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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dd22926 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #52215 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/52215) diff --git a/old/52215-0.txt b/old/52215-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index fb856bd..0000000 --- a/old/52215-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4187 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Memoirs of the Marchioness of Pompadour -(vol. 2 of 2), by Jeanne Antoinette Poisson Pompadour - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: Memoirs of the Marchioness of Pompadour (vol. 2 of 2) - -Author: Jeanne Antoinette Poisson Pompadour - -Release Date: June 1, 2016 [EBook #52215] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMOIRS OF THE MARCHIONESS *** - - - - -Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images available at The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - - - MEMOIRS - - OF THE - - Marchioness of Pompadour. - - WRITTEN BY HERSELF. - - Wherein are Displayed - - The Motives of the Wars, Treaties of Peace, Embassies, and - Negotiations, in the several Courts of Europe: - - The Cabals and Intrigues of Courtiers; the Characters of Generals, - and Ministers of State, with the Causes of their Rise and Fall; - and, in general, the most remarkable Occurrences at the Court of - France, during the last twenty Years of the Reign of Lewis XV. - - Translated from the French. - - IN TWO VOLUMES. - - VOL. II. - - LONDON: - Printed for P. Vaillant, in the Strand; and - W. JOHNSTON, in Ludgate-Street. - - M DCC LXVI. - - - - - MEMOIRS - - OF THE - - Marchioness of Pompadour. - - -Lewis XV. as I have said in another place, visited me habitually. He -could not dispense with my company, which was become absolutely -necessary to him: but this inclination had not entirely removed a taste -for transitory amours. He yielded to them by constitution; but never -reflected on them without repentance. After an adventure of gallantry, -he was more constant than ever. Remorse brought him back to himself and -to me. I may venture to say, that I enjoyed his infidelity; and had he -been entirely divested of it, he would have given way to some other -passion, that would have separated him from me. I was under -apprehensions for some time that his mind would take a warlike turn: I -desired Maurice count Saxe, who regularly paid his court to him, after -the campaigns in Flanders, not to dwell so much upon battles and sieges: -but Lewis assured me, as I have already mentioned, that he had -sacrificed this inclination to the welfare of France. - -The king had for some time devoted himself to politics; but this study -no way interfered with his amusements. He applied himself to it through -that beneficent disposition, which naturally prompts him to solace his -people. He was desirous of being possessed of the present state of -Europe: M. De Belleisle furnished him with it. The king shewed it to me: -it was a system of political-topography. The Marshal entered into a -minute detail upon the power of each government. He took a review of -all Europe, and stipulated the state of the forces of the different -people. - -M. de Noailles, who saw this state of Europe, said, “That there was too -much geometry in it; that the republic of Christendom was subject to so -many revolutions, which derived their origin from so many secondary -causes, wherewith politics had no kind of connexion, that cabinets -frequently obtained honour from what was the mere effect of fortune. -France, said he to me, exerted her influence to acquire Lorrain: -Cardinal Richelieu could not succeed in the business, and Mazarin -miscarried; accident threw it into the hands of France under the -administration of cardinal de Fleuri. - -“Europe was engaged for near two hundred years in negociation and war, -to prevent the crown of Spain devolving to any branch of the house of -Bourbon. The will of a weak and languishing prince bequeathed it -entirely to France, at a time that Lewis XIV. did not even think of -being included in the treaty of partition. - -“The English never could have imagined making a conquest of Gibraltar, -which gave them an ascendency in the ocean, and made them masters of the -Mediterranean; when the same accident that gave Spain to the house of -Bourbon, produced them the acquisition of that important fortress, which -they have ever since retained, though the reasons that induced them to -gain possession of it no longer subsist, &c. - -“If we were to recur to the origin of great revolutions, we should find -that fortune governed the world, and that policy, which would reduce all -events to rule, prevails too much in the cabinet of princes. He added, -that these enumerations of the power of the states of Europe are -useless, as it is not strength that regulates the fate of governments, -but a certain combination of accidents, in opposition to which neither -negociations nor armies can prevail.” - -I do not at present recollect the precise terms in which this memorial -of M. de Belleisle was conceived; I only remember that he concluded with -these words: “France cannot be hurt by all the great states of Europe: -Prussia only is to be feared, and England dreaded.” - -Though the king had for some time been fond of talking of state affairs, -he was so polite as to dwell but little upon them in my company. -Notwithstanding what I have said of his gravity, there is no man in -France so agreeable at _a tête-a-tête_, as Lewis XV. He is some days so -happy and vivacious, as even to inspire mirth and joy. - -I have frequently mentioned his goodness; I shall now give a little -anecdote, which will corroborate what I have said upon that head. One -night, after having been pretty late with me in my apartments, he told -me he should not dine with me the next day (as he frequently used to do) -having resolved to go to Marli, where he should remain till towards the -evening. My brother Marigni paid me a morning visit that day, and as I -was quite alone, I desired him to stay and dine with me. We conversed -together for some time, after which he went to take a turn in Versailles -gardens, till it was the hour to go to dinner. - -The king altered his mind and did not go a riding. Instead of going to -Marli, he came to dine with me. He observed the table laid with two -covers, and as he had the day before acquainted me with his intended -journey, he testified his surprise, asking me for whom I had intended -the second cover. “Sire, I replied, my brother came to see me this -morning, and as I was alone, I invited him to dine with me; but as your -majesty does me that honour yourself, I shall send to acquaint him that -he cannot be a guest.” _No_, replied the king, _your brother is one of -the family; instead of removing the cover that was laid for him, only -lay another, and we will all three dine together_. My brother returned, -and the king behaved to him with all possible politeness. This is not an -important anecdote, but it displays this prince’s regard, even in the -most minute affairs. - -M. Rouillé furnished the king every day with fresh estimates, by which -it appeared that the marine was re-established. This minister publickly -said in 1751, that he had seventy ships of the line, and thirty -frigates; but he said that he had more than there really were. -Ministers, in general, increase their plan; they almost constantly -confound the establishments already made, with those that still remain -to be made, and these latter frequently never take place. - -A man of understanding said to me at that time, that if France had a -fleet of seventy men of war or frigates, ready to put to sea, the great -object of the French marine would be accomplished. This same person -averred, that we wanted no more to face the English, who have not a -greater number of ships fit for engagement; for, added he, we must not -confound the coasting cruizers, and those which are destined for -convoys; they are not comprised among the number of ships of the line. - -The English embassador was ordered to keep a watchful eye upon M. -Rouillé and all his operations, in order to acquaint his court -therewith. He no longer asked the administration, as was customary with -him, what we intended to do with so many ships, because he had -frequently had for answer, that the court of France was not obliged to -give Great-Britain an account of what she did. - -The king made a promotion of sea officers; commodores were appointed, -captains and old lieutenants were promoted, and there was so much bustle -made about the state of the marine, that the court of London began to -take umbrage at it. - -A foreign embassador told me one day upon this occasion, that he -discerned a great error in the French government, that is to say, “that -we make a shew of ourselves to all Europe and our enemies. He added, -there are no secrets of state at Versailles; all Christendom is informed -of the designs of France, long before she is in a condition to execute -them, whereby they are frustrated.” - -An affair that no way related to France, excited the attention of the -king for a short time. The Genoese (an unsteady people, and who have -never been in a state of tranquility since the foundation of their -republic) had carried on a war for a long time against the Corsicans, -whom they stiled rebels, whilst the Corsicans gave them the appellation -of tyrants. There had been several engagements between them, which -served only to protract the war, as peace must ever be the result of a -reconciliation of sentiments. Hatred and antipathy had barred all the -avenues to a mediation. Their aversion to each other surpassed their -reciprocal dread. If religion itself had fomented a division, it could -not have been more animated. - -Marshal Belleisle, speaking to me of this war, often told me that the -Genoese would never be rulers over the Corsicans; for which he assigned -this reason; “When the principal state combats with its subjects, the -first battle must decide the quarrel, otherwise it will remain for a -long time undetermined. Rebels, who by sieges and battles, poise the -sovereign authority, no longer bear the name of subjects, but adopt that -of enemies; for the force of arms, which destroys all privilege, -restores the level.” - -Such people as are in subjection to kings, would no longer be so, if -they were capable of throwing off their submission; for subordination -was not agreed upon by convention, but compelled by violence or open -force. So that a people who throw off the yoke, are not rebels any -farther than their ill conduct in the revolution, and their ignorance to -procure the means of success, give them this title. - -The Genoese, after fruitless endeavours to reduce the Corsicans, took a -wrong step in addressing themselves to foreign powers; France, of whom -they had asked succours, furnished them with some troops and a -commander. The Venetian embassador, who was then at Paris, said upon -this occasion; “That the Genoese, who were reckoned to be people of -great memory, had lost their recollection with regard to France, as they -forgot that she bombarded Genoa in the time of Lewis XIV. and that the -republic narrowly escaped from destruction through her, in the reign of -Lewis XV.” - -The Genoese officers, whom the senate had appointed and sent to that -island for the defence of their rights, were greater foes to the -republic than they were to the Corsicans, seeking disputes with the -French mediators, under pretence that they excited those islanders to -hold them in contempt. If the allegation had been just, they should have -connived at it, and pursued, without interruption, the restoration of -peace. But envy, that vice so natural to Italians, and particularly the -Genoese, occasioned this dissention. They saw with jealous eyes, -foreigners interfering in a peace, all the honour of which they were -desirous of keeping to themselves. The republic, equally jealous of -their own officers, as these were of the French, took another ill-judged -measure, by making application to the court of Versailles, to know how -they should act against themselves, and what satisfaction the king -required. Any other nation would rather have given up their interest -with respect to Corsica, which even France could not bring back to its -duty, than to have thus humbled themselves: but the republic of Genoa -have been long accustomed to meanness and submission. - -“The Genoese, said the King, deserve to be punished, by my interfering -no longer with their affairs: but they have paved the way for my son Don -Philip into Italy, and I owe them some acknowledgment--this predominates -in my heart over the resentment which their conduct deserves.” - -Lewis XV. who had appointed M. de Chauvelin plenipotentiary in the -island of Corsica, to terminate matters in an amicable manner, gave him -fresh instructions to hasten his negociation, and new orders were -dispatched to the marquis of Cursai, who commanded the French troops. - -These two mediators settled the place for holding a congress, and peace -was in appearance concluded. All formalities were observed: Harangues -were made at the opening of the assemblies, and flowers of rhetoric were -scattered amongst an ignorant and barbarous people. The Corsicans -stretched their large ears to these studied orations, but did not -understand a syllable. They replied with acclamations, and the orators -imagined they had seduced them by their eloquence. - -After these speeches, the treaty, or regulation between the Republic and -the Corsicans, was brought upon the carpet. Each party thereby retained -prerogatives which made them independent of each other; that is to say, -the subjects of this republic were treating for their liberty. The -Corsicans terminated by negociation, what they could not accomplish by -arms. - -When the articles of the treaty were sent to Versailles, Marshal -Belleisle publickly said, “That the Republic had submitted too much: -that they should have granted an amnesty to the rebels, and not have -treated with them: that subjects who have thrown off the yoke, in -returning to their duty, should obtain nothing but pardon. He added, -that the Corsicans should either be punished as guilty of treason, or -else abandoned as rebels; for subjects who are sufficiently powerful to -oblige their sovereign to treat with them, are not faithful enough to -submit long to obedience.” - -These reflexions appeared to be the more justly founded, as all these -negotiations soon became useless, and a war was presently after -rekindled. - -Be this as it may, the Genoese were for the present left here, the -attention of every one being taken up with news from Asia, which greatly -flattered the king’s expectations. We were informed from India, that the -Nabob had confidence enough in France, to place his political interest -in the hands of a Frenchman, named Dupleix; and that the nation of the -Marats, who were subject to the Nabob, had appointed him their commander -in chief. - -It is said that Lewis XIV. who was animated with every kind of glory, -was sensibly struck with the information given him by an embassador from -the king of Siam, who was delegated to acquaint him that his name was -held in great veneration in those states. He testified more public joy, -and was more flattered with this honour, than if he had obtained an -important conquest. - -The peace concluded with the Nabob, and the confidence which this prince -reposed in France, were objects of far greater consequence. They -increased the riches of the state, whereas the embassy from Siam had no -other effect than flattering the monarch’s vanity. - -Dupleix became at once plenipotentiary and generalissimo; he stipulated -the terms of the treaty of peace, and received the command. These two -posts were preceded by an important negociation, without which he could -never have obtained them; he fixed the unsteady disposition of the -Marats. This nation had been hitherto divided into various factions, -who, in weakening themselves, prevented France deriving any advantage -from them. This foreigner upbraided them with their impolitic conduct, -and taught them to pursue connected views, and an uniform system. - -This Dupleix was not, however, any great genius: but there are people -who perform great things with very little capacity. We have since seen -him at Paris fallen from the pinnacle of his fame, and at length give up -his breath with the reputation of a man, who, so far from having been -capable of governing India, had not talents sufficient to regulate his -own houshold affairs. - -He had a great law-suit with the India company. This quarrel is equally -remarkable by the nature of the demand, as by that of the refusal. The -Nabob’s general declared, that the directors were indebted to him -several millions, and the directors set forth that they owed him -nothing. There is, in general, ingratitude on the one side, and but -little acknowledgment on the other. The memorials that were published -upon this occasion, produced at least this advantage, they opened the -eyes of the government with respect to many things relative to India, -which they would never have been acquainted with, had not these -publications taken place. - -I made business, pleasure, and amusements, by turns succeed at -Versailles, which still prevented the king’s serious reflexions. Lewis -XV. existed, I may say, by a constitution which I communicated to him, -and this factitious temperament hindered his own prevailing. I believe -he would have been at length overcome without that art which I employed -to repress nature. Notwithstanding this precaution, there were moments -in which he gave himself up to melancholy. It was then necessary to -invent new pleasures, in order to excite fresh sensations. As soon as I -perceived these produced no effect, I redoubled my attention to -substitute others that might be more prevalent. - -Religion was the greatest obstacle I had to surmount, for the King was -very devout. He prayed regularly, and went every day to mass, but did -not perform his Easter-devotions. This estrangement from the sacraments -arose rather from an excess of delicacy, than a contempt for the -communion. His transitory amours separated him from the sacrament, which -he feared to prophane. The jesuit who enjoyed the title of his -confessor, had made various attempts to conquer his delicacy upon this -head. His power would then have been more extensive, as his penitent -would have been more at his devotion; but Lewis XV. never submitted. - -I was judged a proper instrument to hint something to the monarch upon -this subject; but it was necessary that I should begin by convincing -myself, in order to persuade the King. This was thought an easy matter; -people of the first rank, and of considerable dignity in the church, but -who shall not be named here, fearing that the Roman catholic religion -might appear to lose ground to the enemies of the state, undertook this -great work. - -I was not much versed in this kind of matters; for the women of Paris -have no more religion than what is just necessary to prevent their -having none at all. - -These able theologists settled it as a principle, “That scandal in a -king was the greatest evil he could be guilty of: that he is the -mirrour, where every one looks to see himself: that his example carries -with it that of the state: that from the time the King did not commune, -there were upwards of a million of subjects in France, who no longer -partook of the sacraments: that the desertion from the holy table was -become general,” &c. &c. - -Then speaking of constitutions, they added, “That God had given power to -his ministers to absolve past sins; that repentance effaced in heaven -crimes committed upon earth: that the Divinity, in forming man, had been -obliged to give way to his weaknesses: that we should always fulfil our -christian obligations, notwithstanding the continual temptations with -which the heart of man is surrounded,” &c. &c. - -In a word, I saw through these maxims of the fathers of the church, that -the King, in order to be a good catholic, should be regularly guilty of -profanation of the sacrament once a year. - -I refused taking upon myself this moral commission. I had a glimpse of -those consequences which might have affected myself. This prince’s -approaching the communion table, must necessarily have caused a -revolution in him. I was under less apprehension for the King’s -religion, than the intrigues of churchmen. The confessor was -particularly to be dreaded. He is always powerful, when the monarch is -frequently at his feet. - -Neither did I advise the King to absent himself from the holy table. I -left things just as they were. - -Peace, which had restored political tranquility, of itself produced -fresh divisions in the state. Churchmen, the clergy, and the parliament, -who in time of war, unite themselves to the administration, to -participate of public misfortunes, in their turn create them, when -battles and sieges are passed: so that by a fatality, which is, perhaps, -derived from the constitution itself, France must always be armed to -avoid domestic quarrels; or continually wage war with herself, to -prevent that of the enemy. I have heard very able politicians say, that -this arises from the government’s not being sufficiently powerful to -suppress divisions abroad, nor sufficiently absolute to destroy -dissentions at home: a mixed state that will one day make it a prey to -its enemies, or a victim to its subjects. - -A trifling affair gave rise to a great misunderstanding between the -court and the parliament, which was the distribution of the alms -collected for the mendicants. The directors of the hospital of Paris had -never yet been blamed by either the court or the city, because the war -had engaged the attention of the government; but peace being restored, -which gave them leisure to inspect into the minutest affairs, they at -length took this into consideration. - -The archbishop of Paris claimed this jurisdiction by right; the King was -of the same opinion; but the parliament judged differently, and -henceforward representations and deputations took place. A Prince of -the blood royal said upon this occasion, _The parliament of Paris must -have very little to do, when they quarrel with the King about beggars_. - -Lewis XV. issued an arret in favour of the archbishop; it was to be -registered, and now dissention broke out. The parliament went to -Versailles and came back--they met, they adjourned; but the King shewed -himself absolute. He wrote in these terms to the chambers assembled. “If -I have thought proper to allow you to make remonstrances to me upon the -edicts and declarations which I send you to be registered, I never gave -you the power to annul or alter them, under pretence of -modification.--It is my will that my declaration concerning the hospital -be registered purely and simply. I shall see that my parliament obey my -orders.” - -This was speaking like a master: the King was animated at certain -moments support all his rights; but the goodness of his heart, his love -of peace, and the tranquility of the state, and perhaps more than all, -an undetermined character, discouraged by difficulties and opposition, -made him yield. - -I often complained to him of this disposition, which induced him to -grant what he had at first refused. “What would you have me do, madam?” -he said to me with that complaisance and sweetness which are so natural -to him. “I know I should harden myself against certain bodies, who want -to raise their authority upon a level with my throne. But I sacrifice my -resentment to the general tranquility. I tremble to think of the -misfortunes that the people suffered under the reign of my great -grandfather, by the quarrels which arose between the court and the -parliament. These quarrels renewed civil wars, which immersed France in -the deepest desolation. I would rather be complaisant than -ostentatious, as the consequences of the latter might be fatal to my -subjects.” - -The majority of the members of the council were not of this way of -thinking; one of the most penetrating said, that under a firm and -absolute government, the laws were restored to their vigour, and abuses -reformed; whereas indulgence and relaxation were the effects of a weak -and irresolute administration. I acknowledge that I differ much in -opinion from this last, and I could have wished that the King had -possessed a little more resolution. The affair relating to the hospital -terminated, like most of those of the parliament, that is to say, by -modifications. - -The King of his own accord, and without being sollicited, appointed the -count de St. Florentin and M. Rouillé ministers of state: They were each -of them secretaries of state. A courtier at that time said, that the -King had done a great deal in appointing them his secretaries, and that -he had done too much in creating them ministers. It is certain that -these two men had done nothing to entitle them to that rank. M. Rouillé, -in particular, was far from being bright, having no other recommendation -than his assiduity and application, which most constantly destroy every -thing, when they are not accompanied with genius. - -It was said at Paris that I induced the King to make this nomination. -The truth is, that I no way interfered in it: Nay, it was added, that M. -de St. Florentin had sold himself to me, and that I paid him for the -letters de cachet which I had occasion for to drive such persons from -Paris as displeased me. Those who spoke in this manner were ignorant -that the great letters de cachet were not issued but in the name and by -the consent of the King. The sovereign commands and the minister obeys. - -I had very little acquaintance with this secretary of state; he paid his -court to me like the other ministers; but he seldom spoke to me about -private affairs. I found him at court, the King employed him, and this -sufficed me. - -M. Rouillé had been recommended to me. I mentioned him to the King. I -recommended him to this Prince, not as a great minister, but as an -honest man. - -M. de Puisieux, secretary of state for the department of foreign -affairs, begged leave to retire. This office was difficult to manage; -several persons had refused it. Those who had before filled this -employment, had sown disorder in this department, and the last troubles -of Europe had compleated its confusion. France was not in a situation to -hope that the last treaty of peace could long subsist, and in time of -war there was more business in this department than in all the others. -One minister is scarce sufficient when every thing is in order, but when -every thing is in confusion, before sieges and battles take place, it is -impossible for him to go on. - -I very seldom saw M. de Puisieux. Those who were personally acquainted -with this minister, have told me that he had knowledge and -understanding; but that he was deficient in that superiority of genius -which characterizes a statesman. He had gone through the negociations -for which he was appointed with such middling talents, as never confer -any future reputation. He may be ranked with those common ministers, who -after having compleated their career in this world, never enter upon any -in history. - -After the retreat of M. de Puisieux, the King said to me: “_Well, madam, -to whom shall we give the department of foreign affairs?_” And without -giving me time to reply, he added, _This office requires an able -minister, a man of assiduity and integrity. Do you know of such a one in -my kingdom?_ - -“Sire, I replied, what you require is pretty difficult to be found; but -some of your subjects may possess all these qualities; and amongst this -number, I may venture to presume, that the marquis de Sr. Contest, your -embassador at the Hague, deserves a distinguished rank.” _I am of your -opinion_, the King immediately said; _M. Contest has already done me -such services, as have entitled him to this place: I will give it to -him_; and the embassador immediately left the Hague, to come and take -upon him this office. - -I shall in this place mention an establishment which I planned, and to -which the King gave his assistance, in order to put it in execution: -This will appear but a trifling affair to those who estimate -establishments in proportion as they are striking. I prevailed upon -Lewis XV. to change the object of the expence made for public -rejoicings, by applying it to the increase of the human species, which -luxury and debauchery constantly diminish in France. His Majesty gave -orders in consequence, that 600,000 livres, which were to be expended -for fireworks, on account of the birth of the duke of Burgundy, should -be divided into portions amongst a certain number of young women, to be -married in the capital. It was then intended that the same orders should -be sent into the provinces. The population of Paris is but the sixteenth -part of that of the whole monarchy; so that, if all the other parts of -France had followed the same example set them by the metropolis, -population would have been considerably increased in France. - -M. de Belleisle, who made all the calculations, averred that these -marriages would furnish near 20,000 citizens annually to the monarchy: -thus do small things promote great ones, and one single additional turn -in the finances contribute to aggrandize a state. No one suspected that -I had framed this establishment, any more than several others which I -created for the advantage of France, and from which many persons who had -no hand in them, derived honour to themselves; whilst I was reproached -with others that were detrimental to the government, and of which I was -entirely ignorant. - -The sweets of peace began to be relished, when the first sparks of the -torch of war were perceived from a distance. The duke of Mirepoix -complained to the court of London of some grievances with which the -French reproached the English, and the English embassador at Paris -remonstrated against the conduct of the French with respect to the -English. They wanted to make infractions upon the treaty of peace, but -they did not know where to begin. The time for fighting was not yet -come; battles by sea and land, that were to create great revolutions, -were anticipated by preparations on both sides. - -The birth of the duke of Burgundy came in time to divert the occupations -of the court. The disorder in the administration, the difficulty of -finding able ministers, the confusion in the state of the finances, the -misery of the people, the obstinacy of the clergy, the perverseness of -the parliament, and the behaviour of the English, who threatened war in -time of peace; these all united to interrupt the King’s tranquility. He, -however, yielded for some time to the pleasure of seeing his crown -secured to his house. Kings are more sensible of this kind of joy than -is imagined. They fancy, that in their descendants they see their reign -perpetuated; it seems to them as if they did not die, if when they go to -the grave, they have an heir in whose hands they can place the scepter. -The rejoicings of the people, which the King was made acquainted with, -increased his felicity. The Parisians, who make a point of loving their -sovereign, surpassed themselves, in their demonstrations of joy. - -There were great festivals at court. All the foreign ministers strove to -be first in complimenting Lewis XV. who congratulated himself upon this -birth. I never saw him so happy. This was the only period of his life, -whilst I remained at Versailles, that I found him completely joyful: I -also felt at this instant a sensible pleasure, to see the King so happy. -His usual gaiety was much increased, and of longer duration. Our -interviews were more tender, and our conversation more lively and -animated. - -This epocha made me reflect upon the few resources which the human heart -has within itself to be happy. Favourable combinations of nature or -fortune are necessary to draw it from that state of languor, in which it -is almost constantly immersed: and this fatal law must surely be -general, when even kings are not exempt from it. But there is a still -greater misfortune attendant on humanity, which is, that pleasure is -almost constantly counterbalanced by pain. One might say, that in the -human heart there are two equal measures of joy and misery, and in -proportion as the one is emptied the other is filled. - -State affairs, and advices from foreign courts, soon overcast the court -with serious looks, and the King lost his gaiety, and became more -melancholy than ever. - -Every time there was any important post to fill, or any considerable -employment to be given away, the courtiers greatly increased their -complaisance towards me. I had a constant train of solicitors. The -Marquis de St. Contest having entered upon the post of secretary of -state for foreign affairs, the embassy in Holland was vacant. M. de -Bonac was mentioned to me in a favourable manner. I had but very little -knowledge of him; I acquainted myself with his talents for negociation, -and in consequence of the picture that was drawn to me of him, I -interested myself in his favour. I spoke of him to the King, who -appointed him his embassador to the States General. As many courtiers -interceded for the place, I made myself as many enemies as were refused -it. The King’s service and that of the state determined me in favour of -M. de Bonac, who, it was said, had the necessary qualifications to do -honour to his country. - -The Prince of Soubise said, that of all the embassies in Europe, that of -the Seven Provinces was the most difficult, as, in all the other courts, -negociations are carried on with princes of a generous turn of mind, who -often lose sight of their own advantages; whereas in Holland, the -minister treats with merchants, who have their interest constantly in -view. He added, that Holland is so situated, that in the wars between -France and England, it may derive advantages from the one, and -contribute to the other. Wherefore those who treat with the Dutch should -have a great share of address, to make them declare when their succours -are necessary; and they should have great abilities to keep them in an -exact neutrality, when their arms may be prejudicial, &c. - -I do not know whether M. de Bonac possessed all these qualities; for -every thing is disguised at court, and people are not known till such -time as they have been tried, and it is then too late to form a judgment -that can be advantageous. M. de Bonac was an officer; this circumstance -alone made me for some time hesitate upon the choice I proposed making. -I never had any great faith in negociations carried on by military men. -They are a kind of people that seldom have a turn of mind, and that -pliant disposition necessary to succeed at foreign courts: but this is -the age of warlike ministers. Lewis XV. has employed no others during -his whole reign: and this, perhaps, is one of the reasons, why our -affairs at foreign courts have not succeeded so well as we might have -expected. - -Those churchmen who make vows of poverty, but who are more covetous of -riches than laymen, were also very assiduous in paying their court to -me. The number of these that attended me, increased in proportion as -abbeys and bishopricks became vacant. - -There were many candidates for the abbey of Auchin, but the King -disposed of it in favour of Cardinal York, brother to the Pretender, who -by enjoying this benefice, with the possession of several others, was -richer than the real possessor of the duchy of York. This opulence, -which in England the King’s sons and brothers do not enjoy, made a -courtier say upon this occasion, that it was very lucky for Cardinal -York, that the house of Stuart had been dispossessed of the throne of -Great-Britain; for without this accident, he would have been only a poor -English citizen, instead of a rich Roman prince. - -People, however, complained of the King’s not having given this benefice -to a Frenchman, who would have expended the revenue of it in the -kingdom, instead of its being carried into Italy, which was now the -case by this nomination. But those who reason in this manner did not -know that kings who waged war against reigning families, gave alms to -those families whose reign was expired. Moreover France had obligations -to this unfortunate house. In the wars which France carried on, the -Pretender was brought upon the carpet, and sent off, in the same manner -as an actor is upon the stage. - -In politics, those who perform a part must be paid; and I believe I have -said in another place, that France never seriously thought of placing -the Pretender on the throne of England. - -M. de Machault, keeper of the seals and comptroller general, who -laboured to re-establish the finances, succeeded therein but slowly. The -King, who had an estimate of the national debts laid before him every -month, found them always in the same situation. The financiers -engrossed all the money of the state, which made M. de Machault say to -the King, _Sire, I see but one method of bringing the money back into -the treasury, which is to tax hôtel des fermes, or office of the farms_. - -This proposal of the minister agreed perfectly well with an anonymous -memorial, which was dedicated to me at Versailles, and which I had read -to the King: it was conceived in these terms. - -“The actual riches of the state consist of about eleven hundred millions -of specie. This sum, in order to animate the whole body politic, should -every where circulate geometrically. But this proportion is far from -being settled in France, where it may be demonstratively proved, that -two hundred individuals possess half the coin of the kingdom. These -individuals are the financiers: their cash is that of the state: it -contains the fortunes of all the citizens. Riches are daily buried in -their coffers, as in a gulf. The crown, by yielding to a company the -duties upon the entry of goods, never intended to subscribe to the ruin -of the state. It granted the power of collecting those imposts to -clerks, who by their activity and industry ought to enrich the state, -and not impoverish it. This was the institution of farms; and inasmuch -as they have swerved from this plan, they are become a monopoly of the -company. The King has a right to reform abuses; and every contract that -includes a grievance is of itself void. - -“It is not proposed to correct past errors, but to remove present evils. -If an attempt is never made, success cannot be expected. In dangerous -disorders violent remedies are necessary. There is but one method of -restoring the course of general circulation, which the monopoly of the -company has interrupted. This is the establishment of an ardent chamber, -wherein the financiers should give an account of their management of the -farms, and which should enquire into the title whereby they are in -possession of such immense riches, in order to transfer them for the -benefit of the crown, as soon as the grievance and the monopoly shall be -ascertained. - -“To prevent the outcries of avarice, and the sordid love of pelf, -against this regulation, two incontestible principles must previously be -laid down. - -“1. That the great profits of royal companies, when excessive, no longer -bear that name, but come under the denomination of monopolies, being -contrary to the intentions of the prince, who neither could nor would -divest himself of great advantages upon any consideration whatever. - -“2. That a King is always a minor, in regard to any grievance in the -general finances: and that he is authorized by all the fundamental laws -to annul a contract that is pernicious to the state and his people. - -“That to proceed legally against the financiers, the ardent chamber -should nominate commissaries to examine the books of the -farmers-general. After having made an abstract thereof, they should -report the monopolies used to accumulate these great riches, of which -the company is possessed. - -“From thence they should have recourse to the annual sub-divisions, in -order to pursue the necessary clue, and ascertain the real state of -their accounts. - -“This operation being compleated, all the farmers-general should be -summoned, one after another, before the tribunal of the ardent chamber, -to give an account of the sum which they must have appropriated to -themselves, according to the intelligence obtained. - -“They should be directed to restore it all, except six per cent. which -should be granted them as interest for their advanced money. - -“In case of disobedience, they should be confined and kept in prison, -until they had made entire restitution of the whole sum, without -deducting any interest. - -“The chief clerks, such as directors, registers, comptrollers, &c. -should be subpœned before the ardent chamber, and obliged to make -restitution, in the same manner as the farmers-general. - -“None should be exempted, but such only as received nothing but wages of -the company, &c. &c. - -“According to a calculation made hereupon, 300,000,000, will return into -the royal treasury, without imposing any tax upon the people. - -“The establishing of an ardent chamber to compel the farmers to produce -their accounts, is not (according to this memorial) an infraction of the -rights of the people, nor a breach of civil liberty. Fouquet, -intendant-general of the finances, in the former reign, was by a private -commission adjudged to be divested of those immense sums, which he had -accumulated by monopolies,” &c. &c. - -This memorial was not put in execution, any more than the greater part -of those plans which have since appeared for the re-establishment of the -finances. Much has been said in France of demolishing the farmers -general; but when this scheme is to be executed no one dare assist, -because those people have a great deal of money, and every body stands -in need of them. I one day asked Marshal Saxe, who was very intimate -with La Poupeliniere, what engaging qualities this farmer-general -possessed, that could so much attract the Marshal. _Madam_, said he, _he -has one that to me is excellent; for when I have occasion for a hundred -thousand livres, I find them in his coffer; whereas when I apply to the -comptroller-general, he constantly tells me he has no money_. - -A prince of the blood said, that these people were beneficial, for the -very reason that they appeared pernicious: for that since they were -appointed, it is known where the riches of the state lie, whereas before -no one knew where they were deposited. - -The farmers-general got information of the memorial drawn up against the -company, and another was penned to refute it. But this consisted of -nothing but mere words. It chiefly displayed the utility of the company, -who could instantaneously furnish considerable sums to the government in -pressing exigencies: but the memorial took no notice that this money -belonged to the state, and that the farmers are nothing more than agents -to advance it, the money being raised upon the people. - -M. de Belleisle, who read this answer, said to me, “These people, among -whom there are many persons of sense, are so prejudiced in favour of -their interest, that they are always extravagant when they are upon the -subject of the finances. There is a capital error in the contract of the -farms, which is, that it puts too much money into the pockets of a few -individuals.” - -I have often at Versailles met with advocates who pleaded the cause of -the farmers-general: but I never met with any judges that were -favourable to them. - -In the midst of domestic affairs, which occupied the administration and -afflicted the King, a thousand different people eagerly endeavoured to -present memorials to me for promoting arts, and increasing -manufactures. I was unacquainted with the particulars upon which they -turned; I desired the minister, who was sometimes busy with the King, to -acquaint me with the advantages which the state derived from the -prodigious number of manufactures established in France. - -“This, madam, (said this statesman) is a matter that would take great -time to impart to you: it would be necessary to recur to the age of -Lewis XIV. in which he made many alterations in France, and who was -called Great, because he struck home great strokes. - -“This Prince, who possessed every kind of ambition, was not devoid of -that of multiplying manufactures. Colbert his minister completely backed -his designs; he passed his life in establishing trades as well as -increasing arts; and as he had occasion for a great number of workmen to -accomplish his design, he sent for five hundred thousand husbandmen -from the country to promote the industry of cities. From that time such -lands as were in want of hands remained uncultivated. This minister did -not consider, that to increase the form he should multiply the matter. -This the King over-looked also. Lewis XIV. was entirely taken up with -the thirst of dominion, and this passion favoured those of all his -ministers, who were desirous of sharing this ambition with him. - -“The kingdom was filled with handicraftsmen; great luxury, the necessary -consequence, took place, and from that time France, whose happy climate -should make it superior, in point of riches, to all the other states of -Europe, was impoverished. - -“Nevertheless, the minister, who has since followed the plan of M. -Colbert, has continued multiplying the arts, at the expence of the -produce of agriculture. - -“This policy is supported by a reason, which is, that this industry lays -all the states of Europe under contribution; but France does not see -that she begins by taxing herself, in diminishing the produce of her -first substance: a disadvantage that immediately affects the power of -the state, as it stops the progress of population.” - -M. de Belleisle was not of this opinion: he imagined that industry could -supply every thing, even the deficiencies of production; for according -to him the riches of a state depend upon its circulation; and he said -that arts made money circulate better than agriculture: but he was -mistaken. Eminent œconomists have since demonstrated to me that the -productions of the earth create real riches, whereas those formed by -industry are only fictitious. Be this as it may, I determined to -protect arts, and in order to encourage manufactures, I furnished the -necessary funds to bring some into esteem. - -Though the King’s habitual disposition to visit me, made all France -consider this inclination as his determined taste; the women constantly -preserved a secret desire of supplanting me in the heart of this Prince. -Lewis XV. always met with some in ambuscade. He could not go up or down -stairs in his way to his own apartment, without meeting a beauty. The -women of Paris, who are seldom in love with any thing but the opera or -the play house, became enamoured with Versailles. They visited this -place pretty regularly. - -The custom which Lewis XIV. established of being applied to in person, -when any favour was to be asked at court, and which was almost abolished -since the death of this Prince, now revived. Many fair suiteresses -addressed themselves to Lewis XV. Their eyes petitioned more than their -memorials. Lewis yielded to their solicitations, and often gave them -what they asked. He acquainted me with all these accidental intrigues, -and this confidence enabled me to support them. I should have considered -my influence as in its wane, if he had concealed them from me. I have -said in another place, that unable to fix the constitution of this -Prince, I was compelled to give him up to his inclination. His -infidelity did not diminish the ascendency I had over him. I reigned at -Versailles, in the midst of those very causes which ought to have -subdued my empire. By a contradiction inherent in the human heart, his -inconstancy made him constant to me. Remorse drove him fresh to my arms, -which he only quitted to yield again to love and repentance. - -What secured him to me, was, that of all the women, whom I knew he saw, -there was not one, who was possessed of such qualities as were necessary -to wrest him from me. Most of them had beauty; but they were wanting in -those mental engagements, without which the charms of the face are of no -effect. They all wanted to rule at court, to dispose of the first -employments in the state, to acquire the Prince’s favour; and the only -means they used to obtain those ends, was to prostitute themselves to -him; which was an infallible method of not succeeding. - -A new object drew the attention of the court. This was to secure the -tranquility of Italy--a boisterous country, where the first clouds of -war always gather. All the treaties which have been concluded between -sovereigns since Charlemain, could never give it stability, because it -is the most happy continent upon earth, and the most feeble country in -Europe. - -Marshal Saxe said before he died, that if France could give a permanent -peace to Italy, her population would become more flourishing. This -general had demonstrated, that for two centuries more Frenchmen had -perished in Italy, than all the other wars had carried off in the rest -of Europe. - -I have since been told by another general, that the soldiers do not fall -there by cannon. They perish there by heat and voluptuousness; enemies -by far more dangerous than the indefatigable labours of the North. - -Lewis XV. found an advantage in this plan of pacification. He thereby -secured the Dukes of Savoy, ever ready to introduce German troops into -Italy, and to make incursions themselves into Dauphiny, upon the first -misunderstanding that takes place in Europe. Naples, Parma, and -Placentia, under the government of princes of the house of Bourbon, -would have enjoyed a lasting tranquility, but this negotiation produced -no effect. - -Marshal Belleisle said to the King upon opening the conferences: “Sire, -we may enter upon the plan of giving a lasting peace to Italy; but I -apprise your Majesty, that the negociation will not terminate but at the -end of the world.” - -The Prince of Conti said upon this occasion, “That if a king of France -were willing to prevent a war in Italy, the Italians would oppose him. -This country, which with regard to money, is of itself poor, stands in -need of foreign armies, whose military chests may supply their want of -cash.” The same thing has been said of Germany. - -The King received a state of his naval force, according to which it -consisted of fifty ships of the line and twenty frigates. I remember -that a sensible man then said, that we had a navy, and wanted nothing -but sailors--that is to say, we had half the necessary ingredients for -forming a fleet. It was to procure this other half, which proved so -useless some time after to France, that M. Rouillé was so assiduous. - -The Count of Maurepas said, in his distant exile, “I know my -successor--he will do so much, that he will at last destroy the French -marine.” - -Those who decide at court the fate of the administrations of important -departments, imagine that the province of the marine does not depend -upon the minister who is at the head of it; that there are primary -causes which counteract its progress. They are of opinion that France is -formed to direct affairs by land; and England those that relate to the -sea. - -A statesman told me, nevertheless, one day at Versailles, that it was -not impossible for France to have a marine; but to do this the system of -the state must be changed, and the monarchy entirely subverted. - -The minister assured Lewis XV. that besides this fleet, there was -another upon the stocks, ready to be launched and put to sea. - -The people, who ought always to be imposed upon by preparations, were -satisfied with what was doing in the marine; but politicians and those -who calculated the resources of England were dissatisfied. - -At the time that we were endeavouring at the means of navigation, a -projector presented a scheme to the King, for rendering France -navigable. The object was the junction of two seas, by the means of two -rivers. This man at first applied to me, and I sent him to M. Belleisle, -who thought this project of great utility to the state. But several -politicians were of a different opinion. They said that this junction -would lessen the navigation, which should on the contrary be encreased. -The English were quoted, who might easily shorten the course of their -sea voyages, and who endeavoured to prolong them. But what may be -judicious in this respect for Great Britain, might be very impolitic for -France. - -I mention these particular transactions, because they fell immediately -under my notice, and the King did me the honour to consult me upon them. -I shall pass over in silence such schemes as were offered to the -administration during my residence at court, and which did not take -place. - -When the King acquainted me with the death of the duke of Orleans, who -died the fourth of July 1752, he seemed greatly affected at it. Sudden -deaths made a great impression upon Lewis XV. Philip of Orleans finished -his career at that age when most men begin theirs. This prince was a -striking example of the contrast there often is in the characters of a -father and a son. - -This Prince had nothing of the Regent’s disposition. He had passed his -time in praying and bestowing alms. Each day of his life was -distinguished by some christian act. Brought up in the center of -pleasures, he shunned them at an age when the passions strongly plead -for gratification, and when it is very difficult to resist their -intreaties. - -The curate of St. Sulpice said, that if he had been Pope, he would have -canonized the Duke of Orleans, had he possessed no other virtue than -having resisted the example of the royal palace. We well knew that the -Regent’s house was not the model for christian virtues. The Cardinal du -Bois, who ridiculed men, politics and religion, made it the residence of -vice and debauchery. - -But the Duke of Orleans, who is the subject of our present -consideration, possessed none but those virtues which do honour in -heaven, and not those which characterize great princes upon earth. His -house, which he had divested of all regal magnificence, resembled a -convent, of which he was the superior. He supported by charity an -infinite number of people, who having no other care than that of -receiving it, lived in idleness and effeminacy. His bigotry had made him -retire from public affairs, and induced him to let the state take care -of itself, at a time that it stood in the most need of assistance. - -It is well known that the Princes of the blood who have a watchful eye -over the government, keep the ministers in awe, and prevent their being -guilty of malversation. Such is the fate of the French monarchy, that -the great in France either give themselves up to debauchery, or turn -hermits. - -The death of Madame Henriette, which succeeded that of the Duke of -Orleans, filled the court with mourning, and the King’s heart with -sorrow. This Princess was endued with those qualities which endear the -great: naturally gentle and affable, she was beloved by all that -approached her. A good heart, and a compassionate sympathetic soul, -formed her general character; the Parisians did not sufficiently lament -her loss: they have no affection but for their Kings; they have none -remaining for the royal family. - -A foreigner, who was acquainted with the genius of our nation, said to -me; “If France were deprived of the Dauphin, before he mounted the -throne, no one would regret his loss; but that if he died six months -after having wore the crown, all the world would weep for him. He added, -that it was not the loss of the person, but the name of King that was -regretted in France.” - -By the death of Madame Henriette, I discovered in Lewis XV. the -qualities of a good father. Tears streamed from his eyes, and his -melancholy surpassed his usual hypocondriac disposition. I exerted all -my abilities to asswage his grief: but he paid all the rights that -nature could extort, before they took effect. - -Literature once more disturbed the King and the court. The council was -informed that a large work was printing at Paris, under the title of the -Encyclopedia. This was a rhapsody compiled from all the dictionaries -extant, to which was added, by the compilers, reflexions of a suspicious -tendency on religion and politics. This heap of reasoning conveyed no -instruction how to think, but only taught how to doubt. A man of letters -said to me at that time, the Encyclopedia could only increase the -number of ignoramus’s, and warp the minds of men of learning. - -Such writings as tended to support materialism, made an impression at -court, and this production was ranked in this predicament. The King -commanded the two first volumes of this production to be suppressed. The -same arret which prohibited them, condemned the publishers of them to -pay a considerable fine. - -This