carry on considerable Adventures with more Ease and Security Colbert caus'd a Company for a General Ensuring-Office with Common Stock and Seals to be incorporated and settled in St. Martin's-Street which being in the Middle of the City was the most convenient place for all Parties concern'd There a House was hir'd and Meetings held to treat of the Affairs of the Society with a Permission to the Merchants Adventurers and others of the Cities of Rohan Nantes St. Malo Rochel and other Places who were already engag'd in a like Project to continue the same as before The Edict requires that there be a Principal Stock or Fund of 300000 Livres and that the Company shall consist of Thirty Officers Five of 'em to be elected by Plurality of Voices to execute the Office of Directors for a limited Time Two of the Five to be remov'd six Months after their Election Three more after other six Months and so every six Months successively a like Number being always chosen to succeed 'em so that there are still two or three Directors who cannot be continu'd for above two successive Elections and in that Number there must always be three Traders The Contract of the Society containing 43 Articles was presented to the King by the thirty Associates whose Names are here inserted de Lagni Director-General of Trade Soulete Desvieus le Fevre Rousseau le Javiel Matry de Vitri la Ville T. de Lile Charles le Brun Chauvin Tardif Poquelin Hebert P. Chauvin Cl. le Brun Pasquier Paignon A. Pelletier Molliere Barry Cousinet N. Soullet Gaillart de Loubert Franchepin Herson de la Rivoire de Meur and Ceberet Amidst such a vast multiplicity of Business Colbert was still mindful of his being a Parent of Children as well as a Minister of State On the 21th of January 1671. he marry'd his Daughter Henrietta to Paul de Beauvilliers Duke of S. Aignan Peer of France Knight of the King's Orders first Gentleman of his Majesty's Bed-Chamber Governour and Lieutenant-General of the Town and Cittadel of Havre de Grace Camp-Master of the Regiment of S. Aignan Son of Francis de Beauvilliers Count and afterwards Duke of S. Aignan and of Antoinette de Servien Daughter of Nicholas Servien Counsellour of State and of Mary Groulard The Country of S. Aignan fell to the House of Beauvilliers by the Marriage of Emeri de Beauvilliers Bayliff and Governour of Berry with Loüise de Husson-Tonnere Hitherto Colbert seem'd to have made it a main part of his Care to ease Pleaders by abridging the tedious and wrangling Forms of Law and preventing Abuses but the bringing in of Mark'd Paper and Parchment rais'd the Charge of Suits to so prodigious a heighth that it ruin'd most of those who were engag'd in ' em If it had been only appointed to be us'd for writing the Instruments or Deeds of Notaries and Sentences it might have been look'd upon as an Invention to prevent Ante-dates since by reason of the frequent Alteration of the Marks 't wou'd be hard to find immediately any Paper or Parchment that was in use at the time of the false Date But to what purpose shou'd Petitions Inventories and Replications be written on Mark'd Paper And why shou'd the Grievance be made still more intolerable by obliging Attorneys not to exceed a certain Number of Lines in every Page and even fixing the Number of Words that are to be contain'd in each Line Colbert who was desirous to obtain the Reversion of the Office of Secretary of State for his Eldest Son the Marquess de Seignelay sent him abroad to visit the principal Courts of Europe under the Inspection of Isarn who was recommended to him by Pelisson The Young Traveller took a View of Italy Germany and England and on his Father's Account was receiv'd every where with extraordinary Respect His Tutor Isarn had the Misfortune to die in an Inn at his Return to Paris for the Door of his Chamber being double-lock'd and the Key carry'd away by the Marquess's Servants he was suddenly taken ill and having in vain attempted to come forth he fell down dead as he was endeavouring to call out for Assistance The Marquess at his Return from his Travels eas'd his Father of part of that prodigious Load of Business he was oblig'd to sustain as being entrusted with the Care of all the Home-Affairs of the State The earnest Desire he had to compleat the Reformation of Abuses made him perswade the King to suppress the Courts of Justice that were kept by several Lords in Paris because of the Contests that usually happen'd between the Chastelet and the Judges of those Courts about their Authority and Jurisdiction and besides those Judges were apt to be corrupted as knowing that they were only to execute their Office during the Life of their Masters The Archbishop of Paris had his Bayliff and King's Attorney at Fort l' Evêque the Abbot of S. Germain in his Abbey the Grand Prior of France at the Temple and the Abbess of Montmartre at Ville-Neuve The Chastelet being over-crowded with Affairs after the Suppression of these Courts was divided into two Parts their Jurisdictions being separated by the River The Lieutenant-Civil Lieutenant-Criminal Lieutenant-Particular and King's Attorney of the new Chastelet were to serve by turns from Year to Year in the in the Old and those of the Old to remove to their respective Places in the New Peter Girardin was made Lieutenant-Civil of the New Antony le Ferron Lieutenant-Criminal Lewis de Vienne Lieutenant-Particular Claude Robert King's Attorney James Brichard and Nicholas Meraut Advocates-General The New Chastelet sate at the Abbey of S. Germain in the Hall of the Bailiwick till the Building began at the Old was finish'd after which both Courts sitting in one Place the Advocates and Attorneys cou'd with more Ease and Conveniency go from one Audience to plead at the other While Colbert was busi'd in regulating the State at home a War broke out between France and the House of Austria occasion'd by several Actions of the Dutch to the Prejudice of the Kings of France and England A League was concluded between those two Monarchs by the Mediation of the Dutchess of Orleans and by Virtue of the Treaty which they sign'd the United Provinces were to be divided between ' em But the King of England growing jealous of his most Christian Majesty's Victories who in 40 Days conquer'd 4 Provinces and took 40 Cities withdrew from the League and became the Mediator of a Peace The Conferences were begun at Cologn and interrupted by the carrying away of William Egon of Furstemberg Plenipotentiary of the Elector of that Name the Marquess de Grana having arrested him by the Emperour's Order But the Treaty was again set on foot by the Pope's Mediation and all the Potentates concern'd in the War sent their Plenipotentiaries to Nimmegen the Place appointed for the New Conferences Charles Colbert went thither for France with the Marechal d' Estrade and the Count
Person for that Employment and Colbert being presented to him he had still some confus'd Remembrance of him and was desirous to know where he had seen him Colbert was afraid to put him in mind of Sedan least the Remembrance of his Importunacy in demanding the Queen's Letter should renew the Cardinal's Anger but his Eminency was so far from hating him for his Faithfulness to his late Master that he receiv'd him on condition That he should serve him with like Zeal and Fidelity Colbert apply'd himself wholly to the Advancement of his Master's Interests and gave him so many Marks of his Diligence and Skill that after the Death of Joubert his Eminency's Intendant he was chosen to succeed in that Post He accommodated himself so dexterously to the Inclinations of that Minister by retrenching his superfluous Expences that he was entrusted with the Management of that gainful Trade of selling Benefices and Governments It was by his Counsel that the Cardinal oblig'd the Governours of Frontier Places to maintain their Garrisons with the Contributions they exacted and his Eminency was extremely pleas'd with that Advice He was sent to Rome to negotiate the Reconciliation of Cardinal de Rets for which the Pope had shew'd some Concern and to perswade his Holiness to consent to the dis-incamerating of Castro according to the Treaty concluded with his Predecessour Urban VIII At his Return to requite his good Services he was made Secretary of the Queen's Dispatches which Office he afterwards sold to Brisacier Master of the Court of Accounts and bought that of President in the same Company who happily for him but unhappily for themselves would not receive him for he became their greatest Enemy and depriv'd 'em of the profit of the Debets of Accounts for which he made a Bargain with Vilette and afterwards with others to the great Prejudice of the Chamber tho' the King did not receive much Advantage by the Alteration Assoon as he saw himself in Favour at Court he began to think of a convenient Match and took to Wife Mary Charon Daughter of James Charon Sieur de Menars a Native of Blois who of a Cooper and Wine-Broker was become Pay-Master of the Infantry and of Mary Begon his Wife Charon had higher Designs for he look'd upon his Daughter as one of the Richest Matches in Paris by reason of the great Legacies and Inheritances that would fall to her but at last he consented to this Proposal that he might be exempted from a Tax with which he was threatned The great Respect which Colbert shew'd to his Wife did not hinder him from gratifying in some measure his particular Inclinations and from yielding to the Charms of Frances de Godet Widow of John Gravé Sieur de Launay a Norman Lady of a smooth and insinuating Temper the usual Character of those of her Country She was of a graceful Stature and Majestick Gate Her Face was round her Complexion white and clear her Hair light and her Eyes blue Launay Gravé a rich Partizan marry'd her after the Death of his first Wife whose Servant she had been and left her a great Estate Colbert took care to introduce his Mistress to the Queen and Cardinal Mazarin with whom he made her play very frequently and she made use of those Privileges for the Advantage of him who procur'd 'em to her for being of a quick and piercing Wit she gave him notice of every thing she heard that had any relation to his Interests nor was he ingrateful to one that had done him so considerable Service for he contriv'd a way to make her the Wife of Anthony de Broüille Marquess of Piene Knight of the Orders and Governour of Pignerol The Marchioness of Piene was not the only Person that touch'd the Heart of Colbert for besides her he made Love to Ann Margaret Vanel Wife of John Coissier Master of the Court of Accounts a young Lady of a low Stature but extremely pretty and adorn'd with all the Advantages of a gay Humour and lively Wit His frequent Visits and Supping at her House were ascrib'd to his intimate Friendship with her Father-in-law who had been Receiver of the Consignations with Betaut and to the Lessons of Politicks he usually took from her Husband who was perfectly well acquainted with all the Negotiations and Intrigues of the Treaty of Munster as having been Secretary