Perhaps it was with some Regret that he executed this Commission, being related to the _Stuart_ Family; and as it was generally thought, not very much inclin"d to the Family which now governs _England_. Be this as it will, he discharg"d the Commission with a good Grace. My Lord receiv"d the News that the _English_ had proclaim"d the Elector for their King, one Evening as he had been at Supper with that Prince at a House called _The Whim_, belonging to Madame _de K----_, now my Lady _L----_. As his Lordship came home he found a Courier just arriv"d with the Privy Council"s Orders to him, to recognize the Elector for King of _England_.
He immediately got into his Coach, and went to _Herrenhausen_, where he found the Elector a-bed. His Lordship thinking "twas worth while to awake the Elector, for the sake of telling him the News that so great a Diadem was fallen to him, enter"d his Bed-Chamber, and kneeling on the Floor, was the first that recogniz"d the Elector for King. This Prince immediately summon"d his Council. Many People were pleas"d to say, that the Elector hesitated for a good while, whether or no he should accept of the August Dignity that was offer"d to him; but for my part, I fancy, that the Voyage to _England_ was more the Subject of the Council"s Deliberation, than the Question, whether its Crown should be accepted.
After the Council was over, the new King was complimented upon his Accession to the Throne; and that very Instant he gave Orders to get every thing ready for his Departure, which was fix"d for the 11th of _September_. The Time between the Elector"s a.s.suming the Royal Stile and his Departure, was spent in sending and receiving Couriers to and from the princ.i.p.al Courts of _Europe_. All the n.o.bility and Gentry, Subjects to the new Monarch, flock"d from all Parts to see him before he went away. This Prince was so well belov"d, that his Subjects were very sorry that he was going to leave them; but for his part, tho" his People were not a little dear to him, he preserv"d that Tranquillity of Mind, and that Discretion, which govern"d all his Actions; and he seem"d no more concerned at parting with them, than he was elated with his new Dignity: but it was otherwise with the Prince his Son, who was so impress"d with the Fortune added to his Family, that I heard him say to an _English_ Gentleman, the Day before he went, _That he had not one Drop of Blood in his Veins but what was +English+, and at the Service of his new Subjects_.
On the 11th of _September_, early in the Morning, the King and the Prince of _Wales_ set out from _Herrenhausen_, amidst the Acclamations of the Court and the People, with which the Road was lin"d. They wish"d his Majesty all manner of Happiness, and accompanied him with their good wishes a good distance from _Herrenhausen_, before they took Leave of his Majesty. The last Farewels were attended with so many Tears, that the King could not help being a little mov"d; and he a.s.sur"d them, _That it should not be long before he would make a Tour to_ Hanover.
The King"s Retinue was not very numerous; for he only took with him such Persons as were absolutely necessary for his Service; and of these too, he sent some back, when he went on board the Yatcht that came for him to _Holland_, to carry him over to _England_. The Princess of _Wales_ follow"d the King some time after, with the Princesses her Daughters; but Prince _Frederic_ her Son remain"d at _Hanover_ for his Education.
When the King came to _London_, he found Subjects as much attach"d to his Person, as those he had left at _Hanover_; and not long after his Arrival he was, according to Custom, crown"d at _Westminster_. There was so great a Concourse of People at the Ceremony, that it seem"d as if all the Nation had flock"d thither to receive their new Sovereign. I was told there was only one Person, and that was a Woman, who refus"d to own him for King; and that this happen"d upon the very Day of the Coronation, when a Champion, arm"d from Head to Foot, entring into the Banquetting-Hall, and according to Custom challenging any Person whatsoever, who did not acknowledge the Elector of _Hanover_ as lawful King of _England_, that Lady threw down her Glove, and with a very ill-tim"d Effrontery made Answer aloud, _That +James+ the Third was the only lawful Heir of the Crown, and that the Elector of +Hanover+was an Usurper_.
Not many days after the King of _England_"s Departure, I set out from _Hanover_ for _Aix-la-Chapelle_, where I made use of the Baths, as my Physicians had order"d me, to strengthen my Leg. From _Aix_ I proceeded in the _Paris_ Road to MASTRICHT[48], which is a strong Place belonging to _Dutch Brabant_, tho" situate in the middle of the Country of _Liege_, on which it was for a long time dependent. It was also subject to the _Spaniards_ till 1633, when it was taken by the _Dutch_, who were acknowledg"d lawful Possessors thereof by the Peace of _Munster_, and were thereupon at great Expence to fortify it, so that it was reckon"d one of the strongest Places in _Europe_, when _Lewis_ XIV. took it in 1673, in 13 Days time. The King himself then commanded his Army; and he had with him MONSIEUR his Brother. Three Years after this, the Allies besieg"d it also, but their Arms being not so successful as those of _France_, they were forc"d to abandon their Enterprize. At last, by the Peace of _Nimeguen_ it was restor"d to the _Dutch_, who keep a strong Garrison in it.
_Mastricht_ is very well built, in a flat Country, surrounded with Hills.
The _Maese_ runs thro" the City, over which there is a very high Stone Bridge. They say that the late Count _d"Auverquerque_, who died Velt-Marshal of the _Dutch_, out of pure Gallantry, to convince a Lady how much he lov"d her, leap"d his Horse off the Bridge into the _Maese_. This young Lady so much belov"d was Mademoiselle _de Feltbruck_. As she was pa.s.sing over the Bridge, Count _d"Auverquerque_, who rode by the side of her Coach, entertain"d her very much about his Pa.s.sion for her; but Miss so little heeded what he said, that she scarce vouchsaf"d to lend him an Ear. At length being fatigu"d with hearing the same String always harp"d upon, she told him, that Lovers were never sparing of their Promises; but when any Testimonials were demanded of their Love, they then discover"d how little it was to be depended on. _For instance, Sir_, said she, _I would venture a good Wager now, that if I were to ask you to leap from this Bridge into the River, you would not do it_. The furious Lover made no other Answer to this Defiance, but clapping Spurs to his Horse, leap"d him off of the Bridge into the _Maese_. The young Lady thought her generous Lover would most certainly be drown"d; but luckily for him he kept his Seat, and his Horse, which was as mettlesome as the best, had Strength enough after such a Leap, to swim with his Rider to an Island, whither a Boat was sent to fetch him. After such a Trial as this, the young Lady might boast, either that she was lov"d to Distraction, or that she had a distracted Lover.
From _Mastricht_ I went to LOUVAIN[49], which is surnamed the _Wise_, probably by reason of its University, which was founded in 1426, by _John_ IV. Duke of _Brabant_, and has been in its time one of the most celebrated Universities in _Europe_; but it has not that Reputation now. And as to the City, "tis much more famous for its Antiquity, than upon any other account; for they say it was founded by _Julius Caesar_. "Tis indeed, at present, a very large City, but ill built, the only remarkable Edifices that I saw there, are the Collegiate Church dedicated to St. _Peter_, and the Church of the Jesuits. _Louvain_ is not a Place of great Trade as yet, but a very fine Causey which is made from thence to _Brussels_, and another to _Tongres_, which is to be carried on to _Liege_, will very much increase its Commerce, especially with the _Austrian Netherlands_.
