As soon as I was in a Condition to go abroad, I waited on the Queen, who had just receiv'd Tydings, that the Elector of Hanover, her Father, was then call'd over by the English to succeed the deceas'd Queen Anne. No doubt, Madame, you remember the Joy there was at Court upon this News. The King made an Offer to the new Monarch of any Assistance that he might have occasion for, to support him on the Throne. Some days after the Arrival of this great News, I took leave of the Queen, and set out for Hambourg.

I was very well receiv'd in this City by L——, who was at that time Envoy from Prussia to the Circle of Lower Saxony. I knew him at a time when Fortune, as it were, frown'd upon him; but now it might be said, that she had loaded him with her Favors. He was glad to see me, and that he had an Opportunity of shewing me in what Grandure he liv'd. Since he had married a Woman, who was, indeed, very old, but very rich, he had been so wise as to make an Acquaintance with such as were capable of serving him; and whether 'twas owing to Money, or to mere Favor, he was quickly made a Minister of State; and in a little time after receiv'd the Key as one of the King's Chamberlains. I was very well pleas'd to see him in so splendid a Situation; but could not help taking pity on him for being yok'd to a Wife so disagreeable. She was a Person, who with the Obstinacy and Ill-nature of Old Age, had all the Mettle of Youth, besides her being a perfect Original both in her Apparel, and in the Furniture of her House. Her Husband could never prevail upon her to dress as became a Person of her Rank, nor to alter any thing in her Furniture, tho' ever so unpolite. I had the Pleasure one day that I was invited thither to Supper, of examining the Inside of the House at my Leisure. The Apartment where we supp'd was furnish'd in a very whimsical Manner. The first Room was lin'd with black Leather gilt, and round it were plac'd Chairs of green Taffety, adorn'd with Furbelows of a Rose Color. The second Chamber was hung with green Tapestry. The Chairs were of black Velvet, lac'd with Gold, and the Room was full of Crystal Sconces. At one End of it there was an Alcove hung with white Leather gilded, and in the Middle of the Alcove there was a Bed of a very extraordinary Fashion, which had no Curtains, but had four Pillars to support the Tester, and a Wooden Cornish at the top gilded; and the Whole was cover'd with Mother of Pearl and Tortoise-shell. The Bed had a Counterpane on it of black Velvet and Gold-Lace. In the four Corners of the Alcove were four Statues of white Marble, each holding a Wax-Candle. There were other Wax-Candles upon gilded Sconces, and a very fine Branch. The Whole, I assure you, look'd much more like a Room for lying in State, than a Chamber for Entertainment. We sat down, however, to Table; but this amiable Lady refus'd to be of the Company, and chose to stay behind a Door, which was in the Alcove, from whence she resolv'd to be a Spectatress of the Entertainment through the Chinks.

We were all heartily at Supper, and in very little pain for the Absence of our Landlady, when on a sudden there came from the Alcove a very ugly Figure, dress'd all in white. I was the first that perceiv'd it; and really, if I had given ever so little Credit to the haunting of Houses by Spirits, I should have thought I then saw one. The Whole perfectly resembled that Scene of the Knight in the Festin de Pierre, excepting nevertheless that we were not honor'd with the least Obeisance. I heard swearing and scolding at the Domestics, which made me suspect that it might be the Mistress of the House. Nor was I mistaken, we were obliged for this Apparition to a Wax-Candle that drop'd upon a Velvet Chair, which she perceiv'd from the Place where she was conceal'd, and stay'd some time, thinking that one or other of the Domestics would have remedied this Evil; but at last seeing that no body minded it, she resolv'd to come out her self to the Relief of the Chair. This Apparition was the Cause of a great Hurly-burly; the Lackeys excus'd themselves, because they were employ'd in waiting; and there were long and warm Disputes on both sides, betwixt the Mistress and the Servants, during which, the Guests, who rose in Respect to the Lady, were all the while standing. The Husband endeavor'd to pacify his dear Spouse, and made her sensible of the Situation in which she kept us; upon which, without making the least Compliment, she sate down at the Table, and I thought the Rage of the Storm was over; but far from it, she was no sooner seated than she began again to rave with more Fury than before. A Lackey, to whom, it seems, all this Bawling was more distasteful than it was to us, thought fit to tell her very bluntly, That she made a great Noise for nothing. Then the Lady was quite outragious, and went to give the Lackey a Blow with all the Weight of her Arm; but the Droll cunningly parry'd it, by receiving the Stroke upon a Plate he had in his Hand; which, as he manag'd it, serv'd him for a Shield. The Gentlewoman gave herself such a terrible Blow, that for one while she could not speak; and when she came to her self, she made a worse Racket than before. At length, the Lackey was turn'd out of the Room; and at that very instant, luckily for us, the Pain which the Lady felt for the Blow, increas'd to such a degree, that she was forc'd to retire. She was no sooner gone but we all burst out in a Laugh. The Husband himself was ready to split his Sides, and desir'd the Company to be under no manner of Restraint, but to talk as gayly of this Adventure as we pleas'd. Indeed we were heartily merry at the Expence of the Old Lady; but yet we were the greatest Losers by it in the end; for while we thought her a good way out of Hearing, she thought fit to stay at the Door to listen to what we said, which not being to her liking, she took an immediate Revenge, for she deprived us of the Dessert, and the poor Husband had not Interest enough to get another.

I was so gorg'd at this charming Repast, that for fear of a second Invitation I set out next Day for Hanover, where I arriv'd the very Day before the new King set out for England. The Electoress, his Mother, to whom the Crown first belong'd of Right, died suddenly, as she was walking in Herrenhausen Garden, not long before Queen Anne died. The Elector her Son was recogniz'd King by the English, as the next Protestant Heir; for if the Catholics could have had any Right to the Crown, this Elector would have been but the 23d or 24th in the direct Line. The Nobleman who acquainted the Elector of his Advancement to the Crown was my Lord Clarendon, Envoy from the Queen of England at the Court of Hanover. Perhaps it was with some Regret that he executed this Commission, being related to the Stuart Family; and as it was generally thought, not very much inclin'd to the Family which now governs England. Be this as it will, he discharg'd the Commission with a good Grace. My Lord receiv'd the News that the English had proclaim'd the Elector for their King, one Evening as he had been at Supper with that Prince at a House called The Whim, belonging to Madame de K——, now my Lady L——. As his Lordship came home he found a Courier just arriv'd with the Privy Council's Orders to him, to recognize the Elector for King of England. He immediately got into his Coach, and went to Herrenhausen, where he found the Elector a-bed. His Lordship thinking 'twas worth while to awake the Elector, for the sake of telling him the News that so great a Diadem was fallen to him, enter'd his Bed-Chamber, and kneeling on the Floor, was the first that recogniz'd the Elector for King. This Prince immediately summon'd his Council. Many People were pleas'd to say, that the Elector hesitated for a good while, whether or no he should accept of the August Dignity that was offer'd to him; but for my part, I fancy, that the Voyage to England was more the Subject of the Council's Deliberation, than the Question, whether its Crown should be accepted.

After the Council was over, the new King was complimented upon his Accession to the Throne; and that very Instant he gave Orders to get every thing ready for his Departure, which was fix'd for the 11th of September. The Time between the Elector's assuming the Royal Stile and his Departure, was spent in sending and receiving Couriers to and from the principal Courts of Europe. All the Nobility and Gentry, Subjects to the new Monarch, flock'd from all Parts to see him before he went away. This Prince was so well belov'd, that his Subjects were very sorry that he was going to leave them; but for his part, tho' his People were not a little dear to him, he preserv'd that Tranquillity of Mind, and that Discretion, which govern'd all his Actions; and he seem'd no more concerned at parting with them, than he was elated with his new Dignity: but it was otherwise with the Prince his Son, who was so impress'd with the Fortune added to his Family, that I heard him say to an English Gentleman, the Day before he went, That he had not one Drop of Blood in his Veins but what was English, and at the Service of his new Subjects.