suppression gave birth to an anonymous memorial upon this subject, -which appeared to me very sensible, and which was conceived in these -terms. - -“The government has established a tribunal to examine the productions of -the mind. It consists of a minister and twenty-four royal censors, whose -sole employment is to revise manuscripts destined for the press. - -“A book that is submitted to the examination of this tribunal, is under -the protection of the government. The author has done all that the laws -required of him. He is not answerable for the effects that the -publication of his book may produce. This literary minister should be -its voucher, and liable to such penalties as the author would incur, if -he had printed it in a clandestine manner. It nevertheless, daily -happens, that a book meets with the approbation of this tribunal, and is -often censured by the government. The writer is prosecuted--he is -punished in such a manner, as if it had been concealed from this -jurisdiction. The parliament takes cognizance of it, the book is burnt, -and the author sent to the Bastile. What could be done more, if he had -acted in defiance of the ordonnances made upon this subject? - -“There is an error in literary jurisdiction, which will always occasion -grievances and divisions in the republic of letters. The minister who -presides at this tribunal, has neither the capacity nor leisure to -peruse all the MSS. that are presented for the press: they are put into -the hands of censors, who have neither more time nor more genius than -himself. - -“They are frequently upon abstracted subjects, and above the capacity of -both--then the censors read them without comprehending them, and sign -them without understanding them. Their approbation being thus obtained, -the work is accordingly printed, the book appears, and the prosecution -begins just where it should end. - -“The inconvenience that resulted from it would be of no great -importance, if the sentence pronounced against the author put an end to -the dispute; but it almost constantly happens, that the public interest -themselves in the contest. The erroneous maxims it contains are -credited; the more they are condemned, the more the book comes into -vogue. Its suppression is of no effect, the editions increase in -proportion as they are prohibited: for it is only necessary to censure a -book in order to raise its reputation. Many works that would have been -despised had they passed unnoticed, have acquired importance from the -government’s condemning them. - -“Hence those various divisions that have immersed the state into greater -misfortunes than have been produced by civil wars. - -“Instead of chastising the author that has written a dangerous book, the -minister who allowed it to be printed, should be punished. The first -submitted his performance to the established police for preventing the -publication of dangerous works, and the other published it. The first -only injured himself, the other injured the state,” &c. &c. - -The King had this memorial examined, the reasoning it contained was -thought to be just; but it only met with approbation, like an infinite -number of others upon the different branches of the administration, the -utility of which is acknowledged, but they are, notwithstanding, never -executed. - -I have observed during my residence at Versailles, that the schemes -which succeed are not those that are the most advantageous, but those -which are the best recommended. - -I have since learned from a man of great discernment, that “so much -rigour on the part of the government with respect to literary -productions, would be attended with many inconveniences; that printing -in France is become a very extensive manufacture, which promotes an -infinite number of others dependent on it, and which excite industry; -that it comprehends a very important branch of trade, the suppression -whereof would greatly cramp circulation; that by diminishing this -profession, many others must be abolished, that tend to form the -library: that France would be thereby a great sufferer, and neighbouring -states reap advantages from it; that Holland, in particular, covetous of -all industrious vocations, would seize upon this. - -“He added, that Cardinal Fleury having suppressed the printing of -romances in France, the United Provinces availed themselves of this -prohibition, to encrease their workmen. The number of their presses was -greatly augmented, and the kingdom overflowed with these very prohibited -romances; so that by this suppression, the state lost its industry -without abolishing romances.” - -Though the King constantly visited me, he conversed with other women. -But his visits to them were, as has been already said, merely casual. -These women, who had neither taste nor delicacy, were gratified with -those moments that he could bestow upon them, and thought themselves -happy to pass a few hours by stealth with this Prince. They had no -regular plan, except two or three, who formed the design of supplanting -me, and seizing upon the King’s favour. The pleasure of having the King -for a lover sufficed them. This idea, which occupied all the powers of -their soul, left no room for ambition; so that they were not very -dangerous rivals. I knew the King’s temper; enjoyment always disgusted -him. The act of gratification was followed by contempt: this is what -every woman must expect, who has no other attractions for men than mere -personal possession. - -The disputes of the clergy, which were renewed, notwithstanding the -assiduity of the court to suppress them, kept the state in a constant -ferment. All the prelates who disturbed the court, owed their fortune to -the King; and this the more afflicted him. Lewis XV. has often said to -me, that of all vices ingratitude the most shocked him. - -It happened in this dispute, as it does in most others, that it was not -confined to the first object. The original point in debate was, a sum -demanded of the clergy, to supply the exigencies of the state: the -minister carried his views farther; he reflected upon the disorders -occasioned by this body to the finances of the state; a calculation was -made that a very considerable sum went out of the kingdom every age for -purchasing of bulls, and that this treasure of the political -government, which was sent into Italy, never returned back to France: -that Rome, to whom we paid large sums, granted nothing in return but -indulgences. The means of withdrawing from this spiritual dominion, -which ruined the temporal state, came next under consideration. But -after every thing was thoroughly examined, supputed, and calculated, -things were left just in the same situation as they were found. - -The Chevalier de Belleisle formerly told me, “that the process between -the court of Rome and that of Versailles had continued for several ages, -and that it would not be terminated till such time as a King of France -arose equally enterprising with Henry VIII. of England. He added, that -the ministry had hit upon the wrong object of power to destroy; that we -had wrested the sword of excommunication from Rome, but that we had -left her in full power to fleece the state; and that we had better let -ourselves be excommunicated than reduced to poverty.” - -The general body of the clergy incessantly engaged the attention of the -court: one of their members disturbed a-new the King’s repose, and -troubled the state. The archbishop of Paris forbad the administration of -the sacraments to a certain abbé, who was ill and desired it. The sick -abbé was required to name his confessor, and as he was known to be a -Jansenist, he was asked to accept of the constitution. I have already -mentioned this constitution, and the disputes it occasioned in the -government. The abbé obstinately refused accepting of it, and the -archbishop resolved that the sacraments should not be administered to -him. - -Lewis XV. was informed of this debate, the example whereof might be -productive of a schism in the kingdom. I was witness to his grief; his -uneasiness arose from his affection. He loved his subjects, and he was -chagrined to see that the disputes of schools should deprive them of the -only remaining consolation upon their death-beds. The Princes of the -house of Bourbon have always acted more reasonably in religious than in -political matters. - -The bull Unigenitus put Lewis XIV. to death; some old courtiers have, at -least, assured me, that father Le Tellier shortened his days by dint of -talking to him of the constitution. The refusal of the sacraments was -cognizable by the general police; so that this schism in the spiritual -government was attended with a double inconvenience, as it might produce -one in the political state. - -The parliament of Paris, who seize upon every occasion to reform abuses, -and let none escape that may extend their prerogatives; summoned the -curate, who had been guilty of no other crime than that of obeying his -bishop. A penalty was inflicted on him which the prelate should have -been mulcted, and he was forbid relapsing on pain of losing his -temporalities. The chief point was to know whether the curate should -obey the parliament or his bishop. The case would not have been -difficult to determine, if the clergy had been appointed judges, or if -the government had been to decide: but the question was who was the -competent judge in this case? If the church were permitted to decide the -affair, this would be infringing upon temporal rights; and by allowing -the parliament this prerogative, spiritual privileges would thereby be -usurped. There was a third inconvenience still greater, which was, that -the King himself, according to the opinion of the clergy, was incapable -of appointing judges. - -In this sort of disputes, a national council should be convened; this -council is never held, and the disorder always continues. The King -commanded the parliament not to interfere in the matter, and the -parliament determined that they ought to interfere therein. Louis XV. -had displayed sufficient resolution in the last misunderstanding about -the administration of the hospital; but this body always forget that -they yielded, that they may remember to be stedfast. The King undertook -to have the sacraments administered to the sick man; but this method had -its inconveniences, for it was necessary to command priests, and they -obeyed none but their bishops. - -The parliament would have thought that they had given up their rights, -if, upon this occasion, they had not opposed the will of their -sovereign. They commanded by arret the curates, whom Louis XV. only -wanted to engage to fulfil their duty. Without this decree the affair -would have been immediately stifled, whereas many other priests were -hereby disposed to refuse the administration of the sacraments. - -I have often heard it said at Versailles, “that the body of the -parliament, by reason of their desire to reform abuses, are the source -of a great number of abuses.” A prince of the blood was of opinion, that -the parliament should be abolished, if it were only to prevent that -spirit of contention and obstinacy which they disperse in the kingdom. -But those who are esteemed sagacious judges of things, pretend that this -same spirit of opposition to the will of the court, is the bulwark of -the state. - -A councilor of the great chamber said one day in my hearing, to a -courtier who was highly complaining of the reiterated remonstrances made -to the King, _Perhaps, Sir, we may be mistaken in the form; but we -cannot err with respect to the object, as we constantly plead for the -prerogatives of the nation, and the happiness of the people_. - -The president de Maupeou said to me one day, upon returning from an -audience he had with the King, when he met with a very disagreeable -reception, “You must allow, Madam, that there is a particular fatality -annexed to our situation; we are always scolded without obtaining -justice. Nevertheless, if things were thoroughly examined with care, it -would appear that we have no interest in view by making continual -representations to our Prince, and being compelled to say disagreeable -things to him. If we did not interest ourselves so much as we do for the -good of the people, we must substitute flattery for truth, and should be -benefited by the smiles of the court; whereas we now meet with nothing -but refusals from it.” In another of these visits, when this same -president did not meet with a more favourable reception, he added, in -speaking of the counsellors of state, “It is surprising, that men of -understanding do not see through the uprightness of our intentions; and -that prejudice, which we thought only actuated the populace, falls to -the lot of those who surround the throne.” - -Be this as it may, these people displeased me, because they put the King -into a bad humour, and every time they repaired to Versailles, to make -representations to him, Lewis XV. was more serious than usual. - -The affair of the bills of confession was attended with consequences. -The members of parliament had hitherto spoke as orators; upon this -occasion they spoke in the stile of preachers. Their remonstrance to the -King resembled a sermon. The pope’s doctrine, dogmas, and faith, were -called in question. When a body of people quit their proper sphere, they -expose themselves to raillery. A pleasant courtier said to the -King,--“Sire, we may now attend a homily in the great chamber; the -members of your parliament know how to make sermons.” - -These representations made to Lewis XV. having been printed, every one -was desirous of being possessed of them: but there was not a sufficient -number for every body. The discourses of these new missionaries were -sold at a dearer rate than Bourdaloue’s sermons, and were more in vogue. -I shall insert them here, lest this learned production should be lost to -posterity. - -SIRE, - - “Never did so important an affair lead your parliament to the foot - of your throne. The religion, the state, the rights of your crown - are equally threatened. A fatal schism has burst forth, less to be - dreaded from the blaze of division it kindles amongst your - subjects, and the shock it gives to the fundamental laws of the - monarchy, than from the prejudice it does to religion. - - “Your majesty, struck with the disorders occasioned by the disputes - daily renewed on account of the bull Unigenitus, has at all times - been sensible, and particularly in 1731, of the necessity of - suppressing a division so dangerous, and so contrary to the common - good of the state and of religion. - - “We shall make use of the same terms in which your majesty then - expressed yourself, in declaring your will. You forbad, in the most - express manner any of your subjects, of what state or condition - soever, to do or write any thing tending to support the disputes - that had arisen in regard to this constitution, or to create new - ones. You forbad them to attack or provoke one another, by the - injurious terms of _innovators_, _heretics_, _schismatics_, - _Jansenists_, _Semi-pelagians_, or any other party names, as any - such delinquents would be treated as rebels disobedient to your - orders, and seditious perturbators of the public tranquility. In a - word, you enjoined all the archbishops and bishops to watch each in - his particular diocese, that peace and tranquility were charitably - and inviolably observed, and that these disputes were no more - renewed. - - “It were to have been wished, that such sagacious orders had been - followed by the most rigorous execution; and that you had armed - your avenging hand against such ecclesiastics as dared contemn your - Majesty, and withdraw from the obedience that was due to you! But - this they have dared, and the attempt has remained unpunished: - their passionate zeal has no longer known any bounds; they have - declared those who were not of their opinion rebels to the church, - and as such unworthy of partaking of its benefits, and they have - inhumanly refused them the sacraments at the point of death. These - abuses have been daily increased--and how much has not religion - suffered by them? - - “Impiety has availed itself of disquisitions that prevailed amongst - the ministers of religion, to attack religion itself. - - “The uncertainty that was introduced with regard to the foundation - of the legitimacy of faith, hath been the means employed by impiety - to insinuate into people’s minds its mortal poison. What advantage - hath it not derived from the melancholy circumstances wherein we - saw the holy fathers, who had passed their lives in exercising the - laborious functions of the ministry to which they were - consecrated? enlightened doctors, still more recommendable for - their piety than their understanding: pious maidens, who, in their - recluse retreat entirely engaged with God and their salvation, - passed their time in the most austere works of repentance, treated - like refractory members of the church, deprived with ignominy of - the benefits it dispensed to its children, without its being known - what truths decided by the church, these children refused to - believe, or what errors prescribed by it, they refused to condemn! - - “The ostentatious philosopher, who foolishly jealous of the - divinity itself, sees with regret the homage that is paid to him, - judged this to be the favourable moment for producing his monstrous - system of incredulities. - - “This system promulgated abroad, has unhappily made but too rapid - a progress. A torrent of writings, infected with these detestable - errors, rushed forth; and to complete the misfortune, they have - insensibly crept into those schools defined to form proper - defenders of faith and religion. Strange calamity for a most - christian King! Error gains ground, and is not removed; the - principal ministers of religion are employed only in exacting the - acceptance of a decree, which offering nothing certain, alarms - timid consciences by the consequences that may be drawn from it - against the salutary doctrine, and whilst they with the greatest - rigour prosecute those, who, by at least a pardonable, if not a - well grounded scruple, refuse subscribing to it; they neglect what - is essential, and let religion be shaken to its very foundation. - - “The impious become more resolute, and audacity is carried to its - greatest height; and it was reserved for us to be eye-witnesses of - a public thesis being maintained without opposition, in the first - university of the christian world, whereby all the false principles - of incredulity are systematically established[A]. - - “Your parliament, Sire, who by the authority you have conferred - upon them, should principally attend to whatever regards the - religion of the state, are moved at the sight of so scandalous a - proceeding. They have summoned the agents of the university. The - attention of the magistrates has called the faculty back to their - duty, has awakened the zeal of the pastors; and soon after appeared - the censures of the Thesis, accompanied with the most dishonourable - sentence, with which he, who had the audacity to maintain it, was - branded[B]. - - “Such are the wounds that the growing schism has from its birth - given to religion. What may we not fear it has to suffer in the - sequel; and can we view it without being penetrated with - affliction? With some it will be totally destroyed, and if others - preserve it, the spirit will be entirely lost. - - “Hatred, animosity, and persecution, seize upon their hearts; those - divine characters of union and charity, which distinguish the - catholic church, are no longer to be known; and religion will be - almost universally destroyed, either in the mind, or in the heart. - - “But, Sire, if your parliament owe their first attention to the - interest of religion, they are equally engaged by the fidelity - they have sworn to you, to guard the preservation of those great - maxims which constitute the essence of your sovereignty. - - “And how could they avoid opposing with all their might, the - progress of a scheme framed by some ministers of the church, to - erect the constitution _Unigenitus, as a rule of faith_. This - enterprize, inasmuch as it is prejudicial to religion, is contrary - to the principles of public right, upon which the independency of - your authority is founded. When this bull came into France, your - parliament acquainted Lewis XIV. with all the danger of the - condemnation which was therein pronounced against the proposition - that relates to the matter of excommunication. - - “_Hence will follow_, we told him, _that unjust excommunications, - that even the menaces of an unjust censure, may suspend the - accomplishment of the most essential and indispensible duties: and - what might be the consequence? The liberties of the Gallican - church, the maxims adopted by the kingdom upon the authority of - kings, upon the independency of their crown, upon the fidelity that - is due to them from their subjects, might be annihilated, or at - least suspended in the minds of the people, solely by the - impression made on them by a menace of excommunication, though - unjust_. - - “Lewis XIV. was sensible of the importance of these reflections. - The bull was not received but with such modifications, as are not - so much modifications as an absolute assertion of the condemned - proposition. - - “These wise precautions, the ramparts of our liberty, judged - necessary by the late King, confirmed by your Majesty upon every - occasion, carefully repeated in the declarations you made to - establish the authority of the bull, conformable to the sentiments - of the bishops, who gave their explanations in 1744, and - corroborated by the formal decision of the Sorbonne, as they - solemnly declared it verbally, by their Syndic in 1732; how are - these to be reconciled with the eminent character that is now - wanted to be given this bull, in erecting it into _a rule of - faith_? - - “Dogmas of faith are not susceptible of modification; so that - giving to the bull the qualifications or effects of a _rule of - faith_, and exacting its pure and simple acceptance upon this - foundation, is by a necessary consequence destroying the - modifications which have been opposed to it, subverting the great - principle of your absolute independence of all other power - whatever; it is endeavouring to obtain the acknowledgment of an - authority, capable of annihilating or suspending the rights of - your sovereign authority. - - “Your Majesty, convinced of this truth, however favourably you may - have expressed yourself upon the bull, has never allowed it to be - denominated _a rule of faith_. All those writings which have - appeared, wherein it has been endeavoured to represent it in that - light, have been proscribed by judgments which you yourself have - given: and when your parliament represented to you in 1733, their - uneasiness at the conduct of some ecclesiastics, in various - dioceses, who appeared to give this character to the bull; your - Majesty reproached them for having foreseen that it could happen, - that the spiritual authority should desire to erect into a dogma of - faith, propositions contrary to the inviolable maxims of France. - - “Your Majesty told us that such an undertaking would not revolt - less against the church of your kingdom, than against the - magistrates; and that we might have been in security by the - precautions which the bishops took in 1714, for the preservation of - maxims, with regard to the ninety-first condemned proposition. - - “But, Sire, of what signification are these precautions taken by - some bishops of your kingdom, if the others do not adhere to them, - if they exact the pure and simple acceptation of the bull, if they - look upon those as out of the pale of the church who do not declare - their submission to it, without any restriction or reserve, and if - they pretend to exclude them upon this foundation from the - participation of all sacraments? - - “There are few amongst them, it is true, who have openly declared - themselves, by saying, that the constitution is _a rule of faith_; - but by giving it the effects of _a rule of faith_, is not that - saying that it is a _rule of faith_? In matters of doctrine, none - but those who err in a point of faith, can be excluded the - participation of the sacraments of the church; therefore a refusal - of the sacraments to whosoever does not submit to the constitution, - is making the constitution a rule of faith. - - “The condemnation that the constitution has pronounced against the - ninety-first proposition, is manifestly contrary to the great - maxims of the kingdom, and is absolutely incompatible with the - observance of these maxims. Therefore, when we see the ministers of - the church, when we see the bishops establish the constitution as a - rule of faith, we see that by a fatality, which, Sire, your - goodness could not presume, that they want to erect into dogmas the - faith of opinions, contrary to the most inviolable maxims of - France. - - “They in vain protest their attachment to our liberties. Their - conduct belies the sincerity of their words: Or, if it is really - nothing more than an extravagant zeal for the bull that actuates - them, they teach us how dangerous it is for them to decide - arbitrarily in causes that may exclude the participation of the - sacraments. Their pretended zeal becomes a passion that blinds - them; prejudice shuts their eyes to the consequences of their - conduct. Add to this, that if this tyranny were once introduced, we - should soon see it by a still greater abuse, if possible, extending - itself over matters entirely foreign to the dogma, and purely - temporal. The point would not then only be what might relate to - conscience; they would make themselves arbiters of the state, and - of the form of the citizens, and would render the admission of the - sacraments just as conditional as they pleased. - - “These are not vain fears that agitate us. We know but too well, - that even in this case, nothing could conquer the obstinacy of an - unjust refusal; and that neither the most respectable birth, nor - the most pure, constant, and exemplary virtue, would be sufficient - titles to claim, at the point of death, these sacred benefits, the - dispensation whereof cannot depend upon human motives, and which by - right belong to the faithful[C]. - - “Your parliament, Sire, strangely surprised at so many abuses, - daily committed before their eyes, have been made still more - strongly sensible of the danger, when having sent a deputation to - the archbishop of Paris, with regard to the fresh refusal of the - sacraments, by the curate of St. Etiénne du Mont; this prelate, - without making any reply, imperiously declared, that this was done - by his orders. What reflections must the mind make at such a - declaration! We shall now suppress them out of respect. - - “It will be sufficient to say, that your parliament have judged it - to be their indispensable duty to act with rigour against this - curate, in order to teach the inferior ministers of the church, - that whatever orders they may have received from their superiors, - they are answerable for putting them in execution, when these - orders tend to disturb the public tranquility, and particularly - when they are liable to foment a schism, the consequences of which - cannot be considered without horror. - - “May we be permitted, Sire, to supplicate you to take into - consideration the remonstrances which your parliament had the - honour of presenting you last year. You will there find it - demonstrated, that the error in the representation of a bill of - confession, which the curate of St. Etiénne du Mont alledged for - the reason of his refusal, cannot be a legal cause for refusing the - _holy viaticum_ to a dying person, and that the exaction of this - bill is only a vague pretence for refusing the sacraments to those - who are suspected of not accepting the constitution. - - “May we be allowed to recal to your memory, the principles - established in the representations which your parliament made - previously to you in 1731, and 1733, upon the first refusal of the - sacraments that came to their knowledge. The _Bull Unigenitus_ is - not a rule of faith. The church alone could give it this supreme - character, and the church has not given it. This bull is even of - such a nature that it cannot be a rule of faith. It offers nothing - certain. The different qualifications it gives to the propositions - which it condemns, and this indetermination, absolutely oppose its - ever being a dogma of faith: These maxims of France, which form the - basis of our liberties, would otherwise soon be destroyed. - - “Will you, then, Sire, permit the torch of schism to be lighted up - in the heart of your kingdom, on account of the acceptance that is - exacted of this bull. There is nothing more menacing to an empire, - than divisions in religious matters: They become still more fatal - when the cause is unjust. Let them not be introduced into your - kingdom, stifle them in their birth, and to that end let your - parliaments act. They alone can restore a calm, by the vigilant - exertion of their institution. A dying person may at every instant - have recourse to the magistrate, to claim the benefits that may be - inhumanly denied him. - - “If you reserve to yourself the care of making provision in this - case, however favourable your intentions may be, the distance of - places, the importance of your occupations, the difficulty of - gaining access to the foot of your throne, will prevent their - effect. - - “Severity will not so effectually suppress the designs that veil - the schism, as dispatch. Its progress is to be dreaded. Preachers - already arise, who endeavour to disturb the people’s minds, and - make our churches echo with their seditious sermons. If the fire - encreases, it is to be feared that the flames will spread to such a - degree, that no authority will be sufficiently powerful to stop - the conflagration. - - “Let us call to mind in the history of past ages, those bills of - association; those extorted declarations in the tribunal of - penance; those scandalous sermons which spread the alarm in - timorous consciences; those bloody wars carried to such an excess, - that shook even this throne. - - “Struck with dread at the sight of these great misfortunes, we - shall not cease, Sire, to rise up against all such proceedings as - tend to schism; and we shall not cease to lay before you their - shocking consequences. To prevent our acting, to stifle our voices, - we must be annihilated. And if by an event which we should consider - ourselves as almost guilty to foresee, it should happen that our - constancy to support the rights of your crown, those of the state - and of religion, we should draw upon ourselves your Majesty’s - disgrace, we should lament without altering our conduct. - - “Incapable of betraying our duty, we should have nothing to offer - you in homage but our tears, till time should convince you how - advantageous it is for you, that your parliament at no period - swerve from the inviolable fidelity they owe to religion, to their - country, and to their King; and that in their archives may be found - the uninterrupted tradition of conduct and maxims, which secure the - tranquility of your kingdom, and the independance of your - sovereignty. - - “Such, Sire, are the most humble and respectful remonstrances which - the counsellors in parliament assembled, have the honour of - presenting to your Majesty. - -“Done in parliament, this -13th of April, 1752. - -“Signed, -“DE MAUPEOU.” - - - - -This fine discourse, written with energy, did not proclaim peace, but -was, on the contrary, a declaration of war, founded in appearance upon -the exigencies of the police, and the tranquility of the state; the -spirit of party was, however, its only dictator: The parliament being -composed almost entirely of Jansenists, wanted to destroy the Molinist -cabal. Each pursued his private prejudices, and no one thought of the -advantage of the state. - -The King, in answer to these representations, declared, that he should -take upon himself to punish such priests as gave offence to the state, -by refusing the sacraments, and forbad the parliament interfering in the -matter: but this court took care not to obey. So far from submitting, -they published an arret, expresly ordering the priests to ask no bills -of confession from the sick people, and to administer the sacraments to -them, without interrogating them in any shape upon the subject. As -ordonnances are generally of greater latitude than they should be, this -body, having become all at once Theologists, availed themselves of this -opportunity to forbid the preachers using certain expressions, and they -specified the terms in which their sermons should be conceived. - -Idle people, who deride every thing, even the most serious affairs, -turned this arret into ridicule. The wits of Paris said that the -parliament had pared the preachers nails in such a manner, that they -could not scratch the Jansenists any more. - -Such sick people as wanted to commune, purchased an arret, which they -presented instead of a bill of confession. The retailers of bon-mots -said, “That the parliament of Paris were going to establish a communion -office at Paris, where the Jansenists might furnish themselves with -each sacrament, at the rate of forty-two sols tournois, for an arret.” - -The court issued another ordonnance in favour of the _Bull Unigenitus_; -but the parliament, without paying attention to it, sent forth decrees -against the priests who refused to administer. The two parties became -inveterate, by their reciprocal obstinacy. - -The Dauphin’s illness, which happened at the height of this dispute, -produced some short truce. This Prince found himself indisposed, as he -retired to his apartment on the first of May, 1752, at night. His -disorder was the smallpox, as was visible from the usual symptoms. He -happily recovered from it; and the King, who was at first alarmed, -testified great joy upon this Prince’s recovery. - -Louis XV. is very fond of his children; and particularly the Dauphin: -never did a father sympathise so much at the vicissitudes of his -family. He pays remarkable attention to all those who belong to him. -Whenever the Queen is the least indisposed, he flies to her apartment, -and never leaves her till she is better. - -All France congratulated him upon the recovery of the presumptive heir -to the crown. Each body of the state demonstrated their joy by some -particular rejoicings, and the people displayed theirs by general -festivity. - -I resolved in turn to testify my satisfaction at this happy event, by an -analogous feast; but I would do nothing without consulting the King. I -imparted to him my design, which he approved of, and my plan, which he -applauded. - -Every one that has heard my name mentioned, knows that I obtained -BELLE-VUE, where I had exhausted the refinements of art to make an -agreeable receptacle for the King. These kinds of feasts must be -allegorical, otherwise they do not express the subject of the rejoicing. - -My decoration represented various dens surrounded with a piece of water, -in the middle of which was seen a luminous dolphin. Several monsters -attacked it, in vomiting flames; but Apollo, who was its protector, -hurled his thunder at them from above, and a large quantity of fireworks -compleated their destruction, as well as that of their residence. The -scene then instantly changed, and became the brilliant palace of the -sun, where the dolphin re-appeared, in all its splendor, by means of a -magnificent illumination, which lasted all night. - -Scarce had the Dauphin recovered from his disorder, before the -parliament and the bishops engaged a-new the attention of the court and -the city. It was the peace that gave sufficient leisure to attend to -these disputes. In time of war, they would have had other objects to -engage their attention than bills of confession. The court would have -despised such an affair; and the parliament would not have allowed it to -be mentioned. - -The obstinacy of the parliament, and the stubbornness of the curates in -refusing the sacraments, increased the King’s melancholy. I endeavoured -to multiply the amusements of his private parties, in order to remove -that state of languor which business had brought upon him. I detained -him with me at night as late as I possibly could, and did not let him -retire, till I had dissipated the clouds of his mind, by every method -that I thought would produce the effect. Music was a great assistant to -me; Rameaux was very useful to me in this respect. The King had a taste -for light airs, and this musician excelled in this kind of composition, -Jelliot executed still better than Rameaux composed. He was unrivalled -in giving life to expression, and grace to sound. I may venture to say, -that this performer, by the gaiety that he spread over the King’s mind, -was often the mediator of the most important affairs of Europe. - -We know that all our resolutions spring from the actual disposition of -the soul. A monarch that refuses every thing when his mind is seized -with a certain melancholy, grants every thing when this vapour is -dissipated. - -This disposition, the usual effect of secondary causes, and which -derives its origin from an harmonious sound, a wink, and most frequently -from the temperature of the air, does not always pursue the rule of -justice. It is unhappy for the people to be governed by mortals subject -to a machine susceptible of every kind of impression. It would be for -the good of mankind if they were governed by angels. I often repeated, -that Lewis XV. was extremely affected by these religious disputes. I -often heard him say, he would prefer being at war with princes rather -than with Theologians, because with those the treaty of peace terminates -the quarrel; whereas with these even the spirit of reconciliation -contributes to encrease it. - -Marshal Saxe formerly said to me, that if he were to have gained an -advantage over the Tartars, he would have given them quarter; but that -if he had conquered an army of Theologians, he would have exterminated -them without mercy. - -A man of wit, and a great politician, was of opinion, that the -universities should be shut up, and their theses forbidden upon pain of -death. He shewed me a manuscript work, whereby he pretended to prove -that all the wars, and all the crimes that had been committed in Europe -since the establishment of christianity, derived their origin from -religious disputes. - -This is easy to believe, he added, if we consider that the spirit of -contention, which springs from dogmas, spreads itself through every -class, and that it is this general spirit that forms the genius of -nations. - -The war relating to the _Constitution_ still continuing, -plenipotentiaries were appointed: these were commissaries, who were to -decide, whether the curates had a right to let the King’s subjects die -without communing. The Bishops said, this was the business of a council; -but the parliament were of opinion, that the Bull Unigenitus was in -subordination to the police of the state. These commissaries assembled -very regularly; but they took care to come to no determination. - -The Prince of Conti, who was always in a passion when this affair was -mentioned before him, said, it should be decided by a court martial. - -To this kind of tragedy some comic scenes were united. A curate who was -compelled to administer to a sick person, said to him in a loud voice, -_I commune you by order of the parliament_. Another expressed himself -thus to a dying man: _It is in consequence of an arret of the great -chamber, that I bring you God Almighty_. - -The body of the clergy, who till now had appeared neuter in the affair, -entered the lists. The bishops asked justice of the King, for the -attempt of the parliament, who interfered in what did not relate to -them; and the reason they assigned was, that only God, the Pope, the -bishops, and the curates, had the right of administering. They pretended -that the great chamber should make reparation to the archbishop of -Paris, for having accused him of favouring a schism. - -The King was very far from granting them what they required, as he could -not obtain of the parliament what he asked of them. Here again it was -necessary to issue arrets, to prevent licentious writings, and order -certain books to be burnt by the hand of the hangman. These were so many -fresh attacks upon the King’s constitution, and what spread an -additional gloom over his temper, already too grave. - -Of all the royal family, the King was the only one who took this matter -to heart. The Queen had accustomed herself to lay all the vicissitudes -of this world at the foot of the crucifix: the King’s daughters would -not allow the _Bull Unigenitus_ to be mentioned: the Dauphin only said -that he could not speak, but that if he were King, he should know what -he had to do; the Princes of the blood despised these disputes; the -courtiers wanted to be meddling, but they knew nothing of the matter. -It was happy for France that old Marshal Belleisle was no Theologian, -for he would have embroiled matters still more. His highest ambition was -to fathom these things; but his age and vocations did not allow him to -signalize himself upon this occasion. He nevertheless, engaged in a -dispute upon predestination, to seem as if he was acquainted with what -he was entirely ignorant of. - -Both parties were very solicitous for my declaring myself openly; but -besides my discovering that they were both head-strong, my happiness -prompted me to wish for the annihilation of the Constitution, as the -King’s repose so much depended on it. - -I proposed to Lewis XV. that he should forbid all his subjects, as well -ecclesiastics as seculars, to pronounce the words _Bull_, _Jansenist_, -or _Molinist_, on pain of being severely punished; and to sentence such -priests as should be convicted of having refused the administration of -the sacraments, to perpetual imprisonment. But the goodness of his heart -would not allow him to exercise any methods that had an air of violence -or despotism. He wanted to be obeyed; but then, only by moderate and -gentle means. - -While it was debated what method to pursue, to terminate these disputes, -a courtier said to the King, “Sire, there is but one resource, which is, -to renew the _Vingtieme_, and examine the ecclesiastical revenues; the -bishops will forget the _Bull Unigenitus_, when they are reminded that -they must give money to the state.” In effect, this new object diverted -their attention from the other. - -The arrival of the Infanta of Parma completely dissipated that lowring -disposition which the _Constitution_ had spread at court. Nothing was -thought of but entertaining the Princess. I advised the King to give a -ball and an opera. In these diversions I strove rather to amuse the -King, than to divert this sovereign Princess his daughter. - -The ministers of state, whom I often saw, told me that they were very -much occupied. The war had thrown them into arrears for ten years. The -King had given M. d’Argenson a coadjutor in the war department. This was -the Marquis de Paulini, a very able and intelligent man; but arts and -literature engaged part of that time which might have been employed for -the benefit of the state. - -He knew more than a learned man need to have done, and he was -unacquainted with more things than a minister should have been ignorant -of. The King had sent him to examine the military state of France. He -had just visited the southern parts to reconnoitre the fortresses, and -the troops quarters. When he made his report to the King, he added, -that he had seen the protestants of Languedoc, and that at a time they -were suspected of taking up arms, they were assembled to offer up -prayers to heaven for the recovery of the Dauphin. This intelligence -greatly affected the King. It gives peculiar pleasure to sovereigns to -find all their subjects attached to them. This, perhaps, is the most -tender point of self-love in princes. - -Though the King, by an effect of that goodness which is so natural to -him, often laid aside his disposition to make our conversation -agreeable, the progress of melancholy was very rapid upon my mind. At -certain moments every thing was insipid to me. I was convinced of the -propriety of what Madam de Maintenon once said, that in every state of -life there is a dreadful vacuum. What increased my anxiety was, that I -was obliged to put on a gay appearance, at the very time that the most -gnawing grief preyed upon me. - -Here will I say, to the scandal of human greatness, that notwithstanding -the favour I possessed, and the brilliant elevation of my fortune, I -several times resolved upon quitting the court--Ambition alone doubtless -with-held me, for we sacrifice all things to our predominant passion. It -was this same ambition that, having raised me to the pinnacle of -grandeur, made me pass more unhappy days than those which would have -glided away, if I had remained in a less distinguished state. Every body -envied my fate, and no one thought but that I was the happiest of women: -but the state of my felicity was far from corresponding with the idea -the world entertained of it. - -Those who aspire to a more elevated sphere than that wherein virtue has -placed them, fancy that riches, rank, grandeur and titles, contribute to -happiness, and that in these imaginary advantages felicity centers. -This is a fallacious opinion; when once we are accustomed to these -things, they seldom afford us any gratification. The idea which we frame -of them, pleases us more than possession itself. Neither magnificent -palaces, superb furniture, nor the most valuable jewels in Europe, which -I possessed, could make me happy. - -The Count de Maurepas, who had compelled me to request the King to grant -him an exile, signified to some persons about me, that he should like to -obtain leave to reside in common at Pontchartrain. This castle is -situated near Versailles, and he was expressly forbid, upon leaving -court, to reside there. I voluntarily took upon myself to obtain this -permission for him. I asked it of the King, who said to me, in granting -it,--“Indeed, Madam, I admire your noble soul; the Count de Maurepas -has grievously offended you, and you, nevertheless, interest yourself in -his behalf.” - -When the Count’s friends found that the King so easily granted what was -requested in his favour, they spoke to me about his recall to court: But -I refused to employ my credit to obtain this fresh indulgence. This was -the only thing wherein Lewis XV. possessed unshakeable fortitude. I do -not know, that notwithstanding all this Prince’s favour, with which I -was honoured, I could in this have succeeded. The attempt might have -been dangerous to myself: We should never expose ourselves to a refusal: -it is the first step that leads to indifference. - -It was then publicly said, that this minister was indebted for this -favour to the Cardinal de la Rochefoucault and the Duke de Nivernois, -his relations, who at that time had some interest at court: but the -truth is, that neither the one or the other had any share in it. - -The King was always surrounded with remonstrances from his parliaments. -I complained to the gentlemen of the gown, of the disturbances which -they themselves created in the state, by their obstinacy. They always -answered me, that they laboured for the glory of the King, the welfare -of the state, and the happiness of the people. It is, in my opinion, a -great abuse of the administration in France, that private individuals, -born in obscurity, and almost constantly without any other merit than -that of having purchased an employment for two or three thousand louis -d’ors, should consider themselves as part of the monarchy, and be -continually struggling with the royal authority. Marshal Saxe, before he -died, told the King, “Sire, I advise you to reimburse your parliaments; -for it is from the value of their employment, that these people derive -their consequence.” - -These disputes brought religion into contempt. An author, who, supposing -that the _Bull Unigenitus_ was entirely destroyed, as the parliament -wanted to compel the curates to administer to sick people, suspected of -Jansenism, published a performance under this title, “_The funeral -oration of that most high and powerful Princess, the Bull UNIGENITUS_.” - -It has been observed, that such books as these corrupt the morals more -than heresy itself. The parliament, who would not submit to the King, -said, that they opposed the schism. The Jansenists, who were refused the -administration of the sacraments, maintained with all their might, that -the gates of heaven were shut against them, in opposing the will of God; -which was a schism in this doctrine, as they allowed of no flexibility -in Providence: wherefore Mr. Maillebois, the father, said, that the -Jansenists were guilty of heresy against their own sect; for they wanted -to force predestination, after having taught that it was immutable. - -This scene, which continued for several years, made France quite -ridiculous. The protestants of the kingdom, who were forbidden to speak, -said nothing: but those in foreign countries avenged their brethren’s -taciturnity, by publishing the most poignant satires against those -disputes, without considering that the same principles amongst them -produce the same divisions. - -Engraving was made a party in this affair; a plate was dedicated to me, -wherein the hall of the parliament of Paris represented the school of -the Sorbonne. All the presidents and counsellors were dressed like -doctors, who instructed the King and the bishops of France in points of -religion, and these were depicted as scholars. - -These sarcasms, which afflicted the King, embittered my days. I spoke -upon this subject to the first president, complained to the bishops, and -had some curates introduced to me, to talk with them about it; but these -measures procured me no relief, this dispute having given importance to -these people, in the opinion of the world, which they would not -otherwise have obtained. - -Whilst a proper medicine was sought to appease these troubles, the -clergy came to ask justice of the King, for the attack the parliament -had made. This body had issued arrets in regard to matters that were -more connected with theology than policy. - -The King appointed a commission to take cognizance of this affair. The -deputies of the bishops required preliminaries to be settled, before -they entered upon a negociation. They demanded, 1. The annulling of a -certain arret, as an attack upon the authority of the church. 2. The -establishment of bills of confession. 