Full text of "The secret correspondence of Madame de Maintenon, with the Princess des Ursins; from the original manuscripts in the possession of the Duke de Choiseul. Tr. from the French"

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THE

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SECRET CORRESPONDENCE

MADAME DE^ MAINTENON,

WITH THB

PRINCESS DES UKSINS;

FROM THB

ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS

IN THB POSSESSION OF

THE DUKE DE CHOISEUL.

TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.

IN THREE VOLUMES.

VOL. I.

PRINTED FOR GEO. B. WHITTAKEB, AVE MARIA LANE.

1 '

' 1887. ^

LONDON :

•nACSBLIi AM» Oa., J0BHS01f*»-e«U»T, FI.SlTaT»KRT<

PREFACE.

Among thç most useful publications of the
French» are their numerous memoirs. Those of
Sully were the forerunners of many which have
told mankind to measure the «conduct of kings
and courtiers by a truer standard than they were

wont. The Due de St. Simon in his memoirs.

> ' ■ - •• . _. ■ .

first published in 1788, has clea.red up many un-
certainties relating to the private and political
conduct of his frieijd the Regent. The letters,
lately re-published, from the Duchess 0;t
Orleans to Caroline, who afterwards became the
wife of George II., exhibit a scene of depravity
almost incredible, and wholly unknown in. this
country. Monsieur Lemontey's edition of the
Journalof the Marquis de Dangeau, and the

VI PRBFACE.

Memoirs of Madame de Hausset, the attendant of
Madame de Pompadour, with the present vo-
lumes, form almost a complete -account of the
reign of Ze Grand Monarque.

The love of truth is a great distinguishing
proof of superiority, therefore every work which
draws away the veil of error, and exposes the
naked facts, is useful, and generally interests the
inquirer. Authentic and genuine accounts of the
characters of kings, and the causes of their poli-
tical conduct, are highly important, as affording
examples by which monarchs may be warned,
and subjects instructed — by which the enslaved
may be taught the impotence of their oppressors,
and be led to aspire to freedom — and the free
reminded of the value and blessings of en-
lightened government, which ensures the preser-
vation of property, liberty, and life. Such works
teach us to be more contented with our stations,
by showing us that the halo of a court only
dazzles the sight, and prevents the passions,
weaknesses, and misery of those it surrounds
being seen.

A forcible exemplifiication of these truths is
afforded, by the disclosure of the proceedings and

PREFACE. VU

manners of Louis XIV. and his court. Parasites^
and contemporary writers, either mercenary or
deceived, have enveloped his conduct in false and
brilliant colours, and given a surreptitious air of
grandeur to his political career, and a frivolous
tinsel to his courtiers, which has been mistaken
by the many for elegance of manner jBiid refine-
ment of mind.

The works before mentioned, and these letters,
will show that king and his court in their proper
lights, and prove Le Grand Monarque to have
been an ignorant, bigotted despot, the mere
puppet of harlots, courtiers, and buffoons ; and
the latter, with fçw exceptions, a degraded and
vicious race, the fittest train for such a king.

The writer of these letters was a character of
no common stamp, because, in it all the leading
features were, though of a secondary orders in-
tensely developed.

Frances D'Aubigné was the maiden name of
the celebrated Marquise de Maintenon. She
was born in the prison of Niort, in 1685, whei^e
her father was confined for debt ; and there she
passed four years of her infancy. On his being
released, he sailed for Martinique, and lived on a

yill PREFACE.

small plantation for nearly six years, and then
died. An aunt, professing the tenets of Calm»
became her preceptress; but her mother being a'
rigid catholic, by perseverance and severity, cpm*
pelled her to renounce her Calvinistic creed, and
embrace that of Rome.

Although her family was impoverished, and
her father unfortunate, she was honourably de-
scended ; for her grandfather, Theodore Agrippa
D'Aubigné, was one of the chiefs of the French
protestants, and a correct historian of the civil
wars. The house of Bourbon was indebted to
him, and his coadjutors, for placing them on
the throne of France; a deed which has been
repaid by intolerance, persecution, and ingra-
titude.

Frances was beautiful, and friendless; these
qualities attracted the attention of the deformed
buffoon Scarron, then in repute for his parodies,
and burlesque compositions. He proffered her
his hand, fortune he had none, and she was
induced to become his wife, for the sake of
having a protector. Her natural dispositioi]^
being cold and réservée}^ she easily assumed
the appearance of austerity, and so retained a

PREFAC^r IK

blameless reputation. Notwithstanding her cold«^
ness and reserve, she. was ambitious^ and, as shç
has written, that ''her desire to make a name
was then her passion." At the age of twenty-
five, in the fulness of her beauty, with acknow^
ledged talents, and attractive manners, she waf(
left, by the death of her husband, without the
means of subsisting j -and was only relieved from
this deplorable condition by a trifling pension
from Anne of Austria, but which ceased with her
life, and again reduced her to destitution. During
the former period, she was admired by many, and
the well*known Barillon was among her suitors*
In the time of her advçrsity, she was received
into the houses of the wealthy and the great, but
not on those terms of equality which more pros-
perous circumstances would have commanded.

Mademoiselle de Montespan, at that period tibie
reigning favourite of Louis XIV. knew how to
value her talents and discretion, and being de^
sirous that her children should be secretly edu-
cated, determined to commit them to her charge.
The king, who had conceived a great dislike to
her, as being a pedant, was long before he yielded

X PREFACE.

to the solicitations of his mistress» but at last he
settled on her a pension^ and consented to her
becoming the governess of his offspring.

Now^ placed whiere she could exert her talents
fa ensure her fame, she did not allow the oppor-
tunity to escape, but calmly decided on the
course she would pursue, and pursued it with
untiring determination. She opposed his dis-
like by silence and submission, and obtained his
respect,^ by the strict performance of her duties.
Madame de Montespaih was violent, and capri-
cious, while her conversation was tinctured with
levity. These errors the governess soon perceived,
and noted their eflfects on the monarch. Being
well-informed, and endued with reflecting power,
and almost grave in her demeanour, she, with
great circumspection, and uncommon tact,, fol-
lowed a course the exact reverse of the proud
Montespan, and thus gradually weaned the king

from her, who found solace in conduct and con-
versation so precisely opposed to that from which
he often suffered.

Madame de Montespan soon perceived that
she had fostered a rival, and yielded to all the

PREFACÏ, XI

asperities which jealousy and fear had excited, and
so played her rival's sagacious game. Whether
Madame de Maintenon was actuated by sincere
regard for the welfare of the king, in her great
exertions to correct his vicious propensities, or
whether she was so skilled in the knowledge of
the human mind as to be aware, that a woman has
no surer powers than those she skilfully uses
for such ends, must ever remain doubtful.
Charity would lead us to conclude in favour of
her good intention, while her declared ambition,
and known dissimulation, would tend to induce
the belief that she acted from less noble motives.
Be that as it may, her object was obtained, for
she withdrew the king from Madame de Mon-
tespan, and excited in him affection for his con-
verter. Her ambition was now stimulated, and
she added the fears of religion to her advice, and
so wrought on the monarch, that, after vainly
endeavouring to break the spell, he secretly
married her, after she had attained her fiftieth
year, and he had entered his forty-seventh.

The Due de St. Simon was not her friend, and,
therefore, his descriptions of her method of
managing the king must be read wkh some

Xn PREFACE.

degree of caution; but as he was a man of high
religious principle, they are worthy of credit^ and
are certainly amusing. The Due thus paints
a cabinet scene^ which is so broad and general
in all its parts, that it may be said to be a coun-
terpart of many more.

'' On the days of business, Madame de Main-
tenon, in whose apartment the ministers trans-
acted affairs with the king, sat by, reading or
working tapestry. She quietly heard all that
passed, and rarely threw in a word. The word
was still more rarely of any consequence. The
king often asked her advice, addressing her in a
playful tone, as your solidity or your reason-
ableness.. She answered slowly and coldly,
scarcely ever betraying a prepossession for any
thing, and never for any person; but the minis-
ters had their cue. If by chance the king at
first fixed on her candidate, it was well, the
ministers were sure to agree ; and they contrived
to hinder the mention of any other. If he shewed
a preference fcr any other, the minister read over
his own list, rarely recommending any one
directly, but hinting at the objections to all, so as
toleiavethe king perplexed. In this embarrass-

PREFACE. Xm

ment he often asked the advice of the minister,

who, after balancing the good and bad qualities

1. , .

of all, shewed a slight preference for one. The
king hesitated, andi frequently in that stage re-
ferred to Madame de Maintenon ; she smiled,
affected to be incapable of judging,— said some-
thing in favour of another candidate, but at last,
sometimes slowly, as if deliberating, sometimes,
as if by sudden accidental recollection, returned
to the candidate whom she had prompted the
minister to recommend ; and in thii hianher she
disposed of all favours in France."

It is evident that Louis sometimes suspected

that he was being influenced, and then he became
I'estive ; which was a warning to Madame de
Maintenon and her minions to be more circum-

spect. His anger was always submitted to with
tears and apprehension, and she seemed deeply
anxious to recover the degree of ascendancy
which she possessed before the rencontre.

](t has been remarked that the qualities of her
mind were hot of an uncommon order, but that
each of the prominent faculties was very power-
fully possessed by her. They appear to have
been extreme circumspection, capability of re-

XIV PREFACE.

flecting^ on the past, and considerable foresight of
results. Her affections were cold, and she be-
came the wife of Louis to gratify her ambition,
and not to possess the object of her affections.
A fkir reputation was always prized by her at its
proper value, and she maintained it, and used it
for her personal advantage. No glow of feeling
seems to have ever warmed her bosom, and even
her sentiments of justice were often sacrificed
to policy, for she owns that she did not attempt
to arrest the cruel persecution of the huguenots,
because Louis had been informed of her having
once professed their tenets: that circumstance,
she says, *^ induces me to approve measures most
opposite to jay sentiments." Her great caution
was the consequence of unusual timidity, which
was again evinced by her selfishness. Racine
wrote, at her request, a pamphlet on the general
distress and famine, which excited the enmity of
the king against him, but she had not nobleness
of spirit enough to defend him. She never inter-
ceded in favour of the. exiled Fenelon, when her
wish would have been equal to a command. And
she left her king and husband on his death-bed,
when she could not be any longer useful, and

PREFACE. XV

might endanger herself. She did not hear of his
death until the evening of the second day after.
She gratified her ambition, but did not obtain
happiness ; for she lived in an atmosphere not
congenial to her nature, and longed to return to
the class from which she rose.

Madame de Maintenon is not to be severely
censured for not possessing the full development
of the higher faculties ; Providence had not be-
stowed them on her, and her earliest education,
and the former part of her life, were not calculated
to improve even the portion which she possessed.
In a word, she was a cold and prudent woman,
who does not appear to have committed any
active injuries, or perpetrated any resentments,
but was too selfish to exert her power to do
good. Her sins were rather those of omission,
than of commission ; and though she can never be
loved or admired, she may be justly deemed re-
spectable, and, perhaps, among the most de-
serving of the favourites of any king.

The Princess Ursini, or Ursins, to whom the
letters are addressed, was a native of France, and
the widow of two husbands of the families of

XVI

PREFACE.

Talleyrand and Ursini. In her second widow-
hood; she was sent to attend on the Princess of
Savoy, the Queen of Philip, and through her to
manage the Spanish monarch.

LETTERS

MADAME DE MAINTENON.

LETTER I.

TO THE PRINCESS DES URSINS.

Saint Cyr, MaySlst, 1706.

•

I DID not expect to have had the honor of writ-
ing to you ta-day, and I sent to the Queen to say
so : but on leaving this, I received a packet'from
M. Amelot, of which it is necessary I should
acknowledge the receipt through you, not having
the courage to address him under such melan-
choly circumstances. I had seen his letter in
the hands of M, de Chamillard, who did not seem
to be dissatisfied with it; though he may have
been sometimes hurt at seeing himself pressed for
things which he could not perform. You see too

VOL. I. B

Z LETTERS OF

plainly, that the troops are wanted everywhere.
The ill-fated day of Flanders will affect you in a
variety of points ; but to return to our ambas-
sador, you may assure him that since he has been
in Spain, I have not seen a movement of the
King, of which he would not have been perfectly
satisfied ; the public do not cease to applaud all
he has dotie, and they are not so unjust as to
blame him for want of success : it would have
been desirable for you to have had him sooner.
I see with sorrow, that you think the King could
not adopt a worse plan, than entering Spain by
Pampeluna: it is^ I believe, pretended, that there
was no choice : in effect, every thing goes wrong,
and you may well imagine I do not flatter my-
self with regard to the future. The King bears
all like a great man — but he suffers. He was
at first much hurt to hear it said that his house
had done nothing worth naming ; he is very much
alive to the honor of the nation. It is certain that
there were corps which did not act well, and that
the disorder was great: as to the body guards,
tTiey were overpowered by n ambers. Poor M*-
dataie de Soùbise saw enough, in seeing one of her
children killed, and the other wounded ; the Duke
de Guiche performed wonders at the ^ head of his
regiment. You ought to be complimented on the
nomination of Cardinal de la Tremoille ; this name
honors the dignity more than it is honored by it.
The Duke de Noailles is named a lieutenant gene-

MADAME DE MAINTBNON. 8

rai : I am assured he would rather not be so, and
that our officers would go on better without him.
I do not know what we shall do with our Princess,
it does not appear to me, that her constitution can
sustain so much grief; the Queen is never named
without bringing tears into her eyes; she feels
all the King's pain ; I never saw any young per-
son of her age, capable of such acute sorrow ;
her goodness of heart will render her unhappy ;
she is to be bled on Monday ; the King will also
be bled on the same day, by way of precaution.
Believe me, that the general state of affairs does
not prevent me from often thinking of our own
situation, or from pitying you with the warm
Attachment, which you know I entertain for you.

LETTER II.

TO THE SAME,

Saint Cyr, June 5tli, 1 706.

I DID not believe that the bad state of our affairs
could be exaggerated, and yet this has been
done, by telling us that the army of the King of
Spain had been defeated! The Marquis de
Brancas had told me that the Duke de * * * *
had given you an account of every thing, so that
I hope you had formed no desperate resolution^

B 2

4 LETTERS OF

• on the first news ; but what have we not to fear
from the effect which will be produced by that
of Flanders ? It is necessary to adore the will of
God in all things : our two kings support religion
and justice, and they are unfortunate ; our ene*
mies attack both one and the other, and they
triumph } God is the arbiter. We are much af-
flicted, and very uneasy on your account j the
march of the King of Spain cannot but be long,
and there are many things to apprehend.

Yes, the Queen certainly merited a better fate :
Madame de Brancas has told us new wonders,
of her ; but all is not lost, and she is still young
enough to witness more than one revolution.
M. de Chamillard has-been in Flanders; his
journey will be useful: he has given exact details
of the unfortunate day of the 23d. He has sup-
plied the fortresses, and our troops will re-assem-
ble. Do you think there is a more unhappy man
on earth than the Marshal de Villeroi ? Every
thing seems to be against him ; his best friends
agree at least, that he is not fortunate, and that
this is a great defect in a general. It appears
lo me, that we suffer according to the rank of
those who most interest us: I have not suffi-
cient resolution to write to the Queen ; her last
letter has cost me many tears; and what are
words to express the part I take in her troubles ?
It is impossible to comprehend where all this
will terminate. The Duchess of Burgundy is

MADAME P£ MAINTENUE.

lâuffocating with the vapours v the King is cou-
rageous^ and a Christian ; an(l^as for me. Madam»
I am a woman^ and one of the weakest» .

,A ,m

LETTER III.

TO THE SAME*

Saint Cyr, Juno 20th, 1706.

There is no longer any source of joy, and I
dread every fresh article of intelligence ; it seems
to me that we can receive no more good news
from any quarter, and yet, if you can maintain
your spirits until our army joins the Duke de
Berwick, the confideaice I have in that general
makes me entertain a little hope.

The designs of God are incomprehensible^
three Christian kings appear to be abandoned ;
heresy and injustice triumph, — ^let us hope that
this will not be for a long time.

The Queen of England came from St. Germains
to Marly yesterday ; she is very well ; her illness is
no longer of any consequence, and never were the
effects of the regimen which has restored her to
health more apparent, especially since she has had
nothing but troubles. The King, Jicr son, will
be of age to-morrow ; he is growing, and becomes

6 LETTERS OF

very like the King, his uncle ; the Princess will
be as tall as her mother ; she is very clever.

1 should be very glad, were it possible to be
so, to see you satisfied with the Duke de Noailles;
I think him a very good man, and his merit
renders hfm more dear to me than the honor of
his alliance.

The King has received many thanks from you
on the cardinalship of your brother ; he would
wish to afford you still greater satisfaction ; he
is, thank God, in perfect health, and supports
every thing that happens with great courage.
. But, what do you say of the Marshal de yil-
leroi ? Was there ever a more unfortunate man ?
This is the only excuse of his best friends ; there
are several of those who have written to him, ad-
vising him to ask leave to quit the army ; the
court, the city, and foreigners, join in the outcry
against him, and say that all is lost if he remains
where he is. M. de Marlborough says he has
done that in four days, which he would have
been satisfied to do in as many years.

M.' de la Feuillade has made an offer to the
Princesses of the royal family to leave Turin, and
seek a place of safety wherever they like. The
Duke of Savoy had anticipated his messenger, and
replied that the Princesses were much obliged
to the King, and wanted nothing; declaring
that he will be buried within the walls, and that

MADAME D£ MA1KT£^0K. 7

the first who talks of surrendering shall be de^
«patched on the spot.

What a cruel war is that which arms the sister
against her brother, a father against his children,
and subjects against their legitimate princes!
Oiir Duchess of Burgundy suffers greatly from
this state of things ; I am very much alarmed
for the safety of her infant. I stand in great
need, Madam^ of your firmness and capacity ; I
always see you sympathising with your amiable
Queen, and fiiU of apprehension as to the future.
May God protect you!

LETTER IV.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr^ June Zlih, 1 706.

I DID did not receive any of your letters by
the last courier, and was extremely sorry for it,
as I really^feel a great want of them ; it is a con-
solation for me to be encojjraged by you, or to
sympathise with you ; I think the latter will be
our lot ; for the future it will require miracles to
Tepair the effects of what has happened in Flan-
kers. Those who have read more than I have,
say that there is scarcely an example of so
prompt a revolution. Our friend, the Marshal de

8 LETTERS OF

Villeroi, is in despair» and with too much reason ;
but his sorrow is deep and silent, and he is insensi-
ble to the palliatives which the King wishes to offer
him. I never saw him more affected than he has
been at what he was obliged to do on this occa-
sion ; but he could not really dispense with it :
there never was such general discontent, and it
was the greater from being expressed with mo-
deration ; for it has not been said that the Mar-
shal was negligent, disaffected, or indifferent to
the interests of the King ; but little esteemed in
* the army, and unfortunate in all that he under-
took, although exposing his person with a bravery
which none have disputed. On which ever side
one turns, there is cause of regret. I fear that your
troubles augment, and that you will be required
to put all the virtues you have received above
others, into practice. The Abbé Testu is dead ;
I have also lost another friend in M. de Mont-
chevreuil ; the Marshal de Villeroi has lost his
mother; these three persons had passed their
eightieth year. When I retire to Saint-Cyr, I
see the two young women who have the most
merit, and wbom I lil^e the best, dying of asthma.
These are strange things to treat of with you, but
what would I not confer with you about, enter-
taining all those sentiments towards you, which
would induce me to open my heart in any situ-
ation ?

MADAME D£ MAINTËNON.

LETTER V.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, My 4th, 1706.

I HAVE to reply to two of your letters, one
of tli« 17th of June, and the other of the 24th.
Behold you relieved from uncertainty and out
of Madrid ; this is a great step, and you know
all the consequences of it better than I do. I
hope you are by this time at Pampeluna ; it £ç-
pears to me that you will be in security there,
until our troops join his Catholic Majesty. But
our enemies are very strong on every side, and
each failure weakens us. Your Spaniards betray,
we are abandoned by our Flemings, and God
seems irritated against us. The Marshal de
Tessé has done his best in an enterprize that was
not to his. taste; he was unfortunate, and he
ought to be consoled. It was wished to do the
same for the Marshal de Villeroi ; and if you
knew the marks of friendship which the King has
shown him on this occasion, you could not avoid
blaming your friend for having received them so
coldly as he has.

For myself, I- dared not write to him, when I
saw the manner in which he replied to the letters
of the King ; and I could not believe but that
mine would be rejected with still greater severity.

10 LETTERS OS

The Marshal is only accused of incapacity and
misfortune. The King had seen so clearly the
little confidence which the army had in him,
that he was forced to make this change^ and
would have always repented had he not made
it. I saw the violence which the King did
himself on the occasion, and his friendship for
the Marshal is still greater than I thought ; there
was neither intrigue nor cabal in all this, I can
assure you.

These changes of generals cause fresh embar-
rassments. M. de Vendôme quits Italy, and
afflicts the army by his absence, at the same time
that the Prince Eugene receives an augmenta-
tion of troops, and that M. de Savoy has left
Turin to strengthen him still more by his pre-
sence and his cavalry.

The Marshal de Villeroi, incensed and disheart-
ened, remains for some time charged with the
difficult affairs of Flanders ; the Marshal de Vil-
lars has made so many representations to avoid
going to Italy, that the King has consented and
sent M. de Marsin there : they are so distant
from each other, that a great deal of time must
elapse before they reach their respective posts.

Confidence has been restored at Paris,, and in
the army of Flanders, since the nomination of M.
de Vendôme : God grant that he may accomplish
all that is expected from him. He will do all he
can, but our affairs are in a sad state.

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 11

I now come to your letter of the 24th : be-
hold you out of Madrid, without knowing when
you will re-enter it* It is no doubt for the best
that you have been advised to go to Burgos :
but to judge from the conclusion of your letters,
I think you will prefer Pampeluna, and it appears
you will be in greater security there until our
troops arrive. You truly foresaw that you might
find yourself in great extremities, and very far
from what you would have been at Rome ;. but
could you wish that the amiable Queen were
without you? She has renewed her thanks to
the King, her grandfather, for having sent you to
Spain, and seems to feel what you sacrifice for
her. You are very cunning, if the Chevalier
d'Espennes says the truth; and the two kings
whom you betray could not do you more harm
than the princes whom you serve. Whatever
comes from this monster is worse than can be
conceived, and it is afflicting to see Frenchmen
capable of such actions. You may readily judge
of what I suffer in knowing you are, with the
Queen, in want of every thing, — I, who feel pity
for the meanest sufferers. The Duchess of Bur-
gundy read me your letter yesterday, and it cost
us many tears : it grieves me very much to see
this Princess so deeply afflicted during her preg-
nancy ; she has, however, great courage to repress
it before the world ; but the kindness with which
she honors me, induces her to treat me with the

12 LETTERS OF

greatest Qpepness. It is very probable that the
Cardinal Porto Garrero has not good intentions
in haying refused you your only resource ; the
English would not consult such people ; thus the
Cardinal takes this aid from the King^ and gives
it to his enemies.

I am much afraid that the Queen's jewels wiU
not be very highly estimated, and have no doubt
of the difficulties of finding money and getting
it paid.

I feel great esteem for the ladies who have
followed the Queen ; grant that it may be in his
Majesty's power to recompense them ! What an
extremity to have left some behind for want of a
hundred pistoles to give them ! I know not what
to say between the anxiety I have to receive
your letters, and that you should devote the time
occupied in writing them to your own repose,
do at least as you have done this time, by refer-
ring the King to the letter which you did me
the honor of writing to me.

LETTER VI.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, July 11th, 1706.

I DO not know which is the predominant feeling
with me ; the impatience of hearing from you, or

MADAME DE MAIKTENON, 13

the fear of receiving bad news : your affairs are
in such a convulsed state that I fear it is but to
flatter myself to hope for their successful re-esta*

* blishment ; and yet, if our ^troops are somewhat
numerous^ and led by a King, and a general like
M. de Berwick, why should they not beat their
enemies, who have a great number of militia and
Portuguese, that are not much more esteemed ?

I received a letter from you the day before
yesterday, dated on the 13th of June, and which
reached me through the Duke de Noailles ; I felt
that it was really wanting, and that you had
passed very lightly over our concerns in Flan-
ders : but it is the subject of your letter of thir*
teen pages, which is so full of your grief at that
event, that I thought it my duty to renew the-
subject to the King on your part: I assure you
he is fully persuaded that you love the state as a
true French woman, and that you are attached to
his person, particularly since you have known

. him better, and seen what are his sentiments on
all that you have treated, especially towards
yourself. Be tranquil as to the King's health, it
was never better : he does not think himself so
necessary as you say, but I hope God will pre-
serve him to us.

You now know that the consequences of this
ill-fated day have been a thousand times more
unfortunate than the loss of a battle ; we were so
overpowered by it, that we have scarcely felt the

14 LETTERS OF

joy arisitig from the pregnancy of the Duches$
of Burgundy, v/hich goes on very well, and with
the greatest attention on her part.

The Count d'Egmont distinguishes himself
so much that we daily learn new traits of his
bravery, and fresh praisee, which I do not hear
with indifference. I am very much pleased with
all you say in favour of the Duke de Noailles ; I
think he has merit ; he would have served better
in Roussillon, if it could have been possible to
leave him the troops that were there : but we
are menaced on so many sides, that all cannot be
supplied. It is said that the Prince Eugene is re-
solved to attempt every thing for the relief of M. de
Savoy. I should wish him to make this effort
while M. de Vendôme is still there ; but he will
perhaps wait for his departure. It is a great mis-
fortune that he quits Italy ; but the army of Flan-
ders has made it the subject of great rejoicings.
I have some verses on my table, which I had not
the courage to send you, and I know not whether
I shall put* them into my packet. The same
opinion continues to be entertained of the am-
bassador ; and your assistance is a great consola-
tion in the unfortunate affairs which he has to
manage. Might I venture to entreat that you
would offer him a thousand compliments and
friendly expressions on my part ? I shall, during
my whole life, cherish them towards him for his
merit and the services he has rendered. I am

MADAME IXE MAINTEKON. 15

not 60 tender with regard to the Cardinal Acqua-
viva. Why do you wish to make me acquainted
with him ? Do not you know that I am unable
to write to such people ? I scarcely understand
his letter. He will always please me very much,
so long as he is attached to our two kings. When
he is at Rome I shall have little to ask him for. I
conjure you to tell him all that I ought to write.
I have neither strength nor courage but for you.
It seems to me that he is fully justified in the mitid
of the two kings, as to what his enemies wished
to say against him. ^ I hear nothing said, except
on this head, and your testimony leaves no doubt
on the subject.

The Chevalier d'Espennes would be happy
were he mad ; ' he is a monster, who ought to fill
every honest mind with horror.

I am sure that the cardinalsHip of your brother
has not turned your brain : but I am delighted
with ail-that brings you nearer the King.

We have seen the jewels you sent, and not with
an eye of indifference. Every body Was affected
by the sight, according to their own way of think-
ing. There will be'some diflS^culty in getting rid of
the pearls and diamonds, owing to their extreme
beauty. It appears to me, however, that they-
will be taken care of for you.

The siege of Turin seems more difficult every*
day. It must be made under ground, and this

16 LETTERS OF

work is slow : there are not many people in the
fortress. The royal princesses are at Genoa..

What joy, Madam, if you beat my Lord Gallo-
way, and if we beat the Prince Eugene ! The mis-
fortune in Flanders would thus be a little repair-
ed. M. de Vendôme is to pass by this place on
the 20th. The Marshal de Villeroi will not quit
his post till the former joins the army. It is said
he is still in the same state of despondency.

The decision of going to Burgos has been very
much approved of. God grant that you may not
leave it, except to return to Madrid ! The Mar-
shal de Tessé has been treated with the kindness
which you know the King possesses. After
this letter, do you wish me to write to the Car-
dinal Acquaviva ?

LETTER VIL

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, July 18tb, 1706.

At length. Madam, we received news from
Spain yesterday, and they are still bad, as we
had a right to expect. What a spectacle to see
the Queen experience the overthrow of a king-
'dom at the age of eighteen, and herself wander-
ing to seek some place in which she can be re-

MADAME BE MAINTENpN. 17

ceived. But it is still more surprising that she
' sustains her situation Avith the submission and
courage you tell me : is it possible that God will
abandon her ? And yet it seems to me very diffi^
cult to flatter ourselves with any hope ; if you lose
a battle all is lost ; and at the present moment if you
do not give one, you will perhaps also lose every
thing, though more slowly. May God inspire the
King and M. de Berwick ! I always maintain that
they ought to be allowed to proceed in their own
way, and that it is impossible to conduct matters
at such a distance ; toe have eaj)erienced this but too
truly. I cannot help telling you, though without
• being charged to do so by any person here, that M*
and Madame d'Alba, displaiy great zeal for the two
Kings. They are sincerely beloved and esteemed
in this country, and heartily cry long live Philip V.
and the Queen ! of whom she relates wonders. The
Princesses Royal are at Oneille, and not at Genoa.
Up to the present time, the Duke of Orleans sends
from Turin to say that the siege will still continue
a long time ; so that I am greatly afraid numbers
will fall, as well by the sword as those maladies
which are likely to follow. What a cruelty is
war, — to see all these princes persecute each other,
and cause so many human beings to perish ! I
am very melancholy, and foresee nothing but dis-
asters. I should have hopes on your side if our
troops were in a good state when they join the
King; but this is not probable* The Chevalier

Vf)L. I. c

18 LETTERS OF

d'Bspeimes is a monster ; he cannot be called
otherwise. I will make known your kindness for
the Cardinal de Janson, whom I expect at Marly.
The most unhappy of all men. Madam, is the
Marshal de Villeroi ; he refuses the only consola-
tion he can have from the goodness of the King,
who is not changed towards him. He could
not avoid doing what he has, and you would have
advised it, had you been here. I am so op-
pressed with troubles, that I feel this circum-
stance somewhat less than I should at another
time. I am, however, sorry for the cold and in-
different manner in which the Marshal treats his
real friends. Grant that you were quietly settled
in the kingdom of Italy I Qod alone knows the
result of all these unfortunate affairs. I believe
you suffer much ; but I cannot imagine that you
wish the Queen, whom you love so tenderly, were
at Burgos alone. I lately saw M. de Gailus, who
asked me how our court was satisfied with you,
and adding the reports spread at Paris, stating
that you were worse. than ever; and that these
reports gave great uneasiness to the Duke de
Noirmoùtier, to whom you write very seldom. I
told him all I knew, and how well I knew it. I
also charged him to give the account to your
brother. I admire the rage and harmlessness of
these newsmongers ; but, madam, we have now
other crosses to carry. ^

The King is in perfect health ; our Princess is less

MADAME DE MAINTENOK. l9

incommoded than at her first pregnancy. How
sorry I am that your Queen is not in the same
state ! The Castilians would be still more aiFec^
tionate.

LETTER VIII.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, August 1st, 1706;

As a cold in my eyes may prevent me from
writing to you with my own hand, I do so while
I am able ; and I write such long letters that I
should fear to importune you, if I had not great
confidence in your goodness towards me. On
reaching Versailles yesterday, I heard a letter
read from the Marshal de Berwick, which made
me breathe a little as to Spain. I see he is sure
of beating the Portuguese ; but you give me de-
tails which are much more agreeable^ and which
encourage us to hope for every thing, if you can
enter Madrid.

France will long feel the effects of the affair of
Flanders, and I am not astonished that it should
have affected the Castilians ; such a disaster,
joined to all the suppositions of the enemy, is
well calculated to make every body despond ; and

20 LETTERS OF

in truth, Madam, our King is the only person
whom I do not see overwhelmed. M. de Ven-
dôme arrived yesterday, fully assuring us that
Turin will be taken, and that Prince Eugene
cannot relieve it : he has, however, made a con-
siderable advance. It was thought here that
there would be a general action. M. de Ven-
dôme thinks not, and that the nature of the
country does not admit of it I do not feel his
confidence to an equal degree on the affairs of
Flanders ; and I .am not at all surprised that he
finds it much worse than he had figured to him-
self. He will remain at court to-day and to-mor-
row, and set out on Tuesday for Belgium. Judge,
Madam, what will be the feelings of M. de Ville-
roi on placing the command, it cannot be said, of
an army in his hands, for there is none left, all the
infantry being distributed among the fortresses,
which are menaced by the enemy, and there is only
some cavalry remaimng ; this too is much sepa-
rated, though easily assembled. I do not under-
stand M. de Villeroi ; he bears his deep sorrow
without saying a word, appearing to occupy himself
with trifles, and the hopes of justifying himself.
We shall see him most probably towards the end of
the present week. The idea of his first interview
almost kills me with fear. I think it will be
necessary to send him your letter ; and that he
will be less angry with you than he appears to be
with all that are here.

MADAME D£ MAINT£N0N. 21

A great clamour prevails against the generals
the moment they meet with the least misfortune.
Every body has broken out both at Paris and thq
court against the Marshal de Tessé ; and I know
perfectly well that he deserves no blame in the
affair of Barcelona. The King has treated him
very kindly ; and I will let him know your oblig-
ing effî>rtsto justify him. The Marshal de Vil-
lars is nK)St at his ease. It is said that he is
making a great deal of money, and he has not
much to do, for the Prince of Baden is extremely
weak.

I thought. Madam, that the misfortunes of our
general affairs occupied people sufficiently, to
prevent your enemies from thinking of ypu or
your ambassador. Nevertheless I hear that they
are circulating a report at Paris of your being on
very bad terms with the King ; that we have all
renounced the good opinion we had of you ; that
M. Âmelot is a fool, who writes letters and makes
ridiculous harangues, which are in the hands of
all the world. Whatever contempt I may have
for these reports, I cannot prevent myself from
being put into a passion by them, and I quarrel
with all those who hear them with coolness. I
assure you that there is not the smallest founda>-
tion for all this : that the public does not cease
to sound your praises, and are perfectly satis-
fied with all you do. You know my sincerity.

23 LKTTERS OF

and I should be incapable of telling you what I
do, if I had seen the least umbrage since your
departure. I can easily believe that they would
find it difficult to accuse you before me, for I am
a declared admirer of yours as well as your am-
bassador.

It is with great difficulty. Madam, that I can be
gay while speaking of your present abode ; and
I lament all the conveniences by which we are
surrounded, when I reflect that a deal table now
serves every purpose. The Queen is admirable, and
laughs at it ; and yours is an amiable disposition,
to accommodate itself to such an apartment,
after having inhabited the finest palaces of Rome.
But the hope of seeing you return to Madrid con-
soles me a little.

You did me a great pleasure in sending me the
letter from Seville, as for t^at of the Chevalier
d'Espennes, I hope it is only a copy, as I should
feel horror in touching the original.

VHe are in considerable alarm for a descent on
France : the pains taken by the enemy to em-
bark several regiments of refugees, and to have
put the Abbé de Bourlie, another monster of our
age, at their head, leaves no room to doubt but
it is intended for us, in the hope he has given
them that all the new converts will revolt the
moment they put a foot on shore : many persons
maintain that descents in our ports are very

MADAMS DF. MAINTENON. 23

difficult; we shall soon know what we have to
depend on.

The pregnancy of the Duchess of Burgundy
will take us to Fontainebleau on the 30th of this
month, to return sooner, in order that she may
keep her bed at the time it was required at her
first accouchement We shall leave Meudon,
that she may embark at Paris and sleep at Cor-
beil, so as to reach Fontainebleau the next day.
The King not being able to have her with him,
will go alone, and on the same day each of the
Princesses .will proceed in their respective direc-
tions ; and old as I am, I shall also go in one
day with Mesdames d'Angeau and d'Heuricount.
Our Princess is greatly delighted with this
journey, and is equally pleased at the idea of
taking all the ladies with her. She will have a
magnificent barge, followed by several others, for
carrying the refreshments and all the articles she
may require for her amusement, without any
additional expence; but she will not be joyful,
for scarcely a day passes that she does not shed
some tears about the state of the Queen, the Prin-
cesses Royal, and her brothers ; but I fijid that the
tenderness she had for her father diminishes a
little.

24 LETTERS OF

LETTER IX.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, August 7, 1706.

We are in hopes of gaining a battle, and in great
impatience to receive the news. Your last letter.
Madam, makes me shudder, in telling me that
the crown, and even the life of the King of Spain,
are in danger ; your Queen has written one to her
sister, which has greatly affected me by its piti-
able contents. We really cannot be said to exist
in such agitation, and yet it has continued four or
five days. The Marshal de Villeroi arrived last
night, and saw the King in my roOin. There was
only the Duke of Burgundy and myself present:
The interview was gloomy, though full of marks
of kindness on the part of the King ; he brought
the Marshal for a moment to where I was. Our
Princess being no longer there, he asked leave to
come and see me here, and I expect him. He met
M. de Vendôme on the road and wished to see the
Duke, as he bears no ill will towards him ; it was
not so with M. de Chamillard. He is going to
Paris for three or four days, and will return to as-
sume the Marshal's staff and his duties. I fear he

MADAME DE MAINTENON, 25

will meet with a great deal of unpleasantry on the
part of the courtiers, with whom he has no
reason to be satisfied.

M. de Vendôme has greatly consoled us as to
the affairs of Italy ; he thinks Turin will not be
relieved, and that it will be taken by the begin-
ning of September. We are still uneasy about
the fleet, which has not yet departed. The
trench was not ready before Menin on the 4th of
this month. Our army is assembling, may God
protect it I It is true, Madam, that the King is
much in want of hearing some good news : he
is truly alive to the glory of his grandson, and is
anxious for his return to Madrid ; nor will the satis-
faction of the Queen be indifferent. I cannot be-
lieve but that God will declare for them; we
have not cease({ to pray for their interests here
ever since the day of Saint James, when especial
prayers were begun at Saint Cyr.

August 8. — I saw the Marshal de Villeroi yeis-
terday. He was much afflicted, but very sen-
sible of the kindness shewn to him by the King ;
he is soured against many individuals, and I fear
there are some who interfere between both par-
ties to increase the dispute. I was yesterday
told that the English fleet does not put to sea till
the 10th, and that the trench was opened before
Menin on the 5th.

26 LETTERS OF

LETTER X.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr» August Uih, 1706.

Before replying to youc two last letters, I
must say a word on the joy we experienced at
the late news from Spain : I was delighted to
perceive^that of the King and the Duchess of
Burgundy, on hearing that you were in a state
to return to Madrid whenever you pleased.

You give me pleasure in allowing me to esteem
the Gastilians, and we derive great satisfaction in
thinking of their transports on seeing you again.
This commencement of prosperity makes us more
impatient to learn the results. It is fortunate
that the Portuguese cannot enter their own coun-
try, but they will join and augment the troops of
the Archduke, who I should like to see shut
up in Barcelona, not daring to hope for more*

All Paris and the whole court were enchanted
at being able to breathe: you know. Madam,
that the French pass very suddenly from one
extreme to the other. It is thought that every
thing will go on well in Flanders since the arrival
of M. de Vendôme ; he cannot, however, prevent

MADAME DE MAINTENOX. 27

the enemy from taking Menin. God send that it
may not be soon enough for them to commence
another siege.

There seems to be no longer any doubt of the
capture of Turin towards the end of this month ;
in order to relieve it. Prince Eugene must beat
the Duke of Orleans.

M. de Pontchartrain has sent to inform me
that he has received every thing which you wrote
to say you would send him, that he has even put
them into his packet : I sent them to him without
telling him I had seen them already ; he writes
to me on the subject with great zeal aijfi respect
for you. There are only a few ill-natured per-
sons here who appear to give any credit to the
foolish assertions of the Chevalier d'Espennes.

M. and Madame d'Alba are transported with
joy, though in a very different manner. The
Duchess of Alba was at M. Chamilland's when
the courier from Spain arrived: she left it to
run to the King ; they found her on her knees
in the gallery, without knowing what was the
motive. I had seen her at my house the preced-
ing evening, and I assure you she speaks in a
manner highly satisfactory to me, though I am
rather difficult to be pleased by the parties
in question.

You spoil every thing. Madam, by making
apologies^ after having given me commissions :

28 LETTERS OF

yes, I will certainly send you many others, and
you can make no use of my services, of which
I shall not feel highly honored. On reading
your letter of the 6th again, I find that you
complain of having to give an account of your
conduct, with regard to the Chevalier d'Es-
pennes : it appears to me that you only answer
him, because you wished to do so, and that the
blackest malice cannot say a word against your
actions. At all events, I must profit by the joy
which the news from Spain has given me, to tell
you sotnething which I have heard about you.
A lady informed me a few days ago, that those
who wished to break off the understanding and
intercourse with which you honor me, were very
sorry to see me so loudly profess the esteem and
consideration I have for you, I dare not say the
tenderness, and yet I assure you, that it amounts
to that; the person in question, told me the
last report, which you will find doubtless rational
and probable : it is said. Madam, that my sim]^--
city is such as not to see that your design is to
bring the King and Queen of Spain back to
France, where you will take my place with the
King, either by embroiling me at court, poisoning
me, or waiting for my death, which cannot be very
distant. This is what is called, ha:ving views!
Will you justify yourself, on these points ?

Madam de Callus is very much alive to all that

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 29

relates to you. I owe her this testimony with
you. The Marshal -de Villeroi is to have the staff
and resume his ordinary duties to-day.

LETTER XL

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, August 22d, 1706.

Menin cannot hold out much longer^ and we
shall seq what M. de Marlborough will do^ I
greatly fear the confidence of M. de Vendôme.
Prince Eugene is marching to the relief of Turin,
and the Duke of Orleans follows him. M. de
la Feuillade pretends that there is nothing to
fear ; but you know. Madam, that I am not to be
convinced.

We yesterday received letters from the King of
Spain ; the Archduke has joined and strengthened
your enemies, another subject of alarm, at least
for me : it is said the fleet is to put to sea on the
19th of this month ; my terror on this subject
overwhelms every other ; the papers say it will
visit the coast of Poictou or Guyenne. '

I expect M. Orry, who wants to see me, whom
I did not wish to see, and whom the Marshal
de Villeroi forces me to receive, by threatening

30 LETTERS OF

me with you» Madam : but there are few things
which I refuse in your name.

I see clearly, by the reports which have reached
me from Paris, that your enemies do not maintain
the silence I thought they did. They greatly
exaggerate the hatred of the Spaniards for Orry,
and the blame you deserve for supporting him.

What a time since we have heard from you !
Great interest is felt here in all that regards Spain
since the peaceable re-establishment of the King
and Queen, and even to your stay at Burgos,
whence they wish to hear of your departure for
Madrid. The King is in perfect health, and the
Duchess of Burgundy is also quite well : we have
reason to hope for a happy accouchement

LETTER XII.

TO THE SAME.

MeudoD, August 29th, 1706.

Nothing can be more affecting. Madam, than
what you tell me of the Gastilians. The address
of your good curate has made me shed tears as
well as you : what would I not give to see these
poor people iii repose with their King, and that he
would show them he is satisfied with their fidelity !
It is said, the fleet sailed on the 22d, but there is

MADAME D£ MAINTENON. 31

nothing very certain on this head; they say it
has only eight thousand men embarked, and that
an equal number is to join them, if their first
attempt succeeds. I am assured that there is
no person among them, who is not fiilly acquainted
with the plan : the circumstance of embarking
the ne wly converted, and M. de Bourlie, makes me
think that it is intended for us, and I know not what
to fear, whatever they do ; for if they go to Cadiz,
or to strengthen your enemies, you will still fiùd
yourself in difficulties. We are waiting news from
Italy with impatience ; the siege of Turin goes on
slowly. I have just seen an officer who comes
from Flanders ; he thinks Turin will not be re-
lieved, and relates wonders of the Duke of Orleans.

Do not be uneasy about the reports, I entreat
you ; I scolded M. de Torcy some days ago, at
his supposing, from a letter of the ambassador's,
that he would again meddle with the detail of
places and governments to be given away: he
replied, that M. Amelot had been informed of all
that was received, but that nothing was decided
on, except by his advice, and that it had been
thought necessary to tell him what they heard
from an officer whom it was intended to put into
a place of importance. The King is perfectly
satisfied with him and you ; I would not tell you
so if I did not know it to a certainty.

You have judged rightly about Menin ; it was
impossible to resist the dreadful artillery of the

32 LETTERS OF

enemy. It is said that Oaraman could not act
otherwise than he has, at least without losing the
garrison; and the capitulation is more advan-
tageous than some days of further resistance.

I had the honor of replying to you about the
Chevalier d'Espennes; I have read what you
tell me of the Marquis de Leganez, to the King.
M. Orry came to see me at Saint Cyr; we
spoke of you with pleasure ; he will teU you, no
doubt, what he related of the Duke of Alba ; these
people are much esteemed here for their fidelity to
their King, and for their noble conduct in all
things. There is a little disorder in your letter ;
I know not whether some pages were not forgott«i
in making up the packet, but it is not connected ;
this has never happened before.

The King went to the Hotel of the Invalids yes-
terday, with no other design than to please M. Men-
sard, who has completed this work ; but it was a
fine sight : the King, followed by the royal family,
and. all the court, entering into one of the finest
establishments in Europe amidst all the soldiers ;
and music blended with trumpets and cym-
bals; the Cardinal de Noailles reading mass;
I have no doubt but that all this was very
grand, for you may well suppose I was - not
there; our dear . Princess remained here alone
taking care of herself for the journey to Fontain-
bleau. Her conduct is more prudent than could
be hoped from her age, and it is rendered still

1H[APAME DE HAINTENON. 38

^more so^ by her wishing to see all that is passing.
The journey to Fontainebleau is broken off for the
present, on account of the duchess of Burgundy ;
the person who is to ;attend her accouchement
says that her infant is<so placed, that there would
be great sisk in removing her ; «upon this opinion,
the King has decided not to go at present. Moa-
seigneur sets out to-morrow with the Duchess, de
Conti, and we return toVersailles.

I cannot believe, Madam, that you could think
your letters fatigue me: they can never be
too prolix, provided they do not fatigue your^
.sself : do not therefore m^e any other rule when
you do me the honor of writing to me : take care
.of yourself in preference to every thing else, and
believe my attachment for you sufficiently strong
not to require excitement by any new marks of
your kindness. This answers to the last letter I
have just received from you, of the 19th. Very
little of the reports of your enemies jreaches me;
but I assure you, that they cannot injure you. M.
de Toxcy showed me this morning, on bringing
me the despatches of M. Amelot, a letter of
thanks for the confidence which is placed in him,
and of the satisfaction feH at all his conduct ;
this minister sees with what care and anxiety
I attend to the affairs of Spain : and which I tell
you, much less to enhance him in your eyes,
than to tranquillize your ^lind. I conjure you and
your ambassadQr to confide in me : for howevcir

VOL. I. D

34 LETTERS or

great I may deceive myself, it is not possible for
me to be ignorant of what the king thinks of
you. I will avail myself of your advice to do
something for M. Amelot, when the occasion
presents itself. *

* I have told yon all I know about Turin ; I will
consult the king concerning the favorite of the
Duchess of Maine, and cause the other affair to
be arranged with the Marshal de Tessé.

LETTER XIIL

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, September 5tb, 1706.

Although I am greatly afraid of battles, Madam,
.and especially since our misfortunes began, I am
sorry that the Marshal de Berwick could not attack
the enemy, and I am persuaded it was impossible,
because I cannot doubt his inclination to do so ;
but your affairs will go on very slowly, and this
Is not the worst 6f what we have to fear.

We are much the same : nothing is decided
either about Turin or the fleet. M. d'Orleans
and Prince Eugene are at the former place, and
we are in momentary expectation of important
news from that quarter. You will have heard
from M. Amelot, that the Queen Dowager is to be

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 36

sent back to France: the ambasscLdor is not
capable of proposing a harsh measure. I hope,
from all my heart, that he Vrill always agree with
you, and that you may never be of different senti-
ments. The step taken with respect to Orry has
surprised us, but it is necessary to refer to those
who are on the spot.

Although the Marshal de Villeroi is on duty,-
I do not see him the oftener ; it occurs to me that
he is too much overwhelmed when, dejected, and
too insensible when gay. I am delighted. Madam,
i:hat the first news I gave you, made you laugh,
and our great Queen also : grant heaven that we
'had but such matters to talk of! But I could
wish you to treat every thing which comes from
your enemies in the same way, and which seems
to me to merit as little attention. I make no re-
ply to M, Amelot : I content myself with watching
over all that regards him ; I could only offer
!him my compliments, and I reserve myself for
^what is more necessary.

• M. de Torcy has given the letter to his Serene
Highness ; he thought it should be thus managed.

I have seen the Prince : he spoke much of you ; I
informed him of your tyranny towards me with re-
gard to foreigners^? and. that I found you too much
.affected by the reports of y our enemies: it ap-
peared to me that he wished to write to you on
the subject. It is no llaughing matter, Madam,
to be in the continued state of inquietude in which

D 2

38 LETTERS OF

I am : the affair of Turin seems to be very important.
I cannot understand its being taken without a
battle; and what ought we not to fear after ail
the misfortunes that have befallen us ? M. d'Or-
leans would not hesitate to sacrifice himself there ;
he is as brave as a lion^ and never sees danger.

The Princess d'Harcourt has lost her son in
Italy : he died of the small pox. The Princess
de Vaudemont speaks in the highest terms t)f him,
and seems much afflicted. All that I hear from
M, de Vaudemont proves great zeal for our two
Kings. I say nothing to you about the Duchess
of Burgundy, because I have the honor of send-
ing news on the subject to the Queen. I do not
tell you. Madam, how often we speak of 'you, and
the joy we feel in having a person like you near
the Queen, who is so much in want of counsel and
' consolation : I cannot believe that you would
not wish to be there, however much it may cost
you. I assure you Madam, you would be very
wrong to wish to get rid of me, and that you have
no one who is more sincerely attached to you .
than I am.

I often call to mind your person and that ami-
able countenanoewhichusedto charmme atMarly.
Do you preserve the same tranquillity that enabled
you to pass from a conversation of the greatest
importance with the King, to the playful jokes of
Madam d'Audiccurt in my study ? I have just re-
perused a letter from the Queen, to which I have

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 37

not replied : it relates to the bad offices which
your enemies wish to render you, because you
are not attached to the two Kings : I assure you,
that these reports are regarded like those of the
Pont Neuf.

LETTER XIV.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr^ September 1 2th,. 1 706i

When you write to' me in joy of heart. Madam,
you afford great pleasure to mine, especially
if your affairs go on rather better. It is to be
hoped they will not proceed so tardily, for I am
still afraid of the fleet for you : we can scarcely
comprehend its delay, I think the Queen Dow-
ager will be better in France than Spain ; for,
without knowing her private character, it appears
to me very pi^obable that she is in the interest of
the Archduke. There is no appearance of our
having any good news from Turin ; the length of
the siege and sickness have weakened our army,
and Prince Eugene is very near the Duke of Or-
leans. My God, Madam, how tedious all this is,
zaà how difficult to come to a conclusion f and yet
M. de Vendôme has a very fine army in Flanders,
and burns to do something : but the King thinks^

38 LETTERS OF

it will not answer to risk every thing at the end'
of a campaign. We have been much surprised
to see M. Orry countermanded, but we are
cheered on perceiving that it has been done in-
concert with you : I should be truly sorry if you
i^jth ought differently to your ambassador, or if he
differed from you; I hope to find letters from
you on reaching Versailles this evening. The
King calculates on setting out to Fontainbleau
on the 23d of this month ; he goes there out of
complaisance to the Dauphin, and from charity
to the inhabitants of that place, who will be
ruined if he does not go ; the Court will not be so
brilliant as usual,> for our Princess shines there
greatly, and she will remain at Versailles with a
number of ladies, so that we shall be alone and
afflicted at being removed from her. The King
is more sorry for it than I should have thought,
and he would not have been so, but for the two
reasons I have stated. The Duke of Burgundy
will also be there; but I doubt whether ho^
will remain three weeks without taking a turn
to Versailles.

Yes, Madam, I forgive the Queen for loving you
too much ; she cannot carry her friendship too far,
and I am greatly obliged to you for confiding it to
me. Certainly thetwo Savoyard ladies would turn
the heads of our Princes if they wished it. I sin^
cerely pity the King of Spain, to be separated from
her he loves, without being consoled for it by a^

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 39

battle. I do not merit for myself/ Madam, that
you should have any friendship for me, but I am
really worthy of some from the manner in which
I am devoted to you*

LETTER XV.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, September 26th, 1706.

I HAVE no difficulty. Madam, in shoeing as to
the merit of our two princesses : it seems to me
that we do not enjoy all the blessings of fortune
at once ; their conduct is really surprising : God
bless them ! they are in want of courage. You
are greg-tly afflicted, and you know still better
than I do, the consequence of so many reverses.
I have the honor of asking the Queen for the
d^ails of this unfortunate day: the letter you
receive will explain matters much better than I
can. The Duke of Orleans is in despair; they
write to inform us, that the wound in his wrist is
very dangerous, but that the agitation of his mind
is his greatest evil. Nothing can equal his situa-
tion : if his counsels had been followed we should,
to all appearance, have beaten Prince Eugene^
whose army was weaker than ours; if, after the
loss of Turin, we had marched towards Milan and

4C^ LETTERS OF

rejoined M. de Medavid, Italy would not be losi,
and from the measures which the Prince has beenr
made to adopt» all will be lost unless miracles are
performed. You will have heard that M. de
Medavid has defeated the Prince of Hesse : he^
can throw himself into the fortresses of the Mi-
lanese. The King has received this news with
his usual firmness. M^Chamillard is furioul^; I
do not think he can long resist» he suffers from sa
many quarters ; for m^yself. Madam» I only sup-
port these causes of suffering to exercise my
patience» which îr often worn out. It will be
Very prudent not to expose yourselves by leaving
Madrid a second time ; I never see the extremi-
ties in which the Queen is placed without think-
ing of her situation if you were not with her ;
but I can easily conceive that with such succour
every thing will be supportable to her. I also
think that the repose you would enjoy at Rome
is not to be compared to the gratification of
forming the heart and mind of a princess who
will always make a great figure in the world.

When I spealk to you of M. and Madame
d'Alba, t have no other object in view than to in-
form you of what passes here» and to do justice
to the truth : they never asked me to render
them any service ; I have nothing to propose for
them. I will not even say any thing to the King
about what you do me the honor of writing on
that subject ; I should be afraid to create some

MADAIMTE DE MAtîrt'ENON. 41

éinf)arrassment ; if you wish to do them a ser-
vice, you know better than any one on earth
what is likely to answer the purpose. The fol-
lowing is what M. Orry has related to me during
the visits he has made here, when expecftinjg to
go to Spain : having heard that thô Duke d'Alba
had sent to sell plate to the amount of ten thou-
sand crowns, he called on him, and said that he
did Hot offer him any of the money he was taking
to the King of Spain, that prince being too
much in want of it, but that he begged the Duke
would at once accept a thousand louis d'ors, and
afterwards the forty thousand crowns, which he
kaew how to get back from His Catholic Ma-
jesty ; the Duke replied, that he would be very
sorry to ask the King his master for money at a
time like the present ; and that he would most
willingly give him some if he had it ; that at all
events, he felt hurt at the offer of M, Orry : for,
as his wife had still some jewels left, when these
were gone, they could live on chocolate, of which
they had a stock for two years.

We were much surprised to see Orry counter-
manded, and I was greatly afraid that this mea-
sure had not been sufficiently concerted with
you: but. Madam, your candour, good sense,
and amiable disposition, agree with every thing,
and you on all occasions do that which is most
proper.

There is an open war declared between the

42 LETTERS OF

Marshal de Yilleroi and M . de Chamiltard, whiefr
quite afflicts me : it seems but little becoming
two men so attached to the King» nor have I a&
yet seen any appearance of softening them.

It is certain. Madam, that there was grea.t
disorder in the letter I received from you at
Meudon: Mademoiselle d'Aumale, who is my
secretary, and myself, read it over several times ;
some leaves were wanting. Although I am not
naturally suspicious, I closely examine your
packets ; they are always well sealed : you often
put them into those of the Queen, and I do not
know who would be bold enough to open a letter
from the Queen of Spain to the Duchess of Bur-
gundy.

However much I may dread battles, I should
like to hear of one in Spain, for the reasons you
have pointed out, but I am j^ from seeing my
hopes accomplished.

We begin to have no longer any fears of the
fleet for ourselves, but we are afraid on your
account. You speak to me of the Duke of Or-
leans in a way which obliges me to give the
news concerning him somewhat in detail. The
heroes of romance do not carry their courage
£uther than he has. He concealed his first
wound, but it was necessary to cede to the
second, as his arm fell ; he supported his pain
with the same tourage ; he caiised himself to be
conveyed in a Utter with the design of marching

MADAME BE MAINTENOltf*. 43

forwards. I had the honor of telling the Queen
that his advice was not followed, on which ac«-
count he is inconsolable, and all the officers send
to say his life is endangered by his affliction.
The King has written to him in a manner the
most obliging : in truth, he well deserves it.

It is because the Marshal de Villeroi is in
quarters that he does not see me, for he never
quits the King except when he is in my room. I
ean easily imagine that you are tranquil at Bur-
gos ; I do not attacl^ much importance to dislai)ce,
and would rather be in a cave with you than in
a fine room with some ladies I see here ; but as
to public affairs. Madam, it is necessary that the
Queen and you enter into them for all your life.
The Duke de Grammont has always appeared to
me, as to yourself^^ very much interested in the
eoncerns of Spain.

The Cardinal de Noailles tells me the Car-
dinal de la Tremoille is very anxious that an am-
bassador should be sent to Rome, and that he finds
every thing there very difficult ; you may judge
whether the event at Turin will render matters
more favourable. All your efforts to strengthen
our party there, proves your zeal for the two
Kings.

The Cardinal (Je Janson is very fortunate to
have nothing more to do than enjoy the fruits of
his labours : I am charmed to hear that he re-
gards his relative as a monster, for I have so

44 rETtÊRS of

many examples of the force of blood, that I waip
afraid he had become your enemy.

LETTER XVL

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, October 2nd, 1706.

You will have seen. Madam, that I had reason
to fear for Turin, and that raising the siege^ would
have been a trifling misfortune compared with aU
that has happened. M. de Vendôme, who so
ardently wished for this enterprise, believes all
that he wishes. It is true our troops were su-
perior, and what is surprising,, is, that they are
so still, but the measures were badly taken every
where : you are already informed of all, and it is
needless to speak of the past, but to endeavour
to support the present, and to hope for the future,
that God will not abandon our two Kings. The
wound of the Duke of Orleans was terrible, and
the danger ^eater, from his not being able to
console himself for his misfortune. Madame
told the King yesterday, that she owed her son's
life to him, for the obliging letter he wrote to the
Duke, and which in reality caused the wound to
change in a surprising manner. All those who^

IKADAME DE MAINTENOIT. 45

^«nrround him are most anxious to return to Paris,

they remain at Grenoble, not being able to come

mearer ; but that is neither the intention of the

King or the Prince : and it is very certain that,

as soon as he can be removed, he will enter

Piedmont. The Duchess of Orleans yesterday

charged me to tell the King, that she did not '

wish to be troublesome wheft her husband was

in -a distant country, but as he k^d come to

Grenoble, she wished for permission to be near

him. She was praised and refused ; I think this

was all that could be done.

The Portuguese will be punished sooner or
later for the barbarities they exercised oq the
monks of Salamanca. The Queen is admirable,
to feel these things so differently to what the
great are usually accustomed.

I cannot enter into the repugnance you have for
public -affairs : the Queen and you are formed to
meddle with them, but what makes me uneasy
about Madrid is, that the enemy do not leave you
there in peace.

All our court is very well satisfied with the
Elector of Cologne, and I think he will be so
with the manner in which he is treated. He
wished to see me, but fortunately, Madami, you
are not here.

46 I.ETTERS OF

LETTER XVIL

TO The same.

Sadnt Cyr, October 10th, 1706.

I DO not remember to have passed any Sun-
day, Madam, without writing to you. There is
no misfortune that can remove me from you,
and it appears to me that by approaching you
even in the way I do, I always acquire more
courage. The interests of the King and Queen
of Spain scarcely affect me less than those of
France, and although I think of them incessantly,
I cannot conceive how all this will be unravelled.
You are indeed to be pitied, you who are a good
French woman and a good Spaniard. After all it
is you that consoles me.

I have already told you that our King is always
the same, whether it regards the health of his
person, the tranquillity of his mind, or equani-
mity of his temper, but I see from more than
one symptom that the bad news we receive is
still worse in the end than when first sent to us«
Our army, which was superior, is reduced almost
to nothing by the number of maladies, desertions,
and yet more through the impatience of the offi-
cers to return to France : there is something so

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 47

afflicting in ail that has occurred for ^ome time
past, that we ipight despair if we did not feel
that all these circumstances came from the same
hand. It is much if the kingdoms of Naples and
Sicily remain faithful to their King.

