the Wines of our Country used to be most Transported was quite interrupted which had reduced many Gentlemen in the Country to a Starving Condition who though they had great plenty of Wines in their Cellars yet were not able to raise any Money upon them to supply their present occasions I told the Merchant that I would try what I could do and at the same time writ a Letter to the Marquess de Louvois I acquainted him with what had been proposed to me by the Merchant at Nantes and that considering the present Circumstances of my Affairs he could not put a greater Obligation upon me at this time than to give me leave to take this occasion of getting a Present of a thousand Pistols and at the same time to rid my Hands of a great store of Wines I had by me He sent me a very obliging Answer even beyond what I desired or expected for he told me that he would gratifie me in this point of getting a thousand Pistoles and that for that purpose he would send me a Pass from the French Court without which no Vessel durst stir out of the Port at this time He further advised me to endeavour to make the Merchant allow me a more considerable Reward for so extraordinary a Favour a thousand Pistols being not an Equivalent to what he was likely to get by the Bargain After I had received this Letter I thought my self as good as secure of the Money not questioning in the least but that my Interest was so great in the English Court where I knew they would be very glad to oblige me in a thing that stood them in nothing as to obtain there what I desired I sent therefore word to the Merchant that he might rely upon it who thinking himself now sure of the Bargain bought up great Quantities of Wine for that purpose and offered to lay down ready Money for the three hundred Pipes which I told him I had in my Cellar but I would not accept of it till I had procured him the Pass Not but that such a Sum would have come very seasonably to me at a time when I was in great want of Money But though I had said no more than what was actually true when I had told him I had three hundred Pipes of Wine in my Cellar nevertheless it was at that time not altogether at my own disposal For you must know that some of my Vine-yards being let to a Farmer great part of it belonged to him but he owed me three years Rent and was not in a Condition to pay me because he could not sell his Wines which made me look upon the Wines as good as my own The better to keep my Promise with the Merchant I writ to my Wife to desire her to take the said Wines in part of Payment at a current Price and to take the Vine-yards into her own hands the Farmer being very-willing to be discharged of them She very readily did what I desired because I had given her an Account of what prospect I had to dispose of my Wines at a good Advantage and to get a good Sum of Money besides It is a natural defect to all Mankind to be apt to flatter themselves in those Matters which appear agreeable to their own Sentiments or Interest this made me build Castles in the Air and to live in hopes that I might meet several times with the same Opportunity of getting a round Sum of Money hereafter But I was soon convinced of the vanity of my hopes for the Marquess de Louvois to whom I had sent since that time a Letter directed to the Lord L ..... in England in which I desired him to procure me a Pass from the English Court by which means I might rid my hands of most of my Effects in France which otherwise in case our design should succeed I was in danger of losing I say the Marquess de Louvois in lieu of sending me the Lord L .... s Answer which was according to my desire as I was convinced afterwards to wit ofter my return from our Journey sent me word that he had weighed the Matter since and upon more mature Deliberation found it not convenient to be done This Letter was no less vexatious than surprizing to me and put me to the greatest Nonplus that could be imagined For besides that nothing touches one more narrowly than to be disappointed in the hopes of a thing which one thought to be possessed of already I had now many Vine-yards and great stores of Wines lying upon my hands of which I could in all likelihood not make the least Profit on the other hand I had by my Credulity occasioned to the Merchant of Nantes considerable Damages who relying upon my Word had bought up such a vast quantity Wines as considering the present circumstances of Affairs could not but be a great Charge to him I was so startled at this ill Success that I did not know where to turn my self first and what Excuses to make to a Man to whom I had given my absolute promise as looking upon the thing as infallible after the kind answer I had received from the Marquess de Louvois I was just at Port Lowis when I received this dismal News and I must confess had it not been for Monsieur de Vaux my fellow Commissioner who did me all the good Offices he could I should have been apt to do something or other I might have repented of hereafter He gave me at that time most particular proofs of his Charitable Inclinations and Piety but the last Night before we came to Port Lowis there happened an Accident to us which made me believe that those Devout and Zealous Gentlemen don't care to look Death in the Face any more than other People This happened in a certain Inn not above three French Leagues from Port-Lowis in so miserable a place that it afforded nothing but a few Eggs for our Supper and at our first Entrance into the Inn you might see Misery painted in such lively Colours in the very Hostesses Face that without going to a Conjurer it was easie for us to guess what Entertainment we were likely to meet with in such a By-place as this to be short when we enquired what we could have for Supper the Answer was That they were but very ill provided to entertain many Gentlemen So we were forced to be contented with a few herbs miserably dressed and a new laid Egg each of us After Supper we went up Stairs into a nasty Hole which they called a Bed-chamber and our Servants went to Supper with the Hostess who fry'd them some sorry Pan-cakes with Bacon Whilst they were at Supper together the Host came home as Drunk as a Lord and the first thing he did was to fall about his Wife's Ears whom he called Whore and other such like pretty names a convincing Instance that a Drunken Man does not stick at any thing as will appear by the
Business had always been Soldiery that I had left France very young and had liv'd Abroad twenty Years that she was an Eye witness of what I had done ever since and that therefore she needed but to consult her own Conscience to tell the Minister of State what she was sure of by her own knowledge as well as my self The Governor of the Bastile who is obliged to give frequent Attendance to this Minister by reason of his Employment took once the opportunity to give him to understand what I had declared upon that Head which having induced Monsieur de Pontchartrain to make a more narrow enquiry into the matter he found that it was not I who was accountable to the King but one Fontenai who having been a Commissioner of the Navy was accused of Malversation in his Office he having been employed to buy a considerable quantity of Wood for the King's use to be employed in the building of some Men of War My Spouse coming sometime after to wait on the Minister of State he told her that the Intendant had been mistaken in Seizing upon my Estate and she intreating him to order my Releasement he answered That it did not belong to him but that she must make her Application to the Marquess de Barbesieux Accordingly she desired Audience of the said Marquess and represented to him in hopes to move him to Compassion that one half of my Body being seized with a Palsie she begg'd of him to take pity upon her and me and to grant me my Liberty But whether the Governor of the Bastile had by his malicious Insinuations gain'd his point against me as well with the Son as with the Father the Marquess de Louvois or whether it was that the misery of others made not any considerable impression upon this young Minister