242 MEMOIRS OF THE DUKE OF SAINT-SIMON".

guished and absorbed even the minutest trace, idea, and recol-
lection, of all other authority, all other power in France except
that which emanated from himself alone. The English, little
accustomed to such maxims, proposed that the States-General
should assemble in order to give weight to the renunciations
to be made. They said, and with reason, that it was not
enough that the King of Spain should renounce France unless
France renounced Spain; and that this formality was necessary
in order to break the double bonds which attached Spain, to
France, as France was attached to Spain. Accustomed to their
parliaments, which are in effect their States-General, they be-
.iieved ours perserved the same authority, and they thought
such authority the greatest to be obtained and the best capable
of solidly supporting that of the King.

The effect of this upon the mind of a Prince almost deified
in his own eyes, and habituated to the most unlimited des-
potism cannot be expressed. To show him that the authority
of his subjects was thought necessary in order to confirm his
own, wounded him in his most delicate part. The English
were made to understand the weakness and the uselessness of
what they asked; for the powerlessness of our States-General
was explained to them, and they saw at once how vain their
help would be, even if accorded.

For a long time nothing was done; France saying that a
treaty of renunciation and an express confirmatory declaration,
of the King, registered in the Parliament, were sufficient; the
English replying by reference to the fate of past treaties. Peace
meanwhile was arranged with the English, and much beyond
our hopes remained undisturbed.

In due time matters were so far advanced in spite of ob-
stacles thrown in the way by the allies, that theDucd'Aumont
was sent as ambassador into England; and the Duke of Hamil-
ton was named as ambassador for France. This last, however,
losing his life in a duel with Lord Mohun, the Duke of Shrews-
bury was appointed in his stead. -

At the commencement of the new year [1713] the Duke and
Duchess of Shrewsbury arrived in Paris. The Duchess was