3. A reparation of honour from the -parliament to the archbishop, for having accused him of favouring a -schism. The King granted the deputies partly what they asked, and -refused them the other part. He annulled the arret, not only because it -infringed the rights of the clergy, but because it attacked his own -authority; “inasmuch, said the declarations, as the parliament have not -a right to make regulations; and that in case they should have any to -make, they should apply to the King, to ask him leave.” - -In the same arret it was set forth, that no case could occur, wherein a -priest was entitled to refuse the sacraments on account of the _Bull -Unigenitus_. It was therefore added, “that with respect to spiritual -administration, the lay judges had no right to take any cognizance, -unless a law-suit ensued.” - -These distinctions did not restore peace, but war continued. They fought -as before with the weapons of remonstrance. The parliament, who were -desirous of interfering as a party in the affair relating to the -administration of the sacraments, would not content themselves with -being only judges. New satyrical writings made their appearance: they -spared neither church nor state; and the King was greatly mortified by -them. I often entreated him to pay no regard to these wretched -pamphlets, whose low obscure authors were more deserving of contempt -than chastisement. But I could never prevail upon him to take this -revenge, which is the only one that should gratify sovereigns, with -respect to these unfortunate scribblers. - -To convince him what sort of animals these authors were, I sent for one -into my apartment at Versailles, after having promised him pardon for -the book he had wrote, and also my protection. The King saw him, and -spoke to him for some time; after which he said to me, in raising his -shoulders, “Indeed, Madam, you are right, those folks deserve more to be -pitied than hated.” - -Though Europe enjoyed a state of tranquility in 1753, this was a period -of troubles and divisions in France. - -The nobility of Brittany shewed themselves equally turbulent as the -bishops, the clergy, and the parliament. They protested in a very high -stile, against what had been determined by arret, during the assembly of -the states. They had no such right. This assembly in a body represent -the royal authority; so that their deliberations are above the -protestations of any individuals that compose it. Louis XV. had several -letters de cachet dispatched, which exiled the bishops in their -dioceses, and the gentlemen in their estates. - -Marshal Belleisle said, that “Letters de cachet in France were the only -specific for curing the disorder of disobedience: but that they were so -often used, that it was to be feared, they would at length produce no -effect?” But this remedy is not always made use of by the King; -ministers oftener apply it than the Prince: this is what renders the -French administration so odious to foreigners. I have, nevertheless, -heard a man of great sense applaud the use of them. He pretended that -_order_ was produced by this _disorder_. “It is said, continued he, that -the King of England has no authority to arrest the lowest of his -subjects. This is very well in England, where a republican spirit keeps -every one within the bounds prescribed to him by the constitution; but, -in France, where nobody is acquainted with the laws, where the climate -and society excite every man’s desire of speaking, all would be lost, if -the administration had not the authority of stopping this natural -impetuosity of Frenchmen, &c. &c. - -“This authority lodged with the sovereign is, perhaps, necessary amongst -us; without it the great bodies politic would infringe too much upon the -rights of the crown. We have often seen in France, the clergy, the third -estate, and parliaments, endeavouring to rule over the rights of the -King. If the sovereign had not then the power of stopping the -proceedings of these bodies, all government must have subsided; for it -cannot be imagined, that those, who represent the church and the people, -would rule with a spirit of moderation and patriotism. In every state -of life, man is animated with ambition, and the most dangerous kind of -ambition is that which has for its pretext the glory of God, and the -happiness of the people.” - -The same year gave us one example of this, with respect to the -parliament of Paris, to whom the court paid too great deference, and who -were so daring as to speak to the King in these words, in one of their -remonstrances. - -“If those persons, who abuse your Majesty’s confidence, pretend to -reduce us to the alternative, either of failing in our duty, or -incurring your disgrace, we declare to them, that we feel ourselves -possessed of courage to become the victims of our fidelity.” - -M. de Belleisle, who personally attended at this last representation, -said to the King, that after this _coup d’eclat_ (bold stroke) the -parliament must either be dissolved, or the administration of the -kingdom given up to them. Lewis XV. banished them to Pontoise; but this -did not increase their docility: chastisement came too late; they had -been accustomed to withstand the government. From the extremity of their -exile they braved the authority of the King, who upon this occasion -testified less fortitude than the parliament did weakness. They were -exiled to punish them for having interfered with the bills of -confession; and they were no sooner at Pontoise, than he decreed the -seizing of a priest, for having refused the administration of the -sacraments. - -Two marriages took place, which in some measure diverted these -parliamentary broils. That of the Prince de Conde with Madamoiselle -Soubise. There were at first some difficulties raised, with respect to -the titles of the house of Soubise; for this was a ticklish period, when -obstacles were started on every hand; but the King found out a -modification, by granting to both the houses of Bouillon and Soubise the -quality of serene highnesses. - -Mademoiselle de Soubise brought the Prince of Conde a portion of five -millions of livres in land, without reckoning her jewels and other -expectancies, at the death of her father. The Princess whom Lewis XIV. -wedded, and the lady with whom Lewis XV. shared his throne, were not by -far so rich. - -The second marriage was that of the Duke of Gisors, son to Marshal -Belleisle, with Mademoiselle de Nivernois. The court is the region of -metamorphose: the _procureur-general_ Fouquet, condemned to death by -nine judges, and banished France for his malversation in the finances, -would never have imagined that his grandson would become the -father-in-law to the daughter of the duke of Nivernois. - -This duke was at that time embassador at Rome, and I frequently saw him -upon his return. He was, in my opinion, one of the foremost in merit -among the lords at court. The characters of the great are generally -composed of good qualities and defects, whereby they are less -distinguished by their virtues than their vices. This nobleman was -exempt from those foibles which tarnish superior talents. He was an -active, vigilant, indefatigable minister; a great statesman; a profound -politician; uniting with the sublime qualities of a negociator all those -which make a man amiable in society, being a good husband, a good -father, and a good friend--in a word, an honest man. Interest, that -passion which vilifies the great, found no refuge in his heart. I could -willingly compare him to Prince Charles of Lorrain, for the virtues of -his mind; and to one of the greatest geniuses that do honour to the -age, for the qualities of his head:--he may not, perhaps, be so -brilliant, but, then he has more solidity. - -These two marriages were necessary to free us from that languid state, -in which those mournful disputes had immersed us. It was in vain for me -to attempt giving the King a gay turn of mind; those unhappy affairs -constantly brought him back to his melancholy state. Besides, I did not -now, as I have already said, possess myself that gaiety and chearfulness -which, before my residence at Versailles, so greatly characterized me; -and it is difficult to transmit to others what we no longer enjoy -ourselves. - -Lewis XV. who, in his lively moments, took a good deal of pleasure in -reproaching me with this change of disposition, said to me one day, -“_Methinks, Madam, that you throw a great share of gravity into your -behaviour. If this continues, I must play my part to make you laugh; I -must sing little couplets to divert you_.” This was precisely the means -I had used to dispel that gloom which overwhelmed him: upon my arrival -at Versailles I understood his meaning, and I endeavoured to get the -better of my pensive disposition. - -The parliament still continued in disgrace: the Prince of Conti -endeavoured to restore them to favour. He exerted himself greatly to -compass this design. This prince, who had retired from Versailles, -troubled himself very little with the perplexities of the court. When -the King was informed of the task he had undertaken, his Majesty said, -_It is surprising that the Prince of Conti who has hitherto never -meddled with any thing, should give himself the trouble to bring such -head-strong people back to their duty_. - -His efforts were fruitless; they would not submit to this Prince’s -reasons, and he said upon his return to the isle of Adam, “If the King -had sent me plenipotentiary to some prince at enmity with France, I -should have terminated the war; but I cannot negociate between him and -his parliament.” - -The King set out for Compiegne, where the Court was very brilliant. All -the Princes of the blood and the nobility of the kingdom repaired -thither. It is by custom established, that the subjects eat with the -King at Compiegne; in consequence of which several lords regaled the -monarch. Among those who gave feasts to his Majesty, one Marquis Regnier -de Guerchy, lieutenant general, and colonel of the King’s regiment, -distinguished himself the most. Methought he had taste and judgment; for -both are necessary to treat a King of France with splendour and -delicacy. This colonel’s table at Compiegne usually consisted of two -hundred covers, and it happened more than once in this journey, that he -had upwards of three hundred guests. It was said of this -lieutenant-general, that he had served his country very well, which, -according to me, is the greatest elogium that can be given to a military -man. - -When the King was at Compiegne, he was less taken up with the disputes -about religion and the parliament. Hunting and encampments entirely -engaged his attention, which gave him an air of contentment, that he -lost when he came to Versailles. - -The year 1753 was the epocha of remonstrances. The comedians turned -their representations into state affairs. The opera of Paris, who saw -with regret the success of the other theatres, finding that the French -comedians had constantly full houses, thought proper to forbid their -performing ballets. The comedians made application to the government, to -obtain an edict of council to permit them to have dances. There was -something whimsical in their remonstrances to the King; for it is -difficult for a set of people, who by their profession are destined to -excite laughter, to acquire sufficient gravity to preserve such a -serious stile as is requisite in a piece dedicated to a supreme -tribunal. One of the deputies said to me, “Madam, the modern productions -are so very bad, that the greater part of them cannot be supported -without ballets. Capering is a great auxiliary to declamation, I foretel -you, Madam, that if we are not allowed to dance, words will be of no -signification.” The King laughed when I related to him this slight. - -Nevertheless these same French comedians shut up their theatre, and -haughtily declared that they could not act, unless they were allowed to -dance. This theatrical vacation, which appeared trifling, was really an -affair of state. Dramatic performances prevent an infinite number of -vices which idleness creates. - -The parliament, who were always in part exiled, no longer officiating, -it occasioned great detriment to public affairs. The King ordered them -to resume their vocations; they did not obey. The great chamber sent a -deputation to Versailles; they made fresh remonstrances, and here things -remained. - -Happily for France, the Dauphiness was brought to bed, and those -disputes, which had spread such a general gloom at court and in the -city, were immediately forgot. Public rejoicings inspired such gaiety as -dispelled this universal cloud. Frenchmen are seldom long bereft of -their chearfulness. A marriage, or recovery, restores to them their -natural sprightliness. I do not know whether this continual transition -from grief to joy, is not preferable to that pensive disposition of the -English, which inspires them with a melancholy, from which no secondary -cause can retrieve them. A Spanish Ambassador said to me, _that the -French have some moments of existence, but that the English are in a -continual state of mortality_. - -The new-born Prince was named Duke of Aquitaine. The King forsook -business to give an entire loose to pleasure, for which this happy event -gave him a relish. It made a sensible change in my disposition, as it -inspired our conversation with gaiety, and renewed our satisfaction. -Versailles was now the scene of festivity; when all the nobility -belonging to court signalized themselves, and the courtiers upon this -occasion seemed transported with joy at an event, which in reality must -have been a matter of indifference to them. - -Such resources as these were necessary to rescue us from that languid -state, wherein the sameness of amusement immersed us. I had employed -the greatest refinements of art to dissipate the King’s melancholy; but -every thing is at length exhausted. Custom destroys even that novelty, -which alone can make impression on our senses. - -The Duke of Richelieu, who was often of our parties in the little -apartments, afforded us great amusement. He related every thing with -that insinuating art that so happily pleases; but even his wit betrayed -too much of the courtier. One might read in his very looks his desire of -success; never did any mortal sacrifice more to fortune; he was for -grasping all favour, and disposing of the state as an absolute matter. -He publickly said, that he had done all for me, and I had done nothing -for him. But if I did not do better for him, he should blame his genius -for intrigue, and his ambitious desires, which he had not always the -power to moderate. Complaints were frequently made against him, which I -appeased. Several courtiers who had resolved to destroy him, had -prejudiced Lewis XV. against him, and I restored him to favour. But I -was not willing that he should see the King too often; for I knew his -scheme was to gain his confidence, and afterwards to estrange from court -all those who had too great an ascendant over him. - -The bishops of France, who did not know in what to insult the parliament -personally, whom they said pretended to regulate the Romish church, took -occasion from the birth of the Duke of Aquitaine, to render them odious -to the nation, by comparing them to the parliament of England in the -reign of Charles I. - -The bishop of Montauban, in visiting his diocesans, to thank heaven for -having given a grandson to France, thus expressed himself in his -mandate. “The spirit of party and faction was predominant in England; -there was no stability in the laws, either divine or human; and in the -midst of those clouds of darkness which gathered on every side, all -things became uncertain or indifferent, except the sacrilegious dogma of -attributing spiritual supremacy to secular authority. - -“It was at this unfortunate period, that the enemies of episcopacy -having prevailed, true religion was entirely abolished, and the regal -dignity expired in the opprobrium. We saw for the first time, revolted -subjects seizing sword in hand, and leading to a shocking prison, a -King, whose only crime was, having too patiently borne their first -sedition; the parliament throwing off the yoke of all superior -authority, striking with one hand the bishops, and raising the other -against the head of their sovereign; accusing him with indecency, and -calumniating him without shame; condemning him without justice, leading -him to the scaffold like butchers, and executing him with fury; and the -people infatuated with this execrable parricide, became deeply -intoxicated with fanaticism and independence; pursuing like ideots, a -phantom of liberty, whilst like slaves, they paid to a tyrant that -obedience which they owed to their lawful King. What a dreadful series -of crimes! Here a king assassinated in his bed--there another hurled -from his throne--all his family banished--the crown transferred upon the -head of a foreigner--ever tottering, notwithstanding the blood spilt to -secure it,” &c. - -The Prince of Conti said upon this occasion, that the bishops should be -forbid introducing the history of England into public prayers. This was -a most poignant satire against the parliament, which foretold what the -state had to fear from this body: but we had no Cromwell in France; and -the commons of England act upon different principles from the parliament -of Paris. - -The English embassador made great complaints, that any one in France -should dare to reproach his nation with having put their King to death. -He spoke to the minister about it, and the bishop’s discourse was -suppressed. The fate of this kind of writings is always determined by -the times. If France had been at war with England, the mandate would not -have been suppressed; but the peace which then subsisted between the two -nations would not allow it to pass. - -The parliament’s arret, nevertheless, left a vacuum in the -administration of justice, and business languished. I was applied to by -a great number of people to prevail upon the King to create new judges. -Lewis XV. for a long time resisted these solicitations; but he at -length resolved upon doing it. He established a chamber of _vacations_, -who performed the functions of the parliament: but this new chamber was -scarce established before the members of the Chatelet declared against -it; for divisions now reigned between the bodies of judicature. There -was no one in the kingdom that did not declare itself independent of any -other; which made a man of wit say, that the Turkish constitution was -preferable to ours, as the divan alone regulated the state; whereas -every parliament in France created confusion in the kingdom. - -Some bailiwicks and presidials in the jurisdiction of the parliament, -wanted to share in the general disobedience, as well as disgrace. They -refused to acknowledge the chamber of Vacations. Here was fresh subject -for exile; which made a courtier say, that “every corporation was -concerned, and the body of ushers would soon oppose the orders of the -court.” The foreign embassadors who were eye-witnesses of this disorder, -gave their sentiments with respect to the system of their governments. -The minister from Venice said, that a senate should be called, wherein -the supreme power should be lodged, and which no other body could -oppose. The English embassador spoke of a house of commons. The Spanish -embassador advised the establishment of the inquisition in France. - -The parliament, removed to Soissons, obstinately refused resuming their -functions; and the chamber of _vacations_ rather increasing the -disorder, than restoring public tranquility, it was necessary to form a -royal chamber, to pursue the business of the parliament. M. de Belleisle -said, “he wished that this chamber might continue till the end of time.” - -All France was occupied with the parliament’s exile. Another tribunal -was substituted in their place, for which it was necessary to create -fresh edicts, containing a new form of judicature. The court and city -were entirely taken up with these misunderstandings. Upon which occasion -a prince of the blood said, that “the court was very good to trouble -themselves with such trifles, whilst foreign affairs of importance -should engage the attention of the cabinet.” - -The ministry was in fact greatly weakened during these quarrels. Several -members of the great chamber were related to those who filled the first -employments in the kingdom. The parliament were by alliance connected -with the finances; and many brave officers were either relations or -friends of the exiles: Courtiers and those who had their fortunes to -make at court, were for the King. I say nothing of the populace, for -their opinion is of no weight in France, all divisions of this nature -taking place in a region that is quite foreign to them. - -These different parties animated the disputes with so much heat, that -they were often carried to extremities. Many duels have been fought in -Paris, in defence of the great chamber. - -A lieutenant-general walking in the Elysian fields, seeing an officer -fighting with a counsellor’s brother, said to the military man, in -parting them, “Sir, keep your courage for the service of the state, we -shall soon have occasion for it, for we are assured that the English are -going to declare war against France.” - -Marshal Belleisle, who wanted to be every where, but who could not enter -into the disquisitions, because they had began upon theological -disputes, which he did not understand, endeavoured to put an end to -them. He said to me one day; “In God’s name, Madam, bid the King -abolish the parliament, that they may be no more spoken of at court.” -_Marshal_, I replied, _speak to him yourself, I give you the -preference_. - -The members of the Chatelet, who would not acknowledge the royal -chamber, had also their partizans, who excited murmurs in Paris; which -made a courtier say, that “the Chatelet should be sent to the Bastile.” - -Most of the provincial tribunals refused in turn to submit to this -chamber. Lyons set the example, and this was sufficient to create -general disobedience. Lewis XV. saw with indignation, that his subjects, -under pretence of fidelity and submission, should rebel against his -orders. If this Prince had been as absolute as Lewis XIV. a civil war -would have desolated France; but the goodness of his soul, and that -gentleness which characterizes him, made him prefer the general peace of -his kingdom to the gratification of his own particular revenge. Had he -but spoke, those who opposed him would have been exterminated. - -The kings of France had formerly but very little power; but since they -have had three hundred thousand men at their command, who only wait for -orders to obey their will, they can do every thing. A mandate from Lewis -XV. to two or three regiments, would have been sufficient to have made -the parliament return to their duty. But this Prince was an enemy to -every thing that carried with it the appearance of violence. He would be -obeyed; but then only by gentleness and moderation. Ministers, who are -usually as jealous of the royal authority as the King himself, pretended -that this very moderation was the source of all the disorders that -disturbed the state. - -These ministers exhorted me to induce the King to have fortitude. They -represented to me the dangerous consequences that would result to the -state, by leaving the disobedience of the parliament unpunished. Those -who were in the interest of this body remonstrated to me on their part, -the danger of keeping in exile the depository tribunal of justice, and -who alone could administer it: a tribunal that were meritorious for -their very resistance, as it was the strongest conviction of their zeal -for the glory of the King, and the happiness of the people, &c. - -If I had followed my inclination, I should have insisted upon the royal -chamber’s being sustained, to the exclusion of the parliament; but I -knew the King’s heart. I knew that his natural goodness would prevail -over his resolution. - -The Duke of Richelieu was ever intriguing with the King, and had gained -an ascendant over him. This courtier always fought for opportunities of -conversing with the Prince in private, and of obtaining his good -graces. I had frequently opposed his designs, and this had determined -him to make one great effort for ingrossing the King’s favour. This -conduct displeased me, and as he always renewed the attack, _My Lord_, -said I to him one day in the presence of the King, _I have received -letters from Languedoc, by which I am informed, that your presence is -there required. I advise you to fit out for Montpellier, which is in -your department; for his Majesty will not have any bishops or governor -of that province at Paris_. The courtier understood my meaning. He set -out a few days after for Bourdeaux, and I seldom saw him upon his -return. - -The Duchess de Talard, governess to the children of France, being lately -dead; the King said to me, _Who shall we entrust with the Dauphins young -family?_ “Sire, I replied, Madam Talard was possessed of great merit, -which makes it difficult to supply her place. I have thought upon all -the women of France, and I do not know of any but the Countess de -Marsan, who is capable of succeeding her.” - -She was appointed, and this lady, who was acquainted with my -interposition in her favour, made me her acknowledgments. This -preference I had given her, created me many enemies. All the ladies that -were excluded, considered me as the cause of their exclusion: thus is a -King’s favourite loaded with public hatred. When there is a vacancy, she -can ask it only for one person, and most frequently all those who laid -claim to it, become the enemies of her that disposed of it. - -The birth of the Duke of Aquitaine had diffused universal joy at court; -and his death immersed the royal family again in melancholy--tears -succeeded joy--but the subject was soon forgot. Had it not been for the -funeral pomp, which lasted several days, he probably would have been no -more thought of after the first. The spectacle of his death made tears -to flow; without these obsequies, his loss would scarce have been -mentioned. The court was still engaged in curbing the strides of the -parliament and the Chatelet. This affair filled the state with edicts. A -politician said, “that if the government had given the same attention to -the other branches of the administration, France would have been the -best regulated kingdom in Europe.” - -This attention did not, however, restore order; no one of the parties -would yield to the other. - -At length this great affair, by which France had been so much disturbed, -and given foreign nations so much scope for satire, was terminated just -as it should have been terminated; that is to say, by the obstinacy of -the parliament, and the weariness of the King. Lewis XV. (I cannot too -often repeat it in these Memoirs) is a good Prince; his tender and -sympathising soul is not of the number of those that are irritated by -resistance. - -The self-love of kings who will be absolute, creates disorders, which -usually swallows up both states and politics. The Prince, who was -desirous of maintaining the peace of his kingdom, and advancing the -happiness of his people, yielded, the very instant he saw that, by -opposing his parliament, a general revolution might be dreaded. - -The King’s conduct in this respect, was by many greatly censured; he was -accused of weakness. Perhaps he was animated only by respect. The shafts -of ridicule began to fly; for kings of France, as absolute as they may -be, are not exempted from their attacks. A prince of the blood thus -expressed himself before several courtiers. “I always said, gentlemen, -that the mountain in labour would bring forth nothing but a mouse.” - -M. de Maupeou had a private audience of the King at Compiegne, where all -the preliminary articles of peace were signed. The monarch declared to -him, that he should recal the letters de cachet, and that the parliament -might return to Paris, where the general treaty of reconciliation was to -be framed. - -The triumph was too great not to be accompanied with glory. The -president immediately proclaimed his victory. He dispatched a courier to -every court in the kingdom, and gave intelligence to his brethren, who -arrived at Paris in triumph. Although this peace restored tranquility at -Versailles, which influenced the happiness of my life; yet I -acknowledge, my indignation was kindled to see the lawyers thus get the -better of the King’s first resolutions. I was acquainted with their -obstinacy, and this alone set me against them. - -Reports were spread that I was the instrument of this reconciliation, -and that the King yielded only at my intercession; but this was rumoured -like an infinite number of other things, which had no more foundation. I -acknowledge, that I ardently wished that these parliamentary disputes -were at an end; but if I considered my own tranquility, I did not forget -the glory of the King. I several times scolded M. de Maupeou, in the -minister’s presence, for the little deference he paid to his master’s -orders, and of the formal disobedience of his body. He constantly -replied, with that gravity which is common to those who are at the head -of an assembly, that he and his brethren were the most submissive -subjects of the state; and this answer irritated me still more. - -The King desired to see this magistrate once more before an entire -reconciliation took place. He received M. de Maupeou with that -politeness that is so natural to him, and which gains him the hearts of -all those who approach him. - -“My intention, Sir, (said the King to him) is, that my parliament should -resume their functions in the capital: I hope I shall have no farther -occasion to complain of them; and that the goodness with which I treat -them, will engage them to fulfil their duty for the future, with that -zeal which they owe to my service, and a ready submission to my orders.” - -The Queen was desirous of having her share in the event; the president -waited upon her. “I conceive the most perfect joy, said this Princess, -at the King’s restoring the parliament of Paris to their ancient -functions. I have been greatly affected at the interruption that has -occurred; and it is with satisfaction I assure you of my esteem for that -body.” - -Those who determine every thing at court and in the city, thought the -King had shewn too much weakness upon this occasion; that he should -either not have carried things so far, or else pursued them still -farther. But those who determined in this manner, could they themselves -have communicated to the government that foresight that is necessary to -be acquainted with events before they happen? The first disputes that -arose between the court and the parliament were so trifling, that to -have judged of them by the usual course of things, they could not have -occasioned the least disturbance in the state. The minds of people were -insensibly irritated. - -Fresh circumstances having changed the state of the question, they -insensibly wandered from the first principles, and then each party were -carried beyond their goal. The King often told me, at the very time that -he was thundering forth edicts against the parliament, that if he had -known things would have been carried to such a length, he would have -yielded at first. - -The recal of the parliament had great influence over us. From that -moment the King became gayer than usual; our conversation was lively and -joyous. “Sire, I said to the King, if you have any subject of complaint -against your parliament, I entreat you not to let them remain long in -exile; for I have too much at stake in the misunderstanding, and much to -gain by a reconciliation.” - -The death of the Marquis de S. Contest, which happened at the time of -the recal of the great chamber, occasioned a vacancy in the ministry. I -have in another place spoke of the talents and character of this -minister; it was said of him that he was fond of peace, because he did -not know how to conduct a war. By his death there was a post to be -filled in the department of foreign affairs. There were many candidates, -but few ministers. The war had disposed every one’s genius for arms. Few -but the first clerks in offices applied themselves to business. The King -sought about him, and I enquired of all those who surrounded me, without -finding what the state wanted. “Sire, I said to the monarch, till such -time as some happy discovery can be made, I advise your Majesty to -appoint M. Rouillé to supply the place.” - -All France was astonished at this choice, and M. Rouillé himself as much -as all France. - -Many considerations induced me to make this determination in his -favour. - -He was to be raised or lowered at will. M. de Belleisle said, that he -might be created King of France, and afterwards reduced to a clerk of -the navy or war office. He had none of those brilliant qualities which -attract admiration; but he was endued with probity, and a minister was -then wanted who was an honest man. - -Many placemen had been guilty of malversation; some upright person was -required to remove the disorders of the state. I heard a very honest man -say, that the office of foreign affairs required a chief who had more -equity than sense, and more probity than knowledge. He said, that the -northern nations, with whom this minister was continually engaged, have -the character of frankness, which they like to find in those with whom -they are concerned. This same person proved that all, or the greater -part of the wars between France and Germany, derived their source from -the corruption of this minister. - -The department of the marine was given to M. de Machault; he was already -keeper of the seals, and comptroller-general. Many persons had spoken to -me of him; but his qualifications alone determined me in his favour. He -had great penetration, and was very proper to fill the post he held: I -could have wished that he had possessed not quite so much ambition; for -this passion, when it has no bounds, makes the most enlightened geniuses -commit many errors. Ingratitude is most constantly its attendant, and I -look upon a man who is wanting in sentiments of acknowledgment, as a -monster in nature. - -The comptrollership of the finances was given to M. Moreau de -Seychelles. These changes puzzled the public, and gave a wide field for -speculation. Those who aspired to these places, thought that the -persons to whom the preference had been given did not deserve them. They -were first murmured at, and then courted. M. de Machault in giving up -the finances for the marine had degenerated. It was said of this -minister, _that he had left a golden post for a wooden one_. - -I acknowledge that I would have induced the King to have placed at the -head of these two first departments in the kingdom, two men of superior -genius to those who were lately invested with them; but where were they -to be found? Marshal Saxe said before he died, “that a ministerial -school and not a military school should be established; he pretended -that all Frenchmen were born soldiers, and that no one came into the -world with the qualities of a minister.” - -The officers of the navy had for a long time complained that they did -not enjoy the same honours as those of the land-forces. They underwent -more fatigue, and equally exposed their lives; it was therefore unjust -not to allow them the same prerogatives. Lewis XIV. who had done a great -deal for the French navy, had not yet done enough. I interested myself -in its favour, and only seconded the King’s good intentions: he -instituted a great cross of St. Lewis, with three commanders, the orders -of which were to be distributed according to the rank and merit of -sea-officers. - -The joy that sprung from the reconciliation of the court and parliament, -was succeeded by still greater. The Dauphiness brought forth a Duke of -Berry. The satisfaction the King received from the increase of his royal -family, was unparalleled. Each new heir filled him with happiness. I may -say, that the fortnight following these two events, was the most -agreeable period of my life whilst I was at Versailles. - -In the mean while the parliament was received at Paris with -demonstrations of joy, rather insulting to the court; all the avenues to -the palace were illuminated, bonfires blazed, and the bells were rung. -The King was displeased; but M. de Maupeou answered him, that none of -his body had any hand in these rejoicings--and this should have rendered -them the more suspected. - -Edicts had been created for establishing a royal chamber of justice; -others were now issued for suppressing it: whereupon one of the members -said, “that it was not worth while to make a court-gown for so short a -time; and that if he had known that the royal chamber would have been -revoked so soon, he would have bought neither wig nor band, but would -have judged the criminals with a sword by his side.” - -The King’s letters-patent upon the return of the parliament, are worthy -of being handed down to posterity. Lewis XV. there speaks like a master -to a court who had opposed him, because they had considered themselves -as absolute, and whose fresh convocation was a manifest proof of their -disobedience. The King expressed himself in this manner. - -“The resolution which the officers of our parliament took on the fifth -of May, last year, of discontinuing the administration of justice to our -subjects, which they should perform from us; their refusal of resuming -their functions, which form an indispensable duty of the functions of -their state, and which they have engaged by the sanctity of oath to -perform, compelled us to testify to them our displeasure at their -conduct: the pretext they gave for discontinuing their usual service -was a kind of additional fault on their part, the less excusable, as -they could not doubt of the intentions which we had, and by which we -constantly abide, of listening to what our parliament might have to -represent to us, for the good of our service and that of our subjects; -and not being ignorant that we were informed by their arrets, of the -object of their remonstrances, they must have acknowledged that they had -brought upon themselves the refusal which we gave to hearing those -repeated remonstrances. But after having for a time made them feel the -effects of our displeasure, we have willingly listened to the dictates -of our clemency, and we have recalled to our good city of Paris, the -officers of our parliament. Being, nevertheless, ever attentive to the -dissipating of those divisions, which have for some time arisen, the -consequences of which have appeared deserving of our greatest -attention, we have taken the most effectual measures for procuring -henceforward public tranquility; and in hopes that our parliament, -earnestly striving, by ready obedience and redoubled assiduity, to -repair the injury our subjects may have sustained, will upon every -occasion testify their submission and fidelity to us, by conforming -themselves to the wisdom of those designs which animate us, we have -resolved to re-assemble them at Paris, to signify to them our -intentions. - -“Urged by these motives and others, with the advice of our council, and -our certain knowledge, full power and royal authority, we have by these -presents, signed with our hand, ordered, and do order all and every one -of our officers of our parliament to reassume their usual functions, in -our good city of Paris, notwithstanding any thing to the contrary, and -to administer justice to our subjects without delay or interruption, -according to the laws and the duties of their posts; and being sensible -that the silence imposed for so many years, upon matters that cannot be -agitated, without being equally prejudicial to the advantage of religion -and to that of the state, is the most proper means of securing the -public peace and tranquility; we enjoin our parliament to pay attention, -that there be nothing on any side attacked, attempted, or innovated, -that may be contrary to this silence, and to the peace which we desire -should reign in our dominions; ordering them to proceed against the -offenders agreeable to the laws and ordinances. And, moreover, to -contribute to the pacifying of turbulent minds, and have what is past -forgotten; we will and expect, that all proceedings and prosecutions, -that may have been carried on, and the definitive sentences that may -have been pronounced for contumacy, from the beginning, and on account -of the late troubles, till the date of these presents, shall remain -without any consequence or effect, without injuring, however, the -definitive judgments that may have been contradictorily given without -appeal; provided always, that the parties against whom they may have -been given, may have recourse to such legal methods as remain, if such -there be,” &c. &c. - -We were told at Versailles, that this declaration met with many -difficulties from the great chamber. Marshal Belleisle said to the King -upon this occasion, “If your parliament after their exile, do not -register your letters patent, they must be banished out of the -kingdom,” &c. A courtier, on the other hand, said, he should be very -much surprised if they did register them. His reason for being of this -opinion, was, that when too much respect is paid to a body, they -naturally abuse it. The declaration was nevertheless registered, but -with the usual restrictions and distinctions. - -After the parliament’s recall, it was necessary that they should pay a -compliment to the King, and M. de Maupeou pronounced it. He acquitted -himself like a subtle and skilful magistrate, who, in cautiously -treating the prerogatives of the crown, displayed those of his own body. -This second piece deserves also to be handed down to posterity. It was -as follows. - -“SIRE, - -“The greatest misfortune that can befal faithful subjects is, doubtless, -to incur their sovereign’s disgrace. - -“This trial, which your parliament has lately made, plunged them into -such excess of grief, as cannot better be described to your Majesty, -than by the striking testimony which we give you, in respectfully -acknowledging it. - -“The union, Sire, which, through your goodness, has taken place amongst -those members, who were for a long time dispersed, has enabled us to -testify our submission to your orders, and our love to your sacred -person. - -“Can any thing be more worthy of the best of Princes, than to stretch -out a paternal hand to the magistrates, who were totally incapable of -giving him fresh proofs of the zeal, with which they are animated for -his service, and enable them to lay before him the motives which induced -them to take, as may be said, against their inclinations, such steps as -have been so unfortunate as to displease him? - -“What glory, Sire, will ever be comparable to your’s! After having so -often conquered your enemies in person, your sole occupation, in the -height of peace, is the happiness of your people. You love truth, and -you endeavour to be acquainted with it; truth reaches even you, without -any other aid than your own understanding: and it is no sooner known to -you than it enjoys all its prerogatives. - -“Truth alone made you sensible how much the dispersion of all the -members of a parliament is a dangerous example, by reason of the blow it -levels at all the fundamental laws of the kingdom; and by the immensity -of the evils that are derived from it. - -“It was this same truth that made you acquainted with the feelings of -your parliament, at the dread of being for ever banished from your -presence, by your refusing to receive their remonstrances, upon the mere -view of the nature of the objects that must have been introduced into -these important representations. - -“In a word, it was this truth that engaged you to remove their fears -with that goodness which will transmit to future ages the true love -which you have for subjects, whose interests, you know, are inseparable -from your own. - -“You have gone still farther; you have extended the wisdom of your -designs throughout your whole kingdom, by taking the unshakeable -resolution of maintaining therein that order and tranquility upon which -its splendor depends. It is in order to stop those divisions, the -dangerous consequences whereof you are acquainted with, that you have -commanded the most profound silence to be kept with regard to matters, -which cannot be discussed without being prejudicial to religion, and the -happiness of the state. - -“Ah! Sire, how could your parliament have refrained from consecrating, -by registering, so salutary a law, notwithstanding the pungent grief -with which they were afflicted upon reading the preamble to this law? -Yes, Sire, we dare make this representation to you; your parliament, in -all the unhappy circumstances in which they have found themselves, have, -by giving the preference to public affairs before private ones, only -done what was exacted from them by the duties of their station, and the -sacred observance of their oath. - -“Let us be allowed to tell you, Sire, that your parliament desires -nothing so ardently, as to know how fully to convince you of the -strength and extent of their duty. They can do nothing of themselves: -they exercise that portion of authority you have entrusted them with; -and the only object to which all their efforts tend, shall be to make -themselves agreeable to your Majesty, and to fulfil their duty: a duty, -Sire, that compels them incessantly to watch over the preservation of -that precious deposit of authority which you hold from the Almighty, and -which should be transmitted in all its purity to your most remote -posterity. - -“How happy is it for us, to see this supreme power in the hands of a -Prince, who governs with such wisdom and moderation, as must gain him -all hearts; and who knows that the real links which unite Frenchmen to -their Sovereign, are those of love. - -“So deeply, Sire, is it graven in our souls, that we protest to you, in -the name of all the magistrates that compose your parliament, that they -will be always ready to sacrifice what is the most dear and precious to -them, as soon as the interest of your glory is concerned, and to set an -example to your subjects of the fidelity and obedience they owe to the -Sovereign will.” - -The bishops of France pretended that this was a stroke of the most -arrogant modesty that had appeared this century. Courtiers found many -contradictions in it. The first president declared, in the name of his -body, that the authority exercised by the parliament was a deposite -entrusted with them by the King; how then, it was said, could this trust -confer to this body such independence as extends to opposing the will of -the Prince? - -Towards the close of this discourse, we find an insult offered to the -crown. This body, who had manifestly opposed the King’s orders, and who -had preferred exile to submission, say, that they will always be found -ready to set an example of obedience. It was said, that an example of -_obedience_ was never before given by _disobedience_. - -Notwithstanding this reconciliation, there was still some animosity -remaining on both sides. For my part, I was delighted that this affair -was terminated. I have frequently repeated in these Memoirs, that it -troubled the King, and this was sufficient for me to desire a -reconciliation. - -To the parliamentary quarrels succeeded political affairs. The English -were making great warlike preparations; the last peace had not removed -all difficulties. The plenipotentiaries were more eager to put an end -to battles, than to prevent fresh bloodshed. - -Marshal Noailles had often told me, that the negociators at a congress -have only one point in view, which is to sign the treaty. Upon this they -exhaust all their genius, so that they have not the faculty of foresight -remaining. - -The Duke of Mirepoix came from London to receive the King’s orders. This -Minister, in speaking to his Majesty of the preparations that the -English were making, assured him, “That Great Britain had no thoughts of -interrupting the peace.” _Whence comes it then_, said the King, _that -they are arming as if they wanted to be at war_? - -“Sire, answered the Duke, it is a maxim with the English, to avail -themselves of the tranquility of Europe, to increase their forces.” - -This Minister, who was besides an honest man, believed what he said. -French emissaries in London had written to court, that the English -deceived him, that he let himself be imposed upon by appearances, and -that the cabinet of St. James’s concealed their views and designs from -him. - -I often desired the King to appoint another Ambassador for the court of -London: but he was afraid of disobliging this Lord, who, moreover, did -honour to his employment, by his grandeur and magnificence. - -Lewis XV. has such a beneficent soul, that he cannot resolve upon -withdrawing his friendship from those whom he has once honoured with his -confidence, unless he is convinced of some capital fault that compels -him to it. - -Versailles became daily more and more melancholy; the unhappy affairs of -the clergy, the bishops, and the parliament, spread a gloomy air over -all those who frequented court. - -To relieve the King from the languid state into which these disputes had -brought him, I had Bellevüe built. It was a square pavilion, where the -eye discovered more taste than magnificence: the King complimented me -upon it. He often repaired thither. I had embellished this spot with -simple works, and art was concealed behind nature, which prevented its -discovery. - -The gardens and groves were delightful. Lewis XV. often said to me, that -he was suffocated at Compiegne, at Fontainbleau, and at Marli; but that -he breathed at Bellevüe. We divided our time between walking and -gardening, with other rural amusements. Flowers composed part of the -plan of our recreations, and I had some brought from every part of the -world. - -When the King entered this house, he laid aside that air of Majesty -which regal pageantry obliged him to keep up elsewhere. I was always a -gainer by this metamorphosis, as it rendered him gayer than usual; and -his satisfaction, which increased mine, spread an air of joy over our -conversation. There was, besides, another difference, which was, that at -Bellevüe the King talked to me of his taste, of his appetites, and other -things that tended to his pleasure; whereas at Versailles he never -entertained me with any thing but disputes upon religion, the refusal of -sacraments, or other matters, which were far from being agreeable to -him. - -This retreat gave him frequent occasion to speak of the advantages that -accompanied private life. He discovered in it charms, that the -perplexity of public business, and the tumults of the throne, made him -the more sensible of. - -The King, desirous of giving me marks of his particular protection, -created the estate of Marigni, which belonged to my brother, into a -marquisate. I thanked him for this favour, which appeared to me the -greater, as Vandiere had not done any thing yet to deserve it. - -Let us return to general affairs. America, which was upon the point of -exciting universal war, began already to display some sparks of that -blaze which was to inflame Europe. The English made the first -complaints. The Earl of Albemarle represented to the court of France, -that the French in Canada committed hostilities, contrary to the treaty -of Aix-la-Chapelle. - -The court of France replied, that they were ignorant of such -proceedings: but that to prevent any misunderstanding, they would send -orders to suppress these first differences, on condition that the -English would, on their side, act in the same manner. Both nations -promised, but neither kept their word. They were mutually deceived, as -most usually happens upon these occasions. - -I remember that when the English made these first complaints to our -court, a foreign minister said to me, that the cabinet of Versailles and -that of St. James’s knew very well they were going to war; but that they -would not say so, to make the thing more mysterious. - -“In that case, Sir,” said I to him, “the King is not in the secret, for -he does not know a syllable about this war which you foretel.” In fact, -Lewis was quite ignorant that he was at the eve of engaging in a long -succession of sieges and battles. He was well informed of the motives -which induced the English to complain: but he had not been acquainted -with their resolution of having recourse to arms. - -Whilst the misunderstandings in the new world were the subject of -conversation, the religious war still continued in the kingdom. The -King, who, in order to restore tranquility to the state, had done every -thing that was desired of him, had the mortification to find that -nothing was done that he desired. He was obliged to exile the Archbishop -of Paris. I was witness of the affliction he was under, from the -necessity of giving this order. He had endeavoured to bring this prelate -back to his duty, by all the methods which his goodness, and his -beneficent soul, could suggest to him; and it was not till after he had -in vain essayed them, that he resolved upon sending him to Conflans. - -The conduct of this Archbishop, who had openly disobeyed his Sovereign’s -orders, irritated the courtiers to that degree, that the Monarch was -advised by several of them to have him seized by the military power, and -to keep him closely confined: but Lewis XV. was of too gentle a -disposition to put such rigorous counsel into execution. I have often -heard him say, that Kings should punish, but never think of revenge. He -entrusted the letter de cachet to one of his ministers, with orders to -signify it to the Archbishop as privately as possible. - -The King found himself again obliged to banish the bishops of Orleans -and Troyes, two prelates whose sentiments were too conformable to those -of the Archbishop of Paris. These two might be considered as the -fire-brands of the kingdom. They prepared the people’s minds for -disobedience, in showing themselves rebels to their Prince’s orders. -One of these, from the extremity of his exile, insulted the court and -the state by a mandate, wherein he forbad all his diocesans to have -recourse, in the case of administration, to any other priests than those -whom he prescribed; and it was necessary that these priests should be -vicars, or curates. This was constraining the extent of priesthood; but -as soon as the episcopal authority is the least attacked, the Princes of -the church are always ready to undertake any thing. Marshal Saxe said, -“That if God were to limit the power of bishops in France, these bishops -would, in turn, allot bounds to the power of God.” - -The exile of the Archbishop of Paris silenced his most considerable -partizans; but it did not finish the quarrel. - -The minister of the marine laid before the King a list of his navy: it -consisted of sixty-six ships of the line, and thirty frigates. A -politician of the North said, that this was not sufficient to make head -against the English; and he prophesied, at that time, that if we did not -avoid going to war, the French navy would be totally destroyed when we -made peace. I repeated these words to several of our ministers, who -answered, that this politician was unacquainted with marine prophecies. -France has long since been deprived of those statesmen whose penetrating -genius could unravel the most distant events. We at present go -mechanically and habitually to work, in the track we are compelled to -follow. Marshal Saxe made use of a very singular expression, he said, -_that our government daily performed their day’s work_. - -The naval force was kept in readiness: seamen were enrolled; but able -sea-officers were wanting. France has seldom had any good ones. Lewis -XIV. formed some, but they expired with his reign. - -The spirit of party and animosity was still kept up at court. The cabal -who strove to destroy me, increased with my favour. Envy displayed all -the latent springs that human wickedness could suggest. All who -surrounded the Prince, endeavoured to deprive me of his confidence. - -Amongst those who conspired against me, there were people who were -indebted to me for their fortune, and for whom I constantly interested -myself. I pointed them out to the King. Lewis XV. detests ingratitude; -these dark proceedings produced a very contrary effect to what my -enemies had proposed. The King paid me more attention than before, and -despised those the more who would have deceived him. I shall not repeat -here the low and scandalous artifices that courtiers, and even some -ambitious women, put in practice to surprize the Monarch’s heart. A -detail of these intrigues are unworthy of history, and I have no design -of transmitting to posterity the artifices of cabals, which relate to no -one but myself. - -M. Moreau de Seychelles, comptroller-general of the finances, was of -service to the state. He was very assiduous in regulating the finances. -I made the King take notice of him, and immediately this Prince made him -minister of state. He had his enemies at court: it was said that he had -done nothing yet to deserve that post, and that fortune having so -precipitately forced his elevation, he would never advance above half -way to favour. - -When he came to court, to return the King thanks, I said to him, “Sir, -many people pretend to foretel the destiny of your administration, -convince all France that they are false prophets.” - -The Duke of Mirepoix, who had always assured the court, that the English -had no thoughts of breaking the treaty of peace, was at length obliged -to write that they prepared for war. France hastily put herself into a -state of defence, without knowing precisely whether she was coming to -blows. Orders were dispatched from the office of the marine to all the -ports and harbours. The ships that were finished were launched, and the -others kept ready to sail on the first notice. - -The treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle was, nevertheless, still negociating at -Paris. This business was no longer transacted with Lord Albemarle; he -was dead. The interests of Great Britain were in the hands of a -secretary of embassy, who gave vague replies to the questions that were -put to him, upon the preparations his court was making. - -Some politicians have assured us, that if Lord Albemarle had lived, the -war, which afterwards rent the two nations, would never have taken -place. It has been said that minister, who had great weight with George -the Second, was at that time connected with a woman of pleasure at -Paris, whom he would not part with. This perhaps is only a surmise, -destitute of foundation; but after all, this would not have been the -first time that the amours of a courtezan have influenced the affairs of -Europe. - -Upon the arrival of the dispatches from London, a great council was held -at Versailles, and the King expressed himself in the following manner to -his ministers. “I am resolved I will not begin the war, and if the -English break the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, Europe, who shall be -witness to my moderation, shall see that they are the aggressors.” - -M. de Maillebois, the father, said publicly at court, that it were -better to prevent them, than to give them an opportunity of doing it. - -The King’s moderation met with no advocates but those whose interest it -was to avoid sieges and battles; for every one was concerned in the -event according to his particular views of interest. Military people -wanted war, merchants and financiers wished for peace. - -The court of London sent my Lord Hertford to Paris, to replace the Earl -of Albemarle. This Ambassador was compared to a herald at arms: it was -said that he was come to declare war against France. He spoke, in fact, -in such a tone, as testified that every thing was ready in England to -invade America. M. Rouille was so intimidated, that he said to the -King: “Sire, Great Britain must have resolved to declare war, for her -Ambassador talks in such a stile, as if the English were ready to open -the campaign.” - -Upon the first report of the preparations of an armament, the military -men, who, since the last campaigns in Flanders, had deserted Versailles, -came in shoals to make their court to me. All my apartments were lined -with officers, who, in intreating my interest to recommend them to the -Prince, set forth their talents in the military art. - -The Bishops war, nevertheless, still continued. The Archbishop of Paris, -banished to Conflans, was not thereby rendered more submissive. He, from -the extremity of his exile, braved the court and the city. He was -removed to _Lagny sur Maine_, a little town that had neither the -grandeur nor magnificence of Conflans. This retreat, by diminishing his -episcopal pomp, no way changed his character, which remained inflexible. -The other rebellious bishops were treated with more severity: but these -lettres de cachet had a very opposite effect to what was intended. They -served only to make them more important in the eyes of their partizans, -which increased their arrogance. - -A courtier said to the King, that a seminary should be built at Rome, to -which should be sent all the French bishops who rebelled against his -orders, with an establishment of 100 Roman crowns per head, for -supporting their grandeur. - -It is certain that too much respect was paid to these people; and the -very chastisements that were inflicted on them, when they swerved from -their duty, were tempered with so much consideration, as to prevent -their returning to it. - -The bishops having nothing to do in their exile but to write, and being -unable to employ any other arms than their pens, France was deluged with -letters and mandates. These were so many manifestoes against the royal -authority. The King was often advised to hang the Printers, who were -instrumental in the circulation of these seditious papers; but Lewis XV. -would never have recourse to these violent methods. - -The English, at length, explained themselves with respect to their -warlike preparations, the news of which Fame had trumpeted throughout -Europe. They declared to the government, that the French in Canada had -made incursions upon lands under the dominion of Great Britain, and that -England was not inclined to suffer such usurpations. We have seen that -the two crowns, when peace was concluded, left the decision of this -affair to commissaries. Count de Argenson had foreseen, at first, that -these commissaries would completely ruin the interests of the two -courts. “Sir, said he, when two powers, with arms in hand, cannot agree -upon certain differences, it is impossible for individuals to reconcile -them.” - -Nevertheless, the English council did not say that they should declare -war, but only that they were discontented with the French in America. - -This declaration afflicted the King, who did not desire war. The -national debts were not yet paid, the same imposts still subsisted as -before, the people were always oppressed; so that a new war must -overwhelm them. Lewis XV. spoke to me of the misfortune that threatened -France, in such