of State he gave her this unexpected answer That it was his Opinion she needed not be so much concerned at my Imprisonment and that in lieu of looking upon it as a Misfortune on her side she might rather wish that in lieu of one side of my Body both were seized with the Palsie I will give every body leave to judge what were my Thoughts when my Spouse gave me an Account of this Entertainment and I must freely confess that being satisfied in my own Conscience of my Innocence and how little I had deserved such a harsh Treatment I was upon the point of laying Violent Hands upon my self as many others have done in this unfortunate Prison of which more in my Treatise of the Bastile but that God Almighty was pleased to assist me with his Mercy in a most peculiar manner against these Temptations My Spouse who as you may imagine was not able to hear such an answer without shedding a Torrent of Tears could not contain herself from bursting out into Tears afresh when she gave me an Account of it so that though I was the Person that stood most of all in need of Comfort I was forced to be her Comforter I have been credibly inform'd since by one of the Officers belonging to the Bastile that this harsh Treatment was not owing so much to the Insinuations of the Governor of the Bastile or to the carelessness of this young Minister of State as to the maliciousness of Chapelier whom I have mentioned before who after his Releasement out of Prison had as it seems told his Kinsman the Marquess de Barbesieux that I had spoken slightingly of his Family a thing which never in the least enter'd my Thoughts Finding my self thus bereaved of all Humane Assistance I turn'd all my Thoughts to God unto whose entire disposal I submitted both my self and Family I spent much of my time in endeavouring to bring over my Spouse to the same Resignation in representing to her that considering every thing God had been pleased thro' his Mercy to order every thing for the best in order to draw me from the love of the World unto which I had formerly resigned most of my affections nay that he had been pleased to order matters for the best in respect of our Family which in all likelihood would scarce have been in so good a Condition if he had not laid this Affliction upon me that two of our Daughters were Married already and that I did not doubt God would find means for her to dispose of the rest of her Children without my Assistance She earnestly desired me to give her leave to throw herself at His Majesty's Feet to implore His Mercy in my behalf which I did consent to merely not to disoblige her and to give some satisfaction to the rest of my Family though at the same time I was of Opinion that this would rather do me harm than good being sensible that the King always gives such Petitions as are presented to him to his Ministers of State and these Ministers who look upon it as a Diminution of their Authority if Businesses do not pass through their Hands do commonly oppose themselves to those Petitions This is so general a Maxim at the French Court that you shall scarce ever see a true bred Courtier speak to the King in private unless they first have Communicated their Business to the Ministers of State I remember very well that the Cardinal of Fustenburgh himself some years ago when the King had most occasion of his Interest durst never attempt to speak to his Majesty of any Business of Moment before he had consulted about it with the Marquess de Louvois of whom he was as it may be said to ask permission before-hand The Sequel of the Business was a convincing Argument that I had not been mistaken in my guess for my Spouse's Petition was delivered to the Marquess de Barbesieux and as I was fully convinced what Entertainment she would meet with if she came to him for an Answer I would not put her to the trouble of it The Governor of the Bastile being not ignorant how her Affairs went at Court and understanding that she had taken a Resolution to throw herself a second time at His Majesty's Feet to beg his Mercy in order to my Relief without being forced to have recourse to the Ministers of State he advised her by all means not to do it for he was not a little affraid lest his Majesty according to his wonted Bounty should grant to a distressed Foreigner what he would not do upon any other consideration especially if he might be prevailed upon to peruse her Petition This advice he seconded by another which had not the least colour of truth but which as malicious as it is is altogether suitable to the honesty of a Man of his Character as I have had sufficient occasion to shew before He was pleased to tell her that he could not but admire she should give herself so much trouble to release me which he looked upon as the direct way to reduce her and her Family to the last extremity which she could not
late dignify'd with the Title of an Ambassadour and had obtain'd the Place of Secretary of the Embassy for this Crible His Excellency after having given Advice to the French Court of what had happen'd with Crible obtain'd the Place for me of which accordingly I took possession Being but very young the Envoy of the Prince of Conde did propose to himself to improve it to his Advantage for which reasons knowing that I us'd sometimes to visit Madam Sâ—ladon Wife to the chief Physician of the King of England engag'd her to invite us together to Dinner at her House hoping by this means to insinuate himself into an intimacy with me But I soon perceiving his design I gave immediate notice of it to Monsieur de Bordeaux who taught me my Lesson so well that the said Envoy believing me as simple indeed as I appear'd did not stick to ask me what had pass'd in the last Audience Monsieur de Bordeaux had of â—â—omwel Whether there was not any Proposition made concerning an Alliance betwixt France and England and whether his Excellency had not required any Succour against the Spaniards Whether I did not know upon what Errand Monsieur de Bass was sent into England by the Cardinal and whether these several private Audiences he had had of the Protector were not suspicious to Monsieur de Bordeaux As I had been well instructed in all points I answer'd him with so much appearance of a real Innocence that he remain'd fully perswaded he had gain'd his end and I took most particular care to remove all suspicion he might have conceived of the good Correspondence betwixt France and the Protector 'T is true he was as yet unresolved at that time as to the desired Succours being not without reason afraid that the English Nation who bare an old Grudge to the French which is not easily remov'd would not look upon it with a very good eye For which reason it was that Monsieur de Bordeaux was forced to make his Applications to Lambert and Harrison his intimate Friends who being brought over to our side by a good round Summe of Money perswaded the Protector to conclude a Defensive League with France By vertue of this Treaty he obliged himself to assist us with thirty Men of War in case of necessity and to join 6000 English Foot with the French Troops This League was brought to perfection some time after the arrival of Monsieur de Bass in London He came under pretence of Complimenting the Protector but it is certain that he had some secret Instructions which I was never able to learn A certain mark of his being sent upon a more important Errand than a bare Compliment was that soon after he changed his Quality of appearing as a Gentleman of his Eminency as he did at first into that of an Envoy Extraordinary of France with Orders to Monsieur de Bordeaux not to transact any thing of moment without his Advice This Monsieur de Bass used to have pâ—â—â—ate Interviews with Colonel Gerard younger Brother to my Lord Brandon Gerard. The Colonel walking one day in the Exchange in the Strand which in the Winter time is the common Walk as well for idle Women as other sort of People he met Don Pantaleon de la Brother to the Portugueze Ambassador with several Portugueze Gentlemen in his Company As the Portuguezes are no less Proud than the English there arose a