to the Embassy under Abel de Servien whose Deputy he still was in the Super-Intendancy But our States-Man was soon weary of the Levity and Fickleness of that Lady and resign'd his Pretensions to his Brother Edward Francis Colbert whom he had made Captain of the Guards to Rousserau Cardinal Mazarin's Secretary and to the Commander of Gault who had more time to bestow on their Amours Ambition was the predominant Passion of John Baptist Colbert and though he had not yet arriv'd to that eminent height of Grandeur to which he afterwards attain'd he had already advanc'd all his Brothers For he had obtain'd the Intendancy of Alsatia with the Dignity of a President à Mortier in the Parliament of Paris for Charles Colbert and the Bishoprick of Luçon with the Office of the King's Library-Keeper for his Brother Nicholas Mazarin at his Death recommended Colbert to his Majesty as a fit Person to regulate Affairs relating to the Finances which stood much in need of Reformation for Nicholas Fouquet who was then Superintendant had borrow'd such vast Summs that he was above four Years behind-hand He had rais'd Rents on the Third Peny and a Half which nevertheless yielded no more than the Seventh Peny because only two Quarters were paid and even that was very much He had also erected Offices without Charge and had deliver'd blank Patents which the Purchasers were to enjoy without supplying the Places so that the King was depriv'd of his Right to Surrenders And besides there was a Third Part remitted at each Bargain which oppress'd the People without the least Advantage to the King The Edicts were chang'd to Bills or Tickets which were afterwards cut into so many Pieces that 't was impossible to know the Original and he paid so excessive Rates of Interest for the Loans he receiv'd that the Crown must have for ever remain'd unable to discharge the Summs if a quick Stop had not been put to these Disorders The King resolv'd to entrust the Regulation of his Revenue to Colbert having already receiv'd some Marks of his Frugality for he remember'd that he had sav'd him a considerable Summ of Money by changing the fine Silver Edgings that were fitted to the Ribbons with which the Habits of the Hundred Switzers were adorn'd to counterfeit Lace And therefore his Majesty made him Intendant of the Finances together with Breteuil Marin and Hervard and erected a Chamber of Justice compos'd of Six Counsellours of State Six Masters of Requests Four Counsellours of the Parliament of Paris Two Counsellours of the Great Council Two Masters of the Court of Accounts Two Counsellours of
of which the Mareschal de Villeroy was declar'd the Chief Colbert claim'd Admittance into that Council not only as Intendant but also by Virtue of his Office of Comptroller-General which he enjoy'd alone though it was formerly divided between Bretenil and Marin and the other three Intendants with the two Directors of the Finances d' Aligre and Morangis were also admitted into the Council Though Colbert had not the Name of Superintendant he had all the Power and Authority that ever was enjoy'd by Fouquet only with this difference that all his Orders were presented to the King for his Approbation They left off discharging the old Exchequer-Tickets which pass'd Current in Trade at the Rate of the Tenth Peny because the Farmers gave them in part of Payment for their Taxes after the full Pardon that was granted them on Condition of discharging the Tickets by an Edict publish'd in December 1665 and verify'd by the Parliament on the 21st of the same Month after which the Price of these Tickets fell so low that one of a hundred thousand Livres has been sold for fifty Pistols Colbert took that occasion to buy up a great number of 'em and by recovering their full Value made himself Master of those immense Summs with which he purchas'd the Marquisates of Seignelay and Blainville and the Baronies of Monetau Chesny Beaumont and Sceaux with several other considerable Estates The new Rents which yielded excessive Incomes were suppress'd and the Proprietors ordain'd to deliver up their Contracts to be discuss'd to de Seve Counsellour of State commission'd by the King for that Effect The Reimbursement was intended for the Payment of the Taxes of those that were accountable their Heirs Deputies and Partners and for those who had never been concern'd with the King's Affairs the Possession was laid upon the actual Payment of the Finance by which means the Proprietors recover'd very little Nor was this all for even those were tax'd who in their Treaties had transferr'd Reimbursements of Rents or other Rights and Duties held of the King And there was a particular Office erected in the House of Pussort Colbert's Uncle for re-purchas'd Rents in pursuance of an Edict dated January 1665 and verify'd or approv'd on the 14th of the same Month. The Suppression of the Rents procur'd a great Number of Enemies to Colbert and even one day going to visit Chancellour Seguier he was besieg'd in the Court by the Tenants who held the Rents some of whom had the Confidence to threaten him He seem'd to hear their Reasons but his Design was to learn the Names of the Mutiniers and at night he inform'd the King of what had happen'd who order'd 'em to be apprehended He thought the Imprisonment of those who were most forward would have impos'd Silence on the rest but he was deceiv'd for some one or other appear'd every day to fright him His Deputies who were more fearful than he endeavour'd to disswade him from proceeding in that Affair but could not prevail It happen'd one Night that Picon his chief Deputy who had the Misfortune to love Wine too much started out of his Sleep imagining that the Tenants held him by the Throat The Noise he made alarm'd the whole House and Colbert among the rest who being inform'd of the Occasion of the Disturbance turn'd away the poor Drunkard next Morning tho' at the Desire of some Persons whom he could not deny and on the Assurance they gave him that the Man was reform'd he receiv'd him again some Years after and kept him till his Death 'T was not thought sufficient to take the Reimbursements for the Payment of the Taxations but the Offices Lands Houses and other immoveable Goods belonging to the Three Treasurers of the Exchequer the two Monerots Languet and Bansse were seiz'd and adjudg'd to the King's Use Several Courtiers made advantage of these Spoils The House of Sevre de Monerot the Elder was given to the Duke of Orleans to be united to his Park at S. Cloud his House at Paris to the Duke of Luxemburg and Monerot the Younger's House was bestow'd on the Mareschal de Gramont They did not content themselves with seizing the Estates of the actual Possessours but the same Judgment was awarded against Children even though they had renounc'd their Fathers Inheritance and against Purchasers who had paid the Price of the Estates in Ready Money nor could they prevent their Ruine by sheltering themselves under the Authority of the Decree which clears all Mortgages and takes away all Encumbrances The Sons-in-law of those who had been concern'd in these Affairs not only lost all the Immoveable or Real Estates they had receiv'd in Dowry with their Wives but were forc'd to pay the Taxations that were impos'd on their Fathers-in law without the least Regard to their Dignities for Soldiers were quarter'd in the Houses of Presidents a Mortier merely because they had marry'd the Daughters of Farmers Thus 't is plain that these Persons could no longer be call'd the King's Tutors who attempted to usurp the Sovereign Authority during the King's Minority The Offices of the Treasurers of the Exchequer were suppress'd and Bartillac who had been Treasurer to the Queen-Mother was made Keeper of the Royal Treasure These violent Proceedings interrupted the Trade of the Kingdom without bringing any considerable Summs into the King's Coffers by reason of the great Charge which the Prosecution of the Design requir'd and therefore Colbert perceiving that he had made himself the Object of the publick Hatred agreed with Twelve of the richest Farmers who undertook the Affair on Condition that they should be exempted from the Payment of their own Taxes like Soldiers who save themselves from the Gallows by performing the Office of Executioner upon their Companions But in the midst of all those Troubles the Family of Launay Gravé remain'd free from all manner of Prosecutions and Colbert who still retain'd a Kindness for the Marchioness of Pienes procur'd all her Reimbursements to be given her a Favour which she ow'd to his delightful Remembrance of his old Amours Hitherto I have shew'd Colbert on the most disadvantageous side but now I must turn the Reverse of the Medal France is oblig'd to this Minister for the Establishment of her Trade with the East and West-Indies he consider'd that the Dutch who inhabit a barren Country void of all Conveniencies owe their Power and Riches to their Trade from whence he concluded that the King who possess'd in his own Dominions all that his Neighbours wanted had a much fairer Prospect of Success in such an Undertaking He form'd and brought together two Companies one for the East and another for the West-Indies and the King declar'd himself Protector of both granting 'em great Privileges and obliging himself by Contract to lend 'em Six Millions without Interest And besides to encrease the Fund his Majesty engag'd the Judges and Merchants in the same Design who were tax'd proportionably to their Estates These