a manner as persuaded me he was sensibly affected. I -was a witness to his uneasiness upon this account; and it is but -justice, which I owe this Prince, to say he was penetrated with grief -upon the occasion. This was not the case with the ministers and military -courtiers, who were in hopes to advance their fortune by means of this -new revolution. The difficulty was not to undertake the war, but to find -generals to carry it on. - -Marshal Saxe, the terror of France’s enemies, and in whom the troops -placed an implicit confidence, was dead. Of all the officers who had -served under him, there was not any one who furnished the same hopes of -his abilities. They had courage and experience: but these were not -sufficient; for I have heard it said, that to form a hero, requires an -assortment of qualities, which are seldom found in the same man. - -Amongst the generals who had served in the late wars, Marshal Belleisle -was the most desirous of commanding in chief; but besides his never -having been a good general, his capacity was greatly impaired. He -expressed himself in diffuse terms, and was very verbose. It was said of -him at court, that of all the genius that had elevated him to the -pinnacle of greatness, he retained nothing but loquacity. - -The state was now threatened with three different wars, two of which -were declared. That of the Bull, as it was called, which was upon the -point of causing a revolution in the state: that of the Barbarians, who, -notwithstanding the faith of treaties, interrupted the trade of the -nation; and that of the English, who were ready to give us battle. - -A man of wit, who was told that the English were going to be our foes, -said, _God be praised, the bishops quarrel is now at an end, for these -people are never at war but in time of peace_. - -The Archbishop of Paris, who was still exiled, and still obstinate, -wrote a letter to the King in a stile truly original, and without -example since the foundation of the monarchy. He said to the King, in -very formal terms, that “His power was superior to that of the -Sovereign, in matters relative to the administration which God hath -entrusted him with; that his duty was that of conducting his flock; that -he acknowledged no other upon earth; finally, he would not, nor could -not, retract from the first steps he had taken; that these were his last -sentiments, which would continue always the same to the grave, &c. &c.” - -This was a period distinguishable for disobedience. The clergy gloried -in rebelling against the orders of the King. This obstinate disposition -had made its way into the provinces. The deputy of Languedoc related to -the King an event that happened at Montpellier, which pointed out to -this Prince the necessity of stopping the progress of such abuses. This -man said, that the wife of a counsellor of that city, who had refused to -receive the Bull, and whose life was in danger, requested the curate of -her parish to administer the sacraments to her. Upon her first request, -the curate and four vicars fled. Application was made to the other -parishes, but it was found that all the clergy who administered had -deserted. The chief justice then ordered an independent priest, and who -was not belonging to any church, to administer to the Lady. This -ecclesiastic thought it was his duty to obey; but he had observed that -the host had accompanied the priests in their retreat. He did not find -a single wafer in the tabernacles of the different churches of the city. -The curates and the secondaries had eat them all before their departure. -He consecrated one: but this was not sufficient; it must be -administered. A general insurrection was feared. The commander of the -place was obliged to put the garrison under arms, and appoint guards for -the conducting of the host in safety to the sick Lady’s house. - -Such scencs as these, in a city full of Protestants, made the Romish -religion become a subject of public derision. The King was greatly -affected at it, though he would not yet resolve to use violent remedies. - -I have said that the King did not desire war; to prevent which, if it -were yet possible, he sent Bussy to Hanover, where George II. was -expected. I was not for employing this man, thinking he had not -sufficient capacity to succeed in a negociation of this importance; but -Lewis XV. had been prejudiced in his favour. - -Bussy’s partizans said he spoke with resolution, and an absolute tone; -qualities that were looked upon as essential at a free court, where -moderation and suppleness are always unsuccessful. But the contrary was -the truth. Bussy negociated badly to prevent the war, and he failed some -years after to restore peace; but I laid it down as a maxim, never to -oppose the King’s sentiments. - -Orders were dispatched to all the commanders in the American colonies, -to fit out as many ships as they could, to oppose the designs of the -English. I heard Marshal Noailles then say, that troops should have been -sent, and not orders. - -The death of Marshal Lowendahl, the pupil and companion of Count Saxe, -that happened at this time, created sorrow, which in the present -circumstances was the more sensibly felt. His military talents had made -us conceive hopes that his death destroyed. The conquest of -Bergen-op-zoom had acquired him a reputation, from which France might -have derived advantages in the war with which she was threatened. I -testified my chagrin, upon this occasion, to the King. “You have reason -to lament the death of this officer, he replied to me; he was among the -number of those who were most deserving of any confidence. It is in vain -for me to seek amongst my subjects, I shall find no one capable of -supplying his place.” - -Lewis XV. who had honoured him during his life-time, was willing to -bestow marks of distinction upon him after his death. He was at the -expence of his funeral obsequies, and granted pensions to his children -of both sexes; recompences that were due to his merit, and with which -the King gratified his heirs. All those who were eclipsed by this -general’s merit, rejoiced at his death; none but real patriots lamented -it. - -Whilst France was employed about the means of supplying the expences of -the war, we learnt at Versailles that England found voluntary resources -in her subjects for her’s. Private persons offered money to such sailors -as enrolled themselves in the royal navy, and others engaged to support -their families at their own expence during the war, had it continued six -lustrums. - -Certain communities offered free gifts to those who would bear arms -against France. I said to Marshal Belleisle, who related these facts to -me: “It appears to me, sir, that a people who act in this manner, has -the advantage over those who give no money but what they are compelled -to part with, for the expences of the war.” _That is true_, replied the -old Courtier; _but this same English nation, who thus voluntarily part -with their riches for a war, which they think useful to the state, often -lose all their advantages at a peace. A Lord who wants to make his way -to the administration by a system of pacification, intrigues with the -king, gains his confidence, and has his creatures. These set forth, that -sieges and battles ruin the state, that commerce is hurt by them, and -that industry perishes. The cabal acquire strength, the candidate -minister’s party increases, he gains the ascendent, and the peace is -signed, at the expence of the nation’s blood and treasure._ - -M. de Mirepoix still continued his negociations at London: he conferred -with Sir Thomas Robinson, who gave him hopes; but this was only to gain -time: the war was resolved upon. Count D’Argenson often said to the -King, that this Embassador should be recalled, as his residence in -London only amused the state, and made the French nation ridiculous. The -King and council were greatly perplexed; Lewis XV. was not willing that -Europe should be able to reproach him with having committed the first -hostilities. - -Marshal Lowendahl, who before his death was witness to this -embarrassment, said publickly at court, that _it was better to attack as -a principal, than to be beat as a second_. This counsel was not -followed, but we repented of it. - -As for me, I was neuter in this great affair. It was reported that I -wished for this war, to make myself more considerable at court. I had -no occasion for either sieges or battles, things constantly destructive -to a state, to support my credit with the King. Lewis XV. honoured me -with his confidence: all those who had endeavoured to prejudice me had -miscarried in their attempt; rank and grandeur had no longer any charms -for me: the only ambition I had remaining was the settling of my -daughter; but she was not arrived at an age to be married, and I did not -doubt that the King would honour her with his protection. - -Peace was still the subject of conversation at London and Paris; but we -at length learned that the English had declared war against France in -the new world; the court of Versailles received advice, that Admiral -Boscawen had with his fleet taken the _Alcide_ man of war, upon the -banks of Newfoundland. The manner in which he took this ship aggravated -the offence. The _Alcide_ should not have been attacked, at the time it -was attacked, for she had no fighting orders. It is a custom established -amongst all civilized nations, when they declare war, to publish a -manifesto, containing the grievances which induce them to have recourse -to arms; and England had not published any such: therefore this step was -considered as a real piracy. This was observed to the King, who -immediately sent orders to the duke of Mirepoix and Bussy to return to -France, without taking leave of the court of England. Henceforward all -means of accommodation were suspended. - -The King, who had been desirous of avoiding a war before it began, took -his measures as soon as he was acquainted with this first act of -hostility. His honour would let him no longer put up an affront offered -to his flag. He said, upon retiring from the council, “Madam, war is -declared; the English are my enemies.” - -The operations of the war office took place; the armaments by land and -sea, the augmentation of the troops, and the means of supporting the -army, were taken into consideration. - -From this time the King lived more retired, he did not hunt so often, -and he debarred himself several diversions which he took before. He -conferred regularly with his ministers. Count D’Argenson, with whom he -was often locked up, gave him a circumstantial detail of his land -forces, and the naval minister laid before him a similar account of his -navy. Lewis XV. made several objections to them concerning the principal -points of their administration, to which these chiefs in office were -obliged to answer. - -The count D’Argenson, whose administration was then the most important, -as he was at the head of military affairs, told the King that his troops -were in a good state, that military discipline was well enforced, that -the French were fond of war, and that we might flatter ourselves with -successful campaigns, provided the generals seconded the ardour of the -troops, and were not themselves an obstacle to the grandeur of France. - -The conferences with the minister of the finances were of a still more -intricate nature; there were many ancient debts unpaid, the revenues of -the crown were mortgaged, commerce and industry, which had just -recovered some little vigour since the peace, were upon the point of -returning to their inactive state. - -The comptroller-general said to the King, “Sire, the state of things -must not be disguised to your Majesty; great springs must be put in -motion to maintain the burthen of the war. I have made a calculation -from the state of your finances, and they will procure me resources for -four years: if at the end of that time peace should not take place, the -campaigns cannot be carried on without imposing very oppressive taxes -upon your people.” - -The King, who after this conference paid me a visit, said, _that he had -just been conversing with a minister, who was the honestest man in all -France; for such I must call him_, he added, _who has so much probity as -to speak freely to his King_. - -The minister of the war department required an augmentation of 40000 -men, which was granted him, and orders were issued accordingly for -raising recruits. M. Belleisle told me, that so many men were not -necessary for the defence of a handful of barbarians, that this would -increase the expences of the state, and only tend to weaken it. He did -not forsee that these levies were nothing in comparison of those that -were to be afterwards made. - -France had been perfectly secured by the treaty of Aix la Chapelle. Her -ports were open and defenceless. Upon the commission of the first acts -of hostility in America, it was resolved to restore the works at -Dunkirk. The prince of Soubise was appointed by the King to see this -operation take place: eight thousand troops were allotted him to favour -the execution of this design. - -Upon the first reports of the revolutions in Canada, two successive -squadrons were dispatched, of which no news had yet been received. The -uncertainty of the success of this small naval armament suspended the -grand operations by land. - -The council of state could not resolve upon any fixed plan of -operations, the members being divided in their opinion. I was a witness -to a great part of the diversity of sentiments which then disturbed the -court, with respect to this grand affair. - -A man of much good sense said, like Marshal Belleisle, “that great -armies were useless; that land campaigns were not the object, but a sea -war; that the colonies should be put in a state of security, which alone -could be conquered; that the plan of the English was not to increase -their power in Europe, but to extend their limits in America; that all -their designs tended that way, and that we should direct ours to the -same object; that France was guarantied in Europe by the general -balance; but that there was no system whereby our settlements in the new -world were guarantied; that the crown would lose its influence, when -trade would be entirely in the power of the English; that the British -navy was already superior to the navies of all Europe, but that after -the loss of Canada and the other parts of the continent of America, it -would be the only one in Europe; that this was the crisis for France, -and that if the opportunity was neglected of protecting ourselves from -this last attempt, it would never return; that all other plans of -warlike operations should be given up, to pursue that of the colonies, -as they interested the general republic; but that this personally and -solely interested France; that America being once conquered, the whole -body of Europe could not restore the equilibrium, because the power of -the first states of the continent did not extend to the sea; that the -English in the center of the christian world, were separated from -Christendom; that they could not be attacked in their own islands; that -nature had secured them from all invasions in Europe, _&c._” - -The opposite party, on the contrary, said, “that great armies should be -raised to oppose the allies of England, who would not fail to form -designs in Germany; that here the capital strokes would be struck; that -the war in America was only the pretext for that which was to be carried -on in Europe; that some troops should be sent to Canada; but that -numerous legions should be raised for Germany; that we were mistaken if -we thought the English limited their enterprizes to America, as it was -visible that their designs tended to excite a revolution in the north of -Europe; that the general balance guarantied France no farther than she -herself contributed to support a just equilibrium; that with respect to -trade in general, there was no reason to apprehend that England could -engross it, as there were not sufficient materials in that country to -compass the design; that the English were compelled to have recourse to -industrious nations, and where the price of labour was not so high; that -universal trade consisted in exchanges, and that a people who should -considerably diminish that of other states, would greatly cramp their -own; that with respect to the navy, one could not be immediately formed -to balance that of England; that the expences made upon this account -would be endless, as the time was too short and the means too -circumscribed; that the loss of Canada was not certain, the events of -war being casual; that the savage nations loved the French and hated the -English; that they would prefer being exterminated, rather than submit -to the British yoke; lastly, that if Canada should be conquered in this -war, it might be retaken in another; but that if the English, united -with their allies, should avail themselves of favourable circumstances -to gain advantages in Europe, it would be then too late to repair the -damage, as the last victories would be guarantied by new treaties of -peace; whereas in America the barbarous nations in alliance with France, -who are unacquainted with the laws of nations, are always ready to -create revolutions: in a word, that it was France’s interest to set on -foot numerous armies to support her pretensions by land, and to yield -for some time the dominion of the sea, _&c._ _&c._” - -A third party maintained that both these objects should be attended to: -“We should (said they) prevent the English making conquests in America, -and hinder any taking place in Europe. France is sufficiently powerful -for this; she need only manage well her forces; she will prevail every -where, when those who govern the state unite in one common interest; -that is to say, the glory of the nation, and the happiness of the -people. If the northern powers of Europe are inclinable to avail -themselves of the misunderstandings in America, we must keep our -engagements, and send 24000 men into Germany. A more numerous army can -only procure us a greater loss without any advantage. These moderate -succours will enable us to send more considerable assistance to the new -world, to protect our colonies; the revolution in Canada is not a -maritime quarrel, it is a land war. The point is to defend the -continent, and it is only necessary to land troops there; and this the -English cannot prevent. They have taken no measures yet to block up the -passages; but if we do not make haste, we shall be too late; for the -English, who keep a steady eye upon our operations, will no sooner find -that we do not make any great preparations by land, than they will begin -to make very considerable ones by sea.” - -There was also a numerous party inclined for peace: the reasons which -they alledged, were founded upon our inability of carrying on the war; -but the minds of the people were too much agitated to listen to plans of -pacification; each had his schemes for pushing his fortune, and private -interest always prevails over the common weal. Subaltern officers who -wanted advancement, were desirous of sieges and battles. Those who -endeavoured to obtain the command of armies, were desperate advocates -for war; and such as would be employed in furnishing the necessaries for -carrying it on, thought it indispensable: it is plain from these -motives, how little the interest of the state was considered. - -During this crisis the clergy of France were assembled; they deliberated -very seriously, whether sick people should have the sacraments -administered, or whether they should die without them. The bishops who -had been brought over by the court and the parliament, were of opinion, -that they could not be refused this assistance. Those who expected -nothing of the King, and who hated the parliament, maintained on the -contrary, that they should be refused them like heretics. At length, -after many debates, they seemed inclinable to leave this great affair to -the determination of the Pope. - -I learnt this news with pleasure. Benedict XIV. then filled the papal -chair. Many persons who had been at Rome, gave me a very favourable -opinion of this pontiff. He despised his predecessors, refined policy of -turning every thing to their own advantage; the first steps he took upon -his obtaining the pontificate, made me conceive a real esteem for him. -He had abolished at Rome those wretched equivocations, which in serving -as food for superstition, dishonour the Christian religion. He knew that -God sometimes wrought miracles, but that he does not daily alter the -course of nature. This prince of the church preferred the title of an -honest man to that of a holy one, and this quality raised him above all -the Popes that ever existed upon earth. Benedict XIV. had so much -understanding and so little prejudice, that his decision could not fail -to restore tranquility to the Gallican church. - -The administration of the sacraments was not the only disquisition which -engaged the clergy; the grand affair for which they were convened, and -in which the whole body were unanimous, was to deny the authority of the -parliaments, or any other body of laymen whatever. Lewis XV. who could -not begin the war without oppressing his people, was willing to set them -an example of œconomy, by diminishing his household expences. He -reduced his hunting equipages, and the number of his hunting horses in -both stables. The expences of his little journies were regulated and -diminished: it was resolved that there should be no diversions this year -at court, and the works of the Louvre were suspended, _&c._ - -The Count D’Argenson said, “that these savings are so small an object, -that they will scarce enrich a commissary of stores during the war.” - -I was myself often inclined to have an eye to œconomy; but M. de -Belleisle had told me that it was scarce possible to benefit the state -by such frugality; he added, “if it were an evil, it was impossible to -remedy it; but that all those who served the King would enrich -themselves; that a reform would produce no advantage; that it was better -to continue employing the old officers who were already opulent, than to -replace them with new ones, who would endeavour to become so.” - -Neither the council of state nor the warlike preparations deprived me of -the King’s company, who visited me regularly, and communicated to me his -designs and intentions. The resolution he had taken of being revenged of -his enemies, gave him an air of satisfaction, which he had not before -he had taken it; his only uneasiness was for his people: he was afraid -that the continuance of the war would exhaust them too much. - -It was thought necessary to review the troops, and there were three -encampments. The prince of Soubise wanted the command of the camp of -Hainault: I spoke to the King, and it was granted him. M. de Chevert, -and the Marquis de Voyer, in whose favour I also interested myself, -obtained the two others. - -Though hostilities were begun in America, Lewis XV. would not continue -them in Europe. A frigate of the Brest squadron having taken an English -frigate, the King immediately ordered it to be released, as he said, _he -would not make war in time of peace, and be the first to infringe the -treaty of Aix la Chapelle in Europe_. - -A general officer, who was in my apartment when the King told me he had -just dispatched this order, could not refrain telling him, in my -presence, “Permit me, Sire, to represent to your Majesty, that this -moderation will noways alter the system of the court of London. The -English have resolved to fall upon us, and to seize all such ships as -they think they have the superiority over: reprisals are necessary, and -we should seize all such vessels as are inferior in strength to our’s -that meet with them.” - -The Count de Argenson said, there was but one method of carrying on the -war, “which was to drub the enemy well, and take a good deal from them.” - -The sea-officers paid their court regularly to me; for the navy was to -have the honour of this war. There was a promotion of officers, and I -interested myself in behalf of some, in consequence of the characters -that were given me of their capacity and courage. - -I know that complaints have often been made in France of my choice of -certain persons, as well in the army as in the administration: but those -who condemned me were unacquainted with Versailles. Every courtier has a -party who cry up their talents and genius. It is impossible to descry -real merit through these extravagant elogiums. All those who are -interested in a courtier’s advancement, either in the army or in the -government, hide his faults, and display his good qualities; for every -man has a favourable side. - -The death of Madame, daughter to the Dauphin, created fresh affliction -for the King. I have often heard the happiness of Kings extolled, when -they are in reality more to be pitied than other men. A citizen has -scarce any thing but domestic troubles to afflict him: a Monarch unites -family misfortunes with those of the state. - -Scarce had Lewis wiped away his tears, before he had news of a battle -that was fought in America, near the Ohio, between his troops and those -of England, in which General Braddock fell, and where the French gained -a compleat victory. The blood that was spilt in this affair, a detail of -which may be found in the annals of Europe, closed all avenues to an -accommodation. The only measure to be taken in Europe was to be upon the -defensive, and this was not taken. The English seized as many -merchant-ships in Europe as they met with in both seas. The commanders -of these ships had received orders to surrender without making any -resistance. I desired the King to explain to me the motive of this -policy, and he replied to me as before, _that he would not break -treaties, and make war in time of peace_. - -The English availed themselves of this moderation; they became absolute -masters of the sea, and filled their island with French prisoners. - -At the very time that the court of Versailles piqued themselves upon -fulfilling their engagements, the court of London reproached us with -breaking them. The restoration of the works at Dunkirk was construed -into an infraction of these same treaties, for which France sacrificed -what power she had remaining at sea. In this manner each government -endeavoured to justify their designs; and thus was ambition disguised -under every form to obtain its ends. - -Marshal Noailles, who was not of opinion that France should let the -remainder of her navigation and trade be crushed, to convince all Europe -that the English made war like pirates, said, that this external -moderation deceived none, that the court of Versailles alone was -deceived. - -Those who agreed in opinion with the King, pretended that all these -captures made without a declaration of war would be restored; but real -politicians thought otherwise, and experience has demonstrated, by the -event, that these were not deceived. - -Repeated orders were dispatched to all the sea-ports, and preparations -were making for a land-war; but there was not a sufficient fund in the -royal treasury to support the extraordinary expences. The -Comptroller-general said to the King, “Sire, the farmers-general offer -your Majesty money, it should be taken. They will lend the crown -sixty-six millions at 4 per cent. the state in its present exigence -cannot purchase money at a cheaper rate.” - -It may, perhaps, be thought that the financiers, affected at the state -of France, made this voluntary proposal from a spirit of patriotism; but -posterity will know that the same sordid interest which constantly -actuates them, incited them to display this generosity. One of the first -conditions was, that the lease of the farms should be renewed. They -afterwards insisted that there should be no under-farmers; that is to -say, that the profits arising from the farms should be no longer -divided, and that they should be sole masters of the finances. They also -wanted to have the disposal of all the employments in the farms. - -It was publicly said in Paris, that I had framed the scheme of this -loan. It is true that four farmers-general applied to me, to make the -proposal from their body, and that I mentioned it to the King. Lewis -XV. had it examined in his council, who approved of it; this is all the -share I had in the transaction. Those who imagine that a King of France -can raise money by the act of his own private will, are unacquainted -with the government. This sum was far from being sufficient to put in -motion all the machines of war that were foreseen to be necessary. The -King borrowed thirty millions upon the posts at 3 per cent. but even -this additional sum was not enough. The King’s secretaries, as well of -the upper as the inferior college, were taxed, and this impost, the -least burthensome perhaps of any, because it fell upon such as purchased -their employments through ostentation, produced a supply of forty-five -millions. - -With this fund, it was incumbent upon us to oppose the designs of the -English at sea, and of such powers as were enemies to France by land. - -I saw the King as usual. He supped almost every night with me, and -communicated to me all his plans and designs. Difficulties did not -astonish him. Lewis XV. is slow at resolving, but when he is determined, -his resolution is firm. He appeared more gay than usual: perhaps the -internal tranquility of the state greatly contributed towards it; for -the broils with the court of England had produced so good an effect at -home, that schisms were no longer the subject of conversation. The -curates administered to the sick, and thus the clergy and parliament -were reconciled. - -We learnt at Versailles that George II. who had made a voyage to his -Electoral dominions, was returned to London. His presence was there -necessary to expedite the military operations. We were at the same time -informed, that several councils had been held at Kensington, in which it -was resolved to make war. It had already been pursued for some time; and -these councils were held only to deliberate upon the means. The English -had by this time taken from the French 250 merchantmen, and made upwards -of 4000 sailors prisoners of war. - -The two nations mutually upbraided each other with the injustice of -their proceedings. The English reproached the French with having -infringed upon the treaty of peace, and the French openly declared, that -the English made war like pirates; and added, that the parliament of -England might be compared to the Divan of Constantinople, and George II. -to the Dey of Algiers. - -The Duke of Belleisle said, that these reproaches were carried too far; -that there were sufficient grounds for the two nations fighting for -five hundred years without declaring war. - -Count de Argenson asked a foreign minister, in my presence, _Which of -the two parties was the most equitable?_ “They are both unjust, said the -foreigner. France is in the wrong for having made incursions upon the -British dominions in America, and for having fortified Dunkirk; and -England has done amiss by seizing the ships of this nation, and for -having made prisoners of war in time of peace.” - -I related this discourse to the King, who said, that most of the foreign -ministers were unacquainted with the origin of the dispute, and that -they judged of things only by appearances, or according to the ideas -they entertained of their own country. - -These private discourses no way altered the general operations. The -armaments by sea and land continued going on, and we prepared ourselves -for war. The Pope offered his mediation; this was Benedict XIV. The -matter might have been referred to him, had it been possible for him to -have negotiated the affair in person; but it must have been entrusted to -nuncios, who are usually men as ambitious as they are ignorant, and who -are acquainted with no other politics than those of the Vatican. - -The King of Portugal also offered his service: but as he was incapable -of throwing any weight in the scale, he occasioned no alteration in the -designs that were formed for pursuing the war. - -The duke of Noailles said, he was surprised that petty princes without -power, should think of being the arbiters of the power of the first -states in Europe. - -I shall not conceal to posterity that pacific proposals were made -between the two courts; but they were so distant from their respective -views, that it may be presumed they were offered only to make the torch -of war blaze the more, though the pretext was to extinguish it. - -France’s demands were great, and the English required too much. This was -the method of succeeding in the design that was formed of not agreeing. - -In order to increase the troops, and render the armies more numerous, -recourse was had to an expedient which was of very little consequence. -The invalids, who, by their services and their wounds, had obtained -admission into the hospital, were ordered to bear arms and fight the -enemies of the state. - -A wit said upon this occasion, that “this was having recourse to the -dead to wage war against the living.” - -In proportion as the quarrel between France and England increased, Lewis -XV. gave me more power. It was imagined in the world, that I was the -arbitress of this new revolution: it is true, the King asked my opinion -upon many things; but I took care not to be answerable for such events -as might give a new biass to affairs in general: I referred them to the -council of state, leaving them to share all the blame, if any was -incurred. - -The ministers saw me more regularly, and the general officers who were -desirous of commanding the armies, paid their court to me with -remarkable assiduity. - -Whilst agreeable news was received from the new world, the court was -very uneasy about two squadrons which had set sail for America; but -advice came of their being returned to Brest. The King came himself to -acquaint me with the news, at which he testified much joy. It was -natural to think that the ships which composed these squadrons would -fall into the hands of the English, who had sent very considerable -fleets to America. - -The first advantage the French gained in Canada, produced a second. The -Iroquois nation offered to enter into alliance with the French. - -The count D’Argenson shewed me the discourse which the deputies of this -savage people addressed to M. Vaudreuil, who commanded the King’s -troops. - -“May the Great Spirit preserve the captain of the French and his valiant -warriors! May the extent of their courage be measured by the number of -their wounds! We, whose nations are as ancient as the stars, and the -most courageous upon earth, come to offer thee the right arm of our -warriors. The black gowns who are amongst us, have taken care to make -us acquainted with thy nation, which is the most valiant of any after -our own, because they have seen that these warriors might learn from -ours what they did not know before. Our nation, who reckon more than ten -thousand moons, come then to unite their forces to assist thee, in order -to regale our wives and children with the dead bodies of the enemies of -the captain of the French. Receive the calumet of peace, and as a mark -of joy, give three shouts to the sun, which is risen to enlighten our -nations.” - -This letter being made public at Versailles, a courtier, who had read -it, said to the King: “Sire, we must make an alliance with the Iroquois, -for they will eat as many Englishmen as they can find. Those people are -so famished with glory, that they devour their conquests.” - -A few days after the return of the Brest fleets, the King said to me: -“The English parliament desire peace, the people of England want war. I -shall take no steps to procure the last; but if it is proposed to me -upon honourable terms, I will accept of it.” - -M. de Belleisle told me, that no terms would be proposed, and that all -the reports that were spread in England, were only designed to amuse -France, and surprise the government. - -“Marshal, said I to him, we may possibly be surprised, for it is above a -year since we were told that we ought to be so.” - -Whilst warlike preparations were making on every side, the ministers -often received memorials from individuals, pointing out the object of -our first attack. - -The French have for some time been greatly addicted to politics. It is -pretended that we caught the infection from the English, and that it was -communicated to France by the way of Calais. A man of great wit said to -me one day upon this head, that since this contagion had spread, an -infinite number of people, whose labour and industry might have been -very beneficial to the state, became idle spectators. In England this -rage is not so dangerous; the citizens engage themselves as well with -their own private affairs, as with the administration in general. But in -France, when a man gives himself up to politics, he passes his life -systematically. - -The Count D’Argenson shewed me a memorial, which he had received from an -unknown hand, bearing this title, _Important advice to the government_. - -“We should not wage war, said the anonymous author, either in Germany or -in America; the English navy is superior to ours: the English will in -the end have the advantage over us. In opposing ourselves to their -forces, we shall only compleatly ruin our own. - -“We should take the field with a bold stroke. It should seem for some -time past, as if our ministers were paid by the English government, to -go into all the snares that were laid for them. It is only necessary -that the court of London chalk out a plan, for that of Versailles to -follow them. This bold stroke is to enter into alliance with Spain, and -invade Portugal provisionally. The Portuguese are allies of the English, -and this is a sufficient plea to conquer them: I say this is sufficient, -for princes have long since thought they had no occasion for a pretext -to make war: it was only necessary that an invasion favoured their -designs. - -“That kingdom is easy to invade; Portugal has neither armies nor -officers, for we should not consider as soldiers, a few natives badly -disciplined, who never saw fire, and commanders that never served. Some -months must elapse before the English can send them troops and generals. -Lisbon will be taken before the English fleet can set sail to defend it. - -“Portugal being once in the hands of the French, the English will -attempt nothing; or else at the peace, they will give up every thing. - -“To form a judgment of the importance of this invasion, the advantages -which Great Britain derives from Portugal should be considered. - -“All Europe knows that this kingdom has no manufactures, and that the -English furnish the Portuguese not only with every thing which promotes -their luxury, but even their physical wants. Forty thousand artizans, in -every kind of trade, are constantly at work for them. Portugal maintains -forty thousand of King George’s subjects. These contribute to the -support of an equal number of other citizens; and as this primitive -industry is the source of infinite subordinate species of it, the -interruption given to these manufactures would occasion a diminution in -the general circulation. - -“Eight thousand merchantmen sail every year from the river Thames to -enter the Tagus; twenty thousand English sailors are therefore supported -by this single branch of commerce. - -“The mines of Brazil produce annually fresh riches for England, which -are the more advantageous, as they furnish that nation with the means of -purchasing alliances, and paying subsidies. It is partly with the gold -of Portugal that Great Britain maintains her fleets, and raises armies. - -“It is true that the riches of Portugal are in America, and that the -English fleets might possess themselves of the mines; but the English -would not derive great advantage from this conquest. - -“The extraction of gold is a manufacture that must be rendered -profitable, to draw advantages from it: and this capacity is not the lot -of every one. The Portuguese, naturally sober, and who have but few -wants, can alone derive these advantages from it; the English, with whom -labour is much dearer, would be losers by it. Great Britain, instead of -being enriched, would be impoverished by the mines. - -“It is a general rule, that mines always ruin their proprietors, as -Spain and Portugal evince, which are continually impoverished in -proportion as their mines become fruitful. The only nations that are -thereby enriched, are those who barter their industry for the produce. - -“The invasion of Portugal would make a change in all the systems of -Europe. It would cause a general revolution in cabinets. The face of -affairs in Germany would be entirely altered. The King of Prussia would -change his plans. The Belligerant powers, who are preparing for a -certain war, would be obliged to carry on another, which would greatly -distress many powers. - -“France by this first cast would save great armies, and still greater -sums. Portugal would be no sooner taken, than the English would set -about re-taking it: this war, which would at once entirely occupy them, -would divert them from any other. - -“The English ministry are prepared for every thing, except the invasion -of Portugal. They have planned all their operations for the German war, -and that in America; but no steps are taken for the defence of Portugal. - -“But this expedition should be equally secret as speedy: these form the -soul of success. The greatest part of our operations miscarry, because -they are tardy and public. The enemy is almost constantly acquainted -with our designs the very instant that they are projected: this is the -certain means of rendering them abortive. The English, it is true, are -not prepared to oppose this invasion; but if they gain timely notice of -it, they will set aside some other plans to prevent this. Expedition and -penetration are, we know, the two characteristic qualities of that -government. - -“The court of Madrid should be made acquainted with this scheme by an -extraordinary courier, and their assistance requested; or, we should -rather propose giving up Portugal to them, after the invasion. - -“If the court of Madrid has hitherto refused entering into alliance with -France, it was because an expensive war was proposed to them, which -offered nothing but charges without conquest: but when we propose giving -them, as the fruit of their alliance, a kingdom at hand, and to which -they pretend having ancient claims, they will not hesitate a moment. - -“The troops that are in Rousillon, Languedoc, and Provence, should be -forwarded by degrees nearer and nearer; the marching of those that are -more distant would discover the project.” - -END of the SECOND VOLUME. - - -FOOTNOTES: - - [A] The Thesis of the Abbé Prade. - - [B] We did not know that the magistrate first brought the Sorbonne - back to their duty, and awakened the zeal of the pastors, who slept in - tranquility by the side of the wolf. - - [C] The features of this portrait were certainly drawn for the late - Duke of Orleans, to whom, we are assured, the archbishop refused the - sacraments. If this be true, who dare think himself worthy of aspiring - to this favour? - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Memoirs of the Marchioness of -Pompadour (vol. 2 of 2), by Jeanne Antoinette Poisson Pompadour - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMOIRS OF THE MARCHIONESS *** - -***** This file should be named 52215-0.txt or 52215-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/2/1/52215/ - -Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images available at The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: Memoirs of the Marchioness of Pompadour (vol. 2 of 2) - -Author: Jeanne Antoinette Poisson Pompadour - -Release Date: June 1, 2016 [EBook #52215] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMOIRS OF THE MARCHIONESS *** - - - - -Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images available at The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<hr class="full" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="296" height="500" alt="" title="" /> -</div> - -<h1> -M E M O I R S<br /> -<small>O F T H E</small><br /> -Marchioness of Pompadour.</h1> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_i" id="page_i"></a>{i}</span></p> -<p class="c">WRITTEN <small>BY</small> HERSELF.<br /> - -<small>Wherein are Displayed</small></p> - -<div class="cls"> -<p class="hang">The Motives of the Wars, Treaties of Peace, Embassies, and -Negotiations, in the several Courts of Europe:</p> - -<p class="hang">The Cabals and Intrigues of Courtiers; the Characters of Generals, -and Ministers of State, with the Causes of their Rise and Fall; -and, in general, the most remarkable Occurrences at the Court of -France, during the last twenty Years of the Reign of Lewis XV.</p> - -<hr /> -<p class="c"> -Translated from the French.</p> -<hr /> - -<p class="c">IN TWO VOLUMES.</p> -<hr /> -<p class="c">VOL. II.</p> -<hr /><hr class="bl" /> -<p class="c">L O N D O N:<br /> -Printed for <span class="smcap">P. V a i l l a n t</span>, in the Strand; and<br /> -<span class="smcap">W. J o h n s t o n</span>, in Ludgate-Street.<br /> -MDCCLXVI.<br /> -</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_1" id="page_1"></a>{1}</span></p> - -<h1>M E M O I R S<br /><br /> -<small>O F T H E</small><br /><br /> -<small>Marchioness of Pompadour.</small></h1> - -<p class="nind"><span class="letra">L</span>EWIS XV. as I have said in another place, visited me habitually. He -could not dispense with my company, which was become absolutely -necessary to him: but this inclination had not entirely removed a taste -for transitory amours. He yielded to them by constitution; but never -reflected on them without repentance. After an adventure of gallantry, -he was more constant than ever. Remorse brought him back to himself and -to me. I may venture to say, that I enjoyed his infidelity; and had he -been entirely divested of it, he would have given<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_2" id="page_2"></a>{2}</span> way to some other -passion, that would have separated him from me. I was under -apprehensions for some time that his mind would take a warlike turn: I -desired Maurice count Saxe, who regularly paid his court to him, after -the campaigns in Flanders, not to dwell so much upon battles and sieges: -but Lewis assured me, as I have already mentioned, that he had -sacrificed this inclination to the welfare of France.</p> - -<p>The king had for some time devoted himself to politics; but this study -no way interfered with his amusements. He applied himself to it through -that beneficent disposition, which naturally prompts him to solace his -people. He was desirous of being possessed of the present state of -Europe: M. De Belleisle furnished him with it. The king shewed it to me: -it was a system of political-topography. The Marshal entered into a -minute detail upon the power of each government.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_3" id="page_3"></a>{3}</span> He took a review of -all Europe, and stipulated the state of the forces of the different -people.</p> - -<p>M. de Noailles, who saw this state of Europe, said, “That there was too -much geometry in it; that the republic of Christendom was subject to so -many revolutions, which derived their origin from so many secondary -causes, wherewith politics had no kind of connexion, that cabinets -frequently obtained honour from what was the mere effect of fortune. -France, said he to me, exerted her influence to acquire Lorrain: -Cardinal Richelieu could not succeed in the business, and Mazarin -miscarried; accident threw it into the hands of France under the -administration of cardinal de Fleuri.</p> - -<p>“Europe was engaged for near two hundred years in negociation and war, -to prevent the crown of Spain devolving to any branch of the house of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_4" id="page_4"></a>{4}</span> -Bourbon. The will of a weak and languishing prince bequeathed it -entirely to France, at a time that Lewis XIV. did not even think of -being included in the treaty of partition.</p> - -<p>“The English never could have imagined making a conquest of Gibraltar, -which gave them an ascendency in the ocean, and made them masters of the -Mediterranean; when the same accident that gave Spain to the house of -Bourbon, produced them the acquisition of that important fortress, which -they have ever since retained, though the reasons that induced them to -gain possession of it no longer subsist, &c.</p> - -<p>“If we were to recur to the origin of great revolutions, we should find -that fortune governed the world, and that policy, which would reduce all -events to rule, prevails too much in the cabinet of princes. He added, -that these enumerations of the power of the states<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_5" id="page_5"></a>{5}</span> of Europe are -useless, as it is not strength that regulates the fate of governments, -but a certain combination of accidents, in opposition to which neither -negociations nor armies can prevail.”</p> - -<p>I do not at present recollect the precise terms in which this memorial -of M. de Belleisle was conceived; I only remember that he concluded with -these words: “France cannot be hurt by all the great states of Europe: -Prussia only is to be feared, and England dreaded.”</p> - -<p>Though the king had for some time been fond of talking of state affairs, -he was so polite as to dwell but little upon them in my company. -Notwithstanding what I have said of his gravity, there is no man in -France so agreeable at <i>a tête-a-tête</i>, as Lewis XV. He is some days so -happy and vivacious, as even to inspire mirth and joy.</p> - -<p>I have frequently mentioned his goodness; I shall now give a little -anecdote,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_6" id="page_6"></a>{6}</span> which will corroborate what I have said upon that head. One -night, after having been pretty late with me in my apartments, he told -me he should not dine with me the next day (as he frequently used to do) -having resolved to go to Marli, where he should remain till towards the -evening. My brother Marigni paid me a morning visit that day, and as I -was quite alone, I desired him to stay and dine with me. We conversed -together for some time, after which he went to take a turn in Versailles -gardens, till it was the hour to go to dinner.</p> - -<p>The king altered his mind and did not go a riding. Instead of going to -Marli, he came to dine with me. He observed the table laid with two -covers, and as he had the day before acquainted me with his intended -journey, he testified his surprise, asking me for whom I had intended -the second cover. “Sire, I replied, my brother came to see me this -morning,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_7" id="page_7"></a>{7}</span> and as I was alone, I invited him to dine with me; but as your -majesty does me that honour yourself, I shall send to acquaint him that -he cannot be a guest.” <i>No</i>, replied the king, <i>your brother is one of -the family; instead of removing the cover that was laid for him, only -lay another, and we will all three dine together</i>. My brother returned, -and the king behaved to him with all possible politeness. This is not an -important anecdote, but it displays this prince’s regard, even in the -most minute affairs.</p> - -<p>M. Rouillé furnished the king every day with fresh estimates, by which -it appeared that the marine was re-established. This minister publickly -said in 1751, that he had seventy ships of the line, and thirty -frigates; but he said that he had more than there really were. -Ministers, in general, increase their plan; they almost constantly -confound the establishments already made, with those that still<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_8" id="page_8"></a>{8}</span> remain -to be made, and these latter frequently never take place.</p> - -<p>A man of understanding said to me at that time, that if France had a -fleet of seventy men of war or frigates, ready to put to sea, the great -object of the French marine would be accomplished. This same person -averred, that we wanted no more to face the English, who have not a -greater number of ships fit for engagement; for, added he, we must not -confound the coasting cruizers, and those which are destined for -convoys; they are not comprised among the number of ships of the line.</p> - -<p>The English embassador was ordered to keep a watchful eye upon M. -Rouillé and all his operations, in order to acquaint his court -therewith. He no longer asked the administration, as was customary with -him, what we intended to do with so many ships, because he had -frequently had for answer, that the court<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_9" id="page_9"></a>{9}</span> of France was not obliged to -give Great-Britain an account of what she did.</p> - -<p>The king made a promotion of sea officers; commodores were appointed, -captains and old lieutenants were promoted, and there was so much bustle -made about the state of the marine, that the court of London began to -take umbrage at it.</p> - -<p>A foreign embassador told me one day upon this occasion, that he -discerned a great error in the French government, that is to say, “that -we make a shew of ourselves to all Europe and our enemies. He added, -there are no secrets of state at Versailles; all Christendom is informed -of the designs of France, long before she is in a condition to execute -them, whereby they are frustrated.”</p> - -<p>An affair that no way related to France, excited the attention of the -king for a short time. The Genoese (an unsteady people, and who have -never been in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_10" id="page_10"></a>{10}</span> state of tranquility since the foundation of their -republic) had carried on a war for a long time against the Corsicans, -whom they stiled rebels, whilst the Corsicans gave them the appellation -of tyrants. There had been several engagements between them, which -served only to protract the war, as peace must ever be the result of a -reconciliation of sentiments. Hatred and antipathy had barred all the -avenues to a mediation. Their aversion to each other surpassed their -reciprocal dread. If religion itself had fomented a division, it could -not have been more animated.</p> - -<p>Marshal Belleisle, speaking to me of this war, often told me that the -Genoese would never be rulers over the Corsicans; for which he assigned -this reason; “When the principal state combats with its subjects, the -first battle must decide the quarrel, otherwise it will remain for a -long time undetermined. Rebels,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_11" id="page_11"></a>{11}</span> who by sieges and battles, poise the -sovereign authority, no longer bear the name of subjects, but adopt that -of enemies; for the force of arms, which destroys all privilege, -restores the level.”</p> - -<p>Such people as are in subjection to kings, would no longer be so, if -they were capable of throwing off their submission; for subordination -was not agreed upon by convention, but compelled by violence or open -force. So that a people who throw off the yoke, are not rebels any -farther than their ill conduct in the revolution, and their ignorance to -procure the means of success, give them this title.</p> - -<p>The Genoese, after fruitless endeavours to reduce the Corsicans, took a -wrong step in addressing themselves to foreign powers; France, of whom -they had asked succours, furnished them with some troops and a -commander. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_12" id="page_12"></a>{12}</span> Venetian embassador, who was then at Paris, said upon -this occasion; “That the Genoese, who were reckoned to be people of -great memory, had lost their recollection with regard to France, as they -forgot that she bombarded Genoa in the time of Lewis XIV. and that the -republic narrowly escaped from destruction through her, in the reign of -Lewis XV.”</p> - -<p>The Genoese officers, whom the senate had appointed and sent to that -island for the defence of their rights, were greater foes to the -republic than they were to the Corsicans, seeking disputes with the -French mediators, under pretence that they excited those islanders to -hold them in contempt. If the allegation had been just, they should have -connived at it, and pursued, without interruption, the restoration of -peace. But envy, that vice so natural to Italians, and particularly the -Genoese, occasioned this dissention. