I had such a grateful Sense of his Majesty's kind Intentions towards me, that as soon as he was return'd to Berlin, I did not fail to go and thank him. His Majesty was so good as to say, That the Trifle he had now granted me was not worth Thanks. I thought, Madame, that this was a very hopeful Beginning for a Man not us'd to see his Undertakings crown'd with Success. The Courtiers strove who should be most complaisant to me; and I receiv'd Compliments from all hands, which fully persuaded me, that I was in high Favor: But my Stars did not indulge me long with this Calm; and a Storm soon arose, which drove me farther out of Port than I was before. It was owing to the following Accident.

In the beginning of the Year 1718, the King recall'd M. de Kniphausen his Envoy in France, with a design to nominate another in his room. Several Persons sollicited for this Post; but I thought my self as well qualify'd for it as the best; and to pave the way for it, I propos'd to save the Government a great deal of Charge, by contenting myself with an Abatement of two hundred Crowns per Month less than the usual Salary. This Proposal was so well relish'd by M. de Grumkau the Minister of State, that he protected me, and undertook to recommend me to the King. I also spoke of it my self to M. d'Ilgen, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, whose Daughter was married to the said M. de Kniphausen. I gave this Minister to understand, that I should never have had a Thought of asking for this Place, if I had not been satisfy'd, that M. de Kniphausen himself had desired to be recalled. M. d'Ilgen received me with the utmost Civility, and promis'd with an Oath to serve me upon this Occasion; adding, that he could not express his Happiness in having such an Opportunity to discover the Respect and Veneration which he had for my Family. Such extraordinary Complaisance in a Courtier made me suspect the Sincerity of his Intentions, and I was quickly convinc'd that my Jealousy was but too well founded. When my Audience was over, this Minister would needs wait on me to the Door: I oppos'd it as much as I could, but when I saw it was to no purpose I gave him his way, and he attended me to the very Door of my Coach. I us'd many words with him upon his own Threshold, and begg'd him not to go a Step farther, especially as it rain'd very hard, which you'll say was Reason enough of it self to have engaged him to retire: Yet it all signify'd nothing, he would not abate an Ace of his Complaisance, but stiffly stood it out by the side of my Coach, till it mov'd off. This, however, was all the Service he did me; for instead of serving me with the King, I knew from good Hands, that he acted the Reverse. I was told that he was not pleas'd with me for desiring less Salary than his Son-in-law had, who, when he was at Paris, was continually writing to Berlin, that his Allowance was not sufficient to maintain him.

To compleat my Happiness, the King receiv'd an anonymous Letter, assuring him that I was a true Catholic; and to inforce the Belief of it, there was added to the Letter an authentic Certificate from Father Denis, before whom I had made the Confession of my Faith. The King express'd his Resentment against me, and complain'd that I had impos'd upon him. Several People alarm'd me with more Danger than there was in reality; however, I was not frighten'd at first, for I suspected that the only Aim of the general Talk was to hinder me from going to Court, and did not think that the King was so angry as they gave out, till at last I was appriz'd that his Majesty had some Thoughts of putting me under an Arrest. The Person who came to bring me this Intelligence was H——, who was very well with M—— the King's Favorite; and I gave the more Credit to it, because I did not think that he could be so dishonorable as to attempt to do me an ill Office. This H—— was a poor Wretch, who after having spent a handsome Fortune, had a very small Pension, which the King gave him, for having executed a Commission at Stralsund with the King of Sweden, which few but himself would have accepted. As his Pension was too pitiful to subsist him, several Persons reliev'd him; and I will venture to say, That tho' I was not in very easy Circumstances my self, yet I was some Support to him. Nevertheless, I can with Truth declare it, that he requited me with Ingratitude. He came to me with an Aggravation of that piece of Intelligence, which when all was said and done, was not of such a Nature as to drive me from the Court; but his manner of divulging it, made me believe I was ruin'd past Recovery, if I persisted in staying at Berlin. He came one day into my Chamber with a most dejected Air, and told me, That he had been just inform'd by M. de M——, that as soon as the King was return'd, I should infallibly be arrested; and at the same time he put on such an external Appearance of Concern to see me oblig'd to fly, that I took all he said for Gospel. I resolv'd therefore to be gone; but the Difficulty was to raise Money, which I had no means of doing but by making a great many disadvantagious Contracts, whereby I was a very great Sufferer in the Sequel.

After I had made Money of every thing I set out in the Night from Berlin, leaving word at home that I was bound to Hanover; but as soon as I was got out of Town I steer'd my Course for Leipsic, where I staid a few days, and then went to Mentz, where I had a Cousin in the Elector's Service, who entertain'd me as a good Kinsman would do, and introduc'd me to his Master, who gave me a most gracious Reception. I have already had the Honor to tell you of the Prerogatives of the Elector of Mentz at the Coronation of an Emperor. It only remains for me to speak to you of his Person. He was Francis-Lotharius of Schonborn, of the Illustrious Family of the Counts of Schonborn. Besides the Archbishopric of Mentz, he had also the Bishopric of Bamberg. He had then two Coadjutors, the Elector of Triers Count Palatine of the Rhine for Mentz; and the Count de Schonborn, Vice-Chancellor of the Empire, for Bamberg. He might then be about seventy Years of Age. He was a Prince of a noble Aspect, affable, ador'd by both his Domestics and his Subjects, and very hearty for every thing that might contribute to the Tranquillity and Honor of the Empire. The City of Mentz is obliged to him for the noble Works with which he has caus'd it to be fortify'd; for it may be said he has spar'd no Cost to put his Capital in such a State as to have nothing to fear from Foreigners.