I have closely examined the conduct of the
Prince de Vaudemont, and seen how near he was
to be embroiled with our two Kings : they are very
unhappy. Madam, in not being able to act for
themselves, for they are often cruelly deceived^
The Marshal de Villeroi has greatly contributed
tb prove the innocence of M. de Vaudemont;
nothing can equal what he has done, and all he
still proposes for not abandoning Italy. You will
learn from persons better informed than I am
the steps to be taken on that subject. I will
profit by what you say, to be more than ever
on my guard against all that people say and
write. We hear nothing more of the Queen or
you ; it appears that your ambassador continues
to give satisfaction, and you may rely on it that
i watch over all that concerns yourself. It is
ftfue I declare myself so strongly for you that your
eûemies will not perhaps tell me all that is said in
public, and I can assure you that up to the pre-
sent moment, there has not been a cloud on the
^iid of the King in any thing that regards you.

48 USTT£R6 OJF

LETTER XVIII.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, October irth, 1706.

The Duke of Orleans is very well, and we wait
his next accounts to know whether he is to enter
Italy or not: there must be great difficulties in
this, if he does not surmount them. The Prince de
Vaudemont omits nothing to facilitate the means
of doing so. The Duke of Savoy has been very
ill ; the last news says he takes Peruvian bark,
which induces a belief that he is out of danger.
, I cannot. Madam, wish you jthe repose ^f
Burgos. God has not given you all the talents
you possess to do nothing ; I think you will not
be less favourably received at Madrid than the
King has been: heaven grant that you may
not Jeave it again ! All that you think of M.
Orry partakes of an uprightness very imcommon
in courts. It is true, that the hatred be-
tween M. de Villeroi and M. de Chamillard is
very disagreeable to me ; but it is not easy to
make passionate people hear reason. I.pannpt
believe that the Marshal de Berwick had not
strong reasons for declining to give battle ; ex-
cept this, your affairs do not appear to be in a

MADAME DE MAINTENOK. 49

bad state provided, your enemies do not receive
fresh succours, I well remember that you sent
me a letter for the Marshal de Tessé when I was
at Meudon ; the Duchess of Burgundy undertook
to deliver it to him.

Mademoiselle D'Aumale has been educated at
Saint Cyr. She is of the same family as the
wife of Marshal Schomberg, who would, I think,
be very much disconcerted to «ee a young lady of
his name with me : I also find it disadvantageous
to her ; but not being able to give her a fortune
equal to her birth, I endeavour to make her pass
her time agreeably, and I think I have a right to
treat the pupils of Saint Cyr as my children :
if this one had the honor of seeing you, she
would be truly grateful for all you desire me to
tell her.

You are very right in wishing for a good choice
in the ambassador to Rome, it would be difficult'
to find one among our great lords. The Duke
de Saint Simon and the Marquis D'Antin were
proposed some time ago : it is pretended that the
Jansenists opposed the first, and the contrary
cabal the latter : I do not suspect them in the
least of professing any particular doctrine, but they
say I am a dupe in many things, and that may
be easily the case, for I am not distrustful. We
have the Elector of Cologne here, and. with
whom all the Royal Family are charmed : I never
saw them so much so with any foreigner ; they

VOL. I. E

60 LETTERS OF

say he is the least embarrassed and least embar-
rassing prince in the world. There is quite a con-
test for his society : the King takes him to hunt
to-morrow : he has also remarked a great deal of
taste in all he saw here ; he gives the prize to
the house at Trianon and gardens of Marly ; he
cannot contain himself with regard to the King ;
he has told him that he wished his enemies knew
him as he really is; all that we hear on this
subject induces us to perceive that strange no-
tions are entertained of the King. The Elector
is to prepare for his return to Flanders to-morrow,
and is^ very well satisfied at not being obliged to
go to Rome.

It was my intention to have the honor of
writing to the Queen, but I am still very weak,
and the least effort I make in this way throws
me into a perspiration. I have had the fever and
acute pains during three weeks, and this» joined
to the present state of affairs, does not agree
with a susceptible mind and feeble frame. The
Queen has reason to pity the Duke of Orleans ;
his dejection has greatly augmented the malady :
his wound has been twice affected with gangrene,
and they wanted to take off his arm : the letter
he received from the King operated as a won-
derful balm, and he has been getting better ever
since : he certainly deserves to be consoled, and
I have no doubt but your Queen will contribute
all she can towards it.

MADAME DK MAINTENON. 51

I am delighted. Madam, at the confidence the
Queen places in God ; I hope he will not abandon
such pious princes, and whose cause is as just as
their lives are innocent : it appears to me that a
pregnancy would attach the people still more to
their majesties. In order to give myself an
agreeable idea, at least for a moment, I figure to
myself the Queen's entry into Madrid. There
can be nothing added to the fact of bur Princess
taking every care to ensure a happy accouche-
ment; she is pretty well, but her dejection is
extreme; she is attached to her father, but
feels great resentment against him, and tenderly
loves her mother : she takes as great aii interest
in the affairs of Spain as those of France. She
loves the King, and cannot see him à little more
serious than usual without shedding teats ; and
by an excess of goodness, she intei'ests herself in
all my sufferings ; I should wish to console her,
and yet 1 often afflict her. This situation is very
tef rible for one of her age, and who, though she
does not say so, has, I think, some uneasiness
about her accouchement, and the fear of having a
daughter.'

It is said that the Pope has sent à jubilee to
the whole Christian world • let us hope that so
maiiy prayers will be favourable to legitimate
kings and the protectors of religion.

R 2

52 LETTERS OF

LETTER XIX.

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, October 24th, 1706.

In the midst of all ourniisfortunes, I am very
glad . to perceive you . have confidence in God :
nothing is more consoling or excellent than what
you say on this subject, nothing less than mira-
cles will serve us , but God is all powerful, and
our cause is just

It appears to me that the Duke de Grammont
does not spare you bad news, and that if they
can be exaggerated, he will do so. I do not as
yet know what will be decided with regard to
Italy; there are great diflSculties in re-entering
it. If the Queen Dowager of Spain judges the
ladies of the French court by the Duchess de
Grammont, she will have a strange opinion of
them ; I do not know her ; it is said she is not
destitute of some talents, but that her manners are
low, forward, and those of a person who has not
been brought up in good company. She governs
her husband most imperiously; she might have
acted an amiable part in mailing him live on terms
with the Duke and Duchess of Guiche, who con-
ducted themselves with admirable prudence in

MADAME DE MAINTENOX. 53

this unfortunate marriage, but it is said thds
woman wishes to ruin the duke, and she can
do so if she pleases : so that I do not think the
family of Noailles were pleased to see her so in-
timate with you ; I should not, however^ wish to
commit myself by what I now say*

At all events, you may believe the Duke de
Grammont's word, with regard to his wife ; he
has clearly proved his knowledge of such mer-
chandize, and you cannot doubt his discrimination,

I see with great pleasure, the kindness and esteem
you profess for the Duke de Noailles ; I think
him a very good man : he will be here in Decern-^
ber and January.

The comparison of La Perils with you. Madam,
is not altogether just ; there is no queen who
ought not to think of what the Queen Dowager
told you ; but they will not be fortunate enough
to find persons like you : these are still more
rare than queens. I am truly sorry for the mfe-
fortunes of the great, who have none near them
but those who sacrifice them to their passions.

M. de Mursay is a brave man, and very much
attached to the public service ; but he does not
merit the honor you do him; he is a prisoner
at Turin.

You may calculate. Madam, that I feel towards
you, as I had the honor of telling you. I do not
foresee that I can ever change my sentiments ;
but should this happen, I assure you, that I will tell

54 L£TT£RS OF

yov SO, with the motives which I may have ; never
doubts therefore, till then, that I am not entirely

yours.

Permit. me to request, that you will assure the

ambassador, that the King is very well satisfied
with him, and that I admire him more and more
eyery day. The last news from Spaii^ is tolera-
bly good ; but while our good fortune is small,
wvt misfprtimes are at their height.

LETTER XX.

TO THE SAME.

Saiat Cyr, October 31st, 1786.

I HAD hoped, ^adam, that we should» have
he^d of the Queen's arrival at Madtid last night ;
but we hav^ received no news from Spain that has
come to my knowledge. There will be less every
where at present. The armies of Flanders are
going to separate, and all our officers are about
to return ; it is to be wished that they were less
anxious to do so. Everybody is tired of the
war, and the men wish for peace as much bb the
women ; it would be difficult for it to be carried
on to our satisfaction, unless God, who can
ehwge our situation in a moment, should in-
terfere. I. wa$ told: some days ago, that you were

MADAME DE MATNTENON. S5

coming back immediately, because the King of
Spain sent to the Queen to warn her against
taking you to Madrid. I cannot as yet compre-
hend what vengeance there is in circulating re-
ports which destroy themselves before they are
established ; but certain persons think otherwise;
they wish to injure the Queen more than you,
when they show such great anxiety for your
quitting Spain. We are to have the Duke de
Noailles here at the end of the month ; I shall
give him great satisfaction when I inform him of
the esteem with which you honor him : it is a
long time since I saw his mother ; she is still at
Paris on account of the Duchess de Guiche, who
has, however, had her accouchement. At length
our Princess approaches her time ; she is about to
eirter her eighth month, and from her great care she
is still able to move about, see the King, and sup
with him ; she goes to bed a few hours after din-
ner, and has given up visiting Marly. We are
going there on Wednesday to pass the anniver-
sary of Saint Hubert ; after this, I do not think
we shall return there often, for the King finds
great difficulty in passing his time without the so-
ciety of the Duchess, and in leaving her alone:

56 t£TT£IlS OF

LETTER XXL

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, November 7th, 1706^

Although I have no longer any pleasant sub-
ject to treat on with you, I sufier much from not
receiving your letters j two couriers having arrived
without bringing any. I never followed up a cor-
respondence with so much zeal, nor have I ever
had one so useful or agreeable. Your letters
communicate something of yourself; I find in
them that sort of courage which supports every-
thing, without being dejected, and that happy
disposition which prevents you from seeing any-
thing in a sorrowful or gloomy light. In fact, I
always find myself better when I receive a letter
from yo.u^ and there are none which I do not read:
over several times. How fortunate is your amia-
ble Queen in her calamities, to have you near to
aid and. support her ; and how much do your
enemies wish to injure her, when they want to
remove you from her I Our oflScers are returning
from Flanders daily, but we shall not have M. de
Vendôme so soon. The Duke of Orleans is
also coming back; all this only tends to re-
new our uneasiness as well as their own.

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 57

The Duchess de Duiias was delivered to-day in
two hours ; I should wish for the same facility to
our Princess, provided it is not a girl ; I have
scarcely courage enough left to wish for any
thing, for it appears to me that we hardly know
what we want. In whatever humour I may be,
I am' always equally yours.

LETTER XXII.

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, November 14th, 1706.

I write a few words, Madam, in order that an
opportunity may not pass without your hearing
from me, for I keep my letters for the courier of
M. Amelot, and he will arrive sooner than usual ;
this is the reason ^at the Duchess of Burgundy
does not write by the same conveyance ; she is
in good health as well as all those for whom you
feel interested.

Saint Cyr, Same day.

I HAVE to reply to three of your letters.
Madam, the first is from Rosas of the 26th of
October; I am still weak from three days of
fever, and which returns at this time every fifteen
days. Mademoiselle d'Âumale is ill ; but I do

68 LETTERS OF

not want for a secretary here, and I will answer
for this one as I do for the other.

I have taken a great interest in the joy of the
Queen ; she requires that God should interfere to
relieve her situation, which up to the present
seems to have been truly unfortunate : your own.
Madam, does not appear enviable, except in the
services which you continually render a princess,
who merits all the tenderness you feel for her.

The Pantheon of St. Denis is a place well cal-
culated for serious reflections; poor Queen
Louisa has done better to die than live. It
seems to me that every body approves of your
not recalling all the menines ; they are less neces-
sary to the King than troops, and a conjunction
like the present was necessary to get rid of them.
I have no doubt but the grandees will murmur ;
curtailments are approved of generally ; but no
one in particular wishes them to fall on himself.
As I never lose sight of your interests, I am de-
lighted that you have no 'longer three hundred
women to govern.

I think with you. Madam, that your blood and
mine are often heated ; but whatever it costs me,
I feel myself much honored in being compared
with you.

Let us pass to that dated Madrid, October the
27th» The affection of the Castilians greatly in-
creases my esteem for them; Wt nothing will
afford me enjoyment until peace is made, and it

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 59

inay easily happen that even the peace will not
delight me : there is up to the present time no
appearanee of it ; our enemies are inflated with
their good fortune. Heaven will punish them for
it perhaps ; there is no place but Spsdn in which
our affairs go on well. I have always the heart-
felt hope, that God will protect the innocence and
piety of their Catholic Majesties.

It is said that the Duke of Savoy and Prince
Eugejae are on very bad terms, because the Em-
peror has not performed all his promises to the
former; I hope he may open his eyes, and
recognize his real interests.

I assure you. Madam, that I have no design in
peaking well of the Duke and Duchess of Alba ;
when I want any thing from you, I shall say so
very frankly ; I am, however, very glad to hear
what the King of Spain has done for them. I
have not as^ yet complimented them on it. You
perhaps know by this time that we cannot enter
Italy before the spring : we should have been there
still if the officers had been as well disposed as
their general.

I have seen this general, who is greatly af-
flicted at his misfortune, and very ardent to make
up for it on a future day : his health is good, but
he will have one or two fingers of his left hand
crippled.

I now come to your letter of November 3rd,
also from Madrid. I admire your finding time to

60 LETTERS OF

write to me in the press of aflfairs which surround
you : I entreat you, however, never to do your-
self any violence, to give me the pleasure of hear-
ing from you ; I prefer your repose to the conso-
lations it affords me to receive your letters. Why
are your ladies of the court so sorrowful ? Are
they grieved to see* you again ? I should be very
angry with them if they were.

If ever I had wished to see the Elector of
Cologne, I could not, for I was very ill while he
was here ; but I confess to you, that if I could I
did not wish it. I become indifferent to society,
and it is no longer the time for me to make any
new acquaintances. I feel, however, that I
should not have resisted had you been here, but I
should have been well recompensed in the pleasure
of seeing you, who could soften my sufferings
in many respects.

I have read all the praises contained of him in
your letters to the King, and the copy of that,
which you have written to M. Orry : your frsmk-
ness and sinoerity'cannot be sufficiently admired ;
the King is as much affected by them as I could
wish, and I assure you. Madam, this is to say
everything.

God grant that M. de Vendôme does not flatter
himself, when he tells the King of Spain that he
will very soon enter the Milanese ! We shall
soon know what to think of this.

I had some conversation about you a few days

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 61

ago with the Duchess of Burgundy, and con-
cerning the reports circulated from' time to
time, that you are embroiled at one time
in France, and at another in Spain ; I am
charmed with the sentiments she entertains to-
wards you, for she not only believes your merit
to be extraordinary, but thinks you very amiable,
and really loves you.

I do not wish you all the fatigues you undergo ;
but it is inseparable from ypur situation, and it
wpuld be a pity for you to be idle ; but I would
consent if your amiable Queen were not to suffer
from it.

I shall know to-night, on reaching Versailles,
whether the courier of M. Amelot has gone ; in
that case it will be necessary to send my letter by
M. Torcy ; can you have any motives to distrust
him ? I think not. I feel^for you. Madam, as for
myself, and I should be afflicted if I were not one
of the three women of whom you speak to M.
Orry, as those upon whom you calculate.

Versailles, 14 th October.

P. S. The courier of M. Amelot is not gone ;
I will give him my letters, as he willarrive before
the ordinary one, though he does not set out so
soon. I have just spoken to the King again,
about the ladies of the court who have been dis-
missed, and he finds all your arguments very
just.

62 LETTERS OF

LETTER XXIII.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, November 21«t, 1706.

We have no news from you this time, and there
are none to send you : everybody is comiBg
back, and the court is quite full. M. de Vendôme
will soon return. There is nothing thought of
but warlike projects, which makes me tremble.
If they lose the hope of entering Italy, we shall
have plenty of troops for Spain. But how is it
possible not to fear a campaign, after that out of
which we have come ? Do you preserve, during
these events, that tranquillity which I envied you
at Marly ? For myself, I cannot conceive how I
resist my agitation and years. We must hope
in God, and pray to him incessantly. I do not
know whether people will have the courage to
enjoy themselves here, even when our Princess
is in a different state ; her mind seems to me less
disposed than her body ; and the interest felt by
her sister the Queen, is what affects her most*
M. de Mursay has died of the scarlet fever at
Turin. It is said the air is infected there by the
great number of deaths : we lost nearly twenty

MADAME DE MAINTENOK. 63

thousand men during the siege. Madame dei
Cailus is greatly afflicted ; she was very fond oit
her mother. I am in an interval of health which
is not likely to last long. We are more and
more satisfied with your ambassador ; and as
to you, I have heard nothing since your return
to Madrid. There is nothing talked of here but
intrenchments. The King tells the Duke of Alba
that he wishes to follow the example of his grand-
son, and expend nothing more except in war.
You will see by this that what has been done
with your menines is not disapproved of. The
King cannot decide on going to JVIarly withr
out the Duchess of Burgundy, so that we shall
thus be deprived of it all the winter. You no
longer speak to me of the Queen's health : I
augur well from this.

LETTER XXIV.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, December 5th, 1706.

Your friend, M. de Pontchartrain, has sent
me the packet you addressed to him for me. I
will take care of that with which you honor the
Duke de Noailles, who has not yet arrived. I
know nothing of M. de Torcy with regard to you :

64 LETTERS OF

do you wish me to ask him the cause of his cold-
ness ? It is some time since I have heard any
thing of the reports of your enemies. It is
true I am known to be so zealously devoted
to you, that they dare not speak before me.
Would to God that my letters were of some use
to you ! Neither sickness nor old age. can inter-
rupt the intercourse which you have so kindly
wished to have with me. I beg of you, however,
not to write to me with your own hand, but to
spare your eyes as much as possible. You can-
not too much despise the foolish reports which
reach you ; they increase' daily on every subject ;
the mania for scandal is at the highest pitch,
and our enemies do not depreciate our affairs
as much as our courtiers and officers. M. de
Vendôme, who arrived two days ago, is ex-
tremely shocked at it ; but he will name no one,
and yet this is necessary, to make an example.

The French are volatile ; they have always mur-
mured when affairs went on well, no wonder there-
fore at their doing so when they are unfavourable.
As to myself, I often receive anonymous letters,
in which I am abused for all the evils I bring on
the state. They ask me what I can want, on the
eve of my death, with the money I am amassing !
There is nothing, Madam, but patience for all this.
, Poor M. Chamillard is not better treated ; but
he is really unhappy, both by the greatness of
his charge and domestic sorrows. You may

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 66

easily imagine that all that has occurred at Turin
affects him deeply. M. de la Feuillade will no
longer by a visitor here ; he proposes to go to
Naples. He is rather singular, and resembles
his father too much. M. Chamillard has not the
heart of a minister ; he is tender, full of feeling,
and the best natured man in the world : he is
now trying to repair our losses, and assures us that
the King will have powerful armies on every side.
Omit nothing. Madam, on your part, to aid us.
I am very impatient to know the effect of the
vigorous step the King of Spain has taken to ob-
tain money.

Were you not well pleased with the Marshal
de Berwick? I had always a high opinion of
him, and I am delighted not to have been de-
ceived. Yes, Madam, the greatest difficulties arise
from the want of probity which is found in public
men ; they are nearly all selfish, envious, faith-
less, insensible to the public good, and regard
any sentiments contrary to their own as romantic
and impracticable. We have had the Count de
Bergnets here, and in whose praise every body
agrees. I am so struck by all they tell me of
him, that I feel anxious to see him. Judge from
this, of the opinion I entertain of his merits.

Your letters inspire the sentiments you feel ; when
they were consolatory, I derived comfort from them,
and they were certainly read more than once by
me. Since they have been sorrowful, they con-

VOL. I. F

66 UTTERS OF

firm me in my dejection ; but they are always
affectionate.

I see the letters of your ambassador, and am
more and more «satisfied with them. I do not
recollect whether I replied to what you said to
me relative.to his interests — ^it is that the places
which he wants cannot be given away till they
become vacant ; but the intentions with regard
to him are very favourable.

LETTER XXV.

TO THB SAME.

Saint Cyr, December 12th, 1706.

The Duke de Noailles arrived yesterday even-
i^g ; , I only saw him with the royal family,
and gave him your letter. The part which you
will have in our conversations. Madam, augm^ts
my impatience to commence them. It is a long
time since I have heard from you : your affairs
are those which occupy most attention here. It
is hoped that Spain will be supported, and that
the pretensions of our enemies will thus be
ehangqd : I hope their prosperity will not last
always. M. de Yend(Hne is quite ftiU of confix
4ence; but he has asked leave to go to Anat,
before discussing the plan of the approaching

MADAME DE MAI17TEN0K. 67

eampaigfi. The Marshal de ViUars has rotumed
very well satisfied at not having done any mis-
ohtéfi

Onr Princess is in the ninth month of her preg-
nancy, and in perfect health. God send us a
Strang and healthy boy I We cannot avoid wish-
ing^ as much to the Queen, although it is difficult
to know what one ought to wish. The marriage
<Kf the Archduke to the Princess of Portugal is
talked of. The Count de Grammont is dying ;
he had a fit of apoplexy yesterday : his wife has
atacticipated this loss too long to be overwhelmed
hf it whenever it shall happen.

•taMM

LETTER XXVI.

TO THK S4^ME.

VeiodHtt, Deoembtt 22d, i70a

• I WILL commence this letter with my very
humble excuses for having written one to the
^eeh in considerable disorder, and at different
intervals ; bnt it was the fever which caused it,
and t^is has now gone off.

Grant Heaven that your prognostics for the
next campaign may be realised ! For hiyself, I
assure you my heart is still in despondency, and
perhaps I could give you but too good reasons for
it, if I had the pleasure of seeing you. I have,

F 2

68 LETTSBS OF

however, still, ahd always had, great ground of
hope in the protection of God for your King and
Queen. I thought you would not be sorry to hear
that peace was no longer thought of : — there is
no appearance of any prince's withdrawing from
thé league ; good fortune preserves their union.
The Duke of Savoy is a great prince ; he leaves
the virtue of tenderness towards children to the
citizens. I agree with you that his daughters de^
serve different sentiments.

You have no longer any thing to fear as to thé
praises you bestow on the Queen ; ai^d if I could
be weary of them, it would have been at l^foriy,
where you could never end on that topic, and
where I could not find a moment to treat with
you on any other.

It is true I am very gloomy, I cannot deny it
to you ; but I am not discouraged as yet ; and I
try, as you recommend, not to afiSict myself by
anticipation/ We talk c^ all sorts of retrench-
ments here, but these can bear no proportion to
the necessary expences of the war.

Nothing is more surprising than the sudden
change that has taken place in the ' King ; and
it appears there is no exaggeration in what you
say on the subject. There must be something
miraculous in this. God has perhaps accorded it
to the prayers of the Queen : our King was
much affected by the news, and anxiously hopes
there may be no relapse.

MADAME DE MAINTEICON'. 66

You do me pleasure in noticing the Prinoe and
Princess de Vaudemont. It is true that I have a
good opinion of him, ^nd a great esteem -for his
wife. In the name of God; Madam, do qot write
to me in your own hand ; take more care of your
eyes. You see that notwithstanding thé difference
between us, with what freedom I use the permis-
sion you have given me.

I have read the communication of the ambassa-
dor with great attention. Nothing can be stronger
or more true than all he states ; but I hope he
will be satisfied. It seems to me that matters are
at a crisis which cannot last long ; and I thînk
him too sincerely attached to the. two Kings to
wish to quit them, and see them ruined in o^h^r
hands. You know better thaQ any cute else,tl;^t,
his equal is not easily to be found. It is necesr
sary to, redouble our CQurage and virtue in these
times, and make private interests give place to
public good ; but I hope both the one and the other ,
will be miade to ?igree„ for every thing is favpuraWe
for him ; and I never saw a person Iq place w^o^.

conduct is so much appijoved.

You only mook me, Madam, in telling me that
you write to me with too much freedom. You con-
fer the greatest honour on me, and I will do my
utmost to avail çayself of all you write. How tiriie
it is that despondency in men weighs down their
faculties, and that every thing suffers from it ! I
could say a great deal to you on this subject.

70 XSTTERS OF

bal we are dooiaed to ^perieooe every e^ieçies
of sufferiBg in silence, because there are few i»
whom we dare communicate them.

LETTER XXYIL

TO TBE SAMB.

Saint Cyr, Christnaa do^y, 1706w

Your good friend, M. de Pontchartrain, gaye
me a large packet from you some days ago, and
which contained your letter, as well as that which
the ambassador wrote to you ; both were dated
on the 11th instant I had the honor of reply-
ing by the same channel. Since that dme 1
hare received another packet dated the 6th. I
conceive that one must have come by a courier,
and the other by the post. I was enchanted,
to be able to shew the King what you say
of his grandson; for his Majesty, surprised
at this change, asked jne, ^'What does the
Princess des Ursins say?" You spoke td me
more lightly of it in the letter which accompaaied
all those that contained the news ; but you dilate
on the subject in this one in such a manner as to
atFord great pleasure to the King, who is more
attached to the Prince than I could have thought.

MADAMB D£ MAZKTENON. 7]

For me» who am so apt to draw evit from thé

greatest good, I begin to fèar that we love your
King too Hiuch, and that his affairs will finish by
liirning my brain* There is something in all this
very unlike the fine spirit which makes you see
every thing agreeably, and with that amiable tem-
per which charmed me at Marly, in spite of all the
disagreeable matters of which you treated there.

I can ^ily conceive that the tenderness of the
Queen for her husband redoubles, as her esteem
increases ; it is impossible that this can be other*
wise ; I feel that notwithstanding the prédilec-
tion I have for you, I would not like you so much
as I do if I did not esteem you infinitely : there
are no personal attractions which could make
me look over a want of probity or candour. I
have found all in you, and I am happy to
think Providence has separated us. I can^
not help being uneasy at this increase of afiec<»
tion in the Queen, for it seemed to me that she
had no need of it» and I am charmed to hear she
is so well ; she ought to become pregnant. You
niay depend on it the King wishes to support
you, and that he will do every thing in hia power.

The Duchess of Burgundy wished to read what
you said for her, and has again confirmed me as
to her opinion, esteem, and friendship for you.
She is very well, and only waits the moment of an
accouchement, which seems favourably disposed.

You ai»e really too good to think of writing to

72 LETTERS OF

the Countess de Gailus on the, death of her
mother. She has had the jaundice from it» as
well as a thousand other sufferings ; I sent for
her here : she is very much attached to you* £
am quite angry with you. Madam, for writing in
your own hand, and a very long letter. Why do
you thus endanger eyes and healtii that are so
precious?

You have given me much pleasure in sending
me your letters on the affair of the Chevalier
d'Espennes. I am glad to know all that concerns
you, in order to be able to answer those who
speak to me about you. It is very true, as I
have already said, that none dare blame you
before me. It is impossible that this man could
say any thing worse than he has ; and I do not
perceive that his extravagant reports have made
the smallest impression, even on the most cen^
serious.

LETTER XXVIII. - -

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, January 19th, 1707.

The Marshal de Boufflers has brought me your
letter of the 29th ultimo, this morning ; I confess

MADAME DE MAINTÊKOK. 13

to you. Madam, that I am by no means suspi-
cious, and that 1 should with difficulty believe
the letters enclosed in the Duchess of Burgundy's^
packet would be opened. I shall be more care->
fill than ever in putting all I write under an
envelope. I answered your letter without re-
membering by whom I received them ; but if
you think it right that I should do otherwise^ I
will take care to dtate the channel through which
they reach me. Is it possible that this man can
he jealous and displeased at the good offices you
render to our ambassador ? How could you re-
fuse him this testimony, and for whom could, it be
more properly asked ? But it will not do to
appear as if we saw so unjust a jealousy ; as for
myself, I shall persevere in praising the seryicea
of the ambassador, as long as they deserve
to 1:>e applauded. It appears that all I say is
agreed to, I require no more; but let me again
ask you, whether I shall notice the coldness
which is shown towards you. I have no inter-
course with M. and Madame Beauvilliers. I
admit, that I possess some natural good-
ness, but I have no prudence; I proceed
straight forwards, and think only of acting well ;
I scarcely ever write any thing that I should
be sorry for others to read. I have always pro-
ceeded with great frankness, and found no dis-
advantage from it. It seems to me that there is
as much skill as there is virtue in uprightness of

74 L£TT£RS OF

eoDdoot* I am sure, however^ that I should not
be capable of managing affairs where cunning
and hypocrisy were required: this is not to
my taste. I will burn your letters, if you wish
it^ I have preserved a great many, to recur to
them, if any fault was found with the inter-
course I have kept up with you; but if you
âiink it more prudent to discontinue it, you have
eoiy to say sa

. Mademoiselle de Noailles marries the Mairquis
d^ Chmdrin, and she is to have the place of a
lady in waiting, which the Duchess de Noailles
filled. You will say, that this is the act of a
good relative ; but what would I not do to faoili'*
tate a marriage that pleases Madame de Montes**
pan? One of our ladies in waiting, on going to
compHment her on the event, found her seated
between two pumpkins, some cabbages, and a
hundred thousand francs' worth of diamonds
which she gives to the bride.

Mi^MMMii*M

LETTER XXIX.

TO THE SAME.

Versaifles, January 23rd, 1707.

Though we generally receive news from Spain
on Saturday or Sunday, we have none to-day : I

MADAME DE MAINTJfiXON. 75

jSHist nol,)ioweTer, let you be without intelUgmiM
i^onceming the Duchess of Burgundy, for the
information of the Queen ; this is very fevourable,
<-^she tegan to leave her bed yesterday, and finds
horself very well from it The Duke of Britanny
has changed his nurse, because the first had
got a cold; he is also very well, but l^ereis
every tibtng to fear for princes, with whom so
tfiuch pains are taken, that they often kill Hk^aii
besides the continued agitation thek aniB6B
are in, which prevents them firom having goo4
milk. I am doubly grieved at not hearing from
you to-day, as we hope for a confirmation of our
suspicion as to the Queen's situation, and if it
continues still, we shall no longer doubt of what
we wish.

The Duke de Quiche has the small poz> and
Madame de NoaiUes wherewithal to exercise her
activity, between his sickness and the marriage
of her daughter, which takes place in twQ days.
The Duchess of Maine fiirnishes all the amuse*
ipepts of this place ; she has plays performed ait
Clagny, to which every body goes ; Monseigi^eur
went there yesterday with a laige portion of the
Qourt.

Tke King sees our Princess three times a day :
I imagine such attentions fully compensate l^r for
the amusements at which she cannot be present.
The Cardinal de NoaiUes disturbs the Carnivai
a little by ordering the jubilee tp hfi ol^served :

76 LKTTER8 OP

it is to commence on Sunday and continue fifteen
days« God grant that the prayers made for
peace may be heard j

It appears that your affairs occupy great atten*
tion here, and that the measures which are taken»
give every reason to hope things will go on well
cm your side/ I should be ungrateful, if I
doubted the interest you take in my health; I
ought therefore to tell you that I am pretty well,
and yours more than ever. I am ^Iso very much
pleased with what the kinsr thinks of vou.

P I Wl ■ ■——«—■ ■i M l U J t I

LETTER XXX.

TO THE SAME.

SainUAyr, Januaiy SOth, 1707.

Have you lost the address which I gave you
at Marly? If so, it will be easy for me to send
it to you again. I cannot believe they open our
letters ; and if I dare place myself on an equality
with you, it seems to me they ought to know us
sufficiently, to believe that we only write for the
praises or interests of our two Kings, that is,
unless you are not the confidant of the corres-
pondence I have with the Princess Anne, or that
I am not in yours, in that which you have so
long had with the Emperor ; for I well remem-

MADAME DE MAINTSKOX. 77

ber, that you were accused of this form^Iy.
Will not M« de Brancas bring me some letters
from you, written with full liberty ? I think this
channel will be the safest, and I assure yoii I an)
grieved for the reasons you have to be distrustful.
I have told the Marshal de Villeroi that I was in
the opposite extreme, and scarcely ever entw*
tainéd suspicion. I also informed him that it
was a long time since I had heard you spoken
of: and that I thought your enemies tired of the
reports they circulate : the latest I have heard
are those relative to your return to France, the
King and Qu^n of Spain being no longer able
to bear you, and our King also unable to give you
farther employment.

The contrary was soon seen, for I have heard
nothing since. I have charged Madame de
Cailus to let me know every thing that regards
you. Apropos' of Cailus, — she haâ passed eight
days at the house of Madame d'Hudicourt, to
console her for the loss of Madame de Montgon^
The King asked me why she was at court in6og«
nito, since she had never been, driven from it, but
went away of her own accord: we, therehre,
thought it right to advise her to visit the Duchess
of Burgundy when she next receives company, and
to come to court occasionally, liks the ladies of
quality who reside at Paris, The goodness with
which you honour her, emboldens me to give you

78 lETTERS OF

tban^ détails. I hope you will iM/e written t6
Madame d'Hudicourt in her grief: 1 am de-
lighted when they are satisfied with, and love
you ; it is for you. Madam, to decide whence this
3entiment proceeds.

The Duchess de Noailles is full of joy at
hairing married her sixth daughter to M. de
Oondrin ; but this joy is greatly disturbed by
the state of her husband's health, which gives
much uneasiness to his friends. The Duke de
Quiche is thought out of danger, the small pox
cOmes out very well, and he is free from fever.

The Duchess of Maine amuses the whole
court by her theatrical representations of all
kinds ; her company is superior to every other :
M* de Grohdrin is one of the best actors; the
Duchess of Orieans and the Duchess of Bur-
gundy are the oidy persons excluded from the
performances, because the Duchess of Maine
thinks they would turn her into ridicule : for my
own part, 1 assure you I would do no such thing,
and that: such pleasures appear to me much more
innocent and instructive than ruining one's self
at La&squenet,: or in wasting health by eating,
drinking, or smoking. I should merely wish, on
account of the state of the times, to see the ex-
penses of Clagny a little curtailed.

I think the pregnancy of the Queen will be
known: at Madrid by letters from France, for we

MADAME D£ ttAnfTEKOX. 79

have made no mystery of it ; and this last oonfir-
msM^icm leaves no longer any doubt on the subject.

The reasons of the Queen, in opposing the
King of Spain's going to the army, are very
strong; but I doubt whether they will be acceded
4o in the present conjuncture. I should be greatly
embarrassed if I had to decide this question-
wiser heads tKan mine will consider it.

I have given your letter to the Marshal de
Villeroi, who is to send me an answer. As I think
him more judicious than myself, I dare not tell
you that- 1 am by no means satisfied with his con-
duct towards the King.

Yoti are then charmed at the happy accouche-
ment of our Princess, who is also yours : we are
not less pleased, to be able to wish a similar one
to the Queen, whom we also regard as our own, for
they must never be separated^ You will have it
that the birth of our Prince is a good omen ; God
grant that it may! — ^You exhort the Marshal
de Villeroi to console me, but he sees objects
with still more gloom than I do : nevertheless, I
am very glad that you are in such good spirits ;
this is always agreeable. The King and the
Duchess of Burgundy received your congratu-
lations on the birth of the Duke of Brittany very
favourably, and are fully convinced of their sin-
cerity : I can assure you, that you stand well
with them both.

80 LETTERS OF

LETTER XXXI

TO THK SAME.

Saint Cyr, February 8th, 1707.

There is no jubilee. Madam, that can prevent
us from wishing to hear a little noise in Portugal :
it is fortunate that well ordered charityJbegina at
home ; without this, what should we do in the
present.embroiled state of Europe ? We wait with
impatience the result of this news. It is a sad
thing to have two Kings in each kingdom : this
is what renders every thing so difficult to termi-
nate ; it seems to me, that God alone can unravel
such a state of things. I have no vapours, and I
am naturally gay, but I confess that our misfor-
tunes have greatly changed my temper; your
consolations would be of great use to me, if they
came after the declaration I made to you of all
my sufferings. I am still convinced you would
think as I do, if you knew all that I know ; how-
ever. Madam, I agree with you, that we must
oppose courage to afflictions, and bear with all
that it may please God to send us.

M. de Vendôme is full of confidences he will

>fADAM£ DE MAINTENON. 81

likve a veiy fine and efficient army. The Marshal
de Villars fears nothing in Qertnany> and I see
great cause to hope that every thing will go on
well in Spain.; our coast is well lined on every
side against the descents of «the enemy» who
eeuld not attack you by water, and assail us at
the same time.

The situation in which you will be this sum-
mer, gives me a great deal of pain : for I think
the Queen's motives for keeping the Kii^g at
Madsid are very strong, and I see that his going
to the army is considered as resolved upon.

I have with my ordinary sorrows, to support
others : the Duchess of Burgundy is one of those
who suifer most without complaii^ing, except to
me, to whom she confides all her uneasiness re-
lative to our own affairs and those of Spain.

I assure you, that your ambassador ought to
be satisfied with the manner in which he stands
with the King. It is true he does not possess so
many external marks of dignity as those wh6
have preceded him ; but if the King could at this
moment publish what he intends to do for him,
he would do it with pleasure, for his Majesty
knows the importance and diversity of the ser-
vices he renders to him ; nor do we cease to
admire the harmony that reigns between you
both, and on which your letters have not thrown
the least doubt since your being in Spain.

The Marquis de Brancas speaks highly of the

LXTTBRâ OF

King a&d Queen : he » very well imtisfiedl with
h» general; admires the ambassador, and it
seems to ine. Madam, that he knows you nearly
as Well as t hare Uie pleaidure of knowing you*

All that you tell me of the Queen appears to
augtti^ well for her pregnancy i she can ûow con**
suit her sister, who has had great experience, and
knows how to conduct herself admirably^

The Duchess of Burgundy will thank yo%
when she is able to write ; she charges me to say
a tlK^sand fiiendly things on her part, i entreat
that the point con^^^naing M. Amelot may re^
main betwe^i ourselves : I have my reasons for
this. I feel pleasure in writing to you> but that
of confertÎBg with yon would be very different.

LETTER XXXII.

TO THE SAME.

Vertaines, fehruxry Sth, VTW.

We receive no letters from you now, with-
out entertaining the greatest fear, le^ , the
Queen should not be pregnant; and Ï higMy
approve, as do some who are much more important
than myself, of your not having published this
event without being more sure of it : but we
shall be delighted when we hear from you, that

MADAMK BE MAINtENON. 68

the Queen has been at Atocha» surrounded with
all the Grandees; I can easily conceive the
pleasure such a sight will afford the people of
Madrid.

I did not know what jon teU me of M. de Me-
david» nor that M. Rabutin had been beaten by
the malcontents: it seems that I am informed
of nothing but bad n^pirs.

I am e^Ktremely pnxious tp hear kom you tbat
the amhasaador is tranquil ; I desire this Ibr the
benefit of the two nations, ^nd I beg you to tett
iàm, that I wirii it no less for the esteem I enter-
tain towar4<i^ him.

This letter goes through M. de CiiamiUavd :
E put my last into the Dudiiess of B«rgUBdy^«
packet 1 tine packet j&£ MaiFshal de Vttleroi was
forgotten ; I put H under an envelope, and «eat
k to M. de Torey. ï'our distraste ^ve me great
iineasiness ; if they oo^tinue, I wiU ta|&e oar^ to
avail myself of M . de Chamillard, who has nei-
ther the inelia^tion or leteure to opea your let-
ters ; I also hope to address you by the Marquis
de Brancas, which well be a surfer ohapnel. Could
not tkB ]>uike ée if oirmoutier give some pf your
letters to Madame de Caikis ? It you wish iEor a
more 4)bscuœ ^dress I wdl give you one.

M . de Brancas has toid me a number of ojblig-
ing things on your part ; we ^spoke of you wit|i
great pleasure^

o 2

84 LETTERS OP

LETTER XXXm.

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, February 13th, 1717.

I HAVE to reply to your letter of the 30th of
January, brought by M. Rupelmonde, and to
that of the 4th of this month, which has, I think,
«come by a courier of the Maisbal de Berwick.

It is true that 1 answered the letters which
explained the motive of the King of Spain for not
iplacing himself at the head of his army, and that
which was found for retaining him at Madrid; I
also answered the letter which contained the hopes
of the Queen's pregnancy, by several questions
about the nurses and the governess ; it does not
appear by any of your replies, that this letter has
ever been received ; and I perceive by the des-
.patch of the ambassador, that a packet has mis-
carried. If our letters were more important, I
should propose that they should all be written
lin cypher, and their receipt punctually acknow-
Jedged. Mademoiselle d'Âumale, who has less to
do than I have, and more presence of mind, will
keep the account with great correctness : I now
;pass to the letterrof M. de Rupelmonde.

I think with you. Madam, as to the fidelity of
the governess, and that it is the chief quality to

MADAME D£ MAINTENON. 85

be considered, particularly in the present situât
tion of things. Is it possible that yQU cannot
find one in Spain ? and yet this must be acconir
plished. The King greatly approves of the Bis-
cayan nurses ; but do not think pf auy thing but
the quality and quantity of good milk, without
suffering yourself to be taken by surprise with titie
face, wliich does not iqatter : we had a stout and
well made nurse whose milk failed ; we have now a
little and ordinary ope, who appears to be very
good ; and this is not the only instance I have
witnessed, fcMr you know I have seen many nurses.
The King has also great difficulty in conceiving
how it happens that, there are no good ac-
* coucheurs in Spain, and that there are neither,
midwives nor able surgeons: he is still afraid
that Frenchmen wcmld displease ; but there will
be time enough to think of this.

The King thinks that it will be very proper for
you to address M. de Beauvilliers as governor of
the King of Spain^ to beg of his wife to do all
that is necessary for the Prince or Princess that
we expect ; the King himself exhorts you to ga
to v-ery little expense.- I apprize you,^ that if yoa
leave it to Madame de Beauvilliers, she will send
you baubles which are quite useless for a child^
and very much put of place in our present situa-
tion ; if you take my advice, you will fix a spe-
cific sum. Some laces have been brought for the
Duke of Britanny, which cannot be worn, owing,

8d ttwtnn ov

to the extii&me delicacy of their texture» tittd
l^hich pùsseds no other merit than that of hating
eodt a gi'eat deal of money. Would not beds of
crimson damask, with gold borders, and common
linen, be (Sufficient both for the Queen and
î^rinoe ?

t now conte to a more important pointy and
which it does not depend on me to decide : it is
to inquire whether the King is to go to the army,
or not : I do not as yet know what answer the
King, his grandfather, will give on this subject ;
we cannot suppose that the courage of the Queen
will not enable her to put up with an absence <Â
Some months. You have described her thoroughly
on this point, and we regard her as being fiif
above all other women: we think she loves
the glory of her htjsband, who would thus be
able to continue what he has commenced ; but
after all, I am of opinion that kings ought to
sacrifice even their glory to the good of their
subjects, and it seems to me that you will have
too much to support, if the King goes away ; the
subject of finances is essential and unanswer^-
abte ; it is to you I speak so fre^y, for I should
take care to be silent with ev^ry other person, on
a matlei: which exceeds my capacity.

Madame de Cailus has at length re^^appeared at
Court, though not without some conftmion both
on \i&t part and mine, but she was very well re»
ceived. I dare not tell you any news of myself.

MADAMS DE UfAIHTENON* 87

fiir you would scold mç more than efçr, for the
esdxeme molancholy in which I Uidttlge } Ood
grant that you may never be forced to admit I
was right» and that you may thus hftve 9i pl^tt for
overwhelming me with reproaches t

LETTER XXXIV.

TO THE SAME.

Saint C^, February 27th, 1707.

Your arguments have prevailed, and I hear
the King of Spain will not proceed to the army :
he had made so good a beginning, that it is to be
regretted he does not continue; but kings are
less their own masters than other men, and it
is necessary that the good of the state should
yield to every other consideration. I take a
great part in the Queen's joy and your own ; as
you would have been in an aukward situation,
and one in which I should have felt alarmed,
lest your health, though good, might not have
resisted had the Kings set out.

The poor Duchess de Noailles no longer smiles,
and I doubt very much whether her husband
will extricate himself. He is a very good man
and greatly beloved by his numerous family.
Our young Captain of the Guards begins very
well, and seems to please the King ; nevertheless,

S8 BETTERS OP

I am glad he goes to Roudsillon for your service.
Will you SGold me again. Madam, for beings a bad
relative ?

You are very unjust, to take the part of my
nièces against me ; it is not my fault, if they do
not make so good a figure aa I could have
wished ; and I can truly say, that I departed on
their account, from that moderation which I
endeavour to observe with regard to myself.
I daily perceive the justice of what you say
as to the inutility of the examples I wish to
give ; but I also think that people often repent for
not following them.

I did not fail to propose Madame de la Vieuille
for a maid of honour : our Princess requires intel-
lect, and to be amused in a large apartment where
she passes most of her time : this is not the case
now, for she is not a moment in repose; it appears
that she expects an early pregnancy, and that she
wishes to heap pleasure on pleasure : her health
is good, she is strong, and her complexion bears
the rouge put on it by others ; if she had good
teeth there could not be a more pleasing face.

The Cardinal de la Tremquille did me the
honour of writing to me at the commencement of
the year ;, and I have more than one reason for
exiceptmg him from the resolution of making no
new acquaintances..

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 89

LETTER XXXV.

TO THE SAME.

Marly, March 5tft, 1707.

M. D£ L ANGLES wlII givc you an account of "what
he has already done towards executing your or-
ders ; he is terrified at the expence, owing to the
great size of the Queen's room: he is going to
propose that you should make use of the pic-
tares to save tapestry. You inay calculate that
what you require, with the bed linen, which is ta
be prepared by Madame de Beauvilliers, will cost
more than fifiy thousand crowns : this is nothing
for the Queen and the Prince of Asturias^ but
it is a great deal for the present state of
affairs.

Nothing can be finer than the description you
give of the ceremony which has taken place at
Madrid ; I thought I saw it, and I can easily con-
ceive that nothing was more agreeable in^ the
pageant than the young and brilliant Queen, who
performed the principal part, as she must have
been its greatest ornament. The Camerara
Mayor did'not spoil the scene ; and I think she
was at least for that moment sufiiciently gratified,
the fatigue not being so great as to diminish the
pleasure of the other attractions.

I suffered M. de Brancas to depart vrithout

90 LBT1f:R6~*OF

writing to you by him, but I was just then at-
tacked by the fever; I do not regret it much,
not being able to prevail on myself to write what
I did not wish to be seen. — ^This is a maxim
which I have always adopted, and which I have
endeavoured to impart to those who interest me
the most* Grant that they may profit byitt

I am delighted to hear the ambassador ia
satisfied ; he ought to be so at the arrangements
of the King in his favour, and his success in this
quarter ought to console him for what he may ap-
prehend finom others, of which I have no knowledge*
I am persuaded. Madam, that this little notice,
going through you, will be more agreeable to him,
than the reply I should have made to the letter
he has done me the honour of addressing to me.

LETTER XXXVI.

TO THE SAlfE.

Marly, Blaich ftb, 1707.

You are very good to Madame de Cailus and
very unjust towards me ; what would I not do
for her ? Is it iny fault that she has acted ia this
way ? I know there are several here who have
committed still greater errors, but they were act
attended with such unfortunate circumstances : it

MADAMK DK MAIlfTEKON. 91

was these circumstances which prevented me from
proposing her as a maid of honour, as liking my
Queen better than my relative. And notwith-
standing what you say, I am sure you would
have done the same : if t thought only of myself,
I should have wished to bring her nearer to me ;
but you know, that when we please princes suf-
ficiently to induce them to wish for our services,
we ought thenceforth to think of them alone.

Yes, remain near the Queen, although she can-
not bear you, and do not deceive yourself as to
your palace at R<Mne : it would, in truth, be a
great pity were you in repose, for action suits
you best, and there are numbers of worthy people
who profit by it.

I have read the eloquent effusion contained inyour
letter on the joy you feel at having seen the King,
and been able to judge him so closely ; you have
both gained by this ; and he desires me to tell you
that he would have been very sorry not to have
seen your merits with his own eyes. As to my-
self, I bless God every day for the disgrace
which brought you here^ It often happens that
we consider that as a misfortune, which is re-
garded as a benefit in the end : pardon this trifling
digression.

I am very well satisfied with Marshi^ de Vil-
leroi» as far as regards myself, but i think he
might have observed a better line q{ conduct with
respect to himself*

92 ££TTERS OF

LETTER XXXVII

TO THE SAME.

Versafllès, Match 25th, 1770:

Tou will, like us/ have experienced all the
nncertainty which has taken place relative to the
affairs of Scotland : I do not know whether you
approve the project, but there never was one that
interested the public so much as this : our Princes,
the courtiers, the city, and people^ in fact the
whole country, were thrown* mto consternation,
when it was apprehended the expedition could
not depart ; and nothing could exceed their joy
when they heard that the King of England had
actually set sail*

The enemy has already embarked some Flemish
troops, and if this diversion continues, it will be
ftivourable td us ; but God alone knows what may
be the result. The Duke de Noailles delays his
departure for seme days, in order to hasten the
supplies which are absolutely necessary for him —
Money comes in by degrees, but not in such
quantities as are required.

I admire your Spaniards, at being so glad to
see M. Desmaretz in ofiSice; and it is admirable
in the public to pass from the horror in which
they held the two ministers of whom you speak, to
the praises which are every where heard since they

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 93

are no moVe. You have great, reason to say that
men are strange .animals ; indeed there sffe none
so malignant, without- even excepting the fero^
t^ious portion of the brute creation. . We daily
witness examples of this truth, which are suffi*
cient to make one sigh for the desert.

LETTER XXXVIIL

TO THE SAME,

^ SamtCyr,Aj^ril 10th, 1707.

The aflTairs of Italy afflict you ; I very much
fear that. you will in the end pardon all my sor*
rows ; perhaps. I foresee them at a great distance,
but they are too well founded. I greatly fear the
return of summer. The Duke of Savoy will do
us all the harm he can, and the Marshal de Tessé
has set out so discouraged, that I cannot place
much confidence in him. The Duke de Vendôme
is not like the Marshal; he is preparing to de
wonders, and every body agrees that he has a
very large and well disposed army. May God
conduct it !

The reduction of general officers has afflicted
many persons ; but it is one of the misfortunes of
kings to give dissatisfaction.

The seditious movements in certain provinces

M LETTEM or

vfTifi, deprhre yon of soiQe troops; does it not
create a just source of affliction, to see no end to
so cruel a war, and to hear of nothing but humim
sufferings ? Can there be any thing more afflicting
than that of the Spanish noblemen <)f whom you
write/ and who are ruined through the fidelity
they have shewn to their real King ? AH your cou-
rage is required to support what you are doomed
to witness, as well as what you have to fear.

Our King is tranquil, firm, equal in his temper,
and precisely as you left him : his health is very
good, and his occupations are the same, nor does
it appear as if any thing had happened to give him
pain: there is something surprising in this, and
wfaidi ahrays astonishes me. Our Princeae makes
erery effort to amuse hersdif, and only succeeds in
bccomifng weary and giddy« She went to dine at
if eudonyestenlay, attended by twenty^fiour ladies:
ébe whole party were to go to the Êùr afterwards,
to see some âonous dancers on the tight rope, and
retwn to supper at Meudon, and no doubt to [day
aoftil day-âighL She wiU, perbaps, arrive tfab
aomii^ qvite ill, or at least very duU, for such b
Hhe invadaide result of these pleasnres.

MADAME DB VAINTENON. 90

LETTER XXXIX,

TO THE SAM£.

Saint Cyr, April 16th, 1707.

You 4ippear to have seen the Duke of Orleans,
a&d I have no doubt but that you were quite
satisfied with each other. Heaven grant that he
may not bring any mislbrtunea on you! la
o«ier respects be possesses «11 tiiat coiW be
wished to be useful,

I am delighted to hear that eighty Sffioiards
have beaten five hundred EngiisixBaen. I am im-
turaliy &md of the Spaniards,» witbotft Ba^eia«liîo]iiiig
what they are to us now» and I hate theEctgitsh as
much as tke people. I never thought I should be
capable of soaucfa littleness ; but really I cannot
bear 1hem> and I «how you all my w^akiottsKU
as the occasion presents itself.

It would 4Beem that you eompanehend dbe eause
c^ all any sadness ; but you are truly ngght in say*
iqg, that we should receive every tbii^ ùon tthe
hand of God ; he knows what we require better
tiian ourselves ; and if we were wise» we «h^nkld
i>nly think of hkn* for it ishe alone that eantoonfer
lis^pinesa.

96 LETTERS OF

LETTER XL.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, April 24tb, 1707,

I WILL acquaint Maréchal of the opinion which
you. have of the surgeon he has procured you,
and you shall have Clement in spite of the cla-
mours of all the women. They have done their
utmost to make the Duchess of Burgundy their
friend, by telling her that she might become
pregnant at the same time as the Queen of Spain,
and thîat it would be necessary, in such a case,
that one of them should change their accoucheur.
Our Princess, however, will not see so far into fii-
turity, and is only desirous of giving to the Queen,
her sister, what she thinks is best ; for cer-
tainly Clement is not only one of the most skilful,
and who has the greatest practice in his profession,
but prudent, patient, and modest ; he will, there-
fore, bear the questions of the King, and the cries
of the Queen, wifàout being incommoded. The
Duchess of Burgundy sends her nùrise also, and
takes great pleasure in the idea of what she wiU
report of the Queen on her return. She is a
woman the reverse of people in general of her
profession, being polite, respectful, and very-
skilful. It will be advisable, while you have her

MADAME DE MATKTENOX. 97

widi you, that she teaches one of the Spanish
wonaén how to manage an infant. ' ' . , ;

If I were not so much occupied, I would have
made some experiments upon thé English mode of
rearing children ; for they aire almost all tall and
well made, as we have seen them at St. Germains,
— ^the King being only six months old when he
came, and the Princess was born there. .

Their bodies are freed from restraint at the end
of two or three months, and under their frocks they
have a double cloth simply tied without any ban-
dage, which gives an opportunity of changiug their
' dress as soon as there is the least occasion. They
put them on stockings and shoes when they begin
to. wear frocks ; however, there is no probability
that a new experiment will be made upon a Prince
of Asturias. You wish to make us apprehensive
of an indifferent confinement, in order to procure
the early attendance of all our servants ; for which,
indeed, you are to be pardoned, provided you
make them labour hard to form others like them..
The King is positively determined not to »end
.you the nurse of the Queen, being persuaded that
you would soon send her back.

Although the Archduke's marriage makes no
alteration in the state of affairs, I shall be very
sorry to hear of two Queens of Spain.

M. de Vendôme has set out full of confidence,
and he is convinced that his army is more nume-
rous than that of Marlborough.

VOL. I. H

98 LITTERS OF

Marshal Villars took his leave of me yesterday,
vçry well satisfied with his anny, and anxiously
hoping to signalize himself if an opportunity
offers. I heard in the evening that he would not
depart as soon as he expected, the King not
thinking it necessary.

Have you not, in the favorite convent of the
Queen, some saint, whose prayers you might
obtain to procure us a good peace ?

Many people thought that the Duke of Savoy
might molest our troops in Lombardy ; but it is
said, that he surpasses even Prince Eugene in
affording facilities for their march. Is this the
effect of his devotion ? It is, however, highly
probable that both would like to be rid of us.

I should be very glad to hear of the Duke of
Orleans' igrrival at Madrid, and his departure for
the army , for I always fear the French at your
Court; the household of the Duke is nearly like
that of the late Monsieur, and consequently of an
indifferent composition. The Duke de Noailles
is desirous of doing something, and requires a few
more troops ; but so many are wanted everywhere,
that it is extremely difficult to furnish them.

MADAME DE MAÏM'TENON. 99

LETTER XLII.

TO THE SAME.

SaîfttCyr, ifayUt, 170:?,

It îs eight days since I recèited your letter of
the loth ultimo, just after my packet, or, to speak
more correctly, that of the Duchess of Êutgundy
was despatched.

However timid I may be, I could have wished
fora battle In the present conjuncture; but we
hear that the enemy has retired, and experts A
reinforcement.

You are right in wishing fol^ toany uurs^ i but
you wiH have some trouble to keep them, if you
do tï(A aDorwthem a little liberty.

I am not surprised that yott are ptéàâêd \^th
the Duke of Orient», as he posi^esse^ grëitt and
estimabk qtialtties ; and I ain not less èo with what
he writes about the King^ the Qtieefi, yourself,
and all he has seen at Madrid. I am not sorry,
however, at his speedy departcrre, for I should
have some feavs from his attendants. Grant
that he may be more prosperous in Spain than he
was in Italy !

It is a long time since you have mentioned the
ambassador, who continues to stand perfectly well
where he wishes to be so. I hear no more said of
you by your enemies, and I thiuk they begin té

H 2

too LETTERS Of

despair of a second disgrace, I am pleased wifh
myself for haying always attended to the affairs
of Spain ; M. de Torcy shows me all the letters,
and it appears to me that you have no longer
any cause of uneasiness.

Cardinal D'Estrèes has communicated to me
this morning the marriage of the Duke D'Estrèes
with Mademoiselle de Nevers, who is promised a
fortune of four hundred thousand francs. It is
the lady of Marshal Noailles who has renewed
tiiis connection, which was formerly broken off.
I am surrounded by female relations ; Mademoi-
selle de Cmlus comes very often to Versailles
and sees me frequently : she has accompanied
the King to Trianon. The Duchess de Noailles
is a great deal with me ; they were both in my
room yesterday, with Madame de Villette, who
is a very pretty woman. I do not know whether
she has the honor of being k^own to you ; I boast
of this change of system to you, in order to
escape your future reproaches.

LETTER XLIII.

TO THE SAME.

Swnt Cyr, May 8th, 1707.

It is very just to thank the God of battles
lor that which he has enabled us to gain, and

MADAME DB MAINTBNOK. tiXS

yon have so well conceived the joy of the King
and that of all the royal family, that I cannotr
refrain from communicating to you the parti-
culars. You know Marly, and my apartment ;
the King was alone in my little room, and I wa£^
sitting down to table in my Closet, through whicb
it was necessary to pass ; an officer of the guards
cried out at the door, " Hereis M. de Chamillard."
The King answered, "What! he himself?" be-
cause he was not expected to come; I threw
down my napkin, with emotion,, on which M. de
Chamillard said, *' That's right l" and entered
immediately, followed by M. de Silly, whom I
did not know : you may well imagier that I also
entered. I then heard of the defeat of the enemy's
army, and returned io sup in very good humour.
Thé Dauphin, who was playing, or looking on
in the saloon, soon joined the King, and the
Duke of Burgundy entered with a billiard mace
in his hand ; Madame, to whom a message had
been dispatched with the news that the Duke of
Orleans had gained a battle^ arrived soon after.
I told her that he was not there, at which she was
very angry, and I understood that she said, " I
shall soon hear that my son has hsmged himself."
Madame de Dangeau left the table to go and write
to her husband, who was at Paris. I reperuse
with pleasure those parts of your letter of the
17th April, in which you tell me of the advan-
tages that would follow the winning of a battle

lost LETTERS OF

in Bpaiiu 6o4 grant that you may prove â tru^
prophetess !

LETTER XLIV.

TO THE «AM9.

Saint Çyr, M»y 15*, 1707,

It seemB to me that I have neyer been sokftg
without hearing from you^ and I have now only
to answer a letter of the 25th ult. Marshal Nor
ailles is in perfect health and very grateâd for all
your good wishes towards him. I am deKghtad
wîth what you say about the Duke de NoaiUes ;
I have not heard him mentioned since your vie*
tory : he will bj& sensibly affected at it> and if it
were possible for him to embarrass the Archduke,
he would do it most joyfully. Many flatter
themselves with the idea that this prince's prd*^
sence will be required in Italy ; as for myself,
who am n^t so sanguine, I shudder at the idea of
some Ul success in, Flanders.

M^lborough is ii\ Holland ; his troops and wtf$
are assembling, a^dl the ea^Kipaigi^ wUl open on
the 2Qth of this moixth.

It is said that Marlborough has had. pH*
vate audiences of the King of Sweden, but it
is not yet known what has beem the result;
perhaps it will not be kept«o seeret in HoUia64

MADAME DB MAIÎ^TENON. 103

when be shall have giveti an account of h^
mission^ The ease of the Duchess of Butguâdy
is still uncertain, but we shatl know what to de-
pend upon in some months^ She has never
heard any thing so gallant as what you tell her
of the apple of discord which would have been
amongst our enemies if she had been carried off.
I think she has written to you about the battle
which yoti have gained; and I can assure you that
she feels great esteem and friendship for you.
' I can easily conceive the joy of the atobassador,
lor there is scarcely a man in the world who
stands higher in my estimation ; it is some time
since I have seen any of his letters to M • de
Torcy. Grant that the good understanding which
subsists between you may continue ! as we clearly
see the favourable change it has caused in the
situation of our two Kings.

If you knew all the follies which are imp^ited tê^
the Countess de Grammont, with respect to her
pretensions, when I am gone, you would see that I
Cannot easily believe every thing I hear concern*
ing her.

It is said that Prince Eugene and the Dûke of
Savoy are sending 10,000 men to Naples; but all
this is as yet very uncertain. It is not true that
Marshal de Tessé is recalled, but M. de Médavid
is going to command in Savoy* We have the
Prince de Vaudemont at Marly ; I do not recollect
to have seen him when he was here befof e ; he

104 LETTERS OF

seems very amiable^ though still extremely feeble ;
he is quite a favourite at Court, and envied by
all.. The King shows him every kind of civility,
and he vows that he will not quit Marly unless he
is driven from it. His wife has gone into Lorraine
with the Duchess of Mantua, who is about to enter
a convent there. M. and Madame de Vaudemont
say that she was not in safety in Italy, and highly
extol the propriety of her conduct there.