Dispute who should give way to one another as they met every one endeavouring to take place of the other so that the Portuguezes pushing the English a side made them give way to them Colonel Gerard drew his Sword to taken satisfaction for the affront and an English Gentleman who was in his Company was slain in the fray before they could be parted Colonel Gerard hereupon challenged the next day Don Pantaleon who did not appear at the appointed place being prevented by his Brother the Ambassador who had got notice of the Quarrel But Colonel Gerard being not satisfied thus threatned Don Pantaleon in the presence of some whom he knew would tell it to the Portugueze who made answer that notwithstanding all this they might take an opportunity to meet again upon the Exchange if the Colonel were so angry as he would make people believe and that he should be sure to see him there And he was indeed as good as his Word for he appear'd there with an old Officer and near six score other persons some of which were provided with hand Granado's to serve them in case of extremity They had also placed Eight Men at each door of the Exchange who were to take care That if Colonel Gerard should come with a greater number of Men than they had with them they should shut the Gates upon them Colonel Gerard being soon advertised that Pantaleon was come to the Exchange with a great number of his Followers he sent to his Friends unto whom notice was given before hand to be ready upon all Occasions who conducted him to the Exchange being near equal in number to the Portugueses where a smart Skirmish ensued betwixt these two Parties which made such a terrible noise in the Exchange and circumjacent Streets that the populace thinking an Enemy to be at hand flock'd together to the assistance of their Country-men who were like to come to the worse several of their Companions being slain by the Portugeses which made the rest retire as fast as they could from the Exchange But the Populace coming to rescue their Country-men the Gates were shut against them which put them into such a fury that they were attempting to force the Gates Don Pantaleon and his Followers seeing themselves in distress had recourse to their Granado's by the means of which they dispers'd the enraged Multitude and gave Opportunity to Don Panteleon and the other Portugeses to escape their Hands But scarcâ— were they come as far as Charing-Cross when they met the Protector 's Guards who being sent to Seizâ— Pantaleon and his adherents they were forced to retire without effecting it by the Hand Granado'â— sent among them by the Portugueses Cromwel sent one to demand Pantaleon from the Ambassadour who refusing to deliver him up waâ— soon after closely besieged in his House and seeing himself over-power'd was forc'd to deliver Don Pantaleon who with some other Portuguese Gentlemen belonging to the Ambassadour's Retinue were sent all together to Newgate The Ambassadour made heavy Complaints to Cromwel alledging that the Law of Nations was violated by the detaining of these Prisoners but finding him unmoveable to these Reasons he changed his Tune endeavouring by Prayers and Intercessions to save his Brother's Life But Cromwel refused to hearken to them also as well as to the Complaints made by all the other Ambassadours who spoke to him much in the same terms as the Portuguese had done before He alledg'd for a reason that there were certain cases in which the Law of Nations ought not to take
the said Summ and besides this left her a Legacy of 24000 Livers But his Executors did manage the matter so that there appear'd to be more Debts than means to satisfie them withal which was a just punishment from God for her Miscarriages She had besides this the misfortune to lose her cause against me the Marriage was declar'd void and as I have understood since was reduc'd to a most miserable condition a remarkable Instance that those who leave the path of Virtue meet commonly with condign punishment for their Crimes in this World I continu'd for some time longer in Paris though I was not very easie there for I committed a certain Misdemeanour for which I must give a severe account to God tho' the thing was not premeditated but happen'd accidentally I us'd often to converse with a young Gentleman whose Father being an Attorney had taken a resolution to quit his Employment and to live at his ease in the Country He had just left the Inns of Court with his Son and Clerk in order to retire into the Country when I met them upon the Road in a very melancholy posture which soon might be discover'd in my Countenance having neither Money nor knowing were to get any The Attorney ask'd me what was the matter with me and why I appear'd so melancholy I told him without making the least reflection upon what I was going to say that I was about looking for a Chapman for a good Benefice that was in my disposal He ask'd me immediately what Benefice it was and told me that he himself had for a good while been looking out for such a thing and if it did fit him he was as likely as any body to deal with me for it and that I might as well dispose of it to him as to another He thereupon gave me his Hand as a token of his Sincerity and his Son who observ'd what pains his Father took to ensnare himself tipp'd the wink upon me to give me to understand that I should go on with the Intrigue Then we began to come to the particulars I told him that this Benefice was a Priory of 1500 Livers yearly Revenue of which I had the Presentation as being Heir to one of my Unkles whose it had been before that it was Situate in Normandy in one of the fairest parts of the Country This made the old Fellow's Mouth water He would needs have me Dine with him and we did let the Glass go briskly round to the Health of the Benefice with which he was already more in Love than ever he had been with any of his Mistrisses He thought it therefore high time to come to the main point and told me that if we could agree about the price he would send his Clerk to take a view of it His Clerk was as errand a Rakehell as the Son and they both once more tipp'd the wink upon me to strike up the Bargain So that being resolv'd to sell him a Pennyworth we agreed for 200 Lowis d'or's and he immediately sent his Clerk to make an exact Inquiry into the matter The Clerk made him believe as if he was going his Journey but never stirr'd out the Town where in the mean while we spent the Money he had allow'd him for his Expences When he thought it time to appear again he told the Attorney that indeed he had not been so far as the place where the Priory was having by good chance met with the Person who Farm'd the Revenues of it that they had Supp'd and Lodg'd in the same Inn by whom he had been inform'd concerning every particular which he found agreeable to what he had heard me declare before which had made him think it unnecessary to go farther knowing that he would be eager to know the truth of the matter to consummate the Bargain The Attorney being overjoy'd at this welcom News sent immediately for a Barber to be shav'd resign'd his Chambers and Business to his Son and shew'd me the draught of the Assignment I was to make to him which being done he paid me down the 200 Lewis d'ors as a consideration for the Purchase His Son the Clerk and I liv'd very merrily together upon the old Fellow's Money till most part of it was spent but as soon as I understood he had made all the necessary preparations to take possession of his Priory I thought it high time to get away into the Country I believe the old Spark look'd very blank when he found that he had purchas'd what was no where to be seen How his Son and Clerk did come off with him I am not able to tell having never heard a word mension'd of it since because some weighty Reasons oblig'd me soon after to leave France which I did not see again for many Years after THE MEMOIRS OF JOHN BAPTIST De La Fontaine Kt. LORD OF Savoy and Fontenay BRIGADIER and SURVEYOUR General in the French King's Army LIB II. THE first Welcome I met with in the Country was that my Father who by