Mentz[65] stands upon a rising Ground along the Rhine, in one of the finest Parts of Germany. 'Twas formerly no more than a Bishopric Suffragan to Triers, but Pope Zachary, or as some say Gregory III. erected it into an Archbishopric, and granted him at the same time the Primacy of the Churches of Germany. 'Tis said that the first Bishop of Mentz, who was honor'd with the Dignity of Elector, was nam'd Willigise, and that he was the Son of a Cartwright, or, as others say, a Carman of the Village of Schoningen in the Country of Brunswic. He advanc'd himself purely by his own Merit to the Dignity of Chancellor to the Emperors Otho III. and Henry II. and finally to that of Archbishop of Mentz. But in all the height of his Fortune this Prelate continued in such an humble Frame of Mind that he caus'd Wheels to be painted every where about his Palace, that he might have the Badges of the Meanness of his Extraction always in his Eyes: And we are assur'd this is the Reason why the Electors of Mentz always bear in their Arms a Wheel Argent in a Field Gules.

The Chapter of Mentz consists of forty two Canons, of whom the Dean and the twenty three first are call'd Capitulars, and the other Domicellaires. The former only are those that elect the Archbishop, who from the Moment that he is chose, becomes an Elector of the Empire. The Pope confirms his Election in Spirituals, and the Emperor does the same in Temporals. The Elector becomes at the same time Great Chancellor of the Empire of Germany, which gives him the Title of perpetual Dean of the Electors, and an Inspection into the Aulic Council and the Imperial Chamber of Wetzlar.

Mentz has a very flourishing Trade, especially in Wines. The best Vineyards for Rhenish Wines are in the Dominions of the Elector, and especially in the Neighbourhood of Mentz. And that which also contributes very much to the Briskness of its Commerce is, that all the Merchandize that passes up and down the Rhine, stops in its Harbor, to be put on board fresh Bottoms.

I did not stay long at Mentz, but set out for Stutgard[66], the Capital of the Duchy of Wirtemberg. This City stands in a very fine Country, and is divided into two parts by a small River call'd the Neckar. The Houses at Stutgard are generally ill built, yet as the Streets are broad and lightsome, the Town is very gay. The Ducal Palace is very old but very commodious, by reason of the Extent and Number of the Apartments. Here is a very fine Garden with an Orangery, which is not to be parallel'd. The Trees are kept in full Mould, secur'd by a Roof and a sliding Partition, which they take care to warm in the Winter by several Stoves that make it one continu'd Summer. The Duke of Wirtemberg is seldom in this Palace, except at the time of the Carnival; but as for his Duchess, she is there almost always, and has a separate House from the Duke's, where she lives very retir'd. I wish'd for an Opportunity to pay my Respects to her, but was deprived of that Honor, because I had not been introduc'd to the Duke. This Prince's usual Residence is at Ludwigsbourg a Pleasure-House which he caus'd to be built some Leagues from Stutgard; but while I was at Wirtemberg he was with the whole Court at Wildstadt, whither I went to have the Honor of paying my Duty to him. Wildstadt is one of the vilest Places in Germany, yet 'tis very much frequented by reason of its Baths of Mineral Waters, which are said to be a sovereign Remedy for many Diseases, especially Sciaticas, and for bracing the Nerves. The Duke commonly spends a Month or six Weeks here with his whole Court, which being very numerous and splendid, Wildstadt is then a Place agreeable enough. The Duke had with him the Hereditary Prince, his Son, who is married to Henrietta of Prussia, the late Margrave Philip's Daughter. The Person of this Prince was very amiable, and like the Duke his Father, his Behavior is the most courteous that can be, especially to Foreigners, to whom they are both very kind. While the Court was at Wildstadt, their Amusement in the Morning was the use of the Baths, where the Duke and the Prince his Son gave Gentlemen the Liberty of bathing with them; for it must be observ'd that each Bath will hold twenty Persons very commodiously. When the Bathing was over, they took their Rest. Towards Noon there was an Assembly in the Apartment of the Duke, who went from thence to the Apartment of the Hereditary Princess, who lodg'd with the Prince her Husband in a House over-against the Duke's. There was a Table for sixteen Guests very well serv'd, where the Gentlemen eat with the Duke and his Children, and none but Pages waited. After Dinner the Duke either rode, or caus'd others to ride some manag'd Horses, than which I have no where seen any that were more beautiful or better train'd than his were. In the Evening there was another Assembly at the Princess's, where there was play till Supper-time. I was told that when the Court was at Ludwigsbourg there was a greater Variety of Diversions, and that besides Gaming there was some Theatrical Entertainments, of which the Duke was very fond, and actually kept a Company of French Comedians in Pay, who perform'd very well. In a word, this Prince may be said to have neglected nothing that he thought suitable to his Dignity, or that might render his Court more splendid. And that every thing might look with a certain Air of Grandeur, he was resolv'd, like other Sovereigns, to establish an Order, of which he himself is the Head. They call it the Order of St. Hubert. 'Tis a broad red Ribband, to which hangs a Cross enamell'd white. None are admitted into it, but Persons of distinguish'd Families. Besides this Order, the Duke also wears those of Prussia and Denmark alternatively. The Hereditary Prince wears the Prussian Order at large, and that of the Duke his Father at his Button-Hole, just as they wear the Cross of St. Lewis in France, except nevertheless on the Festival Days of St. Hubert, when he wears the red Ribband at full length.