Companies have since settl'd Factories in the Principal Cities of the Indies and the King of Siam who is one of the most powerful Princes of Asia sent Ambassadours to his Majesty in the Year 1686. On the 8th of January 1664. Colbert bought of Ratabon the Office of Superintendant of the Buildings and from that time forward apply'd himself with so much Industry and Success to the Enlargement and Embellishment of the Royal Houses that they are at present so many Master-Pieces of Architecture He began with the Palace of the Tuilleries to which he join'd the Garden that was separated from it by the Street He order'd a large Parterre or Flower-Garden to be made before the Building with three Basons dispos'd after the manner of a Triangle By his Directions the Bird-house Mademoiselle de Guise's Lodgings and all the other Houses as far as the Gate of Conference were beaten down to make room for the Terrass that runs along the River as there is another opposite to this towards the Manage of the Great Stables A large Alley was planted there with Indian Chesnut-Trees with two small ones on each side reaching to Renard's Garden which was taken in within the Inclosure of the Tuilleries where the Terrass is cut through the Middle to leave the Prospect of the Cours unobstructed with a Passage to ascend thither on both sides and a large Bason or Vase of a Fountain in the midst of the Garden that takes up the greatest Part of it On the right hand a Theatre was erected on a Grass-plot for the Representation of Comedies separated by a kind of Parterre from an Amphitheatre which is capable of containing above a thousand Persons who may from thence conveniently behold the Shows that are presented on the Theatre 'T would be an endless Labour to describe all the Curiosities that are to be seen in the Tuilleries such as the Labyrinth the Orange-house and the Marble Statue that represents Time treading on Envy and Falshood In the Year 1665. Colbert sent to Rome for Cavalier Bernin to frame the Design of the Louvre and procur'd him a Pension of two thousand Crowns That Illustrious Italian whose excellent Skill extended equally to Sculpture and Architecture made the Bust or Half-Statue of the King that adorns his Majesty's Cabinet That admirable Piece not only represents all the Features of that great Monarch to the Life but discovers that stately Mien which makes his Enemies tremble at the Head of his Armies without losing the least Grace of that mild and sweet Air which charms his Subjects And besides it seems to express that vast and piercing Judgment which was never guilty of an Oversight and that Piety which excites him to leave nothing unattempted for the Defence of Religion The same Minister repair'd the Royal Houses of S. Germain en Laye Fontainbleau and Chambord He caus'd four additional Buildings to be join'd to the first which make that House a great deal more convenient than 't was formerly and he made use of Sir S. Moreland an English Mathematician to embellish it with Water-Spouts of so extraordinary a height that the chief of 'em is above 30. foot higher than the Dome that contains the Bell. As for Versailles it may be said that he rais'd it from the ground as it were by Enchantment 'T was formerly a Dog-kennel where Lewis XIII kept his Hunting-furniture and at present 't is a Palace worthy of the great Monarch that lives in 't A long Avenue of four Rows of Trees leads to it on the right hand of which is the Castle of Clagny which his Majesty built for the Marchioness of Montespan 'T is seated near the ancient Barony of Clagny at the side of a little and very old Building the Beauty of which engag'd the King in this vast and chargeable Design The Situation of this Castle is almost the same with that of Versailles the Body of the Building has no separate Parts but consists of a single Piece with two double turning Wings under which there are two other single oblique Wings on the Fore-Front The Court is 30. Toises broad and 32. deep without reckoning a Half-Moon which encloses it before and increases its Largeness You ascend to the lower Story by five square Steps which raise the Story between four and five Foot high Here there is a large Gallery 35. Toises long and 25. Foot broad compos'd of three Halls somewhat broader than the Spaces left between ' em The History of Aeneas is describ'd in several Pictures on the Vault and above the Cornice that supports the Frames there are some Complications of Figures in Basso relievo representing several Deities the Elements Seasons and Parts of the Earth with their respective Qualities The Vault of the great Hall in the middle which is higher than the rest is born by four Tromps At the End of the Gallery you descend some Steps to an Orange-House pav'd with Marble 24. Toises long and 25. broad The Chapel is at the other Corner on the right hand its Ground-plot is round and 30. Foot in Diameter The great Stair-Case is in the right wing at the Entry 't is of an unusual Structure and the Stones are very ingeniously dispos'd it leads to a Porch join'd to the great Hall that separates two Apartments contiguous to two smaller ones from whence in Tribunes or rail'd Places Mass may be heard in the Chapel Mansard was the Designer and Architect of this Building The great Pavilion or Apartment in the Middle is cover'd with a Dome the Ground-plot is square and the rest of the Castle is cover'd with parted Roofs or Timber-work after the Fashion introduc'd by Mansard The principal Ornaments of the Garden are a Wood of high Trees several Parterres interwoven with Box into various Figures Bowling-Greens of several Figures Groves and Arbors of Lattice-Work embellish'd with Architecture There are also very fair Hedge-Rows of Myrtles which are full enough to contain Chests full of Orange-Trees and other Shrubs which seem to grow out of the Hedge-Rows for the Chests are not seen The Pond call'd de Clagny serves also for a Canal in sight of the Castle The Ornaments with which Colbert beautify'd this House are not at all comparable to those with which he embellish'd Versailles The great Avenue terminates in a spacious Plot of Ground that contains 180. Toises in Front and two other Avenues which end in the same Place form a kind of Figure resembling a Goose's Foot Here are the Great and Little Stables where all the Officers have their Lodgings and these Buildings are separated from the Castle by the above-mention'd void Place Each of the Stables consists of five Courts the greatest of which is narrowest at the bottom being only enclos'd before by a Rail 32. Toises in Length and the Pavilions or additional Buildings of 9. Toises which flank the Wings that are 37. Toises long and return towards the Bottom of the Court ending in a Half-Moon made by two
Draperies of Brass gilt after the manner of Busts to twelve Heads of Porphyry that represent the Twelve Caesars and to four others of Touchstone or Jett which are the Heads of Illustrious Men. Colbert took care not only of the Building of this Gallery but of all its Ornaments and Furniture as Vessels Boxes of Orange-Trees Cisterns Rows of Stands for Tapers Silver Stands garnish'd with Branches and Candle-sticks of the same Metal Vessels of Porphyry plac'd above and under Tables full of precious Stones which are multiplied by the Glasses that surround the Place And he caus'd all those Pieces of Silver-Work to be wrought and carv'd with inconceivable Care and Exactness From this Gallery the Way to the King's Apartment lies through the Hall of Mars which is full of Pictures representing Battles and Sieges of Towns under Allegorical Figures The Apartment contains a long Row of Pieces and in the first Place the Throne which is Silver and eight Foot high The Seat and Back are supported by Children carrying Baskets of Flowers and on the highest Part of the Seat which forms the Back stands Apollo holding his Lyre and crown'd with Laurel On each side are Justice and Strength sitting and below two Silver Stools with Cushions at the two Angles are Stands for Tapers eight Foot high and four branch'd Candle-sticks supported by Silver Stands six Foot high adorn the four Corners of the Room The next Chamber is that of Mercury then those of Mars and Diana and the Halls of Venus and Abundance The last leads into the Cabinet of Knacks or little Curiosities so callâ—d because 't is full of 'em 't is of an octangular Figure with Niches in the Angles the Vault is fram'd Dome-wise and the Light is in the Middle All the Work in this Cabinet is of Sculpture of which a great part is of Brass gilt 't is surrounded with Glasses and there are Degrees in the Niches before the Glasses The rest of the Cabinet is full of Brackets which as well as the degrees in the Niches are full of Curiosities as Agats of all sorts and fram'd into a thousand different Figures Crystals of great value for the Fashion in which they are cut little antique Figures of Brass Figures of Gold cover'd with Jewels and a great number of curious works and precious Stones of several Figures There is a very fine Ship of Gold for a device to cover the King's Meat on the Chimney and a large and rich Chest of Drawers in the Middle full of an infinite number of ancient and modern Medals There is also a Table eight Foot and a half long and two and a half broad the Ground is of White Marble on which there is a Map of France compos'd of inlaid Pieces of Marble according to the exactest and latest Astronomical Observations Each Province is distinguish'd by a Piece of Marble of a peculiar Colour and cut exactly according to the irregular Figure which the Frontiers of the Provinces make by entering into one another The Names of the Provinces are mark'd in Capital Letters of Gold and those of the Principal Towns in Italick Characters The most contrary Colours are plac'd next each other to heighten their Lustre thus the Isle of France is of a clear blue Champaigne of red Porphyry Orleanois of Opal and Beauce of a Fueille-mort Colour But the Curiousness of the Workman appears particularly in the Intersections which the Earth makes with the Sea where all the Capes and Bays are observ'd with an unconceivable Exactness and in the Lakes and Rivers that are preserv'd out of the Ground of the Table notwithstanding the Smallness of the Lines which frequently exceed not the breadth of a Thread near the beginning of the Rivers and their winding Course In the Space of white Marble that denotes the Mediterranean there is a Mariner's Compass of different Pieces of Marble curiously wrought and in the other Space that stands for the Ocean there are two Cartridges in one of which is written Carte de la France with those words borrow'd from Virgil which make a kind of Devise of which France is the Body Has tibi exerit Artes The other Cartridge contains the Name of the Person who gave this Map to the King The Ocean is bounded on the North with the nearest Parts of the Coast of England The Border is compos'd of two Fillets of blue Marble one of which is accompany'd with a Moulding or Edging and one of black mark'd with the Degrees of Longitude and Latitude by little oblong Squares of white Marble preserv'd out of the Ground of the Table Above the King's Apartment is that call'd the Marble Apartment which is furnish'd with Ornaments and embellish'd with several Columns all of precious Marble At the End of this is the Cabinet of Baths where nothing appears but Gold Marble and very fine Pictures with all the Ornaments and Conveniencies suitable to such a Place The Dauphin's Apartment is on the left hand opposite to the King 's and compos'd of a like number of Chambers which are all lin'd and overcast with the same sorts of Marble but variously join'd and inlaid The Cabinet of Knacks or little Curiosities that belongs to this Apartment contains three Rooms and a Half-Room and the Floor is inlaid The Painting of the Cieling is by Mignard and there is such a prodigious number of Rarities in this Place that the astonish'd Spectatour can hardly forbear concluding that all the Kingdoms of the East were drain'd to adorn it The Porch that fronts the Middle of the little Court leads into the Park and passing under vaulted Galleries you come to the great Terrass at the Entry of the Garden And here it was that Colbert display'd and even exhausted all the most pleasant and magnificent Productions both of Nature and Art The vast Extent of this stately Edifice comprehending the Front and returning Wing on that side alone which faces the Garden contains above three hundred Toises and more than four hundred and twenty large cross-barr'd Windows twenty outer Buildings with Columns surmounted with Figures and over these Trophies intermixt with Vessels plac'd along the Balisters that surround the whole Structure The Figures that adorn the side which faces the Garden are Apollo and Diana the four Seasons and twelve Months of the Year along the Gallery there are twelve Figures of Rivers and Nymphs of Fountains the Nymph Echo Narcissus Thetis and Galataea with Hebe and Ganymede in two Niches on the Front of the King 's great Apartment on that side where the Grotto was formerly which faces the Northern Parterre are Pomona Vertumnus one of the Nymphs Hesperides the Nymph Amalthaea Thalia Momus Terpsichore Pan Flora Zephyrus Hyacinthus Clitia and in two Niches Musick and Dancing These Figures are on the Wing that belongs to the Dauphin and that call'd the Prince's Wing is adorn'd with Deities and the Virtues which are very numerous by reason of the Length of that Wing over-against which there is another
