The _French_ boast very much of this Event, and have not only struck Medals upon it, but have represented it in Ba.s.so Relievos of Bra.s.s, in Tapestries, and in Pictures; and all their Historians talk of it as one of the most glorious Epochas of the Reign of _Lewis_ XIV. Far be it from me to detract from the Glory of a Reign, which all the Universe admires, and to this Day respects; but I cannot help saying, that I question whether the _French_ wou"d easily pardon any other Nations for making the like Boast of their Exploits. The _Spaniards_, who have the Character of being vain, are, in my Opinion, if I may presume to say it, less so than the _French_. They have a more glorious Pa.s.sage in their History, and that is, the Excuses which _Philibert_, Prince of _Piedmont_, Son to _Charles Emanuel_, Duke of _Savoy_, made in Person to _Philip_ IV. King of _Spain_, in 1610. That Monarch, being disgusted at the Conduct of the Duke, because he had made a Treaty with _France_, sought to be reveng"d on him, and found an Opportunity. _Henry_ IV. King of _France_ being a.s.sa.s.sinated, _Mary de Medicis_, the Regent, was in no Condition to embroil herself with _Spain_, by a.s.sisting _Charles Emanuel_. _Philip_ IV. improv"d this Opportunity, and caus"d Troops to march from the _Milanese_ towards _Piedmont_: The Duke, in order to divert the Storm, sent his Son to _Madrid_. The young Prince was very well receiv"d there at first, but he had the Mortification to be oblig"d to make the most submissive Speech that could come from the Lips of a Sovereign Prince: "Sir, _said he, addressing himself to the King_, the Duke, my Lord and Father, being hinder"d from coming himself, by his Age and Business, has sent me to supplicate your Majesty on my Knees, to accept of the Satisfaction which I am now making. I am at a Loss for Terms strong enough to express the Grief of the Duke my Father for the Loss of your Favour. I fall once more at your Majesty"s Feet, resolv"d not to rise, were I to die on the Spot, till you have granted me the Favour I desire of you, which is, to take the Duke my Father, and our whole Family, into your Royal Protection. By this, _Sir_, you will give a Proof of your Readiness to pardon the greatest Errors, and of the Kindness which you always had for a Family which is devoted to you, and honours you as its Lord and Father. This Declaration, which is now made at your Knees by a Prince of your Blood, shall, if necessary, be seal"d by mine. The Duke my Father absolutely relies upon your Majesty"s Goodness, and we resign ourselves to you without Reserve.
If it pleases you to grant me the Favour which I humbly desire of you, it will be a new Obligation, that will attach us forever to your Interests."
Was not so submissive a Speech as this more likely to feed the Vanity of the King of _Spain_, than all the Excuses made by the Doge of _Genoa_ to puff up _Lewis_ XIV? And is not a Prince of _Piedmont_ at _Madrid_, a Person of more Consequence than a Doge of _Genoa_ at _Versailles_?
Nevertheless, the _Spaniards_ have neither struck any Medals, nor raised any Monuments to transmit that Event to Posterity. Pardon me, Sir, for this Digression: The Prince of _Piedmont_"s Speech is not to be met with in all the Historians: I believ"d it would be acceptable to you, and thought it was not altogether foreign to my Subject, to put the Reparation made by that Prince in a Parallel with that of the _Doge_. I now resume the Thread of my Narrative.
The Street _Balbi_, and the _new_ Street, are more like Galleries than Streets. The former lies near the beautiful Church of the _Annunciation_ and the first considerable Structure that appears in it, is the _Jesuits_ College, of which _James Balbi_, a _Genoese_ n.o.bleman, made a Present on his Death-bed to the Society, on Condition that his Arms would always remain over the great Gate. The Reverend Fathers the _Jesuits_ have laboured much to efface this poor Remembrance of their Benefactor, and for this End have had great Law-Suits with the _Balbi_ Family; but at length they were condemn"d by an Arret of the Senate to keep up the Arms of the Founder, and there they still remain.
The two Palaces _Purazzi_, which are in the same Street, are very magnificent, and richly furnished. In one of those Palaces there is a Theatre, called the Theatre of the _Falcon_, which is so extremely well laid out, that every Spectator may see and hear what pa.s.ses with Ease, and without incommoding his Neighbour, the Boxes being large and convenient, and the Ornaments dispos"d every-where with Judgment.