the Insinuations of my Sister was extreamly exasperated against me turn'd me out of Doors I did whatever I could to appease his Anger but finding all means ineffectual I had recourse to a Kinsman of ours whose Name was Courtilloles whom I desir'd to interceed for me He was a Gentleman of near 1000 Pounds per Annum which as it makes a Man very acceptable to his Friends in these days so my Father as well upon that Score as for his other good Qualifications sake had a particular respect for him But whatever Perswasions and Intercessions he could make use of in my behalf my Father was so prepossess'd by my Sister that he would scarce suffer to hear it mention'd in his presence for me to come and see him But Monsieur Courtilloles receiv'd me very kindly into his House and his good Company allay'd in some measure the trouble I was in for my Father's unkindness But that which was my greatest comfort of all was that it was not long before I fell in Love with Monsieur de Courtilloles Lady's Woman She was somewhat related to them which made her much more respected by them than your Fanflaps generally us'd to be But this was the least of my consideration she was a very handsom and well deserving Person and very Vertuous tho' this last Qualification pleas'd me the least of all at first For as I had hitherto met but with very few that were so so I thought her to be like the greatest part of her Sex but finding my self deceiv'd in my opinion I both lov'd and esteem'd her the more She told me that if I expected any returns of Love from her the only means to obtain them would be to Marry But I was not so much beyond my self as not to consider that one with nothing would not serve my turn I was not so ill bred as to tell her so positively but being resolv'd to break off with her I laid
to be contented with what Conquests he had made rather than to engage himself in a War the Issue of which might perhaps have prov'd of dangerous consequence A Peace being thus concluded upon less advantageous Terms for France than if they had not intermedled in the business they resolved also to send home all the rest of the Auxiliaries that were remaining as yet in their Service not but that they were obliged by vertue of a Treaty made with the Elector of Brandenburgh to keep these Troops in Pay but Flattering themselves that they should scarce have any occasion for them for a considerable time after they found means to make the said Elector take them again Orders were sent us accordingly to get every thing ready for our March into Brandenburgh but before I left Holland there happen'd a very pleasant adventure to me of which I will give you an Account A certain French Lord call'd the Count de Caravas of the Family of the Dukes of Rovanez was Married in Holland to Madam Riperda a young Lady of Quality in the Province of Over-Yssel and carried her into France where Monsieur de Riperda her Brother came to see them He soon fell in love with Madam de Caravas his Brother in Law 's Sister who knowing him to be an Advantageous Match by reason of his great Estate receiv'd his Addresses without much reluctancy There was only one Obstacle which did puzzle them for some time which was that he was not of Age and that his Father being alive his whole dependance was on him But flattering themselves that in respect of her Quality and the near Alliance that was already betwixt the two Families the Father would be prevail'd upon to give his consent they were Married together The young Riperda return'd not long after into Holland where he Married another at Hertogenbush as if he had not left a Wife in France This last being an Actress by Profession his Parents were so exasperated at it that they found means to send her away to the Indies Madam de Caravas who had notice given her of the infidelity of her Husband and that he slighted her upon all occasions nor would acknowledge her for his Wife resolved to go into Holland and happen'd to arrive at the Hague much about the same time that the young Riperda and I were diverting our selves there She had disguis'd her self in Men's Habit as well as her Waiting Gentlewoman because they would not be known by any body The first thing she did was to send her Gentlewoman who had all the appearance of a Gentleman to Riperda who told him that he was sent by a certain Kinsman of Madam de Caravas that he was not Ignorant of her Quality and could not but be sensible of the Injury he had done her to revenge which he was resolved to meet him with his Sword in hand He answer'd this pretended Gentleman that he need not stay for an answer but that he might tell Madam de Caravas her Kinsman that he should hear from him in two hours time at farthest His design was to apply himself to my Lord Webbenum his Uncle who being President of the States he did not question by his Authority to have both these Challengers taken up It happen'd so that I came to see him within a Minute after and seeing him extreamly discomposed I managed him so long till at last he told me the whole Truth and what his design was for which I gave him a severe Rebuke I told him that this was the way to lose himself for ever in the opinion of all the World who would take him for a rank Coward if he should refuse to give Satisfaction to these Gentlemen who had Travell'd 200 Leagues on purpose to call him to an account He pretended to give way to my perswasions and sent me to let them know that he would meet them at such an hour on the Sea-side near Shevelingen But in Lieu of performing his Promise he persisted in his former design to have them Seiz'd there when I found what his design was I went streight ways to the place of appointment to give them notice of what was likely to befall them where I found them before me but not in a condition to Fight For my Lord Webbenum had taken care to have them secur'd which put them upon the necessity of discovering their Sex and Quality so they were set at Liberty but the same Webbenum procured an order from the States enjoyning them to leave the Country Madam de Caravas retir'd to Vianen a small Soveraignity near Vtrecht independent in some measure from the Province of Holland From thence she writ a Letter to Monsieur de Estrade the French Ambassador complaining of the Affront put upon her and desiring his protection Monsieur de Estrade having made his Complaint to the States she had leave given her to return to the Hague She sent a Summons to Riperda to shew Cause why her Marriage should not stand good but having to deal with a very Potent Adversary in a Country where she was a Stranger she lost the Cause In a little while after I return'd into the Country of Brandenburgh with all the Troops of his Electoral Highness that had been in the States service which amounted to about 4000 Men. I had my Quarters assign'd me at Altenoe where one Frankenstein a Colonel of Horse and a Gentleman of a very good Extraction whose Father had been Governour of the same place before him He had a younger Brother who was Captain in the same Regiment and one Sister who liv'd in a kind of a Nunnery such as they have among the Lutherans which was called Hegenhurst She was not above fifteen Years old and very handsom besides that she had a considerable Portion Not long after my arrival I went to Berlin to appear at Court and pay my respects to his Electoral Highness who as well as the Electoress having ask'd me where I was Quarter'd at present I told her at Altenoe The Electoress had no sooner heard me speak these words but she said to the Elector we must have him married with Mrs. Frankenstein and then turning towards me she ask'd whether I knew her I told her I did not but that I had heard much of her The Elector had given me several Proofs of his favourable inclinations towards me and being as it seems willing to engage me for ever in his Service he spoke to me again at another time concerning this Match and had the goodness to give me a Letter of Recommendation to the Abbess requiring her to let me visit the young Lady and to assist me in my design it being his intention I should Marry the Lady After my return from Berlin I went accordingly to visit her and having found her in a good disposition we agreed among our selves upon the Match for I desired her from the beginning not to speak of it to any Body living for fear her Brothers should