first of January 1682 and made a very fine Discourse in Praise of the Academy and its Protector Before I finish this Account of the Academy it will not be improper to present the Reader with a Catalogue of the Works of le Brun its first Director He painted the Battle and Triumph of Constantine the Design of five Pieces of Tapestry representing a like number of the most glorious Actions of Alexander the Battle of Porus the Family of Darius the Battle of Arbella the Passage of the Granicum and that Prince's Triumph the Angel's Crucifix the King on Horse-back at large a Representation of the same Monarch granting Peace the Plat-fonds of Vaux le Vicomté and of Sceaux the Massacre of the Innocents the Fall of the Rebellious Angels St. Stephen at Nôtre-dame the Presentation of the Virgin at the Temple Christ in the Garden of Olivet a Crucifix a Magdalen the Descent of the Cross St. Austin St. Anthony the Twelve Apostles the Martyrdom of the Jesuits in Japan Christ in the Desert serv'd by Angels the Cupola of Sceaux St. Teresa St. Charles whose Picture is in his Chapel St. Mary Magdalen at the instant of her Conversion the Brazen Serpent at the House of the Recollects of Picpus the Pentecost at St. Sulpicius's and the Sepulchre on the High Altar There are four of his Pictures at the Carmelites a Presentation of the Virgin at the Capuchins Church in St. James's Suburbs and the Massacre of the Innocents in the possession of du Mets formerly Treasurer of the Money rais'd by the Sale of Offices The President Lambert's Gallery and that of Apollo in the Old Louvre were also painted by him And there are some Pieces begun by him at Ramboüillet in the Guard-Chamber of the Palace-Royal at St. Germans en Laye and at the House of the United Farms where Chancellor Seguier then liv'd The Learned World is also oblig'd to Colbert for the Erection of the Academy of Sciences that meets twice every Week in one of the Halls of the King's Library in the Street Viviene and had made so many curious and useful Discoveries On Wednesdays they treat of Natural Philosophy and on Saturdays of Astronomy and other parts of the Mathematicks They have invented a Method to determine the Longitude of Places which has been try'd in Denmark by his Majesty's Order at Cayene in America and in several Parts of the World according to the Directions of the Astronomers These Observations were made and are still carry'd on every Year by Picard Richer and de la Hyre who are Members of that Body And during the Voyages that are undertaken on this Occasion Cassini remains still in the Observatory at Paris to make like Observations at the same time with the Travellers They are all so just and exact that the Longitude may be certainly found out at any Distance without incurring an Error of above one hundred Toises which bear no proportion to the greatness of the Terraqueous Globe When the Academy was founded Carcavy Intendant of the King's Library was made Moderator of it who was succeeded by the Abbot de Lanion and he by Thevenot The present Moderator is the Abbot le Tellier who presides in that Assembly tho' he is very young Huguens one of the Astronomers discover'd the Ring of Saturn and one of that Planet's Satellites and has oblig'd the Publick with a Treatise de Horologio Oscillatorio which we call a Pendulum And it must be acknowledged that 't is one of the most Learned and Ingenious Pieces extant on that Subject Blondel Camp-Maréchal and formerly Teacher of Mathematicks to the Dauphin has compos'd a Course of Architecture with the Solutions of the four principal Problems of that Science Cassini who was esteem'd at Bologna the chief Astronomer of his Age has publish'd several Treatises and among the rest one concerning the Satellites of Jupiter with their Ephemerides the discovery of two Satellites of Saturn different from that of Huguens a Planisphere and a Discourse of the Comet in 1680 and 1681. Picard wrote an Account of his Voyage to Uraneburg enrich'd with all the Coelestial Observations he made in the same place where Tycho Brahé contemplated the Heavens La Hyre compos'd two Treatises of Conics containing an Explication of that hardest part of Geometry to which in 1679 he added new Elements of the Conic Sections Geometrical Places and the Construction of Aequations Roëmer invented two Machines with Wheels the first representing in a moment the Motion of the Planets and their Aspects for any Year or Day and the second shewing the Day and Hour in which Eclipses either have happen'd or shall happen He left Paris to return to the North where he was born the King of Denmark being desirous to see him again Mariotte wrote three Books concerning the Organ of Vision a Treatise of Libellation another of the Collision of Bodies an Essay of Logic a Treatise of Colours and three small Discourses or Physical Essays of the Vegetation of Plants the Nature of the Air and of Heat and Cold. Duclos is the Author of two Treatises one of the Mineral Waters in France and the other of Salts Perrault translated Vitruvius and illustrated his Author with learned Annotations and an Explication of the Terms of Art besides which he publish'd three Discourses entituled Physical Essays of Noise of Mechanics of Animals and the Circulation of the Blood Dodard drew a Scheme of Plants Bailly apply'd himself with extraordinary Success to the contriving of Objective-Glasses for Telescopes or large Prospective-Glasses and among the rest he made one seventy Foot long which is at present to be seen in the Parisian Observatory Du Verney labour'd to improve Anatomy and Bourdelin has made new Discoveries in Chymistry The Abbot Gallois wrote the Journal des Savans from the 4th of January 1666 to the 17th of December 1674. Du Hamel publish'd in the Year 1670 a Treatise in Two Volumes De Corporum Affectionibus and another also in Two Volumes De Corpore animato de Mente humanâ And in 1682 he communicated to the Publick a Work in five Volumes entituled Philosophia vetus nova ad usum Scholae accommodata Besides these Productions of some of the Members of the Academy the Curious have been oblig'd with the Anatomical part of the History of Animals publish'd in the Name of the whole Society And to make this Foundation more useful to the Publick Colbert caus'd an Observatory to be erected at the end of St. James's Suburbs in the Year 1667. The Observatory is situated in the highest place in the City towards the South that the Prospect of the Stars and especially of the Planets which move towards that part of the Heavens might not be obstructed by the Vapours of the River or the Smoke that ascends from the Houses on the other side 'T is of a square Figure containing about fifteen Toises on each side with two Octangular Towers at the Corners of the South Front of
of The Dutchy of Luines The great Charge the King was oblig'd to maintain during the War against Spain had oblig'd him to alienate the greatest part of his Demaine But Colbert being desirous to clear his Majesty's Revenues persuaded him to re-unite the alienated Crown-Lands to the rest of his Demaine which was put in execution by Virtue of an Edict set forth in April 1667 on condition to reimburse the Purchasers but since most of 'em had been tax'd the King had but little to pay The same Minister undertook the Reformation of Justice and the ill success of that Design was perhaps owing either to the Unskilfulness of Pussort and the rest whom he employ'd in compiling the Code or to their Unwillingness to remove the Foundations of Wrangling lest the Officers of the Courts of Judicature shou'd remain without Employment To demonstrate the Uselesness of the new Regulation it must be observ'd that the Litigious Wrangling of Lawyers proceeds from Four Causes the various Degrees of Officers or Courts of Justice the Contests about their Jurisdiction frivolous Suits and Forms and the confounding of Matter of Fact with Matter of Law which makes it impossible to refer every Particular to its proper Head The first Inconveniency might have been easily remedy'd by bringing the Appeals from the Sentences of the Judges of Signiories to the Presidial Courts to which they are subordinate where the Cause shou'd be finally judg'd without any further Appeal and by bringing the Appeals from the Royal Jurisdictions immediately to the Parliament without stopping at the Presidial Courts And if it be objected That the Parties wou'd by such a Regulation be engag'd in long and chargeable Voyages it ought to be consider'd that there lies always an Appeal to the Parliament from the Sentence of the Presidial Courts that have condemn'd or approv'd the Judgment of their subordinate Royal Courts of Justice And besides the Jurisdiction or District of the Parliament of Paris which is certainly too wide might be divided into several Parts by creating two other Parliaments one at Lyons and another at Poictiers as likewise Lower Languedoc might be taken from the Parliament of Thoulouse by erecting another at Nîmes The Contests between Courts concerning their Jurisdictions are chiefly occasion'd either because the Court of Aids has a Right to cite before it all the Causes in which the King's Farmers are concern'd or by reason of the Audiences erected in the Courts of Inquest which according to ancient Custom belong only to the Great Chamber as that alone has a Registry of Enrollments for every Court reclaiming its Jurisdiction under Pretext of some incidental Controversie there are an infinite number of Disputes occasion'd And besides these Contests are frequently owing to the Opposition against Sentences or Decrees obtain'd for want of Appearance or of defending the Farmer at the Great Chamber tho' the Petitions were presented to one of the Chambers of Inquest The Code requires these Cases to be judg'd at the Bar which is the true way to make the Decision of the Incident or Bye-matter last longer than the Judgment of the Main Suit because the Advocates cannot be made to confer and there is always a Return in Law against the Sentences given according to the Opinion of the Bar. The only way to redress these