On the 11th of September, early in the Morning, the King and the Prince of Wales set out from Herrenhausen, amidst the Acclamations of the Court and the People, with which the Road was lin'd. They wish'd his Majesty all manner of Happiness, and accompanied him with their good wishes a good distance from Herrenhausen, before they took Leave of his Majesty. The last Farewels were attended with so many Tears, that the King could not help being a little mov'd; and he assur'd them, That it should not be long before he would make a Tour to Hanover.

The King's Retinue was not very numerous; for he only took with him such Persons as were absolutely necessary for his Service; and of these too, he sent some back, when he went on board the Yatcht that came for him to Holland, to carry him over to England. The Princess of Wales follow'd the King some time after, with the Princesses her Daughters; but Prince Frederic her Son remain'd at Hanover for his Education.

When the King came to London, he found Subjects as much attach'd to his Person, as those he had left at Hanover; and not long after his Arrival he was, according to Custom, crown'd at Westminster. There was so great a Concourse of People at the Ceremony, that it seem'd as if all the Nation had flock'd thither to receive their new Sovereign. I was told there was only one Person, and that was a Woman, who refus'd to own him for King; and that this happen'd upon the very Day of the Coronation, when a Champion, arm'd from Head to Foot, entring into the Banquetting-Hall, and according to Custom challenging any Person whatsoever, who did not acknowledge the Elector of Hanover as lawful King of England, that Lady threw down her Glove, and with a very ill-tim'd Effrontery made Answer aloud, That James the Third was the only lawful Heir of the Crown, and that the Elector of Hanoverwas an Usurper.

Not many days after the King of England's Departure, I set out from Hanover for Aix-la-Chapelle, where I made use of the Baths, as my Physicians had order'd me, to strengthen my Leg. From Aix I proceeded in the Paris Road to Mastricht[48], which is a strong Place belonging to Dutch Brabant, tho' situate in the middle of the Country of Liege, on which it was for a long time dependent. It was also subject to the Spaniards till 1633, when it was taken by the Dutch, who were acknowledg'd lawful Possessors thereof by the Peace of Munster, and were thereupon at great Expence to fortify it, so that it was reckon'd one of the strongest Places in Europe, when Lewis XIV. took it in 1673, in 13 Days time. The King himself then commanded his Army; and he had with him Monsieur his Brother. Three Years after this, the Allies besieg'd it also, but their Arms being not so successful as those of France, they were forc'd to abandon their Enterprize. At last, by the Peace of Nimeguen it was restor'd to the Dutch, who keep a strong Garrison in it.

Mastricht is very well built, in a flat Country, surrounded with Hills. The Maese runs thro' the City, over which there is a very high Stone Bridge. They say that the late Count d'Auverquerque, who died Velt-Marshal of the Dutch, out of pure Gallantry, to convince a Lady how much he lov'd her, leap'd his Horse off the Bridge into the Maese. This young Lady so much belov'd was Mademoiselle de Feltbruck. As she was passing over the Bridge, Count d'Auverquerque, who rode by the side of her Coach, entertain'd her very much about his Passion for her; but Miss so little heeded what he said, that she scarce vouchsaf'd to lend him an Ear. At length being fatigu'd with hearing the same String always harp'd upon, she told him, that Lovers were never sparing of their Promises; but when any Testimonials were demanded of their Love, they then discover'd how little it was to be depended on. For instance, Sir, said she, I would venture a good Wager now, that if I were to ask you to leap from this Bridge into the River, you would not do it. The furious Lover made no other Answer to this Defiance, but clapping Spurs to his Horse, leap'd him off of the Bridge into the Maese. The young Lady thought her generous Lover would most certainly be drown'd; but luckily for him he kept his Seat, and his Horse, which was as mettlesome as the best, had Strength enough after such a Leap, to swim with his Rider to an Island, whither a Boat was sent to fetch him. After such a Trial as this, the young Lady might boast, either that she was lov'd to Distraction, or that she had a distracted Lover.

From Mastricht I went to Louvain[49], which is surnamed the Wise, probably by reason of its University, which was founded in 1426, by John IV. Duke of Brabant, and has been in its time one of the most celebrated Universities in Europe; but it has not that Reputation now. And as to the City, 'tis much more famous for its Antiquity, than upon any other account; for they say it was founded by Julius Cæsar. 'Tis indeed, at present, a very large City, but ill built, the only remarkable Edifices that I saw there, are the Collegiate Church dedicated to St. Peter, and the Church of the Jesuits. Louvain is not a Place of great Trade as yet, but a very fine Causey which is made from thence to Brussels, and another to Tongres, which is to be carried on to Liege, will very much increase its Commerce, especially with the Austrian Netherlands.

I went from Louvain to Brussels, and from thence to Ghent[50], which is the Capital of Spanish Flanders, and one of the biggest Cities in Europe. It stands four Leagues from the Sea, is water'd with three Rivers, the Scheld, the Lys, and the Lise, and adorn'd with fine Squares and noble Buildings. The great Clock is worth seeing; it weighs 11000 Pounds, and is erected upon a Dragon, which Count Baldwin brought from Constantinople. A Canal has been dug from this City to the Sea, which is of very great Service to its Trade.

'Twas at Ghent that Charles V. was born, who granted this City extraordinary Privileges; yet the Inhabitants were so ungrateful as to rebel against this Emperor, who resolv'd to punish them for it; and that he might go the nearer way to work with 'em, ventur'd upon the Parole of Francis I. to pass thro' France, in order to come at them. He chastis'd those Rebels with such Severity, that they had no reason to boast that this Emperor was their Countryman. He caus'd twenty-five of their principal Citizens to be executed by the common Hangman, banish'd a greater number of them, confiscated their Estates, and took away all their Privileges. In fine, Ghent which was one of the most considerable Cities in Europe, soon became a Desert; and Charles V. to leave a Monument of his Wrath to Posterity, caus'd a Fortress to be built, which is still the Citadel of this Place, and is of great Consequence to the Emperor, when he happens to be at War with France; for when the French are Masters of Ghent, the Navigation of the Scheld is interrupted; and in case of a War, 'tis better to see them Masters of Brussels than of Ghent: For I remember, that in 1708, while the Allies besieg'd Lisle, the French being then Masters of Ghent, incommoded their Army very much. This City is finely recover'd since Charles the Vth's Time. The States of Flanders have their Assemblies here, and the Emperor commonly signifies his Will and Pleasure to them, by the Governor-General of the Netherlands residing at Brussels.

From Ghent I went thro' Courtray and Menin to Lisle[51], which is the Capital of French Flanders, and one of the best and most beautiful Towns of that Government. It belong'd formerly to the King of Spain, till 1667, when Lewis XIV. took it in Person. The Garison then consisting of but 6000 Men, was not strong enough to check the Progress of the French Arms, so that after nine Days open Trenches the Place was taken. Lisle was left in the Possession of France by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, in 1668; but in 1708, the Allies after a tedious and toilsome Siege, made themselves Masters of it. At last, however, this City reverted to France by the Treaty of Utrecht. The Inhabitants were so overjoy'd at their not being left in subjection to the Dutch, which they were afraid of, that on the Day the Place was evacuated, they made Bonfires in all parts of the Town; and not without Cause, for after they fell under the Dominion of the Dutch, their Trade stood still, those new Guests chusing rather to send for what they wanted from Holland, than to make use of the Manufactures of this City. But with the French the Case was otherwise, for they bought their Necessaries in the City, and liv'd with the Inhabitants on perfect good Terms.