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_13" id="page_13"></a>{13}</span> saw with jealous eyes, -foreigners interfering in a peace, all the honour of which they were -desirous of keeping to themselves. The republic, equally jealous of -their own officers, as these were of the French, took another ill-judged -measure, by making application to the court of Versailles, to know how -they should act against themselves, and what satisfaction the king -required. Any other nation would rather have given up their interest -with respect to Corsica, which even France could not bring back to its -duty, than to have thus humbled themselves: but the republic of Genoa -have been long accustomed to meanness and submission.</p> - -<p>“The Genoese, said the King, deserve to be punished, by my interfering -no longer with their affairs: but they have paved the way for my son Don -Philip into Italy, and I owe them some acknowledgment—this predominates -in<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_14" id="page_14"></a>{14}</span> my heart over the resentment which their conduct deserves.”</p> - -<p>Lewis XV. who had appointed M. de Chauvelin plenipotentiary in the -island of Corsica, to terminate matters in an amicable manner, gave him -fresh instructions to hasten his negociation, and new orders were -dispatched to the marquis of Cursai, who commanded the French troops.</p> - -<p>These two mediators settled the place for holding a congress, and peace -was in appearance concluded. All formalities were observed: Harangues -were made at the opening of the assemblies, and flowers of rhetoric were -scattered amongst an ignorant and barbarous people. The Corsicans -stretched their large ears to these studied orations, but did not -understand a syllable. They replied with acclamations, and the orators -imagined they had seduced them by their eloquence.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_15" id="page_15"></a>{15}</span></p> - -<p>After these speeches, the treaty, or regulation between the Republic and -the Corsicans, was brought upon the carpet. Each party thereby retained -prerogatives which made them independent of each other; that is to say, -the subjects of this republic were treating for their liberty. The -Corsicans terminated by negociation, what they could not accomplish by -arms.</p> - -<p>When the articles of the treaty were sent to Versailles, Marshal -Belleisle publickly said, “That the Republic had submitted too much: -that they should have granted an amnesty to the rebels, and not have -treated with them: that subjects who have thrown off the yoke, in -returning to their duty, should obtain nothing but pardon. He added, -that the Corsicans should either be punished as guilty of treason, or -else abandoned as rebels; for subjects who are sufficiently powerful to -oblige their<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_16" id="page_16"></a>{16}</span> sovereign to treat with them, are not faithful enough to -submit long to obedience.”</p> - -<p>These reflexions appeared to be the more justly founded, as all these -negotiations soon became useless, and a war was presently after -rekindled.</p> - -<p>Be this as it may, the Genoese were for the present left here, the -attention of every one being taken up with news from Asia, which greatly -flattered the king’s expectations. We were informed from India, that the -Nabob had confidence enough in France, to place his political interest -in the hands of a Frenchman, named Dupleix; and that the nation of the -Marats, who were subject to the Nabob, had appointed him their commander -in chief.</p> - -<p>It is said that Lewis XIV. who was animated with every kind of glory, -was sensibly struck with the information given him by an embassador from -the king<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_17" id="page_17"></a>{17}</span> of Siam, who was delegated to acquaint him that his name was -held in great veneration in those states. He testified more public joy, -and was more flattered with this honour, than if he had obtained an -important conquest.</p> - -<p>The peace concluded with the Nabob, and the confidence which this prince -reposed in France, were objects of far greater consequence. They -increased the riches of the state, whereas the embassy from Siam had no -other effect than flattering the monarch’s vanity.</p> - -<p>Dupleix became at once plenipotentiary and generalissimo; he stipulated -the terms of the treaty of peace, and received the command. These two -posts were preceded by an important negociation, without which he could -never have obtained them; he fixed the unsteady disposition of the -Marats. This nation had been hitherto divided into various factions, -who, in weakening themselves,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_18" id="page_18"></a>{18}</span> prevented France deriving any advantage -from them. This foreigner upbraided them with their impolitic conduct, -and taught them to pursue connected views, and an uniform system.</p> - -<p>This Dupleix was not, however, any great genius: but there are people -who perform great things with very little capacity. We have since seen -him at Paris fallen from the pinnacle of his fame, and at length give up -his breath with the reputation of a man, who, so far from having been -capable of governing India, had not talents sufficient to regulate his -own houshold affairs.</p> - -<p>He had a great law-suit with the India company. This quarrel is equally -remarkable by the nature of the demand, as by that of the refusal. The -Nabob’s general declared, that the directors were indebted to him -several millions, and the directors set forth that they owed him -nothing. There is, in general, ingratitude<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_19" id="page_19"></a>{19}</span> on the one side, and but -little acknowledgment on the other. The memorials that were published -upon this occasion, produced at least this advantage, they opened the -eyes of the government with respect to many things relative to India, -which they would never have been acquainted with, had not these -publications taken place.</p> - -<p>I made business, pleasure, and amusements, by turns succeed at -Versailles, which still prevented the king’s serious reflexions. Lewis -XV. existed, I may say, by a constitution which I communicated to him, -and this factitious temperament hindered his own prevailing. I believe -he would have been at length overcome without that art which I employed -to repress nature. Notwithstanding this precaution, there were moments -in which he gave himself up to melancholy. It was then necessary to -invent new pleasures, in order to excite fresh sensations.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_20" id="page_20"></a>{20}</span> As soon as I -perceived these produced no effect, I redoubled my attention to -substitute others that might be more prevalent.</p> - -<p>Religion was the greatest obstacle I had to surmount, for the King was -very devout. He prayed regularly, and went every day to mass, but did -not perform his Easter-devotions. This estrangement from the sacraments -arose rather from an excess of delicacy, than a contempt for the -communion. His transitory amours separated him from the sacrament, which -he feared to prophane. The jesuit who enjoyed the title of his -confessor, had made various attempts to conquer his delicacy upon this -head. His power would then have been more extensive, as his penitent -would have been more at his devotion; but Lewis XV. never submitted.</p> - -<p>I was judged a proper instrument to hint something to the monarch upon -this subject; but it was necessary that I should<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_21" id="page_21"></a>{21}</span> begin by convincing -myself, in order to persuade the King. This was thought an easy matter; -people of the first rank, and of considerable dignity in the church, but -who shall not be named here, fearing that the Roman catholic religion -might appear to lose ground to the enemies of the state, undertook this -great work.</p> - -<p>I was not much versed in this kind of matters; for the women of Paris -have no more religion than what is just necessary to prevent their -having none at all.</p> - -<p>These able theologists settled it as a principle, “That scandal in a -king was the greatest evil he could be guilty of: that he is the -mirrour, where every one looks to see himself: that his example carries -with it that of the state: that from the time the King did not commune, -there were upwards of a million of subjects in France, who no longer -partook of the sacraments: that<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_22" id="page_22"></a>{22}</span> the desertion from the holy table was -become general,” &c. &c.</p> - -<p>Then speaking of constitutions, they added, “That God had given power to -his ministers to absolve past sins; that repentance effaced in heaven -crimes committed upon earth: that the Divinity, in forming man, had been -obliged to give way to his weaknesses: that we should always fulfil our -christian obligations, notwithstanding the continual temptations with -which the heart of man is surrounded,” &c. &c.</p> - -<p>In a word, I saw through these maxims of the fathers of the church, that -the King, in order to be a good catholic, should be regularly guilty of -profanation of the sacrament once a year.</p> - -<p>I refused taking upon myself this moral commission. I had a glimpse of -those consequences which might have affected myself. This prince’s -approaching the communion table, must necessarily have<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_23" id="page_23"></a>{23}</span> caused a -revolution in him. I was under less apprehension for the King’s -religion, than the intrigues of churchmen. The confessor was -particularly to be dreaded. He is always powerful, when the monarch is -frequently at his feet.</p> - -<p>Neither did I advise the King to absent himself from the holy table. I -left things just as they were.</p> - -<p>Peace, which had restored political tranquility, of itself produced -fresh divisions in the state. Churchmen, the clergy, and the parliament, -who in time of war, unite themselves to the administration, to -participate of public misfortunes, in their turn create them, when -battles and sieges are passed: so that by a fatality, which is, perhaps, -derived from the constitution itself, France must always be armed to -avoid domestic quarrels; or continually wage war with herself, to -prevent that of the enemy. I have heard very able politicians say, that -this arises<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_24" id="page_24"></a>{24}</span> from the government’s not being sufficiently powerful to -suppress divisions abroad, nor sufficiently absolute to destroy -dissentions at home: a mixed state that will one day make it a prey to -its enemies, or a victim to its subjects.</p> - -<p>A trifling affair gave rise to a great misunderstanding between the -court and the parliament, which was the distribution of the alms -collected for the mendicants. The directors of the hospital of Paris had -never yet been blamed by either the court or the city, because the war -had engaged the attention of the government; but peace being restored, -which gave them leisure to inspect into the minutest affairs, they at -length took this into consideration.</p> - -<p>The archbishop of Paris claimed this jurisdiction by right; the King was -of the same opinion; but the parliament judged differently, and -henceforward representations and deputations took place. A<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_25" id="page_25"></a>{25}</span> Prince of -the blood royal said upon this occasion, <i>The parliament of Paris must -have very little to do, when they quarrel with the King about beggars</i>.</p> - -<p>Lewis XV. issued an arret in favour of the archbishop; it was to be -registered, and now dissention broke out. The parliament went to -Versailles and came back—they met, they adjourned; but the King shewed -himself absolute. He wrote in these terms to the chambers assembled. “If -I have thought proper to allow you to make remonstrances to me upon the -edicts and declarations which I send you to be registered, I never gave -you the power to annul or alter them, under pretence of -modification.—It is my will that my declaration concerning the hospital -be registered purely and simply. I shall see that my parliament obey my -orders.”</p> - -<p>This was speaking like a master: the King was animated at certain -moments<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_26" id="page_26"></a>{26}</span> support all his rights; but the goodness of his heart, his love -of peace, and the tranquility of the state, and perhaps more than all, -an undetermined character, discouraged by difficulties and opposition, -made him yield.</p> - -<p>I often complained to him of this disposition, which induced him to -grant what he had at first refused. “What would you have me do, madam?” -he said to me with that complaisance and sweetness which are so natural -to him. “I know I should harden myself against certain bodies, who want -to raise their authority upon a level with my throne. But I sacrifice my -resentment to the general tranquility. I tremble to think of the -misfortunes that the people suffered under the reign of my great -grandfather, by the quarrels which arose between the court and the -parliament. These quarrels renewed civil wars, which immersed France in -the deepest<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_27" id="page_27"></a>{27}</span> desolation. I would rather be complaisant than -ostentatious, as the consequences of the latter might be fatal to my -subjects.”</p> - -<p>The majority of the members of the council were not of this way of -thinking; one of the most penetrating said, that under a firm and -absolute government, the laws were restored to their vigour, and abuses -reformed; whereas indulgence and relaxation were the effects of a weak -and irresolute administration. I acknowledge that I differ much in -opinion from this last, and I could have wished that the King had -possessed a little more resolution. The affair relating to the hospital -terminated, like most of those of the parliament, that is to say, by -modifications.</p> - -<p>The King of his own accord, and without being sollicited, appointed the -count de St. Florentin and M. Rouillé ministers of state: They were each -of them secretaries of state. A courtier at that time<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_28" id="page_28"></a>{28}</span> said, that the -King had done a great deal in appointing them his secretaries, and that -he had done too much in creating them ministers. It is certain that -these two men had done nothing to entitle them to that rank. M. Rouillé, -in particular, was far from being bright, having no other recommendation -than his assiduity and application, which most constantly destroy every -thing, when they are not accompanied with genius.</p> - -<p>It was said at Paris that I induced the King to make this nomination. -The truth is, that I no way interfered in it: Nay, it was added, that M. -de St. Florentin had sold himself to me, and that I paid him for the -letters de cachet which I had occasion for to drive such persons from -Paris as displeased me. Those who spoke in this manner were ignorant -that the great letters de cachet were not issued but in the name and by<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_29" id="page_29"></a>{29}</span> -the consent of the King. The sovereign commands and the minister obeys.</p> - -<p>I had very little acquaintance with this secretary of state; he paid his -court to me like the other ministers; but he seldom spoke to me about -private affairs. I found him at court, the King employed him, and this -sufficed me.</p> - -<p>M. Rouillé had been recommended to me. I mentioned him to the King. I -recommended him to this Prince, not as a great minister, but as an -honest man.</p> - -<p>M. de Puisieux, secretary of state for the department of foreign -affairs, begged leave to retire. This office was difficult to manage; -several persons had refused it. Those who had before filled this -employment, had sown disorder in this department, and the last troubles -of Europe had compleated its confusion. France was not in a situation to -hope that the last treaty of peace could long subsist, and in time of -war there was more business in<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_30" id="page_30"></a>{30}</span> this department than in all the others. -One minister is scarce sufficient when every thing is in order, but when -every thing is in confusion, before sieges and battles take place, it is -impossible for him to go on.</p> - -<p>I very seldom saw M. de Puisieux. Those who were personally acquainted -with this minister, have told me that he had knowledge and -understanding; but that he was deficient in that superiority of genius -which characterizes a statesman. He had gone through the negociations -for which he was appointed with such middling talents, as never confer -any future reputation. He may be ranked with those common ministers, who -after having compleated their career in this world, never enter upon any -in history.</p> - -<p>After the retreat of M. de Puisieux, the King said to me: “<i>Well, madam, -to whom shall we give the department of foreign affairs?</i>” And without -giving me time<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_31" id="page_31"></a>{31}</span> to reply, he added, <i>This office requires an able -minister, a man of assiduity and integrity. Do you know of such a one in -my kingdom?</i></p> - -<p>“Sire, I replied, what you require is pretty difficult to be found; but -some of your subjects may possess all these qualities; and amongst this -number, I may venture to presume, that the marquis de Sr. Contest, your -embassador at the Hague, deserves a distinguished rank.” <i>I am of your -opinion</i>, the King immediately said; <i>M. Contest has already done me -such services, as have entitled him to this place: I will give it to -him</i>; and the embassador immediately left the Hague, to come and take -upon him this office.</p> - -<p>I shall in this place mention an establishment which I planned, and to -which the King gave his assistance, in order to put it in execution: -This will appear but a trifling affair to those who estimate<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_32" id="page_32"></a>{32}</span> -establishments in proportion as they are striking. I prevailed upon -Lewis XV. to change the object of the expence made for public -rejoicings, by applying it to the increase of the human species, which -luxury and debauchery constantly diminish in France. His Majesty gave -orders in consequence, that 600,000 livres, which were to be expended -for fireworks, on account of the birth of the duke of Burgundy, should -be divided into portions amongst a certain number of young women, to be -married in the capital. It was then intended that the same orders should -be sent into the provinces. The population of Paris is but the sixteenth -part of that of the whole monarchy; so that, if all the other parts of -France had followed the same example set them by the metropolis, -population would have been considerably increased in France.</p> - -<p>M. de Belleisle, who made all the calculations, averred that these -marriages<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_33" id="page_33"></a>{33}</span> would furnish near 20,000 citizens annually to the monarchy: -thus do small things promote great ones, and one single additional turn -in the finances contribute to aggrandize a state. No one suspected that -I had framed this establishment, any more than several others which I -created for the advantage of France, and from which many persons who had -no hand in them, derived honour to themselves; whilst I was reproached -with others that were detrimental to the government, and of which I was -entirely ignorant.</p> - -<p>The sweets of peace began to be relished, when the first sparks of the -torch of war were perceived from a distance. The duke of Mirepoix -complained to the court of London of some grievances with which the -French reproached the English, and the English embassador at Paris -remonstrated against the conduct of the French with respect to the -English.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_34" id="page_34"></a>{34}</span> They wanted to make infractions upon the treaty of peace, but -they did not know where to begin. The time for fighting was not yet -come; battles by sea and land, that were to create great revolutions, -were anticipated by preparations on both sides.</p> - -<p>The birth of the duke of Burgundy came in time to divert the occupations -of the court. The disorder in the administration, the difficulty of -finding able ministers, the confusion in the state of the finances, the -misery of the people, the obstinacy of the clergy, the perverseness of -the parliament, and the behaviour of the English, who threatened war in -time of peace; these all united to interrupt the King’s tranquility. He, -however, yielded for some time to the pleasure of seeing his crown -secured to his house. Kings are more sensible of this kind of joy than -is imagined. They fancy, that in their descendants they see their reign<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_35" id="page_35"></a>{35}</span> -perpetuated; it seems to them as if they did not die, if when they go to -the grave, they have an heir in whose hands they can place the scepter. -The rejoicings of the people, which the King was made acquainted with, -increased his felicity. The Parisians, who make a point of loving their -sovereign, surpassed themselves, in their demonstrations of joy.</p> - -<p>There were great festivals at court. All the foreign ministers strove to -be first in complimenting Lewis XV. who congratulated himself upon this -birth. I never saw him so happy. This was the only period of his life, -whilst I remained at Versailles, that I found him completely joyful: I -also felt at this instant a sensible pleasure, to see the King so happy. -His usual gaiety was much increased, and of longer duration. Our -interviews were more tender, and our conversation more lively and -animated.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_36" id="page_36"></a>{36}</span></p> - -<p>This epocha made me reflect upon the few resources which the human heart -has within itself to be happy. Favourable combinations of nature or -fortune are necessary to draw it from that state of languor, in which it -is almost constantly immersed: and this fatal law must surely be -general, when even kings are not exempt from it. But there is a still -greater misfortune attendant on humanity, which is, that pleasure is -almost constantly counterbalanced by pain. One might say, that in the -human heart there are two equal measures of joy and misery, and in -proportion as the one is emptied the other is filled.</p> - -<p>State affairs, and advices from foreign courts, soon overcast the court -with serious looks, and the King lost his gaiety, and became more -melancholy than ever.</p> - -<p>Every time there was any important post to fill, or any considerable -employment<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_37" id="page_37"></a>{37}</span> to be given away, the courtiers greatly increased their -complaisance towards me. I had a constant train of solicitors. The -Marquis de St. Contest having entered upon the post of secretary of -state for foreign affairs, the embassy in Holland was vacant. M. de -Bonac was mentioned to me in a favourable manner. I had but very little -knowledge of him; I acquainted myself with his talents for negociation, -and in consequence of the picture that was drawn to me of him, I -interested myself in his favour. I spoke of him to the King, who -appointed him his embassador to the States General. As many courtiers -interceded for the place, I made myself as many enemies as were refused -it. The King’s service and that of the state determined me in favour of -M. de Bonac, who, it was said, had the necessary qualifications to do -honour to his country.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_38" id="page_38"></a>{38}</span></p> - -<p>The Prince of Soubise said, that of all the embassies in Europe, that of -the Seven Provinces was the most difficult, as, in all the other courts, -negociations are carried on with princes of a generous turn of mind, who -often lose sight of their own advantages; whereas in Holland, the -minister treats with merchants, who have their interest constantly in -view. He added, that Holland is so situated, that in the wars between -France and England, it may derive advantages from the one, and -contribute to the other. Wherefore those who treat with the Dutch should -have a great share of address, to make them declare when their succours -are necessary; and they should have great abilities to keep them in an -exact neutrality, when their arms may be prejudicial, &c.</p> - -<p>I do not know whether M. de Bonac possessed all these qualities; for -every<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_39" id="page_39"></a>{39}</span> thing is disguised at court, and people are not known till such -time as they have been tried, and it is then too late to form a judgment -that can be advantageous. M. de Bonac was an officer; this circumstance -alone made me for some time hesitate upon the choice I proposed making. -I never had any great faith in negociations carried on by military men. -They are a kind of people that seldom have a turn of mind, and that -pliant disposition necessary to succeed at foreign courts: but this is -the age of warlike ministers. Lewis XV. has employed no others during -his whole reign: and this, perhaps, is one of the reasons, why our -affairs at foreign courts have not succeeded so well as we might have -expected.</p> - -<p>Those churchmen who make vows of poverty, but who are more covetous of -riches than laymen, were also very assiduous in paying their court to -me. The number of these that attended me,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_40" id="page_40"></a>{40}</span> increased in proportion as -abbeys and bishopricks became vacant.</p> - -<p>There were many candidates for the abbey of Auchin, but the King -disposed of it in favour of Cardinal York, brother to the Pretender, who -by enjoying this benefice, with the possession of several others, was -richer than the real possessor of the duchy of York. This opulence, -which in England the King’s sons and brothers do not enjoy, made a -courtier say upon this occasion, that it was very lucky for Cardinal -York, that the house of Stuart had been dispossessed of the throne of -Great-Britain; for without this accident, he would have been only a poor -English citizen, instead of a rich Roman prince.</p> - -<p>People, however, complained of the King’s not having given this benefice -to a Frenchman, who would have expended the revenue of it in the -kingdom, instead of its being carried into Italy, which was<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_41" id="page_41"></a>{41}</span> now the -case by this nomination. But those who reason in this manner did not -know that kings who waged war against reigning families, gave alms to -those families whose reign was expired. Moreover France had obligations -to this unfortunate house. In the wars which France carried on, the -Pretender was brought upon the carpet, and sent off, in the same manner -as an actor is upon the stage.</p> - -<p>In politics, those who perform a part must be paid; and I believe I have -said in another place, that France never seriously thought of placing -the Pretender on the throne of England.</p> - -<p>M. de Machault, keeper of the seals and comptroller general, who -laboured to re-establish the finances, succeeded therein but slowly. The -King, who had an estimate of the national debts laid before him every -month, found them always in the same situation. The financiers<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_42" id="page_42"></a>{42}</span> -engrossed all the money of the state, which made M. de Machault say to -the King, <i>Sire, I see but one method of bringing the money back into -the treasury, which is to tax hôtel des fermes, or office of the farms</i>.</p> - -<p>This proposal of the minister agreed perfectly well with an anonymous -memorial, which was dedicated to me at Versailles, and which I had read -to the King: it was conceived in these terms.</p> - -<p>“The actual riches of the state consist of about eleven hundred millions -of specie. This sum, in order to animate the whole body politic, should -every where circulate geometrically. But this proportion is far from -being settled in France, where it may be demonstratively proved, that -two hundred individuals possess half the coin of the kingdom. These -individuals are the financiers: their cash is that of the state: it -contains the fortunes of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_43" id="page_43"></a>{43}</span> all the citizens. Riches are daily buried in -their coffers, as in a gulf. The crown, by yielding to a company the -duties upon the entry of goods, never intended to subscribe to the ruin -of the state. It granted the power of collecting those imposts to -clerks, who by their activity and industry ought to enrich the state, -and not impoverish it. This was the institution of farms; and inasmuch -as they have swerved from this plan, they are become a monopoly of the -company. The King has a right to reform abuses; and every contract that -includes a grievance is of itself void.</p> - -<p>“It is not proposed to correct past errors, but to remove present evils. -If an attempt is never made, success cannot be expected. In dangerous -disorders violent remedies are necessary. There is but one method of -restoring the course of general circulation, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_44" id="page_44"></a>{44}</span> the monopoly of the -company has interrupted. This is the establishment of an ardent chamber, -wherein the financiers should give an account of their management of the -farms, and which should enquire into the title whereby they are in -possession of such immense riches, in order to transfer them for the -benefit of the crown, as soon as the grievance and the monopoly shall be -ascertained.</p> - -<p>“To prevent the outcries of avarice, and the sordid love of pelf, -against this regulation, two incontestible principles must previously be -laid down.</p> - -<p>“1. That the great profits of royal companies, when excessive, no longer -bear that name, but come under the denomination of monopolies, being -contrary to the intentions of the prince, who neither could nor would -divest himself of great advantages upon any consideration whatever.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_45" id="page_45"></a>{45}</span></p> - -<p>“2. That a King is always a minor, in regard to any grievance in the -general finances: and that he is authorized by all the fundamental laws -to annul a contract that is pernicious to the state and his people.</p> - -<p>“That to proceed legally against the financiers, the ardent chamber -should nominate commissaries to examine the books of the -farmers-general. After having made an abstract thereof, they should -report the monopolies used to accumulate these great riches, of which -the company is possessed.</p> - -<p>“From thence they should have recourse to the annual sub-divisions, in -order to pursue the necessary clue, and ascertain the real state of -their accounts.</p> - -<p>“This operation being compleated, all the farmers-general should be -summoned, one after another, before the tribunal of the ardent chamber, -to give an account of the sum which they<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_46" id="page_46"></a>{46}</span> must have appropriated to -themselves, according to the intelligence obtained.</p> - -<p>“They should be directed to restore it all, except six per cent. which -should be granted them as interest for their advanced money.</p> - -<p>“In case of disobedience, they should be confined and kept in prison, -until they had made entire restitution of the whole sum, without -deducting any interest.</p> - -<p>“The chief clerks, such as directors, registers, comptrollers, &c. -should be subpœned before the ardent chamber, and obliged to make -restitution, in the same manner as the farmers-general.</p> - -<p>“None should be exempted, but such only as received nothing but wages of -the company, &c. &c.</p> - -<p>“According to a calculation made hereupon, 300,000,000, will return into -the royal treasury, without imposing any tax upon the people.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_47" id="page_47"></a>{47}</span></p> - -<p>“The establishing of an ardent chamber to compel the farmers to produce -their accounts, is not (according to this memorial) an infraction of the -rights of the people, nor a breach of civil liberty. Fouquet, -intendant-general of the finances, in the former reign, was by a private -commission adjudged to be divested of those immense sums, which he had -accumulated by monopolies,” &c. &c.</p> - -<p>This memorial was not put in execution, any more than the greater part -of those plans which have since appeared for the re-establishment of the -finances. Much has been said in France of demolishing the farmers -general; but when this scheme is to be executed no one dare assist, -because those people have a great deal of money, and every body stands -in need of them. I one day asked Marshal Saxe, who was very intimate -with La Poupeliniere, what engaging<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_48" id="page_48"></a>{48}</span> qualities this farmer-general -possessed, that could so much attract the Marshal. <i>Madam</i>, said he, <i>he -has one that to me is excellent; for when I have occasion for a hundred -thousand livres, I find them in his coffer; whereas when I apply to the -comptroller-general, he constantly tells me he has no money</i>.</p> - -<p>A prince of the blood said, that these people were beneficial, for the -very reason that they appeared pernicious: for that since they were -appointed, it is known where the riches of the state lie, whereas before -no one knew where they were deposited.</p> - -<p>The farmers-general got information of the memorial drawn up against the -company, and another was penned to refute it. But this consisted of -nothing but mere words. It chiefly displayed the utility of the company, -who could instantaneously furnish considerable sums to the government in -pressing exigencies:<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_49" id="page_49"></a>{49}</span> but the memorial took no notice that this money -belonged to the state, and that the farmers are nothing more than agents -to advance it, the money being raised upon the people.</p> - -<p>M. de Belleisle, who read this answer, said to me, “These people, among -whom there are many persons of sense, are so prejudiced in favour of -their interest, that they are always extravagant when they are upon the -subject of the finances. There is a capital error in the contract of the -farms, which is, that it puts too much money into the pockets of a few -individuals.”</p> - -<p>I have often at Versailles met with advocates who pleaded the cause of -the farmers-general: but I never met with any judges that were -favourable to them.</p> - -<p>In the midst of domestic affairs, which occupied the administration and -afflicted the King, a thousand different people eagerly endeavoured to -present memorials<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_50" id="page_50"></a>{50}</span> to me for promoting arts, and increasing -manufactures. I was unacquainted with the particulars upon which they -turned; I desired the minister, who was sometimes busy with the King, to -acquaint me with the advantages which the state derived from the -prodigious number of manufactures established in France.</p> - -<p>“This, madam, (said this statesman) is a matter that would take great -time to impart to you: it would be necessary to recur to the age of -Lewis XIV. in which he made many alterations in France, and who was -called Great, because he struck home great strokes.</p> - -<p>“This Prince, who possessed every kind of ambition, was not devoid of -that of multiplying manufactures. Colbert his minister completely backed -his designs; he passed his life in establishing trades as well as -increasing arts; and as he had occasion for a great number of workmen to -accomplish<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_51" id="page_51"></a>{51}</span> his design, he sent for five hundred thousand husbandmen -from the country to promote the industry of cities. From that time such -lands as were in want of hands remained uncultivated. This minister did -not consider, that to increase the form he should multiply the matter. -This the King over-looked also. Lewis XIV. was entirely taken up with -the thirst of dominion, and this passion favoured those of all his -ministers, who were desirous of sharing this ambition with him.</p> - -<p>“The kingdom was filled with handicraftsmen; great luxury, the necessary -consequence, took place, and from that time France, whose happy climate -should make it superior, in point of riches, to all the other states of -Europe, was impoverished.</p> - -<p>“Nevertheless, the minister, who has since followed the plan of M. -Colbert, has continued multiplying the arts,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_52" id="page_52"></a>{52}</span> at the expence of the -produce of agriculture.</p> - -<p>“This policy is supported by a reason, which is, that this industry lays -all the states of Europe under contribution; but France does not see -that she begins by taxing herself, in diminishing the produce of her -first substance: a disadvantage that immediately affects the power of -the state, as it stops the progress of population.”</p> - -<p>M. de Belleisle was not of this opinion: he imagined that industry could -supply every thing, even the deficiencies of production; for according -to him the riches of a state depend upon its circulation; and he said -that arts made money circulate better than agriculture: but he was -mistaken. Eminent œconomists have since demonstrated to me that the -productions of the earth create real riches, whereas those formed by -industry are only fictitious. Be this as it may, I determined<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_53" id="page_53"></a>{53}</span> to -protect arts, and in order to encourage manufactures, I furnished the -necessary funds to bring some into esteem.</p> - -<p>Though the King’s habitual disposition to visit me, made all France -consider this inclination as his determined taste; the women constantly -preserved a secret desire of supplanting me in the heart of this Prince. -Lewis XV. always met with some in ambuscade. He could not go up or down -stairs in his way to his own apartment, without meeting a beauty. The -women of Paris, who are seldom in love with any thing but the opera or -the play house, became enamoured with Versailles. They visited this -place pretty regularly.</p> - -<p>The custom which Lewis XIV. established of being applied to in person, -when any favour was to be asked at court, and which was almost abolished -since the death of this Prince, now revived. Many fair suiteresses -addressed themselves to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_54" id="page_54"></a>{54}</span> Lewis XV. Their eyes petitioned more than their -memorials. Lewis yielded to their solicitations, and often gave them -what they asked. He acquainted me with all these accidental intrigues, -and this confidence enabled me to support them. I should have considered -my influence as in its wane, if he had concealed them from me. I have -said in another place, that unable to fix the constitution of this -Prince, I was compelled to give him up to his inclination. His -infidelity did not diminish the ascendency I had over him. I reigned at -Versailles, in the midst of those very causes which ought to have -subdued my empire. By a contradiction inherent in the human heart, his -inconstancy made him constant to me. Remorse drove him fresh to my arms, -which he only quitted to yield again to love and repentance.</p> - -<p>What secured him to me, was, that of all the women, whom I knew he saw,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_55" id="page_55"></a>{55}</span> -there was not one, who was possessed of such qualities as were necessary -to wrest him from me. Most of them had beauty; but they were wanting in -those mental engagements, without which the charms of the face are of no -effect. They all wanted to rule at court, to dispose of the first -employments in the state, to acquire the Prince’s favour; and the only -means they used to obtain those ends, was to prostitute themselves to -him; which was an infallible method of not succeeding.</p> - -<p>A new object drew the attention of the court. This was to secure the -tranquility of Italy—a boisterous country, where the first clouds of -war always gather. All the treaties which have been concluded between -sovereigns since Charlemain, could never give it stability, because it -is the most happy continent upon earth, and the most feeble country in -Europe.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_56" id="page_56"></a>{56}</span></p> - -<p>Marshal Saxe said before he died, that if France could give a permanent -peace to Italy, her population would become more flourishing. This -general had demonstrated, that for two centuries more Frenchmen had -perished in Italy, than all the other wars had carried off in the rest -of Europe.</p> - -<p>I have since been told by another general, that the soldiers do not fall -there by cannon. They perish there by heat and voluptuousness; enemies -by far more dangerous than the indefatigable labours of the North.</p> - -<p>Lewis XV. found an advantage in this plan of pacification. He thereby -secured the Dukes of Savoy, ever ready to introduce German troops into -Italy, and to make incursions themselves into Dauphiny, upon the first -misunderstanding that takes place in Europe. Naples, Parma, and -Placentia, under the government of princes of the house of Bourbon,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_57" id="page_57"></a>{57}</span> -would have enjoyed a lasting tranquility, but this negotiation produced -no effect.</p> - -<p>Marshal Belleisle said to the King upon opening the conferences: “Sire, -we may enter upon the plan of giving a lasting peace to Italy; but I -apprise your Majesty, that the negociation will not terminate but at the -end of the world.”</p> - -<p>The Prince of Conti said upon this occasion, “That if a king of France -were willing to prevent a war in Italy, the Italians would oppose him. -This country, which with regard to money, is of itself poor, stands in -need of foreign armies, whose military chests may supply their want of -cash.” The same thing has been said of Germany.</p> - -<p>The King received a state of his naval force, according to which it -consisted of fifty ships of the line and twenty frigates. I remember -that a sensible man then said, that we had a navy, and wanted nothing<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_58" id="page_58"></a>{58}</span> -but sailors—that is to say, we had half the necessary ingredients for -forming a fleet. It was to procure this other half, which proved so -useless some time after to France, that M. Rouillé was so assiduous.</p> - -<p>The Count of Maurepas said, in his distant exile, “I know my -successor—he will do so much, that he will at last destroy the French -marine.”</p> - -<p>Those who decide at court the fate of the administrations of important -departments, imagine that the province of the marine does not depend -upon the minister who is at the head of it; that there are primary -causes which counteract its progress. They are of opinion that France is -formed to direct affairs by land; and England those that relate to the -sea.</p> - -<p>A statesman told me, nevertheless, one day at Versailles, that it was -not impossible for France to have a marine; but to do this the system of -the state must be<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_59" id="page_59"></a>{59}</span> changed, and the monarchy entirely subverted.</p> - -<p>The minister assured Lewis XV. that besides this fleet, there was -another upon the stocks, ready to be launched and put to sea.</p> - -<p>The people, who ought always to be imposed upon by preparations, were -satisfied with what was doing in the marine; but politicians and those -who calculated the resources of England were dissatisfied.</p> - -<p>At the time that we were endeavouring at the means of navigation, a -projector presented a scheme to the King, for rendering France -navigable. The object was the junction of two seas, by the means of two -rivers. This man at first applied to me, and I sent him to M. Belleisle, -who thought this project of great utility to the state. But several -politicians were of a different opinion. They said that this junction -would lessen<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_60" id="page_60"></a>{60}</span> the navigation, which should on the contrary be encreased. -The English were quoted, who might easily shorten the course of their -sea voyages, and who endeavoured to prolong them. But what may be -judicious in this respect for Great Britain, might be very impolitic for -France.</p> - -<p>I mention these particular transactions, because they fell immediately -under my notice, and the King did me the honour to consult me upon them. -I shall pass over in silence such schemes as were offered to the -administration during my residence at court, and which did not take -place.</p> - -<p>When the King acquainted me with the death of the duke of Orleans, who -died the fourth of July 1752, he seemed greatly affected at it. Sudden -deaths made a great impression upon Lewis XV. Philip of Orleans finished -his career at that age when most men begin theirs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_61" id="page_61"></a>{61}</span> This prince was a -striking example of the contrast there often is in the characters of a -father and a son.</p> - -<p>This Prince had nothing of the Regent’s disposition. He had passed his -time in praying and bestowing alms. Each day of his life was -distinguished by some christian act. Brought up in the center of -pleasures, he shunned them at an age when the passions strongly plead -for gratification, and when it is very difficult to resist their -intreaties.</p> - -<p>The curate of St. Sulpice said, that if he had been Pope, he would have -canonized the Duke of Orleans, had he possessed no other virtue than -having resisted the example of the royal palace. We well knew that the -Regent’s house was not the model for christian virtues. The Cardinal du -Bois, who ridiculed men, politics and religion, made it the residence of -vice and debauchery.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_62" id="page_62"></a>{62}</span></p> - -<p>But the Duke of Orleans, who is the subject of our present -consideration, possessed none but those virtues which do honour in -heaven, and not those which characterize great princes upon earth. His -house, which he had divested of all regal magnificence, resembled a -convent, of which he was the superior. He supported by charity an -infinite number of people, who having no other care than that of -receiving it, lived in idleness and effeminacy. His bigotry had made him -retire from public affairs, and induced him to let the state take care -of itself, at a time that it stood in the most need of assistance.</p> - -<p>It is well known that the Princes of the blood who have a watchful eye -over the government, keep the ministers in awe, and prevent their being -guilty of malversation. Such is the fate of the French monarchy, that -the great in<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_63" id="page_63"></a>{63}</span> France either give themselves up to debauchery, or turn -hermits.</p> - -<p>The death of Madame Henriette, which succeeded that of the Duke of -Orleans, filled the court with mourning, and the King’s heart with -sorrow. This Princess was endued with those qualities which endear the -great: naturally gentle and affable, she was beloved by all that -approached her. A good heart, and a compassionate sympathetic soul, -formed her general character; the Parisians did not sufficiently lament -her loss: they have no affection but for their Kings; they have none -remaining for the royal family.</p> - -<p>A foreigner, who was acquainted with the genius of our nation, said to -me; “If France were deprived of the Dauphin, before he mounted the -throne, no one would regret his loss; but that if he died six months -after having wore the crown, all the world would weep for him. He added, -that it was not<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_64" id="page_64"></a>{64}</span> the loss of the person, but the name of King that was -regretted in France.”</p> - -<p>By the death of Madame Henriette, I discovered in Lewis XV. the -qualities of a good father. Tears streamed from his eyes, and his -melancholy surpassed his usual hypocondriac disposition. I exerted all -my abilities to asswage his grief: but he paid all the rights that -nature could extort, before they took effect.</p> - -<p>Literature once more disturbed the King and the court. The council was -informed that a large work was printing at Paris, under the title of the -Encyclopedia. This was a rhapsody compiled from all the dictionaries -extant, to which was added, by the compilers, reflexions of a suspicious -tendency on religion and politics. This heap of reasoning conveyed no -instruction how to think, but only taught how to doubt. A man of letters -said to me at that time, the Encyclopedia could only increase the -number<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_65" id="page_65"></a>{65}</span> of ignoramus’s, and warp the minds of men of learning.</p> - -<p>Such writings as tended to support materialism, made an impression at -court, and this production was ranked in this predicament. The King -commanded the two first volumes of this production to be suppressed. The -same arret which prohibited them, condemned the publishers of them to -pay a considerable fine.</p> - -<p>This suppression gave birth to an anonymous memorial upon this subject, -which appeared to me very sensible, and which was conceived in these -terms.</p> - -<p>“The government has established a tribunal to examine the productions of -the mind. It consists of a minister and twenty-four royal censors, whose -sole employment is to revise manuscripts destined for the press.</p> - -<p>“A book that is submitted to the examination of this tribunal, is under -the protection of the government.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_66" id="page_66"></a>{66}</span> The author has done all that the laws -required of him. He is not answerable for the effects that the -publication of his book may produce. This literary minister should be -its voucher, and liable to such penalties as the author would incur, if -he had printed it in a clandestine manner. It nevertheless, daily -happens, that a book meets with the approbation of this tribunal, and is -often censured by the government. The writer is prosecuted—he is -punished in such a manner, as if it had been concealed from this -jurisdiction. The parliament takes cognizance of it, the book is burnt, -and the author sent to the Bastile. What could be done more, if he had -acted in defiance of the ordonnances made upon this subject?</p> - -<p>“There is an error in literary jurisdiction, which will always occasion -grievances and divisions in the republic of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_67" id="page_67"></a>{67}</span> letters. The minister who -presides at this tribunal, has neither the capacity nor leisure to -peruse all the MSS. that are presented for the press: they are put into -the hands of censors, who have neither more time nor more genius than -himself.</p> - -<p>“They are frequently upon abstracted subjects, and above the capacity of -both—then the censors read them without comprehending them, and sign -them without understanding them. Their approbation being thus obtained, -the work is accordingly printed, the book appears, and the prosecution -begins just where it should end.</p> - -<p>“The inconvenience that resulted from it would be of no great -importance, if the sentence pronounced against the author put an end to -the dispute; but it almost constantly happens, that the public interest -themselves in the contest. The erroneous maxims it contains<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_68" id="page_68"></a>{68}</span> are -credited; the more they are condemned, the more the book comes into -vogue. Its suppression is of no effect, the editions increase in -proportion as they are prohibited: for it is only necessary to censure a -book in order to raise its reputation. Many works that would have been -despised had they passed unnoticed, have acquired importance from the -government’s condemning them.</p> - -<p>“Hence those various divisions that have immersed the state into greater -misfortunes than have been produced by civil wars.</p> - -<p>“Instead of chastising the author that has written a dangerous book, the -minister who allowed it to be printed, should be punished. The first -submitted his performance to the established police for preventing the -publication of dangerous works, and the other published it. The first -only injured<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_69" id="page_69"></a>{69}</span> himself, the other injured the state,” &c. &c.</p> - -<p>The King had this memorial examined, the reasoning it contained was -thought to be just; but it only met with approbation, like an infinite -number of others upon the different branches of the administration, the -utility of which is acknowledged, but they are, notwithstanding, never -executed.</p> - -<p>I have observed during my residence at Versailles, that the schemes -which succeed are not those that are the most advantageous, but those -which are the best recommended.</p> - -<p>I have since learned from a man of great discernment, that “so much -rigour on the part of the government with respect to literary -productions, would be attended with many inconveniences; that printing -in France is become a very extensive manufacture,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_70" id="page_70"></a>{70}</span> which promotes an -infinite number of others dependent on it, and which excite industry; -that it comprehends a very important branch of trade, the suppression -whereof would greatly cramp circulation; that by diminishing this -profession, many others must be abolished, that tend to form the -library: that France would be thereby a great sufferer, and neighbouring -states reap advantages from it; that Holland, in particular, covetous of -all industrious vocations, would seize upon this.</p> - -<p>“He added, that Cardinal Fleury having suppressed the printing of -romances in France, the United Provinces availed themselves of this -prohibition, to encrease their workmen. The number of their presses was -greatly augmented, and the kingdom overflowed with these very prohibited -romances;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_71" id="page_71"></a>{71}</span> so that by this suppression, the state lost its industry -without abolishing romances.”</p> - -<p>Though the King constantly visited me, he conversed with other women. -But his visits to them were, as has been already said, merely casual. -These women, who had neither taste nor delicacy, were gratified with -those moments that he could bestow upon them, and thought themselves -happy to pass a few hours by stealth with this Prince. They had no -regular plan, except two or three, who formed the design of supplanting -me, and seizing upon the King’s favour. The pleasure of having the King -for a lover sufficed them. This idea, which occupied all the powers of -their soul, left no room for ambition; so that they were not very -dangerous rivals. I knew the King’s temper; enjoyment always disgusted -him. The act of gratification was followed by contempt: this is what<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_72" id="page_72"></a>{72}</span> -every woman must expect, who has no other attractions for men than mere -personal possession.</p> - -<p>The disputes of the clergy, which were renewed, notwithstanding the -assiduity of the court to suppress them, kept the state in a constant -ferment. All the prelates who disturbed the court, owed their fortune to -the King; and this the more afflicted him. Lewis XV. has often said to -me, that of all vices ingratitude the most shocked him.