The new Street is every whit as magnificent as the Street _Balbi_. Here are the two Palaces _Brignole_, and indeed they are both stately Buildings. Their Ornaments are the finest that can be imagined, and of the newest Fashion: The Furniture is extremely rich, there being excellent Pictures by the greatest Masters, Chimney and Pier-Gla.s.ses of an extraordinary Size, and placed to Advantage; Tables of choice Marble upon Stands of an excellent Contrivance, and very richly gilt: In short, one wou"d not wish to see any thing more fine, and more complete. Messieurs _Brignole_ are four Brothers, of whom there is but one that has a Son: They are immensely rich, and have seven magnificent Palaces in _Genoa_.
The Palace of the Duke _Doria_, which is in the same Street, is grand and stately; but not so richly furnished as the Palace of the Prince _Doria_, without the Gate of St. _Thomas_, which owes its Foundation to the celebrated _Doria_, who was a General of the Emperor _Charles_ V. This Palace is very extensive, and has a Prospect of the Sea, but the Apartments are low and old-fashioned.
The Suburb of St. _Peter d"Arena_ is very large, and contains several n.o.ble Palaces, of which the Palace _Imperiali_, where the Emperor and Empress lodged at their Return from _Spain_, is esteemed by the Connoisseurs in Architecture.
The People at _Genoa_ are more sociable than they are at _Venice_, and the n.o.bility here much more easy of Access. I don"t believe, that they who accuse the _Italians_ of Jealousy, include the _Genoese_ in that Charge; there being few Countries in the World where the Women are allow"d more Freedom, and where, to all Appearance, they take more. A Woman must have very few Charms indeed, if she has not two or three profess"d Lovers.
These Sparks, who go by the Name of _Cicisbei_, are never out of their Sight; but they take great Pains in their Amours, being obliged to run so fast by the Side of their Mistresses Sedan, that they earn a Glance from the Fair with the Sweat of their Brows. There are Ladies here, who have five or six of these Admirers always attending them where-ever they go; and "tis happy for these Rivals, that they never fall together by the Ears. "Tis true, that if they quarrel, they would be obliged to box it; for the Gentry here don"t wear Swords, their Dress being like that of the Lawyers in _France_; but they always wear short silk Mantles, which I could wish the Counsellors of Parliament in _France_ would likewise wear, in order to distinguish them from Tailors and Shopkeepers.
The People of Quality here dress very well, and the _Genoese_ of both s.e.xes have a much better Air than those of _Florence_ and _Rome_. The Princess of _Modena_"s Residence with them has not been to their Detriment; for they have contracted a courtly Behaviour, to which the _Italians_ are pretty much Strangers. The _Genoese_ in general understand good Living, and are never deficient in that respect, for want of knowing better. Tho" they are said to be a sorry People, I could like to live here very well. I have been at two of their a.s.semblies, upon Occasion of the Marriage of a n.o.bleman, and have not seen any thing more magnificent; for a King could not have made a more splendid Entertainment. I was introduced to them by the Count _Guiccardi_, Envoy Extraordinary from the Emperor, and received abundance of Civilities. This Envoy is a Subject of the Duke of _Modena_, and was formerly in his Service. He was that Prince"s Minister at _Vienna_, when he went into the Service of his Imperial Majesty. He married the Countess _Sinzendorff_, who was the Daughter of _Hawitz_, the Grand Marshal at _Dresden_. This Lady was a _Lutheran_; but being at _Vienna_, and having a Curiosity to go to Divine Service in the Metropolitan Church of St. _Stephen_, while she was looking upon a Picture of the Holy Virgin, a Flash of Lightning came into the Chapel where she was, and scorch"d her in a Part, which I verily believe she wou"d not shew for all the Gold of _Peru_; but she received no other Harm, and thinking that she saw the Holy Virgin protecting her, it made such an Impression upon her, that she embraced our Religion, of which she is an exemplary Professor.
You know that the _Genoese_ are actually at War with their Subjects the _Corsicans_, who have newly publish"d a Manifesto of their Reasons for taking Arms. If all they say be true, "tis certain they have been very ill used; and that if any Rebellion can be excus"d, theirs may. This War has already cost the Republic immense Sums, and by the Turn which Affairs are taking, "tis to be presumed it will run them into a much greater Expence.