Lewis XIV. made Lisle one of the finest Places in Europe. Its Streets are magnificent, and particularly the Street Royale, built in the Reign of that Monarch. 'Tis very strait, and adorn'd on both sides with very fine Houses built alike. In this City resides the Governor of Flanders. The Marshal de Boufflers was succeeded in this Government by the Duke his Son. When I was here, the Prince de Tingry, Governor of Valenciennes, officiated in this Government for the said Duke, who was then under Age.

I was so impatient to be at Paris, that I made no stay in any Place upon the Road, till I arriv'd there. I alighted at a Bagnio, and the first Sally I made abroad was to pay my Devoirs to Mademoiselle de S——. Absence had not damp'd my Flame, and I was only glad to see Paris again, in hopes of finding out her whom I ador'd. But how was I surpriz'd when the Mother of that lovely Damsel came to welcome me with a Flood of Tears, and told me, that I must think no more of her Daughter, for that she died about a Month ago in the Province of Perigord, whither she went to accompany a Lady of her Acquaintance! I was so thunder-struck at this News, that I was not able to speak. I fainted away, was carried back to my Lodgings, and was that Moment let blood; but 'twas some time after it before I came to my self, and then I did nothing but give my self up to Sorrow. Mine was no longer an inward Grief, but vented it self in such continual Exclamations interrupted with Sighs, that every one who saw me believ'd I was going the way of all Flesh; or that, at least, I should be out of my Senses: And truly they were not much mistaken, for I was so in a great measure. In this unhappy Situation did I remain five whole Days, at the end of which the Mother of S—— came to make me a Visit; and at her entring into my Room, she told me, that her Daughter was not dead; and that she had just receiv'd a Letter from her, by which she acquainted her, that she should soon be at Paris. This sort of Resurrection was as reviving News to me, as the former was mortifying. I felt a surprizing Revolution in my Spirits; and am of Opinion, that if 'tis possible to die with an Excess of Joy or of Grief, I had share enough of both those Passions within a short Space of Time not to survive them. But I was reserv'd by Fate for other Adventures.

In Fact, I was hardly recover'd from the several Shocks which I had lately undergone, but was forc'd to bear the Brunt of another. The Occasion of this was, meeting at the House of a Lady of my Acquaintance with a Friend of S——, whose Name was Madame de R——; and who had been married for some time, by the Advice of her Parents, to a Man far advanc'd in Years. The young Lady hated her Husband more heartily than is common for Girls of sixteen that marry to Men of above sixty. I had seen her formerly, but she was then so young, that I did not much mind her: And happy wou'd it have been for me, if I had always view'd her with the same Indifference! But when I came to see her after her Marriage, her Beauty, her fine Presence and her noble Deportment made a very sensible Impression on me. I was pitch'd upon to play at Cards with her and another Lady, and all the time she did nothing but rally me upon my Amour with S——, and hinted several times to me, that the Lady was not deserving of the Heart I had set upon her. As I could not guess to what all this Discourse tended, when the Game was over I went with the Lady to a distant Window, and there begged her for God's sake to explain her self. She stood out a long while, on pretence that she should be oblig'd to tell me what would only make me uneasy: But all these Delays rendering me still the more impatient to know what it could be, I press'd her to such a degree that at last she consented to let me into the Secret. You won't take a Denial, I see, said she: Well then, if you must know, you shall. But you must thank your self for it, if I tell you what will heartily vex you; for I know your Temper, and to what a Degree you are smitten. You think, continu'd she, that S—— is in the Country, but you are mistaken; for she is at Paris, and has never been out of it all the time. She is as much in love with the Marquis de V——, as he is with her. She keeps no Company now but him. Two Months ago she remov'd from her House in the Suburb of St. Antoine, where she then liv'd, because she heard you was coming to Town. The truth is, she did not care you should reproach her to her Face; and being in Hopes that you might forget her, she sent to let you know, that she was dead; but hearing that you was so inconsolably melancholy, it mov'd her to pity you, and she has now sent you word that she is still living. Indeed it won't be long before you see her; but it will only be to receive your Dismission, and to give you to understand from her own Lips, that she prefers V——'s Addresses to yours. I have heard all this from one of my Waiting-Women, whose Sister is a Servant to Madame S——. For as to my part, since I am married to M. R——, 'tis not convenient for me to keep her Company. You will do well to renounce her, and need not fear but you may find better than her. As she express'd these Words her Eyes darted in my Face, and at the same instant she blush'd. I was going to make her an Answer, but she left me abruptly, and all the rest of the Evening made it her Business to avoid me, I thought, however, to have an Opportunity of speaking to her when she was going out; but she went away with another Lady, so that 'twas impossible for me to say a Word to her.

I return'd home miserably disturb'd in my Mind. Hatred, Love, Revenge, Contempt; in short, all the Passions of a Lover, slighted on the one hand, and flatter'd on the other, play'd their part to rack my Brain. Guess, Madame, in what a Condition I was, when I had such violent Attacks to struggle with. In fine, Contempt triumph'd over the Passion I had conceiv'd for S——. The charming Eyes of Madame de R—— made me forget the false-hearted Creature on whom I had doated. But in the sequel I was quickly convinc'd that I was no sooner cur'd of one foolish Amour, but I was plung'd into another of the same Nature. The last Words of R—— seem'd to be very engaging; I explain'd them in my own favor, and thought sincerely that she had taken a Fancy to me. I flatter'd my self again and again with these agreeable Notions, and found an infinite Pleasure in making my own Chain. Nevertheless you will soon see that I was bubbled as much in this Amour as I was in the former. Madame de R—— was one of the finest Women, and without dispute one of the greatest Coquettes in Paris; being whimsical withal, and more self-conceited than Women of that Cast generally are; she did not understand what it was to settle her Heart upon any Man, and yet expected to be doated on herself. I push'd head-long into this new Engagement, and thought my self at one time the happiest Man in the World. My Friends too were as much deceiv'd as I was, and thought me for a long while the only Favorite. I will tell ye hereafter what became of this Amour, and shall for the present break off the Detail of these ridiculous Amusements, to tell you how it far'd with me in the Affair which most demanded my Application.

Soon after my Return to Paris, I went to Versailles, where I had the Honor to pay my Duty to the King and the Princes. Madame receiv'd me so kindly that I thought my self sure of her Protection, and therefore acquainted her of my Intention to beg an Employment of his Majesty, and desir'd her that she would be so good as to recommend me. Madame promis'd me that she would, and was true to her Word; for she not only spoke her self but also made the Duke of Orleans speak for me to M. Voisin, who was at that time Chancellor and Secretary of War. This Gentleman promis'd their Royal Highnesses that he would think of a Place for me; but when I waited upon him, with one of Madame's Officers, who, by her Order introduc'd me, that Minister receiv'd me with a Countenance as crabbed as ever I saw. His Head was invelop'd in a monstrous large Peruke, that hindered both his Sight and Hearing, which at other times were natural enough to him. However, in Respect to Madame he heard me, and then said, that the King had already made one considerable Reduction in his Troops, and was going to make another; and that therefore he did not see what Hopes I could have of being employ'd. I was very much dissatisfied with this Answer, which was so different from the Promise he had made to Madame and the Duke of Orleans. I made a Report to their Royal Highnesses of what the Minister said to me; upon which the Duke of Orleans told me, This signifies nothing, I will speak to him again, and I hope you will find your Account in it. He spoke accordingly, but Voisin did nothing the more nor the less for it. However, as I had a grateful Heart for the Advances which Madame and the Duke her Son had been so good as to make in my favor, I continu'd to pay my Duty to them; and they both gave me Demonstration that they were not Insensible of my constant Attendance. I was almost every Night at the Duke of Orleans's Couchée. His Court was then but small, and excepting his Domestics I was sometimes all alone with him. I was the more amaz'd at the Carriage of the Courtiers to this Prince, because 'twas natural to think that the Government of the Kingdom would soon fall into his hands. The Duke of Berry was just dead. The King was too old to expect he could live much longer, and the Dauphin too young to take the Management of Affairs upon him for a good while. In short, every thing promis'd this Prince the Regency of the Kingdom infallibly, yet scarce any body regarded him as the rising Sun. The Courtiers Respect for the King made them all stick to his Majesty, and a Reign so glorious and so long, seem'd to them as if it was never to have End.

