, was
so
perfect that speech alone
seemed
lacking.
The Queen took great pleasurein seeingthe portrait,
did likewise,and praised
and the assembled
company
her beauty above all.
and admired
She herself was
ravished at the sight of the porso
trait
to

went

see

"

that
M.

de

she

could

Nemours

take

not

came

to

her

her
and

gaze

from

it, until

portrayed there that there

it seems
to
to be said, and
nothing more
too, that your
daughters do you great honour,
they do not excel you, nor surpass you."
think

you

are

so

well

said, "Madame,

mains
re-

me,

for

MEMOIRS

THE

330

replied,"My cousin, I think you

the period, the age, and the dress represented
that you
this portrait,
can
so
judge better

this the Queen

To

remember

can

in

than

represented

am

whether

whether

There

looked

ever

not

was

not

lavish

who

did

years,

am

who

did

estimate

praise and

her

say that the mother

and the daughters of the

while

but

of her

this

And

mother.

death;

ried
mar-

she

that

not

blooming and younger

well preserved, always

more

remained

always of
good company,
loving any becoming exercise,such

she

was

good humour;

dancing,
dignity.

beauty highly, and

was
worthy of the

desirable.

agreeable,always
Besides

until her

widowed,

still she

company

portion through life,while

her

freshness

dressed

me

say
and

whole

in the

seen

portrait,and can
much
as
they say,
portrayed there."

not

and
the

as

as

one

daughters
beauty remained
had

this

in

esteemed

was

have

who

present, you

one

any
I

as

OF

in

very

which

exhibited

she

great

as

and

grace

hunting ; about which I heard

a
lady of the Court tell this tale : King Francis having
he
chosen
and
gathered a few of his Court whom
included
called "the littleband
of Court ladies,"which
the handsomest,
daintiest and most
caped
favoured, often esShe

also

greatlyloved

from
hunt

deer

Court

the
and

while

and
away

went

the

to

other

estates

time, sometimes

to

ing
stay-

eight days, ten days, sometimes

took him.
sometimes
less,just as the humour
more,
la
Our
then
simply Madame
Queen (who was
out
made
Dauphine) seeingthat such partieswere
up withthus

in

retreat

her, and that

included

while

Mesdames

even

she

was

her sisters-in-law

left at home,

begged

always take her with him, and to

her by never
allowing her to go about
accompanied by him.
to

the

further
without

were

King

honour

being

CATHERINE
It's said that she, who
did this

much

as

and

always

was

his
went

clever,
ments
move-

hear

be able to

to

did

she

as

on,

and

King's

the

and

secrets

331

shrewd

watch

to

more

all that

know

and

or

learn

to

MEDICI

DE

it from

pure

likingfor the chase.

King Francis
showing, as it
that

company,
her

loved

was

heartilygranted

She

and

was

easy

leg around
becoming

the

grace,

her

ride

for

of

his
He

showed

the

speed

hunt,

and

ever

than

the first to ride with

was

which

the

former

She

loved

rider,sitting

was

more

mode
to

of

and

It

was

of her

one

was

fast, though

she

graceful
sittingwith

ride horseback

sixtyyears old
growing feebleness prevented

for it.

far

and

pommel,

feet upon
board.
a
up to the time she

pined

had

and

fearless horseback

and

good

with

when

full

request,

request.

pleasures
at

this

side.

her horse
the

the

her

her

before

ever

followed, riding

she

his

by

than

now

delight in giving
which

she

love

the

seemed,

he

more

with

pleased

so

and

over,

even

and

ridingshe
greatest pleasuresto

had

her

falls,even

many

breaking her leg and bruisingher head so severelythat

and
it had to be trepanned. After she became
a widow
had charge of the King and the kingdom, she accompanied
the King everywhere and took all her children
still
with her; and when
the King, her husband,
was
livingshe generallyaccompanied him to the stag and
she often watched
If he played pall-mall
other hunts.
him, and sometmes
played herself. She was also fond
of shootingbaked
clay balls with a cross-bow, and she
shot well too; so that she alwa3^s took with her her
when
cross-bow
riding,in order if any game was seen
she was
she could shoot it. When
kept indoors by bad
dance
or
new
forever devisingsome
she was
weather
beautiful

passed

her

ballet.
time

She

by

invented

these

games

as

well

and

devices,being quite unre-

MEMOIRS

THE

ZZ2

served,but knowing

how

occasion

it.

demanded

to

OF

be grave

and

austere

when

acted,
seeing comedies and tragediesenbut after "Sophonisbe," a tragedy written by M.
well presented at Blois by her
de Saint-Gelais, was
and other ladies as well as
daughters, maids-of-honor
gentlemen of her Court during the celebration attendant
the marriages of M.
du Cypiere and the Marquis
on
lucky
und'Elboeuf,she took the notion that tragedieswere

She

was

of

fond

for state

affairs and

so

would

let them

not

be

played again. But she still listened readilyenough to

such as "Zani"
and
comedies
and tragi-comedies,
even
"Pantaloon"
and took great pleasurein them, laughing
as
heartilyas any one, for she liked laughter,being
loving a witty word
naturallyof a happy disposition,
and being ever
ready with a witty rejoinder,knowing
hold
when
to withwell when
to cast a jestor
a stone, and
it.
In the afternoons

she

passed her

time

at

work

on

her

she
was
as
embroideries, in which
perfect as
possible.
In short the Queen liked and
practicedall healthy
that was
not one
worthy of
exercises,and there was
herself or her sex that the Queen did not wish to essay
and
practice.
of
is a brief description,
This
avoiding prolixity,
and of her various exercises.
the beauty of her person
cause
beshe called any
When
one
"my friend" it was
with
she either thought him
was
a fool or
angry

silk

him.

This

was

so

well known

that

once

when

she

had

gentlemen, named
M. de Bois-Fevrier,he made
reply,"Alas, Madame, I
would
rather have you call me
'enemy,' for to call me
a
friend is the equivalentof saying either I am
your
for I have
with me,
fool or that you are
long
angry
thus addressed

known

your

one

of her

nature."

attendant

MEMOIRS

334

THE

be uninformed

of the great

and

offered
she made

the

in all directions

King's

this world
shed

so

control

spoken
For

for his cure,

took

she

care

vigilsshe kept by his bedside ; the prayers she

continuously; the processions and visitations
the hurried
to the churches; and
journeys she

the

made

OF

had

hour
to

the

tears

them,

and

to

her

tears

of

when

grief was

so

seem

and

which
these

Adorem

testantur

great and

she

could

never

his

she

name

was

depths of her eyes.

device in keeping and
mourning, namely, a mound
fall
the drops from
heaven

up from
assumed
a

quicklime over
abundantly, with
extincta

and

But
surgeons.
he passed from

after, whenever

ever

she

reason

and

doctors

that it would

welled

the tears

suitable

come;

next, her

many

this

for

words
vwere

the

in

Latin

flamma

as

motto:

(Although

extinguished, this testifies that the fire

still lives). The
drops of water, like her tears,
has
show
guished.
extinbeen
ardour, though the flame
This
of
device is allegoricalof the nature
watered
burns
quicklime, which when
strangely and
shows
did
its fire though the flame is wanting. Thus
our
Queen show her zeal and affection by her tears,
her husband, was
now
though the flame, which typified
this was
extinct. And
the same
as
saying that, although
he was
dead, she wished to show by her tears that she
could never
forget him, but would love him alv/ays.
A
similar device was
formerly borne by Madame
Valentine de Milan, Duchess
d'Orleans, after the death
of her husband, who was
killed in Paris,for whom
she
in her
grieved so much, that as a solace and comfort
device a watering pot, above
as
mourning, she assumed
which
S, meaning, it is said. Settle,souvenir,
an
was
soncis,soupirer('Lonoly,
remembrance, solicitude,
sighing).
inscribed
the watering-pot were
around
And
these
words, Rien ne m'est plus; plus ne in'est rie^i
This
is to me
to me
(Nought is more
nothing)
; more
the

flame

is

CATHERINE
device

is stillto be

the Franciscans
Good

that he

never

de

friends and
to

wont

335

chapel in

Sicilyhaving

Lorraine, suffered
afterwards

favourites

them

lead

of

happy

was

MEDICI

o"

the Church

Blois.