The _Corsicans_ have chose one _Giafferi_ for their Leader. He is a Man of Courage, and a good Head-piece: They say he has taken an Oath to procure his Country its Liberties; and if the _Genoese_ are not a.s.sisted by some Power, he is like enough to succeed.[23] Time will bring all Things to Light. I am, _&c._
[Ill.u.s.tration]
LETTER x.x.xVI.
_SIR_, _Turin, Nov. 28, 1731._
The Road hither from GENOA is very bad at this time of the Year. During the first two Post-Stages I cross"d one River no less than thirty-two times, and saw a great many fine Houses on the Banks of it; for tho" the Neighbourhood of GENOA is very mountainous, "tis very pleasant, all the Hills being covered with Chesnuts, and other Fruit-Trees. After I had travell"d about four Post-Stages, I enter"d on the Plain which brought me to _Turin_. This is certainly one of the finest Countries in the World, and wants nothing but Causeys.
The most considerable City that I met with in my Road, was ALEXANDRIA DE LA PAILLE, which stands on the River _Tanaro_. "Tis a great Town, but not very populous. It formerly depended on the _Milanese_, and was yielded by the Emperor to the King of _Sardinia_, who keeps a good Garison in it, and has set Men at Work to repair the Fortifications, which had really been very much neglected. This City is also of Note for its Fairs, which are the most considerable in _Italy_.
I afterwards came to ASTI, where I found nothing good but an Inn, which indeed is one of the best of _Italy_, From thence I went and lay at QUIERI, a great Town in _Piedmont_, ill built, but full of People of Quality, and situate in a Plain, which is perfectly beautiful; but I was in so much Haste to get to TURIN, that I did not stay there. I pa.s.s"d by the Foot of a Hill, on which stands the Castle of MONTCALLIER, a Royal Palace built by her late Royal Highness, the Mother of King _Victor Amedeus_. The Apartments are large and magnificent, and command one of the finest Prospects in the World; but the Gardens belonging to it are no more worth a Traveller"s View, than the Village of _Montcallier_ itself.
At some Distance from this Place I cross"d the _Po_ over a wooden Bridge, and came thro" a pleasant Avenue to TURIN, the Capital of _Piedmont_, and the ordinary Residence of the Dukes of _Savoy_. Those Princes chose also to make it the Seat of the Chamber of Accompts, and of the Senate, which is what they call in _France_ the Parlement; and they have rendered it one of the strongest and finest Cities of _Italy_, exclusive of its charming Situation. "Tis divided into two Parts, the _old_ and the _new_ City, with Bastions and Outworks, well fac"d, and a Citadel very regularly fortify"d.
It stands eighteen Miles from the _Alps_, in a Plain which has the _Po_ on one Side, and the _Duero_ on the other.
This City will always be remember"d for the Siege which it sustained in 1704, when the Marshal and Count _Daun_, Governor of _Milan_, commanded here, by the Emperor"s Permission, at the Request of the Duke of _Savoy_.