I stay'd at Paris the rest of the year 1714, and some Months of the year 1715. This Winter there was one of the noblest Sights in Paris that could be, viz. The Entry of the Persian Ambassador, and especially the Audience he had of his Majesty some days after it. But the Ambassador did not contribute so much to the Lustre of this Shew, as to give us any great Idea of the Persian Magnificence; and indeed, in my whole Life I never saw any thing so pitiful; for all his Equipage being out of Order, his Domestics having scarce Cloaths to their Backs, and almost all of them ill-looking Fellows, formed a very melancholy Scene. Besides, the Presents he brought were really not worthy of the Prince that sent them, or of him that received them. Before this Ambassador made his Entry, he lodg'd at Charenton, to which Place every body went to stare at him as a Prodigy. The Torrent carried me thither among the rest, and a numerous Company there was of us. The Interpreter told us, before we went in, that a Compliment must be made to the Ambassador, and we drew Cuts to determine who should be the Speaker. The Lot fell upon me. I made but a very short Speech to him, wherein after having congratulated him upon his Arrival, I told him, that I hop'd his Stay in Europe, and especially in France, would not be disagreeable to him. He thank'd me by his Interpreter, and bid him tell me, that as he was come to see the greatest King in the World, next to the Sophy his Master, he should be always satisfy'd, happen what would to him, when once he had appeared before his Majesty. He made us sit down, and we ask'd him several Questions concerning his Voyage, the Court of Persia, and the Sophy; but he told us, that he had never been at Ispahan, and never seen the Sophy. During this Conversation he gave us Coffee and Sweet-meats, and was mighty civil to us.

But upon all Occasions when his Character was to be supported, he was not near so tractable; for he then took upon him too much State, so that when the Marshal de Matignon, who was to come from the King to carry him to the Ambassadors House, was to enter his Chamber, he pretended that he was not obliged to stand up. The Baron de Breteuil, the Introductor of the Ambassadors, represented to him that he could do no less than pay that Deference to M. de Matignon who came from the King; but he might as well have reason'd with a Post; and all that he could get from him, was a Promise, that when the Marshal entered his Chamber he wou'd that Moment rise and go out all at once. There was another Scene to manage when he came down Stairs. They proposed to him to ride in the King's Coach; but he said, he would do no such thing; that it was a Cage; and that he would make his Entry on horseback. The Baron de Breteuil, therefore, in order to make him get into the Coach, was under a Necessity of talking smartly to him; and even to threaten him, that he should make no Entry, nor have any Audience, if he did not subject himself to the Customs establish'd in France. At length the Ambassador capitulated, they split the Difference, and he consented to ride one half of the way in the Coach, and the other on horseback. I never saw such a Multitude of People as I did at this Entry; the Concourse was really astonishing; for from the first Bar in the Suburb of St. Antoine to the Ambassadors House, there were Scaffolds all along on both sides of the way, full of People. The same Croud of Spectators follow'd him for several days, so that when he went abroad, either to the Bagnio, or to take the Air, he could scarce go along, there were such Throngs of People to gaze at him.

The Audience which the King gave him was a very magnificent Scene. Lewis XIV. appeared at it in all the Majesty of a great King; and be the Audiences of the Great Mogul, describ'd to us by Tavernier, ever so brilliant, I can scarce think they are to compare with the Ceremony I am now speaking of, and whereof I was an Eye-witness, which was performed in the Great Gallery at Versailles. The King's Throne, which was at one end, and rais'd very high, was of a Gold Ground, with Flowers and the Arms of France embroider'd on it. The King was dress'd in a Suit of Coffee-color'd Velvet, adorn'd with Jewels, to the Value of several Millions. The young Dauphin was at his Majesty's Right Hand in a Robe of Gold Brocade, adorn'd with Diamonds and Pearls. The Duke of Orleans was on his Left, dress'd in a Suit of blue Velvet, adorn'd with a Gold Spanish Point, seeded with very beautiful Diamonds and Pearls. The Princes of the Blood, the legitimated Princes, the Prince of Dombes and the Count d'Eu, both Sons to the Duke of Maine, sat in the same Row, on the Right and Left of the King, all observing the Rank due to their Birth. All along the Gallery on the Right-Side of the Throne, there were several Rows of Steps, on which stood the Ladies richly dress'd. The Duchess of Berry and Madame were next to the Throne, and next to them stood the Electoral Prince of Saxony, who was then at the Court of France with the Title of the Count of Lusatia. That Side of the Gallery which fronts the Garden was taken up by Noblemen richly apparell'd, and the Space which serv'd for the Passage, from the Entrance of the Gallery to the Throne, was cover'd with a magnificent Tapestry, as were the rest of the Apartments from the Stair-Case of Marble to the Gallery. In the Courts below, the Regiments of the French and Swiss Guards, newly cloath'd, were rang'd in Order of Battle: And the Life-Guards, the Musketeers, and all the King's Houshold Troops were also drawn up in the same Order. But the Splendor of the Soldiery was very much lessen'd by a great Quantity of Rain which pour'd down almost all day long.

The Ambassador with all his Attendance pass'd thro' all those Troops to the Gallery; and when he was advanc'd near to the Throne, he there deliver'd his Credentials to M. de Torcy, Minister and Secretary of State, by whom they were given to the Interpreter, who read them. He afterwards gave his Majesty the Presents that the Sophy sent him, which were so inconsiderable, that at first sight one could hardly imagine they were sent from one of the most powerful Monarchs of Asia. The Whole consisted of Turquoise Stones, a Scymitar garnish'd with precious Stones, a Box of Balm to which he ascribed wonderful Virtues, and some other things of no great Value. After the Audience was over, the Ambassador was regal'd, and then reconducted to the House of the Ambassadors, where he was defray'd at the Expence of the Court, all the time that he staid at Paris. He was furnish'd at first with the King's Horses for himself and his Retinue; but as his Stay was long, and as besides he spoil'd all the King's Horses, he was accommodated afterwards with Horses that were hir'd.

Some time after this Audience, the Ambassador went to the Opera, where the Benches in the Amphitheatre were taken away, to make it more commodious to hold him and his Retinue. Tho' there was an incredible number of People of the first Quality, he seem'd to be under no manner of Constraint, and smoak'd his Pipe there a good while, with as much Freedom, as if he had been in his Chamber. The Eagerness of the People to run after him was soon abated; they began in a short time after his Arrival, to be indifferent whether they saw him or not; and at length, they were so weary of him, that every body wish'd publickly that he was gone.

I have had the Honor to acquaint you, that the Electoral Prince of Saxony was at the Persian's Audience. This Prince had been for some time in France; and tho' he was incog. by the Name or Title of the Count of Lusatia, he had the Retinue of a King's Son. The Count de Coste, who died Bishop of Warmia, was his Governor, and the Baron de Hagen his Sub-Governor. He had also several Gentlemen with him, besides Pages, and a number of Officers. His Equipage was magnificent, and his Table as elegant as could be desir'd. He was presented to the King by Madame, who gave him out to be a German Gentleman of a good Family.