Inconveniencies is with respect to the First to restrain the Courts of Requests of the Palace and other ordinary Jurisdictions from taking Cognizance of Matters belonging to the Court of Aids or else to hinder the Court of Aids from withdrawing a Cause from the other Courts of which they are actually possess'd And the Second might be easily remedy'd by reducing the Courts of Inquest to their Primitive State and by ordering all Incidents to be judg'd in the Court call'd The Chamber of the Council and all Petitions to be carry'd thither and either join'd if they have a Relation to the main Suit or judg'd on the Verbal Relation of the Reporter if they be conditional or include a Proviso This Regulation would also reddress another Abuse for the Hearings at several Courts of Inquest falling out in one day and there being also an Audience at the Court call'd the Tournelle Civile at the very same Hour 't is impossible for the Advocates or Counsellours at Law to be present in all those places at once and therefore they are forc'd to incur the Penalty for want of Appearance which might be prevented if there were no Audiences at the Courts of Inquest for then they wou'd all remain at the Tournelle Civile 'T is true there are Hearings at the same Hour at the Courts of Requests in the Palace and in the Town-House but that Inconveniency might be also regulated by excluding the Advocates under Ten Years standing from the Superior Courts and by restraining the old Advocates from pleading before the subaltern or inferior Courts If we consider the idle and unprofitable Pleadings or Forms it will appear that the Code ought to cut off the Contradictions Rejoinders Replications and all the New or Additional Proofs and Reviews which only make way for the Repetition of what had been urg'd a hundred times before And besides there is another great Abuse concerning the Defaults for want of timely Defence for the Attorneys to gain time demand in the general a Copy of all the Instruments or Pleadings without mentioning particularly which are necessary to 'em and after they have incurr'd the Default they are receiv'd as Opponents without any previous Examination whether their Exceptions are well or ill-grounded The only effectual way to redress this Abuse is to ordain that the Cause shall be judg'd only by those Pieces or Instruments of which Copies have been given with an Express Prohibition to make use of any others and this being suppos'd if the Proctor or Attorney do not put in his Defence within the time limited by the Regulation that in that Case he may and shall be fin'd in his own Name and that it shall not be in the Judge's Power to moderate the Fine And besides the Attorneys ought to be restrain'd from withdrawing their Allegations and oblig'd to communicate 'em to the Reporter for tho' the Regulation has made 'em liable to a Pecuniary Mulct instead of Bodily Restraint they never pay any thing tho' by this means they have gain'd a great deal of time The last Article is of greatest Importance since it relates to the Manifestation of the Truth which the Advocates endeavour to disguise with their Forms and Pleadings so that 't is almost impossible for the Judge to discover it For 't is their constant Practice to spend the time allow'd 'em in several Audiences in the Pleading of one Cause which is often referr'd and in the mean time the Claims are not dispatch'd besides that the Cause being put off from Week to Week it becomes a hard Task to remember what has been already alledg'd And therefore to prevent such an useless Waste of Time the Plantiff
and the Sons of Merchants had the Impudence to add a Coronet to their Coat of Arms because they were possess'd of some Offices These Rhodomontado's occasion'd the Pun of one of our Comical Poets Depuis que dans Paris on s' est emmarquisé On trouve à chaque pas un Marquis supposé In order to the redressing of this Abuse Colbert order'd the Claims of those counterfeit Nobles to be examin'd and all those who pretended a Right to the Privileges of the Nobility were oblig'd to produc'd their Titles before the Intendants of the respective Provinces And besides they who had in publick Deeds assum'd the Title of Knight or Esquire and were not able to prove their Claim to those Honours were not only made liable to the common Taxes but were forced to submit to an extraordinory Assessment Thus you see how diligently Colbert apply'd himself to the Reformation of the State but in the mean time he neglected not the Advancement of his Family The King had declar'd War against Spain in Pursuance of his Right to those Countries in the Netherlands that were laps'd and devolv'd to the Queen and had already made himself Master of several Places the Principal of which were Doüay Tournay Lille Courtray Oudenarde and Charleroy with all the Franche-Comté Clement IX who was lately made Pope had employ'd his Ministers to negotiate a Peace between the two Crowns and the Conferences were appointed to be held at Aix la Chapelle Colbert procur'd the Dignity of his Majesty's Plenipotentiary for his Brother Charles who arriv'd at that City with a Magnificent Equipage and was shortly after follow'd by the Baron de Bergeyk sent in the same Quality by his Catholick Majesty Franciotti the Pope's Nuncio Sir William Temple the English Ambassador and Beverning Ambassador from the States-General performing the Office of Mediatours The French maintain'd that by Right of Devolution which takes place and is in force in the Dutchy of Brabant the Lordship of Mechlin the Marquisate of the Holy Empire the County of Aloste High Guelderland of which Ruremond is the Capital City the County of Namur the Dutchy of Limburg the Lordships of Dalem Valquemburg or Fauquemont Roder-le-Duc and other places beyond the Meuse the County of Arlon the Dutchy of Cambray Franche-Comté and the Dutchy of Luxemburg the Daughters of the first Marriage excluded the Males born in the second To this Right the Spaniards oppos'd the Queen's Renunciation by her Contract of Marriage of her Claim to the Inheritance of the Estates belonging to her Father and Mother pretending that her Renunciation was a Part of the Pyrenean Treaty The French wou'd not allow of that Connexion affirming that they were two separate Acts and besides that the Renunciation was void as relating to an Inheritance that was not yet fall'n and that she cou'd not abrogate the local Custom of those Provinces especially since the Condition of the Renunciation was not accomplish'd the Dowry stipulated by the Contract not being paid and 't was further alledg'd that she never renounc'd the Inheritance of her Brother Prince Baltasar who inherited the Dowry of Elizabeth of France his Mother Tho' all these Reasons were more than sufficient to assert the Queen's Right and tho' the King was able to maintain her Title by his Arms he chose rather to relinquish part of it for the Love of Peace He offer'd to restore Franche-Comté that belong'd to him both by Right of Succession and of Conquest and to content himself with the Places he had taken in Flanders Charles Colbert made the Spaniards and Mediators so sensible of the Reasons on which the King his Master's Claim was founded that the Baron de Bergeyk receiv'd as a Favour the Offers of his most Christian Majesty Thus the Treaty was sign'd on the second of May 1668. and the Brother of our Minister by so successful a Negotiation open'd a way to a higher Preferment Colbert had no reason to complain of the Ingratitude of his Master He was made Secretary of State in the room of Guenegaud and was entrusted with the Management of Affairs relating to the Sea nor were his Performances in that Post unsuitable to the Confidence his Majesty repos'd in him For he was so industrious to augment the Naval Forces that the King may style himself Master of the Sea since in the time of Peace there is no Nation that dares refuse to salute his Flags That Minister who made it his principal Care to enrich his Master by suppressing all the Rights and Offices that might be chargeable to him began with the Parisis and the Rents upon the Entries that were created on the Third Peny and a half and yielded Interest at the Seventh Peny there being only a Fund for two Quarters The Duties on the Gabels of Languedoc and the Offices of the King's Advocate and Attorney for the Garners and Chambers of that Province had the same Fate and since he cou'd easily exact the Taxes impos'd on those who had been concern'd in publick Business out of the Reimbursements that were due to 'em from the suppress'd Rights Rents and Offices he procur'd by the Edict that abrogated the Chamber of Justice all those that were tax'd to be restor'd to their Lands or Immoveable Estates that had been seiz'd and even order'd to be sold contenting himself with retaining their Reimbursements But he excluded from receiving any Benefit by that Act of Grace the three Treasurers of the Exchequer the Monerot's Languet Bance and the Heirs of Girardin for the Reasons alledg'd in the Beginning of his Life In the mean time perceiving the King's Zeal for the Extirpation of Heresie he suppress'd the Chamber instituted by the Edicts of Paris and Rhoan tho' they were not equally divided as those of Castres and Guien which were abrogated some Years before but admitted only one Huguenot Counsellour every Year 'T is true there was also one of that Perswasion in each of the Courts of Inquest but afterwards as their Places became vacant they were supply'd by Catholicks At the same time there was a Tournelle Civile erected to judge of all Causes under 1000 Crowns to ease the Great Chamber and Courts of Inquest whither all the Suits were transferr'd that were depending in the Chamber of the Edict at the time of its Suppression And besides the Form of the Court of Vacations was chang'd for whereas formerly each President à Mortier presided in it for the Space of a Week and Affairs of small Importance were determin'd there by a definitive Sentence two Presidents were appointed every Year one to preside in the others Absence from the 9th of September to S. Simon and Jude's Day and its Jurisdiction was confin'd to Matters implying a Condition or Proviso These new Creations are of no great Importance nor do they afford Matter for Variety of Reflections but 't will not be improper to insist somewhat longer on the Examination of the Criminal Code the Regulation of the Council and the