I went from _Louvain_ to _Brussels_, and from thence to GHENT[50], which is the Capital of _Spanish Flanders_, and one of the biggest Cities in _Europe_. It stands four Leagues from the Sea, is water"d with three Rivers, the _Scheld_, the _Lys_, and the _Lise_, and adorn"d with fine Squares and n.o.ble Buildings. The great Clock is worth seeing; it weighs 11000 Pounds, and is erected upon a Dragon, which Count _Baldwin_ brought from _Constantinople_. A Ca.n.a.l has been dug from this City to the Sea, which is of very great Service to its Trade.
"Twas at _Ghent_ that _Charles_ V. was born, who granted this City extraordinary Privileges; yet the Inhabitants were so ungrateful as to rebel against this Emperor, who resolv"d to punish them for it; and that he might go the nearer way to work with "em, ventur"d upon the Parole of _Francis_ I. to pa.s.s thro" _France_, in order to come at them. He chastis"d those Rebels with such Severity, that they had no reason to boast that this Emperor was their Countryman. He caus"d twenty-five of their princ.i.p.al Citizens to be executed by the common Hangman, banish"d a greater number of them, confiscated their Estates, and took away all their Privileges. In fine, _Ghent_ which was one of the most considerable Cities in _Europe_, soon became a Desert; and _Charles_ V. to leave a Monument of his Wrath to Posterity, caus"d a Fortress to be built, which is still the Citadel of this Place, and is of great Consequence to the Emperor, when he happens to be at War with _France_; for when the _French_ are Masters of _Ghent_, the Navigation of the _Scheld_ is interrupted; and in case of a War, "tis better to see them Masters of _Brussels_ than of _Ghent_: For I remember, that in 1708, while the Allies besieg"d _Lisle_, the _French_ being then Masters of _Ghent_, incommoded their Army very much. This City is finely recover"d since _Charles_ the Vth"s Time. The States of _Flanders_ have their a.s.semblies here, and the Emperor commonly signifies his Will and Pleasure to them, by the Governor-General of the _Netherlands_ residing at _Brussels_.
From _Ghent_ I went thro" _Courtray_ and _Menin_ to LISLE[51], which is the Capital of _French Flanders_, and one of the best and most beautiful Towns of that Government. It belong"d formerly to the King of _Spain_, till 1667, when _Lewis_ XIV. took it in Person. The Garison then consisting of but 6000 Men, was not strong enough to check the Progress of the _French_ Arms, so that after nine Days open Trenches the Place was taken. _Lisle_ was left in the Possession of _France_ by the Treaty of _Aix-la-Chapelle_, in 1668; but in 1708, the Allies after a tedious and toilsome Siege, made themselves Masters of it. At last, however, this City reverted to _France_ by the Treaty of _Utrecht_. The Inhabitants were so overjoy"d at their not being left in subjection to the _Dutch_, which they were afraid of, that on the Day the Place was evacuated, they made Bonfires in all parts of the Town; and not without Cause, for after they fell under the Dominion of the _Dutch_, their Trade stood still, those new Guests chusing rather to send for what they wanted from _Holland_, than to make use of the Manufactures of this City. But with the _French_ the Case was otherwise, for they bought their Necessaries in the City, and liv"d with the Inhabitants on perfect good Terms.
_Lewis_ XIV. made _Lisle_ one of the finest Places in _Europe_. Its Streets are magnificent, and particularly the Street _Royale_, built in the Reign of that Monarch. "Tis very strait, and adorn"d on both sides with very fine Houses built alike. In this City resides the Governor of _Flanders_. The Marshal _de Boufflers_ was succeeded in this Government by the Duke his Son. When I was here, the Prince _de Tingry_, Governor of _Valenciennes_, officiated in this Government for the said Duke, who was then under Age.
I was so impatient to be at _Paris_, that I made no stay in any Place upon the Road, till I arriv"d there. I alighted at a Bagnio, and the first Sally I made abroad was to pay my Devoirs to Mademoiselle _de S----_.
Absence had not damp"d my Flame, and I was only glad to see _Paris_ again, in hopes of finding out her whom I ador"d. But how was I surpriz"d when the Mother of that lovely Damsel came to welcome me with a Flood of Tears, and told me, that I must think no more of her Daughter, for that she died about a Month ago in the Province of _Perigord_, whither she went to accompany a Lady of her Acquaintance! I was so thunder-struck at this News, that I was not able to speak. I fainted away, was carried back to my Lodgings, and was that Moment let blood; but "twas some time after it before I came to my self, and then I did nothing but give my self up to Sorrow. Mine was no longer an inward Grief, but vented it self in such continual Exclamations interrupted with Sighs, that every one who saw me believ"d I was going the way of all Flesh; or that, at least, I should be out of my Senses: And truly they were not much mistaken, for I was so in a great measure. In this unhappy Situation did I remain five whole Days, at the end of which the Mother of _S----_ came to make me a Visit; and at her entring into my Room, she told me, that her Daughter was not dead; and that she had just receiv"d a Letter from her, by which she acquainted her, that she should soon be at _Paris_. This sort of Resurrection was as reviving News to me, as the former was mortifying. I felt a surprizing Revolution in my Spirits; and am of Opinion, that if "tis possible to die with an Excess of Joy or of Grief, I had share enough of both those Pa.s.sions within a short s.p.a.ce of Time not to survive them. But I was reserv"d by Fate for other Adventures.
In Fact, I was hardly recover"d from the several Shocks which I had lately undergone, but was forc"d to bear the Brunt of another. The Occasion of this was, meeting at the House of a Lady of my Acquaintance with a Friend of _S----_, whose Name was Madame _de R----_; and who had been married for some time, by the Advice of her Parents, to a Man far advanc"d in Years.
The young Lady hated her Husband more heartily than is common for Girls of sixteen that marry to Men of above sixty. I had seen her formerly, but she was then so young, that I did not much mind her: And happy wou"d it have been for me, if I had always view"d her with the same Indifference! But when I came to see her after her Marriage, her Beauty, her fine Presence and her n.o.ble Deportment made a very sensible Impression on me. I was pitch"d upon to play at Cards with her and another Lady, and all the time she did nothing but rally me upon my Amour with _S----_, and hinted several times to me, that the Lady was not deserving of the Heart I had set upon her. As I could not guess to what all this Discourse tended, when the Game was over I went with the Lady to a distant Window, and there begged her for G.o.d"s sake to explain her self. She stood out a long while, on pretence that she should be oblig"d to tell me what would only make me uneasy: But all these Delays rendering me still the more impatient to know what it could be, I press"d her to such a degree that at last she consented to let me into the Secret. _You won"t take a Denial, I see_, said she: _Well then, if you must know, you shall. But you must thank your self for it, if I tell you what will heartily vex you; for I know your Temper, and to what a Degree you are smitten. You think_, continu"d she, _that_ S---- _is in the Country, but you are mistaken; for she is at_ Paris, _and has never been out of it all the time. She is as much in love with the Marquis_ de V----, _as he is with her. She keeps no Company now but him. Two Months ago she remov"d from her House in the Suburb of_ St.