This Prince gave a sumptuous Ball at the Hotel de Soissons, in the Apartment where Dumont the Envoy of Holstein liv'd. There was an amazing Croud of Masqueraders, and among the rest your humble Servant, who had good Diversion there with a Lady who trusted me with a Secret, by mistake, for another Person. As she is a Lady of some Distinction, you'll excuse me from telling her Name. All that I shall do my self the Honor to acquaint you of at present is, that she was a Duchess who was fond of R—— to Distraction; but he had abandon'd her for Mademoiselle de S——. The Duchess saw him enter the Ball-Room with V——, who was formerly a Confident of their Amours, and an intimate Friend of R——. The Duchess, as disguis'd as she was, was presently known by her faithless Lover; so that when she went to lay hold of him, he slily stole away with his Friend, and secreted himself in the Croud. Being afraid of Reproaches from the Duchess, he thought fit also to change his Domino. V—— likewise exchang'd his for mine. R—— shew'd me the Place where he had seen the Duchess, and desir'd me to pass by her, but not to speak to her, in case that she offered to talk with me. I promis'd every thing he ask'd, yet was resolv'd to have a Parley with her, if I found a proper Opportunity, which soon presented. You must know, that I so much resembled M. de V—— in Stature, that the Duchess readily took me for him, and beckoning me aside, at the Instant that she was in high Wrath with R——, for refusing to speak to her, she made a general Confession to me of all her Intrigue. While she was going on thus, without Reserve, to make a Variety of Confessions to me, of which I thought she might repent when she knew that she had been speaking to the wrong Person; I interrupted her by saying, She was mistaken in her Man, and that I was not V——. She reply'd hastily, What need all these Grimaces? Hear me out to the End of my Tale. This is not a Place to play the fool in. You know, continu'd she, that I have granted the ungrateful Man but every thing. I broke in upon her again, and said to her, By my Troth, Madame, I did not know one word of the Matter till now. She jeer'd me for pretending to be ignorant of what she had been telling me, and continu'd her Discourse to me with all the Plainness and True-heartedness that is seldom found in Narratives of this nature. After she had run on a good while, she said, Alas! Sir, What say you, Speak, now is your Time to speak, and justify your Friend, if you can. I really think, replied I, that R—— is a Scoundrel to set so little a Value upon the Kindness you have for him; and instead of justifying him, when I see him, I shall certainly rattle him for it. I shall tell him every Tittle that you have now done me the Honor to divulge to me; and tho' I am not V——, nor very intimate with R——, I am persuaded that he will give Attention to what I shall say to him. Ah, Sir! replied the Duchess, Why do ye go to alter the natural Tone of your Voice? How can you deny your self? What have I done to be thus treated? Upon my Honor, Madam I said, I don't impose on you; let your own Eyes be Witness. At the same Moment I pull'd off my Mask. The Lady was so astonish'd that I can't express it. She cou'd not speak; and I perceiv'd, by her Confusion for having made such an open Confession to me, that she did not know, whether she had best say on, or retire? I really pitied her, and did all I could to hearten her. I begg'd her to be assur'd that I would keep every thing she had said to me inviolably secret; and that I was as sensible as she could be, of the Consequence of revealing Things of that nature. The good Lady began to pluck up her Spirits; and after some farther Discourse she desir'd me to hand her out, and to help her to find her Coach. It was impossible to discover her Coach or mine either in the Croud; and therefore she chose to take a Hack. I went with her to her House, where she desir'd me to go back to the Ball, and tell the Ladies whom I had seen in her Company that she was taken very ill. I obey'd her Orders punctually, and did not fail next Day to pay her a Visit, and this Visit pav'd the way for others, which gave me an Opportunity to contract a most intimate Acquaintance with her. I had the Honor, in short, of being her most esteemed Friend, and found her possess'd of a thousand good Qualities, which render'd her the best Companion in the World.

The most comical part of this Adventure was, to find R—— quarrelling bitterly with the Duchess for holding a long Parley with a Gentleman in Masquerade at the Ball. He pretended to be jealous, and wrote a thundering Letter to her next day, wherein he told her, that he would have nothing more to do with her. On the other hand Madam de R——, with whom I went to the Ball, and whom I was still passionately fond of, took advantage of the Conference I had with the Duchess, and also pretended Jealousy, (for to be serious, I knew afterwards that 'twas only a Copy of her Countenance.) She expatiated a good deal upon her Uneasiness at the long Conversation that pass'd betwixt us. I was silly enough to believe that she was sincere in what she said, and more Fool still to be transported with the Thought that I had made her jealous. I did all in my power, however, to remove her Suspicions; in a word, I said every thing that a Lover can say, who loves sincerely, and would convince that he does so. She seem'd to be satisfy'd with my Protestations; but yet instead of making a suitable Return to the Respect I had for her, she continu'd to teaze me all the rest of the Winter. Her Behavior was so extremely coquetish, that it gave me a deal of Vexation; and besides, I did not like to see the Marquis de V—— so often at her House.

I had been pester'd with this Marquis for a long time. 'Twas he that took away S—— from me; and no sooner was I got into the Favor of Madame de R——, but he found a way to insinuate himself there too. I was so provok'd to see him always at my Heels, that I quarrel'd with him one day at C——, where we happen'd to meet at the House of the President de N——. We were actually at Daggers-drawing, when M. de C—— came and parted us. V—— assur'd me that he had no manner of Pretence to Madame de R——, and actually promis'd me, that if I did not like his Visits to her, he would not renew them. And he was as good as his Word, so that I was perfectly reconcil'd to him; but I was not at all pleas'd with Madam de R——. I saw plainly that I was betray'd. I had fresh Cause to suspect her every day, and yet I hugged the Chains wherewith she had bound me; in which I sufficiently confuted the vulgar Error of those who assert, that People never love heartily but once. I ought, however, to reflect a little upon this last Amour, which was extremely hurtful to me. Madam de R—— was so extravagant that a Man could not be upon good Terms with her, without being, at an excessive Expence. To support my self I borrow'd Money every where, till e'er long I knew not where to find Lenders. On the other hand my Creditors began to make me frequent Visits, till they were tir'd with my continually putting them off from one time to another, and then truly they resolv'd to proceed against me by Law; and at length took out a Writ to attach my Person. I was very much stunn'd at the News, but because I had put them in an ill Humor, I was willing to avoid the Effects of it, by keeping my Chamber for some days, till M. de N—— had procur'd me an Order to stay Prosecution. This Respite put me upon ways and means to find Money, all my Desire being to satisfy my Creditors. I was aware how difficult it was to get a sufficient Sum to pay them remitted from home; for all my Estate was entail'd upon my Brother and Mademoiselle de Pollnitz; and she never intended to give her Consent to the mortgaging of any part of it. Yet having no other way to bring my self out of Trouble, I got my Friends to intercede with her; which they did so powerfully, that at length they really prevail'd on her to agree to the borrowing of some Money upon the Estate, which was lent accordingly; and by this Means I got happily out of this Scrape. The Difficulties I had been plung'd in made me wiser, and I lessen'd my Expences, which I perceiv'd, indeed, was not the way to preserve the Favor of Madam de R——. But what should I do? To dip my self again over head and ears in Debt, and to run the risque of having another scurvy Action enter'd against me, was what I could not resolve on. At this same time I obtain'd a Pension of 2000 Livres; but as to an Employment, none could I get of the Secretary at War.