He defended the Place against the Duke of _Orleans_, the Grandson of _France_, and gave Time to Prince _Eugene_ of _Savoy_ to come to its Relief, and oblige the Enemy to raise the Siege. The _French_ pretend, that all this was done by Order from Court; and that the d.u.c.h.ess of _Burgundy_, the Daughter of King _Victor Amedeus_, was the Person that prevail"d on _Lewis_ XIV. to consent to the raising of the said Siege. As I am not privy to what pa.s.s"d at that Time in the Cabinet of the King of _France_, this is an Anecdote, which I can neither affirm nor deny; but as the Belief of what the _French_ give out upon this Head is not an Article of Faith, I hope they will not be angry, if I do not give Credit to Rumours, so much to the Dishonour of the greatest King that ever they had: For how can it be imagin"d, that if _Lewis_ XIV, had really a Desire, that his Army should decamp from before TURIN, he would have chose to have subjected that Army to the Hazard of being obliged to fight against his Will and his Orders, and by that Means to have expos"d the Honour of his Nephew, the Glory of his Arms, and the Lives of a great many brave Men, which were lost in that Defeat? Surely, a Retreat concerted in the Cabinet would have been made in better Order, and would not have had the Appearance of a Flight. But the _French_ have this Notion: They were never routed, but "twas either because it pleased the Court that they should be routed, or because of some Jealousy betwixt their Generals. They lost the Battle of _Hochstet_, for want of a right Understanding betwixt the Elector of _Bavaria_, and the Marshal _de Tallard_; that of _Ramillies_, because the Marshal _de Villeroy_ would not let the Elector of _Bavaria_ have the Honour of beating us; that of _Audenarde_, because the Duke of _Vendosme_"s receiving that Shock, was a real Satisfaction to the Duke of _Burgundy_, the Presumptive Heir of the Throne: And M. _de la Motte_, too, suffered himself to be beaten near _Wynendale_, only in Complaisance to the Duke of _Burgundy_, who was apprehensive that he should not be able to persuade the King his Grandfather to the Peace, which he had very much at Heart, if _Lisle_ was not taken by the Allies, which City could not have been mastered, but by letting the Convoy pa.s.s, which M. _de la Motte_ had attack"d. The Pa.s.sage of the _Scheld_, the raising of the Siege of _Brussels_, the Surrender of _Ghent_, without strikeing a Blow; all this was done also by Order of the Duke of _Burgundy_, who was for a Peace upon any Terms, and cou"d not obtain it without sacrificing both the Army and Glory of the King his Grandfather. But to speak the Truth, were all the Marshals of _France_ to tell me the same Story, they would find me as great an Unbeliever as St. _Thomas_, and wou"d never prevail with me to be guilty of such an Insult upon the Memory of the Duke of _Burgundy_, the wisest Prince of his Time, as to believe that he had the Honour of his Country, and the Interests of his Family so little at Heart.
Nothing can be more regular than that Part of TURIN, which is called the _new City_. The Houses are of Brick, and three Stories high. The Streets are wide, strait, and well-pav"d. It has fine Churches, particularly the Metropolis, or Chapel of the _Holy Handkerchief_, which is also the Royal Chapel, and may be reckon"d the Master-piece of Architecture. "Tis in the Form of an Octogon Dome, all fac"d, not excepting the Roof, with black Marble. The Altar is in the Middle of the Dome. There is preserved the precious Relique of our Lord"s Handkerchief, of which there"s the like in St. _Peter_"s Church at _Rome_, and at _Besancon_. I had been told, that I should be able to distinguish the very Print of the Face in this Handkerchief, and a Part of our Saviour"s Body; but I was not so happy as to discern any thing like it.
The King"s Palace makes no great Appearance, nor indeed is it quite finish"d; nevertheless, the Apartments are well contriv"d; The Furniture is rich, and there are excellent Pictures, and magnificent Cielings. There are Gardens in this Palace, which are artfully dispos"d in the Manner of Fortifications, according to beautiful Plans; but setting this aside, they are not much adorn"d.
The finest, and the completest Thing at TURIN, and perhaps in _Europe_, in the modern Architecture, is the Front of the Palace of the late Madame Royale, the King"s Grandmother. This Palace is contiguous to the King"s Palace, and communicates with it by a Gallery. "Twas a very old Building, and made a poor Appearance; but Madame Royale spar"d no Cost, either in Gilding or Painting, to set off the Inside. When this was done, it happened that the Stair-case was inconvenient; upon which her Royal Highness, who was in every Thing magnificent, undertook to build one; and to this is owing the stately Front, of which I here make mention. This Princess consulted with all the skilful Architects in _Italy_, and fix"d upon the Plans, which to her appear"d the most grand and beautiful. Before this Stair-case was built, they us"d to say that Madame Royale"s Palace was a House without a Stair-case; and now they say "tis a Stair-case without a House; and really, the Stair-case wou"d become the _Louvre_, it being by much too big for the Building it belongs to.
I cou"d not get a Sight of the Castle of the _Venerie_, three Leagues from TURIN; for while King _Victor_ is a Prisoner there, no body is suffer"d to go near it. You must, no doubt, have heard of that Prince"s being under an Arrest; but I question whether you have been inform"d of what gave Occasion to that Affair, and of the Manner of his being taken into Custody. What I have heard of it from People of Credit, is as follows.
King _Victor Amedeus_, after the Death of the Queen his Wife, who was Daughter of _Philip_ of _France_, the late Duke of _Orleans_, by _Henrietta_ of _England_, fell in Love with the Marchioness of[24] _St.