Among the Persons of Distinction that accompanied the Duke to Wildstadt, those of most Note were the Count de Gravenitz and S——, which two Gentlemen had the sole Disposition of Affairs. The first was Grand Marshal of the Court and Prime Minister, and he wore the Order of Prussia, the King having therewith honor'd him at the Marriage of the Hereditary Prince with the Princess of Prussia. This Minister, who had the Duke of Wirtemberg's intire Confidence, had been nominated to accompany the Hereditary Prince to Berlin. He certainly deserv'd the Favor with which the Duke honor'd him; and I have not known many Noblemen more civil and obliging. But S—— wanted a great deal of being so affable; tho' his Origin was very different. He was a meer Creature of Fortune, who to be sure thought himself at the height of Felicity when he was Secretary to the late M. B——, Minister of State to the late King at Berlin. Nevertheless, after the Death of his Master his Star guided him to the Court of Wirtemberg, where he has amass'd immense Riches, and is entered into the greatest Employments. He wears the Order of Dannebrog, the King of Prussia having desir'd it for him of the King of Denmark, upon the Recommendation of the Duke of Wirtemberg, who being very willing to give his Minister some Badge of Honor, and not caring at the same time to debase his own Order of St. Hubert, caus'd the Order of Dannebrog to be demanded for him, which is given to all Persons indifferently without regard to Quality.

The Duke of Wirtemberg's Court is altogether Lutheran, as well as the rest of his Dominions. Mean time he permitted the Princess, who is a Calvinist, to have a particular Chapel for her self and her Domestics. The Countess de Gravenitz, Wife to the Grand Marshal, who is a Catholic, was also allow'd a Chapel for the Exercise of her Religion.

I forgot to tell you what Title is assum'd by the Dukes of Wirtemberg. They call themselves Banner-Bearers of the Empire, which Title they distinguish in the third Quartering of their Shield, which is Azure with the Banner of the Empire, Or charg'd with a Spread-Eagle Sable, plac'd Bend-wise. The Dukes of Wirtemberg have another Dignity more solid than the former, viz. to be joint Directors of the Circle of Swabia, with the Bishop of Constance.

The Duchy of Wirtemberg was formerly confiscated to the use of Ferdinand I. Brother to the Emperor Charles V. but 'twas afterwards restor'd to the Princes of this Name, on condition of their holding it dependent on the House of Austria. This Feudal Subjection was annull'd in 1631, in the time of Frederic Duke of Wirtemberg, on condition that upon the Failure of Issue Male, the Duchy should devolve to the House of Austria. In pursuance of these Treaties the Princes of that Family bear the Title and Arms of the Family of Wirtemberg.

While I staid at this Court that Disorder which I had been teaz'd with for several Years became at last so serious an Affair, that instead of proceeding to Vienna, to which I at first purpos'd to go, I set out for Strasbourg, in hopes of finding skilful Surgeons there to make the necessary Operation upon me. Several offer'd to take me in hand, but the King's Lieutenant assur'd me, that my best way wou'd be to employ the Person that was Surgeon to the Great Hospital. I did so, but can't say I had much reason to like him. He may, for aught I know, be an able Surgeon, but sure I am that he is a very dangerous Physician. He thought fit to give me Drugs (to prepare me, he said, to support the Operation) which had like to have sent me into the other World: But by good Luck I perceiv'd his Ignorance before he had time to kill me. I took no more of his Remedies; and when I found my self well enough recover'd to bear the Fatigues of a Journey, I resolv'd to go to Paris, which I take to be the Nursery of the most experienc'd Surgeons. I stop'd a few days at Saverne, where there was a very great Company at the House of the Cardinal de Rohan, to whom I had the Honor of paying my Compliments; and he receiv'd me with that Air of Politeness and Grandeur, for which we know this Prince is distinguish'd.

From Saverne I went to Luneville, and in all the Way found no considerable Place but Phaltzbourg, which was formerly a Part of Lorrain, and had the Title of a Principality. 'Tis now a Place very regularly fortify'd, and serves to guard the Road into Lorrain, which France secur'd to her self by the Treaty of Ryswic.

The Court of Lorrain commonly resides at Luneville, since the Beginning of the late War, when the French put a Garison into Nancy, of which they continu'd Masters till the Treaty of Baden. This City, which heretofore was inconsiderable, is now worth seeing. The Duke of Lorrain has added a great many Buildings to it, which are a great Ornament to it; and therefore the Duke and Duchess chuse to reside here, preferably to any other Place. As to the Duchess, she has a particular Reason for being so fond of Luneville, it being the City assign'd her for her Jointure.

The Castle, which is very fine, has nothing noble without, but the Inside is most magnificent. The Entrance and Front very much resemble those of Versailles towards Paris. As to the Front towards the Garden I can say nothing of it, because that side of the Palace was not finish'd when I went thither. The Apartments of their Royal Highnesses are spacious, and richly furnish'd. The first Anti-chamber is a very large Saloon of curious Structure. 'Tis wainscotted and adorn'd with the Pictures of the Lorrain Family. In one, the Duke's Father is represented making a triumphant Entry in a Chariot drawn by four white Horses, with Fame flying before it, Peace and Victory offering him Crowns of Laurel, and the additional Trophy of Turks in Chains trampled under his Horses Feet. The Whole together forms a magnificent Painting; and I was told there are Tapestries in the Duke's Wardrobe, which are a Copy of it, but I did not see them.

This Saloon separates their Royal Highnesses Apartments from the Chapel, which for the Contrivance of it very much resembles that of Versailles. It stands on the Right of the Entry into the Saloon, and the Apartments are on the Left. The Prince's Apartment looks over Luneville, and over the Courts belonging to the Kitchen, and the Princess's is situate on the Garden-side. The Princess's is much larger than the Duke's; and when I saw it, 'twas richly furnish'd, adorn'd with noble Gilding, Glasses and Paintings by the best Masters; but this Part of the Palace has since been intirely consum'd by Fire, tho' I am assur'd the Whole is re-built as well as before, and that the Apartments are every whit as well furnish'd. So much for the Palace: I will now give you a short Account of their Royal Highnesses, and their August Family, as it stood in 1718, when I had the Honor to see it.