This put me so much out of Temper, that notwithstanding my Passion for Madam de R——, and my being so much attach'd to France, I determin'd to try once more for an Establishment elsewhere. For this purpose I wrote to the Prince of H——, a General Officer in the Emperor's Service, and a Colonel of a Regiment of Foot, who return'd me a very obliging Answer, how glad he should be to admit me into his Regiment; but that there was no Company vacant in it, nor none like to be, unless I could strike a Bargain with a certain old Captain who had a Design to retire, and would gladly part with his Company for 2000 Crowns. To find such a round Sum as 2000 Crowns, in the Situation which I was in then, and to find the Philosopher's Stone, was as easy for me one as the other. I resolv'd, however, to treat with the Captain.

I therefore set out for Bruges, where the Prince of H—— was in Garison with his Regiment. I met with a Captain, but he was pretty stiff, and would absolutely hear of no Terms but the Money down, or old Plate for Security. The Prince, who really wish'd me well, and perfectly knew the State of my Affairs, wrote to my Cousin to persuade her to consent to my taking up some more Money upon the Estate. I also indited the most moving Letter I could, to melt her; but 'twas all to no purpose: The Answers she return'd were very sarcastical. She set me off to the Life, and she had the Art to persuade the Prince who had wrote to her, that to give me Leave to borrow more Money, was to put a Sword into the Hands of a Mad-man. For my own part I was in a manner convinc'd that she had Reason on her side. I therefore quitted all Thoughts of the Company which I propos'd to buy, and set out for Paris.

I was not sorry to leave Bruges[52], it being one of the saddest Places in the Netherlands for a Man to live in, who is not a Merchant; yet 'tis a very considerable City. 'Tis said to be very ancient, and that it was encompass'd with Walls in the Year 865. It was formerly dependant on the Bishopric of Tournay; but since the Reign of Philip II. it has been erected into a Bishop's See, which is now Suffragan to the Archbishopric of Mechlin. Its Cathedral, which is dedicated to St. Donat, is a very old and a very fine Structure. The other Churches are also of an elegant Model, especially the Jesuits Church and our Lady's. In the latter there's the Tomb of Charles the Bold the last Duke of Burgundy who was kill'd before Nancy, from whence his Corpse was translated hither, by order of Mary of Austria, his Grandaughter, the Widow of a King of Hungary and Sister to the Emperor Charles V. The Situation of Bruges is very advantagious, it being but three Leagues from the Sea; and for the Ease of its Trade there are several Canals cut in it, on which Vessels pass to and fro as they do in Holland; with this Conveniency moreover, that People dine there as elegantly as in the best Tavern. Tho' all these Canals have a Communication with the Sea, yet their Waters are not fast, by reason of the Sluices and other Machines, which they make use of to prevent it. 'Tis natural to suppose, that Fields in which so many Canals are cut, must be fertile; yet the Trade of Bruges is very much dwindled since the flourishing of that of Amsterdam, which has engross'd it all to it self.

I forgot to tell you, that 'twas at Burges the Order of the Golden Fleece was instituted by Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy on the very Day that he consummated his Marriage with Isabel the Daughter of John King of Portugal. 'Twas to this City also that Charles II. King of England came for Refuge, when his Subjects rebell'd against him; and so well was he receiv'd here, that when he was in peaceable Possession of his Throne he shew'd his Gratitude, by permitting the Citizens to send fifty Vessels every year to the Coasts of England, to catch Herrings. So much, Madame, for Bruges.

Just as I was setting out, I heard that the Prince of H—— was going for Newport[53], where there was a Battalion of his Regiment in Garison; and thither I went with him. This, which is a very ancient Town, was heretofore intirely destroy'd by the English, and afterwards rebuilt by Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy. The Rebels of Ghent burnt it in 1383, because it continued faithful to its Sovereign. It held out a very sharp Siege by the French, in which the Women display'd a very great share of Valour. During the Revolt of the Netherlands it submitted to the Prince of Parma. In that same War, the Dutch who were besieging it, under Prince Maurice of Orange, gain'd a great Victory over the Spaniards, at the Gates of the Town; and yet they thought fit to raise the Siege. They say, that with some Expence Newport might be made one of the best Harbors in the Ocean; and a Plan for this purpose was given to the Marquis de Priè, Commandant in the Netherlands; but hitherto it has not been approv'd of. Tho' 'tis a Town not very much fortify'd, yet 'tis a strong Place considering the Advantage it has of laying all the Country round it under Water. 'Tis quite encompass'd with Downs and Marshes, the former of which abound with Rabbets. The Prince of H—— gave me the Pleasure of Hunting there, which is the only Diversion that can be taken by Officers who are condemn'd to be in Garison in such a Hole as Newport. We staid there two Days, after which the Prince and Princess of H—— return'd to Bruges. For my own part I accompanied the Prince of Holstein to Ypres, of which he is Governor for the Dutch.

This is one of the best Cities in Europe, and is notable for having suffer'd several Sieges. The Rebels made themselves Masters of it in the Reign of Philip II. when they plundered the Churches and Convents, and drove out the Fryars. The Archduke Leopold retook it from those Furiosos, and it remained in Possession of Spain till 1658, when 'twas taken by the Marshal de Turenne; but by the Pyrenean Treaty it reverted to its lawful Sovereign. In 1678, Lewis XIV. besieg'd it in Person and took it; and by the Treaty of Nimeguen, which was concluded the same year, 'twas yielded to him by Spain. The French caus'd it to be considerably fortify'd; after which they remain'd peaceable Possessors of it till the Peace of Utrecht, when they yielded it to the Allies, in exchange for Lisle which had been taken from the French. Ypres is now a Barrier for the Dutch, who keep a good Garison in it. Nevertheless, Justice is administer'd, and the Taxes raised here, in the Name of the Emperor, as Sovereign of Spanish Flanders.