The King finds himself so comfortable at Marly

that he has prolonged his stay eight days. We
shall go from thence to Trianon, without stopping
at Versailles

The Prince de Conti, Marshal Villeroi, and M.
Matignon, are about to contend for Neufchatel.
I fear they have a strong opposition in M. de
Brandenbourgh. The King does not interfere,
but it is natural for him to wish for the election of
a Frenchman.

Clement and Madame de la Salle are to set
out to-morrow. I hope they will conduct them-
selves with propriety.

My God, Madam, how I could wish, in addi-
tion to my long life, to be six months older, in
order that there might be an end to my anxiety
respecting this camp^-ign ! I sometimes figure to
myself a general battle in Flanders, the Archduke
gone out of Spain, peace made with Portugal, a
Prince of Asturias at Madrid, and with all this,
the continuance of your kindness towards me.

MADAME DE MAINT'ENOW, 105

LETTER XLV.

^^ TO THE SAME.

Marly, May 2l8t, 1707.

We have heard the happy consequences of the
battle gained in Spain, and we doubt not but
Valencia and Aragon will soon submit. I can
easily conceive that you will be tolerably quiet for
some time ; but, according to all appearances, the
Archduke will wait at Barcelona for a powerful
reinforcement, of which it is impossible he should
be disappointed, unless our enemies prefer enter-
ing France.

Marlborough has arrived; the arniies are to
be assembled in three days, and yet you wish
me to be tranquil ! I hear every day the cour-
tiers say that if a battle is lost in Flanders,
all will be lost ; and if one is gained, we shall be
but little the better for it. Do you not think that
the Duke and Prince Eugene are formidable in
Savoy ? Indeed I have but too many reasons to
be anxious, and I am so in good earnest. We
have lost Marshal d'Estrées. Madame de Nemours
still holds out, and says that she will keep the
postillions booted longer than we expect. She
has seen all the pretenders to Neufchatel, because
her confessor required it.

106 LETTERS OF

All our Princes to whom Madame de Nevers is
related, press the King for a large pension, pre-
tending that this beautiful widow is in a state of
beggary. Others affirm that nothing has been
found in the palace Mazaf ine» and that she has
despoiled it of sixteen hundred thousand francs.
Madame Sforza solicits like a good sister, and
applies in every quarter for the dukedom in fstyour
of her nephew, but I do not think she will sue*
ce^d. M. de Vaudemont still continues to be a
great favourite. He goes to Gommercy after
leaving Marly, to meet his wife, whom be will
afterwards bring to court. Madame d'Elbeuf
accompanies him to pay a visit to the Duchess of

Mantua.

I have nothing to say upon the subject of the
.Duchess of Burgundy. I do not think I shdM
have any repose whilst the campaign lasts : you
must pardon me, for I have it not in my power.

LETTER XLVI.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, May 29th, 1707.

I MUST begin by rejoicing with you on the late
proceedings of Marshal de Villars, as you will
know how to appreciate them better than myself.

V
t

MADAMi; DJS MAIKTBNON. lOT

There he is on the other sicte.of the Rhi^e, sub--
suatmg upon our enemies, abd levying contribu-»
tions in our turn. We must» however, pardon hi»
for heing $omewhat disposed to take care of him-
self; since he is enterprising and fortunate* I shall
^ot enter into the particulars, as I ha^ no doubt
of their being communicated to M. Amelot more
eorrectly than I can do it. I shall now answer
jour letter of the 7th instant, wbieh I found on
my return to Marly eight days ago, as I had fore-
teen; but in order to answer you sooner in future,
I have desired the Duchess of Burgundy to send
them to me here, where I am every Simday, and
where I write more bt my ease than I could at
Marly.

You will soon have Clement and the nurse ; and
I hope that you will be as well satisfied with tbeir
conduct as with their ability. If any thinr could
«,n«.l. .« Princes, in hJpregn Jly. wLà i.
still uncertain, it will be to pass the night in talk**
ing of the Queen to Madame La Salle.

I see and enjoy your present felicity,, said 1
doubt not but the Archduke will be soon confined
to Barcelona and a part of Catalonia; but do you
act apprehend a powerful reinforcement for him,
before your troops have re-entered Portugal?

M. de Vendôme, and M. de Marlborough, are
almost in sight of each other, and you wàh me to
be trgi^quil ! Have you forgot thebs^ttle of Ramil-

108 LETTERS OF

lies ? Our army is admirable» and stronger thau
that of the enemy. May God lead us to a happy
peace ! I promise you after that to be very cheer-
ful, and heartily enjoy the pleasure of being sur-
rounded by my relations.

The Duke of Savoy has not molested our
^ troops, and they have safely reached their des-

tination. I dare not tell you that I fear dreadfully
from that quarter; the Italian princes are very
much irritated at our having absuidoned them, and
did us all the injury they could while we were
among them. The fidelity of Naples and Sicily is
admirable ; but what could they do if the enemy
sent an army against them ?

I communicated to the King all your congratu-
lations ; he replies to them as he did to you at
Marly ; you were then satisfied, and with reason.
He was in habits of great friendship with you, and
you are as high as ever in his estimation since
your return to Spain.

I do not wonder at the jegvet of the Duke of
Orleans in not having been at the battle of Al-
manza ; it will be some time before hé gets over
this disappointment.

I am delighted that the Prince of Asttirias is
strong ; I should not like a princess to be so robust..
You will do very well to accustom yourself to the
best mode of treating future pregnancies, and to
be no longer in want of a person to choose nurses^

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 109

Clement will teach you £he proper taste and con-
sistence which milk ought to possess. You will
also be able to obtain some valuable information
from Madame La Salle : and I am well convinced
that there is nothing you would not do for their
Catholic Majesties ; I have seen more of this than
you can tell me.

How sorry should I be to interrupt the Am-
bassador's progress. I judge him by his conduct,
by what you tell me, and by his letters. He is
much above my praise, but he shall have it as
long as he continues to act as he now does.
I do not yet know if the marriage of the Duke
d'Estrees will take place. You will have heard
of the death of Marshal d'Estrees, and that the
King has given all his appointments to Marshal
de Cœvre. Madame de Montespan died at
Bourbon the 27 th of this month: she had only
three days' illness, and received all her sacra-
ments. A courier was sent for M. d'Antin, but I
do not know whether he could have found her in
her senses.

The King asked me some time ago if his catho-
lic majesty continued to speak as he had begun,
as he had heard nothing more said about it : I
replied that you were also silent upon the subject,
and that I considered the affair settled and likely
to continue.

M. de Vaudemont is as much in vogue as on

110 LETTERS OF

the day of his arrival ; he hunts with the King,
plays with * our Princess, and walks better than
he has done for many years ; I have only seen
him once, and^ Itke others, I am quite delighted
with him.

I have just reperused your letters, to see if I have
answered all your inquiries. Heavens, Madam !
how happy you are ! there is never any thing me-
lancholy in what you write ; with me the perusal
of your letter is succeeded by a flow of spirits
which I scarcely know how to appreciate ; in order
to fill up my measure of happiness^ we must have
peace, and on conditions that will be satisfactory
to me ; you shall see after that in what kind of
humour I shall be f

tmmamtmm

LETTER XLVII.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyf^ June 3i9d, l7(Jf7.

I couLD^ wish that the account I have given
you of our rejoicing for the battle of Almanza
were as Kvely as the idea you formed of what
passed in my closet ; you have comprehended it
better from Madrid than I saw it, and yon
give a description of it which I could not refrain
from reading to persons who were on the spot.

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 111

You will feel additional satisfection in learning
that the Imes of Stolhoffen have been forced,
and that the Marshal de Villars is about to give
a little occupation to the Princes of Germany.

M. de Marlborough has not been so furious thii
year ; he has been making some retrograde move-
ments, which have made people imagine that he
wishes to detach troops into Germany ; but we
were informed here yesterday that he was march-
ing forwards, — ^thus we are constantly expecting a
battle. It is said the Dutch do not wish to risk
one, though they have received some reinforce-
ments ; our acmy seems to wish for it.

I dare not say any more of my apprehen*
sions ; my heart is oppressed, especially on the
side of Savoy : it is said that the Duke of Savoy
vehemently opposes the sending off a detachment,
which the Imperialists wîsh to do, to Naples, in
order that he may be in a better condition to
enter France ; we have not a more bitter enemy
than he is. I have this morning seen an officer
of my acquaintance who comes from Turin,
where he has been a prisoner since the raising
of the siege. He tells me that the Duke has
charged him to tell the Duchess of Burgundy
that the war had not lessened his affection for
her.

I admire your courage ; you think of refusing
peace to the Portuguese if they ask for it, and you

112 LETTERS OF

wish to destroy that kingdom ; I should be very
well satisfied that the good King of Portugal could
enjoy in repose the usurpation of his ancestors and
the pleasure which his chaplains afford him, pro-
vided the Archduke was out of Catalonia. . My
castles in the air put him sometimes into the hands
of the Duke de Noailles, who would conduct him
here very respectfully, and where I think he would
amuse himself better than at Barcelona.

The attentions to M. de Vaudemont have con-
tinued during the whole of his stay at Marly,
and he has been courtier enough to walk without
a stick, thanks to the air of Marly^^ which he has
not done for many years. We shall soon see his
wife, who has been out of France forty years ;
conceive, Madam, how we shall find her changed,
and how she will find others !

LETTER XLVIIL

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, June 12th, 1707.

It is true that the affairs of Spain are much
changed. May God be pleased to complete
what he has begun! I am alarmed about the
siege of Lerida, and fear the same scene that took
place at Catinat: I am also impatient lest the

MADAME 0B MAIîJTENON^ 113

lOcfld weaâiér should not hate commenced m Por-
tugal^ and that you would compel them to sue
lor peace : if they do, grant it, and postp<^e this
<^oiiquest to another time.

M. de Vendôme and Marlborough are stffl
three leagues from each other ; our general longs
to do something, but he ought to do so with a
probability of stiecesa. M. de Villars pursues
the enemy, and levies large contributions; he
has written them a letter, which i^* called roman-
tic : people say that he is mad, but I must con-
fess I wish the King had many more such
madmen. Our army of Germany will no longer
cost us any thing; this is a great consolation.
The^ Marshal de Tessé is mo*e cîrfenmépect ; he
.sees alt his danger, and makes iaê trembîe for
the result ; he is in a very perilous positioti.

I think I hat^e told you our Princess is hot
pregnant, but that she is in good health^; she came
here yesterday to prayers, and spent the day
with us. Madame de Cailus ha.s beefa some days
at Versailles, and is to return thei!e very soon,
î have Uie Dudièss dé Noailleâ with me to-day.
You lecture me about strangers and my relations ;
I confess to ytou that the females of the present
day are io me însupportSsit)le : their ridicutous and
immodest dre^, l!heir énutf, wine, gluttony, coarse-
iiess, and indolence, être aîl so opposite to my taste,
that it is natural for me to dislike them. I prefer
liiodest, sober, and sprightly women, who can be

FOL. I. J

114 t'ltTTERS OF

both serious and playful, polite, of a raillery,
which conveys praise, whose hearts are good and
conversation lively, and artless enough to confess
to me that they recognise themselves in this por-
trait, which, though drawn unintentionally, i think
extremely correct

LETTER XLIX.

TO THE SAME.

^nt Cyr, June 19th, 1707.

M. Di Vendôme pretends that the enemy will
he compelled to decamp sooner than .. himself.
The Marshal de Yillars proceeds so fast that
nothing can prevent him from levying heavy con-
tributions ; but what use is there in tormenting the
lempire if our enemies enter France ?

Madame de Nemours has at last terminated
lier carreer, and all Ihe competitors for Neuf-
•chatel are in the field. I have ^nly seen M. de
Vaudemont once, but am not ignorant that the King
is favourableto him. He is going to Commercy,
though I do not think he will remain there long:
he likes the .court ioo well to (Continue in the.
country, and finds nothing so delicious as living
at .Marly. I heard yesterday that they are.
still detaching troops from the jsmall number

-MADAME -DK MAINTENON. 1 16

"Which the Duke de Noailles commands ; he will
iî)e distressed, but where the danger is greatest,
'4t must be provided against.

We can scarcely depend upon the news which

robliged you to send your last courier : report

says the enemy only talk of peace in the army

of Flanders ; it would be sin^^lar.if 4t took;plai::e

without our knowledge.

M. d'Antin has giyen yon an acdount of Mar
dame de Monte^pan's death: he attended her
during the rtluree last days of her illness; she
was as tranquil as she had been the reverse
during her lifetime upon the subject of death,
which no person dare introduce in her presence
when well. She did nat sjay a iwrd about any
body, nor to her soiu thqqgh he was present. She
merely said to the priest, ** Father, exhort me as
an ignorant mortal, and «as briefly as yoju csm«"

We are in a charming spot h^re ; I do not know
whether you have s^en Trianop at this season
of the year; but I must confess .to you, that
I should fefil mpre ^at etise .in a pave, with a
.peace made on fair terms, than I .am in aR
^chanted and perfumed palace, like this. The
Duchess of Burgundy does all she can ;to
^destroy her health;' but she will Jipt believe *it
vuntil it is too late..

;!«

116 , LETTERS OF

LETTER L,

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, June 26th, 1707.

i AM quite astonished to hear the lines of
Stolhoffen still spoken of; it is high time to forget
them now. The Marshal de Yillars is constantly
advancing ; he has taken a castle of some import*
ance^ and continues to levy heavy contributions ;
but the terror is so great, that all the inhabitants
abandon the country : so that I know not who
is to p2Lj them. In the mean time, we do not
hear that the German princes cry out as much
as might be expected, nor that the enemy have
as yet sent detachments for their succour. It
is said that the Dutch expect success in the
enterprise against Dauphiny and Provence ; and
it is from this quarter that all my uneasiness
arises, as much by its importance^ as by the
little confidence I have in the general who com-
mands there.

The death, of Madame de Montespan has not
disabled me from writing to you ; but it is, never-
theless, true that I feel it very sensibly, and that I
was always interested about her. As her rank
was not aôknowledged by the courts of Europe^
her daughters have not received formal letters of
condolence ; and I think I have signified as much

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 117

as this to you befî>re : I vrill however inibnn them^f
your wîsheii, and I think the matter must rest theré.^
The two daughters have iofianifested à griéf which
has excited the praise of all their friends, and it
even began to appear excessive ; but we are not
fond of long afflictions at court.

The Countess de Gramont has^ been for some
time at Leuville: I should be sorry to inform
you of all her imputed follies, which may how-
ever be summed up, by her impatience for my
death, in order that she may occupy my place.
She must have felt some consolation on hearing of
a very violent feve^ which I have had during the
last four days, but which hats only left me rather
weak. I am very angry with Madame de Beau^
vHlfers, for not having shown the baby ■ tinen
to the Duchess of Burgundy ; but as it is t£0fw tod
HfttCj I have said nothing about it.

The Dûké de Noâilles is too happy at thé gooit
opinion of their Catholic Majesties, and thé
pert Which you take in every thing that concerné
him. He means well^ and is very assiduous }
but hè can only execute what is entrusted to
hiioi.

' There is nothing doing in Flanders : we scarcely
know what to wish for in that quarter;, but it
appears to me that our affairs are not in such à
bad state, provided the Duke of Savoy does not
succeed in his present object : vire hear from al
quarters that he is extremely ill, though the Duche

rrS BETTERS' OF^

Royal writes to say that he is quite well. Beside»
the other reasons which I have to fear his designs^
I should cruelly suffer from the natural grsef of
our dear Princess^ ta see all our misfortunes oc^
easioned by her father.

LETTER LI^

TO THE SAME'.'

Saint Cyr^ July lOtb, 1707^

Marshal de VillArs u^ a» little too far ad-'
vanced in Germany : the enemy has cut off his
communications by an extraordinary marché He,^
however, soon approached them, and assures th&
King that he will maintain his superiority during»
the whéle eampaign,. unless they receive a power-
ful reinforcement i he is at preset at Dourlach.n
I have received a letter from the Princess of
Baden>. requesting tne to cause some diminutioa
m the contributions which Marshal Vijlars has^
levied. Only think of my joy, provided I caa
commence a correspondence with this Princess,
— ^you ^ho are aware of the eagerness I feel for
meddling in public affairs.

I know that the Dnke of Orleans wanted
the necessary stores for the siege of Lerida,.
and that^ from being compelled to postpone it^

HADAMË I>S MArifTSHON. il^

isomethihg may happen which will prevent it
from taking place ; but you wjU attribute . alt
these thoughts to my usual misgivings.

I dread an action in Flanders^ because the
battle may be lost ; and if it is gained, there will
be, as every body says, very little advantage on our
side. It is reported that Marlborough is daily
fjressing the States to permit him to attack M. dé
Vendôme ; but that they positively refuse. I must
own, that the Duke ef Savoy has disturbed my
sleep, by the apprehension that he would retaliate
upon our troops. I have the unhappiness to suffer
for every thing where there is any reason to fear^
as well as* for the reverse.

I am told that the enterprise s^^st Naples is»
abandoned, and that the enemy are about to. send;
the troops intended for it into Spain.

M. de Vaudemont is to be at Marly to-day : he
cannot exist any where else: he is upon the
best terms with the Duchess of Burgundy, wha
is delighted with his polite manners; The Prin-
ces» de Vaudemont is at Paris, but I think she
wilt come to Marly very soon ; we shall remain
there during the whole of July. I dare say Ï
riiall see her oftener them her husbsmd; I am '
not dissatisfied to have been able to dispense
with his society; however, it has not occupied
my thoughts : he has not intimated a wish to
see me; but you know that I am not anxioué
fesvisitosSi

130 iEtfEUS OF

, M$^l^|^ d'HiMJUcovirt, with whose sprightly
^position you are acqus^inted, told us soomb day»
ago» that she was growing iasipid since she had
tf^en it into her head to b^ q^ little more rational.
I should please her much by telling bçr what you
i^y to me about h^r. I shall endeavour to l^ild
i^tl^s in the air agreeably to you? suggestion*
they h^ve opt hitherto had the same efiect upon
inç as my fears.

Mîirshal de Tessé stiU finds hiinself very weak ;
Priftc^ Eugene 19 marching tOwaxds Prqvencer
The Duke of Savoy is in good health, wd.wiU
^QOïX srtir himself ou his side i the fleet is also 4q
appear before Toulon. Do you thmk all this is
«^leulftted to give me joy ? I must theUr to obey
ypu, persuade myself that they will not succeed i^
that the winds wiU drive off the fleet, and that
%k$ troops will cofieequi^ntly die # hunger,, for
they will not be able to find any suibsisteoce m
the couip^try :. that they will return in disgracOir
aud we shall make peace this^ winter u|>^»i. ho^
latKurable terms^ and yfhi^Jfi will i^sufct the crewo;
to th^ Kmg t^^ Quee» of Spajk. : This, ide»
Woi44 p^a^e me much if I could (m|y e^jetcMrafeH*
^ It is t^r^e that Monseigneur ofteQ. vîsitS: ^
Duchess. I know nothing of the devotioo^l spîrîil
çf the Princess de Çonti, ex;cept that she em^y^
twelve feçiate orphan children in her gard^»
at Versailles, superH>tended by two sislens el
charity.

MADAMZ D£ MAI!Z!fT£NON. 121

If my relations redembléd the portraits you
draw of theoti, I should love them too much ; but
they take care of this : I forget thei sketch I setA
you ; but I think it was. tolerably <»>rrect»

I find llie two questions which Hie ambassador
is about to propose very important, especially, the
ladt; and I think the change of successiDn which
you suggest absolutely neeessai^y : we shall see
what the King decides.

) I I I <» li I I I I I I ■— «»»i#<i*»

LETTER LIT.

TO TH£ SAME.

Saint Cyr, July 17th, 1707.

Ther£ is nothing new at court, except the
arrival of the Princess de Vaudemont at Marly ;
an» wished to see me here first, and that I
should harre the honour of attending her during
the first visit çbe paid the King in my apart-
ments ; the Duchess of Burgundy canie towards
the close of the interview. The Princess
having been absent from France forty years,
scarcely knew any one at court, and fo^und great
difficulty in calling to misid those of her own
time ; it was the same with them ; this scene had
^thing in it flattering to self-love ; for my own part,
I am charmed with this couple, and the manner

122 tETTKRS OF

HI whiéh they beieur tiieir change of fortune: she
intends to divide her time between the solitude of
Commercy, liie Convent of Pont-à-Mousson^
where Madame de Mantua is, and occasionally
at court. The Princess is yevy devout, which must
be a great source of consolation toher.

As you think our affairs go^ o» prosperously^
every where, I dare not speak to you of my fears
for Toulon, nor of the uneasiness I feel lest you
cannot do that in Spain, which would have had
a tendency to bring operations to* an end, or at
feast to have crippled the Archduke.

LETTER LIIL

to THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, July 23rd, 1707^

Well, Madam, the Duke of Savoy and Prince
Eugene are at length in France, burning every
thing, and marching on Toulon ; you will easily
conceive that I already see this city in flames, all
the King's ships burx^, and the enemy established
in Provence, Many people here seem, howevery
to think they ai;e not getting on so fast, that the
Marshal de Tessé may reaeh it before them, and
that their enterprise is extremely difficult of execu-^
tion. God grant that it may be I alone who am»
deceived !

MADAME D£ AfAINTÊNOX. 123

The Marshal d'Harcourt is acting the courtier
àt Marly, and says he can do nothing el/se. Marr
shal Villars, on the other hand, is doing wonders;
he is master of Manheim, and levying heayy coftf-
tributions: but. there is an end fopoliey • TheGl^r^
man Princes are frightened, but not one withdiawa
from the league. M^ de Mcfirlborough says* that
they may cry in vain, as he will not send them
a man; that he attaches but litde importance t»
what has occurred in Spain and GermaiFf^ pK^
vided the attempt on Provence succeeds.

it is true that the competitors for the sovereignty
of Neufchatel are very active; but I could wish^ to
think of other matters as lightly as I do of thâft^

I think the King will recommend that the birtk
of the Prince of Asturias should be- announced, to;
the Duke of Savoy : at least he does so upon simi-
lar occasions, ai)d has no idea of petty vengeance;
I am sure you will be of the same opinion, apd
that you will write to Madame Royale, as if we
were at peace with them. I am persuaded dial
the poor Princesses suffer much.

No, Madam, I shall not die in a. cave > though I
could pass my time in one with you< without ben;
coming weary ; nor am I vapourish, or so muok
in want of fresh air and agreeable objects. I am
vexed with things that are worth being vexed for,
and at which I cannot help being affected, and
however you may smile, I think you also pass
some unpleasant moments.

124 L£Tr£RS Of

Y<m have never answered tke question I put to
you respecting his Catholic Majesty, l^hich was;
Whether he continued to speak out and decide for
himself, to show himself in public, to transact
business^ in a word, to act his part? 1 admire his
kindness in writing to the lady of Marshal de la
Motte» and thus giving her new life ; she has had
Ae jaifiâtce in consequence of being told that the
Duke de Berri had had an apoplectic fit, and vras
Ued three times.

MyiAih.

M/ de Villars has not been able to advance any
/uMer ; but he is satisfied with his position, and
seemfs to^think he can maintain his superiority. It
is certain that M. de Vendôme is not afraid ; hel
is extremely confident, and laughs at the idea of
the Duke of Savoy having designs upon Provence.
I'he Duke is there, however, with forty thousand
men ; and if he arrives at Toulon before Marshal
de Tessé, there is little to hope for that place. It
is a pity we have but one Vendôme !

Our Princess is still sorrowful to think her
fhther should injure us so much : this is also an
additional affliction for me.

IfADAMX D£ MAINTENON. 125

LETTER LIV.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, July Slst, 1707^

Yesterday news was brought that twenty-nioa
battalions had entered TquIoq, that they ws^uted;
for nothing, that the best disposition preyaijedt
and that the resistance would be most vigorous ; I,
«liall abstam from adding my own reflections to the
above. But you see the kingdom of Naples 19;
lost, and consequently that of Sicily ; it is impos*
«Able to be strong everywhere, and quite wonderful
to have resisted so long« Bad news grieves me.
at all times ; but I should be contented to feel i^
still more acutely, provided the Queen only re*
cieves good news in her present ^tate.

It is said that there are some very good cheers
at Toulon : Marshal de Tessé has paid a visit there,
and has left it to return to his army, which is not
now vçty strong.

. M. de Vendôme laughs again at our fears, fyt
Provence; this over confidence is ofte^ danr
lirons.

126 XETTSRS OF

lETTER LV.

Saint Cyr, August 7th, 1707.«v

You find fault with me because the Duke of
Orleans does not obtain what he wants ; we regret
it as much as you ; it is a great misfortune to have
so many things upon the mind, and for so long a
times *

What will you say, then, wTien troops are tc-
quired for Provence? We must attend to the
most pressing quarter. We have not had the war
in our own country before ; and if the Duke pf
Savoy succeeded in his project, we should have it
very near us : it is ^;o be hoped that God will not
abandon the Kings and our religion, which would
suffer as much as them, if the Huguenots rose up
in rebellion, as this Prince hopes. He has had
Cavalier at his table, and he will neglect nothing
to gain partisans in order to accomplish his object.

The news received yesterday from Toulon,
dated the 2nd instant, states that the entrendi-
ments are -completed, and in good order; that
there is abundance of cannon; that the wind has
driven off the ships of the enemy which were
bringing artillery and ammunition^ that they are
only allowed four ounces of bread, in want d*
water, and beginning to desert : if all this be true^

^MADAME "DE MAITTTENDK. 127

and continues any length of time, the Duke of Sa-
Toy will have cause to repent.

I have learned with grief that the siege of
Denia is raised : this is veiy different from trans-
porting the artillery which is there, to carry on the
siege of Lerida. It is reported here that Marshal
<ie Berwick has quarrelled with the Duke of
Orleans, and that M • de Nancré is the cause of
it ; the King is the only person who huas not heard
this tiews, for which I am truly sorry. Our
enemies strengthen themselves in Germany,
and we rather weaken Marshal Villars ; thus he
will not be able to advance further to levy contri-
butions. The Emperor and the Duke of Savoy
are in too good health, notwithstanding all the
évite itfaoy are said to suffer ; it is lamentable te
be obliged to wish tibem otherwise. I hope we
shall hear of the birth of the Prince of Asturias
before our departure for Fontainebleau, which is to
be on the 12di of September.

if the enterprise of the Duke of Savoy succeeds,
Spain will suffer as much as ourselves ; should it
fail, every thing will go on better on all sides ;
but you will have learnt that the -detachments of
the enemy in Italy have but too well succeeded,
since he has made himself master of the kingdom
of Naples. The only way to avoid dwelling on
tbis^vent, is not to look at the consequences. I
must,:however, confess to you, that it is frequently
present to my mind.

128 LETTERS QF

LETTER LVI.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, Ausost 21st, 1707.

I AM dreadfully alarmed at having sq correctly
predicted the affairs of Proveace; every body
here said the Duke of Savoy would retreat ; how-
ever» we see by the last news, that he pursues Ms
enterprise» and that he has but little &ar of us«
sinee he has just weakened his army by a detacfar
ment of nearly six thousand men^ which Prince
Eugene commands» though we know not where
it is going to act ; but» under such a. general,, it
i9» doubtless^ destjuied for something important.
The armies in Germany are in pQf€sen<te 4jS each
other» and we are in daily expectation of an
action in Flanders* It is wished to attempt one
at Toulon, in order to drive the âiemy from a
height which they have taken. Whatever you may
.*say» I do not think you can be moieh at your ease,^
nor will the recall of Maarshal de B^fwkk and our
troops improve your situation.

It i$ said that the troops of the Duke of Savoy,,
in Provence» are guilty of the most terrible dis-
orders, and even of shocking cruelties. Nothing

MADAM£ DE MAINTENON. , i29

but «uch merit as our Princesses possess would
excuse such a father ; ours is full of sadness ;
1 wish with all my he^rt that jouxs way not be

the same.

^^ • • « ■ ■

The Duchess of Burgundy arrived here yester^
day, and hauded me^ your letter of the 7 th instant;
I am very sorry to .see you change so suddenly^
You.appear almost as disconteuted a^ myself, and,
indeed, the present aspect of affairs is not calcu^
lated to afford muqh j oy . A happy turn of fortune
at Tpulpn would givjB a pew turn to every
thing, but the reverse w;ould pnly increase our cai-
lamities : it is this sta^e^of woertainty which causes
me to pass such wretched nights» that it is utterly
impossible the d9>ys can be tranquil.

< ' ' • ■ T ' y ' ' " ' •

LETTER LVIL

tro THE SAME.

Ssdnt C>r, August 24th, 1707.

We had begun to have hopes for Toulon, (wheBe
all is so disposed , that it will require a miracle in
favour of the Puke of Savoy to succeed in his
design,) when the enemy suddenly marched ix^to
Flanders, and seem to wish for a battle, because we
have weakened Vendôme : it is so imprudent to
avoid it, that we have every reason to fear it will

330 LETTERS OF

take place, so that you may easily conceive I am
full of alarm ; I have, however, profited a little
t>y your counsels, and I also sometimes fancy
M. ^e Marlborough beaten, the Duke of Savoy
•compelled to return into Piedmont, and a peace
imade this winter ; which will establish you where
you are, and leave us in repose.

If, contrary to all probability, M. de Savoy
takes Toulon, our Princes will go into Provence
with the succours that the King is collecting
from all quarters: they are delighted with the
idea ; however, it would be better if they re-
mained here, and that our troops returned from the
«points they have been removed to. The Dauphin
wished to march, but Ûie King would not permit
him.

I am still a little agitated upon the subject
of Flanders, and expect news from thence
«very moment. Certainly, Madam, we suffer
forx)ur faithful attachment. I am confused in
Kîomparing:myself with you; but it appears to me,
that I feel as I ought on the subject. I Qiust not
^conclude without telling you, that Marshal de
"Tessé is no longer alarmed, and that he is well con*
-Vinced the Duke of Savoy will repent x)f his .enter-
Iprise.

MADAME DE MAINTENON. J3;l

LETTER LVTH.

:T0 .THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, August 28th, 1707.

Well, Madam! what shall we now say of our
predictions ? Marshal de Tessé has just rendered
France the greatest possible service ; the siege of
Toulon is raised, our navy is not aiinihilated, that
place is not takei^ and the Duke of Savoy is quit-
ting Provence ; all this has only cost us two small
vessels, and ten or twelve houses burnt ; he has
failed in his attempt, and lost ten thousand men
. by. desertion, sickness, and the actions that have
taken place. It is said he has embarked troops
to land in Catalonia ; and we are going to restore
you those we had taken away with their generaL
But in speaking.of him, is it true. that he has quar-
relled with you and the Duke of Orleans ? If this
had been the case I can scarcely think but you
would have mentioned it to me •

We are expecting every moment ^o>hear of the
confinement of the Queen, and Jl hope, from the
heaithoof her Majesty, that it will be a son.

I yesterday met on the high road, in returning
from Versailles, the Duke of Brittany.; nptvbeing
able to quit him, I went into his carriage ; he:is a
most amiable child ; resembles the Duchess of

132 LITTERS or

Burgundy, and is also as sprightly as herself: he
is in excellent health.

Our Princess has been transported with joy
to hear of her father quitting France ; the
Princes are all naturally pleased, though much
chagrined that they were not permitted to join the
army.

I have just received your letter of the 10th
instant ; we have, in common with you, felt the
loss of the kingdom of Sicily; it is not possible
to preserve every thing, and it is a miracle to have
held out so long. I fear with you also, that their
Sicilian Majesties will-be put to more severe trials ;
but the Being who has just saved Provence, and
baffled the Duke of Savoy in all his plans, will,
if it be his pleasure, protect those Princes whom
he approves. However gloomy my ideas may
be, I cannot think God will abandon them.

I am delighted. Madam, with what you commu-
nicate to me respecting the Marshal de Berwick :
nor am I less astonished at the malice of those
newsmongers, who spread the late reports. I
cannot conceive what utility or pleasure they find
in it ; I could not believe that he had quarrelled
with the Duke of Orleans and you, unless the
ambassador had written to the King about it, and
I flatter myself you had sufficient confidence in
me, to have mentioned it had such aa evept
occurred.

UADAMK DE MAINTENON. 133

LETTER LIX.

TO THE SAME.

Sept.

God be praised, Madam^ and shower blessing»
upon tfie Prince of Asturias ! his birth has given
us great joy, I was not a witness of the first
emotions of the Duchess of Burgundy ; for she
was at Meudon, from whence she returned very
late ; but she entered ray room at six o'clock next
morning to ask me all the particulars of the
accouchement. I assured her that you had not
had time to give them.

The Duke of Alba brought the news to the
King, who was at my house ; he was in a delirium
of joy ; the Duchess had not recovered from her
extasy when she paid me a visit yesterday.

We hear from all quarters, that nothing can be
more false than the report about the Marshal de
Berwick, yourself, and the* Duke of Orleans ; not-
withstanding I have seen people who with an air of
mystery affect to know that the Marshal and you
are notupon good terms. I have received your letter
of the 21st instant, and wait wkh impatience to re-
ceive that which you will have written after having:
heard of the siege of Toulon being raised ; it is »
great consolation and source of happiness that thi&

134 LETTERS OP

enterprise has cost us so little: I*he enemy
has caused much misery in the provinee; but
when we compare what has been done, with what
might have been apprehended, we ought to think
ourselves free upon easy terms ; our grand evil is
the want of money both in France and Spain.

We must make up our minds to live with the
ungrateful and the wicked, since the world is full
of them, and especially in courts, where the
pasi^ions are more excited by Self-interest. I
have had a sight of M. de Nancré : he appears
to me a clever well disposed man ; he must be
ready to answer for what the Duke of Orleans
will do,'

It is a high honour to be near the great, espe-
cially for those who had been removed to a dis-
tance from them; by their circumstances and incli-
nation ; but, this honour is dearly purchased when
we become interested in their fate, and conse-
quently feel for every thing that happens to them.
t have done my utmost to participate in the joy
of their Majesties, and your own, but I am still
apprehensive of the result of all those things.
You will scold me for not enjoying the present,
without thinking so much of the future: and
yet bow difficult to refrain from it I

MADAME DE MAINTENONS 135

LETTER LX

TO THE SAME.

Fontainebleau^ September 18th, 1707^

M. DE Savoy will arrive safe and sound at
Turin. It was wished here, as well as in Spain>
that his surmy might be exterminated ; but this was
not practicable : the enemy made a forced march,,
which gave them two days in advance ; they had
taken measures to secure their retreat. M. de*
Tessé could not fly;, he was separated from M. d&
Medavid, without provisions ; there were many
other causes which I have not heard. It is
believed that the enemy have lost from twelve to-
fifteen thousand men by the siege, desertion, sick-
aess, and above all, by the fury of the peasants,*
who destroyed all they could overtake.

LETTER LXL

Fontainebleau, September 26th, 1 TCf

God employs whom he pleases to accomplish'
hisr will. Marshal de Tessé has taken every ad-
vantage he could. It is asserted that the Duke
of Savoy, in returning through Nice, told his
officers that he had renewed the adventure of
Charles the Fiflh, that his decendants might do as-

f36 LETtKllS (JT

they pleased, but as for himself he shouldf not
repeat the experiments

It is said that the Germans and' the I^ke have
quarrelled ; the former saying that they had been*
deceived by him in being promised a general revolt,
while they found* only fidelity in the Provencals.
The Duke de Vendôme told me the other day,
that the enemy would not confide in the Duke of
Savoy, and that this would oblige them to keep^
an army of twenty thousand men in Italy.

Marshal Villars will do his best to take up his
winter quarters beyond the Rhine; this officer
serves with great capacity and zeal ; he has levied
heavy contributions,, and his, army has cost the
King nothing.

Marlborough sent a detachment of five hundred
calvary to levy contributions in the neighbourhood
of Arras ; Vendôme prevented it, and sent a corps
after him ; the' enemy has been beaten and dis-^
persed, and the commandingofficer taken prisoner.-

The court of England is- here : the queen ap--
pears much dejected, though she sayà she is in-
good health ; the king is tall and well made ; he
is extremely anxious to take a part in the war^
and to serve incognito ; tim project has encoun-
tered great difficulties, the Princess is also tall, and
a fine figure : much more lively than her brother;,
and quite delighted with Fontainebleau^

; /

KADAMS D£ MAINTENONS 137

LETTER LXIL

TO THE SAME.

Fontainebleau, October 7th, 17071

NoTvii^iTHSTANDiNG yoUr reproachcs, I see that
Hay joy is premature as to the departure of the
Duke of Savoy, since he is before Suza with
l^rince Eugene. But there is no appearaince of
having any thing to fear in Flanders. We
have had some uneasiness in Germany, but
2iothing of any consequence. Our officers suffer
themselves to be too often surprised, which makes
peace still more desirables

Marshal de VHlerôi hats terminated his duty in?
ts low spirits as he began it ; he wished to have
an ihtervîew ^th me, in which we scarcely did
WOLj thing:: but dispute about his removal, and
agreed only upon his being the most unfortunate
of men y and so much the more so, as his ré-
sourcesy either as a philosopher or christian, are
very limited^ for he only knov^ the eourt, besides*
kis attachment to the King.

The Duke of Savoy has driven away the unfortu-
nate Countess of Soissons ; she wished to fix at
Paris, in spite of the King; but when she got as far
as Nemours,* be ordered her into a convent at
Lyons. She is promised a pension of a thousand
crowns. The Princesses have retained all her

fôB liBTTSftS OF

children witii tHem. This poor woman is ttuly
Hnfortunate to have been so beautiful.

The court of England is very brilliant here^
there are more thsm fifty ladies every day in grand
toilette and magnificently dressed ; they^ meet for
the purpose of amusing the young King and Prin-
cess: they make parties on horseback round the
canal and in the forest ; there were eighty-two
carriages counted at the last of these* The Princess-
is much admired at court ; she is graceful, gay,
very lively, and witty ; the Duchess of Burgundy
is warmly attached to her : the King is of a^
more serious turn, and very devout.

LETTER LXIII.

FoDtainebleau^ October I7th, 1707.

The Princess of England has appeared charmetS
with all that has taken place here ; she stands very
high at court, where she pleases every body, and
the Duchess of Burgundy has taken such a liking
to her, that she c%m scarcely part from her without
shedding tears ; our court politicians pretend that
they cannot think of her for the Duke de Berri,,.
because she might probs^ly become queen of Eng-
land, and this would be a source of constant wars.

I must own. Madam, that the loss of Suza, and
the unpromising aspect of the siege of Lerida, en-
gages my attention more than the beauties o£

MADAl^fi D£ MÀINtlSNON. 139

Fontaiiiebleau, and I fancy I should find myself
better among the foetid exhalations of Madrid,^ if
we had only a peace that would ^lace our Princes
ki security and repose.

U K I

LETTER LXIV.

t'ontainebleau, October 24tb, I7G7'.

I H ARDLir know what to wish for with regard'
to the siege of Lerida; according to reports it
has been raised more than once; by the French ;
fiowever, it is highly necessary that we should be'
masters of it. I hope that his^ Royal Highness
and the Marshal de Berwick will act for the
best ; they are Both as well intentioned as we
eould wish ; I only fear the Èhirdy who generally
ruins every thing. I do not know what the King
will say to the succours which it is necessary tb^
send to Naples^ but I know that he cannot
provide for every thing ; moreover the loss of Suza^
increases the necessity of having a large body of
troops in Dauphiny ; for M. de Savoy is more likely
to revenge himself for the affair of Toulon, than
to be discouraged by the failure of his enterprise.

We do not know, as yet, what Marshal Villars
tneans to do for winter quarters ; but there is no
appearance that he thinks of returning, since his
lady has gone to meet him at Strasburgh. It is
too much for a general to command an army and
take care of a fine woman.

i4& liKTT«RI^ 01^

LETTER LXV.

TO THE SAME.

Marly, November 6th, 17071-

I BO not as yet hear of the Archduke having:
quitted Spain, but it appears to me that his allies
desert him very fast, and if the Duke of Orleans
is as successful as we could wish him to be, this
Prince wilt find himself rather pressed at Bari
celona. The Chevalier de Forbin has beaten
and captured five English ships that were conr-
voying troops and a great quantity of ammunr-^
tron to Portugal ; this will also derange our
enemies. How impatient I feel to hear of the
fall of Lerida I it appears to me to be of the
greatest consequence.

M. Vendôme arrived here yesterday, full of
hope for the ensuing year ; this is the man who^
knows no inquietude.

LETTER LXVI.

TO THE SAME-

Versailles, November 20th, 1707:

At last. Madam, the Duke of Orleans has^
taken Lerida; I am as enraptured as you ca»

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 141

possibly be ; I could have wished he had been
at Tortosa : they say that the means for carrying
on the siege were deficient ; this is a great mis*
fortune, and the burthen of M. Chamillard's la.
mentations ; I never hear him dwell on any other
subjectybut I do not touch on those satirical strokes
which he gives your friend M. de Pontchartrain.
I exhort you in my tum^ to forget the loss of Italy ;
one cannot think about it without aisorrowfiil heart,
and this does no good. How can you think we
could re-enter it ? — and is it nota miracle to have
kept it so long, after the misfortunes that have
happened to us ? Does tbe high blood yoa pos-
sess, make you think you will see peace made,
the catholic King a.nd Queen tranquil possessors
<ai all their kingdoms, and France preserved ia
its integrity ? This may be called a castle in the
air^ but we shall be very fortunate if we can steer^
Ihe middle course between your confidence and
<ny de.pak.

We have all our generals at Versailles ; Marshal
^e Villeroi has been here these three days^ and
Marshal de Tessé arrived last night.

LETTER LXVII.

TO THE SAM£.

Saint Cyr, December 10th, 1707.

Wz have been truly awarç here of the value

142 LETTERS OP

of the capture of Lerida, and of the great ho-
nour whkh it confers upon the Duke of Orleans.
I am particularly overjoyed to see his ill luck at an
end, as much for the past as for the future, and
you may readily conceive that I most ardently
wish this Prince the S8me good fortune in the
approaching campaign.; I could Jbave wished
with all my heart, that he had not thought o|
.coming here ; this visit cannot be of any service
to him, and may injure the public cause : but
my opinions on this object are only for yourself.

It is pretended here that there is no cause of
complaint against M. Duguay Trouin, and the
Chevalier de Forbin is very well satisfied with
him : false reports are frequently told, while we
are often unable to ascertain those which are true

LETTER LXVIII.

iTO THE SAME.

^Veraailles, January 1st, 1708.

Youtt reasons &r retaining the Marshal de
Berwick are so good, that due attention has been
paid to them. The Duke of Orleans speaks very
favourably of him, and says that although his opi-
nion ;was against undertaking the ^ii?ge of Lerida,

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 143

lie has done all he could on his part to insure its
success, and acted as an engineer : he is upright
;and vurtuous, but^îsgther obstinate.

The Duke de Noailles wishes to persuade me
as well as yourself, that the Archduke will be
much embarrassed this campaign ; God grant
îthat he may be suflSciently so to oblige him to
quit Barcelona ! He cannot be intercepted, hav-
dug the sea open to him ; but I should be very
;^lad »to hear of his arrival at Vienna*

LETTER LXIX.

TO THE SAME,

VersaiDes, January?, 1708.

You are aware, Madam, that I expected the

^^all of tïhent and Bruges, but I did not think the

former would only have held out two days. The

«^Count de la Motte is a very brave man ; he says

that he adopted the only means cf preserving to

the King the great number of troops that were

in these two places ; they have now joined the

others; and if we had only as much money as

men, we might hope for .a favourable change in

our affairs.

Marshal de Boufflers does not want courage,
jand thinks nearly the same as you do respecting

144 i:.£TTERS OF

peace; it is said the enemy wishes to keep the
field during the winter, and that M. de Marlbo*
rough and Prince Eugene will go into Flanders.

If troops are refused to the Pope, it is be-
cause 4:here are none at our disposal; we are
in a very «constrained predicament; it appears
that !the Almighty is disposed to afflict us, and it
could net h^ave been expected that so many errors
wauld liave been committed this year as have
taken place in Flanders. It was said, that on the
seturn of the officers, we should learn many
things of which we were ignorant, but they only
t)ring back a great deal of rancour against M.
Ae VendomiB.

I have had a long conversation with Marshal
de Villeroi ; he had formed tut too «correct an es-
timate of the events of the campaign. God grant
that he may not prove so good a prophet as to
what he announces for the future !

I hay^ well experienced what you tell me of
the complaints which you heard at Fontainebleau ;'
it is a long time since they have cried all was
lost; we have since then encountered sad re^
verses, but the most unpleasant pf all, is our wajgit
of money.

•*<t

ÎIADAMÇ ,DJE MAINJENON. M^S

XETTER LXX.

TO THE SAME.

Sunt Cyr» Maich 4lh, 1798.

Tfou perceive the want of generals in our pre^
'«ent situation: I dare not say any more on this
^subject. Do you think. nothing of six or seven
thousand men in Catalonia? But you fancy them
all destroyed, and it is very painful to wish that
this may be the ca«e. ^e must not flatter our^
selves as to money, and you should neglect nothing
in - order to maintain yourselves ; the fall in the
currency at the , same time that the comptroller
general was changed, caused from eight to ten
millions^to appear in adinglecday* :M. Desmaretz
does not despair, and all the rmoniedmeu/are dfi^
lighted to have^m in office.

M. Chamillard has left .his situation like ad

honest man, twithout retaining, any thing, and with

a degree of integrity which cannot be too highly

.^»>nmiended. Marshal Villeroi triumphs ; he js

•also the friend of Desmaretz.

'TersiiUes, the saoïeâay;

I HAVBtîome here to finish my letter^ .and [H
adk leave of the King to talk to you of the Scotch
affair, about which J feel very .much :interested«

VOL. i:, h'

146 XETTfiRS OF

You will, I have no doubt, hear the particulars ;
at all events, the King of England leaves this on
Wednesday, the 7th instant, — he is to be at Dun-
Icirk on the 9th, and will embark the following
<lay. The King assists him with six thousand
men ; and the great Scotch lords have written to
'him several times, to say tliat they will receive
hin^. You judge rightly; that if God blesses this
«enterprise, it will cause a powerful diversion, and
perhaps lead to peace ; if you have any saints, in
Spain, let them ofier up prayers. The affair is now
well known ; but it is said the enemy will nub
have time enough to oppose the expedition. My
foresight, however, behplds them at Dunkirk^
preventing us from -setting sail; or if we do sail^
I see t}tem attacking ns while occupied in disem^
barking the troopa.

The wind is «M)rtherly torday, and that is the
worst we can have ; however, I most heartily
consent to the Queen and yourself seeing the King
of England set sail with a southerly wind^ which
may take him to Edinburgh in four days ; that
he may be received and proclaimed King erf
Scotland ; that Queen Anne may be compelled
to recall her army, and that we may profit by this
advantage. I also consent that this fleet shall
take Marlborough on its way, as he is going to
Holland for a fortnight.

I was yesterday at St. Crermains— 4he Quee»
is in a pitiable situation; she has the gout, a

ABAMË DÉ MÂINt£NON. 147

^ter^ a €oId in the heady and au agitation of
spirits, which you may easily account for ; she i»
overjoyed with this gleam of hope, but appre--
hends all the dangem to which the King her son
is about to be exposed.

The Princess ha» had «he measles^, and knows
nothing about what is passing as yet. The King
and IMfonaeigneur witl visit her to-nàorrow, and ou!*
Princess goes there jon Tuesday : thife will be a
grand affair if it succeeds; f cannot h^lp thinking
of it both night and day.

It is the Ghévaliei' Forbi» wW takes over the
King of England ; M. dé Gasse commands the
French troops. The secret has been kept a long
time, but it was discovered at last^ by the various
preparations that were necessary.

I shall cert&inly be very anxious to receive your
letters relative to the Scotch enterprise, which'
I think win meet your approbation: the King
has always opposed it ; for he cannot reconcile
himself to the uncertainty of naval operations.

LETTER LXXI.

TO THB^ SAM£L

Saint Cyr, March 11th, 1708.

I HAVE the honour to communicate to the Queen
that money is a little more abundant in Paris, and

h 2

i48 iETSTERS OF

that there is reason to hope pûWic credit will ht
restored under the present comptroller- general —
but this is not the. work of a day, and I do not
know .at this moment» whether it is possible to
«<io all that^you wish for Spain. '

I must scold you in my >turn, for afflicting your-
self so much with the idea of a treaty, which
only entered the heads of .tbosa who wish to vex
you,; for if I am well informed, ^thece is no ques-
tion of rit at present, and we only think of carry-
ing on the war on all sides : but not «o with re-
spect to the Marshal de Berwick; it is true the
King has re-called .him, and he Jxas . done so
because hie presence is absolutely ni^essary.

I wish with; all my heart, that ti^e Marshal de
Villeroi could re«eoncile iiimself to the King, but
he Jixas not a friend who ^^i excuse his .conduct ;
time will obliterate every thing— îl think it easy
to foresee that M. Chamillard will be deprived of
his offices, and M. Desmaretz invested with them,
for they have been a long time in close communi-
tcation.

Verssalles, the same day.

Î FIND sad news on jDoming here, the Scotch
affair has failed ; l' considérait v^ry fortunate that
our ships had not sailed, for now we shall neithfir
lose them or our troops^

JdADAMF DE MAÎNTENON. 14

. ^ Versailles, March 18lli, 1708:

You know now. Madam, that M. Desmaretz,-
nephew of M. Colbert, is comptroller-general i.
and that the speculators have testified much joy
at it: he has always been considered a most
skilful financier. God graut him, as you say, the
confidence necessary to re-establish credit !

The King of Spain is a great king, but he is-
grandson to the King of France, who may indeed
take too great liberties with his grand-children :
he thought he had good reasons for concealing as
long as he could, the recall of Marshal Berwick,,
but it is also true that it was not communicated
to the King and Queen when the order was given^
Every body has been hurt at the Marshal's
quitting Spain, though it baa been often said that
you considered it very prudent. I am also
sorry for i*, as it appears to me that you have
great occasion for him ; but we have no one else to
oppose the Duke of Savoy, and we must endear
vour to prevent his re-entering France. But
do not be angry with M. de Berwick; he could
not divulge the secret which had beea entrusted

to him. '

You will have perceived a great deal of uncer-
tainty respecting the Scotch expedition,^ and I
cannot even tell you any thing positive at present,^
sincewe have not heard that the King of England

ï50 tETTERB OF

has embarked, for this is postponed from day to
day. The situation of the Queen of England is
Wretched : she has a great wish for the expedition
to land in Scotland, and flatters herself with the
idea of its success ; but every day renders it more
dangerous, sfô the 6n^ny is apprised of all that
is passing. The King of England has the fever
again ; his constitution is delicate, and he is about
to expose himself to all kinds of danger.

LETTER LXXII.

to tRS SAME.'

VeT8aille3, March igtb, 1708.-

The iCing of England has set sail at last; the
account of his descent in Scotland will be still
more interesting. May God shield him from all
the perils that threaten him ! The wind is* at pre-*
sent unfevourable.

VetsaiUtt» April 2d» 1708.

You are rejoicing at the Scoibch expedition,
and you think nothing of the anxiety we have
undergone ; I wish with all my heart you may
long continue in the extasy which your letter so*
well describes : whatever may happen, the design^
of the King must always be considered as excel"'

3H!ADAM£ 0& MAINTKNON- 15S

lent; it has been formed upoa a grand scale»,
conducted with the greatest secresy ; and if the
measles of the 'King of England aûd the contrary
winds had not caused impediments, he would be^
at Edinburgh ; perhaps he is even there now, not-
withstanding these delays : you will receive from
all quarters the uncertain news we had the day
before yesterday^ and on which you willreasoa
as we do here. Knowing me as you do> you no<
doubt imagine that I see every thing in a state of
desperation ; it iê, however,, very painful, though
very just, that I should communicate my fears,
and that you do not inspire me with your confi*
dence ; no one wishes more thsm myself to be
mistaken «nd become the object of your raillery,
if it be found that I have been wrong,, and thai
we should ]realise what I so ardently wish.
The Queen of England flatters herself that the
King, her son^ has been received at Edinburgh,
and that M. de Forbin has not been twenty-four
hours in latxdkg his Britannic Majesty and all
the King's troops ;. others are afrd;id lest this time
has pasèed in négociation,, and that the vesult has
been a refnsal : Heaven only knows how it .will
end ; we are expecting news hourly^ but there
is very little reliance to be placed on those re-
ports which relate to maritime afTairs»

Ï52- l!JSTf£fl9' OW'

BETTER LXXin

TO THE SA;Bft£.

Sftint'Cyr^'April 8th, 1708;

r \frAS but too Correct with regard to the'
Scotch expedition : you will not now jest with
me, and we shall both suffer from the failure of
so grand an enterprise ; you will receive the par-
ticulars from all quarters, and much more mi-
nutely than I can give them.

I shall net fail to say what you desire with
respect to sending you news; we are* vulgar
enough here, and politeness is in little estimation :-
I think it is the effect of firmness in our minis*
ters, though I agree that a harsh firmness is not
very agreeable. I do not however mean to say
that we are always* in the right. Heaven- grant
that your wishes respecting Portoigal and Gata^^
lonia<may be fulfilled! I have spoken to M. Des-
maretz about Spain ; from what I hear, he is tO'
pay what you require. He also contrives to find^
money, and is restoring public credit*.

H^ADAAÏE D£ &fAIVT£NON.' }<63

LETTER LXXIV.

TO tHE SAME.

Saint Cyr, April 15th, 17.08.-

r DO not believe in those excesses of joy ; I
iave often heard of people dying from thçai,:but
ûever seen an instance of the kind, though I have
been for some time in , the world. I shall there-
fore content myself with les^ grief both for you
and myself^ and only ask for tpanquillity.

am the only person at court who has not been
at St. Germains, but I am not the less affected at
all I have heard from thence. . The Queen of
England has never been more depressed than she^
A at present; she cannot speak a word without
sobbing, and yet you know she possesses great
fortitude. She isr fully sensible of the KingV
goodness, and it must be allowed that we cannot
too much admire the conduct of the Royal Fa--
mily on this occasion : thcly ^11 hastened to visit
jlier, and returned so much affected, that they
is^emed to h^ve no othep interest at heart but
hers in the Scotch affair^ I cannot help sen^^
you a leaf of the- letter she wrote to pie after
having seen the King j it will shew you whjajt hpr
ieelings an4 sesitiments lare^ The King of Bjxgt
land has manifested great courage and prudeuce^

t54 LETTKE6 Of

during this expedition» which does him much-
honour ; I hope that he will add to it in the cam-
paign he. is about to make in Flanders ; he has
been desirous of it a long time, and intends tcr
assume the incognito.

M. Ghamillard is in Flanders ; they say that
the journey is of service to him ; I hope his pre-
tence will benefit the troops: never was there
such an outcry against him, without his having
done any thing to merit it except being sick.

We are now on the eve of fresh aaixieties for
the approaching campaign ; I have been assured
they have sent off the money which was pro-
mised to you.

LETTER LXXV,

TO THE SAME*.

Saint Cfti Apiil^ 22d, 1 7G6.

Never did entefprifee meet with more general^
approbation than the expedition to Scotlatîd^
Between ourselves, the King was the only person^
Who had. a bad opinion of it^ but he yielded te^
public opinion; for, from the Dauphin to the
taieanest sculKon boy of the court, and the fish
women of Paris, all wished for the expedition ;;
%ut t^rovidence iVas against it : the KiAg of Ëng-

KIADAKIE I>£ RAJ^KTANON. 156

faad was yisited with tlie measles, which detained
him ten days at Dunkirk ; the wind changed an
hour after he set sail, and kept him twenty hours
at Ostend ; they mistook the entrance of the b^y
which leads to Edinburgh, every thing combined
to bring the enemy there as soon as oarselves.*
The skill aad good fortune of the Chevalier Forbin?
has saved our fleet ; he got to windward of the
enemy. We have only lost one ship of the line>
it was thought that we had lost three small ves*'
sels, but we yesterday heard that they have
arrived at Brest, bringing the remainder of our
troop$9. The English troops which had been sent
into Scotland did not return, and, contrary to my
usual habit, I flatter myself it is because there is
a disturbance there, and that the fear we have
created in England will give rise to a favourable-
diversion.

LETTER LXXVI.

TO THE SAME«r

Saint Cyr, April i8A, 170Ô. J

. Î

I HAVE at length seen the Queen of England ;•
she has recovered^a little strength by a three days'^
visit to Chaillot, and seemed to be in her usual
spirits. The King appeared to me much more

1*56 IlÏTTEttS <ST'

dejected, and ardently bent upon retuming ta^
Scotland, though he should be bent alone.

One of our small vessels that had separated
from the armament ciame to an anchor off the coast
of Scotland, and the officers even went on shore.
The commander writes tasay that the Highlanders
came de)wn, and assured him they would always
be ready to receive their King whenever he was
disposed to come. He departs in the meantime
for Flanders, where he intends to serve under the
name of the Chevalier de St. George.

M. de Vendôme neither gives himself any
trouble about the disguised kinîg, the Duke of
Burgundy, who- goes to command the army, the
Duke of Berry, who is= hot for marching, nor with
their numerous suites ; this does not derange hira
in the least, and he sets out m the full persuasion
that he is going to beat all our enemies : this
confidence is good for the troops, but I always-
fear lest it should be carried too far.

The Elector of Bavaria is about to assume the-
command of the army in Germany, and will have
with him the Marshal de Berwick, who, it is said,,
is very well satisfied; he has served with this-
Prince, who would not have agreed with Marshal^
Villars. The latter does not,, for his part, like to-
|be second in command, and I think he would
prefer being commander-in-chief in Dauphiny^
against an enemy with whom he may acquire some
glory. M. Chamillard has returned and is de-

MADAMi: .D£ MAINTENCW. 1S7

^htéd i^ith Hie Electdi; whoiu he liad ,alread7<^
began to .ëstegam during the firat và^it.he ipa&d him
:after the battle of Eamillies.
'. No, MJadam, the Kiog will not go into Flan-
ders, for the same reason ;that. the King of Spain
will not put .himself at the head of his armies ;
their afTairs not being ^iso desperate as to . inquire
their presence^ nor jntitiiig enough to ddo wy
thing worthy of .their high station;
. I ;am very desirous th^t you should profit jby
thé weakness of your enemie$^^ fpr I am al^^^yp
alarmed lest they should fortify themselves ; and.
if I am an useless solicitor in your behalf, it i^
not from want "of my zeal, which is often pysheii
ito importunity, i

XETTER LXXVIL

JO THE SAME.

.Saint Cyr, May 6th, 1708.

1 THINK myself very clever in having thought
like your man of talent. Nothing can be more un-
i seasonable than the return of the Kiug of England
to St. Germains ; I <îould .have wished him to
have cruised about the seas, or at least that he
had remained at Dunkirk, to give the English
«that uneasiness to which you allude ; it would

I M LET'^ERS or

have been scmething ta have substituted the
«ampftigii for the abode of St. Geciaaiiis, which
is by no means so good for tus.

It is troe that there has. been a great clamour
about the choice of Marshal Matignon. If the
King appointed the general whom he ppeferred in
Scotland, why should any person complain sof it»
since he is the arbiter ? but Hbe foUowiag. is the
way in which this affair was settied.

The Scotch asked for a man of title», and openly
testified the reluctance they would* feel in obeying
any other. AH our Marshal» declared^ thems^ve»
invalids» except Masshal d'Bsl^ées; the King
watered for a long time between him and the
eldest lieutenant-general» who is a very bare
man» a good officer» and of a courteous disposi^
tion. Marshal d'Ëstrées has scarcely ever served
in the field ; he is much more intelligent than the
other» but he is thought less likely to conciliate
the French, Scotch» and English» who are about
the King's person. M. XHhamillard did not want
this appointment for his friend» thinking it very
difficult: M. de Matignon is therefore named
for the reasons I have stated» and the King of
England is so well satisfied with him, that he
would not wish any other for the same enterprise.

There is too much liberty of speech in our
xourc, where the generosity of the King is abused.

MADAME XyjS MAINTEKON. IÇ^

LETTEfl LXXVIIL

TO THE SAME«

Saint Oyr, May 24th, 1708.

The King of Englaniâ leaves us on the 18th;
I took leave of him a sQcond time last Thursday^
God grant that this joiMney may be more pros-
^rous than the last! I fancy him exposed to all
sorts of perils, incognito with respect to those
"who will be about his person, though well known
to his enemies : you will not fail to tell the Queen
.that this is another of my melancholy reveries;
but it appears to me that for some . .time past,
those who foretell misfortuaes, find that they have
àad too much reason on their side.

Our Princes set out to-morrow, and the army is
io assemble on the 20th. It is reported that M.
de Savoy has already collected his forces, and
that he threatens several points in Dauphinyj
Marshal Villars has not yet arrived here, though
hid is expected to pass through Paris.

Ho BETTERS (»!

Î.ETTER ^XXIX.

.TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, June 3rd, 1708.