Leopold Duke of Lorrain and Bar was the Head of the Family, and the Sovereign of the Country. He married Mademoiselle of France, Elizabeth-Charlotte of Orleans, Daughter of Philip of France, Duke of Orleans, Brother of Lewis XIV. By which Marriage they had three Princes and three Princesses. The eldest Prince, who was stil'd Duke of Bar, died in 1723, at a Time when he was in Expectation of great Fortune. His Brother, who is Heir to that Expectancy, is actually bred up at Vienna, where the Emperor takes particular Care of his Education.

The Duke of Lorrain's Houshold is considerable, and every thing is establish'd there on a good Footing. His Hunting-Equipages are magnificent, and so well furnish'd, that Foreigners who accompany the Prince into the Field, are equipp'd with Horses out of his Stables. The Prince's Attendance is almost the same as that of the Princes of France, and all his Houshold on the same Footing. The Marquis de Craon was then the Great Chamberlain and Prime Minister. He was a very courteous Nobleman, and treated all that had Business with him with extraordinary Civility. He had great Credit at Court, and the Prince was mighty bountiful to him; insomuch that after having heap'd Wealth upon this Favorite, he had a mind to see him promoted to the eminent Dignity of Prince, which upon the Duke's Desire the Emperor conferr'd upon him accordingly. Not long after, one of the Prince of Craon's Daughters was married to a Prince of the Lorrain Family, viz. the Prince de Lixin, formerly known by the Name of the Chevalier de Lorrain, who is now the Duke of Lorrain's Steward of the Houshold. His Father-in-law has given him his fine House at Craon, not far from Luneville. Madame de Craon, who is a Partner in her Husband's Fortune and Credit, is Lady of Honor to the Duchess, and very much esteem'd by the Duke. I had the Honor to see this Prince spend the Afternoons at her House, and the Courtiers, after the Example of their Master, did justice to the Lady's Merit.

From Luneville I went to Nancy, which is the Capital City of Lorrain, and was formerly the Residence of the Sovereigns of the Country. It stands but a little distance from the River Meurte, in the midst of a beautiful Plain; and is divided into two Parts, viz. the Old and New Towns. I had the Honor to tell you, that the French made a Conquest of it in 1631. It had good Reason to remember, that it was once under a Foreign Dominion; for its Fortifications were so demolish'd in 1668, that there was but one Rampart remaining without a Parapet; and in this Condition it was restor'd to its Sovereign at the Peace of Ryswic. Not many years after, when Lewis XIV. enter'd into the War for maintaining his Grandson upon the Spanish Throne, he oblig'd the Duke of Lorrain to receive a Garison at Nancy. The Duke was so disgusted at this Proceeding, that tho' the King had given Orders to his Officers, to pay his Royal Highness all the due Honors and Respect, he would not stay in a Town, of which he might be said to be Sovereign, but not the Master; and retir'd to Luneville, where he continu'd ever after, tho' Nancy was evacuated at the Treaty of Baden.

A little way from Nancy, in the Road to Paris, there's a Chapel and a Cross, said to have been erected upon the very Spot where Charles the last Duke of Burgundy was kill'd in 1476, when he was besieging the Town, then in possession of René Duke of Lorrain. There's a Copper-plate affix'd to the Cross upon the High-way, on which may be read the Particulars.

Between Nancy and Toul, which is in the Paris Road, one passes thro' the forest of Haye, wherein Lewis XIV. caus'd a Way to be cut, which will be a lasting Monument to Posterity, of the Magnificence of that Great Prince. Those who are bound to Toul cross the Moselle in a Ferry-boat about a League on this side that Town, to which they arrive over a pretty large Plain. The Learned give a very ancient Original to the City of Toul; for they pretend it was first founded by Tullus Hostilius King of the Romans: But you may believe as much of this as you please. All that I can say of the Town, after having view'd it well, is, that 'tis very ill built, and not worthy of the Attention of the Curious. 'Tis a Bishopric Suffragan of Triers, and one of the three Bishoprics of Lorrain that were yielded to France.

From Toul I traveled to Bar-le-Duc, the Capital of the Duchy of Bar. This Duchy is dependant on the Crown of France, tho' 'tis part of the Dominions of Lorrain, and is under the Jurisdiction of a Parliament. The Dukes of Lorrain were formerly oblig'd, either in their own Person, or by an Envoy, to perform Homage to the King of France, upon the Death either of a King, or of a Duke; which Obligation was chang'd, or rather limited, during the Regency of the Duke of Orleans, in a Journey which the Duke and Duchess of Lorrain made to Paris in 1718, when it was regulated, That a Duke of Bar should be oblig'd to pay Homage but once in his Life to a King of France; but that he should pay it in Person. This Convention was register'd in the Parliament of Paris. But this was not the only Advantage which the Duke reap'd from his Journey; for the Regent, at the Request of his Sister, restor'd a great number of Villages to him that ought to have been restor'd to the Duke of Lorrain at the Peace of Ryswic, and which the Ministry of France had thought fit to keep.

From Bar-le-Duc to Chalons, 'tis a wild desert Country, yet very fruitful in Corn. The Roads are detestable if it rains ever so little; which added to the length of the Post-Stages, renders it a very disagreeable Journey. They say 'twas in these Fields that the King Meroveus, Aëtius General of the Romans, and Theodoric King of the Visigoths, fought so bloody a Battle in 451, with Attila King of the Huns, that they kill'd two hundred thousand of his Men. But this is a Fact which I will not warrant. The Situation of Chalons is very advantageous. The River Marne which runs into the Seine almost at the Entrance of Paris, is a great Convenience for the Merchants of that City. This City is in Champaigne, and its Bishop has the Title of Count and Peer of France. The ancient Counts of Champaigne resided here, and the Palace they liv'd in is still to be seen. The Parliament of Paris was transferr'd hither in 1592; and there that illustrious Assembly pass'd that famous Arrêt against the Pope's Legate, and the League, which under the Pretence of Religion tended to deprive Henry III's lawful Successor, Henry IV. of the Crown of France.