Rene

Isabel,Duchess

in her

seen

at

King

DE

to

lost his

such

; and

great grief
mate
his inti-

when

tried to console him

his bedroom

and

wife

he

there show

was

them

excellent
an
picture,paintedby himself
(for he was
painter),depictinga Turkish bow unstrung, beneath
which
sana
was
written^ Arco per lentare piaga non
(The bow although unstrung heals not the wounds).
Then
thus
address
them
would
: "My
King Rene
all your
friends,with this pictureI answer
arguments.
By unstringinga bow, or by breaking the string,the
harm
done by the arrow
can
quicklybe prevented,but
dear
and
guished
extinthe life of my
being broken
spouse
to the loyal love that ever
by death, the wound
a

filled my

heart

for her while

she lived cannot

be cured."

bows
with
places in Angers these Turkish
broken
stringscan be seen, with these words inscribed
beneath,Arco per lentare piaga non sana
(The loosened
is seen
bow
The
does not heal the wound).
same
on
the Franciscan
church, in the Chapel of Saint-BerHe
assumed
this device
nardin, which he decorated.
after the death of his Queen, although during her lifetime
In various

he

had

used

another

one.

I have
scribed
deher device, which
Queen, around
such as cracked mirrors,
placed many
trophies,
fans, rumpled plumes, pearls,broken quivers,precious
and jewelsscattered about, bits of broken
chains,
stones
the whole
to signify the abandoning of all worldly
dead, her
that her husband
w^as
since, now
pomp,
and without
to cease,
never
mourning for him was

Our

the

grace

of

God

and

the

have
given her, she would
grief and distress. But she

courage

which

succumbed
saw

that her

to

He

had

her

great

young

chil-

ZZ^

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

France, needed

her

aid,as we ourselves
have seen
since by experience;for, like a Semlramis,
second
or
a
Athalie, she foiled,saved, guarded and
children from many
prises
enterpreserved these same
young
planned againstthem during their early years;
and accomplishedthis with so much
dustry
prudence and inthat all thought her wonderful.
She was
Regent of this kingdom after the death of
King Francis,her son, and during the minorityof our
kings by the ordinance of the Estates of Orleans, and
this,which well might have been given to the King of
Navarre, who as premierprinceof the blood wished to
be Regent in her place,and to be Governor
all.
over
But she won
over
so
easilyand dexterouslythe said
where,
elseEstates that if the King of Navarre
had not gone
dren, as

well

she

as

have

would

had

him

attainted

of the crime

of

lese-majeste.
it is possiblethat but for Madame
And
de Montpensier,who had great influence over
her, she would
still have
done
of the intrigueagainst
account
so
on
the Estates
So

he forced

intO' which

the aforementioned

himself

to

shrewd

and

of her

under

serve

subtle

to maintain

that

no

her,

moves

and

she

Prince

this

made

was

in the

Afterwards

Conde.

de

obliged to

was

of affairs.

management

how

King

the

content

one

of

the

beginning
she

knew

authorityso imperiously
that no
dared
how
one
grand or
deny it,no matter
how
he might be, as
strenuous
after a
shown
was
period of three months
when, during a stay of the
Court
at Fontainebleau, this same
King of Navarre,
stillin his heart, took
wishing to show the resentment
offence because M. de Guise had the keys of the King's
palace brought to him each night, and kept them all
of the
night in his room
exactly like a grand master
household
of his appointments), so
(for that was
one
one

could

her

go

rank

out

and

without

his

permission.

CATHERINE

DE

MEDICI

337

This

self
angered greatlythe King of Navarre, who himwished to keep the keys. On being refused the
and rebellious to such an extent
keys,he grew spiteful
that one
to the King and
morning he suddenly came
his intention of taking leave of
Queen and announced
the Court, and of taking with him all the princesof the
he had won
blood, whom
includingM. le Conover,
netable de Montmorency, his children and nephew.
The
was
tounded
asQueen, who did not expect this move,
and did all in her power
the
at first,
tO' avert
that if
to the King of Navarre
blow, givingassurances
but be patienthe would some
he would
day be satisfied

afifairs.

with
But
who

fair words

was

It

was

plan: She

determined
then

the person

with

the

King,

to leave.
our

Queen

decided

on

this shrewd

le Connetable, as principal,
oldest ofiQcer of the crown,
to remain
near

sent

first and

that

gained her nothing

orders

of the

to

M.

his master, as then

to take his departure.

King,

his office

demanded, and not

M. le Connetable, being a wise and judiciousman,
and being zealous for his master's interests as well as
his
alert to his grandeur and honour, after reflecting
on
duty and the orders sent him, went to the King and
himself ready to fulfilhis office.
announced
This greatlyastonished the King of Navarre, who
the point of mounting his horse, waiting only
was
on
the arrival of M. le Connetable
to depart.
he came
when
M. le Connetable
explainedhis duty
to
of his office and endeavoured
and the responsibility
persuade the King of Navarre himself not to budge or
take his departure. This he did so well that the King
the King and
to see
of Navarre
at his urging went
Queen, and after conferring with their majesties he
his orders for
up his journey and countermanded
gave
his mules, they having by that time arrived at Melun.

So

King

his

pertainingto
for

honour,

well how

knew
his

to

of the world

man

that, if

have

for which

us,

plan was

all that

party

and

makeshift.
I

was

of her

not

knows, but

world

for
stirred up trouble
great credit should be given the

Paris

reason

Queen for her

I know, for

he had.

Connetable,

le

keep

to

bethought herself of this

not

M.
to

gone

bewildered, but

never

all the

as

had

Queen
regarding

scheme

wxDuld

doubted,

the

was

what

hold

to

be

It cannot

and

affairs he

but in such

things courageously and

face

to

and

rank,

of his claims

any

of his
atom
yielded one
his pre-eminence and all that
though
being shaken in the least,al-

to

he

of the

office,or

retained

he

joy

the great

diminished

him, without
not the stronger
was

belonged
was

Guise

de

M.

that

Not

reigned,to

more

peace once
of Navarre.