IîVe have liad a. grand scene at Marly. Madame
de Roquelaure sent to beg I would allow her te
enter my apartment by a back door ; I found her
in the greatest affliction ; she said she came to ask
jystice of the King for the abduction of her
daughter by the Prince de Leon : the circum-
tances are as follows. It was wished to marry
the Prince to Mademoiselle Roquelaure, and
after a long treaty on the subject it was broken off,
because the Duke de Jlohan would not give money
.enough to his son.; however, as the négociation
lasted a long time, the two parties immediately
interested ;agreed and mutually promised each
other marriage : tho young lady was iu thCvCon-
itentofla Croix, in.the Faubourg Saint Antoine,
with her governess, and was ordered never to be
allowed to go out, except with Madame de Vief-
ville. In the meanwhile the Prince de Leon
ordered the arms and livery of this lady for a
coach : and sent it to the convent with a mesr
sage requesting that Mademoiselle Roquelaure
should go and see her mother, who was at the
house of Madame de Viefville. She accord-
ingly got into the vehicle with her goveraeMi»

^MADAME DE I^AINTENON. 161

whq, «percei^ring that it did not taike thé right
road, which she knew, wished to cry for help,
but her mouth was stopped with , a handkerchief:
having met the Prince de Leon, they proceeded
to a small country house belonging to the Duke
de Lorges ; here a priest said mass and mar-
ried them. After remaining a few hours, the
bride returned to the convent with her go-
verness. The . Prince has written as follows
to the Duke d'Aumont, ** I entreat you to tell
'* Madame de Roquelaure that I have married
**her daughter; that I have brought back the
" Princess de Leon to her convent^ where I hope
'* she will not remain long." You.know> Mïdam,
the charity ,of courtiers : this adventure has
amused them very much. The .Duches3 of Bur-
gundy was almost beside herself, declaring that
she is fond of such incidents. The lady is near
twenty-five, and tired to death of the convent :
she is said to be highly accomplished, and very
amiable, but by no means handsome. They say
that the Duke de Roquelaure wishes tp pro-
secute the bridegroom with the * utnptost rigour ;
many persons pjetend that it cannot be treated
either as an abduction or a rape. I hope that after
all this uproar, the parties will become cool, and I
think the best way will be to marry them.in fprm*
You will be better informed than I can detail
to you, that on the side of Gerpiany the enemy
is about to have two armies : oae to be com-
manded by the Duke of Hanover, and the other

VOL. I. M

162 LETTERS OF

hy Prince Eugene. The Elector is preparing
to meet this arrangement : he is very well satisfied
with the Duke de Berwick.

The Duke of Burgundy has begun extremely
well ; he gains the esteem of his officers, and
makes himself respected on the subject of disci-
pline ; enters into all the details of the service, and
wishes to be informed of every thing. There is no
flattery in what I tell you ; I know it from persons,
who would have told me the contrary, had it
ffliot been true. The Duke de Berri also appears
to enjoy his present mode of life.

M. de Vendôme would always wish to be en-
gaged in sieges, in order to induce the enemy to
advance ; he is kept for the same reasons which are
assigned in the letter I have just deceived from you,
and which I shall answer, after having told you that
matters are tolerably quiet in Dauphiny, and that
Marshal Villars is to be there on the 5th.

I must, however, say a word about the Che-
valier Saint George, with whom it appears to me
every one is well satisfied, and who acts his part
perfectly well ; ' though I feel flattered when I
find my opinion correspond with yours, that of
M. Bedmar, and of your man of mind, I can easily
believe that the King of England acts more pru-
dently in the army than he did at Dunkirk during
the campaign.

Our grand evil is the want of money ; for
there is a great deal to be done ; all the letters
we receive assure us, that they are very well dis-

MADAME DE MA INTENON. 163

posed towards .the Chevalier inJScotland» and that
in England the people are extremely dissatisfied
with the government.

I am much grieved at the tess of the convoy
which was going to the Duke of Orleans, and I
think you flatter yourself a little, when you talk
of getting rid of the Archduke. I am told that the
siege of Tortosa is attended with great difficulty.

LETT]^ LXXX.

TO THE SAME*

Saint Cyr, June 18th, 1708.

Who can wonder ^ the horror with which you
have learnt what passed atCatinat? Is tiiere a
greater misfortune than to be obliged to give
such orders ? The King has no choice of generals :
it is one of our greatest evils. Piedmont gives
us great anxiety : it is said that the Duke of Savoy
is still indisposed : the design of raising the Hugue-
^itots does not show much devotion on his part.

LETTER LXXXL

TO THE SAME.

Fontainebleau, June 2dd, 1708.

The King has terminated the affair of M. de
Rohan and M de Roquelaure: but as the
marriage will take place without a reconciliation

M 2

164^ XETT£RS Of

between them, all the parties are to enter the
church by different doors ; they will meet at the
foot of the altar ; the ceremony will be performed
and all will return without speaking to each other.
The new married couple will each be allowed
twelve thousand lifvres pernnnum.

LETTER LXXXIL

TO THE SAME,

Fontainebleau, July 1st, 1708.

I REGRET the time that has been lost by the
Duke d'Ossuna, for it seems that we have but
slender hopes of beating the Portuguese. I flat-
ter «lyself with the idea of Tortosa being taken,
and itappears, up to the present ^moment, our
affairs are going on very well on your side. .

The Duke de Noailles is unable to undertake any
thing : they are sending his troops into Dauphiny;
it is there we have the greatest reason to fear : we
must:have ,patience in the present state of affairs.

There are not two opinions respecting the Duke
of Burgundy ; his reasonings are sound, and the
King is very well satisfied with his letters. Prince
Eugene has disappeared : it has been said thsA
he went to drink the waters ; it is now report-
ed that he has gone to have a conference with
Marlborough. We hear from all quarters that they
are both surprised at our numbers ; I cannot^
however, help having serious apprehensions.

The Queen of England is very well satisfied

MAI^Alid^E DE MAINTENON. ' 16Ô

with the King, her son, and with reason; he
Behaves admirably ; and if the English were not
so infatuated as they are, they would declare for
him : he wrote the other day to his mother to say
that he was entirely reconciled to his incognito,
which gave him an opportunity of being in con-
tinual communication with the officers.

You know that all the principal Scottish lords
have been arrested y so that we can scarcely hope
for any thing at present. They pretend to no
secresy at] SU Germains, atid there is less here
than formerly.

Every thing which comes to us from the Duke
of Orleans corresponds with what you tell me ; he
neglects nothing for the public good.

The King expects with impatience the reduc •
tion of Ghent : for if Marlborough wishes to pre-
serve it, there is every probability of a battle,
which, as you justly say, is a great source of alarm^

I paust not forget to tell you that in the long
and fine march which the Duke of Burgundy has
made, he has not lost a single soldier ; the troops
did not know where they were going,, but were
anxious to fight : I think their ardour is increased
by the presence of our Princes.^

Letters have been received fi-om different officers,,
stating that the Chevalier St. George is so much
beloved, that if he wished to return to Scotland,
there would be as much enthusiasm to accom-
pany him, as there was formerly a disinclination;
to proceed on the expedition to that country.

166 L£TT£RS OF

LETTER LXXXIIL

ro THE SAME,

Fontainebleau» July 1 S&r 1 7(W.

Our joys are m>t of long continuance ; an ac-
tion has just taken place between the infantry m
Flanders, which was very severe : this is neaily
all we know about it; for as yet we have received
no particulars, and it only appears disadvantageous
to us, from the retreat which our troops have made ;
the enemy, on their part, have lost some stsoidards
and kettle-drums, while we have sustained no loss»

We have the same news as yourself of the Duke
of Orleans, respecting the perils to which he ex-
poses himself. The King has reprimanded him
very severely; but it appears to me that he vishes
to see every thing, and that he does not confine
himself merely to the functions of a general. I
have a great impatience to hear of Tortosa being
taken, on every account.

You are right in thinking t6at the pleasures of
Fontainebleau are greatly troubled by the constant
state of anxiety in which we are from every quar-
ter. The action in Flanders took place the same
day and hour that we were enjoying a gay colla-
tion in the forest ; these circumstances are very
unimportant, but they derange every thing.

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 167

LETTER LXXXIV.

TO THE SAME.

Fontainebleau, July 23rd, 1708»

You will hear that our good fortune has been of
short duration,. The reduction of Ghent under
the power of the Catholic King had placed us in
a very advantageous position ; wq had only to pre-
serve it during the remainder of the campaign ; it
was for the enemy to take flight, and they were i»
despair. M. de Vendôme, who thinks everything
possible which he wishes, would give battle, and
he has lost it; so that we are much worse oflF than
we were, as well from the loss of troops, as the fear
of future consequences, and the superiority which
our enemies now possess.

In this state of things, we have felt less sensibly
the joy which attended the capture of Tortosa,
although its importance is duly appreciated. Ma-
dame is delighted at it, and with great reason ;
she sees the Duke of Orleans covered with glory,,
and out of the danger to which he exposed himself
so much.

You know the fickleness of the French, and it
seems to me that their conversation also reaches
your ears. Ghent placed us in a position to give
peace on our own conditions ; but now all is lost.

Ï68 LETTERS Of

and we must ask for it with a cord about our
necks : and yet neither one or the other is true.
Our enemy had great resources, if even we were in
possession of Ghent, and we should have [ample
ïneans still, if Marshal Vendôme would act more
cautiously during the remainder of the campaign.
Our army is fine and well conditioned ; the troops
have done their duty, they are not in the least dis-
couraged, and only ask to take their revenge; but
this can only be permitted with the order and pre-
caution necessary upon such ah occasion. The
t)uke of Burgundy was well advised, but he had
orders to give way to M. de Vendôme as. being
more experienced ; our Princes were near being
taken ; conceive the consequences ; this jcscape is
the only consolation which I have ehdeavoured to
give the Duchess in her present state ofuneateines^r.
She shows throughout this melancholy conjuncture
the sentiments of a real French woman, which I
have always known her to possess ; but I must con-
fess 1 did not think she loved the Duke of Burgundy
so much as we now perceive she does. Her affec-
tion is of the most delicate nature, and she feels
sensibly that the first action in which he was, has
been unfortunate ; she could have wished him to
expose himself like a grenadier, and yet expected
he would escape being wounded. The King
bears this last affair with great resignation to the
will of God, and he continues to display his usual
fortitude and equanimity.

SIADAME DE l^rAI^TEXON. V69

lÊhe confidence which has already done* us sd
Ainch harm may lead to misfortunes that would ber
without a remedy : it is impossible but there must
be a coolness between the Duke of Burgundy and
M. de Vendôme, through their difference of
opinion ; suid which many will endeavour to in-^
crease, by their ill-natured remarks.

Men are not perfe(H: ; there never was a better
disposed man than M. de Vendôme, nor more at-
tached to the royal family and the state : they say
that he has been more exposed to the fire of the
enemy than ail the rest of the army ; but he is wet
confident, indolent, obstinate, and always despis-
ing the enemy. Prince Eugene is not an enemy
to be despised ; he knows M. de Vendôme,- and^
how to profit by his fouits-.

Marshal de Berwick arrived very seasonably to^
cover our strong places; and collect our scattered*
troops ; in these operations, he does all that could
be expected from him. The public here are not
less infuriated against M. de Vendôme than they
were against Marshal Villeroi, for they go to ex*
tremes in every thing.

When plans are formed, the possible mischances
are not calculated ; and when there are not troops,
nor money sufficient for every ejcigency, there is
sure to be a failure somewhere : we know] what
the Duke of Orleans has suffered on this head.
The Duke de Noailïes is perfectly idle, and
Marshal de Villars has not troops enough to act.

170 LETTERS OF

Provence is alarmed at the great preparations of
the Duke of Savoy ; the whole coast is threatened
with a descent ; these untoward events destroy
confidence in money matters ; the minister at war
has been at death's door ; our greatest force has
been marched towards Flanders» because the ene-*
my has done the same.

Your Duke d'Ossuna has caused you to lose the
opportunity of fighting a battle that would have
been very advantageous to you : if we did not re-
gard all these things as being ordained by Pro-
vidence, we might well despair.

.LETTER LXXXV,

TO THE SAME.

Fontainebleau, July 30th, 1708.

You flatter yourself, as we have done, respecting
the strength of the Duke of Savoy ; they say that
he has forty thousand infantry, ten thousand ca-
valry, three thousand mules, and all the means of
executing great designs. Marshal Villars is weak,
mid must be so whatever trifling succours may be
procured for him from every direction.

It does not appear to me tiiat the Duke of Savoy
has an eye to Provence ; it is Dauphiny that he
threatens, and the French already fancy him at

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 171

Lyons ; this is a city of such great commercial imr
portance, that such an apprehension will greatly
injure our credit.

There has been much uncertainty concerning
the battle in Flanders ; it was at first said to. be of
little consequence^ and in five or six days after we
were informed that it became much more import-
ant. It is at last ascertained» that the enemy's
loss has been as great as our own : many of their
general officers were killed ; our loss is chiefly in
prisoners» but much less than what has been said ;
and the Duke of Burgundy, who is truth itself^
writes to say that after every estimate it has not
cost us more than six thousand men.

The army is in fine order» and not in the least
disheartened ; it longs for an opportunity of being
revenged,; and has abundance of supplies, owing
to the care of M. de Bergheitz, who makes the
greatest exertions for the service of our Kings.;
he is at present the object of my admiration in
consequence of what the Duke of Burgundy has
said of him, added to what I have heard from
other quarters.

It is openly asserted in the enemy's army that
they are going to besiege Lisle : on receiving the
news. Marshal Boufflers offered his services to
defend this place, which the King accepted ; and
he set out immediately, taking post horses without
even returning to his own house. Ï never witnessed
more zeal for the public service. He has arrived

172 HETTERs or

at Lisle, and writes that there is no appearance c^
the enemy making such an attempt ; they» how-
ever, make frequent incursions into Artois^ and
wish to levy éontri butions on all the country.
Marshal Berwick finds himself embarrassed be^
tween the necessity of protecting the peasantry,
and his eagerness to intercept the convoy cons-
ducted by Prince Eugene.

The alteration which the battle in Flanders Has
caused in our affairs, the embarrassing situation in
which ow Princes found themselves, and the ap-
prehensions for Dauphiny, have affected the health
of M. de Ghamillard, and increased the outcry
of the courtiers against him. I agree with you,
that they are very despicable and odious ; it is^
indeed a rQ%l misfortune to these who cannot get
rid of their importunities ! They often address
themselves te me, as less important and myste-
rious than the ministers, for the purpose of im-
parting their afflictions : perhaps this may arise
from their zeal, but it throws me into a state of
the utmost irritation and impatience.

Some persons assert that it is impossible for the
enemy to undertake a siege in presence of the
Buke of Burgundy's army, which could always
molest their convoys, as these can only come by
land since we are masters of Ghent; that this place,
which gives us so many advantages must be held,,
and that our Princes are quite safe there. Others
pretend that the enemy will do what they please r.

KIADAME IDE MAIKTENON. IJS

ti^at.aU our fortresses are abandoned, France ex-
ppsed> jsind the enemy between our Princes and
us; that .we must quit. Ghent, as it will be
impossible to keep it through the winter.

Some again affirm that the Duke^of Savpy can
enter France, march to Lyons, and perhaps
Êirther, and that the enemy can meet him from
the northern frontier, while others maintain that
this Prince cannot obtain a footing in the king-
dom, that his retreat can be cut off before he re-
* crosses the mountains, and that he will be much
embarrasBcd.

LETTER LXXXVL

TO THE SAME.
(Fontainebleau, Ai^ust 12th, 1703*

TS^OTHiNO can either be added or desired respect-
ing the zeal and courage of M. de Vendôme ; but
judging others by himself, he thinks that nothing
will resist him, and he has incurred very general
blame by the last battle.

The King continues to. act with the greatest
prudence. The presence of our Princes is desired
-in the armies ; he sends those of the most august
character : he would be blamed if he left every
i;hii|g to their decision, because they are as jet

Ï74 LETTERS OF

80 yoking : they are assisted by oouncits, on
whose advice the King relies» and it is these coun--
oils that ruin our affairs. If the Duke of Orleans
had been believed at Turin, we should not have
lost Italy ; and if the Duke of Burgundy's advice
had been followed at Oudenarde, we should not
have lost a battle of which the consequences are
so disastrous.

It is not yet known what the enemy means to
do ; he is making great preparations, and threatens
all our fortresses; but we know not which he
will fix upon ; for the last two days, Mons has
been mentioned as the most probable point i»f
attack.

LETTER LXXXVII.

TO THE SAME.

Fontainebleau, August 15th, 1708.

The enemy has been preparing for a grand siege
ever since the last battle : their convoys cannot
be molested, because Prince Eugene escorts them
with his whole army. It has been thought for.
some days, that the enemy would march towards
Mons ; Lisle, or Toumay, are now spoken of,
and we expect to receive news every moment.
It is said that the least considerable of these two

HIADAME DE MAINTENON. 175

i^îeges would be a rash undertaking, that the season
is too far advanced, that these places are well pro*
vided, that we could cut off their convoys, whilst
they are engaged in a siege, and that our armies
will form a junction. I look upon all this as illu*-
sory ; it is only we who do not take the places
which we attack, and I fear the enemy will succeed
in a few days, unless they are prevented. In
order to effect this, there must be a battle, and
who can say that we shall not lose it ? — ^and all
this with our three Princes exposed to more than
one accident. I can see no good then, except in
the concentration of our armies, and the opport\i-r
nity our Princes will thus have of drawing nearer
to their own territory. The predicament in which
they were lately placed afflicted me' so much,
that I now feel pleasure, notwithstanding our
probable loss of an important fortress. I have
seen so much taken and given up, that I confess I
do not feel so much about this event as of others.
The interests of Spain form a great object of my
sadness and dejection amidst these unfortunate
occurrences. I should feel less on ©ur account if
we were alone ; nor do I think a strong hold more
or less, can be of consequence to the happiness
of our King or of France. But when the interests
of such a great kingdom as that of Spain and the
Indies are at stake, as well as those of a King and a
Queen already established and having a successor ;
and that it is to dispute for this kingdom that aU

176 aETT£RS 0¥

Euvope is united, it is difficult to comprehend
how peace is to be restored.

Marshal Villars thinks he has frustrated the
^eatest plan&jdf the Duke of Savoy ; .others think
that ,this Prince, after several marches» which
appear uncertain, will turn suddenly towards
Provence, to aid an intended descent of the enemy.
Marshal Villars appears to be very skilful; till
now he has been fortunate ; but he wants cavalry.
Troops are ordered to join»him from Spain, Ger-
many, and Catalonia. All those who have been
called upon to send succours x^omplain, and you
are among the foremost of these.

I think with you that we have made too great
an outcry about money. It is now fifteen years
since it was said we had no more, and yet what
immense sums have not been expended ? During
this period, M. Desmaretz has restored confi-
dence; but untoward events have spoiled his work.

LETTER XXXXVIH.

TO THE SAM£.

Tontàinebleau, August 19th, 1708.

We must not deceive ourselves, we lost the ac-
tionof the 11th of July, and though few remain-
.ed upon the field of battle, the night caused such

MADAMIE DE MAINTENON. 177

great disorder among our troops^ that there were
from twelve to fifteen thousand men, and seven or
eight hundred officers dispersed. It is true that
there are more than ten thousand men returned
or remaining in the fortresses where Maxshal Ber*
wick had ordered them. Some days were neces-
saiy to recover from the panic ; but the truth must
come out, so much, ill success as we have had
for some time, the extremity to which we should
be reduced if we still continue unfortunate,
renders almost every body timid. One dare not
hazard counsel where play runs so high. In the
meanwhile, the enemy carries on the siege of
Lisle ; and if it falls, he has a footing in France.
If there is a battle, and we should be beaten, we
are undone ; whereas if tiiey are beaten, we shall
make the most brilliant of campaigns.

A courier has just arrived from the Duke f>f
Burgundy, and will doubtless inform us of the day
he intends to march, as soon as he shall have
heard of the siege of Lisle.

It is merely what I think that I confide to you,
but I hope you will not be terrified by my
fears. For my own part, I see every thing in the
most gloomy light ; Lisle taken^ the battle lost,
and at least some of our Princes wounded ; I see
the enemy in France, the poor citizens of Ghent
abandoned to the ferocity of the English, the
King afflicted, our dear Princess inconsolable,
and all your court overwhelmed with grief.

VOL. I. N

17ft LETTERS OF

Z have just been told that the Duke of Bur-
gundy did not march on the 1 7th. I do not know
the reaisbn, but it is a pity he has not formed as
speedy a junction as possible with the Marshal
de Berwick. It is certainly lamentable to reflect
on the diversity of opinion that exists betwixt
the Duke of Burgundy and M. de Vendôme.
Let us hope that the importance of the objecte
upon which they have to confer, will reconcile
them.

I well remember the outcry that was raised
jigainst Marshal de Berwick when he did not
give battle, and the excessive praise lavished upon
thatof Almanza. Every body is courageous in his
own way : I possess a great deal myself when
people take it into their heads to speak ill of me,
or of those I esteem. It seems to me easy to
despise, but impossible to prevent them.

There is so much murmuring now, that every
thing is blamed. The Parisians cry out against M.
de Vendôme ; though they doso with rather lessvio-
lence against the Duke of Burgundy, and wish to
dishonour the greater part of the officers, asserting
that many of the latter remained behind at Ghent,
which is not the case : it is also asserted that tiiose
who were there, liked their situations so well, that
they suffered themselves to be taken, in order to
avoid serving any longer. I do not think it is
possible to carry malignity further.

The Duchess of Burgundy cannot bear a word

MADAME DE MAINTXNON. 179

.to be said against ker husband: I have in vain
jtold her that people like her ought to despise or
punish this sort of insolence. I think if it was in
lier power to punish» sl]^ would inflict speedy
justice.

Marshal Berwick has not been sufficiently
strong to prevent the incursions and contributions
in Artois and Picardy. He had thrown the
whole of his infantry into the menaced fortresses!,
and our enemy marches in great force to all
the points of attack. How very wretched our
correspondence is about to become, and how
truly I regret to see you participate in all our
troubles, without reckoning your own, of which
you take no notice^

You will doubtless receive an account of the
journey which Marshal de Tessé is about to take
to Italy. I think Marshal Villars is in despair:
our affairs on that side were going on as well as
could be wished, when the commander of Exiles
surrendered at discretion, without firing a shot^
and while he ^saw the advanced guard of our
army .coming to his relief. God is against u£^
Madam, and we must neglect nothing to appease
his wrath ; we have ordered prayers everywhere ;
I have no doubt that you do the same. Our
Princess fasts for her husband ; this is carry-
ing her affection to the greatest extreme; he
is delighted with it — I mean with her affection,

N 2

180 X£TTBRS OF

for I think he is ignorant of her fasting. His
letters to me are full of joy at being so mocii
beloved by her he loves.

LETTER LXXXIX.

TO TH£ SAME.

Fontainebleau, August 26th, 1807*

I CONFESS» Madam, that I have had but too
just a foreboding of our present situation ; but
so it is, and we are in such an extremity, that
it will require a miracle to extricate us.

You are aware uof the siege of Lisle : the
Duike of Burgundy intended to march te its
relief, and to form a junction wilà Marshal de
Berwick : M. de Marlborough raarehed to
oppose this junction, and Prince Eugene quitted
the siege with a paxt of his troops, to join
Marlborough and give battle to the Duke of
Burgundy* It is said that the country where this
action will probably take place, is very disadvan-
tageous to us, because our cavalry cannot act.
It is a cruel situation to have the enemy -between
our Princesand us, and to see Lisle taken without
being able to offer any opposition. It is incon-
ceivable that the ca];npaign can end without a
battle ; and if we lose it, where shall we be ? ,

MADAME DB MAINTENON. tSl

It is veFy true, that if God aids us, this same
campaign, which now g^ves ns so much uneasi-
ness, will be very glorious, and that the enemy
may become as tired of the war as ourselves.

How sad is life, as well from the course of
events, as from those men who have the direction
of affairs ! We see its difficulties daily ; vanity,
interest, presumption, envy, caprice, — all are
opposed to the public weal, by sordid views, or
ignoble passions !

According to the last letters we have received
from the Duke of Burgundy and Marshal Vendôme,,
it appears that they had agreed upon their pre*
sent operaticms; and by the relative situation
of both parties, it is Marshal Berwick who will
direct their movements, because he is nearer to
the siege, which is our great object, but which
has till now proceeded rather slowly.

M. de Vendôme still maintains^ with hia usual
obstinacy, that this siege is only a feint to draw
on the Duke of Burgundy; it will have cost
them great preparations and the trenches have
been opened three or four days.

You will have learnt what has passed at Exiles ;
but if all the designs of the Duke of Savoy are
confined to tibiis conquest, it will be a source of
consolation to us. Marshal Villars is exasperated
against the traitor of a commander who surren-
dered.

God grant that the journey of Marshal de

18* LETTERS Ot

Tessé may be useful in exeiting all t&e* princes
of Italy against the Emperor T The Duke of
Savoy would be more useful to us, but they all
forget their real interests, and no longer think
of anything but their hatred against France sxxd
Spai».

lETTER XC.

TO 7H£ SAME.-

Saint Cyr, September 2nd, 1708.

We are now upon the eve pf this battle in
Flanders ; it is thought that every thing should
be hazarded for the relief of so important a place as
Lisle. Prince Eugene appears enraged, since he
has learnt the junction of our two armies, and he
presses the siege so closely, that I fear he will
not give our Princes time to arrive.

The rejoicings were great in our army, on the
arrival of Marshal de Berwick and his troops ;
they infused new courage into the others, and
we are assured that all they now ask is an opportu-
tunity of retrieving their charaeter. I hope that
in the part our generals have to take, they will
be all of the same opinion, and that the Marsha}
de Berwick will reconcile them to each other.

In the midst of our misfortunes, we learn that
the Mexican fleet has arrived inour ports^ and that

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 183

it has brought forty millions ; this is good news
for the two kingdoms.

We are still in some uneasiness lest the Duke
of Orleans should not give battle.

It would appear that the campaign will soon
close in Dauphiny, and that we shall escape with
the loss of Exiles and Fenestrella, which was
caused by the baseness of the commandant of the
first named place, having surrendered it for a
bribe, thus rendering it impossible for him to
relieve the other fortress.

LETTER XCL

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, September 9th, 1708.

I HAVE not had a momenf^ repose since Lisle
has been infested. The King, who had foreseen
it, though he had great diâSculty in believing
the news^ wrote immediately to the Duke of
Burgundy and the Duke de Vendôme^ that if
the investment had^ really tdken place, it was
absolutely necessary to relieve it, M. de Ven-
dôme would not march, notwithstanding all that
\^as said to him^ always thinking that it was a
stratagem of the enemy, to make us abandon
Ghent ; he constantly wrote to say that he would
not stir till he knew the trenches were open.

184 LBTTER6 OF

and heard thé cannon firing ; at length the army
has set out. We have had great uneasmess as
to the function with Marshal de Berwick: it
has fortunately taken place^ and we have received
BO letters since, but those' which inform us that
our troops pant for an engagement.

Since we have learnt that they are near Lisle, we
have been in the greatest suspense. I cannot de-
scribe to y ou the agitation of our dear Princess,
and all the prayers that she offers up and orders
to be said both day and night. Every body feels a
general as well as a particular interest in what is
passing. I see nothing but weeping, trembling,
moaning, while all those about me are still more
uneasy than myself ; the King alone is firm in wish-
ing to hazard every thing for tEe relief of Lisle, and
the honour of our nation.

The Duke of Burgundy is not of this opinion,
because all the officers are against it, and Mariai
de Berwick at their head. M. de Vendôme alone
wishes fo attack and force the- entrenchments:
the others maintain that the King's army would
be destroyed, and have but little confidence in
M. de Vendôme since the unfortunate affair at
Oudenarde. These different opinions place every
thing in a very dangerous position, which has
obliged the King to send M. de Chamillard, to
see at least if he can rally them on the day of
battle. We are at present in this cruel expec-
tation ; and as for me^ Madam, you may easily

ttADAlTE D£ IfAINTENON* 185

eonceive that I see Lisle taken and the Battle
lost ; these disputes and indecisions give the
enemy time to fortify himself still more strongly,
and thus our difficulties daily increase.

We have heard from M. Ghamillard, but no-
thing decisive has taken place ; but we are hourly
expecting to hear whether there is to be a battle
m not : the enemy is advantageously posted.^

LETTER XCII.

TO THE SAME.

Sdnt Cyr, September 16th, 1709.

At length* all our generals in Flanders have
Written to the King, unanimously stating that the
enemy are inaccessible by the retrenchments
which they have had time to complete.

The Duke of Burgundy was to set out yes-
terday and repair to Toumay, to send forward de-
tachments whicbmay intercept the convoy which
the enemy are sending from Brussels ; it is said
that they are in great want of ammunition. God
grant it may be so I Anattempt was also to be
made last night to throw succours into the town.
M. de Boufflers does not as yet appear to be
much distressed.

You may easily imagine, that I do not expect
to see this fortress relieved^ but rather anticipate
its being overwhelmed by the whole army of

186 LETTERS OF

Maxlbcnrougli tnd Prince Eagene» as soon as they
see our troops retiring.

M* Chamillard returns on Tuesday: he is
wanted here; but I much fear that the dif-
ferences among our generals» whom he has re-
conciled, will be renewed.

Marshal de Villars has frustrated the grand
designs of the Duke of Savoy: but the two
small places which this Prince has taken are con-
sidered as afifording a certain inlet into France for
next year.

You are two well acquainted with our situation
not to know, that it was impossible to send
troops to the Duke de N cailles : he is however more
pressed to defen4 himself than to make conquests.

Our present misfortunes do not prevent me
from thinking of the succours that are said ^ to
have arrived at Barcelona and in Portugal, nor
from being alarmed for your second campaign.

It is true that we ought to look to Heaven for
relief. God^alone can extricate us from our present
embarrassments : happy are those who only wish
for what he wills, and who are convinced that he
presides over every thing !

P.S. Paris is in consternation because our
generals do not give battle ; the capture of Lisle
makes t]»em consider the enemy as already
amoiigst us.

I am very glad to hear of the arrival of the

MADAME DE HAINTENON. 167

fleet, bût I am assured that our Kings have but
a small portion of the money; it will however
circulate through the two kingdoms. I have
lost all joyful emotions : we are too unfortunate and
two ill served ; but I shall say no more.

LETTER XCIIL

TO THE SAME. *

Saint Cyr, September 23rd, 1708«

I AM very sorry. Madam, not to be able to
tell you any thing decisive, but the army and
court flatter themselves that Prince Eugene will
raise the siege, and Marshal de Boufflers makes an
admirable defence ; the enemy has gained but little
ground the last ten or twelve days ; their fire is
very irregular, which excites a suspicion that they
are deficient in something; our army is welt
posted for preventing the convoys from arriving,
and of which they stand in .'great need : these
circumstances give us some hopes; though 1
communicate this idea, I shall not state the
reasons which prevent me firom indulging in
ihem.

The journey of M. de Chamillard into Flander»
has been of great service ; he has himself seen the
impracticability of attacking the enemy in their
entrenchments ; M. de Vendôme is also convinced

188 letTem op

of it, and has written to the Iting, who has re^-
tracted his orders; which perhaps he never
would have done, if the secretary at war had not
been upon the spot. Every body pretends that if
pur army had taken the position which it m>w
occupies, the siege would have been raised. We
suffer thus in every quarter from the faults that
are committed;, it is hardly possible to give
proper orders at such a distance, and they who
are upon the spot are divided in their opinions.^
M . de Vendôme is generally alone in his opinion :
while the Duke of Burgundy sides with Marshal
Berwick and th'e general officers ; all this has a
very pernicious effect.

We have been told here what you say re-
specting the Dukes de Berry and Guiche, and we
have not been able to ascertain what is the cause
of it. It is true that the Duke de Guiche has always
opposed the relief of Lisle, which I do not blame,
because every one has his own opinion, and the
event will only perhaps too fully justify his;
but he was very wrong in publishing it con-
trary . to the orders of the King, as it may
discourage the troops : he ought to have told his
reasons in private to the Duke of Burgundy, and
to inspire courage and obedience every where else;
but there are few men perfect, and wïio act solely
ynth a view to the public good.

The Duchess de Guiche will be comforted what-
ever may happen, provided her husband returns >

1VIADAM£ DE MAIJfTENON. 189

sfee k one of the strongest examples of affection
ever seen.

It is said that the siege of Lisle has caused .a
dispute between the two sisters-in-law ; owing to
the lady of Marshal Boufflers wishing the place
to be relieved, and the Duchess de Guiche not
wishing for ja battle.

M. de Chamillard had reconciled the Marshal
de Berwick and the Duke de Vendôme^ between
whom there was a coolness : I fear much the re-
vival of their differences. Our Prince is engaged
in a most difficult campaign; but he agrees veiy
well with the Marshal de Berwick.

The Duke de Berry is much occupied in learnr
ing the art of war: he frequently addresses him-
;self to the officers for information ; sends very well
written letters to the King and the Duchess of
Burgundy : and M« de Chamillard says that in the
^<;ouncils of war, his first object is to ascertain the
best opinions, after which his own is given with
the greatest promptness and precision.

The investment of Lisle is of such importance^
that the result will be productive of infinite good
or mischief in every direction. If Prince Eugene
raises the siege, the négociations of Marshal deTessé
would, I have no doubt, proceed more suceessfiiUy.

Yes, Madam, this state of discord is insupport-
able : there also prevails an unbounded fireedom
of speech. M. de Chamillard cannot help recur-
jiing to that ^hich he observed in the army <j(

190 LStlTERS OF

Flanders. Though almost leading a life of seelu*
sion here» I am astonished at the language I daily
hear : there is scarcely an individual, even to the
young female attendants at court, who de not
freely offer their opinion on the progress of the
war, or find fault with all that is done ; discussing
every subject, however delicate it may be, and
censuring without mercy all those who become
objects of caprice or hatred. If any person ven-
tures to think differently from them, or reprehend
such a line of conduct, they are suVe to be accused
of haughtiness and ill-nature. Every thing is in
the greatest disorder and confusion ; but if Lisle
were saved, I should not feel this state of things
so acutely.

LETTER XCIV.

TO THE SAMK«

Saint Cyr, Sept 30th, 1708.

I HAVE nothing agreeable to tell you, and it is
only a personal interview with you that could now
afford me any solace : but as I see very little pro-
bability of -this, I must be content with the con-
tents of the gazette, and send you the news of the
day, without adding any reflections of *my own.
. Marshal de Boufflers is an honour to France for
all he has done; I never knew a man so generally

MADAME I>E MAINTEXON. 191

praised ; his defence is very vigorous, and he has
been as vigorously attacked for several days. As
we always wish to flatter ourselves, we think the
enemy are making a last e£fort, and that their
ammunition &ils them.

Prince Eugene no longer commands at the
siege ; he has been wounded : they say that the
wound is trifling ; but his speedy return is appre-
hended: Marlborough has occupied his place.
The enemy expects a convoy which is coming
from Osteud : Marshal Berwick and the Count
4e la Motte are at the head of troops to prevent
its arrival, and a battle is no longer doubted.

On quitting St. Cyr, yesterday, news was brought
me that the Chevalier de Luxembourg had entered
Lisle with two thousand men, and a hundred
thousand pounds of powder : this is extremely
fortunate, for it was a very perildlis enterprise.
According to the usual custom, I found every body
overjoyed, and under no apprehension for Lisle,
the siege of which is to be raised immediately.
I am not disposed to go sd far, and am greatly
afraid lest the convoy from Ostend should be able
to pass ; the enemy exerts every nenre for this ob-
ject, and has sent strong detachments, whose route
is shorter than ours : we are expecting news with
the greatest impatience, and perhaps there will be
some to send you before M. de Torcy closes his
packet.

The news of yesterday has enabled our Princess
to breathe again. Some say that the wound of

192 LETTERS Of"

Prince Eugene is of no consequence^ otkers that
iie is about to be trepanned.

Marly, October 7th, 1708.

I heard yesterday evening that a courier had
arrived, l)ringing information that M. de Vendôme
is posted near Ostend, to prevent the convoy
from proceeding; and of which the enemy, it is
said, are still in great want. It is probable that
there will be another engagement : I fear it will
be lost, from the disposition of our troops. There
is some good news from Lisle, but it wants con-
firmation.

The loss of Sardinia is a new affliction for us :
on whatever side we turn, there is nothing to
be seen but sources of grief.

LETTER XCV.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, October 14th, 1708.

Who could think. Madam, that in such bustling
affairs as those of Flanders, eight days have
produced no change ? It is true that Marshal de
Boufflers is a little more pressed than he was;
but he still resists, and many people flatter them-
selves that he will continue to do so till he has
disheartened the enemy. M. de Marlborough

MADAME jyt MAINTENOX. 193

wishes to pass his convoy, while M. de Vendôme
replies, that he will prevent it, and has sent back
some troops to the Duke of Burgundy, finding that
he has enough without them. Grant that his great
confidence may not again deceive him [

We have been à%ng time flattered that the
enemy wanted ammunition, though they daily make
very vigorous attacks ; I shall not enter into the
particulars of what they have already taken, lest
I should make some mistake. I do not think
that our generals are as united as could be wished.
As Marshal de Berwick has received orders from
M. de Vendôme, he has since then served merely
as a private individual near the person of the
Duke of Burgundy. This Prince is accused of
being over prudent, and of consulting his officers
too much : at all events, it is certain that he has
nothing in view but the interests of the two Kings,
and that he does not think he ought to risk
the losing our army, unless there was great
probability that the success of a battle might be
useful to us. It is said that the Duke de Berri
has an excellent capacity for war, and conceives
in a moment the happiest expedients.

The Elector of Bavaria has come to await the
result of the campaign at Compeigne, accompa-
nied by eight or ten courtiers, but no household
or officers. M. de Monasterole provides his table,
the King gives him an apartment, which he has
furnished^ and sent him all the horses he

VOL. I. o

194 LBTTERS OF

requested. There is a person in the neighbour-
hood who has a pack of stag hounds ; the Prince
will hunt in the Forest, and avail himself of any
other recreations he can find. M. d'Autin has
paid his respects to him; M. Chamillard has
also paid him a visit ; all who have seen him have
returned extremely well pleased with his Highness.
Madame d'Arcos is to go there for a day, accom-
panied by the Chevalier de Bavaria, whom she
will leave with the Elector for some time : this is
all I know respecting his Highness.

It would appear that the enemy has turned his
whole attention to Flanders, and that he leaves
you in repose in Portugal.

14th, in the evening.

' On my arrival here, I hear that Marshal de
Boufflers has again repulsed the enemy with
great loss on their part: nothing can be better
than all he does, but we shall notwithstanding
lose Lisle. It is also said that M. de Marl-
borough is returning to his camp, having no hope
of passing his convoy,, the inundations being
complete, and M. de Vendôme so well posted.
I^rince Eugene is again able to mount his horse,
and has only a large patch above the eye.

MADAME D« MAIKTENOX. 195

LETTER XCVI.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, October 21st, 1708.

You pass, like us, from hope to despair; I alone
am constant in my woeful predictions. Marshal
4e Boufflers surpasses himself in the defence of
Lisle, and would undoubtedly have saved thç
place, if our hundred thousand men could have
intercepted the convoys of which the enemy
stood in need, and which they pass every day,
though with great difficulty. I am very sorry that,
instead of leaving you the impression of an agree-
able idea, I have caused you uneasiness, to divine
the meatls whidli prevent me from hoping. It is
true, that Marshal de Boufflers has long <^m-
plained of wanting powder ; but we see clearly;
that but for the convoys Prince Eugene would
have been the first to want that article. The
garrison performs wonders; .the officers are
united, and all delighted with their general, who
loses no opportunity of representing their services
to the King, and of getting them rewarded.

It is a great pity that Marshal Boufflers is old
and sickly ; his heart would carry him further
than all the talents and ambition of others.

I conceal nothing from you, and when I cm-
not speiJc to you frankly, 1 remain silent. Wif

o 2

196 LETTERS OF

shall not know the truth of what has passed be-
tween the Dukes de Berry and Guiche till the
return of our Princes, upon whose words we can
rely. The King pays little attention to these sort
of things ; but to tell you plainly what I think of
the Duke de Guiche, and which is only for
yourself, I conceive he makes assertions which,
though true in themselves, tend to dishearten the
public. What I feel with respect to the great is
very different to what is generally practiced : I
would wish in private to tell them the severest
truths, as well upon public affairs, as upon their
own conduct, but to uphold both in public, to
my last breath.

It is certain that the excessive goodness of our
Princes encourages an unbounded freedom of
speech ; it is however difficult to unravel the truth,
so that if punishment were inflicted, it might some-
times fall upon persons important in themselves,
or through those with whom they are connected.

LETTER XCVIL

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, October 28th, 1708.

At length. Madam, we have lost Lisle ! you
know better than myself the conséquences ; I
bave not been overwhelmed with this misfortune.

MADAME D£ MAINTENÔX. 197

because I expected it ever since the convoys had
been allowed to pass. The King is sensible of
this loss, and still more of the trifling efforts our
army has made to save so important a place, which
had held out much longer than could bfe expected.
It is useless to speak of the past, and I think that
M. de Bergheitz has made you fully acquainted
with the present state of our armies, and of
what they ought or can do at the close of this un-
fortunate campaign ; but our generals are not
more agreed upon this head than upon other
matters. M. de Vendôme would wish to cover
the Scheldt, and harass the enemy as to their
convoys, of which they are still in need, as well as
to obstruct their retreat. Marshal de Berwick is
for returning to cover our fortresses and Picardy^
and thus allow the enemy to advance. Only con-
ceive the embarrassment of the King; which yoii
will easily do, for you have had but too much ex-
perience in great and important affairs. I could
wish to be silent on the subject, but I &m still more
incapable of writing to you about trifles, of which
indeed I have little knowledge, though the whole
court is quite gloomy at not being so occupied
with them as it is in general. The King possesses
the same courage, equanimity and health as before^
but I fear he is inwardly much affected.

198 ' LKTTEIU OF

LETTER XCVIII.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, November llth, 1708.

You have ere this heard that we have lost
Lisle, and that we cannot flatter ourselves the
citadel will hold out long ; we already experience
the sad consequences of this loss, which you
know how to appreciate better than myself. The
King is touched to the quick at seeing one of his
first conquests in the power of the enemy, and so
fine and loyal a city given up to the pillage of all
who have entered it. He is not less affected at the
disgrace of our army, in having done nothing for
the relief of this place; it had been positively
and repeatedly ordered, and he gave his word to
Marshal Boufflers, that he should be succoured.
All these circumstances attached to an event so
important in itself, affect the King, and I fear the
impression the more, from his dissembling it by his
fortitude. To say, after this, that any more risk
should be incurred, it is necessary to be wiser than
those who have fancied they could perform impos-
sibilities ; and I think you are as well informed as
we are as to what passes in Flanders. Cer-
tainly their Majesties have a great interest in this
los&: I dare not tell you all my fears ; you would
scold me, or I should afflict you, and I wish for
neither one or the other.

MADAME D£ MAINTENON. 199

M. de GhamîUard has returned, after having
induced the generals to agree upon the steps to
be taken in the present conjuncture. M. de Ven-
dôme and Marshal de Berwick are still opposed to
each other : the former wishes to defend the
Scheldt, to prevent the enemy from receiving
ammunition, while the latter asserts that we un-
dertake too much, that we should cover Picardy
and Artois, and prevent the enemy from establish*-
ing himself during the winter round Lisle. It has
been resolved upon to defend all that M • de
Vendôme wishes to be 'defended, and to send a
large body of cavalry into Aitois, to oppose the
incursions of Prince Eugene.

It is very difficult for the Duke of Burgundy to
do anything but what Marshal Berwick advises
him : he has been prejudiced from the beginning
of the campaign, and perhaps even earlier, against
the extravagant boldness of M. de Vendôme; the
affair of Oudenarde confirmed him in this opinion :
the King gives him Marshal de Berwick for his'
adviser : it is extremly unjust to blame our Prince
for unfortunate events.

200 L£TT£bS OF

LETTER XCIX.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, November 18th, 1708*

Marshal de Boufflers does not exert himself
less for the citadel of Lisle, than he did for the
town, but it will be with the same success.

If you do not choose to touch upon what is
passing in Flanders, how can I possibly do so? —
I certainly know not what ought to have been done,
nor the reasons or excuses which maybe adduced
for what has not been eflfected ; but I well know
that, during the whole campaign, not a word of
truth has been spoken.

The King has just sent Marshal de Berwick
into Alsace, to the great satisfaction of M. de
Vendôme.. We hear that they were both equally
glad of the separation, and that the Duke of
Burgundy was not sorry at finding some re-
pose at least on that account ; it is certain that
this misunderstanding has been very detrimental
to our affairs ; it could be wished that a speedier
remedy had been applied to it. M. de Vendôme
writes to say that he is about to exert every nerve
to bring the campaign to a happy close ; God
grant it ! but there seems to me little probability
of his succeeding.

How grievous it is, Madam, to have only to

MADAME DE MAINTES ON* 201

lament the misfortune of the Kings, who are cer-
tainly ill served ! What you have made me believe
a& to the great qualities of those with whom you
live, serves only to afflict me ; I do not doubt
their fortitude, but good fortune is not always the
companion of merit : let us not despair ; God will
perhaps be appeased; I have always hoped for
this in their behalf.

LETTER C.

TO THE SAMB«

Saint Cyr, NoYcmber 25th, 1708.

I FEEL for you while suffering under the first
emotions of grief at the capture of Lisle; I know
how acutely they were felt ; and though the loss
and the consequences will always be disastrous, it
must be owned to our shame, that time alleviates
our grief, and often much more than reason itself. .

I have never seen the King so sensibly affected
as he has been on this occasion, nor can he
reconcile himself to see Lisle in the power of his .
enemies. ^

Marshal de Boufflers, whom I have esteemed
for many years, and for whom I entertain a great
regard, continues to defend the citadel as he did
the city; but he has very little powder left; it ap-
pears also by the feebleness with which he is at-^

202 LETTiirRs oy

tacked, that the enemy is deficient in something.
It is said that Prince Eugene does not calculate
on becoming master of the citadel before the 10th
of December» and that he says he will make the
garrison prisoners of war, in order that such brave
men may not accompany those who are not so*
In the meian tixoe, the enemy fortifies la Bassée
and Saint Venant ; it is affirmed that they will
pass the winter in the neighbourhood of Lisle ;
they procure corn from Artois and Picardy, of
which it is thought they have enough for a year ;
but it is true they are in great want of warlike
stores. Marshal de Villeroi has always written to
say that the capture of Ghent and Bruges would
be our ruin, because we could not at the same
time hold them and cover our fortresses.

Marshal de Berwick maintains that we grasp
at too much, in wishing to defend the Scheldt
and prevent the enemy from passing it; in efiect,
we could not prevent them firom sending their
convoys, which caused the capture of Lisle.

M. de Vendôme would not march till after the
place was invested: it is said that if he had
attacked the enemy on arming, he would have
beaten them : M. de Berwick thinks^^ however, that
the King's army would have been lost. In this
indecision, the enemy entrenched themselves, and
so advantageously, that the Duke de Vendôme
himself and M. de Ghamillard, who is very fond of
seeing the armies engaged, wrote to the King tbftt

HADAMB D£ MAINTKNON. 203

it was impossible. Since that time, M, de
Vendôme has always said that Ghent and Bruges
should be defended ; the advance of the enemy
impeded^ the convoys wanted for Lisle and other
points, from which they had drawn troops for the
siege; intercepted, and by this meaiis starve
them. M. de Berwick, on the other hand, main«
tains that the line of the Scheldt is too exten-^
sive ; that thé enemy could pass by surprise
whenever they chose ; that Ghent ought to' be
abandoned after having thrown a strong garrison
into it, and that we should withdraw into our own
territory to prevent the enemy from establishing
himself there, or from getting subsistence, as well
to put our troops into a condition to serve the
next campaign. The event will show who is in
the right.

This misunderstanding has obliged the King to
send Marshal de Berwick into Germany : nevet
did two men separate with so much joy as these
generals.

The Duke of Burgundy has sent a courier to
the King, to inform him that M. de Vendôme
|>roposes taking forty battalions, and I know not
how maoy squadrons, to force Prince Eugene
in his lines ; he says that the enemy has a large
force in Artois, that Marlborough has thrown
some troops into Furnembach, and that he is
further off from Prince Eugene than our army >
orders have been given at the same time to Count

204 LETTERS OF

de la Motte, to make some movements which may
disturb Marlborough.

The King immediately approved of this project,
and sent back the courier directly, for fear of de-
laying its execution : so that the troops are
perhaps already in motion. I fear some mishap,
and we learnt yesterday evening that Marlborough
had withdrawn his troops from Fumembach.
Grant that he may not have been informed of our
design ! ^

In another quarter M. de Bergheitz wished an
attempt to be made on Brussels ; the Elector was
also in favour of it, and calculates upon the friendly
disposition of the inhabitants towards him. We
are in hourly expectation of the result, but we
are so unfortunate, that I dare not flatter myself
with the least success.

I had no occasion for the memorial which you
have sent me about the Duke of Orleans ; I know
your uprightness, and that of all those with whom
he has been in communication too well, to have
doubted a moment of his being in the wrong, had
he complained of them. I shall, however, keep
this memoir and show it to the King, in case any,
thing should be published on the subject; it
would not become me to let it be seen by any one
else, and even the King himself shall not see it
without your consent. I know, better than any
other person, how much you esteem and praise the
Duke ; but our Princes have such a disposition to

MADAME DK MAINTENON. 205

believe whatever their domestics say, that it is quite
insufferable, and often puts me out of patience :
their own truth and sincerity cannot be too much
esteemed, but these qualities sometimes are in-
jurious to them, by preventing them from perceiv-
ing that others are not the same as themselves.

The King partakes of this truth and sincerity,*
and as the head of the royal family he never
thought of [deceiving his grandson : it is true that
he does not think peace so near as our generals
imagine; but it is equally so that the King knows
the absolute necessity of it, which you would also
be convinced of were you here.

There is another important subject to confer
with you about : it relates to the Duke of Bur-
gundy: he left this fully persuaded, like many
others, that M. de Vendôme is the bravest man
on earth, but that his too great confidence, want
of vigilance, and relaxation as to discipline, may
cause him to commit great errors ; the battle of
Oudenarde has not changed these ideas, so that
it has been an easy matter to sow disunion
between them. The detachment from Germany
naturally brings M. de Berwick back to the army;
the King gives him for an adviser to the Duke of
Burgundy, with the power of deciding when the
opinions ofM. de Vendôme and M. de Berwick
are opposed.

What could our Prince do, who has not yet
acquired much experience, and who finds himself

206 LETTERS OF

involved ia a situation the most difficult, but
fidlow the advice of a maii who enjoys the con-
fidence of the King his father? How can he
discriminate and judge of himself, that the coun-*
sels he receives are too timid, and that he must
give himself up to M. de Vendôme, against whom
three-fourths of the army are enraged ? - This is
the cause of the outcry against our Prince ; he
has not thought of justifying himself; he has not
given any explanation, nor has he charged any
person to take up his defence ; events have been
unfortunate, the minds of the people are soured,
his virtue has excited all the discontented against
him ; while his declaration about the Jansenists
makes all that party his enemy ; the hatred against
the Jesuits falls upon him, on account of his con*
fessor ; the cabal which M. de Cambrai is said
to have at court brings still mdre obloquy on him.
Nothing is now spoken of but Telemachus, in
which he has taught the Prince to prefer a
pacific king to a conqueror : all this causes the
outcry of which you hear ; some say that he
wished Lisle to be captured, in order that we
tnight be forced to make peace; while others
assert that he wanted to restore the place, because
the King had taken it unjustly : others, again, say
that he does not wish for any fighting fi:om the fear
of losing human lives. I should never end if I
wrote all that is said on this subject.

Our Princess acquaints the Duke of Burguildy

'madame de maiktenon. 207

with every thing, and sees by his answers that he
is as well informed of what is passing as our-
selves* He writes to say he should be actîâg
against his concienee, and his duty towards France
and the King, if he thought a moment as it is
wished he should think. The Princess {does not
show me his letters ; 1 have only seen those pas-
sages which are of less consequence : the most
important I have seen, are- those which relate to
the interest he takes in the King of Spain s affairs ;
it is a testimony which I owe to truth ; in other
respects, it is true that he wishes for peace ; and
I again repeat, that you would also desire it, as
much as we do, if you saw what we see

LETTER CI.

TO THE SAME,

Saint Cyr, November 27th, 1708.

You will have heard that the enemy does not
wish for peace, and that we are only thinking of
preparations for the continuance of the war : but
what miracles does it not require to put us in a con-
dition to make peace on good terms ! Though
not gifted with talents, I have some foresight, feel
anxious, and am very uneasy for those I esteem :
I think of them so often, that most of the circum-

208 LETTERS OF

stances you commuaîcate had frequently occurred
to myself; it is a long time since I have felt con-
vinced, that when peace is even made, my joy will
be- imperfect, from what it is likely to cost you,
and which cannot fail to be considerable after
the disasters with which it has pleased God to
afflict us. Miracles are required to change our
situation: that of the King and Queen of Spain
affects me very sensibly ; but we have foreseen it
for a long time. They have no occasion for good
offices near the King, their grandfather ; and you
may easily conceive, that when the • question of
peace is agitated, he will maintain their just
interests a3 his own. Do not. say any more of
your admirable Queen j you have only made me
love her too much, and I should be better if I felt
less as to all that concerns her. Retrenchments
are making here in various branches of our ex-
penditure, with the sole view of having more
troops for you and ourselves.

It seems your Princess also wishes to retrench
both in her play, her table, and wardrobe, in order
to relieve the unfortunate. I am highly pleased
with her for all this ; and you are very right in
saying, that these two sisters have surprising merit,
especially at their age ; it is only their father who
attaches but little importance to it.

MADAME DE MAINTKNON. 209

LETTER CIL

TO THE SAME

:<•

Saint Cyr, December 2ïià^ 1708.

You will leam by this post that our army has
not belied itself, and that having avoided the enemy
all the summer, it has suffered them to cross the
Scheldt, without opposing a single man to their
passage; this is so extraordinary, that it would
almost drive us to desperation, if we did not
regard the event as the work of Providence,
which wishes to *try the virtue of our Kings, and
humble the pride of the French nation. Marshal
de Boufflers is its only glory, and shows, by a
resistance which astonishes the enemy as much
as us, that they would not have taken Lisle if we
had given him the least succour. It is now
clearly ascertained that they wanted ammunition,
and that they could not have become masters of
the citadel, if a passage had not been opened to
them for all their convoys.

The object of my admiration, M. de Bergheitz,
has been deceived twice in his project upon
Brussels, where there has been no understanding
with the inhabitants. I am consumed with grief
at the situation of affairs, and tjbat of the Duchess
of Burgundy. She grieves much, and her tears are

VOL. I. p

210 LETTERS OF

those of courage and real affection, unalloyed by
any weakness ; she witnesses an outcry against
her husband which cannot be comprehended ; to
him are attributed all our misfortunes, and he has
not decided a single measure. I have already
told you that he placed his confidence in Mar-
shal de Berwick, according to the King's orders ;
there has not been the least dispute between our
Prince and M. de Vendôme, since they were left
to themselves : and yet it is the fault of the Duke
of Burgundy that the Scheldt has been crossed,
and that the army returned to La Bassée by the
route of Valenciennes, to avoid the enemy. When
it was made known to M. de Vendôme that the
enemy were passing the river, he answered that it
was not true ; and having commenced his march to
oppose them, he found that all the mischief was
done. Nevertheless, we have still more than a
hundred thousand men, which have been too
well preserved, but by whom we must endeavour
to profit, by changing the face of things in the
next campaign, and neglecting nothing to pre-
pare against it this winter. It is not yet known
what steps the enemy will take.

MADAME DB MAIIfTENON. 211

LETTER cm.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, December 9th, 1708,

We have finished in Flanders as gloriously as we
have conducted ourselves there all the summer ; the
€némy has pasisedthe Scheldt, which you know;
^ part of our army is. behind the canal, and the
other has returned ii^to. Artois. It is thought,
after the reduction of the citadel of. liisle, which
we expect every day, the ^eray iijtendja to besiege
Ghent, but will first attack the troops on the line
of the canal. You may readily poaicéivè that
.Ghent will fall, and that:wë shall have no moans
of relieving it at this season of the year, after
having found it impossible all the summer to
succour Lisle. I consider, therefore, Ghent and
Bruges as taken ; and the enemy, having a choice
of winter quarters, laying in provisions for the next
campaign, and furnishing Lisle with abundance
of every thing. I may also consider Marshal de
Boufflers as a prisoner of war, with his garrison,
which is the sole honour of France. Prince
Eugene says that he will begin the campaign at
Amiens; in short, I dare not set down all that
Ihear daily. Every body now sees what I had

p 2

s 12 LETTERS OF

a glimpse of so long ago, and which brought
upon me so many reproaches from your great
Queen and yourself.

You know doubtless better than I do that the
emperor is about to become master of Italy.

If you have a correct idea of our situation, you
will perceive that you ought not to reproach us ;
you feel our evils and we feel yours ; we have a
common interest, and are all very unfortunate, if
God does not work miracles in our favour.

Our Prince^ arrive to-morrow: the interview
will not be very agreeable. The Duke of Bur-
gundy has occasion for all his religion, to bear up
against the unjust fury of the public. Marshal
de Vendôme will arrive soon • after ; he longs to
reach Anet, in order to repose himself from his
long fatigues.

Marshal de Berwick must be a very excellent
man, if he does not feel a secret joy at such a close
of the campaign as he always predicted, in main-
taining as he did, that the Scheldt could not l)e
defended, that we should confine ourselves to the
defence of the fortresses, and prevent the enemy
from getting a footing in France.

MADAME D£ MA|Nt£NOK. 213

LETTER CIV.

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, December 23d, 1708.

You know I dare say by this time, that the
end of the campaign has been truly pitiful, and
that the enemy has already the audacity to be-
siege Ghent, hoping that it will have as fortunate
a result as the siege of Lisle. The defence of
Marshal de Boufflers has shown us how rash this
enterprise was, since he gave an opportunity to
our army for four months to succour him, during
which time we only made one feeble attempt, that .
of the Chevalier de Luxembourg, which succeeded ;
one upon a greater scale would have had the same
success, and more important results.

You are right in saying that we ought to behold
the hand of Providence in all this : our King was
too glorious ; God wishes to humble in order to
save him; France had aggrandized herself too
much, perhaps unjustly; he wishes to confine
her within narrower limits, and which will be, no
doubt, more substantial. Our nation was insolent
and dissolute; it has* pleased the Almighty to pu-
nish and abase it. It is only your concerns which I
do not see in so clear a light: a virtuous King; rights
founded on justice ; a Prince called for by all his

214 LETTERS OF

people ; declared heir to the crown by his prede-
cessor on the bed of death, against all his natural
inclinations : a Queen who is the honour of her
sex, and of the Princesses of her rank ; a marriage
formed by a conformity of sentiments as to great-
ness, goodness, and justice, and blest with a succes-
sor, who holds out the most flattering hopes : — that
all this should be contrary to the order and will of
God is what I do not comprehend, and which he
alone will one day clear up.

Marshal de Boufflers has arrived, and departs
on the 26th, to take the command in * Flan-
ders. The King has done all he could to re-
ward him ; he gives him free access to his
presence, has named him a peer, and, contrary
to all his regulations, he has given the reve»-
sion of the government of Flanders to his son,
who is only twelve years old. . The Marâhal
is one of the most virtuous men I know ; he
is about recommencing his military life at sixty-
six, very ailing, and much displeased gt the
manner in which he was obliged to quit it.
Crowned with all kinds .of favours, honoured
by every body, having a lovely family, and
wanting nothing but repose : yet be quits the
whole, from a conviction thiat he ought to devote
himself, such as he his, to his benefactor>^and
the state.

MADAMS I)£ MAINTKNOIf.

21a

s •

LETTER CV.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, December 30th, 1708.

The capture of Ghent will crown the campaign
of our enemies ; I do not think they can ever
make a more glorious one, if glory can be allied
with the facilities we furnished them. France
will not blot out the stain with which she has
just covered herself for a long time ; nor do I
comprehend how we shall be able to continue
the war, in our present situation, and still less,
how we caû make peace ; it is to be hoped, that
more- able people than myself will tell us what
ought to be done.

I should have been very sorry if Tortosa hjad
been lost ; these attempts ought to cause great
vigilance in all quarters ; for the more successful
our enemies are, the more enterprising they
will become. The French act well everywhere,
I meant to say, except in Flanders ; but we must
except all those who were at Lisle.

216

LETT£R» OP

LETTER CVI.

TO THE SAME.

Versailles^ January lith, 1709.

Marshal de Boufflers labours fourteen
hours a day ; I fear it will be too much for him.
He wished to assemble the army, but Count
de la Motte did not give him time ; he is going
to send back the officers, with the exception
of four or five, whom he retains to assist him :
these are the Chevalier de Luxembourg, M.
d'Artaignan, M. de Contades, M. de la Fréseliére,
all well disposed and clever men. Their good
Marshal enters into all the details for com-
pleting the army, and we have troops enough
to inspire the hope of some success ; but money
fails, though there is plenty in France ; the
unfortunate occurrences of this campaign have
excited so much alarm at Paris, that there is an
end of public credit, notwithstanding the ability
of M. Desmaretz, who had entirely restored it.