Several most illustrious Marriages have been celebrated in the City of Chalons. 1. That of Philip of Orleans, Brother to Lewis XIV. 2. That of Lewis Dauphin of France Son of Lewis XIV. with Anne-Christina-Victoria of Bavaria, on the 7th of March 1680: And finally, the Marriage of Lewis Duke of Orleans, Son of the Duke Regent, to Augusta-Maria-Johanna of Baden, on the 13th of July 1724.

There's not one considerable Place all the way from Chalons to Paris. I pass'd thro' Chateau-Thierry, which is a Duchy that was given to M. de Bouillon in Exchange for the Principality of Sedan; with this Clause nevertheless, that the King shall keep the Sovereignty of it. The Marne runs at the Foot of this Town.

Ten Leagues from hence there's the City of Meaux, which is the Capital of Brie, with the Title of a Bishopric. But neither in the Church nor Town did I see any thing remarkable. The Suburbs are very fruitful, and the Neighbourhood of Paris gives the Inhabitants an Opportunity of putting off their Commodities to Advantage.

'Tis but a few Hours Journey from Meaux to Paris in the direct Road. But I went some Leagues out of the way to see M. de N——, at his Seat at C——, near Fontainbleau, and after having spent some days there very pleasantly, we travell'd together to Paris. When we had pass'd the Time that was necessary to discharge the Obligations of Friendship and Decency, I reflected on what was the real Motive of my Journey; which, as I have had the Honor to tell you, was to put my self into the Hands of some able Surgeon. The Man to whose Care I committed my self was the famous La Peronie, who perform'd the Operation upon me with the utmost Skill, yet I suffer'd extreme Pain. During my Illness, which was of some Continuance, my Friends, who were my faithful Companions, were so good as to inform me of every thing that pass'd; and if it had been lawful to have betray'd them, or if I had been in any Post under the Government, I might perhaps have made some Discoveries to the Duke Regent, which would have been to his advantage, and enabled him to stifle that Flame at its first breaking out, which indeed he extinguish'd afterwards, tho' it was perhaps owing as much, if not more, to his good Fortune, than to his Prudence.

Paris was at that time in a Crisis, when it dreaded a Minority as troublesome as that of Lewis XIV. Every body was dissatisfy'd. There was a loud Clamor against the Royal Bank. And the Government-Bills were a fresh Subject of Complaint; for tho' they were establish'd at the Beginning of the Regency, with a Promise to keep up their Credit, yet there was a very great Loss by discounting them; and as the Public was overcharg'd with them, and as there is nothing which sits so uneasy on People as their Loss, every one gave public Vent to his ill Humor. At this same Juncture the Duke Regent was afflicted with sore Eyes, which indanger'd his Sight. I was assur'd that the Chancellor said to some People in Confidence, That 'twas absolutely necessary to think of proper Measures for transferring the Regency to another Person, in case that Prince should happen to be blind: And they say that 'twas for this Expression that he lost the Seals, which were taken from him the 28th of January 1718. When M. de la Vrilliere Secretary of State went to him to demand them, the Chancellor resign'd them immediately, saying, That he restor'd them to his Royal Highness with more Pleasure than he took them. At the time that they were brought to the Regent the Duke de Noailles was with him, who being more than ordinary surpriz'd to see the Seals, because he knew nothing of the Chancellor's Disgrace, could not help asking the Regent, What he was going to do with the Seals? To which that Prince made Answer, That he design'd them for M. d'Argenson Lieutenant of the Police. The Duke being dissatisfy'd with this Change, desir'd the Regent's Leave to retire, which was granted him with more Readiness than he desir'd.

The Seals were given upon the same day to M. d'Argenson. The Regent himself sign'd the Patent, and the Grant of the Great and Little Commissions; and in the Afternoon the new Minister took the usual Oath to the King; and at the same time the Duke Regent declar'd him Chief of the Council of the Finances. The Disgrace of the Chancellor made the Parliament uneasy, and occasion'd fresh Murmuring among the People; the rather because 'twas reported, that his Royal Highness ow'd him a Grudge for his Refusal to sign certain Edicts which were not lik'd by the Parliament.

While Paris was in such a Ferment, there was some Commotion in Bretagne. The Payment of the Free Gift being demanded of the States then assembled, they made answer, That they could not grant it till they had first examin'd their Funds. They intended, they said, to regulate their Finances, which were very much disorder'd. This Delay was look'd upon as an open Rebellion, and at the fourth Assembly they receiv'd Orders to separate. This put them quite out of Temper, and the Nobility deputed four of their Body to Court to present his Royal Highness a long Memorial, in which they demonstrated how impossible it was for their Province to pay the Free Gift at that instant. They complain'd of the Invasion of the Privileges of a Province which had only submitted to France upon condition that they should be sacredly preserv'd. They concluded with praying his Royal Highness to grant them, at least, some time longer. We flatter our selves, Sir, said they, in the close of their Memorial, that a Delay of a few days, contrary indeed to an ill Custom, but agreeable to ancient Possession, will not give your Royal Highness the worse Opinion of a Nobility which is so much devoted to you, and to which you have declar'd your Good-will.

The Regent made answer to the Deputies, That they must obey and pay, and that then they would see what could be done. This Answer did not satisfy the uneasy Bretons, and the Parliament of the Province sent their Deputies to Paris. When they were admitted to the King's Audience, M. de Blossac, who was their Spokesman, made much the same Representation as the Deputies of the Nobility had done before. All the Answer they had was a Declaration from the King, by the Keeper of the Seals, who was present, That the Privileges of their Province should not be infring'd. The same Deputies presented a long Petition to his Majesty, wherein they discover'd not less Love and Respect to the King than Zeal for their Privileges, but still insisted on the Impossibility of paying the Free Gift so soon. These Remonstrances, however, were as ineffectual as those of the States; and the Regent, who was resolv'd to be obey'd, made use of his Authority, by banishing the most mutinous of the Gentry from the Province, and others of 'em he caus'd to be summon'd to Paris, as well as several of their Members of Parliament, in order to give an Account of their Conduct.