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

338

there, that
invention,but

said

many
rather

that

the

nal
that of Cardi-

Tournon, a wise and judiciousprelate;but this

is false,for, old hand
for prudence and
he was
as
tricks than he,
counsel, my faith,the Queen knew more
de

Council

all the

or

For

often,when

put him

and

which

on

he

King put together.

at

was

might give
cite this

which

the

would

ought
examples; but

many

one

fault,she

of what

the track

to

enough
about

of the

he

instance, which
did

herself

Queen

to

help him
know, of
be

it will

is recent,

and

the honour

me

to

disclose.
It is

follows

as

Guyenne, and, later,to Coignac

to reconcile the princesof the Religion and those of the
League, and so give peace to the kingdom again for
she saw
that it would
be ruined by this division
soon
When

she

went

to

"

"

she

determined

this peace;
the Prince

to

because
de

declare

of which

Conde

in order

truce

became

the

formulate

of Navarre

and

discontented

and

King

very

to

CATHERINE
mutinous

MEDICI

DE

for the reason,

did them
great harm
"

troops, who, having heard

they said,that

with

to treat

Her

of able men^
weak, because

and

this truce
The

stupid as

intention.
not

she had

she found

with

find

Queen

revoked.

was

her, though

be without

to

they could

the

to see

much

sense

said to them,

then

"Truly, you

are

findinga remedy.
you
better ? There
is only one
solution to this. You
at Maillezais the Huguenot
regiment of Neufvy
Sorlu.

Don't

to

for

Send

without

the

as

will have
further

and

of

and

and

to
scinded
re-

trouble."

it, it

she commanded

as

have

regiment

broken

the truce

any

Niort, all the

the

cut

very

know

here, from

muster

can

any

soon

from

me

arquebuslersyou
piecesand so you
And

which

by

means

no

posed
com-

be rescinded.

could

Queen

proclamation
foreign

of it,might repent of their

in coming, thinking that the

her until the said truce

Council, whom

this

of their

because

coming, or might delay

Queen had made it with that very
And
they declared and resolved
nor

339

done,

was

and
arquebusiersstarted,led by Captain I'Estelle,

forced

their

fort

and

barricades

so

well

that

the

defeated, Sorlu killed,who

regiment was
valiant man,
a
was
Neufvy taken prisonerand many
others
killed.
Their
all captured and
flags were
her acShe showed
customed
brought to the Queen at Niort.
clemency by pardoning all, and sent them
with their ensigns and flags,which, as regards
away
flags,is a very rare thing.

Huguenot

But
on

she wished

account

would

now

of

to

make

this concession,she told me,

rarity,so that the princes

its very
know
that they had

to

deal

with

very

princess,and that they should not apply to her

such mockery as to make her revoke a truce by the very
heralds who
had proclaimedit. FoY while they were
planning to give her this insult,she had fallen upon
able

them,
it

MEMOIRS

THE

340
and
not

was

to them

word

sent

now

for them

OF

by

affront

to

her

the prisoners

that

by demanding-

of

unreasonable

mained
things, since it rein her power
to do them
good or evil.
this Queen knew
how
In this manner
to give and
I might tell of other
drill in a lesson to her Council.
instances, but I have other points to treat upon, the

her

unseemly

which

first of
often

heard

will be

to

answer

her

of

being the firstto flyto

accuse

thus being the

Whoever

and

cause

of

will look

civil

our

to

those

the

I have

whom

arms,

wars.

of the

source

thing will

being created, with

the King of Navarre
at its head, she (seeing the plots
that were
being concocted, and knowing the change of
who
from
faith made
being
by the King of Navarre
and
Catholic
had turned
Huguenot and very strict,
to fear for the
knowing by this change she had cause
King, for the kingdom, and for herself,and that he
not

believe it; for, the triumvirate

"

"

might

againstthem, she reflected and wondered

such plots,such
tended
to what
numerous
meetings,
colloquiesand secret audiences ; and, not being able to
fathom
thought
the mystery, it is said that one
day she bemove

herself to go
session

was

which
under

she

to the room

being held, and

had

caused

to

above

there, by
be

the tapestry, she listened

which
means

the secret
of

tube

surreptitiouslyinserted
unperceived to all their

plans.

Among
terrible and

other

things she

bitter for her^ and

heard
that

one
was

that
when

was

very

Marechal

Saint-Andre, one of the triumvirate,proposed that

the Queen be taken, put in a sack and flung into the
succeed in their
river,since otherwise they would never
plans.
But the late M. de Guise, who
was
always fair and
said that such a thing must
not
be, for it
generous,
too
was
unjust to thus cruelly
going too far,and was
de

THE

342

others

which

MEMOIRS
have

we

would

France

had

zeal she

showed, and

her

This

they

with

say,

is

in her
cannot

nor

that

in

what

I know

tears

War,

lighted from
stamped out

believed

but

why they

of the Civil

been

have

brand,

seen

OF

her.
I

eyes.
her
tax

first

forever

myself

with

this

know

have

in
the

heard

the first spark

yet with the second, which

for at that time
she
Meaux,

was

was
day's work at
thinking only of the hunt, and of giving pleasure to
the King at her beautiful house
at Monceaux.
and
that M. le Prince
The warning came
those of
under
and in the field to surthe Religion were
arms
prise
and seize the King under
pretext of presentinga

request.
God

knows
and

who
had

was

it not

the

been

Swiss
not

troops, newly raised, no

have happened.

This
to

take

But

for

it

was

was

done

they

to

force

themselves

the
knows

one

levy of Swiss troops was

and of saying
up arms,

that it

of

cause

this
six

new

turbance,
dis-

thousand

what

might

the pretext for them

and
cast
spreading broad-

them

into

war.

requested this
Queen, as I know

who

levy of troops from the King and

of the march
of
from being then at Court, on account
and
the Duke
his army,
of Alva
fearing that, under
Flanders, he might descend
pretext of marching on
the frontiers of France, and besides urging that
upon
it was
to strengthen the frontiers
always the custom
whenever
a neighbouring state
was
arming.
be uniformed
of how
No
urgently they
one
can
pressed this upon the King and Queen, both by letters
le Prince
and
and
Even
himself
M.
by embassies.
M. I'Admiral
the King on this
to see
(Coligny) came
them.
subject,at Saint-Germain-en-Laye, where I saw
I should
also like to ask
(for all that I write here
took
who
I saw
it was
on
arms
myself), who
up

CATHERINE

DE

Tuesday, and who

King's brother, and

bribed

Shrove
the

the

and

King

Mole

for which

the schemes

to

MEDICI

begged Monsieur,

of

and

343

Navarre
Coconas

hsten

to
were

cuted
exe-

in Paris?

It

the

not

was

from

she

prevented

them

and

the

of Navarre

King

that

Vincennes

of

Paris

the Louvre,

morning

at

"

King

could

Charles

of

by

her wisdom

that

uprising,holding Monsieur
so
imprisoned in the forest

they

the death
and

for it was

Queen,

break

not

she held

out,

them

as

and

on

tightlyin

barring their windows

of the King of Navarre,
floor (this I know
from

even

least those

one

who

the
lodged on the lower
with
in his
tears
King of Navarre, who told it me
them
that they
eyes), and kept such strict watch over
could not escape as they intended.
the state
Their escape would
have greatlyembroiled
of Poland
the King, a
and
to
prevented the return
striving.
thing for which they were
this from
I know
having been invited to the fracas,
made
which w^as one
of the finest strokes of policyever
by the Queen.
Starting from Paris, she carried them to the King
at Lyons so
watchfully and skilfullythat no one who
them
w^ould think that they wxre
saw^
prisoners.
with
coach
her, and
They journeyed in the same
to the King, who
she herself presentedthem
pardoned
was

them

after

soon

who

Again,
brother,
take
M.

him
It

Paris

at

and

arms

up

about
was

it that enticed

the

None

fine

one

embroil

La

the

King's

night, casting off

him

so

much,

the
and

all France?
the

all this, and

knows

siege of

Monsieur,

loved

who

of his brother

de La

began

was

leave

to

affection
to

their arrival.