Sebastian_, Lady of Honour to the Princess of _Piedmont_, now Queen of _Sardinia_. The Virtue of Madame _de St. Sebastian_, and the King"s Devotion for her, induc"d him to marry this Favourite. But not thinking it honourable for a King to place a Subject on his Throne, he took a Resolution to resign his Crown, before he contracted so unequal a[25]Match. He imparted his Design to Madame _de St. Sebastian_, who did all she cou"d to prevail with _Victor_ to continue upon the Throne; but finding he was resolv"d not to make her a Queen, she consented to his Abdication, still thinking herself highly honour"d to become the Wife of a Prince, who had worn a Crown. King _Victor_ consulted with his chief Favourites about his Abdication, who all advis"d him not to leave the Throne. His Son King _Charles_ conjur"d him to keep Possession of it. _I protest to your Majesty_, said this Prince, _I never once indulged a Wish to govern, and think myself exceeding happy to be your First Subject_. But all his Remonstrances were of no Effect; and the 5th of _September_, 1730, was fix"d for the Day of Abdication. Upon that Day, all the chief Persons in the Government, and the Senate, met in the great Hall of the[26]Palace.
There the King appear"d without any Mark of Royalty, accompany"d by the Prince of _Piedmont_, and declar"d to the a.s.sembly, that he was resolv"d to yield the Throne to his Son; and that from that Moment he exempted them, as he did all his Subjects, from the Oath of Allegiance they had taken to him. He exhorted them, at the same time, to acknowledge his Son _Charles_, Prince of _Piedmont_, for their King; and desir"d them to be as Loyal to their new Sovereign, as they had been to him. Then the Act of Abdication was read with a loud Voice, by the Marquis _del Borgo_, Secretary of State, and _Charles_ was recogniz"d for King.
After the Ceremony was over, King _Victor_, with the Marchioness of _St.
Sebastian_, whom he had married, on Condition[27] that she shou"d wear no other t.i.tle, set out for _Chamberry_, which he had chose for the Place of his Retirement. But scarce a Month was past, ere he began to repent of having given the Reins out of his Hands, though the King his Son behaved as dutifully to him, as if he had been still his Subject. When King _Victor_ resign"d, he advis"d his Son to cause the Lands of the n.o.bility and Gentry to be survey"d, and to impose a Tax on them, in Proportion to the Number of Acres. This Scheme, tho" it had a View to the Increase of the King"s Revenues, tended to the Ruin of the n.o.bility; for which Reason, _Charles_ when he came to the Crown, did not think proper to put it in Execution. _Victor_ being incensed at it, wrote about it to his Son, rather in the Style of his Lord and Master, than his Father; and perceiving that _Charles_ was still averse to his Counsel, he entertained a Thought of reascending the Throne[28]. To this End, he secretly felt the Pulse of the People, and found them all faithful Subjects to _Charles_: Yet all this did not discourage him; he relied upon the Troops, which he knew had an Esteem for him, and he thought they wou"d also be his Friends; for most of the Officers having been preferr"d by him, he did not doubt but they were still attach"d to him, and he flatter"d himself with their Concurrence to his Designs. He wrote to the Marshal _Rhebinder_, in general Terms indeed; but in a Style that was very soothing and tempting.
This General, who was Commander in Chief of the Forces, being sensible of what Consequence it was to deprive King _Victor_ of the least Hopes of reascending the Throne, returned him Answer, that he owned he was obliged to him for his Estate, Honours, and every Thing: "Your Majesty, _said the Marshal in his Letter_, has made me all that I am. I am under no Obligation to King _Charles_; but my Engagements to your Majesty are inexpressible; tho" of all the Favours which you have heap"d upon me, the Honour of your Esteem was always to me the dearest. Give me leave therefore, Sir, to preserve that Esteem, which I presume to say, I have acquir"d by the Blood I have spilt for your Service; whereas, Sir, I shou"d forfeit it, were I so unhappy as to be guilty of Perjury to the King whom you have given me, and to whom you have injoined me Obedience. I shall be as true to him as I was to your Majesty, and will shed the last Drop of my Blood to maintain him on the Throne. I am however always ready to give your Majesty the most sincere Marks of my Respect for your Person, being fully persuaded, Sir, that your Majesty will lay no Commands on me, but such as are agreeable to that Justice, which ever accompanied all your Actions, _&c._"
This Answer was not sufficient to cool King _Victor_"s Ambition to resume the Government. He wrote a second time to the Marshal _de Rhebinder_, and to other General Officers. He a.s.sumed an imperious Style, and signify"d, that he knew how to punish those that refus"d to obey him. All these Letters were carried to King _Charles_, who being concerned to see his Father so uneasy, said to those who brought them, What wou"d you have me do? _He is my Father, I depend upon your Fidelity and resign myself to Providence._
The King was still in Hopes, that he shou"d be able to make _Victor_ easy, and was willing to have an Interview with him; and for that Purpose he went with his Queen to _Evian_, and from thence to _Chamberry_, where _Charles_ paid his Father a Visit, but found him very much out of Temper.