Such, Madame, was the State of Affairs when I arriv'd at Paris. There was no Talk of any thing but Disturbances, and every thing seem'd to tend to a Revolt. The Duke Regent, in order to obviate any Enterprize of that sort, thought fit to secure the Soldiery in his Interest; and for this end he caus'd them to be paid punctually, gave Gratuities to the Officers, and to put Feathers in their Caps he made a numerous Promotion of the Knights of St. Lewis. There was a Creation of about four hundred in a few days, so that go where one would, there was nothing to be seen but the Crosses of St. Lewis. It were to be wish'd that the Species had been as common, but of this there was less Probability than ever. The Regent had just undertaken a general Recoinage of the Money, which seem'd to be a Thing of great Consequence to private People. His Royal Highness caus'd the Edict for this purpose to be register'd, and foreseeing that the Parliament would not come into his Measures, he caus'd the same to be publish'd by the Officers of the Mint. The Parliament was stung to the quick by the Publication of this Edict, and pretended that, in order to its being register'd, it ought to have been first communicated to them. The Chambers met upon this Occasion, and 'twas agreed that all the Sovereign Courts mould be invited to join with the Parliament in an Affair of such Importance.

M. L. C. P. P. D. L. C. D. A. when the Invitation was sent to his Company, took the advantage of it to make his court to the Regent, and went and inquir'd at the Royal Palace how he had best act. The Regent took this well at his hands, and his Royal Highness sent an immediate Prohibition to the Court of Aids, the Chamber of Accounts, and the Officers of the Mint to take any notice of the Parliament's Invitation.

Nevertheless the Parliament still continu'd its Assemblies, and sent a Deputation to the Royal Palace, confiding of the First President, the President d'Aligre, and several Counsellors, to engage the Regent to revoke the aforesaid Edict; and they represented in a very long Discourse, That the Rise of the Species could not but be prejudicial to the French and profitable to Foreigners, who would get sixty Livres by a Mark of Silver, which intrinsically would not be worth twenty five Livres; and that this would circulate an infinite number of counterfeit Species in the Kingdom, considering the immense Profit that Foreigners would make by it. They then complain'd of the Edict's being register'd at the Court of the Mint, and not in the Parliament, to whom it ought, at least, to have been communicated. The Duke Regent made answer to the Deputies, That he did not think he ought to send the last Edict to the Parliament, because the Court of the Mint was establish'd a superior and competent Court in Matters of that kind; that there had been no Edict sent to Parliament concerning the Mints, since the Year 1659, except one which was sent thither in 1715, out of pure Respect to that Company; that as to the Inconveniencies, he had maturely weighed them, but that he could not excuse himself from issuing the Edict, and that as to the Suspension of the Edict, 'twas not to be thought of, the Work being so far advanc'd, and a great Quantity of Species already given out, besides Debts that must necessarily be paid off.

The Parliament not being satisfy'd with this Answer, there was another Assembly, to the Number of 165 Members, next day, viz. the 20th of June, from 8 o'clock in the Morning till 2 in the Afternoon, when they pass'd an Arrêt, by which it was agreed to make most humble Remonstrances to the King to obtain Letters Patent for censuring the last Edict of the Mint, not register'd in Parliament, as prejudicial to the King, to Trade, to the Government, and to the Fortunes of private People; that in consequence thereof all Persons should be prohibited to receive the new-coin'd Species, and to make Payments in any other Species than those which had their Currency, by virtue of the Edict of 1715, and all Notarys should likewise be prohibited to pass any Act for Payments or Reimbursements made with the new Species. This Arrêt was set up in Writing within the Palais or Parliament-House, and the Parliament took care to have several written Copies of it dispers'd, because of the Prohibition which their own Printer was laid under, not to commit it to the Press.

The Regent, who was sensible how prejudicial this Arrêt was to his Authority, assembled the Council, when they pass'd an Arrêt declaring that of the Parliament to be an Incroachment upon the Regal Authority, and that his Majesty revok'd and annull'd it, as well as all the Resolutions taken in that Body. All Mankind was alarm'd, and they fear'd, not without Reason, what would be the Consequences of so violent a Proceeding. The Parliament on their part did not abate one jot of their State; and when the King's Council laid upon the Table a Letter de Cachet, with the Arrêt of the Council of State, they agreed to send the Whole back again without reading one Word of it; and that the Arrêt pass'd the day before should be put in execution according to its Form and Tenor. Hereupon the Council of State pass'd another Arrêt, by which the King claim'd to himself and his Council the Cognizance of all the Differences which might arise with regard to the Coin. This done, the Regent sent two Companies of French Guards to the Mint, and another Detachment to the Bank: And after having, by this means, made every thing secure, he gave the Parliament leave to come and make their Remonstrances to the King. The Person who spoke in the Name of the rest was M. de Mesmes the First President, at the Head of seven Presidents a Mortier, thirty-two Counsellors, and the King's Council. His Speech was long and well study'd. He began with extolling the Qualities observable in the young King. Then he said, That tho' the Parliament only wish'd for the Opportunity of coming into his Presence to admire them, they were under a Necessity of acquainting him with the just Alarms of all the Orders of the Kingdom, upon account of an Edict for a general Recoinage of the Species, which impoverish'd those that had any Fortunes left in France, without being any Relief to the numerous Poor. This Speech was divided into two Parts. The first related to the manner in which the said Edict had been publish'd. The second enter'd into the particular Inconveniencies with which the various Clauses of the Edict would be attended, if his Majesty was not so far mov'd by those Reasons, as to order its Repeal. M. de Mesmes supported those two Articles by a Speech as nervous as it was eloquent; and at the Close he said, that in the Arrêts which had been pass'd by his Company, they had only followed the Precedents that had been found in the Registers.