From Ypres I went to Lisle, of which I have already had the Honor to give you some Account; and from Lisle in a very short time I proceeded to Paris. Who should I see there, but the famous Countess of Wartemberg? The Chevalier de B——, who being at Utrecht during the Congress, had there sign'd a Contract to marry her, returning to France as soon as the Peace was concluded, the Countess follow'd him and came to Versailles, where she had the Honor of waiting on the King. She wore the Pictures of three Kings as a Bracelet on her Arm, which she shew'd to the King, telling him at the same time, That after she had seen three Monarchs at her Feet, she was now come from the Heart of Germany to throw her self at the Feet of his Majesty. The King, who was surpriz'd at the Compliment, star'd at her, but said not a Word. Some days after this she appear'd at the Play-house, stuck all over with Diamonds; and those so large, that she was call'd, The Lady of precious Stones. All the young Fellows combin'd to have a Pluck at her, and every younger Brother of a Family thought those Diamonds would look as well upon him as they did upon the Countess. When they had pilfer'd some from her, she was more cautious how she paraded with 'em for the future. Yet notwithstanding all her Care, the Chevalier de B—— dextrously stripp'd her of all she had in one day. He had been for some time wishing that he could revoke the Marriage-Contract which he had sign'd with the Countess; his Family also press'd him to break off his Engagement with her; and in fine, not knowing what Course to take to recover the Contract, which the Lady refus'd to restore, he made use of this very singular Expedient. One day when he was at Versailles, he set out Post from thence to find out the Countess of Wartemberg, and told her that the King had just receiv'd an Express from Berlin, by which the King of Prussia desir'd him to put her under an Arrest, and to seize her Diamonds, and other Effects, as having been stole from the King his Father. I just had the News, said the Chevalier to her, from M. de T——, who knowing the Respect I have for you, was willing to give me an Opportunity of doing you Service, by guarding you from the Misfortune that threatens you. The Countess being thunder-struck at this News, said to the Chevalier in a Fright, O my God! What shall we do? Your only way, said he, is to give me Charge of all your Diamonds; your Interests and mine are the same; I don't believe you suspect me; I will carry them all to my Father's House, where they will be safe: And as for your Person, you may be very easy; for M. de T—— has assur'd me, that 'tis your Effects they want, and not your Person. Madame de Wartemberg believ'd every Tittle of what he said, and esteeming the Chevalier as her Guardian Angel, she deliver'd up all her Diamonds to him, with every thing besides of most Value. B—— having all this Booty, took his Leave of her. The Countess thought she had play'd a very cunning Part in thus securing her Effects; but 'twas not long before she was sensible that she had play'd a foolish one. B—— was not to be seen for four or five days. The Countess, startled at his absenting himself, wrote Letter after Letter to him, but could not obtain so much as one Answer. At last, on the fifth day, B—— made his Appearance, and gave the good Lady some Encouragement. He told her that her Jewels were all safe; and that she might have them whenever she pleas'd, upon this trifling Condition only; namely, that she would restore him the Contract he had sign'd to marry her. The Countess extremely surpriz'd at this Compliment, made Answer to the Chevalier, That Princesses of the Empire were not to be thus treated; that she was come to Paris upon his Engagement to marry her; and that she knew how to oblige him to it. B——, who was resolv'd to break with her at any rate, told her, that she was at her full Liberty to chuse either of these two Proposals that he made to her, viz. To go to Law, and thereby to be certain of losing her Effects; or else, to recover them, by restoring that Paper to him which he demanded. He made her sensible, that by going to Law, he might naturally hope to get the better of her, not only from the Justice of his Cause, but from the Interest of his Relations; and that as to her Effects, since there was no Witness that saw her deliver them into his Hands, he should take a Course which she would think pretty hard, viz. Deny that he had ever receiv'd them, and in the mean time sell one part of the Jewels to enable him to find Law to keep the rest. The Countess perceiving that the Chevalier was resolv'd to be as good as his Word, and that she had no Chance to get any thing, determin'd to give up the Contract; and B—— thereupon brought back her Diamonds; which was such an honest Action on his part, that it engag'd Madam de Wartemberg to make him a Present of a noble Ring, valu'd at 20,000 Livres. And thus ended her Correspondence with B——.

The Countess, to make her self easy for the Loss of her Lover, resolv'd to look out for others; but she was not happy in the Variety of her Choice. They were all, said she, insincere; and for the most part knavishly inclin'd. In short, she renounc'd all manner of Society with Frenchmen; she thought them too volatile and nimble for her, and upon this Occasion she extol'd the Germans for the honestest Souls in the World; yet she soon found the contrary, to her Cost: For having made an Acquaintance with a clever handsome young German, they both promis'd each other Marriage, as soon as they came to a Protestant Country, and a Contract was actually sign'd between them for that purpose; but the Spark thought that after they had sign'd and seal'd, the Nuptial Benediction was only an insignificant Ceremony to admit them into a Partnership in their worldly Goods; and that his Right ought to commence from the very day that the Articles were agreed to. Upon this Principle he thought fit to march off with all the precious Stones of his Spouse that was to be, and set out with them from Paris, designing to elope to Lorrain. The Countess, who was soon inform'd of his Departure, was mortally uneasy at the Treachery of her Lover, tho' the Danger she was in of losing her Diamonds stuck most to her Heart. By good Luck she had Intelligence what Road her dear Thief went, and sent a Messenger after him, who found him at Meaux, where he was so unwise as to make a Halt for some days. He was brought back to Paris, where the Countess, who denied that she had ever made the least Proposal of Marriage to the Stripling, was preparing to swinge him; but the Electoral Prince of Saxony, by whom he was protected, put a stop to all further Prosecution, and caus'd the Jewels to be restor'd to Madam de Wartemberg, who did not insist upon his Promise of Marriage; for being of a Temper that did not permit her to be idle, she had already contracted a clandestine Marriage with F——. These various Intrigues happening so soon one after another, were so much talk'd of, that the Countess did not think fit to stay any longer in France, but set out for Holland, where she remains to this day[54].

Towards the Close of the Year, viz. on the 1st of September 1715, France lost Lewis XIV. He died a Death truly Christian, for which he had been some time before preparing himself; so that when Notice was given him, that he must make ready to go out of this World, he was not at all surpriz'd. He took his last Farewel of his Family with a Courage worthy of Admiration. He gave his Blessing to the young Dauphin, the Heir of his Crown; which he accompanied with several important Advices and Exhortations, especially not to go to War without a just Cause, and not to be so fond of it as he had been. Then he ordered what Mourning the young Monarch should wear, adding, that what he prescrib'd to him was the same that he wore at the Death of the King his Father. This Monarch express'd a vast Affection for the Princes of his Family, and strongly recommended his Successor to the Duke of Orleans. They say that he stretch'd forth his Hand to the Marshal de Villeroy, and said to him, Adieu, my Friend, we must part. Madame de Maintenon staid with the King all the Time of his Illness, because he desir'd it, except one Day, when the King being so ill that they thought he could not recover it, she return'd to St. Cyr; but as soon as the Monarch came to himself, and found Madame de Maintenon gone, he sent for her, and begg'd her not to forsake him. Accordingly she continu'd with him till his Death, upon which she went back to St. Cyr, where she liv'd mightily retir'd till 1719, when she died.

'Tis astonishing to think what a Change there was at Court upon the Death of Lewis XIV. The Courtiers stuck fast to him, to the very last Moment of his Life, not at all minding the Princes; no, not even the Duke of Orleans: but the very Moment that the King died, the Face of every thing was alter'd; and all the Court was made to the Duke of Orleans, as the sole Dispenser of Favors, who went, accompanied by all the Princes and Courtiers, to the young Monarch, and paid him the due Homage.

Lewis XIV. had appointed the Duke of Orleans Regent of the Kingdom by his last Will; but at the same time he nominated several Noblemen for Associates in the Government, without whom he could conclude nothing. He also depriv'd him of the Guardianship of the young King, and gave it to the Duke de Maine; in a word, he bound his Hands in such a manner, that this Prince had nothing but the Shadow of the Regency. The Duke, however, artfully procur'd that Honor to be paid to him, which he claim'd as his due. He conducted the young King to Parliament with a great Train. The French and Swiss Guards being drawn up in a Line in the Streets, to the very Gates of the Palais or Parliament-House, the Gens d'Arms, Musketeers, Light-Horse and Life-Guards attended his Majesty to the Palais, where he was receiv'd with the usual Ceremonies, and conducted to the Court, which they call his Bed of Justice. When every body had taken their Seats, the Duke of Orleans broke silence and said, That tho' the Regency belonged to him by Birth-right, yet he was very glad he could produce the Codicil of the late King to them in proof of it; which having caus'd to be read, together with the Will, he shew'd the Inconveniencies that might arise from the little Authority which was given to him; and that his Rank and Birth had always intitled him to hope for more. And having said this, he demanded of the Parliament, Whether they did not own him for the Sovereign Administrator of the Kingdom. He added, That whatever Authority should be given him, he should be glad to follow the Advice of the Parliament; that he would share his Authority with the Grandees of the Kingdom; and that if there should happen to be a Failure of Justice in his Administration, it would then be a Pleasure to him to bear their Remonstrances. He clos'd all with saying, That he should like well enough to have his Hands restrained from doing wrong, but that he wish'd they might be at entire Liberty to do good. The Votes ran in his Favor; the late King's Will was annull'd, the Duke of Orleans declared Regent of the Kingdom, and Guardian of the King; and the Superintendancy of his Majesty's Education was given to the Duke of Maine. The Regent return'd his Thanks to the Parliament; and at the same time told them, that he was for pursuing a Plan of Government that was found among the Papers of the Duke of Burgundy, Father to the present King; according to which Plan it appeared that the said Prince had a Design to establish Councils for every Province, whether of the Finances, War, Admiralty, &c. and to be governed entirely by what the Majority of the Voices therein should determine.