The Prince however bore all with the Dutifulness of a Son. But when he took leave of _Victor_, he paid a Visit to Madame _de St. Sebastian_, with whom he had a long Conference. He desir"d this Lady to pacify King _Victor_, and to dissuade him from concerning himself any farther with State Affairs. _He hath made me King_, said _Charles, and King I will be.
You can do any thing with him; therefore make him easy. If he does not like this, let him choose any other Castle or Place in my Dominions that he likes better, of which he shall have the intire Disposal_. They say _Charles_ dropt a Hint in this Conversation, that he was inclin"d to yield his Father a Province in Sovereignty; however, he promis"d great Advantages to Madame _de St. Sebastian_, not only for herself, but for the Son that she had by her former Marriage, and for her Brothers. This Lady promis"d the King all that he desir"d, but kept her Word very ill; for her Ambition to be Queen prompted her to make King _Victor_ every Day more and more uneasy.
_Victor_ after this observed no Measures, and said publicly, that he would reascend the Throne. To this End, he thought it necessary for him to be nearer TURIN. He therefore wrote to the King his Son, that the Air of _Chamberry_ was bad for his Health, and desir"d him to let him go and reside at the Castle of _Montcallier_. _Charles_ was return"d to TURIN when he receiv"d this Letter; but before he had Time to answer it, he understood that the King his Father, and Madame _de St. Sebastian_, were already come to _Montcallier_. He was not at all sorry for it, because, as he knew King _Victor_"s Designs, he cou"d better observe his Motions, when so near him: And King _Victor_, on his Part, was glad that he was at _Montcallier_, in Hopes that the Neighbourhood of TURIN might give him a better Opportunity of tampering with the Garison, and the commanding Officer of the Place. He did all that was in his Power to gain them, and gave such publick[29] Proofs of his Intention to reascend the Throne, that _Charles_"s Ministers[30], fearing lest he should call in Foreigners to his a.s.sistance, unanimously advis"d the King to confine him. The young Prince exclaim"d several times against this Proposition. _What!_ said he, _make my Father a Prisoner! No, I can never consent to that_: And indeed, it was a long time ere he cou"d agree to it; but at length he was prevail"d on by the strenuous Solicitations of his Council; tho", when he sign"d the Order for confining him, his Hand shook to such a Degree, that the Secretary of State was obliged to guide it.
The Count _de la Perouse_, Lieutenant-General of his Forces, was charged with the Execution of the Warrant for arresting King _Victor_, and had a Detachment given him of three thousand Men, drawn out of the Garisons of TURIN, and other neighbouring Places, to support him at the Undertaking.
They all march"d out at the same Hour from their Quarters, without knowing whither they were to go; and at Two o"Clock next Morning they all came to the Place appointed at _Montcallier_. The Count _de la Perouse_, attended by the Chevalier _de Solare_, Lieutenant Colonel of the Guards, at the Head of a Detachment of Grenadiers, with their Bayonets screw"d to their Musquets, went up to the great Stair-case of the Palace, which led to King _Victor_"s Apartment, while the Marquis _d"Ormea_, Secretary of State, who carry"d the Order sign"d by King _Charles_, secur"d the Back-stairs with another Detachment of the Grenadiers. M. _de la Perouse_, finding the Apartment shut, broke open the Door; and, after seizing a Page in waiting, that was asleep in the first Anti-chamber, he made his Way farther, and forc"d open all the Doors, till he came to the Chamber where the King was a-bed with Madame _de St. Sebastian_. This Lady, hearing a Noise, arose immediately, and having only Time to slip on a Night-gown, ran to the Door; when seeing so many arm"d Men, she cry"d out, _Oh! Sir, we are betray"d!_ They gave her no Time to say more; but two Officers carry"d her into the next Chamber, where they caus"d her to be dress"d, and afterwards conducted her to _Ceve_, a Fortress of _Piedmont_.