Rochelle, and

plots which
what

I told

them.
not

the

Queen Mother,

abrupt departure by

her

son,

this open and

felt such grief to

for

she

on

MEMOIRS

THE

344
see

brother

one

King,

that

could

not

she

banded

she

reunite

them

conversation

with

much

so

this re-union, after

and

she

else she

would

were

heard

her
she

that

God

would

which

He

retire to her

grant the favour

might

accept it with

would

Chenonceaux

they

as

Monsieur,
that

as

die

would

I have

accomplished.

brother, his
of grief if she
before, which
say at Blois, in
ing
prayed for noth-

against another
she

swore

OF

the

send

her

of

heart.

best

houses

of

death

of Monceaux

Or
and

again meddle with the affairs

of France, willingto end her days in tranquillity.
In fact she reallywished
to do this, but the King
begged her to refrain,for both he and his kingdom
had

and

am

assured

re-union, all
there
over

of her.

great need

never

that had

would

were

then

France

who

have

she

gained

not

been

with

up

peace

by

this

France, for

foreignersscattered
fiftythousand
would have gladly helped to humble

and

destroyher.
It was
not, therefore,the Queen who brought about
this taking up of arms,
it the State Assembly
nor
was
wanted
but one
at Blois,who
religionand proposed
to

abolish

all contrary to their own,

and
did not
that, if the spiritualsword

abolish
Some

it,recourse

should

be had

to

the

who

manded
de-

sufHce

to

temporal.

Queen bribed them ; this

for in each provincethere were
authorities
was
wrong,
who
would
I do not
have yieldedto her wishes.
not
a
later; that was
over
say that she did not win them
fine stroke
of policy,showing her
resourcefulness.
But it was
the Assembly.
On
she who
summoned
not
the contrary, she laid all the blame
on
it,because it
It
lessened both the King's authorityand her own.
the Church
the
had
was
long demanded
party which
quired
Assembly, and voluntarilycalled it together,and reby the articles of the last peace that it should
have

stated

that the

CATHERINE

be convened

and

DE

held;

MEDICI

which

to

the

345

Queen strongly
Nevertheless,

objected,foreseeingthis abuse of power.

to quiettheir incessant clamour, they were
allowed
to
convoke
confusion
and injury,not to
it,tO' their own
their profitand contentment
as
they had thought ; and
for this reason
they resorted to arms.
Again it was
the Queen who
not
did so.
Neither
seized

it she who

was

when

caused

certain of them

they captured Mont-de-Marsan,

in

I recall what

Picardy,and Cahors.
to M. de Moissans, who
He
King of Navarre.

to

came

him

the

La

Fere
said

King

behalf

on

to be

of the

repulsedhim roughly,telling
him that while these men
were
cajolinghim with fine
and seizingcities.
speeches,they were
taking up arms
the
This, then, is the way in which the Queen was
fomenter

of all

only

did

and

wars

our

civil fires,the which

she

lightbut employed all her energies

and efforts to extinguish,
abhorring to see the death of
nobles and landed
so
gentlemen. And without
many
that and her commiseration,those who
bore against
her a mortal
enmity would have found themselves in
dire straits,
themselves
laid beneath
the sod, and their
be
is. All this must
it now
as
party not flourishing
imputed to her goodness of heart, of which we now
stand in sore
need
so
everybody agrees and the poor
to
people cry : "We no longer have the Queen Mother
make
for us !"
It was
not through lack of her
peace
not

not

"

efforts

that

she

did

not

Guienne

recentlyto treat
Jarnac, with the King of
Conde.
in her

I know
eyes

and

princeswould

that which

have

peace,

and

Navarre
I have

afflictus

wished

in the War

to

and

the Prince

de

witnessed

"

the tears

which

these

possiblysee

to-day.

accuse

of the

to

went

Coignac

at

the regret in her heart to

not
yield; and the result we

in the evils which

They

for

she

when

succeed

her

League.

plicated
having been imWhy, then, should

of

MEMOIRS

THE

346

undertaken

she have

the

conclude

to

been?

had

if she

mentioned,

OF

Why

of Paris

riots of the barricades

appeased the

I have
peace
should
she
; and

King with the Due de Guise, as we

only to destroy the latter?
seen, if it were
much
how
matter
In short, no
they slander
shall

never

France

in

have

we

another

have

why
have

the

reconciled

just

her,

active

so

in

peace.

againsther is the massacre

All that is a sealed
of Paris [of Saint Bartholomew].
for I was
book
to me,
just then settingout by boat
from
thority
Brouage; but I have heard it said on good auin it. Three
that she was
not the prime mover
I might name,
much
four others, whom
more
were
or
and making
active in it than she, pushing her forward
the wounding of
threats made
her believe,from
upon
Admiral
Coligny,that the King was to be killed,with
the chief accusation

But

herself

and

be still worse

to

was

Church
as

party

they

downward
his

wrong

to

have

made,

for

steps of

death.

uttered

they

If

heal, he could

poor

had

kept their

allowed

such

utter

counsel

own

the Admiral's

left Paris

threats

they hastened the

Admiral
and procured

the

and

word,

no

country

Certainly the

arms.

very

were

said to

are

in

involved

the

else that

children, or

all her

and

wounds

to

safety and quiet,and

nothing else would have happened. M. de La None
has been
strongly of this opinion. Indeed, he and
M.

Strozze

de

and

once,

and

King's

Court

less

who

was

him

never

I do

I have

and

he has

threats

no

have

the

like which

say

of the

that

over

more

than

bravados, the bold

in the
openly made

the

city of Paris. And he blamed

brother-in-law,M. de Theligny,
hottest heads of them
all,calling

downright fool
was
guiltyof this

not

were

it

his

strongly his
one

talked

approved

never

and

in

and

blockhead.

loud

talk,at least

in secret

or

with

The
not

Admiral
in

public.

his closest friends

CATHERINE

did

he

DE

MEDICI

347

this was
the true cause
say things. And
his death
of his friends,and
and of the massacre

of

not

the

not

who

Queen,

that this

heads

concealed.
and

charged, ahhough

was

able to

been

have

never

me,

as

was

train

It is false.
the

least

violent

more

get the idea

many
of their

fuse

well

passionateagree

obstinate

and

are

out

laid and

long

The

there

think

with
wise
other-

thus very often we

credit to kings and great
of events,
princes the ordering of the natural course
; and

how
prudent and provident they
say afterwards
well they could
and
how
dissimulate; when

and
were

while

all the
a

knew

nothing

more

it than

about

plum.
To

God
be

it out

knows

from

about
with

it to

M.