Our enemies give double pay and double
clothing to their soldiers, in order to encourage
them, and make ours desert, which scheme suc-
ceeds but too well. No person attempts to assert
that too many favours have been conferred on
the Marshal de Boufflers, and in truth, he can

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 217

neither be too much praised or too highly recom-
pensed. The Duke de Noailles, of whom you
wish me to speak^ is incensed at all he sees here :
his temper has entirely changed, and hé no longer
even shows any signs of his former gaiety.

LETTER CVII.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, January 22ncl, 1709.

Marshal de Boufflers exerts himself as much
as all our ministers put together ; he endeavours
to discover the origin of those shameful disorders,
in which our generals left the army ; he is to set
out in the midst of this excessively cold weather
to visit the fortresses. Our Kings would be truly
fortunate if they had many subjects of this descrip-
tion ; I could wish to send you some of his letters ;
I do not think it possible for a better man to exist.

You are right in thinking that the oflScers are too
fond of Paris ; there is Iby far too great an indul-
gence shown towards them on all sides, and they
ought to be at their quarters.

The enemy is certainly more on the alert than
we are ; they never slumber anywhere, while M.
de Boufflers is the only person who seems disposed
to watch them attentively : all the other officers

218 LETTERS Of

wish to return ; but if they bad to consult me,
they should neither be at Paris or about the court.
We shall go to Marly on the 6th, and there will
be some balls given there, but more through policy
than goodwill. The Duchess of Burgundy is^
quite overwhelmed, and no longer takes delight
in any thing.

LETTER CVIII.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, Feb. 10th, 1709,

Count de la Motte is generally blamed for
having surrendered Ghent, when he was at the
head of an army for its defence ; the enemy them-
selves, say they would have perished by the cold,
if this place had held out four days ; and Marshal
de BouflBers was about to assemble our army
when he heard of its capitulation. The Count
was afraid of being made prisoner of war,
and thought he rendered a great service to the
two Kings by preserving their troops : the hand
of God is visible in all this, and he appears irri-
tated against us.

MADAME 0£ 3IAI}«r£NON. 219

LETTER CIX.

■ ' • . . ' ' V . . /

• Versailles,' Febyi^ary '17th, 1 709;

It is true that the Pope .is feducèd( to the
last extremity ; but all will.be fight ;a^.ain^;Q^ his
accepting the terms AvhiCh it is wished to impose
on him. Our enemies triumph everywhere; there
is nothing left * to us but submission to the hand
of God, which appears raised against us ; his de-
crees are impenetrable : wé^eélum uphold heresy
and injustice; and oppress three very virtuous
Kings, and countries, where he is better served
than elsewhere ; he is, however, just, and it is for
us to submit.

I hope that our enemies at Rome will be s^tiâfted
with having done all that they wished, aTid that
our countrymen will not experience any harsh
usage.

Troops have been ordered back from Dauphiny,
but they are destined for Flanders ; we have not
enough to supply every quafter^ and perhaps we
do not take the proper steps tOj effect this object.

It is not true that the generals are appointed :
the King expects Marshal de Boufflers to see if
the state of his health will permit him to serve ;
it is only declared that M. de Vendôme will not

220 LETTERS OF

serve this year. The refusal of the Duchess of
Burgundy to play at the same card table with
the Duke at Marly, has made a great noise, and is
the general topic of conversation. It was not Mon-
seigneur's game, but made up by the Duchess,
and when he was proposed as a fifth at Brelan, she
said that she could not play so soon, having some-
thing to do. I do not think you will blame her
for this slight, after what has passed during the
unfortunate campaign of last year.

LETTER ex.

TO THE SAMB.

Versailles, February 25th, 1709.

M. DE, B OU F F LEU S is cxpectcd every day, but
so much indisposed, that it is feared the King
will be obliged to change his arrangements for
the ensuing campaign.

We want both money and men; I cannot
comprehend the resources that you would have us
find in such a situation. The King's fortitude is a
subject of continual surprise to me, though I ought
to be accustomed to it : I must not say more
upon this head, as it would lead me too far ; and
there are things which cannot be written.

M APAME DE MAINTENON. 221

LETTER CXI.

TO THE SAME.

VersaiUes, March 4th, 1709.

The King has named those who are to command
his armies: Monseigneur will have that of Flanders,
with Marshal de Villars as his second in com-
mand; the Duke of Burgundy will command
the army of Germany, aided by Marshal d'Har-
court; Marshal de Berwick is to have that of
Dauphiny ; and the Duke de Berri accompanies
the Dauphin.

M. de Boufllers is incapacitated for service, at
least for the present ; I find him worse than I
thought he was : it is the continuance of our mis-
fortunes which deprives us of his assistance. I
think these appointments will please the Parisians,
as they all asked for Marshal de Villars, thinking
him fortunate, and the Dauphin still more so.

LETTER CXII.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cjr, March 9th, 1709.

There is no more rejoicing for us ; one disaster
brings on many others ; and if the Flanders cam-

222 , ..i;ettrr£1 of

paign had been more fortunate, the Pope would
have treated us with much greater respect: but he is
forced to act as hé does, through the success of our
enemies. I dare not dwell pn the present state of
affairs ; I confine myself to ordering prayers at
Saint Cyr, my own not having sufficient merit to
obtain what I ask for. • You know that I have
always hoped for a miracle. in favour of the King
and Queen of Spain;,! see none yet, though we
fire very Jiard pressed. '; ; .
. Marshal f^yiUaijssçJs out im with

courage o?^ptd (Cjoçjlideprcp, "notwithstanding the
limited means'ïhart are placed in his hands. All
Paris is delighted with the appointment of the
Dauphin.

I did not think the cabal, of which yon spoke
to me. go'fpriçlidable ^you describe it: I cannot
think the Duke/ of Orleans h^s entered into it:
and they must hate our two Kings, in wishing to
deprive them of the assistance which they derive

from. you and the ambassador : I have heard some
strong insinuations as to your fondness for go-
verning; but it is acknowledged that you both
govern very well, and this appears to me all that
can be requireji.* Nothing coiiîd be more ridiculous
than the article in the Dutch Gazette respecting
you ; but you have only to proceed in your own
even course ; your conscience will insure your re-
pose ; 2(nd, indeed you do not enjoy satisfaction
enough: to be envied the pai^t which .you act,

BJADAME DE MAINTENON 223

however brilliant it may be. A grand dispute
has arisen among our Princes, which has, however,
till now, gone on very smoothly. The Duke of
Orleans claims precedence for his daughters be-
fore the Princesses of the blood, although married ;
the Prince has ordered that, in his household,
married women are to take precedence of the un-
married. The Duchess of Maine will not follow
the daughters of the Duke ; each party has pre-
sented elaborate memorials, and I think the
King will decide before the Duke of Orleans sets
out.

The Duke d'Enghien wished to join the army
this campaign ; but the Prince opposed it with
his usual warmth, and the King would not give
his consent.

LETTER CXIII.

TO TB£ SAME.

• Saint Cyr, March 18th, 1709.

Though my letters were far more agreeable
than they are, it would certainly be too much for
you to receive three at once ; conceive, therefore,
what I feel at your having to read so many.

If I have still any hope left, it is not derived
from our public men, who appear completely at a
loss in every respect, but in God, who works

224 I.ETTERS OF

miracles when he pleases^ and who knows how to
convert hearts, and turn events to the accomplish-
ment of his will ; it is this miracle which I have
always hoped for in behalf of our Kings, who are
much better than we are, and who do not deserve
to be unfortunate.

Count delà Motte, with the best intentions in the
world, has completed the catastrophe of the last
campaign, upon which it is impossible to reflect
without being deeply affected and profoundly
humbled.

When Marshal de Boufflers returned to court
after the loss of Lisle, he could not endure the
conversation which took place relative to the pro-
posals for peace, and set out for Flanders full of
resolution. After seeing the wretched state of our
troops, magazines, and forage, he thought the sight
would have the effect of overwhelming him ; and
he now agrees that we must make peace upon
any terms. It is said that the Duke of Alba is
furious on this subject, and is as violent now as
.he had been indifferent hitherto.

Marshal de Boufflers is better since he has
been in repose, and I see that at the least
glimpse of health, he is anxious to serve again.
M. de Villars has set out full of courage and con-
fidence, although he is fully sensible of the heavy
charge imposed on him : it appears to me, however,
that he thinks more of the honour than he does of
the charge. He has sent to the army beforehand

MADAME D£ MAINTENOX. 225

ta say, that he is on his way to join it with a sup-
ply of money ; it is true he has received some
from M. de Desmaretz» and been promised more
in a short time.

If I thought you could prolong my life to a
hundred years, I would tell you all the reasons I
have for dying ; but as your wishes are merely
the eflTect of your kindness towards me, I sin*
cerely hope that you will ere long place me upon
the dead list of your acquaintances, which I carry
in my pocket, and which I will give you when*
ever you please : it contains above twenty names
of the court during the last two years ; I shall
soon be able to add the Archbishop of Rheims»
and I very much fear that of Cardinal de Janson.

M. de Vendôme serves no more, at least for
this year ; and I doubt very much lest the life
which he leads should incapacitate him from
future service. We have all been much de-
ceived as to this man, and the King very 'ill in-
formed of what was passing in Italy, the total
Joss of which he occasioned by the siege of Turin»
to which he persuaded the King, answering for
the success of the enterprise, and promising to
undertake it himself; after which he left it to M .
de la Feuillade, to pay his court to M. Ghamillard»
We had subsequently to witness his famous cam-
pai gn of last year, which has reduced us to the
situation in which we now are. He next gave
himself up to the Abbé Albéroni, an Italian and

VOL. r. d

226 LETTERS OF

bis favourite, in order to calumniate the Duke of
Burgundy : he retains the Abbé hear his person
at A net, and declares that he should be incon-
solable if he lost him. It was M. de Vendôme
who also decided the siege of Barcelona. I had
always been prejudiced in his favour, on account
of the attachment which I thought he had for
the King and all the royal family ; but what he
has permitted at his own house, with respect to
the Duke of Burgundy, is very much opposed to
this attachment.

If troops are not sent into Catalonia, it is
because there are not enough to supply every
quarter. The importance of the siege of Girona
is, however ,fully appreciated ; there are persons
who think that you could undertake it with what
troops you have, and others that even its capture
would not force the Archduke out of Barceloi^a,
because the sea is open to him.

It is true that it is a very unreasonable fashion
to wear the mourning of nuns, which should only
be put on when vows are made, and the parties
pretend to be dead to the world. Madame will
be much affected by that wKich the Queen wears.

The Dauphin appears to be very much occupied,
and glad of taking a part in the campaign ; and the
Duke of Burgutidy is highly gratified in having
Marshal d'Harcourt ; ^ they seem to be ia
constant intercourse with each other. Count
d'Evreux, attached as hé is to M. de Vendôme^

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 2ÏT

will most probably not serve this year» The
Dauphin would not have him in his army ; and it
is only a matter of courtesy that may induce the
Duke of Burgundy to receive him.

Our Princess, who is naturally alive to the in-
terests of her husband, opposes it as much as she
can. The King has named the father Le
Tellier, Provincial of Paris, for his cônfésàdr ; he
is of low origin, but of whom every body èpèaks
Well, — that is to say, those who know him, for he
has always led a life of seclusion and study.

LETTER CXIV.

TO THE SAME.

Marly, April 15th, 1709.

No, Madam, ^we have nobody here who can
discover any new resources ; the want of iiloney
and com throws as into the utmost el^ti*emity
which I think you would assent to if you knew all
the particulars. God declares against us ; we must
adore his designs and submit to them. I have
often looked upon the want of fortitude which I
find here, as the greatest misfortune of the King^;
but it appears to me that courage is lio longer
what we require, as it cannot avail against the
impossibility of paying the troops, and preventing
B famdbe among the people. ■—'

228: LETTERS OF

Marshal de Villars has been very much indis*-
posed vritjhi a cold : it only requires his loss to
complete our calamities. .He informs me that
the troops are in much finer condition than they
were said to be at court, and that they cannot be
better disposed, but that the inferior officers are.
dispirited for want of subsistence, and not receiv-.
ing any pay. M. Desmaretz hopes to be able
to send them some very soon. We have not yet
seen the Queen of England ; it is said that she
is very weak, becoming thinner every day, and.
suffering from a slow fever.

LETTER CXV.

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, April 26th, 1 709.

Well I Madam, you will now be satisfied ; we
shall not have a peace : grant however that the
pride of the enemy may be confounded ! Your
opinions are admirable ; all they require is the
possibility of being realised.

I should never have thought that any thing
would have displeased me more than war«
However I find that the commencement of famine
affects me still more sensibly : the evil is now
great enough, but the future is yet niorè to be
dreaded. I have always beards as you. so well

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 22&

express it^ that God is ofiten pleased to make
known his power in the greatest extremities ; it
appears to me that we are fast approaching sueb
a crisis.

LETTER CXVL

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, April 29, 1709*

It requires great fortitude to sustain you, for you
have abui^dance of troubles without, while there
is, I fear, not much tranquillity at home. It is
true that I end grief does not kill, for although
I am overwhelmed by it, I have not for a long
time enjoyed better health.

We are at Marly, though nothing is spoken of
in this delicious spot but misery : there is not
^ husbandman so much occupied as we are with
the quantity of corn and its price, which increases
every day, and not a market day passes without
some tumult.

. These gloomy ideas have not prevented me
from entertaining many pleasing thoughts about
the Queen's entry into Madrid, which appears to,
have been a very splendid and well arranged;
pageant. I am also delighted with the affection
manifested by the people. Grant that they may
be always united to their King !

You will learn from more than one quarter*

230 LSTTERS or

that in order to terminate the négociations with
which we are reproached, M. de Torcy has gone
to Holland, to ascertain by his own observation
whether there be a desire for peace or war. I
am persuaded, however, that our enemies wish to
distress us still more than we are.

The Queen of England came to Marly yester
day : the King and Princess supped there, but
the latter returned to Saint Germans : she is very
much altered» feeble and thin, but on the whole,
ft tittle better.

■' " ■ y

LETTER CXVII.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, May 19tb, 1709.

The King and Queen do me infinite honour in
writing to me themselves, which, at another time,
would have afforded us great joy. You will then
no longer answer my letters when they are
gloomy ; and how can I now write to you in a
different tone ? I believe war to be the greatest
of all scourges ; and the plague with which we
are threatened affrights me less than the present
ihmine. If you witnessed our situation, yoa
would pity us more and blame us less* Can there
be any fortitude. Madam, when one sees the people
and the army dying of hunger ? The latter does

MADAMS DE MAINT£XON. 231?

not as yet appear dispirited ; the officers ieire satis-r
fied with black bread ; and Marshal de Villarsy
who was here two days^ says that he intends to
have oaten cakes at his table. Marshal d'Har-
court sets out immediately. It is thought that
his army can be supported by a supply of barley
which has been procured. In the meantime, the
price of bread rises every day at Versailles and
Paris ; and all the small towns revolt when a grain
of com is required for the capital.

There is nothing yet said of the enemy's
assembling ; but they may do so when they
please, having large magazines everywhere.
Once more. Madam, if I could ^ speak to you
frankly, and you saw what is passing here, you
would be grieved and not angry.

LETTER CXVIII.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, May 26tb, 1709.

I AM about to answer the letter which you
wrote to me on the 6th instant, and which I received
eight days ago, just after having written to you.
The post had not set out, but I saw nothing press-
ing ; and all that we have to talk about now is so
dismal, that in truth I should drop all correspon-

232 lEïtÊRS OP

dence with Spain, if 1 were less attached to yda,.
or less coavinced than I am, that you have also
some regard for me. It would have been ridiculous
in me to send you a pressing recommendation for
a relative of the Duchess de Noailles, who has
more influence with you than myself. I see
nothing but misfortunes for France and Spain : I
love as much as I respect, the crowned heads who
suffer from them, and would willingly lay down
my life to see them in the situation in which they
deserve to be ; yet you wish me to interest
myself for the Baron de Câpres ; indeed his con-
cerns appear to' me of little moment.

Your situation is awkward, and it requires great
courage to support it ; but it is not desperate^
France and Spain may be disunited by a series of
unforeseen misfortunes, but the two Kings cannot
be separated, and ours will always consider the
services you render to their Catholic Majesties as
rendered to himself; therefore, what have you to
do but to remain with them? It is said here,
that whatever happens, they can maintain them-
selves a long time if the nation is for them : I
cannot suspect it of treason, which is not a' vice of
the Sipaniards. But what a wretched life to wit-
ness such a terrible war ! Our situation gets worse
every day — there is no bread : I admit that the
outcry was at first premature, but there is just
cause for it now.

Marshal de Villars writes to inform me, that he

MADAME ï>£ MAIÎ^'fENOK/ 233^

hdd not been able to take the field for four dayB^
for want of subsistence ; but that at length, after
the greatest exertions, he collected eight or tea
thousand sacks of flour, which he was under liie
necessity of forcing out of the hands of people
who were greatly in want of it for thenu^lves ;
his letter concludes by these three words-—
'* bread, money, we want every thing 1" Wteit
the Marshal holds such language,, things must be
reduced to a great extremity, for he is full of
confidence, courage^ and talents. You cannot,
in fact, conceive in what a situation we are
placed, owing to the want of money and com :
it is with great diflBculty Paris is kept in awe ;
our enemies know every thing that is ; passing,:
and wish to take advantage of it. The King iâ
more to be pitied in every respect than any one
else ; others are young and may live to see manyr
changes.

LETTER CXIX.

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, June 3rd, 1709*

You will be informed of the situation we arc
in, and of the insolence of our enemies ; I shall
relate no particulars : Frenchmen are no longer

234' XETTBRS OF

Freoùbhmén if tkéy are not alive to euch 'indigui*'
ties ; I am aick of all this, and shall say no more^
about it. You have lost the head of your £unily ;
the King has given his office to the Prince of
Tarentum ; he would have found some difficulty in
fiUing it with a better man ; I fear you must be
9^Ucted> for you are a good relative. You are
much to be pitied, and have now reached the
odsis which I apprehended ; I should fear much
for the Queen, if she had less firmness, in having
to undei^o her accouchement under such cir^
comstances.

Marshal de Villars continues satisfied with the
army, but we have everything to {ear as to sub-
sistence ; the enemy has enforced the order not
to sufier a grain of com to pass. It is not for me
to despise. the weak and simple; I even think
them estimable, but much to be pitied; for if
people can weep for Madame Fagon without
knowing her, how many tears ought they not to
shed for kings who' are situated like ours ? The
King's health continues good ; our Princes no
longer go to the army, owing to the want of
subsistence.

MADAME DK MAfKTENOX. 23S

LETTER CXX.

TO THE SAME.

Yersaillesi June lOth, 170%

An important event has just taken place at
court: M. de Chamillard is exiled, but in tlie
mildest manner; he may go where he pleases,
provided he absents himself from court ; his wife,
himself, and son have large pensions granted
them ; the latter will have the reversion of the
office of ', In a word, the King has re-

moved this Minister, because the charge was too
heavy for him ; and he treats him well, because
he is a worthy man, attached to his person, and
who had given all he possessed to the state. The
public voice points out M. Voisin for his suc-
cessor ; he i^ one of my best friends, and is mar-»
ried to an excellent woman. I hope the choice
may prove fortunate, and that I shall not see this
head turned, as I have seen so many others !

We have had a little display of French spirit ;
when the King resolved to continue the war, the
people were irritated at the proposals of the
enemy, and the courtiers have oflTered all theif
plate. M. de Boufflers, Marshal de la Roche-
foucauld, and the Duke de Gramont, were the

23B LETTERS OF

first to come forward : these examples are^ how-
ever, but very slowly followed, and it is said we
shall derive but little aid from this source. . M.
de Chamillard made the fourth upon the list.
The Duke of Maine and the Count de Toulouse
have offered all they possess. As to the King,
he has sent his gold, plate, and the jewellery of
thé crown to be pledged, if foreigners will ad-
Vance us any thing upon them ; he also retf endies
in the expences of his table at Marly, and sets a
similar example in everything ; I should add that
the Duchess of Burgundy has most willingly con*
sented to be more economical in her dress.

The Chevalier dé St. George will depart in a
few days for Flanders^ with a very small retinue.

The Queen must have deceived herself; but as
you justly «observe, we must submit in this as in
everything else. We have heard nothing yet of
the courier who brought the news of the rupture
of the négociations ; . but Prince Eugene is as*
sembling his army, and will soon approach Mar*;
shal de Villars. Our great calamity is famine ;
there is everything to fear from people who are
dying with hunger, and amongst whom, every
eSort is made to excite revolt ; it is maliciously
reported that the King has got possession of all
the corn, and is enriching himself by selling it
i^ain at a very exorbitant price !

Behold you, then, as in Egypt, also tormentec}
with locusts ; in truths we are roughly treated both

MADAME. DE MAINTENON. 236.

by mguikind and the elements. IIow often do I
pray that your King may be able to maintain him-
self alone ! If we carry on the war on our side,
our enemies^ powerful as they are, 'v^ill have some-
thing to do; and what would become of them, if
we were not always unfortunate ?

LETTER CXXI.

' TO THE SAME.

Marly, June 17tli, 1709.

YoiT are *angry with us, and we must pardon
you ; but notwithstanding all that has been done,.'
we shall not have peace. The King could not
accede to the terms which the enemy demanded,
and M. Rouillié has returned : so that the nego-;
ciations are at an end ; grant that We may be the
better for it ! What remained of French spirit,
has irritated the people upon this unfortunate
peace, but that does not obviate the difficulty in
which we are placed with regard to money and
corn..

I wrote to you of M. Ghamillard's disgrace.
M. Voisin, his successor, will, I have no doubts-
be more active and vigilant ; he is a relative and
friend of M. Desmaretz, and they both promise;
an union highly advantageous to public 9;ffair9%.

238 LETTRRS OF

We must then leave you with the Spaniards,
since we can no longer assist you, and we shall
have so much difficulty in helping ourselves.
Avenge yourselves of our misconduct, by resisting
with your own forces, all your enemies ; there are
military characters here who pretend that you
can do this ; while others assert you will be over-
whelmed. Marshal de Villars is very inferior to
the enemy, but his courage does not abate ; he
only complains about bread and money ; no pains
are spared to send him both. The beginning of
this campaign is difficult : if we can go on till the
month of August, we shall have resources ; if they
worked quicker at the mint, we could send
larger sums of money to Flanders, for we do not
w«mt bullion at this moment, from the quantity of
plate and old coin which has been supplied.

I respect the virtue, rank, and misfortune of
the Countess de Soissons ; she has been accused,,
in France and Savoy, of speaking against the
sovereigns: you know that the Duke of Savoy
would not suffer her to remain in his states ; the
King received her from motives of generosity
here ; she is in a fine convent and a large city ;
but do you not think it would be somewhat dis-
agreeable for the Duchess of Burgundy to have a
Princess of her own family so near her, and one
whose conduct would lead to the greatest ex-
posure ? These are my reasons, if you disapprove
of them, I mu^t only submit . .

HADAM£ DE MA1NT£>^0N. 4S$^

LETTER CXXIL

TO THE SAME.

Marly, June 24di, 1709r ^

You may well say, there can no longer be any
joy for the real friends of their country, and I feel
assured you will be more than ever convinced of
it, on seeing the line of conduct which the King is
forced to adopt. The peace will always be very
bad, and we cannot continue the war ; we must
therefore submit to God when he wishes to over-
throw kings and kingdoms ; this is what I have
always feared, and which, without pretending to
kiiow more than others, I continually anticipated*
We have experienced a series of misfortunes, from
which France cannot recover but by a long peace ;
and famine, which is thé last and greatest of all;
f educes us to the last extremity. I own that all
my fears had not extended so far as to foresee
that we should be brought to wish for the de-
thronement of the King and Queen of Spain *
words cannot depict the grief occasioned by all
these circumstances. The King is deeply affected
with it ; the Duchess of Burgundy is overwhelmed,'
and as to my own grief, it is unspeakable.

If you separate from their Majesties, it will nod

24Q . LETTERS OF

apparently be for a very long time : our misfor-
tunes will reunite us all : I confess to you that I
would rather not see them. It is not possible,
after the above, to send you any news of the
court : all are sad and at their prayers ; this is
our only resource at present.

A great battle is expected in Flanders; the
enemy is very superior^ and although the French
should perform wonders, they may be over-
powered by numbers.

LETTER CXXIII.

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, July Ist, 1709.

Can you still say that I carry my fears too far ?
Have I anything to reproach myself with except
too much foresight ? Have not our misfortunes
reached that point which I apprehended ? I had
for a long time met with people who blamed me
for viewing things in so gloomy a light. I now
meet with none who do not assure me that I am
in the right, and push their own fears still farther
than I do : I afflict myself sooner than others ;
but when calamities arrive, I am not at a losa
for courage, more especially as I am not so sur-
prised as those who had previously deluded them-

MADAME DB MAIKTBNON. 241

selres; scold me at a distance as long as you
please ; I am well convinced that we should àgrete
upon everything if we were together. Our situa-
^n is so irksome» that it cannot continue long :
we must fall entirely, or recover ourselves a little;
if the enemy does nothing considerable this sum-
mer, I think there is a gleam of hope for us.

I have the highest opinion of the Queen's forti-,
tude; but I cannot conceive how she can dis*
pense with your society, after having onde ^i^
joyed it.

Everything is suspended for the present:
some months must elapse before we can see what
will be the result; if Marshal de Villars is to
be believed, the enemy will do us no great mis^
chief. He is now besieging Tournay : if this
place holds out long, I should scarcely feel its
loss, afber the apprehension of seeing Prince
Eugene at Paris.

LETTER CXXIV.

TO THE SAM£.

Versailles, July 8th, 1709.

1 ALWAYS speak to you very candidly, and
when there are any matters which I cannot com-
municate, I i^ever touch on them. Marshal de

VOL. I. K

242 iBtTERS at

Boufflers does not agree with me, in saying that
M. de Chamillard is a good man: he maintains
it to be impossible, having contributed, as he
has done, to thé ruin of France; but I am con-
vinced it was through incapacity ; he had too
much on his hands ; his measures were defec-
tive in everything ; and, as you observe, he leaves
the war department in as great disorder as the
finances. Princes are truly unfortunate in being
unable to dispense with assistance ; but this is
an irremediable evil.

M. Voisin has made a very good beginning :
he possesses talents, great firmness, and is very
active ; his wife is an amiable woman. I
could not have told you that I thought M.
Chamillard more fortunate than M. de Villeroi ;
I have perhaps said that I pity M. Voisin more
than the former, as I really do; for besides
being fond of repose myself, the present aspect
of affairs is not calculated to give great satis-
faction to those who are concerned in them.

I do not think thé war can be continued,
owing to the want of money and com, and the
superiority of our enemies in every quarter:
they are besieging Tournay with a hundred and
twenty thousand men, and a prodigious quantity
of artillery ; what can be done against such a
host, and what have we not to fear after the
capture of Tournay ? there is an end of delusion,
everything seems to mie completely exposed.

HADAHX D£ MAINTSNOK. 243

I do not imagine the King of England thinkn
of goihg to meet the King of Sweden ; these
two Princes are too great devotees in their . dif-
ferent religions, to agree together ; but I am
quite uninformed on this subject.

The scarcity of money and com causes tumults
everywhere. There has been one at Rouen;
the King sent M. de Luxembourg» who has, thank
God» succeeded in allaying it.

LETTER CXXV.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, July 14th, 1709.

The gloomy ideas which I have respecting
Spain, cannot prevent me from being sorry for
the feebleness of the Infant; as I regard him
as a new link between the Spaniards and their
Catholic Majesties. I hope the small-pox of the
Prince of Asturias will prove of little conse-
quence ; for it does not seem to be dangeroui»
in hot countries, and it will be fortunate for him
to have got over it. I praise God for the good
health of the Queen^ and I see with pain, from
what has happened, that her sensibility is not less
than that of the Duchess of Burgundy ; the
fortitude and virtue of these two Princesses

^44 MTPTEKS; OP

are exercised at an early period of Bfe ; \)ttt 1
cannot think they will always be \infortunate.
Our» is consuming away in sadness at olir
present situation, and Spain is no less an object
of solicitude than France ; I do not think I should
exaggerate, in saying that your interests are
even uppermost in her thoughts ; because she
conceives you have fewer resources. Yesterday
I had a long conversation with Marshal de
Villeroi ; he considers the siege of Tournay as
very fortunate, and wishes for peace more than
M. de Chamillard did, and than M. Desmaretz
can do. I assure you that you do not do us justice
upon this point, and that everything has reached
to an extremity which does not admit of our
continuing the war. We have experienced great
misfortunes, have perhaps committed faults ;
but the hand of God is so visible in air this,
and overwhelms us with so many scourges, that
it is impossible to resist them. It is not our
nainisters who have produced a frost, which
causes famine ; nor have they hadany share in the
horrible weather which we have lately witnessed i
the hail storms which devastate many districts,
or the inundations which deprive us of the
harvests in those provinces where it was the
most promising. We have tumults everywhere,
owing to the deamess of com; that of Rouen
is at an end ; there is one at Clermont; another
at Bayonne ; that at Languedoc will soon termi-

MADAME 1>B M AI]^ TENON.

2tô

nate : but there is a constant recurrence of these

scenes» and it is very diflGicult to keep Paris under,
bread becoming dearer there every day.

Every effort is made to find remedies for this
state of things, but all those hitherto adopted
have only increased the evil. The army of
Flanders has only a daily subsistence, and it i%
a miracle, that the troops remain together in their
present condition. It is thought that in the
course of a month money Mrill not be so scarce ;
but I do not know what hopes we can indulge
as to corn. We were induced to expect that
the price would diminish on the approach (oi
the harvest, but, on the contrary, it increases.

I begin to perceive the cabal against you and
M. Amelot, which you announced to me some time
ago; as yet, at least, it only appears to me as
so many indications, which, however, it is easy to
perceive, mean something ; my conduct is already
traced out upon this subject, and I shall testify at
all times and in all places, what I have seen of
your probity, correctness, affection, and zeal for
the two Kings.

246 LKTTKRS or

LETTER CXXVI.

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, July 15th, 1709.

On reaching this last night, I found your letter
of the 1st instant ; you will scold me no more,
for you have the twenty battalions which you
asked for, and even twenty-five ; but all this
does not afford me the same hopes as it does
you ; I am even persuaded that you would think
as I do, if you were an eye witness of our
situation ; but you do not credit me upon that
subject, and you look upon all those who are
capable of consenting to the hard peace which is
proposed to us, as being anxious to excite dis-
couragement. I can assure you there is not a
Frenchman who does not wish for its conclusion.
Marshals Boufflers, d'Harcourt, Villeroi and de
Villars are of the same opinion. They have em-
braced it more, tardily, as I wrote tg^you several
times, but at* length they have done so, seeing
that there is no resource, owing to the scarcity of
money, and still more to that of com. You are
too good a Frenchwoman to wish to lose France
in order to save Spain ; and the anger which you
show is only the effect of your great courage»

MADAME Dfi MAINTENON. 247

and the little credit which you attach to what
I communicate. I do not think, however, that
I stand alone, and it is not possible that all those
whom you see arrive from hence should speak
to you otherwise. Marshal de Villars conducts
himself admirably, and we begin to hope the
enemy will not enter France ; but this would
not be the case if we lost a battle. '

Letters were yesterday received from M . de
Noailles, asking for more troops, and expressing
his anxiety to do something ; he appears de-
lighted with your fitmness, as well as with that
of the King and Queen, and the affection of the
Spaniards.

The Duchess of Alba is the only person who
thinks like you. She does not conceive why
there are complaints in France of being without
bread and money ; she cannot bear to hear any
doubts as to the stability of their Catholic Ma-
jesties upon the throne ; she is offended at
the idea of your infant being thought feeble;. I
have really never witnessed such zeal as this;
nor is it flattery, but merely the homage duc to
truth.

248 LETTERS Of

LETTER CXXVII.

TO THE SAME

Saint Cyr, My 2l8t, 1709.

I AM sorry for the death of the Infant, for the
grief it will occasion the King and Queen, and
because it was an additional source of attachment
for the Spaniards to their Majesties. I am not
surprised at the King's affliction ; there is nothing
more natural and reaspuable than to love one's
children, and it is hard for the Queen to have ex-
perienced the inconveniences of pregnancy, and
the dangers of confinement, and then to lose the
young Prince. To speak in worldly terms, the
morning of the Queen's life is not fortunate ; but
she is young, and will experience the inconstancy
of fortune, both in good and evil : it is rare for
persons of her rank to be so much exposed, but
God will have it so. I haVe announced this bad
news to all the royal personages whom you name ;
they are very sorry for it, more especially our
Princess, who has immediately fancied herself in
the place of the Queen, her sister, for whom she
has an excess of affection which I do not compre-
hend, from having seen so little of her.

It is true that I did not write to you respect-

MAPAME DE MAXNTENON. 249

ing the twenty*five battalions vrhich were left
you. I was not the less agitated during the
council in which this object was discussed ; but I
am firm, and I preferred your learning the news
through M. de Torcy to my own communication ;
besides, I have not always leisure to write by the
couriers. Is it possible that I could have written
to you, to say that I wished their Catholic Majes-
ties to be deprived of their crown, — I, who would
make any sacrifice to have it secured to them ?
AU my crime with you is to wish for peace for
ourselves ; but I assure you, and I have already
said so, that I think upon that subject like other
persons for whom you have the greatest esteem
in this country: it is useless to speak of our
situation, for you will not believe me, and you
impute to our weakness and want of courage,
that which is merely the efiect of dire necessity.
Yes, Madam, it would require miracles to extri-
cate us from the perils which threaten us. It is
Teported that the plague is at Macon, but I have
no authentic source for this news : such a scourge
is alone wanted to complete our miseries. If I
opened all my mind to you, my letter would not
finish so soon ; but you say that you do not like
imprudencies, and that it is necessary to abstain
from them as much as possible.

The Duke of Alba has solemnised the birth of
the Infiint since its death ; I did everything in my
power with the Duchess to prevent it, but she

260 t£TT£RS OF

could not bear any one to doubt of his being still
alive. Farewell, Madam. I defy all your high spirit
and wonted fortitude, to be proof against what you
see and what you fear ; your situation often occu-
pies my thoughts, and I feel that my attachment
for you does not stop at esteem and admiration.

LETTER CXXVIII.

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, July 29th, 1709.

I RECEIVED no news from you yesterday,
although it was post day. I have for a long time
envied the tranquillity of your disposition, without
wishing to deprive you of it ; all my gloomy pre-
sentiments are only too accurately realised, and
at length I perceive that I am not much more
grieved than yourself : how could one avoid being
so, in witnessing so near at hand all the misfor-
tunes which surround us, and those which reach
Princes to whom we are bound by so many ties ?
I think that it will be as well to maintain silence,
on the affair about which you are not very ex-
plicit, and which will no doubt be placed to your
account as justly as the greatest part of the others.

The siege of Toumay proceeds j the besieged
do all that can be expected from them, and

MADAME DE MAtXTfiNOX. 251

the enemy meet with great difficulties ; but they
have an artillery which it is impossible to resist.
I think they will soon be masters of the city, but
I hope the citadel will hold out longer. It is
through waiit of money that we are destroyed ;
corn could be found if it could be bought at a
high rate. I cannot conceive how it happens that
you receive no letters from this country, which do
not confirm all my statements, as matters have
proceeded to such an extremity, that others are as
much afflicted as myself. We go to Marly on
Wednesday for ten days ; there will not be more
amusement there than anywhere else, but it is
the favourite place of he King, and it is highly
necessary that he should sometimes seek to divert
his thoughts from so many causes of suflfering, and
which he supports with the same firmness and
equanimity as ever.

LETTER CXXIX.

TO TH£ SAM£.

Marly, August 5th, 1709.

Our misfortunes increase daily. Tournay has
not held out long, and it is thought the citadel will
also fall : it next remains to be seen what the
enemy will do. The scarcity of money and corn
disables Marshal de Villars from attempting what

25S LETTERS OF

courage and despair might suggest to him. There
was a great outcry against peace ; but perhaps it
will now be necessary to conclude it on more
unfavourable conditions than those which were
offered before. I think we shall soon have the
ambassador here; he will find our affairs in a
much worse situation than your own. M. Voisin
and M. Desmaretz do their utmost, but their pre-
decessor ruined everything in the hope of making
peace. There is something incomprehensible
respecting corn ; it appears that there is plenty
of it in Paris, and yet bread continues dear.

LETTER CXXX.

TO THE SAME.

/Saint Cyr, August 10th, 1709.

1 CAN easily conceive the Queen's grief upon
the loss of her infant. Our two Princesses will
always be esteemed and admired by the worthy,
which is a great source of happiness, but I could
wish them many others. I will not dispute with
you which is the happiest j if I knew yours as
.well as our own, I should decide the point by
their respective dispositions. The Duchess of
Burgundy makes but little use of her freedom,
and the pleasures of our court ; she is absorbed

MADAAffi PS MAIXTENON. 263

in affliction, endeavours to amnse herself, but
without success ; her colds, pregnancy, and the
indolence of all the young females who surround
her, |Mrevent her from enjoying the pleasures of
the finest garden in the world ; she has not much
taste for music; play becomes insipid, because
money has almost disappeared; her principal
object is news, and none arrives of an agreeable
nature. The Queen has not been accustomed to
the pleasures of the country ; she is adored by the
King her husband ; she possesses in you. Madam,
a treasure, which were she to lose, would render
her inconsolable. You know what our King
thinks on this subject ; you must remain where
you are as long as your presence does not become
detrimental ; everything must be sacrificed in
case you should become too much suspected.

You speak to me of a good defence at Tournay,
and it is twelve days since the place surrendered ;
it is affirmed that the citadel will hold out during
this month. Marshal de Yillars is not in a condi--
tion to attempt anything j his troops are very infe-
rior to those of the enemy, and diminish every day
by desertion and hunger. I think that the article
of com will turn my brain ; more is to be seen in
the market than ever, and yet the price of bread
rises ! We are assured fi'om all quarters^ that we
shall experience great relief fi'om the abundance of
barley, though it is already atia high price. As to
money, it is more than ever concealed ; everybody

254 LETTERS OF

agrées that there is more in the kingdom than be-
fore the war, but it no longer circulates ; and you
know that when the blood stops, death ensues.

M. Chamillard, persuaded that peace was nea^
at hand, forced public credit so much, that he ab-
solutely destroyed it ; M. Desmaretz restored it
in the first five months of his administration; the
capture of Lisle weakened it a little, but the loss of
Ghent and separation of our army destroyed it
again; so that nothing but fortunate events or
peace can revive it ; the former are hopeless, and
you do not wish for the latter.

Why do you accuse me of desiring the de-
thronement of their Catholic Majesties? I am
very far from this thought, and few persons would
make greater sacrifices than myself to see their
reign consolidated ; but it is true, that in order to
accomplish it, I would not consent to the ruin of
France. I admire your sentiments, but I was
not prepared to expect what you have told me ;
could you possibly have the courage to quit the
Queen so long as she is not compelled to take
this step herself by the Spaniards ? There would
be great cruelty in abandoning her now. How
sincerely do I pity you. Madam, and how truly un-
fortunate you are, notwithstanding your beauty
and celebrity!

MADAMS D£ MAINTËXON. 255

LETTER CXXXI.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, August 18th, 1709.

You are at last convinced that we have reached
a crisis ; I may have been one of the first to
apprehend it ; at length, however, everybody can
see it as well as myself ; and I assure you that I
am very much grieved to find biit one opinion
upon this subject. I even venture to say, that I
should not want fortitude, if I saw any hope in
the future. If we are ever so unfortunate as to see
each other again, you will agree to all I shall have
to communicate. You are in the right for saying
that some persons thought all was lost before it
really was so, but at length it has been effected
in good earnest. Kings would be happy, if they
could do everything themselves, but they are
obliged to employ very imperfect instruments.
I had three days ago a long conversation with
the person from whom I forwarded to you a
letter: he appears to have sought an interview
with me only for the purpose of speaking of you,
and I must do him the justice to say, that no
man can be more alive to your interests ; if he is
equally so towards me, he will tell you that I have
no occasion for excitement with regard to you, and

256 LBTTEaS OF

that nobody can persuade me that the smallest
blame can be attached to you ; at least, it must be
proved to me in a very satisfactory manner, which
I think would not be an easy matter.

You will, doubtless, have heard of the proposal
of Prince Eugene for a truce, respecting the
citadel of Tournay ; and who, highly displeased at
its not being accepted, threatens so loudly that
he well deserves to be confounded. Marshal de
Villars does all he can, but he is greatly strait-
ened for want of provisions, which are obtained
with great difficulty. The Duchess of Mantua
has had an interview at my house with the King
and the Duchess of Burgundy ; I could perceive
no alteration in her; our Princess manifested
great kindness towards her, and kept her as long
as she could : she conducts herself with great
propriety, and there is need of it, for slander
would be glad to fix its fangs upon her; you know
how much the Lorraine Princes are exposed to it ;
she possesses, moreover, a rank, youth, and beauty
that excites envy ; she is without wealth or credit ;
all these are quite enough to excite the malignity of
the world. But till now she has not given occa-
sion to it : her polished manners are regarded as
insipid at our court, where, under the guise of
freedom and candour, the most intolerable vul-
garity has taken root.

MADAME DE MAINTEXOK. 267

Venailles» August 19th, 1709.

I did not close my letter, in the hope of hear-
ing some news on coming here : I now leam
that the citadel of Toumay defends itself in a
manner which baflSes the enemy, but the want of
subsistence will ruin us everywhere.

The Duke de Noailles had formed a project,
which might have been executed, had the infe-
rior officers been as vigilant as himself j he is
much hurt, as I also am, that he has succeeded
only in the minor part of what he had undertaken.

LETTER GXXXIl.

TO THE SAME.

Saint €yr, August 26th, 1709.

We thought here, like you, that the siege of
Tournay would have been advantageous to us>
and that it would be still more so, if it occupied
the enemy to the end of September : hut I fear
the want of subsistence everywhere, caused by
the scarcity of money and com. The news we
have from the citadel, of the excellent positions
taken by Marshal de Villars, and of the little
anxiety felt by the Marshal de Berwick, is
in perfect unison with what you tell me.
Marshal d'Harcourt, is not quite easy in his posi-
tion ; it would seem that the Germans wish to

VOL. I. s

258 LETTKRS OF

Bitempi «omething, which is not as yet very
clearly ascertained.

It is certain that all our faults and misfortunes
in the war would not be irretrievable, if we had
money and com. The people are always ripe
for commotion : what has hitherto taken place in
this respect has not been of much consequence ;
but the greatest misfortunes have often had
small beginnings.

It is true. Madam, that there is an outcry
against you, but I so boldly rely on the force of
truth, that I do not doubt of its ultimate triumph,
nor that the King thinks otherwise than you could
wish, and he sometimes expresses himself to
this effect : as to myself, I am so devoted to you»
that I will hear nothing but what is good of you ;
and I can assure you that the Prince, who shall
be nameless on this occasion, has never spoken to
me otherwise.

We are at Marly, where all the royal family is
in good health ; the subject of conversation is
oftener upon the dearness of bread, wheat, and
barley, than dress and pleasures ; we have, how-
ever, a supply of pretty women, of which the
court stood in need ; their names are as follow :
Madame de Lambescq, daughter of the Duchess
of Duras, and wife of the son of Count de
Briûnne; the Marchioness de Nelle, daughter
of M. de la Meilleraye ; Madame de Tonnerre,
daughter of Madame de Blansac ; Madame de
Polignac, daughter of Madame de Mailly, and

MADAME DE MAINTKNON. 209

Madan^ de Gourcillon, whom I need not de-
scribe to you : the oldest of these five ladies is
but seventeen.

LETTER CXXXIIL

TO TH£ SAME.

Veisailles, September 2Qd, 1709.

I LEARNT nothing on my arrival here yester-
day from Saint Gyr, but the departure of Mar-
shal de Boufflers, to be near the army in case
anything happens to Marshal de Villars.

The wheat harvest is abundant, and bread is
still rising — there is something incomprehensible
in all this.

LETTER CXXXIV.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cjr, September 8th, 170a

I HAVE been greatly alarmed, on hearing from
the letter with which the Queen has honoured me,
tiiat your departure is spoken of, and according
to my usual custom, I have already fancied you
far from Madrid. You well know what I think
on this point, and the cruelty which I conceive
there is iii leaving their Majesties so long as they

s 2

260 LETTEKS OF

wished to retain you ; if this separation was ne-
cessary for their own good, they are reasonable
enough to consent to it ; besides, they have^too
much firmness not to do a violence to their own
feelings, should it be necessary. I do not know
why the Queen orders me to solicit most ardently
for your remaining with her ; for if I know all
that passes on that subject, it seems to me that
you are entirely your own mistress, and that you
have only to account to their Catholic Majesties.
I should be much surprised, and very glad, if
our courier brought the news which you announce
to me, as it would be really a miracle ; God dis-
plays them on great emergencies, and we are
certainly reduced to a sad predicament by the
scarcity of com and money. If you were an
eye witness of the misery of your country, I am
sure you would be afflicted ; as for myself, I am
overwhelmed : it is shocking to see people want-
ing bread without possessing the means to relieve
them. This is not my only grief : the capture of
the citadel of Tournay enables the enemy to do
what he pleases ; you may conceive that I already
^ see him in France, after having defeated Marshal
de Villai». Marshal de Boufflers, of whose de-
parture for the army I have before informed you,,
declared on his arrival, that he. would serve as a
volunteer, and obey the orders of Marshal de
Villars in every respect ; he is . so sincere, that
there is no doubt of his acting up to what he has
promised. Marshal de Villars is delighted with

MAPAME DE MAINTENON. 261

him^ and sends word that if the officers do not
recover their animation by this example, they
must have lost all spirit. The part that he is
going to act is so little understood, that every-
body would have it he had gone to treat of
peace; this news has probably reached you.
Marshal de Villars is exasperated at M* de Sur-
ville for not having sent a sufficient supply of
ammunition into the citadel, and which is the
cause of its loss : it is affirmed that it would have
held out a long time, and that the enemy pro-
ceeded against it very feebly, through their dread
of the mines ; perhaps they were aware also that
the garrison wanted provisions, and therefore
wished to preserve the lives of their soldiers.

The enemy marched off as soon as they were
masters of the citadel, and yesterday evening
their intentions were not yet known. M*. Voisin
expected a courier : I tremble at the arrival of
one, ajad I am greatly alarmed on these occasions
for the Duchess of Burgundy.

Versailles, Septembef 9th, 1709..

On reaching this place yesterday, I found
your letter of the 30th ultimo,^and another from
the Queen ; they both relate* to your intention of
retiring; the Queen orders me so earnestly to
make pressing solicitations to the King, that I
though you had received something on the sub-
ject from hence of which I was ignorant ; but
his Majesty assured me, on the contrary, that he

262 LETTERS OF

had n^t changed his sentiments, and tliat their
Catholic MajestieB are .at full liberty to act as
they please. I have ventured to recommend
their consulting you ; nobody can think more cor-
rectly than yoursdf, and they ought to believe
you, since your mind and heart are equally good.
You will not have the cruelty to leave the Queen,
unless you judge it absolutely necessary for her
personal interests. That of the Prince of As-
turias appears to me very pressing, and if you
quit him, I think that fidelity ought to be the
principal quality of the governess which you will
procure him. It would be better to endure every
inconvenience than expose this precious pledge.

Ydrn are right in sparing me the recital of what
has passed between the Queen and yourself, after
having opened your mind to her ; I am ingenious
enough in tormenting myself by fancying it more
than once, for I do not wait for misfortunes to
take' place before I am afflicted by tiiem. I
thought yesterday evening that the King was
going to inform me of the means to be devised
for obtaining money, but I saw that he knew
nothing on the subject, and that it is from M. de
Villeroi I am to hear what you call a miracle ;
we shall have great occasion for it in more quar-»
ters than one, for we are reduced to great ex-
tremities. Moreover, I do not see that much
dependence can be placed upon the Jew's négo-
ciations. God grant that we may deceive our-
selves 1 I have but too much reason to know that

HADAMIL D£ tfAlNTSNON. 263

those ^o have been in the habit of predicting^
the worst during the last two or three years, are
fully justified by events.

The news of yesterday evening leaves little doubt
of an aetion having taken place in Flanders ; public
and individual anxiety is therefore at its height.

LETTER CXXXV.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, September 14th» 1709.

I RECEIVED with much pain the angry and
violent letter which you wrote to me on the 1st
instant; I went immediately to M. Voisin to
ascertain what orders had been given to M. de
Bescms ; he told me that they were» to conduct
himself with propriety, not to run any unneces-
sary risks; in a word, such as are always given
to the generals, and which conclude by leaving
it to them who are on the spot to decide as to
the best mode of proceeding. I am much afflicted
at what has passed upon this occasion, which
would not have been perhaps as fortunate as you
imagine ; we have reason to think that we should
have brought misfortune upon you, and perhaps
you will do better when you are without us.

At length this battle in Flanders, so much
desired in Spain, and feaned in France, took
place on the Uth instant. Marshal de Bouffleis

264 LETTERS OF

calb it glorious and unfortunate, for we have lost
it» notwithstanding the valour of our troops, not
one of whom deserted the ranks, neither in the
acticHi nor during the retreat. The enemy, as
brave as ourselves, remained masters of the field
of battle owing to their numbers, which were su-
perior to ours, as I have always informed you.
Our misfortune has made us almost overlook the
glory of Marshal de Villars, who was dangerously
wounded, and whom I fear we may lose. After
his fine retreat. Marshal de Boufflers retired to
Quesnoi : the loss of the enemy and our own is
not yet ascertained; but it is thought to be very
great on both sides, for never was there more fury
displayed, and our troopi^ called out to be led
against the enemy, when they were ordered to
retreat. Nothing can equal the exertions of
Marshal de Boufiiers ; it is a great pity that he is
sixty-six years old, and that Marshal de Villars
is dying. Our Princess is very much afflicted,
and you would have been deeply affected on
seeing her, surrounded by her ladies, crying out
for their husbands and children. The Duke de
Guiche was wounded during the cannonade;
the^ Duchess, his wife, set out as soon as she
heard it ; she had two children besides her hus-
bspid in the battle ; one is" safe, the other I know
nothing about : the Duke's wound is slight. The
Marquis de Coetquin was wounded by the same
discharge, and has had his leg amputated; his
mother went to see him where he lay with the

MADAME DE MAINTEXOX. 265

rest of the waunded . Madame d' Angéau's son has
had his thigh amputated ; his mother has been to^
Qnesnoi, the wife of Marshal Villars has also
gone there. M. de Palaviûni, and M. de Ché-
merant were among the killed. Albergotti is
wounded, the Duke de Saint Aignan has also
received a wound in the head. M. d'Artaignan
greatly signalised himself, and had three horses
killed under him : I shall find more subjects of
sadness before closing my letter. I have not a
doubt but you will remain with the Qeeen in the
present conjuncture, and I do not comprehend
how you can leave her till she freely consents to
it. The Duchess of Burgundy and myself often
picture to ourselves the situation in which you
are, and ail that you have to fear ; it affects her
nerves much : the youth of these two Prin-
cesses is passed in great sorrow. The hopes of
peace with the Duke of Savoy are very slight,
and it is but little calculated on here ; nothing,
however, but peace will do for us ; the' famine
increases daily ; we begin to unravel the mystery
pf the quantity of corn and the dearriess of
bread : it is because money is scarce, so that we
shall all die of hunger this winter, if the sea is
not open to bring us corn ; this is the only means
of lowering the price of what we have, and of
restoring abundance; we are almost without a
sufficiency for sowing, and if this misfortune hap-
pens, famine may perpetuate itself for several
years. God declares himself so visibly, that it

266 LETTERS OF

would be resisting him not to wbh for peace^ and
you know better ^^^ I <^^^> ^t the safety of the
people is the first duty of the King. J do not
like to oppose your sentiments, though still less to
conceal my own from you.

A quarter of an hour after the arrival of ^e
courier who announced to us the loss of the bat-
tle of Flanders, there came another from the
Duke de Noailles, bringing us an account of the
brilliant affair which he has had in Catalonia ;
we were insensible to this piece of good fortune,
but the Marshal's conduct has not been the less
applauded. The King of England was at Douay,
ill of a fever ; but when he learnt that there was a
probability of a battle, he joined the army and
performed wonders.

September 15th.

I heard nothing very certain yesterday even-
ing. A courier is expected to-day from Marshal
de Boufflers, and as my letter will not be
drapatched before to-morrow, I shall add what-
ever I may hear. M. Voisin has received a long
Irtter from Marshal de Villars, signed by himself,
and displaying great composure of mind ; but
he has so much strength of mind, that I by no
means flatter myself from this circumstance with
a hope of his ultimate recovery.

IGtk

The more one enters into the details of the ac-
tion which took place on the 1 1th instant, the less
can be said as to who had the advantage : the

MADAM£ D£ MAINT£NOK. 267

enemy remained mastero of the field, and our
army retired ; they acknowledge a loss of nearly
twenty thousand men ; they had ten lieutenant
gmierais killed. M* de Nangis is expected this
evening with the particulars, and fifty standards.
It i^ thou^t we had eight thousand men killed
or wounded.

LETTER CXXXVI.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, October 20th, 1709*

Would to God that I may be deceived, as you
say at the conclusion of your letter of the 8th inst.^
and that Spain might be preserved for Philip V.
provided that France did not suffer too much
from it ! I have been so struck with this idea^
that I could not help beginning my answer where
you finished yours.

I own that I have foreseen all our misfortunes»
and at length they are arrived. You triumph in
the courage of Frenchmen, but these Frenchmen
cannot advance a step for want of bread; and
this disaster will prevent all that could have been
done for the relief of Mons. I fear lest the loss
of this fortress is not all we have to apprehend,
and that the fine weather will facilitate the siege
of Maubenge, which, it is said, the enemy wishes
to undertake ; after that^ France may be entered.

268 LETTERS OF

and you will not allow any one to complain ! Do
you think that such events are calculated to make
money circulate ? — but I refer you for our situation
to M. Amelot, who appeared very much surprised
and afflicted during the ^sit he paid me. He
has been here several different times lately, and I
could not see him, having had the fever for nearly
six weeks, with acute pains ; but I have been better
during the last two days.

As to the conversation of our courtiers, it is
still worse than you are told; they decry our '
affairs even more than our enemies. You are in
the right to enjoy retirement ; without that which
I find here I could not bear Versailles.
' M. de Noailles has accompanied his project
with a memorial of what was absloutely requisite
for him, and which cannot be supplied. You
should jud^e of the magazines we have in that
quarter from those which we have in Flanders.
Marshal de Berwick remained here only one
night, and is gone into Flanders; the bad health
of Marshal de Boufflers, joined to his zeal, makes
one anxious that he should receive every kind of
succour.

The King is perfectly satisfied with all that
Marshal de Berwick has done in Dauphiny. I
was surprised at the offer which has been made
of the Order of the Golden Fleece to a certain
person : it seems that thé King does not wish it to
be accepted. Nobody here doubts but that the
Spaniards will call for the Archduke when they

MADAME D£ MÂINTENON. 269

see tHé King abandoned by France. My esteem
for the nation prevents me from fancying them
capable of treason towards a King whom they
appear to love and esteem ; and my ideas on this
point are closely in unison with those of the
Duchess of Burgundy. Grant that she may
never be able to take up my defence with you !
I feel for you, Madam, more than I can describe.
I think I suflPer much, but I am convinced you
suffer more.

LETTER CXXXVII.

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, October 27th, 1709.

I HAD not the honour of answering the Queen
relative to your leaving Spain,— because I will
now explain myself vrith you at greater length
and freedom on that subject.

I see nothing in the letters of M. de Bergheitz
which intimates that indirect method^ are adopted
to make you comprehend what is desired of you ;
it appears to me, that he explains himself very
clearly : he seems to be persuaded that the King
of Spain should send away all the French ; he
gives his advice with frankiless ; he does the same
with regard to you ; and all this seems to be very
proper. The strongest passage is where he says.

270 LETTERS OF

'' It is the opmion of his Majesty and aU the
principal individuals of the court who have spoken
to me/' It is very possible that the King may
have said to M.deBergheitz, in some conversation
upon these subjects, that he thought nearly as he
did ; it may also be very probable that one of ow
ministers may have confirmed M. de Bergheitz in
the opinion which he entertains that you ought
to leave Spain ; but that it is the King's wish, or
an intimation on his part, is what I cannot be-
lieve, and the motives for which would be alto-
gether incomprehensible. I persist, therefore, in
believing, that the King approves of your .con-
tinuing with their Catholic Majesties as long as
they wish it, and that, if he thought otherwise, he
would cause it to be frankly stated. This is my
opinion, which I do not vouch for as being either
reasonable or well founded ; I may be easily de-
ceived, but I will never knowingly deceive. There
is no subterfuge in my conversation, nor more
meant than what is expressed. I am an indivi-
dual of little importance : I write to you with the
greatest candour, never shewing my letters nor
your answers; I have no authority from any
quarter ; I am ignorant of public affairs, it is not
wished that I should meddle with them, and I
will abstain. There is no concealment attempted
upon me, but I know nothing in time, and I am
very often ill informed. If the King wished you
to quit the Queen of Spain, he would mention it
to his council ; M. de Torcy would write to you

MADAME DE MAINTENON. j27l

about it, and this order would not pa^s through
my hands. Do not therefore attach much im-
portance to what I say. Pity me as much as I
do you, and believe that nothing afflicts me more
than the melancholy situation of their Catholic
Majesties ; if you will not give me credit as to
our own condition, believe M. Amelot, or the
Marshal de Villeroi; they possess your confi-
dence^ and they deserve it. You would be very
unjust if you wished me to continue enquiring
after Spanish affairs, when you and M. Amelot
have abandoned them. It seems to me that you
strictly follow the counsels of M. de Bergheitz^
and that your separation from France is pushed
even to animosity ; I shall always respect your
merit and your misfortunes, and nothing can ever
turn me against you.

Your project of retiring to Pau is very dismal ;
I will not mention it to the King ; it will be time
enough to do so when you are out of Spain, if
that should take place. I do not think myself
alone in attaching importance to your character ;
the .figure which you will make at Pan will be
entirely inconsistent with it, and I assure you,
thkt this idea distresses me extremely. Once
more. Madam, only weigh well all I say to you
as coming from a sincere friend, captivated with
your merit, and who will bear witness* to the last,
that you have for four years conducted yourself in
as able and correct a manner as could be desired.
I can take upon me no responsibility. I know

272^ LETTERS OP

the injustice of mankind and the cabal which
appears to exist against you. AU this would be
trifling if their Catholic Majesties could continue
where they are. You are very good in saying a
word about the devout Bishop whom I have lost ;
the project you contemplate, and which you con-
ceal from me, will make you perhaps one day
feel how great a treasure it is to have a faithful
friend to aid you in the only pursuit worthy of
your attention in this life . All our wounded are
going on well now; they have caused us great
uneasiness. The Duke de Guiche has arrived
at Paris ; Marshal de Villarsis expected in the be-
ginning of November ; I could wish him at Ver-
sailles, in order to have the advice of Mareschal :
such a man is worth preserving.

LETTER CXXXVIIl

TO THE SAME.

Bfarly, November 4th, 1 709.

As the King of Spain has proposed to bis
council what he wished to do for M. Amelot,
our King having communicated what was re-
quired to his advisers, it is there that the exclu-
sion has arisen. All has fallen upon the ambas^
sador; it does not occur to me that anything
has been said about you. In other respects I do

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 273

not presume to defend what has passed upon that
subject. I know not how to speak against what
I think, and what I think ought not to be spoken.
I wish sincerely that what you have written to
me may have been some solace to you ; and al-
though I am overwhelmed with troubles, I would
take your griefs also, were it possible; I am
accustomed to live upon poison. You are not so
circumstanced ; your presence is necessary to
their Catholic Majesties, and I am no longer of
use here. F fear very much lest the rest of your-
life may be. embittered; every thing seems to
cc^tribute to it ; but you ha^ve a happy disppsir
tion, fortitude, an elevated mind, and a secrejt
project, which, if I mistake ^ not, transcends ai)
these qualities : it is not therefore too much^ fronx
all these combined, to imagine you may yet live
in society, and with the great, to share their afflic-
tions, to endure their persecutions, consider your
own troubles as light in comparison with what
you feel on their account, and bear it with cheer-
fulness to the hour of dissolution. How unhappy
are those who do not look forward to an eternal
reward ! You unbosom yourself to me, — I do
the same. I should very much fear, for more
than one reason, to be with you again in the dark
room, where you bore the fever with so much
gentleness and patience; but you know greater
evils that must be patiently endured.
No, Madam, Mons has not been relieved, and

VOL. I. T

274 LXTTIRS OF

whatever loss the enemy may have sustained, we
are still worse off than they are, and the want of
money and bread were obstacles to the move-
ments which our army might have made. We
are at this moment a little better off respecting
com ; some importations have taken place from
abroad, and bread has fallen the two last market-
days.