That if he did shew himself so Generous as to forgive an Injury done him by a Person who had affronted him in the highest Degree he ought not to be debarr'd from shewing his Justice in punishing a Fact which could not be pardoned without drawing after it very pernicious Consequences The French Ambassador finding all his hopes lost of obtaining a Pardon from the King of Great Britain had recourse to our King of whom he begg'd to intercede with King Charles II. to Pardon C .... s. Our Monarch who would not be out-done in point of Generosity by his Ambassador writ in his behalf to the King of Great Britain who unwilling to deny any thing to so great an Intercessor pardoned C ..... s under this Condition however That he should ask the Ambassador's Pardon upon his Knees and afterwards go in Person into France to give his humble Thanks to our King for having by his powerful Intercession obtained his Pardon Before I reassume the Thread of our History I cannot forbear to give you another instance of the same Nature which happened much about the same time when I was in London The Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen of that City to shew their respect for the Prince and Princess of Orange King William and Queen Mary had both their Pictures set up in the Great-Hall call'd the Guild-Hall among several other Pictures of the Kings and Queens of England But whether some mischievous Person who envied them that place and had hid himself in the Hall was resolved to put an Affront upon them or whether it was done by Connivance of the Porter who opens and shuts the Doors both these Pictures were found the next day Cut and Defaced All those who were well-wishers to the present Government in England shew'd a great Concern at this Insolence and a good Sum of Money was offered as a Reward to such as could discover the Author of it but without any effect the Person who did it being not discovered to this day Whilst I was Prisoner at Plimouth the Marquiss de Louvois had offered to have me Exchanged for one Latone who having been a Commander in one of the West India Islands belonging to the English was taken by one of our Privateers in his return home But after the King had shew'd him my Letter which I had sent by the Lieutenant of the Chevalier de Fourbin and whose Father had delivered it to the King he did not so much press my Exchange as he had done before being sensible that my stay in England and the part I acted there would be an infallible means to dive into the bottom of the Enemy's designs Not long after I had seen the Pr .... the second time an unknown Person came to see me at my Lodgings and taking his opportunity to speak to me without being over heard by any body he told me That the Marquiss de Louvois had sent over from France a Messenger to impart to me some business of great Consequence and to let me know that he had received my Letter which was address'd to the Marquiss de Louvois that his Orders were to continue to Act the Hypocrite with the Enemy in the same manner as I had done hitherto and that I should take all the opportunities to let him know how squares went in England as often as I could do it without danger All these Circumstances which I was sure this stranger could not have but from very good Hands were convincing reasons to me not to suspect his Fidelity I therefore made use of the same Messenger that was Iately come from France unto whom I delivered an answer in Writing to the Marquiss de Louvois in which I gave him much the same Accounts I had done before in my Letter which I sent by the before mentioned French Merchant It was much about the same time that a certain person of the first Rank in England as I was sufficiently convinced afterwards came to me Incognito and told me that understanding I was shortly to return into France and knowing me to be a French Officer of Note he believed he might trust me with a Secret which was of the utmost consequence He further told me That tho' most of the persons of Quality of that Kingdom had abandon'd his Britannick Majesty and had sided with the Prince of Orange K. William III. all the Temptations in the World should never be prevailing enough with him to follow their example he being resolved to be Loyal to his King as long as he lived He said he was very Ambitious to Write a Letter to the King my Master by whom he had the Honour to be known and that he was come to pay me this visit on purpose to ask me whether I would be willing to undertake the Delivery of the said Letter I did not imagine any otherwise than that this was some Spy or other sent either by the Pr .... or by the E. of S ...... to try whether I was the same person they believed me to be which made me in lieu of answering him according to his expectation entertain him with a great deal of indifferency nay so coldly that I believe he was vexed to the Soul he had discovered himself so Far. But seeing himself engag'd past retreating he thought it his best way to make an absolute discovery of the whole matter to me he then told me that his Life was in my hands because he being known to be a declared Enemy of the Prince of Orange K. William III. it would certainly cost him his Head if it should be known that he kept any Correspondence with France That he would tell me his Name and what his Design was for the advantage of his Prince in hopes that his Quality and Loyalty together with the Generous confidence he had put in me would be a sufficient inducement for me to use him as a Gentleman ought to do He then told me his Name and if I could mention it here without prejudice it would be apparent that I spoke nothing but the Truth when I said he was one of the most considerable Persons in the whole Kingdom His Name and the Reputation he had so deservedly gained by his Loyalty to his Royal Master inspired me with so much respect for his Person that I began to speak with more freedom than before yet so as to be very cautious not to engage my self in any thing that might be prejudicial to my present design till I should be fully convinced that he was the same Person he pretended to be To be convinced of it I desired him to call upon me again the next day at a certain appointed hour where I took care to hide in my Chamber a certain French Gentleman whom I knew I could trust and that he had often seen and spoke with the Person whose Name I desired to be satisfied in My resolution was that if I had found I had been trapp'd to carry my self his Letter to the
to ask pardon from God Almighty Notwithstanding all this I appear'd every day at Court in hopes of being employed some where or other One day the Marquess de Louvois told me that my Lord L ..... had sent my Commission and other Papers according to the direction I had appointed him at Calais which Courchamp had sent to him together with a Letter from the said Lord to me There was among them another Commission from the Pr ..... by vertue of which I was constituted Governour of the first place that should be taken in Poictou or in any part of France after their landing He delivered them all together into my own hands and at the same time made me write again two Letters in his presence to the same two English Lords I had Writ to before They were both dated in Paris as were likewise the two former and contained in substance that being fallen ill two days after my arrival in this City I could not immediately pursue my intended Journey into Poictou that nevertheless being not unmindful of what I had to do I had met with several Gentlemen of that Province whom I had found as great Favourers to our design as I could wish for and did not question but that their concurrence would be of greater consequence to us in that Country I told them further that being on the mending hand now I did not question but to be able to give them before long a more compleat account