to

she

that
with

driven

she

again

return

given

they

what
Havre

the
was

zeal

Queen, her enemies have

not
a
good Frenchwoman.
she urged that the English
Grace, and

de

le Prince, and

how

she

what

she

said

made

him

go,

cavaliers of his party, with the crown-companies

many
of M. Andelot, and other Huguenots, and how
led this army,
usually on horseback, like
beautiful Queen Marfisa, exposing herself to

herself

second

the

like one
arquebusades and the cannonades
captains, always watching the batteries,and
that

she

would

this

city,and
hating worse
them.
restored

And

never

driven

be
the

at

ease

until she

English out
than
poison those who
she accomplished so much

it to

of

had

of

her

saying
taken

France, and
it to

had

sold

that

she
finally

France.

besiegedI saw her in the greatest

she saw
of fury, when
enter
English reinforcements,
of a French
galleycaptured the year before,
by means
fearing that this place,failingto be captured by us,
might fall into the control of the English. For this
she "pushed hard at the wheel," as the saying
reason
failed to come
each day to
is,to capture it,and never
When

Rouen

was

THE

348

MEMOIRS

the fort Sainte-Catherine

to

OF

hold

council

and

to

watcli

bombardment.

the

often

I have

along the covered way

passing*
Sainte-Catherine,while the arquebusades and cannonades
rained shot around
her^ and her paying no

to

attention
well

There

her,
know

Connetable

and

M.

should

saw

said

and

there

were

it

saw

as

le Guise

accident

some

laughed

whom

to

who

panied
livingto-day ladies who accomthe firingwas
not
pleasant (I
them
le
M.
there) and when

are

for

this

her

Those

them.

to

I.

as

her

seen

might happen
she

that

with

remonstrated

saw

her, she merely

to

why

reason

no

ing
her, tellshe

they, since her courage

was
as
good as theirs,although her sex had denied
her the same
strength. As for hardship,she endured
that very well, either on
I think
foot or horseback.
that for a long time there never
better queen
was
a
or
princesson horsebackj nor one who sat her mount
with

spare

better

masculine
but

It

herself

more

grace;

not

than

fo"rmed

woman,

for

seeming

like some

all

that

of

that

her

she

fantastic Amazon,

noble princess,beautiful,
gracious and
said

like

sweet.

strongly Spanish.
alive [ElizaCertainlywhile her good daughter was
beth,
wife of PhilipII of Spain] she loved the Spanish.
But after her daughter died we
knew
at least
was

was

"

us"

whether

the

people.

of

some

land

or

she had
It

is

true

cause

to

that she

love

either the

always so
Spanish King

was

prudent that she desired to receive the

always as a good son-in-law,to the end that he should
treat her daughter the better,as is the way
with good
mothers
also that he might never
tO' trouble
come
; and
in France, nor
here accordingto his warmake war
us
like
tastes

Others
of France

and

have
and

refute that

by

natural

ambition.

liked the nobles

charged that she never
was
always glad to shed their blood. I
the

many

times

she

made

peace

and

out

MEMOIRS

THE

350

ready

and

Guards

de

on

Marshal

Retz

de

failed to

fight,the King

to

to

The

do.

reconcile

in

she

regard

gently

leave

to

; for

her

to

since she

had

de
men,

the

them

and

which

they

of

them

quarrel

their

as

household,

her

besought

then

of

settlement

done

Nevers

summoned

and

room;

sternlyand

them

commanded

two

great ladies

two

to

the

M.

thereupon

Queen

both, that evening, to her

was

orders
for their
gave
of his Captains of the

Rambotiillet,one
duty; and also ordered

of M.

arrest

OF

ences
differ-

their

the honour

them

to

dle
med-

princes,marshals, and captainshad

failed to bring them
together,she wished to have the
for so doing. By this means
she made
credit and honour
them
friends,and they embraced
unreservedly,taking
all from
her; so that by her prudence the subject of
the honour
of the two
the quarrel,which touched
upon
ladies and was
rather delicate,was
known
never
licly.
pubThis shows
the great goodness of the Princess !
And
then to charge that she never
liked the nobility!
in

Ha

If the

it too
her

it,and

the

truth

much.

I believe

kingdom

with

the

that

King

great

liked
was

she

was

she

learned

not

the

while

husband,

great

families

esteemed

and
not

house

of

in

quainted.
personally ac-

all about

Francis, who

genealogies of

knew
his

them
all

the

kingdom;
this faculty
recognised

King, he had
that after he had once
seen
a gentleman he
him ever
after,knowing not only his face but also his
quently
deeds and his reputation. I have seen
this Queen, freusual thing,when
her son
and
the King
as
a
was

as

for her

she

that there

whom

It is said
from

known

were

minor, take

the

the

trouble

to

present

to

him

sonally
per-

gentlemen of his realm, reminding him that

'This one
has rendered
good service to the King, your
grandfather," and such and such things "to the King,
him to be
father," and so on; and commanding
your
mindful
of them, to cherish them, look after their inthe

DE

CATHERINE

her

heeded

advice
the

gentlemen of
his kingdom.
These

her

people.

many
while she

seen

was

King

does

351
And

name.

infoniied

Did

appear.

she

taxes, subsidies,imposts and

and

be

household

spent

her
for

entire year, and

in advance;

death, her bankers

which

she

duties,

so

that,

remonstrated

with

she

is said to

have

amassed.

found

creditors

officers of
of

one
one

the
She

to

the

crowns,

her

found

months

some

of money
believed?

was

the income

laughed and said that

God
for everythingand enjoy it while
her avarice, and
This, then, was
But

levy

ever

during the minority

levied since in a single

ladies, gentlemen, and

an

in

loved

other

she
ladies say that after her death
of eight thousand
in debt to the sum
of

the

the Government

directed

her

wages

of

never

children,as has been

discoverd
they ever
any hoards
year ? Have
of Italy,as has been
here or
in the banks
On
the contrary, after her death they never
of her
solitarycoin; and I have heard some
of

he

resided

who

race

also said that she

not

that

structi
later,for, through this in-

honourable

have

This

by

thoroughly

was

and

rank

detractors

as

them

remember

terests, and

MEDICI

her

year

before

her

over

must
was

icit.
this def-

praise
alive.

great wealth
never

saved

anything,for she had a heart wholly noble, liberal and

magnificent,in every way the equal of that of her
celebrated
of the
great-uncle, the Pope Leo, and
de Medici.
She
Lorenzo
everything
spent and gave
applying it to memorable
; erecting buildingsor
away
entertainments
spectacles
; and taking delightin giving
balls, dances,
festivals,
as
to her people or Court, such
combats, and tourneys, three speciallysuperb events
at
being given during her lifetime. The first was
Fontainebleau,a carnival after the first troubles,where
bats
there were
tourneys, and breaking of lances, and comf olof joustings,
at the barrier ; in brief,all sorts

MEMOIRS

THE

352
lowed

by

Genevra

of

subject of the beautiful

was
played by Madame

the

comedy

on

Ariosto

which

d'Angouleme and her

princessesand ladies and
certainlyplayed it very

OF

beautiful

most

demoiselles

well, so

virtuous

and

of her

Court,who

nothing more
The
beautiful was
at Bayonne, at
next
was
ever
seen.
the Queen and her daughter, the
the interview
between
Queen of Spain, where the magnificence was such in all
things that the Spaniards,who are very disdainful of
other countries
besides their own,
that they had
swore
never
seen
anything more
splendid,and that their King
could hardly rival it ; and so they returned
home
greatly
that

edified.
I know

that

But

quiteunnecessary.