Antoine, _where she then liv"d, because she heard you was coming to Town.
The truth is, she did not care you should reproach her to her Face; and being in Hopes that you might forget her, she sent to let you know, that she was dead; but hearing that you was so inconsolably melancholy, it mov"d her to pity you, and she has now sent you word that she is still living. Indeed it won"t be long before you see her; but it will only be to receive your Dismission, and to give you to understand from her own Lips, that she prefers_ V----_"s Addresses to yours. I have heard all this from one of my Waiting-Women, whose Sister is a Servant to Madame_ S----. _For as to my part, since I am married to M._ R----, _"tis not convenient for me to keep her Company. You will do well to renounce her, and need not fear but you may find better than her._ As she express"d these Words her Eyes darted in my Face, and at the same instant she blush"d. I was going to make her an Answer, but she left me abruptly, and all the rest of the Evening made it her Business to avoid me, I thought, however, to have an Opportunity of speaking to her when she was going out; but she went away with another Lady, so that "twas impossible for me to say a Word to her.
I return"d home miserably disturb"d in my Mind. Hatred, Love, Revenge, Contempt; in short, all the Pa.s.sions of a Lover, slighted on the one hand, and flatter"d on the other, play"d their part to rack my Brain. Guess, _Madame_, in what a Condition I was, when I had such violent Attacks to struggle with. In fine, Contempt triumph"d over the Pa.s.sion I had conceiv"d for _S----_. The charming Eyes of Madame _de R----_ made me forget the false-hearted Creature on whom I had doated. But in the sequel I was quickly convinc"d that I was no sooner cur"d of one foolish Amour, but I was plung"d into another of the same Nature. The last Words of _R----_ seem"d to be very engaging; I explain"d them in my own favor, and thought sincerely that she had taken a Fancy to me. I flatter"d my self again and again with these agreeable Notions, and found an infinite Pleasure in making my own Chain. Nevertheless you will soon see that I was bubbled as much in this Amour as I was in the former. Madame _de R----_ was one of the finest Women, and without dispute one of the greatest Coquettes in _Paris_; being whimsical withal, and more self-conceited than Women of that Cast generally are; she did not understand what it was to settle her Heart upon any Man, and yet expected to be doated on herself. I push"d head-long into this new Engagement, and thought my self at one time the happiest Man in the World. My Friends too were as much deceiv"d as I was, and thought me for a long while the only Favorite. I will tell ye hereafter what became of this Amour, and shall for the present break off the Detail of these ridiculous Amus.e.m.e.nts, to tell you how it far"d with me in the Affair which most demanded my Application.
Soon after my Return to _Paris_, I went to _Versailles_, where I had the Honor to pay my Duty to the King and the Princes. _Madame_ receiv"d me so kindly that I thought my self sure of her Protection, and therefore acquainted her of my Intention to beg an Employment of his Majesty, and desir"d her that she would be so good as to recommend me. Madame promis"d me that she would, and was true to her Word; for she not only spoke her self but also made the Duke of _Orleans_ speak for me to M. _Voisin_, who was at that time Chancellor and Secretary of War. This Gentleman promis"d their Royal Highnesses that he would think of a Place for me; but when I waited upon him, with one of Madame"s Officers, who, by her Order introduc"d me, that Minister receiv"d me with a Countenance as crabbed as ever I saw. His Head was invelop"d in a monstrous large Peruke, that hindered both his Sight and Hearing, which at other times were natural enough to him. However, in Respect to Madame he heard me, and then said, that the King had already made one considerable Reduction in his Troops, and was going to make another; and that therefore he did not see what Hopes I could have of being employ"d. I was very much dissatisfied with this Answer, which was so different from the Promise he had made to Madame and the Duke of _Orleans_. I made a Report to their Royal Highnesses of what the Minister said to me; upon which the Duke of _Orleans_ told me, _This signifies nothing, I will speak to him again, and I hope you will find your Account in it_. He spoke accordingly, but _Voisin_ did nothing the more nor the less for it. However, as I had a grateful Heart for the Advances which Madame and the Duke her Son had been so good as to make in my favor, I continu"d to pay my Duty to them; and they both gave me Demonstration that they were not Insensible of my constant Attendance. I was almost every Night at the Duke of _Orleans_"s Couchee. His Court was then but small, and excepting his Domestics I was sometimes all alone with him. I was the more amaz"d at the Carriage of the Courtiers to this Prince, because "twas natural to think that the Government of the Kingdom would soon fall into his hands. The Duke of _Berry_ was just dead. The King was too old to expect he could live much longer, and the Dauphin too young to take the Management of Affairs upon him for a good while. In short, every thing promis"d this Prince the Regency of the Kingdom infallibly, yet scarce any body regarded him as the rising Sun. The Courtiers Respect for the King made them all stick to his Majesty, and a Reign so glorious and so long, seem"d to them as if it was never to have End.
I stay"d at _Paris_ the rest of the year 1714, and some Months of the year 1715. This Winter there was one of the n.o.blest Sights in _Paris_ that could be, _viz._ The Entry of the _Persian_ Amba.s.sador, and especially the Audience he had of his Majesty some days after it. But the Amba.s.sador did not contribute so much to the l.u.s.tre of this Shew, as to give us any great Idea of the _Persian_ Magnificence; and indeed, in my whole Life I never saw any thing so pitiful; for all his Equipage being out of Order, his Domestics having scarce Cloaths to their Backs, and almost all of them ill-looking Fellows, formed a very melancholy Scene. Besides, the Presents he brought were really not worthy of the Prince that sent them, or of him that received them. Before this Amba.s.sador made his Entry, he lodg"d at _Charenton_, to which Place every body went to stare at him as a Prodigy.
The Torrent carried me thither among the rest, and a numerous Company there was of us. The Interpreter told us, before we went in, that a Compliment must be made to the Amba.s.sador, and we drew Cuts to determine who should be the Speaker. The Lot fell upon me. I made but a very short Speech to him, wherein after having congratulated him upon his Arrival, I told him, that I hop"d his Stay in _Europe_, and especially in _France_, would not be disagreeable to him. He thank"d me by his Interpreter, and bid him tell me, that as he was come to see the greatest King in the World, next to the Sophy his Master, he should be always satisfy"d, happen what would to him, when once he had appeared before his Majesty. He made us sit down, and we ask"d him several Questions concerning his Voyage, the Court of _Persia_, and the Sophy; but he told us, that he had never been at _Ispahan_, and never seen the Sophy. During this Conversation he gave us Coffee and Sweet-meats, and was mighty civil to us.