</p> - -<p>It happened in this dispute, as it does in most others, that it was not -confined to the first object. The original point in debate was, a sum -demanded of the clergy, to supply the exigencies of the state: the -minister carried his views farther; he reflected upon the disorders -occasioned by this body to the finances of the state; a calculation was -made that a very considerable sum went out of the kingdom every age for -purchasing of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_73" id="page_73"></a>{73}</span> bulls, and that this treasure of the political -government, which was sent into Italy, never returned back to France: -that Rome, to whom we paid large sums, granted nothing in return but -indulgences. The means of withdrawing from this spiritual dominion, -which ruined the temporal state, came next under consideration. But -after every thing was thoroughly examined, supputed, and calculated, -things were left just in the same situation as they were found.</p> - -<p>The Chevalier de Belleisle formerly told me, “that the process between -the court of Rome and that of Versailles had continued for several ages, -and that it would not be terminated till such time as a King of France -arose equally enterprising with Henry VIII. of England. He added, that -the ministry had hit upon the wrong object of power to destroy; that we -had wrested the sword of excommunication from Rome, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_74" id="page_74"></a>{74}</span> that we had -left her in full power to fleece the state; and that we had better let -ourselves be excommunicated than reduced to poverty.”</p> - -<p>The general body of the clergy incessantly engaged the attention of the -court: one of their members disturbed a-new the King’s repose, and -troubled the state. The archbishop of Paris forbad the administration of -the sacraments to a certain abbé, who was ill and desired it. The sick -abbé was required to name his confessor, and as he was known to be a -Jansenist, he was asked to accept of the constitution. I have already -mentioned this constitution, and the disputes it occasioned in the -government. The abbé obstinately refused accepting of it, and the -archbishop resolved that the sacraments should not be administered to -him.</p> - -<p>Lewis XV. was informed of this debate, the example whereof might be -productive of a schism in the kingdom. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_75" id="page_75"></a>{75}</span> was witness to his grief; his -uneasiness arose from his affection. He loved his subjects, and he was -chagrined to see that the disputes of schools should deprive them of the -only remaining consolation upon their death-beds. The Princes of the -house of Bourbon have always acted more reasonably in religious than in -political matters.</p> - -<p>The bull Unigenitus put Lewis XIV. to death; some old courtiers have, at -least, assured me, that father Le Tellier shortened his days by dint of -talking to him of the constitution. The refusal of the sacraments was -cognizable by the general police; so that this schism in the spiritual -government was attended with a double inconvenience, as it might produce -one in the political state.</p> - -<p>The parliament of Paris, who seize upon every occasion to reform abuses, -and let none escape that may extend their prerogatives; summoned the -curate, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_76" id="page_76"></a>{76}</span> had been guilty of no other crime than that of obeying his -bishop. A penalty was inflicted on him which the prelate should have -been mulcted, and he was forbid relapsing on pain of losing his -temporalities. The chief point was to know whether the curate should -obey the parliament or his bishop. The case would not have been -difficult to determine, if the clergy had been appointed judges, or if -the government had been to decide: but the question was who was the -competent judge in this case? If the church were permitted to decide the -affair, this would be infringing upon temporal rights; and by allowing -the parliament this prerogative, spiritual privileges would thereby be -usurped. There was a third inconvenience still greater, which was, that -the King himself, according to the opinion of the clergy, was incapable -of appointing judges.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_77" id="page_77"></a>{77}</span></p> - -<p>In this sort of disputes, a national council should be convened; this -council is never held, and the disorder always continues. The King -commanded the parliament not to interfere in the matter, and the -parliament determined that they ought to interfere therein. Louis XV. -had displayed sufficient resolution in the last misunderstanding about -the administration of the hospital; but this body always forget that -they yielded, that they may remember to be stedfast. The King undertook -to have the sacraments administered to the sick man; but this method had -its inconveniences, for it was necessary to command priests, and they -obeyed none but their bishops.</p> - -<p>The parliament would have thought that they had given up their rights, -if, upon this occasion, they had not opposed the will of their -sovereign. They commanded by arret the curates, whom Louis XV. only -wanted to engage<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_78" id="page_78"></a>{78}</span> to fulfil their duty. Without this decree the affair -would have been immediately stifled, whereas many other priests were -hereby disposed to refuse the administration of the sacraments.</p> - -<p>I have often heard it said at Versailles, “that the body of the -parliament, by reason of their desire to reform abuses, are the source -of a great number of abuses.” A prince of the blood was of opinion, that -the parliament should be abolished, if it were only to prevent that -spirit of contention and obstinacy which they disperse in the kingdom. -But those who are esteemed sagacious judges of things, pretend that this -same spirit of opposition to the will of the court, is the bulwark of -the state.</p> - -<p>A councilor of the great chamber said one day in my hearing, to a -courtier who was highly complaining of the reiterated remonstrances made -to the King, <i>Perhaps, Sir, we may be mistaken in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_79" id="page_79"></a>{79}</span> form; but we -cannot err with respect to the object, as we constantly plead for the -prerogatives of the nation, and the happiness of the people</i>.</p> - -<p>The president de Maupeou said to me one day, upon returning from an -audience he had with the King, when he met with a very disagreeable -reception, “You must allow, Madam, that there is a particular fatality -annexed to our situation; we are always scolded without obtaining -justice. Nevertheless, if things were thoroughly examined with care, it -would appear that we have no interest in view by making continual -representations to our Prince, and being compelled to say disagreeable -things to him. If we did not interest ourselves so much as we do for the -good of the people, we must substitute flattery for truth, and should be -benefited by the smiles of the court; whereas we now meet with nothing -but refusals<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_80" id="page_80"></a>{80}</span> from it.” In another of these visits, when this same -president did not meet with a more favourable reception, he added, in -speaking of the counsellors of state, “It is surprising, that men of -understanding do not see through the uprightness of our intentions; and -that prejudice, which we thought only actuated the populace, falls to -the lot of those who surround the throne.”</p> - -<p>Be this as it may, these people displeased me, because they put the King -into a bad humour, and every time they repaired to Versailles, to make -representations to him, Lewis XV. was more serious than usual.</p> - -<p>The affair of the bills of confession was attended with consequences. -The members of parliament had hitherto spoke as orators; upon this -occasion they spoke in the stile of preachers. Their remonstrance to the -King resembled a sermon. The pope’s doctrine, dogmas, and faith,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_81" id="page_81"></a>{81}</span> were -called in question. When a body of people quit their proper sphere, they -expose themselves to raillery. A pleasant courtier said to the -King,—“Sire, we may now attend a homily in the great chamber; the -members of your parliament know how to make sermons.”</p> - -<p>These representations made to Lewis XV. having been printed, every one -was desirous of being possessed of them: but there was not a sufficient -number for every body. The discourses of these new missionaries were -sold at a dearer rate than Bourdaloue’s sermons, and were more in vogue. -I shall insert them here, lest this learned production should be lost to -posterity.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"><p> -<span class="smcap">Sire</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>“Never did so important an affair lead your parliament to the foot -of your throne. The religion, the state, the rights of your crown -are equally threatened.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_82" id="page_82"></a>{82}</span> A fatal schism has burst forth, less to be -dreaded from the blaze of division it kindles amongst your -subjects, and the shock it gives to the fundamental laws of the -monarchy, than from the prejudice it does to religion.</p> - -<p>“Your majesty, struck with the disorders occasioned by the disputes -daily renewed on account of the bull Unigenitus, has at all times -been sensible, and particularly in 1731, of the necessity of -suppressing a division so dangerous, and so contrary to the common -good of the state and of religion.</p> - -<p>“We shall make use of the same terms in which your majesty then -expressed yourself, in declaring your will. You forbad, in the most -express manner any of your subjects, of what state or condition -soever, to do or write any thing tending to support the disputes -that had arisen in regard to this constitution, or to create new -ones. You forbad them<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_83" id="page_83"></a>{83}</span> to attack or provoke one another, by the -injurious terms of <i>innovators</i>, <i>heretics</i>, <i>schismatics</i>, -<i>Jansenists</i>, <i>Semi-pelagians</i>, or any other party names, as any -such delinquents would be treated as rebels disobedient to your -orders, and seditious perturbators of the public tranquility. In a -word, you enjoined all the archbishops and bishops to watch each in -his particular diocese, that peace and tranquility were charitably -and inviolably observed, and that these disputes were no more -renewed.</p> - -<p>“It were to have been wished, that such sagacious orders had been -followed by the most rigorous execution; and that you had armed -your avenging hand against such ecclesiastics as dared contemn your -Majesty, and withdraw from the obedience that was due to you! But -this they have dared, and the attempt has remained unpunished: -their passionate zeal has no longer<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_84" id="page_84"></a>{84}</span> known any bounds; they have -declared those who were not of their opinion rebels to the church, -and as such unworthy of partaking of its benefits, and they have -inhumanly refused them the sacraments at the point of death. These -abuses have been daily increased—and how much has not religion -suffered by them?</p> - -<p>“Impiety has availed itself of disquisitions that prevailed amongst -the ministers of religion, to attack religion itself.</p> - -<p>“The uncertainty that was introduced with regard to the foundation -of the legitimacy of faith, hath been the means employed by impiety -to insinuate into people’s minds its mortal poison. What advantage -hath it not derived from the melancholy circumstances wherein we -saw the holy fathers, who had passed their lives in exercising the -laborious functions of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_85" id="page_85"></a>{85}</span> the ministry to which they were -consecrated? enlightened doctors, still more recommendable for -their piety than their understanding: pious maidens, who, in their -recluse retreat entirely engaged with God and their salvation, -passed their time in the most austere works of repentance, treated -like refractory members of the church, deprived with ignominy of -the benefits it dispensed to its children, without its being known -what truths decided by the church, these children refused to -believe, or what errors prescribed by it, they refused to condemn!</p> - -<p>“The ostentatious philosopher, who foolishly jealous of the -divinity itself, sees with regret the homage that is paid to him, -judged this to be the favourable moment for producing his monstrous -system of incredulities.</p> - -<p>“This system promulgated abroad, has unhappily made but too rapid -a<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_86" id="page_86"></a>{86}</span> progress. A torrent of writings, infected with these detestable -errors, rushed forth; and to complete the misfortune, they have -insensibly crept into those schools defined to form proper -defenders of faith and religion. Strange calamity for a most -christian King! Error gains ground, and is not removed; the -principal ministers of religion are employed only in exacting the -acceptance of a decree, which offering nothing certain, alarms -timid consciences by the consequences that may be drawn from it -against the salutary doctrine, and whilst they with the greatest -rigour prosecute those, who, by at least a pardonable, if not a -well grounded scruple, refuse subscribing to it; they neglect what -is essential, and let religion be shaken to its very foundation.</p> - -<p>“The impious become more resolute, and audacity is carried to its -greatest<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_87" id="page_87"></a>{87}</span> height; and it was reserved for us to be eye-witnesses of -a public thesis being maintained without opposition, in the first -university of the christian world, whereby all the false principles -of incredulity are systematically established<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a>.</p> - -<p>“Your parliament, Sire, who by the authority you have conferred -upon them, should principally attend to whatever regards the -religion of the state, are moved at the sight of so scandalous a -proceeding. They have summoned the agents of the university. The -attention of the magistrates has called the faculty back to their -duty, has awakened the zeal of the pastors; and soon after appeared -the censures of the Thesis, accompanied with the most dishonourable -sentence, with which he,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_88" id="page_88"></a>{88}</span> who had the audacity to maintain it, was -branded<a name="FNanchor_B_2" id="FNanchor_B_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_2" class="fnanchor">[B]</a>.</p> - -<p>“Such are the wounds that the growing schism has from its birth -given to religion. What may we not fear it has to suffer in the -sequel; and can we view it without being penetrated with -affliction? With some it will be totally destroyed, and if others -preserve it, the spirit will be entirely lost.</p> - -<p>“Hatred, animosity, and persecution, seize upon their hearts; those -divine characters of union and charity, which distinguish the -catholic church, are no longer to be known; and religion will be -almost universally destroyed, either in the mind, or in the heart.</p> - -<p>“But, Sire, if your parliament owe their first attention to the -interest of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_89" id="page_89"></a>{89}</span> religion, they are equally engaged by the fidelity -they have sworn to you, to guard the preservation of those great -maxims which constitute the essence of your sovereignty.</p> - -<p>“And how could they avoid opposing with all their might, the -progress of a scheme framed by some ministers of the church, to -erect the constitution <i>Unigenitus, as a rule of faith</i>. This -enterprize, inasmuch as it is prejudicial to religion, is contrary -to the principles of public right, upon which the independency of -your authority is founded. When this bull came into France, your -parliament acquainted Lewis XIV. with all the danger of the -condemnation which was therein pronounced against the proposition -that relates to the matter of excommunication.</p> - -<p>“<i>Hence will follow</i>, we told him, <i>that unjust excommunications, -that even the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_90" id="page_90"></a>{90}</span> menaces of an unjust censure, may suspend the -accomplishment of the most essential and indispensible duties: and -what might be the consequence? The liberties of the Gallican -church, the maxims adopted by the kingdom upon the authority of -kings, upon the independency of their crown, upon the fidelity that -is due to them from their subjects, might be annihilated, or at -least suspended in the minds of the people, solely by the -impression made on them by a menace of excommunication, though -unjust</i>.</p> - -<p>“Lewis XIV. was sensible of the importance of these reflections. -The bull was not received but with such modifications, as are not -so much modifications as an absolute assertion of the condemned -proposition.</p> - -<p>“These wise precautions, the ramparts of our liberty, judged -necessary by the late King, confirmed by your Majesty upon every -occasion, carefully repeated in the declarations you made to -establish<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_91" id="page_91"></a>{91}</span> the authority of the bull, conformable to the sentiments -of the bishops, who gave their explanations in 1744, and -corroborated by the formal decision of the Sorbonne, as they -solemnly declared it verbally, by their Syndic in 1732; how are -these to be reconciled with the eminent character that is now -wanted to be given this bull, in erecting it into <i>a rule of -faith</i>?</p> - -<p>“Dogmas of faith are not susceptible of modification; so that -giving to the bull the qualifications or effects of a <i>rule of -faith</i>, and exacting its pure and simple acceptance upon this -foundation, is by a necessary consequence destroying the -modifications which have been opposed to it, subverting the great -principle of your absolute independence of all other power -whatever; it is endeavouring to obtain the acknowledgment of an -authority, capable<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_92" id="page_92"></a>{92}</span> of annihilating or suspending the rights of -your sovereign authority.</p> - -<p>“Your Majesty, convinced of this truth, however favourably you may -have expressed yourself upon the bull, has never allowed it to be -denominated <i>a rule of faith</i>. All those writings which have -appeared, wherein it has been endeavoured to represent it in that -light, have been proscribed by judgments which you yourself have -given: and when your parliament represented to you in 1733, their -uneasiness at the conduct of some ecclesiastics, in various -dioceses, who appeared to give this character to the bull; your -Majesty reproached them for having foreseen that it could happen, -that the spiritual authority should desire to erect into a dogma of -faith, propositions contrary to the inviolable maxims of France.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_93" id="page_93"></a>{93}</span></p> - -<p>“Your Majesty told us that such an undertaking would not revolt -less against the church of your kingdom, than against the -magistrates; and that we might have been in security by the -precautions which the bishops took in 1714, for the preservation of -maxims, with regard to the ninety-first condemned proposition.</p> - -<p>“But, Sire, of what signification are these precautions taken by -some bishops of your kingdom, if the others do not adhere to them, -if they exact the pure and simple acceptation of the bull, if they -look upon those as out of the pale of the church who do not declare -their submission to it, without any restriction or reserve, and if -they pretend to exclude them upon this foundation from the -participation of all sacraments?</p> - -<p>“There are few amongst them, it is true, who have openly declared -themselves,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_94" id="page_94"></a>{94}</span> by saying, that the constitution is <i>a rule of faith</i>; -but by giving it the effects of <i>a rule of faith</i>, is not that -saying that it is a <i>rule of faith</i>? In matters of doctrine, none -but those who err in a point of faith, can be excluded the -participation of the sacraments of the church; therefore a refusal -of the sacraments to whosoever does not submit to the constitution, -is making the constitution a rule of faith.</p> - -<p>“The condemnation that the constitution has pronounced against the -ninety-first proposition, is manifestly contrary to the great -maxims of the kingdom, and is absolutely incompatible with the -observance of these maxims. Therefore, when we see the ministers of -the church, when we see the bishops establish the constitution as a -rule of faith, we see that by a fatality, which, Sire, your -goodness could not presume, that they want to erect into dogmas the -faith of opinions, contrary<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_95" id="page_95"></a>{95}</span> to the most inviolable maxims of -France.</p> - -<p>“They in vain protest their attachment to our liberties. Their -conduct belies the sincerity of their words: Or, if it is really -nothing more than an extravagant zeal for the bull that actuates -them, they teach us how dangerous it is for them to decide -arbitrarily in causes that may exclude the participation of the -sacraments. Their pretended zeal becomes a passion that blinds -them; prejudice shuts their eyes to the consequences of their -conduct. Add to this, that if this tyranny were once introduced, we -should soon see it by a still greater abuse, if possible, extending -itself over matters entirely foreign to the dogma, and purely -temporal. The point would not then only be what might relate to -conscience; they would make themselves arbiters of the state, and -of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_96" id="page_96"></a>{96}</span> form of the citizens, and would render the admission of the -sacraments just as conditional as they pleased.</p> - -<p>“These are not vain fears that agitate us. We know but too well, -that even in this case, nothing could conquer the obstinacy of an -unjust refusal; and that neither the most respectable birth, nor -the most pure, constant, and exemplary virtue, would be sufficient -titles to claim, at the point of death, these sacred benefits, the -dispensation whereof cannot depend upon human motives, and which by -right belong to the faithful<a name="FNanchor_C_3" id="FNanchor_C_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_C_3" class="fnanchor">[C]</a>.</p> - -<p>“Your parliament, Sire, strangely surprised at so many abuses, -daily committed before their eyes, have been made still more -strongly sensible of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_97" id="page_97"></a>{97}</span> danger, when having sent a deputation to -the archbishop of Paris, with regard to the fresh refusal of the -sacraments, by the curate of St. Etiénne du Mont; this prelate, -without making any reply, imperiously declared, that this was done -by his orders. What reflections must the mind make at such a -declaration! We shall now suppress them out of respect.</p> - -<p>“It will be sufficient to say, that your parliament have judged it -to be their indispensable duty to act with rigour against this -curate, in order to teach the inferior ministers of the church, -that whatever orders they may have received from their superiors, -they are answerable for putting them in execution, when these -orders tend to disturb the public tranquility, and particularly -when they are liable to foment a schism, the consequences of which -cannot be considered without horror.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_98" id="page_98"></a>{98}</span></p> - -<p>“May we be permitted, Sire, to supplicate you to take into -consideration the remonstrances which your parliament had the -honour of presenting you last year. You will there find it -demonstrated, that the error in the representation of a bill of -confession, which the curate of St. Etiénne du Mont alledged for -the reason of his refusal, cannot be a legal cause for refusing the -<i>holy viaticum</i> to a dying person, and that the exaction of this -bill is only a vague pretence for refusing the sacraments to those -who are suspected of not accepting the constitution.</p> - -<p>“May we be allowed to recal to your memory, the principles -established in the representations which your parliament made -previously to you in 1731, and 1733, upon the first refusal of the -sacraments that came to their knowledge. The <i>Bull Unigenitus</i> is -not a rule of faith. The church alone<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_99" id="page_99"></a>{99}</span> could give it this supreme -character, and the church has not given it. This bull is even of -such a nature that it cannot be a rule of faith. It offers nothing -certain. The different qualifications it gives to the propositions -which it condemns, and this indetermination, absolutely oppose its -ever being a dogma of faith: These maxims of France, which form the -basis of our liberties, would otherwise soon be destroyed.</p> - -<p>“Will you, then, Sire, permit the torch of schism to be lighted up -in the heart of your kingdom, on account of the acceptance that is -exacted of this bull. There is nothing more menacing to an empire, -than divisions in religious matters: They become still more fatal -when the cause is unjust. Let them not be introduced into your -kingdom, stifle them in their birth, and to that end let your -parliaments<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_100" id="page_100"></a>{100}</span> act. They alone can restore a calm, by the vigilant -exertion of their institution. A dying person may at every instant -have recourse to the magistrate, to claim the benefits that may be -inhumanly denied him.</p> - -<p>“If you reserve to yourself the care of making provision in this -case, however favourable your intentions may be, the distance of -places, the importance of your occupations, the difficulty of -gaining access to the foot of your throne, will prevent their -effect.</p> - -<p>“Severity will not so effectually suppress the designs that veil -the schism, as dispatch. Its progress is to be dreaded. Preachers -already arise, who endeavour to disturb the people’s minds, and -make our churches echo with their seditious sermons. If the fire -encreases, it is to be feared that the flames will spread to such a -degree,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_101" id="page_101"></a>{101}</span> that no authority will be sufficiently powerful to stop -the conflagration.</p> - -<p>“Let us call to mind in the history of past ages, those bills of -association; those extorted declarations in the tribunal of -penance; those scandalous sermons which spread the alarm in -timorous consciences; those bloody wars carried to such an excess, -that shook even this throne.</p> - -<p>“Struck with dread at the sight of these great misfortunes, we -shall not cease, Sire, to rise up against all such proceedings as -tend to schism; and we shall not cease to lay before you their -shocking consequences. To prevent our acting, to stifle our voices, -we must be annihilated. And if by an event which we should consider -ourselves as almost guilty to foresee, it should happen that our -constancy to support the rights of your crown, those of the state -and of religion, we should<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_102" id="page_102"></a>{102}</span> draw upon ourselves your Majesty’s -disgrace, we should lament without altering our conduct.</p> - -<p>“Incapable of betraying our duty, we should have nothing to offer -you in homage but our tears, till time should convince you how -advantageous it is for you, that your parliament at no period -swerve from the inviolable fidelity they owe to religion, to their -country, and to their King; and that in their archives may be found -the uninterrupted tradition of conduct and maxims, which secure the -tranquility of your kingdom, and the independance of your -sovereignty.</p> - -<p>“Such, Sire, are the most humble and respectful remonstrances which -the counsellors in parliament assembled, have the honour of -presenting to your Majesty.</p> - -<p class="nind"> -“Done in parliament, this<br /> -13th of April, 1752.<br /> -</p> - -<p class="r"> -“Signed,<br /> -“<span class="smcap">De Maupeou</span>.”<br /> -</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_103" id="page_103"></a>{103}</span></p></div> - -<p>This fine discourse, written with energy, did not proclaim peace, but -was, on the contrary, a declaration of war, founded in appearance upon -the exigencies of the police, and the tranquility of the state; the -spirit of party was, however, its only dictator: The parliament being -composed almost entirely of Jansenists, wanted to destroy the Molinist -cabal. Each pursued his private prejudices, and no one thought of the -advantage of the state.</p> - -<p>The King, in answer to these representations, declared, that he should -take upon himself to punish such priests as gave offence to the state, -by refusing the sacraments, and forbad the parliament interfering in the -matter: but this court took care not to obey. So far from submitting, -they published an arret, expresly ordering the priests to ask no bills -of confession from the sick people, and to administer the sacraments to -them, without<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_104" id="page_104"></a>{104}</span> interrogating them in any shape upon the subject. As -ordonnances are generally of greater latitude than they should be, this -body, having become all at once Theologists, availed themselves of this -opportunity to forbid the preachers using certain expressions, and they -specified the terms in which their sermons should be conceived.</p> - -<p>Idle people, who deride every thing, even the most serious affairs, -turned this arret into ridicule. The wits of Paris said that the -parliament had pared the preachers nails in such a manner, that they -could not scratch the Jansenists any more.</p> - -<p>Such sick people as wanted to commune, purchased an arret, which they -presented instead of a bill of confession. The retailers of bon-mots -said, “That the parliament of Paris were going to establish a communion -office at Paris, where the Jansenists might furnish<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_105" id="page_105"></a>{105}</span> themselves with -each sacrament, at the rate of forty-two sols tournois, for an arret.”</p> - -<p>The court issued another ordonnance in favour of the <i>Bull Unigenitus</i>; -but the parliament, without paying attention to it, sent forth decrees -against the priests who refused to administer. The two parties became -inveterate, by their reciprocal obstinacy.</p> - -<p>The Dauphin’s illness, which happened at the height of this dispute, -produced some short truce. This Prince found himself indisposed, as he -retired to his apartment on the first of May, 1752, at night. His -disorder was the smallpox, as was visible from the usual symptoms. He -happily recovered from it; and the King, who was at first alarmed, -testified great joy upon this Prince’s recovery.</p> - -<p>Louis XV. is very fond of his children; and particularly the Dauphin: -never<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_106" id="page_106"></a>{106}</span> did a father sympathise so much at the vicissitudes of his -family. He pays remarkable attention to all those who belong to him. -Whenever the Queen is the least indisposed, he flies to her apartment, -and never leaves her till she is better.</p> - -<p>All France congratulated him upon the recovery of the presumptive heir -to the crown. Each body of the state demonstrated their joy by some -particular rejoicings, and the people displayed theirs by general -festivity.</p> - -<p>I resolved in turn to testify my satisfaction at this happy event, by an -analogous feast; but I would do nothing without consulting the King. I -imparted to him my design, which he approved of, and my plan, which he -applauded.</p> - -<p>Every one that has heard my name mentioned, knows that I obtained -BELLE-VUE, where I had exhausted the refinements of art to make an -agreeable<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_107" id="page_107"></a>{107}</span> receptacle for the King. These kinds of feasts must be -allegorical, otherwise they do not express the subject of the rejoicing.</p> - -<p>My decoration represented various dens surrounded with a piece of water, -in the middle of which was seen a luminous dolphin. Several monsters -attacked it, in vomiting flames; but Apollo, who was its protector, -hurled his thunder at them from above, and a large quantity of fireworks -compleated their destruction, as well as that of their residence. The -scene then instantly changed, and became the brilliant palace of the -sun, where the dolphin re-appeared, in all its splendor, by means of a -magnificent illumination, which lasted all night.</p> - -<p>Scarce had the Dauphin recovered from his disorder, before the -parliament and the bishops engaged a-new the attention of the court and -the city. It was the peace that gave sufficient leisure to attend<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_108" id="page_108"></a>{108}</span> to -these disputes. In time of war, they would have had other objects to -engage their attention than bills of confession. The court would have -despised such an affair; and the parliament would not have allowed it to -be mentioned.</p> - -<p>The obstinacy of the parliament, and the stubbornness of the curates in -refusing the sacraments, increased the King’s melancholy. I endeavoured -to multiply the amusements of his private parties, in order to remove -that state of languor which business had brought upon him. I detained -him with me at night as late as I possibly could, and did not let him -retire, till I had dissipated the clouds of his mind, by every method -that I thought would produce the effect. Music was a great assistant to -me; Rameaux was very useful to me in this respect. The King had a taste -for light airs, and this musician excelled in this kind of composition, -Jelliot executed still better than<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_109" id="page_109"></a>{109}</span> Rameaux composed. He was unrivalled -in giving life to expression, and grace to sound. I may venture to say, -that this performer, by the gaiety that he spread over the King’s mind, -was often the mediator of the most important affairs of Europe.</p> - -<p>We know that all our resolutions spring from the actual disposition of -the soul. A monarch that refuses every thing when his mind is seized -with a certain melancholy, grants every thing when this vapour is -dissipated.</p> - -<p>This disposition, the usual effect of secondary causes, and which -derives its origin from an harmonious sound, a wink, and most frequently -from the temperature of the air, does not always pursue the rule of -justice. It is unhappy for the people to be governed by mortals subject -to a machine susceptible of every kind of impression. It would be for -the good of mankind if they were governed<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_110" id="page_110"></a>{110}</span> by angels. I often repeated, -that Lewis XV. was extremely affected by these religious disputes. I -often heard him say, he would prefer being at war with princes rather -than with Theologians, because with those the treaty of peace terminates -the quarrel; whereas with these even the spirit of reconciliation -contributes to encrease it.</p> - -<p>Marshal Saxe formerly said to me, that if he were to have gained an -advantage over the Tartars, he would have given them quarter; but that -if he had conquered an army of Theologians, he would have exterminated -them without mercy.</p> - -<p>A man of wit, and a great politician, was of opinion, that the -universities should be shut up, and their theses forbidden upon pain of -death. He shewed me a manuscript work, whereby he pretended to prove -that all the wars, and all the crimes that had been committed in<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_111" id="page_111"></a>{111}</span> Europe -since the establishment of christianity, derived their origin from -religious disputes.</p> - -<p>This is easy to believe, he added, if we consider that the spirit of -contention, which springs from dogmas, spreads itself through every -class, and that it is this general spirit that forms the genius of -nations.</p> - -<p>The war relating to the <i>Constitution</i> still continuing, -plenipotentiaries were appointed: these were commissaries, who were to -decide, whether the curates had a right to let the King’s subjects die -without communing. The Bishops said, this was the business of a council; -but the parliament were of opinion, that the Bull Unigenitus was in -subordination to the police of the state. These commissaries assembled -very regularly; but they took care to come to no determination.</p> - -<p>The Prince of Conti, who was always in a passion when this affair was<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_112" id="page_112"></a>{112}</span> -mentioned before him, said, it should be decided by a court martial.</p> - -<p>To this kind of tragedy some comic scenes were united. A curate who was -compelled to administer to a sick person, said to him in a loud voice, -<i>I commune you by order of the parliament</i>. Another expressed himself -thus to a dying man: <i>It is in consequence of an arret of the great -chamber, that I bring you God Almighty</i>.</p> - -<p>The body of the clergy, who till now had appeared neuter in the affair, -entered the lists. The bishops asked justice of the King, for the -attempt of the parliament, who interfered in what did not relate to -them; and the reason they assigned was, that only God, the Pope, the -bishops, and the curates, had the right of administering. They pretended -that the great chamber should make reparation to the archbishop of -Paris, for having accused him of favouring a schism.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_113" id="page_113"></a>{113}</span></p> - -<p>The King was very far from granting them what they required, as he could -not obtain of the parliament what he asked of them. Here again it was -necessary to issue arrets, to prevent licentious writings, and order -certain books to be burnt by the hand of the hangman. These were so many -fresh attacks upon the King’s constitution, and what spread an -additional gloom over his temper, already too grave.</p> - -<p>Of all the royal family, the King was the only one who took this matter -to heart. The Queen had accustomed herself to lay all the vicissitudes -of this world at the foot of the crucifix: the King’s daughters would -not allow the <i>Bull Unigenitus</i> to be mentioned: the Dauphin only said -that he could not speak, but that if he were King, he should know what -he had to do; the Princes of the blood despised these disputes; the -courtiers wanted to be meddling, but they<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_114" id="page_114"></a>{114}</span> knew nothing of the matter. -It was happy for France that old Marshal Belleisle was no Theologian, -for he would have embroiled matters still more. His highest ambition was -to fathom these things; but his age and vocations did not allow him to -signalize himself upon this occasion. He nevertheless, engaged in a -dispute upon predestination, to seem as if he was acquainted with what -he was entirely ignorant of.</p> - -<p>Both parties were very solicitous for my declaring myself openly; but -besides my discovering that they were both head-strong, my happiness -prompted me to wish for the annihilation of the Constitution, as the -King’s repose so much depended on it.</p> - -<p>I proposed to Lewis XV. that he should forbid all his subjects, as well -ecclesiastics as seculars, to pronounce the words <i>Bull</i>, <i>Jansenist</i>, -or <i>Molinist</i>, on pain of being severely punished; and to sentence<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_115" id="page_115"></a>{115}</span> such -priests as should be convicted of having refused the administration of -the sacraments, to perpetual imprisonment. But the goodness of his heart -would not allow him to exercise any methods that had an air of violence -or despotism. He wanted to be obeyed; but then, only by moderate and -gentle means.</p> - -<p>While it was debated what method to pursue, to terminate these disputes, -a courtier said to the King, “Sire, there is but one resource, which is, -to renew the <i>Vingtieme</i>, and examine the ecclesiastical revenues; the -bishops will forget the <i>Bull Unigenitus</i>, when they are reminded that -they must give money to the state.” In effect, this new object diverted -their attention from the other.</p> - -<p>The arrival of the Infanta of Parma completely dissipated that lowring -disposition which the <i>Constitution</i> had spread at court. Nothing was -thought of but<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_116" id="page_116"></a>{116}</span> entertaining the Princess. I advised the King to give a -ball and an opera. In these diversions I strove rather to amuse the -King, than to divert this sovereign Princess his daughter.</p> - -<p>The ministers of state, whom I often saw, told me that they were very -much occupied. The war had thrown them into arrears for ten years. The -King had given M. d’Argenson a coadjutor in the war department. This was -the Marquis de Paulini, a very able and intelligent man; but arts and -literature engaged part of that time which might have been employed for -the benefit of the state.</p> - -<p>He knew more than a learned man need to have done, and he was -unacquainted with more things than a minister should have been ignorant -of. The King had sent him to examine the military state of France. He -had just visited the southern parts to reconnoitre the fortresses, and -the troops quarters.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_117" id="page_117"></a>{117}</span> When he made his report to the King, he added, -that he had seen the protestants of Languedoc, and that at a time they -were suspected of taking up arms, they were assembled to offer up -prayers to heaven for the recovery of the Dauphin. This intelligence -greatly affected the King. It gives peculiar pleasure to sovereigns to -find all their subjects attached to them. This, perhaps, is the most -tender point of self-love in princes.</p> - -<p>Though the King, by an effect of that goodness which is so natural to -him, often laid aside his disposition to make our conversation -agreeable, the progress of melancholy was very rapid upon my mind. At -certain moments every thing was insipid to me. I was convinced of the -propriety of what Madam de Maintenon once said, that in every state of -life there is a dreadful vacuum. What increased my anxiety was, that I -was obliged to put on a gay appearance, at<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_118" id="page_118"></a>{118}</span> the very time that the most -gnawing grief preyed upon me.</p> - -<p>Here will I say, to the scandal of human greatness, that notwithstanding -the favour I possessed, and the brilliant elevation of my fortune, I -several times resolved upon quitting the court—Ambition alone doubtless -with-held me, for we sacrifice all things to our predominant passion. It -was this same ambition that, having raised me to the pinnacle of -grandeur, made me pass more unhappy days than those which would have -glided away, if I had remained in a less distinguished state. Every body -envied my fate, and no one thought but that I was the happiest of women: -but the state of my felicity was far from corresponding with the idea -the world entertained of it.</p> - -<p>Those who aspire to a more elevated sphere than that wherein virtue has -placed them, fancy that riches, rank, grandeur and titles, contribute to -happiness,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_119" id="page_119"></a>{119}</span> and that in these imaginary advantages felicity centers. -This is a fallacious opinion; when once we are accustomed to these -things, they seldom afford us any gratification. The idea which we frame -of them, pleases us more than possession itself. Neither magnificent -palaces, superb furniture, nor the most valuable jewels in Europe, which -I possessed, could make me happy.</p> - -<p>The Count de Maurepas, who had compelled me to request the King to grant -him an exile, signified to some persons about me, that he should like to -obtain leave to reside in common at Pontchartrain. This castle is -situated near Versailles, and he was expressly forbid, upon leaving -court, to reside there. I voluntarily took upon myself to obtain this -permission for him. I asked it of the King, who said to me, in granting -it,—“Indeed, Madam, I admire your noble soul; the Count de Maurepas<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_120" id="page_120"></a>{120}</span> -has grievously offended you, and you, nevertheless, interest yourself in -his behalf.”</p> - -<p>When the Count’s friends found that the King so easily granted what was -requested in his favour, they spoke to me about his recall to court: But -I refused to employ my credit to obtain this fresh indulgence. This was -the only thing wherein Lewis XV. possessed unshakeable fortitude. I do -not know, that notwithstanding all this Prince’s favour, with which I -was honoured, I could in this have succeeded. The attempt might have -been dangerous to myself: We should never expose ourselves to a refusal: -it is the first step that leads to indifference.</p> - -<p>It was then publicly said, that this minister was indebted for this -favour to the Cardinal de la Rochefoucault and the Duke de Nivernois, -his relations, who at that time had some interest at court:<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_121" id="page_121"></a>{121}</span> but the -truth is, that neither the one or the other had any share in it.</p> - -<p>The King was always surrounded with remonstrances from his parliaments. -I complained to the gentlemen of the gown, of the disturbances which -they themselves created in the state, by their obstinacy. They always -answered me, that they laboured for the glory of the King, the welfare -of the state, and the happiness of the people. It is, in my opinion, a -great abuse of the administration in France, that private individuals, -born in obscurity, and almost constantly without any other merit than -that of having purchased an employment for two or three thousand louis -d’ors, should consider themselves as part of the monarchy, and be -continually struggling with the royal authority. Marshal Saxe, before he -died, told the King, “Sire, I advise you to reimburse your parliaments; -for it is from the value of their<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_122" id="page_122"></a>{122}</span> employment, that these people derive -their consequence.”</p> - -<p>These disputes brought religion into contempt. An author, who, supposing -that the <i>Bull Unigenitus</i> was entirely destroyed, as the parliament -wanted to compel the curates to administer to sick people, suspected of -Jansenism, published a performance under this title, “<i>The funeral -oration of that most high and powerful Princess, the Bull UNIGENITUS</i>.”</p> - -<p>It has been observed, that such books as these corrupt the morals more -than heresy itself. The parliament, who would not submit to the King, -said, that they opposed the schism. The Jansenists, who were refused the -administration of the sacraments, maintained with all their might, that -the gates of heaven were shut against them, in opposing the will of God; -which was a schism in this doctrine, as they allowed of no flexibility -in Providence:<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_123" id="page_123"></a>{123}</span> wherefore Mr. Maillebois, the father, said, that the -Jansenists were guilty of heresy against their own sect; for they wanted -to force predestination, after having taught that it was immutable.</p> - -<p>This scene, which continued for several years, made France quite -ridiculous. The protestants of the kingdom, who were forbidden to speak, -said nothing: but those in foreign countries avenged their brethren’s -taciturnity, by publishing the most poignant satires against those -disputes, without considering that the same principles amongst them -produce the same divisions.</p> - -<p>Engraving was made a party in this affair; a plate was dedicated to me, -wherein the hall of the parliament of Paris represented the school of -the Sorbonne. All the presidents and counsellors were dressed like -doctors, who instructed the King and the bishops of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_124" id="page_124"></a>{124}</span> France in points of -religion, and these were depicted as scholars.</p> - -<p>These sarcasms, which afflicted the King, embittered my days. I spoke -upon this subject to the first president, complained to the bishops, and -had some curates introduced to me, to talk with them about it; but these -measures procured me no relief, this dispute having given importance to -these people, in the opinion of the world, which they would not -otherwise have obtained.</p> - -<p>Whilst a proper medicine was sought to appease these troubles, the -clergy came to ask justice of the King, for the attack the parliament -had made. This body had issued arrets in regard to matters that were -more connected with theology than policy.</p> - -<p>The King appointed a commission to take cognizance of this affair. The -deputies of the bishops required preliminaries to be settled, before -they entered<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_125" id="page_125"></a>{125}</span> upon a negociation. They demanded, 1. The annulling of a -certain arret, as an attack upon the authority of the church. 2. The -establishment of bills of confession. 3. A reparation of honour from the -parliament to the archbishop, for having accused him of favouring a -schism. The King granted the deputies partly what they asked, and -refused them the other part. He annulled the arret, not only because it -infringed the rights of the clergy, but because it attacked his own -authority; “inasmuch, said the declarations, as the parliament have not -a right to make regulations; and that in case they should have any to -make, they should apply to the King, to ask him leave.”</p> - -<p>In the same arret it was set forth, that no case could occur, wherein a -priest was entitled to refuse the sacraments on account of the <i>Bull -Unigenitus</i>. It was therefore added, “that with respect<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_126" id="page_126"></a>{126}</span> to spiritual -administration, the lay judges had no right to take any cognizance, -unless a law-suit ensued.”</p> - -<p>These distinctions did not restore peace, but war continued. They fought -as before with the weapons of remonstrance. The parliament, who were -desirous of interfering as a party in the affair relating to the -administration of the sacraments, would not content themselves with -being only judges. New satyrical writings made their appearance: they -spared neither church nor state; and the King was greatly mortified by -them. I often entreated him to pay no regard to these wretched -pamphlets, whose low obscure authors were more deserving of contempt -than chastisement. But I could never prevail upon him to take this -revenge, which is the only one that should gratify sovereigns, with -respect to these unfortunate scribblers.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_127" id="page_127"></a>{127}</span></p> - -<p>To convince him what sort of animals these authors were, I sent for one -into my apartment at Versailles, after having promised him pardon for -the book he had wrote, and also my protection. The King saw him, and -spoke to him for some time; after which he said to me, in raising his -shoulders, “Indeed, Madam, you are right, those folks deserve more to be -pitied than hated.”</p> - -<p>Though Europe enjoyed a state of tranquility in 1753, this was a period -of troubles and divisions in France.</p> - -<p>The nobility of Brittany shewed themselves equally turbulent as the -bishops, the clergy, and the parliament. They protested in a very high -stile, against what had been determined by arret, during the assembly of -the states. They had no such right. This assembly in a body represent -the royal authority; so that their deliberations are above the -protestations of any individuals that compose<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_128" id="page_128"></a>{128}</span> it. Louis XV. had several -letters de cachet dispatched, which exiled the bishops in their -dioceses, and the gentlemen in their estates.</p> - -<p>Marshal Belleisle said, that “Letters de cachet in France were the only -specific for curing the disorder of disobedience: but that they were so -often used, that it was to be feared, they would at length produce no -effect?” But this remedy is not always made use of by the King; -ministers oftener apply it than the Prince: this is what renders the -French administration so odious to foreigners. I have, nevertheless, -heard a man of great sense applaud the use of them. He pretended that -<i>order</i> was produced by this <i>disorder</i>. “It is said, continued he, that -the King of England has no authority to arrest the lowest of his -subjects. This is very well in England, where a republican spirit keeps -every one within the bounds prescribed<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_129" id="page_129"></a>{129}</span> to him by the constitution; but, -in France, where nobody is acquainted with the laws, where the climate -and society excite every man’s desire of speaking, all would be lost, if -the administration had not the authority of stopping this natural -impetuosity of Frenchmen, &c. &c.</p> - -<p>“This authority lodged with the sovereign is, perhaps, necessary amongst -us; without it the great bodies politic would infringe too much upon the -rights of the crown. We have often seen in France, the clergy, the third -estate, and parliaments, endeavouring to rule over the rights of the -King. If the sovereign had not then the power of stopping the -proceedings of these bodies, all government must have subsided; for it -cannot be imagined, that those, who represent the church and the people, -would rule with a spirit of moderation and patriotism. In<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_130" id="page_130"></a>{130}</span> every state -of life, man is animated with ambition, and the most dangerous kind of -ambition is that which has for its pretext the glory of God, and the -happiness of the people.”</p> - -<p>The same year gave us one example of this, with respect to the -parliament of Paris, to whom the court paid too great deference, and who -were so daring as to speak to the King in these words, in one of their -remonstrances.</p> - -<p>“If those persons, who abuse your Majesty’s confidence, pretend to -reduce us to the alternative, either of failing in our duty, or -incurring your disgrace, we declare to them, that we feel ourselves -possessed of courage to become the victims of our fidelity.”</p> - -<p>M. de Belleisle, who personally attended at this last representation, -said to the King, that after this <i>coup d’eclat</i> (bold stroke) the -parliament must either be dissolved, or the administration of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_131" id="page_131"></a>{131}</span> -kingdom given up to them. Lewis XV. banished them to Pontoise; but this -did not increase their docility: chastisement came too late; they had -been accustomed to withstand the government. From the extremity of their -exile they braved the authority of the King, who upon this occasion -testified less fortitude than the parliament did weakness. They were -exiled to punish them for having interfered with the bills of -confession; and they were no sooner at Pontoise, than he decreed the -seizing of a priest, for having refused the administration of the -sacraments.</p> - -<p>Two marriages took place, which in some measure diverted these -parliamentary broils. That of the Prince de Conde with Madamoiselle -Soubise. There were at first some difficulties raised, with respect to -the titles of the house of Soubise; for this was a ticklish period, when -obstacles were started on every hand;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_132" id="page_132"></a>{132}</span> but the King found out a -modification, by granting to both the houses of Bouillon and Soubise the -quality of serene highnesses.