of the matter to their entire satisfaction I gave likewise an Account to my Lord L ..... what success I had met with in his Affairs in the same manner as I have related it just now having not Writ to him before upon that Subject because I was very cautious of Writing any thing to them without their Knowledge nay even without the positive Orders of the Marquiss de Louvois I did not send these Letters to the Post-house at Versailles but took the Copy of them along with me to Paris where I tarried two days whilst the King and Court were at Marli After I had Writ them over I enclos'd them in one Packet with an intention to carry them the same Night to the Post-House But Monsieur Christian's pretended Niece happening to see them lie upon the Table told me she would save me that labour and carry them for me she being also to send a Letter to her Uncle Knowing how she had serv'd Prancourt I ought sooner to have thrown them into the Fire than trusted her with them but having not the least suspicion that she would serve me the same trick I told her without the least hesitating upon the matter That if she pleas'd she might but desired her withal to make haste back again But she play'd me the same Pâ—anck as she had done to the Swiss before for in lieu of carrying the Packet to the Post-House she kept it and taking the next opportunity whilst I was gone into the City unsealed the Letters and after she had seen the Contents of them resolved to present them to the Marquess de Louvois In the mean time we continued our former familiarity and she caress'd me to the highest degree the better to dissemble her design against me a convincing instance of the deceitfulness of such light Creatures She had the cunning to desire me to take her along with me the first time I should have occasion to go to Versailles under pretence that she intended to deliver a Petition to the Marquess de Louvois in order to obtain some further Gratification I was so far from suspecting her intention that I freely carried her thither when she took this opportunity to deliver these Letters into this Ministers own hands not questioning but that by this second piece of Service she had made her Fortune for ever But if she had found her self deceived in her first hopes about Prancourt's Letter she had this as an additional Affliction for her pains that she was not rewarded with the value of a Peny for this I for my part met with so cold a Reception from the Marquess de Louvois the next time I saw him that I don 't at all question but this mistake turned to my great detriment ever after And to speak Truth what Opinion can a Wise Minister have oâ— what Confidence can he put in a Person who could be guilty of so gross an Oversight I did what possibly I could to dissemble my Resentment against this Treacherous Wench whilst I was in his presence but he soon perceived the different Passions which struggled within me and I verily believe he guess'd at the whole Matter and what Familiarity there used to be betwixt us for he forbid me expresly not to mention one word of it to her for says he if you do so she will be sure you must have it from me and when she perceives that I let you go unpunished what other Construction can she make of the whole unless she be quite a Fool but that these Letters were written by you with my consent He told me further that he was unresolved what he had best to do in the matter whether he ought not to have me taken up for fear she should else guess at the Intrigue when she found me to come off thus unpunished after what she had convinced him of against me That I had put him by this Imprudence of mine to a great Non-plus and that I deserved to be severely Chastized for it I cannot deny but that if he had sent me to the Bastile I should have looked upon it as a Chastizement I had very well deserved at his Hands at this time when his words had made so deep an impression upon my mind that I durst not look up into his Face and if it had not been for his express Commands it would have been impossible for me to have kept my self within the bounds of Moderation in respect of this Treacherous Wretch But being full of Shame and Confusion I could say no more than to beg him to forgive me this Fault and though I always had a natural aversion to Hypocrisie yet I master'd my Passion so far as not to gave the least Suspicion of it to the young Wench Nay though I hated her ever after to the highest degree I would not send her away immediately but resolved to take another opportunity to rid my Hands of her for fear she should guess at the occasion of it Whilst I was at Paris I had presented to the Marquess de Louvois a Memorial containing the Names of all those Gentlemen who according to what had been related by the above-mentioned two French Protestant Ministers were ready to do and hazard every thing for the Re-establishment of the Protestant Religion The same Memorial likewise shewed that the principal Design of the Enemy was at that time upon Port Lowis in Britany which they believed to be but ill provided and where by reason of the small Garrison they judged they
must take care to see them Lodged in some Inns near to my Lodgings and to agree with the Inn-keepers for their Subsistence as cheap as could be done adding that it would be for a little time only to wit till he should have time to consider what was further to be done with them I reply'd that my Purse was not in a condition at this time to bear the Charges of so many Gentlemen unto which he answered that he would take care of them in a very little time and that I should not be long troubled with them But whilst these Officers were disposed in these Inns my Banker in London drew a Bill of Exchange upon me of four thousand one hundred Livres which he had paid to them by my Order in England I gave immediate notice of it to the Marquess de Louvois and desired him to enable me to discharge this Debt which he promised me to do forthwith but the time of the Payment being just expiring without hearing any thing further from this Minister I was put to a great Nonplus He happened just then to come to Paris so that I took this opportunity to wait on him there and to put him in mind of the Bill of Exchange which was payable within two days after He gave me for Answer that he had forgot to perfom what he had promised me but that he was going to Versailles the next day and immediately after his return from thence would take effectual care of the payment of the said Sum. But either he did forget it again or else he had no mind to think of it the last of which seems most probable to me for the day of payment came and I had not one Shilling from him to pay the Bill This disappointment was followed by another for if this Minister had failed in his promise concerning the payment of the Money he was as careless in performing it in relation to those French Officers which he had promised to take off of my Hands in a short time and were not in a capacity to subsist without my Assistance I had no Sur-plus of Money to supply their wants and the Inn-keeperâ— where they Lodged began to be very backward to take my Word any further than they had done already considering that I had no settled Habitation either in or near the City of Paris This made mâ—strain my Credit with my Land-lady who being an old rich Maid I prevailed with her so far as to engage her Word both for them and me to the Inn-keepers Thus they were pretty quiet for some time but Monsieur de Ville a Banker of Paris unto whom I was to pay the Bill of Exchange having Protested for want of due payment the said Bill I carried a Copy of it together with two Letters lately sent me from England to the said Marquess de Louvois These two Letters being brought to me directly from the Post-house without being first sent to the Marquess de Louvois as they always used to be done before I began to suspect that this was intended for a Trap to catch me in to wit to try whether I would either be so ill advised as to open them without him or perhaps keep them by me without communicating them to him For besides that I