But upon all Occasions when his Character was to be supported, he was not near so tractable; for he then took upon him too much State, so that when the Marshal _de Matignon_, who was to come from the King to carry him to the Amba.s.sadors House, was to enter his Chamber, he pretended that he was not obliged to stand up. The Baron _de Breteuil_, the Introductor of the Amba.s.sadors, represented to him that he could do no less than pay that Deference to M. _de Matignon_ who came from the King; but he might as well have reason"d with a Post; and all that he could get from him, was a Promise, that when the Marshal entered his Chamber he wou"d that Moment rise and go out all at once. There was another Scene to manage when he came down Stairs. They proposed to him to ride in the King"s Coach; but he said, he would do no such thing; that it was a Cage; and that he would make his Entry on horseback. The Baron _de Breteuil_, therefore, in order to make him get into the Coach, was under a Necessity of talking smartly to him; and even to threaten him, that he should make no Entry, nor have any Audience, if he did not subject himself to the Customs establish"d in _France_. At length the Amba.s.sador capitulated, they split the Difference, and he consented to ride one half of the way in the Coach, and the other on horseback. I never saw such a Mult.i.tude of People as I did at this Entry; the Concourse was really astonishing; for from the first Bar in the Suburb of _St. Antoine_ to the Amba.s.sadors House, there were Scaffolds all along on both sides of the way, full of People. The same Croud of Spectators follow"d him for several days, so that when he went abroad, either to the Bagnio, or to take the Air, he could scarce go along, there were such Throngs of People to gaze at him.
The Audience which the King gave him was a very magnificent Scene. _Lewis_ XIV. appeared at it in all the Majesty of a great King; and be the Audiences of the _Great Mogul_, describ"d to us by _Tavernier_, ever so brilliant, I can scarce think they are to compare with the Ceremony I am now speaking of, and whereof I was an Eye-witness, which was performed in the Great Gallery at _Versailles_. The King"s Throne, which was at one end, and rais"d very high, was of a Gold Ground, with Flowers and the Arms of _France_ embroider"d on it. The King was dress"d in a Suit of Coffee-color"d Velvet, adorn"d with Jewels, to the Value of several Millions. The young Dauphin was at his Majesty"s Right Hand in a Robe of Gold Brocade, adorn"d with Diamonds and Pearls. The Duke of _Orleans_ was on his Left, dress"d in a Suit of blue Velvet, adorn"d with a Gold _Spanish_ Point, seeded with very beautiful Diamonds and Pearls. The Princes of the Blood, the legitimated Princes, the Prince of _Dombes_ and the Count _d"Eu_, both Sons to the Duke of _Maine_, sat in the same Row, on the Right and Left of the King, all observing the Rank due to their Birth. All along the Gallery on the Right-Side of the Throne, there were several Rows of Steps, on which stood the Ladies richly dress"d. The d.u.c.h.ess of _Berry_ and Madame were next to the Throne, and next to them stood the Electoral Prince of _Saxony_, who was then at the Court of _France_ with the t.i.tle of the Count of _Lusatia_. That Side of the Gallery which fronts the Garden was taken up by n.o.blemen richly apparell"d, and the s.p.a.ce which serv"d for the Pa.s.sage, from the Entrance of the Gallery to the Throne, was cover"d with a magnificent Tapestry, as were the rest of the Apartments from the Stair-Case of Marble to the Gallery. In the Courts below, the Regiments of the _French_ and _Swiss_ Guards, newly cloath"d, were rang"d in Order of Battle: And the Life-Guards, the Musketeers, and all the King"s Houshold Troops were also drawn up in the same Order. But the Splendor of the Soldiery was very much lessen"d by a great Quant.i.ty of Rain which pour"d down almost all day long.
The Amba.s.sador with all his Attendance pa.s.s"d thro" all those Troops to the Gallery; and when he was advanc"d near to the Throne, he there deliver"d his Credentials to M. _de Torcy_, Minister and Secretary of State, by whom they were given to the Interpreter, who read them. He afterwards gave his Majesty the Presents that the Sophy sent him, which were so inconsiderable, that at first sight one could hardly imagine they were sent from one of the most powerful Monarchs of _Asia_. The Whole consisted of Turquoise Stones, a Scymitar garnish"d with precious Stones, a Box of Balm to which he ascribed wonderful Virtues, and some other things of no great Value. After the Audience was over, the Amba.s.sador was regal"d, and then reconducted to the House of the Amba.s.sadors, where he was defray"d at the Expence of the Court, all the time that he staid at _Paris_. He was furnish"d at first with the King"s Horses for himself and his Retinue; but as his Stay was long, and as besides he spoil"d all the King"s Horses, he was accommodated afterwards with Horses that were hir"d.
Some time after this Audience, the Amba.s.sador went to the Opera, where the Benches in the Amphitheatre were taken away, to make it more commodious to hold him and his Retinue. Tho" there was an incredible number of People of the first Quality, he seem"d to be under no manner of Constraint, and smoak"d his Pipe there a good while, with as much Freedom, as if he had been in his Chamber. The Eagerness of the People to run after him was soon abated; they began in a short time after his Arrival, to be indifferent whether they saw him or not; and at length, they were so weary of him, that every body wish"d publickly that he was gone.
I have had the Honor to acquaint you, that the Electoral Prince of _Saxony_ was at the _Persian_"s Audience. This Prince had been for some time in _France_; and tho" he was _incog._ by the Name or t.i.tle of the Count of _Lusatia_, he had the Retinue of a King"s Son. The Count _de Coste_, who died Bishop of _Warmia_, was his Governor, and the Baron _de Hagen_ his Sub-Governor. He had also several Gentlemen with him, besides Pages, and a number of Officers. His Equipage was magnificent, and his Table as elegant as could be desir"d. He was presented to the King by _Madame_, who gave him out to be a _German_ Gentleman of a good Family.
This Prince gave a sumptuous Ball at the Hotel _de Soissons_, in the Apartment where _Dumont_ the Envoy of _Holstein_ liv"d. There was an amazing Croud of Masqueraders, and among the rest your humble Servant, who had good Diversion there with a Lady who trusted me with a Secret, by mistake, for another Person. As she is a Lady of some Distinction, you"ll excuse me from telling her Name. All that I shall do my self the Honor to acquaint you of at present is, that she was a d.u.c.h.ess who was fond of _R----_ to Distraction; but he had abandon"d her for Mademoiselle _de S----_. The d.u.c.h.ess saw him enter the Ball-Room with _V----_, who was formerly a Confident of their Amours, and an intimate Friend of _R----_.