</p> - -<p>Mademoiselle de Soubise brought the Prince of Conde a portion of five -millions of livres in land, without reckoning her jewels and other -expectancies, at the death of her father. The Princess whom Lewis XIV. -wedded, and the lady with whom Lewis XV. shared his throne, were not by -far so rich.</p> - -<p>The second marriage was that of the Duke of Gisors, son to Marshal -Belleisle, with Mademoiselle de Nivernois. The court is the region of -metamorphose: the <i>procureur-general</i> Fouquet, condemned to death by -nine judges, and banished France for his malversation in the finances, -would never have imagined that his grandson would become the -father-in-law to the daughter of the duke of Nivernois.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_133" id="page_133"></a>{133}</span></p> - -<p>This duke was at that time embassador at Rome, and I frequently saw him -upon his return. He was, in my opinion, one of the foremost in merit -among the lords at court. The characters of the great are generally -composed of good qualities and defects, whereby they are less -distinguished by their virtues than their vices. This nobleman was -exempt from those foibles which tarnish superior talents. He was an -active, vigilant, indefatigable minister; a great statesman; a profound -politician; uniting with the sublime qualities of a negociator all those -which make a man amiable in society, being a good husband, a good -father, and a good friend—in a word, an honest man. Interest, that -passion which vilifies the great, found no refuge in his heart. I could -willingly compare him to Prince Charles of Lorrain, for the virtues of -his mind; and to one of the greatest geniuses that do honour to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_134" id="page_134"></a>{134}</span> -age, for the qualities of his head:—he may not, perhaps, be so -brilliant, but, then he has more solidity.</p> - -<p>These two marriages were necessary to free us from that languid state, -in which those mournful disputes had immersed us. It was in vain for me -to attempt giving the King a gay turn of mind; those unhappy affairs -constantly brought him back to his melancholy state. Besides, I did not -now, as I have already said, possess myself that gaiety and chearfulness -which, before my residence at Versailles, so greatly characterized me; -and it is difficult to transmit to others what we no longer enjoy -ourselves.</p> - -<p>Lewis XV. who, in his lively moments, took a good deal of pleasure in -reproaching me with this change of disposition, said to me one day, -“<i>Methinks, Madam, that you throw a great share of gravity into your -behaviour. If this continues, I must play my part to make you laugh;<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_135" id="page_135"></a>{135}</span> I -must sing little couplets to divert you</i>.” This was precisely the means -I had used to dispel that gloom which overwhelmed him: upon my arrival -at Versailles I understood his meaning, and I endeavoured to get the -better of my pensive disposition.</p> - -<p>The parliament still continued in disgrace: the Prince of Conti -endeavoured to restore them to favour. He exerted himself greatly to -compass this design. This prince, who had retired from Versailles, -troubled himself very little with the perplexities of the court. When -the King was informed of the task he had undertaken, his Majesty said, -<i>It is surprising that the Prince of Conti who has hitherto never -meddled with any thing, should give himself the trouble to bring such -head-strong people back to their duty</i>.</p> - -<p>His efforts were fruitless; they would not submit to this Prince’s -reasons, and he said upon his return to the isle of Adam, “If the King -had sent me plenipotentiary<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_136" id="page_136"></a>{136}</span> to some prince at enmity with France, I -should have terminated the war; but I cannot negociate between him and -his parliament.”</p> - -<p>The King set out for Compiegne, where the Court was very brilliant. All -the Princes of the blood and the nobility of the kingdom repaired -thither. It is by custom established, that the subjects eat with the -King at Compiegne; in consequence of which several lords regaled the -monarch. Among those who gave feasts to his Majesty, one Marquis Regnier -de Guerchy, lieutenant general, and colonel of the King’s regiment, -distinguished himself the most. Methought he had taste and judgment; for -both are necessary to treat a King of France with splendour and -delicacy. This colonel’s table at Compiegne usually consisted of two -hundred covers, and it happened more than once in this journey, that he -had upwards of three hundred guests.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_137" id="page_137"></a>{137}</span> It was said of this -lieutenant-general, that he had served his country very well, which, -according to me, is the greatest elogium that can be given to a military -man.</p> - -<p>When the King was at Compiegne, he was less taken up with the disputes -about religion and the parliament. Hunting and encampments entirely -engaged his attention, which gave him an air of contentment, that he -lost when he came to Versailles.</p> - -<p>The year 1753 was the epocha of remonstrances. The comedians turned -their representations into state affairs. The opera of Paris, who saw -with regret the success of the other theatres, finding that the French -comedians had constantly full houses, thought proper to forbid their -performing ballets. The comedians made application to the government, to -obtain an edict of council to permit them to have dances. There was -something<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_138" id="page_138"></a>{138}</span> whimsical in their remonstrances to the King; for it is -difficult for a set of people, who by their profession are destined to -excite laughter, to acquire sufficient gravity to preserve such a -serious stile as is requisite in a piece dedicated to a supreme -tribunal. One of the deputies said to me, “Madam, the modern productions -are so very bad, that the greater part of them cannot be supported -without ballets. Capering is a great auxiliary to declamation, I foretel -you, Madam, that if we are not allowed to dance, words will be of no -signification.” The King laughed when I related to him this slight.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless these same French comedians shut up their theatre, and -haughtily declared that they could not act, unless they were allowed to -dance. This theatrical vacation, which appeared trifling, was really an -affair of state. Dramatic<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_139" id="page_139"></a>{139}</span> performances prevent an infinite number of -vices which idleness creates.</p> - -<p>The parliament, who were always in part exiled, no longer officiating, -it occasioned great detriment to public affairs. The King ordered them -to resume their vocations; they did not obey. The great chamber sent a -deputation to Versailles; they made fresh remonstrances, and here things -remained.</p> - -<p>Happily for France, the Dauphiness was brought to bed, and those -disputes, which had spread such a general gloom at court and in the -city, were immediately forgot. Public rejoicings inspired such gaiety as -dispelled this universal cloud. Frenchmen are seldom long bereft of -their chearfulness. A marriage, or recovery, restores to them their -natural sprightliness. I do not know whether this continual transition -from grief to joy, is not preferable to that pensive disposition of the -English, which inspires<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_140" id="page_140"></a>{140}</span> them with a melancholy, from which no secondary -cause can retrieve them. A Spanish Ambassador said to me, <i>that the -French have some moments of existence, but that the English are in a -continual state of mortality</i>.</p> - -<p>The new-born Prince was named Duke of Aquitaine. The King forsook -business to give an entire loose to pleasure, for which this happy event -gave him a relish. It made a sensible change in my disposition, as it -inspired our conversation with gaiety, and renewed our satisfaction. -Versailles was now the scene of festivity; when all the nobility -belonging to court signalized themselves, and the courtiers upon this -occasion seemed transported with joy at an event, which in reality must -have been a matter of indifference to them.</p> - -<p>Such resources as these were necessary to rescue us from that languid -state, wherein the sameness of amusement immersed<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_141" id="page_141"></a>{141}</span> us. I had employed -the greatest refinements of art to dissipate the King’s melancholy; but -every thing is at length exhausted. Custom destroys even that novelty, -which alone can make impression on our senses.</p> - -<p>The Duke of Richelieu, who was often of our parties in the little -apartments, afforded us great amusement. He related every thing with -that insinuating art that so happily pleases; but even his wit betrayed -too much of the courtier. One might read in his very looks his desire of -success; never did any mortal sacrifice more to fortune; he was for -grasping all favour, and disposing of the state as an absolute matter. -He publickly said, that he had done all for me, and I had done nothing -for him. But if I did not do better for him, he should blame his genius -for intrigue, and his ambitious desires, which he had not always the -power to moderate. Complaints were<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_142" id="page_142"></a>{142}</span> frequently made against him, which I -appeased. Several courtiers who had resolved to destroy him, had -prejudiced Lewis XV. against him, and I restored him to favour. But I -was not willing that he should see the King too often; for I knew his -scheme was to gain his confidence, and afterwards to estrange from court -all those who had too great an ascendant over him.</p> - -<p>The bishops of France, who did not know in what to insult the parliament -personally, whom they said pretended to regulate the Romish church, took -occasion from the birth of the Duke of Aquitaine, to render them odious -to the nation, by comparing them to the parliament of England in the -reign of Charles I.</p> - -<p>The bishop of Montauban, in visiting his diocesans, to thank heaven for -having given a grandson to France, thus expressed himself in his -mandate. “The spirit of party and faction was predominant in<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_143" id="page_143"></a>{143}</span> England; -there was no stability in the laws, either divine or human; and in the -midst of those clouds of darkness which gathered on every side, all -things became uncertain or indifferent, except the sacrilegious dogma of -attributing spiritual supremacy to secular authority.</p> - -<p>“It was at this unfortunate period, that the enemies of episcopacy -having prevailed, true religion was entirely abolished, and the regal -dignity expired in the opprobrium. We saw for the first time, revolted -subjects seizing sword in hand, and leading to a shocking prison, a -King, whose only crime was, having too patiently borne their first -sedition; the parliament throwing off the yoke of all superior -authority, striking with one hand the bishops, and raising the other -against the head of their sovereign; accusing him with indecency, and -calumniating him without<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_144" id="page_144"></a>{144}</span> shame; condemning him without justice, leading -him to the scaffold like butchers, and executing him with fury; and the -people infatuated with this execrable parricide, became deeply -intoxicated with fanaticism and independence; pursuing like ideots, a -phantom of liberty, whilst like slaves, they paid to a tyrant that -obedience which they owed to their lawful King. What a dreadful series -of crimes! Here a king assassinated in his bed—there another hurled -from his throne—all his family banished—the crown transferred upon the -head of a foreigner—ever tottering, notwithstanding the blood spilt to -secure it,” &c.</p> - -<p>The Prince of Conti said upon this occasion, that the bishops should be -forbid introducing the history of England into public prayers. This was -a most poignant satire against the parliament, which foretold what the -state had to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_145" id="page_145"></a>{145}</span> fear from this body: but we had no Cromwell in France; and -the commons of England act upon different principles from the parliament -of Paris.</p> - -<p>The English embassador made great complaints, that any one in France -should dare to reproach his nation with having put their King to death. -He spoke to the minister about it, and the bishop’s discourse was -suppressed. The fate of this kind of writings is always determined by -the times. If France had been at war with England, the mandate would not -have been suppressed; but the peace which then subsisted between the two -nations would not allow it to pass.</p> - -<p>The parliament’s arret, nevertheless, left a vacuum in the -administration of justice, and business languished. I was applied to by -a great number of people to prevail upon the King to create new judges. -Lewis XV. for a long time resisted these solicitations; but he at -length<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_146" id="page_146"></a>{146}</span> resolved upon doing it. He established a chamber of <i>vacations</i>, -who performed the functions of the parliament: but this new chamber was -scarce established before the members of the Chatelet declared against -it; for divisions now reigned between the bodies of judicature. There -was no one in the kingdom that did not declare itself independent of any -other; which made a man of wit say, that the Turkish constitution was -preferable to ours, as the divan alone regulated the state; whereas -every parliament in France created confusion in the kingdom.</p> - -<p>Some bailiwicks and presidials in the jurisdiction of the parliament, -wanted to share in the general disobedience, as well as disgrace. They -refused to acknowledge the chamber of Vacations. Here was fresh subject -for exile; which made a courtier say, that “every corporation was -concerned, and the body of ushers would soon oppose the orders of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_147" id="page_147"></a>{147}</span> -court.” The foreign embassadors who were eye-witnesses of this disorder, -gave their sentiments with respect to the system of their governments. -The minister from Venice said, that a senate should be called, wherein -the supreme power should be lodged, and which no other body could -oppose. The English embassador spoke of a house of commons. The Spanish -embassador advised the establishment of the inquisition in France.</p> - -<p>The parliament, removed to Soissons, obstinately refused resuming their -functions; and the chamber of <i>vacations</i> rather increasing the -disorder, than restoring public tranquility, it was necessary to form a -royal chamber, to pursue the business of the parliament. M. de Belleisle -said, “he wished that this chamber might continue till the end of time.”</p> - -<p>All France was occupied with the parliament’s exile. Another tribunal -was substituted in their place, for which it<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_148" id="page_148"></a>{148}</span> was necessary to create -fresh edicts, containing a new form of judicature. The court and city -were entirely taken up with these misunderstandings. Upon which occasion -a prince of the blood said, that “the court was very good to trouble -themselves with such trifles, whilst foreign affairs of importance -should engage the attention of the cabinet.”</p> - -<p>The ministry was in fact greatly weakened during these quarrels. Several -members of the great chamber were related to those who filled the first -employments in the kingdom. The parliament were by alliance connected -with the finances; and many brave officers were either relations or -friends of the exiles: Courtiers and those who had their fortunes to -make at court, were for the King. I say nothing of the populace, for -their opinion is of no weight in France, all divisions of this nature -taking<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_149" id="page_149"></a>{149}</span> place in a region that is quite foreign to them.</p> - -<p>These different parties animated the disputes with so much heat, that -they were often carried to extremities. Many duels have been fought in -Paris, in defence of the great chamber.</p> - -<p>A lieutenant-general walking in the Elysian fields, seeing an officer -fighting with a counsellor’s brother, said to the military man, in -parting them, “Sir, keep your courage for the service of the state, we -shall soon have occasion for it, for we are assured that the English are -going to declare war against France.”</p> - -<p>Marshal Belleisle, who wanted to be every where, but who could not enter -into the disquisitions, because they had began upon theological -disputes, which he did not understand, endeavoured to put an end to -them. He said to me one day; “In God’s name, Madam, bid the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_150" id="page_150"></a>{150}</span> King -abolish the parliament, that they may be no more spoken of at court.” -<i>Marshal</i>, I replied, <i>speak to him yourself, I give you the -preference</i>.</p> - -<p>The members of the Chatelet, who would not acknowledge the royal -chamber, had also their partizans, who excited murmurs in Paris; which -made a courtier say, that “the Chatelet should be sent to the Bastile.”</p> - -<p>Most of the provincial tribunals refused in turn to submit to this -chamber. Lyons set the example, and this was sufficient to create -general disobedience. Lewis XV. saw with indignation, that his subjects, -under pretence of fidelity and submission, should rebel against his -orders. If this Prince had been as absolute as Lewis XIV. a civil war -would have desolated France; but the goodness of his soul, and that -gentleness which characterizes him, made him prefer the general peace of -his kingdom to the gratification<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_151" id="page_151"></a>{151}</span> of his own particular revenge. Had he -but spoke, those who opposed him would have been exterminated.</p> - -<p>The kings of France had formerly but very little power; but since they -have had three hundred thousand men at their command, who only wait for -orders to obey their will, they can do every thing. A mandate from Lewis -XV. to two or three regiments, would have been sufficient to have made -the parliament return to their duty. But this Prince was an enemy to -every thing that carried with it the appearance of violence. He would be -obeyed; but then only by gentleness and moderation. Ministers, who are -usually as jealous of the royal authority as the King himself, pretended -that this very moderation was the source of all the disorders that -disturbed the state.</p> - -<p>These ministers exhorted me to induce the King to have fortitude. They -represented to me the dangerous consequences<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_152" id="page_152"></a>{152}</span> that would result to the -state, by leaving the disobedience of the parliament unpunished. Those -who were in the interest of this body remonstrated to me on their part, -the danger of keeping in exile the depository tribunal of justice, and -who alone could administer it: a tribunal that were meritorious for -their very resistance, as it was the strongest conviction of their zeal -for the glory of the King, and the happiness of the people, &c.</p> - -<p>If I had followed my inclination, I should have insisted upon the royal -chamber’s being sustained, to the exclusion of the parliament; but I -knew the King’s heart. I knew that his natural goodness would prevail -over his resolution.</p> - -<p>The Duke of Richelieu was ever intriguing with the King, and had gained -an ascendant over him. This courtier always fought for opportunities of -conversing with the Prince in private, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_153" id="page_153"></a>{153}</span> of obtaining his good -graces. I had frequently opposed his designs, and this had determined -him to make one great effort for ingrossing the King’s favour. This -conduct displeased me, and as he always renewed the attack, <i>My Lord</i>, -said I to him one day in the presence of the King, <i>I have received -letters from Languedoc, by which I am informed, that your presence is -there required. I advise you to fit out for Montpellier, which is in -your department; for his Majesty will not have any bishops or governor -of that province at Paris</i>. The courtier understood my meaning. He set -out a few days after for Bourdeaux, and I seldom saw him upon his -return.</p> - -<p>The Duchess de Talard, governess to the children of France, being lately -dead; the King said to me, <i>Who shall we entrust with the Dauphins young -family?</i> “Sire, I replied, Madam Talard was possessed of great merit, -which makes<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_154" id="page_154"></a>{154}</span> it difficult to supply her place. I have thought upon all -the women of France, and I do not know of any but the Countess de -Marsan, who is capable of succeeding her.”</p> - -<p>She was appointed, and this lady, who was acquainted with my -interposition in her favour, made me her acknowledgments. This -preference I had given her, created me many enemies. All the ladies that -were excluded, considered me as the cause of their exclusion: thus is a -King’s favourite loaded with public hatred. When there is a vacancy, she -can ask it only for one person, and most frequently all those who laid -claim to it, become the enemies of her that disposed of it.</p> - -<p>The birth of the Duke of Aquitaine had diffused universal joy at court; -and his death immersed the royal family again in melancholy—tears -succeeded joy—but the subject was soon forgot.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_155" id="page_155"></a>{155}</span> Had it not been for the -funeral pomp, which lasted several days, he probably would have been no -more thought of after the first. The spectacle of his death made tears -to flow; without these obsequies, his loss would scarce have been -mentioned. The court was still engaged in curbing the strides of the -parliament and the Chatelet. This affair filled the state with edicts. A -politician said, “that if the government had given the same attention to -the other branches of the administration, France would have been the -best regulated kingdom in Europe.”</p> - -<p>This attention did not, however, restore order; no one of the parties -would yield to the other.</p> - -<p>At length this great affair, by which France had been so much disturbed, -and given foreign nations so much scope for satire, was terminated just -as it should have been terminated; that is to say, by the obstinacy of -the parliament, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_156" id="page_156"></a>{156}</span> weariness of the King. Lewis XV. (I cannot too -often repeat it in these Memoirs) is a good Prince; his tender and -sympathising soul is not of the number of those that are irritated by -resistance.</p> - -<p>The self-love of kings who will be absolute, creates disorders, which -usually swallows up both states and politics. The Prince, who was -desirous of maintaining the peace of his kingdom, and advancing the -happiness of his people, yielded, the very instant he saw that, by -opposing his parliament, a general revolution might be dreaded.</p> - -<p>The King’s conduct in this respect, was by many greatly censured; he was -accused of weakness. Perhaps he was animated only by respect. The shafts -of ridicule began to fly; for kings of France, as absolute as they may -be, are not exempted from their attacks. A prince of the blood thus -expressed himself before several courtiers. “I always<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_157" id="page_157"></a>{157}</span> said, gentlemen, -that the mountain in labour would bring forth nothing but a mouse.”</p> - -<p>M. de Maupeou had a private audience of the King at Compiegne, where all -the preliminary articles of peace were signed. The monarch declared to -him, that he should recal the letters de cachet, and that the parliament -might return to Paris, where the general treaty of reconciliation was to -be framed.</p> - -<p>The triumph was too great not to be accompanied with glory. The -president immediately proclaimed his victory. He dispatched a courier to -every court in the kingdom, and gave intelligence to his brethren, who -arrived at Paris in triumph. Although this peace restored tranquility at -Versailles, which influenced the happiness of my life; yet I -acknowledge, my indignation was kindled to see the lawyers thus get the -better of the King’s first resolutions. I was acquainted<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_158" id="page_158"></a>{158}</span> with their -obstinacy, and this alone set me against them.</p> - -<p>Reports were spread that I was the instrument of this reconciliation, -and that the King yielded only at my intercession; but this was rumoured -like an infinite number of other things, which had no more foundation. I -acknowledge, that I ardently wished that these parliamentary disputes -were at an end; but if I considered my own tranquility, I did not forget -the glory of the King. I several times scolded M. de Maupeou, in the -minister’s presence, for the little deference he paid to his master’s -orders, and of the formal disobedience of his body. He constantly -replied, with that gravity which is common to those who are at the head -of an assembly, that he and his brethren were the most submissive -subjects of the state; and this answer irritated me still more.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_159" id="page_159"></a>{159}</span></p> - -<p>The King desired to see this magistrate once more before an entire -reconciliation took place. He received M. de Maupeou with that -politeness that is so natural to him, and which gains him the hearts of -all those who approach him.</p> - -<p>“My intention, Sir, (said the King to him) is, that my parliament should -resume their functions in the capital: I hope I shall have no farther -occasion to complain of them; and that the goodness with which I treat -them, will engage them to fulfil their duty for the future, with that -zeal which they owe to my service, and a ready submission to my orders.”</p> - -<p>The Queen was desirous of having her share in the event; the president -waited upon her. “I conceive the most perfect joy, said this Princess, -at the King’s restoring the parliament of Paris to their ancient -functions. I have been greatly affected at the interruption<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_160" id="page_160"></a>{160}</span> that has -occurred; and it is with satisfaction I assure you of my esteem for that -body.”</p> - -<p>Those who determine every thing at court and in the city, thought the -King had shewn too much weakness upon this occasion; that he should -either not have carried things so far, or else pursued them still -farther. But those who determined in this manner, could they themselves -have communicated to the government that foresight that is necessary to -be acquainted with events before they happen? The first disputes that -arose between the court and the parliament were so trifling, that to -have judged of them by the usual course of things, they could not have -occasioned the least disturbance in the state. The minds of people were -insensibly irritated.</p> - -<p>Fresh circumstances having changed the state of the question, they -insensibly wandered from the first principles, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_161" id="page_161"></a>{161}</span> then each party were -carried beyond their goal. The King often told me, at the very time that -he was thundering forth edicts against the parliament, that if he had -known things would have been carried to such a length, he would have -yielded at first.</p> - -<p>The recal of the parliament had great influence over us. From that -moment the King became gayer than usual; our conversation was lively and -joyous. “Sire, I said to the King, if you have any subject of complaint -against your parliament, I entreat you not to let them remain long in -exile; for I have too much at stake in the misunderstanding, and much to -gain by a reconciliation.”</p> - -<p>The death of the Marquis de S. Contest, which happened at the time of -the recal of the great chamber, occasioned a vacancy in the ministry. I -have in another place spoke of the talents and character<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_162" id="page_162"></a>{162}</span> of this -minister; it was said of him that he was fond of peace, because he did -not know how to conduct a war. By his death there was a post to be -filled in the department of foreign affairs. There were many candidates, -but few ministers. The war had disposed every one’s genius for arms. Few -but the first clerks in offices applied themselves to business. The King -sought about him, and I enquired of all those who surrounded me, without -finding what the state wanted. “Sire, I said to the monarch, till such -time as some happy discovery can be made, I advise your Majesty to -appoint M. Rouillé to supply the place.”</p> - -<p>All France was astonished at this choice, and M. Rouillé himself as much -as all France.</p> - -<p>Many considerations induced me to make this determination in his -favour.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_163" id="page_163"></a>{163}</span></p> - -<p>He was to be raised or lowered at will. M. de Belleisle said, that he -might be created King of France, and afterwards reduced to a clerk of -the navy or war office. He had none of those brilliant qualities which -attract admiration; but he was endued with probity, and a minister was -then wanted who was an honest man.</p> - -<p>Many placemen had been guilty of malversation; some upright person was -required to remove the disorders of the state. I heard a very honest man -say, that the office of foreign affairs required a chief who had more -equity than sense, and more probity than knowledge. He said, that the -northern nations, with whom this minister was continually engaged, have -the character of frankness, which they like to find in those with whom -they are concerned. This same person proved that all, or the greater -part of the wars between France and<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_164" id="page_164"></a>{164}</span> Germany, derived their source from -the corruption of this minister.</p> - -<p>The department of the marine was given to M. de Machault; he was already -keeper of the seals, and comptroller-general. Many persons had spoken to -me of him; but his qualifications alone determined me in his favour. He -had great penetration, and was very proper to fill the post he held: I -could have wished that he had possessed not quite so much ambition; for -this passion, when it has no bounds, makes the most enlightened geniuses -commit many errors. Ingratitude is most constantly its attendant, and I -look upon a man who is wanting in sentiments of acknowledgment, as a -monster in nature.</p> - -<p>The comptrollership of the finances was given to M. Moreau de -Seychelles. These changes puzzled the public, and gave a wide field for -speculation. Those who aspired to these places, thought that<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_165" id="page_165"></a>{165}</span> the -persons to whom the preference had been given did not deserve them. They -were first murmured at, and then courted. M. de Machault in giving up -the finances for the marine had degenerated. It was said of this -minister, <i>that he had left a golden post for a wooden one</i>.</p> - -<p>I acknowledge that I would have induced the King to have placed at the -head of these two first departments in the kingdom, two men of superior -genius to those who were lately invested with them; but where were they -to be found? Marshal Saxe said before he died, “that a ministerial -school and not a military school should be established; he pretended -that all Frenchmen were born soldiers, and that no one came into the -world with the qualities of a minister.”</p> - -<p>The officers of the navy had for a long time complained that they did -not enjoy the same honours as those of the <span class="pagenum"><a name="page_166" id="page_166"></a>{166}</span>land-forces. They underwent -more fatigue, and equally exposed their lives; it was therefore unjust -not to allow them the same prerogatives. Lewis XIV. who had done a great -deal for the French navy, had not yet done enough. I interested myself -in its favour, and only seconded the King’s good intentions: he -instituted a great cross of St. Lewis, with three commanders, the orders -of which were to be distributed according to the rank and merit of -sea-officers.</p> - -<p>The joy that sprung from the reconciliation of the court and parliament, -was succeeded by still greater. The Dauphiness brought forth a Duke of -Berry. The satisfaction the King received from the increase of his royal -family, was unparalleled. Each new heir filled him with happiness. I may -say, that the fortnight following these two events, was the most -agreeable period of my life whilst I was at Versailles.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_167" id="page_167"></a>{167}</span></p> - -<p>In the mean while the parliament was received at Paris with -demonstrations of joy, rather insulting to the court; all the avenues to -the palace were illuminated, bonfires blazed, and the bells were rung. -The King was displeased; but M. de Maupeou answered him, that none of -his body had any hand in these rejoicings—and this should have rendered -them the more suspected.</p> - -<p>Edicts had been created for establishing a royal chamber of justice; -others were now issued for suppressing it: whereupon one of the members -said, “that it was not worth while to make a court-gown for so short a -time; and that if he had known that the royal chamber would have been -revoked so soon, he would have bought neither wig nor band, but would -have judged the criminals with a sword by his side.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_168" id="page_168"></a>{168}</span></p> - -<p>The King’s letters-patent upon the return of the parliament, are worthy -of being handed down to posterity. Lewis XV. there speaks like a master -to a court who had opposed him, because they had considered themselves -as absolute, and whose fresh convocation was a manifest proof of their -disobedience. The King expressed himself in this manner.</p> - -<p>“The resolution which the officers of our parliament took on the fifth -of May, last year, of discontinuing the administration of justice to our -subjects, which they should perform from us; their refusal of resuming -their functions, which form an indispensable duty of the functions of -their state, and which they have engaged by the sanctity of oath to -perform, compelled us to testify to them our displeasure at their -conduct: the pretext they gave for discontinuing their usual service<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_169" id="page_169"></a>{169}</span> -was a kind of additional fault on their part, the less excusable, as -they could not doubt of the intentions which we had, and by which we -constantly abide, of listening to what our parliament might have to -represent to us, for the good of our service and that of our subjects; -and not being ignorant that we were informed by their arrets, of the -object of their remonstrances, they must have acknowledged that they had -brought upon themselves the refusal which we gave to hearing those -repeated remonstrances. But after having for a time made them feel the -effects of our displeasure, we have willingly listened to the dictates -of our clemency, and we have recalled to our good city of Paris, the -officers of our parliament. Being, nevertheless, ever attentive to the -dissipating of those divisions, which have for some time arisen, the -consequences of which have<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_170" id="page_170"></a>{170}</span> appeared deserving of our greatest -attention, we have taken the most effectual measures for procuring -henceforward public tranquility; and in hopes that our parliament, -earnestly striving, by ready obedience and redoubled assiduity, to -repair the injury our subjects may have sustained, will upon every -occasion testify their submission and fidelity to us, by conforming -themselves to the wisdom of those designs which animate us, we have -resolved to re-assemble them at Paris, to signify to them our -intentions.</p> - -<p>“Urged by these motives and others, with the advice of our council, and -our certain knowledge, full power and royal authority, we have by these -presents, signed with our hand, ordered, and do order all and every one -of our officers of our parliament to reassume their usual functions, in -our good city<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_171" id="page_171"></a>{171}</span> of Paris, notwithstanding any thing to the contrary, and -to administer justice to our subjects without delay or interruption, -according to the laws and the duties of their posts; and being sensible -that the silence imposed for so many years, upon matters that cannot be -agitated, without being equally prejudicial to the advantage of religion -and to that of the state, is the most proper means of securing the -public peace and tranquility; we enjoin our parliament to pay attention, -that there be nothing on any side attacked, attempted, or innovated, -that may be contrary to this silence, and to the peace which we desire -should reign in our dominions; ordering them to proceed against the -offenders agreeable to the laws and ordinances. And, moreover, to -contribute to the pacifying of turbulent minds, and have what is past -forgotten; we<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_172" id="page_172"></a>{172}</span> will and expect, that all proceedings and prosecutions, -that may have been carried on, and the definitive sentences that may -have been pronounced for contumacy, from the beginning, and on account -of the late troubles, till the date of these presents, shall remain -without any consequence or effect, without injuring, however, the -definitive judgments that may have been contradictorily given without -appeal; provided always, that the parties against whom they may have -been given, may have recourse to such legal methods as remain, if such -there be,” &c. &c.</p> - -<p>We were told at Versailles, that this declaration met with many -difficulties from the great chamber. Marshal Belleisle said to the King -upon this occasion, “If your parliament after their exile, do not -register your letters patent, they must be banished out of the -kingdom,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_173" id="page_173"></a>{173}</span>” &c. A courtier, on the other hand, said, he should be very -much surprised if they did register them. His reason for being of this -opinion, was, that when too much respect is paid to a body, they -naturally abuse it. The declaration was nevertheless registered, but -with the usual restrictions and distinctions.</p> - -<p>After the parliament’s recall, it was necessary that they should pay a -compliment to the King, and M. de Maupeou pronounced it. He acquitted -himself like a subtle and skilful magistrate, who, in cautiously -treating the prerogatives of the crown, displayed those of his own body. -This second piece deserves also to be handed down to posterity. It was -as follows.</p> - -<p> -“<span class="smcap">Sire</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>“The greatest misfortune that can befal faithful subjects is, doubtless, -to incur their sovereign’s disgrace.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_174" id="page_174"></a>{174}</span></p> - -<p>“This trial, which your parliament has lately made, plunged them into -such excess of grief, as cannot better be described to your Majesty, -than by the striking testimony which we give you, in respectfully -acknowledging it.</p> - -<p>“The union, Sire, which, through your goodness, has taken place amongst -those members, who were for a long time dispersed, has enabled us to -testify our submission to your orders, and our love to your sacred -person.</p> - -<p>“Can any thing be more worthy of the best of Princes, than to stretch -out a paternal hand to the magistrates, who were totally incapable of -giving him fresh proofs of the zeal, with which they are animated for -his service, and enable them to lay before him the motives which induced -them to take, as may be said, against their inclinations, such steps as -have been so unfortunate as to displease him?<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_175" id="page_175"></a>{175}</span></p> - -<p>“What glory, Sire, will ever be comparable to your’s! After having so -often conquered your enemies in person, your sole occupation, in the -height of peace, is the happiness of your people. You love truth, and -you endeavour to be acquainted with it; truth reaches even you, without -any other aid than your own understanding: and it is no sooner known to -you than it enjoys all its prerogatives.</p> - -<p>“Truth alone made you sensible how much the dispersion of all the -members of a parliament is a dangerous example, by reason of the blow it -levels at all the fundamental laws of the kingdom; and by the immensity -of the evils that are derived from it.</p> - -<p>“It was this same truth that made you acquainted with the feelings of -your parliament, at the dread of being for<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_176" id="page_176"></a>{176}</span> ever banished from your -presence, by your refusing to receive their remonstrances, upon the mere -view of the nature of the objects that must have been introduced into -these important representations.</p> - -<p>“In a word, it was this truth that engaged you to remove their fears -with that goodness which will transmit to future ages the true love -which you have for subjects, whose interests, you know, are inseparable -from your own.</p> - -<p>“You have gone still farther; you have extended the wisdom of your -designs throughout your whole kingdom, by taking the unshakeable -resolution of maintaining therein that order and tranquility upon which -its splendor depends. It is in order to stop those divisions, the -dangerous consequences whereof you are acquainted with, that you have -commanded the most<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_177" id="page_177"></a>{177}</span> profound silence to be kept with regard to matters, -which cannot be discussed without being prejudicial to religion, and the -happiness of the state.</p> - -<p>“Ah! Sire, how could your parliament have refrained from consecrating, -by registering, so salutary a law, notwithstanding the pungent grief -with which they were afflicted upon reading the preamble to this law? -Yes, Sire, we dare make this representation to you; your parliament, in -all the unhappy circumstances in which they have found themselves, have, -by giving the preference to public affairs before private ones, only -done what was exacted from them by the duties of their station, and the -sacred observance of their oath.</p> - -<p>“Let us be allowed to tell you, Sire, that your parliament desires -nothing so ardently, as to know how fully to<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_178" id="page_178"></a>{178}</span> convince you of the -strength and extent of their duty. They can do nothing of themselves: -they exercise that portion of authority you have entrusted them with; -and the only object to which all their efforts tend, shall be to make -themselves agreeable to your Majesty, and to fulfil their duty: a duty, -Sire, that compels them incessantly to watch over the preservation of -that precious deposit of authority which you hold from the Almighty, and -which should be transmitted in all its purity to your most remote -posterity.</p> - -<p>“How happy is it for us, to see this supreme power in the hands of a -Prince, who governs with such wisdom and moderation, as must gain him -all hearts; and who knows that the real links which unite Frenchmen to -their Sovereign, are those of love.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_179" id="page_179"></a>{179}</span></p> - -<p>“So deeply, Sire, is it graven in our souls, that we protest to you, in -the name of all the magistrates that compose your parliament, that they -will be always ready to sacrifice what is the most dear and precious to -them, as soon as the interest of your glory is concerned, and to set an -example to your subjects of the fidelity and obedience they owe to the -Sovereign will.”</p> - -<p>The bishops of France pretended that this was a stroke of the most -arrogant modesty that had appeared this century. Courtiers found many -contradictions in it. The first president declared, in the name of his -body, that the authority exercised by the parliament was a deposite -entrusted with them by the King; how then, it was said, could this trust -confer to this body such independence as extends to opposing the will of -the Prince?<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_180" id="page_180"></a>{180}</span></p> - -<p>Towards the close of this discourse, we find an insult offered to the -crown. This body, who had manifestly opposed the King’s orders, and who -had preferred exile to submission, say, that they will always be found -ready to set an example of obedience. It was said, that an example of -<i>obedience</i> was never before given by <i>disobedience</i>.</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding this reconciliation, there was still some animosity -remaining on both sides. For my part, I was delighted that this affair -was terminated. I have frequently repeated in these Memoirs, that it -troubled the King, and this was sufficient for me to desire a -reconciliation.</p> - -<p>To the parliamentary quarrels succeeded political affairs. The English -were making great warlike preparations; the last peace had not removed -all difficulties. The plenipotentiaries were more<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_181" id="page_181"></a>{181}</span> eager to put an end -to battles, than to prevent fresh bloodshed.</p> - -<p>Marshal Noailles had often told me, that the negociators at a congress -have only one point in view, which is to sign the treaty. Upon this they -exhaust all their genius, so that they have not the faculty of foresight -remaining.</p> - -<p>The Duke of Mirepoix came from London to receive the King’s orders. This -Minister, in speaking to his Majesty of the preparations that the -English were making, assured him, “That Great Britain had no thoughts of -interrupting the peace.” <i>Whence comes it then</i>, said the King, <i>that -they are arming as if they wanted to be at war</i>?</p> - -<p>“Sire, answered the Duke, it is a maxim with the English, to avail -themselves of the tranquility of Europe, to increase their forces.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_182" id="page_182"></a>{182}</span></p> - -<p>This Minister, who was besides an honest man, believed what he said. -French emissaries in London had written to court, that the English -deceived him, that he let himself be imposed upon by appearances, and -that the cabinet of St. James’s concealed their views and designs from -him.</p> - -<p>I often desired the King to appoint another Ambassador for the court of -London: but he was afraid of disobliging this Lord, who, moreover, did -honour to his employment, by his grandeur and magnificence.</p> - -<p>Lewis XV. has such a beneficent soul, that he cannot resolve upon -withdrawing his friendship from those whom he has once honoured with his -confidence, unless he is convinced of some capital fault that compels -him to it.</p> - -<p>Versailles became daily more and more melancholy; the unhappy affairs of -the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_183" id="page_183"></a>{183}</span> clergy, the bishops, and the parliament, spread a gloomy air over -all those who frequented court.</p> - -<p>To relieve the King from the languid state into which these disputes had -brought him, I had Bellevüe built. It was a square pavilion, where the -eye discovered more taste than magnificence: the King complimented me -upon it. He often repaired thither. I had embellished this spot with -simple works, and art was concealed behind nature, which prevented its -discovery.</p> - -<p>The gardens and groves were delightful. Lewis XV. often said to me, that -he was suffocated at Compiegne, at Fontainbleau, and at Marli; but that -he breathed at Bellevüe. We divided our time between walking and -gardening, with other rural amusements. Flowers composed part of the -plan of our recreations, and I had some brought from every part of the -world.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_184" id="page_184"></a>{184}</span></p> - -<p>When the King entered this house, he laid aside that air of Majesty -which regal pageantry obliged him to keep up elsewhere. I was always a -gainer by this metamorphosis, as it rendered him gayer than usual; and -his satisfaction, which increased mine, spread an air of joy over our -conversation. There was, besides, another difference, which was, that at -Bellevüe the King talked to me of his taste, of his appetites, and other -things that tended to his pleasure; whereas at Versailles he never -entertained me with any thing but disputes upon religion, the refusal of -sacraments, or other matters, which were far from being agreeable to -him.</p> - -<p>This retreat gave him frequent occasion to speak of the advantages that -accompanied private life. He discovered in it charms, that the -perplexity of public business, and the tumults of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_185" id="page_185"></a>{185}</span> throne, made him -the more sensible of.</p> - -<p>The King, desirous of giving me marks of his particular protection, -created the estate of Marigni, which belonged to my brother, into a -marquisate. I thanked him for this favour, which appeared to me the -greater, as Vandiere had not done any thing yet to deserve it.</p> - -<p>Let us return to general affairs. America, which was upon the point of -exciting universal war, began already to display some sparks of that -blaze which was to inflame Europe. The English made the first -complaints. The Earl of Albemarle represented to the court of France, -that the French in Canada committed hostilities, contrary to the treaty -of Aix-la-Chapelle.</p> - -<p>The court of France replied, that they were ignorant of such -proceedings:<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_186" id="page_186"></a>{186}</span> but that to prevent any misunderstanding, they would send -orders to suppress these first differences, on condition that the -English would, on their side, act in the same manner. Both nations -promised, but neither kept their word. They were mutually deceived, as -most usually happens upon these occasions.</p> - -<p>I remember that when the English made these first complaints to our -court, a foreign minister said to me, that the cabinet of Versailles and -that of St. James’s knew very well they were going to war; but that they -would not say so, to make the thing more mysterious.</p> - -<p>“In that case, Sir,” said I to him, “the King is not in the secret, for -he does not know a syllable about this war which you foretel.” In fact, -Lewis was quite ignorant that he was at the eve of engaging in a long -succession of sieges and battles. He was well informed<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_187" id="page_187"></a>{187}</span> of the motives -which induced the English to complain: but he had not been acquainted -with their resolution of having recourse to arms.</p> - -<p>Whilst the misunderstandings in the new world were the subject of -conversation, the religious war still continued in the kingdom. The -King, who, in order to restore tranquility to the state, had done every -thing that was desired of him, had the mortification to find that -nothing was done that he desired. He was obliged to exile the Archbishop -of Paris. I was witness of the affliction he was under, from the -necessity of giving this order. He had endeavoured to bring this prelate -back to his duty, by all the methods which his goodness, and his -beneficent soul, could suggest to him; and it was not till after he had -in vain essayed them, that he resolved upon sending him to Conflans.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_188" id="page_188"></a>{188}</span></p> - -<p>The conduct of this Archbishop, who had openly disobeyed his Sovereign’s -orders, irritated the courtiers to that degree, that the Monarch was -advised by several of them to have him seized by the military power, and -to keep him closely confined: but Lewis XV. was of too gentle a -disposition to put such rigorous counsel into execution. I have often -heard him say, that Kings should punish, but never think of revenge. He -entrusted the letter de cachet to one of his ministers, with orders to -signify it to the Archbishop as privately as possible.</p> - -<p>The King found himself again obliged to banish the bishops of Orleans -and Troyes, two prelates whose sentiments were too conformable to those -of the Archbishop of Paris. These two might be considered as the -fire-brands of the kingdom. They prepared the people’s minds for -disobedience, in showing themselves<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_189" id="page_189"></a>{189}</span> rebels to their Prince’s orders. -One of these, from the extremity of his exile, insulted the court and -the state by a mandate, wherein he forbad all his diocesans to have -recourse, in the case of administration, to any other priests than those -whom he prescribed; and it was necessary that these priests should be -vicars, or curates. This was constraining the extent of priesthood; but -as soon as the episcopal authority is the least attacked, the Princes of -the church are always ready to undertake any thing. Marshal Saxe said, -“That if God were to limit the power of bishops in France, these bishops -would, in turn, allot bounds to the power of God.”</p> - -<p>The exile of the Archbishop of Paris silenced his most considerable -partizans; but it did not finish the quarrel.</p> - -<p>The minister of the marine laid before the King a list of his navy: it -consisted of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_190" id="page_190"></a>{190}</span> sixty-six ships of the line, and thirty frigates. A -politician of the North said, that this was not sufficient to make head -against the English; and he prophesied, at that time, that if we did not -avoid going to war, the French navy would be totally destroyed when we -made peace. I repeated these words to several of our ministers, who -answered, that this politician was unacquainted with marine prophecies. -France has long since been deprived of those statesmen whose penetrating -genius could unravel the most distant events. We at present go -mechanically and habitually to work, in the track we are compelled to -follow. Marshal Saxe made use of a very singular expression, he said, -<i>that our government daily performed their day’s work</i>.</p> - -<p>The naval force was kept in readiness: seamen were enrolled; but able -sea-officers were wanting. France has<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_191" id="page_191"></a>{191}</span> seldom had any good ones. Lewis -XIV. formed some, but they expired with his reign.</p> - -<p>The spirit of party and animosity was still kept up at court. The cabal -who strove to destroy me, increased with my favour. Envy displayed all -the latent springs that human wickedness could suggest. All who -surrounded the Prince, endeavoured to deprive me of his confidence.</p> - -<p>Amongst those who conspired against me, there were people who were -indebted to me for their fortune, and for whom I constantly interested -myself. I pointed them out to the King. Lewis XV. detests ingratitude; -these dark proceedings produced a very contrary effect to what my -enemies had proposed. The King paid me more attention than before, and -despised those the more who would have deceived him. I shall not repeat -here<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_192" id="page_192"></a>{192}</span> the low and scandalous artifices that courtiers, and even some -ambitious women, put in practice to surprize the Monarch’s heart. A -detail of these intrigues are unworthy of history, and I have no design -of transmitting to posterity the artifices of cabals, which relate to no -one but myself.