We expect the Elector of Bavaria here oh
Thursday : he wished to see the King incognito,
merely for a moment ; this was his first idea, but
a hunting party is now proposed, and a little play
m the saloon. Versailles must be^ seen ; all this
will absorb time ; the Dauphin wants him to see
Meuden ; he is to return by Chantilly. Our
wounded are on their return. Plans are already
formed here to sow dissensions among our gene*
rals during the winter. The conversation of the
court ladies is but too well calculated to produce
this effect.

LETTER CXXXIX

TO THE SAME.

Ver8ailk^ NcMrember 17th, 1709.

MoNs has not been relieved, because the want
^ bread impeded the march of the troops that it

MADAME DB MAXNTKNON. 27fi

was necessary to make in order to harrass the
enemy ; this is what is said, and I repeat it to
you like a parrot, without understanding it.

Marshal de Boufflers has returned more than
satisfied with the bravery of the army : he even
compares our soldiers to the Romans, and says
that they will do wonders if properly led. Tt is
not me. Madam, who has persuaded M. Amelot ;
it is because he sees the real state of our affairs,
and possesses too much candour not to UXt ytm
the truth, though it should displease you. Tike
zeal you have for their Catholic Majesties diakes
ypu forget your own country ; and yet the itait
in which it now is would fill you with gri^ if ydti
were nearer the scene of calamity. We aie exr
pecting the Duke de Noailles every moment:
there is a total deficiency of all the means neces*»
sary for carrying his project into effect^ and in
consequence of this, he found it impossible to do
what would have been extremely useful. Mar*
i^al de Villars is at Paris, and will be here in two
days ; there is reason to hope that he will be
able to serve in the next campaign.

T 2

276 LETTERS OF

LETTER CXL,

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, November 25th, 1 709. .

I DO not know the meaning of all this, and
whether it is an irony to tell me that I have ex-
plained to yon the meaning of the letter of M. de
Bergheitz. I have always told you my thoughts ;
I think you have nothing to do but to await the
King's orders, who, till now, does not appear to
wish to quit their Catholic Majesties. The return
of M. Amelot, with which you so much reproach
us, had been a long time solicited by himself. 1
feel great regret at not daring to show your letter;
it is so much above my capacity, that I am very
sorry it was only written for my own perusal, for
I am convinced that your reasons would make a
great impression.

You need not' scold me any more about peace,
it is out of the question, and war is only thought
of; God grant that the means of continuing it
may be as feasible as you think ! I have only seen
Marshal de Villars for a moment, he said, " We
must have peace, madam, if possible, cost what
it will: but if our enemies refuse it, we must
continue the war as well as we can, and I am

MADAME DE MAIK^TENON. 277

ready to devote my life and exertioùs to; thé
king's service." I have already told you, that
M. Desmaretz has seen and examined the me-
morial which* has passed through the hands of
M. de Villeroi ; it is full of sound reasoning and
comprehensive views, but the minister says that
it turns upon a false principle, and that there is
not at present five hundred individuals in France
who could lend the King the sum mentioned
in it.

The truth is, that the government of a great
kingdom is not to be changed from one day to
another : a financial measure cannot be adopted
without the comptroller-general, and he cannot
act without being convinced of its success ; it is
very difficult to adopt other expedients* 1 have
seen well informed men, who are convinced that
the troops ought to be withdrawn from Spain,
in order to show the enemy that we are sincerely
desirous of peace. I have heard it maintained
by others, that the troops should not be with-
drawn from Spain, but on signing the treaty. I
have heard a man of great judgment say, that
the most important service which could be ren-
dered to the King of Spain, would be to withdraw
the French troops, as the only means of attaching
the Spaniards to their King, and that an union
between the two nations should never have been
attempted ; conceive the effect of such a diversity
of opinions upon the mind of one who had passed

278 LETTSRS OF

her sixtieth year, when she began to hear public
affairs discussed.

I admit the possibility of all the miracles men-
tioned in your letter, and that but for the famine
we might still expect a more fortunate campaign.
Preparations are making for it, as much as the
scarcity of money and com will permit, and I
shall always await with confidence some miracle
in favour of Spain ; if meritorious actions could
deserve any thing at the hands of God, I should
say that the innocence and virtue of the King and
Queen merit a recompense. I dare not risk show-
ing your letters ; they do not like here that women
should talk of public affairs, and if I cannot serve
you as much as 1 could wish, I must at least en-
deavour not to render you a disservice.

How can you say that God is not against us
when he visits us with a winter unexampled for a
hundred and five years, which freezes all the com
and the vines, that spares no fruit, and kills all the
trees I the olive trees of Provencç and Languedoc,
the chesnut trees of Limousin, and the walnut trees
throughout France, are ruined for many years to
come; we see the poor dying with hunger, "with-
out being able to relieve them, because our lands
are no longer productive, and the charities of the
King are no longer distributed: such. Madam, is
our present situation.

MADAMK D£ ;^AlMT£Nax. 2^9

LETTER CXLI.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, January 25th) I7I0«

Marshal de Villars causes himself to be car^-
ried everywhere ; he had yesterday evening a têtCî-
a-tête of two hours with the King at my house.
The courtiers will know more exactly than myself
the length of his visit, for they have the boldness
to envy the marks of esteem which are bestowed
upon a man who is deserving of them.

The more the last battle is understood, the
more it becomes evident that Heaven is against
us ; we can scarcely doubt but that it would have
been won, if Marshal de Villars had not been
wounded, and that the army would have been lost
without the fine retreat of Marshal de Boufflers.

It is true that J have abstained from touchibg
upon Spanish affairs, since you have set me the
example, and M. Amelot is returned. I had only'
attended to them for the purpose of witnessing
your conduct to each other: after the order»
which you received from the King in my room, I
have cause to fear, lest you should be treated
with as much rudeness as you had been before
that time ; but as I have already said, the people
here cannot bear that women should meddle with

280 LETTERS OF

public affairs, and no zeal or attachment can
justisfy them: but I am not less interested for
the health of the King and Queen ; I ardently
wish them to remain upon the throne of Spain
on any conditions, and that we may have a very
disadvantageous peace, not to call it disgraceful,
(for I cannot admit that,) when we yield to the
necessity which famine has reduced us to sacri-
ficing our glory and predilection for the safety of
the people, who are perishing with hunger, and
ready to revolt through despair.

I do not know M. de Isberville, nor precisely
to what his mission related ; but I know that
from his first despatches he wrote wonders about
the King of Spain, and as to the Queen every
body is agreed on her merits.

LETTER CXLIL

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, February 3rd, 1710.

I THINK that you are in an illusion respecting
the situation of the Archduke. Grant, however,
th^-t you may be more correct than myself! It is
an undisputed truth that all those who are at-
tached to otf r two K ings are greatly to be pitied ;
I cannot believe that their hearts will ever be
disunited.

MADAME DE MATNTENON. 281

You know that I am a great admirer of M. de
Bergheitz, nevertheless I can scarcely compre-
hend his eagerness to get you out of Spain. You
ïtâve no occasion for all your eloquence, to prove
to me that you have fulfilled your duties towards
the two Kings whom you have served ; I have
been partly a witness, and I can judge of the rest.
I have nothing new to mention upon that subjetet ;
the King has not changed his opinions ; he leaves
you to be the mistress of your conduct, and you
will act just as you please ; but depend upon
it, that you are very much mistaken when you
think we complain too much : we may have been
premature in our complaints^ but we are now at
the last extremity/

All Paris hopes and looks for peace, because the
negotiators are named : but I see nothing yet
which can flatter our hopes, except that we are so
reduced as to be forced to wish for peace upon
any terms.

LETTER CXLIII.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, February 16th, 1710.

We get accustomed to everything, since we
can habituate ourselves to sadness ; I am in this
mood at present ; I look forward to no more joy.

282 LJETT£R8 OF

and do not even aspire to it ; I feel, however» a
little more confidence» that Qod will not over-
throw the greatest monarchies of Europe.

You know that I have always hoped for some
miracle in favour of their Catholic Majesties. I
think them so agreeable to God» that I cannot
conceive he will abandon them. From the ac-
count which M. d' Isberville has rendered to the
King» your affairs are in a better condition than
our ovnx ; it is some time since I told you that I
was less afflicted at the state of affairs than the
disposition of the public mind. I have seen only
despair» murmurs» exaggerated complaints and
discouragement. I .am not surprised that ac-
counts are sent to Madrid, {hàt our generals will
not serve, since they wish to persuade us of it
here» notwithstanding all that the doctors» the
surgeons» and they themselves say. Marshal
d'Harcourt is at Bourbon; the journey alone has
been of service to him ; I hope much from the
waters ; he is rather afflicted with fits of melan-
choly, which gives me the greatest cause of
uneasiness on his account. Marshal de Villars
, is gay, lively, full of spirits» and in very good
health, causing himself to be carried everywhere;
his wound will close very soon.

The King of England came here yesterday with
the Princess» to pay a visit to our King and the
court» upon the birth of the Duke d'Anjou : he
also saw Marshal de Villars. The Queen did not

MADAME DE MAINTENON. £83

come : she has the fever almost continually ; I
should think she would sink under it, were it not
for my own experience that it may 'be supported
for many years, even in a more advanced age than
that of the Queen ; every one dies when it pleases
God ; I see no other rule by which we depart this^
life. I am afflicted at not being able to render
any service to this great Queen, whose situation
is more entitled to pity than I can describe to
you.

LETTER CXLIV.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, March 4th, 1710.

Yes, Madam, I take the part of praying to God
for the success of the armies of our Kings, and of
leaving to politicians the care of discovering where
our true interests lay.

You know that I have had a great confidence
in the virtue of their Catholic Majesties, and I stilj
judulge the hope that miracles will come to their
aid. It is true that what has lately taken place
at Madrid is a great proof of the protection of
God. Nothing else was spoken of yesterday at
Marly, and we are impatient to know whether
many people have been found in the confidence
of the Duke de Medina Cœli. The answer of

284 LETT EUS OF.

the Duke of Ossune gives us a great idea of his
merits and of the goodness of the King^ whose con^
duct in the whole affair has been admirable.

I have too often fancied to myself your far&»
well visit to the Queen, not to have afforded me
the pleasure I derive from the idea of your returu
into her presence. Does Spanish gravity already
prevent the Prince of Asturias from embracing ?
for I am not very well satisfied at his having
only given you his hand to kiss ; but it is right to
conform to the customs of other countries ; and I
do not admire ours sufficiently, to wish that all
the world should imitate them.

I no longer feel the languishing state of my
health — more important objects occupy me.
Douay is besieged, and may be taken before our
army is in the field ; when that takes place, they
talk of fighting a great battle. Our enemies are
superior, and puffed up with their victories :
Prince Eugene and M. de Marlborough ride
about upon their borrowed horses : all this might
sadden a person more inclined to joy than I have
been for several years.

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 285

LETTER CXLV.

TO THE SAME.

Saint-Cyr, March 17tb, 1710*

I RECEIVED, the day before yesterday, your
two letters, one dated the 24th ult. and the other
the 4th instant, both convincing me of your reso-
lution to quit Spain. You will see that the King
will not approve of it, and that I had beeii
better informed than M. de Bergheitz, when I
assured you that He did not desire it, and that he
ishould leave you to act as you please, after you
have consulted the opinion of the King and Queen,
as to whether your separation was necessary.

If I do not give you my advice, it is because I
can give you none thart is good, and because I
am convinced your own ideas are more correct
than mine ; the state of our affairs is also such as
to baffle every project that is formed. Such are
my reasons ; you do not appear disposed to at-
tach much credit to them,' but they are not thé
less sincere, and you can never alienate me from
you.

The project of Pau appeared to me very ra-
tional and dignified : I do not know your motives
for allowing yourself to be led by M. dc Berg-

286 LETTERS OF

heitz, who wishes to remove you so far from their
Catholic Majesties, that you may never rejoin
them ; scarcely any case of difficulty has, how-
ever, occurred, in which you have not affi)rded
great consolation to them.

I am not bom for the transports of joy to which
you allude ; I am very glad to see the Duchess of
Burgundy has two sons, and that she has been
extricated from a most unpleasant accouchement ;
but I am not transported to see a Duke of An-
jou ; I am still less so on seeing plenipotentiaries
in Flanders, who can only make a bad peace or
an unfortunate war. Everybody at Versailles
are of the same opinion as myself upon this sub-
ject, so that there is no probability of my letters
becoming very amusing ; such as they are, you
shall have as many as you please : and as for my-
self I prefer receiving your letters, though they
should be somewhat barren, than not hearing at
all.

How can you wish the King to signify to you
what you have to do on quitting Spain, when
you leave it without his permission^ or without
tejiling him the reasons which determine you to
take this step ? I am not surprised at the King
imd Queen being affected at your departure ; tbey
will feel still more sensibly the happiness of hav-
ing possessed you, when they shall have lost you ;
if the Prince of Asturias were older he would be
very nmch afEfeted by it.

MADAICS DS MAXNTEKON. 287

I have «ent your letter to Marshal de VUleroi ;
he wished to see me before I answered it, and
proposed that I should stop the courier, but I do
not feel myself of sufficient importance to adopt
this step. I am under considerable obligations
to the Cardinal de la Tremoille ; he has take»
great pains for the Bishop of Chartres: our
affairs meet with difficulties at Rome, as well a^
elsewhere : he has [surmounted everything, and
obtained concessions which could not have beea
expected in times like these.

5 LETTER CXLVI.

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, AprU 7th, 1710.

I DO not know what our real interests should
make you wish for, as to the success of the cam-
paign which his Catholic Majesty is about to
commence ; but I have read with great pleasure
the detail of the arrangement that has been made,
and the hopes that you conceive of it.

There is nobody here who speaks well of our
affairs, and our enemies continue to decry them
less than ourselves y it is still affirmed that Af ar-
shal d'Harcourt will not serve: m the mean

888 X.ETTSRS OF

time lie has sent to tlie King^ to say that hé in-
tends to take the waters, and repose himself till it
is time for him to proceed to Germany, and that he
will then repair to the army without coming here.
The same courtiers affirm that Marshal de Villars
will not serve : he has gone to Paris for the
purpose of entering the parliament ; from thence
he proceeds to Villars, where he will try to mount
on horseback ; he strongly maintains that he will
be able to head the army towards the end of
May. It is true that the enemy are sufficiently
active to make us fear they may do many things
before that time.

LETTER CXLVII.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, May, 17th 1710.

I HAVE great difficulty in believing that your
presence in Spain can do harm, and that your
absence could be advantageous to the affairs of
liieir Catholic Majesties ; I was delighted when
I saw that Providence arranged it otherwise, and
I heartily wish you may never quit the Queen.
I could not peruse what you wrote to me respect-
ing this separation without the greatest emotion ;
I always hoped that so much virtue would not

HADÀMB DE MAIUTTENON. âB9

gô unrewarded, and I doubt not but the Queen
will obtain absolution for her too great attachment
to the Prince of Âsturias. I think the Marquid
de Cailus very fortunate, and that he has profited
by his disgrace ; I am very glad that he serves
with the Marquis de Bay, who appears to be an
able officer. You may easily conceive that I
shall not fail to show this passage' of your letter
to Madame de Cailus, who stands very high at
court ; although a little too fat, she is as pretty as
ever. It is true that the Duke of Savoy no
longer makes any noise, nor is there anything
mo« said of hi. Lotion. Bufapropos of de'
votion, we have a devotee at court who is be-
ginning to assume that character, though there
has been a wish to conceal it ; I allude to the
Princess de Conti, who from present appearances
will no longer deny it.

The King of England has left St. Germains in
very good spirits, but in an indifferent state of
health ; the Queen, his mother, and the Princess,
are going to Chaillot to-day, to remain there two
months. Though permanently stationed in
France, Marshal de Berwick will set out for
Flanders, in case there should be any probability
of a battle there ; if not, he will return to Dau-
phiny. The siege of Douay continues ; there is
a great desire to relieve it, if the gamson can
hold out till our army takes the field.

We shall have Madame de Vendôme here to-

VOL. 3. XT

290 UTTERS OF

morrow: she comes to pay her respects to thu
King ; the marriage took place at Sceaux, wh^e
many particulars have transpired of the sloven*
liness of M. de Vendôme, of his astonishment at
having put on two clean shirts in one day, aiid of
his embarrassment at having some point lace on
the breast of that which was given him to put on
at night. It is said his wife is very neat in her
person ; I know not whether this is done for the
purpose of improving these stories by contrasL

Should it please Heaven not tq overwhelm you
this summer, it appears to me that we might ren**
der you some assistance towards the end of the
campaign ; but this is only the offspring of my
own brain, and deserves little attention. Our
plenipotentiaries neither return or do any thing.
All nations, friends and enemies, willingly hope
for peace, although there is no longer any appear-^
ance of its tftking place.

«■» <

LETTER CXLVIIL

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, May 25th, 1710.

You are right to be anxious respecting tho^
siege of Douay, which is sure of being captured,;
and the result must be very disastrous» The

MADAMS DE ]!àAI]fîT£NON. '291

anny of the enemy încreaseis evef y day by the
troops which join it from all quarters, and their-
entrenchments before Douay are as strong ais if we
had the superiority. Marshal de Villars does his
best; but we hear from his attendants that he
suffers much when he gets on horseback. Mar-
shal de Berwick has gotie into Flanders to com-
mand a wing of the army, in the event of a battle
taking place, and about \v^hich everybody is sb
anxious ; this is indeed a point of great import-
ance. Our Duke de Noailles is gone ; he will
iave so few troops that it is not likely he can do
much ; in this hopeless case, he would have gone
to Flanders*

It is certain that your affairs are in every re-
spect much better than ours ; there have been so
many disastrous incidents> that I should despair
if I did not recognise the hand of that power
who wishes to punish France. You will scarcely
believe that it is I who console the Duchess of
Burgundy, and that her uneasiness is greater than
mine. Her husband has made strong representa-
tions to the King, for permission to go into Flan-
ders, but in vain ; the King does not think it
proper to incur fresh risks. What will you say
of Cardinal de Bouillon's having passed over to
the eiiemy and written to the King, sending him
back the order of the Holy Ghost, which he al-
ways wore concealed on his person through re-
spect for the oath which he had taken ; th^t he

u 2

292 UETTEKS OF

resumes his quality of prince and sovereign ;
. that God only is his superior^ and that he is going
to assume the highest dignity after that of the
.Divinity? If I do not express myself very
clearly, I assure you that he is still more ambi-
guous, and that I have not seen a more nefarious
communication under all the circumstances of
our situation : his family is greatly to be pitied»
but it does not appear disposed to take any part
in his folly.

M. de Vendôme is very well satisfied with his
marriage ; he is delighted with his wife's clever-
ness, and consults her in all his affairs ; he has
settled the whole of her own property upon her
by the marriage contract. The Duke intends to
be more assiduous at court, and wishes that
Madame de Vendôme should always be there.
J have all this from the Princess herself, who ap-
pears tp entertain a warm friendship towards you«

LETTER CXLIX

TO THE SAME.

Marly, June ^nd, 1710, .

There will be no battle. Madam, to save
Douay : the want of money, which is our ruin,
has prevented us from assembling the army soon

.MADAME DE MAINTÈNOK. 293

enough ; the enemy has had time to intrench *
himself, and as the military say, it would be to
break our heads against stone \valls to attack
them, posted as they are. You may readily con- .
ceive where all this will lead ; the consequences
of the war are terrible — the conditions of peace
are frightful : we must be silent and invoke
heaven. It is true that the affairs of Spain ap-
pear to be somewhat better, and we cannot too
much admire the conduct of their Catholic Ma-
jesties; but they are not happy in our present
condition, in which they participate in more than
one respect. It is, however, impossible to discuss
this matter, much less foresee where the grand
drama will end.

LETTER CL.

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, June 9tli, 1710.

You accused me of viewing affairs too much
on their gloomy side, and yet everybody is now
of my opinion. I am pretty well satisfied with
my own fortitude : and as there is scarcely any-
thing new to me, I am not surprised at what
happens every day. I foresaw that Douay
would fall as soon as it was attacked by a power-
ful army, which was in every respect provided

294 |.E7T£|t$ OF

yf\%\k th€i means of succeeding, whilst ours could ^
not tî^ke the fieW for want of naoney and subsist--
e.Dce ; but at last it has assembled, and is in
excellent condition; ; wants nothing, and displays
the best spirit. It is very inferior to that of the
enemy, which is entrenched with as much pre^
caution as if they feared us as much as we fear
them, M. d'Albergoti makes a brave defence.
The Marshals de Villars, Berwick, and de Mon-
tesquieu, have tried every means, without finding
an opening by which they can throw in succours ;
and they are all of the same opinion, though
different as to their tempers. Marshal de Ber-
wick is going into Dauphiny, where the campaign
is about to open. It is said that the Duke of
Savoy will command this year.

We are going to have a wedding. Madam, — a
very important one ; it will be celebrated without
joy or expense.^ The Prince and Princess will
remain as they are, without dowries or a home.
One maid of honour and one of the bedchamber
will compose the suite of the Duchess de Berri.
Everything else is suspended tiil peace, — this
frightful peace, — this peace, more afflicting than
war, and which I have for a long time told you I
should see without cojisolation.

I am perfectly aware that the situation in
which the Duke de Noailles finds himself, gives a<
great superiority to the Archduke, and l«tffl.çs,
the projects of his Catholic Majesty. God aloae.

MADAME DE MAfNTENON. 29&

&myws'Iiow ail this will end. Ha^pyare those
who- qmt the scene before this denouement, like
the Duchess de la Valliére, who has at length
terminated her penitence f The Princess de
Conti, who saw her in her last moments, is
greatly afflicted by this event.

LETTER CLI.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, June 15th, 1710.

You wiir have been informed that after having*
for six days endeavoured to find some feasible
point by which the enemy might be attacked,
our generals in Flanders concurred that it was
impossible to relieve Douay. We shall there-
fore soon hear of the reduction of this place.
M. d'Albergoti has made a most spirited defence.
Grant that he may obtain such terms as will
enable him to serve again ! for he is one of the
best officers the King has. After the capture of
Douay we shall have fresh anxieties on account
of this battle, which it is thought is indispensible
to fight on the first enterprise which the enemy
shall attempt. Marshal de Berwick is expected
every, day here on his way to Dauphiny. Mar-
shsil Villairs is much inconvenienced whenever he
mounts his horse, which he has occasion to de^

296 UTT£R6^ OP

very often» so that it is to be feared we sluJt
lose the .general. This would be a great mis«
fortune.

God grant that your miquelets may continue
in their present mood! I cannot help offering
up prayers for you, although we have till now
reason to believe that we cannot both prosper at
the same time,

I had not heard that the disgrace of the Duke
de Medina Cœli was laid to your account ; but
everybody thinks it strange that no^cause for it
has transpired. You had referred me to the
King for information, on this matter» but it ap-
peared that he knew no more about it than
myself. It is this mystery which excites such
intense curiosity» and which gives rise to so
many surmises as to the real cause.

LETTER GUI.

TO THE SAMB.

Saint Cyt, June 2H 1710.

There will be no battle» Madam» for the rdief
of Douay. All our generals have found it im*
possible to force the enemy's entrenchments ; bat
when the place is taken» which cannot be &r
distant» our anxieties wiU return for the reasons
which you mention.

MADAME BS MAIMTEKOK. 29t

It i» trae I2iat the affiiirs of his Cathûlîc Majesty
appear to me at present in a favourable state ;
but they cannot continue so when ours are so
bad ; nor can they be retrieved without a miracle^

We have an army that wants for nothing,
thanks to the great care of Desmaretz and M. de
Voisin ; but it is weak^ and the ençmy is daily
strengthening theirs.

Proceedings are instituted against Cardinal de
Bouillon. He is at present in the enemy's timf^
There is great exasperation against him, and all
his family ; but the King shews much kii\4iiess ta
the Duke de Bouillon.

LETTER CLIIL

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr» Jfime 29A» 17I0« :

But for the postscript of your letter it w<Hild
have reminded me of those romances vhich>
always break off in the most interesting place. I
thought you unkind for announcing the proba*
bility of a battle of which we have been a lon^ time ■
expecting the issue ; but M. de Stharemberg*
did not wish for one^ and I think we ought to
rejoice at the circumstance^ for we are out of the
good graces of fortune. I am quite omjfoyed'

SOS LX'TtERSaf

that the Queen has. not been kept lotig in sus-
pensei The siege, of Douay hag given u^ some^
repoa^ and even longer than we could have ex-
pected; but it is taken at last. M. d'Albergoti
beat a parley when thç King ordered him, and
htt. obtained an honourable capitulation. As to
the garrison, it performed wonder». The Duke
de Mortemart greatly distinguished himself ; M.
é^ Fenrague has also acquired much honour. M.
de Dreux, son-in-law of M* Chamillaiid, was
Grounded, but not dangerously. M. d^Albergoti
held out three times longer than it was thought
he could. IMarshal Villar» is endeavouring to
cover Arras and Cambray, and to take a position
where the enemy cannot attack him, without
great disadvantage. They have lost many men
before Douay ; but they still continue superior in
numbers. There is great desertion in our
cavalry, though it is provided with everything.

The conclusion of the siege of Douay, and our
anifiety< as to what the enemy means to do, has
thtXKvm one Princess back into her foriner melan-
ofaoly, of wlnob she had been a little better for
sbme daySi.

' Grapt that a Prince so worthy to reign, and
sttbjeets so affectionate, may never be separated!
One cannot so well see how thas wish is to be*
accomplished ; but it is impossible to witbhold it
while we are waiting till Providenxse decides tiie-
qne&tiott.

MADAMS DE MAIKT£NON. 299L-

LETTER GLIY.

TO THE SAME*

Saint Cyr^Jufyeihy 1710. "

It is said that the enemy intended marchmg

yesterday, with a view of attacking our army.

Others think that if they find us well entrenched, •

they may turn their attention to a siege, and we

shall have everything to begin again. We tWnfc-

so differently upon public affairs that I do not

Kke to write to you about them. Yotr think that

we do nothing of moment, and we really do a

great deal, considering how we are sittiated on

all sides. I am well convinced if you were hereC

yoa would change your opinion. Bat the truth

1$, Madâto, you are both French as well as'

Spanisk, apd on whatever side you turn yourself

1 do not think you are much at your ease.

• The Duke de Noailles is in despair at not

being able to- do anything ;- his only object at

present is to keep possession of the country which

is under his protection, and this intention little

suits a man of his enterprising spirit. He also is

in want of subsistence for his very small army.

I do not doubt of the wonders which the King
of Spain is likely to perform ; but I am afraid
thqy will be useless against a general who will

300 LETTSHS OF

not show himself. The hot weather will set in ;
it will be necessary to take rest, and we shall
thus be wasted by degrees on every side.

The defence of M. d'Albergoti is praised by
every one ; nor has it been thought sufficiently
recompensed by the blue ribband, and the govern-
ment of San-Louis.

. The Queen of England did not choose to come
to the wedding, nor to the supper ; she prefers
saying her prayers at ChaiUot. The battle has
given her much uneasiness about the King, her
son, who is almost continually afflicted with a
fever and bad health. To-morrow the Queen
will come to Versailles, to visit those to whom she
has been accustomed to pay this honour. The
Duchess has not appeared, being yet in the first
year of her mourning.

The campaign is as yet but little advanced,
con$idering all we have to fear, and money
becomes scarcer every day. But why should 1
trouble you with my complaints, when you ard
overwhelmed with your own, and have also to
support your Queen ? How cruel it would havel
been if you had left her !

MADAMS DE MAINTENON. 901

LETTER CJLV,

TO THE SAME«

Saint Cyr^ Ai«U8t 3d^ 1710^ •

Peace is out of the question, and I hope you
inll scold me less for the future. War is seriously
thought of; the King labours with M. Desma*
retz and M. de Voisin, to ascertain the sum which
the former can furnish, and the purposes to which
the latter will appropriate it. He has resolved
to curtail superfluous expences, and defer various
payments, in order to devote all to the prosecu-
tion of the war. This occupation with the miftisk
ters will take place every week. We have
learnt that the Duke of Savoy had received the
sacrament, and it was intended to 'be concealed
from the Duchess of Burgundy, but she is better
informed than ourselves. Her mother wrote to
her to say that it was the custom of Turin to
receive the host on the second or third days of
sickness ; that they had brought it to his Royal
Highness at three o'clock in the morning, which
caused it to be rumoured everywhere that he was
on the point of death ; but it is only the young
Prince who continues indisposed.

Marshal de Villars has made a movement^
which was intended to induce the enemy to give

302 LETTERS. OF

US battle, but they have cut ravines, and as the
position our army has taken up is very good, it
is going to entrench itself.

The English have landed twelve hundred men
at Cette and Beziers. Tîie Duke de Noailles
having been informed of it, took upon himself,
without any farther orders, to proceed to the
point of attack without delay. The King is
highly pleased with his zeal, and thinks thi^
descent will be of no importance.

It seems to me that the Duke de Noailles has
set out in the hope of having troops at the end of
the campaign, to undertake the siege of Gtrona*
Everything that has taken place since, should
hasten the execution of this project. We must
wait «till the snows are upon the mountains of
Dauphiny, for the enemy are very active, and
show themselves in every direction. Marshal de
Beo^k does no. » j^ appear to i.™ bee«
much embarrassed.

Yesterday a courier brought us intelligence
that th€ enemy had re-embarked at Cette. The
Duke de Noailles had marched some troops there
with incredible celerity. There are three or four
hundred prisoners, besides many who were killed
or drowned, in the retreat. You may easily
imagine that I am not insensible to this service,
©r to the fact of its having beeii rendered by the
Duke de Noailles.

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 309

« ••

LETTER CLVI.

TO TH« SAME,

Versailles, August lOth, 1710.

To all appearance we shall have no battle, as
the enemy did not seek it in the last movement
of Marshal Villars. It is said that Prince Eugene
wished for one, but that it v^as opposed by the
Butch. It is out of *my power, MadamV to give
an opinion as to the union of the two inonarchiesi
We have some very intelligent men here, who
think it will never be sufiered by the àHies;
Grant heaven that the King may adapt the wisest
course ! You have no idea of our situation. ' ;
. You will have lôamt that the Duke de NdaiUeisf
has been in Languedoc. You may see by this
how much troops are wanted in all* quarters. M.
de fioquelaure would have been glad to have
retained those that were sent to him so seasoiw
ably ; but my general took them back as qtrick
98 they had come. I hope they will give him
some more to enable him to do something ijr
Spaânl

Marshal de Berwick refused to send any troops^
1x> M* de Roquelaure, and s&ys thAt hé has
enough to do on every side with the enemy ia
Daupbiny. It is very . fortunate tàat diere ha»

304 LSTtERi oi

lieen no revolt in Languedoc» though it contains
80 much disaffection, and the heat being still
excessively great there.

LETTER CLVII.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, August 24tli, 1710.

It is rumoured that the King of Spain has
beaten M* de Stharemberg,* and that the field of
battle remained in possession of Kis Majesty;
even the inmates of Saint Cyr have been rejoic-
ing at the news ; the Duchess of Burgundy does
not tell me what the Queen of Spain has written
to her on the subject, and I was rather siirprised
that there was nothing about it in your own
letter,

We have at last heard that the Spanidi troops
were in disorder, and that the King of Spain
had on this occasion only acquired a glory of
which he had no need, but which it is always as
well to increase; the accounts we have seen,
speak highly of his intrepidity. 1 am delighted
that the Marquis de Bay is near the King's per-
son ; it seems to me he is fortunate : I know that
his Majesty is subject to the vapours, but I
thought his appetite was good ; he is young, how-
ever, and will soon be able to re*>estabUsh his

MADAME DE MAIXT£NO>r. 305

health, I understand that the Queen is full of
inquietude on various subjects, and that you
partake of them very sensibly» notwithstanding
the apparent composure with which you have
always spoken to me concerning her Majesty.

Bethune continues to be defended with great
spirit ; it cannot, however, hold out long. It is
doubted whether the enemy dare attempt the
siege of Aire, owing to its being in an excellent
state of defence, and that the campaign is already
far advanced.

LETTER CLVIII.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, November lOth, 1710.

I HAVE already told you, whatever you may
write to me, that I shall always respect your grief,
and partake of your sufferings, notwithstanding
the offensive irony with which your letters abound.

If our ministers reason badly, it is not my fault.
I have little more to do with public affairs than
to be much afflicted at passing events ; and I
dare venture to assert that this is the only error
with whicji I have to reproach myself.

Would to God that their Catholic Majesties
may have a peace which may leave them some-
thing! For to imagine that the enemy will allow

VOL. I. X

306 LETTERS OP

Spain to remain in the hands of a French prince,
is an idea that appears chimerical in this country.
But to quit politics, which are not my forte, might
I presume to conjure you to prevent, as much as
possible, any serious misunderstanding between
our Kings ? for this would be a great calamity.

You do not know the state of France ; and I
agree that I do not deserve to be considered as a
proper authority, since you have always suspected
me of indulging panic terrors ; but I am surprised
that you will not believe Marshal de Villeroi and
M. Amelot, who are both too sincere and well
informed to tell you otherwise.

The memorial which you sent to Marshal de
Villeroi has been returned to me ; I have given. it
to M. Desmaretz, who has found it full of liberal
and enlarged views; having kept it long enough to
be enabled to appreciate its contents ; he has at
length informed me that it is impracticable, and
that the person by whom it has been drawn up
does not think our affairs in so bad a situation as
they really are.

It is no longer doubted here, that if the Arch-
duke dies, the Duke of Savoy will take his place,
and with much more activity; everything we
see is in such extremes, that the time is come
when it would not be^ too much to hope for a
miracle.

The Elector has been at Marly ; every one has
run after him with French levity ; t believe I am

MADAMK DE MAlNTENON. 907

the only person who has not seen him. I was
in my bed with all the leisure reqtridite to make
reflections on the condition of the greater part of
the European princes. The whole court has
been very well satisfied with the Elector, and I
think he must be equally so with the reception
he has met with, although observing a strict
incognito. The Duchess of Burgundy was fore-
most in her attentions, and we have already heard
that she is delighted with him. As soon as he
appeared in the saloon, which he entered along
with the King, he recognised her by her fine com-
plexion. I was the more vain of this, as the
Princess of Conti was close to the Duchess; the
former wished to appear in à scarf, on account of
of her pregnancy, and in a deshabille, which does
not at all become her. I prevailed upon'her with
much difficulty to dress and put on her orna-
ments : I confess I was greatly surprised at the
change this produced in her appearance, for she
did not seem to tave been more than eve months
in the above state; she has à very good face,
and looked extremely well, though covered with
l'éd and white. Thé Princess renewed an oïd
acquaintance ^ith the Elector, who, however,
maihtdiheà that she could no longer recollect
him, but she told him they had met in the ôabî-
net of her mother, and that he counterfeited the
Emperor.

The Queen of England has experienced an

X 2

308 LETTERS OF

attack of slow fever^ which gradually wastes and
debilitates her Majesty. ^

LETTER eux.

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, November 24tk, 1710.

I AM more grateful than I can express at your
saying that I inspire you with new life, when I
give you any proof of my friendship and confi-
dence. I have never changed my sentiments
with regard to you, and if I have wrote to you
somewhat coldly at certain times^ it has been
owing to the difference of our views, for there has
never been any in our sentiments, and I dare
assure you, that we both offer up the same prayers
for their Catholic Majesties. The greater part
of our^courtiers think as we do, and their joy shows
itself publicly in the hour of hope, as despair
does when it is thought they cannot sustain them-
selves. Others have a difficulty in comprehending
that all Europe has taken up arms to prevent the
royal family of France from peaceably possessing
two great monarchies ; it will be very difficult for
them to disarm, without having at least one of
these monarchies, unless very fortunate ^circum-
stances prevent.

MADAME D£ MAINT£NON. 309

LETTER CLX.

TO THE SAME.

Versailles^ December oth, 1710.

If I could fly, Madara, I would go and wait for
you at Bagneres, to do its honours, and make you
acquainted with all I know of that place, from
the long abode which I nxade there with the Duke
of Maine ; it is true that these waters are as
good in winter as summer, when care is taken to
be warmly clothed. I also know with what ease
children travel when they are properly attended
to ; this will, I am sure, be the case with regard
to the Prince of Asturias. M. Fagon is convinced
that Bareges would suit the queen better than
Bagneres : I dare not hazard an opinion on the
subject, not being sufl5ciently qualified to decide
the point : we sincerely hope, however, that this
remedy may be of service to the Queen; you
have such prudence that there is no doubt of your
managing everything with great skill: but I
should feel truly happy to be near you on this
occasion. The courier is going off in such haste
that I have not time to say more ; but you would
be satisfied with me, if you saw what is passing
here resj^ecting your journey. The King has
ordered that all the honours due to her station shall

810 LETTERS OF.

be paid to the Queen ; there would even be a dis-
play of magnificence in addition to this, if the
timps were better, but I think you have no
wish to put the people to any inconvenience in
this respect.

LETTER CLXI.

TO THE SAME

Versailles, December 20th, 1710.

I HAVE been delighted to see a letter from you;
in which you acknowledge that you are transport-
ed with joy : for, however pleasing an aspect you
sometimes assume, I cannot help thinking you
are often a prey to melancholy : this must now
be laid aside, and the agreeable news enjoyed
which you have given us, and which has put
everybody at Versailles into such good humour.
I am well assured that Paris is the same.

What honour and glory for the King of Spain
to preserve" his kingdom sword in hand ! You

well know that I have alwfiys hoped for miracles

in his favour : obtain one for us, as I wish to be-
lieve that your joy would not be complete if we
were unfortunate.

As we know perfectly well how to humble our*
selves iti adversity, we also know how to be proud'

MAPAME l>£ MAINT£NOy. 3il

in prosperity, and we already see M. de Sthar&
emberg defeated by the King, or the Duke dé
Noailles, Catalonia in a state of revolt, and the
Archduke embarked to leave that vile people,
who are unworthy of him !

LETTER CLXII.

TO THE SAME.

Versaulles, December 22nd, 1710.

The news from Spain puts us in such a situa*
tion that we scarcely know ourselves ; the court
and the city are rejoicing, and in the expectation
of hearing of the entire defeat of M. de Stharem-
berg; for you know that we easily pass from one
extremity to another, and that having thought
you quite Ipst, we now think you re-established
without a single enemy to contend with.

We expect every moment the official details»
and it will then be a new pleasure again to hear
them recapitulated. Those respecting the entry
of the King into Madrid affects everybody ; they
s?iy that the public joy has gone so far as to make
M. de Vendôme look more beautiful than Cupid,
whose name they have even given him. I think
they will be equally gratified at the return pf the
Queen and Prince of Asturias, and that they will

312 I£TT£EB OF

not be Borry to see you ; at all events» we must
leave the future in the hands of God, and enjoy
the present.

Your politeness then will induce you to inquire
after the three hundred children I have at Saint
Cyr, knowing as you do the weakness of mothers !
although there is no great probability of your
ever seeing them, I am certain you would admire
the good order which exists in this establishment,
which has never been obtained in the neighbour-
hood of Versailles.

The Duchess of Burgundy, as I always hoped,
begins to maintain greater dignity, and causes
^ more respect to be paid at court than formerly :
the ladies no longer consider it a misfortune to
dress themselves, and we experience the truth
of what you say, that courtiers should be kept
under the eyes of their masters. It appears to
me, that since the adoption of the new system,
there is less silly conversation, and our generals
gain much by it, as they were, the preceding
winters, the continual objects of slander and petty
intrigues.

Marshal de Villars will command the army in
Flanders ; he is well enough in health for that :
Marshal de Berwick is in Dauphiny, and Marshal
de Besons in Germany; Marshal de Montrevel has
received the King's orders to pay as niuch atten-
tion to the Queen as these unhappy times will ad-
mit ; but from the secret you have entrusted me

MADAME DE MAIKTENON» 313

ynûï, 1 fear she will hardly have sufficient resolu-
tion to leave Madrid. I entreat you will oflTer her
my hearty congratulations on the late victory.
There seems to be no wsmt of subjects to create
irritation ; but when the mischief is done^ its effects
do not so quickly disappear.

LETTER CLXIII.

TO THE SAME.

Versailles» December 29th» 171 0»

I WOULD most willingly obey your wishes» in
giving you a minute detail of the manner in which
the court received the wonderful news from
Spain; I was not at Versailles» the King had
gone to a hunt» and the Princess and Princesses
were with him. M. de Torcy was the first person
who arrived, accompanied by M. d'Antin» who
returned with him ; it was immediately sur*-
mised that there must be some good news» and
joy soon spread in every direction. One of the
King's equerries» a particular friend of mine»
came to Saint Cyr» and begged I would hasten
down to see him in the parlour ; I then heard of
the victory ; and M. de Torcy 's courier» who had
joined the equerry» gave me the particulars. My
three hundred and thirty daughters began by re-
turning thanks to God ; they were afterwards

314 LETTERS OF

permitted to rejoice, and the recreations still con-
tinue.

I was somewhat impatient to leave Saint Cyr,
in order to witness the delight of the court ; the
King was enchanted with the personal glory of
his grandson. My dear Princess, more susceptir
ble than others, was transported: politicians,
however, were less influenced by the events, as
they do not think it will lead to any improvement
of our affairs : but the greater number are highly
pleased to see Stharemberg taken, and the Arch-
duke also, or at least embarked to go where they
please.

The King of Spain has great reason to rejoice ;
r saw the Duchess d'Alba yesterday ; she appeared
to be still affected by her first emotions, and I found
her perfectly recovered from her long illness.

LETTER CLXIV.

TO THE SAME.

Marly, Janiiary 12th, 1711.

It is indeed astonishing; Madam, that you do
not sink under the various situations you fill.
You have all the affairs of Europe in your head ;
you are deeply interested in the fate of two Kings ;
you are not indifferent to the re-estaiblishment of
a third y you constitute all the solace, counsel, and
pleaîsure of a great Queen ; you know all the

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 315

details attached to her service ^d that of her pTe-
dious infant : you- enter heartily into, the spirit of
all your avocations, and to complete your troubles^
ypu travel during the winter in a country where
there are no roads ; when I passed from jthenceinto
Alsace, it is impossible to describe what I suffered.
It appears to me, that nothing can be morç
advisable than to conciliate the Arragonese whil§
you are in this country, as the presence of their
Majesties will facilitate these objects and gain
popularity. From what we hear of the Duke de
Noailles, he must be in Girona ; one of his engi-?
neers has sent word that he would pass the
Christmas holidays there ; but our general is too
experienced to make any such promise. I am
very sorry it will be so long before he is likely
to hear of the miracles which God has wrought
in your behalf, as he will rejoice at it more than
any one ; it is true you send him back M. de
Stharemberg, but in a state little to he dreaded.
Whatever part I take in your joy or consolation,
I derive from the hopes of those around me. I
cannot be tranquillized as to otxt own situation j
the enemy is very near us, and much exasperated ;
he will make a last effort to overwhelm us : we
have an army, but often ill paid, the magazines
scantily provided, in a word, we want money,
and there is a great deal to be done in every
quarter if we had funds. It is very difficult for th«
best generalship to repair such evils. .

316 LETTERS -OF

The Spanish successes have diffused a joy
which supports Paris : the news from Constan*
tinople also encourages hope, while the troubles
of England encrease daily^ and we really imagine
the moment at hand when we can profit from
them. There is a person of your' acquaintance
that dare not be named, who fears all these reme-
dies too tardy for a pressing evil.

I could sincerely wish M. de Stharemberg may
be unable to re-enter Barcelona. It is only the
news from Spain that keeps us alive here, and it
arrives very sparingly : besides the real interest
attached to it, we want a subject of rejoicing, and
it is only you who can furnish us with one.

The Duchess de Burgundy amuses herself
tolerably well here with hunting, dancing, and
play : she regulates her own play very properly,
but their poverty does not prevent the courtiers
from shewing more money than we could have
suspected them of possessing. The Duchess de
Bern has no taste of this kind ; her amusements
consist in riding and galloping about, to the
great risk of her neck. It is said that the assem-
blies of this year are very gay, there being many
good female dancers, and who are not destitute
of beauty. The Duke de Fronsac, son of the
Duke de Richelieu, has just made his debut at
court ; he is sixteen years of age, but does not
seem more than twelve ; though so young, his
figure is admirable ; he has also a very handsome

MADAME D£ MAINTENON. ' 317

face, and a finely fonned head ; he dances very
well, sits a horse very gracefully, plays, is fond of
music, and converses on any subject. He is re-
spectful, very polite, has a turn for agreeable
raillery, but can be silent when oecessary.
When we remove to Versailles he is to marry
Mademoiselle de Noailles, only daughter of Ma-
dame de Richelieu, who will have a fortune
of five hundred thousand crowns. She is very
plain, has a good figure, is sensible, and about
eighteen years of age. M. and Madame Voison
are about to marry their third daughter to the
Count de Châtillon, Our Princess is very fond
of weddings, and in order to please her, they will
be married at Versailles. These pleasures do
not prevent M. Voison and M. Desmaretz firom
being busily occupied with the approaching cam-
paign, which everybody thinks will be a very
important one. '

The King not being able to accommodate all
the male and female dancers, some were sent to
Luciennes, where M . and Madame de Carvio en-
tertain them with great magnificence. The King
and Queen of England came to the ball with the
Princess, on Sunday last, and return on Wednes-
day. The King is so feeble that he could only
dance two courantes, his head became so giddy
that he could not attempt a third ; he is sad and
downcast, without any apparent illness or fresh
cause : I have not seen the Queen in such good

318 LETTERS OF

health, or looking so well for a loÀg time, though
she is not more cheerful than usual. I do not
think the Chevalier de Saint-George will serve
during the next campaign.

LETTER CLXV.

TO THE SAME.

St. Cyr, Febraary i 1th, 1711.

The enemy appears to be struck, as you ob-
serve, with the victories of his Catholic Majesty.
They talk of diversions, and wish to send fourteen
thousand men to Barcelona. The Emperor and
the German Princes have occasion for their troops
on account of our dear friends . the Turks, but up
to the present moment this* is but merely ru-
moured ; and I shall not be satisfied till I see
dome troops march. It seems to me that there
has always been some expectation of peace at thiè
àeason of the year, notwithstanding which the
eaihpaigns go on ; I fèar this year will pass in the
same manner. I agree with you, however, thdt
our arrangements are better than those-of former
dampaigns> that our officers exert theiôselves,
and that M. Dèsmaretz is in hopes of obtaiiiing
money; I shall not detail to you all that I have
heard respecting the siege of Barcelona : some

MADAMS D£ MAINTENOK. ZIS-

persons say that it will be raised ; others, that
the place is not worth taking, and that it would
be better for the enemy to divide his forces be-
tween Catalonia and Portugal, than to direct
them upon a single point. Despise us. Madam,
as much as you pleasci I give myself entirely up
to you.

The Duchess of Burgundy enjoys herself as
much as she can. The Princess of England
dances with equal sprightliness, and attends the
balls at Marly of her own accord. The King
aud Queen are expected here to-morrow, and the
balls will take place before supper, because the
Prince is not strong enough to sit up late ; his
health is, however, a little better.

The Spanish war is not looked upon as con-
cluded here ; it is thought that M. de Stharem-
berg will be able to take the field again with
what troops he can collect, and those which may
be sent to him.. Our little prodigy, the Puke de
Fronsac, left Marly yesterday for the purpose of
being married ; he is expected back on Saturday ;
a prettier creature was never seen ; I know of no-
thing more that will be of any i;iiterest to you,:
your mind being occupied upon subjects of
greater importance.

320 LETTERS OF

LETTER CLXVL

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, March 9th» 1711.

It is very flattering to me, that the privation of
my letters can sour your temper ; I write to you
nearly every eight days, and I do not recollect
having omitted to do so more than twice. I was
very much affected by the service rendered to
you by the Duke de Noailles, and the glory
which he has acquired ; it has been the predomi-
nant topic at Paris, where the poets have made
it the theme of their labours. The Court is not
quite so prodigal of its praises.

It is not for me to thank with all humility their
Catholic Majesties for what they have done for
our general; but I cannot help participating in
his gratitude; I feel for his health; he is not
strong, and is greatly affected by all that occurs.
The want of subsistence for the cavalry, and the
delay in your arrangements, also put him out of
humour. The lady of Marshal Noailles has in-
terrupted my letter, and is highly pleased with
her son's title of Grandee.

I am very sorry to see you obliged to quit the

MADAME DK MAINTEKON. 321

Queen and Prince; this mutual arrangement
gives me too many fears respecting your com«
plaint, not to be very uneasy at it. The King
approves your journey to Bagnères» and sincerely
wishes you may recover your health; but we
are strangers to the waters of that place, and M.
Fagon thinks those of Ancosse, carried to you
there, would be preferable.

Our anxieties concerning the war in Flanders
are about to be renewed : Prince Eugene and M.
de Marlborough are expected there on the 16th
instant ; we hoped to have anticipated them.

LETTER CLXVII.

TO THE SAME

VersaiUes, March 22d, 1711.

The Duchess de Bourgogne yesterday gave me
your letter couched more myst^ously than usual,
yet I found nothing in it to justify such an air,
and I do not now expect much news from your
quarter.

Marshal de Villeroi is better, and is expected
to-day or to-morrow. The Princess de Vaude-
mont paid me a visit at Saint Cyr, during which
you were not forgotten. You now know that

VOL. I. Y

^2 LETTERrS OF

the King has consented to the title of Grandee
being accepted by the Duke de Noailles. The
Duke de Richelieu sends him the Duke de
Fronsac^ for the purpose of removing him to a
distance from this, and learn his profession under
a man whom he thinks so capable. The satirist
Despreaux died a few days ^go; Madame de
Torcy has been dangerously ill, owing to a
severe fall, and is expected [to have a premature
confinement.

I know nothing of the King of England's jour-
ney in Switzerland ; but he is going to make one
all over France, vnthout any other view or advan-
tage than that of travelling, change of air, and
amusement ; the Queen, his mother, is greatly
affected ta see him in this way : it is a deep me-
lancholy, which nothing can dissipate.

God grant that you do not flatter yourself too
much, that the enemy will not be able to succour
the Archduke, that your good friends the Turks
may be more expeditious, that our fine army may
be successlul, and that our enemic(s may see that
we are still in a condition to defend ourselves.

\ ^ :

MADAME DE MAIXTENON. 323

LETTER CLXVIII.

TO TH£ SAME

Saint Cyr, April 4th» 1711.

People are not altogether agreed upon the in*
tended operations of your campaign ; few persons
approve of the siege of Barcelona, for fear of losing
by an unfortunate event the favourable position
in which you are at present ; but it is not for me
to say more on this subject.

I attach so little credit to .the rumours now cir-
culating relative to your quarrel with M. de
Vendôme, that I do not think I have as yet men-
tioned them to you ; it appears to me that neither
of you are of a quarrelsome disposition, nor do I
imagine that any attention has been paid to the
report in question, any more than to that which
brings you to Bagnères, in order to proceed to
Rome afterwards, having quarrelled both with
France and Spain ! That which I cannot com-
prehend is the number of your enemies, for,
however great the part you act, I do not think
your situation by any means enviable: I hope
your good sense and natural tranquillity of dis-
position will induce you to look upon all these
rumourB with the contempt they deserve. .

Y 2

324 Ï.ÏTTIRS or

LETTER CLXIX.

TO THE SAME.

Marly, April 27th, 1711.

What an event the death of the Emperor is
for Spain and France ! God grant that we may
derive all the advantages which may be expected
from it, and that our Kings may enjoy a peace
suflSciently long to repair the evils of war !

You will have heard of the death of the
Duchess de Villeroi, under similar circumstances
with regard to her sickness as that of Monseig-
neur ; but she made three confessions. Her fa-
mily is very much afflicted, and her husband
inconsolable. The Dauphiness and the Duchess
regret this loss, which is also lamented by the
whole court. But nothing can equal the situation
of the Marshal de Boufflers and his lady ; they
have lost their eldest son, and are about to lose
their oldest daughter, who is seventeen or eighteen
years of age, but so sensible, that she lived with
her mother as with a friend. While proceeding
in their .carriage to obtain medical assistance, it
was upset and the glasses broken, by which they
were wounded in several places ; . the lady of the
Marshal, who had been already unwell, is now

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 3S&

attacked by acute pains in the head^ and thQ
Marshal himself is so feeble that he cannot attend
the King, who is therefore without a Captain of
the Guards, for Marshal d'Harcourt is equally
unable to do duty.

Our campaign is on the point of opening ; the
armies are in the. field. I have no doubt but M,
de Marlborough is also there, although we have
no account of it as yet : Prince Eugene was on
the road, but perhaps he will think it more ad-
viseable to return to Vienna. Meanwhile our
armies are only separated by a river, and it ig
affirmed that in the present situation of things
the enemy may be expected to give us battle. I
dare not tell you how much I am terrified at
this!

Our little prodigy, the Duke of Fronsac, has
finished hiscareer by playing so many wild pranks,
that the Duke de Richelieu applied to the King to
put him into the Bastile, where he has been for
three or four days.

LETTER CLXX.

TO THE DUCHESS OF ALBA.

Marly, JuQe 8th,. 171.] ..

I REQUESTED the curate of Saint Sulpiee to ac-
quaint you that I had received the letter with
which you honoured me. I did not explain my-

326 LETTER OF

self more clearly, because you wished the affair to
remain secret.

I should feel myself much embarrassed to tell
you what use the King will make of what you
have sent me ; for it appears to me very doubtful
what kind of counsel ought to be given to his
grandson, but we see by letters received yesterday
from Spain, that everything is ready for this
campaign. The King accompanies the Queen
to Coretta, and will only leave her to make an
occasional excursion to the army, in order to be
ready for any opportunity that may offer of sig-
nalizing himself. You have doubtless the same
news ; but I know none which can alleviate your
affliction, and I have reason to think it must be
excessive, judging of all I hear on the subject. I
regret very much not being able to condole with
you personally, and to talk of him whom you have
lost ; he certainly merited every species of praise ;
but according to all appearances he is happier
than those who lament his death. You are re-
membered in the prayers offered up at Saint Cyr;
we did expect to have had the honour of seeing
you, but it seems that we are always destined to
be disappointed.

Whatever may happen, I wish you to believe
me, with the most profound respect, your very
bumble and very obedient servant.

MADAME OS MAIMTSNON. 327

LETTER CLXXI.

TO THE PRINCESS DES URSINS.

Saint Cyr, June 18th, 171 1.

Grant heaven that all your prospects may suc-
ceed, and that the Queen may be perfectly cured at
Corretta ; that the King may distinguish himself in
a battle, of which all the advantage is on his side »
that the Archduke may depart with the Archduchess
to Vienna, that the Catalonians may repent of
their fidelity to them, and that your affairs may be
in a better condition at the end of the campaign
than they are at present! But you may conceive
that some little anxiety is mixed up with these
wishes, and that I am not very well satisfied with
the succour which M. de Stharemberg has re-
ceived.

It will be an awful destiny if the situation of
France and Spain should be rendered worse by
the death of the Emperor i should this be the case,
it must be acknowleged more than ever, that the
views of men are very short sighted, since the
best informed politicians have said, and daily re-
peat, that it is impossible for us not to profit by
the above event.

I am sensibly affected by what you tell me, for
the first time, of the present state of your afiairs^
Marshal de ViUeroi has on this occasion shown

328 LETTERS OF

himself one of the most active, ardent, and decided
friends ; but what can be said when we are con-
tinually assured that all our resources are at an
end ; and it is daily declared we must confine our-
selves to supporting the army ? I shall not, how-
ever, fail to address the King on the subject again;
it is really shameful that a person like you should
be under the necessity of soliciting on such a
matter, but I am told there is no possibility of con-
forming to your wishes.

It is not thought here that you have a sufiScient
superiority over your enemies, to undertake a
siege in their presence ; and everybody is appre-
hensive lest you should lose the advantages you
now possess. You are very unjust when you doubt
of the interest which we take in your affairs.

LETTER CLXXIL

T6 THE SAME.

Marly, June 22nd, 1711.

I CAN easily conceive that the Queen's malady
has made you forget your own, and has induced
you to delay going to Bagnères : I wish her Ma-
jesty would take you there herself, and that she
might come to fiareges to drink the waters and
bathe ; it is on account of her glandular affection
that I am anxious she should try this remedy,

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 829

but it is not for me to give my advice, upon the
h^lth of such an august persons^e.

Nothing is finer> or more munificent, than what
their Majesties are doing for the Duchess of Alba.
I have sent that unhappy woman a copy of the
passage of your letter which concerns her, for I
am aware of the interest she takes in everything
that comes firom you.

I see with much displeasure, that our enemies
do not become weary of persecuting you, and that
they are all closely united to placé prodigious
power in the hands of a single |)rince ; it is to be
hoped that God will not suffer this.

I pity the Duke de Vendôme ; if he is reduced
to the defensive, it will not suit his courage. His
lady if full terror, and as much impressed with the
apprehension of dying as the Duke.

LETTER CLXXIII.

TO THE SAME.

Marly, July 13th, 1711.

It is my destiny to live in fear, and I am at
present alarmed for Spain. We are assured that
M. de Stharemberg has twenty-two thousand men,
and that an English fleet is bringing him some
more. Be prudent. Madam, and all will go on
well.

880 UTTBM or

In reading your letter^ in order to reply to it, I
see that you think yourself superior to the enemy»
and that my advice to be prudent is not well
timed ; but I hope you will not be the slave of
this advice.

I know not what to say about the Duke de
Noailles; he would be much altered, if he left
Spain so long as he could be useful to it. You
are about to have a great minister and a perfectly
honest man in the person of M. de Bergheif^, at
least such is his character both in Flanders and
France.

I yesterday saw the Duchess of Alba at Saint
Cyr. She still flatters herself with being able
to set out for Spain ; I think, however, we shall
find her on our return from Fontainebleau. Her
grief is great, but it is rational and prudent ; she is
fully sensible of her obligations to you, and she
has the same attachment that her late husband
had for the King and Queen. You may easily
conceive that she has abandoned her little retreat
near Valle-de-Grace, which she is at liberty to
visit without having resolution enough to take
advantage of it. M. d'Aubigny sees her every
day; she is delighted with his generosity and
merit; she has, moreover, a brother-in-law of
whom she speaks in very high terms. Madame
du Casse paid her great attention on the death of
the Duke. We had some conversation relative to
M. d'Aubigny; I wished him to retwn to

MADAME 0lE tfAIKTENON. 331

Madrid, in consequence of what she told me of
his talents, and how much he is beloved at your
court, but she alleged many reasons for retaining
him at Paris.

I think that the Duchess de St. Pierre would
have acted a fine part, in bringing to you a young
person who is your relation, and you would have
performed a great act of charity in receiving her.

How I pity you for the loss of the Duchess de
Popoli, whom the King panegyrized but yesterday!
It is a sad situation to have no bosom friend.; but
the loss of one is still worse.

If you are superior to your enemies, how does
it happen that you do not suppress those free-
booters who commit so many outrages on the
highways of Spain?

LETTER CLXXIV.

TO THE SAME.

Fontainebleau, July 26th, 1711.

I DO not forget that I have received none of
your letters these eight days ; I was honoured
with one from the Queen, full of esteem and
friendship for you, and of those generous senti-
ments which the great are not accustomed to
show, though there is no reason to doubt their en-
tertaining them iùwidrdly: the Queen's malady

332 LETTERS OF

seems to have affected your health, while the con-
tinued uncertainty of your affairs embitters your
enjoyments ; your system has >been heated ; your
diet does not protect you from frequent attacks of
cholic, and you will have occasion for remedies
which you cannot procure at Madrid.

It is true that M. Fagon would wish the Queen
to go to Bareges, as he has seen wonders effected
by the waters : their quality is that of a dissolvent
which acts without violence : they have been found
very efficacious in various disorders, and may be
equally so in glandular cases.

Near the great bath, there is a.small one, and
so refreshing that you will often frequent it, for
it is always ready ; it will be necessary, to go to
Bagnères afterwards. The Spaniards will, how-
ever, feel great objections to let their Queen come
into France, though it should only be half a league.
You must first drive out M. de Stharemberg.

You refer me to the Duke de Noailles for news
relative to your campaign, and I have received no
letter from him, but I believe his mother and wife
have heard from him. He must have his reasons
for this silence, and I hope he will give them to
me. .

M . d' Aubigny afforded me much pleasure yes-
terday, in assuring me that you intended to act on
the defensive, and that you could sustain your-
selves in spite of the enemy's force. s

We are. anxious about Dauphiny; Marshal^ de

MADAME DE MAINTENQN. 333

Berwick complains loudly that he has not troops
enough to oppose himself to the Duke of Savoy,
who on his side advances as rapidly as he can ;
the Dauphiness is deeply afflicted by our mis-
fortunes.

LETTER CLXXV.

TO THE SAME.

Fontainebleau, August 15th, 1711.

I WISH, with all my heart, that thehr Catholic
Majesties may find in M. de Bergheitz all the re-
sources his reputation justifies them in anticipating.
I trust also, that the new remedy resorted to by
the Queen may prove successful.