The d.u.c.h.ess, as disguis"d as she was, was presently known by her faithless Lover; so that when she went to lay hold of him, he slily stole away with his Friend, and secreted himself in the Croud. Being afraid of Reproaches from the d.u.c.h.ess, he thought fit also to change his Domino. _V----_ likewise exchang"d his for mine. _R----_ shew"d me the Place where he had seen the d.u.c.h.ess, and desir"d me to pa.s.s by her, but not to speak to her, in case that she offered to talk with me. I promis"d every thing he ask"d, yet was resolv"d to have a Parley with her, if I found a proper Opportunity, which soon presented. You must know, that I so much resembled M. _de V----_ in Stature, that the d.u.c.h.ess readily took me for him, and beckoning me aside, at the Instant that she was in high Wrath with _R----_, for refusing to speak to her, she made a general Confession to me of all her Intrigue. While she was going on thus, without Reserve, to make a Variety of Confessions to me, of which I thought she might repent when she knew that she had been speaking to the wrong Person; I interrupted her by saying, _She was mistaken in her Man, and that I was not_ V----. She reply"d hastily, _What need all these Grimaces? Hear me out to the End of my Tale. This is not a Place to play the fool in. You know_, continu"d she, _that I have granted the ungrateful Man but every thing_. I broke in upon her again, and said to her, _By my Troth_, Madame, _I did not know one word of the Matter till now_. She jeer"d me for pretending to be ignorant of what she had been telling me, and continu"d her Discourse to me with all the Plainness and True-heartedness that is seldom found in Narratives of this nature. After she had run on a good while, she said, _Alas!_ Sir, _What say you, Speak, now is your Time to speak, and justify your Friend, if you can. I really think_, replied I, _that +R----+ is a Scoundrel to set so little a Value upon the Kindness you have for him; and instead of justifying him, when I see him, I shall certainly rattle him for it. I shall tell him every t.i.ttle that you have now done me the Honor to divulge to me; and tho" I am not +V----+, nor very intimate with +R----+, I am persuaded that he will give Attention to what I shall say to him. Ah, Sir!_ replied the d.u.c.h.ess, _Why do ye go to alter the natural Tone of your Voice? How can you deny your self? What have I done to be thus treated? Upon my Honor, Madam_ I said, _I don"t impose on you; let your own Eyes be Witness_. At the same Moment I pull"d off my Mask. The Lady was so astonish"d that I can"t express it. She cou"d not speak; and I perceiv"d, by her Confusion for having made such an open Confession to me, that she did not know, whether she had best say on, or retire? I really pitied her, and did all I could to hearten her. I begg"d her to be a.s.sur"d that I would keep every thing she had said to me inviolably secret; and that I was as sensible as she could be, of the Consequence of revealing Things of that nature. The good Lady began to pluck up her Spirits; and after some farther Discourse she desir"d me to hand her out, and to help her to find her Coach. It was impossible to discover her Coach or mine either in the Croud; and therefore she chose to take a Hack. I went with her to her House, where she desir"d me to go back to the Ball, and tell the Ladies whom I had seen in her Company that she was taken very ill. I obey"d her Orders punctually, and did not fail next Day to pay her a Visit, and this Visit pav"d the way for others, which gave me an Opportunity to contract a most intimate Acquaintance with her.
I had the Honor, in short, of being her most esteemed Friend, and found her possess"d of a thousand good Qualities, which render"d her the best Companion in the World.
The most comical part of this Adventure was, to find _R----_ quarrelling bitterly with the d.u.c.h.ess for holding a long Parley with a Gentleman in Masquerade at the Ball. He pretended to be jealous, and wrote a thundering Letter to her next day, wherein he told her, that he would have nothing more to do with her. On the other hand Madam _de R----_, with whom I went to the Ball, and whom I was still pa.s.sionately fond of, took advantage of the Conference I had with the d.u.c.h.ess, and also pretended Jealousy, (for to be serious, I knew afterwards that "twas only a Copy of her Countenance.) She expatiated a good deal upon her Uneasiness at the long Conversation that pa.s.s"d betwixt us. I was silly enough to believe that she was sincere in what she said, and more Fool still to be transported with the Thought that I had made her jealous. I did all in my power, however, to remove her Suspicions; in a word, I said every thing that a Lover can say, who loves sincerely, and would convince that he does so.
She seem"d to be satisfy"d with my Protestations; but yet instead of making a suitable Return to the Respect I had for her, she continu"d to teaze me all the rest of the Winter. Her Behavior was so extremely coquetish, that it gave me a deal of Vexation; and besides, I did not like to see the Marquis _de V----_ so often at her House.
I had been pester"d with this Marquis for a long time. "Twas he that took away _S----_ from me; and no sooner was I got into the Favor of Madame _de R----_, but he found a way to insinuate himself there too. I was so provok"d to see him always at my Heels, that I quarrel"d with him one day at _C----_, where we happen"d to meet at the House of the President _de N----_. We were actually at Daggers-drawing, when M. _de C----_ came and parted us. _V----_ a.s.sur"d me that he had no manner of Pretence to Madame _de R----_, and actually promis"d me, that if I did not like his Visits to her, he would not renew them. And he was as good as his Word, so that I was perfectly reconcil"d to him; but I was not at all pleas"d with Madam _de R----_. I saw plainly that I was betray"d. I had fresh Cause to suspect her every day, and yet I hugged the Chains wherewith she had bound me; in which I sufficiently confuted the vulgar Error of those who a.s.sert, that People never love heartily but once. I ought, however, to reflect a little upon this last Amour, which was extremely hurtful to me. Madam _de R----_ was so extravagant that a Man could not be upon good Terms with her, without being, at an excessive Expence. To support my self I borrow"d Money every where, till e"er long I knew not where to find Lenders. On the other hand my Creditors began to make me frequent Visits, till they were tir"d with my continually putting them off from one time to another, and then truly they resolv"d to proceed against me by Law; and at length took out a Writ to attach my Person. I was very much stunn"d at the News, but because I had put them in an ill Humor, I was willing to avoid the Effects of it, by keeping my Chamber for some days, till M. _de N----_ had procur"d me an Order to stay Prosecution. This Respite put me upon ways and means to find Money, all my Desire being to satisfy my Creditors. I was aware how difficult it was to get a sufficient Sum to pay them remitted from home; for all my Estate was entail"d upon my Brother and Mademoiselle _de Pollnitz_; and she never intended to give her Consent to the mortgaging of any part of it. Yet having no other way to bring my self out of Trouble, I got my Friends to intercede with her; which they did so powerfully, that at length they really prevail"d on her to agree to the borrowing of some Money upon the Estate, which was lent accordingly; and by this Means I got happily out of this Sc.r.a.pe. The Difficulties I had been plung"d in made me wiser, and I lessen"d my Expences, which I perceiv"d, indeed, was not the way to preserve the Favor of Madam _de R----_. But what should I do? To dip my self again over head and ears in Debt, and to run the risque of having another scurvy Action enter"d against me, was what I could not resolve on. At this same time I obtain"d a Pension of 2000 Livres; but as to an Employment, none could I get of the Secretary at War.
This put me so much out of Temper, that notwithstanding my Pa.s.sion for Madam _de R----_, and my being so much attach"d to _France_, I determin"d to try once more for an Establishment elsewhere. For this purpose I wrote to the Prince of _H----_, a General Officer in the Emperor"s Service, and a Colonel of a Regiment of Foot, who return"d me a very obliging Answer, how glad he should be to admit me into his Regiment; but that there was no Company vacant in it, nor none like to be, unless I could strike a Bargain with a certain old Captain who had a Design to retire, and would gladly part with his Company for 2000 Crowns. To find such a round Sum as 2000 Crowns, in the Situation which I was in then, and to find the Philosopher"s Stone, was as easy for me one as the other. I resolv"d, however, to treat with the Captain.