as

it to show
ruined
wars

nations

the

spend

for affairs of consequence

that France
all the more
to
was

she

totally

so

her

of

recent

able to

was

be able to do

importance;

and

more

and

not

was

poverty-stricken
by reason
was
supposed ; and that,since
much
for frivolity,
she would

so

done

said she had

Queen

that France

this expense

and
as

far

other

blamed

France

in

many

be

and

esteemed

feared, whether
through the sight of so much wealth
and
richness,or the spectacleof so great an array of
for certainly
gentlemen, so brave and adroit at arms
there was
and worthy to be admired.
a
goodly number
it was
And
for good and sufficient reason
that our
so
Christian Queen made
this splendid festival;for
most
"

be

have

would

opinion
A

if she

derided

us

had
and

third
on

returned

so,

home

she

dined

exceedingly fine entertainment

the arrival of the Polish

grand

done

not

visitors

the

with

poor

of France.

her

that

assured

superblyat
ball-room

made

enclosed by
entirely

she

presented

most

in

the Tuileries; and

and

the

envoys

was

especiallyfor
a

countless

beautiful

by

Paris, whom
afterwards
the

number
ballet

given

in

spectacle

of torches,
ever

seen

on

CATHERINE

DE

MEDICI

353

so), which comprised sixteen ladies

best suited to it. They apand
were
peared
in a great grotto of silver,being seated in
about its sides.
niches and clad as though in vapour
sixteen ladies representedthe sixteen provinces
These
melodious
music possible;
of France, with the most
of
and after having made, in this grotto, the round
the hall like a review of troops, giving an opportunity
from
the grotto
for all to see them, they descended
(ifI

earth

say
demoiselles who

and

formed

may

themselves

into

cally
fantasti-

littlecompany

coursed
arranged, while an orchestra of thirtyviolins disto the melody of
sweet
music, and marched
these violins by a beautiful dance
step, approaching
this they
and halting before their majesties. After
their ballet,so fantastically
invented, with so
danced
and convolutions,twinings and twistings,
turns
many
in which
placeagain,
no
lady failed to find her own
that
and

all the
grace

spectators

amazed

were

This

of the evolutions.

at

the

accuracy

unique ballet

lasted

ing,
hour, after which the ladies representto
I have said,the sixteen provincesadvanced
as
the King, the Queen, the King of Poland, Monsieur
his brother, the King and Queen of Navarre, and other
notables of France
and
Poland, tendering to each a
golden salver as large as the palm of the hand, finely
enamelled
ucts
and engraved, showing the fruits and prodpeculiarto each province, as for example: In
Provence, citrons and oranges ; in Champagne, cereals ;
certainly
in Burgundy, wines; in Guienne, soldiers
! and so on
through the
to Guienne
a
great honour
various other provinces.
bat
bestowed, and a comAt Bayonne similar giftswere
was
fought which I would willinglydescribe,but
the
But
at Bayonne
it would
take too much
space.
men
presented giftsto the ladies,while here it was
for at least

an

"

"

the ladies

giving to

the

men.

And

note

that all these

THE

354

MEMOIRS

inventions

were

brain

that of the

than

deviser

of

imitate

the

derived

OF

from

other

no

She

Queen.

was

bounty
mistress

and
and

everything. She had such a knack that, no

offered
what
matter
at
spectacleswere
Court, hers
So they had
a
surpassed all the others.
saying that
knew
how
fine things.
to do
only the Queen Mother
if such shows
And
were
expensive,they also gave gieat'
pleasure,and people used tO' say that she wished to
games
so

Roman

emperors,
to the people and

them

amuse

that

they

who

studied

give

them

had

no

how

to

hibit
ex-

pleasure,and

time

to

get into

mischief.
In

addition

pleasure to

to

her

the

fact that

people, she

gave

she
them

delighted to give
much

to
money
of skilled

greatlypreferred all kinds

workmen
well.
Each
and paid them
was
kept busy at*
his own
lacked employment,
work, so that they never
in her
and architects,
will be seen
masons
as
especially
beautiful
mansions
^the Tuileries
(stillunfinished),
Saint Maur, Monceaux, and Chenonceaux.
Also
she
favoured
of genius and gladly read, or had read to
men
her, the works which they presented to her or which
vectives
the high-flown inshe knew
they had written, even
which they launched
againsther, at which she
ing
scoffed and laughed, but took no other notice of, callthe writers prattlersand penny-liners.
She wished
to know
everything. On the journey
to Lorraine, during the second
uprising,the Huguenots
named
took with them
a
they nickvery fine culverin which
the "queen mother."
obliged to
They were
unable
to drag it
bury it at Villenozze as they were
ness
further because of its excessive weight and poor harable to find it again. The
never
they were
; and
know
curious
to
was
Queen Mother
why they had
earn;

for

she

"

named

the

Finallysome

gun
one,

for

her,

after

when

she

heard

about

being stronglypressedby

it.

her

CATHERINE

DE

MEDICI

355

she has
replied:"Because, Madame,
and is.largerthan any of the others."
a greater caHbre
the first to laugh at this reply.
The Queen was
The Queen spared no pains to read anything which
her embarkoccasion I saw
struck her fancy. On one
ing
her way
to dine at Bourg, and
at Blaye on
occupy'ng the whole journey by reading from a parchment,
like some
by
reporter or lawyer, a depositionmade
Derdois, favourite secretary of the late M. le Connetof
able, concerning certain actions and information
for which
and
he had been accused
which
imprisoned
lifted her eyes until she had
She never
at Bayonne.
finished reading the whole
more
thing,and there were
she was
of it. When
than
not
ten
prevented
pages
to
she herself read all letters of importance addressed
the reply with her own
hand,
her, and often wrote
exalted or insignificant
whether
to the most
person.
I saw
her once, after dinner, indite twenty such letters
of considerable length.
and spoke French
She wrote
well, although an
very
for

the

Italian.

reason,

She

even

addressed those of her

own

nation

did she honour

in French, so much
it,making
specialeffort to exhibit its fine diction to strangers and
who
ambassadors
to pay her their respects after
came

often

reply to them
very
seeing the King. She would
and
with
dignity,just as I have
pertinently,
grace
of parliamentboth publicly
heard her speak to the courts
well in hand
often keeping them
and privately;
when
extravagant or over-cautious, and did
they were
wish to yieldto the royal edicts or to the wishes
not
that she
be sure
You
of the King or herself.
may
spoke as a Queen and made herself feared as such.
she took her daughwhen
ter,
her once
I saw
at Bordeaux
She had
the Queen of Navarre, to her husband.
with her and spoke
to come
the Court
commanded
urgently on the subjectto these gentlemen,who did
Memoirs"