d' Avaux and while he was at Nimmegen his Brother procur'd for him the Office of President à Mortier in the Parliament of Paris vacant by the Resignation of Nicholas Potier Lord of Novien who was made first President At the same time John Baptist Colbert was made Minister of State and forgetting his Birth and the Modesty he had till then affected assum'd the Title of Grandeur His Office of Counsellour of State in Ordinary was given to Claude Pelletier Counsellour of State de Semestre or for six Months and Bignon formerly Advocate-General in the Parliament of Paris was made Counsellour de Semestre At the same time Colbert obtain'd the Reversion of the Office of Secretary of State for his Eldest Son the Marquess de Seignelay and that of the Superintendancy of the Buildings for his Younger Brother Julius Armand Colbert Marquess of Ormoy This Marquess who was no Enemy to Love cou'd not resist the Charms of Mademoiselle de la Sale a Young Lady of Quality but of small Fortune and the Youngest of Three Sisters She cou'd not boast a regular Beauty for her Mouth was somewhat large and her Complexion too ruddy but she had the Advantage of a fine Sett of Teeth and Sparkling Eyes her Hair was of a lovely light Ash-colour she sung prettily danc'd with a becoming Grace and her pleasant Humour made her Conversation very agreeable Her large Stature and fine Shape appear'd with Advantage in the Habit of a Man in which Dress the Marquess of Ormoy made her often come to Versailles and even gave her a Key to the Park that she might go there to wait for him It happen'd one day that she made use of her Key to introduce her into that Place when the King had given Orders to suffer no Person whatsoever to enter Bontemps Governour of the Park perceiving her at a considerable distance took her for a Man and coming up to her ask'd her how she came thither So unexpected a Salutation put her out of Countenance and not being able to conceal her Sex she told him that her Mother having attempted to force her Inclinations in the Choice of a Husband she came to beg his Majesty's Protection and the Governour assur'd her that he wou'd do her all the Service he cou'd and speak to the King in her Favour Nor was he unmindful of his Promise for he acquainted his Majesty with the Adventure whose Curiosity at the hearing of so rare an Accident was so great that he went along with Bontemps into the Park to discourse with her She repeated to him the Story she had invented to conceal her Intrigue with the Marquess and he promis'd to enquire into the Matter and to secure her from any Violence that shou'd be offer'd to her In the mean time he told her that 't was fit she shou'd have some regard to the Decency of her Sex and desir'd her to go to Bontemps's House who wou'd furnish her with a more suitable Dress and after Dinner conduct her to a Convent where she shou'd be safe from her Mother's Persecutions In obedience to the King's Desire the Governour carry'd her home with him where having chang'd her Habit she was put into one of his Majesty's Coaches and conducted by two Soldiers of the Guard to the Monastery of Benedictin Nuns at Argenteüil where she liv'd two Years at the King's Charge who being afterwards inform'd that the Relation she made him of her Fortune was a mere contriv'd Story order'd her to be set at Liberty after which she return'd to her Mother In the mean time so long an Absence had wrought such a perfect Cure on the Marquess that he never thought of renewing his Intrigue and she repair'd the Loss of that Lover with fresh Conquests Colbert's Sister made a better use of the Company and Example of the Bernardin Nuns for she was admitted into their Society at Port-Royal a Convent of the same Order Her own Piety and Modesty recommended her no less effectually than her Brother's Interest to his Majesty who made her Abbess of Lys near Melun She receiv'd the Benediction at Port-Royal from the Archbishop of Paris in May 1667 and the whole Court assisted at the Ceremony After Colbert had considerably augmented the number of the King's Vessels his next Care was to furnish 'em with Artillery About six Years before there was a Manufactory of Iron-Guns set up in some Forges in Nivernois those especially that are next to the City of Nevers and River of Loire But the hope of Success in that Undertaking was much abated after 't was discover'd that the Metal of the Mines in that Country was so little fit for such an Use that the cast Pieces were not able to abide the Tryals which the King's Commissioners requir'd to be made of 'em before they wou'd receive 'em on Board At last in 1678 two Strangers and a Man of Dauphine undertook to correct the Fault of the Metal and for the accomplishment of their Promise submitted to a Tryal which was perform'd by Commissioner Du-Clos with a great deal of Exactness and Rigour All the Guns that were made by the Strangers burst at the first Shot and those that were cast by the Native of Dauphiné were thrice discharg'd without receiving any Damage But this Trial did not satisfie Du-Clos who cou'd hardly give credit to his own Eyes he appointed two other Days when they were charg'd and shot off with the greatest Exactness imaginable and the same Success as before Yet he still suspected the Event till on the third Day he saw 'em bear the Shock of twenty Discharges that were made one after another without suffering the Guns to cool At last one and twenty of 'em were sent to Brest to be put on board the Ships and were there try'd by the Captains with as much exactness as if they had never been discharg'd before For most of the other Guns that were brought from Nivernois were so shatter'd and weaken'd by Du-Clos's Tryal that they cou'd not endure a second at Brest without bursting to pieces Prior Frantot was the Inventer of this Secret he had four Brothers kill'd in the King's Service and was a Soldier himself till several Wounds he receiv'd in the Wars oblig'd him to leave that Profession Several other ingenious Persons came afterwards to assist him in his Work at Nevers and a Gentleman of his own Country brought thither a certain Powder being a Secret of his Invention to refine and purifie the Mines Nicholas Desmarets the eldest Son of Mary Colbert Sister of the Minister of that Name had for some time serv'd his Uncle in the Quality of his Chief Commissary tho' he was already one of the Masters of Requests and marry'd to the Daughter of Lewis Bechamel Secretary to the Council But Colbert resolv'd to raise his Nephew's Fortune higher and procur'd him the Office of Intendant of the Finances vacant by the Death of Claude Marin And by the same Minister's Interest James
where he was receiv'd with great Marks of Honour by the Cardinal Guastaldi Legat of that place Proceeding on his Journey he visited the Great Duke at Florence and arriving at Rome met with a very favourable Treatment from Pope Innocent XI in consideration of his Father the Mareschal Duke de Vivone who was Generalissimo of the Galleys of the the Holy See at Candy The Marquess de Seignelay immediately after his return from Provence began another Journey to Rochefort Bourdeaux and Bayonne and after he had given some Orders concerning those places he accompany'd the King in his Progress to the Coast of Picardy His Majesty began with the Port of Ambleteuse the Situation of which he examin'd with the Marquess de Vauban Mareschal de Camp From thence he went to the Port of Wissan two Leagues from Ambleteuse and after he had visited the Fort of Mulon arriv'd at Calice from whence he return'd to Versailles Thus Colbert had the pleasure to see how well his Relations employ'd their time and with how much Care and Success they made their Court but his Joy was moderated by the News he receiv'd of the Death of his Sister the Abbess of St. Clare at Rheims who was much lamented by all the Nuns that were under her Government In the mean time the King persisted in his Resolution to extirpate Heresie and by Colbert's advice establish'd a Regulation concerning the Royal Farms or Leases ordaining that none but Catholicks shou'd be afterwards admitted to take either Farms or Under-Farms and that no Protestants shou'd be employ'd as Directors Commissaries or in any Office whatsoever for the levying and collecting of Money The Abbot Colbert having receiv'd his Bulls was consecrated in the Church of the Sorbonne Titulary Archbishop of Carthage by the Archbishop of Rohan assisted by the Bishops of Bayeux and Lizieux his Suffragans after which he set forward to take possession of his Coadjutorship of Rohan accompany'd by the Coadjutor of Arles the Bishop of Lizieux and the Abbot of Grignan nam'd to the Bishoprick of Eureux and arriving at Gaillon was receiv'd with a great deal of Magnificence by the Archbishop of Rohan to whom that House belong'd and there complimented by Lewis le Blanc Intendant of the Generality of Rohan and Mascarany Great-Master of the Waters and Forests The next Day in the After-noon he departed with the Bishop of Lizieux and arriving about five a-clock at Port St. Oüen was attended by above thirty of his Canons with several Persons of Quality Proceeding further he was met by Claude Pelot first President of the Parliament and several of the most considerable Members of the other Companies who made a Convoy or Cavalcade of above fifty Coaches to conduct him to his Archiepiscopal Palace where he arriv'd on the 28th of September 1680 and after he had given Audience to the Deputies of the Chapter went to St. Heibland where he was receiv'd by the Curate of the Parish There he put off his Shooes and Stockings and clothing himself with a Rochet and Camail march'd barefoot towards the Cathedral accompany'd with the Priors and Monks of the Abbey of St. Oüen all in Copes the Ancient and Reform'd Monks having each their Prior. He found all the Way from that Parish to Nôtre-Dame matted and was receiv'd at the Gate by Bretel de Gremonville Dean of the Chapter with all the Canons and Curates of the Chapel in rich Copes After the Dean had presented the Holy Water and given the Cross to the Coadjutor to kiss it the Prior of the Ancient Monks addressing himself to the whole Chapter We give you said he our Archbishop alive and you shall restore him dead The meaning of that Expression depends on the usual Custom of exposing the Bodies of the dead Archbishops in State at this Monastery That Ceremony being finish'd the Dean presenting his Church to him ask'd his Protection and made him swear the usual Oath on the Gospels Then the Coadjutor put on his Shooes and Stockings at St. Peter's Altar after he had offer'd a Crown of Gold at the Altar of Vows At last having been receiv'd into the Chapter as a Canon and into the Pontifical Chair in the Choir as Archbishop he heard Mass sung and afterwards treated the whole Chapter at three Tables which were serv'd with equal Delicacy and Profusion That Prelate's Father having accompany'd the King in his Journey to the Netherlands was attack'd with a Fever the Fits of which lasted fifteen Hours He was cur'd with the Peruvian Bark prepar'd by an English Physician and so considerable a Success brought that Remedy into Vogue About the same time the Marquess de Torsy Son of Charles Colbert Secretary of State defended Theses dedicated to his Majesty which he presented to the whole Royal Family in magnificent Boxes There that Monarch was represented giving Peace with one hand to Europe who was arm'd to denote Power and accompany'd with a Tiara and Keys to signifie that it was the Christian part of Europe Discord and the Fury of War whom the King had vanquish'd were under his Feet and with his other Hand he stopp'd the Course of Victory who