I therefore set out for _Bruges_, where the Prince of _H----_ was in Garison with his Regiment. I met with a Captain, but he was pretty stiff, and would absolutely hear of no Terms but the Money down, or old Plate for Security. The Prince, who really wish"d me well, and perfectly knew the State of my Affairs, wrote to my Cousin to persuade her to consent to my taking up some more Money upon the Estate. I also indited the most moving Letter I could, to melt her; but "twas all to no purpose: The Answers she return"d were very sarcastical. She set me off to the Life, and she had the Art to persuade the Prince who had wrote to her, that to give me Leave to borrow more Money, was to put a Sword into the Hands of a Mad-man. For my own part I was in a manner convinc"d that she had Reason on her side. I therefore quitted all Thoughts of the Company which I propos"d to buy, and set out for _Paris_.
I was not sorry to leave BRUGES[52], it being one of the saddest Places in the _Netherlands_ for a Man to live in, who is not a Merchant; yet "tis a very considerable City. "Tis said to be very ancient, and that it was encompa.s.s"d with Walls in the Year 865. It was formerly dependant on the Bishopric of _Tournay_; but since the Reign of _Philip_ II. it has been erected into a Bishop"s See, which is now Suffragan to the Archbishopric of _Mechlin_. Its Cathedral, which is dedicated to St. _Donat_, is a very old and a very fine Structure. The other Churches are also of an elegant Model, especially the _Jesuits_ Church and our _Lady_"s. In the latter there"s the Tomb of _Charles_ the _Bold_ the last Duke of _Burgundy_ who was kill"d before _Nancy_, from whence his Corpse was translated hither, by order of _Mary_ of _Austria_, his Grandaughter, the Widow of a King of _Hungary_ and Sister to the Emperor _Charles_ V. The Situation of _Bruges_ is very advantagious, it being but three Leagues from the Sea; and for the Ease of its Trade there are several Ca.n.a.ls cut in it, on which Vessels pa.s.s to and fro as they do in _Holland_; with this Conveniency moreover, that People dine there as elegantly as in the best Tavern. Tho" all these Ca.n.a.ls have a Communication with the Sea, yet their Waters are not fast, by reason of the Sluices and other Machines, which they make use of to prevent it. "Tis natural to suppose, that Fields in which so many Ca.n.a.ls are cut, must be fertile; yet the Trade of _Bruges_ is very much dwindled since the flourishing of that of _Amsterdam_, which has engross"d it all to it self.
I forgot to tell you, that "twas at _Burges_ the Order of the Golden Fleece was inst.i.tuted by _Philip_ the _Good_, Duke of _Burgundy_ on the very Day that he consummated his Marriage with _Isabel_ the Daughter of _John_ King of _Portugal_. "Twas to this City also that _Charles_ II. King of _England_ came for Refuge, when his Subjects rebell"d against him; and so well was he receiv"d here, that when he was in peaceable Possession of his Throne he shew"d his Grat.i.tude, by permitting the Citizens to send fifty Vessels every year to the Coasts of _England_, to catch Herrings. So much, _Madame_, for _Bruges_.
Just as I was setting out, I heard that the Prince of _H----_ was going for NEWPORT[53], where there was a Battalion of his Regiment in Garison; and thither I went with him. This, which is a very ancient Town, was heretofore intirely destroy"d by the _English_, and afterwards rebuilt by _Philip_ the _Bold_, Duke of _Burgundy_. The Rebels of _Ghent_ burnt it in 1383, because it continued faithful to its Sovereign. It held out a very sharp Siege by the _French_, in which the Women display"d a very great share of Valour. During the Revolt of the _Netherlands_ it submitted to the Prince of _Parma_. In that same War, the _Dutch_ who were besieging it, under Prince _Maurice_ of _Orange_, gain"d a great Victory over the _Spaniards_, at the Gates of the Town; and yet they thought fit to raise the Siege. They say, that with some Expence _Newport_ might be made one of the best Harbors in the Ocean; and a Plan for this purpose was given to the Marquis _de Prie_, Commandant in the _Netherlands_; but hitherto it has not been approv"d of. Tho" "tis a Town not very much fortify"d, yet "tis a strong Place considering the Advantage it has of laying all the Country round it under Water. "Tis quite encompa.s.s"d with Downs and Marshes, the former of which abound with Rabbets. The Prince of _H----_ gave me the Pleasure of Hunting there, which is the only Diversion that can be taken by Officers who are condemn"d to be in Garison in such a Hole as _Newport_. We staid there two Days, after which the Prince and Princess of _H----_ return"d to _Bruges_. For my own part I accompanied the Prince of _Holstein_ to YPRES, of which he is Governor for the _Dutch_.
This is one of the best Cities in _Europe_, and is notable for having suffer"d several Sieges. The Rebels made themselves Masters of it in the Reign of _Philip_ II. when they plundered the Churches and Convents, and drove out the Fryars. The Archduke _Leopold_ retook it from those Furiosos, and it remained in Possession of _Spain_ till 1658, when "twas taken by the Marshal _de Turenne_; but by the _Pyrenean_ Treaty it reverted to its lawful Sovereign. In 1678, _Lewis_ XIV. besieg"d it in Person and took it; and by the Treaty of _Nimeguen_, which was concluded the same year, "twas yielded to him by _Spain_. The _French_ caus"d it to be considerably fortify"d; after which they remain"d peaceable Possessors of it till the Peace of _Utrecht_, when they yielded it to the Allies, in exchange for _Lisle_ which had been taken from the _French_. _Ypres_ is now a Barrier for the _Dutch_, who keep a good Garison in it.
Nevertheless, Justice is administer"d, and the Taxes raised here, in the Name of the Emperor, as Sovereign of _Spanish Flanders_.
From _Ypres_ I went to _Lisle_, of which I have already had the Honor to give you some Account; and from _Lisle_ in a very short time I proceeded to PARIS. Who should I see there, but the famous Countess of _Wartemberg_?