12

Vol.. 1

356
not

wish

to

founded

abolish

and

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

certain

adhered

fraternitywhich
which

to^ and

they had

she wished

to

solve,
dis-

end
foreseeing-that it might lead tO' some
visit her in
to
prejudicialto the state.
They came
she was
day
the Bishop's garden, where
walking-one Sunto
morning. One of them, the spokesman, showed
her the usefulness
of this fraternityand
its good
offices for the people. She, without
sponded
preparation,resons
so
well,with such apt words and cogent reaand
to show
odious,
badly founded
why it was
that there was
none
present who could help but admire
the spiritof the Queen or remain
astonished
and confused
concluded
with these words:
at her logic. She
"No, I wish it, and the King my son wishes that this
order shall be abolished and that the subjectmay
never
which I shall not
again be discussed,for secret reasons
give you, in addition to those which I have given;

otherwise

I shall make

sensible of what

you

disobeythe King and me."

their way, and nothingmore
She

assumed

this

After
was

manner

very

that
heard

often

the

it means

they

to

all went

of the matter.

kept in line
mitted
they had com-

and

princes and haughty lords when

her angry.
some
large indiscretion and made
she put on her grandest air,and no other living
Then
could be so proud and disdainful as she, when
person
I have
it was
sparing the truth to no one.
necessary,
the late M. de Savoie, who
friend of the
seen
a
was
Emperor, the King of Spain, and many
notables,fear
and

respect her

and

M.

than

more

de Lorraine

the

people of Christendom.
which

at

do, but

at

Among

another

present what
and

days

never

been

his mother;

in short, all the great

I could cite many
instances,

same^

and

"

in their

I have

own

place I

may

said will suffice.

she was
a
qualities,
good
devout, always observing her fast
very
failingto attend daily service,either

all her

Christian
and

time

if she had

other

fine

OF

MEMOIRS

THE

358

by an Emperor of Rome, in respect to Its ladies,

It is true that the
nor
by any of our Kings of France.
Charlemagne took great delight in
great Emperor
maintaining a splendid and overflowing Court, with
dukes, counts, paladins, barons, and
peers,
many
and
chevaliers of France, with their wives
daughters,
from
other countries to keep their company
and many
held

at

Court

as

"

the

time

that

and

magnificent pageants.

and

"

gorgeous

assemblages

than

or

three

and

departed
until

four

the

times

retired

time.

next

was

obliged to banish

by
with

of

reason

and

men;

of ladies who
moreover,
in

the

also that he

that

say

much

Court,

affairs which

dismissed

they had
large number

These
courts,
joyous band.
tained
of Charlemagne
never
were
long maincomparison to his long reign, for he was
and

as

remain

of the

were

chieflydevoted
romances;

they

given to
always of good family,
on
ascending the throne

love

scandalous

others

to

of his sisters from

some

more

their close

estates,

was

age

Debonair

that Louis

at

Moreover,

in his old
Charlemagne
although they were
women,
and

and
own

These

together

come

year,

their

to

of that?

what

not

of

romances

jousts,tourneys

many

But

did

old

of the

in many
there were

read

we

to

his

wars,

in his old

I have

said.

as

we

in the

read

age the Court

But
the Court

too

was

of

our

old
solute,
dis-

King,

established
an
Henry II, and the Queen his wife, was
held in one
and peace, and whether
thing both in war
at a time, either In the
place or another for months
castles of our
were
or
kings who
pleasure houses
other
than
never
lacking in them, having more
any
sovereigns. This elegant and distinguishedcompany
always kept together,at least for the greater part of
the time, going and coming with the Queen; so that
usual
as
a
thing her Court contained at least three
hundred

ladies and

maids

of honour.

CATHERINE
chiefs

The

DE

MEDICI

households

of

and

359

royal

firmed
af-

stewards

they always occupied at least one-half of

I myself have
all the apartments, as
seen
during the
that I lived at Court, except during
thirty-three
years
But
time of war, or while in foreign countries.
upon
I
for
life
there
return
was
w^as
habituallythere,
my
most
saw
anything so
agreeable to me, and I never
that

attractive
since

then, has

here

that time

Before

them

equal;

and

was
were

too

w^orld,

the
as

Queen
slighted,I shall
our

as

First of all,there
France

be

not

that

to me,
they occur
Queen's marriage and during her

of them

after the

think

assisted

who

should

the Court

I
its

seen

never

fair dames

of those

some

And

elsewhere.

whom

list

the
to

ment
orna-

mention
I

saw

widowhood.

young.

the

Mesdames,

daughters

of

[the Royal Princesses]. I head the list with

long
lost their high rank, and bebecause
they never
noble was
before
all the others, so grand and

their house, viz.

Queen

of

Madame

Elizabeth

wards
of France, after-

Spain.
since Duchess

of

Lorraine.

Madame

Claude,

Madame

Marguerite,afterwards Queen
afterwards
the King's sister,

Madame,

of Navarre.
Duchess

of

Savoie.

Dauphiness and
Mary Queen of Scots, afterwards
Queen of France.
The Queen of Navarre, Jeanne d'Albret.
Madame, the
Madame
Catharine, her daughter, now^
King's sister.
Madame
Diane, natural daughter of King Henry
d'AnDuchess
and made
II, afterwards
legitimatised
gouleme.
Madame
D'Enghien, heiress of Estouteville.
Princess

Madame

the

Madame

de

Madame

de Guise.

Nevers.

of Conde.

MEMOIRS

THE

36o
Madame

Diane

their

and
Madame

But

de

why

Poitiers

de

d'Aumale

Montpensier/

name

others?

any

other

ladies and

maidens

that I

if I pass them
by with
that I do not hold and esteem
them

I will say,

memory

are

so

of them

beg

to

of the pen.

with

be touched

lucky
have

who

none

he

who

named
and

the

could

love

it.

escape

who

none

should

not

were

accomplished, and

to

swear

might

who
and
you

very
that I

beautiful,agreeable

very

endowed

so

much.

majesty,

fair ones,

such

of

Not

I
in all this company
fault with, for
found

might be
everywhere, and all was
beauty abounded
gentlenessand grace.
Lucky was the man
name

can

many
excuse

highly,but I
myself to them too

this,that

conclude

to

my

them

devote

and

there

stroke

me

for

No,

Indeed,

all.

supply them

not

over

lon,
Bouil-

de

and

daughters.

could

dream

[the King's favourite],

Duchesses

the

Mesdames,

OF

as

fire the

to

in
of them
passion. Indeed, some
their zenith did set fire to a good part of it,including
who
those of us gentlemen of the Court
approached
Also to many
too close to the flames.
were
they sweet,
I allude now
to
amiable, favourable, and courteous.
I wish to relate good stories in
certain ones
of whom
before I have ended
this book
it,and of others who
included.
But all will be told so quietlyand
not
are

whole

world

without
curtain
any

with

scandal
of

of them

that

none

silence will
should

take

can

their

cover

happen

to

read

offence, for the

that

so

names;

stories of

if

selves
them-

they will not be displeased. For although the

of too
pleasuresof love cannot last forever, on account
hindrances,accidents and changes, the memories
many
the less.
of past joys delightus none
*

The

author

here

continues

hundred
one
some
belonging to various noble

with
and

houses

long catalogue of

fiftyother
of France.