began to be jealous of the Effects of those malicious Suggestions which Monsieur de Vaux had insinuated into this Minister I had great reason to believe that at this time more than ever he had taken a resolution to Sacrifice me for the publick Interest considering as I told you before that he judged it more adviseable to let me fall as a Sacrifice to the State than to punish a great many of the Protestants whom he knew to be ill affected to the present Government in France But whether I were mistaken in my guess or not I was resolved not to give him the least occasion of this nature and so carried those Letters to him Sealed up as they were delivered to me from the Post-house After he had perused them he gave them to me and told me that it was time now to put a stop to our further Correspondence with England and that I should not write any more either to the Earl of S ..... or my Lord L ..... who had sent me these in answer to my last Letters I writ by this Minister's direction They contained in substance That they were not a little surprized at the Advice I had given them in my last because they were assured from very good hands and such as were beyond all question that the Protestants in the Province of Poictou were ready to hazzard every thing for the recovery of the liberty of their Consciences and to free themselves from that Bondage they groan'd under at this time that therefore they would have me not be discouraged or mis-led by these ill grounded Suppositions which were the only obstacle that could in all likelihood prove prejudicial to so great and well laid a Design My Lord L ..... sent me also Word about the Pass I had desired of him for the Importation of some Wines and told me that he could not but wonder I had not mentioned any thing of it since desiring me at the same time to let him know where the fault lay being well assured on their side that every Body was very ready to gratifie me in this as well as in any other matter which might tend to my Advantage As to what I had demonstrated to him concerning the protest of my Bill and the trouble I was in about these French indigent Officers I could get no other satisfaction but what he had given me several times before to wit That he had forgot it but would take care of it without any further delay If I had not been beyond my right Wits and made serious Reflections upon a matter of such Consequence to me as I ought to have done I might without consulting the Stars have dived into the bottom of the whole business or at least have given a shrewd guess at his design and its true Origin But it seems it is a natural defect in Mankind not to make use of the same foresight in our own Affairs as we do in others which made me not to be in the least aware of the Snare that was intended for me till I was catch'd in it past retreating This made me be so careless as freely to perswade my self that it was that great weight and multiplicity of business which continually Harrass'd this Ministers thoughts which had made him forgetful of mine in hopes of which I returned to Paris living in expectation of the issue of his fair promises In the mean while Mr. de Ville who I told you had protested the Bill of Exchange had given an Account of it to my Banker in London who had sent him word to talk with me again concerning the Payment of it and that in case I were not as yet in a Capacity to satisfie the
if he pleased he might be convinced by the Contents of those last Letters I had delivered to him in which they complained of my neglect in not writing to them He seem'd in all outward appearance to be satisfied with what I had offered in answer to his question and again told me that it was the King's absolute Pleasure I should send no more Letters into England After he had done with this Subject I began the old Song and put him in mind that the last time I had had the Honour to wait on him at Meudon he had made me a positive promise to deliver me that very day from those Troubles I lay under on account of the Bill of Exchange and the Debts due to the Inn-Keepers where the French Officers were Lodged scarce had I uttered these words when interrupting me with a stern Look he gave me no other Answer but this You are very hasty indeed I am apt to believe you are afraid the King is ready to break I must confess an answer so unexpected did raise in me some motions which I was not able to hide with all the art I had nevertheless I answered him without the least transgressing the bounds of respect due to his high Station that nothing did grieve me more at this time than to see my self reduced under such hard Circumstances as to be forced to be so urgent with him assuring him that nothing but an unavoidable Necessity could oblige me to it I told him further that if I durst be so bold as to desire him to put himself for once in my place I did not question but he would be sensible that I was less urgent than he would be himself if he were under the same ill Circumstances for as the case now stood I durst scarce stir out of Doors or if I did I could not go three steps without looking backward to see whether there were not a Bailiff at my Heels to drag me to Prison that if with all the precaution I could make use of against their Attempts upon my Person I had had the good Fortune hitherto escape theirs hands this did not deliver me from the importunities of my Creditors who ha 〈…〉 ed my Lodgings every day and sometimes had â—o closely besieged me that I durst not be seen and that the Farewel I commonly had from them as they went away was to hear my self proclaimed in the Streets in such a Style as was insupportable to any honest Gentleman who had the least value for his Reputation He gave me no other Answer but some sharp biting words which touched me so nearly that not being able to brook any longer with Patience such an affront which I was sensible I had so little deserved at his Hands I reply'd to him yet in very respectful Terms That if he knew that his Majesty had no present occasion to employ these Officers I desired him to oblige me thus far as to tell me so that I might find out a way â—orid my hands of them whom I was no longer able to maintain upon my own Credit and that if his Majesty was likewise no longer satisfied with my Services I was ready to retire to my Country Seat I am overjoy'd reply'd he to find out at last your good Intentions and you may be sure I will let the King know of it And thus he turned his Back to me I did what I could to appease his Anger and to convince him that considering my present Condition I had said nothing for which I could be justly blamed but he gave me no other answer but that he would take caâ—â— the King should be informed of my good Intentions I left him thus being almost reduced to Despair without replying so much as one Word for fear of Exasperating him further being still in hopes that when he had time to recollect himself a little and to reflect seriously upon what he had done i 〈…〉 would be impossible but he must be sensible of h 〈…〉 Error and that he would make me a full amend for what was passed the next time I should see him How blind is Mankind in his own Concerns fo 〈…〉 to confess the truth I was still so bewitch'd as not to perceive that I was intended to be made an unfortunate Victim which was to be Sacrificed for the Interest of the State I think this Night was the worst and the longest that ever I knew in my life it being impossible that any Man living could be distracted with more various Agitations of mind than I was at that time I had this additional Affliction that several of my Friends who perceived me to be in so odd an Humour were very inquisitive to know the real cause of my present Afflictions which indeed was such that it had disinabled me to give them a rational Answer The next Morning one of these French Officers lately come from England by my Orders happened to pay me a Visit in my Bed-Chamber when they were just bringing up the Paris Gazette Published that same Morning As I had but little curiosity to look after News at that time I threw it upon the Table and