It is true that our Princes find themselves very
well here : but every one speaks according to his
taste or interest, without wishing to submit
to the opinions of others. If the King of Spain
had put himself at the head of his army, and it
had not acted, everybody would have disapproved
of it the next moment; if he removed to a distance
from the operations of the campaign, he would be
censured; he remains near them, and this is also
disapproved of; we are all in the same predica-
ment, and have no remedy but patience.

We are at present in great anxiety with regard
to Flanders, where affairs do not by any means

334 LETTERS OF

wear a favourable aspect ; but you will learn the
particulars from persons better informed than I
am. It is lamentable to be thus hemmed in on all
sides^ nevertheless we have for many years been
preserved by a miracle, in being enabled to hold
out against all Europe so firmly united against us.

It is said that the Duke of Savoy is very much
indisposed, and that if his malady continues he
may return to Turin. He is so able a general,
that I think it would be of great advantage to us
if he were absent from his army.

You do me justice in thinking me entirely de-
voted to our Kings, and I am really so to such a
degree, that whatever honours may have been con-^
ferred on me, I could wish never to have been
known by them ; for they form the misfortune of
my life, having never been able to turn their kind-
nesses to my own interest without being so mindful
of theirs as to make myself wretched. The Count
de Toulouse is somewhat better ; but there is a
danger of relapse, because he has been recom-
mended to hunt ; the Duchess often accompanies
him ; she begins to be more tranquil on his ac-
count. The Duchess de Berri has recovered her
health, although she has done many things which
might have totally ruined it.

MADAME DS MAINTENON. 335

LETTER CLXXVI.

TO TH£ SAME

»•

Fontainebleau» August 23dy 171 L

Marshal de Villeroi has been very little here
I informed you that he withdraws when his master
advances ; I am really angry with him for this ;
our couversations are by no means frequent, nor
are they very agreeable, for we dispute a great
deal. I am told he has arrived, but I have not
yet seen him. I cannot answer what you require,
not having heard a word about it from the Duke
de Noailles. I thought that he would soon come,
but all is changed ; and I am quite reconciled to
it, provided he renders some service to their
Catholic Majesties. It has been strongly affirmed
that the army of M. de Stharemberg is stronger
than yours, but you are aware of the efforts to
decry oilr affairs. T should have a high opinion
of your troops, if the Archduke was gone ; but
you mention nothing of it in your letter of the
\9fStky whidh I expected to ccmfirm this news.

We yesterday lost the b^t man in France, the
iliost sincerely attached to the King, and thie
warmest of my personal friends ; you will easily
recognise Marshal de Boufflers by this portrait.
He was so much affected by the dangerous state

336 LETTERS OF

of Bouchain, that it went to his heart, he became
ill immediately, and did not survive four days;
his wife arrived time enough to witness the dis-
tressing event.

Our affairs are very much changed in Flanders ;
Bouchain cannot be saved, and military men
agree that two armies were never so posted as
that of the enemy and ours. Paris, the court,
and the whole army rail loudly against the Duke
de Villars ; however, the-^King is convinced, vidth
others, that this general has been more unfortunate
than incapable.

LETTER CLXXVII.^

TO THE SAME.

Fontainebleau, August 30th, 1711.

It is true that we have been much agitated
here from the apprehensions of a battle, and we
are now in affliction at the loss of Bouchain, and of
which you may conceive I have no doubt ; I am so
much accustomed to guessing on the worse side
of the question, that I cannot overcome my fears.

How vexed I am that the Archduke does not
quit Catalonia ! His absence made me already
build very agreeable castles in the air, and I
hoped everything from the inconstancy of the
Catalonians Nothing must be omitted to bring

MADAME DK MAINTENON. 337

about a peace ; we are all weary of the war, and
an end of it is most desirable.

I wish with all my heart that the baths may
relieve the Queen. A poor citizen's wife would
be an object of pity, in being prevented from
looking for health where she expected to find it ;
but the great have to coni&traih themselves in
every respect : the Queen is adored ; to lose her
would cause a fatal alarm^ and yet they will not
allow her to absent herself for three weeks !

LETTER CLXXVIII.

TO THE SAME.

Fontainbleau, September 14th, 1711.

I HAVE received two of your letters at the same
time ; one of the 2d, and the other of the 6th inst.
If I were to answer them regularly, I ought to
]3egin with Marshal de Villeroi ; I acquiesce in
his reasons, not being able to convince him of
mine. I have already told you, that he wished
to pass from disgrace to favour, and that I
thought it should be done gradually; he an-
swers, that he has npt time for this, that hè
has made up his mind on the subject, and that he
accommodates himself very well to his present
mode of life, but which I do not believe ; if, how-

VOL. Ï. z

338 LETTERS OF

«ver, he is as correct in this as in other matters» I
am of his opinion, that it is better to remain as he
is, than become a courtier; such is the state of
the question between us»

I àm very much surprised at this change in the
prospects of the Duke de Noailles, and have no
doubt of the uprightness of his intentions, which
may, however, have been formed too hastily ; he
writes to mé about his return, without giving me
the reasons, and refers me^ for complete elucida-
tion, to our first interview. I shall now proceed
to your second letter. I am delighted to find you
are satisfied with M. de Bonac, and I augur well
from it for the result of his négociation.

The King appeared very well satisfied yesterday
with the answers from Spain. If you saw what
passes here, you would only sigh for peace ; there
is no one breathing more anxious for it than my-
self.

I hope you will derive great assistance from
Count de Bergeitz ; no one can possess the repu-
tation he does without great merit.

We are momentarily expecting the capture of
Bouchain, and I am about to experience fi'esh
anxieties for some other enterprise, as the weather
is favourable. Give us peace. Madam, if you
wish the King to terminate his life in repose.

MADAMS DE MA1KT£K0N. S39

LETTER CLXXIX.

TO THE SAME.

Y£s, Madam, I am very well satisfied whk
yoii^ and I own you to be a good FreiLchwoman ;
I vrill scold you no mdre; but tfa0 wpik nlust be
finished, for it is absolutely necessary; the King
«an no longer reanimate his armies^ and the mis^
fortunes which have happened to.us render evefy-
thing difficult. In^horty nothing but peace can
redeem our affairs ; I dare not say that even after
âiat I ^all die content, for it seems you do ^ot
mdx ine to die; well, thén^ I promise to live, and
I think I may yet eiperiende some enjoyment.

I am not di^leased at what iis passing in Spain ;
Philip Y^ reigns there, and is popular ; I canifot^
however, think that the departure of the Archddke
is a I^atter of trifling importance.

You will have heard of the brave defe&ce of

M. de Màrignan at Bouchain, and the foolish

capitulation which he has made. We not oiily

commit faults, but are unfortunate ; peace i^ the

* only remedy !

z 2

340 LETTERS OF

LETTER CLXXX.

TO THE SAMB.

Saint Cyr, October 4th, 1711.

We were informed yesterday evening that the
enemy had appeared on your side ; you may con-
ceive that I tremble lest some unfavourable event
8&0fuld happen, and which would be disastrous as
affairs now stand ; but, after caréfiiUy surveying
the map, it was œasonable to doubt the proba-
bilité of a battle. I hope the Almighty will not
oppose what you, and I, and all France are so
anidous about!

Your last letters acquainted us with the em-
barkation of the Archduke, the confirmation of
which neWs I expected ; I believe it yet, since
there are some Princes setting out to meet him.

I am delighted to have made you speak on the
subject of the Queen, by telling you that your
Princess loves as a private individual. Cannot
she be a 'great Queen, and act a part above her
sex, without loving as a citizen's wife? a fault
with which our King often reproached the late
Prince ; but after all, I rejoice with you, if she
possesses all that you say, and which could not
be better disposed of than for you. How fortunate
that there was no more warfare except between
you and me !

MADAME DE MAINTENON. ^1

You have then declared for Marshal de Villeroi,
and you charge me to cause all that he has lost to
be restored to him ; I should certainly like to..dp
so, but success is not always attained withojuj:
some difficulty. : : ,

The Duke de Noailles assigns no other reason
for his return, than his being no longer useful to
you in Spain.

The affairs of religion become more and more
embroiled, and the King is as tired of them ^
you can conceive.

LETTER CLXXXI.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, October 11th, 1711. ■

You, Madam, have sometimes given me
reason to believe that you prefer Spain to France,
and that you did not wish to comprehend how
necessary peace is to us ; it is not, perhaps, so
much with regard to those points which strike
everybody, as through those which cannot be
made the subject of a 'letter, and which I hope we
shall never be obliged to discuss.

I say, and shall always maintain till I see a
change, that I know nothing in yoii but justice,
probity, and goodness; conceive, therefore, if it
be possible to destroy the impressions created by

942 LETTERS OF

such virtue. All these qualities will not, how-
ever, prevent me from difiering with you when
I see that you tax with timidity my view of the
alarming situations through which we have passed,
and which we may have again to pass, if this
peace, so much desired by all parties, is not con-
cluded.

But I shall not consider any peace disadvanta-
geous that fixes Philip V. upon his throne ; al-
though it should cost much to both of us, it will
be sufficiently great for our King to have united
the Spanish monarchy to his own dynasty, in
spite of all Europe armed against him.

I am not without uneasiness respecting some
letters from Spain which I saw yesterday ; I am
afraid of an action, and think we ought to re-
main quiet in the present conjuncture. We no
longer doubt but that the Archduke has departed,
but I should not like to hear of his leaving the
Archduchess at Barcelona.

It is true that no person in the world can be
more estimable than the Queçn of England. Many
people think that the King^ her son, would be re-
called if peacp vy^as made. It il^ asserted that the
Princess Anne is threatened with the dropsy, and
that her death at this moment Would not be ad-
vantageous to us.

Marshal de Villars will remain where he is as
long as possible, in order to see the enemy depart ;
it is thought that the want of forage will compel

MADAME DE MAINTJ&NON. 343

them to decamp first ; but this will never be: so
sooD as the general officers desires.

LETTER GLXXXII.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, October Î8th, 1711.

Your letter of the 7th instant had alarmed me
respecting the uncertainty of the Archduke's de-
parture ; but in comparing it with one I have re-
ceived from the Queen, 1 find the latter is dated
on the 9th, so that I no longer doubt that the
Prince is gone ; but I am very sorry that he has
left: the Archduchess behind.

The election has terminated, and the Archduke
is Emperor. It is to be hoped that the Spaniards
will not consent to have a King whom they will
never see, and that the small number of those
who are attached to the House of Austria will
soon be reduced to the necessity of acknowledging
PhiUp V.

We rejoice much at all your successes,, which
are considerable, since they tend to check thç
enemy. I have no occasion for a prolongation of
life ; but, I confess^ I should much like to see the
issue of the present state of things, which adds to
the ardour I have for peace.

344 L£TT£RS OF

I am delighted that their Catholic Majesties are
returned to Madrid ; but I cannot agree with yoo
that you are unnecessary to them, and still less to
the Prince of Asturiaà ; I do not know how you
can make up your mind to leave them, if it be only
for eight days.

I yesterday saw Marshal de Villeroi here ; he
has no occasion for my friendly offices with you ;
but you have great reason to place him among
your best friends.

The Duke de Fronsac is recovered from the
small-pox, and is still in the Bastille, where he
conducts himself with the greatest prudence.

We experienced a slight shock of an earthquake
here on the 6th ; though not perceived by many, it
was felt at Paris and the adjacent villages. There
has been an alarming one at Saumur, which lasted
fom- days, accompanied with a frightful and sub-
terraneous noise ; though much mischief was done,
it does not appear that, any lives have been lost

A very surprising accident has happened at
Lyons. There is a religious feast held annually
a short distance from the city, which attracted
more than twenty thousand persons this year^
some going there from de^ otion and others for
pleasure.

It is customary at Lyons for everybody to re-
turn into the city on the ringing of a bell at a cer-
tain hour ; the crowd, was , so eager to epter on
this occasion, that numbers were crushed to death

MADAME DE MAIXTENON. 34d

on the bridge, while many others fell into the
Rhone.

A coach overthrown upon the bridge prevented
those who wished to escape the danger from re-
turmhg. More than two hundred persons have
perish^ on this melancholy occasion.

LETTER CLXXXIIL

TO THB SAME.

Versailles, October 26th, 1711.

It seems to me that everything goes on as
well as we could wish in Spain ; and that without
troubling yourselves about events which might
impede the négociations, you press M. de Stha-
remberg in so closely, that there is no reason to
believe he will ever be able to dethrone Philip V.
I could only wish the beautiful Archduchess had
followed the Emperor ; for it is a pledge of his
return which may affect the people. It shoi^ld
seem that the Catalonians have changed their
natural character in his favour, and that they are
always devoted to those who are not their legiti-
mate princes. Grant that the health of the Queen
may be in unison with the good state of affairs !
If her tumours do not adhere, it is i^ matter of
little consequence, as we cure them every day at

346 LETTERS OF

Saint Cyr. AH Paris is rejoiced at the négocia-
tions for peace, and it would give you pleasure to
see how much we are delighted to think that
their Catholic Majesties retain the crown. The
English exact no secresy ; their plenipotentiaries
and ours being already named, the fact must be
generally known. I endeavour to give myself up
to joy ; but there are moments of alarm ; I tremblé
for the health of Queen Anne, whom we tenderly
love at the present moment.

A thousand particulars were related to me yes-
terday, concerning the devotion of the Duke of
Savoy: it is said to be sincere, and that he is
anxious to repair as much as possible the evils
which he has caused ; that he endeavours to find
out those individuals who have suffered most from
the war, in order to restore to them what they
have lost ; and that it was never his wish to make
incursions into France, publicly asserting that thié
sort of warfare did no good whatever to the com-
mon cause, and merely ruined the inoffensive
people.

The affairs of religion get worse daily : Cardi-
nal de Noailles opposes the Jesuits, and would
wish to get rid of them ; the King supports them :
judge of the consequences.

In the midst of the important affairs which are
constantly before your eyes, I think you will not
be insensible to the pleasure of receiving the
King and Queen at Madrid, and of seeing then^

MADAMS D£ MAIKTfiNQN. 347

admire the apartments which you have prepared
for them ; all which are, no doubt, in the best
style.

LETTER CLXXXIV.

TO THE SAME»

Saint Cyr, November 2nd, 1711.

My joy at the hopes of peace is already checked,
by the great difficulties which the Dutch oppose
to it ; they loudly cry out against the conditions
to which the English have listened, and are pro-
crastinating as much as possible, in order to cavil
about where the plenipotentiaries should meet.
It would have argued a want of common sense
not to have foreseen all this, and a thousand other
difficulties which will arise before the conclusion
of such an important affair. This is very natural ;
but my narrow and anxious mind easily takes the
alarm.

The loss of the Dutch fleet before Quebec will
perhaps contribute to render our enemies less pre-
sumptuous ; the hand of God visibly appears in
this: it is said that three thousand men were
landed in a different direction from that which
the fleet took, and that they will have great dif-
ficulty in saving themselves.

348

LBTl^ES OF

LETTER CLXXXV.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, November 8th, 1711.

I THOUGHT their Catholic Majesties at Madrid,
and I participate in the aflfliction of your brave
Castilians, on seeing their joy retarded.

1 am not surprised at the resources you find in
Count de Bergheitz ; his reputation is too general
not to be well founded. I wish, with all my
heart, that M. de Vendôme may accede to the
reasons you have at present for acting with the
greatest circumspection.

The continuance of the Archduchess at Barce-
lona disconcerts me greatly; 1 could wish she
were gone, and that the Catalonians had not this
pledge of the Archduke's return. I think he
. must wish it himself, and that he would be very
well satisfied to remain an Emperor. It is said,
However, that he joins the Dutch in their fiiry
against the English, who do not seem to grow
weaker from all the menaces which they receive.
I was favoured with a letter yesterday firom Mar-
shal de Tallard, dated at Calais : he assures me
very positively that a peace must take place, if
nothing unforeseen occurs.

Everybody is convinced, that soon after the

XÎADAME P£ MAINTËNON. 349

peace we shall see the King of England restored.
Many people think that the English will never
receive our dear Queen, from the fear they have
of her zeal for Catholicism. I think she would
be very easily reconciled to passing the remainder
of her life at Chaillot ; for she is but little attached
to the world. The King went to Saint Germains
two days ago, and found her in perfect health and
good humour, well convinced that it is as yet
premature to enter on the subject of the King, her

son.

I do not know who is likely to marry the
Princess of England ; but, according to all ap-
pearances, she will make an excellent wife. It
has never been in contemplation to give her the
husband which you say we have taken away from
her.

LETTER CLXXXVI.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, November 16th, 1711.

How glad I am to be able to share joy with
you ! I no longer doubt of peace, and am as con-
fident as you have seen me mistrustful with re-
spect to the past. Their Catholic Majesties re-
main upon their thrones! This is the miracle
which I hoped for in the depth of my despair ;

850 LETTERS OF

their virtue has attracted it, but we profit from
the event M . Hensius will hang himself for
having refused the frightful peace which would
perhaps have been made in former years* I feel
no compassion on that subject, and all my affec-
tion at this moment is for Quœn Anne, who adheres
firmly in her resolutions, and has sent Madame
Buyssen back to Holland. You will heat all this
news through the account which is given to their
CMholic Majesties. Our Dauphin is transported
with joy at the hopes of peace. It appears to me
that Queen Anne presses* the négociation v«ry^
much ; and this is all in our favour ; for I wish
most sincerely that the approaching campaign
may not take place, though preparations are mak-
ing for it, as I have already informed you.

How numerous are the pleasures which you
must enjoy at present ! You are once more with
the King and Queen, from whom you have beai
:separated so long; you caress the charming Prince
of Asturias ; you receive him in a palace which
has been restored by yourself, and which is, there-
fore, the work of your own hands ; you see the
people transported with joy at again beholding their
King ; you are also the harbinger of peace : they
are about to enjoy the fruits of their fidelity in
repose ; the gravity of the Catholic King ibttst
yield at least in private to so many sources of sa-
tisfaction, the Queen's malady must disappear,
and the Archduchess ought to go and be made an

MADAME DE MAINTE^ON 351

Empress : this is not surely wishing her too much
harm.

I am in a very good humour. Madam, and if I
were alone with you in the dark room at Marly,
our conversation would not be languid ; but you
are still better at Madrid.

Marshal de Tallard has returned, and looks
much older, but possessing the same vivacity
as formerly ; he is fully persuaded that we
shall have peace, and he gives very plausible
reasons for this opinion. Nothing would afflict
me now if the peace of the church followed that
of Europe ; but the quarrel of Cardinal de NoaiÛes
with the Jesuits excites general attention. An ac-
commodation is at present talked of; if it does
not succeed, I shall be extremely sorry for all
that the church is likely to suffer in consequence,
and to see the name of Noailles in some degree
disgraced : I dare say you are of the same opinion.

LETTER CLXXXVIL

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, November 22nd, 1711.

I Ko longer care whether it is the Emperor*s
death or the broils of England which are to give
us peace ; it is enough to be able to hope for it,
which I do with more confidence every day ; I
rejoice at it with you. As much as I am afflicted

352 LETTERS OF

by the wars, I am not, however, without some
uneasiness at the impossibility of pressing the né-
gociations ; for I do not wish to see another cam-
paign, although great preparations are making for
it here.

You are right in being unable to comprehend
what is passing between the King and Marshal
de Villeroi ; I think the latter is wrong, and his,
friends think as I do.

The declaration of your plenipotentiaries gives
me pleasure, like all other measures which have
a pacific tendency. Our Dauphiness receives the
court every day, in the large apartment of the
i^ueen, which you know ; and the King has had
the complaisance to order the end of the gallery
to be closed up on his side of the palace, thus
making another room, in which she plays lans-
quenet. The Dauphin also plays there, but at a
less hazardous game, called the butterfly : I do
not know whether you are acquainted with it.

LETTER CLXXXVIII.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, November 30th, 1711.

I HAVE no news this post, which is perhaps de-
tained in consequence of the great floods every-
where. It has rained for a month both day and
night ; but it does not signify, as, according to all

MADAME DE MAlNTEKON. 353

appearance, we shall have peace. The passports
are sent, and the Dutch have begiun to change
their tone : Philip V. and his amiable descend-
ants will reign upon the throne of Spain ; I have
always hoped for a miracle in his favour. It is
in his train that we are profiting by what has just
happened, and which he deserves much more
than ourselves.

i yet hope, old as I am, that I shall see the
King of England return to his own kingdom.

What glory for our King to have sustained a
ten years' war against all Europe, encountered
every species of misfortune, experienced a fa-
mine and plague, which has destroyed thousands,
and to see all this terminated by a peace which
unites the monarchy of Spain to his own dynasty,
and re-establishes a Catholic King in his king-
doms ! for I can scarcely doubt of all this being
the consequence of peace.

It is said we must yet wait ten or twelve days
before we can recîeive the passports coming from
England. I have reason to believe that our pleni-
potentiaries will set out in less than a quarter of
an hour after they are received.

The Dauphiness readily seizes every cause for
joy, and enters into it with the utmost exultation.
.She figures to herself that of the Queen, speaks to
me of yours, and wishes to do something the day
peace is concluded that she has never done be-
fore, and which she will only do then. She has

VOL. I. A A

354 LETTER3 OF

mot yet discovered what it is to be ; but, in the
mean time, she will go to hear Te Z)ewm at Notre
Dame, dine with the Duchess de Lude at her
splendid new house, afterwards to the opera, sup
with the Prince de Rohan at his magnificent re*
sidence, and conclude the evening at play and
in dancing. As the time of her return will be
about my waking hour, she asks me to breakfast
on arriving here. I think you would find this
day rather long, notwithstanding all these en-
joyments.

LETTER CLXXXIX

TO THE SAME.

VersaiUes, December 14tb, 1711.

We have no letter from you by to-day's post;
.but I cannot sufier ours to depart without rejoic-
ing with you at the perseverance of the English
in wishing for peace ; they even sho;w great eager-
ness for it, and this agrees very well with my
impatience. I had already began to despair,
owing to the delay I observed in their answers.
I am much pleased with this last news, which
describes the whole progress of the négociation,
so that \ hope to be tranquil till the 12th of
January.

I do not accustom myself to the agreeable idea

HADAMS DX MAJNTENOy. 355

bf Seeing peace made^ and the King of Spain esta-
blished upon his throne, and more particularly
80 than any other, by the affection of his admirable
Castilians. Is it true that you have let your
prisoners witness the entrance of their Majesties
into Madrid ? I highly approve this proof of
your goodness towards them.

LETTER CXC.

TO THE SAME,

Versailles, December 28th, 1711.

We have no news from you, and I have but
little to send from our court. We are expecting
the passports on Wednesday or Thursday, and if
they come, it is said our plenipotentiaries will
depart on Saturday. My hopes cannot avoid
being a little thwarted by all that we hear of the
Dutch and the EJmperor. It is to be hoped that
England will be firm. It is said that the Queen
begins openly to announce to her parliament, that
it is necessary to make peace.

I have placed all the letters you sent me into
the hands of Marshal de Villeroi; I would not
have given them to the Duke de Noailles, if I had
believed that there was the least expression which
could hurt the feelings of any person ; but it seems
to me, that you only abuse myself in them, by

A A 2

856 LETTERS OF

your reproaches and raillery ; as for the rest of
their contents, they consist of praises lavished
upon your Princes and our own ; as well as upon
the individuals of whom we generally speak.
Perhaps M • d'Estrées might have found some re-
marks applicable to him, but I think them too
just not to own that they were merited.

In short, I have obeyed your orders, and that is
sufficient for me. I shall for the future bum
whatever I receive ; but I only kept those for the
particular reasons I had, with respect to every-
thing that was pai^sing in Spain before the journey
you made here.

LETTER CXCI.

TO TH£ SAME.

Versailles, January 3d, 1712.

It is true that I hope for peace» although, it
meets with great obstacles» and all our enemies
are in motion to prevent it. Our plenipotentiaries
set out on Tuesday. It is not for me to reason,
but it appears that the King of Spain cannot
put his interests into better hands than those of
his grandfather» and it is not probable that he
will derive greater advantage from any other mode
of proceeding. It is certain that we wish as jmuch
?s you, (and this includes everything,) that the

MADAME DE MAINTENON» 367

King of Spain should be established upon his
throne. There is no peace but what will be glo-
rious to us with that condition attached to it;
I have a notion, however, that this peace will
meet with many obstacles, and occasion me still
some alarm.

There is certainly a kind of fatality in what
concerns Marshal de Villeroi ; he desires nothing
so much as to stand well with his sovereign ;
this sovereign reproaches himself; I neglect no-
thing to bring about a reconciliation ; but all in
vain, and I am truly sorry for it. The affairs of
the church are not yet arranged. It is true that
Marshal de Tallard is publicly spoken of as
governor to the Duke of Brittany, though he has
not yet been thought of. It is also true, that
Marshal d'U telles is said to be jealous of the
friendship that subsists between M. de Torcy and
the Abbé de Polignac ; but they are all animated
by so good a spirit, and such upright intentions,
that I hope it will show itself, and that our affairs
may not go on the less prosperously. The first
president has sent in his resignation to the King,
being too much indisposed to fulfil its duties;
this is a very important office. It is thought his
successor will be President de Mesme, or M. de
Maison ; the King has not yet determined which.

d58 iJSTTEBs or

LETTER CXCIL

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, January llth, 1712.

It is true the Dauphiness regrets much her youth ;
there is, however, reason to hope that she will long
continue to enjoy the pleasures of this world, for
she possesses an inexhaustible fund of gaiety, and
if we are fortunate enough to have peace, she is
very likely to become very happy. Her great
flow of spirits does notMeaden her sensibility for
misfortune. She has felt very keenly the uncer-
tainty in which the King and Queen of Spain
have found themselves ; she suffers much on ac-
count of her father, and there is not a woman in
France more anxious about the happiness of this
country than herself; thus she will be naturally de-
lighted when every subject of dispute and uneasi-
ness is removed. In other respects, she has every
reason to be satisfied ; he is well married, greatly
beloved by the King and Dauphin, and in reality
constitutes the delight of the court. Some days
ago she had an attack of fever ; the courtiers
were in consternation and loud in proclaiming
how irreparable her loss would be. The people
are attached to her because she is very accessible;
she has the most lovely children that can be

MADAME D£ MAXNTENON. 359^

• - ■?

wished for, not so handsome as yours,, but very
healthy; as graceful as herself, aiid already*
showing great talents. This appears to me a
tolerably happy condition. If we may judge of
the King's life by the present state of his health,
there is reason to hope that he may live as long
as the Marquis de Mancêra, since their regimen
is much the same ; there is, as yet, no retrench-
ments in the general way of living, nor any alter-
ation in his good looks, activity in walking, and
general appearance, with which you are ac-
quainted, and which you know to be superior to
that of all others whom we have seen.

I have seen with much pleasure the arrival of
the powers of the King of Spain : I do not think
his interests can be in better hands than those of
the King, his grandfather ; but as it appertains to
the dignity of the Spanish crown to have pleni-
potentiaries, I shall be very glad to see them, and
hope they will soon join our own, since this will
lead to a general acknowledgment of the King of
Spain, which is certainly as anxiously desired
here as at Madrid. The affair of Cordova is
very disastrous, and happens at an awkward mo-
ment, but there is no appearance of its affecting
the general aspect of affairs.

I cannot view without pain Queen Anne's con-
sent to receive Prince Eugene at London ; it has
frightened me already, but you know my natural
timidity.

360 LETTERS OF

The young wife of Marshal d'Estrées continties
her devotions, and under pretence of her bad
health remains at Paris. I do not approve of
this, because I think piety should never be op-
posed to duty; perhaps her afflictions may be
greater than we imagipe them to be« Cardinal
de Noailles has an addition to his troubles, in con^
sequence of the dangerous illness of the Judge de
Noailles. I was very much shocked at their hav-
ing sent orders to Brussels to do no honours to our
plenipotentiaries ; but I learn that this order came
from the Emperor, and that the Dutch, on their
side, have sent to require that the usual honours
may be paid them. You will hear of a little ad-
venture that has taken place at the Duchess de
Berri's, which gives considerable pain to Madame
and the Duchess of Orleans; it is hoped that
some change will take place in a person of her
early years. Why do you speak to me of respect-
fill attachment ? Is it not with a view of mocking
me ? You only owe me a little friendship for the
sentiments which I entertain towards you. I am
but little disposed to send you compliments upon
the new year, it is a custom which has always been
so irksome to me, that I can readily dispense with
it : if, however, it be a duty in Spain, I beg of you
humbly to present my respects to the King and
Queen, and to believe that I shall esteem and love
you as long as I live ; Z do not think this shows
any want of respect.

MADAME DE MAiXTENOy. 3^1

LETTER CXCIIL

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr^ Jmxmy 17th, 1712.

You are too good to pay so much attention to
infirmities which often prevent me from doing all
that I could wish. I well recollect the subject of
the long letter which I projected ; but I do not
thinks however, that I dwelt long enough upon
the impossibility which I found of making a bad
use of your letters. I never s^Mf any so mild, po-
lite, and obliging towards everybody ; you com-
mend all that can be conmiended, you excuse all
that can be excused, you are silent upon what is
blameable ; in fact, it is only myself who can lose
anything by what will be found in these letters^
often full of reproaches on my bad politics, want
of resolution, and a thousand other reflections
about my disposition to be sorrowful. It is true,
also, that there are other passages which would
do me honour, by the marks of esteem and friend*»
ship you have been pleased to express. But you
have these letters. Madam, such as they came
into my hands. I no longer possess them, and
you never would have had them if I were younger,
and had any other prospect in view than that of
death. This is a strange expression for a person

362 LETTERS OF

who hopes for peace ; I do not look for it with
less joy; having desired it for many others as well
as myself, I shall be well pleased to leave it to
them. According to all appearance we shall
keep your plenipotentiaties for a long time ; we
are threatened with tedious négociations ; how-
ever, if Queen Anne continues to press and to be
pressed, matters may go on faster than is expected.
They are beginning to annoy M» de Marlborough
with certain official forms. An account is re^
quired of all the money that has passed through
his hands ; he has given a good account of him-
self as yet ; we must wait for the sequel.

To-morrow we go to Marly for a fortnight. It
appears that a report is circulating, which states
that the Emperor is about to name plenipoten*
tiaries ; this will be a sign of his getting into better
humour, for till now it was said that he threatened
us with a hundred and sixty thousand men. In
spite of aU my hopes, I am far from being at my
ease, in consequence of Queen Anne having sent
a yatch to convey Prince Eugene to London. I
do not like to hear of his being with Marlborough,
discontented, in the midst of a nation so prone to
revolution. I think, however, we shall have
peace, and what I have just told you is only the
result of my natural timidity.

How I could have vanished you to have seen our
Bauphiness yesterday, in a dress of white satin,
embroidered with black silk ; her hair dressed in

MADAME DE MAINTENON» 36^

the highest style» whh large curto omamented
with the most beautiful jewellery of the crown ;
flesh colour, white, fair and gay ! I do assure you
she would not have displeased you, and that she
appeared truly the paragon, though there were
equally fine dresses at court.

LETTER CXCIV,

TO THE SAME.

Marly, January 25th, 1712.

Queen Anne conducts herself as if she thought
herself the arbitress. You know the particulars
better than myself; but everything that is pass-
ing confirms our hopes of peace. We shall have,
according to all appearances, a glorious one ; a
peace which will unite a great monarchy to the
French dynasty, a peace which will constitute
the happiness of their Catholic Majesties ; could
we have expected this, and that it would come to
us through Queen Anne ? But as I am not des-
tined for joy, the ?iffairs of the church affict me,
and those of Cardinal de Noailles, with the King,
become more and more embroiled, which makes
me anticipate a disgrace, to which I âm by no
means indifferent. You may depend upon it
there will not be a line of your writing found in*
my possession ; I burn your letters the moment

364 LETTERS OF

after I have answered them. I should not have
confided them to the Duke de Noailles» if I
had not been aware how much they redound
to your honour and reputation ; I had this com-
plaisance for him, because I know he is fond of
great personages, and that you certainly perform
the part of one, which is not only very important,
but glorious for our sex.

I doubt very much whether the King will like
the gardens he is making, if it be necessary to
descend and ascend a hundred and sixty-six steps.
We approve of the Queen passing her confinement
at the Retire : I do not know whether they will
think so at Madrid ; but it is very just that the
masters should have their will sometimes.

I am very glad to hear what the King intends
doing for the Duchess of Alba; she deserves
your kindness ; and I am not astonished to see
you protect an unfortunate woman, who was en-
titled, both )}y her birth and excellent qualities,
to a better fate.

But for the sad afiair of the Noailles, I should
assume a more cheerful ^style in my letters, for I
feel our joy and yours. The Dauphiness, who
only sought to be gay, is transported with her
hopes, and I do not know if Queen Anne
feel more heartily rejoiced than the Queen of
Spain.

We ^ saw their Britannic Majesties here three
days ago ; the King very weakly, unable to take

MADAME D£ MAÏKTEKON. * 365

supper or enjoy anything, the Queen in perfect
bealth, the Princess tall and well formed» and
taking delight in everything around her. It is
said that the bad roads have retarded the arrival
ci our plenipotentiaries ; their letters are about to
become interesting ; I am already warned not to
be one of the first to be alarmed. The last news
from England mentions that Prince Eugene had
landed, but had not yet reached London.

I have already often asked you what subject
you would prefer ^me to treat of in my letters ;
but you have, as yet, never replied to me on this
point. I shall therefore close the present much
sooner than I could have wished.

LETTER CXCV.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, Febniary 1st, 1712.

You do well to try to amuse their Catholic
Majesties ; they have had affairs of such an im-
portant nature upon their hands, that they re-
< quire recreation, and I know nothing more in-
nocent than those representations of dramatic
compositions which are full of virtuous maxims,
generosity, and fidelity ; they are proper both for
kings and subjects, and ought equally to instruct

366 LSTTBRS OF

every class of society : the great thus learn that
which dare not otherwise be told them ; indivi-
duals recognise their own vices> passions, and
interests. You may judge after this whether I
could despise M. de Bonac for opening a theatre»
which is only intended to amuse your Kings ; on
the contrary, I think much more highly of him
than those who stake their all upon a card; but
people think differently here.

LETTER CXCVI.

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, Februaiy 7th, 1712.

I AGREE with you, that affection, gratitude, and
decorum ought to incline his Catholic Majesty to
put an entire confidence in the King, his grand-
father ; this will be the best and the shortest way
to peace. The news received from England yes-
terday strengthens our hopes more and more,
^ueen Anne appears to be very firm; she Irè-
<;eived Prince Eugene coldly, and he will not be
•there long. But you doubtless know this already,
or. according to all appearances, you have the
same news as ourselves, and perhaps even better.

The Dauphihess, after having taken a fourth
dose of opium, chewed and smoked tobacco^ finds

MADAME DE MAIKTENON. 367

hetself a little better, I have this moment heard
that she has slept for an hour^ and is expected to
have a good night.

LETTER CXCVII.

MADEMOISELLE D'AUMALE.

TO THE SAME.

Marly, February, 14th, 1712»

By what a melancholy and fatal event I renew
my correspondence with you ! And what pleasure
would it not afford me, if my aunt had given me
this commission for another topic ! I cannot de-
scribe to you the state in which we are here, and
though I were able to do so, I should not wish to
assume the painful task : the fact itself is more
than enough to distress you, knowing as I do the
sensibility of your heart, your attachment to the
King, and your friendship for my aunt. You have,
moreover, to sustain the affliction of the Queen,
who has lost a sister so worthy of her. I think it
is not possible to praise them both in a more dig-
nified or just manner, than by this comparison.
All is dead here, life has fled from us: our lost
Princess was the soul of everything, and delight-
ed us all ; we are as yet stupified and confounded
with our loss, and every day can only tend to
m9ke it felt more acutely. > It is impossible to see
the King or think of him, without being filled

LETTERS OF

with despair, and in continual alarms for his
health. As for my aunt, it is not possible for me
to speak of her, except to obey her commands ;
she cannot have the honour of writing to you,
and you may easily conceive it. She will speak
to M . Clement ; but some of your letters must
have miscarried, as your last communication says
that you had written for a nurse, and it is the first
time she has heard anything about this circum-
stance.

LETTER CXCVIII,

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, March 7th, 1712.

I EXPECTED to have received by this post your
first letters, in reply to mine, concerning the
heavy calamities which have befallen us. You
now know the death of the Dauphiness, and per-
haps of the Dauphin ; and I have to inform you
to-day that the Duke d'Anjou has got the measles.
The Kiug is, however, very well.

The family of the Noailles ought no longer to
be envied : the Duke de Noailles has had a slight
attack of apoplexy, and is going to set out for
Bourbon. I have been speaking this morning to
Marshal de Y^leroi, who ha9 recovered the King's
favour.

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 3^9

LETTER CXCIX.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, March 14th, 1712.

We are not as yet at the end of our misfor-
tunes ; you ere this know the Dauphin's death,
and will soon learn that of the Duke of Brittany ;
you may easily conceive into what a state the
King and all the court are thrown. The Duke
of Anjou, now Dauphin, appears saved from the
measles ; but he has still many teeth to cut. "You
know as well as I the situation in which the
royal family finds itself, and how much our ene-
mies will endeavour to profit by it. I conjure
you to tell tjieir Catholic Majesties how deeply I
am affected with their grief, and of the impossi-
bility of my addressing them.

The death of the Dauphiness has affected every-
body ; that of the Dauphin has been overwhelming.
The Duke of Brittany's loss gives rise to various
conjectures, and dismal forebodings. I yesterday
wrote again to Clement, to tell him that you or-
dei;ed me to decide, and my decision was, that
he should choose the fittest person in Paris as a
nurse, and that he should take her with him as
soon as possible ; that I had undertaken to

VOL. I. ^ B B

370 LETTERS av

speak to all the ladies who had recommended
them, being well assured, that they would not
wish to send one in opposition to him who was
to act with hen However, I learn that the
Queen is only in the sixth month of her preg-
nancy ; thus you have plenty of time, though it
will not prevent me from pressing the assistance
of which you stand in need.

LETTER CC.

TO THE SAME.

VersaiBes, Maiûh 17a, 1712.

The Duchess of Alba brought me your letter
yesterday, and handed it to me very secretly,
when my room was very full of company : I
could not peruse it without shedding many tears»
as I easily conceive the grief of their Majesties
at the loss of the Dauphin. They know by
this time of a third loss, which they will feel
less sensibly, but which is still of great conse-
quence. You cannot imagine the state of the
court, nor is there less sorrow at present than
there was a month ago. Poor Madame de
Ventadour is inconsolable, and to complete her
affliction, she hears it insinuated that it would be
desirable for the child which remains to us, to
«hare the same fate as his brother.

MADAME 01 KAtKTENON. 871

I waB yesterday evening on the point of telling
the King what has passed in your mind respect-
ing Cardinal Gualterio; but» itfter much reflec*
tion^ I thought it would be better not to mentioa
it ; the King would have communicated it to his
ministers^ who would have been displeased with
you, and perhaps have published it ; nor would
our great lords have been obliged to you ; and I
do not wish you to be feared^ As to the affair
itself, it appeared to me that Cardinals could iKMt
be approved of in a eouneil of Regeney, and t
^ink there would be still greater repu^anee to
admitting a foreigner; in other respects, he whom
you propose is highly esteemed^ and a âtvoutite
with the King and the whole eourt. His Majesty
jqapears to be extremely well satisfied with Car
Anal de la TreoontoiUe ; but in whatever way
taints may tura out, I conjure you te look icpoa
fi» as « vroman iacapable of managing pubKe
affidrs, and who has beard then^ talked df tea late
in life, to posséas any taleiits in auoh matters,*^
iant above all, oae who hates them still more oa
accmmi of her igaorance. I am moi regularly
consulted, aad can assure y ou that my sttfluei&oe
^immiflhes daily. I am aow seveiUy^fivd yeata
4M, and k appears to me that I have only to pre-
pare fiMT deatk You wiU, therefore, aot be aatii^
nkAMl ibai my ideaâ aœ a little serie^usi. lit
Im^re formed an im^orreet judgmenl, of CiBtfdtifil
•Cbiailtinrio, th«6 wiU ahmya be fàgae to relmicà

Bfi2

?72 . . LETTERS pF

. i'- '

LETTER CCI.

TO THE SAME,

Versailles, Match 27lh, 1712.

I AM truly isad: never had any one more
cause to be so ; * but the court is as wretched as
myself ; all is blank and void ; there is no
!oi3^r.anyjqy or occupation. The King exerts
himself as much as possible to forget his griefs,
but. always relapses into his first sorrows; he
rconfides them to me, ^nd ydii may well conceive
how much they add to my oWn sufferings: how^
ever, his health continues good, and he attends
to all his duties.* Our ; little Dauphin lives in
Apitc of everything ; I have not as yet had cou-
rage enough to see him; I should, however,
hzve suffered less for him than the one we have
lost, for he resembled the Dauphiness in. every
lespect. I have sent your letter to Marshal de
^Villieroi : he seldom leaves the court. Count de
;Brionne is dying; it is 'a long time since he had
;retired from the world. Madràioiselle d'Ar-

magnae is not oh duty. Madame de Cailus has
left the palace on a suspicion of the measles, for
it has. not yet declared itself: she took an emetic
yesterday, as that is now the usual medicine of
precaution.; The Duchess de Lude "^has brought

MADAME PS MÂI^TENON. '373

me a great, number of letters from Piedmènt,
where the court is said to be in a state of greiat
aflliction. We hope for peace, but we canné):
flatter ourselves that the campaign will not com-
mence; and this would be a source of fresh tr<>u^
bles for me. Marshal de Tallard is rqjoiced at
being made a Duke ; he is about to be married,
but it is not said to whom. The Duke de Guiché
has obtained the reversion of the government of
Beam. .'

I have but little . news, and live at Saint Cyir
more than ever, in order to conceal myself from
the world ; but though herie, those yrjio are* mogt
affiicted join me, and the day passes in vsreeping ;
it is, however, highly necessary to. betray less
grief before the King, for the sake of his health.
My dejection does not prevent me from being
sensible of all your kindnesses. •

LETTER ecu.

TO THE SAME.

Marly, April 11th, 1715.

I A6EEE with you that^my letter» are much more
brief than they were formerly. . I krow fewer
trifles than ever, andl naturally feel less iûcliùed
to communicate themi

374 WTTf^M Of

T^ 9t|kte of afiïâr» Is oo pmrnng; important,
aii4 difficulté that one can tfeink of nothing eite;
bowevev, they tawt not be spoken of. I am thw
reducect to wait fqpr events» thon^h I do not think
KQy one en earth feeb a deeper interest in what
IS passing than mysetf .

I have never expected peace till now : but it
appears to me that our misfioortunes render it more
difficult» and that the négociation will at least be
longer ; another campaign must be tried, and I
have^good reasons for fearing the result.

What would I not give to see you here for a
week» that you mi^t judge for yourseUT, whether
France has occasion tot peace, uid if there is any
discouragement and weakness in desiring it ! i
bate not yet seen our young Dauphin, and have
scarcely an inclination to do so^ when I hear
everybody saying tiiat he greatly resembles the
Dauphiness, which was not the case formerly ; the
eldest boy was quite her portrait.

The Duchess de Lude has entreated the King
to allow her to retain her apartments at Versailles,
her intention being to go there whenever he is
on the spot, but to discontinue her visits to
Marly, Fontainebleau, or every other place.

Our misfiMtnnes have redoubled the zeal and
atta^iuincAkt of e^rery one fw the King $ hithealth
i9 the wly topics all eyes are directed towwda
hka, and there is not a letter received whkh
not make inquiries of condolence»

MADAIIJS VU MAINTENON.

87$

Marshal 4e ViUeroi is here ; he has suffered so
much from the gont» that it is said he is going to
put himself upon a milk diet ; still I think he will
no longer be deficient in assiduity, except when
he is forced to relax.

Monsieur and Madame de Bern exert their
utmost to assemble the court ; but everything is
still languid, and no person has recovered from
the losses we have lately experienced»

The] King of England's small-pox goes on
favourably ; we shall not see the Queen so soon,
as she does not quit him. I should be very sorry
for you to know the state in which I am, yo^
would despise me greatly ; I am» however, astor
uished at my fortitude, and still more at my
health.

LETTER CCIIL

TO THE 8AM£.

Marly, April 18th, 1712.

If to-day*s letter is not long, it is not for wsmt
of matter ; there never was any more pressing
or important, but it is not for me to touch on the
subject. I pray that God may support their
Catholic Majesties! Our enemies begin to as-
semble already, while Prince Eugene is violently

â76 LETTRRS OP

Opposed to peace. I found yesterday evening
on returning from Saint Cyr, that all our general
officers were taking their leave : there is nobody
here to-day ; all go to Saint Denis to attend the
funeral service of our Princes, and the vault will
receive three bodies in one day, of which the
oldest had only attained twenty-nine years ! It
will be as well to change this mournful subject.

I think that the Marquis de Torcy will send
the paper which was found in the casket of the
Dauphin to the King of Spain. The preface
will make known the subject; the silence ob-
served here, with respect to it, clearly proves the
extent of the Jansenist party ; the author is of
sufficient importance for the work to be spoken
of, if it did not offend all those who are concerned.

Marshal de Villeroi is here, much occupied
with public affairs, and very assiduous about the
person of his master. It is not true that the
Abbé de Polignac is recalled; our plenipoten-
tiaries never appeared more united ; there is not
a breath of the slightest complaint, but I do not
answer for their hearts.

MADAME D£ MA1!NT£N0N. 377

LETTER CCIV.

TO THE SAME.

Marly, April 24th, 1712.

Perfection has always been rare, and this is
the reason why so few people thiiik like you,
or explain themselves with candour: I cannot do
so, however, with respect to the affair of the
Dauphin, which would require the room at Marly,
where I derived such a pleasure from conversing
with you. But all my joys are past, and I can
have no more, even when peace, which I wish
ardently, is made, because if it does not take place
we shall be still worse off than we are.

I spent yesterday afternoon in a manner very
suitable to my present situation. I had the
honour of passing two hours with the Queen of
England, who is the very image of desolation.
The Princess had become her friend and only
consolation. The French at Saint Germains are
as disconsolate at her loss as the English, and
indeed all who knew her loved her most sincerely.
She was truly amiable, cheerful, affable, anxious
to please ; attached to her duties, and fulfilling
them all without a murmur, docile to her governess
as at the age of six, having a real affection for the

878 LBTTBBS OF

Queen, her mother ; her chief happiness consiste
in pleasing her ; she was affectionately devoted to
the King, her brother, and thought only of pre-
venting his leaving the Queen» which he is some-
times apt to do in his little court ; it was in the
exercise of these virtues, that God has taken her
to himself. I found the Queen very much changed ;
she told me she thought she should also die soon ;
they had not yet dared to mention the death of
the Princess to the King, her brother, he being
in too weak a state after his late sickness, which
was very severe* If he quite Saint Germains, the
Queen will go and remain at Challot, where God
has not left h^ a single nun to whom she can
speak.

No one wishes to doubt of peace ; and as for
myself, I cannot take courage from the length of
the négociations which must take place, and
during which interval^ Prince Eugene will omit
nothing to render our situation still worse than
it is.

I am very much surprised that after your
iUness you i^uld think «of observing leat. M*
Fagon, whom you esteem^ would have some diffi-
culty in agreeing that oysters were very healthy,
er that they i^enerated good blood, although it
be true tàmt their salt aids digestion. I shall
abstain from communicating to the King your
Reasonings upon this subject, for he would cer-
tmÀy take advantage of them ; for my own part.

MAX>^VMS I>S JIAIKTËNOK. 3179

I Uiiok eTerytlting is good in small quantities»
and only bad by the foicesaes in vkicb we in-»
dulge^

LETTER CCV.

TO THE SAME»

Versailks, May Ist, 1712,

I CONCEIVE it is a great relief to you, to be able
to administer all the assistance of which the Queen
has occasion. Heaven grant her a healthy and
well-formed child ! If the tumour does not disap-
pear, I am quite convinced that the waters of
Bareges would produce the desired effect. I
have seen miracles performed fay them» and they
cannot do my harm»

I could wish with all my heart thnt you miglit
celebrate the wedding of which you «peak» but
the situation of dSw» is^ as you say» so hard and
I»esâng9 that it is difi^^lt to 8m^fie ouradves
with such thotights» I hope God will inapif e his
Catholic M^^e^i^ with what is best. I deranot
enter into «nch matÉcars» although» as I have already
said> ther^ is nobody who feela a more livdy ior
tweet in tiiem than I do.

Altlftwgh Quaen Anne staasob very wisfl witk
me« and we ha^e MaMo io bdiem she wishaa

380 ^ ZErTTERS OF i

for peace as. well as ourselves, I cannot bear the
idea of her suffering the campaign to commence,
and thus expose the lives of so many people*

The greatest news comes from you at present.
It is to be lamented that distance renders the
négociations so long and tedious.

LETTER CCVI.

TO THE SAME.

Veisailles, May 9th, 1712.

It is true that the affairs now in deliberation
are very important, and you may easily conceive
that I am much agitated. I cannot comprehend
how my affection for their Catholic Majesties could
be increased. I should be much more ready to
find an opportunity of blaming their ccmduct, if
respect permitted it. The length of the négocia-
tions makes me tremble for peace.

The enemy is making great preparation^ in
Flanders, and though something was to be un-
dertaken on his ' arrival, yet fiothing has been
dt^ne ; but I cannot think Prince Eugene inactive,
or: not 'doing all that he can to embarrass our
affairs. I ain so taken up with our situation,
that I have not courage enough to dwell on any-
thing else; and not daring to open tny heart» I

MADAM]5 I>E MAIl^TENON* 381

must bcT satisfied, inasstirmg you that it ia full of
esteeib and respect for you.

LETTER CCVII.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, May 15th, 1712.

Our King is certainly very much afflicted at
the troubles of the church ; his religion is sincere,
and he regards these .concerns as still more im-
portant than those of the world* The Queen of
England is inconsolable for the death of the
Princess. 1 do not think there ever was one in
France so much regretted as the Dauphiness ; , I
could now wish that the King had loved her les».
The Dauphin is not well, but I dare say you have
been: already apprised of this. It is true that the
King's health continues good ; but not so with
my own, as you have been informed ; I entertain
the. highest esteem for the Princess de VaudC"
mon,t, who has, from her youth, shown me grea.t
friendship; when I see her> she recalls ideas
to ' my mind . which are much more agreeable
than those of the present day ; she says I still
possess some vivacity, but I assure you that I
am altnost diead in everything else that concerns
life. -

S82 lETTEM OF

We eonstfintly expect new» from England^
which it is said will be decisive. How happy
are you. Madam, to join to the capacity of a great
minister, the tranquillity of a philosopher, and
how far am I removed from both the one and
the other !

LETTER CCVIlL

TO THK SAME.

VefmtBefi, Biaf 2did, 1719.

Although I have received nothing fromyoH
this post, I cannot help writing, being constantly
occupied with what is passing where you are, and
which appears to me to be worth the trouble.
The hours and moments of our last courier are
«ounted; and as to myself, who always view
things a little more gloomily than others, I think
I already see the answer he will bring, for in short
we must have an answer and peace afterwards.
You may easily conceive that having my bram
filled with such ideas, I am net fit to entertain yoii
with the parties of pleasure which the I>ttehed«
often makes to Rambouillet, nor of the hunting
excursions in which the Duchess de Berri joins
the King. She does well to show tàiÉt these
attentions, but, as yet, they are not agreeably w*
xîeived; more time is necessary to become ae-

MADAME BE MAINTENON, 383

customed to theou Poor Marshal de ViUeroi is
in a state of constant suffering ; I am quite grieT"'
ed for him, and at what the King loses by being
deprived of the society of a man» who knows bow
to answer him better than anybody else. The
Count de Toulouse wishes to attempt an aecom*
modation of the law suits between the Princesses*
The Duke of Maine will not be difficult to manage ;
it is said that several marrtages are in agitation.
Notwithstanding her deformity, it is whispwed
that Mademoiselle de Conti does not displease the
Duke, and the temper of this Princess, her wit,
sense, affability and goodness, compensate lor
every defect ; on the other hand, ihit difference €»f
age between Mademoiselle de Bourbon and the
Prince de Conti is not sufficiently great to pre<^
vent this marriage*

LETTER CCIX.

TO TH£ SAME.

Versailles, May 30t6, ITIS.

I RECEIVE no news from you this post ; bnt I
have answered two of your letters, one of the
9th, and the other of the 1 6th instant.

It is true that what now passes is of a very
serious nature, and even something beyond that ;

I am well convinced that you will adhere to your

384 LETTERS OF

first views, and that the delays which we oppose
to the peace will be productive of no good : we
must leave all to God, and be guided by him. It
is some time since I saw the Queen of England,
but I know that she is still inconsolable. Why do
you think that the King, her son, will always be
unfortunate? I see many persons who are per-
suaded that he will be restored.

We wish a happy confinement to the Queen.
The Duchess de Saint Pierre, who is here, con-
firms all the news we hear of her, and consoles us
by the assurance that her tumour is small. What
she says of her Majesty's dress pleases every-
body, and makes her more respectable in their
eyfes than the magnificence which would so well
become her. I am very sorry that you lose a
good woman, for they are extremely scarce every-
where.

The court is quite solitary : all the Princesses,
and the greatest part of the ladies, have taken a
fancy to small country houses, which they visit
with those who are fortunate enough to be most
in their good graces, and which renders the court
less agreeable : but it may be rather more cheer-
f^il at Fontainebleau, for I hope the campaign will
not be long.

MADAME DY MAINTICNON. S8$

LETTER CCX.

TO TH£ SAME.

Marly, June 13th, 1712«

Though I hope for peace, and a speedy one, I
am in a very bad humour, for we-hear of Quesnoy
being invested, and the enemy making an incur*
sion into France ; this is an incident of little con*
sequence, but it will terrify Paris, consequently
money will disappear for some days. I hope we
shall soon be relieved from this anxiety by the
news which we expect from England, and which
we ought to receive this week.

It is useless to say what one thinks upon the
resolution which their Catholic Majesties have
taken : we must be content with what God wills ;
but they should not be displeased with the French
for acting with respect to them as they do. The
Duchess de Berri is passionately fond of hunting,
and neglects no opportunity of indulging in this
amusement: till now her suit is not numerous.
The King has|not yet been able to prevail[on himself
to take her into his carriage ; but time will settle
everything, though I have never seen grief con-
tinued so long at court ; we must no longer think
of what might have cured it, and I perfectly com»
prehend your reasons.

TJie affairs of the church do not mend» and I

VOL. I. ce

386 LETTBRS OF

have nothing good to tell you, except that the
King's health is as we could wish it. I trembled
for two days respecting that of M. Fagon, who is
so necessary to us.

im^

LETTER CCXI.

TO TH£ SAME.

Saint Cjt, June 26tl^ 1712«

I AM delighted at the favourable state of the
Queen ; and though I look upon Spain now with'
emotions of envy, I do not fail to wish you all
sort of blessings.

No, Madam, there is nothing disobliging in the
expressbn of my sentiments towairds you ; : but I
have no longer the strength to talk to you upon
ail these matters ; we must suffer ourselves to be
guided by God ; he has placed us in a situation
whiih we could not foresee, and' will extricate us
from it whenever he pleases.

I can easily recognise the conversations of ouf
e6ûH when you are thought too eager); they still
continue, and foecon^ even more ill-^nàturéd ^ bat
we have, as you observe, only to do the best we
can, and let tiie world day what it tikes.

The King was very much concerned at the
death of M« de Vendôme. You may eaâly con-

MADAMS DE MAIKTSNON. 367

ceive there is a great stir about his property, Irot
nothing has yet been decided cm this subject

The iast news from England gives rise to the'
expectation of a speedy peace with that country ;
it remains to be seen whether the Dutch will per^
sist in their haughty pretensions, and if we shall
still have war. The King and Dauphin are in
perfect health; I have not spirits enough to speal^
to you Df trifies»

LETTER CCXIE

TO TH^ SAME.

Mtrly, J% Uth, 171^,

PiSACË is a great blessing : we are therefore)
obliged to wait patiently for its arrival. Noper»^
ison had doubted its attainment wità England ; the^
Queenhas aanounced it loudly to her subjects ; they
have liiàde bonfires on the certainty of its taking
place, but we do not see it yet concluded. Ones-
noy i^tkken, and Prince Eugene wii^es to attack'
twdor three other places at once, M • de StalBbrdi
sho^ be ttow with the army, to induce the troopsi
who are in tlse pay of die Queen to foUow^th^
eitampleof the Biiglish ; tiiis is the new# ^hioh^
we expect at present, and which awakens m&i
easier than usual.

ItiB in vafai. Madam, I cannot rejoice at the re-

388 LETTERS OF

Bunciation of their Catholic Majesties, and if I
take oomft)rt, it is for reasons of which I dare not
boast to you. God will do what he pleases : I
should not feel any great interest in passing events
if I loved France less, and 'did not esteem their
Catholic Majesties as I do.

I form to myself a very agreeable idea of the
Queen holding your infant in her arms ; this is
certainly a recreation with which she will never
be reproached, and which is as amiable as all the
rest of her conduct.

The King and Queen of England come here to-
day] to take their leave, for we set out the day
after to-morrow; they thought of going away before
us, but everything proceeds very slowly. The
Dauphin will also come to-day; he is not very
delicately nursed, being generally in the open air;
his last tooth X troubles him a little, but in other
respects he is very well. As for the King's health,
it is noty thank God, affected ; he orders his din-
ner sometimes to be brought to my house ; it is
some time since I had the honour of being at table
with him, bnt I see with plieasure that he eats
rather less ; it is isaid, indeed, that he eats more
heartily at supper, which is a strange regim^i.
Your Marshal de Villeroi is the most contented
man breathing; I sincerely hope this disposition
may last a long time.

Count de Broglio has beaten the enemy in a
foraging excursion, but this is of little conse-
quence.

MADAME DE MAIMTENON 3$9

Clement's conversation is very entertaining, and
all she says of your court increases our respect
and love tovirards it. I always fear M. de Stha-
remberg, and I wish you as much tranquillity as
ourselves. You have» however, a great resource
in your prudence and good temper.

LETTER CCXIII.

TO THE SAME.

Fontainebleau, July 18th, 1712..

We ^receive no news about peace but what
is good, and I know no person who does not be»
lieve we shall conclude it with England immedi-
ately, and that a general peace will take place this
year ; but the proceedings are so slow,, that san*
guine minds have a great deal to suffer.

It is said that we shall know to-morrow the
nature of the truce; it is thought that the
troops in the pay of the Queen will follow
the example of the English; there is reasoik
to hope that the Dutch will agree to a gene-^
ral suspension, which would be a good thing, and
in that case, I should have patience during the
négociations of Utrecht*

I have no difficulty in believing that what the
King had declared in his council, was followed by

390 t&TtlSKS OF

àv«ry;heroic ma aSècûng f^cem ; cnirtioieiias
furnished such as would be thpiight too falHilot]^
for a romance.

I witnessed,. some daysj^o, the p^arting of our
King and his Britannic Majesty. The former ex-
pressed himself in an adnurable mam^r upon
friendship, on the services which ^he will ever be
ready to render him ^en in his power, concluding
by an eithortation to fidelity in religion, and an
estrangement from imiovation ; a great King is an
excellent preacher. The King of England made
very apposite replies upon all these subjects, and
recommended the Queen, his mother, to the King
in a most affectionate manner. This Prince is
very s^isible, and much more so than his age
would indicate. The Queen, on hec side^. said all
that could be said as to their gratitude to the
King, and on her submission to the will of . God*
Her dejection is such as to excite pity in the, moat
obdurate heart.

What an ^agreeable idea you wish to girer me, in
flattering me with the thought of seeing the Queen
of Spain àt Maily ! If she were obliged 'ta come
to Bareges, I would risk, even ^t my age, a
jtMirney to Bourdeaux ; but how many tejSBOixs,
and what obstacles would oppose this pro^t;
that of your two Princes is of great importance. '
Marshal de Villeroi is quite eonteated ^yo»spLay
eotioc^ive from this how he is treated,, for yoaknow
that his delicacy is not easily satisfied^. I liave not

MADAlMilC PS ;MAI«rT£NON. 391

9Qen him for some time ; it is not easy fw him to
have access to me; the King is a great deal with
me, and I like to \>e alooe when I am at my own
disposal.

I no longer speals: of the renunciation, but I
think nothing can be more imprudent than to hoM
conversations about it, as we do here ; but, like
others, I also have my opii^ions, and there cannot
be tviro on the above point, from the cabinet to the
market-place.

The court is not yet full here ; there is a great
deal of huntings ai^d it is the finest vireather ima-
ginable.

LETTER CCXIV.

TO THE SAME.

Fontainebleau, July 25th, 1712.

We are upon the point of losing Laadrecies,
and never has the war pressed so close upon us as
isince it has be^n thought that peace was made.
I know nothing equal to the furious outcry so
Jon^g kept up against Marshal^ de Villars for his
not giving battle, except that of the present mo*
ment, for his wishing to do so in order to save
Landr0cies. It could not be imagined that the
sovereigns had occasion for the pati^ice which
they possess, for I believe that all the ccmrts re^

392 lETTEftS Ot

semble each other^ and that there is sA outcff
everywhere against what is passing. After all
this noise, I do not think there will be an action;
the enemy has had time to entrench himself.