Neither the Outcry of Madame _de St. Sebastian_, nor all the Noise that was made, had awak"d King _Victor_, who always slept sound. The Chevalier _de Solare_ seiz"d the King"s Sword, which he saw lying on a Table; and the Count _de la Perouse_ went to the Bed-side, and open"d the Curtains.
Upon that, the King started out of his Sleep, and ask"d what was the Matter. The Count _de la Perouse_ said to him, That he had Orders from the King to arrest him. _What King do you mean?_ said _Victor_: _"Tis I that am your King and Master; you ought to acknowledge no other. Your Majesty has been so_, reply"d the Count, _but you are so no longer; and since it has pleas"d you to give us King Charles for our Lord and Master, and to command us to obey him, I hope you yourself will set us an Example of such Obedience_. The King was in a violent Pa.s.sion, threaten"d the Officers, and refus"d to rise. The Chevalier _de Solare_ coming too near the Bed, the King punched him with his Elbow in the Belly, and commanded him in Wrath to withdraw. As he still continued obstinate in his Refusal to rise, the Officers lifted him. up, and dress"d him. The King was heard to say, in the mean time, that he only wish"d to sit two Hours on the Throne, that he might hang up the Rascals that had misled his Son; and he nam"d the princ.i.p.al Lords of the Court.
As soon as he was dress"d, the Officers surrounded him, and conducted him down the great Stair-case to his Coach, that waited for him in the Yard.
The King, seeing the Anti-chamber full of Grenadiers, seem"d surpriz"d at it; and the Soldiers, who as yet knew not on what Errand they were sent, seem"d no less surpriz"d, when they saw their old King was to be carry"d off a Prisoner. _What! Our King!_ said they softly to each other, _What has he done? What is the Matter?_ The Count _de la Perouse_, fearing a Mutiny, call"d out _Silence_, in the King"s Name, _on Pain of Death_. The old King found drawn-up in the Court-yard a Regiment of Dragoons, which he had always valu"d above the rest of his Troops. The Sight of it affected him, and he wou"d have spoke to it; but no Time was allow"d him, and he was oblig"d to go into the Coach. The Count _de la Perouse_, and the Chevalier _de Solare_, ask"d his Leave to sit with him; but the King answer"d, That he would not suffer it: So they mounted their Horses, rode by the Sides of the Coach, which was surrounded by the Soldiers, and conducted him to _Rivoli_. I had almost forgot to tell you, that when he went from _Montcallier_, he ask"d for three Things; his Wife, his Papers, and his Snuff-Box, the last of which was all he obtain"d.
The Day after he came to _Rivoli_, as they were clapping iron Bars, and double Shutters, to the Windows of his Apartment, the King ask"d the Glazier what he was going to do! _I am going_, said the Man, _to put on double Shutters to your Windows that you mayn"t catch Cold this Winter_.
_How now, Varlet!_ said the King, _Do you think I shall spend all the Winter here?_ _Ah! by my Faith_, reply"d the Glazier, _you will pa.s.s this winter here, and I believe many more_.
This Prince is attended with Care, and treated with all the Respect due to his Person; and they say, he begins to be sedate. The Chevalier _de Solare_, and two Captains of the Guards, are set over him, with whom he sometimes plays at Billiards. They have Orders to treat him with all manner of Respect; but to give no Answer to any of his Complaints[31].
In the whole Course of this Affair, "tis fortunate for King _Charles_, that not one of his Subjects has fail"d in his Allegiance to him; he has not been oblig"d to stain his Government by any b.l.o.o.d.y Execution; nor has he caus"d above three Persons to be apprehended, among whom were King _Victor_"s two Physicians, that carried his Letters; but they are lately set at Liberty, and a good Understanding is like to be quickly restored between the father and the Son.