The Duke du Maine had no reason to be satisfy'd with this Assembly; for besides being depriv'd of the Guardianship of the King, he had much ado to preserve the Prerogatives which the late King had annex'd to the Quality of a legitimated Prince of the Blood. The Dukes and Peers declared immediately against the Precedency that had been granted to those Princes, and carried their Complaints to the Bed of Justice, where they demanded that they might only be considered as a Part of their Body; and that they might be allow'd no other Rank than what they deriv'd from their Peerages. Hereafter we shall also find the Princes of the Blood declaring against those Princes that had been legitimated.

This Demand of the Dukes did not take place at that time, no more than another which they also made upon the same Day, viz. that the first President, when he ask'd their Opinion in Parliament, should veil the Bonnet to them, in the same manner as to the Princes of the Blood. The Duke of Orleans desir'd them to permit the Usages of Parliament to be observ'd on that Day, and assured them that he would decide that Affair very shortly. The President de Novion, afterwards the first President, then spoke, and answered the Regent, that his Royal Highness had no Right to make a Decision in an Affair which related directly to the Person of the King, whom the Parliament had the Honor of representing in his Majesty's Absence; and that consequently nothing could be alter'd in the Usage of Parliament, but by the King himself when he came of Age.

After the Court of Justice broke up, the King return'd to Vincennes, where he resided after the Death of the late King, till the Palace of the Thuilleries was made fit for his Reception. The Regent and the Princes accompanied the King, and they afterwards went back to Paris, each Man to his own House. They say that the Duke of Maine was no sooner return'd home, but the Duchess his Wife, impatient to know what had pass'd in the Bed of Justice, came that very instant to ask him what News he brought; and when he told her, that the Regent was the sole Master of the King and Kingdom, she reproach'd him bitterly.

As soon as the Louvre was in a readiness the King set out thither from Vincennes, where Lodgings were laid out for the Princes and Princesses of the Blood. The Palace of Luxemburg was given to the Duchess of Berry, who made great Alterations in the Apartments. This Princess had a mighty Ascendant over her Father the Duke of Orleans, and she made such a use of it that there was not a day but she obtain'd new Favors. As she was the first Princess in the Kingdom, there being at that time no Queen, she desir'd to have a Captain of the Guards to attend her; a Privilege which none had ever enjoy'd before but the Queens. The Duke of Orleans could not deny her, and the Person invested with this Character was the Marquis de la Rochefoucault. Madame no sooner heard of this Augmentation of Officers in the Houshold of the Duchess her Daughter, but she presently appointed M. de Harling to be Captain of her Guards, who was a German Gentleman that had been her Page. The Duchess of Berry wanted also to be stil'd Madame as well as the Princess her Mother; yet to prevent Confusion she signify'd, that when they made mention of her they should not call her Madame la Duchesse de Berry, but Madame, Duchesse de Berry. Moreover, she pretended to the Right of having Kettle-Drums and Trumpets sounded before her when she went abroad in Ceremony, tho' this was never observ'd to any body but the Queen. In short, this Princess enter'd once into Paris with all this Attendance, as she return'd from la Muette. When she pass'd before the Palace of the Thuilleries, the Officers of the Guards were very much astonish'd to hear the Trumpets, and represented that no body but the King and Queen ought to march with such Pomp; upon which Madame de Berry wav'd her Privilege for the future, tho' with regard only to Paris.

Some will imagine, perhaps, that this Princess, who was so fond of Grandeur, must naturally be difficult of Access and of very stiff Behavior to Persons that had the Honor of approaching her. Yet she was quite the Reverse. I was acquainted with several Ladies that had the Honor of some Familiarity with her; and they all assur'd me, that she was the best-natur'd Princess in the World. She never stood upon Formalities in point of Ceremonial with the Generality of the Ladies, but freely permitted them to come and visit her in a Scarf. 'Tis true indeed that she did not affect Dress herself, and consequently it would not have been good Manners for the Princesses and Court-Ladies to appear in a formal Dress, which she was scarce ever seen in her self. Madame, as I have already had the Honor to tell you, was much more precise. She was always in the Court-Dress, and never suffer'd any but Ladies that were advanc'd in years, or such as were not in Health, to appear before her in any other.

The Duke Regent, according to the Promise he had made to the Parliament, when he held the Bed of Justice, establish'd several Councils. There was one which was call'd The Council of the Regency, others for War, the Finances, the Marine, and for Affairs Foreign. All the Ministers of the late King were dismiss'd, except the Chancellor Voisin, who kept his Post. M. Desmaretz and M. de Pontchartrain, one the Minister of the Finances, the other of Affairs Marine, were both destitute of Employment. M. Desmaretz was put to some trouble in a Chamber which the Regent establish'd at the Grand Augustins, for calling to account those who had had the Management of the public Money. 'Twas called the Chamber of Justice; and the President Portail, who is now the first President, was at the Head of it. Great Advantages were expected from this Establishment, which would, they said, not only pay off the King's Debts, but also bring considerable Sums into his Coffers; nevertheless it all came to nothing. There was a Fine laid indeed, and 'twas a general one; but as most of the Financiers had married their Daughters to the Great Men of the Kingdom, they came off for a Trifle; the Unfortunate paid for all: Some were condemn'd to the Galleys, and others to perpetual Imprisonment, after having been set in the Pillory, where the People had the Pleasure of insulting them; and that was all they got by it. As for the King, he was not a Penny the richer for it; and no body got more by it than the Ladies who sollicited for the lowering of the Fines, and ran away with almost all the Profit. The Public, in general, was very much perplex'd by it: Most People, afraid of being fin'd, hid their Silver, which Metal so necessary, became so scarce in but six Months time, that it look'd as if Lewis XIV. had carried it all out of the Kingdom with him to the other World. They began to lament the Loss of that Prince, and the Love of the Public for the Regent vanish'd very fast, 'Twas not long before, that every one thought they had reason to curse the late King; and the Frenchman, who is naturally fickle, imagin'd without knowing why or wherefore, that the Death of Lewis XIV. would be the beginning of a more happy Century. The Prince who was at the Head of the Administration was loaded with Blessings, tho' he had not yet done any thing to win their Hearts; and in a very short time this same Prince, who was so much ador'd, found himself the Subject of the most stinging Satire. He soon took care to be inform'd how the Public stood affected to him. I happen'd to be one day at Madame's, when this Prince declared aloud, Six Months ago, said he, I was perfectly ador'd in Paris, tho' I had done nothing to deserve it; and I am now as much hated, but for what reason I should be glad to know. He knew perhaps, or at least he ought to have known it. The Scarcity of Silver was the only Cause of it; and it appeared by the Regent's Conduct, that the King's Coffers were so far from being full, that Payments were made, not in Silver, but in Paper; a Money always fluctuating, and with which the French began to be tir'd. They had so often seen Bills, with various Denominations; and the Fare of the last sort call'd Mint-Bills, in particular, was so fresh in their Memory, that it was almost impossible they should entertain a better Opinion of those that were created at the beginning of the Regency, by the Name of Government-Bills: Yet these were admitted notwithstanding the great Clamor against them; and by and by we shall find that the French, who are always doom'd to be bubbled, gave into a new Paper-Scheme, more specious perhaps to view, but more ruinous in the Event, than those which had appear'd before it.