was inciting him to new Conquests Love and Peace held his Majesty's Thunder and the latter was follow'd by Abundance Magnificence and Tranquillity Above the King was Glory setting a Crown on his Head and the Love of Immoratality holding another and just ready to Crown him Behind Glory appear'd Piety and Mildness who was busy'd in shutting the Temple of Janus On the other side was Fame displaying the Banner held by Victory to expose the History of those Actions to be read which she had already publish'd with her Trumpet Below Philosophy was represented by a venerable Woman to whom Nature imparted all her Secrets Nature appear'd under the Figure of another Woman crown'd with the Zodiac and accompany'd with a Lion for the Symbole of Fire Fruits and fruitful Animals representing Water and a Vultur devouring a Bird to signifie the perpetual Round of Things which Nature re-produces by their Destruction All these Figures seem to be enlighten'd and discover'd to the Spectator by a Flambeau held by the Love of Wisdom who shew'd the King the Beauties of Philosophy and display'd her Mantle the Folds of which were as so many Steps to ascend to the Top or Perfection of Wisdom And the same Love represented the Genius of him who defended the Theses Colbert continu'd still to apply himself with a great deal of Industry and Diligence to the management of Naval Affairs And in pursuance of that Design he employ'd some Persons at Versailles under the inspection of the Chevalier de Tourville now Mareschal of France to build a Frigat after a new Contrivance which resembl'd the English way of Building but was thought to exceed it both with respect to the Materials and the Frame of the Vessel to make her carry her Sails well and render her Light tho' she were loaded with a great number of
last constrain'd to deliver 'em all to the Marquess 'T was stipulated by the Treaty with the Divan of Tripoli that all the French that were to be found in their Squadron or on board any Ship that had come out of their Port that Year shou'd be set at liberty that Captain Courcillier's Ship which had been taken under French Colours and was at that time in the Port of Chio with 16 Guns mounted shou'd be restor'd with her Men Arms and Ammunition That the Ship call'd Europe taken under the Colours of Majorca and then in the Port of Chio shou'd remain under the Authority and Protection of the Captain Basha till it shou'd be decided whether she ought to be reckon'd a French Vessel That no Tripolin Ships shou'd search any Vessel Trading under French Colours nor injure or molest the Persons Ships or Goods of those who shou'd produce a Pass-port from the Admiral of France That all Strangers who shou'd be found on board any Vessel bearing French Colours shou'd remain free and unmolested both with respect to their Persons and Goods and likewise Frenchmen who shou'd happen to be embark'd on Vessels under strange Colours tho' Enemies to that State That neither French Slaves nor Prizes taken by the Enemies of that Kingdom shou'd be permitted to be sold in the Ports of the Kingdom of Tripoli that a French Consul shou'd be settl'd there and that no Prize shouâ—d be taken within ten Miles of the Coast of France Colbert was not unmindful of James Desmarets de Vauburgh Brother to the Intendant and Abbot of that Name for to recompense the care he took to ease him in the Discharge of his Ministry he bought for him one of the Places of Master of Requests vacant by the Death of Peter Forcoal Desmarets was by his Uncle's Interest admitted to the Exercise of that Office tho' he was not above 25 Years old as he had already been receiv'd into the Parliament as the Age of 22. He marry'd afterwards the Daughter of de Voisin another Master of Requests who had successively executed the Offices of Intendant of Picardy Normandy and Tourain The Ceremony of the Marriage was perform'd in St. Bennet's Church and the Feast of the Wedding was kept in the House of Daniel Voisin the Bride's Uncle who had been Provost of the Merchants Vousy the Intendant's Fourth Brother was first Lieutenant then Captain of a Ship and was now made Captain of the Guard There were two other Brothers one of whom di'd in Candie and the other perish'd at Sea And of the Three Sisters Two are Nuns at Nôtre-Dame de Soissons and the other was marry'd to Andrew Jubert de Bouville Master of the Requests who was since made Intendant of Limosin but by reason of his indiscreet Zeal in the Defence of the Lieutenant-General of Limoges who was accus'd of Bribery and Exaction was suspected by the whole Province to have shar'd the Booty with him whom he protected On the 16th of December 1681. the King came to Paris and visited the Orchard or Nursery of Fruit-Trees for the Use of the Royal Houses from whence he went to the Louvre where he saw his Cabinet of Pictures and from thence to his Library in the Street Vivienne where the Coadjutor of Rohan shew'd him the most curious Books and the Cabinet of Ancient and Modern Medals and engrav'd Agats His Majesty went also to the Academy of Sciences the Chymical Laboratory and the Rolling-Press for Prints and expressed a great deal of Satisfaction at the Sight of so many Marks of Colbert's Diligence in ordering all things that were committed to his Care At the same the Marquess de Seignelay went to Dunkirk to be present at the Tryal of some newly-invented Machines the Success of which gave a fair Prospect of great Advantages in time of War The Frigat call'd Echole was set apart by his Order for the Instruction of the young Officers of his Majesty's Ships and the Marine Guards and disarm'd by the Chevaler le Bret of Flacourt who had commanded her and cruis'd six Weeks on the Coast about Rochefort And the same Officer was made Captain of the Marine Guards on that side The Terrour which the King's Galleys had spread over all the Mediterranean occasion'd an Embassy to his Majesty from Mula Ismael King of Morocco and Brother of Muley Axid who was called King of Tafilet That Country is of a considerable Extent being part of the ancient Numidia at present call'd Biledulgerit and is situated between Fez and the Mediterranean The above-mention'd King of Tafilet who was one of the greatest Conquerours in Afric as he was one day managing his Horse struck his Head against the Branch of a Fig-Tree and receiv'd a mortal Blow of which he died some days after tho' others say he was poison'd by one of his Concubines But whatever was the occasion of his Death 't is certain that when he felt it approaching he deliver'd his Sword as the Badge of Royalty to his Brother Mula Ismael telling him that his two Sons the Eldest of whom was but 4 and the other 3 Years old were incapable of sustaining the Weight of a Crown and that he foresaw that all the Countries he had conquer'd wou'd revolt after his Death Nor was he mistaken in his Prediction for the People took Arms and Mula at the Head of the Negro's and some other Troops was oblig'd to re-conquer the Kingdoms of Fez and Morocco the Principalities of Tetuan Salley and Arcassa and a Part of the Kingdom of Sus. His Subjects are compos'd of several Nations of which I shall only name some of the most remarkable The Cities are inhabited by the Moors who are the Posterity of the ancient Saracens The Barbarians live in houses conver'd with Stubble on the vast Mountains of Atlas which cross the whole Country The Alarbs or Arabs possess the Plains and are divided into Tribes The Head or Oldest Man of a Family is the Commander and is call'd the Checq or Captain They pass their whole Life in Tents made of Wooll and Goat's Hair and the Plains are strew'd with their Adoüards which are a sort of Hamlets consisting of 40 or 50 Tents set up together in a round Figure and some of the most numerous Tribes inhabit 50 Adoüards To all the Conquests I have already mention'd Mula Ismael added that of Mammora on the Ocean which he took from the Spaniards and of Tangier the Metropolis of Mauritania Tingitana which the English were forc'd to abandon He is of the Race of Mahomet surnam'd Cherif whose Name he bears in his Signet in the Arabic Tongue together with that of the Saviour of the World whom the Moors call Cydy Nayssa but only acknowledge that he was a great Prophet In the same Signet is the Name of GOD and of Mahomet the Author of their Religion for all other Coats of Arms are forbidden by their Law which expresly prohibits all sorts of Figures They pretend to be the only
the Dutchess of Crouy The Marchioness de Seignelay's Contempt of her Husband occasion'd frequent Quarrels between 'em and the Marquess who was naturally of a haughty Temper was once so transported with Fury that he gave her a Blow which cost him a Drubbing that his Father bestow'd on him for the Improvement of his Manners But the Bastinadoe produc'd no other effect on him than the Indian Root with which Boccace's Joseph attempted to cure his Wife of her Sawciness After that Lady's Death the Duke of Bournonville offer'd his Daughter who was also very rich to supply her place but Colbert refus'd the Match knowing that the Duke who was Fouquet's intimate Friend hop'd by that means to be reinstated in the Government of Paris which he injoy'd during Cardinal Mazarin's Life The Marquess de Blainville having lost all hope of his Superintendantship resolv'd to depend on his Sword for the Advancement of his Fortune and contented himself at present with the mean Preferment of a Lieutenant's Place in the Regiment of Picardy Anthony Martin Colbert tho' scarce a Gentleman was as I hinted before receiv'd Knight of Malta during the Life of his Father and a Commander to flatter both said aloud at his coming out that the young Pretender had pass'd his Four Quarters Moreri derives Colbert's Pedigree from an ancient Scotch Family that settl'd in Champaign in the XIII Age according to that Author's Opinion which he grounds on the Epitaph of Richard Colbert at the Church of the Cordeliers at Rheims accompany'd with the Arms of that Family But that Proof is of no force for the alledg'd Inscription was placed there when Colbert design'd to procure the Honour of the Maltese Knighthood for his Son as appears by the Testimony of the old Inhabitants of that City who affirm that formerly there was no Engraving on the Tomb. Giles Menage a profess'd Wit and one of Colbert's Pensioners attempted to squeeze some new Favours out of him by composing his Genealogy which he deduc'd from the ancient Kings of Scotland but that Minister perceiving the obvious grossness of the Flattery instead of rewarding his Zeal depriv'd him of his Pension A memorable Example for those designing Panegyrists who over-act their Parts and injure their Patrons by strain'd and fulsom Encomiums The Chevalier Colbert was so fortunate in his new Dignity that he was made Grand Croix de Grace and General of the Galleys of the Order But that Preferment serv'd only to hasten his Disgrace by discovering his Unfitness for the suitable Discharge of so great a Trust For with seven Galleys that were under his command he had not the