The First President left his Speech in Writing, that the King might be able to answer it; and it was not long before the said Answer was return'd. The Deputies of the Parliament being sent for to the Tuilleries, on the 2d of July 1718, the Keeper of the Seals said to them in his Majesty's Presence, The King has caus'd the Remonstrances of his Parliament to be examin'd in Council, and his Majesty will always be dispos'd to give them a favorable Hearing, when they have not a Tendency to the splitting or the cramping of his Authority. He added, That the Edict in question had been maturely examin'd; and that 'twas the best Remedy for paying off the Debts of the State; that the said Edict was not such a Burden upon the Public; and that it was only so to those who should make advantageous Contracts by obligatory Deeds. He concluded with saying, That the King prohibited every Assembly tending to the neglect of Submission; and that he had given Orders for registring the Letters Patent in pursuance of the Arrêt of Council whereby his Majesty claims the Cognizance of the Disputes already risen or that may arise relating to the Edict. This Answer being reported to the Parliament, Commissioners were appointed to examine it; and at the same time to search the Registers if there was any Precedent for Letters Patent of that sort, in order to conform to it. The Commissioners having made their Report, the Company came to a Resolution to represent to the Duke Regent, That nothing had been determin'd on that Subject, because the Company desired that they might first of all make new Remonstrances to the King; and that they intreated his Royal Highness to procure them an Audience. The Regent was nettled at the Parliament's Importunity, and he made answer to the King's Council, who were sent to him with the Message, That he should have thought that the Parliament would have rested satisfy'd with the Answer which the King had before given; but that since he saw they were not, he would venture, notwithstanding the Dislike that his Majesty expressed to Remonstrances, to give them the Liberty of presenting them, but no otherwise than in Writing.

The Parliament was not discouraged, but still continu'd to demand an Audience, which was at length granted for the 26th of July; when all the People of Distinction in Paris flock'd to Court to hear the Remonstrances. The first President spoke for nearly three quarters of an Hour, tho' his Discourse was nothing more than a Recapitulation of what he had said before. His Majesty made answer, My Keeper of the Seals will explain my Intentions to you. But the Keeper of the Seals said no more than this, The King has already explained his Intentions to you, and he will explain them to you farther hereafter.

The Parliament dissatisfy'd with this Answer, which they thought too Laconic, as Affairs then stood, fell in a Rage with the Man whom they had good reason to look upon as the Primum Mobile of the Confusion of Affairs; I mean John Law, whose rapid Fortune furnish'd a large Field of Discourse. They were very sensible that a Director of the Bank could not easily acquire so much Wealth, but a great many People must be considerable Losers. The Parliament therefore cited this Financier to appear before them in Person, but he never went near them; and when, in a few days after, they chang'd the Summons to a Warrant for arresting him, the Duke Regent protected him by an Arrêt of Council. This Prince wisely judging of what Importance it was to him to make the Parliament easy, and to secure Respect to the Regal Authority of which he was the Depositary, appointed a Bed of Justice to be held at the Palace of the Thuilleries for the 26th of August. He order'd the King's Houshold Troops to keep to their Arms, and to be every Man at his Post. The same day he sent circular Letters of Invitation to all the Dukes and Peers, to the Marshals of France, to the Knights of the Orders, to the Governors and Lieutenant-Generals of the Provinces, to the Secretaries, and to some of the Counsellors of State who were nominated by the Keeper of the Seals. The Princes were also invited to this Tribunal. The Parliament walk'd thither on foot, about 11 o'clock in their red Robes. The President de Novion was at the Head of their Body, because the first President was at that time very much afflicted with the Gout; however, he went to the Thuilleries in a Coach.

After the Council of the Regency broke up, the King went from his little Apartment upon the Terrass to his Gallery, to which he was accompanied by the Duke Regent and the Princes of the Blood. Four Presidents au Mortier and six Counsellors came thither to receive him, and conducted him to his Bed of Justice. The King being seated on his Throne, and all the Company having taken their Places, they began with reading the Letters Patent establishing M. d'Argenson Keeper of the Seals, which were order'd to be register'd. After this an Arrêt of Council was read, forbidding the Parliament to take Cognizance of the Affairs of State. Upon the reading of this Arrêt, the first President broke Silence and said, The Subject seem'd to him of so great Importance, that with the due Respect and Submission which the Company had for his Majesty's Orders, he desired his Majesty's Permission to withdraw, to take it into Consideration. As little Attention was paid to this Remonstrance, as to the preceding ones. The Regent drew near to the King and whisper'd him; and the Keeper of the Seals, after approaching his Majesty for a Minute, made answer to the Company, The King will be obey'd, and obey'd too upon the Spot.

Then a Declaration was read, importing, that the Dukes and Peers should have Seats in Parliament immediately after the Princes of the Blood. A second, which derogated from the Declaration of the King, dated the 5th of May 1694, and restrain'd the Legitimated Princes to the meer Honors and Prerogatives of their Peerages: And a third, which re-established the Count de Tholouse in all his Rights, Ranks and Prerogatives for his own Person only.

After the reading of these Declarations the Duke spoke and represented to his Majesty, That the late King having seem'd desirous that the Duke of Maine should have the Care of his Majesty's Education, tho' the Place belong'd to him by Birth-right, he did not then oppose it, because he was at that time a Minor; but as this was not the Case now, he desir'd that the Honor might be conferr'd upon him: which Demand was granted to him, as well as that of the Dukes and Peers, who demanded to have Precedence of the Presidents au Mortier in Parliament.