ladies

of

names

the

cluding
in-

Court,

CATHERINE

Now,

in order

to

DE

give proper

MEDICI

361

consideration

to

them,

for oneself all this lovely

be necessary
to see
of dames
and demoiselles,creatures
divine
more

it would
array
than

human;

in their

be necessary
into Paris and

it would

to

represent them

other

cities,or at
the holy and
splendid nuptials of the royal famil}^
such
those of the Dauphin, King Charles, King
as
de Lorraine,
Henry III, the King of Spain, Madame
the Queen of Navarre^ as well as other grand weddings
of princes and
princesses,such as that of M. de
Joyeuse, which would have surpassed them all if the
had been present. Nor
must
we
Queen of Navarre
forget the interview at Bayonne, the Polish embassy,
infinite number
I
of similar spectacleswhich
and an
could
be able to finish counting,where
should
never
be seen
an
array of these ladies,each seemingly more
beautiful
than the rest^ and some
more
handsomely
dition
in adapparelledthan others, since at such festivities,
to their own
wealthy the King or the Queen
splendidliveries of different kinds.
gave them
In a word, no
saw
ever
one
anything finer,more
dazzling, attractive,superb. The glory of Niquee
[in the enchanted
palace of "Amadis"] never
proached
apin
this
the
for
could see all
one
it;
glowing
the Louvre, like the stars
ballrooms
at the Palace
or
of heaven
in the clear sky. The
Queen desired and
commanded
that they should
always appear in lovely
and expensive apparel,although she herself,
during her
in worldly silks,unless of
dressed
widowhood,
never
subdued
tints,but always in good taste and wellthat she looked the Queen above all others.
so
fitting,
Charles
It is true that on the wedding days of her sons
robes of black velvet,wishing,she
and Henry she wore
said, to solemnise these occasions in this way beyond
the King was
alive,
all others.
But while her husband
she dressed very richlyand superbly,and looked the
entrances

"

MEMOIRS

THE

2"02

OF

It was
a
privilegeto see
great lady that she was.
and admire
her, in the general processionswhich were
held both at Paris and elsewhere, such as that of the

with

torches

and

such

all carried

Day, when

Palm

of

that

Dieu, and

Fete

Sunday, carrying palms

grace,

and

that

of

Candlemas

lightedcandles whose

flame

vied

splendour. In these three processions,

could
the most
which
are
noteworthy, assuredly one
see
nothing but beauty, grace, noble bearing, stately
all the byat sight of which
stander
marching and fine array
spellbound.
were
It was
also a fine sight in the earlier days to see the
horseback, when
or
on
Queen going about in her litter,
she
attended
was
by forty or fiftyladies all well
steeds finelycaparisoned and
handsome
mounted
on
could
that the men
their mounts
with such ease
sitting
ment.
exceed
not
them, either in horsemanship or accoutreTheir hats were
richly decorated with plumes
lenge
floated back in the air seeming to offer a chalwhich
of love or war.
Virgil,who attempted to write
she went
when
of the beautiful apparel of Queen Dido
hunting,does not rival in descriptionthe luxury of our
I do not wish to displease,
Queen and her ladies,whom
I have
as
already said.
This
Queen, established by the hand of the great
this beautiful
introduced
eantry,
pagKing Francis, who
did not wish to forget or neglectanything that
she ever
learned, but always wished to imitate it,to
their

with

own

"

if she

see

could

surpass

it.

I have

this

four times.

all

have

the
seen

subjectthree or
the things that I
soul

I say

talk

her

have

who

Those

will feel the

that I do, for what

myself.
This, then, was

heard

on

seen

delightof

same

I have

and

is true

it

was

that

our

the

the Court

day

she

of

our

died!

Queen.
I have

present King [Henry IV],

How

heard
some

fortunate
un-

it

lated
re-

eighteen

CATHERINE
months

after he

King,
Marshal

would

set

the

with

over

the late
he

well established,

that which

to

come
be-

projects which

his Court

closelysimilar

363

brighteningto

designs and

foot to make

elegant,and
maintained

his prospects
da}^ began to talk

Biron

on

MEDICI

saw

one

de

DE

Queen

our

in the

heyday of its lustre

and splendour. The Marshal
replied: 'Tt is not in your
in that of any King who
is to succeed, un^
nor
power,
it

; for

then

was

less you make

a
compact
the Queen Mother
and
But

that

was

no

much,

without

and

ought

She

at

which

he

I could

aid."
there

hated

so

But

he

see.

I.
the

was

day

such

Queen
of

the greatest need

had

w^e

when

Blois

at

resuscitate

that He

died, whom

that

when

the time
still have

died

she

reason

unlucky indeed

died, and
her, as we

the

time

better than

know

to

How

was

the

at

one,

God

bring her back to your

the King desired, for

what

not

w^as

with

melancholy

from

the

over

sacre
mas-

there, and the sad tragedy which

occurred

enacted, seeing that unthinkingly she had caused

there, thinking to do the right
princes to come

thing; whereas,
Bourbon

said to her

all to the
touched

contrary,

heart, and

her

that she took

ill,and

never

without

rival

master,

from

he

now

she

these
been

bed, having

King

the

death, saying that

or

rose

of

death

the
her

to

Guise's

de

! you have led

intending it." That

also

again
when

that

say

Cardinal

the

as

"Alas, Madame

slaughter,without

gentlemen,

They

the

on

asked

us
so

poor

viously
pre-

it.

told her
was

him

of

M.

dc

King indeed,
if he

had

put

kingdom in order before striking

"God
the blow.
He
grant it,
repliedthat he had.
!" said she.
son
Very prudent that she was, she
my
foresaw
clearlywhat might happen to him and to all
the kingdom.
the

affairs of

Various

his

reports have

gone

about

concerning

her

f
DE

CATHERINE

364

MEDICI

even
sayingthat it was from poison.
death,some
not; but she is believed to have
Possibly
so, possibly
of soul,
for. She
died of despair
as she had reason
was
placedupon her bed of state,as I have heard
in pomp neither more
nor
said,by one of her ladies,
I have spoken elsewhere,
less than Queen Anne, of whom
and clad in the same
royalvesture,which has
and was
not served since her death for any others;
in the same
then carried into the church of the castle,
and solemnity
as at the funeral of Queen Anne,
pomp
liesand reposes. The King had wished
where she still
and thence to Saint
to carry her body to Chartres,
Denis,to placeit by the side of the King her husband,
in the same
imposingvault which he had caused to be
but the ensuingwar
built,
preventedhim.

This is what I can

say at this time of our great
givenus so worthy a subject
Queen,who has assuredly
of her,that this brief essay is not
to speakin praise
longenough to singher praises.I know it well,and
also that the quality
mind does not suffice,
of my
since better speakers
than I would stillbe inadequate.
However, such as it is,I lay this discourse in all
and devotion at her feet. And also I wish to
humility
avoid too great prolixity,
for which indeed I feel myself
liable. But I earnestly
discourse
in
that
hope
my
I shall not defraud her of much, althoughI am
silent
on
things,
speakingonly of essential matters
many
and those which her beautiful and unequalled
virtues
demand of me ; giving
me
ample material since I have
allthat I write concerning
her ; while as for that
seen
which took placebefore my day, I received it from
very illustrious
persons.
This queen
And

Died when
For

the mother

queens
none

we

save

of

so

well,within

many

kings,

of France,
needed her in many
things.
she could giveus such assistance.

as

our

realm

"*4-^
""?U^