They say, that Madame _de St. Sebastian_ is fallen into a deep Melancholy; and that she lives intirely upon Broth, which is of her own making. After her Disgrace, her Son, who was an Ensign in the Guards, was no longer seen at Court. The young King missing him, ordered the Marquis _d"Ormea_, Minister and Secretary of State, to acquaint him, that he might come to Court, and continue in his Employment; and that his Majesty a.s.sured him he did not intend that he should be a Sufferer for any Crime whatsoever, which Madame _de St. Sebastian_ had committed, and that he would take Care of his Fortune.
The _Piedmontese_ are charm"d with their new King, and indeed, he is a Prince that has the Qualities of a good Monarch: He is humane, compa.s.sionate, generous and beneficent. He is a little under Size in Stature, but very well shaped, dances well, loves Pleasures, and particularly Hunting. Without Flattery, one may say, he is endowed with a great many Virtues; and that if he has Faults, "tis only owing to the Human Nature, with which intire Perfection is incompatible.
The Queen[32] is of the Family of _Hesse Rhinfels_. She is tall and slender; her Air is both majestic and modest; she is fair, and has a very fine Complexion, is a Princess of solid Piety, charitable to the Poor, and ready to do Good to all Mankind, but particularly to her Family. She is the Mother of two lovely[33] Princes, and a Princess, and seems very attentive to give them an Education suitable to their Birth.
The Ceremonial of this Court is pretty much the same with that which is observed at the Court of _France_, The King and Queen always eat together, and permit none to be Spectators but the Officers of their Houshold. The Ladies must not come to the Palace, without being in the Court Dress, the Queen alone wearing a Mantua. Her Majesty has six Ladies of Honour to attend her, who must be all Wives, and as many Maids of Honour. She has a Drawing-Room every Night, when the Queen is seated in an Arm-chair, the young Princess of _Carignan_, and the Queen"s youngest Sister, sitting on Folding-chairs, two Rows off, by the Side of the Queen"s Chair; and all the Ladies stand, with the Gentlemen behind them. This Drawing-Room holds for about an Hour, when the Queen rises, and, saluting the Princesses and Ladies, retires. After this, all the n.o.bility repair to some House where there is an a.s.sembly. The gayest of all is held at the House of the Marchioness _de Prie_, whose Husband was Lieutenant Governor of the _Netherlands_, who often gives a Ball, at which the King is sometimes present.
There"s an Air of Ease and Freedom in this City, which is not to be enjoy"d in all _Italy_ besides; and the _Piedmontese_ don"t think themselves _Italians_; so that I am often ask"d, Whether I came last from _Italy_? Or, Whether I am going to it? I could like to live in this City better than in any other. I think this Mixture of the _French_ Manners with the _Italians_ is perfectly agreeable and just. The People here live well. There are several n.o.blemen that keep a good Table, and are very civil to Strangers. For this, the Marshal _de la Rhebinder_ is particularly noted. This General is a Native of _Livonia_: He commanded the Elector Palatine"s Troops in _Italy_, and then went into the Service of the Duke of _Savoy_, in Quality of Lieutenant General, and Colonel of a foreign Regiment of Foot. King _Victor_ created him a Velt-Marshal, and he is actually Commander in Chief of the King of _Sardinia_"s Troops.
The Marquis _d"Ormea_ is the Chief or President of the Council, first Secretary of State, and Prime Minister. He was heretofore in the Confidence of King _Victor_. That Prince had sent him to _Rome_, where the Marquis _d"Ormea_ obtained great Advantages of Pope _Benedict_ XIII.
for the King his Master; particularly the Nomination to all Benefices.
This Minister was recall"d in the first Year of the Pontificate of _Clement_ XII. when his Holiness was so inclement as to revoke all that his Predecessor had granted. Not long before King _Victor_"s Abdication he returned to TURIN. King _Charles_ does nothing without him. He is a Gentleman of Good-nature, an Enemy to Subterfuges, and is sacred to his Promises. I knew him at _Rome_, and have the Honour of seeing him here as often as the Multiplicity of his Affairs will permit him to receive my Visits. Every body here applauds and speaks well of him, which is not always the good Fortune of People elsewhere, that are in Places: This Minister has a Brother a[34]Cardinal, and an only Son, who is a very lovely Youth, and has a natural Inclination to tread hereafter in the Steps of his Father.