The court devises every means to forget its
afflictions; the courtiers play, hunt, and walk
night and day ; but this is not natural, time alone
can work the grand cure.

LETTER CCXV.

TO THE SAME.

Fontainebleau, August 7th, 1712^

I MAVE received no letters from you on the
days that I have been accustomed to receive
them, and I waited on Saturday, Sunday, and
Monday to have the pleasure of writing to you ;
but yodr letter did not come till Tuesday morning,
when the post had set out ; I do not know whose
fault this is.

Since that time you Will have received, and
continue to receive, good news from Flanders:
the joy is great at Paris. I have also experienced
some pleasure, but it has not lasted long, for the
siege of Douay gives me great uneasiness ; having
to deal with a man who appeared enraged when
he was fortunate, what will he not attempt now
that he is spurred on? I would fain hope for

MADAME DB MAIKTENON. 398

peace with all the sober heads who do not doubt
it, but I find the négociations very tardy: I am
assured that you are better informed of their pro-
gress than myself. It is the same with the actions
that have taken place in Flanders, of which you
receive the particulars, and in this supposition 1
scarcely know how to fill up my letters « I am
entirely ignorant of what is passing at our court,
since I lost her who induced me to pay attention
to everything on her account ; I am anxious for
the general good, but I no longer know what is
doing. I was told yesterday evening, on my re-
turning from a house which I have in the city,
and where I go as often as possible to avoid seeing
anybody, that M . le Duc had gone to the army
without the King's permission, or the consent of
the Duchess. This courage is worthy of his rank ;
but his eyes are in so bad a state that I think he
should not be suffered to expose himself.

You are cruel in wishing me to be attached to
their Catholic Majesties, at the same time that
you do not wish to give them to us. My age
ought to console me for every thing with respect
to myself, and my experience shows me that there
is little dependence upon the future, that things
turn out very different from what we anticipate.

I had already heard of your procession to the
Retiro; it must have been full of magnificence and
pleasure. It is vain to expect any more cheerful-
ness, in my letters, since what has passed in

394 LETTERS OF

Flan4en^dpes not afford me aay, and I /uft ékepAy
throwH into a state qf great uneasiness about
Qouay. and the slpi0?0ess of the négociations.

LETTER CCXVl.

TO THE SAME.

Fontainebleau, August 15th, 1712.

Till now the troops which are in the pay of
Queen Anne have not followed the example of the
English, and it does not as yet appear that this
Princess is offended at all that the Dutch do
and say against her : she acts ably, and without
passion ; her whole conduct shows great considera-
tion of her allies. Prince Eugene is exasperated
at what has passed in Fls^ders ; he will attempt
the relief of Douay, if he is permitted ; but it is
reported from all quarters that the Dutch will not
commit themselves upon a doubtful event, and
which would be favourable to us, if we could
dépend upon our superiority.

In the meantime Queen Anne has sent Viscount
«Bolingbroke, accompanied by Messrs. Prior and
Gautier, most likely to forward the peace, which
is the only thought that gives me pleasure, if the
repose of nations can be so called ; for, with re-
spect to myself, I should suffer little from war but
by kny anxieties, and shall perhaps gain little from

tranquillity; I . shall merely €l\aDge sufferings:
;we njLOst have them while iji this sDate of h^g.
:You will say that.I.atitici^pate miisfortunes, and
jthat my ^ thoughts ate. too gloomy ; but .who . can
«have; any that are too itnuch ^o? 1 should. not.eyen
^^ée.yoïà* Queen with pleasure at Marly» if ^he.must
leave it again. Enjoy your happiness, which
I hope may long . continue. Although Madame
Compoin has appeared to me of a taciturn charac-
ter, I shall endeavour to have a ccmversation with
her to hear her speak of your court; which occu^
pies.me» at least, a» m»ch: as out own.

As I only aspire to peace, I am sorry for the
siege of Douay» in the fear that we shall lose lives
which may afflict us. M. le Duc arrived there in
such a statCj with respect to his eyes, as to render
him very unfit for warlike pursuits.

The Elector of Bavaria is at Chaillot, and is
expected here in a few days ; it is a very disa-
greeable place in peace, and quite displeasing to
the J^ing, having a great regard for this. Prince,
who . is, : on his part, very much s^ttach^d to ^tbe
royal family. He has been really very much
. a^çctçd by its losses.

All l^aris .will have it that the reyolutipj:^ in

... ^

our affairs, in Fjiandersisr an effect of tjïe Dauphin'^
protection, so much ^are they pérsuieuled of his
sanctity !

There is a chamberlain of the Pope here, who
says, that if he jwrote to Rome, to say that the

396 LETTERS OF

King of France, at seventy-four, goes out in the
dog-days, at two o'clock in the afternoon, runs
through the forest, among the sand, in the midst
of all the horses and dogs, they would think him
mad, and that, consequently, he will take care to
say nothing about it. The King's health is, in-
deed, astonishing; he was never so attentively
observed, and since our misfortunes he is become
still more preious.

The trenches were to open before Douay on the
14th instant; I hope it will not hold out long»
having a weak garrison; but I fear some attempt
on the part of Prince Eugene.

LETTER CCXVIL

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, Avspiat 2!2iid, 1712*

I HAVE no letter from you this post, and I know
not with what I shall fill mine. The arrival of
M. de fiolingbroke furnishes, however, news
enough, but M. de Torcy will inform you of it
better than I can ; ,there is also no want of news
from Flanders, of which you are doubtless in-
formed ; I should, therefore, have none to commu-
nicate but what is passing at court, and of this I
now know but little. I think we are upon the eve
of peace, at least with England and Savoy. It is

MADAMS ]>£ MAINTENONS 397

only you who » can cause some delay by the in-
evitable length of a négociation carried on by
letters^ which cannot be answered in less than
three weeks. The change in our warlike aiSairs
does not intoxicate me ; I am not, however, the
less anxious for a general peace ; and as every-
thing which postpones might break it off, I am
impatient to see it concluded. The siege of Douay
goes on very well; but I still dread Prince
Eugene, who is very near us, and who never en-
tertained but one thought,, tiiat of beating us.
Marshal de Yillars, in the midst of all he has to
do, and the good fortune he has just had, loses a
beloved brother ; at least we heard yesterday
that \ye was at the point of death. There is a
great deal of sickness amongst our officers. I
hope we shall return to Versailles on the 14th of
September ; I shall be very glad to draw near St.
Cyr, where I never felt more anxious to seclude
myself.

LETTER CCXVIII.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, October 2iicl, 1712.

Your visit to Bagnères makes a great noise,
and as our courtiers do not think anything can be
done without mystery and disguise, they are try

398 LBTTER8 'OF

ing to discover your secret. Some say that you
are coming to court ; others, that it is a prelude to
the disgrace of their Catholic Majesties ; others, ^
again, attribute it to an inclination for retirement ;
while a fourth party declare it to have originated
in a serious malady. For my own part, I think it
an indisposition, of which y^ou fear the conse*
quences, and which you wish to have cured in'
time, without waiting till the evil becomes greater.
I am only uneasy is to the caves of Bagnères, to'
which I never heard any utility attached, except
for the baths. You will, of course, have had. the
advice of M. Fagon.

Your friend Mieirshàl de Villeroi is very uneasy
as to what concerns you, and you ought to be
more obliged to him than at another moment, for
he is in the zenith of exaltation. The King hasi
given him the reversion of the government of the
Lyonais, the King*s lieutenancy, all the pensions'
attached to it, and accompanied the grants with
every mark of friendship which he could wish*
We are not, however, better friends, notvrithstand-
Ing all this; I refuse him audiences, and he
strongly opposes my design of secluding myself
more than ever.

I passed the. time at Fontainebleau in great soli*
tude^ which I enjoyed very much, and shall con-
tinue it here. I have no motive for showing myself,
and have a thousand for concealment. I am old,
often sad ; tired of the woridi knowing côAïtiëis

MADAMS DB MAIKTENOX. 399

but too well ; and no longer possess that which
formerly interested me in everything, except
what regards the King's person and the good of his
kingdom. There is nothing connected with this
subject now, but what affords me pleasure.
Everything goes on admirably in Flanders; we
heard at Rambouillet of the reduction of Quesnoy.
Bouchain is on the point of being besieged. Hie
enemy say they have never attacked us with so
much spirit and skill as we attack tiiem. All'
these sieges have not led to any ccmsiderablè loss
of lives up to the present moment.

There axe numbers of sick everywhere, as welt
as in the army, but few deaths. It is reported
that Prince Eugene goes to the play at Mons; aiïd*
that he says, since he is prevented from doing
something, he will ainuse himself. Indeed I
think his iirmy is inconsiderable ; for detachmentg
have been sent into all the fortresses, from their*
fearing us on every side. Is it possible. Madam,
not to recognise the hand of Ood in sucbl a
change? Having humbled and afflicted us, he
now raises us up and rejoices us. The Dutch are
exasperated gainst us and England.

»>

400 {^ETTERS OF

LETTER CCXIX.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, October 9th, 1712.

I HAVE received. Madam, the letter which you
liave done me the honour to write from Pampe*
luna, dated on the 22nd of last month : you do me
the justice to think that I feel interested in the
success of your journey. I am well persuaded
that their Catholic Majesties have taken every
ppssible precaution for your safety and convenience,
and I know you to possess sufficient good sense
to have done all that depended on yourself.

You will not be very indifferently lodged at
Bagnères ; we found our house a palace in quit-
ting Bareges : but I fear lest the watersrmay not
render you all the benefit you expect, for there
ÎB but little dependence placed oh [them except
for baths*

The Queen certainly gives you a great mark of
friendship/ by consenting to a separation of three
weeks, and the Prince of Asturias was not
greatly to blame for wishing to accompany you,
as he would have profited largely from your
leisure.

Of what use is it for me to be satisfied with
their Catholic Majesties, and why do you wish

MADAME DE MAIKIISNOK. 401

me to adore a Princess whom I shall nerer see 1
She does me the honour to write to me in a man*
ner that would turn the brain of one who calcu*
lated more upon the future than I do^

Le QuesBoy is taken, and capitulated on the
4th instant. Bouchain was already invested, and
I think the trenches will be opened to-morrow ;
never was there a more signal miracle, nor a more
sudden revolution in the affairs of a country;
three months ago we were without courage^
troops, ammunition, artillery, or tumbrels ; and
mere passive spectators of whatever Prince Eu*
gene chose to do : he is at present a spectator in
his turn at Mons ; nothing more is said of hi^
army, while ours carries everything which it
attacks ; every day furnishes examples of Roman
valour among the lowest ranks, and they contend
who shall be the first to march on Bouchaia.
Our artillery silenced that of Quesnoy, the first
day that it fired a shot ; we hare a great deal of
spare ammunition : the army wants nothing, and
there are a sufficient number of waggons to convey
the fascines that will be wanted; there was not
one to be found in the environs of that place, he*
cause not a tree was left round the town.

Never was there a more liberal or magnificent
establishment than that of the Count de Toulouse^
and conducted with such regularity, that nobody
appears to suffer the least inconvenience; the
house is small^ but the park and gardens have been

VOL. I. ' n p

402 ^LETTERS OF

vetadered extremely splendid, by the various im*:
provements made by the Prince. The situation
is not good; it is a 'bunting country, having a very
large forest near to it. The' furniture, made at Saint
«foseph, is very beautiful, and full of the taste of
her who had begun to prepare it : the King was

much pleased during his stay there, and may very

• _i

probably return to it again. For my own part, i
passed my time there as usual, and saw but few
of the company ; among whom I shall only name
Madame de Dangeaù, de Caylus> and d'O. ; for
Madame de Levi, who belongs to my coterie, ha&
searcely recovered from her confinement, and the
Duchess de Noailles is pregnant.

LETTER GCXX.

J TO tHB SAM£«

Saint Cyr^ October 18th, 1712.

I WISH with all my heart that you may recover
your health at Bagnères ; I am not surprised that
the journey has done you more good than harm:
persons oppressed with cares and public affairs
take their repose better by quitting them, than
remaining exposed to a whole court.

You will soon hear of the capture of Bouchain ;
the news of yesterday evening stated that ih»^

MADAMS .11^ MAtNTENOK.

if»

firing had almost ceased ; it is time to finish the
campaign.; our troops have suffered in the
trenches at Bouchaitt/ having' been up to the
middle in water ; but at last the afiair has termi-
nated to our utmost satisfaction. The générai
appears to. be in an ç^dilent humour from his
letters, and very impatient to come and enjoy
the fruits of his labours : he will not, however^,
find people very generous here ; and if he wsili
'Cnvied when unfortunate, conceive what will he
the case now that it must be allowed he is co*
vered with glory ; but the King^ and those who
are unprejudiced, will receive him with open arm^^
All our courtiers will be very glad to be here
again, although it may be said there is no longer,
a court, nor any hc^e of re-establishing it. ' The
Duchess de Bern is not calculated to bring peo<-
pie together : her days are very irregular^ ^ it if
impossible to know at what hour she is to be seen^-
«he does not like play, which is* however, . UjBces*
saiy for company^ The Duke de Berri Uke^.
hunting still better than play; he is the best
Prince in the world, and resembles his father, iv^
every respect

/ i :

-■ )

S> D 2

404 XJfiTTBK^iOV

out .' ;

k« • •

I..,

LETTER CCXXL

TO THE SAM£«

Samt Cyr, October 22, 1812.

"^1 AM very mtich obliged to you for the two
letters which you have written to me since your
arrival at Bagrières^ 1 am delighted to see you
âàtiâfiéd with your remedies, and quite ready to
Tetiirn to their Catholic Majesties, I shall parti-
^îj^àte in their joy, yours, and even that of the
Prince of As tunas.

Bouchàih. is taken, and our campaign most glo-
lîôusly tetmlnseted. Yesterday, the King gave Ihe
governtaent of Provence' to Marshal de Villars ;
thé^post of general of the gaHies to Marshal de
l*iessé } thè government erf TVIessin to* M. de Sail-
hLnt^^'thât of Gravalines to the Marquis de Broglîo,
s6n-m-làw of TW. Voisin, whose appointments he
increases out of compliment to tiie minister ; the
government of Charlémont to the Marquis de
Vîeux^Pont^à good officfet, and àon-in-laN;^^ of the
Princess of Montauhan ; and of Nismes to M. de
Viém, an old officer, and son-in-law of M. de
JSai&t André. I do not know whether you re-
member enough of the Hotel 4'Albert to recollect
:this name.

The Duchess of Alba came here yesterday, to
j^ me her farewell visit, and hopes to set out

MADAME DS MAUNTENOÏT. 40$

next :week nt is a long time since she has so fliat^
tered herself ^êkh this idea^ and slié h» been dîs^
pleased at me when I assured her that she would
not go so soon, i wonder at her having been
able to finish so maany disagreeable ' afiairs in a
foreign countiy, and without any assistance* . 8he
ik very grateful for all the obligations she is undet
to you; I do not think that the King aàd Queem
of Spain have a more zealous, fekhfui, lor respect*-
fttl subject; I ho'pe that the. pleasure of being on?cè
more at Madrid will console her a little ; ' she has
great need of it ; for she has spent a dismal time
since the death of her husband : never did a woman
love to such an excess all that shp was bound ta
love, even to the idea of her son being an Adonis^
which he certainly was not..

Marshal de V illeroî, a greater grandfather than
all the grandfathers pu^: together, has presented,,
within these, few days, all his grandi^ldr^v; to
to the .King, to take the oaths for their various rc^
versions t the eldest will be short and stout, with
a very agreeable physiognomy; the second is^
miore like the Marshal.

I know riot whether we ffatter oursefves ornofrr

but we think peace near at hand. The Dutch
have at length entered into the negodations;
there appear few things to discuss^ I cannot svy
at present that my joy will be gfëat ; but I shall
be glad to see their Cakbolic Majesties established
«poft their thrones>. France in rqpose, at least Har

iOft LETTERS. OF

flome timei and Ihe King cjolivâred from fS0 mmy
cares and anxieties: tjieire will, after all, be but
too many left. on liis/hands^:but/we;atre not to
baye perfect feliéity bere. below. .
/: :Tbe c#iirt is about to 1^ graced by .the arrival
of our warriors, who will be Tery glad lo find
themselves here in thenr respective, places ; | shall
be also hafifpy to hear that you are in yours, in
which you , act so. brilliant a part I wish most
heartily that it may be as agreeable,. which is not
always the case.

LETTER CCXXIL

TO THE SAME.

The waters of Bagnëreswere created expressly
ibr you, and that is enough Uy deserve the reputa-
'tioB which I am about trying to give them; for
^ihey had none tiU now, except for the, baths.

I told the King how welliatisfied yea were with
;yaur reception in France, «and certainly it must
xhave been a pleasing task: to all .^ho have contri-'
< buted to \U Marshal de Villa>r8, who^is the onost
4^iv&and firm of jonrfnmds, has «got his Ma-
'jesty to explain himself lately. on your acoount,
^ and is so w^l satisfiedy that he had not patien<^
*'to ^ait till Jie pajd me a visits Ji>ut wrote éù me in

MADAMS DB MAINTENON. 407

ierms vrhicli are veiry flattering to you, Feel «s
much interest. Madam, in his good fortune, as
you have done in his disgraces ; fbr he is the most
ctmtented man living, and I heartily wish be may
long cpiitiaue so. . «

LETTER CCXXIII.

TO THE SAME.

Marly, November 20th,. 1712. '•

I AM very anxious to hear of your being ât
Madrid ; and should be much grieved if the use
the waters has encreased your complaint, so as to
'detain you at Bayonne. I could wish to kiiow
you were in the presence of the Queen, whose
goodness I so much admire. She is kind enough
to write me Ipng letters upon all that is passing
in Spain, which is gay and brilliant, though not
at all to my taste. I see, however, that I am
not reasonable, and that in our présent situatioiï
it must needs be so. I still hope for peace^ and
our best politicians do not doubt but it will take
place ; I, however, find the négociations very
long, and am in continual alarm lest they should
be broken off by some untoward event,
i I have a fre^ source of trouble in the health of
ihe King : do not be alarmed, however; it is as

408 l£TT£ftS Olf

good as it ever has been ; but there is a dispose
tion to take the alarm, on the part of some throagh
anxiety, aitd of others through affection ; there
are many, too, who wish to create fears in the
public mind. A hundred false reports circulated
in Paris, which it has been impossible to tranquil*
lize on the subject, and you will readily perceive
the inconvenience of spreading such reports
throughout all Europe. As to the King himself,
he eats with his usual appetite, sleeps well, takes
the same exercise, walks better than ever, be-
cause he goes out before meals, and devotes the
same portion of time to public business. The go-
vernment of Guyenne is not yet given away ; but
the King has charged it with ten thousand crowns
as a pension for the Duchess, whose pecuniary
affùrs are very much deranged. The King has
prolonged his stay ten days, for the pleasure of
planting, and to be near the Duchess de Berri,
who has been confined to her bed for nine days,
from a fall. The Queen of England has suf-
fered greatly from headache, s^nd a sore throat,
which is now much better. Your good friend,
M. de Villeroi, absents himself too often, to go
and preside at the meeting of the Marshals;
I could wish him always near the King, whom
he knows how to please better than any one
else.

The King has just returned from shooting, and
has brought home thirty or forty head of game :

MADAME DE MAINTENOÏT. 409

he has never shot so well before. I wish the King
of Spain had a park like that of Versailles.

I began this letter yesterday, and I have just
received one from you, which informs me of what
I was apprehensive might happen, * that you have
stopped at Bayonne. This is an event that we
shall all deplore ; for you are wanted near their
Catholic Majesties. Every bodygains by it; speak
no more to me about renunciation, I conjure you :
I condemn myself to perpetual silence on that sub-*
ject ; for I should only say harsh things were I to
dwell on it, and I do not stand in need of any
new cause of uneasiness. I yesterday saw the
letter which the King of Spain has written to the
Duke de Berri ; but, again, let us say no more
about the matter.

LETTER CCXXIV.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyri November 27th, 171^.

I THINK you will answer my letter at Madrid,
and imagine the waters wilt have at length aU
lowed you to quit Bayonne, wjhere I am sorry
you have been detained so long. I can easily
believe you were very glad to see the Queen
Dowager ; but I suppose also, that you would not
have wished to see her for twelve days together ;

'410 LBTTERS OF

■ * •

and indeed yau have good reasons for heitig k
Uttle impatient; your^uiet and amiable temper
has beçn put to the teât> by knowing that the
Queen is expecting your arrival. I participate
largely in her joy and your awn; mine must
be derived from what is taking place in Spain ;
for I see nothing in France that is calculated to
adSbrd me much pleasure : theje is, however, no
part of the court in which it appears to exist more
than in my room. We have music frequently;
for it is the only thing that pleases the King
when he is not out. Marshal de Villeroi is to give
m some this evening, and I hope that this will
introduce it into other parties, which till now has
been confined to those of the Count de Toulouse.
To-day the King holds a chapter of the order,
to give it to the Duke d'Aumont, which will enable
him to appear with more tclat in England. I am
very impatient to hear of the Duke of Hamilton's
arrival here ; but as to seeing him, I do not think
of it ; for, in secluding myself more [than ever
from the French, I shall not receive foreigners,
although I most highly approve of their being

♦

well treated, and exert all my influence for this
purpose. The Queen of England could not go to
Saint Germains for the last few days, as she had
decided ; she hopes, however, f o be able to g;o
there on Thursday.

If APAME DE ITAINTENON. AVI

• '

LETTER COXXV.

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, Beoenber 5th, 1712.

It is some time since I have received any of
your letters ; I am very impatient to know that
you are arrived at Madrid. ; Peace is the only
thing now spoken of here^ and yet I do not see it
take place ; there are €iven people who pretend,
that, when the great powers shall be agreed, the
interests of the minor states will have to undergo
a long discussion. A small case was sent to M.
d*Oxford, with a note, requesting he would open
it himself* He was, however, too much on the
alert to do this; and the person whom he em*-
ployed, instectd of opening it in the usual way,,
took off the bottom, aûd found several small pis-
tols, which would all have discharged at the same
time, and might, it is said, have killed several
persons had they been present. This mysterious
affair makes a great noise.

The King has given the order to the Duke
d*Aumont, to wear it in England. One of my
attendants has just informed me that the Duke of
Hamilton has fought a duel with Lord Moore^
who was killed, and thé Duke, only «urvited
4hree.bottrs^^ haying joeo^vfid four wounds. Thii^

412 letteK» or

is a disastrous circumstance, which may still pro-
long our négociations ; and, as more considerable
obstacles may arise, I am greatly alarmed about
this peace, which I desire so ardently, without^
however, anticipating any very joyful emotions
when it takes place.

The Queen of England was to return to Saint
Germains to-day. The King, her son, edifies
everybody by the manner in which he hears
mass: this Prince possesses excellent qualities,
much religion, probity, and good sense ; he is
very prudent and sedate ; in other respects> he
speaks with a greater accent, and his manners are
more foreign than those who have ever left Lon-
don. M. le Duc and he are so much alike as to
be taken for each other. This is entertaining you
with trifles. Madam ; conceive, therefore^ what I
should do if I had the pleasure of conversing with
you ; you would then see that those with whom I
pass my life have less of my confidence thaa
yourself.

LETTER CCXXVL

TO THE SAME.

VenaiUes, DedemBer 19th, 1712.

I DID not write to you on Monday last; for
tkone of your letters reached me^ and I had no^

mahai» de MAim-BNON* 413

tiàng to «ommonicate : we vn^e then m continuai

•

expectation of M. Prior ; but we now hear he will
not come so soon : it is necessary, before hë leaves
England, that Lord Stafford, who is at the Hague,
should send the final resolution of the Dutch,
whose deputies are meeting ibr that purpose :
after which M. Prior will bring us a general or
separate peace. But, perhaps, you know all better
jjfhaja myself. Madame continues much incom-
ipoded ; however, she hopes that the use <rf sul-
phur will bring her about. It is said that the
Duchess de Berri's <;ourt k pretty well attended
by the men, but very Uttie by the women ; indo-
lence r^^<r8 them incapable of discharging their
dutii^s, or even of consulting their pleasures.
. At la^t I have seen your friend at our musical
party, and I hope not for the last time. The Mar-
^^ <de Mouchi, a relation of Cardinal de £s-
trees, who is in the good graces of the Duchess
^e] l^erri, was yesterday married to one of her fa-
vourites, a grand daughter of the first physician to
Monsieur, whom we shall see seated by his side
at ^thie repasts of Marly : she is young and hand-
some,, from what I hear; for I am no longer in the
^hahît o£ seeing young persons.
' I began tbk letter the day before yester(lay,
and thinking that some news might arrive, I have
not closed it. We have just heard that M. Prior
will soon be at Paris^ and that our . affiairs are

414 XEfviSRS or

about to be arinaiig«d« May Heaven bleto you
in Spain^ and grant nisi patieiict in France!

LETTER €CXXVIL

TO THE SAME.

Marly^ Jamaty 16âi; 1913.

You easily adopt the manners of Prance; ià
speaking of the returns from the chase ; - 1 think
yours Very agreeablcy and more moderate thaft
those of Marly; for I confess that we eat too
much» are too long at table, and too fond bf good
living. However, the King haii become one of the
most abstemious men in his kingdom : tibi^ tables
of individuals are extravagant; and> notwithstand-
ing the continual complaints of'thecoartîers' about
their poverty, there are scarcely any of them 'wti»
do not keep open bouse.

Since you know nothing of the peace but what
I tell you, I must needs add, that we no longer
doubt its taking place ; but it is not eSs:pecteé be-
fore the month of March,- which causes gresft feei
lest events might break off the négociations.

The English ambassador is to see the l^ini^
here to-morrow; the Duke d^Aumont received
him at Boulogne with great magnificence ; he had
two hundred gentlemen with him, and more than
forty ladies in court dresses i •

MADAME DE HAINTENOK. 415

LETTER CCXXVUI.

t I

TO TH£ SAME*

Versailles, Febnaiy jSfli, 1713*

Peace advances, the Dutch have at length en*»
tered into the conferences^ having given the satis^
faction which was demanded, and everybody
appears persuaded that the Emperor will also
accede to it; what is passing in the north will
contribute to his doing so.

The King of Sweden has been a long time my
hero, so much so, that I have his poi't rait. I w&s
charmed with his courage and frugality, as well
as with the rule which he observes and causes to
be observed relative to women, and his fidelity
to his religion; but some cruelties hav^e been im-
puted to him which disgusted me a little ; how*
ever, I can easily comprehend that you are.
anxious to see him, and I doubt not that he will
be well treated at your CQurt; at all events, X sh^U^
judge of him by the maimer jn which he b t^,
ceived there.

You are very ill-natured in your project of. the.
journey to Toulouse. You had better talk of the^
marriage of Mademoiselle de Solve ; her mother^
will give anything to see her well married ♦ Ma-
dame, de MaiUebois b well formed, tall, fair, and

416 LETTERS OF

innocent, with a beautiful mouth and fine teeth ;
she has something of the air of her mother, though
not so beautifuL She must imitate Madame de
Rupelmonde, who has- conducted herself with
great propriety at our court, and who manages
her concerns very well in Holland. I should re*
gret her in case you induced her to go to Spain,
if I still took any interest in what is passing here.
It is certain that M. de Pontchartrain gires you
many male and female rivals ; do not dread Ma-
demoiselle d'Aumale; it is from her choice you
would have least cause of jealousy •

LETTER CCXXIX.

TO THE SAMS.

Versaifles, February 13th, 1713.

The continuance of the Pope's sickness will
occasion the departure of our Cardinals; that is
to say, of the Cardinals de Rohan and Polignac,
who is not yet however arrived from Utrecht. I
doubt not but he is upon as good terms with
Cardinal de La Trémoille, as he has been, and I
must say, that he deserves every praise ; I know
also that everything has been done to excite dis-
sension between them.

Mademoiselle de Noailles marries the son of
Marshal de Chateau Rhenauld, to whom the

MADAME DE MAINTBNON. 417

Kiag gives the reversion of the lieutenancy of
Brittany. She is not so pretty as her sisters, but
she is a very good girl, and greatly beloved by all
who know her.

The English ambassadress wishes to see me ; I
persist in refusing her ; but this has not been done
without some fear of reproaches from you. Will
you tell me nothing about the Duchess of Alba?
Has she not yet arrived ? I am very anxious to
hear that she is tranquil, and a little more happy,
for she suffered much here.

LETTER CCXXX.

TO THE SAME.

Marly, February 27ih, 1713.

• I AM very glad that the sickness, which pre-
vents you writing to me more fully, has not lasted
longer, and that so good a medicine has been ad-
ministered. You certainly deserve to live, and
are not a useless incumbrance on our planet. I
can easily conceive that you scold sometimes ; it
is impossible to have things in order without re-
proviijg those that are irregular. I have often
taken the liberty of finding fault with the Duchess
de Lude, because she did not scold enough : this
lady must be more disagreeable to you than any
body else, for you are naturally very mild.

VOIi. I. E E

418^ LETTERS Of

Mademoiselle d'Aumale has commuaieated ttf
me the letter with which you have honoured her ;
and you want a distaff? — you shall have every-
thing you ask for, and 'nothing more. I shall
take upon me to send you twenty pounds of wool,
s^ many of silk, and the same quantity of flax ;
you only want samples, for your work will never
extend farther. ♦

The affairs in which you interest yourself, your
attendance upon their Catholic Majesties, the edu-
cation of two great Princes, a correspondence
with so many people who esteem you, are equal,
before Ood and man, to the merit of managing a
distaff.

I am aware of the comfort that is derived from
wearing stays ; but we must not say any more about
this in France. A beautiful and great Princess has
put an end to their use for ever; she could not spoil
her own\shape, but she has spoiled that of others,
and we noW see nothing but clumsy and short
figures.

On crossing the French frontiers, the King of
England wrote one of the handsomest letters
imaginable to the King ; never were terms of re-
spect, , gratitude, and submission, more happily
tempered with the dignity of a great King. I
know of nothing but his restoration, which could
give me an inclination to live till the period of its.
arrival.

The Dauphin came here two days ago, finely

MADAME DE MAlNtENON. 4 19

dressed, covered with jewellery, and looking very
handsome. The Duchess of Maine contributes
very much to the pleasures of Paris, by the plays,
balls, and masquerades, which she has lately
given with great magnificence. The puppets re-
present the siege of Douay, the boastings of M.
de Villars, and mention all our officers by name.
Everybody goes to see them ; Marshal de Villars
has been there himself, for he enjoys a little
raillery. The Duchess de Berri has sent for them
to Versailles.

I dare no longer speak of peace; we continue
to think ourselves close to it, and yet it eludes our
grasp. It is said that to-morrow is the day fixed
for Queen Anne to declare herself to parliament,
and that we shall hear the result on Saturday.

LETTER CCXXXI.

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, March 6th, 1713. '

Nothing more is said of the feebleness of the
Archduke. I thought his health had been re-
established. We are waiting for the news of what
the Queen shall have said to her parliament. It
is thought here, there will be no campaign. The
officers and young men can scarcely be more dis-
orderly during peace than they have been during
the war ; but. Madam, they do not take so much

£ £ 2

420 LETTERS OF

snuff as the ladies, who ai*e quite disgraced by
it, and now carry coloured handkerchiefs in their
pockets, I cannot habituate myself to what I see,
and I therefore avoid seeing it as much as possible.

Notwithstanding my seclusion, I cannot refuse
particular interviews with persons whom I have
some reasons for noticing ; I have had one to-
day with Madame de Pompadour, to whom all
this kind of thing is new, and by which she is
also much alarmed. I have also seen the widow
of Marshal de Boufflers, who lives in great retire-
ment ; she left me to go to Paris, where her only
son is confined with a fever. She thinks it will
end in the small-pox.

The son of Marshal de Tallard is about to marry
the third daughter of the Prince de Rohan ; she is
fourteen, very tall, and finely formed. Her elder
sister, who is sixteen, will certainly take the veil,
and wishes to become a nun. Mademoiselle de
Rohan, the eldest of all, and who is eighteen,
does not, on the contrary, wish to remain in a con-
vent always ; but she is not hurt at seeing her
sister married before her ; she is said to be hand-
sorne^ but rather lame.

MADAME DE MAINT£NON. 421

LETTER CCXXXII

TO THE SAME.

Versailles» March 13lh» 1713.

I KNOW nothing which can have retarded the
departure of the Marquis de Montéléon, except
the prorogation of parliament ; but he will most
likely set out very soon, since we are assured
that the Queen of Great -Britain will proclaim
peace to-morrow, after which it will only remain
to sign the preliminaries. I feel anxious for it on
account of others ; but the King will not be lead
away by his exultation.

The correspondence which I have with you
often tries my patience : it is not agreeable to
talk of trifles to a person with whom one would
rather wish to discuss affairs of importance, with-
out any reserve.

I should never have thought that the accident
of the Duke d*Aumont would have been treated
so slightly in France and in England; it was
spoken of for two or three days, and then forgotten.

The Pope's health is better, and Cardinal de
Rohan told me some days ago, that he was going
to pass the Easter at Strasburgh. I have only
seen the Cardinal de Polignac for a moment. I
know not the cause of his silence with you ; but

422 LETTERS OF

he hais not written me a word during his stay at
Utrecht. Your conduct with regard to him is
worthy of you ; if such a use were always made
of the malevolent reports which one hears, they
would not be so frequent.

Why do you think it strange that the seventh
Mademoiselle de Noailles should marry the son
of Marshal de Château Reynauld ? The father is
a very good man ; the son handsome and clever ;
as to the lady, she is also sensible and at the age
of discretion. They are both rich. Château
Reynauld is a fine estate, and the mansion well
furnished. The lady will make a figure in Brittany.

I have done the very thing. Madam, which you
cannot believe, by refusing the visit of the English
ambassadress. Marshal de Villeroi saved me
firom that of the Elector of Bavaria. Have you
the cruelty to wish me to keep my door open till
I am at the last gasp ?

LETTER CCXXXIII.

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, April 24th, 1713.

I PITY you, from the sincere affection you have
for their Catholic Majesties, in having such diffi-
culty with regard to the education of your Princes.
The French are aflfectionately attached to their

MADAM£ DE MAINTENON. 423

. Kîn^t his is not a new domination ; the subjects
are of the same nation ; their fathers and ancestors
have served the predecessors of our Kings ; they
possess talents, courage, and science; but with
all these advantages, I have more than once seen
the difficulty which has occurred in the choice
of preceptors. Never had a Prince more upright
intentions than the King ; when it was necessary
to appoint a preceptor to the late Dauphin, he
did not consult his own inclinations ^^ He ap-
pointed M, de Montausier, who was virtue itself,
but of so severe and austere a disposition, that I
think he intimidated his pupil too much ; he was
surrounded in the subaltern offices with all that
was thought best ; the flattery which people are
taught to use towards Princes from theit cradle,
was especially avoided; he had not an at-
tendant but spoke to him more boldly and freely
t^an he would have done to a citizen; but this
may have contributed to his timidity. You saw
the choice that was made of M. dé Beauvilliers
and M. de Cambrai ; this cannot be disapproved
of, when we look at the Duke of Burgundy and
his Catholic Majesty. It seems to me, that
from the manner in which your court is consti-
tuted, the Infants could not be so much separated
as they have always been in this court, or left so
much to their governesses. Would not the
King, Queen, and yourself, form a good governor
and governesses, in authorising, however, the

421 LSTTBR8 OF

goyetnor and preceptor that may be named? I
once knew a man of great intellect, who maintained
that men should educate females, and women the
men. This mascim might be carried too far, but
it is not without some reason ; there are no women
so rigid, with respect to coquetry, as men who
wish the sex to be modest and reserved : there
are no women who would allow youth the rude-
nesses and improprieties to which men scarcely
attach any importance, and which are, howerer,
very objectionable. I could wish, then, for a
Spanish nobleman^ a brave warrior, full of honour
and probity, a preceptor, and not a pedant, pos-
sessing a mind adorned with everything that is
most agreeable. The example of the King, the
accomplishments of the Queen, the politeness and
correctness of the camerera mayor, would do all
the rest. It seems to me, this is a very excellent
project. There is in your letter an expression,
which shows me that I think like yourself respect-
ing children, when you say that they should be
spoken to rationally. I have two hundred and
fifty whom I educate upon this principle, and
with which I am extremely well satisfied. You
are right in thinking that it is pleasant to hear
the King speak of the little care that was taken of
him in his youth ; as he has got so well out of that
period, he talks of it now very much at his ease.

Although we are assured that the Emperor will
sign in his turn, I do not like to hear war still

MADAME BS MAIHTENON. 425

talked of; everything is prepared for the Ger-
man campaign, although all the court is con-
vinced it will not take place.

LETTER CCXXXIV.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, May 7lh, 1713.

It is true, that the Queen of England has con-
ducted the négociation which gives us peace very
ably, and that all these delays have been indis-
pensible ; there is now only the Emperor to sign,
and nobody doubts his doing so this month. Our
troops are nevertheless marching towards Ger-
many ; we had many farewells from all the officers^
when we quitted Versailles ; but there was no-
thing sad in these, from the persuasion that we
should soon meet again. Marshal d'Harcourt,
who wsis to command this army, is detained at
Marly, by one of those dangerous apoplectic
fits, which return so often ; his brain is sadly dis-
ordered, for he is aware that he cannot pronounce
what he thinks, and that he says quite the con-
trary ; his lady found him in this state on arriving
from Normandy. It is a great affliction for
Madame de Caylus, as their friendship was very
sincere, and her children, who are nearly related

426 LfiTT£R9 OF

to Madame d^Harcourt, will lose much by his
death.

I am very much disposed to approve of what
their Catholic Majesties do ; and moreover^ it is
quite my idea to divert young Princes as much as
possible^ from the familiarity of the women who
surrounded them, and to speak to them rationally,
not only at the age of five and a half, but even at
three ; for as there is nothing better than reason,
it cannot be imparted too soon, especially if com-
municated agreeably, and so as to make an
impression sooner than we can expect ; I have
experienced the efficacy of this plan beyond a
doubt. I could wish with all my heart, that M.
de Figueroa knew as much of it as myself; but
I think that the King and Queen, as well as your-
self, ought to take a great part in this important
education.*

LETTER CCXXXV.

TO THE SAME.

Marly, May 12th, 1713.

We are sorry to see the army marching for
Germany. Marshal de Villars succeeds Marshs^
d'Harcourt, who goes to the waters ; he i& con-
vinced that his journey will not be long> and but

MADAMf DE MAINTEKON. 427

little embarrassed by this war, if it pleased the
Emperor to continue it.

If my feelings are blunted, my reflections often
represent to me the miracle which. God has
wrought in favour of our Kings, and the difference
between the peace which we have just signed,
and that of Gertruydenberg. The King appears
as satisfied with it as you could wish, especially
when he is at Marly, where he is much happier
than at Versailles ; he takes his walk in the morn-
ing, which is very conducive to his health ; this is
certainly better than could be expected, consider-
ing his age.

The Elector of Bavaria omits no opportunity of
being with the King, and amusing himself; he
joins all the hunting parties, and afterwards plays
at lansquenet in the saloon, till two or three
o'clock in the morning: the Elector <is a very
amiable Prince> and I heartily wish him every
success.

LETTER CCXXXVL

TO THE SAME.

Marly, May 29th, 1713.

Well, Madam ! this popular alarm, which
seized me before any one else, becomes well
founded, and we are now at war with the Empe-
ror and the empire : our wisest heads have been

428 LETTJ5R8 OP

deceived, because they have reasoned on facts,
and Prince Eugene and M. de Marlborough have
yielded without reason. I am very sorry for
it ; the nations will yet suffer, and they stood in
great need of being relieved : the King's repose
will be troubled just as I thought he had began to
enjoy it ; and when he seemed to enjoy himself
more freely than ever.

The joy arising from proclaiming peace is ren-
dered incomplete by this remnant of war. The
Duke de Tremes has given a very splendid enter-
tainment at the Hotel de Ville. While I am
writing to you, the King is hunting ; Madame de
Berri is in the landau with him, because she is
prevented from riding by a slight bruise. The
Elector of Bavaria is here, and will spend a part
of the night in the card room. Ragoski is also
hunting, but he does not play : he is quite of
another turn ; he likes to be alone, and wishes
to inspect everything minutely, and appears very
prudent in whatever he says or does.

LETTER CCXXXVII.

TO THE SAME.

Marly, May 31st, 1713.

I CAN easily conceive your joy on the arrival of
the courier from Savoy : it is a great pleasiire to

MADAME DE MAIXTEXOV. 429

see the Queen in a state to enjoy a correspondence
with the best of mothers, and who must have had
great merit in beginning the education of our two
Princesses.

It is true there is no need of books for medita-
tion, for ail that we daily see furnishes us with im-
portant matter; that respecting the Duke de
Médina Cœli is very affecting : but we histve seien
such awful instances in persons who were inno-
cence itself.

Whenever you are disposed to praise me for my
capacity in the education of children, I shall
receive it greedily ; for I am really persuaded that
I know something of the subject. I find you mm h
less embarrassed than we about a governor, from
the kind of life you lead. The King, Queen, and
yourself, must do one half of his work ; for I
imagine that you do not abandon your Princes to
governors, only seeing them ceremoniously for a
quarter of an hour every week.

Peace will be proclaimed to-morrow in Paris :
some ladies will go there from Marly ; the rejoicings
and Te Deum will take place on Thursday. With
all this the Emperor declares war against us ; we
see the generals^epart, to the great regret of the
poor Duchess de Guiche, who had calculated' up-
on passing the summer with her husband. You
will not doubt but I feel this news more keenly

than all the rest.

■

It is true that the Duchess de Berri wishes

430 LETTERS OF

to amuse herself; but she has yet a greater
desire to have children, and I am convinced she
will risk nothing upon thafsubject, for she is very
capable of following up an object.

The Chevalier de Saint George is delighted with
his reception at the court of Lorraine : we should
yet see the restoration of this Prince, whose re-
putation» increases daily : the Queen, his mother,
lives retired at Chaillot, without any succour or
consolation, except what God is pleased to give
her. Marly takes me still further from her ; if I
continue as well as I have been the last fortnight
at Versailles, I shall have the honour of paying
her a visit.

LETTER CCXXXVIIL

TO THE SAME. •

Versailles, June 12th, 1713.

My secretary is left at Saint Cyr, so that it is
with my own feeble hand I must address you ; I
would, however, gladly attempt ^something still
more difficult for you ; but what could I not do, if
there was^a hope of seeing you ! I think I could
post it very well, but I should not look quite so
well on arriving.

Marshal de Villars, by a precipitate march, has

MADAME DI^MAINTENOK. 431

taken a very adv^jitageous posiiion ; military men
appear delighted with it, and so am I, upon their
word, as much as I can be during a war upon*
which I had not reckoned.

The description you give of my present, charms
me ; you know how to embellish everything ; but
you cannot be too well satisfied with my inten-
tions towards you, from the distaff to the sove-
reignty. I fear lest this remnant of war should
derange the grand affair.

I have thanked the King, in your name, for the
lively interest he has manifested for you on this
occasion ; he thinks you ought to be quite pleased
with him and M. de Torcy, with whom I have'
had a conversation respectiug you ; he affirms that '
you are well convinced he is also in your interests.

LETTER CCXXXIX.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, June 19th, 1713.

You know that I am ignorant of what prevents
the couriers of the Marquis de Montéléon from
arriving : the peace has been signed and the re-
joicings have taken place so long ago, that I
feel much hurt at your not knowing it before.
I am equally dissatisfied with respect to the Ger-

432 LETTERS OF

man war, when you say that you do not beliere
the Emperor will act against us. All the best
politicians of France thought so, and yet it has
taken place ; they now say it will not last long,
and, perhaps, they will be deceived. I begin,
however, to postpone my griefs till the evil day
arrives, and to get rid of those which foresight
creates, which are, certainly, often fallacious.

Marshal de Villars has set out full of hope ; and,
by a very quick march, he has seized upon all the
advantages we could desire. He is preparing for the
siege of Landau, and subsisting our troops at the
enemy's expense ; which will give great pleasure to
M . Desmaretz, who has not all the money of which
he stands in need. There is, notwithstanding, a
great deal spent here ; they play higher than they
have done for a long time, and the Elector of
Bavaria is constantly giving entertainments ; the
Dauphin returns them, and the Duchess, together
with the Princesses, her daughters, furnishes every
thing, showing the greatest activity.

But I must not forget, with regard to the Prin-
cesses, that their marriages are about to take place;
I would relate some particulars respecting them,
iftheyhadnot become public, and if I did not
know you have a correspondence with persons
here, better informed than myself.

I now only think of shutting myself up ; I pass
the days at Saint Cyr, and the evenings with the
King : the Marshal de Villeroi and myself often

MADAME BE MAINTENON. 433

deplore our losses, and criticise all that is pass-
ing. We have hastened our journey to Ram-
bouillet, because the dispensations will arrive
from Rome by the time we ought to be there; and
it is wished tKat the marriages should take place
as soon as possible. We set out on the 26th in-
stant, and return on the 1st of July.

LETTER CCXL.

TO THE SAME.

Saint Cyr, July 2ncl, 1713.

There are many subjects upon which I could
still say to you, no, I will not answer, &c. ; but I
must dispense with the consolation I should de-
rive from unbosoming myself to a friend like you.

The best news I have to give you upon the
journey we have just made, is that the King has
attended the stag hunt every day since our arrival,
although the meetings were three leagues off; the
chaces, comprehending the time for returning,
lasted six or seven hours, and the King was never
better.

You will, perhaps, think less of the vigour of
out Princesses, who have hunted night and day.
The Duchess de Berri has risen often at three
o'clock in the morning to hunt; but 1 mu$t not

VOL. I. FF

4S4 LETTERS OF

omit telling you that before we left Versailles,
Mademoiselle de Bourbon and Mademoiselle de
Gharolais set out at five o'clock in the evening to
go to Surêne to play with the Elector^ sup, mask»
and dance till six in the morning, return to Ver-
sailles» go to their toilette, dress and accompany
the King to the procession of the Holy Sacra-
ment. I formerly saw such excesses as these
once a year, but it is nothing now-a-days if they
are not renewed three or four times a week.

Your Marshal de Villeroi has always continued
at Rambouillet, but he leaves it to-morrow morn-
ing to endeavour to arrange a difference between
the Count d'Harcourt and the Duke d'Estrées ; it
was wished to let it pass over quietly, but as it
took place before ten men, and eight or nine
women, it soon became public. It was at first re-
ported that the Count, having had some words
with the Duke, had given him a box on the ear.
It has been since reported that the Prince said he
did not strike him, and that if he had, he should
reproach himself, because the Duke was very
much intoxicated ; the latter, affirmed, however,
that he had been struck. . This is now said to be
the fact ; I know not what will be said in the ar-
rangement that is about to take place, and shall
therefore drop the subject.

I know what I should do if you were near me,
but I fancy it to myself as the most delicious
treat : I should not then change my maxim to fly

MADAME DE MAINTENON. 435

the world, but I would persecute you, perhaps, as
much as it does me, and we should both speak
very harshly of it.

I am quite tired of forming a, better judgment
than wise men. We are at war ; it begins well ;
you will have all the particulars from other quar-
ters. Marshal de Villars hopes to manage so well,
and with so much alacrity, that he will procure
us peace.

The news of the King of Spain offering to com-
mand the French army on the Rhine has not yet
arrived here ; the hope of seeing this Prince afford-
ed me at first an agreeable idea, but the first re-
flection has found this prospect more brilliant than
useful.

The siege of Landau has already cost us M. de
Biron, or at least one of his arms, which required
immediate amputation, because it was splintered
with a cannot shot ; every body is sorry for it ;
his lady and his mother-in-law set out directly
to join him j Madame de Nogent, M. de Lau-
zun's sister, wished to go notwithstanding her age,
saying that she was no longer desirous of life, if
her son-in-law died. Mesdame de Nogaret and
d'Urfé are also much afficted. I fear lest we may
yet hear worse news ; but the fortress is good,
the garrison strcmg, the governor an honest and
able man, all essential qualities for a vigorous de-
fence*

The King sent M. de Lauzun to Chaillot to in-

436 LETTERS OF

vite thé Queen of England to the marriages of the
Princes, proposing to her to sleep at Versailles ; she
excused herself on account of the weak state of
her health, and a debility which she had not
hitherto experienced. I suspected the account of
M. de Lauzun to be rather exaggerated; but
Marshal de Berwick has fully confirmed it : I am
going to Chaillot to-day to see her myself. It is
a twofold^cause of sadness for the Queen to know
that her son has returned to Bar, which is a very
^sagreeable residence, and where I fear he is
likely to remain some time ; not that I am capable
of judging whether peace or war will be more
favourable to him.

LETTER CCXLI.

TO THE SAME.

Marly, July 17th, 1713.

It appears^singular that you hear no more of
your plenipotentiaries since they have been at
Utrecht, which is certainly the spot that ought to
furnish them with most matter to entertain you.
We have heard of couriers being assassinated, and
I believe that some of the malefactors have been
taken up.

You are right in preferring peace to the ad-
vantages we might derive from war ; I wish no

MADAME DE MÂINTENON. 437

Other to the King but that of tranquillity and the
recovery of his kingdom^ which is completely ex-
hausted. The weather alarms us very much, for.
we may apprehend a similar famine to that of
1709.

The siege of Landau advances, and we have
lost no person of consequence since the accident
of M. de Biron, who is as well as we could
expect. •

I am convinced that Marshal de Villars will be
folly sensible of the honour conferred upon him
by his Catholic Majesty, in sending him the order
of the Golden Fleece ; nothing is more flattering
to him than such a mark of attention from so great
a King, and he will not fail to prize it highly.

It is true that I entertain great esteem for the
Marquis de Brancos ; he possesses wit, virtue, and
great courage; and has, moreover,' in my eyes, the
merit of being very poor with high birth ; there is
really a pleasure in aiding and raising up those
who are thus circumstanced.

I have seen the Queen of England ; çhe is not
well, but not so ill as I had been told. The
good folks of Saint Germaios rather exaggerate the
injury she suffers from the air of Ohaillot, because:
they wish to have her among themselves: but
when there, she is overwhelmed with rnisery, and,
sometimes with reproaches from all those who
surround her. She is partial to the sisterhood of
Saint Mary,, «id passe? her daya in prayer: I

438 LETTERS OF

could wish it were not so near the heart of the
King her husband, and that of the Princess her
daughter.

LETTER CCXLIL

TO THE SAME.

llfarly, August 6th, 1713.

I RECEIVED the letter which I expected by the
post a week ago ; but it came so late that I could
not answer it, as the King was in my room.

It is very late to become wise, but I begin to be
convinced that we should think but little of the
future ; experience should teach us that it is
scarcely ever such as we had pictured to ourselves.

Marshal de Villeroi is satisfied with the re-
conciliation he has effected. The Marshals of
France affirm that their tribunal has been recog-
nized ; while the Princes of Lorrain say that three
Marshals, nominated by the King, do not con-
stitute a tribunal ; so that each party is satisfied
with its own decision. I have not heard Cardi-
nal d'Estrées mentioned in all this business ; but
I think, with you, that he must have felt it very
sensibly. t

I could wish the Queen had a little of the cold
we feel here : we have not had two fine days daring
the wbolç summer. There are three Cardinals

1IADAM£ D£ MAINTEMON. 439

here who constantly attend the King, and who
are among the most assiduous of our courtiers.

LETTER CCXLIII.

TO THE SAME.

Marly, August 7th, 1713.

I AM SO glad of what M. Voisins has just told
me of the submission of the Catalonians, and of
Barcelona itself, that I cannot defer congratulating
you on it. I entreat you to present my homage to
their Catholic Majesties, assuring them there is
no person who is more interested than myself in
their happmess, grandeur, and repose.

Let it not be said that you are the sole cause of
the war being prolonged ; I cannot believe it, and
blame those very much who think so.

LETTER CCXLIV.

TO THE SAME.

Marly, August 13th, 1713.

Your proceedings are slow, and I attribute
this to your being so distant from us. It is a long
time since we have thought peace was made with

440 LETTERS OF

England and Savoy, but we have not yet arranged
matters with the Emperor.

The siege of Landau is continued, and is ex-
pected to end between the 15th and 20th instant.
It is true that we have not lost any persons of
much importance, though many officers and sol-
diers; this has not arisen from the vigorous de-
fence of the enemy, but the place is very strongs
and the enemy have a number of mines, which
oblige us to proceed cautiously. I think Marshal
de Villars very praiseworthy for wishing to save
his troops.

We think here that Barcelona has submitted,
and that you enjoy profound tranquillity. It is
true there never was so much money in France
among people of business, or so little with the
King and courtiers; we starve in the midst of
plenty, but it must not be denied that the expences
of living and play are excessive.

There are a number of ladies at Marly ; we have
so many Princesses and maids of honour, that there
are quite enough without wishing for any more;
but I have no objection to their coming, as I do
not see any of them. I have already named those
whom I have reserved to myself, for the dinner
and musical parties which are given in my own
apartments.

MADÂMG DE MAINTENONS 441

LETTER CCXLV.

TO THE SAME,

Marly, August 27th, 1713.

The news changes so often, that I am obliged to
adopt a different style every post. I begged you
to offer my very humble respects to their Catholic
Majesties upon the reduction of Barcelona; and
we now hear of hostilities being about to take
^place there, and which may be prolonged from
your want of the necessary means of carrying on
the siege. We know also, that M. and Madame
de Savoie are on the point of going to Sicily.

Landau is taken; and we are going to
march to Fribourg, of which it is thought the
siege will be equally long. The Marquis de Biron
has been named Governor of Landau,— an honour
which he has purchased rather dearly, for he still
suffers much pain.

M. and Madame de Berri went a few days ago
to the Opera, at the Fair of Saint Laurent, and to
see the rope-dancing. There were sixteen ladies
in their suite. They went through Paris in a num*
ber of coaches, attended by guards, trumpets, tim-
brels and drums; distributing money freely as they
passed through the streets; there was not one
iofthe sixteen ladies who did not receive a present

442 LETTERS OF

It is said to have cost Madame de Berri two
thousand crowns; she expends her money very
liberally, although I believe she is obliged to
borrow «it. The Princess de Conti and her sister,
Madamoiselle de Gharolais, acccompanied Ma-r
dame de Conti; but excluded the Duchess, for-
merly Mademoiselle de Conti, for whom she pro-
fesses a decided enmity.

I have a female relative who had the misfor-
tune to displease her: it is the Countess de
Mailly, who has lately brought Madame de Polig-
nac, her daughter, to Paris, but whom she found
a little too much given to those excesses in plea-
sure which are but too prevalent there. She
told M« de Polignac, if he wished to keep his wife
at court, he might do so; but if he wished his
daughter to remain under her charge, she must ac-
company her to Paris, where she was on the
point of going. Madame de PoUgn<«> is eighteen,
and very beautiful.

Madame de Beaumanoir is not dead, but it is
said she cannot livç long. The Queen of England
came here yesterday, and appeared tolerably well
while she was with the King; but immediately
he went^away, she burst into tears, which is not
her usual habit. The King, her son, is persecuted
on every side on account of his religion ; and even
the Catholics, who are near his person, wish to in-
spire him with extravagant notions. He has been
also refused the securities which he demands; and

MADAMS D£ MAIN'TfiNON. 443

is reduced to a wretched slate of existence; he
is in want of money as is also the poor Queen^
France paying very badly, and England con*
tinually postponing what has been so long pro-
mised.

rihM«M«l*«*Ml*M*i^^

LETTER CCXLVI.

TO THE SAME.

Fontainebleau, September Itth, 1713.

It was apparently a presentiment of what is
now taking place which rendered us indifferent to
peace: forait is impossible to rejoice when we
reflect on the little that remains to us. However,
as experience! gives wisdom, I feel myself much
more tranquil than I formerly was, and it seems
to me that if I had to begin life again, I should
be a little more reasonable and less anxious.

I do not think any new enterprizes will be un-
dertaken in Germany; there are too many obsta-
cles, and our ablest men assert that our affairs are
in too good a condition to risk anything.

Nor do I perceive, from all I hear, that you can
undertake the siege of Barcelona. I had heard
wonders of the probity and piety of M. de Stah-
remberg; but I make great deductions since his
quitting Spain, which does not by any means

444 LETTERS Oï*

correspond with the idea I had entertained of him.
I think, with you, that one of the great misfor-
tunes of our Princes is, not to be ajbleto look after
their affairs themselves, since this circumstance
makes them dependent upon those whom they
employ. I have seen many instances of it, and I
think you know still more of the matter than my-
self.

The Elector is here; he resides with M. d'Antin
in the garden of Diana; his Highness arrived there
on Saturday, and began by playing cards with
the Duchess till midnight ; after which he made
a party with Madame de Berri ; these two being
ifiost calculated for each others society, both re-
quiring constant amusement. He was yesterday
closeted with the King: there was a promenade
round the canal in the evening. The Duchess was
on the water, Madame de Berri in a landau, the
young Duchess in a coach, the Princess de Conti
and Madmoiselle de Charolais on horseback, the
King alone in his calèche, for he has not yet al-
lowed the place of our Dauphiness to be occupied.
I was not present at this fine sight, but in the
forest with four or five ladies, who would not have
enjoyed it more than myself.

I must say a word of Madame d'Orleans ; she
was in a coach painted yellow and light blue, with^
black horses and silver mounted harness.

MADAME DE MAîNTENOîT. 445

LETTER CCXLVII.

TO THE SAME.

Versailles, October 23, 171 3,

I HAD kept your last letter, to divert myself a
little with you on the ingenious manner in which
I attempted to get a present from you, and your
penetration in perceiving it. I wished also to
tell you that the King cannot bear santaur of
China, and that he does not like fire-screens, be-
cause they disfigure a room ; but I cannot enter
into such details, when I know that their majes-
ties are indisposed, and you in so sad a situation ;
you require all the patient qualities which God
has given you to bear up against so many trou-
bles ; it appears that everything goes on better
when you write, and there is reason to hope that
the next news will be good, which, however, is
not expected without some uneasiness. I have
none but good to tell you of the health of the
King and the Dauphin, which is the sole joy of
good Frenchmen and honest people. The rest
does not go pn so well, and I am not without my
share of sufiering.

The assembly of the clergy begins well. • Car-
dinal de Noailles is very anxious for the peace of
the church, and Cardinal Rohan, who presides at
the commission, is prudent and moderate. I have

44flf LETTERS OF

been in a feeWe state since I quitted Fontaine-
bleau, having had more repose there than here,
which is a circumstance that greatly affects my
health ; that of our holy Queen of England is in
a bad state ; she is extremely ill, and so dejected,
that she seems more dead than alive. A poor
person in her situation would excite great com-
passion ; she is very much alone ; the absence of
the king, her son, fills her with grief and affliction ;
they are both in great want of money, being very
ill paid by.Frauce, and not at all by England,
who promised to do so more than six months
ago..

LETTER CCXLVIIL

TO THE SAME.

Marly, November 5th, 1713.

I SINCERELY hopc WO shall take Fribourg, but
it will not be so soon, nor so easily effected as
had been thought, because the governor, who
showçd so little vigour at the beginning, appears
now resolved to defend himself to the last. An
assaultjwas to be made on the 1st instant i if it has
taken place, we shall know the result to-morrow.
The principal magistrates of the city, together
with the ladies and many persons of quality, who
had retired to it with their effects, have waited

MADAME DE MAÏKTENON. 447

on the governor, preceded by the holy sacrament,
to intreat him not to expose them to pillage, and
all the consequences of an assault ; he answered,
that it was not yet time to surrender, and ordered
himself to be carried to the breach, notwith-
standing his gQut, to ascertain personally the state
of the works* ^

If the Emperor is as obstinate in continuing
the war as in 6|^ing the plaguÇj we shall have no
peace, for it is said that he absolutely^refuses to
quit Vienna ; but we are assured that the conta-
gion diminishes.

It is true that Marshal de Villars is making a
glorious campaign : he has his faults, like other
men, but he is very much attached to the King and
the state, and one of the most able of our generals.

I can easily conceive why you did not answer
the long letter of Marshal de Villeroi. I think
you have done much to absent yourself from the
Queen's room while you write to me.

NoTember 6tlu

M. de Contades, Major of the Guards, has just
arrived with the news that the city of Fribaurg
has been taken without any assault ; the half"
moon was caiTied, and only a single lieutenant
killed ; the governor retired into the castle. But
you will hear a better account of the affair from
others. The Queen of England returns to Saint

448 LETTERS OiP

Germains to-day through pure complaisance ;
she is not required to remain in the place that is
the least disagreeable to her.

LETThA CCXLIX

TO THE SAME.

Marly, Novembet 20th, 1713.

I HAVE no letter from you, but you have one
from me, which cannot however indicate to you
our astonishment and affliction at what is passing.
I leave it to those who are capable of making the
reflections called forth by the conduct of the Ca-
tholic King, and on the consequences which it ^
may produce throughout all Europe ; I confine
myself to your particular interest, which makes
me sufier as much now, as it afforded me joy a
week ago : never did surprise equal that of your
friend and mine. God grant that you may repair
everything that you have spoiled ; it is impos-
sible for me to speak of any thing else.

END OF VOL. I

•lIACKELt ANP ARB0W6MITH, PAINTEM, JOHNSON 'S-COUJIT, FLEKTSTRBET.

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