The Chevalier _de B----_, who being at _Utrecht_ during the Congress, had there sign"d a Contract to marry her, returning to _France_ as soon as the Peace was concluded, the Countess follow"d him and came to _Versailles_, where she had the Honor of waiting on the King. She wore the Pictures of three Kings as a Bracelet on her Arm, which she shew"d to the King, telling him at the same time, _That after she had seen three Monarchs at her Feet, she was now come from the Heart of_ Germany _to throw her self at the Feet of his Majesty_. The King, who was surpriz"d at the Compliment, star"d at her, but said not a Word. Some days after this she appear"d at the Play-house, stuck all over with Diamonds; and those so large, that she was call"d, _The Lady of precious Stones_. All the young Fellows combin"d to have a Pluck at her, and every younger Brother of a Family thought those Diamonds would look as well upon him as they did upon the Countess. When they had pilfer"d some from her, she was more cautious how she paraded with "em for the future. Yet notwithstanding all her Care, the Chevalier _de B----_ dextrously stripp"d her of all she had in one day. He had been for some time wishing that he could revoke the Marriage-Contract which he had sign"d with the Countess; his Family also press"d him to break off his Engagement with her; and in fine, not knowing what Course to take to recover the Contract, which the Lady refus"d to restore, he made use of this very singular Expedient. One day when he was at _Versailles_, he set out Post from thence to find out the Countess of _Wartemberg_, and told her that the King had just receiv"d an Express from _Berlin_, by which the King of _Prussia_ desir"d him to put her under an Arrest, and to seize her Diamonds, and other Effects, as having been stole from the King his Father. _I just had the News_, said the Chevalier to her, _from M._ de T----, _who knowing the Respect I have for you, was willing to give me an Opportunity of doing you Service, by guarding you from the Misfortune that threatens you_. The Countess being thunder-struck at this News, said to the Chevalier in a Fright, _O my G.o.d! What shall we do? Your only way_, said he, _is to give me Charge of all your Diamonds; your Interests and mine are the same; I don"t believe you suspect me; I will carry them all to my Father"s House, where they will be safe: And as for your Person, you may be very easy; for M._ de T----_has a.s.sur"d me, that "tis your Effects they want, and not your Person_. Madame _de Wartemberg_ believ"d every t.i.ttle of what he said, and esteeming the Chevalier as her Guardian Angel, she deliver"d up all her Diamonds to him, with every thing besides of most Value. _B----_ having all this Booty, took his Leave of her. The Countess thought she had play"d a very cunning Part in thus securing her Effects; but "twas not long before she was sensible that she had play"d a foolish one. _B----_ was not to be seen for four or five days. The Countess, startled at his absenting himself, wrote Letter after Letter to him, but could not obtain so much as one Answer. At last, on the fifth day, _B----_ made his Appearance, and gave the good Lady some Encouragement. He told her that her Jewels were all safe; and that she might have them whenever she pleas"d, upon this trifling Condition only; namely, that she would restore him the Contract he had sign"d to marry her. The Countess extremely surpriz"d at this Compliment, made Answer to the Chevalier, That Princesses of the Empire were not to be thus treated; that she was come to _Paris_ upon his Engagement to marry her; and that she knew how to oblige him to it.
_B----_, who was resolv"d to break with her at any rate, told her, that she was at her full Liberty to chuse either of these two Proposals that he made to her, _viz._ To go to Law, and thereby to be certain of losing her Effects; or else, to recover them, by restoring that Paper to him which he demanded. He made her sensible, that by going to Law, he might naturally hope to get the better of her, not only from the Justice of his Cause, but from the Interest of his Relations; and that as to her Effects, since there was no Witness that saw her deliver them into his Hands, he should take a Course which she would think pretty hard, _viz._ Deny that he had ever receiv"d them, and in the mean time sell one part of the Jewels to enable him to find Law to keep the rest. The Countess perceiving that the Chevalier was resolv"d to be as good as his Word, and that she had no Chance to get any thing, determin"d to give up the Contract; and _B----_ thereupon brought back her Diamonds; which was such an honest Action on his part, that it engag"d Madam _de Wartemberg_ to make him a Present of a n.o.ble Ring, valu"d at 20,000 Livres. And thus ended her Correspondence with _B----_.
The Countess, to make her self easy for the Loss of her Lover, resolv"d to look out for others; but she was not happy in the Variety of her Choice.
_They were all_, said she, _insincere; and for the most part knavishly inclin"d_. In short, she renounc"d all manner of Society with _Frenchmen_; she thought them too volatile and nimble for her, and upon this Occasion she extol"d the _Germans_ for the honestest Souls in the World; yet she soon found the contrary, to her Cost: For having made an Acquaintance with a clever handsome young _German_, they both promis"d each other Marriage, as soon as they came to a Protestant Country, and a Contract was actually sign"d between them for that purpose; but the Spark thought that after they had sign"d and seal"d, the Nuptial Benediction was only an insignificant Ceremony to admit them into a Partnership in their worldly Goods; and that his Right ought to commence from the very day that the Articles were agreed to. Upon this Principle he thought fit to march off with all the precious Stones of his Spouse that was to be, and set out with them from _Paris_, designing to elope to _Lorrain_. The Countess, who was soon inform"d of his Departure, was mortally uneasy at the Treachery of her Lover, tho" the Danger she was in of losing her Diamonds stuck most to her Heart. By good Luck she had Intelligence what Road her dear Thief went, and sent a Messenger after him, who found him at _Meaux_, where he was so unwise as to make a Halt for some days. He was brought back to _Paris_, where the Countess, who denied that she had ever made the least Proposal of Marriage to the Stripling, was preparing to swinge him; but the Electoral Prince of _Saxony_, by whom he was protected, put a stop to all further Prosecution, and caus"d the Jewels to be restor"d to Madam _de Wartemberg_, who did not insist upon his Promise of Marriage; for being of a Temper that did not permit her to be idle, she had already contracted a clandestine Marriage with _F----_. These various Intrigues happening so soon one after another, were so much talk"d of, that the Countess did not think fit to stay any longer in _France_, but set out for _Holland_, where she remains to this day[54].
Towards the Close of the Year, _viz._ on the 1st of _September_ 1715, _France_ lost _Lewis_ XIV. He died a Death truly Christian, for which he had been some time before preparing himself; so that when Notice was given him, that he must make ready to go out of this World, he was not at all surpriz"d. He took his last Farewel of his Family with a Courage worthy of Admiration. He gave his Blessing to the young Dauphin, the Heir of his Crown; which he accompanied with several important Advices and Exhortations, especially not to go to War without a just Cause, and not to be so fond of it as he had been. Then he ordered what Mourning the young Monarch should wear, adding, that what he prescrib"d to him was the same that he wore at the Death of the King his Father. This Monarch express"d a vast Affection for the Princes of his Family, and strongly recommended his Successor to the Duke of _Orleans_. They say that he stretch"d forth his Hand to the Marshal _de Villeroy_, and said to him, _Adieu, my Friend, we must part_. Madame _de Maintenon_ staid with the King all the Time of his Illness, because he desir"d it, except one Day, when the King being so ill that they thought he could not recover it, she return"d to _St. Cyr_; but as soon as the Monarch came to himself, and found Madame _de Maintenon_ gone, he sent for her, and begg"d her not to forsake him. Accordingly she continu"d with him till his Death, upon which she went back to _St. Cyr_, where she liv"d mightily retir"d till 1719, when she died.
"Tis astonishing to think what a Change there was at Court upon the Death of _Lewis_ XIV. The Courtiers stuck fast to him, to the very last Moment of his Life, not at all minding the Princes; no, not even the Duke of _Orleans_: but the very Moment that the King died, the Face of every thing was alter"d; and all the Court was made to the Duke of _Orleans_, as the sole Dispenser of Favors, who went, accompanied by all the Princes and Courtiers, to the young Monarch, and paid him the due Homage.