Courage to attack three Tripolin Vessels which he found becalm'd and his Cowardice wou'd have infallibly ruin'd him if he had not been protected by the Authority of his Brother the Marquess de Seignelay After that Disaster he left the Sea-Service and endeavouring to recover his Honour lost his Life at the Head of the Regiment of Champaign of which he was Colonel James Nicholas Colbert at present Archbishop of Rohan tho' he had renounc'd the Fair Sex by entring into the Episcopal Order cou'd not forbear espousing the Quarrel of his old Mistress la Certain and even carry'd his Complaisance so high as to punish the Inconstancy of her new Lover Lully who had forsaken her for the young Brunet by making the Marquess de Seignelay give him a severe Reprimand and causing him to be shut up in St. Lazarus's The difference that happen'd shortly after between the King and the Republick of Genoa gave the Marquess de Seignelay an opportunity of discovering the Extent and Variety of his Abilities His Majesty complain'd that the Genoese entertain'd a closer Correspondence with the Count de Melgar Governour of Milan than was consistent with the Neutrality they promis'd to observe between the two Crowns that they were fitting out four new Galleys to join those they usually kept in his Catholick Majesty's Service under the Command of the Duke of Tursis that they sent Powder and Bombs to the Algarins for the burning of his Majesty's Galleys in the Port of Marseilles That they refus'd to grant a Passage for the Transportation of the Salt that by Virtue of an agreement with the Duke of Mantua was to be carry'd thither from France and wou'd not suffer him to settle Magazins at Savona and that they wou'd not do Justice to the Count de Fiesque by restoring to him the Inheritance of the Count de Lavagne's Estate The Marquess de St. Olon the French Resident at Genoa represented all those Injuries to the Senate demanding Satisfaction in his Master's Name and at last declar'd That if they persisted in their Resolution to launch four new Galleys his Majesty wou'd interpret that as an Act of Hostility and command his Subjects to seize not only on these Vessels but on all that belong'd to the Republick But all his Remonstrances and Threatenings were slighted by the Genoese who wou'd not be persuaded to give his Majesty any Satisfaction and therefore the Resident took his Audience of Leave and the Marquess de Seignelay was order'd to make necessary preparations for a Naval Expedition and even for the Landing of some Forces if the Obstinacy of the Genoese shou'd constrain his Majesty to use 'em with the utmost Rigour Assoon as the Marquess receiv'd these Orders he wrote to Bonrepos Intendant of the Marine to put 'em in execution without acquainting him with the Design and not long after set forward for Toulon where he arriv'd on the 26th of April 1684 and took a Review of the Ships and Galleys On the 5th of May he embark'd for the Isles of Hieres where the General Rendezvous of the Fleet was appointed and set sail on the 12th with fourteen Men of War three light Frigats ten Galiots or Bomb-Vessels two Fire-Ships eight Fly-Boats seventeen Tartans end twenty Galleys The Men of War were the Ardent Ferme Valiant Vigilant Amiable Parfait Assuré Fortuné S. Jacques Fleuron Aquilon Indien Capable and Bizarre commanded by the Marquess du Quêne and the Chevalier de Tourville Lieutenant-Generals the Marquess d' Amfreville and the Chevalier de Lery Commanders of a Squadron S. Aubin the Commander des Goutes Belle-Ile-Erard the Chevalier du Mené Septeme the Marquess de la Porte the Chevalier de Bellefontain Forant la Motte and Chaumont The three light Frigats the Vipere Trompeuse and Subtile were commanded by Clarier Flôte and Pelerin The Galleys were the Reale Patrone Invincible Forte Victoire Reine Valeur Sirene Grande Belle Françoise Hardie Amazone Galante Ferme Dauphine Fleur-de-lis Couronne and Perle under the Command of the Duke de Mortemar General of the Galleys the Chevalier de Noüailles Lieutenant-General the Chevalier de Bethomas the Chevalier de Breteüil the Chevalier de Janson Montaulieu le Sornier Forville Maubousquet the Count de Beüil the Chevalier de Pennes the Chevalier de S. Herem the Chevalier de Rochechoüart Montfuron the Chevalier du Cher the Viscount
the mean time they laded one of the King's Ships with â—orn and since they cou'd not restore seven of the Frenchmen that were ask'd of 'em whom they had sold in several parts of the Levant from whence they cou'd not possibly bring 'em back they deliver'd thirty Strangers instead of the twenty French Slaves that were demanded of 'em with eleven young Ship-Boys of Provence whom they had forc'd to renounce Christianity which they had never before granted by any Treaty whatsoever The Duke de Mortemar at his Arrival found five Venetian Men of War and Fly-Boats that were come to Land the Garison and Inhabitants of Navarrens and Modon which were surrenderd on Articles to the Generalissimo Morosini The Commander of this Squadron had retain'd some Women under pretext that they were willing to embrace the Christian Faith and the Dey of Tripoli on the Complaints made to him by the Husbands and Relations of those Women had by way of Reprizal seiz'd on the whole Crew of a Pinnace belonging to the Venetians But the Difference was accommodated by the Duke's Mediation the Women being restor'd to the Turks and the Mariners of the Pinnace to the Venetians After which the Duke wrote to the Dey of Tunis who sent in the Vessel call'd the Granade the rest of the Slaves that were taken under the Banner of France The next Year the Dey Divan and Soldiery of Tripoli sent to France Khelyt Aga the Bassa's Deputy and Hector Aga a Naval Officer to present to his Majesty by way of Tribute two Dromedaries six of the finest Horses in the Country and some Ostriches These Envoys arriv'd at Toulon on the 3d. of May 1687 where they were receiv'd by Vauvre Intendant of the Marine and maintain'd at the King's Charge with their eight Attentendants during the forty Days they remain'd in that Place to repose themselves and those Animals who had suffer'd very much in the Voyage At last they set forward by an Order from the Court accompany'd by de Magrie a Marine Officer in the Toulon Division and Antonio Boyer a Native of Malta to perform the Office of an Interpreter on the Road. On the 10th of August they came to Charenton and de Magna went immediately to inform the Marquess de Seignelay of their Arrival The 22d they were brought to Versailles and introduc'd to his Majesty's Presence by the Marquess After they had made their Compliment in Turkish which was interpreted by Dipy they presented the Animals to the King after which a Moor about eighteen Years old of a very large Stature both for height and thickness mounted one of the Dromedaries harness'd after the Mode of the Country and galloping about the Court he rais'd himself with wonderful agility on the Back of that Animal and having made several whirling Turns fell back into his former Posture Some Days after the Ambassadors went to see the Marquess de Seignelay's House where they were regal'd by his Officers tho' they had receiv'd neither Orders for the Entertainment nor so much as Notice of their coming At their departure the Marquess gave each of 'em in the King's Name a Gold Chain and Medal with his Majesty's Picture In October 1689 the Marquess de Seignelay was made Minister of State but he did not long enjoy that Dignity for he dy'd the next Year three Months after the Dauphiness as his Father deceas'd some Days after the Queen His Death was believ'd to be occasion'd by his Debauches and especially by the Excesses he committed with Women He was extremely in Love with one of his Mistresses but did not take care to raise her Fortune tho' it was not suitable to her Birth When she was inform'd that there was no hope of his Recovery and that he suffer'd no Ladies to be brought into his Presence she disguis'd her self in the Habit of a Courier and pretending that she had a Pacquet concerning some important Affair to deliver to the Marquess She was introduc'd into his Chamber where she discover'd her self to him and told him that hearing he was about to undertake a long Journey she cou'd not forbear bidding him adieu before his departure and withal intreated him to remember her Condition He easily understood her meaning but having more pressing Debts to pay sent her away with a Promise that he would think of her The Abbot de Fenelon gave him notice of his approaching Death and he was so much the more surpriz'd with so unwelcom a Message that two Days before he had spent eight Hours in doing Business with his Commissaries His Body being open'd there were found twelve small and very hard Glands in his Breast and the Rudiments of some others in his Kindneys his Lungs were found sticking to his Sides all his Blood was congeal'd and his Stomach so hard that they cou'd not open it without some difficulty The Inventory of his Estate amounted to 1700000 Livres and might have been much greater if his Expences had been less extravagant He left five Boys of whom the eldest call'd the Marquess de Loure being then about seven or eight Years old some time after obtain'd the Reversion of the Office of Master of the Wardrobe at present in the possession of the Marquess de la Sale Lewis Phelippeaux Count of Pontchartrain was made Minister and Secretary of State in room of the Marquess de Seignelay He had already pass'd thro' the Offices of Counsellor in the Court of Requests in the Parliament of Paris Master of Requests First President in the Parliament of Bretaign and Intendant of the Finances and was then as he is still Comptroller-General of the Finances The Marquess de Louvois had the Titles of Governour of the Fortifications of Maritime places and of the ancient Fortifications Great Master of the Races and Director of the Cloth-Manufactory And the Office of Commander and Great Treasurer of the King's Orders formerly in the possession of the Marquess de Seigdelay was given to his Uncle the Marquess de Croissy Minister and Secretary of State Of all Colbert's Sons at present there are only two remaining James Nicholas Archbishop of Rohan and Lewis formerly Abbot of Bonport and Prior of Nogent le Rotru who after the Death of his Brother Charles Count de Sceaux who was kill'd in Flanders at the Head of the Regiment of Champaign left a Religious for a Military Life and was made Commander of the same Regiment which the Marquess de Blanville had commanded before him The END THE TABLE OF THE CONTENTS COlberts's Character Page 1 His Birth and Education 3 His Advancement to the Service of le Tellier Secretary of State ibid. An Instance of his Exactness and Fidelity to his Master 4 Cardinal Mazarin receives him into his Service 5 His Marriage and Mistresses 6 7 He is made Intendant of the Finances 9 An Account of the Proceedings against Fouquet Superintendant of the Finances 10 c. Fouquet's Kindness to the Burlesque Gazettier 18 Colbert's Avarice ibid. Pelisson