Thus ended the Bed of Justice, which will no doubt be famous to the latest Posterity. The Parliament was very much mortify'd at the Conduct observ'd to them, and declared next day in their Assembly, by an Arrêt which was register'd, That they neither could, nor ought, nor intended to have any Share in what pass'd the Day preceding in the Bed of Justice; and that Posterity might be inform'd of it, Commissioners were nominated, to draw up a verbal Account of all the Proceedings. The Regent being inform'd of what the Parliament was doing, sent Detachments of the Gray and Black Musketeers, commanded by a Brigadier, who on the 28th at Night, took up those that had been the most zealous for this Opinion. Such were Messieurs de Blamont, President of the 4th of the Inquests, Feydeau Counsellor of the same Court, and St. Martin a Counsellor of the Grand Chamber. They were clapp'd into three Coaches, each guarded by eight Musketeers and an Officer, and carried to Places which the Court had appointed; and at the same time the Papers of the two former were seiz'd.

As soon as the Parliament was acquainted of this Arrest, they met and made a Deputation to the King, to intreat him to permit them to enjoy the Privilege they always had of trying those of their own Body for any Crimes they may be accus'd of. The Keeper of the Seals made them answer, The Affairs which bring this Deputation to the King are Affairs of State, which demand Silence and Secrecy: The King is oblig'd to see due Respect paid to his Authority. The future Behavior of his Parliament will determine his Majesty's Sentiments of, and Dispositions towards them. The Deputies went next day to the Royal Palace to make fresh Intercession with the Regent for the Liberty of their Brethren; but his Royal Highness returned much the same Answer to them as they had the day before, whereupon the Parliament shut up their Tribunals, and left off decreeing Justice. Mean time the King's Council were always in Motion at the Louvre, and at the Royal Palace, but could not obtain a satisfactory Answer; and on the 5th of September the Marquis d'Essiat, Master of the Horse to the Duke Regent, gave the Company notice on the part of his Royal Highness, to open the Courts again, and to continue the Sessions, assuring them, that an Answer should shortly be returned to their late Instances.

Mean time the Rumor of the Violence us'd to the President and the Counsellors that had been apprehended, put a great many People out of Temper: These Exiles were consider'd as Martyrs to the public Liberty, and every Man made their Case his own. Several Parliaments seem'd inclinable to support that of Paris. The Parliament of Bretagne discover'd more Zeal than any other, and wrote a fine Letter to the Parliament of Paris, offering to join with them in the Demand of the Exiles Liberty; they also wrote another on the same Subject to his Majesty, which they addressed to M. de la Vrilliere Secretary of State.

At the same time a very important Event happened, which took off the Attention of the French, in a great measure, from their own Affairs, and rais'd the Speculation of all Europe. This was the Spanish Expedition to Sicily. To let you fully into the Secret of this Affair, I must go farther back, and give you a general Account of the State of Affairs of Europe in the preceding Year. The Emperor, in pursuance of his Alliances with the Republic of Venice, from whom the Turks had taken a Part of the Morea, was sollicited to declare War against those Infidels. The Pope, on his part, dreading that the Turks should land in Italy, caus'd Instances to be made to his Imperial Majesty to persuade him to the War. The Emperor could not determine with himself for a good while to break with the Turks, for fear lest Spain should take an Advantage of such Rupture, and fall upon his Provinces in Italy. The Pope encourag'd the Emperor, by acquainting him, That the King of Spain had given him his solemn Promise that he would undertake nothing in Italy. He also gave him to understand, That instead of having any reason to be afraid of Spain, he might expect all manner of Assistance from that Crown in the present War; since it had engag'd to send him a powerful Squadron; and that the better to enable him to do this, he (the Pope) had given him leave to raise the Tenths upon the Clergy of Spain. These Representations made an Impression upon the Emperor; but the Thing which absolutely determin'd him, was the Treaty of Guaranty, that he had concluded with England, by which that Crown engaged to assist him with its Navy, in case that his Dominions were invaded. He therefore declared War against the Turks, and sent a numerous Army against them, under Command of Prince Eugene of Savoy. The Campaign prov'd very glorious for this Prince. He began it with a Victory near Temeswaer, after which he laid Siege to that Place, and in a very little time reduc'd it. Mean while Spain prepar'd a Naval Armament, under Pretence of sending Succours to the Venetians. But how was all Europe surpriz'd, when it was known that the Prime Minister of Spain, the Cardinal Alberoni, heretofore Chaplain to the Duke de Vendôme, afterwards Agent of Parma at the Court of Madrid, and finally, by the Queen's Favour, promoted to the Summit of Grandeur and Prosperity, had prevail'd on the King of Spain to employ the Sums that were levied upon the Estates of the Clergy, and appropriated for the Support of the Honor of the Christian Name, in the Conquest of Sardinia! The Reduction of it was attended with no great Difficulty, because the Island, in reliance upon the Faith of Treaties, was at that time but indifferently furnish'd with Troops. The Emperor made his Complaints to the Pope, and to France and England as Guaranties of the Neutrality of Italy. These Powers did their utmost to engage the King of Spain to desist from his Pretensions. The Duke Regent order'd the Duke of St. Aignan, Ambassador of France at the Spanish Court, to represent to the King all the Inconveniencies into which this War might plunge him; but the Spanish Minister, who rely'd upon the secret Correspondence he had in France, refused all Proposals of an Accommodation, tho' they were so very advantageous to the King of Spain: For it was propos'd to him, that the Emperor should recognize him the lawful Possessor of Spain and the Indies; and moreover, that he should consent to the securing of the Successions of Parma and Placentia to the Queen of Spain's Children; Terms infinitely more advantagious than those that had been granted to him by the Peace of Utrecht, and of which the King, of Spain so earnestly desir'd to see the Confirmation the Year that Lewis XIV. died.