_Lewis_ XIV. had appointed the Duke of _Orleans_ Regent of the Kingdom by his last Will; but at the same time he nominated several n.o.blemen for a.s.sociates in the Government, without whom he could conclude nothing. He also depriv"d him of the Guardianship of the young King, and gave it to the Duke _de Maine_; in a word, he bound his Hands in such a manner, that this Prince had nothing but the Shadow of the Regency. The Duke, however, artfully procur"d that Honor to be paid to him, which he claim"d as his due. He conducted the young King to Parliament with a great Train. The _French_ and _Swiss_ Guards being drawn up in a Line in the Streets, to the very Gates of the Palais or Parliament-House, the _Gens d"Arms_, Musketeers, Light-Horse and Life-Guards attended his Majesty to the Palais, where he was receiv"d with the usual Ceremonies, and conducted to the Court, which they call his _Bed_ of Justice. When every body had taken their Seats, the Duke of _Orleans_ broke silence and said, _That tho" the Regency belonged to him by Birth-right, yet he was very glad he could produce the Codicil of the late King to them in proof of it; which having caus"d to be read, together with the Will, he shew"d the Inconveniencies that might arise from the little Authority which was given to him; and that his Rank and Birth had always int.i.tled him to hope for more_. And having said this, he demanded of the Parliament, _Whether they did not own him for the Sovereign Administrator of the Kingdom_. He added, _That whatever Authority should be given him, he should be glad to follow the Advice of the Parliament; that he would share his Authority with the Grandees of the Kingdom; and that if there should happen to be a Failure of Justice in his Administration, it would then be a Pleasure to him to bear their Remonstrances_. He clos"d all with saying, _That he should like well enough to have his Hands restrained from doing wrong, but that he wish"d they might be at entire Liberty to do good_. The Votes ran in his Favor; the late King"s Will was annull"d, the Duke of _Orleans_ declared Regent of the Kingdom, and Guardian of the King; and the Superintendancy of his Majesty"s Education was given to the Duke of _Maine_. The Regent return"d his Thanks to the Parliament; and at the same time told them, _that he was for pursuing a Plan of Government that was found among the Papers of the Duke of +Burgundy+, Father to the present King; according to which Plan it appeared that the said Prince had a Design to establish Councils for every Province, whether of the Finances, War, Admiralty, &c.
and to be governed entirely by what the Majority of the Voices therein should determine_.
The Duke _du Maine_ had no reason to be satisfy"d with this a.s.sembly; for besides being depriv"d of the Guardianship of the King, he had much ado to preserve the Prerogatives which the late King had annex"d to the Quality of a legitimated Prince of the Blood. The Dukes and Peers declared immediately against the Precedency that had been granted to those Princes, and carried their Complaints to the Bed of Justice, where they demanded that they might only be considered as a Part of their Body; and that they might be allow"d no other Rank than what they deriv"d from their Peerages.
Hereafter we shall also find the Princes of the Blood declaring against those Princes that had been legitimated.
This Demand of the Dukes did not take place at that time, no more than another which they also made upon the same Day, _viz._ that the first President, when he ask"d their Opinion in Parliament, should veil the Bonnet to them, in the same manner as to the Princes of the Blood. The Duke of _Orleans_ desir"d them to permit the Usages of Parliament to be observ"d on that Day, and a.s.sured them that he would decide that Affair very shortly. The President _de Novion_, afterwards the first President, then spoke, and answered the Regent, that his Royal Highness had no Right to make a Decision in an Affair which related directly to the Person of the King, whom the Parliament had the Honor of representing in his Majesty"s Absence; and that consequently nothing could be alter"d in the Usage of Parliament, but by the King himself when he came of Age.
After the Court of Justice broke up, the King return"d to _Vincennes_, where he resided after the Death of the late King, till the Palace of the _Thuilleries_ was made fit for his Reception. The Regent and the Princes accompanied the King, and they afterwards went back to _Paris_, each Man to his own House. They say that the Duke of _Maine_ was no sooner return"d home, but the d.u.c.h.ess his Wife, impatient to know what had pa.s.s"d in the Bed of Justice, came that very instant to ask him what News he brought; and when he told her, that the Regent was the sole Master of the King and Kingdom, she reproach"d him bitterly.
As soon as the _Louvre_ was in a readiness the King set out thither from _Vincennes_, where Lodgings were laid out for the Princes and Princesses of the Blood. The Palace of _Luxemburg_ was given to the d.u.c.h.ess of _Berry_, who made great Alterations in the Apartments. This Princess had a mighty Ascendant over her Father the Duke of _Orleans_, and she made such a use of it that there was not a day but she obtain"d new Favors. As she was the first Princess in the Kingdom, there being at that time no Queen, she desir"d to have a Captain of the Guards to attend her; a Privilege which none had ever enjoy"d before but the Queens. The Duke of _Orleans_ could not deny her, and the Person invested with this Character was the Marquis _de la Rochefoucault_. Madame no sooner heard of this Augmentation of Officers in the Houshold of the d.u.c.h.ess her Daughter, but she presently appointed M. _de Harling_ to be Captain of her Guards, who was a _German_ Gentleman that had been her Page. The d.u.c.h.ess of _Berry_ wanted also to be stil"d _Madame_ as well as the Princess her Mother; yet to prevent Confusion she signify"d, that when they made mention of her they should not call her _Madame la d.u.c.h.esse de Berry_, but _Madame, d.u.c.h.esse de Berry_. Moreover, she pretended to the Right of having Kettle-Drums and Trumpets sounded before her when she went abroad in Ceremony, tho" this was never observ"d to any body but the Queen. In short, this Princess enter"d once into _Paris_ with all this Attendance, as she return"d from _la Muette_. When she pa.s.s"d before the Palace of the _Thuilleries_, the Officers of the Guards were very much astonish"d to hear the Trumpets, and represented that no body but the King and Queen ought to march with such Pomp; upon which Madame _de Berry_ wav"d her Privilege for the future, tho" with regard only to _Paris_.
Some will imagine, perhaps, that this Princess, who was so fond of Grandeur, must naturally be difficult of Access and of very stiff Behavior to Persons that had the Honor of approaching her. Yet she was quite the Reverse. I was acquainted with several Ladies that had the Honor of some Familiarity with her; and they all a.s.sur"d me, that she was the best-natur"d Princess in the World. She never stood upon Formalities in point of Ceremonial with the Generality of the Ladies, but freely permitted them to come and visit her in a Scarf. "Tis true indeed that she did not affect Dress herself, and consequently it would not have been good Manners for the Princesses and Court-Ladies to appear in a formal Dress, which she was scarce ever seen in her self. _Madame_, as I have already had the Honor to tell you, was much more precise. She was always in the Court-Dress, and never suffer"d any but Ladies that were advanc"d in years, or such as were not in Health, to appear before her in any other.
The Duke Regent, according to the Promise he had made to the Parliament, when he held the Bed of Justice, establish"d several Councils. There was one which was call"d _The Council of the Regency_, others for War, the Finances, the Marine, and for Affairs Foreign. All the Ministers of the late King were dismiss"d, except the Chancellor _Voisin_, who kept his Post. M. _Desmaretz_ and M. _de Pontchartrain_, one the Minister of the Finances, the other of Affairs Marine, were both dest.i.tute of Employment.
M. _Desmaretz_ was put to some trouble in a Chamber which the Regent establish"d at the _Grand Augustins_, for calling to account those who had had the Management of the public Money. "Twas called the _Chamber of Justice_; and the President _Portail_, who is now the first President, was at the Head of it. Great Advantages were expected from this Establishment, which would, they said, not only pay off the King"s Debts, but also bring considerable Sums into his Coffers; nevertheless it all came to nothing.