the Officer took it up and after he had perused some few Paragraphs in it told me that two Gentlemen of the Province of Poictou had been taken up for keeping Correspondence with the Prince of Orange King William III. This unexpected News raised me all on a sudden out-of that Lethargy that had seized my Spirits for want of Rest which made me immediately ask the Officer where it was that he had read this News Then he pointing with his Finger upon the Paragraph I found that it was Monsieur ..... and Monsieur ..... who had been confined upon that account That which made me immediately suspect the matter and that their Names were not inserted in this Gazette without some particular design was because I was too well acquainted with the nature of our Paris Gazette where seldom any thing of this kind is put in without particular Order from Court This was an Item strong enough for me to guess 〈…〉 t that their Names had been put in with no other 〈…〉 tention than to give the Enemy to understand that their Design was discovered for as our King commonly reads the Foreign Gazettes so the French Court did not question but that Foreign Princes and other Persons of Quality do the same with ours THE MEMOIRS OF JOHN BAPTIST De La Fontaine Kt. LIB VIII I Was as yet in my Bed ruminating upon th 〈…〉 Fatality that attended me when the before mentioned Officer came into my Chamber and shewed me this Paragraph in the Gazette I had scarce done with it and was just giving 〈◊〉 into his Hands when I saw Desgrees the same Messenger who as I told you had Trapan'd Monsieur Mony as he was coming from Versailles come into my Chamber he had left his Attendance at the Door neither had I ever seen him as far as I remember
lay hold on to my disadvantage and to keep me the longer in Prison But his first Words which he had let fall unawares were a sufficient Warning to me not to trust him any further and tho' he took a great deal of Pains to excuse them as well as he could yet all his Eloquence was not prevailing enough to make me alter my Opinion or to judge otherwise but that he would be glad of any Opportunity to curry favour with the Marquiss de Louvois tho' I must freely confess that at that time I did not imagin that it was upon the score of Self-interest as it proved afterwards For it was not many days after when my Spouse being again admitted to Speak to the said Minister he ask'd her Whether she did not hear me make frequent mention of my Friends Unto which she reply'd That I was destitute of Friends or at least of such Friends as to put any confidence in them that the only reliance I had was upon my innocence and upon his Protection He answer'd her coldly that she either did not deal sincerely with him or else that I did not make her Privy to all my Concerns That he had it from good hands I had more and better Friends than she imagined and that considering the Condition I was in at present this could not but be an extraordinary comfort to me which ought to abate much of my Affliction After I had a little leisure to ponder upon what my Spouse had told me I had no great occasion to consult the Stars to guess from whence this Discourse came the very Expressions made use of by the Minister being more than sufficient to tell me that Mounsieur de Baisenaux had been acting his part there I could not forbear the very first time I saw him to give him to understand that I was not insensible of his sinister Intentions and I gave a secret Caution to my Spouse to be very careful for the future not to Speak any thing of moment in his Presence and for fear she might perhaps mistake my true meaning I writ a Letter to her which I convey'd to the Duke de la Force who being sometimes visited by the Marchioness of Courteaumer his Daughter had opportunity enough of sending it to her For it is to be observ'd that tho' my Spouse had obtained Leave to see me in Prison yet this being not granted but in the presence of one of the Officers belonging to the Bastile I had no opportunity of speaking much to her in private there was also another inconveniency which was that tho' she had been for a considerable time in France she was so ill versed in the French Tongue that she frequently mistook one thing for another To be sho 〈…〉 in the matter the Warrant by vertue of which she was admitted to see me was very different from what had been allowed to my Sister who had liberty to see me without being obliged to admit of any Witnesses of our Discourse But the Warrant granted for my Spouse's admission was thus limited as told you before at least if I may believe what Monsieur de Baisenaux told me for it is not unlikely but that both the Warrants might be alike and that Monsieur de Baisenaux made only use of this Protect to have the opportunity of keeping 〈◊〉 watchful Eye upon our Conversation for fear we should concert Measures for my enlargement I don't assert this upon a bare Presumption b 〈…〉 upon such strong Probabilities as will scarce admi 〈…〉 of any other construction For when I consider that for several times together when I Spouse at first came to see me Mounsieur de Baisenaux would always take care to conduct her up himself into my Chamber which he seldom or never doe 〈…〉 to the other Prisoners I have all the reason in the world to suspect that he took this opportunity to be present at our Conversation under pretext of waiting on her not so much pursuant to the Contents of his Warrant as to observe his own Interest and it cannot but appear highly improbable to me that the Marquiss de Louvois should have granted more to my Sister than to my Wife the first of which being pursuant to his Warrant permitted to see me without any Witnesses It may perhaps be objected that if this had been Monsieur de Baisneaux's intention he might under the same pretext of Conducting my Sister up stairs have prevented our Conversation in private but to this I answer that I have all the reason in the world to imagine that Monsieur de Baisenaux who is a Man of great Sense did soon discover with what indifferency my Sister acted in my behalf her aversion to me having been always such as it was impossible not to be perceived by a quick-sighted Person and it was questionless this that encouraged him to talk with her to try whether he could bring her over to his Interest which he effected at last to so good a purpose that she did not make one step in my Business without his particular Directions Their Correspondence was not carried on so privately but that even Mounsieur de Garenne took notice of it for as they were talking one day about me and my present unfortunate Circumstances in the presence of my Sister he did not stick to tell her that if he had such a Sister as she he would certainly throw her in the fire Thus much I am sure that she did often endeavour to insinuate into my Spouse That it would be 〈…〉 uch better both for her and my whole Family 〈…〉 o let me lie in Prison than to get me out because 〈…〉 s she said I would certainly go over to the Enemy and that in such a case my Estate would be sei 〈…〉 ed upon by the King and she be in danger of be 〈…〉 g reduced to the greatest Extremity in the World 〈◊〉 a foreign Country She used frequently to tell her that in the place where I was then meaning 〈…〉 e Bastile I stood her in nothing and that I wanted for nothing That the safest way was not to change when one was well for fear she might repent of it at leisure for having been so over hasty My Wife gave me an Account of her whole Behaviour which could not but be a great additio 〈…〉 to my present Misfortune considering that my o 〈…〉 Sister who ought to have been a comfort to me i 〈…〉 my Affliction did all what in her lay to aggrav 〈…〉 my pain Baisemaux was so taken with her th 〈…〉 he could not forbear to tell me every time he conducted my Spouse up to my Chamber that he never saw a young Woman in his life that had so much Wit as she and indeed I did not wonder 〈◊〉 these Expressions of his kindness it being certai 〈…〉 that she could not have hit his Temper better 〈◊〉 insinuate herself into his Favour than by agreei 〈…〉 with him in this point