</p> - -<p>M. Moreau de Seychelles, comptroller-general of the finances, was of -service to the state. He was very assiduous in regulating the finances. -I made the King take notice of him, and immediately this Prince made him -minister of state. He had his enemies at court: it was said that he had -done nothing yet to deserve that post, and that fortune having so -precipitately forced his elevation, he would never advance above half -way to favour.</p> - -<p>When he came to court, to return the King thanks, I said to him, “Sir, -many people pretend to foretel the destiny<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_193" id="page_193"></a>{193}</span> of your administration, -convince all France that they are false prophets.”</p> - -<p>The Duke of Mirepoix, who had always assured the court, that the English -had no thoughts of breaking the treaty of peace, was at length obliged -to write that they prepared for war. France hastily put herself into a -state of defence, without knowing precisely whether she was coming to -blows. Orders were dispatched from the office of the marine to all the -ports and harbours. The ships that were finished were launched, and the -others kept ready to sail on the first notice.</p> - -<p>The treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle was, nevertheless, still negociating at -Paris. This business was no longer transacted with Lord Albemarle; he -was dead. The interests of Great Britain were in the hands of a -secretary of embassy, who gave vague replies to the questions that were<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_194" id="page_194"></a>{194}</span> -put to him, upon the preparations his court was making.</p> - -<p>Some politicians have assured us, that if Lord Albemarle had lived, the -war, which afterwards rent the two nations, would never have taken -place. It has been said that minister, who had great weight with George -the Second, was at that time connected with a woman of pleasure at -Paris, whom he would not part with. This perhaps is only a surmise, -destitute of foundation; but after all, this would not have been the -first time that the amours of a courtezan have influenced the affairs of -Europe.</p> - -<p>Upon the arrival of the dispatches from London, a great council was held -at Versailles, and the King expressed himself in the following manner to -his ministers. “I am resolved I will not begin the war, and if the -English break the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, Europe,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_195" id="page_195"></a>{195}</span> who shall be -witness to my moderation, shall see that they are the aggressors.”</p> - -<p>M. de Maillebois, the father, said publicly at court, that it were -better to prevent them, than to give them an opportunity of doing it.</p> - -<p>The King’s moderation met with no advocates but those whose interest it -was to avoid sieges and battles; for every one was concerned in the -event according to his particular views of interest. Military people -wanted war, merchants and financiers wished for peace.</p> - -<p>The court of London sent my Lord Hertford to Paris, to replace the Earl -of Albemarle. This Ambassador was compared to a herald at arms: it was -said that he was come to declare war against France. He spoke, in fact, -in such a tone, as testified that every thing was ready in England to -invade America.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_196" id="page_196"></a>{196}</span> M. Rouille was so intimidated, that he said to the -King: “Sire, Great Britain must have resolved to declare war, for her -Ambassador talks in such a stile, as if the English were ready to open -the campaign.”</p> - -<p>Upon the first report of the preparations of an armament, the military -men, who, since the last campaigns in Flanders, had deserted Versailles, -came in shoals to make their court to me. All my apartments were lined -with officers, who, in intreating my interest to recommend them to the -Prince, set forth their talents in the military art.</p> - -<p>The Bishops war, nevertheless, still continued. The Archbishop of Paris, -banished to Conflans, was not thereby rendered more submissive. He, from -the extremity of his exile, braved the court and the city. He was -removed to <i>Lagny sur Maine</i>, a little town that<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_197" id="page_197"></a>{197}</span> had neither the -grandeur nor magnificence of Conflans. This retreat, by diminishing his -episcopal pomp, no way changed his character, which remained inflexible. -The other rebellious bishops were treated with more severity: but these -lettres de cachet had a very opposite effect to what was intended. They -served only to make them more important in the eyes of their partizans, -which increased their arrogance.</p> - -<p>A courtier said to the King, that a seminary should be built at Rome, to -which should be sent all the French bishops who rebelled against his -orders, with an establishment of 100 Roman crowns per head, for -supporting their grandeur.</p> - -<p>It is certain that too much respect was paid to these people; and the -very chastisements that were inflicted on them, when they swerved from -their duty, were<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_198" id="page_198"></a>{198}</span> tempered with so much consideration, as to prevent -their returning to it.</p> - -<p>The bishops having nothing to do in their exile but to write, and being -unable to employ any other arms than their pens, France was deluged with -letters and mandates. These were so many manifestoes against the royal -authority. The King was often advised to hang the Printers, who were -instrumental in the circulation of these seditious papers; but Lewis XV. -would never have recourse to these violent methods.</p> - -<p>The English, at length, explained themselves with respect to their -warlike preparations, the news of which Fame had trumpeted throughout -Europe. They declared to the government, that the French in Canada had -made incursions upon lands under the dominion of Great Britain, and that -England was not inclined to suffer such usurpations. We<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_199" id="page_199"></a>{199}</span> have seen that -the two crowns, when peace was concluded, left the decision of this -affair to commissaries. Count de Argenson had foreseen, at first, that -these commissaries would completely ruin the interests of the two -courts. “Sir, said he, when two powers, with arms in hand, cannot agree -upon certain differences, it is impossible for individuals to reconcile -them.”</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, the English council did not say that they should declare -war, but only that they were discontented with the French in America.</p> - -<p>This declaration afflicted the King, who did not desire war. The -national debts were not yet paid, the same imposts still subsisted as -before, the people were always oppressed; so that a new war must -overwhelm them. Lewis XV. spoke to me of the misfortune that threatened -France, in such a manner as<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_200" id="page_200"></a>{200}</span> persuaded me he was sensibly affected. I -was a witness to his uneasiness upon this account; and it is but -justice, which I owe this Prince, to say he was penetrated with grief -upon the occasion. This was not the case with the ministers and military -courtiers, who were in hopes to advance their fortune by means of this -new revolution. The difficulty was not to undertake the war, but to find -generals to carry it on.</p> - -<p>Marshal Saxe, the terror of France’s enemies, and in whom the troops -placed an implicit confidence, was dead. Of all the officers who had -served under him, there was not any one who furnished the same hopes of -his abilities. They had courage and experience: but these were not -sufficient; for I have heard it said, that to form a hero, requires an -assortment of qualities, which are seldom found in the same man.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_201" id="page_201"></a>{201}</span></p> - -<p>Amongst the generals who had served in the late wars, Marshal Belleisle -was the most desirous of commanding in chief; but besides his never -having been a good general, his capacity was greatly impaired. He -expressed himself in diffuse terms, and was very verbose. It was said of -him at court, that of all the genius that had elevated him to the -pinnacle of greatness, he retained nothing but loquacity.</p> - -<p>The state was now threatened with three different wars, two of which -were declared. That of the Bull, as it was called, which was upon the -point of causing a revolution in the state: that of the Barbarians, who, -notwithstanding the faith of treaties, interrupted the trade of the -nation; and that of the English, who were ready to give us battle.</p> - -<p>A man of wit, who was told that the English were going to be our foes, -said,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_202" id="page_202"></a>{202}</span> <i>God be praised, the bishops quarrel is now at an end, for these -people are never at war but in time of peace</i>.</p> - -<p>The Archbishop of Paris, who was still exiled, and still obstinate, -wrote a letter to the King in a stile truly original, and without -example since the foundation of the monarchy. He said to the King, in -very formal terms, that “His power was superior to that of the -Sovereign, in matters relative to the administration which God hath -entrusted him with; that his duty was that of conducting his flock; that -he acknowledged no other upon earth; finally, he would not, nor could -not, retract from the first steps he had taken; that these were his last -sentiments, which would continue always the same to the grave, &c. &c.”</p> - -<p>This was a period distinguishable for disobedience. The clergy gloried -in rebelling<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_203" id="page_203"></a>{203}</span> against the orders of the King. This obstinate disposition -had made its way into the provinces. The deputy of Languedoc related to -the King an event that happened at Montpellier, which pointed out to -this Prince the necessity of stopping the progress of such abuses. This -man said, that the wife of a counsellor of that city, who had refused to -receive the Bull, and whose life was in danger, requested the curate of -her parish to administer the sacraments to her. Upon her first request, -the curate and four vicars fled. Application was made to the other -parishes, but it was found that all the clergy who administered had -deserted. The chief justice then ordered an independent priest, and who -was not belonging to any church, to administer to the Lady. This -ecclesiastic thought it was his duty to obey; but he had observed that -the host had accompanied<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_204" id="page_204"></a>{204}</span> the priests in their retreat. He did not find -a single wafer in the tabernacles of the different churches of the city. -The curates and the secondaries had eat them all before their departure. -He consecrated one: but this was not sufficient; it must be -administered. A general insurrection was feared. The commander of the -place was obliged to put the garrison under arms, and appoint guards for -the conducting of the host in safety to the sick Lady’s house.</p> - -<p>Such scencs as these, in a city full of Protestants, made the Romish -religion become a subject of public derision. The King was greatly -affected at it, though he would not yet resolve to use violent remedies.</p> - -<p>I have said that the King did not desire war; to prevent which, if it -were yet possible, he sent Bussy to Hanover, where George II. was -expected. I was<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_205" id="page_205"></a>{205}</span> not for employing this man, thinking he had not -sufficient capacity to succeed in a negociation of this importance; but -Lewis XV. had been prejudiced in his favour.</p> - -<p>Bussy’s partizans said he spoke with resolution, and an absolute tone; -qualities that were looked upon as essential at a free court, where -moderation and suppleness are always unsuccessful. But the contrary was -the truth. Bussy negociated badly to prevent the war, and he failed some -years after to restore peace; but I laid it down as a maxim, never to -oppose the King’s sentiments.</p> - -<p>Orders were dispatched to all the commanders in the American colonies, -to fit out as many ships as they could, to oppose the designs of the -English. I heard Marshal Noailles then say, that troops should have been -sent, and not orders.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_206" id="page_206"></a>{206}</span></p> - -<p>The death of Marshal Lowendahl, the pupil and companion of Count Saxe, -that happened at this time, created sorrow, which in the present -circumstances was the more sensibly felt. His military talents had made -us conceive hopes that his death destroyed. The conquest of -Bergen-op-zoom had acquired him a reputation, from which France might -have derived advantages in the war with which she was threatened. I -testified my chagrin, upon this occasion, to the King. “You have reason -to lament the death of this officer, he replied to me; he was among the -number of those who were most deserving of any confidence. It is in vain -for me to seek amongst my subjects, I shall find no one capable of -supplying his place.”</p> - -<p>Lewis XV. who had honoured him during his life-time, was willing to -bestow<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_207" id="page_207"></a>{207}</span> marks of distinction upon him after his death. He was at the -expence of his funeral obsequies, and granted pensions to his children -of both sexes; recompences that were due to his merit, and with which -the King gratified his heirs. All those who were eclipsed by this -general’s merit, rejoiced at his death; none but real patriots lamented -it.</p> - -<p>Whilst France was employed about the means of supplying the expences of -the war, we learnt at Versailles that England found voluntary resources -in her subjects for her’s. Private persons offered money to such sailors -as enrolled themselves in the royal navy, and others engaged to support -their families at their own expence during the war, had it continued six -lustrums.</p> - -<p>Certain communities offered free gifts to those who would bear arms -against<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_208" id="page_208"></a>{208}</span> France. I said to Marshal Belleisle, who related these facts to -me: “It appears to me, sir, that a people who act in this manner, has -the advantage over those who give no money but what they are compelled -to part with, for the expences of the war.” <i>That is true</i>, replied the -old Courtier; <i>but this same English nation, who thus voluntarily part -with their riches for a war, which they think useful to the state, often -lose all their advantages at a peace. A Lord who wants to make his way -to the administration by a system of pacification, intrigues with the -king, gains his confidence, and has his creatures. These set forth, that -sieges and battles ruin the state, that commerce is hurt by them, and -that industry perishes. The cabal acquire strength, the candidate -minister’s party increases, he gains the ascendent, and the peace is -signed, at the expence of the nation’s blood and treasure.</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="page_209" id="page_209"></a>{209}</span></p> - -<p>M. de Mirepoix still continued his negociations at London: he conferred -with Sir Thomas Robinson, who gave him hopes; but this was only to gain -time: the war was resolved upon. Count D’Argenson often said to the -King, that this Embassador should be recalled, as his residence in -London only amused the state, and made the French nation ridiculous. The -King and council were greatly perplexed; Lewis XV. was not willing that -Europe should be able to reproach him with having committed the first -hostilities.</p> - -<p>Marshal Lowendahl, who before his death was witness to this -embarrassment, said publickly at court, that <i>it was better to attack as -a principal, than to be beat as a second</i>. This counsel was not -followed, but we repented of it.</p> - -<p>As for me, I was neuter in this great affair. It was reported that I -wished for this war, to make myself more considerable<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_210" id="page_210"></a>{210}</span> at court. I had -no occasion for either sieges or battles, things constantly destructive -to a state, to support my credit with the King. Lewis XV. honoured me -with his confidence: all those who had endeavoured to prejudice me had -miscarried in their attempt; rank and grandeur had no longer any charms -for me: the only ambition I had remaining was the settling of my -daughter; but she was not arrived at an age to be married, and I did not -doubt that the King would honour her with his protection.</p> - -<p>Peace was still the subject of conversation at London and Paris; but we -at length learned that the English had declared war against France in -the new world; the court of Versailles received advice, that Admiral -Boscawen had with his fleet taken the <i>Alcide</i> man of war, upon the -banks of Newfoundland. The manner in which he took this ship aggravated<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_211" id="page_211"></a>{211}</span> -the offence. The <i>Alcide</i> should not have been attacked, at the time it -was attacked, for she had no fighting orders. It is a custom established -amongst all civilized nations, when they declare war, to publish a -manifesto, containing the grievances which induce them to have recourse -to arms; and England had not published any such: therefore this step was -considered as a real piracy. This was observed to the King, who -immediately sent orders to the duke of Mirepoix and Bussy to return to -France, without taking leave of the court of England. Henceforward all -means of accommodation were suspended.</p> - -<p>The King, who had been desirous of avoiding a war before it began, took -his measures as soon as he was acquainted with this first act of -hostility. His honour would let him no longer put up an affront offered -to his flag. He said, upon retiring<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_212" id="page_212"></a>{212}</span> from the council, “Madam, war is -declared; the English are my enemies.”</p> - -<p>The operations of the war office took place; the armaments by land and -sea, the augmentation of the troops, and the means of supporting the -army, were taken into consideration.</p> - -<p>From this time the King lived more retired, he did not hunt so often, -and he debarred himself several diversions which he took before. He -conferred regularly with his ministers. Count D’Argenson, with whom he -was often locked up, gave him a circumstantial detail of his land -forces, and the naval minister laid before him a similar account of his -navy. Lewis XV. made several objections to them concerning the principal -points of their administration, to which these chiefs in office were -obliged to answer.</p> - -<p>The count D’Argenson, whose administration was then the most important,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_213" id="page_213"></a>{213}</span> -as he was at the head of military affairs, told the King that his troops -were in a good state, that military discipline was well enforced, that -the French were fond of war, and that we might flatter ourselves with -successful campaigns, provided the generals seconded the ardour of the -troops, and were not themselves an obstacle to the grandeur of France.</p> - -<p>The conferences with the minister of the finances were of a still more -intricate nature; there were many ancient debts unpaid, the revenues of -the crown were mortgaged, commerce and industry, which had just -recovered some little vigour since the peace, were upon the point of -returning to their inactive state.</p> - -<p>The comptroller-general said to the King, “Sire, the state of things -must not be disguised to your Majesty; great springs must be put in -motion to maintain the burthen of the war. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_214" id="page_214"></a>{214}</span> have made a calculation -from the state of your finances, and they will procure me resources for -four years: if at the end of that time peace should not take place, the -campaigns cannot be carried on without imposing very oppressive taxes -upon your people.”</p> - -<p>The King, who after this conference paid me a visit, said, <i>that he had -just been conversing with a minister, who was the honestest man in all -France; for such I must call him</i>, he added, <i>who has so much probity as -to speak freely to his King</i>.</p> - -<p>The minister of the war department required an augmentation of 40000 -men, which was granted him, and orders were issued accordingly for -raising recruits. M. Belleisle told me, that so many men were not -necessary for the defence of a handful of barbarians, that this would -increase the expences of the state, and only tend to weaken it. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_215" id="page_215"></a>{215}</span> did -not forsee that these levies were nothing in comparison of those that -were to be afterwards made.</p> - -<p>France had been perfectly secured by the treaty of Aix la Chapelle. Her -ports were open and defenceless. Upon the commission of the first acts -of hostility in America, it was resolved to restore the works at -Dunkirk. The prince of Soubise was appointed by the King to see this -operation take place: eight thousand troops were allotted him to favour -the execution of this design.</p> - -<p>Upon the first reports of the revolutions in Canada, two successive -squadrons were dispatched, of which no news had yet been received. The -uncertainty of the success of this small naval armament suspended the -grand operations by land.</p> - -<p>The council of state could not resolve upon any fixed plan of -operations, the members being divided in their opinion.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_216" id="page_216"></a>{216}</span> I was a witness -to a great part of the diversity of sentiments which then disturbed the -court, with respect to this grand affair.</p> - -<p>A man of much good sense said, like Marshal Belleisle, “that great -armies were useless; that land campaigns were not the object, but a sea -war; that the colonies should be put in a state of security, which alone -could be conquered; that the plan of the English was not to increase -their power in Europe, but to extend their limits in America; that all -their designs tended that way, and that we should direct ours to the -same object; that France was guarantied in Europe by the general -balance; but that there was no system whereby our settlements in the new -world were guarantied; that the crown would lose its influence, when -trade would be entirely in the power of<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_217" id="page_217"></a>{217}</span> the English; that the British -navy was already superior to the navies of all Europe, but that after -the loss of Canada and the other parts of the continent of America, it -would be the only one in Europe; that this was the crisis for France, -and that if the opportunity was neglected of protecting ourselves from -this last attempt, it would never return; that all other plans of -warlike operations should be given up, to pursue that of the colonies, -as they interested the general republic; but that this personally and -solely interested France; that America being once conquered, the whole -body of Europe could not restore the equilibrium, because the power of -the first states of the continent did not extend to the sea; that the -English in the center of the christian world, were separated from -Christendom; that they<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_218" id="page_218"></a>{218}</span> could not be attacked in their own islands; that -nature had secured them from all invasions in Europe, <i>&c.</i>”</p> - -<p>The opposite party, on the contrary, said, “that great armies should be -raised to oppose the allies of England, who would not fail to form -designs in Germany; that here the capital strokes would be struck; that -the war in America was only the pretext for that which was to be carried -on in Europe; that some troops should be sent to Canada; but that -numerous legions should be raised for Germany; that we were mistaken if -we thought the English limited their enterprizes to America, as it was -visible that their designs tended to excite a revolution in the north of -Europe; that the general balance guarantied France no farther than she -herself contributed to support a just equilibrium; that with respect to -trade in<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_219" id="page_219"></a>{219}</span> general, there was no reason to apprehend that England could -engross it, as there were not sufficient materials in that country to -compass the design; that the English were compelled to have recourse to -industrious nations, and where the price of labour was not so high; that -universal trade consisted in exchanges, and that a people who should -considerably diminish that of other states, would greatly cramp their -own; that with respect to the navy, one could not be immediately formed -to balance that of England; that the expences made upon this account -would be endless, as the time was too short and the means too -circumscribed; that the loss of Canada was not certain, the events of -war being casual; that the savage nations loved the French and hated the -English; that they would prefer being exterminated, rather<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_220" id="page_220"></a>{220}</span> than submit -to the British yoke; lastly, that if Canada should be conquered in this -war, it might be retaken in another; but that if the English, united -with their allies, should avail themselves of favourable circumstances -to gain advantages in Europe, it would be then too late to repair the -damage, as the last victories would be guarantied by new treaties of -peace; whereas in America the barbarous nations in alliance with France, -who are unacquainted with the laws of nations, are always ready to -create revolutions: in a word, that it was France’s interest to set on -foot numerous armies to support her pretensions by land, and to yield -for some time the dominion of the sea, <i>&c.</i> <i>&c.</i>”</p> - -<p>A third party maintained that both these objects should be attended to: -“We should (said they) prevent the English<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_221" id="page_221"></a>{221}</span> making conquests in America, -and hinder any taking place in Europe. France is sufficiently powerful -for this; she need only manage well her forces; she will prevail every -where, when those who govern the state unite in one common interest; -that is to say, the glory of the nation, and the happiness of the -people. If the northern powers of Europe are inclinable to avail -themselves of the misunderstandings in America, we must keep our -engagements, and send 24000 men into Germany. A more numerous army can -only procure us a greater loss without any advantage. These moderate -succours will enable us to send more considerable assistance to the new -world, to protect our colonies; the revolution in Canada is not a -maritime quarrel, it is a land war. The point is to defend the -continent, and it is only necessary<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_222" id="page_222"></a>{222}</span> to land troops there; and this the -English cannot prevent. They have taken no measures yet to block up the -passages; but if we do not make haste, we shall be too late; for the -English, who keep a steady eye upon our operations, will no sooner find -that we do not make any great preparations by land, than they will begin -to make very considerable ones by sea.”</p> - -<p>There was also a numerous party inclined for peace: the reasons which -they alledged, were founded upon our inability of carrying on the war; -but the minds of the people were too much agitated to listen to plans of -pacification; each had his schemes for pushing his fortune, and private -interest always prevails over the common weal. Subaltern officers who -wanted advancement, were desirous of sieges and battles. Those who -endeavoured to obtain the command<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_223" id="page_223"></a>{223}</span> of armies, were desperate advocates -for war; and such as would be employed in furnishing the necessaries for -carrying it on, thought it indispensable: it is plain from these -motives, how little the interest of the state was considered.</p> - -<p>During this crisis the clergy of France were assembled; they deliberated -very seriously, whether sick people should have the sacraments -administered, or whether they should die without them. The bishops who -had been brought over by the court and the parliament, were of opinion, -that they could not be refused this assistance. Those who expected -nothing of the King, and who hated the parliament, maintained on the -contrary, that they should be refused them like heretics. At length, -after many debates, they seemed inclinable to leave this great affair to -the determination of the Pope.</p> - -<p>I learnt this news with pleasure. Benedict<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_224" id="page_224"></a>{224}</span> XIV. then filled the papal -chair. Many persons who had been at Rome, gave me a very favourable -opinion of this pontiff. He despised his predecessors, refined policy of -turning every thing to their own advantage; the first steps he took upon -his obtaining the pontificate, made me conceive a real esteem for him. -He had abolished at Rome those wretched equivocations, which in serving -as food for superstition, dishonour the Christian religion. He knew that -God sometimes wrought miracles, but that he does not daily alter the -course of nature. This prince of the church preferred the title of an -honest man to that of a holy one, and this quality raised him above all -the Popes that ever existed upon earth. Benedict XIV. had so much -understanding and so little prejudice, that his decision could not fail -to restore tranquility to the Gallican church.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_225" id="page_225"></a>{225}</span></p> - -<p>The administration of the sacraments was not the only disquisition which -engaged the clergy; the grand affair for which they were convened, and -in which the whole body were unanimous, was to deny the authority of the -parliaments, or any other body of laymen whatever. Lewis XV. who could -not begin the war without oppressing his people, was willing to set them -an example of œconomy, by diminishing his household expences. He -reduced his hunting equipages, and the number of his hunting horses in -both stables. The expences of his little journies were regulated and -diminished: it was resolved that there should be no diversions this year -at court, and the works of the Louvre were suspended, <i>&c.</i></p> - -<p>The Count D’Argenson said, “that these savings are so small an object, -that<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_226" id="page_226"></a>{226}</span> they will scarce enrich a commissary of stores during the war.”</p> - -<p>I was myself often inclined to have an eye to œconomy; but M. de -Belleisle had told me that it was scarce possible to benefit the state -by such frugality; he added, “if it were an evil, it was impossible to -remedy it; but that all those who served the King would enrich -themselves; that a reform would produce no advantage; that it was better -to continue employing the old officers who were already opulent, than to -replace them with new ones, who would endeavour to become so.”</p> - -<p>Neither the council of state nor the warlike preparations deprived me of -the King’s company, who visited me regularly, and communicated to me his -designs and intentions. The resolution he had taken of being revenged of -his enemies, gave him an air of satisfaction,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_227" id="page_227"></a>{227}</span> which he had not before -he had taken it; his only uneasiness was for his people: he was afraid -that the continuance of the war would exhaust them too much.</p> - -<p>It was thought necessary to review the troops, and there were three -encampments. The prince of Soubise wanted the command of the camp of -Hainault: I spoke to the King, and it was granted him. M. de Chevert, -and the Marquis de Voyer, in whose favour I also interested myself, -obtained the two others.</p> - -<p>Though hostilities were begun in America, Lewis XV. would not continue -them in Europe. A frigate of the Brest squadron having taken an English -frigate, the King immediately ordered it to be released, as he said, <i>he -would not make war in time of peace, and be the first to infringe the -treaty of Aix la Chapelle in Europe</i>.</p> - -<p>A general officer, who was in my apartment when the King told me he<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_228" id="page_228"></a>{228}</span> had -just dispatched this order, could not refrain telling him, in my -presence, “Permit me, Sire, to represent to your Majesty, that this -moderation will noways alter the system of the court of London. The -English have resolved to fall upon us, and to seize all such ships as -they think they have the superiority over: reprisals are necessary, and -we should seize all such vessels as are inferior in strength to our’s -that meet with them.”</p> - -<p>The Count de Argenson said, there was but one method of carrying on the -war, “which was to drub the enemy well, and take a good deal from them.”</p> - -<p>The sea-officers paid their court regularly to me; for the navy was to -have the honour of this war. There was a promotion of officers, and I -interested myself in behalf of some, in consequence<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_229" id="page_229"></a>{229}</span> of the characters -that were given me of their capacity and courage.</p> - -<p>I know that complaints have often been made in France of my choice of -certain persons, as well in the army as in the administration: but those -who condemned me were unacquainted with Versailles. Every courtier has a -party who cry up their talents and genius. It is impossible to descry -real merit through these extravagant elogiums. All those who are -interested in a courtier’s advancement, either in the army or in the -government, hide his faults, and display his good qualities; for every -man has a favourable side.</p> - -<p>The death of Madame, daughter to the Dauphin, created fresh affliction -for the King. I have often heard the happiness of Kings extolled, when -they are in reality more to be pitied than other men. A citizen has -scarce any thing but<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_230" id="page_230"></a>{230}</span> domestic troubles to afflict him: a Monarch unites -family misfortunes with those of the state.</p> - -<p>Scarce had Lewis wiped away his tears, before he had news of a battle -that was fought in America, near the Ohio, between his troops and those -of England, in which General Braddock fell, and where the French gained -a compleat victory. The blood that was spilt in this affair, a detail of -which may be found in the annals of Europe, closed all avenues to an -accommodation. The only measure to be taken in Europe was to be upon the -defensive, and this was not taken. The English seized as many -merchant-ships in Europe as they met with in both seas. The commanders -of these ships had received orders to surrender without making any -resistance. I desired the King to explain to me the motive of this -policy, and he replied to me as before,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_231" id="page_231"></a>{231}</span> <i>that he would not break -treaties, and make war in time of peace</i>.</p> - -<p>The English availed themselves of this moderation; they became absolute -masters of the sea, and filled their island with French prisoners.</p> - -<p>At the very time that the court of Versailles piqued themselves upon -fulfilling their engagements, the court of London reproached us with -breaking them. The restoration of the works at Dunkirk was construed -into an infraction of these same treaties, for which France sacrificed -what power she had remaining at sea. In this manner each government -endeavoured to justify their designs; and thus was ambition disguised -under every form to obtain its ends.</p> - -<p>Marshal Noailles, who was not of opinion that France should let the -remainder of her navigation and trade be crushed, to convince all Europe -that the English<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_232" id="page_232"></a>{232}</span> made war like pirates, said, that this external -moderation deceived none, that the court of Versailles alone was -deceived.</p> - -<p>Those who agreed in opinion with the King, pretended that all these -captures made without a declaration of war would be restored; but real -politicians thought otherwise, and experience has demonstrated, by the -event, that these were not deceived.</p> - -<p>Repeated orders were dispatched to all the sea-ports, and preparations -were making for a land-war; but there was not a sufficient fund in the -royal treasury to support the extraordinary expences. The -Comptroller-general said to the King, “Sire, the farmers-general offer -your Majesty money, it should be taken. They will lend the crown -sixty-six millions at 4 per cent. the state in its<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_233" id="page_233"></a>{233}</span> present exigence -cannot purchase money at a cheaper rate.”</p> - -<p>It may, perhaps, be thought that the financiers, affected at the state -of France, made this voluntary proposal from a spirit of patriotism; but -posterity will know that the same sordid interest which constantly -actuates them, incited them to display this generosity. One of the first -conditions was, that the lease of the farms should be renewed. They -afterwards insisted that there should be no under-farmers; that is to -say, that the profits arising from the farms should be no longer -divided, and that they should be sole masters of the finances. They also -wanted to have the disposal of all the employments in the farms.</p> - -<p>It was publicly said in Paris, that I had framed the scheme of this -loan. It is true that four farmers-general applied to me, to make the -proposal from their<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_234" id="page_234"></a>{234}</span> body, and that I mentioned it to the King. Lewis -XV. had it examined in his council, who approved of it; this is all the -share I had in the transaction. Those who imagine that a King of France -can raise money by the act of his own private will, are unacquainted -with the government. This sum was far from being sufficient to put in -motion all the machines of war that were foreseen to be necessary. The -King borrowed thirty millions upon the posts at 3 per cent. but even -this additional sum was not enough. The King’s secretaries, as well of -the upper as the inferior college, were taxed, and this impost, the -least burthensome perhaps of any, because it fell upon such as purchased -their employments through ostentation, produced a supply of forty-five -millions.</p> - -<p>With this fund, it was incumbent upon us to oppose the designs of the -English<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_235" id="page_235"></a>{235}</span> at sea, and of such powers as were enemies to France by land.</p> - -<p>I saw the King as usual. He supped almost every night with me, and -communicated to me all his plans and designs. Difficulties did not -astonish him. Lewis XV. is slow at resolving, but when he is determined, -his resolution is firm. He appeared more gay than usual: perhaps the -internal tranquility of the state greatly contributed towards it; for -the broils with the court of England had produced so good an effect at -home, that schisms were no longer the subject of conversation. The -curates administered to the sick, and thus the clergy and parliament -were reconciled.</p> - -<p>We learnt at Versailles that George II. who had made a voyage to his -Electoral dominions, was returned to London. His presence was there -necessary to expedite the military operations. We<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_236" id="page_236"></a>{236}</span> were at the same time -informed, that several councils had been held at Kensington, in which it -was resolved to make war. It had already been pursued for some time; and -these councils were held only to deliberate upon the means. The English -had by this time taken from the French 250 merchantmen, and made upwards -of 4000 sailors prisoners of war.</p> - -<p>The two nations mutually upbraided each other with the injustice of -their proceedings. The English reproached the French with having -infringed upon the treaty of peace, and the French openly declared, that -the English made war like pirates; and added, that the parliament of -England might be compared to the Divan of Constantinople, and George II. -to the Dey of Algiers.</p> - -<p>The Duke of Belleisle said, that these reproaches were carried too far; -that there<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_237" id="page_237"></a>{237}</span> were sufficient grounds for the two nations fighting for -five hundred years without declaring war.</p> - -<p>Count de Argenson asked a foreign minister, in my presence, <i>Which of -the two parties was the most equitable?</i> “They are both unjust, said the -foreigner. France is in the wrong for having made incursions upon the -British dominions in America, and for having fortified Dunkirk; and -England has done amiss by seizing the ships of this nation, and for -having made prisoners of war in time of peace.”</p> - -<p>I related this discourse to the King, who said, that most of the foreign -ministers were unacquainted with the origin of the dispute, and that -they judged of things only by appearances, or according to the ideas -they entertained of their own country.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_238" id="page_238"></a>{238}</span></p> - -<p>These private discourses no way altered the general operations. The -armaments by sea and land continued going on, and we prepared ourselves -for war. The Pope offered his mediation; this was Benedict XIV. The -matter might have been referred to him, had it been possible for him to -have negotiated the affair in person; but it must have been entrusted to -nuncios, who are usually men as ambitious as they are ignorant, and who -are acquainted with no other politics than those of the Vatican.</p> - -<p>The King of Portugal also offered his service: but as he was incapable -of throwing any weight in the scale, he occasioned no alteration in the -designs that were formed for pursuing the war.</p> - -<p>The duke of Noailles said, he was surprised that petty princes without -power, should think of being the arbiters of the power of the first -states in Europe.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_239" id="page_239"></a>{239}</span></p> - -<p>I shall not conceal to posterity that pacific proposals were made -between the two courts; but they were so distant from their respective -views, that it may be presumed they were offered only to make the torch -of war blaze the more, though the pretext was to extinguish it.</p> - -<p>France’s demands were great, and the English required too much. This was -the method of succeeding in the design that was formed of not agreeing.</p> - -<p>In order to increase the troops, and render the armies more numerous, -recourse was had to an expedient which was of very little consequence. -The invalids, who, by their services and their wounds, had obtained -admission into the hospital, were ordered to bear arms and fight the -enemies of the state.</p> - -<p>A wit said upon this occasion, that “this was having recourse to the -dead to wage war against the living.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_240" id="page_240"></a>{240}</span></p> - -<p>In proportion as the quarrel between France and England increased, Lewis -XV. gave me more power. It was imagined in the world, that I was the -arbitress of this new revolution: it is true, the King asked my opinion -upon many things; but I took care not to be answerable for such events -as might give a new biass to affairs in general: I referred them to the -council of state, leaving them to share all the blame, if any was -incurred.</p> - -<p>The ministers saw me more regularly, and the general officers who were -desirous of commanding the armies, paid their court to me with -remarkable assiduity.</p> - -<p>Whilst agreeable news was received from the new world, the court was -very uneasy about two squadrons which had set sail for America; but -advice came of their being returned to Brest. The King came himself to -acquaint me with the news, at which he testified much joy.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_241" id="page_241"></a>{241}</span> It was -natural to think that the ships which composed these squadrons would -fall into the hands of the English, who had sent very considerable -fleets to America.</p> - -<p>The first advantage the French gained in Canada, produced a second. The -Iroquois nation offered to enter into alliance with the French.</p> - -<p>The count D’Argenson shewed me the discourse which the deputies of this -savage people addressed to M. Vaudreuil, who commanded the King’s -troops.</p> - -<p>“May the Great Spirit preserve the captain of the French and his valiant -warriors! May the extent of their courage be measured by the number of -their wounds! We, whose nations are as ancient as the stars, and the -most courageous upon earth, come to offer thee the right arm of our -warriors. The black gowns who are amongst us,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_242" id="page_242"></a>{242}</span> have taken care to make -us acquainted with thy nation, which is the most valiant of any after -our own, because they have seen that these warriors might learn from -ours what they did not know before. Our nation, who reckon more than ten -thousand moons, come then to unite their forces to assist thee, in order -to regale our wives and children with the dead bodies of the enemies of -the captain of the French. Receive the calumet of peace, and as a mark -of joy, give three shouts to the sun, which is risen to enlighten our -nations.”</p> - -<p>This letter being made public at Versailles, a courtier, who had read -it, said to the King: “Sire, we must make an alliance with the Iroquois, -for they will eat as many Englishmen as they can find. Those people are -so famished with glory, that they devour their conquests.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_243" id="page_243"></a>{243}</span></p> - -<p>A few days after the return of the Brest fleets, the King said to me: -“The English parliament desire peace, the people of England want war. I -shall take no steps to procure the last; but if it is proposed to me -upon honourable terms, I will accept of it.”</p> - -<p>M. de Belleisle told me, that no terms would be proposed, and that all -the reports that were spread in England, were only designed to amuse -France, and surprise the government.</p> - -<p>“Marshal, said I to him, we may possibly be surprised, for it is above a -year since we were told that we ought to be so.”</p> - -<p>Whilst warlike preparations were making on every side, the ministers -often received memorials from individuals, pointing out the object of -our first attack.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_244" id="page_244"></a>{244}</span></p> - -<p>The French have for some time been greatly addicted to politics. It is -pretended that we caught the infection from the English, and that it was -communicated to France by the way of Calais. A man of great wit said to -me one day upon this head, that since this contagion had spread, an -infinite number of people, whose labour and industry might have been -very beneficial to the state, became idle spectators. In England this -rage is not so dangerous; the citizens engage themselves as well with -their own private affairs, as with the administration in general. But in -France, when a man gives himself up to politics, he passes his life -systematically.</p> - -<p>The Count D’Argenson shewed me a memorial, which he had received from an -unknown hand, bearing this title, <i>Important advice to the government</i>.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_245" id="page_245"></a>{245}</span></p> - -<p>“We should not wage war, said the anonymous author, either in Germany or -in America; the English navy is superior to ours: the English will in -the end have the advantage over us. In opposing ourselves to their -forces, we shall only compleatly ruin our own.</p> - -<p>“We should take the field with a bold stroke. It should seem for some -time past, as if our ministers were paid by the English government, to -go into all the snares that were laid for them. It is only necessary -that the court of London chalk out a plan, for that of Versailles to -follow them. This bold stroke is to enter into alliance with Spain, and -invade Portugal provisionally. The Portuguese are allies of the English, -and this is a sufficient plea to conquer them: I say this is sufficient, -for princes have long since thought they had no occasion for a pretext -to make<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_246" id="page_246"></a>{246}</span> war: it was only necessary that an invasion favoured their -designs.</p> - -<p>“That kingdom is easy to invade; Portugal has neither armies nor -officers, for we should not consider as soldiers, a few natives badly -disciplined, who never saw fire, and commanders that never served. Some -months must elapse before the English can send them troops and generals. -Lisbon will be taken before the English fleet can set sail to defend it.</p> - -<p>“Portugal being once in the hands of the French, the English will -attempt nothing; or else at the peace, they will give up every thing.</p> - -<p>“To form a judgment of the importance of this invasion, the advantages -which Great Britain derives from Portugal should be considered.</p> - -<p>“All Europe knows that this kingdom has no manufactures, and that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_247" id="page_247"></a>{247}</span> -English furnish the Portuguese not only with every thing which promotes -their luxury, but even their physical wants. Forty thousand artizans, in -every kind of trade, are constantly at work for them. Portugal maintains -forty thousand of King George’s subjects. These contribute to the -support of an equal number of other citizens; and as this primitive -industry is the source of infinite subordinate species of it, the -interruption given to these manufactures would occasion a diminution in -the general circulation.</p> - -<p>“Eight thousand merchantmen sail every year from the river Thames to -enter the Tagus; twenty thousand English sailors are therefore supported -by this single branch of commerce.</p> - -<p>“The mines of Brazil produce annually fresh riches for England, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_248" id="page_248"></a>{248}</span> -are the more advantageous, as they furnish that nation with the means of -purchasing alliances, and paying subsidies. It is partly with the gold -of Portugal that Great Britain maintains her fleets, and raises armies.</p> - -<p>“It is true that the riches of Portugal are in America, and that the -English fleets might possess themselves of the mines; but the English -would not derive great advantage from this conquest.</p> - -<p>“The extraction of gold is a manufacture that must be rendered -profitable, to draw advantages from it: and this capacity is not the lot -of every one. The Portuguese, naturally sober, and who have but few -wants, can alone derive these advantages from it; the English, with whom -labour is much dearer, would be losers by it. Great Britain, instead of -being enriched,<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_249" id="page_249"></a>{249}</span> would be impoverished by the mines.</p> - -<p>“It is a general rule, that mines always ruin their proprietors, as -Spain and Portugal evince, which are continually impoverished in -proportion as their mines become fruitful. The only nations that are -thereby enriched, are those who barter their industry for the produce.</p> - -<p>“The invasion of Portugal would make a change in all the systems of -Europe. It would cause a general revolution in cabinets. The face of -affairs in Germany would be entirely altered. The King of Prussia would -change his plans. The Belligerant powers, who are preparing for a -certain war, would be obliged to carry on another, which would greatly -distress many powers.</p> - -<p>“France by this first cast would save great armies, and still greater -sums.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_250" id="page_250"></a>{250}</span> Portugal would be no sooner taken, than the English would set -about re-taking it: this war, which would at once entirely occupy them, -would divert them from any other.</p> - -<p>“The English ministry are prepared for every thing, except the invasion -of Portugal. They have planned all their operations for the German war, -and that in America; but no steps are taken for the defence of Portugal.</p> - -<p>“But this expedition should be equally secret as speedy: these form the -soul of success. The greatest part of our operations miscarry, because -they are tardy and public. The enemy is almost constantly acquainted -with our designs the very instant that they are projected: this is the -certain means of rendering them abortive. The English, it is true, are -not prepared to oppose this invasion; but if they gain<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_251" id="page_251"></a>{251}</span> timely notice of -it, they will set aside some other plans to prevent this. Expedition and -penetration are, we know, the two characteristic qualities of that -government.</p> - -<p>“The court of Madrid should be made acquainted with this scheme by an -extraordinary courier, and their assistance requested; or, we should -rather propose giving up Portugal to them, after the invasion.</p> - -<p>“If the court of Madrid has hitherto refused entering into alliance with -France, it was because an expensive war was proposed to them, which -offered nothing but charges without conquest: but when we propose giving -them, as the fruit of their alliance, a kingdom at hand, and to which -they pretend having ancient claims, they will not hesitate a moment.<span class="pagenum"><a name="page_252" id="page_252"></a>{252}</span></p> - -<p>“The troops that are in Rousillon, Languedoc, and Provence, should be -forwarded by degrees nearer and nearer; the marching of those that are -more distant would discover the project.”</p> - -<p class="c"><span class="smcap">End</span> of the <span class="smcap">Second Volume</span>.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><p class="cb">FOOTNOTES:</p> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> The Thesis of the Abbé Prade.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_B_2" id="Footnote_B_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_2"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> We did not know that the magistrate first brought the -Sorbonne back to their duty, and awakened the zeal of the pastors, who -slept in tranquility by the side of the wolf.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_C_3" id="Footnote_C_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_C_3"><span class="label">[C]</span></a> The features of this portrait were certainly drawn for the -late Duke of Orleans, to whom, we are assured, the archbishop refused -the sacraments. If this be true, who dare think himself worthy of -aspiring to this favour?</p></div> - -</div> -<hr class="full" /> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Memoirs of the Marchioness of -Pompadour (vol. 2 of 2), by Jeanne Antoinette Poisson Pompadour - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMOIRS OF THE MARCHIONESS *** - -***** This file should be named 52215-h.htm or 52215-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/2/1/52215/ - -Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images available at The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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